Yours to Keep (Kowalski Family #3)

Let me just say that as with some of the others who gave his a bad review, I was also frustrated by the low-stakes premise. Two people are going to lie to an entire family (and get the children involved, too) just so that heroine\’s grandmother \”won\’t worry about her anymore.\” Therefore they fabricate this fake engagement which will be \”off\” as soon as the grandmother sells the family home to heroine and goes back to retirement in Florida, no longer worried about her granddaughter because she\’s got herself a man. Because once she\’s back in Florida and they break it to her that the engagement is off, presumably she won\’t worry anymore…? Not sure about this one. BUT I hung on because the writing, as always with this author, is fresh and engaging. The dialogue snappy and smart, and the Kowalski men: swoon! And if you hang in there with this one, it all comes together for a beautiful and unique love story. Emma and Sean are just obviously made for each other. She won\’t cut him any slack and they\’re competitive to the end! You will laugh out loud at how competitive. You will not want to miss the progression of the sticky-notes or how the author brilliantly weaves that into the story. Long story short this one hit me hard in the feels. Beautiful HEA that was real and didn\’t feel contrived.

Emma is an independent beautiful talented woman who is desperate to keep her grandmother very happy. In order to do this, her solution is to create a fictitious relationship with a real person, Sean. Sean has been away in the service and has just recently returned. When he discovers Emma\’s innocent deception, he decides to go along with it. This sweet romance has not significant plot twists. Just a straight line to develop the friendship between the two main characters that develop into love. There is hot chemistry between them, and subsequently, a hot sex scene or two. I like the dialogue between Emma and Sean, and their interaction. It\’s fun, sweet and respectful. They both have a great sense of humor and are honest as well. I like that Emma is not weak nor insecure. The woman knows what she wants and is pretty honest about it. At the end, there is a bit of hedging between the two – but that is fine. It gives the nosy grandma and aunt to get involved. It doesn\’t get annoying nor frustrating. If you need books that have plot twists, suspense, angst or misunderstandings – this is not the book for you. I guess you can call this \’beach reading\’…something easy, fun and light. But even with all that, this book wasn\’t dumbed down. The author has wit and does a great job keeping the characters interesting and you care about them. The book doesn\’t give huge depth to the characters,but gives you enough to become invested in seeing them end up happy. The other characters are also fun and interesting. This author does a great job creating a light-hearted, but fun sweet story that keeps your interest without becoming saccharine not making us feel like we are being condescended to. I like that both characters stay true to who they are without having to bend to change for the other person. They are both independent and strong and honest. They are kind yet can be a bit sassy and sarcastic. No Cliffhangers. Enjoyed the Happy Ending. Enjoy!

First Impression: I\’ve found a new author and series to add to my auto buy list. Favorite Line/Quote: \”Oh yes, Sean Kowalski. Your amazing kisses have made all rational thought fly out of my besotted brain. If only you could fill me with your magic penis, I know we\’ll fall madly in love and live happily ever after.\” The Narration: I love Lauren Fortgang\’s narration of the Elemental Assassin series by Jennifer Estep so I wanted to check out some more of her work. I listened to books 1 & 2 in the Kowalski Family and loved the narration and writing so it was a no brainer for me to listen to this one too. What I liked: Everything really. Shannon Stacey knows how to write a sweet, fun and sexy romance. I love how this series is built around a family so that we get to see past couples and get glimpses of future leading characters. The Kowalski is so heart warming and fun to read that I wish I could be part of their family. From the older generation to the even the kids, Stacey has created a great world within the crazy, fun-loving family. What I didn\’t like: NOTHING! Lasting Impression: Shannon Stacey and Lauren Fortgang is another great author/narrator combo that goes on my favorite list. Will I continue this series: YES! I\’m totally hooked and already have the other books waiting for me to devour them. Would I read this author again: I\’ve already read 2 other novels and 3 novella by Shannon Stacey so it\’s safe to say YES I will continue to read her books.

loved it

I found this book and even though I was already reading two books at the same time, I just had to start it because it sounded so great. And I have to say it was even better than I thought it would be. Sean is probably one of the greatest and most decent heroes I ever stumbled across. He\’s honest, really close to his family, charming, so not a morning person and sexy as hell. He (reluctantly) agrees to Emma\’s plot and even though he has his doubts, he sticks. But the thing that really made me root for him so much, was his honesty about his intentions. He was completely sure of himself and his plan for the future… and so endearingly wrong about it all :] Emma was a pleasant heroine, but unfortunately she paled a bit next to Sean and Cat, her hilarious grandmother. But the best thing about the book was the slow development of their relationship. It was realistic, but still worthy of a romance novel. They both found themself in a situation they hadn\’t been prepared for, but still made the best of it. Of course there was the expected trouble at the end of the book, but for the first time an author managed to deliver an understandable explanation for the hero and the heroine to not just stay together right away, even though they were obviously ment for each other: *** bit of a SPOILER *** Sean to his aunt – \”I didn\’t even get a chance to figure out what would make me happy. I was going to do… something. Travel, maybe. Find a place I wanted to call home. And yes, I love Emma, but she\’s so… rooted. She has that house and her business and that\’s her life. I want to life my life.\” But look forward to the Happy Ending! *** SPOILER end *** The story of Sean and Emma is a truly great one – entertaining, sometimes frustrating, but still heart-warming. And Sean\’s sticky-note-addiction is one of the funniest and sweetest things I\’ve ever read! 😀

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