Holiday House Call by Jen Doyle

Dr. Karen Carmichael prides herself on being capable, optimistic and always in control. But even neurosurgeons have breaking points, especially as the holidays approach. When Karen finds herself on the side of the road, explaining to a cop that her less-than-stellar driving was due to stress and tears rather than too much booze, it's humiliating. When that cop turns out to be a one-night stand from her past, it's icing on the bad-day cake.

Officer John "Tuck" Tucker didn't expect to see Karen again after their night together. The circumstances may not be ideal, but convincing this beautiful, stubborn woman to get to know him with his clothes on is more fun than he could have imagined.

Karen swore she'd never fall for someone who risks his life for his job. She sees enough heartbreak at work without inviting it into her personal life, and she has no interest in becoming involved in the small town Tuck calls home. But despite valiant efforts to keep her walls up, her affection for Tuck is growing into something much stronger. With a life built around work alone looking less appealing by the day, Karen will have to take a leap of faith—and trust that Tuck will leap with her.

One-click with confidence. This title is part of the Carina Press Romance Promise: all the romance you're looking for with an HEA/HFN. It's a promise!

Book 3.5
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Carina Press

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Sarah – ☆☆☆☆
3.5 stars

I am such a huge fan of this series, but unfortunately, I didn’t completely warm to this story. This is probably the most serious book in this series so far and Tuck and Karen feel much older than characters in earlier books. For me, this story is missing some of the joy, the fun, and the self-deprecating humour I’ve come to expect from this series.

I did love Tuck. He is such a gentle, small town sheriff and I love the way he cares for everyone in his town. I also love the way Karen makes his head (and his heart) spin. Tuck is all heart and he struggles to understand Karen’s more cerebral approach to life. It annoyed me that Tuck makes all of the effort and all of the gestures in this relationship. He is wonderful and I’m not sure Karen ever fully appreciates him.

Karen is a more problematic character for me. Firstly, 37-year-old surgeons aren’t world experts. My husband and his friends are specialist doctors of a similar age – and they all still spend time learning from more experienced doctors. Secondly, she doesn’t seem to be able to handle her emotions and she has no professional detachment. I find it hard to believe that Karen is considered a world expert when her patient care is still bleeding into her personal life after ten years as a surgeon. I understood Karen’s weak social skills, but I really didn’t get on with her weepy, needy side.

Most of the women in this series have been funny, sweet, and engaging. Karen is just a little bit too serious and too anxious for me. Karen has a whole lot of baggage, but so did Lola in the third book. I just kinda wish Karen had even a touch of Lola’s sense of humour because I found it incredibly difficult to empathise with Karen – or to like her very much.

I have loved this series from the start and I’m hoping this one is just a blip. I’m sure other readers will enjoy Karen more than I did – she just didn’t work for me.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is a shorter book than the others, and is described as book #3.5. I have loved all the previous books, and highly recommend them to you. This is about two new characters, but the previous couples do appear here.

Karen is a renown neurosurgeon, based in the next town over to Inspiration. She gets deeply involved with her patients, but refuses to show her tears due to criticism whilst training. This leads her to be more emotional inside, and colder outside than would seem natural. She has also seen so much heartache that she refuses to get close to people. In other words, she is bottling up most of her feelings, and kidding herself that her life is fine.

When Tuck decides that she is worth his time, and that he will prove to her that life is for living and emotions are perfectly normal, she slowly realises that he is possibly right. Obviously, there are plenty of roadblocks along the way, but he is not a man to be denied, luckily for her!

I liked the links between the backgrounds of these two people, and how differently they had chosen to live their lives, yet with the same principles of serving others. I really enjoyed that they had off-the-charts chemistry and could not deny themselves the pleasure – even when both of them know they shouldn't.

Another enjoyable read, and already want my next fix of Inspiration!

Also Available in the Calling It Series

Book 1
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For reviews & more info, check out our Calling It post.

Book 2
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B&N  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

For reviews & more info, check out our stop on the Called Up Blog Tour.

Book 3
Buy Links

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B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

For reviews & more info, check out our Called Out post.

A big believer in happily ever afters, Jen Doyle decided it was high time she started creating some. Jen is a member of the Romance Writers of America, as well as a member of the New England, New Jersey Romance Writers and Music City Romance Writer chapters of RWA. She is represented by Sarah E. Younger of the Nancy Yost Literary Agency. She has an M.S. in Library and Information Science and, in addition to her work as a librarian, has worked as a conference and events planner as well as a Communications and Enrollment administrator in both preschool and higher education environments (although some might say that there is very little difference between the two; Jen has no comment regarding whether she is one of the “some”).

Connect with Jen

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Holiday House Call (Calling It #3.5) by Jen Doyle to read and review.

Called Out by Jen Doyle

Jen Doyle is back with another hot and heartfelt home run of a contemporary romance. Fans of Jill Shalvis should prepare to swoon over Jack and Lola's HEA.

Jack "Ox" Oxford is used to being alone. Granted, when you screw over your friends, being alone isn't always a choice. Playing for the Chicago Watchmen is a last-ditch effort to save his career… and right some of his past wrongs. He's not expecting a warm reception, but he's also not expecting a flat tire to change everything.

Recovering control freak, single mom and semiprofessional chaos wrangler Lola Deacon McIntire doesn't need an arrogant ballplayer to swoop in and save her from anything, much less her flat tire. And she definitely doesn't need her body to betray her and decide this is the guy to wake up her rusty libido. She isn't about to upset her sons' lives for any man—much less one who so clearly doesn't think he's dad material.

Jack never thought he'd find someone who wanted to build a life with him, but the more time he spends with Lola and her boys, the more it starts to feel permanent. Even tough-as-nails Lola concedes there just might be a future here—the big, beautiful, messy future neither of them was looking for—but only if Jack will accept he deserves it.

One-click with confidence. This title is part of the Carina Press Romance Promise: all the romance you're looking for with an HEA/HFN. It's a promise!

Book 3
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Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Lee’Anne – ☆☆☆☆☆
This is a light-hearted romance that I didn’t want to put down – being the lover of baseball that I am, made this story even better!

Jack Oxford is a major league pitcher who made a terrible mistake and slept with his best friend, Nate’s, fiancée. Since this day, Jack’s life has completely changed. He absolutely hates himself for what he’s done and so does the entire town Nate lives in, plus it’s caused Jacks career to go down the toilet. Jack’s only option now is to beg for Nate’s forgiveness enough that he gives the okay for Jack to join his team. On his way to beg his forgiveness, Jack comes across the fierce mama bear, Lola, with a flat tire and four kids in her car. Though the attraction is immediate between them both, Lola knows exactly who Jack is and with her being on Team Nate, there’s no way she can get involved with him… right?

I love that though this is mainly a sweet story, it definitely has a healthy dose of steam as well and it makes for a real page turner! Though Lola is loyal to her friends and family, the girl has a backbone of steel and doesn’t let anyone dictate or influence her decision to be with Jack. I absolutely loved that about her character! I found myself in absolute stitches over the antics of Jack interacting with Lola’s kids… especially the way her refers to her triplets as 1, 2 and 3 – absolutely hilarious. This is a great story with an original plotline, a fast pace, and amazing characters. I loved every page!


Sarah – ☆☆☆☆☆
This is probably the ultimate fantasy read for every single mum everywhere. I was drooling from the moment the handsome sports star pulled up in his Maserati and offered to change Lola’s flat tire. And the only thing hotter than the laundry room sex was the moment when the handsome sports star cared for four little vomiting boys so their mum could finally sleep.

Of all the women in these books, Lola is probably my favourite. Lola is wickedly funny, frantically busy, and insanely competent. Her parenting is honest and ‘good enough,’ and she survives with a sense of humour and good friends. She is finally a fictional parent that I actually liked.

Ox is a rich kid who became a sports star and then made a few spectacular mistakes in his personal life. His reactions to Lola’s kids are absolutely brilliant and he constantly surprises himself as he gets more involved in Lola’s life. He is a loveable rogue and I enjoyed his personal development as much as the romance. And I loved his Karate Kid references.

Together, Ox and Lola just fit. From frenemies to no-strings hook-ups to the something more that neither of them thought they wanted, these two are both big personalities, but together, they soften each other’s rough edges and make each other better. The sex is hot here, but I also loved the mum of four’s reluctance to get naked with the muscular sportsman and his bewildered response to her Spanx.

Only Jen Doyle could write such a domestic romance without it ever feeling domestic and I am once again surprised by how much I enjoy this series. The blurbs make me want to run – I don’t do charming, sweet, or white picket fences. I usually hate cute kids and their fictional parents. But there is a layer of honest and slightly dark humour in these stories that really strikes a chord with me. I love this series and I can’t wait for the next book.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆☆
This is the third book in the series, and I have to say I think it is the best one yet. I would recommend that you read them in order, as the background to the characters makes this a stronger story.

Jack is a man who did something very wrong, and has paid very heavily for it – but he is going to have make things right for his career to have any chance of being resuscitated. But as we learn, the whole story is far more complex than we might at first be led to believe. If you have read the earlier books, you will know a little more about just what happened and why. Without a doubt, Jack is his harshest critic – something about which his best friend Nate is fully aware.

Lola is the widow of an Army Ranger with four young sons, a job, and not enough hours in the day. She does have some amazingly supportive friends in her hometown, including baseball star, Nate. So it is inevitable that she meets Jack... and all those feelings that had taken flight on her husband's death come back in droves, for the very man she should feel nothing good about at all.

The rest, as they say, is history; but in the most unexpectedly intense, sincere, and super hot ways. These two have the most delicious conversations, passionate encounters, and every day moments. With their friends not really sure how to react, they find their way from their unhappy present to the possibility of a wonderful future. It is not a smooth journey, but one that they both need to take.

I managed to laugh out loud and then within minutes, also shed some tears. Always a sign of a really good book I think. Thank you, Ms. Doyle, and I am looking forward to the next installment.

Also Available in the Calling It Series

Book 1
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca

For reviews & more info, check out our Calling It post.

Book 2
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

For reviews & more info, check out our stop on the Called Up Blog Tour.

A big believer in happily ever afters, Jen Doyle decided it was high time she started creating some. Jen is a member of the Romance Writers of America, as well as a member of the New England, New Jersey Romance Writers and Music City Romance Writer chapters of RWA. She is represented by Sarah E. Younger of the Nancy Yost Literary Agency. She has an M.S. in Library and Information Science and, in addition to her work as a librarian, has worked as a conference and events planner as well as a Communications and Enrollment administrator in both preschool and higher education environments (although some might say that there is very little difference between the two; Jen has no comment regarding whether she is one of the “some”).

Connect with Jen

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Called Out (Calling It #3) by Jen Doyle to read and review.

Called Up by Jen Doyle Blog Tour

There's one thing Max "Deke" Deacon can always count on besides his old high school teammates: Angelica "Fitz" Hawkins. But no matter how much Deke might secretly fantasize otherwise, a relationship with his best friend's sister is off limits. Until one unexpectedly smoldering encounter has Deke and Fitz giving in to the feelings they've both been fighting for far too long.

Fitz knows for a fact that it is not better to have loved and lost. After losing her parents, she'd rather lock up her heart and throw away the key than endure that kind of pain again. If that means giving up any hope of a lasting relationship, then so be it.

But with Deke, Fitz feels dangerously close to falling in love. She can't risk another broken heart—especially if it means losing one of her best friends for good. Now it's up to Deke to convince her that the safest place she could ever be is right here with him.

Book 2
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“Hey, Dorie,” she heard from above her. “Do you know where Fitz wants these bottles of water?”

Speak of the devil. Fitz brought her head up a little too suddenly, banging it on the underside of the table. “Ouch!” Her hand going to the back of her head, she came up frowning, and...

Oh, God, was he this gorgeous before? Had he always smelled amazing?

Doing everything she could to keep herself immune from his physical charms, she spun on her heel. “Back here.”

Very specifically not looking in Deke’s direction so that she didn’t give anything away, she forced herself to act exactly as she always did around him. Except she suddenly couldn’t quite remember how that was. Did she flirt with him? Did she flat-out ignore him? Did she generally just go around in a state of low-level irritation? Because right now she had absolutely no clue.

She had even less of a clue as she bent down to open up the lid to the cooler and he crouched down next to her, his head so close all he’d need to do was turn it slightly to the left and his mouth would be on her breast.

And was that…?

Oh, hell, no, her nipples had not just hardened. She slapped her arms over her chest.

Because they had. And Deke, with his superhero sex god extra sensory perception, had definitely noticed. He at least had the decency to look down at the ground as he grinned.

“It’s the cold,” Fitz snapped. “From the cooler.”

Pushing the bottles down into the ice, Deke just answered, “You’d be amazed at all the bits and pieces I can warm up with my tongue.”

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Sarah – ☆☆☆☆☆
Even without the professional sports glamour, I enjoyed the second book in this series even better than the first. The whole town of Inspiration remains a little too sweet for me, but Fitz and Deke are thankfully a little more caustic than Nate and Dorrie in the first book.

Both of these characters are fantastic. Deke is the laid back town playboy who finally finds out some long kept secrets and actually falls for a woman for the first time ever. He is endearing as a Little League coach and uncle, and the way Fitz runs circles around his new emotions is amusing.

Fitz is Nate’s half-sister, known in town for her ugly family history. Life has taught her not to trust and not to love. Always one of the guys, she can offer casual sex, but she won’t let her heart get broken.

This second book feels a little more modern than the first. While the town is still All-American community family values, there is more awareness of differences and outsiders in this story. Fitz and Nate’s friendship/hook-up/more? relationship will feel familiar to younger readers. Fitz’s professional struggles are interesting and I really loved her as a strong female lead.

Ultimately, this story is more small town realism than superstar sportsman fantasy and I enjoyed the honesty and wider themes explored in this book. For me, there are still a few too many cute and sweet moments in this story, but I liked the slightly grittier look at the perfect hometown. This might work as a standalone, but I think readers should start at the beginning of this fantastic series.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
I really enjoyed Calling It (book 1), so it was with great delight that I embarked on this newest book in the series. Nate and his friends were very engaging, so I was sure that this would be a good read.

This time we get Deke and Fitz's stories, and story. Their lives have been intertwined since Fitz (Angelica) was first fostered by the Jensens, and then adopted by Nate's Mom (Mama Gin). As we rejoin the gang and get to see much more in Nate's hometown, a number of secrets are uncovered. I love that we get both points of view, and that Deke, in spite of being involved in everything, is somewhat clueless – had he been too perfect it would have spoiled the story. I hesitate to say any more, as you need to read and learn yourself just what he learns and what it means. For all the depth, we also get some great humour, some very sexy scenes, and hope for a fulfilling future.

There are so many good characters in these stories, that I hope we get to revisit them soon.

Also Available in the Calling It Series

Book 1
Buy Links

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For reviews & more info, check out our Calling It post.

A big believer in happily ever afters, Jen Doyle decided it was high time she started creating some. Jen is a member of the Romance Writers of America, as well as a member of the New England, New Jersey Romance Writers and Music City Romance Writer chapters of RWA. She is represented by Sarah E. Younger of the Nancy Yost Literary Agency. She has an M.S. in Library and Information Science and, in addition to her work as a librarian, has worked as a conference and events planner as well as a Communications and Enrollment administrator in both preschool and higher education environments (although some might say that there is very little difference between the two; Jen has no comment regarding whether she is one of the “some”).

Connect with Jen

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Called Up (Calling It #2) by Jen Doyle to read and review for this tour.

Calling It by Jen Doyle

Baseball player Nathan Hawkins needs to get away from Chicago. After a near career-ending car accident and with paparazzi surrounding his penthouse, Nate can only think of one place to go: home. But when he finds his old apartment occupied by a half-naked woman wielding a baseball bat, he's not sure what to think...except that maybe his luck has finally changed for the better.

Librarian Dorie Donelli never thought she'd get to meet her fantasy man in person--much less while she's wearing her bathrobe. To her surprise, her nearly naked run-in with Nate leads to more unclothed encounters. But Dorie is sure their fling is only temporary. As long as she remembers he'll be gone once his life gets back on track, she won't get hurt. In the meantime, she throws herself into enjoying their three weeks together before he has to report for spring training and go back to his old life.

For Nate, being with Dorie is the only time in months that he finds himself smiling. Laughing. And he has no intention of letting that go. He might even be falling in love...if only Dorie will let him say the words. What they have isn't just a dream, but the start of a dream come true.

Book 1
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Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
4.5 awesome stars

I am a big fan of sports romances – make the leading lady a librarian, and somehow you strike my reading gold! This is a really enjoyable story, with very appealing characters, and the kind of amusing twists and turns that are so zany that they are more likely to be truth than fiction. The first scene where Dorie doesn't have her glasses on, so really has no idea who is in her kitchen is the first of many! And as they get to know each other and interact with his friends, it just gets better and better. I loved her insecurities, and his insistence of being genuine. Sweet, hot and easy reading – I am hoping that Ms. Doyle will be revisiting their friends and giving us their happily ever afters too.

A big believer in happily ever afters, Jen Doyle decided it was high time she started creating some. Jen is a member of the Romance Writers of America, as well as a member of the New England, New Jersey Romance Writers and Music City Romance Writer chapters of RWA. She is represented by Sarah E. Younger of the Nancy Yost Literary Agency. She has an M.S. in Library and Information Science and, in addition to her work as a librarian, has worked as a conference and events planner as well as a Communications and Enrollment administrator in both preschool and higher education environments (although some might say that there is very little difference between the two; Jen has no comment regarding whether she is one of the “some”).

Calling It is her first book, the first of two which will be published by Carina Press in 2016. It was the winner of The Beacon, the Finish the Damn Book, and the Melody of Love 2014 contests in the Contemporary Romance category, and was also the Contemporary Romance winner as well as the Grand Prize Winner of the 2014 Gateway to the Best contest.

Connect with Jen

Facebook  ~  Twitter  ~  Google+  ~  Website  ~  Goodreads

Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of Calling It (Calling It #1) by Jen Doyle to read and review.