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Whiskey Men #1
Reluctant Husband
A rich playboy who doesn't believe in love. A plus-size nurse who is a ray of sunshine. Together, in a marriage of convenience.
I'm in love with Lucas Blaze, the player grandson of the woman I take care of. I'm nothing like the women he dates, so the chances of him noticing me are slim to none. Until the day he asks me to marry him.
Lucas is the youngest Blaze Brother. He works twenty-four seven, and his only use for women is to get his rocks off when he's taking a break from putting his family's liquor brand into every store in the country.
I don't wear the right clothes, I don't mingle in the same high-profile groups, and I sure as heck don't know the first thing about pleasing a man.
But to make his Granny happy, Lucas is willing to marry me.
Our marriage is one of convenience and I know it won't last.
But try telling that to my heart.
He doesn't believe in love and happily ever after.
I want a love that lasts forever.
In the end, will he give us a chance? Or will he walk away holding my heart?
USA Today Bestselling author Hope Ford, brings you a standalone first book in the Whiskey Men series. If you love reading about curvy women getting the hot guy, opposites attract, jealousy trope, marriage of convenience, and small-town romance, then you'll love Lucas and Isabella's story.
I'm in love with Lucas Blaze, the player grandson of the woman I take care of. I'm nothing like the women he dates, so the chances of him noticing me are slim to none. Until the day he asks me to marry him.
Lucas is the youngest Blaze Brother. He works twenty-four seven, and his only use for women is to get his rocks off when he's taking a break from putting his family's liquor brand into every store in the country.
I don't wear the right clothes, I don't mingle in the same high-profile groups, and I sure as heck don't know the first thing about pleasing a man.
But to make his Granny happy, Lucas is willing to marry me.
Our marriage is one of convenience and I know it won't last.
But try telling that to my heart.
He doesn't believe in love and happily ever after.
I want a love that lasts forever.
In the end, will he give us a chance? Or will he walk away holding my heart?
USA Today Bestselling author Hope Ford, brings you a standalone first book in the Whiskey Men series. If you love reading about curvy women getting the hot guy, opposites attract, jealousy trope, marriage of convenience, and small-town romance, then you'll love Lucas and Isabella's story.
246 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 16, 2023
About the author
Hope Ford
235 books2,261 followersBestselling short romance author Hope Ford writes short, steamy, sweet romances. She loves writing about ALPHA MEN that fall in love with CURVY WOMEN. She has over 70 books and they are all available on Amazon.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 528 reviews
January 30, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Safety warnings:
- H 34 / h 25
- No cheating
- No OM drama
- A bit of OW drama
- Loss of loved one
- HEA
This was a quick read and not really anything new in the arranged marriage department.
It's predictable from the moment the ''issue'' is presented and you basically know what is going to happen but if you're looking for something safe and a fast read then pick this up.
I am interested in the other brothers stories and that little glimpse at the end was intriguing enough to get me to add the next book on my TBR.
Sort of insta-love from the MMC since the girl is already madly in love with him so progress of their relationship was mostly needed from him.
Safety warnings:
- H 34 / h 25
- No cheating
- No OM drama
- A bit of OW drama
- Loss of loved one
- HEA
This was a quick read and not really anything new in the arranged marriage department.
It's predictable from the moment the ''issue'' is presented and you basically know what is going to happen but if you're looking for something safe and a fast read then pick this up.
I am interested in the other brothers stories and that little glimpse at the end was intriguing enough to get me to add the next book on my TBR.
Sort of insta-love from the MMC since the girl is already madly in love with him so progress of their relationship was mostly needed from him.
January 24, 2023
Tropes:
- marriage of convenience
- jealous/possessive billionaire
- small town romance
- opposites attract
- OWD (kind of)
- virgin fmc
Isabella has been in love with Lucas Blaze for as long as she can remember, and working as a caretaker for his ailing grandmother isn’t helping matters either. She can barely be in the room with him thanks to her ginormous crush, and the worst part is Lucas doesn’t even realize how she feels.
When his Granny suggests he settle down and find a good girl, someone sweet and kind like Isabella, Lucas starts seeing her in a whole new light. Except Mr. Doesn’t-Do-Feelings goes from 0-100 and comes up with the idea of him and Bella getting married to make her happy.
Lucas doesn’t realize it, but he’s falls head over heels for Bella almost immediately, but has some major abandonment issues that get in the way. Bella dives head first into their relationship knowing that it’ll only end in heartbreak, but luckily theirs is a sweet (and a little steamy) story and they get a happy ending despite all of the heart and heartache.
Looking forward to reading about Ford & Lillian, especially after that tension in the final chapter of Reluctant Husband!
- marriage of convenience
- jealous/possessive billionaire
- small town romance
- opposites attract
- OWD (kind of)
- virgin fmc
Isabella has been in love with Lucas Blaze for as long as she can remember, and working as a caretaker for his ailing grandmother isn’t helping matters either. She can barely be in the room with him thanks to her ginormous crush, and the worst part is Lucas doesn’t even realize how she feels.
When his Granny suggests he settle down and find a good girl, someone sweet and kind like Isabella, Lucas starts seeing her in a whole new light. Except Mr. Doesn’t-Do-Feelings goes from 0-100 and comes up with the idea of him and Bella getting married to make her happy.
Lucas doesn’t realize it, but he’s falls head over heels for Bella almost immediately, but has some major abandonment issues that get in the way. Bella dives head first into their relationship knowing that it’ll only end in heartbreak, but luckily theirs is a sweet (and a little steamy) story and they get a happy ending despite all of the heart and heartache.
Looking forward to reading about Ford & Lillian, especially after that tension in the final chapter of Reluctant Husband!
February 20, 2023
Just what I needed after the disaster of my last read. It was a quick read, but I loved all the various emotions I felt while reading this. Would definitely recommend.
January 31, 2023
Would have been 4 stars but…
There’s no excuse for the lack of groveling after the way Lucas treated Isabella.
I liked the premise and Granny was a hoot. But Lucas had his head firmly up his butt and he genuinely hurt Isabella. He didn’t do enough to make amends in my opinion AND she let him off too easy.
There’s no excuse for the lack of groveling after the way Lucas treated Isabella.
I liked the premise and Granny was a hoot. But Lucas had his head firmly up his butt and he genuinely hurt Isabella. He didn’t do enough to make amends in my opinion AND she let him off too easy.
February 11, 2023
2.7 stars
On one hand, I see the genuine intention and the hard work of the author in writing this sweet romance. But on the other hand, there were many rough edges in the plot flow and character interactions that needed polishing. As it is, most conversations, while having the right dramatic devices, felt stilted. They needed a little smoothing to feel natural. Same with the H and h. They were sweet and cute, but lacked a little bit of character depth as they acted a bit wooden and wishy washy.
The story is short so it was a quick read. Maybe just a bit too short because we are thrown direct into the story with a sense that some background is missing. For instance, apparently the leads, Lucas and Bella rarely interacted and when they did they antagonised each other, but we did not see much of that as the story kickstarted right when they get pushed together. Similarly, everyone knew that Bella loved Lucas (save the latter), but we missed the build up to that. Same, Bella apparently never got on with Lucas's secretary (the wannabe OW) but we are just given that info without seeing how that evolved.
Still, if you need a quick story, with a tiny bit of drama and angst, for a few hours, this is the ideal book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 14, 2023
I loved the Grandmother
I want to be 80 years old and dancing to rap music just like G. She was a great character. Isabelle had a crush on Lucas and the grandma pretty much pushed them together. He married her for his Grandma but he really did have feelings for Issi but he didn't realize it. They have know each other a long time and he is a player before the book starts. His assistant was a class a stalker but he didn't know it. Some misunderstandings, some very sad moments, and kind of raunchy bedroom scenes ensue. I didn't feel the romance of it at all. It was cute, safe and short and I skimmed over the intimate scenes. I liked the ending and I am liking this series so I am going to continue on.
I want to be 80 years old and dancing to rap music just like G. She was a great character. Isabelle had a crush on Lucas and the grandma pretty much pushed them together. He married her for his Grandma but he really did have feelings for Issi but he didn't realize it. They have know each other a long time and he is a player before the book starts. His assistant was a class a stalker but he didn't know it. Some misunderstandings, some very sad moments, and kind of raunchy bedroom scenes ensue. I didn't feel the romance of it at all. It was cute, safe and short and I skimmed over the intimate scenes. I liked the ending and I am liking this series so I am going to continue on.
Did Not Finish
March 13, 2023DNF at 28%. This starts off cute. She’s in love with him. He learns that and he gets all jealous of his brothers. And then he proposes to her out of the blue. Super awkward. And it sounds like it’s going to be total negative motivation on his part. Not interested.
June 10, 2025
I'll keep this short since I don't plan on continuing the series. This is a really sweet and fluffy fic and if you don't care about the MCs actually having sex - then you'll like it.
Lucas Blaze (34, millionaire) wants to make his dying grandmother happy by getting married, only problem is Lucas doesn't believe in love because of mommy trauma. He decides to proposition Isabella (25, virgin), his grandmother's nurse, to have her marry him until his grandma passes away. That's great, except Isabella has been in love with him for as long as she can remember, so she's bound to get hurt.
Things go as expected and eventually an HEA.
SEX: Super freaking slow burn (which is why I won't continue the series). They didn't consummate their marriage until the 82% mark. JFC it nearly killed me. The kissing and sexual tension is good if you like that sort of thing.
OW: He's got a secretary who wants him. You can figure out how that goes.
AUDIO: Shaina Summerville narrates for Isabella and she's pretty good. Hugo Locke narrates for Lucas and he's HOT. I don't recall hearing him narrate before, so this was exciting.
Lucas Blaze (34, millionaire) wants to make his dying grandmother happy by getting married, only problem is Lucas doesn't believe in love because of mommy trauma. He decides to proposition Isabella (25, virgin), his grandmother's nurse, to have her marry him until his grandma passes away. That's great, except Isabella has been in love with him for as long as she can remember, so she's bound to get hurt.
Things go as expected and eventually an HEA.
SEX: Super freaking slow burn (which is why I won't continue the series). They didn't consummate their marriage until the 82% mark. JFC it nearly killed me. The kissing and sexual tension is good if you like that sort of thing.
OW: He's got a secretary who wants him. You can figure out how that goes.
AUDIO: Shaina Summerville narrates for Isabella and she's pretty good. Hugo Locke narrates for Lucas and he's HOT. I don't recall hearing him narrate before, so this was exciting.
June 4, 2025
I am a sucker for a good unrequited love story, throw in a marriage of Convience trope and you have me hooked.
Isabella ( Bella) is in love with Lucas, the youngest grandson of the woman she provides nursing care for. Lucas is a playboy and Bella doesn't think he'd ever fall for her or even notice her. However it is his grandmother's dying wish to see him marry Isabella so he does to please his grandmother. They have a quickly planned wedding in her presence.
I do like the threads of angst as Bellaa heart is hopeful and then smashed by thinking Lucas loves his secretary.
However what didn't work for me is lack of a drveloped emotional bond. The sex is steamy but I just didn't believe that Lucas loved Bella. Lusted after yes, but love, no.
Isabella ( Bella) is in love with Lucas, the youngest grandson of the woman she provides nursing care for. Lucas is a playboy and Bella doesn't think he'd ever fall for her or even notice her. However it is his grandmother's dying wish to see him marry Isabella so he does to please his grandmother. They have a quickly planned wedding in her presence.
I do like the threads of angst as Bellaa heart is hopeful and then smashed by thinking Lucas loves his secretary.
However what didn't work for me is lack of a drveloped emotional bond. The sex is steamy but I just didn't believe that Lucas loved Bella. Lusted after yes, but love, no.
April 29, 2023
This was an easy and quick read. It’s a formulaic fake marriage romance trope. Lucas and Isabella get married to please his grandmother who is dying. Of course she already in love with him and he has to find his way to love since lust is not a problem.
Of course they’re only married for a couple of weeks and the grandmother dies. Then they must decide whether or not to stay together and live happily ever after.
There’s no filler here. It’s a basic tale that is entertaining and draws you in. A funny detail is how much the grandmother likes rap and R&B. And the the recessional song at her funeral is Nelly’s “It’s hot in here.” Like I said quick, easy and fun read.
Of course they’re only married for a couple of weeks and the grandmother dies. Then they must decide whether or not to stay together and live happily ever after.
There’s no filler here. It’s a basic tale that is entertaining and draws you in. A funny detail is how much the grandmother likes rap and R&B. And the the recessional song at her funeral is Nelly’s “It’s hot in here.” Like I said quick, easy and fun read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 5, 2023
3.4 stars! The beginning with her loving on Hs grandma and the fact that the grandma only dances to rap music is my favorite 😍❤😂 h is a nurse taking care of grandma and Lucas (luca?) The favorite grandson out of 5 boys is her favorite. She wants him to be able to love unconditionally but he has issues. And he's JP over the h without wanting her. They arrange a fake marriage that turns into more.
Is it bad that my favorite part was when grandma died and she's buried to the song by Jelly "it's getting hot in here?" 😂😂😂😳😂😂👀
Is it bad that my favorite part was when grandma died and she's buried to the song by Jelly "it's getting hot in here?" 😂😂😂😳😂😂👀
January 25, 2024
3.5 stars
February 3, 2023
this book…
It just didn’t grip me and was very tough to fry through. The hero and the heroine are the very definition of meh. Very disappointing.
It just didn’t grip me and was very tough to fry through. The hero and the heroine are the very definition of meh. Very disappointing.
March 12, 2023
The title lives up to the story for sure.
Too much time wasted on his uncertainty about her and the relationship, meanwhile she's giving all of her to him.
Too much time wasted on his uncertainty about her and the relationship, meanwhile she's giving all of her to him.
June 22, 2023
2 75⭐Bueno finamente terminé de leerlo pero lo dicho insta love es de mis tropos más odiados😅. Por cada libro de romance qué leo que me gusta leo 5 qué me parecen meh. Ni siquiera el spicy (1.5🌶️) lo salva
No puedo con el trope de ella es guapa pero no lo sabe. Él lo sabe todo y la llama honey Cuando hasta hace dos minutos no daba un duro por ella. Ella tiene cero experiencia pero él no lo sabe.
Me suele gustar el fake relationship y todo eso pero uff.. No sé si terminaré este libro, me esta dando bastante cringe. Me intrigaba su relacion habiendo leído el que tiene de pareja a Ford y a.. Su secretaria (soy pésima con los nombres) pero uff..
No puedo con el trope de ella es guapa pero no lo sabe. Él lo sabe todo y la llama honey Cuando hasta hace dos minutos no daba un duro por ella. Ella tiene cero experiencia pero él no lo sabe.
Me suele gustar el fake relationship y todo eso pero uff.. No sé si terminaré este libro, me esta dando bastante cringe. Me intrigaba su relacion habiendo leído el que tiene de pareja a Ford y a.. Su secretaria (soy pésima con los nombres) pero uff..
January 23, 2023
Curvy Isabella (h) serves as nurse for the elderly grandmother of the Blaze brothers and is somewhat secretly in love with playboy grandson Lucas (H), who seems to be the only one unaware of Isabella’s feelings for him. Lucas and Isabella embark on a fake marriage to make the older woman’s last days happy as her health declines. He starts to see Isabella in a new light and their fake marriage quickly heats up. A sweet curvy girl, fake marriage quickie romance with a side of heat. I did need tissues a couple of times.
June 24, 2024
this is what i get for reading about straight people during pride month, he doesn't need a wife who conveniently loves him he needs a therapist !
jokes aside though, there were things that weirded me out. for example, isabella thinking the "your body was made for fucking" comment was hot was... so not. like virtually his first comment he's given to her after being hostile to her and hes like "yeah baby, i'd fuck you!" like... get out of my presence expeditiously.
it was a fast read though so i can commend the author for that.
jokes aside though, there were things that weirded me out. for example, isabella thinking the "your body was made for fucking" comment was hot was... so not. like virtually his first comment he's given to her after being hostile to her and hes like "yeah baby, i'd fuck you!" like... get out of my presence expeditiously.
it was a fast read though so i can commend the author for that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 14, 2024
I need a trigger warning for low-self esteem girlie.
Don’t lift me I’m too heavy. I can’t sit on your lap I’m too heavy. GIRL!!! Is this not a muscular dude?!? Was he described as rail thin and fragile? (Was he? I honestly don’t recall him being described, but maybe I was skimming.) She’s 25. Did Gen Z get into fat-shaming and I missed it? SUFFOCATE HIM!!!
Whatever it was, transference on my part or the author’s insecurities, no more whiny, pathetic (and she was PATHETIC), low self-esteem girlies for me.
That’s all.
Don’t lift me I’m too heavy. I can’t sit on your lap I’m too heavy. GIRL!!! Is this not a muscular dude?!? Was he described as rail thin and fragile? (Was he? I honestly don’t recall him being described, but maybe I was skimming.) She’s 25. Did Gen Z get into fat-shaming and I missed it? SUFFOCATE HIM!!!
Whatever it was, transference on my part or the author’s insecurities, no more whiny, pathetic (and she was PATHETIC), low self-esteem girlies for me.
That’s all.
January 22, 2023
5 stars is definitely not enough for this book...I think this is my new favorite book from this author. Freaking loved this story, it was sweet and steamy and it takes you on an emotional roller-coaster. Wow...just wow!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 15, 2023
This book was ok for me, not bad but not great. Alas, I don’t think I’ll remember it in a few weeks. The main problem was I just didn’t feel the love and passion between Lucas and Bella.
Lucas and his brothers own and run a successful whiskey distillery. Lucas is the youngest brother and still lives in the large family estate to be there for his ailing grandmother.
Bella is a friend of the family and a live in nurse to his gran. She’s around the same age as Lucas and has been in love with him most of her life. She’s shy and quiet and plus size and knows there is no way she’s on his radar. She cares deeply for his gran and she cares for Bella and knows of Bella’s feelings for Lucas. She knows her time is running out and being worried about what will happen to Lucas, she tells Lucas he and Bella should marry.
This is a ‘marriage of convenience’ story so you know what happens. Both Lucas and Bella are nice enough but for me, also forgettable. I didn’t feel it was any real great love story though.
Lucas and his brothers own and run a successful whiskey distillery. Lucas is the youngest brother and still lives in the large family estate to be there for his ailing grandmother.
Bella is a friend of the family and a live in nurse to his gran. She’s around the same age as Lucas and has been in love with him most of her life. She’s shy and quiet and plus size and knows there is no way she’s on his radar. She cares deeply for his gran and she cares for Bella and knows of Bella’s feelings for Lucas. She knows her time is running out and being worried about what will happen to Lucas, she tells Lucas he and Bella should marry.
This is a ‘marriage of convenience’ story so you know what happens. Both Lucas and Bella are nice enough but for me, also forgettable. I didn’t feel it was any real great love story though.
October 8, 2023
3.75 stars
I wanted something easy to read, with a frothy plot, and this “private nurse fake marries her dying patient’s grandson to make Granny happy” novella delivered. I love a pining FMC and a MMC who suddenly gets all possessive.
The part where the MMC is all “from now on, if you need a ride you call ME” was a nice touch, but he lost points for being so dumb during the third act conflict.
I wanted something easy to read, with a frothy plot, and this “private nurse fake marries her dying patient’s grandson to make Granny happy” novella delivered. I love a pining FMC and a MMC who suddenly gets all possessive.
The part where the MMC is all “from now on, if you need a ride you call ME” was a nice touch, but he lost points for being so dumb during the third act conflict.
November 18, 2023
MC & FMC decided to get married for the grandma’s sake. It’s too fast.. a bit rush.. so it felt a bit incomplete for me. There’s potential to develop their chemistry if it’s been a longer book with backstory of how everyone knew she love him and him unaware of it. Overall, still enjoyable if you want something to read for a day.
December 17, 2023
2.75 ⭐️⭐️✨
This was ok. It wasn’t the best story but I definitely wasn’t the worst either. The cover is HOT so it’s got that going for it. I liked the characters well enough. I didn’t feel the chemistry with these two but overall it was ok.
This was ok. It wasn’t the best story but I definitely wasn’t the worst either. The cover is HOT so it’s got that going for it. I liked the characters well enough. I didn’t feel the chemistry with these two but overall it was ok.
Read
January 26, 2024dnf @ 44%
didn’t paint a convincing enough reason to marry for convenience i’m afraid. the whole premise felt a lil lopsided 😕
didn’t paint a convincing enough reason to marry for convenience i’m afraid. the whole premise felt a lil lopsided 😕
March 29, 2023
This is my first read from this author and I can tell you now it won't be my last!
This book has been on my kindle for far too long and I've been in a bit of a book slump of late. But Lucas and Isabella's story pulled me right out of it!
I officially love the fake relationship/marriage trope and I NEED MORE!
Lucas is the youngest of five brothers and with his dying Grandmother's last wish to see her grandson married and in love, he ropes in the help of his grandmother's carer, Isabella and proposes marriage.
Isabella has secretly been in love with him since the dawn of time, and she knows he will break her heart, but she agrees to the fale marriage any way.
Lucas is a no-strings, no commitments kinda guy but little does Lucas know that Bella will steal his heart without him even realising it.
This story is beautiful. It is sweet and sexy, the tension between them is wonderful and while it's not overly spicy, the few steamy scenes are 🔥🔥
This book gave me all the feels and I am kicking myself it took me so long to read it.
This book has been on my kindle for far too long and I've been in a bit of a book slump of late. But Lucas and Isabella's story pulled me right out of it!
I officially love the fake relationship/marriage trope and I NEED MORE!
Lucas is the youngest of five brothers and with his dying Grandmother's last wish to see her grandson married and in love, he ropes in the help of his grandmother's carer, Isabella and proposes marriage.
Isabella has secretly been in love with him since the dawn of time, and she knows he will break her heart, but she agrees to the fale marriage any way.
Lucas is a no-strings, no commitments kinda guy but little does Lucas know that Bella will steal his heart without him even realising it.
This story is beautiful. It is sweet and sexy, the tension between them is wonderful and while it's not overly spicy, the few steamy scenes are 🔥🔥
This book gave me all the feels and I am kicking myself it took me so long to read it.
June 4, 2026
SPOILERS I. could. not. stand. the male MC. He was glib as fuck and as selfish as a 3 year old who's an only child and has never been told "no". His brothers, on at least three different occasions told him not to marry the fem MC offhand because she "loved" him (idk how anyone could say they love someone without sharing at least a few full conversations with the other person but whatever). And his response was always something along the lines of "why is everyone telling me I'm being irresponsible and that she loves me?" And then he'd never go actually ask her about it. Later, after the first time they had full out sex, he's more concerned about his personal guilt from leaving bruises all over her during the act (Edward Cullen anyone?) than how she feels after the literal first time she's had sex. Maybe she was into it (and she was), but he never considered it, he made it all about him. Then towards the end, his brother calls the fem MC on her girls night (away from the male MC, because she needed a fricking break from him) makes it sound like he's dying ("I'm worried about him."), she rushes home in nurse mode, the cunt (male MC) tells her his heart hurts, she assumes he needs medical intervention, and he comes back with something like "his heart aches because she's mad at him". Divorce, immediate divorce. The primal rage I would've felt over his chicanery. That man couldn't care less about the fem MC's emotional/mental health beyond what he could get from her.
Another way I know he sucks as a human is after the fem MC confesses that she's a virgin (because of fucking course she's fucking pure as the driven snow at 30 years old) they pass some bases (I can't remember which ones offhand, but I know they didn't hit a home run) and he hops up immediately right after she cums and tells her he won't continue because he doesn't want to complicate things. Uh, what? And that's not the first time he fucked with her like that. Pretty early on into their fake relationship he tells her she's fuckable, gets all up in her space, but then tells her he won't do her. What kind of mind game bullshit is that? What an asshole. I get that he's the "reluctant" husband (even though all of it was his insane idea), but come on.
I also know the fem MC had her big stand with the male MC's brothers when they cornered him and tried to talk him out of the marriage (for her sake), and she said she wanted to get married and after seeing how happy the gran was when they told her, she couldn't back out of it. But that's all kinda emotional blackmail/manipulation, especially when you throw her super crush on the male MC on top. The fem MC was definitely not in a position of power in the relationship, and she didn't have the confidence/self-possession to act like she did either.
Now, I wanna get to the meat and potatoes of the book. The fake marriage plot. Tell me, how the hell does it make sense to continue with the fake marriage ruse if the grandma openly admitted that she knew it was fake immediately following the wedding? Who were they staying married for? There are these vague mentions of what the public will think of the relationship and later the fem MC is concerned about what people will think of her when they find out the marriage is fake, but besides the super brief mention of the tabloids in the beginning to introduce readers to the "bad boy" male MC they. never. come. up. again. They're not lurking around any corners, they're not invited to the wedding, they're not around when the gran dies. The family also doesn't have any society friends or associates who are a part of the story at all. So again, who is this marriage for? Because at one point the male MC's secretary was the only one in the inner circle who didn't know. But then the male MC showed he's a careless idiot, not just careless, when he left the fake marriage contract out on his desk in his office where his secretary also works and just assumed she didn't see it. Insanity. So, all the malarkey that he put the fem MC through for "the benefit of the dying gran" was for... nothing. They even slept together in the same room "to keep up appearances" and I was yelling at the audiobook "Keep up appearances FOR WHO? The gran needs help getting dressed for bed. It's not like she's wandering the halls at night."
Speaking of the fake marriage, the gran initially gave them an out by saying that she was happy enough just to see them together and that they should take more time planning the wedding so the fem MC could get the wedding she desired (it was really the least he could do for her since she was sacrificing so much for his family- well, really for him. She was doing all that crap for him. For some reason.) But the male MC steam rolled right on ahead and pushed them into a marriage. I think it would've been a very interesting story if the male MC was open to doing the fake dating/fiance thing for a brief while (the gran was dying, after all) until their relationship was a smidge more established before tying the knot.
Side note: Now that I understand more about the process, I don't get why none of these fake marriage stories ever just have the MCs do the wedding ceremony and the party but just skip signing the marriage license. For a book like this (where though they say public opinion is a factor, it functionally really isn't) the MCs didn't need a marriage license to prove anything. Why make things more legally (and emotionally) complicated for yourselves down the road by necessitating a divorce (and possibly a prenup)? Sometimes this trope just feels a little unnecessarily complicated.
On to the fem MC's character. I don't need all my fem MCs to be heroines, but this fem MC was a little too spineless. In the beginning when they're setting up the "terms" for their agreement (though they really did a pretty shoddy job with those. They didn't even discuss terms for ending their arrangement), the male MC says he won't tolerate her cheating as one of his "musts". Fine, but that should go for him too right? So, not too long after when she believes he's cheating on her with the horny secretary, instead of dragging his carcass up and down the block (verbally of course), she tells him it wouldn't be a good "look" if the public were to find out. And this is after he jumped down her throat about a guy approaching her in a club. What? That was a perfectly justified time to go nuclear. Instead the opinion she shared was a tepid as 3 day old dishwater. I'm to believe she has a crush on this guy? Where's the jealousy? The righteous indignation? And when he starts playing all those sexual mind games with her, she just rolls with it for the most part. I was really hoping she'd shove him away or push him off her and onto the floor, but no friggen dice.
I cannot believe the male MC didn't realize his secretary wanted to eat him for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Then again, he never noticed that the fem MC liked him in the beginning (and still didn't seem to believe it after being told. Several times.) so he might be terrible at reading women. I have no idea how he could be such a "playboy" worthy of tabloid attention with a radar like that.
The characters were iffy enough, but I think what really cinched my dislike for this book was the patchy storytelling. It was almost the middle of the book before it was confirmed the fem MC was actually a licensed nurse. But what did she do before she moved into the mansion to take care of the granny? Why did she leave her previous nursing job or did she take the position right out of school? How did they pick her as the person to take care of the gran? She also casually dropped that she's the only person left in her family, but never explains what happened to everyone. I also wanted to know more about the male MC. They talked a hell of a lot about the scars his mother's abandonment left but they never really dug into that. The only thing we see is a vague mistrust of the fem MC and supposedly all females besides his gran; it was all very superficial. I also wanted to know how the mother leaving affected the other brothers and their dad (where is their dad by the way? why wasn't he around before the gran's death? She's on her way out and he's off traveling?- or whatever he was doing, I can't remember). Why did the male MCe spend so much time with his gran and not his dad (who might've stepped up and become dad/mom)? The MCs also didn't really talk/ get to know each other. How can the MCs claim to love each other in the end, and how can the fem MC claim to have loved the male MC in the beginning, if they don't know each other?
Side note: I also didn't understand the nature of their relationship at the beginning of the book (before the fake proposal). The first few interactions between the MCs seemed peaceable, if awkward. Then suddenly, everything flipped, and the reader was told he regularly poked fun at her in a meanly playful way (though we hadn't been shown this till after it was mentioned). I didn't understand why he would poke fun at her at all, he seemed very reserved and emotionally distant for a majority of the book. He didn't even tussle with his brothers. Why would he do so with the shy, quiet fem MC?
Additional side note: If one of the characters mentioned the gran saying "be open to love" one more fucking time. The male MC needed to do so much more emotional work than just be "open to love" as hard as that was for him. What did she tell her other grandsons?
Another way I know he sucks as a human is after the fem MC confesses that she's a virgin (because of fucking course she's fucking pure as the driven snow at 30 years old) they pass some bases (I can't remember which ones offhand, but I know they didn't hit a home run) and he hops up immediately right after she cums and tells her he won't continue because he doesn't want to complicate things. Uh, what? And that's not the first time he fucked with her like that. Pretty early on into their fake relationship he tells her she's fuckable, gets all up in her space, but then tells her he won't do her. What kind of mind game bullshit is that? What an asshole. I get that he's the "reluctant" husband (even though all of it was his insane idea), but come on.
I also know the fem MC had her big stand with the male MC's brothers when they cornered him and tried to talk him out of the marriage (for her sake), and she said she wanted to get married and after seeing how happy the gran was when they told her, she couldn't back out of it. But that's all kinda emotional blackmail/manipulation, especially when you throw her super crush on the male MC on top. The fem MC was definitely not in a position of power in the relationship, and she didn't have the confidence/self-possession to act like she did either.
Now, I wanna get to the meat and potatoes of the book. The fake marriage plot. Tell me, how the hell does it make sense to continue with the fake marriage ruse if the grandma openly admitted that she knew it was fake immediately following the wedding? Who were they staying married for? There are these vague mentions of what the public will think of the relationship and later the fem MC is concerned about what people will think of her when they find out the marriage is fake, but besides the super brief mention of the tabloids in the beginning to introduce readers to the "bad boy" male MC they. never. come. up. again. They're not lurking around any corners, they're not invited to the wedding, they're not around when the gran dies. The family also doesn't have any society friends or associates who are a part of the story at all. So again, who is this marriage for? Because at one point the male MC's secretary was the only one in the inner circle who didn't know. But then the male MC showed he's a careless idiot, not just careless, when he left the fake marriage contract out on his desk in his office where his secretary also works and just assumed she didn't see it. Insanity. So, all the malarkey that he put the fem MC through for "the benefit of the dying gran" was for... nothing. They even slept together in the same room "to keep up appearances" and I was yelling at the audiobook "Keep up appearances FOR WHO? The gran needs help getting dressed for bed. It's not like she's wandering the halls at night."
Speaking of the fake marriage, the gran initially gave them an out by saying that she was happy enough just to see them together and that they should take more time planning the wedding so the fem MC could get the wedding she desired (it was really the least he could do for her since she was sacrificing so much for his family- well, really for him. She was doing all that crap for him. For some reason.) But the male MC steam rolled right on ahead and pushed them into a marriage. I think it would've been a very interesting story if the male MC was open to doing the fake dating/fiance thing for a brief while (the gran was dying, after all) until their relationship was a smidge more established before tying the knot.
Side note: Now that I understand more about the process, I don't get why none of these fake marriage stories ever just have the MCs do the wedding ceremony and the party but just skip signing the marriage license. For a book like this (where though they say public opinion is a factor, it functionally really isn't) the MCs didn't need a marriage license to prove anything. Why make things more legally (and emotionally) complicated for yourselves down the road by necessitating a divorce (and possibly a prenup)? Sometimes this trope just feels a little unnecessarily complicated.
On to the fem MC's character. I don't need all my fem MCs to be heroines, but this fem MC was a little too spineless. In the beginning when they're setting up the "terms" for their agreement (though they really did a pretty shoddy job with those. They didn't even discuss terms for ending their arrangement), the male MC says he won't tolerate her cheating as one of his "musts". Fine, but that should go for him too right? So, not too long after when she believes he's cheating on her with the horny secretary, instead of dragging his carcass up and down the block (verbally of course), she tells him it wouldn't be a good "look" if the public were to find out. And this is after he jumped down her throat about a guy approaching her in a club. What? That was a perfectly justified time to go nuclear. Instead the opinion she shared was a tepid as 3 day old dishwater. I'm to believe she has a crush on this guy? Where's the jealousy? The righteous indignation? And when he starts playing all those sexual mind games with her, she just rolls with it for the most part. I was really hoping she'd shove him away or push him off her and onto the floor, but no friggen dice.
I cannot believe the male MC didn't realize his secretary wanted to eat him for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Then again, he never noticed that the fem MC liked him in the beginning (and still didn't seem to believe it after being told. Several times.) so he might be terrible at reading women. I have no idea how he could be such a "playboy" worthy of tabloid attention with a radar like that.
The characters were iffy enough, but I think what really cinched my dislike for this book was the patchy storytelling. It was almost the middle of the book before it was confirmed the fem MC was actually a licensed nurse. But what did she do before she moved into the mansion to take care of the granny? Why did she leave her previous nursing job or did she take the position right out of school? How did they pick her as the person to take care of the gran? She also casually dropped that she's the only person left in her family, but never explains what happened to everyone. I also wanted to know more about the male MC. They talked a hell of a lot about the scars his mother's abandonment left but they never really dug into that. The only thing we see is a vague mistrust of the fem MC and supposedly all females besides his gran; it was all very superficial. I also wanted to know how the mother leaving affected the other brothers and their dad (where is their dad by the way? why wasn't he around before the gran's death? She's on her way out and he's off traveling?- or whatever he was doing, I can't remember). Why did the male MCe spend so much time with his gran and not his dad (who might've stepped up and become dad/mom)? The MCs also didn't really talk/ get to know each other. How can the MCs claim to love each other in the end, and how can the fem MC claim to have loved the male MC in the beginning, if they don't know each other?
Side note: I also didn't understand the nature of their relationship at the beginning of the book (before the fake proposal). The first few interactions between the MCs seemed peaceable, if awkward. Then suddenly, everything flipped, and the reader was told he regularly poked fun at her in a meanly playful way (though we hadn't been shown this till after it was mentioned). I didn't understand why he would poke fun at her at all, he seemed very reserved and emotionally distant for a majority of the book. He didn't even tussle with his brothers. Why would he do so with the shy, quiet fem MC?
Additional side note: If one of the characters mentioned the gran saying "be open to love" one more fucking time. The male MC needed to do so much more emotional work than just be "open to love" as hard as that was for him. What did she tell her other grandsons?
January 22, 2023
*spoilers* Isabella is a nurse and taking care ofLottie, eighty-one year old grandma to five grandsons. Lucas Blaze is the youngest brother of the billion-dollar company and known to be a playboy.
Lottie was the best friend of Isabella's grandma and like a second granny to her, so taking care of her is more emotional and not just a job. Isabella has been in love with Lucas for a long time and it is not easy to see all the pictures of him with different women. She knows she is not his type, a plus size nurse and them beig from different worlds. Lottie is deeply concerned about Lucas,
needing to know her family will be ok when she has to leave. For her sake, she is more like a mother than a grandmother to him, Lucas is asking Isabella for
a marriage of convenience. Lucas is upfront with Isabella, they both know it is to make their beloved granny happy and gives her some peace and will end when she has no more time on earth. Isabella knows, she will not be able to protect her heart from getting hurt, she is saying yes for Lottie.
Lucas has closed off his heart to love due to his mother leaving him as a newborn. But it feels just right between Bella and him and he does not panic, like with he is used to with women and commitment. Will he be able to listen to his granny and ‚be open to love. And when you find it, you have to hold on to it.‘?
I love this first full length story of Hope Ford. I devoured this one, thank you so much! The characters are so believeble and loveable and well developed with many layers to them. I was surprised when I was through and watched how long I had read, it did not seem so long, I was absorbed.
Lucas and his Bella put me through so many emotions, from shedding tears to wanting to make Lucas see how his actions are hurting Bella (wanting to scream at him to see who Kelly really is!) and her deep devotion, passion and love. How also the brothers all seem different, they stand together as a family and have each others back. And granny, she is just something else, like her love for rap music.
Everyone should have a friend like Carlotta, there are so many details to this book. I am certain I am going to read it again in times I need some chocolate for the heart.
We get to meet the Blaze brothers and I am already impatiently looking forward to the stories of the other four brothers! We get a little teaser for Ford and Lilian's story in the end.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Lottie was the best friend of Isabella's grandma and like a second granny to her, so taking care of her is more emotional and not just a job. Isabella has been in love with Lucas for a long time and it is not easy to see all the pictures of him with different women. She knows she is not his type, a plus size nurse and them beig from different worlds. Lottie is deeply concerned about Lucas,
needing to know her family will be ok when she has to leave. For her sake, she is more like a mother than a grandmother to him, Lucas is asking Isabella for
a marriage of convenience. Lucas is upfront with Isabella, they both know it is to make their beloved granny happy and gives her some peace and will end when she has no more time on earth. Isabella knows, she will not be able to protect her heart from getting hurt, she is saying yes for Lottie.
Lucas has closed off his heart to love due to his mother leaving him as a newborn. But it feels just right between Bella and him and he does not panic, like with he is used to with women and commitment. Will he be able to listen to his granny and ‚be open to love. And when you find it, you have to hold on to it.‘?
I love this first full length story of Hope Ford. I devoured this one, thank you so much! The characters are so believeble and loveable and well developed with many layers to them. I was surprised when I was through and watched how long I had read, it did not seem so long, I was absorbed.
Lucas and his Bella put me through so many emotions, from shedding tears to wanting to make Lucas see how his actions are hurting Bella (wanting to scream at him to see who Kelly really is!) and her deep devotion, passion and love. How also the brothers all seem different, they stand together as a family and have each others back. And granny, she is just something else, like her love for rap music.
Everyone should have a friend like Carlotta, there are so many details to this book. I am certain I am going to read it again in times I need some chocolate for the heart.
We get to meet the Blaze brothers and I am already impatiently looking forward to the stories of the other four brothers! We get a little teaser for Ford and Lilian's story in the end.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 26, 2023
The Things We'll Do For Granny
Granny aka G was the scene stealer of this book...and I adored her. I knew what was going to happen to her....and it did, and the waterworks started, but how could I not love that lil lady? Her family clearly treasured her and would do anything for her.
Hence the premise of this story....a fake marriage to give G peace in her final days.
I really enjoyed this book and the world building it did, it set up side characters very well for their future books.
It doesn't hurt that the cover is YUM. One of those books that belongs on my bookshelf for sure.
Bella and G dancing to rap music still has me laughing...what a fun book.
Granny aka G was the scene stealer of this book...and I adored her. I knew what was going to happen to her....and it did, and the waterworks started, but how could I not love that lil lady? Her family clearly treasured her and would do anything for her.
Hence the premise of this story....a fake marriage to give G peace in her final days.
I really enjoyed this book and the world building it did, it set up side characters very well for their future books.
It doesn't hurt that the cover is YUM. One of those books that belongs on my bookshelf for sure.
Bella and G dancing to rap music still has me laughing...what a fun book.
March 15, 2023
Disclaimer: This is my opinion and mine only!! You might enjoy the book more than I did!!!
Lucas is a player. Never wants to settle down. It’s when his grandmother asks him that when he finds love he will hold on to it…. He gets to thinking and end ups asking Isabella to marry him. To make his grandmother happy before she dies.
Isabell has been in love with Lucas for a while. She’s the nurse for his grandmother, she considers Granny to be her best friend. So when Lucas proposed his arrangement, she was on board.
Now, the plot has amazing potential!! I personally feel that the characters don’t have any personality. You could be reading from Lucas pov and wouldn’t even know until he talked to Issi. I also didn’t really feel a connection between Lucas and Issi.
Again: this is only my opinion. Everyone has totally different takes on different books.
Lucas is a player. Never wants to settle down. It’s when his grandmother asks him that when he finds love he will hold on to it…. He gets to thinking and end ups asking Isabella to marry him. To make his grandmother happy before she dies.
Isabell has been in love with Lucas for a while. She’s the nurse for his grandmother, she considers Granny to be her best friend. So when Lucas proposed his arrangement, she was on board.
Now, the plot has amazing potential!! I personally feel that the characters don’t have any personality. You could be reading from Lucas pov and wouldn’t even know until he talked to Issi. I also didn’t really feel a connection between Lucas and Issi.
Again: this is only my opinion. Everyone has totally different takes on different books.
November 11, 2023
Reluctant Husband: ★ . 5
Hope Ford (Whiskey Men, #1)
“You can’t leave because I love you. Because I don’t want to know what life is like without you. Because I can’t let you go.”
To make his grandmother happy, Lucas marries Isabella. I think. It's still a bit unclear to me.
Tropes:
– Marriage of convenience
The pacing in this book was just so very off. You’re telling me that this girl has worked for the family for so long and has always been around and is so loved by all of the hero's brothers. But when it comes to the hero himself, all of this man’s attentions and feelings change for her in one day? Like how unbelievable is that. It was such a rushed story with no chance for character or feelings development. It's literally just fact telling of things happening one after another.
Also, Lucas is probably one of my least favorite male characters ever. He never takes Bella’s feelings seriously, he is so dismissive and disrespectful of her, he’s constantly leaving her every chance he gets, he is borderline insanely possessive over her and overall, he was just so childish. Grow up and do it quickly.
Hope Ford (Whiskey Men, #1)
“You can’t leave because I love you. Because I don’t want to know what life is like without you. Because I can’t let you go.”
To make his grandmother happy, Lucas marries Isabella. I think. It's still a bit unclear to me.
Tropes:
– Marriage of convenience
The pacing in this book was just so very off. You’re telling me that this girl has worked for the family for so long and has always been around and is so loved by all of the hero's brothers. But when it comes to the hero himself, all of this man’s attentions and feelings change for her in one day? Like how unbelievable is that. It was such a rushed story with no chance for character or feelings development. It's literally just fact telling of things happening one after another.
Also, Lucas is probably one of my least favorite male characters ever. He never takes Bella’s feelings seriously, he is so dismissive and disrespectful of her, he’s constantly leaving her every chance he gets, he is borderline insanely possessive over her and overall, he was just so childish. Grow up and do it quickly.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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