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Rosalind James
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Just For Now: A Rugby Romance (Escape to New Zealand Book 3) Kindle Edition

by Rosalind James (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 4,049 ratings
See all formats and editions
There’s no place like home ...
For teacher Jenna McKnight, nothing spells “heartbreak” like finding her husband with somebody else--in her bed. It’s clearly time to reinvent herself. A new body, a new city, and a new job later, she’s done just that. The beautiful Auckland villa isn’t really her home, though. Finn Douglas and his kids aren’t really her family, however much she wishes they were. And playing house can be a dangerous game.

Rugby star Finn Douglas is just looking for a temporary nanny and housekeeper. Not a girlfriend, and definitely not a wife. He can’t resist Jenna’s cooking, it’s true. Who knew he’d have so much trouble resisting her? He wants to do what’s right for his kids. But waiting is so hard ...

Note: This STAND-ALONE romance, like New Zealand, contains a bit of steam. If that isn't your cuppa, you may want to visit a different country ... er, book.
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  1. Book 3 of 15
    Escape to New Zealand
  2. Print length
    359 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publication date
    February 14, 2014
  6. File size
    2446 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
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  1. You sear it, and serve it with a glaze of balsamic vinegar, honey, and orange juice.
    Highlighted by 61 Kindle readers
  2. “Jenna, you know what?” Harry said from behind her. “You have a bottom like a wombat!”
    Highlighted by 57 Kindle readers
  3. “Quiet children, especially girls, tend to get passed over. People think, ‘Oh, she’s fine,’ and pay attention to the kids who are acting out.”
    Highlighted by 49 Kindle readers
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Anyone looking for a a great story and a sweet and REAL romance, you need to read the Escape to New Zealand series. I would recommend it to all fans of contemporary romances." --Book Briefs

"I absolutely love this series of New Zealand rugby romance stories!! Ms. James' writing is smooth and sharp--and so finely crafted." --Beth Art From the Heart

"With likable characters, good dialogue and the beauty of her native country, Ms. James grabbed my attention from the first page and never let go."--Queen of the Night

From the Author

Add audio narration by Audie nominee Claire Bocking for less when you own the ebook!

I dreamed the Wombat Bottom dream while I was writing Just Good Friends. I woke up laughing and kept smiling every time I thought of it, and it became the germ of this story, which was the easiest and most fun book I've ever written. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00945K8GI
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Bellbird Publishing (February 14, 2014)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 14, 2014
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2446 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 359 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 4,049 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Rosalind James

Rosalind James

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*Sign up for my newsletter, get all the inside scoop, and never miss a release! www.rosalindjames.com/newsletter

*YES, they're stand-alones! (Except JUST ONCE MORE, FRACTURED, and FOUND.)

*All books also available in audio format.

*Printable book list available at: https://rosalindjames.com/printable-booklist/

Escape to New Zealand:

Book 0.5: JUST SAY YES (Reka & Hemi)

Book 1: JUST THIS ONCE (Hannah & Drew)

Book 2: JUST GOOD FRIENDS (Kate & Koti)

Book 3: JUST FOR NOW (Jenna & Finn)

Book 4: JUST FOR FUN (Emma & Nic)

Book 5: JUST MY LUCK (Ally & Nate/Kristen & Liam)

Book 6: JUST NOT MINE (Josie & Hugh)

Book 7: JUST ONCE MORE (Reunion/Hannah & Drew again)

Book 8: JUST IN TIME (Faith & Will)

Book 9: JUST STOP ME (Nina & Iain)

Book 10: JUST SAY YES (Chloe & Kevin)

Book 11: JUST SAY (HELL) NO (Marko & Nyree)

Book 12: JUST COME OVER (Zora & Rhys)

Book 13: JUST SAY CHRISTMAS (Victoria & Kane/Hayden & Luke/Reunion)

Book 14: JUST ONE LOOK (Elizabeth & Luka)

New Zealand Ever After:

Book 1: KIWI RULES (Karen & Jax) (NOTE: Read Karen's backstory in the Not Quite a Billionaire trilogy!)

Book 2: STONE COLD KIWI (Poppy & Matiu)

Book 3: KIWI STRONG (Daisy & Gray)

Book 4: KIWI GOLD (Layla & Lachlan)

Book 5: KIWI SIN (Oriana & Gabriel)

Not Quite a Billionaire (Hope & Hemi):

Book 1: FIERCE

Book 2: FRACTURED

Book 3: FOUND

Sinful, Montana:

Book 1: GUILTY AS SIN (Paige & Jace)

Book 2: TEMPTING AS SIN (Lily & Rafe)

Book 3: SEXY AS SIN (Willow & Brett)

Portland Devils:

Book 1: SILVER-TONGUED DEVIL (Dakota & Blake)

Book 2: NO KIND OF HERO (Beth & Evan)

Book 3: SHAME THE DEVIL (Jennifer & Harlan)

Book 4: DEVIL IN DISGUISE (Dyma & Owen)

The Kincaids:

Book 1: WELCOME TO PARADISE (Mira & Gabe)

Book 2: NOTHING PERSONAL (Rae & Alec)

Book 3: ASKING FOR TROUBLE (Alyssa & Joe)

Paradise, Idaho:

Book 1: CARRY ME HOME (Zoe & Cal)

Book 2: HOLD ME CLOSE (Kayla & Luke)

Book 3: TURN ME LOOSE (Rochelle & Travis)

Book 4: TAKE ME BACK (Hallie & Jim)

Visit www.rosalindjames.com to listen to the songs from the New Zealand books, follow characters on their travels, and learn about what's new.

Follow me on facebook: at rosalindjamesbooks

Join my Facebook reader group: Just Rosalind James

Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
4,049 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Lucky Duck
5.0 out of 5 stars Makes you want to visit New Zealand
Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2024
Verified Purchase
If you weren’t a rugby fan….you might be interested after reading some of this series. Ms. James does an excellent job of writing an interesting, fun story. This is the 3rd book in the series. The characters are believable and relatable. Not a heavy story: fun, romantic, sexy, family fun too. Recommend!
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Dux
4.0 out of 5 stars Favorite in the series, real-seeming romance
Reviewed in the United States on July 20, 2013
Verified Purchase
I just adored this book, my favorite in the Escape to New Zealand rugby romance series because of the wonderful lead characters, Jenna and Finn.

The characters, Jenna, a nanny, Finn, her rugby-playing employer, and Sophie and Harry, Finn's two children and Jenna's charges, all read as real, with real affection, real flaws, real issues, real joy, real sadness, and real love.

Jenna is an American who'd moved to NZ many years before with her then-boyfriend / later husband / soon-to-be ex-husband (he cheated on her which opens the book). She has no family in the States so really has made NZ her home. She and her husband had been living in Wellington but after their separation she ended up in Auckland. Jenna is by trade and by passion an elementary school teacher, choosing the little-bitties (Kindergarten and First Grade); while waiting for the new school year to start a teaching position she decides to find a job as a nanny.

Finn, a widower, needs a short-term nanny as their (usual) nanny needs to take a leave to care for her mother. Finn travels a lot for his rugby games, plus he wants and needs the maternal impact on his young children, Sophie (7) and Harry (5).

The kids and Jenna "meet cute" and then Jenna and Finn meet not-so cute when she comes for an interview for the nanny position. Evidently young women are throwing themselves at Finn, thinking they can better get to him through his children: he's having none of that, and seeing Jenna, who meets his definition of young (she's 29) makes him think the worst. Jenna doesn't know who he is as she's never followed rugby, and through their heated exchange we learn that while Finn is a hot commodity because of his rugby playing status, he's not exactly "a looker."

Ultimately, Finn and Jenna work out their differences and she comes to work for him and live in his home, raising his children and forming a real bond with him, too.

Jenna and Finn have lots of conversations which the author documents, and I adore this. I love not being told that they become friends but rather getting to see them become friends through their interactions, through their actual parole. And the author writes dialogue so beautifully -- you can hear them. All her characters have such distinct, clear voices, and what they say always seems true to who they are (as in you're never thrown for a loop, like "where did that come from?"). I just love it and loved reading their conversations. Show me, don't tell me, and the author shows us in spades. Brava!

Finn is a simple, hardworking man who adores his children. He is "normal": he is normal-looking (not a super-babe) who appreciates a simple lifestyle -- he's not out for glamour, for showing off. He never tells us this, but we can easily discern it based on his actions and reactions. Again, the author did a lovely job because Finn makes perfect sense and seems consistent and true.

Jenna is also a simple, hardworking woman who adores children. She's always wanted children of her own and this is as close as she's getting for now. Maybe due to how she was raised (an absent, neglectful and unkind mother) but maybe also due to that's just who she is, Jenna is quite domestic. She loves cooking and providing for her (borrowed) family: it gives her great joy. She is a homemaker in the truest and dearest sense of the word.

As Jenna and Finn get to know one another their attraction grows -- it is organic and it makes perfect sense. All along you are rooting for them because they are such a good fit; they become good friends who really get each other and care about each other, and this is all well before anything physical happens between them.

And when they do get physical it is fantastic. The sex is that much lovelier because by this point they are clearly good friends with deep affection for one another. It was just so nice to read because we, as the reader, know they *know* each other and like each other, and it's true, isn't it, that sex with someone whom you like (if not love) is that much sweeter.

The sex is also sweet because Jenna has some insecurities about herself (sexually), and because we have watched them care so for one another, we trust Finn to take care of Jenna, to safeguard her feelings and to show her how to feel (sexually) confident.

Just for Now was less about New Zealand than the previous two in the series (Just This Once and Just Good Friends), but in a more domestic sense NZ was still well represented. And that makes sense, as this is truly a domestic book: it's about Finn's house and how Jenna makes it a home.

As a mother to two young children I did marvel at how Jenna got so much cooking done, but maybe she's just one of those Mary Poppins types. I don't know and yes, I'm a little jealous.

This was a beautifully written, fully nuanced family love story: Jenna, Sophie and Harry (the children) fall in love with each other; Jenna and Finn fall in love with each other, and Jenna falls in love with herself, understanding who she is and what she needs. Ultimately, she needs Finn, Sophie and Harry, and that just makes us (reader) so happy for them.

Lovely story, lovely characters.
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Jersey Girl Book Reviews / Jersey Girl Sizzling Book Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Just For Now
Reviewed in the United States on January 14, 2013
Verified Purchase
Life changes and second chances ...

When Jenna McKnight came home and found her husband Jeremy in bed with another person, she knew it was time to make changes and move on with her life. The life changes she made included reinventing herself by taking up running and going on a "divorce diet"; leaving her home in Wellington, New Zealand, and a teaching job of six years for a year and a half of travel and short stints working in cafes. Now she's ready to move on with her life by settling down in the town of Auckland and resume her teaching career.

Finn Douglas is a well-known All Blacks rugby player and single father to Sophie and Harry. With a heavy travel schedule and a nanny who needed to take a personal leave, Finn is looking for a six month interim nanny / housekeeper to take care of his kids.

Jenna applies for the interim nanny position and plans on securing a teaching position when the new school term begins. Both Jenna and Finn carry emotional baggage that they need to resolve. As their arrangement proceeds, they become attracted to each other and embark on a journey that will provide them with the ability to accept life changes, move forward with their lives, and open themselves to a second chance at finding love.

Can a just for now arrangement become a permanent relationship for Jenna and Finn?

Just For Now is a heart-warming romantic story of two people who overcome their past emotional baggage and get a second chance of finding love and a family relationship. In the third book of the Escape to New Zealand series, author Rosalind James once again transports her readers to the enchanting country of New Zealand, and weaves another refreshing tale of romance, love and family that will leave you with a smile. Written in the third person narrative, the readers follows the development of Jenna and Finn's relationship as their love story unfolds. They are two people who weren't looking for love, but a growing attraction and two adorable children paves the way for a romantic story that has a nice mixture of humor, drama and steamy passionate romance.

True to the other books in the series, the author provides the reader with stories that are set in New Zealand and revolve around the popular sport of rugby. The attention to detail and description of New Zealand's history and dialect, and the nuance of the professional game of rugby will peak the reader's interest and imagination.

I enjoyed the author's character development of Jenna and Finn throughout the story. Jenna is a gentle and caring woman. Finn is a lovable and concerned father to his kids, while being rough and tough on the rugby field. I really appreciated the author's style of building their relationship from one of not looking for a significant other, to their growing mutual attraction, overcoming emotional baggage, and providing a caring and loving family structure for the children. I absolutely adored Finn's children, Sophie and Harry, they added an interesting and fun twist to the story.

With an interesting cast of characters; engaging dialogue and interactions; a storyline that mixes humor, drama and romance; and an added bonus of a collection of recipes; Just For Now is a heartwarming and enjoyable read!

Once again, author Rosalind James has captivated me with her latest New Zealand romance. I was thoroughly entertained and look forward to reading the fourth book in the Escape to New Zealand series, Just For Fun!
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Top reviews from other countries

L beaver
5.0 out of 5 stars Another good read. Excellent story telling
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 4, 2021
Verified Purchase
Jenna is an American living in New Zealand and moves to Auckland when she finds her husband with another woman. She takes various jobs until a position comes up for a nanny and she goes for an interview. It doesnt go that well initially because Finn, a famous All Black rugby player thinks she is there to catch him and not for his kids. He has to backtrack though and he hires her. She is a homemaker and his kids soon love her. He cant help but be attracted to her and when he acts on it the sex is very good. The story is a good mix with Jenna falling for him, him being a bit too casual and interesting parts about New Zealand. Good story telling
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Koreen Sims
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book!!
Reviewed in Canada on June 29, 2018
Verified Purchase
I have read this book three times now. Such a great story!! WoW what a twist with her ex-hubby!! Excellent writing! Definitely a must read!
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brownie
5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific story!!
Reviewed in Germany on December 28, 2012
Verified Purchase
Love the story as it's not the typical ones I've read in this genre where the 'feel good' and 'happy ever afters' are cramped up towards the last two to three pages of the book. Moreover, the story is still stayed within the bounds of reality.

I enjoyed reading it and actually bought the other three books written by this author, and hoping there would be more books to come that I can buy.
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helen
4.0 out of 5 stars NZ thru and thru
Reviewed in Canada on May 28, 2020
Verified Purchase
Lots of good things in this NZ romance: great dialogue (felt genuine Kiwi-like), lots of rugby, sweet kids, good parenting tips, yummy food, and likable main characters.
My one star less than 5 was because it seemed to drag a bit. I thought I was near the end when I was only 1/2 way through! I thought the detailed sex scenes (really chapters) were unnecessary and just made the book even longer. Otherwise, nice read!
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Chrissy’s Book Shelf
4.0 out of 5 stars Sweet Single Dad Romance
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 19, 2020
Verified Purchase
This book took a little while to get going, but the slow build worked well for the plot and the characters.

Jenna in an American living in New Zealand with her husband, working as a teacher, when she comes home to find her husband in bed with someone else. After she leaves him she travels around New Zealand looking for somewhere different to settle and ends up in Auckland with a friend. She decides that she wants to stay there and applies for a nanny job to tide her over until the new school year starts.

The new job is with Finn, who happens to be an All Black rugby player and a widower with two children. Jenna and the kids click instantly and she’s a great nanny who also happens to be a good cook too. Finn also notices she’s pretty. This is the part of the book that is the slow build, and some people may not have the patience for it, but it is a sweet and believable part of the romance.

I liked all the characters, and particularly enjoyed Jenna’s rapport with the kids. I also enjoyed the casual way in which New Zealand life was shared, and the slang that is incomprehensible to the rest of the world. I felt like I learnt a lot about rugby and the life that the players could lead.

I haven’t read the rest of the books in this series, but I may do so after reading this book.
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