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Second Service #1
The Wedding Trap
Beth Bradley has a problem. Everyone is expecting her successful music executive boyfriend, Charlie, to be her date for her best friend’s wedding. There’s one hitch: Charlie doesn’t exist. Unless she can think of something fast, she’s headed for the most humiliating weekend of her life.
Alex Tanner has a problem. The former Navy SEAL's search for a double agent lands him at the Kensington Hotel, and he needs a cover to finish the job. When the sexy maid of honor blackmails him into pretending to be her lover, he thinks he's been handed the solution.
Except Beth has a way of stumbling into trouble, and when the man Alex is hunting starts targeting Beth, Alex has to decide between duty and the woman who has stolen his heart.
Alex Tanner has a problem. The former Navy SEAL's search for a double agent lands him at the Kensington Hotel, and he needs a cover to finish the job. When the sexy maid of honor blackmails him into pretending to be her lover, he thinks he's been handed the solution.
Except Beth has a way of stumbling into trouble, and when the man Alex is hunting starts targeting Beth, Alex has to decide between duty and the woman who has stolen his heart.
166 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 2, 2013
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October 16, 2022
The Wedding Trap (Second Service Book 1)
There are times I need to de-stress and unwind with a book that has minimal angst and no man-whores. Well, I hit pay dirt with this one. It was a quick easy read and if there is one word I could use to describe this story it's 'Devoted.' There was absolutely NO: the couple is together--the couple is apart, the ex comes back into the picture, heart is pounding thinking he is going to go back to man-whore ways just because there was a disagreement and then they reconcile on the last two pages etc. I read all the time but rarely do I find such devotion between friends, lovers and fiances. Very touching...although I am not sure how probable, but that didn't matter to me. A woman can dream can't she?
Beth Bradley has a wonderful boyfriend, Charlie, who is a music executive except for one tiny problem, he does not exist. Yes, she made him up years ago to get her friends and family off her back and leave her alone about her love life or lack thereof.
Alex Tanner is a former Navy Seal and now works undercover for the CIA. He gets caught by Beth breaking into a car owned by her ex-boyfriend. Beth is at a hotel preparing for her best friend's wedding. When Alex is caught by this precocious young woman, she blackmails him into being Charlie for a few minutes...but he has an alternative motive for agreeing. "Charlie/Alex' needs to get close to the people at the wedding Beth is attending. There's a double agent on the loose and word has it that he may be present during the festivities.
During a bout with insomnia Beth hits the hallways of the hotel trying to find some coffee and takes a deadly wrong turn.
I highly recommend this book and I am headed to buy Book 2 right now! Loved it and when I completed the book I felt happy and hopeful!
I have read this multiple times now. It's sweet, cute, loving, and funny.
There are times I need to de-stress and unwind with a book that has minimal angst and no man-whores. Well, I hit pay dirt with this one. It was a quick easy read and if there is one word I could use to describe this story it's 'Devoted.' There was absolutely NO: the couple is together--the couple is apart, the ex comes back into the picture, heart is pounding thinking he is going to go back to man-whore ways just because there was a disagreement and then they reconcile on the last two pages etc. I read all the time but rarely do I find such devotion between friends, lovers and fiances. Very touching...although I am not sure how probable, but that didn't matter to me. A woman can dream can't she?
Beth Bradley has a wonderful boyfriend, Charlie, who is a music executive except for one tiny problem, he does not exist. Yes, she made him up years ago to get her friends and family off her back and leave her alone about her love life or lack thereof.
Alex Tanner is a former Navy Seal and now works undercover for the CIA. He gets caught by Beth breaking into a car owned by her ex-boyfriend. Beth is at a hotel preparing for her best friend's wedding. When Alex is caught by this precocious young woman, she blackmails him into being Charlie for a few minutes...but he has an alternative motive for agreeing. "Charlie/Alex' needs to get close to the people at the wedding Beth is attending. There's a double agent on the loose and word has it that he may be present during the festivities.
During a bout with insomnia Beth hits the hallways of the hotel trying to find some coffee and takes a deadly wrong turn.
I highly recommend this book and I am headed to buy Book 2 right now! Loved it and when I completed the book I felt happy and hopeful!
I have read this multiple times now. It's sweet, cute, loving, and funny.
March 4, 2017
This was a cute, fun book.
RTC
RTC
September 28, 2014
This was an entertaining and enjoyable read.
The plot was not exactly original, as is not rare with romance novels, but the execution was good.
The heroine was very likable, she had personality and was not your usual beauty queen/damsel in distress with emerald/violet/blahblah eyes.
She was a regular girl, who feels like she has a few pounds too many on her hips and doesn't feel like she is anything special.
And here it is not a cheap plot trick - she doesn't turn out to be a beauty in disguise or losing 20 pounds from the stress and rising like a phoenix from her unattractive days.
She is a beauty, but only in the eyes of her beholder - and that is the hero. Who falls in love with her for who she is, not how she looks. For her openness, her emotionality and also her generosity and the care she shows for others. And a little for the entertainment value, as she stumbles into crazy situations.
I found her cute and could understand why he would fall for her.
He was your typical handsome cop/law enforcement hero, but also likable with some personality traits as well.
A really good read, that could have been fantastic for just a little more filling. It felt short and so the love story felt strongly like insta-love. Too early declarations are made, plans for a HEA that are quite rushed.
The plot was not exactly original, as is not rare with romance novels, but the execution was good.
The heroine was very likable, she had personality and was not your usual beauty queen/damsel in distress with emerald/violet/blahblah eyes.
She was a regular girl, who feels like she has a few pounds too many on her hips and doesn't feel like she is anything special.
And here it is not a cheap plot trick - she doesn't turn out to be a beauty in disguise or losing 20 pounds from the stress and rising like a phoenix from her unattractive days.
She is a beauty, but only in the eyes of her beholder - and that is the hero. Who falls in love with her for who she is, not how she looks. For her openness, her emotionality and also her generosity and the care she shows for others. And a little for the entertainment value, as she stumbles into crazy situations.
I found her cute and could understand why he would fall for her.
He was your typical handsome cop/law enforcement hero, but also likable with some personality traits as well.
A really good read, that could have been fantastic for just a little more filling. It felt short and so the love story felt strongly like insta-love. Too early declarations are made, plans for a HEA that are quite rushed.
September 18, 2017
Adrienne Bell is an absolute master with the short novel/novella format. She packs everything that is needed, and nothing that isn't, into her books. I just love her. Romance, suspense, humor are all there in "The Wedding Trap" and the plot is just a wonderful Fake Boyfriend-Girlfriend/Fiancé - Fiancée Romance troupe. Bell takes a clichéd plot premise and turns it into a very entertaining book.
Beth Bradley is the maid-of-honor for her best friend Isobel and the wedding weekend is looking like a train wreck in slow motion for Beth. She has no date for the weekend and her asshat of an ex-boyfriend, Spencer, is the best man. Could it get any worse? Only when her mother keeps hounding her to take Spencer back. With her successful "boyfriend", Charlie Parker, a no-show, Beth is feeling rather harassed. One big problem for Beth - Charlie is a creation of her imagination. She has been bringing him out since the 7th grade to bail her out of awkward social situations. He has definitely had his uses, but this time she really needs a real, live guy.
Alex Tanner is a former Navy SEAL and a current CIA Agent whose search for a double agent leads him the Kensington Hotel and the need for a cover to finish the job and Beth fits the bill. Alex as "Charlie" also fits Beth's bill as well. Win-win, except that Beth has no idea who Alex is or why he is so attentive until someone tries to kill her.
Beth Bradley is the maid-of-honor for her best friend Isobel and the wedding weekend is looking like a train wreck in slow motion for Beth. She has no date for the weekend and her asshat of an ex-boyfriend, Spencer, is the best man. Could it get any worse? Only when her mother keeps hounding her to take Spencer back. With her successful "boyfriend", Charlie Parker, a no-show, Beth is feeling rather harassed. One big problem for Beth - Charlie is a creation of her imagination. She has been bringing him out since the 7th grade to bail her out of awkward social situations. He has definitely had his uses, but this time she really needs a real, live guy.
Alex Tanner is a former Navy SEAL and a current CIA Agent whose search for a double agent leads him the Kensington Hotel and the need for a cover to finish the job and Beth fits the bill. Alex as "Charlie" also fits Beth's bill as well. Win-win, except that Beth has no idea who Alex is or why he is so attentive until someone tries to kill her.
July 3, 2018
I'm not engaging with this book and I'm having a hard time determining why. I think it's that the tone varies too much between the interaction of the two leads and, well, everything else. The spy plot, the wedding, Beth's ex, and Beth's mother are all kind of silly. I really like Beth and Alex. Their relationship is a little rushed, but I like their interactions. I'm not sure what Alex gets out of the relationship, but I'm building up a great story in my head about it, so I'm good there.
But the interruptions of the rest of it are grating on me. I find myself unenthusiastic about returning to the story. I keep putting it down for days and days and then returning. I don't have a hard time dropping back in, but it's still a little weird that I just don't care.
Which gives me something of a dilemma how to rate this. It's not bad. I liked the relationship bits. And the rest doesn't seem like it's that bad. It's just a bit silly. But no more so than many books I like. I think I'll end up with two stars and this note that it's a completely inadequate metric in boiling down such a complex variety of reactions.
But the interruptions of the rest of it are grating on me. I find myself unenthusiastic about returning to the story. I keep putting it down for days and days and then returning. I don't have a hard time dropping back in, but it's still a little weird that I just don't care.
Which gives me something of a dilemma how to rate this. It's not bad. I liked the relationship bits. And the rest doesn't seem like it's that bad. It's just a bit silly. But no more so than many books I like. I think I'll end up with two stars and this note that it's a completely inadequate metric in boiling down such a complex variety of reactions.
March 13, 2015
He is described as hot and gorgeous. She's described as “not short-skirt gorgeous.” WTH does that mean? That she’s got such fat legs that she would look like hell in a short skirt? And she’s described as “strangely attractive.” I don’t get why the heroine is made to sound like she’s overweight and odd looking and he sounds like an Adonis.
Here’s something I found on Facebook : “When I’ve had too much reality I open a book.”
And that’s exactly how I feel. I’m fat and nothing to look at so when I read I don’t want to read about someone who looks like me. So I would not read this author again. Ms. Bell looks like she carries a few pounds like I do so I guess she thinks it’s a good idea to write about a chunky girl. All I know is she was eating like a bird and Spencer said he wouldn’t have broken up with her if she had lost a few pounds and her mother agreed with him. But Alex hot and gorgeous so I guess that’s all that counts… NOT!
I loved Alex/Charlie and Beth’s personalities and there conversations were sometimes funny. And to the reviewer who said Alex threw Beth to the wolves? That couldn’t be further from the truth. Beth told them both, in no uncertain terms, that she was staying. She wanted to help make sure none of the wedding party was hurt.
I liked Isobel and Jordan and John but couldn’t stand Spencer or Beth’s mother. And Uncle Salvatore got exactly what he deserved, as did the CIA mole.
Here’s something I found on Facebook : “When I’ve had too much reality I open a book.”
And that’s exactly how I feel. I’m fat and nothing to look at so when I read I don’t want to read about someone who looks like me. So I would not read this author again. Ms. Bell looks like she carries a few pounds like I do so I guess she thinks it’s a good idea to write about a chunky girl. All I know is she was eating like a bird and Spencer said he wouldn’t have broken up with her if she had lost a few pounds and her mother agreed with him. But Alex hot and gorgeous so I guess that’s all that counts… NOT!
I loved Alex/Charlie and Beth’s personalities and there conversations were sometimes funny. And to the reviewer who said Alex threw Beth to the wolves? That couldn’t be further from the truth. Beth told them both, in no uncertain terms, that she was staying. She wanted to help make sure none of the wedding party was hurt.
I liked Isobel and Jordan and John but couldn’t stand Spencer or Beth’s mother. And Uncle Salvatore got exactly what he deserved, as did the CIA mole.
November 10, 2014
Amazon freebie 11/6/2014
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http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DRFQRIO?_...
February 29, 2016
This was a fast-paced, highly entertaining romantic suspense. Isobel was getting married. Her best friend, Beth, was her maid of honor, who just happened to be without a date for the wedding. So she did what she always did in a pinch. She called upon her imaginary boyfriend to help her out of a jam. This time, record executive, "Charlie", was away on business, scouting out a new band, so wasn't able to attend with Beth. Unfortunately, no one really believed her. Not her parents who were always hassling her about settling down. And not the best man whom Beth had once dated, much to her chagrin. It was because of Spencer and his obnoxious behavior that Beth decides, on the spur of the moment, to ask a handsome stranger to pretend to be Charlie for a few minutes. Just make an appearance with her, just five minutes Beth insists, long enough for people to know Charlie's real, that he does exist. Then he can disappear and go back to whatever he was doing to begin with-oh, wait, she'd caught him stealing Spencer's car!
Alex Tanner is a CIA agent. He's actually staying in the same hotel as the wedding party because he's investigating Isobel's uncle, a very bad man who is about to buy top secret information regarding U. S. oil reserves. So far he's been able to lay low, even while searching people's rooms, but he's come up empty handed. If only he could get closer to Isobel and her family, perhaps by actually being part of the wedding festivities. Then he could uncover the traitor in their midst and take down Isobel's uncle once and for all. He doesn't expect Beth to provide him with the perfect opening. When she catches him breaking into Spencer's car, she tells him she won't call the police if he'll help her out of a jam by pretending to be her boyfriend.
I loved the way this story unfolds. Here's Beth, never able to please her mother no matter what she does. To make things worse, said mother wants Beth to get back together with Spencer, the guy who once told Beth he might have kept her as his significant other if she'd just lost a couple of pounds. Now she's without a date for the wedding, being nagged by her mother and having to fend off Spencer's boorish advances (like she'd even consider taking up with the guy again). She's desperate to put a stop to it when she runs across Alex. She actually does a pretty good job of convincing herself he's harmless, until she finds the gun in his luggage. And in spite of the man's reassurances she's safe with him, Beth takes off for a walk through the hotel and runs across Isobel's uncle making some kind of business deal with a man she doesn't recognize. When they see her watching them, she manages to escape and tries to go on as if nothing happened. However, when someone tries to kill her, Alex is forced to intervene and the truth about his identity comes out, as does what Beth witnessed going down in the basement of the hotel.
From there, it becomes Alex's mission to protect Beth, especially when his fellow agent wants to use her as bait. Alex has strong feelings for the woman, unlike anything he's ever felt before. He has to foil several attempts on her life and a nice romance develops between them during the course of the story. He was everything you'd want in a hero and doesn't hesitate to go the extra mile in convincing Beth's friends and family he's her boyfriend. Of course he has an ulterior motive but just reading about Beth's attempts to get rid of him after the first five minutes was amusing. Alex was also very tender and all the more appealing in his efforts to comfort her after she was almost killed.
Beth, too, makes a delightful heroine. She's slightly quirky, makes no bones about her shortcomings, and from the very first shows a concern for Alex, something he's never known in his life. She also has a backbone, willing to make herself a target rather than putting her friends and family in danger. She also wants to see Isobel's uncle brought to justice before he can carry out his dastardly deed and do harm to others.
I thoroughly enjoyed this one and would definitely recommend it!
Alex Tanner is a CIA agent. He's actually staying in the same hotel as the wedding party because he's investigating Isobel's uncle, a very bad man who is about to buy top secret information regarding U. S. oil reserves. So far he's been able to lay low, even while searching people's rooms, but he's come up empty handed. If only he could get closer to Isobel and her family, perhaps by actually being part of the wedding festivities. Then he could uncover the traitor in their midst and take down Isobel's uncle once and for all. He doesn't expect Beth to provide him with the perfect opening. When she catches him breaking into Spencer's car, she tells him she won't call the police if he'll help her out of a jam by pretending to be her boyfriend.
I loved the way this story unfolds. Here's Beth, never able to please her mother no matter what she does. To make things worse, said mother wants Beth to get back together with Spencer, the guy who once told Beth he might have kept her as his significant other if she'd just lost a couple of pounds. Now she's without a date for the wedding, being nagged by her mother and having to fend off Spencer's boorish advances (like she'd even consider taking up with the guy again). She's desperate to put a stop to it when she runs across Alex. She actually does a pretty good job of convincing herself he's harmless, until she finds the gun in his luggage. And in spite of the man's reassurances she's safe with him, Beth takes off for a walk through the hotel and runs across Isobel's uncle making some kind of business deal with a man she doesn't recognize. When they see her watching them, she manages to escape and tries to go on as if nothing happened. However, when someone tries to kill her, Alex is forced to intervene and the truth about his identity comes out, as does what Beth witnessed going down in the basement of the hotel.
From there, it becomes Alex's mission to protect Beth, especially when his fellow agent wants to use her as bait. Alex has strong feelings for the woman, unlike anything he's ever felt before. He has to foil several attempts on her life and a nice romance develops between them during the course of the story. He was everything you'd want in a hero and doesn't hesitate to go the extra mile in convincing Beth's friends and family he's her boyfriend. Of course he has an ulterior motive but just reading about Beth's attempts to get rid of him after the first five minutes was amusing. Alex was also very tender and all the more appealing in his efforts to comfort her after she was almost killed.
Beth, too, makes a delightful heroine. She's slightly quirky, makes no bones about her shortcomings, and from the very first shows a concern for Alex, something he's never known in his life. She also has a backbone, willing to make herself a target rather than putting her friends and family in danger. She also wants to see Isobel's uncle brought to justice before he can carry out his dastardly deed and do harm to others.
I thoroughly enjoyed this one and would definitely recommend it!
July 19, 2018
I loved this
Cute story about a wedding, a fake boyfriend and the CIA. Lol. It was awesome. It made me laugh and made me cry. It was also very steamy and romantic. The hero was hot! I just loved him. The heroine too. She was one tough woman. She got so strong and she ended up saving herself. What's that quote? She may be small but she be fierce? That is totally true about her. This was a very sweet cute read and thank you Melody for recommending it to me! It was just what I needed. Totally safe and I totally recommend.
Cute story about a wedding, a fake boyfriend and the CIA. Lol. It was awesome. It made me laugh and made me cry. It was also very steamy and romantic. The hero was hot! I just loved him. The heroine too. She was one tough woman. She got so strong and she ended up saving herself. What's that quote? She may be small but she be fierce? That is totally true about her. This was a very sweet cute read and thank you Melody for recommending it to me! It was just what I needed. Totally safe and I totally recommend.
December 24, 2014
The Wedding Trap hit a bunch of sweet spots for me. It had a little suspense, a little steam, a heroine that was likable and it had humor. I love when a story makes me chuckle. There's nothing too slap-stick about the humor; it's mostly dry observations that the heroine makes about the absurdity of the situation in which she finds herself.
When attendees of Isobel's wedding aren't swallowing that Alex is Beth's boyfriend "Charlie", the rumors start swirling, much to Beth's mortification, that "Charlie" is really a gigolo she has hired to save face. Since Beth can't tell the truth about Alex being a CIA agent on a case, she has to roll with it.
Alex grinned. "They all think I'm a prostitute, don't they?"
"Yep," she said. For some reason, Alex finding humor in the situation only darkened her mood further. It wasn't funny-it was disastrous. Spencer had gotten exactly what he wanted: she was a joke.
Given what had happened to her today, it shouldn't have mattered. But for some reason, it cut deep. She imagined what the epitaph on her gravestone would read.
Beth Bradley.
Liar. Sinner. John.
There were maybe some unrealistic moments in the plot as far as the CIA procedures go, but I don't know how they roll, so I don't really care. And this story takes place over the course of about 3 days or so and that's a short time to fall in love. But, again, I'm not reading romance for the realism. I would have liked an epilogue to find out how they settled into coupledom (I'm making up my own words, here). But there are two more books in the series and hopefully Beth and Alex will be mentioned so we can know how they fare.
This book is written in the 3rd person with both heroine and hero perspectives, it's unequal--there's more heroine than hero. I'd rate the steam at PG-13. There's a few scenes, but they aren't very explicit.
When attendees of Isobel's wedding aren't swallowing that Alex is Beth's boyfriend "Charlie", the rumors start swirling, much to Beth's mortification, that "Charlie" is really a gigolo she has hired to save face. Since Beth can't tell the truth about Alex being a CIA agent on a case, she has to roll with it.
Alex grinned. "They all think I'm a prostitute, don't they?"
"Yep," she said. For some reason, Alex finding humor in the situation only darkened her mood further. It wasn't funny-it was disastrous. Spencer had gotten exactly what he wanted: she was a joke.
Given what had happened to her today, it shouldn't have mattered. But for some reason, it cut deep. She imagined what the epitaph on her gravestone would read.
Beth Bradley.
Liar. Sinner. John.
There were maybe some unrealistic moments in the plot as far as the CIA procedures go, but I don't know how they roll, so I don't really care. And this story takes place over the course of about 3 days or so and that's a short time to fall in love. But, again, I'm not reading romance for the realism. I would have liked an epilogue to find out how they settled into coupledom (I'm making up my own words, here). But there are two more books in the series and hopefully Beth and Alex will be mentioned so we can know how they fare.
This book is written in the 3rd person with both heroine and hero perspectives, it's unequal--there's more heroine than hero. I'd rate the steam at PG-13. There's a few scenes, but they aren't very explicit.
April 12, 2014
I almost died pi**ing myself laughing in this book and I loved Alex, "you're the most unusual blackmailer I've ever dealt with." He let his grip on her hand linger." Beth that girl just speaks what is in her thoughts, "there's a real tub, Charlie. One of those claw-footed ones. I've always wanted to have a bath in one of those." She gave him a guilty smile, like she didn't like the thought that she could be bought with the promise of a nice hot soak. "Always." He leaned on the door jamb next to her. He had to admit, the thought of her in that tub stirred him as well." Nothing gets that girl down, "what? I was just nearly murdered in the street. On top of being scared and mentally exhausted, I'm starving. I think I deserve bacon." Alex the boy is sure feeling Beth, "dear God, he couldn't remember his co** ever being so hard in his life, and he didn't even have her pants off yet." He's so strong and protective you really couldn't help but love the boy, "Alex pulled his gun from his holster on the floor, and tucked it into the back waistband of his boxers. Only then did he go to the door. "We didn't order any room service," he said." The perks of Alex being with Beth 24/7 is the way she gets to wake up, "Alex's strong arm was draped over her chest. He was spooned up against her, his groin nestled against the curve of her bottom. She snuggled a little deeper in his embrace, and felt a stirring between his legs." I can't wait to see what else this author has in store for us I loved this book.
November 13, 2014
4 stars
YAY! after a long break from reading, I finally have time to read this short novella by Adrienne Bell. It was good,sweet,funny and a little bit of action.
I loved it, but there's one part that did bothered me a bit, it's not much and it's only my personal opinion but
But, that didn't deter me from reading this book. It's definitely recommended for those who are looking for a very light,steamy, wanna have a laughing moment read for weekdays reading. :)
YAY! after a long break from reading, I finally have time to read this short novella by Adrienne Bell. It was good,sweet,funny and a little bit of action.
I loved it, but there's one part that did bothered me a bit, it's not much and it's only my personal opinion but
But, that didn't deter me from reading this book. It's definitely recommended for those who are looking for a very light,steamy, wanna have a laughing moment read for weekdays reading. :)
July 27, 2020
It's not terrible, it's fine to kill a couple of hours every day but you have to actively ignore the ridiculousness of the plot and you have to be okay with leaving things unresolved. Beth is a weird mixture of doormat and sensible, and at times I was really feeling for her, but at times, mostly when she was dealing with her mother or her douchey ex, I just wanted to shake some sense into her.
Also the I-love-yous that happen after two and a half days of acquaintance had me audibly groaning and I had to put down the book for the day. Alex was meh. Can't form an impression of a character when there's no personality to them.
Also the I-love-yous that happen after two and a half days of acquaintance had me audibly groaning and I had to put down the book for the day. Alex was meh. Can't form an impression of a character when there's no personality to them.
July 10, 2019
Cute romance/suspense read
This was a fairly quick read. Hot sexy CIA undercover agent being mistaken for a low life car thief. There was lots of humour here. Beth was a great heroine and a perfect match for Alex.
This was a fairly quick read. Hot sexy CIA undercover agent being mistaken for a low life car thief. There was lots of humour here. Beth was a great heroine and a perfect match for Alex.
March 14, 2023
Prch Amazon Oct. 14, 2015
Finished Reading November 13, 2015
1.75 Stars
Just ok. Slow.
Boring.
Meh.
📝🎵Purchased from Amazon October 14, 2015
Finished Reading November 13, 2015
1.75 Stars
Just ok. Slow.
Boring.
Meh.
📝🎵Purchased from Amazon October 14, 2015
August 29, 2018
100000% fluff. Very fast paced and silly romance.
It's dumb but just what I needed hahaha!
It's dumb but just what I needed hahaha!
Want to read
November 8, 2019🎁 FREE on Amazon today (11/8/2019)! 🎁
July 30, 2021
This was book 1 in the
"Second Service"
Beth Bradley has a problem everyone is expecting her to bring her boyfriend Charlie to her best friends wedding, but the problem is her doesn't exist. Alex Tanner is a former Navy seal who is working for the government he needs a cover because he is looking for a double agent. This was a good read that I liked. These decides to help each other out. Sparks fly between them. I liked both of these characters. Alex is hot and sexy and Beth is smart and strong. This was my first time reading this author. This book was well written with no errors in grammar or spelling. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
July 2, 2015
Such a sweet novella! had a great time reading this one. It was short but somehow it was a well developed love story. So much was happening you could kinda forget that the whole novella (and the love story) lasted about 3 days.
I admit I was a bit surprised when the L word was said, after all, 3 days. But you know what? with all the action and the drama I think it was kinda fitting.
Beth is attending her best friend -Isabel - wedding. After her bad break up with the brother of Isabel's soon to be husband, Beth decided to call the "big guns" - use "Charlie" her invented lover who naturally no one has seen (except for Isabel who knows he's a fake so naturally they've "met") to show everything is just PEACHY with her, too bad she can't REALLY bring him to the wedding, ha? Well, a chance meeting with a hot guy who seems to be trying to break into her ex's car (?!) makes her "convince" him to play Charlie for 5 minutes (before he rushes over to wherever it is he suddenly needs to go..) so everyone will actually believe she HAS a boyfriend..
Too bad Alex, a CIA agent on an important job, has a slightly different idea... he needs to stay in the hotel and monitor what's going on with Isabel's uncle who might be up to "no good".. So pretending to being Charlie is the best thing that could happen to him, just not for 5 minutes.. for 3 days - till the wedding..
Beth doesn't know how to handle the Charlie she created.. she doesn't know the guy, he is HOT! but he is also a bit unpredictable and something about him feels a little off, he seems dangerous somehow though she could swear he won't hurt her (and not only because that's what he promises).
Things get out of hand when Beth sees something she shouldn't have and then shit hits the fan as they say.. but also things starts to get heated between the two of them. The whole time they spend together make them experience each other in an intense way and I could get how they grew to love each other in this short time. I also think that there was some sort of "magic" between the two of them, they had more than the instant physical appeal, it was something about the way they read each other and was aware of all the little things about each other that made their love believable. It was also great reading the story from both their POVs and not only because otherwise we would be clueless to the whole scheme, it was mostly about how they came to know and appreciate one another.
I should say that while Alex is describes as H-O-T, Beth isn't the regular hero material - the perfectly shaped woman - she is a bit curvy, a bit insecure with the way she looks and there are people who keeps reminding her of it. It's something that we start to read more of in romance novels and I really appreciate it, sounds more realistic. I loved that for Alex she was as H-O-T as she found him to be even if at first glance she isn't a beauty you hit your jaw on the ground over..
So while it's only 160 pages long you DO get a whole love story with drama and action pored into and when the story comes to an end you feel satisfied that you actually got a whole story. Yeah, I guess we could have gotten a more solid closure but I personally didn't feel I need it. Alex and Beth are prefect for one and I don't need anything more to reassure me that their relationship will work and make both of them happy (screw everyone else).
This is the first I've read of Adrienne and I'm sure going to check out more by her starting with the second book in the series r-i-g-h-t n-o-w!
Recommended!
More Reviews HERE
I admit I was a bit surprised when the L word was said, after all, 3 days. But you know what? with all the action and the drama I think it was kinda fitting.
Beth is attending her best friend -Isabel - wedding. After her bad break up with the brother of Isabel's soon to be husband, Beth decided to call the "big guns" - use "Charlie" her invented lover who naturally no one has seen (except for Isabel who knows he's a fake so naturally they've "met") to show everything is just PEACHY with her, too bad she can't REALLY bring him to the wedding, ha? Well, a chance meeting with a hot guy who seems to be trying to break into her ex's car (?!) makes her "convince" him to play Charlie for 5 minutes (before he rushes over to wherever it is he suddenly needs to go..) so everyone will actually believe she HAS a boyfriend..
Too bad Alex, a CIA agent on an important job, has a slightly different idea... he needs to stay in the hotel and monitor what's going on with Isabel's uncle who might be up to "no good".. So pretending to being Charlie is the best thing that could happen to him, just not for 5 minutes.. for 3 days - till the wedding..
Beth doesn't know how to handle the Charlie she created.. she doesn't know the guy, he is HOT! but he is also a bit unpredictable and something about him feels a little off, he seems dangerous somehow though she could swear he won't hurt her (and not only because that's what he promises).
Things get out of hand when Beth sees something she shouldn't have and then shit hits the fan as they say.. but also things starts to get heated between the two of them. The whole time they spend together make them experience each other in an intense way and I could get how they grew to love each other in this short time. I also think that there was some sort of "magic" between the two of them, they had more than the instant physical appeal, it was something about the way they read each other and was aware of all the little things about each other that made their love believable. It was also great reading the story from both their POVs and not only because otherwise we would be clueless to the whole scheme, it was mostly about how they came to know and appreciate one another.
I should say that while Alex is describes as H-O-T, Beth isn't the regular hero material - the perfectly shaped woman - she is a bit curvy, a bit insecure with the way she looks and there are people who keeps reminding her of it. It's something that we start to read more of in romance novels and I really appreciate it, sounds more realistic. I loved that for Alex she was as H-O-T as she found him to be even if at first glance she isn't a beauty you hit your jaw on the ground over..
So while it's only 160 pages long you DO get a whole love story with drama and action pored into and when the story comes to an end you feel satisfied that you actually got a whole story. Yeah, I guess we could have gotten a more solid closure but I personally didn't feel I need it. Alex and Beth are prefect for one and I don't need anything more to reassure me that their relationship will work and make both of them happy (screw everyone else).
This is the first I've read of Adrienne and I'm sure going to check out more by her starting with the second book in the series r-i-g-h-t n-o-w!
Recommended!
More Reviews HERE
April 4, 2021
Other than the guy on the front cover being an exceedingly poor choice for a cover model I don't think i have a single bad thing to say about this book. Finally one I can actually give a good rating!
Heroine: I adored her. While she wasn't my favorite type of heroine she was tough enough to make me happy, smart enough to make me like her, and neurotic enough to make me relate to her (and keep me laughing). I loved that she wasn't your typical beauty queen heroine but i also appreciated that she didn't have massive self esteem issues beyond some initial pause being naked in front of the hero (and lets face it who wouldn't in front of such an Adonis).
Hero: love him! he was just the perfect amount of protective alpha male mixed with the perfect streak of utter respect for the heroine and treatment of her as an equal. From the very beginning he was so sweet to her even when she was nothing more than an asset he was fighting battles so she didn't have to. I would've liked to see some more of his past but the lack of it didn't impact the story.
Romance: Whirlwind but not too far of a stretch for the imagination. While I don't think love would happen so fast IRL I do recognize that people in situations like this could mistake the feelings for love. But who cares about real life right? Though I couldn't say the romance was well developed due to the short timeline and length I wouldn't say it was underdeveloped either. The couple was really cute together and I think they really balanced each other out.
Sex scenes: More towards the sweet side of the scale than the sexy side but well written so i can't be too mad about that. It was odd though to have dirty language in the midst of an otherwise typical romance PG 13 sex scene.
Plot: Holy moly how can such a short book have it all?! Suspense, romance, mystery (though that was more for the characters than the readers) all here in this book. While the plot line wasn't novel it was incredibly well thought out and fairly well paced for the length. I can't remember the last time i was actually sad to see a book end.
Writing: The crown jewel. All the other goods were not (as frequently happens in freebies) outweighed by horrible writing. The author managed to go to a slightly dark place when needed but overall managed to keep it light and keep me giggling. Definitely a joy to read such an entertaining story unplagued by typos and poor grammar.
Bottom line: Fantastic book, just when i was prepared to denounce all freebies this gem falls into my lap. Would highly recommend and this will definitely be on my reread shelf
Heroine: I adored her. While she wasn't my favorite type of heroine she was tough enough to make me happy, smart enough to make me like her, and neurotic enough to make me relate to her (and keep me laughing). I loved that she wasn't your typical beauty queen heroine but i also appreciated that she didn't have massive self esteem issues beyond some initial pause being naked in front of the hero (and lets face it who wouldn't in front of such an Adonis).
Hero: love him! he was just the perfect amount of protective alpha male mixed with the perfect streak of utter respect for the heroine and treatment of her as an equal. From the very beginning he was so sweet to her even when she was nothing more than an asset he was fighting battles so she didn't have to. I would've liked to see some more of his past but the lack of it didn't impact the story.
Romance: Whirlwind but not too far of a stretch for the imagination. While I don't think love would happen so fast IRL I do recognize that people in situations like this could mistake the feelings for love. But who cares about real life right? Though I couldn't say the romance was well developed due to the short timeline and length I wouldn't say it was underdeveloped either. The couple was really cute together and I think they really balanced each other out.
Sex scenes: More towards the sweet side of the scale than the sexy side but well written so i can't be too mad about that. It was odd though to have dirty language in the midst of an otherwise typical romance PG 13 sex scene.
Plot: Holy moly how can such a short book have it all?! Suspense, romance, mystery (though that was more for the characters than the readers) all here in this book. While the plot line wasn't novel it was incredibly well thought out and fairly well paced for the length. I can't remember the last time i was actually sad to see a book end.
Writing: The crown jewel. All the other goods were not (as frequently happens in freebies) outweighed by horrible writing. The author managed to go to a slightly dark place when needed but overall managed to keep it light and keep me giggling. Definitely a joy to read such an entertaining story unplagued by typos and poor grammar.
Bottom line: Fantastic book, just when i was prepared to denounce all freebies this gem falls into my lap. Would highly recommend and this will definitely be on my reread shelf
December 30, 2019
Had to drop this to 2 stars over a few plot points that had me rolling my eyes including
June 4, 2021
I've not read anything by Ms Bell before, but I loved this romantic suspense story. The main female character was quirky, believable, and lovable. The other characters were also believable. The suspense element blended in beautifully with the romantic storyline, and didn't seem to be an "add-on" as sometimes seems to be the case.
I'll be looking for more novels by Ms Bell.
I'll be looking for more novels by Ms Bell.
January 23, 2021
So, I originally read this story years ago. Long before I wrote reviews. It felt like I was going in blind, which is something I rarely do.
Alex(Charles) and Beth made a good team. Both needing a cover for the weekend, they came to an agreement. Beth had no idea the danger she would find herself in and was thankful to have Alex in her corner. I would call this more of a romantic suspense.
-no cheating
-no ow drama
-om drama - Beth’s ex was a part of the story because his brother was marrying her best friend. While him being there was what prompted her to need Alex, he really didn’t cause much drama
-no violence of a sexual nature
-no virgins
-NO EPILOGUE which really caused my rating to take a beating. Had I thought to check going in, I wouldn’t have read the story because of it
Alex(Charles) and Beth made a good team. Both needing a cover for the weekend, they came to an agreement. Beth had no idea the danger she would find herself in and was thankful to have Alex in her corner. I would call this more of a romantic suspense.
-no cheating
-no ow drama
-om drama - Beth’s ex was a part of the story because his brother was marrying her best friend. While him being there was what prompted her to need Alex, he really didn’t cause much drama
-no violence of a sexual nature
-no virgins
-NO EPILOGUE which really caused my rating to take a beating. Had I thought to check going in, I wouldn’t have read the story because of it
October 19, 2017
3.5 Stars
The Wedding Trap was an enjoyable read. I would have appreciated a little more depth on the characters, especially Alex.
Beth Bradley is attending her best friend Isobel's wedding where everyone is expecting to meet her boyfriend Charlie. Fun fact, Charlie does not exist. He was merely created so that Beth could get her families off her back. To make the lie more believable, Charlie was "away on business so he wouldn't be able to attend the wedding." But no one believe her, especially the best man, who she once dated. In a spur of the moment she decided to ask- more likely blackmail a stranger to pretend to be Charlie.
Alex Tanner is a CIA agent. He is staying in the same hotel that the wedding is taking place as he is on a mission to investigate about Isobel's uncle. So far he didn't have a cover to infiltrate the wedding, but when Beth approach him to pretend to be Charlie, he got the perfect opportunity. He could sneak in the wedding festivities, do his job and get out of there. Except it's not so simple as Beth found herself to be a target and the bad people want her dead at all cost. But Alex is here, and he promised he'd protect her at any cost.
I enjoyed myself while reading The Wedding Trap. I really like the story plot and the characters. My only issues were Beth professed her love to a man she just met, only after 2 days. And that cover, is damn too deceiving. I don't like it at all.
The Wedding Trap was an enjoyable read. I would have appreciated a little more depth on the characters, especially Alex.
Beth Bradley is attending her best friend Isobel's wedding where everyone is expecting to meet her boyfriend Charlie. Fun fact, Charlie does not exist. He was merely created so that Beth could get her families off her back. To make the lie more believable, Charlie was "away on business so he wouldn't be able to attend the wedding." But no one believe her, especially the best man, who she once dated. In a spur of the moment she decided to ask- more likely blackmail a stranger to pretend to be Charlie.
Alex Tanner is a CIA agent. He is staying in the same hotel that the wedding is taking place as he is on a mission to investigate about Isobel's uncle. So far he didn't have a cover to infiltrate the wedding, but when Beth approach him to pretend to be Charlie, he got the perfect opportunity. He could sneak in the wedding festivities, do his job and get out of there. Except it's not so simple as Beth found herself to be a target and the bad people want her dead at all cost. But Alex is here, and he promised he'd protect her at any cost.
I enjoyed myself while reading The Wedding Trap. I really like the story plot and the characters. My only issues were Beth professed her love to a man she just met, only after 2 days. And that cover, is damn too deceiving. I don't like it at all.
March 2, 2025
Warning: Based on the long-haired hunk on the cover, I was expecting the hero to be a long-haired hunk. Alex is a hunk, but he does not have long hair. I repeat: no long hair.
ARGHHH I'VE BEEN TRICKED!!!!!
But anyway, this was super cute. Silly, mindless, maybe a bit dumb plotwise, but cute. I love how straightforward the romance was: no contrived misunderstandings, no OM/OW drama, no stupid separation-for-two-weeks-because-you-deserve-someone-better-than-me-at-the-95%-mark bullcrap. Thank you for that.
The interactions between the h and H were so adorable, I had this big, stupid grin on my face every time they were in a scene together. Which was a lot of the book, meaning I've been smiling like an idiot the entire time I was reading. Heh.
The ending was wrapped up too fast and a little too conveniently, but I can live with that.
Now I just need to find me an Alex. (With long hair, please.)
ARGHHH I'VE BEEN TRICKED!!!!!
But anyway, this was super cute. Silly, mindless, maybe a bit dumb plotwise, but cute. I love how straightforward the romance was: no contrived misunderstandings, no OM/OW drama, no stupid separation-for-two-weeks-because-you-deserve-someone-better-than-me-at-the-95%-mark bullcrap. Thank you for that.
The interactions between the h and H were so adorable, I had this big, stupid grin on my face every time they were in a scene together. Which was a lot of the book, meaning I've been smiling like an idiot the entire time I was reading. Heh.
The ending was wrapped up too fast and a little too conveniently, but I can live with that.
Now I just need to find me an Alex. (With long hair, please.)
April 18, 2014
Received an ARC from NetGalley for review
This sure didn't feel like a novella. It was funny and had lot of action. I liked how they didn't yammer and stammer trying to decided if they liked each other or if they were going to sleep with each other. But it just ended, not enough of a wrap up and where they're going next.
This sure didn't feel like a novella. It was funny and had lot of action. I liked how they didn't yammer and stammer trying to decided if they liked each other or if they were going to sleep with each other. But it just ended, not enough of a wrap up and where they're going next.
August 9, 2014
I got it on Amazon, it is a freebie. The synopsis got me to put it on by tbr list. I'm glad I did, it was a fun read, with humor.
It was a good read and worth the time. Must read.
It was a good read and worth the time. Must read.
March 5, 2021
It started off innocently enough for Beth Bradley, she was tired of her ex rubbing his new life in her face and answering questions to her family about her single hood status, so she made up a pretend music executive boyfriend name Charlie. Problem is she has been making excuses for why he is never seen with her for far too long and now she is at her best friends wedding and they are expecting him. She ends up running into Alex Tanner believing he is up to no good so she blackmails him into pretending he is Charlie for a few minutes, but everything changes when Alex announces he is staying for the wedding.
Alex is looking for a double agent and he has not really found a reason to be around other then hanging out in lobby so when Beth asks for the favor he jumps. Now he has to find the bad guy as well as keep himself for falling for the adorably attractive Beth.
This was fun, Beth is a bit flighty but you get why. Her Mother is a handful and a bit overbearing making swipes at Beth. I thought the chemistry between Alex and Beth was spot on plus you had the whole mystery angle going on. Great story.
Alex is looking for a double agent and he has not really found a reason to be around other then hanging out in lobby so when Beth asks for the favor he jumps. Now he has to find the bad guy as well as keep himself for falling for the adorably attractive Beth.
This was fun, Beth is a bit flighty but you get why. Her Mother is a handful and a bit overbearing making swipes at Beth. I thought the chemistry between Alex and Beth was spot on plus you had the whole mystery angle going on. Great story.
September 6, 2019
Sweet and cute!
Beth is currently staying at a hotel for her best friend’s upcoming nuptials. The best man is Beth’s ex and she almost hates him. Beth’s mother, who is forever calling out her faults, is also attending. To save face on her lack-of-a-date, Beth makes up a bf who no one has met.
Being at the wrong place at the wrong time lands her in confrontation with CIA agent Alex. Beth is unaware of this man’s true identity and assumes him to be a savvy thief. Another incident lands Beth into more trouble when she accidentally witnesses a deal under the table involving the bride’s family.
And now, unknowingly Beth is witness to a crime that was already anticipated and hence agent Alex had been working undercover at the venue.
Beth and Alex have no option but to work together to fight off this danger. There was a lot of chase and action and fighting. Not violent but very animated!
The h and H barely have time with their life zipping by but love hits them hard anyways. All’s well that ends well for Beth and Alex!
Beth is currently staying at a hotel for her best friend’s upcoming nuptials. The best man is Beth’s ex and she almost hates him. Beth’s mother, who is forever calling out her faults, is also attending. To save face on her lack-of-a-date, Beth makes up a bf who no one has met.
Being at the wrong place at the wrong time lands her in confrontation with CIA agent Alex. Beth is unaware of this man’s true identity and assumes him to be a savvy thief. Another incident lands Beth into more trouble when she accidentally witnesses a deal under the table involving the bride’s family.
And now, unknowingly Beth is witness to a crime that was already anticipated and hence agent Alex had been working undercover at the venue.
Beth and Alex have no option but to work together to fight off this danger. There was a lot of chase and action and fighting. Not violent but very animated!
The h and H barely have time with their life zipping by but love hits them hard anyways. All’s well that ends well for Beth and Alex!
April 27, 2017
Beth has a problem. She told a small white lie which has got out of hand. She's at her best friends wedding dateless even though she suppose to have the perfect man but Charlie is made up. Now her unbearable mother and ex-boyfriend are giving her grief.
Alex is undercover trying to get information about the bride's uncle. He isn't a guest at the wedding, but he needs to stay close. Beth stumbles into his lap and offers him a blackmail deal that couldn't have worked out better for him. Charlie is about to meet the family. Alex has the cover he needs, and Beth has the boyfriend she needs.
Beth has a way of stumbling into trouble, and Alex is the perfect man to protect her. The wedding trap is a hot, action packed, comedy romance novel which will have you smiling all the way through.
4.5 stars out of 5. This is a standalone book which is part of a series and is intended for an adult audience.
Alex is undercover trying to get information about the bride's uncle. He isn't a guest at the wedding, but he needs to stay close. Beth stumbles into his lap and offers him a blackmail deal that couldn't have worked out better for him. Charlie is about to meet the family. Alex has the cover he needs, and Beth has the boyfriend she needs.
Beth has a way of stumbling into trouble, and Alex is the perfect man to protect her. The wedding trap is a hot, action packed, comedy romance novel which will have you smiling all the way through.
4.5 stars out of 5. This is a standalone book which is part of a series and is intended for an adult audience.
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