GRR Reviews He Said Together by Ruth Cardello

NOTE: Available on Kindle Unlimited as of review date. 

Kal and his twin Riley have very different views on life. Riley wanted to learn about the Corisis, but Antonio Corisi was the one who broke their mother's back, putting the fear into her for as long as they had lived. Kal on the other hand, refuse to trust anyone, but will do whatever it takes for his family, including becoming the premier exotic dancer in Vegas... // Jade thought she knew passion looked like, until she saw Kal's performance, as "Invio" on stage. But when she found out her fiancee had been cheating at that very moment, then her bridesmaids left her, drunk and wallet-less, at her own bachelorette party, she was saved by Kal / Invio, who encouraged her to seek out her own dreams instead of merely accepting what's in front of her. Some time later, Kal was suddenly financially free, and the only woman on his mind was Jade. But is Jade ready for him when he said forever? 

Very interesting emotional arc, as Kal's mistrust, or lack of faith, is making him fail his own connection to his own family, and his tendency to find a place to sulk and brood instead of talking was a part of his arc to come out of it. Jade's arc is transition from a rather... mousy girl who thought she just wanted a family to a woman who wanted the right man, in his right mind. 

4.5/5

GRR Reviews The Barrington Billionaires Books 1-4 Collection by Ruth Cardello

The bundle is of 4 full-length novels and a novella. I may have previously reviewed some of the novels or novellas, but this rating is for the collection. 

The novella was previously reviewed in the anthology of the same name. 

As different members of the younger generation fall in love or met their match, they each have to deal with love and life in their own ways, but always with the support of their large and rich family, but not even love can buy happiness...

Consistent 4/5, worth reading at least. 

GRR Reviews He Said Never by Ruth Cardello

 Riley had been seeing her lost sibling's family behind her mother's back. She understood her mother's fear... The Corisis were ULTRA-rich, and Dominic's father almost put her mom in a wheelchair for life (and she still suffers today). Gavin was just trying to get some coffee when Riley got in his way. Riley was beautiful and full of sass, and there is an instant connection, but neither is ready to make a move... she's still sour from being stood up, and he's in an odd place... His father forced him out of the family company, and won't let him back in until he settles down with the right woman, probably because his father attended two funerals, and realized the family was the only thing that mattered, after raising his son alone. Yet the two would meet again, after finding out they are actually neighbors...

There is a couple of rom-com worthy moments where you will ROFL (Riley needs a little moral support to tell mommy that she'd been seeing the Corisis and the Romanos, and took Gavin along, but mommy inferred a completely different situation... ), and kudos to Ruch Cardello to write a very UNconventional "weird will" story where the MFC and MMC did not get into bed until 80% point, despite the insta-lust sort of situation.

The book also added details or introduced several future story leads, like Cal, who'll be the hero of book 3, and I have a feeling Jared will be the hero of book 4. 4.5/5

GRR Reviews Taking Charge by Ruth Cardello

NOTE: Book 4 of Lone Star Burn series 

Lucy and her brother left the family ranch to pursue their own dreams. They came back when their parents can't keep up with the ranch, but now both are gone, and her brother ran off, can't deal with the pressure anymore, as they can't balance the books. Lucy reluctantly accepted the bailout from Ted, who claimed to love her, in exchange of getting engaged. But she doesn't love Ted... So she had to break it off and save the ranch her own way... even if she had to secretly sell high-tech sex toys through online blogs. And Ted doesn't like this at all... Then David came to her rescue... Much to her chagrin... // David knows who he wants in his life: Lucy, but a cowboy doesn't go after someone else's woman. When Lucy broke it off with Ted, David wrote 250K check right there when Ted looked like he may do something. Lucy knows that David means her no harm, but she can't allow someone else to own her life... But Ted making trouble means keeping David, and her own ranchhand, Wyatt, around. The attraction between David and Lucy is undeniable, but she doesn't want to owe anyone or tolerate lies, and he will protect her any way he can, even if he had to lie to her... And Ted may be about to do something stupid... 

David is the warm and fuzzy alpha, and he knew Lucy liked him but something's holding her back, so he's willing to wait her out. My problem is with Ted, the antagonist, who just behaves like an a-hole, despite the build-up that made him sound like an evil messiah, only for Ted to dispel that image and behave like an a-hole again. And the resolution to that... well, felt like a deus ex machina, even though it really wasn't, as there was a mention earlier to that. Can't really say more without spoiling the plot. The generally weak antagonist here left me a bit wanting. 4/5

GRR Reviews Taken Home by Ruth Cardello

NOTE: Book 3 of Lone Star Burn series

Chelle lives in a small town in Texas, and may be the last virgin in town... she tried to save herself for "the one", but there aren't many choices in a small town. She just attended another wedding where another bachelor is off the market when she met Mason, an out-of-town politician, and so sexy, she may just give him a condom so he can do her, as long as he's single... // Mason used to be a child actor until the death of his mother estranged him from his father, and he fell into a dark place... but he got into rehab and managed to end his trip of self-destruction. He became a California senator but kept everyone at arm's length. There were plenty of women, but almost all are gone by morning. He slept with the wrong woman, who doesn't understand "no". He needs a fiancee, a fake one will do. Then he went to Texas to attend a friend's wedding and met Chelle... // Chelle and Mason have chemistry, but Mason is a player and doesn't know any other way, while Chelle's a virgin... who knows what she wants, but doesn't want any lies. When Chelle got rid of the woman who stalked Mason all the way to Texas, he was grateful... Then got a slap in the face for not telling her the truth to start. Now Mason is confused about his feelings for Chelle...

The meetcute is good, as the "fake fiancee" thing is kinda on kinda off. She wants to get it on, but on HER terms, not his. And she wants the truth, not lies, and he was a player, and never had to lie. The only problem I have is "why this woman"? And this is sort of explained later, how Mason has a broken family and relied on friends, but maybe he yearned for a big family again, and she has such a big family and a small town full of friends. Still, his infatuation was left a bit unexplained and presented as if it's the unexplained "she's the one". The rest of the developments have interesting points, but also some cliches (like Ruby Rose, the female best friend). Though the double grand gesture, both from him and from her was satisfying. 4.5/5

GRR Reviews Tycoon Takedown by Ruth Cardello

Melanie, a single mother, just had her son asked where is his father. So she gathered up the courage to travel from a Texas ranch to New York City to find him. Yes, it was only one night. Yes, that's his son. But this emotional journey won't be easy... // Charles, a New York millionaire on top of the investment game, rarely gets asked for a favor by his sister Sarah in Texas. So when Sarah asked him to keep an eye on her best friend Melanie while she's in New York, he can't say no. When Melanie was purse-snatched while on the phone with Charles, he went alpha male protective... only to find Melanie had the situation well in hand... having taken down the armed mugger by herself, and gained the viral moniker "Takedown Cowgirl". Now Charles is totally smitten with Melanie, and Melanie loved the domineering Charles in bed. but Melanie's life and son are in Texas, while Charles lives in New York. Can this relationship ever work? 

Nice, very nice. There is some light bondage in the sex scenes, but it's light sensual bondage. But the more important thing is there is a definitely character arc to both MMC and FMC. Charles started out as the quintessential domineering alpha male who don't want kids or single mothers, and ended up as not only a good father, but also chose to mentor a young man out of a life on the streets. Melanie started out as a woman on a trip of redemption (Must find father of my son) and ended with a father for her child (just not the one she was first looking for) and ended up gaining a family and a lover who did not try to change her (not that she'll put up with it). 5/5

GRR Reviews The Secret One by Ruth Cardello

NOTE: Same series as "The Broken One" and "The Wild One"

McKenna was raised by her single father ex-race car driver to be independent and excel in a world dominated by men. And after a talk with "Chris" in a bar, she decided to dedicate her life to make her father's dream happen. And she did... by building her own raceway and an auto business like no other. When she met this down-to-earth guy with a broken (rare) car on the side of the road, she can't help but feel there's a prior connection... Turns out, he is Christof... aka Chris that inspired her to go after her dreams. She's even more surprised to learn he's Christof Romano, a billionaire... She's surprised again, when he invited her to Italy... to help him broker peace between an ultra-rich man looking for answers and a protective family hiding a secret...  

The story is between Christof and McKenna. I like the way the author handled the different personalities of the different sons, as each brother (Sebastian, Mauricio, and now Christof) really do have personalities, and they josh each other in a loving way. Females in this author's books are independent with their own careers and priorities, and her man will have to fit into her life, instead of her being molded into his. Christof was the diplomat of the family, and his job is difficult because this time, he's up against someone whose fortune and power are orders of magnitude above his own. I just wish McKenna had more of a role during the negotiations that applies her talent in some way.  4/5

GRR Reviews The Wild One by Ruth Cardello

NOTE: Same series as "The Broken One" reviewed earlier

Mauricio Romano is between jobs, trying to figure out his direction in life. His family is rich (he's technically a billionaire), but he's not spoiled... just... cocky. And visiting his buddy Felix in Paris was just the time to lose some steam. But losing his heart to an American visitor? Never. Right? // Wren Heath was visiting Paris at the invitation of her friend Cecil. Meeting Mauricio, the avowed bachelor and player, wasn't quite in her plans, but having a weeklong fling with a gorgeous guy in the city of love sounds wonderful... Especially if what happened in Paris, stay in Paris. Right? 

This one leaves me a little conflicted. I can see Wren's thoughts, as she kept saying this is "just a fling", and even though she'd LIKE it to be permanent, she was prejudiced by Cecil's opinion of Mauricio, that he's good at building a fantasy, and she's viewing all his moves as "building a fantasy for her" even when he's sincere. What I have a little problem seeing is how Mauricio turned from an avowed bachelor to a one-woman man. 4/5

GRR Reviews He Said Always by Ruth Cardello

Gian Romano knew he was adopted, but that's just having two families. Being related to a Corisi means a life of luxury that he still has problems coming to grips with. Having competitions with a genius niece that he's more like a big brother than an uncle is a little weird since he's a genius as well. But when he made a wager with his niece to find even more lost siblings, he never imagined it would take him to the front door of Teagan... // Teagan is a genius working on something that cannot be turned over to the government or private enterprise (it's that important), so she runs a T-shirt print shop as a cover while trying to pay her bestie Riley a salary. So when Gian came to her door and was almost instantly smitten, she found herself flustered having never felt this way about a man. But when he needed a moment with Riley, just why does he need that? When Gian told her the full story (Riley and her twin brother are another set of lost siblings) and agreed revelations should come slowly, Teagan can really fall for this man, but can she ever reveal her own secrets? 

Started out promising, but end up really disappointing. While there is certainly some tension in all the secret-keeping, that phase didn't last very long except for Teagan. With all the mention of building a lab for Gian and Gian didn't want it, you'd think the lab would go to Teagan eventually, but in the end, Gian and Teagan ended up working on their secrets well away from the public eye. That bit of lede ended up going nowhere. One also wonders HOW did Teagan managed to set up not one, but TWO boltholes with security systems that rival nuclear bunkers without anyone else knowing... and can't help out her bestie's mother (whom she considered mom as well) with her medical expenses until Gian came along. :-/  Who built those bunkers and how much did they cost? They didn't appear out of thin air... 

3.5/5

GRR Reviews Never Goodbye by Ruth Cardello

Ian is the secret fixer in the family. He has made connections and learned skills to remove any and all obstacles in his family's path. Having failed to locate their lost brother himself (see book 5 and book 6) made him believe he had failed his family and made him doubt everyone he came across... including Claire, his "new" brother's wife's best friend, and life coach. // Claire stepped away from her life coach job in Australia to accompany her best friends to the US and help them settle in. She did not expect to fall under the microscope of a paranoid Ian, now suspecting EVERYBODY. But Claire knew how to handle difficult people, and Ian may have met his match. But can Claire make Ian see that his relentless pursuit of the truth have made him forget his ultimate responsibility, i.e. his family?

Deeper than you first suspect, the initial coupling was basically angry-sex, where each line verbal sparring is flirting. But it's the subsequent developments, and the slow realization by Ian that his pursuit of the truth may actually end up hurting him and his family, that makes it good. I usually have a problem with the "run away to sort my feelings" trope. But here, it pivoted into a hurt/comfort trope, which served as a setup for the darkest hour. Now THAT is a good way to use the "run away to sort my feelings" trope. 4.5/5

GRR Reviews Forever Now by Ruth Cardello

Kade knew his place in the world. He regrets letting Annie go way back when, but he's glad she made a life for herself. Then his world was turned upside down. He was a lost heir to the super-rich Barringtons in the US, and they want him back in the fold... But he's Kade, not "Kent"... he's actually both... and neither. But Annie's back in town, and he needs her support, as a friend... // Annie gave up on Kade a long time ago. She can no longer wait for him... she closed off that part of her heart and hurt and hope. Until he walked into her family bar and asked to see her...  He needs a friend, not a lover. And she is not sure what can she provide without losing her heart again...

Angsty, and an interesting side-trip from the Barrington saga, with the Barringtons acting as secondary characters. The shift from friend to lover is really slow, but noticeable and nicely done. 4/5

GRR Reviews More Than Love by Ruth Cardello

Grant Barrington is a billionaire, but he's feeling the strain of finding the fate of a brother that may or may not be dead for more than a decade, that forced him to go undercover. Meeting Viviana was not in his plans. having a romp with her and leaving her pregnant... even less so. // Viviana was swindled by her ex, and having a one-night-stand with a sumptuous but apparently financially challenged guy was extremely satisfying... physically, until she started to feel the morning sickness. Confronting the daddy, while he's busy doing things for his family is just horrible timing... or the best ever...

Not QUITE up to Ruth Cardello's standards, at least for this series. It seems to contain more sex than usual, but at least we got a resolution about the "dead baby (or not)" plot that's dragging on for multiple novels. Obviously, there are further developments...  3.5/5

GRR Reviews Let It Burn by Ruth Cardello

Andrew lost members of his marines fire team on what he believed was a wild goose chase trophy hunting for his superiors, and he refused to serve his country any more. To appease his family, he agreed to go to Aruba to look into a family mystery at a clinic, which led him to Helene, daughter of the head of the clinic. Helene thought she was on vacation when her uncle asked her to help watch out for spies. She didn't expect the spy to come in such delectable manly package as Andrew. But then, she didn't realize that her uncle may be hiding far darker secrets that could put her and Andrew in danger...

Good shift from romance to romantic suspense, but the pacing feels slightly off. But it is still an interesting way to drag out this mystery without making it feel soap-opera worthy. 4/5

GRR Reviews Trade It All by Ruth Cardello

Lance Barrington has always had a thing for Willa, his sister's best friend, but he broke her heart years ago when he left for college, after taking her V-card, and she hadn't spoken to him in years. So he can't believe ten years later, Willa, pretending to be her twin sister, is the leader of a flash mob congratulating him on his latest project. Now he really wanted to date her, but she's not willing to have her heart broken again... But what exactly did she thought he did that caused the rift between them? And because Willa is practically a little sister, is Lance's attempt to woo Willa okay with his own family?

Ah, the lack of communications, such a trope in romances, with some complex issues, secrets, and circumstances limiting the communications. Family is good, and the lack of communication is almost understandable. 4.5/5

GRR Reviews The Broken One by Ruth Cardello

Sebastian Romano developed the single grocery store his father founded into an empire and made himself a billionaire, but the loss of his wife and unborn child years ago turned him into a workaholic robot, ready to bulldoze any opposition... Until he found a dirty stuffed wolf doll on the side of the road... // Heather is a single mom who adopted her best (dead) friend's daughter and raised her since birth, despite her own family's objections. When her daughter Ava lost her favorite stuffed animal "Wolfie" she posted a reward for its recovery. She didn't expect to have it returned by a handsome guy with the saddest eyes that she can't help but wanted to heal him. But is she ready to meet the entire Romano family? And can she teach Sebastian to have a heart again?

While the tropes are present, they are so well-polished that you don't really care. Seb really is "the broken one" and the right woman can heal him... If he will let her in. The ending is a bit reminiscent of "Pretty Woman", where he actually found a heart to be more... empathetic. Very satisfying read, and trademark Ruth Cardello story. 5/5

GRR Reviews Runaway Heir by Ruth Cardello

Nicolette is a Westerly, and people are nice to her just for who she is, not for her abilities. Nicolette chose to live a normal life, joining Photographers without Borders, leaving her rich family behind. When her true parentage came into doubt,  turning her world upside down, she had to flee... so she went to a little town in Iowa to help the town market itself for revitalization. She had also met Bryant who belonged to a family that had a feud with the Westerlies for decades (sins of the fathers and all that)   Bryant recognized a kindred soul, and he will confront even the Westerly matriarch Delinda herself, for a chance to court Nicolette...

The novel is definitely a standalone, but they segue into each other very well, and are in chronological order. By making Bryant from a rival family, not just poor, the stakes are raised somewhat, even though this is NOT a Montague vs Capulet situation. And a marriage may be the best way to settle the feud. Not to mention Bryant may be the only "real" guy that actually try to court Nicolette as herself, not as a Westerly.  4.5/5

GRR Reviews Hollywood Heir by Ruth Cardello

Eric Westerly is broken. He has finally got himself out of rehab. But the more successful his superhero movie "Water Bear Man" became, the more of a fraud he felt he was. His family is a total mess. He just wanted to be left alone. To disguise himself, he put on a hideous scar (theatrical makeup) and took on a totally unpolished appearance and goes by "Wayne Easton" in a corner of London. Now nobody looked at him closely. Until a plant whisperer came along... // Sage chose an oddball career "plant psychologist" to be free of her overbearing rich family. She also wanted to help random people find happiness. And this scarred but handsome man in the cafe can sure use some happiness. And Sage is irresistible, even by a broken man like "Wayne". But will she run the other way, when she learned who he REALLY is? And what about him, when he learned who she is?

Interesting. I knew Eric's story had to come up right after the previous book, the Royal Heir, which involved Eric being a supporting character and inciting factor. And this is an interesting twist on "disguises" and secrets. In a way, this is an "ingenue meets recluse" story, albeit, VERY nicely polished. 4.5/5

GRR Reviews Royal Heir by Ruth Cardello

Rachel is tired of being the family peacekeeper so she went to her movie-star brother's place in London to take a break. But when she attended one of the red-carpet events hoping to see her brother, she instead ran smack into a real-life prince: Crown Prince Magnus de Bartelebon of Vandorra. Prince Magnus is responsible, charming, alpha, and handsome, and Rachel intrigued him... This sweet American teacher is the opposite of all the princesses and other socialites he dated before, and so refreshing. But Rachel is a Westerly, with a large trust fund, and larger family drama, and she cares not for money, nor will she just be a notch on his bedpost. Things got complicated when the Westerly Matriach Delinda arrived in town, and Rachel found a devastating secret about her actor brother...

Hmmm... What exactly is so "bad boy" about this prince? Also, the ending threat sorta came out of nowhere. 4/5

GRR Reviews Up for Heir by Ruth Cardello

NOTE: Part of Westerly Billionaire series, In the Heir was reviewed earlier

Spencer never wanted to deal with his family issues and secrets. He didn't need his father's money to build his tech business. But the family matriarch, Delinda Westerly, is determined to bring Spencer back into the family, and she'll use the best bait available: Spencer's college sweetheart: Hailey. // Hailey became a single mom overnight when her brother and his wife died in a car accident, leaving her niece in her care. The shocked little girl stopped speaking, racking up the medical bills, and forcing her to seek other employment. When Delinda Westerly offered her a job, she can't refuse. Meeting Spencer again was an eventuality... And maybe this time, he may put her first... and never let her get away again...

Somehow, the novel doesn't quite measure up to book 1. Spencer, in Book 1, was supposed to fake marry Alisha to get money for his startup. Now that the startup is already wildly successful? How long later was this any way? Timing seems to be a bit off. Sure it's a reunion, but Spencer's character doesn't really come through. I am far more interested in Delinda's character, scheming, forceful (like an alpha), but with a benevolence behind it.  4/5

GRR Reviews In the Heir by Ruth Cardello

Brett is a Westerly... and he hides at work to avoid his broken but filthy rich family. Then came the shocker. His grandma, the Westerly matriarch, announced that any grandchildren who marries and invites the whole family to attend, will get their inheritance early. Brett has no interest in marriage, but his brother Spencer quickly announced his engagement to Alisha. Brett was certain Alisha and Spencer do NOT love each other, but he was surprised to realize that he himself is attracted to Alisha... a woman he should not want... // Alisha always considered Spencer and his sister Rachelle a family she never had. While it's true that Spencer and Alisha don't love that way, Alisha will fake marry Spencer to help him get the money to start his business and achieve his dreams. Alisha was shocked to find herself attracted to Brett, Spencer's older brother... The brother she's not supposed to covet...

Wow, now that's a novel combination of tropes... fake engagement / disguise, weird will, AND sibling triangle. Ruth Cardello was definitely at top of her game. 5/5