O’Brien Family, Book 1
Synopsis: Once they shared a night of passion. Now a chance encounter forces them back together. In Cecy Robson’s O’Brien Family series debut—perfect for readers of Monica Murphy and J. Lynn—two total opposites find that the flames of desire are still smoldering.
Tough-as-steel cop Curran O’Brien is quickly rising through the ranks of the Philadelphia police department. But when his rookie partner is almost killed under his watch, Curran just wants to prove he still has what it takes to walk among Philly’s finest. So he’s pissed to be stuck on a cushy security assignment for the DA’s office . . . until he gets a good look at the sweet, straitlaced intern he’s supposed to protect—but not touch.
Tess Newart recognizes Curran instantly. How could she not? Back in college she tied this former frat boy to the bed with her argyle socks! That sizzling one-night stand was the only indiscretion Tess ever allowed herself. She has survived law school so far, despite being pushed to succeed by her overbearing father. Now that she’s interning on a major case against a ruthless crime boss, she won’t jeopardize her career by giving in to temptation again. She just never expected temptation to look so damn hot in uniform.
Tess knows her father has other plans for her, and they don’t include Curran. But soon she’s falling for him all over again. And when danger emerges, Curran will prove just how good a bad-boy cop can be.
Review: Cecy Robson had really carried me away with her NA, Shattered Past, series and I was curious about this new one. I must say that for those who do not know that, we find here the O’Brien family which we have already met with some members in the first set. So we focus this time on another brother, and therefore we find Curran, a policeman working in Philadelphia.
As in the previous novels, the characters here were wounded by life. Curran is trying to recover from a mission that ended terribly. Indeed, having hesitated to shoot a young boy who threatened him and his partner, the new recruit of his team was left paralyzed for life, something that is very difficult to forgive. We can understand that the guilt eats him away but it’s also quite sad to see that he refuses to seek help or to move on and accept it. Put aside for a moment, he will have to watch a young woman he had known when he was younger: Contessa. Poor Tess, it’s easy to understand and sympathize with her difficulties, facing the hardships she endured from her father. I must say that he is quite despicable between blackmail and harassment. He has a clear idea of the men she must attend and her opinion is of little importance. On top of that, without the ability to work and earn money the time to finish her studies, she is under his yoke. Thus, it is very difficult for her to refuse anything to her father for fear of ending up with a huge bill, to have no roof to live or not to have money to finish her law school.
You will understand, then that there are two broken characters by life who know they can not end up together … and yet … Curran knows that whatever attraction he feels for the young woman, he can not afford to put his job at risk by going out with the person he is supposed to monitor. As for Tess, she also knows that her father will flatly refuse a possible relationship between her and the police officer. But this does not change their feelings and it was very nice to see their relationship evolve slowly over the chapters.
I expected to have a big presence of the investigation for which the brother of Curran and Tess work but I was surprised to see that it is not the case. Yet this is not a problem, we don’t actually really pay attention to that as the characters are at the heart of the story. Besides, I did not mention it but I loved the fact that we see some characters from the Shattered Past series even if they are not very active either. In all cases it was a good surprise and I am eager to get more in the future!
Christy LoveOfBooks
Ahh weren’t they great? Yeah, I thought we’d see more of the investigation and stuff too, but Cecy made it work much better with the way she did it. Can’t wait to read the next book.
melliane
yes it’s perfect the way it is!
blodeuedd
I still have not tried these
Jenny @ Supernatural Snark
I’ve been wanting to read Cecy Robson for a while Melliane, but it can be intimidating to start a series that already has a solid number of books to it’s name, but now I can start this one from the beginning and I can’t wait:)
Melliane
I can understand. You definitely need to try her books. She is awesome!
Brandi Breathes Books
Yay, glad to hear that it was a good suprise
Carole Rae
I must try these….I do love her writing style
Melliane
me too!
Heidi
I agree, the case should have been more focused on, and you knew what was coming at the end. Still I loved the characters, and I loved seeing Letty and Brody.
Melliane
It was surprising about that fact but it’s ok.
kindlemom1
I’m so glad you were able to read it and that you liked it. I have a feeling this is going to be another fabulous series by this author!
Melliane
yes!!!!
ShootingStarsMag
It can be fun to see characters from past books by the author! Glad you liked this one.
Melliane
yes I always love that
Lily B
Sounds sweet if not generic, love man in uniform romance. Glad you enjoyed this one. Curran, heh.
Melliane
thanks!
Mogsy @ BiblioSanctum
Not my genre, but I’m glad to see you enjoyed this! It looks hot 🙂
Melliane
yes it was a nice NA
Braine
I am dallying reading this because I know Robson does angst so good to the point where I want to cut my wrists with a rusted knife! Gah!
Melliane
ah sorry…
anna (herding cats & burning soup)
I love seeing previous characters even if briefly. Always makes me smile 🙂
Melliane
totally
Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads)
Yesss, I totally have this one to read. I love Cecy, she writes to perfection.
Melliane
I agree!
Kim @ BookSwoon
I’ve been wanting to try a Cecy Robson book it seems like forever – this sounds like a great start to a series, I’m so glad you enjoyed it Melliane. The romance sounds like one I would enjoy!
Hope you have a fabulous weekend – Happy Friday 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
I really enjoyed this one and cannot wait for the next!
Joy // Joyousreads
NA is full of broken characters…glad you enjoyed this one!