| Title | : | Caught Up in Us (Caught Up in Love, #1) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| ISBN-10 | : | 2940016017433 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Nook |
| Number of Pages | : | 240 |
| Publication | : | First published January 18, 2013 |
Five years ago, Kat Harper fell into a dizzying summer romance with her brother's best friend Bryan. It was a mad, crazy love full of kisses all through the night—but he broke her heart and she had to move on. Five years later, Kat is finishing her graduate degree and building her business as a jewelry designer, when Bryan, head of his own successful company, walks back into her life. Bryan has been assigned to Kat as her new business mentor and the rules are clear. No hanky panky permitted. Kat can handle that because she's totally over him... right? Except, he still makes her laugh, and he remembers all the things she likes. Not to mention that he's even more handsome now than he was then. Then there's the spark between them—the simply undeniable chemistry, and the tender ways he shows he still cares for her. Can they resist each other the second time around or will first love trump all?
Caught Up in Us (Caught Up in Love, #1) Reviews
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It was okay. There was just something missing. I don't know if it was because it was so short or I just didn't connect but It was just a meh read for me.
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FREE on Amazon US today (3/6/2015)
BLURB:
A second chance at first love...
Five years ago, Kat Harper fell into a dizzying summer romance with her brother's best friend Bryan. It was a mad, crazy love full of kisses all through the night—but he broke her heart and she had to move on. Five years later, Kat is finishing her graduate degree and building her business as a jewelry designer, when Bryan, head of his own successful company, walks back into her life. Bryan has been assigned to Kat as her new business mentor and the rules are clear. No hanky panky permitted. Kat can handle that because she's totally over him... right? Except, he still makes her laugh, and he remembers all the things she likes. Not to mention that he's even more handsome now than he was then. Then there's the spark between them—the simply undeniable chemistry, and the tender ways he shows he still cares for her. Can they resist each other the second time around or will first love trump all?
http://www.amazon.com/Caught-Up-Us-Lo...
FREEBIES are often good for MORE than one day, I have gathered all my FREEBIES on a special shelf: Kindle-freebies (currently over 370 books)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/list... -
3 Favorite Mistaken Stars!
Kat met Bryan in the summer before she went to college. He was five years older, her brother best-friend and they were celebrating the end of college.
They had an instant connection, a powerful affair but he ended all up in the end of college.
Now, five years later Kat is in her last year of college and is building a jewelry business called “My favorite mistake”, and a business mentor is assigned to her.
Well, and the mentor is nothing else but Bryan, still hot, still making her stomach tumble.
The sparkle between them is still on… but the more she tries to believe that all between them was a mistake and that she has to move on, the more Bryan is settled on showing her that they are still on… and that the game isn't finished yet.
I’m going to be completely honest here and say that albeit this was a sweet and fluffy read, there was something off.
The characters were nice, the story line was sweet (although a little predictable) but I didn't fully connected to the characters or the story. Sometimes the conversation seemed too forced and unnatural.
Well, other than that it was a quick, nice reading. For those days where you just need a fluffy-book. -
DNF @ 52%
Nothing but the typical NA I've read a million times already. I just cannot finish this. I mean the main character do what she swears over and over again she won't do. And the guy was just not doing it for me. Urgh. So glad this was just an Amazon freebie. Just wasn't worth my time. -
Well, of course I have to give it 5 stars! xoxo
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I wasn't caught up in this one...
Bugger, this went from I really liked to I need to speed this sucker up to finish it. Unfortunately, the immaturity was made even more pronounced by the narrator. She made a 28-year-old male sound like a high school kid.
I'm going back in time for a re-read/listen of The Bride by Julie Garwood, then I'll give this series another crack. I can't write it off until I give it one more chance.
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I really liked this story, my only complaint was the characters were a little immature for me.
A great short story that was light and fluffy and just what I needed. -
1½ stars - Kat Harper is ready to graduate with her MBA from NYU. One of her last classes is one in which she’s mentored by someone already successful in the business world. She’s shocked when Bryan, the guy she fell for, and her brother’s best friend, when she was 17 walks in and even more shocked when he’s assigned as her mentor. He suddenly and unexpectedly broke up with her just before she was set to move to New York City full time for college. She’s determined to act like she’s completely over him, even though she realizes she’s not. She even tries to switch mentors, which didn’t work (though she never mentioned a previous relationship with him, which seems like it would've worked, especially since her prof has a no fooling around policy or you get an F).
Call me nuts, but pretending to be over him probably would’ve been more convincing if she hadn’t dry humped him in his office on the first day of their mentorship. You might be sensing that I wasn’t very into this book and you’d be right. I thought the idea was really cute: a young woman turns her teen heartbreak into a charm necklace business called My Favorite Mistakes and is thrown back together with said heartbreaker years later. However, we didn’t really learn much about them now, though she said they did talk on the phone…the problem is, the only parts we really saw of them on the phone was having phone sex, despite her strict rule to not fool around with him in person during the semester. Even if you can dismiss the phone activities, the fact that they went down on each other in a public bathroom is a little harder to overlook. Plus, it’s, what’s the word I’m looking for? Oh, yeah, gross. Actually, touching themselves, and each other, in public seemed to make up a lot of their interactions, at least the ones that we got to see. All of their business interactions were mentioned every once in a while in one or two sentences.
There was also a very small storyline with Bryan’s former business partner who was caught hooking up with a 17 year old intern. He was suing his former company and supposedly following everyone around, including Kat, though there didn’t seem to be any reason for it. I think this was supposed to make her realize she had to be on the up and up during her mentorship, but, again, she failed miserably at it. The resolution to this storyline didn’t make sense and was tied up too neatly and easily. The same can be said for Kat’s problems with her professor when she finally decides she needs to come clean (she suddenly grew a conscience after repeatedly breaking her teacher’s rule). Everything just fell into place too tidily for her.
As I said, the idea for the story was good, but I expected at least a little bit of tension between Kat and Bryan and more of the story to revolve around their businesses and them getting to know each other again (the reason for him dumping her was kind of valid, but everything could’ve pretty much been avoided if they’d had one conversation back then), not hearing about how they thought of doing each other during meetings. I don’t mind sex in books, but this one seemed to have the storyline built around those scenes, not the other way around, and I never felt connected to the characters, especially Bryan. A stronger cast of secondary characters, or ones that were more fleshed out (I did like Kat’s roommate and best friend) would’ve helped, too. The writing wasn't bad at all, and I feel like it could've easily been a much better book. As it is, I’m surprised at all of the rave reviews; this book just didn’t do it for me and I’m glad now that it was such a short read. -
I really enjoyed this book. It's cute and sexy with a great couple and a fun story. Plenty of sexual tension too - I love it when a couple wants to get naked but can't. So there's all this restrained tension between them and it's just delicious.
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3.5 stars
I liked Kat and Bryan’s story. They have a great dynamic together with the flirty banter and sexy phone calls. Kat really tried to resist Bryan, especially since he broke up with her without an explanation five years ago. But, being around him reminds her exactly how much she still really cares about him. And, because Kat is the kind of gal who takes risks, she took the chance to go for what she wanted instead of playing the jaded ex-girlfriend. That doesn’t mean she still didn’t have reservations about Bryan. She still deserves an explanation. Not only that, being with him means she could fail her class since her professor plainly states on his website, “no hanky panky” with your mentors. Because of this policy, Kat and Bryan had to put a pause on being together, again. So, for the most part of the book, these two spend a lot of time having a secret relationship…on the phone. Wink wink. But when the sexual tension and feelings become too much, how do these two people, who are magnetically drawn to each other, keep their distance from one another?
This is a very sweet and romantic story about two people who get a second chance at love. And I love second chance love stories! Kat and Bryan are fun and relatable characters, who I admired for their maturity in the way they handled the relationship the second time around. However, I wish there were more of the flashbacks from when they were dating, to strengthen the reasons why they were still in love with each other five years later. Also, even though I understood and agreed with Bryan’s reasons for breaking up with Kat, what I didn’t understand is why he didn’t just tell her! I was baffled to say the least.
On a side note, I enjoyed reading about the jewelry designs and the steps Kat went through to pick out original pieces for her charms. I especially liked the part in Paris where she found some interesting pieces. One of my hobbies is making earrings and bracelets, so this part of the story was a lot of fun for me.
Overall, this story is worth checking out for contemporary romance lovers. I am definitely interested in reading more books written by the author.
Thank you Lauren Blakely for kindly providing the ARC. -
I love that Lauren Blakely has zero drama from other women or men. Even in 2nd chance romances like this.. The story concentrates on falling into love again and their past just doesn't have to be detailed.. I don't like Bryans reason for the break up 5 years ago.. But he made up for it absolutely over the top amazing.
Loved all the movie moments and how they had the most entertaining banter. I could so see movies based on this authors books.
She's just one of my top favs hands down.
Absolutely safe 2nd chance romance.
Both dated during the 5 years apart although it's just assumed and never once talked about besides the heroine remembering a stalkerish ex. -
Wholesome fun read but hated the writing. It was more telling not showing and I got so bored with all the calls.
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Me: "So have you read Caught Up in Us yet? I'm about 50% through and having a little bit of a rough time with it."
Anonymous Blogger: "No.. I'm starting it this week. Shoot..It's not good?"
Me: "It's not bad, I'm starting to get into the story, but the plot's just not as well written as I hoped. The flow is off and things kind of come out of nowhere."
Anonymous Blogger: "Ugh I hate that. It's not that consistent it sounds like."
Me: "It's like there's suppose to be all this sexual tension, but then all of the sudden they're all over each other...then she tries to go back to the sexual tension...but it's lost. But Holy Phone sex Batman!! WHOA!"
Anonymous Blogger: "The Phone sex is good? Now you're making me want to read it,lol. I see what you mean though...Damn. It sounded so good too when I read the blurb. It's kind of short too which I didn't expect."
Me: "Did I mention the phone sex is hot!!!!"
Anonymous Blogger: "It kind of makes up for it then, lol"
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First let me say that Lauren Blakely has a steamy little volcano mouth erupting hotness all over the place. The phone sex,
the museum, the bathroom, the office. God Bless, I needed a poncho just for my undies.
As much as I loved the physical connection between Bryan and Kat, I wasn't a huge fan of the plot. I found I was bored one minute and suffering from whiplash the next. The pacing was a little up, down and all over the place. It took me about half of the book to really feel involved in the story.
The parts that were suppose to be funny sometimes toed the line of cheesy, but the parts that were suppose to be hot melted my kindle.
I just wish I cared more. Cared more for the story, cared more for the characters. It was a great book on a superficial level. I just wish I could have gone deeper.
Overall, Caught Up In Us was a good, sexy little contemporary read with a fun little twist at the end. Don't forget your poncho!!
READ ON! -
Irresistible and engaging contemporary romance. Delightful characters who shared a summer love that ended as fall arrived. Five years later they come face to face with each other and the feelings that never faded. Both are older and wiser but still their relationship is confronted with obstacles on both sides. Kat is just finishing her MBA and is an up and coming jewelry designer. Bryan, who is her senior by five years, has an established and very successful business that is facing a lawsuit by a disgruntled and terminated ex-partner. There's also the matter of Bryan being a mentor for Kat's final MBA class.
And her professor has a strict rule: No hanky-panky between mentors and MBA candidates or it's an automatic "F."
What will happen? Well, there's lots of phone sex, an ex-rated bathroom stall encounter, a trip to Paris where the temptations are simply too many to thwart. But will their newly reinstated relationship remain secret long enough for Kat to graduate and for a settlement of Bryan's messy lawsuit?
It's an easy, fun, sweet, and sexy story by a new-to-me-author -- and that always puts a smile on my face. -
Early on, I really enjoyed this story. It started out sweet and funny. Then, it just all went downhill for me. Maybe it was the never-ending phone sex, or the cheesy, childish dialogue, but the characters lost their appeal about halfway through. It just didn't work for me. I give this one 2 1/2 stars for the strong start and the, blessedly, short length. Unfortunately, this isn't a series I'll be continuing.
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This novel had potential. Unfortunately, there were too many holes in the storyline. Furthermore, the hero's rationale for his past behavior (which led to the hero & heroine's breakup— a precipitating factor in this novel) was just asinine. Many things in this storyline simply don't add up.
2.5/5 stars -
3.5 Stars!
This is going to be a quick review. :)
Caught Up in Us is another book for my "liked it but didn't love it" shelf. This is the second book I have read in this series and I just didn't love it as much as the other book. I loved Playing with Her Heart, which is book #4.
Here is the gist of the story.
Having your heart broken at a young age is never easy but Kat moved on (sort of) and grew to be a smart and beautiful women. And Brian has his own regrets. Sometimes it is the unspoken words that hurt the most.
Kat and Brian share a bit of a past. Brian was Kat's brother's best friend and she had a huge crush on him. One that grew into something very special to her only to end with her heart being broken. Five years later their path's cross again and as much as Kat doesn't want to admit to it her heart is still with Brian. Her feelings never truly went away and now she needs to figure out what to do with them.
There were some really sweet moments in this book. And while I enjoyed both characters and even the secondary characters, I never really made a full connection with them. And I really hate when that happens. :(
This was definitely one of those fluffy quick reads. And for me, as I was reading I found myself wishing there was just a little more. More sexy moments, more angst (actually I don't think there was any) and more resistance from Kat. In the end I liked it but I just didn't love it.
If you are looking for something easy on your heart, this is definitely worth the read. :) -
This is perfect for anyone looking for a second chance romance with a sweet and sexy vibe. Kat fell in love with her brother's friend five years earlier when they had a secret summer romance. Just as Kat declared her love for Bryan, he broke off their relationship without ever saying he loved her . He goes on to make a successful career and Kat works hard at College and setting up her own fledgling business.
When their paths cross again Kat tries to remain aloof but the passion never died for either of them. The path to true love never did run smooth and the two of them find obstacles in their way.
This was sweet, sexy and enjoyable. For me it didn't have the wow factor of some of Lauren's other books but I still liked it.
HEA? Yes
Cheating? No -
Okay
Eh. The writing was really good and the characters were written well but the story overall was just okay. I felt the plot was drawn out too much.
Kay is finishing her last year of college. One of her classes in business, requires she has a mentor and she beyond belief when she walks in to see Bryan. Her first love, the man who had shattered her heart at the tender age of 17. To make matters worse, he is assigned as her mentor and now she forced to face her past, the pain she thought she left behind. Can she do it? -
This was a fun, quirky, and lighthearted romance. Really loved Kat's and Jill's character. Loved the movie references -- Casablanca, Love, Actually, Perfect Pitch not to mention Les Mis (not the movie but the musical) and Eponine!! This book made me happy. I like happy. Will definitely check out the other books in the series.
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Shey‘s review posted on
Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
5 STARS
Lauren Blakely has stormed onto the contemporary romance scene with her debut new novel, Caught Up in Us, the first book of the series, providing us with humor, steamy phone sex, and love that is lost then found again. I can only say that, although Ms. Blakely’s writing style is uniquely her own however, I honestly put her up there with a couple of my favorites such as Jill Shalvis and Carly Phillips.
Losing your first love is hard, seeing him again is even harder, but working with him is the worst… this is what happens when Kat Harper is paired up with Bryan as her mentor while finishing up her MBA. As the sparks fly between them and Kat’s walls crumble where Bryan is concerned, other factors get in the way that don’t allow them to be together. It’s especially hard when Kat finds out the real reason why Bryan left her and the hurt from the past returns.
Bryan thought he was doing the right thing even though he knew he broke Kat’s heart. Seeing her again 5 years later and the woman she has become only shows him how much he really loves her. The only problem is that he can’t have her, not now anyway, but he will.
Lauren Blakely’s writing style flows smoothly. I loved the way she brought Kat and Bryan together with their banter and their chemistry, even after being apart for so long. You could feel it through the pages. The secondary characters weren’t just part of the background they were likeable and refreshing and left you wanting more from them as well.
If you’re looking for a lighthearted summer read this definitely needs to be added to your list? For an author’s first book Ms. Blakely has now caught my attention as my new go to author for romance! -
*4- Stars*
Very simple story, but still enjoyable. The conflict was kind of superficial and the resolutions were way too easy. As was the reconciliation. But it was quick and easy with a sweet ending.
I listened to the audio and thought it was good. I had previously listened to this narrator, Emily Durante, and thought her male characters were awful, but this book didn't have the same issues. The books were published 4 years apart, this was the later one, so it is good to see she has improved.
Reread 7.26.19
Thoughts are pretty much the same, perhaps more sympathetic to the hero after reading
Caught Up in Her. -
It didn't exactly knock my socks off, but it's cute, sweet, sexy and I'm always up for a second chance love story.
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This one was a little disappointing. I went in really liking the premise. Girl gets her first love. Then gets her heart broken by first love. Then girl is matched up with boy as her business adviser. She's still hurt and wants answers. Sounds interesting right? Well, it wasn't so much.
When she was 17, Kat fell in love with her older brothers friend, Bryan. They ended up having a secret relationship but ultimately Bryan ended things with Kat. Scorned, Kat turned her heartbreak into a jewelry business and is now working towards her MBA. When she gets paired with Bryan as her adviser she panics. But all too soon this turns into a flirty relationship and then into a sexual one.
My main issue with this is how mad Kat is toward Bryan for most of the book until he flirts with her and then suddenly she's like what heartbreak? And openly pursues a relationship with him. No talk of the past, no explanations as to why it ended. Literally nothing. Kat was a very weak character in my eyes who stood for nothing. Bryan wasn't much better honestly. We literally learn nothing about him except he's literally scared of anything regarding a relationship. And I'm just supposed to believe he's been pining over Kat for five years. I got nothing from him in that relation. It just seemed like he wanted to just pick back up with the sexy times.
I didn't connect with any of the characters and the plot was also just not that believable. And possibly the worst part was that I didn't root for them to be together. As a romance book, that's the one thing you want. -
Oh what a cute story !
A short romantic book that will make you dream.
I loved everything about them characters.
Bryan broke Kat's heart when they were young (college young), and five years later they meet again. I wanted a more 'hard to get' vibe but I understand her. If the love of your life comes back, I wouldn't resist.
Such a cute thing to read after a hard story ! Loved it. -
Ni lo he terminado, demasiado adolescente para mi gusto, aunque el prota tiene 30 años.
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From
my blog.
“My first love. He was my first favorite mistake.”
If I were a rock star, I’d have Taylor Swifted him and written one of those anthemic I don’t love you anymore songs.
"I make jewelry. I drink caramel machiattos. I wear Hello Kitty to bed. Of course I love romantic comedies," I said with a smile as we neared my house. But I didn’t just love them. I wanted to live within them. I wanted a love like in the movies.
My thoughts:
Swoon... What a perfectly sweet story without any real angst. I still have tears in my eyes because of the beautiful ending. I have no idea what I was expecting from this book, but I got something I hadn't even thought I needed and some more. It was a short read, but even that was sort of perfect.
I love Jill a lot. She reminds me of one of my best friends who's also a young actress. Bryan is kind of perfect and I could actually understand his point of view of why he'd left Kat five years ago. He is successful and Kat has spark and I love that she's an independent woman on her way to the top, but she still wants her own romance movie. And those two together... Whew... And their phone calls... Why don't I have enough words to explain how hot they were? Honestly, I'd date Bryan without a second thought. And I know I would have fallen for him five years before and I would have fallen for him now because he's delicious...
“Generally speaking, I’m good with all cartoon cats, especially when cute girls wear them.”
Should you read it? If you're looking for a light and simple read, then go for it. It's one of the best chick flicks I've read. Just a short note: STEAMY ALERT! Yeah, reading it in a classroom full of people is not one of my brightest moments... (Therefore, don't read if you're not old enough or don't like those kinds of scenes.) -
The thrill of young love. A romance that should have lasted forever, but ended with the summer. My favorite mistake.
Kat Harper falls in love with her brother’s best friend Bryan. They spend the summer going to movies and hiding their romance from her brother. They fall in love. But then, for no reason, Bryan breaks it off with Kat. “I have to go.” That’s all she gets. No explanation. No apologies. Nothing.
Five years later she’s matched with Bryan as her mentor for a class she needs to graduate with her MBA. How can she survive being around him? How can she do this?
Lauren Blakely’s story Caught Up in Us is the sweet romantic story of Kat and Bryan. There’s a bit of a taboo element since Bryan is Kat’s mentor for a class. But, she doesn’t work for him and they’re both consenting adults, so nothing seriously taboo. There’s no angst, there’s nothing overly emotional about this story. It’s just a sweet love story. Love denied. Love found again. Love denied. Again. Just when Kat thinks she’s going to finally get the boy of her dreams. She finds out everything has a price.
I was really hoping for more on the whole brother’s best friend falling for the little sister theme. I love those! For Caught Up in Us, it simply provides a way for Kat and Bryan to meet. But, oh, what a way to meet!
Favorite Quote:
“If I were a rock star, I’d have Taylor Swifted him and written one of those anthemic I don’t love you anymore songs.”
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. -
This is a book about a summer love that ended in heart break. Who hasn't had a crush on your brothers best buddy? Been there. Done that. They say time heals all but as you read this book you will find out that it's not necessarily the case. Kat has to work with Bryan. yes, he's the one who broke her heart 5 summers ago. Unfortunately due to the circumstances, whatever feeling mighty still be there need to be put aside.
My heart ached for Kat. She had to face her past dead on. Dealing with someone that broke your heart must not be easy. She did a lot better that how I would have reacted. Bryan wasn't my favorite person at first. I was hoping he wasn't going to just play with her emotions again and break her heart a second time.
As I continued reading my opinion on Bryan shifted. I was very hopeful things would turn for the best. But luck wasn't on their side just yet. I went from sad to angry to hopeful. The message is clear. Fight for what you want. The more you push the harder it pushes back. What's meant to be is meant to be and fate has a way of making things happen.
I will admit I cried a bit towards the end. I got the happy ending I wanted with a surprise here and there. I had a feeling it would end we'll BUT didn't know it would end the way it did. Bryan was amazing. Gives me hope that maybe just maybe there are guys out there as sweet, romantic and thoughtful as him. Can we say swoon? I'm pretty sure I think we can. -
The story in the present moved really slowly because there weren't too many interactions between the H and h at the beginning. A lot of words were spent on Kat remembering the past and talking herself out of falling for H again. And then she does exactly that, the first time they are not in public. I never got the sense of why this guy was so great. Yes, he is rich, successful, good looking and likes movies but there should be more...
When things started moving, the characters did not react very maturely. They have long "conversations" on the phone but did not talk about why H broke up with h five years ago. Because of this, the heroine's hesitations were dragged out for way too long. And when she finally learns he loved her all along, she gets upset and pulls away from him? It did not make sense.
The main female character was well developed. It is an ok light read but very forgettable. -
This was a free download.
I'm fairly certain I read at least part of this book before. It may have been one I started during the worst of my reading dry-spell then set aside.
Kat was a bit too insecure for my liking. I would have preferred if she were stronger and more independent. For someone who created jewelry and ran a successful business, had already finished college and spent a year overseas on her own, she was very unsure of herself. It isn't that I disliked her, but I wanted to see her with more backbone.
Bryan was easier to understand and relate to, though I didn't agree with all the choices he made.
I liked how open they were with each other sexually. It's nice to read a book where the couple isn't afraid or ashamed or concerned about their chemistry.
There were some problematic areas for me, but overall this was a quick, light read.
