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The DeMarco Family #1
I Got You Babe
She picked the wrong man... only to find Mr. Right.
On the run for a robbery she didn’t commit, Renee Esterhaus is stuck in East Texas with a broken-down car and a nasty bounty hunter hot on her trail. Desperate for a way out, she makes a promise she never intends to keep – offer the first man she sees a night of unforgettable pleasure in return for a ride. A night to remember, all right, since the man turns out to be a cop on vacation with zero tolerance for sweet-talking criminals.
When the truth comes out, John DeMarco is determined to take Renee to jail, but it isn’t long before he thinks she may be innocent after all. Soon they’re working together to clear her name, but that means dodging his all-cop family, dealing with oddball suspects, staying one step ahead of a pissed-off bounty hunter – and trying to pretend they’re not falling in love.
On the run for a robbery she didn’t commit, Renee Esterhaus is stuck in East Texas with a broken-down car and a nasty bounty hunter hot on her trail. Desperate for a way out, she makes a promise she never intends to keep – offer the first man she sees a night of unforgettable pleasure in return for a ride. A night to remember, all right, since the man turns out to be a cop on vacation with zero tolerance for sweet-talking criminals.
When the truth comes out, John DeMarco is determined to take Renee to jail, but it isn’t long before he thinks she may be innocent after all. Soon they’re working together to clear her name, but that means dodging his all-cop family, dealing with oddball suspects, staying one step ahead of a pissed-off bounty hunter – and trying to pretend they’re not falling in love.
406 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 28, 2001
386 people are currently reading
954 people want to read
About the author
Jane Graves
37 books375 followersJane Graves is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of twenty contemporary romance novels. She is a nine-time finalist for Romance Writers of America's Rita Award, the industry's highest honor, and is the recipient of two National Readers' Choice Awards, the Booksellers' Best Award, and the Golden Quill, among others.
Jane lives in the Dallas area with her husband and a beautiful but crafty cat who rules the household with one paw tied behind her back.
Jane lives in the Dallas area with her husband and a beautiful but crafty cat who rules the household with one paw tied behind her back.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
February 9, 2019
4 / 5 stars
I was pretty much in love with this book from the description—partly because it exuded strong One for the Money vibes, and secondly, it seemed like it would be ridiculous and fun. And it was exactly all that.
Renee Esterhaus was born down on her luck, having clawed herself up from a neglectful upbringing and a youth spent on the wrong side of the law, she’d finally made something of herself at age twenty-six. She’s a newly appointed assistant manager at a fancy restaurant, Renaissance.
Everything is going well until she’s accused of robbing a convenience store and shooting the owner. With evidence piling up on her and a defender who doesn’t even believe her, she skips bail and is determined to do anything to keep herself out of jail. But when she ends up tangled with off duty police officer John, while fleeing from a psychopathic bounty hunter, the complicated becomes even more convoluted.
This was absolutely brilliant, filled with the hilarious and light-hearted drama I’ve come to associate with 2000’s romance books. The continual banter and ever-changing status of the relationship between characters had you on your toes, and the many added characters that filled the book were dimensional and lovable.
Renee was the perfect juxtaposition between rough and capable, and quiet and kind. She was instantly likeable, but the more you discover about her family history and her quiet resilience, you can’t help but root for her and her story. The slow build up between her and John was addictive, they were the perfect balance.
John DeMarco is sent on holiday by his Captain after losing his cool when a criminal he’d caught, manages to get away without punishment. While on his forced R&R he gets propositioned by a gorgeous blonde who’s obviously hiding something. He’s married to his job, works ridiculous hours, and unlike his fellow police officer brothers, can’t seem to leave his work at work. The straight arrow is constantly at war with what his conscience wants and what is expected from him by his family and job.
My only complaint was the ‘who-did-it?’ mystery never was much of a mystery. The details are pretty hard to see coming but I wasn’t overly surprised or shocked. But the real gem with this novel is the characters, and you get enough from them to never really mind that you can see what’s coming—or at least I did.
I cannot wait to read the next book in this series, I’m already slightly in love with Alex (although I’m not sure why).
‘John closed his eyes. That damned kitten story? Again? “I just pulled the stupid thing out of the water before it could go under. I don’t even like cats!”
“So that’s why you took it home and blow-dried it?”'
I was provided a copy of this book via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I was pretty much in love with this book from the description—partly because it exuded strong One for the Money vibes, and secondly, it seemed like it would be ridiculous and fun. And it was exactly all that.
Renee Esterhaus was born down on her luck, having clawed herself up from a neglectful upbringing and a youth spent on the wrong side of the law, she’d finally made something of herself at age twenty-six. She’s a newly appointed assistant manager at a fancy restaurant, Renaissance.
Everything is going well until she’s accused of robbing a convenience store and shooting the owner. With evidence piling up on her and a defender who doesn’t even believe her, she skips bail and is determined to do anything to keep herself out of jail. But when she ends up tangled with off duty police officer John, while fleeing from a psychopathic bounty hunter, the complicated becomes even more convoluted.
This was absolutely brilliant, filled with the hilarious and light-hearted drama I’ve come to associate with 2000’s romance books. The continual banter and ever-changing status of the relationship between characters had you on your toes, and the many added characters that filled the book were dimensional and lovable.
Renee was the perfect juxtaposition between rough and capable, and quiet and kind. She was instantly likeable, but the more you discover about her family history and her quiet resilience, you can’t help but root for her and her story. The slow build up between her and John was addictive, they were the perfect balance.
John DeMarco is sent on holiday by his Captain after losing his cool when a criminal he’d caught, manages to get away without punishment. While on his forced R&R he gets propositioned by a gorgeous blonde who’s obviously hiding something. He’s married to his job, works ridiculous hours, and unlike his fellow police officer brothers, can’t seem to leave his work at work. The straight arrow is constantly at war with what his conscience wants and what is expected from him by his family and job.
My only complaint was the ‘who-did-it?’ mystery never was much of a mystery. The details are pretty hard to see coming but I wasn’t overly surprised or shocked. But the real gem with this novel is the characters, and you get enough from them to never really mind that you can see what’s coming—or at least I did.
I cannot wait to read the next book in this series, I’m already slightly in love with Alex (although I’m not sure why).
September 19, 2011
3 ½ stars. Nicely written. Good characters. Pretty good conflicts. Excellent action scenes. Fun feel good ending.
REVIEWER’S OPINION:
I am a bit confused about genre. It feels like contemporary romance, but there is a strong suspense element because she is on the run, people are after her, and a mystery must be solved. So I’m going with two genres on this one: contemporary romance and romantic suspense. Although there are a few smart and witty lines, there wasn’t enough laughter for me to call this a romantic comedy.
I enjoyed the character Renee: smart and quick to take action. She fears going to jail, but other than that she is fearless. She is effective and does some neat things. John is a neat guy. He’s a cop who cares too much. John’s family was fun. I loved seeing the banter during two family meals.
What I didn’t like were the inaccurate assumptions made by Renee. John was helping her, but more than once she had doubts about him and ran away from him. I didn’t like her assumptions. My thinking was come one Renee, don’t jump the gun, give him a chance to continue helping. Her running caused some interesting things to happen, but I didn’t enjoy her thinking.
There were a couple of plot holes. Renee didn’t have money for an attorney and was advised by an inept public defender. I’m not sure, but I don’t think there had been a trial yet. I assume she couldn’t afford any bond. So why is a bounty hunter after her? And I don’t know how she got on-the-run before paying any bond. I don’t mind having these plot holes because the characters and action were enjoyable. It’s just that I noticed them.
On balance, it was above average for contemporary romance. It was enjoyable but not enough for 4 stars. There were two sex scenes. They were nice.
My favorite line from the book, page 55. “She remembered the few times she’d given herself to boys who’d given her nothing in return, the shame and loneliness she’d felt, and she was determined never to feel that way again. She had promised herself that until Mr. Right wandered along, she’d use her body only to hang clothes on and to transport her brain from one location to another.”
STORY BRIEF:
Renee was raised by an abusive alcoholic mother. Renee was a juvenile delinquent with a long rap sheet. She attended a session run by scary tough female prisoners showing her what life behind bars would be like – lesbian style. Renee was scared. She changed her life to the straight and narrow and worked her way up to be assistant manager at a nice restaurant. Someone robbed a convenience store, shot/wounded the owner, and threw the gun and money into Renee’s car. She couldn’t afford a decent attorney and was found guilty (or will be found guilty). She is on the run. A tough bounty hunter is after her. She needs a ride and fast. She sees John in a diner. She comes up to him offering the best sex of his life if he will take her with him immediately. Their relationship begins. She doesn’t know he is a cop. He doesn’t know she is a fugitive.
DATA:
Story length: 318 pages. Swearing language: strong, including religious swear words. Sexual language: mild. Number of sex scenes: 2. Number of sex scene pages: 14. Setting: current day Texas. Copyright: 2001. Genre: contemporary romance, romantic suspense.
REVIEWER’S OPINION:
I am a bit confused about genre. It feels like contemporary romance, but there is a strong suspense element because she is on the run, people are after her, and a mystery must be solved. So I’m going with two genres on this one: contemporary romance and romantic suspense. Although there are a few smart and witty lines, there wasn’t enough laughter for me to call this a romantic comedy.
I enjoyed the character Renee: smart and quick to take action. She fears going to jail, but other than that she is fearless. She is effective and does some neat things. John is a neat guy. He’s a cop who cares too much. John’s family was fun. I loved seeing the banter during two family meals.
What I didn’t like were the inaccurate assumptions made by Renee. John was helping her, but more than once she had doubts about him and ran away from him. I didn’t like her assumptions. My thinking was come one Renee, don’t jump the gun, give him a chance to continue helping. Her running caused some interesting things to happen, but I didn’t enjoy her thinking.
There were a couple of plot holes. Renee didn’t have money for an attorney and was advised by an inept public defender. I’m not sure, but I don’t think there had been a trial yet. I assume she couldn’t afford any bond. So why is a bounty hunter after her? And I don’t know how she got on-the-run before paying any bond. I don’t mind having these plot holes because the characters and action were enjoyable. It’s just that I noticed them.
On balance, it was above average for contemporary romance. It was enjoyable but not enough for 4 stars. There were two sex scenes. They were nice.
My favorite line from the book, page 55. “She remembered the few times she’d given herself to boys who’d given her nothing in return, the shame and loneliness she’d felt, and she was determined never to feel that way again. She had promised herself that until Mr. Right wandered along, she’d use her body only to hang clothes on and to transport her brain from one location to another.”
STORY BRIEF:
Renee was raised by an abusive alcoholic mother. Renee was a juvenile delinquent with a long rap sheet. She attended a session run by scary tough female prisoners showing her what life behind bars would be like – lesbian style. Renee was scared. She changed her life to the straight and narrow and worked her way up to be assistant manager at a nice restaurant. Someone robbed a convenience store, shot/wounded the owner, and threw the gun and money into Renee’s car. She couldn’t afford a decent attorney and was found guilty (or will be found guilty). She is on the run. A tough bounty hunter is after her. She needs a ride and fast. She sees John in a diner. She comes up to him offering the best sex of his life if he will take her with him immediately. Their relationship begins. She doesn’t know he is a cop. He doesn’t know she is a fugitive.
DATA:
Story length: 318 pages. Swearing language: strong, including religious swear words. Sexual language: mild. Number of sex scenes: 2. Number of sex scene pages: 14. Setting: current day Texas. Copyright: 2001. Genre: contemporary romance, romantic suspense.
May 26, 2021
I was really emotionally torn with this romance. Renee is implicated in a crime she didn't commit and is running from a determined bounty hunter when she meets John in a diner. She persuades him to take her home with him and she backs out of having sex with him. After more lies and deception, he finds out she's wanted for a crime and he's hell bent on taking her in. This is where it gets tricky for me.
On one hand I admire Renee's resolve to maintain her innocence and avoid jail but she does nothing but run when she gets the chance. Why not try to prove your innocence instead of involving John, a cop, who has the obligation of turning in fugitive? I know things become complicated between them but I felt more could have been done to proof her innocence sooner.
Which leads me to my issue with John. Although he seems like an upstanding guy and he is under the most impossible situation, I still felt that in my fantasy romance, he would tear down the town to prove the innocence of a woman he begins to fall for way sooner than he did. His instincts were telling him she was innocent but he kept on distrusting her. It was so frustrating. But I get it, it's not easy being a cop whose seen a lot of bad guys get away with stuff to consider that an assumed criminal can actually be innocent.
Despite all of the moral complexities and frustration with these characters, this was a well written novel with some humor. I would definitely read the next installment.
Thank you Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
On one hand I admire Renee's resolve to maintain her innocence and avoid jail but she does nothing but run when she gets the chance. Why not try to prove your innocence instead of involving John, a cop, who has the obligation of turning in fugitive? I know things become complicated between them but I felt more could have been done to proof her innocence sooner.
Which leads me to my issue with John. Although he seems like an upstanding guy and he is under the most impossible situation, I still felt that in my fantasy romance, he would tear down the town to prove the innocence of a woman he begins to fall for way sooner than he did. His instincts were telling him she was innocent but he kept on distrusting her. It was so frustrating. But I get it, it's not easy being a cop whose seen a lot of bad guys get away with stuff to consider that an assumed criminal can actually be innocent.
Despite all of the moral complexities and frustration with these characters, this was a well written novel with some humor. I would definitely read the next installment.
Thank you Netgalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 17, 2008
A really fun read. Jane writes for Harlequin as Jane Sullivan. In this book, the heroine has jumped bail after her arrest for robbing a convenience store. She has no good alibi and a juvenile record, so the police stop looking, even though she’s lived an exemplary life since then. She gets caught by a butt-ugly bounty hunter, gets away by setting his car on fire and picks up a handsome fella in a nearby diner by promising him sex. Only to find out said handsome fella is a cop from the very town she’s running from. There’s great snappy dialog, wonderful stuff happening right and left, and even a little angst to go with the humor. Fun book.
Want to read
April 4, 2024🎁 FREE on Amazon today (4/3/2023)! 🎁
February 10, 2019
Just finished reading this book and I can't tell you how much I enjoyed it. Not your typical romance novel but that's what makes it so fun. Lots of humor, lots of twists and lots of romance. The craziness Renee and John find themselves in will keep you completely entertained. This is a reissue of a previously published book. It has been updated very nicely! Definitely a recommended read for everyone!!
April 10, 2010
This book was a wonderful surprise. I hadn't read anything by Jane Graves, and now wonder why I've rarely heard of her. I really enjoyed the humor, which was mostly subtle and never over-the-top. Ms. Graves writes realistic dialog that flows well, enough description to give the reader a good feel of setting, and enough action to keep things interesting. The internal struggles of both Renee and John were believable and moving. This was an excellent read.
Want to read
April 12, 2024Prch Amz April 4, 2024
Read
July 19, 2023DNF 31%. Renee is so annoying I just can’t read any more of this book.
April 17, 2024
interesting Story
I enjoyed the plot with John trying to clear Renee’s name and trying to figure out who set her up for the robbery. However, I didn’t connect with Renee. She broke laws to avoid going back to jail when she missed her court date and just kept justifying why it was ok and how she wasn’t a criminal. She expected John to tank his career just for her. Him taking her back to go to trial wouldn’t have prevented him from continuing to prove her innocence but she treated it like he would be betraying her if he didn’t keep helping her. I kind of wanted her to be guilty and go to jail by the end
I enjoyed the plot with John trying to clear Renee’s name and trying to figure out who set her up for the robbery. However, I didn’t connect with Renee. She broke laws to avoid going back to jail when she missed her court date and just kept justifying why it was ok and how she wasn’t a criminal. She expected John to tank his career just for her. Him taking her back to go to trial wouldn’t have prevented him from continuing to prove her innocence but she treated it like he would be betraying her if he didn’t keep helping her. I kind of wanted her to be guilty and go to jail by the end
January 11, 2017
First paragraph:
Renee Esterhaus peered out of room fourteen of the Flamingo Motor Lodge at the intersection of Highway 37 and the middle of nowhere, shivering a little in the crisp October air. She cast a nervous glance left and right down the sidewalk in front of the other rooms, then turned her gaze to the gravel parking lot and the dense pine forest beyond it. Everything seemed quiet. No suspicious-looking people. No cars she hadn’t seen before. No helicopters circling overhead, ready to drop a SWAT team.
Laugh out loud romance-comedy that hit a tender spot for me. With the cops, robbers, druggie girlfriends, DJs and cross-dressers, all in a little town in BFE, Texas, there was a whole lot of zany, whacky action happening that just wouldn't occur in real life. But, isn't that what some nice escapism fiction is all about? Recommended.
Renee Esterhaus peered out of room fourteen of the Flamingo Motor Lodge at the intersection of Highway 37 and the middle of nowhere, shivering a little in the crisp October air. She cast a nervous glance left and right down the sidewalk in front of the other rooms, then turned her gaze to the gravel parking lot and the dense pine forest beyond it. Everything seemed quiet. No suspicious-looking people. No cars she hadn’t seen before. No helicopters circling overhead, ready to drop a SWAT team.
Laugh out loud romance-comedy that hit a tender spot for me. With the cops, robbers, druggie girlfriends, DJs and cross-dressers, all in a little town in BFE, Texas, there was a whole lot of zany, whacky action happening that just wouldn't occur in real life. But, isn't that what some nice escapism fiction is all about? Recommended.
June 3, 2013
This was my first book by Jane Graves.I just did not want to put it down, it just kept me wondering what was going to happened next. Loved the strong willed Renee. Enjoyed the storyline and the two characters! Cannot wait to see her other books!
February 11, 2019
I Got You Babe by Jane Graves
She picked the wrong man… only to find Mr. Right.
On the run for a robbery she didn’t commit, Renee Esterhaus is stuck in East Texas with a broken-down car and a nasty bounty hunter hot on her trail. Desperate for a way out, she makes a promise she never intends to keep – offer the first man she sees a night of unforgettable pleasure in return for a ride. A night to remember, all right, since the man turns out to be a cop on vacation with zero tolerance for sweet-talking criminals.
When the truth comes out, John DeMarco is determined to take Renee to jail, but it isn’t long before he thinks she may be innocent after all. Soon they’re working together to clear her name, but that means dodging his all-cop family, dealing with oddball suspects, staying one step ahead of a pissed-off bounty hunter – and trying to pretend they’re not falling in love.
This is Renee Esterhaus and John DeMarco's story.
Renee Esterhaus peered out of room fourteen of the Flamingo Motor Lodge at the intersection of Highway 37 and the middle of nowhere, shivering a little in the crisp October air. She cast a nervous glance left and right down the sidewalk in front of the other rooms, then turned her gaze to the gravel parking lot and the dense pine forest beyond it. Everything seemed quiet. No suspicious-looking people. No cars she hadn’t seen before. No helicopters circling overhead, ready to drop a SWAT team.
Nothing but the evening breeze rustling through the trees.
She slid out the door, leaving it ajar, then scurried to the snack machine in the breezeway between her room and the motel office, telling herself to calm down, that no matter what she’d done, the SWAT team thing was pretty unlikely.
John DeMarco sat at the counter of the Red Oak Diner three miles outside Winslow, Texas, with the front page of the Winslow Gazette spread out in front of him and his hands wrapped around a steaming cup of coffee. He took a sip of the thirty-weight liquid and winced, wondering how much more of this stuff he could drink before he overdosed on caffeine.
He glanced out the window. Evening was edging into dusk, filling the countryside with the muted shades of twilight. Soft sizzling sounds came from the kitchen, like raindrops on a tin roof, mingling with the muffled conversation of a gangly teenage boy and his mousy girlfriend, who were sharing an order of fries in a booth by the window.
This place was like a hundred other backwoods multipurpose establishments—a diner that also carried convenience store items, a small collection of action-adventure videos for rent, and a rack of magazines that centered around four topics—hunting, fishing, hot cars, and sex—aimed directly at the rifle-toting, tobacco-chewing, kick-ass locals on the assumption that they could actually read. Marva Benton served up Texas home cooking guaranteed to clog your arteries, while her husband Harley ran the cash register and shot the bull with the locals. Just about anything you needed to sustain life you could find at the Red Oak, as long as you didn’t set your standards too high.
"I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book."
I Got You Babe by Jane Graves is a 4 star book.
Jane's Books with Tule:
I Got You Babe
The DeMarco Family
Wild at Heart
The DeMarco Family
Flirting with Disaster
The DeMarco Family
Light My Fire
The DeMarco Family
She picked the wrong man… only to find Mr. Right.
On the run for a robbery she didn’t commit, Renee Esterhaus is stuck in East Texas with a broken-down car and a nasty bounty hunter hot on her trail. Desperate for a way out, she makes a promise she never intends to keep – offer the first man she sees a night of unforgettable pleasure in return for a ride. A night to remember, all right, since the man turns out to be a cop on vacation with zero tolerance for sweet-talking criminals.
When the truth comes out, John DeMarco is determined to take Renee to jail, but it isn’t long before he thinks she may be innocent after all. Soon they’re working together to clear her name, but that means dodging his all-cop family, dealing with oddball suspects, staying one step ahead of a pissed-off bounty hunter – and trying to pretend they’re not falling in love.
This is Renee Esterhaus and John DeMarco's story.
Renee Esterhaus peered out of room fourteen of the Flamingo Motor Lodge at the intersection of Highway 37 and the middle of nowhere, shivering a little in the crisp October air. She cast a nervous glance left and right down the sidewalk in front of the other rooms, then turned her gaze to the gravel parking lot and the dense pine forest beyond it. Everything seemed quiet. No suspicious-looking people. No cars she hadn’t seen before. No helicopters circling overhead, ready to drop a SWAT team.
Nothing but the evening breeze rustling through the trees.
She slid out the door, leaving it ajar, then scurried to the snack machine in the breezeway between her room and the motel office, telling herself to calm down, that no matter what she’d done, the SWAT team thing was pretty unlikely.
John DeMarco sat at the counter of the Red Oak Diner three miles outside Winslow, Texas, with the front page of the Winslow Gazette spread out in front of him and his hands wrapped around a steaming cup of coffee. He took a sip of the thirty-weight liquid and winced, wondering how much more of this stuff he could drink before he overdosed on caffeine.
He glanced out the window. Evening was edging into dusk, filling the countryside with the muted shades of twilight. Soft sizzling sounds came from the kitchen, like raindrops on a tin roof, mingling with the muffled conversation of a gangly teenage boy and his mousy girlfriend, who were sharing an order of fries in a booth by the window.
This place was like a hundred other backwoods multipurpose establishments—a diner that also carried convenience store items, a small collection of action-adventure videos for rent, and a rack of magazines that centered around four topics—hunting, fishing, hot cars, and sex—aimed directly at the rifle-toting, tobacco-chewing, kick-ass locals on the assumption that they could actually read. Marva Benton served up Texas home cooking guaranteed to clog your arteries, while her husband Harley ran the cash register and shot the bull with the locals. Just about anything you needed to sustain life you could find at the Red Oak, as long as you didn’t set your standards too high.
"I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book."
I Got You Babe by Jane Graves is a 4 star book.
Jane's Books with Tule:
I Got You Babe
The DeMarco Family
Wild at Heart
The DeMarco Family
Flirting with Disaster
The DeMarco Family
Light My Fire
The DeMarco Family
August 9, 2025
Rating 3 stars
**MINOR SPOILERS**
I think I read this book years ago and when I saw it again along with Flirting with Disaster at a used bookstore, I decided to read them again. I read the books out of order and read Flirting with Disaster first, then this one. FWD is the better book. This is first book in a four book series, but it can read as a standalone. The characters from the other books play a small role in this one. The stories do not overlap.
The story was fast paced and the dialogue was believable. Some of the characters actions were not. If you suspend disbelief, you can enjoy the story, but I simply found it took away from it. It would have been all right for a couple of unlikely things to happen, but I felt there were too many.
Renee is accused of armed robbery. She has had a troubled childhood including multiple arrests and the evidence seems obvious against her. John is a cop. He gradually comes to believe that she did not commit the crime. I thought the author did a decent job at showing his history of behavior at his job and how it affected him in the current situation and with their relationship. It was realistic that he did not believe Renee at first and had doubts later. I thought he seemed like he had a personal code of honor that he tried to live by.
I did not like Renee as well. She certainly was not a good judge of character or why people acted the way they did. She misinterprets the actions of several people in the story.
There is a bounty hunter in the story that was a bit one dimensional. Early in the story, the bounty hunter gets impatient with another driver that is waiting for a train and I thought that it was unrealistic that he would leave his vehicle to badger the driver and leave Renee alone. In addition, at a different point in the story, Renee is in his vehicle and is able to open her door after the author makes it clear that the bounty hunter had removed the doorknob from it.
John’s family is close and I liked the interaction between them.
Bottom line: it is an ok story.
**MINOR SPOILERS**
I think I read this book years ago and when I saw it again along with Flirting with Disaster at a used bookstore, I decided to read them again. I read the books out of order and read Flirting with Disaster first, then this one. FWD is the better book. This is first book in a four book series, but it can read as a standalone. The characters from the other books play a small role in this one. The stories do not overlap.
The story was fast paced and the dialogue was believable. Some of the characters actions were not. If you suspend disbelief, you can enjoy the story, but I simply found it took away from it. It would have been all right for a couple of unlikely things to happen, but I felt there were too many.
Renee is accused of armed robbery. She has had a troubled childhood including multiple arrests and the evidence seems obvious against her. John is a cop. He gradually comes to believe that she did not commit the crime. I thought the author did a decent job at showing his history of behavior at his job and how it affected him in the current situation and with their relationship. It was realistic that he did not believe Renee at first and had doubts later. I thought he seemed like he had a personal code of honor that he tried to live by.
I did not like Renee as well. She certainly was not a good judge of character or why people acted the way they did. She misinterprets the actions of several people in the story.
There is a bounty hunter in the story that was a bit one dimensional. Early in the story, the bounty hunter gets impatient with another driver that is waiting for a train and I thought that it was unrealistic that he would leave his vehicle to badger the driver and leave Renee alone. In addition, at a different point in the story, Renee is in his vehicle and is able to open her door after the author makes it clear that the bounty hunter had removed the doorknob from it.
John’s family is close and I liked the interaction between them.
Bottom line: it is an ok story.
February 16, 2019
Reviewed at Keeper Bookshelf
I GOT YOU, BABE kicks off The DeMarco Family series with a fun and sexy, suspenseful, banter-filled journey to love… eventually. Renee is accused of a crime she didn’t commit. Now she’s on the run trying to prove her innocence and keep one step ahead of a determined, nasty bounty hunter. In trying to escape she made an offer she had no intention of fulfilling to the wrong guy or maybe the right guy depending on how it all works out.
Just so happens that guy was a police officer on vacation, one who has no tolerance for true criminals. The problem for John becomes the more he’s around Renee the more he’s beginning to believe her wild tale of not being guilty. Now it’s a race to prove the woman he’s falling for is innocent before it all blows up in their faces.
I was easily caught up in I GOT YOU, BABE. Sure, there were moments when I did a bit of eye rolling at both Renee and John’s decisions and stubbornness, but they are a believable couple tangled up in unusual circumstances.
If you enjoy figuring out a puzzle, love bantering families, and watching two people fall in love in spite of themselves – then you’ll enjoy this one.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
I GOT YOU, BABE kicks off The DeMarco Family series with a fun and sexy, suspenseful, banter-filled journey to love… eventually. Renee is accused of a crime she didn’t commit. Now she’s on the run trying to prove her innocence and keep one step ahead of a determined, nasty bounty hunter. In trying to escape she made an offer she had no intention of fulfilling to the wrong guy or maybe the right guy depending on how it all works out.
Just so happens that guy was a police officer on vacation, one who has no tolerance for true criminals. The problem for John becomes the more he’s around Renee the more he’s beginning to believe her wild tale of not being guilty. Now it’s a race to prove the woman he’s falling for is innocent before it all blows up in their faces.
I was easily caught up in I GOT YOU, BABE. Sure, there were moments when I did a bit of eye rolling at both Renee and John’s decisions and stubbornness, but they are a believable couple tangled up in unusual circumstances.
If you enjoy figuring out a puzzle, love bantering families, and watching two people fall in love in spite of themselves – then you’ll enjoy this one.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
February 21, 2019
Renee is on the run. From her past and from a very angry, determined bounty-hunter named Leandro. She desperately does not want to go to jail. John is having a private pity party. He is contemplating his life and his decisions. And in this rural Texas setting, Renee charges into John’s life, shakes him from his stupor, and makes him question his beliefs.
Renee and John sure make some very questionable decisions. Renee seems very young to me (mostly in spirit, she is 26 after all) and she has lost all faith in the justice system. John’s faith in the system has also been shaken, but in a different way. Together they slowly change the way the other person sees the world and realizes that no matter what their beliefs are, things are rarely as black and white. Renee put John in a very difficult position because she refused to let justice take its course. And John went back-and-forth between wanting to help Renee and wanting to turn her in (do the right thing).
There was an interesting twist at the end, that was a lot of fun to read. The author managed pretty successfully to obscure the identity of the real culprit. Sure, I had some suspicions, but not for certain.
The story is pretty fast-paced and easy to follow. I would recommend this to romance readers who also like some action and suspense thrown in. I would like to read the books following this one.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley.
Renee and John sure make some very questionable decisions. Renee seems very young to me (mostly in spirit, she is 26 after all) and she has lost all faith in the justice system. John’s faith in the system has also been shaken, but in a different way. Together they slowly change the way the other person sees the world and realizes that no matter what their beliefs are, things are rarely as black and white. Renee put John in a very difficult position because she refused to let justice take its course. And John went back-and-forth between wanting to help Renee and wanting to turn her in (do the right thing).
There was an interesting twist at the end, that was a lot of fun to read. The author managed pretty successfully to obscure the identity of the real culprit. Sure, I had some suspicions, but not for certain.
The story is pretty fast-paced and easy to follow. I would recommend this to romance readers who also like some action and suspense thrown in. I would like to read the books following this one.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley.
March 14, 2019
Reviewed at Keeper Bookshelf
I GOT YOU, BABE kicks off The DeMarco Family series with a fun and sexy, suspenseful, banter-filled journey to love… eventually. Renee is accused of a crime she didn’t commit. Now she’s on the run trying to prove her innocence and keep one step ahead of a determined, nasty bounty hunter. In trying to escape she made an offer she had no intention of fulfilling to the wrong guy or maybe the right guy depending on how it all works out.
Just so happens that guy was a police officer on vacation, one who has no tolerance for true criminals. The problem for John becomes the more he’s around Renee the more he’s beginning to believe her wild tale of not being guilty. Now it’s a race to prove the woman he’s falling for is innocent before it all blows up in their faces.
I was easily caught up in I GOT YOU, BABE. Sure, there were moments when I did a bit of eye rolling at both Renee and John’s decisions and stubbornness, but they are a believable couple tangled up in unusual circumstances.
If you enjoy figuring out a puzzle, love bantering families, and watching two people fall in love in spite of themselves – then you’ll enjoy this one.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
I GOT YOU, BABE kicks off The DeMarco Family series with a fun and sexy, suspenseful, banter-filled journey to love… eventually. Renee is accused of a crime she didn’t commit. Now she’s on the run trying to prove her innocence and keep one step ahead of a determined, nasty bounty hunter. In trying to escape she made an offer she had no intention of fulfilling to the wrong guy or maybe the right guy depending on how it all works out.
Just so happens that guy was a police officer on vacation, one who has no tolerance for true criminals. The problem for John becomes the more he’s around Renee the more he’s beginning to believe her wild tale of not being guilty. Now it’s a race to prove the woman he’s falling for is innocent before it all blows up in their faces.
I was easily caught up in I GOT YOU, BABE. Sure, there were moments when I did a bit of eye rolling at both Renee and John’s decisions and stubbornness, but they are a believable couple tangled up in unusual circumstances.
If you enjoy figuring out a puzzle, love bantering families, and watching two people fall in love in spite of themselves – then you’ll enjoy this one.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
February 11, 2019
A hilarious adventure for Renee Eserhaus as she fights to get ahead and to clear her name when she is arrested and accused of an armed robbery. Renee is running for her life, having changed her “teenage” ways and finally feeling good about herself and her future. That is until her car is stopped due to a taillight issue and a gun and money are found in her car. When she misses her court date, she is attacked by a bond enforcement agent, but manages to get away. To escape, she convinces a man in a diner to take her to his cabin (you’ll have to read the book to find out how she does this – lol). She did not know he was a cop, one who was taking a break after an arrest he made was overturned and a criminal was turned loose. John DeMarco is that man in the diner and one hilarious event after another leads you through a wonderful “laugh out loud” story. John has a large and crazy family and Renee fits right in. Renee has courage and grit and won’t stop until the guilty person is found. I loved this story and the zany characters. I look forward to reading the stories about John’s siblings - Alex, Dave and Sandy. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)
March 2, 2019
First off, while it doesn’t state it in the description, this book is a reprint. And that becomes obvious when reading some of the dated storyline. The book started strong. It was engaging and I found myself thinking that I might have found a new favorite author. I liked the back and forth between the characters, and, ignoring some plot holes, it was good. That changed about a third of the way through the book, I’m sorry to say. The heroine, who had been strong and sassy, turned whiney. The hero couldn’t make up his mind. It was frustrating to read a book that started out with so much promise just devolve into over-used tropes and situations. And I was particularly disappointed with the characterization and use of cross dressing in the final part of the book. Yes, the book was written years ago and attitudes have changed, but I would have thought the author and/or publisher might have decided to reflect that change by a few tweaks to the story. All in all, I wouldn’t recommend this one.
Note: I was given a copy of this book for an honest review.
Note: I was given a copy of this book for an honest review.
February 11, 2019
Renee Esterhaus was on the run. She didn't commit the crime the police said she did, but no one would believe her. She wasn’t about to go to prison for something she didn't do. When Renee met John DeMarco, she didn't know he was a police officer who is just taking some time away from his job. He was the first person she saw at the diner when she ran in for help. She just needed someone with a car to get her away from the bounty hunter who is after her. After Renee pours her heart out to John, he starts to believe her story. John decides to take in it his own hands, regardless of the consequences, and help her find the real person behind the robbery.
This was an intense, sit on the edge of your seat, book. I couldn’t put it down. It’s a wonderful romantic suspense story with characters will want more of. This is the beginning of a new series and it is starting off with a bang.
This was an intense, sit on the edge of your seat, book. I couldn’t put it down. It’s a wonderful romantic suspense story with characters will want more of. This is the beginning of a new series and it is starting off with a bang.
April 18, 2024
It's been a long time since I've been so emotionally invested in a story. The plot grabbed my attention from the first page and never let go. This is not the kind of story you can relax with. The pace is fast, many times unpredictable, and great at showing the reader what Renee and John are really like.
Renee has had a rough life and a bad start, but she's picked herself up and become a woman who can be proud of herself. When falsely accused of armed robbery, she does everything she can think of to avoid going to jail. Her actions are many times bold and risky, showing her courage but also her desperation and intense fear of going to prison.
Her relationship with John progresses fast but in a logical manner from annoyance to attraction to grudging admiration and acceptance and finally love. Each of them risks a lot as their relationship grows, and the more they risk, the more I fell in love with each of them.
A true winner! I highly recommend.
Renee has had a rough life and a bad start, but she's picked herself up and become a woman who can be proud of herself. When falsely accused of armed robbery, she does everything she can think of to avoid going to jail. Her actions are many times bold and risky, showing her courage but also her desperation and intense fear of going to prison.
Her relationship with John progresses fast but in a logical manner from annoyance to attraction to grudging admiration and acceptance and finally love. Each of them risks a lot as their relationship grows, and the more they risk, the more I fell in love with each of them.
A true winner! I highly recommend.
February 12, 2019
I Got You Babe is a re-issue by a new publisher for Jane Graves. I didn’t realize that at first but thought the story seemed familiar. After checking, I feel sure that I read this book in paperback several years ago. No matter, I enjoyed this romantic story just as much the second time around.
Guilty until proven innocent causes Renee to run. Unknown to her, running leads her straight into the arms of a police officer, John. Still running, still doubting, still needs to prove her innocence keeps this story going until all is resolved. It has humor to go with the unusual meeting and circumstances. I found it to be a contemporary romance with a strong suspenseful element, perfect for an afternoon of escapism reading.
An ARC of the book was given to me by the publisher through Net Galley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Guilty until proven innocent causes Renee to run. Unknown to her, running leads her straight into the arms of a police officer, John. Still running, still doubting, still needs to prove her innocence keeps this story going until all is resolved. It has humor to go with the unusual meeting and circumstances. I found it to be a contemporary romance with a strong suspenseful element, perfect for an afternoon of escapism reading.
An ARC of the book was given to me by the publisher through Net Galley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 12, 2020
A no-nonsense cop exiled to a vacation in the wilderness for taking his job too seriously meets a fugitive, accidentally landing in a mess none of them bargained for.
Firstly, I loved loved it's synopsis. It pulled me in so gracefully that before long I turned into a read-aholic, going through the book like my life's mission.
Secondly, even though the general plot seems ordinary, it's exceptional writing and attention to detail makes it such a fulfilling read that you CANNOT keep the book down until you're on the very last word of it.
It's got chemistry, emotions and even though logically you WANT to think "they can't be in love so soon!" You cannot help but believe it. I give it a stellar 4 star review nad only because I'm saving that 1 star for when I'm done with the rest of the books in the series. Jane Graves at her best.
Firstly, I loved loved it's synopsis. It pulled me in so gracefully that before long I turned into a read-aholic, going through the book like my life's mission.
Secondly, even though the general plot seems ordinary, it's exceptional writing and attention to detail makes it such a fulfilling read that you CANNOT keep the book down until you're on the very last word of it.
It's got chemistry, emotions and even though logically you WANT to think "they can't be in love so soon!" You cannot help but believe it. I give it a stellar 4 star review nad only because I'm saving that 1 star for when I'm done with the rest of the books in the series. Jane Graves at her best.
May 1, 2024
John and Renee. Shes been falsely accused and may go to jail which she is deathly afraid of. So shes on the run with a plethora of bounty hunters on her tail so in desperation she enters a restaurant and approaches the first person who happens to be a cop and tells him she will have sex with him if he takes home right this minute. His spidy senses start to tingle but he cant refuse her. Once he has a run in with a bounty hunter he then knows he has to turn her in but theres something about her that tells him shes innocent. This story their story starts on page one and holds your attention till the end. Loved it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 6, 2024
Renee has been determined to turn her life around and be better than anyone else expected. When her dream job comes her way, she wants to celebrate. Unfortunately, she is arrested for a robbery she didn't commit. She decides to run rather than stay and fight the charges because she is convinced no one will ever believe her and she just can't go to prison. When a nasty bounty hunter finds her, she is desperate to get away so she finds the first man she hopes she can trust to save her. When he turns out to be a cop on vacation, she has to convince him that she is innocent so he will help her prove her innocence.
This story is a sweet, fast-paced story about trust and love, along with other life lessons. And, like all good stories, there is a happy ending.
This story is a sweet, fast-paced story about trust and love, along with other life lessons. And, like all good stories, there is a happy ending.
February 8, 2019
I Got You Babe is so well written! It is a longish book, but so, so readable. This is romance with hints of comedy, suspense and angst blended seamlessly together to create a book that has been very easy to get invested in. There is the potential for awful things to happen to Renee and John, the stars of the show, yet there are plenty of moments through the book when I wanted to smile or even laugh out loud. There are tender moments too, building in intensity as these two get to know each other, and moments where I just wanted to hug them. The pacing is perfect and with well placed hooks I found myself unable to put the story down. I absolutely loved this one!
February 14, 2019
I really got into this one. I enjoyed the main characters John a cop on vacation, he’s staying at his boss’s cabin in the woods and Renee who is on the run for a crime she didn’t commit and a bounty hunter who she has managed to ditch. Oh and the author has made the whole cast of characters believable, a couple who ran a dinner tickled my funny bone.
There is a part where Renee is coming on to John and he felt his common sense leave his body, I loved it. Yes there was tense moments, and others that made me laugh and then there was the romance. I have never read this author before but she has a good way with the words and I will be watching for the other books in this series.
There is a part where Renee is coming on to John and he felt his common sense leave his body, I loved it. Yes there was tense moments, and others that made me laugh and then there was the romance. I have never read this author before but she has a good way with the words and I will be watching for the other books in this series.
February 22, 2019
There is a whole lot of crazy things happening in I Got You Babe, from a woman on the run from the law to the lawman who gets caught by her. I had to catch my breath reading all the adventures Renee Esterhaus creates while trying to escape jail and a likely prison sentence. She runs right into the arms of John De Marco, a cop on an enforced vacation, and the craziness begins to escalate. I kept wondering how the heck she was going to ever get out of the messes she creates and then how was John going to ever justify his actions and not get blown off the force. I have to say, Renee is a champion at escape and at being a strong, driven woman.
February 28, 2019
Renee is on the run from the law and a crazy bounty hunter for a crime she did not commit. Trying to out run said bounty hunter she promises a night of toe curling sex to the most normal looking guy in the bar. Of course that guy happens to be a cop on vacation. Despite his repeated rejection he ends up taking her home. Of course nothing is as it seems and there is no way she is having sex with a stranger. When he finds out the truth can he trust that she is innocent when he is falling for the cute blonde? Such a fun a quirky story with handcuffs, a family full of law enforcement and a big crazy scary bounty hunter. Super Cute read.
couldn-t-finish
June 3, 2024I DNF this book at 37%. Every decision Renee made was just dumber than the one before. I get she's desperate but she's not being smart. I didn't like her so I didn't care if she ended up in jail. It seems pretty obvious to me who the bad guy is going to be, the scene with her friend gave it away.
The way she treated John was awful. She did nothing but lie to him from the moment they met and then wants to act like he's the bad guy. Why would he believe anything she said? And for her to act like he's the bad guy just because he's a cop wasn't fair to him either. I couldn't force myself to finish this book and I won't be continuing with the story.
The way she treated John was awful. She did nothing but lie to him from the moment they met and then wants to act like he's the bad guy. Why would he believe anything she said? And for her to act like he's the bad guy just because he's a cop wasn't fair to him either. I couldn't force myself to finish this book and I won't be continuing with the story.
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