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The Temporary Bride: An Arranged Marriage Romance
He’s my fiercest rival. Arrogant, ruthless, and filthy rich.
And I’m about to marry him.
When Tristan Thorne’s father dies suddenly, the last thing I expect is a summons to the will reading. What could the dead father of my oldest rival possibly want from me?
Turns out, a lot.
There’s a single stipulation buried in the Tristan only inherits if he gets married. And not just to anyone.
To me.
I should say no, but this alliance could save my family too—and vows aren’t forever. Once we satisfy the terms, we can end the marriage and walk away.
Except being married to the one man who gets under my skin is harder than I planned. Especially when he removes every bed from his house but one, learns sign language for me, and growls “my wife” in a way that doesn’t feel fake.
Everyone calls me the ice queen. Cold. Untouchable.
But when the tension between us finally snaps, Tristan lights me on fire, growling filthy things against my skin until I’m begging for more.
Somehow, the rival I swore I hated becomes the one who makes me laugh. The one I reach for when panic sets in. The one who’s seen all my scars and never once judged me. The one I’m starting to think I can’t live without.
But we were rivals long before we were anything else…
And some fires don’t just keep you warm.
They burn everything to the ground.
The Temporary Bride is a contemporary romance story full of banter, angst, and deliciously spicy scenes.
It is a complete standalone with a HEA!
And I’m about to marry him.
When Tristan Thorne’s father dies suddenly, the last thing I expect is a summons to the will reading. What could the dead father of my oldest rival possibly want from me?
Turns out, a lot.
There’s a single stipulation buried in the Tristan only inherits if he gets married. And not just to anyone.
To me.
I should say no, but this alliance could save my family too—and vows aren’t forever. Once we satisfy the terms, we can end the marriage and walk away.
Except being married to the one man who gets under my skin is harder than I planned. Especially when he removes every bed from his house but one, learns sign language for me, and growls “my wife” in a way that doesn’t feel fake.
Everyone calls me the ice queen. Cold. Untouchable.
But when the tension between us finally snaps, Tristan lights me on fire, growling filthy things against my skin until I’m begging for more.
Somehow, the rival I swore I hated becomes the one who makes me laugh. The one I reach for when panic sets in. The one who’s seen all my scars and never once judged me. The one I’m starting to think I can’t live without.
But we were rivals long before we were anything else…
And some fires don’t just keep you warm.
They burn everything to the ground.
The Temporary Bride is a contemporary romance story full of banter, angst, and deliciously spicy scenes.
It is a complete standalone with a HEA!
- GenresAudiobook
483 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 6, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 9, 2026
1⭐️ Not sure why I finished this. Sooooo superficial and they had sex for 40% of the book.
Billionaire forced marriage, of course they fall for each other, the tropes were so forced and thrown in because it felt like they were just checking off the boxes.
🎧 audiobook
Billionaire forced marriage, of course they fall for each other, the tropes were so forced and thrown in because it felt like they were just checking off the boxes.
🎧 audiobook
July 29, 2026
2.5 stars rounded up because they didn't make the drama too over the top. I liked the FMC a lot and it set up the narrative for the other brothers to have future books. I took off a star because it was needlessly long. There is an over abundance of mundane details that probably added 200 pages to this book. It should have been a cute, quick read at under 300 pages. Instead it's bloated to almost 500 pages with detailed descriptions of every smell, sight, clothing, food,.etc. that don't add to the story.
I had trouble liking Tristan. The instant acceptance of the marriage and that it would be real and not for show was a little much. It would have been more believable if the author built in more attraction or interest before the will reading from Tistan's POV. Or if they together approached this more like a business partnership that evolved. I also didn't like how he pushed Chloe around in terms of their marriage/relationship. He didn't talk it over with her and listen or have many thoughtful discussions. He just told her how everything was going to go and expected her to jump in with both feet, like insta-love. He's supposed to be some hot shot CEO but expects both of them to not have any reluctance or caution. He sees Chloe as a peer professionally, but then strong arms her personality. Everytime she has a concern, he responds forcefully sexually (not without consent). I don't love it and it feels shallow. Chloe is a much more believable character.
Full disclosure- i started skimming at around 45%. It was SO LONG and felt even longer. Plus, as another reviewer stated, at least 40% of the book is just sex scenes. Every time Tristan and Chloe talk about anything, they then have sex immediately. I started skimming over the excessively detailed parts and the sex scenes.
I thought making Chloe the first director of their new studio was stupid. It's a tiny detail that doesn't mean anything, but it's dumb and bothers me. It's a good move to make her in charge of running the new studio, but she didn't finish film school and has never made any full length films. It's a horrible idea to have her directing debut be their first production and makes the whole thing a vanity project.
I also didn't like in the end how the other brothers kind of get in line with the arranged marriages. I was kind of hoping Gabriel walked away. He has the most reason to and doesn't even seem to know the woman he's supposed to marry. This is the part of the current story i didn't enjoy. They are supposed to be smart, decisive, capable people but they just do whatever they're told and get in line. It ruins the believability for me. It seems incongruous.
I had trouble liking Tristan. The instant acceptance of the marriage and that it would be real and not for show was a little much. It would have been more believable if the author built in more attraction or interest before the will reading from Tistan's POV. Or if they together approached this more like a business partnership that evolved. I also didn't like how he pushed Chloe around in terms of their marriage/relationship. He didn't talk it over with her and listen or have many thoughtful discussions. He just told her how everything was going to go and expected her to jump in with both feet, like insta-love. He's supposed to be some hot shot CEO but expects both of them to not have any reluctance or caution. He sees Chloe as a peer professionally, but then strong arms her personality. Everytime she has a concern, he responds forcefully sexually (not without consent). I don't love it and it feels shallow. Chloe is a much more believable character.
Full disclosure- i started skimming at around 45%. It was SO LONG and felt even longer. Plus, as another reviewer stated, at least 40% of the book is just sex scenes. Every time Tristan and Chloe talk about anything, they then have sex immediately. I started skimming over the excessively detailed parts and the sex scenes.
I thought making Chloe the first director of their new studio was stupid. It's a tiny detail that doesn't mean anything, but it's dumb and bothers me. It's a good move to make her in charge of running the new studio, but she didn't finish film school and has never made any full length films. It's a horrible idea to have her directing debut be their first production and makes the whole thing a vanity project.
I also didn't like in the end how the other brothers kind of get in line with the arranged marriages. I was kind of hoping Gabriel walked away. He has the most reason to and doesn't even seem to know the woman he's supposed to marry. This is the part of the current story i didn't enjoy. They are supposed to be smart, decisive, capable people but they just do whatever they're told and get in line. It ruins the believability for me. It seems incongruous.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 27, 2026
Tristan was hands down the best. He was all in with Chloe from the beginning and made it abundantly clear that he considered their arranged marriage to be real and not for show. And he proved it when his brothers took him to a strip club for his bachelor party and he refused to let the women even touch him. And then later when Chloe started losing her hearing in her good ear Tristan learned sign language so he’d always be able to communicate with her. There wasn’t a moment in the book when he didn’t have her back. He may have made a mistake towards the end, but with the evidence he was given I understood her hurt and anger. But I also think he should’ve handled it better and talked to Chloe, instead of accusing.
Now Chloe in the other hand I had a hard time warming up to her. For me first half of the book she made everything a problem and just acted like a b****. Then she finally let her walls down to allow Tristan in and I was so happy. She frustrated me by allowing her sister to talk so negatively about Tristan. I felt she should’ve stood up for herself, her husband, and their marriage. Instead she allowed her sister to get inside her head and doubt Tristan. And I thought she went too far at the end by shutting Tristan out. The guy sent her flowers for 3 days in a row and she never once called or texted. He screwed up majorly, but it was plain as day he was sorry and remorseful for hurting her and doubting her.
Final opinion: I really, really enjoyed this books. I liked the little bit of other woman drama and seeing deal with his ex and put her in her place. I liked the angst in the end when Chloe got hurt and Tristan had grovel. And I can’t wait to read Gabriel’s book. Him and Dominic caught my attention and I want their stories!
Now Chloe in the other hand I had a hard time warming up to her. For me first half of the book she made everything a problem and just acted like a b****. Then she finally let her walls down to allow Tristan in and I was so happy. She frustrated me by allowing her sister to talk so negatively about Tristan. I felt she should’ve stood up for herself, her husband, and their marriage. Instead she allowed her sister to get inside her head and doubt Tristan. And I thought she went too far at the end by shutting Tristan out. The guy sent her flowers for 3 days in a row and she never once called or texted. He screwed up majorly, but it was plain as day he was sorry and remorseful for hurting her and doubting her.
Final opinion: I really, really enjoyed this books. I liked the little bit of other woman drama and seeing deal with his ex and put her in her place. I liked the angst in the end when Chloe got hurt and Tristan had grovel. And I can’t wait to read Gabriel’s book. Him and Dominic caught my attention and I want their stories!
July 8, 2026
Strong introduction to new series
Nikki is an automatic buy. She writes likable characters, and makes them relatable. The story was predictable but still, I can appreciate the story she laid out about characters I started to care about. Like all her books, spice abounds in this one too.
Nikki is an automatic buy. She writes likable characters, and makes them relatable. The story was predictable but still, I can appreciate the story she laid out about characters I started to care about. Like all her books, spice abounds in this one too.
August 7, 2026
I love this book. Although we know this doesn’t happen in the real world I always love a good romance. I often imagine that it’s me in these books. They did have sex a lot, but the scenes were good. I’m glad that she let her guard down so he could love her, and I also love how he defended and protected her.
August 14, 2026
Omg Tristen!! He’s an amazing MMC - the devotion he gives the FMC 🫠🫠 I love Nikki Lawson books she writes in a way that keeps you interested and entertained the entire time. Really enjoyed this story!
July 12, 2026
Had so much tropes I love:
- angst
- hurt comfort
- my wife
- happy ending
- good writing style
- spicy in the right times
- angst
- hurt comfort
- my wife
- happy ending
- good writing style
- spicy in the right times
July 15, 2026
Chloe was kinda a B at the start. Lots of 🌶️ and in places that didn’t make sense. But Tristian thankfully made up for all this.
July 21, 2026
Audiobook
July 24, 2026
Reminds me The Windsors by Catherina Maura 🤔🤔
July 25, 2026
3.5 stars
Read
July 31, 2026It just felt very… generic?
August 2, 2026
I liked it but parts dragged. Especially the end.
August 11, 2026
I never thought I would ever say this… but I could’ve really done with more plot and less spice… still enjoyed it
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews