The storyline of this book was a bit of a challenge for me to accept.

So Hailey did something bad as a teenager and 11 years later owns up to it, while the author gave a reason she sis this I didn't really feel that invested in it or that this was her only option. I also felt that while others may be able to forgive and move past this event that it would have taken more that one apology and its back to bffs now, Hailey didn't just forget to pass on a message, she willingly chose to emotionally hurt her best friends.

Colin - I kind of felt that Colin was meant to be this nice, all American guy but he came off as a jerk who pigeon holes people and gets annoyed when they rant what he thinks they should be. His dislike of Hailey, particular compared to everyone else care-free attitude, is out of proportion and the explanation that he was personally hurt with the betrayal was a bit little and late. His over the top relations done stop at holding grudges either!

The big finally - <spoiler> I got that he was a problem that wasn't going away easily and that it was building to something (after all, it sounded like he had a plan) but the big end seemed overblown and lacking motivation. It was more a 'I need to end this dramatically and quickly because this book is becoming too long, so... lets do this with no explanation as to why!'. <Spoiler/> this could have been so much more.

While this book is meant to be a stand alone (and i guess could be read that way), it would make a lot more sense read in series order (in part because the first scene is in the previous book.

I received a copy of this book for free from Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

Straight, No Chaser is Book 2 of The McLaughlins series but you can definitely read it as a standalone.
To be honest, I had a hard time getting into the story at the start. The hatred Colin has for Hailey put me off a bit. But then, I picked it up again and the rest of book kind of flowed.

Hailey did something horrible to Colin's family, but she had her reasons for doing so. Reasons that everybody finally accepted except Colin.
So, he basically makes her pay the price by being horrible to her in return but it's apparent that Hailey used to mean something to him and that's why he reacts so strongly.

Anyways, the story goes on like this, he's mean to her and then admits he went too far so he makes it up to her and this way they kind of grow closer.

What made me like this book is The McLaughlins, I love big and loving families' stories. This was one of them. I kind of liked Colin and Hailey together in the end. Not my favorite love story but still cute in its own way.

Straight, No Chaser is a light sexy romance. The characters are engaging. It's the second book in a series, and I had only a little trouble following at first. The secondary characters werent as complete as I would have liked, perhaps they are moreso in the first and subsequent books. I enjoy smalltown, family centered romance series, and Shelli Stevens provides that and a bit of heat. I would read the series,

I was given this book through Netgalley for an honest review.

I enjoyed this book from start to finish and while it didn't 100% wow me I did find myself unable to put it down. I felt like the characters were well written and the setting sounded glorious. I have always liked the trope of second chance romance and this was done well for me.

The main issue I had with this book is that at first the 'hatred' Colin felt for Hailey felt a little implausible and then resolved far to easily for how intensely he was supposed to feel. Also I did not really feel the danger Hailey was supposed to be in from her ex until right towards the end when it threw Colin and Hailey completely into each other space.

Overall this was a pleasant read especially if you want a bit of bite with your romance and a little less fluff.

There are a lot of things Hailey wasn’t proud of in her life but she would protect her brother at all costs. Still paying for that mistake years later she begins to make amends. The one thing she fights is being with Colin the star in every fantasy she had as a teenager. Finally finding happiness she is ready to leave the past behind. Excellent continuation of the series with Colin as his sexy Scottish brogue.

Second story about McLaughlin family.
This book is about Colin, the deputy in the family. Now his trouble maker brother is settling down, he wants to settle down too but with whom??
At the end of first book, Colin faces his high school crush Hailey who destroyed his brother’s relationship. After 9 years of absences he sees her again and his feeling towards her is nothing but harsh words to her. He can’t forgive her for what she did to his brother and his fiancee. But he can’t deny the strong pull. When he was with his niece at the beach, his niece gets injured and Hailey comes and rescues. Ever since then they keep running into each other. They decided to give into their feelings and they decided to have a relationship under wraps from his family and friends but her ex-boyfriend is threatening Hailey and Colin wants to protect her.
Now Hailey is back in his soon to be sister-in-law’s life and he has to act like they are not seeing each other. While they are having fun, her ex-boyfriend becomes bigger problems for both. He is constantly harassing her and his presence is linked his brother as well.
Story runs quickly and keeping the suspense until the end. This book can be standalone but reading the first book really explains a lot of dynamics of the family and history of her ex-boyfriend.
I did enjoy reading. I am mostly excited about reading the next book about his sister Kenzie. I would give ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2 for keeping the suspense until the end.

This book opens up with Deputy Colin McLaughlin who is a tough opinionated man and it is only worse when he sets his eyes on Hailey Alexander. Once his sister best friend she in his eyes should not be welcomed in the family bar or on the island if he had his way. At the same time that he is angry over something she did to his family not to him, and the two people forgave her is one hardheaded son of a gun. Each of them find the other attractive and have since high school which is still frustrating to both of them. Now when one day he is watching his niece and takes his eye off the prize for one second it turns out he needs her help, for she is a nurse. After that day they seem to be more together and when he finds out about a problem she has going on with an ex-boyfriend he decides maybe it should be time for him to get over his issues with her. A good story about family forgiveness and just how close love and hate can be and how they can keep you apart or perhaps bring you together. Read this wonderful story.

This is the second book in the McLaughlins series. It is a stand alone book, but I recommend reading the first book in the series to understand the characters and family history. I am loving the Scottish family. I like the chemistry between Colin and Hailey. There is a bad history between these two that may be hard to overcome. Shelli Stevens keeps the reader glued to this story and eager for the next book.

This was such a fun story! Light and flirty and yes, just a little bit sexy, it had me all the way through.
I love Hailey, the girl from the wrong side of the tracks who has done all she could to prove she is a good and decent human being. This is a strong woman with strength and purpose about her, and yet a touch of vulnerability that says she’s not as strong as she’d like people to think. I couldn’t help but admire her!
Colin too is worthy of respect and yes, just a little second glance or two. All that muscle and Scottish charm is sure to turn a head or two after all.
In between the palpable sexual attraction between Hailey and Colin there was something more and it drew me in. That sense of protectiveness that Colin showed when Hailey was threatened, that sense of rightness that Hailey felt when she was with Colin, all of this kept me hooked and invested in their story and ultimately it was worth it. This is a really satisfying read and one I’ll quite likely enjoy again.

Colin and Hailey have a history, a family history, and one that Colin is not letting go of any time soon. That makes his attraction to her a very rough issue in this romance. Yes, Hailey did some really bad things. There really are no excuses, although there are explanations and regret, so much regret.

With Hailey back on the island, and his twin brother and his wife willing to forgive, it places Colin in that uncomfortable spot of being the holdout in the “welcome Hailey back committee”. He is certainly not looking for love, been there, done that – have the broken heart and the didn’t happen wedding to show for it. Yet Hailey keeps drawing him in.

Hailey knew that coming back and trying to make amends would not be easy. Yet she’s trying. Her attraction to a man who cannot stand the sight of her hurts, there’s no denying that. But maybe Colin can begin to see that she’s different now from the girl he once knew. Sure she admits that she, and her family were trouble back then – but right now trouble is following her and this reluctant man, this cop may be her only hope not only to survive but to find out that love can be so very real.

Straight, No Chaser is an emotional story, full of anger, hope and that thin line between hate and love that eventually crosses over to one side or the other. I enjoyed my time in this world. Watching Hailey and Colin work through their past and toward their future was a rocky, emotional journey.

This is a re-release title. It was originally released as Kilty Pleasures in 2014. Simply be aware that you may have already read this story.

*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.*

FOund this an enjoyable read. Quick and sweet and passionate!

I found Straight, No Chaser by Shelli Stevens, book two in her McLaughlins series a wonderful story about how people and things aren’t always what they seem. Sort of a don’t judge a book by its cover theme. There are also parts that reminded me of the fine line between hate and love. Colin McLaughlin and Hailey Alexander each had a crush on the other in high school and now ten years later that attraction is still there. Colin has not moved on from being angry at Hailey after she almost ruined his twin brother’s life; despite how hard Hailey worked to move past her mistakes in her past. These two share not just an attraction but an off the charts chemistry. This desire for each other burns hotter than HOT. Colin needs to see how Hailey has changed and learn to forgive her for the past before he can move on to a future with her.
I really loved reading this book and didn’t want to put this book down, reading it in one day. Ms. Porter is a wonderful story teller and she always draws me into her books, making me forget the world around me. I highly recommend this book to other readers.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

Was a beautiful book
I really like it, the characters were interesting to read about

An amazing story that I read in one evening. Colin is not looking for love but when former crush from high school, Hailey re enters his life, things might just change. Things need to be settled from the past, secrets that will come out. Plenty of family loyalty that you will treasure from the McLaughlin family. Great sexual chemistry between Colin and Hailey, but will it be enough to sustain their relationship. Add in an element of suspense this is definitely a page turner. Can't wait to read the next McLaughlin story.

This contemporary romance goes to show just how close the emotion of hate can be to love! Deputy Colin McLaughlin has never forgiven Hailey Alexander for something she did as a teenager that almost ruined his brother’s life. He definitely bears her a huge grudge and when she turns up with some of her nursing colleagues at his family’s pub he finds it hard to even be pleasant with her and can’t understand the more tolerant attitudes of his siblings. Hailey had a dreadful childhood and escaped an abusive relationship but has worked hard to improve her situation and is now a respected nurse with a real knack of connecting with and reassuring her young patients. However, she also knows that Colin is unlikely to ever forgive her for her mistakes even though the attraction between them is still as powerful as it was when he was her teenage crush. Can they forget the past to move on to a future together? Can he forgive her teenage mistakes or will they prevent them having any chance of finding their HEA together?

This is a story of uncovering reasons for what happened in the past, discovering that life isn’t always a case of right and wrong, black and white. It involves accepting the motivations for past interactions and being willing to move on to a more promising future with trust and love. The characters are brilliantly developed and the plot has some real loops in it to throw the reader off track! The story hooked me from the start and I thoroughly enjoyed escaping into it, so have no hesitation in recommending it to anyone who enjoys a contemporary romance where the hero eventually discovers he’s jumped to some erroneous conclusions!

I requested and received a copy of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review after choosing to read it.

Wow, by the end of this book, I imagine the McLaughlin family dinners to be very interesting to say the least. Straight, No Chaser by Shelli Stevens brings back the bad girl talked about in book one, One More Round. Years later, Hailey comes back to Whidbey Island, ready to make amends with Ian, who is totally in love with Sarah. It is his brother, Deputy Colin McLaughlin who falls for her against his better judgement. Really that made this story interesting since he is the last guy I thought would be.

Everyone has regrets and baggage, but Hailey has way more than I would most families could handle. To welcome her at all into the McLaughlin group seemed more than possible. I know forgiveness is divine but to do more than tolerate Hailey seems incredible.
The story is well-written, interesting but just not believable for me. Still more secrets are revealed, more drama and more romance are all packed into Colin and Hailey’s story.

Straight, No Chaser by Shelli Stevens
Deputy Colin McLaughlin is never looking for love, but something stirs his blood when former high school crush Hailey strolls back into his family’s Whidbey Island pub. He wants to keep nursing his anger at the woman who betrayed his family and nearly ruined his brother’s life. Instead, the desire burns hotter than ever… Not that he’d ever act on it.
Hailey Alexander knows her past is littered with mistakes. She’s worked hard to move on, but a certain Scottish-born deputy isn’t in any hurry to forgive or forget.
Can they fight the attraction that’s compromising their hearts?
this is Hailey Alexander and Colin McLaughlin’s story.
Hailey finished adding notes to one of her patients’ charts, hit Save and then took a quick sip from her water bottle. Fifteen minutes ’til her shift ended.
She was protective of kids by nature—always had been after essentially having to raise her younger brother.
What sounded amazing was going home, drawing a bubble bath and listening to Mumford and Sons until her mind was empty.
Colin yawned, more than ready to call it a day at his job as a sheriff’s deputy.
Right now a pint at his family’s pub sounded pretty fantastic, actually. He was contemplating heading back to the precinct when he spotted a familiar black Porsche racing by, going northbound on the island.
Can they fight the attraction that’s compromising their hearts?
Straight, No Chaser by Shelli Stevens is a 3 star book.
I received a complimentary copy of this book but was not required to leave a review.
Shelli's Books with Tule:
Protect Me, Cowboy
Marshall Ranch
The 78th Copper Mountain Rodeo

Falling for the Hometown Girl
Marshall Ranch

One More Round
The McLaughlins

Straight, No Chaser
The McLaughlins

Top Shelf
The McLaughlins

This is the second book about the McLaughlins, a Scottish family living near Seattle who own a bar. That is the backdrop for many scenes, but although the oldest son owns the bar, the youngest daughter works there, the twins are the middle children and main topic for the first two books. One owns an auto restoration garage, and the other is the town deputy. Ian, got his HEA in the first one, and this book was about Colin, the deputy. Although these are definitely standalone books, the stories intertwine, so much for me, that I ended up reading the first book so that I could better understand the conflict in this one. Cute romantic story with an interesting plot. Colin and Hailey had a lot to work out, but I really enjoyed both characters. They were strong individuals and made for good dialogue. I am interested enough now that I will definitely get the next book in this series.

Ten years ago, Hailey messed with the McLaughlins and that’s something that Colin never accepted and never will. Or so he thought. Because now that the family knows her reasons, everyone loves her except him. No matter how good her reasons were, he still hates her. But we all know how hate and love are so closely intertwined!

So, for those who read One More Round, Colin is Ian’s twin brother and Hailey was the responsible for Ian’s and Sarah’s separation. Hailey went through a hard childhood with troubled parents and a younger brother to raise on her own. So, although she’s pretty strong on that front, sometimes she falls on the vulnerable side of things, especially when she has someone to hold on to like Colin (I know some people can’t stand this kind of character, so here is your warning!).

On the other side, Colin is the absolute opposite. He always had a pretty grounded family that turned him into someone responsible and overly protective of those he loves. After hours he’s also pigheaded sometimes! His hatred towards Hailey took him too far sometimes but since that’s what made him go back several times and apologize, I forgive you, Colin!

So this love/hate story that starts off with their push-and-pull game and all their intense discussions as a way of getting to know each other (inside and outside of the bedroom might I add) lead us to a cute and fierce tale!

Also, Shelli Stevens’ writing style, if you’re not aware, is the most enjoyable thing ever: lots of dialogues and overall fast paced. And she actually manages to keep you entertained throughout the entire book!

To sum it up: this is not a sugary sweet story. Hailey’s life has been anything but a walk in the park so sometimes the book is actually sad.

P.S: You can read this book as a standalone.

3.5 Stars!

Straight, No Chaser is the second book in the ‘The McLaughlins’ series. I had not read the first book and was able to follow along.
This one is about Colin McLaughlin and Hailey Alexander.

These two start off a little more than rocky. Colin can't seem to get past what Hailey had done to his family. He holds a ton of resentment towards her and makes his feelings quite clear. That said, he can't deny the attraction he has always had towards her.

Hailey is a nurse now, and she's tried to find a more fulfilling life. She deeply regrets the mistakes of her past. She's not proud of what she "had to do" to get by. She had an awful childhood, but she's done her best to prove; your past does not define you.

When Colin and Hailey's paths cross, things get a little crazy, a little steamy and little...tense.
I liked the chemistry between the two characters.
What I didn't much care for was how big of a jerk Colin was to Hailey. Once they get to know each other better and started to open up, their romance seemed a bit more believable.
I wish there was a little more attention given to them and building their relationship. I kinda felt like the heavy feelings came out of nowhere.
It could've been due to the extra side characters (though I enjoyed some of them) and incidents with a person from Hailey's past, that I couldn't quite get myself to care about.

Overall, this was a fast-paced, enjoyable enough romance with steamy scenes and likable characters.