The Family Simon Series 1-3 by Juliana Stone-series review

I will start the reviews in reverse order from the most recent release.

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MAVERICK
(The Family Simon #3)
by Juliana Stone
Genre: adult, contemporary, romance

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO /

About the book: Release Date February 18, 2015

Maverick Simon lost his mojo somewhere between the last film he scored and a nasty break-up with one of Hollywood’s elite. Burnt out, a vacation is just what this California boy needs. His brother’s empty house in Maine offers the perfect sanctuary. But plans go awry when he meets a woman who rocks his world in more ways than one. She’s not his usual type—she’s edgy, opinionated, and downright rude. But something about the prickly Charlie Samuels sparks his interest. Maverick must decide if that something is exactly what he needs, or if the smokin’ hot chemistry they share is nothing more than a vacation fling…

Charlie Samuels had always dreamed of leaving her small New England town for something bigger. But that dream disappeared the day her father died, leaving her to raise her younger brother and keep the family business afloat. Now a mechanic, she’s knee deep in grease and oil, and with a pile of bills to pay, has no time for someone like Maverick Simon—a guy who’s just passing through. She can’t deny the tall, brooding, sexy-as-sin, Maverick, causes her pulse to race, but she knows that he’s way out of her league. So why is she contemplating an affair? Especially when she knows that Maverick Simon could cost her more than she’s willing to give, namely, her heart…

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REVIEW: MAVERICK is the third installment in Juliana Stone’s adult, contemporary The Family Simon romance series focusing on the Simon Family. This is music composer and writer Maverick Simon, and mechanic Charlotte (Charlie) Samuels’s storyline. MAVERICK can be read as a stand alone without too much difficulty but some of the previous storyline scenarios are beginning to cross between installments.

Told from third person perspective, the storyline focuses on Maverick ‘Rick’ Simon as he takes some personal time at his brother’s place in Fisherman’s Landing, Maine. While his best friend and music partner Donovan James-Simon (JACK books 2) and husband Jack Simon await the birth of their first child, Rick finds solace in the winter solitude of Maine. Hoping to find someone to fix his brother’s wayward snowmobile, Rick will be introduced to Charlie Samuels-the town’s only female mechanic-and the woman who would steal Maverick’s heart.

MAVERICK is an ensemble storyline with many of the Simon family siblings and cousins front and center in the family business- a family that closely resembles the Kennedys including the political elite, the rich and famous, the superstars and military heroes. Maverick is a song writer whose hit a road block, of sorts, and finding Charlie Samuels has lifted the block and lightened his heart. But like all ‘Kennedy’ style families, tragedy will befall the Simon Clan, and Rick finds himself torn between what he knows he must do and where he wants to remain. Rick’s cousin Teague deserves his happily ever after, but getting there will be even more dramatic and intense than previous storylines.

The relationship between Charlie and Maverick is one of immediate attraction but Charlie is a woman whose has responsibilities beyond her business-since the death of her father, Charlie has been raising her younger brother Connor, and in this, his safety and protection are her first concerns. The $ex scenes are intimate, romantic and compelling without the over stimulation of erotic graphic imagery. Charlie believes that Rick is only a temporary fixture in her life, and both her and Connor may not survive the heartbreak when Rick returns to his career in California.

MAVERICK is another emotional and moving storyline of family and love. The characters are engaging, colorful and charismatic; the storyline is enjoyable, passionate and encouraging. There are no hidden demons or exes making life miserable but Rick keeps his true identity a secret far longer than he should have.

Reviewed by Sandy

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JACK
(The Family Simon #2)
by Juliana Stone
Genre: adult, contemporary, romance

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO /

About the book: Release Date August 25, 2014

One night with the wrong woman can change your life….

Jack Simon’s road to the White House has been a smooth one until a night with the notorious Donovan James becomes a roadblock he can’t escape. Suddenly he’s America’s number one story and it has nothing to do with politics. Jack’s tangled with this woman before and knows they’re no good together because the only thing they’re good for is a four letter word…hurt. He should get on with his life and concentrate on his job. But that’s hard to do when the one thing standing in his way, is the one thing he wants the most…

Donovan James, international singing sensation, has made a living singing songs about heartache and pain, two things she grew up on. But it’s time to set down some roots and the only man she wants is a man she’s all wrong for. A man she’s never stopped loving—Jack Simon. They’d had it all once, until they didn’t. And yet she can’t help but wonder if a second shot together just might be the game changer she needs. Or if old secrets can still ruin the only man she’s ever loved…

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REVIEW: JACK is the second installment in Juliana Stone’s adult, contemporary The Family Stone romance series focusing on The Family Simon-a spinoff from Juliana’s The Barker Triplets series. This is political candidate and golden boy Jack Simon, and singing sensation Donovan James’s storyline. JACK can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty.

Told from third person perspective, the focus of the storyline is the rekindling of the relationship between Jack and Donovan. Five years earlier, after a heated argument, Donovan walked out of Jack’s life without explanation or reason. In the ensuing time, our couple saw one another once leading the paparazzi to speculate that America’s glamor couple were back on. But Jack despises the very ground upon which Donovan walks, and Donovan knew that to attempt any reconciliation with Jack would mean death to both of their careers.

Jack ‘s character has some issues with forgiveness and letting go of the past. His hurtful words and actions border dangerously on emotional abuse and in this I took issue with behavior. Donovan has never stopped loving Jack and walking away was the only thing she could do to save both of their careers. Although Jack is not aware of the circumstances, his attitude left something to be desired.

The relationship between Donovan and Jack is angry, hurt-filled and volatile. Jack has never forgiven Donovan for walking away, and Donovan has not been able to reveal the truth about what happened years before. Our couple will find themselves on a secluded island in Belize, where it is hoped, by well meaning but interfering family members that Jack and Donovan will get back together. The $ex scenes were limited, as our couple struggled with their relationship throughout most of the story but there was definite sexual chemistry and tension.

The engaging, colorful and energetic supporting characters include most of the Simon siblings, cousins as well as a cameo by the Simon family elders Noah and Eden. We are introduced to Jacks’ nosey but enlightened neighbor as well as Simon’s best friend Derek whose intentions are questionable, at best. The Simon family reminds me a little of the Kennedy Clan-similar numbers, fame and family issues. I did have one concern-it is never revealed who leaked the background story, and in this, we never learn who was responsible or if anyone has paid for their ‘crimes’.

JACK is an emotional second chance storyline; a story of betrayal and friendship; love and understanding; acceptance and letting go. JACK is also a story about family differences and different families. Juliana Stone writes a passionate and emotional storyline that will have you reaching for the tissues.

Reviewed by Sandy

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TUCKER
(The Family Simon #1)
by Juliana Stone
Genre: adult, contemporary, romance

FREE ebook: Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date January 15, 2014

When all hope is gone, can love still find a way?

Tucker Simon has given up on love. After a tragedy, it’s just not in the cards for him, and he wishes his family would get off his back. He’s fine—or at least he thought he was–until a family wedding forces him to address a few things, namely his date, Abby Mathews. She’s been put in the ‘friend’ category, mostly because she deserves so much more than what he can give. But the more time that he spends with her, Tucker begins to think that maybe there is a chance for love after all…

Abby Mathews has been in love with Tucker Simon since he walked into her family’s bar nearly a year ago. But he’s got baggage and heartache a plenty. His one-night-stands aren’t going to lessen that no matter what he thinks. Tucker needs a friend, but Abby wants to give him more, and as they navigate their way through a weekend in Florida, their attraction can’t be ignored. Abby has to make a choice. Does she cherish their friendship and take what she can get? Or does she go after what she really wants, which is Tucker’s heart…

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REVIEW: TUCKER is the first instalment in Juliana Stone’s new, contemporary, adult romance spinoff series The Family Simon. The Family Simon is a spinoff from Juliana’s successful –The Barker Triplets series-and we were introduced to Beau Simon in CONCEAL (TBT #3). This is Tucker Simon and Abby Mathews story. Tucker is a high powered broker and Abby (and her family) own The Black Dog-a pub near Times Square, New York. This is a friends to lovers storyline where misunderstandings, lost loves and letting go set the stage for a heartbreaking tale.

The focus of the storyline is on the sexual and palpable attraction between our leading couple and the ghost blocking any chance at love for a couple who have been dancing around one another for close to a year. Tucker’s emotional baggage is part of his current persona and there will never be any chance of moving forward until the past is buried but burying the past is nearly impossible when everything he does reminds him of what is missing and why. Abby is Tucker’s close friend, perhaps his best friend and confidant but Abby wants more. The fear of destroying their friendship is one of many reasons Tucker refuses to place his heart on the line.

The relationship between Tucker and Abby begins as friends and escalates when Tucker asks Abby to be his plus one for cousin’s wedding. There is no denying their attraction but Tucker’s past is the one thing holding him back-regardless of time and unanswered questions. As the storyline develops, so too does the relationship until the past comes roaring back and everything they have worked towards may be lost in a matter of moments. Tucker’s previous relationship and the subsequent demise is first and foremost on the minds of everyone in the storyline and is a major focus of the premise-there is no moving forward because closure has never been made.

The storyline is well paced and the cast of secondary characters are colorful; add humor; and hint at future storylines. There is mystery and suspense; romance and love; well meaning family and friends; and at times a little too much tortuous remorse. I will add that the novel is in need of another proof read or editor-there were several spelling and grammar errors that should have been caught and corrected –especially for a novel that has already been released to the public.

Juliana Stone writes a story about moving forward and letting go. When loss cannot be explained there is rarely any closure for those left behind. Juliana pulls the reader into an emotional and heartbreaking storyline where one man must close the door to the past before opening the door to his future.

Reviewed by Sandy