| Title | : | Connell (Carolina Reapers #3) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 250 |
| Publication | : | First published November 16, 2019 |
My teammates always said one of my jokes would bite me in my Scottish arse one day, and they were right.
After a prank goes wrong, I’m sentenced to six weeks community service under none other than the sexy, rule-abiding, smart-mouthed city clerk of Sweet Water—Annabelle Clarke.
Lucky for me it’s offseason.
Unlucky for me?
I want Annabelle like I want my next breath.
She’s smart, luscious, and wound-tighter than a Scottish drum.
Och, I’d love to be the one to help loosen her strings.
She’s made it clear that while I’m under her employment, she won’t be under me.
The white-hot chemistry we can’t deny must be ignored at all costs.
But bantering with her is soon my favorite pastime
And she’s the sweetest forbidden fruit I’ve ever tasted
As we grow closer, one thing is absolutely clear
A summer with Annabelle Clarke can only end one of two ways:
Satisfaction or surrender.
And I can only hope we can weather the storm when the sky inevitably crashes down on us.
Connell (Carolina Reapers #3) Reviews
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Am I about to sound like a massive dick? Heck yeah I am.
I try very hard to be a generous reviewer. Hell, a year ago I wouldn’t even be stressed about rating this two stars. But I feel the need to defend my rating a bit.
Everyone has their preferences when they read. I like tropes others passionately hate, and vice versa. Something I hate is the miscommunication/misunderstanding trope. It truly makes me beyond angry.
You might be asking yourself why it makes me this furious. It’s because it’s lazy writing and a scape goat. Most adults in a relatively “normal” relationship communicate. If you love someone, and they “mess” up the way Connell did, then you’d at least give them the benefit of the doubt.
Authors that use miscommunication/misunderstanding tropes as part of the conflict seem lazy to me.
Another pet peeve is the insecure heroine. I’m human, and I also have my insecurities. But when it’s used in hand with the miscommunication/misunderstanding trope...man it’s annoying.
I sound super mean, but it’s just frustrating. There’s so many ways you can write a complex conflict. Those are just cop outs in my opinion. If you’re going to write an insecure character, than give them more depth. -
Connell and Annabelle were pure magic. I loved the pairing of the free spirited, prankster Scottish defenseman Connell and the uptight, by-the-book city clerk Annabelle. Opposites do attract! Watching Connell and Annabelle fall in love was soooo satisfying——these two had some white hot chemistry! Connell was a sexy rogue, Annabelle had that innocent girl next door vibe. The only thing that bugged me a wee bit was Annabelle almost constantly doubting her self worth. Her thoughts about why a gorgeous stud like Connell would want to be with a curvy, nobody like her irked me a bit. You are good enough! Believe Connell when he tells you he wants no one but you! Annabelle’s insecurities almost derailed the romance when Connell’s sarcastic words were taken out of context by a reporter, and she chose to believe what she read rather than talking it out with Connell. *sigh*
But such is the way of romances...
I love this series—it’s definitely one of the hottest hockey romances (and there seem to be plenty of them now) out there. This author has a smooth writing style and has you really caring about her characters, and provides plenty of heat too. Can’t wait for the next book in this series!
4 1/2 stars -
Oh my gah...
This was so good!! I enjoyed the pranks and how the characters interacted. I can’t wait for the next book in the series. -
Well. It took me a lot of time to finish this one, and not because I was particularly busy.
This book is about Connell, a scottish hockey player, who is sentenced to 6 weeks of community labor, after he crashed into a statue. The thing is, he was just going to pay a fine and the repairs for said statue, when this woman barges in and demands that he is properly punished for ruining a piece of the town's history.
That woman is Annabelle. And I hated her. She was annoying, really self absorbed and behaved like her job -city clerk- was the most important one in the world. And she was boring! I couldn't read more than one chapter from her POV.
Connell, on the other hand, was practically perfect. He was nice, easy going and knew what he wanted (for some reason I just couldn't understand, he wanted Annabelle). -
Samantha’s hockey boys are my total kindle crack. I CANNOT get enough of them. The whole world disappears when one of them hits my kindle and Connell was no exception. I also need this book in audio to experience the accent.
Connell and Annabelle are so sweet together while being so so hot.
Now I need more. I know my vote for the next Reaper I want. -
This is my favourite book so far by Samantha Whiskey! I'm in love with this couple and didn't want the book to end - I would've happily continued to read throughout the night! There were some beautiful and heart melting moments mixed with laughter, off the charts passion and heartache. I became so lost in this 5 star read and it's one I'll definitely be reading again. I've always had a thing for hot men with accents, so Connell is my ideal man. Combine that with his sense of humour, unwavering support and intense love, you have a guy who every reader will sigh over and want to claim for their own.
“Lass, if I talked you out of your clothes, I wouldn’t need to promise anything. I’d simply show you. Weak men make promises when it comes to sex. Good men let the orgasms speak for themselves.” - Connell
I struggled to like Annabelle at the start as I found her demanding and bossy, but as the story progressed, I realised this was her way of protecting herself. Don't judge her too quickly because you'll soon find that she's a very likeable character who is just dealing with insecurities from past events that she allows to take over at times. We also get to spend time with old and new friends from the Carolina Reapers team and previous books with possible storylines for future stories hinted at. I already know that Logan is up next, and I'll be jumping into his book as soon as possible!
“Would it be so bad?” he whispered. I tilted my head as he released me. “To finally let go and let yourself be loved in the way you deserve?” - Annabelle & Her Father
Connell is an amazing addition to the Carolina Reapers series and can be enjoyed on its own, but I would recommend reading the books in order because you'll definitely find yourself wanting to read them all after picking up one and losing yourself in this talented author's work!
*I voluntarily reviewed an advance complimentary copy of this book -
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋💋
Totally Brilliant!
This author has an innate gift for these books ,
Rough tough hockey players and even tougher women that love them.
This one has romance , fun , laughter , heartache and puck bunnies with hidden agendas.
Waiting for more is always so hard, but satisfying when the next one is in my hands , more soon please! -
BOOK REVIEW: 4 stars
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: 0 stars
I need to commiserate with other fans of this series about how TERRIBLY GOD AWFUL these audiobooks are and how devastated I am after anxiously awaiting their release for months.
To whoever at Podium selected the narrator, Tim Paige, and then listened to his sample and was like "damn, he nailed Connell's Scottish accent!" --> Perhaps a visit to an audiologist is in order?
And to Tim Paige himself --> what the fuckity fuck were you smoking when you recorded this, because that shit was bad and you need a new dealer pronto!
Can we all just take a moment to listen to this absolutely brain melting failed attempt at a Scottish brogue? Here's the
audible sample
- WTF #1: When he's reading the descriptions and expositions, he has a strangely forced accent that inexplicably shuffles between a vague Irish accent to an American English accent.
- WTF #2: When he's reading Connell's internal monologue, he again vacillates between a bizarro Irish accent for some words, and then a stunted American English accent for the rest.
- WTF #3: When he's reading Connell's dialogue, he only puts on a Scottish accent for about 15% of the words, with no rhyme or reason nor consistency given to which words are spoken in an accent, so it feels like listening to game of dizzingly incomprehensible accent ping pong.
If he was trying to make Connell's accent sound muted because he had lived in the US for awhile, then he should have studied what a muted Scottish accent sounds like and established some consistency with which words and phrases would maintain the brogue. But I don't even know if an attempt was made along these lines because...well... just listen to about 3 minutes of this sample to hear for yourself.
When the author / publisher prices the audiobook at the astounding price of $34.99 muthafukin clams, which is DOUBLE the price of her other and most audiobooks, you would think that the performances would be top notch...or at least get the accents correct.
There are so many other narrators who can effortlessly do a Scottish accent or ***gasp*** are actually Scottish!, that the selection of this narrator is an absolute insult to readers asking them to waste their hard earned money on this auditory assault.
It's going to be an absolute travesty if he narrates Cannon, the fan favorite of this series. Please Samantha Whiskey and Podium - change the narrators before it's too late and you unnecessarily ruin that book!!! -
DNF. At 19% I decided this it, I'm done. Maybe its confinement, boredom, whatever, just couldn't get into this book. Looks to be a popular starred read though based on other reviews.
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French & English reviews
Un hockeyeur écossais et tellement adorable ??? J'ACHETE !!
Comme d'habitude avec cette série, une romance cocoon et feeling good avec du drama, des héros qu'on a envie de kidnapper et des héroïnes qu'on a envie de pousser du haut d'une falaise xD (MAIS COMMENT TU NE PEUX PAS AVOIR CONFIANCE EN CE MEC ??!!)
Bref, une romance que j'ai dévoré dans le train et maintenant l'hésitation : est-ce que je commence le livre avec Logan au coeur brisé ou Sawyer le boyscoot ou Cannon le grincheux xD ??
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A Scottish hockey player and one who is so adorable ??? I BUY !!
As usual with this series, a cocooning and feeling good romance with drama, heroes that we want to kidnap and heroines that we want to push off a cliff xD (BUT HOW CAN YOU NOT TRUST THIS GUY ??!!)
Anyway, a romance that I devoured on the train and now the big hesitation : do I start the book with the heartbroken Logan or the boyscoot Sawyer or the grumpy Cannon xD ?? -
Kupikir Connell bakal lucu atau gimanaaa gitu. B aja sodara-sodara wkwkwk konfliknya juga nggak bikin simpati. Tapi suka sih selipan Cannon-Sephie LOL
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Connell is on sale for $0.99 (regular price $3.99 ) on Amazon today (11/19/2019)💞
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whoever told me this book was bad was a liar.
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Connell is quite seasoned in the wooing bit, “I think you’re the sexiest woman on the planet, and if you bring that incredible arse into the pool, I’ll make it worth your while,” I growled in her ear." I liked this book, I really loved Connell.
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This one was okay but there wasn’t much to it compared to the first two books in the series.
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Gah, they were so cute. I loved that this was such a light hearted book and the drama wasn't really drama and worked its self out quickly. My favorite outta the three books I've read.
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4.5 stars.
The prankster of the team, Scotsman Connell MacDhuibh's latest stunt lands him in court, fined for some minor destruction to an ostrich statue, and six weeks community service under the supervision of straight laced, serious city clerk, Annabelle Clark. Of course butting heads leads to plenty of steamy tension making for a quick read. My only regret is that there weren't more pranks in this story, though the final joke is pretty damn funny. -
I must sound like a broken record now when it comes to Samantha's books but *swoon* I fall in love with every single character she writes. Two words: KINDLE CRACK.
I absolutely adored Connell and Annabelle. The banter, tension, drama, the sexy times.... oh sweet baby Jesus, the sex was 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 definitely a NSFW read.
This book had me giggling, sighing, cursing like a sailor then smiling like a little school girl - my heart was so happy. -
I knew it was gonna be Connell and Anabelle but I was still so excited and I loved it. Also I need Logan and Conan’s stories asap. The way they were teased throughout this whole story has me excited for the next two books in the series.
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The Hot Scot and his Southern Belle 😊
Fun, light hearted and swoon worthy.
The third visit to the Reaper village brings us Connell, the prankster Scot who can’t help but try and bring a smile to everyone’s day. Finding himself at the beck and call of Annabelle for 6 weeks community service over the summer, he is determined to win her heart.
Annabelle is happy in her life, she loves her job, her family and her self.... even after discovering the truth about her ex.
Despite all this, she can’t believe that the happy go lucky handsome Reaper would be interested in little ol’ her.
Settle in and enjoy the laughs as Connell takes his time to win over this lovely home town girl and proves to her and the world that she is everything he could possibly want and need.
I loved Connell and Annabelle, with her southern sass and his Celtic charms they are a thoroughly entertaining read.
Can’t wait for Cannon😉
I received an arc from the author and I am choosing to leave a review -
I'll take a prankster Scott
Connell loves a good prank....but this one leads him to doing 6 weeks of community service under the woman he has been dreaming about. And he has an evil plot...make her fall for him because he wants her...not just for now but forever. But shes been hurt before and people can misconstrue what is real to make you hurt...but Connell will do whatever it takes to win over her heart....and honestlynthe accent yeah makes him the best choice for a hero -
Oh this Scot
This Scotsman is fabulous! I loved everything from the pranks to how hard he falls for Annabelle. This book is fantastic and I loved every single minute -
Loving this series.
I absolutely loved Connell! This story is witty, humorous and has all the feels. The Reaper family are very engaging and the story is a real page turner. -
**This ARC was provided for free in exchange for an honest review.**
I think that it’s well established in my review of Samantha Whiskey’s last book in this series (
Sawyer) that I LOVE her Carolina Reapers series. Love really isn’t a strong enough word for it – adore? Enchanted by? Want to live in? Whatever, I’m going quickly down a rabbit hole and if I continue, I’ll never get this review written! Suffice to say that I have loved her hockey books; I read the entire Seattle Sharks series in record time and followed it with
Axel, the first in the Carolina Reapers series… and read and reviewed an ARC for
Sawyer, so to say that I’m all in on this series might be a bit of an understatement.
Connell MacDhuibh is a forward for the Reapers. He’s the Reapers’ mischievous, fun loving, prankster playboy who seems to get into hot water with the authorities more often than not. We’ve met him in the previous books by getting him bailed out of jail and streaking through Reapers Village (the neighborhood most of the team live). We open with him sitting in a “courtroom”, really just a converted room in a community center, waiting with his lawyer and the team’s head of PR to minimize the fallout of a crazy drive where he avoided hitting a bunny in the road and ended up hitting the town’s beloved ostrich statue. Yes, I said “beloved ostrich statue.” Just as the judge and the lawyers are ready to talk about it and work out a deal for Connell to pay to fix the statue, in walks the city clerk, Annabelle Clarke. Who happens to have seen Connell up close during that streaking incident. Oops. Annabelle declares that Connell has no love or respect for the town he lives in and deserves more punishment than just writing a check… so the judge has Connell do six weeks of community service under Annabelle’s watch. Oops again. One thing that throws both of them is the white-hot chemistry between them – can they actually work together for six weeks and not give into this? Annabelle is determined not to be just another proverbial notch on Connell’s bedpost, refusing to give into her own feelings, much less Connell’s. Connell is determined to make Annabelle his – not for the night or even a short fling, but forever, if he can. Annabelle has some deep seated insecurities with her body and looks – she’s not model thin, like the bunnies or the other women he’s been pictured with. She’s grown up in a family who loves her, but who she physically isn’t like. While she’s confident in herself day to day, when a hot Scottish hockey player (did I forget to mention the fact that he’s a Scot?) acts like he loves and adores her just as she is, she’s skeptical. Can he break through her defenses and show her that he is in love with her, body and soul?
I love that Samantha Whiskey wrote a heroine who isn’t the ideal of physical perfection that society seems to crave; that she has some deep seated insecurities (that I totally relate to), but has some amazing friends and family who remind her of how awesome she is when those insecurities surface. One thing I truly loved was that she wrote Connell as a man who not only clearly adores this woman, but he respects her and her work as well. As much as he’d love to bring his girlfriend on the road with him, he knows how hard she works and doesn’t want to interfere with her career and does whatever he can to help it along. (Read: he donates ostriches to her project of having an ostrich sanctuary in town. Ostriches are some expensive animals. I love him.)
As we’re in the swing of hockey season, this was the perfect read! I honestly cannot wait for the next book in the series! We were given a closer look at a couple of players in this book… Connor seems like the smart next choice, but I’d love to see Logan find happiness. I guess that I’ll just have to (impatiently) wait for the next book to find out! (I also may have mentioned in my last review that I knew who I’d like the third book to be about… and I was right. I had a serious crush on Connell in the previous books – I mean he’s Scottish and a hockey player. Duh.) -
Before this year, I hadn’t read a single Samantha Whiskey book. Connell marks my seventh Samantha Whiskey book read this year and it’s safe to say I’m addicted to her books!
This novel follows Connell who is a fun loving, prank pulling Scottish hockey player and Annabelle who is a serious, hardworking city clerk. The two start spending time together after an incident causes the town’s beloved ostrich statute to be damaged, resulting in Connell having to do six weeks of community service at City Hall under the watchful eye of Annabelle. Things escalate from there and the two quickly see that there’s more to each other than meets the eye.
First, I’d just like to say that I adored this book! Out of all seven of Mrs. Whiskey’s books I think this one put the biggest smile on my face. It wasn’t just because of Connell’s jokes and pranks, which were hilarious in my opinion, but also because I could see how smitten he was with Annabelle. The man never hesitated to show his affections whether he was just with Annabelle, his hockey team, or even in front of an entire stadium filled with people. He also encouraged her to chase her dreams and to take the time to have some fun whilst chasing those dreams. Because of these things the Scotsman stole my heart and never gave it back. (I’m fine with that through).
“I grinned and kissed her again. I’d been right the first time I’d kissed her. She’d ruined me for anyone else. She was it. The epitome. The standard.”
I know I’m starting to ramble a bit so I’ll just say a few more points and then I’m done. Just like I adored Connell, I also adored Annabelle. She was hardworking, successful, and at times a bit sassy. That alone was enough to make me love her but knowing that she was plus sized and confident in her skin made me love her even more. That confidence in my size is something I aspire to have someday.
“I…I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I said, flustered. I hadn’t thought he’d noticed my change in work attire, but I couldn’t help it. If the man was going to saunter around my place of business looking like a snack, then by God, so was I.”
To close off my review, I thought I’d give my reasoning on why this was a 4 star read for me instead of 5. The first thing is a few spelling errors and an instance of where Annabelle is cited as wearing a strapless dress and then a few pages later the dress has straps. This is minor of course and can be fixed with a closer read through during editing. The second thing is that I wish an instance with Annabelle’s family was more flushed out. Connell specifically says they’ll talk about it later and then it’s just never mentioned again. Other than these few things the book was amazing!
I’m so happy Connell and Annabelle got their story told and I can’t wait to see which Carolina Reaper is next! I’m hoping for Cannon though because who doesn’t want a story about a tattooed, broody hockey player who’s also a bookworm? -
I’ve read every book by Samantha Whiskey and just swoon over how she pens her heroes! In the third book in the new spin-off series about the professional hockey team, the South Carolina Reapers, it’s the hot Scott Connell MacDhuibh’s turn to find love. I loved his wit and charm from the very first page and how he only had eyes for his southern sweetie, Annabelle Clarke, the City Clerk.
A bit uptight and a little too serious, he finds himself in a predicament and is ordered to work under her (sadly not literally) doing community service. This book is so much fun to read as he is just smitten with her. And when the two of these finally connect after waiting six weeks for his sentence to end, sparks fly and the pages steam up!
He’s so humble, not afraid of hard work, and readily admits all his faults and secrets whenever she is near. He is such a great all-around guy, a good son, teammate, neighbor, and friend, and when he pursues Annabelle, he goes all in. I love how he defends her and his relationship, and how he’s not afraid to admit that he’s in love. He proves it over and over again and not just with words.
He is everything she never thought she needed and everything she wants. He is so patient and brings out the best in Annabelle and she finds herself completely enamored by him. She is having the time of her normally boring life, but is afraid to trust it. I loved watched Annabelle's character growth and how honest she was with her thoughts and feelings, and how sincere she was when she apologized. Tissues please! But when she finally realizes what a gem he is, how down to earth and endearing, is it too little, too late?
It’s not all-smooth sailing for these two, and it’s wonderful to read how they navigated a difficult time. Lots of surprises in the end with a wonderful epilogue to tie everything together. I love how he speaks Scottish and all of the terms Ms. Whiskey so effortlessly incorporates, and how her heroes and heroines are a bit flawed. It would be rather boring reading if everyone was perfect, and her characters are all very real and relatable.
I love how the Reapers live in the same community and feel like family, and that many characters featured in previous books reappeared in Connell’s book! These friends may tease and prank each other, but when it comes down to it, they stand by and support each other. There are still lots of single Reapers left, and I am looking forward to reading the next one to fall in love! -
Samantha Whiskey is a one click for me always, it’s hard to find a good sports romance that also keeps up with the actual sport. I will admit that this one left out a lot of actual hockey play time, but with that said I didn’t miss it this book was just that good.
Connell was introduced in previous books, and we have always known him as the locker room clown who was always playing pranks on his teammates. We remember him in Sawyer’s book streaking through Reaper Village all in the name of a laugh. Add in Connell’s Scottish accent and you have a fun, Scottish speaking, swoon worthy hero.
But Connell’s pranks caught up to him, after winning the cup his celebrating got away with him resulting in him causing some damage within the community while on his four wheeler. He tells the judge that he is more than willing to pay for any and all damages, hoping that will be all and he can head home to his country to visit on the off season.
Here enters Annabelle Clarke, Sweetwater city clerk, the sweet, straight laced women who want’s the jokester to do more than just pay and walk away. Annabelle want’s Connell to understand the importance of what their community stands for and suggests community services. The judge accepts, and sets Connell with Annabelle to help her in the City Clerks office. The attraction is instant, and you can feel it on the pages with each sentence.
I loved that Annabelle was portrayed as not your typical blonde hair, skinny type. As a curvy women myself it was nice to read a heroine with the same issues, but also to hear her struggles with her image at certain points. I loved that Connell stayed strong for Annabelle, he knew that her public image was everything to her, she had a fear of embarrassment. Connell wanted nothing more than to keep her out of public humiliation in any way possible and he did that. He was fierce and sweet and protective. Of course there is minimal angst with a quickly resolved miss communication. It all comes together so beautiful. Both Annabelle and Connell complimented each other nicely with their different personalities. All in all this book was fantastic. I cannot wait to read more. I am really hoping to see Cannon’s story next, I love me a tattooed and broody hero. Not only that but he reads too *swoon*. Thanks so much for another amazing read Samantha, it was the perfect sweet, low angst sports romance.
** I received an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion* -
Scottish born defenseman Connell MacDhuibh's wild ways have just landed him in court... while celebrating a cup win he gets a little carried away with a four-wheeler. He is certain if he promises the judge that he pay the damages he'll get off scott-free and be able to head home to Scotland for the summer... but the opposing council has other plans for him and is insisting that him paying the fine just isn't enough. Which means no more fun summer plans for Connell... unless you count torturing tantalizing city clerk Annabelle Clarke!
Annabelle Clarke has never met a more infuriating man than Connell, he thinks his money will fix everything, but she is certain letting him off with just a fine will teach him nothing, he needs to learn there are consequences for his actions. When she suggested community service to the judge she never expected that it would mean that she would be working alongside the bad boy defenseman... there is no way she can survive the whole summer babysitting him!!
Between the pages of this one readers will meet an passionate city clerk with a heart of gold, and a once wild hockey player determined to earn a spot in her heart. Annabelle and Connell find themselves forced to spend time together for the sake of his community service, but quickly find that they have something special brewing between them. But with his reputation of being a one night kind of man Annabelle has her doubts about trusting anything he says or does. Watching him try and earn her respect and attention will have you smiling and swooning... the man is quite charming when he really sets his sights on something. I loved my time with these two, they brought life and laughter to the pages, as well has plenty of steamy heat too, it was a perfect romantic literary escape! Highly recommend you get your hands on this one, Connell will steal your heart and have you blushing throughout!
I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher, and I am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion.
