What do you think?
Rate this book
Superhero Romance Project
Conveniently Married to a Superhero
When superpowers are involved, a marriage of convenience is anything but.
Losing his beloved wife five years ago shattered Malcom "Mal" Mason's world. Hanging on for the sake of his teen daughter, Madison, he goes through the motions, leading his superhero team and protecting the citizens of Alaska from the occasional supervillain threat. When a rash of supervillain attacks coincides with his late wife's brother suing him for custody, Mal's barely maintained sanity threatens to snap. Could the answer to his problems lie in a marriage of convenience?
On the run from mistakes of her youth, programmer and sometimes "hacktivist," Charlie has finally found a sense of community, living and working in a small but close knit town. Her secret "lie detector" powers can smell a conspiracy a mile away, and she just knows there's something bigger and more nefarious behind the recent villain attacks. Her investigating puts her in the villains' crosshairs and costs her her home. With no where else to go, the local superhero's offer to play house to get his snooty in-laws off his back seems ... tempting. Having a superhero in the next room to protect her from villains and easier access to the case she is determined to crack? Even better.
As Mal and Charlie navigate villain attacks, meddling in-laws, and a rebellious teen in constant hot water, they're surprised at how good a team they make. Could there be something real in their pretending? Or will Charlie's secrets sink any chances of a happy ending?
Losing his beloved wife five years ago shattered Malcom "Mal" Mason's world. Hanging on for the sake of his teen daughter, Madison, he goes through the motions, leading his superhero team and protecting the citizens of Alaska from the occasional supervillain threat. When a rash of supervillain attacks coincides with his late wife's brother suing him for custody, Mal's barely maintained sanity threatens to snap. Could the answer to his problems lie in a marriage of convenience?
On the run from mistakes of her youth, programmer and sometimes "hacktivist," Charlie has finally found a sense of community, living and working in a small but close knit town. Her secret "lie detector" powers can smell a conspiracy a mile away, and she just knows there's something bigger and more nefarious behind the recent villain attacks. Her investigating puts her in the villains' crosshairs and costs her her home. With no where else to go, the local superhero's offer to play house to get his snooty in-laws off his back seems ... tempting. Having a superhero in the next room to protect her from villains and easier access to the case she is determined to crack? Even better.
As Mal and Charlie navigate villain attacks, meddling in-laws, and a rebellious teen in constant hot water, they're surprised at how good a team they make. Could there be something real in their pretending? Or will Charlie's secrets sink any chances of a happy ending?
313 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 9, 2026
1 person is currently reading
15 people want to read
About the author
H.L. Burke
95 books566 followersBorn in a small town in north central Oregon, H. L. Burke spent most of her childhood around trees and farm animals and was always accompanied by a book. Growing up with epic heroes from Middle Earth and Narnia keeping her company, she also became an incurable romantic.
An addictive personality, she jumped from one fandom to another, being at times completely obsessed with various books, movies, or television series (Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, and Star Trek all took their turns), but she has grown to be what she considers a well-rounded connoisseur of geek culture.
Married to her high school crush who is now a US Marine, she has moved multiple times in her adult life but believes that home is wherever her husband, two daughters, and pets are.
She is the author of a four part fantasy/romance series entitled "The Dragon and the Scholar," the Award Winning (2016 Realm Award for Young Adult Fiction) Nyssa Glass Steampunk series, and MG/Fantasy "Cora and the Nurse Dragon," among others .
Sign up for her monthly newsletter at www.hlburkeauthor.com
http://www.amazon.com/H.-L.-Burke/e/B...
An addictive personality, she jumped from one fandom to another, being at times completely obsessed with various books, movies, or television series (Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, and Star Trek all took their turns), but she has grown to be what she considers a well-rounded connoisseur of geek culture.
Married to her high school crush who is now a US Marine, she has moved multiple times in her adult life but believes that home is wherever her husband, two daughters, and pets are.
She is the author of a four part fantasy/romance series entitled "The Dragon and the Scholar," the Award Winning (2016 Realm Award for Young Adult Fiction) Nyssa Glass Steampunk series, and MG/Fantasy "Cora and the Nurse Dragon," among others .
Sign up for her monthly newsletter at www.hlburkeauthor.com
http://www.amazon.com/H.-L.-Burke/e/B...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 25, 2026
Another excellent superhero romance! I didn't like this one quiiiiiite as much as some of the others, but I DID really enjoy Charlie as a character, and her and Mal's relationship and how it built from practicality into love was lovely. I also enjoyed the fact that Cody took more of a role here; it's always fun when he pops up these days.
January 11, 2026
****Actual Rating 4.5 Stars****
This was super sweet!
I love how in the beginning we really feel Mal’s grief and overwhelm and see how everything is just a huge struggle for him to keep going, but once Charlie enters the picture in a meaningful way things change to a more hopeful note that colors and shifts everything; I just love it and am so impressed by the tonal writing genius displayed here.
The characters are all great from Mal to Charlie, Maddie (who I HOPE gets to star in a YA book in the future), Ace, Tundra, and even Cody who shows a different side of himself that makes him almost endearing, lol. (don’t worry I like Cody well enough, but he can be a bit…MUCH at times, especially with his bugs, lol)
I really liked that the MCs were Catholic and it was interesting seeing how they approach things differently then a “regular” Christian might, especially in the realm of marriage which was another thing I loved about this book aside from the cute relationship in and of itself. In that realm, there are a few comments of a character wanting to “make love” with their spouse and a fade to black between a married couple that wasn’t too much for me nor did it cross any lines, but of course this is going to vary for everyone.
Another great addition to this ever growing series/universe; I can’t wait for whichever one she writes/releases next!
‼️Content‼️
TRIGGER WARNING: it’s mentioned a woman miscarried in the past; a child is kidnapped
Language: heck; shtick; crap; damn; dang it; screw up; what the heck; BS; jackass; hardass; hell; sucks; what the; damned; badass
Violence: in the past people fell in a frozen lake and died (not shown or detailed); fighting with superpowers and hand to hand (not detailed); injuries (not detailed); a character’s car is shoved into a pond with them trapped inside where they nearly drown
Sexual: it’s mentioned a woman miscarried in the past; a woman is called hot and smokin’; sexy; mild suggestive comments/hints; a few mentions of a character wanting to “make love” with their spouse; a fade to black between a married couple (not shown or detailed); kissing (not detailed)
Other: superheroes/supervillains/superpowers; death and grief over a loved one; a child is kidnapped
This was super sweet!
I love how in the beginning we really feel Mal’s grief and overwhelm and see how everything is just a huge struggle for him to keep going, but once Charlie enters the picture in a meaningful way things change to a more hopeful note that colors and shifts everything; I just love it and am so impressed by the tonal writing genius displayed here.
The characters are all great from Mal to Charlie, Maddie (who I HOPE gets to star in a YA book in the future), Ace, Tundra, and even Cody who shows a different side of himself that makes him almost endearing, lol. (don’t worry I like Cody well enough, but he can be a bit…MUCH at times, especially with his bugs, lol)
I really liked that the MCs were Catholic and it was interesting seeing how they approach things differently then a “regular” Christian might, especially in the realm of marriage which was another thing I loved about this book aside from the cute relationship in and of itself. In that realm, there are a few comments of a character wanting to “make love” with their spouse and a fade to black between a married couple that wasn’t too much for me nor did it cross any lines, but of course this is going to vary for everyone.
Another great addition to this ever growing series/universe; I can’t wait for whichever one she writes/releases next!
‼️Content‼️
TRIGGER WARNING: it’s mentioned a woman miscarried in the past; a child is kidnapped
Language: heck; shtick; crap; damn; dang it; screw up; what the heck; BS; jackass; hardass; hell; sucks; what the; damned; badass
Violence: in the past people fell in a frozen lake and died (not shown or detailed); fighting with superpowers and hand to hand (not detailed); injuries (not detailed); a character’s car is shoved into a pond with them trapped inside where they nearly drown
Sexual: it’s mentioned a woman miscarried in the past; a woman is called hot and smokin’; sexy; mild suggestive comments/hints; a few mentions of a character wanting to “make love” with their spouse; a fade to black between a married couple (not shown or detailed); kissing (not detailed)
Other: superheroes/supervillains/superpowers; death and grief over a loved one; a child is kidnapped
November 21, 2025
Conveniently Married to the Superhero is to the book you need if you are over thirty-five. The leads in this book are a forty something widower and a single hacker in her late thirties. Add in a precocious thirteen-year-old and you have a rom-com made in hallmark movie heaven.
As someone closer to forty than she is comfortable thinking about, I appreciated this novel having older protagonists as I am well past the 'young love' stage of my life.
The Marriage of connivence plot in this story is super well done. Burke writes it in such a way that it not only moves the plot forward but also can not be separated from the main superhero action of the story. This is a good romance AND an action packed superhero adventure.
As someone closer to forty than she is comfortable thinking about, I appreciated this novel having older protagonists as I am well past the 'young love' stage of my life.
The Marriage of connivence plot in this story is super well done. Burke writes it in such a way that it not only moves the plot forward but also can not be separated from the main superhero action of the story. This is a good romance AND an action packed superhero adventure.
November 20, 2025
Single dad romance is not a trope that I ever would have intentionally sought out to read, but wow! This book was incredible!
I loved every second of this book! Mal has been floundering in his grief for years, and his daughter just wants him to be happy again. Charlie has given up on marriage and family since her past left her on the lam, and no one seemed to be interested in a "nerdy girl with curves." Supervillains, divine intervention, and a bit of teenage matchmaking combine to bring the two together in a modern-day marriage of convenience.
I cried like... so many times reading this book. Mal grieving the loss of his first wife 5 years prior, Charlie's low self-esteem, and how real and beautiful their love is when it blossoms all had me tearing up! I love the way that both Mal and Charlie view marriage a holy and treat it as a serious decision and commitment. It was a beautiful and refreshing attitude.
This book is a closed door romance, but it knocks on the door if you get my meaning. Fades to black, but you do see the lead up, with a lot of focus on how Charlie feels during the scene. It's definitely intimate, and I don't think I'd let a young teen read it. For an adult, though? Highly recommend!
I loved every second of this book! Mal has been floundering in his grief for years, and his daughter just wants him to be happy again. Charlie has given up on marriage and family since her past left her on the lam, and no one seemed to be interested in a "nerdy girl with curves." Supervillains, divine intervention, and a bit of teenage matchmaking combine to bring the two together in a modern-day marriage of convenience.
I cried like... so many times reading this book. Mal grieving the loss of his first wife 5 years prior, Charlie's low self-esteem, and how real and beautiful their love is when it blossoms all had me tearing up! I love the way that both Mal and Charlie view marriage a holy and treat it as a serious decision and commitment. It was a beautiful and refreshing attitude.
This book is a closed door romance, but it knocks on the door if you get my meaning. Fades to black, but you do see the lead up, with a lot of focus on how Charlie feels during the scene. It's definitely intimate, and I don't think I'd let a young teen read it. For an adult, though? Highly recommend!
Review of advance copy received from Author
If the Hallmark channel of ten years ago (it is just me or have they been going downhill lately?) made superhero movies there is no way they wouldn't snap up the rights to this book. The marriage of convenience trope can be hard to write well, but the characters have very real problems that the marriage solves and the story really feels natural and believable. The romance has a likewise natural feel and remains sweet and poignant. The supporting characters also see lots of character development and the relationships between all the characters grows throughout the story. There is plenty of action and a crime spree to solve to keep things complicated and fast paced. It can be read as a stand alone but fans will enjoy the appearances by a couple of favourite characters from other books in the 'DOSAverse'.
I received an ARC and voluntarily leave an honest review.
I received an ARC and voluntarily leave an honest review.
January 10, 2026
Heart-warming adventure-romance with all the feels
Conveniently Married is one of my favorites in this series so far! This trope is hard to sell in contemporary romance, but Burke does it with perfection. Compelling, sweet, and fun, the story entertains with unique twists, superhero action, and a parent-trap style scheme from a teen. The world-building progresses in cool ways to support the plot, and the believable relationship between Mal and Charlie makes you root for them the whole way. I enjoyed how their faith played a role in their decisions. Plus, Cody has a role. Highly recommend!
Rare, mild language and a "clean" but clear (intentions-wise) fade-to-black scene best for adults.
Conveniently Married is one of my favorites in this series so far! This trope is hard to sell in contemporary romance, but Burke does it with perfection. Compelling, sweet, and fun, the story entertains with unique twists, superhero action, and a parent-trap style scheme from a teen. The world-building progresses in cool ways to support the plot, and the believable relationship between Mal and Charlie makes you root for them the whole way. I enjoyed how their faith played a role in their decisions. Plus, Cody has a role. Highly recommend!
Rare, mild language and a "clean" but clear (intentions-wise) fade-to-black scene best for adults.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews