What do you think?
Rate this book
With George #1
Just George
George Hunt can think of nothing he’d like more than to skip the high-society fundraiser where he has to guard a precocious seventeen-year-old girl and her judgmental therapist, but there’s no way out of it. If anything bad were to happen and he wasn’t there to stop it, he’d never forgive himself. So even though she’s grilling him about his dating life and the good doctor is psychoanalyzing him, he’s going to soldier on, because protecting his charges is what a knight does.
What he doesn’t count on is having to use both his training and his gun to make it through the night, or finding the last thing he ever expected… someone who actually sees him, not for the man he is, but for the man he could be with just a little bit of love.
What he doesn’t count on is having to use both his training and his gun to make it through the night, or finding the last thing he ever expected… someone who actually sees him, not for the man he is, but for the man he could be with just a little bit of love.
66 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2022
About the author
Mary Calmes
118 books4,876 followersMary Calmes believes in romance, happily ever afters, and the faith it takes for her characters to get there. She bleeds coffee, thinks chocolate should be its own food group, and currently lives in Kentucky with a six-pound furry ninja that protects her from baby birds, spiders and the neighbor’s dogs. To stay up to date on her ponderings and pandemonium (as well as the adventures of the ninja) follow her on Twitter @MaryCalmes, connect with her on Facebook, and subscribe to her Mary’s Mob newsletter.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 165 reviews
January 6, 2022
3.5 Stars
A free Calmes shortie featuring trouble magnet Hannah Cage and her bodyguard George (former Green Beret who served with my book hubby Ian Doyle ).
Poor George. When Hannah gets it in her head that she needs to find him his soul mate (Kurt from Steamroller), she obviously won’t take no for an answer despite George’s very adamant and loud protests.
You know this can only end in one way, right? Take an MC who feels undeserving, who cares too much, who puts himself in the path of danger to protect those in his tribe, and under ridiculous circumstances, finds someone who finally gets him and is quite pushy about it.
Classic Calmes. Need I say more?
A free Calmes shortie featuring trouble magnet Hannah Cage and her bodyguard George (former Green Beret who served with my book hubby Ian Doyle ).
Poor George. When Hannah gets it in her head that she needs to find him his soul mate (Kurt from Steamroller), she obviously won’t take no for an answer despite George’s very adamant and loud protests.
You know this can only end in one way, right? Take an MC who feels undeserving, who cares too much, who puts himself in the path of danger to protect those in his tribe, and under ridiculous circumstances, finds someone who finally gets him and is quite pushy about it.
Classic Calmes. Need I say more?
January 9, 2022
“Yes, but I mean I want to matter to someone who can live without me but doesn’t want to.”
3.5 stars. This itty bitty novella had zero sex and, honestly, no romance until about 80% but it was so satisfying *chef's kiss* 😌🤌🏾
3.5 stars. This itty bitty novella had zero sex and, honestly, no romance until about 80% but it was so satisfying *chef's kiss* 😌🤌🏾
January 1, 2022
I love how George is Hannah Kage's bodyguard, and Kurt was in Steamroller. Calmes and her nuggets!
Read
August 15, 2024Audio: 4.5 stars, Declan Winters did a good job, but every time he said, "penchant for violence" after the first time got very annoying haha, he had to do it in the same mocking way every time, and I think once, if not twice was more than enough haha!
Book: no rating less than 100 pages
Can be read as a standalone, if this is part of another series, you don't need to read that to read this.
This book was short, and a lot happened. But the one thing that didn't happen was a normal "authentic" build up of romantic connection, which I was expecting. I have read shorter books that made it more believable, so that is why I don't want to rate this.
Idk if I want to continue, but all I know is that this was very short, and if you are looking for a short and sweet book, with some action, then this could be the one for you. The following book is already out on Audible too so you can read them back to back.
Book: no rating less than 100 pages
Can be read as a standalone, if this is part of another series, you don't need to read that to read this.
This book was short, and a lot happened. But the one thing that didn't happen was a normal "authentic" build up of romantic connection, which I was expecting. I have read shorter books that made it more believable, so that is why I don't want to rate this.
Idk if I want to continue, but all I know is that this was very short, and if you are looking for a short and sweet book, with some action, then this could be the one for you. The following book is already out on Audible too so you can read them back to back.
July 31, 2022
Fun! I enjoyed this short story.
I loved the setup. I loved the bodyguard/client relationship.
I loved the quick attraction.
I would LOVE more. There's going to be more, right?
*I hope so*
*3.5 just-lovely stars*
I loved the setup. I loved the bodyguard/client relationship.
I loved the quick attraction.
I would LOVE more. There's going to be more, right?
*I hope so*
*3.5 just-lovely stars*
February 7, 2023
Hoo boy.
Okay. I've had issues with Calmes's writing in the past. Mostly because every single one of her main characters is a Marty Stu. So perfect and loved by everyone, yet so humble and self-deprecating. I don't know why it's outside of Calmes's skill set to write a believable, relatable character, but I've yet to see her capable of it. If I were to give her one piece of wisdom it would be that no one is universally liked. And if you show me someone who appears to be, I'll show you someone who fakes it with everyone.
George is no different. His bosses, his colleagues, his teenaged charge, and now the good doctor his charge is attempting to set him up with...they all just think he's wonderful. Everyone, every gender, watches him like he's a steak dinner, and one man mistakes him for a gigolo and won't accept no for an answer because (if you hadn't already guessed) George is p-e-r-f-e-c-t. Physically, emotionally, intellectually... he's a regular human, but a god.
I don't understand why Calmes thinks these characters are interesting.
But there was a little extra irritant in this story. Had it just been Calmes's penchanct for annoyingly perfect characters marring this piece, I could have accepted that, given it a couple stars, and moved on. But then I read this conversation between George and Kurt:
George: "On my last psych eval, the guy writing it up said I was hypervigilant, a narcissist, and that I could easily become a danger to myself and others if I wasn't supervised."
Kurt: "What did your commanding officer say about that?"
George: "She said that being hypervigilant was not necessarily a bad thing if it kept a unit from being attacked and killed. She also said that if we weren't all narcissists, then we would think that anyone could do what we do, which ain't necessarily so. And she went on to state that the only danger I could put myself in was not following orders when I'm specifically told to prioritize myself above others."
Kurt asks if George understands what his CO meant by that, and George admits he doesn't. So Kurt says, "That's because in all areas of your life, you put others before yourself."
I don't know what Calmes's idea of a narcissist is...but that ain't it. Someone having confidence, or even being annoyingly cocky, does not make them a narcissist, and if there's anything I can't stand, it's someone writing about mental and/or emotional conditions of which they clearly have zero understanding. For a narcissist, the concept of putting others before oneself is completely alien. They can barely comprehend it. They might pay lip service to it because they see how much that trait curries favor with others, but they are not naturally self-sacrificing.
This brings me to a thought I had while reading this and pondering just why Calmes brought narcissism to the table in regards to a character who is clearly not a narcissist. I had thought at first that perhaps Kurt, being a "trained psychiatrist", would correct George's former eval and state he clearly isn't a narcissist...but that never happens. So I started to ruminate on that old gem about authors injecting at least a little of themselves into their main characters. If George were a real person and writing this story about himself, one would be hard pressed to not see the narcissism inherent in the way he presents himself as a character. If a person wrote a semi-autobiographical work of quasi-fiction and presented him/herself as a noble, brave, perfect, smart, charming, humble hero who can do no wrong and is loved by everyone...we would all roll our eyes and think that person was a complete tool.
On top of all that, this story, short as it was, had inconsistencies and felt really rushed.
I don't think I'll ever read a book by Mary Calmes again.
Okay. I've had issues with Calmes's writing in the past. Mostly because every single one of her main characters is a Marty Stu. So perfect and loved by everyone, yet so humble and self-deprecating. I don't know why it's outside of Calmes's skill set to write a believable, relatable character, but I've yet to see her capable of it. If I were to give her one piece of wisdom it would be that no one is universally liked. And if you show me someone who appears to be, I'll show you someone who fakes it with everyone.
George is no different. His bosses, his colleagues, his teenaged charge, and now the good doctor his charge is attempting to set him up with...they all just think he's wonderful. Everyone, every gender, watches him like he's a steak dinner, and one man mistakes him for a gigolo and won't accept no for an answer because (if you hadn't already guessed) George is p-e-r-f-e-c-t. Physically, emotionally, intellectually... he's a regular human, but a god.
I don't understand why Calmes thinks these characters are interesting.
But there was a little extra irritant in this story. Had it just been Calmes's penchanct for annoyingly perfect characters marring this piece, I could have accepted that, given it a couple stars, and moved on. But then I read this conversation between George and Kurt:
George: "On my last psych eval, the guy writing it up said I was hypervigilant, a narcissist, and that I could easily become a danger to myself and others if I wasn't supervised."
Kurt: "What did your commanding officer say about that?"
George: "She said that being hypervigilant was not necessarily a bad thing if it kept a unit from being attacked and killed. She also said that if we weren't all narcissists, then we would think that anyone could do what we do, which ain't necessarily so. And she went on to state that the only danger I could put myself in was not following orders when I'm specifically told to prioritize myself above others."
Kurt asks if George understands what his CO meant by that, and George admits he doesn't. So Kurt says, "That's because in all areas of your life, you put others before yourself."
I don't know what Calmes's idea of a narcissist is...but that ain't it. Someone having confidence, or even being annoyingly cocky, does not make them a narcissist, and if there's anything I can't stand, it's someone writing about mental and/or emotional conditions of which they clearly have zero understanding. For a narcissist, the concept of putting others before oneself is completely alien. They can barely comprehend it. They might pay lip service to it because they see how much that trait curries favor with others, but they are not naturally self-sacrificing.
This brings me to a thought I had while reading this and pondering just why Calmes brought narcissism to the table in regards to a character who is clearly not a narcissist. I had thought at first that perhaps Kurt, being a "trained psychiatrist", would correct George's former eval and state he clearly isn't a narcissist...but that never happens. So I started to ruminate on that old gem about authors injecting at least a little of themselves into their main characters. If George were a real person and writing this story about himself, one would be hard pressed to not see the narcissism inherent in the way he presents himself as a character. If a person wrote a semi-autobiographical work of quasi-fiction and presented him/herself as a noble, brave, perfect, smart, charming, humble hero who can do no wrong and is loved by everyone...we would all roll our eyes and think that person was a complete tool.
On top of all that, this story, short as it was, had inconsistencies and felt really rushed.
I don't think I'll ever read a book by Mary Calmes again.
February 23, 2022
You’d think, new year, new Mary and that would be all me. Especially a freebie!
Yeah, no.
You see, I’ve heard of George and knew, I just knew, I couldn’t read this until I actually knew who George was so first, I had to get myself caught up on the 600+pages of the He Said, he said column from the monthly newsletter. So, that’s what I did. I’ll tell you what. Once I started that monster I just could not stop. There is something so perfect about spending time with Jory and Sam and all that entails. They are truly one of my favorites for a reason.
But I really it just made me want George’s story even more now that I got a taste of him.
This was good stuff and my only complaint is that it wasn’t longer or completely complete, ya know?
I hope we get more in the future and we see George get his home.
Now I need to go finish up with my Marshals.
Yeah, no.
You see, I’ve heard of George and knew, I just knew, I couldn’t read this until I actually knew who George was so first, I had to get myself caught up on the 600+pages of the He Said, he said column from the monthly newsletter. So, that’s what I did. I’ll tell you what. Once I started that monster I just could not stop. There is something so perfect about spending time with Jory and Sam and all that entails. They are truly one of my favorites for a reason.
But I really it just made me want George’s story even more now that I got a taste of him.
This was good stuff and my only complaint is that it wasn’t longer or completely complete, ya know?
I hope we get more in the future and we see George get his home.
Now I need to go finish up with my Marshals.
January 20, 2022
I love MC’s stuff just wish this was a little longer.
August 16, 2024
08/15/24 re-read.
**Audiobook review**
This was my first time listening to Declan Winters, and it was a very enjoyable experience. I think he captured George perfectly. This is one that I’ll be listening to again and again.
__________________
This book is best enjoyed having read both the A Matter of Time series and the Marshals series. It's very Mary with a balance between a convoluted thriller plot and hard and fast love. It's more an interlude than a free standing story, and I enjoyed it as such.
**Audiobook review**
This was my first time listening to Declan Winters, and it was a very enjoyable experience. I think he captured George perfectly. This is one that I’ll be listening to again and again.
__________________
This book is best enjoyed having read both the A Matter of Time series and the Marshals series. It's very Mary with a balance between a convoluted thriller plot and hard and fast love. It's more an interlude than a free standing story, and I enjoyed it as such.
January 18, 2022
I've loved George ever since he was introduced in the 'He Said, He Said' column of Mary's newsletter. 'Just George' only whet my appetite and it didn't give me the meal that I wanted. I want more of George!
November 13, 2023
It was too short. I wanted more.🙁
February 6, 2024
Re-read February 6, 2024
Still feels short. I read it again because I'm about to read the next book about this couple.
Original thoughts:
I liked it. I wish it had been a complete novel.
Still feels short. I read it again because I'm about to read the next book about this couple.
Original thoughts:
I liked it. I wish it had been a complete novel.
January 29, 2023
Aw…so happy to get this wee (and I’m emphasizing the WEE part, Mary) story about George and Kurt. I really would love to see some more *hint, hint* but this was a lovely beginning
August 25, 2024
I know it's a novella but how are they talking about marriage and 'I see you' the FIRST day they meet? This is how people get scammed.
I understand instant connections but this was a discovery. Kurt starts the evening by accusing George of having a 'penchant for violence' and having traumatized kids by having them as witnesses to killing people (George is a bodyguard who did his job when his ward was in peril)
And by the end of the evening, Kurt has psychoanalyzed George to the point of 'you always put others before yourself', 'you also deserve to have someone waiting for you' and my personal favorite 'I would love to fuck you when you heal from this concussion' 💀
This therapist works FAST.
Also, he unironically tells George, 'I am the best thing for you.' 💀💀💀
'You like being ordered around and I'm a bit bossy.'
Well, okay then. I guess that's handled.
It didn't help that Declan Winters did a very authentic grandfather voice for Kurt, though I don't think his age is ever really disclosed.
I NEED TO STOP TRYING MARY CALMES BOOKS. I always find them quietly ridiculous, I swear, but I can never resist a good deal on an audiobook and this will be my downfall.
I understand instant connections but this was a discovery. Kurt starts the evening by accusing George of having a 'penchant for violence' and having traumatized kids by having them as witnesses to killing people (George is a bodyguard who did his job when his ward was in peril)
And by the end of the evening, Kurt has psychoanalyzed George to the point of 'you always put others before yourself', 'you also deserve to have someone waiting for you' and my personal favorite 'I would love to fuck you when you heal from this concussion' 💀
This therapist works FAST.
Also, he unironically tells George, 'I am the best thing for you.' 💀💀💀
'You like being ordered around and I'm a bit bossy.'
Well, okay then. I guess that's handled.
It didn't help that Declan Winters did a very authentic grandfather voice for Kurt, though I don't think his age is ever really disclosed.
I NEED TO STOP TRYING MARY CALMES BOOKS. I always find them quietly ridiculous, I swear, but I can never resist a good deal on an audiobook and this will be my downfall.
August 30, 2024
3.5 stars
February 24, 2024
Not her worst.
February 16, 2024
I don't know what wizardry Mary Calmes weaves but her writing just sucks me in every time...
This story shouldn't work. It rambles, goes off on tangents, is over the top, and George's feelings for Kurt seem to change on a dime with only the thinnest of explanations to make it "believable." And yet, I enjoyed the heck out of it, despite having read it before. I wanted to reread it to prep for the sequel I just found out was published and I can't wait to dig into more Kurt and George.
This story shouldn't work. It rambles, goes off on tangents, is over the top, and George's feelings for Kurt seem to change on a dime with only the thinnest of explanations to make it "believable." And yet, I enjoyed the heck out of it, despite having read it before. I wanted to reread it to prep for the sequel I just found out was published and I can't wait to dig into more Kurt and George.
August 22, 2024
Read this when it first came out as part of a PW giveaway, but really enjoyed listening to it now the audio is out too. It’s a really short read, but it’s great to see George meet someone, and see him be a hero and save the day again. I normally give any Mary Calmes book an automatic 5/5 but this one was too short to really warrant it this time. I am immediately re-reading Wintering with George, which I also love and is a bit longer and gives a continuation of George & Kurt’s story❤️
January 4, 2022
I think to really enjoy this, you have to read the He Said, He Said and other short stories in Mary Calmes newsletter… which I have largely stopped reading due to them incorporating far too much of reality (I’m living through COVID, so don’t want to read about it in my fiction, thanks). Still an enjoyable story though.
January 9, 2022
Might have helped if I knew half of who these characters were, but I still liked it for what it was
January 14, 2024
Dang, everything about this was just so darn cute... and there is NO "just" when it comes to George!
March 19, 2024
March 2024: I don’t really have much to add to my original review. It was still awkward and I didn’t get the connection between George and Kurt. Personally, I always thought it would’ve been nice to have George and Hannah make a love connection. There’s a 12 year age gap, but it’s the same as between Sam and Jory. Idk. Just a personal thing.
2 stars for the action scene and the connection George does have with Hannah; 0 stars for the “romance” aspect of the story.
January 2022: I’ve enjoyed the character of George in Mary Calmes’ monthly newsletter so I downloaded this for free during a giveaway not too long ago. He is Hannah’s bodyguard. Hannah is the daughter of Sam Kage and Jory Harcourt from the series called A Matter of Time. I don’t remember him being Ian’s (from the Marshals series) friend, but he mentioned him a couple times in this short story.
Unbeknownst to George, Hannah is setting George up to meet someone while he brings her to a charity event. Of course, stuff happens and George has to use his bodyguard/military skills. There was a decent action scene.
There were no sexy times included. George and Kurt talked about some heavy relationship stuff even though they had just met that evening. I found that I didn’t like George as much as I do in the newsletters.
2 stars for the action scene and the connection George does have with Hannah; 0 stars for the “romance” aspect of the story.
January 2022: I’ve enjoyed the character of George in Mary Calmes’ monthly newsletter so I downloaded this for free during a giveaway not too long ago. He is Hannah’s bodyguard. Hannah is the daughter of Sam Kage and Jory Harcourt from the series called A Matter of Time. I don’t remember him being Ian’s (from the Marshals series) friend, but he mentioned him a couple times in this short story.
Unbeknownst to George, Hannah is setting George up to meet someone while he brings her to a charity event. Of course, stuff happens and George has to use his bodyguard/military skills. There was a decent action scene.
There were no sexy times included. George and Kurt talked about some heavy relationship stuff even though they had just met that evening. I found that I didn’t like George as much as I do in the newsletters.
June 29, 2024
This story was too short and choppy for me to really settle into. I normally love MC's work, but in this case she didn't have enough space to really flesh out the MCs.
Its also a long time since I've read a 'Jory' story (even though J doesn't even make an appearance) so I have no memory of MC George Hunt (also a marine buddy of Ian Doyle from Marshals) or MC Dr Kurt Butler (who is also in Steamroller apparently - again, no recollection of that).
For those that recall these two characters, I'm sure its more satisfying. I just needed more context.
Reread 30 June 2024
Still very short and the romance is very abrupt. But I still enjoyed the MaryC crazy and off-centre characters. I read this as a refresher for Wintering With George :)
Its also a long time since I've read a 'Jory' story (even though J doesn't even make an appearance) so I have no memory of MC George Hunt (also a marine buddy of Ian Doyle from Marshals) or MC Dr Kurt Butler (who is also in Steamroller apparently - again, no recollection of that).
For those that recall these two characters, I'm sure its more satisfying. I just needed more context.
Reread 30 June 2024
Still very short and the romance is very abrupt. But I still enjoyed the MaryC crazy and off-centre characters. I read this as a refresher for Wintering With George :)
February 25, 2024
Re-read 2/24/2024 so i could go into Wintering with George with fresh memories of Kurt and George. Now I Need to re-read Steamroller because I only have a vague memory of Kurt. Truthfully, I probably only have a vague memory of the book. I’m old. Forgetfulness happens 🤷🏽♀️
January 4, 2022
If you read Calmes' newsletter, then you are familiar with Hannah (Jory & Sam's daughter) and her bodyguard George. Hannah is too brilliant and too perfect to be real. Like her father, trouble seems to find her. George is often the one to save her.
Geoge and Kurt are introduced as a possibility in one of the newsletters. I am glad Calmes followed up on the possibility. I would like to read a longer book about these two and the future they build.
Geoge and Kurt are introduced as a possibility in one of the newsletters. I am glad Calmes followed up on the possibility. I would like to read a longer book about these two and the future they build.
January 1, 2022
Yay! I was so happy to get a story about George. I’ve been fascinated with him ever since he first showed up as Hannah’s bodyguard in Mary’s monthly newsletters. Kurt seemed like a perfect fit for him!
January 5, 2022
Although this is a stand-alone story, it is best enjoyed with the the author's cute & funny newsletter shorts which feature the same characters. I believe Ms. Calmes has back issues of her newsletter available on her FB page and website.
January 10, 2022
Me ha encantado🥰 Peeero, creo que es una historia que daba para mucho más. La autora ha cogido una trama que podría haber hecho una novela algo mas larga con una construcción de la relación ma acompleja y la ha dejado en una historia corta que deja de lado el romance en favor de la acción.
January 11, 2022
Loved it! Wished it were longer so we could see more of George and Kurt make a life together.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 165 reviews