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McCullough Mountain #8
Intentional Risk
A best friends-to-lovers romance gets complicated when an accidental pregnancy disrupts Katherine McCullough’s plans in this coming of age romance from bestselling author, Lydia Michaels. Kate McCullough has always been a good girl, but when one bad choice lands her in a heap of trouble, her entire life changes in the blink of an eye. If not for her accidental friendship with Anthony Marcelli, she’d be lost. Captivated by her wild charm and natural beauty, Anthony pushes for more than friendship only to have Kate pull back. He’s determined to show her how great they could be as a couple, but she’s the strong-willed sort, and adamant that they should only be friends. Refusing to give up, he risks everything to prove her wrong—even if that means going toe-to-toe with the craziest McCullough of all—her father.
Bestselling author, Lydia Michaels, has created an unforgettable family saga bursting with sizzling secrets and scandalous moments in this award winning series, McCullough Mountain, where each story can be read as a stand alone!
Bestselling author, Lydia Michaels, has created an unforgettable family saga bursting with sizzling secrets and scandalous moments in this award winning series, McCullough Mountain, where each story can be read as a stand alone!
264 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2016
About the author
Lydia Michaels
72 books1,972 followersLydia Michaels is the bestselling and award-winning author of more than forty novels. She writes heart-clenching, unpredictable romance with dark elements and high heat. Her work is character-driven and bursting with broken heroes and badass females. With a sweet spot for overbearing, territorial types, her deeply emotional books are spicy, emotionally satisfying, and guaranteed to leave readers with many book hangovers.
Lydia is the consecutive winner of the 2018 & 2019 Author of the Year Award from Happenings Media and the recipient of the 2014 Best Author Award from the Courier Times. She has been featured by USA Today, Romantic Times Magazine, the Women in Publishing Summit, and more.
Michaels has been a recognized presence in the author community since starting her career in 2007. She is the CEO of LMC Consulting and a certified author coach specializing in characterization and plot development. She takes great joy in hosting author events celebrating diversity within the book industry. She has bridged connections among many authors since founding renowned events such as the East Coast Author Convention and the Annual Behind the Keys Author Retreat. However, the gem of her work is, by far, her extensive backlist (see LydiaMichaelsBooks.com).
She is happily married to her childhood sweetheart. Her favorite things include cooking Italian cuisine, hosting extravagant dinner parties, sipping martinis, listening to her husband play piano, and escaping to her coastal home on the Jersey Shore. She’s an LGBTQ ally, a BLM supporter, and a firm believer that the patriarchy must burn (women’s rights are human rights).
You can follow Lydia on Instagram, TikTok, & Facebook!
Instagram: @lydia_michaels_books
Facebook: @LydiaMichaels
TikTok: @LydiaMichaels
Lydia is the consecutive winner of the 2018 & 2019 Author of the Year Award from Happenings Media and the recipient of the 2014 Best Author Award from the Courier Times. She has been featured by USA Today, Romantic Times Magazine, the Women in Publishing Summit, and more.
Michaels has been a recognized presence in the author community since starting her career in 2007. She is the CEO of LMC Consulting and a certified author coach specializing in characterization and plot development. She takes great joy in hosting author events celebrating diversity within the book industry. She has bridged connections among many authors since founding renowned events such as the East Coast Author Convention and the Annual Behind the Keys Author Retreat. However, the gem of her work is, by far, her extensive backlist (see LydiaMichaelsBooks.com).
She is happily married to her childhood sweetheart. Her favorite things include cooking Italian cuisine, hosting extravagant dinner parties, sipping martinis, listening to her husband play piano, and escaping to her coastal home on the Jersey Shore. She’s an LGBTQ ally, a BLM supporter, and a firm believer that the patriarchy must burn (women’s rights are human rights).
You can follow Lydia on Instagram, TikTok, & Facebook!
Instagram: @lydia_michaels_books
Facebook: @LydiaMichaels
TikTok: @LydiaMichaels
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
June 27, 2017
Very occasionally a book comes along that is just perfect in every way. This is one of those rarities. I've been in the mother of all book funks so didn't hold out much hope for even finishing How To Love Her. Not only did I finish it, but I loved. Every. Single. Word.
This is one of those books that just worked. I adored the characters and will definitely be reading the others in the series even if it's only to get glimpses of MY Anthony, who is everything I want in a hero, albeit a young one.
Absolutely loved it!
This is one of those books that just worked. I adored the characters and will definitely be reading the others in the series even if it's only to get glimpses of MY Anthony, who is everything I want in a hero, albeit a young one.
Absolutely loved it!
October 19, 2016
Yes! Loved it. Kate was a surprise. Very gentle and sweet. I loved this prequel. It says Book 8, but IMO you can read this as an introduction to the series. I love Lydia's writing. 3rd Person POV.
No real OTT characters- oh yeah, (Mama) Maureen and--- I do have to say --FRANK. You You what did you do??Reminded me a little of what happened with Roger (my love) in Outlander.
Could, would Anthony hang in there? If you've read the other books, you know the answer. I still wanted to see how Ant & Katie started out. The McCulloughs- wow do I love this family.
Kate and Ant are 18 in this book. Kate's the eldest, so not much going on with her younger siblings.
It's all Kate & Ant's story. (There was a cute part with very young & already feisty Sheilagh & older sister Kate.
This is a long-ish novella (180 kindle pages) or a short book. I loved my McCullough fix *sigh*
Choices choices choices. love love, finding LOVE. Young love.
I was so happy that I pre-ordered this!
No real OTT characters- oh yeah, (Mama) Maureen and--- I do have to say --FRANK. You You what did you do??Reminded me a little of what happened with Roger (my love) in Outlander.
Could, would Anthony hang in there? If you've read the other books, you know the answer. I still wanted to see how Ant & Katie started out. The McCulloughs- wow do I love this family.
Kate and Ant are 18 in this book. Kate's the eldest, so not much going on with her younger siblings.
It's all Kate & Ant's story. (There was a cute part with very young & already feisty Sheilagh & older sister Kate.
This is a long-ish novella (180 kindle pages) or a short book. I loved my McCullough fix *sigh*
Choices choices choices. love love, finding LOVE. Young love.
I was so happy that I pre-ordered this!
June 27, 2017
Really enjoyed this one. It's weird because Ant didn't really leave that much of an impression with me in the other books, but he's an awesome hero who I just loved!! 😍
September 14, 2016
It’s so nice to read another McCullough story!
When the McCullough series began, Kate, the oldest daughter in the family was already married to Anthony with kids. We never knew much about them as a couple or anything about their love story. I was so glad we were going to get to know this character and her husband. During their journey, I really enjoyed revisiting the charming McCullough family with their humor, earthiness, loyalty, and deep love for one another. Going back to McCullough Mountain is like putting on a familiar pair of comfy slippers.
Even though this was a young adult story, if you have enjoyed this series all along, you'll want to know what happened to Kate as a young lady that put her on the path to finding love and taking responsibility at such a young age. Kate meets Anthony while they are seniors in high school. This heroine is having a traumatic crisis when she meets Anthony. The timing is terrible, but love doesn't always wait for the right time or place. Kate is a typical teenage girl who is trying to fit in by wanting to experience the exciting discoveries that most girls try during high school. Unfortunately things don’t go as planned. Sometimes your choices are not the best and consequences occur. And sometimes when your life goes down an unexpected road, something wonderful can happen along the way.
Anthony is patient and persistent and doesn’t let this sweet and charming gal turn him away. Kate is trying to keep the connection at a friendship level because of her secret. She knows Anthony is special and has big plans for college. She does have feelings for him, but wants to protect his future by not allowing him to get too deeply involved. Anthony is willing to let things stay at that level just to be with her, but he definitely wants more in time. I loved Anthony! He is the sweetest, most dependable, and devoted young man you would ever want to meet. He is maturing quickly and learning to love deeply right before our eyes. I enjoyed meeting Anthony's family because his parents and siblings are a large and loud Italian family. They are a hoot just like the McCulloughs.
Kate’s parents are the same whacky, sweet duo, but also honest in their gut reactions to Kate’s questionable choices. Of course they are fiercely loyal and nurturing to their daughter despite their initial disappointment. Her mother is supportive in her own blunt and emotional way, and her Dad wants to be the knight in shining armor protecting his girl in his fierce way. In the end these parents can only be there to support the tough road their daughter will be taking. Interference can sometimes make things worse, as her father learns during an impulsive reaction to events. Anthony’s parents are just as protective. Both families want to help this couple find the right path, but these young people really have to do it themselves.
This was a bit of a roller coaster ride for the couple with their doubts and fears, but they stayed the course and allowed themselves to take a leap of faith and finally trust in one another. It was worth it in the end because their unexpected beginning brought them happiness, love, and a family to look forward to in the future. Thanks to Lydia Michaels for giving her fans another installment in the McCullough Mountain series. It was fun, emotional, and heart-warming. I hope we get another story in this series.
Thanks to the author for the ARC I received for an honest review.
When the McCullough series began, Kate, the oldest daughter in the family was already married to Anthony with kids. We never knew much about them as a couple or anything about their love story. I was so glad we were going to get to know this character and her husband. During their journey, I really enjoyed revisiting the charming McCullough family with their humor, earthiness, loyalty, and deep love for one another. Going back to McCullough Mountain is like putting on a familiar pair of comfy slippers.
Even though this was a young adult story, if you have enjoyed this series all along, you'll want to know what happened to Kate as a young lady that put her on the path to finding love and taking responsibility at such a young age. Kate meets Anthony while they are seniors in high school. This heroine is having a traumatic crisis when she meets Anthony. The timing is terrible, but love doesn't always wait for the right time or place. Kate is a typical teenage girl who is trying to fit in by wanting to experience the exciting discoveries that most girls try during high school. Unfortunately things don’t go as planned. Sometimes your choices are not the best and consequences occur. And sometimes when your life goes down an unexpected road, something wonderful can happen along the way.
Anthony is patient and persistent and doesn’t let this sweet and charming gal turn him away. Kate is trying to keep the connection at a friendship level because of her secret. She knows Anthony is special and has big plans for college. She does have feelings for him, but wants to protect his future by not allowing him to get too deeply involved. Anthony is willing to let things stay at that level just to be with her, but he definitely wants more in time. I loved Anthony! He is the sweetest, most dependable, and devoted young man you would ever want to meet. He is maturing quickly and learning to love deeply right before our eyes. I enjoyed meeting Anthony's family because his parents and siblings are a large and loud Italian family. They are a hoot just like the McCulloughs.
Kate’s parents are the same whacky, sweet duo, but also honest in their gut reactions to Kate’s questionable choices. Of course they are fiercely loyal and nurturing to their daughter despite their initial disappointment. Her mother is supportive in her own blunt and emotional way, and her Dad wants to be the knight in shining armor protecting his girl in his fierce way. In the end these parents can only be there to support the tough road their daughter will be taking. Interference can sometimes make things worse, as her father learns during an impulsive reaction to events. Anthony’s parents are just as protective. Both families want to help this couple find the right path, but these young people really have to do it themselves.
This was a bit of a roller coaster ride for the couple with their doubts and fears, but they stayed the course and allowed themselves to take a leap of faith and finally trust in one another. It was worth it in the end because their unexpected beginning brought them happiness, love, and a family to look forward to in the future. Thanks to Lydia Michaels for giving her fans another installment in the McCullough Mountain series. It was fun, emotional, and heart-warming. I hope we get another story in this series.
Thanks to the author for the ARC I received for an honest review.
November 4, 2022
And that's it.. the last one. I feel bereft but also... very satisfied. I loved Ant and Kate's Romance and it warmed my heart.
I sweet friends to Lovers for a pregnant high school senior. This was sweet and beautiful to read.
4 stars
1.5 on the spice scale.
I sweet friends to Lovers for a pregnant high school senior. This was sweet and beautiful to read.
4 stars
1.5 on the spice scale.
October 3, 2016
Oh Lydia, how could you create a series with just six siblings? What am I gonna do now that you've written about all of them?
I've always considered Ant to be a background character at best (heck, Italian Mary made a stronger impression than he did), so imagine my surprise when I found myself liking him so much, that he's now in my top 3 favorite characters (Finn will always be number 1). In fact, I think this book is almost at the top of my list (ALMOST right up there with Skin). Really a wonderful surprise. Its preview already made me teary eyed, and when Frank was having a talk with his baby girl, I was bawling. Before that, when Maureen was being her usual outrageous self while having her own moment with Kate, I could already feel tears streaming down my face. Even though I think it was meant to be a funny scene! Oh man, this family has me wrapped around their collective finger, I tell ya. And I still can't get over how much I loved it. Ant's the perfect guy, it wasn't a clean book like I feared it was gonna be, and Kate was assertive, but definitely not unlikable.
Quick notes though: a few you're/your issues, the Claddagh ring wasn't addressed again, and the book was too short. I wanted more Kate and Ant!
8 books in and I'm still hungry for more. Sigh. I don't know what to do with myself. But I couldn't ask for a better start to the week.
I've always considered Ant to be a background character at best (heck, Italian Mary made a stronger impression than he did), so imagine my surprise when I found myself liking him so much, that he's now in my top 3 favorite characters (Finn will always be number 1). In fact, I think this book is almost at the top of my list (ALMOST right up there with Skin). Really a wonderful surprise. Its preview already made me teary eyed, and when Frank was having a talk with his baby girl, I was bawling. Before that, when Maureen was being her usual outrageous self while having her own moment with Kate, I could already feel tears streaming down my face. Even though I think it was meant to be a funny scene! Oh man, this family has me wrapped around their collective finger, I tell ya. And I still can't get over how much I loved it. Ant's the perfect guy, it wasn't a clean book like I feared it was gonna be, and Kate was assertive, but definitely not unlikable.
Quick notes though: a few you're/your issues, the Claddagh ring wasn't addressed again, and the book was too short. I wanted more Kate and Ant!
8 books in and I'm still hungry for more. Sigh. I don't know what to do with myself. But I couldn't ask for a better start to the week.
July 4, 2022
Intentional Risk is book eight in the McCullough Mountain series, but it can also be read as a prequel to the series. In the timeline, this one comes first. However, I do think it’s a nice end to the series to look back and get details of the character who was on the side-lines throughout the series.
While I did enjoy this story, I will be honest and say it is not my favourite in the series. It was a nice quick read, a fun extra, but it was without the depth of the other books in the series. Everything felt a little too easy, a little too perfect for me, and I expected a bit more from this one. I think this comes from the fact that this story was such a quick one, and that means some of the elements were not explored as fully as they could have been. That is not to say I disliked this one, as I did like it, simply that I wish it had offered a bit more depth when exploring some of the elements.
All in all, this was a nice little bonus for fans of the McCullough Mountain series. It is certainly worth reading if you want to see how it all started for Kate.
While I did enjoy this story, I will be honest and say it is not my favourite in the series. It was a nice quick read, a fun extra, but it was without the depth of the other books in the series. Everything felt a little too easy, a little too perfect for me, and I expected a bit more from this one. I think this comes from the fact that this story was such a quick one, and that means some of the elements were not explored as fully as they could have been. That is not to say I disliked this one, as I did like it, simply that I wish it had offered a bit more depth when exploring some of the elements.
All in all, this was a nice little bonus for fans of the McCullough Mountain series. It is certainly worth reading if you want to see how it all started for Kate.
June 26, 2017
Loved it!
August 14, 2022
As seen on my blog (Jessie's Reading Corner):
I really enjoyed reading this story. I’m not exactly sure how I found this book as this is the first book of Lydia’s I’ve read. I’m thinking it was a Facebook ad as I received this as a BookFunnel download.
Katie and Anthony’s chemistry was sizzling from the moment they met! Katie put herself in quite the predicament, but I love how she took ownership of her actions and she didn’t let anyone tell her what she should or shouldn’t do.
Katie and Anthony’s families were both hysterical and I think they definitely fit the stereotypes of Irish Catholics (Katie’s) and Italian (Anthony’s).
This book, while the 8th and final book in the series, can either be read before Almost Priest (Book 1) or as the final book in the series. As I mentioned, this was my first book by Lydia, but it won’t be my last.
I’m a sucker for a good friends-to-lovers story and this might just be one of favorites. I’m not typically a YA romance reader, because I’m not a drama/angst reader, but I really enjoyed this story and the drama/angst was very little. I definitely plan on going back to the beginning of the series and reading it through as Lydia did get me invested in Katie’s siblings.
I really enjoyed reading this story. I’m not exactly sure how I found this book as this is the first book of Lydia’s I’ve read. I’m thinking it was a Facebook ad as I received this as a BookFunnel download.
Katie and Anthony’s chemistry was sizzling from the moment they met! Katie put herself in quite the predicament, but I love how she took ownership of her actions and she didn’t let anyone tell her what she should or shouldn’t do.
Katie and Anthony’s families were both hysterical and I think they definitely fit the stereotypes of Irish Catholics (Katie’s) and Italian (Anthony’s).
This book, while the 8th and final book in the series, can either be read before Almost Priest (Book 1) or as the final book in the series. As I mentioned, this was my first book by Lydia, but it won’t be my last.
I’m a sucker for a good friends-to-lovers story and this might just be one of favorites. I’m not typically a YA romance reader, because I’m not a drama/angst reader, but I really enjoyed this story and the drama/angst was very little. I definitely plan on going back to the beginning of the series and reading it through as Lydia did get me invested in Katie’s siblings.
June 20, 2017
Needed a quick brain candy break and found this on Kindle Unlimited. I had no idea Kate even had her own McCullough book. This was a beautiful prequel that made background characters Kate and Ant come alive. These two kids' journey from teens to true lovers was lovely.
November 16, 2016
This was the first I've read of the McCullough Mountain series and now that I've finished I'm one-clicking all of them right away! I LOVED this story! Lydia Michaels has done a wonderful job writing these characters, I fell in love with everyone right away. Their banter and dialogue is flawless, and for those who know me, you know that is so important to me and can make or break a book for me. I was laughing, smiling and screaming along with everyone in the story and I just had so much fun reading it. Anthony and Kate's story takes off from the start and I didn't want to put it down until the very end. Even then, I wished I had more!
I so highly recommend How to Love Her to everyone looking for a fun, entertaining journey. You can absolutely read it in one sitting, and as I said earlier I plan to read the entire series immediately. It's that good. Thank you Lydia Michaels for telling this story so perfectly.
I so highly recommend How to Love Her to everyone looking for a fun, entertaining journey. You can absolutely read it in one sitting, and as I said earlier I plan to read the entire series immediately. It's that good. Thank you Lydia Michaels for telling this story so perfectly.
July 18, 2017
Lydia Michaels has done it, AGAIN!!!
In this book, we see just how Kate and Ant met and fell in love. From the beginning of the book, my jaw was on the floor.
You can not help but fall in love with the McCullough's from the beginning. This is the type of family that you want to be around and be a part of. Add in the Marcelli family and it is a match made in heaven. Just like Kate and Ant's love and life.
There is jaw dropping shock, sadness, love and of course gut busting laughs. How could there not be with the antics of Maureen!!!
This is a fabulous read and definitely 5***** worthy!!! Highly recommended!!!!
In this book, we see just how Kate and Ant met and fell in love. From the beginning of the book, my jaw was on the floor.
You can not help but fall in love with the McCullough's from the beginning. This is the type of family that you want to be around and be a part of. Add in the Marcelli family and it is a match made in heaven. Just like Kate and Ant's love and life.
There is jaw dropping shock, sadness, love and of course gut busting laughs. How could there not be with the antics of Maureen!!!
This is a fabulous read and definitely 5***** worthy!!! Highly recommended!!!!
September 30, 2016
I'm not usually one for New Adult reads, this one may definitely change my mind on them!!!
I LOVED Anthony's character. Not many men act the way he does, and he's still young. He is the kinda guy every girl hopes and dreams of. My heart kinda broke for Kate and her situation, but her character was sweet, but stubborn, so she didn't let anyone talk her out of anything. These two together make such a sweet couple, and it was good to read about a young couple who worked through their problems and stayed together.
This book is a must read!!
I LOVED Anthony's character. Not many men act the way he does, and he's still young. He is the kinda guy every girl hopes and dreams of. My heart kinda broke for Kate and her situation, but her character was sweet, but stubborn, so she didn't let anyone talk her out of anything. These two together make such a sweet couple, and it was good to read about a young couple who worked through their problems and stayed together.
This book is a must read!!
October 20, 2016
Sweet story
Such a sweet story. We get to see how Katie and Anthony's story. Anthony is such a good man and a beautifully written love story. Lydia Michaels is an expert of storytelling. The emotions, the struggles and the experience. I really love all the McCullough love story.
Such a sweet story. We get to see how Katie and Anthony's story. Anthony is such a good man and a beautifully written love story. Lydia Michaels is an expert of storytelling. The emotions, the struggles and the experience. I really love all the McCullough love story.
February 7, 2017
A wonderful emotional read. Had me crying happy and sad tears from beginning to end. I'm surprised I didn't short out my kindle! Ant is a keeper!
August 28, 2022
What a nice and delicate gem of a love story, blossomed in an intricate situation! A narrative well thread, with strong yet graceful characters.
Intentional Risk by Lydia Michaels is book #8 of the McCullough Mountain book series: it is actually a prequel to the series, telling the story of how young Kate and Anthony fell in love.
It was my first book by Lydia Michaels, so I was not familiar at all with the McCullough Mountain book series: it has been a really lovely and unexpected surprise!
The story is set in the 90s, during the last year of high school of Kate and Anthony. Kate is the first born in large Irish family, as is Anthony in a smaller Italian family. They are both good teenagers, with a great heart, strong wills and extended caring meddling and loving families. One bad choice on Kate’s side lands her in troubleland and she finds herself trying to sort it all out, in the middle of senior year with all her plans for her future ready to take off.
I loved the incipit! “Shit. Shit, shit, shit, shit – shit!” is a bold and brilliant start. It gets you right into the troubles Kate is facing and how lost she feels. And nicely and slowly, Anthony comes along, sticks around, finds out what’s on the other side of Kate’s defences and still sees it through.
Kate’s father did get quite intense: I bow to Anthony for how he handled the whole McCullough clan. As Anthony said, his Italian family is just as loud, so he is not easily discouraged, but still Kate’s dad overdid it!
I am Italian, and I am usually superpicky with Italian characters and stereotypes. I will not get drawn into the “sauce” versus “gravy” argument and I will give some leeway on some eccentricities of the Marcelli family which seem at least a century old (as I am not sure they are due to the Author’s stereotyping or to some Italians abroad really fitting the stereotype). All in all I was pleased with the depiction of Anthony’s family, I could relate to some of its traits, and I strangely had nothing to fault Lydia Michaels on her Italian characterization (which is quite rare for me!).
I don’t want to spoil the book, so I won’t tell much more about the story. This book has been a great summer read, pages flowing quickly wanting to find out what is going to happen next: as much as the ending is easy to guess, how they find their way there is intriguing and not so obvious, at least to me. The main characters were perfect as were their dynamics and slow burning relationship. The side characters were also well portrayed, making me curious about how they will be developed in the other books in the series. I still find myself smiling when I think of Kate and Anthony: such a great match, splendidly narrated by Lydia Michaels.
Thank you NetGalley and Bailey Brown Publishing for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
Intentional Risk by Lydia Michaels is book #8 of the McCullough Mountain book series: it is actually a prequel to the series, telling the story of how young Kate and Anthony fell in love.
It was my first book by Lydia Michaels, so I was not familiar at all with the McCullough Mountain book series: it has been a really lovely and unexpected surprise!
The story is set in the 90s, during the last year of high school of Kate and Anthony. Kate is the first born in large Irish family, as is Anthony in a smaller Italian family. They are both good teenagers, with a great heart, strong wills and extended caring meddling and loving families. One bad choice on Kate’s side lands her in troubleland and she finds herself trying to sort it all out, in the middle of senior year with all her plans for her future ready to take off.
I loved the incipit! “Shit. Shit, shit, shit, shit – shit!” is a bold and brilliant start. It gets you right into the troubles Kate is facing and how lost she feels. And nicely and slowly, Anthony comes along, sticks around, finds out what’s on the other side of Kate’s defences and still sees it through.
Kate’s father did get quite intense: I bow to Anthony for how he handled the whole McCullough clan. As Anthony said, his Italian family is just as loud, so he is not easily discouraged, but still Kate’s dad overdid it!
I am Italian, and I am usually superpicky with Italian characters and stereotypes. I will not get drawn into the “sauce” versus “gravy” argument and I will give some leeway on some eccentricities of the Marcelli family which seem at least a century old (as I am not sure they are due to the Author’s stereotyping or to some Italians abroad really fitting the stereotype). All in all I was pleased with the depiction of Anthony’s family, I could relate to some of its traits, and I strangely had nothing to fault Lydia Michaels on her Italian characterization (which is quite rare for me!).
I don’t want to spoil the book, so I won’t tell much more about the story. This book has been a great summer read, pages flowing quickly wanting to find out what is going to happen next: as much as the ending is easy to guess, how they find their way there is intriguing and not so obvious, at least to me. The main characters were perfect as were their dynamics and slow burning relationship. The side characters were also well portrayed, making me curious about how they will be developed in the other books in the series. I still find myself smiling when I think of Kate and Anthony: such a great match, splendidly narrated by Lydia Michaels.
Thank you NetGalley and Bailey Brown Publishing for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
January 21, 2018
I’d heard nothing but great things about this series and I’m so glad I finally got the chance to start it. I love anything by Lydia Michaels. No cookie cutter formulas with her. Her books are all so completely different but they do tend to have one thing in common. She writes beautifully developed characters who are usually surrounded by great friends and/or family. I adore romances with strong family ties. I love the humor, loyalty, and deep love that comes from family. And now I know that I am going to absolutely love the McCulloughs.
Like many of Lydia Michaels’ books, this one had me experiencing a gamut of emotions. Tears, giggles, anger. This had it all. I loved Kate and Anthony. So young yet so mature and strong. I especially loved Kate’s development in the story. She was a typical teen who didn’t think too much about the consequences of her actions. She was ready for the freedoms that graduation would bring. Moving out on her own and getting away from her big, crazy family. She’d been in a rush to break away from the chaos of her family but found herself needing that emotional security more than ever. I adored her family. Her mom was a hoot. A fiery mom but one who loves her children fiercely. Her father was so strong and tough. I cried right along with them when Kate confessed her situation to them. Especially with her father. Being a daddy’s girl myself, I know how gut wrenching it can be to disappoint your father.
When Anthony came along, even though Kate was very attracted to him, she just needed a friend to lean on more than anything else. And though Anthony wanted more, he was prepared to wait as long as it took. Once he discovered the truth, he understood Kate’s hesitance but it didn’t change how he felt about her. Oh Anthony! There aren’t many men as wonderful as he was. He was willing to share the load with her. A load that wasn’t even his to bear. “It’s what good men do.” Neither knew what was ahead of them but they were prepared to face it together. Though theirs wasn’t your ordinary start to life, they learned that love can overcome extraordinary things.
There was so much to love in this story. I can’t wait to visit McCullough Mountain again. Though this book is listed as number 8, it is the prequel to the series. I liked reading the beginnings of this fun, tight-knit family first.
Like many of Lydia Michaels’ books, this one had me experiencing a gamut of emotions. Tears, giggles, anger. This had it all. I loved Kate and Anthony. So young yet so mature and strong. I especially loved Kate’s development in the story. She was a typical teen who didn’t think too much about the consequences of her actions. She was ready for the freedoms that graduation would bring. Moving out on her own and getting away from her big, crazy family. She’d been in a rush to break away from the chaos of her family but found herself needing that emotional security more than ever. I adored her family. Her mom was a hoot. A fiery mom but one who loves her children fiercely. Her father was so strong and tough. I cried right along with them when Kate confessed her situation to them. Especially with her father. Being a daddy’s girl myself, I know how gut wrenching it can be to disappoint your father.
When Anthony came along, even though Kate was very attracted to him, she just needed a friend to lean on more than anything else. And though Anthony wanted more, he was prepared to wait as long as it took. Once he discovered the truth, he understood Kate’s hesitance but it didn’t change how he felt about her. Oh Anthony! There aren’t many men as wonderful as he was. He was willing to share the load with her. A load that wasn’t even his to bear. “It’s what good men do.” Neither knew what was ahead of them but they were prepared to face it together. Though theirs wasn’t your ordinary start to life, they learned that love can overcome extraordinary things.
There was so much to love in this story. I can’t wait to visit McCullough Mountain again. Though this book is listed as number 8, it is the prequel to the series. I liked reading the beginnings of this fun, tight-knit family first.
July 4, 2017
I enjoyed it = 3 "don't do this at home "stars from me, but definitely not for everyone.
This was competently written but definitely nothing inspired or inspirational. I have taken a heavy duty muscle relaxant with narcotic pain relief combo so it fit my needs pretty well. But even in my floaty state I can see the issues most of my friends would have with the messages this book is putting forth. But putting that aside for a second this is story is set in the 1990s and follows Katie as she is finishing up high school and starting a new scary phase of her life. On one rather stressful day at school she walks out of one room and plows into Anthony. Ant is fairly new to school having recently moved to the area from Philadelphia. From that moment on every time he tries to ask her out she shoots him down explaining she can't date him. But he is sweet and persistent. My god is he sweet. There is pretty much nothing that this boy does wrong. Eventually they do date with the deal of ending it at the end of summer when he has to go off to university. In the end both families support their young love and we get a HEA.
Back to that "perfectness" and why I know quite a few people I know will hate this: (total spoiler so be sure before you click)
But sometimes you want sweet and who cares about the message.
This was competently written but definitely nothing inspired or inspirational. I have taken a heavy duty muscle relaxant with narcotic pain relief combo so it fit my needs pretty well. But even in my floaty state I can see the issues most of my friends would have with the messages this book is putting forth. But putting that aside for a second this is story is set in the 1990s and follows Katie as she is finishing up high school and starting a new scary phase of her life. On one rather stressful day at school she walks out of one room and plows into Anthony. Ant is fairly new to school having recently moved to the area from Philadelphia. From that moment on every time he tries to ask her out she shoots him down explaining she can't date him. But he is sweet and persistent. My god is he sweet. There is pretty much nothing that this boy does wrong. Eventually they do date with the deal of ending it at the end of summer when he has to go off to university. In the end both families support their young love and we get a HEA.
Back to that "perfectness" and why I know quite a few people I know will hate this: (total spoiler so be sure before you click)
But sometimes you want sweet and who cares about the message.
July 25, 2022
Graduating for High School and finding out you are pregnant throws a huge wrench in Katherine's plans. The only thing she never expected was to literally run right into the boy who will make all of her dreams come true. Ant might not be just the boy who sees a pretty face but a young man willing to put his future on hold and help Katie through the highs and lows of her pregnancy. Hopelessly romantic in every single way, Ant and Katie are a match made in heaven and this story will make your heart swoon and prove once again that Lydia Michaels knows romance.
October 3, 2022
Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book for an honest review.
Another McCullough book, this time Kate and Anthony. Haven't met them often in the books I've read so it was nice getting to know the eldest McCullough child. Anthony is delightful and exactly what Kate needed.
Another McCullough book, this time Kate and Anthony. Haven't met them often in the books I've read so it was nice getting to know the eldest McCullough child. Anthony is delightful and exactly what Kate needed.
July 12, 2017
4.5 stars
What a great novella.❤️
What a great novella.❤️
October 3, 2017
I honestly don't want to sound like I am repeating myself here but this book was truly sweet and amazing . This is Kate's story and how one accident lead her to the love of her life . When the oldest daughter of Frank and Maureen , ends up pregnant as a teen and the baby daddy doesn't want anything to do with her . She seems lost until the day she literally runs into the young man that will change everything and make her realize that life is much better with someone you love .
Kate is such a sweet character , she is the oldest of the family and the good girl . I loved her she was sweet but also kind of cocky and could hold her own . But she is also trying to be a independent woman . She is tough and scared . Ant short for Anthony is like a whirlwind that came into her life at a time when she needed a friend . He is such a great character , he is there for her when no one else was . He grew to love her and well didn't care that the baby wasn't his . They grew up a lot through the story . Ant's family can rival the McCullough family in the sheer volume of their voices . Just imagine an Italian family and a irish family sitting down in the same room for dinner and how loud it would be .
This was a sweet romance and the author wrote it so well . The characters are well written and you will fall in love with them. This was a first romance and love between the characters and how it can heal old wounds and open up a whole new world . This is a great series that you will love .
Kate is such a sweet character , she is the oldest of the family and the good girl . I loved her she was sweet but also kind of cocky and could hold her own . But she is also trying to be a independent woman . She is tough and scared . Ant short for Anthony is like a whirlwind that came into her life at a time when she needed a friend . He is such a great character , he is there for her when no one else was . He grew to love her and well didn't care that the baby wasn't his . They grew up a lot through the story . Ant's family can rival the McCullough family in the sheer volume of their voices . Just imagine an Italian family and a irish family sitting down in the same room for dinner and how loud it would be .
This was a sweet romance and the author wrote it so well . The characters are well written and you will fall in love with them. This was a first romance and love between the characters and how it can heal old wounds and open up a whole new world . This is a great series that you will love .
July 16, 2022
It’s her last year of high school. She had plans. Now everything had changed because she behaved stupidly. She had to grow up and leave her dreams behind. Katherine McCullough had no idea what she was going to do. One thing was for sure. There was no way she would do what Nate expected. She was a good Catholic girl.
It was love at first sight. Anthony Marcelli toppled Katie and refused to allow her to run off until she was feeling better. Ant is wise beyond his years. He has goals and dreams to succeed. He is willing to take responsibility for a child he did not help create but loves unconditionally. Ant’s not only Katie’s best friend, but he also wants her as his partner for life.
Katie and Ant show up frequently throughout the stories of her siblings. In the final book, Lydia Michaels is ready to tell the sweet story of how they met. It is heart breaking when Katie announces her pregnancy to her parents while Ant takes the news without judgment. And then we see the love and support both families show as Katie and Ant begin their path to happily ever after.
McCullough Mountain is one series where you really get to know all of the characters inside and out. Lydia makes it feel like they are your long-lost friends. It’s a family that is close and loves each other for who they are and not who they should be. Two thumbs up for a series that makes you want to continue reading and sad when the final page is reached.
I received this book as an advance review copy free from Valentine PRLM. I have read and reviewed this book voluntarily.
--Brenda, JustViews
It was love at first sight. Anthony Marcelli toppled Katie and refused to allow her to run off until she was feeling better. Ant is wise beyond his years. He has goals and dreams to succeed. He is willing to take responsibility for a child he did not help create but loves unconditionally. Ant’s not only Katie’s best friend, but he also wants her as his partner for life.
Katie and Ant show up frequently throughout the stories of her siblings. In the final book, Lydia Michaels is ready to tell the sweet story of how they met. It is heart breaking when Katie announces her pregnancy to her parents while Ant takes the news without judgment. And then we see the love and support both families show as Katie and Ant begin their path to happily ever after.
McCullough Mountain is one series where you really get to know all of the characters inside and out. Lydia makes it feel like they are your long-lost friends. It’s a family that is close and loves each other for who they are and not who they should be. Two thumbs up for a series that makes you want to continue reading and sad when the final page is reached.
I received this book as an advance review copy free from Valentine PRLM. I have read and reviewed this book voluntarily.
--Brenda, JustViews
November 13, 2022
This book was incredibly cute. I feel like the characters were young and you could definitely tell how young they were from their thoughts and actions. I really enjoyed the story but I think that I prefer my romances to be between people who are more mature.
Kate is in her last year of high school when she finds out that she is pregnant by her ex boyfriend. She is scared to tell her family because she thinks that they will be ashamed of her. The same day that she finds out about her pregnancy, she literally runs into Anthony. Anthony is instantly interested in Kate but Kate knows that she can’t be with him because of the baby. Anthony continues to pursue Kate while Kate continues to try to push him away in this super sweet high school romance.
I did really like this story. I loved Kate’s relationship with her parents and the rest of her siblings. I really liked the thought that Kate put into her decisions and I really liked all of the dynamics. I would not say that Kate was childish in any way but I also wouldn’t say that she had reached the level of maturity that I prefer to read in my romances.
I really liked Anthony. I feel like he is probably one of the nicest heroes I have ever read but, again, I felt like he was very young. I loved that no matter what barrier Kate threw up, he was willing to scale it. Him continuing to show his interest wasn’t pushy but sweet and something that I really liked reading about. I feel like I am totally glad that I read this book but I don’t think that I would reread it.
Kate is in her last year of high school when she finds out that she is pregnant by her ex boyfriend. She is scared to tell her family because she thinks that they will be ashamed of her. The same day that she finds out about her pregnancy, she literally runs into Anthony. Anthony is instantly interested in Kate but Kate knows that she can’t be with him because of the baby. Anthony continues to pursue Kate while Kate continues to try to push him away in this super sweet high school romance.
I did really like this story. I loved Kate’s relationship with her parents and the rest of her siblings. I really liked the thought that Kate put into her decisions and I really liked all of the dynamics. I would not say that Kate was childish in any way but I also wouldn’t say that she had reached the level of maturity that I prefer to read in my romances.
I really liked Anthony. I feel like he is probably one of the nicest heroes I have ever read but, again, I felt like he was very young. I loved that no matter what barrier Kate threw up, he was willing to scale it. Him continuing to show his interest wasn’t pushy but sweet and something that I really liked reading about. I feel like I am totally glad that I read this book but I don’t think that I would reread it.
May 28, 2022
🅰🆄🅳🅸🅾🅱🅾🅾🅺 🆁🅴🆅🅸🅴🆆
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Kate and Anthony's love starts as friendship, for Kate, who needed a friend. Anthony was enamored front the start. Kate finds herself in a situation of facing single motherhood after her dead beat 'boyfriend' gets her pregnant and wants nothing to do with her or a baby. A senior in high school who thought her life was just starting, realized her life would never be the same.
I'm so impressed with her maturity as a young woman, barely an adult, facing such big life changes.
Anthony is no less impressive with his big heart and bottomless love for Kate.
I'm not going to lie, I adore the McCullough clan so hard. I can't devour these books fast enough.
This is a standalone book in a larger series. While you could read just one book and be satisfied you got your HEA, you are denying yourself all the feels and love if you stop at just one story in this series.
If you're like me, you will want all this small town goodness wrapped up in this series and the Jasper Falls series that follows!
Amber Battaglia narrates another gem and her accents for these characters are fabulous!! it's not always easy to narrate a male voice, but she nailed Anthony perfectly!!
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Kate and Anthony's love starts as friendship, for Kate, who needed a friend. Anthony was enamored front the start. Kate finds herself in a situation of facing single motherhood after her dead beat 'boyfriend' gets her pregnant and wants nothing to do with her or a baby. A senior in high school who thought her life was just starting, realized her life would never be the same.
I'm so impressed with her maturity as a young woman, barely an adult, facing such big life changes.
Anthony is no less impressive with his big heart and bottomless love for Kate.
I'm not going to lie, I adore the McCullough clan so hard. I can't devour these books fast enough.
This is a standalone book in a larger series. While you could read just one book and be satisfied you got your HEA, you are denying yourself all the feels and love if you stop at just one story in this series.
If you're like me, you will want all this small town goodness wrapped up in this series and the Jasper Falls series that follows!
Amber Battaglia narrates another gem and her accents for these characters are fabulous!! it's not always easy to narrate a male voice, but she nailed Anthony perfectly!!
October 26, 2022
Intentional Risk is book eight in the McCullough Mountain series and can be read as a standalone. This is a sweet and romantic story about a friendship that grows into so much more, and I adored this cast of characters from the beginning pages. Katie is the oldest of seven children in her family and she is getting ready to graduate high school when her world is upended and her plans for the future are changed.
Katie meets Ant (Anthony) by chance at school one day and he is instantly smitten. He makes it his life's mission to get her to spend time with him, and while she won't agree to go out with him because her life is complicated, they do form an easy friendship....even if there is a lot of underlying tension and chemistry. Ant will do anything to get Katie to see he is one of the good guys if she will just give him a chance.
I was hooked into this story line from page one. I adored Ant. He was all things swoony and romantic and chivalrous. I also really liked Katie's parents. Her parents were the perfect blend of no nonsense, stern, funny, and caring, but when it really mattered they were supportive. I found the book to be highly engaging and I would definitely recommend it.
Katie meets Ant (Anthony) by chance at school one day and he is instantly smitten. He makes it his life's mission to get her to spend time with him, and while she won't agree to go out with him because her life is complicated, they do form an easy friendship....even if there is a lot of underlying tension and chemistry. Ant will do anything to get Katie to see he is one of the good guys if she will just give him a chance.
I was hooked into this story line from page one. I adored Ant. He was all things swoony and romantic and chivalrous. I also really liked Katie's parents. Her parents were the perfect blend of no nonsense, stern, funny, and caring, but when it really mattered they were supportive. I found the book to be highly engaging and I would definitely recommend it.
July 3, 2022
Gosh I’m literally crying right now because I’m so sad that I reach number eight in the series and it’s over but I love the last book. It’s so hard to pick a favorite book but I do it for a couple but all the books were so amazing I am so happy to have read them. Getting into the actual book I love Kate I love her Anthony and I always have heard in previous book of how great of a mother she was and how she had so many kids and how loving her husband was. I got to see her story and I’ll say that boy was obsessed with her from day one and it was so sweet to watch the relationship grow and thrive. You can really see how she grew up from page 1 to the end just in those like nine months. Kate and Anthony made such a great couple he’s the definition of obsessed with her. He did everything in his power to be with her it was so sweet and passionate and amazing. Kate loved him with all of her heart. Also I loved his family and her family especially your mom‘s were just like copies of each other but now I have to move on. This is definitely putting me in a book hangover for the next week and I will manifest to getting at least one of these McCulloch men to be with me and be real. I would like to thank Lydia Michaels for the opportunity for to me to read all these books along with a Valentine PR. I will also thank them for me reading the Jasper Falls series which I am going to finish after this.
August 18, 2022
This book is the story of Kathrine the eldest of the McCullough children. Here you see how her life is changed while in the last year of high school, that the boy who is the father does not step up to the plate but it is where she meets Anthony and how they become close and how they fall in love. In one part of the story, you also get to see a change in Anthony when he goes from a boy to a man. Frank her father leaves Anthony out in the woods and now he must find his way out, four hours later dirty, bitten by mosquitos and other bugs he actually makes it there home and yells for her crazy father to come out and stands up for himself to her father. He changes from that moment. He also stands up to his parents when they want to belittle her for being pregnant. The story is really a story of two people having to grow up quickly and standing together and choosing each other a story that is close to my heart and one I could relate to. A wonderful story like the other ones.
I received this book from Netgalley.com
I received this book from Netgalley.com
September 4, 2022
I have just loved this series, so it was great to go back to read about Kate McCullough, who is the eldest daughter in the McCullough clan. When she finds herself pregnant, Kate who has always been the ‘good girls’, finds her life in a spin. Yet her friendship with Anthony Marcelli, is the only thing keeping her stable. Anthony is captivated by her and despite her attempts to push him away, he is determined to stay by her side.
These are two characters, forced to mature at a young age. Ant is such a delight, and he shows a maturity that many older than him would struggle to emulate. His support despite the challenges, was admirable. I also enjoyed seeing how Kate’s family stood by her through it all. The McCullough’s and the Marcelli’s together show what family should be. Whilst being a novella, I found that it managed to explore this heart-warming story, with depth and sincerity.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
These are two characters, forced to mature at a young age. Ant is such a delight, and he shows a maturity that many older than him would struggle to emulate. His support despite the challenges, was admirable. I also enjoyed seeing how Kate’s family stood by her through it all. The McCullough’s and the Marcelli’s together show what family should be. Whilst being a novella, I found that it managed to explore this heart-warming story, with depth and sincerity.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 16, 2022
This is book eight in The McCullough Mountain series and it is Kate and Anthony's story. Wow what a beautiful and roller coaster ride Mate and Anthony had to go on before they could get the happy ending that they both deserve. They started out as friend's and it grew into something so special but it definitely wasn't plain sailing for this couple as they battle through so much but there love, dedication, trust, loyalty and working through there problems have them the best outcome ever and they also came out of everything stronger and together. I really don't know what I am going to do now that I have finished the last book in this amazing series as each book kept your attention throughout and had great characters and storyline that pulled you in and made you go back time and time again to read them and I can't wait to read more book's by Lydia Michaels in the future.
I Voluntarily Reviewed a Copy of This Book.
I Voluntarily Reviewed a Copy of This Book.
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