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The McLaughlins #1
Good Girl Gone Plaid
Falling for the bad boy is even more dangerous the second time around.
In high school Sarah fell for her best friend’s older brother—one of the sexy, Scottish McLaughlin boys. But a painful betrayal showed her she’d been a fool to give her heart to a bad boy. At least it made it easier to leave him and move halfway around the world when her Navy dad got stationed in Japan.
Eleven years later, the death of her grandmother has forced Sarah back to Whidbey Island for a month. It’s the length of time she must stay in her inherited house before she’s allowed to sell it, take the money and run. But when she sees Ian, bad as ever and still looking like sin on a stick, she can’t keep her mouth from watering.
One look at Sarah stirs up the regret lingering in Ian’s heart—and never-forgotten desire lingering in his body. He should walk away, especially since divorced single mothers aren’t his style. But when she starts showing up at his family’s pub, he can’t resist a little casual seduction for old time’s sake.
One thing quickly becomes clear, though. The heat between them is causing an avalanche of secrets and betrayal and nothing will ever be the same.
Product Warnings: A bad-boy hero who’s good with his hands, a heroine who’s trying to be good. Contains liberal consumption of Scotch whisky, a Highland Games competition, men in kilts wielding large poles, and a potential Sarah McLaughlin of the non-musical kind.
In high school Sarah fell for her best friend’s older brother—one of the sexy, Scottish McLaughlin boys. But a painful betrayal showed her she’d been a fool to give her heart to a bad boy. At least it made it easier to leave him and move halfway around the world when her Navy dad got stationed in Japan.
Eleven years later, the death of her grandmother has forced Sarah back to Whidbey Island for a month. It’s the length of time she must stay in her inherited house before she’s allowed to sell it, take the money and run. But when she sees Ian, bad as ever and still looking like sin on a stick, she can’t keep her mouth from watering.
One look at Sarah stirs up the regret lingering in Ian’s heart—and never-forgotten desire lingering in his body. He should walk away, especially since divorced single mothers aren’t his style. But when she starts showing up at his family’s pub, he can’t resist a little casual seduction for old time’s sake.
One thing quickly becomes clear, though. The heat between them is causing an avalanche of secrets and betrayal and nothing will ever be the same.
Product Warnings: A bad-boy hero who’s good with his hands, a heroine who’s trying to be good. Contains liberal consumption of Scotch whisky, a Highland Games competition, men in kilts wielding large poles, and a potential Sarah McLaughlin of the non-musical kind.
213 pages, ebook
First published June 11, 2013
About the author
Shelli Stevens
73 books731 followersShelli is a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author who read her first romance novel when she snatched it off her mother’s bookshelf at the age of eleven. She is a true pluviophile (lover of rain) who currently lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and two daughters. She loves Disney, taking sunset pics (follow her on Instagram), baking, nature walking, and spontaneously bursting into song. She’s written various genres of romance, but is most known for her contemporary series such as The McLaughlins, The Bro Code, Marshall Ranch, and A is for Alpha.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 254 reviews
February 12, 2018
Review available here
August 8, 2014
This book might not have crossed my radar, but it was free on B&N and I thought I'd give it a try. In the beginning, I was assuming this would be a three star read. If I were an agent and read the start of this book, I'd have been interested in the author. It was rough, but there was the spark of something there and a solid setting that I think could have really worked and writing can always be polished up with a good editor. This book desperately needed that, because that interesting beginning quickly unraveled. This book is, simply put, a mess of plot. There are about eight thousand things going on when this book would have been plenty drama filled with only one. Too many shocks and surprises and Important Reveals happened at the expense of characterization. . And, while I'm thinking about it, why was her divorce so expensive? There were no children of the marriage, so there should be no custody issues to work out. Neither was independently wealthy so there wouldn't have been a huge separation of property to handle. Hell, Virginia isn't even a community property state.
Both Ian and Sarah read like caricatures much of the time because there was just not a lot to them. Same with the background cast. I also didn't enjoy the flashbacks to high school, mostly because neither character was written as a believable high schooler (Are there 18 year old boys who refer to a girl's lips as her "sweet lush mouth?") and it reinforced the sort of silliness of the rest of the plot. I love reunited lovers plots, but to have two high school kids who date for seven months and then don't even speak for eleven years see each other and fall back in love in five days? It's a lot to take in, and even more to take in with all the nonsense that's happened to each in the interim (see spoilers above). It was even harder because Ian was a jackass. Full stop. The first time he's alone with the heroine in high school he's putting the moves on her. Of course she falls for it because she's 17 and he's hot. no problem. But then, when they meet as adults, he clearly makes her nervous and several times she refers to the way he stalks toward her as "intimidating." I was uncomfortable with how physical he was in a few scenes as a result. Not to mention he is never particularly nice to Sarah. Of course, all of this is completely forgotten and swept under the rug because
The ending is ridiculously abrupt and an obvious set up for the next book, though why anyone would want to read about I’ll never know.
Fundamentally, the writing in this book was clumsy. Adjectives/adverbs as far as the eye could see. Language that didn't seem to fit with characters. Everyone constantly drawling all their dialogue. And the repeated referral to the heroine as "doll (and, ok, that's just a personal thing because it is my absolute least favorite pet name). I was constantly distracted by awkward phrasing and repetitive statements. For example, when we first see our hero he is extensively described. Whatever, that's fine. I'm down with that in a romance novel. However, we then immediately have a flashback to high school and we get that same extensive description.
This one just wasn’t for me, though I really wanted it to be in the beginning.
Both Ian and Sarah read like caricatures much of the time because there was just not a lot to them. Same with the background cast. I also didn't enjoy the flashbacks to high school, mostly because neither character was written as a believable high schooler (Are there 18 year old boys who refer to a girl's lips as her "sweet lush mouth?") and it reinforced the sort of silliness of the rest of the plot. I love reunited lovers plots, but to have two high school kids who date for seven months and then don't even speak for eleven years see each other and fall back in love in five days? It's a lot to take in, and even more to take in with all the nonsense that's happened to each in the interim (see spoilers above). It was even harder because Ian was a jackass. Full stop. The first time he's alone with the heroine in high school he's putting the moves on her. Of course she falls for it because she's 17 and he's hot. no problem. But then, when they meet as adults, he clearly makes her nervous and several times she refers to the way he stalks toward her as "intimidating." I was uncomfortable with how physical he was in a few scenes as a result. Not to mention he is never particularly nice to Sarah. Of course, all of this is completely forgotten and swept under the rug because
The ending is ridiculously abrupt and an obvious set up for the next book, though why anyone would want to read about I’ll never know.
Fundamentally, the writing in this book was clumsy. Adjectives/adverbs as far as the eye could see. Language that didn't seem to fit with characters. Everyone constantly drawling all their dialogue. And the repeated referral to the heroine as "doll (and, ok, that's just a personal thing because it is my absolute least favorite pet name). I was constantly distracted by awkward phrasing and repetitive statements. For example, when we first see our hero he is extensively described. Whatever, that's fine. I'm down with that in a romance novel. However, we then immediately have a flashback to high school and we get that same extensive description.
This one just wasn’t for me, though I really wanted it to be in the beginning.
September 2, 2019
I braced myself to be annoyed because I knew there was secret-keeping and that generally leads to dark moments and stupidity. I hoped that'd be in the past because this is a second-chance romance. And it probably is. The thing I hung up on is that the author is being all coy about what actually happened and is drip drip dripping little details through flashbacks. And it's breaking all sense of momentum and making me hate them both.
Plus, Ian is a jerk. He's done a handful of things that he knew would hurt her because they'd hurt her. And Sarah's sense has been overridden by her hormones at least three times, now, where Ian kisses her stupid (admittedly, one was in a flashback). Still, I kind of hate when authors make their leadings ladies stupid in lust. And sure, Sarah may be the "good girl", but she's the one and that just doesn't wash with me (oh, and that's a thing the author is still hiding, too!)
So I'm done. I'm going to round to two stars indicating that this is competently written and my intense response is mostly personal impatience.
Plus, Ian is a jerk. He's done a handful of things that he knew would hurt her because they'd hurt her. And Sarah's sense has been overridden by her hormones at least three times, now, where Ian kisses her stupid (admittedly, one was in a flashback). Still, I kind of hate when authors make their leadings ladies stupid in lust. And sure, Sarah may be the "good girl", but she's the one and that just doesn't wash with me (oh, and that's a thing the author is still hiding, too!)
So I'm done. I'm going to round to two stars indicating that this is competently written and my intense response is mostly personal impatience.
March 11, 2018
So I requested this book from Netgalley titled "ONE MORE ROUND" but couldn't find it on Goodreads so I ended up writing my review on my MS WORD after reading it few weeks ago. Yeah, I know I could've find the book easily though it has another title if only I read some of the descriptions of this author's works. But that's the problem, okay? I didn't want to. I didn't have the motivation because clearly I hated this book.
Why I Requested this book?
*it's second chance ROmance and who doesn't like that?
*It's a bad-boy Romance? With a good girl? A perfect package, right?
Unfortunately, I was so disappointed with this book. I expected some angsty story with bad boy hero who somehow is a gentleman inside. I got an asshole, a jerk, a total man-ho. And seriously for me, he's being too much. He's too physical with Sarah. They didn't see each other for 11 effing years and Sarah was obviously intimidated almost fearing him yet he didn't even take some measures to make her comfortable with him. I love erotica. I love obssessive/possessive heroes in Romance but Ian is just too much. He evn has a girlfriend and he's already making out with Sarah.
WTF!!!
And yeah I forgot to mention, they didn't even dated for a year when they were in high school. Just months...
Also this is too cliche... I don't mind cliches as long as as they were well-written that I will still enjoy them. But i rolled my eyes countless times reading. There are lines that are just too cheesy for me, and the scenes were annoyingly predictable.
Another ALSO, there are just so many things going on. I would've preferred if the author focused on Sarah and Ian's romance. I know all the things that happened in the story was related to their love story but for me they weren't really necessary and some were unrealistic. If this is fantasy, why not? But Jesus, this is contemporary. Why not focus on one plot and just developed it. You don't have to add too many plot points and cram them all in one effing story. They didn't add to the beauty of the story, they made it exhausting to read.
Also(Again) it would be better if all of those stuffs helped the development of the characters and plot. No they didn't. Again I say, they were exhausting.
BEWARE of excessive minor plot points.
There was definitely no development on the characters. I'm actually thinking that if the reveal was made earlier than it did, the story would've been better. And then from there of course there would be a clear understanding between the H and h, and then they face the consequences of their past actions and resolve them. I'm sure the character development would be more apparent with that. Right? That's not what happened here sadly, the H and h just fought each other's attractions because of the past and some secrets and deal with anything unrealistic and exaggerated conflicts thrown to them by the author until it comes to the point where they knew what really happened eleven years ago. Which was another cliche.
I'm sorry, I think I'm being so unprofessional as a reviewer now. I can't even give a coherent review . Whatever. I don't like this one, and certainly won't read the next book. I mean the heroine was the....... No thanks.
Oddly, I'm now sad, not anymore annoyed. Sad that I just wrote a bad review. I really don't like writing bad reviews. :( :(
*I got this book from Netgalley...
Why I Requested this book?
*it's second chance ROmance and who doesn't like that?
*It's a bad-boy Romance? With a good girl? A perfect package, right?
Unfortunately, I was so disappointed with this book. I expected some angsty story with bad boy hero who somehow is a gentleman inside. I got an asshole, a jerk, a total man-ho. And seriously for me, he's being too much. He's too physical with Sarah. They didn't see each other for 11 effing years and Sarah was obviously intimidated almost fearing him yet he didn't even take some measures to make her comfortable with him. I love erotica. I love obssessive/possessive heroes in Romance but Ian is just too much. He evn has a girlfriend and he's already making out with Sarah.
WTF!!!
And yeah I forgot to mention, they didn't even dated for a year when they were in high school. Just months...
Also this is too cliche... I don't mind cliches as long as as they were well-written that I will still enjoy them. But i rolled my eyes countless times reading. There are lines that are just too cheesy for me, and the scenes were annoyingly predictable.
Another ALSO, there are just so many things going on. I would've preferred if the author focused on Sarah and Ian's romance. I know all the things that happened in the story was related to their love story but for me they weren't really necessary and some were unrealistic. If this is fantasy, why not? But Jesus, this is contemporary. Why not focus on one plot and just developed it. You don't have to add too many plot points and cram them all in one effing story. They didn't add to the beauty of the story, they made it exhausting to read.
Also(Again) it would be better if all of those stuffs helped the development of the characters and plot. No they didn't. Again I say, they were exhausting.
BEWARE of excessive minor plot points.
There was definitely no development on the characters. I'm actually thinking that if the reveal was made earlier than it did, the story would've been better. And then from there of course there would be a clear understanding between the H and h, and then they face the consequences of their past actions and resolve them. I'm sure the character development would be more apparent with that. Right? That's not what happened here sadly, the H and h just fought each other's attractions because of the past and some secrets and deal with anything unrealistic and exaggerated conflicts thrown to them by the author until it comes to the point where they knew what really happened eleven years ago. Which was another cliche.
I'm sorry, I think I'm being so unprofessional as a reviewer now. I can't even give a coherent review . Whatever. I don't like this one, and certainly won't read the next book. I mean the heroine was the....... No thanks.
Oddly, I'm now sad, not anymore annoyed. Sad that I just wrote a bad review. I really don't like writing bad reviews. :( :(
*I got this book from Netgalley...
August 10, 2014
This book had soooo much potential. Dark, brooding, scarred, alpha male. Hot & muscled, with Scottish accent. His high school sweetheart returns home for a visit, and sparks fly right? Yep, but what could have been major, satisfying fireworks- resulted in year-old sparklers in my opinion.
By the time I made it through 50% of the book, the H & h had forgotten to use protection twice since their 'reunion' and oh, there was that One Time back in high school... How original. The 'h' has a 9yr old daughter that none of her 'so-called' close friends have ever seen a picture of, also incredibly original. You'll never guess where this goes... (SPOILERS AHEAD) (**WELL, NOT REALLY--IF YOU'RE CAPABLE OF THINKING WHILE STANDING UP-RIGHT**) And then there's the ever classic, "I'm mad at you"--"No, I'm mad at you"--"Nooo, I'm mad at YOU!"--But wait, "We were just young & ignorant, we should forgive each other." Aaaannd let us not forget, "Let's make up, have a baby, and get married" THE END. REALLY????!! That's the best the author could come up with? Oy! Just...Oy!
By the time I made it through 50% of the book, the H & h had forgotten to use protection twice since their 'reunion' and oh, there was that One Time back in high school... How original. The 'h' has a 9yr old daughter that none of her 'so-called' close friends have ever seen a picture of, also incredibly original. You'll never guess where this goes... (SPOILERS AHEAD) (**WELL, NOT REALLY--IF YOU'RE CAPABLE OF THINKING WHILE STANDING UP-RIGHT**) And then there's the ever classic, "I'm mad at you"--"No, I'm mad at you"--"Nooo, I'm mad at YOU!"--But wait, "We were just young & ignorant, we should forgive each other." Aaaannd let us not forget, "Let's make up, have a baby, and get married" THE END. REALLY????!! That's the best the author could come up with? Oy! Just...Oy!
February 10, 2018
**ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review**
One More Round by Shelli Stevens is book one of the McLaughlins Series and has me looking forward to reading more about the McLaughlin family. One More Round is a complicated romance of two people who are in love but have many obstacles in their path to happiness.
Sarah Rawlings is a single mom who inherits her grandmother’s house with the stipulation that she has to live in it for a month before she sells it. The home is on Whidbey Island. Sarah had lived on the island while in high school and met her first love there, Ian McLaughlin. Sarah thought she could live on the island for a month and escape before anyone found out her secret.
Ian McLaughlin is the high school “bad-boy” that all the girls want to date. He’s never grown up and has no plans for tying himself to a woman. Ian has made mistakes in his life and refuses to make excuses to people for judging him without knowing the full story. He finds out Sarah is on the island and, like a moth drawn to a flame, he keeps seeking her out. Their chemistry is still off the charts and soon they are spending more and more time together.
Sarah can’t get over the past and the mistakes Ian has made. As a single mom, she doesn’t feel Ian is a good influence to have in her child’s life. But once Ian finds out Sarah’s secret, will he ever forgive her??
Poor Sarah and Ian! Just when you think they could forgive and forget and start over, something else happens! The book was a constant back and forth of Ian doing something to make Sarah mad, then Sarah doing something that makes Ian mad. I wish there were more blissful moments in the story and less strife. Ian needs to get over himself and tell Sarah how he truly feels, instead of acting like a heartless guy.
I would highly recommend you read this book. In the end, it’s a sweet love story with a HEA. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series starring Ian’s brother, Colin.
4 stars
One More Round by Shelli Stevens is book one of the McLaughlins Series and has me looking forward to reading more about the McLaughlin family. One More Round is a complicated romance of two people who are in love but have many obstacles in their path to happiness.
Sarah Rawlings is a single mom who inherits her grandmother’s house with the stipulation that she has to live in it for a month before she sells it. The home is on Whidbey Island. Sarah had lived on the island while in high school and met her first love there, Ian McLaughlin. Sarah thought she could live on the island for a month and escape before anyone found out her secret.
Ian McLaughlin is the high school “bad-boy” that all the girls want to date. He’s never grown up and has no plans for tying himself to a woman. Ian has made mistakes in his life and refuses to make excuses to people for judging him without knowing the full story. He finds out Sarah is on the island and, like a moth drawn to a flame, he keeps seeking her out. Their chemistry is still off the charts and soon they are spending more and more time together.
Sarah can’t get over the past and the mistakes Ian has made. As a single mom, she doesn’t feel Ian is a good influence to have in her child’s life. But once Ian finds out Sarah’s secret, will he ever forgive her??
Poor Sarah and Ian! Just when you think they could forgive and forget and start over, something else happens! The book was a constant back and forth of Ian doing something to make Sarah mad, then Sarah doing something that makes Ian mad. I wish there were more blissful moments in the story and less strife. Ian needs to get over himself and tell Sarah how he truly feels, instead of acting like a heartless guy.
I would highly recommend you read this book. In the end, it’s a sweet love story with a HEA. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series starring Ian’s brother, Colin.
4 stars
June 20, 2019
2015 1st read
2019 2nd re-read
This was…alright, definitely not as good as I thought it was the first time around. I actually was pretty convinced I hadn't read it for almost half the book, because I didn't remember anything about it. That's not to say it wasn't a good story, but there were quite a few things that got on my nerves.
Sarah comes off as super judgey and bitter. I get that she has her reasons, but still, she could at least talk to Ian before judging and condemning him. And Ian, well he comes off as an asshole, but at least a likable asshole that is redeemable. Though they're both pretty bitter and petty towards each other for most of the book. But they do both come around in the end, and they do make for a good couple.
My biggest problem with this whole thing is the "we broke up and I moved away so when I found out I was pregnant I didn't tell him" thing. I've just never been a fan of the trope. I mean every guy (with rapists being the obvious exceptions) should be told they have a kid out there in the world. And they should be afforded the chance to know said kid. I get it, if the dude's a junkie or something you don't want them around your kid, but shouldn't everyone have the opportunity to get their shit together and be a parent? I'm not saying you let them stay in the kid's life if they're a total shitbag, but I just can't ever get onboard with the whole plot point of not telling the dude who knocked you up, that they did indeed knock you up. Especially here. Even when Sarah did want to contact Ian and tell him about the kid, she basically caved to parental pressure and decided not to. And yeah, she might have had a decent reason at the time, but obviously it wasn't because when that reason gets explained, she regrets not telling him. It's just that in my opinion, stealing a decade from your child knowing her father and his family, seems like a shitty way to create drama. I'll probably never get behind it as a plot point. But it all worked out, happily ever after, and blah blah blah. I will probably even read more, because it wasn't a bad story, and I do like the rest of the McLaughlins.
2019 2nd re-read
This was…alright, definitely not as good as I thought it was the first time around. I actually was pretty convinced I hadn't read it for almost half the book, because I didn't remember anything about it. That's not to say it wasn't a good story, but there were quite a few things that got on my nerves.
Sarah comes off as super judgey and bitter. I get that she has her reasons, but still, she could at least talk to Ian before judging and condemning him. And Ian, well he comes off as an asshole, but at least a likable asshole that is redeemable. Though they're both pretty bitter and petty towards each other for most of the book. But they do both come around in the end, and they do make for a good couple.
My biggest problem with this whole thing is the "we broke up and I moved away so when I found out I was pregnant I didn't tell him" thing. I've just never been a fan of the trope. I mean every guy (with rapists being the obvious exceptions) should be told they have a kid out there in the world. And they should be afforded the chance to know said kid. I get it, if the dude's a junkie or something you don't want them around your kid, but shouldn't everyone have the opportunity to get their shit together and be a parent? I'm not saying you let them stay in the kid's life if they're a total shitbag, but I just can't ever get onboard with the whole plot point of not telling the dude who knocked you up, that they did indeed knock you up. Especially here. Even when Sarah did want to contact Ian and tell him about the kid, she basically caved to parental pressure and decided not to. And yeah, she might have had a decent reason at the time, but obviously it wasn't because when that reason gets explained, she regrets not telling him. It's just that in my opinion, stealing a decade from your child knowing her father and his family, seems like a shitty way to create drama. I'll probably never get behind it as a plot point. But it all worked out, happily ever after, and blah blah blah. I will probably even read more, because it wasn't a bad story, and I do like the rest of the McLaughlins.
April 1, 2014
4.5
I found this to be really enjoyable. I love anything Scottish (and if I’m honest, Irish and English too ;) ) so knowing that this book had a hot Scottish man in it was all the draw I needed.
I loved the chemistry between Ian and Sarah. And the scenes from the past were a nice little history building their relationship and connection. I loved that even though Sarah tried to stay away, it wasn’t to an extreme extent. She fought her attraction, there were issues, but there were also some great scenes between Sarah and Ian. Lol, I actually loved it when they were fighting because you could totally tell that they still loved each other even though they claimed not to.
There were a few things that were obvious enough that I figured out what was going on, but I can’t complain because the book was just that good.
I can’t wait to read about the other McLaughlins. They’re such a great family that I want a HEA for all of them. :)
I found this to be really enjoyable. I love anything Scottish (and if I’m honest, Irish and English too ;) ) so knowing that this book had a hot Scottish man in it was all the draw I needed.
I loved the chemistry between Ian and Sarah. And the scenes from the past were a nice little history building their relationship and connection. I loved that even though Sarah tried to stay away, it wasn’t to an extreme extent. She fought her attraction, there were issues, but there were also some great scenes between Sarah and Ian. Lol, I actually loved it when they were fighting because you could totally tell that they still loved each other even though they claimed not to.
There were a few things that were obvious enough that I figured out what was going on, but I can’t complain because the book was just that good.
I can’t wait to read about the other McLaughlins. They’re such a great family that I want a HEA for all of them. :)
January 9, 2018
I liked this book... I really did. My first read from Shelli and I can't wait to read more of this series.
The McLaughlin clan are going to be a wealth of great story material! I can already tell.... onto this story.
Ian and Sarah. In a nutshell, they have a past. Sarah lived on Whidbey Island when she was in high school, her father was in the Navy and stationed there. Ian's sister and Sarah were best friends and she and Ian developed a relationship that as we get into the book, we are given their history. Spoon fed. Just the way I like it. When Ian makes the mistake of his young life and Sarah's father gets orders for Japan she basically vanishes within a week. 11 years later she returns because her Grandmother has died and she's left her home and must meet with the attorney about the will. The terms of the will require her to stay in the house for a month. Much to her dismay, she doesn't want to see Ian, much less be around him for a month. She's married and divorced and has a daughter who is back east in Florida with her Mom. The McLaughlin's own the pub in town, Aleck the oldest is owner and brother Colin and Ian's twin is a Sheriff. Kenzie works in the pub and the only girl to these protective brothers. The parents have gone back to Scotland, but they all remain close. I loved how closely they were connected.
Sarah and Ian keep crossing paths and the steam was off the chart between these two. Ian's a bit rough around the edges and his mouth gets him in trouble much of the time with Sarah. But the chemistry between these two is insane. The story is perfect and when Sarah's mother shows up with daughter in tow for a surprise visit the earth spins right off it's axis! That's all I'm going to say.
This is a must read and Shelli has included a sneak peak at the next book which is about Colin and I can't wait to get my hands on that one!
Fantastic story!
4.5 stars
**arc from NetGalley and Tule Publishing**
*I received an advanced copy of this book for review. The above is my honest review and the opinions therein are my own**
The McLaughlin clan are going to be a wealth of great story material! I can already tell.... onto this story.
Ian and Sarah. In a nutshell, they have a past. Sarah lived on Whidbey Island when she was in high school, her father was in the Navy and stationed there. Ian's sister and Sarah were best friends and she and Ian developed a relationship that as we get into the book, we are given their history. Spoon fed. Just the way I like it. When Ian makes the mistake of his young life and Sarah's father gets orders for Japan she basically vanishes within a week. 11 years later she returns because her Grandmother has died and she's left her home and must meet with the attorney about the will. The terms of the will require her to stay in the house for a month. Much to her dismay, she doesn't want to see Ian, much less be around him for a month. She's married and divorced and has a daughter who is back east in Florida with her Mom. The McLaughlin's own the pub in town, Aleck the oldest is owner and brother Colin and Ian's twin is a Sheriff. Kenzie works in the pub and the only girl to these protective brothers. The parents have gone back to Scotland, but they all remain close. I loved how closely they were connected.
Sarah and Ian keep crossing paths and the steam was off the chart between these two. Ian's a bit rough around the edges and his mouth gets him in trouble much of the time with Sarah. But the chemistry between these two is insane. The story is perfect and when Sarah's mother shows up with daughter in tow for a surprise visit the earth spins right off it's axis! That's all I'm going to say.
This is a must read and Shelli has included a sneak peak at the next book which is about Colin and I can't wait to get my hands on that one!
Fantastic story!
4.5 stars
**arc from NetGalley and Tule Publishing**
*I received an advanced copy of this book for review. The above is my honest review and the opinions therein are my own**
Want to read
June 22, 2018💝FREE on Amazon today (6/22/2018)!💝
Blurb:
When Sarah Rawlings fell for her best friend's older brother in high school, she knew he was trouble. But she couldn’t resist his pull and the sweetness she sensed underneath his protective bad boy persona. Their relationship was everything she had ever dreamed of, until she was rocked by his painful betrayal. Eleven years later, Sarah must return to Whidbey Island following her beloved grandmother's death. She knows she must stay away from Ian, but he’s not making that easy and every time she sees him, she’s reminded of what might have been.
One look at Sarah stirs up memories regrets that still linger in Ian McLaughlin's heart. She was the love of his life and he still can’t understand how he blew it and how she could have also hurt him so badly in return. He plans to steer clear of Sarah while she’s on Whidbey Island, but that’s impossible when she’s often at his family’s pub. Thinking to indulge in a little casual seduction for fun, neither is prepared when the embers burst into flames.
So many years and secrets separate them. Can their powerful attraction also include understanding and forgiveness?
Blurb:
When Sarah Rawlings fell for her best friend's older brother in high school, she knew he was trouble. But she couldn’t resist his pull and the sweetness she sensed underneath his protective bad boy persona. Their relationship was everything she had ever dreamed of, until she was rocked by his painful betrayal. Eleven years later, Sarah must return to Whidbey Island following her beloved grandmother's death. She knows she must stay away from Ian, but he’s not making that easy and every time she sees him, she’s reminded of what might have been.
One look at Sarah stirs up memories regrets that still linger in Ian McLaughlin's heart. She was the love of his life and he still can’t understand how he blew it and how she could have also hurt him so badly in return. He plans to steer clear of Sarah while she’s on Whidbey Island, but that’s impossible when she’s often at his family’s pub. Thinking to indulge in a little casual seduction for fun, neither is prepared when the embers burst into flames.
So many years and secrets separate them. Can their powerful attraction also include understanding and forgiveness?
January 24, 2018
Received an ARC at no cost to author. I had read this story years ago but it was under another name, however when I saw this I still requested it, I enjoyed back then, and I enjoyed it now. Sarah had broken up with Ian years ago, when she found him in bed with one of her best friends Hailey, she was so angry that she said some horrible things to him, I can't say that I blamed her, I would have been upset too. Ian is a known bad boy, and now he is a manslut, he thought he could see Sarah again and not have any feelings, boy was he wrong. Ian wasn't really nice to Sarah when he sees her again, but all the feelings he had for her returned and he admitted to himself he never stopped loving her. Sarah never stopped loving Ian, but she is keeping a huge secret from him, how will he react?..Well my friends you need to read. And as always, Enjoy!!
May 5, 2013
Originally posted at: http://www.longandshortreviews.com/bo...
What an excellent start to a brand new contemporary series from Shelli Stevens. This red hot series is set on an island in the Puget Sound area. The players are a sinfully sexy family of transplanted Scots. I’ll take a hot Scot any way I can get them- gotta love a guy in a kilt- and this story played out well for me, keeping me on the edge and raptly attentive. No wandering interest on this one. No time for that… with all those wonderful characters and a big old secret just waiting to be let out. And blow up it did and I was glued to the pages for every minute of it.
Sarah came back to the island to tie up some family business. The last thing she needed was to run into her first love, bad boy Ian McLaughlin. He was her high school flame and her biggest temptation. She was a good girl who lost her heart to a bad boy. You know that old story. Then Ian broke her heart when he betrayed her just like her dad predicted. Sarah took off to Japan with the Navy family and hasn’t been back to the island since. A bad marriage behind her, she doesn’t want to get involved with Ian again.
I found out fast why Ian was the bad boy of the McLaughlin family. He really was… bad temper and bad habits for sure. He was into Sarah big time and wanted to be better for her. But alas, like the rebel he was, the boy broke her heart. Yeah, you can guess what he did. It was a nasty scene and it tore them apart. Ian did some hard time before he got his act together but now he’s in a good place. So now Sarah is back and he can’t help but act like a jerk. He’s still hurting and he gets pretty nasty with her. Can you see where this is leading ? It was some heady stuff indeed and I loved all that angst.
Sarah was a great heroine. I loved her to death ! She was vulnerable from having her life shattered by the men in her life. But she was strong, taking the crap that a pouting Ian dished out. She sucked it up cause she wanted to get out quick. Got a guess as to why ? Oh, she’s got a secret all right. It’s a big one just waiting to get out. Of course, it gets out and things get real emotional. Ian gets even angrier and so did I. I wanted to kick his butt for being so mean.
The story had an extensive cast of wonderful characters to build this series. A bunch of sexy brothers and a secretive minx of a sister. Emily, Sarah’s little girl, was a lovely addition to the story and she really brightened it up. This story is completely character driven. They made the story engaging, made me want to know their secrets (they have a lot of them I’m thinking) and find out what was going on with them. An angry hero … a vulnerable heroine… and a past that comes between them. I got fighting mad at Ian but the guilt he felt when he learned about everything his woman went through from her douche bag ex… my heart just melted. I got that he felt it was all on him. You know… cause he drove her away and all. Another surprise and a big reveal as to the instigator behind the scenes.
That was good for a couple more surprises that cleared up some mistakes and revealed even more secrets. It also opened the door for another book. Could it be ? Can this series really get more intriguing ? Why yes, I do believe it will.
I loved this story and am already sold on the series. I can’t wait to read more. This one was engaging and chock full of angst. Lost love … that’s some good stuff. Everything flowed just right with things happening at a credible pace. This couple did not go after each other right away… not romantically any way. They were mad as hell and weren’t shy about letting it show. The characters were incredibly likeable. I completely fell for Ian and totally admired Sarah for standing up to him. The plot was interesting from beginning to end. The only flaw that I saw was that the writer didn’t go anywhere with regards to Ian’s old pal, the crook. I felt that she was going somewhere but it never happened. It wasn’t that big of a loss… but it could have brought some suspense to the whole story. It kinda looked like she started to take that road and then changed her mind. How’s this for descriptive talent ? When Ian calls Sarah doll and he says shite…. I was imagining that sexy Scottish accent. That’s some kinda talent.
What an excellent start to a brand new contemporary series from Shelli Stevens. This red hot series is set on an island in the Puget Sound area. The players are a sinfully sexy family of transplanted Scots. I’ll take a hot Scot any way I can get them- gotta love a guy in a kilt- and this story played out well for me, keeping me on the edge and raptly attentive. No wandering interest on this one. No time for that… with all those wonderful characters and a big old secret just waiting to be let out. And blow up it did and I was glued to the pages for every minute of it.
Sarah came back to the island to tie up some family business. The last thing she needed was to run into her first love, bad boy Ian McLaughlin. He was her high school flame and her biggest temptation. She was a good girl who lost her heart to a bad boy. You know that old story. Then Ian broke her heart when he betrayed her just like her dad predicted. Sarah took off to Japan with the Navy family and hasn’t been back to the island since. A bad marriage behind her, she doesn’t want to get involved with Ian again.
I found out fast why Ian was the bad boy of the McLaughlin family. He really was… bad temper and bad habits for sure. He was into Sarah big time and wanted to be better for her. But alas, like the rebel he was, the boy broke her heart. Yeah, you can guess what he did. It was a nasty scene and it tore them apart. Ian did some hard time before he got his act together but now he’s in a good place. So now Sarah is back and he can’t help but act like a jerk. He’s still hurting and he gets pretty nasty with her. Can you see where this is leading ? It was some heady stuff indeed and I loved all that angst.
Sarah was a great heroine. I loved her to death ! She was vulnerable from having her life shattered by the men in her life. But she was strong, taking the crap that a pouting Ian dished out. She sucked it up cause she wanted to get out quick. Got a guess as to why ? Oh, she’s got a secret all right. It’s a big one just waiting to get out. Of course, it gets out and things get real emotional. Ian gets even angrier and so did I. I wanted to kick his butt for being so mean.
The story had an extensive cast of wonderful characters to build this series. A bunch of sexy brothers and a secretive minx of a sister. Emily, Sarah’s little girl, was a lovely addition to the story and she really brightened it up. This story is completely character driven. They made the story engaging, made me want to know their secrets (they have a lot of them I’m thinking) and find out what was going on with them. An angry hero … a vulnerable heroine… and a past that comes between them. I got fighting mad at Ian but the guilt he felt when he learned about everything his woman went through from her douche bag ex… my heart just melted. I got that he felt it was all on him. You know… cause he drove her away and all. Another surprise and a big reveal as to the instigator behind the scenes.
That was good for a couple more surprises that cleared up some mistakes and revealed even more secrets. It also opened the door for another book. Could it be ? Can this series really get more intriguing ? Why yes, I do believe it will.
I loved this story and am already sold on the series. I can’t wait to read more. This one was engaging and chock full of angst. Lost love … that’s some good stuff. Everything flowed just right with things happening at a credible pace. This couple did not go after each other right away… not romantically any way. They were mad as hell and weren’t shy about letting it show. The characters were incredibly likeable. I completely fell for Ian and totally admired Sarah for standing up to him. The plot was interesting from beginning to end. The only flaw that I saw was that the writer didn’t go anywhere with regards to Ian’s old pal, the crook. I felt that she was going somewhere but it never happened. It wasn’t that big of a loss… but it could have brought some suspense to the whole story. It kinda looked like she started to take that road and then changed her mind. How’s this for descriptive talent ? When Ian calls Sarah doll and he says shite…. I was imagining that sexy Scottish accent. That’s some kinda talent.
February 9, 2014
I enjoyed this one a lot. There were a few predictable parts but it was still a fun and sexy read. Ian was a hot Scottish hero and he did have a bit of assholishness goin on but I overlooked that once he gave Sarah the business ;) Plus he wore a kilt! *swoon* His brothers and sister were awesome side characters that I can't wait to read about. Sarah was an ok heroine for me. I understood where she was coming from on most of her choices, but at the same time they kinda irked me. The ending was a little rushed and the 'big reveal' didn't endear me to that particular character at all which makes me nervous for the next book. I don't like going in already hating one of the main characters so we'll see how that goes when I get to Kilty Pleasure.
Shelved as 'not-for-me'
November 22, 2015Self note:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Blaming the h for insulting you when you cheated is just a big NO!
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Blaming the h for insulting you when you cheated is just a big NO!
January 22, 2018
Dual-POV, HAE. Can be read as standalone. (The McLaughlins Series)
Let it be known: I am a total sucker for Scotsmen . Despite this family being state-side for a majority of their lives, they still had that lovable lilt to their dialogue. Anytime I read 'Aye', I basically fall over dead with lust. Certifiable? Maybe.
Without further ado, let me introduce you to Sarah and Ian. They've experienced a rocky past, and haven't seen each other for 11 years. Shocking when the two of them were very much in love during high school, but Sarah's reasoning makes sense.
Only now, she's been forced to return to Whidbey Island because her grandmother has passed away and the stipulation in her will clearly states that Sarah must live in the house for one month before deciding whether or not to sell the property. She, of course, isn't thrilled to be anywhere near Ian, but circumstances keep throwing them together. Not a difficult thing to do when her best friend is Ian's sister.
Sarah is also hiding a major secret from the McLaughlins, one she's hidden all these 11 years and plans to keep lying about. She can see that Ian is still the man beneath the bravado that she fell in love with, but even after a few times of making love, is it enough reason to reveal her secret and possibly ruin everything? After all, she never planned on seeing him again. But the heart is a funny thing - especially when it's never fallen out of love with the man to begin with.
Reeling from a messy divorce, the loss of her grandmother, and the guilt weighing on her every day -- she's forced to make some big decisions, and she's ultimately surprised to discover that Ian might have never forgotten about her, either. That them being together like she always dreamed might just be a possibility.
Lots of previous trauma to uncover and get over, but it was so enjoyable to read. And hot! I'm telling you - give me a dirty talking Scotsman, and I'll be happy for the rest of my days.
Plus, he has 2 other super-hot brothers and I'll definitely be reading their stories next.
September 1, 2019
I liked this a lot, with one big spoiler-y caveat that I knocked a star off for.
Anyway! I did like this and the characters a lot and I'll read the rest of the series, assuming my libraries cooperate. The "I love you's" probably happened too fast, but eh.
Fulfills "Kilts" for 2019 Ripped Bodice Bingo
Anyway! I did like this and the characters a lot and I'll read the rest of the series, assuming my libraries cooperate. The "I love you's" probably happened too fast, but eh.
Fulfills "Kilts" for 2019 Ripped Bodice Bingo
February 18, 2018
Wow! This is my first book by Shelli and I was so impressed with her writing style. I really loved the story line It had everything I love in a book... Second chances, best friends brother, secrets, sexy characters. After 11 years Sarah is back on Whibey island in Washington state preceding her grandmothers death and to sell the house that was left to her. She also comes with a secret that she does not want revealed. As much as she tries to avoid seeing her high school sweetheart Ian, he or someone in his family always pops up. Things did not end on good terms for them so that makes their chemistry that much more intense. Its very clear the love never died. The pace and build are great and you just love this great group of characters. I Loved all the McLaughlin clan which we will get to read about in their own books in this series. Great job!
June 11, 2013
Slick‘s review posted on Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
Review copy provided for an honest review
4.5 STARS
After I finished reading this book I posted a comment on Facebook about the plot line which opened up a huge discussion on both sides of the fence. So, I’m guessing Shelli Stevens knew exactly what she was doing when she penned Good Girl Gone Plaid. Having traveled Washington state extensively, I’ve spend a lot of time on the Washington ferries and on Whidbey Island so right away I was pretty enamored with this book. As for the plot, it’s not a favorite of mine however I really enjoyed this book, its characters, and the ending is pretty phenomenal as well. Not only that, this is the first in the series and as a huge series fan I’m already looking forward to the next book!
Returning to Whidbey Island was truly the last thing Sarah Rawlings ever wanted to do. She left as a teen with a broken heart and has spent the last 11 years trying to forget the bad boy who broke her heart and the heartache that followed when she married a jerk. She’s inherited her late grandmother’s house provided she follows the stipulation that she spend a month on the island. While she’s happy to reconnect with her best friend, Kenzie, seeing Kenzie’s big brother and the source of her teenage heartache, Ian McLaughlin, was not in her plan especially on her first day back.
Right away the animosity between Sarah and Ian is pretty evident, but so is the raw sexual energy swirling around them like a tornado. Even after all this time, Sarah is still hurt by what Ian did back when they were teens and Ian hasn’t forgiven Sarah for leaving town without saying goodbye. These two spend quite a bit of time playing what my hubby likes to call, “stay away from me, no wait come closer.” There is just this unexplainable pull between them so when they do finally succumb to their feelings, it’s frantic, intense, and sexy as hell.
I’d like to say their sexual reunion led to an immediate happily ever after, however we all know nothing is ever that easy. Sarah gets some unexpected company and soon secrets from the past come to light and things get very messy, very fast.
While I enjoyed the reunion between Sarah and Ian, it was hard not to fall in love with his large and in your face family. They were there for moral support, a shoulder to cry on, and to give both Ian and Sarah a pop upside the head when needed. I like that while they are intensely loyal to their brother, they are fair where Sarah is concerned.
This is one of those books that I couldn’t help but enjoy. The characters were outstanding and while the plot is often used and not one of my favorites, it didn’t affect my feelings for the book. Good Girl Gone Plaid is a well written and extremely likeable story that has me sold on The McLaughlin’s series and I’m very happy that Shelli Stevens has begun another series!
Review copy provided for an honest review
4.5 STARS
After I finished reading this book I posted a comment on Facebook about the plot line which opened up a huge discussion on both sides of the fence. So, I’m guessing Shelli Stevens knew exactly what she was doing when she penned Good Girl Gone Plaid. Having traveled Washington state extensively, I’ve spend a lot of time on the Washington ferries and on Whidbey Island so right away I was pretty enamored with this book. As for the plot, it’s not a favorite of mine however I really enjoyed this book, its characters, and the ending is pretty phenomenal as well. Not only that, this is the first in the series and as a huge series fan I’m already looking forward to the next book!
Returning to Whidbey Island was truly the last thing Sarah Rawlings ever wanted to do. She left as a teen with a broken heart and has spent the last 11 years trying to forget the bad boy who broke her heart and the heartache that followed when she married a jerk. She’s inherited her late grandmother’s house provided she follows the stipulation that she spend a month on the island. While she’s happy to reconnect with her best friend, Kenzie, seeing Kenzie’s big brother and the source of her teenage heartache, Ian McLaughlin, was not in her plan especially on her first day back.
Right away the animosity between Sarah and Ian is pretty evident, but so is the raw sexual energy swirling around them like a tornado. Even after all this time, Sarah is still hurt by what Ian did back when they were teens and Ian hasn’t forgiven Sarah for leaving town without saying goodbye. These two spend quite a bit of time playing what my hubby likes to call, “stay away from me, no wait come closer.” There is just this unexplainable pull between them so when they do finally succumb to their feelings, it’s frantic, intense, and sexy as hell.
I’d like to say their sexual reunion led to an immediate happily ever after, however we all know nothing is ever that easy. Sarah gets some unexpected company and soon secrets from the past come to light and things get very messy, very fast.
While I enjoyed the reunion between Sarah and Ian, it was hard not to fall in love with his large and in your face family. They were there for moral support, a shoulder to cry on, and to give both Ian and Sarah a pop upside the head when needed. I like that while they are intensely loyal to their brother, they are fair where Sarah is concerned.
This is one of those books that I couldn’t help but enjoy. The characters were outstanding and while the plot is often used and not one of my favorites, it didn’t affect my feelings for the book. Good Girl Gone Plaid is a well written and extremely likeable story that has me sold on The McLaughlin’s series and I’m very happy that Shelli Stevens has begun another series!
June 29, 2014
I'm what some people would refer to as a romance novel fanatic. Any kind of romance, you name it, I've probably read it. So it's rare that I come across a book that's truly unique and exciting. Unfortunately for me, this wasn't one of those books.
Sarah Rawlings is a single, recently divorced mother who has returned to her hometown after the death of her grandmother to fulfil the terms of her grandmother's will (This includes staying in her deceased grandmother's house for a month). In this hometown lives her high school sweetheart and resident bad boy, Ian McLaughlin. Their relationship ended badly and the two have never made contact after said incident. So when Sarah and Ian finally meet after 11 years, sparks fly and they cannot seem to resist each other.
My problem with this book was that it was extremely cliched and predictable. I could almost completely picture the scenes and dialogues before they were going to happen, to the point where I was getting inexplicably frustrated and therefore stopped reading about halfway through. I felt as though Ian's character had no depth - no emotional nuances or maturity. He was your stereotypical bad-boy. Case in point: He works in an Auto Repair shop. He's gone to jail. He has a reputation with the ladies. He's seriously smooth talking. But there was nothing that made him special. Sometimes I've craved the characters I've read about. Him, I wanted to hit. I've also read a lot of erotica and the sex scenes in this book felt rather hollow with Ian's lines reaching the point of cheesiness. I also took offense with Gina's character. I don't think it's Shelli Stevens' fault exactly but the 'horrible, vain and jealous ex-girlfriend' role has been severely overdone in romance novels.
Overall, I was quite disappointed with this book. If you're desperately seeking some bad boy romance, Good Girl Gone Plaid might be up your alley. But be careful, you might be put off the genre for a while after finishing it.
Sarah Rawlings is a single, recently divorced mother who has returned to her hometown after the death of her grandmother to fulfil the terms of her grandmother's will (This includes staying in her deceased grandmother's house for a month). In this hometown lives her high school sweetheart and resident bad boy, Ian McLaughlin. Their relationship ended badly and the two have never made contact after said incident. So when Sarah and Ian finally meet after 11 years, sparks fly and they cannot seem to resist each other.
My problem with this book was that it was extremely cliched and predictable. I could almost completely picture the scenes and dialogues before they were going to happen, to the point where I was getting inexplicably frustrated and therefore stopped reading about halfway through. I felt as though Ian's character had no depth - no emotional nuances or maturity. He was your stereotypical bad-boy. Case in point: He works in an Auto Repair shop. He's gone to jail. He has a reputation with the ladies. He's seriously smooth talking. But there was nothing that made him special. Sometimes I've craved the characters I've read about. Him, I wanted to hit. I've also read a lot of erotica and the sex scenes in this book felt rather hollow with Ian's lines reaching the point of cheesiness. I also took offense with Gina's character. I don't think it's Shelli Stevens' fault exactly but the 'horrible, vain and jealous ex-girlfriend' role has been severely overdone in romance novels.
Overall, I was quite disappointed with this book. If you're desperately seeking some bad boy romance, Good Girl Gone Plaid might be up your alley. But be careful, you might be put off the genre for a while after finishing it.
August 26, 2013
Confession: This is my first Shelli Stevens book *ducks down and waits for tomatoes to be thrown*
Okay, I've been in a bit of a reading slump lately and I'm a fan of Hottie Scotties and contemporary romance so a melding of both things in one book made me pick up Shelli's book.
And now, I give you five reasons why you should read this book. Or at least put it on your TBR list:
1. Hottie Scotties: Three of them. Aleck, Ian and Colin McLaughlin. And two of them are twins. Whoa! I mean really, who can resist a guy who competes in Highland Games, can rock a kilt and make your knees weak with one smoldering look?
2. A shared past, a second chance: If you're a total fan of the second chances trope, this book is for you. Sarah and Ian were totally hot and heavy in high school until two factors pulled them apart: her father's relocation for the Navy and Sarah walking in on Ian and his bad boy ways. Once a bad boy, always a bad boy. Or so it goes.
3. Small town romance: I'm a fan of small town romance because everyone knows everyone else's business. Plus, those characters will pop up in future books. It's like visiting with old friends.
A full review can be found at Romancing Rakes For The Love of Romance
Okay, I've been in a bit of a reading slump lately and I'm a fan of Hottie Scotties and contemporary romance so a melding of both things in one book made me pick up Shelli's book.
And now, I give you five reasons why you should read this book. Or at least put it on your TBR list:
1. Hottie Scotties: Three of them. Aleck, Ian and Colin McLaughlin. And two of them are twins. Whoa! I mean really, who can resist a guy who competes in Highland Games, can rock a kilt and make your knees weak with one smoldering look?
2. A shared past, a second chance: If you're a total fan of the second chances trope, this book is for you. Sarah and Ian were totally hot and heavy in high school until two factors pulled them apart: her father's relocation for the Navy and Sarah walking in on Ian and his bad boy ways. Once a bad boy, always a bad boy. Or so it goes.
3. Small town romance: I'm a fan of small town romance because everyone knows everyone else's business. Plus, those characters will pop up in future books. It's like visiting with old friends.
A full review can be found at Romancing Rakes For The Love of Romance
October 20, 2014
Good Girl Gone Plaid is a fun modern day romance.
The story is quite predictable. Teenage sweet hearts have a bad break up only to reunite 10 years later.
You've got a ton of situations that were put into the melting pot of Good Girl Gone Plaid...divorce, spouse abuse, attempted rape, hidden progeny, and a criminal element.
I grab this book for free and found it an ok read. The sexual encounters are hot and steamy. They little girl was cute and endearing. Our couple seemed a bit immature for late 20 something adults with their incessant bickering and banter but overall it was an descent romance.
As of today 10/20/2014, this ebook is still free on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Grab a copy and check it out for yourself. With all special offers, I have no idea how long this special will last so please check pricing before you click.
Written by: Shelli Stevens
Print Length: 229 pages
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
Publication Date: June 11, 2013
Rating: 3 Stars
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Find this book on: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
The story is quite predictable. Teenage sweet hearts have a bad break up only to reunite 10 years later.
You've got a ton of situations that were put into the melting pot of Good Girl Gone Plaid...divorce, spouse abuse, attempted rape, hidden progeny, and a criminal element.
I grab this book for free and found it an ok read. The sexual encounters are hot and steamy. They little girl was cute and endearing. Our couple seemed a bit immature for late 20 something adults with their incessant bickering and banter but overall it was an descent romance.
As of today 10/20/2014, this ebook is still free on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Grab a copy and check it out for yourself. With all special offers, I have no idea how long this special will last so please check pricing before you click.
Written by: Shelli Stevens
Print Length: 229 pages
Publisher: Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
Publication Date: June 11, 2013
Rating: 3 Stars
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Find this book on: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
February 4, 2018
Loved! Loved! Loved! I am so excited about this series featuring the McLaughlin clan. In this book not only to we get to meet the McLaughlin's but we get to watch as Ian and Sarah get a second chance at love. Teenage loves Ian and Sarah thought they would spend their lives together. When secrets and lies tear them apart they both move on. Now eleven years later they are reunited. It soon becomes clear that the pull between them is still as powerful as ever. When the secrets of the past are revealed will they be able to overcome them?
I can't wait for the next in the series! I highly recommend this one.
I can't wait for the next in the series! I highly recommend this one.
February 2, 2014
**3 1/2 stars**
Somewhat predictable but still a cute contemporary romance. Looking forward to all the siblings' future books, especially Aleck's...the hunka hunka yumminess big brother! :)
July 30, 2018
Not a book that I'd normally read, to be honest. I can't say I love it, but I don't hate it either. I good quick read, could have easily read within a day. If you like rom-coms then you'll probably like this. However, the sub-stories within the main story is a little annoying but I also see how they make up something that could happen?? I don't know, I want to read the next book at this point because they're really quick reads.
August 10, 2018
This was my first Shelli Stevens book and it won't be my last. Sarah and Ian were awesome. I loved everything about them. I loved how it went from the past to the present. Everything was perfect. Can't wait to read more about Ian family in the next books.
September 8, 2018
i found this in my kindle and just read it so quickly ...what a great read. totally sucked in ...loved this characters and i will be reading more from Shelli soon enough. must read. well written, taken back by the cover. ( ;
February 3, 2023
DNF at 11% - and I hardly ever abandon a book mid-read. The characters were so unlikeable and their descriptions wholly unbelievable. Yikes. At least it was free!
May 18, 2018
This a great second chance at love story. It s a quick read that is perfect for a quick afternoon enjoyment. I’ve rad several books by Shelli Stevens and all are enjoyable. I look forward to reading more books in this series.
April 30, 2014
**I apologize for the long review but there were just so many great things to about this story!! :)**
This is the first and certainly not my last Shelli Stevens book. This author has been hiding under my nose for a while and I feel like kicking my own ass. Lol. Good Girl Gone Plaid is a great start to this series.
One of my favorite types of books are the ones where a school crush turns into more down the road. Now this one isn't exactly the typical one where one of the characters is secretly in love with the other. Ian and Sarah went to high school together. Although they weren't in the same grade, they met through Ian's sister who is Sarah's best friend. Having been thrown together on one than more occasion, bad boy Ian and Sarah become close and become boyfriend and girlfriend. Needless to say, Sarah's dad is not a fan of Ian at all and decides to take a transfer to Japan after Sarah is crushed by a betrayal from Ian.
Fast forward eleven years later, Sarah is forced back to Whidbey Island after her grandmother passes. Per her grandmother's will, she must stay in her grandmother's home for a month in order to inherit it so she can sell it so she can let go of the last tie she has on Whidbey Island. She sees Ian though within the first few hours of being home and BAM! The sparks are instantaneous and explosive. Even if it's the hostile kind. :) We find out later that Sarah has a reason to keep Ian at ten arm lengths away. I won't spoil it for you though but it's definitely one that would piss anyone off. But at the same time, I knew why Sarah did what she did. It seemed like it was the only thing to do at the time but it definitely was not the correct way to go about it.
And now that we have some of the basics down. Let's get into the characters. Let's start with Sarah. At first I wasn't really sure what I thought about her. I figured out early on what I thought Sarah's problem was (I was wrong and figured out what was happening soon after) and was just waiting to for the ball to drop on that one. I can honestly say that I didn't particularly care for her at first. I wasn't sure why she couldn't let go of something that had happened in the past so long ago but then it all clicked and I felt for her and her situation. I was beyond happy when she redeemed herself in my eyes. I hate it when I don't click with the main characters. Sarah became someone I could see myself being friends with.
And Ian. Whoo boy, Ian! Irish and Scottish men can melt my panties in a hot second just speaking. Throw in the bad boy angle and my clothes literally disintegrate on their own. Now this bad boy Ian was mainly teenage/college age Ian. Adult Ian is definitely different (throw in a plot twist from the past that had me cringing and wanting to bash someone's head in with a baseball bat) but no less desirable. He never disputes he's not a bad boy and has a criminal record to prove it(Again, that plot twist I mentioned.) even though the reasoning behind it honestly makes me pissed. And we get to see parts of him where he is a softie for a certain set of people that made me turn to a pile of mush. I love tough guys with a gooey center.
Which brings me to secondary characters. OMG. I love the rest of the McLaughlin clan. Especially the men. And Ian has a twin, Colin who is the second book of the series. (Review to follow after this one.) They are also a big part in making this book great. The sense of a united family makes up a great part of the story in my opinion. I am close to my family and love when I read about them in other stories. I wish other families were able to have the same with their siblings and parents. Another big feature in the story is forgiveness. That is really the only way any of these characters are able to work past things. So if you want a bad boy with a heart of gold, a nosey, protective family, and a great story that will keep you reading late into the night, this is definitely one I say go out and get now. And the rest are just a good too!
This is the first and certainly not my last Shelli Stevens book. This author has been hiding under my nose for a while and I feel like kicking my own ass. Lol. Good Girl Gone Plaid is a great start to this series.
One of my favorite types of books are the ones where a school crush turns into more down the road. Now this one isn't exactly the typical one where one of the characters is secretly in love with the other. Ian and Sarah went to high school together. Although they weren't in the same grade, they met through Ian's sister who is Sarah's best friend. Having been thrown together on one than more occasion, bad boy Ian and Sarah become close and become boyfriend and girlfriend. Needless to say, Sarah's dad is not a fan of Ian at all and decides to take a transfer to Japan after Sarah is crushed by a betrayal from Ian.
Fast forward eleven years later, Sarah is forced back to Whidbey Island after her grandmother passes. Per her grandmother's will, she must stay in her grandmother's home for a month in order to inherit it so she can sell it so she can let go of the last tie she has on Whidbey Island. She sees Ian though within the first few hours of being home and BAM! The sparks are instantaneous and explosive. Even if it's the hostile kind. :) We find out later that Sarah has a reason to keep Ian at ten arm lengths away. I won't spoil it for you though but it's definitely one that would piss anyone off. But at the same time, I knew why Sarah did what she did. It seemed like it was the only thing to do at the time but it definitely was not the correct way to go about it.
And now that we have some of the basics down. Let's get into the characters. Let's start with Sarah. At first I wasn't really sure what I thought about her. I figured out early on what I thought Sarah's problem was (I was wrong and figured out what was happening soon after) and was just waiting to for the ball to drop on that one. I can honestly say that I didn't particularly care for her at first. I wasn't sure why she couldn't let go of something that had happened in the past so long ago but then it all clicked and I felt for her and her situation. I was beyond happy when she redeemed herself in my eyes. I hate it when I don't click with the main characters. Sarah became someone I could see myself being friends with.
And Ian. Whoo boy, Ian! Irish and Scottish men can melt my panties in a hot second just speaking. Throw in the bad boy angle and my clothes literally disintegrate on their own. Now this bad boy Ian was mainly teenage/college age Ian. Adult Ian is definitely different (throw in a plot twist from the past that had me cringing and wanting to bash someone's head in with a baseball bat) but no less desirable. He never disputes he's not a bad boy and has a criminal record to prove it(Again, that plot twist I mentioned.) even though the reasoning behind it honestly makes me pissed. And we get to see parts of him where he is a softie for a certain set of people that made me turn to a pile of mush. I love tough guys with a gooey center.
Which brings me to secondary characters. OMG. I love the rest of the McLaughlin clan. Especially the men. And Ian has a twin, Colin who is the second book of the series. (Review to follow after this one.) They are also a big part in making this book great. The sense of a united family makes up a great part of the story in my opinion. I am close to my family and love when I read about them in other stories. I wish other families were able to have the same with their siblings and parents. Another big feature in the story is forgiveness. That is really the only way any of these characters are able to work past things. So if you want a bad boy with a heart of gold, a nosey, protective family, and a great story that will keep you reading late into the night, this is definitely one I say go out and get now. And the rest are just a good too!
January 10, 2016
3.5 Stars! This is my first book by Shelli Stevens and it was a sweet second chance romance. We are introduced to the McLaughlin family, their loyalty, protectiveness, and love.
Summary:
Sarah Rawlings is coming back to the one place she always felt at home for the first time in 11 years, and she couldn't be more nervous. Although she loved the island of Whidbey in the Pacific Northwest, when she left as a teenager, her heart was shattered and she never planned to revisit the location of so much betrayal and heartache. Unfortunately, the death of her beloved grandmother and her inheritance has called her back, but she prays the enforced month-long visit passes quickly and no run-ins with the Scottish boy she left behind occur. Ian McLaughlin can't believe the only girl to get under his skin, the very same that left without even a goodbye, is back on his island. Seeing her has the anger, disbelief, regret, and longing from so long ago, resurfacing. In high school, the couple was practically inseparable despite Ian's bad boy reputation. And now, the sizzling attraction and raging desire seem to be just as strong as then, if not stronger. Can they find their way back to each other? Sarah isn't sure she can trust the man who broke her heart or move past his criminal past. Ian surely isn't good enough for the likes of a gorgeous divorced, single mom. Both Sarah and Ian did things they both regret on that long ago night so long ago, but their reunion prompts the reveal of an avalanche of secrets and added betrayal. Nothing can ever be the same, but maybe if could be better if only the past can be forgiven and forgotten.
I love second chance romances. There is just something about reading the journey of a couple finding their way back to one another. Sarah was a sweet heroine, if not a teensy bit judgmental. She was funny, loving, and desperately in love. Ian was hot. I loved his bad boy image with the soft and sweet shallowly buried. I fell hard for the McLaughlins. They are a close-knit, loving Scottish family that you just pray you can be apart of. Lol. Some of this story was given to us in flashbacks, and I enjoyed the way the author wrote those. It was seamless, easy to understand, and informative. Overall, it was a nice, easy, romantic read. I was a bit let down with the lack of confrontation with Curt MacGregor. It just felt like we were building up to something that never came to fruition. I also wish we had gotten an epilogue. I'm an epilogue girl, even if it's not crazy far in the future (although those are awesome). I will definitely be reading on to follow the other McLaughlins on their journies to love. <3
Summary:
Sarah Rawlings is coming back to the one place she always felt at home for the first time in 11 years, and she couldn't be more nervous. Although she loved the island of Whidbey in the Pacific Northwest, when she left as a teenager, her heart was shattered and she never planned to revisit the location of so much betrayal and heartache. Unfortunately, the death of her beloved grandmother and her inheritance has called her back, but she prays the enforced month-long visit passes quickly and no run-ins with the Scottish boy she left behind occur. Ian McLaughlin can't believe the only girl to get under his skin, the very same that left without even a goodbye, is back on his island. Seeing her has the anger, disbelief, regret, and longing from so long ago, resurfacing. In high school, the couple was practically inseparable despite Ian's bad boy reputation. And now, the sizzling attraction and raging desire seem to be just as strong as then, if not stronger. Can they find their way back to each other? Sarah isn't sure she can trust the man who broke her heart or move past his criminal past. Ian surely isn't good enough for the likes of a gorgeous divorced, single mom. Both Sarah and Ian did things they both regret on that long ago night so long ago, but their reunion prompts the reveal of an avalanche of secrets and added betrayal. Nothing can ever be the same, but maybe if could be better if only the past can be forgiven and forgotten.
I love second chance romances. There is just something about reading the journey of a couple finding their way back to one another. Sarah was a sweet heroine, if not a teensy bit judgmental. She was funny, loving, and desperately in love. Ian was hot. I loved his bad boy image with the soft and sweet shallowly buried. I fell hard for the McLaughlins. They are a close-knit, loving Scottish family that you just pray you can be apart of. Lol. Some of this story was given to us in flashbacks, and I enjoyed the way the author wrote those. It was seamless, easy to understand, and informative. Overall, it was a nice, easy, romantic read. I was a bit let down with the lack of confrontation with Curt MacGregor. It just felt like we were building up to something that never came to fruition. I also wish we had gotten an epilogue. I'm an epilogue girl, even if it's not crazy far in the future (although those are awesome). I will definitely be reading on to follow the other McLaughlins on their journies to love. <3
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