All He Ever Needed (The Kowalskis) [Kindle Edition]

Shannon Stacey (Author)

Book Description

He won't stay put for a woman, and she won't chase after any man...

Mitch Kowalski lives out of a suitcase—and he likes it that way. Traveling for work has the added bonus of scaring off women who would otherwise try to tie him down. But when he's called home to help with the family lodge, he's intrigued by the new girl in town and her insistence that she doesn't need a man. If there's one thing Mitch can't resist, it's a challenge.

After a nomadic childhood, Paige Sullivan is finally putting down roots. Determined to stand on her own two feet, she lives by the motto "Men are a luxury, not a necessity." But when Mr. Tall, Dark and Hot pulls up a stool in her diner and offers her six weeks of naughty fun with a built-in expiration date, she's tempted to indulge.

They're the perfect match for a no-strings fling. Until they realize their sexy affair has become anything but casual...

70,000 words

Editorial Reviews

Review

"I'm madly in love with the Kowalskis!"- NewYork Times Bestselling author Nalini Singh

"Shannon Stacey's books deliver exactly what we need in contemporary romances.... I feel safe that every time I pick up a Stacey book I'm going to read something funny, sexy and loving." –Jane Litte of Dear Author on All He Ever Needed

"Books like this are why I read romance."

- Smart Bitches, Trashy Books on Exclusively Yours

"This contemporary romance is filled with charm, wit, sophistication, and is anything but predictable"– Heart to Heart, BN.com, on Yours to Keep

About the Author

New York Times bestselling author Shannon Stacey lives with her husband and two sons in New England, where her favorite activities are writing stories of happily ever after and riding her four-wheeler. The Stacey family spends many weekends on their ATVs, making loads of muddy laundry to keep Shannon busy when she’s not at her computer. However, she prefers writing to laundry and considers herself lucky she got to be an author when she grew up. Visit her at www.ShannonStacey.com.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• File Size: 411 KB
• Print Length: 304 pages
• Publisher: Carina Press (September 10, 2012)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B008JI442U
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Not Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,049 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Not a Romance Novel of DOOM! But OK. September 10, 2012

By MM NW Chicago

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

First, I must say that Shannon Stacey is one of my favorite romance authors. I was so excited when this title appeared on my Kindle (having preordered it months ago). I put off work and every other thing I should have been doing to read this highly anticipated addition to the Kowalski saga. My reaction was OK, it's a pretty well written story. However, I didn't find this book to have the spark or humor of the previous books, which are favorites for a reread or relisten (to the audio versions) about once a month. I miss the funny family interactions. I was so expecting the Kowalski cousins to come visit the inn at some point, or at least some of the previous characters. Even Sean didn't show up. Further, the romance left me a little bored. THe couple spent very little time together, at least in the written pages. There was a secondary storyline about the housekeeper and someone from her past that I felt took up way too much time. I didn't care about them, I WANTED THE KOWALSKIS that I met in the previous books to bring this book to life! I laughed out loud at some of the scenes from those previous books; this one, not a chuckle. I don't believe I'll be interested in reading this book again.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Not the Kowalski's I've come to love... September 19, 2012

By herding cats

Format:Kindle Edition

Earlier this year I fell completely in love with the Kowalski family and Shannon Stacey's writing. I devoured the first three books in this series. Absolutely adored them and was dying with anticipation for this book to finally get here. But as much as I love the Kowalski's this one really just didn't work for me. From the lack of character development to the "romance", depressing secondary storylines, and the glaring absence of the slightly insane family dynamic you can't help but love and wish you were a part of. It all lacked Stacey's usual humor and sweetness and what makes reading one of her books such an emotionally wonderful and satisfying experience.

Paige and Mitch were decent enough characters and their start had a lot of potential. He avoids putting down roots at all costs and is home just for a couple weeks to help with an injured brother when he meets Paige who is off men, fiercely independent and firmly planted in the small town he tries to avoid. There are some funny moments and smoldering looks there at the start but it just fizzles into a book that focuses more and more on sex for the sake of sex instead of the characters falling in love and growing as individuals.

There was a lot of telling in this book and not nearly enough showing. We constantly hear about Mitch's many, many conquests and how magnificent the man is in bed. And let me just say...EEWWWW. Who wants a hero that's spent time between nearly every pair of thighs in sight? Gleck! I mean, I know a lot of heroes have pasts and have gotten around but we're damn near beat over the head with how much Mitch got around and how it's Paige's turn to get her some good loving and then send him on his way. Very romantic, right? And for all that talk of his godlike sexual talents the intimate scenes are really lackluster and honestly not all that sexy or emotional.

They felt just like what they were...friends with benefits and nothing more. I never felt them falling in love. There's a lot of inner thought's about how much they like the other. How sweet, caring and wonderful they are but you never actually SEE any of it or what makes them special to each other.

As for the secondary storylines neither really brought out the emotional response I'd imagine they were going for. There's a depressingly sad marriage breaking up because of a decade worth of lies. And a decades long feud that really had no merit since the woman blamed and hated the man for something he really wasn't responsible for.

What I found most disheartening was that after 280ish pages (yeah it's a short book) I really don't feel like I know Mitch or Paige. At all. I never got to the point where I felt invested in them and their future together. It was just a story to read and move on from. A complete opposite of the previous 3 books which are still near and dear to my heart after nearly 10 months. For a huge fan of the series this was a very big let down and aside from Stacey's name being scrawled across the cover I wouldn't believe it was written by the same author I've come to adore. I've got my fingers crossed the next book will bring us back to the feel and heart of the Kowalski family I've loved so much.

{A copy of the book was provided for an honest review}

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyed September 10, 2012

By Under The Covers Book Blog

Format:Kindle Edition

(more like 3.75 feathers)
Reviewed by ANN & posted at Under the Covers Book Blog

Work keeps Mitch Kowalski busy and always on the move. It's the main reason why I guy like him hasn't settled down yet. But the other reason is simply because Mitch doesn't want to. He's a man with a free spirit, the one who simply does as he pleases. But when his brother's life starts spiraling out of control and their lodge requires his assistance, he takes some time off work to come straighten things out.

This is where he encounters Paige Sullivan, the new diner owner with a cute smile and an even sweeter personality. Paige was a heroine I instantly liked. She was sensible and sweet, while giving Mitch a tease here and there to keep him on his toes.

I definitely enjoyed the chemistry between the two, but there was one thing that really impeded the relationship for me. Living in a small town means that everyone is in your business. I was annoyed by the people who kept trying to coerce Paige into sleeping with Mitch simply because he was interested in her. Mitch also acts this way and he can't really believe it when Paige continually turns him down. It seemed like a game to me and it took away from of the romantic aspects to the story. Even towards the end, Mitch isn't 100% ready to commit. That doesn't scream "meant to be" or "perfect ending" to me. So I was a little disappointed with that.

However, Shannon Stacey continues to charm readers with her characters and wit. She sets up the next character's stories well. I'm interested in reading Ryan and Josh's stories!

*Prelim copy provided by editor