Cover Image: The Ultimate Surrender

The Ultimate Surrender

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This was the third installment in the Cavallo Brother’s series and.. it just wasn’t for me. I read (more like skimmed) the first book and I just didn’t like it but I wanted to give this third book a chance since I did like the cover a lot.

Sadly, with its outdated views on what women should and should not do The Ultimate Surrender just did not live up to it’s cover. I found both main characters terribly immature and the will they won’t they was just ridiculous. Some authors are able to pull off the love at first sight soo well but in this book it felt so forced that at times it came across as unrealistic & nonsensical.

The plot line had so much promise and the stalker trope intrigued me from the beginning but I just could not stand the characters which was quite disappointing.

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Darryn Cavallo is a seasoned photographer and quite used to being surrounded by gorgeous, half-naked women without breaking a sweat but he isn’t ready for the powerful feelings fashion model Hannah Sutherland elicits the minute he sets eyes on her. He’d once made the rookie mistake of falling for a model and it had ended badly, so when another photographer implies he’s also been with Hannah, Darryn uses it as the perfect excuse to walk away.
This book sounded like it would be a pretty good and quick read, but instead I found I didn’t really like it. I found issues with the main characters. There was no trust from the start. I found Darryn to be jerk I couldn’t forgive and not liking Hannah when she forgave him.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

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Title: The Ultimate Surrender
Series: Cavallo Brothers Book #4
Stand Alone Title: yes
Author: Elsa Winckler
Genre: Romace
Blurb: On a sunny beach in the Seychelles, she stole his heart.

Darryn Cavallo is a seasoned photographer and quite used to being surrounded by gorgeous, half-naked women without breaking a sweat but he isn’t ready for the powerful feelings fashion model Hannah Sutherland elicits the minute he sets eyes on her. He’d once made the rookie mistake of falling for a model and it had ended badly, so when another photographer implies he’s also been with Hannah, Darryn uses it as the perfect excuse to walk away.

But when they meet again, Darryn can’t ignore his instincts—Hannah is in danger. Lies and threats make targets of them both, and faced with a situation of pure terror, Darryn is forced to realize he’ll do anything to protect her. And to keep her with him, always…
Thoughts: My biggest issue with this book was the characters – I just did not like the characters at all. Hannah was way too easy to forgive and Darryn was just a jerk, and a stupid one at that. They were both kind of childish to the point that it was very difficult to get through. Darryn breaks things off based on a tattoo…seriously. The only one who had any sense was Caitlin (Hannah’s sister).
“He knew about her tattoo!” Darryn shouted.
Caitlin’s eyes became slits. It was obvious she knew what he was talking about. “And of course the only way he could know about it was if he saw it?” she said, not even trying to hide the sarcasm in her voice.
What just really made me laugh was the About the Author notes at the end of the book – “I like the heroines in my stories to be beautiful, feisty, independent, and headstrong. And the heroes must be strong but possess a generous amount of sensitivity.” Uhm, hello, but these characters are anything but. Independent? Sensitivity? In no way would I describe either of these characters that way!
A plus for the book for me was that it had an almost classic Harlequin vibe to it….I sometimes miss that style of writing. I really wanted to like it for that reason alone, but unfortunately the characters just ruined this one.
Rating: C-

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This was the third and final book in the series and I struggled a little with liking the hero as I felt Darryn gave up too easily on Hannah at the beginning of the story. While they eventually got their happily ever after, it took some work. I enjoyed the tie in with the characters in the family and that added to the enjoyment of the story. I would definitely read another book by this author.

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Cavallo brothers and Sutherland sisters. Almost all the Cavallo brothers are engaged or married and his youngest brother is not ready to tie the knot.
Hannah Sutherland and Darryn knew each other before his brothers and her sisters married or engaged. She was a up an coming model and he was famous photographer. Sparks were flying while they were working with each other until one simple miscommunication pull them apart.
Nobody in their family really knew what happen between Hannah and Darryn but they suspected something was up. Hannah was trying in her hardest to avoid Darryn but it is not easy as it seems since her sisters are all his sister-in-laws.
Ever since that photoshoot, she feels she is being stalked and she has been getting threats and it is not just not toward her, it was toward all the people around her.
When it comes to Hannah, Darryn will do everything to protect her and when he finds out she needed a help, he flies to help her. But threat is getting closer and closer to her family and she won't put her family in jeopardy so she runs again.
Will they have their happy ending just like her sisters.
Thanks to netgalley and Tule publishing for my ARC in exchange for honest review.

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This is a fast-paced story about a model and photographer who first met in Seychelles and end up spending a few days together. Even though Darryn had feelings for Hannah, he knew they couldn’t have a relationship. But, when Hannah ends up in danger, Darryn is right there to help her.

I enjoyed the chemistry between Hannah and Darryn. They were a fun couple to read about. I liked the setting and the way the author told the story keeping me intrigued. This may not have been my favorite book in The Cavallo Brothers series, but it was still a good addition. If you’re looking for an exciting romance with a bit of suspense, this one would be a good one to read. But, I would recommend reading this series in order.

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The pace is very slow and the characters not all that likeable. It was a DNF for me.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

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The Ultimate Surrender by Elsa Winckler
On a sunny beach in the Seychelles, she stole his heart.
Darryn Cavallo is a seasoned photographer and quite used to being surrounded by gorgeous, half-naked women without breaking a sweat but he isn’t ready for the powerful feelings fashion model Hannah Sutherland elicits the minute he sets eyes on her. He’d once made the rookie mistake of falling for a model and it had ended badly, so when another photographer implies he’s also been with Hannah, Darryn uses it as the perfect excuse to walk away.
But when they meet again, Darryn can’t ignore his instincts—Hannah is in danger. Lies and threats make targets of them both, and faced with a situation of pure terror, Darryn is forced to realize he’ll do anything to protect her. And to keep her with him, always…
this is Darryn Cavallo and Hannah Sutherland's story.
She couldn’t help it, she had to do it. The photographer was late, she had her makeup on, her hair was ready, so she could indulge before she had to work.
Lifting her face up to the sun, drinking in the fragrance that was the Seychelles, Hannah lifted the layers of pink tulle of the skirt she was wearing and twirled. Sandy, the makeup artist and the hair stylist laughed.
“I was wondering when you’d do that,” Sandy said. Looking over her shoulder, Sandy grinned. “Looks like our photographer caught you in the act.”
“Okay, everyone!” Darryn didn’t shout; he merely raised his voice and everyone listened.
“I want everyone gone. It’s just going to be me and Hannah. I’ll signal you when we’ve finished.”
Hannah. So he knew her name.
The Ultimate Surrender by Elsa Winckleria a 3 star book.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book."
Elsa's Books with Tule:
Where the River Bends
An Impossible Attraction
The Cavallo Brothers
An Irresistible Temptation
The Cavallo Brothers
The Ultimate Surrender
The Cavallo Brothers

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I am so happy to have discovered Elsa Winckler and the Cavallo Brothers series. I really like series that focus on families and the Cavallo family is certainly diverse and interesting, which makes for strong, layered characters. The Ultimate Surrender is a second chance at love novel, and though I found the hero maddening at times, Ms. Winckler managed to change my opinion throughout the story, which is certainly a credit to her writing skills. This story was paced evenly, the settings spectacularly beautifully drawn, and the story itself quite entertaining. This is book 3 in a series, but I was able to keep up just fine. I liked the secondary characters enough to seek out the previous books, and I wasnt disappointed.
I received my copy through NetGalley under no obligation.

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I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. Thank you NetGalley & author.

I always get excited to read a new author....

but unfortunately, this book just wasn't for me. I liked the idea ofa photographer character.... and I honestly wish ihad loved this book... I just couldn' trelate to the characters.. I felt like it was moving too slow as well

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3.5 Stars
The Ultimate Surrender by Elsa Winckler is book Three in The Cavallo Brothers Series. This is the story of Hannah Sutherland and Darryn Cavallo. I haven't yet read the previous books, so for me this was a standalone book.
Darryn is a photographer and Hannah is the famous model. While on a photo they took their attraction to the sheets where they both felt more for each other but then another photographer Steven White told him that she has slept around. This of course broke them up but now in the present day they are facing each other again. This did have the drama of a stalker and was a second chance story...overall enjoyed this book.

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I’m frankly torn about THE ULTIMATE SURRENDER. And while on my own blog this one gets a 3.5-star rating I will probably round that up to a 4-star rating on other posting sites. Why? I don’t believe the book’s (author’s) rating should suffer because I greatly disliked one of the main characters.

Elsa Winckler delivered a riveting romance with touches of angst, danger, family and second chances. I enjoy her writing style and have loved the earlier books in this series. My problem was Darryn. He took the easy way out. It’s that simple. He made the choice to believe a lie without confronting Hannah. And maybe I could stretch and say I understood it because of his previous experience, but it was a crappy move on his part and I expect better from the Hero, even when they’re momentarily acting like a jerk. There are readers who will not see his actions this way, and that’s understandable as we all put our own interpretations on the written word. But for me, I could never like Darryn or be concerned about his happy ending.

THE ULTIMATE SURRENDER is fast-paced, intense and will keep your attention throughout. As I said, it’s still a good story even though I couldn’t like or love one character.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

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The Ultimate Surrender is a fast-paced romance story. The beach setting is a match for a summertime read. It was hard for me to get sucked into the story.

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Elsa Winckler’s The Ultimate Surrender brings romance danger and suspense all into one story. The third of the Cavallo Brothers series bring photographer, Darryn Cavallo to the forefront. A fling earlier has Darryn and model Hannah Sutherland craving more from each other now. Not everyone wants to see these two reunited for the long term. Then the South Africa setting felt more exotic, adding to the appeal of the story.

Family is one of the best parts of the story as Darryn and Hannah work through misunderstandings, along with the danger that now surrounds her. With her high profile career, it is easy to see how this could happen. I guess I thought the rumors should not have been believed without first checking. It looked as if Darryn had wanted an easy out earlier. Both of the characters come with baggage but seem to be genuinely honest now with each other.

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This book started out fine, I liked the writing and though the physical relationship was very fast and a bit forced (there was no physical force, just seemed hurried), I had high hopes for Hannah and Darryn.
But I realized quickly that he was a dope and she wasn’t much better. She gave him forgiveness pretty quickly, considering he basically thought she was a liar who slept around. And he claimed to love her...but hardly knew anything substantial about her, plus...thought she was a liar!
I can’t recommend this book, sadly. I’m not even interested in trying the first two books, either.

My thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. I was not compensated but I did leave a voluntary review

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I honestly wished that I would have given the time that I spend reading this book to another more deserving book, and I have a good amount of those.. I couldn't stand the mc he was a jerk, and don't get me wrong I tend to like some jerks that I have read but then end up redeeming themselves I didn't find that with this character and I was disappointed that our female mc forgave to easily..

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Wow. Just wow pretty much sums this up and not in a good way. If you're looking for a VERY fast-paced instant love romance, look no further. It literally took three days for this 'great' set of lead characters Hannah and Darryn to fall in love, with barely any words not conversations that normally create realistic relationship, after non-stop hanky panky. This was an absolute waste of time reading and isn't worth the time not effort to finish it.

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This is a fast-paced story about a model and photographer who first met in Seychelles and end up spending a few days together. Even though Darryn had feelings for Hannah, he knew they couldn’t have a relationship. But, when Hannah ends up in danger, Darryn is right there to help her.


I enjoyed the chemistry between Hannah and Darryn. They were a fun couple to read about. I liked the setting and the way the author told the story keeping me intrigued. This may not have been my favorite book in The Cavallo Brothers series, but it was still a good addition. If you’re looking for an exciting romance with a bit of suspense, this one would be a good one to read. But, I would recommend reading this series in order.

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Trope: model & photographer
Cover rating: cute; I can believe she is a model so it worked for me
Book description accuracy: complete fail. True up to about 34% and if the story had really been just that I could've maybe liked it. The "danger" is wrapped up at 62%. Do not go into this expecting that description, you will only be disappointed.
General review:
This was horrible. Had I not committed to a review it would have been a DNF title. The first 34% was good and then the rest was like I was reading a different book and different author! I remember 34% distinctly because that is when both H & h exchange ILYs- super early and with no basis. The reader is not with them on this. In fact, I was never with them through to the end- the main reason for the 1 star rating. I absolutely hated the H- he was a jerk, super needy and so judgmental. His job made NO sense to me and when he had the nerve to ask the h to quit her job so he could do his... I wanted to legit throw my kindle down. Then I wanted to slap the h silly every time she would instantly forgive the jerkiness. I'm so upset they ended up together! At one point the h points out to her family that even though they've "loved each other" for two years they've barely spent time together- so how do they know it's real? EXACTLY. RUN, SISTER! Overall, the writing is sub-par, POV transitions are choppy and confusing, the plot jumps like crazy and I had no connection with the characters beyond anger. I will not be reading Winckler again. I'd also like to point out that I know absolutely nothing about South Africa and was very confused at many different points- travel, police, safety... and it was not explained in any way to still connect with the reader.
Angst style: quite a bit of angst: there's a snap judgment from the H; there's multiple arguments; does the stalker count as angst?
POV: 3rd person, both H & h
Relationship stage reached: engaged
Epilogue? No

Content warnings: stalker

I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review. #TheUltimateSurrender #NetGalley

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I really wanted to like The Ultimate Surrender. The description sounded fun and sexy. However, the story and dialogue felt formulaic and forced. The intrigue with the stalker ended way too soon. I just never felt any real connection between the main characters. I will give this one a B for effort, but a D for actual execution. I’m really sorry about this review, but I feel like this book is still a work in progress..

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