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Carraway Falls #3
The Next Chapter
If you know me, you know that agreeing to be Cooper Lansing’s fake girlfriend is completely out of character.
Mostly because I hate him and I have for the last 14 years. Some might say that holding on to hurt feelings from ninth grade isn’t mature or healthy.
Those same people probably would say lying to an entire town about a relationship that doesn’t exist is also not my brightest idea.
I don’t care about those people. I don’t even care about Cooper. Not even a little. Sure, I’ve offered to be his fake girlfriend while his ex-wife is in town, but that doesn’t mean anything.
Only the more time we spend together the more lines start to blur and the more my feelings get involved…good feelings. Warm, fuzzy feelings.
Mostly because I hate him and I have for the last 14 years. Some might say that holding on to hurt feelings from ninth grade isn’t mature or healthy.
Those same people probably would say lying to an entire town about a relationship that doesn’t exist is also not my brightest idea.
I don’t care about those people. I don’t even care about Cooper. Not even a little. Sure, I’ve offered to be his fake girlfriend while his ex-wife is in town, but that doesn’t mean anything.
Only the more time we spend together the more lines start to blur and the more my feelings get involved…good feelings. Warm, fuzzy feelings.
- GenresEnemies To Lovers
274 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 24, 2022
2 people are currently reading
25 people want to read
About the author
Jean Marie
14 books182 followersJean Marie has been falling in love with characters in books for as long as she can remember. From an early age, she escaped into the worlds created by others. And now she's finally creating some herself, complete with sexy heroes and relatable heroines.
When she's not reading, she's drinking some tea, probably watching a truly tragic medical drama, or reading. Her debut series takes place in the fictional small town in Vermont and features famous garlic knots, some serious steam, and a whole lot of heart.
When she's not reading, she's drinking some tea, probably watching a truly tragic medical drama, or reading. Her debut series takes place in the fictional small town in Vermont and features famous garlic knots, some serious steam, and a whole lot of heart.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
March 27, 2022
Is it rocket science these days to write a Fictional Romance?
- Author has "Hero" choose OW over heroine and he & OW were together for 12+ years (she was his first everything - 1st GF, first sexual experience, fiancee & wife).
-He & heroine were childhood BFFs & neighbors. He gives heroine her first kiss at age 14 and then not only moves immediately to OW but completely forgets the kiss right after it happened AND doesn't remember it at all - until 14+ years in the present when heroine brings it up (reason why she is angry at him all these years).
- Hero not once in past or present sees heroine as anything but a "friend". A sexual partner/fling perhaps, but a soulmate? Yep, no.
- Hero spends ALL of the story obsessing about his failed marriage of what went wrong and never even got closure. He is hurt every time he sees his ex - especially when she's with OM and that too never gets resolved.
- Hero reprimands heroine every time she dissed his ex who cheated on him. When she called her evil or something, he defends her by saying that she is a sweet & nice person. Uhm.. she cheated on you dude.That is NOT a nice person - or sweet.
- Hero claimed to have loved the OW and they had fun together all the years they were together BUT in the present with heroine, there's no "fun", relationship development, chemistry or even love.
- Hero is constantly coming across as not confident. i.e. - first sexual scene with heroine, he was worried he wouldn't measure up (and questioning if it was reason why his ex left him for OM) WHILE THEY WERE HAVING SEX because he had only ever been with his ex. So not only is he thinking of the ex while having sex with heroine but he also has not been with any OW since he broke up with the OW over 2 years prior. So that tells me that these writers these days like to have Heroes move on to OW when the breakup is between him & heroine BUT have them stay celibate when it is the OW. LOL.
- Heroine has a fit at close to the end when they exchanged ILY's and decides to break up with Hero because he asked if she wanted babies and she felt they were moving too fast. So she breaks up with him and immediately goes on a date with OM. Huh?
- Hero then feels like a loser (he is) for having 2 women that he loved, leave him and doesn't understand why. (Yep. Me too buddy!)
- Then after suffering through this non-romance, you would think that there would be a HEA, right? But No! They are together but no engagement or talk of marriage, babies, etc.
Now call me crazy, but shouldn't a FICTIONAL romance have some kind of "romance" for the 2 people you are writing about? A sex scene here & there does not a "Romance" make. Nor does it give any "feels" or whatever to have a Hero still obviously not over his Ex or marriage. All one got from this is that the guy was lonely and feeling like a loser since his ex no longer wanted him and someone else pursued him (yep, heroine made ALL the moves) and he just went with it - whether he wanted it or not cause he had no brain cells of his own.
- Author has "Hero" choose OW over heroine and he & OW were together for 12+ years (she was his first everything - 1st GF, first sexual experience, fiancee & wife).
-He & heroine were childhood BFFs & neighbors. He gives heroine her first kiss at age 14 and then not only moves immediately to OW but completely forgets the kiss right after it happened AND doesn't remember it at all - until 14+ years in the present when heroine brings it up (reason why she is angry at him all these years).
- Hero not once in past or present sees heroine as anything but a "friend". A sexual partner/fling perhaps, but a soulmate? Yep, no.
- Hero spends ALL of the story obsessing about his failed marriage of what went wrong and never even got closure. He is hurt every time he sees his ex - especially when she's with OM and that too never gets resolved.
- Hero reprimands heroine every time she dissed his ex who cheated on him. When she called her evil or something, he defends her by saying that she is a sweet & nice person. Uhm.. she cheated on you dude.That is NOT a nice person - or sweet.
- Hero claimed to have loved the OW and they had fun together all the years they were together BUT in the present with heroine, there's no "fun", relationship development, chemistry or even love.
- Hero is constantly coming across as not confident. i.e. - first sexual scene with heroine, he was worried he wouldn't measure up (and questioning if it was reason why his ex left him for OM) WHILE THEY WERE HAVING SEX because he had only ever been with his ex. So not only is he thinking of the ex while having sex with heroine but he also has not been with any OW since he broke up with the OW over 2 years prior. So that tells me that these writers these days like to have Heroes move on to OW when the breakup is between him & heroine BUT have them stay celibate when it is the OW. LOL.
- Heroine has a fit at close to the end when they exchanged ILY's and decides to break up with Hero because he asked if she wanted babies and she felt they were moving too fast. So she breaks up with him and immediately goes on a date with OM. Huh?
- Hero then feels like a loser (he is) for having 2 women that he loved, leave him and doesn't understand why. (Yep. Me too buddy!)
- Then after suffering through this non-romance, you would think that there would be a HEA, right? But No! They are together but no engagement or talk of marriage, babies, etc.
Now call me crazy, but shouldn't a FICTIONAL romance have some kind of "romance" for the 2 people you are writing about? A sex scene here & there does not a "Romance" make. Nor does it give any "feels" or whatever to have a Hero still obviously not over his Ex or marriage. All one got from this is that the guy was lonely and feeling like a loser since his ex no longer wanted him and someone else pursued him (yep, heroine made ALL the moves) and he just went with it - whether he wanted it or not cause he had no brain cells of his own.
March 25, 2022
A Hero who chose OW instead of heroine and then 12 years later, still in love/obsessing about the OW (his ex-wife) does not a "Romance" make.
I am clearly old school to expect writers these days to understand the concept of what a Fictional Romance is - or should be, because I for one don't find it anything remotely entertaining for a character to be obsessing over and over again for the entire story about his ex of how she was the only woman he was ever with and why his marriage didn't work out, and so on and so on. Over & over again Author had to emphasize how he & the OW were together for most of their entire adult life. Over & Over again, did I mention that? Yep. That's how I felt reading this nonsense. We get it. She was the only woman he had sex and ever loved. We also don't need his constant whining how hurt he still is over their breakup - again over & over again. She cheated dude. Get over it and move on.
The fact that his past relationship takes center stage throughout the entire story, the one that we should be routing for (i.e. heroine & him) takes a backseat with all the whining he does. Heroine in turn becomes a character who is an after-thought and a doormat to want to accept crumbs from a guy who a) chose someone else over her, and b) who still doesn't pursue her. In fact, she is the aggressor in this entire story and he is just the little lamb who follows.
No Thanks. DNF.
I am clearly old school to expect writers these days to understand the concept of what a Fictional Romance is - or should be, because I for one don't find it anything remotely entertaining for a character to be obsessing over and over again for the entire story about his ex of how she was the only woman he was ever with and why his marriage didn't work out, and so on and so on. Over & over again Author had to emphasize how he & the OW were together for most of their entire adult life. Over & Over again, did I mention that? Yep. That's how I felt reading this nonsense. We get it. She was the only woman he had sex and ever loved. We also don't need his constant whining how hurt he still is over their breakup - again over & over again. She cheated dude. Get over it and move on.
The fact that his past relationship takes center stage throughout the entire story, the one that we should be routing for (i.e. heroine & him) takes a backseat with all the whining he does. Heroine in turn becomes a character who is an after-thought and a doormat to want to accept crumbs from a guy who a) chose someone else over her, and b) who still doesn't pursue her. In fact, she is the aggressor in this entire story and he is just the little lamb who follows.
No Thanks. DNF.
March 24, 2022
I love this series; the writing and storytelling are refreshing. We are back in Carraway Falls, and we are in the middle of a mess, exes, fake dating, are they even friends? The small-town gossip at its finest have put Cooper and Chloe in a situation that starts fake, but can it become more? They used to be friends; it is not a stretch, but girlfriend and boyfriend? It is just for a few weeks. Like the others from this author, this book is hard to put down and leaves you wanting more.
Thank you to the Author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.
Thank you to the Author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.
March 7, 2022
I'm telling you, I absolutely LOVE Jean Marie's storylines, her characters, everything! I fell so hard for Cooper and Chloe! Watching these two find one another in a time where they're both struggling with opposing things was so much fun to watch, but also so healing! I love the way they had one another's backs, the way they utilized their history of friendship, and the joy they brought to each other. This was absolutely well done, and super cute! See y'all on another page!
March 26, 2022
This can’t be the last book in the Carraway Falls series!! I have fallen in love with each one of these characters and I am sad to see them go!
I fell in love with Cooper and Chloe in the first few chapters and their story only got better and better! Going from best friends as kids to somewhat enemies as adults but when they both need each other they were there no questions asked. Fake dating to make the ex-wife jealous…check. Realizing you love your best friend! Double check
And Cooper is just the best!! He is so nervous and awkward in all the right ways. He is the perfect balance for Chloe. They are absolutely perfect for each other!
I just love these small town romances. The author does a great job of sucking you in so fast with her writing style! Beautiful!
I fell in love with Cooper and Chloe in the first few chapters and their story only got better and better! Going from best friends as kids to somewhat enemies as adults but when they both need each other they were there no questions asked. Fake dating to make the ex-wife jealous…check. Realizing you love your best friend! Double check
And Cooper is just the best!! He is so nervous and awkward in all the right ways. He is the perfect balance for Chloe. They are absolutely perfect for each other!
I just love these small town romances. The author does a great job of sucking you in so fast with her writing style! Beautiful!
March 19, 2022
The Next Chapter Carraway Falls Book 3 by Jean Marie is a small town enemies to lovers fake dating romance. The Next Chapter is the last book of the Carraway Falls series, but can be read as a standalone.
Chloe agrees to be a fake girlfriend to Cooper while Cooper’s ex-wife is in town even though Chloe has been hating Cooper for the past 14 years.
This is a great story. I love how well the story flows and appreciate the Easter egg from Jean Marie’s other series the Wright Brothers series. There is great build up and development of Chloe and Cooper’s relationship. It was sweet how supportive Chloe and Cooper are of each other and watching them fall in love with each other. The Next Chapter is a great ending to a great series.
I was honored to receive an ARC and voluntarily leaving a review.
Chloe agrees to be a fake girlfriend to Cooper while Cooper’s ex-wife is in town even though Chloe has been hating Cooper for the past 14 years.
This is a great story. I love how well the story flows and appreciate the Easter egg from Jean Marie’s other series the Wright Brothers series. There is great build up and development of Chloe and Cooper’s relationship. It was sweet how supportive Chloe and Cooper are of each other and watching them fall in love with each other. The Next Chapter is a great ending to a great series.
I was honored to receive an ARC and voluntarily leaving a review.
March 23, 2022
This is the third book that follows a group of friends in the Carraway Falls series, but could be read as a stand-alone. I wasn’t sure how I felt about Chloe‘s character in earlier books in the series, but this story helped me connect more with her. It starts off as a fake relationship between Chloe and Cooper, who used to be friends when they were kids. Between some comical community functions and more intimate conversations, the two of them reconsider what their previous feelings actually meant.
This was a enemies to lovers/fake relationship book with a HEA. A sweet, light-hearted read, with just the right amount of steam. Take a weekend or evening to cuddle up with this one!
This was a enemies to lovers/fake relationship book with a HEA. A sweet, light-hearted read, with just the right amount of steam. Take a weekend or evening to cuddle up with this one!
March 25, 2022
amazing conclusion to this series
The Next Chapter is a emotional story that has a perfect combination of my three favorite tropes all rolled into one. Cooper came with trauma from his failed marriage and Chloe comes with trust issues from abandonment. Seeing these two work through all of their issues was so rewarding as a reader!
I was so emotionally invested in their HEA that it was impossible for me to not go through the feels with them each step of the way. I loved the personal growth and growth as a couple.
I also loved all the cameos of regular series couples. Job well done!
The Next Chapter is a emotional story that has a perfect combination of my three favorite tropes all rolled into one. Cooper came with trauma from his failed marriage and Chloe comes with trust issues from abandonment. Seeing these two work through all of their issues was so rewarding as a reader!
I was so emotionally invested in their HEA that it was impossible for me to not go through the feels with them each step of the way. I loved the personal growth and growth as a couple.
I also loved all the cameos of regular series couples. Job well done!
March 6, 2022
This fake relationship romance... it's EVERYTHING! Chloe & Cooper are FIRE together. Right away I completely fell in love with these two! The push and pull between them is agonizingly intense, yet delicious. Talk about a page turner & one that has ALL the feels! The characters are so well written & relatable that you can’t walk away from the book until you finish it...and even then you just want more!! Do yourself a favor and read this book (AND the other books in the series!)
March 23, 2022
Another fantastic book in the Carraway Falls series! This book involved one of my favorite tropes, fake relationship. I enjoyed Cooper and Chloe coming together to support each other through difficult times while learning what it means to truly be in a relationship. The author did a wonderful job with witty characters who show true growth, personal and romantic. I can't wait for the next book in the series!
March 28, 2022
I have been anxiously awaiting Cooper and Chloe's story, and it did not disappoint! The chemistry between them is palpable as it jumps off the page, and I love the backdrop of Carraway Falls and them falling in love. We see all our favorite characters, and it just made me so happy reading this book! The perfect ending to a wonderful series!
March 7, 2022
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
But here's why...
I've been following this series for a while now and I love every one that I've read so far. I look forward to the chance to read the next one. 🥰 so much love is in this series. 🥰
But here's why...
I've been following this series for a while now and I love every one that I've read so far. I look forward to the chance to read the next one. 🥰 so much love is in this series. 🥰
March 23, 2022
I absolutely loved this book! It was so fun and cute to read. It combines the tropes of fake dating and "enemies" to lovers in a wonderful way. The characters were built in a way that made you feel like you had known them forever. I loved it!
March 31, 2024
The true romance was between MMC and his ex-wife. All the thoughts were about how special she is and how much he missed her.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews