Due amici d’infanzia giocano alla famigliola felice – e forse fanno sul serio – nel nuovo romanzo di Adriana Locke, autrice bestseller per USA Today. Una storia divertente e con un imprevedibile matrimonio di convenienza.

Acquistabile qui.

Per salvare il suo bed and breakfast in Tennessee, Sophie Bates ha bisogno di un miracolo e di soldi facili. Holden McKenzie, il suo migliore amico d’infanzia, ha bisogno di dimostrare a un potenziale datore di lavoro di essere un uomo di parola. Le loro sorti sono incerte, quindi Holden le fa una proposta. Lui si occuperà delle spese di Sophie se lei acconsentirà a un temporaneo matrimonio di convenienza. E perché no? Stanno bene insieme, si divertono, si fidano l’uno dell’altra. È facile dire “lo voglio”. Ma questo matrimonio improvvisato fa chiacchierare tutta Honey Creek – e fa capire a Sophie e Holden che il loro accordo perfetto sta funzionando troppo bene. Se non stanno attenti, questo matrimonio potrebbe trasformarsi in una storia d’amore.

Holden McKenzie – il dottor Holden – torna nel luogo che lo ha visto crescere estate dopo estate. Torna nella Honey Creek che gli rievoca ricordi dolci e amari. Ricordi di giorni spensierati, di risate, di divertimenti ma anche tristi e impossibili da rimuovere. E lei, Sophie, la migliore amica di un tempo mai dimenticata.

Torna in veste di veterinario, senza averlo programmato, single e disoccupato, in attesa che la clinica per il quale si è candidato lo chiami per un posto nel suo organico.

Sophie Bates, la birbante ragazzina di un tempo, si è trasformata in una donna sexy e brillante. Gestisce il b&b di famiglia e, nonostante le entrate scarseggiano e le mura hanno sempre bisogno di manutenzione – che cerca di fare da sola, o con l’aiuto dei fratelli, per i problemi di cui sopra – e i debiti diventano sempre più alti, non ha alcuna intenzione di arrendersi e vedersi portar via la sua casa.

Honey Creek è stato il palcoscenico della loro crescita. Li visti sempre più complici e vicini, ma mai una coppia. La distanza e il poco tempo a disposizione non hanno mai reso possibile una relazione e poi, una volta cresciuto, Holden non si è più recato lì.

Ma ora…

A sette anni si sono “sposati” per gioco e nel loro presente si sposeranno veramente. Non per amore ma per interesse.

Holden ha bisogno di una donna che lo aiuti nell’ottenere il lavoro.

Sophie ha bisogno di soldi per non dover dire addio a Honey House.

Un perfetto matrimonio di convenienza che farà acqua da tutte le parti, giusto il tempo di dire “Lo voglio” e di congedare i cittadini di Honey Creek accorsi per congratularsi per le nozze. Nozze che, piccolo spoiler, tutti aspettavano da una vita e, quindi, tutti reputano vere.

Cosa succederà quando anche per loro la realtà prenderà il posto della finzione?

E cosa accadrà al loro rapporto una volta ottenuto ciò che li ha uniti?

A voi il compito di scoprirlo…

⇔

Dopo aver letto tutte le uscite italiane di Adriana Locke con un altro editore, torniamo a immergerci in una nuova storia, questa volta dalle atmosfere leggere, con il primo volume della Honey Creek series. Serie che attualmente vede pubblicato solo il primo volume, e questo mi manda ai pazzi perché non posso cercare info in rete sulle trame delle prossime coppie. Da questo capitolo si intuisce chi andrà a ricoprire almeno uno dei due ruoli, ma cavolooooo. Questo gioco non mi piace! 😀

Da Like you love me mi aspettavo un po’ di più, e la colpa è al cento per cento mia, perché, dopo i pianti a singhiozzo fatti con gli altri titoli, ho atteso con ansia il crollo emotivo e alla fine non ho versato nemmeno una misera lacrimuccia. Questa cosa mi ha lasciato un sapore dolceamaro…

L’autrice ci lascia un romanzo pulito, senza fronzoli e drammi. Ci parla di amore genuino, di amicizia, di fiducia e rispetto. Di complicità e condivisione e di speranza.

Holden e Sophie funzionano presi singolarmente ma anche come coppia. Non ho trovato incoerenze caratteriali né forzature, solo appunto poco spessore nelle emozioni e troppa prevedibilità. Non che mi aspettassi colpi di scena da fuochi d’artificio, ma neanche tutto così lineare e semplice. “Conoscendola” mi ha lasciata un po’ confusa e insoddisfatta.

Ve lo consiglio? Sì, alla fine si ha bisogno anche di spensieratezza e genuinità nella lettura.

L’opinione di:

Hope Edizioni – Acquistabile qui

La mia vita è cambiata per sempre, la notte in cui mio marito è morto. Mi sono rimasti solo un cuore spezzato, un mucchio di bollette e nostra figlia, Everleigh. Non voglio fare affidamento su nessuno, men che meno su Crew Gentry. È stato il mio primo amore, la persona che mi ha quasi distrutto e l’uomo che mi ha deluso ogni volta che ho avuto bisogno di lui. Quando però vengo travolta da un altro tragico evento, Crew potrebbe rivelarsi la mia unica speranza.

La mia vita è cambiata per sempre la notte in cui mio fratello è morto. Mi sono rimasti il senso di colpa, un mucchio di errori e poco altro. Mi prendo cura di Julia Gentry, la vedova di mio fratello, ma anche l’unica donna che abbia mai amato, e della loro figlia. So che lei non vuole il mio aiuto, ma lo avrà comunque. Le devo almeno quello. Quando si trova a dover affrontare un’altra tragedia, e mi viene data l’opportunità di rimediare, la afferro, disposto a ogni sacrificio.

Questo libro si presta a diverse chiavi di lettura e può accontentare lettrici che amano generi diversi.

Amate le storie d’amore? Il romanzo ne racconta una bellissima: due protagonisti che si amavano, si sono separati e che poi si ritrovano e scoprono di amarsi ancora.

Se invece siete appassionati degli sport romance, come la sottoscritta, troverete molto interessanti i passaggi in cui il protagonista, ex lottatore di MMA, ricorda il passato e pianifica il futuro.

Ma credo che questo romanzo sarà molto apprezzato da quelle lettrici che amano gli angst: perché ho trovato emozioni, tante emozioni, paura, rabbia, amore, passione, odio, senso di colpa, spirito di sacrificio.

Credetemi il titolo è perfetto, riassume  benissimo il senso della vicenda narrata, anche se “Sacrificio d’amore” sarebbe stato ancora meglio, perché nel complesso è una storia di sacrificio, ma soprattutto d’amore e non solo tra i due protagonisti.

“Queste cose non te le spiega una babysitter, te le spiega la strada. Non è qualcosa che ti viene insegnato, è qualcosa che impari. Capisci come muoverti in un mondo che la maggior parte delle persone non vede mai, rimanendo zitto e osservando, ascoltando e intuendo chi ha il controllo di una situazione.”

Il mio preferito è assolutamente Crew, l’ho amato tantissimo: è un uomo spezzato dal senso di colpa, si sente responsabile della morte di suo fratello e fa di tutto (forse anche troppo) per cercare il perdono da parte di Julia. Cerca di espiare aiutando lei e la nipotina, Everleigh, in tutti i modi possibili e quando una nuova tragedia si abbatte sulle due, lui si fa carico di tutto, cerca la soluzione migliore anche se questa implica il suo sacrificio; anzi lui abbraccia questa possibilità senza paura e con coraggio. È un combattente, e conosce bene lo spirito di sacrificio e non si fa spaventare. L’amore per Julia ed Everleigh lo sprona a dare sempre di più, fino alla fine.

Se ho amato tanto Crew, Julia, invece, mi ha lasciata un po’ indifferente, non l’ho trovata all’altezza, è un po’ vittima e un po’ carnefice e, seppur con tutte le attenuanti, non sono riuscita ad apprezzarla in pieno. Pur capendo che ha perso il marito, e che incolpi Crew di questo, non ho apprezzato il modo in cui lo tratta. Lo tiene a distanza a livello emotivo, sicuramente il loro passato influisce sul rapporto nel presente; però, quando si ritrova ad avere bisogno di aiuto, accetta più che volentieri il sacrificio di lui, come se lo considerasse un risarcimento. Sono riuscita a rivalutarla verso la fine del libro e per come si rapporta con la figlia.

“Crew è sempre stato lo Yin per il mio Yang, il nero per il mio bianco. I suoi punti deboli sono i miei punti di forza, ed è forte dove non lo sono io. Ci completiamo a vicenda.”

I personaggi sono tutti ben caratterizzati, sia i protagonisti che i secondari; tra i primi, oltre a Crew e Julia, spicca sicuramente Everleigh: l’ho trovata una bimba in gamba, affronta la situazione con una forza d’animo davvero ammirevole. Tra i personaggi secondari, invece, spicca Will, cugino del protagonista e suo migliore amico, e l’infermiera Macie. Tra i due c’è qualcosa e mi piacerebbe molto leggere la loro storia.

In conclusione questo libro mi è piaciuto, la storia mia ha catturata, ebbene si lo confesso ho anche versato qualche lacrima e non sono una che si emoziona facilmente. Consigliatissimo.

Recensione a cura di:

Editing a cura di:

Genere: Contemporary romance Autoconclusivo Traduzione: Patrizia Zecchin Cover: Angelice Hope Edizioni, 29 maggio 2020

Genere: Contemporary Romance Traduzione: Patrizia Zecchin Cover: Angelice Hope Edizioni, 31 gennaio 2020, acquistabile qui.

From USA Today bestselling author Adriana Locke comes a witty romance about first love and second chances. This is a standalone, small-town, blue-collar love story.

After being burned by her dream job in New York City, sports journalist Neely Kimber suddenly finds herself jobless and paying a long-overdue visit to her hometown in Tennessee. Her plan? Relax, reset, and head back up the corporate ladder. There’s just one unexpected step. Neely’s back in Dogwood Lane for barely a day when she sees the man she ran from nine years ago: the bad boy next door who was her first kiss, her first love, and her first heartbreak.

Devoted single dad Dane Madden knows he hurt Neely in the worst way. He’s got a lot to make up for. And as passionate as their reconnection is, it’s a lot to hope for. Having her back in his arms feels so right. But falling in love all over again with a woman who wants to live a world away is bound to go so wrong.

What’s it going to take for Neely to give him—and Dogwood Lane—just one more chance?

If you own the ebook of Tumble, you can add the Audible narration for just $1.99.

Audio Features:

Narrated by the talented Aiden Snow and Summer Morton, this audio will rock your socks!

Preorder Tangle, Book #2, for just $3.99: https://amzn.to/2BO5ub4

Splat!

The sound of the hammer crushing my thumb—swung with more force than was necessary, to boot—ricochets across the front lawn. The tool falls from my hand, striking against the sawhorse, and flips into the soft grass with a gentle thud.

“Son of a…!” My hand shakes, the top of my thumb threatening to explode. I tilt my head to the sky and try to find some peace in the clouds.

I come up empty. “Matt!” I call to my younger brother. “I’m taking ten.”

He nods from halfway up the ladder leaned against the side of the house.

Wrapping my good hand around my thumb, I head toward my truck. Sounds of construction ring out behind me. It’s usually music to my ears, the lifeblood of the Madden name. But each cut of a sawblade, buzz of a power drill, and swing of a hammer feels like a distraction this morning. I have a throbbing thumb to show for it.

Beads of sweat cluster along my forehead. I remove my hat with my good hand and run the back of my forearm along my brow.

“Damn it.” Everything feels sticky. Mildly irritating. And the progress on the project that usually energizes me has failed me epically this morning. I just don’t want to be here. Not that I have a better place to be. Quite frankly, I have a lot of places I shouldn’t be, and with Neely, or thinking about Neely, is one of them.

I would’ve recognized her anywhere. Same gray eyes that glimmer like she’s about to tell you a secret. Full lips that spread into a smile so infectious you can’t help but feel your own mouth following suit. The hint of floral perfume, the golden hair that may as well be silk, and the aura about her that’s just as strong as the day she left Dogwood Lane and me—it’s all the same. It’s like time forgot to age her. She somehow has become more beautiful, sexier, stronger.

The world hates me. I’ve postulated this for a long time, but it’s obvious today.

The tailgate of my truck lowers. Scooping a handful of ice from the cooler in the bed into a bandanna, I wrap it around my injured digit. The relief lasts only a few moments.

“What are you doing down here?” Penn rests his forearms over the side of the truck, the tattoos carved in his skin like mini masterpieces on full display. He eyes my makeshift bandage. “What happened to you?”

“Hammer,” I groan, adjusting the ice.

“That’s interesting.”

“How you figure?”

“Never knew you to hit yourself with a hammer before. I find that interesting.”

“If that’s interesting, you need a hobby. Or you could work like I’m paying you to do . . .”

“I have a hobby, thank you, and you should’ve seen her last night,” he says, smacking his lips together. “Lord Almighty, she’s a—”

“Penn.”

“Yeah?”

The tip of my finger sticks out of the bandanna. It’s bright red and hot to the touch despite the ice packed around it. “All your escapades really sound the same at this point.”

“Is that jealousy I hear?” He cups his hand to his ear. “I thought so. Not my fault you’re in a dry spell.”

Leaning against the truck, I look at him. “Jealousy isn’t how I’d describe it. But if that makes ya feel good, go for it.”

“My hobby makes me feel good.” He moves his lips around, like he’s fighting the next words trying to pop out. He does this when he knows he shouldn’t say something but can’t quite convince himself not to. “From the looks of you, I’d say you’re more than jealous. I’d say you’re . . . tempted.”

My tongue presses on the roof of my mouth. “Tempted to what?”

He leans against the truck, too, the gold St. Christopher’s medal he’s worn since elementary school clamoring against the side. The corners of his lips nearly touch the corners of his eyes. He knows.

“Word travels fast, huh?” I say, prodding around to see if my guess is right.

He slow blinks. Twice.

“What?” I ask.

“That’s all you have to say about Neely being back in town? ‘Word travels fast.’ What’s wrong with you?”

We don’t have time for that conversation.

I sigh. “What do you want me to say?”

“I’d love to have been a fly on the wall for that little run-in.” Penn snickers. “Did you stutter around like I imagine? Or did you not manage to say an entire sentence?”

Working my jaw back and forth, I point a finger his way. “You better stop while you’re ahead.”

He reads me correctly, and his animation drops a notch. “Really, though. How’d it go? But before you answer that, let me toss out there that I heard sparks were flying all over the diner so hot Claire had to call the fire department.”

I shake my head. “Shut up.”

“Just telling you what I heard.”

“The firemen were there to order food, you idiot.”

He thinks he’s onto something. There’s a glee in his face that means only one thing: it’s going to be a long day around here.

“So, what happened?” he asks, resting his arms over the truck bed.

“You know, sometimes I think you should’ve been a girl with all the gossiping you do.”

“This isn’t gossip,” he contends. “This is Neely-freaking-Kimber, man. Every memory I have of my entire adolescence has her in it. She bailed me out of jail when I was too scared to call my dad and you and Matt were passed out on moonshine. Remember that?”

My chuckle is so hard, it causes my thumb to throb. “I forgot about that. She was pissed.”

“Neely came through, though. God, I miss her.”

Those last words echo through my mind.

I have shoved her out of my head for the last few years. Took over Dad’s business, took care of my business. Trudged forward without her because that was the only choice I had. I hardly even think about her anymore unless someone brings her up in conversation.

So why do I itch to crawl into the truck and hunt her down?

After being burned by her dream job in New York City, sports journalist Neely Kimber suddenly finds herself jobless and paying a long-overdue visit to her hometown in Tennessee. Her plan? Relax, reset, and head back up the corporate ladder. There’s just one unexpected step. Neely’s back in Dogwood Lane for barely a day when she sees the man she ran from nine years ago: the bad boy next door who was her first kiss, her first love, and her first heartbreak.

Devoted single dad Dane Madden knows he hurt Neely in the worst way. He’s got a lot to make up for. And as passionate as their reconnection is, it’s a lot to hope for. Having her back in his arms feels so right. But falling in love all over again with a woman who wants to live a world away is bound to go so wrong.

What’s it going to take for Neely to give him—and Dogwood Lane—just one more chance?

Preorder Now for $3.99

Ways to Save Money:         

If you preorder the ebook of Tumble, you can add the Audible narration for just $1.99.

If you preorder the paperback of Tumble, you can grab the ebook for 99 cents.

Audio Features:

Narrated by the talented Aiden Snow and Summer Morton, this audio will rock your socks!

Splat!

The sound of the hammer crushing my thumb—swung with more force than was necessary, to boot—ricochets across the front lawn. The tool falls from my hand, striking against the sawhorse, and flips into the soft grass with a gentle thud.

“Son of a…!” My hand shakes, the top of my thumb threatening to explode. I tilt my head to the sky and try to find some peace in the clouds.

I come up empty. “Matt!” I call to my younger brother. “I’m taking ten.”

He nods from halfway up the ladder leaned against the side of the house.

Wrapping my good hand around my thumb, I head toward my truck. Sounds of construction ring out behind me. It’s usually music to my ears, the lifeblood of the Madden name. But each cut of a sawblade, buzz of a power drill, and swing of a hammer feels like a distraction this morning. I have a throbbing thumb to show for it.

Beads of sweat cluster along my forehead. I remove my hat with my good hand and run the back of my forearm along my brow.

“Damn it.” Everything feels sticky. Mildly irritating. And the progress on the project that usually energizes me has failed me epically this morning. I just don’t want to be here. Not that I have a better place to be. Quite frankly, I have a lot of places I shouldn’t be, and with Neely, or thinking about Neely, is one of them.

I would’ve recognized her anywhere. Same gray eyes that glimmer like she’s about to tell you a secret. Full lips that spread into a smile so infectious you can’t help but feel your own mouth following suit. The hint of floral perfume, the golden hair that may as well be silk, and the aura about her that’s just as strong as the day she left Dogwood Lane and me—it’s all the same. It’s like time forgot to age her. She somehow has become more beautiful, sexier, stronger.

The world hates me. I’ve postulated this for a long time, but it’s obvious today.

The tailgate of my truck lowers. Scooping a handful of ice from the cooler in the bed into a bandanna, I wrap it around my injured digit. The relief lasts only a few moments.

“What are you doing down here?” Penn rests his forearms over the side of the truck, the tattoos carved in his skin like mini masterpieces on full display. He eyes my makeshift bandage. “What happened to you?”

“Hammer,” I groan, adjusting the ice.

“That’s interesting.”

“How you figure?”

“Never knew you to hit yourself with a hammer before. I find that interesting.”

“If that’s interesting, you need a hobby. Or you could work like I’m paying you to do . . .”

“I have a hobby, thank you, and you should’ve seen her last night,” he says, smacking his lips together. “Lord Almighty, she’s a—”

“Penn.”

“Yeah?”

The tip of my finger sticks out of the bandanna. It’s bright red and hot to the touch despite the ice packed around it. “All your escapades really sound the same at this point.”

“Is that jealousy I hear?” He cups his hand to his ear. “I thought so. Not my fault you’re in a dry spell.”

Leaning against the truck, I look at him. “Jealousy isn’t how I’d describe it. But if that makes ya feel good, go for it.”

“My hobby makes me feel good.” He moves his lips around, like he’s fighting the next words trying to pop out. He does this when he knows he shouldn’t say something but can’t quite convince himself not to. “From the looks of you, I’d say you’re more than jealous. I’d say you’re . . . tempted.”

My tongue presses on the roof of my mouth. “Tempted to what?”

He leans against the truck, too, the gold St. Christopher’s medal he’s worn since elementary school clamoring against the side. The corners of his lips nearly touch the corners of his eyes. He knows.

“Word travels fast, huh?” I say, prodding around to see if my guess is right.

He slow blinks. Twice.

“What?” I ask.

“That’s all you have to say about Neely being back in town? ‘Word travels fast.’ What’s wrong with you?”

We don’t have time for that conversation.

I sigh. “What do you want me to say?”

“I’d love to have been a fly on the wall for that little run-in.” Penn snickers. “Did you stutter around like I imagine? Or did you not manage to say an entire sentence?”

Working my jaw back and forth, I point a finger his way. “You better stop while you’re ahead.”

He reads me correctly, and his animation drops a notch. “Really, though. How’d it go? But before you answer that, let me toss out there that I heard sparks were flying all over the diner so hot Claire had to call the fire department.”

I shake my head. “Shut up.”

“Just telling you what I heard.”

“The firemen were there to order food, you idiot.”

He thinks he’s onto something. There’s a glee in his face that means only one thing: it’s going to be a long day around here.

“So, what happened?” he asks, resting his arms over the truck bed.

“You know, sometimes I think you should’ve been a girl with all the gossiping you do.”

“This isn’t gossip,” he contends. “This is Neely-freaking-Kimber, man. Every memory I have of my entire adolescence has her in it. She bailed me out of jail when I was too scared to call my dad and you and Matt were passed out on moonshine. Remember that?”

My chuckle is so hard, it causes my thumb to throb. “I forgot about that. She was pissed.”

“Neely came through, though. God, I miss her.”

Those last words echo through my mind.

I have shoved her out of my head for the last few years. Took over Dad’s business, took care of my business. Trudged forward without her because that was the only choice I had. I hardly even think about her anymore unless someone brings her up in conversation.

So why do I itch to crawl into the truck and hunt her down?

They’re not quite enemies. Not really friends. More like frustrated balls of sexual tension and neither will give in.

Lance Gibson drives Mariah Malarkey absolutely crazy. He uses her office like a phone booth, takes cupcakes from the corner of her desk like she baked them just for him.

She didn’t. Maybe she knew the history teacher happened to love peanut butter icing, but that was purely a coincidence.

All sixteen times.

Mariah has a way of getting under Lance’s skin too. She calls him out on his crap, spoils him even if inadvertently, and seeing the librarian in skirts drives him wild. She won’t give in. It’s for the best, really, considering there’s no way he could lie to a woman like that and he’s not about to tell her the truth about himself.

Not in a million years.

These two don’t hate each other. They don’t really like each other. But for this to be a friends-to-lovers story, they have to start somewhere, right?

Note: This can be read as a standalone novel.

USA Today Bestselling author Adriana Locke lives and breathes books. After years of slightly obsessive relationships with the flawed bad boys created by other authors, Adriana has created her own.

She resides in the Midwest with her husband, sons, and two dogs. She spends a large amount of time playing with her kids, drinking coffee, and cooking. You can find her outside if the weather’s nice and there’s always a piece of candy in her pocket.

For sneak peeks, giveaways, and more, please join Adriana’s Facebook Group, Books by Adriana Locke, or her Goodreads group, All Locked Up.

AMAZON LIVE RELEASE ALERT

IMPERFECT LOVE Kindle World, a fabulous new series featuring strong alpha heroes who get knocked sideways when they suddenly begin noticing the heroine in a whole new light.

In partnership with Kendall Ryan & these amazing bestselling authors: Kelly Elliott, Adriana Locke, Mandi Beck, T. Gephart, Kim Karr, Cora Kenborn, Magan Vernon & Natasha Madison.

Sexy, laugh-out-loud funny, and sweet at times, this series is all about exploring romance tropes like friends to lovers, fake fiancé, arranged marriage, surprise pregnancy, budding office romances, and more, that all share one fabulous thing in common–they end in a happily ever after.

JOIN THE GROUP FOR ALL THE NEWS:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1071142436331446/

8 Stories

Each book  is a standalone

FAMED by Magan Vernon:

On the heels of Mary James leaked sex tape – totally a fake one to make her boyfriend jealous she might add- she needs some PR help if she ever wants her acting career to end up in a fiery hell like her love life.

Chris Garcia has been working his way up from mail room clerk to junior associate at Tate & Cane and now to get to the next rung of the corporate ladder he has to take on the firm’s toughest client: Mary James.

With a little help from a nosey Aunt Rosita and Mama Garcia, the two decide the best way to move forward is simple: a fake relationship.

But what happens when something fake gets to be too real and FAME gets involved?

One-Night Stand-In – T. Gephart

Sarah Madison loved working at Tate & Cane Enterprises.

While she looked and, for the most part, acted conservatively—she was a gladiator in the boardroom. The fast-paced, energetic work environment not only fed her need for corporate blood but also allowed her to work for one of her role models, Olivia Cane—living proof a woman really can have it all.

And after months of paying her dues, she was finally offered the promotion she’d been vying for. Which was great, except for the fact she had to share the position with a new guy they brought in especially for the role.

Kyle Drake was smart, experienced, and probably just as good, if not better, in negotiations. And if she wasn’t careful, prove he could do the job without her. Add in good-looking and an incredibly sexy smooth talker, and everyone in the office either wanted to be him or sleep with him. Which Sarah could have totally ignored if he hadn’t been the stranger she’d married in Vegas during a fake ceremony six months earlier.

He was supposed to be her one-night stand, a stand-in for a ceremony that wasn’t even legally binding. They were never even going to see each other again. Hell, she apparently hadn’t even known his real last name at the time. It was the only time she’d ever done something completely reckless and spontaneous.

It figured that one time would come back and bite her where it hurt.

THE RUN IN – KELLY ELLIOTT

Becoming the new Marketing Manager at Tate and Cane was a game changer. I was hell bent on proving I deserved this job, and that it wasn’t my cousin Sterling Quinn who had helped me score the new job title. Him being one of the CEO’s best friend—didn’t help the rumors.

Well screw that.

Ten years of sweat and hard work was the reason I was sitting in a large corner office with a killer Manhattan view. More focused than I’d ever been, it was time to take the bull by the horns.

And God help the person who stood in in my way.

********

Things I left behind in Seattle, Washington: A promising career at a top marking firm, the past I was desperate to escape, and obviously my sense of direction. It was because of all of those reasons I was standing in the middle of New York City lost and cursing at my phone.

If I didn’t get to Tate and Cane soon, I wouldn’t only be late, but also blow the chance to make the good impression on my new boss, Mason Quinn. And I needed that more than anything.

One wrong turn, an unfortunate collision, and an expensive suit drenched in my soy chia tea latte was not how I wanted to start my first day.

Then there was the other little problem I had. The drop dead gorgeous man whose suit I’d ruined was my new boss.

And boy did he look pissed.

TIED BY KIM KARR

I was rich, single, and connected, which meant a steady diet of beautiful women wherever I went.

I really did think I had the perfect life.

Until I went and married a supermodel I’d just met, and everything changed.

Of course there were choices. But the word annulment meant giving her up, and I never give up anything. Still, I was a bachelor at heart, and having a wife, well, I didn’t really know what to do with that.

After only forty-eight hours of marriage, I had already gone and screwed everything up.

Now I have thirty days to prove to my new wife that I’m husband material. There’s only one problem—I don’t even know what husband material means. However, I’m certain that won’t stop me from excelling at it.

My wife tells me it isn’t going to be easy. That I have numerous issues to overcome.

First, there’s my jealousy. It needs to be tamed. Did I flip over the fact that her latest picture was causing men around the world to do dirty things all over the covers she graced? Hell, yes. I couldn’t help myself though. When her photo went viral, my caveman instincts kicked in, and I demanded she quit her job and stay home—barefoot and pregnant in my kitchen. I can work on that, right?

Then there’s my mother. I need to convince her that my new wife is not the money hungry floozy she called her. Did my mother actually call her that? Yes. I can’t help it that my mother wants me to get rid of my new wife. The problem is what my mother wants, she always gets one way or another. Still, turning my mother’s opinion around can’t be that hard, can it?

There are many other issues, but according to my new wife, those are minor compared to the biggest one—she says I will never be able to accept being tied down.

Don’t worry—I got this one. I intend to prove to her in no uncertain terms that being tied up, down, or horizontal is just what this Upper East Sider needs.

Battle of the Sexes Adriana Locke

Carver Jones’ partner at Jones + Gallum had to step down for medical reasons. He’s absolutely devastated. He swears. Just ignore his cheeky grin, okay?

When word reaches his fancy corner office that Gallum is replacing himself with his daughter, Amity, Carver is ecstatic.

For real this time.

Jones squashes men in the business industry flat. A woman? Pfst. He’ll be completely in charge in no time, doing whatever he wants. He’s so ready for this.

But is he ready to fight the hardest fight of his life? No, not the one to maintain control of his company. The one to keep control of his heart.

The battle may begin in the boardroom, but the war will definitely be won in the bedroom. May the best sex win.

UNSUPERVISED by Cora Kenborn

Niall

A non-existent love life, unstable paycheck, and a six-year-old who’d rather hit boys than books sound more like a cry for help than a dating profile. On paper, it would seem like I need a life coach, but I’ve managed to get a decent grip on the single-dad thing. My love life, on the other hand, is an entirely different story. With my sexy Irish accent, I should have women of all ages losing their minds, but I seem to attract only a certain type—crazy.

The last thing I want is a new relationship, but I need a date for my company’s charity function. A chance meeting with a tall, leggy blonde who looks like she could use a night out is the perfect solution. Beautiful, sane, and she has a kid? We have a winner.

I didn’t count on Laken being unforgettable. Unlike all the other fake women I’ve met in this city, she’s real. And if there’s one thing I value more than anything, it’s honesty.

Laken

I didn’t bust my ass in college to be a nanny. Unfortunately, a 4.0 GPA and sucking up to the owner’s sister did nothing to secure a coveted Tate & Cane Enterprises internship. I’m not proud of being a nanny-for-hire to get my foot in the door, but my wealthy socialite employer has the ears of company executives. Swallowing my pride, I do what I need to—until an afternoon at the park changes everything.

I don’t mean to let him think Preston is my kid, but he just assumes. This isn’t me. I’m not a liar. Although his panty-melting accent does unspeakable things to me, I should set the record straight. There’s only one problem. Niall is a freelance photographer for Tate & Cane and invites me to a company event as his plus-one. He’s my “in.”

If I can hold on to this charade long enough, I can get the job and the man of my dreams. I’m winging this completely unsupervised. Game on.

TWISTED by Mandi Beck

Three friends walk into a bar . . . One walks out the fake girlfriend of a hot, bearded Scotsman.

Fannin McGuire is up for promotion at Tate and Cane Enterprises, but first she has to make it through her stepsister’s wedding. To Fannin’s ex. Yep. Her ex-fiancé is about to be her new brother-in-law. One big happy family. And lucky her, she also gets to work with him.

While Fannin is putting all of her energy into her career, her ex is putting all of his energy into making her life hell. Just when Fannin is sure she’ll be attending the wedding without a plus one, in walks Jasper James to save the day. He’s the bartender at the Iron Flask, the account she’s trying to land, and everything she didn’t know she needed or wanted. Before Fannin knows what’s happening, Jasper is playing knight in shining armor and she likes it. And him. A lot. With his smooth Scottish accent, ridiculously good looks, and that beard? She doesn’t stand a chance.

Jasper isn’t in the habit of rescuing anyone. But when Fannin is confronted by her ex about her lack of a date for his upcoming nuptials, Jasper can’t help but step in. Her wild hair, violet eyes, and killer legs have him doing a few things he normally wouldn’t. Never mind that he shouldn’t be getting involved with the woman in charge of making the bar a global success.

Their fake relationship becomes more real than either thought it would. Now they’re at the mercy of their feelings when truths are twisted, and the lies don’t taste as smooth as the whisky.

CHEEKY by Natasha Madison

Bradley Fitch has it all. A suave job, a gigantic trust fund, and an accent that makes panties drop faster than the speed of light. His new life in New York City is fast-paced and furious, but it’s nothing a little getaway can’t cure.

What says party and unwind like Las Vegas? Nothing. Plus, whatever happens there has to stay there.

When his best friend bails, he finds himself sitting on the plane next to his best friend’s sister.

She’s off-limits—proverbial caution tape wrapped around her body. Of course, she’s also totally ball busting gorgeous.

Lexi Quinn fell in love with Bradley at eight years old and then vowed to kill him at eight and a half. What was supposed to be a romantic week away is turning into a nightmare. Her ex is actually married, her luggage is lost, and her reservation is cancelled. And she’s sitting next to the man she swore to hate forever

One week. No strings attached. What is the worst that could happen?

It’s all fun and games till this British bad boy gives new meaning to BBC and becomes a little bit too cheeky.

A New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of more than two dozen titles, Kendall Ryan has sold over 2 million books and her books have been translated into several languages in countries around the world. Her books have also appeared on the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists more than three dozen times. Ryan has been featured in such publications as USA Today, Newsweek, and InTouch Magazine. She lives in Texas with her husband and two sons.

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USA Today Bestselling author Adriana Locke lives and breathes books. After years of slightly obsessive relationships with the flawed bad boys created by other authors, Adriana has created her own.

She resides in the Midwest with her husband, sons, and two dogs. She spends a large amount of time playing with her kids, drinking coffee, and cooking. You can find her outside if the weather’s nice and there’s always a piece of candy in her pocket.

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