Not Her Real Fiancé

Carter's Cove Beach Romance #4

by Elana Johnson

He needs a reason not to go out with a journalist. She'd like a guaranteed date for the summer. They don't get along, so keeping Brad in the not-her-real-fiancé category should be easy for Celeste. Totally easy.

Bradley Keith is a Carter's Cove native, despite his professional football career. He's not interested in dating a journalist on his hometown island, and to get her to back off, he tells her he's engaged. The only problem? He's not. Doesn't even have a girlfriend.

When the journalist shows up at The Heartwood Inn, where Brad is installing a new VIP swimming pool, demanding to know who his fiancée is, he names the first woman he literally sees walk by—Celeste Heartwood.

Celeste runs the social events at the family inn, and she's tired of planning parties to which she has no date. So when Brad knocks on her office door in a panic, she goes along with his crazy idea. She doesn't particularly like him, because she submitted a construction proposal to his firm that went unanswered. And she's stuffy and uptight—at least according to Brad.

Their plan? Stay together for six weeks and then quietly end things. No harm, no foul. She has a date, and he gets the reporter off his back.

Falling in love wasn't in the plan. Will Celeste put her reputation—and her heart—on the line for the football star? Or will she end up nursing a wounded heart when the truth comes out?

Read all the Carter's Cove Beach Romance novels:
1. Boyfriend By Mistake
2. Accidental Sweetheart
3. Bodyguard, Not Boyfriend
4. Not Her Real Fiancé
5. She Loves Him...Not

Clean Beach Club Billionaire Romance:
1. The Brainy Billionaire
2. The Brawny Billionaire
3. The Bashful Billionaire
4. The Brazen Billionaire
5. The Billionaire's Bodyguard
6. The Billionaire's Boyfriend
7. The Brave Billionaire
8. The Belated Billionaire

Hawthorne Harbor Second Chance Romance:
1. The Paramedic's Second Chance
2. The Chief's Second Chance
3. The Firefighter's Second Chance
4. The Officer's Second Chance
5. The Soldier's Second Chance
6. The Captain's Second Chance

Brides & Beaches Romance:
1. The Helicopter Pilot's Bride
2. The Billionaire's Bride
3. The Prince's Bride
4. The Doctor's Bride
5. The Rockstar's Bride
6. The Carpenter's Bride

Forbidden Lake Romance:
1. The Professor's Secret Crush
2. The Lumberjack's Secret Guest
3. The Owner's Secret Client
4. The Billionaire's Secret Flame
5. The Rockstar's Secret Weakness
6. The Biker's Secret Girlfriend

Stranded in Paradise Romance:
1. Stranded with the Hidden Billionaire
2. Stranded with the SEAL
3. Stranded with the Quarterback
4. Stranded with the Cowboy Billionaire

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Clean Romance

165 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 14, 2019

About the author

3-time USA Today bestselling author Elana Johnson writes adult contemporary beach romance. She is the author of over 130 books across two names, and there's nothing better than sun, sand, and swoon-worthy kisses! Unless it's a sweet-and-sexy cowboy - read those under her pen name of Liz Isaacson. Or an emotional, heartfelt women's fiction novel - read those under her pen name of Jessie Newton.

Learn more at:
www.elanajohnson.com
www.lizisaacson.com
www.authorjessienewton.com

Reviews

[Jennifer Lara · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Heartwood Wedding is the fourth book in the Carter’s Cove series by Elana Johnson. After a bad first date with a local journalist, Brad Keith, a former pro football player, needs an out. He tells her he’s engaged but he really isn’t. He needs to find a fake fiancée quickly. Celeste Heartwood is the event planner for the inn and just happens to walk by. Brad quickly pulls her into his lie. She agrees only because she wants a guaranteed date for the summer. She’s tired of attending events by herself. They strike a deal: a fake engagement for the summer. No strings, no entanglements. But soon their fake relationship becomes very real. Will they be able to walk away as planned? Or will they risk their hearts for love?
The Heartwood Wedding was a cute, sweet romance. Brad tries to get a pushy woman off his back with a fake relationship, so he makes a deal with Celeste. Let the fake romance begin! However, wouldn’t people know that the local celebrity and a member of the prominent Heartwood family know they weren’t dating to become engaged? Some were skeptical but quickly accepted the news. Of course, any fake relationship will often turn into a real one. Their relationship becomes sweet and endearing. Celeste is very bossy and uptight but reveals her true self as her relationship with Brad blossoms. I loved Brad’s very public gesture in order to win her heart for real. It was a quick read, great for a lazy afternoon of romance. I recommend The Heartwood Wedding.

The Heartwood Wedding is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook

[Sandra Hartzel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a free copy of this book, but this is my voluntary and honest opinion. Former professional football player and Carter’s Cove native, Bradley Keith owns a construction company and is working on a pool project at Heartwood Inn. When a journalist he dated can’t take no for an answer, he asks Celeste Heartwood who runs all the Social event for Heartwood Inn, to pretend to be his fiancé. As they get to know each other, they begin to fall for one another, but the journalist prints an article stating their engagement is fake, and Celeste is hurt by what was said. A great story about second chances and putting the other’s feelings first.

[Denice · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a fantastic story, I loved Brad, he is just a down to earth man even though he is a retired professional football star. Celeste runs the events at her family Inn. He tells a woman he is trying to get away from that he is engaged to Celeste Heartwood unknown to her. I loved reading how she felt when she found out and then reading their way to find love made for a wonderful read, I recommend this series, it is great.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not Her Real Fiance is a book about a fake engagement gone so very wrong. It even shows up in the local paper calling them out on it. That was not embarrassing for Brad, it was just a way to tear Celeste away from him. But don't let that former football player off the hook yet as he is determined to get her back. Another great story by Elana Johnson.

[Michelle Ferrari-Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sisterhood

So much love, hard work and determination in this series. The sisters support each other at work and privately. The world would be a better place if more families were like this~

[Patricia Rutland · Rating 5 out of 5]

It 's Confusing but that's Good!!

A frantic engagement, too many questions, throw in a myriad of emotions and you have this delightful story. Once sorted out, magic is a real possibility!

[Michaela | Reading in the Heartland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the chemistry between these two and the circumstances that lead to a fake relationship. I was totally hooked. I really enjoyed the mishaps and the obstacles this relationship faced.

I received a complimentary copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Renee Goldberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Heartwood Wedding

I loved the novel by Elana Johnson? Set at the Heartwood Inn it combined a terrific story with great character development. I highly recommend this novel and can't wait to read more by the author. Renee Goldberg rgoldberg227@gmail.com

[Patricia · Rating 2 out of 5]

There seemed to be a lot of superfluous details in this story. I scan-read so much which amounts to a two-star rating. I don’t care to read more in the series. I had trouble liking Celeste. I had trouble admiring Brad because he seemed to wimp out easily.

[Donna Weaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

I struggled with Celeste at first. She was so stiff and came across as really entitled and elitist. Brad helped her to loosen up and show a deeper side of her. 4 1/2 stars

[eduvigenes lee morin · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 books

I love 5 book each one was excellent. Is there be another part to the 5 books. There wedding ? Please dont leave us hanging. What happen next

[Kristen Lewendon · Rating 5 out of 5]

When trying to let a bad date down gently doesn’t work, Brad makes up a fiancé in order to escape. Still, not one to be deterred, the woman shows up at his jobsite demanding to know the identity of his fiancé. In a last-minute Hail Mary pass, Brad pins his hopes on Celeste playing along to be his fake fiancé until the other woman finally backs off. Celeste is tired of the string of dead-end relationships she’d gotten stuck in. An attractive successful man as her plus-one for the summer season sounds like the answer to her prayers. No pesky strings or feelings involved to break her heart again sounds even better. I adore a good fake relationship story. I love the Murphy’s Law nature of it. You just know that everything is going to be so different from what they think they’re getting into. This is one of the times that I don’t care how predictable the chain of events is, because it’s in the details of how everything happens where I get hooked. This pair was such an Odd Couple in the beginning, but that just meant the chemistry sparked brighter. It was so much fun watching Brad and Celeste as they got to know one another and learned the things they had in common. I particularly enjoyed seeing them interact with one another’s families. And when the chaos breaks loose, these two nearly broke my heart, I so badly wanted them to put everything back to rights.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book from the author.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brad wants to get out of dating Carmen, so he lies and says he's engaged to Celeste. Celeste agrees to play a part, but with conditions. In the end, they realize that they like each other more than they expected.

I did like the story, but I wasn't ever convinced why Celeste agreed to the fake relationship. It didn't feel convincing to me. Without giving spoilers, I also had a hard time with Carmen's later actions in the book; I didn't find it believable that she'd be able to get away with what she did.

That being said, Brad is someone you root for as he realizes that he wants more than just a fake relationship. Again without spoilers, his actions at the end are sweet, romantic and endearing. Celeste could use a little more character development to seem more believable, but she's still likable too. The other characters (some of whom will get their own stories) are pretty well done. This is a quick, clean read for when you want a little fluff in your life. I'll happily read more in the series.

I was given a copy of this book for my honest review.

[Christi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book that I've read in the Carter's Cove Beach Romance series and I have to say it was quite enjoyable! The dynamic between Brad and Celeste is adorable, and what adds to the charm is the fact that Brad and Celeste both are in their mid-30's. You can feel the maturity in the dialogue and the characters themselves. I do wish Celeste had more of a backstory, but since this isn't the first book in the series I would hope there would be more about her in the previous novels.

In saying that, reading about the Heartwood sisters really makes me want to get more into this series. All the characters are likable and this was such a light and fun read that I easily breezed through and really savored.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Heartwood sister finds her happy ever after! Celeste doesn’t know what to think when Brad comes into her office and asks her to pretend to be his fiancé. She agrees but then they both begin to have real feelings for each other. Add in a jilted want-to-be girlfriend and things fall apart. Can they find their way back to each other? I love the interaction of the siblings in this series and that the characters are older and not perfect. I like that in this book an adult with reading difficulty is highlighted. The Carter’s Cove setting is great. Don’t miss this clean short read from Elana Johnson!

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Six weeks...just six weeks...easy, right?

Brad and Celeste get caught in their own fake engagement, but what do you do when fake becomes real? Fake it out or call it off?
Once again opposites attract in Carter's Cove and once again lack of communication is their downfall. This is the best book of the series so far, Celeste and Brad may be feisty together but they are perfect for one another and there is now just one sister left...will Gwen find her soul mate? This book is available on Kindle Unlimited but I received an ARC of it, this review is my own and I was not compensated in any way for it.

[Margie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elana Johnson never disappoints. Her characters and the trouble they get themselves into keep you reading to find out how deep a hole they can dig and how are they going to get out. Brad and Celeste have the best of intentions when they agree to have a fake engagement, not totally considering the effect on their families. As in so many relationships communication is the key. I enjoyed this book. I’m glad there were so many Heartwood sisters so there a still some more stories to be told.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not Her Real Fiance was a fun fake romance that I enjoyed reading. Celeste and Brad are both likable characters that thinks the other is out of their league. A gossip rag reporter starts off the need for the relationship and does her best to end it. The plot has some twists and turns and moves at a good pace. I loved the proposal scene! I would recommend this to readers of clean/wholesome romance. I plan to read more in this series and other works by Elana Johnson. I obtained my copy through KU.

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute summer/beach read, though predictable. What happens when a retired professional football player/turned construction worker meets a fancy, independent woman whose family owns one of the nicest hotels on the island? And why in the world would he ask her to be his fake fiance? Read to find out--quite an adventure! A fun read! I received a complimentary copy of this book and have voluntarily given my honest opinion.

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

What did Celeste think when asked by a retired superstar athlete if she would be his fiancée for a while??? Why did he need a ‘fake’ fiancée? Could she waste time doing this at the age of 37? Her clock was ticking and she needed a real fiancée. Okay, she would help the guy out. After all, this was what she did. They made a deal and set up boundaries but neither one expected the rules to change so abruptly.
Another good book by Elana Johnson.

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don’t believe everything you read in the newspaper

I love Brad. He’s open, honest, humble, and willing to admit when he makes a mistake, intentional or not. I was surprised and intrigued when Brad and Celeste said they were engaged. Celeste is professional and uptight. But she’s fun and flirty when she’s relaxed and having a good time. I liked that the characters were honest and forgiving. And the ending was the perfect touch!

[Coral Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute, light read. I did not see them as enemies. I know she was upset with him over not approving her wedding hall proposal years ago, but i would not say enemies. If they decided they liked each other who much, why bother with fake break up, they did have just not be engaged anymore. Celeste went off the deep end over the article when she knew the other woman was petty and jealous already. Brad had infinite patients. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

[Mary Jane McLeod · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series

Another great book in a great series by one of my favorite authors. I'm really enjoying this series about sisters and how they each find love. I loved Celeste and Brad's story and all the characters. The book grabbed my attention from the beginning and left me with a smile.

[Misty Goan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic standalone sweet clean romance in the Carter's Cove series.  This engaging storyline has another Heartwood sister finding her HEA  thru a fake finance that turns real. I was addicted to this romance page after page with texting rules, flirtatious hilarious banter, and amazing chemistry. I voluntarily read and reviewed this entertaining fun clean romance story.

[Sherri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good clean fake relationship romance about Celeste and Brad. Brad quickly needs a fiancé to shield himself from unwanted advances from a woman, so he grabs the only woman around Celeste. She happens to own the inn his company is constructing a pool. The fake starts to turn into real and then there's complications.

[Alisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute story - I really liked Brad and Celeste. I liked it enough that I will probably read the rest of the books in the series (even though this is Book 4, it's the first one I've read in this series).

Note: There were quite a few typos throughout the book so if that is something that really bothers you, be forewarned.

[Holli]

Didn't quite work for me. I think my issue with romances is that I have very specific ideas of what I want to be in a trope and when the story doesn't meet that expectation I am disappointed. So there was nothing really wrong with this story it just wasn't what I was looking for in particular.

DNF. Stopped reading awhile back and now feels like I don't remember enough to start it again.

[MaryEllen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the banter. And, I LOVE that the big, buff, former-football-player construction dude was the more emotional of the two.

And, oh my, adults that actually talk to each other as things come up instead of letting them fester! **gasp**

[Amanda Marlowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bradley needs a fiancee quickly to deter the journalist who is following him. He latches onto Celeste, as the female he sees, then has to explain it to her.
She has a family event she doesn't want to go to alone.
They form an unlikely friendship.
Another great read from Elana.

[Lynn Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not Her Real Fiance

Brad needed a fake fiance and quick. Seeing Celeste he asked her to do him this favor. Soon enough feelings get involved.
Loved the book. The characters are engaging and youu get caught up in the romance of it all.