Series Week - The Crooked Creek series by Molly O'Keefe

Molly O'Keefe's latest series is really enjoyable!  If you haven't had a chance to pick up either book, I urge you to do so. Can't Buy Me Love is out now and its sequel, Can't Hurry Love comes at the end of the month. I really like both books!

Can't Buy Me Love ( Crooked Creek Ranch Book #1)

Author: Molly O'Keefe

Publisher: Random House Publishing Group

Date of Publication: June 2012

A girl from the wrong side of the tracks, Tara Jean Sweet knows that opportunity will never knock; she’ll have to seize it. Elderly Texas rancher Lyle Baker has a dying request: He will give Tara Jean a stake in his leather business in exchange for a little family subterfuge. All Tara Jean has to do is play the part of a gold-digging fiancée to lure Lyle’s estranged children home. The mission is soon accomplished.

I really enjoyed this first book in the series. There is so much going on in this book that I don't want to give too much away.  Luc and his sister have never really loved or been loved by their father and when he it look like he is marrying a gold digger, they come back hoem to protect thier in heritance.  Their fahter gets the last laugh though.  When he dies, they find that their inhertcanv come with a price. Cant' Buy Me Love is Tara Jean and Luc's story.

Both Tara Jean and Luc are having a hard time figuring out who they really are and who they want to be.  Is it ever too late to change yourself? Luc's hockey career is coming to and end.  It is all he has evefr known and he is a little lost.  He is also a natural caretaker that I think he has forgotten to take care of him self.  I loved Tara Jean and really felt badly for her for what she had gone through in her life.  I think when we are told over and over that we are nothing, it is hard to believe in ourselves. I'm not sure I liked them together at first.  They seemed to hate each other, despite their attraction.  But as the book progressed, I came to realize how good they were for each other.  I loved their HEA.

Can't Hurry Love ( Crooked Creek Ranch Book #2)

Author: Molly O'Keefe

Publisher: Random House Publishing Group

Date of Publication: July 31, 2012

Tori Baker, the penniless widow of a disgraced financier, is ready to stand up, be counted, and make a new life for herself and her beloved son in Texas. She’s taking over Crooked Creek ranch, her birthright, and turning it into something special. All that stands in her way is Eli Turnbull, a rugged, too-handsome cowboy who wants the land just as badly.

I think I liked this one a bit more than the first.   I can't quite put my finger on why.  I think it might have to do with the fact the Tori and Eli have known each other a while.  It could also be that I felt like they took more time to fall in love with each other. I also liked that there was an epilogue of sorts that gave me a greater sense of closure for the couple that I didn't get in the first one. 

Both Tori and Eli have abandonment issues.  This makes it harder for them to trust each other and trust in their feelings.  Tori's dead husband was involved in a Ponzi scheme that isolated her from everyone when he died.  She feels responsible and takes a long time to get over her guilt.  I have to say, I loved how she stands up for herself in the end.   Eli and Tori were great together and I was really rooting for them.  There is also a very sweet side romance involving Luc's mother, Celeste and a very handsome contractor.  


Both books were very engaging and well written.  I had a hard time putting them down.  I know you will too!