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Playing Pretend #1
Pretend You're Mine
I can't believe I'm that girl.
I woke up next to a complete stranger.
To top that, hes my new husband.
He's a red-hot divorce lawyer with an ice-cold command.
Just pretend it’s real he says.
He needs a fake wife for the holidays to get his family off his back.
Maybe I can take this lemon and make lemonade..
Maybe the hot lawyer can do a trade and be my fake boyfriend in front of my parents.
Just for a few weeks.
Except we have wine with dinner. He feeds me dessert. Kisses me all the way to the bed...
All at once, it doesn’t feel like pretend anymore.
I woke up next to a complete stranger.
To top that, hes my new husband.
He's a red-hot divorce lawyer with an ice-cold command.
Just pretend it’s real he says.
He needs a fake wife for the holidays to get his family off his back.
Maybe I can take this lemon and make lemonade..
Maybe the hot lawyer can do a trade and be my fake boyfriend in front of my parents.
Just for a few weeks.
Except we have wine with dinner. He feeds me dessert. Kisses me all the way to the bed...
All at once, it doesn’t feel like pretend anymore.
- GenresRomanceContemporary
198 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 17, 2018
957 people are currently reading
251 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
December 29, 2018
This book was a mess of grammatical errors and mistakes which made it a painful read
January 7, 2019
I usually like these kind of tropes because I always wonder who can get so drunk that you can't remember getting married or sleeping with new husband, but can say yes to those things. Usually this is resolved but not in this one. It's never truly clear about what happened that night (strike 1), so this was kinda awful.
Then, there's Xander and his family and his need to be married to get them off his back. This guy is clueless about his own family dynamic. And there's so much to his back story that he won't tell Naomi, his fake wife? And then when we do learn it it's so anti climactic that it's ridiculous.
Naomi has a serious enough back story that she goes pale when she thinks about it, but then we get little information about what happened. He stole....her dignity, pride, money, what? Not sure. He cheated? Maybe? It's glossed over despite the amount of times it comes up.
The scene at the end with her parents was just.... odd. Where was the conversation? What was with her mother's earlier comment about her not wanting to be happy? Why wasn't this explored?
Then there's the massive number of typos, missing words and mistakes. She's Naomi Peterson, but then marries him in real ceremony in the epilogue which was completely awful and he calls her Mrs... Peterson. Not Schmidt. And as a stylist herself, she doesn't care about her hair or makeup on her wedding day? And we never learn if Teren has come out to his parents.
Then, there's Xander and his family and his need to be married to get them off his back. This guy is clueless about his own family dynamic. And there's so much to his back story that he won't tell Naomi, his fake wife? And then when we do learn it it's so anti climactic that it's ridiculous.
Naomi has a serious enough back story that she goes pale when she thinks about it, but then we get little information about what happened. He stole....her dignity, pride, money, what? Not sure. He cheated? Maybe? It's glossed over despite the amount of times it comes up.
The scene at the end with her parents was just.... odd. Where was the conversation? What was with her mother's earlier comment about her not wanting to be happy? Why wasn't this explored?
Then there's the massive number of typos, missing words and mistakes. She's Naomi Peterson, but then marries him in real ceremony in the epilogue which was completely awful and he calls her Mrs... Peterson. Not Schmidt. And as a stylist herself, she doesn't care about her hair or makeup on her wedding day? And we never learn if Teren has come out to his parents.
December 24, 2018
Zander's are always so cool!! I am new to Natasha L. Black. newbie author to me, can't wait to read more from her soon enough! such a great read. awesome cover! such drama. twists and turns. keeps ya wanting to know where this read will head??! such a quick read. check it out!!
January 3, 2020
For this type of book it was good.
I loved that they didn't elope to Vegas or Reno like so many for the 'accidental' marriage. The main characters were good, but some of the side ones not so much. It was almost like there were many scenes that were cut, but they were kinda needed to show the friendships they had in their real lives.
I loved that they didn't elope to Vegas or Reno like so many for the 'accidental' marriage. The main characters were good, but some of the side ones not so much. It was almost like there were many scenes that were cut, but they were kinda needed to show the friendships they had in their real lives.
April 30, 2020
Usually love this type of storyline, but this one really fell flat. With characters I never really cared for, would have loved more about the night they first met and married - made it hard to figure out why either of them had agreed to anything. And honestly, I was confused AF for most of this.
Our hair salon owner heroine Naomi continually whines about Xander only wanting something "casual", yet it was her who cut him off and made the initial statement saying just that... and the accusations of him being hot and cold? She's bitchy and whiney.
Then we have divorce attorney Xander, getting himself a wife during a drunken night out and asking her to stick with him and pretend to keep his visiting family off his back for the Christmas holidays. Why he chose Naomi we don't really know. Of course when Naomi's own interfering parents piss her off she figures why not use Xander to her own benefit as well, offering him up as her new boyfriend.
They have moments of chemistry, and a heap of sex, but overall this just didn't work for me. A couple of honest conversations instead of immature sulking and their shit would have been sorted in a quarter of the time!
Our hair salon owner heroine Naomi continually whines about Xander only wanting something "casual", yet it was her who cut him off and made the initial statement saying just that... and the accusations of him being hot and cold? She's bitchy and whiney.
Then we have divorce attorney Xander, getting himself a wife during a drunken night out and asking her to stick with him and pretend to keep his visiting family off his back for the Christmas holidays. Why he chose Naomi we don't really know. Of course when Naomi's own interfering parents piss her off she figures why not use Xander to her own benefit as well, offering him up as her new boyfriend.
They have moments of chemistry, and a heap of sex, but overall this just didn't work for me. A couple of honest conversations instead of immature sulking and their shit would have been sorted in a quarter of the time!
December 23, 2018
Pretend You’re mine by Natasha Black
What happens when you have an explosive, crazy night and you wake up the next morning to an incredibly sexy man, who now informs you, you are married to him? Zander is a lawyer who could so easily have the marriage annulled, but before he does that, he needs Noami to help him out with a little problem he is having with his family. Can Noami do what he has asked or will this be too much to ask for? While pretending, Noami and Zander start to have true feelings for one another. Can this relationship work or will the lie explode and be devastating? While I enjoyed the story I did have a few moments where I thought Zander was a bit weak. Here is this man, who is hell-bent on being the best lawyer, and making his practice work. He has a fantastic apartment and material possessions. He has worked hard for what he wants, yet he cannot stand up to his family. At times I also felt no connection between Noami and Zander. So while I enjoyed this, on the whole, I felt like it could have been better.
Reviewed for Hot books and Sassy Girls book blog
What happens when you have an explosive, crazy night and you wake up the next morning to an incredibly sexy man, who now informs you, you are married to him? Zander is a lawyer who could so easily have the marriage annulled, but before he does that, he needs Noami to help him out with a little problem he is having with his family. Can Noami do what he has asked or will this be too much to ask for? While pretending, Noami and Zander start to have true feelings for one another. Can this relationship work or will the lie explode and be devastating? While I enjoyed the story I did have a few moments where I thought Zander was a bit weak. Here is this man, who is hell-bent on being the best lawyer, and making his practice work. He has a fantastic apartment and material possessions. He has worked hard for what he wants, yet he cannot stand up to his family. At times I also felt no connection between Noami and Zander. So while I enjoyed this, on the whole, I felt like it could have been better.
Reviewed for Hot books and Sassy Girls book blog
December 26, 2018
What would you do if you woke up hungover and sleeping to a gorgeous man who claims to be your husband? Would you run away or stay? Naomi picks option A and runs. Xander texts her a picture of their marriage certificate. He needs her to pretend to be his wife over the holidays to trick his family. That way they will stop trying to set him up with other women. What starts as lying to his family about being married, turns into a lie to her parents about him being her boyfriend. They both have interfering families and they are tired of it. The only person who knows the truth is Naomi’s brother Teren. This was a great story with two people who just want to make their businesses flourish and stop having their families meddle in their love life. This had some great characters and a sweet storyline. Naomi and Xander have a lot in common and got together like two puzzle pieces. There are some moments that make you think how sweet it is and others that you go what the.....I can’t believe that. I am really liking Natasha’s stories. Don’t pass this one up.
December 26, 2018
Getting married after getting black out drunk wasn’t in her plans. Staying married to deceive those they love wasn’t either, and yet both of these things happened.
It’s a typical book for the genre; an easy read with little substance. There’s nothing that makes this book stand out from the pack of other drunken marriage stories. There’s also little by way explanation to explain the history of the characters and the predicaments they find themselves in thanks to their families. I liked that Naomi fought the marriage. And her reaction to waking up married was more than believable. But how their relationship grew was a little predictable. I’m still not sure how I feel about Xander either, as he wasn’t all that nice or all that bad. If you want a cute easy read, then this will do you just fine. If you’re looking for a story to lose yourself in, then not so much. Still, not a bad read.
It’s a typical book for the genre; an easy read with little substance. There’s nothing that makes this book stand out from the pack of other drunken marriage stories. There’s also little by way explanation to explain the history of the characters and the predicaments they find themselves in thanks to their families. I liked that Naomi fought the marriage. And her reaction to waking up married was more than believable. But how their relationship grew was a little predictable. I’m still not sure how I feel about Xander either, as he wasn’t all that nice or all that bad. If you want a cute easy read, then this will do you just fine. If you’re looking for a story to lose yourself in, then not so much. Still, not a bad read.
December 18, 2018
This is a beautiful love story that starts out as a fake marriage between Noami and Zander. They meet and have a night together where they end up married! Noami can not believe it and runs away the next morning. I enjoyed how Zander gets Noami to come around to help him out with pretending so his family will leave him alone and the Noamis’s parents try to fix her up and she lets them know she is seeing someone. They become involved in one anothers lives and start a relationship without realizing how much the other means to each other. This story has passion and brings up old pain and the truth sets them free but with all the cards on the table will they find a way to move forward? I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
December 22, 2018
ONE SCORCHING HOT READ!!!
Wow! Talk about getting hot in here. Oh man, this is one exciting, action packed, heart pounding, pulse racing, smooth flowing, page turning delight that's as riveting as it is captivating. This one click wonder will take you away deep as you follow along this fantastic journey. All the drama, dread, uncertainty, deceit, lies and a little intrigue make for one thrilling experience. Twists and turns abound with unexpected circumstances and unpredictable surprises that really pulls those heartstrings. The characters and scenes are written with such realism it really pulls this little jewel together beautifully. Natasha did an amazing job bringing this read to life. Incredible job Natasha, thanks for sharing this little guy with us.
Wow! Talk about getting hot in here. Oh man, this is one exciting, action packed, heart pounding, pulse racing, smooth flowing, page turning delight that's as riveting as it is captivating. This one click wonder will take you away deep as you follow along this fantastic journey. All the drama, dread, uncertainty, deceit, lies and a little intrigue make for one thrilling experience. Twists and turns abound with unexpected circumstances and unpredictable surprises that really pulls those heartstrings. The characters and scenes are written with such realism it really pulls this little jewel together beautifully. Natasha did an amazing job bringing this read to life. Incredible job Natasha, thanks for sharing this little guy with us.
December 20, 2018
Absolutely loved this story. Xander and Naomi were wonderful characters. This story takes off with a big start when Naomi wakes up the morning after she marries Xander with no memory of having done so. Both come to an understanding that for the time being they both benefit from it. Xander by getting his family to stop trying to marry him off and Naomi by having someone to bring home for the holidays and having her family trying to set her up with a boyfriend. Soon things start becoming more than just friends who are helping one another when both find their feelings for one another getting stronger. This is such a well written story and kept me wanting to know what was going to happen next for them. Loved the HEA.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
December 22, 2018
Very good simple romance
I loved this romance that begins with a real marriage, but a fake relation and where the heroine does not want more of this link once awake, except when she understands that she can win something too in it.
The characters are initially uncompromising for each other and for marriage, but under the pressure of their relatives, they give in to this scheme to get rid of their family and pretenders who do not interest them but keep coming back . As a result, the story gets a little more fun because of the situations Naomi and Xander have to face.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book
I loved this romance that begins with a real marriage, but a fake relation and where the heroine does not want more of this link once awake, except when she understands that she can win something too in it.
The characters are initially uncompromising for each other and for marriage, but under the pressure of their relatives, they give in to this scheme to get rid of their family and pretenders who do not interest them but keep coming back . As a result, the story gets a little more fun because of the situations Naomi and Xander have to face.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book
December 22, 2018
3.5-4 stars
A quick read with romance and heat. I did enjoy this story although I felt that it was lacking a bit. I didn’t feel I really got to know the characters as much as I wanted to. I didn’t feel the attraction between them. There were a few loose ends and unexplained situations for me... didn’t quite get the drama about his parents visit, we never learnt why his previous relationship failed...didn’t understand why their parents were trying to set them up...
I just wanted a bit more.... more dialogue, more history, more humour.
But If you want a quick no drama story then this is worth a read.
I read an advanced copy of this story.
A quick read with romance and heat. I did enjoy this story although I felt that it was lacking a bit. I didn’t feel I really got to know the characters as much as I wanted to. I didn’t feel the attraction between them. There were a few loose ends and unexplained situations for me... didn’t quite get the drama about his parents visit, we never learnt why his previous relationship failed...didn’t understand why their parents were trying to set them up...
I just wanted a bit more.... more dialogue, more history, more humour.
But If you want a quick no drama story then this is worth a read.
I read an advanced copy of this story.
December 24, 2018
Excellent contemporary holiday romance with lots of family drama. Xander is a divorce attorney and sees nothing but how much hurt spouses can do to one another. His family is coming and they always add extra pressure while trying to set him up with someone of their chosing. Naomi is a hair stylist who is working to building her business up. I enjoyed the opening scene of them waking up together for Naomi to realize they're married and she doesn't remember it. There is lots of family dynamics. I received a complementary copy of this book and chose to write a review. I look forward to reading future books by Ms. Black.
March 8, 2019
I felt like this had a lot of potential if it weren't for several different things. This author has not either hired a proofreader or proper editor, due to the amount of grammar mistakes throughout and that could have been so easily solved. The second thing is I thought each scene was a little to abrupt, we jumped around way to fast for my liking but that could be a personal preference. The thrid reason is also personal and that's the amount of sex scenes, yes I get this is an adult novel but there was to many and the words used were cringe. I would however read more from the author because I felt like the characters and storyline had a lot of potential.
September 1, 2021
A little slow
I have read all of Ms. Black's reverse harem books. I liked them all, so I tried this pretend wife one as something different. It was pretty slow and a little monotonous. I almost left it to read another book. Naomi got on my nerves quite a lot with her back and forth and how it seem she said the same thing over and over. I did enjoy Xander and how he came to love her, which I thought was pretty fast, even though Naomi didn't think so.
Like I said the author's reverse harem books were good, but I think I need to move on to other different authors books. As for recommending, I'll just leave that up to you. You can always fast forward !
I have read all of Ms. Black's reverse harem books. I liked them all, so I tried this pretend wife one as something different. It was pretty slow and a little monotonous. I almost left it to read another book. Naomi got on my nerves quite a lot with her back and forth and how it seem she said the same thing over and over. I did enjoy Xander and how he came to love her, which I thought was pretty fast, even though Naomi didn't think so.
Like I said the author's reverse harem books were good, but I think I need to move on to other different authors books. As for recommending, I'll just leave that up to you. You can always fast forward !
December 21, 2018
This was a really good book. It's funny, steamy and deceiving too. It's about two people from different backgrounds that one goal in their lives. To get their parents off their backs about their lack of relationships. They meet in a bar and hit it off. Then they decide that getting drunk and getting married will solve both of their problems. Wrong! As they find out. A relationship started with lies and deceit can only lead to a terrible ending. Or maybe not. You need to read it and find out for yourself. You won't be disappointed.
December 21, 2018
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book
When does pretend become the real thing.......well when you marry them
Just loved this story of Xander and Naomi getting married when drunk. Now all Xander has to do is persuade Naomi to stay married for a while. Now the fun begins.
A brilliant story of crazy relations, an adorable dog, a loving brother and two people who have such chemistry they don’t even realise it...or do they. Slowly getting to know one another was a brilliant read. Loved it
When does pretend become the real thing.......well when you marry them
Just loved this story of Xander and Naomi getting married when drunk. Now all Xander has to do is persuade Naomi to stay married for a while. Now the fun begins.
A brilliant story of crazy relations, an adorable dog, a loving brother and two people who have such chemistry they don’t even realise it...or do they. Slowly getting to know one another was a brilliant read. Loved it
January 13, 2019
The storyline was great. I loved the concept of it. It just needed a little bit more depth to it. We didn’t get a lot of backstory to help understand why all of it took place. Otherwise, the story is very good. Xander and Nomai do have chemistry together but I didn’t feel as connected to Nomai as I would have liked. It was written well to the point it didn’t have those pesky errors where you are face palming saying really. The flow was good. The story is definitely worth reading and it is enjoyable. I voluntarily review an advanced reader copy of this book.
December 18, 2018
A “delicious” romance!
How delightful it is when a fake relationship turns out to be sooo much more. Naomi and Xander are the main characters in the plot to keep his family off his back about getting married. However, it turns out that the “jokes” on them as they really fall in love! Loved the characters (even the “minor” ones). Great writing brought this story to life.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
How delightful it is when a fake relationship turns out to be sooo much more. Naomi and Xander are the main characters in the plot to keep his family off his back about getting married. However, it turns out that the “jokes” on them as they really fall in love! Loved the characters (even the “minor” ones). Great writing brought this story to life.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
December 19, 2018
This story is a sweet and romantic tale about a drunk one night stand ending in a fake marriage of convenience. Xander thought a wife would take the matchmaking pressure off him during his family's holiday visit. Naomi wants nothing to do with this scheme until she realizes a new boyfriend will stop her parents from trying to set her up with Mr. Fanny Pack. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and look forward to reading more from this author.
December 30, 2018
I found it quite difficult to review because although it was a nice story, the characters were likeable and the storyline was nice, I found it really difficult to stay with, I normally like to read straight through but found myself stopping to do other things and then going back more to finish than because of being drawn back, I don’t know why because like I said it was a nice story, it just wasn’t my favourite, sorry
January 2, 2019
Never underestimate love
Naomi and Xander meet at a bar and the two of them are drunk and end up married. Xander an attorney needs a wife for the holidays and that’s why he marries Naomi. This is their story as they learn to trust, laugh, grow up, and realize their true feelings. Their chemistry is out of this world and the ending of the their story is predictable still the book is well worth reading I rated it a four star.
Naomi and Xander meet at a bar and the two of them are drunk and end up married. Xander an attorney needs a wife for the holidays and that’s why he marries Naomi. This is their story as they learn to trust, laugh, grow up, and realize their true feelings. Their chemistry is out of this world and the ending of the their story is predictable still the book is well worth reading I rated it a four star.
January 11, 2019
Well...
I gave it 4 stars because it was well written, edited pretty well, and also kept my interest. The characters however, I wanted to knock some sense into. H's age wasn't given that I can recall, but acted like a mid-twenties frat boy at times(based on accomplishments, I would guess he was to be early30s). h wasn't much better. She was 26, but almost tstl. Ugh. They just irritated me. The dates, her brother and parents, Walter and Aunt Edna made the book.
I gave it 4 stars because it was well written, edited pretty well, and also kept my interest. The characters however, I wanted to knock some sense into. H's age wasn't given that I can recall, but acted like a mid-twenties frat boy at times(based on accomplishments, I would guess he was to be early30s). h wasn't much better. She was 26, but almost tstl. Ugh. They just irritated me. The dates, her brother and parents, Walter and Aunt Edna made the book.
January 29, 2019
3.5* too much needless angst
I enjoyed Xander, but Naomi was a little to self absorbed flighty for me. She created so much needless angst. I would have enjoyed the book more if I had like the heroine. It is worth the read. Quick romance with steamy scenes. Both feel like they are falling short of family expectations. All could've been avoided if they were just honest with those around them.
I enjoyed Xander, but Naomi was a little to self absorbed flighty for me. She created so much needless angst. I would have enjoyed the book more if I had like the heroine. It is worth the read. Quick romance with steamy scenes. Both feel like they are falling short of family expectations. All could've been avoided if they were just honest with those around them.
February 13, 2019
A very confusing read at times. I have a lot of questions that are not answered in spite of finishing the story.
It has potential to be a great story but lacks a lot of places. It could have been through a better proofreading and that was only one of the things that annoyed me when reading. Some scenes were not easy to take in because they were just weird.
I like this author and her writing style but this one was not my thing.
The story has potential and was a good read.
It has potential to be a great story but lacks a lot of places. It could have been through a better proofreading and that was only one of the things that annoyed me when reading. Some scenes were not easy to take in because they were just weird.
I like this author and her writing style but this one was not my thing.
The story has potential and was a good read.
February 16, 2019
Please hire a proofreader! This has potential, I liked the characters, but I couldn’t get past all the errors. I’m not a grammar freak, I’ll be the first to admit I’m not the greatest in my own everyday writing. I’m willing to overlook a lot of mistakes, but this was ridiculously painful to read. It has words missing in sentences, wrong words entirely, and more grammatical errors than I care to count. It was horrible!!!
September 17, 2019
Pretend You‘re Mine
This is the story of an unconventional beginning. Many will say that how a relationship begins will show the flow of how the future will go and for these two people, they spend their time trying to get their beginnings cleared up so that they can have a happily ever after... will they succeed! It was a good story, but they took a while to come around with their thinking; otherwise, I’d read it again!
This is the story of an unconventional beginning. Many will say that how a relationship begins will show the flow of how the future will go and for these two people, they spend their time trying to get their beginnings cleared up so that they can have a happily ever after... will they succeed! It was a good story, but they took a while to come around with their thinking; otherwise, I’d read it again!
December 19, 2018
It's only make believe until it isn't...
Xander and Naomi both have their reasons for pretending to be a couple....family pressure. They soon realize that it's make believe until it isn't. I really liked both the characters and the story-line. Ms. Black is becoming one of my favorite authors.
*I received an Advance Reader's Copy of this book which I am voluntarily reviewing*
Xander and Naomi both have their reasons for pretending to be a couple....family pressure. They soon realize that it's make believe until it isn't. I really liked both the characters and the story-line. Ms. Black is becoming one of my favorite authors.
*I received an Advance Reader's Copy of this book which I am voluntarily reviewing*
Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews