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Borrowed Bride
Something Old, Something New, Someone Borrowed out of the Blue…
Zoe Fitzpatrick will do anything for her catering clients, but this is getting ridiculous.
It’s the wedding of the year in DC and the bride and groom have eloped. The father of the groom is a powerful senator who is set to announce his run for the presidency of the United States in front of all of the VIP guests and he’s not about to let a minor problem like a missing bride and groom ruin it. With a tempting offer of a big check and a set of dream jobs, he asks Zoe to step in last minute and pretend to be the bride.
With her catering business teetering on the edge of devastation, Zoe can't afford to say no, even though her stand-in groom is the arrogant, pompous, and frustratingly attractive twin brother of the groom, Luke Whitfield. Ugh.
Zoe and Luke are trying to play newlywed happy, but they already look ready for a divorce. It’s hate at first sight, but as the night progresses through wild first dances, awkward kisses on full display, and a humiliating experience with the President, the pretend feelings start to get dangerously close to real.
Borrowed Bride is a laugh-out-loud, enemies-to-lovers, fake engagement/fake wedding, full-length standalone romantic comedy with a HEA. Perfect for fans of Christina Lauren, Ali Hazelwood, and Sally Thorne!
Zoe Fitzpatrick will do anything for her catering clients, but this is getting ridiculous.
It’s the wedding of the year in DC and the bride and groom have eloped. The father of the groom is a powerful senator who is set to announce his run for the presidency of the United States in front of all of the VIP guests and he’s not about to let a minor problem like a missing bride and groom ruin it. With a tempting offer of a big check and a set of dream jobs, he asks Zoe to step in last minute and pretend to be the bride.
With her catering business teetering on the edge of devastation, Zoe can't afford to say no, even though her stand-in groom is the arrogant, pompous, and frustratingly attractive twin brother of the groom, Luke Whitfield. Ugh.
Zoe and Luke are trying to play newlywed happy, but they already look ready for a divorce. It’s hate at first sight, but as the night progresses through wild first dances, awkward kisses on full display, and a humiliating experience with the President, the pretend feelings start to get dangerously close to real.
Borrowed Bride is a laugh-out-loud, enemies-to-lovers, fake engagement/fake wedding, full-length standalone romantic comedy with a HEA. Perfect for fans of Christina Lauren, Ali Hazelwood, and Sally Thorne!
278 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 26, 2023
1277 people are currently reading
2475 people want to read
About the author
Noah Hardy
1 book65 followersRomantic Comedy author of Borrowed Bride! I also write Adventure Comedy middle grade books under Marc Lewis.
www.NoahHardy.com
www.AuthorMarcLewis.com
www.NoahHardy.com
www.AuthorMarcLewis.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 478 reviews
September 12, 2023
It was an easy read but despite that I just couldn’t get in to it. The enemies to lovers plot is so tiny that classifying this book as such is questionable (it felt more like instalove). The story takes place over a period of just over 24 hours. It just felt a) a bit too rushed and b) too unrealistic for all that happened in that short time period. I didn’t find any of the jokes funny and I felt like the characters weren’t really delved into enough. For example with our two main characters I felt a lack of connection with both and therefore I wasn’t excited about the prospect of them falling in love. Overall felt like a waste of my time.
October 1, 2023
This book was hilarious in some parts!
Sometimes you see reviews for books that say ‘laugh out loud’ and you think they might be amusing but won’t actually make you laugh out loud in real life… well this book will! At least for me it did! There’s a few parts that made me actually chuckle. Zoe is the worst liar and it brings a lot of humor.
Also, this book takes place over about 24 hours. It’s honestly incredible to me. I really just love the idea of that and it was a fun ride. I didn’t like Kathleen her casual cruelness was awful. That family was nuts lol but it was entertaining. It’s pretty unrealistic lol but who needs realism when you can read about two people meeting, getting fake(🤨ish) married, and falling in love all in a span of 24 hrs?!
Sometimes you see reviews for books that say ‘laugh out loud’ and you think they might be amusing but won’t actually make you laugh out loud in real life… well this book will! At least for me it did! There’s a few parts that made me actually chuckle. Zoe is the worst liar and it brings a lot of humor.
Also, this book takes place over about 24 hours. It’s honestly incredible to me. I really just love the idea of that and it was a fun ride. I didn’t like Kathleen her casual cruelness was awful. That family was nuts lol but it was entertaining. It’s pretty unrealistic lol but who needs realism when you can read about two people meeting, getting fake(🤨ish) married, and falling in love all in a span of 24 hrs?!
January 7, 2024
Unrealistic
The story started off well and I laughed in many parts but it got more and more unrealistic as it progressed. The main protagonist, Zoey was unlikeable, rude, clumsy, and extremely judgemental. How she ended up getting along with everyone later in the book is extremely unbelievable.
The way the main characters became lovers from enemies was rushed. So was everything else in the story.
I picked up this book reading the rave reviews but it was not my cup of tea.
The story started off well and I laughed in many parts but it got more and more unrealistic as it progressed. The main protagonist, Zoey was unlikeable, rude, clumsy, and extremely judgemental. How she ended up getting along with everyone later in the book is extremely unbelievable.
The way the main characters became lovers from enemies was rushed. So was everything else in the story.
I picked up this book reading the rave reviews but it was not my cup of tea.
December 12, 2025
Borrowed Bride by Noah Hardy is a fun, laugh‑out‑loud contemporary romantic comedy about Zoe Fitzpatrick, a hardworking wedding caterer whose business is barely surviving, and Luke Whitfield, the arrogant, polished twin brother of the groom at the wedding of the year in Washington, D.C. When the bride and groom elope on the very day of the big event, Zoe is talked into pretending to be the bride so that a powerful senator (the father of the “groom”) can go ahead with his planned presidential announcement without embarrassment. Zoe and Luke must act like a newlywed couple in front of VIPs, photographers and even the President himself, turning a chaotic situation into riotous, awkward moments that push them from irritation to genuine attraction in a very short time.
From the moment I learned that this whirlwind story literally unfolds in about 24 hours, I felt swept along in its absurd charm. Zoe’s savvy but frazzled energy makes her instantly relatable, especially as she trips into one embarrassing scenario after another; Luke’s brusque, polished exterior and Zoe’s chaotic real‑world sensibilities collide in a way that had me smiling and chuckling throughout. Their chemistry shifts fast, the fake‑marriage trope plays out with wit and many unpredictable events, and the backdrop of a high‑society wedding night full of awkward dances and public displays keeps everything delightfully over‑the‑top.
I liked how this book embraces pure fun and doesn’t pretend to be anything more serious than a rom‑com romp: it’s ridiculous in the best way, it moves at breakneck speed, and it leans into laugh‑out‑loud moments while still giving its main characters a chance to soften and understand one another. The love connection happens very quickly and that parts feel unrealistic because of it, but if you’re in the mood for a cozy, light‑hearted romance that feels like a celebration of chaos and closure, this delivers.
I give Borrowed Bride 4 out of 5 stars. It made me laugh, smile and genuinely care about Zoe and Luke even in their hilariously awkward moments, and its fast, whimsical energy left me feeling uplifted and content. If you love closed‑door enemies‑to‑lovers and fake wedding tropes with smart banter and plenty of delightful mishaps, this is a sweet, highly entertaining ride.
From the moment I learned that this whirlwind story literally unfolds in about 24 hours, I felt swept along in its absurd charm. Zoe’s savvy but frazzled energy makes her instantly relatable, especially as she trips into one embarrassing scenario after another; Luke’s brusque, polished exterior and Zoe’s chaotic real‑world sensibilities collide in a way that had me smiling and chuckling throughout. Their chemistry shifts fast, the fake‑marriage trope plays out with wit and many unpredictable events, and the backdrop of a high‑society wedding night full of awkward dances and public displays keeps everything delightfully over‑the‑top.
I liked how this book embraces pure fun and doesn’t pretend to be anything more serious than a rom‑com romp: it’s ridiculous in the best way, it moves at breakneck speed, and it leans into laugh‑out‑loud moments while still giving its main characters a chance to soften and understand one another. The love connection happens very quickly and that parts feel unrealistic because of it, but if you’re in the mood for a cozy, light‑hearted romance that feels like a celebration of chaos and closure, this delivers.
I give Borrowed Bride 4 out of 5 stars. It made me laugh, smile and genuinely care about Zoe and Luke even in their hilariously awkward moments, and its fast, whimsical energy left me feeling uplifted and content. If you love closed‑door enemies‑to‑lovers and fake wedding tropes with smart banter and plenty of delightful mishaps, this is a sweet, highly entertaining ride.
September 12, 2023
Without giving spoilers…the time span for the book is 24 hours, and the author did such an incredible job of weaving the tale that I almost completely forgot it was such a short span of time. This was an artfully written rom com, and I could not recommend it any more highly.
I received a free copy of this book via Cherrylily ARCs and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Cherrylily ARCs and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 23, 2024
in one day????!!!
January 26, 2025
Oh. My. god.
I was waiting to read this book for such a long time and I’m regretting that I didn’t read this earlier.
The book’s story only happens in 24 hours (which is insane) and it’s so SO good.
The romance between Zoe & Luke is adorable, endearing and addicting.
I read this in less than 24 hours. 🤍
I was waiting to read this book for such a long time and I’m regretting that I didn’t read this earlier.
The book’s story only happens in 24 hours (which is insane) and it’s so SO good.
The romance between Zoe & Luke is adorable, endearing and addicting.
I read this in less than 24 hours. 🤍
March 26, 2025
This book had no business being as funny as it was! Genuinely laugh out loud funny! It was also all kinds of sweet and adorable and I just ate it up!
March 2, 2024
This was a cute, ‘easy’ read. Obviously it’s incredibly unrealistic but it was still sweet and made me smile. If you don’t mind insta-love and are looking for a light, happy read you might really enjoy this! 💜
November 29, 2023
DNF at 18%. The FMC is literally horrible. I couldn’t even finish it out of spite.
March 30, 2024
fun read
Was kinda surprised to realise the author was male since it’s the female POV.
Book was great. I really enjoyed it! I laughed so hard my cheeks were hurting.
Was kinda surprised to realise the author was male since it’s the female POV.
Book was great. I really enjoyed it! I laughed so hard my cheeks were hurting.
October 1, 2023
3.5 ˚✩ ⋆｡˚
anyone need a stand-in bride for a fake twin groom that’s made an annoying first impression bc you are in luck i am free! schedule is CLEAR! this would be perfect as a fun silly little romcom movie like it was actually cuteee! also yall i’m such a sucker for a “hey beautiful” + a sexy grin like ILL KMS RN
it was also kinda long for events that took place in 48 hrs but still an easy fun read. sometimes i enjoy insta love when it’s crazy circumstances and perfectly cheesy OK (ex. getting pulled into being a bride you are not to a groom that is actually not the groom for the sake of a rich family’s reputation 😁) now i want a wedding too!
i think this is the FIRST romance book i’ve written by a man ? imagine my shock when i got to the author page at the end and saw a man like wow maybe the tides are turning in literature 🤔 zoeluke’s fake wedding first dance to say you won’t let go by james arthur and lover by taylor swift ok taste!
there was a line so ??? to me. maybe it’s me but i don’t enjoy jokes about serious issues like forced deportation just for the sake of portraying a character as nasty to the audience…also wondering if the writer is turkish bc the amount of times that mother said “she’s a turk” i was like what’s ur issue ma’am BUT in related news i only understood one bit of the turkish in this byehshdj i thought i was better than this :(
**narrator: she has only learned turkish from tv shows
idk if this is a 4 star kind of 3.5 or a 3 star kind of 3.5 but i had fun and read it in one sitting so we’ll star up for now!
he grins. “this is all out of order, but after we get divorced, i’d love to take you out.”
anyone need a stand-in bride for a fake twin groom that’s made an annoying first impression bc you are in luck i am free! schedule is CLEAR! this would be perfect as a fun silly little romcom movie like it was actually cuteee! also yall i’m such a sucker for a “hey beautiful” + a sexy grin like ILL KMS RN
it was also kinda long for events that took place in 48 hrs but still an easy fun read. sometimes i enjoy insta love when it’s crazy circumstances and perfectly cheesy OK (ex. getting pulled into being a bride you are not to a groom that is actually not the groom for the sake of a rich family’s reputation 😁) now i want a wedding too!
“i would have done things differently if i knew the kind of girl you were.”
i lean forward, playfully narrowing my eyes at him. “and what kind of girl is that?”
“the keeping kind.”
i think this is the FIRST romance book i’ve written by a man ? imagine my shock when i got to the author page at the end and saw a man like wow maybe the tides are turning in literature 🤔 zoeluke’s fake wedding first dance to say you won’t let go by james arthur and lover by taylor swift ok taste!
there was a line so ??? to me. maybe it’s me but i don’t enjoy jokes about serious issues like forced deportation just for the sake of portraying a character as nasty to the audience…also wondering if the writer is turkish bc the amount of times that mother said “she’s a turk” i was like what’s ur issue ma’am BUT in related news i only understood one bit of the turkish in this byehshdj i thought i was better than this :(
**narrator: she has only learned turkish from tv shows
idk if this is a 4 star kind of 3.5 or a 3 star kind of 3.5 but i had fun and read it in one sitting so we’ll star up for now!
September 16, 2024
This was so enjoyable! It was a light hearted, closed door read that had me laughing out loud.
This novel takes place in a 24 hour time frame, which was entirely new for me. I was so engrossed, I didn’t realize I was more than halfway done with the book, or the fact that I was still reading about the same day!
Father of the Groom is a Senator who wants to announce his run for Presidency in front of all his VIP guests. He convinces Zoe, the Caterer, and Luke, twin brother of the Groom, to step in as the Bride & Groom after Taliah & Carter run from the venue to elope. Lots of banter, crazy family, found friends. It was such a fun read.
This novel takes place in a 24 hour time frame, which was entirely new for me. I was so engrossed, I didn’t realize I was more than halfway done with the book, or the fact that I was still reading about the same day!
Father of the Groom is a Senator who wants to announce his run for Presidency in front of all his VIP guests. He convinces Zoe, the Caterer, and Luke, twin brother of the Groom, to step in as the Bride & Groom after Taliah & Carter run from the venue to elope. Lots of banter, crazy family, found friends. It was such a fun read.
November 19, 2023
3.5 actually (honestly GR just give us half stars already fgs).
I found the sheer amount of stuff that happened in 24 hours just absurd honestly-and there was no need for the stuff with the president.
At one point FMC says “I’d never seen him like this” about a man she’d met max 4 hours earlier, I mean…duh! 😂.
Funny, cute, closed door romance that could have benefitted from a longer timeline.
Oh and that wedding dance? In a too tight wedding dress? No. Just, no!
I found the sheer amount of stuff that happened in 24 hours just absurd honestly-and there was no need for the stuff with the president.
At one point FMC says “I’d never seen him like this” about a man she’d met max 4 hours earlier, I mean…duh! 😂.
Funny, cute, closed door romance that could have benefitted from a longer timeline.
Oh and that wedding dance? In a too tight wedding dress? No. Just, no!
May 18, 2024
Super Fun!!
I loved how cute this book was, and loved that it captured events essentially within a 24 hrs period. Zoe and Luke are great characters, supporting cast was solid, hilarious and romantic scenes, what's not to love?!! Also liked that the smut was fade to black, the love story and everything surrounding it was better without smut. First book by this author, looking forward to more of his works.
I loved how cute this book was, and loved that it captured events essentially within a 24 hrs period. Zoe and Luke are great characters, supporting cast was solid, hilarious and romantic scenes, what's not to love?!! Also liked that the smut was fade to black, the love story and everything surrounding it was better without smut. First book by this author, looking forward to more of his works.
February 28, 2024
This book was cute. It was an easy read buuuuuut it took me a while to get through it because it literally covered every aspect of the entire wedding. I felt like I was at an actual wedding, experiencing it in real-time. Great debut novel.
July 7, 2024
Hilarious rom com, I was laughing out loud a good majority of the time, while also encountering second hand embarrassment for the borrowed bride, she had a crazy 24 hours.
This is a quick story, tons of laughs, and an easy weekend read.
This is a quick story, tons of laughs, and an easy weekend read.
November 23, 2023
this was soooooo cute and silly
February 21, 2024
i was not expecting to enjoy this book as much as i did, but honestly loved it!! it was such a fun rom com to read 🫶🏻
February 29, 2024
Great fun Rom com read.
September 25, 2023
Zoe is a caterer who owns Catering By Zoe. She is desperately trying to get contracts from Washington DC. She has a contract with Senator Whitfield who has a son who is getting married. The Senator is going to announce his run for the president at the wedding. When the bride and groom eloped the senator convinced Zoe and his other son Luke to take the place of the eloped couple. Zoe doesn’t like Luke but she needs the money and contacts. As the wedding goes on their attraction starts to grow. The is a funny rom com. Laughs galore.
I enjoyed the book very much.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book via Bad Boy Update.
Wonderful Wedding Caterer Turned Bride!
I enjoyed the book very much.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book via Bad Boy Update.
Wonderful Wedding Caterer Turned Bride!
October 28, 2024
This author has a nice writing style!!
Rey easy to read, kept me engaged and had me wanting more.
Something was always happening and it was honestly hilarious.
Despite this, after finishing I felt like we could’ve gotten more.
The plot was there and had the perfect set up so intrigue and honestly could have been a nice set up for a duet between the main characters. It wasn’t very realistic and kinda went from ‘enemies to lovers’ to ‘insta-love’ quickly but Zoe’s shenanigans didn’t have me lingering on that.
It was still a fun and enjoyable read.
*it is a closed door romance*
Rey easy to read, kept me engaged and had me wanting more.
Something was always happening and it was honestly hilarious.
Despite this, after finishing I felt like we could’ve gotten more.
The plot was there and had the perfect set up so intrigue and honestly could have been a nice set up for a duet between the main characters. It wasn’t very realistic and kinda went from ‘enemies to lovers’ to ‘insta-love’ quickly but Zoe’s shenanigans didn’t have me lingering on that.
It was still a fun and enjoyable read.
*it is a closed door romance*
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March 8, 2024So funny and entertaining
I absolutely loved this quick, fun read.
Some scenes were a bit far fetched but they were funny as he'll and such a feel good, lighthearted read. I couldn't put it down.
I absolutely loved this quick, fun read.
Some scenes were a bit far fetched but they were funny as he'll and such a feel good, lighthearted read. I couldn't put it down.
May 4, 2024
3.5 / 4 ⭐️ overall, I thought this was a fun read! I liked Zoe and Luke together. This seems exactly like something a hella rich family would do / try and pull off. Even though, idk if everyone would have fell for it if it were real life.
December 22, 2023
3.75⭐️
February 29, 2024
Es lo más descabellado que he leído, me quedé esperando a que tomara seriedad la historia y dejara de ser un chiste
March 26, 2024
It’s an easy read but had boring parts. Felt very drug out. There were a couple funny aspects but took much longer to read than I initially anticipated because I couldn’t get into it.
June 27, 2024
2.5 stars
An easy read, yes, but I found myself rolling my eyes more than laughing at the over-the-top absurdities in this book.
An easy read, yes, but I found myself rolling my eyes more than laughing at the over-the-top absurdities in this book.
October 16, 2023
3.5 Stars Amusing. A perfect beach read
May 28, 2024
cute
3.5 Made me laugh out loud several times. Some parts were super corny lol but overall a quick and easy and funny read. This was meant to be a fun book and that’s exactly what it was
3.5 Made me laugh out loud several times. Some parts were super corny lol but overall a quick and easy and funny read. This was meant to be a fun book and that’s exactly what it was
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