Series Review: Is this series worth your time? Does it get better as the novels progress? Or does it get worse? Find out below:
Synopsis for Caught Up in Us (from Goodreads):
A second chance at first love…
Five years ago, Kat Harper fell into a dizzying summer romance with her brother’s best friend Bryan. It was a mad, crazy love full of kisses all through the night—but he broke her heart and she had to move on.
Five years later, Kat is finishing her graduate degree and building her business as a jewelry designer, when Bryan, head of his own successful company, walks back into her life. Bryan has been assigned to Kat as her new business mentor and the rules are clear. No hanky panky permitted. Kat can handle that because she’s totally over him… right? Except, he still makes her laugh, and he remembers all the things she likes. Not to mention that he’s even more handsome now than he was then. Then there’s the spark between them—the simply undeniable chemistry, and the tender ways he shows he still cares for her.
Can they resist each other the second time around or will first love trump all?
Series: Caught Up in Love
Crosses over with the Seductive Nights Series in Playing With Her Heart
Author: Lauren Blakely
# of Books: 5 — Full Reading Order Here
Has 4 short story novellas
Book Order: Connected
Complete?: Yes
Genre: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Heat Rating: Really Warm
Point of View: First Person, Single & Third Person, Alternating
Publication Dates: January 2013 – October 2014
Source & Format: Own–eBook
Why I Picked it Up / My Expectations:
I have a few Lauren Blakely titles between my two eReaders because when she first started publishing, her books would appear as freebies. But she writes the type of romance stories I like; using some of my favourite tropes and so it seemed like a no-brainer to look into her work a little more.
I’ve had this series the longest, picking up Caught Up in Us for free a few months after its publication. But, like most books, I didn’t get around to it for a very, very long time. I actually selected this series as one of my Make Me Read It Readathon selection for Summer 2017 but I wasn’t able to get to it during the readathon. As 2017 ended, I realized I was short a few TBR items for my challenge and so I decided this series would be perfect!
The Plot:
What I liked about these stories is that they kept to the basics. You don’t have all this over the top drama or needless plot devices at play. Instead, you get to focus on the characters, their banter and the heat between them.
That isn’t to say there isn’t a plot. What I mean is that the plot is used as a nice compliment to the relationships developing. It doesn’t take away from the story but acts as a catalyst to propel the romance forward. I enjoyed the simplicity of the uncomplicated developments.
The Characters:
I liked all these characters. The heroines are all strong independent girls with drive to succeed in everything. They have their flaws but they work on them as the story progresses.
The heroes are all super sweet as well. It depends on the story because we don’t always get their POV so their development can seem a little stifled. However, they are always a great compliment to the heroine (and vice versa obviously) so you can’t help but like them.
The Romance:
I loved that all these stories were based in mutual interests and views on life. Like I said above, these couples complimented each other so well. I never questioned why they were drawn to each other nor did I feel like it was a relationship based solely on physical attraction. It’s just a solid romance.
And let’s not forget, they feature some great tropes like “in love with brother’s BFF” and “fake relationships”.
Why I Didn’t Read Books #3-5:
I just never got around to finishing the rest of the series. I only had some of them saved on my Kobo but my priorities for series to read shifted so this one fell by the wayside. Maybe one day I’ll return!
When to read the Caught Up In Him/Her/Us Novellas/Novel?
When I started this series, I wasn’t sure if I should read the two novellas (#0.25 [Him] & #0.5 [Her] on Goodreads) before I started Caught Up in Us. It was hard to find a straight answer so I opted to read the novel first and then read the novellas after. And I’m glad I did it that way.
First off, Caught Up in Him (#0.25) has now been merged into the full novel (much like A Starstruck Kiss [#3.5] has been merged in Stars in Their Eyes [#4]). It is split up into chapters and woven into the story so you really don’t need to read it separately, just read it in the novel.
But I’m glad I read Caught Up in Her (#0.5) after Caught Up in Us because the tension of not knowing why these two broke up makes Caught Up in Us an exciting read. Caught Up in Her does reveal why they break up however it doesn’t fully explain it either which makes it a bit of a bonus to the reader to get Bryan’s POV of their first meeting etc and see why he felt as he did.
Suggested Reading Order:
Caught Up in Us (#1), Caught Up in Her (#0.5), rest of series as per Goodreads
Note 1: Caught Up in Him (#0.25) is now a part of Book 1, Caught Up in Us — no need to read separately
Note 2: A Starstruck Kiss (#3.5) is now a part of Book 4, Stars in their Eyes — no need to read separately
Series Rating: DNF
Caught Up in Us 4/5 | [Caught Up in Her 3/5] | Pretending He’s Mine 4/5 | Trophy Husband N/A | Stars in Their Eyes N/A | [Caught Up in Love Love Ever After N/A] | Playing With Her Heart N/A
If you like uncomplicated romances with lots of banter, sweet and heated moments that will put a smile on your face, I cannot recommend this series enough!
Read if You Like: banter, shorter novels
Avoid if You: want more drama, want erotica
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