I received an ARC of Just the Thing from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I've read a few of Marie Harte's romance books which I've liked. I didn't like Just the Thing. It wasn't interesting enough to hold my attention. I'm giving the book 2 stars.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to review this book and to be an early reader via NetGalley! However, I will not be writing a review for this title at this time, as my reading preferences have since changed somewhat. In the event that I decide to review the book in the future, I will make sure to purchase a copy for myself or borrow it from a library. Once again, thank you so much for providing me with early access to this title. I truly appreciate it. Please feel free to contact me with any follow-up questions or concerns.

Zoe York lost her twin sister to a car accident and she decides to work out and also take a self-defense class at her gym that is being offered. One of the instructors is Gavin Donnigan who has been trying for weeks to get a date with her and she has been turning him down. Gavin suffers from PTSD and is going to therapy but still struggles at times with it. After a visit from her, Aunt Zoe decides to go out on a date with Gavin and it puts him in shock, it also makes him have to step up his game and find something that she really enjoys. He does that and by doing so they have a good night. Both of them are happy with the way things are going both stories drags at times. Gavin’s character seems to be okay when he does not need to be serious but when does need to be he can’t or won’t don’t know. The character is always bouncing back and forth from joking to wanting to be taken seriously but is not because he is always joking. As the two of them work through their trauma, pain, grief, and loneliness you are starting to feel good when he ups and disappears again. When you finally get to the end I was hoping for more of an ending but I felt like it left some things open. This could be me but that was how I felt. I was hoping for a much better book but felt off. Give it a read and see for yourself. I got this book from Netgalley.com I gave it 4 stars. Follow us at www.1rad-readerreviews.com

I am sorry that I couldn't complete the book on time and it got expired. I am giving 1 star because of the book description. I liked the synopsis and that is why I asked for the book.

Another series that I have found to enjoy by Marie Harte is underway with the story of the Donnigan family and the issues they have each had to face as they try to find love to last through their lives like their parents. While I can honestly say I enjoyed this story, the trauma both Gavin and Zoe were coming to terms with was heartbreaking enough that I kept disconnecting from their passionate love story to contemplate the pain they each must have continuously been dealing with. Gavin has been having serious issues since his return from the war and his medical retirement from the Marine Corps. It is obvious that Gavin knows he has a long way to go in order to be back to his full self but the pull toward Zoe is irresistible. Zoe is working through her own PTSD issues, having just lost her twin sister, and is not interested in starting a love affair, but hey a girl does have needs. Willing to jump right into bed with Gavin, Zoe soon finds out that keeping herself separate from the man in her bed is not as easy as she hoped it would be. Gavin on the other hand knows that Zoe is a special person and that he needs to make himself better to her earn her love. Gavin was a man that I could relate to, someone that is a true hero, even as he feels he has let down those that counted on him. He is sweet with his family and when he messes around with his brothers it is so easy to see that those guys are seriously connected through a family love that runs deep even as they trick and trap each other. Zoe on the other hand is a woman that is hiding instead of healing after her loss; I can accept that it might be easier for her move on by denying the pain of the loss, but only when she sees Gavin struggling with his pain does she actually step up and decide to deal with her own issues so she can help the man she has come to love deal with his. But Zoe is the type of woman that would be my best friend, even though she would drive me crazy, but her striving for perfection and her willingness to work for what she wants would make her a good bestie. The heat between Gavin and Zoe was sometimes off the charts, but the emotional trauma led to some moments that were less about passion and more about the emotional healing they both needed. I am looking forward to the next story in the series which I assume with be their sister’s as Theo has some growing up to do before he is grown enough to find his true love. That being said whenever the siblings have all found love, I know that this family will be truly complete and able to survive any challenge that is thrown at any of them.

Huge fan of Marie Harte's Donnigan's series and this book was a perfect addition to it!

Gavin Donnigan has struggled since being back from his time in the Marines. Once his family had an intervention, he's been more on the straight and narrow. Being clear headed he's noticed Zoe York. The pink-yoga-pant wearing treadmill stealer, who seems to be the only woman at the gym who doesn't fall at his feet.

Zoe York has been struggling since she lost her sister. Going to the gym is one of the few things she does that keeps her settled. So when Gavin asks her out again, she decides to do something her sister would have encouraged her to do. But once they go out on their first date, they are soon inseparable.

Both dealing with the guilt of loss, they understand some of what the other is going through. But Gavin still doesn't believe he deserves happiness, no matter what his family or therapist tell him. When Zoe tells him she loves him, that guilt grows.

I really loved this book. I had been curious about Gavin and how he was going to grow and get through is PTSD. I laughed and teared up a bit when Gavin and Zoe talked about their losses.

I am so looking forward to the next book. I've been dying for J.T.'s story. I'm in heaven knowing it will be with Hope.

Just the Thing in the second book in The Donnigan's series and it's both first book in the series I've read as well as the first book I attempted to read by this author--and I'm sorry to report that this simply wasn't the book for me and I did not finish reading it for a number of reasons.

First, the reason I requested an advance reader copy of this novel from Netgalley, was that it described two main characters who were deeply wounded. Gavin, the hero, is suffering from PTSD, and Zoe, the heroine, in still grieving the sudden loss of her twin sister--both of which dramatic situations interested me in reading this book, but that's certainly not what I got after several attempts to read this novel and become involved in this story or these characters.

Gavin, a muscle-bound, 32-year-old hunk, is teaching self-defense classes for women at a local gym. That's where he first spots Zoe, whom he refers to as Pink Yoga Pants. His attempts at flirtation with her fall as flat with her as they did with me. Their attempts at witty repartee fell way short of wittiness. When we learned that he named his body parts, I realized that either I was far too mature for this story, or else this story was way too immature for this reader.

In addition, the book was filled to the brim with insipid dialogue, especially the seemingly endless conversations at Zoe's office, which brought any forward momentum this story might have had to a dead halt. I forced myself to read further, but when I got to the sex scene, which was so poorly written as to actually be laughable, that was it for this reader. Between the dullness of the plot and a sex scene that was one I'd expect from a teenager, the lack of drama, the lack of angst, the lack of character development, were all more than I could wade through.

I'm sorry to say that I found the Netgalley blurb about this book far more interesting and exciting than anything I read in this novel.

Just the Thing is the second book in The Donnigans series by Marie Harte. The first book was A Sure Thing, and while the characters overlap and those that are following the series will have more insight into them, newcomers can also enjoy the read, although it is likely to make you want to go back and see what you missed.

Gavin Donnigan left the Marine Corps a shell of a man, hounded by guilt for deaths he couldn't prevent. But teaching a self-defense class at the local gym brings some stability to his life―along with a gorgeous leggy woman who won't give him the time of day. Zoe York lost her twin sister to a freak car accident a few months ago. She's been struggling to bury her grief, but it isn't until she signs up for a self-defense class with its distracting instructor that she begins to come out of her shell again. With the memory of her sister telling her to live a little, Zoe decides a fling with buns-of-steel Gavin Donnigan might be just the thing. Soon they're sparring both in and out of the gym. And for the first time in a long time, each is looking forward to tomorrow.

Just the Thing is another book from Harte that features characters with real problems, and real support systems. Gavin is dealing with his issues, and moving forward with the help of family, hard work, and therapy. Zoe is doing her best to move on from her own family tragedy while still having a challenging career. I love the interaction between Zoe and Gavin, they tease and bicker in a way I find real as well as entertaining./ At the same time, I love the relationship between Gavin and his family. I found the combination of teasing and support to be so entertaining and oddly charming. Rather like the way my brother and I tease each other but would do anything for each other. I love the honesty and real feel of the characters. They are written so well that I really came to care about the characters and felt like I could see them in the real world. I honestly want to meet the characters from the Donnigan and related series- and love the fact that they are overlapping more and more.

Just the Thing is another great book from Harte. I am currently gathering all the books she has published, and reading more from her. My only disappointment it that I somehow missed the Netgalley offering of one book, and did not find this author until recently. I will be searching library collections and Amazon to make sure I get my hands on them all.

Sassy, funny, characters dealing with real, not so funny issues! A good read for a weekend.

Reading this book and the family dynamic reminded me of mine and the prank wars were so funny I laughed until I cried.

The real pain of dealing with survivor's guilt and PTSD was handled very authentically.

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have been lying in wait of the return of this series! Another excellent installation of her Donnigans series! Marie Harte's work will have you feeling hot hot hot as you learn about Gavin. Will he fall in love? Read on to find out!

A DNF for me...I could not get into this book. The writing was weird to me. I kept reading things over and over to see of I was missing something.

I have chosen to DNF this title.

Thank you,
Laura

If you are a fan of Marie Harte’s various series, this will be a special bonus for you.

Gavin Donnigan has returned from the war with more scars on the inside. He was wounded and being treated at the hospital when his buddies were killed by a road bomb. They were more than just army buddies, these were his friends growing up. Once home, he was sinking into booze and women to forget his pain, but his future sister-in-law convinced him to get counseling. Working at the gym helps as well, except now he is surrounded by some of those mistakes he was making.

He wants to get to know Zoe a little better, but after one too many brush offs, he realizes he might have pushed over the line from flirty to stalker and he backs off.

Zoe is also working through her own grief at the loss of her twin sister. And just when she decides to be more adventurous, like her sister would, and take a chance on the hot, funny instructor, he backs off. But Zoe is now determined to take that chance and she goes after Gavin and hopes that doesn’t put her into the category of all the other notches on his weight bench.

Zoe has nothing to worry about because Gavin wants her to know that he wants more from her than just one night and goes above and beyond to make a first date she will remember.

Zoe and Gavin work hard to try and build something between them, and while Zoe is mastering her grief, Gavin tries to tackle his past to quickly and starts to slide back into the depression. He can only hope to recover himself before he looses something special with Zoe.

The best part of this story was the continuing prank wars between the Donnigan siblings which starts to spread out to include the parents. They all get pretty creative.

After a slow start, Zoe and Gavin are sweet together but they don’t have an exciting buzz. Gavin’s issues make him pull away for days at a time leaving Zoe feeling a bit stressed, not knowing his feelings or where they stand long-term.

If you are a fan of Marie Harte’s other series, the McCauley Brothers and Body Shop Bad Boys, we have a crossover of all three series at the wedding of Del and Mike. All of the McCauley’s are there and the boy from Del’s shop are there to celebrate.

Just the Thing was a quick read, but very entertaining. Marie Harte has a talent for inserting humor and passion appropriately. The hero is a former military man and the heroine is the victim of her own tragedy - making them both a little fragile. The story of their healing and happily ever after is solid and believeable. This is the second in a series, but stands alone just fine. The series should do quite well and I look forward to the next installment.

Title: Just the Thing
Series:  The Donnigans Book #2
Author:  Marie Harte
Genre:  Romance

Blurb: A FLING MIGHT BE JUST THE THING...Gavin Donnigan left the Marine Corps a shell of a man, hounded by guilt for deaths he couldn't prevent. But teaching a self-defense class at the local gym brings some stability to his life―along with a gorgeous leggy woman who won't give him the time of day.

Zoe York lost her twin sister to a freak car accident a few months ago. She's been struggling to bury her grief, but it isn't until she signs up for a self-defense class with its distractingly hot instructor that she begins to come out of her shell again. With the memory of her sister telling her to live a little, Zoe decides a fling with buns-of-steel Gavin Donnigan might be just the thing.

Soon they're sparring both in and out of the gym. And for the first time in a long time, each is looking forward to tomorrow.
Thoughts: I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised by this book. The cover – of course – first drew me in, quickly followed by the blurb. I think I was expecting it to read more like a New Adult book, rather than a contemporary – although I’m not sure why I had that impression other than maybe the style of the cover. I loved Gavin from the beginning and his crush on Zoe, although Zoe herself I was a bit unsure of her at first. Zoe quickly wins readers over, however! Their chemistry at the gym – and a steamy sexy scene later, and it is impossible not to see these characters as a couple.
I also kind of liked the Donnigan family – while a bit eccentric, they are a family who loves each other deeply and makes readers want to read more about them! Gavin and Zoe had their own connection, and at times they were poignant and emotional and others they were funny and laugh out loud hilarious. They both continue to struggle through some tough times – death of loved ones, PTSD, survivor’s guilt, etc. But we come out of it loving these characters even more!
Enough said. This one was just a hit for me, period.
Rate:  A

I just loved Gavin and Zoe book pulled me in right from the start.This is the second book in the series and really should be read in order.A super read with fantastic characters i did not want to put this one down a super read with a smoking hot cover would recommend.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Mary Jo – ☆☆☆
This book has a lot going on, both with the current and backstory. Gavin and Zoe are having trouble dealing with the past, the grief that it brings, and learning how to live with a piece of themselves missing.

They flirt and flit around each other, with Gavin taking the role of pursuer. Zoe likes Gavin, but doesn't know how to act in this new reality without her sister.

A good book, slow at times, but all in all, a nice read.


Avid Reader – ☆☆☆
M/F Romance
Triggers: Death

This is the first book in this series that I've read. Zoe is struggling in life. She has an aunt who adores her and she adores, but all in all, Zoe is on her own. With the sudden death of her twin, Zoe finds herself floundering. She was always the twin that followed the rules, stayed the course. Her twin was the wild child and flowed with the wind. Zoe signs up for a self-defense class and takes a leap with the instructor, Gavin.

Gavin is intrigued by the woman who keeps turning him down. He is a good looking man who normally doesn't need to work so hard for a date. However, he sees a kindred spirit in Zoe – someone who also knows loss. He simply wants to make her smile.

When Zoe finally agrees to go on a date with Gavin, he's kind of at a loss. What follows is a very sweet date, some rumbling on the mat at the gym, and a relationship blooms. While I enjoyed the story enough, it seemed that there was a lot of slow times too and I think that this story would have been just as compelling without some of the filler.

I do really hope that I get to see what happens in book three, as Hope is very intriguing.


Lee’Anne – ☆☆☆☆
It didn’t take very many pages in to this book for me to become completely obsessed. I read the entire book in one sitting, it’s fantastic! It’s also the first book in the series that I’ve read and fine to be read as a standalone.

Gavin Donnigan was discharged from the Marine Corps after his team was involved in an explosion in which he was the only survivor. It’s made adjusting to life as a civilian very difficult and though he’s trying to get help, the nightmares and panic attacks are still hindering his life. Then you have Zoe York who is dealing with a loss of her own; her twin sister was killed in a car accident and coping with the loss has been nearly impossible for her. Though it takes a while for Zoe to realize that Gavin is serious in his pursuit of her, once they get together things progress quickly and the two become inseparable.

I love how Zoe and Gavin heal one another from the pain of their losses, it makes for a great page turner! I also absolutely love the Donnigan prank wars that go down – they’re laugh-out-loud funny and I hope they continue throughout the series.

4 Stars

Marie Harte is an author who's books have been sitting on my tbr list for quite awhile now, and I am so glad that I read Just The Thing. Although this title can be read as a standalone, I am sure I will find myself reading the previous book in the series at some point in the future, as I really enjoyed the Donnigan family.

Just the Thing is a heartwarming story that deals with some serious issues including loss, grief and moving on. This story is based on the trope of opposites attracting, it's sweet, sexy and laced with moments of humor that had me laughing out loud. I found this book to be entertaining and engaging with strong themes of family, friendship and love.

Gavin and Zoe are opposites in so many ways, but they also have in common that they both have demons to face, regarding their grief. This pair of characters are complex, endearing and quite relate-able. Gavin is an enigmatic character, who outwardly appears quite arrogant, yet fun, who is charming, sexy and sweet, a bit of a goof ball with a great sense of humor. Underneath the exterior is a lot going on as he deals with PTSD and faces demons from his time in the military. Zoe is dedicated to her job, smart, sassy, bossy and much more serious. The chemistry this pair share is intense, yet believable.

I look forward to reading more of Marie Harte's work in the future, and will be eagerly anticipating the next title in The Donnigan series.

I didn’t read the first book in this series and had no problem starting with book two. I do plan to go back and read book one. This was a fun and quick read.

Gavin is a former Marine and still suffers from things he saw while deployed. He is truing to get back to a normal life. Working at a gym and teaching personal defense classes help keep him busy. He has had his eye on Zoe from the beginning but she won’t give him the time of day. She has seen his playboy ways with other women at the gym and is steering clear.

Zoe is still struggling with life after losing her twin sister. She throws herself into work, the gym and gardening. She doesn’t have time for dating especially the likes of Gavin. He is sexy and all the women at the gym want him.

These two both are surrounded by darkness and needing to find the light. Will they be able to help each other come into the light? This book was funny and full of emotion. A great summer read that I couldn’t put down.