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The Westmorelands #6
Jared's Counterfeit Fiancee
This confirmed bachelor is a heartbreak waiting to happen in this beloved Westmoreland novel from New York Times bestselling author Brenda Jackson
Divorce attorney Jared Westmoreland has seen enough unhappy endings to avoid all the sticky entanglements that go with commitment—especially marriage. Even so, he can’t stop obsessing over the gorgeous stranger who barged into his office weeks ago. And when Jared meets Dana Rollins again, he decides to collect on the favor she owes him.
Pretending to be Jared Westmoreland’s fiancé isn’t high on Dana Rollins’s list of priorities. But she owes him a favor, and his persuasive charm and sinful masculinity--not to mention his sizzling kisses--are impossible to refuse. Helping Jared means spending time together publicly, which is tempting enough. But it’s the private—wild, hot, irresistible—moments that make Dana wonder how she’ll survive this engagement charade without falling in love for real…
Originally published in 2005.
Divorce attorney Jared Westmoreland has seen enough unhappy endings to avoid all the sticky entanglements that go with commitment—especially marriage. Even so, he can’t stop obsessing over the gorgeous stranger who barged into his office weeks ago. And when Jared meets Dana Rollins again, he decides to collect on the favor she owes him.
Pretending to be Jared Westmoreland’s fiancé isn’t high on Dana Rollins’s list of priorities. But she owes him a favor, and his persuasive charm and sinful masculinity--not to mention his sizzling kisses--are impossible to refuse. Helping Jared means spending time together publicly, which is tempting enough. But it’s the private—wild, hot, irresistible—moments that make Dana wonder how she’ll survive this engagement charade without falling in love for real…
Originally published in 2005.
192 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 7, 2015
63 people are currently reading
525 people want to read
About the author
Brenda Jackson
899 books3,605 followersIn 1994, Brenda Jackson’s first novel, Tonight and Forever, was released. Since then she has had more than 100 novels and novellas published (the first African-American author to accomplish such a feat) and has over 3 million books in print.
A native of Jacksonville, Florida, Brenda is the first African-American author to have a book published by Harlequin Desire and the first African-American romance author to make the New York Times and USA TODAY bestseller lists within the series romance genre.
In 2012, Brenda received the Romance Writers of America’s Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award—one of the highest literary awards a romance author can receive. In 2013, she was recognized by the mayor and the city of Jacksonville as being a Trailblazer in the literary field.
In 2010, she collaborated with Five Alive Films to turn her Truly Everlasting title into a feature film. Brenda’s 2011 novel A Silken Thread is scheduled to be filmed with Debbie Allen attached as director in 2015.
Email Brenda at authorbrendajackson@gmail.com or visit her on her website at brendajackson.net.
A native of Jacksonville, Florida, Brenda is the first African-American author to have a book published by Harlequin Desire and the first African-American romance author to make the New York Times and USA TODAY bestseller lists within the series romance genre.
In 2012, Brenda received the Romance Writers of America’s Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award—one of the highest literary awards a romance author can receive. In 2013, she was recognized by the mayor and the city of Jacksonville as being a Trailblazer in the literary field.
In 2010, she collaborated with Five Alive Films to turn her Truly Everlasting title into a feature film. Brenda’s 2011 novel A Silken Thread is scheduled to be filmed with Debbie Allen attached as director in 2015.
Email Brenda at authorbrendajackson@gmail.com or visit her on her website at brendajackson.net.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
February 5, 2017
When Dana decides to use Jared, the lawyer's help to get payback for her ex fiancée- she never knows she will end up repaying the favor by pretending to be engaged to him.
They decide to play the charade for Jared's mom- who is sick again.
Really sweet book- the couple played fun games and though they had a lot of preconceptions- the time they spent together made them fall for each other.
No angst and safe read.
3.5/5
They decide to play the charade for Jared's mom- who is sick again.
Really sweet book- the couple played fun games and though they had a lot of preconceptions- the time they spent together made them fall for each other.
No angst and safe read.
3.5/5
July 29, 2019
4 stars. This one had fake dating which is one of my favorite tropes and it was well done here. I loved both Jared and Dana so much and it was great watching them both let their guards down and fall in love. Jared is the cousin to Dare, Storm, Thorn, Delaney and Stone so we do get to still see them which was great but you also get to see the other side of the huge Westmoreland family. Jared's parents are wonderful, especially his mother. She was definitely a highlight for me. She's just so sweet and caring. Anyways, great romance and I'm glad that this series is so huge because I just adore these characters so much.
January 20, 2020
Very formulaic, but it works for Brenda Jackson, so why change? Recommended for those who desire a slow and easy read. No major drama, just Hallmark Channel type romance. No muss, no fuss.
Buy it, read it and enjoy.👍🏾🔥👍🏾🔥👍🏾🔥👍🏾🔥
Buy it, read it and enjoy.👍🏾🔥👍🏾🔥👍🏾🔥👍🏾🔥
January 3, 2018
Loved it! The last thing bachelor attorney, Jared Westmoreland, wants is a fiancee, fake or otherwise. But when his mom has a second cancer scare, he will do just about anything to make her happy! Even pretend to fall in love and get married. But jilted bride, Dana, wants nothing more to do with marriage either. Or does she?
December 26, 2020
Fake fiance, but he can't tell the truth because his mom is facing another cancer scare and was so excited when she overheard what she thought was a proposal. Who would dare to disappoint mom when she could be sick? Not our intrepid heroine and hero.
Loved it.
Loved it.
April 14, 2022
This books was amazing . I had no idea it was a fake dating trope but i loved it !!! Jared was a perfect gentleman. And Ms Dana was like putty in his hands … it kept my attention and my focus …
February 21, 2012
As the oldest child, Jared Westmoreland is being pressured by his mother to set an example for his siblings to get married and start a family. Jared, like the rest of his brothers and cousins, swears off marriage. Jared is a high profile divorce attorney and has seen too many failed marriages. Understandably, this has negatively influenced his views of marriage. Although his parents have been happily married for years, he knows best for himself.
Then enters Dana Rollins the jilted fiancee of a client. Needless to say, it is love at first sight and despite his attempts to deny his feelings, he is smitten by this fiery dynamo. Jared helps her dissolve her dispute with his client and in return she agrees to help him out of a "jam". He asks her to be his date for a family event and one misconception leads to another and before he knows it, the family believes he is engaged to Dana. The charade must continue when Jared learns that his mother may be facing another bout of cancer and infers that his pending nuptials will help her through it.
Well as you can guess, the pretend engagement starts to feel pretty good and the rest is a sweet Jackson love story.
Then enters Dana Rollins the jilted fiancee of a client. Needless to say, it is love at first sight and despite his attempts to deny his feelings, he is smitten by this fiery dynamo. Jared helps her dissolve her dispute with his client and in return she agrees to help him out of a "jam". He asks her to be his date for a family event and one misconception leads to another and before he knows it, the family believes he is engaged to Dana. The charade must continue when Jared learns that his mother may be facing another bout of cancer and infers that his pending nuptials will help her through it.
Well as you can guess, the pretend engagement starts to feel pretty good and the rest is a sweet Jackson love story.
June 18, 2024
The fact that I read this in one sitting speaks for itself. I really enjoyed this book, while the proposition to be someone's fake fiancé is definitely odd, it worked for how it was written in the book.
I was happy that Jared decided to follow his heart and what he was feeling about love and marriage and not his mind and his preconceived notions of marriage based on his profession. It was nice that he didn't force Dana to do anything she didn't want to do when it came to sexual activities although he really wanted to do things with her. I also thought it was cute that he used a game to express his feelings when it came to it. As was mentioned a few times in the book "It will all work out" and that it did. This is my second Westmoreland book and I know there are a lot in the series so I may have to check out some of the other stories as well.
I was happy that Jared decided to follow his heart and what he was feeling about love and marriage and not his mind and his preconceived notions of marriage based on his profession. It was nice that he didn't force Dana to do anything she didn't want to do when it came to sexual activities although he really wanted to do things with her. I also thought it was cute that he used a game to express his feelings when it came to it. As was mentioned a few times in the book "It will all work out" and that it did. This is my second Westmoreland book and I know there are a lot in the series so I may have to check out some of the other stories as well.
April 24, 2019
Originally Reviewed on Bewitching Bibliophile
Back into the Westmoreland clan we go, this time spinning off from the main family we are here to see the love story of a cousin of the main clan. So far the baby girl of the family has been married off and her three older brothers have also found love, one with her best friend. Jared is a cousin who is a successful divorce attorney and has seen the ravages of 'love' is determined to never go down that path. This just proves that despite the parents doing everything right the children can still by their own experiences learn the wrong lessons. Even though there are successful marriages that last around him Jared is still gun shy.
When a mistaken moment is overheard by his mother, Jared's afraid to embarrass her in front of her guests lets her continue to believe her error. He plans to tell her what she had overheard wasn't the right information, and then it snowballs. He's made aware by his father that there are health concerns which put him and his brothers in the uncomfortable position of trying to be concerned without being overwhelming. Knowing that the belief that he's engaged is going to help her he pitches a deal to Dana to help him until they know more and seeing how close the family is she says yes. Dana met Jared when he represented a client and the attraction was off the charts, but she's a bit gun shy.
Dana is a successful woman who was getting ready to get married when her fiancee drops a bombshell and she's devastated. She's alone in the world after her parents' death and now another person she thought she could rely on is leaving her. She has a great career and a few good friends she can rely on but it's not the same and when she sees how close the Westmoreland family is and how wonderful they are she's not able to turn Jared down. This should have been an easy favor, but it's complicated by their attraction and the more they give in the deeper this mire gets.
I love this trope and Brenda does an amazing job spinning this tale. From the dates, tot he quite moments of recognition of the change in their paths; this couple made you want to root for them. Jared's fall into love was wonderful to read, as he re-evaluated and even sought the wisdom of his fellow men about what made them realize they were in love. I loved the glimpses we get of the families and the new brides integrating into the family. I love how the women have formed their own little club within the family.
Reading positive stories about black love and black families is so affirming. I also loved the mini story that took place within this one as well, because that helped Jared realize there were other choices out there. I loved the way in which they fell in love and of course, their lovemaking scenes were amazing!! They just clicked so well and I loved their journey into love.
You guys know I'm a sap when it comes to romance, so make sure to grab this one if you're looking for a sweet quick romance.
★★★★☆
Books In Series
Delaney's Desert Sheikh
A Little Dare
Thorn's Challenge
Stone Cole Surrender
Riding The Storm
Happy Reading my loves,
Back into the Westmoreland clan we go, this time spinning off from the main family we are here to see the love story of a cousin of the main clan. So far the baby girl of the family has been married off and her three older brothers have also found love, one with her best friend. Jared is a cousin who is a successful divorce attorney and has seen the ravages of 'love' is determined to never go down that path. This just proves that despite the parents doing everything right the children can still by their own experiences learn the wrong lessons. Even though there are successful marriages that last around him Jared is still gun shy.
When a mistaken moment is overheard by his mother, Jared's afraid to embarrass her in front of her guests lets her continue to believe her error. He plans to tell her what she had overheard wasn't the right information, and then it snowballs. He's made aware by his father that there are health concerns which put him and his brothers in the uncomfortable position of trying to be concerned without being overwhelming. Knowing that the belief that he's engaged is going to help her he pitches a deal to Dana to help him until they know more and seeing how close the family is she says yes. Dana met Jared when he represented a client and the attraction was off the charts, but she's a bit gun shy.
Dana is a successful woman who was getting ready to get married when her fiancee drops a bombshell and she's devastated. She's alone in the world after her parents' death and now another person she thought she could rely on is leaving her. She has a great career and a few good friends she can rely on but it's not the same and when she sees how close the Westmoreland family is and how wonderful they are she's not able to turn Jared down. This should have been an easy favor, but it's complicated by their attraction and the more they give in the deeper this mire gets.
I love this trope and Brenda does an amazing job spinning this tale. From the dates, tot he quite moments of recognition of the change in their paths; this couple made you want to root for them. Jared's fall into love was wonderful to read, as he re-evaluated and even sought the wisdom of his fellow men about what made them realize they were in love. I loved the glimpses we get of the families and the new brides integrating into the family. I love how the women have formed their own little club within the family.
Reading positive stories about black love and black families is so affirming. I also loved the mini story that took place within this one as well, because that helped Jared realize there were other choices out there. I loved the way in which they fell in love and of course, their lovemaking scenes were amazing!! They just clicked so well and I loved their journey into love.
You guys know I'm a sap when it comes to romance, so make sure to grab this one if you're looking for a sweet quick romance.
★★★★☆
Books In Series
Delaney's Desert Sheikh
A Little Dare
Thorn's Challenge
Stone Cole Surrender
Riding The Storm
Happy Reading my loves,
Read
March 29, 2021Trying to write this review on 3-29-21 ...
And oh! Dana and Jared!
Dana gets dumped and is mad she has to return the ring ... which - is actually a thing the ring is a condition of the "contract" or whatever and anyway unless it's given at like Christmas or a birthday where you can try to claim it as some other sort of gift [which how even] - you have to give it back.
So ... he tells her.
And Jared the hotshot divorce attorney...
I remember his family loved her.
OH! I think she goes as his date to get his mom off her back; and his mom is doing poorly (had cancer - has a scare it's back) and she sees her trying to give him back the ring and she thinks it's the other way around/he's proposing ...
The whole thing he does with the new/upgrade ring...
I can't recall much about her -I can't remember if she has family - I know she has a friend though [seems like... that person also marries a Westmoreland? Maybe? there are enough of them...]
I remember really enjoying reading about two people getting to know each other and falling in love.
And the real relationship developing...
X: kinda blanking on details and also need to go to sleep though cuz it's after midnight.
I'd say this was in the C range - and I liked it more than I expected; maybe cuz the other books had been meh - but considering I read it 5x...
[which sure, election trauma, but still.]
so yeah.
I know I'd listen to this one again.
And oh! Dana and Jared!
Dana gets dumped and is mad she has to return the ring ... which - is actually a thing the ring is a condition of the "contract" or whatever and anyway unless it's given at like Christmas or a birthday where you can try to claim it as some other sort of gift [which how even] - you have to give it back.
So ... he tells her.
And Jared the hotshot divorce attorney...
I remember his family loved her.
OH! I think she goes as his date to get his mom off her back; and his mom is doing poorly (had cancer - has a scare it's back) and she sees her trying to give him back the ring and she thinks it's the other way around/he's proposing ...
The whole thing he does with the new/upgrade ring...
I can't recall much about her -I can't remember if she has family - I know she has a friend though [seems like... that person also marries a Westmoreland? Maybe? there are enough of them...]
I remember really enjoying reading about two people getting to know each other and falling in love.
And the real relationship developing...
X: kinda blanking on details and also need to go to sleep though cuz it's after midnight.
I'd say this was in the C range - and I liked it more than I expected; maybe cuz the other books had been meh - but considering I read it 5x...
[which sure, election trauma, but still.]
so yeah.
I know I'd listen to this one again.
August 6, 2022
This was cute. I love seeing a confirmed bachelor fall head over heels in love, and fall hard! He's a divorce attorney who has seen way too many marriages fall apart. He wants nothing to do with that. Her ex fiance uses Jared to get back the engagement ring he gave to Dana. She storms into Jared's office saying she won't give it back, but he talks her into it. Fast forward a few weeks and they meet up in a coffee shop/deli and he asks her to go as his girlfriend to his parents' house and things get misconstrued and his mother thinks they are engaged. Because she might be sick, Dana agrees to be his fake fiancee until they know the results of his mother's medical tests. It gets a bit intense in their feelings toward each other. I adored it!
December 2, 2018
I loved how there were so many westmoreland family get togethers. When I read about them, they leave me feeling like I am part of a big happy family. I wish some of Brenda's books could be turned into movies with A list characters not hollywood wannabees. She is a gifted writer. I would love to see a gifted producer turn her words into pictures just so i can see that big rock that Ian gave his lady!
December 24, 2020
Of all the Westmoreland books I have read I did not enjoy this one. Maybe I am getting tired of the women either being virgins or having horrible sexual experiences until they have been bedded by a Westmoreland. I also felt there wasn't any tension between this couple so there wasn't anything exciting about their story for me. On to the next hopefully Chase's book is more exciting.
September 15, 2025
I enjoyed the book 100% nicely done. Narration was very well done first time, listening to the narrator who did a great job. Loved the storyline and will be listening to more of this family. Will definitely recommend.
May 9, 2017
I just love these books soooooo much....
December 25, 2017
Good cliché also hahaha
August 11, 2018
Enjoyed this story of Jared, a divorce lawyer who has sworn off marriage until Dana enters his life. Sometimes plans go awry
May 9, 2021
It was ok but was kind of boring. The hero and heroine were both nice and had good connection however they were kind of boring and there was no real intensity to their relationship. Np.
November 21, 2021
I enjoyed reading this book. I wanted a climax though and I didn't see one in this book but good nonetheless.
January 5, 2022
You can never go wrong with Brenda Jackson! Another sweet romance story
June 15, 2023
Love this Westmoreland clan. The narrator was fabulous as always
December 18, 2023
Such a good fake dating romance. The chemistry between them was so clear. Loved when Jared realized that isn't wasn't just lust that was driving his actions. Such a good book.
January 31, 2024
It's so refreshing to have a black American family and love story that isn't a stereotype!
April 3, 2024
Worth reading
November 1, 2024
Jared!!!!!!! Adore him, this fake fiance trope was awesome.
May 5, 2016
This story of the counterfeit fiancee was funny and cute. You never know when love will find you. Jared Westmoreland is a divorce attorney who never wants to marry after what he see's everyday in his line of work. Dana Rollins is a beautiful young lady who has had her heart broken a week before her wedding is to take place storms into Jared's office demanding answers after receiving a letter from him about her engagement ring. When Dana tells Jared she owes him one. Little does she realize that Jared will be collecting on that favor sooner then she thought. Being a strangers fiancee can have a lot benefits good and bad when it comes to love. Jared will do what ever it takes to keep his mother happy even if it means lying. Thinking he can guard his heart from what it wants, can he walk away from the one woman who risked her heart a second time. I do love reading the antics of the men and woman in the Westmoreland clan.
August 11, 2022
Jared's Counterfeit Fiance'e. The story was beautiful. I enjoyed it! The characters are wonderful and sweet. These Westmoreland men are amazing . Jared is a divorce lawyer and Dana walks into his office steaming over a problem with her divorce. But she came at a time Jared needed to solve a problem. He propositions her to act at his fiance' in front of his family to get them off his back. Little did Jared know how his mom was going to take the lie. Then they find out his mom may have another lump in her breast and need chemotherapy again. The only thing keeping her positive is her son is getting married and she can plan the wedding. So now Jared and Dana have to stay together until they find out what is going on with his mom. Will staying together be bad or will they truly find love?
March 19, 2009
Mrs. Jackson writes another HOT & SPICY love story. I'm a sucker for a beautiful romance and Mrs. Jackson rarely disappoints. I enjoy the characters and I truly admire how the author creates such INTRIGUING stories. As usual I was CAUGHT UP in the close-knit ties of this family and the bond of love and support that's ALWAYS portrayed throughout this series. Dana's character is sweet and endearing. And who can resist falling for Jared, another sexy and amazing Westmoreland. Once again I'm looking forward to the next book in this series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews