Status
Available
Call number
Collections
Publication
Random House Audio (2013), Edition: Unabridged Audiobook, Downloadable WMA/MP3 Audiofile, 12 hrs 11 mins
Description
Fiction. Literature. Romance. HTML:In Molly O�Keefe�s captivating new contemporary romance, a woman with a past and a man without a future struggle to find a place where they belong. A girl from the wrong side of the tracks, Tara Jean Sweet knows that opportunity will never knock; she�ll have to seize it. Elderly Texas rancher Lyle Baker has a dying request: He will give Tara Jean a stake in his leather business in exchange for a little family subterfuge. All Tara Jean has to do is play the part of a gold-digging fianc�e to lure Lyle�s estranged children home. The mission is soon accomplished. Now Lyle�s gone�and his ridiculously handsome son, Luc, an ice hockey superstar sidelined by injuries, is the new owner of Crooked Creek ranch. He�s also Tara Jean�s boss. But being so close to sinfully sweet Tara Jean does crazy things to Luc�s priorities, like make him want to pry her deepest secrets from those irresistible lips. But when Tara Jean�s past demands a dirty showdown, will Luc stay and fight?… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member VmpGirl
Can't Buy Me Love is you average contemporary romance novel: a little humor, a hot guy and a simple plot. While I was not completely blown away by the story, I did enjoy it.
LibraryThing member LauraKCurtis
I really enjoyed Can't Buy Me Love. It was light and fun, but still packed an emotional punch. The story isn't one you haven't read before--poor girl thought to be gold-digger when she marries wealthy old man who then dies--but O'Keefe manages to twist things around so she surprises you. The
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characters were well-developed and well-rounded, not flat stereotypes. Give this one a chance; you won't be sorry. Show Less
LibraryThing member Jaitai16
I'm really glad that I found Molly O'Keefe through this program. This seems to be her first single title romance and the start of a compelling series. Tara Jean and Luc were both very sexy very damaged characters and the pages where they appeared together were so heated I could almost phyically
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feel the tension. It was one of those books where I wasn't sure how exactly they would end up and kept reading to see how they would. I liked how Tara Jean isn't so boring and vanilla. I liked how she redeemed herself. And I thought the relationship between Luc and his father was well written. It wasn't neatly wrapped up. There wasn't any sweet sappiness but some reality about how complicated relationships are. The only character I did not like was Luc's sister. Who is the star of the next book in the series. Still I am going to buy it because I think Molly O'Keefe is a great writer and somebody whose career I would like to follow. Show Less
LibraryThing member dockdc
I don't read a lot of romance novels, but this book kept me entertained. It's a good light read in between some of the more serious stuff. I appreciate that it wasn't completely predictable at every turn like some I have read. I enjoyed it enough that I will probably read the sequel. I did notice
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several typos throughout, hopefully someone will catch those and fix it. Overall, I would recommend this book for anyone who likes a easy, entertaining read for the summer vacation! Show Less
LibraryThing member Dotland101
A promising new voice in contemporary romance. "Can't Buy Me Love" has interesting plot, hero and heroine who are less than perfect, both had tainted past even messier, much unsavory past for one that kept haunting, following them, and threatening them into present. Could two people with such past,
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not to mention hated each other's guts at first sight be able to get past all that ugliness, judgment and assumption and able to give themselves another chance at real happiness, and ultimately self-forgiveness? Despite their undeniable physical attraction towards each other will that be enough to find and accept love and to be loved? I found myself rooting for both Luc and Tara Jean, upsetting and frustrating at times, chuckled at its straight face and dry humors at another. One can easily get emotionally involved in the story which I think is a good sign found in good books that can generate such effect on its readers. Well, you'll just have to get the book and read it and find out for yourself, because I don't want to spoil it for you if I spill too much about it. Show Less
LibraryThing member lucky11
Romance , drama, and a hot hockey star equal the makings of a great story. "Can't Buy Me Love," by Molly O'Keefe has all three. Luc, the injured hockey star is tricked home by his dying father who he hasn't seen in over twenty years. Forced then to remain on his fathers estate to abide by his
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fathers will, and live with the ghosts of his past and present. Luc has to see though peoples facades and make some choices about his future. Though, the story line was a bit slow, " Can't By Me Love, '" was a good, light beachy . Show Less
LibraryThing member TheBooknerd
This was a really good book -- well-written, entertaining, and emotionally charged. I read it quickly, enjoying every moment. I was particularly taken with how skillfully the characters are developed, especially the main female protagonist, Tara Jean. There was a lot of subtly there, poignant hints
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at her back story, her journey, her psyche. Really, this author is very clever in how she spins a tale. I was definitely hooked, and I look forward to the next book in this series. Show Less
LibraryThing member Cats57
Can’t Buy Me Love – Molly O’Keefe
*ARC Supplied by Publisher*
This is a book where you have to read more than a few pages or even a few chapters to appreciate what this author was doing. At first I was seriously going to give up after the first few chapters. After all these characters, not only
This book is about hate, deception, lies, and loathing – it is also about - self-hate, self-loathing and self-deceptions and not judging books by their covers. It is about admitting the truth to yourself, manning up, or pulling on your big girl panties (depending on the sex of the character!)
This story has been told before and I was afraid that this book was just going to be a trite cliché, but something in the writing kept me reading and I am so glad I did. This author pulled me in and made me eventually care about the characters no matter how churlish they were being. The characters are well fleshed, the dialogue while at times harsh, it truly believable under these circumstances. The character behave in what I think, is an entirely believable manner given the circumstances of their lives, and how they were manipulated.
This was quite a satisfying read and I do so look forward to reading the next in this trilogy - -“Can’t Hurry Love” In July and the third book will out in November -- “This Can’t Be Love”.
*ARC Supplied by Publisher*
This is a book where you have to read more than a few pages or even a few chapters to appreciate what this author was doing. At first I was seriously going to give up after the first few chapters. After all these characters, not only
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didn’t know each other, they pretty much actively hated each other, yet naturally there were sexual sparks. I wish authors who were writing books like this waited a little longer than a couple of chapters to pull out the ‘sexual spark’ plot line.This book is about hate, deception, lies, and loathing – it is also about - self-hate, self-loathing and self-deceptions and not judging books by their covers. It is about admitting the truth to yourself, manning up, or pulling on your big girl panties (depending on the sex of the character!)
This story has been told before and I was afraid that this book was just going to be a trite cliché, but something in the writing kept me reading and I am so glad I did. This author pulled me in and made me eventually care about the characters no matter how churlish they were being. The characters are well fleshed, the dialogue while at times harsh, it truly believable under these circumstances. The character behave in what I think, is an entirely believable manner given the circumstances of their lives, and how they were manipulated.
This was quite a satisfying read and I do so look forward to reading the next in this trilogy - -“Can’t Hurry Love” In July and the third book will out in November -- “This Can’t Be Love”.
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LibraryThing member grammyellen
Lyle Baker wants his children to come home. So, he concocts a plan by becoming engaged to Tara Jean Sweet. After his family arrives Lyle passes away and his son Luc becomes Tara's boss at Baker Leather where she is a designer. Tara was born on the wrong side of the tracks and her past comes back
This is the first book that i have read by Ms. O'Keefe and it will not be the last. i quite enjoyed the whole story line and am looking forward to the next installment. I highly recommend this book.
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and puts the Baker family in danger. Tara falls in love with Luc but feels that she has to leave in order to keep him and his family safe.This is the first book that i have read by Ms. O'Keefe and it will not be the last. i quite enjoyed the whole story line and am looking forward to the next installment. I highly recommend this book.
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LibraryThing member ReadYourWrites
Can’t Buy Me Love is the first book in Molly O’Keefe’s Crooked Creek Series. The book centers on Tara Jean Sweet and Luc Baker.
The overview describes Tara Jean as being from the wrong side of the tracks. She actually grew up with a single mother in various less than desirable trailer parks.
Luc Baker is known as “The Ice Man” on the hockey stage. Since he was a teen hockey has been his thing. It is what defines who he is. Sidelined with a head injury, which could be career and life ending, he’s main goal is to work hard to get back to what he loves, which is hockey. With his teammates, he’s known as “Grandpa”. Not because of his age, he’s thirty seven, but because, “It has everything to do with how you worry, about everyone. Whether they want it or not.”
The story starts out with Lyle Baker, Luc’s father and owner of Baker Leather and Crooked Creek Ranch, dying and wanting to see his children before he dies. Lyle was known as a good man, but a little difficult to get along with by everyone. To his children, Luc and Victoria, he was an abuser. Thus, explaining why he and his children are estranged. I found Victoria to be a pathetic needy woman. Because she never stands up for herself or shows any interest in being her own person, Lyle picks on her. Victoria’s story is told in the second book of the series, Can’t Hurry Love.
Tara Jean plays the part of gold-digging fiancée/dim-witted Barbie doll very well. But she’s more than that. Surprisingly, Luc is the one who gives her chance by getting to know her. He even tries to make her see that she’s more than she thinks she is.
You have the complicated, I don’t want to be with you, let alone fall in love with you moments, that I’m starting to get use to with books by Molly. But this one has a little unexpected surprise to it. I’m not going to call it suspenseful. But I will say it added a little twist to the story that I wasn’t expecting.
I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
The overview describes Tara Jean as being from the wrong side of the tracks. She actually grew up with a single mother in various less than desirable trailer parks.
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Her mother was one of those mothers who cared more about herself and the various men coming in and out of her life, than she did her own daughter. To which leads Tara Jean to be the woman she is today.Luc Baker is known as “The Ice Man” on the hockey stage. Since he was a teen hockey has been his thing. It is what defines who he is. Sidelined with a head injury, which could be career and life ending, he’s main goal is to work hard to get back to what he loves, which is hockey. With his teammates, he’s known as “Grandpa”. Not because of his age, he’s thirty seven, but because, “It has everything to do with how you worry, about everyone. Whether they want it or not.”
The story starts out with Lyle Baker, Luc’s father and owner of Baker Leather and Crooked Creek Ranch, dying and wanting to see his children before he dies. Lyle was known as a good man, but a little difficult to get along with by everyone. To his children, Luc and Victoria, he was an abuser. Thus, explaining why he and his children are estranged. I found Victoria to be a pathetic needy woman. Because she never stands up for herself or shows any interest in being her own person, Lyle picks on her. Victoria’s story is told in the second book of the series, Can’t Hurry Love.
Tara Jean plays the part of gold-digging fiancée/dim-witted Barbie doll very well. But she’s more than that. Surprisingly, Luc is the one who gives her chance by getting to know her. He even tries to make her see that she’s more than she thinks she is.
You have the complicated, I don’t want to be with you, let alone fall in love with you moments, that I’m starting to get use to with books by Molly. But this one has a little unexpected surprise to it. I’m not going to call it suspenseful. But I will say it added a little twist to the story that I wasn’t expecting.
I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
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LibraryThing member debr56
Looking at the cover I was expecting a fluffy romantic comedy type of story…but I got a whole lot more, I was really surprised by the depth of the storyline. The characters have some heavy baggage from the past and some real issues from the present. It was a much more emotional read than I
Having said all that I really liked the book. Ms. O’Keefe did a great job with the characters and made the way they handled their situations very realistic. Tara and Luc make a great pair, lots of heat there! Tara is so sassy you can’t wait to see what she will say next! At first I did not like Victoria (Luc’s sister) she seemed so shallow and insecure but she eventually comes into her own and I’m looking forward to her story in the next book.
Book provided by the publisher for review.
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expected. Having said all that I really liked the book. Ms. O’Keefe did a great job with the characters and made the way they handled their situations very realistic. Tara and Luc make a great pair, lots of heat there! Tara is so sassy you can’t wait to see what she will say next! At first I did not like Victoria (Luc’s sister) she seemed so shallow and insecure but she eventually comes into her own and I’m looking forward to her story in the next book.
Book provided by the publisher for review.
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LibraryThing member ReadYourWrites
Reviewed for Read Your Writes Book Review Blog.
Can’t Buy Me Love is the first book in Molly O’Keefe’s Crooked Creek Series. The book centers on Tara Jean Sweet and Luc Baker.
The overview describes Tara Jean as being from the wrong side of the tracks. She actually grew up with a single mother
Luc Baker is known as “The Ice Man” on the hockey stage. Since he was a teen, hockey has been his thing. It is what defines who he is. Sidelined with a head injury, which could be career and life ending, his main goal is to work hard to get back to what he loves, which is hockey. With his teammates, he’s known as “Grandpa”. Not because of his age, he’s thirty seven, but because, “It has everything to do with how you worry, about everyone. Whether they want it or not.”
The story starts out with Lyle Baker, Luc’s father and owner of Baker Leather and Crooked Creek Ranch, dying and wanting to see his children before he dies. Lyle was known to have jerk tendencias and be a little difficult to get along with by everyone. To his children, Luc and Victoria, he was an abuser. This is why he and his children are estranged. I found Victoria to be a pathetic, needy woman. Because she never stands up for herself or shows any interest in being her own person, Lyle picks on her. Victoria's story is told in the second book of the series, Can’t Hurry Love.
Tara Jean plays the part of the gold-digging fiancee/dim-witted Barbie doll very well. But she’s more than that. Surprisingly, Luc is the one who gives her a chance by getting to know her. He even tries to make her see that she’s more than what she thinks she is.
As with many romance novels, Luc and Tara Jean do their best to fight the attraction they feel towards one another. I like this book because you are able to see the characters grow and evolve. There is also a little unexpected surprise. I’m not going to call it suspenseful. But I will say it added a little twist to the story that I wasn’t expecting.
I’m starting to become a big Molly O’Keefe fan. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
I received this book through a contest win.
Can’t Buy Me Love is the first book in Molly O’Keefe’s Crooked Creek Series. The book centers on Tara Jean Sweet and Luc Baker.
The overview describes Tara Jean as being from the wrong side of the tracks. She actually grew up with a single mother
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in random, less than desirable trailer parks. Her mother was one of those mothers who cared more about herself and the multiple men coming in and out of her life, than she did her own daughter. This makes Tara Jean into the woman she is today.Luc Baker is known as “The Ice Man” on the hockey stage. Since he was a teen, hockey has been his thing. It is what defines who he is. Sidelined with a head injury, which could be career and life ending, his main goal is to work hard to get back to what he loves, which is hockey. With his teammates, he’s known as “Grandpa”. Not because of his age, he’s thirty seven, but because, “It has everything to do with how you worry, about everyone. Whether they want it or not.”
The story starts out with Lyle Baker, Luc’s father and owner of Baker Leather and Crooked Creek Ranch, dying and wanting to see his children before he dies. Lyle was known to have jerk tendencias and be a little difficult to get along with by everyone. To his children, Luc and Victoria, he was an abuser. This is why he and his children are estranged. I found Victoria to be a pathetic, needy woman. Because she never stands up for herself or shows any interest in being her own person, Lyle picks on her. Victoria's story is told in the second book of the series, Can’t Hurry Love.
Tara Jean plays the part of the gold-digging fiancee/dim-witted Barbie doll very well. But she’s more than that. Surprisingly, Luc is the one who gives her a chance by getting to know her. He even tries to make her see that she’s more than what she thinks she is.
As with many romance novels, Luc and Tara Jean do their best to fight the attraction they feel towards one another. I like this book because you are able to see the characters grow and evolve. There is also a little unexpected surprise. I’m not going to call it suspenseful. But I will say it added a little twist to the story that I wasn’t expecting.
I’m starting to become a big Molly O’Keefe fan. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
I received this book through a contest win.
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LibraryThing member ShannaV
It was refreshing to read a book where the main character isn't perfect. She loves to wear slutty leather clothes, super high heels and chows down on candy constantly. One of the problems I had with this book however, was this constant back and forth between the characters. The whole "I hate you, I
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love you, I hate you, I love you" back and forth was really trying. I don't understand why they were constantly changing their minds on how they felt about each other. It felt very manufactured just to add some conflict to the plot. Overall, it was a nice refresh of the misunderstood gold digger trope. Show Less
LibraryThing member Traann
Tara Jean Sweet is a woman who wants to take hold of her life but to do that she has to play the part of a gold digger so that elderly dying rancher Lyle Baker’s children will come home to stop her. Luc, Lyle’s NHL star son wants no part of his father but more than that he doesn’t want Tara
From the very first pages of this book you feel for all of these damaged characters, Tara Jean who learned about life the hard way and made many mistakes but is trying just to have something that is hers and some where along the line needs to forgive herself. Luc who grew up hating his abusive father, never living up to his expectations even though he is a superstar after 20 years in the NHL but is now recovering from a career changing head injury. Then there is Victoria whose deceased husband orchestrated a ponzie scheme bilking people out of their money and leaving his wife and son with nothing except what others give them. There is so much going on with all of these characters and yet Molly O’Keefe keeps the interaction fresh, sometimes funny, sometimes hot but always making you want to turn that page and see what happens next.
The past is coming back to threaten Tara and leaves Luc frustrated with not trusting his feelings or Tara since she doesn’t want to expose what she did or where she came from, she just wants to hide at Crooked Creek Ranch and run Baker Leather. But her past is going to get someone hurt, no matter how she handles it.
Luc after 20 years in the NHL has been hit in the head one too many times and is forced to take a break while sorting out families problems. Called Grandpa by his team mates because he is always worrying about everyone, he wants to help his sister Victoria claim her inheritance, solve the mystery of Tara Jean and her problems along with working out the fireworks that seem to shoot off whenever Tara is around. But every time he gets too close Tara Jean just pushes him away, afraid of just how good it could be.
The interaction between Tara Jean and Luc will leave you entertained, hot and bothered and just hoping that they can see their way clear to overcoming all of their personal history, to be able to move forward toward each other and a new beginning. The sexual tension and playful banter will keep you smiling just as the insecurities and feelings of hopelessness with make you a cheerleader, wanting the best for both of them.
Then there is secondary character Eli, the son of a former employee of Lyle’s who worked the twenty years Lyle’s children would have nothing to do with him who has inherited part of the estate. He is frustrated because it is due to his hard work and management that the ranch is thriving and he wants what he feels is his due. Towards the end of the book Eli lays out what he wants but we don’t know how it will play out, you have to wait for the second book in the Crooked Creek Ranch series to find out how his plans will end. Victoria will get in his way and for Luc, family always comes first so you know there is a lot more story to come.
Without giving away too much of the story be prepared to watch the characters deal with emotional childhood memories, physical and emotional abuse, despair, hope, sexual tension, the chance at a future they could have only dreamed of and with the help of the other characters the strength to overcome it all and maybe find their way towards what they really deserve.
Can’t Buy Me Love by Molly O’Keefe is my first book by this author and it was such a wonderful surprise. This contemporary romance is an addicting read. The characters are easy to fall in love with. You empathize with their difficulties, get excited by their sizzling interactions. They make you want to be their friend since they are each hurting and in need of someone to love them for themselves, not for what they can do for you which seems to be part of their problems. I found myself comparing Molly’s writing style to Susan Mallery’s. So if you like Susan, check out Molly O’Keefe. I can’t wait for Victoria and Eli’s story, “Can’t Hurry Love” which is coming out in July.
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to marry his father and inherit what he feels should belong to his sister Victoria. From the very first pages of this book you feel for all of these damaged characters, Tara Jean who learned about life the hard way and made many mistakes but is trying just to have something that is hers and some where along the line needs to forgive herself. Luc who grew up hating his abusive father, never living up to his expectations even though he is a superstar after 20 years in the NHL but is now recovering from a career changing head injury. Then there is Victoria whose deceased husband orchestrated a ponzie scheme bilking people out of their money and leaving his wife and son with nothing except what others give them. There is so much going on with all of these characters and yet Molly O’Keefe keeps the interaction fresh, sometimes funny, sometimes hot but always making you want to turn that page and see what happens next.
The past is coming back to threaten Tara and leaves Luc frustrated with not trusting his feelings or Tara since she doesn’t want to expose what she did or where she came from, she just wants to hide at Crooked Creek Ranch and run Baker Leather. But her past is going to get someone hurt, no matter how she handles it.
Luc after 20 years in the NHL has been hit in the head one too many times and is forced to take a break while sorting out families problems. Called Grandpa by his team mates because he is always worrying about everyone, he wants to help his sister Victoria claim her inheritance, solve the mystery of Tara Jean and her problems along with working out the fireworks that seem to shoot off whenever Tara is around. But every time he gets too close Tara Jean just pushes him away, afraid of just how good it could be.
The interaction between Tara Jean and Luc will leave you entertained, hot and bothered and just hoping that they can see their way clear to overcoming all of their personal history, to be able to move forward toward each other and a new beginning. The sexual tension and playful banter will keep you smiling just as the insecurities and feelings of hopelessness with make you a cheerleader, wanting the best for both of them.
Then there is secondary character Eli, the son of a former employee of Lyle’s who worked the twenty years Lyle’s children would have nothing to do with him who has inherited part of the estate. He is frustrated because it is due to his hard work and management that the ranch is thriving and he wants what he feels is his due. Towards the end of the book Eli lays out what he wants but we don’t know how it will play out, you have to wait for the second book in the Crooked Creek Ranch series to find out how his plans will end. Victoria will get in his way and for Luc, family always comes first so you know there is a lot more story to come.
Without giving away too much of the story be prepared to watch the characters deal with emotional childhood memories, physical and emotional abuse, despair, hope, sexual tension, the chance at a future they could have only dreamed of and with the help of the other characters the strength to overcome it all and maybe find their way towards what they really deserve.
Can’t Buy Me Love by Molly O’Keefe is my first book by this author and it was such a wonderful surprise. This contemporary romance is an addicting read. The characters are easy to fall in love with. You empathize with their difficulties, get excited by their sizzling interactions. They make you want to be their friend since they are each hurting and in need of someone to love them for themselves, not for what they can do for you which seems to be part of their problems. I found myself comparing Molly’s writing style to Susan Mallery’s. So if you like Susan, check out Molly O’Keefe. I can’t wait for Victoria and Eli’s story, “Can’t Hurry Love” which is coming out in July.
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LibraryThing member MlleEhreen
CAN'T BUY ME LOVE is a book with three distinct parts, and I have to say I liked each one a little bit less than the previous.
Part One: in which Luc, professional hockey player facing the end of his career, returns to his childhood home to convince his dying father not to marry the heroine, Tara
Part Two: the Stupid Suspense Plot section. This is when Tara gets to stop playing gold-digging bimbo and start acting like herself, a damaged woman whose real passion is designing clothing. Tara and Luc develop a real friendship, spiced with intense attraction; meanwhile, Tara's Evil Ex Boyfriend appears on the scene to make Tara feel unworthy and also push the plot along with a bunch of insane threats.
Part Three: the "this is just temporary" section, when Tara and Luc have stopped fighting with their attraction to one another, but mutually insist that they just want a fun fling.
Part One is fantastic. It lasts through the first 40% of the novel and, man, does it hit all the right notes. Parts are funny and witty; parts are poignant and bittersweet; parts are quite dark. The writing is very smooth, the characters and their conflicts interesting. I was so excited about CAN'T BUY ME LOVE during Part One.
But then I arrived at Parts Two and Three. The villain is ridiculous. Occasionally glimpses of real conflict emerge from the villain's bullying, as when Tara has to face up to her own former crimes - that was awesome. But for the most part, the suspense plot just drags CAN'T BUY ME LOVE down into the realm of the familiar, tried-and-true formula romance. Tara comes up with a series of awful solutions to her problem: she'll give into the Evil Ex's demands! She'll run away and start fresh under a new name! that put stress on her romance but accomplish precisely nothing. Meanwhile, Luc feels protective and...y'know, yawn.
Luc has his own existential challenge to face; he's got a history of concussions, a bit of brain damage, and yet he's determined to stick with the pros for one more season. He knows it's the wrong thing to do, but hockey is his life. Instead of really delving into this massive identity crisis, Luc ignores the problem and focuses on coaching a peewee team instead. I get that coaching is supposed to "humanize" an outsize character, but man am I tired of reading romances about professional athletes that revolve around coaching children, and I was sorry to see this compelling, edgy crisis devolve into something so bland.
We also get a fair number of chapters from the POV of Luc's sister, Victoria. This was obvious sequel baiting, but I hated Victoria, and there is zero chance I would ever read a sequel in which she's a protagonist.
So the book loses steam, it switches away from being delightful and original to a familiar, formulaic muddle, and then it stutters to a surprisingly rushed conclusion. This is O'Keefe's first single title after writing a mess of category Harlequins and I feel like she reached for greatness, stumbled a bit, and then fell back on all her old category tricks. It's just not the book it could have been, despite the stellar beginning.
Part One: in which Luc, professional hockey player facing the end of his career, returns to his childhood home to convince his dying father not to marry the heroine, Tara
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Jean Sweet, who's playing the role of gold-digging bimbo. Tara isn't really engaged to Luc's father, Lyle; she's just playing the part, one that Lyle knows will infuriate his children. Luc thinks his father is a mean old sonovabitch, but that only heightens his contempt for Tara; he knows she can't really love Lyle; nobody does. Part Two: the Stupid Suspense Plot section. This is when Tara gets to stop playing gold-digging bimbo and start acting like herself, a damaged woman whose real passion is designing clothing. Tara and Luc develop a real friendship, spiced with intense attraction; meanwhile, Tara's Evil Ex Boyfriend appears on the scene to make Tara feel unworthy and also push the plot along with a bunch of insane threats.
Part Three: the "this is just temporary" section, when Tara and Luc have stopped fighting with their attraction to one another, but mutually insist that they just want a fun fling.
Part One is fantastic. It lasts through the first 40% of the novel and, man, does it hit all the right notes. Parts are funny and witty; parts are poignant and bittersweet; parts are quite dark. The writing is very smooth, the characters and their conflicts interesting. I was so excited about CAN'T BUY ME LOVE during Part One.
But then I arrived at Parts Two and Three. The villain is ridiculous. Occasionally glimpses of real conflict emerge from the villain's bullying, as when Tara has to face up to her own former crimes - that was awesome. But for the most part, the suspense plot just drags CAN'T BUY ME LOVE down into the realm of the familiar, tried-and-true formula romance. Tara comes up with a series of awful solutions to her problem: she'll give into the Evil Ex's demands! She'll run away and start fresh under a new name! that put stress on her romance but accomplish precisely nothing. Meanwhile, Luc feels protective and...y'know, yawn.
Luc has his own existential challenge to face; he's got a history of concussions, a bit of brain damage, and yet he's determined to stick with the pros for one more season. He knows it's the wrong thing to do, but hockey is his life. Instead of really delving into this massive identity crisis, Luc ignores the problem and focuses on coaching a peewee team instead. I get that coaching is supposed to "humanize" an outsize character, but man am I tired of reading romances about professional athletes that revolve around coaching children, and I was sorry to see this compelling, edgy crisis devolve into something so bland.
We also get a fair number of chapters from the POV of Luc's sister, Victoria. This was obvious sequel baiting, but I hated Victoria, and there is zero chance I would ever read a sequel in which she's a protagonist.
So the book loses steam, it switches away from being delightful and original to a familiar, formulaic muddle, and then it stutters to a surprisingly rushed conclusion. This is O'Keefe's first single title after writing a mess of category Harlequins and I feel like she reached for greatness, stumbled a bit, and then fell back on all her old category tricks. It's just not the book it could have been, despite the stellar beginning.
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LibraryThing member JamiDavenport
One of the best books I've read in a year or more. So good I had to run out and buy the other two books in the series.
LibraryThing member seanbata
Other than the irritation of the "quarter" reference at the beginning and having an NHL team be the Dallas Mavericks, it was a good story. Seriously though, you'd think the author could get right one of the most basic facts in hockey!
LibraryThing member Marcella1717
I've been a fan of Molly O'Keefe's writing for a long, long time and this book is no exception. She excels in writing beautifully flawed characters.
Can't wait for the rest of the series.
Can't wait for the rest of the series.
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2012-06-26
ISBN
0385366205 / 9780385366205