The Reluctant Beauty

Once Upon a Romance #4

by Laurie LeClair

In this Once Upon A Romance Series romantic comedy novella, tall, quirky Peg Newbury needs a date for a day, or two tops, when her strikingly beautiful and perfectly coiffed family comes for a visit. They worry about their ugly duckling daughter and long for her to meet a prince, settle down, start a family and live a perfect life just like them. However, Peg loves her job as the executive assistant at King’s Department Store and accepts she’s a career woman, far from pretty, and not likely to end up a happily ever after.

She can’t convince her family, though. At her wit’s end, she resorts to drastic steps and thinks her best solution is to get a guy to pose as her beau. She hopes that a pretend boyfriend will get them to stop worrying and let her be. Yet as much as she protests against a relationship her heart is in for a surprise when she hires a rent-a-date who prefers her just the way she is.

Rocker Austin Rhoades, fresh off a two year around-the-world gig, wants out of the spotlight. He’s in Dallas to see his half-sister before he hightails it out of town and heads for his much-needed R&R. When he meets and becomes fascinated with adorable Peg and her funny sayings, he ends up extending his visit. He realizes that his cover is sure to be blown the longer he stays and the more time he spends with her. But, Austin thinks he has escaped notice until her family, assuming they’re engaged, blabs to the press and starts planning the non-existent wedding.

The more Peg and Austin try to keep the status quo the more difficult it is to keep their growing attraction under wraps.

Can a reluctant beauty who’s never considered herself a love interest accept that she’s the perfect catch?

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Chick Lit, Contemporary Romance

94 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 21, 2014

About the author

Bestselling author Laurie LeClair writes romantic comedies, contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and women’s fiction. Laurie has a not-so-secret love for characters who make her laugh, cry, and who linger in her mind long after the story ends. Laurie’s habit of daydreaming has gotten her into a few scrapes and launched her to take up her dream of writing. Finally, she can put all those stories in her head to rest as she brings them to life on the page.

Laurie loves to write, read, bake, travel, and discover new adventures. She considers herself a New Texan (New England born and raised and now living in Texas). She lives in Central Texas with her husband, Jim. Laurie loves to hear from her readers.

You can contact her at
http://www.laurieleclair.com
http://www.twitter.com/LeClairbooks http://www.facebook.com/laurieleclair.75

Check out Laurie’s website contests and sign up for her newsletter to get insider information and to be automatically entered in her newsletter giveaways at http://www.laurieleclair.com


Books by Laurie LeClair:

Once Upon A Romance Series (romantic comedy)
If The Shoe Fits - Book 1
Waking Sleeping Beauty - Book 2
Taming McGruff - Book 3
The Reluctant Beauty - Book 4
Awakened By A Kiss - Book 5
Tangled At First Sight - Book 6
Finding Mr. Just Right - Book 7
Making A Splash - Book 8

The Heart Romance Series(contemporary romance/smalltown romance)
Secrets Of The Heart - Book 1
Crimes Of The Heart - Book 2
Lies Of The Heart - Book 3


The Bounty Hunter Series (romantic suspense)
Murphy’s Law - Book 1
Riley’s Rules - Book 2

Wanted: Fairy Godmother (romantic comedy)

The Sweet Spot Series (romantic comedy)
The Dating Dilemma - Book 1

Runaway Wife (romance, women's fiction)

The Long Journey Home (romance, women’s fiction)

Sweet Summertime (romance, women's fiction, second chances, reunions)

The Heart Remembers (holiday romance, contemporary romance)

Reviews

[Kay (Brigidsmomma) Compton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Found some additional books in a favorite series... this one was WONDERFUL! Could. not. put. it. down.

[Nona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved Peg and Austin's story.

This is the best kind of story. Neither of them was .owing for something special. Peggy doesn't even have any idea how good looking she is.
Austin was just looking for a place to lay low while he was visiting his sister after his last road tour. He is trying to decide if he was going to stay with his band.
Hilarity springs forth when they get together. Great short story,

[A G · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tall swan and the Rhoadie

Not loving the self deprecating efforts for height as it seemed far fetched and stretched. Love at first sight was expected and part of the fairytale reworking. Another fun romance in the King Store!

Romance Level: kisses

[Katherine Cuttonaro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book

I thoroughly enjoyed it and I highly recommend this book for you to read. It is a fast read and has a happy ending.

[Jennifer Seaton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this one! Peg was such a fun character and to see her finally get her mister right was awesome. It was heartwarming, charming, and relatable.

[Kway · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually really liked this one but the ending came too soon, it felt really rushed compared to the others, and I was just getting invested in proving her parents wrong :(

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fun book and series. They are addictive but at least short and easy to read. Definitely escapism at its finest.

[Angela Griffin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun!

This is such a delicious romantic comedy! Peg and Austin are delightful, and the story provides all the laughs and feels!

[Linda Audette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Height is not a challenge.

If you are tall celebrate it and look for a tall man to reach the stuff on the top shelf. Know your worth and ignore your family. You go it girl. Cheers.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick read and fun story

[Victoria · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was looking forward to reading Peg's story but it felt rushed and at times I felt lost.

[Cary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of improbable but then so were the others so just roll with it and dream a fantasy. Novellas aren't my thing but this one was okay!