The Space Between

This book was refreshing. It was a brilliant take on the boss employee scenario that kept me glued to the page to find out what happened next.. The story had just the right amount of everything I look for in my next favorite and I look forward to seeing what the author comes up with next. She will be an automatic one click for me.

The Space Between, Kate Canterbary Genre: Romance Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews Book two in the series and I was so pleased to see it. It reminds me a bit of the Kat and Stone Bastion book series No Weddings. Not in the content, but in the style its written, much of it first person, pathos and humour, a story that makes the reader see both sides, and a supportive, though at times bickering, family who run a business together utilising each persons strengths. Where NW gave us fabulous descriptive parties that I could envisage, and delicious inventive cakes, this family's story gives us incredible buildings, insights into sustainable mechanics, and just what can be done to old and new buildings. Sustainable future is something I’m passionate about too - and of course we’ve a story that mixes humour with tears, passion, romance and smouldering sex, with deep, dark drops that made me really sad. I loved the first book, though I floundered a bit on working out the back story and how everyone related. I’m still a little in the dark, but as the story grows more becomes clear. The stories centre around the Walsh siblings, and what a terrific group they are. Four brothers, two sisters, ( I’m desperate to know what brought on the breach between Erin and Shannon – 5 years is a long time to hold a grudge) and all apart from Erin work together in their own firm. They each have specialised talents and different characters, very, very different. Patrick as the oldest is known for being abrupt to the point of rudeness, but passionate about his work and a born leader. They’ve all got nicknames and his is Optimus. ( My boys were Transformers fans as kids, so I recognise the irony of it. I love Matt’s wife-to-be, Lauren’s name – Miss Honey, she’s a schoolteacher/owner and they’ve taken the name from Roald Dahl's book Matilda)
Finally the firm is taking on its first intern, and Andy appears. From the first sight of her Patrick is struck – and he hates losing control. He doesn’t want to take her even though she’s undoubtedly perfect for the job, tries to say “no” at the interview but Andy's having none of it. He’s her hero, his dissertation has been her inspiration and bedtime reading for years, this is the job she’s aimed for since her teens, and she’s getting it. As he interrupts her and starts to say No, she stops him and tells him she hasn’t finished speaking..... Needless to say she gets the position, and its Patrick she’ll be working with. The first few weeks are a nightmare for him, he can’t concentrate, her nearness affects his thoughts, his speech and his actions. He’s so abrupt in the office about her the others think he hates her but nothing could be further from the truth. When they’re out on site he manages to wrangle her lunching with him, and thinks up every excuse he can for them to spend more time together. Somehow this self contained, ever composed, always in control man is soon in the throes of a passionate affair with Andy. She’s afraid for her reputation, doesn’t want people gossiping, saying she only get the job because she’s sleeping with him. Patrick is just mentally displaced and can’t work out what’s happened, just knows he can’t get enough of her. I love the way they are together, and it’s like they are just so perfect. Still, the secret romance gradually gets to be more widely known in the family, but just as it seems as if they are finally going to go public, tell everyone they’re in love all goes wrong. Terribly wrong, and the old prejudices on both sides that have made them both hold parts of themselves back so far, snake out and they say things they regret. Poor Patrick, and poor Andy. He regrets what happened and what he said, she can see where she’s maybe jumped to conclusions and yet she can’t go back, or maybe that’s won’t. She’s afraid that everything she’s spent years working for will be lost...and won’t respond to his apologies. Its a really sad time – and I love those, and for me its extended perfectly, to the point where I wondered whether this would continue to another book...( it doesn’t, no cliff hangers) I just couldn’t see how they’d come back, how Andy could put things behind her. Along with the Patrick and Andy story, there’s the overall smaller plots regarding the family, changes within the firm, the aftermath of the death and reading of their fathers Will, Matt and Lauren’s wedding, and the mystery surrounding Erin. Its a family full of secrets, a family so hurt by their fathers actions. He loved them dearly, they were a wonderful, close and happy family for years, until when Patrick was eleven their mother died in really tragic and bloody circumstances, dying in front of her young children. Their dad seemed to blame them, has been a drunken and angry father since, and his rages against each of them were vitriolic, so cruel and destructive, picking at what he knew were weak spots and creating as much hurt as he could. Really its a wonder they survived so well, and it’s made them a very tight knit family. The earlier part where in book one I said it felt like I didn’t know the backstory is gradually coming out, and I feel I know so much more about the family this way. Its so massive the background that this show way of letting me see the past is best, had it been just “told” then I think I’d not have got the full impact of the horror that was their childhood after their mothers death. I hate being told a plot anyway, I find I just switch off, and don’t remember essential info, so this way has proved great for me, even though I had initial misgivings. I certainly want to read more from the family but who next? Erin? with whatever’s between her and Shannon, or Shannon with her full on aggressive man-eater kind of outlook that’s probably covering a vulnerable and hurt inside. Or Sam, the gentle soul on the surface, but with deep emotional issues simmering beneath, the man who their father mocked and called gay even though he’s always out with the ladies...or Riley the baby? He’s Andy’s age and yet there seems years between them. He seems like one of life’s innocents as far as malice goes, always joking, friendly, outgoing but he gets teased for his ability to mess up his clothes ( the coffee!) and often seems to get the bum jobs dumped on him. I wonder what’s going on behind that make everyone smile image he shows. Stars: Five, a wonderful gripping sexy continuation of the Walsh family.

ARC provided by Netgalley and publishers

I definitely have moved this series to my must read list. Kate Canterbary is a talented writer. Her characters are so vivid and interesting that I find them easy to connect to and I feel invested in their happily ever after. Though this is part of a series, it could stand alone. I have read the first book though, and I recommend it. The Walsh family is one I would like to be related to, or have as neighbors. What fun that would be! I especially appreciate the crisp, sharp dialogue and the family banter. Oh, and let's not forget the passion factor - so high and so very well done! I cant wait for the next book!
*I received my copy from NetGalley.com in exchange for an honest review.

Here we have the oldest Walsh, Patrick, who starts the book interviewing a new intern architect from Cornell, Andy. In the prior book, we saw a little of Patrick, including his inability to keep staff around. Andy though turns out to be perfect for him, not only in his business but his personal life.

I was actually slow to warm up to Andy, to her personality. She came across honestly as a bit snobby and elite, and frankly a little weird and not in a good way. Most of that impression stayed with me, but whatever as she was still the match for Patrick. Their romance had to navigate the problem of her being his intern, reporting directly to him. That was a big issue obviously. I never actually understood her rage regarding the big blow-up at the end of the book (leaving out the details due to spoilers), but that is probably part of her personality that I just don't get and don't like.

In any case, my dislike of the heroine detracted at a star, but this was still a solid read, well written, and I loved the interactions among the siblings. The series story arc regarding their history and their father continues in this one with a little bit of insight. We get to see the missing Walsh, Erin, briefly. I'll definitely be continuing with this series as I absolutely have to see the others find their mates.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley for an honest review. _________ Reviews posted at Goodreads and Amazon 3/25/15

The Space Between is the second book in The Walshes’ series. Each book follows one of the five Walsh siblings. This is a group that even after two books, I have grown attached to and love reading about! All five of these siblings are so different, and together they are a riot! Book one was about Matt finding love with his sexy school teacher Lauren. This book follows the oldest son, Patrick.

Patrick needs an intern at the family’s architect firm. The only problem is he isn’t easy to please and no one is good enough to fill the spot. Till he meets a black haired beauty named Andy. She is able to answer anything thrown at her. She’s perfect for the job. But Patrick doesn’t want her there at first... for entirely different reasons that are not professional.

Although Andy isn’t shy with her feelings about Patrick, she is very hesitant about acting on them. And I don’t blame her. He is her boss. She gives a little, but always seems to be holding back. And Patrick notices. For the first time in his life, he wants more from a girl. He doesn’t want her to hold back. He wants everything from her.

Andy and Patrick have amazing chemistry. When they finally give in to their desires for each other, it’s explosive. Their relationship is complicated though. Even though they both have these feelings for each other, they feel the need to keep things on the sly for a while. At least until Andy is no longer an intern.

I love Patrick and Andy together. Love! Patrick was the serious brother in the first book, but he was something else all together once you got to know him and be in his head.

After reading book one in this series, Patrick was probably the brother I was least interested in reading about. Boy was I wrong. Patrick was just they type of guy I love. Broody, grumpy, sexy, damaged and domineering. He was a great hero! And Andy is awesome. She was a fantastic heroine. I loved how she didn’t put up with his attitude when he was throwing it at her at the beginning. She’s driven and dedicated, yet also carefree and fun.

The only real reason I didn’t give this 5 stars is that I felt the ending was a little rushed. I get that there isn’t much of an epilogue, I know that we will see much more of Andy and Patrick in the other Walsh siblings books, I just wanted more of them together out in the open after they got it all together.

This is a wonderful series. Sweet, fun, light hearted, sexy with just enough damaged characters and drama to keep it from being too fluffy. I’ve come to adore these Walsh siblings! I can’t wait for Sam, Shannon and Riley’s books! I don’t even care who’s next because I’m excited to read about them all!

I love this family. They are so emotionally damaged but they are keeping their sh*t together and making a success of their family run architectural business. Patrick is the one that holds it all together until he meets Andy, his new intern. She puts him in a place he isn't familiar with and makes him see that there might actually be more to life than working. Andy has been working her entire college life to get this internship and learn everything she possibly can from Patrick Walsh. What she learns far exceeds her expectations. But can the two make it work outside of the office? I really liked this couple and think they were pretty perfect for each other. Recommend for anyone wanting a book with the two MCs burning up the pages, but also have an incredible relationship.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

Received an ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.

I loved reading Andy and Patrick's story, but something didn't quite connect all the way for me. I felt like I was separated from them. I loved their quirky ways and how much he was into her, but I loved his family more. I wish I had read Matt and Lauren's story and I look forward to seeing what becomes of the other Walsh siblings.

Good book.