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New York Leopards #2
Running Back
Natalie Sullivan is on the verge of a breakthrough most archaeology grad students only dream discovering a lost city. Her research points to a farm in Ireland, but to excavate she needs permission from the new the Michael O'Connor, popular NFL running back.
On TV Mike seems so charming and good-natured that Natalie figures getting his cooperation will be a breeze. So she's not prepared to deal with the arrogant-and adamantly opposed-man she meets in person. Or the way one look from him sends shivers down her spine…
Determined to kick-start her career, Natalie travels across the Atlantic and finds herself sharing an inn with Mike, who has come to Ireland in search of his roots. She tells herself her interest is strictly professional, but the more she gets to know him, the harder it is to deny her personal attraction to the sexy sports star. And when Mike confides why he refuses to allow the dig, Natalie must decide if she can follow her heart without losing sight of her dreams.
On TV Mike seems so charming and good-natured that Natalie figures getting his cooperation will be a breeze. So she's not prepared to deal with the arrogant-and adamantly opposed-man she meets in person. Or the way one look from him sends shivers down her spine…
Determined to kick-start her career, Natalie travels across the Atlantic and finds herself sharing an inn with Mike, who has come to Ireland in search of his roots. She tells herself her interest is strictly professional, but the more she gets to know him, the harder it is to deny her personal attraction to the sexy sports star. And when Mike confides why he refuses to allow the dig, Natalie must decide if she can follow her heart without losing sight of her dreams.
229 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 21, 2013
40 people are currently reading
1492 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 181 reviews
October 30, 2013
3.5 stars. One thing I like about Allison Parr's books is they typically break the cliched mold of New Adult (angsty and melodramatic and stab-your-eyes-out worthy, that is). I actually get invested in her romantic pairings and her characterisation follows a natural path. I liked this better than the previous installment of the series, but the middle of the book sags hard enough for me to feel a little distanced from the characters. I had to push on till the end (which thankfully did pick up). Good brain candy for when life gets intense and you don't necessarily want a heavy novel to plow through.
In any case, I need to visit Ireland STAT!
In any case, I need to visit Ireland STAT!
July 3, 2013
I felt like It's the Blue Heron Series all over again. God knows I love Rush Me but once again sadly Running Back was a disappointment. I couldn't connect with Michael and Natalie's story. I'm still hoping the next installment would be better.
October 13, 2013
****4 Cute Delightful Stars****
ARC provided by Carina Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Publication Date - October 21, 2013
This book is Michael O'Connor's story from the series "New York Leopards". It is a delightful quick and easy read. This book is free of angst and low on drama while dealing with a budding romance between rivals turned to lovers.
Natalie Sullivan is doing her thesis for archeology while looking for the lost city of Ivernis in Ireland. She has good reason to believe the site is located at Kilkarten. Everything is all set for her to travel to Ireland and start her dig after the approval of the owner. But as any good drama - the owner dies and the property is left to none other than - Michael O'Connor. Well, Mike has other plans for the property and it doesn't include it being dug up by Natalie and her crew.
Natalie tries everything in her power to win over Mike but continues to hit a brick wall. We have guest appearances from the characters of "Rush Me" and Rachael tries her hardest to play cupid and get Mike and Natalie together.
Natalie decides to continue her plans to visit Ireland and the town while Mike is traveling with his family to Ireland to attend his uncle's memorial. They end up being in the same inn together and Mike's family instantly falls in love with Natalie and continue where Rachael left off by playing cupid.
The sparks fly between Mike and Natalie and next thing you know they are sharing a bed, sharing secrets and sharing a love. But Natalie has a problem and a secret about who her mother really is and it all comes out when her and Mike travel to Paris for a charity event.
Does Natalie ever find Ivernis?
Does she get a chance to dig?
Who is Natalie's mother?
You'll just have to read the book in order to get these questions answered!!
ARC provided by Carina Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Publication Date - October 21, 2013
This book is Michael O'Connor's story from the series "New York Leopards". It is a delightful quick and easy read. This book is free of angst and low on drama while dealing with a budding romance between rivals turned to lovers.
Natalie Sullivan is doing her thesis for archeology while looking for the lost city of Ivernis in Ireland. She has good reason to believe the site is located at Kilkarten. Everything is all set for her to travel to Ireland and start her dig after the approval of the owner. But as any good drama - the owner dies and the property is left to none other than - Michael O'Connor. Well, Mike has other plans for the property and it doesn't include it being dug up by Natalie and her crew.
Natalie tries everything in her power to win over Mike but continues to hit a brick wall. We have guest appearances from the characters of "Rush Me" and Rachael tries her hardest to play cupid and get Mike and Natalie together.
Natalie decides to continue her plans to visit Ireland and the town while Mike is traveling with his family to Ireland to attend his uncle's memorial. They end up being in the same inn together and Mike's family instantly falls in love with Natalie and continue where Rachael left off by playing cupid.
The sparks fly between Mike and Natalie and next thing you know they are sharing a bed, sharing secrets and sharing a love. But Natalie has a problem and a secret about who her mother really is and it all comes out when her and Mike travel to Paris for a charity event.
Does Natalie ever find Ivernis?
Does she get a chance to dig?
Who is Natalie's mother?
You'll just have to read the book in order to get these questions answered!!
February 8, 2016
You know, I really love this series because the women have such interesting careers. Rachel worked in publishing and Natalie is an archeologist. This is what I consider the upper echelon of NA; good character development and sweet love scenes that are tasteful.
October 22, 2013
That feels too low, because I actually liked it more than the first book in this series, but I liked it in a much quieter kind of way. I don't know, I still may go back and change it, nothing quite feels right.
Nope, changing it to 5 stars. It deserves them.
Actual thoughts about the content of the book:
- This is a much more adult novel than Rush Me was. I think Natalie and Rachael were supposed to be about the same age but Natalie felt a lot more mature, even when it became apparent how just not together her shit was in certain areas of her life. I liked the contrast.
- Football plays much less of a role in this book than it did in the last, whether or not that makes a difference for you.
- That said, I loved Natalie's relationship with football, the way that good memories of her childhood are tied up in it. In a lot of ways, that's my relationship with the game and after Rachael's attitude towards it, it was nice to see a different experience reflected.
- Not in the book enough, but awesome in the page time she did get, Natalie's best friend Cam.
- As for the romance itself, like I said above, it's quiet. There's really no reason that they can't be together and so they are, but what develops as the conflict between them felt realistic to me. I mean, the conflict was always there, but it gets increased emphasis towards the end of the book.
- My one real objection is the speech Natalie gives Mike at the end about wanting to try again, because seriously, that thing was like seven paragraphs long. Don't get me wrong, it was a lovely speech and those things were probably important to say (except for the fire burning out part, that was weird), but very few people say that extemporaneously. I think in this instance, shorter would have been better.
In sum: I really liked this and you all need to get on reading it so we can talk about it.
October 14, 2013
Book two in the New York Leopards series by Allison Parr.
Natalie is a young woman who is finishing up her graduate work and is being mentored by one of the greatest men in her field. She is an archeologist and she is looking for a long lost city in Ireland. Natalie has had a rough go of it. Her mother and father don't understand her. They believe her schooling is a "hobby" that she will outgrow.
Natalie does not believe in love. She has seen her mother and father together in a loveless marriage for years. She has resigned herself to a fate of being alone and focusing on her career. The one and only thing that makes her happy.
Michael is a football player. He has recently inherited a large mount of land in his native Ireland. He hasn't been back there in a long time. His father was born and raised there but Michael was born in the US. He has made a good career as a professional football player. When a young woman comes into his office asking to dig up the land he just inherited, he is intrigued, but he can't say yes.
This is land that has been in his family for generations. If he allowed her in, she might dig up more than just old artifacts. Michael is not interested in that complication.
Eventually Natalie gets a dig. It just might not be the one she was interested in. She finds herself more and more interested in the feisty redhead who owns the land. The pressure builds to a breaking point and Natalie must choose to trust. She has to have faith and believe that love can last. But she is so afraid to take the plunge.
She is going to have to choose. Either a life with only a career to keep her warm at night, or opening her heart to the man who is right in front of her.
I wanted to love this book so much. I requested this book after reading and falling in love with Rush Me, the first in this series. Allison Parr writes smart and witty main characters. She also knows how to show a good romance that smolders and ignites. This one just wasn't as good for me. It seemed to get too caught up in the technical aspects of Natalie and her dig. I just had a hard time staying interested. This book was about 229 pages. It could have been edited down to get rid of the extraneous bits.
I really liked Michael, I enjoyed his character but I would have liked to learn more about him and what he went through growing up. Natalie's story was not that unique, but that made it more real. The thing that was unique was her mother's past fame. I struggled a bit to connect with Natalie. She was very stubborn! She was very determined but extremely jaded.
So overall, this was a 3.5 (rounding up to four) star read for me. Book one was a definite 5 stars. I will continue to read this series as it comes out because Parr is an amazing writer.
***This book was provided by the Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review***
Natalie is a young woman who is finishing up her graduate work and is being mentored by one of the greatest men in her field. She is an archeologist and she is looking for a long lost city in Ireland. Natalie has had a rough go of it. Her mother and father don't understand her. They believe her schooling is a "hobby" that she will outgrow.
Natalie does not believe in love. She has seen her mother and father together in a loveless marriage for years. She has resigned herself to a fate of being alone and focusing on her career. The one and only thing that makes her happy.
Michael is a football player. He has recently inherited a large mount of land in his native Ireland. He hasn't been back there in a long time. His father was born and raised there but Michael was born in the US. He has made a good career as a professional football player. When a young woman comes into his office asking to dig up the land he just inherited, he is intrigued, but he can't say yes.
This is land that has been in his family for generations. If he allowed her in, she might dig up more than just old artifacts. Michael is not interested in that complication.
Eventually Natalie gets a dig. It just might not be the one she was interested in. She finds herself more and more interested in the feisty redhead who owns the land. The pressure builds to a breaking point and Natalie must choose to trust. She has to have faith and believe that love can last. But she is so afraid to take the plunge.
She is going to have to choose. Either a life with only a career to keep her warm at night, or opening her heart to the man who is right in front of her.
I wanted to love this book so much. I requested this book after reading and falling in love with Rush Me, the first in this series. Allison Parr writes smart and witty main characters. She also knows how to show a good romance that smolders and ignites. This one just wasn't as good for me. It seemed to get too caught up in the technical aspects of Natalie and her dig. I just had a hard time staying interested. This book was about 229 pages. It could have been edited down to get rid of the extraneous bits.
I really liked Michael, I enjoyed his character but I would have liked to learn more about him and what he went through growing up. Natalie's story was not that unique, but that made it more real. The thing that was unique was her mother's past fame. I struggled a bit to connect with Natalie. She was very stubborn! She was very determined but extremely jaded.
So overall, this was a 3.5 (rounding up to four) star read for me. Book one was a definite 5 stars. I will continue to read this series as it comes out because Parr is an amazing writer.
***This book was provided by the Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review***
October 23, 2013
You can view this entire review and other on my blog Ficwishes
The Story...
Archaeologist Natalie Sullivan finally has the funding to go ahead with her her dig off the coast of Ireland. Now the only thing standing in her way is the land's new owner, NFL running back Michael O'Connor.
At first glance, Mike seems like an easy-going, friendly guy, but Natalie sees a different side of him once she asks about excavating on his land. His refusal to sign her papers does not stop Natalie from making a trip across the Atlantic to see the surrounding lands and interview people in the area. What is it that Mike could be hiding on this land?
Mike also makes the trip to Ireland with his mother and his sisters for the memorial and "month's mind" of his recently deceased uncle. Mike is caught off guard when he finds Natalie staying in the same inn where he and his family are staying, but not exactly surprised. How is Mike supposed to keep his hands off of Natalie when she is sleeping directly across the hall from him?
Mike and Natalie give in to their attraction while continuing to argue over excavation rights. During the day they visit with his Irish family and neighbors, and they keep each other warm and cozy at night. Mike's NFL travel schedule and practices make a relationship seem difficult, but Natalie's skeptical views on love and forever make it an even greater challenge. Can the archaeologist overcome the past and grasp onto a future she never imagined?
What Worked...
My hesitation regarding these stories stems from the fact that they are about football players. I am not a football fan. I'm not any kind of sports fan, actually, and the egos that usually follow players causes me to run screaming from many books. This author uses the team and the sport to enhance the story, but the stories are the characters. In this instance, she even removes the characters to a different country, which takes away the celebrity factor for most of the book.
Setting Mike and Natalie in Ireland was brilliant. The rich history there is so much greater than most Americans can even fathom. It's also a land of mystery and secrets. I loved the way that this helped the story along.
Mike and Natalie do not let a little thing like disagreeing on excavation get in the way of their pleasure. She may be mad that he is holding up her life's work, but she doesn't let that stop her from sharing his bed.
What Didn't...
There were many secondary characters introduced that probably weren't necessary. Sometimes I felt a little overwhelmed by the amount of names without stories.
4 out of 5 stars.
The Story...
Archaeologist Natalie Sullivan finally has the funding to go ahead with her her dig off the coast of Ireland. Now the only thing standing in her way is the land's new owner, NFL running back Michael O'Connor.
At first glance, Mike seems like an easy-going, friendly guy, but Natalie sees a different side of him once she asks about excavating on his land. His refusal to sign her papers does not stop Natalie from making a trip across the Atlantic to see the surrounding lands and interview people in the area. What is it that Mike could be hiding on this land?
Mike also makes the trip to Ireland with his mother and his sisters for the memorial and "month's mind" of his recently deceased uncle. Mike is caught off guard when he finds Natalie staying in the same inn where he and his family are staying, but not exactly surprised. How is Mike supposed to keep his hands off of Natalie when she is sleeping directly across the hall from him?
Mike and Natalie give in to their attraction while continuing to argue over excavation rights. During the day they visit with his Irish family and neighbors, and they keep each other warm and cozy at night. Mike's NFL travel schedule and practices make a relationship seem difficult, but Natalie's skeptical views on love and forever make it an even greater challenge. Can the archaeologist overcome the past and grasp onto a future she never imagined?
What Worked...
My hesitation regarding these stories stems from the fact that they are about football players. I am not a football fan. I'm not any kind of sports fan, actually, and the egos that usually follow players causes me to run screaming from many books. This author uses the team and the sport to enhance the story, but the stories are the characters. In this instance, she even removes the characters to a different country, which takes away the celebrity factor for most of the book.
Setting Mike and Natalie in Ireland was brilliant. The rich history there is so much greater than most Americans can even fathom. It's also a land of mystery and secrets. I loved the way that this helped the story along.
Mike and Natalie do not let a little thing like disagreeing on excavation get in the way of their pleasure. She may be mad that he is holding up her life's work, but she doesn't let that stop her from sharing his bed.
What Didn't...
There were many secondary characters introduced that probably weren't necessary. Sometimes I felt a little overwhelmed by the amount of names without stories.
4 out of 5 stars.
did-not-finish
January 5, 2016Frankly I don't understand why I disliked this one so much - I had a lot of fun with the first one, and a lot of my friends loved this one, but I just could not get into it at all. Maybe it was that the dude dashes the lady's hopes for a dig right at the beginning? Maybe it was the lack of football? Which sounds silly, because I do not like football/sports, but I did like the feeling of "team" and friends in the first book, whereas this isolated the main characters in another country.
I might go back to it - I was in a book slump when I started it, so clearly that didn't help - but it's a DNF for now.
I might go back to it - I was in a book slump when I started it, so clearly that didn't help - but it's a DNF for now.
November 18, 2016
Well I have to say I didn't like this book as much as book one. This one had too much other stuff involved and I no that what makes a story but for me there was too much. It was all about Natalie and her life and not a lot about the two of them or what Mike life was like. Liked hearing from the other characters from book one a little. Xxx
October 30, 2013
Overall this book was good but not as great as Rush Me,the first book in the series. I think that the chemistry between Natalie and Mike wasn't as strong and I just didn't love them together the way I did Rachael and Ryan.
August 17, 2015
I read this one fairly quickly but it wasn't as good as the first book in the series. The lush Ireland setting was nice but I missed the closeness and camaraderie of the team.
dnf
June 11, 2021The first chapter had me wincing my way through it. Like, clearly either the author or her editor sort of understood how academia and archaeology work, but... not very well? Natalie really wants to do Irish archaeology but she's been doing all her fieldwork in Latin America and has legit never even been to Ireland? Her professor/advisor is a "laughingstock" because he hasn't "discovered" anything in the last five years? Um... there are archaeological sites that have been under excavation for literal decades. You don't have to "discover" them. And if the issue is that all of his digs are turning up zero - as in, not even potsherds - then yes, that is a problem, but it's a problem because it means dude is, what, digging places with no history of human habitation? Who's funding THAT? And later we learn that Natalie had somehow signed contracts for the excavation and local workers before she got her grant funding (?) and with a contract with the homeowner that was invalidated as soon as he died (?). Like I'm pretty sure Ireland has probate. There's also the conviction that there's going to be a Great Discovery at the dig site - again, no, that's really not how archaeology works in general. I mean sometimes maybe but generally you're, like, digging up burial mounds and middens and crossing your fingers that you find some good stuff or information about who actually was buried there. If Natalie's going to be heartbroken every time she finds nothing but pottery sherds and a reference to [illegible] owing [illegible, possibly "Bob"?] seven goats, she is not going to last long in this field. And if she's really looking for a "lost city," boy is she going to be surprised when a successful result is a couple really old rocks with some scratches that MIGHT be Ogham and a bunch of post holes... once upon a time a thriving metropolis, thanks Irish climate. I'm like that lady in the Geico commercial - "This isn't how any of this works!"
We're also introduced to Natalie's awful parents and her myriad insecurities, but whenever there's a big "my job is my life" setup for the heroine and the author has done a terrible job convincing me that she actually understands how the heroine's job works, it is a rough beginning. I know I like Parr's work so I soldiered through. The introduction to the hero and other characters bogged down a little too - we have to meet the heroine of the last book and get things lined up for the next few. The plot perks up when we get to Ireland, where the hero is staying with his mother and sisters and Repressing Family Feelings, but again there are what feel like endless pages of our heroine rhapsodizing about how Irish archaeology is the only thing she wants to do with her life! The! Only! Thing! Like, does the author realize that Ireland produces its own archaeologists? It's not just quaint small villages who need to import Americans to do all the fancy jobs that require higher education?
Anyway, while this is part of a football series, the football is basically irrelevant - one of the characters is a football player, but otherwise it's about rhapsodizing over Ireland and family issues. Then there's a trip to Paris and a bunch of stuff on the nature of celebrity (I guess) but there's just too much, and for me it was all overshadowed by the dumb archaeology stuff. Parr's a good writer but this book just didn't work for me - where the third book really shone for me was the relatability, the way in which NY felt like NY and the young 20something heroine felt like a young 20something in a big city - whereas the emphasis here on something that was so unrealistic and poorly-drawn (the heroine's career) was just boring.
We're also introduced to Natalie's awful parents and her myriad insecurities, but whenever there's a big "my job is my life" setup for the heroine and the author has done a terrible job convincing me that she actually understands how the heroine's job works, it is a rough beginning. I know I like Parr's work so I soldiered through. The introduction to the hero and other characters bogged down a little too - we have to meet the heroine of the last book and get things lined up for the next few. The plot perks up when we get to Ireland, where the hero is staying with his mother and sisters and Repressing Family Feelings, but again there are what feel like endless pages of our heroine rhapsodizing about how Irish archaeology is the only thing she wants to do with her life! The! Only! Thing! Like, does the author realize that Ireland produces its own archaeologists? It's not just quaint small villages who need to import Americans to do all the fancy jobs that require higher education?
Anyway, while this is part of a football series, the football is basically irrelevant - one of the characters is a football player, but otherwise it's about rhapsodizing over Ireland and family issues. Then there's a trip to Paris and a bunch of stuff on the nature of celebrity (I guess) but there's just too much, and for me it was all overshadowed by the dumb archaeology stuff. Parr's a good writer but this book just didn't work for me - where the third book really shone for me was the relatability, the way in which NY felt like NY and the young 20something heroine felt like a young 20something in a big city - whereas the emphasis here on something that was so unrealistic and poorly-drawn (the heroine's career) was just boring.
Read
October 23, 2022I liked the idea of the archaeological dig, but it was embedded in a remarkably boring romance between two remarkably boring people. And what on earth was the American football angle about? Puzzling.
October 26, 2013
The original review for this title can be found
HERE
on The Book Hookup.
**SPECIAL NOTE:** An eARC of this title was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. However, that did not influence this review in any way. All thoughts, quotes, and opinions will be of this version and not of the published edition.
♥ Initial Thoughts and Actual Rating: A solid 4 stars for Running Back! This might have had an unoriginal story flow and a few cliched moments, but the plot was fun and the characters were lively. I especially loved Michael O’ Connor, our hero, who charmed his way into my heart with his love-loud-and-fiercely demeanor and Ginger-hued hair. I can’t deny it, I love the redheads. It didn’t hurt that he was a football player either.
♥ The Lowdown: Natalie Sullivan has always been at odds with her mother and father, particularly because of her academic aspirations of discovering a long lost harbor city buried beneath the green, rolling hills of an Irish farm. She loves her career field of archaeology, wants to dream of the magic that exists tucked below the surface of the earth and finds a safe haven in the solidity that’s tied so strongly with history. It’s the future, complicated emotions, and feeling stuck that makes her anxious and filled with wanderlust.
Being a grad student, most of her life’s work and her future career has been streamlined into this one purpose- finding Ivernis. She’s put in long hours and tons of research to narrow down where the lost coastal city could have existed, and after many months of haggling with the landowner, she gets his permission and the grant money she needs for the dig. However, a mere month before the excavation is set to begin, the landowner dies unexpectedly and the land goes to his nephew who just so happens to be Mike O’Connor, popular NFL running back for the New York Leopards. It seems that her thesis and career mean nothing to him because he flat-out refuses to let her commence with the dig.
But Natalie won’t be so easily deterred from her mission and decides to do more research in the neighboring communities. Just because he won’t let her dig doesn’t mean she has to give up on the idea of finding her beloved Ivernis. Only, life is never that easy and Mike, who’s there to rediscover his long lost roots, ends up staying in the same inn as her, in the room just across the hall. There’s entertaining banter, family feuding, wondrous landscapes, and a passionate romance left to be discover in Running Back.
♥ My Thoughts: When I requested this title, I was unaware that it was part of a series, but luckily for me, it reads like a stand-alone. Perhaps it’s just a case of the perfect book at the perfect time, but I basically inhaled this novel from the very first page. Allison Parr does a really amazing job of pulling the main characters and the romance to the forefront of the novel while still allowing the sub-plots of the dig and sorting family issues to shine. There was a really good balance to the book that held my attention the entire way through. I also enjoyed the fact that Ms. Parr seems to write about subjects and places she knew, you could sense it in the energy and detail she put into her writing. The landscapes and the technicality of being an archaeologist were present on every page without it feeling like it burdened the pace or took up too much focus. I appreciated the intricacy of it all.
My one complaint about this story and what held me back from giving it the full five stars was that I felt the author could have given us so much more of these great secondary characters she introduced us to throughout the novel. For Mike and Natalie’s families to been one of the greatest struggles in their personal lives, as well as an integral part to the divide in their relationship, I wanted them to jump off the page for me more. I felt like they had endless potential- on the surface they were vibrant characters- but I feel like if Ms. Parr had dug a little deeper into them, I would've connected better with them and the book as a whole.
There also was the minor little pet peeve of the love proclamation including the characters’ whole names. That drives me bonkers every single time I see it in a book and feels so unrealistic. “Michael O’Connor, I love you.” (I’m paraphrasing, it wasn't said exactly like that, but you get the gist.) But, like I stated, it’s a personal quirk and it didn't really take anything away from the story.
♥ Rec It? Yes, I would. It was a quick read, and I enjoyed the romance and living abroad through Natalie’s travels. Both main characters were portrayed realistically, and I liked that there was banter and just enough heat.
♥ A very special thanks to Carina Press and NetGalley for providing me with an early copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.
Christina's Review:
**SPECIAL NOTE:** An eARC of this title was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. However, that did not influence this review in any way. All thoughts, quotes, and opinions will be of this version and not of the published edition.
♥ Initial Thoughts and Actual Rating: A solid 4 stars for Running Back! This might have had an unoriginal story flow and a few cliched moments, but the plot was fun and the characters were lively. I especially loved Michael O’ Connor, our hero, who charmed his way into my heart with his love-loud-and-fiercely demeanor and Ginger-hued hair. I can’t deny it, I love the redheads. It didn’t hurt that he was a football player either.
♥ The Lowdown: Natalie Sullivan has always been at odds with her mother and father, particularly because of her academic aspirations of discovering a long lost harbor city buried beneath the green, rolling hills of an Irish farm. She loves her career field of archaeology, wants to dream of the magic that exists tucked below the surface of the earth and finds a safe haven in the solidity that’s tied so strongly with history. It’s the future, complicated emotions, and feeling stuck that makes her anxious and filled with wanderlust.
Being a grad student, most of her life’s work and her future career has been streamlined into this one purpose- finding Ivernis. She’s put in long hours and tons of research to narrow down where the lost coastal city could have existed, and after many months of haggling with the landowner, she gets his permission and the grant money she needs for the dig. However, a mere month before the excavation is set to begin, the landowner dies unexpectedly and the land goes to his nephew who just so happens to be Mike O’Connor, popular NFL running back for the New York Leopards. It seems that her thesis and career mean nothing to him because he flat-out refuses to let her commence with the dig.
But Natalie won’t be so easily deterred from her mission and decides to do more research in the neighboring communities. Just because he won’t let her dig doesn’t mean she has to give up on the idea of finding her beloved Ivernis. Only, life is never that easy and Mike, who’s there to rediscover his long lost roots, ends up staying in the same inn as her, in the room just across the hall. There’s entertaining banter, family feuding, wondrous landscapes, and a passionate romance left to be discover in Running Back.
♥ My Thoughts: When I requested this title, I was unaware that it was part of a series, but luckily for me, it reads like a stand-alone. Perhaps it’s just a case of the perfect book at the perfect time, but I basically inhaled this novel from the very first page. Allison Parr does a really amazing job of pulling the main characters and the romance to the forefront of the novel while still allowing the sub-plots of the dig and sorting family issues to shine. There was a really good balance to the book that held my attention the entire way through. I also enjoyed the fact that Ms. Parr seems to write about subjects and places she knew, you could sense it in the energy and detail she put into her writing. The landscapes and the technicality of being an archaeologist were present on every page without it feeling like it burdened the pace or took up too much focus. I appreciated the intricacy of it all.
My one complaint about this story and what held me back from giving it the full five stars was that I felt the author could have given us so much more of these great secondary characters she introduced us to throughout the novel. For Mike and Natalie’s families to been one of the greatest struggles in their personal lives, as well as an integral part to the divide in their relationship, I wanted them to jump off the page for me more. I felt like they had endless potential- on the surface they were vibrant characters- but I feel like if Ms. Parr had dug a little deeper into them, I would've connected better with them and the book as a whole.
There also was the minor little pet peeve of the love proclamation including the characters’ whole names. That drives me bonkers every single time I see it in a book and feels so unrealistic. “Michael O’Connor, I love you.” (I’m paraphrasing, it wasn't said exactly like that, but you get the gist.) But, like I stated, it’s a personal quirk and it didn't really take anything away from the story.
♥ Rec It? Yes, I would. It was a quick read, and I enjoyed the romance and living abroad through Natalie’s travels. Both main characters were portrayed realistically, and I liked that there was banter and just enough heat.
♥ A very special thanks to Carina Press and NetGalley for providing me with an early copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.
November 26, 2013
ARC was provided by the author/publisher via NetGalley in exchange for honest review
As the second book of New York Leopards series, I think the main characters in this book, Michael O’Connor and Natalie Sullivan have more baggage than Rachel Hamilton and Ryan Carter in Rush Me. I liked characters with baggage because it often follows with angst, feeling and drama from the characters. Both Michael and especially Natalie have a not-so-good past. As the oldest of the O’Connor, Michael takes responsibility of his little sisters and mother when his father died. He hides all of his problems behind his smile. And then he met Natalie, an archeologist who needs his approval to excavate his land in Ireland to seek her dream.
Just like its prequel, I liked they romance didn’t based on an insta-love. Their attraction becomes love after they spend times together and get to know each other. It clears that they are comfortable with each other company, despite the difference they have. I also liked how dynamic the interaction between Michael’s family. It makes Natalie’s relationship with her family more prominent, as she said Michael’s family feels warm to her while she doesn’t feel anything toward her father and mother.
But it’s the way the author wrote her story that I liked most about the series. She wrote her stories with vivid and detail description. In Rush Me I got to know more about American football since I’m not familiar with it. And now I knew more about archeology. It helps me connected with the characters and felt like I was with them in the story. I also got more knowledge about both subjects. I just love when I learn something new from books I read.
However, in some part Michael and Natalie story has similarity with Rachel and Ryan story. It made the story quite predictable. And I can’t help to not think that the author has already used it for Rachel and Ryan story but change it with different names and setting. But overall I still liked and enjoyed the book and look forward to other member of the Leopards, Abe or Dylan, maybe?
As the second book of New York Leopards series, I think the main characters in this book, Michael O’Connor and Natalie Sullivan have more baggage than Rachel Hamilton and Ryan Carter in Rush Me. I liked characters with baggage because it often follows with angst, feeling and drama from the characters. Both Michael and especially Natalie have a not-so-good past. As the oldest of the O’Connor, Michael takes responsibility of his little sisters and mother when his father died. He hides all of his problems behind his smile. And then he met Natalie, an archeologist who needs his approval to excavate his land in Ireland to seek her dream.
Just like its prequel, I liked they romance didn’t based on an insta-love. Their attraction becomes love after they spend times together and get to know each other. It clears that they are comfortable with each other company, despite the difference they have. I also liked how dynamic the interaction between Michael’s family. It makes Natalie’s relationship with her family more prominent, as she said Michael’s family feels warm to her while she doesn’t feel anything toward her father and mother.
But it’s the way the author wrote her story that I liked most about the series. She wrote her stories with vivid and detail description. In Rush Me I got to know more about American football since I’m not familiar with it. And now I knew more about archeology. It helps me connected with the characters and felt like I was with them in the story. I also got more knowledge about both subjects. I just love when I learn something new from books I read.
However, in some part Michael and Natalie story has similarity with Rachel and Ryan story. It made the story quite predictable. And I can’t help to not think that the author has already used it for Rachel and Ryan story but change it with different names and setting. But overall I still liked and enjoyed the book and look forward to other member of the Leopards, Abe or Dylan, maybe?
October 24, 2013
I LOVED THIS BOOK. I don't know if it was just right for the mood I was in, or what, but I LOVE Parr, it's too soon to say it but I do. And I liked this so much more than Rush Me, too, and I loved that book - I just enjoyed Natalie's voice so much. I enjoyed Parr's writing style. I loved the use of first-person, because that kind of POV very rarely works as well for me as this did - it suited the story a lot, and also I loved Natalie, a major plus I loved the rhythm of this, the gradualness, the quietness; I loved how much talking there was, how much room there was for exploration without going to the conventional romance drama beats that I was expecting this to get to.
I adored the characters - Natalie for sure, but Mike was kind of wonderful - I love when they're having a conversation about how they pretend to be happier about things than they really are - and not because of some deep angst, some ~facade~ they think they need to maintain, but because they just find it easier to get things done that way, and that's so NICE. It's so natural. And they're so much on the same wavelength, and that's so nice to see. And - this is another thing I wish more romances did - they kind of figured out they wanted to be together pretty early on? and the rest of the book is navigation, so the story isn't about them, just stuff surrounding them. And I like the way they talk. (There's a point in this book when Mike says "Nat. You're being offensive." and just thinking about that line is making me smile right now - the idea of a relationship where they can talk to each other properly, loosely, calling each other NICKNAMES. Wow I love them so much.) Wow. I love them so much. I can't even point at specific scenes that I loved these two in, right now, because of how much of it was this quiet, steady, growing thing - but favourite romances!!!
And I liked the conflict of the story (there wasn't much of a conflict in the romance, which makes me happy), and I loved...everything. I enjoyed this book so much. I'm fucking psyched for Leopards #3.
What a mess of a review. I finished it yesterday and I didn't know what to say about it but I had to say something, so.
I adored the characters - Natalie for sure, but Mike was kind of wonderful - I love when they're having a conversation about how they pretend to be happier about things than they really are - and not because of some deep angst, some ~facade~ they think they need to maintain, but because they just find it easier to get things done that way, and that's so NICE. It's so natural. And they're so much on the same wavelength, and that's so nice to see. And - this is another thing I wish more romances did - they kind of figured out they wanted to be together pretty early on? and the rest of the book is navigation, so the story isn't about them, just stuff surrounding them. And I like the way they talk. (There's a point in this book when Mike says "Nat. You're being offensive." and just thinking about that line is making me smile right now - the idea of a relationship where they can talk to each other properly, loosely, calling each other NICKNAMES. Wow I love them so much.) Wow. I love them so much. I can't even point at specific scenes that I loved these two in, right now, because of how much of it was this quiet, steady, growing thing - but favourite romances!!!
And I liked the conflict of the story (there wasn't much of a conflict in the romance, which makes me happy), and I loved...everything. I enjoyed this book so much. I'm fucking psyched for Leopards #3.
What a mess of a review. I finished it yesterday and I didn't know what to say about it but I had to say something, so.
December 29, 2017
Yep okay this was awful. I've never rated a book 1/5 on goodreads but I guess there's a first time for everything. The standard was nothing like the first book and the chemistry between the couple was shaky and felt forced/convenient. They barely knew each other but were already hanging out as a family?
The writing from the get go felt choppy and it sometimes felt like a recount. There was so much recount when they went to Paris it felt the author threw darts at Parisian landmarks and named 50 in each line.
Natalie felt like a dumb and selfish child sometimes, her reasoning was cliché but still decent though. Mike was kind of bland and when his character motivations towards the dig were let out and it turned out to be kind of dumb it was annoying. The O'Connor family drama was weird and didn't really contribute to extreme character revelations to Mike, almost pointless plot of picking at old wounds for no compelling reason.
The most fascinating part of the story to me was the archaeology (because I find history fascinating) and was why I decided to read this. Honestly, I don't know much about specific Irish and Celtic history so whatever research and references were woven in it was okay in making the world believable. The actual excavation process had enough technical terminology to feel researched. But some of the perspectives that Natalie, a well-educated grad student, had towards some "archaeologists" even if they aren't credible today or actual people felt almost insulting and nearly turned be off 60% in. To say that the failed restoration at Knossos was “not so bad" because of profits undermines the whole point of archaeology especially considering the damage. Indiana Jones is iconic, but is also in no way a good example of an archaeologist. Also, the actual contract signing, dig and Jeremy drama felt like it was going in circles and dragging everything down.
I also really missed football in this book, not that I understand much about American football (wtf is a running back???).
The writing from the get go felt choppy and it sometimes felt like a recount. There was so much recount when they went to Paris it felt the author threw darts at Parisian landmarks and named 50 in each line.
Natalie felt like a dumb and selfish child sometimes, her reasoning was cliché but still decent though. Mike was kind of bland and when his character motivations towards the dig were let out and it turned out to be kind of dumb it was annoying. The O'Connor family drama was weird and didn't really contribute to extreme character revelations to Mike, almost pointless plot of picking at old wounds for no compelling reason.
The most fascinating part of the story to me was the archaeology (because I find history fascinating) and was why I decided to read this. Honestly, I don't know much about specific Irish and Celtic history so whatever research and references were woven in it was okay in making the world believable. The actual excavation process had enough technical terminology to feel researched. But some of the perspectives that Natalie, a well-educated grad student, had towards some "archaeologists" even if they aren't credible today or actual people felt almost insulting and nearly turned be off 60% in. To say that the failed restoration at Knossos was “not so bad" because of profits undermines the whole point of archaeology especially considering the damage. Indiana Jones is iconic, but is also in no way a good example of an archaeologist. Also, the actual contract signing, dig and Jeremy drama felt like it was going in circles and dragging everything down.
I also really missed football in this book, not that I understand much about American football (wtf is a running back???).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 30, 2013
Parr’s heroines are brainy nerd girl grad students. I love it. This is (was) my world. I’m a nerd girl and I really love this trend in smart romances. The nice difference about this book is that instead of geek girl references we get Ptolemy and Yeats nerd girl references. Don’t get me wrong I like Sci-Fi and comic book heroes as much as the next girl, but even I am starting to get sick of Joss Whedon getting name dropped in every other book I read.
I really enjoyed this book. It is more story driven than it is relationship driven. There’s a search for a lost city, a decades old family feud, IRA drama, the loud O’Conner family and the nosy townspeople all providing a fun story and setting in which Mike and Natalie’s relationship just happens to be taking place in. In other words, something actually happens in this book other than overblown relationship angst. It’s nice.
My main complaint about the first book in this series was that Rachel was sort of a whiny bitch. I am happy to report that Natalie is pretty much the complete opposite of Rachel. She’s fun, smart and genuinely caring about the people around her. Mike is pretty great too as is his entire family. Natalie’s friend Cam is my new imaginary BFF, as I too imagine life sometimes as a movie montage.
The plot to the book is equal parts fantasy and predictable: Archaeology grad student gets grant money to find a fabled long-lost city and falls in love with professional football player along the way while traveling to Ireland and Paris. But the writing is good, Parr’s sense of humor is fun and the characters are all likeable. Overall, Running Back is a nice read that I highly recommend. I am looking for to reading more from this author.
Read the rest of my review at: http://www.sexybooktimes.com/?p=601
I really enjoyed this book. It is more story driven than it is relationship driven. There’s a search for a lost city, a decades old family feud, IRA drama, the loud O’Conner family and the nosy townspeople all providing a fun story and setting in which Mike and Natalie’s relationship just happens to be taking place in. In other words, something actually happens in this book other than overblown relationship angst. It’s nice.
My main complaint about the first book in this series was that Rachel was sort of a whiny bitch. I am happy to report that Natalie is pretty much the complete opposite of Rachel. She’s fun, smart and genuinely caring about the people around her. Mike is pretty great too as is his entire family. Natalie’s friend Cam is my new imaginary BFF, as I too imagine life sometimes as a movie montage.
The plot to the book is equal parts fantasy and predictable: Archaeology grad student gets grant money to find a fabled long-lost city and falls in love with professional football player along the way while traveling to Ireland and Paris. But the writing is good, Parr’s sense of humor is fun and the characters are all likeable. Overall, Running Back is a nice read that I highly recommend. I am looking for to reading more from this author.
Read the rest of my review at: http://www.sexybooktimes.com/?p=601
November 25, 2022
This contemporary romance features an archeology graduate student, Natalie Sullivan, and Michael O'Connor, a running back for the New York Leopards football team.
Natalie is focused on finding Invernis, an Irish village that existed in Roman times, and she's been negotiating with Patrick O'Connor to allow her and her professor to excavate his land, Kilkarten. Just as she's gotten the permission from him, and grant money to fund the dig, the man dies leaving the land to Michael O'Connor, whom she cannot convince to honor the contract to allow the dig.
He is adamant, and she is determined, but who will win out? Will she be allowed to excavate the site, or will she never get the chance to find the elusive Invernis?
Then add chemistry to the mix, and they become involved. Natalie, though, doesn't believe in love, at least lasting love, but can Mike convince her otherwise?
It's a cute story, if only for the fact that Natalie is an archeologist (one of those careers many people dream about), and a professional football star.
Lots of typos, extra words, misplaced modifiers, a rather blatant continuity error, and misused words (a couple of examples, "lease" used instead of 'least' and a "bag of water" instead of 'bottle of water') and some What-the-tuck trends, too. Definitely needed an extra set of eyes in the editing department.
Natalie is focused on finding Invernis, an Irish village that existed in Roman times, and she's been negotiating with Patrick O'Connor to allow her and her professor to excavate his land, Kilkarten. Just as she's gotten the permission from him, and grant money to fund the dig, the man dies leaving the land to Michael O'Connor, whom she cannot convince to honor the contract to allow the dig.
He is adamant, and she is determined, but who will win out? Will she be allowed to excavate the site, or will she never get the chance to find the elusive Invernis?
Then add chemistry to the mix, and they become involved. Natalie, though, doesn't believe in love, at least lasting love, but can Mike convince her otherwise?
It's a cute story, if only for the fact that Natalie is an archeologist (one of those careers many people dream about), and a professional football star.
Lots of typos, extra words, misplaced modifiers, a rather blatant continuity error, and misused words (a couple of examples, "lease" used instead of 'least' and a "bag of water" instead of 'bottle of water') and some What-the-tuck trends, too. Definitely needed an extra set of eyes in the editing department.
October 18, 2013
The love story between Rachel and Ryan in "Rush Me" has really surprised me and it was with my eyes closed that I threw myself into Allison Parr's new romance. The problem is that I have not found the same ingredients that had me excited.
If I liked Nathalie's determination to find a lost city, her loyalty to Jeremy and her desire to change her lofe for love, I was quite disappointed with Mike. He did not make me dream, or vibrated. His mood swing are dull. In addition, there is no humor in his arrogance and he is not as sexy as Ryan. However, I liked that he was the one in the couple to be romantic and the one who believes in eternal love.
Sure, there are interesting characters like Anna, Lauren and Paul but I especially appreciated Ivernis that takes up a lot of space. You can feel the passion of the author for archeology and she managed to make it pass through Nathalie. It was touching.
But I have pretty mixed feelings about the story. There are some good things and interesting characters, but for me the hero missed his role... that is to say to seduce me. But the author still offered me a story that made me spent a good evening.
Lucie
http://newbooksonmyselves.blogspot.fr...
If I liked Nathalie's determination to find a lost city, her loyalty to Jeremy and her desire to change her lofe for love, I was quite disappointed with Mike. He did not make me dream, or vibrated. His mood swing are dull. In addition, there is no humor in his arrogance and he is not as sexy as Ryan. However, I liked that he was the one in the couple to be romantic and the one who believes in eternal love.
Sure, there are interesting characters like Anna, Lauren and Paul but I especially appreciated Ivernis that takes up a lot of space. You can feel the passion of the author for archeology and she managed to make it pass through Nathalie. It was touching.
But I have pretty mixed feelings about the story. There are some good things and interesting characters, but for me the hero missed his role... that is to say to seduce me. But the author still offered me a story that made me spent a good evening.
Lucie
http://newbooksonmyselves.blogspot.fr...
October 22, 2013
I loved every single second of this book.
I tried hard to not compare this to Rush Me, but it's difficult. I found this book much less problematic than I did Rush Me (this is mostly related to Natalie vs Rachel). I didn't feel like I got to know Mike as well as I did Ryan in the first book but that's not a huge thing.
LET'S TALK INSTEAD ABOUT THE ARCHAEOLOGY. There was nothing that stood out as blatantly wrong, so I was so happy with that. The frustration, the negotiation with grants and people involved - it was just perfect. OH and Natalie's speech at the end that the responsibility is to the people involved rather than academic ideas: I SWOONED.
I would have maybe liked to have seen a LITTLE bit more football.
Anyway, this was great I loved it, A+++ all round
I tried hard to not compare this to Rush Me, but it's difficult. I found this book much less problematic than I did Rush Me (this is mostly related to Natalie vs Rachel). I didn't feel like I got to know Mike as well as I did Ryan in the first book but that's not a huge thing.
LET'S TALK INSTEAD ABOUT THE ARCHAEOLOGY. There was nothing that stood out as blatantly wrong, so I was so happy with that. The frustration, the negotiation with grants and people involved - it was just perfect. OH and Natalie's speech at the end that the responsibility is to the people involved rather than academic ideas: I SWOONED.
I would have maybe liked to have seen a LITTLE bit more football.
Anyway, this was great I loved it, A+++ all round
December 14, 2013
The story itself was not bad - but I was missing the American football element in the story. Fun, fluffy read with the heroine making dumb decisions sometimes but Mike could have been any famous guy - not necessarily a famous footballer - and the story would not have been affected even a single bit.
For someone wanting more of the New York Leopards this fact was a disappointment indeed. But other than that the story was really enjoyable.
3 Stars I wonder who the third Leopard to fall will be.
For someone wanting more of the New York Leopards this fact was a disappointment indeed. But other than that the story was really enjoyable.
3 Stars I wonder who the third Leopard to fall will be.
October 25, 2016
"Se non avessi mai trovato Ivernis, il mio cuore avrebbe sofferto. E se alla fine fosse andata così, anche con il cuore pieno di dolore, sarei tornata ancora a Kilkarten, perché significava che sarei stata con Mike. Perché alla fine quella era la cosa più importante. Amavo Mike. Non potevo promettere che l'avrei amato per due, sette o vent'anni. Ma, in quel momento, lo amavo più della mia città perduta"
March 28, 2014
Loved this story!! Natalie and Michael were such great characters!! Natalie is such a go getter and would stop at nothing to be able to dig for Invernes. Michael at first I thought was going to be a huge jerk but he really was a sweet guy!! I hope there are more stories to come for the other Leopard players :-)
October 25, 2013
Lackluster. DNF after 40%. Just couldn't finish. Too bored. The first one was much better. Too sad, I had high hopes for this author. Might still check out the third one before completely staying away in the future.
November 13, 2013
I just didn't connect to this one like I did the first one. I liked the characters and I think Parr is really good at writing these groups of great people, but I didn't feel it enough.
Want to read
September 14, 2013Oohh! *perks up ears* did someone say archaeology? :D
October 23, 2013
THIS WAS SO GOOD!
An actual review to follow when I can gather my thoughts and be coherent.
An actual review to follow when I can gather my thoughts and be coherent.
November 26, 2016
4.5 Stars - Allison Parr delivers another smart, sassy and sweet addition to the New York Leopards series with Running Back. Mike and Natalie’s story is an adventure from start to finish and I found myself instantly lost to this fun, sexy couple. From the beginning, Allison Parr pulled me in with Mike and Natalie’s unconventional first meeting and the fascinating premise for this novel. I was incredibly intrigued by both the unexpected connection between this couple and their mutual reluctance for romance. Allison Parr crafted a palpable chemistry with Mike and Natalie that was only made more complex by their frustrating and addictive push and pull. I absolutely loved the undeniable electricity this couple carried throughout the story and the gradual development of their deeper connection. Witty banter, heady tension, and adorable flirtations peppered this story, making for one seriously entertaining and utterly enchanting read.
While I was curious about Mike from what we saw of him in Rush Me, I really didn’t know what to expect from this character. I was pleasantly surprised by not only how sexy and sweet he could be, but by the incredible depth and emotional diversity this character embodied. Allison Parr did a fantastic job exploring Mike’s family history, utilizing his relationships with his mom and sisters to grow the character in unexpected ways. Natalie also had complicated family ties that made for interesting points of character growth. While she initially seemed so sure and steady in her determination to unearth the secrets of Kilkarten, it was her exploration of Mike’s family secrets as well as her own that revealed Natalie to be a vulnerable, flawed, and incredibly genuine heroine. I loved seeing the insecure side of this character, her need for someone to lean on – for love, allowing me to connect to the character and ensuring my total investment in her story.
The thing I love most about Allison Parr’s writing is the incredible intellect with which she crafts her stories and Running Back was certainly no exception. Natalie was driven and smart, her passion and knowledge as an archaeologist bleeding from the pages of this novel. I found myself mesmerized by Allison Parr’s bold and beautiful imagery and the brilliant picture of Ireland and Kilkarten that she so effortlessly painted. Admittedly, there were a few instances where the story was too descriptive, too intellectual and in those moments, it felt a little inaccessible to the average reader and briefly took me out of the story. However, the overall tone wasn’t significantly affected and I continued to be captivated by Natalie and Mike’s unique journey. Running Back was every bit the charming and emotional story I hoped it would be and then some. I can’t wait to see what Allison Parr has up her sleeve next for the New York Leopards.
While I was curious about Mike from what we saw of him in Rush Me, I really didn’t know what to expect from this character. I was pleasantly surprised by not only how sexy and sweet he could be, but by the incredible depth and emotional diversity this character embodied. Allison Parr did a fantastic job exploring Mike’s family history, utilizing his relationships with his mom and sisters to grow the character in unexpected ways. Natalie also had complicated family ties that made for interesting points of character growth. While she initially seemed so sure and steady in her determination to unearth the secrets of Kilkarten, it was her exploration of Mike’s family secrets as well as her own that revealed Natalie to be a vulnerable, flawed, and incredibly genuine heroine. I loved seeing the insecure side of this character, her need for someone to lean on – for love, allowing me to connect to the character and ensuring my total investment in her story.
The thing I love most about Allison Parr’s writing is the incredible intellect with which she crafts her stories and Running Back was certainly no exception. Natalie was driven and smart, her passion and knowledge as an archaeologist bleeding from the pages of this novel. I found myself mesmerized by Allison Parr’s bold and beautiful imagery and the brilliant picture of Ireland and Kilkarten that she so effortlessly painted. Admittedly, there were a few instances where the story was too descriptive, too intellectual and in those moments, it felt a little inaccessible to the average reader and briefly took me out of the story. However, the overall tone wasn’t significantly affected and I continued to be captivated by Natalie and Mike’s unique journey. Running Back was every bit the charming and emotional story I hoped it would be and then some. I can’t wait to see what Allison Parr has up her sleeve next for the New York Leopards.
March 28, 2018
Honestly, there really isn't much to say about the book. It was okay. It didn't inspire strong feelings in me either way. The first book in the series is way better and I liked the characters in Rush Me way more.
The heroine, Natalie, is a grad student that is setting up a dig in Ireland for basically the Irish version of Atlantis. Her mentor is sure that the city exists although he is considered a crackpot in the field because of it. She thinks she found the sight and got the owner to agree to the dig. Unfortunately, the owner dies and leaves the land to his nephew, Mike, who refuses to allow her to dig. She still goes to Ireland, for reasons I don't understand. The grant money she got for the dig would have been rescinded when she had to cancel the dig. She was still planning to do her thesis on the project, just on historic artifacts and other things she found out about the area. Maybe I am wrong, but I imagine for a thesis in archeology, there would have to be more than just theorizing about what could be there. Anyway. they both are there, spend time together and they fall in love. Eventually he lets her dig, they have complication in which they break up and then they get back together and live happily ever after.
It wasn't a bad book but it wasn't anything that really held my interest. I got bored relatively soon and frankly, I am sick of the "I don't believe in love/monogamous relationships" trope with characters in serious scientifc careers. Just because someone is in an empirical field does not mean that they don't believe in monogomay or love. Her big arguement was that animals are not mongomaous and monogamy is a cultural expectation, rather than a biological. So what? Just because it is a social construct does not mean that it is impossible or ridiculous. Also, love does fade if you don't put the work into it. That is just a fact. Doesn't mean that there is no point in having a relationship or that all realtionships end.
As I said, the book wasn't anything good or bad, just blah and kind of forgettable.
The heroine, Natalie, is a grad student that is setting up a dig in Ireland for basically the Irish version of Atlantis. Her mentor is sure that the city exists although he is considered a crackpot in the field because of it. She thinks she found the sight and got the owner to agree to the dig. Unfortunately, the owner dies and leaves the land to his nephew, Mike, who refuses to allow her to dig. She still goes to Ireland, for reasons I don't understand. The grant money she got for the dig would have been rescinded when she had to cancel the dig. She was still planning to do her thesis on the project, just on historic artifacts and other things she found out about the area. Maybe I am wrong, but I imagine for a thesis in archeology, there would have to be more than just theorizing about what could be there. Anyway. they both are there, spend time together and they fall in love. Eventually he lets her dig, they have complication in which they break up and then they get back together and live happily ever after.
It wasn't a bad book but it wasn't anything that really held my interest. I got bored relatively soon and frankly, I am sick of the "I don't believe in love/monogamous relationships" trope with characters in serious scientifc careers. Just because someone is in an empirical field does not mean that they don't believe in monogomay or love. Her big arguement was that animals are not mongomaous and monogamy is a cultural expectation, rather than a biological. So what? Just because it is a social construct does not mean that it is impossible or ridiculous. Also, love does fade if you don't put the work into it. That is just a fact. Doesn't mean that there is no point in having a relationship or that all realtionships end.
As I said, the book wasn't anything good or bad, just blah and kind of forgettable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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