I’m marrying my enemy. Fortunately, the arrangement has an expiration date.
Ten years ago, I set my roots in Manhattan. It’s my home now. Until a careless oversight threatens my ability to stay in the country.
But my best friend comes up with a solution. A marriage of convenience. With her brother. And somehow she guilt-trips him into agreeing. Reluctantly.
So I swallow my pride and accept. It’s only on paper, after all.
Which is a good thing because, while Caleb van den Linden’s smile might disarm everyone, I know the sworn bachelor is an arrogant playboy.
I doubt I can keep my sanity once I become his wife. My billionairehusband might be gorgeous, but he’s never been my fairytale hero. The man is infuriating.
There is a strict expiration date on our arrangement, so I feel safe.
Until he demands more than I am willing to “pay” for my visa.
Maxine Henri is a contemporary romance author who infuses her stories with steamy passion and complex characters. When she's not crafting stories that will have you swooning, she can usually be found sipping on a cup of black tea while reading a good book or traveling to new destinations.
Maxine believes that stories matter. They facilitate emotional journeys, inspire and entertain. And when it comes to books and fiction, stories are a great escape and probably the most beneficial addiction on this planet.
Her billionaire romances are the perfect escape, offering a taste of luxury and adventure. Maxine introduces heroes who may have a dark past, but are always balanced by a lighter side. And her leading ladies? They're strong, independent women who may be a little broken, but always find their way to love.
This was not for me because it contains a trope that I don't like so take it with a grain of salt if it doesn't bother you......
The single dad trope is not my cup of tea (especially if the kid is not with the main MC) and avoid it at all costs, so when it popped up at 15% or so and there was no mention of it in the blurb or any reviews, I was pissed and ready to DNF. However, I decided to continue because unlike some stories with this trope, the MMC does not leave FMC for the OW which I liked because more often than not that is what happens.
Now I should mention that MMC already had the kid in his life when FMC shows up but I still did not need to know he fathered a kid with OW and they have that connection for life...
Anyway, let me back up. MCs have known each other for some time as FMC is his sister's BFF. She is a dancer from France and is in the US with a soon to be expired Visa unless she marries someone so she can stay. Enter fake/temp marriage with MMC.
It was hinted that this is an enemies to lovers type romance but they pretty much become good friends and lovers pretty fast. We have a former Manho MMC who is anti marriage/kids and who doesn't sleep with women in his bed. He even has an apartment where he took women in past for sex so that he didn't bring them home.
Three months prior to story starting, he learned he had an 11 yr old kid by OW when she got pregnant with his kid at age 17. His father paid her off to leave and abort the kid and she never told him but the kid found out who her Dad was and went to see him. When he & FMC go into the fake marriage deal, she doesn't know he had a kid and she instantly bonds with her.
Than towards the end, the OW overdoses and is hospitalized and MMC finally has "the talk" with OW of why she never told him about their kid. He decides to help OW out by giving her money and to buy her a place to live. They all become a happy family unit with the OW becoming "family" now and FMC co-parenting as a 3rd wheel because of course the OW is made to be a very nice & loving Mother of his kid who did her best to raise their kid alone.
Anyway, not much drama here and while the romance with the MCs was just okay, I found myself skimming because it contained way too much sex scenes and not much substance.
Celeste is a curvy, outspoken, bad ass and I am here for it! She is strong and confident. Caleb is a billionaire who is handsome and always had the hots for Celeste. Celeste is best friends with Caleb’s sister and when she needs a green card the sister steps in to have Caleb save the day. Celeste and Caleb are perfect for each other. They have the physical attraction and it doesn’t take them long to see that they could be so much more. Caleb finds out he has a preteen not long before his marriage to Celeste so that is added to the mix of the fake marriage. I thought this story was so fun. Asshole parents, people who become better despite them. Steamy! Great gal pals. The story has a little bit of everything!
(3.8 Stars) Celeste Delacroix needs to stay in the US where she has made a life for herself as a dancer but one thing could ruin that plan. When her friend suggests aligning with her brother, billionaire Caleb van den Linden, in a faux marriage it could be the answer she was looking for. One issue, they can’t stand each other as they are both head strong. Will this arrangement work somehow or will Celeste end up back in Paris? It took a little to get into this but then I really enjoyed the connection they made. These two work their love/hate banter well in this enemies to lovers romance that has a sweet side. Told in first person and dual POV.
Thank you @hambright_pr and @maxinehenriromance for this #gifted arc💖
✨What it is about: Celeste, a french dancer, has her work visa expire due to a careless mistake by her employer. She needs to leave the country, unless she’s able to change her status in order to continue to be able to work. Her best friend Saar suggests she marry her billionaire brother Caleb, as that would allow her to quickly change her status. But Celeste and Caleb hate each other. Would this marriage of convenience even be believable?
💭My thoughts: This one was a fun and steamy one. 😎The enemies to lovers trope which is my favorite, was well done. I enjoyed reading the progression of the main character’s relationship, and seeing their tension throughout. I love a protective husband, and the “touch her and die vibes” were on point, and I always enjoy that. I really liked the subplot involving Caleb’s daughter, and how he managed to handle that with Celeste’s help, despite his own trauma with his father. If you like the tropes below, I’m pretty sure you will enjoy this one. Maxine Henri is a new to me author, and I hope to read more from her in the future.
4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Read if you like: 👰♀️Marriage of convenience 🤵♂️Enemies to lovers 👰♀️Best friend’s brother 🤵♂️Forced proximity 👰♀️Confident curvy MFC 🤵♂️Possessive millionaire MMC 👰♀️My wife 🤵♂️Single father
A temporary forever is a fun, witty, steamy, captivating contemporary billionaire romance with the hilarious banter and swoon-worthy romance.
The story follows Celeste Delacroix who is a French dancer. Her work visa has expired due to a certain event, a mistake that threatens her stay in Manhattan. Then Celeste's best friend, Saar comes up with a crazy but brilliant plan. She suggests a marriage of convenience to her billionaire brother Caleb van den Linden. But here's the thing, they despise each other.
Caleb is handsome, rich and doesn't exactly lean towards commitment. With the past being the prime variable in this equation, will the marriage Celeste who should just be another business contact change into something more important.
I loved this book. The storyline weaves through multiple readers favourite tropes of enemies to lovers, forced proximity, possessiveness that is not toxic but rather a squealing fest of smiles and excitement. I really liked FMC, she exudes an amazing, strong aura and personality that matches the MMC personality. With dual POVs, I got to enjoy the story even more because the characters were quite expressive and irresistible. Their romance and banter did go hand in hand and it was fantastic. And that smoldering embers of passion and pleasure were hot, spicy and sensual.
This book will keep glued to its pages right from the start and the characters will stay with you long after you finish reading it. I'd highly recommend it to all the billionaire romance readers. Perfect for all those who admire all the mentioned tropes and a surprise one that completely took me by surprise, I liked it.
I was so excited to read this one once I realized that it was enemies to lovers AND marriage of convenience. That means ANGST and I am here for it! It was essentially a green card marriage and oh no she has to marry to billionaire she hates. But he happens to have a really good heart from trying to make things right from the mistakes of his shitty dad, and surprise! He also has a daughter. I think Mia really rounded their dynamic, and made the relationship more than just lust. I feel like when it was just Cal and Celeste, the passion and lust was so potent (and yes very spicy), but the relationship with Mia really added depth to it. For someone with commitment issues, Cal had a lot of commitment being thrown at him between Celeste, Mia, and the new company, and overall I think he handled it pretty maturely. Like yes, he ran away at some points, and yes he was stubborn, but he was breaking through his own boundaries for himself and he did realize the error of his ways. I also liked that Celeste wasn’t afraid to accept his money. Not in a gold digging way, but she knows that money could be used for good and to help others, and she wasn’t prideful about it. She had her pride in other regards, but I think it made sense. The two had a respect for one another that I think aided in the quick switch to love. The hate was over a misunderstanding which was initially rooted in desire and rejection. So these two were just always meant for each other. Thank you Hambright PR for the copy for review!
I loved this book so so much, Maxine always writes amazing books, but this one just wowed me so much. I love the fake marriage trope but throw it in with best friends brother, and I am instantly sold. This book was amazing start to finish, and all I wanted was more, and I can't wait for the future books of this series where we can see our main characters Caleb and Celeste once again.
Caleb and Celeste strongly disliked one another at the start of this book but everything changes when Celeste's visa to live in the US runs out because of her stupid boss at the theater she dances at and the only way that her best friend can help her is offering for her brother Caleb to marry Celeste to get her green card. The pair reluctant at first soon came through and married one another and ended up living together to collect proof of marriage.
It was definitely a rollercoaster for the both of them, emotions flying everywhere, and when their relationship passed the boundary to being physical, well, that complicated everything completely. I loved watching their journey from practically hating each other to eventually falling in love with the hope of staying married and together for as long as they live.
I loved this pairing, and their personalities were so witty and funny at times and just fitted perfectly with the plot line. Their story was so perfect that I could only wish to read it for the first time again.
A Temporary Forever is a fun, steamy romance read that follows Celeste and Caleb. Celeste has been working in New York, as a dancer for 10 years, but when her Visa is threatened, her best friend suggests marrying her brother to fix the problem. Caleb is a billionaire playboy, who is successful and avoids commitment at all costs. He also tries to avoid Celeste Delacroix, who always finds a way to get under his skin every time they are around one another.
I usually do not read a lot of modern romance type books, but I found that A Temporary Forever has a lot of the same tropes that I really enjoy in the fantasy/romantasy genres.
* Marriage of Convenience * Loathe to Love * My Wife/My Husband * Who Did This to You/Touch Her and Die * Sarcastic Banter * Dual POVs
I enjoyed following Celeste and Caleb in their separate story lines, as well as when they are together after getting married. The sexual tension and banter that builds up between the two of them keeps the story interesting. And, I love that the book has a great plot, and isn’t just filled with too many steamy scenes.
There are a lot of family dynamics that have made Celeste and Caleb into the adults that they are, and it was a great addition to the story seeing how they both work through their issues. Mia was also worked into the story really well, and her character added a heart-warming element to the story and the relationship between Celeste and Caleb.
I found A Temporary Forever to be a surprisingly great read, especially since it falls outside of my comfort genres. I would definitely recommend it, if you love the above mentioned tropes and a quick romance read.
I am such a sucker for a billionaire romance novel with a possessive MMC, so it’s not surprise that I loved this book.
Celeste is a French dancer on a work visa, and is scrambling to figure a way to stay in the country when her employer doesn’t renew her visa. Thankfully, her best friend has the perfect solution - marry her brother, Caleb (who Celeste happens to hate).
Ahhh I loved Celeste and Caleb so much. The tension was thick with these two from the beginning and I loved seeing the banter between them throughout the story. They both have a lot of growth, especially Caleb. He goes from anti-love and full of daddy issues to the best man for Celeste. Also, Caleb is such a possessive, jealous billionaire and who doesn’t love that? Celeste has the perfect personality for Caleb. She’s fiery, stubborn, and independent. I love how she doesn’t put up with Caleb’s nonsense too.
Thank you so much to Maxine and Hambright PR for this eARC!
🩷Tropes🩷 Enemies to lovers Marriage or connivence Best friends brother Billionaire romance Touch her and die vibes Forced Proximity Dual POV Spicyyy🌶️
I loved this book, especially the banter between Celeste and Caleb. Celeste is Caleb’s sister’s best friend, and they’ve always been at odds with each other. But when Celeste faces the threat of being deported, her best friend pushes her to marry Caleb as a solution. Though hesitant, Celeste agrees, and soon discovers a whole new side to Caleb. Beneath his arrogant, cold exterior, he’s far more complex and caring than she ever imagined. Through their journey, Celeste helps Caleb open up, and he begins to see that maybe relationships can work. Watching them become everything the other needed was so satisfying. If you're looking for a spicy billionaire romance with heartwarming moments, this one’s a must-read.
Thank you, Maxine Henri and Hambright PR for the ARC.
Caleb van den Linden is your classic billionaire playboy; he’s sworn off kids, marriage, and anything other than one night stands. He’s also a genuinely nice guy that loves his siblings. So when his sister’s best friend needs a green card to avoid deportation he agrees to a marriage of convenience to save Celeste’s career. A lot of blunders and spice later, we get a HEA. I loved how Caleb’s character grew. And Celeste is definitely goals: she has a solid head on her shoulders and a depth that is refreshing and beautiful.
I was given a free copy. I am leaving my review voluntarily.
I read lots of romance. But few authors give me the product that keeps me engaged and don't leave my mind. This book gave me such romantic feelings, my heart is full. This authors talent is off the charts. She writes like no other
I absolutely loved both characters and how she developed their story. I was not bored for a second. Cal and Celeste are just why I read romance. I felt the chemistry between the two were tasteful and not over the top. If that makes sense. The sex scenes did not take away from the amazing story told. Trust me you won't want to put the book down.
I love a good billionaire romance, add a best friend's brother, and a fake marriage - I'm sold. The writing on this one was great and it held a few surprises in the storyline! I really loved how the characters were able to help with each other's healing of past trauma and realize they were exactly what they needed. I can't wait for Saar's story, and to find out more about Corm- because way to leave us in the dark Maxine!
So happy to get a copy of this just before pub day, thanks so much Maxine Henri and Hambright PR!
I had so much fun reading Celeste and Caleb’s story. The tension between them was thick from the start, and their banter kept things lively throughout the story. Their chemistry was undeniable, making every interaction exciting.
Both characters experience a lot of growth, but Caleb’s transformation really stood out. He starts off as an anti-love, emotionally guarded billionaire with daddy issues, but watching him evolve into the perfect partner for Celeste was so satisfying. And let’s be real—his possessive, jealous side just made him even more irresistible!
Between the emotional depth, the sizzling tension, and the heartfelt character development, this book was such an addictive read. I’d definitely recommend it!
This book started off really great, but then the bickering and repetitiveness within the book just ruined the plot, the dialogue, and the characters. This book needs a huge edit. So frustrating.
Maxine is phenomenal and when I say that I automatically buy her books when they release I do! She’s one of my favorite go to authors! I recommend her books constantly. Heck I did so today actually! And so after reading this book I knew I had to have it for my Snack Saturday! Because Caleb is 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Maxine can write one heck of an enemies to lovers… heck she can write just about anything and make it magical chefs kiss 💋 live rent free in my mind kind of books! And this one is just another nailed it book for her!
Maxine is masterful at her ability to craft a story that checks all the boxes… rich plot, charming fully faceted characters, spicy moments that enhance the plot, and the banter… I could write a novel myself on how extraordinary her banter is!
I loved the way she had the chemistry ooze from these two in the most delicious way as it comes across as deep dislike there is such tension you could cut it with a knife. I loved Celeste and since I studied abroad in France she just got extra points in her court from me! I loved how head strong she was and so stubborn but it made for such a wonderful story! But she gives back all the stuff Calab sends her was with his equally stubborn self. I loved the transition from fake to real and it was done so well you’ll melt into a puddle on the floor.
Caleb’s growth in this book was so amazing I just wanted to slap him sometimes because he fights it so much but in the end the journey he took was worth it and I loved watching it. And OMG I LOVE when Maxine does a “my wife” moment you know it’s going to be 🔥!
Celeste had such a brave face but watching her walls come down and her being vulnerable and opening up was just the cherry on top of this perfect story! She’s such a strong person that I just loved when she let him help her.
I read this book much like I do all her books I devour them in a day! I’m so excited to go on this new adventure with all these wonderful characters! I was so sad to leave Reckless Billionaires but I love the fact she still has them in on here with Cas’s Cassi!!!
And if you'd love a Look Behind the Book I had the great pleasure and honor to have an interview with Maxine! It's live now on my Youtube and Spotify channels!!! She is truly an amazing and sweet person! Be sure to check out all her books you won't be disappointed!!
😈/🥰 Enemies to Lovers 💍 Marriage of Convenience 😘 Best Friend's Brother 💸 Possessive Billionaire 🩰 Curvy Dancer Heroine 🛏️ Forced Proximity 💀 Touch her &... vibes 🫶 Found Family 🫠 My wife ✌🏻 Dual POV
Another surprise by a new-to-me author & another backlog of novels I need to add to my TBR. I deeply enjoyed Maxine Henri's enemies-to-lovers, marriage of convenience billionaire romance. You have a commitment-phobe billionaire in the midst of a crisis of conscience, dealing with the fallout of his father's actions & his sister's French-born, dancer best friend who he constantly buts heads with needing a visa to stay in the country. It's a fun premise but the intricate relationships woven throughout this story, emotional backgrounds & self-discovery for our MCs had me enamored from start to finish.
The immediate chemistry disguised as dislike between Caleb & Celeste drew me in. There's this push & pull dynamic, Celeste giving Caleb back everything he threw at her. Both headstrong & stubborn, they eventually start letting their guards down to showcase their "fake" marriage as a real one and when their feelings do turn real, it's slow & swoony. Caleb in particular has immense character growth, taking on a protective role over Celeste. He fights his feelings every step of the way until he can't deny them (hello the "my wife" moments!)
Celeste does her best to hide her vulnerabilities but the moments where she lets Caleb see her confidence waver are some of my favorites. The way she stands up for herself & reluctantly allows Caleb to help her despite her independent nature creates this depth & relatability.
Once their resolve breaks, Caleb & Celeste do not lack for spice. Exhibitionism is alive & well with these two. There is so much good that happens & the plot moves pretty quickly that I read this one within a day. There are a lot of supporting characters that have me hoping there are books we get to discover more of their backstories.
💖 Enemies to Lovers 💍 Marriage of Convenience ➶ Best Friend's Brother 💸 Possessive Billionaire 🩰 Curvy Dancer Heroine 🛏️ Forced Proximity 💋 Touch her &... vibes 🫶 Found Family ❣️ My wife ✌🏻 Dual POV
Caleb and Celeste are a perfect match in every sense. Caleb may be the billionaire boss with a golden heart but Celeste holds her own power in her elegance, beauty and talent. It started with teasing and banter laced with animosity but when the critical situation involving Celeste's citizenship lead to the fake marriage, things changed. Chemistry intervened though it was slow burn torture. Both of them erected walls around their hearts built from their trauma and issues. But slowly and surely the walls crumpled. I loved how the author took all the time to create their bond. It was sometimes sassy and sometimes swoony and sometimes heartaching.
💙 Marriage of Convenience 💍 Enemies to lovers 💙 Best Friend’s brother 💍 Forced Proximity 💙 Jealous, possessive billionaire 💍 Confident curvy heroine 💙 No 3rd act breakup 💍 Touch her and… vibes 💙 My wife 💍 + a surprise popular trope
Caleb is constantly trying to correct his a&&hole father's mistakes, that includes rebuilding the family business with his brother. But he wanted challenge. That's why he left it and a new opportunity came his way. At the same time, he was trying to help his sister's best friend Celeste..reluctantly. Celeste didn't trust him or his intentions. His arrogance and c0cky attitude made her defensive and she is certainly proud enough. But her passion, her dancing career, her livelihood all depended on the fake marriage. They discussed boundaries and they tried to keep it like a business deal. But their attraction refused to stay down. With each passing day, Celeste experienced the amazing man behind the billionaire mask. A caring and protective and fair man every way, torturing himself for his father's sin. Likewise, Caleb found Celeste's vulnerable side hidden behind her fierce and sometimes prickly side. But none of them were ready for real relationship before so the intensity of their unexpected feelings blindsided them. It took some twists, turns, heartbreak and finally, grand gestures to bring their happily ever after.
¡Gracias a este libro salí del bloqueo lector! Y gracias este libro agrego a otro crush literario a mi lista.
Este es un libro que tiene una trama entretenida, una narración dinámica que intercala ambos puntos de vista, lo que nos permite conocer más a fondo los sentimientos de nuestros protagonistas. Me encantó que como avanza la trama más te es difícil soltar el libro.
Amé la dinámica entre los protagonistas, nunca se vuelve aburrida y solo incrementa conforme la historia va creciendo, un punto que a mi parecer disfrute mucho es que hacen a Caleb nuestro protagonista muy humano, lo cual lo hace mucho más atractivo. La historia de romance no se siente para nada apresurada, la tensión es palpable y te es inevitable no soltar ciertos suspiros con algunas escenas.
¿Lo recomiendo? Si, sinceramente yo voy a agregar a la lista los demás libros de esta serie. Si te gustan los enemies to lovers, las escenas spicy y matrimonios por conveniencia, este es el libro que buscabas
*ENGLISH REVIEW* *I received an advanced copy of the story for an honest review.*
Thank you Hambright PR for sending me this ARC!
This is a book with an entertaining plot, a dynamic narration that intersperses both points of view, which allows us to get to know the feelings of our main characters more in depth. I loved that as the plot progresses, it becomes more difficult for you to put the book down, you get hooked.
I loved the dynamic between Caleb and Celeste, it never gets boring and only increases as the story grows. One point that I really enjoyed is that they make Caleb a very human character, which makes him much more attractive. The romance story doesn't feel rushed at all, the tension is palpable and you can't help but sigh at some scenes.
📚📚📚 This book definitely hooked me from chapter one and I could not put it down. It was definitely one of those reads where I’m constantly reaching for my kindle till I finish! My obsession and love for Caleb!! Omg that man! He may be completely terrified of commitment but Celeste will definitely have his mind all messed up and question what he actually wants. I loved how much in the beginning they just despise one another and truly only because of one misunderstanding. Caleb is all the possessive billionaire we would all be on our knees for. But the confidence Celeste carried as well was too tier! The banter between the two I ate up and the spice had me melting!! Definitely add this one to your tbr if you’re looking for a billionaire romance with great spice!
📚📚📚 If you like to read: - Marriage of Convenience - Enemies to lovers - Best friends brother - Forced proximity - Jealous, possessive billionaire - Confident curvy heroine - No 3rd act break up - Touch her and you 💀💀 vibes - My Wife … You should definitely check this out
📚📚📚
Thank you so much for sending me a copy for an honest review in my own words.
✨What’s a billionaire rec you have? If not what’s a billionaire movie you’ve enjoyed?
A Temporary Forever is a Contemporary Romance book with a billionaire hero and sassy heroine stuck in a reluctant marriage of convenience and I had so much fun reading this book, I really liked it and can’t wait for the next one in this series of standalones!
Celeste is a dancer and when her working visa expires because of a mistake, her only option is to marry her best friend’s brother, Caleb. They have always disliked each other, but forced to live and spend more time together, they soon realize they can’t ignore their growing attraction and their fake marriage starts to seem more and more real despite their aversion to relationships.
A Temporary Forever has so many of my favorite tropes and I was hooked since the first page. Celeste and Caleb were amazing main characters, they were equally stubborn and not happy to be married, but I loved seeing them slowly tearing each other’s walls down and becoming a real couple, I loved their banter, conversations and, of course, the spicy scenes. They made a truly beautiful family and Mia was also an interesting character and I loved how she made their family complete. I also really liked all the subplots, there were some interesting side characters and their stories have me really excited about what is coming next from this author.
A Temporary Forever is a really great read with interesting characters and beautiful romance, I enjoyed it and definitely recommend it to all romance books lovers.
A Temporary Forever by Maxine Henri is a fun and steamy enemies-to-lovers romance that totally had me hooked. Celeste Delacroix is living her dream in Manhattan, but when a mistake threatens her ability to stay in the U.S., she’s left with no choice but to marry Caleb van den Linden—her best friend’s billionaire brother and the last person she’d ever want to marry. The catch? It’s a marriage of convenience, and Caleb doesn’t exactly jump at the idea. What starts as a reluctant arrangement quickly turns into a slow-burn romance that kept me turning pages. Caleb and Celeste have this love/hate banter that works so well. She’s strong, determined, and isn’t afraid to stand her ground, especially when it comes to Caleb’s playboy attitude. Caleb might be infuriating at first, but watching his character grow and seeing him fall for Celeste was a highlight of the story. Their chemistry is undeniable, and the way their relationship evolves from hate to something deeper was honestly so fun to read. The fake marriage, best friend’s brother, and enemies-to-lovers tropes were all executed perfectly and made for a book I couldn’t put down. If you’re into slow-burn romances with great banter, fun character growth, and a touch of steam, this one’s for you. I really enjoyed Celeste and Caleb’s journey, and I can’t wait to check out more from Maxine Henri!
💙 Marriage of Convenience 💍 Enemies to lovers 💙 Best Friend’s brother 💍 Forced Proximity 💙 Jealous, possessive billionaire 💍 Confident curvy heroine 💙 No 3rd act breakup
Thank you so much Maxine Henri and Hambright PR for the eARC and physical copy of A Temporary Forever. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I love NYC. Anytime I come across a book that takes place in the sprawling metropolis, I just have to pick it up. A Temporary Forever is no exception. As soon as I realized that the book is a marriage of convenience romance between a French contemporary dancer and a gorgeous billionaire, I knew I had to read it 🥳!
I really enjoyed reading about strong FMC, Celeste. She’s been through a lot, but this professional dancer holds her own among the most intimidating men in Manhattan. I also loved that she’s whip smart and could teach her newly acquired business billionaire husband a thing or two about negotiating.
Caleb was also interesting to read about. His complicated family dynamics and the trauma that stemmed from it lead him to struggle with big life changes throughout the story. I love that whenever he got lost or overwhelmed, Celeste was able to gently point him in the right direction.
Interconnected standalone fans, you’re in luck! A Temporary Forever is the first of 4 planned books in the series! The complicated past of the couple that will be featured in the next installment is sure to be a page turner! 👀
In the pages, you will find:
💍Marriage of Convenience ⚔️Enemies to lovers 💰A hot Billionaire 💃A professional dancer 👰♀️”My wife” 🪢Forced proximity ❤️🩹Overcoming trauma 🤝Strong female friendships 🌶️Spice 📖The first book in an interconnected standalone series!
This book had me hooked right from the blurb. I’m a sucker for enemies to lovers but this also had marriage of convince, he’s a billionaire, her best friends brother, AND he’s got a daughter!! Talk about a book filled with angst. Both main characters were just so easy to love right from the start and their banter was 100% on point.
Caleb truly has a big heart, not only would he do anything for his siblings and friends he’s also trying to do whatever he can for those his father wronged. Celeste is a dancer who has overcome body issues in the past from being told she doesn’t have the body of a dancer. Unfortunately she works for an asshole who forgets to reapply for a visa and now is being told has to leave the country and return to France. Then in steps her best friend and suggest she marry her older brother, Caleb. What a great best friend right?!?!?
Right from the start you can tell these two detest each other. The barbs that are thrown around between the two of them, the glares, and the fact that neither backs down and both want to have the last word, so entertaining. Their entire relationship was like being on a crazy rollercoaster of ups and downs, pushing the boundaries, and figuring out how they truly feel towards each other. I was thoroughly engrossed in these two and watching their relationship grow, change, and evolve from hate, to friendship, to love. However this story also involves Caleb’s teenage daughter Mia that no one knows about which adds another layer to their story.
I loved this book so much!!! It was filled with some of my favorite tropes including enemies to lovers, marriage of convenience, billionaire romance and so much more! 🤭💖
This story follows Celeste Delacroix, a French dancer, who is currently in a bind as her visa is about to expire. With time quickly running out before the deadline, her bestfriend suggests that she marry her single billionaire brother, Caleb. The only problem is, Celeste and Caleb are not too fond of each other to say the least!
What started off as a fake marriage for a green card turns into something much more. We really get to see these characters evolve and I absolutely ADORED them as a couple. A perfect read providing plenty of heartwarming moments, sweet surprises, and scenes packing all the steam and SPICE! Caleb van den Linden… the man that you are! 🥵
I really enjoyed this story so much and the plot was absolutely brilliant! There was quite a lot of cursing which I did find a bit distracting at times but I really did love this story and could not get enough of this couple!
I also really loved the wonderful addition of Mia as I think she was the perfect ribbon on top 🎀 to tie up this wonderful read. I was melting and kicking my feet by the end of this one. With a perfect blend of chemistry, banter and found family, this book will leave you feeling all of the emotions!
Thank you so much to the author and Hambright PR for providing me with this ARC copy in exchange for my honest review. 🫶🏻🩷
This tale follows Celeste and Caleb in marriage of convenience that quickly blurs the lines between duty and desire.
Celeste is a confident and elegant size 16 woman who is unapologetically herself and exudes a magnetic sexuality that draws in Caleb, the arrogant playboy with an untapped heart of gold. Their banter is sharp and sizzling, filled with intense chemistry that had me hooked from the very first page. I loved how Caleb appreciated Celeste's authenticity and strength. The way they challenged each other kept the tension high and the pages turning.
The physical connection between them is electric and made every moment charged with lust. Their chemistry is not just physical; it evolves beautifully throughout the story by slowly uncovering the depth of their feelings. I found myself wanting them to fall for each other much faster because their connection was so palpable and when they finally did, it was absolutely perfect.
The found family aspect added an extra layer of warmth and charm, especially in the endearing epilogue. Watching Caleb court Celeste in such sweet and thoughtful ways melted my heart. The supporting characters enrich the story by providing humor and wisdom that help navigate the complexities of their relationship.
This book is a brilliant blend of humor, heat, and heartfelt moments. If you’re looking for a romance that explores the intricacies of love, commitment, and self-acceptance, look no further.
If you're into billionaire romances, A Temporary Forever by Maxine Henri is worth picking up. The story follows a businessman with deep-rooted commitment issues and a determined dancer in need of a visa, setting the stage for a compelling and high-stakes relationship.
One of the standout aspects of this book is the clear and believable motives for both protagonists. The characters are well-developed, and their psychological depth feels authentic, making their actions and reactions feel realistic and relatable The tension between them is delicious and on page from the get go.
I particularly appreciated seeing a curvy female main character who is also portrayed as graceful—it's a refreshing representation. While there was a moment where the term "lithe" seemed inconsistent with the established description of her, it didn't detract from my overall enjoyment.
The male lead is not always likable, but his complexities and the slow unravelling of his emotional barriers really do make me feel like he's a fleshed out character. The story is well-written and easy to read, making it effortless to get lost in. It kept me hooked, and I’d happily give it 4 stars.
You'll love this if you enjoy: 💙 Marriage of Convenience 💍 Enemies to lovers 💙 Best Friend’s brother 💍 Forced Proximity 💙 Jealous, possessive billionaire 💍 Confident curvy heroine 💙 No 3rd act breakup 💍 Touch her and… vibes 💙 My wife 💍 + a surprise popular trope
My Review: My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Pages: 518 Genre: Romance Tropes: 💙Marriage Of Convenience
💍Enemies To Lovers
💙Best Friends Brother
💍Forced Proximity
💙Jealous, Possesive Billionaire
💍Confident Curvy Heroine
💙No Third Act Breakup
💍Touch Her And ….. Vibes
💙My Wife
💍A Surprise Popular Trope
Caleb and Celeste are perfection! He is grumpy she is sunshine. He try’s to right others wrongs and she is proud of what she has. He try’s to change the world and she is confident in who she is.
The sass and banter in this book is chefs kiss!! She has no problem calling Caleb out.
The back stories of each of them are heart breaking and help define the people they’ve grown into.
Two wonderful people, each wronged in their youth who find themselves in each other. This storyline is perfection. It will have you wanting to give each of them hugs. Very well developed characters.
This is my first Maxine Henri books and I will definitely be delving into her backlist!
I highly recommend this book. It has angst, heartache, love, tenderness and you’ll shed tears. It’ll take you on a journey of emotions.