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The O'Neils #1
Someone to Believe In
Bailey O’Neil, aka, the Street Angel, has been the arch enemy of Senator Clay Wainwright since he was a district attorney and she a young, idealistic social worker. He put her in jail for harboring a teen offender and never looked back. Eleven years later, she’s a thorn in his side as an anti-gang specialist trying to get kids out of gangs. While Clay wants to put them in jail, Bailey is determined to help these troubled teenagers make good lives for themselves. But when Bailey and Clay are thrown together on the mayor’s task force, the impossible happens—they’re attracted to each other. Their passion erupts early on, and only grows stronger the further they get into a relationship. When they fall deeply in love, their conflicting views drive a wedge between them. Both the Street Angel and the Senator must find a way to deal with their differences in order to make a life together.
372 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 6, 2005
746 people are currently reading
1798 people want to read
About the author
Kathryn Shay
173 books501 followersKathryn Shay is a lifelong writer. At fifteen, she penned her first 'romance,' a short story about a female newspaper reporter in New York City and her fight to make a name for herself in a world of male journalists - and with one hardheaded editor in particular. Looking back, Kathryn says she should have known then that writing was in her future. But as so often happens, fate sent her detouring down another path.
Fully intending to pursue her dream of big city lights and success in the literary world, Kathryn took every creative writing class available at the small private women's college she attended in upstate New York. Instead, other dreams took precedence. She met and subsequently married a wonderful guy who'd attended a neighboring school, then completed her practice teaching, a requirement for the education degree she never intended to use. But says Kathryn, "I fell in love with teaching the first day I was up in front of a class, and knew I was meant to do that."
Kathryn went on to build a successful career in the New York state school system, thoroughly enjoying her work with adolescents. But by the early 1990s, she'd again made room in her life for writing. It was then that she submitted her first manuscript to publishers and agents. Despite enduring two years of rejections, she persevered. And on a snowy December afternoon in 1994, Kathryn Shay sold her first book to Harlequin Superromance.
Since that first sale, Kathryn has written twenty-one books for Harlequin, nine mainstream contemporary romances for the Berkley Publishing Group, and two online novellas, which Berkley then published in traditional print format.
Kathryn has become known for her powerful characterizations - readers say they feel they know the people in her books - and her heart-wrenching, emotional writing (her favorite comments are that fans cried while reading her books or stayed up late to finish them). In testament to her skill, the author has won five RT BookClub Magazine Reviewers Choice Awards, three Holt Medallions, two Desert Quill Awards, the Golden Leaf Award, and several online accolades.
Even in light of her writing success, that initial love of teaching never wavered for Kathryn. She finished out her teaching career in 2004, retiring from the same school where her career began. These days, she lives in upstate New York with her husband and two children. "My life is very full," she reports, "but very happy. I consider myself fortunate to have been able to pursue and achieve my dreams."
Fully intending to pursue her dream of big city lights and success in the literary world, Kathryn took every creative writing class available at the small private women's college she attended in upstate New York. Instead, other dreams took precedence. She met and subsequently married a wonderful guy who'd attended a neighboring school, then completed her practice teaching, a requirement for the education degree she never intended to use. But says Kathryn, "I fell in love with teaching the first day I was up in front of a class, and knew I was meant to do that."
Kathryn went on to build a successful career in the New York state school system, thoroughly enjoying her work with adolescents. But by the early 1990s, she'd again made room in her life for writing. It was then that she submitted her first manuscript to publishers and agents. Despite enduring two years of rejections, she persevered. And on a snowy December afternoon in 1994, Kathryn Shay sold her first book to Harlequin Superromance.
Since that first sale, Kathryn has written twenty-one books for Harlequin, nine mainstream contemporary romances for the Berkley Publishing Group, and two online novellas, which Berkley then published in traditional print format.
Kathryn has become known for her powerful characterizations - readers say they feel they know the people in her books - and her heart-wrenching, emotional writing (her favorite comments are that fans cried while reading her books or stayed up late to finish them). In testament to her skill, the author has won five RT BookClub Magazine Reviewers Choice Awards, three Holt Medallions, two Desert Quill Awards, the Golden Leaf Award, and several online accolades.
Even in light of her writing success, that initial love of teaching never wavered for Kathryn. She finished out her teaching career in 2004, retiring from the same school where her career began. These days, she lives in upstate New York with her husband and two children. "My life is very full," she reports, "but very happy. I consider myself fortunate to have been able to pursue and achieve my dreams."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 162 reviews
April 22, 2021
Kathryn shay has been a hit or miss author for me.
But I liked this one a lot despite few things that should not have worked.
For one thing the h/H have a strong, sweet and sexy bond that is the backbone of this book. Although the how and why of their connection may be an issue with some people and rightly so. They’ve a history of 11 years and all bad. So why now?
As with most KS books, the h/H are antagonists in a social/political scenario. He’s a conservative Senator and she’s a social worker with opposing views on how to handle youth gangs and the return of compunctious members into the mainstream. He believes someone who’s committed a crime can only be dealt by the police, while she tries to help kids get out of these gangs and move on.
As the blurb tells us she’s already gone to jail when he successfully prosecuted her for helping a young offender all those years ago. So she should hate him and all that he stands for but when the story opens, she’s all friendly and flirty. That does rankle but the story moves on fast from there. They have a secret affair while publicly they still clash over the same issues.
In the background thread is Taz, the girl she’s trying to help break out of a violent gang and his efforts against it and the result thereof.
Okay so she's a committed to the cause as her own sister was a gang member and died a violent death but I wish she was more careful of her own safety, being a single mom. Despite the hype about her online id of 'Street Angel' being a secret, everyone actually knew about it! That made me feel so unsafe on her account. Conversely, his repeated efforts to get her to leave her job were also irksome. That should be her own decision.
Despite all this, the H is very likable as a single and confused dad, a conscientious politician and a sexy and adoring lover for the h. His easy and warm connection with the h’s son is also super-adorable.
But I liked this one a lot despite few things that should not have worked.
For one thing the h/H have a strong, sweet and sexy bond that is the backbone of this book. Although the how and why of their connection may be an issue with some people and rightly so. They’ve a history of 11 years and all bad. So why now?
As with most KS books, the h/H are antagonists in a social/political scenario. He’s a conservative Senator and she’s a social worker with opposing views on how to handle youth gangs and the return of compunctious members into the mainstream. He believes someone who’s committed a crime can only be dealt by the police, while she tries to help kids get out of these gangs and move on.
As the blurb tells us she’s already gone to jail when he successfully prosecuted her for helping a young offender all those years ago. So she should hate him and all that he stands for but when the story opens, she’s all friendly and flirty. That does rankle but the story moves on fast from there. They have a secret affair while publicly they still clash over the same issues.
In the background thread is Taz, the girl she’s trying to help break out of a violent gang and his efforts against it and the result thereof.
Okay so she's a committed to the cause as her own sister was a gang member and died a violent death but I wish she was more careful of her own safety, being a single mom. Despite the hype about her online id of 'Street Angel' being a secret, everyone actually knew about it! That made me feel so unsafe on her account. Conversely, his repeated efforts to get her to leave her job were also irksome. That should be her own decision.
Despite all this, the H is very likable as a single and confused dad, a conscientious politician and a sexy and adoring lover for the h. His easy and warm connection with the h’s son is also super-adorable.
December 18, 2009
My friend Heather pushed this book onto me. I thought it was going to be great like all of the other books she forces on me, but I was wrong. So very wrong. I’m not going to be gentle in my review and I’m not going to be politically biased, because that just isn’t me. I just want to say that if it hadn’t been for the characters or the circumstances, it would have been a great book. The interactions between Clay and Bailey were nice when they were together without any of the other crap in the way, but the crap overwhelmed the good parts.
The very first item that just makes me want to scream happens in the prologue. It states on page 3 that the reason Bailey went to jail was because she knowingly harbored a boy that committed a murder. It also says that, “The boy later contended the murder was committed in self-defense, but that was yet to be determined.” Although the state of New York does allow accessories to be put on trial before the larger case is settled, it seems unlikely in this situation. Being an accessory after the fact to murder can put a person in jail for life, and you would think that the prosecutors, judge, and all those involved in the system would want to be sure that the boy had actually committed a murder and wasn’t protecting himself. Either way Bailey is a convicted felon, which seems damned weird because a reporter asks her if she’ll be voting for her husband (no mention of not being able to do so because of the felony charge).
Another recurring gimmick in this book was the fact that the Senator was oh-so-powerful and that he could get any celebrity’s address. Really? He wanted to brag about that? I decided to test out a theory by picking a celebrity (a lesser known one for my own experiment because I wouldn’t want to google a name and find that fans had already archived all known places where a celeb had lived) then trying to find out where they lived. It took me 4 minutes. After picking the celebrity, finding out their legal name and town they live in, I just went to the county and pulled up their information on a property appraiser site. I know what year the house was built, when they got a pool, and how much all of the various improvements on their house were. Finding out information is not cheeky or funny, it’s just jerkish name dropping.
Clay is possibly the most sexist character I’ve ever read. Not just sexist like the typical alpha males that try to take charge, this man would actually remove women from the workplace. Nearly every page is filled with him worrying about her safety and wishing she would quit her job. Below is one of the many excerpts about it. There are more, but this one pissed me off the most.
Yet another bothersome point is that of the Street Angel. Supposedly the identity of the Street Angel is secret, but every public official and random person on the street knows her as such. They also know her first and last name. The Street Angel has talked to the press and she is known as such, but somehow, it is still a secret. *bangs head against desk*
And one final grievance – the italicized replays of conversations. Every time the characters were reflecting on their choices (see: every page), there would be small bits of conversations from 2 or 3 pages ago. Readers do not need the reminder about what just happened. They do not need to be repeated at all and it was so very annoying.
I hate how Clay didn’t give up a damn thing in his life and it turned out all nice and wonderful for him. This was not a great book for me, and I think that the two characters would be divorced in no time at all.
The very first item that just makes me want to scream happens in the prologue. It states on page 3 that the reason Bailey went to jail was because she knowingly harbored a boy that committed a murder. It also says that, “The boy later contended the murder was committed in self-defense, but that was yet to be determined.” Although the state of New York does allow accessories to be put on trial before the larger case is settled, it seems unlikely in this situation. Being an accessory after the fact to murder can put a person in jail for life, and you would think that the prosecutors, judge, and all those involved in the system would want to be sure that the boy had actually committed a murder and wasn’t protecting himself. Either way Bailey is a convicted felon, which seems damned weird because a reporter asks her if she’ll be voting for her husband (no mention of not being able to do so because of the felony charge).
Another recurring gimmick in this book was the fact that the Senator was oh-so-powerful and that he could get any celebrity’s address. Really? He wanted to brag about that? I decided to test out a theory by picking a celebrity (a lesser known one for my own experiment because I wouldn’t want to google a name and find that fans had already archived all known places where a celeb had lived) then trying to find out where they lived. It took me 4 minutes. After picking the celebrity, finding out their legal name and town they live in, I just went to the county and pulled up their information on a property appraiser site. I know what year the house was built, when they got a pool, and how much all of the various improvements on their house were. Finding out information is not cheeky or funny, it’s just jerkish name dropping.
Clay is possibly the most sexist character I’ve ever read. Not just sexist like the typical alpha males that try to take charge, this man would actually remove women from the workplace. Nearly every page is filled with him worrying about her safety and wishing she would quit her job. Below is one of the many excerpts about it. There are more, but this one pissed me off the most.
[in a conversation about how Bailey’s job is dangerous:]
“Yes, and how you endanger yourself.”
Because it was something she wrestled with all the time, she jammed her hands on her jean-clad hips. “It’s no different if I’d chosen to be a cop or firefighter.”
“In some ways.”
“Would you keep women out of those professions if you could?”
“I don’t honestly know. Mothers, maybe.”
Yet another bothersome point is that of the Street Angel. Supposedly the identity of the Street Angel is secret, but every public official and random person on the street knows her as such. They also know her first and last name. The Street Angel has talked to the press and she is known as such, but somehow, it is still a secret. *bangs head against desk*
And one final grievance – the italicized replays of conversations. Every time the characters were reflecting on their choices (see: every page), there would be small bits of conversations from 2 or 3 pages ago. Readers do not need the reminder about what just happened. They do not need to be repeated at all and it was so very annoying.
I hate how Clay didn’t give up a damn thing in his life and it turned out all nice and wonderful for him. This was not a great book for me, and I think that the two characters would be divorced in no time at all.
September 6, 2008
No serial killer. No covert op. No undercover assignments. Not my usual fare at all yet I liked this book. I've read one Kathryn Shay before, I think. It wasn't all that memorable and was about firefighters.
Someone To Believe In has a politician hero and a do-gooder heroine who helps kids leave gangs. I'm rather partial to politician heroes (this IS romantic fantasy, after all) and I liked Clay. While Bailey's reluctance to admit that it's more than just sex between them is understandable, I did find her attitude dragged on a little too long. Or perhaps the book was just too long. No matter how much I read, I was still a long way from the end.
Clay's and Bailey's romance exhausted me, though. I now have to read an action-romance (I've decided on Leigh's Wild Card) just to shake off those two. They did nothing but fight and have make up sex from the start to the end.
While I enjoyed this book despite the h/h being rather tiresome at times, I can't say I'm ready to read another Kathryn Shay for awhile if the rest of her books are this long-winded. Surprise!Surprise! I liked the way the epilogue was done. I usually do not like them but this was different. Bailey's family added to the story, providing more emotional depth and Rory, her little kid from a previous relationship was adorable.
Oh, there's sex but no descriptions and Shay doesn't have the word 'cock' until towards the end of the book. Prior to that, it's as if she was careful to avoid anything that could be labeled 'hot'.
Someone To Believe In has a politician hero and a do-gooder heroine who helps kids leave gangs. I'm rather partial to politician heroes (this IS romantic fantasy, after all) and I liked Clay. While Bailey's reluctance to admit that it's more than just sex between them is understandable, I did find her attitude dragged on a little too long. Or perhaps the book was just too long. No matter how much I read, I was still a long way from the end.
Clay's and Bailey's romance exhausted me, though. I now have to read an action-romance (I've decided on Leigh's Wild Card) just to shake off those two. They did nothing but fight and have make up sex from the start to the end.
While I enjoyed this book despite the h/h being rather tiresome at times, I can't say I'm ready to read another Kathryn Shay for awhile if the rest of her books are this long-winded. Surprise!Surprise! I liked the way the epilogue was done. I usually do not like them but this was different. Bailey's family added to the story, providing more emotional depth and Rory, her little kid from a previous relationship was adorable.
Oh, there's sex but no descriptions and Shay doesn't have the word 'cock' until towards the end of the book. Prior to that, it's as if she was careful to avoid anything that could be labeled 'hot'.
January 14, 2019
This book has so many nits I don't know where to start. The most innocuous were
- the unbelievable story, you switch royalty with politics, but basically you have the same 'fairy tale' settings. And I mean the unbelievable settings, events, timeline..
-the boring pace. With few exceptions this book dragged a lot
-the stupid love story. You really don't get it. I mean, this man did sent you to prison where you did get beaten and almost raped. But hey he was doing his job. Not his fault... He's literally on the opposite side of the ring, trying to get you closed. He doesn't really respect you. There is being rational and there is being forced. She sounded false as a character, totally unbelievable. Not a real reaction ever.
-The supporting character were cardboard, there to dance to the author's tune or be a backdrop. They never stand on their legs on their own.
But worst of all this book left me sour and bitter. With an afterthought of rage.
At the end of the book he betrays her trust, all of her life work, and has a girl killed. Yes he is the reason a girl dies. And no you don't blame the gun. He's the one who caused that trigger to explode.
And in a few pages all was resolved and he got scot free. Plus he had the gut to be mad and angry because she wasn't forgiving and had a trust problem. Sorry, that is not a story I want to read, nor he's a guy I can or will root for.
That particular story might have been acceptable if it had been the beginning of a redemption second chance romance. And maybe at that. As it was I wanted to erase it all.
- the unbelievable story, you switch royalty with politics, but basically you have the same 'fairy tale' settings. And I mean the unbelievable settings, events, timeline..
-the boring pace. With few exceptions this book dragged a lot
-the stupid love story. You really don't get it. I mean, this man did sent you to prison where you did get beaten and almost raped. But hey he was doing his job. Not his fault... He's literally on the opposite side of the ring, trying to get you closed. He doesn't really respect you. There is being rational and there is being forced. She sounded false as a character, totally unbelievable. Not a real reaction ever.
-The supporting character were cardboard, there to dance to the author's tune or be a backdrop. They never stand on their legs on their own.
But worst of all this book left me sour and bitter. With an afterthought of rage.
At the end of the book he betrays her trust, all of her life work, and has a girl killed. Yes he is the reason a girl dies. And no you don't blame the gun. He's the one who caused that trigger to explode.
And in a few pages all was resolved and he got scot free. Plus he had the gut to be mad and angry because she wasn't forgiving and had a trust problem. Sorry, that is not a story I want to read, nor he's a guy I can or will root for.
That particular story might have been acceptable if it had been the beginning of a redemption second chance romance. And maybe at that. As it was I wanted to erase it all.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 18, 2019
Ten years ago Clay Wainwright prosecuted Bailey O'Neill for harbouring a known criminal and hiding him from the police, she went to jail. Now, Clay is a senator with Vice Presidential aspirations and Bailey is the 'Street Angel' running an anonymous hotline to help kids get away from gangs. The two of them clash on a regular basis, especially since they have both been put on a task force to determine how spend the city's allocation of money from a Youth Crime Bill.
As the two of them argue on the task force the sparks fly, yet a chance meeting outside the task force shows that Clay and Bailey have another kind of spark. But is there any future for a scion of a political dynasty, groomed for the White House, and a single mother from an Irish Catholic background?
Set against this background romance is Bailey's attempts to help a young girl called Taz escape from a vicious gang called the GGs, but as Clay and Bailey get more involved Clay gets more concerned about Bailey's safety and tries to get her to quit.
I liked this a lot. Okay I could 'feel' it was a little out of date (often because of the clothing choices and colours) but the age old dilemma of a strong man, used to being in charge, being confronted by a strong-willed woman pursuing a career which puts her in danger, and how he reacts. Loved the romance and I thought the gang plot was suitably graphic and scary.
On to find book 2.
As the two of them argue on the task force the sparks fly, yet a chance meeting outside the task force shows that Clay and Bailey have another kind of spark. But is there any future for a scion of a political dynasty, groomed for the White House, and a single mother from an Irish Catholic background?
Set against this background romance is Bailey's attempts to help a young girl called Taz escape from a vicious gang called the GGs, but as Clay and Bailey get more involved Clay gets more concerned about Bailey's safety and tries to get her to quit.
I liked this a lot. Okay I could 'feel' it was a little out of date (often because of the clothing choices and colours) but the age old dilemma of a strong man, used to being in charge, being confronted by a strong-willed woman pursuing a career which puts her in danger, and how he reacts. Loved the romance and I thought the gang plot was suitably graphic and scary.
On to find book 2.
November 22, 2015
Bailey O'Neil is known as the "Street Angel" for her work in helping kids get out of gangs and into a better life. Her work is effective but she has her detractors. One of them is Senator Clayton Wainwright. Clay believes the gang members are criminals who should be arrested, and that Bailey is more or less helping the criminals escape justice. As their differences go public during Clay's re-election campaign, he tries to meet with Bailey in order to achieve a cease-fire. They are both surprised to discover that they actually like each other and have a lot in common. When the Governor assigns both of them to the Gang Violence Task Force, sparks begin to fly.
This is the first book in Kathryn Shay's O'Neil series. We have a hero and heroine who are two good people with opposing point of views. There is a lot of conflict between them as they get to know each other and try to build a relationship. I thought it was well-written, but I felt the story had a little too much angst for me. My rating: 3.5 Stars.
This is the first book in Kathryn Shay's O'Neil series. We have a hero and heroine who are two good people with opposing point of views. There is a lot of conflict between them as they get to know each other and try to build a relationship. I thought it was well-written, but I felt the story had a little too much angst for me. My rating: 3.5 Stars.
November 12, 2015
I read about 82 pages and just wasn’t interested. I don’t know why. I didn’t care about what I was reading.
But, this might appeal to others so I’ll tell you what it’s about below.
Bailey is a single mother. She works in a nonprofit that helps kids get out of gangs. She finds housing and other help for them.
Clay is a senator. Several years earlier he was the prosecutor in a trial that sent Bailey to jail for a year. Her crime was helping and hiding someone who committed a crime.
Most of the story is today. Bailey writes articles and lobbies for money to help her nonprofit. Clay’s senate voting record is on the other side. Clay visits Bailey at her work. They are attracted to each other.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Story length: 372 pages. Swearing language: strong including religious swear words. Setting: current day east coast US. Copyright: 2005. Genre: contemporary romance.
But, this might appeal to others so I’ll tell you what it’s about below.
Bailey is a single mother. She works in a nonprofit that helps kids get out of gangs. She finds housing and other help for them.
Clay is a senator. Several years earlier he was the prosecutor in a trial that sent Bailey to jail for a year. Her crime was helping and hiding someone who committed a crime.
Most of the story is today. Bailey writes articles and lobbies for money to help her nonprofit. Clay’s senate voting record is on the other side. Clay visits Bailey at her work. They are attracted to each other.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Story length: 372 pages. Swearing language: strong including religious swear words. Setting: current day east coast US. Copyright: 2005. Genre: contemporary romance.
May 27, 2014
I'm torn about this book. On the one hand it's well-written, delves deeper than usual into a social topic (kids in gangs), and is quite thought-provoking. On the other hand, it left me with a bad taste in my mouth because I didn't like the ending.
The main conflict is the difference of opinion on how to handle gangs between a Republican senator and a (presumably Democrat) woman who runs a non-profit to help kids get out of gangs. She doesn't quite follow the letter of the law, gaining the kids' trust by not passing on to the police information about law-breaking. Our hero thinks that's illegal and dangerous, and once the two start sparkin', he's adamantly opposed to her being part of the organization.
As I read, I couldn't really think of any way for there to be a good resolution to the conflict, but the rest of the book was well-written, so I trusted the author to pull something out of a hat. I was wrong.
In the end, most of the book was five stars, and the last part was one star, so I'm compromising on three. But I wouldn't recommend it to people who like strong heroines --- you will think you've gotten a good book, then will be sorely disappointed.
The main conflict is the difference of opinion on how to handle gangs between a Republican senator and a (presumably Democrat) woman who runs a non-profit to help kids get out of gangs. She doesn't quite follow the letter of the law, gaining the kids' trust by not passing on to the police information about law-breaking. Our hero thinks that's illegal and dangerous, and once the two start sparkin', he's adamantly opposed to her being part of the organization.
As I read, I couldn't really think of any way for there to be a good resolution to the conflict, but the rest of the book was well-written, so I trusted the author to pull something out of a hat. I was wrong.
In the end, most of the book was five stars, and the last part was one star, so I'm compromising on three. But I wouldn't recommend it to people who like strong heroines --- you will think you've gotten a good book, then will be sorely disappointed.
September 22, 2013
LOVED this book. Oh..I fell hard for the O'Neil family. Such great characters and story. Just loved it. Bailey was a great heroine and I loved her relationship with Clay. So good!! I did think Clay was an asshat with some of the things he did and I hated what happened as a result of him seeing Taz. If he had just handled that differently. UGH!! lol I totally loved how Clay was with Rory. Such a great story and I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
August 26, 2018
Someone To Believe In (The O'Neils Book 1)
The love story of Bailey and Clay. Ten years ago Clay was a prosecutor and he put Bailey in jail for not tell the police about a crime. Now he is a New York senator of the U.S. and she is known as the Street Angel. They are at war over state funds and they are attracted to each other. Can love gown when they are on opposite sides? Great story.
The love story of Bailey and Clay. Ten years ago Clay was a prosecutor and he put Bailey in jail for not tell the police about a crime. Now he is a New York senator of the U.S. and she is known as the Street Angel. They are at war over state funds and they are attracted to each other. Can love gown when they are on opposite sides? Great story.
Want to read
June 2, 2021🎁 FREE on Amazon today (6/2/2021)! 🎁
September 25, 2018
Much more interesting than I imagined, even with the "enemies to lovers" trope which was what what made me want to try it.
I'm debating reading more b0oks in this series...
I'm debating reading more b0oks in this series...
August 23, 2025
Boring cover
Im sorry but it’s about 200 pages too long about politics……..
I don’t want to become a politician.
It’s so boring and sloooowwwww.
Dnf
Im sorry but it’s about 200 pages too long about politics……..
I don’t want to become a politician.
It’s so boring and sloooowwwww.
Dnf
December 24, 2014
I raised more than a few brows at the unlikeness of the story, though I must confess that I felt compelled to pick it up again, so at least the lead characters managed to hook me. Even though neither of them was perfect, far from it. The hero was too overbearing and dominating, the heroine trying too long to be the strong independent woman who did not need help from anyone ever and never listening to her feelings or inner wants, outside a few sex urges.
What rather irritated me was the secondary story with Taz, the girl from the gang. Too much gang lingo used every time, too much misery and traumas added one after the other , and her becoming seriously undermined Bailey's purpose, all the more so that there weren't any other stories in parallel or previously ending differently, or at least not that was described in the book.
What rather irritated me was the secondary story with Taz, the girl from the gang. Too much gang lingo used every time, too much misery and traumas added one after the other , and her becoming seriously undermined Bailey's purpose, all the more so that there weren't any other stories in parallel or previously ending differently, or at least not that was described in the book.
January 15, 2017
This series has really caught my interest.
The series seems to have started as the O'Neil Brothers, but now is often labeled as simply The O'Neils.
The first one, publ. in 2005 is titled Someone to Believe In. The female lead character, Bailey O'Neil, is a social worker who works to get kids out of gangs in NYC and who went to jail for helping a teen. The male character is the DA who prosecuted her and who is now a Senator from NY. He disapproves of her helping the gang kids.
It's different from the other contemporaries I've read lately. There are a number of obstacles to these two, in spite of the chemistry. Can two people with different political beliefs, different ways of wanting to solve big problems find common ground?
I know I'll be buying the rest of the series which are about Bailey O'Neil's 4 brothers.
The series seems to have started as the O'Neil Brothers, but now is often labeled as simply The O'Neils.
The first one, publ. in 2005 is titled Someone to Believe In. The female lead character, Bailey O'Neil, is a social worker who works to get kids out of gangs in NYC and who went to jail for helping a teen. The male character is the DA who prosecuted her and who is now a Senator from NY. He disapproves of her helping the gang kids.
It's different from the other contemporaries I've read lately. There are a number of obstacles to these two, in spite of the chemistry. Can two people with different political beliefs, different ways of wanting to solve big problems find common ground?
I know I'll be buying the rest of the series which are about Bailey O'Neil's 4 brothers.
August 14, 2017
Actually, I didn't read this one.
I couldn't.
The book grated on me from the prologue on where, as Bailey O'Neil was put on trial for harbouring a murderer (juvenile, but still), EVERYONE was shocked when she was accused, and apparently the prosecutor was the one to be angry at?
Excuse me, but isn't what she did ILLEGAL? Like, anyone else would have been convicted without a second thought, but because apparently she has the "extenuating circumstance" of helping these young juveniles, everyone's shocked when the law is obeyed?
No.
It started for me there and then continued with her annoying older brothers treating her (at 36!) like she was 16. I couldn't finish, sadly, and usually I like Shay's books, but this one was just so wrong for me on all levels.
I couldn't.
The book grated on me from the prologue on where, as Bailey O'Neil was put on trial for harbouring a murderer (juvenile, but still), EVERYONE was shocked when she was accused, and apparently the prosecutor was the one to be angry at?
Excuse me, but isn't what she did ILLEGAL? Like, anyone else would have been convicted without a second thought, but because apparently she has the "extenuating circumstance" of helping these young juveniles, everyone's shocked when the law is obeyed?
No.
It started for me there and then continued with her annoying older brothers treating her (at 36!) like she was 16. I couldn't finish, sadly, and usually I like Shay's books, but this one was just so wrong for me on all levels.
July 23, 2014
This one caught me by surprise. When I started it, I didn't think I would be giving it 4 STARS by the end. I wasn't even sure if the story would hold my interest. I was pleasantly surprised. I really loved all of the charcters. Which is also surprising for me, as I usually get pissy when there are more than 4 I have to try to keep straight in my mind. Each were defined really well though, as I found myself routing for much more than just the main characters. There are some spelling errors, for those that are particular. This is my first time reading a book by this author, but I'm quite certain it won't be my last. Color me impressed.
June 24, 2015
Don't take my two stars the wrong way - this is a very well-written book and, objectively, deserves three stars. But the drama of it grated on me a bit and, more importantly, so did the fact that the female protagonist was the only one who had to compromise. I'm too old to believe the old adage that it takes strenght to give in. It's a copout, that's what it is, and one that I'm sick and tired off. It's also realistic but that only makes me despise it more. Good book. Tiresome look on women's "obligations".
February 6, 2017
I liked this book...the story was good. It seemed to go on forever, though. I think it could have been less wordy.
March 19, 2017
I thought this was an interesting premise, but it didn't turn out to be. The characters never meshed for me, the circumstances they were put in were not believable, and the author's writing was stilted and almost condescending and under developed at times, particularly in the beginning. I was really hoping to like the book, and it was not without its good points (although nothing above average), but it was disappointing.
February 13, 2019
I think I’ve just found a new favorite book family. I definitely know I’m gonna want to know all about the rest of the family, that’s for sure!
Bailey, aka the Street Angel, has been working to get kids out of gangs for at least ten years. She’s made a name for herself. She’s also been through a lot to earn that name. Ten years ago, Clay Wainwright prosecuted her and won, which sent Bailey to jail for a year. No one was happy with Clay. They’ve been at loggerheads ever since she got out of prison, and really, even long before that. Clay is pretty much a by the book kinda guy. Bailey is a whatever it takes kinda girl.
Suddenly, they find themselves together on a task force to address gang violence and how to offer an alternative to the gangs that so many teens become mixed up with. Sparks always fly when Bailey and Clay are in one another’s orbit. This time, they’re flying in a few different directions.
Someone to Believe In isn’t a fluff read, but it’s not extremely deep, either. It is one that will enlighten you about gangs and the hold they have on individuals, families, and communities. The story is filled with wonderful characters that you’ll wish you could hang out with at Bailey’s Irish Pub. It’s fast-paced and entertaining. It isn’t a book that you absolutely can’t put down, but it is one you wish you didn’t have to put down. Great start to the series!
Bailey, aka the Street Angel, has been working to get kids out of gangs for at least ten years. She’s made a name for herself. She’s also been through a lot to earn that name. Ten years ago, Clay Wainwright prosecuted her and won, which sent Bailey to jail for a year. No one was happy with Clay. They’ve been at loggerheads ever since she got out of prison, and really, even long before that. Clay is pretty much a by the book kinda guy. Bailey is a whatever it takes kinda girl.
Suddenly, they find themselves together on a task force to address gang violence and how to offer an alternative to the gangs that so many teens become mixed up with. Sparks always fly when Bailey and Clay are in one another’s orbit. This time, they’re flying in a few different directions.
Someone to Believe In isn’t a fluff read, but it’s not extremely deep, either. It is one that will enlighten you about gangs and the hold they have on individuals, families, and communities. The story is filled with wonderful characters that you’ll wish you could hang out with at Bailey’s Irish Pub. It’s fast-paced and entertaining. It isn’t a book that you absolutely can’t put down, but it is one you wish you didn’t have to put down. Great start to the series!
April 16, 2022
That book premise was quite good: a zealous social worker harboring a teen criminal and then gets sent to jail after the DA does his job.
They meet years later and of course there is a lot of animosity, attraction, sexual tension and all..
My problem was the execution: it was too long!!
I liked how Clay kept fighting for their relationship, and didnt give up on them.
After the episode with Taz and Sister Marion, it would have been best to end the book there in my opinion when they made it up at his townhouse. Some more chapters to settle them going public, the election, his relationship with Jon and that's it.
But nope, it wasnt even 50% so more to come? After ALL this drama you meant to tell me there was more problems for Bailey and Clay?
I couldnt take this, so I ended my reading right there and I skipped to the last page to see their HEA...
Otherwise, it would have disgusted me.
I love angst but I hate heavy drama, and this is where this book was going, I could tell.
Both characters were so so, Clay sounded like a midlife crisis man, at one point I was like ''you are too old for this sir'' lool, but it was cute. Bailey, meh, I didn't like her at first and I was annoyed at her reluctance to give the relationship a try when she was already having sex with him.
Aiden and Rory were cute, the rest of the family was cringe!
3 stars for the first half I read!
They meet years later and of course there is a lot of animosity, attraction, sexual tension and all..
My problem was the execution: it was too long!!
I liked how Clay kept fighting for their relationship, and didnt give up on them.
After the episode with Taz and Sister Marion, it would have been best to end the book there in my opinion when they made it up at his townhouse. Some more chapters to settle them going public, the election, his relationship with Jon and that's it.
But nope, it wasnt even 50% so more to come? After ALL this drama you meant to tell me there was more problems for Bailey and Clay?
I couldnt take this, so I ended my reading right there and I skipped to the last page to see their HEA...
Otherwise, it would have disgusted me.
I love angst but I hate heavy drama, and this is where this book was going, I could tell.
Both characters were so so, Clay sounded like a midlife crisis man, at one point I was like ''you are too old for this sir'' lool, but it was cute. Bailey, meh, I didn't like her at first and I was annoyed at her reluctance to give the relationship a try when she was already having sex with him.
Aiden and Rory were cute, the rest of the family was cringe!
3 stars for the first half I read!
February 11, 2020
Loved
This was a great story about how opposites attract.
Clay Wainwright was the D.A who charged Bailey O'Neill, a.k.A "The Street Angel" with a crime of hiding a gang member after he committed a crime. But the public, especially the jury, loved her for saving kids who needed help escaping gangs and only have her 1 year in prison. Ever since then, both Bailey and Clay have been enemies in the newspapers.
Eleven years later, Bailey is still saving kids wanting to leave gangs, but Clay has put a good on her budget for another facility to be built to protect the kids who want out.
Bailey got to be the Street Angel because her half-sister was in a popular and dangerous gang 10 years ago, when she was 14, she got arrested and was killed in prison. So Bailey has been fighting for the kids who want out of gangs ever since.
Clay is now a senator and needs Bailey to back off in their war in the papers. So he calls her to see if they can somehow meet and maybe work together. But
What the couple doesn't expect is their amazingly hit chemistry to take over.
A must read!
This was a great story about how opposites attract.
Clay Wainwright was the D.A who charged Bailey O'Neill, a.k.A "The Street Angel" with a crime of hiding a gang member after he committed a crime. But the public, especially the jury, loved her for saving kids who needed help escaping gangs and only have her 1 year in prison. Ever since then, both Bailey and Clay have been enemies in the newspapers.
Eleven years later, Bailey is still saving kids wanting to leave gangs, but Clay has put a good on her budget for another facility to be built to protect the kids who want out.
Bailey got to be the Street Angel because her half-sister was in a popular and dangerous gang 10 years ago, when she was 14, she got arrested and was killed in prison. So Bailey has been fighting for the kids who want out of gangs ever since.
Clay is now a senator and needs Bailey to back off in their war in the papers. So he calls her to see if they can somehow meet and maybe work together. But
What the couple doesn't expect is their amazingly hit chemistry to take over.
A must read!
July 22, 2025
Someone to Believe In
This is the first book in the O’Neils series by Kathryn Shay. Bailey O’Neil, known as the “Street Angel,” is a passionate anti-gang advocate who’s spent her life helping troubled teens find a way out. Her longtime nemesis is Senator Clay Wainwright, a law-and-order politician who once had her jailed for protecting a teen offender. When they’re unexpectedly paired on a mayor’s task force, they become romantically attracted to each other. As their relationship deepens, so do the challenges. Their opposing worldviews threaten to tear them apart, even as they fall in love. This is a story about second chances, ideological tension, and the power of love to bridge even the deepest divides. I really enjoyed this contemporary romance novel.
This is the first book in the O’Neils series by Kathryn Shay. Bailey O’Neil, known as the “Street Angel,” is a passionate anti-gang advocate who’s spent her life helping troubled teens find a way out. Her longtime nemesis is Senator Clay Wainwright, a law-and-order politician who once had her jailed for protecting a teen offender. When they’re unexpectedly paired on a mayor’s task force, they become romantically attracted to each other. As their relationship deepens, so do the challenges. Their opposing worldviews threaten to tear them apart, even as they fall in love. This is a story about second chances, ideological tension, and the power of love to bridge even the deepest divides. I really enjoyed this contemporary romance novel.
July 24, 2025
This is the first book in the O’Neils series by Kathryn Shay. Bailey O’Neil, known as the “Street Angel,” is a passionate anti-gang advocate who’s spent her life helping troubled teens find a way out. Her longtime nemesis is Senator Clay Wainwright, a law-and-order politician who once had her jailed for protecting a teen offender. When they’re unexpectedly paired on a mayor’s task force, they become romantically attracted to each other. As their relationship deepens, so do the challenges. Their opposing worldviews threaten to tear them apart, even as they fall in love. This is a story about second chances, ideological tension, and the power of love to bridge even the deepest divides. I really enjoyed this contemporary romance novel.
January 2, 2022
This is probably my fourth time reading the series over many years. When the new book in this series came out, I knew I wanted to wait until I could re-read the whole series.
I absolutely love this book with Bailey and Clay. I absolutely love how they are enemies at first but can't help but be drawn to each other personally even though they can't agreed professionally. I also love how Clay was so sweet and how he treated Rory. Absolutely loved Rory!! Great story and I can't wait to see Bailey's brothers stories.
I absolutely love this book with Bailey and Clay. I absolutely love how they are enemies at first but can't help but be drawn to each other personally even though they can't agreed professionally. I also love how Clay was so sweet and how he treated Rory. Absolutely loved Rory!! Great story and I can't wait to see Bailey's brothers stories.
May 21, 2020
I got this book free in exchange for an honest review and did not like it. The main character was so annoying, especially at the end. She marries the guy and the next day “isn’t sure they will be together forever” and keeps talking about them breaking up and having to “pretend” to be in love. I actually found myself more interested in the bill process than the romance of the characters and skipped a lot of their scenes together as I just couldn’t stand them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 12, 2021
Kathryn Shay really delivers a good plot; she expertly portrayed the life of street gang members and politicians. I've never wanted to be either one of those and after reading this novel, I'm quite sure I made the right decision.
I was a bit surprised at the very descriptive sex in here; I don't believe it was necessary to go that far with it; sometimes less is more. That being said, the book is an excellent read and very difficult to put down.
I was a bit surprised at the very descriptive sex in here; I don't believe it was necessary to go that far with it; sometimes less is more. That being said, the book is an excellent read and very difficult to put down.
November 25, 2022
Good Read
This is a very passionate read between two strong characters.Bailey and Clay are two people who butt heads.Clay as a attorney was involved in Bailey going to prison 11 years earlier. Now a Senator they are working to get her on findings way to get funds for unprivileged youths.Opposite attract and both Bailey and clay can’t seems to fight the sizzling attraction between them.Can there be a love match between these two.Read to find out.
This is a very passionate read between two strong characters.Bailey and Clay are two people who butt heads.Clay as a attorney was involved in Bailey going to prison 11 years earlier. Now a Senator they are working to get her on findings way to get funds for unprivileged youths.Opposite attract and both Bailey and clay can’t seems to fight the sizzling attraction between them.Can there be a love match between these two.Read to find out.
May 31, 2017
An intriguing book that does not stop.
The philosophical differences between Clay and Bailey never stop. They have a history together which causes some problems for them. But it is his job as a U.S. Senator and her role in aiding endangered teens to get out of street gangs that makes their romance very rocky.
The philosophical differences between Clay and Bailey never stop. They have a history together which causes some problems for them. But it is his job as a U.S. Senator and her role in aiding endangered teens to get out of street gangs that makes their romance very rocky.
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