After a misleading Facebook photo makes it seem like Amy has a fiance, Amy hires the 'actor' to play the part of a cowboy-love-interest, to finally get her family off her back. What she wasn't anticipating, is how charming Luke can be...
I recieved a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Amy is focussed on her career, and her passion for baking. After escaping the family business, and a dad who keeps trying to force her back into a relationship with her ex; Amy has made a life for herself. She has no interest in dating right now, and just wants to keep all her attention on her work.
Cue a night out with her niece, a borrowed ring (come on, we've all done that trick, to get a hassle-free night), and a competition with a rodeo bull and a gorgeous cowboy... and photos end up on Facebook, of Amy kissing her 'fiance'.
The problem is, it's Grandpa Leo's birthday next week, and the whole family is now expecting her to bring him along.
This book was fun and flirty, and corny as hell in places!
I enjoyed following Amy and Luke, as they find out how perfect they are for each other. But Grandpa Leo absolutely stole the show - and any scenes he was in.
As Luke has to impress Amy's dad by 'pretending' to be a real cowboy, it made me smile at the mucking out competition (note: I am a champion shit-shoveller and could have beat both boys).
The book is great, as long as you don't pay close attention, because then the cracks show.
First of all, Amy's grandparents are in on it from the beginning.
They see the Facebook photo, they hear the truth, and they tell Amy to bring the guy along anyways.
After this - their knowledge is never brought up again.
In fact, Amy and Luke keep up the pretense whenever they're around. It leads to a few cute moments, but completely goes against what was set up. It honestly feels like these were from two different edits of the book, and shouldn't have made it into the finished product.
Now, I did have an ARC copy, so maybe this had been changed in the published book.
Why the hell did Amy think Luke was an actor? I mean sure, on the night they met, he was too perfect and too good-looking, and there was tequila involved. What about the next morning, once the hangover had eased off? It never made any sense to think he was anything but a cowboy.
And why was Amy so against cowboys? It's never mentioned, apart from her douchebag ex - but that's always negatives against Nathan, not cowboys.
Why is Luke not into dating right now? That's thrown in at the beginning, but never brought up again, as he makes doe eyes at Amy.
Luke is... probably the biggest Marty Stu I've come across. He can do everything he turns his hand to. He can cook, he can tame bulls and is a secret goat-whisperer. He's nice, gorgeous, and only has eyes for Amy. He's romantic, and has every female swooning... it was all far too corny!
Overall, this was a 3.5 out of 5 for me. It's a light enjoyable read, as long as you don't notice the cracks.