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Gambling Hearts #2
Crazy Little Thing Called Love
Take two stubborn fools, mix a touch of fate, stir in some desire, and you have the recipe for a Crazy Little Thing Called Love. Sophia Shaughnessy left her beloved home in order to prove once and for all she was more than a pretty face to her family and ex-boyfriend, Tony. But, it backfired. When her grandmother needed her most, she wasn't there. Tony Morrison had been in love with the youngest Shaughnessy for almost as long as he'd been employed at her family's ranch. Trouble was, he had secrets. Things he couldn't tell anyone, especially the beautiful Sophia. So, he'd let her go. But now she'd returned, bringing the winds of change to the Texas ranch, and Tony wasn't sure he could protect her from the fallout.
162 pages, Paperback
First published May 15, 2018
About the author
Jacquie Biggar
79 books880 followersJacquie Biggar is an award-winning USA Today bestselling author of romance who loves to write about tough, alpha males and strong, contemporary women willing to show their men that true power comes from love. She lives on Vancouver Island with her husband and loves to hear from readers all over the world!
In her own words:
“My name is Jacquie Biggar. When I'm not acting like a total klutz, I am a wife, mother of one, grandmother, and a butler to my calico cat.
My guilty pleasures are reality tv shows like Amazing Race and The Voice. I can be found every Monday night in my armchair plastered to the television laughing at the judge's shenanigans.
I love to hang at the beach with DH (darling hubby) taking pictures or reading romance novels (what else?).
I have a slight Tim Hortons obsession, enjoy gardening, everything pink, and talking to my friends.”
In her own words:
“My name is Jacquie Biggar. When I'm not acting like a total klutz, I am a wife, mother of one, grandmother, and a butler to my calico cat.
My guilty pleasures are reality tv shows like Amazing Race and The Voice. I can be found every Monday night in my armchair plastered to the television laughing at the judge's shenanigans.
I love to hang at the beach with DH (darling hubby) taking pictures or reading romance novels (what else?).
I have a slight Tim Hortons obsession, enjoy gardening, everything pink, and talking to my friends.”
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
July 5, 2018
Sophia and Tony burned hot five years ago but when he didn’t stand by her, she left him and her family ranch for the big city. Crushed at the news of her grandmother’s death and hearing the news of her family’s ranch in trouble, she returns home and comes face-to-face with the one man who can make her see red (both in anger and passion): Tony. Still grieving the loss of her grandmother, she’s fighting ghosts, both real and imagined. Her love for Tony smolders just under the surface, threatening to erupt every time he touches her. But he hurt her deeply and she doesn’t know if she can forgive him. Can she put the past behind her and realize the reason for Tony’s betrayal has to do with his dark past, long before she came along? Can she grab the reins of love and hold on because the truth is what she feels for Tony is this Crazy Little Thing Called Love?
Ever since I read Hold ‘Em last year, I’ve been waiting for Sophia’s story. She’s a feisty, take no prisoners heroine and in Crazy Little Thing Called Love, we get to see what makes her tick. What I love best about her is she’s smart and doesn’t let her two brothers get the best of her. She’s a firecracker with Tony and their passion is white-hot but no worries as it’s all behind closed doors.
Family plays a big role in this story which fed a lot of drama into the plot. While I see Biggar’s reasoning, I found it a little too much drama for my taste. This family has gone through so much and I wished they worked together more than at each other’s throats.
If you’re looking for a ranch second-chance romance, pick up Crazy Little Thing Called Love today! You’ll love it as I did.
Favorite Character/Quote: “I’m wearing blue jeans, they’re hardly haute couture. And most of your men have known me since I was knee-high to a grasshopper, you’re exaggerating my appeal. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to see my horse. At least she doesn’t judge me.”
My Rating: 4.5 stars
This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/si...
Ever since I read Hold ‘Em last year, I’ve been waiting for Sophia’s story. She’s a feisty, take no prisoners heroine and in Crazy Little Thing Called Love, we get to see what makes her tick. What I love best about her is she’s smart and doesn’t let her two brothers get the best of her. She’s a firecracker with Tony and their passion is white-hot but no worries as it’s all behind closed doors.
Family plays a big role in this story which fed a lot of drama into the plot. While I see Biggar’s reasoning, I found it a little too much drama for my taste. This family has gone through so much and I wished they worked together more than at each other’s throats.
If you’re looking for a ranch second-chance romance, pick up Crazy Little Thing Called Love today! You’ll love it as I did.
Favorite Character/Quote: “I’m wearing blue jeans, they’re hardly haute couture. And most of your men have known me since I was knee-high to a grasshopper, you’re exaggerating my appeal. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to see my horse. At least she doesn’t judge me.”
My Rating: 4.5 stars
This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/si...
May 4, 2018
Sophia wanted her brothers to take her serious and for Tony to take her serious. She has loved him since she was a teenager but now she just had to shake him up so he would propose. See how she manages to get everyone to pay attention to her.
November 13, 2019
This was a great second story of the Shaughnessy children. The first book was wonderful and I hoped that Sophia and Tony's story would live up to Matt and Cassandra's, which I felt it did.
Sophia left for college then took a job in New York far away from the love of her life and the family ranch in Texas. She get a call from Tony, the man that is her soulmate. He wants her to come home to help her brothers. She despairs, that he isn't calling for himself. It has been five years since she left and he never came after her. Tony is ten years older and has a secret. He came to the ranch and worked his way up to foreman. Falling in love with the owner's daughter wasn't in the plan but it happened anyway. He felt that she needed to get away and experience life outside of the ranch. He always hoped that she would come back to him on her own. The road to Sophia and Tony's HEA was a LONG one. I grew frustrated with the both of them at times but it made for a great story.
The plot was a great one and so realistic. The scenes just captured my imagination and kept me glued to my e-reader. I adored the way the author wrote the story with a multiple POV format. It was great to see the many different aspects that were brought to the story in this way. I loved the prior characters making multiple appearances and setting the stage for the third book in this series.
This was a clean romance with a western flare. I would highly recommend this book to anyone. While this could be a stand-alone, I would suggest to start at the beginning to really get a good grasp of the Shaughnessy family interactions.
Sophia left for college then took a job in New York far away from the love of her life and the family ranch in Texas. She get a call from Tony, the man that is her soulmate. He wants her to come home to help her brothers. She despairs, that he isn't calling for himself. It has been five years since she left and he never came after her. Tony is ten years older and has a secret. He came to the ranch and worked his way up to foreman. Falling in love with the owner's daughter wasn't in the plan but it happened anyway. He felt that she needed to get away and experience life outside of the ranch. He always hoped that she would come back to him on her own. The road to Sophia and Tony's HEA was a LONG one. I grew frustrated with the both of them at times but it made for a great story.
The plot was a great one and so realistic. The scenes just captured my imagination and kept me glued to my e-reader. I adored the way the author wrote the story with a multiple POV format. It was great to see the many different aspects that were brought to the story in this way. I loved the prior characters making multiple appearances and setting the stage for the third book in this series.
This was a clean romance with a western flare. I would highly recommend this book to anyone. While this could be a stand-alone, I would suggest to start at the beginning to really get a good grasp of the Shaughnessy family interactions.
May 17, 2018
A second chance at love. Sophia is such a spitfire - love her. Tony was always trying to do the right thing or what he thought was the right thing. I know life turns out like it should but I so wish these two would have just talked!!! Family is often complicated. I liked how the characters extended and asked for forgiveness. sweet story
May 4, 2018
Sophia and Tony were once crazy in love and it has been five years since she left the ranch and moved to New York City for college and then work. He never called so she wrongly assumed that he didn't care anymore. She received a call from Tony telling her she was needed back home. When she arrived, it was awkward between her and Tony. I wasn't long before they were back in each other's arms. One moment they were tender and loving towards one another and the next minute they were snipping at each other. She and her two brothers couldn't seem to agree on a way to save their beloved ranch. Tony helped them discover a way and they could finally work together. The story grabbed my interest right away and I couldn't put it down. Author has a way of putting words together to tell a compelling tale. I think you will enjoy reading it as much as I did, give it a try. Happy reading!
July 11, 2018
I enjoyed reading another book about the Shaughnessy family. You cannot help liking feisty, Sophia Shaughnessy who really missed her brothers and the family ranch. She also missed sexy Tony Morrison, the ranch foreman. The friction between the two and their past will make you keep turning the pages until the book is finished to see how this story turns out. I hope there are more books in this series because I am not ready to say goodbye to the Shaughnessy family! I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.
May 11, 2018
A wonderful heartwarming love story. Sophia returns after years away to help save her family’s ranch. She is still in love with Tony, who works at the ranch. Tony has secrets he doesn’t feel he can tell anyone. Fortunately, love prevails. I really enjoyed this story and now I have to go back and read Mary and Cassandra’s story. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
October 14, 2020
This is a delightful romance between a young woman, Sophia, the daughter of a ranching family, and the ranch foreman, Tony. Sophia is ten years younger than Tony and has been in love with him since she was sixteen years old. Five years earlier she'd left the ranch and Tony, to strike out on her own and build a career in New York City. Deep at heart, Sophia is still a country girl so when Tony calls her, soon after the death of her grandmother, and asks her to come hope and help her brothers with some decisions about the ranch, she goes.
She soon realises that her passion for Tony is still there, stronger than ever, but her pride and the reasons she left in the first place are still standing in the way of their happiness. During her absence, life on the ranch has changed and Sophia discovers her brothers at loggerheads over the best way forward with the ranch which is floundering financially. Each of the siblings, including Sophia, have their own ideas about what's best for the family and the ranch and none of them are prepared to listen to the others. This causes friction between the siblings.
Tony can see the problem but can he put aside his turbulent feelings for Sophia and make his opinion and thoughts heard? Will this help or hinder any potential chance he has to rekindle the romance with Sophia?
Jacquie Biggar is a master romance writer who makes you feel all the heightened emotions and angst of her characters. I really liked Sophia who just wanted to feel valued by her family and have her ideas heard and considered and who also felt rejected by Tony due to misunderstandings and incorrect assumptions.
This is a delightful romance and readers of this genre will love this well written book.
She soon realises that her passion for Tony is still there, stronger than ever, but her pride and the reasons she left in the first place are still standing in the way of their happiness. During her absence, life on the ranch has changed and Sophia discovers her brothers at loggerheads over the best way forward with the ranch which is floundering financially. Each of the siblings, including Sophia, have their own ideas about what's best for the family and the ranch and none of them are prepared to listen to the others. This causes friction between the siblings.
Tony can see the problem but can he put aside his turbulent feelings for Sophia and make his opinion and thoughts heard? Will this help or hinder any potential chance he has to rekindle the romance with Sophia?
Jacquie Biggar is a master romance writer who makes you feel all the heightened emotions and angst of her characters. I really liked Sophia who just wanted to feel valued by her family and have her ideas heard and considered and who also felt rejected by Tony due to misunderstandings and incorrect assumptions.
This is a delightful romance and readers of this genre will love this well written book.
July 16, 2018
Sophia Shaughnessy has been away from her family ranch for most of the past five years and now her family needs her. Her grandmother has passed away and the ranch is struggling financially. Decisions need to be made. Sophia loves the ranch, has ideas to better their financial situation but no one listens to her. She returns to the ranch and Tony Morrison is there, still working on the ranch and still the man she loves. Tony loves Sophia but believes she will never be happy on the ranch, after all she left him to live and work in New York. “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” is the perfect title for the back and forth attraction and dialog between Sophia and Tony as they work to come to a mutual understanding…they are in love! Ms. Biggar brings us an update from the first book in the series “Hold ‘Em” as we again meet Sophia’s older brother Matt, who feels responsible for their financial crisis, his wife Cassandra and their adorable daughter Pippa. Younger brother Aaron knows the ranch is struggling, but is there a way he can help? A great sequel to ‘Hold ‘Em” and I look forward to what Ms. Biggar has planned for Aaron. I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily chose to give an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)
August 11, 2019
A Sweet Texas Ranch Romance
Tony Morrison has worked for the Shaughnessy family for nearly twenty years. He had loved Sophia, the youngest, since she was a teenager. When her brothers would not listen to her ideas, she left for New York. Now she’s returning to help save the family ranch. Is it too late for her and Tony and the ranch? Or will love find a way? Recommend
Tony Morrison has worked for the Shaughnessy family for nearly twenty years. He had loved Sophia, the youngest, since she was a teenager. When her brothers would not listen to her ideas, she left for New York. Now she’s returning to help save the family ranch. Is it too late for her and Tony and the ranch? Or will love find a way? Recommend
September 30, 2019
A high powered New York publicity expert comes home to help her family save their ranch, and to finally resolve her lingering feelings for the handsome ranch hand she left behind but both her brothers and her crush seem to think they can do just fine without her. The thing is, she's all grown up now, and she's not willing to take no for an answer.
I loved Sophia's determination, her spunk and her vulnerability, and it was hard not to feel for the strong and silent Tony with all his conflicted feelings - besides who doesn't love a cowboy. Their romance made for a great way to spend an afternoon.
I loved Sophia's determination, her spunk and her vulnerability, and it was hard not to feel for the strong and silent Tony with all his conflicted feelings - besides who doesn't love a cowboy. Their romance made for a great way to spend an afternoon.
May 8, 2019
Jacquie Biggar brings the characters to life in this heartwarming story. Her writing is easy to read and the dialogues flow effortlessly. It was funny, endearing and sweet but it was also quite frustrating at times as I found myself wanting to shake some sense into both main characters (Tony and Sophia). Sophia behaves sometimes like a spoiled brat and Tony has such a misplaced stoicism that is irritating. It would be really interesting to read about them after a few years of marriage. Anyhow, the end of the book was lovely.
May 7, 2018
Second in the Gambling Hearts series, Crazy Little Thing Called Love is baby sister, Sophia's story.
Sophia loves her two older brothers, but frustration with their continued brush-off of her dreams for the ranch they'd all grown up on, drives her away.
Five years later, she's back to help the ailing business, if possible, and make amends with her family. She hadn't counted on the feelings she'd carried for a too-stubborn cowboy to get in the way!
Sophia loves her two older brothers, but frustration with their continued brush-off of her dreams for the ranch they'd all grown up on, drives her away.
Five years later, she's back to help the ailing business, if possible, and make amends with her family. She hadn't counted on the feelings she'd carried for a too-stubborn cowboy to get in the way!
July 1, 2019
Sophie and Tony, a love that didn’t run smoothly. She was feisty, stubborn, and it seemed like no one took her seriously. To return, an fireworks to say the least when they looked at one another. Would he let secrets keep him from proposing this time,
July 16, 2019
A sweet cowboy romance listen. I wasn't overly excited with the narration but the story was sweet with a little heat, it was well read and had a good flow to the storyline which was entertaining. Looking forward to listening to more from this author!
June 10, 2023
In Jacquie Biggar's Crazy Little Thing Called Love (2023), Book 2 of the Gambling Hearts series, Sophia Shaughnessy leaves her Texas ranch home to pursue a business career in New York, leaving her family ranch in the operational and financial hands of her two brothers and former boyfriend, Tony. Though superficially, she says it's to start over in a world where she can make her own name, truly, it's to find a place she is valued. For most of her life, she's felt that her efforts at helping the family business have been ignored and by the time she graduates high school, she's had enough:
“The problem with being the youngest in a family of overachievers is that no one wanted to listen to my ideas.”
But, while she seeks her way across the country, her brothers feel abandoned. When her grandmother dies and she returns to help straighten ranch problems, she tries again to contribute to solving problems, feeling she has a lot of business experience to offer. Again, to her dismay, she feels rebuffed. The brothers want to keep the ranch simple while she wants to put it on a sound financial footing. The only person who even seems to listen to her is her former boyfriend. He may have no vote in family matters, but is an important part of Sophia's decisions.
This story spotlights the problems of growing out of a family's image of a young you, even when you've grown beyond that. It is a situation many (many) readers will relate to, including me. As with all stories by Jacquie Biggar, she expertly blends the busy plot with romance without allowing that to take over. I'd recommend this for those who love romance driven active plots with likable characters.
“The problem with being the youngest in a family of overachievers is that no one wanted to listen to my ideas.”
But, while she seeks her way across the country, her brothers feel abandoned. When her grandmother dies and she returns to help straighten ranch problems, she tries again to contribute to solving problems, feeling she has a lot of business experience to offer. Again, to her dismay, she feels rebuffed. The brothers want to keep the ranch simple while she wants to put it on a sound financial footing. The only person who even seems to listen to her is her former boyfriend. He may have no vote in family matters, but is an important part of Sophia's decisions.
This story spotlights the problems of growing out of a family's image of a young you, even when you've grown beyond that. It is a situation many (many) readers will relate to, including me. As with all stories by Jacquie Biggar, she expertly blends the busy plot with romance without allowing that to take over. I'd recommend this for those who love romance driven active plots with likable characters.
May 21, 2023
Jacquie Biggar is an author I can always rely on to deliver a great story. And this book is no exception. I read this book in one sitting.
I fell in love with the characters and the setting immediately.
Sophia left the family ranch, where she'd lived all her life, to move to New York and pursue a career far away from the one man that could make her knees weak and blood boil. Sophia and Tony were teenage sweethearts. So, when Sophia left, it crushed her that Tony never tried to reach out, never asked why and apparently didn't care enough to try.
But when Sophia is called back to the ranch after her grandmother's death, sparks immediately fly between them. Their history is so strong it pulls them both back into a passionate relationship. The story deepens as the ranch is in financial trouble, and Sophia's two brothers can't seem to agree on anything. Tony is exasperatingly complacent and obviously holding secrets that he is eventually forced to share to save the family's legacy.
As I said, I loved all the characters. And while this is the second book in a series, I was not lost. It works as a standalone. If you like an intense romance with a great storyline and plot, you will enjoy this story.
I fell in love with the characters and the setting immediately.
Sophia left the family ranch, where she'd lived all her life, to move to New York and pursue a career far away from the one man that could make her knees weak and blood boil. Sophia and Tony were teenage sweethearts. So, when Sophia left, it crushed her that Tony never tried to reach out, never asked why and apparently didn't care enough to try.
But when Sophia is called back to the ranch after her grandmother's death, sparks immediately fly between them. Their history is so strong it pulls them both back into a passionate relationship. The story deepens as the ranch is in financial trouble, and Sophia's two brothers can't seem to agree on anything. Tony is exasperatingly complacent and obviously holding secrets that he is eventually forced to share to save the family's legacy.
As I said, I loved all the characters. And while this is the second book in a series, I was not lost. It works as a standalone. If you like an intense romance with a great storyline and plot, you will enjoy this story.
March 31, 2022
I have been looking forward to seeing what’s become of Sophia after reading the first book. Although I was glad she could leave the ranch and find herself, it was sad to see that move broke up the relationship between her and Tony, the ranch foreman. After five years, Tony calls and tells her that her brothers need her. It’s nice to see that Matt and Cass are still going strong and raising their daughter, but the brothers aren’t getting along and might lose the ranch. Sophia pushes her idea of taking in guests, but instead of pulling together as a family, though, they pull apart. During the family drama, the love that Sophia and Tony had resurfaced. When someone takes matters into their own hands, it starts a reaction where help comes from an unexpected person. I was rooting for not only Sophia and Tony, but the entire family. A wonderful addition to the Shaughnessy family story. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book.
April 14, 2023
An alpha male and a sassy female.
Sophia left the ranch behind, for a degree and the big city, to prove to her brothers and the man she loved she could stand on her own two feet. Now she’s back and determined to save the ranch, which the family is in jeopardy of losing.
Told with her usual warmth and style, Ms. Biggar once again explores human relationships and gives us a heartwarming tale in the process. Another winning Biggar romance.
This is the second in the Gambling Hearts series but can be read as a stand alone.
Sophia left the ranch behind, for a degree and the big city, to prove to her brothers and the man she loved she could stand on her own two feet. Now she’s back and determined to save the ranch, which the family is in jeopardy of losing.
Told with her usual warmth and style, Ms. Biggar once again explores human relationships and gives us a heartwarming tale in the process. Another winning Biggar romance.
This is the second in the Gambling Hearts series but can be read as a stand alone.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews