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A Temporary Engagement #4
Some Like It Hopeless
In love with her gay best friend since forever, Cassandra Spencer has accepted that not everyone can have the fairy tale. Not everyone can have marriage and children and the same last name. But she has Shane, and she loves him and he loves her... Until he falls in love with someone else. Someone nothing like Cassandra; someone she can never accept.
Brady Roberts destroyed his whole world, and there will be no forgiveness. No end to his guilt and pain. He exists day to day until he tangles with a woman who just won’t let him. A woman who believes that life is meant to be lived, no matter how hard it is. No matter how much it hurts. No matter how hopeless. Because sometimes, hopeless doesn’t have to mean alone. And sometimes, hopeless isn’t the end.
Brady Roberts destroyed his whole world, and there will be no forgiveness. No end to his guilt and pain. He exists day to day until he tangles with a woman who just won’t let him. A woman who believes that life is meant to be lived, no matter how hard it is. No matter how much it hurts. No matter how hopeless. Because sometimes, hopeless doesn’t have to mean alone. And sometimes, hopeless isn’t the end.
203 pages, ebook
First published May 6, 2014
83 people are currently reading
605 people want to read
About the author
Megan Bryce
20 books281 followersMegan Bryce sits in front of a computer all day making up stories for a living. Which means she is not nearly as interesting (as well as tall, svelte, and/or dressed) as her characters. She gets bored quickly and just can't be bothered with anyone in her head who doesn't make her laugh--which translates into fun books, outrageous situations, and witty characters.
She writes both contemporary and historical romance, and you can visit her website at www.meganbryce.com
She writes both contemporary and historical romance, and you can visit her website at www.meganbryce.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
July 23, 2014
The only thing I liked about this book was that we got to see Ethan and Mackenzie from book 1. Everything else was weird, angsty, and supremely unsatisfying. It's a book about two people settling. They settle and are okay with knowing that if either one of them had what they wanted they wouldn't be with each other. That's just...wrong. On so many levels. I don't recommend this even a little bit. Especially if you expect any of the wit and charm of book 1. I've just been disappointed with every book after the first one.
Also, FYI vasectomies are reversible.
Also, FYI vasectomies are reversible.
May 16, 2014
Be warned that this book is nothing like Some Like It Charming, Some Like It Perfect, and Some Like It Ruthless. It isn't even close and I was so disappointed. For me this was a depressing book and I had trouble sleeping once I finished it.
Cassandra was so very much in love with her gay best friend, Shane, and she wanted him to be her HEA regardless. She wanted him whatever way she could have him. Very sad reality is that it was evident he was not going to be her forever. He loves her as well, until he falls in love with Christian. He still loves her but as his best friend. I did not care for Cassandra's character and she was not all that likeable. Poor Cassandra could not catch a break. Everything dream she had of her future would most likely never happen.
Brady has had a severe tragedy that has changed his life forever. There will never be forgiveness and his world is destroyed. He just trudges through life a day at a time. He meets Cass and they have fling but he doesn't want anything more than that. They both realize that if they remain a couple they will be each others second best always because if they had a choice they would have chosen someone else. She is truly devastated with what Brady has to tell her and then he leaves her...
Big problem with the gay couple. To me, their characters were portrayed as weak-bodied, weak-minded, somewhat effeminate, wimpy, and they actually reminded me of two girls. They had no cojones whatsoever. I did not find it a flattering characterization of these two men.
It was like a weird foursome with Shane in love with Cass and Christian and Cass in love with Shane and Brady. I don't think, no matter the circumstances, that I could be someone's second choice, their consolation prize. It just isn't in me.
Do I recommend this book. I am sorry to say that I cannot. But I need to also say that the situations and characterizations in this book may not trouble others as it did me so it may work for you.
Cassandra was so very much in love with her gay best friend, Shane, and she wanted him to be her HEA regardless. She wanted him whatever way she could have him. Very sad reality is that it was evident he was not going to be her forever. He loves her as well, until he falls in love with Christian. He still loves her but as his best friend. I did not care for Cassandra's character and she was not all that likeable. Poor Cassandra could not catch a break. Everything dream she had of her future would most likely never happen.
Brady has had a severe tragedy that has changed his life forever. There will never be forgiveness and his world is destroyed. He just trudges through life a day at a time. He meets Cass and they have fling but he doesn't want anything more than that. They both realize that if they remain a couple they will be each others second best always because if they had a choice they would have chosen someone else. She is truly devastated with what Brady has to tell her and then he leaves her...
Big problem with the gay couple. To me, their characters were portrayed as weak-bodied, weak-minded, somewhat effeminate, wimpy, and they actually reminded me of two girls. They had no cojones whatsoever. I did not find it a flattering characterization of these two men.
It was like a weird foursome with Shane in love with Cass and Christian and Cass in love with Shane and Brady. I don't think, no matter the circumstances, that I could be someone's second choice, their consolation prize. It just isn't in me.
Do I recommend this book. I am sorry to say that I cannot. But I need to also say that the situations and characterizations in this book may not trouble others as it did me so it may work for you.
July 22, 2025
Why Are The Ratings So Low!
5 Full Stars
This one proved to me you can't judge a book by the reviews!
This ended up being my favorite of this entire series. It was amazing.
ALL the characters were fantastic.
I LOVED Cassandra & Brady. I adored Shane & Christian.
This was Heartbreaking and Heartwarming.
HEARTFELT!
And Oh So Realistic!
The sex scenes are not graphic. They are almost but not quite Behind Closed Doors. Yet you can definitely FEEL the passion. Normally that would be a huge turnoff for me. But somehow this amazing author has a skill that few others have.
While the stories in this series are relatively short, between 180 or so pages up to about 230 pages being the longest one, this author packs a punch in each one. And does it spectacularly.
They aren't clean, but they are not graphic either.
But they will make you Laugh and Cry and FEEL.
5 Full Stars
This one proved to me you can't judge a book by the reviews!
This ended up being my favorite of this entire series. It was amazing.
ALL the characters were fantastic.
I LOVED Cassandra & Brady. I adored Shane & Christian.
This was Heartbreaking and Heartwarming.
HEARTFELT!
And Oh So Realistic!
The sex scenes are not graphic. They are almost but not quite Behind Closed Doors. Yet you can definitely FEEL the passion. Normally that would be a huge turnoff for me. But somehow this amazing author has a skill that few others have.
While the stories in this series are relatively short, between 180 or so pages up to about 230 pages being the longest one, this author packs a punch in each one. And does it spectacularly.
They aren't clean, but they are not graphic either.
But they will make you Laugh and Cry and FEEL.
March 27, 2015
Some like it hopeless is the latest in Megan Bryce’s A Temporary Engagement Series. Having read the other stories in the series and reading the blurb of this one I was unsure if I even wanted to read this one, but I decided to give it a shot as the other novels I had really enjoyed.
That being said I found this book very hard to deal with. The premise of the book is about two people ending up together, however in one person is actually in love with someone else and, the second person in the relationship has decided not to trust themselves or others in love again. While I'll admit the author gives the story realism, as fairy tales do not occur in real life, this is part of a romance series and it’s left decidedly unfinished in my opinion. Romance stories are meant to have happily ever after endings and this one does not in fact it deems as if in the end the couple isn't so much happy as content with the status quo, which to me just seems wrong in the context of a novel.
This could have been saved by the author if she had drawn more on the relationship development between the characters instead of fast forwarding to a maternity ward where we are expected to believe everything is fine now. Overall while this wasn’t an altogether bad read it was not as good as the previous novels in the series and therefore came off decidedly lacking.
That being said I found this book very hard to deal with. The premise of the book is about two people ending up together, however in one person is actually in love with someone else and, the second person in the relationship has decided not to trust themselves or others in love again. While I'll admit the author gives the story realism, as fairy tales do not occur in real life, this is part of a romance series and it’s left decidedly unfinished in my opinion. Romance stories are meant to have happily ever after endings and this one does not in fact it deems as if in the end the couple isn't so much happy as content with the status quo, which to me just seems wrong in the context of a novel.
This could have been saved by the author if she had drawn more on the relationship development between the characters instead of fast forwarding to a maternity ward where we are expected to believe everything is fine now. Overall while this wasn’t an altogether bad read it was not as good as the previous novels in the series and therefore came off decidedly lacking.
August 31, 2016
This is such a weird book. It's a unique kind of bittersweet, of heartache, of requited loves that can't be fulfilled, not really. I like Bryce's writing, and I like this story, but I'm just so…weirded out. There are moments of poignancy, of humour, of sweetness so bitter that it just makes your heart squeeze painfully. The characters develop subtly, incompletely. And that works for me, because this is a story of hopeless halves. It's a difficult book to read and, now that I've finished it, even harder to review.
And what a weird, but somehow fitting, ending.
Life's a bitch. What's next?
And what a weird, but somehow fitting, ending.
Life's a bitch. What's next?
February 14, 2015
Some might like it hopeless, but I am not one of them.
September 25, 2021
Audiobook
Cassandra and Brady
Shane and Christian.
Loved both couples 💑 and enjoyed both of their stories. My favorite of the bunch.
I actually loved Shane and Christian's story the most. And Shane and Cassandra's love too. Amazing!
Cassandra and Brady
Shane and Christian.
Loved both couples 💑 and enjoyed both of their stories. My favorite of the bunch.
I actually loved Shane and Christian's story the most. And Shane and Cassandra's love too. Amazing!
December 11, 2016
This book did a lot of things I admire and it would be rated much higher if not for two problems: first, the ending. The author created a really fascinating, complicated, atypical romance and then in the last few moments, sold out their growth for a cliched "one true love" sort of ending. And the second complaint is that the sex was remarkably tepid for a relationship based on sex. I wish I could have seen more of their personalities come out through their lovemaking because they clearly communicated well there but we (the readers) never really saw it.
I really loved the secondary romance, the delicate blossoming of a gay relationship was handled with respect and I liked that the characters clearly loved each other but were blind to some of the issues that their lover had. It made them feel like real people.
I really loved the secondary romance, the delicate blossoming of a gay relationship was handled with respect and I liked that the characters clearly loved each other but were blind to some of the issues that their lover had. It made them feel like real people.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 16, 2014
Can two people who have been through the love wringer find some form of happiness?
I found this story painful but rewarding. I don't know if I'll re-read it though I am glad I experienced it in the first place.
A heroine in love with her gay best friend. A hero consumed by guilt because he caused the death of his wife and son. No excuses or dissembling to make the past loves "untrue" and the current relationship more legitimate. And, as a bonus, an exploration of what family really means.
Great story, but be prepared for a lot of angst.
I found this story painful but rewarding. I don't know if I'll re-read it though I am glad I experienced it in the first place.
A heroine in love with her gay best friend. A hero consumed by guilt because he caused the death of his wife and son. No excuses or dissembling to make the past loves "untrue" and the current relationship more legitimate. And, as a bonus, an exploration of what family really means.
Great story, but be prepared for a lot of angst.
June 3, 2015
Not what I expected. Very different actually. But it left me...unsatisfied as a reader that really got into the story. Just a few tidbits missing to make it a truly satisfying read.
This was my first time reading from this author and I plan to look into more of her work. She created a different-written atmosphere with characters that the reader ends up having love/hate relationships with. More love than anything else ;)
This was my first time reading from this author and I plan to look into more of her work. She created a different-written atmosphere with characters that the reader ends up having love/hate relationships with. More love than anything else ;)
December 24, 2015
This was my first read from this author. I'm guessing by reviews that the other books in this series are more typical light hearted romance. I think this book was supposed to be angsty, gritty, etc. Unfortunately, it kinda reads like bad college poetry reading night drama. I didn't love it. I will try another by this author based on other reviews though.
January 6, 2023
Did she just equate being responsible for your wife & child’s death while driving coke’d up to being in an unrequited relationship with her gay best friend?
Damn...she cold.
The secondary couple should have had their own book. The story of Shane & Christian needed more depth than the significance of the color of a shirt.
Damn...she cold.
The secondary couple should have had their own book. The story of Shane & Christian needed more depth than the significance of the color of a shirt.
May 10, 2024
This is so awful I wish I could give it minus stars. It’s simply the most depressing and dismal story I’ve read in ages. It’s not a good romance. The characterisation of the gay couple was beyond a caricature. The settling for 2nd best is unacceptable in my eyes. The whole “having a baby for your lost lover and his partner” simply bizarre and unreal. -
February 8, 2015
Depressing
March 11, 2021
I liked this book a little more than the last 2 in the series. It dealt with some difficult topics. I was so excited to listen to Cassandra’s story because I loved her in book 1. She is in love with her best friend, Shane, who is gay. In a moment of hopelessness, she starts a temporary relationship with Brady, who was suffering from massive guilt because of what he did in his past. Can they overcome their issues to find their HEA. There is a bit more angst in this story than the others so be prepared for some difficult discussions. But it was overall well done.
These stories all have 2 couples, seemingly and this one was no different. Shane is in love with Christian who doesn’t feel comfortable with his status. Ouch. So they had to overcome this.
There is finally a couple of HEA but boy, the road there is a bit difficult.
Tess Irondale narrated all 4 books and she did well overall. I enjoyed her narration and her ability to play multiple characters.
These stories all have 2 couples, seemingly and this one was no different. Shane is in love with Christian who doesn’t feel comfortable with his status. Ouch. So they had to overcome this.
There is finally a couple of HEA but boy, the road there is a bit difficult.
Tess Irondale narrated all 4 books and she did well overall. I enjoyed her narration and her ability to play multiple characters.
July 31, 2020
I love to hate it...I think. While I enjoyed the other books in this series, this one I’m left feeling disappointed. I get real life happens and sometimes real life sucks. Like losing your wife and child, being the one who did it, being in love with your gay best friend...and I like seeing real life situations in my romance books but I do t like feeling defeated and down when I finish. It’s romance for a reason, we want a HEA. While there is one, it’s a downer. The connections weren’t as strong for me in this book, I didn’t feel them or that they were anywhere strong enough. I feel like they were living in the past and for the “what if’s”. 2 stars because I liked some of the characters that showed up and I like the style but didn’t come close to falling in love with this one and I had high hopes.
February 14, 2021
im giving it a 3 stars cause i dont know if i loved it or not. i thought this was the next in the series and well i skipped the 2nd and 3rd book. whoops. anyways. im addicted to the HEA and i didnt feel like i got it from this book. i had ALL the feels and i felt so much for Brady, i dont know what that feeling is like but i felt bad and i want happiness for him. Cass well... i get being in love with someone you cant. but can you really compare being in love with a gay guy to having killed your wife and child? i get you lost someone (ina away) but JESUS THEY ARE TWO DIFFERENT THINGS. they have their happy ending yes, but it just doesnt satisfy me. she still made it seem like it was second best. but come on i love alot of people im not IN love with them. ya know.
im debating about listening to the second and third now.
im debating about listening to the second and third now.
May 2, 2019
I returned this KU book day before yesterday and already have forgotten what it was about. I remember feeling like it was... nope, I can't remember. I do remember supreme disappointment and a wish that I had not picked it up in the first place. Usually, those feelings arise when there are ridiculous cliches throughout the novel, or when the romance isn't believable, or when I couldn't possibly care less for the characters. Perhaps there was a combination of all three here, but I'll never know because I'm not about to re-read it to remind myself. Sorry, Review Readers, for not having specifics. C'est la vie.
July 19, 2018
I felt the author put too much focus on Shane and Christian relationship. Cassandra's love for Shane felt more like stubbornness. However, I liked that Brady's love and admiration for Cassandra was based on who and what she was rather than how she looked. Too many books spend time describing the physical features of the female character and how much the hero loves those said features.
The ending was bittersweet but it made sense in a weird way, not your normal HEA.
The ending was bittersweet but it made sense in a weird way, not your normal HEA.
October 10, 2019
I Was Wrong -This One Is The Best
I have no idea how this author did it, but this story is the best of this series --even though I cried through most of it! I don't think I have ever read a story that felt more honest than this one. The main characters both have pasts that are so sad, but they hook-up and go from there.
Once you start reading you will not be able to stop. I can't wait to read the next book by this author.
I have no idea how this author did it, but this story is the best of this series --even though I cried through most of it! I don't think I have ever read a story that felt more honest than this one. The main characters both have pasts that are so sad, but they hook-up and go from there.
Once you start reading you will not be able to stop. I can't wait to read the next book by this author.
January 12, 2024
“Life’s a bitch. What’s next?”
This book is Heartbreaking. This books shows that love isn’t everything you’ve ever wanted, it’s what you need. Multiple love stories, and not all of them are their dream love stories.
“Cassandra always quotes, ‘a bird and a fish can fall in love, but where will they live?’ I’m the bird; she’s the fish. She calls you my pretty little bird.”
“Thank you. Thank you for my family.” She opened her eyes to look over at him. “I was just keeping them warm for you.”
This book is Heartbreaking. This books shows that love isn’t everything you’ve ever wanted, it’s what you need. Multiple love stories, and not all of them are their dream love stories.
“Cassandra always quotes, ‘a bird and a fish can fall in love, but where will they live?’ I’m the bird; she’s the fish. She calls you my pretty little bird.”
“Thank you. Thank you for my family.” She opened her eyes to look over at him. “I was just keeping them warm for you.”
July 9, 2019
Wow
I had read SLI Charming and loved Cass but wow, this was light years more of everything. The twists and turns were not just on Mullholland Dr. So many relationships woven together make Christian's plaid shirts seem like a not so straight line. Not to mention an ending that I never saw coming. Bravo!
I had read SLI Charming and loved Cass but wow, this was light years more of everything. The twists and turns were not just on Mullholland Dr. So many relationships woven together make Christian's plaid shirts seem like a not so straight line. Not to mention an ending that I never saw coming. Bravo!
October 23, 2019
You'll need tissues here. A reviewer said this is a book about settling. I think that reviewer must have led a charmed life.
This is a book about love and loss, about guilt and survival, about people who are living with pain and how they manage to find their own version of an HEA when life hasn't handed it to them so neatly.
This is a book about love and loss, about guilt and survival, about people who are living with pain and how they manage to find their own version of an HEA when life hasn't handed it to them so neatly.
August 25, 2021
even after being not completely satisfactory, it was good book. it gave me a reality check. but if i knew that the story would be the way it was, i wouldn't have read it. even if it was bitter-sweet, it was still really sad. me being a hopeless romantic, i don't approve of story ending with "i can't have the whole world but i am okay with it"
October 2, 2018
I wish i could give this book more than 5 stars.
what an utterly brilliant read.
My heart broke for Cass and Brady, i loved how broken and honest they were.
The ending was exactlly as it should be, bittersweet and beautiful.
what an utterly brilliant read.
My heart broke for Cass and Brady, i loved how broken and honest they were.
The ending was exactlly as it should be, bittersweet and beautiful.
March 17, 2021
A great series
This book was perfect to end the series with. The author does a fantastic job of writing this book and bring out some very deep topics in a fantastic way. Great job of writing.
This book was perfect to end the series with. The author does a fantastic job of writing this book and bring out some very deep topics in a fantastic way. Great job of writing.
August 9, 2021
This one was an amazing story of an unconventional family that I thought was a decent 3☆ almost all the way until I got to the end. Found family is so underrated and this story was such a good example of it.
May 13, 2018
Another great book by Megan, loved it!!
February 8, 2021
I did not enjoy this book. It did not have the same feel the other books in this series. The whole book had a heavy feeling to it like sadness & loneliness.
September 19, 2021
I was shocked! I don't know if a woman like that exists but i was speechless in the end. But the message throughout the book was what was priceless... Life sucks what's next?... Amazing book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews