Texas), Rescue Me (Lovett

This book features Autumn's brother, Vince from Gibson's previous book.

When he comes into town, he runs into a bit of car trouble and finds himself stranded. The heroine, Sadie, comes to his rescue, someone sure to cause an uproar in town.

I was excited to Vince get his own book. Having a look into his head in this book was a treat for me since I became a fan of his in his sister's book, Any Man of Mine. I was looking forward to getting to know him and I loved him, just like I knew I would. He was such a man's man and I ate his character up. Him and Becca's relationship had me cracking up. What he thought, what Becca thought, what they really thought of each other and then Sadie's reaction to it all? Was the exact same reaction I had.

I loved the little pieces of Autumn, Sam and Connor in this book.

As usual, Rachel Gibson does a fine job of writing a humorous contemporary romance with just enough steam to keep you turning the page. I've always been a fan of her writing and how she fleshes out her characters while still keep us laughing the whole way through. She created a new world for us in this book and I can't wait for more.

I'm glad that I read this book, I enjoyed the romance between Vince and Sadie, I enjoyed getting to know the people from Sadie's past and I'm glad that she was able to make friends in a place where she didn't have very many friends. I even enjoyed getting to know Sadie's Dad. It was all wrapped up nicely in an entertaining story and I will definitely be back for more.

Sadie Jo and Vince were a decent match. They both got bored easily, had commitment issues and estranged parents. Their first meeting was on the side of the road near a small Texas town. Both really had no plans to stay, but end up finding a reason to stick around. Now, I am fairly sure that this is part of a series and not a stand-alone book because of a few reviews I managed to see after checking this book out at the local library and the way that this book ended.... it felt that there should have been more to the story.

It just felt like that there was a cast of a thousand to read about before there was any story to Sadie Jo and Vince. In the short amount of time that they were together, I felt it was just as they were trying to be.... friends with benefits. This book ran hot and cold, which did not hold all that interest for me. The ending was not the happily ever after like most romance novels offer. In fact, it did not promise that there was much of a future with these characters other than the notion that they fell in love. I guess that is why I believe that there are more books to follow this one, but sadly, it did not offer good closure or even a transitional part to tell the reader that there is more to come. I just fell flat and that was it.

I do happen to like other Rachel Gibson's books and her writing style (even if it is a bit more strongly worded compared to other authors I have read in the past). The humor was lacking, but I did giggle once or twice in this book. In all honesty, I prefer her earlier works and one book comes to mind..... "Truly, madly yours". That was a worthy read to me. Regardless that other writers have told similar stories, that book ranked highest for me. This was an okay read, but I hoped for more. Not something I would suggest for others to read, but okay nonetheless.

Ex-SEAL Vince Haven is in Lovett, Texas to possibly buy his aunt's gas station, but he didn't count on being rescued at the side of the road by Sadie Hollowell. What Vince wasn't expecting was to be rescued by a sassy woman who first tells him she'll taze him if he makes a wrong move. Sadie isn't your ordinary Texas woman - first off, she hightailed it out of there the first chance she got - the Texas hair and attitude was not for her. Sadie also didn't follow the footsteps of fellow Lovett women and straight up and marry the first man that comes along, no siree, not for Sadie... which is probably why she is still single and constantly being stared at and talked about by the local women when she returns to town for her cousin's wedding and to check-in on her aging father. Meeting Vince may have been fate, she desperately needs a date for t he wedding and somehow Vince seems like the answer... but he just isn't ready to start any type of relationship; he's been helping his sister raise her son up in Seattle for the past several years and believes that he isn't ready to settle down... despite being in his thirties. Both Sadie and Vince try to fight their attraction as the town of Lovett hovers and waits to see what happens between the two.

Rachel Gibson's writing has drawn me in before, and I believe I will continue reading her books, it is just that this one was a bit predictable at times and had maybe too much of the townfolk making their presence known in the book. I also had a bit of an issue with the fact that Vince was a little one-dimensional... yes, he did suffer as a SEAL, and he did leave his sister and nephew up in Seattle, but for me, the stuff that is going on in Vince's head throughout the book is a little "off." For me, Vince just seemed to miraculously change his mind and recover all too quickly just so the book could achieve its "Happily Ever After" status.

Sadie Hollowell is returning to her hometown of Lovett, Texas after years away making a successful life. She is unmarried at 33 and no one will let her forget it or the fact that she rarely comes home to visit her aging father. She is coming back to Lovett to be a bridesmaid for her cousin. The last thing she wants is to attend this wedding alone which is what leads her to ask a total stranger to be her date.

Former Navy Seal Vince Haven is wandering around trying to find his next project after his position as the male figure in his nephew's life gets filled by the boy's father, his sister's husband. Vince breaks down outside of his Aunt's hometown of Lovett. He's fortunate to be rescued by a hot blonde and it turns out she needs a little rescuing as well.

Vince and Sadie are both at a crossroads in their lives trying to determine what path to take. Will they end up on the same path or have their fun in the Texas sun and say see ya later?

Rescue Me is a beautiful poignant romance about life, love and loss. Rachel Gibson delivers heartwarming characters and a sentimentally sweet story with Rescue Me. When I sat down to read this story I was uber excited to read about Vince since he was featured in Any Man of Mine. Although, after starting it I completely fell in love with Sadie and her situation. Rescue Me is a heady story with heart. I couldn't get enough of the town as well as Sadie and Vince's sexy relationship. One thing I adore about Rescue Me is Ms. Gibson's ability to give the reader a lovely story about real life situations that doesn't need action or vampires to shine. I laughed, I cried and most importantly I fell in love with Rescue Me.

Reviewed by Miranda
For Joyfully Reviewed

For quite awhile, I kept having this book recommended to me by the store. You know, one of those, "If you liked that, then you should look at this" recommendations. I kept looking at it and deciding this book was probably not for me. When I saw it on the listing for The Vine, I decided to see if I had been right. It turns out that this book totally follows a romance formula (one that I don't necessarily enjoy) and was written better than I expected.

The romance formula that it follows is:

Rescue Me = Modern career woman + ex-Navy Seal + relationship that can never work because at least one of them is relationship-phobic.

I have read this type of story before. There are way more ex-Navy Seals in romance books than there are in the general population of the U.S. However, the characters in this book are well developed and stand on their own in this story. The small town they both find themselves in (another part of the formula) is also well developed and fun. I liked the people in town, even if they were formulaic as well.

If this is a romance formula you enjoy, then I recommend this book. If not, move on to something else.

First thing that came to mind when I finished reading Rescue Me was - Perfect Beach Read. If I hadn't read this book in my house, commutes and free time, I would've loved to read this book on the beach under an umbrella, sipping some iced coffee and the sounds of the clashing waves in the background. Unfortunately, that was not the case. If you are not sitting on the beach, do not let my day dreaming deter you from reading this book . You will love the small town gossip, Stetson and boot wearing country girls, family affairs, and accidental love finding. I would categorize this book as a Romance, Chick Lit & a little Comedy.

This book is the third book in the Lovett, Texas Series. I had no idea this was the case until I saw the goodreads.com description. I asked one of the reviewers from Goodreads if I would get lost, since I hadn't read the previous books. She said there was no need in reading the previous ones, and raved about the author. Thanks so much Cherise! I really enjoyed this book.

To sum this book up I would say that I loved some of the character development. I say "some" because there were so many characters introduced that I got a little confused of who was who, and found myself going back and re-reading the part where the character was briefly described. The main characters however, I thought had great stories. Sadie Hollowell is a 33-year old who left her hometown Lovett, Texas because she felt like she could never really fit in. She is back in town for her cousin's wedding. On her way into town she meets a very handsome and complicated man, Vince Haven. Vince is an ex Navy-SEAL who has family issues. He came to Lovett to discuss some business with his aunt. Sadie and Vince start a complicated relationship which both presume will be temporary, but when something in Sadie's life takes a turn for the worst their relationship is changes.

This book was a little corny at times but it is after all a romance novel. I can't think of any major turn offs for this book so I will definitely recommend it as a quick read. You will thoroughly enjoy it if you like the southern lifestyle.

Review from [...]

This was an extremely boring story; the only reason I didn't give it one star was because I have read and enjoyed this author in the past and know that she can tell an enjoyable tale--this just didn't happen to be it! As others stated Vince (our hero?)is just not a nice person and doesn't develop much beyond this. I don't really mind the hero starting off as something of a jerk who as the novel progresses manages to mature and develop into a guy worth caring about. This didn't happen here. Sadie has way too many daddy issues which don't get resolved cause he up and dies! What's with this!!! All in all nothing much happens in this story beyond the hero and heroine rehashing how they are screwed up, occasionally having sex and then rehashing why this is not a relationship but a prolonged one night stand--cause they are screwed up!!. Save your money and your time and just pass on this one.

Being a Southern gal myself, I felt right at home with Sadie Jo in Lovett, Texas - almost like I was one of her girlfriends and she was telling me every boring detail of her life. The Southern twang and the slang were all there, but not enough "bang" if you catch where I'm going with this. The hot sex between Vince and Sadie didn't happen nearly as much as I wanted it to, and when it did, I've read better, more exciting excerpts by other authors, although I hear Rachel Gibson normally writes exciting romance novels. (I don't read much, but when I DO, I want some excitement every 50 pages or so...you are lucky to read something sexual every 100+ pages in Rescue Me.) I finished this book in 2 days and fell asleep in the middle of my reading sessions both times. I hated the ending, it was frustrating in more ways than one.

Rescue Me is the story of the reluctant Texas homecoming of a former small-town beauty pageant participant and the sexy ex-Navy SEAL who's on hand to complicate her life.

I disagree with the people that gave this book 3 or less stars. Its not neither slow or action packed. Just a real good romance novel. I liked the two main people in the book and Rachel Gibson hit the nail on the head about small towns and all the gossip. (been there-done that)

All the books by Rachel Gibson that I have read and it has been quite a few, I have really liked. If I see her name on a book I'll buy it because I know I'm going to like it. I recommend this book to any and all that love a good romance book.

This was my first Rachel Gibson novel, and I really enjoyed it! I was slightly apprehensive after reading some of the reviews here, but I'm glad I gave it a chance anyway. (There's a lesson for me in there!) Sadie is a great character and I liked her immediately, but it took me awhile to warm up to Vince, which I suppose is right in line with his character. There's never any doubt that Sadie and Vince will end up together, but the path they take isn't smooth and it felt more like a real journey than a fairy tale. I do have to agree with some reviewers who had a tough time keeping the vast supporting cast straight, but all in all, it's a good story told with humor and I'd recommend it!

I liked how this book started. It immediately put you in Texas with descriptions of pageants, football, big hair and more. Thirty-three year old Sadie is back in Lovett, Texas after five years. Lovett has a way of taking her back to her childhood where she rebelled against Texas culture in an attempt to get her father's attention. Sadie doesn't plan to stay but family commitments keep her in Lovett. She's not expecting a relationship but new guy in town, Vince, just may change her single status.

This book is a bit too predictable but I give it three stars just because I have a soft spot for Texas. The relationship doesn't progress fast enough for my taste but I think this book can be a quick read for those really interested in these types of storylines.

As I state in every Rachel Gibson review I write, I've read every one of her books, so I'm well-qualified to review them. It had been so long since Any Man Of Mine came out, at first I didn't even put two and two together when I started this book and the male lead was named Vince. Vince was Autumn's brother in AMOM and we learned there that he was gruff, tough and a former Navy SEAL.

I think for the most part Gibson knows what women like. But I don't understand why she beats us over the head with how slutty her heros are. She writes over and over how Vince has been with his share of women, has been undressed by his share of women, etc. I guess it's to make us think he knows a trick or two in bed. And to make the ending all the more satisfying when the heroine "tames" him.

I enjoyed the story very much. Sadie and Vince meet realistically when he has truck trouble and she gives him a ride. The sex is a bit rushed, but the relationship builds nicely. Vince helps Sadie through a hard time in her life when her aging father is injured. They both think they have a nice, no-strings-attached, Friends With Benefits relationship going on, but (I don't think I'm spoiling the story for anyone here) it turns into something deeper.

I liked the last book by Gibson and I think think this one was great, too. She's on a roll!

Romance novelists start each book with a handicap. Every reader knows how the story will end, if they're read the cover description, they know even before they start reading. Even if the main characters can't see that they are perfect for each other, readers can and we know they will find their 'happy ever after' before we close the book for the final time. What makes a romance interesting and worth reading isn't wondering how things will turn out, instead it's about the way the author gets her characters to that happy ending. In Rescue Me, as with any novel by Rachel Gibson, the journey is just as compelling as the destination.

Sadie Hollowell left her Texas hometown behind the year she turned eighteen and she has never looked back. She was done with the ranch, with the father she could never please and most of all, done with the never-ending flow of gossip. Which is why she's in a particularly bad mood when Rescue Me begins. It's bad enough that she has to return to Lovett, Texas to serve as a bridesmaid in her cousin's wedding - with her hair teased to the moon and wearing a bubble gum pink dress, no less - but even worse is knowing she's going to have to deal with every man, woman and child in Lovett asking her why she's not married yet. Given the circumstances, Sadie figures asking the smoking hot guy with the broken down truck to be her date to the wedding is a perfectly rational thing to do.

Vince Haven isn't really sure where he belongs these days. A former Navy SEAL, Vince has had trouble putting down any kind of roots. When his crazy old Aunt invites him to Lovett, Texas to discuss a business proposition, Vince figures, 'Why not?' It turns out Aunt Luraleen wants to sell him the Gas and Go so she can retire and see the world a bit. The odd thing is, Vince is actually considering it. Sure, he'll have to stay in Lovett for a year or two, but with a little renovation the Gas and Go could be an excellent investment. And then there's that feisty blonde he met when his truck broke down on the way into town. She might be able to make his stay in Lovett a little more interesting, at least for a night or two. Vince has no interest in long term commitments and Sadie knows enough to stay away from emotionally unavailable men. So why to the two of them keep ending up together?

For me to truly enjoy a romance novel, it needs three things: a good plot, skilled writing and characters I really care about. Rescue Me hits the trifecta and then some. The main plot, of course, is the excellent romance, but there are also some interesting side themes here, like Sadie's difficult relationship with her father and Vince's traumatic past with the SEALs. Those side story lines add depth to the plot and make the characters three-dimensional, believable and, most importantly, sympathetic. Ms. Gibson has a way with words and a knack for crafting a story that allows the reader to get totally lost in the world she's created. For my money, Rescue Me is well worth reading.

Mercedes Johanna "Sadie" Hollowell is returning to Lovett, Texas, unmarried and single, making her fair game for anyone to set her up with their idea of "respectable." To make things worse, she has to stuff her thirty-three-year-old body into a dress more suitable for the prom; a Bubble Yum pink bridesmaid dress. And she doesn't want to be there--without a date. When she comes across Vince Haven and his broken pick up on the way into town, she decides to take a gamble and invite him to be her "plus one."

We met Vince Haven in Rachel Gibson's previous release, Any Man of Mine. Vince is Autumn's brother and a former Navy SEAL who served in Afghanistan. Vince is still restless, and he's not exactly sure why he's been summoned to Lovett by his crazy aunt, so he's not sure how long he'll be staying. But having seen Sadie in her pink dress, he's suddenly more interested in staying around!

Rescue Me was a great book. I read it from cover to cover in a little under three hours, in one sitting because I could not put it down once I started. It was really easy to relate to both Sadie and Vince, and I was eager to see what was going to happen. The chemistry between them is extremely hot. Watching them fight their attraction to each other was extremely entertaining. The issues each had were different but easy to understand and it was easy to empathize with them.

Having liked Vince in Any Man of Mine, it was great to get inside his head. He's a man of integrity and has always taken responsibility of the people in his life from a very young age. In fact he's been the "man of the house" since he was a boy, when his father walked out on the family. He's slightly at a loss now that Sam's back in his sister Autumn, and nephew Connor's lives, so he's looking for something to keep him out of trouble. He's attracted to Sadie, but knows it can't get serious, cause Sadie's not a fling kind of gal. Sadie knows Vince is a "good time" guy, but with her past history of making bad romantic choices, she's wary. Plus she has an emotional disconnect from her father and the ranch, so staying in Lovett when her father is injured to care for him is a big deal for her.

The book flows really well, and there was never a point where I thought the book slowed down or moved too fast. It was great to see Autumn, Sam, and Connor again and peek into their lives again. It was also great to see Lily Darlington, from Daisy's Back in Town, and the heroine of her own new e-novella, "Crazy On You." There was a shocker at the end of the book that hinted at what is hopefully the story of the next book. I know that I, for one, will be eagerly awaiting it.

Rachel Gibson is a master story teller. She's a bestselling author and has consistently proven her mettle with each book she's released and Rescue Me is no different. It's entertaining and a great read.

Reviewed by Chanpreet

Originally published on The Season website (theseasonforromance dot com)

A bad boy gets reformed and a prodigal daughter returns to her roots in Rachel Gibson's Rescue Me.

Back in Lovett, Texas, the story revolves around Sadie Hollowell, the daughter of a widowed rancher, and Vince Haven, ex-Navy Seal and big brother to the heroine of Any Man of Mine. (Read my review of Any Man of Mine here.)

Sadie is back in the town she left behind after high school to play the role of thirty-something bridesmaid to her twenty-something cousin. Dreading the questions of why she is unmarried and why she does not come home to visit her daddy more, Sadie asks Vince to be her date to the wedding. In town to visit his aunt, Vince is not looking for any strings, but finds himself tagging along as repayment for an earlier favor.

After circumstances keep Sadie and Vince in Lovett longer than expected, the sexual tension between them grows. Ultimately, they decide to become friends with benefits, but how long can that last when feelings develop?

As to be expected, Gibson's latest novel carries her signature humor and sizzle. At the same time, she captures the quirky character of small-town Texas. The mixture of funny supporting characters, really makes Sadie and Vince's world come to life. I am always a fan of a humorous portrait of small town America, and this delivered. The cooky locals had me laughing out loud, or cringing in sympathy, throughout the story.

Sadie and Vince were solid leads. Though not directly one of my Chinook hunks, Vince is definitely crush-worthy. He is a mixture of bad boy, tough guy and bad ass with just enough damaged past and sensitivity to make him totally adorable. Sadie was feisty and relatable. I could see myself diving into a serious friendship with her and dishing stories about sexy men and handbags over a glass of wine on a porch.

Fast-paced, the humorous story also had enough emotion and turmoil to keep my gut in a twist. This was a quick read that kept me company for a few hours on a Friday night. Gibson is a consistent author who never disappoints me. Now I just can't wait until her next book comes out.

Rating: 4 of 5

Originally appeared at [...]

Rescue Me by Rachel Gibson is a funny and touching story about love and families.

Sadie Hollowell tried over the years to keep her visits to her hometown of Lovett, Texas to a minimum. Its not that she didn't like her home town, she just never felt like she fit in, especially with her tough as nails rancher father. But her cousin asked her to be in her wedding, so she travels back to Lovett. She is barely back in town when she meets Vince Haven. Sadie is tired of the talk that she can't hold a man and asks Vince to be her date at the wedding. Vince doesn't plan on being in Lovett long so he turns Sadie down flat.

Vince Haven is an ex Navy seal and is visiting his Aunt Luraleen the owner of the local Gas and Go. Vince only planned on staying in town for a bit but his aunt makes him an offer to buy the Gas and Go. Vince needs something to occupy his mind and repairing the local establishment might just be the ticket. Then again there is the luscious Sadie Hollowell who needs to be rescued. Maybe staying in Lovett might just be what Vince needs.

Sadie's plans change to only be in town long enough for the wedding when her father takes ill. Running the ranch and running her business long distance are taking their toll. She turns to Vince for what starts out as a no string affair. Soon they both realize that they might have found something worth holding onto with both hands held tight.

Rescue Me is a fun, sexy and emotional story. You find yourself drawn into these characters world and eager to find out if they can make a go of it. Sadie and Vince's chemistry is witty and down right all out sassy. These two will stay in your heart long after you turn the last page. In my book you can't go wrong with a Rachel Gibson story.

When Sadie Hollowell turned eighteen she left Lovett, Texas. Over the next few years, she only came home to attend family events as she and her dad did not have a warm relationship and she realized she could never compete with his ranch for his affection; ergo she prefers her single life as a Phoenix realtor than time on the ranch. Sadie is in Lovett for her cousin's wedding but plans to leave ASAP.

Former SEAL Vince Haven struggles with adapting to a less regimental lifestyle as a civilian. He comes to Lovett because his aunt wants to talk a business deal with him. Vince and Sadie meet when she gives him a ride after his truck breaks down. Forced to remain in town when her dad is injured, she and Vince begin a casual affair, but neither expected to fall in love.

This is an engaging contemporary romance starring a resigned heroine who believes "love was only true in fairy tales" (Monkees' I'm A Believer) and the angry sibling in Any Man of Mine who wanted to rip out the guts of the hockey player who left his sister a single mom. The storyline is amusing as the zillion folks in Lovett provide a local jocular eccentricity to the plot. Although typical of the relationship-phobic theme and the ending sudden, fans will enjoy the protagonists' rescue each other's heart.

Harriet Klausner

`Rescue Me' is the typical summer romance novel = light to carry and to read. It does not miss in using any stereotyping either. .. The Texas belles whose motto is the higher the hair, the closer to God (it's also the motto of the wonderful Balmer hons of John Walters fame, but that's another story).
We have the small town gossips and every other cliché of Texas and many other small towns. There are points in here, that unless you know Texas you will not understand, such as; Wound Hounds.

The story revolves around Mercedes Johanna Hollowell, (Sadie) whose mother died when she was 5 and whose father never notices her, mainly because he owns a large ranch. The other part of the love interest is Vince Haven, a retired Navy Seal with the requisite looks and package to make Sadie and every other female long for. We are told so many times in descriptions as the pages go on that Vince served with the Seals and then moved to Seattle to help raise his nephew - just so we know what a wonderful guy he is under his gruff exterior. He is haunted by his last mission, where his best friend died in his arms. Sadie wants out of Texas, but has returned to be in a wedding.

It is obvious to the reader what is going to happen and as we are led up to it we have many descriptions of the hot and heavy sex between Vince and Sadie.
It's a light and entertaining read with somewhat of an irritation at an unresolved ending regarding a possible lost family member. But it still is an enjoyable book for some light entertainment.

Rescue Me
Lovett, Texas Series Book Three
By Rachel Gibson

Sadie Hollowell never seemed to fit in, in her hometown of Lovett Texas population ten thousand. As soon as she turned eighteen she escaped the prying eyes of such a small community to live her own life. Now she has come back after not being home for the last five years for her cousins wedding. She's thirty three unmarried and not looking, making her still an outsider she is determined to get back to her life in Phoenix as soon as the wedding is over but when a family emergency keeps her in Texas longer than she wanted she may as well make the best of it. This is where Vince Haven, former Navy Seal, comes in. What starts out as friends with benefits soon turns into something more at least for Saddie.

Rachel Gibson has managed to write a beautiful romance novel full of drama and a bit of humor. Sadie is not an ordinary girl next door character; she is strong willed and very independent, making this an interesting romance where the woman herself fights her feelings. Though this may seem like an ordinary contemporary romance novel it has an amount of depth that you would not have expected. I truly enjoyed this novel though if you do read it be sure to have tissues by your side.

I absolutely love Rachel Gibson. She is a fine writer. "Rescue Me" didn't have her signature likable characters and the setting was ho hum. Sadie didn't come across as likeable, which is a bit off putting. I didn't really "get" her romance with Vince since they really weren't together all that much. This book left me scratching my head because it didn't have a Rachel Gibson vibe. The writing was good but the hero and heroine were lacking and their "romance" seemed more sex fueled. Will still read her books but I'll be looking for a better book next time.

This was pretty good. I initially thought it would be more related to the other two in the series but it really wasn't. A few of the people from the firsts are mentioned, and we see a small glimpse of Crazy Lily Darlington as Sadie gets her hair done by her. I think the main reason its part of this series is because of the setting. Anywho... I did like the characters and Vince was niiice! :) I have a soft spot for the alpha males... I did like that while there was some sadness there was a lot of funny parts too. I think my favorite is in the beginning when Sadie first meets Vince on the side of the road. I felt the need to invest in a stun gun myself just for the fun of it! :) I have not read a ton of Rachel Gibson books, but the ones I have I liked! I will continue with this author. On a side note, this book could also be part of the Chinooks series since Vince's sister 's story is Any Man of Mine, which I didn't realize until Sam Leclaire was mentioned towards the end of this book.

This book is funny, sweet and bittersweet, with lots of stuff going on all over it. There is no real plot, no real purpose, just two lost people who find each other on the way to finding themselves. I thought Sadie and Vince were extremely believable characters. Their motivations and actions caused by such rang true. Both of them were struggling against long odds to find their path.

I liked the cast of characters, although it became kind of a struggle to keep up.

I love Rachel Gibson on the whole, but overall, I kind of miss the style of her older books. That said, I did enjoy this book, and the more I reflect on it, the fonder of it I become. It was a nice story, with likable leads and secondary characters. There were the expected laugh out loud moments, and the love scenes were uber hot. I would recommend Rescue Me to anyone who wants a read that will make them smile, and maybe reflect a little bit.

Once again, Rachel Gibson thoroughly entertains readers with Rescue Me. Two characters who start out seeming so wrong for each other learn that first impressions can't always be trusted. Sadie and Vince have such chemistry and the passion is all a reader could possibly want. The story line is full of outrageous and precocious townsfolk that will capture the reader's hearts. Give Rescue Me a try, I am certain you will enjoy this love story.

Rachel Gibson has written some books that I have greatly enjoyed but RESCUE ME wasn't one of them. I could just not get interested in the two main characters and her writing didn't seem to rescue them either. Perhaps Vince was the main problem for me as he seemed too stereotypical. The over all story line was very predictable to me and although it had its moments, for the most part, I just couldn't get into this one. Perhaps I was in the wrong frame of mind when I read it as Gibson's other work have been good reads in the past. However, RESCUE ME just didn't do it for me.

I truly enjoy reading Rachel's Gibson's books. I'm not expecting War and Peace (boring anyway) or any great revelations. I want to read her witty dialogue, the steamy scenes between the boy and the girl and enough of a background on where the story is going to make it enjoyable. RESCUE ME does just that. My heart ached for both Sadie and Vince. They are flawed humans for different reasons. Sadie's sad family history make me want to reach out and introduce her to some real family love. This couple decides at first to see each to scratch an itch they both had; what develops was a cozy little friendship and then love. Unexpected love, but there nonetheless. Rachel stays true to her writing style and I completely enjoyed this little read. Can't wait for her next one. Thanks Rachel!

Rachel Gibson has another nice read. It is not as good as some of hers, but better than her last one "Any Man of Mine". Vince (the male lead) is Autumn's Navy Seal brother who helped raise her son Conner the first 5 yrs of his life because Conner's dad was an 18 yr old in a thirty something body. Vince meets Sadie Jo as she returns to her home town Lovett,Texas. She gives him a ride into town because his truck has broken down at the entrance to the ranch she was raised on. The story starts out slow put picks up about 1/3 of the way though. The characters are likeable and are well developed. The story has a lot of "current happenings" and touches on the collateral damage caused by recent & current wars. I see the next book coming. I hope that story is even better than this one.

"Ever been to Lovett, Vincent?"
"No."
"You're in for a treat." She pulled on a pair of sunglasses and stepped on the gas. "Put on your seat belt, please."
"Are you going to zap me with your stun gun if I don't?"
"Possibly. Depends on how annoyed I get by the seat belt alarm between here and town." She adjusted the gold aviators on the bridge of her nose. "And I should warn you in advance, I've been driving all day, so I'm already annoyed."
He chuckled and belted himself in. "You headed to Lovett yourself?"
"Unfortunately." She glanced at him out of the corners of her eyes. "I was born and raised here but I escaped when I was eighteen."

Sometimes being raised in a small town is like having a huge extended family. They take no shame in asking questions of which the answers are none of their business, and they know way too much about you. You don't have to commit a crime or do something outrageous to get their attention. All it takes is being over the age of 25 and unwed. Thus, when Sadie was asked to partake in her much younger cousin's wedding she was really not looking forward to going home to the small town of Lovett, Texas. She was 33 and would probably always be a bridesmaid and never a bride, and that was fine with her. She wasn't looking to get tied down. She'd even considered renting a date for the event just to curb any talk, but decided "the logistics of renting a man in one state and transporting him to another hadn't been real feasible."

Yes, it wouldn't be long before she'd be asking for someone to 'Rescue me'. Not long at all...

Sometimes in life we look for love, sometimes it finds us and sometimes it rescues us when we didn't even know we needed to be saved.
_______________________________________________________

Mercedes Johanna Hollowell, aka Sadie, and her father have always had a strained relationship. When she was younger she'd sought out his attention in many ways, the most outrageous being to dye her hair pink and wear black lipstick. Over the years she came to the realization she would never be the main focus of his life and stopped trying. He would never give her the kind of father/daughter relationship she craved and she'd come to accept it. Now she was an independent woman who'd made her own way in life and become a successful realtor. It came as no surprise that when she showed up for the wedding, the first time she'd been in town in 5 years, that her dad had made other plans than to stick around when she was there. Such was her life.

Vincent, aka Vince, is a former navy seal who was injured on a mission which killed one of his best friends. Due to the loss of hearing in his left ear, he was discharged. A seal whose five senses aren't all functioning at 100 percent is a potential liability. I must say Vince is a bit crude at times about what he wants and this might bother some. He is a very straightforward type of guy and makes no excuses. He's flawed in that his time with the Seals left him with some emotional scars. He's not the same man who entered the service and is haunted by what happened. He's come to Lovett to visit with his aunt who said she had a business proposition for him. He isn't sure how long he will stay in town.

Neither Vince nor Sadie were looking for love. Neither was looking for something permanent. They both agreed they would have a very shallow, no strings attached sort of relationship. Sometimes it's the unexpected things in life that are the best.

Some (but not all) of my favorite lines, quotes, moments, etc:

- "In charm school I was taught to always make people feel welcome. It was pretty much a number one rule." Her fingers lightly raked his stomach and chest as she pushed the shirt up. "Do you feel welcome, Vince?"

- "Do you have a boyfriend, Sadie Jo?"
"No...I don't really have time for a man right now."
"Are you just being notional? Are you one of the women who thinks you don't 'need' a man?"
Growing up, whenever her thoughts and ideas had seemed different from the herd, she'd been accused of being notional. "Well, I don't 'need' a man." There was a difference between wanting and needing.
..."Gene Tanner is available," Ivella said. "Bless her heart."
Gene Tanner? The girl who wore a crew cut and flannel all through high school?
..."She works for the park services and probably has a good health plan."
..."Dental, do you think?" She asked to be a total smart aleck.

- "When you lock everything down tight so that the pain can't get out, you also keep good stuff from getting in."

So what's the connection between 'Rescue Me' and 'Crazy on You'? Well, Sadie goes to Lily's salon and Lily ends up being Sadie's stylist. The two talk about Lily's relationship with Tucker. Hmmm...I wonder if this series is going to end up having a sort of 'six degrees of separation' type link between the characters? Could prove interesting.

This was a highly enjoyable story. While Sadie and Vince may appear perfect on the outside, each has some internal flaws/fears which make them more real and easier to associate with. I liked how each could clearly see the signs of their growing feelings for the other, but tried their best to deny them until they couldn't anymore. Overall I gave this one 4 out of 5 roses. There was a nice blend of romance and humor with a dash of drama mixed in. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one scores a STEAM - too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed.

I truly enjoy reading Rachel's Gibson's books. I'm not expecting War and Peace (boring anyway) or any great revelations. I want to read her witty dialogue, the steamy scenes between the boy and the girl and enough of a background on where the story is going to make it enjoyable. RESCUE ME does just that. My heart ached for both Sadie and Vince. They are flawed humans for different reasons. Sadie's sad family history make me want to reach out and introduce her to some real family love. This couple decides at first to see each to scratch an itch they both had; what develops was a cozy little friendship and then love. Unexpected love, but there nonetheless. Rachel stays true to her writing style and I completely enjoyed this little read. Can't wait for her next one. Thanks Rachel!

Rachel Gibson has another nice read. It is not as good as some of hers, but better than her last one "Any Man of Mine". Vince (the male lead) is Autumn's Navy Seal brother who helped raise her son Conner the first 5 yrs of his life because Conner's dad was an 18 yr old in a thirty something body. Vince meets Sadie Jo as she returns to her home town Lovett,Texas. She gives him a ride into town because his truck has broken down at the entrance to the ranch she was raised on. The story starts out slow put picks up about 1/3 of the way though. The characters are likeable and are well developed. The story has a lot of "current happenings" and touches on the collateral damage caused by recent & current wars. I see the next book coming. I hope that story is even better than this one.

"Ever been to Lovett, Vincent?"
"No."
"You're in for a treat." She pulled on a pair of sunglasses and stepped on the gas. "Put on your seat belt, please."
"Are you going to zap me with your stun gun if I don't?"
"Possibly. Depends on how annoyed I get by the seat belt alarm between here and town." She adjusted the gold aviators on the bridge of her nose. "And I should warn you in advance, I've been driving all day, so I'm already annoyed."
He chuckled and belted himself in. "You headed to Lovett yourself?"
"Unfortunately." She glanced at him out of the corners of her eyes. "I was born and raised here but I escaped when I was eighteen."

Sometimes being raised in a small town is like having a huge extended family. They take no shame in asking questions of which the answers are none of their business, and they know way too much about you. You don't have to commit a crime or do something outrageous to get their attention. All it takes is being over the age of 25 and unwed. Thus, when Sadie was asked to partake in her much younger cousin's wedding she was really not looking forward to going home to the small town of Lovett, Texas. She was 33 and would probably always be a bridesmaid and never a bride, and that was fine with her. She wasn't looking to get tied down. She'd even considered renting a date for the event just to curb any talk, but decided "the logistics of renting a man in one state and transporting him to another hadn't been real feasible."

Yes, it wouldn't be long before she'd be asking for someone to 'Rescue me'. Not long at all...

Sometimes in life we look for love, sometimes it finds us and sometimes it rescues us when we didn't even know we needed to be saved.
_______________________________________________________

Mercedes Johanna Hollowell, aka Sadie, and her father have always had a strained relationship. When she was younger she'd sought out his attention in many ways, the most outrageous being to dye her hair pink and wear black lipstick. Over the years she came to the realization she would never be the main focus of his life and stopped trying. He would never give her the kind of father/daughter relationship she craved and she'd come to accept it. Now she was an independent woman who'd made her own way in life and become a successful realtor. It came as no surprise that when she showed up for the wedding, the first time she'd been in town in 5 years, that her dad had made other plans than to stick around when she was there. Such was her life.

Vincent, aka Vince, is a former navy seal who was injured on a mission which killed one of his best friends. Due to the loss of hearing in his left ear, he was discharged. A seal whose five senses aren't all functioning at 100 percent is a potential liability. I must say Vince is a bit crude at times about what he wants and this might bother some. He is a very straightforward type of guy and makes no excuses. He's flawed in that his time with the Seals left him with some emotional scars. He's not the same man who entered the service and is haunted by what happened. He's come to Lovett to visit with his aunt who said she had a business proposition for him. He isn't sure how long he will stay in town.

Neither Vince nor Sadie were looking for love. Neither was looking for something permanent. They both agreed they would have a very shallow, no strings attached sort of relationship. Sometimes it's the unexpected things in life that are the best.

Some (but not all) of my favorite lines, quotes, moments, etc:

- "In charm school I was taught to always make people feel welcome. It was pretty much a number one rule." Her fingers lightly raked his stomach and chest as she pushed the shirt up. "Do you feel welcome, Vince?"

- "Do you have a boyfriend, Sadie Jo?"
"No...I don't really have time for a man right now."
"Are you just being notional? Are you one of the women who thinks you don't 'need' a man?"
Growing up, whenever her thoughts and ideas had seemed different from the herd, she'd been accused of being notional. "Well, I don't 'need' a man." There was a difference between wanting and needing.
..."Gene Tanner is available," Ivella said. "Bless her heart."
Gene Tanner? The girl who wore a crew cut and flannel all through high school?
..."She works for the park services and probably has a good health plan."
..."Dental, do you think?" She asked to be a total smart aleck.

- "When you lock everything down tight so that the pain can't get out, you also keep good stuff from getting in."

So what's the connection between 'Rescue Me' and 'Crazy on You'? Well, Sadie goes to Lily's salon and Lily ends up being Sadie's stylist. The two talk about Lily's relationship with Tucker. Hmmm...I wonder if this series is going to end up having a sort of 'six degrees of separation' type link between the characters? Could prove interesting.

This was a highly enjoyable story. While Sadie and Vince may appear perfect on the outside, each has some internal flaws/fears which make them more real and easier to associate with. I liked how each could clearly see the signs of their growing feelings for the other, but tried their best to deny them until they couldn't anymore. Overall I gave this one 4 out of 5 roses. There was a nice blend of romance and humor with a dash of drama mixed in. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one scores a STEAM - too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed.

This didn't have the usual Rachel Gibson spark for me. Vince was actually kind of dull and Sadie never really struck a cord with me either. Sadie and Vince didn't spend nearly enough time together to develop the emotion and spark I like to read between two characters. Missed the witty banter that is usually present in a Gibson book.

I enjoyed this one, probably the best in the series. However, there were a lot of flaws still in this one. Readers get a chance to see Vince and Sadie, both who have issues. Vince have PTSD, though he denies it and Sadie is struggling with the demons of her past, how she lost her mother and her father's gruff personality. The story was a bit all over the place and the ending is a bit abrupt for me.

I LoVeD this book... especially the ending *sigh* I read the review someone wrote about how the h/H didn't meet until page 16 and then not again til page 63, but I didn't even notice, so apparently it was pretty entertaining in between! I loved their relationship, and the small town setting and ranch. I'd place it up there as a 4 1/4 star book in this genre.

When you compare this book to earlier Gibson books this one falls short. It wasn't great but it wasn't completely horrible. This book left you wanting more from the characters and never getting it from them. It was generic.

Granted the two main characters were slow to interchange dialog at first but that didn't bother me. Maybe I could relate to Sadie because my own personal upbringing that I give this a 5 star rating. the only thing that somewhat bothered me was the quick ending with Sadie and Vince. Rachel, I wished I didn't have to wait so long for your next book. really enjoy them.

RESCUE ME was the first of Rachel Gibson's novels I've read so far but now I'd definitely be willing to read more. Who doesn't adore a good love story involving a military man! Sadie is a character that catches your interest, no matter if its that she makes you angry, sad, irritated, or endearing. Vince is the classic stoic, calm, intuitive man that every fantasy military man should be. The love story, combined with Sadie's problematic relationship with her father, keeps the story going, and endears the reader to Gibson's plot. I greatly enjoyed this novel, and will look forward to others.

The story was cute but I never really got invested in the characters. They were a little one-dimensional to me and the HEA happened WAY to fast to be heartwarming. I enjoyed it but didn't think it was her best.

I wanted to like this book. Truly, I did. However, the main characters were so unappealing. Typically I am compulsive about finish a book once I've started, to heck with the 4 hours of sleep lost. But I had to take a break. I picked up where I left off hoping it would get better. I thought the book would go somewhere and that the characters will undergo some real personal growth, but no. Rachel Gibs has nothing on Susan Elizabeth Phillips....*sigh*

I normally enjoy Rachel Gibson books so I was excited to see she wrote a book about a former SEAL, but the hero didn't come across as a real SEAL. He whined too much and didn't treat her respectfully. There was nothing to like about him. I felt like she made him a SEAL as an afterthought.
I like Gibson's writing but I think she should avoid military heroes.

Characters the reader can't help liking keep this book going. Two characters sexually attracted to each other and inclined to use each other slowly become involved and don't want to admit that they're ready to commit. Especially targetted of course at lady baby boomers and younger, but quite readable even for us guys.

Another great Rachel Gibson book! Loved the story about Sadie Hollowell and Vince Haven. Sadie is visiting her father and Vince is visiting his aunt in Lovett, Texas. They meet when Vince's truck breaks down and Sadie gives him a ride into town.

I like Rachel Gibson books - they're humorous and sexy. This one was a little over the top with some of the characterizations but still fun. I just wasn't as big a fan of the heroine in this one as some of her other books. But that said, the author delivers another solid story and if you like romance with humor, you'll enjoy this book!