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Lost Boys #3
Mr. Unforgettable
Her marriage was perfect, his was a disaster...An ideal match?
Reclusive billionaire Luke Carter can never forget that he’d been abandoned as a child. And that’s why he's driven to build his camp for underprivileged kids in small-town Beacon Bay. If only the coastal New Zealand community trusted his motives. His only ally is mayor Elizabeth Light, a woman he wants to know better...
Widow Liz Light had mixed feelings about the camp, but she does need swimming lessons for a public fundraiser. Former Olympic swimmer Luke is the only person in Beacon Bay capable of both teaching her and keeping his mouth shut. Devoted to her husband's memory she's shocked to find herself drawn into a no-strings affair.
As they come to depend on each other outside the bedroom Liz has to choose publicly where her loyalties lie–with Luke or her late husband–and decide once and for all which man is truly unforgettable.
283 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 2, 2008
14 people are currently reading
107 people want to read
About the author
Karina Bliss
49 books238 followersNew Zealander Karina Bliss has written a biography for a rock star, swapped identities with her twin, raised three orphaned children with her ex husband, worn a cow costume to a Bachelor and Spinster ball, considered marriage for the sake of a baby, and been mayor of a small town.
Oh wait, that’s her characters.
Outside her imagination, she’s always been a professional writer, first as a travel journalist and then as a romance author. Her deeply held convictions include: love conquers all; yoga pants are daywear; and what a woman really wants is a man who cleans. Unfortunately, she does not live with one, (nor indeed has raised one). Please buy her books so she can pay for one.
She has also swum with sharks. They were very small. Babies, really. But still count.
Career highlights have included being the first Australasian to win a Golden Heart from the Romance Writers of America. Her debut, Mr Imperfect, won a Romantic Book of the Year Award in Australia, and her first self-published title, RISE, a rock star romance also finaled.
Other books in the Rock Solid series are FALL, PLAY and (coming soon), RESURRECTION.
Find out more and sign up to her newsletter at www.karinabliss.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KarinaBlissA...
Twitter @BlissKarina
Email: karina@karinabliss.com
Oh wait, that’s her characters.
Outside her imagination, she’s always been a professional writer, first as a travel journalist and then as a romance author. Her deeply held convictions include: love conquers all; yoga pants are daywear; and what a woman really wants is a man who cleans. Unfortunately, she does not live with one, (nor indeed has raised one). Please buy her books so she can pay for one.
She has also swum with sharks. They were very small. Babies, really. But still count.
Career highlights have included being the first Australasian to win a Golden Heart from the Romance Writers of America. Her debut, Mr Imperfect, won a Romantic Book of the Year Award in Australia, and her first self-published title, RISE, a rock star romance also finaled.
Other books in the Rock Solid series are FALL, PLAY and (coming soon), RESURRECTION.
Find out more and sign up to her newsletter at www.karinabliss.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KarinaBlissA...
Twitter @BlissKarina
Email: karina@karinabliss.com
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 22, 2011
This is a sweet romance about two people with serious intimacy issues. Both Luke & Liz had previous relationships that influenced their lives. Luke's was an unfortunate one, with his cheating ex-wife, while Liz's was happy, but still not a marriage of equality.
It's interesting that even though they both had similar childhoods, they copped with it differently. Luke by more or less embracing it, and building the camp so that other children could have what he didn't. Liz, on the other hand ran away as fast as she could from the memories.
In this book we saw one of the disadvantages of small-towns, not only the gossip, but their mistrust and unwillingness to accept outsiders.
I felt sorry for Liz. The person closest to her, her stepdaughter, expected her to stop living her life and mourn for Harry forever, or so it seemed. On the other hand, Liz herself, had to learn to le her husband go, while at the same time she was falling in love with Luke.
Now, Luke. He was badly burned by his ex-wife's behaviour. Not only did she cheat on him, but she splatted her affair in the tabloids (low blow). But he was more open to the idea of relationship and even love, than Liz.
My favourite scene in the book is Jordan & Kate's (h/h from Mr. Irresistible) wedding. The picture the author painted was hilarious, I was laughing so hard, it took me some time to calm down. :D
Don't ask me for a reason for the half-star deduction, but something was just missing for it to be a 5 star read. So:
4.5 stars.
It's interesting that even though they both had similar childhoods, they copped with it differently. Luke by more or less embracing it, and building the camp so that other children could have what he didn't. Liz, on the other hand ran away as fast as she could from the memories.
In this book we saw one of the disadvantages of small-towns, not only the gossip, but their mistrust and unwillingness to accept outsiders.
I felt sorry for Liz. The person closest to her, her stepdaughter, expected her to stop living her life and mourn for Harry forever, or so it seemed. On the other hand, Liz herself, had to learn to le her husband go, while at the same time she was falling in love with Luke.
Now, Luke. He was badly burned by his ex-wife's behaviour. Not only did she cheat on him, but she splatted her affair in the tabloids (low blow). But he was more open to the idea of relationship and even love, than Liz.
My favourite scene in the book is Jordan & Kate's (h/h from Mr. Irresistible) wedding. The picture the author painted was hilarious, I was laughing so hard, it took me some time to calm down. :D
Don't ask me for a reason for the half-star deduction, but something was just missing for it to be a 5 star read. So:
4.5 stars.
October 11, 2021
Billionaire, former gold medal winning swimmer, Luke Carter is recovering from a painful divorce by throwing himself into building a camp for underprivileged kids in Beacon Bay. Unfortunately, he and his partners got off on the wrong foot with the townsfolk and now every request is being shot down.
Elizabeth Light became mayor of Beacon Bay after her (much older) husband died. She has struggled with her grief and in trying to follow through on all of her husband's plans for the town. She alone appears to be at least neutral about the camp and gives Luke some ammunition to use in his latest application meeting.
Elizabeth is championing swimming classes for children as part of her mayoral role, but she has a dirty secret, she can't swim (which of course is why she is desperately keen for children to learn), Luke offers to teach her to swim in time for a swimathon where she has been 'volunteered' to start the race, in return for games of chess.
I have read this book before but had very few memories of what happened. Suffice it to say that this is quite an old Mills & Boon romance that has been updated but still retains that whiff of innocence.
A pleasant enough read.
Elizabeth Light became mayor of Beacon Bay after her (much older) husband died. She has struggled with her grief and in trying to follow through on all of her husband's plans for the town. She alone appears to be at least neutral about the camp and gives Luke some ammunition to use in his latest application meeting.
Elizabeth is championing swimming classes for children as part of her mayoral role, but she has a dirty secret, she can't swim (which of course is why she is desperately keen for children to learn), Luke offers to teach her to swim in time for a swimathon where she has been 'volunteered' to start the race, in return for games of chess.
I have read this book before but had very few memories of what happened. Suffice it to say that this is quite an old Mills & Boon romance that has been updated but still retains that whiff of innocence.
A pleasant enough read.
January 15, 2017
I like Karina Bliss. nothing profound, but always sweet.
October 21, 2022
LostBoys3
Foster care systems, subsidized and dysfunctional families, disadvantaged kids are all in the mix as our heroes try to setup Camp Chance. Luke Carter is point man, with the full support of Christian and Jordan; but Luke is handling the day-to-day details to get through the authorization process and get the camp open. It’s taking some slogging.
Elizabeth Light initially took up mayoral duties to finish the programs and champion the causes of her late husband, Harry. Keeping his vision kept him close for the last twenty-four months. But, that was before her deputy mayor decided he wanted to run for office, citing it’s politics, not personal, and co-opting her ideas and issues.
Liz is trying to live up to Harry’s legacy
Foster care systems, subsidized and dysfunctional families, disadvantaged kids are all in the mix as our heroes try to setup Camp Chance. Luke Carter is point man, with the full support of Christian and Jordan; but Luke is handling the day-to-day details to get through the authorization process and get the camp open. It’s taking some slogging.
Elizabeth Light initially took up mayoral duties to finish the programs and champion the causes of her late husband, Harry. Keeping his vision kept him close for the last twenty-four months. But, that was before her deputy mayor decided he wanted to run for office, citing it’s politics, not personal, and co-opting her ideas and issues.
Liz is trying to live up to Harry’s legacy
Read
September 18, 20218/17/2011
February 28, 2010
I figured it was somehow somewhat appropriate considering the amount of Olympics I've been watching the past two weeks that I read a book where the hero is a former Olympian gold medal winner - even if I've been watching Winter Olympics and he was a Summer Olympics champion. And what a champion (heh heh) he makes. I just fell in love with Luke. This is the third book in a series (so naturally I jump in late - though I have now ordered, through other means than Chapters, the first two books in this series, Mr. Irresistible and Mr. Imperfect - all dumb titles I know) about three friends who go into business together. Luke is the front man for building a camp for underprivileged kids in the small ocean town of Beacon Bay. As someone who grew up in the The residents are not supportive of such a program.
One of the few though who is supportive is Liz Light, the Mayor of Beacon Bay and the widow of the former mayor. She is still very much in mourning for her late husband and anything he supported, she supports in an effort to carry on his legacy. But there is another election coming up soon and it seems she has some stiff competition. As part of her campaigning, she is roped into leading off a swimming event and as she doesn't know how to swim, she enlists the help of Luke to teach her. It is during these swimming lessons that she and Luke grow close and the attraction between them finally lets loose.
Both Luke and Liz have issues from their past. We don't really learn much of Liz's until later in the book, but Luke grew up in the foster care system after being abandoned at a very young age by his mother. He really pulls at the heart strings. Liz also is a great heroine who also pulls at the heartstrings. Torn between her growing feelings for Luke, but afraid of them in light of the love she has for her deceased older husband, she is reluctant to acknowledge them and this causes Luke pain. Because of his own abandonment, he is very wary.
I am SO glad that I've discovered this author. At least in the two books I've read so far, there is a real poignancy to them that I enjoy very much. I can hardly wait now until the other two arrive. While Mr. Unforgettable could be read on it's own, there are some dynamics I felt I missed by not reading the previous too first. Karina Bliss is an author I will be watching for from now on.
The fact that her books take place in New Zealand, a place I'd love to visit but chances are I won't, is an added bonus.
One of the few though who is supportive is Liz Light, the Mayor of Beacon Bay and the widow of the former mayor. She is still very much in mourning for her late husband and anything he supported, she supports in an effort to carry on his legacy. But there is another election coming up soon and it seems she has some stiff competition. As part of her campaigning, she is roped into leading off a swimming event and as she doesn't know how to swim, she enlists the help of Luke to teach her. It is during these swimming lessons that she and Luke grow close and the attraction between them finally lets loose.
Both Luke and Liz have issues from their past. We don't really learn much of Liz's until later in the book, but Luke grew up in the foster care system after being abandoned at a very young age by his mother. He really pulls at the heart strings. Liz also is a great heroine who also pulls at the heartstrings. Torn between her growing feelings for Luke, but afraid of them in light of the love she has for her deceased older husband, she is reluctant to acknowledge them and this causes Luke pain. Because of his own abandonment, he is very wary.
I am SO glad that I've discovered this author. At least in the two books I've read so far, there is a real poignancy to them that I enjoy very much. I can hardly wait now until the other two arrive. While Mr. Unforgettable could be read on it's own, there are some dynamics I felt I missed by not reading the previous too first. Karina Bliss is an author I will be watching for from now on.
The fact that her books take place in New Zealand, a place I'd love to visit but chances are I won't, is an added bonus.
April 16, 2013
I really enjoy Karina Bliss - but I’m not sure I need to read more of her stories that are tied together. This one is about the third boy in our trio of hot men who own resorts in Australia together - the Mr. Series. It starts off fine, but our hero asks our heroine to a wedding and that’s where it gets confusing. There’s a complicated joke about one of the groom’s friends being in a dress. I found it exceptionally hard to follow. I’m sure it was placed in the story for comic relief and to establish the friendship between the three men. But it was just really confusing.
I liked both of the characters, but wish they both would have been more developed. I know there are page/character limits in the genre but I felt like I wanted to know them both better. Which brings me back to the other related characters in the book - wish there was less time on the other two guys and spouses, and more on the hero/heroine.
That being said - I still think Karina Bliss is fabulous and I enjoy the book. I swear my favorite contemporary romance novelists are out of Australia/New Zealand (Bliss, Sarah Mayberry, Fiona Lowe). But for Victoria Dahl, I might be buying all my contemporaries from the lands down under.
One aspect I found a bit comical - the heroine is Mayor of a town of unknown size and running for reelection. They keep having up-to-the minute polls of the race. What? As someone heavily involved in politics I know polls are expensive , typically done in larger races, and not done that frequently. Kinda funny.
Torn on how to rate this one - I usually rate romance novels against each other which might make this a 4, but when I rate against other Bliss books I like it's more of a 3. So 3.5.
I liked both of the characters, but wish they both would have been more developed. I know there are page/character limits in the genre but I felt like I wanted to know them both better. Which brings me back to the other related characters in the book - wish there was less time on the other two guys and spouses, and more on the hero/heroine.
That being said - I still think Karina Bliss is fabulous and I enjoy the book. I swear my favorite contemporary romance novelists are out of Australia/New Zealand (Bliss, Sarah Mayberry, Fiona Lowe). But for Victoria Dahl, I might be buying all my contemporaries from the lands down under.
One aspect I found a bit comical - the heroine is Mayor of a town of unknown size and running for reelection. They keep having up-to-the minute polls of the race. What? As someone heavily involved in politics I know polls are expensive , typically done in larger races, and not done that frequently. Kinda funny.
Torn on how to rate this one - I usually rate romance novels against each other which might make this a 4, but when I rate against other Bliss books I like it's more of a 3. So 3.5.
May 25, 2013
3 stars. An average contemporary romance, averagely and competently written, with just enough difference from the norm to earn the third star.
This is my first book by this author.
The characters may have been formulaic, but the situations were not. The two adult leads - a widow and a divorcee - come from a similar background , but (as another reviewer posted) have taken different paths from there. I appreciated that the story is set in New Zealand, which is fascinatingly unusual to me. I haven't the frame of reference to comment on the accuracy of the information therein.
The characters lacked depth and the writing wasn't ornate, but overall the story was told competently enough. I would read this author again.
This is my first book by this author.
The characters may have been formulaic, but the situations were not. The two adult leads - a widow and a divorcee - come from a similar background , but (as another reviewer posted) have taken different paths from there. I appreciated that the story is set in New Zealand, which is fascinatingly unusual to me. I haven't the frame of reference to comment on the accuracy of the information therein.
The characters lacked depth and the writing wasn't ornate, but overall the story was told competently enough. I would read this author again.
December 12, 2010
Good book. Liz Light has stood in the shadows for 2 years after the death of her beloved husband. Now that she has caught sight of handsome Luke Carter is she willing to step out his shadow?
Liz took over her husband's mayoral position and now that Luke needs her help to get his kid's camp going, is she going to support him or stay with the oppositional majority.
KB does a great job of writing emotional stories is a category format. While this is not one my most favs, it was still a really good read.
Liz took over her husband's mayoral position and now that Luke needs her help to get his kid's camp going, is she going to support him or stay with the oppositional majority.
KB does a great job of writing emotional stories is a category format. While this is not one my most favs, it was still a really good read.
May 15, 2012
Sweet.
June 6, 2015
3.5 stars
Another solid Karina Bliss romance.
Another solid Karina Bliss romance.
November 22, 2020
Mr Unforgettable
Another good story about believable and likeable characters. I have enjoyed reading this story and look forward to reading more.
Another good story about believable and likeable characters. I have enjoyed reading this story and look forward to reading more.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews