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Lasting Love #2
Temporary Husband
A week of sun, surf and spa treatments in Hawaii. Relaxing?
Not even a little.
The only reason Matthew Soares invented a fake husband was to make his boss happy. But then he's given an ultimatum—no promotion unless his husband comes along on the corporate retreat. Now he has to scramble to find someone, anyone, willing to be his husband for the week.
At thirty, Tony Kent knows his high-priced modeling days are numbered. It’s time for a big career change. He’s got an Emergency Medical Technician test coming up and failure is not an option. What he needs is to get away from it all and study. So, when the offer of some cash and a paid vacation—in Hawaii—comes along, it’s irresistible. Especially once he meets his hot new “husband.” If only Matt weren't already hung up on someone else.
A contemporary gay romantic comedy by Dev Bentham, Temporary Dad features a fake husband, forced proximity, some accidental sex and a steamy mm romance all set in a tropical paradise.
Temporary Husband is book # 2 in the Lasting Love Series of stand-alone, loosely connected stories. The first book in the series, Temporary Dad, was originally featured in the Bad Valentine collection by Jordan Castillo Price, Jesi Lea Ryan, Clare London and Dev Bentham.
Not even a little.
The only reason Matthew Soares invented a fake husband was to make his boss happy. But then he's given an ultimatum—no promotion unless his husband comes along on the corporate retreat. Now he has to scramble to find someone, anyone, willing to be his husband for the week.
At thirty, Tony Kent knows his high-priced modeling days are numbered. It’s time for a big career change. He’s got an Emergency Medical Technician test coming up and failure is not an option. What he needs is to get away from it all and study. So, when the offer of some cash and a paid vacation—in Hawaii—comes along, it’s irresistible. Especially once he meets his hot new “husband.” If only Matt weren't already hung up on someone else.
A contemporary gay romantic comedy by Dev Bentham, Temporary Dad features a fake husband, forced proximity, some accidental sex and a steamy mm romance all set in a tropical paradise.
Temporary Husband is book # 2 in the Lasting Love Series of stand-alone, loosely connected stories. The first book in the series, Temporary Dad, was originally featured in the Bad Valentine collection by Jordan Castillo Price, Jesi Lea Ryan, Clare London and Dev Bentham.
141 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 15, 2019
25 people are currently reading
43 people want to read
About the author
Dev Bentham
25 books127 followersDev Bentham believes in the transformative power of true love. She’s the author of many gay romances, including Moving in Rhythm, August Ice and the Tarnished Souls Jewish Holiday series.
Over the years, she’s lived in way too many places and had far too many jobs, but she’s finally settled in frozen northern Wisconsin where she draws on her former lives to write enduring love stories in which wonderful men find each other. Her restless feet take her globetrotting whenever she gets the chance, but most of the time she’s tucked up in her office in the woods dreaming about romance.
Over the years, she’s lived in way too many places and had far too many jobs, but she’s finally settled in frozen northern Wisconsin where she draws on her former lives to write enduring love stories in which wonderful men find each other. Her restless feet take her globetrotting whenever she gets the chance, but most of the time she’s tucked up in her office in the woods dreaming about romance.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
May 17, 2019
2.5 stars
Individually, I liked both men. I liked Matt for his persistence (even if he didn't know when to quit). I liked Tony for his determination to prove that he wasn't just a pretty model face.
Unfortunately, together I didn't find them having any chemistry. The (ridiculous!) insta-love didn't help, either. And I was totally put off by the whole () scene. My reading experience plummeted from that moment. Sorry, book.
Individually, I liked both men. I liked Matt for his persistence (even if he didn't know when to quit). I liked Tony for his determination to prove that he wasn't just a pretty model face.
Unfortunately, together I didn't find them having any chemistry. The (ridiculous!) insta-love didn't help, either. And I was totally put off by the whole () scene. My reading experience plummeted from that moment. Sorry, book.
May 17, 2019
I loved the wit and maturity of this story, it's a fun set-up but with a thoughtful message too. Both Tony and Matt are coasting in their current careers, both finding themselves trapped in situations they don't particularly like, but feel they have to struggle along with, because each believes that's the measure of their "worth". And then they're forced together to play a role as husband and husband, thinking it'll be an easy gig. But they raise sparks from each other, and each man makes the other re-evaluate what's important - including, of course, their irresistible attraction! And all in a gorgeous setting... Ms Bentham has turned out another gem.
May 19, 2019
Perhaps 3.5 stars
May 15, 2019
The fake date (fiancé, spouse) theme is a fairly popular plotline for contemporary romances right now. That plotline usually revolves around a situation requiring an immediate partner, a bargain struck, a realization that the two are more than compatible, and a crisis of choice by at least one of the individuals that causes the two to separate. Eventually all works out and an HEA (or HFN) is achieved.
As the book’s promotional blurb clearly spells out, Matt Soares needs a husband immediately to accompany him to Hawaii for a company retreat. No husband means no promotion and that means not achieving a longtime personal dream.
Thus, with the basic plot in hand, I jumped into what the book cover promotes as “a lighthearted gay romance.” And then, only a few pages in, my brain went full-stop.
It quickly became clear this story is taking place in the United States where it is illegal to even ask an employee, or potential employee, their marital status, let alone require an employee to be married. Knowing full well that many companies, both large and small, skirt the employment discrimination laws, this first element of drama made me wonder just how lighthearted the underlying sub-plots would be.
And, after finishing the novella, I have decided that “lighthearted” is the last word I would put on that book cover. For instance, the first meeting of Matt and his soon-to-be fake husband is nothing short of miserable, not even the least bit humorous or light.
After that, there are multiple scenes with the CEO’s mean-girl trophy wife. And, usually just before or just after a mean-girl scene, there is a scene involving the boss pitting his employees against each other to further his own sense of power and control rather that to further the health of the company’s bottom line.
Frankly, there is nothing lighthearted about the type or amount of bullying the two young men are subjected to. While the author does insert softer scenes, getting-to-know-you scenes, romantic scenes and sexual scenes between the bullying events, they are too few and too short (the novella is just barely 80 pages long) to calm off the emotional effects of the “mean” scenes.
Therefore, I felt constantly battered throughout the story and eventually too frustrated with Matt to do much more than tiredly roll my eyes when that major crisis point in both the personal and professional relationships occurred.
Dev Bentham has written a contemporary romance revolving around the concepts of professional accomplishment and workplace bullying – and she has written it well. The scenes presented are up-to-the minute socially and are written with the skill, flow and expertise that we have come to expect from this author. And Dev Bentham has applied the sub-plot issues to both of the main characters, even though their choices of professions are vastly different.
Contemporary – yes. Romantic – yes. Socially aware – yes. But lighthearted – absolutely not!
I received an ARC of this novella from the author in exchange for a fair, timely and honest review. That fact has not affected my opinion of the novella in any way.
As the book’s promotional blurb clearly spells out, Matt Soares needs a husband immediately to accompany him to Hawaii for a company retreat. No husband means no promotion and that means not achieving a longtime personal dream.
Thus, with the basic plot in hand, I jumped into what the book cover promotes as “a lighthearted gay romance.” And then, only a few pages in, my brain went full-stop.
It quickly became clear this story is taking place in the United States where it is illegal to even ask an employee, or potential employee, their marital status, let alone require an employee to be married. Knowing full well that many companies, both large and small, skirt the employment discrimination laws, this first element of drama made me wonder just how lighthearted the underlying sub-plots would be.
And, after finishing the novella, I have decided that “lighthearted” is the last word I would put on that book cover. For instance, the first meeting of Matt and his soon-to-be fake husband is nothing short of miserable, not even the least bit humorous or light.
After that, there are multiple scenes with the CEO’s mean-girl trophy wife. And, usually just before or just after a mean-girl scene, there is a scene involving the boss pitting his employees against each other to further his own sense of power and control rather that to further the health of the company’s bottom line.
Frankly, there is nothing lighthearted about the type or amount of bullying the two young men are subjected to. While the author does insert softer scenes, getting-to-know-you scenes, romantic scenes and sexual scenes between the bullying events, they are too few and too short (the novella is just barely 80 pages long) to calm off the emotional effects of the “mean” scenes.
Therefore, I felt constantly battered throughout the story and eventually too frustrated with Matt to do much more than tiredly roll my eyes when that major crisis point in both the personal and professional relationships occurred.
Dev Bentham has written a contemporary romance revolving around the concepts of professional accomplishment and workplace bullying – and she has written it well. The scenes presented are up-to-the minute socially and are written with the skill, flow and expertise that we have come to expect from this author. And Dev Bentham has applied the sub-plot issues to both of the main characters, even though their choices of professions are vastly different.
Contemporary – yes. Romantic – yes. Socially aware – yes. But lighthearted – absolutely not!
I received an ARC of this novella from the author in exchange for a fair, timely and honest review. That fact has not affected my opinion of the novella in any way.
May 27, 2019
Solid fake-husband story with interesting MCs. I also liked the mean-girl trophy wife with the awful older boss -- it's sort of hackneyed, but it worked great for this story.
July 26, 2019
2.5 stars. A fluffy lighthearted and quick read. :)
May 5, 2020
So sweet!!
May 16, 2019
Unappealing end
The happy ending is too short. No closure after enduring unending torture from the dick boss & wife. Would be better even if the author lazily let the fucker die. Leaves a hallow feeling after reading.
The happy ending is too short. No closure after enduring unending torture from the dick boss & wife. Would be better even if the author lazily let the fucker die. Leaves a hallow feeling after reading.
May 24, 2019
Change moving quickly
An easy read with a bit of instant connection and some improbable circumstance, but with plenty of sweet moments and easy enjoyment.
Having made up a husband for years to be able to get a promotion, Matt suddenly finds his husband must be present or he will lose the next promotion. That right there is a big red flag, but Matt is very determined to stay the course . With the help of a friend he hired a man to pretend to be his husband for a week. Tony needs some time away from modeling to prepare for a test and to get a real break, and agrees if it means he can have a new future. The two are awkward around each other at first but they click well and soon are supporting each other through the madness that is this 'vacation'.
These two men really needed to realize they were more than just their job. Be it from being told for years that the job was all they were capable of, or from holding on to a parental connection, they had trouble separating themselves from their jobn as a person. Together they each gave insight into all that the other man could be. This also gave them the chance to self reflect, see what they really wanted. It was an opportunity for realization and change, and that made for a very nice read.
An easy read with a bit of instant connection and some improbable circumstance, but with plenty of sweet moments and easy enjoyment.
Having made up a husband for years to be able to get a promotion, Matt suddenly finds his husband must be present or he will lose the next promotion. That right there is a big red flag, but Matt is very determined to stay the course . With the help of a friend he hired a man to pretend to be his husband for a week. Tony needs some time away from modeling to prepare for a test and to get a real break, and agrees if it means he can have a new future. The two are awkward around each other at first but they click well and soon are supporting each other through the madness that is this 'vacation'.
These two men really needed to realize they were more than just their job. Be it from being told for years that the job was all they were capable of, or from holding on to a parental connection, they had trouble separating themselves from their jobn as a person. Together they each gave insight into all that the other man could be. This also gave them the chance to self reflect, see what they really wanted. It was an opportunity for realization and change, and that made for a very nice read.
May 15, 2019
This was a very enjoyable follow-up to Temporary Dad. Tony's lived the fast-paced lifestyle of a model and is looking forward to starting a new career. I liked that he had his head on straight, while he admired Matt's drive and passion he also saw the pitfalls. Matt is trying to live up to his deceased father's expectation and selling his soul in the process. He's surrounded by truly awful people and it influences his behavior and decisions. It was nice to see that when it came down to it, Matt's choice was Tony.
May 16, 2019
Fake Husband MM Romance
3 stars!
This is book 2 in the lasting love series which follows Tony, an aging model and Matt, a business man looking for a promotion. As with all promotions it comes with strings attached and a spouse is required! Uh oh!
This was a cute fake boyfriend story that was really cheesy and sweet. What I felt was missing was the ending. Give me an epilogue or something! It felt unfinished for me but other that that I'd say it was a solid effort and worth a read.
3 stars!
This is book 2 in the lasting love series which follows Tony, an aging model and Matt, a business man looking for a promotion. As with all promotions it comes with strings attached and a spouse is required! Uh oh!
This was a cute fake boyfriend story that was really cheesy and sweet. What I felt was missing was the ending. Give me an epilogue or something! It felt unfinished for me but other that that I'd say it was a solid effort and worth a read.
May 18, 2019
Oh gosh, if your worst nightmare could come true, it will in the most spectacularly cringeworthy way! Poor Matt needs to come up with a flesh and blood husband for business promotion trip and his real life “Bob”/fake husband is stunning.
I appreciated that both men are ready for the next stage in life and the pretty one, Tony, actually has his act together and is more confident than Matt. This is a clever, light-hearted, quick read: I picked it up and surfaced a couple of hours later with a smile and an appreciative sigh for the HEA.
I appreciated that both men are ready for the next stage in life and the pretty one, Tony, actually has his act together and is more confident than Matt. This is a clever, light-hearted, quick read: I picked it up and surfaced a couple of hours later with a smile and an appreciative sigh for the HEA.
June 16, 2019
Good Fake Husband Romance
It is a great story, well written even if poorly edited. (No one seems to care about grammar anymore.) Decent character development and a couple of cringe-worthy supporting cast members. Ends promising an eventual HEA.
It is a great story, well written even if poorly edited. (No one seems to care about grammar anymore.) Decent character development and a couple of cringe-worthy supporting cast members. Ends promising an eventual HEA.
June 2, 2019
2.75 stars
Read
February 13, 2020Working was better than not working. Maybe if he said it enough, it would start to sound true.
July 5, 2020
3.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews