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Adamson Brothers #2
One Good Reason
It's time to move on...
Any day now Jon Adamson will pack his bags and hit the road. After all, his intention was never to hang around Melbourne once he’d settled his late father’s affairs. Yet he hasn’t moved on. And it might have something to do with Gabby Wade. The not-so-big office manager with the really big attitude is making Jon’s days…interesting…engaging…fun. It’s impossible for him to resist her.
But he knows himself—long-term commitments and cozy family dinners aren’t his style. If that’s what the future holds, why is he still here? And why is he spending all his days—and nights—with Gabby? Because maybe she’s the one reason strong enough to make him stay.
What if you discovered that all you ever wanted were the things you’d left behind?
Any day now Jon Adamson will pack his bags and hit the road. After all, his intention was never to hang around Melbourne once he’d settled his late father’s affairs. Yet he hasn’t moved on. And it might have something to do with Gabby Wade. The not-so-big office manager with the really big attitude is making Jon’s days…interesting…engaging…fun. It’s impossible for him to resist her.
But he knows himself—long-term commitments and cozy family dinners aren’t his style. If that’s what the future holds, why is he still here? And why is he spending all his days—and nights—with Gabby? Because maybe she’s the one reason strong enough to make him stay.
What if you discovered that all you ever wanted were the things you’d left behind?
281 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
5 people are currently reading
696 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Mayberry
158 books1,149 followersSarah Mayberry was born in Melbourne, Australia, and is the middle of three children. From the time that she first “stole” paper from kindergarten and stapled it together to make “books,” Sarah has always wanted to be a writer. In line with this ambition, on graduation from high school she completed a bachelor of arts degree majoring in professional writing, then sat down to write a book. When inspiration didn’t strike, she began to wonder if, perhaps, she needed to live some life first before writing about it.
This still left the burning question of how to pay the rent. She found her way into trade journalism, working off the principle that it was better to write anything for a living than nothing at all. Her time there lead to the opportunity to launch a new decorator magazine for one of Australia’s major retailers, an invaluable and grueling experience that she found very rewarding.
But the opportunity to write fiction for a living soon lured Sarah away. She took up a post as storyliner on Australia’s longest running soap, Neighbours. Over two years she helped plot more than 240 hours of television, as well as writing freelance scripts. She remembers her time with the show very fondly — especially the dirty jokes and laughter around the story table — and still writes scripts on a freelance basis.
In 2003 she relocated to New Zealand for her partner’s work. There Sarah served as storyliner and story editor on the country’s top-rating drama, Shortland Street, before quitting to pursue writing full time.
Sarah picked up a love of romance novels from both her grandmothers, and has submitted manuscripts to Harlequin many times over the years. She credits the invaluable story structuring experience she learned on Neighbours as the key to her eventual success — along with the patience of her fantastic editor, Wanda.
Sarah is revoltingly happy with her partner of twelve years, Chris, who is a talented scriptwriter. Not only does he offer fantastic advice and solutions to writing problems, but he’s also handsome, funny and sexy. When she’s not gushing over him, she loves to read romance and fantasy novels, go to the movies, sew and cook for her friends. She has also become a recent convert to Pilates, which she knows she should do more often.
This still left the burning question of how to pay the rent. She found her way into trade journalism, working off the principle that it was better to write anything for a living than nothing at all. Her time there lead to the opportunity to launch a new decorator magazine for one of Australia’s major retailers, an invaluable and grueling experience that she found very rewarding.
But the opportunity to write fiction for a living soon lured Sarah away. She took up a post as storyliner on Australia’s longest running soap, Neighbours. Over two years she helped plot more than 240 hours of television, as well as writing freelance scripts. She remembers her time with the show very fondly — especially the dirty jokes and laughter around the story table — and still writes scripts on a freelance basis.
In 2003 she relocated to New Zealand for her partner’s work. There Sarah served as storyliner and story editor on the country’s top-rating drama, Shortland Street, before quitting to pursue writing full time.
Sarah picked up a love of romance novels from both her grandmothers, and has submitted manuscripts to Harlequin many times over the years. She credits the invaluable story structuring experience she learned on Neighbours as the key to her eventual success — along with the patience of her fantastic editor, Wanda.
Sarah is revoltingly happy with her partner of twelve years, Chris, who is a talented scriptwriter. Not only does he offer fantastic advice and solutions to writing problems, but he’s also handsome, funny and sexy. When she’s not gushing over him, she loves to read romance and fantasy novels, go to the movies, sew and cook for her friends. She has also become a recent convert to Pilates, which she knows she should do more often.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
July 13, 2011
I am like a kid with a new stick of candy when it comes to books by Sarah Mayberry. I want to savor every emotion the book invokes, I get frustrated when anything takes me away from my indulgence and I am left with a feeling of melancholy once I am done, knowing that it would be quite sometime afterwards that I would get to indulge in a book by my favorite Harlequin author again.
The release of this book has also brought to light the fact that I am the worst possible stalker in the world. Ever since I read Sarah Mayberry's last release earlier this year which features Tyler, younger brother of the hero Jon in this novel, I have been looking up various websites to see when and what her next release would be. Even then, somehow I managed to miss this title until I saw a review of the book from my friend Jill on Goodreads. You could probably imagine my reaction when this happened and lets just say that I was not a happy camper at all. LOL!
As I mentioned earlier, One Good Reason is tied with Sarah Mayberry's last release The Last Goodbye. Jon Adamson is the older brother, the one who fled home as soon as he was able to and moved to Canada where he had owned his construction company and made a name for himself until his return back to Australia upon the death of his father. Quieter and more intense, Jon is a man who keeps all his emotions under wrap, control being his most important and coveted feature until he meets the prickly and independent to the boot Gabriele Wade (Gabby) who pricks and pokes into all his emotions until his control shreds to pieces.
Gabby works as the office manager at the T.A. Furnitures owned by her ex-boyfriend Tyler who is now very happily married to the love of his life. Gabby had spent 3 years of her life with Tyler, wondering when he would open up to her, and finally walking away when she realized that Tyler would never change.
From the start, Gabby and Jon rub each other the wrong way, polite conversation a foreign concept for both of them when they are together. All this culminates in one of the most explosive desk smexing session that left me breathless, that tore apart both Gabby and Jon's control to pieces, that somehow brings home the fact that for both Jon and Gabby, their encounter means more than a meaningless roll in the hay.
But Jon is a man who has his own demons to fight, the residue of a childhood spent with an abusive father, his hold on Jon still a deep rooted one even from beyond the grave. For Jon, trust and opening up himself doesn't come easily and for Gabby who has once being through all this before, its like her worst nightmare come true all over again when her feelings are much more involved than the last time around.
What I love about Sarah Mayberry's books is the fact that she writes about 'real' people with problems you can relate to. Honest emotions, fears and doubts are dealt with in a way that brings forth a lot of emotions of the good and bad kind and once you are done, you can't help but want more.
Jon's character is such an endearing one, his physique and the fact that he is wearing a god-damn tool belt on the cover earning him all plus points in spades. And Jon is much more than just a pretty face, described as a gentle giant in the book which pretty much sums him up, as beneath his tough exterior lies a heart that bleeds. Gabby is a heroine who wormed her way into my heart because deep inside she wants Jon to be happy, for Jon to be able to move beyond the shackles that has bound him till now. Her independence, the fact that she is fiercely protective lends her character a charming facet that has landed her in my favorite heroines shelf.
One Good Reason is a book that deals with a difficult subject. Child abuse at the hands of those that should protect them from the evil that lurks in the rest of the world. The effects that still linger and the emotional scars left behind are all dealt with honesty earning this novel a corner from my favorite reads this year.
Recommended for ALL fans of contemporary romance.
Rating=5/5
Original review posted on MBR's Realm of Romance
The release of this book has also brought to light the fact that I am the worst possible stalker in the world. Ever since I read Sarah Mayberry's last release earlier this year which features Tyler, younger brother of the hero Jon in this novel, I have been looking up various websites to see when and what her next release would be. Even then, somehow I managed to miss this title until I saw a review of the book from my friend Jill on Goodreads. You could probably imagine my reaction when this happened and lets just say that I was not a happy camper at all. LOL!
As I mentioned earlier, One Good Reason is tied with Sarah Mayberry's last release The Last Goodbye. Jon Adamson is the older brother, the one who fled home as soon as he was able to and moved to Canada where he had owned his construction company and made a name for himself until his return back to Australia upon the death of his father. Quieter and more intense, Jon is a man who keeps all his emotions under wrap, control being his most important and coveted feature until he meets the prickly and independent to the boot Gabriele Wade (Gabby) who pricks and pokes into all his emotions until his control shreds to pieces.
Gabby works as the office manager at the T.A. Furnitures owned by her ex-boyfriend Tyler who is now very happily married to the love of his life. Gabby had spent 3 years of her life with Tyler, wondering when he would open up to her, and finally walking away when she realized that Tyler would never change.
From the start, Gabby and Jon rub each other the wrong way, polite conversation a foreign concept for both of them when they are together. All this culminates in one of the most explosive desk smexing session that left me breathless, that tore apart both Gabby and Jon's control to pieces, that somehow brings home the fact that for both Jon and Gabby, their encounter means more than a meaningless roll in the hay.
But Jon is a man who has his own demons to fight, the residue of a childhood spent with an abusive father, his hold on Jon still a deep rooted one even from beyond the grave. For Jon, trust and opening up himself doesn't come easily and for Gabby who has once being through all this before, its like her worst nightmare come true all over again when her feelings are much more involved than the last time around.
What I love about Sarah Mayberry's books is the fact that she writes about 'real' people with problems you can relate to. Honest emotions, fears and doubts are dealt with in a way that brings forth a lot of emotions of the good and bad kind and once you are done, you can't help but want more.
Jon's character is such an endearing one, his physique and the fact that he is wearing a god-damn tool belt on the cover earning him all plus points in spades. And Jon is much more than just a pretty face, described as a gentle giant in the book which pretty much sums him up, as beneath his tough exterior lies a heart that bleeds. Gabby is a heroine who wormed her way into my heart because deep inside she wants Jon to be happy, for Jon to be able to move beyond the shackles that has bound him till now. Her independence, the fact that she is fiercely protective lends her character a charming facet that has landed her in my favorite heroines shelf.
One Good Reason is a book that deals with a difficult subject. Child abuse at the hands of those that should protect them from the evil that lurks in the rest of the world. The effects that still linger and the emotional scars left behind are all dealt with honesty earning this novel a corner from my favorite reads this year.
Recommended for ALL fans of contemporary romance.
Rating=5/5
Original review posted on MBR's Realm of Romance
June 22, 2011
One Good Reason by Sarah Mayberry is the sequel to The Last Goodbye and the elder brother Jon's story. We know that both Jon and Tyler had an abusive childhood. Jon who owned a building company in Canada returned too late, his father died while he was on the way and it's been 11 months since his death and Jon is still living in his old childhood home, tortured by memories and drinking way too much when Tyler calls him on it. So, Jon who has sold his business, takes a temporary unpaid job in Tyler's furniture business.
It took a while for me for the book to start. Jon is not the easiest and the friendliest guy at first, he has issues more than Tyler. For him his father's death has brought back all the old nightmares and the guilt. Jon felt he let down Tyler so ever since their mother died and that obligation died Tyler and Jon have hardly kept in touch though we find out that they have kept tabs on each others work.
Gabby as we know is the office manager of Tyler's business and his ex. She works a lot and values her independence. There is a moment when Jon doubts her sexuality that Gabby looks at herself, how she has let herself slide after the break-up with Tyler, how she never really grieved. She feels a yearning for what Tyler and Ally have and wonders what was lacking in her. While all this self-evaluation was going on the book wasn't that great for me. Despite all of this Gabby finds herself wondering about Jon, there are no instant sparks between them instead there is animosity. Jon is shocked when he hears about her past relationship with Gabby.
I liked how sweet Jon was about staying back late at work just to make sure that Gabby didn't have to walk back alone and he made excuses so as to not offend her independence. There is a scene when Jon challenges how equipped Gabby is to handle her security, that explodes in them going at it in the office.
But the thing is Jon has problems, he doesn't like talking about the past and Gabby doesn't want to be in a relationship like she had with Tyler, where she keeps trying and trying. I liked how Gabby showed Jon that she is capable of changing her own tyres, how she told him that she wouldn't accept half-measures.
I especially liked how Jon confronted his past by trying to help a little boy like himself.
The book was good but not the best I have read by this author.
Courtesy Netgalley
It took a while for me for the book to start. Jon is not the easiest and the friendliest guy at first, he has issues more than Tyler. For him his father's death has brought back all the old nightmares and the guilt. Jon felt he let down Tyler so ever since their mother died and that obligation died Tyler and Jon have hardly kept in touch though we find out that they have kept tabs on each others work.
Gabby as we know is the office manager of Tyler's business and his ex. She works a lot and values her independence. There is a moment when Jon doubts her sexuality that Gabby looks at herself, how she has let herself slide after the break-up with Tyler, how she never really grieved. She feels a yearning for what Tyler and Ally have and wonders what was lacking in her. While all this self-evaluation was going on the book wasn't that great for me. Despite all of this Gabby finds herself wondering about Jon, there are no instant sparks between them instead there is animosity. Jon is shocked when he hears about her past relationship with Gabby.
I liked how sweet Jon was about staying back late at work just to make sure that Gabby didn't have to walk back alone and he made excuses so as to not offend her independence. There is a scene when Jon challenges how equipped Gabby is to handle her security, that explodes in them going at it in the office.
But the thing is Jon has problems, he doesn't like talking about the past and Gabby doesn't want to be in a relationship like she had with Tyler, where she keeps trying and trying. I liked how Gabby showed Jon that she is capable of changing her own tyres, how she told him that she wouldn't accept half-measures.
I especially liked how Jon confronted his past by trying to help a little boy like himself.
The book was good but not the best I have read by this author.
Courtesy Netgalley
March 19, 2012
I finished One Good Reason by Sarah Mayberry, and Ridley was right. It was 5 stars, all the way. This is not my usual read...it's a Harly, a contemporary, and filled with angsty characters. But I'll tell you this, I lived that book. My heart rate was racing during the explosive first love scene, my anxiety went up when Gabby was getting drunk off her ass at the big holiday party, my tear ducts were leaking (heavily!) when Jon and his brother finally embraced for the first time, after many years of abuse at the hands of their father. It was an extremely emotional and satisfying read.
Grade: A
Grade: A
June 15, 2012
So I am the kind of person that reads books at work and then stews about them. Which, I did like this one more than its predecessor, so I suppose that's something.
But my issues are really with the core of the story. One, it's an insta-love book and I HATE insta-love books. Sure, it's hidden in a loathing/lust at first sight thing that takes up about half the book, but when they get together they are suddenly in love and it didn't work for me. Especially given the fairly monumental emotional issues that both characters have, his from an abusive childhood and hers from a terrible relationship with his brother. And that brings me to the second issue. Tyler is a really shitty friend to Gabby. Maybe it's because I've been the girl trying to be friends with the guy that broke your heart, but reading it I just wanted to shake her and tell her to get the hell out of that company because Tyler is a terrible friend and doesn't value her and you never really see why she's so intent on keeping him in her life. I think it's nice that the book avoided the trope of the ex and current partner hating each other, but that's wrapped up in "everyone loves Ally, she's so sweet" and that sort of turned my stomach a little.
Blergh. Someone else needs to read some Sarah Mayberry and then tell me which one that I can read without wanting to hit things.
But my issues are really with the core of the story. One, it's an insta-love book and I HATE insta-love books. Sure, it's hidden in a loathing/lust at first sight thing that takes up about half the book, but when they get together they are suddenly in love and it didn't work for me. Especially given the fairly monumental emotional issues that both characters have, his from an abusive childhood and hers from a terrible relationship with his brother. And that brings me to the second issue. Tyler is a really shitty friend to Gabby. Maybe it's because I've been the girl trying to be friends with the guy that broke your heart, but reading it I just wanted to shake her and tell her to get the hell out of that company because Tyler is a terrible friend and doesn't value her and you never really see why she's so intent on keeping him in her life. I think it's nice that the book avoided the trope of the ex and current partner hating each other, but that's wrapped up in "everyone loves Ally, she's so sweet" and that sort of turned my stomach a little.
Blergh. Someone else needs to read some Sarah Mayberry and then tell me which one that I can read without wanting to hit things.
August 11, 2020
OOK back to being stingy with my ratings. I have serious issues with brothers and sisters sharing lovers. Its GROSS!!!!! Beyond unimaginable when the said brother/sister is deceased as it is but completely devoid of anything decent when they're not. Why anyone would want to write this type of romance is beyond me and makes me question that author's sanity. I cannot and will not pick up another book by this author after reading this book.
Please refer to my review of Return Match which speaks to this kind of love [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...]. I completely agree with Cathy's review below and object some more, it makes my skin crawl.
Not to mention that the H (and his brother) were physically abused by their father. This is NOT a light matter that is helped/overcome by the methods mentioned in the book. Tabs'review below says it best.
Please refer to my review of Return Match which speaks to this kind of love [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...]. I completely agree with Cathy's review below and object some more, it makes my skin crawl.
Not to mention that the H (and his brother) were physically abused by their father. This is NOT a light matter that is helped/overcome by the methods mentioned in the book. Tabs'review below says it best.
May 14, 2014
This is pretty much a direct sequel to The Last Goodbye and I liked it well-enough, though not nearly as well as I did the first—which may be a little confusing as I'm giving them the same star rating. That makes sense if you consider that the first was near the top of my four stars and this book only barely squeaked into it.
Jon is a whole lot more messed up than his brother Tyler. He's a lot less emotionally self-aware and (consequently) a lot more blind to the emotional lives of those around him. He's also a lot slower to come around (which, consequently, makes his turn-around happen in a much shorter space and feel a good deal less-well supported). That said, I have a fondness for large, protective men willing and able to step in front of damage (emotional or physical) aimed at others, and Jon has that in spades.
Gabby, too, is a good deal less engaging than Ally was. Which isn't helped by having Ally right there in the story to compare and contrast. The dynamic of being Tyler's ex was fascinating (though I felt Mayberry could have done more with it had she chosen to do so) and having her so involved in Tyler's life and business had a lot of interesting twists and turns that was fun to explore (for me, the reader, obviously not so much for poor Gabby). That said, I really liked her bravery in the face of emotional turmoil and her refusal to give up when provoked.
So yeah, it's a qualified win, but it still manages enough of one to bump a careful 3.5 to a final 4.
A note about Steamy: Like its predecessor, this one had two explicit scenes of moderate (to short) length and only a little ancillary necking.
Jon is a whole lot more messed up than his brother Tyler. He's a lot less emotionally self-aware and (consequently) a lot more blind to the emotional lives of those around him. He's also a lot slower to come around (which, consequently, makes his turn-around happen in a much shorter space and feel a good deal less-well supported). That said, I have a fondness for large, protective men willing and able to step in front of damage (emotional or physical) aimed at others, and Jon has that in spades.
Gabby, too, is a good deal less engaging than Ally was. Which isn't helped by having Ally right there in the story to compare and contrast. The dynamic of being Tyler's ex was fascinating (though I felt Mayberry could have done more with it had she chosen to do so) and having her so involved in Tyler's life and business had a lot of interesting twists and turns that was fun to explore (for me, the reader, obviously not so much for poor Gabby). That said, I really liked her bravery in the face of emotional turmoil and her refusal to give up when provoked.
So yeah, it's a qualified win, but it still manages enough of one to bump a careful 3.5 to a final 4.
A note about Steamy: Like its predecessor, this one had two explicit scenes of moderate (to short) length and only a little ancillary necking.
June 21, 2020
2.5 stars
I liked this just slightly less than the first book, but honestly neither one of these rank among my favourite Mayberry's and I'll probably have forgotten about them in a week's time. The fact that Gabby had been in a serious relationship with Tyler a couple of years prior made me really uncomfortable at times and Mayberry never managed to make that go away completely.
I liked this just slightly less than the first book, but honestly neither one of these rank among my favourite Mayberry's and I'll probably have forgotten about them in a week's time. The fact that Gabby had been in a serious relationship with Tyler a couple of years prior made me really uncomfortable at times and Mayberry never managed to make that go away completely.
September 1, 2011
Review published at the passionate reader
http://thepassionatereader.blogspot.c...
For many a woman of my advanced age--50--the mere mention of Harlequin romances engenders painful memories of crappy books with silly covers read in their teens. That's a shame because today Harlequin publishes more than a few really well-written novels. One of my favorite Harlequin authors is the Australian writer Sarah Mayberry. Ms. Mayberry's books feature real people with real problems portrayed with nuance and by excellent prose. I enjoyed her latest, One Good Reason, immensely.
One Good Reason is the story of the bumpy love affair between Jon Adamson (he's the older brother of another of Ms. Mayberry's heroes) and Gabby Wade. Jon, who was abused as a boy, is a borderline alcoholic who sheers away from any and all emotional closeness. He has lived in Canada for many years but has returned to Australia after his father dies in order to finally come to terms with his past and thus be able to define his future. Gabby works for Jon's brother Tyler, a man she lived with for years and whom she left when she realized he'd never really love her. Both Jon and Gabby long for something better than the empty emotional lives they have but both are terrified of the possible costs of commitment to another
Gabby and Jon don't immediately fall into each others' arms. Gabby thinks Jon's a bounder, not worthy of Tyler's--and the firm's--trust. Jon thinks Gabby is an uptight, judgmental prig. They circle each other warily until they conflagrate first in anger and then in passion. Their initial relationship is almost combatively sexual and both are threatened by the deep seated emotions their encounters elicit.
Sarah Mayberry never shies away from complex issues and in One Good Reason she takes on the scars left by child abuse. Gabby is much quicker than Jon to trust the feelings their connection engenders. Despite having been hurt by Tyler, she is, after a time, willing to offer her heart to Jon. Jon, however, is truly damaged by his abusive childhood. He doubts himself too much to believe he could ever offer a safe and sane future to any woman. He knows he's a good-luck guy women like in bed but he can't see himself as a husband or a father. Gaby, once she falls for Jon, isn't willing to settle for anything less than forever.
I really enjoyed this book. Ms. Mayberry's books feature men and women that--except for being Australian--seem just like men and women I might know. Jon and Gabby are credible characters--both their pain and their passion come across as viable and compelling. When the two finally find their happily ever after, it's one I enjoyed and believed in. If Ms. Mayberry is representative of the Harlequin catalog, I'll happy brave those still pretty silly covers!
http://thepassionatereader.blogspot.c...
For many a woman of my advanced age--50--the mere mention of Harlequin romances engenders painful memories of crappy books with silly covers read in their teens. That's a shame because today Harlequin publishes more than a few really well-written novels. One of my favorite Harlequin authors is the Australian writer Sarah Mayberry. Ms. Mayberry's books feature real people with real problems portrayed with nuance and by excellent prose. I enjoyed her latest, One Good Reason, immensely.
One Good Reason is the story of the bumpy love affair between Jon Adamson (he's the older brother of another of Ms. Mayberry's heroes) and Gabby Wade. Jon, who was abused as a boy, is a borderline alcoholic who sheers away from any and all emotional closeness. He has lived in Canada for many years but has returned to Australia after his father dies in order to finally come to terms with his past and thus be able to define his future. Gabby works for Jon's brother Tyler, a man she lived with for years and whom she left when she realized he'd never really love her. Both Jon and Gabby long for something better than the empty emotional lives they have but both are terrified of the possible costs of commitment to another
Gabby and Jon don't immediately fall into each others' arms. Gabby thinks Jon's a bounder, not worthy of Tyler's--and the firm's--trust. Jon thinks Gabby is an uptight, judgmental prig. They circle each other warily until they conflagrate first in anger and then in passion. Their initial relationship is almost combatively sexual and both are threatened by the deep seated emotions their encounters elicit.
Sarah Mayberry never shies away from complex issues and in One Good Reason she takes on the scars left by child abuse. Gabby is much quicker than Jon to trust the feelings their connection engenders. Despite having been hurt by Tyler, she is, after a time, willing to offer her heart to Jon. Jon, however, is truly damaged by his abusive childhood. He doubts himself too much to believe he could ever offer a safe and sane future to any woman. He knows he's a good-luck guy women like in bed but he can't see himself as a husband or a father. Gaby, once she falls for Jon, isn't willing to settle for anything less than forever.
I really enjoyed this book. Ms. Mayberry's books feature men and women that--except for being Australian--seem just like men and women I might know. Jon and Gabby are credible characters--both their pain and their passion come across as viable and compelling. When the two finally find their happily ever after, it's one I enjoyed and believed in. If Ms. Mayberry is representative of the Harlequin catalog, I'll happy brave those still pretty silly covers!
July 6, 2011
Jon Adamson - after managing to survive his childhood with an abusive father and a mother who never cared for her children, he left for Canada and never looked back. Ten years later both of his parents are dead and his brother Tyler (hero of The Last Goodbye) asked him to come back and then bullied him into staying. Jon is lost now, he's trying to proving that he's not an alcholohic (but then why is not drinking so hard?), that he doesn't care about anything, that he can just pick up and leave one day. The last thing he's thinking of is his brother's associate Gabby Wade. At least that's what he says to himself.
Gabby's spent her whole life proving that she doesn't need anyone's help to survive and succeed - a legacy from her mother who's a feminist to the core. She's trying to get over an old boyfriend (it's been four years, it's about time), and the last thing she needs is to get involved with Jon . But there's just something about him that attracts her, not just physically, but emotionally as well.
Gabby and Jon had a rocky start, full of misunderstandings and prejudice. But as time goes by, they start to fall for each other. Of course, not everything is easy. Jon has deep emotional scars, and Gabby's a bit gun shy, but they pull through.
I liked the book, but there were just some things that bothered me. For one thing I didn't like Gabby much, or the fact that she spent a lot of time pining for her ex.
My main problem is not that she expected Jon to open up and confess everything about his scars to her, but the fact that when they got together she was willing to let things be, for all the talk otherwise. It was like she would've kept the status quo if Jon hadn't had a nightmare.
I liked Jon, especially how he was willing to apologize for his mistakes, how he stayed late so that she wouldn't be alone and how he respected her, and let her do thing on her own (like changing a tire) even though everything in him urged him to interfere. I can understand his unwillingness to talk about his childhood. Fears of rejection and the shame he felt were the things that kept him from opening up.
I loved the scene at the end when Jon and Tyler finally talk and clear up the air and remember the good things about their early years.
All in all, a decent read but not my favourite book from Sarah Mayberry.
Rating:
3.5 stars
*ARC provided by NetGalley*
Gabby's spent her whole life proving that she doesn't need anyone's help to survive and succeed - a legacy from her mother who's a feminist to the core. She's trying to get over an old boyfriend (it's been four years, it's about time), and the last thing she needs is to get involved with Jon . But there's just something about him that attracts her, not just physically, but emotionally as well.
Gabby and Jon had a rocky start, full of misunderstandings and prejudice. But as time goes by, they start to fall for each other. Of course, not everything is easy. Jon has deep emotional scars, and Gabby's a bit gun shy, but they pull through.
I liked the book, but there were just some things that bothered me. For one thing I didn't like Gabby much, or the fact that she spent a lot of time pining for her ex.
My main problem is not that she expected Jon to open up and confess everything about his scars to her, but the fact that when they got together she was willing to let things be, for all the talk otherwise. It was like she would've kept the status quo if Jon hadn't had a nightmare.
I liked Jon, especially how he was willing to apologize for his mistakes, how he stayed late so that she wouldn't be alone and how he respected her, and let her do thing on her own (like changing a tire) even though everything in him urged him to interfere. I can understand his unwillingness to talk about his childhood. Fears of rejection and the shame he felt were the things that kept him from opening up.
I loved the scene at the end when Jon and Tyler finally talk and clear up the air and remember the good things about their early years.
All in all, a decent read but not my favourite book from Sarah Mayberry.
Rating:
3.5 stars
*ARC provided by NetGalley*
December 19, 2011
For a while, I really really liked this romance between a prickly office manager and a stoic builder struggling with issues related to his childhood abuse. The chemistry between the leads was very believable and endearing and I chuckled out loud numerous times.
But I thought the ending stunk to such a degree that it spoiled everything that had come before for me.
Alcoholism and trauma from child abuse are not things that can be magically solved merely by dropping off the wagon, punching a dude in public, going to the police station for a few hours, and then having one whole hour's worth of a heart-to-heart with your brother after ten years of repression and internalization. Seriously. The more I think about the ending of this book, the more I start shaking my head in bafflement and the more it pisses me off.
But I thought the ending stunk to such a degree that it spoiled everything that had come before for me.
Alcoholism and trauma from child abuse are not things that can be magically solved merely by dropping off the wagon, punching a dude in public, going to the police station for a few hours, and then having one whole hour's worth of a heart-to-heart with your brother after ten years of repression and internalization. Seriously. The more I think about the ending of this book, the more I start shaking my head in bafflement and the more it pisses me off.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 13, 2011
Originally posted at: http://longandshortreviews.blogspot.c...
A LASR "BEST BOOK"
This book left me amazed and astounded as to the emotional scope explored between a man damaged by an abusive childhood and a woman strong enough to stand by his side.
At first the story starts off cheeky and I thought it was a shallow battle of the sexes, fun but light. Instead it takes a hard look at the internal scars and the ramifications it has on an adult as he tries to survive the acute trauma from growing up in a household of fear. It’s about the special woman who sees beyond the stoic exterior and attempts to heal him with the power of love. That’s the simple beauty of this absolutely wonderful story called One Good Reason.
Ms. Mayberry has crafted a masterpiece. There is not one scene that didn’t fit, not one sense that wasn’t explored, and the topic was treated with respect, understanding, compassion and hope. At first, like the initial blush of romance, there was the honeymoon stage. But Gabby and Jon are not your typical lovers. They fight like cats and dogs and it’s pretty darned funny. But the author feeds little snippets here and there letting a reader know that it’s not all fluff and light. There is a darkness, a haunting that is pummeling the hero into an emotional pâté and, typical for a guy, he won’t talk about it. Gabby, on the other hand, needs him to face it, shine a light on it and talk it out. But Jon won’t let her in. And there’s the hook. He’s in pain and his pain is her pain but is the heroine strong enough to see it through? To do what it takes to heal him or make him want that healing?
Readers are in for an intense drama filled with all the things that make a relationship worth fighting for. Just like life, there are highs, lows, laughter and tears. There’s fear, anger and hope and delight. And what would a romance be without a healthy dose of lust? Jon and Gabby are dynamite. Literally.
Ms. Mayberry wrote one of the sexiest and volatile scenes I’ve read in a while. Everything that led up to it was a tease, a seduction and when push came to shove, it was a no holds barred, anything goes moment filled with such intense passion, it knocked my socks off. It was only the first of many scenes during the course of the book that were simply genius. It was because of how they affected me, made me think and made me react that makes this story stand out.
Another thing I found amazing were the secondary characters, specifically Jon’s brother Tyler and his wife Ally. They were a credit to the story and to the hero and heroine. Their inclusion didn’t undermine or soften the importance of Jon and Gabby, but strengthened them, made them more real and more personable. It was like visiting a bona fide family – with problems. I can tell the author connected to her characters because she took such care to craft them to be as perfect as they could be. I loved the dialogue, the interactions between them and the moment of catharsis towards the end. It was beautiful, poignant, heart wrenching and influential because Jon and Gabby weren’t an island, they were part of a family. It was that team effort that made this story so powerful and it worked for me.
It’s not all drama and serious intensity however. Gabby is a riot. I loved her sense of humor and her saucy wit. I laughed out loud many times throughout and the best part is when she dragged real laughs from Jon too. They really were fun together and it’s those laughter filled frolicking times that kept me connected and committed to the characters.
The happily ever after is sigh-worthy. I mean it. I had to re-read it a couple of times like I would rewind a movie, to experience that perfect moment again and again when it all comes together and the hero and heroine kiss and make up and declare their undying love. True to the story and to her characters, Ms. Mayberry ended the book in a way that matched what came before. No fake frills but real emotion.
One Good Reason is a book that should be made into a movie. It has all the elements that would win it an Oscar. I adored getting to know Jon and Gabby. I wanted to hug Jon because he tried to be so strong and carry so much pain on his shoulders. I was thrilled with Gabby because she truly never gave up, even when she felt she should. The love was there but so much poison had to be excised first for it to grow and reach its full potential. I was moved by this tale and I thank Ms. Mayberry for a truly remarkable reading experience. Readers who look for a book that talks to the heart and the pure romantic inside can’t go wrong by reading One Good Reason. Just make sure a tissue box is handy nearby.
A LASR "BEST BOOK"
This book left me amazed and astounded as to the emotional scope explored between a man damaged by an abusive childhood and a woman strong enough to stand by his side.
At first the story starts off cheeky and I thought it was a shallow battle of the sexes, fun but light. Instead it takes a hard look at the internal scars and the ramifications it has on an adult as he tries to survive the acute trauma from growing up in a household of fear. It’s about the special woman who sees beyond the stoic exterior and attempts to heal him with the power of love. That’s the simple beauty of this absolutely wonderful story called One Good Reason.
Ms. Mayberry has crafted a masterpiece. There is not one scene that didn’t fit, not one sense that wasn’t explored, and the topic was treated with respect, understanding, compassion and hope. At first, like the initial blush of romance, there was the honeymoon stage. But Gabby and Jon are not your typical lovers. They fight like cats and dogs and it’s pretty darned funny. But the author feeds little snippets here and there letting a reader know that it’s not all fluff and light. There is a darkness, a haunting that is pummeling the hero into an emotional pâté and, typical for a guy, he won’t talk about it. Gabby, on the other hand, needs him to face it, shine a light on it and talk it out. But Jon won’t let her in. And there’s the hook. He’s in pain and his pain is her pain but is the heroine strong enough to see it through? To do what it takes to heal him or make him want that healing?
Readers are in for an intense drama filled with all the things that make a relationship worth fighting for. Just like life, there are highs, lows, laughter and tears. There’s fear, anger and hope and delight. And what would a romance be without a healthy dose of lust? Jon and Gabby are dynamite. Literally.
Ms. Mayberry wrote one of the sexiest and volatile scenes I’ve read in a while. Everything that led up to it was a tease, a seduction and when push came to shove, it was a no holds barred, anything goes moment filled with such intense passion, it knocked my socks off. It was only the first of many scenes during the course of the book that were simply genius. It was because of how they affected me, made me think and made me react that makes this story stand out.
Another thing I found amazing were the secondary characters, specifically Jon’s brother Tyler and his wife Ally. They were a credit to the story and to the hero and heroine. Their inclusion didn’t undermine or soften the importance of Jon and Gabby, but strengthened them, made them more real and more personable. It was like visiting a bona fide family – with problems. I can tell the author connected to her characters because she took such care to craft them to be as perfect as they could be. I loved the dialogue, the interactions between them and the moment of catharsis towards the end. It was beautiful, poignant, heart wrenching and influential because Jon and Gabby weren’t an island, they were part of a family. It was that team effort that made this story so powerful and it worked for me.
It’s not all drama and serious intensity however. Gabby is a riot. I loved her sense of humor and her saucy wit. I laughed out loud many times throughout and the best part is when she dragged real laughs from Jon too. They really were fun together and it’s those laughter filled frolicking times that kept me connected and committed to the characters.
The happily ever after is sigh-worthy. I mean it. I had to re-read it a couple of times like I would rewind a movie, to experience that perfect moment again and again when it all comes together and the hero and heroine kiss and make up and declare their undying love. True to the story and to her characters, Ms. Mayberry ended the book in a way that matched what came before. No fake frills but real emotion.
One Good Reason is a book that should be made into a movie. It has all the elements that would win it an Oscar. I adored getting to know Jon and Gabby. I wanted to hug Jon because he tried to be so strong and carry so much pain on his shoulders. I was thrilled with Gabby because she truly never gave up, even when she felt she should. The love was there but so much poison had to be excised first for it to grow and reach its full potential. I was moved by this tale and I thank Ms. Mayberry for a truly remarkable reading experience. Readers who look for a book that talks to the heart and the pure romantic inside can’t go wrong by reading One Good Reason. Just make sure a tissue box is handy nearby.
September 16, 2011
Sarah Mayberry is an excellent writer. Her stories are superbly written and layered exquisitely. However, whenever this is not the first time reading a story of hers where I thought that the characters of her novels needed to be in therapy instead of the figures playing a prominent role in a romance novel.
It's great that ONE GOOD REASON seems so realistic. It is a realistic, superbly written novel, but I still had serious issues with the characters.
Gabby. You slept with your boss. Ewww. So not professional. And you're still working for him? I mean come the F on. Why are you still working at a firm where you screwed the boss for three years, a man you still love (who in my opinion was a dork and he and his wife are oblivious freaks who are using you for their own selfish purposes and to think they were the hero and heroine of a previous book!). Really. You're an office manager, you can get another job, especially since you've been there what three years since you and Ty broke up.Screwing brothers. Ewwww! And then you go and screw Ty's brother (the hero). Really. I mean no one had an ick factor where you were screwing one brother and then the other. Granted my male cousins used to pass girlfriends back and forth between each other, but they were in high school at the time and they never did it between brothers only other cousins (I come from a large family and we all lived pretty much in the same neighborhood).
Also, why the whine fest? You don't own the company so please shut up and do what you're told. You are the office manager, you don't own the company what's what the hissy fit when you're boss tells someone that they can use your computer. That was sooooo lame. It's not your computer, you don't own the darn thing. He does. Also, what business is it of yours how Jon is getting paid, kept your freaking mouth shut and do what you're told. As a former senior admin this aspect hit on my last nerve.
Jon. Sorry man. You need therapy not a girlfriend. And why didn't you have an ick factor when you realized that your little brother had his wick in the pot you just dipped yours into? And what's up with everyone patting you on the bat for nearly killing a man. Granted something needed to be done about the situation but really? Really? The judge should have at least made you go to therapy, anger management, something if not jail.
Despite my snark. Once again, ONE GOOD REASON is multi-layered, well-written novel, but I just couldn't buy into their relationship and their happily ever after, because the hero and heroine had such deep seated issues that 200 pages couldn't solve.
http://lynettestwocents.blogspot.com/
It's great that ONE GOOD REASON seems so realistic. It is a realistic, superbly written novel, but I still had serious issues with the characters.
Gabby. You slept with your boss. Ewww. So not professional. And you're still working for him? I mean come the F on. Why are you still working at a firm where you screwed the boss for three years, a man you still love (who in my opinion was a dork and he and his wife are oblivious freaks who are using you for their own selfish purposes and to think they were the hero and heroine of a previous book!). Really. You're an office manager, you can get another job, especially since you've been there what three years since you and Ty broke up.Screwing brothers. Ewwww! And then you go and screw Ty's brother (the hero). Really. I mean no one had an ick factor where you were screwing one brother and then the other. Granted my male cousins used to pass girlfriends back and forth between each other, but they were in high school at the time and they never did it between brothers only other cousins (I come from a large family and we all lived pretty much in the same neighborhood).
Also, why the whine fest? You don't own the company so please shut up and do what you're told. You are the office manager, you don't own the company what's what the hissy fit when you're boss tells someone that they can use your computer. That was sooooo lame. It's not your computer, you don't own the darn thing. He does. Also, what business is it of yours how Jon is getting paid, kept your freaking mouth shut and do what you're told. As a former senior admin this aspect hit on my last nerve.
Jon. Sorry man. You need therapy not a girlfriend. And why didn't you have an ick factor when you realized that your little brother had his wick in the pot you just dipped yours into? And what's up with everyone patting you on the bat for nearly killing a man. Granted something needed to be done about the situation but really? Really? The judge should have at least made you go to therapy, anger management, something if not jail.
Despite my snark. Once again, ONE GOOD REASON is multi-layered, well-written novel, but I just couldn't buy into their relationship and their happily ever after, because the hero and heroine had such deep seated issues that 200 pages couldn't solve.
http://lynettestwocents.blogspot.com/
February 1, 2013
4 1/2 Stars ~ All his adult life Jon shied away from commitments and making real connections with people. His abusive father died mere minutes before he arrived back in Melbourne and still he couldn't quite let go of the past. He really wants to make things work with his brother, Tyler, so he offers to help him out and works with him building beautiful furniture. Tyler's hugely successful, and can't keep up with the orders coming in. Jon welcomes the work that keeps him focused on today and lets him forget for awhile that when he goes home at night he'll have to face his nightmares once more. From the moment Gabby met Jon he rubbed her the wrong way. Tossing back barbs and insults, the air always crackled when they were in the same space. And then the crackle sparked and then next thing Jon had her pined to her desk and she demanded everything he had to give her. Sure they had great sex but Gabby wants more. It doesn't take much for her to realize that Jon has some pretty dark secrets and he's not going to let her in.
I really enjoyed how Ms. Mayberry let Jon and Gabby have their little pissing matches to see who could stay on top. Their banter was fun and yet very revealing of their inner vulnerabilities. More than anything Jon wants what his brother Tyler has found with his wife, Ally. But he stands on the outside because he doesn't feel worthy, that child he'd been still reels with guilt that he hadn't been able to protect his younger brother. Gabby's a take charge woman who jumps right in to fight the good fight. She doesn't put up with much, and she's not about to let Jon shut her out. This was a wonderful love story of fear, helplessness, forgiveness and loyalty and how the love of someone special can heal even the darkest and deepest wounds
I really enjoyed how Ms. Mayberry let Jon and Gabby have their little pissing matches to see who could stay on top. Their banter was fun and yet very revealing of their inner vulnerabilities. More than anything Jon wants what his brother Tyler has found with his wife, Ally. But he stands on the outside because he doesn't feel worthy, that child he'd been still reels with guilt that he hadn't been able to protect his younger brother. Gabby's a take charge woman who jumps right in to fight the good fight. She doesn't put up with much, and she's not about to let Jon shut her out. This was a wonderful love story of fear, helplessness, forgiveness and loyalty and how the love of someone special can heal even the darkest and deepest wounds
April 12, 2012
You can read my full review at Book Thingo.
It’s to Sarah Mayberry’s credit that even when her books haven’t been to my taste, I still appreciate her craftsmanship and enjoy some—if not all—aspects of the story. All the characters in this story and their way of speaking with each other ring true—including all instances in which ‘mate’ is used, I’m relieved to say. Gabby is charming and complex, and Mayberry isn’t precious about Tyler (who featured in The Last Goodbye), who is almost always seen from Gabby’s perspective.
Jon is tormented for most of the book, and although I was affected by his struggle to work through his guilt, I found this part of the novel somewhat…dull. The other aspect of the story that bothered me a lot was Gabby’s previous relationship with Tyler. This was no mere fling—she was with him for three years before ending it because of his lack of emotional commitment. The thought that the hero’s brother knows the heroine intimately and has seen her naked was, at best, distracting.
One Good Reason is a dramatic story with moments that will break your heart. Unfortunately, the hero’s emotional catharsis is rushed and the the resolution doesn’t match the story’s earlier promise.
It’s to Sarah Mayberry’s credit that even when her books haven’t been to my taste, I still appreciate her craftsmanship and enjoy some—if not all—aspects of the story. All the characters in this story and their way of speaking with each other ring true—including all instances in which ‘mate’ is used, I’m relieved to say. Gabby is charming and complex, and Mayberry isn’t precious about Tyler (who featured in The Last Goodbye), who is almost always seen from Gabby’s perspective.
Jon is tormented for most of the book, and although I was affected by his struggle to work through his guilt, I found this part of the novel somewhat…dull. The other aspect of the story that bothered me a lot was Gabby’s previous relationship with Tyler. This was no mere fling—she was with him for three years before ending it because of his lack of emotional commitment. The thought that the hero’s brother knows the heroine intimately and has seen her naked was, at best, distracting.
One Good Reason is a dramatic story with moments that will break your heart. Unfortunately, the hero’s emotional catharsis is rushed and the the resolution doesn’t match the story’s earlier promise.
June 18, 2020
Jon Adamson bukan tipe hero yg saya sukai, sebel malah lebih tepat. Entah kenapa nyaris hampir mendekati ending buku, Jon adalah tipe hero yg terpuruk dan terbelenggu masa kecilnya.
Gak jelas juga apa yg dikerjakan Jon selama 10 thn di Kanada. Jon kembali ke Aussie krn kematian ayahnya yg sering melakukan kekerasan pd dirinya dan Tyler, adiknya semasa kecil. Jadi saat Jon mendapati dirinya menyukai Gabby dan mulai ada tanda-tanda menetap dan perbaikan, Tyler menganggap ini sinyal bagus.
Saya kurang suka juga dgn kepribadian Gabby yg entah kenapa jadi agak mirip Julia Roberts di film "My Best Friend's Wedding", yg cemburuan mantan pacarnya jadian dgn wanita lain. Disini di awal cerita, Gabby cemburu akan kehidupan bahagia Tyler dan Ally, ya walau gak dramatis seperti Julia Roberts sih, tapi tetap aja ngeselin banget.
Chemistry Jon dan Gabby natural aja sih, dari benci jadi cinta tanpa hal-hal yg dramatis. Saya sebenarnya agak pesimis dgn relationship ala mereka ini. Gabby ini terlalu sok mandiri dan gak butuh pria tapi sebenarnya sangat butuh. Jon juga sama, dia butuh partner yg mengerti kondisi batinnya, tapi Jon selalu mencoba "mengenyahkan" Gabby dari hidupnya.
Jadi kesimpulannya, saya lebih suka buku yg pertama. Tapi saya heran kenapa kebanyakan malah lebih demen buku yg ini. Yasudahlah... namanya juga selera, pasti beda-beda. Tapi seri ini emang lumayan layak dibaca juga.
Gak jelas juga apa yg dikerjakan Jon selama 10 thn di Kanada. Jon kembali ke Aussie krn kematian ayahnya yg sering melakukan kekerasan pd dirinya dan Tyler, adiknya semasa kecil. Jadi saat Jon mendapati dirinya menyukai Gabby dan mulai ada tanda-tanda menetap dan perbaikan, Tyler menganggap ini sinyal bagus.
Saya kurang suka juga dgn kepribadian Gabby yg entah kenapa jadi agak mirip Julia Roberts di film "My Best Friend's Wedding", yg cemburuan mantan pacarnya jadian dgn wanita lain. Disini di awal cerita, Gabby cemburu akan kehidupan bahagia Tyler dan Ally, ya walau gak dramatis seperti Julia Roberts sih, tapi tetap aja ngeselin banget.
Chemistry Jon dan Gabby natural aja sih, dari benci jadi cinta tanpa hal-hal yg dramatis. Saya sebenarnya agak pesimis dgn relationship ala mereka ini. Gabby ini terlalu sok mandiri dan gak butuh pria tapi sebenarnya sangat butuh. Jon juga sama, dia butuh partner yg mengerti kondisi batinnya, tapi Jon selalu mencoba "mengenyahkan" Gabby dari hidupnya.
Jadi kesimpulannya, saya lebih suka buku yg pertama. Tapi saya heran kenapa kebanyakan malah lebih demen buku yg ini. Yasudahlah... namanya juga selera, pasti beda-beda. Tapi seri ini emang lumayan layak dibaca juga.
July 26, 2011
Originally posted at Romance Around the Cornet
Of all of Harlequin lines, Superromance is hands down my favorite one (closely followed by Medical Romance). These books can be a bit misleading, just based on the cover and the blurb one might expect a light romance, but what you get is so much more than that. The stories deal with serious topics and more than once I find myself crying. One Good Reason delivers all of that and more. If you are not familiar with Sarah Mayberry don’t waste more time and go get her books.
This book is a sequel to The Last Goodbye. If you haven’t read that one I don’t think you will have any problems following the story but I do recommend that you read them in order because The Last Goodbye is a great book, One Good Reason’s leads are introduced there and the backstory will make you much more emotionally invested in the characters.
One Good Reason is about Jon and Gabby. They both are wounded souls going through the motions of life without really living. Some years ago Gabby ended a long-time relationship with a guy she loved very much (this would be Tyler, the hero from The Last Goodbye) because he was emotional unavailable and unable to really open up to her. They now work together and are best friends but she never really got over him. She had to suffer through seeing him fall in love with someone else and even though she tries to convince herself that she is fine with it, what she really feels is pain. Jon is Tyler’s big brother, because they had a very difficult and traumatic childhood Jon left home as soon as he was 18 and never really tried to have a relationship with his brother. When their father dies, Jon comes back and agrees to work with Tyler but he remains distant.
This was a very compelling story. I was glued to the book rooting for Gabby and Jon to find happiness. Gabby was an interesting character, she wasn’t exactly the scorned woman but she was very much in pain. After breaking up with Tyler she just let go a little bit. She stopped dating, stopped using makeup and basically went to a safe place and stayed there while life went passing by. I don’t think she was unhappy, but she wasn’t happy either. It takes some time for her to figure out that she is wasting her life, but once she does it she comes back with a vengeance. I really liked that she learned to put herself first and to not be a martyr. I don’t usually like tomboyish heroines but Gabby was very likeable and one of those people who you just want to be friends with. I found her character realistic, flawed and relatable (and slightly masochistic because I had a hard time understanding how she managed to work with Tyler especially after he went and found true love with someone else).
Jon was a handful. I liked him very much but he was the epitome of a tormented hero. As I said before this book might seem light just based on the cover and the blurb, but it deals with some serious issues, in this case abuse. Jon has spent his entire life feeling guilty and insignificant and it takes a lot of work for him to let go, move on and allow himself to be happy. By the end of the book he is still working on his issues and I was really glad about it. Yes it has a happy ending, yes I felt good and yes I was sure that they will live happily ever after, but they were working towards that and the problems didn’t magically disappear by the end of the book.
I liked this book even more than The Last Goodbye. The real connotations of what the brothers went through were much more evident with Jon than with Tyler. I don’t know if this was because Jon had isolated himself or because he was much more tormented, but this book felt more dramatic. It isn’t a tragedy by any means, it has some light moments and it had a feel-good ending, but I cried for Gabby and for Jon.
I recommend this book to every contemporary romance fan out there. It definitely is a drama, but it doesn’t have any angst and is a short book so if you are looking for a touching story to take to the beach or to enjoy during the summer this one is perfect.
If you read The Last Goodbye, Tyler and Ally play important roles in this book and it pretty much closes the story between the brothers that was left open-ended with that book. As I said I do think that you should read that book first because both stories are intertwined and it can almost be read as one single book, even though this one works as a stand-alone.
Of all of Harlequin lines, Superromance is hands down my favorite one (closely followed by Medical Romance). These books can be a bit misleading, just based on the cover and the blurb one might expect a light romance, but what you get is so much more than that. The stories deal with serious topics and more than once I find myself crying. One Good Reason delivers all of that and more. If you are not familiar with Sarah Mayberry don’t waste more time and go get her books.
This book is a sequel to The Last Goodbye. If you haven’t read that one I don’t think you will have any problems following the story but I do recommend that you read them in order because The Last Goodbye is a great book, One Good Reason’s leads are introduced there and the backstory will make you much more emotionally invested in the characters.
One Good Reason is about Jon and Gabby. They both are wounded souls going through the motions of life without really living. Some years ago Gabby ended a long-time relationship with a guy she loved very much (this would be Tyler, the hero from The Last Goodbye) because he was emotional unavailable and unable to really open up to her. They now work together and are best friends but she never really got over him. She had to suffer through seeing him fall in love with someone else and even though she tries to convince herself that she is fine with it, what she really feels is pain. Jon is Tyler’s big brother, because they had a very difficult and traumatic childhood Jon left home as soon as he was 18 and never really tried to have a relationship with his brother. When their father dies, Jon comes back and agrees to work with Tyler but he remains distant.
This was a very compelling story. I was glued to the book rooting for Gabby and Jon to find happiness. Gabby was an interesting character, she wasn’t exactly the scorned woman but she was very much in pain. After breaking up with Tyler she just let go a little bit. She stopped dating, stopped using makeup and basically went to a safe place and stayed there while life went passing by. I don’t think she was unhappy, but she wasn’t happy either. It takes some time for her to figure out that she is wasting her life, but once she does it she comes back with a vengeance. I really liked that she learned to put herself first and to not be a martyr. I don’t usually like tomboyish heroines but Gabby was very likeable and one of those people who you just want to be friends with. I found her character realistic, flawed and relatable (and slightly masochistic because I had a hard time understanding how she managed to work with Tyler especially after he went and found true love with someone else).
Jon was a handful. I liked him very much but he was the epitome of a tormented hero. As I said before this book might seem light just based on the cover and the blurb, but it deals with some serious issues, in this case abuse. Jon has spent his entire life feeling guilty and insignificant and it takes a lot of work for him to let go, move on and allow himself to be happy. By the end of the book he is still working on his issues and I was really glad about it. Yes it has a happy ending, yes I felt good and yes I was sure that they will live happily ever after, but they were working towards that and the problems didn’t magically disappear by the end of the book.
I liked this book even more than The Last Goodbye. The real connotations of what the brothers went through were much more evident with Jon than with Tyler. I don’t know if this was because Jon had isolated himself or because he was much more tormented, but this book felt more dramatic. It isn’t a tragedy by any means, it has some light moments and it had a feel-good ending, but I cried for Gabby and for Jon.
I recommend this book to every contemporary romance fan out there. It definitely is a drama, but it doesn’t have any angst and is a short book so if you are looking for a touching story to take to the beach or to enjoy during the summer this one is perfect.
If you read The Last Goodbye, Tyler and Ally play important roles in this book and it pretty much closes the story between the brothers that was left open-ended with that book. As I said I do think that you should read that book first because both stories are intertwined and it can almost be read as one single book, even though this one works as a stand-alone.
April 20, 2012
Grade B-/C+
Two things kept this book from reaching the 4 star mark that I've given almost all of Sarah Mayberry's books I've read. The first is something that bugged me that perhaps won't bug other readers. Throughout the book Gabby and Ally both get bent out of shape if men offer to do anything for them, even hold a ladder steady for them. It's pointless to be so militant about someone offering to change your tire or make sure you're safe walking to a car in a bad neighborhood after dark. Especially the last one. The fact is that a woman alone is vulnerable to male attackers. They are generally physically stronger, for one thing. It's stupid for Gabby to keep insisting that she "can take care" of herself, and that she's "been doing this for years." It only takes one time, Gabby, and you can fight off a guy a foot taller and 100 lbs heavier if you needed to? Really? STUPID When Mayberry has Gabby being enraged about Jon's offers of help, including changing her car tire in the rain, it just makes Gabby look shallow and self-righteous, not strong and independent.
I open doors for people out of courtesy and kindness. If I get to the door first, I hold it open. I open doors for children, women with strollers, elderly, people with their hands full, or just anyone who might be there. However, when my husband and I are out, he almost always opens doors for me. Why? Because he likes me. No hidden agenda here. He doesn't feel superior and he knows I'm capable, both physically and mentally. I'm the one who does all the "deals" when we buy stuff, like houses, cars, or major appliances, not him. If I have to change a car tire, I will. I've changed more tires in my life than he has, that's for sure. But if he's there and offers, I won't say no.
The second problem with the book for me is the way the situation with Jon's demons are dealt with in the end. I was disappointed in what I call the cop-out scenario, where the writer cops-out of finding a realistic way to resolve a problem or bring things to a head, and instead sets up a tailor-made scene. If the hero feels guilty about not saving someone from a fire, then the author sets up another daring rescue, for example. In this case, the author sets up a situation where Jon gets to save a boy from an abusive father, thereby helping him come to grips with his own demons. The scene felt contrived and trite instead of moving.
Other than those two issues, this was a very good book and I still recommend it for Mayberry fans. For those who haven't read any of her books yet, I don't think this series (starting with The Last Goodbye) is her strongest work. I highly recommend The Best Laid Plans or Her Best Friend, or for something a little steamier, Hot Island Nights.
Two things kept this book from reaching the 4 star mark that I've given almost all of Sarah Mayberry's books I've read. The first is something that bugged me that perhaps won't bug other readers. Throughout the book Gabby and Ally both get bent out of shape if men offer to do anything for them, even hold a ladder steady for them. It's pointless to be so militant about someone offering to change your tire or make sure you're safe walking to a car in a bad neighborhood after dark. Especially the last one. The fact is that a woman alone is vulnerable to male attackers. They are generally physically stronger, for one thing. It's stupid for Gabby to keep insisting that she "can take care" of herself, and that she's "been doing this for years." It only takes one time, Gabby, and you can fight off a guy a foot taller and 100 lbs heavier if you needed to? Really? STUPID When Mayberry has Gabby being enraged about Jon's offers of help, including changing her car tire in the rain, it just makes Gabby look shallow and self-righteous, not strong and independent.
I open doors for people out of courtesy and kindness. If I get to the door first, I hold it open. I open doors for children, women with strollers, elderly, people with their hands full, or just anyone who might be there. However, when my husband and I are out, he almost always opens doors for me. Why? Because he likes me. No hidden agenda here. He doesn't feel superior and he knows I'm capable, both physically and mentally. I'm the one who does all the "deals" when we buy stuff, like houses, cars, or major appliances, not him. If I have to change a car tire, I will. I've changed more tires in my life than he has, that's for sure. But if he's there and offers, I won't say no.
The second problem with the book for me is the way the situation with Jon's demons are dealt with in the end. I was disappointed in what I call the cop-out scenario, where the writer cops-out of finding a realistic way to resolve a problem or bring things to a head, and instead sets up a tailor-made scene. If the hero feels guilty about not saving someone from a fire, then the author sets up another daring rescue, for example. In this case, the author sets up a situation where Jon gets to save a boy from an abusive father, thereby helping him come to grips with his own demons. The scene felt contrived and trite instead of moving.
Other than those two issues, this was a very good book and I still recommend it for Mayberry fans. For those who haven't read any of her books yet, I don't think this series (starting with The Last Goodbye) is her strongest work. I highly recommend The Best Laid Plans or Her Best Friend, or for something a little steamier, Hot Island Nights.
January 14, 2012
Sometimes your expectations for a book are so high, that by the time you get around to actually read it, the only result possible is that you end up disappointed. After all the greatness Mayberry had delivered before, and especially after reading The Last Goodbye, the first story of this duo, I was expecting a glorious book. And it was really good, Mayberry certainly delivered, but it wasn't glorious.
To put it differently, I expected to bawl, and I ended up with tears in my eyes.
I loved the conflicts in this book. We already knew Jon was seriously fucked up thanks to his abusive childhood, and just like in The Last Goodbye, Mayberry handled the topic of adults dealing with traumas from their childhood with care and a lot of heart. After years of ignoring his pain, the death of his father pushed Jon over the edge, and he's crashing and burning in a spectacular way. Oh how my heart bled for him.
Gabby's inner turmoil was caused by something completely different, and on the surface much less severe, but the effects were at least as emotional, and really pulled on my heartstrings. Loving someone who doesn't love you back entirely is heartbreaking, and when she realized she had stopped looking for someone different than Tyler, how she had erased her femininity... Tough.
And when she realized she was in the same boat again... I think that was the most poignant moment in the book for me.
The book isn't all sadness and woe however. Jon and Gabby start out a bit antagonistic, he's all chivalric and old-fashioned, and she's fiercely independent, so they were bound to butt heads. But there's a sort of understanding between them from the start, even with all the small misunderstandings and wrong preconceptions. They get each other. And when all that tension finally culminates and they burn the office... Some serious hotness ensued, I thought my screen was going to melt.
Everything was pretty much perfect really, and when I think about it, the only reason I can come up with why this book left a slightly less bigger impact on me than it's predecessor is the time-frame. I prefer romances that take their time to develop, so the characters have time to really get to know each other. The longer time-frame is one of the bigger reasons why I liked The Last Goodbye so much, and I expected One Good Reason to take place over at least a couple of months. After all both Gabby and Jon have a lot of healing to do while simultaneously falling in love...
Both set the healing in motion, and they obviously fall in love, but it all takes place over a far shorter time-period, and I think that's what left me slightly hungry. So I ended up really liking it, but a little less than The Last Goodbye.
Still, both books are very much recommended. By now, I think I'd even recommend eulogies if they were written by Mayberry.
To put it differently, I expected to bawl, and I ended up with tears in my eyes.
I loved the conflicts in this book. We already knew Jon was seriously fucked up thanks to his abusive childhood, and just like in The Last Goodbye, Mayberry handled the topic of adults dealing with traumas from their childhood with care and a lot of heart. After years of ignoring his pain, the death of his father pushed Jon over the edge, and he's crashing and burning in a spectacular way. Oh how my heart bled for him.
Gabby's inner turmoil was caused by something completely different, and on the surface much less severe, but the effects were at least as emotional, and really pulled on my heartstrings. Loving someone who doesn't love you back entirely is heartbreaking, and when she realized she had stopped looking for someone different than Tyler, how she had erased her femininity... Tough.
And when she realized she was in the same boat again... I think that was the most poignant moment in the book for me.
The book isn't all sadness and woe however. Jon and Gabby start out a bit antagonistic, he's all chivalric and old-fashioned, and she's fiercely independent, so they were bound to butt heads. But there's a sort of understanding between them from the start, even with all the small misunderstandings and wrong preconceptions. They get each other. And when all that tension finally culminates and they burn the office... Some serious hotness ensued, I thought my screen was going to melt.
Everything was pretty much perfect really, and when I think about it, the only reason I can come up with why this book left a slightly less bigger impact on me than it's predecessor is the time-frame. I prefer romances that take their time to develop, so the characters have time to really get to know each other. The longer time-frame is one of the bigger reasons why I liked The Last Goodbye so much, and I expected One Good Reason to take place over at least a couple of months. After all both Gabby and Jon have a lot of healing to do while simultaneously falling in love...
Both set the healing in motion, and they obviously fall in love, but it all takes place over a far shorter time-period, and I think that's what left me slightly hungry. So I ended up really liking it, but a little less than The Last Goodbye.
Still, both books are very much recommended. By now, I think I'd even recommend eulogies if they were written by Mayberry.
July 28, 2011
After reading about Jon's brother Tyler in The Last Goodbye, I was looking forward to finding out more about Jon, and Gabby too. I was also hoping Jon and Gabby's story would have more romance. They still have emotional issues to get through but the story isn't as dark as The Last Goodbye and Jon and Gabby are cute together!
Gabby Wade is a petite, feisty woman who works in an office of all men. She's not much for dressing up, preferring casual wear for her job as office manager of T. A. Furniture Designs. It's not surprising that Gabby gets along well with men, since she's used to working with them, but for some reason Jon just rubs her the wrong way. They're squabbling is amusing, each giving as good as they get. Lots of sexual tension going on here! I liked that Gabby didn't suddenly do a 180° and ditch her jeans and t-shirt for skirts and heels. It's more a gradual realization that she's stopped caring about how she looks. It's the fallout of her breakup with Tyler, Jon's brother, nearly four years ago. Once Gabby is honest with herself and how she feels, you see her start to hope for something lasting with Jon.
Jon Adamson is a strong, silent type. Very silent. He's fighting his demons and while he's not losing the battle, he's not really winning either. It's a daily struggle that Mayberry puts him through. The oddly bright spot in his days is Gabby Wade. Odd because on the surface they don't get along but in spite of that they're developing a relationship based on mutual like and respect. Mayberry puts Jon in limbo. He's working for his brother but he doesn't plan on staying. But he sold his company in Canada so he has nothing to go back to there. He really has no plans but you see him slowly thinking that maybe he could have something with Gabby.
Mayberry lets Gabby and Jon's relationship develop naturally, with some interference from Tyler and Ally but that's to be expected since they love and care about both Gabby and Jon. The way Mayberry woven in the two couples and their relationships really worked. I thought I might have a problem with Gabby having been Tyler's lover then her being with Jon. But Mayberry had me believing that while Gabby still had feeling for Tyler, they were that of close friends, not of a lost love. Gabby's feelings for Jon ran much deeper. There was a small issue of Gabby thinking she was still in love with Tyler, then falling for Jon happening rather quickly. To have such strong emotions change so quickly didn't ring completely true for me.
In the end, Gabby and Jon get their Happily Ever After that they both worked so hard for. This couple really clicked for me. They came across as a real couple with real issues. They had a rocky start that led to both of them facing some hard facts about what they really want in life. A very sweet, romantic story.
Gabby Wade is a petite, feisty woman who works in an office of all men. She's not much for dressing up, preferring casual wear for her job as office manager of T. A. Furniture Designs. It's not surprising that Gabby gets along well with men, since she's used to working with them, but for some reason Jon just rubs her the wrong way. They're squabbling is amusing, each giving as good as they get. Lots of sexual tension going on here! I liked that Gabby didn't suddenly do a 180° and ditch her jeans and t-shirt for skirts and heels. It's more a gradual realization that she's stopped caring about how she looks. It's the fallout of her breakup with Tyler, Jon's brother, nearly four years ago. Once Gabby is honest with herself and how she feels, you see her start to hope for something lasting with Jon.
Jon Adamson is a strong, silent type. Very silent. He's fighting his demons and while he's not losing the battle, he's not really winning either. It's a daily struggle that Mayberry puts him through. The oddly bright spot in his days is Gabby Wade. Odd because on the surface they don't get along but in spite of that they're developing a relationship based on mutual like and respect. Mayberry puts Jon in limbo. He's working for his brother but he doesn't plan on staying. But he sold his company in Canada so he has nothing to go back to there. He really has no plans but you see him slowly thinking that maybe he could have something with Gabby.
Mayberry lets Gabby and Jon's relationship develop naturally, with some interference from Tyler and Ally but that's to be expected since they love and care about both Gabby and Jon. The way Mayberry woven in the two couples and their relationships really worked. I thought I might have a problem with Gabby having been Tyler's lover then her being with Jon. But Mayberry had me believing that while Gabby still had feeling for Tyler, they were that of close friends, not of a lost love. Gabby's feelings for Jon ran much deeper. There was a small issue of Gabby thinking she was still in love with Tyler, then falling for Jon happening rather quickly. To have such strong emotions change so quickly didn't ring completely true for me.
In the end, Gabby and Jon get their Happily Ever After that they both worked so hard for. This couple really clicked for me. They came across as a real couple with real issues. They had a rocky start that led to both of them facing some hard facts about what they really want in life. A very sweet, romantic story.
May 21, 2012
This story is the sequel for The Last Goodbye. Featuring Jon Adamson (Tyler's brother) and Gabby Wade (Tyler's ex),
Enduring the same abuse during his childhood, Jon carries around the feeling of guilt. Since he's the eldest, Jon always feels that he somehow fails his brother -- he should've been able to protect Tyler, but he cannot. All these years, Jon exiles himself, because he can't help if he finds out that Tyler blames him. But when their father died, Jon returns home and ends up staying longer than he thinks he should. In the process, Jon finds himself attracted to Gabby.
Gabby Wade uses to be Tyler's girlfriend. Their relationship lasts for three years, to the point of them moving in together. But Tyler always distants himself from Gabby, when it comes to his emotion. Gabby ends up breaking their relationship, although she stays working with Tyler, handling the sales division of his business. When Tyler falls in love with Ally, Gabby thinks she is over him. But she also learns that she yearns for someone who can love her as thorough as Tyler to Ally.
Another winner from the pen of Sarah Mayberry! it's another character driven story that satisfies my taste.
Jon is even more messed up than Tyler!! He's this stoic guy, who keeps himself in control, excepts when he loses himself in alcohol. There are times when I want to shake him so bad, to make him see that what happened in his childhood was not his fault!! But I also want to hug him bad. I'm really glad that in the end, he is able to open himself (somewhat) to Gabby. Even if he refuses the help of professional. The scene where Jon finally has heart-to-heart talk with Tyler brings me to tears.
As for Gabby, I feel like I want to reach out for her. I can feel her pain, her yearn for someone. Although, I'm a bit annoyed . Their first sex is pretty hot and their intimate moments wonderful.
I like how Ms. Mayberry keeps Gabby as this independent girl, and that Jon can understand her stance even when he struggles to do the protection thing. The scene where Gabby changes her flat tire in the rain while Jon holds the umbrella for her is sweet :).
I definitely have been converted into Sarah Mayberry's fan, that's for sure.
Enduring the same abuse during his childhood, Jon carries around the feeling of guilt. Since he's the eldest, Jon always feels that he somehow fails his brother -- he should've been able to protect Tyler, but he cannot. All these years, Jon exiles himself, because he can't help if he finds out that Tyler blames him. But when their father died, Jon returns home and ends up staying longer than he thinks he should. In the process, Jon finds himself attracted to Gabby.
Gabby Wade uses to be Tyler's girlfriend. Their relationship lasts for three years, to the point of them moving in together. But Tyler always distants himself from Gabby, when it comes to his emotion. Gabby ends up breaking their relationship, although she stays working with Tyler, handling the sales division of his business. When Tyler falls in love with Ally, Gabby thinks she is over him. But she also learns that she yearns for someone who can love her as thorough as Tyler to Ally.
Another winner from the pen of Sarah Mayberry! it's another character driven story that satisfies my taste.
Jon is even more messed up than Tyler!! He's this stoic guy, who keeps himself in control, excepts when he loses himself in alcohol. There are times when I want to shake him so bad, to make him see that what happened in his childhood was not his fault!! But I also want to hug him bad. I'm really glad that in the end, he is able to open himself (somewhat) to Gabby. Even if he refuses the help of professional. The scene where Jon finally has heart-to-heart talk with Tyler brings me to tears.
As for Gabby, I feel like I want to reach out for her. I can feel her pain, her yearn for someone. Although, I'm a bit annoyed . Their first sex is pretty hot and their intimate moments wonderful.
I like how Ms. Mayberry keeps Gabby as this independent girl, and that Jon can understand her stance even when he struggles to do the protection thing. The scene where Gabby changes her flat tire in the rain while Jon holds the umbrella for her is sweet :).
I definitely have been converted into Sarah Mayberry's fan, that's for sure.
June 15, 2011
This is a really difficult book for me to grade. The problem is that there's a great romance in here, but there's also some issues that would have had me pitching the book across the room if the rest of the writing weren't so good.
What really worked for me were the scenes of poignancy interspersed throughout the novel. Gabby's coming to terms with her feelings for her ex, Tyler. Jon's struggle to overcome a legacy of abuse, and forgive himself and his brother. Gabby's strength in fighting for a relationship that is fulfilling and and honest is commendable.
What didn't work for me is some of the retrofuck gender attitudes that seem to be populating category romance these days (I mean seriously, are we swinging back to the 80s?). Gabby's mother is considered weird by both Tyler and Jon because "she hasn't had a boyfriend in 30 years." Tyler calls it "scary." Jon hasn't had a girlfriend in a long time either, no one's calling him scary. Maybe her mom's gay, or maybe she just doesn't need to have a partner to be happy. I mean, why is this presented as WEIRD? Is it not the 21st century?
There's also a bit that made my teeth grind - where Jon assumes because Gabby doesn't like him, and because she's boyish looking, that she's a "man-hating lesbian." I'm pretty sure the author intended this section as humorous, but it really made me dislike Jon as a character, and made it very difficult for me to see him as a man deserving of a romantic ending. I know men who make assumptions like this because a woman doesn't fall all over them - and they're assholes, straight up.
The abuse sub-plot also gave me some concerns about the long-term happiness for Gabby and Jon. Near the very end, Jon loses his cool and beats the shit out of a man who's verbally abusing his son. I get the reaction, but dude - not healthy. The fact that everyone encourages him and tells him it was a good thing to do - ehhhh. I guess I'm just a little wary for Gabby settling down with a man who hasn't conquered his addiction to alcohol yet, and who has violent outbursts.
I do, at the very least, appreciate a read where an abused child DOES get to have a happy ending (heaven knows, in Literary Fiction Jon would've probably died in a gutter somewhere after drinking himself stupid).
So, at the end, I would give One Good Reason a qualified recommendation. I'm hoping some of the blatant sexism disappears from category romances soon though, or I'm going to have to quit reading them.
What really worked for me were the scenes of poignancy interspersed throughout the novel. Gabby's coming to terms with her feelings for her ex, Tyler. Jon's struggle to overcome a legacy of abuse, and forgive himself and his brother. Gabby's strength in fighting for a relationship that is fulfilling and and honest is commendable.
What didn't work for me is some of the retrofuck gender attitudes that seem to be populating category romance these days (I mean seriously, are we swinging back to the 80s?). Gabby's mother is considered weird by both Tyler and Jon because "she hasn't had a boyfriend in 30 years." Tyler calls it "scary." Jon hasn't had a girlfriend in a long time either, no one's calling him scary. Maybe her mom's gay, or maybe she just doesn't need to have a partner to be happy. I mean, why is this presented as WEIRD? Is it not the 21st century?
There's also a bit that made my teeth grind - where Jon assumes because Gabby doesn't like him, and because she's boyish looking, that she's a "man-hating lesbian." I'm pretty sure the author intended this section as humorous, but it really made me dislike Jon as a character, and made it very difficult for me to see him as a man deserving of a romantic ending. I know men who make assumptions like this because a woman doesn't fall all over them - and they're assholes, straight up.
The abuse sub-plot also gave me some concerns about the long-term happiness for Gabby and Jon. Near the very end, Jon loses his cool and beats the shit out of a man who's verbally abusing his son. I get the reaction, but dude - not healthy. The fact that everyone encourages him and tells him it was a good thing to do - ehhhh. I guess I'm just a little wary for Gabby settling down with a man who hasn't conquered his addiction to alcohol yet, and who has violent outbursts.
I do, at the very least, appreciate a read where an abused child DOES get to have a happy ending (heaven knows, in Literary Fiction Jon would've probably died in a gutter somewhere after drinking himself stupid).
So, at the end, I would give One Good Reason a qualified recommendation. I'm hoping some of the blatant sexism disappears from category romances soon though, or I'm going to have to quit reading them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 28, 2011
One of my best discoveries of the past few years has been the Harlequin Superromance line and one of the best discoveries within that line is Sarah Mayberry. And One Good Reason is, well, one good reason why I love this line and this author. This book is a sequel of sorts to The Last Goodbye. this one is Jon's story. The brother of Tyler, the hero of The Last Goodbye, Jon has returned to Australia from a rather long stint in Canada, the country he fled too in an effort to escape the horrific abuse he and his brother were subjected to at the hands of their parents.
Jon has never been one to really put down roots and he is conflicted being back home. He's currently working for his brother but feels on the verge of running at any time. Complicating this is his relationship with Gabby, Tyler's former girlfriend/now office manager. Things do not get off to a good start between Jon and Gabby and they are like oil and vinegar. Gabby has residual feelings for Tyler and Jon still suffers from the effects of his childhood.
Normally warring hero/heroines annoy me but not so in this book. While they bicker, it's funny and the sparks fly between the two of them. I love wounded heroes and Jon fits this role quite nicely. He comes across as tough, but the reader can see past his gruffness to then wounded little boy underneath who suffers from an abundance of guilt over not coming more to his brothers aid. And I also liked Gabby though at times her stubbornness was a little much. But she is what Jon wants so I wanted her for him.
One thing I did find a bit amusing and only because I know the territory, but at one point Jon is thrown by the size of Melbourne after living and owning a business in Toronto, but Toronto is the largest city in Canada so I didn't get that. *g*.
As I said earlier, I enjoyed this book and am glad I found this author.
Jon still hasn't totally recovered by the end of the book. While the love of and for a good woman counts for a lot, he is still a work in progress. What I've enjoyed so much about this book and The Last Goodbye isn't so much the romance, though of course chances are I wouldn't have read them if it weren't for that, but for the healing of the heroes and the healing of the relationship between brothers.
Jon has never been one to really put down roots and he is conflicted being back home. He's currently working for his brother but feels on the verge of running at any time. Complicating this is his relationship with Gabby, Tyler's former girlfriend/now office manager. Things do not get off to a good start between Jon and Gabby and they are like oil and vinegar. Gabby has residual feelings for Tyler and Jon still suffers from the effects of his childhood.
Normally warring hero/heroines annoy me but not so in this book. While they bicker, it's funny and the sparks fly between the two of them. I love wounded heroes and Jon fits this role quite nicely. He comes across as tough, but the reader can see past his gruffness to then wounded little boy underneath who suffers from an abundance of guilt over not coming more to his brothers aid. And I also liked Gabby though at times her stubbornness was a little much. But she is what Jon wants so I wanted her for him.
One thing I did find a bit amusing and only because I know the territory, but at one point Jon is thrown by the size of Melbourne after living and owning a business in Toronto, but Toronto is the largest city in Canada so I didn't get that. *g*.
As I said earlier, I enjoyed this book and am glad I found this author.
Jon still hasn't totally recovered by the end of the book. While the love of and for a good woman counts for a lot, he is still a work in progress. What I've enjoyed so much about this book and The Last Goodbye isn't so much the romance, though of course chances are I wouldn't have read them if it weren't for that, but for the healing of the heroes and the healing of the relationship between brothers.
March 28, 2013
Sarah Mayberry is my feel-good author. Every book I've read by her has left me feeling satisfied, with a smile on my face. While they aren't always amazing books, I've always found her storytelling enjoyable. One Good Reason is no exception. This one broke my heart more than usual, but I really loved it. Our protagonists are so far from stereotypical, and they own it. Didn't always like Gabby's attitude, but I just adored Jon. The plot was much different that many of the romance novels I've read. Much darker themes and backgrounds. That made for a really engaging story. The pacing was pretty good--though the ending felt a bit rushed. I didn't realize before starting this that it was a companion novel to Sarah's book, The Last Goodbye, which is Tyler and Ally's story. I will definitely be reading that one soon, because I'd love to see into Tyler's head.
November 21, 2013
This is roughly a C/C+ for me. Gabby first meets Jon when he is sitting at her computer. She very snarkily lets him know no one sits at her computer. He answers back and the two begin an exchange of rough "banter" for the next several days until the sexual attraction gets to them, at which point they begin to do the Harlequin Romance courtship shuffle of love him/she has issues/he treats her great/she overcomes issues/he has issues etc.
I really don't like contemp novels where the couple bickers till sex and then fall in love. The author did a great job with pacing, plotting, characterization and writing but since this was a romance and I didn't enjoy the romance I didn't fall in love with the book. I will give her another try, though.
I really don't like contemp novels where the couple bickers till sex and then fall in love. The author did a great job with pacing, plotting, characterization and writing but since this was a romance and I didn't enjoy the romance I didn't fall in love with the book. I will give her another try, though.
September 15, 2016
I liked this story that started with the main characters squabbling and eventually dealing with important relationship issues but I was never really comfortable with the heroine being friends with her ex-boyfriend, it didn't seem realistic. Jon temporarily goes to work at his brothers custom made furniture store where Gabby is the office manager.
November 13, 2011
Wow. I ... did not see that coming, but the tears, there were no stopping them. I had to pause and put the book down and gather myself first before reading the last few pages left. It was that emotionally satisfying for me, to read that scene that made me cry. Oh, so good.
June 4, 2011
I struggled a bit with the wrong assumptions of both characters in the beginning, but as always Mayberry delivered. I even got teary at the and.
July 31, 2011
4.5/5
Thought author nailed the emotions felt by someone with Jon's past.
Cried so hard at the end of this one.
Thought author nailed the emotions felt by someone with Jon's past.
Cried so hard at the end of this one.
August 27, 2021
https://celebrityreaders.com/2021/08/...
4 stars — I wasn’t sure how I was going to appreciate this book with their initial antagonistic relationship…especially because I just finished a book recently where it played a large role in not being a fave. And it’s not going to be a Sarah Mayberry fave either, but for some reason I could tolerate their push and pull more easily. I think because deep down in their POV’s you could see all the other things they were feeling — how conflicted and confused they were.
The thing about these Adamson boys is that they both display a lot of that toxic masculinity shit that drives me insane…but in some ways it’s kind of interesting to have very stereotypical guys who see emotions as weakness as our heroes — because we end up getting to see them make inroads towards shedding that crap. And it’s believable, because they don’t make leaps and bounds over the book — it’s slow and reasonable. And they still have a long way to go. But I believe that they will just continue to get better.
So Jon was very closed off, and that was heartbreaking…especially because of the why. But it made his growth very satisfying. And underneath it all he was very caring and protective.
The lesbian thing bothered me. I’m willing to give a little leeway because, honestly, a lot has changed in 10 years. But I didn’t appreciate the heavy stereotypes at play. It definitely wasn’t the worst, but it twigged me. And honestly? It wasn’t necessary for the story. Something else could have been substituted and none of the story would have been lost.
Despite that weird lesbian thing, I appreciated the rest of Gabby’s story and growth. I can’t imagine how hard it must have been to love someone and realize that the relationship wasn’t right. And then to potentially face the same thing.
Even though their relationship started out antagonistically, I really ended up enjoying it when it started to change. Obviously their chemistry was fantastic, but it was the emotional connection that got me…even as it was tested time and again.
So yeah. Solid romance, an enemies to lovers that didn’t turn me off, so success. And my current OLDEST book on my TBR, so woop woop!
4 stars — I wasn’t sure how I was going to appreciate this book with their initial antagonistic relationship…especially because I just finished a book recently where it played a large role in not being a fave. And it’s not going to be a Sarah Mayberry fave either, but for some reason I could tolerate their push and pull more easily. I think because deep down in their POV’s you could see all the other things they were feeling — how conflicted and confused they were.
The thing about these Adamson boys is that they both display a lot of that toxic masculinity shit that drives me insane…but in some ways it’s kind of interesting to have very stereotypical guys who see emotions as weakness as our heroes — because we end up getting to see them make inroads towards shedding that crap. And it’s believable, because they don’t make leaps and bounds over the book — it’s slow and reasonable. And they still have a long way to go. But I believe that they will just continue to get better.
So Jon was very closed off, and that was heartbreaking…especially because of the why. But it made his growth very satisfying. And underneath it all he was very caring and protective.
The lesbian thing bothered me. I’m willing to give a little leeway because, honestly, a lot has changed in 10 years. But I didn’t appreciate the heavy stereotypes at play. It definitely wasn’t the worst, but it twigged me. And honestly? It wasn’t necessary for the story. Something else could have been substituted and none of the story would have been lost.
Despite that weird lesbian thing, I appreciated the rest of Gabby’s story and growth. I can’t imagine how hard it must have been to love someone and realize that the relationship wasn’t right. And then to potentially face the same thing.
Even though their relationship started out antagonistically, I really ended up enjoying it when it started to change. Obviously their chemistry was fantastic, but it was the emotional connection that got me…even as it was tested time and again.
So yeah. Solid romance, an enemies to lovers that didn’t turn me off, so success. And my current OLDEST book on my TBR, so woop woop!
July 7, 2020
One Good Reason - Sarah Mayberry 🌟🌟
Huaaa ~ One Good Reason kenapa aku baca novel ini adalah karena udh dikirimin sama temen 🤭
Entahlah, ga klik dengan 2 tokoh utama di buku ini. Emang sih blm baca buku #1.
Jadi, Gabby ini dulunya sempat menjalin hubungan dengan Tyler Adamson selama 3 thn. Dan skrg Gabby menjadi bawahan Tyler.
Datanglah Jon Adamson, kakak Tyler yang 10thn terakhir di Kanada. Jon ikut bekerja di workshop Tyler. Awal perkenalan Jon-Gabby udh ga baik.
Gabby ini karakternya super menyebalkan. Okay, dia maunya super mandiri dan ga mau dipandang sebelah mata. Tp ya ga gitu juga kali. Marah jika Jon bukain pintu buat dia. Marah jika Jon tungguin dia kalo pulang malam. 🙄
Jon Adamson masih dibayangi masa kecilnya yang buruk. Sering dipukuli oleh ayahnya. Bahkan hingga masa dewasa ini masih sering mimpi buruk. 😞
Hubungan Gabby - Jon dari Hate berubah menjadi Love juga terlalu dipaksakan kalo menurut saya. Hubungan Adamson Brothers untunglah menjadi cair, tidak penuh kesalahpahaman masa kecil lagi. Mendekati ending sih ceritanya agak seru. Lainnya biasa aja, tidak terlalu membekas ceritanya.
Huaaa ~ One Good Reason kenapa aku baca novel ini adalah karena udh dikirimin sama temen 🤭
Entahlah, ga klik dengan 2 tokoh utama di buku ini. Emang sih blm baca buku #1.
Jadi, Gabby ini dulunya sempat menjalin hubungan dengan Tyler Adamson selama 3 thn. Dan skrg Gabby menjadi bawahan Tyler.
Datanglah Jon Adamson, kakak Tyler yang 10thn terakhir di Kanada. Jon ikut bekerja di workshop Tyler. Awal perkenalan Jon-Gabby udh ga baik.
Gabby ini karakternya super menyebalkan. Okay, dia maunya super mandiri dan ga mau dipandang sebelah mata. Tp ya ga gitu juga kali. Marah jika Jon bukain pintu buat dia. Marah jika Jon tungguin dia kalo pulang malam. 🙄
Jon Adamson masih dibayangi masa kecilnya yang buruk. Sering dipukuli oleh ayahnya. Bahkan hingga masa dewasa ini masih sering mimpi buruk. 😞
Hubungan Gabby - Jon dari Hate berubah menjadi Love juga terlalu dipaksakan kalo menurut saya. Hubungan Adamson Brothers untunglah menjadi cair, tidak penuh kesalahpahaman masa kecil lagi. Mendekati ending sih ceritanya agak seru. Lainnya biasa aja, tidak terlalu membekas ceritanya.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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