It was the easiest deal in the world. All Allison Landry had to do was date software CEO Rick Hunter for a few months. In return, he'd help fund her financially strapped charity. How could a woman refuse? Especially when he came wrapped up in the most gorgeous masculine package Allison had ever seen.
Footloose bachelor Rick had a reputation to uphold - but continuing his playboy ways meant losing the only home he'd ever known. Which made Allison so perfect - after all, neither of them was looking for a permanent relationship. Yet the beguiling good girl was soon making him dream about forever after - and Rick knew he'd do whatever it took to seal "this" deal with a kiss....
Abigail Strom started writing stories at the age of seven and has never been able to stop. She lives in New England with her family, a variety of animals, and a towering TBR pile. She loves to hear from readers and can be reached at abigail@abigailstrom.com.
I read everything, but I especially love YA, MG, mystery, romance, sci fi, and fantasy.
This was such an incredibly well written and sweet story and I liked both the hero and heroine. The heroine meets the hero when she goes to shout at him for turning down the request of a kid with cancer, see the thing is the heroine runs a foundation for kids with cancer, it is something close to her heart since she lost her sister to it. The hero is fine with giving her money, after all he is a millionaire but he doesn't want to go, we learn later it is because he lost his mother too and it raises painful memories.
At the start of the book, the hero doesn't feel that satisfied with his work, his grandmother is on his case for dating bimbos and not settling down so he makes an offer to the heroine, he will give money to her foundation if she pretends to date him, after refusing she agrees.
The heroine doesn't date, it is something she is not comfortable with, the last time she dated was ten years ago and it ended badly and her boyfriend beat her, since her sister was in the hospital then she lied to her family and pushed it away.
I liked seeing these two progress from playing a charade to getting to know and like each other. These two had scars from their past and together they healed and I loved their story.
This truly is a sweet, well written story. The H/h enter a fake relationship to fool the H's grandmother. The H does it to make gm think he's turned a new leaf and is dating a woman of character. The h does it so the H will give a big donation to the charity program she runs. Both H/h have painful issues from their past that keep them from having close relationships. Predictably, the two of them become close, develop feelings and gradually reveal parts of themselves that they've kept secret. Their healing and growth are realistic and believable. Really a feel good read.
aawww this was such a sweet book! Reading the blurb it comes of like every other harlequin story with a filthy rich hero but this is so much better...the persons feel real and likeable and it's such a sweet love story....
I’ve really enjoyed all of Abigail Strom’s other series (Love, Hart University, Me) so decided to finally get around to reading some of her earlier works. Luckily, my local library had the first in the Landry series available. Unfortunately, they don’t have any of the others in the series. But where there’s a will there’s a way because I really enjoyed this story.
This is a super sweet story with a lot of heart and all the feels. When we first meet the millionaire bachelor Rick it’s easy to see he’s a good guy, even if his grandmother worries about his relationship status. Allison is chock full of spunky attitude and will always fight for what she thinks is the right thing. The two of them together is instant chemistry.
This story moves super fast. The book is not much over 200 pages so that’s a necessity. For some reason it didn’t come across as insta-love to me although I’m sure there are plenty that will see it that way since the main part of the story unfolds over less than a month. But I see it more as two people who weren’t interested on love until the right person came along and flipped their beliefs on their heads.
This author is such a solid writer, even back in the beginning of her published works. Very impressive.
Charming story about Holly, a woman trying to make a difference; and Rick, the man she ends up affecting the most and being the most affected by. Grandma Evie is probably my favorite character in the entire book; thank goodness she knows better than Rick what is best for him.
I read the 2nd book first. I recommend that others read the 2nd book first as well. Strom is now one of my favorite authors. The characters are sensitive, polite, caring. What I did not like was the following:
I enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. When I think of Harlequins (or Silhouettes, whatever), I tend to think of them as pure brain candy -- light, quick, easy reads. Not that they don't get angsty sometimes, but it's "I saw you with a beautiful woman and must therefore break up with you while offering no explanation, but later it will turn out that the other woman is actually your sister" type angst, not anything more real than that. This book was different. It dealt with some actual-fax issues -- cancer and domestic violence -- that lent the book some real emotional weight. I was afraid at first that a book dealing with both of those things at the same time might veer into overwrought melodrama territory, but The Millionaire's Wish didn't do that. It dealt with those topics in a calm, thoughtful way, which I appreciated.
I liked the characters a lot, and the plot wasn't too contrived. I give this book a solid 3.5 stars!
I love Abigail Strom's writing. Her characters feel like someone you could meet, and their emotions feel so real. Her writing style is crisp and clear and so engaging. I thoroughly enjoyed Allison and Rick's bargain to "date" in order for Rick to get his childhood home from his grandmother. The issues brought up as the story unfolds are in depth and dealt with in such a mature, realistic way. I would have never found this story if Ms. Strom hadn't put Cross Your Heart up for free, where I first came in contact with her. Now I am hooked on the Landry series and glad to be so! Highly recommend.
Gah, note to self -- don't change the book edition until you've saved your review.
OK, so I do believe I said it was a cute and sexy book. I was worried how "jerk"-ish Rick would be, but he wasn't really...the motivations were nicely fleshed out. Both characters had issues to overcome, but they were adorable together. Really cute feel-good read.
I thought this was a sweet love story. I really liked how the author was able to convey the struggles a person has in the face of abuse as well as the pain and the required strength it takes to survive a loved one’s' battle with cancer.
Very good book! very easy to read. good characters and storyline. didn't take long to read because I was kept interested and wanted to see how it ended. would recommend to my friends. looking forward to reading more from this author.
Enjoyed the book. Looked at issues that cause problems in relationships. Easy read. Story flowed and was also plausible. Would like to read more books by the author
I like this story so much. It addresses important issues such as domestic violence and its impact on both Allison and Rick. It's respectful of both characters' careers and is romantic and uplifting. Both characters are very sweet.
I think I have found another favorite author. This book was great, made me laugh, made me cry, made me grit my teeth and was a special love story. Loved it!
What a great story. I loved the passion in these two people. I love Abagail's stories and this one did not fail to impress either. I'm going to have to go and ready the other ones now.