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The Temporary Wife
When single dad Colby Marshall faces the unthinkable, his ex threatening to take sole custody of their son, he knows he'll do anything to protect his family. Even if it means asking the one woman who's always been off-limits to marry him in a last-ditch effort to prove his best friend, Gianna Stapleton.
Gianna's been Colby's rock for years through heartbreak, bad breakups, and late-night calls that were almost something more. But she's also fiercely independent, with no plans to settle down. Saying yes to a fake marriage wasn't in her plans, but the moment she slips that ring on her finger, the line between friendship and forever starts to blur.
As their carefully constructed facade becomes something far too real, they'll have to decide if the risk is worth it and if their hearts can survive falling for the one person they were never supposed to lose.
Gianna's been Colby's rock for years through heartbreak, bad breakups, and late-night calls that were almost something more. But she's also fiercely independent, with no plans to settle down. Saying yes to a fake marriage wasn't in her plans, but the moment she slips that ring on her finger, the line between friendship and forever starts to blur.
As their carefully constructed facade becomes something far too real, they'll have to decide if the risk is worth it and if their hearts can survive falling for the one person they were never supposed to lose.
- GenresBook Club
119 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 13, 2025
About the author
Heidi McLaughlin
126 books7,506 followersHeidi McLaughlin is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of The Beaumont Series, The Boys of Summer, and The Archers.
In 2012, Heidi turned her passion for reading into a full-fledged literary career, writing over twenty novels, including the acclaimed Forever My Girl.
Heidi’s first novel, Forever My Girl, has been adapted into a motion picture with LD Entertainment and Roadside Attractions, starring Alex Roe and Jessica Rothe, and opened in theaters on January 19, 2018.
To stay connected with Heidi visit www.facebook.com/authorheidimclaughlin or heidimclaughlin.com
In 2012, Heidi turned her passion for reading into a full-fledged literary career, writing over twenty novels, including the acclaimed Forever My Girl.
Heidi’s first novel, Forever My Girl, has been adapted into a motion picture with LD Entertainment and Roadside Attractions, starring Alex Roe and Jessica Rothe, and opened in theaters on January 19, 2018.
To stay connected with Heidi visit www.facebook.com/authorheidimclaughlin or heidimclaughlin.com
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
April 30, 2026
I went into this expecting a quick, light romance, but The Temporary Wife ended up being a frustrating read for me.
First of all, the book is simply too short to support the story it’s trying to tell. There’s no room for proper development—neither in the plot nor in the relationships. We’re introduced to Colby, a divorced single father, his son Lucca, and Gianna, his best friend. The central conflict kicks off when Colby’s ex-wife—who has been largely absent—suddenly seeks custody and claims he’s an unfit father due to his lack of a stable relationship. His solution? Marrying his best friend.
The problem is… it just doesn’t make sense. The reasoning behind this major decision feels weak and unconvincing, and the story never takes the time to make it believable. Everything happens too quickly, without emotional buildup or logical grounding.
The romance is another issue. It appears out of nowhere, with no real development or chemistry shown between the characters. I never felt emotionally invested because the story doesn’t show feelings—it just states things as if checking boxes. It honestly felt more like reading a rough movie script than a fully realized novel: events happen, dialogue exists, but there’s no depth, no soul behind it.
Another major problem is the characterization. All of the characters feel completely one-dimensional. They don’t have distinct traits, consistent personalities, or any real depth. It’s as if they’re just names on a page rather than actual people. There’s no sense that they were thoughtfully built or developed by the author, which makes it even harder to connect with the story.
On top of that, Lucca doesn’t behave like a six-year-old at all. His dialogue and reactions feel off, which breaks immersion even further. A bit more research or attention to detail would have helped here.
Overall, the book reads like something unfinished—more like a Wattpad draft than a polished story. Unfortunately, it didn’t work for me at all.
First of all, the book is simply too short to support the story it’s trying to tell. There’s no room for proper development—neither in the plot nor in the relationships. We’re introduced to Colby, a divorced single father, his son Lucca, and Gianna, his best friend. The central conflict kicks off when Colby’s ex-wife—who has been largely absent—suddenly seeks custody and claims he’s an unfit father due to his lack of a stable relationship. His solution? Marrying his best friend.
The problem is… it just doesn’t make sense. The reasoning behind this major decision feels weak and unconvincing, and the story never takes the time to make it believable. Everything happens too quickly, without emotional buildup or logical grounding.
The romance is another issue. It appears out of nowhere, with no real development or chemistry shown between the characters. I never felt emotionally invested because the story doesn’t show feelings—it just states things as if checking boxes. It honestly felt more like reading a rough movie script than a fully realized novel: events happen, dialogue exists, but there’s no depth, no soul behind it.
Another major problem is the characterization. All of the characters feel completely one-dimensional. They don’t have distinct traits, consistent personalities, or any real depth. It’s as if they’re just names on a page rather than actual people. There’s no sense that they were thoughtfully built or developed by the author, which makes it even harder to connect with the story.
On top of that, Lucca doesn’t behave like a six-year-old at all. His dialogue and reactions feel off, which breaks immersion even further. A bit more research or attention to detail would have helped here.
Overall, the book reads like something unfinished—more like a Wattpad draft than a polished story. Unfortunately, it didn’t work for me at all.
July 3, 2025
This story was a sweet romance. Lucus, a six year old boy gets a family. He is a big part of the story. He is adorable and very perceptive. His father is kind and fighting for custody.
The characters are realistic and believable. I didn’t want the story to end. I recommend this book to readers.
The characters are realistic and believable. I didn’t want the story to end. I recommend this book to readers.
April 20, 2026
Colby and Gianna have been close friends for 3 years, ever since his wife left him and his son, Luca. Gianna has been there to offer frienship, support and shows up for Luca and Colby without fail. When Colby's ex tries to get custody, Colby takes drastic measures. He asks Gianna to marry him to make it look better in the court proceeding. She agrees and so begins their story. I will say that working as a paralegal gave me real issues with some of this book. Some of what transpired just isn't legal. It made for an interesting story, but fell flat for me because of what I know is not based on reality. I understand that it made the angst factor notch up. I did like how they finally acknowledged how they felt.
March 15, 2026
I read another one of her books and really liked it but this one seemed very amateurish. Was surprised it was published in 2025.
I couldn’t stand the repetitive dialogue. Nothing happened. Too many sappy I love yous.
What drove me crazy is Luca - he’s 6 years old yet walks alone to Gianna’s shop. Later telling his dad that he knew the route and was careful crossing roads. He goes upstairs by himself to start his homework and talks like a kid that is 10+. I even poked to see if the author had kids because it was so off.
I couldn’t stand the repetitive dialogue. Nothing happened. Too many sappy I love yous.
What drove me crazy is Luca - he’s 6 years old yet walks alone to Gianna’s shop. Later telling his dad that he knew the route and was careful crossing roads. He goes upstairs by himself to start his homework and talks like a kid that is 10+. I even poked to see if the author had kids because it was so off.
July 21, 2025
Luca is the most adorable little boy who brings his father and Gianna together. A sweet love story about choosing family and building a life together.
November 6, 2025
True love
I love this unsuspecting love tale of two friends in love forever but only recognizing it when circumstances forced it to happen.
I love this unsuspecting love tale of two friends in love forever but only recognizing it when circumstances forced it to happen.
December 7, 2025
an emotional book for me
It took me to almost the end of this book to fully understand it, but once I did I went back and reread parts of it. You will see the love in the book!
It took me to almost the end of this book to fully understand it, but once I did I went back and reread parts of it. You will see the love in the book!
December 21, 2025
Lectura entretenida y ligera.
April 3, 2026
Three and a half stars, rounded to four. A sweet romance with likable characters, a novella, very repetitive with not a lot of depth; hence the 3 1/2 stars.
October 20, 2025
Colby has been a single dad, doing his best, loving his son. Colby is one of those dads that actually means it whe his son comes first. When the mother walked away, Colby stepped up for his son.
The day the mother decides to go for custody is his worst day. She has the money get what she wants. The prospect of losing custody of his son has him grasping for a lifeline. A marriage, a stable home might just trump money.
Colby didn't realize how low the mother would go. He can only fight back with love. Will it be enough?
The day the mother decides to go for custody is his worst day. She has the money get what she wants. The prospect of losing custody of his son has him grasping for a lifeline. A marriage, a stable home might just trump money.
Colby didn't realize how low the mother would go. He can only fight back with love. Will it be enough?
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews