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Bravo Family #32
A Bravo Homecoming
Travis Bravo was sick of his meddling mother and her matchmaking ways. So what better way to stop her than to bring a fiancée home for the holidays? One catch-he wasn't even dating anyone. But that was where his rough-and-tumble oil-rig friend, Samantha Jaworski, came in.An unpolished tomboy, Sam was game for anything for a good friend. But after her girlfriend-ready makeover, she fell easily into the role of Travis's loving partner-and into his arms. Would she be standing under his mistletoe…for keeps?
219 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2011
28 people are currently reading
142 people want to read
About the author
Christine Rimmer
719 books430 followersNew York Times bestselling author Christine Rimmer has written more than one hundred contemporary romances for Harlequin Books. She has won Romantic Times BOOKreview’s Reviewer’s Choice Award for best Silhouette Special Edition. She has been nominated seven times for the Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA award and five times for Romantic Times Series Storyteller of the Year.
A California native who first longed to be an actress, Christine earned her theater degree from California State, Sacramento and then went to New York to study acting. Later, she moved to Southern California, where she began her writing career with short stories, plays, and poems. Her poems and short stories were published in a number of small literary journals. Her plays were produced at The Back Alley and Group Theaters in Southern California and have been published by Dramatists Play Service and West Coast Plays.
She now lives in Oregon with her family and two very contented cats named Tom and Ed.
A California native who first longed to be an actress, Christine earned her theater degree from California State, Sacramento and then went to New York to study acting. Later, she moved to Southern California, where she began her writing career with short stories, plays, and poems. Her poems and short stories were published in a number of small literary journals. Her plays were produced at The Back Alley and Group Theaters in Southern California and have been published by Dramatists Play Service and West Coast Plays.
She now lives in Oregon with her family and two very contented cats named Tom and Ed.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
February 12, 2012
Decent book. Travis is the only one in his family not married and the one who works for an oil company, he tried the love route but was devastated when his fiancee died so when his mom tries to set him up again he lies and says he is engaged to Sam, his best friend and who works in a man's world, oil rigs.
Sam has just turned thirty and wants a new life, after her first and only heart-break she is ready to try living again on land, a normal life and Travis says he will help her do that if she plays along with him. So, she learns to be a girl girl, at first hating it and then slowly liking it, the change affecting her.
Her transformation changes the relationship between the h/H, they start to explore a relationship and the hero wants to move fast, sometimes making Sam uncomfortable because things are happening too fast for her and she has concerns.
There really wasn't any conflict in the book, it was a decent read, even though the romance did move too fast but I guess that is how it was.
Sam has just turned thirty and wants a new life, after her first and only heart-break she is ready to try living again on land, a normal life and Travis says he will help her do that if she plays along with him. So, she learns to be a girl girl, at first hating it and then slowly liking it, the change affecting her.
Her transformation changes the relationship between the h/H, they start to explore a relationship and the hero wants to move fast, sometimes making Sam uncomfortable because things are happening too fast for her and she has concerns.
There really wasn't any conflict in the book, it was a decent read, even though the romance did move too fast but I guess that is how it was.
May 12, 2012
This one was a nice friends-to-lovers story...almost too nice. I loves me some angst, and there was very little in this one. I'd have liked to have seen more. Hero's mom keeps trying to set him up. He asks heroine--buddy from the oil rigs (girl-type buddy)--to pretend to be his fiancee to get mom off his back, complete with a make-over, she agrees, and they decide to make it real. Nice.
March 17, 2018
Started out ok, but the magic make-over, manipulation by the hero and endless angst were distracting and disappointing. I don’t buy the connection, if anything, I thought their connection lessened instead of grew.
I hated the polished, bland girl she had to turn herself into in order to satisfy his family (who seem like they wouldn’t have minded a rough country bumpkin at all if it made the hero happy, so what’s with the heavy emphasis on becoming more feminine?!) and she felt uncomfortable herself about it, but magically thought she was still the same woman when she saw him standing at the altar. I call bullshite.
She should have been allowed to be herself, while she censured some of her heavier swearing while around people she barely knew and children. What she became had absolutely nothing to do with the woman she was at first supposed to be (kickass, confident, self-reliant). Of course she had her insecurities, they were set up nicely, but the way they were magically resolved made no sense. She became faceless, bland and trapped. She did not blossom into something “more” as the writer would have you believe, because the whole old Sam was tamed out of her personality. So the message really was; you can pretend to be brave and strong all you like, as long as you make sure you don’t do anything dangerous, rely heavily on finding a man who will take care of you and behave properly, like a polished, tame, faceless woman should.
Back to the fifties with this one... she should have been allowed to be herself; loud, creative, confident, capable and one of the guys. You don’t HAVE to be feminine to be a woman and to be attractive to a man. And you don’t have to take anybody’s bullshite about changing your entire appearance as well as personality. Asshat hero doesn’t see her as the woman she’s always been and whom he’s known forever (they were longtime friends), but is only suddenly horny for her when she’s “beautified” and he tries to mollycoddle and pressure her into being a housewife immediately, reaffirming my belief that he is and will remain an asshat.
Oh, before I forget, he does not deal with his own issues, which were pretty serious and would have made for a decent hurdle instead of her anxiety. I can’t help but feel that he doesn’t deserve her for even suggesting she take a course on being feminine and consequently horning after her and pushing her into marriage. I just feel he’ll continue the pressure on Sam becoming a broodmare as soon as they’re wed.
The more I think about the message in this book, the more I dislike it, I am taking back a star. That’s for muzzling the heroine!
I hated the polished, bland girl she had to turn herself into in order to satisfy his family (who seem like they wouldn’t have minded a rough country bumpkin at all if it made the hero happy, so what’s with the heavy emphasis on becoming more feminine?!) and she felt uncomfortable herself about it, but magically thought she was still the same woman when she saw him standing at the altar. I call bullshite.
She should have been allowed to be herself, while she censured some of her heavier swearing while around people she barely knew and children. What she became had absolutely nothing to do with the woman she was at first supposed to be (kickass, confident, self-reliant). Of course she had her insecurities, they were set up nicely, but the way they were magically resolved made no sense. She became faceless, bland and trapped. She did not blossom into something “more” as the writer would have you believe, because the whole old Sam was tamed out of her personality. So the message really was; you can pretend to be brave and strong all you like, as long as you make sure you don’t do anything dangerous, rely heavily on finding a man who will take care of you and behave properly, like a polished, tame, faceless woman should.
Back to the fifties with this one... she should have been allowed to be herself; loud, creative, confident, capable and one of the guys. You don’t HAVE to be feminine to be a woman and to be attractive to a man. And you don’t have to take anybody’s bullshite about changing your entire appearance as well as personality. Asshat hero doesn’t see her as the woman she’s always been and whom he’s known forever (they were longtime friends), but is only suddenly horny for her when she’s “beautified” and he tries to mollycoddle and pressure her into being a housewife immediately, reaffirming my belief that he is and will remain an asshat.
Oh, before I forget, he does not deal with his own issues, which were pretty serious and would have made for a decent hurdle instead of her anxiety. I can’t help but feel that he doesn’t deserve her for even suggesting she take a course on being feminine and consequently horning after her and pushing her into marriage. I just feel he’ll continue the pressure on Sam becoming a broodmare as soon as they’re wed.
The more I think about the message in this book, the more I dislike it, I am taking back a star. That’s for muzzling the heroine!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 4, 2014
4.5 Stars for A Bravo Homecoming
Travis Bravo was sick of his meddling mother and her matchmaking ways. So what better way to stop her than to bring a fiancee home for the holidays? One catch--he wasn't even dating anyone. But that was where his rough-and-tumble oil-rig friend, Samantha Jaworski, came in.
An unpolished tomboy, Sam was game for anything for a good friend. But after her girlfriend-ready makeover, she fell easily into the role of Travis's loving partner--and into his arms.
My Synopsis
Travis's mother is constantly parading available women in front of him every time he comes home, but Travis isn't interested in finding another chance at true love. As far as he's concerned, his chance came and went with Rachel, his fiancé that was tragically killed by a drunk driver before he even had the chance to call her his wife. Not only that, but he tried again only to have his romantic partner walk out on him for another man. No, Travis is done with relationships. To stop his mother's matchmaking he comes up with a lie on the spot, he already has a woman and they're engaged. Who better to play the part than his best friend for the past twelve years, Samantha Jaworski?
Sam's immediate reaction was that her best friend has lost his mind, but with some serious persuasion she agrees to help him. After all, it's a win win, right? Sam will get Travis's mother off his back and in return he will provide her with the opportunity to learn the refined skills of being a proper lady that will later help her in her life when she switches jobs and must act the part.
The Characters
Travis Bravo - Super tall, super built and muscular, Travis Bravo is a gentle man with some deeper underlining issues due to the untimely death of his past fiancé. The author makes light of his issues as something he can just will away and they take the very backseat in the van called plot. It was kind of disappointing in that regard...Did I mention his family is super rich and yet, down to earth?
Samanatha Jaworski - Samantha (aka Sam) is a tough, and rough around the edges woman. Big boned and muscular, she towers over a lot of men (hence the super tallness of Travis). Used to working in a man's world of the ocean oil rigs, she's a jack of all trades on the rigs. Sam knows her mind and isn't afraid to stick up for herself or let loose a few well chosen swears. Safe to say, I like her and she totally makes this story. It's my love of this character that gets this book its high rating.
Aleta Bravo - is the only support character worth mentioning. She's the down to earth, kind, caring, rich, and matchmaking mother. Basically, what women used to be raised to be, all about family, the ultimate suzy-homemaker, great at the girlie stuff, refined, loves shopping for clothes, etc etc. She's the one the inspires Sam to try harder with her mother, and makes everyone get along. Pretty much her job in this book is peacekeeper.
The whole Bravo crew - there are so many of them it's hard to keep them straight and MOST of them only get mentioned personally once or twice in the book. I will have to read the other books in the series to straighten them all out in my head.
Likes and Dislikes (because I can't separate them this time)
I like the real main character of this book, Sam. Female characters like her should exist in every book out there. Basically, she only does things because she wants to and has no problem keeping up with the boys.
It's hard to explain, but I like that SHE decides she wants to be more girlie because SHE thinks they are skills she can loosely apply to help her in life. What I DON'T like is the idea that there is an underlining message (I feel) to all females who read this book that you WILL get your man and you WILL be more successful if you change how you look, what you wear, what you eat, how you talk and how you behave.
Apparently you need high end clothing, and (this next part applies to me personally) a professional to teach you what you should wear for your body type. You will also need an army of beauticians and several days in a spa. While I agree it'd be awesome to have a professional help me figure out what to wear, I don't think I should have to change myself so completely or spend my hard earned money on expensive clothing. Thus the paradox of this book. I like that she goes for it, but I disagree with the results. Travis KNOWS her, so why is he all the sudden attracted to her big time when she dolls up and wears a dress. He should have said something before her transformation, not after. It sends the wrong message to females everywhere (again personal opinion).
You shouldn't have to change who you are, but it's nice that she wanted to better herself even if it's in a skewed (be more girlie) way. The principal of self-betterment is good, the execution is not... I agree with trying to better yourself, but I don't think it should be only on manners, beauty and clothing. It's superficial... It really hurts my head trying to think of a perfectly clear way to sum up my feelings about this matter. You either get it or you don't. Due to mixed feelings I only docked half a star for this issue even though it has created my inner turmoil. Moving on.
What I did like, was the fact that the two main characters have known each other for 12+ years, working closely and spending a lot of time with each other. They are each others best friends and know each others minds intimately. I used this knowledge to cancel out the hate I have for hasty engagements and weddings. What I didn't like, hasty engagement and wedding. While the engagement was real enough in a weird way...a wedding in a month...little annoying. But as I said, I used the cancel out plan to keep myself from getting super annoyed.
To Sum It Up
All in all I liked this book. While it gave me conflicting feelings, ignoring the bad and focusing on the good made me like this book. I don't know if I would recommend this book to anyone due to those conflicting emotions...but I am going to see if I can get my hands on a few more books from this series. See, very conflicted.
Travis Bravo was sick of his meddling mother and her matchmaking ways. So what better way to stop her than to bring a fiancee home for the holidays? One catch--he wasn't even dating anyone. But that was where his rough-and-tumble oil-rig friend, Samantha Jaworski, came in.
An unpolished tomboy, Sam was game for anything for a good friend. But after her girlfriend-ready makeover, she fell easily into the role of Travis's loving partner--and into his arms.
My Synopsis
Travis's mother is constantly parading available women in front of him every time he comes home, but Travis isn't interested in finding another chance at true love. As far as he's concerned, his chance came and went with Rachel, his fiancé that was tragically killed by a drunk driver before he even had the chance to call her his wife. Not only that, but he tried again only to have his romantic partner walk out on him for another man. No, Travis is done with relationships. To stop his mother's matchmaking he comes up with a lie on the spot, he already has a woman and they're engaged. Who better to play the part than his best friend for the past twelve years, Samantha Jaworski?
Sam's immediate reaction was that her best friend has lost his mind, but with some serious persuasion she agrees to help him. After all, it's a win win, right? Sam will get Travis's mother off his back and in return he will provide her with the opportunity to learn the refined skills of being a proper lady that will later help her in her life when she switches jobs and must act the part.
The Characters
Travis Bravo - Super tall, super built and muscular, Travis Bravo is a gentle man with some deeper underlining issues due to the untimely death of his past fiancé. The author makes light of his issues as something he can just will away and they take the very backseat in the van called plot. It was kind of disappointing in that regard...Did I mention his family is super rich and yet, down to earth?
Samanatha Jaworski - Samantha (aka Sam) is a tough, and rough around the edges woman. Big boned and muscular, she towers over a lot of men (hence the super tallness of Travis). Used to working in a man's world of the ocean oil rigs, she's a jack of all trades on the rigs. Sam knows her mind and isn't afraid to stick up for herself or let loose a few well chosen swears. Safe to say, I like her and she totally makes this story. It's my love of this character that gets this book its high rating.
Aleta Bravo - is the only support character worth mentioning. She's the down to earth, kind, caring, rich, and matchmaking mother. Basically, what women used to be raised to be, all about family, the ultimate suzy-homemaker, great at the girlie stuff, refined, loves shopping for clothes, etc etc. She's the one the inspires Sam to try harder with her mother, and makes everyone get along. Pretty much her job in this book is peacekeeper.
The whole Bravo crew - there are so many of them it's hard to keep them straight and MOST of them only get mentioned personally once or twice in the book. I will have to read the other books in the series to straighten them all out in my head.
Likes and Dislikes (because I can't separate them this time)
I like the real main character of this book, Sam. Female characters like her should exist in every book out there. Basically, she only does things because she wants to and has no problem keeping up with the boys.
It's hard to explain, but I like that SHE decides she wants to be more girlie because SHE thinks they are skills she can loosely apply to help her in life. What I DON'T like is the idea that there is an underlining message (I feel) to all females who read this book that you WILL get your man and you WILL be more successful if you change how you look, what you wear, what you eat, how you talk and how you behave.
Apparently you need high end clothing, and (this next part applies to me personally) a professional to teach you what you should wear for your body type. You will also need an army of beauticians and several days in a spa. While I agree it'd be awesome to have a professional help me figure out what to wear, I don't think I should have to change myself so completely or spend my hard earned money on expensive clothing. Thus the paradox of this book. I like that she goes for it, but I disagree with the results. Travis KNOWS her, so why is he all the sudden attracted to her big time when she dolls up and wears a dress. He should have said something before her transformation, not after. It sends the wrong message to females everywhere (again personal opinion).
You shouldn't have to change who you are, but it's nice that she wanted to better herself even if it's in a skewed (be more girlie) way. The principal of self-betterment is good, the execution is not... I agree with trying to better yourself, but I don't think it should be only on manners, beauty and clothing. It's superficial... It really hurts my head trying to think of a perfectly clear way to sum up my feelings about this matter. You either get it or you don't. Due to mixed feelings I only docked half a star for this issue even though it has created my inner turmoil. Moving on.
What I did like, was the fact that the two main characters have known each other for 12+ years, working closely and spending a lot of time with each other. They are each others best friends and know each others minds intimately. I used this knowledge to cancel out the hate I have for hasty engagements and weddings. What I didn't like, hasty engagement and wedding. While the engagement was real enough in a weird way...a wedding in a month...little annoying. But as I said, I used the cancel out plan to keep myself from getting super annoyed.
To Sum It Up
All in all I liked this book. While it gave me conflicting feelings, ignoring the bad and focusing on the good made me like this book. I don't know if I would recommend this book to anyone due to those conflicting emotions...but I am going to see if I can get my hands on a few more books from this series. See, very conflicted.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 18, 2017
I have always said, that you gotta love the Bravos. Sam and Travis's story is one of my favorites. Travis thought that he could eliminate his mom from parading woman after available woman in front of him over the Thanksgiving holiday. He brings his friend Sam who has been working on their oil rig so long that she has forgotten how to be a girls girl. This transformation was a delight for me, especially when Travis realizes what he has right in front of his eyes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 24, 2021
Take two people who have been friends forever and a pushy Mom. Well, I wouldn't say too pushy. She just wants to see her son Travis happy and married. So he devises a plan that his lifelong friend Sam, gets a makeover and becomes his fiance just to get his Mom off his back.
Loved the story and just couldn't put it down. Just like any other book written by Christine Rimmer you just can't stop reading it til you are finished.
Loved the story and just couldn't put it down. Just like any other book written by Christine Rimmer you just can't stop reading it til you are finished.
November 18, 2024
Loved it!
January 7, 2022
I guess I should have learned my lesson about these Harlequin romances - not worth it. I wanted Christmas stories before Christmas and while this met that requirement, I could have done without.
May 5, 2012
My first Bravo book and I was very disappointed. Both Sam and Travis were very flat - each had a lot of promise but the writing never took the necessary time to flesh them out. Sam's magical transformation from strong, confident, independent woman to smooth, polished, shopping-friendly woman felt too fast and unnecessary - we only got a taste of who she was "before" so it was tough to feel excited about her "after. " She felt hesitations the whole way through, and I agreed with her. Lastly, for long-time friends turned lovers, Travis and Sam's reactions felt untrue to that situation. There was little surprise and no awkwardness, which, although ideal, felt unrealistic. I tried to let myself fall into this story but there wasn't enough depth to carry me so I ended up just watching disinterested from the sidelines.
October 10, 2011
Out of all the Bravo family stores, this one is my favorite. You will not be able to put the book down.
I so loved reading about Sam, the tomboy. Also her and Travis Bravo had been friends for 12 years. They knew each other so well but did not realize they loved each other.
What Sarah endured to make a change in her life and bring out the woman in her was pure torture. I felt for her. But the end results were amazing. Sometimes one does not see beyond the rough interior to the beauty beneath. Travis began to see how much he had missed after Sam had her make-over.
Jonathan, the coach, hired by Travis I think realized Travis was already in love with Sam and he was well pleased. He knew what would happen before the final test.
Sometimes a Mother's meddling can work wonders.
I so loved reading about Sam, the tomboy. Also her and Travis Bravo had been friends for 12 years. They knew each other so well but did not realize they loved each other.
What Sarah endured to make a change in her life and bring out the woman in her was pure torture. I felt for her. But the end results were amazing. Sometimes one does not see beyond the rough interior to the beauty beneath. Travis began to see how much he had missed after Sam had her make-over.
Jonathan, the coach, hired by Travis I think realized Travis was already in love with Sam and he was well pleased. He knew what would happen before the final test.
Sometimes a Mother's meddling can work wonders.
November 15, 2013
3.5 stars. Nice story involving some of my favorite themes: best friends turned lovers, fake relationship that becomes real, and of course Christmas. I also really liked that they talked to one another about their feelings, worries, future plans,etc. Very rare in romance, when so many stories hinge on the dreaded big misunderstanding.
Not a lot of angst, but sometimes it's nice to read a piece of brain candy. I wouldn't label this totally "sweet" though, as there are quite a few detailed sex scenes.
Not a lot of angst, but sometimes it's nice to read a piece of brain candy. I wouldn't label this totally "sweet" though, as there are quite a few detailed sex scenes.
November 11, 2011
One of my favorite Bravo books. I enjoyed Travis and Sam from the beginning. Great couple. A little disappointed in the end...I expected a face-to-face resolution of the conflict, but they each resolved internally. So anti-climatic, but most of the story was great... Really enjoyed both characters.
November 16, 2011
It was great to reconnect with the Bravo family again, and to read Travis' story. I like how he knew Sam before her transformation of "getting her girlie" on, but didn't discover his love for her until they pretended to be engaged. I will read this book again, and can't wait until the next Bravo story.
January 30, 2013
I generally prefer the romance books with situation complications. This one just didn't have enough of a hook for me. Their farce quickly turned real, so fear of discovery was not an issue. Then it became more about their personal baggage.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 14, 2013
Sam's job was unexpected and I liked it - and her "change". There was a lot of name dropping of Bravo's - catch up from previous books, I'm assuming. Quick read, but wasn't bad; will read more by Ms. Rimmer.
Read
December 24, 2014Miniseries: Bravo Family Ties
February 15, 2012
I read a book on Zelda and I believe on of her problems wa Scott stealing her work.
She was a talented writer but he took credit for a lot of what she created.
She was a talented writer but he took credit for a lot of what she created.
Read
May 2, 20122012 RITA finalist in the Contemporary Series Romance category
June 28, 2012
I'm withholding my review for a short time because it may get posted on www.smartbitchestrashybooks.com as part of the RITA Reader Challenge.
July 14, 2012
I loved this book..funny and heartwarming at the same time. Not one second of regret for picking this book..totally loved it.
August 18, 2020
2/3 stars
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews