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The O'Fallons #1
Til There Was U
Rory O'Fallon is surprised to discover a beautiful baby girl on his front porch. He knows the baby is his just as sure as he knows her mother must be in trouble to have left her. To find the love of his life, he's going to need help. It's time to call his sons home to O'Fallon's Landing.
Ryan
Workaholic Ryan O'Fallon has made his name as an architect in a top San Diego firm in more ways than one. On the job, he's the go-to guy who can face down the toughest client without flinching. Off the job, he's got a rep for playing the field. The company lunchroom odds give his average relationship a whopping ten weeks and two days. And nobody knows better than Effie Wilson, Ryan's coworker and competitor. After all, she's won the last two pools on his lack-of-love life and has the Gucci shoes to prove it. Ryan may be Mr. Calm and Cool in the boardroom, but when Effie's around, he starts to sweat.
As if things weren't tense enough, Ryan's dad needs him at home just as Ryan's biggest project is taking off. There's no way Ryan won't help out his dad, but he's not about to let Effie stay and take all the credit. The only thing to do is to bring her with him to Tennessee so they can work together. Now, back in O'Fallon's Landing, with its slow, easy days and long, steamy nights, Effie's letting her hair down big time, going from a buttoned-up businesswoman into a full-fledged, no-holds-barred force of nature...the kind that's turning Ryan's world upside down and putting anything but business on his mind...
Ryan
Workaholic Ryan O'Fallon has made his name as an architect in a top San Diego firm in more ways than one. On the job, he's the go-to guy who can face down the toughest client without flinching. Off the job, he's got a rep for playing the field. The company lunchroom odds give his average relationship a whopping ten weeks and two days. And nobody knows better than Effie Wilson, Ryan's coworker and competitor. After all, she's won the last two pools on his lack-of-love life and has the Gucci shoes to prove it. Ryan may be Mr. Calm and Cool in the boardroom, but when Effie's around, he starts to sweat.
As if things weren't tense enough, Ryan's dad needs him at home just as Ryan's biggest project is taking off. There's no way Ryan won't help out his dad, but he's not about to let Effie stay and take all the credit. The only thing to do is to bring her with him to Tennessee so they can work together. Now, back in O'Fallon's Landing, with its slow, easy days and long, steamy nights, Effie's letting her hair down big time, going from a buttoned-up businesswoman into a full-fledged, no-holds-barred force of nature...the kind that's turning Ryan's world upside down and putting anything but business on his mind...
352 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2005
2 people are currently reading
81 people want to read
About the author
Dianne Castell
29 books44 followersDianne's love for the romance genre began when her daughter tossed her a dog eared, clinch cover Harlequin. She said it was "great," then confessed it had been passed around the eighth grade class as a "supplement" to their sex ed class. Some supplement! But Dianne was instantly hooked on Harlequins, and it wasn't long before she started writing stories of her own.. She lives with her husband and four kids in Milford, Ohio and write humorous, sexy stories set in small-town USA because there's nothing more fun than falling in love. Dianne writes mysteries as Duffy Brown.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 10, 2023
Rory O'Fallon is surprised to discover a beautiful baby girl on his front porch. He knows the baby is his just as sure as he knows her mother must be in trouble to have left her. To find the love of his life, he's going to need help. It's time to call his sons home to O'Fallon's Landing.
Ryan
Workaholic Ryan O'Fallon has made his name as an architect in a top San Diego firm in more ways than one. On the job, he's the go-to guy who can face down the toughest client without flinching. Off the job, he's got a rep for playing the field. The company lunchroom odds give his average relationship a whopping ten weeks and two days. And nobody knows better than Effie Wilson, Ryan's coworker and competitor. After all, she's won the last two pools on his lack-of-love life and has the Gucci shoes to prove it. Ryan may be Mr. Calm and Cool in the boardroom, but when Effie's around, he starts to sweat.
As if things weren't tense enough, Ryan's dad needs him at home just as Ryan's biggest project is taking off. There's no way Ryan won't help out his dad, but he's not about to let Effie stay and take all the credit. The only thing to do is to bring her with him to Tennessee so they can work together. Now, back in O'Fallon's Landing, with its slow, easy days and long, steamy nights, Effie's letting her hair down big time, going from a buttoned-up businesswoman into a full-fledged, no-holds-barred force of nature...the kind that's turning Ryan's world upside down and putting anything but business on his mind...
Ryan
Workaholic Ryan O'Fallon has made his name as an architect in a top San Diego firm in more ways than one. On the job, he's the go-to guy who can face down the toughest client without flinching. Off the job, he's got a rep for playing the field. The company lunchroom odds give his average relationship a whopping ten weeks and two days. And nobody knows better than Effie Wilson, Ryan's coworker and competitor. After all, she's won the last two pools on his lack-of-love life and has the Gucci shoes to prove it. Ryan may be Mr. Calm and Cool in the boardroom, but when Effie's around, he starts to sweat.
As if things weren't tense enough, Ryan's dad needs him at home just as Ryan's biggest project is taking off. There's no way Ryan won't help out his dad, but he's not about to let Effie stay and take all the credit. The only thing to do is to bring her with him to Tennessee so they can work together. Now, back in O'Fallon's Landing, with its slow, easy days and long, steamy nights, Effie's letting her hair down big time, going from a buttoned-up businesswoman into a full-fledged, no-holds-barred force of nature...the kind that's turning Ryan's world upside down and putting anything but business on his mind...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 2, 2017
ja dit soort boekjes zijn heel erg voorspelbaar en fout maar daarom niet minder leuk. ik blijf ze heerlijk vinden en lees er af en toe graag eentje.
July 19, 2017
Fun easy to read romance novel with some intrigue thrown in for good measure.
November 1, 2012
2.5/2.75
This is my 3rd encounter with Dianne Castell and I've found in the past that I have a difficult time getting into her writing. But before we go there I should mention that I just realized she lives very near me. That's very cool stuff. I'm happy and proud to note that several well known (romance) authors (maybe others) also live in my area (Greater Cincinnati). That's awesome. So lets start on the positives.
I liked the down-home feel of the book. It's set in Tennessee and it has scads of colloquial sayings as well as attitudes. Your neighbors are your friends and also your family. You take care of one another and everyone seems to know your business. This is a trait of Castell's writing that I appreciate.
There are some decent love scenes and a bit of feistiness and mystery that keeps you fairly entertained. Also, the big mystery in the book continues over into book #2 which is interesting. Let's see if it can keep me interested for another 300 pages.
Some things I didn't like. Sometimes the charm of the Southern setting, dialect,eccentric characters, etc. are overdone and as I mentioned in my review for Hot and Bothered that charm can be at odds with the quality of the material. In Hot and Bothered charm won out in the end. I don't think it did in this one.
I had an issue with the writing suddenly changing directions. By that I mean someone is in a restaurant talking to friends one second and the next were in the car leaving but there are no ques to tell you that there has been a shift in the action. It happens enough to remember it but not often enough to pick out the exact moments later.
Ryan and Effie are okay as a couple. The sex is fairly steamy and I suppose what it lacks in quality you make up for in quantity. That's not to say that every page is sex. Oh no. It takes many chapters to get into this book and many chapters to finally have some action. That's many chapters too many for my taste. Sure I like plot with my sex but when everything starts really slowly you make me care less when anything juicy happens.
Just like in Hot and Bothered there are multiple stories going on. In moderation and with a skilled writer this is fine. In this book it helps to set up other parts of the novel so it works, but barely. One thing I hate is being dragged out of the action (the meaty parts) of the main plot to be whisked away to the (less compelling) subplot. That occurs a couple times here.
Speaking of the subplot, Conrad Hastings is an awful, repulsive man and I had a very hard time believing his transformation. He is one of those nearly irredeemable characters for me even though the extent of his crimes are really only superficial. He's a sleazeball. I don't trust him, I don't like him, and I didn't like that I was supposed to in the end. As for his partner, Thelma, I had a bit of a problem remembering that she was on the wrong side of 40 (I think that's how the book put it). I can't recall her actual age but I think it was nearly 50. She seemed younger to me, not that I know what a nearly 50-year-old acts like. She's a size 16 and can I just say that I HATE that that distinction has to be made. It's not Castell's fault. You know, sometimes you just get tired of reading about lithe, svelte, legs up to there, perfect ass, perfect rack, 23-year-olds. I want to read about cool, normal, effective women who are lovely in their own ways but not always bombshells, and most of the time they have imperfect bodies and flaws. Same goes for the men. Perhaps no one is drooling over a beer belly and a receding hairline but that's not to say that every hero needs more muscles than Mr. Olympia. I'd just like to see more balance between perfect people and real people. Thelma in some ways gave me that but Conrad ruined it by insulting her every way possible.
So ultimately I thought this book was average. I'll keep reading 'cause that's what I do. I don't anticipate these being the most fulfilling books but they're not a terrible way to kill a few hours either.
This is my 3rd encounter with Dianne Castell and I've found in the past that I have a difficult time getting into her writing. But before we go there I should mention that I just realized she lives very near me. That's very cool stuff. I'm happy and proud to note that several well known (romance) authors (maybe others) also live in my area (Greater Cincinnati). That's awesome. So lets start on the positives.
I liked the down-home feel of the book. It's set in Tennessee and it has scads of colloquial sayings as well as attitudes. Your neighbors are your friends and also your family. You take care of one another and everyone seems to know your business. This is a trait of Castell's writing that I appreciate.
There are some decent love scenes and a bit of feistiness and mystery that keeps you fairly entertained. Also, the big mystery in the book continues over into book #2 which is interesting. Let's see if it can keep me interested for another 300 pages.
Some things I didn't like. Sometimes the charm of the Southern setting, dialect,eccentric characters, etc. are overdone and as I mentioned in my review for Hot and Bothered that charm can be at odds with the quality of the material. In Hot and Bothered charm won out in the end. I don't think it did in this one.
I had an issue with the writing suddenly changing directions. By that I mean someone is in a restaurant talking to friends one second and the next were in the car leaving but there are no ques to tell you that there has been a shift in the action. It happens enough to remember it but not often enough to pick out the exact moments later.
Ryan and Effie are okay as a couple. The sex is fairly steamy and I suppose what it lacks in quality you make up for in quantity. That's not to say that every page is sex. Oh no. It takes many chapters to get into this book and many chapters to finally have some action. That's many chapters too many for my taste. Sure I like plot with my sex but when everything starts really slowly you make me care less when anything juicy happens.
Just like in Hot and Bothered there are multiple stories going on. In moderation and with a skilled writer this is fine. In this book it helps to set up other parts of the novel so it works, but barely. One thing I hate is being dragged out of the action (the meaty parts) of the main plot to be whisked away to the (less compelling) subplot. That occurs a couple times here.
Speaking of the subplot, Conrad Hastings is an awful, repulsive man and I had a very hard time believing his transformation. He is one of those nearly irredeemable characters for me even though the extent of his crimes are really only superficial. He's a sleazeball. I don't trust him, I don't like him, and I didn't like that I was supposed to in the end. As for his partner, Thelma, I had a bit of a problem remembering that she was on the wrong side of 40 (I think that's how the book put it). I can't recall her actual age but I think it was nearly 50. She seemed younger to me, not that I know what a nearly 50-year-old acts like. She's a size 16 and can I just say that I HATE that that distinction has to be made. It's not Castell's fault. You know, sometimes you just get tired of reading about lithe, svelte, legs up to there, perfect ass, perfect rack, 23-year-olds. I want to read about cool, normal, effective women who are lovely in their own ways but not always bombshells, and most of the time they have imperfect bodies and flaws. Same goes for the men. Perhaps no one is drooling over a beer belly and a receding hairline but that's not to say that every hero needs more muscles than Mr. Olympia. I'd just like to see more balance between perfect people and real people. Thelma in some ways gave me that but Conrad ruined it by insulting her every way possible.
So ultimately I thought this book was average. I'll keep reading 'cause that's what I do. I don't anticipate these being the most fulfilling books but they're not a terrible way to kill a few hours either.
February 13, 2012
Originally posted at Herding Cats & Burning Soup
Not bad for a light little romance. 'Til There was U is the first book in Castell's O'Fallon series which follows the O'Fallon brothers and their new baby sister whose mom has suddenly disappeared and left her on their father's doorstep. So the boys are all heading back to Tennessee to help their dad and baby sister. The writing is easy but heavy on the Southern....color.
There are a couple different storylines/relationships going on so you don't really get too deep into any of them. 1) Rory O'Fallon and his baby's missing momma/the people out to get her 2) Thelma, the live in family friend/nanny and slimy deceitful Conrad then finally 3) our main couple Ryan O'Fallon and Effie Wilson who are both architects and work together in California. Fwhew!
I didn't mind the multiple storylines-- though I wasn't a huge fan of Thelma/Conrad. He was such an absolute scum for most of the book and Thelma was too gullible for me. It did work out in the end but I think I would have rather had more time with the main couple, who I really liked, instead. Ryan and Effie have known each other for a while and are pretty competitive with one another at work, drive each other a little crazy. Getting out of their element and into small town Tennessee was fun to watch. Seeing their personal relationship grow and seeing them spend a little time in the family business working on the river on a tug.
I liked that Effie was feisty and determined to protect everyone around her even if that meant butting her nose into all of their relationships. And that she was a little fierce which peeved and proves she knows how to protect herself against the bad guys. She might panic a little bit but she's no wilting flower and does what needs to be done. Like that in my heroines. I also loved the humor that came into play over baby Bonnie and taking care of her. These two are brilliant architects but a tiny little baby causes a melt down. Just can't help but smirk over things like that.
Over all 'Til There was U was a fun, quick read. There are a couple over the top moments but if you're looking for a little humor and a family that will do anything for each other this one will fill a nice couple of hours. I guessing the father's missing girlfriend storyline will continue into the next two books and I kinda like that tie in with them all. Looking forward to grabbing up the next book and meeting Ryan's brothers.
Not bad for a light little romance. 'Til There was U is the first book in Castell's O'Fallon series which follows the O'Fallon brothers and their new baby sister whose mom has suddenly disappeared and left her on their father's doorstep. So the boys are all heading back to Tennessee to help their dad and baby sister. The writing is easy but heavy on the Southern....color.
"Holy crap! You pulled a gun on him?"
Thelma shrugged. "It's the South, dear. We do things a tad different than in California, like settle trouble ourselves and call the sheriff later and say 'Oh, my, whatever have I done? Lordy me.' Then do a Southern swoon. The swoon is a nice touch."
There are a couple different storylines/relationships going on so you don't really get too deep into any of them. 1) Rory O'Fallon and his baby's missing momma/the people out to get her 2) Thelma, the live in family friend/nanny and slimy deceitful Conrad then finally 3) our main couple Ryan O'Fallon and Effie Wilson who are both architects and work together in California. Fwhew!
I didn't mind the multiple storylines-- though I wasn't a huge fan of Thelma/Conrad. He was such an absolute scum for most of the book and Thelma was too gullible for me. It did work out in the end but I think I would have rather had more time with the main couple, who I really liked, instead. Ryan and Effie have known each other for a while and are pretty competitive with one another at work, drive each other a little crazy. Getting out of their element and into small town Tennessee was fun to watch. Seeing their personal relationship grow and seeing them spend a little time in the family business working on the river on a tug.
"The boy had me running all over that tug, checking out stuff and doing whatever else came into his little pea brain." She eyed Rory. "You have two other sons. You won't even miss this one."
I liked that Effie was feisty and determined to protect everyone around her even if that meant butting her nose into all of their relationships. And that she was a little fierce which peeved and proves she knows how to protect herself against the bad guys. She might panic a little bit but she's no wilting flower and does what needs to be done. Like that in my heroines. I also loved the humor that came into play over baby Bonnie and taking care of her. These two are brilliant architects but a tiny little baby causes a melt down. Just can't help but smirk over things like that.
"You're a woman; you know babies, right?"
"All I know about babies is I was one. I'm an only child. My father's an accountant, my mother an attorney. We do professions at our house, not "Sesame Street." I don't actually remember even being a kid so much as a smaller adult who really liked Gummi Worms. Anyone under eighteen is a mystery to me. That was a long, nervous answer to your question. I do not know babies at all."
Ryan stood. "Somewhere in your life you didn't babysit? Don't all girls do that? Isn't it a rite of passage or something?"
"Like before we're awarded boobs?" Effie slapped her palm to her forehead. "What are we going to do? We're architects; we don't know about babies."
Over all 'Til There was U was a fun, quick read. There are a couple over the top moments but if you're looking for a little humor and a family that will do anything for each other this one will fill a nice couple of hours. I guessing the father's missing girlfriend storyline will continue into the next two books and I kinda like that tie in with them all. Looking forward to grabbing up the next book and meeting Ryan's brothers.
July 16, 2010
Til There Was U is part of yet another series that I began reading out of order...Some how I read book three first, which I enjoyed enough to prompt me to read the series from the beginning now. Til There Was U is book one in the O'Fallon series by Dianne Castell, and I thoroughly enjoyed it!
The book is action packed with steamy, intense chemistry between the characters. There's plenty of action, some mystery and even a bit of suspense mixed it. The characters are amusing and with the exception of a few, who actually start to grow on you towards the end, are all very likable.
The book is action packed with steamy, intense chemistry between the characters. There's plenty of action, some mystery and even a bit of suspense mixed it. The characters are amusing and with the exception of a few, who actually start to grow on you towards the end, are all very likable.
July 20, 2011
I love a good, sexy romance. Lusty, fabulous sexy romance!
This was not one. This book had less than three hundred pages, a missing person, and two romances in which the couples have more sex in one week than most couples have in a year. Was this supposed to be erotica? It sort of was. It was not, however, fulfilling. The mystery was left unresolved ( to be solved in one of the sequels, I'm sure)and the emotions of the romances fell flat.
I. WLL. NOT. BE. READING. THE. SEQUELS.
This was not one. This book had less than three hundred pages, a missing person, and two romances in which the couples have more sex in one week than most couples have in a year. Was this supposed to be erotica? It sort of was. It was not, however, fulfilling. The mystery was left unresolved ( to be solved in one of the sequels, I'm sure)and the emotions of the romances fell flat.
I. WLL. NOT. BE. READING. THE. SEQUELS.
January 6, 2008
Cheesy, but good.
January 8, 2011
i like it
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews