VANESSA JARED’S GOT A MAN – LaQuette
St. Martin’s Griffin
ISBN: 978-1250773395
September 20, 2022
Contemporary Romance

Monroe Hills, Pennsylvania – Present Day

Vanessa Jared has put her failed marriage behind her and moved on with a new life that includes forming a group for women called The Savvy, Sexy, Singles Club. Out of the blue, a man appears on Vanessa’s doorstep with the news that her philandering ex-husband has found a new mark, the man’s little sister. The man is Sheriff Michael Park, and he wants her help in stopping his sister from marrying her ex, Karl. Vanessa’s first response is no, but after seeing a photo of the woman wearing a ring that her ex stole from her, she decides to help. Of course, this will mean spending a night in Monroe Hills, but that shouldn’t be a problem because a couple of her best girlfriends already live there. Alas, getting there comes with problems, including finding herself without a room at the Inn. Michael offers Vanessa a room in his house, which she accepts, knowing that she is finding the sexy sheriff very desirable. With her car now needing to be fixed, Vanessa is going to find herself spending lots of time with Michael. But will she accomplish her goals?

Vanessa spent most of her adult life married to Karl, an egotistical bully who used her for his own personal gain. Once she realized that he expected her to turn a blind eye to his cheating, she divorced him and took most of his money. She thought that she’d put him in her past but hearing that he’s about to remarry—and he claims that he’s a widower—has her wanting to take him down a peg or two. But after spotting an old family heirloom ring that is hers, she now knows that she needs to get back at him—and get her ring back. Michael thinks a few revelations from the ex-wife will help change his sister’s mind about marrying Karl. But there are a few hiccups in the plan. One, his sister ends up staying longer on an out-of-town trip, and two, Vanessa’s car breaks down. With Vanessa stranded and staying in Michael’s home, the two are soon acting upon their mutual attraction. Will a woman who fought hard to gain her independence find herself falling hard for the man who might become her ex’s brother-in-law?

Vanessa learned to become strong once she realized she was her ex’s pawn in their marriage. She really doesn’t want to have anything to do with Karl, but Michael’s request is too tempting, especially after she learns that his sister will soon inherit money from a substantial trust fund. Clearly, Karl is after the money since Vanessa left him nearly cash dry with their divorce settlement. Much of VANESSA JARED’S GOT A MAN is her getting to know the little town of Monroe Hills—and falling in love with Michael. Once what she came there to do is done, will Vanessa and Michael go their separate ways, or is there a chance they can see where things will lead?

A passionate tale of revenge and finding yourself in the last place you expected to be, VANESSA JARED’S GOT A MAN will pull you into the drama and the romance that swirls between Vanessa and Michael. Grab a copy today.

Patti Fischer

First off the cover is beautiful and really catches the eye! It was refreshing to read about characters that are closer to my age in a romance novel. Even more refreshing that they were people of color.

This book was definitely one of my favorite reads this year. You felt the connection of the characters immediately. The spice was top tier and the side characters made it a great read! So glad I took the jump and requested it!

This was a perfect summer read for me! It was such a cute book, but I can’t lie that chemistry just wasn’t there enough for me. I still enjoyed the story and how it unfolded though it wasn’t what I expected.

I unfortunately couldn't get into this book at all. I think it would have more entertainment value for me in audiobook form but reading it just didn't grip me. I don't know whether it was my mood or not and there may be a point where I'll try again, but it was just so hard for me to care about the characters.

The beginning when the male lead was introduced just felt so... i don't even know the word because I keep thinking "forced" but that doesn't seem correct. As soon as the plot started to begin there was a scene where the male lead, literally a day after they first met, had a dream about her and it just felt so wrong to me. Like too much sexualization?

Mostly though I just feel like it just wasn't the right time for me to read it. I feel like most people WOULD enjoy this because there's great female friendship and a fun main character... but sadly, it just wasn't the right fit for me.

This was my first book by the author LaQuette and I really enjoyed it. Vanessa Jared is a woman in her 40's, 2 years post divorce trying to rebuild her life after 20 years with an emotional abuser. When her ex-husband gets engaged, his new fiance's brother tracks down Vanessa to help warn his sister about her ex-husband.

I loved a lot of things about this book - how it was a romance for people in their 40's, something I don't see much of, the representation, the female friendships, the steamy scenes and the writing. I appreciated Michael (new fiance's brother)'s arc and how he was overcoming things on his own. This book dealt with a lot of issues and needs a big TW for emotional abuse but it was at heart a romance. While I enjoyed this book, I didn't quite connect with the romance. I didn't feel chemistry as much as I was hoping and I would have loved a little bit more witty banter - but maybe that's because I've been reading so many rom-coms lately. Still, an enjoyable romance with a lot of heart and a HEA.

*Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy. Opinions are my own.

One of the nice things about falling in love at 40+ is that many people tend to know what they really want, or at least how to recognize it. LaQuette's characters move beyond sorrowful personal experiences and find each other in the pleasant setting of a friendly small Pennsylvania town. Their backgrounds are very different -- Vanessa's an African American accountant, Michael's a Korean American Sherriff -- and it's fun to follow these likeable, complex characters while they learn that they have friends, values, and ethical viewpoints in common. The sizzling attraction between them is delightful, too. LaQuette writes love scenes that show how "older and wiser" can apply to intimate activities! A subplot involving truly rotten behavior by Vanessa's ex-husband towards her new love's sister blends smoothly with the romance. This is an enjoyable read by a talented author. As a Librarian, I'd recommend this to fans of multicultural contemporary romance; fans of Kwana Jackson's "Knot Again"; and romance readers interested in older people finding love.

I loved this book! It's a perfect romance. I'll do anything for an enemies to lovers, so this story checked all my boxes. The tension, the reward, all of it - chefs kiss!

Do you like sassy women friends and a hot romance? If so, this book is definitely one you’ll like. Vanessa is a divorced woman in her 40s. She met her two best friends in a divorce support group and their relationships/interactions are wonderful. One day, two years after her divorce is final, Michael Park shows up at her door because he’s trying to protect his sister from Vanessa’s ex, who was an emotionally abusive, controlling, cheating husband, and he asks Vanessa to help him. They have an instant attraction. The intercultural romance was delightful (Vanessa and her two friends are African American; Michael is Korean-American.) Michael happens to be the sheriff in a small town in the Pocono Mountains (Vanessa refers to the town as “Mayberry”), where her two friends live. She lives in New Jersey, in a gated community of some sort, is an accountant, and is totally not used to the vibes of a small town.

The audiobook was great. Denise Wallace did a fabulous job with the various voices. Be advised: do not listen to this without headphones because there are a bunch of very explicit scenes. Definitely NSFW!

Warnings: (past) death of parents; (past) emotionally abusive relationship
Steam factor: High

Thank you to OrangeSky Media and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to an advance copy of this audiobook and to St. Martin’s Griffin and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance reader copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I was instantly enthralled into this book and the premise of finding yourself as a woman after a certain age. I loved the friend group and the lovely banter they had as they all tried to rebuild. Vanessa our main character has left a marriage after 20 years and is trying to find herself. After attending a divorce support group she finds her tribe and things begin to make sense.

Then we meet our male protagonist, Sheriff Michael Park, who meets Vanessa by chance and is instantly attracted to her. What follows is small-town charm, a chance at love, and tons of sweet moments. Definitely a cute story.

Holy hotness, Batman! Vanessa Jared got her groove back and then some after her messy break up with the sexy sheriff Michael Park! The chemistry between these two is crazy intense and so spicy!!

Vanessa is still recovering from a very controlling ex and an unhealthy marriage. She’s approached by Michael, whose sister is Vanessa’s ex’s mext victim. He needs her help to break them up. Will she comply?
Vanessa is snarky and knows her worth. She won’t let another man control her again, ever. Michael is the head of police in his small town, but he has a long way to go before he is able to corner Vanessa.
It’s an amusing read with the rapport between Michael and Vanessa, interlaced with very steamy scenes.
Who knew “Mayberry” could be so exciting?

I personally had to dnf pretty early just because i knew this book isn’t for me. with a sherif love interest and the main character being in her 40s, it was a story that i knew i wouldn’t be able to connect with.

Vanessa is 40ish and devastated after a messy divorce from an emotionally abusive husband. She drives two hours from her home in New Jersey to a small town in Pennsylvania to go to a support meeting and meets two women who become her best friends. Two years later a man shows up at her door and says he wants her help breaking his sister's, engagement to Vanessa's ex, Karl, and what a coincidence that he is from the same small town in PA!

I never felt a romance between Vanessa and Michael, lots of lust but no real connection or one that made me want to root for them. From his standpoint he liked her thick thighs and big posterior and she had a lot of thoughts too along the same line. The friends, Janae and Cree, were just in the background being sassy But other than Janae being a nurse I have no idea what Cree did and they all grew up as good friends with Michael. Cindy, Michael's sister, doesn't even make an appearance until half way into the book.

The writing was fine but it was just not a book for me.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me a digital copy.

Thank you @stmartinspress and @netgalley for the #gifted eARC of VANESSA JARED’S GOT A MAN!

Phew this book is STEAMY! I was not expecting that from its cute lil cover art.

I haven’t read many romance books with the MCs in their forties but after reading this one, it’s definitely something I’d love to read more of. There’s just something special about a female MC who is so confident and assured in herself. Vanessa knows how she deserves to be treated and she demands it.

I loved Michael’s POV. He instantly falls so hard for Vanessa (I mean she’s a total badass so how could he not?!). His deep sense of loyalty to his family and community was endearing. You definitely want a friend like Michael on your team.

Vaness and Michael’s chemistry was off the charts and I sped through this one to get to their HEA. Fingers crossed that we get a sequel love story for Vanessa’s bestie Janae and Michael’s bff Adam!

VANESSA JARED’S GOT A MAN comes out on September 20th!

Cw: emotional abuse, gaslighting

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4954621341
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CiVRAEXLZzs/

What a wonderful debut novel. The story of Vanessa getting her groove back & Michael who might be a help with doing that was fun, flirty, & descriptive. The secondary characters were good & hopefully we are being set up for the next book in the series with the ending. Can't wait to visit Monroe Hills again.

Thanks to the publisher & NetGalley for advanced copy in exchange for my honest review

The cover is what first drew me to this book. l love it! I really liked this book.

Vanessa Jared is recently divorced from her manipulative husband and is trying to find herself. At a divorce support group, she meets two other women and the three form an instant bond. A very interesting set of circumstances leads Vanessa to the small town of Monroe Hills, PA where Michael Park is the Sheriff. Michael is single but not ready to mingle as he has very little time for a personal life.

Vanessa and Michael spend a lot of time avoiding each other’s gaze but they are irreparably drawn to each other. Whew... the heat and magnetism between these two is off the charts! But, can Vanessa leave her old life behind and truly find what she wants out of life? Can Michael drop his need to control everything and everyone in his life?

I appreciated that this book was very body positive and that the male and female friendships were about building up and not tearing down. This book is also about starting over, finding yourself and finding love. This book gave everything and left me wanting for nothing! I would highly recommend this one if you are looking for a great romance read!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review

I loved this book. The relationship between Vanessa & her two best friends is affirming, and positive - which is something she needs after suffering emotional abuse during her marriage. Then when she meets Michael, the sheriff of the small town her besties are from, and finds out her jerk ex is out to do the same thing to his sister, she is forced to confront her past head on.

Michael & Vanessa fairly burn the pages with the tension that builds almost immediately. He's an honest to goodness 'good' man, but events from his past have given him a full-on hero complex, which Vanessa doesn't appreciate.

They are a delightful couple, and you can't help rooting for them. I loved the story, I loved the characters, and I think everyone should pick this one up!

I really loved this. Vanessa Jared is reeling from a divorce she was in for 20 years and is trying to figure out who she is now. At a divorce support group Vanessa meets what will soon be her best friends, Cree and Janae. They have an instant bond and create The Savvy, Sexy, Singles Club. I love it!

The HEAT, and the CHEMISTRY between Vanessa and Michael is everything! Whew! When Michael uses Korean terms of affection I grinned ear to ear this was so cute 😩🥰 I ate it up!

This wonderful story was about starting over. Finding love with yourself and finding the true love you deserve. Beautiful friendships as well. Bravo LaQuette this was a refreshing take contemporary romance.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s press for the eARC!

I am obsessed. First of all, this was spicy as hell and I LOVED IT. I also love a 2nd-chance-at-life/love situation with a character overcoming their trauma from a previous toxic relationship. I want to be Vanessa Jared when I grow up. Loved this !!!

A great read.
Vanessa reluctantly agrees to help Michael try and stop his sister marrying Vanessa 's ex husband.
Loved the support that Vanessa had from her best friends.
Looking forward to more from this author.