Review: Undeniably Yours by Shannon Stacey

Undeniably Yours 

By Shannon Stacey 

Book #2 in the Kowalski Family series 

Bar owner Kevin Kowalski is used to women throwing their phone numbers at him. Even if lately he's been more interested in finding Mrs. Right than Miss Right Now. Enter Beth Hansen.

Kevin and Beth may have started out all wrong, with an impromptu passionate encounter at a wedding, followed by a walk of shame. Yet Kevin knows there's more to their relationship than a one-night stand. Especially when Beth turns up pregnant.

Kevin may be ready for the "next step," but Beth doesn't want a relationship with a former playboy, however irresistible he might be. And it's going to take a lot to convince her to go on a second date with the father of her child....

Kevin Kowalski first meets Beth Hansen when she shows up at his bar one evening with her boss. He causes her to get fired when he has her boss arrested for drunk and disorderliness. When she happens to be working his brother's wedding shortly after, they end up spending an unforgettable night together, one that will tie them together for years to come when she winds up pregnant.

After this story, I can easily understand why everyone loves Kevin and know do, too. His reaction to Beth's news was mature and responsible, better than hers. I really could understand her reluctance in jumping into a relationship with him until she could sort out his feelings; is he wanting her or the opportunity to have a family. But, since she never seemed to work as hard at figuring this out as she did stonewalling him, Beth just got on my nerves. Kevin's rope was a lot longer than mine.

Despite Beth's silliness, I still liked her and what she stood for. I also loved the secondary storyline involving Paulie, Kevin's very talented waitress, and Sam Logan, a man from her past. The Kowalski clan's closeness and good humor helped to make this a very enjoyable story and explain why Kevin hung in there for so long with a woman like Beth. And, you gotta love a man with dimples.

Review: Exclusively Yours by Shannon Stacey

Exclusively Yours 

By Shannon Stacey 

Book #1 in the Kowalski Family series 

When Keri Daniels’ editor finds out she has previous carnal knowledge of reclusive bestselling author Joe Kowalski, she gives Keri a choice: get an interview or get a new job.

Joe’s never forgotten the first girl to break his heart, so he’s intrigued to hear Keri’s back in town—and looking for him. Despite his intense need for privacy, he’ll grant Keri an interview if it means a chance to finish what they started in high school.

He proposes an outrageous plan—for every day she survives with his family on their annual camping and four-wheeling trip, Keri can ask one question. Keri agrees; she’s worked too hard to walk away from her career.

But the chemistry between them is still as potent as the bug spray, Joe’s sister is out to avenge his broken heart and Keri hasn’t ridden an ATV since she was ten. Who knew a little blackmail, a whole lot of family and some sizzling romantic interludes could make Keri reconsider the old dream of Keri & Joe 2gether 4ever.

Joe didn't have any intention of seeing Keri beyond that first meeting but within five minutes knew he needed more time with her. His crazy plan wasn't well thought out but he pulled out all the stops. Keri chose her career over Joe years ago, determined to make a name for herself, and now she had to stay committed to because she didn't just break Joe's heart but her own, too.

This first story in the series was full of laugh out loud moments as this is a big, boisterous family who enjoys being with each other. They go along with Joe's plan, except his twin sister,Terry, who hasn't forgiven Keri, who was also once her friend. Keri's life may seem glamorous now but she hasn't formed any lasting relationships that even come close to what she gave up when she left for Los Angeles.

There's also a serious side as Terry's marriage is on the rocks and their brother Mike and his wife are experiencing some stress. These issues blended well in the background of Joe and Keri's romance, sometimes being a factor in Joe's plan.

What we ended up with is a great story, a bittersweet romance and lots of funny moments as Joe and Keri try to find a way to reconnect in the woods of New Hampshire with the entire Kowalski clan. I loved the family dynamics as well as these outgoing and attractive Kowalski men. I'm already hooked to the series.

Review: All He Ever Dreamed by Shannon Stacey

All He Ever Dreamed 

By Shannon Stacey

Book #6 in the Kowalski Family series 

Josh Kowalski is tired of holding down the fort—better known as the Northern Star Lodge—while his siblings are off living their dreams. Now that his oldest brother has returned to Whitford, Maine for good, Josh is free to chase some dreams of his own.

As the daughter of the lodge's longtime housekeeper, Katie Davis grew up alongside the Kowalski kids. Though she's always been "one of the guys", her feelings for Josh are anything but sisterly. And after a hot late-night encounter in the kitchen, it's clear Josh finally sees her as the woman she is.

Katie's been waiting years for Josh to notice her, but now that he has, she's afraid it's too late. Giving her heart to a man who can't wait to leave town is one sure way to have it broken. But Josh keeps coming up with excuses not to leave—could it be that everything he's ever wanted is closer than he could have imagined?

Josh Kowalski never intended to run the family lodge and stay in Whitford, Maine. Circumstances just ended up with him being the last one left. The lodge has been in the family for four generations and to sell it means giving up their memories and the last place all of his siblings could call home. He wants the opportunity to choose his destiny and wants to leave and see a world he’s only heard about through his three brothers and sister’s exploits.

Meanwhile, Rose, the housekeeper for the lodge and the woman who helped raise him and his siblings when his mother died, is trying her best to bring him and her daughter, Katie, together after years of them being best friends. Katie’s been just one of the guys but everyone in town has always known that she’s been in love with Josh forever.

I was looking forward to Josh’s story since everyone else got the chance to pursue their dreams and he inherited the running of the lodge by default. And, I liked the idea of a romance between two best friends. Katie is independent and open to Josh’s tendency to keep things in and not ask for help. Their rapport was easy and natural, even when things shifted to the romance. The moment when Josh first sees Katie as a woman was hilarious, along with the nosy and buttinsky family and friends who help things along. However, his struggle with the choice of leaving everything behind him, including Katie, or sticking with the lodge was a real one, bringing a serious aspect to the story.

I enjoyed this book but felt Katie and Josh’s romance lacked a certain spark. Maybe it was because the transition from best friends to lovers was a little bit too easy or Josh’s career decision was always overshadowing it. Whatever the reason, I thought they deserved something more. Katie always seemed to be an afterthought, which wasn’t Josh’s nature or hers.

Still, their story was enjoyable, one involving two working class people dealing with everyday issues that complicate lives. The ending was perfect, even if it was just a little predictable. I love this series and am looking forward to the next installment, which I hope is Liz’s, the lone sister of the bunch.

(I received an ARC from NetGalley)

Review: All He Ever Desired By Shannon Stacy

All He Ever Desired 

By Shannon Stacy 

Book #5 in the Kowalski Family Series 

A second shot at first love…After college, Ryan Kowalski decided to leave Whitford, Maine, rather than watch Lauren Carpenter marry another man. Now his siblings need his help to refurbish the family-owned Northern Star Lodge and he's forced to face the past sooner rather than later when he collars a vandal—and learns the boy is Lauren's son…

The last person Lauren needs back in her life is Ryan Kowalski. With a bitter ex-husband and a moody teenage son, she has enough man trouble already. But her son needs to learn a few lessons about right and wrong, even if Lauren has to escort him to Ryan's door every day to work off his crime. With all this close contact, Ryan and Lauren can't deny the chemistry between them is as powerful as ever. But can a few searing kisses erase their past and pave the way for a second chance at true love?

Ryan Kowalski (36) has never forgotten Lauren Carpenter (34) after almost 14 years and the passion of his past has certainly tempered. She's only improved over time and he has a whole new set of feelings to contend with. Lauren has played the "what if" game with herself since her divorce eight years ago, imagining what her life might have been like if she'd taken Ryan up on his offer to run away with him. She's got a chance to play things out in the present but wonders if he still has any feelings for her.

Ryan and Lauren's relationship is truly a contemporary romance. As a single mother of a 16-year old teenaged boy, she's constantly juggling the demands of a job, strained finances and being a mom while trying to have a social life. Ryan is part of a big extended family (four hot brothers, a sister, and four equally attractive first cousins) and he's only in Whitford, Maine to help his brothers restore the family lodge as he has his own multi-million dollar company to run in Brookline, Massachusetts. He and Lauren not only have their own past baggage to deal with as they consider a long-distance relationship but all of these pulls from their current circumstances. There weren't easy solutions and it made this story more engaging, even in the midst of a pretty hot romance.

What made this story even more enjoyable were the many funny moments arising from being a part of a large family. Ryan has great relationships with his brothers but everyone is in each others' business. It helped balance out the tough aspects of the romance, it all seeming so normal while still providing a nice escape. And, you have the whole town involved in seeing these two make it.

Ryan and Lauren are two interesting personalities and have one hot romance in spite of their obstacles. I really liked how their story was presented with all of its ups and downs, challenges and triumphs, as well as the many siblings who provide more flavor. It ended a bit briefly but every book in this series includes updates for every member of this family so we haven't heard the last about them.

(NetGalley ARC)