Daphne was a detective for the Brooklyn police. She had been assigned to work a robbery/breakin at a local computer company. She would get the job done, find the criminal and close the case. But then she saw Landon McGee. . .

Landon McGee was a computer whiz who owned his own company. His company had been broken into but the only thing stolen was two computer servers. He was very handsome and there was an instant attraction between Landon and Daphne. But, she was a cop and needed to do her job.

As their relationship began and the investigation progressed, more and more of Landon's past came to light. He had had a horrible childhood until he was adopted at ten years old. Would he ever be able to put his awful past behind him so he could move forward and have a wonderful, loving relationship with Daphne? Would secrets between them destroy what they were beginning to recognize as love?

I really liked this story but I grew tired of the f-bombs that were frequent in the book. The descriptive sex wasn't something I particularly enjoyed either.

I was given an arc copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed the book, it has everything I love in a novel from start to finish. I can’t wait to read what the author has planned next!

I really enjoyed this book! My heart broke for Landon and his childhood. I enjoyed the relationship development between Landon and Daphne. I look forward to reading more in this series.

Very good story I really enjoyed this book. Looking forward for more books from this author.

This book is so boring and dry. There is no humor, no danger, no heat, and really boring characters. I could not finish this book since I was so board it was putting me to sleep. I made it to chapter 8 and gave up, need something that will actually hold my attention with some characters who do more the complain about life and worry about the future job they don't have...

Just Once is a slightly darker, definitely more serious book than the first one in the Brooklyn Brotherhood series. I liked that it was different because main character Landon McGee is very different from his professional football star turned bar owner brother Nick. Landon is quiet, a bit of a loner, and lives mostly inside his own head. Sharing anything with anyone is tough. He’s learned to trust his adopted mother Lusia Mills and his adopted brothers, but Daphne Rossi, is going to have to work hard to earn the level of trust she wants. Landon is going to have to learn to trust if he’s going to keep her or any woman.

There was a rush to date and sex, the two becoming romantically involved shortly after a break-in at his business. No matter how self-aware she were, I think a determined police officer like Daphne would have waited longer to act on any feelings she had for Landon during an open case. That part felt a little contrived, although it did allow for the support of being in a relationship while these two excised their demons and tried to solve the crime committed against Landon. It wasn’t a huge mental stretch to figure out the key players, but it wasn’t an open and shut case either. This allowed the focus to be on Daphne and Landon rather than what happened to Landon.

Unfortunately, the case which brought the two lovers together didn’t get enough attention, in my opinion. I wanted a more dramatic conclusion, but it was handled as an after-thought in the epilogue. I thought Fox could have even dragged it into the next book with an even more explosive result. Instead she kept the focus on her lovers. I can’t fault her for that, it was a choice, but I feel that there was space to do both by making the manuscript a little longer. Coming in at under 300 pages, I don’t think some additional length would have put anyone off reading the book—especially because Fox is a solid writer.

I’m looking forward to the third installment, presumably Fender’s book since we met the target of his affection in Just Once. That should be an interesting book with key players from completely opposite backgrounds.

My Rating: A- Enjoyed A Lot

Detective Daphne asks computer whiz Landon to be her boyfriend in front of her overprotective family to get them off her back. Landon who is trying to escape from his own past finds solace with Daphne and finds the courage to face his past.

A good read taking the reader through the complications of life,

This book was just okay for me. The writing was good but it was hard to make a connection with the Landon and Daphne as a couple because, to me, their relationship lacked any kind of growth from the moment they met until they were in love.

The whole traumatic past of Landon's that was holding him back felt like a bit of a reach in order to create some sort of conflict between him and Daphne. When his full truth was finally exposed it didn't actually feel like anything new was really revealed.

Another thing that I struggled with was how it seemed as though they used sex to pretend there wasn't issue between them. Even worse, when he tried to walk away (more than once) she pushed him to just "let us have this" and then proceeded to be angry with him because she felt like she had been used.

The mystery aspect of this story felt more prominent than the romance and it was honestly the one reason I stuck through it.
My interest in Fender and Harlow is seriously peaked and I will probably read the next book in the series because of them. I hope I won't feel let down.

*I received an ARC from
NetGalley for voluntary review

With both books in this series having such classy, refreshingly romantic book covers, I just couldn’t say no to accepting advanced reader copies in exchange for my unbiased opinion. Honestly, folks, I sincerely do appreciate that nuance because all too often skin replaces class on book covers in this particular genre. So thank you, Ms. Fox, for choosing such a sweet cover.

However, I don’t kid myself by not acknowledging what lies within the pages is what truly makes or breaks a great romantic read. With Book 1, At Last, having a little too much going on in regards to subplots/characters to keep track of, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect with Book 2. You see, I’m pretty jealous when it comes to sharing story time outside the main couple’s interactions. Not surprisingly, I want to read mostly about them.

Book 2, Just Once, was loaded down with so much main couple inner monologue/dialogue (either about the case, the hero’s sad childhood/biological mother/adopted family, the heroine’s cop career/her family/her best friend’s drama over Cade, the cop brother, etc.) combined with the lack of anything interesting or significantly happening, by around 70%, I realized I no longer cared about this same plot premise that was carried over from book 1 (mean, vengeful rich woman scorned by her now deceased husband and still mad as a wet hen at Mama Lou decades later).

Just once I wanted my pulsing racing, waiting with baited breath for something dramatic, engaging, to breath some life into this could have been great romantic tale. Instead, I remained disengaged through most of it and almost called its literary time of death at 70%. But, I can be stubborn, folks. I pushed on and surprisingly found the last 30% vested with enough emotional connection/closure that I don’t regret not giving up. Likely because the story line was finally moving forward and not just being talked about. Yes, there was even one heart accelerating moment when Landon reveals the disturbing childhood incident that prompted his drug addicted biological mother to give him up.

With Cade and Fender sure to each get their own HEA in future sequels, I’m surprised as anyone to find myself wondering how those two brothers by bond will overcome their self-imposed obstacles and fall for their own lady love. Cade will surely try my patience as he is an unapologetic manho who is denying himself the woman he really wants. Fender will be bending all the rules when he goes after the last woman on earth likely to be accepted by his family.

Here’s to hoping the author will choose in the next books to have the main characters spending less time inside their own heads and spending more time with each other, focusing on a faster paced, more intense romantic plots.

Title: Just Once, Series: The Brooklyn Brotherhood (Book 2), Author: Addison Fox, Pages: 284, stand-alone but part of a series, ARC review, very slow paced, too much inner monologues, likable main couple, non-virgin MC, cop heroine, former geek/now hipster computer savvy hero, same plot from first book, great supporting cast of sub-characters, only a couple of very steamy scenes, got better the last 30%, one disturbing recount of child abuse, hero had bad childhood until adopted, no cheating, no OW/OM drama, no love triangle.

Book 1 - At Last (Emma & Nick), Pages: 304, 11/1/16, My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1815204472?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

Book 2 - Just Once (Daphne & Landon), Pages: 284, 2/7/17

(This review is based on advanced reader copy provided via NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased, fair review. No compensation was provided to this reviewer, nor is there any affiliation between the reviewer and author/publisher/NetGalley. It will be posted on Amazon, Goodreads, NetGalley, and Barnes & Noble.)

Just Once by Addison Fox is more about the main character’s family dynamics than it about a blossoming romance between them. Landon and Daphne come from two very dissimilar backgrounds. It is these past and present families that affect much of the interaction between them, more so than the robbery itself that takes place in the beginning.

I liked Landon and Daphne but could see how they had issues that needed to be dealt with before they would make a go at a lasting relationship. It is a sweet journey for these two even in the mist of family drama all around and influences them. All of this takes priority over the robbery though it is solved.

This is my first book to read written by Addison Fox but enough back-story is given so that it reads well as a stand-alone. I would read more by this author.

nicely written romance with two characters- Daphne and Landon- who you'll want to see together. I liked the push-pull of their relationship. The secrets in both their backgrounds make this a little more serious than a lot of books of this genre. Loved the Brooklyn setting. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. Try this for a novel with a couple who both have serious jobs but find time for love.

I enjoyed this book. I liked the dynamic between Daphne and Landon. Loved the fact that she was a detective. They meet when she is sent to investigate a theft at his office. The attraction is just about immediate and only continues to grow. How he grew up broke my heart and to see it yanked to the surface for him was wrenching. But will Daphne be the one to help him move past it or will it prove to be too much?
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book provided by NetGalley.

Sorry this was a DNF for me, I tried but I just couldn't connect with the characters. I love this authors writing, so I'm disappointed about this book. It's just me clearly.

Landon's office is burglarized and the investigating detective, Daphne, not only solves the case but also helps Landon through other personal issues. The only flaw to the story was the overabundance of explicit sex. Skipping over that, I enjoyed the story immensely.

This was the first book I have read by Fox. Landon and Daphne are strong characters who are surrounded by a strong supporting cast.

What do you get when you throw together a computer geek and a police officer? A really good story, that's what! Author Addison Fox has written an enjoyable contemporary romance filled with family and friends of Landon and Daphne. There's been a robbery at Landon's office and Daphne gets to investigate the crime. She does investigate but it's mostly about Landon and his personal life. How could these two not know each other after growing up in the same part of town? The two get closer but there are many secrets that are hidden between them. The result is a good story that is well worth reading.

Just Once by Addison Fox will be available February 7, 2017 from St. Martin's Press. An egalley of this book was made available by the publisher in exchange for a honest review.

First, whoever wrote the book summary really botched it. It was NOT a fake romance to appease Daphne's family, there was no deal worked out between the main characters. Please update to accurately reflect the story. It made reading it confusing - expecting one thing and getting something entirely different.

This book was just...okay. I was really bored with it, actually, as evidenced by the fact that I had no problem putting it down and struggled to pick it up. The chemistry between Daphne and Landon was weak, and I didn't understand why they so easily had sex after only a few days of knowing each other. I also didn't care for the moments when Landon would so harshly lash out at Daphne. He really, really needs therapy. He shouldn't be treating her that way, and she shouldn't be taking it. He's more like her ex, Mike, than she's willing to admit. Once I reached the 3/4 mark, I was about done with them as a couple. Addison Fox is an execellent writer, but I just could not buy into the characters in this book.

book 2 of the brooklyn brotherhood series pairs cop daphne rossi with tech wizard landon mcgee. landon at his cooperative office space. daphne believes that the theft has all the markings of a personal attack. and there are several people who could be targeting landon. one is gloria reynolds who has a longstanding grudge against landon's adoptive mother. the other is landon's biological mother, amber, who left landon behind when her addictions proved to be too much.
after a break-in that targets only

landon doesn't really want daphne to go poking around in his past. he's pretty sure the break-in can be laid at gloria's door, and the last thing he wants is to reconnect with the woman who neglected him for years and then abandoned him.

like the first book in the series, park heights, the brooklyn neighborhood these characters live in serves as a whole other character, and everyone has an opinion about the relationship and what the two characters need to do to make sure it lasts. and as much as i liked the two leads, part of me didn't love the way that daphne pushed herself into landon's relationship with his biological mother and how much pressure was put on him to deal with all those feelings. and listen, maybe those were issues and feelings he needed to deal with, it just felt like no one was respecting his timetable, and that didn't feel right. given his upbringing, he had a lot of deep personal trauma, it just felt like the way daphne pushed him, and then the way her mother pushed him was wrong, even if it all turned out all right.

though this is a standalone, and you don't need to have read the first book in the series to understand what is happening, having read the first book, at last, does give you a greater understanding for the relationships in just once.

well written