The Wedding Contract

The Ferro Family

by H.M. Ward

A Stand Alone Ferro Novel by New York Times Bestselling Author H.M. Ward

After I get the witch at the front desk to hand me my room key, I head for the shower. I was supposed to shoot my best friend's wedding alone, and I couldn't wait to escape New York and Nick Ferro.

Yeah, he's beautiful, sexy, and completely charming, but he's stealing my clients. He's done so much damage that I'm going to be lucky if I can keep my studio open for a couple of weeks. This wedding means everything to me, and I refuse to let a spoiled brat with a shiny new MBA put me out of business. Screw that.
But then I find myself wearing nothing but a smile when the person I hate most walks through the hotel room door. Nick Ferro. Two adversaries, shooting one wedding and sharing one room for one week. What could possibly go wrong?

Genre: New Adult Romance
Type: Novel 1 of 1

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Erotica, Adult, Chick Lit, New Adult

301 pages, Paperback

First published May 11, 2014

About the author

H.M. Ward continues to reign as a NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author who surpassed more than 23 million books sold, placing her among the literary titans. Ward has been featured in articles in the NEW YORK TIMES, FORBES, and USA TODAY to name a few.

You can interact with this bestselling author at: www.facebook.com/AuthorHMWard.

Reviews

[Hollie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Perhaps I went into this with overly high expectations because the average reviews seemed to be off the charts?? Unfortunately this book just did not work for me. At all. There were numerous times I contemplated giving up on this book, but I actually stuck with it. This was just one of those reads that felt too similar to numerous books in my past. There was nothing that sucked me in and I'm sorry to say the plot seemed juvenile and immature not to mention overly ridiculous. (Example of the absurdity: At this said wedding, a mean bride's maid made a bet, because she did not like this said female photographer/heroine, that whichever photographer took the best picture would get 40K. Ummmm ok?? Who the hell makes any sort of bet when there is little or nothing to gain on their part? And for $40,000. Whatever. It just made absolutely no sense. It was at this point I was pretty tempted to discontinue reading all together.)

I also think the attempt to make this a humorous read was a fail. It was as if some of the scenes, the humor felt forced, and never even made me crack a smile but instead it made me cringe.

Long review cut short, it was just too predictable and far-fetched for my preference. This won't, however, stop me from checking out more of HM Wards work in the future.

[Mariℓina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a good time reading it!!! 3,5 Stars!
It wasn't brilliant but it was charming and funny.. I will read the other books in the series..


The story starts with Sky freaking out all over Nick.. I found that quite promising.. He systematically steals her clients and she had enough of that.. Her job is at stake and there is noone to really help her..


Well now to the wedding.. Sky has to stay in the same hotel room with Nick and due to a misunderstanding share the photographing of her friend's wedding, with him.... So they try to make the best they can to destroy one another.. Which was very amusing..


What i loveD in this book was the quality of the character development.. So many things happen in so little time, but their stories had consistency, something that i admire, and depth..



THOUGHTS ABOUT THE BOOK
- I liked Sky so much..
- Her mother, ugh, someone please throw her off a cliff..
- Deegan.. I was fooled by him.. I didn't see that happening..
- Sophie ws great..
- Sky is so much more mature than her age..
- Nick's father.. HATE him too..
- Nick's story about Sky! Heartwarming..:D
- I liked the ending so much..

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I stayed up until 3 a.m. reading this page turner from my fav author HM Ward and what a treat! A full freaking Ferro novel, what could be better? This book made me want to pull out my hair, scream at the top a of my lungs and slap someone all in the first 50 pages. Clearly, a Ferro was close by. Nick Ferro has those damnable eyes and sexy physique ( and yummy phermones to boot ). He has an ax to grind and he won't stop until he has destroyed her. Beautiful strong Sky is the target of a Ferro, out to ruin everything she's worked so hard to achieve. When the war is at the front door watch out! Explosion ensues, secrets that were buried will be revealed..You have to read this book! Thanks Holly, you rock...

[JB's Book Obsession - Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sky is a twenty something business owner who is always trying to prove herself to her parents especially her judgmental mother. She finally has some success as a photographer when in walks Nick Ferro to wreak havoc on her life. Nick begins to steal her clients and sabotage her at every turn. When they both get hired to shoot the same wedding a week of drama and chaos unfold. Sky needs this shoot to go well so she can save her studio and her pride.

I am definitely an H.M. Ward fan and have read several of her books. I took a shot and requested an ARC for this book and was chosen by the author in exchange for an honest review.

Ms. Ward has said on her Facebook page that this book is different from her other Ferro Family books. It’s not all hot sex and crazy mystery around every corner, this one is in a class by itself for sure.

Sky and Nick’s story is sweet and endearing it comes together really nicely. I found Sky to be an exceptional heroine and thought she gave Nick as good as she got. Going back at him and letting him know that just because he was a sexy, beautiful guy she wasn't going to take his attempt to steal her business laying down. There were funny moments involving a locked hotel room and a jump out a window and another involving a shower curtain dress that I could not stop smiling about. I will leave you to read the book to find out further about those bits of entertainment. Sky and her friend Sophie’s relationship is sweet and fun to read. The way Sky handles her mother is also a hoot.

This is a great addition to The Ferro Family series of books and I wouldn't mind hearing more about Nick and Sky in the future.

[Nadia · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF at 85% and I don't even care I had like 15% left, this is a godawful book and I highly recommend you just run away quickly as far as your legs will carry you!!

Edit: After this fiasco, I'm giving up on the NA genre. God knows I've tried, and it always ended in me getting pissed and the book with a one-star rating. It's always the same crap and I don't have the patience or will to cope with it.

[Anita Powers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, it was a nice change, something different then the other books. Not real heavy sex, just enough. I love Nick, he reminds me alot of Peter, more loving and caring then Sean, Jon, or Bryan. He is sexy, cocky at times but not like the other Ferro's and I loved that he stood up to his father and did not back down. I like Sky but man is she ever clumsy lol and talk about someone that has the worst luck, wow. I liked the descriptions of the settings when they were taking the pictures and I thought it was great having the Peter Pan and Wendy references. I will say it felt like they fell in love way quicker then most people would and I wish we could have heard from or seen Sky showing her mother that she was making it in this profession. I am so excited about the last paragraph in this book, it has to be about my favorite sexy and dominate man (that is all I will say so not to spoil it). I love that we are being introduced to more Ferro characters, maybe we will hear more from Nick when we read about Bryan again, I would hope that Nick would be with his brother when he is so sick???? Holly you have done it again, great book.

[Gwen ~the Book Diva · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first H.W. Ward book! It was a quick read and I really enjoyed it. Now I'm intrigued with the Ferro Family! I'm definitely going back to the beginning to find out more. I love the relationships that the author has created with the characters. You know they all mean something to each other (good and bad) and I love when I care about secondary characters as much as the main characters. Great read!

[вιвℓισρнιℓια {кιηgѕℓєу & ѕøяєη ƒσяєνєя} · Rating 4 out of 5]

...

Not met any of the Ferro men before; this was a great intro to them. An unexpected read, the banter so good - would have loved to have seen more.

[Denise · Rating 1 out of 5]

I've read better fan fiction than this. The events and plot lines were either too ridiculous, makes you go "WTF", or doesn't make sense at all and felt forced just to keep the story going. Ugh, I should've just re-read one of my old favorites, instead of wasting time on this thing.

One star.

[Zoleka Kubheka · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMW OMG OM its getting published on my birthday yay i'm so excited for this book. I have read almost of all H.M Ward's books i'm so in-love with her style of writing. ;)

loved it

[Carey Sabala · Rating 4 out of 5]

Damn, now Nick Ferro is my new favorite Ferro!!!

Uggggg Holly, how do you make me keep falling in love with these boys!!!

The whole Ferro family is F’d up beyond repair. Each of these men are so twisted and broken until the right girl comes along to put them back to rights and Nick is no exception. The Wedding Contract is a fabulous addition to the Ferro family empire that H.M. Ward has built. It’s full of super silly slapstick moments, twisted pranks, hidden agendas, childhood dreams and most of all, romance *sigh*. The entire story is based around two wedding photographers whom are competing for the same clients. Skylar Thompson is building a name for herself as a premier wedding photographer. She’s been featured in newspapers and has a huge client list. She’s definitely on her way to a successful career, which is huge for her because she didn’t go to college and has always been a disappointment to her family, so this means everything. That was until Nick Ferro decided to open an identical studio across from hers and is stealing all her clients.

Nick is from a different offshoot of the family but under the same pressures that come from rich, powerful families. He’s expected to join the family business but when he realizes he has an artistic flare, he follows his heart and becomes a photographer without losing his Ferro edge. Now the two have been hired to cover the same big event wedding and there is definitely a lot on the line. Skylar is in a make it or break it situation, if she blows this, her career is over and she’ll have to move back home as a failure. Nick is in a similar situation, if he blows this and doesn’t completely crush the competition, he’s done for as well. Both parties have everything to lose but when secrets are divulged and their true motivations are revealed, will anyone be left standing or will they rise anew from the ashes?

Ok so if you can’t tell, I totally loved this book. It’s completely different from what H.M. Ward normally does with the Ferro boys but is still similar enough to keep the fans happy. The story is definitely character driven and has a nice ebb and flow while mixing silly competitiveness and high romance. Skylar is hilarious of course and has nothing but bad luck since she met Nick and well Nick, he’s got an evil streak damn it but you still fall in love with him anyways. As a reader, one thing I totally loved was the Peter Pan theme sown throughout the story. It’s a very important book to our heroine and becomes a thread that ties the characters together in simple ways. Why I was so surprised with its use, is that it’s simply not a story you usually see used for romance but it fits nicely in to this one.
As for the story itself, you really feel for Sky and all the drama that has come her way and Holly does a great job of making the reader feel empathetic towards Nick even though he’s the cause of most of the strife. Skylar and Nick are perfect together but you already knew that, it’s their story, LOL.

On a side note: If you decide to buy the book, which I totally recommend, DON’T MISS THE FOREWARD!!! It’s written by H.M. Ward’s husband, Michael. He tells about their early years as photographers and then as wedding shop owners. So as you can imagine, the research for the book is spot on! He also tells about how Holly writes a lot of her own life experiences into her books. It’s just so sweet and romantic in itself, so don’t miss it!

For a standalone new adult romance, I really enjoyed it and I don’t think you need to know the whole Ferro family to enjoy this story although it leads to a deeper understanding if you do.

[Gloria Herrera for As You Wish Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started reading this book and noticed I was having a case of the hot flashes. What is it about these Ferro men? They are raised to be cocky, entitled, ruthless, never show their emotions and be ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS.

Dysfunctional does begin to describe the Ferro Clan. In Nick's case, being the middle child, life must have been very difficult at home, while trying to keep up with the rest of the family's antics. He learned his lesson well and to prove it, he is ruthlessly driving Skylar out of business and with a smile on his face. But why? What did she ever do to him to deserve this?

Right from the start of this book, Skylar will steal your heart. She is quirky, independent and trying to survive. Proving to herself and her parents she can make it and succeed as a photographer is all she can think of. She is honest and truthful but no match for the deceit and underhanded dealings of the Ferro clan.

Her interactions with Nick are what romantic comedy is meant to be. The delightful banter between these two is quirky, emotional, irrational, and most of all amusing. You will not look at a shower curtain the same way or look at a tube of superglue and not smile. No spoilers here!

HM Ward has once again regaled us with an unforgettable story of love, survival, and freedom of the spirit. Sometimes it is harder to stand for what you believe in than just enjoy the glow of parental approval.

[Adriana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Skylar Thompson is struggling to keep her photo studio business up float. Nick Ferro has been copying every one of her ideas and stolen more clients than she can afford. He is handsome, charming and a back stabbing snake. Too bad he is also the only man that has managed to set her heart racing by simply being in the same room as her. This wedding matters to her, it is her best friend's Sophie's wedding and she promised to cover it. Except the father of the groom hired another photographer for the job. For her job. Nick Ferro. And there is only one photographer room reserved. Could things get any worse for her? Sky and Nick's story is a battle of wills. With wicked humor, sexy banter, evil parents and perfect Ferro chemistry. It goes in a Capulet and Montague fashion of I hate you than I just hate to love you and eventually I have always loved you. It is funny, sweet, sexy and will push more than a few emotional buttons along the way. It is delightful. It has the worst of families, the best of friends and the sweetest of loves.

[Janet Follett onorato · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given this boo as an ARC. Another amazing Ferro boy, bad on the outside but soft and warm underneath. Skyler is a wedding photographer who has built her business on her own. Her cold and harsh mother waits in the wings for the failure she is sure will happen. But the business is doing great until, Nick Ferro. He opens a wedding photography business right across from Sky. He copies everything she does and steals her clients. It all comes to a head at her best friends wedding. Sophie hired Sky to shoot the wedding but her father-in-law hired Nick. So the are stuck in the same hotel room for a week shooting the same wedding. Will they kill each other or...could they fall in love? This hot and funny novel is another amazing piece of the Ferro family album. Those boys know how to find feisty women to bring them love. I love this story and these two wild and strong willed characters. This is a complete story, no cliff hanger but as often happens theses boys lives intertwine and I think we may see more of Nick and Skyler as the other boys stories unfold.

[Jody · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC for my honest review of The Wedding Contract (The Ferro Family) by H.M.Ward.
Holy crap! That is one heck of a rollercoaster ride and is worth every shiny gold star! The chemistry between Sky and Nick is lethal and so freaking hot! I love how they play games with one another! I was left wanting more from them! But then EVERY Ferrolishous book always leaves me wanting more! Nick Ferro has got to be one of my top favourites!!! Holly has done an incredible job and she is such a talented writer with her own unique style! If you haven’t, what are you waiting for? Read all about the Ferro family NOW! You’re missing out! BIG TIME!

[Teri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advanced reader copy from the author for a honest and fair review.

A different take on the Ferro men and I loved it!

This wasn't as dark as some of the other Ferro novels and even contained a lot of humor!!! I'm so happy Ms. Ward went in a new direction.

Even though this is a stand alone novel, the book still ties into the other series and I can't wait for more of Nick and Sky!! Where will they turn up???

[Bookphenomena (Micky) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really enjoyable read and it felt stylistically a bit different to other Ferro reads which was nice. Sky is a talented photographer whose business is weddings. She was successful until Nick Ferro established a copycat business a few shops down. Nick has endless finances but Sky over the months of competition is in her last dollar. This is where the book starts. They compete for the best photos at a wedding but fight their attraction. Nothing is what it seems. Excellent!

[Janell Wheeler · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun little story. Let me start by saying this really doesn't fit into the Ferro's series but it was an great read. I really enjoyed the story and the witty banter of the two main characters Skylar & Nick. I had a good time reading this story and it had me laughing quite a bit. There was some really fun drama that kept you entertained but not so much that you were pissed at the characters. Yes there was definitely some shaddy dealings between Nick & Sky but I have to say the way the author wrapped this novel up was fun. I really liked Sofie. I can't say I agreed with what she did, I sure wouldn't have done it but she was a good friend. This was a great break from the Ferro books and I really enjoyed it. I would recommend it as a standalone but not as part of the Ferro World. I did like the last paragraph of this book. It will make you smile. Enjoy

So I'm attempting to read the Ferro Books in the order the author recommended. It is an extremely difficult task. What I can tell you is that Arrangement, Damaged & Proposition really meld together so well. It is a juicy tale of drama that is fun to read. Stripped is a part of the books but not tied in a lot, just minimally, but you need to read them. The Trystan Scott series books 1-5 really don't connect all that much except to give Trystan's character a back story. It is not super important to the Ferro's but they were a fun read and entertaining. They enhance his character but not completely necessary. I recommend them but if you are time crunched you're good. The Scandalous books are pointless. One person in our book club read them and they had NOTHING to do with the Ferro's. Finally the Wedding Contract, although it is about Nick Ferro it really doesn't tie into the Ferro's story. It is a breakaway book that if it wasn't Nick Ferro would just be a great story. So again if you are time crunched it is not a necessary book. So far reading them in order is difficult but entertaining.

[Theresa Alberts · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had a pretty decent premise, compared to the plots of some of HM Ward's other series/serials but fell totally short for me. As a reader, I have an issue with inconsistencies within a book, especially when it comes to everyday things such as the location where certain events take place. Most of the Ferro Family books take place on Long Island (where I am born, bred and still reside) and the towns that the characters travel to and the amount of time or how they get there is completely unrealistic that it ruins part of the plot for me. In the very beginning of the Wedding Contract, Skylar was going to shoot her friends wedding on Shelter Island. She makes a point of stating that she makes the 2pm ferry to get there. However at the end of the book, when Amy calls her to say that the pipe exploded in the shop, she pulls out of the wedding venue in her car and Nick drives her back to Babylon via Montauk Highway to get to the shop. My first thought was wow, how did the author, editor and publisher not catch that error? If a ferry was taken there, it would have had to be taken home as well. And living on Long Island, you can't get to Shelter Island without taking a ferry. In addition, the entire scene where Sophie, locks Nick & Skylar in the hotel room by super-gluing the window and the door shut, I actually had to read it twice to make sure that I had the words correctly. There is no way that superglue would hold a door shut, especially not a tube that one would carry in their purse. It was completely unrealistic to me. The idea that Nick was trying to put her out of business because his father asked him to went along with the Ferro ideal, that they are all supposed to be these shrude businessmen. However, the comment that all of the Ferro brothers are in business with the father isn't exactly 100% true. Peter is a professor as we know from Damaged, we have no idea what Sean really does, and Jon owns a strip club. So I am lost as to why it was so important that Nick go into the family business like his other siblings since that wasn't what we have come to learn from other books. The idea that Nick idealized Skylar makes no sense to me. Skylar mentioned that she was 22 or 23 in the beginning of the book and that she never went to college. She has been trying to make a business out of being a wedding photographer, where would Nick have even seen her photos to idolize her?? In addition, Nick and Sydney both recall an event where he came into her studio to ask about wedding photos and Skylar asked him to leave b/c she could never shoot a groom that she was that attracted to. It was never addressed whether Nick was married or divorced or if the wedding was called off, but they are in love. Again, inconsistencies. I think that it is a great idea in theory that HM Ward wants to tie all of her series together, but she is falling short in the details which to a reader is what makes or breaks a book. The time lines don't always add up or coincide properly, the details are changed from one book series to another, and the story lines take turns so that they can be linked that don't make much sense. I would not recommend this book.

[Jennifer G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was trusted with this book as an ARC, in exchange for an honest review.

As usual, another great book from Holly. Nothing will ever be dull are boring if there are Ferro's involved.

Skylar was just an amazing, motivated, independant woman. I admired her, being strong through all that she had to go through, but still kept going, like a bulldozer, nothing was gonna get in her way.

Then along comes Nick. Although he was just as determined, and hot as hell, at first I was getting frustrated with him, nick naming him, Nick the Prick. But just like any other Ferro He stole my heart, lol.

I also think the reason I loved it so much, is because I have a great love for photography. Beside my full time job as an office manager, I shoot photography whenever I can. So that alone had be addicted.

But all the jokes and pranks, gosh, them two were something else. But it also made the book even more interesting.

I loved all the characters, the plot, the whole damn story, as always the best parts were last.

Well worth the read!!!! Anything Ferro will be :)

[Luisa Rivas · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had no credibility for me. The hero was a jerk, the heroine appeared neurotic and in a panic most of the time. Supposedly she liked him so much the first time she saw him that she brushed him off because he was married, now they meet again and there's no mention if he's divorced, widowed or what. Her photography business is flailing because he installed another photography studio nearby and is stealing her clients. Then they are both hired to photograph her best friend's wedding. During the activities, he behaves like a total jerk, cruel and sabotaging her work, yet she falls more in love with him? Just because she saw some glimpses of a kind man that lasted mere minutes. He also falls in love with her even though she is behaving in a panic and neurotic mode most of the time. Totally unrealistic, it didn't make sense to me.

[Wendy white · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a ARC Copy for my honest review. Wow,Wow,Wow loved it Holly what a story I laughed so much reading this I love Skylar Thompson she is a young talented girl that started a business on her on and was doing good until Nick Ferro sets up shop across the street from Sklars studio and copies and takes her clients and he's HOT and Sexy. Skylar mother is a witch a parent is so post to encourage their children not put them down like sky's mother does. Nick let his father run his life but at the end he let him know he was through with the Ferro family to be with Sky. I hated that this was just one book would love to read about them again so Holly Ward you get another amazing 5 stars from this reader :)

[Nikki · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read a couple of Holly's books, both I rated three stars. I like them but don't love them. I found the things that happened to the heroine just went on and on. Kick a girl while she's down. I don't think anyone really defended her and she came off looking so ridiculous at times I didn't find it funny. It went too far for me. I honestly didn't want her to end up with the gorgeous Mr Ferro. I didn't think he had much backbone. For me he wasn't a good hero. I didn't like the fact that she almost slept with someone else and a couple of very big events were brushed under the carpet (not very resolved).

[Dyndyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first HM Ward book and I really enjoyed it!

Skylar hates Nick for blatantly ruining her life. He steals her clients from right under her nose & copies her style. He was ruthless in his pursuit to destroy her business. They were thrown together & forced to stay in one room on the weekend of Sophie, Skylar's best friend's, wedding.

This was a short but fast paced read. Talk about chemistry! I want more Nick & Skylar though!

I look forward to reading more HM Ward books. She's made a fan out of me.

[R. Holmes · Rating 3 out of 5]

My first HM ward book and I'm going to give it a 3.5! I loved the witty banter back and forth between Sky & Nick but I feel like it lacked in the romance and steam department.
I won’t spoil the book for anyone but it definitely left me wanting more.. I wasn’t satisfied with the last 30% of the book. BUT I am not going to give up! I’m going to try and read a few more of her books!
That’s not to say the book was bad by any means! I just wish she would have gave us more in the steamy department! Haha!

[ɑƨħŵɑɡ ♥Team Magnus Damora FOREVER♥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED. LOVED. LOVED. IT SO MUCH!

So much is in this book that was everything that i like about romance. I've been looking for a hate\love romances and this one is not one done carelessly. It has great interwoven story, fantastic and passion filled characters and beautiful words by H.M. Ward. I wish this could be turned into a movie. Anyways, great and fun time i had reading this.

[Shin Caren · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was OK. Just fine. I didn't like it that much, the story seems pretty simple and kind of boring to me. Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele of Fifty Shades are way better than Sky and Nick. It did not exceed my expectations, sorry.

[Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

ANOTHER amazing read!!! The banter, the secret admiration, the art.. I just loved it!!!

[Ushma · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a nice story and would have given it 4 stars but there was no steam at all...they don't do it till 80% of the book is done. Could have been better if there was more sexual tension.

[vegalegarreta · Rating 4 out of 5]

un Ferro mejos complicado y menos loco. (Nick)