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Once Upon a Time #1
The Temporary Wife
Once upon a time, there was a young woman called Liesel Brooks who came to Everwood to marry a reluctant prince who thought he wanted another.
Now, Liesel would never have agreed to marry the prince if she’d known he belonged to another woman, but her father, who was dying, had insisted that the prince wanted her and that he wanted her safe after he was gone. You see, Liesel had an autoimmune disease that wouldn’t kill her but gave her pain nearly every day of her life. She bore the pain gracefully and created magical paintings that turned her agony into beauty.
So, Liesel arrived in Everwood, a beautiful wine town where her future husband owned Callahan Vineyards. He was handsome. He was smart. He was not happy about marrying her. She was a slight, dainty, almost fairylike woman with a face that would not launch even one ship, but then Atlas Callahan didn’t see her heart, which would have launched thousands.
Kind, wonderful, big-hearted Liesel married her prince, and…no, they didn’t live happily ever after...well, not until there was magic.
I am Seraphina Vine, the fairy godmother of Everwood. I bring lost souls and broken hearts together. So, I wave my magic wand and tell you the story of a little match girl who brought light into the life of a reluctant prince.
If you love the arranged marriage/marriage of convenience trope and are fans of authors such as Catharina Maura and Shain Rose, you'll love this series.
Publisher's Note: A Temporary Wife is the first book in the Once Upon A Time series and is based on the H.C. Andersen fairytale, The Little Match Girl. This is a standalone book with a very happy fairytale ending.
Now, Liesel would never have agreed to marry the prince if she’d known he belonged to another woman, but her father, who was dying, had insisted that the prince wanted her and that he wanted her safe after he was gone. You see, Liesel had an autoimmune disease that wouldn’t kill her but gave her pain nearly every day of her life. She bore the pain gracefully and created magical paintings that turned her agony into beauty.
So, Liesel arrived in Everwood, a beautiful wine town where her future husband owned Callahan Vineyards. He was handsome. He was smart. He was not happy about marrying her. She was a slight, dainty, almost fairylike woman with a face that would not launch even one ship, but then Atlas Callahan didn’t see her heart, which would have launched thousands.
Kind, wonderful, big-hearted Liesel married her prince, and…no, they didn’t live happily ever after...well, not until there was magic.
I am Seraphina Vine, the fairy godmother of Everwood. I bring lost souls and broken hearts together. So, I wave my magic wand and tell you the story of a little match girl who brought light into the life of a reluctant prince.
If you love the arranged marriage/marriage of convenience trope and are fans of authors such as Catharina Maura and Shain Rose, you'll love this series.
Publisher's Note: A Temporary Wife is the first book in the Once Upon A Time series and is based on the H.C. Andersen fairytale, The Little Match Girl. This is a standalone book with a very happy fairytale ending.
354 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2022
918 people are currently reading
772 people want to read
About the author
Maya Alden
53 books1,113 followersA top 20 Amazon Bestselling Author, Maya Alden pens angsty contemporary romances.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 192 reviews
August 31, 2025
1. I didn’t like the main characters very much. Atlas was an a$$ who didn’t know what he wanted and Leisel was a doormat. Atlas kept being sweet to her and then pushing her away, telling her she would always be family and then snapping her head off, telling her how much he wanted to have sex with her and then rejecting her and she just took it all with a smile and kept coming back for more.
2. After Atlas promised Leisel that he would keep his wedding vows, she walked into his office and found him in a near embrace with his ex-girlfriend and she apologized and left???
3. I don’t know why I bothered to read this book. I’ve read two other books by this author and both of the FMCs were spineless doormats. This one was no different.
4. The conflicts in this book made no sense. Leisel kept her RA from Atlas because she was independent and didn’t want other people taking care of her. Atlas got mad at her for not telling him because he wanted to be there for her. Then, after he found out, he avoided her for over a month because he was “tired” of “always being there for others” and he didn’t want to have to take care of her
5. I’m getting tired of Atlas’ back-and-forth about everything.
a. He and Leisel agreed that sex was going to be part of their marriage but every time Leisel let him know that she wanted him, he rejected her.
b. He resented having to break up with Daphne because he was thinking of marrying her. Then, he realized that he didn’t miss her and he was glad that he broke up with her. Then, every time something happened with Leisel that he didn’t like, he started thinking about how much better Daphne would have been for him. Then, he realized that marrying Daphne would never have worked because he didn’t love her and he was back to being glad that he broke off with her.
c. Atlas kept thinking that Leisel was way too young for him. Then, he would realize how strong and mature she was to have handled so much in her life. Then, she would do something that he didn’t like and he’d start calling her a child again and thinking how much better he would have been with Daphne.
6. It made no sense that Leisel’s father was so insistent on an arranged marriage between her and Atlas. Leisel was strong and independent, a talented artist whose work was in great demand and that had made her independently wealthy. She certainly didn’t need anyone to take care of her.
7. “I was a thirty-six-year-old man accusing her of being a child, but I was the one that was behaving like one.” At 91%, this is the FIRST honest thing that Atlas has said.
8. Atlas confided in his ex-girlfriend, Daphne, and told her that his marriage to Leisel wasn’t real. He even told her that he was thinking of living separately from Leisel for the rest of his marriage and asked Daphne’s advice. Leisel overheard this conversation and instead of feeling furious and betrayed, she spent two days and nights painting a mural on his office wall as a Xmas present and pretended that everything was ok.
9. After Atlas finally got his head out of his a$$ and realized that he loved Leisel, he barely apologized to her and everything was forgotten. 🤬
2. After Atlas promised Leisel that he would keep his wedding vows, she walked into his office and found him in a near embrace with his ex-girlfriend and she apologized and left???
3. I don’t know why I bothered to read this book. I’ve read two other books by this author and both of the FMCs were spineless doormats. This one was no different.
4. The conflicts in this book made no sense. Leisel kept her RA from Atlas because she was independent and didn’t want other people taking care of her. Atlas got mad at her for not telling him because he wanted to be there for her. Then, after he found out, he avoided her for over a month because he was “tired” of “always being there for others” and he didn’t want to have to take care of her
5. I’m getting tired of Atlas’ back-and-forth about everything.
a. He and Leisel agreed that sex was going to be part of their marriage but every time Leisel let him know that she wanted him, he rejected her.
b. He resented having to break up with Daphne because he was thinking of marrying her. Then, he realized that he didn’t miss her and he was glad that he broke up with her. Then, every time something happened with Leisel that he didn’t like, he started thinking about how much better Daphne would have been for him. Then, he realized that marrying Daphne would never have worked because he didn’t love her and he was back to being glad that he broke off with her.
c. Atlas kept thinking that Leisel was way too young for him. Then, he would realize how strong and mature she was to have handled so much in her life. Then, she would do something that he didn’t like and he’d start calling her a child again and thinking how much better he would have been with Daphne.
6. It made no sense that Leisel’s father was so insistent on an arranged marriage between her and Atlas. Leisel was strong and independent, a talented artist whose work was in great demand and that had made her independently wealthy. She certainly didn’t need anyone to take care of her.
7. “I was a thirty-six-year-old man accusing her of being a child, but I was the one that was behaving like one.” At 91%, this is the FIRST honest thing that Atlas has said.
8. Atlas confided in his ex-girlfriend, Daphne, and told her that his marriage to Leisel wasn’t real. He even told her that he was thinking of living separately from Leisel for the rest of his marriage and asked Daphne’s advice. Leisel overheard this conversation and instead of feeling furious and betrayed, she spent two days and nights painting a mural on his office wall as a Xmas present and pretended that everything was ok.
9. After Atlas finally got his head out of his a$$ and realized that he loved Leisel, he barely apologized to her and everything was forgotten. 🤬
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 10, 2023
0/5 Should’ve listened to the one-star reviews. A complete time-waster this one turned out to be.
Note to self: Skip this author next time. If you forget and need to remind yourself the kind of stories she weaves refer to review below.
***
Seems Maya Alden has a habit of making all her characters turn out to be desperate doormats and arrogant aholes. It’s actually painful to read the predictable progression of her couples.
Every Maya Alden book:
It’s always the “not beautiful” virgin girl who falls first for the “hot, unattainable” and I’d say experienced but really it’s just a slutty guy. It’s always the girl who caters to the disgusting mood swings of the guy. And always the girl who gets her stupidity handed back to her on a silver platter but stubbornly clings to the guy like white on rice. Then the guy realizes how horrible he had been and literally does the absolute bare minimum to win her back. And because said girl is a desperate doormat she takes him back with open arms which quite literally happened here. Oh and did I mention the guaranteed other woman drama?
The end.
And the cycle begins again albeit dressed up in a different book title and different character names. I’m not kidding when I say that this is EVERY. SINGLE. BOOK.
Maya Alden is unoriginal, repetitive and drab in all her stories. Her formula falls in the same exact irritating pattern and her characters remain unremarkable and dull. This was my last chance book from her. I really wanted to like at least ONE of her works, but alas tired and corny does not seem to be my type no matter how hard I try.
Note to self: Skip this author next time. If you forget and need to remind yourself the kind of stories she weaves refer to review below.
***
Seems Maya Alden has a habit of making all her characters turn out to be desperate doormats and arrogant aholes. It’s actually painful to read the predictable progression of her couples.
Every Maya Alden book:
It’s always the “not beautiful” virgin girl who falls first for the “hot, unattainable” and I’d say experienced but really it’s just a slutty guy. It’s always the girl who caters to the disgusting mood swings of the guy. And always the girl who gets her stupidity handed back to her on a silver platter but stubbornly clings to the guy like white on rice. Then the guy realizes how horrible he had been and literally does the absolute bare minimum to win her back. And because said girl is a desperate doormat she takes him back with open arms which quite literally happened here. Oh and did I mention the guaranteed other woman drama?
The end.
And the cycle begins again albeit dressed up in a different book title and different character names. I’m not kidding when I say that this is EVERY. SINGLE. BOOK.
Maya Alden is unoriginal, repetitive and drab in all her stories. Her formula falls in the same exact irritating pattern and her characters remain unremarkable and dull. This was my last chance book from her. I really wanted to like at least ONE of her works, but alas tired and corny does not seem to be my type no matter how hard I try.
November 15, 2025
A pleasant reading though I would like a little bit more angst in some points. The heroine was too much kind hearted for my liking. She should have given him grief for how the hero treated her
November 30, 2023
Author has a hard on for spineless pathetic women maybe because she is one in real life and wanted a fairy tale come true in fiction 🌚
That aside, this and The Wrong Bride by her all encompasses same formula. Someone please tell her that VERBALLY ABUSIVE men IS NOT ROMANTIC 🥰 shocker! I know 🫢
It seems the author’s FMCs were stuck in fuckin 1783 🙄because of the amount of shittery they can swallow for men is out of this world. Christ sometimes it’s embarrassing to be the same gender as them 🤠
That aside, this and The Wrong Bride by her all encompasses same formula. Someone please tell her that VERBALLY ABUSIVE men IS NOT ROMANTIC 🥰 shocker! I know 🫢
It seems the author’s FMCs were stuck in fuckin 1783 🙄because of the amount of shittery they can swallow for men is out of this world. Christ sometimes it’s embarrassing to be the same gender as them 🤠
dnf
January 11, 2024I think this is a case of "It's me, not the book", but I'm bored as hell and I just don't want to read this story anymore.
November 14, 2024
Let me preface these complaints by saying Alden is my favorite romance author currently. Her books are getting better and better. This book is VERY MUCH worth a read as this author’s storytelling is so talented.
Spoiler alert 🚨
Liesel was wayyyyyy too forgiving. More groveling was in order. Atlas was a spoiled man child.
Spoiler alert 🚨
Liesel was wayyyyyy too forgiving. More groveling was in order. Atlas was a spoiled man child.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 23, 2024
It's been a while since I read this.
More of downer than the typical rage read over a Maya Alden H.
More of downer than the typical rage read over a Maya Alden H.
June 14, 2024
2.5 Stars.
-Marriage of Convenience Trope.
-Heroine with a disease
-Hero Asshole
-Hero is in denial
-Manwhore gets virgin
-Hero Behaves badly
-He is not worthy of her
-Fairytale vibes got wasted in the hero's assholeness
-He was dating another woman to get access to the vineyard he broke up with her and married the heroine.
The good thing about the book:
-It was safe.
-He is faithful to her after he learns that he has to marry her to get the vineyard.
-After he broke up with OW, he blatantly discouraged her from any further relationship.
-Marriage of Convenience Trope.
-Heroine with a disease
-Hero Asshole
-Hero is in denial
-Manwhore gets virgin
-Hero Behaves badly
-He is not worthy of her
-Fairytale vibes got wasted in the hero's assholeness
-He was dating another woman to get access to the vineyard he broke up with her and married the heroine.
The good thing about the book:
-It was safe.
-He is faithful to her after he learns that he has to marry her to get the vineyard.
-After he broke up with OW, he blatantly discouraged her from any further relationship.
February 25, 2024
3 ⭐⭐⭐ - OK or decent reads
===========================
Our hero is full of issues and an asshole with our heroine. He and his ex-lover feel superior because she is younger. Bunch of imbeciles. But I read until the end, which is a bonus.
===========================
Our hero is full of issues and an asshole with our heroine. He and his ex-lover feel superior because she is younger. Bunch of imbeciles. But I read until the end, which is a bonus.
October 20, 2024
Why a very successful prodigy an unhealthy artist do work in a bar?
November 18, 2023
I immediately jumped at the chance to read this book because it's a marriage of convenience trope, and I'm all for the "My Wife" moments.
I loved all the jealousy moments and the way he calls her Angel and can be a little twerp🤭😂. Little mentions of south asian things ,felt connected to the book.
It started well, giving me all the age gap feels, but as I progressed through the book, I became increasingly irritated by Atlas, the male main character (MMC). He is so hot and cold with the female main character (FMC) throughout the book. He clearly doesn't know what he wants when it comes to her. The number of times he called her "Young" or "kid" was just ughhh!!!
It's unbelievable that she fell in love with him just after her first sexual experience, considering how rude he was to her beforehand. 🙃🙃🙃
His apology for his actions felt inadequate, and everything felt rushed in the last part of the book.
Tropes:
Arranged marriage
Age gap
Small town
Artist FMC
No cheating
Spice:🌶️🌶️
November 2, 2023
magic
strong heroine
age gap
perfect
strong heroine
age gap
perfect
November 13, 2023
sorry this wasn’t a good book to me
Spoilers:
I like the wrong wife better than this one, although that one wasn’t a 5 star either. Doubt i read any more books I honestly liked Orion. I would have preferred him than Atlas with liesel. I have never disliked a main male character as much is him. I’ve been irritated, annoyed, not being able to connect, but honestly, I really did not like Atlas. I do not even know where to begin. Iamb about to go on a rant first, he says she is waif looking then the very next page he saying he couldn’t stop his self from kissing her. I’m like what??? Then the main thing that got me was she asked to stay in her hometown he told her no everybody had to believe it was real, but he brought up his mouth to everybody his siblings I could understand, but everybody knew it wasn’t a real marriage. He even end up telling his ex, which really disturbing me because I felt like why was it any of her business to know at all? He kept shutting her down after their hot and heavy encounters to remind her that is a temporary marriage. That part disgusted me, and was even worse when he found out that she had RA. He kept calling her a child, but then referred to her as a sick child that he had to take care of and I’m like she never ask you to take care of her. She has been taking care of her self before she met you, I didn’t like that part, I didn’t like how he kept comparing her to his ex in a manner of saying she’s a child his ex was a woman and she took care of everything. Let me not forget he got mad at the fact that she said she was not feeling well doing her father’s memorial, even if she didn’t have RA she could’ve been feeling down emotionally. Mentally this could’ve been too much for her buddy he in them getting mad at her and yelling at her. I feel like she should’ve stood up for herself more, but I also did see how strong she was as a person I think I really just didn’t like the end because I felt she should’ve left him like the way he treated her and it just baffles me that he kept calling her a kid but he was the one being wishy-washy one minute he’s lovey-dovey. The next is just temporary don’t get any ideas getting jealous because his brother is helping her drive that didn’t make me feel the connection. It Just disturbed me because I get that you can be confused. Not sure about being in love, but his character throughout the whole book was wishy-washy only at the end was when he was oh I’m all in, but I don’t feel like I got the feel of how he got all in. I just could not connect to him. I like the female main character, but I also felt like she deserved better. This story wasn’t it, and I felt like I kept reading it because I wanted to see when his actions were changed in the fact that he literally did not do the whole Book. I just have no words. Also, there was a lot of errors.
Spoilers:
I like the wrong wife better than this one, although that one wasn’t a 5 star either. Doubt i read any more books I honestly liked Orion. I would have preferred him than Atlas with liesel. I have never disliked a main male character as much is him. I’ve been irritated, annoyed, not being able to connect, but honestly, I really did not like Atlas. I do not even know where to begin. Iamb about to go on a rant first, he says she is waif looking then the very next page he saying he couldn’t stop his self from kissing her. I’m like what??? Then the main thing that got me was she asked to stay in her hometown he told her no everybody had to believe it was real, but he brought up his mouth to everybody his siblings I could understand, but everybody knew it wasn’t a real marriage. He even end up telling his ex, which really disturbing me because I felt like why was it any of her business to know at all? He kept shutting her down after their hot and heavy encounters to remind her that is a temporary marriage. That part disgusted me, and was even worse when he found out that she had RA. He kept calling her a child, but then referred to her as a sick child that he had to take care of and I’m like she never ask you to take care of her. She has been taking care of her self before she met you, I didn’t like that part, I didn’t like how he kept comparing her to his ex in a manner of saying she’s a child his ex was a woman and she took care of everything. Let me not forget he got mad at the fact that she said she was not feeling well doing her father’s memorial, even if she didn’t have RA she could’ve been feeling down emotionally. Mentally this could’ve been too much for her buddy he in them getting mad at her and yelling at her. I feel like she should’ve stood up for herself more, but I also did see how strong she was as a person I think I really just didn’t like the end because I felt she should’ve left him like the way he treated her and it just baffles me that he kept calling her a kid but he was the one being wishy-washy one minute he’s lovey-dovey. The next is just temporary don’t get any ideas getting jealous because his brother is helping her drive that didn’t make me feel the connection. It Just disturbed me because I get that you can be confused. Not sure about being in love, but his character throughout the whole book was wishy-washy only at the end was when he was oh I’m all in, but I don’t feel like I got the feel of how he got all in. I just could not connect to him. I like the female main character, but I also felt like she deserved better. This story wasn’t it, and I felt like I kept reading it because I wanted to see when his actions were changed in the fact that he literally did not do the whole Book. I just have no words. Also, there was a lot of errors.
dnf
March 18, 2024DNF because I'm bored out of my mind and would rather do housework than read, and I've been trying to read this for nearly 2 weeks. I'm out @ 32%
November 13, 2023
3.75 stars :)
Synopsis: Liesel is a resilient 23-year-old grappling with early-onset Rheumatoid Arthritis, but she defies the constraints of her condition by transforming adversity into artistic success. Having shouldered the responsibilities of caring for her divorced parents before their passings, Liesel is a powerhouse. Atlas, thrust into adulthood at 18 after the sudden loss of his parents, becomes the linchpin for his younger siblings and his struggling family winery. Liesel's father, Enzo, is a father-figure to Atlas, and on his deathbed, extracts a promise for him to marry Liesel, ensuring her future well-being. Despite their age difference, the two agree to a two-year marriage of convenience, after which they plan to divorce with Liesel forfeiting her share of the winery to Atlas.
One of my favourite things about The Temporary Wife is the subtle allusions to fairytales. The imagery of the winery, Seraphina's 'fairy godmother' character, the character tropes, and the way in which Liesel's character is described. Obviously, the romance itself between the MC and FC is pretty magical, too. I also loved the inclusion of various ethnicities amongst the cast of characters, like Liesel's best friend. Additionally, Atlas's relationship with his younger siblings, Ariel and Orion, adds a genuine touch of authenticity to the story. Their interactions are heartwarming and humorous, and they feel like a real family. The way in which Ariel and Orion also accept Liesel into their family with open arms was lovely to see; I loved how Liesel and Ariel became like sisters.
I will say that there were aspects of the main characters that I didn't exactly love, like Atlas' stubbornness and Liesel's proclivity to be, well, sort of complacent with it all There are times where Atlas treats her so poorly, yet she forgives him instantly or worse, apologizes to him. I know she's only 23, but in my opinion, 23-year-olds should still know when to grow a spine. Regardless, The Temporary Wife was quite an enjoyable story, and I can't wait to see what the author does with the rest of the Once Upon a Time series.
Thank you to the author via Bookinfluencers.com for providing me with a digital copy of The Temporary Wife in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Synopsis: Liesel is a resilient 23-year-old grappling with early-onset Rheumatoid Arthritis, but she defies the constraints of her condition by transforming adversity into artistic success. Having shouldered the responsibilities of caring for her divorced parents before their passings, Liesel is a powerhouse. Atlas, thrust into adulthood at 18 after the sudden loss of his parents, becomes the linchpin for his younger siblings and his struggling family winery. Liesel's father, Enzo, is a father-figure to Atlas, and on his deathbed, extracts a promise for him to marry Liesel, ensuring her future well-being. Despite their age difference, the two agree to a two-year marriage of convenience, after which they plan to divorce with Liesel forfeiting her share of the winery to Atlas.
One of my favourite things about The Temporary Wife is the subtle allusions to fairytales. The imagery of the winery, Seraphina's 'fairy godmother' character, the character tropes, and the way in which Liesel's character is described. Obviously, the romance itself between the MC and FC is pretty magical, too. I also loved the inclusion of various ethnicities amongst the cast of characters, like Liesel's best friend. Additionally, Atlas's relationship with his younger siblings, Ariel and Orion, adds a genuine touch of authenticity to the story. Their interactions are heartwarming and humorous, and they feel like a real family. The way in which Ariel and Orion also accept Liesel into their family with open arms was lovely to see; I loved how Liesel and Ariel became like sisters.
I will say that there were aspects of the main characters that I didn't exactly love, like Atlas' stubbornness and Liesel's proclivity to be, well, sort of complacent with it all There are times where Atlas treats her so poorly, yet she forgives him instantly or worse, apologizes to him. I know she's only 23, but in my opinion, 23-year-olds should still know when to grow a spine. Regardless, The Temporary Wife was quite an enjoyable story, and I can't wait to see what the author does with the rest of the Once Upon a Time series.
Thank you to the author via Bookinfluencers.com for providing me with a digital copy of The Temporary Wife in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
October 31, 2023
I'm a woman of simple needs. Give me a man who can keep my mind occupied 24/7. Plus points if he knows his way around the clit0ris. More plus points if he owns a Wine bizz (Vintners having s€x is a legit genre. Ask @giovannasiniscalchi or Tessa Bailey) Plus(er) points if it has a fairy godmother (translation: meddling old lady)
So yes, Atlas Callahan, CEO of a small town wine bizz has to marry his mentor's daughter. Why? I dunno ask Maya. Anyway, they do. And Atlas thinks his wife is waif-like (I had to look up what the word meant, Man is stuck in the 80s) He thinks she's too young for him. And that she isn't fit for him as a partner (a bit late to that thought considering they kinda....married) On the contrary Liesel has a big-a$$ crush on Atlas (who conveniently happens to be her hubby. Sis is living the life)
They have to overcome their mental barriers to make this thing work. And plot-twist, Liesel suffers from a chronic condition that leaves her in a state of pain and weakness frequently. Jokes aside, Maya has done a great job realistically portraying Rheumatoid Arthritis and for not romanticising a health condition.
This doesn't mean I didn't fantasize about skinny dipping with Atlas. Any sane woman would.
This book has enough *eggplant action* to keep a girl entertained. But clearly not enough because I'm insatiable. Hopefully, the other brother, Orion gets his share of scandalous s€x. Maya laid an amazing groundwork for the future stories (which I'm hoping there are) so I can't wait to read them. I'm also particularly glad Maya kept the 'other woman' scene minimal and refreshing . For what it's worth I believe Daphne deserves a happy ending too
So yes, Atlas Callahan, CEO of a small town wine bizz has to marry his mentor's daughter. Why? I dunno ask Maya. Anyway, they do. And Atlas thinks his wife is waif-like (I had to look up what the word meant, Man is stuck in the 80s) He thinks she's too young for him. And that she isn't fit for him as a partner (a bit late to that thought considering they kinda....married) On the contrary Liesel has a big-a$$ crush on Atlas (who conveniently happens to be her hubby. Sis is living the life)
They have to overcome their mental barriers to make this thing work. And plot-twist, Liesel suffers from a chronic condition that leaves her in a state of pain and weakness frequently. Jokes aside, Maya has done a great job realistically portraying Rheumatoid Arthritis and for not romanticising a health condition.
This doesn't mean I didn't fantasize about skinny dipping with Atlas. Any sane woman would.
This book has enough *eggplant action* to keep a girl entertained. But clearly not enough because I'm insatiable. Hopefully, the other brother, Orion gets his share of scandalous s€x. Maya laid an amazing groundwork for the future stories (which I'm hoping there are) so I can't wait to read them. I'm also particularly glad Maya kept the 'other woman' scene minimal and refreshing . For what it's worth I believe Daphne deserves a happy ending too
October 29, 2023
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice 🥵🥵
Read this book if you like:
✨Arranged Marriage
✨Age Gap
✨Small Town Romance
✨Chronic Illness Rep
✨Based on the Fairy tale- The Little Match Girl
Liesel is suffering from RA bugs it’s always her who took care of everything, her father is dying and wants her to marry Atlas Callahan who owns the Vineyard Callahan Vineyard. Why does he have to marry? So that after 2 years Liesel can hand him over the 15% shares of the Vineyard her father owns.
This book is perfect for the holiday season, with a little bit of wine and magic it’s in the perfect setting of longing, lust, Resistance but connection ✨✨
“No, Angel, you’re beautiful. You shine from the inside out.”
Atlas has this feeling that he will break her or hurt but that it’s all temporary and she doesn’t deserve a connection that is destined to be broken but I understood what he felt… being the eldest child… his emotions and feelings were perfectly depicted ✨🤌🏼
“Well, I’m the one who will teach you to drive; and to make love.”
She is inexperienced to say the least, in the way how to live a life but also in how it feels to be loved and the rawness of emotion, the hurt she felt was perfectly written ✨💕 the chronic illness arc and how the couple navigates through it was so heartwarming 🥹
Also all the INDIAN/ SOUTH ASIAN REPRESENTATION was perfect, and felt like home✨
Spice 🥵🥵
Read this book if you like:
✨Arranged Marriage
✨Age Gap
✨Small Town Romance
✨Chronic Illness Rep
✨Based on the Fairy tale- The Little Match Girl
Liesel is suffering from RA bugs it’s always her who took care of everything, her father is dying and wants her to marry Atlas Callahan who owns the Vineyard Callahan Vineyard. Why does he have to marry? So that after 2 years Liesel can hand him over the 15% shares of the Vineyard her father owns.
This book is perfect for the holiday season, with a little bit of wine and magic it’s in the perfect setting of longing, lust, Resistance but connection ✨✨
“No, Angel, you’re beautiful. You shine from the inside out.”
Atlas has this feeling that he will break her or hurt but that it’s all temporary and she doesn’t deserve a connection that is destined to be broken but I understood what he felt… being the eldest child… his emotions and feelings were perfectly depicted ✨🤌🏼
“Well, I’m the one who will teach you to drive; and to make love.”
She is inexperienced to say the least, in the way how to live a life but also in how it feels to be loved and the rawness of emotion, the hurt she felt was perfectly written ✨💕 the chronic illness arc and how the couple navigates through it was so heartwarming 🥹
Also all the INDIAN/ SOUTH ASIAN REPRESENTATION was perfect, and felt like home✨
October 8, 2025
2.5 ⭐️ marriage of convenience
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If you’re going to have a MMC treat the FMC like shit then he better grovel and beg for forgiveness when he sees what he did wrong. 😑 This book had none of that and that really pisses me off.
The only redeeming factor in this book is that Liesel has an autoimmune disease. It was great to read about how it affects her life. However, after about halfway through the book it completely disappeared and wasn’t brought up. Also at one point she says she can’t drink alcohol because of her medications but then proceeds to drink a glass of wine every night. Which makes this whole auto immune storyline feel like it was added on rather than originally apart of the story.
The book also contained a lot of spelling and grammar errors that got really annoying to read. It definitely needed a proofread before having been published.
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— —
If you’re going to have a MMC treat the FMC like shit then he better grovel and beg for forgiveness when he sees what he did wrong. 😑 This book had none of that and that really pisses me off.
The only redeeming factor in this book is that Liesel has an autoimmune disease. It was great to read about how it affects her life. However, after about halfway through the book it completely disappeared and wasn’t brought up. Also at one point she says she can’t drink alcohol because of her medications but then proceeds to drink a glass of wine every night. Which makes this whole auto immune storyline feel like it was added on rather than originally apart of the story.
The book also contained a lot of spelling and grammar errors that got really annoying to read. It definitely needed a proofread before having been published.
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October 27, 2024
Very sweet
This story was very enjoyable. It wasn’t overly complicated and was filled with vivid descriptions of rich surroundings, with a touch of magic in the background.
Liesel was very sweet, possessing a quiet strength. Atlas was a man filled with contradictions. When he was around Liesel he would be relaxed and confident - until the moment began to fear the depths of his own feelings. At that point, he’d chastise *her* for being childish and reading too much into their situation. That became annoying after a while and Atlas showed he was the one who needed to grow up. I was glad they got their HEA.
The biggest issue for me with this book was the editing. Unfortunately, too many errors made their way into the manuscript (incorrect name used, missing words, change from first person to third person etc) and this took away from the feel of the book. I know this is unusual for Maya’s books and I really hope the next book does not have the same issues.
This story was very enjoyable. It wasn’t overly complicated and was filled with vivid descriptions of rich surroundings, with a touch of magic in the background.
Liesel was very sweet, possessing a quiet strength. Atlas was a man filled with contradictions. When he was around Liesel he would be relaxed and confident - until the moment began to fear the depths of his own feelings. At that point, he’d chastise *her* for being childish and reading too much into their situation. That became annoying after a while and Atlas showed he was the one who needed to grow up. I was glad they got their HEA.
The biggest issue for me with this book was the editing. Unfortunately, too many errors made their way into the manuscript (incorrect name used, missing words, change from first person to third person etc) and this took away from the feel of the book. I know this is unusual for Maya’s books and I really hope the next book does not have the same issues.
October 16, 2023
ARC copy for a review.
This is the best book I’ve read in awhile. It was so sweet. I love the character descriptions. Liesel is a wonder and expressed nicely with personality and how her RA has affected her impressions. Atlas is a PITA but in an understandable manner given his past. They come together nicely with their disagreements and disappointments but work through everything for a great HEA. I will definitely be continuing the series!
This is the best book I’ve read in awhile. It was so sweet. I love the character descriptions. Liesel is a wonder and expressed nicely with personality and how her RA has affected her impressions. Atlas is a PITA but in an understandable manner given his past. They come together nicely with their disagreements and disappointments but work through everything for a great HEA. I will definitely be continuing the series!
Read
November 19, 2023dnf; too short to be so boring
February 26, 2025
Reads like one of those short stories you get as ads when you’re playing games.
July 10, 2025
It started okay but bored me to tears from the middle to the end. Everything was just too convenient. The revelations, the sickness, money, temper, everything. Ugh. I knew what I was in for and was looking forward to it but it didn’t deliver well on its promise, sadly.
October 10, 2023
Really enjoyed this new series! Liesel is such a sweetheart, I LOVED everything the author made her to be! Loved how she doesn't let her RA condition define her and she overcomes her obstacles as they present themselves, though she is so young she is a great example for many and so mature. I have to admit I wanted to hit Atlas with a bat more than 1/2 the story. He was soooo stubborn I just wanted to have him near to slap some sense into him. Liesel was a blessing to him and he just wasn't appreciating her enough! (eye roll lol)
I'm so glad things ended up developing as they did and both their growth in the relationship they ended up forming. She finally had people that become friends and family for ever. I seriously can't wait for the next story.
Thank you for the ARC
I'm so glad things ended up developing as they did and both their growth in the relationship they ended up forming. She finally had people that become friends and family for ever. I seriously can't wait for the next story.
Thank you for the ARC
December 9, 2023
where is the chemistry?????
December 15, 2023
Nothing too exciting, rated R for the explicit sex and, hey, don't forget the wine!
If you're looking for a warm and comfortable read with a few steamy sex scenes and a happy ending, look no further. After Reading 1 too many dystopian future books I wanted a nice warm, guaranteed happy ending with some hot sex scenes. That's what I got.
A few nitpicks: Atlas' change of heart was a bit quick,followed by way too angst. And early on Lisel is too much of a super-cripp. But hang in there reader it does get better by the end.
As a bonus you'll learn a little something about wine tasting and pairing wines with certain meals.
If you're looking for a warm and comfortable read with a few steamy sex scenes and a happy ending, look no further. After Reading 1 too many dystopian future books I wanted a nice warm, guaranteed happy ending with some hot sex scenes. That's what I got.
A few nitpicks: Atlas' change of heart was a bit quick,followed by way too angst. And early on Lisel is too much of a super-cripp. But hang in there reader it does get better by the end.
As a bonus you'll learn a little something about wine tasting and pairing wines with certain meals.
March 20, 2024
2.5🌟. I liked reading about the MFC living with RA. The rest of the story did not interest me much. The “H” was such a Beta Male who couldn’t manage his own big boy emotions and so he took out those feelings on the h. Besides being really hot, I couldn’t figure out why the h wanted him so badly. She was rocking a lucrative art career and managing her illness. He seemed about as useful as an inflamed skin tag in an uncomfortable spot. 🙄
November 8, 2023
3,5
Non so se si è capito, ma in vetta alla mia lista dei miei trope preferiti c'è il cosiddetto "arranged marriage". Ha superato persino "enemies to lovers", trope del cuore degli ultimi anni. Diciamo che, se non c'è angst, non ci interessa. So benissimo che non stiamo parlando di capolavori e che, solitamente, la struttura di base di queste storie è sempre la stessa, ma questo non mi impedisce di leggermi almeno un paio di romanzi con "arranged marriage" al mese. Mi è capitato di trovare cose un po' trash e di dubbio gusto, ma ogni tanto saltano fuori delle letture interessanti, soprattutto grazie ai suggerimenti di Kindle Unlimited (ormai l'algoritmo sa bene cosa propinarmi).
"The Temporary Wife" rientra tranquillamente nella categoria "letture carine". A dirla tutta, so già che a gennaio recupererò anche il secondo volume della serie e che in futuro proverò anche altri romanzi della stessa autrice. Come detto prima, la struttura alla base di questa storia non è propriamente sinonimo di originalità, però ci sono alcuni dettagli che mi sono piaciuti in modo particolare. A partire dal tono vagamente fiabesco della narrazione, per arrivare al vero pezzo forte, la protagonista. Liesel non ha avuto una vita facile - divorzio dei genitori in tenera età, una madre non facile da gestire e morta prematuramente, una diagnosi precoce di artrite reumatoide. E ora, a 23 anni, il padre morente ha in serbo per lei una "bella" sorpresa: il matrimonio. Con un uomo di 13 anni più grande di lei, molto bene, ma anche poco entusiasta della cosa. Un uomo apparentemente innamorato di un'altra donna, che ha dovuto lasciare per poter rispettare questo patto. Ovviamente, l'inizio non è dei migliori, però Leisel saprà farsi ben volere da tutti, in primis dal cognato e dalla cognata, dai colleghi del marito, dalla gente del posto. Minuta e dallo stile boho-chic, ricorda un po' una fatina dei boschi. Liesel è una pittrice di talento, entra con entusiasmo nel mondo del marito - e ricordiamolo, Atlas è la sua primissima esperienza, sia a livello sentimentale che sessuale. È molto di più di una semplice ragazzina malata. Ha imparato a prendersi cura di se stessa e degli altri fin da piccola. Insomma, è una persona in gamba, che vive in maniera onesta e limpida i propri sentimenti. Tutto il contrario del suo caro marito.
Atlas è un personaggio un po' meno interessante rispetto a Liesel e decisamente più stereotipato. All'inizio del romanzo, lo troviamo comprensibilmente contrariato: il suo matrimonio con Leisel nasce da una sorta di ricatto. Il padre della ragazza, suo mentore e amico, ha minacciato di vendere le quote in suo possesso dell'azienda vinicola di Atlas in caso di suo rifiuto alle nozze. Ergo, lui ha le mani legate. Per questo motivo, ha dovuto troncare le cose con una tizia apparentemente adatta per lui, ma che di fatto non ha mai amato. Il problema di Atlas è che ha passato la vita a prendersi cura degli altri, a caricarsi sulle spalle varie responsabilità - far crescere il fratello e la sorella dopo la morte prematura dei genitori, prendere il comando in giovane età dell'azienda di famiglia, affrontare sfide e problemi ogni singolo giorno. Lui non ha alcuna intenzione di accollarsi un'ulteriore responsabilità. Non vuole prendersi cura di un'altra persona. Vuole qualcuno che possa aiutarlo a far fronte a tutti gli impegni. Qualcuno che, per una volta, sia disponibile a prendersi cura di lui. Liesel, almeno all'apparenza, non è proprio il suo tipo, però ne è attratto immediatamente. Probabilmente si innamora più velocemente del previsto, ma continuerà a negare fino quasi alla fine, insistendo che, dopotutto, si tratta solo di un matrimonio temporaneo. Due anni e poi ognuno per la sua strada (con lui che incassa anche le quote di proprietà di Liesel, che è pure disposta a regalargliele). Certo, siccome non vuol fare una vita da prete per 24 mesi, il sesso non può mancare, ma niente di più. Quando si leggono i capitoli dal suo punto di vista, si capisce subito quanto questo tizio sia innamorato. Roba da carie ai denti. La ragazzina che si ritrova davanti si dimostrerà molto più matura di lui: verrà accolta a braccia aperte dal resto della famiglia, si darà sempre da fare per supportarlo e per diventare parte integrante della sua vita. Tutti l'hanno capito, pure i muri. Tranne lui che si rifiuta di accettare questa cosa, rischiando così di mandare tutto all'aria. Insomma, un piccolo genio del male. Alla lunga la cantilena del "finto matrimonio", "matrimonio temporaneo" mi stava stancando. Fortunatamente sul finale ha cambiato registro, perché non se ne poteva più. Il personaggio della ex non mi ha fatto impazzire, ma su una cosa aveva ragione: se davvero per te questa cosa è destinata a durare solo due anni, allora non dovevi andarci a vivere insieme con questa persona, non ci dovevi andare a letto inseme, non dovevi alimentare false speranze. Meglio Liesel tutta la vita.
In conclusione, un libro carino che mi sento di consigliare agli amanti del genere e in cui vengono gettate le basi per il secondo volume, che sicuramente recupererò non appena uscirà. Promosso!
Non so se si è capito, ma in vetta alla mia lista dei miei trope preferiti c'è il cosiddetto "arranged marriage". Ha superato persino "enemies to lovers", trope del cuore degli ultimi anni. Diciamo che, se non c'è angst, non ci interessa. So benissimo che non stiamo parlando di capolavori e che, solitamente, la struttura di base di queste storie è sempre la stessa, ma questo non mi impedisce di leggermi almeno un paio di romanzi con "arranged marriage" al mese. Mi è capitato di trovare cose un po' trash e di dubbio gusto, ma ogni tanto saltano fuori delle letture interessanti, soprattutto grazie ai suggerimenti di Kindle Unlimited (ormai l'algoritmo sa bene cosa propinarmi).
"The Temporary Wife" rientra tranquillamente nella categoria "letture carine". A dirla tutta, so già che a gennaio recupererò anche il secondo volume della serie e che in futuro proverò anche altri romanzi della stessa autrice. Come detto prima, la struttura alla base di questa storia non è propriamente sinonimo di originalità, però ci sono alcuni dettagli che mi sono piaciuti in modo particolare. A partire dal tono vagamente fiabesco della narrazione, per arrivare al vero pezzo forte, la protagonista. Liesel non ha avuto una vita facile - divorzio dei genitori in tenera età, una madre non facile da gestire e morta prematuramente, una diagnosi precoce di artrite reumatoide. E ora, a 23 anni, il padre morente ha in serbo per lei una "bella" sorpresa: il matrimonio. Con un uomo di 13 anni più grande di lei, molto bene, ma anche poco entusiasta della cosa. Un uomo apparentemente innamorato di un'altra donna, che ha dovuto lasciare per poter rispettare questo patto. Ovviamente, l'inizio non è dei migliori, però Leisel saprà farsi ben volere da tutti, in primis dal cognato e dalla cognata, dai colleghi del marito, dalla gente del posto. Minuta e dallo stile boho-chic, ricorda un po' una fatina dei boschi. Liesel è una pittrice di talento, entra con entusiasmo nel mondo del marito - e ricordiamolo, Atlas è la sua primissima esperienza, sia a livello sentimentale che sessuale. È molto di più di una semplice ragazzina malata. Ha imparato a prendersi cura di se stessa e degli altri fin da piccola. Insomma, è una persona in gamba, che vive in maniera onesta e limpida i propri sentimenti. Tutto il contrario del suo caro marito.
Atlas è un personaggio un po' meno interessante rispetto a Liesel e decisamente più stereotipato. All'inizio del romanzo, lo troviamo comprensibilmente contrariato: il suo matrimonio con Leisel nasce da una sorta di ricatto. Il padre della ragazza, suo mentore e amico, ha minacciato di vendere le quote in suo possesso dell'azienda vinicola di Atlas in caso di suo rifiuto alle nozze. Ergo, lui ha le mani legate. Per questo motivo, ha dovuto troncare le cose con una tizia apparentemente adatta per lui, ma che di fatto non ha mai amato. Il problema di Atlas è che ha passato la vita a prendersi cura degli altri, a caricarsi sulle spalle varie responsabilità - far crescere il fratello e la sorella dopo la morte prematura dei genitori, prendere il comando in giovane età dell'azienda di famiglia, affrontare sfide e problemi ogni singolo giorno. Lui non ha alcuna intenzione di accollarsi un'ulteriore responsabilità. Non vuole prendersi cura di un'altra persona. Vuole qualcuno che possa aiutarlo a far fronte a tutti gli impegni. Qualcuno che, per una volta, sia disponibile a prendersi cura di lui. Liesel, almeno all'apparenza, non è proprio il suo tipo, però ne è attratto immediatamente. Probabilmente si innamora più velocemente del previsto, ma continuerà a negare fino quasi alla fine, insistendo che, dopotutto, si tratta solo di un matrimonio temporaneo. Due anni e poi ognuno per la sua strada (con lui che incassa anche le quote di proprietà di Liesel, che è pure disposta a regalargliele). Certo, siccome non vuol fare una vita da prete per 24 mesi, il sesso non può mancare, ma niente di più. Quando si leggono i capitoli dal suo punto di vista, si capisce subito quanto questo tizio sia innamorato. Roba da carie ai denti. La ragazzina che si ritrova davanti si dimostrerà molto più matura di lui: verrà accolta a braccia aperte dal resto della famiglia, si darà sempre da fare per supportarlo e per diventare parte integrante della sua vita. Tutti l'hanno capito, pure i muri. Tranne lui che si rifiuta di accettare questa cosa, rischiando così di mandare tutto all'aria. Insomma, un piccolo genio del male. Alla lunga la cantilena del "finto matrimonio", "matrimonio temporaneo" mi stava stancando. Fortunatamente sul finale ha cambiato registro, perché non se ne poteva più. Il personaggio della ex non mi ha fatto impazzire, ma su una cosa aveva ragione: se davvero per te questa cosa è destinata a durare solo due anni, allora non dovevi andarci a vivere insieme con questa persona, non ci dovevi andare a letto inseme, non dovevi alimentare false speranze. Meglio Liesel tutta la vita.
In conclusione, un libro carino che mi sento di consigliare agli amanti del genere e in cui vengono gettate le basi per il secondo volume, che sicuramente recupererò non appena uscirà. Promosso!
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