A series with promise

The Whole Package is the first in Marie Harte’s Movin’ On series. Premise is great, a company owned by Vets hiring vets, unfortunately I didn’t like this story as well as some of the authors other books.
Naomi and Reid have a promising story line but it seemed to get overrun by Chase(Reid’s brother) and the other employees. There is a familia back story that just didn’t come together for me. Naomi and Reid got their HEA just don’t think I cared as much as I could have. That being said I’d definitely consider reading the next book to see if now that all the players are introduced if the story flows better.
I received an advance reader copy via Netgalley.

I’ve been a huge fan and supporter of Marie Harte for many years and I was thrilled when this new series was announced, a moving company that only hires veterans and set in Seattle, but unfortunately The Whole Package just isn’t up to this author’s usual standard. The good news is, there was enough good in this book and because of this author’s past work I will read the next book in this series, but for me this book was a miss.

Reid Griffith, former Marine, along with his brother Cash and his cousin Evan own a moving company Vets on the Go! where they employee only veterans and have recently had some publicity they want to capitalize on to take their fledgling business to the next level. Naomi Starr needs to land a big account and hopes helping Vets of the Go! will help her land that account. There is an instant attraction between Reid and Naomi but because a working relationship cost Naomi her last job, she is determined to not act on it which Reid agrees is the right thing to do, but good intentions only go so far. I liked Naomi and Reid and I think they were good for one another. Naomi was a bit neurotic and her character was pretty well developed although I felt that her ex and their relationship took up way too much time in what should have been her and Reid’s story. I felt that Reid’s character was never fully developed and he often faded into the background which was sad because what I saw of him I really liked.

The bits of time that we spend with just Reid and Naomi were extremely enjoyable and it was easy to see that despite their agreement to just have fun, there was more growing between them. They both seemed very comfortable with one another early on and had no problem sharing pretty intimate details of their lives. They had mad respect for one another and seemed to bring out the best in each other, unfortunately their story; their romance was lost in this book.

My problem with this book and to be truthful this happens sometimes in the first book in a series is that there were too many characters, there were all sorts of tangents off the plot some confusing and never resolved within this book, and there was too much attention paid to secondary characters and not enough to the primary ones.

My hope is that with the first book in this series out of the way, Ms. Harte will be able to focus on the romance in the next book something that was missing in The Whole Package. Despite my disappointment with this book, I am intrigued enough by the premise of this series and look forward to the next book.

The Whole Package is the first book in the Movin' On series by Marie Harte. It is currently scheduled for release on January 29 2019. Always the caretaker, former Marine Reid Griffith wants to help his brother adjust to civilian life...and help other former servicemen. What better way to utilize their brawn, discipline, and charm than a moving company that hires veterans? But although Reid prides himself on being strategic, he certainly doesn't plan to fall in the spotlight of one brilliant—and beautiful—PR whiz. PR expert Naomi Starr is determined to bring Vets on the Go! into the spotlight. But when she meets Reid, it might mean breaking her rule to never mix business with pleasure. Especially once she discovers that underneath Reid's sexy rough-and-tumble exterior is a vulnerable man who just might need what she's got to give.

The Whole Package is a high octane romance with all of the heat and emotional complications that I have come to expect from Harte, but less of the danger in comparison to her other contemporary romance series. I liked the characters, and enjoyed getting to know the main players, and the secondary characters well. I thought Maomi was a very well developed character, with lots of strength and personality, as well as her fair share of flaws. Reid is similar, in that he has his strength, and his hangups. I greatly enjoyed the interactions between them, and their own internal struggles with the relationship and how it might affect their lives, and those they care for most. I liked the subtle tie in to previous series from the author, with the gym and a couple secondary characters. It was not enough to confuse new readers, just little presents for returning readers.

The Whole Package is exactly what I expect from Harte. A solid story with characters and interactions that make me smile, fan myself, or both. This will be a must reads for fans of Harte, and her contemporary romances. I cannot wait for more from her, particularly Cash finding his HEA.

As always, Marie Harte doesn’t disappoint. The road to happy ever after isn’t a smooth one for Reid and Naomi but they have fun getting there. A couple of the Donnigans make an appearance as well. Looking forward to reading Cash’s book to find out his mother’s secret.

There were a lot of things to like about this book. However, most of those that I enjoyed most were not those intrinsic to the romance between the main characters. The premise of the series, stories around a moving company run by veterans that only hires veterans, is a great one, and I was drawn in by the other characters surrounding the main couple and the family issues that crop up between the brothers who run the company. Honestly, at the end of the book I was more excited to read the next books in the series that will tell the stories of these other characters than I was with the book I had just finished. The book is written well, though there are a couple of moments that feel a little forced. There's certainly heat in this story, as is typical of Marie Harte, so if you're looking for something less spicy, I wouldn't recommend this one.

3.75⭐

The Whole Package was an engaging story. That had moments of angst, heat and fun. Plus, it was at times entertaining. But it didn't necessarily flow what with all the different characters introduced. Not to mention at points it felt more like Cash's story than his brother Reids. Yet, I did like both of these characters, although they weren't necessarily very memorable. As for the romance between Reid and Naomi, I did enjoy it and I liked the idea of this story. And I do think this series has plenty of potential. So I would certainly check out the next book when it's released later this year.

Former Marine Reid Griffith wants to help his brother and other former servicemen adjust to civilian life, so they launch a moving company called Vets on the Go!, and hire publicist Naomi Starr to help promote it. Will these two find love, even though Naomi has a “no mixing business with pleasure” rule? A girl can dream …

https://www.retailmenot.com/blog/must-read-books-of-2019.html

When Reid's brother and one of their employees get caught on camera stopping a burglary, it gives their local moving company, Vets on the Go!, more attention and a lot more clients. After seeing Vets on the Go! on television, Naomi knows working with them is just the boost her marketing and public relations company needs to open the door to another veteran whose business she's trying to snag. What she didn’t count on is the instant attraction she has with Reid, but she's determined not to mix business with pleasure. She’s been there, done that, and has the former boss/ex-boyfriend to show for it.

The early copy I read of this book is my first by this author and it was such a fun read! With plenty of heat and lots of heart, there is also no shortage of laughs. Reid and Naomi are wonderful characters, both strong and opinionated but each with enough baggage to make them human and endearing. Of course there's the usual blah, blah, blah – “We're just friends,” and “We're not serious,” – lies the characters tell themselves which a reader never believes but makes for delightful entertainment. And let me just say, at the critical point after the conflict, the way Naomi gets Reid's undivided attention? Epic. Pure genius. And one of the funniest/sexiest scenes in the book.

I loved all these characters and adored the strong and funny ex-military movers who kept me laughing throughout the book. Reality TV junkies, anyone? And Reid's brother, Cash, comes across as a crass, muscled meathead, but that boy has hidden depths, and I can’t wait to read his story. If you like hot heroes with heart and feisty, intelligent heroines, you’ll love Reid and Naomi's story!

*I reviewed this book freely and voluntarily, having made no commitment to provide a review and receiving no compensation of any kind from any source for this review.

Oh my gosh! This was pure romance. All swoon, sweet, sexy and feels. I’m completely smitten, charmed and head over heels in love with these characters and this author. Totally recommend

I really enjoyed this book! Naomi and Reid both have trust issues, but they can't deny their attration for each other - even though they are going to work together. Cute read and i woukd definitely read more from this series and these characters.

This is the first book in the series and oh boy, I can't wait to read others. We meet a lot of characters but the book is about Naomi and Reid. I couldn't stop reading. Loved the characters. Story is well written. Harte do not disappoint.

A great, sexy romance. This was a new author to me, but it won't be my last. I love a good military romance.

Naomi Starr is running her own PR company. She just needs a few more good clients to prove to the "Big Fish" that she's the perfect person to help run their campaign so she can take her company to the next level. To that end, she knows that he's a veteran and she thinks that helping Vets on the Go!, a moving coming, will help prove how good she can be.
Reid Griffith, now out of the Marines, is trying to get enough business to support his whole team. But when one of his moving groups foils a robbery, they are instantly famous. And he understands that Naomi can help them channel that fame.
There are some problems with this story, it's the first in the series so there's a lot of world building (i.e. setup for future books in the series (e.g. the mover that looks exactly like Reid's (half?) brother)). There is also a LOT of back and forth on Reid and Naomi's relationship being a real relationship but they shouldn't be doing it because he's a client but she's so hot... blah, blah, blah.
Overall though, a nice fast, fun and fluffy read that didn't perturb me overly much.

Three stars
This book comes out January 29
ARC kindly provided by publisher and NetGalley

Eh, this was not my fav romance story that is for sure. i didn't love it and i did not hate it, i am some where in the middle. i felt like the book went on forever, and i felt like i got to know one character more then the other, and the chick was annoying she to me was a little immature. i think fans of the author will enjoy this new series.

Vets on the Go was a great idea. I loved Reid, but didn't "love" Naomi. So forget Naomi...let's focus on Reid. Reid has a relationship with his brother that makes the book a keeper. In fact, all the vets are wonderfully characterized and I can't wait to read more about them. Just no more Naomi's.

Reid and Cash Griffith are former Marines who opened a moving company that employs veterans. They've acquired some publicity and business has increased tenfold.

Naomi Starr has recently opened her own PR agency after mixing business with pleasure. She's learned her lesson and has moved on. She sees the members of the moving company on the news and decides to help them improve business and handle all the new publicity.

What she doesn't count on is her attraction to Reid. She's been burned before and doesn't want history to repeat itself. Reid is also attracted, but has so much on his plate right now with his family and business. Will they be able to fight their attraction and keep it "strictly business"?

I loved this story. It was funny and emotional and the characters were real. The secondary characters just added to the story. Fingers crossed that Cash gets his own story soon.

Having read other books by Marie Harte, giving this one a go was a no-brainer; unfortunately it didn’t live up to my expectations based on previous books I read by this author.

The Whole Package wasn’t a bad story, it simply felt like too much was going on and far too many characters and plots were incorporated into this first of the series, which left me reeling. I also felt the expected connection between the main couple was lacking and that Naomi’s character was somewhat immature.

Will I read book two? Yes. Because I do like Ms Harte’s writing and will always give the second book a go before I discard a series.

This is my first experience reading this author's work but I'll be reading more in the future because she hit all the marks that make a winning read for me -- sexy hero, strong heroine, interesting secondary characters (that I hope get their own books!) and a fast-moving, interesting plot. I loved that the author gave some insight into Reid and Cash's relationship throughout the book giving it almost a sub-plot to the storyline of Reid and Naomi. Excellent military, contemporary romance! I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC for NetGalley.

This book ticked off a lot of boxes for me. I loved Reid. He's former military, started his own business to help his brother adjust to civilian life and he treated Naomi respectfully while still showing how dirty he could get. That's pretty hot!

Naomi is a very strong heroine that came close to being too much, but Reid seemed to bring her back before that every really happened. My only complaint would be is that I wish they had gotten together as a couple sooner. I wanted more of them as a couple because they were so cute together when they were just them.

Honestly, his relationship with his brother was just as much as attractive as his relationship with Naomi. I loved how much they cared and protected each other. One of the things I love about Marie Harte is she does such a good job with family in her books. The main couple are important but my overall enjoyment of a book increases so much when the side characters in the form of friends and family add to the love story for me.

The Whole Package had a great cast of side characters in Reid's brother and their employees within Vets on the Go. I loved all them to a point that I think it would be awesome if they each get their own book. I'm looking forward to more.

I really liked the concept of Reid and his brother, Cash's business. A moving company that hires veterans. Instantly, I was rooting for the brothers. Although, I will admit that Cash won me over first before Reid. This is because Cash has a more outgoing personality. While, this story is Reid and Naomi's story, I was glad to see Cash featured as well. While, I may not have enjoyed this book, I do want to read Cash's story.

The reason that I struggled with this book is because I had trouble finding a deep emotional connect towards Reid and Naomi. Additionally, if you have read many romance stories; this book follows the same layout...guy meets woman...guy and woman fall for each other and hook up...there are troubled waters...guy and woman make up and find their happy ending. Not that there is anything wrong with this storyline. I love a great romance story. Just for this to work, you have to find that close connection towards the characters. I felt like I did not get the "whole package" as it was missing some key elements for me.