What do you think?
Rate this book
Rocky Harbor #1
Staying Grounded
After an altercation with a passenger gets posted on social media, pilot Graham Riley must attend anger management classes to get his wings back. Wanting to escape the media frenzy near his home base in Texas, he heads to his adopted parents’ place in Rocky Harbor, Maine.
Needing steadiness in her life and in a relationship, Maggie O’Fallon only dates men with normal 9-5 jobs. But when Graham walks into her office and flashes his charming steel-blue eyes at her, she's at a loss for words. Torn between her ethics and the pull at her heart, she asks Graham to see a different therapist so they can explore the chemistry building up between them. He has everything she’s been looking for… except stability.
When a private investigator produces pictures of the two of them together and threatens to discredit not only Graham, but Maggie’s practice as well, he must decide if he’s going to fight, or take flight, as is his usual pattern.
Battling a lawsuit on land, and his heart in flight, Graham realizes he could lose her forever and must decide what’s more important: the life he thought he wanted, or Maggie.
Needing steadiness in her life and in a relationship, Maggie O’Fallon only dates men with normal 9-5 jobs. But when Graham walks into her office and flashes his charming steel-blue eyes at her, she's at a loss for words. Torn between her ethics and the pull at her heart, she asks Graham to see a different therapist so they can explore the chemistry building up between them. He has everything she’s been looking for… except stability.
When a private investigator produces pictures of the two of them together and threatens to discredit not only Graham, but Maggie’s practice as well, he must decide if he’s going to fight, or take flight, as is his usual pattern.
Battling a lawsuit on land, and his heart in flight, Graham realizes he could lose her forever and must decide what’s more important: the life he thought he wanted, or Maggie.
290 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 16, 2021
152 people are currently reading
619 people want to read
About the author
Marianne Rice
40 books291 followersMarianne Rice writes small town contemporary romance and women's fiction. Her heroes are big and strong, yet value family and humor, while her heroines are smart, sexy, sometimes a little bit sassy, and are often battling a strong internal conflict. Together, they deal with real life issues and always find everlasting love.
When she’s not writing, Marianne spends her time drooling over shoes, eating chocolate, attending her children's sporting events, and when there’s time, relaxing with fancy drinks and romance books.
To receive news about new releases, sales, freebies and contests, sign up for Marianne's newsletter:http://www.mariannerice.com/connect.html
When she’s not writing, Marianne spends her time drooling over shoes, eating chocolate, attending her children's sporting events, and when there’s time, relaxing with fancy drinks and romance books.
To receive news about new releases, sales, freebies and contests, sign up for Marianne's newsletter:http://www.mariannerice.com/connect.html
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
dnf
November 25, 2018DNF @ 30%
When a therapist begs her patient to fuck her during their session and as an answer to his 'I don't have a condom' tells him she were clean and on the pill and let him fuck her bare, I'm out. Like immediately OUT!
What a doctor would have unprotected sex with a confirmed manwhore, hell, with any 'untested' man for that matter?!
Am I hallucinating? 😱
When a therapist begs her patient to fuck her during their session and as an answer to his 'I don't have a condom' tells him she were clean and on the pill and let him fuck her bare, I'm out. Like immediately OUT!
What a doctor would have unprotected sex with a confirmed manwhore, hell, with any 'untested' man for that matter?!
Am I hallucinating? 😱
January 12, 2017
ARC Read
I loved the start of this book. Graham is a pilot and one lady who is a grandma is a flight attendant. She gets abused by a passenger verbally and physically when the twat pushed her to the floor. In comes graham who gives the muppet what he deserves, a good old punch to the face. He totally deserved it. Any way due to the conflict being caught on camera, Graham has to stay grounded and seek anger management classes and a one on one class to see if he is truely a abusive man just to appease the powers that be. Who better to run the class than Maggie, the woman he ran into that morning and ended up with her number. Of course it was arkward but the sparks were flying (pun intended). In the end he had to go to see someone else due the chemistry. Their relationship is full of highs and turbulance until they get their happily ever after.
I only rated 4 stars because i knew what was going to happen pretty soon on. When he went to his former work place before going comercial his old boss told him he had a job there anytime he wants it. With his work life in jeopardy anyway i knew it would happen. If that was left out i think it would of packed more of a punch.
Overall a good feel book.
I loved the start of this book. Graham is a pilot and one lady who is a grandma is a flight attendant. She gets abused by a passenger verbally and physically when the twat pushed her to the floor. In comes graham who gives the muppet what he deserves, a good old punch to the face. He totally deserved it. Any way due to the conflict being caught on camera, Graham has to stay grounded and seek anger management classes and a one on one class to see if he is truely a abusive man just to appease the powers that be. Who better to run the class than Maggie, the woman he ran into that morning and ended up with her number. Of course it was arkward but the sparks were flying (pun intended). In the end he had to go to see someone else due the chemistry. Their relationship is full of highs and turbulance until they get their happily ever after.
I only rated 4 stars because i knew what was going to happen pretty soon on. When he went to his former work place before going comercial his old boss told him he had a job there anytime he wants it. With his work life in jeopardy anyway i knew it would happen. If that was left out i think it would of packed more of a punch.
Overall a good feel book.
January 17, 2017
Oh my, my insides went all gooey with this book. Graham is totally sexy, a smooth talker and oh so sexy. I just couldn't get enough of him.
Marianne Rice is a brand new author to me. I am so glad I found this book Staying Grounded. From page one I was once again drawn into a world I wish I could be a part of.
The book's title to me says so much about what it is really about both figuratively and literally. Graham is a pilot who gets grounded after a situation in the airport and goes back home to get away from the media and to seek the clearance he needs to get back in the air. Maggie is a therapist who was hired by the airlines to talk to and clear Graham from his "anger issues". When the two meet the chemistry between the two can not be denied.
Both Graham and Maggie have issues with relationships and commitment. Past experiences have been what holds them both back. Will they be able to get away from the past to move forward? Get your copy to find out.
Staying Grounded is a sweet romance with a side of hot steamy sex - I especially loved the office scene...just damn Maggie...that's all I'm gonna say. Great job Marianne Rice I loved the story of Graham and Maggie to pieces.
Marianne Rice is a brand new author to me. I am so glad I found this book Staying Grounded. From page one I was once again drawn into a world I wish I could be a part of.
The book's title to me says so much about what it is really about both figuratively and literally. Graham is a pilot who gets grounded after a situation in the airport and goes back home to get away from the media and to seek the clearance he needs to get back in the air. Maggie is a therapist who was hired by the airlines to talk to and clear Graham from his "anger issues". When the two meet the chemistry between the two can not be denied.
Both Graham and Maggie have issues with relationships and commitment. Past experiences have been what holds them both back. Will they be able to get away from the past to move forward? Get your copy to find out.
Staying Grounded is a sweet romance with a side of hot steamy sex - I especially loved the office scene...just damn Maggie...that's all I'm gonna say. Great job Marianne Rice I loved the story of Graham and Maggie to pieces.
January 20, 2017
Ahhhh what a sweet read this was!
Graham is a sexy AF pilot. Despite being the most laid back man EVER, he finds himself lashing out at a traveller that is being abusive. This lands Graham in serious trouble. Suspended from work and in anger management.
Deciding to use the free time to visit the family he's been avoiding, he agrees to see a Doctor there. imagine his shock when the beautiful woman he's just met turn out to be his new therapist!
I loved Maggie. She was a wonderfully complex character. She had such a soft, loving side but wasn't afraid to get herself heard when needed. She has her own issues from the past and I felt for her all the way through this.
Together they have insane chemistry!
There are lots of characters introduced in this book and I can't wait to see what everyone's story is going to be.
Marianne write beautifully. I often struggle with 3rd person POV but I have to say I hardly even noticed it here. the story was so engaging.
This was my first book from this author and I'm keen to read more.
4 stars!
**ARC provided for honest review**
Graham is a sexy AF pilot. Despite being the most laid back man EVER, he finds himself lashing out at a traveller that is being abusive. This lands Graham in serious trouble. Suspended from work and in anger management.
Deciding to use the free time to visit the family he's been avoiding, he agrees to see a Doctor there. imagine his shock when the beautiful woman he's just met turn out to be his new therapist!
I loved Maggie. She was a wonderfully complex character. She had such a soft, loving side but wasn't afraid to get herself heard when needed. She has her own issues from the past and I felt for her all the way through this.
Together they have insane chemistry!
There are lots of characters introduced in this book and I can't wait to see what everyone's story is going to be.
Marianne write beautifully. I often struggle with 3rd person POV but I have to say I hardly even noticed it here. the story was so engaging.
This was my first book from this author and I'm keen to read more.
4 stars!
**ARC provided for honest review**
June 5, 2017
Almost...
This story had a good foundation and a lot of potential, but Maggie was one of the major let downs for me. She was reckless and careless with her professionalism and I never fully recovered from her. Graham had some life lessons to learn and the notched up BS he encountered seemed to go away as quickly as it started, which was fine, but it was a mere blip and annoying. Their relationship could be so much more than just sex and, just when you think it's taking two steps forward, they go three steps back because of it. The Riley family has so many pieces and moving parts. I think it would be nice to know Luke and Sage's backstory, but maybe it's not important or maybe we'll see them unfold throughout. The level at which characters developed was unbalanced. I'm hopeful the series stays strong and improves. All in all it was good, but the author just didn't knock it out of the park for me.
This story had a good foundation and a lot of potential, but Maggie was one of the major let downs for me. She was reckless and careless with her professionalism and I never fully recovered from her. Graham had some life lessons to learn and the notched up BS he encountered seemed to go away as quickly as it started, which was fine, but it was a mere blip and annoying. Their relationship could be so much more than just sex and, just when you think it's taking two steps forward, they go three steps back because of it. The Riley family has so many pieces and moving parts. I think it would be nice to know Luke and Sage's backstory, but maybe it's not important or maybe we'll see them unfold throughout. The level at which characters developed was unbalanced. I'm hopeful the series stays strong and improves. All in all it was good, but the author just didn't knock it out of the park for me.
February 4, 2017
Once I started reading I could not put it down. A true romance.
It made me want to go out and find my own pilot.
Graham is this hot pilot who steered clear of trouble because of his childhood. He was a lover but not one to commit. When trouble comes to him he is forced to go home and get his life in order. He had no idea that would lead him to the biggest decision of his life.
Maggie is a therapist with a great track record and even greater work ethics or so she thought. Could Graham be her downfall?
They have chemistry and I loved seeing them work through it all.
I would have wanted to see them deal with the lawsuit together. That seemed to just go away without mention. I highly recommend it.
It made me want to go out and find my own pilot.
Graham is this hot pilot who steered clear of trouble because of his childhood. He was a lover but not one to commit. When trouble comes to him he is forced to go home and get his life in order. He had no idea that would lead him to the biggest decision of his life.
Maggie is a therapist with a great track record and even greater work ethics or so she thought. Could Graham be her downfall?
They have chemistry and I loved seeing them work through it all.
I would have wanted to see them deal with the lawsuit together. That seemed to just go away without mention. I highly recommend it.
January 30, 2017
Marianne does it again!
Graham is from the amazing Riley family - a rag tag bunch each with their own story to tell (& I hope for one we get to hear them all). When he tries to do the right thing, everything goes wrong and it may cost him everything.
Enter Maggie. She's strong, stubborn and someone who won't let Graham get away with anything.
This book makes you all mushy. It makes you think and feel and imagine what it would be like to have to make a choice between the woman who could be the love of your life or the life that you love.
Graham is from the amazing Riley family - a rag tag bunch each with their own story to tell (& I hope for one we get to hear them all). When he tries to do the right thing, everything goes wrong and it may cost him everything.
Enter Maggie. She's strong, stubborn and someone who won't let Graham get away with anything.
This book makes you all mushy. It makes you think and feel and imagine what it would be like to have to make a choice between the woman who could be the love of your life or the life that you love.
February 8, 2017
Marianne Rice's writing takes you write into the heart of her characters and the heart of the story. Graham is one of my favorite characters out of all of her books, I love the depth she explores in Graham and his relationship with Maggie along with both of their pasts. The past always effects the future and I think this book portrays it well, it captures the feelings of Graham and Maggie perfectly. Looking forward to more in this series and more from Marianne Rice!
January 16, 2017
This was a sweet story, with some strong characters in. I liked the way it focused on the two main, whilst also introducing, who I suspect to be future characters in the series to follow.
June 20, 2017
This was my first book by Marianne Rice and whenever I read an author new to me, I'm always a bit more judgy. First, you never know until you start reading whether it is sweet, sexy, sizzling, etc. I prefer sexy and Rice was a mixture between sweet/sexy. You never know if you're going to get characters that are boring, annoying, whiny, sad, or complex with great backstories to make you feel like they are real people. Rice delivered excellently here.
I feel like if I went to "Rocky Harbor, Maine" I'd bump into them.
The four-star rating is more for the fact that there was a lack of juicy tension that I like to read. Unfortunately, I could put the book down at any point. I didn't feel the urge to get to the next chapter.
Conclusion...I'm going to read another one of hers and see if it can't give me a five-star feeling.
I feel like if I went to "Rocky Harbor, Maine" I'd bump into them.
The four-star rating is more for the fact that there was a lack of juicy tension that I like to read. Unfortunately, I could put the book down at any point. I didn't feel the urge to get to the next chapter.
Conclusion...I'm going to read another one of hers and see if it can't give me a five-star feeling.
December 6, 2025
Grab this book for the Romantic readers sass, spice and everything nice for true love!
Graham a survivor of the foster system and got lucky and found his forever family. Maggie a therapists that knows what she wants and what she can not accept from a partner. The dynamics of family biological or adopted or surrogate is an amazing journey. This is for the modern day fairy tales come true. Contemporary romance with some spice. Would recommend this one to BFF, Sister that are romantic at heart but may not like dark romance or need a break from dark romance roller coaster.
Graham a survivor of the foster system and got lucky and found his forever family. Maggie a therapists that knows what she wants and what she can not accept from a partner. The dynamics of family biological or adopted or surrogate is an amazing journey. This is for the modern day fairy tales come true. Contemporary romance with some spice. Would recommend this one to BFF, Sister that are romantic at heart but may not like dark romance or need a break from dark romance roller coaster.
September 26, 2017
Wonderful story of love and family
They both have family issues because of their childhood. Her issues are with her parents and how they stopped being parents to her when something tragic happened in her childhood. His is to do with his biological parents because he is adopted he has had a good life since his adoption but he ignores the serious issues and relationships. Read on for more of his they deal with all these things in life and come together as family and lovers.
They both have family issues because of their childhood. Her issues are with her parents and how they stopped being parents to her when something tragic happened in her childhood. His is to do with his biological parents because he is adopted he has had a good life since his adoption but he ignores the serious issues and relationships. Read on for more of his they deal with all these things in life and come together as family and lovers.
August 1, 2023
Staying Grounded is my first book by Marianne Rice. I found it to be a nice, quick read that ended with a HEA. Graham and Maggie seemed to “need” each other right from the start. Both needing that other person to take them out of their comfort zones – and they both do that well!
Would read more books by this author.
Would read more books by this author.
February 16, 2020
This was my first ebook
It was strange to not be holding a book but then so much easier to hold lol
This was a great story- I love a HEA and the chemistry between Graham and Maggie was great. I could not put it down. Thx is fke a great read
It was strange to not be holding a book but then so much easier to hold lol
This was a great story- I love a HEA and the chemistry between Graham and Maggie was great. I could not put it down. Thx is fke a great read
January 1, 2024
2d characters. Didnt act like how they were written to be. Mostly non descriptive spice which was a let down. The mmc went on and on a lot about his manhood so clearly fragile masculinity at play. Had a good premise but fell short.
(Stuff your kindle read)
(Stuff your kindle read)
February 28, 2017
Marianne Rice's romance novel is just the perfect amount of sweet, sexy, and suspense. She is a skilled writer with creative talent.
Want to read
February 14, 2020🎁 FREE on Amazon today (2/14/2020)! 🎁
May 18, 2020
AMAZING!This was the book that started me on my Marianne Rice kick and I love it!!
July 2, 2023
I enjoyed this book a lot. Loved the Riley family. Graham is a smooth talker for sure. It was interesting to see the breaking down of walls for Graham and Maggie. Loved the small town read.
July 5, 2023
Fun read
January 4, 2024
I really enjoyed this story and am looking forward to the rest of the series.
February 20, 2024
It was an ok read!
April 13, 2024
Amazing!!
Such a perfect book! I fell in love with the characters and it just kept getting better and better. I loved it!!!
Such a perfect book! I fell in love with the characters and it just kept getting better and better. I loved it!!!
June 18, 2024
Awesome!!!
I enjoyed this story from start to finish. This is my first time reading a book written by Marianne Rice and I will be searching for more :)
I enjoyed this story from start to finish. This is my first time reading a book written by Marianne Rice and I will be searching for more :)
September 5, 2024
2.5 stars
August 9, 2025
I can’t connect with either character and too much telling/constant backstory. It might work for someone else.
June 13, 2025
This book was just what I wanted: something light and airy, with a little spice. An airline pilot and a therapist find themselves in a will-they-won’t-they relationship. Summer is the time for romance, and this little Kindle read had me tapping through the pages. There wasn’t anything groundbreaking about this book, which is why I gave it 3 stars, but I will probably read the rest of the series— I love a romance town universe, so sue me!
January 17, 2017
This was a great introduction to Marianne Rice's writing. I enjoyed reading about both Graham and Maggie as they each had interesting backgrounds and reasons for acting the way they did. We got a good amount of back story on both of them.
This book is written in third person POV which is not my preference however it was written well enough to keep me engaged. I still felt a connection to the characters which is my usual problem with books written this way.
I struggled a little bit with the "conflict" portion of this book. I felt like things could be resolved a little quicker which made me frustrated with the characters at times. However, it was still a good story.
I also enjoyed reading about Graham's siblings and I am hopeful we get stories for them as well.
This book is written in third person POV which is not my preference however it was written well enough to keep me engaged. I still felt a connection to the characters which is my usual problem with books written this way.
I struggled a little bit with the "conflict" portion of this book. I felt like things could be resolved a little quicker which made me frustrated with the characters at times. However, it was still a good story.
I also enjoyed reading about Graham's siblings and I am hopeful we get stories for them as well.
January 13, 2017
Loved it! This book gave me all the good feels. A book about a good guy doing the right thing and defending the weak only to made into the bad guy, a spark of attraction with a woman that needs to be in control of her life only to have their feelings flame up out of her control and the battle of the heart vs head to realize what they really have and if it will amount to anything worth going after. So many good things going in this story and I hate to spoil anything, so thats the best I can do without giving anything away! I want more! I need more!
February 23, 2017
Great
First this was my first book by Ms. Rice and I enjoyed it very much.
Graham Riley is a pilot. What he thinks is the right thing is spread all over social media as something different. But some people see him as a hero, and others want revenge. So he heads home to Maine to see his family, and lay low. Things change when he meets Maggie in the coffee store. Oh boy things heat up, and get very interesting between them.
See what happens...so good.
First this was my first book by Ms. Rice and I enjoyed it very much.
Graham Riley is a pilot. What he thinks is the right thing is spread all over social media as something different. But some people see him as a hero, and others want revenge. So he heads home to Maine to see his family, and lay low. Things change when he meets Maggie in the coffee store. Oh boy things heat up, and get very interesting between them.
See what happens...so good.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews