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caffeinatedreviewer's review
4.0
Coffee dates with The Winner Takes It All
First date: Dawson sucked me right in despite my hesitation with Cecilia Riley. The chemistry between Shane and Cecilia is immediately apparent. The two met in the previous novel. They do not like each other. HA! These two sizzle when they are in the same room. I enjoy their banter and love the haters to lover's trope. The next two weeks at the family homestead is going to be a blast.
Second date: I feel for Cecilia, she is a people pleaser and as much as she thinks, she knows what she wants she is clueless. Slowly we see her open up and I like this free spirited version of Cecilia. The romance at this point is purely sexual attraction and the hidden moments of kissing and heat are delicious. I am enjoying the families, wedding preparations and baking in Maggie’s kitchen. I love the small-town feel of it all. Can we talk about Shane for a minute? Ooo, the man will make you melt. His back-story and the way he takes care of his family just made me swoon. It does not hurt that the man can fill out his Levi jeans.
Third date: We finally see some delivery on all that heat and ooh-la-la. Of course, there are complications, but the growth we see in Cecilia is wonderful. I loved seeing her come into herself and her new take no prisoners attitude that emerges. The tale had some angst, but had a different outside twist that kept me flipping the pages, even if I knew my HEA was right around the corner. I ended this date with a smile. I am eager to go on dates with book one and will be looking for book three.
Copy provided by author.This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Book Reviewer
First date: Dawson sucked me right in despite my hesitation with Cecilia Riley. The chemistry between Shane and Cecilia is immediately apparent. The two met in the previous novel. They do not like each other. HA! These two sizzle when they are in the same room. I enjoy their banter and love the haters to lover's trope. The next two weeks at the family homestead is going to be a blast.
Second date: I feel for Cecilia, she is a people pleaser and as much as she thinks, she knows what she wants she is clueless. Slowly we see her open up and I like this free spirited version of Cecilia. The romance at this point is purely sexual attraction and the hidden moments of kissing and heat are delicious. I am enjoying the families, wedding preparations and baking in Maggie’s kitchen. I love the small-town feel of it all. Can we talk about Shane for a minute? Ooo, the man will make you melt. His back-story and the way he takes care of his family just made me swoon. It does not hurt that the man can fill out his Levi jeans.
Third date: We finally see some delivery on all that heat and ooh-la-la. Of course, there are complications, but the growth we see in Cecilia is wonderful. I loved seeing her come into herself and her new take no prisoners attitude that emerges. The tale had some angst, but had a different outside twist that kept me flipping the pages, even if I knew my HEA was right around the corner. I ended this date with a smile. I am eager to go on dates with book one and will be looking for book three.
Copy provided by author.This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Book Reviewer
lashea677's review
4.0
Loved it. Like the premise of opposites being drawn together despite everything. Very good story.
winemakerssister's review
3.0
3.5 stars
I'm substracting 1/2 star because of the 'I'll fall on my sword and not tell him about the problem... instead I'll break up with him because I know it's for the best' trope. Not a fan!
I'm substracting 1/2 star because of the 'I'll fall on my sword and not tell him about the problem... instead I'll break up with him because I know it's for the best' trope. Not a fan!
javalenciaph's review
4.0
Read the full review on Bookaholics Not-So-Anonymous.
The Winner Takes It All is the second book in Jennifer Dawson’s contemporary romance series entitled Something New and turns the spotlight on Shane Donovan and Cecilia Riley, siblings of Take a Chance on Me’s main characters Maddie Donovan and Mitch Riley. Both Shane and Cecilia are problem solvers, Shane having saved his mother and younger siblings from a far more difficult life after the death of his father and Cecilia handling the scandals involving her politician father. Shane wants to bring out the “summer Cecilia”—the less uptight, more relaxed Ce-Ce who doesn’t hide behind the rigid façade constantly on display for the rest of the world to see—and Cecilia wants to be the one to take care of Shane who’s too busy taking care of everyone else around him.
There’s a lot of tension between Shane and Cecilia, and while they may appear like opposites, they’ve actually got a lot more in common once their respective back stories come to light. Their romance is transformative, especially in the case of Cecilia, allowing herself to let go and simply be the woman she truly is and not who her father’s expects her to be. It does share a similar vein with the first book in that Cecilia does something behind Shane’s back but does so because it’s her way of helping him, but the preceding events are different in both stories. The rest of the recurring characters are back in full force and I find myself wanting each one of them to get their happily-ever-afters too. This winner of a sequel lives up to its title. The Winner Takes It All gets four stars. ♥
The Winner Takes It All is the second book in Jennifer Dawson’s contemporary romance series entitled Something New and turns the spotlight on Shane Donovan and Cecilia Riley, siblings of Take a Chance on Me’s main characters Maddie Donovan and Mitch Riley. Both Shane and Cecilia are problem solvers, Shane having saved his mother and younger siblings from a far more difficult life after the death of his father and Cecilia handling the scandals involving her politician father. Shane wants to bring out the “summer Cecilia”—the less uptight, more relaxed Ce-Ce who doesn’t hide behind the rigid façade constantly on display for the rest of the world to see—and Cecilia wants to be the one to take care of Shane who’s too busy taking care of everyone else around him.
There’s a lot of tension between Shane and Cecilia, and while they may appear like opposites, they’ve actually got a lot more in common once their respective back stories come to light. Their romance is transformative, especially in the case of Cecilia, allowing herself to let go and simply be the woman she truly is and not who her father’s expects her to be. It does share a similar vein with the first book in that Cecilia does something behind Shane’s back but does so because it’s her way of helping him, but the preceding events are different in both stories. The rest of the recurring characters are back in full force and I find myself wanting each one of them to get their happily-ever-afters too. This winner of a sequel lives up to its title. The Winner Takes It All gets four stars. ♥
beyondevak's review
5.0
Excellent!!! This book was absolutely sensational in every way. I adored Ce-Ce and Shane. They saw each other so clearly. I really liked how they struck sparks off of one another. Their relationship was maddening and sweet and funny and intense. To say that there was never a dull moment would be an understatement. The passion and love they shared was insane.
I loved the supporting characters in this book. The whole lot of them were intriguing. Of course, Gracie and James drew me into their story. Evan intrigued me. Penelope was interesting. Mitch and Maddie were too cute for words.
In terms of Ce-Ce and Mitch's dad, he was a major arse. I thought, perhaps, that he would get a clue or maybe some heart, but nope. He was a piece of work. Miles was as well. They were both douche bags. There is just no other way to say it.
At the end of the day, I can honestly say that this book worth every star I gave it.
Rating: 5/5
Recommend: Yes
Bookshelf Worthy: Yes
Hard copy versus Digital copy: Hard copy
Status: Mature (Profanity, Adult situations, Sexual content)
Series: Hope so!
Strong Heroine/Hero: Yes
HEA: Yes (she says with a cheer and a smile)
A complimentary e-copy of this title was made available for review in exchange for an honest critique. The words I have shared are my own.
I loved the supporting characters in this book. The whole lot of them were intriguing. Of course, Gracie and James drew me into their story. Evan intrigued me. Penelope was interesting. Mitch and Maddie were too cute for words.
In terms of Ce-Ce and Mitch's dad, he was a major arse. I thought, perhaps, that he would get a clue or maybe some heart, but nope. He was a piece of work. Miles was as well. They were both douche bags. There is just no other way to say it.
At the end of the day, I can honestly say that this book worth every star I gave it.
Rating: 5/5
Recommend: Yes
Bookshelf Worthy: Yes
Hard copy versus Digital copy: Hard copy
Status: Mature (Profanity, Adult situations, Sexual content)
Series: Hope so!
Strong Heroine/Hero: Yes
HEA: Yes (she says with a cheer and a smile)
A complimentary e-copy of this title was made available for review in exchange for an honest critique. The words I have shared are my own.
ailinnr's review
1.0
Nope. Never okay with the possesive white male lead after all. The only thing i'm probably a bit excited about is the next book because honestly james's and gracie's promise of relationship got me really interested.
emmascc's review
4.0
damn this was pretty hot... every book makes me love the characters more!!! this had some coballoway-type vibes which i was loving. although i have to say i've been waiting for gracie and james' book because they are my faves