Necessary Restorations

Necessary Restorations, Kate Canterbary Genre: Romance, Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews Well, Kate is fast becoming one of my favourite romance authors. I love this sort of romance read, not light and fluffy, impractical and unlikely, but stories that are full of real people with genuine problems. No dippy bimbos or very young billionaires, but characters that are in their twenties/thirties and work – very hard – at what they do. This is the third book I’ve read and whereas in book one I was a bit confused by the back story, how everyone connects and what went on before, each book reveals a little more and its so complex, that I can see now that it’s best revealed a bit at a time, drip by drip, so the reader has time to understand what happened and exactly how it affected each of the siblings, but in very different ways. Sam – oh Sam...we met him in earlier books as a secondary character, but now he’s number one. I’ve always though he’d be fun, he’s a rep as a manwhore, and yet was constantly berated by his father for being gay – and yet we really don’t know exactly what’s true, or his reasons. Well, finally we learn more about him and he’s an incredibly complex character. He’s a number of genuine health issues, serious problems that connect to what sometimes seems his odd behaviour. Add in that he saw his mother bleed to death giving birth while he was very young, along with his siblings, and that from then on his father hated them all and went from loving to awful, vituperative, cruel mentally and physically, and its easy to see how they became such a tight knit unit, although each have their own oddities.
I love Sam in this book, we see his illnesses properly, severe type one diabetes, which, along with his bullying by peers in earlier years, has led to his penchant for quick BJ’s in clubs, back rooms etc. where he can hide his medical needs, never taking ladies home, never getting into a relationship, his food oddities connect to his severe allergies and the OCD about germs – well I guess that’s something from his past too. All this means he’s a complex person, very talented and passionate about his work, as are all the siblings, very close to them and yet he’s always that bit apart, a solo character. Getting trapped in a lift for hours is his worst nightmare – germs from the floor, the small space, the noise and fidgeting of Tiel, trapped with him. Somehow though she wears him down and he finds himself out with her afterwards, and then back to her flat. Not for sex, but they become friends and spend extraordinary amounts of time together. The Friends tag keeps cropping up and each is scared it seems to me, they want more but what they have works so well they don’t want to risk it in case the other doesn’t want more....so it goes in until finally – well, read it and see Winking smile Tiel is lovely, but not without her own issues hiding beneath that cheery, happy front she displays, and when they do get together its hard for them both, they love what they have but are uncertain of the future, of labels, of their own pasts and of letting others know they are together. For a while they’re in a kind of bubble of isolation. And of course Sam’s family is intimidating for anyone, but for someone whose own family have all but abandoned her – well, Tiel has some serious problems to come. The downside – this is what makes or breaks a romance for me. Kate gives us fabulous characters, real people and genuine and interesting work situations. Throw in some very sensual and erotic sex and the upsides are perfect, but its when it falls apart that keeps me gripped. I have to feel that there is real risk to them, that maybe they won’t get back from this – even though of course we know they will. This once again is perfect and that part really worked so well, taking a big chunk of the book, not just a few rushed pages. I wasn’t sure how it was going to work out – had a number of possible scenarios but I was wrong...very wrong, and Kate’s put it all together perfectly, to make it feel as though it really could have happened this way. Beautiful writing in this part too that really moved me. I’m so happy to read more of this family – I still want to know just what happened between Erin and Shannon, then there’s Nick, close family friend, honoury brother...from something that’s said I thought I’d got a glimpse of something, but then at the end I see I'm wrong. Again! I actually like that though, to be kept guessing, keeps it interesting. We see more of Riley here too and how he’s grown since the first book. He’s a great character, plays the fool well, but underneath the slightly clumsy, coffee stained and immature front he presents, there’s a young man that’s got a very shrewd, astute intellect. He’ll be a fun read – I hope we get a book from all of the family, I’ve loved what’s gone so far. Kate writes for me the perfect fiction to escape with for a few hours, a blend of seamless romance and reality, sex and sensuality and stories that could be found in a genuine family.

Stars: Five, a fabulous read . ARC provided by Netgalley and publishers

i loved this book. seriously hot

I love Kate Canterbary’s writing. After book one and two I fell in love with the Walsh siblings. Sam’s book is one of the ones I was most excited to read. Something about him intrigued me from the start. I love a story about a man-whore who finds that one girl who has him change his ways. And that’s exactly what Sam is. A man-whore. He has his reasons, and he embraces his lifestyle.

Sam and Tiel meet in an unusual way. Tiel is such a fun and outspoken heroine, she is hard not to love. She gets Sam to go out of his comfort zone. She takes this man who wears three piece suits and works full time as an architect, only to go to swanky bars to hook up, and she gets him to explore the city. Go to festivals, share her passion of music by seeing all types of live shows. She gets him to embrace life.

Sam and Tiel become fast friends. Friends? With a woman? This is all very new to Sam. But Tiel has this pull that he can’t stay away from. She makes him feel normal. They do all the things normal friends do. They see each other constantly, text constantly, she pretty much becomes the biggest part of his life. But all they are is friends. Friends who kiss, but just friends. At least thats what they keep telling one another.

When friendship isn’t enough for either of them anymore, what happens next? Sam, the self proclaimed man-whore, Tiel the free spirit with no family ties. They are an unlikely pair. I wish I could tell you it was an easy love story for these two, but I’d be lying. Their love story was a bit messy at times. It wasn’t perfect. They don’t want to hurt each other because besides being in a relationship, they are one another’s best friend. But sometimes hurting those you love is inevitable. 

Sam and Tiel. These are two characters that I completely and utterly loved, but also two characters that (at times) pissed me off beyond belief. They both did things that just… made me cringe. I don’t want to go into detail (and it’s by no means a deal breaker for most) but there was a specific action on each of their part that kept this from being a five star read for me. Don’t get me wrong, there were loads of five star moments. I completely adore these books and this series is a gem in the roth of new indie series. I just wish things (at least with one of the two) would have went down differently. But I also understand that in real life, some things have to fall apart before they can come together in a real way. So don’t let that deter you from reading this fantastic series.

Sam and Tiel’s story had so much good in it. I really did love them both. Tiel’s job made her completely endearing and Sam is just Sam. I’ve loved him from book one. I’m a little saddened we just have two Walsh siblings left… but I am crazy excited to read Shannon’s book next. And Riley… somehow I think Kate is saving the best Walsh boy for last ;)

If you haven’t started this series and you’re looking for a fresh, fun and sexy contemporary romance, I would highly recommend! 



Title: Necessary Restorations Series: The Walshes Book #3 Author: Kate Canterbary Genre: Romance Blurb: They liked to call me names. Manwhore. Slut. Player. But I make wrong look so right…

He's a flawed perfectionist…
I can read women better than any blueprint. I understand their thoughts and feelings, their secret desires and insecurities, and I know how to get rid of them once I get off.

But all bets are off when Tiel Desai slams into my life. She redefines what it means to be friends, and she makes it sound like the filthiest thing I've ever heard.

I can't read the gorgeous conservatory-trained violinist, but she's the only one keeping me from shattering by small degrees, and I can't let her go.

She's wildly independent… My past—and New Jersey—are far behind me, and now my life is blissfully full of music: playing, teaching, and lecturing, and scouring Boston's underground scene with an annoyingly beautiful, troubled, tattooed architect.

I'm defenseless against his rooftop kisses, our nearly naked dance parties, the snuggletimes that turn into sexytimes, and his deep, demanding voice.

I have Sam Walsh stuck in my head like a song on repeat, and I'm happy pretending history won't catch up with me.

The one thing they have in common is a rock-solid disregard for the rules.
They find more in each other than they ever realized they were missing, but they might have to fall apart before they can come together.

It's the wrongs that make the rights come to life.
Thoughts: Kate Canterbary is an interesting author for me – each book is just so different and has such a different feel to it and such different characters that you just don’t know what to expect within the pages of each book. I absolutely loved the last book, The Space Between (in fact, I’ve been feeling this need to go back and read that one again!), and the first one I really didn’t like much at all – and this one? This one fell somewhere in between the two. It wasn’t quite as captivating as The Space Between – but I’m going to be honest, that one would have been hard to beat! This one comes close though…
Necessary Restorations was a bit of quirky read but a fun one….Tiel was the character that just made this book….you loved her character and you wanted to read more because of her – not to mention she was absolutely perfect for Sam. It’s also interesting because you can see the chemistry between them from the very beginning….yet they maintain this oddly charming friends-yet-not-friends relationship that just adds something to the book and to the intimacy that develops between them. They also each have certain vulnerabilities, which really make things interesting over the course of the book. A great addition to the series….looking to see what else happens with this interesting family!
Rate: B+

4.5 sneaky snuggling stars...
In case you haven't read any of my other reviews I'll repeat it for you, I ❤️THE WALSH TRIBE! They are so funny, and weird, and loving, and talented, and perfectly written by an incredible author. This story is a bit more serious and there were fewer instances of intense sexual chemistry, and sexytime. The characters, Sam & Tiel met under very unusual circumstances and their relationship starts out in the 'friend zone'. Actually, the author found the perfect way to force Sam to spend more than 5 minutes in a coat closet with a nameless woman. Being a unapologetic manwhore he had no use for women other than what they could provide in those 5 minutes and talking wasn't required. While this book can be read and enjoyed as a standalone, there is some history that would be missed. For instance, I already knew going in, at least partially, why Sam was so screwed up and carrying tons of baggage from his painful past. However; I didn't know how deep his issues were because in the previous books I was only inside the heads of the main characters so it was only his humor and fashion sense that I admired when he was a support character. In this book, I get a front row seat in his head as he's thinking, "I was the grand master of assholes and more damaged than the Titanic's hull." So, with his very thick armor in place it takes longer to get to the 'pervy part' that takes place after the 'sneaky snuggling' that occurs between friends. I really enjoyed the musical aspect of this story as we get to know Tiel and her many talents and quirks. She is imediately pulled to Sam, feeling that "We were drawn together, magnet to metal." She was free, flowing, and laid back. She didn't wear heels or the latest styles. But at the same time she adored his fashion perfection and snickered as he discussed pocket squares with bartenders. She could see the real Sam, knowing that "feigning an adequate amount of snotty disinterest was how he kept his Cool Kid card." What an amazing chemistry that these two opposites created together as they secretly crushed on each other and only the readers knew how they felt. What fun it is to anticipate when "IT" would finally happen. How hilarious Riley is and how long must I wait for his story? How badass Shannon is and what a special man it will take to handle her. I can't wait! The line forms here...

I decided to purchase and read books 1 and 2 of this series before I read this ARC. I'm so glad that I did - I love the Walshes! This book was my favorite of the series so far. I really enjoyed their slow build relationship, with a friendship before romance. And, well, what's not to love about sexy, architect, OCD, damaged Sam?? I also enjoyed Tiel's quirky, funny personality.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read and review this book! I can't wait for the rest of the Walsh stories.

4 Stars

Sam is nothing like I perceived him to be. He’s neurotic, a bit of a pervert and anxiety ridden. Meeting Sam in the previous books in the Walsh series, I never would have guessed what going on behind his closed door. Sam is a complex man who is tied in lots of knots.

Tiel is a free spirit and rebel all-in-one. I really enjoyed the complexity of her character. She’s a bit sassy, a little quirky and so passionate. A woman that has music running through her veins. Tiel is the kind of woman that can unravel you and put you back together in a few moments.

Kate Canterbary could not have put two more opposite people together. Tiel and Sam begin this mix match friendship that steadily builds to something more by being themselves and having fun. Heavy emotions with laugh out loud snark. Passionate and a little pervy, Tiel brought a welcome noise to Sam’s quite world.

I really love that music played such a strong role in Necessary Restorations. I will also love Tiel just for the nature of who she is and the good she is doing.
I received a review copy of this title from the author/publisher for an honest review.

Sam Walsh is a gifted award-winning highly in-demand architect. He is perfectly put together on the outside. His immaculate clothes, a much-too-cool-for-you sneer and strictly-anonymous one-sided-relationships are his armor, so nothing and no one can touch him. Tiel Desai is brilliant. A brilliant musician, a gifted music therapist and sought after professor and researcher. Long ago exiled from her family she revels in marching to beat of a different drum. Her jingly casualness and non-conformity is her armor. Tiel and Sam would have never gotten to know each other, if the elevator they were riding in didn't first stall and later plummet with them trapped inside.

This is a opposites attract story about two emotionally messed up people drawn to each other even as they try to push each other away. The intense intimacy of surviving that the elevator accident forges a bond between them neither of them quite understands. The adrenaline and the post-survival alcohol and dancing lubricates them enough so they drop their guard enough to become attached to each other. Their relationships is hard to define, not quite platonic but not quite anything else. Their lives start revolving around each other. Tiel interrupts Sam's self-destructive pattern of club hook-ups, filling his evenings with music gigs & band-hunts all over Boston. Before either of them notice they form a real relationship, even if they can't quite define it, and willfully mislabel it.

Eventually the late-night cuddles & affectionate touches escalate to the point they have admit to they have been more than just friends but they both have a horrible time admitting they want more. They both have an incredible amount of baggage around sex and relationships. Their issues are big enough that their sexual chemistry can't paper over it. Their insecurities and self-sabotage sink them. They are in any position to heal each other but instead they spur each other to get their lives in order and stop hiding from their issues. It is only after they have faced those issues that they become strong enough to claim each other.

It was fascinating how my feelings about Tiel morphed as the book progressed. Initially I saw her the same way Sam did, a confident, mature and self-contained. But as the book progresses her jealousy, and inability to accurately value her talents becomes more evident. As the book progresses the subtle nature of Tiel's self-destructive nature comes to the fore. The vulnerability Tiel tries to hide when she first encounters Sam's family felt very raw and painfully real. The differences between their families of origin, and the distinct nature of their messed up relationships with them are not small obstacles to overcome and I appreciated that Canterbary takes them seriously.

I normally avoid books where cheating or the suspcion of it a crucial plot element. Sam doesn't, but Tiel's fears that he will. While not blind to the source of her insecurities (her horrible first marriage and Sam's reputation as player), she doesn't see till fairly late in the book how she courted and feed her insecurities. I was pretty mad at Sam for failing to see how some of his behavior would look, and not protecting Tiel from it. But Sam is so incredibly destroyed when it all explodes and the fact that he take the time to get himself better that I couldn't stay mad at him for long and I was relieved when Tiel forgave him too. Their reconciliation in someways feels one sided as Sam is the one who has to do the big gesture but I think Tiel's transformation was just as significant and made it possible for her to forgive and claim Sam rather than turning him away.

This was my first Walsh book and my first book by Kate Canterbary. Although this book was way angstier and more tortured than my usual, I will definitely look for more of her books as I was able to enjoy a story-line that I normally avoid.

I received a review copy of Necessary Restorations from the author via NetGalley

This review is for Necessary Restorations by Kate Canterbary.

Another fun story for the Walsh clan. There is so much more to Sam than most people realize, since he masks everything so well. I loved the chemistry between Sam and Tiel. They're the perfect complement for each other.

Can't wait to read the next book in the series!

Sam and Tiel were interesting characters right from the start and that made the book so.enjoyable. Sam he's quite the character blunt, aggressive at times (in a good way) and he's totally pervy I loved all of him, "Why the eff did we sleep on the floor?" Sam asked, his arms clutching my waist and his head resting on my belly." He's quite a bossy man, "I clearly recall telling you not to go anywhere. Get your sweet a** in the car so I can take you home." I thought Tiel was perfect for Sam she balanced him out, "I want to hang out with you," she said simply. "And have ridiculous arguments about irrelevant things, and long talks about random stuff, and laugh with you all the time. I want you staring at my boobs and saying pervy things, and then doing all those pervy things." I enjoyed this book I loved these characters.

The Bottom Line I really enjoyed this book alot. Well crafted characters and well drawn family relationships, good and bad, are a highlight of this series. Ms. Canterbary continues to impress me with each book I read and I would be interested in seeing what happens next with these siblings.