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The Hawke Brothers #3
His 24-Hour Wife
Their Vegas marriage should have ended the morning after, but this fling just might last a lifetime. Only from
USA TODAY
bestselling author Rachel Bailey!
What happened in Vegas didn't stay there for CEO Adam Hawke and go-getter Callie Mitchell. And their drunken lark of a wedding is coming back to haunt them. Because Adam and Callie are now working together, and she's being blackmailed over their very personal connection by a coworker. To deflect the threat, Callie and Adam make their sham marriage look real. But the passion that ensues is no sham. Could their wedding lark have real wings after all?
185 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
September 6, 2015
A Glowing 4.5 Star Read
The Hawke Brothers
Book 1 -- The Nanny Proposition
Book 2 -- Bidding on Her Boss
Book 3 -- His 24-Hour Wife (Available October 2015)
'His 24-Hour Wife' is the final installment in 'The Hawke Brothers' series within the larger series 'Billionaires and Babies.' I have enjoyed this series as it was available through our city's online library months before each book's release date.
In this book we learn a lot more about the eldest brother, Adam, who is the CEO of the family business. He has assigned himself the family caretaker since he was a young boy, especially watching over his two younger brothers who are now grown adults engaged to the loves of their lives. Each year Adam goes to a business conference in Vegas and for the last three years he has hooked up with the brilliant and beautiful Callie Mitchell.
This third year was different and he and Callie had their fair share of alcohol. Completely out of character for Adam, he proposes to Callie and they were married. Each of them has the other one on their minds throughout the rest of the year until it is time for the next Vegas conference but Adam has not been willing to have a real relationship with her. You will find out the reasons he refuses to become close to a woman when you read this great book. So they marry and then he breaks her heart the next morning telling her he made a mistake and is divorcing her. For three months there is no contact as they both went back to their previous lives.
Callie unexpectedly shows up at his office and tells him about the man who is blackmailing her. To deflect the threat they decide to work together to make this sham of a marriage look real. We all know how the formula works but it was still an interesting book, one I will reread in the future.
I highly recommend this book as well as the 3-book series. It was a quick, delightful read that held my complete attention.
Happy Reading
The Hawke Brothers
Book 1 -- The Nanny Proposition
Book 2 -- Bidding on Her Boss
Book 3 -- His 24-Hour Wife (Available October 2015)
'His 24-Hour Wife' is the final installment in 'The Hawke Brothers' series within the larger series 'Billionaires and Babies.' I have enjoyed this series as it was available through our city's online library months before each book's release date.
In this book we learn a lot more about the eldest brother, Adam, who is the CEO of the family business. He has assigned himself the family caretaker since he was a young boy, especially watching over his two younger brothers who are now grown adults engaged to the loves of their lives. Each year Adam goes to a business conference in Vegas and for the last three years he has hooked up with the brilliant and beautiful Callie Mitchell.
This third year was different and he and Callie had their fair share of alcohol. Completely out of character for Adam, he proposes to Callie and they were married. Each of them has the other one on their minds throughout the rest of the year until it is time for the next Vegas conference but Adam has not been willing to have a real relationship with her. You will find out the reasons he refuses to become close to a woman when you read this great book. So they marry and then he breaks her heart the next morning telling her he made a mistake and is divorcing her. For three months there is no contact as they both went back to their previous lives.
Callie unexpectedly shows up at his office and tells him about the man who is blackmailing her. To deflect the threat they decide to work together to make this sham of a marriage look real. We all know how the formula works but it was still an interesting book, one I will reread in the future.
I highly recommend this book as well as the 3-book series. It was a quick, delightful read that held my complete attention.
Happy Reading
September 11, 2015
Good book. For the past three years, Adam and Callie have met during a business conference in Las Vegas. The first two years they enjoyed each others' company and moved on. The most recent conference went a bit differently. Thanks to a bit too much alcohol, Adam and Callie decided to tie the knot at one of Vegas's many chapels. In the cold light of morning, Adam realized that it had been a mistake, and they plan to quietly file for divorce.
Three months later, neither has yet done so, when Callie shows up in Adam's office. She's being offered a promotion at her PR firm, and one of the accounts she'll be working on is that of the Hawke Brothers Trust. She wanted to let him know so that they can quickly deal with their marriage and so it doesn't become an issue with working together. But before they can do so, a jealous coworker of Callie's threatens to take the secret marriage to the tabloids. The only thing they can do is make it look real and take it public themselves. I loved seeing the way that they laid everything out like a PR project, and couldn't wait to see how real life was going to affect it.
To aid in the deception, Callie moves in with Adam, but here is where things start to get a little tricky. They have never been able to deny the attraction between them, and living together without giving in to it is making their public interactions less than convincing. They decide that they can be adult enough to enjoy their time together without becoming "emotionally compromised."
Adam has always felt an incredible amount of responsibility for his family, and been especially protective of his brothers. As a kid, he was closest to his grandfather and saw the fallout when his grandfather fell in love with a woman who didn't feel the same way. He swore he would never allow himself to lose control of himself that way. Even when he helped his brothers win their loves, he didn't allow ideas of love for himself. The only time he let go of control was the night he married Callie, and he's been running from those feelings ever since.
As Adam and Callie are forced to spend time together, they get to know each other in ways they hadn't with their brief hookups. Their connection gets stronger, but neither wants to believe that it is anything more than sex. They start to talk about keeping their affair going even after they divorce, because neither is truly willing to let go of what they have. But when Callie realizes that she has truly fallen in love with Adam, she can't stand the idea of going forward without his returning her love and leaves. Adam has to confront his fears and decide if he's willing to risk it all to get it all. His big moment was a huge step for him and really well done. The ending was sweet and romantic and the perfect wrap up for the series.
I really liked getting to catch up with Liam and Jenna, and Dylan and Faith. It was great to see the way that they all accepted Callie so easily, even knowing the details of the relationship. I loved their parts at the end, especially the way that Liam and Dylan confronted Adam after Callie left. It was so much fun to see them turn the tables on him.
Three months later, neither has yet done so, when Callie shows up in Adam's office. She's being offered a promotion at her PR firm, and one of the accounts she'll be working on is that of the Hawke Brothers Trust. She wanted to let him know so that they can quickly deal with their marriage and so it doesn't become an issue with working together. But before they can do so, a jealous coworker of Callie's threatens to take the secret marriage to the tabloids. The only thing they can do is make it look real and take it public themselves. I loved seeing the way that they laid everything out like a PR project, and couldn't wait to see how real life was going to affect it.
To aid in the deception, Callie moves in with Adam, but here is where things start to get a little tricky. They have never been able to deny the attraction between them, and living together without giving in to it is making their public interactions less than convincing. They decide that they can be adult enough to enjoy their time together without becoming "emotionally compromised."
Adam has always felt an incredible amount of responsibility for his family, and been especially protective of his brothers. As a kid, he was closest to his grandfather and saw the fallout when his grandfather fell in love with a woman who didn't feel the same way. He swore he would never allow himself to lose control of himself that way. Even when he helped his brothers win their loves, he didn't allow ideas of love for himself. The only time he let go of control was the night he married Callie, and he's been running from those feelings ever since.
As Adam and Callie are forced to spend time together, they get to know each other in ways they hadn't with their brief hookups. Their connection gets stronger, but neither wants to believe that it is anything more than sex. They start to talk about keeping their affair going even after they divorce, because neither is truly willing to let go of what they have. But when Callie realizes that she has truly fallen in love with Adam, she can't stand the idea of going forward without his returning her love and leaves. Adam has to confront his fears and decide if he's willing to risk it all to get it all. His big moment was a huge step for him and really well done. The ending was sweet and romantic and the perfect wrap up for the series.
I really liked getting to catch up with Liam and Jenna, and Dylan and Faith. It was great to see the way that they all accepted Callie so easily, even knowing the details of the relationship. I loved their parts at the end, especially the way that Liam and Dylan confronted Adam after Callie left. It was so much fun to see them turn the tables on him.
September 7, 2015
This is the final book of Rachel Bailey's series the Hawk Brothers and I wish there were more brothers. The story is about Adam the CEO of their flower empire. He is always so in control and keeps his emotions hidden except for the one night he spends with Callie Mitchell in Las Vegas. They have met here the past two years and spent the night together, but on this night they both fall under the spell of Las Vegas and some extra drinking which is truly not something either of them do . They marry but when the light of day comes Adam feels it was a mistake and suggests a divorce. Callie on the other hand has feeling for Adam and would have liked to give the marriage a try. Three months later and hearing nothing from him she goes to his office to put an end to the marriage as she is up for a promotion and wants to straighten out their relationship. Adam and family are very involved with a charity and their secret marriage could be a problem and it becomes one when one of Callie's co workers want the promotion and has dug up her secret marriage. So now the lovely story begins as two people try to cover their mistake but find out that maybe it wasn't a mistake. They decide to make people think that they got married because they were in love and are then going to plan a big family wedding. It is so much fun watching Adam fall in love with Callie that you find yourself smiling constantly. The lovely flower empire adds such a wonderful touch with their beautiful flowers that this is a truly no pun intended "blossoming " love. Don't miss this book its lovely and if you didn't read all three you will after this. Such an enjoyable book that I couldn't wait to see what happened but then was sad it ended. Thank you Ms. Bailey loved, loved ,loved ,it.
September 24, 2015
HIS 24-HOUR WIFE by Rachel Bailey is a brilliant and charmingly romantic story with just the right touch of scandal sprinkled on top.
Adam Hawke is keeping a big fat secret. It's three years now since he's been attending business conferences in Las Vegas. But at these conferences it's not all work and no play. Each year at the conferences, he hooks up with the stunning Callie Mitchell and they play hooky in the bedroom.
On their third year, however, things change in drastic proportions. Drunk and totally off their bearings, Adam and Callie get married in a whirlwind affair. The saying 'what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas' is the opposite for them. Someone knows their secret and will wield it against them if Callie doesn't back out from the promotion at work. Not wanting to create a scandal and feed fodder to the media, Adam and Callie cultivate the perfect plan to deflect the truth and make their marriage real for the world when really it's a big fat lie!
But in the breathtaking world of high society living, as they play out their fake marriage for the world to gush over, Adam and Callie become closer than ever. The sizzling chemistry between them grows flagrant and out of control and what should have been a fake marriage becomes real and lasting.
His 24-Hour Wife is a perfect story with a perfect and deserving HEA. Ms. Bailey has woven together a novel worth re-reading and it was fun catching up with the other Hawke brothers and their beautiful partners.
Highly Recommended
5/5 Stars
November 17, 2015
His 24- Hour Wife by Rachel Bailey is a 2015 Harlequin Desire publication
This is an easy, light contemporary romance centered around Adam and Callie a couple who have enjoyed on another's company from time to time, but at a conference in Vegas, they have a little too much to drink and wake up married.
No huge thing really. They'll just quietly divorce without anyone being the wiser. Right? Well, not so fast. When Callie is handed a golden opportunity with Adam's company, her competition threatens to expose their secret marriage. Instead of giving in to extortion, Adam and Callie take a preemptive strike by announcing their marriage and planning a family wedding. Still, the couple does not plan to stay married once their business dealings are complete.
The trouble is Callie is secretly hoping Adam will want to make the marriage a real one and Adam is too busy maintaining his obsessive self control, terrified of giving himself to someone who may not feel as strongly as he does.
The best part of this story was watching Adam struggle with himself and the feelings he is trying so hard to deny. Callie stands her ground by not settling for a physical relationship only, forcing Adam to stew for a while. Thankfully Adam's brothers have already found love and are instrumental in helping Adam convince Callie he is serious, which was pretty clever and very romantic.
Overall, this is a solid, light and easy contemporary romance. 3.5 stars
February 20, 2016
This was a good book. For the past three years Adam, and Callie have enjoyed spending time with one another when they met in Las Vegas for a business conference. This year they added a little too much alcohol, and laughs, and ended up saying (I do) at one of those chapels. By morning they realized it has been a mistake, and planned on filing for divorce.
A few months later Callie was up for a promotion at her PR firm. One of the accounts she will be working on, is one that belongs to his family, the Hawke brothers trust. One of her co-workers wanted that promotion, and finds out about the sham marriage. He threatens to blackmail Callie. She either walks away from the account, and promotion, allowing this creep to take it, or he tells the world that Callie got married in Las Vegas when she was drunk.
Callie went to Adam to let him know what she was up against. Callie has done PR for years, so she came up with a spin to make the world think Callie, and Adam was really in love. Who does not enjoy a good love story? It started out acting like they were in love, but throughout the story Callie fell in love. Adam did too, but it took him longer to figure it out.
This is one of those light reads, with very little drama, no action, and only one disagreement.
A few months later Callie was up for a promotion at her PR firm. One of the accounts she will be working on, is one that belongs to his family, the Hawke brothers trust. One of her co-workers wanted that promotion, and finds out about the sham marriage. He threatens to blackmail Callie. She either walks away from the account, and promotion, allowing this creep to take it, or he tells the world that Callie got married in Las Vegas when she was drunk.
Callie went to Adam to let him know what she was up against. Callie has done PR for years, so she came up with a spin to make the world think Callie, and Adam was really in love. Who does not enjoy a good love story? It started out acting like they were in love, but throughout the story Callie fell in love. Adam did too, but it took him longer to figure it out.
This is one of those light reads, with very little drama, no action, and only one disagreement.
September 16, 2015
HIS 24-HOUR WIFE by author Rachel Bailey is a October 2015 release by Harlequin Desire series.
Adam Hawkes is married. And his family is astounded when he drops this bombshell on them. How could he have kept it a secret? But his marriage to Callie Mitchell was no traditional wedding. It was a drunken lark in Las Vegas. Only now the very fact that they are married is biting them because they are working together and being blackmailed about it.
So they decided to come clean and pretend its real. Though a real marriage would ensure Adam and Callie would be thrown together more and the chemistry between them as usual soars.
Could they turn their lark of a marriage into something real?
Read HIS 24-HOUR WIFE to find out how Adam and Callie deal with forced nearness and pretend marriage. It is a romance filled with red-hot passion yet sweet and tender moments too. Author Rachel Bailey did a great job of bringing Callie and Adam together when it seemed it was impossible for them to ever reach a compromise.
Highly recommended for all readers of romance.
Adam Hawkes is married. And his family is astounded when he drops this bombshell on them. How could he have kept it a secret? But his marriage to Callie Mitchell was no traditional wedding. It was a drunken lark in Las Vegas. Only now the very fact that they are married is biting them because they are working together and being blackmailed about it.
So they decided to come clean and pretend its real. Though a real marriage would ensure Adam and Callie would be thrown together more and the chemistry between them as usual soars.
Could they turn their lark of a marriage into something real?
Read HIS 24-HOUR WIFE to find out how Adam and Callie deal with forced nearness and pretend marriage. It is a romance filled with red-hot passion yet sweet and tender moments too. Author Rachel Bailey did a great job of bringing Callie and Adam together when it seemed it was impossible for them to ever reach a compromise.
Highly recommended for all readers of romance.
September 2, 2015
Last of The Hawke Brothers trilogy, and most enjoyable to see the guarded, tightly emotionally controlled Adam, CEO of the flower empire, fall in love. Actually, he was probably already in love with Callie when he secretly married her in a (drunken, out-of-character) Las Vegas wedding, and she with him. But the romance of this love revealing itself over time is what makes this a warm, lovely book. A winner! Set beside the razzle dazzle of a children's charity (with a real live princess officiating) and the beauty of the flower farms, this trilogy has been fabulous. I put the last book down with a happy sigh. Thanks, Rachel.
August 29, 2016
such a throwaway. It was nice for an easy read.
February 9, 2025
This is a good book. For three years, Adam and Callie met at a business conference in Las Vegas. After enjoying each other’s company, they got married in a chapel during the most recent conference after a bit too much alcohol. The next morning, Adam realizes it was a mistake, and they plan to file for divorce quietly.
Three months later, Callie visits Adam's office to share the news about her promotion at her PR firm, which now includes managing the Hawke Brothers Trust account. She hopes to address their secret marriage before it complicates her work. However, a jealous coworker threatens to expose their marriage to the tabloids. To manage the situation, they decide to make their relationship public themselves. I enjoyed how they approached it like a PR project and looked forward to seeing how their real-life situation would unfold..
To aid in their deception, Callie moves in with Adam. However, their undeniable attraction complicates things, making their public interactions less convincing. They agree to enjoy their time together without becoming "emotionally compromised."
Adam has always felt a responsible for his family, particularly when it comes to his brothers. As a child, he was closest to his grandfather and witnessed the fallout from his grandfather's unrequited love. This experience led Adam to vow that he would never allow himself to lose control in that way. Even while he helped his brothers win their respective loves, he refrained from entertaining any notions of love for himself. The only time he truly let go of control was on the night he married Callie, and ever since then, he has been running from those feelings.
As Adam and Callie grow closer, they deepen their connection, despite initially believing it's just about sex. They consider continuing their affair after their divorces, reluctant to let go. However, when Callie realizes she's in love with Adam, she fears moving on without him. Adam must confront his fears and decide if he's willing to risk everything for their relationship, leading to a sweet and romantic ending that wraps up the series.
Three months later, Callie visits Adam's office to share the news about her promotion at her PR firm, which now includes managing the Hawke Brothers Trust account. She hopes to address their secret marriage before it complicates her work. However, a jealous coworker threatens to expose their marriage to the tabloids. To manage the situation, they decide to make their relationship public themselves. I enjoyed how they approached it like a PR project and looked forward to seeing how their real-life situation would unfold..
To aid in their deception, Callie moves in with Adam. However, their undeniable attraction complicates things, making their public interactions less convincing. They agree to enjoy their time together without becoming "emotionally compromised."
Adam has always felt a responsible for his family, particularly when it comes to his brothers. As a child, he was closest to his grandfather and witnessed the fallout from his grandfather's unrequited love. This experience led Adam to vow that he would never allow himself to lose control in that way. Even while he helped his brothers win their respective loves, he refrained from entertaining any notions of love for himself. The only time he truly let go of control was on the night he married Callie, and ever since then, he has been running from those feelings.
As Adam and Callie grow closer, they deepen their connection, despite initially believing it's just about sex. They consider continuing their affair after their divorces, reluctant to let go. However, when Callie realizes she's in love with Adam, she fears moving on without him. Adam must confront his fears and decide if he's willing to risk everything for their relationship, leading to a sweet and romantic ending that wraps up the series.
September 9, 2018
A nice story about two people who got married, thought they shouldn’t have gotten married, then decided that they should get married again, but neither of them wants to admit that they love each other. *deep breath*
While I haven’t read the first two Hawke Brothers books, it was easy to follow the background stories and I really enjoyed the twists to get us to our HEA.
While I haven’t read the first two Hawke Brothers books, it was easy to follow the background stories and I really enjoyed the twists to get us to our HEA.
February 16, 2021
I enjoyed this book, I wanted to see a little more from both main characters, sometimes they felt a little flat, however out of the three books this is the only one that didn't feel rushed at the end. Would recommend for a quick read.
January 10, 2018
HD #2406 = 3+ stars
January 24, 2018
This is the first book I read in this series and I really loved it. Looking for a short but terrific book. Then this one's for you !!!
July 6, 2019
Enjoyable HD with predictable and palate cleansing characters and storyline.
January 8, 2021
A little boring at first. But it got better in the end.
February 22, 2023
4.5 stars
Brilliantly written. Sweet story, with realistic, strong characters, with believable flaws, and good character growth.
Brilliantly written. Sweet story, with realistic, strong characters, with believable flaws, and good character growth.
October 29, 2015
So it's not that this is a bad story, it's cute, but it falls into the old belief that all romance is formulamatic and I'm not one who really believes that. Granted you see some of the same basic plot ideas like the fake girlfriend/fiance/spouse turning into a real relationship is often done, but it's one of my favorite story lines because I like to see what each author brings to the table and how they make that idea theirs.
Having read all three of the Hawke brother's stories it's not only that Bailey pulled from the known romance ideas, but it's almost as if she has a book formula of her own. In all three of these books the couple sleeps together, some sort of conflict occurs, the female leaves, the man realizes he's miserable without her and that he loves her, he chases and catches her, they live happily ever after. The entire series follows the exact same plot points with only slight variations on characters and what the actual conflict is. They even all share the scene when the male lead is being miserable of his two brother's showing up to help him figure it out. Every single book.
What makes reading and authors so fascinating to me is reading those books where you can tell the author put their heart and soul into the work, even if they are using a basic idea that's been done before, you can tell they strived hard to make it theirs, to make their characters stand out and their story be memorable, when a book series basically follows a check list in every novel it's very clear that isn't the case. And it's hard to be impressed with a minimal effort book despite how talented a writer the author is.
Bailey is a good writer, she strings words together well and creates many romantic scenes and scenarios. Her male characters say things that many women dream of hearing from a man etc, but without heart and originality in the story it's hard for it to stand out for me from the hundreds of other books I've read and I wouldn't exactly call it memorable.
The book is well written and cute, definitely a fluff read that many readers will enjoy. I can't say that I don't recommend it because like I said it's not a bad book but it's hard to say that I do recommend it when it's missing that spark of originality that makes a book memorable.
Having read all three of the Hawke brother's stories it's not only that Bailey pulled from the known romance ideas, but it's almost as if she has a book formula of her own. In all three of these books the couple sleeps together, some sort of conflict occurs, the female leaves, the man realizes he's miserable without her and that he loves her, he chases and catches her, they live happily ever after. The entire series follows the exact same plot points with only slight variations on characters and what the actual conflict is. They even all share the scene when the male lead is being miserable of his two brother's showing up to help him figure it out. Every single book.
What makes reading and authors so fascinating to me is reading those books where you can tell the author put their heart and soul into the work, even if they are using a basic idea that's been done before, you can tell they strived hard to make it theirs, to make their characters stand out and their story be memorable, when a book series basically follows a check list in every novel it's very clear that isn't the case. And it's hard to be impressed with a minimal effort book despite how talented a writer the author is.
Bailey is a good writer, she strings words together well and creates many romantic scenes and scenarios. Her male characters say things that many women dream of hearing from a man etc, but without heart and originality in the story it's hard for it to stand out for me from the hundreds of other books I've read and I wouldn't exactly call it memorable.
The book is well written and cute, definitely a fluff read that many readers will enjoy. I can't say that I don't recommend it because like I said it's not a bad book but it's hard to say that I do recommend it when it's missing that spark of originality that makes a book memorable.
September 26, 2015
Ms Bailey writes stories that are sensual so very enjoyable and take us away on such happy journeys and this one was so good this is the third story about The Hawke Brothers and this is Adam's story the eldest of the boys and they run the famous Hawke's Blooms flower company from growing designing and florist stores and what happens in Vegas does not always stay there.
Adam Hawke is the eldest of the Hawke Brothers and the most conservative and there are reasons he is like this and although he is so very good looking and could have just about any woman he wanted he does not want a permanent relationship like his brothers oh he can see they are happy but his feelings on the matter are deep and fixed or are they when after a drunken weekend at a conference in Vegas he does the unthinkable and lets loose, and now this is coming to haunt him.
Callie Mitchell is a very hard worker beautiful and caring and loves her job in PR but when she meets CEO Adam Hawke and they enjoy such a fun filled and sensual weekend in Vegas that ends up with them married things are going to change dramatically for her there is an instant attraction between them but in the morning they decide to go their separate ways and divorce but although they are not together it is their secret and the divorce has not happened. But when Callie is offered a job that will bring her in contact with Adam she must speak to him especially when she is blackmailed by one of her fellow workers.
This is such a beautiful story that is filled with desire sensual attraction and feelings that need to be talked about as Callie and Adam journey a moving and heart-warming path to the best HEA back where it all started.Callie and Adam come to life on the pages they are so real and of course meeting up with the rest of the family is always great, MS Bailey never disappoints me with her wonderful stories and this is one I highly recommend and another for the keeper shelf that will be re-read.
Adam Hawke is the eldest of the Hawke Brothers and the most conservative and there are reasons he is like this and although he is so very good looking and could have just about any woman he wanted he does not want a permanent relationship like his brothers oh he can see they are happy but his feelings on the matter are deep and fixed or are they when after a drunken weekend at a conference in Vegas he does the unthinkable and lets loose, and now this is coming to haunt him.
Callie Mitchell is a very hard worker beautiful and caring and loves her job in PR but when she meets CEO Adam Hawke and they enjoy such a fun filled and sensual weekend in Vegas that ends up with them married things are going to change dramatically for her there is an instant attraction between them but in the morning they decide to go their separate ways and divorce but although they are not together it is their secret and the divorce has not happened. But when Callie is offered a job that will bring her in contact with Adam she must speak to him especially when she is blackmailed by one of her fellow workers.
This is such a beautiful story that is filled with desire sensual attraction and feelings that need to be talked about as Callie and Adam journey a moving and heart-warming path to the best HEA back where it all started.Callie and Adam come to life on the pages they are so real and of course meeting up with the rest of the family is always great, MS Bailey never disappoints me with her wonderful stories and this is one I highly recommend and another for the keeper shelf that will be re-read.
December 9, 2016
Marry at haste, repent at leisure. This old phrase is often given the treatment with romances, with people getting drunk out of their minds and married in Vegas. It doesn’t have to be Las Vegas but that does seem to be the place where people seem to think it’s a great idea to get hitched in a hurry.
One such marriage takes place before this book begins and the novel concerns itself with how the man and woman (who have actually been meeting once a year for three years before the impetuous nuptial) handle its aftermath and fallout. Adam Hawke regrets his hasty marriage and Callie Mitchell isn’t so sure it was a good idea, either. So they decide to get a divorce. But it’s not as easy as that.
Adam is dealing with emotional baggage that has left him uptight and pent-up and Cllie has to negotiate a company deal while handling a malicious colleague. While a blackmailing co-worker would seem to be a serious deal, we never get to meet him. He’s just a voice on the phone and a mysterious off-page presence who gets summarily fired after he mouths off once too often to the boss. So Callie’s problem is neatly tidied up while Adam’s emotional issues take prominence.
Callie thinks she can have just a “fling” with her husband and keep herself emotionally aloof even while they struggle through a company campaign, an upcoming wedding, an inquisitive reporter, a visiting royal princess and their imminent divorce. Naturally, she gets her feelings tangled up and naturally he backs off as if she set his toes on fire.
The predictability of their mental collision courses doesn’t detract from the various negotiations they make with themselves and each other. Those parts of the book are well written and Adam’s interactions with his goofball brothers are almost funny to read. The ending of the book is unexpected, too. Reconciliation between misunderstood or squabbling partners in a romance is de rigueur but Ms. Bailey manages to surprise a little.
One such marriage takes place before this book begins and the novel concerns itself with how the man and woman (who have actually been meeting once a year for three years before the impetuous nuptial) handle its aftermath and fallout. Adam Hawke regrets his hasty marriage and Callie Mitchell isn’t so sure it was a good idea, either. So they decide to get a divorce. But it’s not as easy as that.
Adam is dealing with emotional baggage that has left him uptight and pent-up and Cllie has to negotiate a company deal while handling a malicious colleague. While a blackmailing co-worker would seem to be a serious deal, we never get to meet him. He’s just a voice on the phone and a mysterious off-page presence who gets summarily fired after he mouths off once too often to the boss. So Callie’s problem is neatly tidied up while Adam’s emotional issues take prominence.
Callie thinks she can have just a “fling” with her husband and keep herself emotionally aloof even while they struggle through a company campaign, an upcoming wedding, an inquisitive reporter, a visiting royal princess and their imminent divorce. Naturally, she gets her feelings tangled up and naturally he backs off as if she set his toes on fire.
The predictability of their mental collision courses doesn’t detract from the various negotiations they make with themselves and each other. Those parts of the book are well written and Adam’s interactions with his goofball brothers are almost funny to read. The ending of the book is unexpected, too. Reconciliation between misunderstood or squabbling partners in a romance is de rigueur but Ms. Bailey manages to surprise a little.
August 30, 2015
This is the third in the Hawke Brothers trilogy and tells the story of guarded and self controlled Adam who, it turns out on the first page, had one unguarded and totally out of character night with Callie. Reminiscent of 'Same Time, Next Time', Adam and Callie have hooked up three years in a row at a Vegas conference, and secretly done the deed in one of the city's chapels.
It seems both are on the same page about getting a divorce but one of Callie's co-workers is out to snag her likely promotion for himself and threatens to reveal their ill-considered wedding. Time for damage control and that means taking offensive action by acknowledging their marriage and moving in together. I love this trope because it offers us the chance to see the characters' growing awareness and knowledge of one another, and raises the sexual tension sky-high.
With a family series such as this, I also very much enjoy seeing other family members appear again, and the brothers' interactions are always entertaining, especially after Adam's interference in his younger brothers' love lives. Payback is delicious!
Naturally, there is a third new bloom joining the floral offerings, a white tulip that features in a wonderful final scene. I'm sorry to be saying goodbye to the Hawke Brothers and family. Guess I'll have to be content with re-reading the trilogy!
It seems both are on the same page about getting a divorce but one of Callie's co-workers is out to snag her likely promotion for himself and threatens to reveal their ill-considered wedding. Time for damage control and that means taking offensive action by acknowledging their marriage and moving in together. I love this trope because it offers us the chance to see the characters' growing awareness and knowledge of one another, and raises the sexual tension sky-high.
With a family series such as this, I also very much enjoy seeing other family members appear again, and the brothers' interactions are always entertaining, especially after Adam's interference in his younger brothers' love lives. Payback is delicious!
Naturally, there is a third new bloom joining the floral offerings, a white tulip that features in a wonderful final scene. I'm sorry to be saying goodbye to the Hawke Brothers and family. Guess I'll have to be content with re-reading the trilogy!
October 6, 2015
His 24-Hour Wife by Rachel Bailey
It was a chance happening between CEO Adam Hawke and Callie Mitchell three years in a row. The 3rd meeting was what it took. They partook in a bit too many liquid refreshments and in the heat of it all decided to get married. The next day of course they regretted it and Adam said he would handle getting the divorce started. They both returned to their lives as if they never got married and sure never told anyone about the marriage. Callie had told her sister Summer about it however.
Over the time they went on leading their lives until Callie was up for a promotion and was to work on the Hawke committee for a trust fund. Somehow a coworker of Callie’s had uncovered about the marriage and used it to blackmail Callie.
Callie went to Adam’s office to warn him. They decided to make their marriage seem and appear real. Could they handle being together basically 24-7 without letting on to anyone that it was not real?
You will have to read to find out how this all played out. Prepare for tissues at the end and Rachel Bailey for sure wrote the perfect love story!
It was a chance happening between CEO Adam Hawke and Callie Mitchell three years in a row. The 3rd meeting was what it took. They partook in a bit too many liquid refreshments and in the heat of it all decided to get married. The next day of course they regretted it and Adam said he would handle getting the divorce started. They both returned to their lives as if they never got married and sure never told anyone about the marriage. Callie had told her sister Summer about it however.
Over the time they went on leading their lives until Callie was up for a promotion and was to work on the Hawke committee for a trust fund. Somehow a coworker of Callie’s had uncovered about the marriage and used it to blackmail Callie.
Callie went to Adam’s office to warn him. They decided to make their marriage seem and appear real. Could they handle being together basically 24-7 without letting on to anyone that it was not real?
You will have to read to find out how this all played out. Prepare for tissues at the end and Rachel Bailey for sure wrote the perfect love story!
August 10, 2015
I understand where the title comes from for this title... but I don't believe it was the right title for the story. Unfortunately I haven't got a suggestion for an alternative title.
I spent the first half of the book with Adam having me confused about whether he was coming or going. Adam's response to Callie's declaration of love as being in the heat of the moment was so classically Adam. I absolutely loved loved loved how Adam figured out that he was in fact in love with Callie.
I can't remember the last time I thought this, but I would have loved illustrations of the Bridal Tulip (buttonholes and bouquets), Jenna/Jensine's tiara and the locket from Dylan accompanying the final chapter.
I spent the first half of the book with Adam having me confused about whether he was coming or going. Adam's response to Callie's declaration of love as being in the heat of the moment was so classically Adam. I absolutely loved loved loved how Adam figured out that he was in fact in love with Callie.
I can't remember the last time I thought this, but I would have loved illustrations of the Bridal Tulip (buttonholes and bouquets), Jenna/Jensine's tiara and the locket from Dylan accompanying the final chapter.
October 5, 2015
"His 24-Hour Wife (The Hawke Brothers #3): by Rachel Bailey is a quick, enjoyable read from Harlequin Desire. After a wild night in Las Vegas Adam Hawke and Callie Mitchell tie the knot. Waking up in the morning they both regret their rash decision and Adam asks for a divorce but Callie wants to give their relationship a chance. Three months later she has not heard from Adam. Callie is up for a promotion and wants to clear up any of their past mistakes. This just gets the story started. There is much more to read and deserves to be read.
November 15, 2015
I must say I did receive a free autographed copy from author Rachel Bailey I did purchase another copy fro Harlequin.
Loved this 3rd book in the Hawke Brothers series Adam & Callie had to stay married due to the fact she is being blackmailed by a co-worker who wants her job.
I could not put the book down once I picked it up.
Loved this 3rd book in the Hawke Brothers series Adam & Callie had to stay married due to the fact she is being blackmailed by a co-worker who wants her job.
I could not put the book down once I picked it up.
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October 1, 2015"This is a perfect conclusion in The Hawke Brothers series for the dynamic brothers and the women who capture their hearts!" (RT Book Reviews, 4 1/2 stars TOP PICK!)
Miniseries: The Hawke Brothers
Miniseries: The Hawke Brothers
October 4, 2015
Really enjoyable passionate romance that tells the story of Callie Mitchell and Adam Hawke who marry in haste in Vegas and then a few months down the line have to pretend that they have a real marriage. The path of true love never runs smooth and these 2 have a lot of obstacles to overcome.
July 12, 2015
3.5*
October 18, 2015
I decided to read a chapter but ended up finishing the whole book at 2 am !!! Rachel you are awsome and this is the kind of books you never get bored with . Thank you
October 23, 2015
Marriage before love.... Interesting story
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