Backup Wife

The Jilted Wives Club #4

by Bethany Lopez

USA Today Bestselling Author Bethany Lopez brings you her break-out series about getting a second chance at love later in life. Follow Whitney, Summer, Margo, Charlotte, and Andi as they experience the good, bad, and ugly of dating again in their thirties and forties. Join them in The Jilted Wives Club.

When your first shot of love curdles, switch to a nice Cabernet.

Charlotte never imagined she’d be a single mom in her thirties. With a fulfilling job, a sweet toddler, and a supportive family, she knows she should be counting her blessings, but it feels like something is missing… her.

Although he and Charlotte made a marriage pact when they were teenagers, Damon always knew he’d never get married. An architect and artist, his life is full, and there has never been room for more than casual affairs. But lately, he’s felt like something is missing.

When they find themselves alone in Italy, the food, wine, culture, and gorgeous countryside become the backdrop of a passionate affair. In the midst of finding themselves, they found each other.

But when reality sets in, can they make this vacation romance into something that lasts, or will they be left with nothing but memories and a nice cabernet?

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Second Chance, Friends To Lovers, Ebooks, Novella

186 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 22, 2022

About the author

Sign up for my Newsletter for more information about my writing: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/61969e...

Bethany Lopez is a USA Today Bestselling author of more than seventy published works, as both Bethany Lopez and DJ Bryce, and has been publishing since 2011. She's a lover of all things romance, which she incorporates into the books she writes, no matter the genre.

When she isn't reading or writing, she loves spending time with family and traveling whenever possible.

Bethany can usually be found with a cup of coffee or glass of wine at hand, and will never turn down a cupcake!

Literary Agent - Amanda Wooden, SBR Media amanda@sbrmedia.com

Reviews

[Bethany Lopez]

Now Available!!!

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Now Available on Audio!
Narrated by Caitlyn Porayko
Audible - https://www.audible.com/pd/B0B1S3J16G...
Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Backup-Wife-Ji...
Apple Books - Coming Soon

[Lori R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this!
Another sweet and sexy story in this fun series!

In Backup Wife, we get Charlotte’s story. I was eager for her book. She’s been burned badly by her ex, so she’s leery of any relationships. Not only for her own sake, but for her daughter’s as well.

Starting anything with Damon would be wrong. He is her friend, and also her brother’s best friend. They’ve known each other since they were kids, and their friendship would be at risk. Right?

Even if they did make that pact back in high school…

I loved reading about Damon and Char’s adventures in Italy, the ease of their friendship, the sparks in their chemistry. Watching their flirting go from harmless and innocent to something more meaningful was fun and heartwarming.

Bethany has a real knack for making her stories feel so real, and writing easily lovable characters. Not only did I love these main characters, but also the side characters, and especially the characters from the previous books. I feel like I’ve known them forever, like they’re my friends.

This story has the perfect mix of humor, heart, and steam and made this story very enjoyable for me.

If you’ve read and loved the first three books in this series, you’ll definitely enjoy this one too.

[Jacqueline]

Dnf.
No chemistry, no build up, just, “ D’you fancy a fling?”, “ Yeah, ok”. I like some tension, some build up, a little anticipation, but there was none here. Yawn.

[Becky Claxon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has been my favorite Jilted Wives club book so far. I hated that Charlotte had such a pathetic ex that had beat Charlotte down mentally that she didn’t believe in herself. The best part of their marriage was little Skye that her father never saw. Damon was best friends with Luca who is Charlotte’s brother. Damon was part of Luca’s family. When Damon and Charlotte were in high school they agreed if they weren’t married when they were 35 years old they would marry each other. Charlotte’s family had bought a beautiful villa in Tuscany Italy and had invited all of the wives clubs and their significant others to spend three weeks in Italy. Charlotte’s mom was something else in a good way. She made sure that Damon and Charlotte were at the villa a few weeks before the others arrived so they could spend time together. I loved reading about their adventures in Italy and all the food I ate. I was ready to go to Italy with them! You really need to read the book and fall in love. I was given a copy of the book and voluntarily wrote a review.

[Mary McFarlane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a cute easy read! Love this series and can’t wait for the next book.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was amazing! Charlotte and Damon will have you swooning and falling in love! 5 stars for this one!
Charlotte and Damon have been friends for a long time. She's always had a crush on him, but she thinks he see's her as only her brothers sister. Fast forward to now, she's a newly divorced mother with a daughter, and Damon is realizing what he thought he had wanted, to never get married, is now changing after watching everyone around him pair off. Can he get Charlotte to trust him and let him love her the way she deserves? She's been hurt by her ex husband, so there's a lot of damage to repair, if she'd just let him.
I don't want to give too much of the story line away, but I was so into it I stayed up late to finish it, it's that good! If you haven't started this series yet, now's your chance, you will not be disappointed!

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Backup Wife
The Jilted Wives Club, Book 4
By: Bethany Lopez
Narrated by: Caitlyn Porayko

I was so excited to see Charlotte getting her own book! After a horrible divorce, she joined the Jilted Wives Club. She is doing whatever she can to keep her daughter happy and start her new life. There is no room for a relationship. When she goes to Italy to get away for a while, she doesn't know it's a setup by her mother. Damen is there. Her brother's best friend and the man she made a pact with during high school to marry at 35 if they are not married, these two have off the chart's chemistry. But is that enough to start a relationship? Could their childhood pact really be the answer to their hearts? Love Damen! He knew years ago what he wanted and biding his time may prove to be worth it. Charlotte is hesitant, not only for herself, but telling her brother and deciding what is best for her daughter. Totally can understand her feelings. And we get to see all the members of the club and enjoy their advice! It's a fun addition to the series.

Caitlyn Porayko tells us this story with perfect voices and an emotional heart tugging. Including some laughter and banter, she easily falls into each character and creates an enjoyable listen.

[KDRBCK · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the fourth stand-alone in the Jilted Wives Club by B. Lopez.
I enjoyed the previous stories very much and was giggy to get my hands on this story.
Charlotte is a single mom, divorced and she's Luca's sister. Yes, the Luca, Whitney's fiancé. And she was welcomed into the fold of the Club.
Damon is her brother's best frtiend since forever and they grew up together. As teens they made a pact and now's the time to reconsider.
A slow burn in a beautiful setting, characters easy to connect with, entertaining, witty and fun, 4,5 stars.

[Kimberly #Audiofile · Rating 3 out of 5]

Charlottes story.
Long time love. Family friend is the mmc love interest.
Fmc has been stuffed over by her daughters dad who has no interest in being a father.

She needs to learn to trust again.
3 star listen
Gifted audio in exchange for an honest review.
I’ve really enjoyed this series it’s worth the listen.

[Josie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Italy

My dream vacation will never be like this, but love the family villa, the trip to Rome, and the stop for the festival...just wow. The romance between Char and Damon was so sweet.

[Ashley Hedden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Backup Wife (The Jilted Wives Club #4) was a great read by Bethany Lopez. Charlotte is a member of the Jilted Wives Club. She never thought she would be a single mom in her thirties. Damon and Charlotte made a marriage pact when they were teenagers. He knew that he would never get married, but lately has felt like something is missing in his life. They find themselves set up by her mom and alone in Italy. They start a passionate affair while on vacation but reality quickly sets in and they don’t know if it will last. I loved reading this book and cant wait to read more by the author.

[Belinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this delightful book! This was my favourite so far in this wonderful series. Charlotte and Damon were perfect for each other and I loved it from the very first page.

[Heather Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute Read

I enjoyed Charlotte and Damon’s story and as always Ms Lopez tells another engaging story filled with hope and romance.

[Henry Berk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed

Each book in this series is awesome love the friendships and the love stories. Can't wait for the next one.

[Roy · Rating 1 out of 5]

trashy

Bad language and trashy actions with lots of emphasis on sexual situations. Contrived plot and unrealistic characters in a not very interesting story.

[Nina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kiedy byli nastolatkami Damon Voltare zawarł z Charlotte Russo pakt, że jeśli w wieku trzydziestu pięciu lat będą wolni, ona zostanie jego żoną. Moźna by rzec, że umowa wyznacza Charlotte status żony w rezerwie. Choć nie ma pewności, że ona o tym młodzieńczym układzie pamięta, trudno, żeby Damon teraz, po latach, gdy Charlotte została rozwódką z dwuletnią córeczką, nie wykorzystał sytuacji. Małźeństwo Charlotte z Nigelem zaczęło dogorywać, gdy zaszła w ciążę a ostatecznie się rozpadło, kiedy na świat zamiast chlopca przyszła dziewczynka.

Dzięki sprytnemu wybiegowi seniorki rodziny Russo, Charlotte i Damon spędzają wspólne wakacje we Włoszech. Na oboje, miłośników sztuki - on jest architektem i malarzem, ona pracuje w galerii i czasami też sięga po szkicownik - rzymskie i toskańskie cuda działają jak dodatkowy afrodyzjak. Jednak nawet wspaniały seks z Damonem długo nie jest w stanie pomóc Charlotte w odzyskaniu wiary w siebie, w przywróceniu zaufania i nadziei na nowy, trwały związek. Nie pomagają jednoznaczne sugestie ze strony członków rodziny i przyjaciół, którzy po paru tygodniach także tłumnie zjeżdżają na farmę w Toskanii, ani nawet wielka niespodzianka towarzysząca ich pobytowi.

Podobnie jak w poprzednich powieściach o kobietach należących do Klubu porzuconych żon sytuacja wyjściowa protagonistów jest bardziej pomysłowa, ciekawiej opisana niż poszukiwanie i realizacja drugiej szansy na miłość. Choć muszę przyznać, że opis włoskich atrakcji zawsze przy lekturze stanowi dla mnie dodatkowy bonus, nawet jeśli reakcje na nie Damona i Charlotte mogą się wydać nieco infantylne.

Mimo że wiadomo, kim jest Accidental Wife, piąta bohaterka Klubu porzuconych/oszukanych żon, dotychczas nie udało mi się ustalić, kiedy książka się ukaże.

[A bookworm guide to a good book · Rating 2 out of 5]

While i didn’t hate reading this book, it definitely lacked in build up. Everything was like a flat line without any tension. Even the way they decide to start thing seems a little flat. It’s basically like that: “Want to fuck ?” “Why not.” And the affair starts. Simple as that. I would have liked for it to have more dept because theses characters could have offered so much more. Damon was sweet and a good man. As for Charlotte, she had so much potential for a glow up in her own personal development. Instead we were give a quick no satisfying romance without any dept. Even the epilogue for me was lacking. No real chemistry was show even in THE thing that’s supposed to give us a satisfying feeling. That being said the book is not horrible. Like I said the characters are lovable. So if you just want a quick read without any investment, this would do a great job. 2.25 ⭐️

[Lourdes · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the story of Charlotte and Damon, her younger brother’s best friend. If you have been following the series, you’ve already met them and, like me, have been waiting to read about them.
Though they’ve had liked each other since HS, Charlotte married a guy she met in college and Damon vowed never to marry, but life has happened and she is now a divorced mother of a toddler and he is starting to feel an emptiness in his life his other pursues can’t fill.
I found the story sweet and, being an artist, Damon proved to be quite romantic. The Italian backdrop is definitely a plus to it all, but that was the extent of it for me. There are things to like, but I found too many timeline and language incongruences for me to love it.

3 stars

[Nicole Ortiz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one is my favorite. This is Charlotte's story. Charlotte and Damon have known each other since they were kids they even made a pact when they were in high school if they weren't married by 35 they would marry each other. Even though they were attracted to each other they never pursued it. Charlotte is now a divorced single parent, when an opportunity rises for her to spend sometime by herself in her family's summer home in Italy she takes not knowing her mom offered Damon the same opportunity. Being together for a couple weeks in Italy by themselves they decide to have a summer fling until the family joins them. Enjoyable quick listen with wonderful characters. As always the narrator did a great job telling the story. Can't wait for the next one.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I skipped from Book 1 to Book 4 in this series, so I do need to go back to read the others and fill in the blanks. But this does work as a standalone without knowing all the back stories.

Charlotte was struggling in Book 1 with her jerk of a husband and he is fortunately now her ex, though he's not just a terrible husband but also a terrible father who is not involved at all with their child. Damon, on the other hand, is so sweet with Charlotte and Sky. He is exactly what they need and deserve.

Charlotte and Damon have known each other and crushed on each other forever. A trip to Italy is the perfect place to explore what could be between them. The author paints exquisite pictures of the Italian scenery.

Great read!

[Claudia, Cmarie927 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Childhood friendship to a HEA

I have finished my binge reading of this series, and this story was a great way to finish.

Charlotte and Damon have been friends and crushing on each other since their school days. I really enjoyed how Damon never wavered in his feelings.

This also has the added fun of the author's tour guide detailing of Italy, through the eyes of this couple.
Obviously I enjoy this series and recommend reading it (in the correct order please).

I will certainly be reading more from this talented author in the future.

[Vilma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lifelong friends, brothers best friend and a trip to Italy

Charlotte and Damon are friends who have known each other since they were very young. Damon is her brother’s best friend.

On a vacation to Italy that Charlotte’s mother orchestrated, Damon and Charlotte act on their long held feelings.

While each of them had past issues to work through, Charlotte has to work through the insecurities her ex burned into her soul.

Once Damon works through her insecurities and her family encourages the relationship, there is a happy ending for the couple.

[Carolle Desroches · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved this author

I had such fun with this series so far, I wish I had a club like this for support when I got my divorce. It was a tough time and you feel like a failure, but to have a jilted wives club would have helped to soften the blow to your heart. I love the HEA in each book.

[AnneMarie Davee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worth the Wait ❤️🍝🎨💙

This was a cute addition to the Jilted Wives Club series. It’s fun to catch up with the other women, and to see Charlotte finally get a good man. She and Damon make good on a pact that is almost 20 years in the making.

A fun romp through Italy, where I felt like I was there. A fun, quick summer read.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Char and Damon are absolutely amazing characters that I loved getting to know better. They have been in the background but their story was wonderful. I spent a day getting to know them, touring Italy, and falling in love right along with them.

I can’t wait for more Jilted Wives!

[Crystal Wilke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charlotte and Damon's story is officially here and I am over the moon for their story. My absolute favorite couple. I've felt their connection from the beginning and their journey is epic. Love the Jilted Wives club and can't wait to read Andi's story.

[B. Fergen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just a lovely romantic story

This was a wonderful story about a loving family and close friends. Part of the story occurs in Italy which makes a beautiful and romantic background for a love story.

[Erwin J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Story

Story of a typical family with villa in Italy or should I say Tuscany. Divorcee, who is very gun sly, well she did marry a jack a... or maybe asino. Finally gets back to a family friend that she made a marriage pack with a long time ago.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

Love the characters in the book, had a lot of laughter which made me laughing out loud as I read the story. If you like to read a romance book with humor and hot sex this is for you.

[Anne Turnley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Promises

I enjoyed this friends become lovers romance. With a large Italian family and visits to their villa and winery in Italy, the scenery is inviting. It does need a good edit. Looking forward to more books about this family.