Review: 5 Stars for Unforgiven (Loveless Texas #2) by Jay Crownover

We are so excited to celebrate the release of UNFORGIVEN by Jay Crownover with you today by participating in the blog tour!

UNFORGIVEN is part of the Loveless, Texas series and you can grab your copy now.

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UNFORGIVEN by Jay Crownover

Loveless, Texas #2 | Available Now 

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Grab your copy of UNFORGIVEN today!

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About UNFORGIVEN

From the New York Times bestselling author of the Marked Men series comes an irresistible and suspenseful romance between a tough Texas Ranger and his first love--a woman in danger who insists she doesn't need his protection.

Hill Gamble is a model lawman: cool and collected, with a confident swagger to boot. Too bad all that Texas charm hasn't gotten him anywhere in his personal life, especially since the only girl he ever loved has always been off-limits. But then Hill is assigned to investigate her father's mysterious death, and he's forced back to the town--and the woman--he left behind. When Hill left Loveless, he broke Kody Lawton's already battered heart. And now that he's working on her father's case, avoiding him is impossible. She can handle Hill and her unwanted feelings--until he puts his life on the line to protect her. Suddenly, Kody realizes that Hill could be taken away from her...for good. 

"Crownover delivers the goods."-Lori Wilde, New York Times bestselling author 

"Crownover writes cowboys that make you want to pack your bags in search of a small-town ranch!" -Melissa Foster, New York Times bestselling author Includes the bonus novella Cowboy to the Rescue by A.J. Pine!

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What I thought about Unforgiven

Jay Crownover returns to Loveless Texas in this second book in the series. Texas Ranger Hill Gamble has history with the Lawton family and he's called in to help with the investigation of the murder of the Lawton family patriarch.  He's Sheriff Case Lawton's friend and the brother to Kody Lawton's former fiance, Aaron Gamble. Lot of history there.

Hill has been in love with Kody Lawton for the majority of his adult life, but he hasn't been able to act on his feelings at all, even with Aaron out of the picture.  There's a whole lot of guilt and unspoken feelings between Hill and Kody and it isn't until they are forced together by circumstances that they will admit these feelings to each other.

I loved this slow burn romance, especially how everyone saw how Hill felt about Kody.  Kody is a bit of a wild-child, attracting trouble (and the Sons of Sorrow MC) and couldn't be more different than the upstanding Texas Ranger.  But he loves her and he's put everyone's feelings first but his own.  Unforgiven changes all of that!

There's plenty of hot, steamy coupling going on once these two get their feelings sorted, and there's a nice little mystery to keep the story moving forward.  Unforgiven has everything I want in a romance -- two characters that I want to get together along with an action-packed story line. Jay Crownover is absolutely one of my favorite romantic suspense authors.

This is a fabulous series and Unforgiven left me wanting more, so I can't wait for Shot's story because I may just have a little crush on him too! If you like your romance with a good dose of action and suspense, you might like this series.

An ARC was provided by the publisher.  This is my honest review.

About JAY CROWNOVER:

Jay Crownover is the international and multiple New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Marked Men Series, The Saints of Denver Series, The Point Series, Breaking Point Series, and the Getaway Series. Her books can be found translated in many different languages all around the world. She is a tattooed, crazy haired Colorado native who lives at the base of the Rockies with her awesome dogs. This is where she can frequently be found enjoying a cold beer and Taco Tuesdays. Jay is a self-declared music snob and outspoken book lover who is always looking for her next adventure, between the pages and on the road.

 Connect with her:
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Release Day Excerpt: Unforgiven (Loveless Texas #2) by Jay Crownover

We are so excited to celebrate the release of UNFORGIVEN by Jay Crownover with you today! UNFORGIVEN is part of the Loveless, Texas series and you can grab your copy now. Join Jay's Group for details about all of her titles.

UNFORGIVEN by Jay Crownover

Loveless, Texas #2 | Available Now

------------

Grab your copy of UNFORGIVEN today!

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About UNFORGIVEN:

From the New York Times bestselling author of the Marked Men series comes an irresistible and suspenseful romance between a tough Texas Ranger and his first love--a woman in danger who insists she doesn't need his protection.

Hill Gamble is a model lawman: cool and collected, with a confident swagger to boot. Too bad all that Texas charm hasn't gotten him anywhere in his personal life, especially since the only girl he ever loved has always been off-limits. But then Hill is assigned to investigate her father's mysterious death, and he's forced back to the town--and the woman--he left behind.

When Hill left Loveless, he broke Kody Lawton's already battered heart. And now that he's working on her father's case, avoiding him is impossible. She can handle Hill and her unwanted feelings--until he puts his life on the line to protect her. Suddenly, Kody realizes that Hill could be taken away from her...for good.

 "Crownover delivers the goods."-Lori Wilde, New York Times bestselling author

 "Crownover writes cowboys that make you want to pack your bags in search of a small-town ranch!" -Melissa Foster, New York Times bestselling author Includes the bonus novella Cowboy to the Rescue by A.J. Pine! 

Add UNFORGIVEN to your Goodreads TBR here!

Excerpt:

As I stood in the doorway, I took in the bar. It had a decent-size crowd considering it was a Tuesday night. The mix of patrons was as eclectic as the decor. It was all very Kody. The building was an old barn, so the interior had a lot of western elements, including old whiskey barrels for tables. But there were also brightly colored artwork and neon signs brightening up the space. Instead of the big lighting fixture in the middle of the bar being made out of antlers or wrought iron, it was an intricate mix of colorful glass beads. The whole thing was very country and western meets boho chic. The people filling up the seats were mostly Loveless residents. They included the guys gathered near the bar dressed in leather, covered in tattoos, and rocking club colors. The Sons of Sorrow motorcycle club had moved into the hill country on the outskirts of Loveless years after I’d left town. Now their flashy bikes and intimidating presence were as commonplace as pickup trucks and horse trailers. It made sense they liked Kody’s bar since it was between town and their clubhouse, but I didn’t have to like it.

I really didn’t like the way the large, dark-haired man leaning across the bar looked at Kody. I knew from Case that Palmer “Shot” Caldwell was the current president of the Texas branch of the club. I’d taken it upon myself to learn more about the man when he ended up in the middle of the last case that brought me home. Shot was a former marine, a decorated sniper, the son of the founder of the club, and someone Kody was inexplicably close to. Everything about her relationship with the biker set my teeth on edge and had me wanting to make a claim I had no right to stake.

As I stepped forward, the heavy wooden door shut with a bang behind me and drew the eyes of the people sitting closest to me. I saw a couple of looks of recognition, and some people purposely looking away. I nodded and touched the tip of my finger to the brim of my hat in a fairly polite greeting. These people weren’t my friends. No one in this town had tried to help my brother when he needed it the most, and I would never forget that. Unlike the Lawton kids, I’d left Loveless in the rearview mirror and planned on never looking back. All of my worst memories were here. So was the one person I wanted more than anything but knew I could never have.

Under the dim bar lights, I met Kody’s gaze across the room. She looked pale. Her wild mane of multicolored blond hair was messier than usual, and she appeared to be swaying slightly every time she let go of her hold on the bar. Her eyes narrowed, and at first, I thought she was giving me a dirty look, but the next instant her entire body lurched and she toppled over, listing to the side and disappearing behind the wide, long bar.

My heart stopped for a split second and I had to bite my tongue to stop from screaming her name. I found myself in dangerous, deadly situations due to my job, but I couldn’t recall a single instance when I had been as terrified as I was in that moment Kody went down.

I heard the biker shout her name and was vaguely aware of him kicking back his bar stool as he jumped to his feet. I was moving before I had time to weigh whether it was a good idea. Kody didn’t like it when I was in her space. She’d told me she hated me and ordered me to leave her alone on more than one occasion, but none of that stopped me from reaching the bar in record time. It didn’t slow me down when I planted a hand near the biker’s empty drink and vaulted over the top of the bar.

I landed on the floor in front of Kody, ignoring the shouts and commotion coming from all directions. I waved off the bartender hovering uncertainly behind Kody and quietly asked, “Are you okay, Kody?”

The answer was obvious when, instead of biting my head off, her big, bright-green eyes flooded with tears and her shoulders started to shake with silent sobs. Having people burst into tears as I was talking to them, was a pretty common occurrence considering my line of work. I’d developed a natural immunity to tears of all kinds. But not to Kody’s. Hearing her breath catch and watching her eyelashes get spiky and damp as she struggled to hold the tears back made my heart twist painfully in my chest.

Grab your copy of UNFORGIVEN today!

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About JAY CROWNOVER:

Jay Crownover is the international and multiple New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Marked Men Series, The Saints of Denver Series, The Point Series, Breaking Point Series, and the Getaway Series. Her books can be found translated in many different languages all around the world. She is a tattooed, crazy haired Colorado native who lives at the base of the Rockies with her awesome dogs. This is where she can frequently be found enjoying a cold beer and Taco Tuesdays. Jay is a self-declared music snob and outspoken book lover who is always looking for her next adventure, between the pages and on the road.  

Connect with her:  

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Release Day Review:Great and Precious Things by Rebecca Yarros

Release Date: February 25

How do you define yourself when others have already decided who you are? 

Six years ago, when Camden Daniels came back from war without his younger brother, no one in the small town of Alba, Colorado, would forgive him—especially his father. He left, swearing never to return.

But a desperate message from his father brings it all back. The betrayal. The pain. And the need to go home again.

But home is where the one person he still loves is waiting. Willow. The one woman he can never have. Because there are secrets buried in Alba that are best left in the dark.

If only he could tell his heart to stay locked away when she whispers she’s always loved him, and always will…

Great and Precious Things is a heart-wrenching story about family, betrayal, and ultimately how far we're willing to go on behalf of those who need us most.

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What I thought about Great & Precious Things

After Camden Daniels leaves town, promising himself that he'd never return to  the small Colorado town where he grew up. But when his father calls looking for help, he goes home to all the secrets and pain that have kept him away. There are few secrets in small towns, and it isn't always easy to go home again.  I really felt for Cam here, but he does it, opening the door to possibilities.

Willow Bradley is the girl he left behind, a friend with history with his brother.  If anyone knows Cam, it's Willow and while she has her own pain to work through, she sees Cam and his misplaced guilt.  She sees that he is strong and loyal and willing to help his family even though it's costing him.

I've been a fan of Rebecca Yarros' writing since her first book and she only gets better with each new title in terms of creating an emotional story and characters that you fall for in the first few pages. Great and Precious Things is no exception. Cam and Willow have to relive much of their painful past in order to clear the way for their future. The slow burn romance contains a bucket load of emotional content, so just be prepared. You might need to wipe your eyes a time or two, but if you've read Rebecca Yarros before you know that's just how it is. 

I love a good small town story and this standalone really hits the high and low points of what it means to come home.  I did love the themes of choice and consequences that are woven throughout and make this is a book that will leave a bit of a mark, at least for a little while. Those are the best stories -- the ones that have you thinking about it for days afterward. 

Another great (and precious;) title from Rebecca Yarros. If you like your romances with plenty of emotion and weaved around familiar circumstances, then you just might like Great and Precious Things.

An ARC was provided by the publisher.  This is my honest review. 

 

Meet Rebecca Yarros

I’m a hopeless romantic and adore all things chocolate, coffee and paleo. No, seriously, I need to have a caffeine IV put in. I’ve adored reading all my life, and writing naturally evolved from my love of late nights and promises of one more page.

I’m also a military wife of sixteen years. During my husband’s deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, I was devouring a book a day, and during his third deployment, I finally wrote my own. With a somewhat ironic timing, I received my book deal for Full Measures during his fourth deployment, and published a month after he returned home. We’re currently preparing for his fifth deployment, so check out the blog for the latest!

On the homefront, we have six kids. Yes, you read that right—six. If I’m not writing or playing guitar, I’m usually tying hockey skates for our four boys, or sneaking in John Hughes marathons with my two daughters. We fostered and adopted our youngest daughter from the foster system and we’re passionate about helping others do the same through our non-profit, One October! We’re always busy navigating the winding road of our daughter’s recent autism diagnosis, getting our boys to hockey, prepping for a deployment, and generally trying to stay sane. We’re die-hard Mets fans, but our hearts call Colorado home.

If you’ve read all of that, haven’t fallen asleep, and still want to know more about me, check out my blog: http://www.rebeccayarros.com/blog!

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Review: The Bear's Forever Mate (Borealis Bears #3) by Vivian Arend

He’s got the perfect mate in mind, for five years from now…

The final title in a light-hearted shifter trilogy by New York Times bestselling author Vivian Arend.

Cooper Borealis is fully onboard with the concept of fated mates. Except mating the woman he wants—his tempting, complicated, human secretary—is not an option. Or not yet anyway. Still, he’ll keep the vow he made to his brothers, with a few loophole caveats, mating fever be damned. He’ll be with Amber Myawayan at the place and time of his choosing.

Amber has spent the past two years in the north looking for her missing brother—and falling in love with the big, growly polar bear at the helm of Borealis Gems. More than once, she’s caught him looking at her with hungry shifter eyes. But getting him to admit it? Ha! Luckily, mating fever is a thing, and she’s happy to cooperate as nature forces the issue to the forefront.

But when their mating bond is unexpectedly blocked, Amber and Cooper find themselves in a race against time. She needs to track down her brother while somehow proving she’s tough enough to be with her favourite bear. Cooper plans to protect her at all costs, even if it means secretly stifling his stubborn shifter side.

Somewhere in the wilderness they’ll find the answer…or lose their chance at forever.

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What I thought about The Bear's Forever Mate

Cooper Borealis, the last of the unmated Borealis bear shifters is about to go into mating fever. But he's got his timetable written in his journal and he's got his life planned out. He even know who he wants to mate with, and it's a good thing Amber is interested in Cooper too.

But the family and the mating fever have other plans for Cooper and he soon finds that is timeline is null and void. Amber is with him and he needs her. When the mating bond fails to develop, it's Cooper's inner bear that has the answer. Amber has some unresolved issues, and it's going to take the entire family to help her get things on the right path!

I've really enjoyed this series. It's light and fun. Vivian Arend does an amazing job of incorporating the shifters into the human world, and the inner dialogue between man and animal has been the shining star of this series.

If you are looking for a lighter, sexy, low-on-conflict paranormal tale, this one might be for you!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

With over 2 million books sold, Vivian Arend is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over 50 contemporary and paranormal romance books, including the Six Pack Ranch and Granite Lake Wolves.

Her books are all standalone reads with no cliffhangers. They’re humorous yet emotional, with sexy-times and happily-ever-afters. Vivian pretty much thinks she’s got the best job in the world, and she’s looking forward to giving readers more HEAs. She lives in B.C. Canada with her husband of many years and a fluffy attack Shitzu named Luna who ignores everyone except when treats are deployed.

For news, free vignettes, and all sorts of mischief, sign up for Vivian’s newsletter:

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Release Day Review: While You Were Spying (Love Undercover #1) by Stina Lindenblatt

She needs a fake husband. He needs to protect his best friend...

Ever since I caught my boyfriend getting hot and steamy with another woman, I’ve thrown myself into my career. But now I’m ready to move from being the super-efficient office manager to an operative with Quade Security and Investigation.

Just as soon as I prove to my boss that I’m kick-ass enough to do the job.

So when my grandmother asks for my help, there’s no way I can say no. Her former love has a mission for Jayden—my hot colleague and best friend—and me. What more could I want?

***
The last thing I want is for Isabelle to be is an operative. She’s my best friend, and I hate the idea of her being in danger. Unfortunately, our boss has other plans.

Isabelle and I go undercover at a resort for happily married couples. But forget moonlight walks and hanging out by the pool. To maintain our cover, we have to participate in activities that would make a nun blush.

Clothes come flying off, and we agree to temporarily be friends-with-benefits while there. No strings attached. No complications. Nothing could be simpler. Right?

Wrong—because there’s another reason we’ve been lured to the resort. A reason that will put our hearts to the test…and our lives on the line.
 

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What I thought about While You Were Spying  

In this new series from Stina Lindenblatt, Isabelle wants more than just her office manager job at Quade Security -- she wants to be an agent. When a case comes up that gives her the opportunity to be a investigative operative, she's got to have it, even it it means there are some requirements. She'll have to go undercover with her best friend and colleague, Jayden posing as a married couple.

Not only is Jayden worried about Isabelle as an operative, he's worried his own feelings for Isabelle will be exposed. He knows he might have some problem playing at being married when he has feelings for her.

There's a lot of chemistry between these two that won't be denied. This was a fun and easy read with a very sweet romantic comedy feel to it.

Great start to the series!

An ARC was provided for review.

Author Bio

Born in Brighton England, Stina Lindenblatt has lived in a number of countries, including England, the US, Finland, and Canada. This would explain her mixed up accent. She has a kinesiology degree and a MSc in sports biological sciences. In addition to writing fiction, she loves photography, especially the close-up variety, and currently lives in Calgary, Canada, with her husband and three kids.

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Release Day Review: Bullseye (The Monsters Within #1) by Monica James

BULLSEYE (Book One The Monsters Within Duet )

Genre: Dark Romance
Release date: February 20th
Book Two: Coming April 30th
Cover Model: Andrew England @andrewengland88
Photographer: James Rupapara @jamesrupapara
Cover Designer: Sommer Stein—Perfect Pear Creative Covers  

For twelve long years, I’ve breathed, I’ve bled for only one thing…

Revenge.

Four men took something from me, something which can never be replaced. That one night changed the lives of so many and taught me that monsters are real.

But I also learned I’m the biggest monster of them all.

Nothing and no one will stand in my way of redemption because those men…they’re now three. The fourth—he is the reason they call me Bullseye. They can run, but sooner or later, I’ll find them, just as I did with their friend. They’re already dead…they just don’t know it yet.

My plan was simple until I met her. A fierce tiger who had the power to break my heart. Lucky for me…she can’t break what’s already broken. I am no longer a man because the world is a jungle, and we’re all just animals—ready to tear one another apart.

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What I thought about Bullseye

After over ten years of incarceration that began at the young age of seventeen, Bull (aka Bullseye) has been released from prison.  He's on a mission -- not to walk the straight and narrow path, but to get revenge on the four people who's actions put him in prison. I have to admit that perhaps the circumstances warranted some sort of revenge but what Bull has in mind will put him back in prison ... or worse.

Lily, aka Tiger Lily is an exotic dancer. When Bull gets a job at the Pink Oyster where she dances, she's immediately drawn to his tatted up bad boy looks and his mysterious demeanor.  This may end up being her downfall as they play out their kinks with each other.  Their on-again / off-again relationship really pulled me into the story.

The ending of this first book in the duet exposes some incredible coincidences (or are they? I'm not sure yet) and really sheds a lot of doubt on the longevity of Bull and Tiger's relationship.  There's quite a few unresolved issues by the end of the first book that had me scratching my head wondering how things could ever work out between these two characters who seem to actually be perfect for each other.  Things get quite steamy with between Bull and Tiger but there are many obstacles in their way to their happily-ever-after.  I'm really interested in reading how this story resolves some of these issues. 

So overall, a good start to the duet. Bullseye sets up some very difficult situations for the finale, and I just loved that about it. I'm still not quite sure how I feel about Bull and most of the time, I'm thinking Tiger Lily should just pack up and move away, so that makes it all the more fun to see how Monica James is going to wrap all of this up.

 

Author Bio

Monica James spent her youth devouring the works of Anne Rice, William Shakespeare, and Emily Dickinson.

When she is not writing, Monica is busy running her own business, but she always finds a balance between the two. She enjoys writing honest, heartfelt, and turbulent stories, hoping to leave an imprint on her readers. She draws her inspiration from life.

She is a bestselling author in the U.S.A., Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Israel, and the U.K.

Monica James resides in Melbourne, Australia, with her wonderful family, and menagerie of animals. She is slightly obsessed with cats, chucks, and lip gloss, and secretly wishes she was a ninja on the weekends.

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Release Day Review and Giveaway:Dominik (Arizona Vengeance, #6) by Sawyer Bennett

Dominik (Arizona Vengeance, Book #6)
Sawyer Bennett
Release Date: February 18, 2020

Synopsis:

I built myself up from nothing. A product of the foster care system, I learned early on how to fight hard to get what I want. Whether it was starting my first company in college, earning my first billion, or buying my first professional sports team, I know how to get what I want, when I want it. 

Until now.

Willow Monahan is fierce, independent, and hot as hell. She also takes great pleasure in shutting down my advances. The younger sister of one of my star players, Willow intrigues me to my very core. And while she may have willingly given me her body, she is hesitant to offer up more. Now I’m on a mission to find out why.

I’ve decided to approach my desire for Willow like I’ve approached much of my life; with persistence, determination, and a whole lot of that Dominik Carlson alpha charm. Buying a hockey expansion team, building the Arizona Vengeance from the ground up, and bringing home a championship may prove to be an easier feat than winning Willow’s heart.

But I’ve never been a quitter.

Willow Monahan… I’m coming for you.

 

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► Signed paperback of DOMINIK

► Arizona Vengeance tote

► Arizona Vengeance pillow

► Arizona Vengeance mug

► Arizona Vengeance sticker

What I thought about Dominik

I've been loving this series and I was intrigued about what was going on between Willow and Dominik from prior scenes in the series and Sawyer Bennett always makes it interesting.

Multi billionaire and Vengeance-owner Dominik Carlson is infatuated with Willow, sister to one of Vengeance players.  They hooked up a time or two and things were really good between them, but Dominik has a reputation as a player, and Willow has some deep scars from her past that have them both thinking they could have a sex-only relationship.

Like that ever works in a romance novel!  

They both deny the feelings they have for each other until everything implodes and I'm not sure that Dominik will ever be one of my favorites in this series.  That being said, I did like how his character made me ponder exactly what I thought about him -- was he a hot alpha, or just a jerk? I'm still mulling that one over.  Whatever the case, Dominik and Willow do steam up the sheets!

I adored Willow and her strength and her willingness to be vulnerable as well. Her relationship with Dax was a nice part of the story. 

So overall, a quick, entertaining read that kept me interested until the end.

About the Author:

Since the release of her debut contemporary romance novel, Off Sides, in January 2013, Sawyer Bennett has released multiple books, many of which have appeared on the New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestseller lists. A reformed trial lawyer from North Carolina,

Sawyer uses real life experience to create relatable, sexy stories that appeal to a wide array of readers. From new adult to erotic contemporary romance, Sawyer writes something for just about everyone.

Sawyer likes her Bloody Marys strong, her martinis dirty, and her heroes a combination of the two. When not bringing fictional romance to life, Sawyer is a chauffeur, stylist, chef, maid, and personal assistant to a very active daughter, as well as full-time servant to her adorably naughty dogs. She believes in the good of others, and that a bad day can be cured with a great work-out, cake, or even better, both.

Sawyer also writes general and women’s fiction under the pen name S. Bennett and sweet romance under the name Juliette Poe.

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Blog Tour Review & Excerpt: Temporary Wife Temptation (The Heirs of Hansol) by Jayci Lee

 

 

Much more than he bargained for…
 
“You want me to find you a wife?”

“No. I want you to be my wife.”

Garrett Song is this close to taking the reins of his family’s LA fashion empire…until the Song matriarch insists he marry her handpicked bride first. To block her matchmaking, he recruits Natalie Sobol to pose as his wife. She needs a fake spouse as badly as he does. But when passion burns down their chaste agreement, the flames could destroy them all…

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EXCERPT:

Garrett resisted the urge to glance over his shoul­der to check on her. Natalie was a grown woman and he didn’t need to protect her from being swarmed by admirers. Besides, she was the one who had proposed they refrain from other relationships, so she wouldn’t do anything to hurt his reputation or hers.

Earlier, at her apartment, he’d caught fire at the sight of her in her little black dress. It was demure compared to the one she’d worn at Le Rêve, but it hugged her hour­glass figure and highlighted the curves underneath just enough to tease his imagination.

He walked to the bar for his Scotch and grabbed a flute of champagne from a server on his way back. As he’d anticipated, Natalie was now surrounded by a group of men and he lengthened his strides to reach her.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, sweetheart.” He pressed a light kiss on her lips and handed her the champagne.

“Thank you.” She leaned her head against his shoul­der when he pulled her to his side, playing her part like a pro.

“Natalie was just taking us to task about USC’s new head coach. It seems neither he nor I truly understand college football,” said one of Mike’s college friends.

“Is that so?” Garrett raised an eyebrow at her and she shrugged.

“Taking you to task is a bit harsh.” She hid her grin against the rim of her champagne flute as she took a long sip. “It’s just that I have a better understanding than you guys.”

The audience winced and guffawed at her cheeki­ness. As Natalie continued with her lecture, all the men listened intently, as did Garrett. She was funny and down-to-earth, and her mind was quicker than light­ning. Lost in her words, Garrett belatedly noticed the crowd had grown. Her champagne glass was depleted and her smile was becoming strained.

He leaned down close to her ear. “Tired?”

“And hungry.”

“All right, gentlemen. I’m whisking away my date now. I’m tired of sharing her.”

When the crowd finally dispersed, Natalie slumped against him with a groan. “I need food, champagne and somewhere to sit.”

A server walked over with a tray of bacon-wrapped shrimp and Natalie snatched a couple of them. She popped one in her mouth and mumbled around her food, “Not necessarily in that order.”

Garrett laughed and guided her toward the French doors leading out to the garden. Natalie ate every sin­gle hors d’oeuvre she met along the way and finished another glass of champagne.

“Holy cow. Is everything really, really delicious, or am I just famished? I would totally go back for that crab cake if my feet weren’t screaming at me to get my butt on a chair.”

He glanced down at her zebra-print high heels. They did amazing things for her legs but didn’t look remotely comfortable. “There’s a bench around the corner.”

“Oh, thank God.” She kicked off her shoes as soon as she plopped onto the seat.

Garrett shrugged out of his jacket and draped it around her shoulders before sitting next to her.

“Thank you,” she murmured, gazing at the garden. “It’s so beautiful out here.”

“Is it?” He and Mike had grown up tearing apart that very garden, but Garrett had never sat still and taken it all in, like they were doing now. “I guess you’re right.”

“Mmm-hmm.”

He studied her profile, her high, regal cheekbone and the graceful curve of her neck. Half of her hair had escaped the loose knot behind her head and fell down her back and shoulders. He wanted to sweep aside her hair and feel the softness of her skin, which he abso­lutely should not do.

“So how do you know so much about college foot­ball?” He tore his gaze away from her and stared at an old maple tree ahead of him, hard enough to make his eyes water.

“Long story.”

“We’ve got time.” He made a show of checking his watch. “I’ll give you ten minutes.”

Her laughter filled the garden, then ended on a wist­ful sigh. “My dad and I, we weren’t very close. The only time he didn’t mind my company was when we watched college football together. He was a huge fan. I don’t think he even noticed I was sitting there half the time.”

Garrett understood what that felt like. As soon as he finished graduate school, he’d thrown himself into his work. It was satisfying in its predictability and it created a common ground for him and his father. His dad had stepped down from the CEO position when his mom died, but returned to Hansol a few years later as an executive VP.

“I thought if I learned enough about the sport, he’d like me a little better.” Her shrug told him it hadn’t worked, but Natalie told her story without an ounce of self-pity—like she owned her past, hurt and all. His respect for her deepened. “But soon I noticed I wasn’t faking my enthusiasm anymore. I’d grown to love the sport. Who knew it’d come in handy at an intimate birthday party for a hundred people?”

“You certainly won over quite a few of them.”

“I did?” Her eyebrows shot up in genuine surprise.

He huffed out a laugh. “Why did you think that crowd was hanging on to your every word?”

“Watch yourself, Garrett Song.” Natalie narrowed her eyes and pointed a finger at him. “I know where you live.”

He snatched her hand and tugged her to her feet. “Yes, and you’ll be living there with me starting Sun­day.”

“Ugh.” She hooked an index finger in each of her shoes, not bothering to put them back on. “Do you ever stop thinking about work?”

“Yes.” He cocked his head and pretended to con­sider her question. “But only when I’m thoroughly dis­tracted.”

Her lashes fluttered and color saturated her cheeks, and his gut clenched with heat. She could definitely become his most dangerous distraction.

 What I thought about Temporary Wife Temptation

In this marriage of convenience story, Garrett Song wants to be CEO of his family company, but his grandmother insists that he be married.  To be able to choose his own wife and be CEO he must find a wife quickly to keep his grandmother from forcing him into an arranged marriage.


Natalie Sobol wants to be a VP with Hansol, but tragic circumstances mean that she missed her opportunity for an interview for the position.  After being at the compnay and knowing she can do the job, she approaches Garrett. Turns out they can both help each other out.

As expected, a mutual attraction grows between Natalie and Garrett as does their relationship.  There's a few hurdles for them to get to the HEA and while there weren't really many surprises to this story, I loved reading about the different culture and how that impacted the characters view of their world.  They do manage to finally admit their feelings for each other and it's all good.   

Overall, an entertaining and quick read.  

A review copy was provided by the publisher. 

About the author JAYCI LEE: Jayci Lee writes poignant, funny, and sexy romance. She lives in sunny California with her tall-dark-and-handsome husband, two amazing boys with boundless energy, and a fluffy rescue whose cuteness is a major distraction. She is semi-retired from her 15-year career as a defense litigator, and writes full-time now. She loves food, wine, and travelling, just like her characters. Books have always helped her grow, dream, and heal. She hopes her books will do the same for you.