Rent A Husband

by Sally Mason

Dumped for a younger woman, delicious divorcée Darcy Pringle is determined to make a splash at her California town’s Spring Ball. But she doesn’t have a hot date. When a friend dares her to rent one: hunky womanizer Forrest Forbes, gone from riches to rags and desperate for cash, Darcy turns her life (and her bed!) topsy-turvy in this sexy romantic romp.

SALLY MASON loves to love. And loves writing about it!

Genres: Romance, Chick Lit, Contemporary, Humor, Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Rom Com

259 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 6, 2013

About the author

Sally Mason grew up on a diet of romantic comedies and is happiest when she has a tear in her eye and a smile on her face.

Her romantic comedies, RENT A HUSBAND, GONE HOLLYWOOD & MR. LOVE are available on Kindle.

Reviews

[Blondish And Bookish · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lighthearted read, fun and easy.

The plot was a bit predictable—Darcy doesn't want to show up to the big charity auction event alone, because her ex-husband will be there with his new and pregnant wife. Her funny and flamboyantly gay best friend hires her a man to escort her. Forrest Forbes III was brought up to be a wealthy playboy, and this was great until his family lost their fortune. Now Forrest is suited for absolutely nothing. He has no job skills, and it turns out he can't act and the camera does NOT love him. He's also addicted to gambling. But he can wear a tux like nobody's business, and Darcy agrees to the plan.

The characters were not fully developed but were fun and funny. I really liked the nosy neighbor who has spent her life being jealous of Darcy, and the gay best friend. The story was enjoyable and I read the book in one sitting (I'm a fast reader). While the plot has been done before, that's because it WORKS, and is entertaining. I really wanted to give it 3.5 stars, and a bit more character development would have made it hit 4, but I did like it enough to want to read the other books the author wrote. A fun beach read!

[Muse-ic ♬ · Rating 1 out of 5]

Nope
Trash

[S.A. Krishnan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute romance read.
Lovely characters and their flaws make them even more interesting. Their banter made me want to laugh out aloud at times.
A clean and enjoyable romance.

[Summer · Rating 1 out of 5]

I must have gotten a different version than those giving this 3-5 stars. There was nothing comedic about this book. I didn't care much for any of the characters. I can't even come up with words to describe how I felt about each one. They were just oddly developed. The story was beyond far fetched and that's saying something since I pretty much solely read chick-lit. And, this Kindle version was riddled with typos and errors. I clicked quickly through the pages just to get to the end because I can't leave a book unfinished.

[Joyce · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another foray into chick lit! A thirty something divorcee is fixed up by her gay friend with an out of work actor for a charity ball because her ex and his pregnant wife are coming. The owner of the local book store hires a new waitress who sees a future with him. The jealous neighbor (it stems back to high school) watching everything that goes on...and gossiping about it. Finally a romantic comedy finale and everyone gets their just desserts. Fast, fun reading.

[Paula Bothwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rent a Husband: A Romantic Comedy - PG
Violence: none
Language: fewer than 70
Sex: fade to black intimacy, sex alluded to
So clever! I'm looking for more from this author. I do usually prefer my heroes to be quite a bit more heroic, but this turned out well.

[Tanesha Abernathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute little romance that I read because I wasn't sure what I wanted to read next. It took me a little while to get through this because I had a lot of things I was trying to get done outside of reading but overall it was okay. I like how it buttoned everyone's story up and everyone was left happy at the end except of course the nemesis of the book which served them right.

[Kathy Cohen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the idea of a woman trying to recover from a divorce, her husband having dumped her for a younger woman, and I liked the idea of the gigolo date. The writing is good, and the dialogue clever. The heroine Darcy and her Indian friend Lakshmi are charming. However, several things disturbed me about the story. One was the "hero" Forest is a gambler, drug addict, and a drunk. Secondly, the observations which the novel's characters make about the town and the people in it are nasty and mean-spirited. Really, dear readers, those people being mocked are us.

[Zee Monodee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely cute story! A bit slow to start, but stick with it and you'll be on a rollicking ride!
Reminded me a bit of the Jilly Cooper story 'The Man Who Made Husbands Jealous'

[Eileen · Rating 4 out of 5]

very cute love story!! Quick read

[Melanie S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grab this one for pure enjoyment

OMG! A sexy but clean romantic comedy like I haven't read in ages! Despite the PG-13 vibe, I think this is a sexy-sweet novel with more than one heartwarming and appealing romance. The small-town California coastal vibe is perfect. There's a cast of characters you gotta love even if they aren't always perfect - in fact, it's their imperfections that make them endearing, and sometimes hilarious. it puts me in mind of "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum" crossed with a classic Doris Day/Rock Hudson rom-com flick. I've never read a "rent-a-spouse/date" trope so perfectly written there isn't a word of it I'd change. The outcomes for each of the couples involved is not exactly what you might expect, but it's poetic justice, and entirely satisfying.

[Cassandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing style made me mad.
The story seemed like an interesting premise, but I cannot get around the writing style. Who writes in present tense? It's extremely distracting, and at 15% read, I had to quit. I was so angry at the author that I wasn't into the story. Please, please, writers, don't EVER write in present tense! Is there even a market for that?
If you are a reader who doesn't mind about present tense writing, then do pick it up. The characters were pretty interesting, and as I say, the plot was promising. I'm just not invested in it enough to make myself angry as I try to read myself to sleep at night.

UPDATE: I didn't like having it unfinished, so I kept going. I still say present tense is no way to tell a story, and this was poorly edited. Some Britishisms, some Americanisms: pick a culture. Plus periods that should be question marks and vice- versa, typos like “every” for “ever”. Overall, distracting. Style should not distract from story. Not gonna read this author again.

[Chanel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to admit I usually avoid the books with the “cutsie” covers. They are often a little too silly and bedroom scenes fade to black, both of which is true of this book. Plus, the woman on the front cover doesn’t match the description of Darcy portrayed in the book. If I was just reviewing the relationship between Darcy and Forrest, the rating would be 4 Stars. This book has lots of unique secondary characters and a couple sub-plots, some of which too many pages were dedicated to, especially Billy and the gossipy neighbor. I have to say, I would have never guessed the route the author took to wrap-up this book. I was certainly hoping for good things for Darcy, as she deserved a happy ending after having to put up with her “tool” of an ex-husband.

[Amy · Rating 1 out of 5]

No no no no no!

Even though this premise is a bit played out, I'm always up for an interesting take on it. This is not that interesting take. The characters rubbed me the wrong way from the beginning and I couldn't see myself caring about what happened to any of them. They were more caricature than well-developed character. None of the events that happened were given enough time to fully develop so I was never emotionally invested.

It felt like this was a second draft that needed more revision. Also, the point-of-view flipflopped so easily and quickly that my head was spinning. I was happy to be done with it.

I would not recommend this to anyone.

[Melissa · Rating 1 out of 5]

No Comedy

First time to read something advertised as a romantic comedy. Was in the mood for a light read and thought I’d give it a try. Extremely disappointing. First let’s note that there was absolutely no comedy, none. The characters were cliche and poorly developed with little to no depth. There were situations that were completely passed over in the book then referred to later on, as if a scene was missing. Weird, and that happened more than once. This was four hours of my day that I can never get back.

[Gemma Nuenke · Rating 1 out of 5]

Disappointing. The main plot had all the depth and information of a subplot. Than of course the passing reference to one characters mother and sister dying in a runaway ice cream truck accident that may have been partially his fault as if it were funny. The two main characters who don't like or dislike each other who are suddenly in love after meeting twice. Also the bookie who returned the million dollar ring for free because she asked nicely and brought up his mother. None of this was remotely believable even for chicklit.

[Alyxandrya Prynce · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started this book on my kindle app this morning. I went about my day while picking up where I left off when I had a free moment. It's now 2 am and I just finished. I didn't want to stop reading, so I didn't! This book has incredible writing. Though it has a few typos, it truly swept me off my feet! A lot of character building to make you feel like you're truly involved in the book and everyone in it. I'd recommend this to anyone who can handle multiple characters, brilliant writing, incredible wordplay and finishing a well put together book!

[Jenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good

Well the title says romantic comedy and that is so true. It will happy you laughing more than that so sweet moments. Everybody ended up as they should have. Billy or William got his love as well as Darcy. Porter's thot of a wife let him when he became broke. The best part is Carlotta's husband let let her and asked for a divorce!!! She became the gossip of the town. Lol.. Wish Eric got his happy ending.

[Wanda Liendro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love unexpected


Wanda's review 

Jul 31, 2018  ·  edit


it was amazing


Darcy's life has been turned upside down after the betrayal and abandonment of her husband. When she needs a date for her charity ball, her best friend finds her a hired date. It was a life changing night for both of them.
Sometimes the best thing is the thing you never knew you wanted.
I love how this book ended.

[Ann Omasta · Rating 5 out of 5]

There were several things I loved about this book. First and foremost, the short, snappy chapters worked for me. I could easily slip in a chapter or two any time I had a few free minutes. Also, the storyline was unpredictable. I wasn't sure until the very end how things were going to work out. Most importantly, the side characters were fully developed and absolutely delightful. I couldn't help but root for Billy and Bronte. Overall, I found this book to be a lighthearted, fun read!

[Lois · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deliciously hilarious

Mason delivers a delightful romance heaped with plenty of giggles, laughs and heartbreak. A fun and witty gay best friend and the bitch nemesis since high school round this story out to a wonderful, if temporary escape.
There are typographical errors, which irritate me. I do not blame the author...
I recommend Rent A Husband if you're in the mood for some chuckles and romance.

[Eina Meyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you can get past the heavy handed use of a thesaurus, and the dialogue filled with outdated expressions (that I had to Google the meaning of a few times), then you will enjoy the story. It reminds me of Christopher Guest comedies in that there’s a lot of things happening at once with a vast and varied cast of characters. It’s just intriguing enough and funny enough and different enough for me to finish reading it.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rent A Husband was a total mind vacation quick read. The story was funny, though it did go on a bit too long and all the near misses and incorrect assumptions just became ridiculous. It is in need of an editor. There are many incorrect words and punctuation issues throughout. If you want something that doesn’t take much brain power and errors don’t bother you, this book is great!

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rent a Husband

I thoroughly enjoyed it. The clueless first wife did not know she was the laughing stock of her community in large part due to the malicious rumors created and spread by her nemesis. Thanks to her supportive, devious, neighbor and best friend, she was able to persevere and find her happily ever after.

[Minga Dotson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not really what I'd call a romantic comedy, more of a comedy of errors, even though all ends well for two couples.

Every thing that can go wrong does, until a scheming miserable woman is outed and two couples do their best to fix what she had a hand in wrecking. Karma also falls hard on said schemer in the long run.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read

I thought it started a little slow, but once I settled into the story, I realized this is not a typical romance. The characters were developed nicely and the story veered from the usual recipe that most romance novels follow. I cried a little at the end and I would definitely read this again!

[Wanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Darcy's life has been turned upside down after the betrayal and abandonment by her husband. When she needs a date for her charity ball, her best friend finds her a hired date. It was a life changing night for both of them.
Sometimes the best thing is the thing you never knew you wanted.
I love how this book ended.

[Elisabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author has a writing style that doesn't appeal to me. The book reads as though she wrote the outline and then, on the same sheet of paper, filled in around it and down the line. You could tell when she hit one of her bullet points and it wasn't a smooth read. There were parts that I found cute and funny but it was a predictable and forgettable read.

[Mandi Morgan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rough read

I didn’t find anything funny about this story. It was slow. All the he characters were flat and had a ton of issues. But I found I didn’t care because I wasn’t invested in the story. The only redeeming part is that it was a happy ending. Though instead of experiencing it with the we were told it. Not a fav book.

[Jeanne Chepko · Rating 3 out of 5]

Predictable story of a recently divorced woman "renting" a date for an event her ex will attend. Quirky characters Eric, Billy and Bronte are fun. Others sort of annoying...who at this age is still acting like a high school mean girl!!
Perfect for reading at the beach or in the backyard on a beautiful day!

I received a complimentary copy of this book, opinions in the review are my own.