When Lightning Strikes (Whiskey Creek)

I enjoyed this novel even though it started slow. I almost didn't finish it because I felt bogged down for the first couple of chapters. The characters were interesting and I liked the small town feel of Whiskey Creek. I'll definitely read other books by this author.

This was so much better than I expected. Well crafted characters and plot. I prefer cozies without sex and was happy the author didn't go into descriptive detail where that was concerned. The story flowed smoothly and was a fairly quick read which I also liked. I am a cozy mystery fan so I don't read many romances but this was a great break from my usual reading.

I really enjoyed this story. It's mature and well-told. Everything seems to happen at the perfect pace and the characters are well developed. It's a 5 star read for when you want something to get a little lost in without a bunch of deep thinking; though at the same time, it does have some pretty deep issues represented that most adults can relate to. I would definitely recommend this book. I will be purchasing the next in the series :)

Loved the book! Brenda Novak is a very talented writer. She had enough twists and turns to keep you on the edge of your seat and waiting to see what was going to happen next. I will definitely read more of her Whiskey Creek series! I highly recommend her book!

When Lightning Strikes is a beautiful story about a second chance at starting over. Simon's character is noble, but misguided, and Gail's love gives him the chance to make right everything that's gone wrong in his life. A great read from Brenda Novak

Loved the book! Brenda Novak is a very talented writer. She had enough twists and turns to keep you on the edge of your seat and waiting to see what was going to happen next. I will definitely read more of her Whiskey Creek series! I highly recommend her book!

When Lightning Strikes is a beautiful story about a second chance at starting over. Simon's character is noble, but misguided, and Gail's love gives him the chance to make right everything that's gone wrong in his life. A great read from Brenda Novak

Interesting story line that I haven't read before. I like a strong female character, and every time I thought she was going to break down and disappoint me, she surprised me with her strength and poise. The guy's not an idiot either which is refreshing.

I enjoyed this book. Total change of pace from what I usually read (Historical Fiction, Sci Fi, Religion ...). Very good character development. Great building of sexual tension between the protagonists. I'll probably read more from this series when I need another change of pace.

Very good writing. Great flow and story. Edited to perfection. I liked the characters. The male character made you want to love him and throttle him at the same time. Good thing he had a patient woman and no she wasn't a pushover, thank God. The characters suited each other despite his issues and he had plenty. I loved the story.

"When Lightning Strikes", a Whiskey Creek novel sets just the right tone for a romantic story about 2 people who are total opposites falling in love.

If you are looking for a light and fun romantic love story this is worth reading.

Other than the ending being wrapped up too quickly for my tastes, I loved this book. As a publicist, I thought Brenda Novak clearly understood the pressures, hoops and hassles a PR consultant deals with on a daily basis. Throw in Hollywood, and I am there! All the characters were believable, and most importantly likeable.

An enjoyable read, it offers a look at what Hollywood is probably really like in a lot of ways, and has a feel good ending. This is the first in a series, and I'll likely read the next book to follow up with the characters and Whiskey Creek.

I am looking forward to reading more of this series. Brenda Novak is responsible for my staying awake with the thought of "just one more chapter" until suddenly the book is finished and it is 3:00AM. She doesn't disappoint.

"When Lightning Strikes" by Brenda Novak was a pleasant novel that was enjoyable to read. For the most part, not realistic, but still held my attention. Looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

I found it to be a pleasant rainy day diversion. Nice to read something that doesn't have blood, gore, or mayhem as it's core theme. Just enough action and romance to hold your interest... without the need to kill somebody off in a sub-plot.

When Lightning Strikes is an enjoyable read. I'll admit up front I almost didn't give it a chance at first, but I'm glad I did. The story was well written and didn't always go where I thought it would, which is refreshing.

Thanks to the publisher, Harlequin, and NetGalley for the chance to read When Lightning Strikes early!

I loved Brenda Novak's Stillwater Trilogy and Last Chance series - so when I discovered she was releasing a new series I couldn't pass up the opportunity to give it a read - You should start with the novella, When We Touch - it introduces you to Whiskey Creek.

Did PR firm owner Gail DeMarco make the right decision to stop representing Simon O'Neal? She thought so but now that he is destroying her business she not so sure of herself. If she doesn't undo some of the damage that Simon has done by taking her clients with him to his new PR firm she is going to lose her company, her employees are going to find themselves without jobs, and she can't let that happen - so she makes a do or die decision; swallow her pride and apologize.

Even since the news of his divorce Simon has been self-destructing. He is a borderline alcoholic; but that not even his biggest problem ~his ex-wife has sole custody of his son Ty...he isn't even allowed visitation. The tabloids love the fact that the hottest man in Hollywood is also a complete disaster. Even though, Simon knows that he need to get his life together to regain a spot in Ty's life. He just can't manage to stop his self-loathing-womanizing-drunken escapades from destroying his last chance at getting a judge to overlook his past and allow him partial custody. The last thing Simon needs is his ex-PR agent, Gail, to cause yet other spectacle by busting into tears in front of everyone. So they make a deal, he will do his best to restore her clients - if only she will stop making a scene. And everything seems back on track - until Gail assistant decides to take revenge against Simon without her knowledge. Now what?

This book is AWESOME. Brenda Novak knows how to get to the heart of the matter on every occasion. The story, characters, everything is prefect...I wouldn't suggest any changes - well maybe one this cannot be just a Trilogy because I need more than 3 visits to Whiskey Creek. Also I want to return at least a dozen times to see all of the great characters of Whiskey to get their HEA.

It takes a special person like Gail to help Simon fight all the demons inside of him. It takes a special person like Simon to let people think he is someone he isn't not to hurt the son he loves so dearly. This is a great book and believe me, you won't be able to put it down.
Brenda, I am looking forward to reading more of your books!!!!

A Marie Force fan recommended this series and I'm glad she did. The storyline moves at a decent pace and the characters are believable. Once I started reading it, I didn't put it down until I absolutely needed to and ended up reading it in only a few hours. Will be looking to read the rest of the series for sure.

As usual, Brenda Novak has brought us a whole new bunch of friends to fall in love with. Her story moves quickly, the characters are amazing, the love interest sizzles, and the humor is contagious. ENJOY......

My Review:
Wow...this was seriously one of the best contemporary romances I've read this year. Everything about it was just perfectly executed. The story was completely engaging. The characters were awesome...and that's saying something when you can make your reader love the hero who is a cheating drunkard. This was one of those books that made me sad the closer to the end it got because I loved reading it so much. I didn't want it to end.

When the story opens, Gail and Simon are at each other's throats and in the process they are destroying each other's lives. Simon is an actor. Gail was his publicist, but when his marriage imploded, so did Simon. She refuses to dig him out of another bad-boy hole again so she quits. He doesn't handle it well and as Hollywood's favorite son, has the clout to ruin her agency which he does. She's on the verge of closing her doors, but he has his own issues. He's trying to win custody of his son which isn't very likely to happen with his awful reputation. They need each other, so enter a marriage of convenience.

It sounds like a tried/true trope doesn't it? But that little description doesn't touch the depths where this story goes. Honestly, it was just so well done. Simon...gah, my heart hurt for him. He's a good guy who got royally screwed. He turned to alcohol just to numb the pain. As Gail gets to know him, she quickly discovers just how wrong she was about him and the facade he puts up to the world. She moves him to her hometown, simply to get him to decompress. He's literally at the breaking point and she's worried that he's not going to recover if they don't do something drastic. So she pulls him out of Hollywood for three months.

There's a great evolution between these two characters. At the beginning of the book, they don't even have the simplest respect for one another. It was nice to see that perception of the other person grow and change as they became friends and then much more. Even when everything between them became difficult, they maintained that new respect and it made their story that much better.

I loved this book and am excited about the fact that I have three more in the series sitting beside me just waiting to be read. If they are even half as good as this one was, I have several days of amazing reading ahead of me.

Someone had written in the inside cover "Very Good". I liked it fairly well. Enough that I am now reading the second of this series and I can't put it down. Hoping to give the second book an even better rating!

This was a great stand alone book! The characters were engaging believable. It wonderful to read a story with a beginning, middle an ending. Thanks for NOT keeping us hanging on until we purchase another book.

The characters are developed and fun to read. It was a very good story. Although you know the guy is going to get the girl in the end the path that is taken is well written and believable. Recommended read.

At first I thought this story would be filled with nothing but Hollywood fluff, but I was pleasantly surprised to like it so much I couldn't put it down! Very good story! Don't pass it up! I'm glad I didn't!

I loved this book and had trouble putting it down. Although it seemed to start slowly, it didn't take too long to really get into it. It only took two days to read it. I would recommend this to anyone who likes a good romance. I am ready to read another Brenda Novak novel.

Just spent all night reading this funny, heart-warming story. I normally stay far away from contemporary romances, but the blurb and sales price, changed my mind. Having just finished it, it was worth it's original price and more. Definite re-read. Maybe even again tonight...After a nap!

I really enjoyed this book. A very charming story even if it's predictable. You can lose yourself in the story and relax for a couple of hours. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in this set.

Great story, characters you want to fall in love with (as well as side characters you want to hate) And of course the awesome small town that brings it all together. I can't wait to read more Whiskey Creek novels.

This book was a very good book. The characters were well developed also. I wish I could relate to the plot a little more. While the characters were believable, the situations and decisions made did not always make sense and relate to real-life situations. Great fiction, but I did not believe it could happen to anyone in real life.