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That Callen Boy
Three brother's with targets on their backs move into the auto shop across the road from Darby Donegans diner and immediately turn her life upside down.
Being from a wealthy background, Darby could never be sure if guys were interested in her or her money so she rarely let anyone get close.
But Reid Callen, although cocky, moody and arrogant, has worked his way into Darby's mind and set up camp there.
Reid Callen has developed a severe dislike for rich people like Darby Donegan, but still finds himself drawn to her in ways he'd never imagined....
.....but the Callen's haunted past and dangerous present means that letting Darby in would put her life at risk at the hands of the people that had torn their family apart....
Being from a wealthy background, Darby could never be sure if guys were interested in her or her money so she rarely let anyone get close.
But Reid Callen, although cocky, moody and arrogant, has worked his way into Darby's mind and set up camp there.
Reid Callen has developed a severe dislike for rich people like Darby Donegan, but still finds himself drawn to her in ways he'd never imagined....
.....but the Callen's haunted past and dangerous present means that letting Darby in would put her life at risk at the hands of the people that had torn their family apart....
276 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 24, 2015
6 people are currently reading
121 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
July 1, 2015
Take Notes On How To Intro Your Book Studs
Take note romance authors because this author hooked me on the male characters out of the gate...
I am seriously so very tired of being introduced to a male lead with something like "he is so hot" *insert giggle* and then a breakdown of the angle of his jaw, how sparks fly off him like he's Edward Cullen, and how shivery he makes all the chicks *insert legs being clinched.* That shit doesn't make me feel the hotness, okay?!? Make me see it! Make me feel it! Make me want one of my very own!
Want to know how to make a girl see, feel, & want it?...
Take a NY socialite and have her say:
^ *insert brief physical description, female MCs eyes popping, & gay guys with drop jaws* *Repeat steps one through three for three Adonis mechanic bros* And, close up the hotness description with having the gay guys say:
Yeah, now I believe these are some seriously hot guys! And, I want one of my own. Hell, maybe I'll just take all three.. Whoop, whoop!
Technical & Grammar Could Use Editor
Writing style is great, with an easy flow to the story and dialogue. Sentences are crisp and provide the needed & the entertaining details but leave out all the unnecessary fluff. Author is a really good story teller and does great work with easy flowing, realistic dialogue.
Technical writing, that is from a grammatical standpoint, could use some work. And, there are quite a few typos that need editing, such as:
Nice Little Story With Satisfying Conclusion
The back and forth romance gets frustrating, but in an understandable way given the looming secondary plot points that posed a real physical danger for those involved with the brothers.
Female MC is feisty, but down to earth and kind hearted. She's believable and relatable.
The family love within the dynamics of the brothers was palpable. They were cute, frustrating, and all turned out to be very loveable guys that had a shitty hand in life.
The romantic plot points all wrapped up nicely. I do, however, wish that the author would've included an apology to Dee for the cruel things that were said to her after one of the brothers was beaten. The end just kinda swept the scene under the rug, and while his behavior & words may have been forgivable given the circumstances, it still needed addressing & merited an expressed apology.
The 'danger' plot points were resolved a little too quickly and easily. It was okay... Just needed more detail and maybe a little action. This is supposed to be the climax and it felt more like part of the epilogue :/ Basically, it needs a little umph to it.
Overall
It had a little humor; a little shock value; a lot of angsty, albeit justified, romance; & well-developed characters that were wrapped in a really easy to love writing style (errors aside.)
I have no problem recommending this book to romance readers... Just so long as he/she isn't expecting a complex or highly suspenseful secondary danger and action plot because this one will not really meet those expectations.
Take note romance authors because this author hooked me on the male characters out of the gate...
I am seriously so very tired of being introduced to a male lead with something like "he is so hot" *insert giggle* and then a breakdown of the angle of his jaw, how sparks fly off him like he's Edward Cullen, and how shivery he makes all the chicks *insert legs being clinched.* That shit doesn't make me feel the hotness, okay?!? Make me see it! Make me feel it! Make me want one of my very own!
Want to know how to make a girl see, feel, & want it?...
Take a NY socialite and have her say:
"You guys, the lunch-time rush is gonna start any minute and if.......holy fucking mother of shit!"
^ *insert brief physical description, female MCs eyes popping, & gay guys with drop jaws* *Repeat steps one through three for three Adonis mechanic bros* And, close up the hotness description with having the gay guys say:
"Suddenly I feel like there's problems with my car." "Our car doesn't have any problems. But I'm sure we could make some."
Yeah, now I believe these are some seriously hot guys! And, I want one of my own. Hell, maybe I'll just take all three.. Whoop, whoop!
Technical & Grammar Could Use Editor
Writing style is great, with an easy flow to the story and dialogue. Sentences are crisp and provide the needed & the entertaining details but leave out all the unnecessary fluff. Author is a really good story teller and does great work with easy flowing, realistic dialogue.
Technical writing, that is from a grammatical standpoint, could use some work. And, there are quite a few typos that need editing, such as:
"She had a bit of sass about her which on times, you needed working as a waitress" & "... only to be disturbed my Dex calling me from across the street."
Nice Little Story With Satisfying Conclusion
The back and forth romance gets frustrating, but in an understandable way given the looming secondary plot points that posed a real physical danger for those involved with the brothers.
Female MC is feisty, but down to earth and kind hearted. She's believable and relatable.
The family love within the dynamics of the brothers was palpable. They were cute, frustrating, and all turned out to be very loveable guys that had a shitty hand in life.
The romantic plot points all wrapped up nicely. I do, however, wish that the author would've included an apology to Dee for the cruel things that were said to her after one of the brothers was beaten. The end just kinda swept the scene under the rug, and while his behavior & words may have been forgivable given the circumstances, it still needed addressing & merited an expressed apology.
The 'danger' plot points were resolved a little too quickly and easily. It was okay... Just needed more detail and maybe a little action. This is supposed to be the climax and it felt more like part of the epilogue :/ Basically, it needs a little umph to it.
Overall
It had a little humor; a little shock value; a lot of angsty, albeit justified, romance; & well-developed characters that were wrapped in a really easy to love writing style (errors aside.)
I have no problem recommending this book to romance readers... Just so long as he/she isn't expecting a complex or highly suspenseful secondary danger and action plot because this one will not really meet those expectations.
August 1, 2015
FIVE AMAZEBALLS STARS!!
I loved this,
Hot guys alert!
Really good plot and likeable characters and a second book to follow? My Saturday evening just got better
I loved this,
Hot guys alert!
Really good plot and likeable characters and a second book to follow? My Saturday evening just got better
May 21, 2015
Really good book.
I like the authors writing style and instantly fell in love with this little family. The humour is great and had quite a few laugh out loud moments. I'd love to know more about the other brothers, is there another Callen brothers book?
I like the authors writing style and instantly fell in love with this little family. The humour is great and had quite a few laugh out loud moments. I'd love to know more about the other brothers, is there another Callen brothers book?
March 19, 2017
I absolutely loved this!
Hot guys...check
Good story...check
Humour...check
Intensity...check
Very well written with a few twists you don't see coming. I'm so glad there is a follow up because I'm craving more Callens
Hot guys...check
Good story...check
Humour...check
Intensity...check
Very well written with a few twists you don't see coming. I'm so glad there is a follow up because I'm craving more Callens
July 7, 2015
Well now ladies....
Meet the Callens....hot mechanics with a fierce protectiveness over their own.
The authors great descriptive talent had me salivating over these boys instantly and felt hooked immediately.
I think the storyline was great and not one that I've read about before so that was a big winner for me.
After reading over the reviews I'd have to say that I agree with almost all them accept for maybe one or two where the spelling and gramma were described as "awful" I think this was a bit harsh a word to use because there are books out there that are barely understandable and I'd consider them awful, this was most certainly not awful.
Yes there were typo's etc but you could never say you had to re-read bits to understand them.
I also agree with a recent review saying that this writer should be found by a publisher because damn I've not seen such talent from a new and inexperienced author in a long time.
So the basic rundown:
Great story with humour, intensity and insta-love for the main characters. A book that truly saddened me when it was finished but I'm soooo glad there's a second part.
Meet the Callens....hot mechanics with a fierce protectiveness over their own.
The authors great descriptive talent had me salivating over these boys instantly and felt hooked immediately.
I think the storyline was great and not one that I've read about before so that was a big winner for me.
After reading over the reviews I'd have to say that I agree with almost all them accept for maybe one or two where the spelling and gramma were described as "awful" I think this was a bit harsh a word to use because there are books out there that are barely understandable and I'd consider them awful, this was most certainly not awful.
Yes there were typo's etc but you could never say you had to re-read bits to understand them.
I also agree with a recent review saying that this writer should be found by a publisher because damn I've not seen such talent from a new and inexperienced author in a long time.
So the basic rundown:
Great story with humour, intensity and insta-love for the main characters. A book that truly saddened me when it was finished but I'm soooo glad there's a second part.
March 26, 2015
A good story with a bit of everything in it. Seriousness, humour, heartache and of course 3 hunky overall wearing mechanics. Good enough for me
April 20, 2015
*** 4.5 STARS ***
July 18, 2015
Woooooo! Couldn't put this down!
What a great story and conclusion.
Will be reading the second part ASAP!
What a great story and conclusion.
Will be reading the second part ASAP!
July 4, 2015
Five "where can I get me a Callen" stars!!! *****
First of all, I can't tell you how many books I've read where the male(s) are really really hot but it takes overs a quarter of the book before you get to any kind of descriptions of them.
Right off the bat we were introduced to three, very well described hot tattooed guys who quite frankly, made me want to crawl right into my kindle and lick each and every one of them!
The authors descriptive writing is brilliant and seems to come naturally.
The female lead I loved instantly. A girl who comes from money talking and acting like someone who hasn't got a penny to their name.
As the story progressed, I realised that I wasn't going to get the lovey Dovey, cookie cutter boy meets girl story that I was expecting but an actual storyline with depth and had me on the edge of my seat at times.
The humour was brilliant and I loved how Darby and Reid bitched at each other, without it being too much.
Sure there were a few typos here n there but I've read some books with disastrous spelling, etc and they were very very well known authors too so it doesn't bother me because it didn't ruin the book for me.
I do hope this author continues to write more books as I'll definitely be watching out for her work in the future.
Now excuse me while I devour the second part of the Callens....
First of all, I can't tell you how many books I've read where the male(s) are really really hot but it takes overs a quarter of the book before you get to any kind of descriptions of them.
Right off the bat we were introduced to three, very well described hot tattooed guys who quite frankly, made me want to crawl right into my kindle and lick each and every one of them!
The authors descriptive writing is brilliant and seems to come naturally.
The female lead I loved instantly. A girl who comes from money talking and acting like someone who hasn't got a penny to their name.
As the story progressed, I realised that I wasn't going to get the lovey Dovey, cookie cutter boy meets girl story that I was expecting but an actual storyline with depth and had me on the edge of my seat at times.
The humour was brilliant and I loved how Darby and Reid bitched at each other, without it being too much.
Sure there were a few typos here n there but I've read some books with disastrous spelling, etc and they were very very well known authors too so it doesn't bother me because it didn't ruin the book for me.
I do hope this author continues to write more books as I'll definitely be watching out for her work in the future.
Now excuse me while I devour the second part of the Callens....
February 18, 2017
Wow! What a book!
I really didn't want this to end. I was hooked very early in with a great storyline that had me laughing out loud a lot. I loved how the characters were with each other and straight off the bat the author had painted a very clear picture of how close the brothers were and she just makes you fall in love with each and every one of them.
Usually I always find something about the female to moan about but this one was perfect for me.
The story begins to get serious then and I found myself hanging off every word I read as it all unfolds beautifully. I think this was very well written with a few little errors here and there which doesn't affect my rating one bit.
It's the kind of book that once finished you genuinely miss the characters and will be left with a severe book break up.
Glad to see there is a follow on book and I'll be diving straight into that now.
I really didn't want this to end. I was hooked very early in with a great storyline that had me laughing out loud a lot. I loved how the characters were with each other and straight off the bat the author had painted a very clear picture of how close the brothers were and she just makes you fall in love with each and every one of them.
Usually I always find something about the female to moan about but this one was perfect for me.
The story begins to get serious then and I found myself hanging off every word I read as it all unfolds beautifully. I think this was very well written with a few little errors here and there which doesn't affect my rating one bit.
It's the kind of book that once finished you genuinely miss the characters and will be left with a severe book break up.
Glad to see there is a follow on book and I'll be diving straight into that now.
July 1, 2017
It's not very often that I find a book that I can't find a single fault on but I certainly got one with this book. By faults I mean ticking all of my boxes not spelling and grammar etc etc btw.
This author has a knack for writing great characters and drawing you in right from the get go and I particularly loved how the three brothers interacted with each other, typical brotherly banter with so many laughs I lost count.
When the storyline turns serious you find yourself gripped and unable to put the book down and the emotional scenes were written brilliantly.
Laughter, angst, tears, anger. All these bases were touched and by the end I was left wanting more. So glad there is a second book because I'm not quite ready to say goodbye to the Callens
This author has a knack for writing great characters and drawing you in right from the get go and I particularly loved how the three brothers interacted with each other, typical brotherly banter with so many laughs I lost count.
When the storyline turns serious you find yourself gripped and unable to put the book down and the emotional scenes were written brilliantly.
Laughter, angst, tears, anger. All these bases were touched and by the end I was left wanting more. So glad there is a second book because I'm not quite ready to say goodbye to the Callens
January 13, 2019
This is my first book by Lucy Edwards and I’m glad that this book was recommended by a friend. The story is sweet and the Callen boys~yes please!
I loved the twist in the book that took it from being a sweet love story into a excellent love story with some mystery.
I would recommend this book. Off to read book 2
I loved the twist in the book that took it from being a sweet love story into a excellent love story with some mystery.
I would recommend this book. Off to read book 2
March 26, 2015
I've got to say, I'm a sucker for a couple who fight like cat and dog, it adds humour to any book and it's worked well here. I wouldn't mind getting me a Callen boy
April 11, 2015
Ohhhhh this was goooood! I literally devoured this in one sitting. I definitely want me a Callen boy!
April 30, 2015
Loved it
This book was a really good read. I could not put it down and it left me wanting more. So I'm really hoping the author will tell more of the other characters stories!!
This book was a really good read. I could not put it down and it left me wanting more. So I'm really hoping the author will tell more of the other characters stories!!
March 8, 2017
Hot brothers alert!
This book was awesome! I loved the relationship between the guys and the running banter between Darby and Reid was hilarious. I will definitely be reading the follow up.
Need me some more Callens
This book was awesome! I loved the relationship between the guys and the running banter between Darby and Reid was hilarious. I will definitely be reading the follow up.
Need me some more Callens
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June 5, 2017
Ok first of all.......dammmmnnnnn!
This author sure knows how to write hot sounding guys.
2nd of all I love how I immediately loved the Callen brothers after on a few pages, they're just that lovely!
I loved how the Reid and Darby butted heads and had tears of laughter at one point.
The story does become quite serious and a lot of family secrets reveal themselves in a way that only makes you love the brothers even more.
I'd highly recommend this to anyone and cannot wait to get started on the second part
This author sure knows how to write hot sounding guys.
2nd of all I love how I immediately loved the Callen brothers after on a few pages, they're just that lovely!
I loved how the Reid and Darby butted heads and had tears of laughter at one point.
The story does become quite serious and a lot of family secrets reveal themselves in a way that only makes you love the brothers even more.
I'd highly recommend this to anyone and cannot wait to get started on the second part
July 25, 2015
I want the Callens! Like ALL of them! Now!
I've read a lot of books about hot brothers but NONE of them compares to how the author has written these guys! I'm actually mortified that they're not real :(
I loved reading this book and I almost felt as if I knew the characters personally.
I really felt for each of the brothers and loved the shocks that the author threw in there every now and then too.
I'm glad there's a follow up because I'm all over it right now
I've read a lot of books about hot brothers but NONE of them compares to how the author has written these guys! I'm actually mortified that they're not real :(
I loved reading this book and I almost felt as if I knew the characters personally.
I really felt for each of the brothers and loved the shocks that the author threw in there every now and then too.
I'm glad there's a follow up because I'm all over it right now
April 13, 2015
Really liked the story. The flow of the story up to around 55% was great, after that, I felt the story blew up and it was rushed from there to the end. It would be good if the story kept that steady flow to the end. I hope this was book one in a series because I'm intrigued to read the other brother's stories. Great book otherwise! Keep up the good work :)
March 26, 2015
Enjoyed this. Nice change of storyline and likeable characters.
June 28, 2015
This was super cute. Will definitely be going straight on to the next part
June 8, 2016
FIVE "HEAD OVER HEELS FOR THE CALLENS'" STARS
I started this book a little while ago and due to other commitments I have t been able to read for a while since. Straight away I picked up where I left off feeling as if I could still envision each characters and still know exactly what was going on.
I think this author has captured the art of knowing how to write not only characters that you instantly grow to love but really make the story work around them and as much as you want to get to the end of the book to see what happens, you never want it to end because you feel as if you're actually part of their world.
There were a few minor editing issues but no disrespect, I haven't read a book in years where there haven't been editing mistakes.
I genuinely felt lost once I'd finished this book until the friend who recommended it told me there was a part two! CANNOT wait to start reading that one and I'd recommend this book to anyone
I started this book a little while ago and due to other commitments I have t been able to read for a while since. Straight away I picked up where I left off feeling as if I could still envision each characters and still know exactly what was going on.
I think this author has captured the art of knowing how to write not only characters that you instantly grow to love but really make the story work around them and as much as you want to get to the end of the book to see what happens, you never want it to end because you feel as if you're actually part of their world.
There were a few minor editing issues but no disrespect, I haven't read a book in years where there haven't been editing mistakes.
I genuinely felt lost once I'd finished this book until the friend who recommended it told me there was a part two! CANNOT wait to start reading that one and I'd recommend this book to anyone
August 1, 2017
Five stars!
A really enjoyable read
A really enjoyable read
February 22, 2019
I ended up not being super impressed with this story. I was unable to connect with it very well. It seemed too choppy for me. I didn’t really care for the characters all that much, either. Darby was just dumb. Getting into the car with this random guy she just met, who kept calling her “my girl”? Talk about creepy. I would have gotten the hell out of there. She deserved the mess she wound up in with decisions like that. More steamy scenes would have helped the rating a bit. One that’s not remotely romantic isn’t enough for me! It needed an editor badly, as well. The multiple grammar and spelling errors per page became really distracting.
August 30, 2015
Really liked the story, but the indie factor brought it down. Alot for grammar mistakes, with missing words. The wrong character name was even used at one point. The more current references, for example comparing all the three Callen brothers to famous blond actors, really turned me off. Matching each brother up with a girl is so YA and fictional in my opinion. It was a nice easy read, with an engaging story. Yes the characters didn't feel very real, but it had some likability. Not sure if I will check out the other book(s) in this series.
April 25, 2015
Good Story...But I Wish There Was More
I was really into the story & characters but I wish it had more after everything turned upward. I'd love to know more about Ryland, read more about Darby & Reid's relationship, etc. My only other down on this book was the editing misses & mistakes. Overall, I was very invested in the story until the very end.
I was really into the story & characters but I wish it had more after everything turned upward. I'd love to know more about Ryland, read more about Darby & Reid's relationship, etc. My only other down on this book was the editing misses & mistakes. Overall, I was very invested in the story until the very end.
August 9, 2015
This is a really good book, it has the potential to become a five star book (in my opinion) if it wasn't so repetitive in some spots. But just like every other girl who read this book, I want myself one of them Callen brothers!
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews