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Trophy Husbands #4
Purchased Husband
Alternate cover edition of ASIN B08BCTQJ53
On a Wednesday afternoon, I ask Damian Winters to marry me. To be clear, it's not a proposal. It's a business transaction. I have a sticky family situation, and the simplest way to deal with it is to pay him to be my husband for six months.
Damian used to work as an escort so he knows how to keep things professional. We don't have to be friends. We don't even have to get along. I need someone fill a husband role, and he'll do just fine.
It doesn't matter if he's the hottest man I've ever met. Work takes up all my time and energy, so I don't have room in my life for complications. I'm not going to fall into bed with him. And I'm definitely not going to fall in love.
I hope.
On a Wednesday afternoon, I ask Damian Winters to marry me. To be clear, it's not a proposal. It's a business transaction. I have a sticky family situation, and the simplest way to deal with it is to pay him to be my husband for six months.
Damian used to work as an escort so he knows how to keep things professional. We don't have to be friends. We don't even have to get along. I need someone fill a husband role, and he'll do just fine.
It doesn't matter if he's the hottest man I've ever met. Work takes up all my time and energy, so I don't have room in my life for complications. I'm not going to fall into bed with him. And I'm definitely not going to fall in love.
I hope.
246 pages, ebook
First published December 8, 2020
549 people are currently reading
674 people want to read
About the author
Noelle Adams
140 books2,675 followersNoelle handwrote her first romance novel in a spiral-bound notebook when she was twelve, and she hasn't stopped writing since. She has lived in eight different states and currently resides in Virginia, where she teaches English, reads any book she can get her hands on, and offers tribute to a very spoiled cocker spaniel.
She loves travel, art, history, and ice cream. After spending far too many years of her life in graduate school, she has decided to reorient her priorities and focus on writing contemporary romances.
She loves travel, art, history, and ice cream. After spending far too many years of her life in graduate school, she has decided to reorient her priorities and focus on writing contemporary romances.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
September 10, 2021
Reread:
This was such an enjoyable read. Very light on the drama and perfect on the relationship development. I loved watching this couple come together from strangers to being everything to each other. This has been a great series and I’ve enjoyed the reread of this as much as I did the first time around.
Original:
What a great fake marriage story!
I was pulled in immediately by Melody and her rather antisocial personality. She intrigued me from the beginning and watching her evolution throughout the book was heartwarming. Damon appeared to be the opposite of what she would personally want, but learning that they had so much in common made me love this story all the more.
This author, as in many of her previous works, wrote this in such a way that despite never having Damon’s point of view, it was evident what he was feeling. He had such a caring, kind manner with a hint of jealousy at times as well as protectiveness, all characteristics that I adore.
While there is not a lot of drama, this is primarily based on the characters and their relationship as they slowly begin to grow closer. This doesn’t have any action or lots of angst, making it perfect for a quick afternoon read to help get away from the rest of the world for a while.
Heroine POV
Safe
Triggers
This was such an enjoyable read. Very light on the drama and perfect on the relationship development. I loved watching this couple come together from strangers to being everything to each other. This has been a great series and I’ve enjoyed the reread of this as much as I did the first time around.
Original:
What a great fake marriage story!
I was pulled in immediately by Melody and her rather antisocial personality. She intrigued me from the beginning and watching her evolution throughout the book was heartwarming. Damon appeared to be the opposite of what she would personally want, but learning that they had so much in common made me love this story all the more.
This author, as in many of her previous works, wrote this in such a way that despite never having Damon’s point of view, it was evident what he was feeling. He had such a caring, kind manner with a hint of jealousy at times as well as protectiveness, all characteristics that I adore.
While there is not a lot of drama, this is primarily based on the characters and their relationship as they slowly begin to grow closer. This doesn’t have any action or lots of angst, making it perfect for a quick afternoon read to help get away from the rest of the world for a while.
Heroine POV
Safe
Triggers
no-way-jose
January 26, 2025No rating, just a note to self.
Books 1 and 3 were awesome,
Book 2 was a fail,
and this Book 4 had an interesting enough plot but an odd, emotionless cold heroine.
Books 1 and 3 were awesome,
Book 2 was a fail,
and this Book 4 had an interesting enough plot but an odd, emotionless cold heroine.
August 5, 2021
3 stars
Not as good as packaged husband.
I didn't really connect with the heroine and I also didn't particularly like the hero.
Their chemistry was ok i guess, but not perfect.
Not as good as packaged husband.
I didn't really connect with the heroine and I also didn't particularly like the hero.
Their chemistry was ok i guess, but not perfect.
September 7, 2023
This is a sweet fake-marriage story in typical Noelle Adams fashion.
I liked the MCs and how their relationship developed.
I liked the MCs and how their relationship developed.
September 3, 2021
I love a good a pretend relationship even ones with such preposterous plots as long as the characters make it worth my while. In this instance there wasn't much going on between Melody and Damian to balance the weak excuse forcing them into this fake marriage arrangement. No chemistry, no banter, boring sex and lack of angst.
(The heroine believes—it's all hearsays and assumptions— her mother's soon to be husband, 'Pop', is so old fashioned he'll pressure her to get a husband (???) and she's afraid it will cause her mom distress. To avoid this, she decides to pay an outrageous amount to get herself a fake husband through an escort agency. The plan is to visit her mom and soon to be father in law every weekends before the wedding.)
A fail.
(The heroine believes—it's all hearsays and assumptions— her mother's soon to be husband, 'Pop', is so old fashioned he'll pressure her to get a husband (???) and she's afraid it will cause her mom distress. To avoid this, she decides to pay an outrageous amount to get herself a fake husband through an escort agency. The plan is to visit her mom and soon to be father in law every weekends before the wedding.)
A fail.
November 19, 2025
Read for content pull
May 21, 2021
3,5 Sterne
February 16, 2021
I’ve read all the books. I like all the books, the leads are likeable humans and not stupid, they’re all safe or safe with exception.
3.5*
But they all also follow the exact same story line with very little differentiation. Premise of the fake marriage can stay the same but I do want some vim. Some va va voom.
Girl proposes fake marriage to guy because of “Pop” - the grandfather who wants to wed off any single girl apparently. Guy and girl start to fall in love, and can’t tell if the marriage is for real. Small misunderstanding regarding their mutual feelings, bam they proclaim that they love each other.
It’s going to sound supper judgy of me, but why did he have to bed some of his clients? I wanted her to be the only client he blurred the line with. He’s an escort for hire - not sexually but when there was mutual attraction he would have s*x and well... he’d get tipped so imho it felt lowkey transactional. 😪🙄
3.5*
But they all also follow the exact same story line with very little differentiation. Premise of the fake marriage can stay the same but I do want some vim. Some va va voom.
Girl proposes fake marriage to guy because of “Pop” - the grandfather who wants to wed off any single girl apparently. Guy and girl start to fall in love, and can’t tell if the marriage is for real. Small misunderstanding regarding their mutual feelings, bam they proclaim that they love each other.
It’s going to sound supper judgy of me, but why did he have to bed some of his clients? I wanted her to be the only client he blurred the line with. He’s an escort for hire - not sexually but when there was mutual attraction he would have s*x and well... he’d get tipped so imho it felt lowkey transactional. 😪🙄
December 8, 2020
I just love Noelle Adams's books!
This series is so great and fun! Melissa and Damian have damaged souls but work together so well!
Their love grows slowly and is hesitant somehow because of their fears and insecurities.
However, as delicate as the writing they grow together and long to be with each other.
I just loved this book and it is so good that you will want to read it again.
I loved it!
This series is so great and fun! Melissa and Damian have damaged souls but work together so well!
Their love grows slowly and is hesitant somehow because of their fears and insecurities.
However, as delicate as the writing they grow together and long to be with each other.
I just loved this book and it is so good that you will want to read it again.
I loved it!
January 18, 2021
Really enjoyable casual read
December 9, 2020
Suka covernya karena pink wkwkwk actual rating 3.5 sih. Kubulatkan ke atas karena bacanya sekali duduk, nggak pening, nggak sebal. Dramanya standar.
December 19, 2020
Purchased Husband is a bit of a curiosity. Adams writes contemporary marriage-of-convenience romances like nobody else, but this latest one has a rather convoluted setup. Melody, or Clarke as the hero Damian calls her (it’s her last name), is a bit of a contradiction. She’s very smart and made a fortune off a software business she created, but she judges a man she barely knows, her soon-to-be stepfather, based on opinions from his family members who again, she barely knows. That snap judgement drives her to set up a fake marriage with someone who works as a professional companion just to avoid her stepfather’s history of wanting to ensure his family members are married.
Melody supposedly has a happy, full life, but we never see her interact with friends except for one person who’s her primary business partner. She comes across as someone high functioning on the ASD spectrum, and her somewhat remote relations with people made her enigmatic. As the story is told from her POV, that made the read a bit elliptical as well.
Damien, the hero, is even more of a mystery. He’s the perfect companion—the plot hangs on the idea that Melody doesn’t know what’s real or fake with him, which is a fascinating angle to explore. And he makes a number of incorrect conclusions about Melody that drive the story in interesting directions.
It’s also refreshing to see that his past as a companion, which included physical relationships when both parties were agreeable, is treated rightly as simply a part of his past. I just wished he’d moved past calling Melody by her last name all the time. I found it off-putting—almost as if he didn’t want to know her well, so he’d call her something a work companion would call her when he was far past that stage in terms of involvement and interest.
This is an intriguing book, but the fact that it’s built on and circles around secrets, unknowns, and enigmatic behavior makes it a bit of a different read. It’s a solid, strong conclusion to an excellent series by Adams. Just be prepared for twists and turns and uncertainties—kind of like any relationship!
Melody supposedly has a happy, full life, but we never see her interact with friends except for one person who’s her primary business partner. She comes across as someone high functioning on the ASD spectrum, and her somewhat remote relations with people made her enigmatic. As the story is told from her POV, that made the read a bit elliptical as well.
Damien, the hero, is even more of a mystery. He’s the perfect companion—the plot hangs on the idea that Melody doesn’t know what’s real or fake with him, which is a fascinating angle to explore. And he makes a number of incorrect conclusions about Melody that drive the story in interesting directions.
It’s also refreshing to see that his past as a companion, which included physical relationships when both parties were agreeable, is treated rightly as simply a part of his past. I just wished he’d moved past calling Melody by her last name all the time. I found it off-putting—almost as if he didn’t want to know her well, so he’d call her something a work companion would call her when he was far past that stage in terms of involvement and interest.
This is an intriguing book, but the fact that it’s built on and circles around secrets, unknowns, and enigmatic behavior makes it a bit of a different read. It’s a solid, strong conclusion to an excellent series by Adams. Just be prepared for twists and turns and uncertainties—kind of like any relationship!
October 19, 2022
1,5 stars
After I quite enjoyed the first book in this series by Noelle Adams, this last installment was a huge, huge letdown.
I LOVE fake/pretend relationships, that, along with there's only one bed, are my fave tropes, so imagine my disappointment with this book. The biggest issue I had with this book was the heroine. I did not connect with her at all. For some reason, she felt blah and bland to me and up until the very last sentence, I did not understand her issues. It all just left me ???? I mean her whole reasoning to hire Damian is just... silly. Again, I am all for the fake pretend stuff but at least make it sound somewhat reasonable. But here? Sorry, it felt dumb and silly.
Speaking about Damian. There was ZERO chemistry between him and Melody, the heroine. It all felt like Adams wanted to put quite some "depth" into the characters but it did not work. He had his moments but same as with Mel, he still lacked that depth. No sparks or banter, or even some drama.. nothing. Tbh I did not care at all if they'll get a HEA or not. The characterization was a big miss and fail in this one.
This is another big issue in this book since there is absolutely no story. No development or depth. You just move through the chapters and pretty much nothing happens. And this, combined with the characters I thought were meh and I did not connect with... you see where I am going with this.
One of the worst parts of this book was the end tho. The usual "misunderstanding" to get some more pages or I dunno add some silly "drama" (I mean it is not even drama it is nonsense no offense!). The way how hard I rolled my eyes. Good lord. It was just... literally ready to quit like 10 pages before the book ended. lmao It was just so dumb and the resolution left me all ??? For real? *smh*
Overall this was just a big disappointment. :/
After I quite enjoyed the first book in this series by Noelle Adams, this last installment was a huge, huge letdown.
I LOVE fake/pretend relationships, that, along with there's only one bed, are my fave tropes, so imagine my disappointment with this book. The biggest issue I had with this book was the heroine. I did not connect with her at all. For some reason, she felt blah and bland to me and up until the very last sentence, I did not understand her issues. It all just left me ???? I mean her whole reasoning to hire Damian is just... silly. Again, I am all for the fake pretend stuff but at least make it sound somewhat reasonable. But here? Sorry, it felt dumb and silly.
Speaking about Damian. There was ZERO chemistry between him and Melody, the heroine. It all felt like Adams wanted to put quite some "depth" into the characters but it did not work. He had his moments but same as with Mel, he still lacked that depth. No sparks or banter, or even some drama.. nothing. Tbh I did not care at all if they'll get a HEA or not. The characterization was a big miss and fail in this one.
This is another big issue in this book since there is absolutely no story. No development or depth. You just move through the chapters and pretty much nothing happens. And this, combined with the characters I thought were meh and I did not connect with... you see where I am going with this.
One of the worst parts of this book was the end tho. The usual "misunderstanding" to get some more pages or I dunno add some silly "drama" (I mean it is not even drama it is nonsense no offense!). The way how hard I rolled my eyes. Good lord. It was just... literally ready to quit like 10 pages before the book ended. lmao It was just so dumb and the resolution left me all ??? For real? *smh*
Overall this was just a big disappointment. :/
December 24, 2020
Cute and light read! I've read many of Noelle Adam's books and this was on par with the rest of them.
One thing that bugged me was
And Noelle if you're reading this... please give us H's POV 😭 😭 😭
One thing that bugged me was
And Noelle if you're reading this... please give us H's POV 😭 😭 😭
January 19, 2025
I'm not certain how I feel about this.
The hero was pretty boring until around 44% or so. Only then did he start showing any kind of personality. But to be fair, he was under contract so you can't exactly start springing about being all unprofessional.
I'm still not sure it got entirely interesting after that. They were both such quiet introspective characters that it felt like they were in their own heads a lot.
The hero was pretty boring until around 44% or so. Only then did he start showing any kind of personality. But to be fair, he was under contract so you can't exactly start springing about being all unprofessional.
I'm still not sure it got entirely interesting after that. They were both such quiet introspective characters that it felt like they were in their own heads a lot.
January 5, 2023
This was a library grab, and I was excited by the premise. However, I just could not get into it AT ALL. I ended up DNFing it at 51%. I believe I've read this author's work before, and she's decent. It's just one of those things. You may end up really liking this book. I just didn't, and I was beyond done with the struggle when I have so much else to read.
August 29, 2022
Sometimes I just need that Noelle Adams kind of angst and this perfectly delivered. Melody’s reason for needing a fake husband is contrived but her reasons make sense to her (and also go about as well as you might guess) so I rolled with it. While I wish this had forced her to deal with the codependent relationship with her mom more concretely, the emotional arc still really worked for me and the low moment had me in tears. Melody and I have extremely different personalities but there was a lot about her insecurities that resonated. It was so moving to watch Damian and Melody move closer together, despite their respective fears around making their fake relationship real. I especially loved watching him take care of her, even as Melody had no clue he’d developed real feelings for her. She deserved to have someone in her corner—and so did he. (This is a cishet white book.)
Characters: Melody is a 29 year old white tech developer. Damian is a 33 year old white escort working on his dissertation in American literature. This is set in Atlanta and Charleston, WV.
Content notes: on page panic attack, nightmares/anxiety dreams, codependency (FMC and mother), past sex work (MMC had sex with clients who tipped him but it wasn’t on the books with the escort service), past bullying, past shoplifting, FMC’s mother got pregnant at 17 (dad was never involved), body commentary, pregnancy announcement (secondary character), pregnant secondary character (epilogue), unsafe sex practice (penetrative sex without a condom; no discussion of pregnancy or STD prevention), on page sex, masturbation, alcohol, “female parts” as euphemism, gender essentialism, ableist language
Characters: Melody is a 29 year old white tech developer. Damian is a 33 year old white escort working on his dissertation in American literature. This is set in Atlanta and Charleston, WV.
Content notes: on page panic attack, nightmares/anxiety dreams, codependency (FMC and mother), past sex work (MMC had sex with clients who tipped him but it wasn’t on the books with the escort service), past bullying, past shoplifting, FMC’s mother got pregnant at 17 (dad was never involved), body commentary, pregnancy announcement (secondary character), pregnant secondary character (epilogue), unsafe sex practice (penetrative sex without a condom; no discussion of pregnancy or STD prevention), on page sex, masturbation, alcohol, “female parts” as euphemism, gender essentialism, ableist language
August 26, 2023
This was a sweet, lighthearted read and I enjoyed it, but all things considered, this book was just...okay. I didn't feel any chemistry between the two main characters, the miscommunication was so frustrating, and Damien started to annoy me after a while. I also can't help but compare it to the other book in this series that I've read (Part-Time Husband) and this one doesn't even come close. If this were written by anyone else I probably wouldn't be as critical, but Noelle Adams/Claire Kent is always SO good at establishing depth and chemistry between her characters, so the fact that that was lacking here was disappointing.
March 8, 2021
Love the plot, as usual this is my kinda thing I usually go for, want/don't want relationship. I also love how the author illustrates the female protagonist's mind and POV so well. As if we're being in the spectrum like her (I suspect Asperger's). Love it!
I realized belatedly that this book might have a lot of similarities with The Kiss Quotient, I'm gonna re-read that one to check it.
I realized belatedly that this book might have a lot of similarities with The Kiss Quotient, I'm gonna re-read that one to check it.
December 5, 2025
Noelle Adams, I love you so much! I’m glad I’ve finally finished off this series! This was probably my least favorite, but it was still a fun time! I think I was just a little irked out about the escort situation going on while the main couple was in a relationship? Like, she was still paying him while being romantic with him and having sex with him. Idk, felt a little uncomfortable. But overall, I enjoyed this! I love all these characters in this series, and I think these characters were a nice addition to this family.
April 24, 2021
2.5 stars. disappointing, because the other books in the series were very entertaining. there wasn’t any “connection” between the main couple: melody and damian. none. their relationship and dynamic felt forced. also weak plot. what a disappointment :(
May 2, 2022
I really liked the grumpy heroine in this — someone who really needs her boundaries and gets grumpy when people violate them!
Unfortunately, I think this book suffers from being the last book in a series of four books that are all based around the same trope and I think the author just really ran out of steam where the development of the relationship was concerned. The first book in this series was superior.
Noelle Adams also really knows her way around a sex scene but I felt pretty meh about most of these.
Unfortunately, I think this book suffers from being the last book in a series of four books that are all based around the same trope and I think the author just really ran out of steam where the development of the relationship was concerned. The first book in this series was superior.
Noelle Adams also really knows her way around a sex scene but I felt pretty meh about most of these.
May 7, 2022
It’s an emotionally draining book in a bad way. I can say it was slightly a torturous read. Luckily H and h has chemistry between them.
This book concludes the series and I must say Book 1 is the best of them all.
This book concludes the series and I must say Book 1 is the best of them all.
December 14, 2020
Another enjoyable romance by Noelle Adams! Melody's mother is getting married and Melody doesn't want to cause any stress for her and her new husband. She thinks if she has a husband, it'll take the pressure off because her mom and new stepfather won't be worried about her being alone, so she hires Damian from Companions for Hire for a six month assignment.
Damian is the perfect guy - handsome, charming, smart. It's hard not be attracted to a guy like that. But Melody doesn't want the show guy that everyone sees. She wants to know the real Damian and in return she shows him a side of herself that she doesn't always reveal to others. Along the way their fake relationship turns into a sexy affair but when their contract is up, they both realize they don't want it to be over. After a few bumps in the road they get their happy ending. It was lovely to see the other characters from the first 3 books in the series. Noelle Adams never fails to deliver a sweet, sexy, delightful romance.
A copy of this story was provided by the author.
Damian is the perfect guy - handsome, charming, smart. It's hard not be attracted to a guy like that. But Melody doesn't want the show guy that everyone sees. She wants to know the real Damian and in return she shows him a side of herself that she doesn't always reveal to others. Along the way their fake relationship turns into a sexy affair but when their contract is up, they both realize they don't want it to be over. After a few bumps in the road they get their happy ending. It was lovely to see the other characters from the first 3 books in the series. Noelle Adams never fails to deliver a sweet, sexy, delightful romance.
A copy of this story was provided by the author.
May 3, 2024
Melody was rich, beautiful, but extremely stressed.
With her mother's marriage to Pop, the famous owner of the restaurant chain, she wanted to avoid any kind of confrontation after learning that Pop had a habit of meddling in his granddaughters' lives - especially when it came to marriage.
So, so that the mother wouldn't be torn between her daughter and her new husband, Melody preferred to invent an engagement, and then a wedding.
She hires a fiancé through an escort agency (sex was not included, just the fiancé/husband's lie).
Damian worked at the agency. Very handsome, friendly, intelligent, he was finishing his degree in Literature, and this job - just pretending to be Melody's partner - would make him receive a high payment.
At first Damian thinks Melody was overreacting about the need to bring a husband to her mother's wedding, but who would he be to deny such a profitable job?
The point is that they needed to pretend to live together (which wasn't a problem because Melody had a beautiful condo, after having made a lot of money selling an app she had developed with her partner), and this coexistence ended up making them decide that it wouldn't be bad to involve sex in the game.
Melody was controlling, and had serious problems - like, panic attacks - when something went wrong with her plans. Getting emotionally involved with Damian wasn't part of the plan; She wanted to remain in control, alone, being a workaholic... but feeling an emptiness in her chest.
How to resolve all this without being disappointed and without freaking out?
The plot of a woman hiring an escort to pretend to be her boyfriend/fiancé/husband is not new (there are even some films about it).
The couple even has a certain chemistry - once you get past Melody's controlling ways. But the story didn't captivate me like the previous book (for me, Melissa&Trevor and Chelsea&Owen were the best).
3,5 stars
With her mother's marriage to Pop, the famous owner of the restaurant chain, she wanted to avoid any kind of confrontation after learning that Pop had a habit of meddling in his granddaughters' lives - especially when it came to marriage.
So, so that the mother wouldn't be torn between her daughter and her new husband, Melody preferred to invent an engagement, and then a wedding.
She hires a fiancé through an escort agency (sex was not included, just the fiancé/husband's lie).
Damian worked at the agency. Very handsome, friendly, intelligent, he was finishing his degree in Literature, and this job - just pretending to be Melody's partner - would make him receive a high payment.
At first Damian thinks Melody was overreacting about the need to bring a husband to her mother's wedding, but who would he be to deny such a profitable job?
The point is that they needed to pretend to live together (which wasn't a problem because Melody had a beautiful condo, after having made a lot of money selling an app she had developed with her partner), and this coexistence ended up making them decide that it wouldn't be bad to involve sex in the game.
Melody was controlling, and had serious problems - like, panic attacks - when something went wrong with her plans. Getting emotionally involved with Damian wasn't part of the plan; She wanted to remain in control, alone, being a workaholic... but feeling an emptiness in her chest.
How to resolve all this without being disappointed and without freaking out?
The plot of a woman hiring an escort to pretend to be her boyfriend/fiancé/husband is not new (there are even some films about it).
The couple even has a certain chemistry - once you get past Melody's controlling ways. But the story didn't captivate me like the previous book (for me, Melissa&Trevor and Chelsea&Owen were the best).
3,5 stars
December 2, 2020
This is book four in The Trophy Husband's Series and it is Melody and Damien's story and definitely my favourite in the series. Melody needs a fake husband for six months to avoid some family conflicts so she hired Damien from Companions For Hire in Atlanta to fill the role that she needed. Damien is working on his Phd in English and he has taken the job that Melody has offered him to help his finances but what he didn't expect was someone with walls so high and yet she has accomplished so much. They have strong chemistry and they are really attracted to each other but Melody keeps herself away from the situation so that she feels like she has control over her life and they are also the total opposite of each other so it will never work out. Will Damien be able to help Melody get over all her insecurities and stop her from lashing out all the time and live a little or will he be unable to get through to her. I absolutely loved Melody and Damien together he was so sweet and caring and persistent even though Melody constantly pushed back and I wanted it to work out for them. I couldn't put this book down and I had to keep turning the to see what would happen next and it was so addictive and my favourite book of this series. Noelle Adams is an amazing author and writer and I definitely recommend you read this book, series and other books by Noelle and you will definitely be disappointed.
I voluntarily reviewed an Arc copy of this book.
I voluntarily reviewed an Arc copy of this book.
August 30, 2022
Successful tech genius Melody decides she needs a fake fiancee/husband for six moths to show her newly engaged single mother that she will be fine and settled when her mother marries. Melody is an introvert. Not very savvy in relationships and not looking for love.
Damien is her contracted husband-to-be. He moves into her spare guest room for appearances sake. He is a consummate actor, ready to play the part however Melody desires. Melody tells him from the start that she'd rather not have messy emotional attachments and for him to only act the devoted lover in public, but to treat her as his 'real' self in private.
The real Damien is a bit cocky, he has a guarded, snarky sense of humour and he loves to puzzle out what makes Melody tick. She seems to confound him and never acts the way he expects.
The two develop a deeper relationship, with Damien guiding Melody through some self realisation and each one leaning on the other and opening up to the possibility of something real. Because of the contract, they both hold back how they really feel and inevitably wires are crossed and drama ensues.
I didn't rate the story higher because although I enjoyed it a lot, I felt like Melody spent a lot of the first half of the book carrying on about how good looking Damien was, without ever acknowledging how he was actually helping and supporting her as a friend, which should have been what drew them together.
This book contains descriptive love scenes.
Damien is her contracted husband-to-be. He moves into her spare guest room for appearances sake. He is a consummate actor, ready to play the part however Melody desires. Melody tells him from the start that she'd rather not have messy emotional attachments and for him to only act the devoted lover in public, but to treat her as his 'real' self in private.
The real Damien is a bit cocky, he has a guarded, snarky sense of humour and he loves to puzzle out what makes Melody tick. She seems to confound him and never acts the way he expects.
The two develop a deeper relationship, with Damien guiding Melody through some self realisation and each one leaning on the other and opening up to the possibility of something real. Because of the contract, they both hold back how they really feel and inevitably wires are crossed and drama ensues.
I didn't rate the story higher because although I enjoyed it a lot, I felt like Melody spent a lot of the first half of the book carrying on about how good looking Damien was, without ever acknowledging how he was actually helping and supporting her as a friend, which should have been what drew them together.
This book contains descriptive love scenes.
September 15, 2022
A very cute romance
I enjoyed this romantic story because we all like some fantasy in our lives, don't we? Its great fun!
Stories about people who are so wealthy that they work only to prevent boredom, not to earn a living, can make working people dream.
Stories about men who are devastatingly handsome, who should be able to attract any beautiful woman, but who choose to work as expensive companions, even for plain women with hang-ups.
They can potentially be bought to be everything women need them to be, like pretend husbands, and guys who get them, understanding them better than they do themselves, who are incredible lovers, kind and intelligent too.
Reality is often very different. Men are often very different.
Few families would accept that they were married last week without telling them, without causing a huge scene. Reality is seldom like that.
Women can dream of falling in love with their hired husbands, while enjoying incredible pre-marital sex with no guilt or reservations. They can long for guys who can head-massage their headaches away, because
they are so special and understand.
There is a tremendous need for stories that magically transform reality into a fairytale existence, so its a winning formula.
This one is nicely written so that it is almost believable.
I enjoyed this romantic story because we all like some fantasy in our lives, don't we? Its great fun!
Stories about people who are so wealthy that they work only to prevent boredom, not to earn a living, can make working people dream.
Stories about men who are devastatingly handsome, who should be able to attract any beautiful woman, but who choose to work as expensive companions, even for plain women with hang-ups.
They can potentially be bought to be everything women need them to be, like pretend husbands, and guys who get them, understanding them better than they do themselves, who are incredible lovers, kind and intelligent too.
Reality is often very different. Men are often very different.
Few families would accept that they were married last week without telling them, without causing a huge scene. Reality is seldom like that.
Women can dream of falling in love with their hired husbands, while enjoying incredible pre-marital sex with no guilt or reservations. They can long for guys who can head-massage their headaches away, because
they are so special and understand.
There is a tremendous need for stories that magically transform reality into a fairytale existence, so its a winning formula.
This one is nicely written so that it is almost believable.
January 11, 2021
I like reading Noelle Adams' books. I know what to expect and still have a good time. I like her no-nonsense sense of style (aside from the fact arranged marriage stuff).
This book is about Melody Clarke, her mother gets married to Pop whom we know from other books. When she hears that Pop is somewhat bossy and manipulating about his granddaughters' love life and wants everybody to be married she says she is already engaged. Since she is single, she goes to Companions for Hire and makes a deal with Damian that they will pretend to be married for 6 months. Damian is kind, funny, intelligent, and kind of dreamy if you ask me :D Melody is not actually a control freak but she doesn't like to be not in control of the situation so sometimes things kind of get messy. It is what you expect. Even though Damien works for an escort company he says no sex involved. Not believable though, because in the past "the experience" includes sex if he wants to and both parties agreed. And clients would tip him. So if you don't like this part this book might not be for you.
This book is about Melody Clarke, her mother gets married to Pop whom we know from other books. When she hears that Pop is somewhat bossy and manipulating about his granddaughters' love life and wants everybody to be married she says she is already engaged. Since she is single, she goes to Companions for Hire and makes a deal with Damian that they will pretend to be married for 6 months. Damian is kind, funny, intelligent, and kind of dreamy if you ask me :D Melody is not actually a control freak but she doesn't like to be not in control of the situation so sometimes things kind of get messy. It is what you expect. Even though Damien works for an escort company he says no sex involved. Not believable though, because in the past "the experience" includes sex if he wants to and both parties agreed. And clients would tip him. So if you don't like this part this book might not be for you.
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