Always the caretaker, former Marine Reid Griffith wants to help his brother adjust to civilian life…and help other former servicemen. What better way to utilize their brawn, discipline, and charm than a moving company that hires veterans? But although Reid prides himself on being strategic, he certainly doesn’t plan to fall in the spotlight of one brilliant—and beautiful—PR whiz..
PR expert Naomi Starr is determined to bring Vets on the Go! into the spotlight. But when she meets Reid, it might mean breaking her rule to never mix business with pleasure. Especially once she discovers that underneath Reid’s sexy rough-and-tumble exterior is a vulnerable man who just might need what she’s got to give.
| Title: | The Whole Package |
| Author: | Marie Harte |
| Series: | Veteran Movers (Book 1) |
| Pages: | 352 |
| Category / Genre(s): | Contemporary |
| Trope(s): | Marine Hero |
| Point of View: | |
| Location: | US |
| HEA: | ✔️ |
| Release Date: | 29th January, 2019 |
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Definitely missing something
Marie Harte seems to be an author who writes a lot of different genres – contemporary, historical, menage, fantasy etc etc. Despite this, I’m pretty sure that this is the first of her books that I’ve read.
Sadly, this book didn’t inspire me to delve into her back catalogue. It really was missing something for me – and I’m sorry to say that I think that the something might be a plot.
The premise sounds fun and quirky – the main reason I picked up this book was because I love a contemporary romance that adds something a little different into the mix. A bunch of hot (obviously) veterans starting their own moving business? Yes, please! But almost from the very first, this book didn’t live up to my expectations.
I didn’t mind Naomi but she didn’t really inspire any great feelings in me – good or bad. But at least she was better than poor Reid who just seemed to blend into the wallpaper. His brother, Cash, was a bit more developed as a character but I really, really didn’t like him. I like a bad boy – especially one with a dirty mouth – but good God, that man needed to sit down and shut up. There were also a slew of other characters popping up all over the place but they were very one-dimensional and I neither cared for them nor really understood their relevance to the story.
“It really was missing something … I think that something might be a plot.”
But the main thing was that nothing really happened. Two people met, liked each other, got together, had a misunderstanding, overcame that misunderstanding, and lived happily ever after. I was waiting for something – anything – more. Yet despite the simple plot, the book seemed to go on for a long time. Other reviewers have called this a ‘slow burner’ so perhaps I’m just a little less patient than them.
There were times – a lot of times – in the book where I think Naomi was supposed to come across as a strong, independent female. Instead, she came across as an immature and hugely insecure girl. And even if that message had come across, Reid and Cash – and at times just the general dialogue – were misogynistic at worst – ignorant and tactless at best. It was creepy and left me with a grimace on my face as I read – never a good sign.
So, this book didn’t inspire any great feelings in me. Despite the things I disliked, I imagine that the book will fall easily from my mind in the coming days and weeks. Which means that I won’t be averse to picking up other books by Marie Harte in the future. This one’s not for me, but give it a go if you’re a fan, as I do note that there are many people who have very much enjoyed this story. 2 stars from me.
Caffeine addict, boy referee, and romance aficionado, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Marie Harte has over 100 books published with more constantly on the way. She’s a confessed bibliophile and devotee of action movies. Whether hiking in Central Oregon, biking around town, or hanging at the local tea shop, she’s constantly plotting to give everyone a happily ever after.
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Veteran Movers Series:
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