What do you think?
Rate this book
Chandler Brothers #2
The Playboy
There isn't a woman in town who's immune to the legendary Chandler charm. Yet so far single cop Rick Chandler has managed to fend off the marriage-minded advances of Yorkshire Falls' entire female population. A past mistake has taught him never to put his heart on the line . . . until he answers the SOS of a real-life runaway bride. In spite of her pearly gown and tiara, Kendall Sutton vows to never wed -- which makes her the ideal pretend lover who can ward off Rick's legion of admirers. When their passionate charade flames into the real thing, Rick is suddenly thinking about two words that spell forever after. But will Kendall ever say "I do?" Can a woman who's had it with weddings tie the knot with the town's most popular playboy?
368 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
143 people are currently reading
2413 people want to read
About the author
Carly Phillips
406 books9,784 followersNY Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestseller, Carly Phillips is the queen of Alpha Heroes, at least according to The Harlequin Junkie Reviewer.. Carly married her college sweetheart and lives in Purchase, NY along with her crazy dogs who are featured on her Facebook and Instagram pages. The author of over 75 romance novels, she has raised two incredible daughters and is now an empty nester. Carly’s book, The Bachelor, was chosen by Kelly Ripa as her first romance club pick. Carly loves social media and interacting with her readers. Want to keep up with Carly? Sign up for her newsletter and receive TWO FREE books at www.carlyphillips.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 332 reviews
March 29, 2016
He leaned so his forehead touched hers. “How is it I feel like I’ve been waiting forever when we really just met?”
A cute contemporary romance about a damsel in distress wearing a wedding dress, who is unable commit to either a person or a home because of the childhood she had, and a cop whose loyalty and kindness caused him his own demons to overcome.
Together they form an alliance. While she’s staying temporarily in his town she will pose as his fake girlfriend to shield him from all the husband-hunting women, and he will help her fix her aunt’s house so that she can sell it.
But there’s nothing fake and temporary about how they feel about each other. Will Kendall be able to let go of her past to trust in the future she could create for her, and her sister Hannah, and will Rick finally fallen for the right woman?
A cute romance, with a sexy cop, a stubborn and very lost woman, and a scared and angry 12 year old sister.
March 5, 2021
4.5 stars
Another great read about the wickedly sexy Chandler brothers. This time middle brother Rick is being thrown in to his mother’s plan to marry off her sons. When out on a call, police officer Rick runs in to a woman in a wedding dress and automatically assumes that his mother has set this up. Kendall has left her own wedding in order not to make a huge mistake. She heads to the house that her great aunt left to her in Yorkshire Falls. The chemistry between them is undeniable. Rick comes up with a plan that is beneficial to them both; they each get something out of having a pretend relationship. These two were so great together. They were just in it for fun, until they started to develop feelings for each other. I love this series and the Chandler brothers. They are all against finding their forever until their perfect match falls in to their laps.
Review copy provided for a voluntary review.
Another great read about the wickedly sexy Chandler brothers. This time middle brother Rick is being thrown in to his mother’s plan to marry off her sons. When out on a call, police officer Rick runs in to a woman in a wedding dress and automatically assumes that his mother has set this up. Kendall has left her own wedding in order not to make a huge mistake. She heads to the house that her great aunt left to her in Yorkshire Falls. The chemistry between them is undeniable. Rick comes up with a plan that is beneficial to them both; they each get something out of having a pretend relationship. These two were so great together. They were just in it for fun, until they started to develop feelings for each other. I love this series and the Chandler brothers. They are all against finding their forever until their perfect match falls in to their laps.
Review copy provided for a voluntary review.
July 13, 2023
Risqué Business
I had forgotten how funny this begins. Oh, the ladies of Yorkshire Falls really need better sources of entertainment! 🤣😂
Rick Chandler is beyond being in over his head when he makes a deal with Kendall Sutton. I like the ups and downs they experience and how they push each other to face different aspects of their lives - past, present, and future.
I also like the follow up on Charlotte and Roman, as well as the continuing developments between Raina and the good doctor. There are also a lot of other familiar faces. For these reasons, the books should be read in order.
I borrowed a copy of the audio book to change things up for this re-read. The narrator is William Dufris. I like him for Rick but not for the females of Yorkshire Falls. The book has been updated since this publication. Perhaps the audio has, too. 🤔
Story: 4 stars
Narration: 3 stars
Listening Speed: 1.75x
I had forgotten how funny this begins. Oh, the ladies of Yorkshire Falls really need better sources of entertainment! 🤣😂
Rick Chandler is beyond being in over his head when he makes a deal with Kendall Sutton. I like the ups and downs they experience and how they push each other to face different aspects of their lives - past, present, and future.
I also like the follow up on Charlotte and Roman, as well as the continuing developments between Raina and the good doctor. There are also a lot of other familiar faces. For these reasons, the books should be read in order.
I borrowed a copy of the audio book to change things up for this re-read. The narrator is William Dufris. I like him for Rick but not for the females of Yorkshire Falls. The book has been updated since this publication. Perhaps the audio has, too. 🤔
Story: 4 stars
Narration: 3 stars
Listening Speed: 1.75x
January 24, 2013
Loved this! The Playboy is the 2nd book in the Chandler Brothers series by Carly Phillips. I liked the first one okay, but this one was so much better. It would be near impossible to not fall in love with this family.
Kendall Sutton isn’t the typical runaway bride. Yet, here she is stranded in her broken down car, wearing a wedding dress and looking every bit the part. Could this be anymore embarrassing? I mean she’s not planning on staying forever, but she does need to get her aunts house on the market and get everything settled. She really doesn’t need to be a part of the town’s gossip. Officer Rick Chandler comes to her rescue and offers to give her a ride to her aunt’s house. He’s sexy, smart and easy to talk to. She instantly finds herself attracted, not that she’s interested. She is done with men and she doesn’t plant roots anywhere.
Live for the moment and move on…
Rick Chandler is the current target for their mother’s “marry my sons off” campaign. He was convinced that since his younger brother Roman just recently married his mom would call a cease, but boy was he wrong. As the cop of small town Yorkshire Falls it’s not unusual to be called for emergencies. All of a sudden these calls are initiated by lingerie clad women and no real emergency. This is getting old quick. When reporting to a real emergency call of a stranded motorist Rick thinks maybe his luck is turning around. Finding out that Kendall will only be in town for a short while could be the answer to his problems. They can fake an engagement to get the town’s women and his mother off his back. He doesn’t prepare for the feelings to become real or for the challenge he now faces in convincing Kendall to make a stand with him.
This book was heartwarming and sweet from beginning to end. I loved the little couple that lives in Aunt Crystal’s house. The townspeople are quirky and crazy, as well. You have a couple mean ones thrown in for reality’s sake. Add in Kendall’s teenage sister and Rick’s meddling mother and you get all kinds of drama. This book has it all and it’s fun to read!
You can find this review and others at http://tinar1121.blogspot.com
Kendall Sutton isn’t the typical runaway bride. Yet, here she is stranded in her broken down car, wearing a wedding dress and looking every bit the part. Could this be anymore embarrassing? I mean she’s not planning on staying forever, but she does need to get her aunts house on the market and get everything settled. She really doesn’t need to be a part of the town’s gossip. Officer Rick Chandler comes to her rescue and offers to give her a ride to her aunt’s house. He’s sexy, smart and easy to talk to. She instantly finds herself attracted, not that she’s interested. She is done with men and she doesn’t plant roots anywhere.
Live for the moment and move on…
Rick Chandler is the current target for their mother’s “marry my sons off” campaign. He was convinced that since his younger brother Roman just recently married his mom would call a cease, but boy was he wrong. As the cop of small town Yorkshire Falls it’s not unusual to be called for emergencies. All of a sudden these calls are initiated by lingerie clad women and no real emergency. This is getting old quick. When reporting to a real emergency call of a stranded motorist Rick thinks maybe his luck is turning around. Finding out that Kendall will only be in town for a short while could be the answer to his problems. They can fake an engagement to get the town’s women and his mother off his back. He doesn’t prepare for the feelings to become real or for the challenge he now faces in convincing Kendall to make a stand with him.
This book was heartwarming and sweet from beginning to end. I loved the little couple that lives in Aunt Crystal’s house. The townspeople are quirky and crazy, as well. You have a couple mean ones thrown in for reality’s sake. Add in Kendall’s teenage sister and Rick’s meddling mother and you get all kinds of drama. This book has it all and it’s fun to read!
You can find this review and others at http://tinar1121.blogspot.com
March 1, 2021
The Playboy is the second book in the Chandler Brothers series by Carly Phillips and in my opinion the best out of the three. Rick is my favorite brother and Kendall my least favorite heroine of the three, but more on that later.
I am going to keep with review short because I liked most of the book and I was going to give it 5 stars, but there were 2 things that prevented me from loving the book. Kendall was a little bit too similar to Roman when it came to putting roots and have any kind of relationship which was frustrating to a point. Both of them spent the majority of the book thinking that they were going to leave town and I was not a fan of the trope the first time, let alone the second. The second thing had to do with some pictures that popped up sometime in the story. I won't give anything else away, so I am just going to say that I found everyone's reactions overdramatic.
Rick is one of the best parts of the book. I didn't think I would like him much at first because he is jaded, but my opinion of him changed for the better as the story went on. His relationship with Kendall is also one of the winning points of this book and since this is a romance novel, that is all that's needed to make say that I recommend the book.
I am going to keep with review short because I liked most of the book and I was going to give it 5 stars, but there were 2 things that prevented me from loving the book. Kendall was a little bit too similar to Roman when it came to putting roots and have any kind of relationship which was frustrating to a point. Both of them spent the majority of the book thinking that they were going to leave town and I was not a fan of the trope the first time, let alone the second. The second thing had to do with some pictures that popped up sometime in the story. I won't give anything else away, so I am just going to say that I found everyone's reactions overdramatic.
Rick is one of the best parts of the book. I didn't think I would like him much at first because he is jaded, but my opinion of him changed for the better as the story went on. His relationship with Kendall is also one of the winning points of this book and since this is a romance novel, that is all that's needed to make say that I recommend the book.
December 31, 2018
I am really enjoying this series. As always, the family dynamic was a lot of fun, but I thought this pairing was pretty fantastic too. Their meet-cute was sort of hilarious, and they had great chemistry, but it was the idea of finally putting down roots and finding a family that I really loved.
BLOG | INSTAGRAM |TWITTER | BLOGLOVIN | FRIEND ME ON GOODREADS
BLOG | INSTAGRAM |TWITTER | BLOGLOVIN | FRIEND ME ON GOODREADS
March 23, 2022
Again, another sweet romance by this author, in this series.
Couldn't really get behind this mother who is emotionally blackmailing her three sons into marriage and babies. Didn't bother me in the first book but she was extra this time.
Of course, HEA and the story was super sweet.
I recommend this for my Avon Romance Aunties!
Couldn't really get behind this mother who is emotionally blackmailing her three sons into marriage and babies. Didn't bother me in the first book but she was extra this time.
Of course, HEA and the story was super sweet.
I recommend this for my Avon Romance Aunties!
November 23, 2024
This book was really fun, and this book has been really fun overall. I have loved this series because these characters and this world are so charming and have me wanting more. Although there is a clear formula that makes its way through each book, each book feels different. I loved this book and highly recommend this series.
May 14, 2019
The story of the middle Chandler brother, Rick, the police officer, and Kendall, a woman without roots who thinks she's only passing through town.
Kendall has never had a stable environment, growing up passed from relative to relative while her archaeologist parents were on expeditions, with the only exception the time she spent with her aunt in Yorkshire Falls before she became too ill to care for her. She has just ended an engagement and has no firm plans for her future, only having the faint idea of sorting out and selling her aunt's house before moving on. Things, however, don't go exactly as planned, since the house needs a lot more work than she thought and will take a lot more of her time and money she doesn't have to spend.
The silver lining is Rick, who, tired from his mother's meddling that led to him having to fend off a number of single women coming on to him, proposes a fake relationship between them for exchange for help with the house. Kendall accepts, and the two start spending more and more time together, which exacerbates the attraction between them until they eventually succumb to it.
Both of them have issues, however, with Rick hesitant to fall in love again after his unsuccessful marriage and Kendall's many abandonment issues and habit of skedaddling whenever things get tough, so it's not all smooth sailing for them, despite their developing feelings.
Then there's Kendall's moment of intense stupidity after .
It takes some long delayed feeling processing on Kendall's part before she's ready to fight for Rick and get her happily ever after.
I didn't love the story, despite liking Rick, and the narrator's interpretation of female voices did not help one bit, since they sounded as if a man speaking with a mockingly high and womanly pitch more than anything else.
Next comes the eldest Chandler's story in The Heartbreaker.
Previous book review:
✦ The Bachelor (Chandler Brothers, #1)
Kendall has never had a stable environment, growing up passed from relative to relative while her archaeologist parents were on expeditions, with the only exception the time she spent with her aunt in Yorkshire Falls before she became too ill to care for her. She has just ended an engagement and has no firm plans for her future, only having the faint idea of sorting out and selling her aunt's house before moving on. Things, however, don't go exactly as planned, since the house needs a lot more work than she thought and will take a lot more of her time and money she doesn't have to spend.
The silver lining is Rick, who, tired from his mother's meddling that led to him having to fend off a number of single women coming on to him, proposes a fake relationship between them for exchange for help with the house. Kendall accepts, and the two start spending more and more time together, which exacerbates the attraction between them until they eventually succumb to it.
Both of them have issues, however, with Rick hesitant to fall in love again after his unsuccessful marriage and Kendall's many abandonment issues and habit of skedaddling whenever things get tough, so it's not all smooth sailing for them, despite their developing feelings.
Then there's Kendall's moment of intense stupidity after .
It takes some long delayed feeling processing on Kendall's part before she's ready to fight for Rick and get her happily ever after.
I didn't love the story, despite liking Rick, and the narrator's interpretation of female voices did not help one bit, since they sounded as if a man speaking with a mockingly high and womanly pitch more than anything else.
Next comes the eldest Chandler's story in The Heartbreaker.
Previous book review:
✦ The Bachelor (Chandler Brothers, #1)
May 18, 2010
Let me start by saying that I didn't even finish this book, so take this review with that in mind.
I am an avid romance reader and one of the main reasons that I like to read this genre is because I enjoy watching a romance develop between two individuals. This book gives "quickie" and all new meaning.
The main two characters meet and fall in lust immediately. It only takes, what, ummmm 4 chapters and they are in the sack. Not my idea of romance. The idea that these 2 shallow individuals were actually able to "fall in love" so quickly seemed ludacris to me. Lust maybe, but enough to last... I think not. I just didn't buy that a confirmed bachelor could see a woman in a wedding dress with pink hair and be ready to head to the alter, (or at least the bedroom). I made it through 5 chapters and that was all I could stomach. This book just wasn't for me. I like emotional depth, charater development, and a worthwhile premise to the story. This book failed to deliver in all of these areas.
I am an avid romance reader and one of the main reasons that I like to read this genre is because I enjoy watching a romance develop between two individuals. This book gives "quickie" and all new meaning.
The main two characters meet and fall in lust immediately. It only takes, what, ummmm 4 chapters and they are in the sack. Not my idea of romance. The idea that these 2 shallow individuals were actually able to "fall in love" so quickly seemed ludacris to me. Lust maybe, but enough to last... I think not. I just didn't buy that a confirmed bachelor could see a woman in a wedding dress with pink hair and be ready to head to the alter, (or at least the bedroom). I made it through 5 chapters and that was all I could stomach. This book just wasn't for me. I like emotional depth, charater development, and a worthwhile premise to the story. This book failed to deliver in all of these areas.
May 2, 2017
Me gusto más que el otro, sobre todo que me pareció que la historia si se desarrollo en el libro o si contaban bien porque cada personaje era como era, no como en el anterior que los tiempos no me cuadraron (solo salieron una noche y ya se amana pero sabían que no se podían tener... eso no me cuadro) pero estamos hablando de este libro
es entretenido como para pasar el tiempo,
es entretenido como para pasar el tiempo,
May 15, 2012
This book is just absolutely horrible! HORRIBLE!!!!!!!!!! Filled to the the brim with bad soap opera plots and tinny dialogue. Geez, I made a HUGE MISTAKE READING THIS ONE!
February 5, 2021
This book is about the middle brother, Rick Chandler, finding the love of his life. This is one of those books that just makes your heart happy. It is funny how Rick meets Kendall. She is a handful who just wants to be loved and feel she belongs. I feel bad for her because the closest she ever came to belonging was with her aunt in Yorkshire Falls. Kendall is back in town to fix her aunt’s house up to sell and move on like she always has. I loved that Rick was attracted to Kendall when he went to help her. I can’t imagine how he has had so many women of his town try to get his attention and all the crazy things they did. I was glad to see the two decide to help each other and pretend to be together. We all know that the more time you can spend to get to know someone, usually the better chance to fall in love. I loved Rick and how he always wanted to help others. I could feel the two falling in love. But, there are some jealous women in town that create trouble for the two. I was so glad to see Kendall help her young teenage sister when she got in trouble at her boarding school in Vermont. (I did not like the girls parents and how they ignored their children.) Hannah creates another set of problems. I loved Rick’s mother and how she was still trying to interfere in her boy’s lives. I loved the book and strongly encourage you to read the book. I was given a copy and voluntarily wrote a review.
February 23, 2021
Who would have ever thought that helping Kendall when her car broke down would lead Rick to meeting the love of his life. Rick was the bachelor cop in a small town that all women were try to tie down but he was very unhappy with the way women were throwing themselves at him especially after it was known that his mother was trying to marry him and his brothers off. With one brother taken Rick was next. The women went to extreme even calling 911 to get his attention and at first he thought Kendall was one of them and he wasn’t the nicest. But then he noticed that she was from out of town and was harmless. Kendall was attracted to the sexy cop so when he explained to her what was happening she agreed to be his fake girlfriend so the women in the small town can back off. But they missed the part of pretending and it didn’t take long before these two became serious. Kendall had a lot on her plate dealing with her 14 year old rebellious sister. But to her surprise her sister clicked with Rick. Then one of Rick’s admirers tried to run Kendall out of town. It almost happened but then she stood her ground and decided she wasn’t leaving and that Rick was hers. He was excited to hear that along with his mom that was still scheming lol. And his brothers were also rooting for him!! Love their bond!!
April 6, 2021
This is a re-read for me but just as good the second time around. Rick is feeling the head now that Roman has settled down and his mother is pushing him to find a bride for himself. Being a local police officer he is in high demand for the ladies but marriage is not on his radar. Then he answers a stranded motorist call and it just happens to be a pink-haired woman in a wedding dress. Delivering her to her destination the sparks start to ignite and so does a plan. Can they pose as a fake couple while she is in town to keep the women away. Since she feels as he does and wants nothing to do with marriage this plan might work. Yeah, right...you know what they say about plans...I really loved this story and this series it absolutely great!
February 6, 2021
The second book in the Chandler Brothers Trilogy, The Playboy is a small-town romance story with a plenty of drama, twists, jealousy, humor, loveable characters, sexual tension, undeniable chemistry, and a guaranteed happily ever after.
I volunteered to review an advance reader copy of this book.
I volunteered to review an advance reader copy of this book.
March 13, 2022
3.5⭐️’s rounded up
March 27, 2022
Template!
Is this a multi-part story? Yes
Does it end in a cliffhanger? No
Genre(s) : Drama Romance
Instalove? Sort of
Was cheating involved? No
Any major triggers to be aware of? No
3.75 Stars for me!
My rating range of this story...
If significant, why?
Biggest deduction?
Main Character Ratings...
H (Rick) = 7/10
h (Kendall) = 6/10
TSTL Moment(s)?
Narrator Rating(s)
M () = n/a
F (Angela Dawe) = 7/10
If below 5/10, why?
If Comedy... Type? n/a
Funny, Cute, Cringe Inducing, Mixed or Just No!
Angst Level? Please Stop
Light, Moderate, Heavy or Please Stop
Internal Monolog/Dialog? Heavy
Light, Moderate, Heavy or Please Stop
Scenes with heat... Yes
What point does it start? 30%
How much of the story? 10%
Anything beyond M/F? No
If yes, explained
Heat Rating... 6/10
Clean or Fade to Black - 1 or 2
Normal to Descriptive 3-5
Detailed Descriptive Sex - 6-7
Um, Wow, Beyond Descriptive Sex - 8 or above
Was there so much sex or unrealistic sex that you rolled your eyes and/or skipped forward? No
The back story... I liked this story much better than the first book in the series.
The H is constantly being hit on by the single women in town as his mom declared open season on him to get him married off. He gets a call at the end of his PD shift that a woman broke down at the edge of town. Assuming that this is another setup by his mom, he is expecting another setup. He finds a woman in a wedding dress, doesn't believe her initially until he finds out that she is not a part of his mom's plan. He gives her a ride to her deceased aunt's house, and carries her up the stairs and into the house as she is very unsteady on her heels.
Romance or Gist: Once the get the the aunt's house, their is an instant connection between the two. The guest house that she is staying in is a mess and he ends up helping her clean up the place... And so much more
The drama explosion... The commitment phobic h freaks out and decides to leave town.
Did it feel Real, OK or contrived? Ok
Was it OTT? A bit
Separation involved? Not too much
Was it resolved properly or rushed? Properly
Final Notes... This story has multiple aspects as the H is frustrated by his mother's antics and is standoffish as his father died young and mom grieved for a long time. The h had absentee parents and was passed from family members to friends while her parents went to dig sites around the world. The h's 14 year old sister was shipped off the a boarding school and is in a very rebellious state... she ends up coming to live with her sister and they also have a strained relationship. One of the women in town cannot accept that the H doesn't want her so she makes life somewhat tough for the h.
I liked how the relationship between the sisters changed with the introduction of the H's family. I do wish the bitchy woman faced a penalty for what she did as it went beyond simple harassment.
HEA or HFN? HEA
Book Source: Audible
Is this a multi-part story? Yes
Does it end in a cliffhanger? No
Genre(s) : Drama Romance
Instalove? Sort of
Was cheating involved? No
Any major triggers to be aware of? No
3.75 Stars for me!
My rating range of this story...
If significant, why?
Biggest deduction?
Main Character Ratings...
H (Rick) = 7/10
h (Kendall) = 6/10
TSTL Moment(s)?
Narrator Rating(s)
M () = n/a
F (Angela Dawe) = 7/10
If below 5/10, why?
If Comedy... Type? n/a
Funny, Cute, Cringe Inducing, Mixed or Just No!
Angst Level? Please Stop
Light, Moderate, Heavy or Please Stop
Internal Monolog/Dialog? Heavy
Light, Moderate, Heavy or Please Stop
Scenes with heat... Yes
What point does it start? 30%
How much of the story? 10%
Anything beyond M/F? No
If yes, explained
Heat Rating... 6/10
Clean or Fade to Black - 1 or 2
Normal to Descriptive 3-5
Detailed Descriptive Sex - 6-7
Um, Wow, Beyond Descriptive Sex - 8 or above
Was there so much sex or unrealistic sex that you rolled your eyes and/or skipped forward? No
The back story... I liked this story much better than the first book in the series.
The H is constantly being hit on by the single women in town as his mom declared open season on him to get him married off. He gets a call at the end of his PD shift that a woman broke down at the edge of town. Assuming that this is another setup by his mom, he is expecting another setup. He finds a woman in a wedding dress, doesn't believe her initially until he finds out that she is not a part of his mom's plan. He gives her a ride to her deceased aunt's house, and carries her up the stairs and into the house as she is very unsteady on her heels.
Romance or Gist: Once the get the the aunt's house, their is an instant connection between the two. The guest house that she is staying in is a mess and he ends up helping her clean up the place... And so much more
The drama explosion... The commitment phobic h freaks out and decides to leave town.
Did it feel Real, OK or contrived? Ok
Was it OTT? A bit
Separation involved? Not too much
Was it resolved properly or rushed? Properly
Final Notes... This story has multiple aspects as the H is frustrated by his mother's antics and is standoffish as his father died young and mom grieved for a long time. The h had absentee parents and was passed from family members to friends while her parents went to dig sites around the world. The h's 14 year old sister was shipped off the a boarding school and is in a very rebellious state... she ends up coming to live with her sister and they also have a strained relationship. One of the women in town cannot accept that the H doesn't want her so she makes life somewhat tough for the h.
I liked how the relationship between the sisters changed with the introduction of the H's family. I do wish the bitchy woman faced a penalty for what she did as it went beyond simple harassment.
HEA or HFN? HEA
Book Source: Audible
July 23, 2009
I'm reading this book because my aunt gave it to me as a Christmas present after I placed on my Christmas list, "10) YOUR favorite book." She laughed when I opened it, but I promised to read it, and now I am. I'm halfway through.
It's not a bad book; having never read a romance novel, it's definitely a different experience. I find myself alternating between wanting to really meet the characters (and steal the girl from the guy) and rolling my eyes at the really overdone expressions about what the characters are feeling. I have read quotes like, "...but it wasn't just a physical connections, but an emotional connection as well..." I suppose that's for the ladies. I also don't really care to read the phrase "feminine mound" any more either, because it has occurred enough in the first half of the book. I doubt I'll get a reprieve, though.
UPDATE:
The phrase "feminine mound" did NOT appear again in the book! But... they talked about feelings a lot more. This book reminded me of a Lifetime movie; the first half isn't so bad, but then the second half bogged itself down in cliché realizations of emotional mistakes and blunt statements that can't possibly be true, like "She realized that she would be happy with him forever."
The book overall was a nice respite from Anna Karenina, which took me approximately ten times longer to read. I doubt I'll be reading more romance novels in the near future (though the first 20 pages of the third in this Chandler brothers series were enticing) but I'm glad I've been exposed to the genre at least once.
NOTE: I give this book three stars for the genre. Romance novels in general are minus two stars from the normal scale.
It's not a bad book; having never read a romance novel, it's definitely a different experience. I find myself alternating between wanting to really meet the characters (and steal the girl from the guy) and rolling my eyes at the really overdone expressions about what the characters are feeling. I have read quotes like, "...but it wasn't just a physical connections, but an emotional connection as well..." I suppose that's for the ladies. I also don't really care to read the phrase "feminine mound" any more either, because it has occurred enough in the first half of the book. I doubt I'll get a reprieve, though.
UPDATE:
The phrase "feminine mound" did NOT appear again in the book! But... they talked about feelings a lot more. This book reminded me of a Lifetime movie; the first half isn't so bad, but then the second half bogged itself down in cliché realizations of emotional mistakes and blunt statements that can't possibly be true, like "She realized that she would be happy with him forever."
The book overall was a nice respite from Anna Karenina, which took me approximately ten times longer to read. I doubt I'll be reading more romance novels in the near future (though the first 20 pages of the third in this Chandler brothers series were enticing) but I'm glad I've been exposed to the genre at least once.
NOTE: I give this book three stars for the genre. Romance novels in general are minus two stars from the normal scale.
February 17, 2009
This is a fun and flirty read you will have fun with. Rick and Kendall are characters that you can relate to and want to get to know. Rick is the sexy town cop that is being hit on by every available single female. When Kendall drives into town in a wedding dress and pink hair he is intrigued, but wary of women in general. Kendall is in need of help to repair her late Aunt's home for sale. They make a bargain to help each other by pretending to have a relationship, that soon turns real. When Kendall ends up taking in her teenage sister after she runs away from boarding school she is in over her head. Rick helps out with her teen sis and becomes close to both women. When he starts to think of a more permanent relationship Kendall is scared. While they try to figure out their differences and troubles you are there for the ride.
April 23, 2023
Resenha em breve
>b>5 estrelas
>b>5 estrelas
March 1, 2021
Rick Chandler is the middle child of Raina Chandler. Raina is on a mission to get all her boys married and for them to live HEA. She was already successful with her youngest son Roman as he is happily with the woman of his dreams.
The day Rick meets Kendall starts as a weird, but as of lately, usual day. With his mother Raina trying to set him up, he is constantly having women throwing themselves at him. Some are to the extreme as a call he was on earlier in the day. A woman called asking for Rick to come to her house to check on things but when Rick got there, the lady invited him in and was dressed in sexy lingerie. There was nothing the police was needed for, the woman only wanted to get Rick alone to seduce him. So, when dispatch asked Rick to take one more call of a woman stranded on the side of the road, he was hesitant. When Rick arrived at the spot of the stranded lady, she was dressed in a wedding gown which only strengthened his suspicion that this was another set up. But after an embarrassing first impression, he finally finds out this was not a set up and that he actually knew Kendall.
Kendall was coming to Yorkshire Falls after leaving the church of where she was supposed to have been married earlier in the day. After a mutual decision of calling the wedding off, Kendall decided to come to Yorkshire Falls to see about selling her grandmother’s house. Never does she expect to see one of her childhood friends, Rick.
So, does Rick find his HEA or does he not take the chance after taking the plunge before and being burned by that woman? Does Kendall decide to give love another shot or does almost walking down the aisle change her mind on a HEA?
I really enjoyed this read. Highly recommended.
The day Rick meets Kendall starts as a weird, but as of lately, usual day. With his mother Raina trying to set him up, he is constantly having women throwing themselves at him. Some are to the extreme as a call he was on earlier in the day. A woman called asking for Rick to come to her house to check on things but when Rick got there, the lady invited him in and was dressed in sexy lingerie. There was nothing the police was needed for, the woman only wanted to get Rick alone to seduce him. So, when dispatch asked Rick to take one more call of a woman stranded on the side of the road, he was hesitant. When Rick arrived at the spot of the stranded lady, she was dressed in a wedding gown which only strengthened his suspicion that this was another set up. But after an embarrassing first impression, he finally finds out this was not a set up and that he actually knew Kendall.
Kendall was coming to Yorkshire Falls after leaving the church of where she was supposed to have been married earlier in the day. After a mutual decision of calling the wedding off, Kendall decided to come to Yorkshire Falls to see about selling her grandmother’s house. Never does she expect to see one of her childhood friends, Rick.
So, does Rick find his HEA or does he not take the chance after taking the plunge before and being burned by that woman? Does Kendall decide to give love another shot or does almost walking down the aisle change her mind on a HEA?
I really enjoyed this read. Highly recommended.
June 21, 2024
Book 2 starts off with more interfering bullshit from the “sick” mother, leading to an unwanted encounter with what the author *thinks* is a dominatrix. Yeah… not that close, sorry. Kinks are made out to be taboo, and “no means no” clearly doesn’t mean anything to Carly, since every friggen character seems to think no means encouragement. Oh, and while it’s not ok to post a picture of someone modeling for sex toys on a town slideshow, either is black mail for someone’s sexual preference. Just like having a shade of color that’s unnatural in your hair doesn’t mean you’re hiding, it just means you like how you look with that color. More stigma against “other” is shoved subtly down our throats. But it’s cool, just allowing us to get to know the author a bit more. It seems like no one gives a shit about their kids again, as Kendall’s parents have literally left the country, abandoning both their children “IN THE NAME OF SCIENCE!” either at relatives (who also don’t give a shit about their nieces enough to care for them long term) or a boarding school. Kendall has allowed her entire life to be shaped around a 6 month encounter with a woman who ended up with arthritis in her hands, leaving her unable to care for a kid who was old enough to be caring for her aunt… but ok, remove the kid and leave some everlasting trauma we get to form the narrative around. The sister is a prick for the sake of being one, pulling pranks at school that aren’t harmless, but either damaging to property or publicly embarrassing. Everyone is yet again, self absorbed, doing whatever it takes to make themselves happy.
February 16, 2021
This is book 2 of the Chandler Brothers, Rick, the playboy , the one the vowed to never be married again after being hurt so badly the first time. This time it seems FATE has stepped in and taken control because Rick can't stop the feelings for the woman he finds stranded along side the ride in a bridal gown.. his promise to never let another woman close enough to tear his heart our seems to be lost on this woman. Kendall is the loner, the one that is tossed aside so often when she's a child that she never sets roots down in one place or lets anyone be close for fear they will abandon her too. What happens when these two souls cross paths? Fireworks and chemistry like neither have ever experienced.
Rick is the protector of woman, the damsel in distress, he can't resist them. Thus when he finds Kendall stranded on the side of the road he can't help himself. Despite his early suspicion it's another set up by his mother to get him to settle down, he soon learns that Kendall is a mover, she never plans to stay in one place so he thinks now she's the obvious solution to getting the women of Yorkshire Falls off his back and out of his life for good. Believing she's helping her boys settle down and be happy, his mother, Raina has knowingly set the entire single female population in town in his doorstep. So his good luck at running into Kendall seems to be fate. Since she doesn't plan on hanging around town for long after selling her Aunt's house and moving on she's the perfect distraction. If others think he's taken they will back off. So they strike a deal, a mutual agreement for his help in getting the old house ready to sell and she'll keep the women off his back.
Little did they realize that spark at their first touch would turn into a burning desire to not let the other go. As Rick tries to let go of his past hurts, and Kendall learns that she can settle down and be loved by someone these two can't help but fall in love with each other. Throw in a rebellious teenager in the mix and what more could they ask for.
I enjoyed this book, it's a first for me although it's one of Carly's earliest books. This was a treat to meet the Chandler Brothers and fall in love with them each, next up is Chase! I think any Carly reader who hasn't read these yet will love them!!
Rick is the protector of woman, the damsel in distress, he can't resist them. Thus when he finds Kendall stranded on the side of the road he can't help himself. Despite his early suspicion it's another set up by his mother to get him to settle down, he soon learns that Kendall is a mover, she never plans to stay in one place so he thinks now she's the obvious solution to getting the women of Yorkshire Falls off his back and out of his life for good. Believing she's helping her boys settle down and be happy, his mother, Raina has knowingly set the entire single female population in town in his doorstep. So his good luck at running into Kendall seems to be fate. Since she doesn't plan on hanging around town for long after selling her Aunt's house and moving on she's the perfect distraction. If others think he's taken they will back off. So they strike a deal, a mutual agreement for his help in getting the old house ready to sell and she'll keep the women off his back.
Little did they realize that spark at their first touch would turn into a burning desire to not let the other go. As Rick tries to let go of his past hurts, and Kendall learns that she can settle down and be loved by someone these two can't help but fall in love with each other. Throw in a rebellious teenager in the mix and what more could they ask for.
I enjoyed this book, it's a first for me although it's one of Carly's earliest books. This was a treat to meet the Chandler Brothers and fall in love with them each, next up is Chase! I think any Carly reader who hasn't read these yet will love them!!
February 18, 2021
With his brother Roman now married, their mother has set her matchmaking skills on Rick. Rick one of law enforcements finest in this small town, isn't interested in settling down. He's dated most of the eligible woman in town and frankly none of them have that long term feel. Although some of those women think otherwise, case in point, Lisa Burton a school teacher, she just doesn't seem to take no for an answer and she's crossing some lines she shouldn't.
His brother Chase is waiting for him back at the station so they could head to their mother's for dinner, but a call comes in that Rick needs to handle first. A woman stuck on the highway.
I think I started giggling from the moment he realizes she's wearing a wedding dress. The conversation that ensues is full of innuendo and snark. All of which have nothing to do with his mother or her matchmaking.
Kendall came here to figure out what to do with her aunt's property, not start anything. But the rumors are going to fly since said property is where Elton and Pearl live.
Not able to help himself, Rick offers to help her with getting the property ready to sell, if she in turn would agree to pretend to be dating him. You all know that's a mistake, right?
Kendall has more of a problem than just what to do with Crystal's property when her sister walks out of her boarding school in Vermont. Then there's her instinct to run when the going gets tough, something that isn't going to go over well with her teenage sister.
There's plenty of fun, some entertaining pranks, lots of love and a simmer to sizzle relationship.
His brother Chase is waiting for him back at the station so they could head to their mother's for dinner, but a call comes in that Rick needs to handle first. A woman stuck on the highway.
I think I started giggling from the moment he realizes she's wearing a wedding dress. The conversation that ensues is full of innuendo and snark. All of which have nothing to do with his mother or her matchmaking.
Kendall came here to figure out what to do with her aunt's property, not start anything. But the rumors are going to fly since said property is where Elton and Pearl live.
Not able to help himself, Rick offers to help her with getting the property ready to sell, if she in turn would agree to pretend to be dating him. You all know that's a mistake, right?
Kendall has more of a problem than just what to do with Crystal's property when her sister walks out of her boarding school in Vermont. Then there's her instinct to run when the going gets tough, something that isn't going to go over well with her teenage sister.
There's plenty of fun, some entertaining pranks, lots of love and a simmer to sizzle relationship.
February 21, 2021
Rick is the police officer every single woman in town has their sites on marrying. After being burned by his marriage Rick isn't interested in having a relationship or marriage to anyone. Kendall has just broken off her wedding on her wedding day and didn't even take time to change before heading to her late Aunts home town and the house she left her. The only real home Kendall has ever known, even though it was only for a few months. When Kendall's car breaks down and she is rescued by Rick a plan is hatched. Rick needs someone to divert his matchmaking mom and the single ladies attention and Kendall needs help fixing her Aunt's house up so she can sell it and do what she has done her whole life, move on. They decide on a fake relationship, knowing it would only for a limited time because Kendall was leaving.
Families and friends are introduced and before long the fake relationship becomes so much more. They both find themselves fighting the growing feelings. Add in a matchmaking "sick" mother and a trouble making teenage sister lines get blurred and Rick and Kendall are more of a real couple than fake.
The problem is there is a time limit and no matter how they feel about each other is it strong enough for them to let go of what they think they know and move forward together?
The Playboy is so much more than a fake relationship story. Rick and Kendall are so hot together and you really want them to figure it out.
I really liked reading this book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Families and friends are introduced and before long the fake relationship becomes so much more. They both find themselves fighting the growing feelings. Add in a matchmaking "sick" mother and a trouble making teenage sister lines get blurred and Rick and Kendall are more of a real couple than fake.
The problem is there is a time limit and no matter how they feel about each other is it strong enough for them to let go of what they think they know and move forward together?
The Playboy is so much more than a fake relationship story. Rick and Kendall are so hot together and you really want them to figure it out.
I really liked reading this book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 7, 2021
Rick Chandler is a good guy . . . and he proves it every day. Take, for example, the fact that he married a pregnant friend because the father of her child ran away when he found out she was pregnant. The only problem was that she ran away with the father of the child when he came back and devastated Rick! That's when he decided to stay single and enjoy women without any entanglements. Kendall Sutton has been a loner whose parents have focused on their careers as archaeologists and tossed her from relative to relative while parking her much younger sister in a boarding school. She has felt abandoned and unwanted most of her life and has never felt settled. When Rick rescues Kendall, their stars seem to collide like a bursting firework and they easily come to an agreement that they will form a pretend partnership to ward off Rick's mother's schemes to find him a wife and Kendall's need for help repairing her deceased aunt's home.
As you can imagine, Rick the Playboy has quite a number of hangers on who resent Kendall's place by his side and his mother's machinations have been less than subtle! Where will all these shenanigans get them, how will Hannah, Kendall's sister, play into their life, and will Kendall decide that her habit of running away needs to stop so that she can finally settle down into a full family life?
As you can imagine, Rick the Playboy has quite a number of hangers on who resent Kendall's place by his side and his mother's machinations have been less than subtle! Where will all these shenanigans get them, how will Hannah, Kendall's sister, play into their life, and will Kendall decide that her habit of running away needs to stop so that she can finally settle down into a full family life?
February 8, 2021
This is the second book in this series and this one started off with a bridal bang and kept going. It was one of those books that just grabbed my heart and gut and just did not let go. Do I love Rick Chandler? Yes, He is one of those guys that just has to every girls' friend but no girls' boyfriend. He is hotter than sin but not one to stick around for any time at all or stick with you. I am sure it is all connected to losing his dad at a fairly young age and being raised by his brother Chase. I had a brother who was the same way.BUT life has other designs and it threw Kendall in a wedding dress in a broken-down red car into the mix and Rick just happened to be the one to answer the call that day. Of course, he could not leave the bride on the side of the road, could he? This book has so many feel goods but also it tugs at me like when Kendalls' sister escapes boarding school and comes to live with her. These two sisters could not be more opposite yet more alike. And then there is Rick over here and Hannah falls for Rick like a father figure. We get to see all our favorites from the first book in this series and of course see all the fun quirky characters who live in this wonderful little town. These 3 Chandler brothers are something fun to read and behold. (this review is for the update version in 2021)
February 8, 2021
Next up is middle brother, single cop Rick Chandler. His mother, Raina, has turned her sights on Rick finding someone to settle down with. Thanks to her, Rick has been overwhelmed by all the single women in town. He’s been hurt before by a bad marriage, so he’s a bit gun-shy on making a lasting commitment to anyone. Then one afternoon, he’s sent out on a call.
Kendall Sutton finds herself broken down on the edge of town, stuffed into not just her car, but her wedding dress. Having ended her engagement that morning, she came to town to settle her Aunt’s affairs and to figure out what and where to next. There is an immediate attraction between the two of them. However, Kendall is as reluctant as Rick to find her happily ever after. Rick realizes that she could be the answer to his problem and askes Kendall if they could fake a relationship to stop the women from trying to get his attention.
As their lives get tangled together, can either one of them admit their true feelings to the other? Or will they still continue to dance around the subject? Add in a meddling mother, a much younger teenage sister who feels like she’s been abandoned by her family, two brothers ~ one younger who found his HEA and the older one who did his time when their father died and he felt he needed to help his mother by putting his dreams on hold. Can a fake relationship turn into real feelings?
Kendall Sutton finds herself broken down on the edge of town, stuffed into not just her car, but her wedding dress. Having ended her engagement that morning, she came to town to settle her Aunt’s affairs and to figure out what and where to next. There is an immediate attraction between the two of them. However, Kendall is as reluctant as Rick to find her happily ever after. Rick realizes that she could be the answer to his problem and askes Kendall if they could fake a relationship to stop the women from trying to get his attention.
As their lives get tangled together, can either one of them admit their true feelings to the other? Or will they still continue to dance around the subject? Add in a meddling mother, a much younger teenage sister who feels like she’s been abandoned by her family, two brothers ~ one younger who found his HEA and the older one who did his time when their father died and he felt he needed to help his mother by putting his dreams on hold. Can a fake relationship turn into real feelings?
February 3, 2023
3.75 rounded to a 4 Star!
Rick Chandler is a Yorkshire Falls police officer. Since he was married & divorced he has no desire to get caught up in his mother’s plans to get all 3 of her son’s married off. He has a playboy reputation and the ladies know that he is not interested in any sort of commitment. Lately though, between the false emergency calls with women in lingerie and naked women showing up in his bed he is really intrigued when an actual emergency involving a woman in a wedding dress sparks his interest.
Kendall Sutton is a runaway bride. Lucky for her when her vehicle breaks down, it’s outside of the town she was fleeing to anyways. Growing up she was moved from family member to family member and so staying in one place is not really her thing. She is planning on only being in town long enough to get her deceased Aunt’s home cleaned up & put on the market to sell. When Officer Rick comes to her aide, even though he is very good-looking and she has found herself attracted to him she doesn’t need any complications during her stay in town.
Even though this was a Fake relationship story, it was a different storyline with all the side stories going on………..Kendall’s teenage sister showing up & changing her plans, Rick’s mother having her own love story going on and then the little old couple that have been staying in Kendall’s Aunt’s house.
Rick Chandler is a Yorkshire Falls police officer. Since he was married & divorced he has no desire to get caught up in his mother’s plans to get all 3 of her son’s married off. He has a playboy reputation and the ladies know that he is not interested in any sort of commitment. Lately though, between the false emergency calls with women in lingerie and naked women showing up in his bed he is really intrigued when an actual emergency involving a woman in a wedding dress sparks his interest.
Kendall Sutton is a runaway bride. Lucky for her when her vehicle breaks down, it’s outside of the town she was fleeing to anyways. Growing up she was moved from family member to family member and so staying in one place is not really her thing. She is planning on only being in town long enough to get her deceased Aunt’s home cleaned up & put on the market to sell. When Officer Rick comes to her aide, even though he is very good-looking and she has found herself attracted to him she doesn’t need any complications during her stay in town.
Even though this was a Fake relationship story, it was a different storyline with all the side stories going on………..Kendall’s teenage sister showing up & changing her plans, Rick’s mother having her own love story going on and then the little old couple that have been staying in Kendall’s Aunt’s house.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 332 reviews