Fake Engagement, Nashville Style - Jules Bennett (HD #2811 - July 2021)

Series: Dynasties: Beaumont Bay (Book 3)

Saying yes should be strictly business…
Since it's only pretend, not a second chance.
 
Cassandra Taylor's ex-fiancé owes her -- big-time. Luke Sutherland shattered her dreams of happily-ever-after, and now she wants his help landing the wedding planning event of the year: his brother's celebrity nuptials. But Luke demands her help in return -- pretend to be in love with him so he's no longer Country Beat's most eligible bachelor. As their fake engagement rekindles real passion, will Cassie get her own fairy-tale wedding…or only more heartbreak?
 
Good second chance romance. Cassie and Luke knew each other years earlier but parted ways when their dreams seemed incompatible. After months of waiting for them to begin their lives together and constantly feeling that she came in second to Luke's work, Cassie left Beaumont Bay. Rather than go after her, Luke buried himself further in work to hide his heartbreak, eventually ending up with a successful string of breweries and brewpubs.
 
As the book opens, Luke feels hunted. Recently named Nashville's most eligible bachelor, he is the unwilling quarry of a multitude of marriage-minded women. Having been burned once, he avoids relationships and doesn't intend to marry. So picture his shock when Cassie walks into his office and asks him for a favor.
 
After leaving Beaumont Bay, Cassie went to work as an event planner. After several successful years working for someone else, she began her own wedding planning business. But she needs a high-profile wedding to give her the edge over other planners. When she hears about Hannah and Will's engagement, she decides to ask Luke to recommend her to them.
 
I loved seeing the rekindling of the relationship between Luke and Cassie. From the moment she appears in Luke's office, it is evident that the feelings between them never went away, though both try to deny them. Though disturbed by his reaction to her, rather than agreeing to her request and saying goodbye, Luke demands a favor in return. He wants Cassie to pretend to be his fiancée to discourage his pursuers. While Cassie doubts the wisdom of agreeing, she doesn't see that she has a choice.
 
I enjoyed seeing Luke and Cassie spend time together. They quickly realize that their attraction is as strong as ever, and they have no trouble remembering the good things about each other and their prior relationship. There are sweet scenes of them together and some very steamy ones when their attraction flares out of control. Both try to deny the growing feelings between them. I had to laugh as Luke's brothers do their best to make him see the light, and he stubbornly refuses to admit the truth. Even when Luke and Cassie can admit the truth to themselves, old fears and insecurities keep them from believing they have a future. It takes facing the impending end to their fake engagement for Luke to finally confess his feelings to Cassie and them to realize the misunderstandings that drove them apart eight years earlier. I loved seeing Luke's vulnerability as he took a chance and Cassie's shock as she realized she misinterpreted Luke's actions all those years ago. They still have details to work out, but their future looks bright.

Good Twin Gone Country - Jessica Lemmon (HD #2816 - Aug 2021)

Series: Dynasties: Beaumont Bay (Book 4)

"Please show me how to break a few rules…"
 
Hallie Banks is done being "the good twin," living in her superstar sister's shadow. But what does she know about letting loose and having fun? She needs a teacher, and fortunately, gorgeous bachelor bad boy Gavin Sutherland is up for the job. Soon Hallie bursts out of her comfort zone and loses herself to Gavin's sizzling touch. But living on the edge always comes with a cost…and now the moment of reckoning is nine months away!
 
Fun conclusion to the series. This is the story of Gavin Sutherland, youngest of the four brothers and unrepentant playboy, and Hallie Banks, the quieter, "good" twin to her superstar sister Hannah.
 
Hallie has always preferred living in the background, avoiding the spotlight, which works well as her sister's career manager. However, lately, she's felt as though something is missing in her life. She longs to break free of her fear of breaking the rules and do something outrageous and fun. Just talking to Gavin would be a start, but she feels like she turns into a blithering idiot whenever she's near him.
 
Gavin likes his bachelor life. He makes sure the women he's with know not to expect anything serious from him. He works hard as a music industry lawyer with his brothers' music studio, and he plays hard. He frequently sees Hallie thanks to her sister being married to his brother and their work together on Hannah's career. Gavin believes that Hallie doesn't like him because she won't meet his eyes and avoids him whenever possible.
 
The story gets off to a rough start between Hallie and Gavin as she steps out of her comfort zone, and Gavin mistakes her for her sister. Gavin sticks his foot in his mouth with some observations about Hallie (he thinks he's talking to Hannah), and Hallie doesn't react well. I enjoyed the scene the next day as the truth came out, and they cleared the air. Hallie makes up her mind to ask Gavin to teach her how to break free of her rut. When he confesses to needing help with the interior decorator for his house, Hallie offers up a trade - lessons in rule-breaking for her assistance with his home.
 
I enjoyed watching Hallie break out of her shell. Gavin does a terrific job of starting her out slow and working up to more daring things. I loved how she thought she was doing great when she drove the sports car a whole eight miles per hour over the speed limit. Neither expected to discover their attraction reciprocated. I liked seeing Hallie take the initiative, though I must admit that her rule-breaking in that instance was asking for trouble. Gavin is honest about his attitude toward relationships which suits Hallie just fine.
 
I loved watching the development of the relationship between Hallie and Gavin. They have fun together, and their chemistry is undeniable. Gavin is sweet in his determination to help Hallie fulfill her goals, and sometimes she surprises him. I loved the skinny-dipping scene at the lake and his shock at her actions. Hallie's insights into Gavin made helping the interior decorator a breeze. The more time Gavin and Hallie spent together, the deeper their connection grew. Hallie suspected early that she fell for him, but Gavin resisted admitting his feelings for a long time. His brothers see it and call him on it, but Gavin refuses to give in.
 
Hallie is shocked when she gets pregnant (no idea why she's shocked considering the rule she broke). She knows Gavin's views on marriage and children, but she finds she wants more than he's willing to give. She breaks off their relationship without telling him why, leaving Gavin wondering what went wrong. He spends several miserable days before Hallie's friends and sister confront him and point out his idiocy (without giving away her secret). I loved how he saw the light and immediately set out to make things right. I loved his big moment at the end, and his heartfelt "I was convinced loving someone meant missing out on life. You taught me being in love made life better" and "I'm about to break the biggest rule in my world and beg you for forever." One of the things I loved about Gavin was that he saw past her resemblance to her sister and loved Hallie for herself. I also liked how Hallie gained more confidence in herself as she stepped out from Hannah's shadow.
 
The epilogue was a terrific wrap-up to the series. I enjoyed seeing all four couples together and catching up with their lives. I had to laugh at Gavin poking at Cash about who has the better house. Hallie's happiness and contentment are evident, as is Gavin's joy in his life. 

 

Second Chance Love Song - Jessica Lemmon (HD #2804 - June 2021)

Series: Dynasties: Beaumont Bay (Book 2)

He chose country music over the one who got away. Well, now she's back…

 

Country music star Cash Sutherland is too successful for his own good. Seen as a bad boy in need of redeeming, he and his label are doing all they can to revamp his reputation. They've even hired eager journalist Presley Cole, who's ready and willing to print the cover story that will make both their careers. The only problem? She's the woman he left behind, and she's not ready to forgive him for breaking her heart…

 

Terrific second chance love story. Cash and Presley knew each other in college and had a fairly intense relationship. That all ended when he dropped out of school his senior year to pursue his dreams of a Nashville music career. Refusing even to consider a long-distance relationship, Cash turned his back and walked away, leaving Presley brokenhearted.

 

Years later, Cash is a country music star who made his dreams come true. But he also has thick walls built around his heart, keeping people at a distance. While his success is satisfying, it hasn't made him as happy as he thought it would. Cash finally realizes the price he paid for that success - losing the one woman he truly loved. When a DUI tarnishes his reputation, he and his brothers know he needs some help. His brothers hire Presley to write a story that will return the shine to his star.

 

After the breakup, Presley concentrated on her journalism studies and tried to consign Cash to her past. Years later, she works for a worldwide magazine but is still stuck in Florida. If she can impress her boss with this story, Presley can write her own ticket to anywhere in the world. All she has to do is manage the interview without risking her heart.

 

I enjoyed watching the rekindling of the relationship between Cash and Presley, though there were also a few times I wanted to smack them for being blindly stubborn. Cash and Presley's first meeting came as a complete shock to Cash and happened as he had a bit of a freak-out in the service elevator. All of Presley's good intentions went out the window when Cash kissed her, and old feelings came roaring back to the surface. Cash, who still feels guilty over how he broke up with her, is equally affected. To say that he wasn't happy to find out she was there to interview him would be putting it mildly, but his brother Gavin pointed out that they could trust her to be fair. Cash is skeptical, but that doesn't stop him from inviting her to stay with him.

 

It is clear from the start that the feelings Cash and Presley had for each other in college never faded. Sparks flew whenever they were together. The attraction continues to build until neither can resist giving in, though both insist it's a short-term, no-strings thing to give them closure on their previous relationship. I loved watching them spend time together, from talking about his career to hanging out together. Both of them fight their growing feelings. Cash believes that Presley has never forgiven him for the way he left her and that he wouldn't deserve it anyway. Presley is equally sure that he never really cared for her. The best she can do is write her story and move on with her life.

 

There are a couple of rough patches caused by Presley's pursuit of the story. One happens when she gives her opinions about why he does the things he does and asks questions about his family. Cash's reaction is less than polite (okay, her timing wasn't the best, either), and they exchange harsh words. I liked Cash's apology, which was sweet and very Cash-like. Later, Presley makes a very boneheaded mistake while trying to discover the inspiration for his signature song. She earned Cash's anger and hurt, and I appreciated what she did about it.

 

It is the ending that provides a roller coaster of emotions. From Cash's confession to Presley about the origins of his song to Presley's reaction, the pain for both of them leaps off the page. I ached for Cash and his misery while at the same time I wanted to push him into the lake for being such an idiot. I loved seeing Gavin's version of support and how he dragged Cash off. I liked seeing Presley put her hurt behind her to write one of the best stories of her life, then make an important decision about her future. I loved the scene at Luke's bar when Cash finally read Presley's article and his relief and happiness at the surprise waiting for him. I loved watching the last of his walls come crashing down as he finally stops fighting the past. The epilogue was fantastic, and I loved Cash's new version of The Apology Song.

Oh, yeah. I was curious about Cash's car, as I'd never heard of a Bugatti Chiron. All I can say is WOW!