Smooth Talking Stranger: A Novel (Travis Book 3) Kindle Edition

I sometimes really struggle with Kleypas. I decided to give her another chance and I regret it. This book feels dated and is full of cliches. I suspect it would have felt dated to me in 2009 but it’s worse now. The characters felt one dimensional and false.Things that just felt inauthentic or unnecessary:Veganism mocked as effeminate and unmanly;Sustainability mocked for the same reason;Toxic masculinity tropes embraced unreflexively;Dane, the mother and sister were like “types” rather than real people.I really wanted to read something involving a surprise baby but I couldn’t finish this.

Having read several of LK historical books, I know what a great storyteller Ms. Kleypas can be. Her characters are (for the most part) well developed, with stories that flow and dialogue that is witty and interesting. But reading this book, I couldn't even believe it was the same writer.No character development what so ever in this one. Reading about Jack was like biting into an air puff. He was one-dimensional and kindda creepy in the way he manipulated Ella. We are told he has slept with soooo many women that, frankly, he is a walking STD. I would not tap that (and without protection Ella!) no matter how hot or rich he is. Ella was surprisingly real in her struggle to overcome her mother issues (as many of us are) but she was unlikeable, annoying, and hypocritical; a modern woman who misunderstands what being "independent" really means, she says one thing and does another. But maybe my biggest issue was that there was no ROMANCE! Yes, there's a lot of sex here but I didn't care that he could give her an orgasm 20 different ways. It seemed disconnected and too casual. The first person narrative drove me insane as did the amount of secondary characters from the two previous books in the series that I did not give a hoot about.If there was a way to bring the romance of your historicals to a relationship in modern times... That's the only way I would read another of LK's contemporary stories.

This writer is new for me. I have a few writers that I have a love/hate relationship. She has been added to that list. This is my sixth book by this author. Four have been historical romances. Three were 4/5 star reads. Devil in Winter being one of my favorite historical romances. Sebastian is my all time favorite historical romance boyfriend. One was a DNF that I had difficulty giving 1 star. Blue-Eyed Devil the second book in this contemporary romance series I loved. Hardy Cates was a special memorable guy. Enjoyed he and Haven’s story. This book was a struggle. Halfway thru it became a slow moving train going nowhere. The two main characters were uninteresting and boring. After reading 2/3 of the book I gave up. Reading is not a job for me. I read to be entertained. When a book becomes monotonous and I have no connection to the characters I do not feel a need to finish.

I am a huge fan of Lisa Kleypas' Travis Family. Smooth Talking Stranger is Jack's story. He is the one who followed his own path not his father's and started his own construction company. In this process he has become a well respected business man who is now a billionaire. He has also developed quite a reputation as quite the ladies' man.Ella Varner is left holding her sister Tara's newborn son when Tara checks into a rehabilitation facility. Ella is out to find out who the father is of Luke. Tara mentioned she had gone out with Jack Travis so Ella started with him and asked him to take a paternity test.Ella and Tara had a tumultuous childhood. Their mother had an ego the size of Texas with a rotating supply of men. She was not above making a pass at one of her daughters boyfriends, Their father left when they were very young. Needless to say both girls had trust and abandonment issues. They depended on each other and no one else.When Ella met Jack she was in a four year relationship with Dane. Dane did not believe in marriage and definitely did not want children. When Ella confronted Dane about bringing the baby home he was adamant that that would not work. She would have to find another solution. When Ella met Jack everything changed.I can't tell you anymore. You must read this book. At times it is quite emotional but that will just keep you turning those pages until you reach the end.

By far this is the best book in the Travis series. Lisa Kleypas finally found the sweet spot for a contemporary romance between introducing the h early on (something she didn’t do in sugar daddy), backstory and issues (something she did well in blue eyed devil but at the expense of time with h) and romance (something that just didn’t work right in brown eyed girl). I loved Jack and Ella, their story, Luke. It was great.2 complaints kept it from 5 stars -1. Ella doesn’t seem to feel enough remorse with Dane (although he does say “btw were in an open relationship we never made promises” but still.).2. Liberty raises a child that’s not hers from the time she’s 18 - her little sister carrington. If anyone gets the shock of being thrown into that situation suddenly and figuring out sudden mommy-hood when you’re not actually mommy - it’s liberty. Liberty and Ella sit by the pool, Ella has some revelations... and Liberty NEVER acknowledges that she gets what Ella’s dealing with????? Major missed opportunityOverall tho this is the sweet spot for the Travis family books

This time we have middle brother Jack's story. He's the womanising charmer who is immediately put on the back foot when his office in invaded by Ella and her baby nephew Luke. Ella is charm proof. And wants him to take a paternity test even though he insists he never slept with her needy and beautiful sister Tara, who is the baby's mother ... Ella is a delightful heroine, smart outspoken and broken in a way that only the gorgeous, super sexy, generous and genuinely kind Jack can fix... A sexy and surprising sweet story ensues as Jack, Ella and baby Luke get their happy ever after.

Personally I thought this book was just ok. The characters were nothing other than ok, and the storyline wasn't very exciting either. Really I don't think it was worth the money.

What a lovely book!! I was sceptical because I had not read the two books before but you don't need to! Jack and ella were such a lush couple!!I have never come across a storyline like this before so it was a real change!!

Have read this book a few times now,and still think it's great.lots of chemistry and very sweet.miles better than some of the newer contemporary books from Kleypas.wish she would do one for the last Travis boy.

Once you start you will never put it down. I read this is one day so going to bed very late! I love the whole travis series. I am sad the books had to finish could have read them forever.