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Lost and Found #4.2
Loving Lilly
Diego Ortiz has too many demons to fight to even consider taking on a relationship. But when socialite and former model Lilly Carmichael needs his help, he’s right there to lend her a hand. Proximity forces him to acknowledge that he needs to be with her and when they finally give in, it’s a revelation to them both.
Lilly Carmichael sees the real man Diego is, though he tries to discourage her. Angry and secluded he tries to shove her away but she hopes that if she’s persistent enough, he’ll bend.
As she’s dragged into a situation she has to fight against, he’s right there supporting her, being the man that she had hoped for.
Lilly Carmichael sees the real man Diego is, though he tries to discourage her. Angry and secluded he tries to shove her away but she hopes that if she’s persistent enough, he’ll bend.
As she’s dragged into a situation she has to fight against, he’s right there supporting her, being the man that she had hoped for.
256 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 23, 2015
36 people are currently reading
339 people want to read
About the author
J.M. Madden
70 books930 followersNY Times and USA Today Bestselling author J.M. Madden writes compelling romances between 'combat modified' military men and the women who love them. J.M. Madden loves any and all good love stories, most particularly her own. She has two beautiful children and a husband who always keeps her on her toes.
J.M. was a Deputy Sheriff in Ohio for nine years, until hubby moved the clan to Kentucky. When not chasing the family around, she's at the computer, reading and writing, perfecting her craft. She occasionally takes breaks to feed her animal horde and is trying to control her office-supply addiction, but both tasks are uphill battles. Happily, she is writing full-time and always has several projects in the works. She also dearly loves to hear from readers! So, drop her a line. She'll respond.
J.M. was a Deputy Sheriff in Ohio for nine years, until hubby moved the clan to Kentucky. When not chasing the family around, she's at the computer, reading and writing, perfecting her craft. She occasionally takes breaks to feed her animal horde and is trying to control her office-supply addiction, but both tasks are uphill battles. Happily, she is writing full-time and always has several projects in the works. She also dearly loves to hear from readers! So, drop her a line. She'll respond.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
June 24, 2015
3.5-4 stars. I love this whole series!!! Diego and Lilly were so wonderful together. Wish the story had been longer. I'm greedy that way.
More stories please!!
More stories please!!
June 26, 2015
This book concentrates on the Vail branch of Lost and Found which Grif from a previous books is in charge of trying to get off the ground. Diego Ortiz has relocated to work with Grif. His past in the marines and the injuries he has sustained has made him not be good in large group situations and doesn’t really like to socialize in any form. It doesn’t thrill him that most of the jobs they are getting so far is babysitting the rich.
Lilly Carmichael is a former model and good friends with Kendall who is Grif’s wife. She met Diego in the past when he was in the hospital recovering. He’s not the friendliest person and usually ends up pushing Lilly away. When they both end up at a black tie event and Diego saves Lilly from being roofied, Lilly decides she going make her move and its not long before Diego cant dent his feelings for her.
These novelettes in the series aren’t as emotionally powerful as the full books – at least I don’t think so. Maybe there just isn’t the time to delve as deep into issues as the others. Grif and Kendall’s book was my least favorite of the series and that hit me as I was reading this one and not feeling the deep emotional feelings that I do it the other books that maybe its because its not at the main LNF offices with the guys that started the series . They just have a different feel. I defiantly liked Diego (who doesn’t love a tall dark and brooding hero) and Lilly was the perfect woman to pull him out of his head.
Lilly Carmichael is a former model and good friends with Kendall who is Grif’s wife. She met Diego in the past when he was in the hospital recovering. He’s not the friendliest person and usually ends up pushing Lilly away. When they both end up at a black tie event and Diego saves Lilly from being roofied, Lilly decides she going make her move and its not long before Diego cant dent his feelings for her.
These novelettes in the series aren’t as emotionally powerful as the full books – at least I don’t think so. Maybe there just isn’t the time to delve as deep into issues as the others. Grif and Kendall’s book was my least favorite of the series and that hit me as I was reading this one and not feeling the deep emotional feelings that I do it the other books that maybe its because its not at the main LNF offices with the guys that started the series . They just have a different feel. I defiantly liked Diego (who doesn’t love a tall dark and brooding hero) and Lilly was the perfect woman to pull him out of his head.
June 25, 2015
I will say that this one was predictable from the start, but I didn't care. I knew that Diego was going to have issues and run from Lilly, so when it happened again and again I didn't care. I liked that Lilly pursued him in her own way and when he pulled away she let him know she was unhappy.
The drama with Lilly's store was again predictable, but I loved that Diego was there to support Lilly and later when she wanted to fight. I agreed with Lilly that the outcome was too easy on the bad guy, she'll just have to take solace with her hunky pirate!
The drama with Lilly's store was again predictable, but I loved that Diego was there to support Lilly and later when she wanted to fight. I agreed with Lilly that the outcome was too easy on the bad guy, she'll just have to take solace with her hunky pirate!
June 28, 2015
I have enjoyed the books in this series but I'm getting frustrated that we're now getting Novellas about side characters. What has happened to Duncan's story from the original Embattled Hearts books? The Novella's are OK but the stories need to be longer to really get a feel of them.
I was disappointed in this story. It was rushed. Diego and Lilly have a lot of sex but they don't seem to have much dialogue. As usual the hero has a few insecurities about his disability and whether he is good enough for the heroine. The heroine's are becoming 'too perfect'. I like an alpha male but Diego wasn't one. There was something lacking in this story. The books are becoming too 'samey'. I would have preferred not to have the 'Ray' storyline but more of the romance between Diego and Lilly.
I was disappointed in this story. It was rushed. Diego and Lilly have a lot of sex but they don't seem to have much dialogue. As usual the hero has a few insecurities about his disability and whether he is good enough for the heroine. The heroine's are becoming 'too perfect'. I like an alpha male but Diego wasn't one. There was something lacking in this story. The books are becoming too 'samey'. I would have preferred not to have the 'Ray' storyline but more of the romance between Diego and Lilly.
June 25, 2015
I was so excited to read the next book in the LNF series! I've fallen in love with all of these guys and it's so great to read a story where all the characters are easy to love. The relationships are realistic and don't feel rushed. The sex is hot. And you can't help but root for everyone in the book, even secondary characters. I'm glad this was the book to get me out of my reading funk! Recommend this one for sure!
October 31, 2015
Sometimes a guy, even a military guy, can't get out of his own way. He never saw it coming with the socialite Lilly. She wanted him. She was going to get him. And nothing was going to get in her way..... except himself. Breaking free of the "stigma" of she's too good for me proves a bit hard for Diego. Putting his anger aside and making his life worth living takes some time, but in the end.....the snow will melt.
December 26, 2017
Really liked Lilly and Diego! I thought Diego played her a bit with the back and forth, but Lilly is no doormat and I appreciated her patience. They were hot together.
June 29, 2015
Loving Lilly and Diego
I absolutely loved Lilly and Diego's story and it's a perfect addition to the List and Found Series that J.M. Madden writes. Lilly is a former model who is planning to open her own dress and design store in Vail, Colorado . She and Diego have been dancing around an attraction since being introduced by Grid and Kendall. However, at the Chamber ball , an acquaintance of her father's tries to drug her drink and Diego catches him before Lilly takes a sip. The rest of the story centers on the incident, starting up the new branch of LNF and the various ladies that hire Diego as companion/chauffeur. The ending is very shocking but the entire story is a taboo subject that needs recognition as no girl or adult should ever have to be faced with molestation/rape by a man, regardless of the rank in high society.
I hope there will be many more addition to Ms. Madden's LNF series of combat modified military heroes, I'll be first in line to buy it each time.
I absolutely loved Lilly and Diego's story and it's a perfect addition to the List and Found Series that J.M. Madden writes. Lilly is a former model who is planning to open her own dress and design store in Vail, Colorado . She and Diego have been dancing around an attraction since being introduced by Grid and Kendall. However, at the Chamber ball , an acquaintance of her father's tries to drug her drink and Diego catches him before Lilly takes a sip. The rest of the story centers on the incident, starting up the new branch of LNF and the various ladies that hire Diego as companion/chauffeur. The ending is very shocking but the entire story is a taboo subject that needs recognition as no girl or adult should ever have to be faced with molestation/rape by a man, regardless of the rank in high society.
I hope there will be many more addition to Ms. Madden's LNF series of combat modified military heroes, I'll be first in line to buy it each time.
June 28, 2015
I just love this series! The characters are so honest and real that it's hard not to like them. I was a little confused in this one because I felt like I didn't know some of the characters that started the new business in Vail and then I realized that I've missed 2 novellas and that's where Kendall was introduced. Oops! I need to go back and check those out!
I really liked the story in this one and though they are becoming a little predictable (I think in almost all the guy pulls away a bit and insists on not having a relationship) I didn't really mind because it's so well written.
Lilly was really strong and I can't believe all that she went through. Diego was just amazing and I wanted to wrap him in a giant hug throughout the book. Oh and I wanted to punch his mom! All the stories about her -- ugh!
Now I have to go back and find the ones I missed!
I really liked the story in this one and though they are becoming a little predictable (I think in almost all the guy pulls away a bit and insists on not having a relationship) I didn't really mind because it's so well written.
Lilly was really strong and I can't believe all that she went through. Diego was just amazing and I wanted to wrap him in a giant hug throughout the book. Oh and I wanted to punch his mom! All the stories about her -- ugh!
Now I have to go back and find the ones I missed!
June 2, 2016
4 stars
I had some reservations about this story, as I wasn't a fan of Grif and Kendall's story. However, I was pleasantly surprised. I liked Lilly immensely. She had a cool head, was down to earth, friendly, and had a big heart. I liked Diego as well, even though he had his issues. Yes he left a time or two, but I appreciate that Lilly kept her head and didn't become a sobbing mess.
With that being said, the Ray storyline was a downer, and was a bit much for a novella. My other issue was there was just too damn much sex. I love sex, and I understand its importance, but seriously, we don't need the play by play by play of every single encounter. You start to wonder if they do anything other than have sex, like talk? Sometimes less is more. All-in-all, a satisfactory addition to the series, although I'm missing the LNF boys at home.
I had some reservations about this story, as I wasn't a fan of Grif and Kendall's story. However, I was pleasantly surprised. I liked Lilly immensely. She had a cool head, was down to earth, friendly, and had a big heart. I liked Diego as well, even though he had his issues. Yes he left a time or two, but I appreciate that Lilly kept her head and didn't become a sobbing mess.
With that being said, the Ray storyline was a downer, and was a bit much for a novella. My other issue was there was just too damn much sex. I love sex, and I understand its importance, but seriously, we don't need the play by play by play of every single encounter. You start to wonder if they do anything other than have sex, like talk? Sometimes less is more. All-in-all, a satisfactory addition to the series, although I'm missing the LNF boys at home.
January 8, 2016
3.5 Stars. I enjoyed this, but it's not going to go down as one of my favorite reads in this series. It was too short to fully develop the story; and I never could quite buy Diego and Lilly as a couple. He kept pushing her away and running from a relationship, then all the sudden they were together. The story took a interesting turn towards the end when the LNF agency was investigating the old pervert; then the story just suddenly wrapped up in a neat little bow and ended. It just felt incomplete.
Thanks to Christina for the loan...
Thanks to Christina for the loan...
June 23, 2015
Another amazing book.
This is the story of Diego and Lilly. I wish I could give it more then five stars.
You will see Diego deal with his past, Lily deal with her new life there is hot romance scenes. You will also see Grif and his wife Kendall and you will see Zeke etc. This book hooks you from the beginning. Get it today.
This is the story of Diego and Lilly. I wish I could give it more then five stars.
You will see Diego deal with his past, Lily deal with her new life there is hot romance scenes. You will also see Grif and his wife Kendall and you will see Zeke etc. This book hooks you from the beginning. Get it today.
June 23, 2015
I adore this series. With each book I'm still amazed by how JM really tells an amazing story of how veterans adjust to life after war. She does an outstanding job of giving us an amazing story while making us understand these struggles are real and veterans deal with them daily. This is one of those series you can read again & again and fall in love each time
June 27, 2015
Loved everything about this book!
December 6, 2018
Diego Ortiz gets a chance at love after becoming a hero in Vail while he was protecting Kendall Herrington Parks. He was badly injured and was in the hospital for month. One day Lilly Carmichael visits him in the hospital and takes him outside for an hour. When she leaves Diego is extremely grateful for her kindness.
Months later they meet again at a Gala in which an old family friend from the past tries to drug her. Diego is there to protect her.
As the story unfolds we see that these two characters are very opposite in the way that they were raised. Diego has PTSD and doesn't go well in crowds and Lilly is an extrovert. Diego has demons to fight and he doesn't think he is right for Lilly. Lilly knows what she wants but she is reluctant after his words hurt her. They find their way to a relationship that Diego didn't know he needed.
Diego is a great character, he is human and has flaws and demons. Lilly is an ex-model turned designer and business woman who hasn't always grown up with roses. She has some demons of her own and when they get past their insecurities, mostly his, we see two people who love each other. Lilly sees him for who he really is, not the scars of his childhood or the eyepatch from his military service. She sees a man worthy of love. She saves him and much as he saves her.
Months later they meet again at a Gala in which an old family friend from the past tries to drug her. Diego is there to protect her.
As the story unfolds we see that these two characters are very opposite in the way that they were raised. Diego has PTSD and doesn't go well in crowds and Lilly is an extrovert. Diego has demons to fight and he doesn't think he is right for Lilly. Lilly knows what she wants but she is reluctant after his words hurt her. They find their way to a relationship that Diego didn't know he needed.
Diego is a great character, he is human and has flaws and demons. Lilly is an ex-model turned designer and business woman who hasn't always grown up with roses. She has some demons of her own and when they get past their insecurities, mostly his, we see two people who love each other. Lilly sees him for who he really is, not the scars of his childhood or the eyepatch from his military service. She sees a man worthy of love. She saves him and much as he saves her.
May 24, 2017
Loving Lilly by J.M. Madden is an amazing read. Once I picked this book up, I couldn't put it down. Ms Madden has delivered another fabulous, well-written book. Her characters are fantastic and a perfect fit for the story. Diego and Lilly's story is loaded with drama, suspense, humor and sizzle. I totally enjoyed reading Loving Lilly and can't wait for my next book by the talented J.M. Madden. Loving Lilly is book 4.5 in the Lost And Found Series but can be read as a standalone. This is one of the best series I've ever read though so I suggest you read them all. Loving Lilly is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.
I purchased a copy of this book at a book signing.
I purchased a copy of this book at a book signing.
September 5, 2017
More like Loving Diego!
JM has a fabulous way of writing! You really feel that shes looking in the window of someone's life and just writing as they go along. I love that her stories aren't just mush. Not everyone comes from a happy background, not everyone has it easy. We all have our demons to battle and what makes us strong is that battle to move forward and realize that we cant always do it alone. We shouldn't have to. Maybe there's hope for true love after all?!
JM has a fabulous way of writing! You really feel that shes looking in the window of someone's life and just writing as they go along. I love that her stories aren't just mush. Not everyone comes from a happy background, not everyone has it easy. We all have our demons to battle and what makes us strong is that battle to move forward and realize that we cant always do it alone. We shouldn't have to. Maybe there's hope for true love after all?!
October 26, 2017
I have to say that I didn't care for this as much as the others in the series. To be honest, the majority of the book was taken up with Lily & Diego being "physical". There was a story line that could have been the focus, but instead I found myself skimming page after page that didn't advance that plot line.
Note: Downside (to me)-As with all the books in this series, there *are* explicit scenes. I skipped them especially in this story & there wasn't a whole lot left of the story.
Note: Downside (to me)-As with all the books in this series, there *are* explicit scenes. I skipped them especially in this story & there wasn't a whole lot left of the story.
February 23, 2020
If ever there were two opposites it would be Lilly and Diego. She grew up wealthy. She's a successful business owner. She's stunningly beautiful. He grew up on the streets. He works as a security guard. He's battle scarred. Yet the attraction between these two funs hot and deep. Try as he might to resist her, Diego is drawn to Lilly like a moth to a flame.
September 13, 2017
Diego Ortiz was born and raised in the U.S. Went to school in the U.S., but because his mother is from Mexico, Lilly is wondering where his accent was.
School called, they said come back and learn a few things.
School called, they said come back and learn a few things.
January 31, 2021
Lilly and Diego
Loved this! Everybody is lovable, and Lilly proves it to Diego. Some drama here, but gets resolved thanks to Diego's perseverance. Opposites aren't always so opposite and the heat was scorching. Those ladies Diego has to "guard" were a hoot!
Loved this! Everybody is lovable, and Lilly proves it to Diego. Some drama here, but gets resolved thanks to Diego's perseverance. Opposites aren't always so opposite and the heat was scorching. Those ladies Diego has to "guard" were a hoot!
September 26, 2023
Diego and Lilly
This story made my heart pound. Part of the time out of hatred for the way Lilly had been treated and the other time for the hot romance trying to flame for her and Diego. This was a wonderful tale.
This story made my heart pound. Part of the time out of hatred for the way Lilly had been treated and the other time for the hot romance trying to flame for her and Diego. This was a wonderful tale.
April 30, 2024
Great easy reading!
Madden has a way of drawing you into easy story making it easy to stay involved with each page written. The story lines are each different but keeping the reader interested. This reader will continue to follow Madden or that reason.
Madden has a way of drawing you into easy story making it easy to stay involved with each page written. The story lines are each different but keeping the reader interested. This reader will continue to follow Madden or that reason.
May 23, 2017
Good read
January 3, 2019
Wow!
I want my own Diego! This book blew me away! But then most of JM Madden's books do. Her stories about combat modified vets are heartwarming and relatable. I love them!
I want my own Diego! This book blew me away! But then most of JM Madden's books do. Her stories about combat modified vets are heartwarming and relatable. I love them!
February 9, 2019
Read in epub format on my Nook.
June 4, 2019
Sweet stiry
It was a good time and a sweet story. I thought it relied too much from other books. I wish the characters had more depth and interaction with the rest of the LNF team.
It was a good time and a sweet story. I thought it relied too much from other books. I wish the characters had more depth and interaction with the rest of the LNF team.
March 19, 2017
I liked the leading lady Lilly, but Diego was not particularly well-drawn and the whole book felt rushed and not well thought out. The story was predictable and quite cliched and this felt like a story that was written to hold a place whilst waiting for a better story down the line. I was disappointed with it as I know the author can do better than this. I can't really recommend this one to read and even if you are reading the whole series as I am I think you could give this one a miss. It wasn't worth £2.49 either when there are so many really good books around for less.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews