Just Say (Hell) No

Escape to New Zealand, Book 11

De: Rosalind James

Narrado por: Emma Wilder

Even a hard man needs a soft side.

Marko Sendoa isn't a beach man. He's not an Auckland man. He's a hard man. Born Basque, raised in the heart of New Zealand's Southern Alps, and bred on hard work, discipline, and getting the job done. It's not easy for a rugby flanker to make it to age 32 at the top of his game, but he's done it. Next year is the Rugby World Cup, and he'll do whatever it takes to be on the field in the black jersey when the anthems are sung.

He doesn't need a kitten.

He doesn't need a pregnant cousin.

He definitely doesn't need a too-short, distractingly curvy, totally unimpressed Maori barista and part-time pet portraitist who fills his house and his life with too much color, too much chaos, and too many secrets.

He's getting them anyway.

©2018 Rosalind James (P)2018 Rosalind James

Loved another great New Zealand book

Purchase

I've read all of Rosalind James books that she's written then listened to them as they've become available on audiobooks. To say she's one of my favorite romance writers is a given. She puts so much everyday problems, issues & happiness into her storyline and characters that you can always relate and empathise. This is the 11th book in her Escape to New Zealand series & I loved it as much as the 1st.All of the books are definatley stand alone but it's fun to see the characters from book to book. Just Hell No deals with some sensitive issues and she handled it so well as always. And Emma Wilder did an amazing job with all her character voices. I love listening to her.As ever I wait to see if there will be a next book in the series

Laughter and Tears

The day you get a brand new Escape to New Zealand book is surely one of the best days of all. A story of second chances for many people in so many ways, this book made me laugh out loud and reach for the kleenex a couple of times.

Marko is on the comeback trail after a devastating injury, leaving his team on his South Island home to play for the Blues in Auckland. As if changing your entire life isn't enough turmoil, his teenage cousin shows up needing his help and he meets Nyree, who turns everything upside down for him.
This book has layers and important things to say about love, about family and about the ways we all need each other. Marko sees things about Nyree she could never see about herself and encourages her not to settle for second best because she deserves to have everything.

This author's books have always touched me deeply, but this book really shows an evolution of style that makes it similar to the stories in Robin Carr's Virgin River series, where real life issues are woven around the couple falling in love and they deal with them along with their growing romance...kind of like you would in the real world. And past characters appear, not just as "drive bys' like in many long running series, but as integral parts of the story...again, like real life. This book is exactly what I look for in the "perfect" book...it has everything I love to read and I'd say the only thing wrong with it is that it ended too soon.

Emma Wilder gets better with every book. So many feels.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review and was not required to post a positive review. All opinions are my own.

Knitting Bag + Rugby Player = A Great Yarn!

What other book might you compare Just Say (Hell) No to and why?

My favorite by Rosalind has been Just Good Friends --- This just found a spot right next to it! Rosalind - without being preachy - touched on multi-racial parentage, teenage pregnancy and adoption situations. It was a beautiful story filled with humor and tender moments.

Which scene was your favorite?

There were several moments that I enjoyed: Marco using a knitting bag along side the head of a snarky young team-member not willing to settle down (who takes their knitting bag into a pub at 2am??); the gray kitten that adopted Marco and would not take no-I-don't-like-animals as an answer; the loving Tarot-card-reading-mother; the same snarky young teammate that falls sweetly for Marco's pregnant teenage cousin; and finally, Nyree's journey from gawky teenager with a crush on Marco to a beautiful spirited woman that finds a rich mature love with the adult Marco. That's only to name a few! You'll have to read it for yourself to find out the rest!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Coming from a mixed heritage - I empathized with Marco's anxiousness regarding how Nyree would react to his mixed heritage when he introduces her to his grandmother. When his young cousin finally finds the right adoptive family for her babies, the scene was so well written and tender that I couldn't help my tears.

Any additional comments?

Rosalind has her own distinct writing style. She mixes fantasy with a good dose of reality backed with research making the story more believable - numerous times I have thought "I've had that happen!" (minus the hunky AB, of course).

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.

Maybe my favorite of the series

I continue to be amazed by Ms. James' ability to come up with a completely different story each time. I mean, a series of sexy novels about Kiwi rugby players and the women who love them? Who knew these novels could have such depth and warmth and tell such different stories - every time. And this might be my favorite - for reasons that would be spoilers so I won't list them. I'm sorry that this one is the last in the series (so far, hopefully). And both narrators have been outstanding - a real delight to listen to.

I want more!

This series is amazing. I especially love when characters overlap. I loved the strengh each character shared and how they grew. Lessons in each book, along with lots of laughter and tears. Then there were stories within stories and another series connected to this one. I love how this one especially turned out. Thank you, but I still want more.

Story good, kinky sex, to much

Great story but I didn’t care for the over-the-top sex scenes. He didn’t ease into it either. I get that some people like it but it was a bit much for me. Otherwise a great story.

love & tears

this Romance was so full of love , love for family, tradition, & destiny. So happy about Josie & Hughe's reappearance it made this story heartbreakingly beautiful. I did cry several times. Great story! can't wait to read Elle& Tom's story fell in love with Elle!

LOVED IT!!!

I have read all 11 books and have not been disappointed with any of them. Wonderful characters, love the story lines, LOVE the narrator. These stories make me want to visit NZ and see the country AND go to a Rugby game. Kudos to the author and narrator for creating such an adventure in books. I just re- read this book and it's just as good the second time around!!!

Awesome book

This story and all the others had me hanging on throughput the pages. I cried I laughed and felt all emotions throughout the book. Love the narrator it’s like watching a movie in my head. The best series I have listened to on audible yet. Thank you!!!! A must read and or listen to.

One of James’ best

While I’ve enjoyed all the books in this series, I think this is one of the best. Great characters, plot, plot twists and sub plots. And the narrator, Emma Wilder, does a terrific jobs with all the different voices. I especially liked the way James handled the dilemma that Ella deals with. Very nuanced. Looking forward to the next book!