Member Reviews
ARC received for review
Reprint from 2004...doesn't sound like much has changed to update it. Every one still has landlines.
Think of the worst match-up ever, and this one is right near the top. A preacher together with a former prostitute. Cynthia is starting over, and Bruce is there to help her with that. He along with this brother and friends help her with someone who is trying to hurt her. There was too much blah to go along with the drama, sex and romance. Jaime Creed is still creepy, but a little less so in this book.
Bruce Kelly has spent his life helping people who are down on their luck and helping them get back on track. Cyn Potter is a survivor of a rough childhood and just as rough adulthood. She’s done with men and the one thing they want. Bruce is out to prove to her that he can be trusted and can be an absolute gentleman to prove it. For as opposite as these two are, they just might be perfect for eachother.
I’ve read a number of Lori Foster’s books and enjoyed each of them. The book starts out showing you what Cyn has been through. While I understood the choices she had to make, I just couldn’t get over it enough to enjoy her as a character. Unfortunately it made the book not right for me.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book
"I received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review"
When Opposites Attract. . .
Bruce Kelly has spent most of his life helping people who are down on their luck, guiding them toward making better lives. Compassionate and kind, Bruce understands that everyone makes mistakes, even if he's never actually done anything but color inside the lines. Nobody's perfect, but Bruce is about to meet a woman who's perfect for him. He's determined to show her that he can be trusted. And if that means proving it by being the absolute gentleman at all times, then so be it. No matter how many cold showers it takes. . .
. . .Just Get Out Of The Way
Cyn Potter is a survivor, with a sassy, gallows wit and a fierce independent streak to show for it. She's used to men wanting only one thing, and this girl is no longer taking applications from big bad wolves in sheep's clothing, thank you very much, drive through please and keep on going. But Bruce Kelly is actually different. Totally hands off. Sometimes she can see a hint of fire when he looks at her, but the guy treats her with the respect she's always wanted. Maybe too much respect, because truthfully? The guy is fine. Worth taking down a few defenses for. . .and a few other things. And maybe somebody needs to help Bruce start over and discover just how perfect being imperfect can be
This was such a quick easy read for me and I did enjoy the book, but for some reason the characters just didn't seem to fit together for me. Cyn annoyed me throughout the book and I am sure it was how her character was meant to be but I just didn't feel like her and Bruce went well together. I think if the book was longer and it was a slow pace romance it would of been more believable for me. Bruce also drove me a little crazy his alpha male side was a little over the top at times and it just didn't seem to go well.
With saying this I still rated this book 3.5 stars and I still want to read the first 2 books in this series (which I didn't know it was a series until I started it). Like I said it was a quick read and I did like the book and got into it, I loved the side characters a lot and loved how caring of one another they were and the humour that they shared with one another.
I just finished "When Bruce Met Cyn". It just proves that great stories never go out of style. First published in 2004, Lori Foster tells a romantic story of two people of different backgrounds that fall in love. A small town of wonderful people that work together to make a community that anyone would fall in love with. The story takes the reader on a journey of a past that is so tragic, it is hard to fathom, and a beautiful community that takes care of their own. With a lot of suspense and drama, Bruce and Cyn find their way to a HEA that will melt the heart even for the staunchest critic. I want to thank NetGalley and Kensington Books for gifting me "When Bruce Met Cyn". My opinion is my own. 5 easy stars!
This is another great book by Lori Foster. I love the visitation series, and this book is a great addition. This is Cyn and Bruce’s book. I love the addition of Bruce, and that he is a preacher. It is such a different occupation from other heroes. There were some twists and turns in the book, and it was definitely never boring. It kept my attention from the first page, and I could not stop until it was over. I highly recommend reading this book, and all of the other Visitation books.
This book is a reissue of a 2004 publication. It hasnt stood the test of time that well. The dialogue seems outdated and the story itself is a little gentle. Add the fact that it's part of a series and doesnt stand alone well. I do appreciate Lori Foster's ability to create a small town setting that is realistic and fantasy like within the same story, and that the town almost becomes a secondary character. I think that the series in total is probably more balanced than the single book. I wanted a stronger story.
I am a fan of Lori Foster and this book did not disappoint. I loved the setting of the story and all the characters into the story line perfectly. I could easily read this book again! Must read!!
Perfect storyline for a second chance in life story!! I loved the heart, the depth of feelings they connected with, the whole premise of how people make the best of horrible situations in life! Great writing!
When Bruce Met Cyn
Visitation, North Carolina Series - Book 3
By Lori Foster
Zebra - July 2004
Contemporary Romance
Cyn Potter did whatever she needed to survive. First, she had attacked a man who was going to harm her. Then on her own as a young adult, she had become a prostitute. But those days were now behind her. She had vowed not to sell herself, and she was moving somewhere new where nobody would know about her past. Visitation, North Carolina would be her new home.
Bruce Kelly was a pastor, but he did more than preach God's message. He lived a life helping others. He'd been helping former prostitutes create new lives for themselves, and knew of the challenges and traumas many of them had been trying to escape. He could see similar experiences in Cyn's eyes. But he saw so much more. He saw a survivor. She had learned to depend on only one person, but he wanted to help her lower her defenses and accept others' help. His own, and his friends'. People who were becoming her friends.
But it was much more than friendship Bruce wanted with Cyn. He might be a pastor, but he was a man who wanted Cyn as his wife. He just needed to convince her that her past didn't matter, it was the decisions she made now that did.
With When Bruce Met Cyn, readers might not expect to see a trademark Lori Foster romance, but they are proven wrong. Bruce is a hero, maybe not quite the typical Lori Foster alpha hero, but a hero who knows exactly what woman he wants. And he is the perfect hero for Cyn, accepting, but challenging her to grow into a strong independent heroine perfect for him. It might be part of the Visitation series, and you can tell that certain couples had previous books, but it does stand on its own.
Kathy Andrico - KathysReviewCorner.com
I received and ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for my review. When Bruce Kelly sees Cyn Potter getting roughed up in a truck stop parking lot, he can't help but intervene; after all he is a man of God. As fate would have it, Cyn is making her way to Visitation, where Bruce is a pastor, so he gives her a ride. Cyn has not had an easy life, and nothing surprises her more than the easy acceptance that Bruce offers her. But just when she thinks that she can put her questionable past behind her, the past comes roaring back in very unexpected ways.
I am a fan of Lori Foster books and this series is no exception! I like the mix of mystery and romance along with a hint of the supernatural in this series. I highly recommend it!
This was okay. The writing itself wasn't bad, but I wasn't a fan of the story line. A preacher and a (very recently retired) prostitute is not really a believable story for me. Also the fact that Cyn was a prostitute for 5 years, and she only managed to save $2500? Couldn't she have had any other minimum wage job and saved that much? It didn't add up for me. Honestly, I couldn't get past the first couple of chapters, it just wasn't my cup of tea. While this story wasn't for me, I would be willing to read this author again.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book.
At first, when I started reading this book I thought WTF but more than I get in the story more did I like it. Former hooker falls for a priest, a story with a little bit taboo, mystery, secret, supernatural and beautiful love story. I loved Bruce he was a really great guy with all the right settings in his mind, he didn't care that Cyn was a former prostitute, he understood what circumstances had led her to do what she had to do. He was very understanding and I really liked the way his emotions grew for Cyn. Cyn is also great developed character, strong woman who was through a lot and it is clear why she is not so trusting at first toward Bruce it is kind of sad when she and Bruce are starting their physical interaction, kiss touch the way she says that she didn't know that touch could bring so much pleasure. I liked that story is unpredictable and unique with the plot. Another great story from Lori Foster.
I volunteered to review an ARC of this book for Netgelly
When Bruce Met Cyn is a classic and was originally released in 2004 – now we’re getting a new cover and a Mass Market Paperback Reissue. I happen to love covers and the chance to re-visualize Bruce (and Bryan, since they’re twins) from this new cover is a delight.
Once again I was captivated by the characters in and the town of Visitation, North Carolina. Cyn is a streetwise, snarky, sassy woman who has made the choice and now has enough money to step away from a life that was necessary at the time. She’s had dreams of a town, of a man and impulsively waves a finger over a map and makes her decision of where to head for her new life. Right into Visitation and perhaps a date with destiny.
I really liked Bruce and Cyn together, on the surface they may seem complete opposites but they match up where it counts. We’ll get the chance to catch up with other couples in the Visitation, North Carolina series and see some future possibilities as well. I had fun with When Bruce Met Cyn, there’s an opposites attract feel, definitely steamy moments, a solid romance, true danger and a touch of mystical warnings at times.
If you’re in the mood for a really good, satisfying romance then I’d recommend you check out the reissue of When Bruce Met Cyn. You’ll find a story that will keep your attention riveted on the page, likable characters, a vile villain, a few twists and turns and an emotional love story. If you haven’t already, this story will make you want to check out the entire series of Visitation, North Carolina for yourself… I’d highly recommend that you do just that.
I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
Sweet, sad story of a damaged girl who triumphs despite overwhelming odds. And, yeah, finds the man of her dreams. Great writing, pace is perfect and enough surprises to keep me turning the pages. Well done.
The small-town feel of Visitation was well done, I enjoyed the characters and the romance was good!Sweet and cute!I just felt like something was missing and this make me not to give it 5 stars!
Cynthia is an abuse survivor on the run from her past. Bruce is a pastor in a small town who feels the need to help all in his path. ,including Cyn. Bruce rescues Cyn from a dangerous situation, and continues to do so throughout the book. Cyn is sure she did a horrible thing in her past that she's running from. She's lead a sad and lonely life and has a vision that inspires her to start over in North Carolina. She doesn't know that her past has come back to haunt her. Bruce admires Cyn, and wants to help her discover that she is worthy of so much more that she thinks. I loved the danger aspect to this story and the ending plot threw me for a loop! Didn't see that one coming! Great, romantic story that prompted me to buy the next book in the series!
I really liked Bruce and Cyn’s story. Cyn is doing her best to start over in Visitation and Bruce just wants to help. They have great chemistry and Bruce is willing to take things slow and show Cyn he isn’t only after one thing. Will Cyn let her guard down for Bruce? This is a fast-paced read with great characters and entertaining story. I liked it.
I was expecting a lighthearted read but I got a bit more than that. Bruce is a small town preacher with a heart of gold and Cyn is a recently retired prostitute looking to get a fresh start. On the surface these two are vastly different but inside, where it counts, they make sense of each other. Cyn's past was heartbreaking and just like Bruce, every time she let slip things from her childhood and the life altering decisions she had to make to survive, I hurt for her. She was a strong character that second guessed herself a lot but lucky for her, Bruce is a wealth of patience and understanding and he always knew just what to say to shake off her cynical out look on life and showed Cyn it was time to leave the past behind and look to the future.
The curve ball in the plot took me completely by surprise, which was cool but the villain turned out to be even more of a creep than I had first assumed. Ugh! That turned dark and twisty real fast! Which I guess is also a good thing? The few POVs we got from the stalker gave me the creeps, big time. I'm just happy he got what he deserved in the end and that Cyn was finally able to shed that last piece of her past and move on.
I guess when I read the blurb for this book I didn't realize it was part of a series of books. It is totally not a standalone in my opinion. I have read other books by Ms Foster before but this one was very hard to get into. Typically age gaps don't bother me but even though Cyn was like 22 she acted like a teenager. It was uncomfortable to read at some points. She used words that were so old fashioned when she would try and flirt or talk with Bruce. Then you throw in this third character Jamie, the Cyn had a dream about, but is never actually gone into any depth as to who he is. The guy Cyn has been running from for the last 5 years is now back in the picture. You get almost 80% into the book with nothing but a kiss or two between Cyn and Bruce but then wham, they are getting married! There was nothing building up to that, to all the sudden throw that in there. All in all I would say Ms Fosters writing style just doesn't jive with me.
When Bruce Met Cyn by Lori Foster, book 3 of the Visitation, North Carolina series. Another great book in the series. I've read past books in this series plus other books by Lori Foster and always enjoyed them. This one hasn't disappointed me. Likable characters, great storyline and dialogue. I look forward to reading more books by this author.