Branded with a Kiss is a sweet, second chance romance, but it left me mostly unsatisfied with the story and some of its characters. I'll be honest and say I had issues with it and that's why I didn't rate it higher. It's not bad or badly written, but it is a little old fashioned, the pacing is rather slow, the characters lack depth, and the ending, the last 1/4 of the story, is rushed.

Alayna is a really shy, introverted 22-year-old woman when she spends a night with the town's playboy, Patterson. She's tired of her family and her friends treating her as a dull homebody, so she takes Patterson up on his offer to have some fun. Only, she conveniently forgets to let him know that she's a virgin, so he doesn't adjust his skills in the bedroom to take her inexperience and innocence into consideration. Let's just say the night ends terribly for both of them and they're left with bad memories of a night that could have been really hot if Alayna had gotten her naive head out of her ass and had been truthful and open with Patterson in the beginning. Now, a year later, Alayna's being forced to earn her keep and get a full time job for the summer, as her new sister-in-law has laid down the law that Alayna's older brother Damon can no longer afford to keep paying Alayna's way in life. When Damon arranges for her to interview at a local ranch as their head dude wrangler (it's a dude ranch), she's not thrilled, especially when she sees Patterson at the ranch when she drives up.

As for Patterson's part, he's thrilled to see Alayna. He's always wanted a second chance to talk to Alayna, but she had never answered any of his hundreds of calls since that night. Now that she's here on his ranch, and interviewing for a job, he knows she'll be unable to avoid him any longer. But, he doesn't realize just how good at holding a grudge Alayna is. Nor does he realize how badly that night scarred her. Of course, most of it is her own fault for not having been open with him in the first place, but Alayna is self-absorbed, along with carrying loads of insecurities, so she doesn't see things from anyone's perspective but her own.

And that is my main problem with Branded with a Kiss - Alayna is pretty unlikable. She's not only shy, which I could have handled, but she's ridiculously self-absorbed and immature, and really lacks any positive or likable character traits. I like Patterson, he turned out to be more than the playboy he had been branded as. Yes, his reputation was mostly deserved, but he hadn't played around in awhile even before their ONS, and he hadn't since that night either. And yet, Alayna, in all her self-absorption, couldn't see past his reputation and give him a second chance, even just to talk things through. Finally, though, she sort of saw things his way and gave a little, and that's where the story picked up a little. Still, though, up until that point, I was pretty bored, and thinking of not finishing. Thank God the pace picked up a bit. But then it raced to the finish and I was left pretty unsatisfied.

Had Branded with a Kiss been more fleshed out with a more likable heroine, a more substantive storyline, and better pacing, I probably would have been able to rate it higher. As it's written, though, I couldn't muster up enough enthusiasm for it, so can't justify more than 3 stars. 3 is probably pushing it actually, but I really dislike giving 2 or 1 stars unless I really dislike something, and I didn't dislike it, I just felt unsatisfied with it.

A sweet romance and quick read. Patterson Campbell has always been a Ladies' Man, but lately the fun has gone out of it. When he spots Alayna Brand at a bar one night and he has to approach her, despite being a good friend's baby sister. Alayna has had a crush on Patterson all her life, and now that she is all grown up she still has a hard time seeing herself as more than the tall, gawky girl she was. After a disastrous encounter, Alayna heads back to school, determined to put it behind her. Now, back for the summer before her final year in college, she ends up with a summer job at the Campbell family dude ranch. Patterson figures this is his chance to fix what went wrong and see if Alayna is "the" one. All he has to do is convince her.
Alayna and Patterson are two people that really need to figure out who they are and what they want. Alayna has always been the one to do as she's told, while Patterson has always been the one pople never took seriously.
It was fun to watch these two come together and figure things out with an entertaining cast of secondary characters.
This is part of a series, but can easily be read as a stand alone.

Alayna Brand had a crush on Patterson Campbell years ago, but knowing he's the 'love 'em and leave 'em' type doesn't mean she isn't going to see what all the hype is about. However, their one night together doesn't go as planned. But when Alayna applies for a job, which puts her working alongside Patterson, will she be able to handle being near him or will their happy ever after be impossible if she can't forgive him for the past?

It was hard to judge this book because there were moments that I loved and moments where I just wanted to give up on the book, but I'm glad I did end up finishing it. The way this story started had me thinking Patterson and his friend Ben were judgmental jerks when it came to Alayna's friends and whether he was going to pursue the heroine. However, Patterson did win me over throughout this story, as he makes things right with Alayna once they begin to work together.

Both the main characters had their moments where I wanted to put this book down, especially when Patterson was doing everything he could to find a way to get Alayna to forgive him and she's not sure whether she'll ever be able to. Then there's Alayna's jealousy when it came to Patterson and him interacting with other women. If she didn't want to forgive him, then why couldn't he be able to talk to other women. Maybe even flirt with them. She didn't have a right to be jealous. However, in saying that, I liked that when she did begin to forgive him for what happened between them on the night they were together, I found myself really enjoying this story. Besides, there's nothing better than a devious parent determined to help their son get the woman he wants. Surely, rules are meant to be broken.

Overall, I did like this book, but couldn't find it in me to be able to give it more than three stars. Certainly, there was plenty of chemistry between this couple that I enjoyed; Alayna was very talented when it came to her skills with a whip; and the secondary characters definitely made things interesting, especially Alayna's sister-in-law with her need to offer advice and trying to intimidate Patterson because she knew what happened between them, but it wasn't enough to give this story any more stars than I gave it. I would recommend Branded with a Kiss by Paula Altenburg, if you enjoy the brother's friend trope or books by authors Jeannie Watt, Eve Gaddy, Barbara Ankrum and Kate Hardy.

Patterson Campbell is one of the town manwhores. Alayna is the youngest in her family and very sheltered, also a virgin. When she lands Patterson for one night things go a little, ok a lot, off track and she quickly leaves. A year later she is back and Patterson wants to explain plus have a second chance because he thinks she might be the one.

I enjoyed the back and forth between Patterson and Alyana. I liked the way he pursued her, the story is fun, entertaining and a decent read, but there was just something missing for me. I still can’t put my finger on exactly what it was, maybe the length of time it took them to be intimate again and then the seemingly rushed ending. If you like an easy to read quick romance I do believe you will enjoy Branded With A Kiss.

Branded With a Kiss, book two in the Between the Sheets series, by Paula Altenburg is a falling for a friend’s little sister after she grows up. Patterson Campbell has had no problems when it comes to women. He has tried to be up front about not getting serious with them. That is until one night when he sees Alayna Brand at a bar. Alayna is shy and introverted, maybe an outgoing, sexy cowboy is what she needs to get out of her shell. An unforgettable night becomes memorable for all the wrong reasons, Patterson finds he needs to prove he is more than just a good time if he wants Alayna to believe she is “the one” for him. When these two spend a summer working together on the Campbell’s ranch, Alayna struggles with moving on from that night and Patterson learns that reputations can be difficult to live down.

I enjoyed reading this book and had trouble putting this book down, reading it in one day. Ms. Altenburg is a great story teller able to draw her readers into her stories. I definitely recommend this book to other readers.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

This was my first Paula Altenburg book and I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. I love the whole ‘player into hero’ trope so this was right up my alley. I loved how relatable Patterson was which really surprised me. It typically takes me time to like the male player character but I liked Patterson immediately. And Alayna is a great character as well – it took me awhile to warm up to her but ultimately she was really fleshed out. I liked the glimpses into running a cattle ranch. The story felt real as did the relationship between the couple. Really enjoyed this one and look forward to reading more of Paula Altenburg’s work!

Patterson has never been interested in forever but when Alayna bounces into and out of his life that changes. Alayna wants to experience a first with Patterson knowing he has a reputation she just didn’t expect to be disappointed in it. Patterson becomes determined to make up for there night together and show Alayna he is more than his old reputation.

Branded with a Kiss was a good quick read for me that i enjoyed. My only issue with the book was the rushed ending.

I really had trouble getting into the book initially and getting caught up in the emotions of the characters. The storyline was good, but it just didn’t stand out in my mind amongst other books in the genre. The blurb was great, but overall the book just fell flat for me.

It’s often said, be careful what you wish for you might just get it. Alayna discovered that truth the hard way. Sure she had set out one goal for this night – and she accomplished that. But somehow it all went sideways when she failed to mention one tiny, teeny detail.

Patterson is no longer the town’s playboy. Oh, sure he has the reputation still, but he’s changing his attitudes and beginning to see life a bit differently. Alayna hit him out of the blue. She’d grown up into a beautiful young woman, and he’d been tempted that’s for sure. Giving in to that temptation however brought one unexpected surprise and a boat load of guilt. To say he worded his reaction a bit badly would be an understatement. Exit the girl, hold on to the guilt for a long time.

A year later Alayna is back in town and working on his ranch for the summer. He’s still determined to see her, she’s still determined to put it and him in the past. Too bad neither expected to fall in love with the most frustrating person on the planet.

I liked Branded With A Kiss, although I did have to keep reminding myself of Alayna’s age. For this one, I was definitely more in Patterson’s corner. An enjoyable romance, likable characters and a fun story. I’d recommend this story to any Romance reader.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

Paula Altenburg paired an extrovert with an introvert to give us Branded with a Kiss. I do not usually like the playboy type of hero, though Patterson Campbell may have lived up to his past reputation he is still a likable guy. In fact, I doubt in reality if any other type of character could have drawn Alayna Brand out to be the endearing character that she is.

A cowboy with an out-for-a-good-time mentality learns to look deeper. He also has to work at being seen different than what he has been in the past. I like a guy who can cowboy up when needed. An enjoyable read seeing Patterson do exactly that.

Branded With A Kiss is the second in Paula Altenberg's Sweetheart Brand stories. Set on the Bar No ranch near the imaginary town of Sweetheart Montana, this sweet contemporary western is perfect weekend reading.
I loved lead characters Alayna and Patterson and the fact that the story was set on a ranch was a bonus for me. Alayna’s skills with a whip were an eye opener as I’ve never seen somebody doing tricks with a bull whip.
The story has an easy pace about it, nice and relaxed, which I really enjoyed. Not that it’s a slow story. Far from it, but this one takes you away from the bustle of busy weekdays and I found that soothing.

I really enjoyed this one! Both the main characters are interesting and unforgettable. Alayna is a shy, introverted 20 something that desperately wants to break out of her shell. More specifically she wants to know what it's like to be with a man and lose her virginity. Patterson is actually a bit of a jerk at the beginning and ready for whatever Alayna has to offer. Too bad the night is memorable for all the wrong reason. After that night Patterson realizes what a jerk he was and wants to make it up to Alayna but she isn't going to make it easy for him!!

A fun quick read I think you will enjoy. I recommend it.

Branded with a Kiss by Paula Attenburg
Sweetheart Brand #2

Simple virgin takes on lothario and the experience is not what she had hoped for…you know…great pleasure, fireworks, etc… but then a year later they have a second chance and manage to do a better job as she works on the ranch he and his father own. Somewhat predictable with both H/h people I had trouble relating to. If I had realized that it was a New Adult genre romance I probably would have given it a miss. That said, if you enjoy this genre and cowboys and virgins as the main character and like old fashioned Harlequin/Mills & Boon romances this book might be a perfect fit for you.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tule Publishing for the ARC – this is my honest review.

2-3 Stars

Patterson Campbell’s love’em and leave’em attitude has lost its luster and yet the people in his small town think he is still the play boy type, not the case. His father would like for him to take over the ranch but he would also like for his son to be married. Now as the night in the bar moves along the woman that has caught his eye is none other than Alayna. She is home from college for the summer and the shy woman is nothing like he remembers. The youngest of her family her two brothers and sister have always looked after her and their mother after their father died suddenly when she was younger. Now looking for some excitement and someone close to her 6’ in height. Patterson fits the bill being 6’5’’ after a few dances and a little flirting they call it a night only for her to show up at his place a few nights later. That night starts off real good but does not end real well. The story will explain. The book then picks up a year later and now she back at the ranch but this time for a summer job because she has one more year of college and it is time for her to earn more money so she does not rely on her brother. Seeing Patterson still gives her a feeling that she does not know what it is and for Patterson he thinks he is finally looking at the person who he wants to settle down with. The time at the ranch is a good part of the story and really adds to this book. Along with her doing tricks with whips which sounded cool especially at night and starting a fire. The time with Patterson and Alayna turns out to be much growth for both of them and though he wants to be with her he also knows she must leave to finish her last year of college. You most definitely have to wait until the end of the book to see want happens between the two of them. A good story with a lot of good characters to help this book along.

While this was a perfectly nice little story, I didn't feel that there was any chemistry between the main characters.

This story was SO good but the description of it does not do it justice. It is a 2nd chance at love with brothers best friend as the romantic hero and the little sister/virgin as the heroine. Plus the heroine also ends up workin for the hero so its also a love story with the boss and it all happens at a dude ranch so get ready for some sexy cowboys.

Alayna is the heroine and at the start of the book she is a quiet virgin. She does not want to be a virgin so she decides to lose it to her brothers friend, Patterson who has a rep as a playboy/bad boy. The thing is never tells Patterson she is a virgin so his reaction is not the best.

The story then picks up a year later where Alayna has avoided Patterson. Patterson is still in lust with Alayna and she gets a job for the summer at his families dude ranch and thats when the fun starts. Alayna tries to avoid Patterson and he chases her hard. He also gets jealous and wants a real relationship with her but she cannot believe he wants her.

This story is about how he breaks down her walls and gets her to give him the time off day. It was sweet and romantic and I totally loved every moment of the story. I loved that it didn't happen fast that they both took their time.