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Temporary Fiancée
Haley Marchand needs money. So when a request comes for her to be both temporary secretary and fiancée, she jumps at the chance. As luck would have it, she falls on her face in the driveway. Entrepreneur Rand McNeil naturally says she won't do. Things take a turn for the worse when he degrades her elfin face and wild hair. Now Haley's on the defensive, and heaven help "Mr. nobody-should-look-this-good."
Because he lied to his former fiancée, Rand needs someone who, in addition to having topnotch secretarial skills, can pose as his fiancée for one evening as he finalizes a pivotal business merger. He needs someone tall and classy, and instead gets someone perky and cute. No way his high-and-mighty ex and her father will believe he'd be engaged to someone like her.
Can Rand keep the unpredictable Haley from turning his life, and emotions, into total chaos? Can Haley keep her attraction to hot-and-cold Rand under control as she challenges his diehard conviction that marriage is only for idiots?
This is a new release of a previously published edition.
162 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 25, 2013
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484 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 121 reviews
April 20, 2018
This just didn’t cut it for me.
The guy was not just an a-hole. He was first class j*rk and was a terrible human being.
He hurled insults at heroine based on her looks without even knowing her and he has no excuse for that. He was THAT shallow. He was happy to be pleasant to women who matched his cheating ex-fiancée in appearance but because heroine wasn’t a flawless beauty she wasn’t even worth minimum respect from hero? On a professional basis? He even respected his cheating ex wife on a professional basis.
If I never hear how unattractive the heroine is to the hero and how he could never be attracted to her, it’d be too soon!
Then the angst at the end. After heroine explicitly spelt out her minimum requirements are trust and respect, he turns at the first excuse he could find and callously threw her out of the house. Then, he goes back to her, when, only when he has solid proof of her innocence. Not for his burning love.
So what does that tell us? His love isn’t strong enough? Because his love was only available to heroine IF she’s the saint he accused her of trying to be. His love didn’t motivate him to ask for an explanation, or offer forgiveness even if she was in the wrong!
No, his love was offered only after her innocence was proved, and even though HE was the one who threw everything away, HE got mad because she didn’t ever want to see his face again? And started stalking her to a point she had to threaten him with stalking charges???? Really? So not only is his love useless, he also learned NOTHING? Well he definitely didn’t learn a lesson in humbleness.
Because guess what his idea of making up for the betrayal of his sister and himself to the heroine was? To ruin her reputation on national television! He blatantly, crudely states on live TV that she slept with him while he should have been grovelling on his knees on broken glass!
Yes I’m sure they found their HEA because the author said so and we’re not going to scratch beneath the surface, however in real life? Huh, good luck with her opening her own business after THAT announcement from the hero. Her career was truly and completely finished, no matter how excited the host was about her publicity! Yes, host would get her publicity, hero would probably get fan mail, but heroine’s career would have been irrevocably damaged.
The guy was not just an a-hole. He was first class j*rk and was a terrible human being.
He hurled insults at heroine based on her looks without even knowing her and he has no excuse for that. He was THAT shallow. He was happy to be pleasant to women who matched his cheating ex-fiancée in appearance but because heroine wasn’t a flawless beauty she wasn’t even worth minimum respect from hero? On a professional basis? He even respected his cheating ex wife on a professional basis.
If I never hear how unattractive the heroine is to the hero and how he could never be attracted to her, it’d be too soon!
Then the angst at the end. After heroine explicitly spelt out her minimum requirements are trust and respect, he turns at the first excuse he could find and callously threw her out of the house. Then, he goes back to her, when, only when he has solid proof of her innocence. Not for his burning love.
So what does that tell us? His love isn’t strong enough? Because his love was only available to heroine IF she’s the saint he accused her of trying to be. His love didn’t motivate him to ask for an explanation, or offer forgiveness even if she was in the wrong!
No, his love was offered only after her innocence was proved, and even though HE was the one who threw everything away, HE got mad because she didn’t ever want to see his face again? And started stalking her to a point she had to threaten him with stalking charges???? Really? So not only is his love useless, he also learned NOTHING? Well he definitely didn’t learn a lesson in humbleness.
Because guess what his idea of making up for the betrayal of his sister and himself to the heroine was? To ruin her reputation on national television! He blatantly, crudely states on live TV that she slept with him while he should have been grovelling on his knees on broken glass!
Yes I’m sure they found their HEA because the author said so and we’re not going to scratch beneath the surface, however in real life? Huh, good luck with her opening her own business after THAT announcement from the hero. Her career was truly and completely finished, no matter how excited the host was about her publicity! Yes, host would get her publicity, hero would probably get fan mail, but heroine’s career would have been irrevocably damaged.
August 13, 2024
It all comes down to this one element:
the brand of misogyny the mmc broadcasts is hidden and tricky one to notice at first.
He did not grow up in a healthy family. Not that his parents were divorced or hated each other or even abused him. His parents were control freaks and he became one.
The only time he trusted a woman, she cheated on him (ex-fiancée), so to irk her and to potentially get rid of her he hired a secretary who doubles to be his fake fiancée.
But he kept hurting her. Verbally abusing her, legit insulting her and being intentionally mean. Then half apologizing and blaming his fucked up manners on his cheating ex-fiancée, the fmc sunshine personality and low maintenance traits.
He loved how she kept forgiving him every time he gets super cold. He admired her kindness and even said "people must take advantage of her" and he that did sooooo much that the romance grew uncomfortable for me.
It was not about a grumpy/sunshine or tortured here anymore. It was about praying the fmc could save herself asap (She didn't though)
the brand of misogyny the mmc broadcasts is hidden and tricky one to notice at first.
He did not grow up in a healthy family. Not that his parents were divorced or hated each other or even abused him. His parents were control freaks and he became one.
The only time he trusted a woman, she cheated on him (ex-fiancée), so to irk her and to potentially get rid of her he hired a secretary who doubles to be his fake fiancée.
But he kept hurting her. Verbally abusing her, legit insulting her and being intentionally mean. Then half apologizing and blaming his fucked up manners on his cheating ex-fiancée, the fmc sunshine personality and low maintenance traits.
He loved how she kept forgiving him every time he gets super cold. He admired her kindness and even said "people must take advantage of her" and he that did sooooo much that the romance grew uncomfortable for me.
It was not about a grumpy/sunshine or tortured here anymore. It was about praying the fmc could save herself asap (She didn't though)
August 12, 2014
Not bad, I liked it. though Andrew was a little too Jekyll and Hyde for me at times. His reasoning for being that way was understandable, but still a little eye-rolling. I do like pretend love that turns into the real thing, but I wish this wasn't so insta-ish. Regardless, 3 stars.
April 14, 2021
I loved this book. I have been reading some long, very heavy books, and this was a wonderful break. It was light, sweet, fun, romantic, thoughtful, playful, with some appropriate sizzle. Although a short book, it was well thought out and the characters sweetly developed with distinct personalities.
Haley's naivety was so refreshing. Rand, what can I say? He, most likely, was every woman's dream but his heart was hardening, frozen in time. Haley to the rescue with a blow torch to thaw him out without even trying.
Such a fun read!
Haley's naivety was so refreshing. Rand, what can I say? He, most likely, was every woman's dream but his heart was hardening, frozen in time. Haley to the rescue with a blow torch to thaw him out without even trying.
Such a fun read!
August 25, 2016
As low as my expectations were the ending just killed it for me. It was so out of nowhere and rushed and unacceptable. It's like the writer was just like "Oh hey, I gotta fill in the last 20 pages of this novel so lemme just throw in this "misunderstanding" and have them make back up in the next 3 pages and everything should be fine".
Wrong.
Wrong.
December 27, 2015
3.5 stars.
Cute. Pedictable. Fun.
Cute. Pedictable. Fun.
September 7, 2018
Re-read September 2018
I love a sweet love story that keeps me laughing while I read it. This one was very sweet, funny and romantic.
It had a good story, and Haley was a smart, funny, spunky and sunny heroine - she really was adorable.
I love a sweet love story that keeps me laughing while I read it. This one was very sweet, funny and romantic.
It had a good story, and Haley was a smart, funny, spunky and sunny heroine - she really was adorable.
February 6, 2016
This was a recommendation I picked up, wanting to read a romance featuring a bubbly/klutzy heroine who could move a stoic and seemingly unfeeling hero to fall in love and move past the shroud of loneliness and isolation that he surrounds himself with. Temporary Fiancée features a heroine somewhat similar to what I was looking for and a hero who remains a bit embittered by the past and not ready to move on.
Andrew “Rand” McNeill, the computer wonder kid turned rich and eligible is looking for someone who would stand in as a temporary fiancée so that he can save face during the upcoming negotiations to be held with his ex-fiancée and her father. When Rand contacts the temp hiring agency looking for a secretary to fill in, one who would have no objections to acting as a fiancée, he didn’t have someone like Haley Marchand in mind. Haley is the furthest thing from what Rand conjures to be the perfect someone that would fool everyone into thinking that he had moved on.
Somehow, Haley ends up convincing Rand that she would be able to carry it off and these two find themselves contending with the attraction that springs forth between them. For Haley, the attraction is an unwanted one because Rand behaves like an ass at times, and for Rand, he can’t wrap his head around getting together with someone who is as different from him, someone like Haley who believes that the dog she looks after on occasion is a reincarnated version of some royalty from eons ago.
While Temporary Fiancée is a book that had immense potential and had everything going for it, it fell short of what I expected it to be. The writing appeared to be choppy and a tad juvenile at times. There were moments I felt like rolling my eyes in disbelief over what was happening. The first 3 chapters were really good – I was really hopeful that I was immersing myself in a read that would deliver on all fronts. But from then on, things went downhill and there were times when I wanted to DNF, but I trudged on because of the possibilities the premise presented.
I think the author tried too hard to make Andy and Haley both conform to the stereotypical image of a reserved hero who’d been betrayed once and is bitter about it, and the bubbly, fix it version of a heroine that has got it bad. There’s bubbly and being a fix it and then there’s Haley. She goes way beyond the mark in all three and from a certain point onwards, I was just reading the book for the laughs alone.
Both Haley and Rand came off as childish and petulant rather than the grown ups they should be. Haley, the one who wants to talk everyone’s ears off couldn’t find it in herself to talk about the “great misunderstanding” that occurs in the story. Needless heartache in my opinion. But then again, Rand acts like a jerk most of the time, all owing to how he had been betrayed before. Somehow, rather than finding it all sensual, I found Rand’s attempts to get Haley in bed kind of devious. While the premise was that he couldn’t help himself, but knowing he doesn’t want additional commitment to go with it, he still plays every dirty trick in his book to get Haley into bed knowing fully that she is more vulnerable than he is where they are concerned.
One of the major points of the story that I failed to see was how the involvement of the dog or Phyllis for that matter, added to the plot line except for making it appear more crazy than ever. I just couldn’t wrap my head around the silliness that revolved around those two characters in the story.
Rating = 2.5/5
For more reviews and quotes, please visit, www.maldivianbookreviewer.com
Andrew “Rand” McNeill, the computer wonder kid turned rich and eligible is looking for someone who would stand in as a temporary fiancée so that he can save face during the upcoming negotiations to be held with his ex-fiancée and her father. When Rand contacts the temp hiring agency looking for a secretary to fill in, one who would have no objections to acting as a fiancée, he didn’t have someone like Haley Marchand in mind. Haley is the furthest thing from what Rand conjures to be the perfect someone that would fool everyone into thinking that he had moved on.
Somehow, Haley ends up convincing Rand that she would be able to carry it off and these two find themselves contending with the attraction that springs forth between them. For Haley, the attraction is an unwanted one because Rand behaves like an ass at times, and for Rand, he can’t wrap his head around getting together with someone who is as different from him, someone like Haley who believes that the dog she looks after on occasion is a reincarnated version of some royalty from eons ago.
While Temporary Fiancée is a book that had immense potential and had everything going for it, it fell short of what I expected it to be. The writing appeared to be choppy and a tad juvenile at times. There were moments I felt like rolling my eyes in disbelief over what was happening. The first 3 chapters were really good – I was really hopeful that I was immersing myself in a read that would deliver on all fronts. But from then on, things went downhill and there were times when I wanted to DNF, but I trudged on because of the possibilities the premise presented.
I think the author tried too hard to make Andy and Haley both conform to the stereotypical image of a reserved hero who’d been betrayed once and is bitter about it, and the bubbly, fix it version of a heroine that has got it bad. There’s bubbly and being a fix it and then there’s Haley. She goes way beyond the mark in all three and from a certain point onwards, I was just reading the book for the laughs alone.
Both Haley and Rand came off as childish and petulant rather than the grown ups they should be. Haley, the one who wants to talk everyone’s ears off couldn’t find it in herself to talk about the “great misunderstanding” that occurs in the story. Needless heartache in my opinion. But then again, Rand acts like a jerk most of the time, all owing to how he had been betrayed before. Somehow, rather than finding it all sensual, I found Rand’s attempts to get Haley in bed kind of devious. While the premise was that he couldn’t help himself, but knowing he doesn’t want additional commitment to go with it, he still plays every dirty trick in his book to get Haley into bed knowing fully that she is more vulnerable than he is where they are concerned.
One of the major points of the story that I failed to see was how the involvement of the dog or Phyllis for that matter, added to the plot line except for making it appear more crazy than ever. I just couldn’t wrap my head around the silliness that revolved around those two characters in the story.
Rating = 2.5/5
For more reviews and quotes, please visit, www.maldivianbookreviewer.com
October 23, 2013
This really is a fun and easy read. Yes it's predictable but the comedic deliverance along with the usual stupid macho alpha male moves that create tension and leave you feeling so bad for the poor heroine, it just romps along at a great pace. No flowery puffed out waffle, just Rand and Haley's story passionately told.
You'll be hard pressed to not have a cheesy grin on your face, a few laugh out loud scenes and a couple of eyes wide moments when your at the 'oh my god he didn't just do that' moments too.
Very, very likable leads, Haley's sunny personality shines off the pages which only makes the reader feel her heartbreak more when Rand acts like a complete jerk. Complete with a total bi-a-tch of an ex, adorable 5 year old child and the antics of a sensitive dog who once was a sixth level Italian duchess in a previous life (yeah I know but it totally works!) and Phyllis, I absolutely cannot forget Phyllis and her very strange ways and how she stands there and just delivers the information about Delphine (the dog) as though you would be mad yourself if you didn't believe it!
Great cast of characters, fun and very nicely written romcom, not steamy but errs on the saucy side. If your wanting a pleasant bit of escapism that has you smiling a lot and an easy read then look no further; this will surely tick the right box for you.
You'll be hard pressed to not have a cheesy grin on your face, a few laugh out loud scenes and a couple of eyes wide moments when your at the 'oh my god he didn't just do that' moments too.
Very, very likable leads, Haley's sunny personality shines off the pages which only makes the reader feel her heartbreak more when Rand acts like a complete jerk. Complete with a total bi-a-tch of an ex, adorable 5 year old child and the antics of a sensitive dog who once was a sixth level Italian duchess in a previous life (yeah I know but it totally works!) and Phyllis, I absolutely cannot forget Phyllis and her very strange ways and how she stands there and just delivers the information about Delphine (the dog) as though you would be mad yourself if you didn't believe it!
Great cast of characters, fun and very nicely written romcom, not steamy but errs on the saucy side. If your wanting a pleasant bit of escapism that has you smiling a lot and an easy read then look no further; this will surely tick the right box for you.
June 2, 2013
Just got my hands on it! such a fun-light read. I am a fan of sunny heroines, so it's no surprise to me that I instantly took to Haley!
A person who runs hot&cold like Rand certainly requires the patience of a saint, Haley dealt with him in spades!
I genuinely chuckled whenever Phyllis came around, and you can't not love Delphine! haha
The story starts off with the typical ''hero wants to hire heroine to be his fake fiance'' yadda yadda (I'm a sucker for those reads btw!) and you can practically predict how it's going to go down in the end (hero screws up cue groveling at the end), but it really was enjoyable for me which is rare because I usually end up discarding most contemporary novels halfway through!
If I could pinpoint what exactly got me hooked, then that would be Haley's xter. I simply adored her impish comebacks and Ms. Fix It personality. She's sweet but no pushover and like that about her.
I would def recommend
A person who runs hot&cold like Rand certainly requires the patience of a saint, Haley dealt with him in spades!
I genuinely chuckled whenever Phyllis came around, and you can't not love Delphine! haha
The story starts off with the typical ''hero wants to hire heroine to be his fake fiance'' yadda yadda (I'm a sucker for those reads btw!) and you can practically predict how it's going to go down in the end (hero screws up cue groveling at the end), but it really was enjoyable for me which is rare because I usually end up discarding most contemporary novels halfway through!
If I could pinpoint what exactly got me hooked, then that would be Haley's xter. I simply adored her impish comebacks and Ms. Fix It personality. She's sweet but no pushover and like that about her.
I would def recommend
July 22, 2013
This was a short, but sweet story. It wasn't overly lame like so many tend to be in this genre and it had lots of unique and positive attributes. There was a wide range of characters with vivid personality traits. The character development was done brilliantly. This is not a book with great depth, but it makes for a nice easy read. Perfect for a beach read, or an "in between book" after reading lots of intense emotionally draining books (that’s where I was when stumbling across this)
How much did I pay: freebie
Would I recommend: sure
April 13, 2016
I'm kidding you not, this book has one of the most idiotic endings I've ever encountered and I read romance, the haven of vapid endings. I actually enjoyed the story for a few pages - it isn't poorly written and flows nicely - but once the final conflict was first hinted at and then hammered in with an industrial-strenght pneumatic hammer, the book started losing allure.
August 13, 2013
Lovely book - you can't help but enjoy the story - I did actually chuckle at some points during the book as there is some funny moments! Will read books by this author again.
May 8, 2017
This was ok
It had so much potential because both the heroine and hero characters were well written, I think. However, everything else seemed choppy, unfinished or rushed.
SPOILER ALERT
For example we see such nice despair from the hero when he couldn't get hold of the heroine to apologize, then all of a sudden he is sitting next to her live on television where they start airing their dirty laundry about h sleeping with H, and h announcing their engagement was fake (how immature and disloyal for h to say the latter when it's supposed to be confidential) ... anyway the TV host was just ridiculous. The whole scene just fell flat and unbelievably phoney...then all of sudden he proposes, tells her he loves her and bam ...they're getting married, end of story.
The were so many other scenes that needed that little bit extra but alas, this the author fell short. A pity.
It was still a nice read. I loved the heroine's quirky, fun, loving character.
It had so much potential because both the heroine and hero characters were well written, I think. However, everything else seemed choppy, unfinished or rushed.
SPOILER ALERT
For example we see such nice despair from the hero when he couldn't get hold of the heroine to apologize, then all of a sudden he is sitting next to her live on television where they start airing their dirty laundry about h sleeping with H, and h announcing their engagement was fake (how immature and disloyal for h to say the latter when it's supposed to be confidential) ... anyway the TV host was just ridiculous. The whole scene just fell flat and unbelievably phoney...then all of sudden he proposes, tells her he loves her and bam ...they're getting married, end of story.
The were so many other scenes that needed that little bit extra but alas, this the author fell short. A pity.
It was still a nice read. I loved the heroine's quirky, fun, loving character.
October 1, 2017
Love triumphs
Haley and Rand make a cute couple. The romance was sweet. The largest issue I have with the plot is the resolution of the climatic moment. The resolution occurs too quickly and in a tasteless manner. If Rand had truly loved Haley then he would not have made a gesture that could have potentially jeopardized Haley’s future. Trying not to give spoilers here.
The writing and editing were excellent.
Haley and Rand make a cute couple. The romance was sweet. The largest issue I have with the plot is the resolution of the climatic moment. The resolution occurs too quickly and in a tasteless manner. If Rand had truly loved Haley then he would not have made a gesture that could have potentially jeopardized Haley’s future. Trying not to give spoilers here.
The writing and editing were excellent.
September 22, 2018
Fabulous romance!
Rarely do I give romance a 5 stars rating anymore. Temporary Fiancee is a worthy exception.
No mafia hitmen, no 'suspense', no murder and mayhem, no Scooby Doo Mystery. Just an honest-to-goodness romance! What a fabulous change from all the nonsense usually parading itself as 'romance'.
This is a book I would read again and again. Great work, Ms. Rogers!
Rarely do I give romance a 5 stars rating anymore. Temporary Fiancee is a worthy exception.
No mafia hitmen, no 'suspense', no murder and mayhem, no Scooby Doo Mystery. Just an honest-to-goodness romance! What a fabulous change from all the nonsense usually parading itself as 'romance'.
This is a book I would read again and again. Great work, Ms. Rogers!
October 1, 2018
I agree with some of the other reviewers. Andrew is not just a raving jerk, he is arguably an emotionally disturbed individual who has demonstrated abusive behavior. Haley has no discernible backbone; rather she turns to jello at his first move. This is a basis for a relationship? Also, the plot seemed to be just thrown together without a serious attempt to create a plausible story.
September 23, 2022
Doesn't deserve any stars
This was the most immature romance and writing I've ever read. I don't know why I read it? I kept thi ki g it would get better. I felt it was about 2 adults acting like 5 year olds fighting. I wasted money on this one and will scratch this author off my list hopefully I can get my money back. 🤦♀️
This was the most immature romance and writing I've ever read. I don't know why I read it? I kept thi ki g it would get better. I felt it was about 2 adults acting like 5 year olds fighting. I wasted money on this one and will scratch this author off my list hopefully I can get my money back. 🤦♀️
September 5, 2017
Good
Light and fun. The plot is fairly common in romantic comedy, but the characters are interesting and the writing smooth and fast paced. The reconciliation is a little too easy for my taste, but overall a nice read.
Light and fun. The plot is fairly common in romantic comedy, but the characters are interesting and the writing smooth and fast paced. The reconciliation is a little too easy for my taste, but overall a nice read.
February 4, 2017
Good Read
Great characters, nice plot, and easy reading made this a good book. The time just flew buy as I was reading. I recommend Temporary Fiancee.
Great characters, nice plot, and easy reading made this a good book. The time just flew buy as I was reading. I recommend Temporary Fiancee.
March 13, 2017
Good enough
This was a bit predictable, but an average story. I'd give the author another chance. Three stars for the temporary fiancée.
This was a bit predictable, but an average story. I'd give the author another chance. Three stars for the temporary fiancée.
June 3, 2017
I laughed and laughed and laughed....
Very funny book with a cute theme.
Very funny book with a cute theme.
September 3, 2017
Not the ending of beginning I thought
Good read with comical sarcasm and love. Family protection and pure lust turned into love. Recommended to anyone. Great read
Good read with comical sarcasm and love. Family protection and pure lust turned into love. Recommended to anyone. Great read
September 13, 2017
My favorite
I could not put this book down. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a steamy romance. This book had me cheering for characters the whole time I was reading it.
I could not put this book down. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a steamy romance. This book had me cheering for characters the whole time I was reading it.
September 14, 2017
Very lovely story
November 5, 2017
3.5 stars
An epilogue would have sweetened it
An epilogue would have sweetened it
November 26, 2017
Temporary Fiancee by Judith Jones
This book was fantastic, I loved every moment of it ! It was funny and touching and kept me reading non stop.
This book was fantastic, I loved every moment of it ! It was funny and touching and kept me reading non stop.
September 27, 2018
Temporary maybe
She was just not his type. He does not like anything about her. But somehow she has gotten under his skin. And the fur is flying.
She was just not his type. He does not like anything about her. But somehow she has gotten under his skin. And the fur is flying.
September 28, 2018
Good read
February 4, 2020
Fun , quick read
Displaying 1 - 30 of 121 reviews