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A Jaded Heart
Two years after her engagement was unexpectedly broken, Mackenzy Richards finally feels her life is back on track. She lives an ordinary life in her small town in North Carolina, has friends and family she adores, and she’s in a career that she loves. Everything is perfect. Simple. But her life flips upside down when a sudden storm blows Mackenzy’s ex-fiancé, Clifton Fox, and his new bride-to-be into town—destroying the simple, peaceful life she tried so hard to create for herself after their engagement. Worse? Clifton’s life seems to be skyrocketing while hers seems to be at a standstill. Her once simple yet perfect life now seems like a lie when she gazes at Clifton and his supermodel gorgeous fiancée, Jaynell. They’re in love and are planning their perfect wedding—a wedding that Mackenzy once dreamt of. So when Clifton asks her how’s her life has been since their breakup, Mackenzy does what any woman in her shoes would do—she lies. And she lies big. Now, to save herself from further humiliation, Mackenzy needs to find a fake husband and fast. Luckily, one man is up for the job…unfortunately for Mackenzy, the one man who can save her from this situation is the only man she wants. To Gavin Duvall, there’s nothing worse than getting trapped in a marriage and having kids. He’d rather get a root canal—through his nostril—before he’ll ever want those things. So, when a fellow Marine, Ken Richards, asks him to pretend to be his kid sisters’ husband for a few weeks, his answer isn’t just no, but HELL NO! But when his mother and grandmother try to push him into a relationship with a woman, whom they believed would make the perfect wife and mother, Gavin sees this pretend marriage as a blessing in disguise. But will Gavin’s decision to assist Ken’s sister end up turning into a disaster? Or will it fix his jaded heart?
417 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 14, 2017
About the author
Denise Skelton
8 books27 followersDenise Skelton is an avid reader who's often found reading four or five books simultaneously. Born and raised in Baltimore, MD, Denise is a part of a close-knit family and is lovingly supported by her husband, three daughters and two sons. Skelton draws inspiration from everyday life. As a US Army veteran, and former private investigator, who's just about seen it all, she often awakes with exciting new creative ideas flowing through her mind like a river of words.
Acclaimed author Holly Chase Williams, said, "The emotional satisfaction you experienced as My Everything's mysteries were solved and the conflicts resolved stuck with you long after you turned the final page".
Acclaimed author Holly Chase Williams, said, "The emotional satisfaction you experienced as My Everything's mysteries were solved and the conflicts resolved stuck with you long after you turned the final page".
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 28, 2017
Where was the editor?
I have been a DS fan since "My Everything" and this book wasnt up to her usual standards. Although the content was great; there wasn't a definitive ending. I took a star off from "Berry White" alone. The first time is a typo and I can let it go. Such an obvious mistake -- who misses that -- continuously. Maybe Ken and Savanna will have a story; because I seriously adored her and we can find out more about Mac and Gavin's HEA. Definitely not as good as her other works; but I will still look forward to more works by Denise.
I have been a DS fan since "My Everything" and this book wasnt up to her usual standards. Although the content was great; there wasn't a definitive ending. I took a star off from "Berry White" alone. The first time is a typo and I can let it go. Such an obvious mistake -- who misses that -- continuously. Maybe Ken and Savanna will have a story; because I seriously adored her and we can find out more about Mac and Gavin's HEA. Definitely not as good as her other works; but I will still look forward to more works by Denise.
July 1, 2017
Took a chance
First time that I've read this author but will not be the last. Well written story and developed characters. Gavin was smooth but likeable not annoying or smug. Mac was so relatable to me that I cheered her on as much as her best friend did.
First time that I've read this author but will not be the last. Well written story and developed characters. Gavin was smooth but likeable not annoying or smug. Mac was so relatable to me that I cheered her on as much as her best friend did.
August 11, 2021
I was so torn about this review. I always want to support black female authors when I can. Unfortunately, the entire time I was reading, and I did read the whole thing, I could not get past the fact that there seemed to be no copy editor at all. Misplaced and misused punctuation, sloppy grammar, incorrect word usage (i.e. “bare” instead of “bear”, “shutter” instead of “shudder”, “Berry White”…how?!?!), wrong tenses, and on and on.
Pair that with a personal issue I have with black female characters that fall somewhere in one of the 3 stereotypes of black women, Mammy, Jezebel or Sapphire, and this was a difficult read for me. In this case, Mac falls somewhere in the Mammy category, submissive and always giving and caring for others (though strangely, and positively, not with Gavin as far as I can tell). Even her friend Savanna, who everyone seems to love, frequently dictates what she will do.
It is very rare that this happens, but it was Gavin who I didn’t find irritating and saved the book a bit for me. But then that in and of itself was uncomfortable for me because why is the white male character the saving grace?
I thought long and hard about whether to write this or not, but it really bothered me. I don’t know if this was the right thing to do.
Pair that with a personal issue I have with black female characters that fall somewhere in one of the 3 stereotypes of black women, Mammy, Jezebel or Sapphire, and this was a difficult read for me. In this case, Mac falls somewhere in the Mammy category, submissive and always giving and caring for others (though strangely, and positively, not with Gavin as far as I can tell). Even her friend Savanna, who everyone seems to love, frequently dictates what she will do.
It is very rare that this happens, but it was Gavin who I didn’t find irritating and saved the book a bit for me. But then that in and of itself was uncomfortable for me because why is the white male character the saving grace?
I thought long and hard about whether to write this or not, but it really bothered me. I don’t know if this was the right thing to do.
June 25, 2017
This is my review and how I see it. This is my first book by author Denise Skelton. I like books like this where the male character is a bit jaded with love or the idea of getting married because someone broke his heart in the past and then when he least expects it the love that he thought he didn't want or need slaps him upside his head. He will then at that point do everything he can to win the love of that woman.
This was a good read and the supporting characters were well developed. I am glad that her father did not make an appearance and I found it sad that he could not let go of this bitterness for the sake of his daughter's happiness. I liked how in the end the brother was able to come through for her.
This is my review and how I see it.
This was a good read and the supporting characters were well developed. I am glad that her father did not make an appearance and I found it sad that he could not let go of this bitterness for the sake of his daughter's happiness. I liked how in the end the brother was able to come through for her.
This is my review and how I see it.
June 18, 2017
Very Disappointed
As someone who read Ms Skelton's last four books, I was very disappointed. First of all, I hated the bad language. She's falling into the same category as a lot of other authors who think that foul language makes it more interesting. It does not. It took too long to bring the storyline and characters together. A lot of recollections of things in the past that made it difficult to keep up with whether or not the storyline was in the past or the present. Unnecessary characters and too much narration and not enough character dialogue. Overall I was very disappointed with this one.
As someone who read Ms Skelton's last four books, I was very disappointed. First of all, I hated the bad language. She's falling into the same category as a lot of other authors who think that foul language makes it more interesting. It does not. It took too long to bring the storyline and characters together. A lot of recollections of things in the past that made it difficult to keep up with whether or not the storyline was in the past or the present. Unnecessary characters and too much narration and not enough character dialogue. Overall I was very disappointed with this one.
December 28, 2022
Cute
Another cute story by Ms Skelton. Mac needs a fake husband in order to save face when her jilting ex arrives with his beautiful new fiancée and invites Mac to the wedding. Ex singer and marine Gavin aptly fills the bill. There is a too long side story about an engagement ring that took away from the main characters. I enjoyed the other marines and would have happily read more about Gavin and Mac.
Another cute story by Ms Skelton. Mac needs a fake husband in order to save face when her jilting ex arrives with his beautiful new fiancée and invites Mac to the wedding. Ex singer and marine Gavin aptly fills the bill. There is a too long side story about an engagement ring that took away from the main characters. I enjoyed the other marines and would have happily read more about Gavin and Mac.
July 14, 2017
Awesome Read!!!!
This book is full of great secondary characters. the hero and heroin are both so likable. I loved Savannah (Mac's ride and die sidekick). I found myself laughing out loud multiple times. If you are looking for a good IR romance with a twist or two, I recommend this book!
This book is full of great secondary characters. the hero and heroin are both so likable. I loved Savannah (Mac's ride and die sidekick). I found myself laughing out loud multiple times. If you are looking for a good IR romance with a twist or two, I recommend this book!
October 22, 2017
Yes!
First time reading her books in digital.....I have hers in paperback.
I love the themes that were going on. I liked that his ex didn't pop up. The friendship of both girls and guys were covered in depth. I like the background of Savanna the best.
Hope there's a follow up with Savanna and Ken!
First time reading her books in digital.....I have hers in paperback.
I love the themes that were going on. I liked that his ex didn't pop up. The friendship of both girls and guys were covered in depth. I like the background of Savanna the best.
Hope there's a follow up with Savanna and Ken!
November 8, 2017
A nice read with some very funny moments
A lovely story with some very funny moments in there, they only issue up have is th here could have been more depth and more to the story of Mac and Gavin. I wasn't so interested in Clifton as he was an ass, just more about Gavin and his relationship with Mackenzie. On the whole the story was nice and light hearted.
A lovely story with some very funny moments in there, they only issue up have is th here could have been more depth and more to the story of Mac and Gavin. I wasn't so interested in Clifton as he was an ass, just more about Gavin and his relationship with Mackenzie. On the whole the story was nice and light hearted.
August 21, 2017
The turmoil about what happens when two characters who are not the right "color" for each other come together. The anguish and bad history behind sticking with "your" own kind had me cheering for the characters. Cannot wait to see what happens with the other characters.
October 3, 2017
Simple amazing
This was my first by this author but it won't be my last. She wove such a beautiful tell of love. I can't wait to read more form her. I highly recommend this book to all.
This was my first by this author but it won't be my last. She wove such a beautiful tell of love. I can't wait to read more form her. I highly recommend this book to all.
August 4, 2017
Huge fan of author, and I've read all of her earlier works. Sadly, however, this book was so unbelievably inane that I could not finish it. Hoping for better future endeavors.
February 14, 2018
HEA
That ending definitely surprised me. It's a happy/sad/angering mashup that just works. Gavin is now officially added to my book boyfriend harem.
That ending definitely surprised me. It's a happy/sad/angering mashup that just works. Gavin is now officially added to my book boyfriend harem.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews