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Maple Hill #1
The Boyfriend Contract
Emily Birmingham has had it up to here with men.
Growing up with an overbearing father and then her brother inherits everything she’s worked her whole life to build. Now she’s living in her grandmother's dilapidated house in the middle of nowhere Canada, jobless, and dealing with the most annoyingly sexy contractor on the planet. Exactly when did her life become an anti-Hallmark movie?
Cooper Merrick learned the hard way that love is definitely not worth the risk. He’s happy running the family contracting business alongside his well-meaning but overly-opinionated brothers...happy enough until polished and perfect Emily enters his world. Nothing prepared him for the ways she turns his life upside down and reaches the parts of himself he’s closed off from the world.
But when he finally gets up the nerve to ask Emily out, she says her next date will need to come with a written contract and some very particular ground rules. Yeah, it sounds crazy, but why does he find himself wanting to sign on the dotted line?
Growing up with an overbearing father and then her brother inherits everything she’s worked her whole life to build. Now she’s living in her grandmother's dilapidated house in the middle of nowhere Canada, jobless, and dealing with the most annoyingly sexy contractor on the planet. Exactly when did her life become an anti-Hallmark movie?
Cooper Merrick learned the hard way that love is definitely not worth the risk. He’s happy running the family contracting business alongside his well-meaning but overly-opinionated brothers...happy enough until polished and perfect Emily enters his world. Nothing prepared him for the ways she turns his life upside down and reaches the parts of himself he’s closed off from the world.
But when he finally gets up the nerve to ask Emily out, she says her next date will need to come with a written contract and some very particular ground rules. Yeah, it sounds crazy, but why does he find himself wanting to sign on the dotted line?
292 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 22, 2019
56 people are currently reading
319 people want to read
About the author
Victoria James
30 books1,025 followersVictoria James is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance.
She is a hopeless romantic who is living her dream, penning happily-ever-after's for her characters in between managing kids and the family business. Writing on a laptop in the middle of the country in a rambling old Victorian house would be ideal, but she's quite content living in suburbia with her husband, their two young children, and very bad cat.
She is a hopeless romantic who is living her dream, penning happily-ever-after's for her characters in between managing kids and the family business. Writing on a laptop in the middle of the country in a rambling old Victorian house would be ideal, but she's quite content living in suburbia with her husband, their two young children, and very bad cat.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
December 30, 2019
Rating 4.5/5
This is another great contemporary romance from this talented author.
Emily Birmingham has always worked hard to earn approval from her parents and is devastated when, following their untimely death, she doesn’t inherit half the family’s hotel business she’s worked so hard in, instead it is all left to her bullying brother. She is left her grandmother’s home which has been shut up for years and is now in desperate need of renovation. She decides to invest her money in creating the large property into a boutique hotel and make a fresh start. That’s how she meets the Merrick family as they’re the builders working on the renovation. Cooper Merrick is a widower not looking for love but the attraction between him and Emily is magnetic. However, she’s wary after how the men in her life have treated her and only agrees to go out with Cooper if he agrees to sign a contract setting rules for their relationship. He agrees and the stage is set for a touching, sweet romance.
Sometimes you just want to escape into a lovely, easy to read and engage with, story and that is just what this is. The characters have experienced drama in the past and are wary of what the future for them might hold if they risk their hearts. Their relationship development is beautifully and poignantly portrayed, making it a pleasure to escape into this book. I have no hesitation in highly recommending it to anyone who enjoys warm, well written, contemporary romances and hope you enjoy the surprise at the end as much as I did!
I requested and was gifted a copy of this book via NetGalley and this is my honest review after choosing to read it.
This is another great contemporary romance from this talented author.
Emily Birmingham has always worked hard to earn approval from her parents and is devastated when, following their untimely death, she doesn’t inherit half the family’s hotel business she’s worked so hard in, instead it is all left to her bullying brother. She is left her grandmother’s home which has been shut up for years and is now in desperate need of renovation. She decides to invest her money in creating the large property into a boutique hotel and make a fresh start. That’s how she meets the Merrick family as they’re the builders working on the renovation. Cooper Merrick is a widower not looking for love but the attraction between him and Emily is magnetic. However, she’s wary after how the men in her life have treated her and only agrees to go out with Cooper if he agrees to sign a contract setting rules for their relationship. He agrees and the stage is set for a touching, sweet romance.
Sometimes you just want to escape into a lovely, easy to read and engage with, story and that is just what this is. The characters have experienced drama in the past and are wary of what the future for them might hold if they risk their hearts. Their relationship development is beautifully and poignantly portrayed, making it a pleasure to escape into this book. I have no hesitation in highly recommending it to anyone who enjoys warm, well written, contemporary romances and hope you enjoy the surprise at the end as much as I did!
I requested and was gifted a copy of this book via NetGalley and this is my honest review after choosing to read it.
August 14, 2019
Sweet, simple, romance story.
Emily is on her own, trying to make a mark for herself. After her parents die and she is cut out of the family business, she leaves Toronto to start fresh. Her plan is to take her inheritance, her grandmother's large heritage home in a rural small town, and turn it into a boutique inn.
She hires the Merrick's to restore the inn, she has an instant attraction to Cooper Merrick. Both have sworn off the opposite sex, Emily, because she's spent her whole life with her raging brother telling her she's not good enough, too fat, too stupid.... and Cooper because he's still mourning the death of his beloved wife 5 years earlier.
Emily becomes who she was meant to be and finds the family she's always wanted. Cooper learns that he can love again.
I have read many books by Victoria James, and she never fails to craft a beautiful story. Her writing is strong and near flawless. Her characters are well developed and so relate-able.
5 stars!
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
Emily is on her own, trying to make a mark for herself. After her parents die and she is cut out of the family business, she leaves Toronto to start fresh. Her plan is to take her inheritance, her grandmother's large heritage home in a rural small town, and turn it into a boutique inn.
She hires the Merrick's to restore the inn, she has an instant attraction to Cooper Merrick. Both have sworn off the opposite sex, Emily, because she's spent her whole life with her raging brother telling her she's not good enough, too fat, too stupid.... and Cooper because he's still mourning the death of his beloved wife 5 years earlier.
Emily becomes who she was meant to be and finds the family she's always wanted. Cooper learns that he can love again.
I have read many books by Victoria James, and she never fails to craft a beautiful story. Her writing is strong and near flawless. Her characters are well developed and so relate-able.
5 stars!
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
September 24, 2019
This is such a cute romantic story, exactly my cup of tea. I loved it! The characters are amazing and there are enough laugh-out-loud moments to put a permanent smile on readers faces. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Emily had just moved to a small town from a big city. She is enjoying the quaintness and people around her are all good. Cooper is one of the brothers who are working on her home. He is sweet and broody, a bit of a contradiction but she likes him instantly. However, both have ghosts in their pasts which they are trying to avoid. So, accepting their feelings and giving in to their mutual attraction might not be simple for these two.
I think that this book is well written and a must-read of all romance lovers in the world. It's such a feel-good kind of story that will warm your heart for sure.
I think that this book is well written and a must-read of all romance lovers in the world. It's such a feel-good kind of story that will warm your heart for sure.
September 22, 2019
If you are looking for a sweet romance then this is for you. This is my first book from this author and it was a good read. Cooper and Emily were such sweet and wonderful couple. This book was a quick read and had minimal heat. I personally like a book with heat but if that is not what you are looking for, then pick this book up. You will not be disappointed.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and I am voluntarily leaving a honest review.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and I am voluntarily leaving a honest review.
February 8, 2022
2 stars
Another healthy dose of manly men are masculine that didn’t work for me
Personal ick, but I didn’t love all the “I’m a strong woman I don’t need a man” bits
There is so much focus on the hero’s dead wife omg. Widow(er) stories aren’t my favorite, but I don’t actively avoid them either. Here, it really did feel like the heroine was second best to his first love. He kept mentioning it, she kept mentioning it, the whole town kept mentioning it. Prevented me from really investing in this love story.
The heroine’s main trait (or maybe her growth?) is that she’s nice and selfless and helps others. Well a) that isn’t very interesting? And b) there’s a section toward the end where it just goes too far, to the point of completely disregarding her own health and safety in order to make others a little more comfortable
CW: death of hero’s wife from cancer; MC abused by brother; domestic abuse of multiple side characters; internalized fatphobia; rodents
0/5🔥 (kissing only, shown or implied)
Another healthy dose of manly men are masculine that didn’t work for me
Personal ick, but I didn’t love all the “I’m a strong woman I don’t need a man” bits
There is so much focus on the hero’s dead wife omg. Widow(er) stories aren’t my favorite, but I don’t actively avoid them either. Here, it really did feel like the heroine was second best to his first love. He kept mentioning it, she kept mentioning it, the whole town kept mentioning it. Prevented me from really investing in this love story.
The heroine’s main trait (or maybe her growth?) is that she’s nice and selfless and helps others. Well a) that isn’t very interesting? And b) there’s a section toward the end where it just goes too far, to the point of completely disregarding her own health and safety in order to make others a little more comfortable
CW: death of hero’s wife from cancer; MC abused by brother; domestic abuse of multiple side characters; internalized fatphobia; rodents
0/5🔥 (kissing only, shown or implied)
October 5, 2019
This is a voluntary review of an advanced copy.
Wow, so much emotion going on in this story and such a sweet romance with Emily and Cooper. You just know that their road to the HEA is going to be rocky as Cooper really has not recovered in the five years since he lost his wife and Emily has her own past hangups to work through.
I loved that Emily started to move past trying to show her brother up and really make her own mark in the world and do what she wanted instead of what others thought she should do.
Most books do not make me feel the pain between the couple and this story brought me to tears and I could feel Emily's pain and Cooper's regret and maybe even realizing that he had thrown away something precious.
Fortunately, Cooper came through and helped Emily see that he made a bad choice and he really did love her. I also like that part of her past with her father was cleared up and she found out that he really did not betray her and only was looking out for her.
One of the best books that I have read this year!
Wow, so much emotion going on in this story and such a sweet romance with Emily and Cooper. You just know that their road to the HEA is going to be rocky as Cooper really has not recovered in the five years since he lost his wife and Emily has her own past hangups to work through.
I loved that Emily started to move past trying to show her brother up and really make her own mark in the world and do what she wanted instead of what others thought she should do.
Most books do not make me feel the pain between the couple and this story brought me to tears and I could feel Emily's pain and Cooper's regret and maybe even realizing that he had thrown away something precious.
Fortunately, Cooper came through and helped Emily see that he made a bad choice and he really did love her. I also like that part of her past with her father was cleared up and she found out that he really did not betray her and only was looking out for her.
One of the best books that I have read this year!
August 20, 2019
The Boyfriend Contract by Victoria James a five-star read that will have you signing your life away. Emily Birmingham what a woman, she has been told she can’t be anything, but as she learns, you can be anything you want to be. When you throw in Cooper Merrick and his band of merry family members then you have a great story belonging in a great town. This will wring your emotions out, as it deals with loss and recovering and becoming something new and stronger. This is my first read by this author, but I know it won’t be my last as I enjoyed this emotional journey and great writing.
September 25, 2019
—ARC Review—
Release Day: Sept. 23, 2019
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
5 Maple Stars!
My first Victoria James, read and I love it!😍
This is written in third person.
Emily Birmingham, is a twenty six year old gal who had her whole life uprooted in a snap due to a family tragedy. Her whole life she was her father’s shadow in their business, it is where she feels she matters and has her father’s attention. But life was tough for her, aside from her older brother who did nothing but belittle and control her, she was also fighting off her own insecurities and proving her worth to everyone. Until she decided to up and leave her old life and start a new one.
A fresh start in Maple Hill. Different community. New Emily. 💕
Cooper Merrick, has seen it all in a young age. To have fun, to love and be loved, to meet his soulmate, to plan for the future, to marry the love of his life, and to lose everything. The upside of growing up in Maple Hill is that it’s like one big family, everybody knows everyone. The downside of living in Maple Hill is that everyone knows everything about you, too. Five years wasn’t enough for everyone to forget, starting over was not in his cards so he can only move forward.💪🏻
Until Emily came along.
I am beyond surprised with the story of Emily and Cooper. I thought this was going to be a simple rom-com read, based from the blurb. But I was in for a whirlwind of emotions! I LOVE damaged characters, but Emily and Cooper, are probably one of my favourites now because they are almost too real! I love how Victoria have written their characters consistently, their thoughts and actions in line with who and what they are. And I love how they battled their own demons for themselves, and for one another!🥰 Plus, they made me cry. 🙈
This story was just the sweetest, as emotional as it is! The ending was amazing!
I wish the epilogue was a bit more longer!❤️ I’d really like a second book about them too, I’m excited to see how their new life and project will come about.✨
Thank you, Victoria James and Wildfire Marketing Solutions, for my ARC in exchange for my honest reciew and opinion.
Release Day: Sept. 23, 2019
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
5 Maple Stars!
My first Victoria James, read and I love it!😍
This is written in third person.
Emily Birmingham, is a twenty six year old gal who had her whole life uprooted in a snap due to a family tragedy. Her whole life she was her father’s shadow in their business, it is where she feels she matters and has her father’s attention. But life was tough for her, aside from her older brother who did nothing but belittle and control her, she was also fighting off her own insecurities and proving her worth to everyone. Until she decided to up and leave her old life and start a new one.
A fresh start in Maple Hill. Different community. New Emily. 💕
Cooper Merrick, has seen it all in a young age. To have fun, to love and be loved, to meet his soulmate, to plan for the future, to marry the love of his life, and to lose everything. The upside of growing up in Maple Hill is that it’s like one big family, everybody knows everyone. The downside of living in Maple Hill is that everyone knows everything about you, too. Five years wasn’t enough for everyone to forget, starting over was not in his cards so he can only move forward.💪🏻
Until Emily came along.
I am beyond surprised with the story of Emily and Cooper. I thought this was going to be a simple rom-com read, based from the blurb. But I was in for a whirlwind of emotions! I LOVE damaged characters, but Emily and Cooper, are probably one of my favourites now because they are almost too real! I love how Victoria have written their characters consistently, their thoughts and actions in line with who and what they are. And I love how they battled their own demons for themselves, and for one another!🥰 Plus, they made me cry. 🙈
This story was just the sweetest, as emotional as it is! The ending was amazing!
I wish the epilogue was a bit more longer!❤️ I’d really like a second book about them too, I’m excited to see how their new life and project will come about.✨
Thank you, Victoria James and Wildfire Marketing Solutions, for my ARC in exchange for my honest reciew and opinion.
September 16, 2019
I jumped into this one with both feet, Victoria knows how to lure you in and not let go! Fantastic plot and two amazing lead characters who grow throughout the story and what a delight that was to see these two fall for each other. Even with a contract scratched out on a piece of paper by Cooper, as dictated by Emily.
Emily's moved from the city to small town after her parents died and she inherits her Grandmothers rather dilapidated old home. Her plans are to restore it and turn it in to an upscale small inn. She's already met with the contractor and when she hits town, her first stop is the little coffee shop where she gets an eye full of hotness along with her caffeine fix. Imagine her surprise when that eye full shows up at her door to talk with her about starting the house renovation. That eye full would be Cooper. Cooper and his brothers work for their Dad's business and Coop is the lead man on this job.
Sister owns the local coffee shop and she's adorable. She and Emily become quick friends. Emily never really had friends, she was too busy working along side her father in their hotel and inn business. There's a load of backstory there and needs to be read to be appreciated fully. Cooper has his own history as well, he's a widower, his wife died 5 years prior and he's taken himself out of the game. Cooper is locked down tight, but the attraction to Emily grows and becomes overwhelming, and Cooper asks Emily out on a date. It's a great story of a fledgling romance by two adults, a hilarious family as supporting cast courtesy of Coop's family and Emily's growth through her relationship with Cooper. My only tiny issue was that at one point I thought Emily was just a wee bit too nice. She'a wonderful person, truly she is but there was a point where all that nice was overdone. But that's just me.
Spectacular read and I can't wait for the rest of the family to get their stories, or so I'm hoping!
arc from Entangled via NetGalley for an honest review.
Emily's moved from the city to small town after her parents died and she inherits her Grandmothers rather dilapidated old home. Her plans are to restore it and turn it in to an upscale small inn. She's already met with the contractor and when she hits town, her first stop is the little coffee shop where she gets an eye full of hotness along with her caffeine fix. Imagine her surprise when that eye full shows up at her door to talk with her about starting the house renovation. That eye full would be Cooper. Cooper and his brothers work for their Dad's business and Coop is the lead man on this job.
Sister owns the local coffee shop and she's adorable. She and Emily become quick friends. Emily never really had friends, she was too busy working along side her father in their hotel and inn business. There's a load of backstory there and needs to be read to be appreciated fully. Cooper has his own history as well, he's a widower, his wife died 5 years prior and he's taken himself out of the game. Cooper is locked down tight, but the attraction to Emily grows and becomes overwhelming, and Cooper asks Emily out on a date. It's a great story of a fledgling romance by two adults, a hilarious family as supporting cast courtesy of Coop's family and Emily's growth through her relationship with Cooper. My only tiny issue was that at one point I thought Emily was just a wee bit too nice. She'a wonderful person, truly she is but there was a point where all that nice was overdone. But that's just me.
Spectacular read and I can't wait for the rest of the family to get their stories, or so I'm hoping!
arc from Entangled via NetGalley for an honest review.
September 23, 2019
Reviewed at Keeper Bookshelf
THE BOYFRIEND CONTRACT drew me in and never let go until the final word… and even then, I wished for more. Emily and Cooper have far more in common than a first glance might tell you. They are both wounded emotionally, even mentally by what life has dealt them. Emily from being overlooked when her overbearing brother inherits the business she put her heart into and worked her butt off for over the years. No more, she’s done with that life and has set out to start fresh – never to make the same mistakes in trust again. Cooper is still in mourning for his wife who lost her battle with cancer a few years ago. He’s going through the motions but his heart just isn’t ready for more than survival mode. As these two come together and discover an attraction they both have to make decisions. And Emily’s first decision – is rules laid out clearly, rules that neither can break. But that’s not as easy as it might sound – not with the sizzle going on between them.
I loved Emily and Cooper together. They are believable, relatable and it’s so easy to root for them to give love a chance. There are moments that will start tears flowing, either with reaction or laughter. There are other moments when you’ll want to sit one of them (or both) down for a stern talking to. Yet in the end, they are two independent, stubborn, hurting people who are learning to trust and giving themselves permission to fall in love, take risks and chances that aren’t always easy.
I wish this was the beginning of a series for I’d love to learn more about some secondary characters. Ah, well. You just never know, right? In all, I had a fun blast with THE BOYFRIEND CONTRACT and would highly recommend it to any reader who loves Rom-Com, wounded souls finding love, laughter and lots of love.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
THE BOYFRIEND CONTRACT drew me in and never let go until the final word… and even then, I wished for more. Emily and Cooper have far more in common than a first glance might tell you. They are both wounded emotionally, even mentally by what life has dealt them. Emily from being overlooked when her overbearing brother inherits the business she put her heart into and worked her butt off for over the years. No more, she’s done with that life and has set out to start fresh – never to make the same mistakes in trust again. Cooper is still in mourning for his wife who lost her battle with cancer a few years ago. He’s going through the motions but his heart just isn’t ready for more than survival mode. As these two come together and discover an attraction they both have to make decisions. And Emily’s first decision – is rules laid out clearly, rules that neither can break. But that’s not as easy as it might sound – not with the sizzle going on between them.
I loved Emily and Cooper together. They are believable, relatable and it’s so easy to root for them to give love a chance. There are moments that will start tears flowing, either with reaction or laughter. There are other moments when you’ll want to sit one of them (or both) down for a stern talking to. Yet in the end, they are two independent, stubborn, hurting people who are learning to trust and giving themselves permission to fall in love, take risks and chances that aren’t always easy.
I wish this was the beginning of a series for I’d love to learn more about some secondary characters. Ah, well. You just never know, right? In all, I had a fun blast with THE BOYFRIEND CONTRACT and would highly recommend it to any reader who loves Rom-Com, wounded souls finding love, laughter and lots of love.
*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*
September 17, 2019
My first read from this author and I LOVED IT! After the troubled childhood she had, Emily has decided that she has taken the final straw when the family company is given to her brother rather than herself. Inheriting her estranged grandmother’s house outside of town, she decides to regroup and restore the house and turn it into an inn, branching out into her own company and making it on her own. Hiring the only contractors in town, she meets Cooper and his family, and while the attraction is instant, the pair aren’t necessarily ready to start anything with anyone because of their pasts. Cooper has also had a rough experience in life and it has hardened him into the person he is today. After it almost wrecked him and his life, he has recovered, but vowed to never fall in love again. But when the feelings towards each other become too much, they decide to essentially have an undefined relationship without gaining feelings, and Emily creates a contract with Cooper as a guideline to their situation. As the story goes on and they pretty much break all the rules, Cooper’s past really gets to be too much for him and consequently breaks Emily’s heart. But with Emily’s past, she vows to bounce back and rely on nobody but herself as she’s the only one she can count on, but when Cooper realizes his true feelings, is it too late? This was my first read from Victoria but it was SO FREAKING GOOD and definitely won’t be my last. I love the spin on the storyline that is somewhat of a romance standard, and her style of writing was so great! Here’s to hoping the rest of Cooper’s siblings get their own books because I would be down for that series!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
February 23, 2020
I think that this was well written overall and that my issues with this were likely due to my own personal preferences.
I should have read more reviews so that I’d know that Cooper was a widower. I absolutely hate widower stories because it always feels like the new love interest is second best. In this book in particular, his dead wife played a large role all the way throughout, which is one thing, but literally everyone in town either mentions the dead wife and how perfect she was or has sympathetic eyes towards them. It was too much. The poor heroine even had to contend with several run-ins with his former in-laws, and none of these run-ins was good.
I also didn’t love one particular scene in the hospital where the h suddenly became a superhero/Mary Sue helping everyone while she waited in the ER. It was over the top and too much. I understand its inclusion, but I kind of rolled my eyes.
Overall though, I enjoy the writing style and the flow of the story so I’ll definitely read more from this author.
I should have read more reviews so that I’d know that Cooper was a widower. I absolutely hate widower stories because it always feels like the new love interest is second best. In this book in particular, his dead wife played a large role all the way throughout, which is one thing, but literally everyone in town either mentions the dead wife and how perfect she was or has sympathetic eyes towards them. It was too much. The poor heroine even had to contend with several run-ins with his former in-laws, and none of these run-ins was good.
I also didn’t love one particular scene in the hospital where the h suddenly became a superhero/Mary Sue helping everyone while she waited in the ER. It was over the top and too much. I understand its inclusion, but I kind of rolled my eyes.
Overall though, I enjoy the writing style and the flow of the story so I’ll definitely read more from this author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 10, 2019
LOVED this book! I found myself totally engrossed in this story and couldn't put it down. I loved the characters and was so immersed in Emily and Cooper's story that I felt as though I was a part of it, experiencing it along side them. Both of them have had difficulties in their pasts that are overshadowing their futures. This adds to their depth and makes them feel real and come alive on the pages. I especially enjoyed how they each grew and reached for difficult things, even when they're scary and filled with unknowns.
If you enjoy contemporary romance, this is a must read. The author is a master of the genre and creates stories that stay with you. She is on my must read authors' list. Fair warning - this novel touches on domestic abuse, but with a gentle touch. Additionally, while this is very much a grown up story, it is clean and does not contain any explicit scenes or language.
If you enjoy contemporary romance, this is a must read. The author is a master of the genre and creates stories that stay with you. She is on my must read authors' list. Fair warning - this novel touches on domestic abuse, but with a gentle touch. Additionally, while this is very much a grown up story, it is clean and does not contain any explicit scenes or language.
September 26, 2019
The Boyfriend Contract is another fantastic book by Victoria James.
Emily is from a wealthy family but circumstances beyond her control lead her to a small town. Her goal is to restore her late grandmother’s rather large home into a quaint, but upscale, inn. She needs to prove to herself, and to her abusive brother, that she can run a business on her own without her brother. Having been a go-getter in the city, she discovers just how lonely she is in her new hometown. She quickly learns though, how the town might actually be full of the life and family she’s always craved.
Cooper Merrick and his family’s construction company are gearing up to begin restoration work on a huge home of a beloved late resident. He is surprised at the feelings that spring up when he meets the new owner. Cooper is drawn to Emily but the loss of his wife 5 years ago keeps him shuttered. He never wanted another relationship but he’s finding her harder and harder to resist. As everything starts falling into place, a chain of events cause him to push her away right at the time she needs him the most.
I devoured this book in one day. Emily and Cooper are wonderful characters. Cooper’s siblings are instigators and I loved their meddling. Emily is a very down-to-earth, genuinely pleasant person. She’s compassionate, understanding, friendly to everyone she meets. Her self-esteem is seriously lacking, though but that helps make her character realistic and believable. Cooper is gun-shy. He poured all the love he thought he had to give into his first wife. When she died, he made the decision not to put himself out there like that because he didn’t want to endure the heartache and pain losing someone else might cause.
The book is emotionally charged and evoked responses from me through every situation. Emily’s low self-esteem made me cry. Her brother made me angry. The chemistry between Emily and Cooper made me swoon. The loss of Cooper’s wife and how he’s dealing with it brought forth empathy and sadness.
Victoria James is one of my absolute favorite authors. Her writing is realistic and her subject matter for each book is believable. Her heroines and her heroes are not perfect, but they are perfect for each another. There is a reason that Victoria James is one of my all-time favorite authors - she writes impassioned and realistic contemporary romances. Each book I've read manages to evoke emotional responses from me. I always tear up during some part of the novel. Her characters are believable and realistically written. I get lost in the novels and put myself right into the middle of them. I feel for the characters and drawing on my emotions is what makes a book worth 5 stars for me. If I hurt with them, cry with/for them, laugh, or get angry, then the author did a fantastic job and has written the perfect book for me.
Emily is from a wealthy family but circumstances beyond her control lead her to a small town. Her goal is to restore her late grandmother’s rather large home into a quaint, but upscale, inn. She needs to prove to herself, and to her abusive brother, that she can run a business on her own without her brother. Having been a go-getter in the city, she discovers just how lonely she is in her new hometown. She quickly learns though, how the town might actually be full of the life and family she’s always craved.
Cooper Merrick and his family’s construction company are gearing up to begin restoration work on a huge home of a beloved late resident. He is surprised at the feelings that spring up when he meets the new owner. Cooper is drawn to Emily but the loss of his wife 5 years ago keeps him shuttered. He never wanted another relationship but he’s finding her harder and harder to resist. As everything starts falling into place, a chain of events cause him to push her away right at the time she needs him the most.
I devoured this book in one day. Emily and Cooper are wonderful characters. Cooper’s siblings are instigators and I loved their meddling. Emily is a very down-to-earth, genuinely pleasant person. She’s compassionate, understanding, friendly to everyone she meets. Her self-esteem is seriously lacking, though but that helps make her character realistic and believable. Cooper is gun-shy. He poured all the love he thought he had to give into his first wife. When she died, he made the decision not to put himself out there like that because he didn’t want to endure the heartache and pain losing someone else might cause.
The book is emotionally charged and evoked responses from me through every situation. Emily’s low self-esteem made me cry. Her brother made me angry. The chemistry between Emily and Cooper made me swoon. The loss of Cooper’s wife and how he’s dealing with it brought forth empathy and sadness.
Victoria James is one of my absolute favorite authors. Her writing is realistic and her subject matter for each book is believable. Her heroines and her heroes are not perfect, but they are perfect for each another. There is a reason that Victoria James is one of my all-time favorite authors - she writes impassioned and realistic contemporary romances. Each book I've read manages to evoke emotional responses from me. I always tear up during some part of the novel. Her characters are believable and realistically written. I get lost in the novels and put myself right into the middle of them. I feel for the characters and drawing on my emotions is what makes a book worth 5 stars for me. If I hurt with them, cry with/for them, laugh, or get angry, then the author did a fantastic job and has written the perfect book for me.
September 24, 2019
The Boyfriend Contract will pull at your heartstrings! I often found myself wanting to reach into the book, just to wrap Emily in a giant hug and give her the love she didn't experience growing up. I struggled with who I loved more: Cooper or his entire family! They're such lovable, entertaining characters and you'll find yourself shaking your head at their antics, all while trying to contain your laughter. A truly enjoyable romance, with enough drama to keep you guessing what will happen next, and tender moments you won't forget. I absolutely loved this book and wish I could find more Coopers in the world!
Blog review is live on 9/24 - https://yeahorneighreviews.blogspot.c...
Blog review is live on 9/24 - https://yeahorneighreviews.blogspot.c...
September 23, 2019
Victoria James writes an emotionally charged story that will make you laugh as well as bring tears to your eyes. Emily has moved to claim her in inheritance as well as run away from all the pain in her life. Cooper is still trying to recover, years later from the death of his wife.
In a small town it is difficult to escape running into the same people. Emily has trust and insecurity issues. She finds Cooper, her contractor, attractive but does not want to lose her heart to him. This is a sweet and compassionate story. Emily makes friends for the first time and opens her heart to helping and making a difference. She does all this without expecting anything in return which makes Cooper fall deeply in love with her. The other characters are also warm and wonderful and add greatly to the story. This is a story that you will want to snuggle in with and read straight through.
In a small town it is difficult to escape running into the same people. Emily has trust and insecurity issues. She finds Cooper, her contractor, attractive but does not want to lose her heart to him. This is a sweet and compassionate story. Emily makes friends for the first time and opens her heart to helping and making a difference. She does all this without expecting anything in return which makes Cooper fall deeply in love with her. The other characters are also warm and wonderful and add greatly to the story. This is a story that you will want to snuggle in with and read straight through.
October 2, 2019
*I received a copy of this book from Entangled Publishing for my honest review. All thoughts are my own*
I'm not the biggest fan of widow stories, so I don't know why I keep picking them up. But that being said, I enjoyed this one. The portions of the story that I didn't like also had to do with the widow aspect of it. I still really enjoyed the story and I think it was a nice read. I liked both the characters and rooted for their relationship.
I recommend it if you're looking for a romance with a bit of a harder hitting backstory for each character.
I'm not the biggest fan of widow stories, so I don't know why I keep picking them up. But that being said, I enjoyed this one. The portions of the story that I didn't like also had to do with the widow aspect of it. I still really enjoyed the story and I think it was a nice read. I liked both the characters and rooted for their relationship.
I recommend it if you're looking for a romance with a bit of a harder hitting backstory for each character.
September 23, 2019
The Boyfriend Contract gives us the story of Emily, a woman looking to start over after being kicked out of her family's business, and Cooper, a 30 year old contractor and widower.
Victoria James wrote this book wonderfully. I really liked that we got both Emily and Cooper's points of view. It really helped me see both sides and what they each were struggling with. While lighthearted at times, this book actually had a lot of emotional depth that I was not expecting. Both characters had such hurt in their pasts and I was rooting for their HEA the entire time.
I definitely recommend picking this one up when it comes out on 9/23. Absolutely loved it! Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
Victoria James wrote this book wonderfully. I really liked that we got both Emily and Cooper's points of view. It really helped me see both sides and what they each were struggling with. While lighthearted at times, this book actually had a lot of emotional depth that I was not expecting. Both characters had such hurt in their pasts and I was rooting for their HEA the entire time.
I definitely recommend picking this one up when it comes out on 9/23. Absolutely loved it! Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
September 29, 2019
Simplicity. Uncomplicated. Sweet. Sometimes that is all we need in romance. I love the heat, but I also love the tenderness. This was my first book by Victoria James, and I was very pleasantly surprised.
Emily and Cooper each have their internal demons they must deal with. Emily is starting over and fighting self-esteem issues. Cooper is still in mourning. As these two go through the process of discovering each other, learning to fall in love and finding their normal we are granted access into the mind of a great storyteller.
Five stars for the normal, the simplistic, the romance of love.
Emily and Cooper each have their internal demons they must deal with. Emily is starting over and fighting self-esteem issues. Cooper is still in mourning. As these two go through the process of discovering each other, learning to fall in love and finding their normal we are granted access into the mind of a great storyteller.
Five stars for the normal, the simplistic, the romance of love.
September 18, 2019
So beautiful!!! I loved seeing Emily & Cooper overcome their pasts and be together! I loved that while they fell in love and helped each other heal, they found what they truly needed to be happy!
This was my first Victoria James book, but her words and the world she created made sure that it won't be my last!
This was my first Victoria James book, but her words and the world she created made sure that it won't be my last!
September 20, 2019
This book was funny, but sad. Emily and Cooper come from two different kinds of life. Cooper comes from a loving home, and siblings. Emily has a brother who has issues, her mother was distant and her father adored her. Emily's life takes a turn when her parents die. Things change drastically for her. Then she meets Cooper and she changes things in coopers life. This story touched on some real life situations. I dont know how I would handle it. Your heart will break for Emily and Cooper. You must read this book. Thank you United Indie Book blog for allowing me to read this book.
review by Maribel
review by Maribel
October 1, 2019
The Boyfriend Contract is the story of Emily and Cooper, as she has her house remodeled. And Cooper takes on the job. I enjoy the home improvement elements of this story and thought their relationship was cute. A fun light read. This is my first book by Victoria James and I’ll definitely check out others.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
September 10, 2019
Victoria James has delivered another fantastic rom-com with characters that you can’t help but love and a love story that will have you laughing, swooning, and grinning like a fool. A delightful hilarious story. Fall in love with Victoria James and her books. She’s my go to read for humour and heart!! Happy reading!!
September 13, 2019
When I requested this arc, I thought it would be a funny and lighthearted read . But it was so much more! Both Cooper and Emily have a history they don't want to think about. But while restoring Emily's grandmothers house to change it into an inn, both Cooper and Emily can't deny their attraction . And although Cooper has sworn off love and Emily doesn't want to trust men ever, they want to date together. Hence, Emily comes up with The Boyfriend Contract. But when both of their past caught up with them, how will the contract hold? Get your tissues ready and enjoy this emotional and wonderful journey of two people finding their happily ever after when they least expected it. Five out of five stars from me and a special thank you to Netgalley for providing the arc.
September 19, 2019
Honestly? There were parts of this book that had me in tears, I made such a connection with the story. Not an ugly cry, just a "water is gently leaking from my eyes" type of situation. Why? Because of the emotion which is laced through this book. You can't help but feel for each of the protagonists, each with their own demons to fight.
But its the slow burn build up which the author created which really pulled me in. No brashness. No flashyness. Just a smoldering narrative which fans to flames. Cliche? Maybe. But true nevertheless.
Truly engrossing.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
But its the slow burn build up which the author created which really pulled me in. No brashness. No flashyness. Just a smoldering narrative which fans to flames. Cliche? Maybe. But true nevertheless.
Truly engrossing.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
September 17, 2019
Get ready with the Kleenex.
Cooper get9a chance to find love for the second time in his life. Emily gets a chance for first times with Cooper for everything.
I hope that Cooper's brothers and sister will get their own books.
Cooper get9a chance to find love for the second time in his life. Emily gets a chance for first times with Cooper for everything.
I hope that Cooper's brothers and sister will get their own books.
August 9, 2019
Cooper is just a logical man, “why would I want blueberries in my beer? If I want blueberries, I’ll eat blueberries. If I want a beer, I’ll drink a beer.” I really liked this book, I loved Cooper.
September 12, 2019
The Boyfriend Contract is a very cute read. I love Emily. She knows what she wants and how things need to be done. I laughed at some of her antics and cheered her on with her plans. I loved the chemistry she had with Cooper. Cooper, he just grabs at your heart. Even though both fight the attraction you can't help but cheer them on from the sidelines. I love how Emily embraces the small town. She has a heart of gold. I seriously loved this book. Emily and Cooper will melt your heart. I couldn't put this one down. The Boyfriend Contract is one of my favorite reads by Victoria James.
September 24, 2019
I love Victoria James’s stories, they’re full of humour, heart & angst. The background for this book was of a sensitive issue that never really gets a lot of notice. I enjoyed Emily’s strength & character as she set out to take back her life. The sadness surrounding Cooper was a weight you could feel & to see him change & fall in love was wonderful. The humour & sass was the perfect amount to lighten up the mood when needed. Author Victoria James always writes her characters as real, fallible people just trying to figure life out & keep up with it. Definitely recommend. I received this book from the publisher through Net Galley for an honest review
August 12, 2019
****The Boyfriend Contract tells the story of Emily, who having spent most of her young life trying to do and be the person she thought would make her family love and respect her, finally decides she will become her own person. She comes to Maple Falls as the inheritor of her paternal grandmother’s large house with a plan to turn it into an inn. Cooper is one of the members of the family of contractors hired to assist in the restoration. A widower, Cooper is as attracted to Emily as she is to him, but each is reluctant to make a move. The story follows Emily as she learns to deal with the challenges her new path presents...whether uplifting or disappointing. Her tenacity inspires Cooper to reconsider his lonely life. The story is well written, sweet, sometimes humorous, and somewhat angsty. I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book from NetGalley.
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