Member Reviews
THE O'CONNOR FAMILY SERIES is a wonderful collection of Katie Reus' O'Connor family and their love stories. This collection is perfect for readers, like me, who love romances set in small-towns. Each story has a hero who pursues a woman with dogged and delightful determination and is a mix of sexy and sweet. The stories are told from alternating perspectives. A common denominator in each story is some behind-the-scenes matchmaking -- usually done by the O'Connor matriarch. One or two stories include a mischievous character who tries to throw a wrench into a burgeoning romance out of jealousy. All of these tales of small-town love are delicious and highly entertaining.
In "Merry Christmas, Baby," Nora Cassidy is a hard- working business owner and legal guardian for her teenaged sister. The story opens with her nursing a broken heart because of Jackson O'Connor. From Nora's perspective, Jackson has been sending some mixed signals -- first playing a hot and heavy attraction and then disappearing on her. Thankfully readers get Jackson's perspective and are able to put the pieces together of what happened. Jackson works hard to show Nora how much he really cares about her, and that he deeply regrets ghosting out on her. Jackson's a flawed hero, but his later explanations and actions woo back Nora and make him sympathetic to the reader. I like how Nora has a wonderful inner strength and demands respect.
Fallon O'Connor has a situation that many women can relate to in "Tease Me, Baby." Fallon constantly feels as though she has to prove herself to her intimidating yet well-meaning mother. Throughout this story, Fallon has to sort through what life choices she makes because they are something she wants, or whether her relationship with her mother is affecting her choices. Into this mother/daughter drama walks Sheriff Brad Fulton. Fallon and Brad have an unexpected holiday tryst and the attraction and eventual relationship builds over the course of the story. In "Tease Me, Baby," readers get a better understanding of the O'Connor family dynamic -- the good, the bad, and the goofy.
"It's Me Again, Baby" is a tale of two lovers reunited after a misunderstanding has kept them apart for the past three years. When Maguire O'Connor lays eyes on Samantha Murphy, that old attraction comes back to life for both of them. It doesn't take long for the misunderstanding to get cleared up. Maguire doesn't waste a lot of time before letting Samantha know how much she still means to him, and that he wants to pick up exactly where they left off. This romance is super steamy with a stalker thrown in to add a dash of suspense.
"Mistletoe Me, Baby" is perhaps my favorite story in this collection. I love stories in which one friend has secretly been in love with another friend. In this case, Nolan O'Connor has secretly been in love with his BFF Miranda Flores for as long as he can remember. Thinking she friend-zoned him, he hasn't tried to make a move... until now. Miranda asking Nolan to be her fake fiancé to get her overbearing family off her back finally gives Nolan the opportunity he's longed for. It's so much fun as Nolan surprises Miranda with his kisses and tender gestures that seem too real to merely be a charade for her family's benefit. The scenes between Miranda, Nolan, and Miranda's 11 year old nephew are particularly heartwarming. The scenes between Miranda and Nolan, once he turns up the heat, are sizzling.
I have definitely fallen in love with the O'Connors after reading the 4 novella length stories included in this collection. Each one of these stories will warm your heart and make you swoon. Everyone should grab a copy of this collection and enjoy this incredible family and the wonderful little town of Holly, NC.
Merry Christmas, Baby - A wonderful friends to lovers story. After Jackson disappears on her, Nora knows she should have stuck to her no romance rule with him. Now Jackson's back trying to explain but Nora's having none of it.
Tease Me, Baby - Fallon has been crushing on the town sheriff forever but it takes the news that she's leaving town for him to finally make his move. Has Brad waited too long or can he convince her to stay?
It's Me Again, Baby - In this story Maguire and Samantha find a second chance at love after they finally deal with the past and learn that the thing that broke them apart was a lie.
Mistletoe Me, Baby - This is another friends to lovers story - sorta. Nolan has loved Miranda for a long time but she's always kept him in the friend zone. Now she asks him to pose as her fake fiance. He agrees and comes up with a plan to show her how things could be if she'd just give them a chance.
THE O'CONNOR FAMILY SERIES By Katie Reus
I loved this series! This book has four short stories. The stories are about the O'Connor siblings and their significant others and their paths to finding happiness with each other. These take place in a Christmas town called Holly.
The 1st book is Merry Christmas Baby and brings the story of Nora and Jackson. Friends that decide to see if there is more, then Jackson takes off for 3 weeks without a word, but realizes she is hurt and feels betrayed. Let the groveling commence.... The 2nd book is Tease Me Baby and brings the story of Fallon and Brad. She is a pastry chef and he is the sheriff of the town. The 3rd book is Its Me Again Baby and brings the story of Samantha and Maguire. This is a second chance book. They had a relationship and Maguire who was a navy seal had to deploy and she broke off the relationship when he was gone. He inadvertently hired her as a realtor and they have a time of it. The 4th book is Mistletoe Me Baby about Miranda and Nolan. This story has Miranda talking Nolan into being her fiance to show her parents that her story of being engaged is real. He readily agrees.
Katie Reus always has well developed characters and story lines. She has a real gift at making you care about her characters. This was an engaging read as Jackson, Nolan, Fallon and Maguire are siblings. I really enjoy books that continue with characters you have met in previous stories.
This is the first book by Katie Reus that I've read that is not romantic suspense so I was really looking forward to finding out about this side of her. Actually, this is not one book but it is a collection of four previously published novellas.
Short but sweet and charming, these books are a really nice treat on a cold winter's day. Heart-warming, sometimes funny,with strong heroines and their significant, very alpha-ish others, these books are captivating and entertaining.
Despite the shortness of the individual texts, there was nothing missing. I am very often frustrated when reading novellas or worse - short- stories because they always seem to be a bit rushed and to miss something vital but this is not the case with these novellas. Developed and intriguing story lines , amazing characters and of course, there's also the fact that Katie Reus's writing is also amazing.
On the whole I really loved these books even though I also would have loved to see some or all of them turned into full-length novels as well. Apart from that though, I can definitely recommend this book with its sweet and interesting stories.
LOVE LOVE LOVE the O'Connor Clan!!!!! Thank you Katie Reus for creating such an amazing, loving and funny family and sharing their world with us!
Merry Christmas, Baby:
In Merry Christmas, Baby, Katie Reus explores what happens when friends cross the line to lovers. This is always a dangerous proposition, because you never know if the risk is worth the reward. I really liked the relationship between Nora and Sasha. Katie created a great dynamic between the sisters. I also liked how she created Jackson and addressed something that many shy away from. She also brought humor to the entire story. I found myself chuckling out loud more than once while reading this one.
Tease Me, Baby:
Tease Me, Baby was a fun read. In fact, I read the entire book in a single sitting. I'm not usually big on Christmas stories, but I fell in love with Holly, NC in the All He Wants for Christmas anthology that featured Katie Reus' Merry Christmas, Baby,the first O'Connor Family book.
Rues' characters are quirky and fun. Brad Fulton, AKA the Boy Scout, is always prepared when it comes to Fallon O'Connor. That includes showing her that he's not quite the Boy Scout she would like to think he is. Fallon is trying to get her life together, but what she doesn't understand is that she's missing out on what is really important by worrying about what she thinks should be important.
Between her three older brothers and her mom's betting pool, it's anything goes in Holly. And Reus isn't teasing with this one.
It's Me Again, Baby:
I adore Katie Reus' O'Connor Family series! She's created a family that impossible not fall in love with! In the third installment, we get to follow Maguire and Samantha.
When Maguire found Sam, they burned hot, then she simply vanished. Walked away without a backward glance, and left Maguire empty. After getting out of the service, Maguire struggled with the transition, so he buried himself in work. While looking for a house, his mom finds him a new realtor, Sam. He's shocked to his core when Sam stands in front of him, but he's not about to let this chance slip away.
Sam had a crush on Maguire, so when they had their fling, she didn't have the self confidence to trust what her hear was telling her. Now, she's grown up and has life experience that tells her what they had wasn't just a flash in the pan.
So what happens when you take a close knit clan, with a matriarch infamous for her betting pools, and trouble that follows Sam across the country? You have to read It's Me Again, Baby to find out, but you won't regret it!
Mistletoe Me, Baby:
I love Katie Reus' O'Connor Family! I'll be honest, I'm not a huge Christmas movie or book fan, but there's just something about the world she's created in Holly. I also love the entire O'Connor clan. Reus has created a fun family, with great stories. I like that she includes them in each of the books, so you get to spend more time with them and see what's happening in their lives. I love the stories of shaving heads and passing the hockey test!
I could totally relate to Miranda and her story. While I have a great relationship with my parents, it's stronger and healthier that I live half way across the country from them. The family dynamic with an addict is hard, even when there's not kids involved. Miranda taking in her nephew is a selfless act, and beautiful all on its own. I really like how Reus tackled this very real and heavy topic. She didn't shy away from it, but instead left you full of hope for the future and moving on.
Nolan is too good to be true, and I totally want one for Christmas. He's known for awhile that Miranda is it for him. He can't believe his luck! She needs a fake fiancee for Christmas. Now he just needs to convince her that its not fake and not just for Christmas. His understanding and handling the situation that rips her family apart is heartwarming and insightful.
Can Nolan get what he wants for Christmas? You'll have to read Mistletoe Me, Baby to find out!
Visiting Holly, North Carolina and the O’Connor Family is a delightful experience with lots of sweet and steamy romance.
In Merry Christmas, Baby readers get to meet Nora who broke her no-romance rule for Jackson O’Connor in a romance that is full of emotional and suspense as Jackson does something she can’t easily forgive.
Next, in Tease Me, Baby readers are teased with the sexy and charming Brad who derails Fallon O’Connor’s plans when he becomes determined to prove she belongs in his arms in with a wonderfully sweet and heartfelt romance.
And then readers meet Samantha in It’s Me Again, Baby when Maguire O’Connor’s coincidentally runs into the “one who got away in a thrilling romance that gets the adrenaline pumping when Maguire has to save Samantha from the menace who followed her.
Finally, readers are introduced to Miranda in Mistletoe Me, Baby when Nolan O’Connor plays fake fiancé for her family with every intention of convincing Miranda that is all for real in this heartfelt romance that tugs at the heart when tragedy strikes.
All four stories have that delightfully wonderful holiday feeling to them and they all have sweet and tender romance with lots of heated passion and sizzling chemistry. All the characters are strong, captivating and easily draw readers into their stories and the family connection makes it easy to connect to each and every one. Individually, the stories are short and can be ready any time when there is a break in the day, but reading all together makes for a fabulous experience because each one is different and really fits the characters with ‘real’ life experiences and the town is ‘Thomas Kincaid’ perfect and Katie Reus did a wonderful job of bringing it to life and me wishing I could move there or somewhere just like it.
I received a free advanced copy of this book from the publisher, from Netgalley.com. This is my unbiased and voluntary review.
This is a collection of four previously released novellas about the four adult O'Conner children, all living in Holly, North Carolina. The three men, Jackson, Maguire and Nolan all served in the military and had difficulties returning to civilian life. Fallon, their sister, feels like a failure, since she didn't. Their mother taking things into her own hands, acting as matchmaker, and even starting pools to see when each couple will become engaged, manages to marry all four children off in a year.
MERRY CHRISTMAS BABY, is Jackson's story. Holly is a small tourist town in the Blue Ridge Mountains. that is Christmas-themed all year round. Nora Cassidy moved to town about 9 months ago with her younger sister, Sasha, who she is guardian for and opened Nora's Books and Brew. Jackson was immediately attracted to her, but took his time before he asked her for a date and after promising to call her, scared himself about his strong feelings and disappeared for three weeks. After hearing rumors about him with another woman, she gives him the cut, but he'd been a SEAL and was not going to fail on his mission to make her his wife.
TEASE ME BABY, is Fallon story. Sheriff Brad Fulton has had his eyes on Fallon O'Conner for the last year, but she has been avoiding him after a sizzling kiss on Christmas. She has been accepted to a culinary school in California, but is very ambivalent about the move and seems to be going more to impress her mother than because of what she can learn there. As things heat up between them, he finds out about her plans and makes his own plans to make her his.
IT'S ME AGAIN, BABY is Maguire's story and a second chance story. Three years ago, Maguire had shared one smoking week with Samantha Murphy, while he was on leave, and then she disappeared. Now she is back, because her father died and her mother needed her. They find out that a misunderstanding (a woman claimed to Samantha that she was his girlfriend and she was so insecure that she believed her) was the reason she ghosted him. Spending time together as she helps him as a realtor to find a property, they find that their chemistry is still there and he is not going to let her get away again. But a stalker has followed her to Holly. Can Maguire keep her safe and make her his?
MISTLETOE ME, BABY is Nolan's story. Miranda Flores and Nolan became best friends when she moved to town. Nolan wants more, but she made it clear that recently becoming guardian to her nephew, she is not at a place for a relationship. So he bides his time. When Miranda's parents come for a visit, after she had told them she was engaged to get her mother to stop nagging, Nolan volunteers to play the part. But he isn't playing and needs to convince to Miranda that he has wanted her for his from the start.
This is a marvelous series with cleverly developed, appealing characters and engaging plots to "get the girl". Steamy scenes, but the brothers all seem to use the same moves. Each book takes about an hour to read.
I am very pleased I got the chance to read The O'Connor Family series. Four beautifully written stories in one box set. Merry Christmas, Baby, Tease Me, Baby, It’s Me Again, Baby, Mistletoe Me, Baby can all be purchased alone or in this set bit the one thing you can be sure of is that you will enjoy them all. Fabulous stories with great characters I look forward to reading more by this author.
An enjoyable and heartwarming set of four stories.
I loved the setting, the amtosphere of the books and the characters.
This book made me feel good and I'd have wanted more.
Recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC
The is the full series of the O'Connor family. Each book can be read as a standalone but they are all interconnected.
Book 1 is about Nora and Jackson. Nora has moved to Holly after inheriting a book store from her great Aunt. She believes it is the perfect place for her little sister to finish school and become an adult. Her and Jackson become friends before she lets him talk her into something more, only to have it blow up in her face afterwards. Jackson grew up in Holly and only left for the military before coming home once his time was up. He panicked when he realized that Nora was the only one for him and made a huge mistake. Now he has to try to get her to not only to understand but to forgive him and let him in her life again.
I really loved Nora and Jackson together. They have chemistry but they also genuinely like each other. Even after Jackson has a dumb moment, Nora is strong enough to forgive him and still understand that she truly does know him and can trust him. Perfect way to start this series.
Book 2 is about Fallon and Brad. Brad is the sheriff for Holly and seems to always be the "boy scout" whereas Fallon feels like she can be a troublemaker. Throwing these two together right before Fallon is making a major change in her life might just break them both.
I absolutely love Fallon!! She cracks me up from the get go with her attitude and just her love of life! Her and Brad have over the top chemistry and make every second of this read well worth it! Loved it!
Book 3 is about Maguire and Sam. They have a history together but have now been thrown together again. But can either one move on from the past and embrace this second chance?
I was really surprised with how much I liked this one. At first I was prepared to not like either character until you realize exactly what happened in the past and understand that it wasn't all their fault. Once they move past all of that, they have a great relationship and I love how they interact with each other.
Book 4 is about Nolan and Miranda. They are best friends although Nolan has wanted to be more than friends for months. Miranda has told her parents she is engaged to try to get them off her back about dating while she is taking care of her nephew. Now her parents are coming to visit for Christmas and she has to come up with the fake fiance for them. Which entails asking Nolan to do it for her and Nolan coming up with the idea of showing her that he may be playing the fake fiance for her parents but his feelings are anything but fake!
This was a quick, cute read! As a Katie Reus book you know it's going to be good and it definitely was! I just wish it had been longer. Miranda is a sweet woman who is handling such horrible things with a strength of character that you can't help but admire. Nolan is a sweet man who is always there for friends and family but he knows that he wants and needs more from Miranda and is determined to show her what they could have. It really is a good read, just too short in my opinion!
This is such a great series and I love the fact that now you can get all of them in one book! Definitely well worth it to read them all!
This series is a compilation of four novellas, each focusing on one of the O'Connor siblings (four alpha brothers who are drool-worthy and one strong, smart-alecky sister who could take them all down if she wanted). We get to watch them find their happily ever after with other great characters that match each of them perfectly. There's a lot of possessiveness, insta-love, smokin-hot chemistry, and laughs, along with just a little bit of angst thrown in to make it interesting. This is a great light, fun read. I think Fallon's story is my favorite. No, wait...it's Nolan's. Or maybe Jackson's. Geez. They're all great, so it's a good think they come in a set here.
Thank you to NetGalley and KR Press for providing an ARC for review.
Family stories are always interesting and full of love. The drama, if they will find love. As with these four stories, you love the characters, hoping they will find that special someone. They are set in a small town, so one knows everyone and everything going on.Her books are always a delight to read, you get caught up in them, and ones you like to reread. Given ARC. by Net Galley and K R Press for my voluntary review and my honest opinion.
This is a compilation of novellas set in Holly, the town that always has Christmas. The first and last novellas were my favorites, but all had a sweet similarity that make it an easy read.
I feel like this should have a Christmasy cover, as it would be perfect for the holidays, when life is hectic and someone may only have time for a short, uplifting read. There is no heavy angst, characters are charming and personable, and its a guaranteed happy ever after!
Marry Christmas, Baby
Jackson is in love with his best friend Nora. Nora is also in love with Jackson. When Jackson gets scared because of his feelings for Nora he avoids her. Nora is hurt that she is losing her best friend. Can Jackson come to his senses and win Nora back or is it already to late. Follow this couple on their amazing journey of love and friendship and forgiveness.
Tease Me, Baby
Such an amazing book. Brad and Fallon are perfect. This is such a scorching hot and steamy read. Brad is good boy sheriff. Fallon is trying to plan her future. When these two meet up the towns good boy becomes very very bad. I cannot wait to read more in this series.
Its Me Again, Baby
Katie Reus has done it again. This is a hot and sexy read. I was hooked from the first page. Maguire is absolutely perfect. He does everything right. Although he is a little possessive, but in a sexy way. Him and Samantha are perfect for each other. She is smart, funny, and career driven. Maguire works with his hands. You got to read this. Maguire and Sam have so much chemistry together, they go up in flames.
Mistletoe Me, Baby
What do you do to get your family off your back, Miranda Flores makes up a fake fiancee. When her family suddenly shows up for the holidays and wants to meet her fiancee Miranda asks her best friend for help. Nolan O’Connor, her sexy best friend, she needs him to act the part of her fiancé until her parents leave town. Nolan has been in love with Mirada since the moment they met. Can he prove to her how hereally feels. Will Miranda give in and admit that she is in love with Nolan. Miranda and Nolan are perfect. I loved this amazing story.
This is essentially 4 short stories, one for each of the O'Connor siblings.
Set in the small town of Holly, where everyone seems to know everything about each other.
My favourite character was probably their Mum, who seems the biggest gossip of all, but you can tell her hearts in the right place.
Merry Christmas, Baby:
A sweet, sexy little novella set in a Christmas town right before Christmas. Nora & Jackson were a wonderful couple, but the story didn't get too deep into Jackson's idiocy so I didn't feel like his reasons were sufficient enough. Maybe Nora was too easy on him. Regardless is was a sweet novella, and I would read more in this series.
Tease Me, Baby:
A sweet, sexy novella. Fallon & Brad were great together, but it was just a little too quick for me. I think part of it was that it was a novella so you don't get a lot of backstory or depth into the family relationships. The brothers are funny, though, so it will be interesting to hear more about them. I will continue to read this series since they're lighthearted and sexy.
It's Me Again, Baby:
I'm loving this O'Connor series! These quick, fun, hot novellas are packed with the good stuff romances are know for. Maguire was a wonderful, take charge guy who never expected to see Sam again, but realized after clearing up the past issues, that he never stopped wishing that things had worked out. This second chance novella was sweet, sexy, and perfect with a little intrigue thrown in!
Mistletoe Me, Baby:
Everything good! Friends-to-lovers, fake fiance, ready-made family, crazy parents, military man... the list goes on! The only thing I wanted was the story to be longer! Nolan and Miranda were great as friends, but both wanted more without disrupting the balance. Sad at one point, but sweet and sexy the rest of the time.
Sweet and Sexy
Katie Reus has created a heartwarming family in the O'Connors that we all would love to belong to.
They are smart, thoughtful and loving, always welcoming to the "in-laws". This collection had 4 wonderful feel good stories. Each of the stories were distinctive and the couples were special in their own way. There is some sadness, that is part of life but these stories will have you smiling.
I received an advance reader copy from Netgalley.
These are a re-read for me because I read all of them when they were published individually. I'm in love with this series. I adore over protective, possessive Alpha's who are not jerks and this author never fails me. Each book in the series are on the shorter side, but I never feel like it's not enough. Each book is set in the small town of Holly and since we see all the same characters, it's like an ongoing story and yet you can easily read each book as a standalone.
Merry Christmas, Baby
There is some groveling by the Hero since he freaked out when he realized Nora was "it" for him and didn't contact her for 3 weeks. I didn't love that part but that's where our story begins, with him pursuing her to get her back and boy does he make up for those 3 weeks!
Tease Me, Baby
There is just something about a man in uniform! Our couple is Brad, the sheriff of the town of Holly and Fallon O'Connor, little sister to Jackson from book 1. I really liked Fallon's character but I'm all about my alphas. Brad was such a sweet combination of the all American, good guy and intense Alpha. I couldn't have asked for a better Hero. The small town setting was comical along with the big brothers interference. Short, but hot and sweet read!
It's Me Again, Baby
This one is a second chance romance. Not my favorite trope because I don't like it when couples walk away from each other, but turns out the split for these two was a huge misunderstanding. The author doesn't take long revealing said misunderstanding and has these two making up for lost time.
Mistletoe Me, Baby
I was a bit worried the author was changing things up with this book when I found out Nolan and Miranda are only friends at first. I never should have doubted, once Nolan found his opening to stake his claim, Miranda didn’t know what hit her. My favorite part of this book was when tragedy struck. We truly got to see how much he loved Miranda and how he took care of her even when she pushed him away. I fell pretty hard for Nolan.
Merry Christmas, Baby -
Like a warm cup of cocoa or your favorite scented candle, Merry Christmas, Baby hits just the right spot. The story is short but the characters linger on and will keep a smile in the heart all year long. Katie Reus proves the spirit of hopefulness, giving and love is state of mind that is not contained to one day of year. (4 stars)
Tease Me, Baby -
Tease Me, Baby tempts with positivity and sensuality. More than a romance, Fallon and Brad's tale is about listening to your heart and choosing the path makes you happy. Advice worthy of any dreamer, in a love story that screams Hallmark movie. (5 stars)
It's Me Again, Baby -
If it ain't broke don't fix it. Words to live by and Ms. Reus blends the heart of contemporary and the intrigue of suspense to create a seductive puzzler. Not to mention provide a little second chance love and a hint of matchmaking along the way. So many parts of the romantic genre have come together in a firecracker read. (4 stars)
Mistletoe Me, Baby -
Tis the season for miracles. Mistletoe Me, Baby is another example of exceptional writing. Ms. Reus has sentiment on the brain and love in the heart. Nolan and Miranda are each others safe haven when the world gets tough. In the midst of pain they find hope for the future, food for the soul and an everlasting love that can weather any storm including grief. Through rainstorm of life they discover the value of the bond they've spent years building and the family they can become. A winner all year round. (4 stars)