A perfectionistic equine vet. A gorgeous fireman. An unrequited high school crush blazes hot twelve years later.Reliable Amanda McNeill’s world toppled last summer when Hollywood invaded her family’s horse breeding ranch. Now she’s in a massive rut. She yearns to be impulsive, even wild, and a hot fling with Jake Cruz might be the sizzle she needs to jumpstart her life.When firefighter Jake Cruz … life.
When firefighter Jake Cruz comes face to face with his former crush Amanda, her charming blushes and heated glances tell him she notices him this time around. While Jake longs to discover if this Amanda matches the girl who starred in his adolescent fantasies, his desire to become fire captain, and earn his family’s pride, requires he focus on work, not passion.
Could his dream woman become his real love or will his professional ambitions extinguish their chances? Once the smoke clears, will Amanda realize Jake isn’t a fling but her hero after all?
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The Very Thought of You is the second book in Claire Marti’s Pacific Vista Ranch series. I loved the first book in the series, Nobody Else But You, so this one was had big shoes to fill. And, I have to tell you, I enjoyed this book even more than the first!
Jake Cruz had a crush on Amanda MacNeill in high school, and now that they’ve met again as adults, he is still attracted to her. Only this time around, the feelings might be reciprocated, even though Amanda tries to tell herself she only wants a fun fling.
I loved the characters of Jake and Amanda, and the sweet relationship that unfolds between them. Jake is a huge, hunky fire fighter, but at heart he is a gentle giant, and I found his character to be especially appealing. Marti has a knack for creating well-rounded characters. She draws you into the story, and I feel as though I’ve actually been to the Pacific Vista Ranch when I’ve finished one of her books.
While it was fun to get a glimpse of the characters from the first book, this one can be read and enjoyed as a standalone novel, if you have not yet read the first one. But, if you haven’t…why not? This is a sweet and sexy addition to a fun series and I have already pre-ordered book three and can’t wait to read it too.
Okay, remember the hunky firefighter from the first book? What you haven’t read the first book, yet? Better get a wiggle on and pick it up. LOL
Anyway this book is his story. He let a learning disability and his father’s apparent lack of respect for his decision to become a firefighter instead of going to college define him as an adult. I loved how the author set him up years ago s a scrawny high school freshman crushing on his student tutor, Amanda McNeill. Now the tables have turned. He’s a six foot five inch hunky fireman who rescued a dog hit by a driver that didn’t even stop. (Should be a special place in Hell for people that hit dogs and drive away. Okay putting away my soapbox.) To get help, he takes the dog to the nearest veterinarian. Low and behold the vet is Amanda McNeill. Wow, do the sparks fly… Chemistry between Jake and Amanda sizzles right off the page, despite their insecurities. Coming face to face with Amanda will Jake’s fantasies come true? No spoilers here.
I loved this book from beginning to end. Being a dog person, I enjoyed the way the author wove the story around the wonderfully believable characters, their feelings and the dog. I can’t wait for book three, Dylan’s story.
I highly recommend the book. Are you still sitting there? So what are you waiting for? Get your copy today and curl up in front of a cozy fire with The Very Thought of you!
Firefighter Jake Cruz never forgot the kindness his high school tutor Amanda McNeill bestowed upon him and helped him try to overcome his learning disability all those years ago. He’s also carried a five-alarm torch for her and no woman can measure up to the fantasy in Jake’s head. Flash forward twelve years and a cute dog named Stella brings them together again. This time, though, Jake is a man and he’s conflicted. He’s trying to get a college degree so he can become a Captain but his learning disability is holding him back. When he asks Amanda to tutor him, she agrees. Jake tries to bury his feelings for her but she takes the reins. Their fling burns up the sheets but runs cold when she breaks it off with him. Can he convince her he’s her forever hero or has his career sputtered their love?
I love a good second-chance romance and The Very Thought of You is one of the best I’ve read. This is more than a romance, though. Serious life issues like learning disabilities, health, animal rescue and parental expectations all play a role in this story. Jake is such a lovable hero; it was easy to fall in love with him. Amanda is, like most women, attracted to the physical appearance of Jake but soon sees Jake’s gentle spirit and heart. Every time the dog, Stella, entered a scene, my heart melted. There’s a lot of angst to this romance but trust me, it’s worth it in the end. Jake and Amanda are a couple any romance reader will fall for. Highly recommend!
My Rating: 5 stars
Opposites attract and set emotions ablaze. Marti couldn’t disappoint my heart even if she tried. The Very Thought of You brings a real life canvas with a smidge of fairytale fantasy. Though far from a perfect fit Amanda and Jake barrel deep into the vulnerable moments of life and love to deliver a more human approach. I felt like I was wrapped inside of a beautiful dream.
Jake Cruz allowed his learning disabilities to define and limit him for most of his life. He’s been able to work around them, and carved a good life for himself as a firefighter, one that didn’t rely on reading or book smarts. But now that he wants to go for a captain position he needs to earn his Bachelors degree, and he’s gonna need help to get there.
Enter Dr. Amanda McNeill, a local vet, and the older girl from his high school days he carried the biggest torch for. Crush sounds too mild for the feelings he had for Amanda back when she was his algebra tutor. She never treated him like he was dumb, and when he runs into her again he’s struck by how beautiful and kind and perfect she still is after all these years.
Amanda lost her actress mother as a teen, her family’s life uprooted by the tragedy and the hounding of the media. The events of the past still haunt her, her underlying fear of abandonment making her unwilling to get too close to people. Even someone as yummy as Jake Cruz.
The chemistry between the characters is steamy hot, despite the insecurities they both hold close. The interplay between the two as they get to know each other and then finally (finally!) give in to the electricity arcing between them is well written, well timed, and just wonderful. I totally felt for Jake, trying so hard to earn his father’s approval and while he loves his brother, is still totally jealous of how everything seems to come easily to him. Ms. Marti does a really great job of creating complex characters and family dynamics that ring true.
I wish I had more than five stars to give this book, and eagerly await a next installment to this series with this family.
Strong, well written characters with logical and realistic goals and motivation. The setting can’t be beat. Author Marti “put me right there” with each scene. This is a terrific follow-up to book 1 in this series. Can’t wait for the next one. Kat Henry Doran, Wild Women Reviews
If you read the first book in Claire Marti’s Pacific Vista Ranch series, NOBODY ELSE BY YOU, you met Amanda, the dependable vet at her family’s horse breeding ranch. You also met the smoking hot fireman, Jake, but when he encounters Amanda in book two, THE VERY THOUGHT OF YOU, all kinds of sparks fly. Claire Marti is in her element as she weaves this emotional second chance romance between Amanda and Jake, and I could not put it down. Amanda is ready for an adventure, determined to shed a bit of her staid reputation, and a fling with Jake seems perfect. Jake, however, used to nurse a crush for Amanda when she was his tutor in high school, and he’s concerned his memories of her will be marred by the reality of her. But, of course, he can’t say no, and “watching” them fall into their fling, and later in love, as they re-evaluate what they really want, is so satisfying! Book three can’t come fast enough!
The Very Thought of You is a beautiful continuation of the McNeill family journey as the second book in the Pacific Vista Ranch series. Amanda and Jake effortlessly brought me into their story with tenderness, love, and challenges of the human spirit. As an animal lover, I also experienced a heart melt every time an adorable dog named Stella made her appearance! A compelling, sweet love story set upon stunning descriptions of North San Diego County in California, made this a continual page turner for me. It also left me with a wonderful motto: Don’t let fear hold you back.
This is book two in the Pacific Vista Ranch series. Remember the firefighter from book 1? Yeah, this is his story. I Love that Jake was a scrawny little freshman crushing on his senior tutor (the heroine, Amanda) and now he is a 6’5 smoking hot fireman. Once he placed her on a pedestal but will the reality be as good as his fantasy? (the answer is yes.)
Here is the problem – Jake wants to become a fire captain and doesn’t have time for love. But Amanda wants to take a walk on the wild side and let go of her “dependable” and boring reputation. Obviously Jake doesn’t stand a chance. Such a fun read! I can’t wait for Book 3 and Dylan’s story.