Susan F. (scoutmomskf) -
A terrific story full of fun, family, and fire. This is the third book in the Catcher Creek series but can easily be read as a standalone. I haven't read the first two books, but there were enough backstory tidbits that I never felt lost.
Jenna is the youngest of three sisters and a single mother. A rough childhood led to Jenna's wild child high school years. At eighteen, an unexpected pregnancy led to a rapid decision to clean up her act and give her son the best life possible. One thing that hasn't changed is her ability to keep a secret - like who her son's father is, that she's going to college online and can't wait to get out of Catcher Creek. She's mostly stopped dreaming of finding a forever man, except for her crush on Matt. She'd like to get something started with him, but he doesn't show any return interest.
Matt is the oil rights attorney who helped Jenna and her sisters save their ranch. He's not your typical shark-like lawyer but one who is sincerely interested in helping people. He's as interested in Jenna, but he needs to keep the single mother at a distance. His reasons are heartbreaking, and I hurt for what it meant to his happiness.
I enjoyed watching the relationship between Jenna and Matt develop. Matt has struggled to resist Jenna's advances for months, but it becomes nearly impossible as they work together to solve a crisis involving her sister Amy's wedding. I loved how Matt came to the rescue and the teamwork they demonstrated to make it happen. An unexpected announcement at the wedding sent Matt into hiding to lick his wounds, and an encounter with a stranger opened his eyes to what he was missing by pushing Jenna away. I liked that Matt decided to take a chance, hoping that his feelings for Jenna won't lead to another heartbreak.
Because they've known each other for a while, Jenna's son Tommy already knows and likes Matt. There are some charming scenes of the two of them together, and it's easy to see that Matt is meant to be a father. But his secret affects many parts of his life, from his relationship with his family to his ability to trust the feelings of the women he dates. Jenna has her own trust issues, which is why she's kept so many secrets for so long. But when Tommy's father returns to town, those secrets begin to unravel.
I ached for all three of the people involved. Tommy's dad is still dealing with the hurt and anger from the events that led to him leaving Catcher Creek, some of which he blames Jenna for. There's one confrontation where I feared for her safety, but a later one begins to clear the air. Matt is caught in the middle when he misunderstands the circumstances, and his hurt and pride won't let him stick around for an explanation. Thank goodness for his new friend Jake, whose voice of reason sends them back to check on Jenna. And then there's Jenna, whose entire world seems to be falling apart. There's plenty of blame to go around, but it came as something of a surprise to see Matt be the one to help make sense of it all.
The author deals with some very sensitive issues in this book with realistic situations and emotions. Jenna's promises to Tommy's father were at the heart of her secret-keeping, and as more information was revealed, I understood her reasons. After her first encounter with him after his return, I understood Jenna's need to call out some of the town's people. The scene at the bunco party was intense, and I cheered at seeing her go off on the narrow-minded jerks. I also liked how Matt's longing to be a father was treated as just as normal as those of guys who feel the opposite, as was his frustration at not being able to do anything about it. Finally, I ended up liking Tommy's dad a lot. He had so much to deal with, both in the past and now. I liked seeing him accept Matt's help in seeking justice and learning how to be a bio-dad to Tommy.
#netgalley
Jenna is the youngest of three sisters and a single mother. A rough childhood led to Jenna's wild child high school years. At eighteen, an unexpected pregnancy led to a rapid decision to clean up her act and give her son the best life possible. One thing that hasn't changed is her ability to keep a secret - like who her son's father is, that she's going to college online and can't wait to get out of Catcher Creek. She's mostly stopped dreaming of finding a forever man, except for her crush on Matt. She'd like to get something started with him, but he doesn't show any return interest.
Matt is the oil rights attorney who helped Jenna and her sisters save their ranch. He's not your typical shark-like lawyer but one who is sincerely interested in helping people. He's as interested in Jenna, but he needs to keep the single mother at a distance. His reasons are heartbreaking, and I hurt for what it meant to his happiness.
I enjoyed watching the relationship between Jenna and Matt develop. Matt has struggled to resist Jenna's advances for months, but it becomes nearly impossible as they work together to solve a crisis involving her sister Amy's wedding. I loved how Matt came to the rescue and the teamwork they demonstrated to make it happen. An unexpected announcement at the wedding sent Matt into hiding to lick his wounds, and an encounter with a stranger opened his eyes to what he was missing by pushing Jenna away. I liked that Matt decided to take a chance, hoping that his feelings for Jenna won't lead to another heartbreak.
Because they've known each other for a while, Jenna's son Tommy already knows and likes Matt. There are some charming scenes of the two of them together, and it's easy to see that Matt is meant to be a father. But his secret affects many parts of his life, from his relationship with his family to his ability to trust the feelings of the women he dates. Jenna has her own trust issues, which is why she's kept so many secrets for so long. But when Tommy's father returns to town, those secrets begin to unravel.
I ached for all three of the people involved. Tommy's dad is still dealing with the hurt and anger from the events that led to him leaving Catcher Creek, some of which he blames Jenna for. There's one confrontation where I feared for her safety, but a later one begins to clear the air. Matt is caught in the middle when he misunderstands the circumstances, and his hurt and pride won't let him stick around for an explanation. Thank goodness for his new friend Jake, whose voice of reason sends them back to check on Jenna. And then there's Jenna, whose entire world seems to be falling apart. There's plenty of blame to go around, but it came as something of a surprise to see Matt be the one to help make sense of it all.
The author deals with some very sensitive issues in this book with realistic situations and emotions. Jenna's promises to Tommy's father were at the heart of her secret-keeping, and as more information was revealed, I understood her reasons. After her first encounter with him after his return, I understood Jenna's need to call out some of the town's people. The scene at the bunco party was intense, and I cheered at seeing her go off on the narrow-minded jerks. I also liked how Matt's longing to be a father was treated as just as normal as those of guys who feel the opposite, as was his frustration at not being able to do anything about it. Finally, I ended up liking Tommy's dad a lot. He had so much to deal with, both in the past and now. I liked seeing him accept Matt's help in seeking justice and learning how to be a bio-dad to Tommy.
#netgalley
Cherise E. (CherryDuck) reviewed How to Rope a Real Man (Catcher Creek, Bk 3) on + 150 more book reviews
Jenna has her share of secrets. As a teenager she was no stranger to reckless living, she was the town bad girl, until an unexpected pregnancy had her changing her ways. Shes 24 now with a 5 year old son, and although her and her two sisters are closer than ever, she is still keeping secrets.
Matt has secrets of his own, and the biggest one is what is holding him back from acting on the mutual attraction he and Jenna have been feeling for months now. When they finally come together, it seems they cant stop falling for one another.
As the two of them get closer, we learn a bit more about what has kept us interested in these two characters over the past two books. I know I was dying to get my hands on this book; Jenna has been an intriguing character from day one. Her sorted past combined with her wonderful mothering and loving heart has kept me wanting to know more about her.
I flew through this book. I found myself making that I will read one more chapter and then deal with myself, repeatedly. And I think I reneged 99% of the time. I had to find out what happened next.
Matt was super sexy loved the dirty talk, that was hot, but he was also adorably romantic. Their romance had everything. There is one scene when Jenna is supposed to be studying that I found particularly clever and fun.
When their pasts and secrets are uncovered things get ugly, but the entire journey was enjoyable. Ive really enjoyed this series and I am sad to see the end of the Sorentino sisters, they were fabulously entertaining.
Cherise Everhard, April 2014
I received this book from the publisher/author in exchange for an honest review
Matt has secrets of his own, and the biggest one is what is holding him back from acting on the mutual attraction he and Jenna have been feeling for months now. When they finally come together, it seems they cant stop falling for one another.
As the two of them get closer, we learn a bit more about what has kept us interested in these two characters over the past two books. I know I was dying to get my hands on this book; Jenna has been an intriguing character from day one. Her sorted past combined with her wonderful mothering and loving heart has kept me wanting to know more about her.
I flew through this book. I found myself making that I will read one more chapter and then deal with myself, repeatedly. And I think I reneged 99% of the time. I had to find out what happened next.
Matt was super sexy loved the dirty talk, that was hot, but he was also adorably romantic. Their romance had everything. There is one scene when Jenna is supposed to be studying that I found particularly clever and fun.
When their pasts and secrets are uncovered things get ugly, but the entire journey was enjoyable. Ive really enjoyed this series and I am sad to see the end of the Sorentino sisters, they were fabulously entertaining.
Cherise Everhard, April 2014
I received this book from the publisher/author in exchange for an honest review
