Review: Pretending to Wed

 Pretending to Wed

"The ranch Nolan Key has spent decades working for, even lost a leg for, is now his—or at least it should be. But an absurd clause in his father’s will means he’s in danger of losing the place to his lazy, undeserving cousin. Nolan finds himself scrambling to save his home—by proposing marriage to the town laundress. 

Corinne Stillwater’s hands have betrayed her. Numb from hours of doing the same work over and over, her hands will only heal, according to the town doctor, if she gives up the laundry and marries. But she’s been stung repeatedly by love before, so that is one remedy she can’t swallow. 

When Nolan offers Corinne a marriage in name only, how can she refuse? Such a partnership could give them the security they seek, but what if the ranch isn't as secure as they believe, and their lives—and dreams—aren't quite as compatible as they thought?"

Author: Melissa Jagears

Genre: Historical Romance

Series: Frontier Vow (book 2)

"It’s a match made in heaven…

as long as they don’t fall in love!"

Melissa always finds a way to write the sweetest romances, that still hit REAL topics! Topics that aren't talked about enough in the CF market. This story was no different! 

Y'all know I'm the first one to get all swoony over the "marriage of convenience" troupe, and I think this one was done well.

I enjoyed both characters! I like getting in to their headspace, seeing their insecurities and downfalls they thought they had. I loved watching them coming to find they couldn't lean on their own understanding or strength, but they could lean on and trust God.

Communication between the characters could've definitely been better, but they were pretty much strangers, and we had to keep our plot going. 😉 However, once they did start talking they LISTENED to each other, and the world starting revolving again.

The fact they both started the book with a physical "disability" was another real, gritty aspect of the story I liked. I do feel like Corinne's was never really explained, and went away pretty quickly. But I did enjoy the fact that it was in the book. 

While clean, and DFINETLY Christian, its a story for a mature audience. This is one a parent will want to decide if their daughter is ready for. But I do think every woman should read it. Melissa handled the topic of  relationships and sex very well! She wrote a note in the back of the book to explain why she choose to write the story the way she did, and I think she wrote that wonderfully as well.

I cannot wait for book 3! I'm sure it'll be just as real and lovely as her others.

I rated this a 4/5 stars

*I received this book from the author**All opinions are my own*

Review: If It's Perfect

If It's Perfect

"One thing I learned this week: DO NOT flirt while at a client’s wedding. (especially with anyone in a tux)

Success-driven Hope Fletcher has some lofty goals for her life. But is it really too much to want a thriving cake design business by age 29? Marry a perfect (emphasis on the perfect) man by age 30? Then have the kids, dog, and house in suburbia by age 34? If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.

Dean. Wonderful, dreamy Dean who loves kids (and will eventually grow to love dogs) steps into Hope's world. He's the exact type of man she's been looking for and she starts falling. Hard. 

But will Hope's perfect image of Dean crumble when she finds out about his past?"

Author: Summer Dowell

Genre: Romantic Comedy

***

I'm going to start this off with a question.

Where can I find my own Dean?? 😍 

This was such a cute story! Its the perfect, quick contemporary to fit all of your reading needs. 

Hope was a pistol! Her inner dialogue made me smile and want to choke her all at the same time. 

I'm in NO way a perfectionist, I don't mind asking for help when I need it, so that's probably why we didn't get along the whole time.

Dean was...😍😍 PERFECT! I mean, I know he was supposed to have flaws but he seemed pretty close to perfect to me. (I mean, he was fictional so he's allowed to be)

I would've loved to see more of Hope's relationship with her family, especially her parents. 

Obviously the pacing was super fast, and I feel like there were a few things I would've loved to see flushed out a little more. But for the fast story that it was it was pretty good. 😘

I loved the side characters, and I ANXIOUSLY await their love stories. 😉 Who doesn't love a story about wedding people falling in love?!

It was an adorable story that is definitely worth the read. Perfect to get your mind off this craziness we call life. 

I rated it a 4/5 stars

*I received this book from the author**All opinions are my own*