Wednesday 9 September 2009

Review: There's only been You - Donna Marie Rogers


There's only been You - Donna Marie Rogers

Genre: Contemporary romance with a hint of suspense
Pages: 264
Published: 2008

Sara Jamison has no clue where Mike Andrews' been all these years, but she knows where she's been - busy raising their son. Two weeks after he accused her of cheating and disappeared from her life, Sara discovered she was something she never expected to be - an unwed pregnant teenager. But with the love and support of her annoyingly alpha-male family, she's managed to make a good life for herself and her young son. She even owns her own business, Sara's Bakery, which she's built into a thriving success. Sure, she works too hard and her social life is nonexistent, but for the most part, she's content.

Until the day Detective Mike Andrews walks into her bakery and back into her life...


This is the first book, before I read book 2, Meant to Be, but they are stand alone novels so they don't have to be read in the right order. Of course the last one sure had me curious about a couple of things. And there will be more, I got very happy when told that a certain person from book 2 will get a book, and so will Sara's other brother.

I did enjoy this book, but I fell so head over heals for her other book that I loved that one more. I do wonder how I would have felt about all if I had read this one first. Garrett, Sara's brother was so alpha and annoying at times. I fell hard for her brother Nicky here, and I really came to like Sara (of course since she is the main character). But in the other book I had only eyes for Garrett, because he was so alpha hehe. And here I got to know Mike, what a sweet guy. But ok I must stop thinking how I would have started liking persons more and more now.

This book is about Sara and Mike. They were in love as teenagers but then something happened and he left town and she found out she was pregnant. They both blame the other and have their own versions of what happened, and here the reader learns what really did happen. Sara has devoted her time to her son Ethan, and her brothers and uncle. They all live in the same house, and she spends her time there and at her bakery. Not much time for having a social life. But then Mike's dad dies and he comes back into town, and back into her life. But can they overcome those lies in the past?

First I must say that I do love the cover, it looks so sweet and now I know what the title means, sweet. It fits the book.

Sara is sweet main character, you can't dislike her. Mike on the other hand does have some anger issues, but he is all alpha and I do like him. And I sure like him and Garrett tearing at each other, that is two alphas that want to be number one. They both have reason to disliking each other.

Sara and Mike have some bumps in the road before them, but I want them to be together and for Ethan to get a real dad. A nice love story.

There is also the other side of the story, a rotten cop who is a drug dealer and Mike is sent to investigate this in his old town, without anyone knowing. It's a bad guy, a real creep, and there will be some action and bloodshed before the story can get a happy ending. I like that this is mixed up with the romance, it wakens you up and worries you a bit.

A sweet little read, and I do know that I would like to read more.

a gift from the author, no obligations to review

16 comments:

  1. what more can you say besides, "I'd like to read more"? :-) Great review!

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  2. Marie,
    Thanks :) I do like how she mixes some suspense with the romance.

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  3. I've not heard of this author but the story sounds good, and the next book too!

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  4. Oooh..blood shed and action..with such a sweet cover on the book lol!

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  5. you have finally finished - I am loving your review...

    While I didn't like the cover myself -I am in total agreement with you on the cast...

    Garrett and Mike made the difference to this book - and I can't wait on Nicky's book - he is just too sweet..

    Ethan - precious he was not.. little rascal..

    E.H>

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  6. Although there is some action, it still sounds like a cute little book. great review B!

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  7. Wow! Thank you so much for another fantastic review! I'm so glad you enjoyed Mike & Sara's story. There's Only Been You is the first book I wrote, so it's very special to me...but you're not alone in your love of Garrett...LOL I hear that alot, "I love Mike, but Garrett? Sigh..."

    I haven't started writing Nick's story yet, but it's in the plotting stages. HIs heroine will be Jessica's sister, who is a tae kwon do instructor. ;-) And I'll eventually write Danny's Story as well.

    Thanks again for two wonderful reviews!

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  8. I haven't read a fun romance like this in a long time.

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  9. Sounds really cute and fun!! I haven't read a book like this in a long time!

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  10. Oh I have this one from when you had her the last time!!! **hangs head in shame for not reading it yet**
    But I promise as soon as my ereader is up and running... I will read them!!!

    Wonderful review and post Blodeuedd! Sorry I have been MIA lately!
    I hope all is well with you!!!
    Have a wonderful tomorrow!

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  11. Patti,
    Oh the 2nd book is sure my fav :) Perhaps cos I read it first. She has a sweet style of writing

    Mandi,
    Lol, well not too much bloodshed and action cos the sweetness of the cover sure says it all.

    EH.
    yes I thought better not start while busy so started last week. I remember you not liking it, I just thinks it looks so sweet. I do like that.
    Oh yes Ethan is sure a little rascal, especially in book 2. But he is a little boy.
    Garrett and Mike, yup gotta love them and I sure want Nicky's book now

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  12. Jenny,
    Only a little action though, but it makes the book a bit different, a sweet romance and a tiny bit of action.

    Hi Donna Marie,
    Hehe yes Mike is great but Garrett, he is just yummy.
    I did wonder about Danny, he was not around much, he is a real mystery.
    I can't wait for all of them.

    Alyce,
    They are sure fun to read and they make you feel good

    Staci,
    I do love a book like that. Makes you happy to read it.

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  13. Hi Cecile,
    I sure sat on it for awhile before reading it too. It's like that for e-books for me. I hope you can get that e-reader up and running, how lovely it would be to have one of those.

    That is sure ok, can't be around when everyone is ill. get better :)
    And have a lovely day

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  14. Thanks for the lovely review B..

    I have both Ms. Rogers' books on my e-reader thanks to you and am looking forward to the read.

    Best
    L

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  15. Originally, Danny had his own love story in There's Only Been You (with Emily, who is mentioned in Meant To Be). But my editor didn't think it it meshed well enough with the main thread, so I ended up having to cut it. Frankly, I love my original version, but that's the way it goes. *shrug*

    Ethan is indeed a rascal...LOL Because he and Garrett have such a strong bond, I knew he had to be featured in Meant To Be.

    I just love writing children characters. If you think Ethan is a rascal, just wait until you meet Max from Welcome To Redemption. *grin* He's featured in the first story, A Fair Of the Heart. :-)

    Thank you for the lovely comments, everyone!

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  16. Lea,
    I hope you will enjoy them when you get to them :)
    Hope you will have a great weekend

    Donna Marie,
    Aha so he did have a story, I always wondered when we didn't see him around. I do understand loving your earlier version, and I can't say how it would have worked out. Well at least Uncle Luke got his story :)

    Oh yes such a little rascal. I loved his bond with Garrett.

    Aha more rascals, i am looking forward to that

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