marriage of convenience – Page 2

Rating: ★★★
Audience: Historical Western Romance
Length: 341 pages
Author: Jody Hedlund
Publisher: Bethany House
Release Date: January 15th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Greta Nilsson’s trip west to save her ailing little sister, Astrid, could not have gone more wrong. First, bandits hold up her stagecoach, stealing all her money. Then, upon arriving in Fairplay, Colorado, she learns the man she was betrothed to as a mail-order bride has died. Homeless, penniless, and jobless, Greta and her sister are worse off than when they started.

Wyatt McQuaid is struggling to get his new ranch up and running and is in town to purchase cattle when the mayor proposes the most unlikely of bargains. He’ll invest in a herd of cattle for Wyatt’s ranch if Wyatt agrees to help the town become more respectable by marrying and starting a family with Greta. But when old insecurities and surprising revolutions arise, can a union born out of desperation survive?

GIRL STOP.

I’m still on a quest to find a western cowboy romance that moves my soul. This was good, but there was one major element that brought this book down two stars y’all.

And that would be our female main character: Greta. She would NOT STOP COMPLAINING. Her entire inner monologue surrounded her not being a burden, and I can understand that in the beginning where we’re setting up for character growth arcs. What I can’t get past is that this still went on until the last pages when Wyatt is like, I LOVE YOU, and Greta is still saying, are you sure I won’t be a burden?? If you’ve read the book you would know both sides were OBVIOUSLY past this type of conversation.

Otherwise, loved the setting. Tiny historical Colorado town. There’s some faith elements that I don’t think were heavy handed either that I enjoyed. I did think Greta’s sister came off a bit young for her supposed age but I did like the aspects she added to the story.

I’m going to try book two, we’ll see what happens next.

Overall audience notes:

Western Cowboy Romance
Language: none
Romance: make-outs
Violence: medium
Trigger/Content Warnings: gun violence, animal violence, a child with consumption, robbery at gunpoint

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 320 pages
Author: Allison Ashley
Publisher: MIRA
Release Date: August 23rd, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Noah and Mia have always been best friends, and their friendship is the most important thing to them. Life is going great for Noah and he’s up for a promotion in a job he loves. But Mia’s life is on hold as she awaits a kidney transplant. She’s stuck in a dead-end job and, never wanting to be a burden, has sworn off all romance. So when the chance of a lifetime comes to go back to school and pursue her dream, it’s especially painful to pass up. She can’t quit her job or she’ll lose the medical insurance she so desperately needs.

To support her, Noah suggests they get married—in name only—so she can study full-time and still keep the insurance. It’s a risk to both of them, with jobs, health and hearts on the line, and they’ll need to convince suspicious coworkers and nosy roommates that they’re the real deal. But if they can let go of all the baggage holding them back, they might realize that they would rather be together forever.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an eARC.

I’M NOT CRYING.

Uh, who knew this book would make me tear up? Some of those conversations before the final reckoning had my eyes a bit misty. THE EMOTIONS.

I was in love with this book from the get-go. Marriage of convenience where the guy is completely in love her? OH MY GOSH YES PLEASE. I love that this was dual POV and getting to see both Mia and Noah’s take on what was happening.

Noah was my absolute favorite. I loved watching love Mia in all of these small ways. And those heated kisses had me melting. Good heavens those scenes were stellar. I thought he also exhibited growth too. He had more demons than he realized he needed to work through and gratefully many people in his life helped him realize that.

I struggled with Mia’s character at times because I thought she deserved to let others love her and it was frustrating watching her push away over and over. When I thought this would be a reason I lowered my rating some key moments had my eyes opening and I felt like I understood. Mia and Noah were always inevitable it just took some time to get there.

The surrounding story was amazing. This is actually my second transplant romance this year and I loved how this worked out too. The side characters made me smile and there were enough forced proximity and kisses that had to happen in front of others to bring about all the things I love about this trope.

READ IT.

Overall audience notes:

Contemporary Romance
Language: a little strong
Romance: fade to black & closed-door
Violence: low
Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of a sibling (car wreck, recounted), kidney transplant, estranged parents, grief and loss depiction

AUTHOR BIO:

Allison Ashley is a science geek who enjoys coffee, craft beer, baking, and love stories. When she’s not working at her day job as a clinical oncology pharmacist, she pens contemporary romances, usually with a medical twist. She lives in Oklahoma with her family and beloved rescue dog.

Author Website
Twitter: @AllisonAuthor
Facebook: Author Allison Ashley
Instagram: @authorallisonashley
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