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Avalon Falls #3
Stolen Vows
Graham Carter: ethical hacker, resident grump of Avalon Falls, and the man who’s about to make me his wife.
For convenience, of course.
I need an escape plan—fast. My family expects me to marry a man I can’t stand, and Graham needs a wife to secure his inheritance. A simple deal, no emotions involved. Just one year of marriage, and we both walk away with exactly what we want.
But living with Graham isn’t easy. He’s infuriatingly perceptive, impossible to ignore, and fiercely protective in ways I never expected. Every touch feels too real. Every glance lingers too long. And every threat from the man I left behind pulls me closer to the one I secretly wished for all along.
This was never supposed to be more than a transaction. But the longer we pretend, the harder it is to remember what’s real. And the most dangerous thing about Graham Carter?
I think he might want me, too.
tropes:
small town
marriage of convenience
grumpy x sunshine
mutual pining
MY WIFE
For convenience, of course.
I need an escape plan—fast. My family expects me to marry a man I can’t stand, and Graham needs a wife to secure his inheritance. A simple deal, no emotions involved. Just one year of marriage, and we both walk away with exactly what we want.
But living with Graham isn’t easy. He’s infuriatingly perceptive, impossible to ignore, and fiercely protective in ways I never expected. Every touch feels too real. Every glance lingers too long. And every threat from the man I left behind pulls me closer to the one I secretly wished for all along.
This was never supposed to be more than a transaction. But the longer we pretend, the harder it is to remember what’s real. And the most dangerous thing about Graham Carter?
I think he might want me, too.
tropes:
small town
marriage of convenience
grumpy x sunshine
mutual pining
MY WIFE
358 pages, Paperback
Published April 21, 2025
168 people are currently reading
1542 people want to read
About the author
Penelope Black
64 books1,944 followersPenelope Black lives in the Midwest with her husband and two tiny humans. When she's not writing, she enjoys over-the-top action movies, iced chai lattes, and soaking up the sun in her backyard with a good book.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 380 reviews
March 26, 2025
Gah! I wish I could pick up and move to Avalon Falls!! There have been a lot of great backdrops over the course of my years reading. Avalon Falls is one of my favorites though. Full RTC
February 26, 2025
10 years in the making…
Francesca x Graham 💕
Bookstore owner x cybersecurity hacker
Arranged marriages & loopholes
Marriage of convenience
Second chance ish
Grumpy x sunshine
Dog mom
Suspense
Slow burn
He hacks into her kindle highlights/notes for research.
She bakes him “sex muffins”.
These two were cute!
I liked them together.
Their Tuesday “dates” swoon
Arc review ✨
Francesca x Graham 💕
Bookstore owner x cybersecurity hacker
Arranged marriages & loopholes
Marriage of convenience
Second chance ish
Grumpy x sunshine
Dog mom
Suspense
Slow burn
He hacks into her kindle highlights/notes for research.
She bakes him “sex muffins”.
These two were cute!
I liked them together.
Their Tuesday “dates” swoon
Arc review ✨
February 27, 2025
ARC provided by Valentine PR!🧡🤍
The book started off really good. The tropes were promising, the build up was there and the first 40% or so was good. But everything after that started to make less and less sense. Hear me out:
1. The dialogues:
"My mother and grandmother pollute the room with their conversation, talking about my sister and me without talking to us."
"They float between the four of us, buoyed by a cloud of familial pollution."
"The pounding music reduced to a distant hum beneath above our heads." and etc.
Some of these dialogues and the choice of words overall were weird and I had to read the sentences twice to understand what exactly she wanted to say.
2. The premise:
Like I said, things after the 40% marks started to make less sense. Because tell me why Graham would marry a girl out of the goodness in his heart just so his brother can have his inheritance? It's a silly, unbelievable reason. And Frankie buying into this shit was laughable.
3. The marriage setup:
They were already attracted to eachother from the beginning. It was really cute and all but when the marriage deal took place, I don't understand why they had to wait 12 weeks to get married. And you're telling me Graham didn't even introduce her to his family, not even his brothers and sisters, even though he wants them to be convinced that the marriage is real? The first time she met his family was at the courthouse, which is again very weird. And then Graham goes on to tell his sister she didn't have to come all the way here to his WEDDING since it wasn"t a big deal? Like wtf? It doesn't even make sense. Why wouldn't your sibling come to your wedding? And then they didn't even go to celebrate after that because Frankie was 'uncomfortable' and Graham had work like whattttt???
3. Frankie's family:
On the wedding day, it's mentioned Frankie knows her parents keep tabs on her and blah blah blah so how come NOBODY heard the nees of her marriage? If she comes from such an influential family, how come her marriage isn't broadcasted around the country? And Graham making the money that he makes, it doesn't make any sense as to why they got married in a simple courthouse.
4. Doormat behaviour:
When Frankie found out that Graham dug up info on her and about the camera on the day they got married, she went like, "Oh, I trust him. I believe him. he would never invade my privacy like that. He doesn"t watch me. The camera is for security purposes only and I believe him." GURL ARE YOU SLOW???
5. Last but not least, the characters kept acting like the stakes were so high, as if they were in enemy territory or as if the entire world will crumble down if they got together but NO. There is no stakes. There is nothing. It"s unnecessary drama. They got together around the 50% mark or so and they could've gotten together way earlier in the book because there is literally nothing standing between their way.
6. Another thing which is honestly a personal ick is that the mmc has long hair which I find insanely unattractive.
Overall, the book was off with a promising start but it quickly went downhill. The tropes and setting were there but the execution was lacking so it wasn’t as enjoyable as I thought it'd be.
The book started off really good. The tropes were promising, the build up was there and the first 40% or so was good. But everything after that started to make less and less sense. Hear me out:
1. The dialogues:
"My mother and grandmother pollute the room with their conversation, talking about my sister and me without talking to us."
"They float between the four of us, buoyed by a cloud of familial pollution."
"The pounding music reduced to a distant hum beneath above our heads." and etc.
Some of these dialogues and the choice of words overall were weird and I had to read the sentences twice to understand what exactly she wanted to say.
2. The premise:
Like I said, things after the 40% marks started to make less sense. Because tell me why Graham would marry a girl out of the goodness in his heart just so his brother can have his inheritance? It's a silly, unbelievable reason. And Frankie buying into this shit was laughable.
3. The marriage setup:
They were already attracted to eachother from the beginning. It was really cute and all but when the marriage deal took place, I don't understand why they had to wait 12 weeks to get married. And you're telling me Graham didn't even introduce her to his family, not even his brothers and sisters, even though he wants them to be convinced that the marriage is real? The first time she met his family was at the courthouse, which is again very weird. And then Graham goes on to tell his sister she didn't have to come all the way here to his WEDDING since it wasn"t a big deal? Like wtf? It doesn't even make sense. Why wouldn't your sibling come to your wedding? And then they didn't even go to celebrate after that because Frankie was 'uncomfortable' and Graham had work like whattttt???
3. Frankie's family:
On the wedding day, it's mentioned Frankie knows her parents keep tabs on her and blah blah blah so how come NOBODY heard the nees of her marriage? If she comes from such an influential family, how come her marriage isn't broadcasted around the country? And Graham making the money that he makes, it doesn't make any sense as to why they got married in a simple courthouse.
4. Doormat behaviour:
When Frankie found out that Graham dug up info on her and about the camera on the day they got married, she went like, "Oh, I trust him. I believe him. he would never invade my privacy like that. He doesn"t watch me. The camera is for security purposes only and I believe him." GURL ARE YOU SLOW???
5. Last but not least, the characters kept acting like the stakes were so high, as if they were in enemy territory or as if the entire world will crumble down if they got together but NO. There is no stakes. There is nothing. It"s unnecessary drama. They got together around the 50% mark or so and they could've gotten together way earlier in the book because there is literally nothing standing between their way.
6. Another thing which is honestly a personal ick is that the mmc has long hair which I find insanely unattractive.
Overall, the book was off with a promising start but it quickly went downhill. The tropes and setting were there but the execution was lacking so it wasn’t as enjoyable as I thought it'd be.
March 6, 2025
This was a SOLID 4.5 stars for me! I ABSOLUTELY LOVED GRAHAM!! I had a feeling there was so much more going on under the surface with this man. And OMG was I right. I absolutely LOVED reading these two. I felt like I was falling in love right alongside them. I loved that this was a bit of a twist on a second chance since they had never really had a go, but they kept running into each other. I loved the way that Graham showed up for Francesca- over and over again. And how his love language was definitely in gifts. I loved how even though they were a marriage of convenience- they both went into it with feelings for each other. Graham was such a protector and borderline grump- I liked the reaction his family had to how he was around Francesca. Everything just seemed very natural between the two of them. Francesca was wonderful!! She was so strong and independent. She didn't want to fold under the wing of her parents empire and how they had setup her structured life. She wanted things for herself. I loved watching Graham help build up her confidence.
Graham is a hacker by trade. He is into cybersecurity. There is really only one person he has looked for that he hasn't been able to track down. Until he sees her in the coffee shop of his town. It's like fate is speaking to him because she is HERE. But it's not there time. She isn't here to stay until several years later she is. And now Graham decides he is not going to let her go again. Not without learning everything he can about her. Why is she her? Who is she? Why can't he stop thinking about her? But instead of bombarding her, he starts to show up for her. He brings her treats. He watches what she likes. He finds himself enjoying this slice of time they have together every week. He finds himself wanting more. When they do kiss, it's like he has been waiting for her all his life at least since when he saw her for the first time all those years ago. So when he finds out that she needs help. That her family has put her in an unbeatable position. He doesn't hesitate. He asks her to marry him. They can do this and both have benefits on the other side. The thing is that he doesn't want there to be an on the other side. He is going into this with the idea that he gets to keep her. And the more they live together the more he knows he can't live without her. But when her family throws a curveball to get her back, he realizes that they underestimated their love for each other. He will just have to prove them wrong.
Francesca has been "committed" to a man she doesn't want to marry since she can remember. She has become a lifer in regards to being a student to avoid the inevitable I do's between them. She tries to enjoy herself and gain her independence. She is determined to be different from her family. She is also determined to stop thinking about Graham. The boy now man that she seems to keep running into at different points in her life. Points where she can't stay. But now she has moved to Avalon Falls. She has inherited her aunt's bookstore. And though she is thinking about him, she doesn't expect to see him. She also doesn't expect to feel the things she does WHEN she seems him. She doesn't even know him. But it's like her soul knows him. And so when he starts showing up every week to walk and talk with her, she loves it. She likes seeing him be more open around her than others. She likes the way he smiles at her and how he makes her smile. But when she gets overwhelmed by her family threats, she doesn't expect what he offers. He wants her to be his wife. He wants to offer her his protection and his house. Maybe his body too? All she knows is she is now married and NOT to the man she thought she would be married to. She finds herself loving this with him. How they are building on their chemistry. And how she hasn't felt like this before. But when her family traps her without her realizing will he come like he says he will? Because one thing she knows is this marriage has never been fake for her.
This was a TRUE slow burn. I loved all of the spice scenes without physical contact- it just added to the burn. It added to the scene when they did finally get together- it was THAT MUCH BETTER. The chemistry between them was wonderful- it was electric! I also loved the kindle shoutout and how the highlights from her books played into their experience together. Genius Penelope! I can't wait to see whose book will be next- is it Abby and Mason maybe? And will there be one about Florence? I am not in her camp right now but am thinking Penelope can get me there. If you haven't picked up this series, I definitely recommend it for the found family and small town vibes!
Thank you to Valentine PR and Penelope for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review :)
Graham is a hacker by trade. He is into cybersecurity. There is really only one person he has looked for that he hasn't been able to track down. Until he sees her in the coffee shop of his town. It's like fate is speaking to him because she is HERE. But it's not there time. She isn't here to stay until several years later she is. And now Graham decides he is not going to let her go again. Not without learning everything he can about her. Why is she her? Who is she? Why can't he stop thinking about her? But instead of bombarding her, he starts to show up for her. He brings her treats. He watches what she likes. He finds himself enjoying this slice of time they have together every week. He finds himself wanting more. When they do kiss, it's like he has been waiting for her all his life at least since when he saw her for the first time all those years ago. So when he finds out that she needs help. That her family has put her in an unbeatable position. He doesn't hesitate. He asks her to marry him. They can do this and both have benefits on the other side. The thing is that he doesn't want there to be an on the other side. He is going into this with the idea that he gets to keep her. And the more they live together the more he knows he can't live without her. But when her family throws a curveball to get her back, he realizes that they underestimated their love for each other. He will just have to prove them wrong.
Francesca has been "committed" to a man she doesn't want to marry since she can remember. She has become a lifer in regards to being a student to avoid the inevitable I do's between them. She tries to enjoy herself and gain her independence. She is determined to be different from her family. She is also determined to stop thinking about Graham. The boy now man that she seems to keep running into at different points in her life. Points where she can't stay. But now she has moved to Avalon Falls. She has inherited her aunt's bookstore. And though she is thinking about him, she doesn't expect to see him. She also doesn't expect to feel the things she does WHEN she seems him. She doesn't even know him. But it's like her soul knows him. And so when he starts showing up every week to walk and talk with her, she loves it. She likes seeing him be more open around her than others. She likes the way he smiles at her and how he makes her smile. But when she gets overwhelmed by her family threats, she doesn't expect what he offers. He wants her to be his wife. He wants to offer her his protection and his house. Maybe his body too? All she knows is she is now married and NOT to the man she thought she would be married to. She finds herself loving this with him. How they are building on their chemistry. And how she hasn't felt like this before. But when her family traps her without her realizing will he come like he says he will? Because one thing she knows is this marriage has never been fake for her.
This was a TRUE slow burn. I loved all of the spice scenes without physical contact- it just added to the burn. It added to the scene when they did finally get together- it was THAT MUCH BETTER. The chemistry between them was wonderful- it was electric! I also loved the kindle shoutout and how the highlights from her books played into their experience together. Genius Penelope! I can't wait to see whose book will be next- is it Abby and Mason maybe? And will there be one about Florence? I am not in her camp right now but am thinking Penelope can get me there. If you haven't picked up this series, I definitely recommend it for the found family and small town vibes!
Thank you to Valentine PR and Penelope for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review :)
March 1, 2025
ahhh! this was so good!
i saw the tropes for this book and knew i had to give it a try! this is my first penelope black book and i’ll definitely be tuning in for more.
graham and francesca were so cute. like they were so patient with each other and shy. but there was this underlying intensity that they had that i absolutely gobbled up. graham in his pov i was like ahh okay he’s hot but when it was francesca’s pov? I NEEDED GRAHAM SO BAD. i wasn’t expecting the fact that he lowkey stalked francesca gave me butterflies 🤭
i think my own thing was that “wife.” was thrown into the book a little too much 😭 like to the point where it didn’t feel natural but it’s fine! i think francesca’s parents and sister are batshit crazy. i was really hanging on to hope with florence 🥹 the book had so many unexpected turns that i was fully immersed in the book!
thank you valentine pr and penelope black for sharing this arc with me 🫶🏼
i saw the tropes for this book and knew i had to give it a try! this is my first penelope black book and i’ll definitely be tuning in for more.
graham and francesca were so cute. like they were so patient with each other and shy. but there was this underlying intensity that they had that i absolutely gobbled up. graham in his pov i was like ahh okay he’s hot but when it was francesca’s pov? I NEEDED GRAHAM SO BAD. i wasn’t expecting the fact that he lowkey stalked francesca gave me butterflies 🤭
i think my own thing was that “wife.” was thrown into the book a little too much 😭 like to the point where it didn’t feel natural but it’s fine! i think francesca’s parents and sister are batshit crazy. i was really hanging on to hope with florence 🥹 the book had so many unexpected turns that i was fully immersed in the book!
thank you valentine pr and penelope black for sharing this arc with me 🫶🏼
March 11, 2025
It feels so good to be back in Avalon Falls! And to finally get the grumpy eldest Carter sibling's story, I've never been more ready for it! Now I will say, I was pleasantly surprised with Graham's story. It is slightly differently from the first two books but I'm here for it!
Graham's love story is 10 years in the making! Yes you heard me right. It has taken Graham and Francesca 10 years to finally get the happily ever after they deserve. After meeting quickly at a college party, they don't meet again for another 5 years by a complete chance encounter at a coffee shop in Avalon Falls. Fast forward to 5 years later, Francesca is now the new owner of a book store in Avalon Falls and Graham sees his opportunity to finally make his move when the opportunity to arises to be her husband to help save her business.
I absolutely LOVED Graham and Francesca's relationship. I loved how it was 10 years in the making and then they spent every Tuesday together. I'm not going to lie, I also looked forward to their coffee chats and dog walks. It was so sweet. And then on top of it, Graham was so attentive. He literally remembers everything about Francesca, from the bakery items that she loves, her facial expressions, what she likes and the little things she mentions about herself. He catalogs everything about her in order to put a smile on her face. And I found that be so enduring.
Can we talk about Francesca's family real quick? They are awful! Her mom is horrendous. And her twin sister, nope. I would not have forgiven her for what she did. And thank the heavens that Francesca's husband is so protective because the things her family did to her, she needed someone to be in her corner, which included but not limited to marrying her out of convenience, but is it really a marriage of convenience when he's low key obsessed with her?
Now I do have one critique with this book. I really wanted more of the suspense. If you have read Penelope Black before you know she always adds a touch of suspense into her books which I absolutely LOVE! But this one was lacking the suspense for me. I felt like there was this huge build up of what was to come and then boom it happened and then the book was over. I just wish we had a couple more chapters of the suspense that we were building up to. But with that being said I did really love this book! Me wanting more suspense is a total me problem and wanting more.
You should most definitely read this book if you like:
- Small Town Romance
- Marriage of Convenience
- Forced Proximity
- Man Obsessed
- Grumpy x Sunshine
- Mutual Pining
Graham's love story is 10 years in the making! Yes you heard me right. It has taken Graham and Francesca 10 years to finally get the happily ever after they deserve. After meeting quickly at a college party, they don't meet again for another 5 years by a complete chance encounter at a coffee shop in Avalon Falls. Fast forward to 5 years later, Francesca is now the new owner of a book store in Avalon Falls and Graham sees his opportunity to finally make his move when the opportunity to arises to be her husband to help save her business.
I absolutely LOVED Graham and Francesca's relationship. I loved how it was 10 years in the making and then they spent every Tuesday together. I'm not going to lie, I also looked forward to their coffee chats and dog walks. It was so sweet. And then on top of it, Graham was so attentive. He literally remembers everything about Francesca, from the bakery items that she loves, her facial expressions, what she likes and the little things she mentions about herself. He catalogs everything about her in order to put a smile on her face. And I found that be so enduring.
Can we talk about Francesca's family real quick? They are awful! Her mom is horrendous. And her twin sister, nope. I would not have forgiven her for what she did. And thank the heavens that Francesca's husband is so protective because the things her family did to her, she needed someone to be in her corner, which included but not limited to marrying her out of convenience, but is it really a marriage of convenience when he's low key obsessed with her?
Now I do have one critique with this book. I really wanted more of the suspense. If you have read Penelope Black before you know she always adds a touch of suspense into her books which I absolutely LOVE! But this one was lacking the suspense for me. I felt like there was this huge build up of what was to come and then boom it happened and then the book was over. I just wish we had a couple more chapters of the suspense that we were building up to. But with that being said I did really love this book! Me wanting more suspense is a total me problem and wanting more.
You should most definitely read this book if you like:
- Small Town Romance
- Marriage of Convenience
- Forced Proximity
- Man Obsessed
- Grumpy x Sunshine
- Mutual Pining
March 1, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️.75/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
It is Finally Grahams turn!!!!
We've waited 3 books to find out more about the grumpy bear that is Graham Carter and it did not disappoint. Graham was everything that we expected him to be: Protective, Falls first heads over heels, all about his "wife", so detail oriented he remembers every thing about her 🫠
I do want to preface this with, Graham is still not my favorite in this series but I can completely appreciate all that he is in this book without him being my favorite. The cover threw me, and I have a thing about long hair [✂️] which contributed to my mental idea of him.
This man gets Francesca her caramel latte with extra whip [because they forgot it one time now its extra always] every single Tuesday and a "treat" just so that he can see her and take a walk with her and Romeo. He then starts to get Romeo little gourmet doggie biscuits because she mentioned one time how she was sad she couldn't share her treats with Romeo....Sigh
There were some parts of the story that seemed to jump around and things seemed non linear in relation to the last chapter but it wasnt too distracting that I couldnt figure out what was happening. I also really appreciated that there wasnt any "miscommunication" trope thrown in here. They were straight forward and adult about their feelings even if it did take FOREVER for them to even kiss. This is definitely a slow burn pining book. However, once they finally get their heads out of their butts things pick up and it does give us some steam with some solo acts and togetherness.
I do feel like we missed some details towards the end on what happens to Gio, and Francesca's parents just disappear completely with no tied up ends. I would have liked some karma to be served. I also wanted to know more about if the inheritances/trusts actually got released since that was the entire premise of their marriage. I could have also, and this is [just my preference] done without all the "Francesca" that Graham did. I get it, hes possessive but I really do not need to hear you just say her name and nothing else of importance so many times.
This to me was a solid book, I love Avalon Falls and I cant wait to go back in the 4th book to re visit all my favorites...Especially Jagger 😍
Tropes:
Small town
Marriage of convenience
Grumpy x sunshine
Mutual pining
MY WIFE
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
It is Finally Grahams turn!!!!
We've waited 3 books to find out more about the grumpy bear that is Graham Carter and it did not disappoint. Graham was everything that we expected him to be: Protective, Falls first heads over heels, all about his "wife", so detail oriented he remembers every thing about her 🫠
I do want to preface this with, Graham is still not my favorite in this series but I can completely appreciate all that he is in this book without him being my favorite. The cover threw me, and I have a thing about long hair [✂️] which contributed to my mental idea of him.
This man gets Francesca her caramel latte with extra whip [because they forgot it one time now its extra always] every single Tuesday and a "treat" just so that he can see her and take a walk with her and Romeo. He then starts to get Romeo little gourmet doggie biscuits because she mentioned one time how she was sad she couldn't share her treats with Romeo....Sigh
There were some parts of the story that seemed to jump around and things seemed non linear in relation to the last chapter but it wasnt too distracting that I couldnt figure out what was happening. I also really appreciated that there wasnt any "miscommunication" trope thrown in here. They were straight forward and adult about their feelings even if it did take FOREVER for them to even kiss. This is definitely a slow burn pining book. However, once they finally get their heads out of their butts things pick up and it does give us some steam with some solo acts and togetherness.
I do feel like we missed some details towards the end on what happens to Gio, and Francesca's parents just disappear completely with no tied up ends. I would have liked some karma to be served. I also wanted to know more about if the inheritances/trusts actually got released since that was the entire premise of their marriage. I could have also, and this is [just my preference] done without all the "Francesca" that Graham did. I get it, hes possessive but I really do not need to hear you just say her name and nothing else of importance so many times.
This to me was a solid book, I love Avalon Falls and I cant wait to go back in the 4th book to re visit all my favorites...Especially Jagger 😍
Tropes:
Small town
Marriage of convenience
Grumpy x sunshine
Mutual pining
MY WIFE
Read
February 24, 2025No rating - beta read 🫶🏻
Can’t wait for everyone to fall in love with Graham and Francesca🩷
Can’t wait for everyone to fall in love with Graham and Francesca🩷
March 29, 2025
Graham and Frankie forever 🥹💖
Stolen Vows was so so GOOD! I thought Beau had my heart, but I think this grumpy teddy bear may have stolen it away 🤭 Graham is so attentive. I absolutely adored the way he took note of every single thing. He was so calculated and paid attention to all of the little details in life in general, but especially with Frankie! The extra whip cream on her latte? Bringing treats every Tuesday? The blueberry muffin? Getting Romeo his own treats so he’s not left out? Acts of service is my love language so in other words I was a puddle! 💖
I adored Frankie and loved seeing her try to make her own way. I was rooting for her the entire time and just wanted to squeeze her for having to deal with the manipulation and true ugliness of her family. When Graham proposed a marriage of convenience I was silently screaming YES! These two were so good together! I loved the slow burn, the chemistry, the playful banter. Their story honestly just felt like a breath of fresh air. Their story added suspense was nice, the touch her and ☠️ vibes were everything, and there’s tons of “my wife” moments that had me kicking my feet!
Stolen Vows was so so GOOD! I thought Beau had my heart, but I think this grumpy teddy bear may have stolen it away 🤭 Graham is so attentive. I absolutely adored the way he took note of every single thing. He was so calculated and paid attention to all of the little details in life in general, but especially with Frankie! The extra whip cream on her latte? Bringing treats every Tuesday? The blueberry muffin? Getting Romeo his own treats so he’s not left out? Acts of service is my love language so in other words I was a puddle! 💖
I adored Frankie and loved seeing her try to make her own way. I was rooting for her the entire time and just wanted to squeeze her for having to deal with the manipulation and true ugliness of her family. When Graham proposed a marriage of convenience I was silently screaming YES! These two were so good together! I loved the slow burn, the chemistry, the playful banter. Their story honestly just felt like a breath of fresh air. Their story added suspense was nice, the touch her and ☠️ vibes were everything, and there’s tons of “my wife” moments that had me kicking my feet!
March 11, 2025
RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
SPICE: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
I’m obsessed! This is my first book by Penelope Black and I straight up devoured it. She is stuck with me forever and I can’t wait to dive into her backlist.
I could not put this book down. I swears there was crack or magic or something in these pages because Graham and Frankie are everything. This is one of the best slow burn, marriage of convenience books I’ve read.
Oh and it’s grumpy x sunshine. ☀️ 🫠
✨ Small Town
✨ Grumpy x Sunshine
✨ He Falls First
✨ Marriage of convenience
✨Slow Burn (but with edging)
I love marriage of convenience and Graham and Frankie had a bit of connection that made me root for them from the beginning. I loved how he was so grumpy but ultimately soft for her and he had the biggest acts of service love language. I positively melted.
I loved everything about Thi’s including the fact that he hacks he kindle history just to learn what she likes (but also discovers he has a b r e e d i n g k i n k too!
Perfect and with just the hint of suspense, touch her and and ☠️ vibes I needed!
SPICE: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
I’m obsessed! This is my first book by Penelope Black and I straight up devoured it. She is stuck with me forever and I can’t wait to dive into her backlist.
I could not put this book down. I swears there was crack or magic or something in these pages because Graham and Frankie are everything. This is one of the best slow burn, marriage of convenience books I’ve read.
Oh and it’s grumpy x sunshine. ☀️ 🫠
✨ Small Town
✨ Grumpy x Sunshine
✨ He Falls First
✨ Marriage of convenience
✨Slow Burn (but with edging)
I love marriage of convenience and Graham and Frankie had a bit of connection that made me root for them from the beginning. I loved how he was so grumpy but ultimately soft for her and he had the biggest acts of service love language. I positively melted.
I loved everything about Thi’s including the fact that he hacks he kindle history just to learn what she likes (but also discovers he has a b r e e d i n g k i n k too!
Perfect and with just the hint of suspense, touch her and and ☠️ vibes I needed!
March 12, 2025
This is the third book in the Avalon Falls series featuring Graham and Francesca. I was super intrigued on reading this one based on how the second book ended, with Graham saying he was getting married out of the blue. I was hyped about diving into this based on the previous two books.
I enjoyed learning about Francesca, but I honestly felt I didn’t learn anything about Graham at all in this book other than he’s quiet and works in cyber security. I didn’t understand his character and what made him the way he was. I also didn’t understand their chemistry, unless it was more for the silent mystery type. Their relationship was over 10 years in the making, but with only a few minutes spent together in that time period. Then, when they finally are reunited, it’s spent with only Tuesday coffee dates and walks for weeks. No further communication or dates made besides the end all plan towards the end of the book. For me, I just didn’t understand how a connection could be made in just those few moments of almost silence. I truly wanted to connect with this couple but ultimately couldn’t.
I also didn’t understand how he kept thinking Francesca was a mystery when he had ample opportunity to dive into her past. There were many opportunities to figure out who she was especially since he knew her and her sister from college party. But then again I may be just reaching because he’s supposed to be the best of the best of cyber security.
I’ll definitely continue to read the series, this book just wasn’t my usual forte. But if you love the silent broody mystery man, then give this one a read!
I enjoyed learning about Francesca, but I honestly felt I didn’t learn anything about Graham at all in this book other than he’s quiet and works in cyber security. I didn’t understand his character and what made him the way he was. I also didn’t understand their chemistry, unless it was more for the silent mystery type. Their relationship was over 10 years in the making, but with only a few minutes spent together in that time period. Then, when they finally are reunited, it’s spent with only Tuesday coffee dates and walks for weeks. No further communication or dates made besides the end all plan towards the end of the book. For me, I just didn’t understand how a connection could be made in just those few moments of almost silence. I truly wanted to connect with this couple but ultimately couldn’t.
I also didn’t understand how he kept thinking Francesca was a mystery when he had ample opportunity to dive into her past. There were many opportunities to figure out who she was especially since he knew her and her sister from college party. But then again I may be just reaching because he’s supposed to be the best of the best of cyber security.
I’ll definitely continue to read the series, this book just wasn’t my usual forte. But if you love the silent broody mystery man, then give this one a read!
March 4, 2025
Stolen Vows by Penelope Black
Ughhhh, I loved this book so much. I literally eat up every single book she puts out but this Avalon Falls series has my heart. I was giddy, sweating like sinner in church, and simultaneously freaking out at various parts of the book. I would have finished this in one sitting had I not had adult responsibilities this week, but please for the love of all that is holy read this series.
5/5 🦝🦝🦝🦝🦝
3.5/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️🫑
What you can find:
- Meet Cute
- Small Town
- Marriage of Convenience
- “My Wife”
- Grumpy X Sunshine
- Who did this to you?
- “Forbidden” love
- Mutual Pining
- He researches her spicy kindle highlights
She’s been bound by obligations and responsibilities her whole life. Drowned by the weight of her last name and all the things that came with the responsibilities of the name. Yet she’s taking back her freedom in anyway she can, starting with this college party. After dancing her fill she goes to get a drink when she feels eyes on her, and it’s someone she feels drawn to so she asks for a drink. Before they even have a chance to really get to know each other things are cut short by her twin who drops the bomb that she’s to be engaged soon. They don’t see each other for another five years after the passing of her aunt, and it’s only just one day - yet neither of them can seem to get each other off their minds. That is until she moves back finally to re-open her aunts bookshop, and conveniently she happens to continuously have consecutive meet cutes with this man she can’t seem to get out of her head. After discovering more about her through his line of work, he brings her a solution to break free of her tethers to her family. Marriage. A clause in legal documentation impacting her future, and his. The mutual attraction is there, and one year of marriage? What’s the worst that could happen
Ughhhh, I loved this book so much. I literally eat up every single book she puts out but this Avalon Falls series has my heart. I was giddy, sweating like sinner in church, and simultaneously freaking out at various parts of the book. I would have finished this in one sitting had I not had adult responsibilities this week, but please for the love of all that is holy read this series.
5/5 🦝🦝🦝🦝🦝
3.5/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️🫑
What you can find:
- Meet Cute
- Small Town
- Marriage of Convenience
- “My Wife”
- Grumpy X Sunshine
- Who did this to you?
- “Forbidden” love
- Mutual Pining
- He researches her spicy kindle highlights
She’s been bound by obligations and responsibilities her whole life. Drowned by the weight of her last name and all the things that came with the responsibilities of the name. Yet she’s taking back her freedom in anyway she can, starting with this college party. After dancing her fill she goes to get a drink when she feels eyes on her, and it’s someone she feels drawn to so she asks for a drink. Before they even have a chance to really get to know each other things are cut short by her twin who drops the bomb that she’s to be engaged soon. They don’t see each other for another five years after the passing of her aunt, and it’s only just one day - yet neither of them can seem to get each other off their minds. That is until she moves back finally to re-open her aunts bookshop, and conveniently she happens to continuously have consecutive meet cutes with this man she can’t seem to get out of her head. After discovering more about her through his line of work, he brings her a solution to break free of her tethers to her family. Marriage. A clause in legal documentation impacting her future, and his. The mutual attraction is there, and one year of marriage? What’s the worst that could happen
March 3, 2025
Stolen Vows is book three in the Avalon Falls Series, and I was so excited to head back for Graham's story. I've been so curious about the broody, grumpy brother since book two, and he definitely didn't disappoint.
"ɪ’ᴍ ᴀ ᴍᴀɴ sᴛᴀʀᴠᴇᴅ ᴀɴᴅ sʜᴇ's ᴍʏ sᴀʟᴠᴀᴛɪᴏɴ. ʟɪᴋᴇ ɪ'ᴠᴇ ʙᴇᴇɴ ᴡᴀɴᴅᴇʀɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴇ ᴅᴇsᴇʀᴛ ғᴏʀ ʏᴇᴀʀs ᴀɴᴅ ʜᴇʀ ʟɪᴘs ᴀʀᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ғɪʀsᴛ ᴛᴀsᴛᴇ ᴏғ ᴡᴀᴛᴇʀ. ʟɪᴋᴇ ɪ'ᴍ ᴅʀᴏᴡɴɪɴɢ ᴀɴᴅ sʜᴇ's ᴍʏ ᴏɴʟʏ sᴏᴜʀᴄᴇ ᴏғ ᴀɪʀ. ɪ ᴋɪss ʜᴇʀ ʟɪᴋᴇ sʜᴇ’s ᴍʏ ɢᴏᴅᴅᴀᴍɴ ᴡɪғᴇ."
Graham and Francesca were one slow burn that had me on the edge of my seat with anticipation for the sparks to finally combust and combust they did. Graham was so sweet and swoony with his coffee & treat deliveries for both Francesca and Romeo, the coffee walks, and his protectiveness of them both. Francesca never had unconditional love or someone in her corner fighting for her, but she was learning what it felt like with the Carter family in her life.
“ᴡᴇ’ʀᴇ ᴇxᴀᴄᴛʟʏ ᴡʜᴇʀᴇ ᴡᴇ’ʀᴇ ᴍᴇᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ʙᴇ, sᴜɴsʜɪɴᴇ. ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴇʀᴇ ᴀʟᴡᴀʏs ᴍᴇᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ʙᴇ ᴍɪɴᴇ. ᴛᴇɴ ʏᴇᴀʀs ɪs ɴᴏᴛʜɪɴɢ ɪғ ɪᴛ ᴍᴇᴀɴs ɪ ɢᴇᴛ ᴛᴏ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ғᴏʀᴇᴠᴇʀ.”
If you love a small town, slow burn, marriage of convenience, grumpy x sunshine, it's always been you, my wife, with a dash of romantic suspense then you definitely want to head to Avalon Falls with Graham and Francesca.
"ɪ’ᴍ ᴀ ᴍᴀɴ sᴛᴀʀᴠᴇᴅ ᴀɴᴅ sʜᴇ's ᴍʏ sᴀʟᴠᴀᴛɪᴏɴ. ʟɪᴋᴇ ɪ'ᴠᴇ ʙᴇᴇɴ ᴡᴀɴᴅᴇʀɪɴɢ ᴛʜᴇ ᴅᴇsᴇʀᴛ ғᴏʀ ʏᴇᴀʀs ᴀɴᴅ ʜᴇʀ ʟɪᴘs ᴀʀᴇ ᴛʜᴇ ғɪʀsᴛ ᴛᴀsᴛᴇ ᴏғ ᴡᴀᴛᴇʀ. ʟɪᴋᴇ ɪ'ᴍ ᴅʀᴏᴡɴɪɴɢ ᴀɴᴅ sʜᴇ's ᴍʏ ᴏɴʟʏ sᴏᴜʀᴄᴇ ᴏғ ᴀɪʀ. ɪ ᴋɪss ʜᴇʀ ʟɪᴋᴇ sʜᴇ’s ᴍʏ ɢᴏᴅᴅᴀᴍɴ ᴡɪғᴇ."
Graham and Francesca were one slow burn that had me on the edge of my seat with anticipation for the sparks to finally combust and combust they did. Graham was so sweet and swoony with his coffee & treat deliveries for both Francesca and Romeo, the coffee walks, and his protectiveness of them both. Francesca never had unconditional love or someone in her corner fighting for her, but she was learning what it felt like with the Carter family in her life.
“ᴡᴇ’ʀᴇ ᴇxᴀᴄᴛʟʏ ᴡʜᴇʀᴇ ᴡᴇ’ʀᴇ ᴍᴇᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ʙᴇ, sᴜɴsʜɪɴᴇ. ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴇʀᴇ ᴀʟᴡᴀʏs ᴍᴇᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ʙᴇ ᴍɪɴᴇ. ᴛᴇɴ ʏᴇᴀʀs ɪs ɴᴏᴛʜɪɴɢ ɪғ ɪᴛ ᴍᴇᴀɴs ɪ ɢᴇᴛ ᴛᴏ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ʏᴏᴜ ғᴏʀᴇᴠᴇʀ.”
If you love a small town, slow burn, marriage of convenience, grumpy x sunshine, it's always been you, my wife, with a dash of romantic suspense then you definitely want to head to Avalon Falls with Graham and Francesca.
February 27, 2025
•~☆ Stolen Vows ARC review ☆~•
☆☆☆☆☆
Marriage of convenience, she says, sign me up, I say!
I loved this book, couldn't put it down, ate it up, pretty sure Graham knocked me up with his my wife talk. And that he read her Kindle highlights so he could give her what she wanted?!! *bites fist* Could he be any more perfect?!!
These two are end-game goals. The fact that it took them 10 years to finally come together just makes it all the sweeter.
Francesca comes from old money and is tired of having her life dictated to her, she makes a deal with her family in a final.bid for freedom. Enter Graham. Graham is instantly drawn to her, and will do anything to see her smile. Including a marriage of convenience.
If this sounds like something you'd like, then I definitely recommend.
Thank you to @authorpenelopeblack and @valentine_pr_ for the arc in exchange for an honest review 🫶🏼
☆☆☆☆☆
Marriage of convenience, she says, sign me up, I say!
I loved this book, couldn't put it down, ate it up, pretty sure Graham knocked me up with his my wife talk. And that he read her Kindle highlights so he could give her what she wanted?!! *bites fist* Could he be any more perfect?!!
These two are end-game goals. The fact that it took them 10 years to finally come together just makes it all the sweeter.
Francesca comes from old money and is tired of having her life dictated to her, she makes a deal with her family in a final.bid for freedom. Enter Graham. Graham is instantly drawn to her, and will do anything to see her smile. Including a marriage of convenience.
If this sounds like something you'd like, then I definitely recommend.
Thank you to @authorpenelopeblack and @valentine_pr_ for the arc in exchange for an honest review 🫶🏼
February 28, 2025
Francesca and Graham’s story was so undeniably sweet and loving, my heart nearly bursts when they finally got together. The story of Francesca and Graham is ten years in the making, because obviously, fate wanted them to take their time!!
I loved how Graham and Francesca built a friendship before venturing into more aka a marriage of convenience 😂🤭 but they really developed trust on their Tuesday coffee dates. I loved how much trust they had in each other, and how much trust and love they developed throughout their story.
Graham’s tenderness and his ability to put Francesca above all else was soooo beautiful. Yet he turns into a commanding and sexy man when he wants to be. The spice was perfect, and it fit these two so well. Neither of them rushed into it, but they discussed clearly the intentions for themselves.
A huge thank you to Penelope Black and Valentine PR for an eARC copy of Stolen Vows!
I loved how Graham and Francesca built a friendship before venturing into more aka a marriage of convenience 😂🤭 but they really developed trust on their Tuesday coffee dates. I loved how much trust they had in each other, and how much trust and love they developed throughout their story.
Graham’s tenderness and his ability to put Francesca above all else was soooo beautiful. Yet he turns into a commanding and sexy man when he wants to be. The spice was perfect, and it fit these two so well. Neither of them rushed into it, but they discussed clearly the intentions for themselves.
A huge thank you to Penelope Black and Valentine PR for an eARC copy of Stolen Vows!
February 25, 2025
(3.7 Stars)
Francesca Ashburn and Graham Carter have met only a few times but they never stopped thinking of the other. She is from a prominent family that gets what they want and she just wants to be free from their hold. When she takes over running her Aunt’s bookstore none other than Graham makes an appearance and they form a friendship. Can he maybe help her get out of the predicament she is in with her family and the will that ties her to what they want? This took a bit to get into for me as not much happens until around the 45% mark for but it is still a sweet “it’s always been you” romance with a some drama and steamy moments. Told in first person and dual POV.
Francesca Ashburn and Graham Carter have met only a few times but they never stopped thinking of the other. She is from a prominent family that gets what they want and she just wants to be free from their hold. When she takes over running her Aunt’s bookstore none other than Graham makes an appearance and they form a friendship. Can he maybe help her get out of the predicament she is in with her family and the will that ties her to what they want? This took a bit to get into for me as not much happens until around the 45% mark for but it is still a sweet “it’s always been you” romance with a some drama and steamy moments. Told in first person and dual POV.
February 27, 2025
Francesca is desperate to escape her family’s pressure to marry the man they’ve chosen for her. Seeking freedom, she finds herself in Avalon Falls, where she unexpectedly crosses paths with Graham, a man she met briefly years ago. As they spend time together, Graham proposes a marriage of convenience, offering a solution that benefits them both. But as their bond deepens, their arrangement starts to feel all too real. When Francesca’s parents intervene, determined to force her into the marriage they planned, Graham refuses to back down. His steadfast protectiveness toward Francesca, especially when she’s in danger, makes him utterly captivating. If you love protective men and small town romance, this book is a must read!
Thank you, Penelope Black and Valentine PR for the ARC.
Thank you, Penelope Black and Valentine PR for the ARC.
March 5, 2025
After reading this book I have decided I need a Graham in my life 😅 A man being just as taken by you after 10 years apart? YES PLEASE. Not only is he grumpy and brooding, but he’s possessive and takes care of the fmc’s every need. And I mean every need!
Frankie is such a great fmc. I love that she gave in to her desires unlike some other fmc’s that are overly stubborn. We all know if it was us we would be head over heels for a guy like Graham!🤣
This is definitely a grumpy x sunshine vibe where he acts different when they are alone and it’s just the cutest love story.
I can’t wait for the next book to read about more of the Carter’s journeys!
Frankie is such a great fmc. I love that she gave in to her desires unlike some other fmc’s that are overly stubborn. We all know if it was us we would be head over heels for a guy like Graham!🤣
This is definitely a grumpy x sunshine vibe where he acts different when they are alone and it’s just the cutest love story.
I can’t wait for the next book to read about more of the Carter’s journeys!
July 17, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
• marriage of convenience
• small town
• “my wife”
• grumpy x sunshine
• cyber security MMC x bookstore owner FMC
HOLY HOTNESS. Graham Carter is just as broody and hot as I knew he’d be.
This was the 3rd book in the Avalon Falls series and it definitely had a lighter theme compared to the last 2 and I really enjoyed it. There was also no 3rd act breakup and I loved how Francesca was a perfect match for Graham.
The two met briefly one night in college at a party at the baseball house and then again 5 years later in Graham’s hometown. He does his best to not find out every aspect of Francesca’s digital footprint and allow her to keep her privacy until she wants to tell him more about her life.
She comes from a controlling family with an arranged marriage that she’s been avoiding for a decade. Stumbling into Graham gave her a thrill and a taste of what that freedom looks like.
Read how Graham gives those “touch her and die” vibes (quite literally, and it involves a baseball bat). He is everything book boyfriends should be 😍
🌶️🌶️
• marriage of convenience
• small town
• “my wife”
• grumpy x sunshine
• cyber security MMC x bookstore owner FMC
HOLY HOTNESS. Graham Carter is just as broody and hot as I knew he’d be.
This was the 3rd book in the Avalon Falls series and it definitely had a lighter theme compared to the last 2 and I really enjoyed it. There was also no 3rd act breakup and I loved how Francesca was a perfect match for Graham.
The two met briefly one night in college at a party at the baseball house and then again 5 years later in Graham’s hometown. He does his best to not find out every aspect of Francesca’s digital footprint and allow her to keep her privacy until she wants to tell him more about her life.
She comes from a controlling family with an arranged marriage that she’s been avoiding for a decade. Stumbling into Graham gave her a thrill and a taste of what that freedom looks like.
Read how Graham gives those “touch her and die” vibes (quite literally, and it involves a baseball bat). He is everything book boyfriends should be 😍
February 28, 2025
Francesca and Graham met years ago and lost touch. This happened repeatedly over the years. One meet and gone for years. This was cute. Slow but cute. Marriage of convenience, slow burn...some spice and nice plot!
March 19, 2025
I’ll be honest - marriage of convenience is not always my favorite trope but Penelope has 1000% changed my mind with Stolen Vows. I was so excited to be back in small town Avalon Falls and I finished this book in under 24 hours, swooning over Graham for every single second. Francesca was one of my all time favorite FMC’s and she was SO relatable - I just want to own a bookstore, drink iced lattes and hang out with my perfect dog all day (see - she is all of us! 🫶🏼).
I loved the super slow burn and chemistry between the two main characters - their romance felt authentic and I loved their respect and patience with each other, Francesca’s determination and Graham’s protectiveness. Although her family was truly heinous, I did love the other side characters in Avalon Falls (Graham’s family!), the funny moments (kindle research) and the little bit of suspense. This was such a fun read and I can’t wait for the next book!
I loved the super slow burn and chemistry between the two main characters - their romance felt authentic and I loved their respect and patience with each other, Francesca’s determination and Graham’s protectiveness. Although her family was truly heinous, I did love the other side characters in Avalon Falls (Graham’s family!), the funny moments (kindle research) and the little bit of suspense. This was such a fun read and I can’t wait for the next book!
February 27, 2025
Graham & Francesca 🤍😮💨
First love the name choice in this book like a lot!
The story of these two starts 10 years back when they both attend the same college party but their encounter is cut short by Francesca’s twin sister Florence. The next time they meet each other is five years later in Avalon Falls. But still the timing is not quite right yet. Fast forward another five years and Francesca finally moves to Avalon Falls to open up the bookstore Fiction & Folklore.
Francesca has a really annoying old generational money family dynamic where the men in the family can do how they please and the women are sold off to create beneficial “mergers” between themselves and another old money family. Since being a teenager Francesca fights for her freedom and wants to break free of this set up. So everything she does comes with stipulations from her family. Even the bookstore which she inherited from her aunt is bound by rules she needs to follow and goals she needs to reach if not the store will be sold by her parents and she has to marry the man of their choosing.
When Graham (our Cybersecurity Hacker) is not able to not find out what’s wrong with her after she got a visit from her sister he finds out about all those documents and stipulations and proposes the one real way out of it all by asking her to marry him.
The love story itself is slow burn and starts with weekly coffee and pastry dates where they walk around town with Francesca’s dog Romeo. After a few weeks and the incident with Francesca’s sister he proposes and she agrees to the marriage of convenience. After they get married and move in together it all unfolds slowly and I loved all the details! Also loved the fact that he hacks into her kindle for some inspiration 👀
The drama with her family is still there and in the end it of course unfolds but Francesca is finally able to break free of her family ties and gets to be with the man she loves.
I really enjoyed reading this book. I loved that Francesca was not bowing down to her family. I also loved the fact that even though she did fight she still was a girl that wanted to have the love and affection of her family and in the end tried to at least have a relationship with her twin. It made her so much more relatable than other heroines in some books.
I smiled and laughed out loud and I could not put this book down even though I’m normally not so much into slow burn romances.
Thank you to Penelope Black and Valentine PR for the opportunity to read this book as an ARC! 🤍
Some of my favorite quotes:
“I’ll take any version of you,” I murmur, my voice low and rough. “Good day, bad day. Sunshine, storm. You could never be bad company. Not to me.” - Graham
“Her family’s here.” My voice is steady and firm, the implication clear. Final. - Graham
Holy shit. I did that. I stood up to Catherine Kennedy Carrington Ashburn and lived to tell the tale. Lightning didn’t strike me down and the world didn’t end. I feel incredible. Alive and liberated. Like I want to celebrate. - Francesca
“Hello, wife.” - Graham
And in the most serious, groggy voice, he rumbles, “Are these sex muffins?” - Graham
“If you value your hands, you’ll remove them from my wife,” a deep, familiar voice interrupts from behind us. - Francesca
“I thought I belonged to myself?” “You do. You belong to yourself and to me.” - Francesca
My voice is lethal. Absolute. “To bring my wife home.” - Graham
I stare at her, my heart twisting. She’s trapped. Just like I used to be. The difference is, I left. I clawed my way out at every opportunity. And she . . . she didn’t. - Francesca
I’m not a violent person by nature. In fact, I can’t think of anything that drives me to violence. Until now. Until someone threatens my wife. - Graham
First love the name choice in this book like a lot!
The story of these two starts 10 years back when they both attend the same college party but their encounter is cut short by Francesca’s twin sister Florence. The next time they meet each other is five years later in Avalon Falls. But still the timing is not quite right yet. Fast forward another five years and Francesca finally moves to Avalon Falls to open up the bookstore Fiction & Folklore.
Francesca has a really annoying old generational money family dynamic where the men in the family can do how they please and the women are sold off to create beneficial “mergers” between themselves and another old money family. Since being a teenager Francesca fights for her freedom and wants to break free of this set up. So everything she does comes with stipulations from her family. Even the bookstore which she inherited from her aunt is bound by rules she needs to follow and goals she needs to reach if not the store will be sold by her parents and she has to marry the man of their choosing.
When Graham (our Cybersecurity Hacker) is not able to not find out what’s wrong with her after she got a visit from her sister he finds out about all those documents and stipulations and proposes the one real way out of it all by asking her to marry him.
The love story itself is slow burn and starts with weekly coffee and pastry dates where they walk around town with Francesca’s dog Romeo. After a few weeks and the incident with Francesca’s sister he proposes and she agrees to the marriage of convenience. After they get married and move in together it all unfolds slowly and I loved all the details! Also loved the fact that he hacks into her kindle for some inspiration 👀
The drama with her family is still there and in the end it of course unfolds but Francesca is finally able to break free of her family ties and gets to be with the man she loves.
I really enjoyed reading this book. I loved that Francesca was not bowing down to her family. I also loved the fact that even though she did fight she still was a girl that wanted to have the love and affection of her family and in the end tried to at least have a relationship with her twin. It made her so much more relatable than other heroines in some books.
I smiled and laughed out loud and I could not put this book down even though I’m normally not so much into slow burn romances.
Thank you to Penelope Black and Valentine PR for the opportunity to read this book as an ARC! 🤍
Some of my favorite quotes:
“I’ll take any version of you,” I murmur, my voice low and rough. “Good day, bad day. Sunshine, storm. You could never be bad company. Not to me.” - Graham
“Her family’s here.” My voice is steady and firm, the implication clear. Final. - Graham
Holy shit. I did that. I stood up to Catherine Kennedy Carrington Ashburn and lived to tell the tale. Lightning didn’t strike me down and the world didn’t end. I feel incredible. Alive and liberated. Like I want to celebrate. - Francesca
“Hello, wife.” - Graham
And in the most serious, groggy voice, he rumbles, “Are these sex muffins?” - Graham
“If you value your hands, you’ll remove them from my wife,” a deep, familiar voice interrupts from behind us. - Francesca
“I thought I belonged to myself?” “You do. You belong to yourself and to me.” - Francesca
My voice is lethal. Absolute. “To bring my wife home.” - Graham
I stare at her, my heart twisting. She’s trapped. Just like I used to be. The difference is, I left. I clawed my way out at every opportunity. And she . . . she didn’t. - Francesca
I’m not a violent person by nature. In fact, I can’t think of anything that drives me to violence. Until now. Until someone threatens my wife. - Graham
March 12, 2025
2.5 stars. This started sort of as instalove, turned into a romantic slow burn (that cute Tuesday afternoon wooing was probably the highlight), then added in a bit of book-inspired spice. But it was a disappointing read for me.
Francesca and Graham seemed well-matched… and yet we only got to see a fraction of each character’s personality, and there was so little communication between them. Other than three spicy scenes, it was mostly her alone in the bookshop or reading on her bed, and him doing computer stuff in his office or watching her on security cameras. Umm… err…
I enjoyed seeing the FMC experience TLC and a welcoming family for the first time, yet it was never explained why the MMC didn’t introduce her to them any time during the three-month wait for their wedding (nor was this delay ever explained, a bit bizarre given the seeming urgency of their union for business/inheritance purposes).
Another mystery was why, given their supposed deep connection, neither party really seemed to seek each other out in the years between their first few meetings (if the MMC is supposed to be this incredible hacker, then how could he not find her? And she doesn’t seem to have tried at all). It came across as if the time gap between meet cutes was just used to check off the second chance romance or fated romance trope.
There were some overly descriptive parts in the first few chapters, and some clunky sentences, e.g. “It’s our mother’s smile, which she inherited from her mother.” Umm… they’re twins so it’s her mother, too…
Spotted quite a bit of repetition, e.g. “Paranoia coats the back of my neck, that slimy feeling of being watched” repeated word for word in the next paragraph. I’m always forgiving of such errors in an ARC, but when I checked the final version on KU, the repetition remained.
Then the ending was so anticlimactic: where were the ‘evil’ parents, lawyers etc while all this was happening? How did the guys just wander into the house? How did the sister go from adamantly staying to being packed up with a suitcase and free? Etc. It was just bizarrely wrapped up and not satisfyingly (a sudden mention of a pregnancy, when we were last told the FMC was on the pill, and mention of a wedding being postponed when they were already married…).
My thanks to Valentine PR and the author for the ARC, in return for my honest review.
Francesca and Graham seemed well-matched… and yet we only got to see a fraction of each character’s personality, and there was so little communication between them. Other than three spicy scenes, it was mostly her alone in the bookshop or reading on her bed, and him doing computer stuff in his office or watching her on security cameras. Umm… err…
I enjoyed seeing the FMC experience TLC and a welcoming family for the first time, yet it was never explained why the MMC didn’t introduce her to them any time during the three-month wait for their wedding (nor was this delay ever explained, a bit bizarre given the seeming urgency of their union for business/inheritance purposes).
Another mystery was why, given their supposed deep connection, neither party really seemed to seek each other out in the years between their first few meetings (if the MMC is supposed to be this incredible hacker, then how could he not find her? And she doesn’t seem to have tried at all). It came across as if the time gap between meet cutes was just used to check off the second chance romance or fated romance trope.
There were some overly descriptive parts in the first few chapters, and some clunky sentences, e.g. “It’s our mother’s smile, which she inherited from her mother.” Umm… they’re twins so it’s her mother, too…
Spotted quite a bit of repetition, e.g. “Paranoia coats the back of my neck, that slimy feeling of being watched” repeated word for word in the next paragraph. I’m always forgiving of such errors in an ARC, but when I checked the final version on KU, the repetition remained.
Then the ending was so anticlimactic: where were the ‘evil’ parents, lawyers etc while all this was happening? How did the guys just wander into the house? How did the sister go from adamantly staying to being packed up with a suitcase and free? Etc. It was just bizarrely wrapped up and not satisfyingly (a sudden mention of a pregnancy, when we were last told the FMC was on the pill, and mention of a wedding being postponed when they were already married…).
My thanks to Valentine PR and the author for the ARC, in return for my honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 5, 2025
ARC Review - Huge thanks to Penelope Black and Valentine PR for the opportunity to receive a review copy of Stolen Vows!
⭐️⭐️⭐️ - I’ll start out by saying that this was too long and would have benefited from further content editing. There are a number of segments that are repetitive - essentially an identical scene with a few details changed.
Francesca and Graham are a fated pair. We meet them 10, and then 5 years prior to the present day storyline - something that no doubt is essential in establishing their soul-deep connection, but again, one that takes up more space than is necessary - more than 10% of the book.
One of my favourite things about the book was their reintroduction once Francesca returns to Avalon Falls with the determination to stay, and how Graham sets out to court her. The man is down bad and not afraid to show it. Here, we get some great banter between the MCs, but even these swoony, lighthearted moments fell into the same repetitive pattern after a few chapters - the description of his energy and physical appearance regurgitated from one chapter to the next.
Then came the ick for me… Graham works in cybersecurity and has cameras in every room in his house, insisting that they are there as a precaution and to mitigate risk (that certainly fell flat in the final third of the book, but more about that below…). The cameras and lack of transparency about their presence was a huge red flag for me, shifting Graham from the grumpy and protective MMC of my dreams to a creepy one. Even though Francesca seems more than happy to turn this idea of being watched into an opportunity for foreplay (another example of where things become repetitive), this kink was not my cup of tea, and I never really got past the initial betrayal of her privacy.
— Spoilers Below —
The final third of the book was too formulaic and predictable for me. You already get the sense that the cybersecurity threats Graham is working to mitigate for his clients are tied back to Francesca’s family the first time she notes that a school district written on his whiteboard is in the same area where she grew up.
For someone who is supposed to be so honed in on details, Graham really dropped the ball… Multiple times. He never looked into a possible connection between his work and his wife, and had all of these cameras stationed around his home yet didn’t know he had an intruder (which, btw, wtf WAS that?! It was such a cringey moment that really served no purpose). We never find out how deep the hacking went in its connection to luring Francesca back to her controlling family. Was Graham’s role in investigating these attacks all orchestrated from the moment Francesca’s family found out about him, or was it just a coincidence? I feel like portions of these 400 pages could have been put to better use by filling in some blanks rather than skimming over the surface.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ - I’ll start out by saying that this was too long and would have benefited from further content editing. There are a number of segments that are repetitive - essentially an identical scene with a few details changed.
Francesca and Graham are a fated pair. We meet them 10, and then 5 years prior to the present day storyline - something that no doubt is essential in establishing their soul-deep connection, but again, one that takes up more space than is necessary - more than 10% of the book.
One of my favourite things about the book was their reintroduction once Francesca returns to Avalon Falls with the determination to stay, and how Graham sets out to court her. The man is down bad and not afraid to show it. Here, we get some great banter between the MCs, but even these swoony, lighthearted moments fell into the same repetitive pattern after a few chapters - the description of his energy and physical appearance regurgitated from one chapter to the next.
Then came the ick for me… Graham works in cybersecurity and has cameras in every room in his house, insisting that they are there as a precaution and to mitigate risk (that certainly fell flat in the final third of the book, but more about that below…). The cameras and lack of transparency about their presence was a huge red flag for me, shifting Graham from the grumpy and protective MMC of my dreams to a creepy one. Even though Francesca seems more than happy to turn this idea of being watched into an opportunity for foreplay (another example of where things become repetitive), this kink was not my cup of tea, and I never really got past the initial betrayal of her privacy.
— Spoilers Below —
The final third of the book was too formulaic and predictable for me. You already get the sense that the cybersecurity threats Graham is working to mitigate for his clients are tied back to Francesca’s family the first time she notes that a school district written on his whiteboard is in the same area where she grew up.
For someone who is supposed to be so honed in on details, Graham really dropped the ball… Multiple times. He never looked into a possible connection between his work and his wife, and had all of these cameras stationed around his home yet didn’t know he had an intruder (which, btw, wtf WAS that?! It was such a cringey moment that really served no purpose). We never find out how deep the hacking went in its connection to luring Francesca back to her controlling family. Was Graham’s role in investigating these attacks all orchestrated from the moment Francesca’s family found out about him, or was it just a coincidence? I feel like portions of these 400 pages could have been put to better use by filling in some blanks rather than skimming over the surface.
February 27, 2025
I had high expectations when I began reading this book. It also wasn't the easiest book to get into. It's slow. And I mean slow. It was trying to be a slow burn but if I'm being honest, if you don't pull me in at the 50% mark, chances are I will not care what happens in the latter part of the story. We have Francesca and Graham. Two people who met at a college party and it took 10 years to find each other again. I mean they saw one another a couple of times, but for some reason, despite knowing she's not married or anything, he didn't ask her for her number. Why not? Maybe she could have? There's this big feeling happening, an attraction, and Graham doesn't go for it? I didn't get that. He never asked anyone about her, nothing. He does cybersecurity for a living, and in small town Avalon Falls, where no one's business is their own, he still couldn't figure it out?🤷🏻♂️🤷🏽
Francesca Ashburn is trying to avoid her controlling manipulative family who arranged for her to marry a guy full of money. Her family, her twin sister Florence, are all awful. Francesca's fiancé Gio is just as bad. And when Francesca inherited her Aunt's bookstore in Avalon Falls, she runs into Graham. Again. They meet on Tuesday full of coffee and every sweet cake you can possibly think of as they walk Francesca's little dog Romeo.😂 I like the dog.❤️🐕 Graham didn't like him. At first. I even like the bookstore. But something was missing here. How can these two meet and not ask for more. Let's have lunch. Let's have dinner. Can I call you sometime? Nope. Week after week. On Tuesday. Graham Carter is not a very talkative guy. Or very likable. I didn't feel their insane chemistry or attraction. There was no build up of getting to know each other. Sure, it was written that they did but this was the story telling me rather than showing me their path. No romance. No bantering. No cute flirting. Now he starts to investigate her without her knowing. Whaaat?! There's laws in place for such things and this guy crossed so many lines. Would you trust a man like that? How is that okay? I got bored with this attempt at OTT that made zero sense. Something has to give, right? Get better?! Nope. It doesn't. And if Beau, Graham's brother, calls him Bro one more time.🙄 Sheesh. Change it up.... dude!!!😆😆 It took getting to chapter 29 for things to pick up slightly. The whole fake marriage trope came into play. It got messy in the storyline. And they're engaged for 3 months and she never once met Graham's big family before then? Weird. Too weird. The story didn't flow organically. And the last 25% was trying to pack too much when it should have done certain things before then. Just an opinion. Gio showing up. Her sister doing shady things. Now Graham is all about the dirty talk. Some things were repetitive. It was already too late for me as a reader by then.😝 Don't get me started on the cyber camera hacking.😮💨😮💨 Good grief!! Is there a HEA? Yes. Although other things were not fully resolved. I'm sure this book will work for others. And by all means, check it out if you're interested. But for me, I was expecting something else entirely. Happy reading.💕💕💕
📚👨🏻💻Thank you to Ms Black and Valentine PR for an early book. These are my honest thoughts on the story I read.👨🏻💻📚
Francesca Ashburn is trying to avoid her controlling manipulative family who arranged for her to marry a guy full of money. Her family, her twin sister Florence, are all awful. Francesca's fiancé Gio is just as bad. And when Francesca inherited her Aunt's bookstore in Avalon Falls, she runs into Graham. Again. They meet on Tuesday full of coffee and every sweet cake you can possibly think of as they walk Francesca's little dog Romeo.😂 I like the dog.❤️🐕 Graham didn't like him. At first. I even like the bookstore. But something was missing here. How can these two meet and not ask for more. Let's have lunch. Let's have dinner. Can I call you sometime? Nope. Week after week. On Tuesday. Graham Carter is not a very talkative guy. Or very likable. I didn't feel their insane chemistry or attraction. There was no build up of getting to know each other. Sure, it was written that they did but this was the story telling me rather than showing me their path. No romance. No bantering. No cute flirting. Now he starts to investigate her without her knowing. Whaaat?! There's laws in place for such things and this guy crossed so many lines. Would you trust a man like that? How is that okay? I got bored with this attempt at OTT that made zero sense. Something has to give, right? Get better?! Nope. It doesn't. And if Beau, Graham's brother, calls him Bro one more time.🙄 Sheesh. Change it up.... dude!!!😆😆 It took getting to chapter 29 for things to pick up slightly. The whole fake marriage trope came into play. It got messy in the storyline. And they're engaged for 3 months and she never once met Graham's big family before then? Weird. Too weird. The story didn't flow organically. And the last 25% was trying to pack too much when it should have done certain things before then. Just an opinion. Gio showing up. Her sister doing shady things. Now Graham is all about the dirty talk. Some things were repetitive. It was already too late for me as a reader by then.😝 Don't get me started on the cyber camera hacking.😮💨😮💨 Good grief!! Is there a HEA? Yes. Although other things were not fully resolved. I'm sure this book will work for others. And by all means, check it out if you're interested. But for me, I was expecting something else entirely. Happy reading.💕💕💕
📚👨🏻💻Thank you to Ms Black and Valentine PR for an early book. These are my honest thoughts on the story I read.👨🏻💻📚
February 27, 2025
Thank you for the ARC, Penelope!
Small town • Marriage of convenience • Grumpy sunshine • Forced proximity • Spicy kindle research • MY WIFE
“I say her name like a greeting, like a prayer, like an inevitability. Because that’s what we are: inevitable.”
Coming from a very controlling, manipulative family, college was Francesca’s salvation. Opening a new world to her. A way to push back her responsibilities a little bit longer. One chance meeting leaving a lasting impact-Graham. Over the years she continues to run into him. A moment presents itself. Her choice. A future on her terms. And she takes it.
Graham hasn’t been the same since seeing Francesca dancing that night. He’s always thought about her. When she arrives back in town to take over her aunt’s bookstore, he can’t stay away.
Caffeine dates. The sweetness of weekly walks with Romeo. Crossing the line hacking her kindle highlights to learn what she likes. Security cameras giving a peek into some private time. Rushing to bring her back when a conniving family member misleads her. Sign me up! It takes a bit for these two to get their happy ending but it’s worth the wait.
“I’ll take any version of you,” “Good day, bad day. Sunshine, storm. You could never be bad company. Not to me.”
“Graham Carter. What am I gonna do with you?” “Anything. Everything.”
“I want to mark her, claim her, make sure there’s no doubt in her mind or anyone else’s that she’s mine. That tomorrow, when she looks in the mirror, she sees me all over her. That when she walks through town, through her bookstore, everyone else sees it too. Mine to worship. Mine to pleasure. Mine to protect. My goddamn wife.”
“We’re exactly where we’re meant to be, sunshine. You were always meant to be mine. Ten years is nothing if it means I get to have you forever.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🔥☄️
Small town • Marriage of convenience • Grumpy sunshine • Forced proximity • Spicy kindle research • MY WIFE
“I say her name like a greeting, like a prayer, like an inevitability. Because that’s what we are: inevitable.”
Coming from a very controlling, manipulative family, college was Francesca’s salvation. Opening a new world to her. A way to push back her responsibilities a little bit longer. One chance meeting leaving a lasting impact-Graham. Over the years she continues to run into him. A moment presents itself. Her choice. A future on her terms. And she takes it.
Graham hasn’t been the same since seeing Francesca dancing that night. He’s always thought about her. When she arrives back in town to take over her aunt’s bookstore, he can’t stay away.
Caffeine dates. The sweetness of weekly walks with Romeo. Crossing the line hacking her kindle highlights to learn what she likes. Security cameras giving a peek into some private time. Rushing to bring her back when a conniving family member misleads her. Sign me up! It takes a bit for these two to get their happy ending but it’s worth the wait.
“I’ll take any version of you,” “Good day, bad day. Sunshine, storm. You could never be bad company. Not to me.”
“Graham Carter. What am I gonna do with you?” “Anything. Everything.”
“I want to mark her, claim her, make sure there’s no doubt in her mind or anyone else’s that she’s mine. That tomorrow, when she looks in the mirror, she sees me all over her. That when she walks through town, through her bookstore, everyone else sees it too. Mine to worship. Mine to pleasure. Mine to protect. My goddamn wife.”
“We’re exactly where we’re meant to be, sunshine. You were always meant to be mine. Ten years is nothing if it means I get to have you forever.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🔥☄️
February 27, 2025
Ok.. where to start... I am SWOOOONING...
Graham Carter, HOLYYYYYYY.. I knew he was gonna steal my heart but man did he ever get right in there. I mean all of Pen's MMC's always leave me giddy but Graham, he is so protective and absolutely in love with Francesca it was amazing. The story was soooo good, I loved their "moment" of meeting the first time and allll the times after they kept running into each other. UGH perfect. Also there is some solid over lap from Beau's book that happens in this one and the way Pen wrote it was truly genius! I would say this is definitely a slow burn type of book, but when the spice hits it is gooood!
Graham Carter is the cybersecurity, protective yet quiet MMC and he is absolutely drool worthy. I loved how he was always keeping tabs on everything and everyone. He definitely has some solid sarcastic humour. Graham is nothing short of determined and boy does he ever show it, the man does spicy kindle research for his wife!!! *Read the book and see what I'm talking about ;)* Graham also has the "my wife" trope on solid lock down and every time it happened, I got goose bumps!
Francesca Ashburn, is the MFC, she is sunshine and warmth and comfort all wrapped up in a delicate bow. Francesca has a pretty wild life she is running from but enter the swoony Graham to make it all so much better. I loved everything about Frankie, how she thinks a coffee can just make everything better, the fact that she is reader, and she always chooses to see the positive side of things.
All in all, another epic read from Penelope! I can't wait to see what happens next in Avalon Falls!
Graham Carter, HOLYYYYYYY.. I knew he was gonna steal my heart but man did he ever get right in there. I mean all of Pen's MMC's always leave me giddy but Graham, he is so protective and absolutely in love with Francesca it was amazing. The story was soooo good, I loved their "moment" of meeting the first time and allll the times after they kept running into each other. UGH perfect. Also there is some solid over lap from Beau's book that happens in this one and the way Pen wrote it was truly genius! I would say this is definitely a slow burn type of book, but when the spice hits it is gooood!
Graham Carter is the cybersecurity, protective yet quiet MMC and he is absolutely drool worthy. I loved how he was always keeping tabs on everything and everyone. He definitely has some solid sarcastic humour. Graham is nothing short of determined and boy does he ever show it, the man does spicy kindle research for his wife!!! *Read the book and see what I'm talking about ;)* Graham also has the "my wife" trope on solid lock down and every time it happened, I got goose bumps!
Francesca Ashburn, is the MFC, she is sunshine and warmth and comfort all wrapped up in a delicate bow. Francesca has a pretty wild life she is running from but enter the swoony Graham to make it all so much better. I loved everything about Frankie, how she thinks a coffee can just make everything better, the fact that she is reader, and she always chooses to see the positive side of things.
All in all, another epic read from Penelope! I can't wait to see what happens next in Avalon Falls!
March 11, 2025
4,5*
To my sweet Avalon Falls family: it’s so good to see you all again. Ive missed you 🖤
This 3rd installment is a lil different in the best of ways. It’s tailored to fit Graham & Francesca like a glove and I’m here for it! There’s something about a stoic imposing strong man who knows exactly what he wants and goes for it. It’s the ultimate romance move we all gush over: the certainty of forever and safety in the love shared. A rare commodity in today’s world but one we should all try to enjoy when that one comes along.
Francesca is all of us - minus the millions - and she doesn’t give up. She chases every opportunity to keep her dream alive, never letting go of who she is. Never conforming to what she’s expected to do: a kindred free spirit and I absolutely love that about her. The sizzling connection with Graham lasting through years of one off chance encounters makes this one a story for the ages. One that’s meant to be no matter what.
Graham, oh Graham. Beau is still my favorite (🤭) but he has this calming certainty about him that commands every space he steps into and that is so very sexy! I don’t even have to mention that he looks like a vision, a bohemian soul with tactile precision, long hair and hot vibes to last a lifetime, tattoos and all. You know this one is not your average hacker. He packs a punch and he’s all the more irresistible for it!
This was a lovely read, a nice long walk around Avalon Falls, back home where we belong!
Penelope knows what we like and the way we like it! This series stole my heart and it keeps giving me all the feels I crave for!
Thank you for this wonderful story and for making me a part of it!
Till we meet again 🖤
To my sweet Avalon Falls family: it’s so good to see you all again. Ive missed you 🖤
This 3rd installment is a lil different in the best of ways. It’s tailored to fit Graham & Francesca like a glove and I’m here for it! There’s something about a stoic imposing strong man who knows exactly what he wants and goes for it. It’s the ultimate romance move we all gush over: the certainty of forever and safety in the love shared. A rare commodity in today’s world but one we should all try to enjoy when that one comes along.
Francesca is all of us - minus the millions - and she doesn’t give up. She chases every opportunity to keep her dream alive, never letting go of who she is. Never conforming to what she’s expected to do: a kindred free spirit and I absolutely love that about her. The sizzling connection with Graham lasting through years of one off chance encounters makes this one a story for the ages. One that’s meant to be no matter what.
Graham, oh Graham. Beau is still my favorite (🤭) but he has this calming certainty about him that commands every space he steps into and that is so very sexy! I don’t even have to mention that he looks like a vision, a bohemian soul with tactile precision, long hair and hot vibes to last a lifetime, tattoos and all. You know this one is not your average hacker. He packs a punch and he’s all the more irresistible for it!
This was a lovely read, a nice long walk around Avalon Falls, back home where we belong!
Penelope knows what we like and the way we like it! This series stole my heart and it keeps giving me all the feels I crave for!
Thank you for this wonderful story and for making me a part of it!
Till we meet again 🖤
March 1, 2025
5/5 ⭐️
4/5 🌶️
FM
HEA
Small Town
Dog Mom
Spicy Kindle Research
Mutual Pining
Marriage of Convenience
Grumpy x Sunshine
Francesca is a breath of fresh air in a new small town, and has opened a book store in order to support her self and run from her family. Graham is the resident grump who works is cybersecurity.
Graham & Francesca met 10 years ago, and then again 5 years later and discover neither of them could stop thinking about the other. Francesca is attempting to break free from her family, and the life they designed and built for her, including an arranged marriage, while Graham is silently trying to find a loophole for him and his brother to get their inheritance.
Their love is silent but intense, teasing and tempting each other, but when they cross that line, oh boy do they ever! The drama comes from Francesca wanting to create her own life, and Graham being possessive of what’s his. I do wish the drama was a bit more drawn out, and there could have been more to it.
This is the 3rd book in a series, but can be read as a standalone. I strongly recommend reading the entire series though as you will understand the Carter family dynamic a lot more and why Graham is a grump with a hidden big heart. It’s also nice to see the side characters develop in the background.
ARC Read from Valentine PR
4/5 🌶️
FM
HEA
Small Town
Dog Mom
Spicy Kindle Research
Mutual Pining
Marriage of Convenience
Grumpy x Sunshine
Francesca is a breath of fresh air in a new small town, and has opened a book store in order to support her self and run from her family. Graham is the resident grump who works is cybersecurity.
Graham & Francesca met 10 years ago, and then again 5 years later and discover neither of them could stop thinking about the other. Francesca is attempting to break free from her family, and the life they designed and built for her, including an arranged marriage, while Graham is silently trying to find a loophole for him and his brother to get their inheritance.
Their love is silent but intense, teasing and tempting each other, but when they cross that line, oh boy do they ever! The drama comes from Francesca wanting to create her own life, and Graham being possessive of what’s his. I do wish the drama was a bit more drawn out, and there could have been more to it.
This is the 3rd book in a series, but can be read as a standalone. I strongly recommend reading the entire series though as you will understand the Carter family dynamic a lot more and why Graham is a grump with a hidden big heart. It’s also nice to see the side characters develop in the background.
ARC Read from Valentine PR
March 2, 2025
This is the 3rd book in the Avalon Falls series and it does not disappoint. I was instantly hooked and held captive by these characters. Graham sees/meets Francesca at a party while in college. But it’s not until 10 years later when Francesca moves to Avalon Falls to open the bookstore her aunt left her when she passed away. Graham is obsessed with her and Francesca is equally intrigued and attracted to him. They enter a marriage that will be beneficial to them both after Graham finds out about the contract Francesca’s parents have her in. The build up of their relationship begins a little slow but it’s so worth it. I loved how obsessively he cares for her and wants to do everything in his power to help her get her freedom. Their road towards their HEA is not an easy one but they make it there. I could not get enough of them and loved loved their story so much. I can’t wait for the next book of the series and clearly I’m fully invested in the characters of the series.
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