Tamed by You

Laurel Heights #7

by Kate Perry

An alternate cover edition can be found here.

First rule of matchmaking: Don’t fall in love with your client.

Second rule of matchmaking: Don’t fall in love with your client!

Valentine Jones has never been good at following rules, especially the one that matters most: following the family tradition of being a matchmaker. She’s tried, but she happens to suck at it. So when her mother swoops in to help, Valentine is determined to prove she doesn’t need a babysitter.

Enter Ethan “The Predator” Hunter, ex-fighter and all-around hunk. Career on hold because of injury, his sole focus is to get back in the ring. He has no interest in the people–until Valentine sets her matchmaking sights on him. Suddenly Ethan’s world is filled with nonstop commotion and lessons on attracting women. Only Ethan doesn’t want a random woman. He wants his matchmaker–rules be damned…

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Chick Lit, Ebooks, Amazon, Fiction

330 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 10, 2013

About the author

With over 6 million books sold (and counting), Kathia’s novels have been #1 bestsellers around the world. They’ve received starred reviews from Booklist, have consistently earned Editor’s Picks for Best Romance, and have been featured by O, The Oprah Magazine and Entertainment Weekly.

Kate (aka Kathia) has written over 50 romcom and paranormal books so far, as well as a couple romantasy screenplays and various poems (her ode to the color orange is particularly moving). Full of hope and bonds of found family and friendship, her stories feature sassy, independent women who just want love and earthy men full of heart who are more than able to rise to the occasion.

Reviews

[Christa · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was okay. I don't know if I'll read more in this series. the character development was pretty terrible. I thought all of the characters were one dimensional. The love story between Ethan and Valentine was flat and pretty boring overall. Perhaps if I hadn't come into the series at book 7 I would have enjoyed it more.

[Issa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Valentine has a problem. As the first born daughter (by two minutes) she is fated be a matchmaker. It is the tradition in her family. However, Valentine doesn't have a matchmaking bone in her body. That gift fell to her twin, born two minutes after her. But Venus, Valentine's mother, insists and comes to stay with Valentine to help her with the business. Valentine is more computer oriented and has created a matchmaking app that horrifies her mother, but her mother seems ill and Valentine tries to follow her mothers dictates to keep mom well.

Cue Ethan. Ethan is a former prize fighter who took too many hits and has been warned not to fight again. He's working on a new mouth piece that would absorb the shock of getting hit and will get him back in the ring. Valentine sees him and insists he come to her office to be matched up. He reluctantly agrees but the only person he wants matched with is Valentine.

I really shouldn't have liked this book. We don't find out much about Valentine and Ethan's history, her mom is annoying, and there is insta love. But the story is so cute I couldn't help it. I loved it. Valentine and Ethan are fun and Valentine's desire to heed her mother over a guy she'd only known for a few days made sense. Honestly I wouldn't have pegged them as a couple, but they work.

We have a side story with Sophia, an actress who's lost her way and is squatting with Tony, the brother of the owner, a renowned talent agent. Sophie's trying to figure out what to do with herself now that her career has hit a wall and meets a florist named Julie that she befriends. Sophie should have been annoying with all her whining but I found I liked her anyway. Tony though was a bit of a jerk and I found it refreshing when blame for the inevitable misunderstanding was also put on him not just Sophie.

I haven't read any other books in the series but I found the side characters entertaining nonetheless. This book gets extra stars because I just flat out liked it despite all the reasons I shouldn't have.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cute story between Valentine and Ethan! Ethan by far is my favorite male character from the Laurel Heights series. Totally loved that smart ass mouth of his, haha! He had a heart of gold and was so sure of what he wanted. he fought for Valentine from day one and was determined to make her see it. And Valentine is such a sweetheart! She should have stood up to her Mom way sooner but reading about Venus' grief and how Valentine saved her from a major meltdown added something extra (in a good way) to their story.

The side story between Sophie and Tony caught me by surprise. Because I didn't think they could ever be "tamed". I loved how San Francisco humbled Sophie and learning her back story of how she came from nothing made me like her. Because she annoyed me in "Return to You". It was refreshing to read about how she broke through Tony's tough exterior.

And who could forget Julie? She was amazing to take in Sophie and all her craziness. She befriended her when no one else would and genuinely cared for her as a friend. She was never afraid to call Sophie out on her bullshit and she gave her real and honest advice. And "Back to the Fuschia"? How clever! :)

All in all, "Tamed by You" is another favorite of mine from the series.

[Lisa Survillas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really have enjoyed the entire Laurel Heights series. This book is no exception. All these books are sweet and romantic. There is conflict, but not to the point of emotional exhaustion. Loved the connection between Sophie and Tony. Although their story was a side story, it was fun to have them dancing around each other. Sophie's character is deep. She rose from nothing and became a huge star but has deep insecurity due to her roots. The fact that Tony sees how wonderful she is makes the game they play even more fun. The main story of Valentine and her horrible matchmaking skills seems ridiculous however it turns into a story of a daughter trying to please her mother and grandmother and keep up with tradition all while sacrificing what she wants. Ethan is so taken with her, he is determined to get what he wants and what he knows she wants...THEM. When the two lovers stories connect for a bit, it gives the story a twist that allows for everyone to get a HEA! Looking forward to what seems like Nicole's story next!

[Eveline · Rating 2 out of 5]

I dunno, I should never have picked this up but it was free and I thought -- hey, maybe I'm the one who's wrong, maybe there is something to this contemporary romance thing.

All I could find were hyper Disney characters with Disney character problems and a sudden, super-simple Disney happy end.

Do people like this actually exist? Sorry... just... not my thing. I tried, and I actually thought the one or two scenes just between Valentine and Ethan were actually really sweet, but everything around it, the "plot", everything was just so Disneyfied I can't take that.

[Sharon SAM Mcdougall · Rating 3 out of 5]

"I have to admit that I didn't like this book as much as the others. The characters of Valentine and "the hulk" was okay, didn't like the story around her mother. I found it a little dry. I like the characters of Sophie and Tony a lot better even though they didn't seem to have much of a relationship. I would have liked to see the women a little stronger as the other women characters in the other books."

[Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought the book was very cute and the characters as usual were fun and entertaining. My only complain is that I do find that the endings seem kind of abrupt like I'm waiting for more to happen.

[Ripley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bland characters, cheesey/boring plot, lackluster sex scenes. The only positive was how short this book was.

Do yourself a favor and pass on this.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Kate Perry’s Tamed by You, the 7th installment in the Laurel Heights contemporary romance series, this enchanted contemporary romance is sweet and endearing about finding the perfect love match with two love stories all wrapped up in one. Valentine Jones is a matchmaker in a family-run business in Laurel Heights, when she sets up people to find their soul mates. But when she met Ethan “The Hulk” Hunter, a former prizefighter, all bets are off, when she set her sights on him. And then meet Sophie Martineau, an older woman who’s beautiful and known for her starring roles in romantic comedy movies. So when her career is stalling, she decides to hide out in her friend Daniela’s home and later flirted with her brother, Antonio, an agent. No matter how hard she tried, Valentine wanted Ethan for herself, though she broken a cardinal rule on dating one of her clients. She also had to deal with her mother’s interfering and meddling ways and heart condition. If she breaks her heart, it might kill her. She needed a way out of the business and to stay in Ethan’s arms. Sophie befriends Julie a florist and ask her for advice, while she tiptoes around Tony and couldn’t escape a passionate kiss. Both couple had to endure some hurdles to get the happy ending they want and need. But would it be worth the risk for both Valerie and Sophie to take a chance on love?

This was a sweet contemporary romance. I loved Valentine and how she made a name for herself in another way. She might be lousy as match making, but she had found her calling with something else and a better fit for her. Ethan was a. “Hulk” indeed. But with a little help from Valentine, he took a chance to follow his own dreams to pursue better mouth guarding for fighting in the ring. He wasn’t bad eye candy himself. For Sophie and Tony, they might be total opposites, but they fit together like a glove. I loved them both and how Tony encouraged Sophie to try something else while her acting career sizzled. The Laurel Heights neighborhood in San Francisco was classy and mesmerizing to pit these two couples together in one heart-warming romance. The theme of the story is taking a chance on love and a bigger gamble to follow their heart’s desires.

I really loved this story when we fall in love with two couples who find their true loves and conquered obstacles to get through it all. I couldn’t find anything nitpick about it. This sweet and wonderful contemporary romance would make your heart melt like butter.. I rated this book, four out of five stars, because it ended way too soon for me in this enjoyable. If you love plenty of heart-stopping romance, plenty of action, lots of non-stop romantic drama, and sparks of humor, Tamed by You is perfect for you. This is recommended to everyone who loves contemporary romances and loves to watch Hallmark movies too.

[Jaime Fiction Fangirls · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Great Story!!

Kate Perry's Laurel Heights series is my go to series when I need a quick, sexy, sweet story. I loved the chemistry between Ethan and Valentine!! The love and support for Valentine from her friends and her sister was fantastic, especially in the face of her stubborn mother and her controlling ways. This is a great story for when your looking for a short but awesome read.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad book by Kate Perry, but this is definitely not my favourite in the Laurel Heights series. And for those who want to read standalones, this does end on a cliffhanger which was a bit of a disappointment.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Valentine was the first born daughter in the family, this means she is to become a matchmaker...but she was an identical twin and there may have been a mess up in the hospital. Valentine has developed a dating app and her mom hates it, wants her to be a matchmaker the old fashioned way.

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Heroine was weak.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book

You people should just read this book yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourself and I really enjoyed reading this book very much so. Shelley MA

[Vicky Connelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everyone needs their best friend to be their spouse. This was the perfect pandemic read.

[Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

Every book in this series so far has followed the same formula and while the books are entertaining, there is really nothing life changing or very memorable about them. Each book centers on one main couple and then a sort of side couple and they each wind up with their own HEA. I have found myself more interested in the side couple than the main at times.

[Julie Darley (Never judge a Book by its Movie) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars out of 5.

So, as I liked the previous Kate Perry Looking for You I saw this one was also offered for free on Amazon, got to dive right and and get that super sweet deal. I was really looking forward to this story because I do enjoy Kate's style of writing.

After I was finished I wasn't sure where to place the story with the previous one, or if it were fair to even compare them to each other. Why? I liked the story, it was cute and warm and Ethan has to be the funniest, surliest hero that I've read in a long time. He wanted Valentine and he was damn well going to have her.....family business/tradition be damned.

I like Valentine, in the main. She wasn't your usual heroine and was definitely quirky. What I didn't like was the repetitive reminders that the first born girl in the family became a match maker, why? I also wasn't that fond of her mother Venus, who was clearly manipulating her daughter. Strange for a woman who was also a matchmaker.

I would've liked to see Valentine stand up to her mother more, heck if I'd a man like Ethan drooling over me, loving me the way he did I'd have stood up like a Spartan in 300 yelling "I am Sparta"

What worked was the interaction between Valentine and Ethan, you could taste the chemistry, the desire and the love long before they knew it themselves.

I also loved Sophie, she was a hoot, and Tony and their little side story. In fact there were times I liked their story a whole lot more. I also loved, loved the friendship Sophie struck up with Julia the florist. Very entertaining. All in all this was a cute romance, it was easy to read and a good way to spend an afternoon sitting in the garden by the pool.

If you like your romance easy, cute and a little sugary this series is one to take a chance on.

Read more of my reviews at Never Judge a Book by its Movie http:www.juliedarley.com

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

So, the two stories we have here are Valentine (the matchmaker) and Ethan (the prizefighter, aka The Hulk) and Tony Rossi (the agent, and Daniela's brother from Sweet on You) and Sophie (the actress from Return to You and the end of Sweet on You).

Valentine comes from a family of matchmakers and she's been tasked with carrying on the family line (despite her lack of skills in this department). Her mother is overbearing and still grieving the loss of V's grandmother and insists that V follow in the family business and build up her client base. V wants to find Ethan a match, but the app she developed matches Ethan with her and that's against the matchmaking code. Ethan is really into V, but can V find her own way without momma's approval?

Sophie's a diva and interested in rejuvenating her career and going after Tony... possibly in that order. Can Sophie get over herself?

What I really like about this series is how the characters (and the stores) from other stories are interwoven, so we see all other others we've met before as supporting characters... and we meet a couple of new ones: Bull, Ethan's best friend and another fighter and Julie, the florist who Sophie chooses to hide with and they eventually become friends.

The focus of this story is really V and E...and we see both POV's in their story. Sophie and Tony is only told from S's POV and after meeting him in Sweet, I wanted to learn more. He's still an enigma.

[Els · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dit boek zou ik niet onder de noemer 'stationsroman' klasseren maar eerlijk gezegd is het niveau niet veel hoger. Moet dat? Natuurlijk niet. Het belangrijkste is dat je van het lezen kan genieten. Of iemand anders je keuze al dan niet onnozel vindt, zal je worst wezen.
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Het is een typisch verhaal van 'hij wil haar en maakt het haar duidelijk en zij wil hem ook maar wil er niet aan toegeven'. Tot het hart de uiteindelijke beslissing neemt en ze nog lang en gelukkig leven.
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Het is een deel van een serie waar ik (alweer LOL) midden inviel. Het kan echter afzonderlijk gelezen worden maar het heeft een open einde. Beetje vervelend als je het volgende deel niet hebt en je nieuwsgierig bent naar het vervolg maar het is nu ook geen levensbedreigende situatie.
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'Tamed by you' is misschien een ietsje overdreven. Ik kwam niet echt 'wilde' mensen tegen in het verhaal, maar je begrijpt de bedoeling wel. De eeuwige vrijgezel die op de duur toch DE partner vindt. De cover is er eentje die voor vele boeken in dit genre zou kunnen gebruikt worden.

Conclusie

Een leuk, ontspannend boek maar je niet hoeft bij na te denken. Het verhaal kabbelde rustig verder maar dan kwam er nogal abrupt een einde aan. Ik had het beter gevonden mocht de overgang geleidelijker kunnen gaan hebben. Een minpuntje was dit voor mij maar het feit dat het slot mij overhaald heeft om het vervolg te lezen is dan weer een pluspunt. 3 sterren

[Sania · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ethan and Valentine - what a odd combination: matchmaker and ex-fighter! But, it was sweet and funny to read! I enjoyed Ethan and Valentine, and how Valentine was always on toes with Ethan even though she was so small. They were completely opposite but so right together. I had not liked Valentine much in the previous story, but in this i loved her. I loved how she was ready to risk everything, even her happiness for her mother! Normally i use to feel irritated by such heroines, but we could feel her even when she was making both of them miserable. Ethan was so awesome, i liked how he realized his future was Valentine once he started falling for her. And it was sweet and hot at the end, when he was all caveman style! I loved the scene.
The side story about Sophie and Tony was also ok. I liked Tony from Daniella's book, (only at the end, after he redeems himself!). Sophie, i don't know what i exactly feel for her. Even if she has suffered a lot in her past, she was so bitchy in Return to you and in this book also, i could not understand how she could keep a facade like that. Anywas, it was interesting to read, especially her interactions with Julie, the florist!
Overall , a good read for me ....I was confused whether to rate this book as 4 stars or 3 stars. Finally, decide on 4.....!!

[Heather andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh Ethan you're something else, "no comment." Lately, when he took care of himself, he thought about Valentine Jones and unbuttoning her little sweater." He's just so hot, "you ordered me to be here," he mumbled in his deep voice." He's sort of an animal, "meet me here tomorrow at one. I'll have a game plan by then." His only reply was a growl as he walked out. He probably made noises like that during sex." He's good at certain, erm...um....things, "she moaned, wanting his hands all over. Unable to wait, she straddled him and yanked his T-shirt to feel him up. Valentine." He groaned her name, and it sent ripples of desire through her. He kissed her again and then nuzzled her neck. "How long will you let me kiss you?" Did I mention the whole caveman thing?:
Valentine didn't have time to tell her friend to shut up, or to ask what Ethan was doing there, or to find out where Sophie was. Before she could do more than look up at Ethan, he hauled her onto his shoulder like she was nothing. She squeaked. "What are you doing?"
"Taking you home, where you belong."

[Night · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very quick read for me; I finished it in one sitting. I found that Kate Perry's novels tend to have an obstacle centered around some type of family problem. If you are not interested in these types of stories, then this is probably not the book for you. Nonetheless, the characters were well developed and I enjoyed reading about "the Hulk" as they called him.

I have to say that I did get a little annoyed at our heroine as the story progressed because her anxiety towards her mom was unnecessary. It was odd that she refused push her mother into going to see a doctor but would instead be willing to give up her relationship to "improve" her mother's health..."Is your heart feeling okay?" she would continuously say...I'm not sure if perhaps I am a bit too nit-picky but this excuse did not seem like a logical enough reason to let go of someone you supposedly love so much, especially if your twin sister had already handed you the solution on a silver plate.

Regardless, I still had a good time reading the story.

[LaBelleMel · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I thoroughly enjoyed the story, it isn't my favorite of the Laurel Heights series. That said, the book is still worth a read. Valentine and Ethan are great together, as is Sophie and Tony. However, I would have liked a bit more perspective from both Ethan and Tony. Don't know why, but I just like reading a story where it's not mainly one-sided to the female characters. Makes me want to pick apart the brains of the guys to find out what they're thinking about the entire time. I think it gives more insight to the characters and their personalities. But it doesn't change my opinion of the book and I still recommend it. It's a quick read and a cute story. I could have done without the added drama from Venus though. I was just plain annoyed by her and her dramatics, but she was okay afterwards. Sophie and Julie's friendship was another great addiction. I'm hoping there might be more to Julie in a future book, but the little bit at the end with Nicole is killing me!

[Sumaiya · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't know this was just ONE of the nine books in the series when I started reading it but its ease to fall in love with the characters. This is the first book I read by Kate Perry and extremely enjoyed it. The flow of the story is quite amazing. I never once got bored or wanted to skip; I finished reading this one in a single day during our trip to Khorfakan (U.A.E).

I love how there are different aged women in the book and not just "early twenties" as it usually is. My only other note, that I noticed, is how the two men character were both those typical "macho" character. Don't get me wrong, I loved both of them, specially Ethan. But its common to these those type of characters in Romance novels. I do hope not all Kate's female and male characters are "almost" the same.

I look forward to reading other books by her.
I definitely recommend this to everyone at least for a single-quick read.

[Sharreb · Rating 4 out of 5]

Valentine and Ethan is a good match. The matchmaker who wasnt fated to be a matchmaker and a retired fighter who wasnt fated to fight in the long term.

Ethan is the gruff big scary guy who looks predatory like his namesake and Valentine is the tall slight beauty. She was supposed to find him someone but Ethan knew if he would bother being with a woman it would be her. There's some nice chemistry.

Secondary couple- Sophie and Tony- we read of them and im glad to read their story. The two is so 'hard' on the outside but what do you know, they were meant for each other.

Enjoyable read but whether i would revist for a follow up read- not sure.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute fun chick lite book, I have read others in the Laurel Heights series and kind of out of order.
Valentine is a matchmaker- the family business passed on by her mother and grandmother. She would prefer to make apps. Her twin sister seems to have the matchmaking gift.
She tries to convince Ethan "The Predator" an ex-boxer to hire her to find his perfect match.
Valentine's mother is in town to get her business and life back on track but really driving her crazy.
Sophia an out of work actress is hiding in Tony's big house, he won't take her on being her agent. But they learn a lot about each other as well.
Lots of fun and honesty really is the best policy

[Kim Howard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a big fan of Kate Perry's books, I think they intertwine humor and sexiness all in one. This book lacked a little of the character building I like to see when relating to those in the book. Mingling different characters in the story is brilliant and it always makes me wonder who the next story will be about when I'm reading, but I wanted to see more about these characters. We didn't learn much about Tony throughout, and I believe learning more about him would have helped me bond more with that couple.

Overall though, I did enjoy this book, the relationships that developed throughout and how Kate always tends to make me laugh with her writing.

[Shay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the story of Valentine and Ethan, but I wanted her to grow a pair with her mother. I found Venus to be pushy and manipulative while Valentine was weak. At first I thought about lowering my rating because of how annoyed I was by them, but then I realized that even though I wasn't a fan of the characters, they were definitely written well to evoke such strong feelings. I just wish I had more Valentine and Ethan time and that Sophie and Tony had their own story. The characters are so well done, you get really invested in them and want more time with them.

[Tabetha · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the 4th book I've read in the Laurel Heights series. The thing I like about this series is you don't have to read them in order. The other relationships that were already written don't have extra details in the newer stories, so it doesn't throw you off from the story line going on. The 2nd story line is about an actress named Sophie and an agent named Tony, who is also the brother of the main character in book 6. I have not read that one yet. I didn't connect with Sophie and Tony but I somewhat liked Valentine and Ethan.

[Hillary S · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was good, but I thought it ended kinda weird...It left a few things undone...I never heard about a couple of the characters again, and that bothered me. It should've let us know what happened to them. It was a little weird to me how the book kept switching from one story to the other and were never connected until much later. I liked the main couples interactions with each other, but it was kinda confusing why they acted SO very differently in public...I did like it even though it wasn't REALLY believable.