Customer Reviews

Taking the Heat (Berkley Sensation)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

On the good side, there are some fun characters in here (Sophie's pretty neat, as are some of her co-workers). I enjoyed the milieu of a fire department---it was great to experience something all-new and interesting there. It was also fascinating having the difficulties of spouses and in dealing with a loved one's dangerous job brought to the page.

However, there were a lot of things that left me feeling rather annoyed with the book as well. Several of the guys came off repeatedly as petulant, sulky children. It got old fast, and made it hard to like them. It was also hard to believe that Liam was the uber-sweetheart everyone painted him as when, instead, there were a number of times when he came across as rude or selfish.

There are waaaay too many couples in this book working out (or failing to work out) their relationship problems, and too many characters in general. It got confusing. Also, with that many relationships flaring up the book got pretty depressing, which is not what most people are looking for when they pick up a romance. There are also too many point-of-view characters without enough differentiation between their voices.

I love it when I learn new things in the fiction I read, but I don't want to feel like I'm reading a documentary. Using research in fiction is great, but it wasn't incorporated into the narrative well enough here.

Finally, the plot with the arsonist was just... off, in a number of ways. The culprit was fairly obvious. It's also made painfully clear that the whole thing was little more than a plot device when the arsonist was caught and dealt with entirely off-screen and even the after-effects took up all of two pages at most.

This is the sort of book that I can't help feeling could have been a lot better than it was.

I've read all Kathryn Shay's books and she is one of my favorite writers but this is one of the worst efforts I've seen since a debut author. Its corny, overly sentimental (the sterotypical Irish family singing "Danny Boy"!) and a couple with no chemistry. I think Shay should put an end to this series, she's obviously run out of ideas and one story reads pretty much like all those before it.
I knew this was going in the 'give away' bin after the first chapter.

Three years ago Liam O'Neil's wife Kitty died leaving him to raise their young sons by himself; though he gets help from his caring beloved family. In New York he meets firefighter Sophie Tyler at his family owned Bailey's Irish Pub, and to his amazement and shock he is attracted to the beautiful strawberry blonde, Sophie reciprocates his allure.

However, with 9/11 still fresh after another anniversary, Liam fears dating Sophie because he rationalizes his sons could not cope with her dangerous occupation if something tragic should happen to her. Sophie has her own 9/11 memory that interferes with her seeing any man. Yet they begin seeing each other until a deadly serial arsonist sets booby-trapped fires to kill firefighters; Liam and Sophie begin to reconsider their relationship.

This is an enjoyable second chance at love romantic suspense thriller. The story line is action-packed in terms of the arsonist subplot and filled with angst re the relationship between Liam and Sophie. Although TAKING THE HEAT stands alone, with the O'Neil family playing major roles, reading the previous tales (see CLOSE TO YOU and SOMEONE TO BELIEVE) enhances the experience. Once again Kathryn Shay pays homage to the brave firefighters.

Harriet Klausner

Kathyrn Shay has not disappointed me yet. I've read a lot of her books and I enjoy her writing very much.

Taking The Heat by Kathryn Shay is an exceptional story of the O'Neil family.

Liam O'Neil enjoys his job cooking at the family pub. With the death of his beloved wife Kitty several years ago he has been raising his boys alone. Liam hasn't wanted to risk his heart or his boys in getting involved with a woman. Those plans change when firefighter Sophie Tyler & co start to frequent the pub.

Sophie Tyler has always wanted to be a firefighter. It's always been a major part of her life. When her roommate moves out she takes a part time job at the pub to make ends met. Working with the good looking O'Neil men is overwhelming, especially Liam. This quiet widower tugs at her heart.

Sophie and Liam have an attraction that is sensational. It is hot and sexy. As they begin seeing each other both are mindful of his kids. But can Liam handle the stress of Sophie putting her life on the line every day.

Taking The Heat is another exceptional story of the O'Neil family. Sophie and Liam's journey isn't an easy one but its real, heartfelt and deeply moving. Kathryn Shay's characters feel like friends you want to get to know. I am looking forward to the next book in this series.

I loved this series by Shay. I found out that Berekely isn't going to publish the other two books in this series to finish it because they didnt feel this book made enough money for them. What about what the readers want? I have emailed Berkely about their poor decision and asked them to please consider at least finishing this series. If you like Shay's books and this series why don't you write to Berkely too.

I love this author. The book keeps you wanting to read more. I purchased two others I haven't read. Great author.

Liam O'Neil has been trying to put his family back together since his wife died three years ago. Between working full time in his family's Irish Pub and helping his children recover, he hasn't had time for dating. But when he meets NY Firefighter Sophie Taylor he finds that he's attracted to a woman for the first time since his wife's death. As they grow closer and Liam's children begin to become attached to Sophie, her job becomes a major issue. Liam isn't sure that he wants to risk his children's emotions with a woman whose job puts her in danger, not to mention the risk to his own heart. Being a firefighter is part of who Sophie is and as much as she has come to love Liam and his family, she's not sure how she can give that up. Will love be enough to help them overcome the problems keeping them apart?

Kathryn Shay continues to deliver with this third book in her series on the O'Neil family. Thoroughly satisfying, Taking the Heat, is an emotional roller coaster ride that hits so many real life issues facing career women in today's world. As each O'Neil book comes out, I find myself drawn more and more into their world. I'll be waiting very impatiently for the last two brothers' books.

Melissa
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed