WHAT IT TAKES (KOWALSKI #10)

Revisit all of your Kowalski favorites while falling in love with a brand-new romance in this reunion novel from New York Times bestselling author Shannon Stacey

Laney Caswell is looking for a change. A decade's worth of less-than-happy matrimony behind her, she wants peace—movies, books and, best of all, a new job at the Northern Star Lodge in Whitford, Maine. Spending the summer living in a camper is her chance to rediscover what makes her happy, and a perfect transition to her new life.

Being a paramedic in Whitford is nothing like Ben Rivers's city life, but when Josh Kowalski offers him the job, the lure of his hometown is too much to resist. Also too much to resist: Laney Caswell. Ben always thought he'd have a wife and kids, a happy family like the Kowalskis have all built, but he never made time in his life. Now he's found a woman who draws him like no other and helps him dream again—and the last thing she wants is a husband.

When the annual Kowalski family camping trip is moved to the Northern Star, both Ben and Laney are surrounded by the kind of happiness they've always wanted but never had. It just might be theirs—if they can put aside the past and reach for it together.

Release Date: February 28, 2017

Contemporary Romance

Carina Press

Kowalski Family #10

Review copy provided by publisher

I was super excited to get a Kowalski vacation of doom. The Kowalski family series is one of my favorite ever. I loved getting to spend time with the entire family, and seeing how the family has grown since the last book.  I will say if you haven't read the rest of the series, you will be lost with all the family dynamics if you try and start with this story. I highly suggest starting with the first book in the series, Exclusively Yours.

With all the members of the Kowalski clan in one book, there was lots going on and I'll admit it was hard to keep up with the growing family at times, but I loved every minute with them. What It Takes also had a budding romance between Laney and Ben. While I liked both Laney and Ben as individuals, I had trouble with them as a couple for most of the book. Ben and Laney didn't seem to be on the same page to start a relationship. Laney had just ended her marriage and not ready for anything serious, while Ben was at the point in his life that he was ready for a serious relationship. I thought Laney and Ben had great chemistry, but had trouble buying into them as a couple for the majority of the book. I did love that Laney received immediate acceptance into the Kowalski family, which was so nice as her own parents didn't support her decision to divorce her ex-husband. I also loved that Ben's family also accepted Laney so quickly. 

I did end up liking Ben and Laney as a couple by the end of the book. I think since there was so much focus on the Kowalski family, their story took a bit of a backseat at times and it took me until about the last 20% of the story to really become invested in their relationship. 

Rating: 3.5 Stars (B-)

Falling for Max

Max Crawford has reached the point in life where he's starting to think about settling down. Unfortunately, he's always been a little awkward when it comes to social interactions, and working from home doesn't help. He spends so much time alone, painting beautiful, historically accurate model trains that half of Whitford has begun to joke that he may be a serial killer. Not exactly prime husband material.

Tori Burns has found happiness in Maine, thanks in large part to her shifts at the Trailside Diner. She likes the work, and she loves the local gossip. When shy, geeky Max Crawford becomes a regular, she's intrigued. When she finds out he's in the market for a wife, she's fascinated…and determined to help.

Molding Max into every woman's dream turns out to be much easier than expected. But has Tori's plan worked a little too well? As she turns his comfortable life all sorts of upside down, she'll have to find a way to show just how she's fallen for him…the real him.

Carina Press

July 29, 2014 Release Date

I love the Kowalski series from Shannon Stacey so much! I was lucky enough to get an ARC for review from the publisher through NetGalley. 

While I've loved all the books in this series, Falling for Max is my favorite to date! Max Crawford is such a fun characters. He is absolutely adorable and I really wanted to give him a hug through much of the book. I love that he sets his mind to find a wife and isn't really sure how to go about doing it.

Enter Tori Burns, who never wants to get married, but wants to help Max find the right woman. I loved that both Tori and Max were attracted to one another. I especially loved that Tori understood Max and found all his little quirks endearing. Add in the smoking hot chemistry between them, and I loved them as a couple

While I'm sad to see the Kowalski series come to an end, I love how Shannon Stacey wrapped it up and know these books will be re-read over and over again.

Taken with You

Taken with You is the 8^th book in the Kowalski series from Shannon Stacey. The publisher is Carina Press and the release date was April 1, 2014. From the back cover.~

Hailey Genest has seen most of her friends marry and have babies, and she's happy for them, but it was a lot easier before she hit forty. She's spent her entire life in Whitford, Maine, and if she hasn't found her Prince Charming by now, she has to accept she's probably not going to. When a new friend suggests they go on an adventure and embrace being single, Hailey agrees.

Surviving in the woods is game warden Matt Barnett's idea of a relaxing vacation. But when he meets two women in need of help, he leads them back to safety—a task that proves more fun than expected, thanks to a certain hot blonde. He can't resist pushing her buttons, even though she's made it clear that the rugged, outdoorsy type just isn't for her.

Hailey is glad to see the back of her tempting-tour-guide-slash-pain-in-the-ass. When he shows up in her life again, she's determined to avoid him, no matter how good he looks in his uniform. But that's easier said than done in Whitford, especially when he's renting the house right next door….

I’m a big fan of Shannon Stacey and love her Kowalski series so much. I was so excited that after all the cousins found their mates, we continued with the series for other singles in Whitford. Bonus we got to visit with so many of the Kowalskis in this book.

I really loved both Hailey and Matt.  They had a connection from the moment they met in the woods, even though Matt looked beyond rough in his vacation-mode attire.  Their chemistry only increased the more time they spent together once Matt moved in next door.

Of course while Matt and Hailey are attracted to one another, they are both looking for someone a little different. Hailey wants someone who works regular hours, enjoys the theater and eating at nice restaurants. Matt is looking for someone who enjoys doing everything outdoors, is flexible with schedules, and won’t be turned off when he comes home smelling gross.

I thought Hailey really worked hard to fit in to what Matt was looking for, even when she really didn’t enjoy some of their outings. Matt was really surprised me by not being as open to doing the things Hailey wanted to do. I knew part of it was because of his past, but he made me really mad when he hurt Hailey. I was really glad when he figured out what a bonehead he had been and really loved them as a couple.

I really enjoyed Taken with You very much.  It was laugh out loud funny and times and I loved the chemistry that only grew stronger between Hailey and Matt as the book progressed. I highly recommend this series to anyone who loves contemporary romances.

All He Ever Dreamed

All He Ever Dreamed is the newest book in the Kowalski series from author Shannon Stacey. The digital release date was January 21, 2013 and the publisher is Carina Press. From the author’s website.~

Josh Kowalski is tired of holding down the fort—better known as the Northern Star Lodge—while his siblings are off living their dreams. Now that his oldest brother has returned to Whitford, Maine for good, Josh is free to chase some dreams of his own.

As the daughter of the lodge's longtime housekeeper, Katie Davis grew up alongside the Kowalski kids. Though she's always been "one of the guys", her feelings for Josh are anything but sisterly. And after a hot late-night encounter in the kitchen, it's clear Josh finally sees her as the woman she is.

Katie's been waiting years for Josh to notice her, but now that he has, she's afraid it's too late. Giving her heart to a man who can't wait to leave town is one sure way to have it broken. But Josh keeps coming up with excuses not to leave—could it be that everything he's ever wanted is closer than he could have imagined?

I have to say thank you so much to the publisher for approving me for this book from NetGalley. I’m counting down the days until I can add the print copy to my keeper shelf with the rest of my Kowalski collection.

I’ve wanted Josh and Katie to get together pretty much since we met the Kowalski cousins. I love a friends to lovers story and have to say Shannon Stacey hit it out of the ballpark with this one. I’ve laughed over the course of the series that Josh is so clueless to how Katie feels about him. She has been in love with him for years. I have to say one of the funniest parts of the entire book is when mistletoe is put up at the family Christmas party and Josh and Katie kiss for the first time.  I loved the chemistry between Katie and Josh so much. They have been best friends since they were kids and I loved they became even closer once they started dating. Josh has wanted to leave Whitford for as long as he can remember, but has stayed to keep running the family’s lodge. Everyone knows Josh wants to leave, and even after he starts dating Katie, him leaving town is still in the works. I thought Shannon did a wonderful job with the development of Katie and Josh from friends to lovers and loved how she dealt with Josh’s dream of leaving town.

I also loved watching Katie’s mom Rosie finally admit to her feelings for her husband’s best friend Andy. I’ve been waiting for them to admit their feelings for one another almost as long as I’ve been waiting for Josh and Katie to get together.  I seriously loved we got 2 romances for the price of one with this story.

I’m now ready for Liz Kowalski’s story to be released. As of now there isn’t a set release date for the final Kowalski cousin’s book, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed that it is sooner rather than later. For more information about Shannon’s books, check out her website.

All He Ever Desired

All He Ever Desired is the newest book in the Kowalski series from Shannon Stacey. The publisher is Carina Press. From the author’s website.~

A second shot at first love

After college, Ryan Kowalski decided to leave Whitford, Maine, rather than watch Lauren Carpenter marry another man. Now his siblings need his help to refurbish the family-owned Northern Star Lodge and he's forced to face the past sooner rather than later when he collars a vandal—and learns the boy is Lauren's son…

The last person Lauren needs back in her life is Ryan Kowalski. With a bitter ex-husband and a moody teenage son, she has enough man trouble already. But her son needs to learn a few lessons about right and wrong, even if Lauren has to escort him to Ryan's door every day to work off his crime.

With all this close contact, Ryan and Lauren can't deny the chemistry between them is as powerful as ever. But can a few searing kisses erase their past and pave the way for a second chance at true love?

I was lucky enough to get an early copy of All He Ever Desired from NetGalley. I’m a huge fan of Shannon Stacey and especially love her Kowalski series.

Ryan Kowalski has been in love with Lauren Carpenter pretty much his entire life. When she marries another man, he leaves his hometown rather than watch her with another man. When he comes home to help out his brothers with the family-owned lodge, he runs into Lauren as soon as he gets back to town. He plans to avoid Lauren like always when he is home until he catches her son vandalizing the lodge. He agrees to let Nick work off his debt and Lauren and Ryan now get to see each other almost daily.

The chemistry between Ryan and Lauren was off the charts. Even when Ryan and Lauren were trying to avoid one another, if they were in the same room, you could totally feel their connection. I’ve come to expect some pretty sexy love scenes from Shannon Stacey, and she delivered yet again with All He Ever Desired. Much like in real life, things aren’t perfect just because Ryan and Lauren finally admit and act on their feelings.  Ryan’s business and home are in another state and his business is starting to suffer with him being in Maine for an extended time. Lauren’s ex-husband is a jerk about Ryan being in Nick and Lauren’s life. Ryan and Lauren are an amazing couple and I loved watching them find their HEA.

I also loved the amount of time we got to spend with the rest of the Kowalski family. The entire family comes in for Mitch and Paige’s wedding. I fell in love with the Kowalski family in the very first book and can’t wait until the next Kowalski book is released.

All He Ever Desired official release date is November 12, 2012 and can be purchased at your favorite online retailer. For more information about Shannon Stacey and her books, check out her website.

All He Ever Needed

All He Ever Needed is the latest book in the Kowalski series from Shannon Stacey. The publisher is Carina Press. From the author’s website.~

He won't stay put for a woman, and she won't chase after any man...

Mitch Kowalski lives out of a suitcase—and he likes it that way. Traveling for work has the added bonus of scaring off women who would otherwise try to tie him down. But when he's called home to help with the family lodge, he's intrigued by the new girl in town and her insistence that she doesn't need a man. If there's one thing Mitch can't resist, it's a challenge.

After a nomadic childhood, Paige Sullivan is finally putting down roots. Determined to stand on her own two feet, she lives by the motto "Men are a luxury, not a necessity." But when Mr. Tall, Dark and Hot pulls up a stool in her diner and offers her six weeks of naughty fun with a built-in expiration date, she's tempted to indulge.

They're the perfect match for a no-strings fling. Until they realize their sexy affair has become anything but casual...

I was super lucky to get an ARC sent from the publisher of All He Ever Needed. I have mad love for the Kowalski family and was super excited to find out we would get the stories for the Kowalski cousins.

I loved All He Ever Needed so much! Mitch Kowalski has only come home to help his brother Josh out with the family’s Northern Star Lodge. Josh is recovering from a broken leg and needs some help around the lodge while he recovers. On Mitch’s first night back in his hometown she stops off at Paige’s diner for dinner and instantly is attracted to her. Paige is equally attracted to Mitch, but has finally found her home and doesn’t want to get involved with anyone who might take that life from her. However, the attraction between Mitch and Paige is so strong they both agree to a six weeks no strings attached affair. Since both have their lives set how they want it, an affair with a built-in sexpiration date is perfect.

Mitch and Paige have some of the best chemistry, whether they are making love or just having a conversation. I also loved how much fun Paige and Mitch were together. I have to say I’ve comes to expect a certain amount of sexy scenes from the Kowalski books and Stacey more than delivered with Mitch and Paige’s love scenes.  Many steamed up the screen on my kindle while others had me chuckling right along with the characters. Even knowing Mitch would eventually leave and Paige has found her home, I continued to cheer for them to be together forever.

I also enjoyed the interactions between Mitch, Ryan, and Josh. Josh, as the youngest kind of ended up being the one to take care of the Lodge by default. He has been doing everything possible to keep it going, but after being injured, he really doesn’t have it in him to go it alone any longer. When Josh finally shares his feelings with his brothers, they all work together to come up with a plan to help Josh out. When it’s time for Mitch to leave to go back to his company, Ryan schedules some time to come to the lodge to help with the major repairs the property needs.

The digital release for All He Ever Needed is set for September 10, 2012 with the print edition currently scheduled in December. Up next in the Kowalski series will be Ryan’s book All He Ever Desired and its estimated release date is set for November 19, 2012 in digital format. For more information about the Kowalski series or any other books by Shannon Stacey, check out the author's website.