A surprise pregnancy, marriage of convenience, billionaire romance from #1 Amazon and USA Today Bestselling author Bella Matthews.
Pushing Maddox Beneventi away was the hardest thing I’ve ever done . . . until the day I showed up at his doorstep clutching a positive pregnancy test.
If you’d have told me we’d be married a month later, I’d have laughed in your face. Because this tall, dark, devastatingly handsome billionaire couldn’t possibly be my happily ever after. Even if he was the only one I’d ever truly wanted.
Fairytales don’t always come true—especially for a princess.
But this isn’t a fairytale.
This is the story of how Maddox Beneventi saved me. How he fought for me. For us.
Maybe one day, I’ll tell our child the truth behind our so-called happy ending.
About the pain . . . the devastation and destruction that was left in our wake.
How hard we fought. First each other, then everyone else.
One day, I’ll share that the price we paid was the pain left etched on our souls.
But that day?
That day isn’t today.
Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited
Bella Matthews is a USA Today & #1 Amazon Bestselling author. She is married to her very own Alpha Male and raising three little ones. You can typically find her running from one sporting event to another. When she is home, she is usually hiding in her home office with the only other female in her house, her rescue dog Tinker Bell by her side. She likes to write swoon-worthy heroes and sassy, smart heroines. Sarcasm is her love language and big family dynamics are her favorite thing to add to each story.
When my former boss—a man known as a cold, heartless, billionaire—proposes to me, I think he must be joking.
Except I know Graham Mackenzie well enough to know he doesn’t joke. He’s brooding, keenly intelligent, and fifteen years older than me. And the deal he’s offering…is no laughing matter.
I need money to save a château and fulfill a promise to my great-aunt, and he needs a wife. After two years, if we can pull this off, we’ll go our separate ways.
It’s supposed to be a business agreement—nothing more. But the longer we pretend, the more I feel like I see the real Graham. And I find myself wishing for something real.
A marriage of convenience seemed like the perfect solution. At least until I started developing real feelings for my fake husband.
“Everything about him was so intense, so consuming that I couldn’t look away.”
There’s literally nothing better than a fake relationship, marriage of convenience with my wife vibes. And let me tell you, the “my wife ” trope is my latest addiction, and this book did not disappoint!
On the outside, Graham appeared cold and heartless, but in reality, he had a huge heart and was totally swoon-worthy. I had no idea just how sexy the French language was until I met Graham. And Lily is a force to be reckoned with. While she might have been afraid to tell her family off, she wasn’t afraid to give Graham a run for his money.
Together, Graham and Lily had amazing banter and chemistry. The will they/won’t they moments drove me a little crazy, but we’re certainly worth it in the end. And while their relationship didn’t start off in the most conventional way, I loved watching Graham and Lily grow together as a couple and find their way to happily ever after.
The Exception was a terrific read from beginning to end. It had a great balance of family, romance, and drama. I also loved the alopecia rep. It’s not something you typically see explored in romance novels, and I felt like the author tackled this subject very well.
All in all, it is a very enjoyable read.
*I was provided an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review *
“Smart, hilarious, and spicier than a ghost pepper — Hot Shot is fake marriage perfection with banter that bodied me.” — USA Today Bestselling Author Kandi Steiner
TROPES
🔥marriage of convenience
🔥he falls first
🔥single dad
🔥second chance
🔥small town
🔥smoking hot firefighter
🔥jilted bride
🔥first love
🔥baseball
🔥only one bed
🔥no third act breakup
Never thought I’d agree to a marriage of convenience to my hot, firefighter ex boyfriend.
Especially after he casually informs me we’ve been married for ten years.
Ten years ago, Wilder and I were so in love that we got married in Vegas for one night only before leaving for college on different sides of the world. He was supposed to mail the annulment papers.
Problem is, he didn’t.
Worse? He didn’t tell me.
Not even when I came back to town to marry another man.
But now he needs my help, and I can’t say no. All I have to do is have to pretend in front of the whole town like we’re married. Hold hands. Kiss. Not throw myself at him when he looks at me like I’m the only woman in the world.
My body might remember him, but the rest of me isn’t ready. Because I’m just learning how to find myself, and if I get wrapped up in Wilder’s world, I’ll lose more than my heart—I’ll lose everything.
Staci Hart is back and better than ever! She pulled out all the stops with Hot Shot, and I loved every second of it.
Hot Shot had everything I could possibly want and then some. I mean, you’ve got a hot firefighter ex who suddenly becomes a single dad, and you find out you’re still married to said ex. What started off as a marriage of convenience quickly evolved into something unforgettable, and I am here for it.
Wilder and Cass had the kind of connection people dream about. They were wild and passionate and completely devoted to each other. And despite being apart for 10 years, the Sparks between them never dulled. You could tell these two were meant to be, no matter how hard they tried to fight or deny it. And the fact that Wilder was 💯 alpha and used phrases like “My Wife”…..Need I say more?
If that wasn’t enough to make you swoon and lose your heart, just wait until you meet Cricket. This little girl’s world was turned upside down, and entered Wilder’s life at just the right moment. She was so sweet and adorable, and the mom in me just wanted to make her feel better. I can definitely say she stole a piece of my heart.
Hot Shot took my breath away, and I couldn’t help but devour this book. It exceeded my expectations, and I just loved every second of Cass and Wilder’s journey.
*I was provided an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review *
It’s that time of year again! As you know, there is nothing more that I love than challenging myself when it comes to the books I read. Whether it’s a new author, series, a genre that takes me out of my comfort zone, or being able to tackle some books that have been on my tbr for far too long; I live for a good reading challenge. In the past few years, I stepped up my game not only with the books that I read but also by attempting to clear out that never-ending to-read list. As always, my challenges have been hard, but a ton of fun at the same time.
For 2025’s Reading Challenge, I really wanted to once again challenge myself and kick my never-ending to-read list’s butt!! And I am more than ready for the challenge……
A book by an author who is new to me Contemporary Romance Biker Romance Paranormal/fantasy Sports Romance Romantic Comedy Accidental Pregnancy Romance Older Brother’s Best Friend A Holiday Romance Forbidden Romance Billionaire Romance Jilted bride Workplace Romance Fake relationship Marriage of Convenience Rock Star Romance Dark/Taboo Romance Mafia Romance Forced Proximity Historical Romance An Enemies to Lovers Romance Age Gap Romance Friends to Lovers Romance Diverse Romance Small Town Romance A book where one of the main characters is a First Responder Second Chance Romance Dystopian/Science Fiction Romance A Grumpy/Sunshine Romance Morally Gray Hero Redemption Romance Fated Mates Romance Single Parent Romance Insta-love Royal Romance A Fighter/MMA Book Bearded Man On Cover Bad Boy Romance Gothic Romance Favorite Trope A book everyone is talking about A book chosen for its cover A book with a one-word title A book with a setting in a different country than where you live A book with no people on the cover. A book where one of the main characters is/was in the military A Book with Pirates A Book with a number in the title A Debut Novel A Book that won an award A book with less than 1000 ratings on Goodreads 4 Books on my TBR 4 New Releases A book with a Red Cover A book with a Pink Cover A book with a Blue Cover A book with a White Cover A book with a Black Cover A book with a Yellow Cover A book with a Purple Cover Summer: A Book with a Summer Scene Fall: A book with a fall-themed cover Winter: A Book that takes place in winter Spring: A Book that releases in spring A foodie book A book with a neurodivergent character A book with either Love/Hate in the title A popular book you never read An Alien Romance A book where the main character is an artist A book that takes place in Texas A book that takes place in NYC A book that takes place in Colorado A Book for each month that starts with the letter of said month
Each year, I try to create a reading challenge that’s fun and challenging but also realistic, and I couldn’t be happier with the results. I’ve read over285books for this challenge, 71 of which have sat on my Kindle for far too long. I’ve discovered a lot of new authors and exciting books in 2024 and can not wait to see what next year’s challenge will bring.
Here are the books that made my 2024 Reading Challenge a success:
Category
Book
A book by an author who is new to me
Your Hand in Mine by Lily Foster
Contemporary Romance
Does He Know by Kaylee Ryan
Biker Romance
Caution to the Wind by Giana Darling
Paranormal/fantasy
Anchor of Secrets by Tessa Hale
Sports Romance
Watch Your Mouth by Kandi Steiner
Romantic Comedy
Mr. Big Shot by R.S. Grey
Accidental Pregnancy Romance
Game Changer by Stacey Lynn
Older Brother’s Best Friend
Tell Me What You Want by Lucia Franco
A Holiday Romance
Falling for the Grinch by Amy Alves
Forbidden Romance
I Wish I Would’ve Chosen You by Whitney G.
Billionaire Romance
The Playboy by Marni Mann
Jilted bride
Advice From a Jilted Bride by Piper Rayne
Workplace Romance
Filthy Lawyer by Whitney G.
Fake relationship
Reputation by Jenna Hartley
Marriage of Convenience
Irresistibly Dangerous by J. Saman
Rock Star Romance
Times Like These by Julia Wolf
Dark/Taboo Romance
Five Brothers by Penelope Douglas
Mafia Romance
Lethal Vows by Kia Carrington-Russell & T.L. Smith
Forced Proximity
Black Ties and White Lies by Kat Singleton
Historical Romance
The Outlaw Nobel Salt by Amy Harmon
An Enemies to Lovers Romance
Devious Vows by Jagger Cole
Age Gap Romance
Eleven Eleven by Micalea Smeltzer
Friends to Lovers Romance
Reckless Abandon by Ashley Cade
Diverse Romance
Not By Sight by Kay Lyons
Small Town Romance
Claim Me Forever by AL Jackson
A book where one of the main characters is a First Responder
Caught in the Flames by Kacey Shea
Second Chance Romance
The Edge of Forever by J. Saman
Dystopian/Science Fiction Romance
Homestead by Claire Kent
A Grumpy/Sunshine Romance
More Than I Could by Adrianna Locke
Morally Gray Hero
Reckless Hearts by Jagger Cole
Redemption Romance
Redemption Road by Katie Ashley
Fated Mates Romance
Legacy of Shadows by Tessa Hale
Single Parent Romance
I Wish You Were Mine by Jessica Peterson
Insta-love
Reckless Love by Hannah McBride
Royal Romance
Seducing the Princess by Diane Alberts
A Fighter/MMA Book
Sweet Victory by Gina Maxwell
Bearded Man On Cover
Built to Fall by Julia Wolf
Bad Boy Romance
Brutal Obsession by S. Massery
Gothic Romance
Phantasma by Kaylie Smith
Favorite Trope
Where We Belong by Ashely Munoz
A book everyone is talking about
Butcher & Blackbird by Brynne Weaver
A book chosen for its cover
The Silence of Monsters by Jay Crownover
A book with a one-word title
Blitz by Devney Perry
A book with a setting in a different country than where you live
Through the Glen by Samantha Young
A book with no people on the cover.
The Wren in the Holly Library by K.A. Linde
A book where one of the main characters is/was in the military
Healing Touch by Brenda Rothert
A Book with Pirates
The Ever King by LJ Andrews
A Book with a number in the title
In Five Years by Rebecca Serle
A Debut Novel
Everything We Never Said by Sloan Halow
A Book that won an award
Dragon Bound by Thea Harrison
A book with less than 1000 ratings on Goodreads
Striking Distance by LK Shaw
4 Books on my TBR
Vacancy by Linda Kage I Wish We Had Forever by Jessica Peterson Foretold by Chantel Fernando Little Dove by Layla Frost
4 New Releases
Sweet Collide by Ava Harrison A Vengeful Occasion by Kristy Marie Pulse by Adirana Locke I Thought of You by Jewel E. Ann
As a little girl, I dreamed of becoming many things. A twenty-five-year-old photographer struggling to make ends meet with a mountain of legal fees wasn’t one of them. Making questionable decisions wasn’t either.
After hanging up my camera, I start a job I loathe that has me questioning my morals on a daily basis.
Until I run into Chicago’s newest bad-boy goalie whose reputation is a trainwreck—𝘌𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘖𝘭𝘴𝘰𝘯.
In a desperate effort to rid my debt, I corner Emory and try to exploit him. When my plan backfires, I not only have a new enemy with steely blue eyes and a talent for the game but a man now on a mission with his own insane plan in mind.
𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘺 𝘮𝘦.
The terms are simple: I marry Emory and act like his doting wife in front of the press to clean up his image, and he’ll pay off my debt when the job is done. But now, instead of my bills keeping me up at night, I find myself fantasizing about my fake husband and his devilish stare.
He tells me to play the game, but when lines start to blur and his touches linger, I’m not sure what’s real or fake anymore. The sizzling attraction and fiery chemistry between us can’t be contained.
Emory Olson says he never loses, and by the end of our marriage game, I’m pretty sure I’m no exception.
S.J. Sylvis is an Amazon top 50 and USA Today bestselling author who is best known for her new adult romances. She currently resides in Arizona with her husband, two small kiddos, and pets! She is obsessed with coffee, becomes easily attached to fictional characters, and spends most of her evenings buried in a book!
A grouchy mafia hitman put it there and I barely know him.
I know how that sounds but let me explain…
Everyone knows Carmine ‘Cale’ Connelly is the second in command to his terrifying uncle, head of the Amato crime family. A decade older and formerly one of my brother’s best friends, Cale has always been a man to steer clear of. The fact that he’s a towering monument of muscled sin and piercing eyes needs to be ignored.
Anyway, I haven’t seen much of Cale in years. He’s practically a stranger by now. I had no reason to change that.
All I cared about was finding a way to save my beloved animal sanctuary. This wasn’t easy, especially when my family and I were barely on speaking terms after I ditched wedding plans to the horrid son of my father’s business partner.
When Cale suggested we could help each other, I thought he was kidding.
But Cale was looking for a way out of a marriage arrangement.
Meanwhile, I needed enough cash to save my rescue ranch.
All we had to do was tie the knot, convince everyone that we’re in love and hope that Cale’s mafia boss uncle doesn’t catch on.
Just a few simple lies, right?
But something happened while we were pretending.
Our arguments turned flirtatious. Our kisses became passionate.
And Cale Connelly turned out to be far more than a fearsome enigma.
Now this little game of make believe we’ve been playing is the biggest lie of all.
And I’m in WAY over my head.
About the Author:
Cora Brent was born in a cold climate and escaped as soon as it was legally possible. Now, she lives in the desert with her husband, two kids and a prickly pear cactus she has affectionately named ‘Spot’. Cora’s closet is filled with boxes of unfinished stories that date back her 1980’s childhood and all her life she has dreamed of being an author. Amazingly, she is now a New York Times and USA Today bestselling writer of contemporary romance and begs not to be awakened from this dream.
Two eccentric orphans bring together a grumpy viscount and the free-spirited heroine who steals his heart in the first novel in Eloisa James’s new Accidental Brides series, in which haughty aristocrats find themselves married to the wrong women.
He wants a nanny, not a bride…
Suddenly guardian to twins, Viscount Dominic Kelbourne is luckily betrothed to a suitable lady—until she elopes. With no time to woo, Dominic decides to marry his fiancée’s unconventional sister. Torie isn’t perfect, but their kisses are so passionate that society thinks he’s actually chosen her.
She wants to marry for love…
Torie has never been able to make sense of words on a page, so she has turned her talents to art. She longs for a man who values her as she is… but marries for the sake of the twins. She doubts Dominic is capable of love, let alone respect, but as their heated debates turn into something more, Torie begins to imagine a life as a wife, not a nanny.
But when the arrogant viscount finds that his viscountess has stolen his heart, he’ll have to give all he has to win her love.
What a terrific read! I don’t read a ton of Historical Romance, but when I do, I want to read a book like this.
I thought the plot of this story was unique and the author did a great job with the time period. The characters are written in a way that just grabs you from the first page, with their quirkiness and grumpy sunshine vibes oozing off of the pages. I thought this story had a lot of layers to it and I appreciated the way the author wrote Torie. Torie wasn’t perfect and had a learning disability, but she didn’t let that stop her.
I enjoyed the romance between Dom and Torie. Their banter left me thoroughly entertained. Dom was in no way perfect, but he more than makes up for it in the end.
All in all, a solid read. I look forward to checking out the next book in this series.
*I was provided an ARC copy of this book via the publisher & NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review*
From the author of Gorgeous Lies comes the next book in the Harding Brothers Series. Sweet Nothings isan Angsty, Marriage of Convenience/Arranged Marriage, Billionaire Romance.
Lennon Harding, heir to his father’s billionaire law firm, could have had anyone. But he chose me. Well. . . not quite.
On my nineteenth birthday, he whispered sweet nothings into my ear. Six years later, while his family tried to screw over mine, he’d looked at me as if we’d never met. Now, at his father’s funeral, Lennon learns inheriting the Harding legacy won’t come without a price.
So, when he proposes the idea of me becoming his wife, I’m quick to turn him down. I’m no stranger to being used, and Lennon’s proposal is no different, but when tragic news hits my family, I’m suddenly sprinting to meet him at the altar.
Because I desperately need him now, almost as much as he needs me.
But the more we settle into our roles of husband and wife, the harder I find it to ignore the feelings of our past reigniting. The way his lips feel against mine. The way his hands easily wander without thought. And before long, I’m starting to wonder if his whispers of sweet nothings have always meant as much to him as they have to me.
But with a heart as dark as his, that isn’t possible . . . is it?
Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited!
After reading Gorgeous Lies, I knew without a doubt that I had to get my hands on the next book in the Harding Brothers series, and let me tell you, Brittany Taylor does not disappoint. Sweet Nothings is a must-read marriage of convenience/second chance romance that will tug at your heartstrings and leave you with all the feels.
When Laurel and Lennon met on her 19th birthday, they were drawn together like magnets. Who knew a simple car ride would become passion and whispered sweet nothings? It will be six years before Lennon and Laurel are reunited and unfortunately for Laurel, Lennon acts closed off and cold; like he doesn’t even know her. That moment would spawn Laurel’s hatred for Lennon.
Sweet Nothings captured my attention from the very first page. I loved learning how Lennon and Laurel met and how everything tragically went wrong. Laurel is fierce and will do anything to help those she loves. She’s no stranger to heartache and will protect her heart at all costs…On the outside, Lennon appears to be cruel and black-hearted. But, there is so much more to him than meets the eye. Beneath the facade he puts on for everyone, is a man with a huge heart, who isn’t afraid to go after what he wants and in this case, he’s desperate to win Laurel over. One of my favorite things about Lennon was his willingness to be open with Laurel about his past and bare his soul. I found his vulnerability to be undeniably sexy.
Laurel and Lennon’s chemistry was instant and palpable. Their banter left me hanging on each and every word and made me desperate for their next encounter. I could tell from the very beginning that despite their marriage being one of convenience, Laurel and Lennon’s feelings ran deeper than either of them realized. I loved watching them grow together as a couple, become vulnerable with each other, and navigate their way through everything that life threw at them.
Sweet Nothings is one of those reads that will leave you thinking about it long after you reach the end. The characters are real, relatable, and perfectly flawed. This story is filled with romance, longing, and heartache. It has just the right amount of angst and drama and never felt over the top. If you love swoon-worthy marriage of convenience and second-chance romances, you won’t want to miss Sweet Nothings. I for one can not wait to see what this author will bring to the table next.
*I was provided an ARC copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review*
Meet Brittany Taylor
Brittany is a New Adult, Contemporary romance author best known for writing steamy, heart-clenching love stories, pulling out all the feels. She resides in Maine with her two sons and husband. She loves reading and writing spicy romances and is a Starbucks addict.
Rule Breakers Fall Hardest by Micalea Smeltzer is now live!
Once upon a time, Daire Hendricks was my childhood crush. He was always there, saving me from his annoying brothers. He was my rock, my safe place from my overbearing family.
Until he wasn’t.
Imagine my annoyance when we end up at the same university and I have to see his smug, too-handsome-for-his-own-good face all over campus.
Every time we cross paths, we spew hateful words at each other, so imagine my surprise when he seeks me out and utters the most surprising question.
“Marry me?”
He needs my help, and his solution is marriage. It’s a pretty big ask, but somehow, I find myself saying yes. We might hate each other now, but the benefits of this arrangement are worth it.
But what neither of us expects, is when playing house starts to feel a little too real.
Falling for each other was never part of the plan, but you know what they say about the best laid plans?
They often go awry.
Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited
Micalea Smeltzer is a twenty-something author from Northern Virginia. She has four dogs, which is as crazy as it sounds. As a recent kidney transplant recipient she’s dedicated to raising awareness around the effects of kidney disease, dialysis, and transplant as well as educating people on living donation.When she’s not writing you can catch her with her nose buried in a book.
Once Upon a Book Blog is aparticipant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
onceuponabookblog.com 