Member Reviews
I enjoyed the story of Megan and James. They connected because of similar pasts, despite that they came from far different backgrounds. It felt like Megan and Niall had some unfinished business, that there were some things left unresolved. But the most important relationship was the one between Megan and James. I liked their chemistry and really hoped that they'd find their way. There were a lot of obstacles to overcome. Some of them seemed far to large to surmount. So often characters in a book are perfect. These two were not and that made them more relateable. At times, they both needed to get their head out of their rear. But we're human and make mistakes.
I really liked Calli and would love a book for her and even Poe. Both of them were interesting and I found myself wanting to know more about them.
Overall a good book.
This is my first time diving into the McKenna series and reading author Jamie Hollins. I usually don’t go for Contemporary reads unless it’s Romantic Suspense, but the blurb peeked my interest. I liked the idea of two adults, both divorced, with pasts and issues to deal with ending up coming together and finding strength, love, and a true partnership.
James. I loved him. He’s perfect yet not, has issues to deal with, always has grease on him, overworks himself, and is doing the best he can in raising his son with the help of his father. We see several different sides to him and so you can not help but fall in love with him. His dedication to his work and how he put his kid’s feelings above his own. Perfect. Sweet.
Megan. I found her to be smart and sweet, but also a little week and her issue of not confiding in her family about her divorce and dating James really upset me. She was doing great, turning her life around, found a job she loves, and a man who was exactly what she needed, but she disappointed me in making excuses and not ripping that banded off with her family.
The story was good and I liked it. I enjoyed the characters and found the romance to be sweet, adorable, and satisfying. I liked that they took their time getting to know each other and that they also communicated, where open, and upfront from the start. It made the romance and relationship seem so real.
The epilogue wrapped everything up marvelously and I loved seeing the whole family be together.
Where I Need To Be is a charming and heartfelt romance, with a few laugh out loud moments, and some hot sexy scenes. I had a delightful time and will be check out previous books in the series.
Rated: 4 Stars
*Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy provided by Jamie Hollins via NetGalley with the sole purpose of an honest review. All thoughts, comments and ratings are my own.
James and Megan's story had a nice, easy, and relaxing flow to it. The story jumps right in and we right away get to see the sparks start to fly between these two characters. I really loved James's character and fell in love with him instantly. He has such a raw honesty to him that was very easy to see. The chemistry between James and Megan built at a nice steady pace and was complimented by some sexy love scenes. Although I did enjoy this book all the way through there were a few things that kept it from being really great in my opinion. First, I felt like we needed more angst or conflict. Things just kind of carry on for a lot of this book without anything really major happening. Second, there are only a few love scenes and then we just kind of hear about a few others that had obviously taken place over the months that they had been together but not being able to read those for a while kind of made it seem like the characters were getting distant or something. Last, I just would have liked more of a splash with the conflict resolution at the end. It was just kind of mediocre and I didn't feel like my heart was in it. Just kind of a tired scene when they come back together again. It really needed some beefing up and certainly was missing the swoon factor. Overall, I enjoyed their story for what it was but could have used a bit more emotion thrown in.
CAUTION [author:Jamie Hollins|15675033] third book in the McKenna series promotes lack of sleep, extreme tiredness, and book hangover. I love a book that will make me stay awake until 5:30 am because I can't stand to put down. What I don't love is the look my husband gives me the next day when I explain why I didn't sleep. He just don't get it!
Where I Need To Be immediately evokes compassion for Megan who has went through a nasty divorce that left with her with absolutely nothing. Buying a cheap and crappy car leads her to Foley's garage where she encounters owner James. James has had his own troubles in life and now raises his young son with the help of his father who lives with him. James knows Megan as the ice queen wife of the local real estate mogul yet he still can't take his eyes of her.
James soon realizes three things: 1) Megan's car is junk and she is a repeat customer; 2) Megan is no longer married to her jerk ex and thus is broke; and 3) she is her son's teacher- the one he adores and has taken a great interest in school over.
When Megan and James can no longer fight their attraction and give in a casual fling ensues. With him constantly busy with work and a son, Megan finds lots of alone time yet still doesn't find the time to tell her family that she and her ex divorced last year. Fear of being seen as a failure keeps her quiet, but when James finds out he is her secret he thinks it's because Megan is ashamed of him. Can Megan salvage what she soon realizes is not a casual relationship with James, tell her family about her divorce and get James to give her another chance?
This was very hot and sexy with James and Megan yet very sweet and loving with James's son. The ending and epilogue were fabulous and gave us a huge, happy ending for the McKenna gang!
Loved it!
A superb romance. Solid story and good plot. I really liked this book.
WOW ... I couldn't put this book down! It grabs you in the heart and squeezes.
Megan's privileged life came to a screaming halt when she caught her husband in bed with another woman. She walked away with nothing ... her ex-husband saw to that. She got a job teaching 2nd grade in a public school, moved in with a girl that is as opposite of her as you can get, and bought a broken down car that would hopefully get her from home to work and back again ... but that doesn't quite happen.
James worked at his Dad's garage just out of high school so he could support his new wife while she went to college and eventually he takes the garage over from his father. After she finished college, she became pregnant and they had a little boy named Cade. But James' wife couldn't handle being a mother and started drinking and going out ... eventually turning to drugs. James tried everything to help her, but she just didn't want to give up her next fix ... so they got divorced and James had sole custody of Cade.
Megan and James met when she brought her car in to be fixed and then again at a teacher/parent conference ... she just so happened to be Cade's teacher. They keep running into each other and because of the mutual attraction and neither one of them wanting a relationship, they decide to enter a "friend with benefits" situation. And their story goes on from there ... I don't want to say too much and ruin the book for others.
This book had me from the start because it seemed so real. It wasn't "love at first sight" ... it took time for their relationship to develop because of the circumstances of life. This book checks all the boxes ... a sweet heartfelt romance, laugh out loud moments, realism and hot sex scenes! I highly recommend this book ... Megan and James are characters that you won't soon forget.
I received an ARC copy courtesy of the author through NetGalley in exchange for a honest review.
Again, we get another fantastic book from Ms. Hollin's. I went back an forth with this book, not on how good it was, because it definitely was, but on how I felt about the heroine. We meet Megan in the second book of the series, and she is described as being perfect. The problem that I at times have with her, is that while at times, I find her to be a sweet smart woman, I also found her to be a little weak, and when she needed to speak up, is when she didn't and she was a little too worried about the perception of being found perfect. Then we have James, I have to say that I love him, not that he was perfect, because he had to deal with issues also, but he was exactly what she needed. And the way he dealt with Niall, god I loved him!!! He fit perfectly with her family. Now you do not have to read all the books in series, to understand what is going on, but it would be a travesty to you, if you don't.. So go grab them. I will not steer you wrong.
You snooze, you lose. Idiot yuppie.
The lady knows some bad words.
Oy, it's going to be a dorm apartment, isn't it.
Such a butthole.
Now I want a gyro.
Cute kid. He has a point about the equator.
Niall is just sounding worse and worse.
I don't think her parents wouldn't understand. Surely they could see how much of a dick Niall was as a husband.
He is such a good dad.
She's five seconds away from embroidering an "A" on every shirt she owns.
I think it's sexy when an actress wears the guy's shirt in movies as well.
At least Richard Gere was willing to pay Julia Roberts.
He shouldn't let one horrible experience ruin his faith in people in general.
People really shouldn't inject themselves with ink that close to their esophagus.
He didn't call for three weeks?!
Yeesh, Darcy must spend a fortune on headache relievers.
Ohh, good fake-out, Sean.
This waiter is so a cock-blocker.
Good speech girl!
It takes two to make a baby.
This is the story of sister Megan Dempsey/McKenna, she is the sister of Sean and Ewan's cousin and we meet her in Chicago which is where she is now living. We meet her as she brings a clunker car to James' car shop.
James knows her as the wife of the hoity toity Niall Dempsey and so he doesn't treat her that great as well. Megan is now the pennyless exwife or her cheatng ex husband who has taken everything she had except her dignity. Megan is starting over from scratch, she has a new care, new job and is in the process of getting a new apartment.
I beyond LOVED Megan. Not many people would have what happened to her and never tell anyone namely her family. In fact for most of the book her parents don't know she is divorced. She is a tough cookie but also a sweetheart and she stole this entire book. Which is funny because the only thing she fears is letting down her family, which is why they don't know that she is divorced.
James is a single father with lots of guilt and the second time he sees Megan he finds out just what a jerk her ex is. I loved how he treated her ex. Then the next time he meets Megan it is at a parent teacher conference and that is when he really starts to see who Megan is and learn she is now single.
James is a really terrific character. He doesn't just charm Megan, he charms me too. He has not had an easy life but he has a super cute son and a really wonderful dad and he is not afraid to lean on his family.
He is the opposite of anyone Megan has met before and the two together work really well. At first glance they don't seem a lot alike but they have been majorly burned before by exes and James really helps Megan learn to deal with her new life and he is really there for her.
Together they have lots of HOT scenes and adventures and together they have to decide on what relationship they want. This is a story of two mature and strong people learning how to let the other one in and it was a really special story.
It is extremely well written and I really loved the entire story. It is the final story in the series and I am very sad because it was such a great series. This story is definitely my favorite of the 3 stories and it easily stands alone. Though if you read the other books some scenes will have more meaning to you as we get to see the characters from the other books future.