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Trophy Husbands #3
Packaged Husband
On a Wednesday afternoon, Owen Masterson asks me to marry him.
I've never met the man before.
All I wanted was a job repackaging his image. He needs to ramp up his cool-factor to attract partnerships with better designers for his family's department store. But he wants me to be his temporary trophy wife instead.
I need to get out from under my grandfather's control and don't really care how I do it. Honestly, I'll rock the hell out of being a temporary trophy wife.
So maybe I'll marry him for a year, even though he has no social skills and he's a lot older than me. But I'm not going to fall for him.
I hope.
I've never met the man before.
All I wanted was a job repackaging his image. He needs to ramp up his cool-factor to attract partnerships with better designers for his family's department store. But he wants me to be his temporary trophy wife instead.
I need to get out from under my grandfather's control and don't really care how I do it. Honestly, I'll rock the hell out of being a temporary trophy wife.
So maybe I'll marry him for a year, even though he has no social skills and he's a lot older than me. But I'm not going to fall for him.
I hope.
264 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 15, 2019
318 people are currently reading
708 people want to read
About the author
Noelle Adams
140 books2,677 followersNoelle handwrote her first romance novel in a spiral-bound notebook when she was twelve, and she hasn't stopped writing since. She has lived in eight different states and currently resides in Virginia, where she teaches English, reads any book she can get her hands on, and offers tribute to a very spoiled cocker spaniel.
She loves travel, art, history, and ice cream. After spending far too many years of her life in graduate school, she has decided to reorient her priorities and focus on writing contemporary romances.
She loves travel, art, history, and ice cream. After spending far too many years of her life in graduate school, she has decided to reorient her priorities and focus on writing contemporary romances.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 160 reviews
September 10, 2021
Reread:
Ahh! What another amazing reread involving one of my favorite tropes. I’d forgotten how much Owen made me laugh when he was so tongue tied with Chelsea. The scenes between them are so very AWKWARD because of his reactions. Well, I don’t want to spoil it too much, but they’re so cute as is the rest of the build up of their relationship. The angst is definitely heavier here making my heart hurt for these characters. Such a great reread!
Original:
Talk about sweet endings!!! I have loved each book in this series, but this one is by far my favorite.
Chelsea has always been known as “the pretty one”. With no known talents, work experience or real guidance to lean on, she’s just kind of wandered through life living off her grandfather’s goodwill. Not that living that way didn’t demand a cost and the cost for her was her self esteem. Now she’s determined to step out of her comfort zone and make something of herself and with that decision made, she reaches out to Owen Masterson.
While this is written entirely in the heroine’s point of view, it wasn’t hard to get a handle on what Owen might be feeling. He’s a bit nerdy, a lot behind on the times, and totally in need of repackaging. Both him and his business. I loved how he was pretty much speechless when he was with Chelsea in the beginning. It was obvious she had him tied in knots. Just the type of beta hero that I can totally get behind.
This is a fast paced book with some serious sizzle. This couple were so cute together and I loved how their relationship evolved naturally, or so it seemed. Their conflict was a bit angsty because as the reader you just KNOW what they need to do, but those darn characters are stuck in their own heads. Nevertheless, they finally find their happy ever after but not before one of the sweetest, most poignant scenes I’ve ever read when a hero “grovels”. I need me an Owen!
Heroine POV
Safe
Triggers
Ahh! What another amazing reread involving one of my favorite tropes. I’d forgotten how much Owen made me laugh when he was so tongue tied with Chelsea. The scenes between them are so very AWKWARD because of his reactions. Well, I don’t want to spoil it too much, but they’re so cute as is the rest of the build up of their relationship. The angst is definitely heavier here making my heart hurt for these characters. Such a great reread!
Original:
Talk about sweet endings!!! I have loved each book in this series, but this one is by far my favorite.
Chelsea has always been known as “the pretty one”. With no known talents, work experience or real guidance to lean on, she’s just kind of wandered through life living off her grandfather’s goodwill. Not that living that way didn’t demand a cost and the cost for her was her self esteem. Now she’s determined to step out of her comfort zone and make something of herself and with that decision made, she reaches out to Owen Masterson.
While this is written entirely in the heroine’s point of view, it wasn’t hard to get a handle on what Owen might be feeling. He’s a bit nerdy, a lot behind on the times, and totally in need of repackaging. Both him and his business. I loved how he was pretty much speechless when he was with Chelsea in the beginning. It was obvious she had him tied in knots. Just the type of beta hero that I can totally get behind.
This is a fast paced book with some serious sizzle. This couple were so cute together and I loved how their relationship evolved naturally, or so it seemed. Their conflict was a bit angsty because as the reader you just KNOW what they need to do, but those darn characters are stuck in their own heads. Nevertheless, they finally find their happy ever after but not before one of the sweetest, most poignant scenes I’ve ever read when a hero “grovels”. I need me an Owen!
Heroine POV
Safe
Triggers
January 10, 2019
4 stars.
So fun!!!
I had previously read the second book in this three book series- involving three sisters that each in turn enter into a fake marriage for a variety of reasons. Now having read this one also, I am pretty impressed with how entertaining and delightful a job Noelle Adams has managed to achieve with this particular trope.
I will in fact be jumping back at some point to read the first one that I somehow missed out on as I am in no doubt that it will be equally as enjoyable.
I feel like they definitely seem to have a little bit of a "tongue in cheek" sort of style to them, which I really do like.
I loved the MC's. I have never met a character quite like Chelsea (she's different, thats for sure) and Owen was so very easy to love.
Great book, no repackaging required.
What I really liked best about this book and also this author is how well the story and the writing just really flows- before I knew it I was up until 2am finishing this book. Honestly, I am not even sure where the time went.
Now I think about it I am fairly sure that I have read all her books in one sitting, also a good thing IMO.
ARC received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Practice Husband (Trophy Husbands #2)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
So fun!!!
I had previously read the second book in this three book series- involving three sisters that each in turn enter into a fake marriage for a variety of reasons. Now having read this one also, I am pretty impressed with how entertaining and delightful a job Noelle Adams has managed to achieve with this particular trope.
I will in fact be jumping back at some point to read the first one that I somehow missed out on as I am in no doubt that it will be equally as enjoyable.
I feel like they definitely seem to have a little bit of a "tongue in cheek" sort of style to them, which I really do like.
I loved the MC's. I have never met a character quite like Chelsea (she's different, thats for sure) and Owen was so very easy to love.
Great book, no repackaging required.
What I really liked best about this book and also this author is how well the story and the writing just really flows- before I knew it I was up until 2am finishing this book. Honestly, I am not even sure where the time went.
Now I think about it I am fairly sure that I have read all her books in one sitting, also a good thing IMO.
ARC received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Practice Husband (Trophy Husbands #2)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
July 30, 2021
3.5 stars
Setting aside the unlikely situation that kickstarted the plot, I’d say this was such a perfectly executed romance book.
The type you read when you don’t wanna get too serious or you don’t wanna commit to anything longer and maybe more angsty.
The leads had an amazing amount of chemistry, the dialogue was refreshingly natural and emotionally intelligent and the sexual compatibility (shall we call it) was top notch.
It’s rare that I dislike a Noelle Adams book. In the worst case I’ll think it was just fine, but this one was definitely more than just fine.
The only thing I’m not a fan of, is public declarations and making a spectacle which would constitute a grand gesture. But that’s just personal preference and it was just one scene towards the end.
Also, there was the bit about Owen having issues with working together with her. Saying that it’s a conflict of interest and he’s the boss and it would be awkward blah blah, which I found hypocritical since without her his business would not have gotten the needed makeover and the contracts he needed to make that happen. I didn’t like that the author wrote the resolution to that conflict - as if Owen was the one in the right. A little bit of self awareness on his part would have been a better way to conclude that dispute.
Setting aside the unlikely situation that kickstarted the plot, I’d say this was such a perfectly executed romance book.
The type you read when you don’t wanna get too serious or you don’t wanna commit to anything longer and maybe more angsty.
The leads had an amazing amount of chemistry, the dialogue was refreshingly natural and emotionally intelligent and the sexual compatibility (shall we call it) was top notch.
It’s rare that I dislike a Noelle Adams book. In the worst case I’ll think it was just fine, but this one was definitely more than just fine.
The only thing I’m not a fan of, is public declarations and making a spectacle which would constitute a grand gesture. But that’s just personal preference and it was just one scene towards the end.
Also, there was the bit about Owen having issues with working together with her. Saying that it’s a conflict of interest and he’s the boss and it would be awkward blah blah, which I found hypocritical since without her his business would not have gotten the needed makeover and the contracts he needed to make that happen. I didn’t like that the author wrote the resolution to that conflict - as if Owen was the one in the right. A little bit of self awareness on his part would have been a better way to conclude that dispute.
January 17, 2019
A great addition to the series and apparently there will be a 4th book added sometime in the future.
Though the three books have a similar theme (all three sisters had fake marriages that turned out to be real ones in the end) somehow the author managed to deliver three very different stories.
I liked Chelsea very much in this book and it's true, in the previous book she was presented like an airhead, superficial kind of girl, in this one she was pretty much owesome... She really tried to make something significant with her life.
Owen was adorable, the silent, easygoing, unnoticed kind of guy, but once he felt at ease with Chelsea he revealed a really strong and pationate character... I loved him.
Though the three books have a similar theme (all three sisters had fake marriages that turned out to be real ones in the end) somehow the author managed to deliver three very different stories.
I liked Chelsea very much in this book and it's true, in the previous book she was presented like an airhead, superficial kind of girl, in this one she was pretty much owesome... She really tried to make something significant with her life.
Owen was adorable, the silent, easygoing, unnoticed kind of guy, but once he felt at ease with Chelsea he revealed a really strong and pationate character... I loved him.
January 20, 2019
Fuddy-duddy 40-year old who sounds decades older than he is, and a young woman who is very much still a girl trying to gain confidence and independence.
The guy owns the stores and he won't let her work whatever hours she wants, or give her an actual job at his company, because of nepotism? Why on earth is she with him??? She could get an internship or entry-level job anywhere else and not have a fake-husband play with her feelings at the same time.
And the whole convenient marriage plot seemed to have been forgotten after their initial conversation. How did it help that they were married? He treated her like a regular employee most of the time and it's not like they were having sex at home. What was the point?!
I though I liked this author's silent, antisocial heroes, but I think it was just something different. Now that it's not new to me, I find it incredibly irritating and aggravating that a grown man can only give monosyllabic answers because the heroine is "too pretty". By the way, "pretty" sounds so condescending and diminutive, at least in this book. Especially because our heroine spends half the book complaining that no one takes her seriously because she's so gosh darn pretty!
I didn't necessarily hate the heroine but she annoyed me to no end. Got no work experience? Feel like everyone thinks you're a spoiled princess? Nobody taking you serious? Then stop bitching, get off your ass and get to work! You're not the only one who starts out with a near blank resume. You're not the only one who has to get references, credibility, and experience!
To me, this book also got a little too real about hygiene and the problems of getting older. It's not news to me that your body changes as you get older, men apparently don't get morning wood anymore, morning breath stinks, bodies get flabby and it's tougher to get up in the morning (apparently); but do I want to read about all this in a romance? Nope. No. Not even a little.
Next.
The guy owns the stores and he won't let her work whatever hours she wants, or give her an actual job at his company, because of nepotism? Why on earth is she with him??? She could get an internship or entry-level job anywhere else and not have a fake-husband play with her feelings at the same time.
And the whole convenient marriage plot seemed to have been forgotten after their initial conversation. How did it help that they were married? He treated her like a regular employee most of the time and it's not like they were having sex at home. What was the point?!
I though I liked this author's silent, antisocial heroes, but I think it was just something different. Now that it's not new to me, I find it incredibly irritating and aggravating that a grown man can only give monosyllabic answers because the heroine is "too pretty". By the way, "pretty" sounds so condescending and diminutive, at least in this book. Especially because our heroine spends half the book complaining that no one takes her seriously because she's so gosh darn pretty!
I didn't necessarily hate the heroine but she annoyed me to no end. Got no work experience? Feel like everyone thinks you're a spoiled princess? Nobody taking you serious? Then stop bitching, get off your ass and get to work! You're not the only one who starts out with a near blank resume. You're not the only one who has to get references, credibility, and experience!
To me, this book also got a little too real about hygiene and the problems of getting older. It's not news to me that your body changes as you get older, men apparently don't get morning wood anymore, morning breath stinks, bodies get flabby and it's tougher to get up in the morning (apparently); but do I want to read about all this in a romance? Nope. No. Not even a little.
Next.
December 16, 2019
2.5 Stars.
I dont mind age differences if understanding and caring levels are ok but even 17 years of age difference is too high for me in contemporary romances. It was hard for me to pass. But I have other issues also... I know the heroine is spoiled and living with her pop's money. Because of it all started to treat her like a bimbo. I am not fond of those heroines who are depending on others' money but that doesn't give you the access to disrespect women... people are treating her quite badly and at some point I pitied her. But I liked that she proved herself.
About the hero, he wasn't too impressive but I liked the way he supported the heroine. It was good to watch until his last assholery event. The groveling part was ok tho!!
I am not going to say anything about pops cause he is not worth mentioning in my review.
So far, the first hero of this series is my favorite.
Safety Issue: Safe.
I dont mind age differences if understanding and caring levels are ok but even 17 years of age difference is too high for me in contemporary romances. It was hard for me to pass. But I have other issues also... I know the heroine is spoiled and living with her pop's money. Because of it all started to treat her like a bimbo. I am not fond of those heroines who are depending on others' money but that doesn't give you the access to disrespect women... people are treating her quite badly and at some point I pitied her. But I liked that she proved herself.
About the hero, he wasn't too impressive but I liked the way he supported the heroine. It was good to watch until his last assholery event. The groveling part was ok tho!!
I am not going to say anything about pops cause he is not worth mentioning in my review.
So far, the first hero of this series is my favorite.
Safety Issue: Safe.
June 1, 2025
A story of a grown ass man who’s emotionally constipated not knowing how not to be an ignorant asshole to a wealthy naive much younger socialite who’s obviously looking for affection and love.
This quote from the FMC by about 95% of the book describes their dynamic:
The FMC finally realized the mmc always treated her as someone worthless and not worth fighting for despite his empty flattery words.
But then this realization came from 95% of the book, so one can expect ZERO grovel that’s worthwhile.
I actually think the MMC is lowkey a gaslighting asshole for about the whole book but a wise and older woman would clock that attitude and maybe that’s why the author paired him up with a much younger naive and in constant need of affirmation FMC because how else then will he be constantly forgiven 🤷♀️
This quote from the FMC by about 95% of the book describes their dynamic:
He always told me I was worthwhile, but then he treated me as anything but.
The FMC finally realized the mmc always treated her as someone worthless and not worth fighting for despite his empty flattery words.
But then this realization came from 95% of the book, so one can expect ZERO grovel that’s worthwhile.
I actually think the MMC is lowkey a gaslighting asshole for about the whole book but a wise and older woman would clock that attitude and maybe that’s why the author paired him up with a much younger naive and in constant need of affirmation FMC because how else then will he be constantly forgiven 🤷♀️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 23, 2025
3.5 ⭐
Of the three sisters, I think I like Chelsea the most. I saw how she grew as a person in this story, and I feel like she's the most kindhearted and gentle soul among them. Not saying the others are not like that, but Chelsea's kindness is something else. Also, she might come off as shallow in the beginning because she's a spoiled princess (and she's aware of that), but she was never greedy or mean about how privileged she is. I really liked how she finally discovered something she's great at and how excited she is about it. I really liked that she doesn’t shy away from her feelings. Even though she was scared about what might happen if she confessed, she still went for it—or at least tried to, until Owen jumped in before she could finish.
I liked Owen too, although he was clueless for most of the story. He was not a jerk, never mean or harsh to Chelsea. He saw her for who she is and didn't expect her to change anything about her. I liked how he always takes care of her and how he listens to what she has to say. I liked it even more when he took into consideration her suggestions (when it concerned designs and fashion). He may be a bit gruff, but he was kind and compassionate with others in general. But yeah, with all the good things happening for him, his cluelessness still got the better of him. He thought he was doing something good for both of them, even if it ended up making him pretty miserable too. Luckily (or not), they had a big confrontation about what happened, and this led them to sort things out. I loved how they fixed things, but the serenading gave me secondhand embarrassment. 🫣 But that's just me and my aversion to public grand gestures. 😅
Anyway, this one's my second favorite in the series, but Book 1 will always be my top pick.
Of the three sisters, I think I like Chelsea the most. I saw how she grew as a person in this story, and I feel like she's the most kindhearted and gentle soul among them. Not saying the others are not like that, but Chelsea's kindness is something else. Also, she might come off as shallow in the beginning because she's a spoiled princess (and she's aware of that), but she was never greedy or mean about how privileged she is. I really liked how she finally discovered something she's great at and how excited she is about it. I really liked that she doesn’t shy away from her feelings. Even though she was scared about what might happen if she confessed, she still went for it—or at least tried to, until Owen jumped in before she could finish.
I liked Owen too, although he was clueless for most of the story. He was not a jerk, never mean or harsh to Chelsea. He saw her for who she is and didn't expect her to change anything about her. I liked how he always takes care of her and how he listens to what she has to say. I liked it even more when he took into consideration her suggestions (when it concerned designs and fashion). He may be a bit gruff, but he was kind and compassionate with others in general. But yeah, with all the good things happening for him, his cluelessness still got the better of him. He thought he was doing something good for both of them, even if it ended up making him pretty miserable too. Luckily (or not), they had a big confrontation about what happened, and this led them to sort things out. I loved how they fixed things, but the serenading gave me secondhand embarrassment. 🫣 But that's just me and my aversion to public grand gestures. 😅
Anyway, this one's my second favorite in the series, but Book 1 will always be my top pick.
did-not-finish
October 27, 2023DNF at 37%.
If I wanted to learn about a couple where the woman does all the emotional labor, I wouldn't be reading fiction.
1. She approaches him first and suggests they get married.
2. She's the first to kiss him.
3. She makes conversation with him.
4. She makes dinner for him and approaches him to spend time together.
He's so incredibly boring and held back and emotionally constipated. He tells her "tell me if you want to talk to me" as if she's supposed to put herself out there when he doesn't do anything.
AND we get to see him being a fun person to others who aren't her. The reason is that "she's too pretty" and he's nervous around her. Well, 37% in, I expect to see something more interesting. But she has to ask him questions and tell him things... it's all too much work.
Plus, she's getting all turned on by NOTHING. He does ABSOLUTELY nothing and she gets all gooey. Nope. I want a hero who does some of the work and pursues a relationship and puts in work. This dude is a dud.
If I wanted to learn about a couple where the woman does all the emotional labor, I wouldn't be reading fiction.
1. She approaches him first and suggests they get married.
2. She's the first to kiss him.
3. She makes conversation with him.
4. She makes dinner for him and approaches him to spend time together.
He's so incredibly boring and held back and emotionally constipated. He tells her "tell me if you want to talk to me" as if she's supposed to put herself out there when he doesn't do anything.
AND we get to see him being a fun person to others who aren't her. The reason is that "she's too pretty" and he's nervous around her. Well, 37% in, I expect to see something more interesting. But she has to ask him questions and tell him things... it's all too much work.
Plus, she's getting all turned on by NOTHING. He does ABSOLUTELY nothing and she gets all gooey. Nope. I want a hero who does some of the work and pursues a relationship and puts in work. This dude is a dud.
May 6, 2019
3.5
They are so sweet!
He’s such a good guy. I didn’t expect for him to be curated in this kind of way, where he struggles to talk to attractive women and wears ill-fitted suits and is just a genuine, caring guy. Not top of the mill amazing looking with an eight pack working out every morning. Just grounded, good looking at 40, running a successful business but very much human in image and old fashioned at times.
Most of the time I dislike the older man younger woman heroine trope. It’s unusual that I’ll root for 12+ year gap because sometimes the way it’s written, makes me feel like it’s so sexualised and normalised that older men just want a woman who is in her prime like biological meat. It doesn’t matter about the person’s accomplishment/ successes because it’s very lust bred. That they don’t see the value in someone/connect to someone closer to their age, as women are expendable biologically as they age and come with baggage. I think a lot of the older man younger women books fail in that respect because they always carry that message through. Especially when the man is like double the woman’s age, old enough to be her father.
But this one did it very slowly, and had them connect a lot. She’s 24 to his 41 so there’s a considerable gap but as humans their personalities matched and it carried well through the writing.
She was pushing herself into his life and pulling him into hers. And obviously the problem comes in the whole reality of the situation, and whether or not the other feels the same way, the inability to express their feelings because of fear. For him it’s the fact that he couldn’t envision a reality in which a woman like that would actually choose a man like him.
Would’ve like a bit more grovelling from him. Safe as are all the books I read unless stated otherwise.
They are so sweet!
He’s such a good guy. I didn’t expect for him to be curated in this kind of way, where he struggles to talk to attractive women and wears ill-fitted suits and is just a genuine, caring guy. Not top of the mill amazing looking with an eight pack working out every morning. Just grounded, good looking at 40, running a successful business but very much human in image and old fashioned at times.
Most of the time I dislike the older man younger woman heroine trope. It’s unusual that I’ll root for 12+ year gap because sometimes the way it’s written, makes me feel like it’s so sexualised and normalised that older men just want a woman who is in her prime like biological meat. It doesn’t matter about the person’s accomplishment/ successes because it’s very lust bred. That they don’t see the value in someone/connect to someone closer to their age, as women are expendable biologically as they age and come with baggage. I think a lot of the older man younger women books fail in that respect because they always carry that message through. Especially when the man is like double the woman’s age, old enough to be her father.
But this one did it very slowly, and had them connect a lot. She’s 24 to his 41 so there’s a considerable gap but as humans their personalities matched and it carried well through the writing.
She was pushing herself into his life and pulling him into hers. And obviously the problem comes in the whole reality of the situation, and whether or not the other feels the same way, the inability to express their feelings because of fear. For him it’s the fact that he couldn’t envision a reality in which a woman like that would actually choose a man like him.
Would’ve like a bit more grovelling from him. Safe as are all the books I read unless stated otherwise.
August 9, 2022
This was so goddamn good!!!!! DILF DILF DILF. I was actually in love with Owen, no joke. And Chelsea was so iconic. Loveeeeeeee spoiled rich girl female main characters.
Ugh they were so slay. Loved how awkward Owen was!!!!
Ugh they were so slay. Loved how awkward Owen was!!!!
January 17, 2019
I just want to gush about this fabulous book. The best one of the series. Owen & Chelsea own my heart, I’m completely gone over this couple.
Age gap romance done correctly and full of swoon. The only slight disappointment was the epilogue, I wish it had been set a few years in the future.
Age gap romance done correctly and full of swoon. The only slight disappointment was the epilogue, I wish it had been set a few years in the future.
January 25, 2019
Chelsea is known as the pretty sister. She has no marketable skills, nothing beyond her degree. She wants to prove to her Pop and sisters that she can make a life of her own, so with a referral, she sends her resume to Owen, a man in need of some makeovers, both of himself, and more importantly, for his company. She throws in a marriage of convenience suggestion just to catch his attention in her pitch, and she's completely surprised when he brings it up himself. Who knew her throwaway suggestion would actually turn out the way it does?
I thought this was such a sweet, sexy read. Owen, although a couple decades older than Chelsea, and hopelessly behind the times, is absolutely adorable. It was so obvious how much he thought of Chelsea, and she herself was a bit oblivious, even though that was what she accused him of, because it was obvious how much he cared about her even though she had no idea. I've read a couple of this author's previous stories, but I definitely like this one the best so far. Owen and Chelsea make for a wonderful couple - sweet, and perfectly matched, odd as they appear on paper.
ARC via NetGalley for an honest review.
Full review posted on my blog ---> Live Through Books Blog.
December 30, 2018
Book three in the series and we have the youngest sister Chelsea who is driven to get out from under demanding Granddad's thumb. He pays for everything. She decides to not go to work for the family business and since she feels she's been labeled the pretty one (but not too bright), needs to prove to herself she can make a go of this business. One of her first clients who needs rebranding is Owen, and his family business which is clothing stores. If anyone knows shopping it's Chelsea. Owen also needs a wife. Owen's much older than Chelsea, shy, socially awkward and wants the business to succeed. He needs Chelsea because she's the sidepiece that makes meeting with clients easier. She can schmooze with the best of them. Owen's business grows and so does their relationship. There's a couple interesting twists here also. I enjoyed seeing the other sisters and their spouses as well, and the seriously cranky, pushy Granddad.
This wasn't my favorite book in the series. I loved the previous books, this one just didn't have the spark the others did. A little something missing, but still an okay read. I really loved watching Owen.
He totally makes the story.
arc from NetGalley and publisher for an honest review
This wasn't my favorite book in the series. I loved the previous books, this one just didn't have the spark the others did. A little something missing, but still an okay read. I really loved watching Owen.
He totally makes the story.
arc from NetGalley and publisher for an honest review
April 1, 2024
3 - 3.5 stars
Ok, just a quick question: how many silk pj's does this girl have?
Honestly, I liked the characters, I really did, I just didn't like how fast it all happened between them. It was too fast for my liking. Hence the missing stars.
But I sure as hell will read the other books in the series.
Noelle Adams in my new definition of heart-warming reads.
Ok, just a quick question: how many silk pj's does this girl have?
Honestly, I liked the characters, I really did, I just didn't like how fast it all happened between them. It was too fast for my liking. Hence the missing stars.
But I sure as hell will read the other books in the series.
Noelle Adams in my new definition of heart-warming reads.
January 20, 2022
3.5 stars
December 13, 2023
Loved it! Noelle, you did it again :)
The age difference did not bother me at all, as I could relate. Some girls are just a better fit for more mature guys. This 41-yr old hero was the first guy for our heroine to date that was mature enough to see her for who she was and appreciate the woman she was on the inside.
I loved their first date! I actually laughed out loud at how tongue tied the hero was and how he would just stare at her and be silent. I loved how the heroine was confused and kept trying to prompt him to speak, etc. It was so honest and I could actually imagine it all happening in real life. Which is part of Noelle's writing magic :)
One reviewer complained about hating the hero for limiting how many hours the heroine was allowed to volunteer/intern at his store for... Lol, I thought it was actually a great sign of integrity on his part that he was forcing her to go home and relax, otherwise he and his business would be taking advantage of her (since she was unpaid).
I absolutely loved the vulnerability that the hero had thru out this whole story! I loved how the heroine got him to sing an Elvis song, and I loved how the author used this scene again a few more times. I also loved how the hero explains to the heroine about the first time he saw her, soooo sweet!
The heroine and hero were both very insecure in their beliefs that they were lovable people, and while it might become annoying to the readers towards the end, it struck me as very believable. Most of us experience that feeling at some point in our lives, and I was able to relate and believe what I was reading here. And, at some points when the heroine was irritated and would clam up and refuse to speak or act out, my first thought was "wow, that's immature"... but then I remembered how I acted when I was in my early-mid 20's.... and I was like, "oh, yeah....oops" :)
The age difference did not bother me at all, as I could relate. Some girls are just a better fit for more mature guys. This 41-yr old hero was the first guy for our heroine to date that was mature enough to see her for who she was and appreciate the woman she was on the inside.
I loved their first date! I actually laughed out loud at how tongue tied the hero was and how he would just stare at her and be silent. I loved how the heroine was confused and kept trying to prompt him to speak, etc. It was so honest and I could actually imagine it all happening in real life. Which is part of Noelle's writing magic :)
One reviewer complained about hating the hero for limiting how many hours the heroine was allowed to volunteer/intern at his store for... Lol, I thought it was actually a great sign of integrity on his part that he was forcing her to go home and relax, otherwise he and his business would be taking advantage of her (since she was unpaid).
I absolutely loved the vulnerability that the hero had thru out this whole story! I loved how the heroine got him to sing an Elvis song, and I loved how the author used this scene again a few more times. I also loved how the hero explains to the heroine about the first time he saw her, soooo sweet!
The heroine and hero were both very insecure in their beliefs that they were lovable people, and while it might become annoying to the readers towards the end, it struck me as very believable. Most of us experience that feeling at some point in our lives, and I was able to relate and believe what I was reading here. And, at some points when the heroine was irritated and would clam up and refuse to speak or act out, my first thought was "wow, that's immature"... but then I remembered how I acted when I was in my early-mid 20's.... and I was like, "oh, yeah....oops" :)
January 8, 2019
Another delightful marriage of convenience romance by Noelle Adams! The last of the Greyson sisters, Chelsea hasn't ever had a real job and has been supported by her sisters and Poppy (grandfather) since their parents passed away. She wants to do something different though, and she knows she can use her social skills and eye for fashion in a positive way if given the chance. She contracts with Owen Masterson of Masterson Department stores for a two fold venture - she'll be his temporary trophy wife and intern at his store. They'll both get something out of the deal (Chelsea can help Owen find some new designers to update the fashions at the store, and she'll get some on the job training) and as it so happens, they get more than they bargained for when neither wants their 'temporary' arrangement to end. Owen is 41 and Chelsea is 24 so it's an age gap romance, but Owen is one of the sweetest heroes I've read lately. There's even a scene where he offers her comfort during her period when she experiences bad cramps, something you don't come across everyday in a contemporary romance. They share some sexy scenes together (Owen is very clear that he won't expect sex in their 'fake' marriage so it's up to Chelsea to encourage him). It's a lovely addition to the series.
Note: a copy of this story was provided by the author for review.
Note: a copy of this story was provided by the author for review.
April 25, 2023
This was an okay read, but I felt like it had a major plot hole. Owen offers Chelsea a job at his department store, a paid job, which she turns down because she feels it would be “cheating”. He tries to convince her, saying, “No one would even bat an eyelash. Spouses get jobs all the time. Nepotism is alive and well…” But she is uncomfortable with this and they agree they’ll call it an internship, and she won’t get paid. Then later on this becomes a major point of contention in the story. Owen is now insisting she can only work 20 hours a week because she’s only an intern, and he can see no way around this. She asks him to make it a real job, because she loves this job, and he says, “I’d love to be able to give you a real job, but I can’t. You’re my wife, it’s hard enough to manage with you being an intern, how the hell could we possibly do it if you were a paid employee?”
It’s not until the last chapter of the book, when Chelsea’s had to wait almost a year for another employee to retire before Owen says he now has an opportunity to “restructure ” so that he can hire her without her reporting to him. This was honestly lazy plot development, or indicated there was something much more sinister and manipulative about Owen, that he’d use his authority over her career to control her.
It’s not until the last chapter of the book, when Chelsea’s had to wait almost a year for another employee to retire before Owen says he now has an opportunity to “restructure ” so that he can hire her without her reporting to him. This was honestly lazy plot development, or indicated there was something much more sinister and manipulative about Owen, that he’d use his authority over her career to control her.
April 29, 2024
This was just....fine. If not, on the boring side of mediocre.
Chelsea was self-centred. Most of the 250 pages were just about her thinking about how everyone only views her as a dumb blonde and how she can't stand her peepaw (none of us do). It got tired after the third or fourth chapter.
So much more could have been done with the whole transformation thing as well as Owen's character. We never really got to go beneath the surface. All we get is "fuddy duddy" ol Owen who has the personality of a cardboard cutout.
The characterisation of the couple was far too formulaic for me to bring myself to care about them. This is not one of Noelle Adams' better works, unfortunately.
Chelsea was self-centred. Most of the 250 pages were just about her thinking about how everyone only views her as a dumb blonde and how she can't stand her peepaw (none of us do). It got tired after the third or fourth chapter.
So much more could have been done with the whole transformation thing as well as Owen's character. We never really got to go beneath the surface. All we get is "fuddy duddy" ol Owen who has the personality of a cardboard cutout.
The characterisation of the couple was far too formulaic for me to bring myself to care about them. This is not one of Noelle Adams' better works, unfortunately.
December 18, 2018
This book continues the series about three women and their grandfather's expectations of their future.
I found Chelsea a bit hard to relate to, she shops and doesn't work, provided for by her grandfather.
Owen is an older Hero.
No intimate scenes with anyone other than the Hero and heroine.
No ex drama.
No cheating.
HEA.
I found Chelsea a bit hard to relate to, she shops and doesn't work, provided for by her grandfather.
Owen is an older Hero.
No intimate scenes with anyone other than the Hero and heroine.
No ex drama.
No cheating.
HEA.
July 26, 2019
The hero is so dense and childish I wanted to shake him half of the time I am reading... Owwwwennnnn you are so frustrating!
I love Chelsea and her spririt in my opinion she deserves more..
I will read book 4 just to see the love story of Pops
I love Chelsea and her spririt in my opinion she deserves more..
I will read book 4 just to see the love story of Pops
January 18, 2019
Noelle Adams est une auteure presque entièrement auto-éditée qui écrit de la romance loin des critères habituels. Elle emprunte souvent des thèmes très anciens et pas forcément à la mode aujourd’hui. Cette série de trois livres racontent comment trois sœurs vont contracter chacune un mariage arrangé à une époque où cela est relativement rare. Dans cet opus, qui est le troisième et dernier tome, nous suivons la plus jeune sœur, Chelsea. le roman n’est pas parfait mais il a tout de même de très jolis moments et présentent des héros atypiques.
Chelsea n’a que vingt-quatre ans mais elle appartient à une famille très traditionnelle où le mariage est la seule façon pour une femme de s’accomplir. Si ses sœurs ont su prendre leur distance par rapport à cela, Chelsea a peu de chance d’échapper à son sort. Elle ne travaille pas, n’a pas fait d’études et passe pour le moineau à tête vide dans sa propre famille. Le seul talent qu’elle se reconnaît est celui d’avoir un excellent goût. Elle put peut-être utiliser cela pour trouver un travail. Quand elle entend qu’Owen, un ami de l’un de ses beau-frères dirige sa petite entreprise mais peine à la faire décoller car il n’est pas très moderne ni dans sa mise ni dans ses approches, elle se dit qu’elle peut-être se marier avec lui, elle apportera son son du style, il lui permettra de sortir du carcan familial. Et puis ses sœurs ont déjà suivi ce chemin.
C’est clairement le point faible du roman car Chelsea engage sa vie pendant quelques mois avec un homme alors que clairement rien ne l’y oblige vraiment mais le reste est plus cohérent et intéressant. Nous suivons l’intrigue assez classique de ce type de roman qui fonctionne bien avec les thèmes préférés de l’auteure. Noelle Adams adore montrer l’anti-coup de foudre, l’amour qui naît alors que rien ne l’annonçait. Chelsea et Owen n’ont rien en commun, il est plus âgé qu’elle, ont deux caractères opposés et pourtant à force de se fréquenter, de se croiser, l’amour et l’attraction vont naître et se développer.
Ce qui m’a encore plus plu, c’est le caractère atypique des deux héros. Owen est timide, a plus de quarante ans et est très loin d’avoir une personnalité extraordinaire. Quant à Chelsea, elle se reconnaît elle-même peu cultivée, petite fille riche sans grand intérêt. On peut difficilement montrer deux personnages plus éloignés des critères à la mode actuellement. Pourtant le terne Owen commence à briller au fil de l’intrigue et la godiche de Chelsea commence à montrer intelligence et répondant. Je doute que cela fonctionne avec tout le monde mais la romance est très mignonne, plus fine qu’il n’y paraît et sort ainsi des sentiers battus. Un bon moment en somme.
http://romance-bluemoon.com/2019/01/p...
Chelsea n’a que vingt-quatre ans mais elle appartient à une famille très traditionnelle où le mariage est la seule façon pour une femme de s’accomplir. Si ses sœurs ont su prendre leur distance par rapport à cela, Chelsea a peu de chance d’échapper à son sort. Elle ne travaille pas, n’a pas fait d’études et passe pour le moineau à tête vide dans sa propre famille. Le seul talent qu’elle se reconnaît est celui d’avoir un excellent goût. Elle put peut-être utiliser cela pour trouver un travail. Quand elle entend qu’Owen, un ami de l’un de ses beau-frères dirige sa petite entreprise mais peine à la faire décoller car il n’est pas très moderne ni dans sa mise ni dans ses approches, elle se dit qu’elle peut-être se marier avec lui, elle apportera son son du style, il lui permettra de sortir du carcan familial. Et puis ses sœurs ont déjà suivi ce chemin.
C’est clairement le point faible du roman car Chelsea engage sa vie pendant quelques mois avec un homme alors que clairement rien ne l’y oblige vraiment mais le reste est plus cohérent et intéressant. Nous suivons l’intrigue assez classique de ce type de roman qui fonctionne bien avec les thèmes préférés de l’auteure. Noelle Adams adore montrer l’anti-coup de foudre, l’amour qui naît alors que rien ne l’annonçait. Chelsea et Owen n’ont rien en commun, il est plus âgé qu’elle, ont deux caractères opposés et pourtant à force de se fréquenter, de se croiser, l’amour et l’attraction vont naître et se développer.
Ce qui m’a encore plus plu, c’est le caractère atypique des deux héros. Owen est timide, a plus de quarante ans et est très loin d’avoir une personnalité extraordinaire. Quant à Chelsea, elle se reconnaît elle-même peu cultivée, petite fille riche sans grand intérêt. On peut difficilement montrer deux personnages plus éloignés des critères à la mode actuellement. Pourtant le terne Owen commence à briller au fil de l’intrigue et la godiche de Chelsea commence à montrer intelligence et répondant. Je doute que cela fonctionne avec tout le monde mais la romance est très mignonne, plus fine qu’il n’y paraît et sort ainsi des sentiers battus. Un bon moment en somme.
http://romance-bluemoon.com/2019/01/p...
January 9, 2019
Amazing! I just keep loving this series. Chelsea might have followed on her sisters footsteps and gotten married out of convenience but like her sisters her fake marriage starts to feel more real as time passes by. Owen might have needed a trophy wife to up his style and make him look better in a business stand point specially when he is so shy and socially awkward. Chelsea might have agreed to marry Owen to get out of her old shell and become more independent but as they both start to get to know each other things change; they both realize that they want to make their fake marriage into a real one. Packaged Husband was a fun addictive read! A must read!!!!
***Received this ARC by NetGalley as an exchange for an honest review.
***Received this ARC by NetGalley as an exchange for an honest review.
April 24, 2021
wiseeee men say 🎵
only fools rush in 🎶
but i can’t help 🎵
falling in love with youuuuuu 🎶
absolutely perfect! although i’m seriously concerned by how pop hasn’t had a stroke or a heart attack due to the stress of the last of his granddaughter also deciding to go with the marriage of convenience shit 🤣
pop must’ve been like: NOT AGAIN 😩
it’s seriously funny 🤣🤣🤣
i love this series so much! i’d like it more if we have some in-laws bonding time (trevor, hunter, owen). imagine the triple hotness 🥵
ok last book lesgoooo
only fools rush in 🎶
but i can’t help 🎵
falling in love with youuuuuu 🎶
absolutely perfect! although i’m seriously concerned by how pop hasn’t had a stroke or a heart attack due to the stress of the last of his granddaughter also deciding to go with the marriage of convenience shit 🤣
pop must’ve been like: NOT AGAIN 😩
it’s seriously funny 🤣🤣🤣
i love this series so much! i’d like it more if we have some in-laws bonding time (trevor, hunter, owen). imagine the triple hotness 🥵
ok last book lesgoooo
January 11, 2019
Noelle Adams never holds back. She keeps it real when it comes to matters of the heart and healing of the soul. Through her characters she can deliver lessons of life, stories of hope and acts of courage without getting overly preachy and with a sense of humor. In Packaged Husband, an act of desperation has everlasting results for Chelsea and Owen. The key to understanding an Adams novel is to listen with your heart.
January 7, 2019
Packaged Husband was too typical for my taste. It's a cute story with fun characters, and fans of this series will enjoy this one. It's just not for me, though.
January 21, 2019
I love these books! Then again, I pretty much love anything Noelle Adams writes! Owen is looking for a trophy wife. He doesn't want to get married or have a relationship. He just wants a woman to accompany him to the many functions he has to attend for his business. Darcy has loved Owen for awhile so she suggests he get himself a wife. Someone who would be willing to marry him for a year, then once his business is well established they can divorce. Of course, she offers herself for the job. Owen is intrigued by her offer and agrees. Now that they are official can they make it work for a year? Or are they secretly hoping for more?
As usual, the author does an excellent job with her characters. I fell in love with them right away. Owen was pretty much a nerd, but thanks to Darcy's gift of "packaging", she manages to transform his appearance and his attitude into that of a very good looking, astute businessman. This entails spending a lot of time together, time to really get to know one another. And they both really like what they see.
Another winner in my book, the kind you might think seriously about reading again.
As usual, the author does an excellent job with her characters. I fell in love with them right away. Owen was pretty much a nerd, but thanks to Darcy's gift of "packaging", she manages to transform his appearance and his attitude into that of a very good looking, astute businessman. This entails spending a lot of time together, time to really get to know one another. And they both really like what they see.
Another winner in my book, the kind you might think seriously about reading again.
April 10, 2022
This was a pretty cute read. There was also quite a nice payoff at the end, which I love. All the feels!
July 19, 2023
A short and sweet book about a marriage of convenience between a spoiled fmc and a quiet dilf.
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