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My Fake Husband Romance #1
I Do (Sorta)
A billionaire, a billboard, and a quest to find a wife.
My company’s board wants me to marry, but I’ve already tried that route. Women fall at my feet vying to become the next Mrs. Taylor, only they are always after one thing. The money. Instead of picking someone they want, I turn it into a game. My chosen bride will be placed on a budget with a strict set of rules. I have a year to turn a gold-digging diva into a domesticated housewife. What have I got to lose, besides true love?
*
*
*
Rich men are all the same and I want nothing to do with them. I left Texas to get away from my meddlesome mother and her dreams of me marrying old money. But the first thing I see in New York is a giant billboard sporting a billionaire looking for a wife, Bachelor style. I don’t find out my mother has filled out an application for me until I am chosen to come to Edward Taylor’s penthouse.
That’s when I realize my mother will never stop unless I do something drastic. If I ramp up my pageant persona there’s no way he’ll choose me to become his wife—and in the process, I’ll get my mother off my back about getting married while teaching this full of himself billionaire the way to a woman’s heart isn’t by hiring a billboard!
This romantic comedy is free from language, and graphic sexual content, and has mild Christian themes. Pick it up today!
My company’s board wants me to marry, but I’ve already tried that route. Women fall at my feet vying to become the next Mrs. Taylor, only they are always after one thing. The money. Instead of picking someone they want, I turn it into a game. My chosen bride will be placed on a budget with a strict set of rules. I have a year to turn a gold-digging diva into a domesticated housewife. What have I got to lose, besides true love?
*
*
*
Rich men are all the same and I want nothing to do with them. I left Texas to get away from my meddlesome mother and her dreams of me marrying old money. But the first thing I see in New York is a giant billboard sporting a billionaire looking for a wife, Bachelor style. I don’t find out my mother has filled out an application for me until I am chosen to come to Edward Taylor’s penthouse.
That’s when I realize my mother will never stop unless I do something drastic. If I ramp up my pageant persona there’s no way he’ll choose me to become his wife—and in the process, I’ll get my mother off my back about getting married while teaching this full of himself billionaire the way to a woman’s heart isn’t by hiring a billboard!
This romantic comedy is free from language, and graphic sexual content, and has mild Christian themes. Pick it up today!
215 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 4, 2020
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September 7, 2020
SPOILER WARNING!
I do enjoy a good marriage of convenience story and this one had the potential to be a 5 star if not for the fact that it was a clean romance and we didn’t get any sexy times in the sack, but overall I did enjoy it and that says a lot as I seem to be the queen of DNFs these days….
So our Hero, Edward, is a lonely Billionaire who has a major Manho BFF by the name of Jackson who will be the next Hero in this series. More on that later….. Anyway, Edward needs to get married to satisfy his Board of Directors who are pressuring him to marry his skanky ex GF to merge their companies but he wants nothing to do with that b*ch! Edward is lonely and tired of the gold-diggers who are always after him for his money. In his heart, he wants to find a good & decent woman to love and raise a family. However, since he doesn’t have any good prospects there and with his Board putting on the pressure of telling him whom to marry, he & Jackson (well…mostly Jackson! ) come up with a crazy plan for him to find his own woman to marry – one that he will not ever fall in love with and can divorce ASAP! They decide to place a Billboard Ad seeking a wife for Billionaire Edward – but the marriage will have a few stipulations!
The deal is that Edward would find the biggest gold-digger, have her marry him and get her to clean his house, cook his meals and curtail her spending so that she would want to walk away immediately and divorce him. 😝
“Jackson and I came up with a plan to find the biggest gold digger, have me marry her, and restrict everything about her that caused her to marry money in the first place.”
Also, the guys agreed that if by any rare chance Edward was to fall in love with his new wife, then he would give Jackson his prized Lamborghini. But if he didn’t and his wife left him, then Edward would put him up on a billboard of his own to find Jackson a permanent wife! (Guess who won the bet? 😂🤣)
“Jackson tricked us both. He was on the lookout for someone I would connect with. He said he knew you were more than what you seemed from the beginning. Don’t ask me how.”
So the guys invite several applicants of their choosing (one of which is our heroine) and Jackson pretends to be the waiter so that he can vet out which ones is a no/no for his friend. Enter Madison, our beautiful heroine who just moved from Texas to NY to get away from her marriage-minded Mother and to start her career as a Fashion Designer. Madison is a 20 something ex-model and just came out of a relationship a year ago when her ex fiancée left her for her bridesmaid. She is also down to earth and a virgin who is saving herself for marriage!
As she arrives in NY with her mother, they see Edward’s Ad and her mother secretly signs her up because she wants her daughter to marry into a rich family (even though they are rich themselves). Anyway, Madison finds out what her Mother did when she gets the invite to attend Edward’s party and decides to stick it to her Mother by going to the party and making herself seem as a money-grubbing gold-digger so that Edward doesn’t pick her!!
While there, she inserts herself into “helping” Jackson & Edward find him a wife but the plan somewhat goes awry when unbeknownst to her, Jackson gives her a drink and she passes out in his bathroom because she is allergic to alcohol and when the guys eventually find her there the next morning, they think she is dead!!!🤭
I moved through my bedroom with Jackson right behind me. The ringing stopped but we could call it again if we couldn’t locate the phone right away.
I opened the door without hesitation and stopped before moving through the door. Laying on a heap on my custom tiled floor was Madison. Her cheek resting on the hard stone, her fingers splayed, unmoving. I backed out quickly, my heart racing wildly at the scene I had just walked into.
“I think she’s dead,” I said, my voice cracking.
“Who’s dead?” Jackson asked in confusion.
“Madison.”
“Why, is there blood?”
I shook my head, swallowing. Jackson must not have seen her. “She’s lying lifeless on my floor right now. She didn’t go home last night.”
“You killed her?” Jackson’s voice was accusing, and I wondered if he was the friend who would help me bury a body.
“No, I didn’t kill her. I haven’t seen her since she slinked away from the party.”
“I thought you said you saw her leave.” Jackson accused me while backing away slowly.
“I didn’t see her. I heard her. It must have been someone else.”
Jackson studied me as if he didn’t believe me.
“Oh, come on. This is ridiculous. Why would I kill her?” He couldn’t really believe it was me, could he?
I shook my head as I walked in behind Jackson this time. Madison was still laying lifeless on the floor in the same dress she had worn last night. “What did you put in her drink?” I asked accusingly as we inched closer, bending down.
“I just gave her vodka,” he said defensively.
“Check for a pulse,” I said.
Jackson nodded as he slowly brought his fingers towards her body. I should be the one doing this. It was my penthouse and my future wife laying there. But Jackson had gotten me into this mess. He could get me out of it.
Instead of checking for a pulse, he poked her arm with his index finger.
“Is she stiff? Warm?”
“She’s warm still. She must have just died.” I shook myself out of the fog I was in. If she was warm, she wasn’t dead. That was good. I pushed him. “Check her pulse. If she’s in distress, we need to get her help.”
As Jackson poked her again, she stirred, groaning slightly. It scared us both. Jackson screamed and ran from the room. I followed closely behind, my pulse jumping.
“It’s okay. She’s not dead,” I said, as the worry melted from my body.
“How do you know. Maybe it was her dead body releasing air. I saw it on a forensic show once.”
I stared at him. “Or maybe she’s a zombie and we just started the apocalypse.”
Jackson shuddered and I laughed, shaking his shoulder. “Wake up man. She’s alive and well. We need to help her off that floor. She must have a killer cramp by now.”
“You go first. I’ll wait here,” he said.
I rolled my eyes, leaving Jackson in my room. I couldn’t believe I let him get me worked up over nothing.
As I opened the door again my heart wasn’t beating wildly because of a dead body, it was misbehaving in anticipation.
Edward decides Madison is the one for him (he actually chose her the first time he saw her picture) so he tracks her down & convinces her to marry him. However, Madison is not what he thought her to be which puts all his per-conceived ideas (and heart) in jeopardy. Bye Bye Lamborghini….!🤦
I really loved this story because all the characters were likable and our two MCs had major chemistry. They just fit IMO. Author did a good job of making me believe that these two were meant to be for each other right from the start and it only got better and better from there. The amount of humor and witty come-backs from all three (yes, you gotta love our BFF Jackson!) was worth staying up late to finish it!
Safety:
Safe. No cheating or sex with OP.
OW Drama – Not really. Hero is not a Manwhore. He said he was celibate for some time & he has a bitch of an ex that he dated for a month but he never slept with her. This woman tries to come between them a time or two but Edward shuts her down. He only wants her Father’s company to merge their companies together.
OM Drama – None. Jackson has a major crush on her but he doesn’t do anything. He is very supportive of them both. Also, heroine was engaged a year prior but her fiancée left her for her bridesmaid and she was hurt because he loved & trusted this dude but is completely over him. She also never slept with the OM & is still a virgin because she was waiting for marriage.
Other info: This is a clean romance as I said with no sex scenes (they are done off-page). There is also a mild Christian theme such as heroine saying a silent prayer at dinner & mentioning God once or twice & going to church, but no religious undertones in your face which I am so grateful for as I loathe books where an author tries to ram their religious beliefs in your face – whether you agree with them or not. In fact, I am of the opinion that religion has no place in romances – as they don’t in politics! So knock it off authors!
Honestly though, it was a hoot to read this and I highly recommend if you are tired of all the crappy reads and just want something that will put a smile on your face at the end of it!.
Epilogue also has Edward & Madison helping Jackson with his Wife search Ad which was a hoot because Manho Jackson has many, many, many angry women he “dated” in the past answering his Ad and what they think of him! He also has a past HS love that shaped him to why he is a player and it is a bit heart ranching. The next book is about Jackson & Anna’s story of how she became pregnant with OM’s child before meeting Jackson & they fell in love but she gave away her kid to adoption and left Jackson in her rear view mirror. As much as I loved this story, not sure if I want to read Jackson’s – even though I adored him here! Here’s the link to his story - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08GQG4PLK
“I knew I wouldn’t be able to sleep unless I got it cleaned up. I didn’t dare go into your bedroom though. If you’d like I can go tidy it up for you now.” I slid the empty plate of food away.
“No,” he said a little too forcefully. “I’ll take care of my own bedroom. You’ll just be in charge of all the other areas.”
“It’s a deal,” I said then stood, grabbing his plate and placing it in the sink with my own. “Are we still going to go to my place and bring my stuff over?”
“Honestly I thought moving your stuff and cleaning this place up would occupy most of our time.”
“I’m glad I cleaned up last night then. I’ll have time to run down to the grocery and pick some things up. Especially if I’m expected to make dinner tonight.”
He looked a little guilty for making me do all this work on what was essentially our honeymoon. Good. Let him feel it. He was more chauvinistic than I thought he would be. I’d need to put up some clear boundaries if he ever wanted me to do anything I wasn’t comfortable with. For now, I was glad I could show him who I really was. I wondered if we would ever get to a point where I felt comfortable enough telling him the truth about the application that was filled out, not by me. I would let him think it had been my idea. Then I wondered if I’d ever get the guts to tell my mother I was now Mrs. Edward Taylor. That interaction was something I’d be willing to postpone indefinitely.
---
“Then how did you get on the list? Those questions were very invasive. There was no way you just slipped in.”
“My mom.”
He rolled his eyes, bringing me closer to him, squeezing me tightly. “That explains so much. But, why would she do that to you? And why would you agree to it all? Not that I’m complaining.”
“Because if I didn’t, there was no way she was going to stop nagging me about marriage. And I knew there was no way you would choose me because I was going to show that full of himself billionaire I was only in it for the fame and fortune. Jackson kind of messed it up when he tried to kill me though.”
I do enjoy a good marriage of convenience story and this one had the potential to be a 5 star if not for the fact that it was a clean romance and we didn’t get any sexy times in the sack, but overall I did enjoy it and that says a lot as I seem to be the queen of DNFs these days….
So our Hero, Edward, is a lonely Billionaire who has a major Manho BFF by the name of Jackson who will be the next Hero in this series. More on that later….. Anyway, Edward needs to get married to satisfy his Board of Directors who are pressuring him to marry his skanky ex GF to merge their companies but he wants nothing to do with that b*ch! Edward is lonely and tired of the gold-diggers who are always after him for his money. In his heart, he wants to find a good & decent woman to love and raise a family. However, since he doesn’t have any good prospects there and with his Board putting on the pressure of telling him whom to marry, he & Jackson (well…mostly Jackson! ) come up with a crazy plan for him to find his own woman to marry – one that he will not ever fall in love with and can divorce ASAP! They decide to place a Billboard Ad seeking a wife for Billionaire Edward – but the marriage will have a few stipulations!
The deal is that Edward would find the biggest gold-digger, have her marry him and get her to clean his house, cook his meals and curtail her spending so that she would want to walk away immediately and divorce him. 😝
“Jackson and I came up with a plan to find the biggest gold digger, have me marry her, and restrict everything about her that caused her to marry money in the first place.”
Also, the guys agreed that if by any rare chance Edward was to fall in love with his new wife, then he would give Jackson his prized Lamborghini. But if he didn’t and his wife left him, then Edward would put him up on a billboard of his own to find Jackson a permanent wife! (Guess who won the bet? 😂🤣)
“Jackson tricked us both. He was on the lookout for someone I would connect with. He said he knew you were more than what you seemed from the beginning. Don’t ask me how.”
So the guys invite several applicants of their choosing (one of which is our heroine) and Jackson pretends to be the waiter so that he can vet out which ones is a no/no for his friend. Enter Madison, our beautiful heroine who just moved from Texas to NY to get away from her marriage-minded Mother and to start her career as a Fashion Designer. Madison is a 20 something ex-model and just came out of a relationship a year ago when her ex fiancée left her for her bridesmaid. She is also down to earth and a virgin who is saving herself for marriage!
As she arrives in NY with her mother, they see Edward’s Ad and her mother secretly signs her up because she wants her daughter to marry into a rich family (even though they are rich themselves). Anyway, Madison finds out what her Mother did when she gets the invite to attend Edward’s party and decides to stick it to her Mother by going to the party and making herself seem as a money-grubbing gold-digger so that Edward doesn’t pick her!!
While there, she inserts herself into “helping” Jackson & Edward find him a wife but the plan somewhat goes awry when unbeknownst to her, Jackson gives her a drink and she passes out in his bathroom because she is allergic to alcohol and when the guys eventually find her there the next morning, they think she is dead!!!🤭
I moved through my bedroom with Jackson right behind me. The ringing stopped but we could call it again if we couldn’t locate the phone right away.
I opened the door without hesitation and stopped before moving through the door. Laying on a heap on my custom tiled floor was Madison. Her cheek resting on the hard stone, her fingers splayed, unmoving. I backed out quickly, my heart racing wildly at the scene I had just walked into.
“I think she’s dead,” I said, my voice cracking.
“Who’s dead?” Jackson asked in confusion.
“Madison.”
“Why, is there blood?”
I shook my head, swallowing. Jackson must not have seen her. “She’s lying lifeless on my floor right now. She didn’t go home last night.”
“You killed her?” Jackson’s voice was accusing, and I wondered if he was the friend who would help me bury a body.
“No, I didn’t kill her. I haven’t seen her since she slinked away from the party.”
“I thought you said you saw her leave.” Jackson accused me while backing away slowly.
“I didn’t see her. I heard her. It must have been someone else.”
Jackson studied me as if he didn’t believe me.
“Oh, come on. This is ridiculous. Why would I kill her?” He couldn’t really believe it was me, could he?
I shook my head as I walked in behind Jackson this time. Madison was still laying lifeless on the floor in the same dress she had worn last night. “What did you put in her drink?” I asked accusingly as we inched closer, bending down.
“I just gave her vodka,” he said defensively.
“Check for a pulse,” I said.
Jackson nodded as he slowly brought his fingers towards her body. I should be the one doing this. It was my penthouse and my future wife laying there. But Jackson had gotten me into this mess. He could get me out of it.
Instead of checking for a pulse, he poked her arm with his index finger.
“Is she stiff? Warm?”
“She’s warm still. She must have just died.” I shook myself out of the fog I was in. If she was warm, she wasn’t dead. That was good. I pushed him. “Check her pulse. If she’s in distress, we need to get her help.”
As Jackson poked her again, she stirred, groaning slightly. It scared us both. Jackson screamed and ran from the room. I followed closely behind, my pulse jumping.
“It’s okay. She’s not dead,” I said, as the worry melted from my body.
“How do you know. Maybe it was her dead body releasing air. I saw it on a forensic show once.”
I stared at him. “Or maybe she’s a zombie and we just started the apocalypse.”
Jackson shuddered and I laughed, shaking his shoulder. “Wake up man. She’s alive and well. We need to help her off that floor. She must have a killer cramp by now.”
“You go first. I’ll wait here,” he said.
I rolled my eyes, leaving Jackson in my room. I couldn’t believe I let him get me worked up over nothing.
As I opened the door again my heart wasn’t beating wildly because of a dead body, it was misbehaving in anticipation.
Edward decides Madison is the one for him (he actually chose her the first time he saw her picture) so he tracks her down & convinces her to marry him. However, Madison is not what he thought her to be which puts all his per-conceived ideas (and heart) in jeopardy. Bye Bye Lamborghini….!🤦
I really loved this story because all the characters were likable and our two MCs had major chemistry. They just fit IMO. Author did a good job of making me believe that these two were meant to be for each other right from the start and it only got better and better from there. The amount of humor and witty come-backs from all three (yes, you gotta love our BFF Jackson!) was worth staying up late to finish it!
Safety:
Safe. No cheating or sex with OP.
OW Drama – Not really. Hero is not a Manwhore. He said he was celibate for some time & he has a bitch of an ex that he dated for a month but he never slept with her. This woman tries to come between them a time or two but Edward shuts her down. He only wants her Father’s company to merge their companies together.
OM Drama – None. Jackson has a major crush on her but he doesn’t do anything. He is very supportive of them both. Also, heroine was engaged a year prior but her fiancée left her for her bridesmaid and she was hurt because he loved & trusted this dude but is completely over him. She also never slept with the OM & is still a virgin because she was waiting for marriage.
Other info: This is a clean romance as I said with no sex scenes (they are done off-page). There is also a mild Christian theme such as heroine saying a silent prayer at dinner & mentioning God once or twice & going to church, but no religious undertones in your face which I am so grateful for as I loathe books where an author tries to ram their religious beliefs in your face – whether you agree with them or not. In fact, I am of the opinion that religion has no place in romances – as they don’t in politics! So knock it off authors!
Honestly though, it was a hoot to read this and I highly recommend if you are tired of all the crappy reads and just want something that will put a smile on your face at the end of it!.
Epilogue also has Edward & Madison helping Jackson with his Wife search Ad which was a hoot because Manho Jackson has many, many, many angry women he “dated” in the past answering his Ad and what they think of him! He also has a past HS love that shaped him to why he is a player and it is a bit heart ranching. The next book is about Jackson & Anna’s story of how she became pregnant with OM’s child before meeting Jackson & they fell in love but she gave away her kid to adoption and left Jackson in her rear view mirror. As much as I loved this story, not sure if I want to read Jackson’s – even though I adored him here! Here’s the link to his story - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08GQG4PLK
“I knew I wouldn’t be able to sleep unless I got it cleaned up. I didn’t dare go into your bedroom though. If you’d like I can go tidy it up for you now.” I slid the empty plate of food away.
“No,” he said a little too forcefully. “I’ll take care of my own bedroom. You’ll just be in charge of all the other areas.”
“It’s a deal,” I said then stood, grabbing his plate and placing it in the sink with my own. “Are we still going to go to my place and bring my stuff over?”
“Honestly I thought moving your stuff and cleaning this place up would occupy most of our time.”
“I’m glad I cleaned up last night then. I’ll have time to run down to the grocery and pick some things up. Especially if I’m expected to make dinner tonight.”
He looked a little guilty for making me do all this work on what was essentially our honeymoon. Good. Let him feel it. He was more chauvinistic than I thought he would be. I’d need to put up some clear boundaries if he ever wanted me to do anything I wasn’t comfortable with. For now, I was glad I could show him who I really was. I wondered if we would ever get to a point where I felt comfortable enough telling him the truth about the application that was filled out, not by me. I would let him think it had been my idea. Then I wondered if I’d ever get the guts to tell my mother I was now Mrs. Edward Taylor. That interaction was something I’d be willing to postpone indefinitely.
---
“Then how did you get on the list? Those questions were very invasive. There was no way you just slipped in.”
“My mom.”
He rolled his eyes, bringing me closer to him, squeezing me tightly. “That explains so much. But, why would she do that to you? And why would you agree to it all? Not that I’m complaining.”
“Because if I didn’t, there was no way she was going to stop nagging me about marriage. And I knew there was no way you would choose me because I was going to show that full of himself billionaire I was only in it for the fame and fortune. Jackson kind of messed it up when he tried to kill me though.”
June 8, 2021
I came across the wonderful story when a friend recommended it and can I just say, I LOVE this book. I enjoyed every single second of reading it. I laughed out loud more than once (the bathroom scene- don't worry it's appropriate), like the laugh out loud that is really loud. On top of it being such a fun story to read it also has all the chemistry you could want. Madison and Edward's story is charming, heartwarming, and one that I could not put down. I had to see how the story came together.
Madison is the girl who wants to take charge of her life, find her own way into the industry that she loves and enjoy life. Edward has the life people dream of, but he also has trustees breathing down his neck, so with the help of his friend Jackson (who is hilarious by the way) they come up with a crazy plan and go for it. Thanks to family, Madison finds herself in the middle of the crazy plan and it just gets better and better from there.
Johanna Evelyn did a great job at writing fun and interesting characters who brought a smile to my face at the turn of every page. She wrote witty dialogue that just kept going and was a blast to read. From the moment Madison walks into Edward's apartment and she interacts with Jackson I was all in for the ride. This has been one of my favorite reads of the year!
Madison is the girl who wants to take charge of her life, find her own way into the industry that she loves and enjoy life. Edward has the life people dream of, but he also has trustees breathing down his neck, so with the help of his friend Jackson (who is hilarious by the way) they come up with a crazy plan and go for it. Thanks to family, Madison finds herself in the middle of the crazy plan and it just gets better and better from there.
Johanna Evelyn did a great job at writing fun and interesting characters who brought a smile to my face at the turn of every page. She wrote witty dialogue that just kept going and was a blast to read. From the moment Madison walks into Edward's apartment and she interacts with Jackson I was all in for the ride. This has been one of my favorite reads of the year!
March 4, 2021
Meh. I don’t like the “Making Assumptions and Not Communicating Like Adults” trope, so that brought this down a tad. Also, I prefer when my Christian romances actually have God in them and not just in a cameo role. It was mentioned enough to boot a friend who read this out of the book, but wasn’t really fleshed out enough for me to feel real, so it was Luke warm, not hot or cold. For example, she did remote church and volunteered at a battered woman’s shelter, but it wasn’t SHOWN. If we had a few scenes showing that side of her, it would have been possible to cut out at least ONE of the Big Misunderstandings and still get the same page count.
Another thing that got me was the time passing wasn’t really explained well. Just “a few months had passed”. There really wasn’t enough bulk to the story to get the feel of that time. And also, why did she wait MONTHS to bring him to meet her family and if her mom was so darn pushy, I don’t believe for a SECOND that she wouldn’t have flown to NY to see her daughter and new son-in-law.
I was hoping Jasmine would be the one to reform Jackson, but no, that was not to be. It would be cool to have her story, starting from just before she filled out the application and seeing the dinner party from her POV. She seemed like a nice character I would like to read more about. A shame she and Madison didn’t become friends, maybe meeting at the women’s shelter as volunteers.
And WOW Jackson was an @SS. The guy has issues, yeah, but WOW. He was SUCH a man-ho. I guess he learns his lesson in the next book, so redemption arc, but that’s a tough row to plow.
I ended up wanting a LOT more from this book then I got. 3, Not bad, but I was hoping for more, stars.
Another thing that got me was the time passing wasn’t really explained well. Just “a few months had passed”. There really wasn’t enough bulk to the story to get the feel of that time. And also, why did she wait MONTHS to bring him to meet her family and if her mom was so darn pushy, I don’t believe for a SECOND that she wouldn’t have flown to NY to see her daughter and new son-in-law.
I was hoping Jasmine would be the one to reform Jackson, but no, that was not to be. It would be cool to have her story, starting from just before she filled out the application and seeing the dinner party from her POV. She seemed like a nice character I would like to read more about. A shame she and Madison didn’t become friends, maybe meeting at the women’s shelter as volunteers.
And WOW Jackson was an @SS. The guy has issues, yeah, but WOW. He was SUCH a man-ho. I guess he learns his lesson in the next book, so redemption arc, but that’s a tough row to plow.
I ended up wanting a LOT more from this book then I got. 3, Not bad, but I was hoping for more, stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 16, 2020
A fun and flirty book
This was a fun book that had characters who were not perfect. We also had a woman that had a personal conviction because of her faith. But I think it was well written in the fact that she lived her belief without being preachy and expecting others to live the same standards that she had. It turns me off on a book when I feel like I am getting preached at. So I appreciated this. Also, although the characters made a couple stupid decisions there poor choices didn’t define them. They were people with good hearts that I loved. I’m excited for Jackson’s story. While the author listed many people as not liking Jackson hell I loved him. Not because he was a player but because the good in him was apparent. So it doesn’t surprise me one bit that he will get a redemption story.
This was a fun book that had characters who were not perfect. We also had a woman that had a personal conviction because of her faith. But I think it was well written in the fact that she lived her belief without being preachy and expecting others to live the same standards that she had. It turns me off on a book when I feel like I am getting preached at. So I appreciated this. Also, although the characters made a couple stupid decisions there poor choices didn’t define them. They were people with good hearts that I loved. I’m excited for Jackson’s story. While the author listed many people as not liking Jackson hell I loved him. Not because he was a player but because the good in him was apparent. So it doesn’t surprise me one bit that he will get a redemption story.
November 12, 2021
I picked up this book wanting to sample the billionaire and fake relationship tropes without wanting too much steam (though there are some hot kisses!) and this book completely matched those expectations.
December 24, 2020
DNF 35%
None of this made sense. I gave up when Edward said, "I want the outside world to think we’re a real couple. If I don’t start now, I’m afraid I’ll slip up when we’re in public." What? He found his bride by a bachelor contest advertised on a billboard in times square and is marrying her after one day! I also got angry that madison said it was her fault that she asked for water and Jackson gave her vodka. I'd be beyond angry if someone did that and I could have died as a result.
None of this made sense. I gave up when Edward said, "I want the outside world to think we’re a real couple. If I don’t start now, I’m afraid I’ll slip up when we’re in public." What? He found his bride by a bachelor contest advertised on a billboard in times square and is marrying her after one day! I also got angry that madison said it was her fault that she asked for water and Jackson gave her vodka. I'd be beyond angry if someone did that and I could have died as a result.
September 6, 2020
(3.5 stars) - entertaining though uneven
This is one of those books that's really enjoyable if you're willing to overlook its weaknesses.
(warning - some spoilers ahead)
Sure, the premise sounded unbelievable, but it did sound like it could be fun. It hinted a bit at a "Taming of the Shrew" flavor - I love that politically incorrect story. And it was amusing, for the most part, though the plot was a little fuzzy & inconsistent in its details & implementation.
The beginning with the explanation of the plan is confusing, & I ended up reading it twice trying to figure out the logic. It didn't help much, but I was willing to let it go.
It really speaks to the strength of the character depictions & development how much I liked them even with the little inconsistencies that kept popping up.
Madison's reason for going to the group date is weak & then her acceptance of Edward's proposal isn't that clear, either.
His later attempt at piling on house chores & cooking is funny when it doesn't have the effect he expects, but I was puzzled by her easy, unquestioning acceptance of his blatantly testing her. It would have been better for the reader to be told earlier about how she'd been raised & how she liked to relieve stress by cleaning because I found myself getting angry with Edward on her behalf since she was working full-time & not acting like a gold digger at all.
She shouldn't have blatantly lied about going to the luncheons. And Christians are much more likely to be squirrelly about the truth than to flat out lie. But why would Patricia insist on Madison being there except to cause trouble? Why would Edward, who had to know that + knows what a conniving witch she is, put Madison in such a position? That part didn't make sense either.
One kiss does not an illicit affair make - especially in artificial upper crust NYC, and "I chose wrong" was too vague to assume the worst without waiting to hear the rest, even viewing it as a trigger, so the conflict felt too contrived.
So regrettably, that's a lot of criticism & it may sound like there's not much going for the book, yet I still found myself liking it. I'm mainly just frustrated with the parts that I would have at least expected beta readers to catch.
I did enjoy seeing Edward & Madison interacting with the characters from "The Billionaire's Secret" in their happily-ever-afters (such a good book!)
And I also liked Jackson & look forward to his redemption in the next book!
*Romance level: passionate kisses, fade out to bedroom for a married couple, nothing graphic
*Religion: very minor talk of attending church, not organic to the story though not at all preachy, main characters tell several lies & half truths
*A little more editing issues than average but should only bother editing nazis
This is one of those books that's really enjoyable if you're willing to overlook its weaknesses.
(warning - some spoilers ahead)
Sure, the premise sounded unbelievable, but it did sound like it could be fun. It hinted a bit at a "Taming of the Shrew" flavor - I love that politically incorrect story. And it was amusing, for the most part, though the plot was a little fuzzy & inconsistent in its details & implementation.
The beginning with the explanation of the plan is confusing, & I ended up reading it twice trying to figure out the logic. It didn't help much, but I was willing to let it go.
It really speaks to the strength of the character depictions & development how much I liked them even with the little inconsistencies that kept popping up.
Madison's reason for going to the group date is weak & then her acceptance of Edward's proposal isn't that clear, either.
His later attempt at piling on house chores & cooking is funny when it doesn't have the effect he expects, but I was puzzled by her easy, unquestioning acceptance of his blatantly testing her. It would have been better for the reader to be told earlier about how she'd been raised & how she liked to relieve stress by cleaning because I found myself getting angry with Edward on her behalf since she was working full-time & not acting like a gold digger at all.
She shouldn't have blatantly lied about going to the luncheons. And Christians are much more likely to be squirrelly about the truth than to flat out lie. But why would Patricia insist on Madison being there except to cause trouble? Why would Edward, who had to know that + knows what a conniving witch she is, put Madison in such a position? That part didn't make sense either.
One kiss does not an illicit affair make - especially in artificial upper crust NYC, and "I chose wrong" was too vague to assume the worst without waiting to hear the rest, even viewing it as a trigger, so the conflict felt too contrived.
So regrettably, that's a lot of criticism & it may sound like there's not much going for the book, yet I still found myself liking it. I'm mainly just frustrated with the parts that I would have at least expected beta readers to catch.
I did enjoy seeing Edward & Madison interacting with the characters from "The Billionaire's Secret" in their happily-ever-afters (such a good book!)
And I also liked Jackson & look forward to his redemption in the next book!
*Romance level: passionate kisses, fade out to bedroom for a married couple, nothing graphic
*Religion: very minor talk of attending church, not organic to the story though not at all preachy, main characters tell several lies & half truths
*A little more editing issues than average but should only bother editing nazis
February 26, 2024
I Do (Sorta) by Johanna Evelyn
Sooo I might have read this book like 5 times...Obviously, I enjoyed it and finished each time.
*Spoiler!!*
The story follows Madison, a single woman who moves to New York City in hopes of becoming a fashion designer. Her mom signs her up for a billboard that claims billionaire Edward Taylor is looking for a wife. So she goes to the event and ends up being picked by Edward. The story mostly revolves around their relationship and their getting to know each other.
Edward: is looking for a wife because of his company's demands. He expects to get a gold digger looking for money and nothing else. His plan is to limit her freedom and make her take care of the house. Well, Madison does all of this so he keeps trying to find her flaw or expose her for what he thinks she really is.
Madison: kind of broken hearted as her last fiance ditched her for a bridesmaid (messed up!). She doesn't tell her mom what she wants to do because her mom is kind of pushy and wants her to be a model and marry up. When Madison becomes the wife to Edward, they have to figure out how to be friends and how they should appear in public.
- One thing, Madison is a Christian so there are Chrisitan values: like waiting for marriage before sex and praying at meals. Other than that (and trying to find a Church) there is not really any Christian themes.
Sooo I might have read this book like 5 times...Obviously, I enjoyed it and finished each time.
*Spoiler!!*
The story follows Madison, a single woman who moves to New York City in hopes of becoming a fashion designer. Her mom signs her up for a billboard that claims billionaire Edward Taylor is looking for a wife. So she goes to the event and ends up being picked by Edward. The story mostly revolves around their relationship and their getting to know each other.
Edward: is looking for a wife because of his company's demands. He expects to get a gold digger looking for money and nothing else. His plan is to limit her freedom and make her take care of the house. Well, Madison does all of this so he keeps trying to find her flaw or expose her for what he thinks she really is.
Madison: kind of broken hearted as her last fiance ditched her for a bridesmaid (messed up!). She doesn't tell her mom what she wants to do because her mom is kind of pushy and wants her to be a model and marry up. When Madison becomes the wife to Edward, they have to figure out how to be friends and how they should appear in public.
- One thing, Madison is a Christian so there are Chrisitan values: like waiting for marriage before sex and praying at meals. Other than that (and trying to find a Church) there is not really any Christian themes.
November 26, 2021
As much as I tried I just couldn’t buy this plot line. I’m all for the “marriage of convenience” tropes but this one was insane. I understand why Edward felt the need the marry someone (for the sake of his company & also to get his friend back out into the dating world) but Madison had absolutely nothing to gain. Aside from her mothers approval that she couldn’t care less about, she was working at a loss.
She had a job she loved, was paid well and had a nice apartment so it made absolutely no sense for her to agree to marry a complete stranger. Why would she even accept the invitation knowing that her mother applied for her. Her reasons for attending make even less sense. Due to this very stupid plot line, I couldn’t connect with the characters in this story.
There were some bits I did enjoy though. Edward was romantic at times and had some cutesy moments with Madison but overall this one gave me a headache. Just a bunch of adults making some idiotic decisions.
Content: Clean, Mild innuendo
She had a job she loved, was paid well and had a nice apartment so it made absolutely no sense for her to agree to marry a complete stranger. Why would she even accept the invitation knowing that her mother applied for her. Her reasons for attending make even less sense. Due to this very stupid plot line, I couldn’t connect with the characters in this story.
There were some bits I did enjoy though. Edward was romantic at times and had some cutesy moments with Madison but overall this one gave me a headache. Just a bunch of adults making some idiotic decisions.
Content: Clean, Mild innuendo
September 10, 2020
Marvelous take on a new trope
This is the first book I have read by this author, but it will not be the last. I had already read a story about a billionaire advertising for a wife on a billboard and wanted to see if this was a copy cat or the same story and it was in Kindle Unlimited. The first had been amazing and heartwarming.
This turned out to be a different, albeit as equally enthralling, story and the author explained how she got the idea, which I surmise will lead to many more, hence my category of “new trope.”
Beguiling, well developed characters in a smoothly flowing storyline. Johanna Evelyn is a seriously talented author who uses better than average vocabulary and storytelling. She made me care about the characters (except the mother) and gave some perceptive hints on Jackson’s true character. Can’t wait for that story. Would also like to read a story about Madison’s younger sister.
This is the first book I have read by this author, but it will not be the last. I had already read a story about a billionaire advertising for a wife on a billboard and wanted to see if this was a copy cat or the same story and it was in Kindle Unlimited. The first had been amazing and heartwarming.
This turned out to be a different, albeit as equally enthralling, story and the author explained how she got the idea, which I surmise will lead to many more, hence my category of “new trope.”
Beguiling, well developed characters in a smoothly flowing storyline. Johanna Evelyn is a seriously talented author who uses better than average vocabulary and storytelling. She made me care about the characters (except the mother) and gave some perceptive hints on Jackson’s true character. Can’t wait for that story. Would also like to read a story about Madison’s younger sister.
September 24, 2020
Cute, fun read
I enjoyed this story. I would have given 4 stars, but there were several timing issues that bothered me and brought me out of the story.
For example, she got to NY and started working and then was late the next day. Her bosses seemed to be too good of friends after such short acquaintance and they were more concerned and forgiving that reality would suggest. They also gave her two weeks off after only working a day and a half which isn't realistic. So the firmness of their friendship without really spending time together was off.
Also Edward bought her a design studio but in the paragraphs just before mentioning that he was debating about doing something nice for her and if he should rent a place or not, then he comes home and they go out to dinner and he had already bought the place and had the keys.
There were many such instances which would have been easily fixed with a good editor.
Overall though, I did enjoy the story.
I enjoyed this story. I would have given 4 stars, but there were several timing issues that bothered me and brought me out of the story.
For example, she got to NY and started working and then was late the next day. Her bosses seemed to be too good of friends after such short acquaintance and they were more concerned and forgiving that reality would suggest. They also gave her two weeks off after only working a day and a half which isn't realistic. So the firmness of their friendship without really spending time together was off.
Also Edward bought her a design studio but in the paragraphs just before mentioning that he was debating about doing something nice for her and if he should rent a place or not, then he comes home and they go out to dinner and he had already bought the place and had the keys.
There were many such instances which would have been easily fixed with a good editor.
Overall though, I did enjoy the story.
February 17, 2021
Marriage of convenience with some transition issues
I liked this story a lot. I read it in a day. I don't know if my reader's amnesia is getting that bad, but I kept feeling like I missed part of the story. At the beginning of the book, she's been in New York for only a couple of days and then suddenly she's a month in. There were a couple of timing issues in the story that creates some plot gaps for me. Also, I didn't think that there was a strong case for why Madison would enter a marriage of convenience (at least in the beginning). Ultimately, I kept re-reading parts of the story because there were some parts that felt disconnected.
Content: Clean, closed door romance. Kissing and innuendo
Language: Clean
Religious: This is a Christian story with a few religious themes, nothing preachy.
Happy reading!!
I liked this story a lot. I read it in a day. I don't know if my reader's amnesia is getting that bad, but I kept feeling like I missed part of the story. At the beginning of the book, she's been in New York for only a couple of days and then suddenly she's a month in. There were a couple of timing issues in the story that creates some plot gaps for me. Also, I didn't think that there was a strong case for why Madison would enter a marriage of convenience (at least in the beginning). Ultimately, I kept re-reading parts of the story because there were some parts that felt disconnected.
Content: Clean, closed door romance. Kissing and innuendo
Language: Clean
Religious: This is a Christian story with a few religious themes, nothing preachy.
Happy reading!!
September 5, 2020
I enjoyed this good clean romance; Edward, the billionaire, picks a unique way to find a wife, on a billboard. Madison's mother wants her to marry money, so she applies to be his wife unbeknownst to Madison and she is surprised when she is invited to the party to meet him. She's sick of her mother's interference and decides to act opposite of what she thinks Edward would want (gold digger), not knowing he has a bet with his best friend to pick a gold digger make demands such as cleaning, cooking, and a limited budget, to see if see runs or falls in love. If she runs Jackson, his best friend, must do the billboard wife ad, if he loses, he loses his Lamborghini to Jackson
It is a well written story with well-developed characters, and I would recommend it. I look forward to Jackson's story.
It is a well written story with well-developed characters, and I would recommend it. I look forward to Jackson's story.
July 20, 2021
👌👌
I could not find a good page to truly sink myself into, during the beginning stages of this novel. I like to imagine it in my mind as a movie as the pages turn; however, I never could find footing to actually get that started here with this story.
This novel had a lot of good moments, a lot of sweet moments; BUT it also had lot of just okay moments and just a sliver of the romance that the title implied. However, even though there were times when it would lull, I never pondered choosing another novel for immediately something would grab my attention again. There was always something slightly spicy or mysterious which would reel me back in to stick by the side of this author.
I could not find a good page to truly sink myself into, during the beginning stages of this novel. I like to imagine it in my mind as a movie as the pages turn; however, I never could find footing to actually get that started here with this story.
This novel had a lot of good moments, a lot of sweet moments; BUT it also had lot of just okay moments and just a sliver of the romance that the title implied. However, even though there were times when it would lull, I never pondered choosing another novel for immediately something would grab my attention again. There was always something slightly spicy or mysterious which would reel me back in to stick by the side of this author.
November 22, 2021
This was a cute, quick, clean, yet somewhat unbelievable read. I’m not a huge fan of books where single hot billionaires are a dime dozen. There were a lot of references to Paige and her story (I assume she has her own book) which made me feel like I was missing something. Pretty sure there is no way that one one’s second day of a new job they’d 1. Be okay that your very late to work and 2. Give you two weeks off to go on a honeymoon. I felt that Madison’s job was too good to be true. There is a bunch of talk about Madison’s mom but then no follow through. I was hoping the main conflict would involve Madison’s family somehow rather than the cliché eavesdropping misunderstanding. Contains: kisses and some references to religion.
September 5, 2020
A very cute story.
Edward is forced by the board to get married, he and his friend come up with a plan of placing an ad on the billboard sporting Edward's need for a wife. Madison unexpectedly ends up being one of the applicants and from there the story rolls on. Madison is sweet, kind hearted person. I loved the way her character was portrayed. Edward was complex it was fun watching him accept his feeling for Madison. I really loved the chemistry between Edward and Madison. The writing was beautiful. I could really connect with the characters. It was very sweet and had me swooning. A very good book for someone who is looking for a light read.
Edward is forced by the board to get married, he and his friend come up with a plan of placing an ad on the billboard sporting Edward's need for a wife. Madison unexpectedly ends up being one of the applicants and from there the story rolls on. Madison is sweet, kind hearted person. I loved the way her character was portrayed. Edward was complex it was fun watching him accept his feeling for Madison. I really loved the chemistry between Edward and Madison. The writing was beautiful. I could really connect with the characters. It was very sweet and had me swooning. A very good book for someone who is looking for a light read.
September 15, 2020
It was solidly near ok territory. I didn't realize it was a christian/clean romance. But I mean you get the hint pretty quick, with all the not so subtle nods to god/straying from the path/staying pure. Religion takes the space where other authors would have found space for humor and chemistry. It's a bummer that Madison's character development gets shoved, not even on a back burner- it goes straight to a freezer, once she starts having feelings for Edward.
I don't really understand why clean/christian reads have to be synonymous with bland. Or perpetuate... let's say less than positive clichés about women.
I don't really understand why clean/christian reads have to be synonymous with bland. Or perpetuate... let's say less than positive clichés about women.
Read
September 25, 2020A fun read
An interesting concept, putting up a billboard sign for a wife.
To be honest I wasn’t sure what I was in for when I started to read this book but I can tell you it was a fun ride.
The characters had lots of depth and drew you to them. Some even made me want to scratch their eyes out, only kidding.....?
The story was well written and kept me turning pages. I can’t wait for the next one in this series, it sounds so good
An interesting concept, putting up a billboard sign for a wife.
To be honest I wasn’t sure what I was in for when I started to read this book but I can tell you it was a fun ride.
The characters had lots of depth and drew you to them. Some even made me want to scratch their eyes out, only kidding.....?
The story was well written and kept me turning pages. I can’t wait for the next one in this series, it sounds so good
September 4, 2020
Wonderful characters and storyline. Edward and Madison are complex people. Edward goes into finding a wife in a very interesting manner. Madison goes along with things for her own reasons. They have so much to learn about each other and themselves. I highly recommend this book.
I received a free copy of this book and this is my voluntary, honest review.
I received a free copy of this book and this is my voluntary, honest review.
September 8, 2020
Funny, realistic. Funny how he expects to find a bride realistic because he wants someone to love him, not his clothes. He and his friend think they have his problem solved, but she is too good to be true. Everything wants his money, not him. So he comes up for jobs for her to do. Cleaning and cooking, give parties etc. He doesn't know it, but she loves to do that
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 17, 2020
Cute, clean read, 3.5 stars
I liked the idea behind this story and I liked Madison. There was a lot of miscommunication between the couple that got a bit frustrating. There was also a couple of parts where the story jumped around making it confusing. Overall the characters and plot was enjoyable.
I liked the idea behind this story and I liked Madison. There was a lot of miscommunication between the couple that got a bit frustrating. There was also a couple of parts where the story jumped around making it confusing. Overall the characters and plot was enjoyable.
September 22, 2020
I Do (Sorta) is a fun start to a new series. Edward and Madison are likeable characters. The premise of the book is that Edward needs to find a wife. Madison's mother enters her into the contest to become the wife of the billionaire. What happens when the fake marriage starts to feel real? I appreciate that this was a clean/Christian book. Looking forward to the rest of the series.
November 25, 2020
3.5 stars
I love a fake marriage storyline, but this just wasn’t what I was hoping for. The friendship between Jackson and Edward was strange and often didn’t make sense. The love match was okay, but Madison was too quick to forgive.
This story was clean with an HEA. The book ends as the characters lead into the next story
I love a fake marriage storyline, but this just wasn’t what I was hoping for. The friendship between Jackson and Edward was strange and often didn’t make sense. The love match was okay, but Madison was too quick to forgive.
This story was clean with an HEA. The book ends as the characters lead into the next story
September 6, 2020
Good
I really enjoyed this book. It had enough depth of character to engage with, and a realistic ish development of the relationship. I like the 'nice' group of characters as well. A great read.
I really enjoyed this book. It had enough depth of character to engage with, and a realistic ish development of the relationship. I like the 'nice' group of characters as well. A great read.
September 11, 2020
Excellent!
What a fun book to read! First it makes you mad and you think only a man would pull a crazy stunt like this! But keep reading - the characters are great, the love story is really worth reading about. And the human interest is really unusual!
What a fun book to read! First it makes you mad and you think only a man would pull a crazy stunt like this! But keep reading - the characters are great, the love story is really worth reading about. And the human interest is really unusual!
September 14, 2020
Fantabulous!
Absolutely superb! Loved every minute of reading this book Johanna. May the Lord bless you! Couldn't put it down, full of laughter, love, GREAT characters especially Madison 😜. Thank you. Can't wait to read Jackson's story. Thank you!!
Absolutely superb! Loved every minute of reading this book Johanna. May the Lord bless you! Couldn't put it down, full of laughter, love, GREAT characters especially Madison 😜. Thank you. Can't wait to read Jackson's story. Thank you!!
September 18, 2020
Wow. This was good.
I am impressed. Actually blown away. This is NOT your usual cheesy romance story. #1 it has a plot. I know. #2 good character development #3 it kept me I tested.
Good read.
I am impressed. Actually blown away. This is NOT your usual cheesy romance story. #1 it has a plot. I know. #2 good character development #3 it kept me I tested.
Good read.
September 19, 2020
Did not finish.
This plot sounds funny, but the execution is poor, the editing is lacking, and the billionaire is chauvinistic. I made it to chapter 14 before I quit.
Content: clean so far. No profanity or sex.
This plot sounds funny, but the execution is poor, the editing is lacking, and the billionaire is chauvinistic. I made it to chapter 14 before I quit.
Content: clean so far. No profanity or sex.
October 11, 2020
Excellent
You might want to read this in the privacy in your home! Not for the reason you might be thinking but because you are going to be laughing so hard you might be rolling in the floor!
You might want to read this in the privacy in your home! Not for the reason you might be thinking but because you are going to be laughing so hard you might be rolling in the floor!
November 11, 2020
I Do (Sorta)
I loved this book. He's looking for a wife and puts up a billboard! Who does that? She moves to NY to escape her mother. But when her mother sees the billboard...... Good clean romance.
I loved this book. He's looking for a wife and puts up a billboard! Who does that? She moves to NY to escape her mother. But when her mother sees the billboard...... Good clean romance.
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