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Calamity Falls #2
The Heartless Boyfriend
There's not an athlete alive who can match Will's drive and self-discipline...until an adorable two year old and a fiery chef land on his doorstep and turn his life upside down. If he wants to keep his girls, he's going to have to learn to lead with his heart and not his mind.
Will Bowie is supposed to be training for the Olympics, but the toddler unexpectedly dropped into his life isn’t interested in his schedules. Still, he’s pretty sure he’s got things under control…
…until a sexy chef lands on his doorstep and offers a temptation he can’t resist.
Hours after losing her restaurant, chef Delilah Lua enters a cooking competition thousands of miles away from home. Winning would resurrect the dream that’s been stolen from her. If—no, when—she wins, she’ll go back with the capital to open her own place and enough fame to do it with flair. Her roommate, though, is a delicious surprise she hadn’t anticipated…
…but she’s not sure how to have her cake and eat it, too.
Despite the undeniable sparks in the kitchen, Will’s not about to give his heart to another woman who’s leaving, and Delilah must decide if the delectable future she could cook up with Will is worth more than a childhood dream.
Will Bowie is supposed to be training for the Olympics, but the toddler unexpectedly dropped into his life isn’t interested in his schedules. Still, he’s pretty sure he’s got things under control…
…until a sexy chef lands on his doorstep and offers a temptation he can’t resist.
Hours after losing her restaurant, chef Delilah Lua enters a cooking competition thousands of miles away from home. Winning would resurrect the dream that’s been stolen from her. If—no, when—she wins, she’ll go back with the capital to open her own place and enough fame to do it with flair. Her roommate, though, is a delicious surprise she hadn’t anticipated…
…but she’s not sure how to have her cake and eat it, too.
Despite the undeniable sparks in the kitchen, Will’s not about to give his heart to another woman who’s leaving, and Delilah must decide if the delectable future she could cook up with Will is worth more than a childhood dream.
350 pages, ebook
First published October 16, 2018
564 people are currently reading
996 people want to read
About the author
Erika Kelly
45 books1,858 followersAward-winning author Erika Kelly writes sexy, passionate, and emotional contemporary romance. Married to the love of her life and raising four children, she lives in the southwest, drinks a lot of tea, and is always waiting for her cats to get off her keyboard.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 157 reviews
April 26, 2019
Excellent book!
With strong, amazing characters.
Both experienced, without exes drama, no cheating, no OP scenes.
Great read!
With strong, amazing characters.
Both experienced, without exes drama, no cheating, no OP scenes.
Great read!
October 15, 2018
For me the mark of an excellent writer is one that can twist a long time reader up and that is exactly what Erika Kelly did to me in The Heartless Boyfriend. Don’t get me wrong, this is an amazing story, I loved the concept, the characters, and they way it played out, but at times my insides were a jumbled mess because I was so invested in the outcome and I wasn’t sure how she’d get the characters where they needed to be. I have one complaint about this book and that is the title, mainly because the hero isn’t heartless in the sense that most people would expect with this title, he is heartless because his was ripped out as a child and it has affected him in so many ways including how he views relationships, how he deals with situations, and how close he lets other people get to him. I’ll be honest; my heart broke many times over during this story not only for the hero, but for the heroine, and for one special little character who stole everyone’s heart. I loved every sweet, heart wrenching, crazy mixed up minute of this book.
Seven time half-pipe world champion Will Bowie is facing one of the biggest challenges in his life and for once it’s not on the slopes. Taking care of the little girl they know they are related to in some way and hosting his brother’s fiancée’s best friend, Delilah Lua, for a few weeks proves to be life changing in more ways than one. This book was an emotional journey from the first chapter to the last.
I felt many emotions towards Will as this book unfolded and for a short while I wasn’t sure I liked him very much, but as his story came to light my compassion and my admiration of him increased ten-fold. I loved his determination to be the best in his sport and the fact he didn’t mind working as hard as possible to make that happen. I adored his relationship with two year old Ruby (Wooby) and the way it changed throughout this story. I appreciated the way he supported Delilah and how much he enjoyed watching her embrace the Western lifestyle. I also admired the way he tried to take care of things for his family in all ways. As the oldest of the four brothers, he took a lot on himself to make sure things ran smoothly at all times for everyone in the household.
On her 26th birthday instead of getting her franchise for the family’s restaurant, Delilah Lua is instead thrown for a loop and feeling a bit betrayed by her siblings, so she jumps at the chance to get out of New York and go hang out in Wyoming among some competing chefs in hopes of finding a place to land. I felt bad that Delilah was so adrift and honestly, while I understand why her family did what they did, the way they did it was not right. I loved her compassion towards Ruby, they way she helped Will to see things from a different angle, the way she immersed herself in the Wyoming ways, and the absolute joy she got from developing recipes and menus.
Will and Delilah met at a perfect time in that they were both have a bit of an identity crisis tied to the ways they make their living. Then there was Ruby whose little life had been turned upside down and in Will and Delilah she found two people that made her feel safe. I enjoyed watching Will and Delilah circle one another, I loved that Delilah wasn’t afraid to call Will out when she thought he was messing up, and while they both worried it wasn’t a good time in their lives to start a relationship, the chemistry between them grew so intense they just could not deny it. They both made some mistakes, some personally and some professionally but those led them both to where they needed to be—together.
Sometimes you read a book and you want to say, “Just read the book, trust me you won’t be disappointed,” and that is exactly how I feel about The Heartless Boyfriend. This is Erika Kelly at her best and this is a not to be missed book!
August 11, 2022
This is 2 stars bc I have a weakness for kids in romance and also for the final resolution although it felt like a lot to get there.
October 23, 2018
Reading the scenes where Will was trying to push Ruby away so she wouldn't get attached to him was heartbreaking. They killed me and I only wanted to pick Ruby up and comfort her. She was precious and I loved her. She and Will have a strong bond despite his efforts to make her stay on schedule and learn to be on her own. I was glad that Delilah was there pushing him towards the right direction. The three of them make a great family in my mind. Which is the opposite of what I felt when it came to Delilah's. I hated all of them and all of them are close to being un-redeemable in my eyes. You don't treat your family like that. Will's was much better with the exception of his mother. She can never be in the picture again and you won't hear me complaining.
The story was good. I liked the main characters and my favorite was Ruby. She stole my heart and was on my main focus while I was reading the book. For me, she stole the show and some of the spotlight from Delilah and Will. They are bonding over her and Delilah's cooking so I can't complain about that. We had 3 different people living in a house together and slowly but steadily becoming a family. Will is not heartless. He has a heart but he's closed off because his mother treated him horribly when he was a kid and know he is trying to keep everyone at arm's length. I won't even try to pretend to know what was going on with his profession and all the rules. Delilah's was much easier to understand and my heart went to her when her family treated her awfully. Both have family troubles, but they managed to work things out in the end.
The pace of the book was good and the main characters easy to understand and like. Will's brothers are interesting and I look forward to the next book. For now, I will just recommend this one.
The story was good. I liked the main characters and my favorite was Ruby. She stole my heart and was on my main focus while I was reading the book. For me, she stole the show and some of the spotlight from Delilah and Will. They are bonding over her and Delilah's cooking so I can't complain about that. We had 3 different people living in a house together and slowly but steadily becoming a family. Will is not heartless. He has a heart but he's closed off because his mother treated him horribly when he was a kid and know he is trying to keep everyone at arm's length. I won't even try to pretend to know what was going on with his profession and all the rules. Delilah's was much easier to understand and my heart went to her when her family treated her awfully. Both have family troubles, but they managed to work things out in the end.
The pace of the book was good and the main characters easy to understand and like. Will's brothers are interesting and I look forward to the next book. For now, I will just recommend this one.
October 12, 2018
My heart is happy….
Wow, did I love this book! This is the second Bowie brother to find his heart in jeopardy and from more than one front! Will is disciplined to the nth degree. Complicated family has shaped his approach to life and that is never more obvious as Ruby and Delilah enter it. He follows the rules, and his schedule, with military-like precision so when a toddler – and a sparkling young woman – turn him sideways, he clings to those rules like a life raft… Delilah is dealing with her own crisis but she cannot resist a beautiful little girl and the man who loves her.
Food, family and crisis. Will and Delilah were great together as Will’s stoicism met Delilah’s outgoing and nurturing personality. There was an honesty between them that felt right even as their approach to problems were very different. There was so much pain in these characters that their tears and heartache meant the tissues weren’t far away… An ending that made my heart happy and eager for more of the Bowies!
October 16, 2018
I was gifted a copy for an honest review.
I have read the first book but it is not needed for this one. I would recommend it though as you get to know the characters.
I really enjoyed this - I loved Will, Delilah and Ruby. Will was bit reserved, cut off, set in his ways and loved his routine. Then along came Ruby, swiftly followed by Delilah. He was shown there was more to life and that he could open his heart up and enjoy life. It was a lovely story - tiny bit of angst but overall a really good feel good book. Can't wait to read more about the other brothers.
I have read the first book but it is not needed for this one. I would recommend it though as you get to know the characters.
I really enjoyed this - I loved Will, Delilah and Ruby. Will was bit reserved, cut off, set in his ways and loved his routine. Then along came Ruby, swiftly followed by Delilah. He was shown there was more to life and that he could open his heart up and enjoy life. It was a lovely story - tiny bit of angst but overall a really good feel good book. Can't wait to read more about the other brothers.
October 16, 2018
I loved every single thing about this! The Heartless Boyfriend was an excellent story that was extremely entertaining and sweet with amazing characters that packed a serious emotional punch. It was truly fantastic and I didn't want to put it down!
Right from the start, I was all in. I loved Will and Delilah's first meeting and this undeniable attraction the two of them had in the midst of this very unique situation. Delilah had an infectious personality and I loved her internal dialogue. Will was so sweet and I loved how determined he was to do the right thing. Will’s got several things to come to terms with and Delilah has big life decisions to figure out and like how all that intersected with their chemistry, flirting, and building friendship. They had an amazing connection and I loved watching their story unfold and them fall in love.
My heart melted for the sweet little girl Ruby. Will falling head over heels for her had me bursting, it was beyond adorable. It's such an interesting situation they're in and it's well executed. How Ruby was written, down to her speech, literally had me ooh’ing and aww’ing all over the place. I loved Will’s story with Ruby as much as I loved his story with Delilah. All of them together was just icing on the cake.
This story is told from third person dual POV and it was done exceptionally well. It had a great flow that pulled me in, I loved the build as everything developed. I laughed and cheered and rooted for Will and Delilah, and I got choked up more times than I can count. There were all these little dilemmas they're facing and I love how I was pulled in, feeling it all. There's a nice amount of heat as well with a good bit of drama. It was just as solid, really wonderful story. The more I read, the more I fell in love with these characters.
This was a seriously awesome, entertaining read with amazing characters that pulled at my heartstrings! If you've not read Erika Kelly before, I highly recommend her! Can't wait for the next book in the series!
Complimentary copy received for an honest review.
Right from the start, I was all in. I loved Will and Delilah's first meeting and this undeniable attraction the two of them had in the midst of this very unique situation. Delilah had an infectious personality and I loved her internal dialogue. Will was so sweet and I loved how determined he was to do the right thing. Will’s got several things to come to terms with and Delilah has big life decisions to figure out and like how all that intersected with their chemistry, flirting, and building friendship. They had an amazing connection and I loved watching their story unfold and them fall in love.
My heart melted for the sweet little girl Ruby. Will falling head over heels for her had me bursting, it was beyond adorable. It's such an interesting situation they're in and it's well executed. How Ruby was written, down to her speech, literally had me ooh’ing and aww’ing all over the place. I loved Will’s story with Ruby as much as I loved his story with Delilah. All of them together was just icing on the cake.
This story is told from third person dual POV and it was done exceptionally well. It had a great flow that pulled me in, I loved the build as everything developed. I laughed and cheered and rooted for Will and Delilah, and I got choked up more times than I can count. There were all these little dilemmas they're facing and I love how I was pulled in, feeling it all. There's a nice amount of heat as well with a good bit of drama. It was just as solid, really wonderful story. The more I read, the more I fell in love with these characters.
This was a seriously awesome, entertaining read with amazing characters that pulled at my heartstrings! If you've not read Erika Kelly before, I highly recommend her! Can't wait for the next book in the series!
Complimentary copy received for an honest review.
October 16, 2018
Recommendation appeared on USA Today’s Happy Ever After on October 16, 2018.
I am loving the Bad Boyfriends series by Erika Kelly, including the second, stand-alone book, The Heartless Boyfriend. Delilah thought she had her life and career all mapped out, until she had the rug pulled out from underneath her, but she’s not giving up on her dreams. She readjusts her plans and goes to the small town of Calamity, Wyoming, in order to participate in a cooking competition, but she finds herself unwillingly distracted by the sexy, tightly wound, competitive skier, Will. Their chemistry is fierce and instant, but Will has a lot of reasons to not get romantically involved with someone right now, including an adorable little girl, who is now in his care. He tries to resist Delilah, but he’s drawn to her optimistic, easygoing and affectionate personality. She shakes his regimented, controlled existence in the best ways possible, and he makes her dream about things she never believed possible. The Heartless Boyfriend is a sexy and swoony push-and-pull romance with a lot of heart, and I can’t wait for the next installment in this addictive series.
ARC provided, but this review was voluntarily and honestly written.
I am loving the Bad Boyfriends series by Erika Kelly, including the second, stand-alone book, The Heartless Boyfriend. Delilah thought she had her life and career all mapped out, until she had the rug pulled out from underneath her, but she’s not giving up on her dreams. She readjusts her plans and goes to the small town of Calamity, Wyoming, in order to participate in a cooking competition, but she finds herself unwillingly distracted by the sexy, tightly wound, competitive skier, Will. Their chemistry is fierce and instant, but Will has a lot of reasons to not get romantically involved with someone right now, including an adorable little girl, who is now in his care. He tries to resist Delilah, but he’s drawn to her optimistic, easygoing and affectionate personality. She shakes his regimented, controlled existence in the best ways possible, and he makes her dream about things she never believed possible. The Heartless Boyfriend is a sexy and swoony push-and-pull romance with a lot of heart, and I can’t wait for the next installment in this addictive series.
ARC provided, but this review was voluntarily and honestly written.
October 20, 2018
The best books are the ones you don’t want to end and I was incredibly sad to turn the last page of The Heartless Boyfriend. Will, Delilah, and little Ruby stole my heart. They’re possibly my all-time Erika Kelly characters. Delilah is definitely my favorite heroine.
Like all of Kelly’s books, The Heartless Boyfriend is a book about romantic love and familial love. This is the reason I keep going back to EK’s books. She pulls the reader in, making them fall head over heels with each character, the relationships powerful and memorable.
The Heartless Boyfriend, in particular, gave my heart a workout. It ached, it filled with happiness, it broke and then wove itself back to together. This book made me feel in a way I haven’t felt in a really long time.
Where do I start? Do I talk about Will Bowie, a man whose mother was emotionally distant and taught him to believe that he loved too much? Or with Delilah Lua, denied her birthright and her place in her family? What about Ruby? When we first meet her we know she’s a Bowie, but when the secret of who her father is comes out the lives of the Bowie brothers are changed forever. I want to talk about all of this at once, sort of like a kid who’s had too much candy and needs to tell you how good it all was.
EK weaves a wonderful story around these three people that has everything I look for in a book. Delilah was by far my favorite character. I loved how drama-free she was, even when she had every right to be a drama queen. She’s perfect for Will, easy going where he’s by the book, but as determined as he is to succeed. The depth of Will’s character was a wonderful surprise. And then there’s Ruby. I’ll warn you now this little girl WILL STEAL YOUR HEART.
The dynamics that the secondary characters bring to the story should not go without a mention. Both Will and Delilah’s families play a huge roll in how this story plays out and they add great depth to the book. Will’s uncle, in particular, gave The Heartless Boyfriend a strong foundation, keeping Will centered when he really needed it. Of course, my favorite character of the book is THE FOOD. So much delicious food. I was seriously drooling.
5 stars for The Heartless Boyfriend. Heat level: 3 (the intimate scenes are balanced nicely and I loved that!)
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for honest feedback.
Like all of Kelly’s books, The Heartless Boyfriend is a book about romantic love and familial love. This is the reason I keep going back to EK’s books. She pulls the reader in, making them fall head over heels with each character, the relationships powerful and memorable.
The Heartless Boyfriend, in particular, gave my heart a workout. It ached, it filled with happiness, it broke and then wove itself back to together. This book made me feel in a way I haven’t felt in a really long time.
Where do I start? Do I talk about Will Bowie, a man whose mother was emotionally distant and taught him to believe that he loved too much? Or with Delilah Lua, denied her birthright and her place in her family? What about Ruby? When we first meet her we know she’s a Bowie, but when the secret of who her father is comes out the lives of the Bowie brothers are changed forever. I want to talk about all of this at once, sort of like a kid who’s had too much candy and needs to tell you how good it all was.
EK weaves a wonderful story around these three people that has everything I look for in a book. Delilah was by far my favorite character. I loved how drama-free she was, even when she had every right to be a drama queen. She’s perfect for Will, easy going where he’s by the book, but as determined as he is to succeed. The depth of Will’s character was a wonderful surprise. And then there’s Ruby. I’ll warn you now this little girl WILL STEAL YOUR HEART.
The dynamics that the secondary characters bring to the story should not go without a mention. Both Will and Delilah’s families play a huge roll in how this story plays out and they add great depth to the book. Will’s uncle, in particular, gave The Heartless Boyfriend a strong foundation, keeping Will centered when he really needed it. Of course, my favorite character of the book is THE FOOD. So much delicious food. I was seriously drooling.
5 stars for The Heartless Boyfriend. Heat level: 3 (the intimate scenes are balanced nicely and I loved that!)
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for honest feedback.
September 6, 2018
I've been a huge fan of Erika Kelly since her very first book, and once again she does not disappoint. The Heartless Boyfriend is one of the best book she's ever written! Her writing sucked me in from the very first page and took me on an amazing journey of love, sacrifice, heartache and healing.
I fell in love with her characters in a heartbeat. Will was a spectacular leading man. His story tugged on my emotions in a way very few characters ever have. I loved him, I understood him, I absolutely felt for him. And him with little Ruby was pretty much the best "single dad" storyline I've come across. Their story together was beautiful.
Delilah was a great surprise! I absolutely loved her. She was so refreshingly smart and honest and direct. I thought the way she handled everything that came her way was awesome. She was never whiny, she always saw both sides of a situation and she was never afraid to say what she needed to. It's been a damn long time since I've loved a heroine this much.
Will and Delilah were perfect for each other in the most imperfect set of circumstances. They were sweet and hot and wonderfully angsty. But not stupid, fake drama (which I hate btw). This was real life, honest, wow life is damn hard angst. I loved it. But more than that... I believed it.
Erika's writing is totally unique. She excels at writing in third person and it makes it so easy to sink down into the story and forget your reading a book. This is the book I've been waiting for from Erika! She had me laughing on one page and sobbing on the next. Hell, she even had me cheering out loud. This one will definitely make my top 10 of 2018.
October 19, 2018
Reviewed on Behalf of http://bookaddict.live,
The heartless boyfriend is about Will Bowie who has been the Freestyle Halfpipe skier World Champion seven times. The is no room in his life for a distraction. When little Ruby comes to live with them the toddler starts breaking down his walls. Then Delilah comes to stay for the Competion for a new chef for the Spa.
Delilah is always so upbeat and shows him what Ruby needs is someone to love and to be there for her.
This is about a man that learns to love, and comes to love little Ruby, who was just so cute. Will begins to like his new life filled with his girls, and come to realisation that his old life was so empty in comparison
Delilah for the first time in her life is happy and creating the food that she wants cook. Delilah is in love for the first time in her life. This is about to driven people coming together and finding that love has opened their lives.
Of course nothing is so simple, but the fun is getting there and that’s why we read romance as we watch two people struggle to come to turns with their feelings and how it changes their lives. This book has all those qualities including some hot and steamy added to the mix.
The heartless boyfriend is about Will Bowie who has been the Freestyle Halfpipe skier World Champion seven times. The is no room in his life for a distraction. When little Ruby comes to live with them the toddler starts breaking down his walls. Then Delilah comes to stay for the Competion for a new chef for the Spa.
Delilah is always so upbeat and shows him what Ruby needs is someone to love and to be there for her.
This is about a man that learns to love, and comes to love little Ruby, who was just so cute. Will begins to like his new life filled with his girls, and come to realisation that his old life was so empty in comparison
Delilah for the first time in her life is happy and creating the food that she wants cook. Delilah is in love for the first time in her life. This is about to driven people coming together and finding that love has opened their lives.
Of course nothing is so simple, but the fun is getting there and that’s why we read romance as we watch two people struggle to come to turns with their feelings and how it changes their lives. This book has all those qualities including some hot and steamy added to the mix.
October 22, 2018
✦Blog Tour, Review, Excerpt: THE HEARTLESS BOYFRIEND by Erika Kelly https://wp.me/p3d0RZ-aUV
Publication Date: October 16, 2018
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Reviewed by: Reading in Pajamas/ Cori
Rated 4 Stars
I devoured this one! So much fun with a cute little toddler thrown into the love story. THE HEARTLESS BOYFRIEND is the second book in Erika Kelly’s Bad Boyfriend Series. Each book in the series features a Bowie brother and this book was Will and Delilah’s story. Their story was emotional, fun and scorching hot. I really enjoyed this one and can’t wait for the next Bowie brother’s story. I recommend Erika Kelly’s books for romance lovers looking for feel-good romances with a happy ending. Erika Kelly never disappoints!
*Review copy provided by the Inkslinger in exchange for an honest review.
~*~*~*~
Kindle https://amzn.to/2QxdZwV
✿The Bad Boyfriend Series by Erika Kelly✿
✦1. THE WORLD’S WORST BOYFRIEND ➢ Review 5 Stars https://wp.me/p3d0RZ-aGl | Kindle http://amzn.to/2FNkzNd
✦2. THE HEARTLESS BOYFRIEND ➢ Kindle https://amzn.to/2QxdZwV
~*~*~ADDITIONAL SERIES~*~*~
✿Wild Love Series by Erika Kelly✿
✦1. Mine For Now ➢ Review 4.5 Stars http://wp.me/p3d0RZ-6Fc | Kindle http://amzn.to/2bQLrfc
✦2. Mine for the Week ➢ Review 4.5 Stars http://wp.me/p3d0RZ-9UH | Kindle $4.99 http://amzn.to/2u3jkjF
✿Rock Star Romance Series by Erika Kelly✿
✦1. You Really Got Me ➢ Review 5 Stars http://wp.me/p3d0RZ-1Xh | Kindle http://amzn.to/1AbKOnn
✦2. I Want You To Want Me ➢ Review 5 Stars http://wp.me/p3d0RZ-2HN | Kindle http://amzn.to/1DTlBuo
✦3. Take Me Home Tonight ➢ Review 5 Stars http://wp.me/p3d0RZ-4HY | Kindle http://amzn.to/1JFMAN3
✦4. More Than a Feeling ➢ Review 5 Stars http://wp.me/p3d0RZ-8lu | Kindle http://amzn.to/2k8iWe9
Publication Date: October 16, 2018
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Reviewed by: Reading in Pajamas/ Cori
Rated 4 Stars
I devoured this one! So much fun with a cute little toddler thrown into the love story. THE HEARTLESS BOYFRIEND is the second book in Erika Kelly’s Bad Boyfriend Series. Each book in the series features a Bowie brother and this book was Will and Delilah’s story. Their story was emotional, fun and scorching hot. I really enjoyed this one and can’t wait for the next Bowie brother’s story. I recommend Erika Kelly’s books for romance lovers looking for feel-good romances with a happy ending. Erika Kelly never disappoints!
*Review copy provided by the Inkslinger in exchange for an honest review.
~*~*~*~
Kindle https://amzn.to/2QxdZwV
✿The Bad Boyfriend Series by Erika Kelly✿
✦1. THE WORLD’S WORST BOYFRIEND ➢ Review 5 Stars https://wp.me/p3d0RZ-aGl | Kindle http://amzn.to/2FNkzNd
✦2. THE HEARTLESS BOYFRIEND ➢ Kindle https://amzn.to/2QxdZwV
~*~*~ADDITIONAL SERIES~*~*~
✿Wild Love Series by Erika Kelly✿
✦1. Mine For Now ➢ Review 4.5 Stars http://wp.me/p3d0RZ-6Fc | Kindle http://amzn.to/2bQLrfc
✦2. Mine for the Week ➢ Review 4.5 Stars http://wp.me/p3d0RZ-9UH | Kindle $4.99 http://amzn.to/2u3jkjF
✿Rock Star Romance Series by Erika Kelly✿
✦1. You Really Got Me ➢ Review 5 Stars http://wp.me/p3d0RZ-1Xh | Kindle http://amzn.to/1AbKOnn
✦2. I Want You To Want Me ➢ Review 5 Stars http://wp.me/p3d0RZ-2HN | Kindle http://amzn.to/1DTlBuo
✦3. Take Me Home Tonight ➢ Review 5 Stars http://wp.me/p3d0RZ-4HY | Kindle http://amzn.to/1JFMAN3
✦4. More Than a Feeling ➢ Review 5 Stars http://wp.me/p3d0RZ-8lu | Kindle http://amzn.to/2k8iWe9
October 16, 2018
4.5 stars
After the little surprise from book one's ending ai was looking forward to the next book. I'm glad it's Will, out of all the Bowie brothers he seemed to be most disciplined. So focused on his goal even with his family issues. Enter Ruby and Delilah who turn his world of order into something else. Oh Will and Ruby is a sight to see, gosh. It's hard for this guy who loves his routine and organized ways but it's hard to resist them.
I love the foodie aspect of this and Delilah faced something some chefs have gone through. Critics and disappointment. I love the way she gravitated towards Ruby as well and seeing Will with her makes him more irresistible. Delilah has this infectious energy and zest along with a caring nature that attracted Will. They had differences in approach but they got along so well together, and had that honesty about them. Watching them discovering more layers to one another was also so important.
This was my kind of book, swoony hero, fun delicious food and some angst of course. I felt for Will and his brothers with all the family pain left behind. Also unexpectedly moving I may or may not have shed a tear or two. That sweet dreams of thatending though, makes you just smile and be happy after everything. Erika Kelly has another solid series in the making and I can't wait for more of the Bowie's.
*** ARC provided for an honest review ***
After the little surprise from book one's ending ai was looking forward to the next book. I'm glad it's Will, out of all the Bowie brothers he seemed to be most disciplined. So focused on his goal even with his family issues. Enter Ruby and Delilah who turn his world of order into something else. Oh Will and Ruby is a sight to see, gosh. It's hard for this guy who loves his routine and organized ways but it's hard to resist them.
I love the foodie aspect of this and Delilah faced something some chefs have gone through. Critics and disappointment. I love the way she gravitated towards Ruby as well and seeing Will with her makes him more irresistible. Delilah has this infectious energy and zest along with a caring nature that attracted Will. They had differences in approach but they got along so well together, and had that honesty about them. Watching them discovering more layers to one another was also so important.
This was my kind of book, swoony hero, fun delicious food and some angst of course. I felt for Will and his brothers with all the family pain left behind. Also unexpectedly moving I may or may not have shed a tear or two. That sweet dreams of thatending though, makes you just smile and be happy after everything. Erika Kelly has another solid series in the making and I can't wait for more of the Bowie's.
*** ARC provided for an honest review ***
October 21, 2018
The Heartless Boyfriend is the second book in the "Bad Boyfriends" series featuring the Bowie brothers. This is Will's story. The first book ended on a big cliff hanger with a little girl being dropped off at the house. Will doesn't care whose daughter she is, he is determined to make her feel welcome. Delilah ends up entering the big chef competition at the ranch to prove to her family, she can handle running a piece of the family business. Neither one is counting on how much their lives will change.
I'm not sure I have read a cuter romance than this one in a while. I absolutely loved this story. The romance was sweet and refreshing. Will and Delilah just fit together so perfectly. Will had spent his whole life training and she helped him see more possibles. Delilah was finally able to find a place to shine. But more than the romance, I loved the story-line with Ruby. Will has a lot of hurt from how his mother treated him when he was little. He thinks he is heartless, but a cute little two year old helps him realize he really isn't. I loved their relationship. The scene in her mother's house was so gut wrenching but hopeful at the same time. I'm not sure how anyone can read this without their heart melting. I don't want to say anything more. Just go read it. I know you'll fall for Wheel., Wally, and Ruby just like I did.
I'm not sure I have read a cuter romance than this one in a while. I absolutely loved this story. The romance was sweet and refreshing. Will and Delilah just fit together so perfectly. Will had spent his whole life training and she helped him see more possibles. Delilah was finally able to find a place to shine. But more than the romance, I loved the story-line with Ruby. Will has a lot of hurt from how his mother treated him when he was little. He thinks he is heartless, but a cute little two year old helps him realize he really isn't. I loved their relationship. The scene in her mother's house was so gut wrenching but hopeful at the same time. I'm not sure how anyone can read this without their heart melting. I don't want to say anything more. Just go read it. I know you'll fall for Wheel., Wally, and Ruby just like I did.
October 7, 2018
Don't read this book when you are hungry. You will regret it. At 2am in bed and craving some pasta or anything else your half asleep brain could possibly think up off.
I always have a soft spot for books with cooking related themes in them and here Erika describes the dishes so much that you want to get out of bed and make some pancakes.
It was a good story of 2 people being thrust into situations they had never thought they would be in and learning what is really important to them. Sometimes the things we think are most important to us to make us happy, end up not being the one.
What I didn't like was the instalove theme, but I generally don't like that. I wish that I had more time will Will and Delilah to see their love story unfold a little more.
The best thing about the book? Wooby!!!
I always have a soft spot for books with cooking related themes in them and here Erika describes the dishes so much that you want to get out of bed and make some pancakes.
It was a good story of 2 people being thrust into situations they had never thought they would be in and learning what is really important to them. Sometimes the things we think are most important to us to make us happy, end up not being the one.
What I didn't like was the instalove theme, but I generally don't like that. I wish that I had more time will Will and Delilah to see their love story unfold a little more.
The best thing about the book? Wooby!!!
October 17, 2018
I am really enjoying this series of books about the Bowie Brothers. The Heartless Boyfriend is the second in this series and it was such a fun, entertaining read.
Will is the more serious of the brothers, he's a wound tight competitive skier. His world has been turned upside down with the arrival of the absolutely adorable little Ruby. He is trying to navigate being a single dad.
Delilah gave me a slight girl crush. She was smart, funny and I loved her direct honesty.
The chemistry between Will and Delilah is hot mixed with the perfect blend of sweet too. Their drama and angst was real and so well written.
This has become my favourite in this series so far.
ARC received in exchange for an honest review from the Author and Inkslinger PR
https://ilovebookreviewscom.wordpress...
Will is the more serious of the brothers, he's a wound tight competitive skier. His world has been turned upside down with the arrival of the absolutely adorable little Ruby. He is trying to navigate being a single dad.
Delilah gave me a slight girl crush. She was smart, funny and I loved her direct honesty.
The chemistry between Will and Delilah is hot mixed with the perfect blend of sweet too. Their drama and angst was real and so well written.
This has become my favourite in this series so far.
ARC received in exchange for an honest review from the Author and Inkslinger PR
https://ilovebookreviewscom.wordpress...
November 3, 2018
I LOVED this book! In the beginning of the story the author jumped right in which was a little confusing at first and I thought that maybe I wouldn't like how she wrote but that changed when I got deeper into the story. One of my favorite things about the book was Will's perspective. He is the main narrator of the book with Delilah's perspective thrown in every once in a while. Another thing I liked was the character growth of both Will and Delilah. I loved how Will finally realized that it was not about training and focus all the time and to see his transformation with Ruby was so heartwarming. Overall,I gave this book five stars because it was hard to put down and I wanted to know if Will and Delilah got their HEA.
October 4, 2018
I absolutely loved this book!!!!!!!!!!!
When Will interacts with his sister Ruby who is 2 melts my heartstrings. Ruby pronounces Will it comes out Wheel and it reminds me when my brother called me Aria. Delilah got bad news on her birthday which was a dick move from her siblings. Ruby was up when Delilah got to the ranch and she felt bad for Ruby. Will doesn't want Ruby to get too attached to him because he's switching with his brothers. Will doesn't understand that Ruby needs to be reassure that he will always be their for her and loves her.
I highly recommend this book because its a great read.
When Will interacts with his sister Ruby who is 2 melts my heartstrings. Ruby pronounces Will it comes out Wheel and it reminds me when my brother called me Aria. Delilah got bad news on her birthday which was a dick move from her siblings. Ruby was up when Delilah got to the ranch and she felt bad for Ruby. Will doesn't want Ruby to get too attached to him because he's switching with his brothers. Will doesn't understand that Ruby needs to be reassure that he will always be their for her and loves her.
I highly recommend this book because its a great read.
October 12, 2018
*4.5 stars*
April 26, 2019
This started shaky for a moment because I was having issues denoting the person in which the book was written. But the story was great and the characters were lovely. I love the family they made.
October 23, 2018
REVIEWED BY JENN
2.5 STARS
This book had so much potential, but the numerous errors and continuity issues completely pulled me out of the story. I was really into the premise, and was looking forward to see where it would go. Unfortunately, it was so repetitive, the story struggled to move forward. Many of these errors and storyline stumbles should been caught by beta readers or story editors. I was just very disappointed and left unsatisfied.
2.5 STARS
This book had so much potential, but the numerous errors and continuity issues completely pulled me out of the story. I was really into the premise, and was looking forward to see where it would go. Unfortunately, it was so repetitive, the story struggled to move forward. Many of these errors and storyline stumbles should been caught by beta readers or story editors. I was just very disappointed and left unsatisfied.
October 21, 2018
4.25 stars--
ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 16, 2018
There's not an athlete alive who can match Will's drive and self-discipline...until an adorable two year old and a fiery chef land on his doorstep and turn his life upside down. If he wants to keep his girls, he's going to have to learn to lead with his heart and not his mind.
Will Bowie is supposed to be training for the Olympics, but the toddler unexpectedly dropped into his life isn’t interested in his schedules. Still, he’s pretty sure he’s got things under control…
…until a sexy chef lands on his doorstep and offers a temptation he can’t resist.
Hours after losing her restaurant, chef Delilah Lua enters a cooking competition thousands of miles away from home. Winning would resurrect the dream that’s been stolen from her. If—no, when—she wins, she’ll go back with the capital to open her own place and enough fame to do it with flair. Her roommate, though, is a delicious surprise she hadn’t anticipated…
…but she’s not sure how to have her cake and eat it, too.
Despite the undeniable sparks in the kitchen, Will’s not about to give his heart to another woman who’s leaving, and Delilah must decide if the delectable future she could cook up with Will is worth more than a childhood dream.
••••••••••
REVIEW: 4.25 stars--THE HEARTLESS BOYFRIEND is the second instalment in Erika Kelly’s contemporary, adult BAD BOYFRIEND erotic, romance series focusing on the Bowie siblings (Fin, Brodie, Gray and Will). This is seven-time World Games freestyle skier champion Will Bowie, and chef Delilah Lua’s story line. THE HEARTLESS BOYFRIEND can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous instalment is revealed where necessary.
Told from dual third person perspectives (Will and Delilah) THE HEARTLESS BOYFRIEND follows twenty-six year old chef Delilah Bowie in the aftermath of losing the restaurant she has always wanted. Heartbroken and lost, Manhattan born and raised Delilah heads to Calamity, Wyoming at the invitation of her friend Callie Bell, in the hopes of finding her place, and winning a cooking championship to prove everybody wrong. Enter Will Bowie, seven-time World Games freestyle skier, and the man with whom Delilah will fall in love. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Delilah and Will, and the potential fall-out as Delilah is offered an opportunity of a lifetime but an opportunity that comes with restrictions and rules.
Will Bowie found himself in the eye of the storm when his career was threatened by a long-time rival. Rumors of a pay-off and ill-gotten gains found Will having to defend his talent and career all the while struggling to raise a two year old dropped off at the family front door. A product of his past, will struggles with parenting a two year old child, a struggle that become readily apparent when his methods result in a less than favourable outcome. Delilah Lua had waited twenty-six years to own and operate one of the family-run restaurants but Delilah found herself on the outside looking in, ensuring a deep divide between duty and family. Meeting Will Bowie and two year old Ruby meant a second chance at a family and love but Delilah and Will would constantly butt heads about the ins and outs of raising a precocious and precious two year old child. A cooking contest for a coveted position at a local spa restaurant ensures Delilah the possibility of making it on her own.
The relationship between Delilah and Will begins acrimoniously. Hired to work as a chef on the Bowie family ranch, our heroine becomes a surrogate mother to little two year old Ruby Leigh but Will’s ideas about parenting vary greatly to the ideas of everyone else. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
All of Will’s brothers play secondary and supporting roles including Fin and his fiancé Callie (The World’s Worst Boyfriend #1), Brodie and Gray, as well as their mother, Uncle Lachlan, housekeeper Marcella, and Will’s long time manager Alex. Ruby Leigh is the sweetest, heart-warming and precious character ever introduced into a romance story line-an innocent child whose world has been turned upside down by the death of her mother, the only parent she has ever known.
THE HEARTLESS BOYFRIEND is a story of family and friendship, betrayal and revenge, starting over and letting go of the past. The premise is inspiring and encouraging; the characters are real and energetic; the romance is seductive and sensual. THE HEARTLESS BOYFRIEND is an emotional yet tender look at one man as he struggles in the face of betrayal and lies, and one woman as she must overcome the rejection of family, and her sense of self-worth.
Copy supplied for review
www.thereadingcafe.com
ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 16, 2018
There's not an athlete alive who can match Will's drive and self-discipline...until an adorable two year old and a fiery chef land on his doorstep and turn his life upside down. If he wants to keep his girls, he's going to have to learn to lead with his heart and not his mind.
Will Bowie is supposed to be training for the Olympics, but the toddler unexpectedly dropped into his life isn’t interested in his schedules. Still, he’s pretty sure he’s got things under control…
…until a sexy chef lands on his doorstep and offers a temptation he can’t resist.
Hours after losing her restaurant, chef Delilah Lua enters a cooking competition thousands of miles away from home. Winning would resurrect the dream that’s been stolen from her. If—no, when—she wins, she’ll go back with the capital to open her own place and enough fame to do it with flair. Her roommate, though, is a delicious surprise she hadn’t anticipated…
…but she’s not sure how to have her cake and eat it, too.
Despite the undeniable sparks in the kitchen, Will’s not about to give his heart to another woman who’s leaving, and Delilah must decide if the delectable future she could cook up with Will is worth more than a childhood dream.
••••••••••
REVIEW: 4.25 stars--THE HEARTLESS BOYFRIEND is the second instalment in Erika Kelly’s contemporary, adult BAD BOYFRIEND erotic, romance series focusing on the Bowie siblings (Fin, Brodie, Gray and Will). This is seven-time World Games freestyle skier champion Will Bowie, and chef Delilah Lua’s story line. THE HEARTLESS BOYFRIEND can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous instalment is revealed where necessary.
Told from dual third person perspectives (Will and Delilah) THE HEARTLESS BOYFRIEND follows twenty-six year old chef Delilah Bowie in the aftermath of losing the restaurant she has always wanted. Heartbroken and lost, Manhattan born and raised Delilah heads to Calamity, Wyoming at the invitation of her friend Callie Bell, in the hopes of finding her place, and winning a cooking championship to prove everybody wrong. Enter Will Bowie, seven-time World Games freestyle skier, and the man with whom Delilah will fall in love. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Delilah and Will, and the potential fall-out as Delilah is offered an opportunity of a lifetime but an opportunity that comes with restrictions and rules.
Will Bowie found himself in the eye of the storm when his career was threatened by a long-time rival. Rumors of a pay-off and ill-gotten gains found Will having to defend his talent and career all the while struggling to raise a two year old dropped off at the family front door. A product of his past, will struggles with parenting a two year old child, a struggle that become readily apparent when his methods result in a less than favourable outcome. Delilah Lua had waited twenty-six years to own and operate one of the family-run restaurants but Delilah found herself on the outside looking in, ensuring a deep divide between duty and family. Meeting Will Bowie and two year old Ruby meant a second chance at a family and love but Delilah and Will would constantly butt heads about the ins and outs of raising a precocious and precious two year old child. A cooking contest for a coveted position at a local spa restaurant ensures Delilah the possibility of making it on her own.
The relationship between Delilah and Will begins acrimoniously. Hired to work as a chef on the Bowie family ranch, our heroine becomes a surrogate mother to little two year old Ruby Leigh but Will’s ideas about parenting vary greatly to the ideas of everyone else. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate, without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
All of Will’s brothers play secondary and supporting roles including Fin and his fiancé Callie (The World’s Worst Boyfriend #1), Brodie and Gray, as well as their mother, Uncle Lachlan, housekeeper Marcella, and Will’s long time manager Alex. Ruby Leigh is the sweetest, heart-warming and precious character ever introduced into a romance story line-an innocent child whose world has been turned upside down by the death of her mother, the only parent she has ever known.
THE HEARTLESS BOYFRIEND is a story of family and friendship, betrayal and revenge, starting over and letting go of the past. The premise is inspiring and encouraging; the characters are real and energetic; the romance is seductive and sensual. THE HEARTLESS BOYFRIEND is an emotional yet tender look at one man as he struggles in the face of betrayal and lies, and one woman as she must overcome the rejection of family, and her sense of self-worth.
Copy supplied for review
www.thereadingcafe.com
April 23, 2019
When her siblings decide she shouldn't receive the one thing her parents wanted her to have in their will, Delilah Lua leaves town and heads for Calamity, Wyoming and enters a cooking competition. Staying with Will Bowie and his adorable little sister is supposed to be temporary, but the more time she spends with him, the more she finds herself wanting to stay. Yet, when she's made an offer that seems impossible to refuse, will the pair fight for their happy ever after?
The first book of this series was an entertaining, emotional and fast-paced read, of which I loved from start to finish and this story was no different. Really, the main characters were absolutely fascinating and the hero's little sister was completely adorable; the dialogue was compelling and drew me in from the very beginning, as what the heroine's siblings do is completely unfair; and the plot was fast-paced and had me reading quickly, determined to discover what Will was willing to do to give Ruby the stability she deserved and had me wondering what the hero would do when faced with the possibility of the heroine walking away. Will the hero be able to convince the heroine to stay?
As for the dialogue, it was intense due to the main characters back stories and everything these two go through on their journey to happy ever after, as the heroine's siblings do wrong by her and what they do is so unfair. How could they treat her the way they do and not expect her to be upset? While the hero, I really felt sorry for him because of what happens to him. How could someone be such a bad sport? Why was the hero not willing to fight back against the things that were being said about him?
With the heroine, she's strong and brave when it comes to handling how her siblings have treated her and it's understandable why she needs to get away before she does something she'll regret. I also liked her determination for the competition and that she had faith in herself that she might win. Will she win? Yet, what I liked most of all about the heroine was the bond she shared with Ruby and how she challenges Will when it comes to his relationship with the little girl. All Ruby needs is love after all she's lost, not the routine and discipline Will was so determined for her to have. While the hero, he's a good brother; confident; driven when it comes to his career; and I liked how determined he was to do right by his little sister, even if he doesn't always make the best decisions as he navigates the situation with the newest addition to his family. I also liked the close relationships the hero had with his siblings and how determined they were to do what's right by their little sister because she needs them.
Overall, Ms. Kelly has delivered a really good read in this book where the chemistry between this couple was powerful; the romance was full of heat and passion and had me liking that these two took a chance on each other; and the ending had me loving the hero's determination to win the heroine back, especially after how he acted that sent her running and was the cause of their relationship going awry. I would recommend The Heartless Boyfriend by Erika Kelly, if you enjoy the friends to lovers trope, the mysterious strangers trope or books by authors Melanie Harlow, R.S Grey, Samantha Towle and Sarina Bowen.
May 11, 2019
Our heroine is Delilah Lua, she's supposed to inherit the 8th franchise in her family's chain of Italian restaurants, but her siblings cut her out. So she bounces to *jazz hands* Wyoming for a few weeks to figure out what's next. Our hero is Will Bowie. He is a freestyle skiing champion and his 3 adult brothers just found out they have a 2 year old sister they didn't know about. When Delilah shows up to stay at his house, I guess they're supposed to fall in love BUT (wait for the wishes)...
Pluses: Will's little sister, Ruby, is very cute and Will's determination to welcome her into the family is sweet.
Wishes: In the first quarter of the book, THREE MAJOR SUBPLOTS unspool:
1) the appearance of Ruby and how the Bowie brothers will handle this. This includes Will's curiosity about the affair his father (who died 2 years earlier) had with Ruby's mother, and some longstanding bad blood with his mother about how she abandoned him for some reason still to be revealed.
2) Delilah's being shut out of the family business, including details about how she's the only one of the siblings to love cooking, and that she went to culinary school. The reason they box her out is because she's an amazing chef, and she keeps messing with the family recipes. However, it's unclear why they entirely disinherit her instead of buying her out so she can start her own restaurant? It seems real shitty and she's dealing with her feelings about that and also her desire to figure out what to do with her life next.
3) One of Will's skiing rivals held a press conference 2 days earlier and accused Will of winning only bc he and his family bribed the judges. Somehow Will did not catch any word of this until now when his agent appears in his kitchen with a solution. If Will agrees to do advertising with Ruby for a powerbar type company, then somehow the entire mess will go away bc the company will fund the entire competition for the next 5 years. Sure. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
So there are plots B, C, and D. You know what's missing: PLOT A, the romance. I mean, sure get those storytelling balls in the air, but this was an overwhelming amount of external conflict. These 2 have at this point maybe had 2 conversations?
Add to that some other things that just got on my nerves in a big way: Delilah is half-Hawaiian & half-Swedish and Will describes her as "a blonde beauty with exotically-shaped eyes." Exotic is a word that is very othering. Let's stop using it for people and their features.
Will is some super-athlete who has a very regimented training diet, of course. But at one point, Delilah made Ruby banana chocolate muffins, and Will is pissed and thinks he doesn't want her eating "crap" and Delilah rushes to defend the all natural ingredients and wheat flour. Like, it's okay to give a 2 yr old who sad about her dead mother a banana chocolate muffin, Will! This conflict---chef who shows love through food meets dude who doesn't eat--is not for me.
Verdict: DNF. Too much plot, not enough romance, & some other shit that made me snarly.
Copied & Pasted from Twitter as part of a project where I'm reviewing the 2019 RITA finalists.
Pluses: Will's little sister, Ruby, is very cute and Will's determination to welcome her into the family is sweet.
Wishes: In the first quarter of the book, THREE MAJOR SUBPLOTS unspool:
1) the appearance of Ruby and how the Bowie brothers will handle this. This includes Will's curiosity about the affair his father (who died 2 years earlier) had with Ruby's mother, and some longstanding bad blood with his mother about how she abandoned him for some reason still to be revealed.
2) Delilah's being shut out of the family business, including details about how she's the only one of the siblings to love cooking, and that she went to culinary school. The reason they box her out is because she's an amazing chef, and she keeps messing with the family recipes. However, it's unclear why they entirely disinherit her instead of buying her out so she can start her own restaurant? It seems real shitty and she's dealing with her feelings about that and also her desire to figure out what to do with her life next.
3) One of Will's skiing rivals held a press conference 2 days earlier and accused Will of winning only bc he and his family bribed the judges. Somehow Will did not catch any word of this until now when his agent appears in his kitchen with a solution. If Will agrees to do advertising with Ruby for a powerbar type company, then somehow the entire mess will go away bc the company will fund the entire competition for the next 5 years. Sure. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
So there are plots B, C, and D. You know what's missing: PLOT A, the romance. I mean, sure get those storytelling balls in the air, but this was an overwhelming amount of external conflict. These 2 have at this point maybe had 2 conversations?
Add to that some other things that just got on my nerves in a big way: Delilah is half-Hawaiian & half-Swedish and Will describes her as "a blonde beauty with exotically-shaped eyes." Exotic is a word that is very othering. Let's stop using it for people and their features.
Will is some super-athlete who has a very regimented training diet, of course. But at one point, Delilah made Ruby banana chocolate muffins, and Will is pissed and thinks he doesn't want her eating "crap" and Delilah rushes to defend the all natural ingredients and wheat flour. Like, it's okay to give a 2 yr old who sad about her dead mother a banana chocolate muffin, Will! This conflict---chef who shows love through food meets dude who doesn't eat--is not for me.
Verdict: DNF. Too much plot, not enough romance, & some other shit that made me snarly.
Copied & Pasted from Twitter as part of a project where I'm reviewing the 2019 RITA finalists.
October 24, 2018
The Heartless Boyfriend is the perfect combination of sexy and sweet made even better by a great storyline and wonderful characters!!!!
This book is the second one in the series. Don’t worry...it can be read as a standalone. I haven’t read the first book, although, it’s now on my Kindle TBR list. I found the book easy to follow even though I didn’t have the background of the previous book.
Will and Delilah are complete opposites, yet they find themselves at a crossroads in their lives dealing with the same issue...proving themselves to their families, even if it is under different circumstances. Life has thrown them a curveball, but it will change their lives forever.
Will is an athlete just on the cusp of realizing his dream of possibly joining the Olympic team. However, when a sweet little girl, Ruby, enters his life, it could possibly change everything. Will prides himself on self-discipline. With the arrival of Ruby, that upends life as he knows it. She has no concept of training schedules. She just misses his mother. Life changes even more when Delilah enters his life. She is in town for a cooking competition. She makes him feel things he has never felt. Yet, he is ruled by his mind not his heart, but these two females may just crack his cold heart.
Delilah has always dreamed of opening her own family restaurant. Yet, those dreams are crushed when she receives a crushing food review. Her family has lost faith in her. She travels thousands of miles away to win a cooking competition. This is her only hope of getting the money she needs to return back home and open her very own restaurant. Unlike Will, she is mostly ruled by her heart. She falls in love with little Ruby instantly. As she spends more time with Will, she begins to fall for him too. Her road to success and love will be mired with many obstacles. I just kept my fingers crossed that Will would finally open his eyes!
The book is told in the third person but with a dual POV. That allowed me to see more deeply who both characters were. Both of them have always had dreams they have worked hard to achieve, but is it really for themselves or for others? Delilah wants to prove herself to her family, and Will wants to make his mother really “see him” and finally open her heart to him. As they will discover, they each have to love themselves and not try to do things to make others love them.
As you can see, I loved the characters. Ruby completely melted my heart, and she was a driving force in the book. She had as much to do with Will’s softening heart as Delilah did. To me, she was the anchor to the story. The storyline was very well thought out as well. The romance was sort of a slow burn even though it happened over a short period of time. Not many writers could pull that off, but Kelly certainly did. This was a romance packed with emotion!!!
I am a new reader to Erika Kelly and this series, and to say that I was impressed would be an understatement!!! She definitely has a new fan in me!!!!
This book is the second one in the series. Don’t worry...it can be read as a standalone. I haven’t read the first book, although, it’s now on my Kindle TBR list. I found the book easy to follow even though I didn’t have the background of the previous book.
Will and Delilah are complete opposites, yet they find themselves at a crossroads in their lives dealing with the same issue...proving themselves to their families, even if it is under different circumstances. Life has thrown them a curveball, but it will change their lives forever.
Will is an athlete just on the cusp of realizing his dream of possibly joining the Olympic team. However, when a sweet little girl, Ruby, enters his life, it could possibly change everything. Will prides himself on self-discipline. With the arrival of Ruby, that upends life as he knows it. She has no concept of training schedules. She just misses his mother. Life changes even more when Delilah enters his life. She is in town for a cooking competition. She makes him feel things he has never felt. Yet, he is ruled by his mind not his heart, but these two females may just crack his cold heart.
Delilah has always dreamed of opening her own family restaurant. Yet, those dreams are crushed when she receives a crushing food review. Her family has lost faith in her. She travels thousands of miles away to win a cooking competition. This is her only hope of getting the money she needs to return back home and open her very own restaurant. Unlike Will, she is mostly ruled by her heart. She falls in love with little Ruby instantly. As she spends more time with Will, she begins to fall for him too. Her road to success and love will be mired with many obstacles. I just kept my fingers crossed that Will would finally open his eyes!
The book is told in the third person but with a dual POV. That allowed me to see more deeply who both characters were. Both of them have always had dreams they have worked hard to achieve, but is it really for themselves or for others? Delilah wants to prove herself to her family, and Will wants to make his mother really “see him” and finally open her heart to him. As they will discover, they each have to love themselves and not try to do things to make others love them.
As you can see, I loved the characters. Ruby completely melted my heart, and she was a driving force in the book. She had as much to do with Will’s softening heart as Delilah did. To me, she was the anchor to the story. The storyline was very well thought out as well. The romance was sort of a slow burn even though it happened over a short period of time. Not many writers could pull that off, but Kelly certainly did. This was a romance packed with emotion!!!
I am a new reader to Erika Kelly and this series, and to say that I was impressed would be an understatement!!! She definitely has a new fan in me!!!!
October 20, 2018
This second installment of Bad Boyfriends is quite the emotional rollercoaster. I was absorbed by the story right from the start.
Will is the oldest of the four Bowie brothers and is a ski champion. Except for his brothers, he doesn't allow anyone to get too close to him due to the fear of being left behind through something that happened in his childhood.
Delilah is a chef for her family's famous Italian restaurant. All her life she has dreamt of owning her own franchise and looking forward to the day when that dream would turn to reality.
On her twentysixth birthday, Delilah is waiting in anticipation for the news that should materialise, but instead she receives unexpected news which shatters her dreams. Suddenly, she is at a loss and doesn't know where to go next. Her best friend Callie comes up with a suggestion of entering a competition in the small town of Calamity. Not having many other options, she is willing to take her chances.
Will and his family find themselves in a baffling situation. A surprise addition to the family! Will, being the oldest takes charge, and no matter what, these brothers stick together. Despite not wanting to get too close to anyone, Will is captivated by Ruby and becomes very protective. He would give her the life that she deserves with the help of his brothers.
On arriving in Calamity to stay at the Bowie's home, Delilah's first encounter is with little Ruby who appears to be in distress. Coaxing doesn't work, therefore she does what she does best. Ruby can hardly refuse the opportunity of cookies and it's the middle of the night! This is where Delilah comes face to face with a disgruntled Will. He is none too happy about what he sees, but being a good host, he gives Delilah a few ground rules for where Ruby is concerned.
Being an aloof person, Will doesn't usually notice little things about the opposite sex, but this is not so in Delilah's case. Besides, he doesn't need such a distraction. His priorities are Ruby's welfare and his training for the forthcoming Olympics. Delilah is not totally unaffected by Will's commanding presence. He gives her butterflies in her stomach, but she has to concentrate on the contest and she will be leaving soon after. How long can they resist this obvious attraction between them? They are both facing drastic life changes. Are they prepared for a new start?
I really enjoyed the first book in the series, but this one had my emotions in tatters. Little Ruby having to go through such a tragedy at such a young age. Will's scarred past is agonising. Delilah's news which shattered her dreams. They each takes its toll and I must admit that my heart skipped a beat towards the end, but the author does a wonderful job of turning things around to deliver a beautiful finish to the story. Very well portrayed with lovable characters. Loved it.
I was kindly issued with an eARC and the views expressed are my personal opinion.
Will is the oldest of the four Bowie brothers and is a ski champion. Except for his brothers, he doesn't allow anyone to get too close to him due to the fear of being left behind through something that happened in his childhood.
Delilah is a chef for her family's famous Italian restaurant. All her life she has dreamt of owning her own franchise and looking forward to the day when that dream would turn to reality.
On her twentysixth birthday, Delilah is waiting in anticipation for the news that should materialise, but instead she receives unexpected news which shatters her dreams. Suddenly, she is at a loss and doesn't know where to go next. Her best friend Callie comes up with a suggestion of entering a competition in the small town of Calamity. Not having many other options, she is willing to take her chances.
Will and his family find themselves in a baffling situation. A surprise addition to the family! Will, being the oldest takes charge, and no matter what, these brothers stick together. Despite not wanting to get too close to anyone, Will is captivated by Ruby and becomes very protective. He would give her the life that she deserves with the help of his brothers.
On arriving in Calamity to stay at the Bowie's home, Delilah's first encounter is with little Ruby who appears to be in distress. Coaxing doesn't work, therefore she does what she does best. Ruby can hardly refuse the opportunity of cookies and it's the middle of the night! This is where Delilah comes face to face with a disgruntled Will. He is none too happy about what he sees, but being a good host, he gives Delilah a few ground rules for where Ruby is concerned.
Being an aloof person, Will doesn't usually notice little things about the opposite sex, but this is not so in Delilah's case. Besides, he doesn't need such a distraction. His priorities are Ruby's welfare and his training for the forthcoming Olympics. Delilah is not totally unaffected by Will's commanding presence. He gives her butterflies in her stomach, but she has to concentrate on the contest and she will be leaving soon after. How long can they resist this obvious attraction between them? They are both facing drastic life changes. Are they prepared for a new start?
I really enjoyed the first book in the series, but this one had my emotions in tatters. Little Ruby having to go through such a tragedy at such a young age. Will's scarred past is agonising. Delilah's news which shattered her dreams. They each takes its toll and I must admit that my heart skipped a beat towards the end, but the author does a wonderful job of turning things around to deliver a beautiful finish to the story. Very well portrayed with lovable characters. Loved it.
I was kindly issued with an eARC and the views expressed are my personal opinion.
October 17, 2018
I love this author’s writing, a perfect combination of action, dialogue and character’s internal musings. Also, her characters have issues that they need and do overcome during the story, with some angst, but also some humor.
In this second installment of the Bad Boyfriends series, Will Bowie and his brothers are taken by surprise by the appearance of a two-year old precious little girl, who turned out to be fathered by Mack Bowie, their dad, who died two years ago. Will and his brothers take on the responsibility of raising their little sister, organizing a schedule where each of the four brothers will take turns during the year, taking care of little Ruby according to their free time. At the moment, Will is in charge, since he’s on summer hiatus from his freestyle boarding sport.
Delilah Lua is a very talented chef, the youngest of seven siblings. When their parents died, they left a trust fund, whereby each child inherited a restaurant franchise of their original restaurant Da Nonna’s Italian restaurant. However, when it came to Delilah’s turn, her siblings decided against giving her the franchise because she’s always changing their signature dishes and it was affecting their reviews. Hurt by their rejection, she flees to Calamity, where the Bowie brothers live, to consider her options and join a chef competition that will give her recognition and opportunities. Since her best friend Callie is engaged to the younger Bowie brother, Fin, she’s invited to stay at the Bowie home, where little Ruby and Will are living.
And here is where the book got interesting and fun! Sparks fly when Delilah and Will meet and Delilah can’t help falling in love with baby Ruby. Also, she can’t help being exasperated by Will’s strictly-by-the-book upbringing of Ruby. In his misguided attempt to give Ruby a safe and well-structured life, he’s missing on cuddle times, spontaneous fun, and nurturing that precious little girl’s sense of fun and security. Will has issues from his mother’s detachment and abandonment, and Delilah has issues with her goals in life. A match made in heaven!
The reading was fun and entertaining, the characters wonderful and engaging. There’s lots of cooking and baby cooing. I just loved how little Ruby adored her big brother and needed him to be happy and feel secure. There were some very touching moments between Will and Ruby, where Ruby taught Will what it is to love without boundaries, so tender and endearing. This book has everything, sexy times, baby times, foodie times, family times and loyal friends support at times of trouble. Can’t wait for the next Bowie brother!
In this second installment of the Bad Boyfriends series, Will Bowie and his brothers are taken by surprise by the appearance of a two-year old precious little girl, who turned out to be fathered by Mack Bowie, their dad, who died two years ago. Will and his brothers take on the responsibility of raising their little sister, organizing a schedule where each of the four brothers will take turns during the year, taking care of little Ruby according to their free time. At the moment, Will is in charge, since he’s on summer hiatus from his freestyle boarding sport.
Delilah Lua is a very talented chef, the youngest of seven siblings. When their parents died, they left a trust fund, whereby each child inherited a restaurant franchise of their original restaurant Da Nonna’s Italian restaurant. However, when it came to Delilah’s turn, her siblings decided against giving her the franchise because she’s always changing their signature dishes and it was affecting their reviews. Hurt by their rejection, she flees to Calamity, where the Bowie brothers live, to consider her options and join a chef competition that will give her recognition and opportunities. Since her best friend Callie is engaged to the younger Bowie brother, Fin, she’s invited to stay at the Bowie home, where little Ruby and Will are living.
And here is where the book got interesting and fun! Sparks fly when Delilah and Will meet and Delilah can’t help falling in love with baby Ruby. Also, she can’t help being exasperated by Will’s strictly-by-the-book upbringing of Ruby. In his misguided attempt to give Ruby a safe and well-structured life, he’s missing on cuddle times, spontaneous fun, and nurturing that precious little girl’s sense of fun and security. Will has issues from his mother’s detachment and abandonment, and Delilah has issues with her goals in life. A match made in heaven!
The reading was fun and entertaining, the characters wonderful and engaging. There’s lots of cooking and baby cooing. I just loved how little Ruby adored her big brother and needed him to be happy and feel secure. There were some very touching moments between Will and Ruby, where Ruby taught Will what it is to love without boundaries, so tender and endearing. This book has everything, sexy times, baby times, foodie times, family times and loyal friends support at times of trouble. Can’t wait for the next Bowie brother!
October 24, 2018
3.5 Love when we least expect it stars!
Source: eARC for Honest Review Courtesy of Inkslinger PR
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance
Book 2
My The Heartless Boyfriend Review . . .
It has been quite awhile since I've read anything from Erika Kelly, so when I heard about this I jumped at the chance to read and review it. However, as I started to read it, I felt like I was missing a whole bunch of the background. That is when I realized that this is book 2 within a series. I then quickly put this book down and dove into The World's First Boyfriend, book1. After reading this I found it much easier to get into the story line.
I believe it is set up that you can pick up this book and read it without book 1. And technically you can, but you may feel some things are missing. It was much more enjoyable after reading book 1 first.
"I tell you what, Will Bowie, you came right out of nowhere and stole my heart."
This Bowie brothers are something else. They are all successful athletes as well as loyal loving brothers with hearts of gold. They were all also very single until Finn got his heart back and this time around it was Will to find his heart.
In The World's Worst Boyfriend, the story focuses around Finn and Calliope. This is where we first hear of Delilah, whom is Calli's best friend. Delilah is needing a break from the disappointment of her life and ends up landing at Will's house. Here she meets Will and his very adorable sister Ruby.
Will is about structure, planning and success. These are all things that have helped him survive the aftermath of a brutal heartless mother. Most of us have some sort of mommy issues, and Will is no exception.
" . . . You're a man who loves hard and feels things deeply. That's a beautiful and human, and I hate your mom for stealing that from you."
Will likes predictability and Delilah and Ruby are the two least predictable things to come into his life, and also the reason he fell so far for both of them.
As Will starts to open up his heart to possibilities besides skiing, he also starts to conquer his past issues and find the love he always deserved.
"She's never going to be the mom you want her to be."
We don't always find love in the right place or time, but when it comes knocking we should keep the possibility open.
I adore these Bowie men and can't wait for more from this series and this author. Will and Delilah's story was sweet and uplifting. And I absolutely adored Ruby and thought she was portrayed brilliantly. I loved Delilah's passion, openness and loving compassionate ways. She was the perfect match for Will.
Source: eARC for Honest Review Courtesy of Inkslinger PR
Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance
Book 2
My The Heartless Boyfriend Review . . .
It has been quite awhile since I've read anything from Erika Kelly, so when I heard about this I jumped at the chance to read and review it. However, as I started to read it, I felt like I was missing a whole bunch of the background. That is when I realized that this is book 2 within a series. I then quickly put this book down and dove into The World's First Boyfriend, book1. After reading this I found it much easier to get into the story line.
I believe it is set up that you can pick up this book and read it without book 1. And technically you can, but you may feel some things are missing. It was much more enjoyable after reading book 1 first.
"I tell you what, Will Bowie, you came right out of nowhere and stole my heart."
This Bowie brothers are something else. They are all successful athletes as well as loyal loving brothers with hearts of gold. They were all also very single until Finn got his heart back and this time around it was Will to find his heart.
In The World's Worst Boyfriend, the story focuses around Finn and Calliope. This is where we first hear of Delilah, whom is Calli's best friend. Delilah is needing a break from the disappointment of her life and ends up landing at Will's house. Here she meets Will and his very adorable sister Ruby.
Will is about structure, planning and success. These are all things that have helped him survive the aftermath of a brutal heartless mother. Most of us have some sort of mommy issues, and Will is no exception.
" . . . You're a man who loves hard and feels things deeply. That's a beautiful and human, and I hate your mom for stealing that from you."
Will likes predictability and Delilah and Ruby are the two least predictable things to come into his life, and also the reason he fell so far for both of them.
As Will starts to open up his heart to possibilities besides skiing, he also starts to conquer his past issues and find the love he always deserved.
"She's never going to be the mom you want her to be."
We don't always find love in the right place or time, but when it comes knocking we should keep the possibility open.
I adore these Bowie men and can't wait for more from this series and this author. Will and Delilah's story was sweet and uplifting. And I absolutely adored Ruby and thought she was portrayed brilliantly. I loved Delilah's passion, openness and loving compassionate ways. She was the perfect match for Will.
May 6, 2019
Another great entry into the Bad Boyfriend series! I think I actually liked this one better than the first, and I really liked the first book.
This book has the same strong writing and smart dialogue, but with even more layered conflict that truly made me wonder how the story was going to resolve in a believable HEA that didn't resort to a deus ex machina plot device. (It doesn't.)
Will was by far my favourite character, strong and stoic, finding comfort in his regime and struggling as his default discipline was challenged and replaced by both the heroine and two-year-old Ruby. I'm not normally a fan of children in novels because they tend to be used as plot moppets, but Ruby wasn't there to be adorable, she was a reflection of young Will and an opportunity for adult Will to spare her the pain he'd endured, and was used thoughtfully as a way to further develop his character.
I'm a massive fan of cooking shows, so I particularly enjoyed Delilah's plot in the restaurant competition, and I wish we'd gotten more of that. Her story was interesting, but because Will was so well-developed, so she slipped into more of a supporting role than an equal lead. Likewise, while their romance was a slow-burn that turned into a wildfire, it felt like Will was the one driving that story, and Delilah was just happy to be along for the ride. While she pushed back on her family issues, I thought she should have had more of a backbone in the relationship with Will, too.
The first book had more sequel-bait-type introducing of the other brothers, who are not seen very much here, which is my personal preference. If a book is good, I'll read the next one without having hints dropped in my lap. And I am, accordingly, very excited to read Gray's story next. I'm still kicking myself for taking so long to getting around to reading Erika Kelly's books, which have been on my Kindle for a while. She's a fantastic writer with a solid grasp of character that I really admire.
This book has the same strong writing and smart dialogue, but with even more layered conflict that truly made me wonder how the story was going to resolve in a believable HEA that didn't resort to a deus ex machina plot device. (It doesn't.)
Will was by far my favourite character, strong and stoic, finding comfort in his regime and struggling as his default discipline was challenged and replaced by both the heroine and two-year-old Ruby. I'm not normally a fan of children in novels because they tend to be used as plot moppets, but Ruby wasn't there to be adorable, she was a reflection of young Will and an opportunity for adult Will to spare her the pain he'd endured, and was used thoughtfully as a way to further develop his character.
I'm a massive fan of cooking shows, so I particularly enjoyed Delilah's plot in the restaurant competition, and I wish we'd gotten more of that. Her story was interesting, but because Will was so well-developed, so she slipped into more of a supporting role than an equal lead. Likewise, while their romance was a slow-burn that turned into a wildfire, it felt like Will was the one driving that story, and Delilah was just happy to be along for the ride. While she pushed back on her family issues, I thought she should have had more of a backbone in the relationship with Will, too.
The first book had more sequel-bait-type introducing of the other brothers, who are not seen very much here, which is my personal preference. If a book is good, I'll read the next one without having hints dropped in my lap. And I am, accordingly, very excited to read Gray's story next. I'm still kicking myself for taking so long to getting around to reading Erika Kelly's books, which have been on my Kindle for a while. She's a fantastic writer with a solid grasp of character that I really admire.
October 14, 2018
What a fantastic read! This is one of those beautiful stories that just has you swooning and with a happy smile on your face!
This is my first read by Erika Kelly, and have to admit her writing sucked me in right from the very first page and took me on an wonderful journey of love, sacrifice, heartache and healing. I absolutely devoured this book.
I fell in love with the characters in a heartbeat. Will was an incredible male hero. His story tugged on my emotions in a way very few characters ever have. I loved and admired him, I understood him, and above all else I absolutely felt for him. His relationship with little Ruby captivating, engaging and heartwarming in equal measures.
Delilah was a great surprise! I absolutely loved her. She was so refreshingly smart and honest and direct, bags of fun who wears her heart totally on her sleeve. I thought the way she handled the ups and downs as well as certain disappointments was remarkable and wonderful. She never whined and she always saw both sides of a situation and she was never afraid to say what she needed to. She is literally one of the best female heroine’s I have ever read.
Will and Delilah were perfect for each other in the most flawed set of circumstances. Theirs was a relationship that was sizzling hot as well as sweet and gorgeous. Their story was real, honest, raw and full of angst. I loved it. But more than that, I absolutely believed in it.
Erika's writing is entirely distinctive. She excels at writing in third person and it makes it so easy to sink into a story and forget your actually reading a book! This one will definitely make my top 10 of 2018. Engaging storyline, great writing and extremely likeable characters. This is the first book in this series that I have read, but I now want to read book one and can’t wait to read the rest of the series!
This is my first read by Erika Kelly, and have to admit her writing sucked me in right from the very first page and took me on an wonderful journey of love, sacrifice, heartache and healing. I absolutely devoured this book.
I fell in love with the characters in a heartbeat. Will was an incredible male hero. His story tugged on my emotions in a way very few characters ever have. I loved and admired him, I understood him, and above all else I absolutely felt for him. His relationship with little Ruby captivating, engaging and heartwarming in equal measures.
Delilah was a great surprise! I absolutely loved her. She was so refreshingly smart and honest and direct, bags of fun who wears her heart totally on her sleeve. I thought the way she handled the ups and downs as well as certain disappointments was remarkable and wonderful. She never whined and she always saw both sides of a situation and she was never afraid to say what she needed to. She is literally one of the best female heroine’s I have ever read.
Will and Delilah were perfect for each other in the most flawed set of circumstances. Theirs was a relationship that was sizzling hot as well as sweet and gorgeous. Their story was real, honest, raw and full of angst. I loved it. But more than that, I absolutely believed in it.
Erika's writing is entirely distinctive. She excels at writing in third person and it makes it so easy to sink into a story and forget your actually reading a book! This one will definitely make my top 10 of 2018. Engaging storyline, great writing and extremely likeable characters. This is the first book in this series that I have read, but I now want to read book one and can’t wait to read the rest of the series!
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