Member Reviews
Thank you Kim Law for creating a new series Deep in the Heart! The first book Hardheaded features Jill Sadler, co-owner of Bluebonnet Construction. She has been invited to participate in a new home improvement reality TV show called Texas Dream Home. She did not realize that their completion would be her ex-husband, Calhoun Reynolds owner of We Nailed It Contractors.
Friendly completion between the two companies will keep the reader engaged. Enjoy the humor and romance.
I received a free, advance copy of this book from the publisher. This is my unbiased and voluntary review.
Amazing start to the new Deep in the Heart Series by one of my favorite authors, Kim Law, who writes with so much love and emotion you can put yourself right in the middle of the story. I felt a real connection with Jill, Heather and Trenton, foster sisters who own the all female Bluebonnet Construction in the small town of Red Oak Falls, Texas. It was so much fun to read about the HGTV-inspired "Texas Dream Home" where they compete against the all male We Nail It Contractors owned by Jill's ex Calhoun Reynolds, a handsome, charismatic, swoon-worthy alpha male. There is so much chemistry between Jill and Cal, the sparks are flying.
I knew as soon as I started reading I wouldn't be able to put the book down and when I got to the end, I wanted the story to continue. I can't wait to see what Ms. Law has in store for us in book two. Fans of this genre will love Hardheaded and should plan to read it soon.
I received a free advance copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and this is my unbiased review. I liked the book so much, I purchased a copy so I can read it again.
A really cute story that drew me in from the start. The story line is well written and keeps you enthralled until the end. Uniques characters, a competition, unresolved issues and sexual chemistry add to this delightful read. Enjoyed it very much.
"HGTV meets Texas" in this new book by Kim Law.
Bluebonnet Construction is an all woman company whose claim to fame is building the latest rage ... "she-sheds." Jill Sadler, one third owner of Bluebonnet, is a stubborn Texas woman who knows how to yield a sledgehammer and who knows what she wants! Cal Reynolds is her ex- husband who taught her how to use that sledgehammer and who owns We Nail it Construction... their biggest competitor. A national television competition pits the two companies against each other in a contest in which two homes are to be refurbished.
Jill sees this contest as a way to rise above their reputation and to be seen as a true construction company. Only one roadblock stands in her way... her anger towards her ex-husband Cal. Can she contain it and put it to good use in focusing on the remodeling? Cal knows what he is getting himself into but agrees to doing the reality show in spite of it.
Their on and off screen chemistry is palpable and they struggle to keep their past in the past. Will this contest give them a fresh start or will their past continue to haunt them? Speaking of haunting... they may just get a little nudge from the beyond! Honesty, forgiveness and compromise are the keys to their reconciliation but are they willing?
I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the next book in the series. Jill's foster sisters, Trenton and Heather, who own Bluebonnet Construction along with her, have their own stories to tell and I am sure they will be just as entertaining!
When Jill Sadler and her 2 foster sisters’ company, Bluebonnet Construction, are chosen to participate in the reality TV show, Texas Dream Home, they are hoping to get some much-needed exposure to elevate their company from “she-shed” builders to full-on home remodeling and reconstruction. Little did she realize that their competition would be their local nemesis, We Nailed It Contractors, headed by Calhoun Reynolds, her despised ex-husband. Jill hasn’t spoken to Cal in 12 years: not since he dumped her 24 hours after their Las Vegas wedding, nor in the six years she’s been back home in Red Oak Falls, Texas. Cal, though, has communicated with her by under-bidding Bluebonnet on any job he could. The competition might be the way for Jill to finally beat Cal and exact a little revenge.
But when hammers start swinging, the passion and attraction these two have for each other overcomes the lingering anger and resentment. And everyone around them – family, friends, television crew members, and even the ghost of a woman that owned one of the homes being rebuilt – all conspire to get these two back together.
On top of being a downright good story, there were several elements that I really liked. The story is set in my home state, and although I love reading stories set in exotic locations, I enjoy “coming home” as well. Next, as one of the many addicts of the house remodeling, DIY, house flipper television shows, I thought it was fun that the story would center around one of these. Then, there is the women vs. the men nature of the competition. One of my favorite of the shows on right now is Texas Flip and Move. Oftentimes, this show features this very same element pitting either The Snow Sisters or Gary’s Girls against The Lone Wolf, Randy Martin. (I love them all.)
I recommend this book for any contemporary romance readers especially those that enjoy stories that feature second chances at romance.
SPOILER: I think it is interesting to note that the book features a very timely issue. Currently, every news program is running the story of Hollywood mega-producer, Harvey Weinstein, and numerous allegations of years of sexual harassment of actresses. Our heroine in will reveal that the final reason she returns home is after a similar incident happens to her.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader copy of this book.
I’ve read several books by this author, and I usually really enjoy them, but this one just didn’t work for me. I loved the idea of an all-female construction company, and the idea that they were foster sisters was a unique twist.
While this is the first book in the series, I sometimes felt like I was missing part of the back story. I think maybe I needed a prologue to better lay the foundation first.
I think another part of my problem was that I really didn’t like Cal. Every time I thought he was a good guy, he would just so something that would make me lose faith in him all over again. I was a little surprised by how many chances her foster sisters gave him too. They should have told her to run for the hills!
While this story may not have been a favorite for me, I am interested to see how the rest of the series plays out.
ARC kindly received from the publisher via NetGalley.
Hardheaded is the first book in the Deep in the Heart series. It is a second chance love story, a love that got away. Jill and Cal were married, for a whole 24 hours before he left. Now years later, they are competing against each other. Sparks are flying and not all of them are good. Will they be able to make it to the end of the competition? Will they be able to overcome the past? This story was enjoyable to read, and I definitely recommend it.
When watching a reality show what do you expect? Some drama maybe, contestants with a history, or maybe just the excitement of it!
For Jill and her sisters it was about making their business known. She never expected her ex to be the competition. Cal's plan was to get Jill to speak to him again it's been a long time. He didn't know the sneakiness that was going on behind the scenes by the show.
This book really pulls together the meaning of true love while filming a show. It has humor, real issues and lots of love all the way around.
** I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
Cal and Jill have a past and both own construction companies. The conflict between the two helps build the story. The humor and love combine to make a great story.
This was my first book by Kim Law but it will absolutely not be my last; I though this was a great read and I really enjoyed it. I love small town romances and second chance romances and this was a great example. The plot line was really interesting, it was original and I was hooked from start to finish.
Great story, great characters, an overall great read. I'm very much looking forward to the next book in this series.
I was provided with a copy of this book from the Publisher via NetGalley; there was no inducement or obligation.
This book is the first of this series but it comes to a full conclusion and does not end on a cliffhanger. It also contains both on-screen sex and cursing (including f-bombs). If those things will cause you to leave a bad review, you should skip this book.
I loved this book. As I have come to expect from a Kim Law book, this story has both incredible humor and tremendous heart, making me fall in love with both of the main characters and with the supporting cast who added so much to this book without overwhelming it. Cal and Jill were stupidly, perfectly meant to be from the very start, but they stubbornly fought it at every turn which made for a fun story line. While Jill was a bit over the top with her temper at times, I really liked her and her backstory and just wanted to see her find her happily ever after – in whatever form that took. Cal was ridiculously charming and so sweet, even when he was 'poking the bear' and even though I don't like 'ghost stories' at all, I loved his sweet relationship with Mrs. Wainwright. (Seriously. Even if you're like me and you can't stand woo-woo stuff in your contemporary romance books, don't judge this one. It's really done well!)
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well-written second-chance romance story or to anyone who has enjoyed Ms. Law's books in the past.
I have loved everything I've read by Kim Law. This book certainly seemed a little different going into it--an all female construction company vs. an all male construction company in a reality TV show. It's a second chance at love trope. Jill and Cal had actually been married before...for several hours! Jill is hot headed and still chair throwing angry with Cal for walking out on her. Cal just wants to get her to talk to him again. That shouldn't be hard. Right?
Ms. Law threw in several things to make the book even more interesting. There's a ghost that likes to play music to suit her moods, Cal's cat that he talks to (seriously, why wouldn't you talk to your cat?) and a whole town taking bets on how long Jill will stay in the room after Cal walks in. This book was fun, but it also had some important serious threads running through it. It deals with alcohol abuse, the foster program and suicide. It really balanced out well. I loved it! I can't wait for the second book of the series to see which of Jill's foster sisters will find romance next.
I was given this book via Netgalley. The opinion is my own.
Girl Power, with an all girl construction company, Bluebonnet Construction which is owned by three foster sisters, Jill, Trenton and Heather. Their foster mom has entered them into a TV reality show. where their competition is Jill's ex husband Cal's, company, We Nail It Contractors. Lots of conflict and banter between Jill and Cal, will keep you turning the pages.
A second chance romance between Jill and Cal, since their first marriage only lasted for 24 hours with a misunderstanding. Loved how Jill was so strong. while working through her abandonment and anger issues.
A great start to a new series, loved the secondary characters. Can't wait to read their stories. I highly recommend this story.
A great book for those who love both second chance romances and hone improvement shows. Bluebonnet construction is owned by Jill Sadler and her to foster sisters were chosen to participate in a reality TV show which will hopefully increase their companies reputation. Unfortunately their competition on the show will be there rival construction company we nailed it contractors which happens to be run by Calhoun Reynolds. Calhoun happens to be Jill's ex-husband who she hasn't spoken to in 12 years ever since he dumped her 24 hours after their Las Vegas wedding. She has also not spoken to him since she has returned home to Texas six years ago.
It's a fun story which has home improvements in the background and a wonderful love story in the front. Jill and Calhoun still have an attraction to one another and they have to work past their past in order to reach their future. It's not a formulaic story and it's very enjoyable. I'm hoping to see the sisters stories soon.
This is a great book; this is the first book in the Deep in the Heart Series written by Kim Law. Jill Sadler’s company is competing on the wildly popular show Texas Dream Home, and she intends to give it her all. The opposition: We Nail It Contractors, helmed by the man who once married her…and walked out twenty-four hours later. Jill can’t let Cal Reynolds take this round. Not when she has her foster sisters and years of righteous resentment spurring her on. Winning the contest would do wonders for Cal’s firm. Getting under Jill’s skin is just a bonus. She paints him as a villain, though Cal had no choice but to leave. Yet being around Jill again—fiery on the outside, vulnerable and warm underneath—is setting off sparks that can’t be blamed on faulty wiring. And the only way to fix the Jill-size hole in his heart is to risk everything and see if this love is built to last. This is a great book with a wonderful story and well developed characters. This book will keep you reading long into the night. If you are looking for a great book, then you need to read this book. I am looking forward to reading the next book by this great author. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader’s copy of this book. The free book held no determination on my personal review.
Great first book in a new series!! I loved the story of 3 women owning a construction company. And I'm always a fan of second chance love.
I look forward to reading the next books in the series & learning more about the 3 foster sisters.
I received a free, advance copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is my unbiased and voluntary review
This is the start of a new series about three women who are foster sisters (Jill, Heather and Trenton) and their foster mother, Aunt Blu.
This book focuses on Jill. Jill is not happy to have to be around her ex, Cal. She feels he abandoned her after their quick marriage and holds a lot of resentment. Cal has his own view of the situation. Now, they are competing against each other on reality tv and it gets very real.
I really liked the characters and how the story is so focused on family. They really love and support one another. Jill and Cal both have issues that derailed their relationship. It was really interesting to see their different perspectives. It is easy to connect to the characters and really get involved in the story.
This is the first book in the series Deep in the Heart by Kim Law. The book is about a female construction company called Bluebonnet Construction whose principal players are Jill and her two foster sisters who build “She Sheds”. They only hire women to work on their construction crew. Aunt Blu, their foster mother enters them into a competing reality show called Texas Dream House. They hope this will give them exposure for larger projects.
The competition turns out to be We Nail It Contractors who is owned by Cal, Jill’s ex-husband of 12 years. He knows in advance that his competitor is Bluebonnet Construction.
Throughout the book, one can see how angry and hardheaded Jill is with issues from her past and how Cal always dodges the issues between Jill and himself.
There is also a ghost in the house that Cal is renovating and a sad love story about her.
I look forward to the next book in the series.
I received a free advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is my unbiased and voluntary review.
Kim Law is one of my favorite authors, and once again she knocked it out of the park with her new novel, Hardheaded. Hardheaded is the first book in the Deep in the Heart series. This is a story that is filled with an interesting storyline, and a cast of characters that are as unique as they are intriguing. Hardheaded is a story about three foster sisters...Jill, Heather and Trenton, and their foster mother, Aunt Blu. Even though this story lays the groundwork about these three women, this is really Jill's story...and what an amazing story it is! The best thing about reading the first book in a new series is knowing there will be more novels to follow. The second book in the series, Softhearted, is expected to be released on April 10, 2018.
Jill, Heather and Trenton have been trying to find a way to compete in a field predominantly run by men...the construction business. Bluebonnet Construction is their business, and at the moment, they are known as Queens of the She-Sheds..."sheds" built by women, for women. If only they could find a way to prove to people that they are just as good as any construction company run by men...that is what they need to do in order for people to take them seriously. Everything begins to change when Aunt Blu informs them that she entered them in a contest to appear on the hit television show, Texas Dream Home. The three women are skeptical at first, but quickly warm to the idea and realize that this just might be the big break that they have been looking for.
Cal Reynolds, owner of We Nail It Contractors, never applied to be a contestant on Texas Dream Home. Truth be told, the producers sought him out, and after thinking it over, he decided the free publicity would be great for his company. The fact that he would be competing against his ex-wife's company on the show was the icing on the cake for him. He has known from the start that he would be competing against Bluebonnet Construction, however, Jill had no clue until the filming was due to start. Cal witnesses firsthand the exact moment when Jill realizes that he is her competition. He was looking forward to this day...until he saw her reaction.
I honestly want to go into more details, but I do not want to ruin any part of this awesome story. Kim Law, once again, beautifully weaves together this amazing story with a well-developed cast of characters. The end result of her vivid and descriptive storytelling skills will hold you captive from beginning to end. The author tells both sides of the story in regards to the short-lived marriage, giving insight into the views of Jill, as well as Cal. I felt the show was a bit deceptive for not telling Bluebonnet Construction who their competition would be, but then again, as in real life, it is always about the ratings! The three women are as different as night and day, but their bond is unbreakable, and they always have each other's backs...no matter what. Aunt Blu is a force to be reckoned with...and a character you will easily love and respect at the same time. She has a heart of gold, but is no soft touch. She made sure these three girls/women learned how to survive in a man's world, and taught them as much as she possibly could. This is the reason why the women started their own the construction business...skills that they were taught by Aunt Blu when they were younger.
Cal is a complex character, one that initially sets out to put Jill in her place, but his reactions speak otherwise. The satisfaction he expected to feel is replaced by a confusing mix of emotions once he actually sees the way Jill reacts to the news of his company being her competition. It is obvious that both Cal and Jill have many unresolved feelings, and following their journey was definitely fascinating!
Overall, this is an extremely well-written kickoff to a new series that is guaranteed to not disappoint! This is a story filled with laughter and tears, heart and emotion, and plenty of emotional baggage to add to the storyline. The other focus of this story is the bond between family. Family is not just people bound to you by blood, as the characters prove to us through this heartwarming story. This book has quickly become one of my favorites, and I am hoping that it will become one of yours as well! Now I will be patiently waiting for Softhearted (the second book in the Deep in the Heart series) to be released on April 10, 2018.
I would like to thank Kim Law, as well as Montlake Romance and NetGalley, for allowing me the opportunity to read and review this wonderful book. My views are my own and are in no way influenced by anyone else.
Kim Law’s new series Deep in the Heart is very different from The Wildes of Birch Bay series her last series. It is still a great read with Hardheaded as the introductory book. The in-depth character study of complex characters who have flaws is still right on the mark.
Family, made not born, abandonment issues, anger management and out of date perception that can still prevail in male dominated work environments. All are handled deftly by the author could make these all go away easily since this is fiction. However, this book mirrors real life with its sorrow, miscommunication and misconceptions but its joy and goodness, too.
For those who enjoy reality shows especially those into the ever popular construction makeovers will love this stories as exs compete against each other. Those who enjoy second chance romance will find this one a humdinger as the characters face off both on and off the screen.
An ARC of the book was given to me by the publisher through Net Galley.