First Comes Marriage: A Second Chance Reality TV Contemporary Romance

by Kelli Storm

Shoutline

“First Comes Marriage…”

And second, another chance.

Even if it would finally put a smile on her teenage daughter’s face, Kyleigh Sinclair can’t believe she’s set to wed a stranger on a reality show! Especially a show hosted and created by former boy-band star Paul Rodriguez, who shattered Kyleigh’s heart in high school and never looked back. Notorious playboy Paul’s so close to his long-awaited ticket to production success, and the winning formula for that is Kyleigh’s perfect ninety-day himself! But as Paul’s connection with Kyleigh hums stronger than ever despite the betrayals of the past, he discovers that his new bride and her daughter are hardly make-believe. They’re the family he’s been searching for all along… 

From Harlequin Special Believe in love. Overcome obstacles. Find happiness.

Challenge Accepted

269 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 30, 2025

About the author

When the 2008 recession hit, KELLI STORM found herself without a job and with too much time on her hands. To fill the void, she began writing fan fiction. She soon developed a following, and her readers encouraged her to write an original story. Kelli’s debut book, HIS SMALL-TOWN CHALLENGE (Harlequin Special Edition, 2025), is an ode to her love of boy bands.

Kelli earned her bachelor’s from Grand Valley State University. She’s the author of the Challenge Accepted series for Harlequin Special Edition and the young adult fantasy series, The Assembly Hearts, which includes DESOLATE (Tiny Fox Press, 2025). She lives in the Great Lake State with three rescue dogs and a fifteen-year-old fish named Henry O’Malley.

Reviews

[Kate Vale]

Another in the Challenge Accepted series, in which craft store owner and single mother, Kyleigh Sinclair, is shocked to learn that her 13-year-old has entered her in a reality show in which a couple is married and over three months, decides whether they will stay married or have an annulment. Also what she doesn't know is that the producer of the show and its host, is former bad-boy band member, Paul Rodriguez, her boyfriend when they were in high school.

But he'd dumped her on prom night and she has no intention of getting together with him again. And Paul has no intention of losing her again, but can he convince Kyleigh that his love is for real? Oh, and if he can't convince her, what about how bonded he's become with Kyleigh's daughter?

[aspeccharactersoftheday]

Julie Reynolds from First Comes Marriage is asexual!

https://www.tumblr.com/aspeccharacter...