Make-Believe Marriage

by Marilyn Shank

By her 30th birthday, the free-spirited Claire Jennings must have both a husband and a career. Otherwise, she'll lose her inheritance. Trevor Mathison, Headmaster of Brookshire School, needs both a sixth-grade teacher and a wife.

When a comedy of errors leads Claire's grandfather, the Chairman of the Board, to believe Claire and Trevor are married, they play along - both too afraid to tell the older man the truth.

A powerful magnetism sparks between the couple but her free-spirited lifestyle clashes with his highly structured one. The conflicts they face both at school and at home turn Trevor's organized life into instant chaos.

Can Claire and Trevor make their love last? Will they turn this pretend marriage into happily ever after?

195 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 2000

About the author

Marilyn Shank worked as a legal secretary, office manager, proofreader, and editor, before discovering her true passion: writing fiction. She has a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Missouri at Kansas City, speaks fluent German, and often teaches writing workshops in public schools and libraries. When she’s not writing, Marilyn enjoys reading, amateur radio operation, and loves to travel with her husband John. Originally from Chicago, she now lives in Independence, Missouri.

Reviews

[Shirl T. Gamotan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story, but the ending was too abrupt

I liked the characters. I could really "see" all of their personalities and how they interacted with each other, not to mention how handsome Trevor was and how beautiful Claire was. The only thing I didn't care for was how the book ended. If there was an epilogue or more from the grandfather, that would've been good, in my opinion.

[Shari Bublitz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I felt robbed. Loved the book. But the ending was a beginning and the ending I craved was abruptly avoided. I gave one less star because I felt the book was unfinished.

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a long commute today and wanted a book to keep me occupied. Make-Believe Marriage more than fit the bill! Claire is seeking employment at a girls' private school to fulfill at least part of her grandfather's wishes by getting a responsible job. The marriage by the time she's thirty part is out of the question. When she's interviewed by Travis, the headmaster, the two are more than attracted to one another despite the fact they're total opposites. Claire is so bowled over, she leaves her briefcase behind. Travis decides to return it to her and after a little herbal tea and a neck massage, falls asleep in her house. All would be fine if Granddad didn't show up the next morning and leap to the conclusion that Travis and Claire are whirlwind newlyweds. Now the two have no choice but to pretend they're a married couple while trying not to give in to their mutual sparks and surviving their completely different lifestyles.
I not only sped through this wonderful story, I actually laughed out loud several times, which garnered me some curious looks on the train.

Make-Believe Marriage is fun, funny, and fabulous!

[DCT · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars***Every now an again, I need one of those reads that is a quick, simple feel good plot, that just clears your mind and makes you smile. I have always enjoyed those reads when the couple are pretending to be married to pacify a situation they are in, so this one has been on my reading radar for a while; and thanks to Kindle Unlimited, I picked it up. I have had a hectic few days at work, so I wanted a easy read to tide me over. Of course, it was the predictable, chaste story that I had imagined it would be. At the end of the day, it just reminds me to never take love for granted as it is a precious gift.

[Kay Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Feeling trapped, they pretend they're married, and the snowball picks up speed.

This situation probably wouldn't happen with most of us, but if you speculate, you can see how complicated it would become in a hurry. And so it does for our two protagonists. And the more complicated, the more love grows. You need to read this to appreciate the number of knots in a line need to be united to set things back on track. Will they get that chance?

[Pascale’s*ARC,Unwind,Read,Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a silly, light, easy to read romance. She's a bit of an airhead and quite eccentric. He's straight-laced and a little OCD. They are complete opposites in every way, yet they are extremely attracted to each other. In reality, it would never work out but this is fantasy and make-believe, so why not?

[Dianna · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was a very quick read which I actually enjoyed, however I was disappointed with such an abrupt ending. I felt the characters needed more development; if the story had not been rushed this could have been a great book.

[Marguerita · Rating 2 out of 5]

Quick and easy read, but the ending was very abrupt!

[Amber Swiger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must Read

This was a wonderful love story. It had just the right amount of humor to keep the story going. I can not wait to read more books by this author.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am on a streak of reading Marilyn Shank's books and in some ways this is the best one so far. On to the next one. These are not really very long stories so they are pretty easy to read through.