Bridegroom and the Boardroom

Phoenician Heat #2

by Alina Lane

I’m sure my father thought he was clever, forcing me to marry in order to inherit his company.

The joke is on him, though. Buying a rundown, struggling homeless shelter is all it takes to secure myself a bride, and control of my legacy.

Too bad the whole thing is a sham, because there’s nothing I want more than to have gorgeous, feisty Willow Ridley gasping my name as I push her to the brink of pleasure time and time again. The longer we keep up this pretense, the harder it becomes to resist the urge to make our marriage real in every possible way.

But there’s a threat looming on the horizon and I need Willow’s help to expose the traitor before I lose my reputation, along with the company I’ve fought so hard for…

And my wife.

Genres: Contemporary, Steamy, Marriage Of Convenience

342 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 17, 2022

About the author

Alina Lane writes swoony, steamy, romance that combines all three to capture you from page one and keep you hooked long past the happily ever after.

A pocket sized powerhouse, Alina lives with her personal Hunky Hero and two children in Arizona. Slathering on sunscreen and living life to its fullest she enjoys hiking, camping, fishing and rock climbing in her desert backyard.

When not hard at work on your next literary escape, you can find Alina embracing her bad-assery on Call of Duty, binge reading or shopping for nail dip sets to compliment her book covers.

Join Alina's information packed newsletter here: https://alinalane.com/contact

Reviews

[Scarlette Ember · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know when you read a book and just need to let it percolate and sink in a little?

This was one of those books. It's taken me almost a week to write my review, partly because I'm a serial procrastinator, and partly because this book was just... *chef's kiss*.

Alina Lane has quickly made her way into my top authors that I will forever one-click and read everything they put out. Alina's first book came out less than 18 months ago... and you would never know that. The quality of writing and storytelling that she produces is phenomenal, and you will not regret reading any of her books.

On to Bridegroom and the Boardroom, though!

This is book 2 of the Phoenician Heat series. Definitely read book 1 first if you haven't - because you will miss out on so many fun introductory moments for this special family. This is a fake marriage, frenemies to lovers' book that is a beautiful story of love, acceptance, and caring for the people around you. It's a story of how a workaholic found family (I needed this...) and how the free spirit of the family found her person. The book touches on themes like homelessness, domestic abuse (very light, but does talk about leaving DV situations), fraud, and stalking (also fairly light).

Gabriel is our H and is a workaholic who has no clue how to make a marriage or family work when he fake-marries Willow, our h, to get her access to his company so she can find a stalker... and give him his full inheritance so he can become CEO of his grandfather's company. Their story is one of growth and healing and is so beautiful woven, I can truly say it's one of my favorite romantic light-suspense books ever. I honestly can't say much more without spoiling some of the best parts - but if you love your romance with a touch of suspense and a lot of love and laughter - pick this one up.

[Angela's Book Addiction · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bridegroom and the Boardroom (Phoenician Heat #2) by Alina Lane is a contemporary opposites-attract marriage-of-convenience romantic comedy told in first person dual POV. It’s the second book in the Phoenician Heat series and can be read as a standalone, but reading the series in order provides the best experience as characters from each book continue to appear in each other's stories. If you’ve read All’s Fair in Love and Leaderboards, you’ve already met Willow (one of Meadow’s two triplet sisters) and Gabriel (Griffin’s surprise half brother).

Bridegroom and the Boardroom follows the relationship between feisty P.I. Willow and workaholic businessman Gabriel as they enter a mutually beneficial marriage contract. Gabriel needs a wife to secure his position as CEO of his business. He also needs a P.I. to investigate a potential stalker situation. If he can convince Willow to take the job, it will solve both problems at once. Willow needs money to save a struggling homeless shelter, so when Gabriel makes her this unconventional job offer, she accepts.

I loved Willow and Gabriel’s story! After that teaser epilogue at the end of All’s Fair in Love and Leaderboards, I was dying to get my hands on it. Marriage of convenience? Yes, please. Gimme gimme gimme! I never grow tired of that trope. It’s one of my favorites. Bridegroom and the Boardroom did not disappoint. It was humorous, steamy, heartwarming, romantic, a little bit mysterious, and so much fun. Highly recommended.

*** I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC. ***

[Tarina Deaton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first book from Alina & I'm a little upset about that. This book was so good! I read it in one sitting. Marriage of convenience, opposites attract, humor, angst, super hot sexy times - this book literally had everything I wanted to read at the time. The characters are so well written and complete, I immediately bought the first book of the series. Highly recommend.

P.S., I know this book isn't out yet, but when are we getting the next one? :D

[Tracey Schneider · Rating 5 out of 5]

Opposites do attract!

Willow and Gabriel are a perfect match!! I loved the way their love story happened! Just enough of a mystery to keep me guessing. Willow is an amazing character. Gabriel very much her opposite, works perfectly for her! Another amazing book by Alina!!

[Elisabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't wait for this book when I read All's Fair in Love and Leaderboards, describing and showing me this in the series had me jumping for joy.

Who doesn't love a marriage of convenience? I think the way she ended it though, UNIQUE and something I've craved for quite a while. 10/10 when it comes to this ending and the epilogue was amazing.

Bridegroom and the Boardroom is for every romance fan that loves the little scenes, the romance build up and the drama. Especially since she was hired as a PI for him, and it was meant to just be a working relationship...

AMAZING story, can't wait for Fawn's turn.

[Brandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the book! Great character development. Lots of plot and good spice. Nothing like a good HEA!

[Jaime Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author has become a one click for me. I know going in I’m gonna enjoy the story and will likely smile and laugh, amidst a few sighs and even sometime tears. These characters are terrific with a storyline that makes it hard to put your kindle down. I loved every minute of this story and cannot wait to see what she releases next.

[CAH - malphrusc · Rating 5 out of 5]

FANTASTIC! Loved these characters… a stoic workaholic and a feisty private eye have unexpected depths that shine when they are forced together during an unconventional negotiation. I thought the storyline was well written and really enjoyed the softening of these characters when they realized they were meant to be.

[Kristina Maysonet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marriage of Convenience is one of my least favorite tropes so I am not basing my review on that. But I really love the way Alina writes. She tells a well rounded story with words that paint a full picture. Her characters feel real, they have strengths and weaknesses. It is told in first person with dual POV. The story was so good that I almost forgot how much I hate this trope. It is steamy and fun and if this is a trope you enjoy, then I highly recommend it.

[Azalea Hudson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bridegroom and the Boardroom is book two in the Phoenician Heat series. Another amazing hit in this series! Each book is about one sister. They are triplets. Book one was about Meadow and Griffin. Book two is about Willow and Gabriel, Griffin’s brother. Book three will probably be about Fawn and Maverick, Gabriel’s best friend, AND I CAN’T WAIT TO READ IT!!!

Willow is a spitfire and Gabriel a prissy workaholic. He inherited his father’s company, but stranger things have been happening since he took over. From miscommunications between the departments, having to be married to become a CEO, to secret letters sent by a stalker. Fed up with all that, he proposes to Willow a fake marriage with the excuse to solve all the problems, and she accepts it to save a shelter she volunteers to, but they didn’t count on their explosive chemistry to get in their way.

This is another fast-paced, page turner story with family meddling and laughs at their antics. Gabriel and Willow are great together and you root for them from the beginning. They are complete opposites, deal with lots of problems, and secrets come to life. Their interaction is full of wit. Willow enjoys teasing him and getting him out of his comfort zone, and when they finally fall for each other, they burn the pages to ashes. They are great together, and she understands his personality and how committed he is to his company, but also shows him there’s more to life than work.

You will love this love story about opposites attract and marriage of convenience as much as I did. The book is a standalone, but you won’t regret reading the entire series. All’s Fair in Love and Leaderboards is book 1, and book three is still in the oven.

[Savannah Medina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy deep-fried turkey batman, Alina did these characters JUSTICE! We got a glimpse into Willow and Gabe in Leaderboards, but I was not prepared for how fun, how suspenseful, how enrapturing, and how explosive these two would be! Their chemistry truly is incomparable, and watching the romance play out is just absolutely FUN. The way they go from unimpressed with one another to vulnerable together is so gradual and natural it's an utter joy to read. Alina just gets better and better with every work she produces and I fall harder and harder in love with her characters with every book I read. She's a one-click author for me and will remain that way! See y'all on another page!

[AddictedToReadingRomance · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing

The suspense, the romance and all the hilarious things makes this story amazing. Gabriel and Willow are perfectly imperfect for each other. Both crushing on each other, walking on eggshells and finally falling really hard for each other. It was a really slow burn, but OMG it was so good. All the suspense had me in the edge, at the end of the story the twist and turns were spectacular! I love Gabriel and all his prissy attitude and Willow and her bad@$$ attitude. Can’t wait for the next book in this series.

[Andi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited for Gabriel and Willow’s story after that teaser at the end of book one in the PH series. Once again Alina Lane nails it with the chemistry and heat. Marriage of convenience coupled with a touch of suspense and loads of witty banter…yes please!!!!! It was sweet and romantic at times and hot and heavy when the two finally realize they are perfectly matched opposites. Love it!!! Can’t wait for book 3!

[Michelle Duncan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a good marriage of convenience story and this one had the perfect sprinkle of rom-com and mystery to make for a fantastic read. I was emotionally invested from the very start and had to know their story played out. I can’t wait to see what comes next in this series 💜

[morebooks_toread · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the pace in the book. The relationship between Willow and Gabriel was *chef’s kiss*.

[Alicia Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved the second book of this series. AL writes the marriage of convenience trope very well. Willow and Gabe have amazing character growth throughout the book. The perfect mix of banter, angst and all topped off with an HEA.

[Jenny Supporting Authors Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recieved an ARC read for this book. This book was very enjoyable. There is just enough mystery and humor to keep the pages turning. The desire to follow in his grandfathers direction with the company and being willing to do what ever it takes to make it happen even getting married. Willow is such a likeable character her dedication to everything in her life is awesome. Its a great read to watch the characters open up and grow and change and love. The side characters are great to, not to many and the story stays focused and leaves you wanting to know more about them. I look foward to the next book. Great Read!

[Sarah Lehman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun fake relationship/marriage of convenience/opposites attract story that hooked me from the beginning. This book was full of banter, sass and humor with wonderful characters. There was some necessary give and take from both main characters and of course a well deserved HEA when they realized they were meant to be with each other. I cannot wait for the next book in the series.

[Jennifer Felderman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I so loved this book. Push, tug and pull emotions, a grumpy CEO, and a spitfire Willow. Yes please!

I love how hard Willow loves her family, and the sacrifice she made to help someone. I loved the heat, the commitment that Gabriel has for his company, and the lengths he goes for his legacy.

But…needs change, and this book will take you on that ride.