Good Girls Don't (Donovan Brothers Brewery, #1) by Victoria Dahl

Aug 16, 2012 Jae rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc, contemporary, 5-star, favorites, handcuff-me-hot-cop, hot-shagging-action, lovvit, 2011, silly-lol

This was one of those rare moments where 10 pages into the book and I was overwhelmed with sadness. Sadness knowing that the more I flip the pages the nearer I got to the end. The story about the Donovan siblings just sucked me in and got me bewitched with their witty sibling antics.

Tessa was just the girl! I really felt for her. Being orphans at an early age had made Eric, Jaime and Tessa very close to each other. And Tessa had made her ultimate priority to keep all three of them together no m...more

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Feb 08, 2013 Azzurra rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: romance, romance-contemporary, read-in-english

Il romanzo viaggia su due binari, il romance e l'investigazione, che si intrecciano e mescolano creando una storia che, anche se non perfetta, risulta un piacevole intrattenimento per chi stà cercando alcuni momenti di relax e leggerezza.
La parte romance vede Tessa Donovan -giovane proprietaria di un birrificio che gestisce assieme ai due fratelli maggiori Eric e James- e Luke Ashton -detective di polizia duro e dal passato e presente pieno di problemi- incontrarsi dopo il furto di alcuni comput...more Il romanzo viaggia su due binari, il romance e l'investigazione, che si intrecciano e mescolano creando una storia che, anche se non perfetta, risulta un piacevole intrattenimento per chi stà cercando alcuni momenti di relax e leggerezza.
La parte romance vede Tessa Donovan -giovane proprietaria di un birrificio che gestisce assieme ai due fratelli maggiori Eric e James- e Luke Ashton -detective di polizia duro e dal passato e presente pieno di problemi- incontrarsi dopo il furto di alcuni computer della Donovan Brothers Brewery. Il fatto che Luke sia un vecchio amico di "bisboccia" di James non aiuta molto le cose dato che ci vuole poco perchè i fratelloni, capita l'aria che tira tra i due, tentino di bloccare la cosa sul nascere. Ma quella che per i due è un'innocente e pura sorellina si dimostra subito un personaggio intraprendente che sa quello che vuole e come prenderselo. E chi meglio di un attraente e pericoloso detective per una relazione che si prospetta intrigante? Senza contare che le investigazioni di Luke giocoforza fanno si che il detective mantenga un contatto ravvicinato con quella ragazza così solare e sexy che lo fa divertire suo malgrado.
Ma se per Tessa da un lato le cose sembrano andare piuttosto bene, dall'altro con l'ultimo casino creato da James -ovvero andare a letto con la figlia dell'uomo con cui Eric stà per stipulare un contratto milionario- la sua vita stà prendendo una svolta piuttosto complicata. Per paura di quello che avrebbe potuto succedere una volta che Eric (già ai ferri corti con James) avesse saputo del contratto saltato, Tessa convince il fratello donnaiolo al silenzio e inizia la sua campagna di conquista verso il vecchio cocciuto magnate in questione. Ma le cose si complicano a più non posso quando anche il figlio del suddetto entra nell'equazione proponendo un affare difficile da rifiutare.
Dall'altro, invece, Luke sta' procedendo nelle investigazioni che stanno portando in una direzione del tutto inaspettata, scoprendo altarini fin nei piani alti del governo. E anche se la sua vita privata sembra aver ingranato la marcia giusta, i fantasmi di un passato che ancora lo tormentano stanno iniziando a erodere il primo spiraglio di felicità che abbia visto da tempo. Problemi e frustrazioni a cui non sa trovare una soluzione, con una partner e migliore amica incinta e senza marito/compagno che non ha intenzione di confidarsi e una ex-moglie tornata a tormentarlo.
Insomma, di carne al fuoco in questo romanzo ce n'è non poca.
La parte investigativa comunque la fa da padrone, creando quella suspance perfetta che mantiene il lettore avvinto fino alla fine. Quella romance, anche se interessante, mantiene effettivamente un piano di interesse leggermente sottotono.
Tutto sommato, come già dicevo all'inizio, un romanzo che si fa leggere, leggero e a tratti divertente, per passare alcune ore in tranquillità.

http://azurestrawberry.altervista.org...(less)

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Aug 23, 2011 Jess rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites, for_review

Review posted: Happily Ever After - Reads

His hand slid up to grip her hip as if he were afraid he’d float right off the earth if he didn’t hold on. She loved that she was his anchor, if only for this one brief moment.

A series centered around siblings. Stop right there, SOLD. I love all kinds of romance in all different types of sub genres, but I have a huge soft spot for series that are centered around families, especially when each sibling gets their own book. I love this element in the Rough...more

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Sep 18, 2011 Ana rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: z-read-in-2011, z-netgalley, contemporary-romance

Tessa Donovan really doesn't need this. Not only was their family brewery robbed, but her brother managed to blow some important business negotiations by sleeping with the man's daughter and getting caught by her irate father. She can fix this, after all she spent most of her life fixing things and cleaning up after her brothers. Of course there's some worthy distraction this time: Detective Luke Asher.

Luke is an old friend of her brother's. He knows he should stay away from Tessa, after all his...more Tessa Donovan really doesn't need this. Not only was their family brewery robbed, but her brother managed to blow some important business negotiations by sleeping with the man's daughter and getting caught by her irate father. She can fix this, after all she spent most of her life fixing things and cleaning up after her brothers. Of course there's some worthy distraction this time: Detective Luke Asher.

Luke is an old friend of her brother's. He knows he should stay away from Tessa, after all his reputation is in shreds. There are some nasty rumors floating around - he divorced his wife because she had cancer, he's the father of his partner's baby and he refuses to accept it... But Tessa is amazing and he wants her badly.

Luke is a great guy, always willing to help (even if nobody asks him to), he does have some hang-ups, but he deals with them. Even when he says something harsh to Tessa, he apologizes. He's charming and a great friend. The things he did for his partner made me smile (he actually read a couple of pregnancy books, and probably knew more about the risks than her).

Tessa's parents died when she was young, and she and her brothers were left alone. Luckily Eric, the older brother, was there to raise them and keep the family together. But she has some issues and doesn't really trust her brothers to stick around, and because of that she acts in a way that irritates me.

My problem with the book are Tessa's action. She goes behind her brother's back, constantly. I totally understand that when it comes to her private life, but when it's a business situation that involves the brewery... And she lies constantly. Now I know she has her reasons and that the fear of abandonment is the cause, but I simply couldn't like her. There were times when she annoyed me so much that I had to take a pause in reading the book and calm down.

Barring Tessa's behavior, the book is good. I like Luke, Eric and Jamie (I'm looking forward to their books Bad Boys Do and Real Men Will) and the mystery part of the book is OK (view spoiler).

Rating:

2.5 stars

*ARC received from NetGalley*(less)

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Sep 29, 2011 willaful rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: fans of Susan Mallery

Shelves: netgalley

Good Girls Don’t begins a family/family business contemporary series somewhat in the Susan Mallery mode, but considerably spicier.

Everyone thinks that Tessa Donovan is an innocent “good girl” (why, I’m not exactly sure, since she seems pretty flirtatious and in-your-face to me.) Police Detective Luke Asher has a notoriety even less well deserved -- he’s popularly believed to be a ladykiller who dumped his wife when she had cancer and callously knocked up his partner. But there is some truth beh...more

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Apr 11, 2012 Julia rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction, romance, dropbox

I always find myself pausing with anticipate when I start a new Victoria Dahl book, reading slowly and relishing those first laughs and witty moments that appear. Before long, however, I'm swept away, gulping down the book not just for the happily-ever-after, but those moments of growth and self-awareness that Dahl always writes so beautifully for her characters.

GOOD GIRLS DON'T includes all the Dahl hallmarks: humor, well-drawn characters, genuine emotion, and hot, hot sex. So much of the dial...more I always find myself pausing with anticipate when I start a new Victoria Dahl book, reading slowly and relishing those first laughs and witty moments that appear. Before long, however, I'm swept away, gulping down the book not just for the happily-ever-after, but those moments of growth and self-awareness that Dahl always writes so beautifully for her characters.

GOOD GIRLS DON'T includes all the Dahl hallmarks: humor, well-drawn characters, genuine emotion, and hot, hot sex. So much of the dialogue is worth a laugh out loud (and often snickers and snorts as well), I can't read her works in public without being continually interrupted to explain, "What's so funny?" (though I don't mind the creative reenactments these questions spark). Even though GOOD GIRLS DON'T included more drama than I had anticipated, that in no way overpowered the wit and genuine affection of the characters. Tessa and Luke each have their own issues, and Dahl brings them out very naturally over the course of the story (though poor Tessa began winding me up from Chapter 1, such a tense little sister). The relationships between our hero and heroine and their supporting characters were also engrossing, setting up Jamie Donovan for his story in BAD BOYS DO and making me pump my fist in victory when Luke's fierce loyalty to Simone gets some justice. Having read the prequel featuring Eric and Beth, I'm not sure if Beth's cameos make it harder to wait or gave me something to tide me over until their happily-ever-after, perhaps I'll be able to tell in my next read through. And there will be another read through, never doubt it, Tessa and Luke and their loving friends and family are too funny and sexy and entertaining to leave behind for long.

Re-read #1 (4/11/12): Still love the banter between Luke and Tessa, this book has the most highlights out of any Dahl (except maybe TALK ME DOWN). Didn't re-read the Kendall drama, and skimmed a lot of Tessa's anxiety as well. Still, the relationship pieces (and brother interactions) were absolutely fantastic.(less)

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May 15, 2012 Auntee rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Fans of steamy contemporary romance

Shelves: e-books, for_my_kindle, netgalley, contemporary-romance, 2012_reads

4 stars, but only because I read this series out of order and already was familiar with the suspense part of the book (so I found it kind of boring). What I loved reading about was Tessa (what a great, funny, compassionate character, always trying to fix things between her battling brothers) and her romance with hunky police detective Luke. These two were probably my favorite characters of the series.

Fantastic series, highly recommended if you like steamy hot contemporaries with touches of humo...more

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Mar 18, 2013 Franci Franci rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Un mix di passione,investigazioni,crescite interiori e divertimento: un libro che riesce a possedere il lettore fino alla fine,senza neanche una pausa.
Inizia tutto con una serie di furti che vedono coinvolta la cittadina in cui vivono Tessa e Luke,e che riguarda anche il birrificio dei fratelli Donovan. E' a causa,o grazie a questi colpi, che Tessa e Luke si rincontrano dopo tantissimo tempo e tra i due è subito attrazione,ma il calore e il fuoco che pian piano si propaga dai loro corpi rischia...more Un mix di passione,investigazioni,crescite interiori e divertimento: un libro che riesce a possedere il lettore fino alla fine,senza neanche una pausa.
Inizia tutto con una serie di furti che vedono coinvolta la cittadina in cui vivono Tessa e Luke,e che riguarda anche il birrificio dei fratelli Donovan. E' a causa,o grazie a questi colpi, che Tessa e Luke si rincontrano dopo tantissimo tempo e tra i due è subito attrazione,ma il calore e il fuoco che pian piano si propaga dai loro corpi rischia di essere soffocato da due estintori: Eric e Jamie,i fratelli di Tessa.
Jamie sembra conoscere molto bene Luke,avendo frequentato insieme a lui anni prima il liceo e non vede per niente di buon occhio questa possibile relazione,ed Eric essendo il fratello maggiore e colui che si è occupato della sua protezione dal momento in cui i loro genitori sono morti,non vuole accettare che sua sorella,ormai adulta,possa avere una vita anche sentimentale.
Ma la passione travolgerà ogni cosa e scaccerà qualunque ostacolo.
Prima di leggere questa storia mi aspettavo i classici ruoli: lui,bello,tenebroso,rude,che comanda il gioco e lei la ragazza pura e timida; ma avevo azzeccato solo il bello e tenebroso,perchè in questo caso i ruoli sono invertiti.
Tessa nasconde sotto quel viso angelico,da brava ragazza appunto,un lato selvaggio e provocante,che lascerà completamente senza parole e sorpreso Luke,il dolcissimo Luke,che pensa a come aiutare le persone che lo circondano,che non sopporta le ingiustizie e che darà ascolto alle parole dei fratelli Donovan,rischiando quasi di far finire tutto prima ancora del suo inizio.
Due persone con caratteri diversi,ma che hanno in comune il fatto di non voler soffrire.
Una storia incandescente che porterà Tessa ad amare veramente,a maturare,a vivere e a lasciar vivere.
Ho trovato questo romanzo davvero piacevole,perchè oltre ad essere scritto con uno stile dettagliato,combina i generi giallo e romanzo rosa,regalando una vicenda che genera molte emozioni e che passa dalla razionalità dell'indagine alla passione dei due protagonisti.(less)

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Mar 02, 2013 Caterina rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

“Le brave ragazze non lo fanno” è il primo volume della trilogia dei Fratelli Donovan, scritta da Victoria Dahl. Questa serie è incentrata sulla famiglia Donovan, formata da tre fratelli: il più grande e responsabile Eric, l’irriverente e combinaguai Jamie e la sorellina Tessa, che tutti credono perfetta ed innocente. Ogni romanzo è incentrato su uno di loro.

Questo primo capitolo della trilogia vede come protagonista la ventisettenne Tessa, considerata da tutti – ma soprattutto dai suoi fratelli...more

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Jan 05, 2013 Christine rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: not-worth-it

Plot bogged down by minutiae - The glimpse of a potentially good story get weighted down by annoying minutae that creates disconnects between the various plot lines. The best part of the book are the scenes of intimacy but as a reader I was constantly switching gears trying to remain interested in a heroine who was so stupidly juvenile in how she attempted to "handle" her brothers and her good girl in the business/whore in the bedroom multiple personalty she vacillated between. I also could not...more Plot bogged down by minutiae - The glimpse of a potentially good story get weighted down by annoying minutae that creates disconnects between the various plot lines. The best part of the book are the scenes of intimacy but as a reader I was constantly switching gears trying to remain interested in a heroine who was so stupidly juvenile in how she attempted to "handle" her brothers and her good girl in the business/whore in the bedroom multiple personalty she vacillated between. I also could not fathom the backstory of the hero Luke and why his former marriage and his time spent on the LAPD caused so much emotional trauma to then have him repeatedly run interference for his pregnant partner... as some sort of badge of honor FOR WHAT?!!! It made no sense.

The other 2 brothers Eric & Jaime presented interesting characters but I was so bored with the sibling bickering that I just did not care by mid-way through the book. As for the minutae, let me back up a bit and say I am sure it is hard to create a story that engages the reader in to the characters in such a way that the reader becomes interested in what their home is like, their business, the things that make them tick... But I swear to god if I had to read one more line about bi-sexual Wallace and his love of his beer tanks I was going to lose my mind. That accompanied by details of how Tessa walked over to her brothers house rang the bell. Waited. Figured he was not home. Walked back to her house. Her brother showed up. Let himself in with his key. How dare he use the key at a whim. Rats he's using the key while I'm having sex! Oh gosh she needs to get the key back but couldn't bring herself to ask for the key because this was truly his home too. Damn it! that's it I want the key because you are invading my space and my privacy!. Ohh no... It's ok keep the key just call before you come over. Then the dull as dirt investigation. WHO CARES IF YOU HAVE TO PULL VIDEO?!!... IT'S BORING, IT'S TEDIOUS, IT'S PART OF POLICE WORK... IT'S YOUR JOB!. The author spent pages intermittently throughout the book yapping about camera angles and the lazy file room clerk who could not get them their files. It was like reading about watching paint dry. Ridiculous!

If the publisher could lift the sex scenes from the book and fill in the blanks with a stronger story with more consistent flow and less annoying life details, then the rest of the series might be salvageable. But for now, THIS "Good Girl" don't want to buy the next book in the series.(less)

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Dec 14, 2012 Laura Ashlee rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011, romance

Oh, I’m so excited about reading the rest of this series. I already have the second and third one on my Kobo. I have some things I need to read before I can get to them, but I’m going to try any read them as soon as I can. I’m starting to get into the detective thing. I’ve read a couple of good books involving them and loved them. This is one of them. Luke was great!

I’m so happy when I read a contemporary romance that isn’t just about sex and love. There have to be other conflicts, or it’s a lit...more Oh, I’m so excited about reading the rest of this series. I already have the second and third one on my Kobo. I have some things I need to read before I can get to them, but I’m going to try any read them as soon as I can. I’m starting to get into the detective thing. I’ve read a couple of good books involving them and loved them. This is one of them. Luke was great!

I’m so happy when I read a contemporary romance that isn’t just about sex and love. There have to be other conflicts, or it’s a little boring. I say this about contemporary specifically because it’s a lot easier to pull off other conflicts with paranormal or historical romance. There’s always some conflict involving the paranormal beings in the book or the honor of a lady or something like that. Sometimes when you pick up a contemporary romance the only conflicts have to do with the romantic relationship in the book. It’s like that’s the only part of their lives that matter or something. This book, however, throws in issues with family, friends, and work. The brewery gets robbed so there’s a whole ordeal with that. The relationship between Tessa’s two brothers is strained. Luke is having problems with his best friend. There are layers and makes for more interesting reading. A+ for that!

I’m also glad I didn’t have to wait a century for Luke or Tessa to show interest in one another. A lot of romance novels dance around it for half the book and I get frustrated. The characters will have feelings for each other, but they won’t act on them for what seems like forever. Tessa practically pounces on Luke the first chance she gets. Their romance starts very quickly in the book. I find that I much prefer that.

Every single character in this book is interesting, even the ones you’re supposed to hate. That’s why I’m so excited about reading more of the series. I’m hoping some of them will pop up again. Luke and Tessa are the leads in this book, but her brothers play a huge part as well. Wallace (the guy who comes up with the brews) is one I know I’ll have to pay attention to. He’s already piqued my interest. Simone was also a nice character in this book. Her subplot was just as interesting to me as the main plot.

I highly recommend this one if you like contemporary romance. It’s fun and sexy, but still has some more thoughtful parts.(less)

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Nov 06, 2012 May Mostly Romance rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary

Good Girls Don't ของวิคทอเรีย ดาลห์

หนังสือเล่มนี้เป็นเล่มแรกในชุด (แต่เปิดเรื่องหลังเหตุการณ์ในเรื่องสั้น) เรื่องราวของเทสสา น้องสาวคนเล็กวัยยี่สิบเจ็ดปีของตระกูลโดโนแวนที่ต้องพบกับเรื่องปวดหัวครั้งใหญ่ เมื่อที่ทำงานซึ่งเปิดเป็นผับ และโรงกลั่นเบียร์ของครอบครัวถูกปล้น แถมเจมี่ พี่ชายคนรองยังบอกข่าวร้ายอีกว่า ดันไปมีความสัมพันธ์กับโมนิกา เคนเดล ลูกสาวของประธานบริษัทเคนเดลซึ่งเอริค พี่ชายคนโตของเธอพยายามเจรจาทางธุรกิจกันอยู่ ผลก็คือ พ่อของโมนิกาไม่ชอบใจ จนถึงกับจะบอกปัดไม่เซ็นต์สัญญาทางธุรกิจที่คุย...more Good Girls Don't ของวิคทอเรีย ดาลห์

หนังสือเล่มนี้เป็นเล่มแรกในชุด (แต่เปิดเรื่องหลังเหตุการณ์ในเรื่องสั้น) เรื่องราวของเทสสา น้องสาวคนเล็กวัยยี่สิบเจ็ดปีของตระกูลโดโนแวนที่ต้องพบกับเรื่องปวดหัวครั้งใหญ่ เมื่อที่ทำงานซึ่งเปิดเป็นผับ และโรงกลั่นเบียร์ของครอบครัวถูกปล้น แถมเจมี่ พี่ชายคนรองยังบอกข่าวร้ายอีกว่า ดันไปมีความสัมพันธ์กับโมนิกา เคนเดล ลูกสาวของประธานบริษัทเคนเดลซึ่งเอริค พี่ชายคนโตของเธอพยายามเจรจาทางธุรกิจกันอยู่ ผลก็คือ พ่อของโมนิกาไม่ชอบใจ จนถึงกับจะบอกปัดไม่เซ็นต์สัญญาทางธุรกิจที่คุยกันมาตั้งนาน

เทสสาไม่ต้องการให้เจมี และเอริคผิดใจกัน นี่คือสิ่งที่เธอกลัวที่สุด ก็คือ คนในครอบครัวแตกแยก สำหรับเด็กสาวที่สูญเสียพ่อแม่ไปพร้อมกันในวัยเพียงสิบสี่ปี เธอต้องการให้พี่ชายทั้งสอง และทุกอย่างคงเดิม แต่ทุกคนเติบโตขึ้น ความเปลี่ยนแปลงเกิดขึ้น และไม่มีอะไรคงเดิมได้

อีกความเปลี่ยนแปลงนึงของเทสสาก็คือ นักสืบหนุ่มนามว่าลุค แอชเชอร์ ซึ่งเป็นเพื่อนเฮฮาของเจมีสมัยเรียนมหาวิทยาลัย และนี่คือประเด็นหลักที่เจมีไม่ต้องการให้เทสสาคบหาลุค เมื่อสองหนุ่มสาวได้มีโอกาสพบกัน เพราะลุคเข้ามาสืบคดีย่องเบาที่ผับของพี่น้องโดโนแวน

ชื่อเสียงของลุคไม่ค่อยโสภาเท่าไหรนัก คู่หูตำรวจซึ่งเป็นผู้หญิงของเขากำลังตั้งท้อง และทุกคนเชื่อว่าเป็นลูกของเขา ทั้งที่ลุคเองไม่เคยมีอะไรกะเธอเลยด้วยซ้ำ แถมยังมีข่าวลือที่ว่า เขาขอหย่าจากเมียเก่า หลังจากเธอตรวจพบว่าเป็นมะเร็งนั่้นอีก แต่ไม่ว่าชื่อเสียงของเขาจะเป็นเช่นไร เทสสาเชื่อคำพูดของเขา ดังนั้นเมื่อลุคบอกว่า มันไม่เป็นความจริง เธอก็เชื่อเขา

จุดอ่อนของหนังสือเรื่องนี้็คือ ความนิ่งในเนื้อเรื่อง มันแทบจะไม่มีอะไรเกิดขึ้นให้น่าสนใจสักนิดเดียว คาแร็คเตอร์ของเทสสา และลุคก็ราบเรียบเกินไปสำหรับเรา ความสัมพันธ์ของทั้งคู่ดูลงตัวมาตั้งแต่ต้น ทำให้ไม่ต้องลุ้นอะไรมากนัก แม้จะมีอุปสรรคหลายอย่างเข้ามา ทั้งการไม่เห็นด้วยของพี่ชายทั้งสองของเทสสา แต่ก็ไม่มีน้ำหนักให้ต้องสนใจอะไรมาก

นอกจากประเด็นเรื่องความรัก ก็มีประเด็นเรื่องการสืบสวนหาตัวคนร้ายที่ย่องเบาผับ ซึ่งแม็กซ์ไม่รู้สึกว่า จะต้องให้น้ำหนักอะไรเลย แต่เรื่องก็แบ่งเวลาไปให้กับการทำงานตรงส่วนนี้ของลุค ซึ่งก็ดีตรงที่แสดงให้เห็นว่า พระเอกเป็นตำรวจที่ทำงาน แต่ในขณะเดียวกันเราก็คิดว่า มันเสียเวลาในเรื่องไปน่ะค่ะ

ว่าไปแล้วมันก็เหมาะกับความต้องการของเราตอนที่เปิดอ่านนะคะ เพราะแม็กซ์ไม่อยากได้เรื่องที่ต้องคิดมาก และเล่มนี้ก็ไม่ต้องคิดมากจริง ๆ แต่พออ่านแล้ว มันก็โลภค่ะ อยากได้อะไรมากขึ้นไปอีก

คะแนนที่ 60 (less)

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Apr 15, 2012 Kristen rated it 4 of 5 stars

This was my first introduction to Victoria Dahl, and if what they say about first impressions is true, consider me a new fan. I loved this contemporary romance; the author does a fantastic job. I didn’t get a lot of that romance cliché and formula crap. I connected with the characters, they are complex yet real. They are dealing with emotions and situations that are relatable to readers.

Tessa is willful and stubborn and she’s not afraid to go after what she wants. Tessa knew she wanted Luke and...more

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Mar 05, 2012 Anna rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance

One of the the things I really enjoy about Dahl's books is her ability to keep the tone light and give the book a sense of humour without sacrificing depth. Her characters, especially her heroines, are strong, self-empowered, and three-dimensional. Good Girls Don't is no exception. Tessa is smart and more than willing to go after what she wants. She manages to stay a sympathetic character in spite of the way she tries to manipulate people and events into position, sometimes with outright lies. (...more One of the the things I really enjoy about Dahl's books is her ability to keep the tone light and give the book a sense of humour without sacrificing depth. Her characters, especially her heroines, are strong, self-empowered, and three-dimensional. Good Girls Don't is no exception. Tessa is smart and more than willing to go after what she wants. She manages to stay a sympathetic character in spite of the way she tries to manipulate people and events into position, sometimes with outright lies. (Yes, she does get a big eye-opening comeuppance.) It helps that her manipulations are never malicious, that she's acting out of love and a moral code that says putting the wants and needs of family comes first. She's delightfully complex, and while she might sometimes come across as a little young, that's perhaps not inaccurate for someone in her mid-twenties.

Luke starts off as a bit of a mystery. He's surprisingly empathetic for someone who considers himself a dark and damaged cop and seems on the surface to be a pretty decent person... but then there are those nasty rumours circulating about the way he treated his ex-wife and the nature of the relationship between himself and his single, pregnant police partner. Luke, of course, doesn't help his case by being extremely close-mouthed about both situations, but given the extremely sensitive nature of both, it makes sense that he's not trying to broadcast his point of view to everyone around him. What I think I liked best about Luke is that this is his second relationship, and it doesn't take away from his first at all. Tessa doesn't make him realize he never really loved before; instead, his experiences from his marriage give him insight enough to realize what falling in love a second time will mean for him.

So far this all sounds very heavy, which means I haven't done justice to just how funny and clever Dahl's writing is. At more than one point the husband poked his nose over to see why I was giggling on the couch. The dialogue is quick and natural-sounding, from the hilarious banter to explosive arguments to naughty bedroom talk.

More than anything else, though, I believed in these characters. I related to them and cared what happened to them. And I had a great time hanging out with them for more than 300 pages.(less)

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Feb 01, 2012 Ciara rated it 4 of 5 stars

Loved!!! Tessa and Luke were so adorably perfect for each other!! Tessa Donovan is the youngest of two overbearing brothers who have acted as her parents since their own parents were killed on a car accident when they were teens. They have managed to run and manage the family brewery since their parents passed and keep it in the family by making wise investments with small town deals and good family service. When a big deal is drawn up to make their little brewery statewide, Jaime, the middle wi...more

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Jan 03, 2012 Felicia rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011-read

Requested from NetGalley by Me
Overall Rating 3.75
Story Rating 3.75
Character Rating 3.75

NOTE: This book spurred me on to visit an attached to a restaurant brewery while on vacation in Wisconsin. Though the one I visited was in a separate location it still kind of set the mood for the book. The whole business is quite fascinating and a perfect setting for a romance.

What I Loved: I loved the idea of siblings being owners in a business. The idea that you are just sure of what your brothers and siste...more

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Dec 29, 2011 Sayjil rated it 4 of 5 stars

Tessa Donovan is the youngest of the Donovan siblings who own the Donovan Brothers Brewery. After her parents died, Eric, the eldest looked after them and now all three siblings own a share in the business. The Brewery has an upcoming deal with the Kendall family but Jamie, the middle sibling, made a mistake by sleeping with the owner’s daughter on the night that someone broke into the brewery and the worst part is that Jamie was seen by the owner, Roland Kendall. Since Jamie is always treated a...more

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Dec 19, 2011 WillowBe rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: modern-romance-explicit-sex

I lked the story, the characters, the mystery. And the chemistry, sexual tension and love scenes between the characters- VERY frank, very hot. How nice to see a female character honest about her sexual needs and desires! Rather than, " I'm a normal woman with an interest in sex, who looks at a nice chest like anyone else, but I haven't been with a man for 5 years following the death of my beloved" or "It's been 3 years due to the fact I won't shag just anyone and really getting my interior desig...more

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Dec 04, 2011 Holly rated it 4 of 5 stars

Tessa and her2 older brothers run the brewery left to them after their parents died. The oldest brother had to step up and raise his 2 teenage siblings after their parents passed and has taken on the stress of running the brewery and still thinking he needs to raise his siblings. When his latest huge deal to expand the company is possibly ruined by their brother sleeping with the daughter of their new business associate Tessa does all she can to get the business deal back on track and to keep it...more

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Nov 20, 2011 Dhristi rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary-romance

I have been wanting to read this book for a long time ever since I saw lot of good reviews. The book is almost believable. Everybody had faults and nobody's perfect. Tessa who manages the brewery along with her 2 brothers (Jamie & Eric), falls in lust with Luke who is a friend of Jamie. There is lot of family drama going on and she is trying to keep the family together. Luke who is a cop, has problem of his own, divorced and his partner is pregnant and everybody thinks that its his.

Robbery a...more

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Nov 07, 2011 Kelly rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: netgalley, ebook

First, I agree with another reviewer who suggests to read the novella, "Just One Taste" in the book "The Guy Next Door." It isn't necessary for this book or any of the books in the series, but it does introduce the family and enabled extra giggling at certain scenes.

Second, I have read all the stories in the series. I loved the series! It will be incredibly hard for me to review just one book at a time, but I'm going to try.

Finally, the review of "Good Girls Don't." ;)

Tessa has hidden her love...more First, I agree with another reviewer who suggests to read the novella, "Just One Taste" in the book "The Guy Next Door." It isn't necessary for this book or any of the books in the series, but it does introduce the family and enabled extra giggling at certain scenes.

Second, I have read all the stories in the series. I loved the series! It will be incredibly hard for me to review just one book at a time, but I'm going to try.

Finally, the review of "Good Girls Don't." ;)

Tessa has hidden her love life from her older brothers who dote on her and are more than a bit overprotective and naive. They think she hasn't dated let alone gotten on base or made it over home plate despite being in her late twenties and having graduated college.

Tessa is also overprotective of her brothers or really, her family, in a rather annoying way. They're parents are dead so she works very hard at keeping the peace in the family. Her brothers argue often and we'll learn in future books, they misinterpret the other's intention frequently. She really divides her time between work at the brewery, working to keep the family peace, and working at starting a relationship with Luke. Make me tired thinking about it. The working at the family peace part got old for me. It could be because I'm an only child, but it came up more than necessary. It was delightful how her brothers responded to rather embarrassing moments when they found Tessa in situations they never believed would happen to their baby sister, who in their minds is stil 12.

Luke went to college with Jamie, the middle child in the family. Jamie believes the gossip about Luke and remembers Luke as a wild man on campus which makes Luke totally unsuitable for Jamie's little sister. Nevermind, that Jamie himself is a reform(ing) wild man and gets pissed off every time Eric, oldest brother, judges Jamie on his past and reputation.

Luke is a man I liked. He is upstanding. He has recovered from serious injuries both physical and emotional. He is willing to risk his standing at work to help his partner. He genuinely wants to do the right thing despite all the crap that has been dished upon him.

Now that you know the characters, a brief plot summary. The Donovan Brothers Brewery is broken into which brings Luke, a detective, to the scene and keeps him coming back. Jamie slept with a potential business partner's daughter and that could also screw the deal. Tessa thinks if Eric finds out, it will break the family apart and she'll do all she can to keep them together. Meanwhile, Tessa and Luke like each other and have hot, hot, hot sex.

Victoria Dahl really can write a smoking hot sex scene! They can make me blush, turn red, grow warmer, and hope no one is noticing. (I read the other two books in airports and on the planes, oye!)

I was very grateful that this series is straight up contemporary romance. There is no violent attempts made on the characters by past lovers or friends. I kept waiting and was so relieved that these are lovely, basic romances.

I recommend the whole series.

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Oct 31, 2011 Romancing the Book rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary, romance

Reviewed By: Jen
Review Copy Provided By: Net Gallery
I am rather on the fence on how I really felt about Good Girls Don't. I've enjoyed Ms Dahl's contemporaries in the past, so I was excited to read this one. But something fell a little flat for me. There was lots of chemistry between Tessa and Luke, so that wasn't it. I loved Luke and Tessa grew on me. And most of the plot was interesting. But something didn't gel for me and it's hard to put my finger on it. I think when it comes down to it, Tes...more

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Oct 22, 2011 Tina rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011-reads, romance-contemporary

So this the very first book by this author that I have been able to read past chapter three. Which is a good thing.

It was a quick, easy read that had some really good moments but it also had some glaring flaws.

I actually thought the hero and heroine had great chemistry and also had a believable conflict. Tessa had major trust issues which felt believable to me. Luke is a super honorable guy who has problems opening up. Of the two I thought Luke was more sympathetic than Tess. Much of the disastr...more

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Sep 19, 2011 Noni Fro (Janon) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Luke Asher is a Detective in Boulder, CO on a case of a robbery at a local brewery. While at the crime scene he sees gorgeous brewery owner Tessa Donavan, who is the sister of his college buddy Jamie Donovan. Sparks fly between the two, but Tessa is warned off from Luke by her older brother, and he also tells Luke that his sister is still a virgin. Things don’t look good for Luke and Tessa to get together. Luke’s work partner is pregnant, and everyone thinks the baby’s Luke’s. He’s also trying t...more Luke Asher is a Detective in Boulder, CO on a case of a robbery at a local brewery. While at the crime scene he sees gorgeous brewery owner Tessa Donavan, who is the sister of his college buddy Jamie Donovan. Sparks fly between the two, but Tessa is warned off from Luke by her older brother, and he also tells Luke that his sister is still a virgin. Things don’t look good for Luke and Tessa to get together. Luke’s work partner is pregnant, and everyone thinks the baby’s Luke’s. He’s also trying to out live the rumor that he divorced his first wife after she was diagnosed with cancer. Things also go from bad to worse when both of her brothers are trying to protect Tessa from Luke.
When I first got this book I was very excited and curious to read it because I’ve read some of Dahl’s historical romances and really liked them. I loved that this book is set in Boulder, CO which is only 30 minutes from my home. Here in CO we have tons of inside jokes about Boulder, and it was nice to read a book set in that location.

I really connected with Tessa at the beginning of the book – she was funny, cute and had a great relationship with her brothers. I loved the scene where she and Luke are getting it on and he puts the breaks on because he thinks she’s a 27 year old virgin! The chemistry between these two really makes this book a great read. I do have to say that some of Tessa’s choices at the end of the book are what made me down grade my rating from a 5* to a 4*. Basically she broke off things with Luke because of something he kept from her and throughout the whole book she kept a HUGE secret from her brother about the brewery.

Luke is a super good guy who just wants to protect his work partner. By doing this, he shuts his mouth on issues and it sometimes makes him look like a jerk. Everyone in his office thinks he’s the father of his partner’s baby, and he doesn’t deny it. I was kind of confused by this at first, but it really played out well in the end. Luke Asher really made this book for me. Loved his character – he was super hot in and out of bed.

The writing style of Dahl is easy flowing and witty. So glad I picked up this book, and am very excited to read the next book (Bad Boys Do).

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Sep 19, 2011 Annie the Destroyer *Leather Lust* rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: genre-contemporary-romance, netgalley, read-in-2011, ebooks

3.5 STARS!

Why I read this book: I read Dahl’s prequel in the The Guy Next Door anthology and really enjoyed it. Deciding to continue the series, I picked up book one of the Donovon Brothers Brewery series.

What I liked about this book:The first thing that pops into mind about what I liked about this book is the fact that it’s based on a family in Boulder, Colorado who run a brewery together. I just LOVE series that are centered around families. They just add something extra in a romance, another...more 3.5 STARS!

Why I read this book: I read Dahl’s prequel in the The Guy Next Door anthology and really enjoyed it. Deciding to continue the series, I picked up book one of the Donovon Brothers Brewery series.

What I liked about this book:The first thing that pops into mind about what I liked about this book is the fact that it’s based on a family in Boulder, Colorado who run a brewery together. I just LOVE series that are centered around families. They just add something extra in a romance, another kind of love that we don’t always see.

Another thing is, Tessa and Luke’s relationship is complicated and while their obstacles don’t seem that troublesome, they still work hard to be with one another and I have to respect that in characters. I don’t like the idea of people meeting each other and then suddenly their life turns for the best. These two work at their relationship and it just makes the romance more believable that way.

What I didn’t like: I would have given this book a 4 star review. But there was one thing I could not overlook and it bugged the hell out of me. What was with all the communication problems? All the issues that stood in the way of all the characters were all communication problems. Jamie and Tessa keep Jamie’s secret from their older brother, Eric. Eric can’t get a hold on Big-shot Kendall in order to finalize their contract and get started on Phase Two of their project. Tessa wonders if she’s being lied to by Luke because of the secrets of his past like his divorce and the unknown possibility that he may be the father of his partner, Simone. The tension between Simone and Luke also shows a lack of communication in a previously trusting relationship. It was all just too much for me!

I didn’t like the fact that all the conflicts in this story was of the same nature. Spice it up! It frustrated me to read about problems that could be easily solved by ASKING the other person or simply revealing the truth so that no other assumptions could be made.

I wouldn’t have mind if these issues occurred between just a couple of the characters, but not all. It was just too much of the same thing. But I guess, there wouldn't be a story without it.

Overall, I did enjoy Good Girls Don’t despite the overuse of the same conflict. I am still eager to read the next book in the series. Jamie, here I come!
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Aug 29, 2011 Bookmom rated it 3 of 5 stars

First book in the Donovan Brothers’ Brewery trilogy about three siblings who own and have run their father’s brewery since his passing twelve or thirteen years ago. Twenty-four at the time, oldest brother Eric had taken on the responsibility of raising his teenage brother and sister, as well as the running of the brewery until Tessa and Jamie were old enough to become involved.

Book one is about Tessa, the youngest of her siblings who has maintained a very innocent demeanor. In her mid-twenties,...more

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Aug 22, 2011 Debbie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Tessa Donavan is and will always be the “little sister” to her two brothers. With the tragic death of their parents Eric, Tessa and Jamie became life support to each other and joint owners of their father’s brewery. Now as adults that little sister stigma still exists and when Tessa wants to date an old college buddy of Jamie’s the microbrew will hit the fan. But there’s more going on in this family than Tessa’s dating habits, there’s an underlying lack of continuity that the siblings must find...more Tessa Donavan is and will always be the “little sister” to her two brothers. With the tragic death of their parents Eric, Tessa and Jamie became life support to each other and joint owners of their father’s brewery. Now as adults that little sister stigma still exists and when Tessa wants to date an old college buddy of Jamie’s the microbrew will hit the fan. But there’s more going on in this family than Tessa’s dating habits, there’s an underlying lack of continuity that the siblings must find to seal some old wounds.
Luke Asher became a cop because of his ingrained sense of wanting to help, it took him first to LA but after a close call injury and a nasty divorce he comes back to Boulder for some kinder gentler police work and walks right into a robbery case involving the Donavan’s Brewery, he can smell a rat, he just doesn’t know where. Then there’s Tessa, beautiful, vivacious, sexy as heck Tessa and even warned off by her brother can’t keep him away. But will this feeling last, or will he be brokenhearted once again, can he take the chance or is it too risky.
The first thing I have to say about this novel is WOW, not only is it hilarious, it’s emotional, it’s filled with can’t forget characters and then there’s the love scenes, the only word for them is “SMOKIN”.
Ms. Dahl gives us a story that anyone with siblings can relate to and believe me the family dynamic is dynamite, she does this with her in your face hip dialogue that fans of all ages will get, now if you’re opposed to four letter words and explicit scenes of lovemaking, pass this one by, but if you’re like me and really enjoy a “real life” experience in your romance you will love this one. Now let’s talk about the characters, the Donavan family trio is so endearing and it’s heartbreaking too, to watch these siblings who would do anything for each other, not be able to figure out how. And then there’s Luke, who’s every girls dream come true with a bad reputation to boot, why the bad rep, sorry that you’ll have to read for yourself.
And watching the romance develop is like watching an almost trainwreck. Now my suggestion for reading the love scenes would be in a walk in cooler, but if that’s not possible just make sure you’re under an air conditioning vent. All in all it’s the last blast of summer must read, it’s got it all, action, romance, mystery and family drama, plus those afore mentioned love scenes.
Make this your next must read, you won’t be sorry. Be sure to look for “Bad Boys Do” Jamie’s story in October and “Real Men Will” Eric’s in November.
Thank you Ms. Dahl for one incredible tale.
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Aug 09, 2011 Cynthia D'Alba rated it 5 of 5 stars

Victoria Dahl is really really good at many aspects of storytelling but she shines with her dialog and sex scenes. One minute she has me laughing with snappy repartee between her heroine and hero and then, before I can catch my breath, she has me panting with hot, steamy sex. Since I follow her on Twitter, more than once I felt her “Twitter” personality coming through in her heroine. Ms. Dahl seems to have so much fun with her always naughty heroines and this book continues with that theme.

The D...more

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Jul 28, 2011 Christa rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebook-arc

Good Girls Do is a delightful contemporary romance by Victoria Dahl with just a little mystery thrown in. I have enjoyed other books by Dahl, but this one was even better than the others I have read by her. The two main characters were great, and there were some very interesting secondary characters who will be prominent later in the series. The storyline kept me interested and entertained.

Tessa Donovan and her two brothers inherited the family brewery when their parents were killed in an accide...more

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Jul 26, 2011 Amanda Ryan rated it 3 of 5 stars

Redonk Nutshell: Perky & pretty brewery owner butts heads with her overprotective brothers when she kindles a relationship with a cop

Tessa Donovan is pretty, smart, and witty. She co-owns a small family operated brewery with her brothers, the men that have more or less raised her when their mom and dad died in a car accident many years ago. Tessa drives hard bargains as a businesswoman for the brewery, and when her middle brother, Jamie, makes a rash mistake with a potential client's daughte...more

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Good Girls Don't (Donovan Brothers Brewery #1)

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