The Stand-In

by Kelly Collins

One tackle. Two very different emergencies. And a fake relationship that's about to become dangerously real…

I'm Ivy Sullivan—professional bridesmaid and crisis manager who can keep any wedding disaster from becoming front-page news. What I wasn't prepared for? Tackling a groomsman into a marble cherub during the "speak now or forever hold your peace" moment.

Brooks Taylor is an accountant with a concussion, a conspiracy theory, and evidence that the wedding I just saved was funded by embezzled money. Now the man I literally knocked out needs my help to expose a financial scandal that could destroy everything I've worked to protect.

The solution? Fake being his girlfriend to get close enough to the real criminals.

I'm professional chaos management. He's color-coded spreadsheets and social anxiety. But somewhere between charity galas and breaking into offices, our pretend relationship starts feeling dangerously real.

The problem with fake dating an accountant? He's got receipts for everything—including all the reasons this could never work.

In River Bend, where love stories write themselves and wedding bells never stop ringing, sometimes the most unexpected partnerships lead to the most beautiful disasters.

Some relationships start with a meet-cute. Ours started with a tackle and a police report.

Kindle Edition

Expected publication August 19, 2026

About the author

Kelly Collins is a bestselling, award-winning author of feel-good small-town romance filled with heart, heat, and happily-ever-afters. Her books are perfect for readers who crave heartwarming contemporary love stories, sassy heroines, and slow-burn romances with cinnamon roll heroes you’ll wish were real.

With humor, charm, and emotional depth, Kelly brings to life tight-knit towns, unforgettable characters, and the kind of love that feels like coming home. When she’s not plotting her next happily-ever-after, she’s sipping strong coffee and dreaming up heroes who are tough on the outside and gooey in the middle.

Come for the charm, stay for the swoon—and don’t be surprised if you fall in love with the whole town.

Visit www.authorkellycollins.com to grab a free book and discover your next favorite escape.

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You can learn more about Kelly at www.authorkellycollins.com.

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