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Callaghan Brothers #2
First and Only
You never forget your first love.
Lexi O’Connell has secretly been in love with Ian Callaghan for more than ten years. So when she returns to Pine Ridge and he turns those sexy crystal blue eyes her way, she doesn’t have a hope of resisting, even if she knows it can only be for one night.
Even if it will break her heart. Because while she would know him anywhere, he doesn’t even recognize her.
Ian Callaghan is mischievous, playful, and irresistible to women. When he sets his sights on the attractive young woman who has been discreetly staring at him, he doesn’t think twice about seducing her.
It wasn’t supposed to be more than one night. And falling in love with her was definitely not part of the plan.
A few days is all Ian needs to know that Lexi is The One. His croie. His soul mate. And he doesn’t understand how she can just walk away.
But what Ian doesn’t understand might just kill her.
WARNING: Due to strong language and steamy scenes of a sexual nature, this book is intended for mature (18+) readers only.
Lexi O’Connell has secretly been in love with Ian Callaghan for more than ten years. So when she returns to Pine Ridge and he turns those sexy crystal blue eyes her way, she doesn’t have a hope of resisting, even if she knows it can only be for one night.
Even if it will break her heart. Because while she would know him anywhere, he doesn’t even recognize her.
Ian Callaghan is mischievous, playful, and irresistible to women. When he sets his sights on the attractive young woman who has been discreetly staring at him, he doesn’t think twice about seducing her.
It wasn’t supposed to be more than one night. And falling in love with her was definitely not part of the plan.
A few days is all Ian needs to know that Lexi is The One. His croie. His soul mate. And he doesn’t understand how she can just walk away.
But what Ian doesn’t understand might just kill her.
WARNING: Due to strong language and steamy scenes of a sexual nature, this book is intended for mature (18+) readers only.
399 pages, ebook
First published December 14, 2014
955 people are currently reading
1098 people want to read
About the author
Abbie Zanders
79 books2,042 followersAbbie Zanders is a USA Today Bestselling Author with more than 55 published romance novels to date. Her stories range from contemporary to paranormal and everything in between. She promises her readers two things: happily ever afters, always, and no cliffhangers, ever.
Born and raised in the mountains of Northeastern Pennsylvania, where she sets most of her stories, she’s known for small town romance featuring golden-hearted alpha heroes and strong, relatable heroines. Besides being an avid reader and writer, she loves animals (especially big dogs), American muscle cars, and 80's hair bands.
Born and raised in the mountains of Northeastern Pennsylvania, where she sets most of her stories, she’s known for small town romance featuring golden-hearted alpha heroes and strong, relatable heroines. Besides being an avid reader and writer, she loves animals (especially big dogs), American muscle cars, and 80's hair bands.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 296 reviews
November 18, 2023
Sick secrets!
The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💙❤️💚💜
Steam: 🔥🔥🔥
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘📙
World building: 🌏🌍🌏🌎
Character development: 🙃😊😉🥰😘
Narration: 🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration Type: Solo Narration
The heroine: Lexi O’Connell - she is the master chef of the Celtic Goddess restaurant in Georgia and is on vacation, returning to Pine Ridge Pennsylvania, to her roots for a two-day trip. She loved to people watch, crafting a scenario for the people she sees. She already did that for most of the other passengers on the bus, when she sees a handsome man that reminds her of someone from her past, a man named Ian whom she had been in love with for all of her adult life.
The Hero: Ian Callaghan - he is former military and works special ops for the government along with his brothers from time to time. In between missions, he works at the family’s Irish pub and is quite the ladies' man. He is happy-go-lucky and full of charisma. Whenever he sees a beautiful woman, he immediately turns on the charm and tries to get her into bed.
The Story: Ian was one of the best characters in Dangerous Secrets, he was a big flirt and had such a devil-may-care attitude, that you couldn’t help but love him. On the bus, Ian sits down next to Lexi after a trip to the bathroom and she realizes that he is actually Ian Callaghan, and he doesn’t even know who she is. Lexi knew that Ian was never interested in her, she considered herself plain and never wanted to go out of her way to attract him, she had been saving herself for the ‘one’ at the time.
Ian was intrigued by Lexi from the start, he liked that she was the shy, quiet type and even liked that she seemed to have limited sexual experience, which was odd because he usually ran from someone like that. He hadn’t been close to innocence like that for a while and she smelled like sunshine. Lexi has some secrets though, and Ian wants to learn all of them.
I liked how attracted to Lexi that Ian was from the very start, how he noticed everything about her. He had been feeling especially restless since his brother Jake had found someone to love. Plus, he just returned from a dangerous mission, so he seemed more in tune with his emotions. The story was good and like the first book, the character building was great. The Callaghan family are terrific, they are a bunch of crazy brothers and an awesome father.
This audiobook was told in dual points of view via solo narration. It was narrated by Aiden Snow who is one of my all-time favorite male narrators. He has a soft yet very deep voice which is so sexy. I could listen to him for days. He does a great job with this book (and with everything he narrates).
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The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💙❤️💚💜
Steam: 🔥🔥🔥
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘📙
World building: 🌏🌍🌏🌎
Character development: 🙃😊😉🥰😘
Narration: 🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration Type: Solo Narration
The heroine: Lexi O’Connell - she is the master chef of the Celtic Goddess restaurant in Georgia and is on vacation, returning to Pine Ridge Pennsylvania, to her roots for a two-day trip. She loved to people watch, crafting a scenario for the people she sees. She already did that for most of the other passengers on the bus, when she sees a handsome man that reminds her of someone from her past, a man named Ian whom she had been in love with for all of her adult life.
The Hero: Ian Callaghan - he is former military and works special ops for the government along with his brothers from time to time. In between missions, he works at the family’s Irish pub and is quite the ladies' man. He is happy-go-lucky and full of charisma. Whenever he sees a beautiful woman, he immediately turns on the charm and tries to get her into bed.
The Story: Ian was one of the best characters in Dangerous Secrets, he was a big flirt and had such a devil-may-care attitude, that you couldn’t help but love him. On the bus, Ian sits down next to Lexi after a trip to the bathroom and she realizes that he is actually Ian Callaghan, and he doesn’t even know who she is. Lexi knew that Ian was never interested in her, she considered herself plain and never wanted to go out of her way to attract him, she had been saving herself for the ‘one’ at the time.
Ian was intrigued by Lexi from the start, he liked that she was the shy, quiet type and even liked that she seemed to have limited sexual experience, which was odd because he usually ran from someone like that. He hadn’t been close to innocence like that for a while and she smelled like sunshine. Lexi has some secrets though, and Ian wants to learn all of them.
I liked how attracted to Lexi that Ian was from the very start, how he noticed everything about her. He had been feeling especially restless since his brother Jake had found someone to love. Plus, he just returned from a dangerous mission, so he seemed more in tune with his emotions. The story was good and like the first book, the character building was great. The Callaghan family are terrific, they are a bunch of crazy brothers and an awesome father.
This audiobook was told in dual points of view via solo narration. It was narrated by Aiden Snow who is one of my all-time favorite male narrators. He has a soft yet very deep voice which is so sexy. I could listen to him for days. He does a great job with this book (and with everything he narrates).
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February 17, 2015
So, Ian the Manwhore finally got his just dues.
Ian has no idea what he's stepping into, or rather who's legs he's getting in between, when he meets this mysterious girl on the bus who gets his motor running.
Lexi has always had a crazy crush, undying love for Ian Callaghan from the first time she met Ian many moons ago. Lexi is best friends with Kieran, Ian's little brother you see. She's be in love with him since the tender age of 14.
But, Lexi saw something one day that set in stone her running away with the thought of having no chance in hell with the sexy Irish lad, as he seems to have been staked claim to by none other than Kayla the whore aka her stepsister.
Lexi returns to her roots for her father's funeral. Feeling vulnerable and manipulating the fact that Ian has no freaking clue in hell who she is on the bus, she gives in and fulfills her young, foolish desires. She gets it on and gets her world rocked by the one and only man she's ever craved. See, it's years later and she was a virgin. She gave her innocence away to the man she always believed she would give herself to, even though it was not her intentions.
When Ian learns who Lexi really is, his manwhore days are pushed to side and he will do whatever to get the girl.
Lexi plays the "hard to get" game because her plans was not to stay and it was clearly evident that Kayla still had her talons firmly set in Ian.
Ian must have Lexi. Lexi will do whatever it takes to push Ian away, and live the rest of her life with the memories of their crazy, sex filled night.
When the Callaghan crew learns of Ian's sudden interest in Lexi, they try to deter him from hurting her any further. Everyone was in on the fact that Lexi always had a thing for Ian, meanwhile, no one cared to clue him in (nor did he bother to pay attention).
When Ian persuades Lexi to stay for a few more days, Lexi agrees on the terms that he stays with her every single night - with the bonus of giving her multiple, crazy orgasms (the man is talented with his tongue...I digress).
Just when things were getting good, Lexi falls to the bout of her disease... a form of hemophilia that makes her vulnerable to the slightest touch.
Kayla tries to push Lexi out of town and all hell breaks loose.
After a scary event, Lexi decides its for the best that she leaves town for good.
Months later...
Lexi has a baby. She has a baby with piercing blue eyes and a head full of black hair (like father like son).
Oh and guess what? Ian has no freaking clue she was pregnant to begin with. When Aidan, Lexi's boss and friend, comes to deliver the news to him, I say he took the news rather well.
I say that Ian should've been freaking livid with the fact that Lexi was pregnant and never cared to shared the news with him due to her own selfish, martyrdom. She did it to protect him. She did it because she loved him too much.
How sweet of her.
But Ian, being the true man he is, just wants his son in his life and a chance to get Lexi back. All he wants to take care of them & to be a family.
Well, Lexi, again, decides to put a kibosh on that. Why? Oh, because she doesn't know how to open her mouth and communicate, instead making the decision for the both of them to raise their son in separate homes because Ian "won't touch her". Ian is just scared of hurting her physically and instead of trying to coax him or teach him about her disease, she decides to be purely selfish.
Lexi & Ian have little to no communication with each other, than to talk about Patrick, their son.
When Ian finds out that Lexi has been sick and not taking care of herself (of course, why would she share that information with him, god forbid something happen to her), he decides it's time to go balls in.
He proves to Lexi that they are worth a try and that he wants her more than he's ever wanted a woman.
Lexi, of course, is reluctant but decides, hey, why not?
In the end, they all get their way and take the steps to becoming one big happy family...finally.
With the exception of me wanting to throttle Lexi towards the end of the book, I'm loving me some Callaghans.
Next up...the sexy Callaghan with brains...the Doc... Can't wait!!!
Ian has no idea what he's stepping into, or rather who's legs he's getting in between, when he meets this mysterious girl on the bus who gets his motor running.
Lexi has always had a crazy crush, undying love for Ian Callaghan from the first time she met Ian many moons ago. Lexi is best friends with Kieran, Ian's little brother you see. She's be in love with him since the tender age of 14.
But, Lexi saw something one day that set in stone her running away with the thought of having no chance in hell with the sexy Irish lad, as he seems to have been staked claim to by none other than Kayla the whore aka her stepsister.
Lexi returns to her roots for her father's funeral. Feeling vulnerable and manipulating the fact that Ian has no freaking clue in hell who she is on the bus, she gives in and fulfills her young, foolish desires. She gets it on and gets her world rocked by the one and only man she's ever craved. See, it's years later and she was a virgin. She gave her innocence away to the man she always believed she would give herself to, even though it was not her intentions.
When Ian learns who Lexi really is, his manwhore days are pushed to side and he will do whatever to get the girl.
Lexi plays the "hard to get" game because her plans was not to stay and it was clearly evident that Kayla still had her talons firmly set in Ian.
Ian must have Lexi. Lexi will do whatever it takes to push Ian away, and live the rest of her life with the memories of their crazy, sex filled night.
When the Callaghan crew learns of Ian's sudden interest in Lexi, they try to deter him from hurting her any further. Everyone was in on the fact that Lexi always had a thing for Ian, meanwhile, no one cared to clue him in (nor did he bother to pay attention).
When Ian persuades Lexi to stay for a few more days, Lexi agrees on the terms that he stays with her every single night - with the bonus of giving her multiple, crazy orgasms (the man is talented with his tongue...I digress).
Just when things were getting good, Lexi falls to the bout of her disease... a form of hemophilia that makes her vulnerable to the slightest touch.
Kayla tries to push Lexi out of town and all hell breaks loose.
After a scary event, Lexi decides its for the best that she leaves town for good.
Months later...
Lexi has a baby. She has a baby with piercing blue eyes and a head full of black hair (like father like son).
Oh and guess what? Ian has no freaking clue she was pregnant to begin with. When Aidan, Lexi's boss and friend, comes to deliver the news to him, I say he took the news rather well.
I say that Ian should've been freaking livid with the fact that Lexi was pregnant and never cared to shared the news with him due to her own selfish, martyrdom. She did it to protect him. She did it because she loved him too much.
How sweet of her.
But Ian, being the true man he is, just wants his son in his life and a chance to get Lexi back. All he wants to take care of them & to be a family.
Well, Lexi, again, decides to put a kibosh on that. Why? Oh, because she doesn't know how to open her mouth and communicate, instead making the decision for the both of them to raise their son in separate homes because Ian "won't touch her". Ian is just scared of hurting her physically and instead of trying to coax him or teach him about her disease, she decides to be purely selfish.
Lexi & Ian have little to no communication with each other, than to talk about Patrick, their son.
When Ian finds out that Lexi has been sick and not taking care of herself (of course, why would she share that information with him, god forbid something happen to her), he decides it's time to go balls in.
He proves to Lexi that they are worth a try and that he wants her more than he's ever wanted a woman.
Lexi, of course, is reluctant but decides, hey, why not?
In the end, they all get their way and take the steps to becoming one big happy family...finally.
With the exception of me wanting to throttle Lexi towards the end of the book, I'm loving me some Callaghans.
Next up...the sexy Callaghan with brains...the Doc... Can't wait!!!
March 18, 2021
Nope, just nope.
If you are looking for one of those rare gems of a romance novel wherein the relationship is based on mutual respect and in which the sexist tropes and clichés are at a minimum, you’ll want to move along.
Lexi is your classic perpetual victim whom everyone needs to protect. The author goes out of her way to depict her as flower like, complete with a fragile build, weak constitution, history of abuse and appropriately “feminine” tractability.
Spoilery Bits Below; read at your own risk:
Meet the "novel" that singlehandedly managed to put me off straight romance for good.
When a man and his family get to decide that a grown woman needs to be micromanaged for her own good, there's a serious problem. I can understand nagging, even yelling at a loved one to get his/her shit in order before he/she kills him/herself, most especially if said loved one is a parent of a helpless child. That said, ambushing an adult and forcibly taking over her life because *you* have decided you know what's "best for her" blows right past understandable and necessary and straight into abnormal, and I'm being as generous as I can be about this. I seriously question the legality of what this family does, because nothing like what happens should be decided outside of a court of law. If he felt like Lexi was incompetent, he should have done the paperwork and had her declared as such, though I doubt very seriously that he'd have had a compelling case.
I am not being hyperbolic here; the man ordered her to give up her home and move in with him, put her on a strict diet and schedule, and instructed his family to monitor her behavior and, when necessary, take an active role in enforcing his rules for her life.
If you didn’t approve of Edward Cullen’s damaging Bella Swan’s car or instructing his family to restrict her movements while he was away, this situation with Lexi will send you through the roof. Conversely, if you think control is sexy, you’ll be changing your panties over this one.
And make no mistake, Lexi is not off the hook for allowing this to happen. I honestly question the wisdom of entering into a romantic relationship with a man who will trample your free will if he feels it's what you need. I especially question the wisdom of raising a child in this environment.
She might at least have put up more than a token resistance and called his fucking bluff; remember, no legal documents are in play here.
I suppose he could have sued for full custody, and he would have had her there, but there had to be a better alternative.
No matter his motivation, this was abuse, full stop. This was dead wrong and, need I repeat, possibly illegal.
Honestly, this plot point sent me into a rage I haven’t known since I threw Linda Howard’s Lady of the West ( this winner of a hero rapes the heroine, dares her to call for help from her sisters and, later in the book, slaps his pregnant lover against a wall when she reveals she’s carrying) into the fireplace.
Bottom line, save yourself some time, money, and blood pressure meds and give this one a pass.
I'm sorry, but the alpha male is not and should not be viewed as sexually or emotionally attractive.
Women are women, not little girls, and we should expect more of ourselves and the girls and women we love than what those like Lexie display in this novel.
Allowing other people to put you in the passenger seat of your own life and blindly trusting them to make the grown-up decisions for you speaks louder about you than it does the other person, but I really think that there is something fundamentally wrong with someone who would enter into a long-term relationship with an able-bodied person who requires the kind of control and supervision that toddlers and teens do.
If you're constantly substituting their judgment for your own, how are they of sound mind and ready for a serious romantic relationship?
If you are looking for one of those rare gems of a romance novel wherein the relationship is based on mutual respect and in which the sexist tropes and clichés are at a minimum, you’ll want to move along.
Lexi is your classic perpetual victim whom everyone needs to protect. The author goes out of her way to depict her as flower like, complete with a fragile build, weak constitution, history of abuse and appropriately “feminine” tractability.
Spoilery Bits Below; read at your own risk:
Meet the "novel" that singlehandedly managed to put me off straight romance for good.
When a man and his family get to decide that a grown woman needs to be micromanaged for her own good, there's a serious problem. I can understand nagging, even yelling at a loved one to get his/her shit in order before he/she kills him/herself, most especially if said loved one is a parent of a helpless child. That said, ambushing an adult and forcibly taking over her life because *you* have decided you know what's "best for her" blows right past understandable and necessary and straight into abnormal, and I'm being as generous as I can be about this. I seriously question the legality of what this family does, because nothing like what happens should be decided outside of a court of law. If he felt like Lexi was incompetent, he should have done the paperwork and had her declared as such, though I doubt very seriously that he'd have had a compelling case.
I am not being hyperbolic here; the man ordered her to give up her home and move in with him, put her on a strict diet and schedule, and instructed his family to monitor her behavior and, when necessary, take an active role in enforcing his rules for her life.
If you didn’t approve of Edward Cullen’s damaging Bella Swan’s car or instructing his family to restrict her movements while he was away, this situation with Lexi will send you through the roof. Conversely, if you think control is sexy, you’ll be changing your panties over this one.
And make no mistake, Lexi is not off the hook for allowing this to happen. I honestly question the wisdom of entering into a romantic relationship with a man who will trample your free will if he feels it's what you need. I especially question the wisdom of raising a child in this environment.
She might at least have put up more than a token resistance and called his fucking bluff; remember, no legal documents are in play here.
I suppose he could have sued for full custody, and he would have had her there, but there had to be a better alternative.
No matter his motivation, this was abuse, full stop. This was dead wrong and, need I repeat, possibly illegal.
Honestly, this plot point sent me into a rage I haven’t known since I threw Linda Howard’s Lady of the West ( this winner of a hero rapes the heroine, dares her to call for help from her sisters and, later in the book, slaps his pregnant lover against a wall when she reveals she’s carrying) into the fireplace.
Bottom line, save yourself some time, money, and blood pressure meds and give this one a pass.
I'm sorry, but the alpha male is not and should not be viewed as sexually or emotionally attractive.
Women are women, not little girls, and we should expect more of ourselves and the girls and women we love than what those like Lexie display in this novel.
Allowing other people to put you in the passenger seat of your own life and blindly trusting them to make the grown-up decisions for you speaks louder about you than it does the other person, but I really think that there is something fundamentally wrong with someone who would enter into a long-term relationship with an able-bodied person who requires the kind of control and supervision that toddlers and teens do.
If you're constantly substituting their judgment for your own, how are they of sound mind and ready for a serious romantic relationship?
April 4, 2017
This was a good book but thought there would be more good things to it.
However, this wasn't such a bad book, there were part where it made me smile, but it wasn't a satisfying book... I don't know but recently I haven't been finding any book that is satisfying, but still i gave this one a try. Well i wasn't totally grumpy about this book...
March 1, 2015
DNF at 52% BECAUSE
I enjoyed the first book well enough; it was an enjoyable read and the story was a good mystery. I liked Ian in that book, and I liked Ian in this book, although, again, a lot of angst could be avoided if people would just say things instead of being vague, but then, where's the story? I liked Ian until all of a sudden, he turned into Christian Grey about 45% of the way into the book, becoming possessive to the point of semi-abusiveness, paranoid about any other man in Lexi's life, controlling, and generally a man that I'd run like hell from. One moment he's full of love and imagining Lexi pregnant with their child, unable to imagine his life without her, and the next he's aggressively "claiming" her as his. That was it for me. I also skipped over the section where Lexi reads from the selection by her favorite author. I should have seen where it was headed. I know Ian had a darker side, but that was just too sudden a switch, and not to a pleasant place. Oh well. Everyone else loves it, so I guess I'm in the minority.
I enjoyed the first book well enough; it was an enjoyable read and the story was a good mystery. I liked Ian in that book, and I liked Ian in this book, although, again, a lot of angst could be avoided if people would just say things instead of being vague, but then, where's the story? I liked Ian until all of a sudden, he turned into Christian Grey about 45% of the way into the book, becoming possessive to the point of semi-abusiveness, paranoid about any other man in Lexi's life, controlling, and generally a man that I'd run like hell from. One moment he's full of love and imagining Lexi pregnant with their child, unable to imagine his life without her, and the next he's aggressively "claiming" her as his. That was it for me. I also skipped over the section where Lexi reads from the selection by her favorite author. I should have seen where it was headed. I know Ian had a darker side, but that was just too sudden a switch, and not to a pleasant place. Oh well. Everyone else loves it, so I guess I'm in the minority.
April 18, 2024
I think I'm hooked on this series now :) I enjoyed this one so much more than Dangerous Secrets, even though there was no suspense and both the H and h pulled some really TSTL moves.
One of my pet peeves is the constant push and pull, another is where the H or h marytr's themselves for the greater good. Sadly I got both here which is what knocked off a star for me. I just wish the push and pull had not continued up until past the 90% mark, I didn't think they were ever going get their happy.
The other niggle for me was that after Kayla did the dirty time and time again she got off way too lightly, she should have had her arse kicked good and propper. Vindictive much? Moi? :D
That said, this was a really sweet and at times sad story that kept me hooked from beginning to end.
One of my pet peeves is the constant push and pull, another is where the H or h marytr's themselves for the greater good. Sadly I got both here which is what knocked off a star for me. I just wish the push and pull had not continued up until past the 90% mark, I didn't think they were ever going get their happy.
The other niggle for me was that after Kayla did the dirty time and time again she got off way too lightly, she should have had her arse kicked good and propper. Vindictive much? Moi? :D
That said, this was a really sweet and at times sad story that kept me hooked from beginning to end.
October 8, 2018
I’m absolutely addicted to this series and this author’s writing. I’m already a bit in love with each and every Callaghan brother and each story only makes me want more.
“Something about Lexi called to the primal male in him more than most. Around her he felt more protective, more possessive, more aggressive than usual.”
I do have to admit that this story had way too much push and pull between the Hero and heroine for my taste and it drove me absolutely crazy with both main characters needing to be the martyr for what they considered was the best for the other. But plenty of angst for an angst lover and plenty of drama and twists to keep me enthralled from beginning to end.
“He had a goal now, knew exactly what he wanted. He wanted Lexi. Not for a night. Not for a week. Forever.”
Now on to the next!!
-4 Stars-
“Something about Lexi called to the primal male in him more than most. Around her he felt more protective, more possessive, more aggressive than usual.”
I do have to admit that this story had way too much push and pull between the Hero and heroine for my taste and it drove me absolutely crazy with both main characters needing to be the martyr for what they considered was the best for the other. But plenty of angst for an angst lover and plenty of drama and twists to keep me enthralled from beginning to end.
“He had a goal now, knew exactly what he wanted. He wanted Lexi. Not for a night. Not for a week. Forever.”
Now on to the next!!
-4 Stars-
Read
April 14, 2015Book one was hit and miss, with too many romance killers, but a rather suspenseful plot and an interesting female MC. So, I gave book two a shot. Mistake!
Book two, lacked all the good elements of book one, but retained it's' own hefty misses.
It started off fairly good.
Then... The funeral scene was a no-go for me. His dad was clueless as to the previous night... So using the excuse "my dad asked me to," even though he knew that seeing him w the stepsister was breaking the female MC, immediately turned me off.
Then... The "darker side" was laughable. A stupid inner rambling that's single purpose was to create angst r/to her medical condition. What exactly did he do that was "dark?" Nada.. Fell flat.
Then...The secret she ran off with, well that's true love there, yeah. She wouldn't have stollen those moments from him if she loved him.
Then.. It just becomes annoying and repetitive. The storyline just dragged on for the sake of angst, with nothing of substance happening... Just woe is me until an epiphany that he needs to recover his nuts, act like a man, and get his shit together.
Bottom line: Characters were single minded & opted to brood vs talk; plot was annoying and dragged; and, like book one, the lead characters spent way more time apart than together.
Won't be continuing:/
Book two, lacked all the good elements of book one, but retained it's' own hefty misses.
It started off fairly good.
Then... The funeral scene was a no-go for me. His dad was clueless as to the previous night... So using the excuse "my dad asked me to," even though he knew that seeing him w the stepsister was breaking the female MC, immediately turned me off.
Then... The "darker side" was laughable. A stupid inner rambling that's single purpose was to create angst r/to her medical condition. What exactly did he do that was "dark?" Nada.. Fell flat.
Then...The secret she ran off with, well that's true love there, yeah. She wouldn't have stollen those moments from him if she loved him.
Then.. It just becomes annoying and repetitive. The storyline just dragged on for the sake of angst, with nothing of substance happening... Just woe is me until an epiphany that he needs to recover his nuts, act like a man, and get his shit together.
Bottom line: Characters were single minded & opted to brood vs talk; plot was annoying and dragged; and, like book one, the lead characters spent way more time apart than together.
Won't be continuing:/
April 21, 2015
4.5*s
Really liked this (not as much as the first) & loved the shared history they had. I love the kind of relationship where one has loved the other from afar or from years ago and they get the chance to be with them for real. I thought they were a lovely couple, easy to read and become involved with, I liked the complications that arose throughout the story and the little surprises that came along the way. It would have had five stars but it dropped off a bit towards the end and felt stagnant for a while in which I could quite happily banged their stubborn heads together..... but it all worked out in the end ;)
Really liked this (not as much as the first) & loved the shared history they had. I love the kind of relationship where one has loved the other from afar or from years ago and they get the chance to be with them for real. I thought they were a lovely couple, easy to read and become involved with, I liked the complications that arose throughout the story and the little surprises that came along the way. It would have had five stars but it dropped off a bit towards the end and felt stagnant for a while in which I could quite happily banged their stubborn heads together..... but it all worked out in the end ;)
May 10, 2024
A lot less story than book 1, but I'm still just here for the narrator.
April 4, 2022
I recently read another book from this author, and it wasn't bad, but I did get annoyed with the heroine and the hero and their inability to communicate their feelings.
Knowing that, I went ahead and figured I'd start on this series. The first book in the Callaghan Brothers series didn't sound appealing, so I figured I'd start with this one, work my way through and come back to the first book if I changed my mind later.
After reading this, I've decided that I probably don't like this authors style.
Similar to the other book I read, Protecting Sam, the h and H spend the entire book not talking, or at least not listening, to each other. The entire book was about how there was a disconnect between what one was saying and the other was hearing.
This happens in books, its a major plot line with characters and it always drives me nutty. I find it annoying.
I went into this thinking with Ian being a SEAL that we'd get some action or suspense or something where he has to use his SEAL skills to save the day. This never happens. The entire book is about how Lexi is his croie, or soulmate, and them finally getting their happily ever after.
Initially, Lexi can't, or refuses, to believe that Ian could want or be with someone like her and thus pushing him away, even when he's straight up telling her she's his and he's keeping her. She's intent on running back to Georgia, where she's spent the last decade, as fast as she can to escape having people around her who care about her and want to be in her life. Not to mention Ian, who is head over heels for her (in a matter of days because, true love.. duh).
Then Lexi has a big episode with her disease and leaves anyway, hiding some pretty big news from Ian. Of course, he's just happy to have her back in his life and doesn't bat an eye at the fact that she's
So this is where they finally solve all there stuff and the story moves on, right?
That's a big fat NOPE.
Again Lexi thinks that Ian is rejecting her because he is trying to protect her. I mean, she did almost die the last time they had their fun, so he's rightfully hesitant to engage in any extracurricular activities with her. But she sees it as he doesn't want someone who is weak or sick. So again, Lexi is assuming one thing, doesn't talk to him and we get to read about how they are miserable without each other but neither of them are doing anything to rectify it.
Anyways. Finally, they figure it all out with the help of Ian's family and they live happily ever after.
So, I've decided that this author is probably just not for me. Its good writing and the characters are cool when they aren't annoying tf outta me. I just didn't care much for the story.
Knowing that, I went ahead and figured I'd start on this series. The first book in the Callaghan Brothers series didn't sound appealing, so I figured I'd start with this one, work my way through and come back to the first book if I changed my mind later.
After reading this, I've decided that I probably don't like this authors style.
Similar to the other book I read, Protecting Sam, the h and H spend the entire book not talking, or at least not listening, to each other. The entire book was about how there was a disconnect between what one was saying and the other was hearing.
This happens in books, its a major plot line with characters and it always drives me nutty. I find it annoying.
I went into this thinking with Ian being a SEAL that we'd get some action or suspense or something where he has to use his SEAL skills to save the day. This never happens. The entire book is about how Lexi is his croie, or soulmate, and them finally getting their happily ever after.
Initially, Lexi can't, or refuses, to believe that Ian could want or be with someone like her and thus pushing him away, even when he's straight up telling her she's his and he's keeping her. She's intent on running back to Georgia, where she's spent the last decade, as fast as she can to escape having people around her who care about her and want to be in her life. Not to mention Ian, who is head over heels for her (in a matter of days because, true love.. duh).
Then Lexi has a big episode with her disease and leaves anyway, hiding some pretty big news from Ian. Of course, he's just happy to have her back in his life and doesn't bat an eye at the fact that she's
So this is where they finally solve all there stuff and the story moves on, right?
That's a big fat NOPE.
Again Lexi thinks that Ian is rejecting her because he is trying to protect her. I mean, she did almost die the last time they had their fun, so he's rightfully hesitant to engage in any extracurricular activities with her. But she sees it as he doesn't want someone who is weak or sick. So again, Lexi is assuming one thing, doesn't talk to him and we get to read about how they are miserable without each other but neither of them are doing anything to rectify it.
Anyways. Finally, they figure it all out with the help of Ian's family and they live happily ever after.
So, I've decided that this author is probably just not for me. Its good writing and the characters are cool when they aren't annoying tf outta me. I just didn't care much for the story.
July 19, 2018
3.5 rounded up*
Spoilers
Thankfully i did not give up on this series after the disaster that was book 1. First and Only had some of my favourite tropes, manwhore H and innocent h, unexpected baby 😍 I was in heaven.
Lexi has loved Ian for years, him being male and a dumba$$ appeared clueless, I liked this story and I felt the author pulled it together really well. The situation with Kayla was a bit messy but didnt trigger my smash kindle impulses. The issue of Lexi's health added an interesting and compelling arc that had me afraid to turn the pages. My biggest issues were that I felt Ian let the separations last too long, while I understood his fears were a bit justified I needed him to work just a bit harder for Lexi.and when Ian refused to consider a relationship with her Lexi seemed to stop fighting for her health to the extent that she had to be hospitalized, considering she has a child to live for I found that selfish and immature. She shouldn't have needed Ian to put together a workout plan and set limits on how many hours she could work she needed to gain that control for herself especially as she had been dealing with her illness without him for years and with her son now she needed to fight harder. Finally I didnt get enough closure with Kayla I needed a bit@# slap or something after the s@#t she pulled.....sigh. All in all I really liked this one and will be moving on to the next in the series
Spoilers
Thankfully i did not give up on this series after the disaster that was book 1. First and Only had some of my favourite tropes, manwhore H and innocent h, unexpected baby 😍 I was in heaven.
Lexi has loved Ian for years, him being male and a dumba$$ appeared clueless, I liked this story and I felt the author pulled it together really well. The situation with Kayla was a bit messy but didnt trigger my smash kindle impulses. The issue of Lexi's health added an interesting and compelling arc that had me afraid to turn the pages. My biggest issues were that I felt Ian let the separations last too long, while I understood his fears were a bit justified I needed him to work just a bit harder for Lexi.and when Ian refused to consider a relationship with her Lexi seemed to stop fighting for her health to the extent that she had to be hospitalized, considering she has a child to live for I found that selfish and immature. She shouldn't have needed Ian to put together a workout plan and set limits on how many hours she could work she needed to gain that control for herself especially as she had been dealing with her illness without him for years and with her son now she needed to fight harder. Finally I didnt get enough closure with Kayla I needed a bit@# slap or something after the s@#t she pulled.....sigh. All in all I really liked this one and will be moving on to the next in the series
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 6, 2016
Another Callaghan bites the dust...
This is the second story in the Callaghan Brothers series. Ian has spent his years caring for his family, working hard being a hero and getting laid...a lot. Lexi is a quietly spoken, hard working, strong minded woman who has loved Ian since the first day they met when she was 14 and he was 17.
This story had some very hard things to deal with. Lexi battles health issues that close her off to some things, so when she has the chance she throws herself into living life to the fullest.
Lexi makes some bad decisions which I can understand, but I thought were a bit selfish. Ian also makes some horrible decisions and I spent quite a few chapters thinking - you bloody morons, communicate with each other.
There were a few issues I felt were unresolved and wished had been dealt with, but I am presuming may be taken further in future books.
This book was heartbreaking. There was times that I wanted things to get better, but seemed to get worse. The ending seemed a little rushed. I wanted to see them happy together for longer and think the sad went on for too long.
Love the family and friends dynamics and will definitely be reading more in this series.
This is the second story in the Callaghan Brothers series. Ian has spent his years caring for his family, working hard being a hero and getting laid...a lot. Lexi is a quietly spoken, hard working, strong minded woman who has loved Ian since the first day they met when she was 14 and he was 17.
This story had some very hard things to deal with. Lexi battles health issues that close her off to some things, so when she has the chance she throws herself into living life to the fullest.
Lexi makes some bad decisions which I can understand, but I thought were a bit selfish. Ian also makes some horrible decisions and I spent quite a few chapters thinking - you bloody morons, communicate with each other.
There were a few issues I felt were unresolved and wished had been dealt with, but I am presuming may be taken further in future books.
This book was heartbreaking. There was times that I wanted things to get better, but seemed to get worse. The ending seemed a little rushed. I wanted to see them happy together for longer and think the sad went on for too long.
Love the family and friends dynamics and will definitely be reading more in this series.
April 17, 2016
Completely different from Book 1.
This story was less about the Callaghans as secret ops -- so no dangerous thriller-type plot -- and more about the interpersonal relationship that gets developed between Ian and Lexi, a girl from his hometown who comes back to deal with a family issue. She's always been in love with Ian, but We also learn that Lexi has a serious health issue that very few know about...especially Ian.
While it's a series, I didn't feel like I needed to read book 1 before this one. That being said, I also didn't feel like I was re-reading stuff I already knew.
There are a couple of things that weren't wrapped up: Kayla (so she can just assault Lexi -- for the second time in her life -- and get away with it? She also is portrayed as mentally unstable... what was the reasoning behind not getting this chick help??) and Keiran who mysteriously goes away after a fight with Lexi and they kinda make up via skype? Short shrift for this relationship. Also, Aiden deserves his own spinoff.
This story was less about the Callaghans as secret ops -- so no dangerous thriller-type plot -- and more about the interpersonal relationship that gets developed between Ian and Lexi, a girl from his hometown who comes back to deal with a family issue. She's always been in love with Ian, but We also learn that Lexi has a serious health issue that very few know about...especially Ian.
While it's a series, I didn't feel like I needed to read book 1 before this one. That being said, I also didn't feel like I was re-reading stuff I already knew.
There are a couple of things that weren't wrapped up: Kayla (so she can just assault Lexi -- for the second time in her life -- and get away with it? She also is portrayed as mentally unstable... what was the reasoning behind not getting this chick help??) and Keiran who mysteriously goes away after a fight with Lexi and they kinda make up via skype? Short shrift for this relationship. Also, Aiden deserves his own spinoff.
December 27, 2017
3 1/2 stars
Ian got his story in the second book of the Callaghan Brother series by Abbie Zanders. He was as intense as I expected him to be. While his past choices haunted him throughout, I enjoyed his quick realization for love. When the Callaghan boys fall, they fall hard!
Lexi's back-story was sad yet perfect for First and Only. I enjoyed her friendship with Kieren Callaghan and her relationship with "uncle" Jack - the father of this Irish brood. The secret she kept once she reconnected with Ian was unfortunate and had a huge impact on the story.
While I loved the chemistry between Ian and Lexi and the spicy sexy time, I didn't love their reluctance regarding the relationship. It was a bit too much for me at times. I understand the why behind it, but I didn't always find it effective based on their strong love for the other.
There were many things I did find effective. I enjoyed a scene with an erotic novel and how it came around again in the book. I enjoyed how Lexi fit like a glove into the family. I loved her friend Aidan who has been such an important part of her life. I also found their happily ever after to be refreshing, once they found a way to capture it!
Once again, I loved listening to Aiden Snow narrate the tale. His sexy deep voice fit Ian to perfection!
Note: I received a review copy of this title courtesy of the audiobook publisher, Tantor.
Ian got his story in the second book of the Callaghan Brother series by Abbie Zanders. He was as intense as I expected him to be. While his past choices haunted him throughout, I enjoyed his quick realization for love. When the Callaghan boys fall, they fall hard!
Lexi's back-story was sad yet perfect for First and Only. I enjoyed her friendship with Kieren Callaghan and her relationship with "uncle" Jack - the father of this Irish brood. The secret she kept once she reconnected with Ian was unfortunate and had a huge impact on the story.
While I loved the chemistry between Ian and Lexi and the spicy sexy time, I didn't love their reluctance regarding the relationship. It was a bit too much for me at times. I understand the why behind it, but I didn't always find it effective based on their strong love for the other.
There were many things I did find effective. I enjoyed a scene with an erotic novel and how it came around again in the book. I enjoyed how Lexi fit like a glove into the family. I loved her friend Aidan who has been such an important part of her life. I also found their happily ever after to be refreshing, once they found a way to capture it!
Once again, I loved listening to Aiden Snow narrate the tale. His sexy deep voice fit Ian to perfection!
Note: I received a review copy of this title courtesy of the audiobook publisher, Tantor.
June 19, 2025
This one was great up until the last 2 hours. after all the miscommunications were cleared up and we had a time jump and we declared the love, the fact that the 2 main characters were keeping each other apart for no good reason got a little old. It felt like this last hang up got dragged out for too long. I loved this couple and their chemistry, but the last 2 hours of this book really brought it down for me.
Aiden Snow did a great job with the narration.
Aiden Snow did a great job with the narration.
October 19, 2017
I am enjoying getting to know the brothers and their significant others more with each book I read.
This was Ian and
This was Ian and
October 5, 2019
PinFirst and Only: Callaghan Brothers, Book 2
The love story of Lexi and Ian. Lexi has return to Pine Ridge, Pa for her father's funeral and the first person she met is the man she has been in love with all her life. Can she return to gerbils home and find love? Great story.
The love story of Lexi and Ian. Lexi has return to Pine Ridge, Pa for her father's funeral and the first person she met is the man she has been in love with all her life. Can she return to gerbils home and find love? Great story.
February 12, 2015
4.5 Stars for my favourite Callaghan Brother!
Congratulations Ms. Zanders you have once again delivered a book oozing with alpha hotness, amazing characters and an emotional story. In fact, I think you may actually have outdone yourself this time around.
We all knew from meeting him in the last book that Ian Callaghan was a hot, sexy as sin, player. He was charming, cocky, funny and enjoyed his bed-hopping ways. Returning from a covert mission to attend the funeral of a close family friend, Ian has a chance encounter with a beautiful and mysterious stranger on the bus he is travelling on. From the moment he lays eyes on her he is intrigued and feels drawn to her. Despite his most charming efforts she manages to rebuff all his advances. As the pair prepare to part ways he tries once again by asking the beauty to have dinner with him. This time when she declines his invitation Ian is able to see the hesitation and uncertainty in her eyes. After seeing her safely to her motel Ian reluctantly leaves but quickly devises a plan to see her again very soon. After all, he is a Callaghan and they were raised to go after what they want. And right now, Ian wants nothing more than the beautiful Alexis.
What Ian doesn't realise is that Alexis or Lexi isn't actually a stranger he met on a bus, she used to be friends with his brother Kieran when she was a scrawny, nervous 14 year old and has been totally and utterly in love Ian for the past 10 years. Knowing that she has never thought of another man except Ian and the fact he did not even know who she was stung more than she would like to admit, but Lexi still can't help thinking that turning him away was a mistake. She has wanted Ian Callaghan from the moment she was old enough to understand what that "want" was and the opportunity to be with Ian even if only for one night would fulfil all her fantasies and dreams. So when he arrives on her doorstep unannounced Lexi decides to take the plunge and go with it, even if it will have the potential to break her heart.
After an incredible night of all consuming passion Ian is disappointed when he wakes to find himself in a bed alone. Realising he is late for the funeral he has little time to dwell on it. Arriving late at his fathers best friend, Brian's funeral does not impress his dad one bit and it is with a clipped attitude that Jack informs Ian that Kayla, Brian's step-daughter and Ian's ex hook up is his responsibility and to keep her from making any scenes. If spending time with beautiful but incredibly bitchy Kayla isn't bad enough it becomes absolute torture when he looks across the room and sees the amber eyes he spent the whole night before looking into as they both came apart. It is with shock that all the pieces fall into place and he realises exactly who Lexi is and why she looks so devastated to see Kayla hanging off him. But there is nothing he can do in a room full of people.
There were so many layers to this story which I really loved. I wanted to know about their pasts as well as the present all while hoping for their future. I enjoyed the fact that whilst on the surface it appears to be insta-love it was actually a love that started years ago when a shy teenage girl fell for a boy that didn't even seem to notice her.
There is a lot of drama in the book but whilst it did break my heart at times it never felt too angsty. There was a lovely balance in the drama and angst which kept you completely enthralled in the story.
Lexi was keeping a big secret.... in fact she kept a couple but they only added to the story. I understood her decisions to keep quiet even though my heart broke for her. She was a strong heroine and once again Zander's managed to create a strong, independent heroine with a bit of sass who wasn't stupid or annoying.
There was a lot more to Ian Callaghan then I imagined and I loved getting to know him. He was so sweet, loving and kind whilst still being a total alpha-male. He loved Lexi and would do anything to protect her and keep her safe even if that had to be from him.
There was a lot of pain, heartache, confusion and frustration in this book but it was worth every single minute. The best love stories always take the rockiest roads and these two certainly took a rocky road.
The Callaghan Clan are fast embedding themselves in my heart and I am thoroughly enjoying reading their books. I am so excited to start Michael's book next - House Calls and I have a sneaking suspicion he may just bump Ian off the top of my favourite Callaghan brothers list!
If you haven't read this series or are deliberating as to whether you should or not I highly recommend reading it, the books are fast paced the characters are memorable and the stories are well developed and hold your attention from start to finish.
Congratulations Ms. Zanders you have once again delivered a book oozing with alpha hotness, amazing characters and an emotional story. In fact, I think you may actually have outdone yourself this time around.
We all knew from meeting him in the last book that Ian Callaghan was a hot, sexy as sin, player. He was charming, cocky, funny and enjoyed his bed-hopping ways. Returning from a covert mission to attend the funeral of a close family friend, Ian has a chance encounter with a beautiful and mysterious stranger on the bus he is travelling on. From the moment he lays eyes on her he is intrigued and feels drawn to her. Despite his most charming efforts she manages to rebuff all his advances. As the pair prepare to part ways he tries once again by asking the beauty to have dinner with him. This time when she declines his invitation Ian is able to see the hesitation and uncertainty in her eyes. After seeing her safely to her motel Ian reluctantly leaves but quickly devises a plan to see her again very soon. After all, he is a Callaghan and they were raised to go after what they want. And right now, Ian wants nothing more than the beautiful Alexis.
What Ian doesn't realise is that Alexis or Lexi isn't actually a stranger he met on a bus, she used to be friends with his brother Kieran when she was a scrawny, nervous 14 year old and has been totally and utterly in love Ian for the past 10 years. Knowing that she has never thought of another man except Ian and the fact he did not even know who she was stung more than she would like to admit, but Lexi still can't help thinking that turning him away was a mistake. She has wanted Ian Callaghan from the moment she was old enough to understand what that "want" was and the opportunity to be with Ian even if only for one night would fulfil all her fantasies and dreams. So when he arrives on her doorstep unannounced Lexi decides to take the plunge and go with it, even if it will have the potential to break her heart.
After an incredible night of all consuming passion Ian is disappointed when he wakes to find himself in a bed alone. Realising he is late for the funeral he has little time to dwell on it. Arriving late at his fathers best friend, Brian's funeral does not impress his dad one bit and it is with a clipped attitude that Jack informs Ian that Kayla, Brian's step-daughter and Ian's ex hook up is his responsibility and to keep her from making any scenes. If spending time with beautiful but incredibly bitchy Kayla isn't bad enough it becomes absolute torture when he looks across the room and sees the amber eyes he spent the whole night before looking into as they both came apart. It is with shock that all the pieces fall into place and he realises exactly who Lexi is and why she looks so devastated to see Kayla hanging off him. But there is nothing he can do in a room full of people.
There were so many layers to this story which I really loved. I wanted to know about their pasts as well as the present all while hoping for their future. I enjoyed the fact that whilst on the surface it appears to be insta-love it was actually a love that started years ago when a shy teenage girl fell for a boy that didn't even seem to notice her.
There is a lot of drama in the book but whilst it did break my heart at times it never felt too angsty. There was a lovely balance in the drama and angst which kept you completely enthralled in the story.
Lexi was keeping a big secret.... in fact she kept a couple but they only added to the story. I understood her decisions to keep quiet even though my heart broke for her. She was a strong heroine and once again Zander's managed to create a strong, independent heroine with a bit of sass who wasn't stupid or annoying.
There was a lot more to Ian Callaghan then I imagined and I loved getting to know him. He was so sweet, loving and kind whilst still being a total alpha-male. He loved Lexi and would do anything to protect her and keep her safe even if that had to be from him.
There was a lot of pain, heartache, confusion and frustration in this book but it was worth every single minute. The best love stories always take the rockiest roads and these two certainly took a rocky road.
The Callaghan Clan are fast embedding themselves in my heart and I am thoroughly enjoying reading their books. I am so excited to start Michael's book next - House Calls and I have a sneaking suspicion he may just bump Ian off the top of my favourite Callaghan brothers list!
If you haven't read this series or are deliberating as to whether you should or not I highly recommend reading it, the books are fast paced the characters are memorable and the stories are well developed and hold your attention from start to finish.
May 4, 2020
Not my favorite
I wanted to like Ian and Lexie so badly, but there were some elements of their story that didn't grab me. First was their meet cute on the bus---he had a reason to be there, his plane was rerouted and it was easier to grab a bus than wait around. But hers didn't make sense, given her condition and circumstances, why would she choose 2 days on a bus? Maybe if both of their planes were diverted and they found themselves on the same bus I would have bought it. And then the last chapters just made me sad. Supposedly they both professed their love, but neither of them would speak up with the truth of what they wanted, what they needed, what they feared, and so it stretched on for months needlessly. She was a grown woman who was handled like a child.
I wanted to like Ian and Lexie so badly, but there were some elements of their story that didn't grab me. First was their meet cute on the bus---he had a reason to be there, his plane was rerouted and it was easier to grab a bus than wait around. But hers didn't make sense, given her condition and circumstances, why would she choose 2 days on a bus? Maybe if both of their planes were diverted and they found themselves on the same bus I would have bought it. And then the last chapters just made me sad. Supposedly they both professed their love, but neither of them would speak up with the truth of what they wanted, what they needed, what they feared, and so it stretched on for months needlessly. She was a grown woman who was handled like a child.
March 14, 2015
FOUR 'I'M READY TO COME HOME' STARS!
This is the second book in the Callaghan Brothers series by Abbie Zanders. Ms. Zanders delivered another well written, interesting and steamy story for the second installment in this great new series. I've come to really appreciate this authors writing style. It's wrought with emotion, rich with details and and fantastic in it's execution. She has given her readers an interesting storyline, characters you can't help but root for and a steamy, lovely, sometimes angsty romance with this story. This particular story in the series hits one of my personal favorite story lines - unrequited love.
Alexis Kattapoulos, formerly known as Lexi O'Connell, is no stranger to Pine Ridge or to Ian Callaghan. Despite his not recognizing her during the "first" meeting, Lexi has known - and been in love with - him nearly her entire life. After her mother's death, her father remarried a woman with a daughter, and so began the story of Lexi's Cinderella youth. After a particularly troublesome incident as a teenager, she quietly fled Pine Ridge with the help of her father and, his friend, Callaghan patriarch, Jack, leaving behind her best friend and staunchest protector, Kieran Callaghan, and her crush, Ian.
A chance meeting, on a bus back to Pine Ridge, reunites Lexi and Ian, only Ian doesn't recognize her. Ian, being the charming, mischievious guy he is, pursues her even when she turns down his invitation to dinner. He shows up at her hotel room with dinner anyway, and Lexi, unable to deny herself this once in a lifetime opportunity, allows herself to be seduced by Ian. Ian is changed by this encounter with Lexi, and he begins to pursue her. But Lexi has a life now; she's a renowned chef in Georgia and her life is there. And Lexi has a secret. Ian is relentless and he convinces Lexi to extend her stay and spend the weekend with him.
The more time they spend together, the more Ian is convinced that Lexi is his "one," his croie - Irish for heart, soulmate. The Callaghan boys have always been told that once a Callaghan man finds his heart, it will belong to her and her alone forever. They, of course, didn't believe it, that is until Jake found his. Now, Ian is a believer, too, and it's trying desperately to convince Lexi. After an incident at the county fair with her evil and insanely jealous step-sister, Kayla, leaves Lexi confused, heartbroken, injured and hospitalized, she returns to Georgia. Ian, only now learning of her secret, blames himself for part of her hurt. Unwilling to let her go, Ian's attempts to reach her go unanswered, and Lexi is now harboring another even bigger secret from Ian. Her best friend and boss, Aiden, finally intervenes and Lexi is surprised by find Ian at her apartment. Ian makes it clear to her that he wants her, but he's treating her with kid gloves now, frustrating Lexi and breaking her heart.
Will Ian get through to Lexi? Will her forgive her for keeping this major secret from him? Can he overcome the fear that he harbors related to her condition?
This was a well-written and developed story rich with a passionate, steamy romance and some angst to overcome making their coming together hard earned and well deserved. I've really come to adore this author and her writing style, and I am eager for more of this series.
This is the second book in the Callaghan Brothers series by Abbie Zanders. Ms. Zanders delivered another well written, interesting and steamy story for the second installment in this great new series. I've come to really appreciate this authors writing style. It's wrought with emotion, rich with details and and fantastic in it's execution. She has given her readers an interesting storyline, characters you can't help but root for and a steamy, lovely, sometimes angsty romance with this story. This particular story in the series hits one of my personal favorite story lines - unrequited love.
Alexis Kattapoulos, formerly known as Lexi O'Connell, is no stranger to Pine Ridge or to Ian Callaghan. Despite his not recognizing her during the "first" meeting, Lexi has known - and been in love with - him nearly her entire life. After her mother's death, her father remarried a woman with a daughter, and so began the story of Lexi's Cinderella youth. After a particularly troublesome incident as a teenager, she quietly fled Pine Ridge with the help of her father and, his friend, Callaghan patriarch, Jack, leaving behind her best friend and staunchest protector, Kieran Callaghan, and her crush, Ian.
A chance meeting, on a bus back to Pine Ridge, reunites Lexi and Ian, only Ian doesn't recognize her. Ian, being the charming, mischievious guy he is, pursues her even when she turns down his invitation to dinner. He shows up at her hotel room with dinner anyway, and Lexi, unable to deny herself this once in a lifetime opportunity, allows herself to be seduced by Ian. Ian is changed by this encounter with Lexi, and he begins to pursue her. But Lexi has a life now; she's a renowned chef in Georgia and her life is there. And Lexi has a secret. Ian is relentless and he convinces Lexi to extend her stay and spend the weekend with him.
The more time they spend together, the more Ian is convinced that Lexi is his "one," his croie - Irish for heart, soulmate. The Callaghan boys have always been told that once a Callaghan man finds his heart, it will belong to her and her alone forever. They, of course, didn't believe it, that is until Jake found his. Now, Ian is a believer, too, and it's trying desperately to convince Lexi. After an incident at the county fair with her evil and insanely jealous step-sister, Kayla, leaves Lexi confused, heartbroken, injured and hospitalized, she returns to Georgia. Ian, only now learning of her secret, blames himself for part of her hurt. Unwilling to let her go, Ian's attempts to reach her go unanswered, and Lexi is now harboring another even bigger secret from Ian. Her best friend and boss, Aiden, finally intervenes and Lexi is surprised by find Ian at her apartment. Ian makes it clear to her that he wants her, but he's treating her with kid gloves now, frustrating Lexi and breaking her heart.
Will Ian get through to Lexi? Will her forgive her for keeping this major secret from him? Can he overcome the fear that he harbors related to her condition?
This was a well-written and developed story rich with a passionate, steamy romance and some angst to overcome making their coming together hard earned and well deserved. I've really come to adore this author and her writing style, and I am eager for more of this series.
October 31, 2023
Listened to the Audiobook.
The narrator Aiden Snow is AWESOME!!!
I actually chose to listen to this series only because of him.
I think I would've been less tolerate with the MC:s if it wasn't for the great narration.
A Z is pretty good in telling a story, but a lot of this one did not sitt well with me.
The H fucks the h stepsister in book one and noth the H in book one and the H in this on has had threesomes with her regularly during several years.
The stepsister severly hurts the h in this book plus lies about being pregnant with the H's child wich makes the h run and go into hiding for ten months.
With no consequences. No standing up for your woman, nothing.
The stepsister is a bitch that nobody likes. But that didn't stop the two brothers from hiring her or fucking her. And we are just supposed to accept it without any redemption.
The h runs away from the problems at fourteen. She even comments about how young she was and that was why she just ran away instead of facing it. She makes it seem like she has matured during the ten years that has passed.
And then she does the same thing again!!
I was not impressed by the lack of communication between the H and h.
But at the same time they were only 27 and 24 and it was the first serious relationship for both of them.
He was a manwhore and she was a virgin.
And then she has the H's child and she doesn't tell him. Her best friend has to go get him and let him know.
And know the H is the idiot.
He has been looking for her all this time and lost all reason to live.
They tell each other that they are in love, he instantly connects with his son and then he starts to push her away in order to keep her safe.
Instead of just talking to her!!!
And so the story goes...
They claim the other is the love of their life but if it wasn't for the friends/family child that forced them to connect again they wouldn't have.
Grow up!!!!!
The only redeaming thing about the pushing away shit was that both stayed celibat when they were seperated.
The narrator Aiden Snow is AWESOME!!!
I actually chose to listen to this series only because of him.
I think I would've been less tolerate with the MC:s if it wasn't for the great narration.
A Z is pretty good in telling a story, but a lot of this one did not sitt well with me.
The H fucks the h stepsister in book one and noth the H in book one and the H in this on has had threesomes with her regularly during several years.
The stepsister severly hurts the h in this book plus lies about being pregnant with the H's child wich makes the h run and go into hiding for ten months.
With no consequences. No standing up for your woman, nothing.
The stepsister is a bitch that nobody likes. But that didn't stop the two brothers from hiring her or fucking her. And we are just supposed to accept it without any redemption.
The h runs away from the problems at fourteen. She even comments about how young she was and that was why she just ran away instead of facing it. She makes it seem like she has matured during the ten years that has passed.
And then she does the same thing again!!
I was not impressed by the lack of communication between the H and h.
But at the same time they were only 27 and 24 and it was the first serious relationship for both of them.
He was a manwhore and she was a virgin.
And then she has the H's child and she doesn't tell him. Her best friend has to go get him and let him know.
And know the H is the idiot.
He has been looking for her all this time and lost all reason to live.
They tell each other that they are in love, he instantly connects with his son and then he starts to push her away in order to keep her safe.
Instead of just talking to her!!!
And so the story goes...
They claim the other is the love of their life but if it wasn't for the friends/family child that forced them to connect again they wouldn't have.
Grow up!!!!!
The only redeaming thing about the pushing away shit was that both stayed celibat when they were seperated.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 7, 2022
I enjoyed the first book, and was looking forward to reading Ian's book.
I didn't expect Ian to be quite so clueless about Lexi, considering EVERYONE else knew how she felt. There were hints regarding Ian's tendency toward certain proclivities, so that was no surprise. I also wished there had been some type of retribution regarding the step sister's behavior.
I did expect more mystery, suspense, and danger than was provided. I didn't expect someone who let people walk over her and was so desperate to be with someone she was willing to endanger her life.
The surprise was kind of a surprise, but not really. Then Lexi's attitude after that wasn't very understanding considering the circumstances. Ian felt responsible for a situation he was kept completely in the dark about. Then Lexi wanted to be upset because it took him time to come to terms with things.
I also didn't like the way Kiernan treated his brother. Ian had no knowledge of either of the secrets Lexi was keeping. Where was the sibling loyalty? Where was giving Ian the benefit of the doubt? Where was insisting your BFF be honest with your BROTHER? I was disappointed.
The book was ok, but it seemed like Ian was turned into a different person than who he was in book 1.
I can say that I did enjoy Aiden Snow doing the narration. That didn't change.
I didn't expect Ian to be quite so clueless about Lexi, considering EVERYONE else knew how she felt. There were hints regarding Ian's tendency toward certain proclivities, so that was no surprise. I also wished there had been some type of retribution regarding the step sister's behavior.
I did expect more mystery, suspense, and danger than was provided. I didn't expect someone who let people walk over her and was so desperate to be with someone she was willing to endanger her life.
The surprise was kind of a surprise, but not really. Then Lexi's attitude after that wasn't very understanding considering the circumstances. Ian felt responsible for a situation he was kept completely in the dark about. Then Lexi wanted to be upset because it took him time to come to terms with things.
I also didn't like the way Kiernan treated his brother. Ian had no knowledge of either of the secrets Lexi was keeping. Where was the sibling loyalty? Where was giving Ian the benefit of the doubt? Where was insisting your BFF be honest with your BROTHER? I was disappointed.
The book was ok, but it seemed like Ian was turned into a different person than who he was in book 1.
I can say that I did enjoy Aiden Snow doing the narration. That didn't change.
April 12, 2015
Better than the first
I think I liked this one better than the first book of the series. I really enjoy it when an author can give a different feel from one book to the next--the first one was a suspense, and this one had more to do with another life-threatening issue. What made me like it more was I felt more attention was placed on the actual couple, (making the romance more pronounced) and secondary characters stayed in the background. I did enjoy the H and h, and I liked them as a couple. There were some instances where I did not agree with the way either of them behaved, but it did not really deter from my enjoyment. I enjoy this author writing style. Intimate scenes were spicy and well done. The story for the most part had a good flow, but I did feel the ending was a little abrupt. The time line seemed to jump quickly, and I wished some parts would have been addressed in more detail. Also, there seemed to be a lot of build-up, and then it was just over. I will definitely keep reading the others in this series.
I think I liked this one better than the first book of the series. I really enjoy it when an author can give a different feel from one book to the next--the first one was a suspense, and this one had more to do with another life-threatening issue. What made me like it more was I felt more attention was placed on the actual couple, (making the romance more pronounced) and secondary characters stayed in the background. I did enjoy the H and h, and I liked them as a couple. There were some instances where I did not agree with the way either of them behaved, but it did not really deter from my enjoyment. I enjoy this author writing style. Intimate scenes were spicy and well done. The story for the most part had a good flow, but I did feel the ending was a little abrupt. The time line seemed to jump quickly, and I wished some parts would have been addressed in more detail. Also, there seemed to be a lot of build-up, and then it was just over. I will definitely keep reading the others in this series.
January 23, 2020
SPOILERS
Not a fan of this story either...much better than the first...girl loves boy all her life...boy clueless...girl leaves due to rare blood disease...come back for dad's funeral...boy sees girl for first time...they fall in love...girl gets sick and leaves boy..now she has baby without boy knowing...this pusses me off more than any troupe out there...girls best friend tells bay about his 2 month old son...boy swoops in all is forgiven...girl still throw tantrums and keeps lies from a doting father to her son...boy works hard to make girl happy again even though it should be the other way around...the lack of communication was really annoying...the deserve to be unhappy if you can't use your voice..pathetic ...they both deserved the pain each put themselves through over the time period they weren't together...it was just annoying to read...I skimmed over almost everything except the dialogue after page 307...same old BS. This gives it and automatic 2 star deduction from me when this happens
Not a fan of this story either...much better than the first...girl loves boy all her life...boy clueless...girl leaves due to rare blood disease...come back for dad's funeral...boy sees girl for first time...they fall in love...girl gets sick and leaves boy..now she has baby without boy knowing...this pusses me off more than any troupe out there...girls best friend tells bay about his 2 month old son...boy swoops in all is forgiven...girl still throw tantrums and keeps lies from a doting father to her son...boy works hard to make girl happy again even though it should be the other way around...the lack of communication was really annoying...the deserve to be unhappy if you can't use your voice..pathetic ...they both deserved the pain each put themselves through over the time period they weren't together...it was just annoying to read...I skimmed over almost everything except the dialogue after page 307...same old BS. This gives it and automatic 2 star deduction from me when this happens
April 14, 2018
One Night Isn’t Enough
Ian Callaghan can’t believe that Lexie can just walk away from him when he knows that she is his soul mate. Lexi has been in love with Ian for years however she knows she cannot be with him for more than just one night of passion. Ian doesn’t have any idea that the secrets Lexie holds can kill her. The relationship between Ian and Lexi had a lot of bumps and there were many things they had to overcome. My heart went out to both of them, though at times I felt like shaking some sense into Ian! Lol! I really enjoyed this story and Aiden Snow’s narration always adds to that enjoyment.
Ian Callaghan can’t believe that Lexie can just walk away from him when he knows that she is his soul mate. Lexi has been in love with Ian for years however she knows she cannot be with him for more than just one night of passion. Ian doesn’t have any idea that the secrets Lexie holds can kill her. The relationship between Ian and Lexi had a lot of bumps and there were many things they had to overcome. My heart went out to both of them, though at times I felt like shaking some sense into Ian! Lol! I really enjoyed this story and Aiden Snow’s narration always adds to that enjoyment.
July 13, 2025
Steamy!
Misspelled or misused words: 1. vice / vise; 2. too / to; 3. snuck / sneaked; 4. straight forward / straightforward; 5. thought / though; 6. family's / family; 7. chord / cord; 8. followed / to follow; 9. impulsive / impulse; 10. looked / look; 11. hemophelia / hemophilia; 12. Lexi's / Lexi'd (or Lexi had); 13. stationary / stationery; 14. breached / broached, breach / broach; 15. bore / bored.
Missing from text: A, WAS. Added to text: THE.
Misspelled or misused words: 1. vice / vise; 2. too / to; 3. snuck / sneaked; 4. straight forward / straightforward; 5. thought / though; 6. family's / family; 7. chord / cord; 8. followed / to follow; 9. impulsive / impulse; 10. looked / look; 11. hemophelia / hemophilia; 12. Lexi's / Lexi'd (or Lexi had); 13. stationary / stationery; 14. breached / broached, breach / broach; 15. bore / bored.
Missing from text: A, WAS. Added to text: THE.
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