Never Say Never Book 1 read in 2024
Carter Harrington is a wealthy businessman in a line of wealthy businessmen, his family is super rich and he grew up with his father having high expectations on him to join the family business and help it thrive. While trying to land a new client his friend (and business partner) Zack has a good idea this client (Elena) that they want to win over is a wealthy widow with a large estate that needs to be managed (her current manager is set to retire soon) and her husband was an art lover and word has it that he had quite the collection no one has seen it in ages as it's been a closed to the public collection at Elena's estate but this could be an in if he knows more about art... lucky for Carter --> Zack knows just the person who can teach him, his younger sister Luna is an artist and while she works at a local museum she could probably use the extra money so he could potentially talk her into being his tutor... Great idea!
Luna agrees to tutor Carter with flash cards to learn more about artists/artwork, and gives him a tour of the museum she works at like she would any other guests of the museum... only Carter has something else entirely planned while she shows him her favorite painting in the museum and discusses why she loves it Carter proposes totally caught off guard since they are not even friends let alone dating she doesn't say anything Carter kisses her in front of everyone around her (including her co-workers) and her brother is there filming the entire "event."
Carter realizing that he will never learn enough about art in time to win over Elena decides to go all in on this plan he convinces Luna to go along with this wild plan by bribing her with the opportunity to see the art collection that is at Elena's estate. Luna is a terrible liar and is not even sure how she will be convincing as Carter's fiance she's a lot younger and feels that he is way out of her league and they have nothing in common but her brother Zach. Carter is a tall, handsome, rich businessman who commands a room Luna is a socially awkward, curvy, short and shy and she likes that no one notices her when she walks into a room.
Luna does have an inner fierceness which she writes into her comic book that she has been working on (but has been too nervous to share with anyone).
Luna doesn't like Carter due to a misunderstanding from years ago (it is explained later in the book)
The couple ends up at Elena's estate where they have to stay over and pretend to be an actual couple in a room with one bed... somewhere along the line while spending more time together feelings grow and the "fake" part of their relationship doesn't feel so fake anymore.
Elena's niece comes into play and adds additional drama because she wants more say into how things are controlled at the estate, but thankfully Elena is a sharp lady and knows when someone is up to no good. Carter and Luna also have to continue their "fake" relationship as he continues to try to work to win over Elena.
Carter has a large (sometimes overwhelming) family and they make appearances throughout the book, he has an adorable niece and his brother's dog gets into some shenanigans. Luna's best friend Samantha comes in to offer "words of wisdom."
Likeable side characters and some funny moments
Overall I enjoyed the book it was on the high end of ridiculous at times but it was funny and sweet with a happy ending.
Have you read this book or any from this series? How did you feel about it? What is your favorite Lauren Landish book?
*Brother's Best friend *Dual POV * (surprise) Virgin FMC *Age Gap (older male) *Artsy FMC *FMC with self esteem issues
*Millionaire MMC *Fake dating/engagement --> More *Spice *Enemies --> Lovers
*some possessiveness/jealousy *dirty talk *third act break up
*Forced Proximity *one bed *drama *Opposites Attract *happy ending *The first in a series
Some negatives for the book:
*probably wasn't necessary for them to be more than "fake dating" for the client, it's not like she was over the top about needing her new estate manager to be married to get the job, she seemed to be pretty easy going considering her large fortune.
*Zack (the brother) goes along with a "surprise" proposal when he knows his sister doesn't like to be the center of attention but then goes all "if you hurt her I will hurt you" on his friend... maybe you could have at least told your sister the plan in advance
*some parts of the story seem to be forced in (the engagement, the break up, the brother acting protective when he feels like it, trying to show the FMC as extra quirky)
*MMC seems to be a bit overbearing and manipulative at times it might be part of his upbringing as a super wealthy guy that always gets his way (even if he feels like he's always competing with his family)
*not sure why our couple have to have loud fake sex to be "believable" as a couple when trying to convince an older wealthy woman to do business with Carter... seems more believable that they would be on their best behavior not doing anything in the room... but maybe that's just me (?)
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