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New Zealand Ever After #2
Stone Cold Kiwi
Falling in love can be bloody inconvenient.
Let's inventory, shall we?
State of my professional life: Brilliant, if counted in terms of sales of Hazel the Hippo books, the substantial proceeds from selling my New Zealand glamping business, and any number of glossy magazine articles about my charmed existence. Of course, I couldn't seem to write or draw anymore, but that would pass. Surely.
State of my personal life: Murky. A mysterious siren I was not, in my nursing bra and only-kind-that-fits maternity panties.
My three redheaded children? Good thing. Good, exhausting, frustrating, terrifying, wonderful thing.
My marriage? Living with a failing marriage is like living with a toothache. It's not going to get any better, and eventually, it's going to get heaps worse, but who wants a root canal?
Beginning to fall for the much-too-charming, not-quite-available, stone-cold-beautiful Dr. Matiu Te Mana, on the day he delivered the third of those children on the grass outside Otago General Hospital, a few short minutes before my marriage began its spectacular and very public final implosion?
Possibly tricky.
Let's inventory, shall we?
State of my professional life: Brilliant, if counted in terms of sales of Hazel the Hippo books, the substantial proceeds from selling my New Zealand glamping business, and any number of glossy magazine articles about my charmed existence. Of course, I couldn't seem to write or draw anymore, but that would pass. Surely.
State of my personal life: Murky. A mysterious siren I was not, in my nursing bra and only-kind-that-fits maternity panties.
My three redheaded children? Good thing. Good, exhausting, frustrating, terrifying, wonderful thing.
My marriage? Living with a failing marriage is like living with a toothache. It's not going to get any better, and eventually, it's going to get heaps worse, but who wants a root canal?
Beginning to fall for the much-too-charming, not-quite-available, stone-cold-beautiful Dr. Matiu Te Mana, on the day he delivered the third of those children on the grass outside Otago General Hospital, a few short minutes before my marriage began its spectacular and very public final implosion?
Possibly tricky.
450 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 13, 2020
690 people are currently reading
335 people want to read
About the author
Rosalind James
55 books1,219 followersRosalind James writes contemporary romance and romantic suspense published both by Montlake Romance and independently. Her stories are set in New Zealand, Idaho, California, New York . . . really, anyplace that seems cool. (Research trips, especially those involving lots of rugby, are a bonus.) Her books are available in ebook, paperback, and audio formats. Rosalind is a former marketing executive who spent several years in Australia and New Zealand, where she fell in love with the people, the landscape, and the culture of both countries. She attributes her rapid success to the fact that "Lots of people would like to escape to New Zealand! I know I did!"
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 166 reviews
August 21, 2024
this book had it all..... wonderful characters, really great romance, fabulously written heat, family bond, friendship, heartbreak, longing, hope, and an ending that is completely satisfying. i just.... i loved it. so so much.
⎯ 4.5 stars
⎯ 4.5 stars
February 23, 2023
4.5 stars. I really enjoyed this book, even though there were some details I didn't love. I think what really worked for me was that the manwhore hero ended up playing step-daddy to another man's kids. Yeaaaaaaa. Call me ridiculous, but I just love that he didn't end up with some virginal or sexually repressed heroine. 😅😅
Quick storyline opening recap: the hero is an ER doctor, the heroine goes into labor with her THIRD baby and doesn't quite make it to the hospital. She ends up collapsing outside of the ER, and gives birth in front of a bunch of "concerned" bystanders. The hero is on duty, and catches, then sews her up right after. Meanwhile, as the heroine is wheeled into the ER with her newborn, she sees her husband being brought in on an ambulance with his assistant (aka his mistress) even though he was meant to be on a business trip in a different part of the country. The heroine realizes that her husband has been cheating on her, and the hero, who is drawn to her, comforts her in the midst of her emotional upheaval. What a beautiful start to a love story, no?
But seriously, the start is an entertaining mess but some of the middle bits are a less-enjoyable mess. For example, there are definitely some questionable elements when it comes to how quick the relationship between the MCs moves. They are entangled and having some relationship talks very quickly, which was somewhat off-putting. The timeline could easily have been stretched out to not make their relationship feel so rushed. However, I basically managed to ignore those parts myself and pretend like more time had passed. There is also an instance when the MCs discuss the heroine's ex cheating in front of her oldest child. It was extremely inappropriate and I'm not sure wth RJ was thinking with that scene. The hero was also a HUGE manwhore in the past and there are several reminders of this throughout the book. He even runs into some past lovers. Thankfully, the heroine doesn't ever run into them, and he stays celibate from before the start of this book, when he moves for a new job in the heroine's city.
Ultimately, I just really liked the heroine. She's a woman who just gave birth, a mother to three young children. She realized that her husband was cheating and immediately threw him out of her life and her home. I think she knew that something was going on with him, but was staying with him because she didn't have definitive proof of his infidelity. Once she had it, she was out. And even with external pressure to give him another chance, she didn't even consider it. She also wouldn't have considered it, even without the hero coming into her life. The heroine also did a fairly good job of attempting to co-parent with her ex, even though it was often made excruciatingly hard for her.
And OFC, I mostly loved that the hero fell so hard, and had to play step-daddy to three kids. 😬😬😬
SWE; hero and heroine met in book 1, through the MCs of that book, not really sure how much time passed in between those meetings and the start of this book, but I assume both weren't celibate after meeting since she was married and he was a manwhore. Heroine has three kids, and was celibate for the second half of her latest pregnancy and had a crappy sex life leading up to it bc her husband wasn't interested in her pregnant or postpartum body. Turned out her ex-husband was cheating on her, and him and his mistress do make several appearances. Hero was a major manwhore in the past, and there are many mentions of this, but he was celibate after moving for a new job, OM drama from heroine's ex, and slight OW drama when OW flirts with the heroine. He remains celibate, no scenes with OM/OW, no cheating.
Quick storyline opening recap: the hero is an ER doctor, the heroine goes into labor with her THIRD baby and doesn't quite make it to the hospital. She ends up collapsing outside of the ER, and gives birth in front of a bunch of "concerned" bystanders. The hero is on duty, and catches, then sews her up right after. Meanwhile, as the heroine is wheeled into the ER with her newborn, she sees her husband being brought in on an ambulance with his assistant (aka his mistress) even though he was meant to be on a business trip in a different part of the country. The heroine realizes that her husband has been cheating on her, and the hero, who is drawn to her, comforts her in the midst of her emotional upheaval. What a beautiful start to a love story, no?
But seriously, the start is an entertaining mess but some of the middle bits are a less-enjoyable mess. For example, there are definitely some questionable elements when it comes to how quick the relationship between the MCs moves. They are entangled and having some relationship talks very quickly, which was somewhat off-putting. The timeline could easily have been stretched out to not make their relationship feel so rushed. However, I basically managed to ignore those parts myself and pretend like more time had passed. There is also an instance when the MCs discuss the heroine's ex cheating in front of her oldest child. It was extremely inappropriate and I'm not sure wth RJ was thinking with that scene. The hero was also a HUGE manwhore in the past and there are several reminders of this throughout the book. He even runs into some past lovers. Thankfully, the heroine doesn't ever run into them, and he stays celibate from before the start of this book, when he moves for a new job in the heroine's city.
Ultimately, I just really liked the heroine. She's a woman who just gave birth, a mother to three young children. She realized that her husband was cheating and immediately threw him out of her life and her home. I think she knew that something was going on with him, but was staying with him because she didn't have definitive proof of his infidelity. Once she had it, she was out. And even with external pressure to give him another chance, she didn't even consider it. She also wouldn't have considered it, even without the hero coming into her life. The heroine also did a fairly good job of attempting to co-parent with her ex, even though it was often made excruciatingly hard for her.
And OFC, I mostly loved that the hero fell so hard, and had to play step-daddy to three kids. 😬😬😬
SWE; hero and heroine met in book 1, through the MCs of that book, not really sure how much time passed in between those meetings and the start of this book, but I assume both weren't celibate after meeting since she was married and he was a manwhore. Heroine has three kids, and was celibate for the second half of her latest pregnancy and had a crappy sex life leading up to it bc her husband wasn't interested in her pregnant or postpartum body. Turned out her ex-husband was cheating on her, and him and his mistress do make several appearances. Hero was a major manwhore in the past, and there are many mentions of this, but he was celibate after moving for a new job, OM drama from heroine's ex, and slight OW drama when OW flirts with the heroine. He remains celibate, no scenes with OM/OW, no cheating.
February 23, 2020
A really good read. It started with a bang. Wow! The adrenaline fuelled first section really drew me in, until there was finally time to take a breath.
The plot did grow a bit tangled and confusing for me in the middle section (when they were visiting Koro). I wasn't sure whether it was on-again, off-again, on-again, who was saying yes or no. I felt as if I had whiplash for a while. But then the slightly muddy waters cleared again, and the plot flowed smoothly.
Matiu and Poppy were lovely together. Their lives were chaotic and complicated, with a baby and two little kids, and a messy divorce happening with Poppy's cheating ex. But they found time to be together. Their love for each other shone through, and they got their lovely HEA. The ex got his just desserts. And it all took place in the setting of beautiful New Zealand.
I liked the realism of their lives. Poppy had just had a baby and found out her husband was a cheater. She had a toddler and a small son to care for as well. The messiness of real life was there in all its glory - chaos, frustration, anger, sadness, but also lots of happiness. I think this book may particularly appeal to people who have already experienced the madness of living with young children, with their unpredictability and unexpected needs and demands, but also the pure joy of parenthood. It rang true to me, anyway.
I also enjoy romances with older MCs. Matiu was 42 or 43 and Poppy in her early 30s.
Another enjoyable read in this series. I hope there are more to come.
The plot did grow a bit tangled and confusing for me in the middle section (when they were visiting Koro). I wasn't sure whether it was on-again, off-again, on-again, who was saying yes or no. I felt as if I had whiplash for a while. But then the slightly muddy waters cleared again, and the plot flowed smoothly.
Matiu and Poppy were lovely together. Their lives were chaotic and complicated, with a baby and two little kids, and a messy divorce happening with Poppy's cheating ex. But they found time to be together. Their love for each other shone through, and they got their lovely HEA. The ex got his just desserts. And it all took place in the setting of beautiful New Zealand.
I liked the realism of their lives. Poppy had just had a baby and found out her husband was a cheater. She had a toddler and a small son to care for as well. The messiness of real life was there in all its glory - chaos, frustration, anger, sadness, but also lots of happiness. I think this book may particularly appeal to people who have already experienced the madness of living with young children, with their unpredictability and unexpected needs and demands, but also the pure joy of parenthood. It rang true to me, anyway.
I also enjoy romances with older MCs. Matiu was 42 or 43 and Poppy in her early 30s.
Another enjoyable read in this series. I hope there are more to come.
November 6, 2025
I really enjoy going back to New Zealand. This is a non-rugby NZ adventure. This can be a standalone.
I would say that this is more character driven. The scenery is spectacular. I loved all the characters- except Max. What a jerk. He's Poppy's.... husband.
Matiu is dreamy as a Maori Dr that saves the day for Poppy. This isn't exactly a meet cute, since Poppy is giving birth not quite inside the hospital.
Max has been up to some shenanigans, and Poppy finds out. He's been cheating on her and she finds out at a vulnerable time.
Poppy has 3 y/o Olivia and 7 y/o Hamish. She's a great mum but has a lot to deal with early in the book. Max takes her for granted. So do her parents. Her dad underestimates Poppy. She's constantly proving how great she is with what she does everyday. Max constantly belittles her. I was hoping that Max would get what he deserves. There's time for that.
This is somewhat of a slow burn. Poppy and Matiu get closer and spend more time with each other.
Matiu puts his career on the line to be with Poppy.
The plot slowed a little in the middle. I enjoyed wise old Koro ( Matiu's grandpa).
Olivia and Hamish were cute. Karen and Jax (Poppy's brother) are great-from book 1.
This isn't a quick read, but I loved my time back in NZ.
There were some really sweet and romantic times. Poppy is very likable and Matiu is dreamy.
The ending is fantastic. Poppy finally gets some personal and professional credit!
I hope that there will be an audio for this. I read this through KU.
I would say that this is more character driven. The scenery is spectacular. I loved all the characters- except Max. What a jerk. He's Poppy's.... husband.
Matiu is dreamy as a Maori Dr that saves the day for Poppy. This isn't exactly a meet cute, since Poppy is giving birth not quite inside the hospital.
Max has been up to some shenanigans, and Poppy finds out. He's been cheating on her and she finds out at a vulnerable time.
Poppy has 3 y/o Olivia and 7 y/o Hamish. She's a great mum but has a lot to deal with early in the book. Max takes her for granted. So do her parents. Her dad underestimates Poppy. She's constantly proving how great she is with what she does everyday. Max constantly belittles her. I was hoping that Max would get what he deserves. There's time for that.
This is somewhat of a slow burn. Poppy and Matiu get closer and spend more time with each other.
Matiu puts his career on the line to be with Poppy.
The plot slowed a little in the middle. I enjoyed wise old Koro ( Matiu's grandpa).
Olivia and Hamish were cute. Karen and Jax (Poppy's brother) are great-from book 1.
This isn't a quick read, but I loved my time back in NZ.
There were some really sweet and romantic times. Poppy is very likable and Matiu is dreamy.
The ending is fantastic. Poppy finally gets some personal and professional credit!
I hope that there will be an audio for this. I read this through KU.
May 25, 2025
Four and a half stars.
Oh this is just glorious, an unlikely romance between a Casanova Maori ER doctor and a single mother of three which starts when he delivers the third child on the grass outside the hospital. Full of the less romantic parts of childbirth and motherhood it is achingly funny, super sexy, romantic and definitely swoon-worthy.
Poppy should be on top of the world. Married with two gorgeous children and a third on the way, she has sold her glamping business for an obscene amount of money and makes a good living as a writer and illustrator of children's books about a blue hippo. But underneath the glamour her husband is away far too much and she suspects him of cheating on her. Yet out of the very worst experience (giving birth in the street in front of random passers-by, face down in the grass has got to be right up there, surely?) comes a beautiful baby and an unlikely friendship with the hot doctor who delivered the baby and is sort-of family in the wide New Zealand Maori whanau way.
Doctor Matiu Te Mana loves women but has never felt the need to be tied down to any single woman, and at over 40 years of ae he thinks that's his natural state. But at a family wedding he is struck by the luminescent beauty of a pregnant woman, sister of the groom, who came to the weeding without her husband but seems to infect everyone with her joy de vivre. Flash forward a few weeks/months and he is helping the same woman to deliver a baby on the ground and his struck by the way she cares more about her children than about herself, despite being in agony. Something about Poppy makes Matiu want to protect her and care for her and all sorts of other inconvenient things that he definitely should not be thinking about another man's wife, even if the husband isn't worthy of the title.
Rosalind James' love of New Zealand and Maori culture and families just shines through every page of this glorious romance. I wish I could read it all over again.
Oh this is just glorious, an unlikely romance between a Casanova Maori ER doctor and a single mother of three which starts when he delivers the third child on the grass outside the hospital. Full of the less romantic parts of childbirth and motherhood it is achingly funny, super sexy, romantic and definitely swoon-worthy.
Poppy should be on top of the world. Married with two gorgeous children and a third on the way, she has sold her glamping business for an obscene amount of money and makes a good living as a writer and illustrator of children's books about a blue hippo. But underneath the glamour her husband is away far too much and she suspects him of cheating on her. Yet out of the very worst experience (giving birth in the street in front of random passers-by, face down in the grass has got to be right up there, surely?) comes a beautiful baby and an unlikely friendship with the hot doctor who delivered the baby and is sort-of family in the wide New Zealand Maori whanau way.
Doctor Matiu Te Mana loves women but has never felt the need to be tied down to any single woman, and at over 40 years of ae he thinks that's his natural state. But at a family wedding he is struck by the luminescent beauty of a pregnant woman, sister of the groom, who came to the weeding without her husband but seems to infect everyone with her joy de vivre. Flash forward a few weeks/months and he is helping the same woman to deliver a baby on the ground and his struck by the way she cares more about her children than about herself, despite being in agony. Something about Poppy makes Matiu want to protect her and care for her and all sorts of other inconvenient things that he definitely should not be thinking about another man's wife, even if the husband isn't worthy of the title.
Rosalind James' love of New Zealand and Maori culture and families just shines through every page of this glorious romance. I wish I could read it all over again.
February 14, 2020
A most delightful, satisfying and emotional story to read, with quite possibly the most breathtaking first chapter that you will read in any book - ever! Poppy is having a bad day, she feels very restless, she is thirty-seven weeks pregnant, her husband is away on business - he often is, and she needs to do something. So she takes her two children to the Discovery Centre at the museum. Maybe it will give her ideas for the children’s book she is writing and illustrating. It is the latest in a very successful series, but she seems to have lost all inspiration. Rosalind is brilliant at writing children, these two are absolutely perfect; Hamish is five, just about to start school. He is quite timid and quiet, and takes his responsibilities as older brother very seriously. Olivia is three, a red-headed firecracker. She doesn’t listen to reason, always wants them to do whatever she wants to do, a real handful. Suddenly, when her nerves have been run ragged Poppy realises that her desperate need for the toilet is something else - the baby is coming! She tries to stay calm, and phones her husband, her parents, her grandparents ... and nobody picks up, she has to deal with this by herself, and manage a very cross Olivia who had wanted to stay at the discovery centre.
She phones for an Uber-taxi to get her to the hospital, and contacts the midwife to say she is on the way. But the Uber driver won’t take her because he doesn’t have child seats, so she decides to walk to the nearest hospital which is almost just across the street. She soon realises she is not going to make it, and has to get Hamish to cross the busy street to the hospital to get help. She imagines every minute that her little boy is going to be hit by a car, and struggles to hold Olivia, who is still trying to go back to the museum. You would imagine that things couldn’t get any worse, but they do, just a bit!
An imploding marriage is awful anyway, but when you have just had a baby and are hormonal, it is totally heartbreaking!
Matiu Te Mana is the doctor who calmly delivers baby Isobel, and sorts out care for Hamish and Olivia until relatives get there. He is distantly related to Poppy, in that wide-ranging New Zealand way. He is forty-five, quite a few years older than Poppy, but he feels a connection with her that he has never felt with anyone else, and she does with him, and they become friends. They support each other with trying times throughout the story. Poppy has been told that he is a player, he will never settle down with one woman, but she chooses to trust her own instincts about him, and he never lets her down. He is really good with all the children, far better than their own father, who doesn’t always do what he promises. But forces are trying to keep them apart, they have to fight for a life together, so there is still a lot of drama in their lives, some of it quite heart-stopping! And of course any permanent commitment is delayed because Poppy will have to wait for two years for the divorce from Max to be finalised, that is the law in New Zealand.
The end of the story is joyous, and beautiful, and emotional. There were several places in the story where I shed a few tears, not because it was necessarily sad, but because of the emotion on the page. It is a story that you can’t be detached from, it grabs you from page one, and doesn’t let you go unto the end. What more can you ask for?
She phones for an Uber-taxi to get her to the hospital, and contacts the midwife to say she is on the way. But the Uber driver won’t take her because he doesn’t have child seats, so she decides to walk to the nearest hospital which is almost just across the street. She soon realises she is not going to make it, and has to get Hamish to cross the busy street to the hospital to get help. She imagines every minute that her little boy is going to be hit by a car, and struggles to hold Olivia, who is still trying to go back to the museum. You would imagine that things couldn’t get any worse, but they do, just a bit!
An imploding marriage is awful anyway, but when you have just had a baby and are hormonal, it is totally heartbreaking!
Matiu Te Mana is the doctor who calmly delivers baby Isobel, and sorts out care for Hamish and Olivia until relatives get there. He is distantly related to Poppy, in that wide-ranging New Zealand way. He is forty-five, quite a few years older than Poppy, but he feels a connection with her that he has never felt with anyone else, and she does with him, and they become friends. They support each other with trying times throughout the story. Poppy has been told that he is a player, he will never settle down with one woman, but she chooses to trust her own instincts about him, and he never lets her down. He is really good with all the children, far better than their own father, who doesn’t always do what he promises. But forces are trying to keep them apart, they have to fight for a life together, so there is still a lot of drama in their lives, some of it quite heart-stopping! And of course any permanent commitment is delayed because Poppy will have to wait for two years for the divorce from Max to be finalised, that is the law in New Zealand.
The end of the story is joyous, and beautiful, and emotional. There were several places in the story where I shed a few tears, not because it was necessarily sad, but because of the emotion on the page. It is a story that you can’t be detached from, it grabs you from page one, and doesn’t let you go unto the end. What more can you ask for?
February 16, 2020
4.5 stars
In Stone Cold Kiwi, Ms James returns us to the Te Mana/MacGregor families that we have met in several previous books.
Our heroine, Poppy, has the misfortune of discovering her husband’s infidelity as she is being wheeled into the ER after delivering her third child. Our hero, Matiu, is not only the doctor who delivered the baby, but a distant family friend.
The story that follows is at turns fraught, tense, sweet, and empowering. Yes, there is a romance, but the bigger story is about two people who are more than they’ve allowed themselves to believe they are. Both Poppy and Matiu both have an emotional journey to take and it turns out they are the perfect people to help each other on the way. Add in scene stealing kids, wise grandparents, and parents who finally see the light and the secondary cast helps craft the powerful narrative surrounding these two excellent characters.
One of the messages that stood out for me in Stone Cold Kiwi was the acknowledgement that being a Mom didn’t mean Poppy’s life as her own person stopped happening. The path to Poppy (and the people around her) figuring this out wasn’t smooth, but I appreciated the way she handled things and the improved relationships she gained along the way.
Written in Ms James unique style, this excellent read is a stand-alone piece set in a world created in previous works and features several secondary characters we’ve met before. The country of New Zealand is almost as much of a character in the book as a setting - and as always after finishing a Ms James book, I wish I could go visit!
did-not-finish
February 14, 2023When you read to alleviate stress and yet your fictional book is starting to be an additional stressor… you know you need to put it down.
A friend absolutely loved this book but it is stressing me out.
She’s separated and has three kids, including a newborn the hero helped deliver. I had to DNF at 52% when the main characters kissed for the first time and she’s asking for more. Her separation and newborn are less than 2 months old. I don’t feel great about her falling in love with this guy yet.
Don’t get me wrong. I love the characters. But she’s coming out of a failed marriage. I don’t believe in the idea that relationships fail because “you just chose the wrong one”. There is likely stuff she would need to work through.
Plus, they had a really tough discussion that included them referencing that her husband was sleeping with another woman… in front of her 5-year old. That is stressful to me.
Plus, this dude has been a manwhore his whole life. It would have worked way better as a story if she had resisted him and made him work for it for a WAY LONGER TIME. The way this is going makes me feel creepy.
A friend absolutely loved this book but it is stressing me out.
She’s separated and has three kids, including a newborn the hero helped deliver. I had to DNF at 52% when the main characters kissed for the first time and she’s asking for more. Her separation and newborn are less than 2 months old. I don’t feel great about her falling in love with this guy yet.
Don’t get me wrong. I love the characters. But she’s coming out of a failed marriage. I don’t believe in the idea that relationships fail because “you just chose the wrong one”. There is likely stuff she would need to work through.
Plus, they had a really tough discussion that included them referencing that her husband was sleeping with another woman… in front of her 5-year old. That is stressful to me.
Plus, this dude has been a manwhore his whole life. It would have worked way better as a story if she had resisted him and made him work for it for a WAY LONGER TIME. The way this is going makes me feel creepy.
February 27, 2024
4.5 stars
I did love this, but I wish there was a little more romance
I did love this, but I wish there was a little more romance
February 19, 2020
Stone Hot, HOT, H.O.T. Kiwi
rosalind-james This book is among my favorites from Ms. James, which is saying a lot.
I’ve read all of her books and have been anxiously awaiting this one. What makes this one at the top of the heap? The characters and the writing.
As far as the characters go, Poppy and Mathiu are realistic main characters. Poppy is a Mom (mum in NZ) who is busy with two young children and an infant, a busy career as a children’s book author ... and as someone who is busy trying to get a well earned separation underway. She’s trying to get her body back while breastfeeding, surviving on little sleep ... and while being distracted by the hottie doctor who delivered her infant (awkward!) ... who happens to be related to her sister-in-law’s brother-in-law (get your head around that one ... but if you’ve read Ms. James it WORKS!!!)
Mathiu has moved to get a change of scenery. He’s not near his family (whanau) or so he thinks ... until the latest emergency has him delivering a baby in the most unusual circumstances for a woman that he met at a family event. He’s played the field and has a collection of beautiful women in his circle everywhere he goes.
Both Poppy and Mathiu are fighting family expectations, realizing that in order to live the life they want they need to make hard choices, and are struggling with growing attraction towards each other. If you’ve read other books by Ms. James, you’ll be happy to see that Karen, Koro, Jax, Hemi, Hope, and the kiddos are woven into all aspects of the story ... just like visiting old friends you haven’t seen for a while. But, if you haven’t read any of Ms. James’ other books, it’s not going to be a problem because the writing is so descriptive that it will all make sense to you (but you’ll want to clear your calendar and binge read them!)
This book brought out a wide range of emotions for me ... laughter (my daughter said “Smoothie” the other day and I nearly spit out my coffee), tears, and hope. It's jam-packed with tidbits that will make you smile and think: Scottish proverbs, cir de coeur, flowered pink PJs, life lessons, meddling family members, Kiwi customs, jungle felines, orchids, and more! This is a book that goes well beyond the romantic story and has family (blood and what goes beyond blood), facing your fears, and realizing that you can belong to someone in an instant.
When I finished the book, I immediately started a re-read of my favorite scenes ... which is to say I basically started the book again! Throughout the story, Ms. James, an American author who has spent time in NZ, weaves in all-things NZ, which are completely realistic.
Download this book and clear your calendar. You’ll be happy you did!
rosalind-james This book is among my favorites from Ms. James, which is saying a lot.
I’ve read all of her books and have been anxiously awaiting this one. What makes this one at the top of the heap? The characters and the writing.
As far as the characters go, Poppy and Mathiu are realistic main characters. Poppy is a Mom (mum in NZ) who is busy with two young children and an infant, a busy career as a children’s book author ... and as someone who is busy trying to get a well earned separation underway. She’s trying to get her body back while breastfeeding, surviving on little sleep ... and while being distracted by the hottie doctor who delivered her infant (awkward!) ... who happens to be related to her sister-in-law’s brother-in-law (get your head around that one ... but if you’ve read Ms. James it WORKS!!!)
Mathiu has moved to get a change of scenery. He’s not near his family (whanau) or so he thinks ... until the latest emergency has him delivering a baby in the most unusual circumstances for a woman that he met at a family event. He’s played the field and has a collection of beautiful women in his circle everywhere he goes.
Both Poppy and Mathiu are fighting family expectations, realizing that in order to live the life they want they need to make hard choices, and are struggling with growing attraction towards each other. If you’ve read other books by Ms. James, you’ll be happy to see that Karen, Koro, Jax, Hemi, Hope, and the kiddos are woven into all aspects of the story ... just like visiting old friends you haven’t seen for a while. But, if you haven’t read any of Ms. James’ other books, it’s not going to be a problem because the writing is so descriptive that it will all make sense to you (but you’ll want to clear your calendar and binge read them!)
This book brought out a wide range of emotions for me ... laughter (my daughter said “Smoothie” the other day and I nearly spit out my coffee), tears, and hope. It's jam-packed with tidbits that will make you smile and think: Scottish proverbs, cir de coeur, flowered pink PJs, life lessons, meddling family members, Kiwi customs, jungle felines, orchids, and more! This is a book that goes well beyond the romantic story and has family (blood and what goes beyond blood), facing your fears, and realizing that you can belong to someone in an instant.
When I finished the book, I immediately started a re-read of my favorite scenes ... which is to say I basically started the book again! Throughout the story, Ms. James, an American author who has spent time in NZ, weaves in all-things NZ, which are completely realistic.
Download this book and clear your calendar. You’ll be happy you did!
February 28, 2020
Quite enjoyable. This is quite a kicker of a plot. No slow starts here. And we know the heroine has what it takes--we're rooting for her from the get go.
I particularly liked the heroine, who knew how to stick up for herself and to set boundaries--of course We've been set up to dislike Mattiu in previous books and I found I liked him MUCH better once I got to know him here and see things from his POV. His interactions with his grandfather and brother were especially nice. ....and what a dream man he is for handling obstreperous kids!
The body positivity between women was a nice touch. I also enjoyed the children; they both seemed realistic, and they reacted, behaved and stressed in normal ways children would in these circumstances. A good descriptive setting/sense of place was appreciated. All of the extended family were also very nice and felt real. I particularly appreciate the way this author puts links in the back of her books to many of the things she describes. I do a lot of googling when I read her books and am glad for the extras provided. :-)
Entirely unsolicited readers' advisory:
Of course, I think you should read all the Rosalind James you can get your hands on. I find them far above normal quality for Kindle Unlimited, so if you have that, what are you waiting for? But if you want to have a different take on this plot, you might like Watermelon by Marian Keyes, which I also remember liking quite a bit.
I particularly liked the heroine, who knew how to stick up for herself and to set boundaries--of course We've been set up to dislike Mattiu in previous books and I found I liked him MUCH better once I got to know him here and see things from his POV. His interactions with his grandfather and brother were especially nice. ....and what a dream man he is for handling obstreperous kids!
The body positivity between women was a nice touch. I also enjoyed the children; they both seemed realistic, and they reacted, behaved and stressed in normal ways children would in these circumstances. A good descriptive setting/sense of place was appreciated. All of the extended family were also very nice and felt real. I particularly appreciate the way this author puts links in the back of her books to many of the things she describes. I do a lot of googling when I read her books and am glad for the extras provided. :-)
Entirely unsolicited readers' advisory:
Of course, I think you should read all the Rosalind James you can get your hands on. I find them far above normal quality for Kindle Unlimited, so if you have that, what are you waiting for? But if you want to have a different take on this plot, you might like Watermelon by Marian Keyes, which I also remember liking quite a bit.
February 15, 2020
Poppy is a pregnant mother of two who has a great professional life but whose personal life is unraveling around her. While out with her children she goes into labor and cannot reach her husband or her family, so she handles it herself, as usual. The doctor who comes to her aid (Matiu) is a relative of her new sister-in-law. Bad luck that her husband and his mistress are being admired to the same hospital after a car accident at the same time.
Poppy was a great heroine. Strong but realistic, taking care of business and trying to be happy regardless of what crap life throws at her. I loved the way she handled her cheating husband, his mistress, her kids and her pushy father while remaining true to herself.
There's a lot of comedy in this novel, especially from the children. Too often, authors produce these too-perfect kids that just make the story feel unreal. Hamish and Olivia are so vivid they leap from the page and steal several scenes in the story.
Matiu was more opaque to me. The author did a great job giving him a believable back story but I didn't quite see what made him change his philandering ways. It felt real that he would move to a new place to free himself form his former ways and start anew. His relationship with Poppy developed very fast but in an entirely believable way.
Extended family and friends often are neglected in romances, but Ms. James makes a point of fleshing out her secondary characters to further enrich the narrative. I enjoyed Poppy and Matiu and their romance.
Poppy was a great heroine. Strong but realistic, taking care of business and trying to be happy regardless of what crap life throws at her. I loved the way she handled her cheating husband, his mistress, her kids and her pushy father while remaining true to herself.
There's a lot of comedy in this novel, especially from the children. Too often, authors produce these too-perfect kids that just make the story feel unreal. Hamish and Olivia are so vivid they leap from the page and steal several scenes in the story.
Matiu was more opaque to me. The author did a great job giving him a believable back story but I didn't quite see what made him change his philandering ways. It felt real that he would move to a new place to free himself form his former ways and start anew. His relationship with Poppy developed very fast but in an entirely believable way.
Extended family and friends often are neglected in romances, but Ms. James makes a point of fleshing out her secondary characters to further enrich the narrative. I enjoyed Poppy and Matiu and their romance.
February 17, 2020
Stone Cold Kiwi is the second of Rosalind James’s New Zealand Ever After series, but is completely stand alone. This book is for anyone that is is interested in a romance, interesting family dynamics, going through/went through a divorce, or enjoys reading about artistic characters. That said, I think if you are a reader with kids or have been through a divorce you will probably love it even more and maybe have some extra personal cheering for the protagonist, Poppy.
Overall I enjoyed the book. I enjoy reading about women who learn how strong they are and develop towards their full potential as women/professionals/parents/artists/etc and this book certainly does that. Incidentally, I think Rosalind James must be a pretty great mother based on the mothers she writes, I always learn more about how to communicate with the children in my life from reading her books without it feeling like a deliberate how-to moment. I enjoyed the return of secondary characters, Matiu (male protagonist) and Koro (and his animal companions) especially. I really liked Matiu (his personality, aside from his romantic past, I could identify with him more than Poppy). I really wanted to stand up for him myself at one point in the book and thought he was a really well-done multifaceted character. The chemistry was good between Poppy and Matiu. The kids, especially Olivia, were hilarious.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.
Overall I enjoyed the book. I enjoy reading about women who learn how strong they are and develop towards their full potential as women/professionals/parents/artists/etc and this book certainly does that. Incidentally, I think Rosalind James must be a pretty great mother based on the mothers she writes, I always learn more about how to communicate with the children in my life from reading her books without it feeling like a deliberate how-to moment. I enjoyed the return of secondary characters, Matiu (male protagonist) and Koro (and his animal companions) especially. I really liked Matiu (his personality, aside from his romantic past, I could identify with him more than Poppy). I really wanted to stand up for him myself at one point in the book and thought he was a really well-done multifaceted character. The chemistry was good between Poppy and Matiu. The kids, especially Olivia, were hilarious.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.
February 17, 2020
Timing is everything….or not…
Nothing quite like falling for the man who delivered your third baby, in the grass, moments before you catch your husband somewhere he wasn’t supposed to be with someone he wasn’t supposed to be with, yeah that will go well. I really enjoyed Poppy and Matiu’s story! Matiu was wonderful, sexy and strong but sweet and steady. Then there was Poppy, she had so much going on but she was strong through the crazy and when she wasn’t, well she was because she was strong enough to reach out. Poppy and Matiu face more than their fair share of obstacles but they face them all together. I loved that even when they weren’t sure where their relationship was going to land they supported one another. I loved the friendships in this book, Poppy and Karen, Matiu and Tane and as always I loved Koro. As in Kiwi Rules I still can’t stand Poppy and Jax’s dad…always thinks he knows best and listening, not really his best skill. He does start to come around though, by the end. This is another wonderful emotional ride from Rosalind James, if you have enjoyed her other books I’m sure this one will be no different and I’d you haven’t read her work before they are all wonderful and this is as goo a place as any to start.
Nothing quite like falling for the man who delivered your third baby, in the grass, moments before you catch your husband somewhere he wasn’t supposed to be with someone he wasn’t supposed to be with, yeah that will go well. I really enjoyed Poppy and Matiu’s story! Matiu was wonderful, sexy and strong but sweet and steady. Then there was Poppy, she had so much going on but she was strong through the crazy and when she wasn’t, well she was because she was strong enough to reach out. Poppy and Matiu face more than their fair share of obstacles but they face them all together. I loved that even when they weren’t sure where their relationship was going to land they supported one another. I loved the friendships in this book, Poppy and Karen, Matiu and Tane and as always I loved Koro. As in Kiwi Rules I still can’t stand Poppy and Jax’s dad…always thinks he knows best and listening, not really his best skill. He does start to come around though, by the end. This is another wonderful emotional ride from Rosalind James, if you have enjoyed her other books I’m sure this one will be no different and I’d you haven’t read her work before they are all wonderful and this is as goo a place as any to start.
February 17, 2020
"Surviving when you don't see how you can, going on when you want to stop - that's what it means to be an adult, and there's no amount of money in the world that can shield you from it."
Those of you that know me know I read a lot of books. There are so-so books, there are good books, there are great books, and then there are books that touch your heart and just say ...wow! Books that are inspiring and emotional. Books that make you look deep within yourself. I've read a few of these books, by a few different authors, but none more than Rosalind James.
This is one of those books, it took you in from the very beginning.
""Happy" he said "That's a young person's wish, to be happy. Old people know you're not always going to be happy. That doesn't mean life's not worth living, and that's what we want you to do. We want you to take your sorrows and your joy's, not be afraid to feel them. A tree won't grow without water, and nothing good grows between two people without some tears.""
This is a book of two people, Matiu and Poppy, surviving what life has thrown at them.
""It's an odd direction I'm taking, nothing I ever thought I'd do, but maybe it's the road that leads me on. Hard to day.""
""The road that leads you on" Grand dad said slowly, and smiled "I like that, I like that very much.""
Two people finding out about themselves, and about each other. A story about mistakes, about recovery, about finding joy again, and about love.
If you choose to read only one book this year, I highly recommend this book to you. Very well done Ms James! Cheers!
Those of you that know me know I read a lot of books. There are so-so books, there are good books, there are great books, and then there are books that touch your heart and just say ...wow! Books that are inspiring and emotional. Books that make you look deep within yourself. I've read a few of these books, by a few different authors, but none more than Rosalind James.
This is one of those books, it took you in from the very beginning.
""Happy" he said "That's a young person's wish, to be happy. Old people know you're not always going to be happy. That doesn't mean life's not worth living, and that's what we want you to do. We want you to take your sorrows and your joy's, not be afraid to feel them. A tree won't grow without water, and nothing good grows between two people without some tears.""
This is a book of two people, Matiu and Poppy, surviving what life has thrown at them.
""It's an odd direction I'm taking, nothing I ever thought I'd do, but maybe it's the road that leads me on. Hard to day.""
""The road that leads you on" Grand dad said slowly, and smiled "I like that, I like that very much.""
Two people finding out about themselves, and about each other. A story about mistakes, about recovery, about finding joy again, and about love.
If you choose to read only one book this year, I highly recommend this book to you. Very well done Ms James! Cheers!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 25, 2021
I really liked the writing in this book. All the characters were well drawn.
The heroine is a mother of two kids and a newborn baby. She meets the hero while giving birth on the front lawn in front of the emergency room. She also finds out while giving birth her husband was cheating on her. As he comes in on an ambulance with his lover, they were in a car accident. (This all happens in the first few pages of the book).
The hero is the doctor who delivered her baby.
The book was a wonderful REAL LIFE look at being a mom and trying to be a woman at the same time. In depth conversations about "how I look and feel not sexy after a pregnancy" and "do you find me attractive after delivering my baby and seeing things like that down there"
The heroine's husband was cheating and she kicks him out. No second chances and there are many scenes of her trying to co-parent with her cheating ex.
I enjoyed the setting in New Zealand. This is a longer book and it kept my interest the entire time.
The heroine is a mother of two kids and a newborn baby. She meets the hero while giving birth on the front lawn in front of the emergency room. She also finds out while giving birth her husband was cheating on her. As he comes in on an ambulance with his lover, they were in a car accident. (This all happens in the first few pages of the book).
The hero is the doctor who delivered her baby.
The book was a wonderful REAL LIFE look at being a mom and trying to be a woman at the same time. In depth conversations about "how I look and feel not sexy after a pregnancy" and "do you find me attractive after delivering my baby and seeing things like that down there"
The heroine's husband was cheating and she kicks him out. No second chances and there are many scenes of her trying to co-parent with her cheating ex.
I enjoyed the setting in New Zealand. This is a longer book and it kept my interest the entire time.
February 17, 2020
Where do I begin. I loved this book The storyline is fantastic.
Poppy and Max have been married for 8 years with two beautiful children and a third on the way. The birth of this third child is so well written you want to help her through it
Dr Matiu Te Mana is working in the Emergency Department of the hospital when he meets Poppy. He is the definition of a player, handsome, Maori and gorgeous but also a dedicated doctor. However, when he meets Poppy she not only turns his world upside down but also sideways.
And so the story begins of family, young and old, humor, and sex with two people literally getting caught with their pants down. A precocious little 3-year-old girl that will steal your heart and bring you laughter with her outrageous imagination.
Beautiful descriptive pages of New Zealand and their customs. That makes you want to buy a ticket and fly there. There is much love, and wisdom but also heartache. Still in the end there is abundant joy. It's a book you don't want to put down yet you don't want it to end. I wanted to give it 10 stars.
Poppy and Max have been married for 8 years with two beautiful children and a third on the way. The birth of this third child is so well written you want to help her through it
Dr Matiu Te Mana is working in the Emergency Department of the hospital when he meets Poppy. He is the definition of a player, handsome, Maori and gorgeous but also a dedicated doctor. However, when he meets Poppy she not only turns his world upside down but also sideways.
And so the story begins of family, young and old, humor, and sex with two people literally getting caught with their pants down. A precocious little 3-year-old girl that will steal your heart and bring you laughter with her outrageous imagination.
Beautiful descriptive pages of New Zealand and their customs. That makes you want to buy a ticket and fly there. There is much love, and wisdom but also heartache. Still in the end there is abundant joy. It's a book you don't want to put down yet you don't want it to end. I wanted to give it 10 stars.
May 10, 2020
I LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this book!!! I think this is my favorite Rosalind James book so far!!!! This book features Poppy MacGregor (Jax's sister - his story is the first one in this series) and Matiu Te Mana (Hemi's brother.) Matiu moves to Dunedin to work as an ER doc in the local hospital, for a change of pace. The two previously met in Jax's book, at his wedding. Well, they meet again in the most unusual of ways. And Poppy couldn't be more hilarious and heartbreaking at the same time. I loved her strength, her temper and the way she just kept charging through all the things life threw at her. And Matiu - well, just yum! And his calm presence was a great counter balance to the tornado that was Poppy. I can't wait for the next book in this wonderful series.
October 21, 2024
Story involves Doctor Matiu Te Mana who we met in the other books of the series. He is a grade A hunk and playboy not taken seriously by his family or friends. He is known for his love of women and a good time guy.
Meanwhile Poppy who is the sister of Jax from book one finds out on the day she goes into labor with her 3rd child that her husband is and has been cheating. She always feels she is lacking but just can't do the marriage anymore. The cheating dirtbag constantly gaslights her as does her father who thinks if SHE just tries harder things will work out.
Great story with interesting plot, kids and side characters. I just wish it had been edited down as it was pretty long.
Meanwhile Poppy who is the sister of Jax from book one finds out on the day she goes into labor with her 3rd child that her husband is and has been cheating. She always feels she is lacking but just can't do the marriage anymore. The cheating dirtbag constantly gaslights her as does her father who thinks if SHE just tries harder things will work out.
Great story with interesting plot, kids and side characters. I just wish it had been edited down as it was pretty long.
February 20, 2020
Another hit!
I love Poppy and Matiu! The slightly scattered mom and the playboy ER doctor. Poor Poppy is having A DAY when she and Matiu cross paths for the second time. They are a match from the beginning of the book.
I love the growth in both Poppy and Matiu during this book. Poppy learns to ask for help and grows even stronger as a person for it. She stands up for herself and changes her personal and professional life. She speaks it how it is and doesn’t talk down to anyone.
Matiu grows out of his playboy ways, with a big change in his personal life as soon as he sees what he really wants. You learn very quickly that he is a loving, warm hearted, family-oriented man at his core.
Bringing back characters from Kiwi Rules was fantastic. I will always want to hear more of Koro’s wisdom and laugh at Jax and Karen’s antics.
They are a wonderful couple and I can’t wait to see more of them in future New Zealand Ever After books.
I love Poppy and Matiu! The slightly scattered mom and the playboy ER doctor. Poor Poppy is having A DAY when she and Matiu cross paths for the second time. They are a match from the beginning of the book.
I love the growth in both Poppy and Matiu during this book. Poppy learns to ask for help and grows even stronger as a person for it. She stands up for herself and changes her personal and professional life. She speaks it how it is and doesn’t talk down to anyone.
Matiu grows out of his playboy ways, with a big change in his personal life as soon as he sees what he really wants. You learn very quickly that he is a loving, warm hearted, family-oriented man at his core.
Bringing back characters from Kiwi Rules was fantastic. I will always want to hear more of Koro’s wisdom and laugh at Jax and Karen’s antics.
They are a wonderful couple and I can’t wait to see more of them in future New Zealand Ever After books.
June 15, 2020
This is an excellent story, one that captures your attention immediately when the main character goes into labor while she has her two other children at a park. She has to walk several blocks to a hospital, barely makes it, and then meets an incredible doctor who saves her life and that of her newborn daughter - on the grass outside the hospital! With that amazing beginning, the story takes off and delivers a very satisfying read!
February 23, 2020
Ah-ma-zing!
I think I loved this even more than the rugby series! So good! Excellent and gripping story, crossover characters from her other New Zealand series. Love, laughter, life, betrayal, real and messy and sexy and beautiful.
I think I loved this even more than the rugby series! So good! Excellent and gripping story, crossover characters from her other New Zealand series. Love, laughter, life, betrayal, real and messy and sexy and beautiful.
February 29, 2020
A great book about love and family bond. Beautifully written.
December 11, 2022
So-so
Of the two books I’ve read in this series, this was the least engaging for me. Overall, I didn’t feel the chemistry between Poppy and Matiu that I felt between Jax and Karen in book one. A characteristic of Ms. James is to write steady, dependable, very slightly flawed Māori men and scattered, somewhat flighty, emotionally rocky women who are accomplished but in need of the hero’s steadying influence. This book continues that pattern and as such becomes somewhat predictable.
On the plus side, props to Ms. James for a highly unusual opening scene for a romance novel. I won’t spoil is for you but I’ll just say it’s a frenetic and highly interesting way for the romantic protagonists to meet.
Several characters from book one make an appearance. I didn’t like Karen as well in this book because her scenes didn’t seem consistent with how her character was portrayed in the first book. Here, I found her character to be on the sliding scale from annoying to insulting.
A note to the author: I struggled to come up with a satisfactory pronunciation for Matiu’s name and mentally pronounced it differently almost every time I read it. That became a distraction for me which interrupted the flow of reading. I’m pretty sure I’m not alone in this. You write New Zealand culture beautifully and need you to help a girl out with name pronunciation just a bit.
This is certainly not a bad book as Rosalind James writes too well for that, but I found myself easily distracted away from reading it. I just couldn’t get immersed and so for me, this is a weak entry in an otherwise decent series.
Of the two books I’ve read in this series, this was the least engaging for me. Overall, I didn’t feel the chemistry between Poppy and Matiu that I felt between Jax and Karen in book one. A characteristic of Ms. James is to write steady, dependable, very slightly flawed Māori men and scattered, somewhat flighty, emotionally rocky women who are accomplished but in need of the hero’s steadying influence. This book continues that pattern and as such becomes somewhat predictable.
On the plus side, props to Ms. James for a highly unusual opening scene for a romance novel. I won’t spoil is for you but I’ll just say it’s a frenetic and highly interesting way for the romantic protagonists to meet.
Several characters from book one make an appearance. I didn’t like Karen as well in this book because her scenes didn’t seem consistent with how her character was portrayed in the first book. Here, I found her character to be on the sliding scale from annoying to insulting.
A note to the author: I struggled to come up with a satisfactory pronunciation for Matiu’s name and mentally pronounced it differently almost every time I read it. That became a distraction for me which interrupted the flow of reading. I’m pretty sure I’m not alone in this. You write New Zealand culture beautifully and need you to help a girl out with name pronunciation just a bit.
This is certainly not a bad book as Rosalind James writes too well for that, but I found myself easily distracted away from reading it. I just couldn’t get immersed and so for me, this is a weak entry in an otherwise decent series.
September 5, 2022
Poppy is out and about with her children when her contractions start. It's equal distance to the hospital and to her car, so they walk... but she doesn't quite make it. Que the rescue from the emergency room staff when they realize that there is a mother giving birth on the grass outside. While in the emergency room, her husband and his boss are brought in for a car accident, proving that the business trip was more pleasure than work. This is a book about recovery and moving on, and giving love a second chance especially when your second chance is that hot Māori doctor that delivered your child.
Why I started this book: Love James books and I was thrilled to find she just came out with a new one.
Why I finished it: Fun story, but I don't think that this book should be your first introduction to James characters and style. First of all, it's very confusing with multiple reappearances of previous couples and it was kind of icky for me. Sure we all have the doctor fantasy... but its not her best story. That said, I still read it with pleasure and look forward to more.
Why I started this book: Love James books and I was thrilled to find she just came out with a new one.
Why I finished it: Fun story, but I don't think that this book should be your first introduction to James characters and style. First of all, it's very confusing with multiple reappearances of previous couples and it was kind of icky for me. Sure we all have the doctor fantasy... but its not her best story. That said, I still read it with pleasure and look forward to more.
February 2, 2022
Rosalind James does it again!
In Stone Cold Kiwi, not only do we get to check in with some of my favorite characters from the Not Quite a Billionaire series and Kiwi Rules, we get to see what family really is all about. This is the story of Poppy and Matiu and it’s awesome. This book hooked me right from the beginning and kept me enthralled until the end which came too soon. Rosalind once again weaves a story that not only includes romantic love but the love of family and defines what truly makes a family.
If you have enjoyed her other books this is one not to be missed!
In Stone Cold Kiwi, not only do we get to check in with some of my favorite characters from the Not Quite a Billionaire series and Kiwi Rules, we get to see what family really is all about. This is the story of Poppy and Matiu and it’s awesome. This book hooked me right from the beginning and kept me enthralled until the end which came too soon. Rosalind once again weaves a story that not only includes romantic love but the love of family and defines what truly makes a family.
If you have enjoyed her other books this is one not to be missed!
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March 9, 2020Title: Amazing, Emotional, heart-stoppingly beautiful story
By Rosalind James
3/7/2020
This story features a woman on the verge of her life and marriage falling apart and handsome doctor with a Casanova-complex, some really funny secondary characters, relatives, a dog and a duck. Not necessarily in that order.
Poppy and her children, whom we met in the previous novel in the series, Kiwi Rules, is a successful entrepreneur, children's book author and illustrator, when her brother Jax - the hero in Kiwi Rules - and Karen were getting married. And at their wedding Poppy meets a handsome and unattached Maori doctor, Dr. Matiu Te Mana, a relative of Karen's side of the family.
Poppy and Matiu meet each other again in the crisis of the birth of Poppy's third baby, Isobel. She is in a very public place with her two young children and suddenly went into labor and it escalated to crisis point very quickly. My impression of Poppy were that she kept incredibly calm under the circumstances, and put her young children's needs above all else -to ensure they were not afraid and kept them safe. Dr.Te Mana comes on the scene right outside the emergency room of the hospital - on the grass where Poppy is about to give birth.
What Poppy will soon learn, just after the birth of her child, is that her husband of 8 years, and her children's father had been betraying her in the worst way, and her marriage is essentially over. The story begins with Poppy's world crashing into flames, and is all about how this woman rises out of the fire as a phoenix and overcomes her challenges, and explores a new relationship possibility - with the last person she thought she would be attracted to.
This story is so much more than a woman in a rebound situation, finding love with her doctor hero and savior. This story is so emotionally deep, complex, and rich, and becomes more symbolic of Poppy's journey towards her freedom of spirit and courage. Through this blossoming friends-to-lovers romance with Matiu - it ends up enlightening and changing him too - changing HIS views on himself and his expectations for female relationships, along with his sense of character and integrity. Matiu is a much deeper and a stronger character than he gives himself credit for.
The dynamics of the ex-husband-and the extended family members who are lovingly - or not-so-much - trying to interfere with Matiu and Poppy's emerging relationship. Some of these moments are hilarious - and some are heartbreaking as you see Poppy's inner strength develop and flourish, allowing her to stand up for herself and become the confident and bold woman she never thought she had in her. I love this vulnerability that Poppy showed-and how she overcame her internal self-doubts and self-image issues. I can sure relate to all of these issues. Poppy's story brings to light all the doubts of a new post-partum mother, with her body changes and challenges, explores her emotional responses to some very real horrific events. Ms.James really gets it right in all her descriptions of the physical and emotional exhaustion, the realities of post-birth issues, and the truths that all of us women who have been down this road instinctively know.
No cliff-hangers or other parts to buy after this story.. and though I highly recommend going back and reading the beginning of the series of books, "Kiwi Rules" (Jax and Karen's story), and check out the "Not Quite a Billionaire" series (Hemi and Hope's story).
Rosalind James is a wonderful American writer and has spent a considerable amount of time in New Zealand and Aussie-land. She shares her amazing experiences with the New Zealand culture (and imaginative, creative story-telling) with us and we are lucky indeed to enjoy the results of her work. Another great one - and possibly my new favorite (it's at least in the top 3 now). This one will check off all of your boxes for a great romantic story! A job well done!
By Rosalind James
3/7/2020
This story features a woman on the verge of her life and marriage falling apart and handsome doctor with a Casanova-complex, some really funny secondary characters, relatives, a dog and a duck. Not necessarily in that order.
Poppy and her children, whom we met in the previous novel in the series, Kiwi Rules, is a successful entrepreneur, children's book author and illustrator, when her brother Jax - the hero in Kiwi Rules - and Karen were getting married. And at their wedding Poppy meets a handsome and unattached Maori doctor, Dr. Matiu Te Mana, a relative of Karen's side of the family.
Poppy and Matiu meet each other again in the crisis of the birth of Poppy's third baby, Isobel. She is in a very public place with her two young children and suddenly went into labor and it escalated to crisis point very quickly. My impression of Poppy were that she kept incredibly calm under the circumstances, and put her young children's needs above all else -to ensure they were not afraid and kept them safe. Dr.Te Mana comes on the scene right outside the emergency room of the hospital - on the grass where Poppy is about to give birth.
What Poppy will soon learn, just after the birth of her child, is that her husband of 8 years, and her children's father had been betraying her in the worst way, and her marriage is essentially over. The story begins with Poppy's world crashing into flames, and is all about how this woman rises out of the fire as a phoenix and overcomes her challenges, and explores a new relationship possibility - with the last person she thought she would be attracted to.
This story is so much more than a woman in a rebound situation, finding love with her doctor hero and savior. This story is so emotionally deep, complex, and rich, and becomes more symbolic of Poppy's journey towards her freedom of spirit and courage. Through this blossoming friends-to-lovers romance with Matiu - it ends up enlightening and changing him too - changing HIS views on himself and his expectations for female relationships, along with his sense of character and integrity. Matiu is a much deeper and a stronger character than he gives himself credit for.
The dynamics of the ex-husband-and the extended family members who are lovingly - or not-so-much - trying to interfere with Matiu and Poppy's emerging relationship. Some of these moments are hilarious - and some are heartbreaking as you see Poppy's inner strength develop and flourish, allowing her to stand up for herself and become the confident and bold woman she never thought she had in her. I love this vulnerability that Poppy showed-and how she overcame her internal self-doubts and self-image issues. I can sure relate to all of these issues. Poppy's story brings to light all the doubts of a new post-partum mother, with her body changes and challenges, explores her emotional responses to some very real horrific events. Ms.James really gets it right in all her descriptions of the physical and emotional exhaustion, the realities of post-birth issues, and the truths that all of us women who have been down this road instinctively know.
No cliff-hangers or other parts to buy after this story.. and though I highly recommend going back and reading the beginning of the series of books, "Kiwi Rules" (Jax and Karen's story), and check out the "Not Quite a Billionaire" series (Hemi and Hope's story).
Rosalind James is a wonderful American writer and has spent a considerable amount of time in New Zealand and Aussie-land. She shares her amazing experiences with the New Zealand culture (and imaginative, creative story-telling) with us and we are lucky indeed to enjoy the results of her work. Another great one - and possibly my new favorite (it's at least in the top 3 now). This one will check off all of your boxes for a great romantic story! A job well done!
February 16, 2020
Rosalind James is one of my favorite authors and this is in part because she has an amazing ability to interweave deeper messages into her novels, infusing them with warmth, depth and tones while keeping the books immensely enjoyably and readable. Most of her books are some sort of variation of “girl meets boy, both with some sort of backstory or baggage to be overcome on their way to a ‘happily ever after,’” but her books are far more than that and her newest, Stone Cold Kiwi, is no different. This book is about the seismic changes that can occur in life and rebuilding after these changes. Not surprisingly, the importance of family plays a huge role in this book, a recurrent theme throughout many of Ms James’ books. In this case, a family is figuratively blown up near the beginning and the book builds from its ruins. Marital separation and divorce can sometimes play a part in a romance novel, but how they are handled in Stone Cold Kiwi feels different, more raw. Poppy Caldwell has more than just a bad day when she discovers. without doubt, that her husband is cheating on her at the same time she is delivering their third child on the grass outside a hospital. Yes, a very bad day. Emergency room doctor Matiu Te Mana takes charge of the situation, delivering Isobel, helping to handle the older children and very likely saving Poppy’s life. From this dramatic, rocky moment in time, Poppy’s and Matiu’s lives are changed, forever linked.
Poppy and Matiu are the lovers. Poppy has been labeled by others as chaotic, disorganized, and so forth. They see her as weak and needed to be taken care of. None of this is true; Poppy is a highly competent, imaginative woman who only needs to learn that for herself. It takes awhile but Poppy does begin to believe in herself, finding her voice and unapologetically taking charge of her life. When she does this, she is a force to be reckoned with. I especially enjoyed the scene where she confronts her father. Matiu has always been a player, flitting from one woman to another with no urge to settle down. Now that he has a desire to settle down, he’s discovering that his reputation proceeds him and makes it difficult for him to be considered as a serious suitor. How he views and treats Poppy reveals an entirely different side of him. Over the course of the book, Poppy learns to trust her own instincts about Matiu and not listen to others.
I am sure I am not alone in loving Koro, the patriarch of the Te Mana family. He is Matiu’s grandfather and has been featured in a few other books, as well. His wisdom is valuable to all around him. The New Zealand setting adds much and makes me yearn to book a flight tomorrow.
I highly recommend this book. It was difficult to put down, and I found myself getting up early to read it or ignoring my poor husband while we sat side by side as I read. Its heart and underlying messages of hope and family make it so worth reading. Four and a half stars.
Poppy and Matiu are the lovers. Poppy has been labeled by others as chaotic, disorganized, and so forth. They see her as weak and needed to be taken care of. None of this is true; Poppy is a highly competent, imaginative woman who only needs to learn that for herself. It takes awhile but Poppy does begin to believe in herself, finding her voice and unapologetically taking charge of her life. When she does this, she is a force to be reckoned with. I especially enjoyed the scene where she confronts her father. Matiu has always been a player, flitting from one woman to another with no urge to settle down. Now that he has a desire to settle down, he’s discovering that his reputation proceeds him and makes it difficult for him to be considered as a serious suitor. How he views and treats Poppy reveals an entirely different side of him. Over the course of the book, Poppy learns to trust her own instincts about Matiu and not listen to others.
I am sure I am not alone in loving Koro, the patriarch of the Te Mana family. He is Matiu’s grandfather and has been featured in a few other books, as well. His wisdom is valuable to all around him. The New Zealand setting adds much and makes me yearn to book a flight tomorrow.
I highly recommend this book. It was difficult to put down, and I found myself getting up early to read it or ignoring my poor husband while we sat side by side as I read. Its heart and underlying messages of hope and family make it so worth reading. Four and a half stars.
February 25, 2020
Review written: February 24, 2020
Star Rating: ★★★★½
Heat Rating: ☀☀☀☼☼
Stone Cold Kiwi picks up where Kiwi Rules left off. Poppy’s marriage is on the rocks and she’s about to give birth. And there is nothing she can do about either except get through it. After all, she’s giving birth in the grass and her husband, well, he’s nowhere near.
To start, I have to say that Rosalind James just gets better and better as an author. Her easy breezy authorial voice has stayed the same, but the topics she touches on, the intensely beautiful multi-generational families, the sheer intensity of the feels just improves year after year. I can’t recommend her enough because she has evolved so amazingly.
Stone Cold Kiwi is one of those stories you don’t think you’re really up for and find that it satisfies in every way. Poppy is Jax’s sister. Her road traveled is sort of the “I did it all the way I’m supposed to and ended up miserable”. With three children, a capricious muse who has left her, and a cheating husband, not to mention parents who just aren’t that understanding, she’s got a lot going on. And I mean, a lot. But life goes on and she keeps putting one foot in front of the other.
Matiu (Hemi’s cousin the doctor) may be a ladies’ man and a darn good doctor, but he also has deep emotional scars. Delivering Poppy’s newest and realizing she is whanau and that her husband is a wanker definitely starts the wheels turning for him. It’s an attraction to her strength first and the rest of Poppy after. His scars are invisible but the guilt and fear and anguish he carries are very real and very debilitating.
When they come together, it’s all wrong: doctor-patient, married woman-unmarried man, ladies’ man-mother. It feels like it should be all wrong for both of them. But it’s perfectly right for both. They have to overcome family and fear, workplace issues and money issues, children and loss. And it so beautiful and uplifting. And like every other couple in this world, it wouldn’t happen without Koro. In this world, Koro is my favorite (like Amona is), so full of love and wisdom, so full of life and knowledge, and so full of family.
As the plot ticks along, Koro anchors and grounds them all, from the littlest child to the adults dealing with life. He’s always there to dispense wisdom, sometimes in words and sometimes just in being. And it all feels so bittersweet. Koro is 95+; he’s lived a full life; and his family is keenly aware of the clock ticking. And the plot does tick along with family drama, but mostly with learning to trust and love and share.
I don’t know how she does it but Rosalind James just blows me away these days with her intensely beautiful books. To say that I can’t wait for the next one is an understatement. I can’t recommend these books enough.
This review is ©February 2020 by Monique N. and is crossposted to Amazon.
Star Rating: ★★★★½
Heat Rating: ☀☀☀☼☼
Stone Cold Kiwi picks up where Kiwi Rules left off. Poppy’s marriage is on the rocks and she’s about to give birth. And there is nothing she can do about either except get through it. After all, she’s giving birth in the grass and her husband, well, he’s nowhere near.
To start, I have to say that Rosalind James just gets better and better as an author. Her easy breezy authorial voice has stayed the same, but the topics she touches on, the intensely beautiful multi-generational families, the sheer intensity of the feels just improves year after year. I can’t recommend her enough because she has evolved so amazingly.
Stone Cold Kiwi is one of those stories you don’t think you’re really up for and find that it satisfies in every way. Poppy is Jax’s sister. Her road traveled is sort of the “I did it all the way I’m supposed to and ended up miserable”. With three children, a capricious muse who has left her, and a cheating husband, not to mention parents who just aren’t that understanding, she’s got a lot going on. And I mean, a lot. But life goes on and she keeps putting one foot in front of the other.
Matiu (Hemi’s cousin the doctor) may be a ladies’ man and a darn good doctor, but he also has deep emotional scars. Delivering Poppy’s newest and realizing she is whanau and that her husband is a wanker definitely starts the wheels turning for him. It’s an attraction to her strength first and the rest of Poppy after. His scars are invisible but the guilt and fear and anguish he carries are very real and very debilitating.
When they come together, it’s all wrong: doctor-patient, married woman-unmarried man, ladies’ man-mother. It feels like it should be all wrong for both of them. But it’s perfectly right for both. They have to overcome family and fear, workplace issues and money issues, children and loss. And it so beautiful and uplifting. And like every other couple in this world, it wouldn’t happen without Koro. In this world, Koro is my favorite (like Amona is), so full of love and wisdom, so full of life and knowledge, and so full of family.
As the plot ticks along, Koro anchors and grounds them all, from the littlest child to the adults dealing with life. He’s always there to dispense wisdom, sometimes in words and sometimes just in being. And it all feels so bittersweet. Koro is 95+; he’s lived a full life; and his family is keenly aware of the clock ticking. And the plot does tick along with family drama, but mostly with learning to trust and love and share.
I don’t know how she does it but Rosalind James just blows me away these days with her intensely beautiful books. To say that I can’t wait for the next one is an understatement. I can’t recommend these books enough.
This review is ©February 2020 by Monique N. and is crossposted to Amazon.
February 18, 2025
Things I really liked: Poppy is a fascinating FMC. She's a realistic woman who is suffocated within her mother role while deeply in love with her children. Her representation beautifully detailed what it's like to be a mom to multiple small humans! I also loved the insecurity she felt, which wasn't constant and whiney but real. I loved her budding relationship with Matiu. I loved how realistic and normal it is for a man to fall in love with children. I loved that they got their HEA.
Things I didn't like: Poppy's father is a huge d!ck. He appeared in the previous book as the same hopelessly unpleasant dude. His character was supposed to get some redemption in this book, but i couldn't accept it. He trashed his son and two daughters repeatedly for not meeting his standards. In this story, he does a great job of throwing his rich, entitled self around and destroys Matiu's career simply because he feels Poppy's should stay married to her misogynistic, cheating husband. Poppy doesn't make excuses for him, but accepts his reasons for doing terrible, life-altering sh!t. He eventually makes things right for Matiu, but never does he apologize. Poppy accepts that her dad is the way he is because HIS father didn't understand him, either, and pushed him into the family business instead of letting him be an artist. It just wasn't plausible, nor did it balance out the terrible things he said and did repeatedly. I also wasn't really sure about Matiu. His character was detailed but still seemed very hollow. I also didn't love the constant "manwhore" label and need for public confrontations. This was part of the last book, too, and I wasn't a fan then either. I can't grasp the need for continual $ex shaming of either party. It's fine to note that someone engages in numerous partners, and maybe why their experiences support the need for that. But it's really not OK to keep calling it out and providing public flogging sessions to make some kind of authory point. Just stop. People have $ex for a million reasons. They don't need to be judged publicly over and over because someone feels it doesn't meet their personal criteria. Nuts to that.
I may read another volume but I doubt I can commit to the series. The author's clear, deep love of NZ is wonderful, and her respect for and knowledge of Maori culture admirable. However she overdoes it and makes all Maori men godlike and pretty much perfect. I would enjoy a more realistic picture of a guy who is certainly colored heavily by his culture, but still a regular person. These amazing portrayals remind me of the glorification of Native American culture-again, definitely awesome, but no NA guy is perfection simply because he IS NA. Same here for a Maori guy. My point is that her realism could be tempered with more reality. All sais, I much prefer these books to some of her later ones like Boston's elite, or San Diego Social Scene. Those are soulless, meandering stories.
Things I didn't like: Poppy's father is a huge d!ck. He appeared in the previous book as the same hopelessly unpleasant dude. His character was supposed to get some redemption in this book, but i couldn't accept it. He trashed his son and two daughters repeatedly for not meeting his standards. In this story, he does a great job of throwing his rich, entitled self around and destroys Matiu's career simply because he feels Poppy's should stay married to her misogynistic, cheating husband. Poppy doesn't make excuses for him, but accepts his reasons for doing terrible, life-altering sh!t. He eventually makes things right for Matiu, but never does he apologize. Poppy accepts that her dad is the way he is because HIS father didn't understand him, either, and pushed him into the family business instead of letting him be an artist. It just wasn't plausible, nor did it balance out the terrible things he said and did repeatedly. I also wasn't really sure about Matiu. His character was detailed but still seemed very hollow. I also didn't love the constant "manwhore" label and need for public confrontations. This was part of the last book, too, and I wasn't a fan then either. I can't grasp the need for continual $ex shaming of either party. It's fine to note that someone engages in numerous partners, and maybe why their experiences support the need for that. But it's really not OK to keep calling it out and providing public flogging sessions to make some kind of authory point. Just stop. People have $ex for a million reasons. They don't need to be judged publicly over and over because someone feels it doesn't meet their personal criteria. Nuts to that.
I may read another volume but I doubt I can commit to the series. The author's clear, deep love of NZ is wonderful, and her respect for and knowledge of Maori culture admirable. However she overdoes it and makes all Maori men godlike and pretty much perfect. I would enjoy a more realistic picture of a guy who is certainly colored heavily by his culture, but still a regular person. These amazing portrayals remind me of the glorification of Native American culture-again, definitely awesome, but no NA guy is perfection simply because he IS NA. Same here for a Maori guy. My point is that her realism could be tempered with more reality. All sais, I much prefer these books to some of her later ones like Boston's elite, or San Diego Social Scene. Those are soulless, meandering stories.
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