GRR Reviews Taken Home by Ruth Cardello

NOTE: Book 3 of Lone Star Burn series

Chelle lives in a small town in Texas, and may be the last virgin in town... she tried to save herself for "the one", but there aren't many choices in a small town. She just attended another wedding where another bachelor is off the market when she met Mason, an out-of-town politician, and so sexy, she may just give him a condom so he can do her, as long as he's single... // Mason used to be a child actor until the death of his mother estranged him from his father, and he fell into a dark place... but he got into rehab and managed to end his trip of self-destruction. He became a California senator but kept everyone at arm's length. There were plenty of women, but almost all are gone by morning. He slept with the wrong woman, who doesn't understand "no". He needs a fiancee, a fake one will do. Then he went to Texas to attend a friend's wedding and met Chelle... // Chelle and Mason have chemistry, but Mason is a player and doesn't know any other way, while Chelle's a virgin... who knows what she wants, but doesn't want any lies. When Chelle got rid of the woman who stalked Mason all the way to Texas, he was grateful... Then got a slap in the face for not telling her the truth to start. Now Mason is confused about his feelings for Chelle...

The meetcute is good, as the "fake fiancee" thing is kinda on kinda off. She wants to get it on, but on HER terms, not his. And she wants the truth, not lies, and he was a player, and never had to lie. The only problem I have is "why this woman"? And this is sort of explained later, how Mason has a broken family and relied on friends, but maybe he yearned for a big family again, and she has such a big family and a small town full of friends. Still, his infatuation was left a bit unexplained and presented as if it's the unexplained "she's the one". The rest of the developments have interesting points, but also some cliches (like Ruby Rose, the female best friend). Though the double grand gesture, both from him and from her was satisfying. 4.5/5

GRR Reviews The Secret One by Ruth Cardello

NOTE: Same series as "The Broken One" and "The Wild One"

McKenna was raised by her single father ex-race car driver to be independent and excel in a world dominated by men. And after a talk with "Chris" in a bar, she decided to dedicate her life to make her father's dream happen. And she did... by building her own raceway and an auto business like no other. When she met this down-to-earth guy with a broken (rare) car on the side of the road, she can't help but feel there's a prior connection... Turns out, he is Christof... aka Chris that inspired her to go after her dreams. She's even more surprised to learn he's Christof Romano, a billionaire... She's surprised again, when he invited her to Italy... to help him broker peace between an ultra-rich man looking for answers and a protective family hiding a secret...  

The story is between Christof and McKenna. I like the way the author handled the different personalities of the different sons, as each brother (Sebastian, Mauricio, and now Christof) really do have personalities, and they josh each other in a loving way. Females in this author's books are independent with their own careers and priorities, and her man will have to fit into her life, instead of her being molded into his. Christof was the diplomat of the family, and his job is difficult because this time, he's up against someone whose fortune and power are orders of magnitude above his own. I just wish McKenna had more of a role during the negotiations that applies her talent in some way.  4/5

GRR Reviews Her Billionaire Ex-Boyfriend Fake Fiance by Christine Kersey

Librarian Ashleigh is doing a fundraiser dinner for the Emerald Falls Library for more computers and books. When her bestie, and the auctioneer, put her on the auction block (for a date), she tolerated it... Until she saw who won the date... Her ex Chase, now a billionaire. // Chase didn't even planned to be back, but when he heard that his mom's cancer is no longer in remission, and it's time to start hospice care, he had to come back. Winning the date was just him trying to play nice (he's late to buy anything else). But when his mom desired to see him settle before she passes, Chase thought of staging a fake engagement and maybe a fake wedding... After all, Ashleigh is a good girl... but hates his guts for leaving her a decade ago... right?

Eh, the circumstances forcing them together just feels a bit... meh, as if a bit contrived, but usually that's how this sort of story goes. 3.5/5

GRR Reviews Her Totally Hot Forbidden Fake Fiance by Lucy McConnell

Diana has had enough of her family nagging her to find a man, and she has to be home for Christmas. When a friend suggested she invite someone unsuitable, the perfect candidate is her neighbor Cliff, who has nowhere to be around Christmas. Cliff has tattoos and thick beard, wears flannel, and is an electrician. Diana just has to NOT tell him that her mother believes they are engaged... // Cliff had been the victim of a runaway bride before, and he's not ready to put his heart on the line. And he's definitely upset (when he found out) that Diane portrayed him as her (fake) fiancee. But he would do anything for her... And he'll play along... Unfortunately, when Christmas magic and pushy circumstances rushed them toward a Christmas wedding... both have to confess their REAL feelings...

Nice, good setup and circumstances conspire to push them into admitting their affections for each other. 4.5/5

GRR Reveiws The Billionaire's Plan by Hayley Wescott

Sadie tried to save her marriage by having a child, but it didn't work. She ended up divorced anyway. After she moved back home as a single mom, she found that her first boyfriend, Bryson, is also back in town. Now a rich real estate developer, they tried to rekindle their romance. When Sadie suddenly found that her ex, now married to someone else, wanted to contest custody, she confided in Bryson. It just happens that Bryson needs a fiancee for his next real estate deal... and learning that Sadie's ex was the guy that almost ruined him when he got started... Bryson wanted to help Sadie by offering a "fake engagement"... Be his pretend-fiancee, and he'll bankroll her custody battle. He has the perfect attorney in mind. He didn't mention the part about her ex being his enemy though...

Plot somehow feel clumsy and brute-forced, the religious messages way too overt, and the about-face that came so hard (ref: Sadie's ex ) you'll feel the whiplash. 3/5

GRR Reviews Marriage of Convenience by Katy Kaylee

Sara wants to get away from her controlling ex, despite her upbringing in a super-religious family. She went to the big city and started an internship, and falls for her boss Chase, but office romance is prohibited. Until he needed a fiancee to satisfy his own family... and she's the perfect candidate... Then her evil ex arrived...

Slightly over-the-top, with a religiously-tone-deaf almost-evil family, add a bit of Cinderella noticed by a prince. A lot of tropes, as Chase is the quintessential workaholic can't-ever-satisfy-my-father type guy, and Sara is the ingenue virgin. Even the plot is trope... with a TSTL moment leading to a kidnapping. 3.5/5

GRR Reviews My Christmas Fake Fiance by Linda West

Devlin is going home for Christmas with a fiancee so his father would hand over the reins of the company, but it seems his porn starlet GF decided enough is enough and left in a huff. That's when he noticed that his driver is not his usual guy, but the driver's daughter, Allie, who needs 200K to save her father's business and her home. So they struck a deal: a fake engagement of convenience. But will their plan actually work through Christmas without love, or will there be a Christmas Miracle?

One mistake right off the bat... The porn starlet talked about "going home to Spain", but was described as a "Latina". Uh, Latino/Latina came from Latin America, not Europe. The proper term is Hispanic (speaks Spanish).  Also, pretty sure you need a commercial driver's license to be a chauffeur. Minor details, I know, but still...

Anyway, this "fake engagement" plot is a trope, but the execution was actually quite good.  I like it. 4/5

GRR Reviews Her Football Boss Fake Fiance by Taylor Hart

Ocean Brady just want his entire family to enjoy a stress-free Christmas, in spite of his brother's ALS... and him lying about having a fiancee (having broken up with her for months). Oh, and he doesn't know how to cook either. So when he came upon Augusta, clutching her ankle and in pain on the beach and rescued her, then found her sister is a caterer, everything seems to fell into place... He'll hire the cooking sister to cater the dinner, and he'll hire Augusta to be his fake fiance. It'd be totally worth it to see his family happy... and it would help Augusta's education fund. And Augusta, who fled her home, fearing his ex's stalker ways, agreed, as who can be more protective than a nice footballer? But as they play a couple for a week, they found they have real feelings for each other... Is there enough time for a Christmas miracle?

With a novel like this, you can expect the evil ex to show up, and the brothers, (all footballers) will save the day. And it'd still be satisfying. 4.5/5

GRR Reviews A Best Friend's Proposal by Layla Holt

Anesthesiologist Josh makes a good living, but being a single father is wearing him down when his wife left them to chase her own love. Five-year-old Noah is acting out in school, and it seems he does need a female in his life... And he does have one... platonic best friend and ER nurse Emma. So his plan was to ask her to be his fake fiancee. And it seems she liked the idea too. It also happens that she needed a place to stay when her lease expired, and he has a guest room. It's all for Noah's sake... right?

Ah, the plot has been done before, but this has a good polish. 4/5

GRR Reviews Make Believe Wedding by Vivi Holt

The Holdens and the Belugas are enemies from two generations back, running rival newspapers. Tim Holden left the editing room behind for life as a firefighter. He met Molly Beluga while on the job, removing her from an unsafe building while she's busy cranking out an article. Their families are opposed to them getting involved, which made them wanted it even more, even if just as a setup to get the two families to talk again. But soon, the fake relationship turned very real...

Sort of a retelling of Romeo and Juliet, the setup was pretty good, though why they would be the ones who decide to bring the two families back to the table was a bit nebulous. OTOH, having a firefighter carry you down and out of a building is kinda swoon-y... Ending felt a bit too fast though. 4/5

GRR Reviews My Christmas Fiancee by Serenity Woods

Maggie reinvented herself as Meg, and moved across New Zealand with her son for a new start. Now she's Meg, blonde, and sophisticated. She found a job as PA to three top execs, and she wore a wedding ring to ward off suitors, even though she sensed that Stratton, one of the execs, may be interested... // Stratton may be a lover, but he never goes for a claimed woman, like Meg. Stratton is pursued by Natalie, who is basically stalking him and making scenes, so convinced that they'll be good together, she will change his mind. Stratton was so desperate, he came up with a desperate plan: get a fake fiancee to scare off Natalie. When Meg's stalking ex showed up, Stratton was able to fend him off to protect Meg, and the plan solidified... Meg will be Stratton's fake fiancee. They can solve each other's problems. It has nothing to do with love... right?

Now that's some plotting. Though both of them beset by a stalker problem? What a coincidence. :)  Still, everything is plausible, no obvious plot holes, and yes, there are some steamy scenes. 4.5/5

GRR Reviews Claiming Her V-card by Lindsey Hart

Blaze is the smoking hot boss that seems to have a different women every week or even every day, and all the female employees ogle him every day. Except Colette. She can't stand the guy. When the internal app contest was announced, Colette was surprised that the prize was... "anything you ask... within reason".  So guess who won? Colette, of course. So what favor will Collette ask her smoking hot boss? "Please take my v-card."  Even she can't believe she asked him of that. She didn't know Blaze wanted her for a long time, as she's the forbidden fruit, the only woman he can't seem to charm. He will woo her properly, to get her warmed up, else it won't be fun.  Maybe he isn't the jerk he seems to be?

It's a LITTLE better than I expected, as after the initial meet-cute there was some heat and deeper character development, but I never really got the "sass" or "chemistry" between the two. And the darkest hour is basically a confession, then it's a slightly novel variation of "run away to sort my feelings". 3/5

GRR Reviews Curves for the Billionaire by Gia Blackwood

NOTE: 91-page novella

Jane had been trying to get away from her evil ex Gavin for years, and he just found her again. With no escape, she took a chance on approaching the alpha-looking guy on the street corner... Who turned out to be billionaire Halcyon "Hal" Craft, who insta-lusted after her BBW figure that he almost immediately pledged to protect her from her ex. But he also suspects that his current troubles are caused by Gavin, so by helping Jane, he's also helping himself. And he'll up the ante by proclaiming to the public that Jane is his fiancee... AND destroy Gavin.

There really isn't much plot to the novel, as Jane basically plays hard-to-get (unintentionally, but nonetheless, feeling sorry for herself and kept thinking "Hal can't POSSIBLY want a fat chick like me") until Hal destroyed Gavin (via mostly talking, in third-person) and Jane finally believed him. Meh. And PLEASE hire a better Photoshop (tm) person to make the cover. That composite really sucks. 2.5/5

GRR Reviews The Trouble with Tabbies by A G Henley

Beatrix aka "Bea" is a romance writer who loved cats. Yes, she's the proverbial "cat lady", with well over two dozen cats at home. She wanted her trust fund so she can help build a new building for the local cat adoption facility, but she knew that her father, who had never approved of her choices, will question her lack of fiancee. So she needs a fake fiancee, and as a romance writer, she knew it's a trope that fake relationship inevitably turns real. She found Sebastian, photographer and bartender, and they agreed to a pact: she'll pay him to pretend to be her fiancee, with PDA (but no kissing or real feelings), but if they actually fall in love, he'll give up his beloved Canon camera... and she'll give up her personal fur baby... That should work... Right? But things are never that simple, as her father pulled out all the stops to break them ("for her own good") and even her old fiancee showed up, wanting a second chance...

Ah, an interesting twist on the fake fiancee, with a bit of fourth-wall-breaking about one being a romance writer. 5/5

GRR Review Best Fake Fiance by Roxie Noir

Daniel suddenly learned one day he's a father, when the baby's mother was arrested. He changed his life around for his daughter, Rusty, and raised her best he could. Six years later, baby's mother suddenly wanted to contest for custody after marrying a rich guy. In an act of desperation, Daniel lied that he's engaged. And the only person who can play his fiance is his best platonic friend, Charlotte aka "Charlie", who already loves his daughter, and loves him... Just not "that way". But they can pretend, right? Until the news of their engagement spread. What started out as a white lie quickly turned into a fake engagement, then fake marriage... then it felt very real indeed...

Good escalation from lie to a judge to lie to a few friends to lie to an entire town to "just make it real". However, it seems both Charlie and Daniel can't lie to save their life except in front of a judge (?!)  And I STILL don't understand why have a custody battle at all? What's the "evil ex"'s motivation? 4/5

GRR Reviews The Beach Wedding by Lucy Kevin

NOTE: Lucy Kevin is Bella Andre's "sweet" pen name.

Jason is a successful novelist, but he always wondered if he could have made it with his one-time fiancee Liz. Now that his famous niece is getting married, he wants to arrange the perfect wedding for them, not stalked by paparazzi. So he went to Married in Malibu, who specialized in celebrity weddings. And guess who is in charge? None other than his ex-fiancee, Liz... // Liz let Jason go a long time ago, because he needed to be free of her to become successful. Meeting him again was... complicated. When news of marriage leaked, Jason and Liz must put on a show to distract the paparazzi from the real wedding couple, including dinners and more. But soon, the pretend romance turned very real indeed...

Oh, nice. Good plotting, with intertwining plots and motivations, further complicated by prior history and current circumstances. 5/5

GRR Reviews Big Rock by Lauren Blakely

Spencer and Charlotte are business partners and best friends. They co-own a bar. Spencer has a bit of playboy image, appears on gossip rags regularly usually with a different woman on his arm, as he's got the looks, the charm, the personaltiy, and has money. Spencer came from money as his father owned a high-end jewelry chain. His father wanted to sell, and it seems the right buyer just appeared. However, the buyer is an upstanding guy, and Spencer's father asked Spencer to cool off a bit on his love life. Spencer went above and beyond by claiming he and Charlotte are engaged. And after some initial reluctance, she agreed to play along. But will their friendship survive the deception? What if someone learned their secret and was ready to expose it?

Oooh, love the twist at the end, though I wish more clues were dropped earlier. 4/5

GRR Reviews The Cowboy's Fake Marriage by Bree Livingston

Grace Maddox, interior designer, has been living in a funk ever since her fiancee died a few days before their wedding. When her car broke down in Willow Valley, TX, hours away from her VIP client meeting, she was told to not come back until she has her head together. Now jobless and carless, Grace was actually thrilled to find that the rundown B&B, ran by Jackson, ex-rodeo cowboy, is actually a dream for an interior designer (and restorer) like her. It will take a lot of work... // Jackson had enough of his ex-wife Hannah. She cheated on him, so he divorced her. Now she demands to be back in his life... Which is when Grace came to Jackson's rescue... by pretending to be his new fiancee. Then Hannah played her trump card: Jackson can either take her back... Or her rich daddy will foreclose on the Jackson ranch. Jackson has 3 months to come up with 100K... Or sell it before then. And Jackson is determined to keep the ranch... AND keep Hannah away. Grace will work for room and board... and turn the B&B into a dude ranch. But when Hannah pushed the couple to "prove" they really intend to marry... will they?

Okay, everything fits so far, nobody has any particular TSTL moments. Heck, even Hannah had a bit of redemption by the end. Though Grace accepting Hannah's "help" (and basically forcing Jackson to go along with it) was almost TSTL. But it also sort of make sense as they need every bit of help they can get. It is however, a bit long and "feels" slow-paced. 4/5

GRR Reviews Engaged to Mr. Right by Lilian Monroe

Max is falling for his physical therapist Naomi. While Max is doing great in his job in the family company, his parents are dropping not so subtle hints about him starting a family. But after having his girlfriend dump him after his knee injury which ended his NFL prospects, he's still not over that, and not ready to get involved with anyone. Naomi's regimen really did help him recover so that his knee is now pain-free. But when Max accidentally met Naomi at a night club, and paparazzi got photos of them together, his father issued an ultimatum: marry this girl, or get disinherited. Completely flustered, Max can think of only one thing to do: fake-propose to Naomi... Yes, they'll fake-engage and if needed, fake-marry. Naomi reluctantly accepted when she just learned that her mother has cancer... and will need money for treatment and existing debt. Then Max learned Naomi's real secret... One that even she doesn't seem to know...

I really wanted to like this one, but the darkest hour really made no sense. Without spoiling the plot, let me just say it MADE NO F***ING SENSE why they can't go through with it. You'll be howling with frustration when you learned the reason. Obviously, they resolved it to get the HEA, but the darkest hour really made no sense. Yes, I'm repeating myself.  Also, I don't understand how they could have found out, if nobody else knew other than Naomi's mom. 4/5

GRR Reviews How to Wed a Quarterback by Genevieve Goodwin

Ruthie never wanted to get involved with an athlete EVER again due to a bad experience. As fund-raising manager for a charity, Ruthie makes sure the events go right, even appeasing the star quarterback Corbett "Super Cooper". That is, until he, trying to throw off his cling-y ex, announced to the public that he and Ruthie are engaged, only fifteeen minutes after meeting her! Corbett now had to undo this, fend off his ex (who's NOT deterred), AND make it up to Ruthie...

Hmmm... Actually quite good, except for his evil ex being completely psycho. That makes her one-dimensional and kinda lame. 4/5