Vows in Name Only

Billionaires of Boston #1

by Naima Simone

An arranged marriage neither wants, but both soon crave… from USA TODAY bestselling author Naima Simone!

Manipulated into a marriage of inconvenience,

until one sizzling kiss changes everything…

Devon Cole must marry Cain Farrell or lose everything. But she can never let her billionaire husband-to-be know why she agreed to her father’s dangerous machinations. Just as she’ll never know her father is blackmailing Cain to tie the knot, too. What kind of marriage can Devon even expect from a man with such cold eyes…and such hot kisses? She’s about to find out.

From Harlequin Desire: Luxury, scandal, desire—welcome to the lives of the American elite.

Billionaires of Boston

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Marriage Of Convenience, Enemies To Lovers, Fiction, Category Romance, Harlequin

197 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 2020

About the author

Published since 2009, USA Today Bestselling author Naima Simone loves writing sizzling romances with heart, a touch of humor and snark. Her books have been featured in The Washington Post and Entertainment Weekly, and described as balancing “crackling, electric love scenes with exquisitely rendered characters caught in emotional turmoil.”

She is wife to Superman, or his non-Kryptonian, less bullet proof equivalent, and mother to the most awesome kids ever. They all live in perfect, sometimes domestically-challenged bliss in the southern United States.

Reviews

[Valeen Robertson (Live Thru Books Blog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝗔𝗺𝗮𝘇𝗼𝗻 𝗨𝗦 / 𝗕&𝗡 / 𝗞𝗼𝗯𝗼 / 𝗶𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸

Devon's being blackmailed into a marriage of convenience - just another part of her father's always grasping for more money, more power. Then she meets the man she's to marry, not knowing at first he's who her father has picked. He's gorgeous and hides a lot of pain behind his beautiful eyes. Perhaps their marriage won't be so bad after all...

Naima Simone never ever fails to bring the heat, here she's brought equal amounts of heart in a feel-good, sweet, sexy story. Devon is the kind of heroine I love most - strong with a big heart, who stands up for herself to the men in her life seeking to bring her down. And Cain, damn, Cain. He's a hot mess with so much pain, I felt like we barely scratched the surface of his story, but I loved him with Devon, they were a fabulous couple. And his previously unknown half brothers, equally as interesting as his brothers with stories I'm itching to read now!



ARC via author for an honest review.

Review: Live Through Books Blog.

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[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beauty felt like an old school romance, in all the best ways! 4.5 Stars!

Devon Cole doesn't understand how her life ended up like this. When she was growing up, her dad owned a couple of electronics stores. They didn't have much, but they were happy. They lived in New Jersey, and were constantly surrounded by their large, loving family. But then, her mom died, her dad sold his stores for a profit, and invested in another tech firm that went big. They got rich, moved to Boston, and slowly lost touch with the rest of her family. Now, she can hardly recognize this power and money obsessed man that used to be her father, and she feels very alone. She works at a community center, though her dad thinks it's "beneath her," and she's mostly happy. But, when her father blackmails her into marrying the man of his choosing, she doesn't know how to get out of it, without other people having to suffer for it.

Cain Farrell is a billionaire. His family has always been wealthy, and their family company keeps them that way. But, when his abusive jerk of a father dies, he leaves Cain in a bind. He had 2 illegitimate sons that Cain knew nothing about, and now all 3 of them must stay in Boston for one year and work together to run the family enterprise. If they don't, it'll be dismantled and sold off. Cain is amazed that his father is still screwing him over, even after he's dead, and he's furious. Then, an old associate of his father's blackmails Cain into marrying the man's daughter. Cain agrees, but vows to make them both miserable. They'll get his name, but nothing else. Too bad he has this pesky attraction to Devon he's never felt for anyone else. He thinks she's helping to screw him over, so how could he ever trust her?!

Cain and Devon's chemistry was smoking hot from the start, and they definitely had a whole vibe of a thin line between love and hate! I loved their bickering and angst. The lies and misunderstandings between them made it feel like an old school romance saga and I loved it. Devon's dad was a straight up monster, and I hated seeing him getting his way, even for a short time. But I could really feel Devon's pain in loving a man from her memory, that really no longer existed. It was so sad.

Cain's half brothers, Achilles Farrell and Kenan Rhodes were awesome characters, and I can't wait to learn more about them in their own stories! Their family histories are fascinating, and I'm looking forward to them becoming closer as brothers, as time goes on. They really provided advice and backup for Cain, when he really needed someone, and I enjoyed seeing their interactions.

Cain and Devon really had to get to know each other, and figure out how to be honest with one another, before they had any hope of making their connection real. I adored watching it all play out! This story was so much fun, and the push and pull between Cain and Devon was top notch. I will be anxiously awaiting the next story in this series!

ARC provided by Author in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Megan from Alpha Book Club

[sabah™ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[atomickitten · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars

I really, really liked it.

I'm only taking away 1 star because I couldn't get into the story right away and it took me some time.
But once I did, I couldn't stop.

I'll definitely read other books from the series because I love Naima and Achilles and Kennan sound like my kind of guys.

[Timitra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rated 4.5 Stars

Vows In Name Only was great. It’s steamy. There’s betrayal, secrets, lies, conniving and so much more. I loved the main characters Cole and Devon and their journey as well as the glimpses of secondary characters that have me so intrigued. This is a solid start to what I believe will be a great series. I loved it and highly recommend it. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Maria Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vows in Name Only by Naima Simone is the start of sexy and exciting new series for a trio of brothers that begins with blackmail and a marriage of convenience.

Cain Farrell knew his father was a bastard but didn’t know how much until he died and the will was revealed. He discovers that he has two brothers he’d never known about and that all three of them must work together for a year if he’s going to inherit the company he always expected would be his. But as if that wasn’t enough, his father was also being blackmailed with threats against Cain’s mother. Cain won’t let anyone hurt her, so he agrees to go along with the blackmailer’s plans – to marry his daughter and give her and her father access to society that the blackmailer needs to prop up his investments.

Devon Cole knows that her father has changed dramatically since her mother died and they moved away from her close-knit family. She chalked it up to grief, but it’s taken an ugly turn. Now she finds out that her father expects her to marry Cain Farrell, a man she’s only met once before and that if she doesn’t, he’ll make sure the funding for the community center she works at dries up. Forced into an engagement caused by blackmail on both sides, is there a chance they can turn an unorthodox relationship into something real?

I always enjoy this author’s books and this story lays out nicely why – drama, intrigue, passion and a hard fought for and well deserved HEA. Cain and Devon might despise the reasons they are forced together but they can’t fight the attraction they feel for each other, leading to emotional and sexy love scenes even while they, especially Cain, don’t want to admit that their feelings for each other are deepening.

Cain and Devon share difficult childhoods characterized by emotionally (and in Cain’s case physically) abusive fathers which draws them together. While Cain initially believes that Devon is a gold-digger since she won’t tell him why she’s agreed to the marriage, her actions don’t match his beliefs. He finds himself sticking up for her in front of her father, and doing things for her that make her happy. It’s a bumpy road, but their path leads to a satisfying happy ending. Cain also starts to bond with his new half-brothers and I’m looking forward to seeing what the author has in store for them!

This review appears at Harlequin Junkie: https://harlequinjunkie.com/review-vo...

A copy of this story was provided by the publisher.

[Kim Reads (Read Your Writes Book Reviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vows in Name Only is the first book in Naima Simone’s Billionaires of Boston series. The premise of the series is that a cold, hard, unlikeable man dies and as a stipulation to his will, his three sons have to run his company together. The kicker is the sons don’t know the others exist until that moment.

In Vows in Name Only, the older legal son, Cain Farrell, is a tormented man who has had to endure the abuse of his father. Just when he thought he would finally get some peace, he discovers several big surprises. One, not only did his father cheat on his mother, he had children he never acknowledged. Two, the company Cain thought would be his, has to be shared with two strangers. And three, he has to live the next year in his father’s house, a house he hates beyond measure. As if all that wasn’t enough, Cain finds out that his father signed a contract for him to marry Devon Cole, a woman he has never heard of or met before.

As an only child, Devon promised her dying mother she would look take care of her father. She just never imagined that that promise would include leaving the big Italian family she loved so much behind or being forced to marry a man she doesn’t know. Devon is driven by misguided loyalty, which makes it easy for her to be taken advantage of.

I loved Devon for her openness, compassion, and sense of humor. I’m going to admit that Cain won’t go down as one of my favorite heroes. He didn’t worm his way into my heart. With his oftentimes abrasive attitude, I picture him more as a hero from Royal, Texas, and less of one from a sophisticated Boston society family. He’s a man who really seemed to keep himself locked away. I completely understand his need to protect himself but I wanted more from him.

Cain and Devon may have been forced to be together by their vengeful, conniving fathers, but it’s their love for the people they hold dear that keeps them together. That love for others eventually leads them to realize that their lustful attraction to each other is so much more. Unfortunately, their pasts, their inability to trust themselves or others, and the way they have been brought together stand in their way.

I think part of the beauty of Vows in Name Only is that through Cain and Devon’s back and forth interaction, they learned who the other truly was. This wasn’t a story where Devon needed to be rescued. She just needed to be reminded of her worth, and in turn, was able to remind Cain of his true worth, and in doing so embrace the new additions to his family, thus rescuing him.

For me, the true stars of this story are Devon and Cain’s younger half-brothers Achilles and Kenan. I’m looking forward to their stories and learning more about them. I have a feeling we’ll see more of Cain, and in turn, will see a different side of him.

~ Favorite Quote ~

“I’d rather be alone, giving one hundred percent to myself, than receiving fifty from someone else. I’m worth one hundred. I deserve it.”

**Received a copy from the author and voluntarily reviewed it.**

[Clau · Rating 3 out of 5]

From time to time, I like to read this sort of story. And honestly, I did enjoy it. Of course, there's nothing original in this book, and there are a few loose ends, but the author kept me hooked on the story from the first page.

[Mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t normally love category romance a whole lot but this book really worked for me. First of all, Naima Simone can always be counted on to deliver a fantastic story with heat, tension, and complicated characters with difficult backstories. I also liked the modem day fake/forced relationship trope and I really liked the heroine, Devon. The setup with three brothers who were unaware of each other being forced to run their late father’s business isn’t new but I’m already riveted by the world Naima created in this book and can’t wait for the rest of the series to develop. My one complaint is that I wished this book had an epilogue because I’d love to see this couple a few years down the line. I’m hoping that since this is the first in a new series, I’ll be able to get a glimpse or more of them in the next two books.

[A · Rating 1 out of 5]

The tone, voice, language, the conversations, the emotions were all disjointed. I didn't get pulled into the story and neither did I relate or get emotionally invested with the characters which is what a good fiction is all about. An escape from reality and a glimpse into someone else's life and living just a bit vicariously through them and experiencing emotions second hand and this didn't deliver.
If the language used had been more in keeping with the tones of a Bostonian and not the language of the author, this could have worked.
The H is a Billionaire and the h's dad is a multi millionaire who had an affair with H's mom and threatened to go public unless H marries his daughter. The h is an unrealistic do-gooder who just comes across as this caricature of an ideal woman and a complete contradiction. She is supposed to be an Italian and her language definitely doesn't reflect that either!

[Michelle Dohring · Rating 4 out of 5]

Billionaires of Boston Book One:
Cain Farrell meets Devon Cole at his father’s funeral and is intrigued by her. The next week Gregory Cole, Devon’s father meets with Cain. He reveals that he signed a marriage contract with Cain’s father for Cain and Devon to marry. Cain refuses but Gregory blackmails him. Now Cain is forced to become engaged with Devon who he believes is as conniving as her father. In reality Devon is also being blackmailed by her father into this marriage. She wants to be honest with Cain but she is afraid of what her father will do. This is a fun and entertaining story. The book captures your interest from the beginning. Cain Farrell & Devon Cole have undeniable chemistry. They find it difficult to resist each other. While reading you can’t help but hope that these two will find love and a real marriage. Cain also found out at the reading of his father’s will that he has two half brothers, Achilles Farrell and Kenan Rhodes. He is forced to work together with his brothers at his family business in Boston or lose the business because of what his father’s will states. He is not used to having family and finds it difficult to trust them. Achilles and Kenan support Cain and they let him know they have his back. Cain’s brothers want to support him and are trying to earn his trust which will take time. Devon may help him with this too if Cain can learn to trust. It will be interesting to see how Cain’s relationship with his brothers evolve. Can’t wait to read the next book in the series to see how the brothers interact and become one big happy family. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kari Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cain’s relationship with his father has always been adversarial and that has only become worse since he passed away. Instead of the independence that he had wanted all his life he now finds himself having to manage the family business with the brothers he didn’t know about and forced into a marriage he doesn’t want.

Devon can have anything that money can buy but it came with a cost as not only has it distanced her from the family she loves but she now finds herself being coerced into marriage with a man she doesn’t know or want.

Devon and Cain are both determined that their marriage will be nothing more than an arrangement may just find what they didn’t know they were looking for in each other.

[Nicole Moon · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5 stars (maybe?), CWs: mentions of physical abuse from a parent (past), emotional abuse from a parent (both past and instances on page) - devon's father is extremely controlling and manipulative the entire time, blackmail, blackmail using revenge porn, death of parents (past)

I think I mainly enjoyed this? It was super addicting and I flew through it, which I really needed because I've been struggling to focus a lot this past week. It's kind of hate to love and sort of arranged marriage. The conflicts throughout the book were beyond frustrating (miscommunication and a disgusting father mainly) but I loved most of the romance.

[Fedora · Rating 5 out of 5]

VOWS IN NAME ONLY by Naima Simone is the first in her new Billionaires of Boston trilogy, about the (of course!) handsome, brilliant, ridiculously wealthy, annnnndd.... complicated Farrell brothers. Who only find out they are brothers when their horrible father? Drops dead.

So. First, Naima Simone is AMAZING. She has completely hit her stride as a Desire author--her stories overflow with passion and emotion and some capital D dramallama! Her storytelling keeps the core of the characters real and so believable even when sometimes the circumstances are making me go, “Naw...really?!” And always, “Tell me more!”

Cain Farrell and Devon Cole are no exception. Cain's poured his heart into Farrell International, intent on making a success of it and himself, despite his father's careless neglect and intentional cruelty. When his father's will stipulates that he AND his brothers must work together for the next year in order for him to retain any part of the company, it is just one more insult to the grievous injuries he's already endured at his father's direction.

Devon Cole is no stranger to wounds. She's had her heart broken by someone who had her believe he loved her when she was merely means to an end, and she has promised herself not to be party to that again. She is a woman who loves deeply and generously, but also knows enough to say,
“I’d rather be alone, giving one hundred percent to myself, than receiving fifty from someone else. I’m worth one hundred. I deserve it.”

Devon and Cain's story had me eagerly turning the pages, caught up in their magic and anxious to see how they would meet the obstacles and challenges thrown their way. Ms Simone had me rooting for them all the way, and I am impatiently awaiting Cain's brothers' stories as well!

[Kristina Birch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deliciously modern forced marriage!

Cain and Devon are being forced into a marriage neither wants by their truly awful fathers. But rather than go along meekly and endure the cruel machinations of her father and the even more cruel of I want you but I don’t vibes of her “fiancé,” Devon stands up for herself and wins the day!

I’m very excited about these Farrell brothers, hello Achilles!, and this new series by Naima Simone! Her use of humor, sensuality, and heart crafts stories that have me turning the pages, fanning myself, and sniffling back my tears all at once!

[Lacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. Perfect vacation read. Short, sweet and to the point.

[Crystal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Devon and Cain...I don’t think I can even come close to expressing how much I love this story and these characters! Neither is given a choice on their engagement, but once they get together they set this book on fire! Just spectacular!

[Susan McClintock · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book, but there were so many plot points that made no sense. So the book starts out at Cain’s father’s funeral where he learns that he has two illegitimate brothers, and in order to keep the company, they have to work at the company for a year. In addition, he has to live in the family house for a year. He doesn’t want to have anything to do with the house, since that was where his father was emotionally and physically abusive to him. Next, Gregory Cole comes to visit him with a marriage contract signed by his father that Cain will marry Gregory’s daughter. Apparently Gregory had an affair with Cain’ mother and had pictures, texts, etc. Here is the first plot point failure: why would Cain’s father care enough that his ex’s name was dragged through the mud? So now we have an engagement of inconvenience plot line. Devon is Gregory’s daughter and she is as good as Gregory is evil (I seriously expected him to twirl a moustache and tie someone to the railroad tracks). She works with underprivileged youth at a community center, and her father threatens to get the funding yanked if she doesn’t comply. Both of Gregory’s evil blackmail plot could have been eliminated with some discussion. Another problem I had was the two secret brothers. Obviously they will have their own books in the future, both other than a couple of paragraphs in the first chapter and two sentences at the engagement party, they are cyphers. Then at the eleventh hour they have a big “come-to-Jesus” moment with Cain about how he and Devon look at each other, so it must be love. Seriously, how would they know? And my last point is that Cain isn’t very likable. I can understand why he was a miserable person, given how his father treated him, but we weren’t given any glimpse of a warm heart underneath. He could have interacted with his mother, or his brothers to humanize him, but they are barely mentioned. I loved the idea of this book, just not the execution.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a gift. An absolute gift. Cain is such a well-developed character; there are so many layers to him! You think you understand what makes him so hard and angry but then more of his past comes to light and you realize you've only scratched the surface.

Cain and Devon are SO well paired for each other. Through all of the darkness and grief of her life, Devon is still a steadfast woman who stands by the people she loves (even if they're undeserving of that). And Cain has alienated himself from any type of emotion and closeness with another person, yet deep down inside craves someone's affection. And the fact that they're both people who feel DEEPLY speaks to the chemistry the two of them have.

I cannot wait to dive into more of Simone's books.

[Heidi Obstfeld-adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great read! Great start to a new book series. This author never disappoints with her books. Lots of romance and intrigue - could not put this book down.

[jakira · Rating 3 out of 5]

this one had so much more potential if only it was longer and the author was able to develop the relationship more ,, still might read the rest of the books that come out

[Domi Nika · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it, but...🫣

I would love for them to be married.🤗
To have more drama between each other 🤨

It starts with father funeral of main H 🏩. He hated his father, so it was not what stressed him that day.🤫

He found out that he has another 2 brothers 🤷🤷‍♂️ and because of his fathers will - He needs to stay in Boston for one year.🤔

Why? 🤪

I don't know.🫨

But main H is angry. 😬

That is when he finds main h - in theirs garden. She is like "you poor think, has to be really sad...this funeral and all...are you ok...I will hold your arm..."🧚‍♀️

And he is enchanted by her purity and sweetness. (And body) 😀👸

After this one meeting, he thinks that he will never see her again.

But had some wet dreams about her... 🤩

Here comes the "bad man" 🙃 FATHER of the main h. 🦹‍♂️

Before main H's old man died, they had contract...where his father promised him to marry his daughter.🤵👰‍♂️

Like in the mediavel times 🥱

It can not be legal - of course, so FATHER has another trick in his slave. He was once a lover of his mother....🤦

Yeah, for real 😀

And he has some old messages, pictures, video...👨‍💻

If he will sell it to theirs newspapers, she will be socially doomed.🧟‍♀️

Wife who cheats on her husband? OMG! 🤯
Husband with 2 bastards? Whatever 💅

So he is like...I will marry your "bitch" daughter...🤨

And here she comes - our main h. H is suprised, didn't know that his sweet angel was this...ggggg 😵‍💫

And she is suprised - that she has to marry someone - too. 😝

She would never do it, but her father blackmailed her into it.🤐

She will or her child center will be closed. He will not donate to them anymoreeee.😔

And he is even like "you will never tell him, why you did it, ok? Just that you were so in love...you had to have him...."❤️🖤

And she is like "uuhguuui" 🙈🙉🙊

So she is rather silent, not telling him about her big love, but not to reveal secret either...

So....💌

He treats her like a devil...she is not.🦹‍♀️
She doesn't tell him "why she is doing it" but is not doormat to his treatment.🦸‍♀️

He could treat her more badly...He was rather nice.🤘

Of course...there is some boom chicka chicka 🥵 cause they are both atrractive and always together...

Cause of engagment etc. 😀

Her father is trilled. He is using every opurtinity to tell people about his soon to be "son" in his family...

But it is not enough...✋️

Father wants to be in some business of main H. 💣

Even tells his daughter to use her influence on him, but she refuses.✋️

When he - in the end - tells mIn H about his "project" he refuses too. ✋️

Refuse to be his son in law.
Refuse to marry his daughter.

💪
😮‍💨

Case you are all the same...😶

Main h hears it, her heart broken, but comes to them to tell her father that she will not marry him and main H gives all the evidences her father was treating him.

Both of them are like "fuck..."🤐

She doesn't want to be with her father and with main H - cause he told her father that he doesn't want her...💔

In the end, he tells her that he loves her...
And she imediatelly forgives him. 🤪

So I wanted:

1. More drama
2. More bullying from main H side
3. Lot of groweling from his side too.
4. Marriage with a lot of loathing....🤓


But ok, it was nice read...

👋

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Naima Simone has not only crafted a wonderful arranged marriage/enemies-to-lovers story, but she has also set the stage for an intriguing family drama!

Cain and Devon did not have an easy go of things. After a serendipitous encounter in Cain’s gardens – which seemed like the perfect beginning to a fairy-tale love story, reality hits them both with an arranged marriage that is supported by not just a contract, but blackmail on both sides. There was no lack of chemistry and heat between these two, but knowing that they were “enemies” all that chemistry and heat did was fan the flames of their desire and make it harder for them to stay away from each other. These two had so much pain and hurt in their lives, so it was no wonder that it was hard for them to trust in each other and not believe in the lies and deceit that were being thrown at them. Devon really impressed me with her ability to stand up to Cain and not cower when he lashed out, but mostly for her ability to see the good in Cain and recognize that there was more to him.

In addition to Cain and Devon’s story, we are introduced to Cain’s two half-siblings – another surprise that he was made aware of upon his father’s death. I loved how Achilles' and Kenan's characters were weaved into this story to give just a hint at what might be coming for both of them, as well as showing how the bonds of brotherhood start to develop between the three of them. For a main like Cain, an only-child who has suffered abuse, trusting others isn’t something that comes easy, and it was perfect watching these three interact and start to lay the groundwork for a real family relationship.

This was a short, quick read that still brought an emotional punch. The characters were well developed so it was easy to understand their actions and reactions – which made Cain bearable even though he could be such a jerk to Devon, and even more lovable when he finally lets himself see Devon for who she really is.

Naima Simone always delivers a story that has great characters, lots of heat and desire, and emotion that you can read off the page. Another great read that belongs on anyone’s shelf!

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book I received from the author.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

So first off, this is my first time reading an arranged marriage troped book. Secondly…I didn’t mean to like it this much. In fact, I was going to give this book a four out of five stars because of the fact that the male MC just hated her on sight when he found out about the arranged marriage between him and Gregory Cole’s daughter, Devon, who was actually forced to go through it. But the more I read it, the more I actually enjoyed it. The writing in it was very beautiful, and I fell in love with the story as I kept on reading.

Cain Farrell just found out that his father has died, and has left a bunch of stipulations-one, he has to stay in the Boston mansion he lives in right now for a year, he has to work for his brothers that he’d never met until now, oh and he has to get married to Gregory Cole’s daughter, whom he thought was a money hungry woman. Turns out, Devon Cole is nothing like her father. She sacrificed everything because of her father, and she’s forced to marry a man that hate her. The two started out as enemies, pretending to be in love while Gregory keeps forcing them to show up and trying to wiggle his way inside the Boston society. He even tried to get on a company thing that Farrell is trying to do in peace, but even Cain said no to her father.

Devon, being the smartest person in the whole book, showed up to Cain’s office to give him everything her father was blackmailing him with, and she said that she chooses her instead of a man, and then she left, because she left sickened for what her father forced her to do. She even told Cain the truth as to why she was forced to marry him.

Gregory, in the book, was a piece of shit throughout the book. It’s like he’s forcing and manipulating Devon to do everything for him, and threatening to take away money from her school because she works there. Even Cain was confused when she said she works there instead of volunteering there.

My favorite character out of the whole book was Devon because she was smart and tried to follow her heart throughout the book, but I just felt sorry for her. Her father treated her like shit and expected her to do things his way, but she didn’t, and she fell in love with Cain along the way, even though he suspected her and also treated her like shit in the beginning. All in all, I really loved this book-might read the rest of the series when I get a chance.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Naima Simone has restored my love of category romance! Every book she's released through the Harlequin line has been fun to read, but this book had that something special that had me wanting the rest of the series immediately. I'm a sucker for the old-school arranged marriage trope, and this book delivered in a big way. Not just one, but two unwilling participants in this fake relationship! As is the case with my reviews of these category romances, I do not want to give away a single detail of the story. What I will say is that fans of the soap-operaesque stories of the 80's and 90's will find much to love in this book. Blackmail, secret siblings, adult children finding a way to overcome the familial obligations dumped on them by overbearing fathers, this book was a delight! Devon and Cain have understandably built walls around their hearts. Neither wants to risk being hurt again, but their chemistry is off-the-charts and they cannot deny the attraction. Those moments allow for an intimacy that goes beyond the physical, as they each surrender a little more of their truth to the other. At the same time that I found myself cheering for Devon as she stood up for herself, I found myself hurting for Cain because I knew losing her would wreck him. My heart was in my throat as he apologized, allowing himself to be one hundred percent emotionally invested. Such a beautiful ending! The only thing I'm sad about is that the next installment of the series isn't available immediately. I cannot wait revisit Devon and Cain again, and I'm really looking forward to seeing how the Farrell brothers' relationship continues to evolve.

[Joyce M. H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Devon Cole works as a youth coordinator at a community center of which her father Gregory Cole is threatening to take away the funding if she does not cooperate with marrying Cain Farrell. Cain Farrell is CEO of a billionaire company and the son of Barron Farrell who Gregory blackmailed into marrying his daughter in return to not leak information about Barron’s wife.

Devon and Cain first met at his Cain’s fathers house in the garden after his father’s funeral. They instantly clicked but didn’t exchanged numbers.

Barron was not a good husband nor father to Cain nor to his two illegitimate sons Achilles and Kennan of which neither knew about the other. In his father’s will Cain must live in the house that has brought him so many bad memories for a year and run the company with his two illegitimate brothers for a year.

Devon’s father was once a loving father and husband. Devon’s mom died and her father seemed to never recover from the death of his wife. Devon and her dad moved to Boston away from the family they once knew and never looked back. Gregory became a millionaire but thru bad investment his money has dwelled considerably.

Cain officially meets Devon at her father’s house and assumes that Devon is in on the marriage scheme, but Devon is also being blackmailed by her dad.
This is such a great love story where two hearts meet and need each other.

Cain’s brothers Achilles and Kennan are equally great and they get along so well.

I highly recommend this book, pick up your copy today and find out more about Cain, Devon, Achilles, Kennan and of course Gregory.

Waiting patiently until August 2021 for Achilles book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

The attraction was immediate – trust…took a bit longer. Devon and Cain, welded together by Devon’s father’s ruthless manipulation, fall in love as they go through the motions of a high-profile engagement.

Simone’s Vows in Name Only is an adventure in tension and drama. It’s sexy and theatrical, and is a roller coaster of emotion. Devon’s father’s manipulation of the characters is infuriating, and you feel every once of Cain’s frustration as he deals with the situation that he finds himself in after his father’s death – and every bit of his attraction to the woman he discovers he’s engaged to, and that he’s sure is as untrustworthy as her father. Devon’s sweetness and heart make her perfect for Cain, particularly as they stumble through the rawness of their feelings and find their own equilibrium in their relationship. Cain’s newfound brothers are intriguing, though at times I felt they were a bit shoehorned into a scene, in the end they’re characters I’m looking forward to reading about in the future. This story was high drama and heart-wrenching emotion, and was a very enjoyable read. I loved Simone’s writing, and her ability to pull out the feelings of the characters and make them truly live in the story. (Also, I loved that the heroine was described as not-a-stick in this story!) Vows in Name Only is definitely recommended, and definitely an author (and series!) that I’m going to keep my eye on!

[Jacque · Rating 4 out of 5]

Last week I was in a gnarly reading slump bc I was just ~buried~ in work, but after turning in my presentation on tuesday I picked up @naimasimoneauthor ‘s latest, Vows in Name Only, and BOYYYYY it was fuckin fantastic🥰 I devoured this book in one sitting!!

There’s a line from Crazy Stupid Love where Ryan Gosling says, “How are you doing this thing where you’re wildly sexy & unbelievably cute???” and tbh this is how I feel about Naima’s books👏🏼 Vows in Name Only is a heavy hitter, serving us humor, serving us ~prime~ niche nerddom, serving HIGHHHH delicious drama and simmering sex appeal🥵

Cain Farrell is a man cornered. Forced by his dead father’s will to live in the ancestral home he loathes with his heretofore unknown half siblings, the cherry on top of the shitstorm is when he’s blackmailed into marriage by conniving social climber Gregory Cole. Cain enters the arraignment determined to despise Cole’s daughter Devon, because *obviously* she must be in on the blackmailing with her father. But despite the best intentions, Cain can’t fight his attraction for Devon (dun dun DUNNNNNN)

I loved this book so much💕 With every book Naima levels up, building the tension, building the stakes, and always weaving in her quintessential humor. Eminently sexy and incredibly crafted, couldn’t get enough of Cain and Devon, and I await the next book in this series in RAPT anticipation!!!

thank you so much to Naima for the advanced copy🙏🏻

[Cassandra Haywood · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting storyline of how by being blackmailed and at the same time finding love through the pain. As we find the two main characters Cain Farrell being blackmailed from the grave by his father who stipulate that he has to live in his fathers home and run the family with two half brothers unknown to him as a result of Cain’s father numerous affairs with other women. Then there is Devon Cole who has been devoted to her father since her mother’s death when she was a young teen girl and now he is forcing her to a arrange blackmail marriage with Cain.
When the couple first met at Cain’s fathers repast there was a spark between them but neither knew that they would both be blackmailed into a forced marriage.
I found this to be an emotional read because two see two innocent peoples lives being turned upside down all because of the sins of their father’s control and greed. The hurt and pain they both were going through, I wanted to help Devon punish her father myself.
The storyline held my attention and was a pager turner to the very end. I can’t wait to find out if their will be a backstory on Cain’s two half brothers Achilles and Kenan.
I highly recommend this book to read especially with the romance, suspense, steamy, power play and blackmailing storyline.
Cassandra H.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Andrea Wenger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cain Farrell thought his father's death had released him from the old man's manipulation once and for all. But the reading of the will shows his father can exert control even from beyond the grave. Worse, Cain is blackmailed into agreeing to a marriage of convenience to protect his mother's reputation.

Devon Cole will do anything to protect those she loves—even go along with her father's blackmail scheme. She vows she won't fall for devilishly handsome Cain, especially since he blames her for his situation as much as he does her father. But the attraction between them can't be denied. Is she destined to lose her heart despite her best efforts, only for Cain to smash it?

Naima Simone is a master storyteller. The pacing of this story is tight, with no words wasted. The plot is passion-driven, with the insta-lust between the characters gently evolving into love, as much as they both try to resist it. The level of emotion is high throughout, with some adorable and heartfelt moments, especially with the kids at the community center. I wish we'd seen more of Cain's brothers, but of course they'll each get their own book—so I guess we have to wait for that!

If you're a Harlequin Desire fan, you'll want to read this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.