Dare to Love My Fake Husband

Forever Marriage Match #3

by Ellie Hall

New Louboutins? Check
Fashion design mogul? Check
VIP wherever it matters most? Check
An unsettled feeling about the future? Um, check

Pressure to live a certain lifestyle turned my world toxic. Late nights bubble with drama, my relationship with my “not-boyfriend” fizzles, and failing to meet my parents’ expectations means one thing. They arrange my marriage.

Yes, for real.

Dean Wolfson is not looking for love, nor does he want his family’s business to go under. When he has the opportunity to bail them out, he says yes to marrying his best friend’s sister—a hot mess. It’s just temporary and then he can get on with his life.

I resent that, thank you very much.

We’re sent to the countryside to “play house.” What starts as a disaster with a leaky roof, sneaky possum, and an indoor mushroom farm turns into distraction. Dean with his charm—showing me what real fun is. And I guess he likes my smile or something.

But when I learn about a secret from his past, do I dare love him?

Genres: Romance, Clean Romance, Contemporary, Fiction, Audiobook, Contemporary Romance, Rom Com

216 pages, Paperback

First published October 15, 2021

About the author

Ellie Hall is a USA Today bestselling author. If only that meant she could wear a tiara and get away with it. ;) She loves puppies, books, and the ocean. Writing sweet romance with lots of firsts and fizzy feels gives her joy. Oh, and chocolate chip cookies are her fave. Ellie believes in dreaming big, working hard, and lazy Sunday afternoons spent with her family and dog in gratitude for God’s grace.

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Newsletter: http://bit.ly/EllieHallNL
Website: http://www.elliehallauthor.com
Facebook: http://www/facebook.com/elliehallauthor
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/elliehallauthor

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Series and suggested reading order:

The Only Us Sweet Billionaire Series
•these billionaires have everything, but will they find love...?•

1. Only a Date with a Billionaire
2. Only a Kiss with a Billionaire
3. Only a Night with a Billionaire
4. Only Forever with a Billionaire
5. Only Love with a Billionaire
6. Only Christmas with the Billionaire
7. Only New Year with the Billionaire

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The Hawkins Family Clean Romance Series

•five brothers, torn apart and the women who help put them back together...•

1. Second Chance in Hawk Ridge Hollow

2. Finding Forever in Hawk Ridge Hollow

3. Resort Getaway with a Bodyguard

4. Going Home to Hawk Ridge Hollow

5. Christmas in Hawk Ridge Hollow

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The Blue Bay Beach Reads Romance Series

•a small-town restaurant, a dating dare, and happily ever afters...•

1. Summer with the Marine

2. Summer with the Rock Star

3. Summer with the Billionaire

4. Summer with the Cowboy

5. Summer with the Carpenter

6. Summer with the Doctor

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Ritchie Ranch Clean Cowboy Romance Series

•Cowboy hats & kisses with small-town charm•

1. Rustling the Cowboy’s Heart

2. Lassoing the Cowboy’s Heart

3. Trusting the Cowboy’s Heart

4. Kissing the Christmas Cowboy

5. Loving the Cowboy’s Heart

6. Charming the Cowboy’s Heart

7. Saving the Cowboy’s Heart

8. Wrangling the Cowboy’s Heart

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Falling into Happily Ever After Rom Com

• Sweet, heartwarming & uplifting romantic comedy

1. An Unwanted Love Story

2. An Unexpected Love Story

3. An Unlikely Love Story

4. An Accidental Love Story

5. An Impossible Love Story

6. An Unconventional Christmas Love Story

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Forever Marriage Match

• Five friends have to find true love or else...romcom

1. Dare to Love My Grumpy Boss

2. Dare to Love the Guy Next Door

3. Dare to Love My Fake Husband

4. Dare to Love the Guy I Hate

5. Dare to Love My Best Friend

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Home Sweet Home Small Town Romantic Comedy Series

Mr. & Mrs. Fix-It Find Love

Designing Happily Ever After

The DIY Kissing Project

The True Romance Renovation

Extreme Heart Makeover

Building What's Meant to Be

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The Costa Brothers Cozy Christmas Comfort Romance Series

Tommy & Merry and the 12 Days of Christmas

Bruno & Gloria and the 5 Golden Rings

Luca & Ivy and the 4 Calling Birds

Gio & Joy and the 3 French Hens

Paulo & Noella and the 2 Turtle Doves

Nico & Hope and the Partridge in the Pear Tree

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The Love List Series

The Swoon List

The Not Love List

The Crush List

The Kiss List

The Naughty or Nice List

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Love, Laughs, and Mystery in Coco Key

The Romance Situation

The Romance Fiasco

The Romance Game

The Romance Gambit

The Christmas Romance Wish

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On the Hunt for Love

The Grump and the Girl Next Door

The Bitter Heir and the Beauty

The Secret Son and the Sweetheart

The Ex Best Friend and the Fake Fiancé

The Best Friend’s Brother and the Brain

Select titles are available in audiobook, paperback, hardcover, and large print formats. Happy reading!♥

Reviews

[Celebrilomiel · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was all over the place and made no sense. So, so many things made no sense. I... struggle to remember any part of the plot or character actions that made any sense at all? 😭 As marriages of convenience go, I think this has the worst premise and execution I've ever read. "Surely it's better than the blurb makes it sound," I thought; "surely it has to make sense in the story." But. uh. No. It doesn't.

Another one bites the dust. I plod onward in my consumption of "acquired when free because I like the tropes and might as well give it a chance" books in the hope of finding more indie authors to invest in.

Ellie Hall has some hockey romcoms I like the premises of, and I'm always on the lookout for clean, cute hockey romcoms for my kid sister, but I don't think I'd be reading more of Hall's work if I hadn't already earmarked Redd, Whit & Blue and Love at First Skate to try.

1.5 stars

[KL Cassanello · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blakely's life is out of control. Dean's family is in financial trouble. Sounds like time for an arranged marriage. This is the third book, and just a wonderful addition to the series. I did not like Blakely's mother. At. All. Her threats to take away access to Blakely's beloved Nanna are beyond cruel. And her brother doesn't have his life together either, but he seems to get away with a lot more. Miranda shows up at the most inconvenient times and places, and it's no wonder that the Fab Five don't like her. But I absolutely love Dean and Blakely together - complete opposites who play off each others' strengths. They're fun and flirty, trying to make the best of the situation with their adorable pet names. Blakely is quite spoiled, but Dean gets her out of her comfort zone. I hate that he kept that big secret - I understand why he did, but still... He's otherwise completely swoon-worthy. I just loved this book, my favorite so far in the series. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jamie (The Kansan Reader)]

Oh bother...

I can't. These people are supposed to be adults. The intros to both characters made them seem immature and not rational thinkers.

Blakely gets hopped up on caffeine buzz switches everything around for a morning show. (Also, can we state how that went down is unbelievable with the time frame given.) She embarrasses herself on live TV. Acts totally bratty. Yet she runs her own business? I don't believe that.

Dean was a total gentleman with some girl who was drunk. Now months later she is coming after him for child support saying her child is his. He knows they never had sex yet he still gives her some money when she asks. Not buying it!

I'm just going to skip this. Also read in a review that these two have a marriage of convivence and that Dean is not Blakely's fake husband at all. I agree with this reviewer. A fake husband is not someone you are actually married to. That's a real husband.

Just safe to say, not for me.

[Megan T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was amazing! I laughed so much. I even questioned if there are people who are truly that clueless 🤣 but overall I enjoyed that they both were able to get out of their comfort zone and learn to love beyond the circumstances. I will add this to my fave reads list for this year. At first I was shocked I enjoyed a book without crying. That was proven to be a lie lol I literally cried 5 min before the book ended. Then I realized this is definitely a great book!

[_bookish_book_ · Rating 1 out of 5]

Plot that doesn’t make sense, no chemistry between characters (how they even started to like each other?), and ridiculously, childish behaviour on both sides.

[Lissa Ruck · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Dean & Blakely's fiesty, sweet, heartachingly beautiful story!!

[Maria Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've now read 4 out of 5 of the books in this series (out of order). I'm afraid this has been my least favorite of them. First of all, I think the book is mistitled. To me, a fake husband is when a couple pretend to be married. These two are actually married. It is a marriage of convenience story but the marriage is real.
Blakely's family is really something else. She is pretty bratty with them which seems weird with her being a successful businesswoman. I'd think that she should have more maturity than she shows with them. Seriously the siblings sound like they are about twelve. So, I was put off by Blakely from the beginning which surprised me because I liked her in the other books. Her brother and mother are both awful though.
I didn't know what to make of Dean. I can't figure out why he does the stuff he does. I guess the redeeming quality of their relationship is that they already had an online relationship so the connection was real even if they didn't know it until later.
So, not my fav of the series but not put off enough to avoid finishing the series.

No sex, language or violence

[Shauna Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun and touching story based in an arranged marriage
Blakely is stylish and has gone from modeling to owning her own very successful fashion design company. But she is also pushing herself too hard. At a television interview with some of her new designs, she chugs way too much caffeine ending up not only running at more than top speed but having an epic wardrobe malfunction and becoming the talk of the town if not nation. With her reputation in tatters, her mother decides it is time for an intervention in the form of an arranged marriage. After spending years in the Air Force, he now flies charter flights when he isn’t fighting a fraudulent paternity claim or trying to figure out how he can help keep his parents’ charity going. When Blakely’s family approaches him with an offer to save the charity in return for an arranged marriage, he can’t see a problem. Quick marriage. Short time married. Quick divorce. But after meeting Blakely he begins to realize that perhaps his plans aren’t what he wants. Mix in some secrets on both sides, a tiny girl needing a family, and a long-forgotten passion and you have a fun, warm, and touching story about caring, being vulnerable, and learning to trust not only others but yourself. I received an early copy and this is my honest review.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Time to Grow Up . . .

Blakely Benedict’s life is a mess, she is not meeting expectations, and has embarrassed the family publicly on TV, so her parents called a family meeting and announced that they have arranged a marriage for Blakely to a responsible adult. Barrett had told them Dean was perfect for the job since he was a mature, responsible, and no-nonsense type. Dean Wolfson needs to save his family’s business. He doesn’t want to find love, but he is willing to temporarily marry his best friend’s sister and agreed to the arrangement they had made.

They head to the countryside together and run into multiple disasters with a leaky roof, a possum, and a mushroom farm causing no end of chaos. But Dean turns it into play and fun. He shows her another way of dealing with life’s little issues. Should she risk allowing herself to love this man? But then her brother Barrett accidentally texts her something secret about Dean that he thought she knew… so who are Chelsea and Olivia?

[Wysteria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will make you LOL and cry. Another great book in this series!

I loved it so much that I seriously never wanted it to end. :) I would have loved more with them as a family. I would have loved to see Blakely as a mum.

There needs to be another series called 'Where are they now?'

Ellie made it so I wanted to live in that cottage next to the lake. It sounds so nice.

I like that Ellie has made these characters seem so real. I thought it was so funny that Blakely didn't know how to do much of anything pertaining to housework. I loved her trying to make pancakes from a box! LOL

Dean is so sweet especially with Olivia. Awwwwww!

I received an ARC and am leaving an honest review.

[Myprivatebookclub · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the third book that I read so far in the series. Somehow I managed to keep the order of the series, which is a great achievement!

This was the book that I liked the least. Blakely was so not my character, so selfish, so airy. I believe the author tried or explain or excuse her, explaining her past and and her mother's involvement in her life, but anyway, she seemed like a disastrous person.

Dean and his efforts seemed to forced to be true. His notes on how Blakely should handle the laundry or make coffee or breakfast were ridiculous. And Blakely, being of the self conscious idea that she is a person on her own, being capable of everything, but actually lacking basic skills of doing anything around home was funny and out of place.

Not my book.

[Yessenia A. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I might have an unpopular opinion, but I really didn’t enjoy this book. I felt as though it moved so quickly, the storyline didn’t make much sense. It was almost too insta-lovely. One minute, the main characters didn’t like each other and then the next minute they were kissing? There was no build up and no connection. And then all of sudden there was? I was so confused when that happened.

I also didn’t like the main character Blake (Blakely? I can’t remember her name). She was really annoying!!! Please understand that I’m a cheapass. That’s the main reason why I found her really annoying.

I didn’t like the main characters. I didn’t like the storyline. The story went too fast and it was so unrealistic. I will pass on the other books.

[Marie Bourgery · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't like Blakely at first. She had an attitude, drank too much energy drink, and made a fool of herself on television. Her parents decide that arranging her marriage to her brother's friend Dean and having her live at her grandmother's cottage is the way to deal with the fallout. Dean considers her a spoiled brat, but goes along for the financial assistance to his parents. I laughed when Blakely kept smelling his shirts. He seems like a good hardworking guy, but he's keeping a big secret he should have told her about from the start. I don't know why Blakely and her friends let leech Miranda hang around and make their lives worse. The story had plenty of funny and sweet moments.

[Erralee Hendrian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blakely is a fashion designer that has an unfortunate incident happen on a morning show which leads to her family doing an intervention to get her out of the area for a bit and a husband to tame her. Obviously Blakely doesn't like this but has to go along or lose her grandmother's cottage and her visiting rights to grandma at the nursing home. So she married her brother's friend and moved to the cottage. Definitely twists and turns to this story along with a little humor. I enjoy how the author tells the story from two points of view and still keeps a nice flow to the story. This is another great read and addition to the series.

[Megan Shultz · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series has so much potential, and then 80% through each book something happens with the writing of the characters that just falls flat for me.

Blakely’s story has been my favorite story so far. She’s a retired model turned fashion business mogul who has a couple of rough patches and her overbearing but loving mother who thinks knows best tries to save her daughter. How? By marrying her off to a friend of the family, Dean, who just wants to provide for his family, and maybe even have a family of his own.

Blakey ends up divulging information about her past, present, and future that makes her vulnerable and serious, which is the opposite of what her family, and Dean, assume. Or so we think.

I really want to like these stories more. I’m going to finish the series, thinking these books are leading up to something significant in the plot. I do like the characters, I like the stories for the most part, but I’m itching to want to love them and I just can’t say I do.

[Wndrgrl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aww. This was adorable. I love the ending. It makes me feel warm and fluffy. And also, this would be a great read for fall. I'm a bit sad there's no autumn in the Philippines now.

Anyway, I love Dean. He's a man man. And I love Blakely, a strong, independent woman, but also a domestic goddess.

Also, I appreciate how this book handled PCOS.

Plot-wise, I did not love the beginning as much as I wanted to, but as far as fake marriages go, it's okay. Not too far-fetched. I started loving the book the moment they moved into nanna's place. And the ending, it was so perfect.

I like the fake marriage trope apparently.

[The Flipped Page (Susan K) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet, contemporary romantic comedy

Romance, contemporary, sweet; series, but stand alone read
Paisley and Dean's story was a lovely, compelling fall. pushed together by her overbearing and mother, and Dean's need for stability for his new family, they are a odds until Dean starts a campaign to trust and love Paisley and treat her as family. Many sweet moments that build their attraction and show their chemistry, creating a lovely, gradual fall that made the perfect HEA. lovely setting in NH, and the friends group backstory is a fun backstory for all the books in this series.

[Cindy Davis- Cindy's Book Corner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am enjoying the Forever Marriage Match series. Dare to Love My Fake Husband is the third book in the series, and I highly recommend reading them in order. The series follows a group of five friends.

I adored this story!!

Forced Marriage/Marriage of Convenience.

Witty banter.

Cute nicknames.

Enemies to lovers.

Pat the Possum.

Learning your true self.

I did not like Blakeley's mother at all. She was overbearing and rude. Blakeley's character can seem off-putting at first, but I liked her. Dean was a great love interest, and the story developed well. While the story seems to be all fluff, there are deeper issues at play (PCOS), but handled with sensitivity and care.

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a mixed bag for me. I didn't initially like Blakely as a main character, even though I've liked her in the previous books. I enjoyed the relationship development after they were at Nanna's house, and the vulnerable side of Blakely that appears as you learn about the relationship she had with her grandma & learn about what her life has been like to this point. I think marriage of convenience fits better than fake husband, but whatever. I wish Dean hadn't kept his secret as long as he did. That caused so much unnecessary mistrust. Overall, I enjoyed this book, and also the way that PCOS & its effects was touched on within the story <3

[MacKenzie Emery · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story as an audiobook. Another fabulous book narrated by Lorana Hoopes. She does an amazing job of giving each character their own voice so you can easily immerse yourself into the story.

This is a dual pov, clean romance. It is part of a series but can easily be read as a stand alone novel. This was such a cute marriage of convenience story. I absolutely love not only Blakely and Dean’s story as they learn to trust each other and figuring out a way to build a future together but Dean’s side story. Without giving anything away I want to say you will love how the story for these two ends.

[EVANGELIA MARAGKOPOULOU · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third friends story . She is a fashion desingner and former model who had a wardrobe malfunction in the television and that made her family suggest she marry a man she knew nothing about . He is a pilot who wants to help his family financialy and accepts to marry his best friend sister . They were tottaly different characters but together they were perfect . I loved their pet names for each other . I am looking forward for the stories of Mila and Daisy .

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

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her life is a mess and now her parents have arranged a wedding for her but she is not ready for that. He will do anything to save his business even pretending to marry. They are sent away to get to know each other but it does not start off well. They begin to get on much better but what will it all mean? Could it become more? Will they fall in love? How would that go if they did? See if it becomes a real marriage

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

[casvec · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dare to Love My Fake Husband is a great addition to a fun and entertaining series. Blakely is a fashion designer, that made an error that was splashed on the media. With this her family is needing to fix things quickly and arranges a marriage to her friend's brother. This story will take you on the twist and turns as Dean and Blakely are sent to get to know each other.

Tension run high at first but they soon settle into a great connection. A delightful story that you will have not to put down.

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

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Don’t forget Olivia

Such a fabulous romantic comedy! I love the witty banter. I love the unconventional wedding. I love the unconventional parenthood. I love the unconventional falling in love. Dare to Love My Fake Husband is quite a twist on the usual story; it kept me enthralled throughout. The character development is great. The nicknames are hilarious. I grew to love Dean, the Brute and Blakely, the Brat. If you love a romance with plenty of laughs and great characters you should read this book.

[Khadejah R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unexpected storyline

At first I was quite off put by Blakely’s personality. She has made appearances in the previous books in this series and I didn’t get the vibe that she was a self obsessed brat.

However as the story plays out it becomes obvious that she is going through a serious burn out.

Dean is the perfect compliment to Blakely. He is patient, yet pushes her to be better. He shows her through his actions and helps her regain her self worth.

I really liked them as a couple. Look forward to the rest of the series.

[PollyAnna Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brute and Brat

Dean finds his new bride to be a high maintenance brat, but incredibly beautiful. Blakely needs a drastic change in her life and marrying the stranger named Dean provides exactly that. The only problem is that he has much more going on than he originally shares with the woman he quickly falls for. I'm not so sure that someone like Blakely would have accepted Dean's secret so quickly. I think she would have made him find creative ways to make it up to her that he had been keeping such a big secret. ;)

[Kimberly Gordon-Bercich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bomb

When a bomb goes off in your life be prepared for the damage it will inevitably cause. Blakely may have shown her back side to America on morning television, but who hasn't? Okay, it hasn't happened to most of us. Still I don't think it's punishable by marriage. Though a sexy pilot with a newly adopted infant girl is not a bad choice. She just had to learn about his profession and fatherhood.

[Raven James · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the plot, persevered through the story because it became funny with the plot line. Unrealistic ending. I struggle with the meandering "frantic" self conversations of the writer. I truly believe Ellie Hall will grow, evolve into a brilliant writer as her stories were imaginative and likeable.
It's possible , given I'm an older reader that her writing style is at odds with my preferred reading format

[Lynn Hyman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Silver Linings

Blakely has backed herself into a corner with her mother, but what could have been horrendous results instead resulted in a funny, fulfilling new life. Dean has tried to stay on the straight and narrow, but various life events have forced him into some questionable decisions. Both of their lives now intertwine into a funny, name-calling, eventful life with a happily ever after ending.

[Windy Peacock · Rating 2 out of 5]

maybe pass on this one

This book was like a Lifetime screen writer attempted to write a novel. It has some elements with gabbing holes poorly written. Arranged marriage in the 21st Century? You don’t tell your wife you’re adopting a kid? The language was forced and oh so cheesy. I gave it 2 stars for 2 reasons. First I got it for free so I wasted my time but not money. Second I did really like one line of the book where the heroine said that w love as dirty work. How true!