Hollywood is a cutthroat town. Nobody knows that better than the Landis brothers. It's time for them to step out of their parents' shadow. IT'S TIME FOR THEM TO BECOME LEGENDS. Garrett Landis is Hollywood's golden boy. If he wants to make a movie, it gets made. If he wants a woman, he only has to snap his fingers. The moment he meets Jade Marlow he knows she's different. She's the first woman to get under his skin. The first woman he can't have. Jade Marlow is desperate to leave behind her tragic past. Her ex-husband wants her dead. Her father is her worst enemy. Jade wants Garrett, but she refuses to drag him into her mess of a life. The attraction is undeniable. What happens when your head tells you to stay away, but your heart won't listen? Sex is easy. Falling in love? It's the hardest thing they will ever do. But it could turn out to be the best thing that ever happened to them.
I love books, I always have and always will. Writing is an extension of that and though it has taken me a while to get here, I now can officially call myself a published author. I grew up on a ranch in Eastern Washington, so I wanted to set my books on the Columbia River in Washington state. Harper Falls is completely fictitious, but I think anyone from the area will know right where it would be if it did exist. My hobbies are gardening, reading, baking(fattening desserts are my favorite), exercise(I don't love it, but it is necessary due to the desserts), and animals. I had a dog but when he died I couldn't bring myself to replace him. That is why I wrote Edgar, the dog into "If I Loved You", I consider him my surrogate puppy until I can get a real one. I love to get feedback on my books so I hope everyone will feel free to leave a question or visit my website(it is a work in progress, but I'm getting there). My Facebook page is up and running, please stop by for a look and a like. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mary-J.... I'm also on twitter https://twitter.com/maryjwilliams05
This is my first book by Mary J Williams. I was blown away with the storyline. I started the book in the morning and tried to wrap Christmas presents in between chapters. Trust me it doesn't work. What should have taken a couple of hours of wrapping took 7 hours. I couldn't begin to put the book down. The characters Garrett and Jade melted my heart in so many ways. Garrett with his passion of love for Jade, his patience and determination. Jade is determined to overcome and grow a backbone to stand up for herself. Jade has suffered through so much in her life and short marriage. You will follow Jade and Garrett through their journey of coming together. If ever you need a book to read, please choose Mary J. Williams. You will loose yourself in the book. Thank you Mary. You are now one of my favourites.
Abandoned by her own mom. Verbally abused by her dad. Physically assaulted by her husband. Jade Marlow is that. Broken. Scarred. Scandalized. Pitied. Frowned upon. The list of negatives go on. If only they knew what she really was inside.
Born into the sights and sounds of Hollywood. Living the lifestyle of the rich and famous. Loved by celebrity parents. Adored by his rambunctious brothers. A respected movie director. Life is good for Garrett Landis. Until he saw Jade Marlow. Again.
He offered his helping hand. She needed a shoulder to lean on. Darkness became their companion. But the scars of the past still get in between their present, thus the future is nowhere to be seen.
This is my first Mary J. Williams book and I'm glad this won't definitely be the last. Williams held my attention with all that angst, hidden feelings, strong willed characters. And that steamy romance. The kind of steamy with class. The author's writing is hypnotic, I easily fell under her spell. I don't know why I took my time reading this. I'd like to blame my work schedule for not allowing me to finish this book right away.
I'm looking forward to reading more of the Landis brothers' story and more of Mary J Williams Hollywood legends and cowboy heroes. I bet they're all gonna be my new book boyfriends.
I really enjoyed this book. As with Mary's other books, the characters are strong, sensitive and smart. The story is well developed and well edited which makes it even more enjoyable to read. I love the relationship between Garret and Jade. I highly recommend this book and I'm looking forward to reading other books by Ms. Williams. Definitely an author to follow!
The Goodreads group Read It & Reap provided a copy of the ePub in exchange for an honest review.
Garrett Landis is the son of Hollywood royalty. He is surrounded by a supportive family filled with unconditional love. His pure spirit immediately draws the reader into his world.
Jade Marlow is the only child of a wealthy controlling father. Behind closed gates and doors her world is filled with pain. She has been verbally and emotionally abused by her father and physically abused by her ex-husband. Her scars are deep and heartbreaking. She is unable to trust and has never experienced true joy and love. Her strength of character drives this read.
Dreaming with a Broken Heart moves seamlessly between Jade and Garrett’s first encounter and the events that shape Jade’s troubled past. The chemistry between them is immediate and charged with genuine passion. This well-written contemporary romance is a page-turner. The twists and turns move this quick read. Jade and Garrett share their feelings via their voice and actions. The secondary characters add depth and insight as well.
Mary J. Williams’ is a talented storyteller. Looking forward to the next book in the Hollywood Legends series.
I received an ARC copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. As a Hollywood story being told this is a series to follow along on. I laughed and cried to get through this book but was pulled in from the start. As every family in America suffers some kind of pain in their lifes it still hurts to follow along in this story of just how you never know what goes on behind closed doors. I loved the Landis family and yes they have their way of always making sure to cover each others back if there is a problem. Family values helped Jade Marlow realize how much her life has changed once she can see how they all work together to be happy. A stand alone read but you cannot wait to get the next book to find out how that turns out.
Blurb: Hollywood is a cutthroat town. Nobody knows that better than the Landis brothers. It's time for them to step out of their parents' shadow. IT'S TIME FOR THEM TO BECOME LEGENDS. Garrett Landis is Hollywood's golden boy. If he wants to make a movie, it gets made. If he wants a woman, he only has to snap his fingers. The moment he meets Jade Marlow he knows she's different. She's the first woman to get under his skin. The first woman he can't have. Jade Marlow is desperate to leave behind her tragic past. Her ex-husband wants her dead. Her father is her worst enemy. Jade wants Garrett, but she refuses to drag him into her mess of a life. The attraction is undeniable. What happens when your head tells you to stay away, but your heart won't listen? Sex is easy. Falling in love? It's the hardest thing they will ever do. But it could turn out to be the best thing that ever happened to them.
This is the 1st in a new series, and is Garrett and Jade’s story. Garrett is a renowned movie director, who is used to getting any woman he wants. Jade is broken by her heartbreaking past, and I loved the way in which Garrett cared for her and was so patient. This is a well written story which is filled with angst, drama, emotion, suspense, and is a raw, gritty, humorous, steamy and powerful story. I was hooked and intrigued throughout, and look forward to reading more from this author.
This book is very sad and intense during the first half. If you're ok with it, please continue to read the book.
This book is provide by Shut Up& Read group.
Oh my~~~ I just completed the book. I felt very upset while reading the first half. I'm thinking to myself, thank god I don't have such a father figure in my life. Or should I say I did not know anyone like that in my life. Jade's life is so sad that have me thinking is there anyway I can go inside the book to slap, kick and kill her father multiple times?? Nah.. It's a story only. So I can't.
Jade's life is being verbal abused by her father, abandoned by her mother and physically abused by her ex husband. When things couldn't get any worse, someone reach out to her. Garrett. They once cross each other path but fate had its way and they did not see each other again after Jade married to that asshole. When Garrett heard about Jade's dilemma in how she escape death after being beaten by her ex, he decide that he's going to check on her and help her if he can. So, from there......... We have our sad, but thank god HEA love story begins.
The characters are well liked. Jade is very weak. BUT, after knowing what she went through.. I don't think anyone can say she's weak. She went through hell and came back as someone stronger. Garrett is tough but have a soft spot for Jade. Oh did I forget to mention how not to love the Landis family??? They're so lovable that somewhere in my heart, I hope I'll able to cross path with such nice family.
People to kill= Jade's father and ex husband.
The story is nice to read but you must be able to endure the sadness during the first half of the book. I did weep while reading.
Dreaming with a Broken Heart by Mary J. Williams is book one in the Hollywood Legends Series that I listened to on audio narrated by Janice B. Moss.
The Hollywood Legends series contains five standalone, Landis family novels. Plus, a bonus Christmas Harper Falls Novella.
This is the first book of Mary’s that I have read and it definitely won’t be my last. I cannot wait to look into the next books in the series. However, books two thru six are not released on audible at this time.
Janice did a great job with the narration. She used a slightly different tone for Garrett and Jade to distinguish between the characters. I did listen to the audiobook at 1.5 – 2.0 speed otherwise it seemed way to slow. I look forward to listening to more of Janice’s projects in the future.
I was given an ARC in exchange of an honest review.
What a nice story. Well written and engaging. The relationship between Garrett and Jade evolved smoothly even with all the troubles caused by Jade´s father and her ex-husband. I loved how she overcame her fears and weakness. I think the detail about Garrett´s eyes was really endearing. (His eyes are grey, but they become purple when he´s thinking about his love for Jade). I fell in love with all the Landis, they´re perfect and I certainly hope each one of them will have his own book. Even Callie and Caleb.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
New author and I enjoyed the writing. I liked the couple Jade & Garrett. Garrett is an alpha, but he was sweet and amazing. He helped Jade healed from the verbal abuse she suffered from her horrible father and physical abuse from her nasty ex husband. He was very caring and patient with her. I liked Garrett's family. A Hollywood family, they all worked in all areas of show business. The Landis family, mother and father and the 4 sons who loved each other and always showed it. The mother, Callie who is in her 50+ and the father Caleb, who was 60, were always very affectionate and flirty with each other. Funny and very nice! I look forward to reading more from Ms. Williams.
I really liked this story and I loved Garrett as a hero. He was strong and caring and everything a great romance novel hero should be. Jade has been through a lot in her sheltered life, more than most people should or will ever have to. Very relatable characters easy to understand. This book was a slow starter, midway it picked up much better and overall I am happy to have read it, will read the next one! :)
I really enjoyed this story. I loved Garrett from the beginning and feel that Jade really grew into her own person. The narration was very well done. my only real complaint was that the author felt like they had to keep explaining that certain things happened like that because it was Hollywood. I didn't feel the additional explanation was necessary. Overall, I look forward to the next in the series!
Good read. Hollywood power couple have four sons and all are in the movie business. You want people to know who you are not who your parents are. "Treat everyone with respect, from the lowliest crew member to the head of the studio. The most important thing? In this business, trust no one — except brothers." Where does romance fall in this situation?
Wow I was gripped from the start on this story. It was a amazing book to read. I love the family dynamic is with the Landis family, and I fell in love with Garrett with how caring and loving he is to Jade and he wont let her forget. I cannot wait for more books about the other Landis brothers. I thoroughly recommend this book. I voluntarily read and reviewed a advanced copy arc.
New to me author and one I will be interested in reading more from in the future. This was a sweet twisted story about a woman who has seen horrors no one should have to face and has the scars to prove she survived. Definitely an inspirational story for those struggling to soar under the weight of being controlled.
I loved reading about Jade and Garrett! I'm a sucker for a good romance, and this had everything. I love the extra little touches of details that the author included and can't wait to read more of the Landis clan.
this book did start out kinda boring. only got interesting towards the middle. he is a golden boy. something he wants he gets. only she comes along and he cant have her, but that wont stop him . no one will stand in his way.
This book was sent to me from Netgalley. This is the first book in a new series by this author and I really did like reading it. This is the story of Jade and Garrett and how their love affair started and ended. It is a bittersweet love story that shows how strong a person can actually be when they set their mind to it. Even though they run the same social circles, they had limited interactions with each other due to the reputation Jade had as the Ice Queen. Jade is a socialite while Garrett is a movie director who comes from Hollywood Royalty. When Garrett strikes up a conversation with Jade at a social event, he discovers she is not the person she appears to be. He leaves to go direct a movie and while he is gone, an event occurs that sends their relationship into different directions. After a tragedy occurs, their relationship is sent into another direction again. Jade has suffered silently for years the abuse from her father, never knowing what love really means. Garrett comes from a family who does not hold back showing love and can't comprehend why some parents would ever treat their kids they way Anson has treated Jade. Garrett reaches out to try to show Jade what love is supposed to be while Jade keeps pushing Garrett away because she doesn't know how to react to real love. Even though there were times when Jade spent too much time in her head, I liked how she is a strong character who takes her life into her hands and turns it around. When I read some of the things that Jade had to go through, even though the book is fiction, it is sad to know that there are actual relationships like hers that occurs everyday. Garrett, and unknowingly his family, show Jade what healthy, loving relationships are supposed to look like. I am looking forward to reading the other books in this series to see how love affects Garrett's other brothers.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
Jade had been abandoned and abused by everyone that was supposed to love and protect her. Until Garrett. But Garrett's struggling to convince her she is worthy of his love and that she can change her life.
From the get go, I loved this author's writing style. The story flowed organically through the thoughts of the characters and their interactions, rather than just a dictation of what was happening. It was written with some time hopping which I enjoy because it allows a slow build with mystery. The author draws out the story over time without boring you or making you feel cheated. I absolutely loved Garrett and his family, especially the brothers. I liked the unconditional love of Garrett's family and the parents passion for each other after so many years (although it was a bit overkill at times).
I love plots that involve abused or broken down people overcoming their trauma. Unfortunately I had a hard time connecting with Jade. She was just so entrenched in her need to hold onto her pain and shame even though she clearly had love and support from Garrett (who is a saint) and his family. Plus she had the financial means. About the 45% mark I got frustrated because it felt like an endless loop of Jade's co-dependent self defeating thoughts on repeat. But other than that I really liked the story despite not clicking with Jane. Sometimes a character just rubs you the wrong way and it detracts from an otherwise great book. But I thought the author wrote feelings, love and intimacy very well. And she's a great story builder. I look forward to reading more books by Mary. I have a feeling if I had liked Jade better it would have been a 4.5 or 5 star.
I love the film/rock star trope so was really looking forward to this. I found the start slow though, and for most of the first third at least just didn’t feel the chemistry between Garret and Jade. Her story is sad, scary, and heart-breaking and I really felt for her, but for her to have this connection to Garret who she’d met once, three years before took a leap a bit too far for me. I’m all for getting those together who need to be, I love romance and I can happily stretch belief but I needed a bit more here.
Then it moves forward and things heat up. We learn more about Jade and what she's been through, the terrible things she's lived over the past three years, how alone she really is.We see more too about Garret and his family – and they’re a great mix, and I’m sure the subject of future books. Once my mind felt they were truly absorbed in each other the story flowed seamlessly for me. I really enjoyed how the different parts worked in together, meeting the other characters, seeing a glimpse into how their lives interacted with Garret and Jade.
When the end came, the finale, and everything came to a head I was expecting a little more oomph, more bang, more drama, but it all wrapped up neatly and left me happy at how things had gone. Its more a case of my expectations and wants than the book, I do like my dramatics and edge of seat feelings about whether things are going to work out well.
Stars: Four. An enjoyable story and I look forward to seeing the other brothers stories.
Garrett is from a family, involved in the film industry. He is a successful director who works hard and plays hard. He doesn't have time to settle down because of his busy schedule which takes him to distant filming locations. He is very close to his brothers and parents. They are all down to earth despite their fame and fortune.
Jade is from a wealthy family but unlike Garrett, her life is not her own. On the surface, she appears to have everything, anyone could wish for but the truth is quite a different story. Her father watches each and every step she takes and as far as he is concerned she can't do anything right. Not very conducive to one's confidence and self esteem!
Jade and Garrett have a brief encounter where they both feel comfortable with each other but Jade's father has different ideas. She is forced into a relationship where she is subjected to mental and physical abuse. News travel fast and Garrett would do anything to help her at this stage but they can never be more than friends or have an open relationship. The chemistry between them is sizzling but can Garrett convince Jade to leave the past behind? Not an easy feat!
I admire the Landis family for their love and loyalty for each other. This novel has a nice flow and despite all the pain and heartache, it's full of fun and laughter too. Fully recommend to 18+ readers.
I received this ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.