Marrying the Bad Boy Next Door

Fake Married to the Grumps #2

by Leah Blair

My best friend’s brother ghosted me after I confessed my feelings. Now he’s back and this time, he wants to marry me…

Movie star Bryce Alston is a gorgeous, grumpy, misunderstood bad boy. His brooding gaze masks a rugged charm, constantly making my heart race. I thought I’d moved on after he broke my heart. But now he’s back like nothing happened, becoming my next-door neighbor and my boss. As if dodging his smoldering gazes isn’t hard enough, he announces that we're getting married when the media sharks are chasing after him. I still can’t say no to him. Pretending to love my childhood crush is easy, as long as I guard my heart. But the way his arm gently brushes mine sends tingles down my spine. I survived losing him once before. I can’t do it another time. But when his lips claim mine, I’m not sure who is falling…

Marrying the Bad Boy Next Door is a sweet standalone, closed-door romance, brimming with sizzling chemistry without the spice.

Genres: Contemporary

235 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 19, 2024

About the author

Leah Blair is a sweet romcom author whose books deliver big swoons, bigger laughs, and absolutely zero spice. Her goal? To make you fall in love a thousand times, brighten your day, and leave you smiling just a little more.

When she’s not busy writing, you’ll find her curled up with a good book, playing piano, or getting lost in music. She has a soft spot for small-town charm and loves wandering with her husband through the coziest corners of New York, probably daydreaming about her next fictional couple.

Find her on Instagram (@leahblair.author), Facebook (@leahblair.author), TikTok (@leahblair.author), and check out her website leahblairauthor.com for news about upcoming releases!

Reviews

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded to 5

Bryce Alston, is a celebrity bad boy actor who has come back to his hometown to make a movie. Marissa Hansley is his sister's best friend and happens to work for the film production company that he is contracted with. As soon as he sees her name on the list of possible assistants he can choose, he jumps at the chance to be able to work with and be around her again. They were secret childhood friends for years but all of that ended in tears and regrets with no explanation. Now, it's been eight years...will working closely together heal old wounds or make them worse?

There is so much packed into this story. I devoured it in one day because I just couldn't put it down! There's troubled pasts, family drama, big emotions, sizzling chemistry and swoon worthy romantic gestures. Pair that with a fierce overprotective vibe, a fake marriage (hello...forced proximity of having to live together for "authenticity") and the celebrity gossip circuit & lifestyle. But best of all is the vulnerabilities of two people giving themselves permission to be their authentically messy selves. She has always been the calm to his storm, his soft place to land and his voice of reason in the chaos. Now...he just wants to be hers! (Swoon)

So if you like:

•Best friend's brother
•Misunderstood bad boy
•Celebrity romance
•Childhood crush
•Miscommunication
•Forced proximity
•Friends to lovers
•Dual POV
•Marriage of convenience
•Next door neighbor
•HEA

and a clean, closed door romance then you're going to love this one! Thanks to the author and Booksprout for giving me an advanced copy to review.
*HONEST ARC REVIEW*

[Lindsey Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/🌶️

I have always loved Leah Blair's books. When I am in the mood for an easy read, with a guaranteed HEA, she is one of my go to authors. This book delivers just that. Marissa and Bryce are relatable, well written, and the plot is realistic (I mean for as much as romance can be).
Once friends in high school, Bryce left without a word to Marissa. She knows she should be over him, but her heart wants no one else. When the movie company she works for is producing one of Bryce's films, she is handpicked, by Bryce, to be his personal assistant.
Bryce walked away from everyone who didn't believe in him, but that backfired and also had him running from one of his best friends. Someone who always believed in him and always saw his true worth. When she comes back into his life, it is at a point where he has been labeled the bad boy, the player of Hollywood; a different girl every night. Tabloids, even when it's all lies, knows this is what sales. In a moment of anger and wanting this reputation to not be his legacy, he announces he and Marissa are getting married, soon...in a week to be exact.
As they navigate their relationship and new found marriage, feelings begin to stir in each of them, but the both shut them down. They don't want to ruin what was just put back together. But isn't friendship the foundation of any good relationship? Come along as Bryce and Marissa try to figure that out for themselves. Will they let friendship be the line they won't cross? Or will the jump, hand in hand, and see how amazing it feels?

Tropes:
Bad Boy MMC
Coming Home
Best Friend's Brother
She sees the real him, when no one else does

[Hope · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marissa Hansley is just a normal woman working a 9-to-5, except that she’s hiding a huge secret. She has a crush on her best friend Cindy’s brother, now famous movie star Bryce Alston. It would be fine if no one knew about it except Bryce. After leaving town years ago, Bryce Alston is excited to return to the silver screen after building a name for himself. However, Marissa Hansley is the one person he longs to see the most. There is still so much left unsaid between them that Bryce jumps at the chance to have Marissa become his assistant on his upcoming project. But between family drama and paparazzi chaos, will Bryce be able to keep up his image, or will he and Marissa get caught falling in love all on their own?

*I received a free advanced copy of this book via BookSprout, and I am voluntarily leaving a review.*

This is my first time reading a book by Leah Blair, and I found myself drawn into Bryce and Marissa’s world. I felt that Leah did a good job writing Bryce as an emotionally complex character, as seen by his peers and family, but also easily understood and vulnerable, as seen by Marissa. I love how both of these characters are fiercely loyal and protective of each other. While this was my first time reading this author’s works, I know that it will not be the last as I can’t wait to see what they write next.

[Abbie Riddle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes you just need an easy read. One that's not going to leave you in emotional turmoil. Just an easy, sweet, comfortable, heart-warming read - and hopefully one that is not too Hallmark Movie Cliche.

And...this book is just that. Clean romances are not easy to come by. Those that focus just on the story of falling in love. A Hallmark movie story that's not so cliche that you want to through up. Blair has created just that in this sweet second-chance, fake engagement, best-friend's brother romance.

What would you do if your child-hood crush and friend who had run off after you confessed your feelings for him returned after 8 years. Not only do you have to see him daily because he moved in next door, but he hired the agency you work for and more specifically you as his assistant.

This is the premise of the story that unfolds in this weekend read and the story will leave a smile on your face and a warm feeling in your heart.

So grab a cup of tea, find a comfy chair and and a soft blanket and snuggle in for a weekend read that will refresh you and make you smile.

Thank you Blair for such a lovely, easy, sweet read.

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

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

[Janine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marissa and Bryce had a secret friendship back in High School. Marissa is best friends with Bryce's sister. But then, on the night that Marissa confesses her feelings for Bryce, he ups and runs away, and she doesn't hear from him again for 8 years! Right until he comes back into town, working with her film production company, and he selects her to be his assistant, and decides to move in next door to her.

Sparks fly (both good and bad) as they fight against their feelings while dealing with their past, and while Bryce deals with his meddling family and a stalker-type would-be girlfriend.

But Marissa and Bryce are eventually able to acknowledge their true feelings, and their fake relationship quickly becomes real, and changes their hearts and lives forever.

This was a really cute, quick read that is perfect for a lazy day...

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

[Kary Bobbins · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite of the author so far.
A cute romance perfect for a weekend to read and chill.

2 (secret) friends reunites after years apart. He's now a recognized actor and she's about to become his assistant. The sparks are still there, their connection is instant (is not insta love, they already builded their relationship in the past as friends). They complement each other, make each other stronger. They (individually) know there's more than friendship, but they're afraid to ruin their friendship (and both dumbly thing the other deserves something better). But a little moment of weekness change everything... for better or worse? Find it out!

- Best friend's brother / sister's best friend.
- Friends to lovers
- Fake marriage
- Second Chance vibes / old crush
- Girl next door
- Clean romance
- Dual POV
- HEA.

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

[Jane litherland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Movie Star Bryce Alston moves back to his hometown to shoot a movie. His sister’s best friend just so happens to work for the film production company. He picks her purposely from a list of possibilities on a list of assistants. Once secret childhood friends , can they break new ground and make amends for eight years gone? Marissa thought she’d moved on after he went and broke her heart. Now he’s her boss and acting like nothing happened…He hasn’t been painted in a good light as far as the media is concerned being made out to be a bad boy player…all tabloid lies that he’s grown tired of. He wants a different legacy than that of a love them leave them. When opportunity arises he makes his wedding announcement much to the wonder of his future bride who has a week to prepare. They’ve made new ground in the friendship stages but can they risk it for love…. Great romance. All the feels.

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

[Shauna Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun second chance romance
An engaging read about second chances and helping the person you love. Growing up Marissa knew Bryce as her best friend’s big brother. When they discover they share a secret place to go relax and get away from the world, they begin to grow closer. Then suddenly Bryce disappears without a word shortly after Marissa has confessed her love for him. Now eight years later, Bryce reappears. Now a successful movie star, he selects Marissa to be his personal assistant. Marissa agrees knowing there is no hope for romance but things are never what they seem as Marissa and Bryce soon discover. A fun book you’ll enjoy. I received an early copy and this is my honest review

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marrying the Bad Boy Next Door by Leah Blair is a clean and sweet story. A very easy to read second chance romance with a fake engagement added to make it more fun. The main characters, Bryce and Marissa, knew each other as kids (Bryce is Marissa’s best friend’s brother). After high school, Bryce went to be a movie star. When he comes back into town for some filming, he needs something to ground him to deal with his playboy reputation. That something is a fake engagement with Marissa. You can just imagine what happens from there!

Reading this sweet story is a great way to spend a lazy afternoon and feel good about your day! My thanks to Booksprout and the author for allowing me to read an ARC.

[Dee Mac · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who would have thought that 8 years after she professed her love and he ran away, that her best friend’s brother, now a Hollywood star would be back in town and she would be working for him? Marissa is stunned to be called in as the personal assistant to Bryce Alston, but she can be professional, and they were friends once.
As they work together their friendship returns, but the media continues to hound him, impulsively he announces they’re getting married, and she can’t resist his request
There’s plenty of tension, emotion, vulnerability, self doubt and family drama.
They both need to overcome their insecurities and let their feelings show before it’s too late and Bryce loses Marissa forever.
A sweet romance with a beautiful HEA.

[Allegra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a sweet, easy read, Best friend's older brother, second-chance, estranged friends-to-lovers, Movie Star MMC, and closed door. I enjoyed watching Bryce's personal growth and seeing his eyes be opened to how much he really loved Marissa. Favorite quote from when he sees her for the first time in years. "Her eyes met mine, and for a beat, I’m convinced she holds the copyright to sunshine. Marissa possesses the kind of gaze that makes poets fumble for metaphors, and all I can muster is an internal "wow.”"

[Jean Katchmar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bryce Alston left town to fulfill his dream to be an actor leaving his friend Marissa behind. He is now back 8 years later to film his next movie in his hometown. He remembers how she quieted his anger and frustration with his parents and also grounded him. He requests Marissa to be his assistant during the film project. Now he hopes she can do it again for him. He also rents the apartment in her building so he can be close to her. What a way to create tension thet they both will have to work out day by day.

[MacKenzie Emery · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a dual pov, clean romance. This story was a mix of best friends brother and second chance romance. I love the instant connection Marissa and Bryce have. When they are together they seem more relaxed and like they can truly be themselves. I absolutely love that! Not only that but they defend each other and support each other. They don’t let others get in the way of their relationship which is admirable. This story also has no third act breakup so if that isn’t your thing, add this book to your tbr.

[Kandiemarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sweet and easy read. It's cute and enjoyable. This is my first time reading anything by Leah Blair so I didn't know what to expect. I honestly have to say that I was not disappointed. I enjoyed reading this book. Marissa and Bryce's story will draw you in as it did me. I highly recommend reading this book and look forward to reading more from Leah Blair.

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

[whimsical reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn’t read the summary ahead of time which means I wouldn’t have been so thrown off by the random marriage. It was a fun story but I felt the MMC to be a bit immature. He tells the FMC to stick up for herself then she feels bad for him and agrees to a fake marriage. His sister also randomly had a change of heart which was a little quick. Still a good and clean read. It wasn’t too hallmark cliche. I also got the book for free on kindle! Huge bonus.

[Mia · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hate being harsh in reviews but the was the worst book I’ve read. The whole thing felt rushed, like it was a summery, a lot of the things the characters said were cliche phrases that didn’t even seem to fit the scene, there were inconsistencies and things that just didn’t make sense. (Questionable grammar in places also) I ended the book wondering if AI had been used to write the whole thing. It was just really bad.

[Dawn Kenney Newkirk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Friends to lovers?

Bryce met Marissa in their secret place where she tells him how she feels. Then he leaves town after an argument with his parents never saying anything to Marisa

Marissa had a crunch on her best friend's brother since high school. Now he's back in town and wants Marissa to be his assistant.

What could go wrong?

[Claudete Takahashi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the best one you can read to have fun, and have a good time. Marrying the Bad Boy Next Door is a clean and easy to read story that besides being a romance it focuses on friendship and family relationships. I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[ABurch74 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another great book for fans of sweet romances. I enjoyed the book so much. The characters are well developed and charming.

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

[Lucia Valenzuela · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet romance. I didn’t think the speed that everyone, except Marissa, seems to change their opinion about Bryce was believable. Other than that the story was enjoyable.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and this is my voluntary, honest review.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

He broke her heart when he left her and now he is back as her next door neighbor. Now he wants her as his wife and she will while keeping her heart safe. Will she fall for him all over again? Will he fall for her? Can it be good for them both? See how they get on

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always like a good Hollywood bad boy story! This one was super fun and I enjoyed the depths of the characters! Bryce was strong and Marissa was a fun heroine who just loved him! I really loved the ups and downs of a fake engagement that took us through the story smoothly! Enjoy!

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good second chance romance with drama, family, chemistry, and defined MCs who are engaging. I liked this entertaining read.

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

[PollyAnna Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Marissa and Bryce

Marissa and Bryce are a sweet couple. The story as a whole needs a bit more tweaking. The bones are absolutely there to make for a great read, but in all honesty, I had to force myself to finish reading the whole book.

[Nanci · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. I actually think the storyline idea is cute. That's why it gets 1 star. The writing is terrible. The characters are inconsistent and unlikable. There's no chemistry. I'm pretty forgiving when it comes to romances. This is just not good .

[Sandrina Rodrigues · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adorei muito bom

Adorei
Muito lindo e romântico
Adorei ler este livro
Todos os livros da Leah Blair são realmente muito bons
Adorei

[Cyan · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was awful. Should have DNF.

[Shirleyldubord · Rating 5 out of 5]

Happy ending!

This was a very good book. lots of ups and downs that is what a true love story is about! This is a very good author I love her books!

[Stace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable book

I really enjoyed the flow of the book. All the characters were enjoyable and felt like you knew them. Easy read

[Claire Rohrs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love how clean this is and how well the story flowed