Don't Call Me Sweetheart (Something Borrowed, #1)
Codi Gary
Weddings are big business in picturesque Sweetheart, California, and Something Borrowed’s rent-a-bridesmaid service is thriving among the Hollywood elite. For the women who work there, a walk down the aisle is just a paycheck—until the right guy makes it priceless . . . RULE #1: GROOMSMEN ARE STRICTLY OFF LIMITS Marley Stevenson never imagined her stint as a rented Maid of Honor would practically become a career. Then again, nothing in her life has gone according to plan. At least the money’s good—and she needs it to pay off student loans and help out her mom. But the job has rules, which have never been an issue . . . until one encounter with a gorgeous best man—and his swoon-worthy Southern accent—sends Marley reeling. Determined to get through the weekend with her professional reputation intact, Marley grits her teeth and sends out her best “unavailable” vibes, but Luke Jessup doesn’t give up that easy. A former Marine and a current SWAT team officer, his focus is legendary—and it’s on Marley. Jeopardizing her job is bad enough, and starting a relationship based on half-truths is worse—yet Marley is beginning to wonder if certain risks are worth taking, especially in the name of true love . . .
Publication Year: 2017
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3.5 stars
I really enjoyed this story and I’m looking forward to reading more from this new-to-me author. The premise and setting were wonderful. I did have a hard time believing nobody from any of these weddings catches on to the “fake” bridesmaid thing…I’m assuming everyone in this small town knows what they women at Something Blue do for a living. But I could look beyond that point. And it was definitely feasible that Marley could get away with it for the particular wedding this story is about.
Luke, the hero, is wonderful. I wish his past could have been a bit more fleshed out. Yet, Luke in the present was enough for the story being told. (Although I found it odd that the fact that he has money never seemed to come up…especially later in the story when it would have had a reason to be known.) The way Marley and Luke bantered from the very beginning was delightful. It’s like they couldn’t NOT flirt with each other and I loved it.
Lately, authors are surprising me (in a good way) in the books I’m reading. I saw the writing on the wall on this one so far in advance…I knew exactly what the major conflict would be and I knew I was going to get pissed at Luke for that conflict. NOPE! Instead, this story went beyond where I thought it would go and instead, once that climactic conflict reared its head, I was pissed at Marley. Up until that point I totally understood where she was coming from with her confidentiality agreement. I didn’t agree but I understood. The other issue that came up later I did not understand. So this author tricked me and gave me something I didn’t expect. Sure I got mad at Marley, but I was supposed to get mad at her. Job well done Ms. Gary.
This would be a fun book to take on vacation or to read on your lunch break at work…it’s a great escape from the real world. There are a few dark elements that are mentioned in this story, but all in all it’s a light read.
**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of Net Galley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
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