Yours Temporarily

by Rose Fresquez

I need a fake fiancée. She needs business funds. Can genuine feelings emerge from our pretend relationship?

My brother’s wedding is around the corner, and my mother wants to fix me up with my ex-girlfriend. Diving back into those troubled waters is the last thing on my agenda. Romance? That ship sailed, hit an iceberg, and sank.

When you’re the COO of one of the country’s top financial firms, who has time for love games? Especially when my no-nonsense approach hasn’t exactly made me Mr. Popular at the office.

But I need a fake fiancée, not just to nip my mom’s antics in the bud, but to show my ex how happy I’ve been since she stomped all over me.

My plan rolls in motion when Zuri Blackwood brings an unexpected twist to my well-ordered life.

When she agrees to pose as my fiance in exchange for funds for her cafe, the truth hits me. She's everything I never knew I needed—a breath of fresh air in my calculated existence. Suddenly, the thought of her being just a ruse doesn't sit well with me.

Can this charade morph into our undeniable reality?

295 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 16, 2024

Reviews

[Christian Shelves · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute romantic comedy with Zuri meeting her brother’s overbearing-at-first boss, Jeremy, and finding herself in a fake dating arrangement not long after that. Filled with engaging banter, I appreciated the honesty that both characters exhibited as they began to realize that their feelings became deeper for each other. With the setting of a cafe to draw readers along into some delightful culinary dishes, it was clear that there was chemistry in the kitchen and outside of it. The spiritual content kept Zuri and Jeremy’s story zipping along plenty of support from their friends and work community, which became more critical in facing family drama later on in the book.

Though there were some miscommunications along the way, I was grateful that Zuri and Jeremy approached their relationship with a little bit more maturity and ownership for their actions. It was refreshing to see their romance blossom over time as both of them refused to play games with the other person, instead opting for clarity despite any assumptions that could have arisen. Readers looking for a contemporary office romance who have read Rose Fresquez’s previous books will enjoy seeing cameos from other characters.

Review link: https://christianshelves.blogspot.com...

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This contemporary clean romance is page-turning with exceptional world-building and characters that are captivating, independent, and realistic. Their journey is enthralling with brother's wedding around the corner, mother wants to fix me up with my ex-girlfriend, doesn't want to dive back into those trouble waters of romance again because he has lost his faith of this happening in his life, COO of one of the country's top financial firs, needs a fake fiancee, not only to not his mom's antics but to show his ex just how happy he is after she stomped all over his heart, drama, heartfelt emotions, unexpected twists, posing as my fiancee in exchange for funds for er cafe, she is everything to me, a breath of fresh air that I never anticipated, friends/enemies-to-lovers, and more. I recommend reading this book by an extraordinary author who knows how to captivate her readers' hearts and attention with yours temporarily and a clean romance that is sure to transport readers into a world where impossibilities bloom for eternity and are unforgettable.

I received this book for free and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kenisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Your Story is beautiful and I love the flow of the book and characters. I like how you can feel the attraction of the two main characters, but not sexual for Zuri and Jeremy. The story feel real like you looking at someone else life, but it doesn't feel like you prying in their life.

I love how it clean and Christian not over the top and over dramatic. I like the pace.

His mother is overbearing for someone with grow children and have they own life. I want say to mommy let Jeremy alone and trying set him with a ex that hurt badly.

Zuri and Jeremy fighting they feeling and attractions for each other it is cute and funny, because I want push them together like fireworks do its job. I feels good reading clean Christian book.

I like how Zuri is a Christian share her life as Christian, but it not forceful or overwhelming. Even through Jeremy not Christian, but he opening it up let the conversation in and listen and interact positively.

I really love both characters relationship with there friends and siblings and you can see the genuine love between them with family and friendship. It make you smile and warm inside.

Jeremy have very good self control for someone have real attraction for another. I ready for them to kiss and admit they like each other, but at same you see self control for both of them it amazing.

I love how Zuri believe food bring people today and break barriers with people.

[Brenda Moser · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well written book with strong characters in Zuri and Jeremy. The author brings a fake fiance turned into love story, moves it fluidly with her descriptive scenes and delivers an enjoyable read.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and are freely given.

[Mary Calton Gerard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Smiling 😏

What a delightful story! Each time I read the author's writing I'm left with a sweet warm feeling. Most stories began with slightly broken characters that are united and completes a bond between them. Enjoyed the mention of past series characters, creates a real life feel.

[April Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can’t fake the real thing!

Zuri’s kindness has her extending a party invitation to her brother’s grumpy boss hoping to make things easy for her brother at work. Jeremy accepts the invite on impulse. Their friendship grows and they help each other out of a pinch, each secretly hoping that it could become more.

A clean, wholesome story with drama, romance, family, kindness, and a helping hand. There is a small element of faith woven through the dialogue and thoughts of the characters. I enjoyed the story. I received a complimentary copy and these are my voluntary and honest opinions. I was not required to leave a positive review.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this uplifting and fun story. Jeremy needs a "fake fiance" for his brother's wedding, because his manipulative mother is attempting to get him back together with his former fiance who left him to marry someone else (& has since divorced). He's COO of a top financial firm, committed, and dedicated to his job--a workaholic. Zuri loves everything food and is planning to open her own cafe. Her brother works for Jeremy and invites him to a party Zuri is hosting to showcase some of her foods. Zuri and Jeremy get off to a bumpy start but soon connect and spend their time at the party talking and getting to know each other. Zuri needs funds to open her cafe; Jeremy offers to pay her for posing as his "fake fiance". Zuri is an independent woman who loves her brother, even though he is controlling and smothers her with his concerns over her wellbeing. She's caring and tenderhearted, and even though she and Jeremy are total opposites, there's a connection neither can resist. The food fights, and honest conversations were heartwarming. Can these two make a forever connection, or will their fake engagement end after Jeremy's brother's wedding is over? I highly recommend this clean romance, as well as all of Ms. Fresquez's books.
I received a complimentary ARC of this book and have voluntarily given my honest opinion in this review.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book starts a new series The Office Heartthrobs Series. The main character in this story Jeremy Kress is actually the brother of Gavin Cress who was introduced in The Realtor's Attendant. Jeremy needs a fake fiance to attend his brother Gavin's wedding to Hope Njeri with him. He has to stop his mother's attempts to get him back together with his ex-girlfriend who had dumped him to elope with someone else. Jeremy has no desire to get his heart crushed again so he is very leery to get involved in another relationship. When Jeremy gets invited to one of his employees parties, he meets Zuri Blackwood, a very talented chef. The two of them really hit it off even though she is the sister of his employee, Damien.

Zuri is opening a cafe on the ground floor of the office that her brother works in. Her desire is to make the cafe where the employees can come for a brief reprieve from their work day. She has heard a lot from her brother Damien about his boss the COO of the company. She wants to meet him to see what he's really like so she has Damien invite him to a party to taste some of the foods she will be serving in her new cafe. Jeremy is much more outgoing than her brother led her to believe and they have a wonderful time together during her party.

Jeremy needs a fake fiance and Zuri needs some financial advice as she prepares to open the cafe. They make a deal to help one another by fake dating for a few months leading up to the wedding. Zuri will attend the wedding with him and after they will break up. In exchange Jeremy will help Zuri as she starts up her business with advice and giving her a loan.

When they begin to have true feelings for one another will Jeremy realize Zuri has added so much to his life and that he wants a real relationship?

I received a copy of this book from the author and this is my honest unbiased review.

[Caro · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very sweet and light read about Jeremy and Zuri. Jeremy’s mother Sara is very controlling and wants him to reunite with his ex Sonya. So he comes up with the idea of a fake fiancé to bring to his brother’s wedding. There’s isn’t much depth, it’s pretty straightforward, very easy, no angst, a clean romance.
Sara constantly trying to push Sonya into Jeremy’s face was pathetic; quite disturbing that two women can be so detached from reality.
Zuri’s friends were great. I wonder if there’s going to be a book about Nico and Lexi.
There was one thing that I found a bit strange: at one point in the book Zuri asked why Jeremy’s former fiancée Sonya would elope, but he only tells her that Sonya eloped after her question. So that seems to be a little error in the book?
Besides that, it’s a nice, clean story, a very light read that will be enjoyed by many.
I received an advanced reading copy and I am leaving an honest review voluntarily.

[Dena · Rating 3 out of 5]

This fake-to-real romance tells the story of Zuri and Jeremy. Jeremy (company COO) needs a date for his brother's wedding, and he meets Zuri (aspiring Chef) at a co-worker's party. The story was fine and easy to read, but there were a couple of details and comments that felt like they would be important details later, but did not advance the plot in any way. There were also a handful of other random details that were meant to add depth to characters but seemed forced and disrupted my suspension of disbelief. There were also quite a few cooking metaphors and they became a bit much for me.

I also felt that for a book tagged as a Christian Romance, that was only a very small part of the book, almost an afterthought.

But if you are looking for a fun, easy, clean romance then this book is probably one you will enjoy.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Sandra Benson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Great Story of Unexpected Love

Jeremy Kress and Zuri Blackwood couldn’t be more opposite on the surface. He is an uptight and rigidly scheduled business man who has no time for personal relationships. Zuri is a creative cook who has passion for opening her own restaurant and a free wheeling lifestyle. But personal problems with his mother’s expectations create a need for Jeremy to have a fake fiancé. Zuri comes into his life at the right time and fits the bill. He has no intention of falling in love with her, but God has another plan. A great story with pivotal scenes of tension, longing, romance, and unexpected complications. The pacing is good, the supporting characters are believable and the story continues the saga of the Kress family in a seamless and believable way.

[Marlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet romance. From strangers to fake dating & engagement, to possibly in love with each other. Jeremy is basically a workaholic who was burned by a former fiancee and has a controlling mother who is trying to set him up with the ex who ditched him before the wedding. Zuri is trying to open a Cafe in the building Jeremy works and also has relational trust issues. He needs a fake fiancé for an up coming wedding and she needs financial and business directional help. Zuri agrees to the fake relationship because Jeremy offers his help, financially & business sense wise. In an attempt to have his mother believe the relationship, does it actually stop being fake and become real for both? A quick but enjoyable read.

[Michelle Dodge · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a clean and sweet romance.

Zuri is a great cook and wants to open her own restaurant. She has been saving money to get there. A spot is available in the building where her brother works. Coworkers come over to the house all the time when Zuri is trying out new recipes. Her brother is not real happy with his boss, so Zuri suggests that her invite him to the next one and maybe they resolve things on neutral ground. Jeremy, her brother's boss, actually accepts. He gets along with Zuri. Later he would like to pose as his fake fiancé. Could this become a real relationship?

Great characters and storyline. Very interesting side characters and personalities. This is a good read.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Joyce M. H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fake relationships are one of my favorite reading tropes. Jeremy is the COO of a top financial firm. Jeremy has a lot on his plate along with his mom during her best to get Jeremy and his ex-girlfriend back together of which he wants no part of. Enter Zuri who needs funding for her café. The two come up with a plan so that they both can get what they want. Jeremy gets Zuri to agree to be his fake fiancée. As the two are continuing with their fake relationship they soon learn that they want than the relationship to be fake; they want the real deal. These two are such a cute couple even with Jeremy’s meddling mother. #TeamJeremy&Zuri.

I received an ARC via the author Rose Fresquez and I am leaving my review voluntarily.

[Lori R · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting story that I enjoyed reading. It was fun watching Zuri and Jeremy as they navigated her new cafe and his brother's wedding to Hope. 

The main characters decided on a fake relationship that would benefit both of them because Jeremy's mom had invited his ex-fiancee to the wedding. His mom was a very demanding and controlling mother who wanted her son and his ex to get back together at the wedding.

I especially liked this line from the book.  "Whole food can draw people together, love's the ingredient that ensures they remain a part of each other's lives forever."  I received an advance copy of this book and I willingly chose to write an honest review.

[Carol Ackerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two people agree to fake their relationship so his domineering mother can't force Jeremy into a relationship with his ex when his brother gets married. When Jeremy and Zuri announce their fake engagement they get mixed results from their friends, families, and coworkers. Can they pull this off and convince Jeremy's mother that he isn't interested in his ex?
I enjoyed most of the characters in this story. I wasn't too fond of the domineering mother or the ex, but they contributed quite a lot to the story. The friendships were believable and heartwarming.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. The opinions and comments are entirely my own.

[Barbara Campbell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have truly never read a book by Rose that I didn’t like. And this one did not disappoint. Jeremy is buttoned up tight and determine not to fall in love. He’s done that and Ben hurt. End of story. Plus he has an overbearing meddling mother determined to push him back with his ex who she considers perfect for him.

Zuri is focused on her career and also not interested in a relationship. Especially with her brothers overbearing boss.

So it’s a bit funny when they agree to enter into a fake relationship to help each other out. The fake soon gives way to reality and then the real struggles begin.

As always, Rose includes wonderful elements of faith throughout her story.

[Cyndi Bowman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jeremy, COO of a finance company, needs a girlfriend for his brother's wedding -- to get his controlling mother off his back. That is until he told her he would be bringing his finance. Now, Jeremy just has to find someone to fill the role. All nice and neat -- a business proposition, no feelings involved. Except. Enter Zuri, who agrees on the condition he finances her new cafe. It seemed safe enough, until they went dancing.

Loved their dialog and sense of fun as they got to know each other. Very natural.

Very sweet, clean read, good for a relaxing get-away.

[Karen Brasher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yours Temporarily

This is a really wonderful and sweet story. Jeremy Kress needs a fake fiancé for his brother’s wedding because his mother has invited his ex-fiancee in hopes they will get back together. Zuri Blackwood needs help in financing the cafe she has invested her savings in to start. The solution is a fake arrangement with Jeremy. Then they discover it is harder to pretend when the chemistry they feel seems so very real. What will happen when they return home after the wedding?

[Kath · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an easy yet interesting love story between Jeremy and Zuri. Jeremy needed a fake fiancee and asked Zuri to be that fiancee after he'd helped her out financially with her new Cafe she'd purchased and was opening in the same building as Stone Financial that Jeremy is COO. It was fun to see how easily they'd both fallen for each other and then how they recuperated that love. Enjoyed the clean read and how Jeremy came to praying and going to church.

I received an early copy, ARC, and am giving my free, voluntary and honest review.

[Denzel Struchen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting and twisting tale of love for convenience. Read along as signals are crossed and a fake engagement to rid the man of a fiancee that eloped 6 months before their wedding. With help from his mother his ex tries all trick and pulls out the stops. She wan5s her rich man back, almost like a Hallmark movie.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Lucia Valenzuela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyable story with great characters. Jeremy and Zuri have a really cute meeting, she smacks him in the forehead with the front door when he shows up an hour early for her brother’s party. I love how they immediately connect. And the rest is history. Of course there are bumps in the road but that’s what makes this a great story.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and this is my voluntary, honest review.

[Debbie Chatley · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good. Love this story about breaking down walks after being hurt to let others in. For only then can God bring into our lives what we needed Al along but sometimes it takes us awhile to see it. Also I noticed how this authors writing g style has really grown. I could actually see the word pictures being painted. I’ve enjoyed Rose’s books for years with how she weaves story lines on interracial relationships so beautifully. But this book really seemed to reach new heights in her writing.

[Michelle Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

This the first book I have read of this Author and I have to say that it was an enjoyable read.

The characters were lovely and enjoyed their journey. The fake relationship is nothing new however, how this author wrote this story was a nice change.

The story flowed well and it was the type of book you can get comfy in a seat with a cup of tea and just get swept away.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zuri meets Jeremy at a party at her home that her brother is throwing. Jeremy needs a fake fiancée and decides Zuri will fit the bill. This is Rose Fresquez at her best. I love her books and this one is no different. There is angst and humor throughout the book. Loved when Zuri skied for the first time and when she made the wedding cake. I highly recommend this book, it is worth the time to read it.

[Queen-Esther Babagbale · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

This is my first read by Rose Fresquez, and it certainly won't be my last.

I don't know if I'll call it a grumpy x sunshine, but Jeremy definitely has a sweet soft spot for Zuri, who cooks her way to his heart. This book has that sprinkle of insta connection that just builds into something beautiful and real despite their "fake-fiancee" arrangement.

I really loved the genuine easiness between them and their flow.

[Denice · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this sweet romance, Jeremy has a very difficult and controlling mother, even in her son’s love lives. Since he doesn’t want to be set up with his ex, he thinks he needs to find a fake finance, here comes in Zuri who is such a ray of sunshine and a fantastic cook. I enjoyed this story, the flow of the fake relationship, it was sweet and swoony with a side of tension and trials. Great read that I thoroughly enjoyed!

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good! I love Zurie and Jeremy! I love you're Jill sent Zurie back to his office and sent the other woman a away. I was also very glad that he stood up to his mom about saying arrangements as well as sleeping arrangements. Great story and great characters. Nice to see some old friends!

I received an advanced copy of this book and am voluntarily sharing my honest opinion.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

This is another great story by Rose. Her stories are full of hope and demonstrate hope & encouragement for life.
She & her brother live in the house they grew up in and spend the evening together with 2 roommates. She has leased space for a cafe, needs additional funding & strokes a deal worth a business manager.

[Linda Elliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took a while Before I really enjoyed the book But in the end I found it enjoyable

The characters were unique And I can see some other stories being spawned from this 1st book. I gotta feeling that all these fake fiance books this 1 is probably 1 of the better ones. The mother of the man Jeremy was a total bitch in my opinion.