Deborah Grace Staley

Only You, my first book by author Deborah Grace Staley, is a fun and lighthearted romance. It’s the kind of read that makes one feel warm and fuzzy and wish that perfect little towns full of perfectly flawed people really existed. In short, and nice little trip down Escapism Lane.
This story has my favorite kind of romance, love from afar, or as I jokingly call it “the loving stalker.” The kind of hero who patiently waits for the right time to claim the women he wants, watching over her show more in the mean time, falling deeper in the love all the while. I also liked the cast of characters that are too good to be true, but quirky enough that you are willing to overlook it. It has some really amusing parts as well, such as when Josie and Cole have a serious discussion about hickeys. The element that most impressed me about this book is that, while the damsel is in distress, it doesn’t render her incapable or suddenly stupid. In fact, she resents the fact that her knight in shining armor assumes that it does.
Some of the more trite and obvious characterizations, specifically with the antagonists, were disappointing. A man with clammy hands and a Poodle named Fifi? Really? I also found Cole’s big secret to be rather frustrating. I don’t want to spoil anyone’s read so I’ll just say that, given the build up, I was expecting something a bit more exciting and controversial. But these are minor complaints that shouldn’t deter anyone interested in a relaxing read. show less

This is the first of the Angel Ridge series and introduces the reader to Angel Ridge, Tennessee. Angel Ridge is an old community that has its own version of those from the "wrong side of the tracks." The McKays and the Craigs have been fueded ever since anyone can remember...the McKays have the money and the Craigs are the laborers. This is the story of Cole Craig and Josie Allen.
Josie Allen, now Dr. Josephine Allen, left Angel Ridge for college. Now she has returned with a PhD in library show more science and is running the town library, which is run by the McKay foundation.
Cole Craig is the local handyman. No one pays too much attention to him, but he is well liked. When Josie returns, he has eyes only for her and plans to woo her. Unfortunately, his plans are not well received by some in the community.

This is a cute story about Cole & Josie. Sometimes things (and people) aren't always what they seem to be on the outside. The book is all very sweet and innocent in the relationship between the two. There are no mentions of sex, although thoughts are implied on many occasions.

The characters are very 2 dimensional and there really isn't much depth. I liked the characters, but didn't have any connection to them. Josie seemed a little too cold most of the time and Cole a little too "backwoods" (with the implication of "slow"). I felt very little actual growth of more in the characters at the end of the story.

I liked this book because it was sweet and innocent with a cute romance, but it wasn't at the top of my favorites. I would recommend this book for a young adult or for someone who likes very tame romances.

There are more books to come in the Angel Ridge series and I will probably give them a read, too. show less

[I received my copy free as part of Early Reviewer.] I haven't read the first book in the Angel Ridge series.

This was a contemporary romance with historical yearnings and a pinch of religion/magic.

I quite enjoyed reading most of the book, but found myself analysing it more as I progressed, rather than being sucked into it and truly being sold on the story. Some events toward the end of the novel particularly bugged me, and made me question the nature of the romance and the happy ever after show more it would deliver.

The more I think about the hero and heroine, the more I find their characters not quite believable. The heroine is too perfect. Her flaw of running away (displayed only once, and with some real provocation) and not trusting (fairly justified in especially in terms of the speed of the romance and other potentially life changing decisions she has to make) doesn't seem enough to weigh against her beauty, excellent career, caring, competence, financial security etc to make her someone sufficiently imperfect for me to relate to.

The hero is pretty wonderful all round (financially solid, handsome, always wanted a traditional family but wouldn't settle for less than love, talented in his work, gentlemanly, etc) except for his anger issues which I actually found a little disturbing. Perhaps if he were less wonderful apart from the anger, it wouldn't be so jarring for me. I think his actions near the end of the book were sufficiently wrong that I wouldn't have thrown myself into a happy-ever-after attempt so soon after.

The folksy small town routine got a little too much for me. The emphasis on small town over city, and historical (gas street lighting included) over modern was one thing. I can relate to the desire for a perfect location even if it's unrealistic and simplistic. The expectation of certain old-fashioned behaviours went too far for this modern reader though. I wouldn't want a newly discovered uncle, however well we got on, to be the guardian of my morality (hero to ask permission to court heroine, kissing couple being interrupted/almost chaperoned by him). The heroine didn't exactly discourage this behaviour on the part of the hero or uncle, either. Feeling that someone cares about you should be possible without going quite this far.

Add to the mix the kitten, the older woman who knows all, the angels watching over people's love life, and the story became too saccharine for me. I wasn't sold on the sustainability of the romance. If I truly believed in the central characters and the solidity of their relationship, I would give a lot more of these elements a pass. But without the essential ingredients of a romance hitting just the right notes I can't suppress my internal editor. show less

[I received my copy free as part of Early Reviewer.] I haven't read the first book in the Angel Ridge series. In spite of not being familiar with the author's work, I found it very easy to slip into the story. I did not expect to like the book because the book had many Southern stereotypes such as the hard working restaurant owner, Dixie, which made me feel like it oh God, moment, please no, not another character named Dixie! Fortunately, the focus was on the big time doctor, Janice show more Thornton, not on Dixie! The story of how she fell in love with a new town, a lost family, a kitten and a new man was quite charming! The setting of the book and events kept me "turning" the pages of my virtual book. Who can resist a medical drama with romance and fun? Not me! I really enjoyed the book and will look for more by the same author. show less