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The Men of Lakeside #2
The Standby Guy
For the last fifteen years, Katie Dixon has been focused on her responsibility as a single mother, raising her son and making ends meet. Now her son’s off to college, her photography business is stable, and she’s more than ready to embrace her “me time,” including a romantic fling or two. The only problem is that she hasn’t dated in years and needs a little help finding her confidence again.
Carter Colburn has been her next door neighbor and closest friend for years. So when he needs a date for a business dinner that could boost his law firm and help keep the family business on solid footing, she offers to pretend to be his girlfriend. He’s funny, sexy, and a confirmed bachelor—the perfect guy to help her find her mojo and nothing more.
But when local residents catch them sharing a tipsy kiss, the rumor mill goes wild. It's fun to pretend to be dating for a while. But when Carter starts to take the idea of settling down with his best friend seriously, Katie is terrified by the prospect of losing her precious "me time" all over again.
Each book in the Men of Lakeside series is
* The July Guy
* The Standby Guy
242 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 11, 2019
18 people are currently reading
46 people want to read
About the author
Natasha Moore
59 books125 followersNatasha Moore fell in love with the written word as soon as she could read. She’s the author of more than twenty romances, and believes that stories of love and hope are important. Love can happen at any age and she often writes about vibrant and passionate characters finding love later in life. She’s a snowbird, spending the winters in sunny Florida, and the rest of the year in beautiful western New York with her real life hero who is happy to tell everyone that he’s her inspiration
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
June 9, 2020
3.5 Empty Nester Needs Love Too Stars
* * * 1/2 Spoiler Free
Oh, how time flies, especially when you have children. One minute you are trying to figure out how to get them to sleep, then you are trying to wake them up for school. When they are marching out the door to college, you look back and wonder where the hell did the time go...
Katie Dixon had been raising her son on her own. As a talented photographer, she made a life for them. She had made friends with her neighbor Cater and was thankful to have him there to assist over the years. Now she is a free agent and can do whatever she wants...and dating has changed so much since she did.
Turns out Carter is in need for a "plus one" for a business dinner. Katie would do anything for Carter, after all, he was there for her during her many times of need with her son. They do the business dinner, have a blast and before you know it, the whole town thinks they are a thing...
The question is... could they really be a thing...for real? And what about all the freedom she was looking forward to...How does Carter fit into that!
The July Guy
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Standby Guy
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Goodbye Guy
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
A gifted copy was provided for an honest review.
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
* * * 1/2 Spoiler Free
Oh, how time flies, especially when you have children. One minute you are trying to figure out how to get them to sleep, then you are trying to wake them up for school. When they are marching out the door to college, you look back and wonder where the hell did the time go...
Katie Dixon had been raising her son on her own. As a talented photographer, she made a life for them. She had made friends with her neighbor Cater and was thankful to have him there to assist over the years. Now she is a free agent and can do whatever she wants...and dating has changed so much since she did.
Turns out Carter is in need for a "plus one" for a business dinner. Katie would do anything for Carter, after all, he was there for her during her many times of need with her son. They do the business dinner, have a blast and before you know it, the whole town thinks they are a thing...
The question is... could they really be a thing...for real? And what about all the freedom she was looking forward to...How does Carter fit into that!
The July Guyhttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Standby Guyhttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
The Goodbye Guyhttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
A gifted copy was provided for an honest review.
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
March 7, 2019
3.5 stars
The Standby Guy is the second book in Natasha Moore’s The Men of Lakeside series and while it was a good book, I didn’t enjoy it as much as the first in this series. Best friends and neighbors explore more than friendship when one becomes an empty nester and the other decides he wants to be known as more than a rebound guy in this contemporary romance featuring a couple over the age of 40.
Katie Dixon is a widowed single mom bound and determined to having “my time” and enjoying life when her son heads off to college. Having started a list of things she wanted to do when her son was older, Katie soon realizes that she hasn’t dated in years and needs to learn how to navigate the dating waters once again. When her best friend Carter Colburn needs a date to impress a client and clean up his image, he agrees to help Katie get her dating mojo back in exchange for her help landing the client. Soon all their friends and family are excited about their “relationship” when there really isn’t one, but as lines become more blurred both Katie and Carter are having a hard time remembering where they stand with one another.
I went in to this book not sure about Carter and his “playboy” ways but I actually really loved his character. He was so dedicated to his family’s business and the law practice he ran, I honestly think he was just stretched so thin with work that he kept things easy with women because he didn’t have time to devote to a girlfriend. Kate on the other hand came across as selfish and loved making Carter feel bad for his choices, yet was determined to just enjoy flings with no relationship. It took me a good, long while to warm up to her which kept me from thoroughly loving this book. I loved their friendship and the fact they both where very involved in Kate’s son’s life, but for me there was something missing in their relationship.
I’m always thrilled to find a book with characters over 35 finding love so that was a huge plus for The Standby Guy and had I liked the heroine more, I would have been over the moon about this book. It was a good book, but my lack of enthusiasm for the heroine kept me from thoroughly enjoying it.
Merged review:
3.5 stars
The Standby Guy is the second book in Natasha Moore’s The Men of Lakeside series and while it was a good book, I didn’t enjoy it as much as the first in this series. Best friends and neighbors explore more than friendship when one becomes an empty nester and the other decides he wants to be known as more than a rebound guy in this contemporary romance featuring a couple over the age of 40.
Katie Dixon is a widowed single mom bound and determined to having “my time” and enjoying life when her son heads off to college. Having started a list of things she wanted to do when her son was older, Katie soon realizes that she hasn’t dated in years and needs to learn how to navigate the dating waters once again. When her best friend Carter Colburn needs a date to impress a client and clean up his image, he agrees to help Katie get her dating mojo back in exchange for her help landing the client. Soon all their friends and family are excited about their “relationship” when there really isn’t one, but as lines become more blurred both Katie and Carter are having a hard time remembering where they stand with one another.
I went in to this book not sure about Carter and his “playboy” ways but I actually really loved his character. He was so dedicated to his family’s business and the law practice he ran, I honestly think he was just stretched so thin with work that he kept things easy with women because he didn’t have time to devote to a girlfriend. Kate on the other hand came across as selfish and loved making Carter feel bad for his choices, yet was determined to just enjoy flings with no relationship. It took me a good, long while to warm up to her which kept me from thoroughly loving this book. I loved their friendship and the fact they both where very involved in Kate’s son’s life, but for me there was something missing in their relationship.
I’m always thrilled to find a book with characters over 35 finding love so that was a huge plus for The Standby Guy and had I liked the heroine more, I would have been over the moon about this book. It was a good book, but my lack of enthusiasm for the heroine kept me from thoroughly enjoying it.
Review copy provided for a voluntary review.
February 10, 2019
The Standby Guy is the second book I've read from Natasha Moore through Entangled's new August Imprint. I must say I am really enjoying these slightly older and more mature characters. In this one we have single mom Katie Dixon who after years of devoting herself to her son is now able to have a little "me time" when her son leaves for college. Reentering the dating game isn't so easy since she hasn't dated for years. She may need a few pointers. Enter Carter Colburn, Katie's next door neighbor and best friend. He needs a date to a company function and they both think this will be the perfect way for Katie to dip her toes into the dating pool. Let's just say things escalate quickly from there. Come along on this crazy ride while Katie and Carter navigate some murky relationship waters. I highly recommend it.
February 12, 2019
Follow this link to my complete review on Scandalicious Book Reviews: http://bit.ly/2GDhorf
But the short answer is, I love it...4.5 stars of holy cow that was sexy against the wall, girl get your mojo back stars!
But the short answer is, I love it...4.5 stars of holy cow that was sexy against the wall, girl get your mojo back stars!
February 19, 2019
Admittedly, the friends-to-lover trope isn’t usually one I enjoy (more on that later), but I was drawn to this book because it’s about a widowed mother who just sent her only child off to college. I AM a fan of romances about older people.
Katie Dixon lost her husband 15 years ago, leaving her to raise her only son all alone. Well, not exactly alone. Her husband’s best friend, Carter, has been there for everything. He even lives next door and comes over every afternoon for a cup of coffee. He’s been a de facto father, and Katie’s best friend.
Now Katie is starting a new chapter in her life. With her son off to college, it’s now time for her to do all the things she put off while raising a child. She has all the things written in a journal she carries with her. It just so happens she’s able to cross two of the things off her list while also helping Carter, who needs to look like a stable, respectable man - instead of the playboy he is - for a wealthy potential client.
After a candlelit dinner pretending to be a couple, several glasses of wine have Katie confessing her plan to get back into the dating game. Alcohol-fueled courage has her locking lips with Carter before the night is over, and the next thing they know they’ve been “outed” as a couple. Everyone in their small town has always thought they had a thing going on anyway. But Carter isn’t one to settle down with a family (or IS he???), and Katie’s not about to tie herself down to someone and give up her “me time.”
This story could have been compelling. Every parent faces the possibility of a new life once child rearing is done, and a man who reaches the age of 40 is bound to look around and wonder if his playboy lifestyle has really netted him the life he truly wants. But instead of exploring the tough issues, it just droned on and on about the same three things: how it was now Katie’s time, how Katie didn’t want a relationship with Carter to ruin her friendship, and how Carter didn’t want a relationship with Katie to ruin his friendship. Blah blah blah.
My reason for not liking the friends-to-lovers trope is that usually the reader has to endure an overwhelming amount of internal monologue bemoaning the hero/and or/heroine’s reluctance to “ruin their friendship” by becoming lovers. This never rings true to me. Shouldn’t you be best friends with the person you spend your life with??? And having to read all that malarkey this time was disappointing. There were SO many other issues that really DID matter this time: Katie’s concern that making a commitment to someone would mean the end of her experiencing all the things she had been looking forward to, and Carter’s reevaluation of his life and whether or not he could have a family of his own with Katie, just to name two. Those are compelling, heartfelt issues!
Instead, the author chose to dwell on the low-hanging fruit every other author picks of “we don’t want to ruin our friendship.” For me, it made the book feel more like a young adult novel, and not one about people in their 40s. And I’ve read plenty of those. I was hoping for smart and sophisticated - this book is, after all, about two 40 year old professionals. I felt like I got marginally silly and sophomoric that never dealt with the actual issues at hand.
Otherwise, I did enjoy the writing, and I liked the ending (even if I do wish it had been fleshed out more than it was). I was never tempted to quit reading, so there’s that. This was my first Natasha Moore book, so I’ll give her another try. But this one left me a wanting more.
* thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing, LLC-Entangled: August for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review
Katie Dixon lost her husband 15 years ago, leaving her to raise her only son all alone. Well, not exactly alone. Her husband’s best friend, Carter, has been there for everything. He even lives next door and comes over every afternoon for a cup of coffee. He’s been a de facto father, and Katie’s best friend.
Now Katie is starting a new chapter in her life. With her son off to college, it’s now time for her to do all the things she put off while raising a child. She has all the things written in a journal she carries with her. It just so happens she’s able to cross two of the things off her list while also helping Carter, who needs to look like a stable, respectable man - instead of the playboy he is - for a wealthy potential client.
After a candlelit dinner pretending to be a couple, several glasses of wine have Katie confessing her plan to get back into the dating game. Alcohol-fueled courage has her locking lips with Carter before the night is over, and the next thing they know they’ve been “outed” as a couple. Everyone in their small town has always thought they had a thing going on anyway. But Carter isn’t one to settle down with a family (or IS he???), and Katie’s not about to tie herself down to someone and give up her “me time.”
This story could have been compelling. Every parent faces the possibility of a new life once child rearing is done, and a man who reaches the age of 40 is bound to look around and wonder if his playboy lifestyle has really netted him the life he truly wants. But instead of exploring the tough issues, it just droned on and on about the same three things: how it was now Katie’s time, how Katie didn’t want a relationship with Carter to ruin her friendship, and how Carter didn’t want a relationship with Katie to ruin his friendship. Blah blah blah.
My reason for not liking the friends-to-lovers trope is that usually the reader has to endure an overwhelming amount of internal monologue bemoaning the hero/and or/heroine’s reluctance to “ruin their friendship” by becoming lovers. This never rings true to me. Shouldn’t you be best friends with the person you spend your life with??? And having to read all that malarkey this time was disappointing. There were SO many other issues that really DID matter this time: Katie’s concern that making a commitment to someone would mean the end of her experiencing all the things she had been looking forward to, and Carter’s reevaluation of his life and whether or not he could have a family of his own with Katie, just to name two. Those are compelling, heartfelt issues!
Instead, the author chose to dwell on the low-hanging fruit every other author picks of “we don’t want to ruin our friendship.” For me, it made the book feel more like a young adult novel, and not one about people in their 40s. And I’ve read plenty of those. I was hoping for smart and sophisticated - this book is, after all, about two 40 year old professionals. I felt like I got marginally silly and sophomoric that never dealt with the actual issues at hand.
Otherwise, I did enjoy the writing, and I liked the ending (even if I do wish it had been fleshed out more than it was). I was never tempted to quit reading, so there’s that. This was my first Natasha Moore book, so I’ll give her another try. But this one left me a wanting more.
* thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing, LLC-Entangled: August for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review
February 18, 2019
Katie Dixon has seen her son off to college and now she has decided to look for her notebook that she started years ago of things she wanted to do he left home. A single mom her husband died a few years after they were married and she had Sean. She has been raising her son alone except with the help of her neighbor and friend Carter. Carter is the middle son of three brothers and the second book in this series. The two of them have spent a lot of time together over the years but nothing romantically. That is until she finds out that he needs a date for an important business meeting. This also gives her an opportunity to mark something off her list. The dinner goes well until they decide to walk in the garden afterward, and then a passionate kiss between them is taken and posted on the towns Facebook page. Now they continue to date for real or not is what needs to be found out. Between the two of them, it is Carter’s character that drives me crazy at the beginning of the book and to the halfway point. Katie, I got or understood some of her reasons. I will also say you get some update on the people from the first book which was good. The last half of the book is much better and of course, the ending is good as well. I received this book from Netgalley.com I gave it 4 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com
January 29, 2019
**Copy Provided by Netgalley and Entangled Publishing LLC, for an honest review**
I must admit that i was thrilled to find a book where the characters were no longer in their twenties and were slightly more mature, especially as i am now in my mid thirties.
Katie is 40 and her son has just fled the nest to college leaving Katie to her Me Time and to focus on her photography business. Her best friend Carter, the best friend of her husband lives next door and helped her raise her son when her husband died when Sean was little.
The pair are great together, but it is only once Sean has gone and Carter needs a date to go on a business meeting that the pair find there is more to their friendship than they thought. Pretending to be a couple has other people saying about time and that they thought they were already together in private. Which shocks them both.
Katie is ok with pretending for a while but does not want another relationship as it is her time to do things, but of course feelings get tin the way for both of them and they both have to realise that they can still live and be who they want to be with each other and that Katie does not have to give up her list.
I really enjoyed this book, i will be looking out more from this line by this publisher.
I must admit that i was thrilled to find a book where the characters were no longer in their twenties and were slightly more mature, especially as i am now in my mid thirties.
Katie is 40 and her son has just fled the nest to college leaving Katie to her Me Time and to focus on her photography business. Her best friend Carter, the best friend of her husband lives next door and helped her raise her son when her husband died when Sean was little.
The pair are great together, but it is only once Sean has gone and Carter needs a date to go on a business meeting that the pair find there is more to their friendship than they thought. Pretending to be a couple has other people saying about time and that they thought they were already together in private. Which shocks them both.
Katie is ok with pretending for a while but does not want another relationship as it is her time to do things, but of course feelings get tin the way for both of them and they both have to realise that they can still live and be who they want to be with each other and that Katie does not have to give up her list.
I really enjoyed this book, i will be looking out more from this line by this publisher.
February 13, 2019
I really enjoyed this second book in the Men of Lakeside series. I love that the main characters are more mature than in standard contemporary romances. Katie and Carter are 40 years old, but they are both starting new lives. With her son off to college she's rediscovering herself, and he no longer wants to be the guy women turn to pass the time in between serious relationships.
I liked that they supported each other, and got along well. I like that they were truly enmeshed in each other's lives before now. Of course, there are moments of frustration, but that's true in real life as well.
I would have liked for more time with Katie's son, Sean. Some of the things he talked about with Carter I think would have made more of an emotional impact if we'd seen them earlier. And Carter really should have opened his eyes earlier, but then we wouldn't have had such an enjoyable story.
Overall I enjoyed this book more than book #1. I'm looking forward to the youngest brother's story!
I was given an ARC of this book by NetGalley and Entangled in exchange for an honest review.
#TheStandbyGuy #NetGalley
I liked that they supported each other, and got along well. I like that they were truly enmeshed in each other's lives before now. Of course, there are moments of frustration, but that's true in real life as well.
I would have liked for more time with Katie's son, Sean. Some of the things he talked about with Carter I think would have made more of an emotional impact if we'd seen them earlier. And Carter really should have opened his eyes earlier, but then we wouldn't have had such an enjoyable story.
Overall I enjoyed this book more than book #1. I'm looking forward to the youngest brother's story!
I was given an ARC of this book by NetGalley and Entangled in exchange for an honest review.
#TheStandbyGuy #NetGalley
April 21, 2019
Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3/5 Stars)
Title: The Standby Guy
Author(s): Natasha Moore
Character(s):
― Katie Dixon: 40 years old, Blonde, Brown Eyed
― Carter Colburn: 40 years old
Setting: ―
Tag(s): Romance, Contemporary
Content Rating: R
POV: Third Person
Smexy Level: Warm
Favorite Quote(s): N/A
Overall Opinion:
“The Standby Guy” by Natasha Moore is the perfect example of a mature romance novel. The lead characters Katie and Carter are passed their 'prime’ and are 40 something year olds whose lives change after one kiss. The author was able to create a story showcasing that love can happen at any age and the transition to it was very natural. This romance novel definitely lean more towards being realistic than most and overall, it was a pleasant read.
January 8, 2022
Two and a half stars.
Katie Dixon has been a single mom to her son Sean ever since her husband was killed in a road traffic accident when Sean was still at daycare, helped by her husband Tim's best friend Carter Colburn who happens to live next door. Over the years Carter has been like a father to Sean and Katie's best friend, they pop in and out of each other's houses and regularly eat together.
Now Sean is off to college and Katie is about to indulge in some me-time and maybe cross off a few things from her bucket list for when Sean left home.
Carter is struggling to run his own law practice and help out at his family's reclamation business after his father's heart attack. Given the opportunity to take his law practice to the next level by winning a prestigious new client Carter is astonished to find his reputation as a ladies man has preceded him, his new client wants to meet Carter's girlfriend as a character test. Only problem is ... all of Carter's female friends and exes are too busy or won't return his calls or just wouldn't give the right impression. In desperation he turns to Katie who promptly volunteers, crossing a line he has drawn for himself, after all this is his best friend Tim's widow.
I loved the premise of this but I just did not like either of the characters. Katie was wet, a neurotic mom who can't let her teenage son go without calling and texting him constantly. She was too saccharine sweet and drippy. Carter on the other hand was a weird character, self-sacrificing when it came to his family, Katie and Sean but dismissive of other women generally. I just don't see how it is even possible to run your own law firm and work several hours every day at your family's business. Also Carter's jealousy seem out of kilter and borderline scary to me. Don't even get me started on the two of them misinterpreting each other and downplaying the relationship.
I finished the novel but it wasn't for me and I wish I hadn't bothered. Judging by the average reviews I am in the minority so maybe I'm just being a Grinch.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Katie Dixon has been a single mom to her son Sean ever since her husband was killed in a road traffic accident when Sean was still at daycare, helped by her husband Tim's best friend Carter Colburn who happens to live next door. Over the years Carter has been like a father to Sean and Katie's best friend, they pop in and out of each other's houses and regularly eat together.
Now Sean is off to college and Katie is about to indulge in some me-time and maybe cross off a few things from her bucket list for when Sean left home.
Carter is struggling to run his own law practice and help out at his family's reclamation business after his father's heart attack. Given the opportunity to take his law practice to the next level by winning a prestigious new client Carter is astonished to find his reputation as a ladies man has preceded him, his new client wants to meet Carter's girlfriend as a character test. Only problem is ... all of Carter's female friends and exes are too busy or won't return his calls or just wouldn't give the right impression. In desperation he turns to Katie who promptly volunteers, crossing a line he has drawn for himself, after all this is his best friend Tim's widow.
I loved the premise of this but I just did not like either of the characters. Katie was wet, a neurotic mom who can't let her teenage son go without calling and texting him constantly. She was too saccharine sweet and drippy. Carter on the other hand was a weird character, self-sacrificing when it came to his family, Katie and Sean but dismissive of other women generally. I just don't see how it is even possible to run your own law firm and work several hours every day at your family's business. Also Carter's jealousy seem out of kilter and borderline scary to me. Don't even get me started on the two of them misinterpreting each other and downplaying the relationship.
I finished the novel but it wasn't for me and I wish I hadn't bothered. Judging by the average reviews I am in the minority so maybe I'm just being a Grinch.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
February 12, 2019
**This review may contain some spoilers.**
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I don’t know what it was about this one, but it didn’t light me up like I hoped it would. It had some good, entertaining moments and the concept was something I enjoy, but I had some issues that took away with it.
This felt a bit “high-schooly” to me and while I love and mostly read YA, this was not supposed to be YA and just felt immature when the characters are 40+. At one point Katie saying to her mom, “Mom, I’m an adult now, talk to me.”
The village page I found was really irritating and it seemed like a neighbourhood of busybodies with no concept of privacy. The fact that someone takes a picture of people kissing and outs them publicy and everyone is nonchalant about it was odd. Or how everyone feels it their business to comment on other people’s relationships and announce when they are having a fight and what not was very irksome. Does no one have any sense of privacy?
I wasn’t a big fan of Katie. She had some major mood swings and was a rollercoaster of emotions. She seemed very sheltered and almost a “goody-good”. I felt bad for Carter because she treated him like crap, but he also came across as a bit of a push over and just took it. I feel like the whole pretending-to-date thing and all of the “he’s only pretending” and “she’s only pretending” baloney got to be a bit monotonous.
The whole idea of her “me time” was to tackle things on her “list” that she had been wanting to tackle for years, yet it really only seemed like she wanted to tackle the random sex and “finding her mojo” which was the newest thing on her list. Sure, she got a tattoo, but she didn’t do anything else (other than her dinner with Carter). I feel like the story could have been a bit more interesting if there were other things she was doing instead of just trying to get laid.
It was a quick, easy read and despite the issues I had, it had some good parts and I can see it appealing to others - but it just wasn’t for me.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I don’t know what it was about this one, but it didn’t light me up like I hoped it would. It had some good, entertaining moments and the concept was something I enjoy, but I had some issues that took away with it.
This felt a bit “high-schooly” to me and while I love and mostly read YA, this was not supposed to be YA and just felt immature when the characters are 40+. At one point Katie saying to her mom, “Mom, I’m an adult now, talk to me.”
The village page I found was really irritating and it seemed like a neighbourhood of busybodies with no concept of privacy. The fact that someone takes a picture of people kissing and outs them publicy and everyone is nonchalant about it was odd. Or how everyone feels it their business to comment on other people’s relationships and announce when they are having a fight and what not was very irksome. Does no one have any sense of privacy?
I wasn’t a big fan of Katie. She had some major mood swings and was a rollercoaster of emotions. She seemed very sheltered and almost a “goody-good”. I felt bad for Carter because she treated him like crap, but he also came across as a bit of a push over and just took it. I feel like the whole pretending-to-date thing and all of the “he’s only pretending” and “she’s only pretending” baloney got to be a bit monotonous.
The whole idea of her “me time” was to tackle things on her “list” that she had been wanting to tackle for years, yet it really only seemed like she wanted to tackle the random sex and “finding her mojo” which was the newest thing on her list. Sure, she got a tattoo, but she didn’t do anything else (other than her dinner with Carter). I feel like the story could have been a bit more interesting if there were other things she was doing instead of just trying to get laid.
It was a quick, easy read and despite the issues I had, it had some good parts and I can see it appealing to others - but it just wasn’t for me.
January 29, 2019
I received an ARC of The Standby Guy in exchange for my honest review. This is book #2 in the Men of Lakeside series, but could be read as a standalone. I did read book #1, and enjoyed getting to revisit with characters we met in The July Guy. In The Standby Guy we get to know more about Carter, who has become the town’s “standby guy”, the rebound guy, but not the one who wants an actual relationship. We learn more about his best friend Katie, who has a newly empty nest as her only son has just went away to college. Both characters are 40, which is a refreshing change of pace to the popular twenty-something main characters forever present in contemporary romance. Katie, new to her empty nest, is determined to make “me” time and has a list she has been working on forever of items to do with her newly found “me” time. Overall, I liked Katie, but she did come across as selfish at times. Carter was best friends with Katie’s late husband and stepped into the male role-model for his son after Tim died. I love how Carter knew he could fall for Katie if he let himself, he always knew how special she was. I also enjoyed how supportive Carter was of Katie and how he let her be herself, even when I felt like she was being selfish. This is a very sweet (and hot at times) friends-to-lovers romance with minimal angst. I did feel like the ending was somewhat rushed, but overall I really enjoyed the story and look forward to seeing more of the Men of Lakeside.
February 21, 2019
He's the rebound guy, and she's now spreading her wings after her son left for college. Katie and Carter are 40 (love a mature couple!) and are having a fake relationship to land a client for Carter's law practice. While the fake girlfriend/boyfriend is not my favorite trope, this author handles it well by allowing the characters to spend as much time in conflict with each other's goals than with impressing the client and lying to family and friends.
I only wish that Katie had been pursuing her "My Time" from the beginning of the story instead of halfway through. I wanted her to have her time to be independent. However, I enjoyed the growing relationship between Carter and her. She felt that he wanted a temporary fling; he was convinced her "my time" was just for her alone with no room for him.
Then there were the terrific side characters including his brother and wife from book 1, The July Guy, which I loved. I like that as the story continued, Carter played a very important role in her son's life after her husband died.
As they were falling in love and in denial, how they finally came together was worth everything they had been through. This is shaping up to be a really good series. I am eagerly awaiting the next in the series, whether it is their brother or cousin Ginny.
Note: I received an advance reader copy. This is my honest review.
I only wish that Katie had been pursuing her "My Time" from the beginning of the story instead of halfway through. I wanted her to have her time to be independent. However, I enjoyed the growing relationship between Carter and her. She felt that he wanted a temporary fling; he was convinced her "my time" was just for her alone with no room for him.
Then there were the terrific side characters including his brother and wife from book 1, The July Guy, which I loved. I like that as the story continued, Carter played a very important role in her son's life after her husband died.
As they were falling in love and in denial, how they finally came together was worth everything they had been through. This is shaping up to be a really good series. I am eagerly awaiting the next in the series, whether it is their brother or cousin Ginny.
Note: I received an advance reader copy. This is my honest review.
February 11, 2019
4 1/2 Stars!
Katie lost her husband years ago and has raised their son by herself ... well with the help of Carter. Carter was Katie's husband's best friend and takes his promise to look after Katie and her son very serious. They even moved in next door to each other so that he would be close by if she needed help. But when Katie's son goes off to college, she deicides that she want "me time" to tick off things on the list she's been keeping for years of the things she wants to do when her son leaves home. When Carter needs a "girlfriend" to help land a big client, Katie volunteers so that she can tick a couple of things off her Katie List. And maybe Carter could help her get back into the dating game.
I loved this book ... it was just so real. I just loved Katie and Carter and could just feel the electricity between them jumping off the pages ... the only ones that didn't know it was them! This book has a little bit of everything in it ... romance, laughs, steam and drama! I also really liked that they were older ... not many books feature couples over 40. You don't wanna miss this down to earth romance!
I received an early copy courtesy of Entangles Publishing through NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.
Katie lost her husband years ago and has raised their son by herself ... well with the help of Carter. Carter was Katie's husband's best friend and takes his promise to look after Katie and her son very serious. They even moved in next door to each other so that he would be close by if she needed help. But when Katie's son goes off to college, she deicides that she want "me time" to tick off things on the list she's been keeping for years of the things she wants to do when her son leaves home. When Carter needs a "girlfriend" to help land a big client, Katie volunteers so that she can tick a couple of things off her Katie List. And maybe Carter could help her get back into the dating game.
I loved this book ... it was just so real. I just loved Katie and Carter and could just feel the electricity between them jumping off the pages ... the only ones that didn't know it was them! This book has a little bit of everything in it ... romance, laughs, steam and drama! I also really liked that they were older ... not many books feature couples over 40. You don't wanna miss this down to earth romance!
I received an early copy courtesy of Entangles Publishing through NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.
January 23, 2019
**I received a copy of Standby Guy from Entangled Publishing and Net Galley in exchange for a voluntary and honest review. My opinions expressed below are mine alone and not solicited**
The Standby Guy by Natasha Moore is the second book in her Men of Lakeside series. I read this as a stand alone without the first book with no problems.
Katie Dixon has just sent her son off to college and is ready to tackle her bucket list since she's now a empty nester. But when her neighbor Carter Colburn who has been her neighbor and best friend after her husband passed asked Katie to be his date for a dinner with a prospective client for his law office . What starts as one dinner soon turns into a "What if...?" between both Carter and Katie to explore the friends to lovers story that could possibly lead to maybe marriage? Both are afraid that their love could take away the friendship they've enjoyed forever.
This is a very quick and easy read with of course a happily ever after.
The Standby Guy by Natasha Moore is the second book in her Men of Lakeside series. I read this as a stand alone without the first book with no problems.
Katie Dixon has just sent her son off to college and is ready to tackle her bucket list since she's now a empty nester. But when her neighbor Carter Colburn who has been her neighbor and best friend after her husband passed asked Katie to be his date for a dinner with a prospective client for his law office . What starts as one dinner soon turns into a "What if...?" between both Carter and Katie to explore the friends to lovers story that could possibly lead to maybe marriage? Both are afraid that their love could take away the friendship they've enjoyed forever.
This is a very quick and easy read with of course a happily ever after.
January 27, 2019
3 1/2 Star Review......
The Standby Guy is an interesting story of the plight of a woman who suddenly finds herself alone after her only child leaves home for college. With a sudden abundance of “me” time, Katie is faced with the harsh reality that her dating prowess is lacking. So what to do you do, but engage the assistance of your rather scrumptious, and very available friend and neighbour Carter when you’re in urgent need of a date for a business dinner that may impact your financial future.
I liked the dynamics between Katie and Carter, but I did on occasion find her behaviour a little self-serving and one-sided. Overall this was a fun, intriguing and easy to read story, but I would like to have read book one first.
The Standby Guy is an interesting story of the plight of a woman who suddenly finds herself alone after her only child leaves home for college. With a sudden abundance of “me” time, Katie is faced with the harsh reality that her dating prowess is lacking. So what to do you do, but engage the assistance of your rather scrumptious, and very available friend and neighbour Carter when you’re in urgent need of a date for a business dinner that may impact your financial future.
I liked the dynamics between Katie and Carter, but I did on occasion find her behaviour a little self-serving and one-sided. Overall this was a fun, intriguing and easy to read story, but I would like to have read book one first.
February 12, 2019
Loved Natasha Moore giving us an older hero and heroine, they are both 40! And I absolutely adore friends to lovers and it’s even better when they are neighbors, total catnip to me. But I was a little disappointed in the actual maturity of the characters when it came to their feelings and the central conflict, some of their internal conversations and actions felt like those of 20-something characters rather than people in their 40s. While I understand the “my time” theme it felt more like a crutch than an actual mantra and again felt a little young. Overall, I liked the book but was hoping for something that felt a bit more mature rather than just having characters that were 40.
March 21, 2021
I picked this up and had to put it down for a couple days for comfort rereading and finally finished it. This was a good friends to lovers - Kate is a widow who's been best friends and nextdoor neighbour to Carter for almost as long as her husband has been gone. Carter was her late husband's best friend and has been there to help raise her son. A rather conservative-minded client of Carter's meant that they had to pretend to be in a relationship which is how their feelings for each other grew. I liked the cast of characters and enjoyed how Kate's son Sean played a role in bringing them together for real.
Reading Challenges
Mar/21: Friends to Lovers square Spring Break Romance Bingo
Reading Challenges
Mar/21: Friends to Lovers square Spring Break Romance Bingo
February 7, 2019
The Standby Guy by Natasha Moore is a best-friends-to-lovers read with a nice happily-ever-after. I really enjoyed the fact that Ms. Moore gave us two characters that I can totally relate to, being 40 and all; and while I enjoyed the chemistry and the interactions of Katie and Carter, I did find this read fell short of expectation due to my frustrations with Katie, her selfish side and total cluelessness at times.
Please note that an ARC was generously provided in exchange for an honest review of which this is both honest and completely voluntary.
Please note that an ARC was generously provided in exchange for an honest review of which this is both honest and completely voluntary.
February 12, 2019
I enjoy an older couple story. And this one fit the bill - Katie and Carter are next door neighbors and best friends. Katie is trying to find herself now that her son is 18 and moving out for college. In fact, she has a whole journal of things she wants to do. Carter was best friend's with her deceased husband. He vowed to always help take care of Katie and Sean. And he has. Now he needs date, but doesn't want to take Katie because he doesn't want to be put in a position where he might develop feelings for her.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. I did think there were a few slows spots though.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. I did think there were a few slows spots though.
February 4, 2019
3.75⭐
This was an enjoyable best friend/next door neighbours to lovers story. That had little angst, was quick, easy to read, sweet and entertaining. And it had plenty of likable characters including the main two Katie and Crater, and it easily kept me engaged throughout. Plus, with both characters over 40 it made a nice change to the romance I usually read.
**I was kindly provided with an ARC by Entangled Publishing in exchange for an honest review**
This was an enjoyable best friend/next door neighbours to lovers story. That had little angst, was quick, easy to read, sweet and entertaining. And it had plenty of likable characters including the main two Katie and Crater, and it easily kept me engaged throughout. Plus, with both characters over 40 it made a nice change to the romance I usually read.
**I was kindly provided with an ARC by Entangled Publishing in exchange for an honest review**
June 24, 2019
The author did such a great job developing the characters, that I feel like I really know them, and not just the major two characters, but the minor ones too.
I loved everything about it - the characters, the plot, the emotion, the writing, and the ability that the author had to tell me a story that had me wanting this book to go on and on.
I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I loved everything about it - the characters, the plot, the emotion, the writing, and the ability that the author had to tell me a story that had me wanting this book to go on and on.
I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 18, 2019
What a sweet book! And a great story of realizing everything you want has always been right in front of you. I loved Katie and Carter's friendship and then how it grew into more. It didn't seem like an awkward transition. It was such a logical next step for them to me. But it was funny at the same time when they would try to deny to themselves that it was not real, only pretend. I loved their big scene towards the end when the bright light bulbs went off in their heads. First Carter realized what he wanted was right in front of him all along. And Katie realized she could go for what she thought she didn't want. Carter and Katie together makes me say, "Awwww!", along with the scenes with her son Sean.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review from the publisher through Netgalley.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review from the publisher through Netgalley.
February 7, 2019
4.5 Stars
It's a sweet best-friends-falling-in-love romance. I really enjoyed the story and the two main characters were amazing. I loved their friendship and I loved how they fell in love, slowly and then all at once...
P.S. I received a complimentary copy of this book via NetGalley
It's a sweet best-friends-falling-in-love romance. I really enjoyed the story and the two main characters were amazing. I loved their friendship and I loved how they fell in love, slowly and then all at once...
P.S. I received a complimentary copy of this book via NetGalley
July 7, 2019
the men of lakeside series continues with the standby guy. carter colburn and katie dixon have been best friends forever. he was her late husband's best friend, and after tim's death he helped her raise their son, sean. but now sean is off to college and it's time for katie to tackle her list of things to do. it's her time to put herself first, finally.
except, she's not quite sure how to go about that. especially when it comes to sex and dating. and since carter has always been a serial dater, maybe he's the one who can help her with getting her mojo back. and since he's in need of a pretend date to make it seem like he's a standup guy to win over a potential client who has old-fashioned ideas of what makes a good person.
the thing is, they cross a line they can't uncross when they explore these things. and suddenly all those feelings that they'd both been repressing for years are all out there. it's like they are the last to know that they are perfect for each other. but watching them figure it out is an enjoyable ride.
**the standby guy will publish on february 5, 2019. i received an advance reader copy courtesy of netgalley/entangled publishing (august) in exchange for my honest review.
except, she's not quite sure how to go about that. especially when it comes to sex and dating. and since carter has always been a serial dater, maybe he's the one who can help her with getting her mojo back. and since he's in need of a pretend date to make it seem like he's a standup guy to win over a potential client who has old-fashioned ideas of what makes a good person.
the thing is, they cross a line they can't uncross when they explore these things. and suddenly all those feelings that they'd both been repressing for years are all out there. it's like they are the last to know that they are perfect for each other. but watching them figure it out is an enjoyable ride.
**the standby guy will publish on february 5, 2019. i received an advance reader copy courtesy of netgalley/entangled publishing (august) in exchange for my honest review.
February 11, 2019
True friends to lovers story!
Photographer Katie Dixon has always taken care of everybody else first since being widowed. Now her son Sean is leaving for college, she is taking time for herself and checking items off her bucket list she has been making for years. Katie’s best friend and next door neighbor, lawyer Carter Colburn promised her that he would help her find her mojo since she hadn’t dated much when Sean was young. A potential client of Carter’s wants a lawyer that is settled down so Carter and Katie faked dating which leads to real dating and so much more. Friends had already thought Katie and Carter were already dating and when they made it real, they were happy for them.
I liked The Standby Guy because you can really feel the friends to lovers story. Now I really want Beckett’s story!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Photographer Katie Dixon has always taken care of everybody else first since being widowed. Now her son Sean is leaving for college, she is taking time for herself and checking items off her bucket list she has been making for years. Katie’s best friend and next door neighbor, lawyer Carter Colburn promised her that he would help her find her mojo since she hadn’t dated much when Sean was young. A potential client of Carter’s wants a lawyer that is settled down so Carter and Katie faked dating which leads to real dating and so much more. Friends had already thought Katie and Carter were already dating and when they made it real, they were happy for them.
I liked The Standby Guy because you can really feel the friends to lovers story. Now I really want Beckett’s story!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
December 16, 2019
A little angsty
This is the first book I've read by this author. I liked the premise of the story, and the fact that the main characters are older than in most romance books. I don't quite get the whole "if I'm independent I can't be in a relationship" angst on her part, or his "my career of my family" angst. Just a bit much on both of their parts.
This is the first book I've read by this author. I liked the premise of the story, and the fact that the main characters are older than in most romance books. I don't quite get the whole "if I'm independent I can't be in a relationship" angst on her part, or his "my career of my family" angst. Just a bit much on both of their parts.
February 19, 2019
A sweet, charming romance.
January 19, 2019
Katie is trying to find her away around being a empty nester. What will she do? Sean her best friend who happens to live next door knows exactly how she should be spending her spare time. This was a great best friends have feeling for each other book! I really enjoyed this book it was a fast paced fun read.
January 20, 2019
I previously read the first book in this series and enjoyed it. I liked this one but parts were frustrating. I get that Katie wanted to have her time but it also seemed as if she was a little selfish. Carter was amazing. Overall I would give this one 3 stars.
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