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Everson, Texas #2
Crazy Little Thing Called Love
Here comes trouble...
Etta Green kissed Everson, Texas, goodbye years ago. A big city chef, she intends to return only long enough to settle her beloved grandmother's estate and then hightail it back to Chicago. But Grammy Hazel had other plans. In her will, she left Etta part-ownership of a B&B that's about to go bankrupt before it even opens. And what's worse—Etta's partner is Donny Joe Ledbetter, a handsome devil with some serious bad boy charm. Growing up, Donny Joe didn't give Etta a second glance. Now, she's got his whole attention.
A far cry from the shy bookworm he once knew, sexy, spirited Etta Green is nothing but trouble. Yet Donny Joe decides to play nice. After all, the quicker they open the B&B, the faster this exasperating—and irresistible —woman will be on her way. Donny Joe has never been a one-woman kind of man. But one crazy little moment of unforgettable desire may change his mind—if he can convince Etta to stay for good...
Etta Green kissed Everson, Texas, goodbye years ago. A big city chef, she intends to return only long enough to settle her beloved grandmother's estate and then hightail it back to Chicago. But Grammy Hazel had other plans. In her will, she left Etta part-ownership of a B&B that's about to go bankrupt before it even opens. And what's worse—Etta's partner is Donny Joe Ledbetter, a handsome devil with some serious bad boy charm. Growing up, Donny Joe didn't give Etta a second glance. Now, she's got his whole attention.
A far cry from the shy bookworm he once knew, sexy, spirited Etta Green is nothing but trouble. Yet Donny Joe decides to play nice. After all, the quicker they open the B&B, the faster this exasperating—and irresistible —woman will be on her way. Donny Joe has never been a one-woman kind of man. But one crazy little moment of unforgettable desire may change his mind—if he can convince Etta to stay for good...
368 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 25, 2013
11 people are currently reading
748 people want to read
About the author
Molly Cannon
12 books75 followersMolly lives a charmed life in Texas with her husband, Mr. Wonderful and her extremely large cat Nelson. When she's not writing, she spends her days reading, taking dance classes with MW, and watching every kind of sporting event imaginable. Molly has three grown children, all married to terrific people and two wonderful grandchildren. Life is good!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
November 24, 2017
4.25 stars
October 18, 2016
Comme vous le savez , j'adorer cette collection Promesse de chez J'ai Lu car à chaque lecture nous avons une romance "small town" avec des personnages sympathiques .
Certes on connaît l'issue du roman mais rien n'empêche de découvrir le déroulé de l'intrigue et l'univers des personnages. Après un ranch , ici nous avons le droit à une auberge
Chronique à venir rapidement
Certes on connaît l'issue du roman mais rien n'empêche de découvrir le déroulé de l'intrigue et l'univers des personnages. Après un ranch , ici nous avons le droit à une auberge
Chronique à venir rapidement
June 25, 2013
Crazy Little Thing Called Love by Molly Cannon is a sweet contemporary romance. It is the story of Etta Green, a trained chef, who comes home to help settle her beloved grandmother’s affairs after her unexpected death. When she returns to Texas she gets more than she bargained for. She not only has to deal with the grief of losing her Grammy, but she also has to deal with her egocentric sister, her restaurant and partner in Chicago and her new partner Donny Joe.
I love the way Molly Cannon has multiple internal and external conflicts centering around Etta. It certainly develops her into a real life character — one I would love to meet!! Then there is Donny Joe who gives new meaning to the expression “good ol’ boy” – he is sweet and sincere with a tendency to just tell it like it is. This is a sweet read with lots of story line to keep you entertained from beginning to end!
Rating: 4
Heat Rating: Mild
Reviewed By: A. Lyn
Review Courtesy of My Book Addiction and More
I love the way Molly Cannon has multiple internal and external conflicts centering around Etta. It certainly develops her into a real life character — one I would love to meet!! Then there is Donny Joe who gives new meaning to the expression “good ol’ boy” – he is sweet and sincere with a tendency to just tell it like it is. This is a sweet read with lots of story line to keep you entertained from beginning to end!
Rating: 4
Heat Rating: Mild
Reviewed By: A. Lyn
Review Courtesy of My Book Addiction and More
February 28, 2022
“Ah, but he blamed it on love. You know. That crazy thing that makes the world go round. That thing all the couples at dinner tonight were celebrating.”
May 30, 2018
Histoire mignonne mais un peu prévisible. Quelques petites choses m'ont gênée. Le style d'écriture tout d'abord. J'ai trouvé que beaucoup de dialogues sonnaient faux, principalement les répliques de la fillette de 8 ans. Je ne pense pas que ce soit un problème de traduction car j'ai lu d'autres livres de la même traductrice qui ne m'ont pas posés de problèmes. Il y a aussi beaucoup de descriptions, souvent inutiles. Et puis il y a quelques petites incohérence au niveau du climat : l'auteur précise parfois qu'il fait très froid mais dans un passage suivant, une voisine des héros porte une robe bain de soleil. C'est bête mais ça m'a dérangée car je n'arrivais pas à me représenter l'hiver au Texas. Quant à l'héroïne, elle est assez pénible au début (elle est hyper désagréable avec le héros qui n'a pourtant rien à se reprocher) mais elle s'améliore par la suite.
December 3, 2017
I feel like I'm harshly reviewing this book, but it was a struggle for me to get through it. I honestly felt like this was a lifetime movie. But should I critique it so badly, even though I knew what I was walking into before I read it? I do have to say that I enjoyed the writer's style of writing. This was my first lengthy book after having my son and I appreciate the ease of reading this. It just wasn't my cup of tea. But if you're looking for a cute love story, this may be your book.
January 3, 2020
This book was good. I liked seeing Donny Joe, from Ain't Misbehaving, as a good guy, instead of a ladies' man.
Etta Green and her sister, Belle's grandmother died. She left a will and instructions she wanted carried out regarding her home.
Belle left her daughter, Daphne, in Etta's care and ran off to Paris, without letting anyone know. While taking care of her niece, Etta and Donny Joe got close and fell in love.
Etta Green and her sister, Belle's grandmother died. She left a will and instructions she wanted carried out regarding her home.
Belle left her daughter, Daphne, in Etta's care and ran off to Paris, without letting anyone know. While taking care of her niece, Etta and Donny Joe got close and fell in love.
November 29, 2017
J'aime de plus en plus les livres de cette collection 💖
January 20, 2018
Cute and funny. Likeable characters you root for in a sweet setting.
June 16, 2018
2.5 stars
December 7, 2018
I'm not going to worry about this series.
October 5, 2021
excellent --summer read. First time reading by this Author. She writes a good book.
June 26, 2013
A delightful contemporary story about how fate can play tricks and bring more pleasant surprises of the plans previously outlined.
Etta no longer lived in Everson for some time, even still having great memories of the time she spent summer vacations at her grandmother's house with her sister Belle.
She had the flew high, going to the big city, Chicago, and opened a restaurant in partnership with her boyfriend Diego.
With the death of her grandmother, and going to her hometown to deal with the funeral, she learns, by her grandmother`s will, who had inherited her old house. But there was a catch: her grandmother was in the midst of a major project to transform her home into a Bed & Breakfast. And all this thanks to the help, advice and funding from her neighbor - gorgeous - Joe Donny. If Etta didn`t acceptt keep the project, the house would be automatically passed to Donny, and he could do whatever he wanted with it.
Fearful of losing the house that has such wonderful moments, Etta decides to keep her grandmother`s wish, but would have to spend a few days in Chicago before. But her older sister, and inconsequential, was faster, and traveled to Paris with her rich boyfriend Roger, who suddenly appeared in town to pick her up, and left her daughter Daphne to Etta take care. No prediction back. Forced to stay in town longer than planned, Etta found herself unable to avoid the company of that gorgeous new partner and to admit that he makes her feel in a way she did not want ...
A funny book, with no more pretense.
It's funny to see how the relationship grows between Etta and Donny. It was much more at first by force of circumstances. First because it was her grandmother`s wish that Etta was the manager of the business. Then, because she thought of leaving and put a good distance between her and Donny, not to fall into temptation, her sister disappears leaving her to care for her niece.
Donny was a man who had nothing in life, but with his business acumen and charisma, he has earned the respect of all and became successful. He was not a man of a single woman, and when he knew Etta, in childhood, he was much more interested in the attractions of blonde Belle than the 'book-eater' and shy Etta. But even Belle still being a beauty of a woman and having a contagious way of life, she continued irresponsible in some areas of her life.
Etta, on the other hand, has blossomed into a beautiful woman, responsible and warm blood. Just the way he liked.
A story with HEA to make the reader happy.
The connection to the characters is great. Since the first line, Etta fighting with her boyfriend Diego, I was connected.
The pace of the story is very good.
Positive point: I like the way in which relationships were described: between sisters, between the couple, between mother and daughter. I know some people with the temperament of each of the sisters and I can say that they were described so true.
Negative point: how is a fiction book, as a reader I like to read when inconsequential people earn from their bad decisions, paying for their mistakes, because that is something that we do not have the opportunity to see in real life. So I think Belle should have payed a little more for her choices in life.
4.5 STARS
Etta no longer lived in Everson for some time, even still having great memories of the time she spent summer vacations at her grandmother's house with her sister Belle.
She had the flew high, going to the big city, Chicago, and opened a restaurant in partnership with her boyfriend Diego.
With the death of her grandmother, and going to her hometown to deal with the funeral, she learns, by her grandmother`s will, who had inherited her old house. But there was a catch: her grandmother was in the midst of a major project to transform her home into a Bed & Breakfast. And all this thanks to the help, advice and funding from her neighbor - gorgeous - Joe Donny. If Etta didn`t acceptt keep the project, the house would be automatically passed to Donny, and he could do whatever he wanted with it.
Fearful of losing the house that has such wonderful moments, Etta decides to keep her grandmother`s wish, but would have to spend a few days in Chicago before. But her older sister, and inconsequential, was faster, and traveled to Paris with her rich boyfriend Roger, who suddenly appeared in town to pick her up, and left her daughter Daphne to Etta take care. No prediction back. Forced to stay in town longer than planned, Etta found herself unable to avoid the company of that gorgeous new partner and to admit that he makes her feel in a way she did not want ...
A funny book, with no more pretense.
It's funny to see how the relationship grows between Etta and Donny. It was much more at first by force of circumstances. First because it was her grandmother`s wish that Etta was the manager of the business. Then, because she thought of leaving and put a good distance between her and Donny, not to fall into temptation, her sister disappears leaving her to care for her niece.
Donny was a man who had nothing in life, but with his business acumen and charisma, he has earned the respect of all and became successful. He was not a man of a single woman, and when he knew Etta, in childhood, he was much more interested in the attractions of blonde Belle than the 'book-eater' and shy Etta. But even Belle still being a beauty of a woman and having a contagious way of life, she continued irresponsible in some areas of her life.
Etta, on the other hand, has blossomed into a beautiful woman, responsible and warm blood. Just the way he liked.
A story with HEA to make the reader happy.
The connection to the characters is great. Since the first line, Etta fighting with her boyfriend Diego, I was connected.
The pace of the story is very good.
Positive point: I like the way in which relationships were described: between sisters, between the couple, between mother and daughter. I know some people with the temperament of each of the sisters and I can say that they were described so true.
Negative point: how is a fiction book, as a reader I like to read when inconsequential people earn from their bad decisions, paying for their mistakes, because that is something that we do not have the opportunity to see in real life. So I think Belle should have payed a little more for her choices in life.
4.5 STARS
June 14, 2013
I really enjoyed Crazy Little Thing Called Love. This is the second book by Molly Cannon that I've read, and she does an excellent job of writing interesting, small-town characters.
In this book, Etta Green, a Chicago chef, comes to Everson, Texas for her grandmother's funeral. Etta spent many summers in Everson when she was young but rarely returned once she became preoccupied with making it as a big-time chef. Etta intends to return to Chicago after the reading of her grandmother's will; but, she finds out that her grandmother left her home to her and her sister, Belle; and, her grandmother had started implementing plans to turn the home into a Bed and Breakfast. If she and her sister decide not to run the B&B, then ownership will completely go to Donny Joe Ledbetter who has put a lot of his own money and time into transforming the home into a Bed and Breakfast.
I wasn't sure that I would like this book when I first started reading it because I wasn't sure that I would like Etta. She was so rude and mistrustful of Donny Joe. She just seemed angry all the time. However, as I got further into the book, I began to like her more because of the situations her sister put her in. I don't know how she managed to keep her temper under control with a sister like Belle.
I fell for Donny Joe in the first pages. He seemed like a playboy, always looking for a woman to take home in Ms. Cannon's previous book, Ain't Misbehaving. However, Donny Joe was really a wonderful, hard-working, responsible, and caring man. He went through a difficult time as a teenager but matured and became a great guy that any woman would be lucky to have. I think that once Etta realized that there was a lot more to him than there appeared to be, she became a softer person. Of course, she still took every opportunity to disagree and argue with him even once she began to like him, but it was definitely fun reading.
Even though Belle worked on my nerves, there were some really great characters in this book. Daphne, Belle's daughter, was a very good and understanding child. I really enjoyed reading scenes between her and Donny Joe. Daphne definitely brought out the best in everyone around her. I also really liked Aunt Beulah and was happy that she helped Etta to better understand Donny Joe. And of course, the people at Lu Lu's bar are always a lot of fun.
Molly Cannon's next book will feature Donny Joe's friend, Irene, and Jake's (Ain't Misbehaving) brother, Theo. I expect there will be a lot of fireworks and look forward to reading it.
*I received my ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.*
In this book, Etta Green, a Chicago chef, comes to Everson, Texas for her grandmother's funeral. Etta spent many summers in Everson when she was young but rarely returned once she became preoccupied with making it as a big-time chef. Etta intends to return to Chicago after the reading of her grandmother's will; but, she finds out that her grandmother left her home to her and her sister, Belle; and, her grandmother had started implementing plans to turn the home into a Bed and Breakfast. If she and her sister decide not to run the B&B, then ownership will completely go to Donny Joe Ledbetter who has put a lot of his own money and time into transforming the home into a Bed and Breakfast.
I wasn't sure that I would like this book when I first started reading it because I wasn't sure that I would like Etta. She was so rude and mistrustful of Donny Joe. She just seemed angry all the time. However, as I got further into the book, I began to like her more because of the situations her sister put her in. I don't know how she managed to keep her temper under control with a sister like Belle.
I fell for Donny Joe in the first pages. He seemed like a playboy, always looking for a woman to take home in Ms. Cannon's previous book, Ain't Misbehaving. However, Donny Joe was really a wonderful, hard-working, responsible, and caring man. He went through a difficult time as a teenager but matured and became a great guy that any woman would be lucky to have. I think that once Etta realized that there was a lot more to him than there appeared to be, she became a softer person. Of course, she still took every opportunity to disagree and argue with him even once she began to like him, but it was definitely fun reading.
Even though Belle worked on my nerves, there were some really great characters in this book. Daphne, Belle's daughter, was a very good and understanding child. I really enjoyed reading scenes between her and Donny Joe. Daphne definitely brought out the best in everyone around her. I also really liked Aunt Beulah and was happy that she helped Etta to better understand Donny Joe. And of course, the people at Lu Lu's bar are always a lot of fun.
Molly Cannon's next book will feature Donny Joe's friend, Irene, and Jake's (Ain't Misbehaving) brother, Theo. I expect there will be a lot of fireworks and look forward to reading it.
*I received my ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.*
July 17, 2016
Originally reviewed for herding cats & burning soup
Sometimes you really have to wonder how in the world a hero and heroine are ever gonna make it to their happily ever after. Etta and Donny Joe. Whoboy do they put on a nice show getting to theirs in Crazy Little Thing Called Love. These two start things out...rather rough, okay, they pretty much go at it like cats and dogs. And it's so dag entertaining as they're forced to deal with each other to get her grandmother's dream, a Bed & Breakfast that affects both their futures, up and running.
With a loud huff, she plopped herself down next to Donny Joe and asked,
They're just so feisty with each other and fun to watch. It's a slow going romance but the whole relationship seemed pretty genuine and real. They're characters you can see being together for the long haul. Not just a happy for not but really growing old together. And I loved all their interactions together. Seeing them wear each other down and go from spitting fire ready to throw down too friendship and romance. Even after they make nice they still have that teasing spark between them and get a kick out of riling each other up and putting that little bit of fire in the other's eyes. It really plays nicely with the sweeter moments as they start to fall for each other.
I really enjoyed most of the cast. Donny Joe and Etta are just good people even if they have a moment or two along the way. Her niece and elderly cousin were great additions too. I loved watching them with each other as they put together their new life and dealt with some pretty difficult situations that pop up with both family and the renovations on the Bed & Breakfast.
There were a couple minutes at the start of this one where I was thinking 'oh this is gonna be too cutsie for me'. What with the heroine saying things like good gravy and golly but I'm glad I kept reading because Cannon really had me falling for these two and their story. It's not the steamiest or the edgiest read but it's funny and sweet and will have me coming back for more.
Sometimes you really have to wonder how in the world a hero and heroine are ever gonna make it to their happily ever after. Etta and Donny Joe. Whoboy do they put on a nice show getting to theirs in Crazy Little Thing Called Love. These two start things out...rather rough, okay, they pretty much go at it like cats and dogs. And it's so dag entertaining as they're forced to deal with each other to get her grandmother's dream, a Bed & Breakfast that affects both their futures, up and running.
With a loud huff, she plopped herself down next to Donny Joe and asked,
They're just so feisty with each other and fun to watch. It's a slow going romance but the whole relationship seemed pretty genuine and real. They're characters you can see being together for the long haul. Not just a happy for not but really growing old together. And I loved all their interactions together. Seeing them wear each other down and go from spitting fire ready to throw down too friendship and romance. Even after they make nice they still have that teasing spark between them and get a kick out of riling each other up and putting that little bit of fire in the other's eyes. It really plays nicely with the sweeter moments as they start to fall for each other.
I really enjoyed most of the cast. Donny Joe and Etta are just good people even if they have a moment or two along the way. Her niece and elderly cousin were great additions too. I loved watching them with each other as they put together their new life and dealt with some pretty difficult situations that pop up with both family and the renovations on the Bed & Breakfast.
There were a couple minutes at the start of this one where I was thinking 'oh this is gonna be too cutsie for me'. What with the heroine saying things like good gravy and golly but I'm glad I kept reading because Cannon really had me falling for these two and their story. It's not the steamiest or the edgiest read but it's funny and sweet and will have me coming back for more.
November 26, 2014
This was not a bad book. Parts of it were enjoyable. It just didn't last. The narration was very good. But I listened to this author's debut book Ain't Misbehavin and thought it was an incredibly well written, entertaining, unique book. The characters were all well developed and quite eccentric. While they were easily recognizable as a certain type of character - a proud, native Texan from a small town, they weren't stereotypical or a caricature of the species.
I don't usually like books that focus on characters from a specific region or heritage. The author usually goes into overkill making the characters the epitome of the obnoxious Texan, or New Jersey-ian or Italian, or whatever. That just makes the characters sound stupid and should be insulting to someone who comes from that region or shares that heritage. The author avoided this in Ain't Misbehavin. She doesn't in Crazy Little Thing Called Love.
I felt the characters in this book were not nearly as well developed. And when their actions seemed unbelievable, they weren't just quirky - they really were unbelievable. And they were just too Texan, from good ole boy name of the hero to the fact that every other scene takes place in the same honky-tonk. Even the narrator, who is a favorite of mine seemed to spread the Texas a little too thickly. I never understood why Donny Joe was a partner with Etta's grandmother in the B&B. And I certainly didn't understand why everyone seemed to think of Etta's sister's desertion of her only child as only irritating. It went beyond irritating. It not only made Etta's sister Belle a completely unlikeable character with no redeeming qualities, it made Etta less likeable. Her reaction to her sister's actions was so mild it made me think almost as poorly of Etta as it did Belle.
Finally, this book lacked the humor and warmth of Ain't MIsbehavin. I didn't find the characters funny, engaging or particularly likeable. It is hard to like a book if you don't like the characters.
I don't usually like books that focus on characters from a specific region or heritage. The author usually goes into overkill making the characters the epitome of the obnoxious Texan, or New Jersey-ian or Italian, or whatever. That just makes the characters sound stupid and should be insulting to someone who comes from that region or shares that heritage. The author avoided this in Ain't Misbehavin. She doesn't in Crazy Little Thing Called Love.
I felt the characters in this book were not nearly as well developed. And when their actions seemed unbelievable, they weren't just quirky - they really were unbelievable. And they were just too Texan, from good ole boy name of the hero to the fact that every other scene takes place in the same honky-tonk. Even the narrator, who is a favorite of mine seemed to spread the Texas a little too thickly. I never understood why Donny Joe was a partner with Etta's grandmother in the B&B. And I certainly didn't understand why everyone seemed to think of Etta's sister's desertion of her only child as only irritating. It went beyond irritating. It not only made Etta's sister Belle a completely unlikeable character with no redeeming qualities, it made Etta less likeable. Her reaction to her sister's actions was so mild it made me think almost as poorly of Etta as it did Belle.
Finally, this book lacked the humor and warmth of Ain't MIsbehavin. I didn't find the characters funny, engaging or particularly likeable. It is hard to like a book if you don't like the characters.
October 29, 2013
Reviewed by Allison
Book provided by Publisher
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book.
Review: Etta Green’s life has just been turned topsy turvy: her beloved grandmother has passed away leaving her home to Etta and her sister, the house is already well under way to becoming a bed & breakfast but it may not get off the ground without money, her Chicago business partner/restaurant co-owner is resentful she had to fly to Texas for the funeral, the previously stated irresponsible sister has dumped her 8 year old daughter in Etta’s lap while she jets off to Paris, and oh yeah, the handsome bad-boy she used to have a crush on is now co-owner of the albatross around her neck.
Is it any wonder Etta is ready to either have a tantrum or punch the lights out of aforementioned bad-boy Donny Joe?
All of this trouble comes together in a delightful romantic comedy by Molly Cannon. This is my first foray into the world of Molly Cannon’s imagination, and I loved it so much I read it in just a few short hours. It’s fun, light-hearted, completely unputdownable, and I finished it with a sappy grin on my face.
I do admit I wanted to shake Etta a few times, because, seriously, how could she be immune to the charms of Donny Joe? But he has a way of worming his way into her head and her heart, and could just be her saving grace.
Told from both Etta’s and Donny Joe’s points of view, we get to ride along as they both learn some life lessons along the way. The author has a great voice, and pulls you into the story from the very beginning.
The book is full of loveable characters that populate the Texas town, including a couple from the first book, Ain’t Misbehaving. And in reading the snippet at the back of the book about the next one in the series, I’ve already marked it on the TBR list.
Book provided by Publisher
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book.
Review: Etta Green’s life has just been turned topsy turvy: her beloved grandmother has passed away leaving her home to Etta and her sister, the house is already well under way to becoming a bed & breakfast but it may not get off the ground without money, her Chicago business partner/restaurant co-owner is resentful she had to fly to Texas for the funeral, the previously stated irresponsible sister has dumped her 8 year old daughter in Etta’s lap while she jets off to Paris, and oh yeah, the handsome bad-boy she used to have a crush on is now co-owner of the albatross around her neck.
Is it any wonder Etta is ready to either have a tantrum or punch the lights out of aforementioned bad-boy Donny Joe?
All of this trouble comes together in a delightful romantic comedy by Molly Cannon. This is my first foray into the world of Molly Cannon’s imagination, and I loved it so much I read it in just a few short hours. It’s fun, light-hearted, completely unputdownable, and I finished it with a sappy grin on my face.
I do admit I wanted to shake Etta a few times, because, seriously, how could she be immune to the charms of Donny Joe? But he has a way of worming his way into her head and her heart, and could just be her saving grace.
Told from both Etta’s and Donny Joe’s points of view, we get to ride along as they both learn some life lessons along the way. The author has a great voice, and pulls you into the story from the very beginning.
The book is full of loveable characters that populate the Texas town, including a couple from the first book, Ain’t Misbehaving. And in reading the snippet at the back of the book about the next one in the series, I’ve already marked it on the TBR list.
June 23, 2013
I love Molly Cannon’s books and this book was no exception. Crazy Little Thing Called Love is a sweet love story about two people who have seemingly different aims in life. But in reality, they discover they want the same thing and they need each other to get it.
Etta has returned to her Texas to bury her grandmother and settle her estate. She plans to return to her city home and the restaurant she is co-owner of as soon as possible. Donny Joe is the local ladies’ man and neighbor of Etta’s grandmother. Etta soon discovers that her grandmother and Donny Joe had been working on turning the family home into a B&B and that Donny Joe has invested a great deal of money into the project. Now, Etta has to deal with that complication in addition to the fact that her irresponsible older sister, Belle, has taken off to Paris and left her daughter Daphne behind. Etta finds herself being drawn to the B&B project even as she is being pushed out of her restaurant business by her ex-boyfriend. She also has a broken hearted child and elderly relative to support physically and emotionally while getting the business on its feet.
This was one of those books that when you finish it, you think “that was nice”. Etta and Donny Joe are an odd couple in the beginning but they are committed to making the B&B a success and that leads to discovering all of the things they have in common. They also have good physical chemistry as evidenced by some pretty hot love scenes. The setting of the story was perfect and the secondary characters moved the plot along while adding history and some humor to the story. There are several plot lines that could be explored in future books which I am hoping will come out soon!
Etta has returned to her Texas to bury her grandmother and settle her estate. She plans to return to her city home and the restaurant she is co-owner of as soon as possible. Donny Joe is the local ladies’ man and neighbor of Etta’s grandmother. Etta soon discovers that her grandmother and Donny Joe had been working on turning the family home into a B&B and that Donny Joe has invested a great deal of money into the project. Now, Etta has to deal with that complication in addition to the fact that her irresponsible older sister, Belle, has taken off to Paris and left her daughter Daphne behind. Etta finds herself being drawn to the B&B project even as she is being pushed out of her restaurant business by her ex-boyfriend. She also has a broken hearted child and elderly relative to support physically and emotionally while getting the business on its feet.
This was one of those books that when you finish it, you think “that was nice”. Etta and Donny Joe are an odd couple in the beginning but they are committed to making the B&B a success and that leads to discovering all of the things they have in common. They also have good physical chemistry as evidenced by some pretty hot love scenes. The setting of the story was perfect and the secondary characters moved the plot along while adding history and some humor to the story. There are several plot lines that could be explored in future books which I am hoping will come out soon!
June 15, 2013
Could someone else design a dream that would work for me?
Going back home to handle the details of her late grandmother’s life, Etta never thought the town of Everson, Texas which she walked away from might turn out to be her salvation. Before she can get her head around losing her grandmother Etta finds herself with a proposed conversion of the family home into a Bed and Breakfast and a business partner in Donny Joe Ledbetter. The aspirations of her grandmother and obligations of family are very heavy but Etta would never let anyone down even at the cost of her own desires.
Etta has a great job as a chef in Chicago how can she be in charge of getting the B&B up and running or trusting Donny Joe but it seems she must do both or lose everything. Donny Joe was always trouble but grew seems to have grown out of his bad attitude into one handsome man but the idea that he is now her business partner is a match made in dysfunction heaven. To add to her grief Etta’s flaky sister takes off and leaves Etta with the responsibilities of caring for her niece. One surprise after another as her life in Chicago unravels and a life in Everson seems to be coming together.
Etta and Donny Joe realize that together the pieces fit and while all items on the table, including their relationship is up for negotiation a bulls eye seems to be the order of the day. Nothing is as perfect as you would like it to be or as dark as you think it is, so Etta goes with the flow and Donny Joe is willing to follow her anywhere.
Fabulous story, amazing characters, and one hot romance add up to a sizzling read regardless of what time of year you pick this book up.
Going back home to handle the details of her late grandmother’s life, Etta never thought the town of Everson, Texas which she walked away from might turn out to be her salvation. Before she can get her head around losing her grandmother Etta finds herself with a proposed conversion of the family home into a Bed and Breakfast and a business partner in Donny Joe Ledbetter. The aspirations of her grandmother and obligations of family are very heavy but Etta would never let anyone down even at the cost of her own desires.
Etta has a great job as a chef in Chicago how can she be in charge of getting the B&B up and running or trusting Donny Joe but it seems she must do both or lose everything. Donny Joe was always trouble but grew seems to have grown out of his bad attitude into one handsome man but the idea that he is now her business partner is a match made in dysfunction heaven. To add to her grief Etta’s flaky sister takes off and leaves Etta with the responsibilities of caring for her niece. One surprise after another as her life in Chicago unravels and a life in Everson seems to be coming together.
Etta and Donny Joe realize that together the pieces fit and while all items on the table, including their relationship is up for negotiation a bulls eye seems to be the order of the day. Nothing is as perfect as you would like it to be or as dark as you think it is, so Etta goes with the flow and Donny Joe is willing to follow her anywhere.
Fabulous story, amazing characters, and one hot romance add up to a sizzling read regardless of what time of year you pick this book up.
June 23, 2013
As I was reading this I was thinking to myself... this would be a great movie! This is such a feel good story that takes place in small town Texas. It's full of fun characters and it's based around Grammy Hazel's dream of turning the family home into a B&B. Unfortunately, Grammy Hazel passes away before she could see her dream come to life.
Etta, her granddaughter, arrives in town for the funeral and due to unforeseen circumstances has to stay and finish what was started on the B&B or she will have to sell the family home. The only catch is that she is forced to partner with Donny Jo... a blast from her past and not a man she gets along with for the most part.
As Etta and Donny Jo work and fight together they slowly begin to respect each other and eventually love each other. I truly enjoyed both of these characters and loved their stories. Two good people doing what they can to salvage the dream of a woman they both respected and loved. It seems as if Grammy Hazel always knew best and even more so after she passed away. Her dream brought them together in a way they never expected.
This is so much more than a romance. This is also a story of small town neighbors coming together to help honor the memory of a friend. It's a story of finding lost loves and mending wounds from the past... of taking chances and doing the right thing even if it means giving up something we really want.
If you are looking for a feel good story with a slow moving romance this is a good choice. It just made me smile...
ARC provided by Forever publishing via netgalley.
Visit my blog:
http://ktbookreviews.blogspot.com/
Etta, her granddaughter, arrives in town for the funeral and due to unforeseen circumstances has to stay and finish what was started on the B&B or she will have to sell the family home. The only catch is that she is forced to partner with Donny Jo... a blast from her past and not a man she gets along with for the most part.
As Etta and Donny Jo work and fight together they slowly begin to respect each other and eventually love each other. I truly enjoyed both of these characters and loved their stories. Two good people doing what they can to salvage the dream of a woman they both respected and loved. It seems as if Grammy Hazel always knew best and even more so after she passed away. Her dream brought them together in a way they never expected.
This is so much more than a romance. This is also a story of small town neighbors coming together to help honor the memory of a friend. It's a story of finding lost loves and mending wounds from the past... of taking chances and doing the right thing even if it means giving up something we really want.
If you are looking for a feel good story with a slow moving romance this is a good choice. It just made me smile...
ARC provided by Forever publishing via netgalley.
Visit my blog:
http://ktbookreviews.blogspot.com/
July 8, 2013
I won this book through goodreads - a first for me! I found Crazy Little Thing Called Love to be a fairly quick summer read. I don't read too many books in the romance genre but I really enjoyed this book. The storyline about a woman coming back to her home town to start a B&B in her grandmother's house captured my attention. The ideas the author had to make the business successful (naming the rooms after desserts, adding a wedding pavilion, building a honeymoon treehouse) were fun to think about. The minor characters had interesting stories too and I really enjoyed the relationships the main character (Etta) had with her sister Belle, her Aunt Beulah and her niece Daphne. The book was like a pleasant daydream - not a lot of drama. This didn't make the story boring at all; with everything going on in the book it really kept my attention. I actually liked the lack of stress of the storyline. This book is definitely an escape from the high pressure world!
July 8, 2013
I loved this delightful contemporary romance by Molly Cannon. It is set in the small town of Everson, Texas and filled with likeable, engaging characters. Chef Etta Green has come back to Everson for the funeral of her beloved Grandma Hazel. She's determined to get the estate settled and then head back to Chicago where she is part owner of an up-scale restaurant. Things don't go as planned and she ends up trying to carry out the wishes of her grandma whose dream it was to turn her home into a bed and breakfast. Donny Joe Ledbetter had been working with his neighbor, Hazel, to help make her dream a reality. Now the sassy, spirited Etta has to develop a working relationship with the handsome, womanizing Donny Jo. Sparks fly and a great conclusion follows.
Thank you Goodreads First Reads and Hachette Book Group for the gift of this book. I loved it and will be watching for future books by Molly Cannon.
Thank you Goodreads First Reads and Hachette Book Group for the gift of this book. I loved it and will be watching for future books by Molly Cannon.
July 8, 2013
I received this book from the Goodreads First reads giveaway program. Thank you author/publisher for the allowing me the opportunity to read and review this book.
Crazy Little Thing Called Love is a contemporary romance by Molly Cannon. This book is the second in a series. The first book in the series Ain't Misbehaving has just found a place on my to read shelf.
The story takes place in small town Everson, Texas. Grammy Hazel has died and her granddaughter Etta Green(a chef in Chicago) has inherited part ownership of a B&B that is still in development. Donny Joe Ledbetter a long time resident of Everson is her business partner. They butt heads continuously trying to make business decisions but eventually a romance ensues.....
Crazy Little Thing Called Love is a contemporary romance by Molly Cannon. This book is the second in a series. The first book in the series Ain't Misbehaving has just found a place on my to read shelf.
The story takes place in small town Everson, Texas. Grammy Hazel has died and her granddaughter Etta Green(a chef in Chicago) has inherited part ownership of a B&B that is still in development. Donny Joe Ledbetter a long time resident of Everson is her business partner. They butt heads continuously trying to make business decisions but eventually a romance ensues.....
October 30, 2013
This is my first Molly Cannon book. I enjoyed her characters, both hero and heroine and the extras as well.
The plot was a bit mixed. It was written as if in the middle of a series, but no other books are mentioned on the flyleaf. It helped with the suspense.
The wrap up was too pat and rushed as if the author was tired of this book and ready to move on. A lot of the characters marched on and off the page with little or no introduction and treated as if we already knew them.
The angst of the characters was plopped in with no development and resolved way too easily than the problems could have been dealt with in real life.
So poorly constructed as it stands. Yet still a feel good book if one wants a quick read.
The plot was a bit mixed. It was written as if in the middle of a series, but no other books are mentioned on the flyleaf. It helped with the suspense.
The wrap up was too pat and rushed as if the author was tired of this book and ready to move on. A lot of the characters marched on and off the page with little or no introduction and treated as if we already knew them.
The angst of the characters was plopped in with no development and resolved way too easily than the problems could have been dealt with in real life.
So poorly constructed as it stands. Yet still a feel good book if one wants a quick read.
Read
September 15, 2020First read - 8 to 11 March, 2014
4 stars
I expected a different book for Donny Joe than Cannon delivered but I thought it was an excellent twist to the alleged "ladies man" story. Etta and Donny Joe were perfect, I loved that she could admit she jumped to conclusions about him and the development of their relationship was believable. I'm also glad Cannon acknowledged how Donny Joe had felt about Marla Jean in the first book in the series. I hope Donny Joe and Etta appear in book 3, too.
Second read - 14 September, 2020
DNF
This didn't hold up for me on a second read. I absolutely loathed Etta. She was judgmental and rude and insufferable. DNF.
4 stars
I expected a different book for Donny Joe than Cannon delivered but I thought it was an excellent twist to the alleged "ladies man" story. Etta and Donny Joe were perfect, I loved that she could admit she jumped to conclusions about him and the development of their relationship was believable. I'm also glad Cannon acknowledged how Donny Joe had felt about Marla Jean in the first book in the series. I hope Donny Joe and Etta appear in book 3, too.
Second read - 14 September, 2020
DNF
This didn't hold up for me on a second read. I absolutely loathed Etta. She was judgmental and rude and insufferable. DNF.
June 30, 2013
Loved it. I thought it was heartwarming with a bit of passion in it. I totally took me for a loop, I am usually really good at discovering secrets in books but the other totally had me for a fool. Loved every second of it and would definitely recommend it to friends and family. Etta is one of my favorite characters in the book, she has a strong character but also very sweet and loving. And then there is Donny Joe who brings out the fight in her but can make her melt like butter on a hot sunny day.
September 2, 2013
This was an okay read, and I got through it pretty fast. The ending was a little disappointing/predictable/hokey, but I guess it was what I expected. I had a hard time trying to decide if I should take this book seriously or read it as a parody of people in Texas...the names and the G-rated swear words made me think the latter. I'd be willing to read the other books in the series. Maybe if I read the first (this was the second), I'd have a better introduction to the town and the people (silly names and all) in it.
April 7, 2013
The comment on the cover sums it up very well. "Sweet, sassy, and oh, my yes--sexy." A wonderful story in small town Texas. The characters are wonderful, and you've got the primary story line with Etta and Donny Joe. And other minor story lines that pop up through the story that really add to the book. I'm looking forward to book #3.
I received a copy of this story from the author in exchange for a review/feedback. All opinions are my own
I received a copy of this story from the author in exchange for a review/feedback. All opinions are my own
July 6, 2013
Who doesn't want a hunky pool builder like Donny Joe? I fell in love with him from Ain't Misbehavin' and was so excited to see he got a story of his own. And Etta Green is his perfect match. Loved the twists and turns of how their story unraveled then was seemlessly stitched back together. This was fun, entertaining and even a little steamy! An all-around great read for any time you just want a little vacation from your day-to-day life.
October 12, 2013
I didn't enjoy this one as much as the previous one. I found Etta to be too prickly, without enough a reason to be. She was supposed to be tough but I just found her a little bitchy.
Some of the third string characters were stock but the best characters in the bunch were Donny Joe, Beulah and Daphne. I have to admit that I thought Donny Joe could've done better than Etta.
More to come....
Some of the third string characters were stock but the best characters in the bunch were Donny Joe, Beulah and Daphne. I have to admit that I thought Donny Joe could've done better than Etta.
More to come....
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