Piper Rayne: The Troublemaker

 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/242504370-the-troublemaker

Book Blurb:

A fake marriage deal was never in my life’s plan.

Especially not to Easton Bailey.

Chicago Colts flashy shortstop.
The kind of man built for a good time and allergic to forever.
And the one who just slid a ring on my finger… on paper.

It’s supposed to be simple.
A mutually beneficial arrangement.
I play nanny to his son. He plays husband to my family.

No emotions. No complications. And absolutely no falling for each other.

Turns out pretending to be a family is the fastest way to break every rule we set.

Because he watches me like it was never just a deal.
Because he trusts me with the person who matters most.
Because the more we pretend, the less fake it feels.

And now the man who was never supposed to stay is the one I can't lose.

Tropes:

*Hambright PR ARC/ALC  *Sports Romance (Baseball) *Marriage of convenience

*Former playboy *Single father *Surprise Baby *Nanny (kind of) *friends with benefits

*Found family *Forced proximity *State Challenge Illinois (Repeat)

Thoughts:

Easton Bailey is a single hot baseball star and he's used to all the perks that go along with that including all the women.  He doesn't do long term relationships he's more of a one and done unless you include a friends with benefits situation he's had with Hadley... he's happy with how things are going and doesn't forsee anything changing in the future... until a baby gets dropped off with a note saying that it's his baby... only now his playboy lifestyle is seeming not as great as it did yesterday because he doesn't even know who the mom could be... he doesn't know how to care for a child what is he going to do the season is starting soon!

Hadley comes from a wealthy family, her mom and sister are cold her brother while supportive has his own family, she has been living a care free lifestyle traveling all over the world going on adventures and never setting down roots anywhere... when she comes home for her grandmother's funeral and reading of the will the only thing she really would like is the bookstore that holds countless memories she's honored that her grandmother would give her the store... until she finds out there is a stipulation.

In order for Hadley to keep the store she needs to be married for at least a year... how is she supposed to do that?  She doesn't even have a boyfriend.  The only one she can think of is her long time friend with benefits Easton... only when she reaches out to him she finds out that he has a surprise of his own a baby.

Easton needs a stable nanny for his son, Hadley needs to be married... win/win for both of them they marry long enough to fit the stipulations of the will then after that time he can find out other arrangements for the baby and they can go to their separate ways, no big deal! 

I loved watching Easton and Hadley's feelings grow over time since they already had a friendship they settled into their new relationship dynamics with ease... the only problem was not developing further feelings and keeping things separate. 

Easton receives a little (or big) push towards getting closer to Hadley in the way of his family coming to town unexpectedly now he is having to share his room and his bed with Hadley... how is he going to keep his hands off of her?  

Hadley begins to help Easton with his search for the mother of his baby, deals with her new found life in the public eye, family drama and trying to help a friend thru a difficult time all while figuring out how to take care of a baby and navigate her growing feelings towards not only Easton but also his son Tanner leading to feeling torn how is she ever going to let both of them go at the end of the year?  Could something more be possible?  

I received an ARC and ALC and once I started listening to the ALC the story really was so much better I loved the full cast narration and thank the author and Hambright PR for allowing me an early listen copy! 

Have you read this book/Series?  How did you like it?  What other books by this author would you recommend?  

L. Steele: The Unwilling Bride

 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/244691615-the-unwilling-bride

Book Blurb:

He’s my best friend’s brother. My billionaire boss. And now… my fake husband

I walked into his restaurant needing a paycheck.
Now I’m his fake wife.
And if I’m not careful, I might just fall for the man I hate.

James Hamilton is grumpy. Emotionally unavailable. Impossible to reach.
He’s also my best friend’s brother.
The man who broke my heart without even trying.
Now he’s a world-famous chef. Well known for his brilliance.

Working for him is my chance at the career of my dreams.
But when he calls me out in front of his entire staff.
I decide to leave.
But James stops me with an offer I never saw coming.
A marriage of convenience to secure the future of his culinary empire.

In return, he will pay off my debts and help my family.
I should refuse.
Instead, I say yes.

His rules are simple.
This is a contract.
There will be no feelings.
No expectations.
No future.

I agree to keep things strictly professional.
But the longer I share his home and answer to the title of his wife, the harder it is to pretend this is just business.

And when he lets me see the man behind the reputation,
I start to wonder if this fake marriage is the most real thing I have ever known...

*Hambright PR ARC/ALC  *Best friends brother  *hate to love *Boss x employee

*Grumpy/Sunshine  *Former Military MMC *Curvy FMC *"My Wife" *Marriage of convenience

*Billionaire MMC *Wounded hero *PTSD *OCD *Found family *close proximity 

*Kitchen boss *emotionally guarded MMC *Virgin FMC *spice  *Slow burn *mutual pining

*MMC is a bit unhinged and obsessive *Check trigger warnings

Thoughts:

Harper (FMC) is down on her luck and out of work looking for a job for a lengthy period of time she's thrilled to have an interview at a very popular restaurant in the city (London) and it couldn't come at a better time she needs to pay her bills and she is also helping her sister and neice as they live together... what's not great about the job is the owner/head chef of the restaurant is James Hamilton.

Harper and James had a brief encounter 5 years before but it left a lasting impression on both of them, James was still in the military at the time and emotionally unavailable... he is also her best friend's older brother but that didn't stop her from having a magical night with him that she's carried with her all these years later.

Only in the kitchen he is a grumpy, ice cold chef who doesn't cut her any slack just because they had a night to remember... in fact he pushes her harder than any of the other staff in her position.  While he's harsh he is also fair he understands the value of keeping hard working staff but if anyone steps a toe out of line he is quick to show them the door...  

Harper needs a job but she has just about had enough of dealing with the Grump in the kitchen and she's going to give him a piece of her mind... only the staff member that shares to social media decides to film and post it... worst part is it's going viral and James gets a call from his investors saying that unless he can turn this around they are going to pull the money out of his restaurant... that can't happen this is his life he has an easy solution... it was a lover's quarrel and they are engaged to be married soon... this will also fufil his grandmother's ultimatum of not giving him his inheritance unless he can get married in the next 6 months... now to just get the girl to agree.  

Harper at first is against the idea but she needs a job and he promises to help her family financially, which would make things a lot easier... it will be a real marriage, even though he's a bosshole she can't help but still have feelings for him after their night years ago she felt something real and she thought he did too... the hardest part will be not falling in love with her make believe husband, and no one can no about their arrangement.

This is my first book by this author and I got a chance to read the ARC and listen to the ALC so I was swapping back and forth but I feel that I enjoyed it so much more listening to it... while both narrators did a great job, the male narrator could read me the phone book and I would applaud him at the end and ask if he could read it to me again!  I need more audio books by Shane East immediately 💓 

This was a sweet journey of a man who felt broken down by life events learning to let others in, he felt the need to control everything so he wouldn't feel out of control even to the point where he free dives for fun... but pushes Harper away because he is so drawn to her to the point of feeling out of control so it unsettles him.

Harper is a ray of sunshine and puts up with way more than most would from this brooding man.  James is hot and cold with our girl but we can see from his side how he has been slowly falling in love with her but not admitting it to even himself... and taking her hair ties that she keeps losing.  Our couple balanced each other well and were able to be there for each other in smaller and larger moments.

If you enjoy slow burn to the extreme, marriage of convenience, Best Friend's brother, Grumpy/sunshine, boss x employee, and guarded hearts you might enjoy picking this one up.  

The ending set things up for the next story and I have added it to my TBR list.  

Negatives for me --> 

This is where the ALC was really helpful, while I didn't dislike the story I felt a lot of parts were repetitive and drawn out about 200 pages could have probably been cut and it could have made the story that much better.  

The Slow burn was sloooooow. 

 I was at times rooting for Harper to tell James off sooner... or again... he really was a big bully (think like Gordon Ramsay level). 

The internal repetitive monologue shows that both of our leads are falling in love with the other one but due to the pre-nup clause of no feelings involved they have about 450 pages of will one of them finally tell them they love the other one so we can move forward with this story! 

Evie Rose: Accidentally Marrying the Mafia Don

 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/250473047-accidentally-marrying-the-mafia-don

book blurb:

One tiny oops, and I’m married to a mafia boss.

I’m the stand-in maid of honour, he’s the silver fox uncle of the groom who saves the day when the wedding becomes a disaster, with a fluffy ring-bearer gone rogue, a drunk priest, and a child with perfect comic timing. But the dream Italian wedding continues, and the uncle—Dante—and I sign as witnesses. And if I try to flirt with him, I blame the romantic setting and the fact that although he’s twice my age, he’s the hottest man I’ve ever met. His edge of danger, with his tattoos and the way everyone is nervous of him, gossiping that he’s a morally gray billionaire, only makes me want him more. He turns me down with a touch to my cheek and a hoarse murmur that I’m too young and innocent for a man like him. Back at home, my dull little life doesn't compare. Then a wedding certificate arrives at my door. There’s been a mix up, and I’m married. To him.

Accidentally Marrying the Mafia Don is a sweet and spicy instalove romance with fluffy mafia romcom vibes and sizzling chemistry.

Duet narrated by gruff and growly Brandon Francis and light and relatable Zara Hampton-Brown.

*Netgalley ALC 2026 (2/12)  *Duet *Mafia Rom-Com  *Novella *"My Wife" *touch her and 💀

*Age Gap *spice  *quick read  *Insta Love/Lust  *Accidental Marriage *forced proximity *One Bed

*Young, Naive, inexperienced FMC x Experienced older man *Billionaire MMC *possessive MMC

Thoughts:

Ruby (FMC) is working as a hairdresser for a special client at a destination wedding in Italy when things begin to go downhill quickly with the wedding she manages to step into a new role as Maid of Honor since she can fit in one of the extra dresses and the other ladies are not well enough to stand.  She quickly finds herself wanting to do everything she can to give the bride and groom a perfect day... including keeping their dog from ruining the wedding photos... It also doesn't hurt that the brides handsome but dangerous looking Uncle is standing with her in her quest to make this day magical.

The story really falls to "Fluffy mafia romcom" but spent too much time on certain "funny" parts like I don't think in a story under 150 pages there needs to be this many pages about keeping a dog from licking their business... we get that it's a dog that's what they do.  

Ruby and Dante are pretty much immediately in love with each other after this brief encounter at the wedding but Dante is too ancient and his life is too dangerous to be with this sweet, younger woman who is around the same age as his niece in her early twenties.  (I joke about the ancient part as while this is addressed multiple times the guy is younger than me at 40).  

After going their seperate ways a few months later Ruby gets a surprise in the mail... after a mix up at the wedding venue she has received a marriage certificate... she was recorded in Italy as married to her handsome older gentleman and when she goes to the address listed she interrupts a "mafia boss" meeting due to the danger she is now in from her declaration Dante quickly requests she stay with him to keep "safe" while they work on getting their marriage annulled... only he doesn't want that it was love at first sight for him and he might just have to keep her with him until she realizes that they were made for each other.

This book was cute with flirty banter in places and a quick read/listen I didn't dislike the lead characters but there is not enough time for an actual build up of any back story everything feels on the rushed side.  Dante calls her by her nick name or "My Wife" 700 times (I didn't really count this), a lot of corny/cheesy scenes (including in the bedroom).  The FMC also spends too much time worried about being a "Perfect little wife"... girl just be you he loved you the way you are 3 minutes after meeting you.  

While not a bad read this one just missed the mark for me in a lot of places we only really have story with the lead couple with occasional other characters showing up but it's only surface level for everyone and I just didn't feel like I could get invested with the story or the characters.  

I felt the narrators did a good job for the most part the MMC while he has a nice voice it felt like he was doing his sultry/steamy/breathy voice for the whole book... kind of took me out of it at times I've never heard someone talk like that all the time and it didn't feel like a natural speaking voice.  

Have you read/listened to this one?  what did you think?  Have you read this author before?  

Dhara Shah: Hitched in Hawaii

 read in 2025

The author gave me an advanced readers copy (ARC) version of this book so maybe some of these kinks are worked out.

Dev is a billionaire on vacation in Hawaii he left home to get away from his parents trying to set him up in an arranged marriage.  First day of his trip he is looking at the scenery and sees a couple taking photographs but shortly after this he notices that the couple has an altercation and the lady storms off in tears throws her ring in the ocean then goes and sits by a fountain closer to his balcony.  Dev is a caring guy and doesn't want to see her hurting so he gets dinner then sits by her at the fountain... magically at this point he realizes that it is his elementary school friend Emily he hasn't seen her since 2nd grade but knows it's her because of her "honey brown" eyes (this is a main plot point as it is mentioned multiple times).  After his first dinner he invites Emily to second dinner which she accepts.  

Emily and her husband to be have split up instead of calling off the wedding because none of her family/friends coming have met him yet anyways Emily decides the next best thing is to simply find another groom for her wedding in 10 days named David or Dave... something similar (prediction... Dev sounds like Dave).  Dev agrees to be the groom because it will help solve his issue of avoiding a family arranged marriage and he is at least having a say in who he marries.  

What I did like about this book is it has multicultural representation and I appreciated that aspect of it.  The marriage of convenience trope is a hit or miss for me and I think this one is a miss for me but other people might enjoy it.  While Dev's family is a close group and sometimes meddle in his affairs they welcome Emily with open arms and begin to teach her their customs (Indian).  On Emily's side pretty much only her grandma is there for her and her grandma is ill her dying wish is to see another member of the family get married and Emily wants to make this happen for her.  

Dev is shown as "sweet" ish throughout the book towards Emily, other times it feels like he is talking to her like a child (Now Emily swim away from the turtle, don't touch the turtle).  Dev mentions many times he wants to give a real relationship a try and hopes they can fall in love in the year time frame they decided on to make their marriage work.  Instead of talking through issues Emily tends to give the silent treatment and/or cry.  Emily has a secret that she hasn't told Dev and it's a big one but instead of talking to him about it she approaches his best friend and puts him in the middle cause she doesn't want to hurt Dev... which of course leads to hurting Dev.  

The writing felt robotic to me I had a hard time getting into it the dialogue felt unnatural and somewhat repetitive (Emily has had 5 serious relationships and Dev has had 3; Emily has lots of shoes Dev doesn't yep noted).  Dev said Emily's name  like every time they spoke (even if they were already in conversation) just doesn't feel like how a real conversation would go and took me out of the story.

Have you read anything by this author?  would you recommend any of their other books?  

*billionaire  *marriage of convenience  *Dual POV  *destination wedding 

 *friends --> More   *multicultural romance   *vacation romance  *reconnection of old friends 

 *insta love  *some spice   *under 200 pages *happy ending

More possible spoilers that made me almost DNF this book  --> 

Again not sure if this might have been fixed in editing but the book could have used some more research into different things the couple were doing together and different things happening in the book: some examples *they went snorkeling and they were diving down under the water but wearing life vests which doesn't make sense you can't free dive with a life vest.* The couple are adults but Dev seemed to not be aware there were other forms of birth control (other than the pill until he talked to his friend who is a doctor).  *If someone is on Hospice they would not be attached to a bunch of tubes and wires.  *People in the book are doctors but are talking about other peoples medical issues without a release being signed (HIPPA).  *At the end of the book there is mention of burning shoes inside of a home... burning shoes can release toxic chemicals depending on what it's made of and they were burning multiple pairs of shoes inside of a closed space.     

*possible spoilers/somewhat me on a soap box 

I had a hard time liking the main characters early on after they take a trip to the mall and Emily asks Dev's opinion on colors for bra and panty sets and he tells her she looks "fat" in green (ouch!)

Same trip to the mall Emily has located 3 David's working at different stores/food shops our lead characters describe one David as "bald, one having crooked teeth and one with a butt as big as Russia" ... none of them asked to be the new husband leave these David's alone!.  Maybe this is a me thing but describing your lead characters as basically having perfect beach bodies is fine (good for them) but having your lead characters body shaming others isn't cool.  

Possible triggers: body shaming