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Inventing Us
I’m barely surviving. Selling myself is as low as it gets.
Susie
I’m one debt collection letter away from being hauled to court. I didn’t think helping my family would leave me almost destitute. My dancing job doesn’t make enough to keep the wolves from the door. But when a handsome stranger saves me from an awkward encounter with an unwanted admirer, it’s a debt I don’t mind paying. Until he sets out his terms that is. His offer will free me from my money troubles, but is selling myself to fool his family going to eventually drown me in shame?
Ryan
My playboy lifestyle is catching up with me fast. I know I need to smarten up if I’m to have any chance of taking over my father’s business, but living with a heart that’s been torn to pieces isn’t easy. A damsel in distress gives me the means to prove my worth, but I’m not prepared when she captivates me. She’s more than a business deal, but my heart simply can’t handle being broken again when we have to part ways. I’m terrified of what my life will look like, with or without her, but when my family needs me, my happiness means nothing.
Susie
I’m one debt collection letter away from being hauled to court. I didn’t think helping my family would leave me almost destitute. My dancing job doesn’t make enough to keep the wolves from the door. But when a handsome stranger saves me from an awkward encounter with an unwanted admirer, it’s a debt I don’t mind paying. Until he sets out his terms that is. His offer will free me from my money troubles, but is selling myself to fool his family going to eventually drown me in shame?
Ryan
My playboy lifestyle is catching up with me fast. I know I need to smarten up if I’m to have any chance of taking over my father’s business, but living with a heart that’s been torn to pieces isn’t easy. A damsel in distress gives me the means to prove my worth, but I’m not prepared when she captivates me. She’s more than a business deal, but my heart simply can’t handle being broken again when we have to part ways. I’m terrified of what my life will look like, with or without her, but when my family needs me, my happiness means nothing.
282 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 28, 2023
20 people are currently reading
112 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 20, 2024
Very predictable. FMC is a down-on-her luck sex worker, MMC is a billionaire playboy, he needs his parents to take him seriously so he does the insane thing of propositioning a woman to be his fake girlfriend instead actually growing up. But all of a sudden as soon as he meets the FMC, no other woman can satisfy him,
suddenly he hates fake hair and chicks who wear makeup, so he deletes all his hookups from his phone and goes legit.
The author can’t do math and thinks that the MMC’s parents are retirement age and/or old enough to start talking about “whatever time we have left” when in fact the mom cannot be older than 56 based on the information we have:
- The MMC is 14 years older than his little sister
- She was a surprise baby, Mom went to the hospital thinking she was in early menopause
- Early menopause is defined as pre-age 40.
- Therefore she could have been no older than 26 when she had the MMC
- The MMC is 30 now.
Rich people absolutely retire in their 50s, obviously, but they’re not going to be talking about “the time they have left”; they’re more likely to be planning to live another 50 years. Talk to somebody in their 50s sometime, you guys. I promise they’re not doddering senior citizens.
There are a few typical billionaire romance scenes. They go to a Michelin star restaurant without a reservation. They go to a casino opening where the MMC’s assistant picks out a killer outfit for the FMC and all she has to do is show up. Lunch with MMC’s dad, tea with his mom, a tearful confession about why his marriage ended with his ex-wife, he watches her dance at her cabaret, she goes with him to a garden party, blah blah blah there’s a mean SIL, blah blah third act breakup, blah blah HEA.
Spicy scenes are forgettable, banter is meh. If this is your niche, you’ll probably like it.
suddenly he hates fake hair and chicks who wear makeup, so he deletes all his hookups from his phone and goes legit.
The author can’t do math and thinks that the MMC’s parents are retirement age and/or old enough to start talking about “whatever time we have left” when in fact the mom cannot be older than 56 based on the information we have:
- The MMC is 14 years older than his little sister
- She was a surprise baby, Mom went to the hospital thinking she was in early menopause
- Early menopause is defined as pre-age 40.
- Therefore she could have been no older than 26 when she had the MMC
- The MMC is 30 now.
Rich people absolutely retire in their 50s, obviously, but they’re not going to be talking about “the time they have left”; they’re more likely to be planning to live another 50 years. Talk to somebody in their 50s sometime, you guys. I promise they’re not doddering senior citizens.
There are a few typical billionaire romance scenes. They go to a Michelin star restaurant without a reservation. They go to a casino opening where the MMC’s assistant picks out a killer outfit for the FMC and all she has to do is show up. Lunch with MMC’s dad, tea with his mom, a tearful confession about why his marriage ended with his ex-wife, he watches her dance at her cabaret, she goes with him to a garden party, blah blah blah there’s a mean SIL, blah blah third act breakup, blah blah HEA.
Spicy scenes are forgettable, banter is meh. If this is your niche, you’ll probably like it.
January 21, 2024
I don't usually enjoy the fake dating trope, but Stewart did a brilliant job of this one. It wasn't only believable, but also really intense because as the characters fell in love I really started hoping their little agreement wouldn't come out, but then it did and everything disintegrated. Thankfully, a few deft twists with Ryan getting himself together and doing things right meant I did get the HEA I was hoping for.
Additionally, I'm really impressed with how this author always manages to represent victims of abuse in the most respectful ways. In this particular case, the unexpected example of a male victim of abuse was especially well done and very much appreciated, as it is a form that is so rare and therefore often overlooked and even belittled. So, having it feature in this book came as a pleasant surprise.
I always love Stewart's characters. They are well thought out with believable flaws and always have a lot of growing to do. Their stories are beautifully portrayed and Inventing Us is no exception. Susie and Ryan were a great couple, and the cast of supporting characters added so much.
If you like steamy romances, you can pick up almost any one of Stewart's books as most are standalones with interconnections you can read in any order.
Additionally, I'm really impressed with how this author always manages to represent victims of abuse in the most respectful ways. In this particular case, the unexpected example of a male victim of abuse was especially well done and very much appreciated, as it is a form that is so rare and therefore often overlooked and even belittled. So, having it feature in this book came as a pleasant surprise.
I always love Stewart's characters. They are well thought out with believable flaws and always have a lot of growing to do. Their stories are beautifully portrayed and Inventing Us is no exception. Susie and Ryan were a great couple, and the cast of supporting characters added so much.
If you like steamy romances, you can pick up almost any one of Stewart's books as most are standalones with interconnections you can read in any order.
July 28, 2024
Between 4 and 4.5 stars. Scottish setting. She works as burlesque dancer and he is about to take over huge casino business. However his wife had a miscarriage and it broke their marriage - thus throwing him into a spiral of sleeping around. His dad doesn't trust him so he needs a 'stable' relationship. He asks her to date him and he'll pay off her debt. Her father was abusive and she got her sister out of a similar situation. They have a strong connection, but I didn't love how the third act break up was. It had to happen with the fake dating trope that they are discovered but it could have been done better.
July 25, 2024
Absolutely loved this book by C.L. Stewart. I love how all her stories have depth to them and not just focusing on insta lust! And she delivered beautifully on such a tough subject, the coverage she did for male victims of domestic abuse, was a powerful moment within the story and I'm glad it was included in a respectful way. Susie and Ryan were perfect for each other, it was refreshing that they both come from such different backgrounds but overtime their chemistry just flew and I was hoping and praying they would stay together 😊 love this story and can't wait for the next in this series.
June 20, 2024
brilliant!!
This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I’ve really enjoyed it! In fact I’ll be going back and reading all the previous ones too! Susie is having a few problems and Ryan, well Ryan has had a some in his past that he hasn’t resolved at all. It all starts with a proposition that can benefit them both, but things never go to plan!!
This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I’ve really enjoyed it! In fact I’ll be going back and reading all the previous ones too! Susie is having a few problems and Ryan, well Ryan has had a some in his past that he hasn’t resolved at all. It all starts with a proposition that can benefit them both, but things never go to plan!!
November 28, 2023
I adored This book.
Ryan and Susie are amazing together. I loved their chemistry, and their story. Loved how they were both so loyal to their families. Some amazing spicy scenes.
Kept me hooked throughout ❤️
Amazing
Ryan and Susie are amazing together. I loved their chemistry, and their story. Loved how they were both so loyal to their families. Some amazing spicy scenes.
Kept me hooked throughout ❤️
Amazing
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews