Clover Dreams

Return to Coal Haven #4

by Marie Johnston

I went to Vegas to get married and ended up saying “I do” to my fiancé’s brother.

My dream wedding in Las Vegas turns into a scandalous nightmare when my fiancé gets married—to another woman. Pregnant, unemployed, and dangerously close to losing a house that was supposed to kickstart my next phase of life, I’m out of options.

Until Sullivan, my ex-groom’s black-sheep brother, makes an offer that changes marry him instead. I get to keep the house, he gets to work on his start-up in peace, and we just have to cohabitate for a year.

I don’t expect playing house to feel so natural. Or to see Sullivan for who he truly is without baseless comparisons to his brother. I definitely don’t expect to wish I could see what he’s like as a dad beyond our year together.

Then there was that one time in the laundry room with him…and in the bathroom…and on the kitchen table. I could go for much more of that.

As the calendar pages turn, I’ve been wishing this was the beginning and not the end. But I was let down in the most humiliating way possible. I can’t waste my clover dreams on a man who could devastate my heart worse than before.

298 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication April 3, 2026

About the author

Marie Johnston is an award-winning, best-selling paranormal and contemporary romance writer. She grew up in the upper Midwest and planned to go to college for English. Didn't happen. She started college in accounting and was awful! Grabbing her inner science geek by the pocket protector, she changed to microbiology and medical technology where her only writing involved scientific articles and procedures.
Eventually, she left full-time work for full-time baby raising but kept thinking, "one day, I'd like to write a book." Finally, before any more time passed, Marie decided to buckle down and write. She loves it!

Reviews

[Robin Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clover Dreams is Marie Johnston’s latest entry into her Coal Haven series. It tells the story of Clover, the daughter of the geologist about to marry her boyfriend in Las Vegas. She and her family arrive to find him MIA, suspiciously delayed on his business trip. Clover has her own secret; she has just discovered that she is pregnant. When someone arrives at her door, she expects it to be Elijah, but instead, it’s his older brother, Sullivan. He breaks the bad news to her that his POS brother is not arriving; in fact, he arrived a few days earlier, got into an altercation, and wound up marrying the hot cop that arrested him. And it gets worse; he cleaned out their joint account. 🤬. This implodes Clover‘s life as she had just quit her job to move to Coal Haven, and in being married, would inherit a home and property from her grandmother. The trust specifies that she has to be married, so she’s going to be homeless and broke. Sullivan, or Van as he prefers, has his own problems. After his tech startup was imploded by his cheating fiancé. He had found himself staying in his parents’ basement as he tried to get everything back together and restart his business,minus the fiancé. He proposes that they marry and live together, allowing her to inherit the property and him to have a place to grow his business without the aggravation of his family. In spite of not knowing each other at all, they marry, but her aunt, who is the trustee, has other ideas. She knows that they’re not marrying for love, so she specifies that they can only stay in the house for three months, and then they have to leave.
During the three months, they start to develop feelings for each other, and he accepts the baby wholeheartedly. At the end of three months, her father has already lined up a divorce attorney to make everything a simple break. Neither of them wants to divorce, but they’re too scared to tell their feelings to each other.
As with all Marie Johnston books, there is medium heat, a lot of family, shenanigans, and a lot of family love which Van has never experienced before. In spite of his brother being an alpha, his parents, both adore him and have shown obvious favoritism, leaving Van to twist in the wind. The Duke family and all of their cousins are very welcoming to him and consider him part of the family, even knowing that they will be divorcing. An irate phone call from Elijah once he finds out that they have married. It helps to bring everything to a head. He’s furious about the baby but wants nothing to do with it. Clover tells him that if he wants to claim the baby, he’s also going to have to claim the financial responsibility. She never hears anything else from him.
A quick, easy read, the story adds another facet to the Duke family. I cannot wait for the brother Jasper’s story to come next. Thank you Marie for the chance to read this early and submit a review!

[Tammy - · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clover Duke went to Vegas to get married, but instead of her fiancé, she ends up marrying her fiancé's brother, Van. And plot twist...she's pregnant with her new husband's niece or nephew.

It's really not as complicated as it sounds.

See, the Duke siblings grandmother was a romantic. She left each of her grandkids a house, but they can only claim it and make it a home if they're happily married for one full year. Since Clover does technically have a husband, the happy couple can live in the house grandma left her, but only for three months (since everyone knows that this is not a "real" marriage.) After three months though, will Clover and Van find separate homes to live in? Or will their fake marriage start to feel like the real thing?

Throughout this series, I'd never cared for Clover's fiancé. None of the Duke's really do. His brother though? I loved Van from the very beginning. He's sweet and protective, and although he hides his insecurities behind a pretty tall wall, he slowly lets his walls down bit by bit for his sweet Clover.
Clover and Van are so cute together. They really do share a give and take relationship and their romance is the stuff that the best slow burns are made of.

I always enjoy seeing all of the siblings and their significant others together again. As with all of the books in this series, this story will make you feel like you're a part of this big, loving family. This series has become one of my favorite's and I'm already looking forward to the next book.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a charming entry into Marie’s universe – it starts kind of rough, with Clover being left at the altar, but mostly it’s fairly gentle and kind. Van swoops in to rescue Clover, so she can live in the house Grandma Annie left her while she rebuilds her life. Van’s motivation seems pretty straightforward – make up for the mess his brother has left behind – but as Clover and the reader get to know him it becomes obvious that Van, too, is in need of rescue.
There’s not really a lot of drama between Clover and Van, they fall into like and then love pretty organically. Clover accepts Van in a way he’s never experienced, and Van returns the favor (nerd pastimes for the win!). The biggest impediment to their relationship is themselves – self-doubt, over-developed sense of responsibility, and hesitation are the enemy here. Thankfully, Clover has her siblings, and at some point you know they will lose patience and put her right – ever so lovingly, of course, as they have literally all been in a similar situation. It is nice to see the whole clan happy and prospering, and celebrating all life’s moments together. Also there is one screamingly funny scene that makes the entire book. This one is a great beach or commute read.

[Miancka · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book starts with absolute chaos and somehow blooms into the softest, swooniest love story 🍀💍

Clover’s life falls apart in the most humiliating way, and just when you think it can’t get worse… enter Sullivan, the black-sheep brother who offers her a way out. What starts as a marriage of convenience quickly turns into something that feels way too real.

Clover is strong but hurting, trying to rebuild after betrayal, and I loved watching her slowly open her heart again. Her growth felt so genuine, especially with everything she’s been through.

And Sullivan?
Completely misunderstood, quietly devoted, and SO easy to fall for 🥹 He’s the kind of man who shows up, no big speeches, just steady, unwavering support… and when Clover finally sees him for who he really is? Ugh, perfection.

Their chemistry is 🔥 (hello laundry room, kitchen table… 👀), but it’s the emotional connection that really makes this story shine. The “playing house” turning into something real, the hesitation, the hope, the fear… it all felt so authentic.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
A messy, emotional, and unexpectedly tender romance about taking a second chance on love 🍀💕

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clover and Van don't want to be vulnerable. They've both been hurt before and even though feelings get involved, neither thinks they are the best thing for the each other. Do they talk about it? Of course not. She figures he can't possibly want a future with her, pregnant with his brother's child. He needs to focus on rebuilding his business and may leave Coal Haven. He figures she can't possibly want a future with him, the brother of the guy who left her at the alter and stole all her money. She needs to be independant and rely on only herself.

Everyone sees it but them. The looks, the yearning, the affection.

When attraction turns into lust and some hot bedroom (and other room) action, they still don't see a potential future. Ugh. They too badly want the other to be able to move on from failure and create a happy new life. They don't want to risk their friendship by admitting their feelings. Luckily, Bean is their link together and keeps them talking until they figure things out.

I received an advance reader copy and this is my honest review. I can't wait to read the last Duke's story.

[Ariana Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stood up on her wedding day… can it get any worse? Oh yeah. She’s pregnant. In comes Van, Sullivan, the brother. And he offers to marry her.

It starts off as a benefit for them both. Stability and a fresh start. But it very quickly turns into more. I loved the relationship between them. It was sweet and caring. The love of a big family gave Van everything he never knew he was missing and all he ever wanted.

Van gave Clover everything she was missing in a real partner and more. It was honestly so heartwarming and enjoyable. Once I started it I couldn’t put it down. It was paced well and gave me all the warm and fuzzies.

I received this as an ARC for free. I am voluntarily leaving this review.

[Maria Georgia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Too slow to catch up with feelings
and the reality.
Nearly every one around them
saw that "thing" happening between them
except themselves!
She thinks he doesn't want his brother's seconds.
He thinks she deserves more than him.
The perfect example of how old wounds
can destroy our future.

Are we brave enough to put ourselves out there one more time?
Are we ready to try for love?
Are we ready to clean up the mess
and make room in our lives for love?

You can call it foreplay.
You can call it friends with benefits.
Those are true and even more
if they decide to accept their feelings
and take the leap.
Confidants, partners, the perfect team!

I know you'll love Clover and Sullivan because I fell in love with them first!

[Tima · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. This story is dual POV, well written and edited, and a sweet and steamy, accidental pregnancy, ex’s brother, forced proximity, contemporary small town romance between Clover, the female geologist lead, and Van, the male IT consultant lead. I enjoyed Clover’s optimism and her determined pursuit of her life goals. I enjoyed Van’s compassionate and generous consideration of Clover and her needs. I enjoyed the building friendship that became more. I enjoyed Clover’s supportive family who opened their hearts to Van as well. I enjoyed the steamy intimate scenes. I enjoyed the contentment the characters found together.

I received a complimentary copy from the author and this is my voluntary honest review.

[Cody Marie Phoenix · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm moving to Coal Haven! There must be something in the drinking water. Another Duke marrying to get her inheritance house, only it's not to her fiance. Clover is beside herself with what to do with no place to live and no money. Enter Sullivan "Van" Wagner who wants to change his situation and suggests he and Clover get hitched. The storyline is creative and the characters are personable and loveable, well most of them anyway. If you've read the other books in the series, you have to read Clover Dreams, and if you haven't started the series, what are you waiting for? This Author writes so well, you get caught up in the drama and think you're right there experiencing it all!

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

okay marie!!! i always forget how much i enjoy reading her books until it’s time for a new release and i get so freakin excited! the interconnectedness of her books is so much fun; getting additions to the families is the best!

i was so pumped for clover’s story to see how an ex’s brother situation would play out, and i was not disappointed! her and van needed someone, and i’m so glad had each other. both of them were going through similar ish situations & they had each other’s backs <3

they made a perfect couple (and friends tbh); i’m so happy they both got the happiness they deserved <33

[Bookbakeneko · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝘼𝙍𝘾 𝙍𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬
𝘾𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝘿𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙢𝙨
3 𝘼𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙡
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This time, it’s Clover Duke’s turn to secure her future… and claim her inheritance. But instead of walking into a perfect arrangement, she finds herself left at the altar—pregnant and suddenly married to her ex’s brother. If that’s not complicated, I don’t know what is.

Van is everything his brother isn’t—steady, supportive, and impossible not to fall for. What starts as a “fake marriage” quickly blurs into something far more real, with emotions neither of them expected.

I loved watching their relationship grow from necessity into something genuine. The tension, the vulnerability, and the way Van steps up? Absolutely swoon-worthy.
If you’re into messy situations, unexpected love, and a hero who proves actions speak louder than words—this one’s for you.

[Fleur · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought it was great how at first I was like how is this crazy mess going to work out lol but seeing how Clover and Van are together I knew they were meant to be. There are some great laughs, wonderful character along with a story line that has you frustrated at times and clapping with delight at others.
This was the first book in this series I have read so I am excited to go back and read the first three books and get to know the other Dukes.

[Donna McEachran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Latest installation in this lovely series features Clover. She is in Vegas to marry her fiance Elijah only to be left at the altar. As with the rest of her family, she needs to be married to have access to the house her grandmother left her. I love the closeness of the Duke family and how they support each other and significant others. Jasper is the last sibling standing and I can't wait to read his book.
I received a copy of this book from the author for an honest review.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one just had all of the feels. What started as a practical exchange of benefits, turned into so much more. Stranded at the altar, pregnant, almost homeless, Clover's life just couldn't get that much worse. But then Van's creative solution, a merger of benefits, changed it all. Slowly, with many pitfalls, they come to rely on each other and trust that happiness is more than skin deep. Hope and dreams do come true.

[Dani Freeman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book by Marie Johnston in the Coal Haven series. I love the connection we feel with the characters new and old. Van and Clover’s story had me a little on the edge with the way they were going to collide but I loved how Marie wrote them. Both characters are trying to find the new “self” and how to navigate such a weird turn of events but it was so perfect.

[Lisa Hambridge (lisamareebooks1109) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marie delivers another enjoyable book, which continues the return to Coal Haven series. This book centres around Clover and Van. This book was a fun read, and I absolutely enjoyed the connection that Van and Clover shared and the way they opened up to each other. The storyline, including Clover's pregnancy with her ex's baby, was well written, and I enjoyed how it developed to its end.

[Fatma · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 RTC