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Your Invitation to Romance #1
The Wedding Favor
When Ava McKenna left the neighborhood she grew up in, she never planned to look back. And for ten years she didn’t. Not until Mateo Ortega, the handsome and charming boy next door, showed up to ask for her help. Mateo needed a favor, actually he needed a pretend fiancée, and he thought Ava would be the perfect woman for the charade. Ava knew that she owed the Ortega family a favor but when she looked into Mateo’s gorgeous brown eyes she realized that repaying an old debt might jeopardize her heart.
Heat Level: Sweet Romance
Heat Level: Sweet Romance
194 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 30, 2014
About the author
Caroline Mickelson
34 books216 followersCaroline Mickelson loves her family and loves to write. She also loves a good adventure, among her favorites thus far were attending graduate school in a Scottish castle, riding a camel around the Pyramids in Giza, and taking a best-in-a-lifetime road trip to Graceland. Caroline lives in the American southwest with her husband and their four children, affectionately known as The Miracles.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 166 reviews
February 26, 2024
Un mensonge pour une bonne intention Mathieu et Eva se réussissaient afin de réaliser le reve d un grand père agonisant qui revait de mariage de son petit fils Mathiu, ce dernier demandait à Eva son ancienne amie de jouait le role de la mariée avec lui, elle acceptait et la belle histoire commençait ...
Une histoire d amour s est enflammée en douceur, le couple jouaient ses roles mais à la fin ils tombaient amoureux l un de l autre.
Les personnages dont très attachants et l histoire très touchante bien écrite avec une plume féminine romantique et plein de tendresse et de douceur, les évènements sont captivants et en succession plein de suspense.
Une belle lecture.
Une histoire d amour s est enflammée en douceur, le couple jouaient ses roles mais à la fin ils tombaient amoureux l un de l autre.
Les personnages dont très attachants et l histoire très touchante bien écrite avec une plume féminine romantique et plein de tendresse et de douceur, les évènements sont captivants et en succession plein de suspense.
Une belle lecture.
July 7, 2022
2.5 rounded up to 3 stars
DNFed @ 65%
There should be a warning that the book has zero smut or sex or any of the goodness a reader might want in a romance fiction.
I would've continued but I don't think I was invested enough.
Plus, the disappointment after the first sex scene that was just mentioned in the book with zero details or steam was enough for me to dnf and move on to sth more to my liking.
The storyline was okay I guess and I kinda liked the characters but the first half dragged too much for me and after the already mentioned zero-smut scene I just lost my interest.
So maybe that's just me and for that reason I'm rounding it up to 3 stars because the book itself is not bad. I just wanted sth entirely different.
But if u like your books PG 13, go for it.
That's just ain't for me.
DNFed @ 65%
There should be a warning that the book has zero smut or sex or any of the goodness a reader might want in a romance fiction.
I would've continued but I don't think I was invested enough.
Plus, the disappointment after the first sex scene that was just mentioned in the book with zero details or steam was enough for me to dnf and move on to sth more to my liking.
The storyline was okay I guess and I kinda liked the characters but the first half dragged too much for me and after the already mentioned zero-smut scene I just lost my interest.
So maybe that's just me and for that reason I'm rounding it up to 3 stars because the book itself is not bad. I just wanted sth entirely different.
But if u like your books PG 13, go for it.
That's just ain't for me.
April 30, 2020
https://bioquimicadaleitura.blogspot....
Opinião:
Esta história surgiu nas sugestões do Goodreads e veio a calhar pois eu encontrava-me com disposição para uma leitura leve e romântica, para me abster da situação do coronavirus.
A Ava mudou-se para outra cidade logo após a morte da mãe e não olhou mais para trás. Mas quando decide pôr a casa à venda, o seu caminho cruza-se novamente com o do seu antigo vizinho Mateo, que lhe pede um favor impensável.
A Ava sente que está em dívida por tudo o que a família do Mateo fez quando ela era jovem, pelo que considera seriamente em aceitar ajudar, mesmo que possa vir a sair prejudicada.
A Ava é uma mulher independente, focada no trabalho, que sabe o que pretende alcançar mas o facto de o Mateo reaparecer na sua vida, faz com que ela começe a questionar-se. O que ele lhe propõe, e o facto de ela estar aberta a essa possibilidade e adicionalmente alterar os termos do acordo, fá-la repensar no que realmente quer para si, para o seu futuro.
O Mateo é gentil, educado, encantador, exactamente como ela se lembrava, talvez mais ainda. A perda iminente do seu familiar deixa-o destroçado, exactamente como ela ficou tantos anos antes. Ela só quer abraçá-lo e estar perto dele, mesmo que isto lhe vá custar quando a vida retomar à normalidade.
Juntos fazem um par muito fofo, gostei de ler acerca da sua interacção, que após tanto tempo afastados, os antigos vizinhos criaram um vínculo com base no apoio, empatia e compreensão. A proposta foi surreal porém quando ambos embarcaram nessa aventura, descobriram um novo sentido e perceberam que algo estava em falta.
Adorei a família do Mateo, numerosa, barulhenta, calorosa! Fez-me pensar na minha família e nas saudades que tenho deles. Eu realmente não os vejo desde Janeiro.
Senti um carinho especial pelo senhor O. e fez-me lembrar da minha falecida avó paterna. Ela era muito especial, a matriarca que uniu gerações. Ela vivia com um tio mas todos diziamos que iamos a casa da avó e passavamos sempre lá na noite de Natal.
Eu adorava passar o tempo a ouvi-la contar histórias do passado e das traquinices dos filhos enquanto crianças. Depois que partiu, vários de nós deixamos de lá ir nessa época festiva pois não era o mesmo, perdeu-se o encanto. Julgo que "será escusado dizer" que acabei me emocionando bastante com este livro.
Opinião:
Esta história surgiu nas sugestões do Goodreads e veio a calhar pois eu encontrava-me com disposição para uma leitura leve e romântica, para me abster da situação do coronavirus.
A Ava mudou-se para outra cidade logo após a morte da mãe e não olhou mais para trás. Mas quando decide pôr a casa à venda, o seu caminho cruza-se novamente com o do seu antigo vizinho Mateo, que lhe pede um favor impensável.
A Ava sente que está em dívida por tudo o que a família do Mateo fez quando ela era jovem, pelo que considera seriamente em aceitar ajudar, mesmo que possa vir a sair prejudicada.
A Ava é uma mulher independente, focada no trabalho, que sabe o que pretende alcançar mas o facto de o Mateo reaparecer na sua vida, faz com que ela começe a questionar-se. O que ele lhe propõe, e o facto de ela estar aberta a essa possibilidade e adicionalmente alterar os termos do acordo, fá-la repensar no que realmente quer para si, para o seu futuro.
O Mateo é gentil, educado, encantador, exactamente como ela se lembrava, talvez mais ainda. A perda iminente do seu familiar deixa-o destroçado, exactamente como ela ficou tantos anos antes. Ela só quer abraçá-lo e estar perto dele, mesmo que isto lhe vá custar quando a vida retomar à normalidade.
Juntos fazem um par muito fofo, gostei de ler acerca da sua interacção, que após tanto tempo afastados, os antigos vizinhos criaram um vínculo com base no apoio, empatia e compreensão. A proposta foi surreal porém quando ambos embarcaram nessa aventura, descobriram um novo sentido e perceberam que algo estava em falta.
Adorei a família do Mateo, numerosa, barulhenta, calorosa! Fez-me pensar na minha família e nas saudades que tenho deles. Eu realmente não os vejo desde Janeiro.
Senti um carinho especial pelo senhor O. e fez-me lembrar da minha falecida avó paterna. Ela era muito especial, a matriarca que uniu gerações. Ela vivia com um tio mas todos diziamos que iamos a casa da avó e passavamos sempre lá na noite de Natal.
Eu adorava passar o tempo a ouvi-la contar histórias do passado e das traquinices dos filhos enquanto crianças. Depois que partiu, vários de nós deixamos de lá ir nessa época festiva pois não era o mesmo, perdeu-se o encanto. Julgo que "será escusado dizer" que acabei me emocionando bastante com este livro.
November 17, 2020
An absolutely adorable romance. Our hero and heroine meet up again after many years. They were good friends when they were younger and now they still feel a bit of a connection. Now his grandfather is quite ill and just wants our hero to be happily wed. Unfortunately our hero doesn't have the girlfriend anymore. Enter our heroine. She feels like she owes the family a debt for their past kindness and agrees to pose as his girlfriend, then that quickly escalates. Lots of truly funny parts. It will tickle your funny bone and strum your heartstrings. (This book is multi-talented that way.)
February 11, 2014
This story was really good until the ending and I hate when books end abruptly.
Mateo and Ava were friends when they were younger and the Ortega Family (Mateo's Family) was there for her and her mother when her mother was stricken with cancer. After Ava's mother passed, she left to go to college and start a life for herself because the memories of her mother were too much for her to handle.
Mateo's grandfather is dying from cancer and all that his grandfather wants is to see Mateo happily married with a family. After not having seen each other for years, Mateo decides that he needs to get married before his grandfather dies and asks Ava if she could do him a favor and become his fake fiancee. After some hesitation, she agrees to not just be his fiancee but, become his wife because she loves his grandfather and doesn't feel right lying to him.
Mateo and Ava are attracted to one another and they soon discover that they also have feeling for each other.
This book made me smile and it also made me cry!. It also made me upset because the story ended so abruptly, this story really could have used a Epilogue or at least 10 more pages so we could see how their lives turn out. 4.5 stars
Mateo and Ava were friends when they were younger and the Ortega Family (Mateo's Family) was there for her and her mother when her mother was stricken with cancer. After Ava's mother passed, she left to go to college and start a life for herself because the memories of her mother were too much for her to handle.
Mateo's grandfather is dying from cancer and all that his grandfather wants is to see Mateo happily married with a family. After not having seen each other for years, Mateo decides that he needs to get married before his grandfather dies and asks Ava if she could do him a favor and become his fake fiancee. After some hesitation, she agrees to not just be his fiancee but, become his wife because she loves his grandfather and doesn't feel right lying to him.
Mateo and Ava are attracted to one another and they soon discover that they also have feeling for each other.
This book made me smile and it also made me cry!. It also made me upset because the story ended so abruptly, this story really could have used a Epilogue or at least 10 more pages so we could see how their lives turn out. 4.5 stars
October 11, 2020
Free on kindle. The premise of the romance is improbable. Who would accept to marry in such a hurry a man you haven't seen for several years? As much as Ava felt indebted to the Ortega family, I don't understand how she didn't feel threatened by the way Mateo organized the request and the wedding. I also question this wish of Mateo's grandfather, who wants to see his grandson married before he dies. He's very sick - is that what he's focusing on?
I wasn't able to relate to the characters, and I don't understand how the characters fall in love in the book. Also, the Ortega family appears to be very intrusive. But what bothered me most was the light use of terminal illnesses and the death of characters to evolve the narrative.
A novel that could be more interesting if it had more depth and the author had invested more in the characters development.
Rating 1.5
I wasn't able to relate to the characters, and I don't understand how the characters fall in love in the book. Also, the Ortega family appears to be very intrusive. But what bothered me most was the light use of terminal illnesses and the death of characters to evolve the narrative.
A novel that could be more interesting if it had more depth and the author had invested more in the characters development.
Rating 1.5
August 25, 2024
Ezt ingyen töltöttem le az Amazon oldaláról és gondoltam jó lesz egy gyors kikapcsolódáshoz mivel rövid és romantikus regény szóval gondoltam nem lesz benne árulás, hatalmi játszmák vagy csavarok. A legjobb barátnőm szerint a sok fantasy között néha kell egy kis romantikus olvasmány is hogy szünetet tartson az ember és igazat kell adjak neki. Jó kikapcsolódás volt, de teljesen felejthető történet. Aranyos persze és “boldogan éltek míg meg nem haltak” befejezést kapott a könyv de nem hagyott bennem maradandó nyomot. Egy délutáni kikapcsolódásnak elmegy, de vannak ennél sokkal jobb romantikus regények ezért 3/5⭐️
I downloaded this for free from Amazon and thought it would be good for a quick break, since it is a short and romantic novel, so I thought there would be no betrayal, power games or twists. According to my best friend, sometimes you need a little romantic reading in between all the fantasy so that you take a break and I have to agree with her on this. It was a good relaxing read, but a completely forgettable story. Of course, the book had a cute and "they lived happily ever after" ending, but it didn't leave a lasting impression on me. It's good for an afternoon, but there are much better romance novels out there, so 3/5⭐️
I downloaded this for free from Amazon and thought it would be good for a quick break, since it is a short and romantic novel, so I thought there would be no betrayal, power games or twists. According to my best friend, sometimes you need a little romantic reading in between all the fantasy so that you take a break and I have to agree with her on this. It was a good relaxing read, but a completely forgettable story. Of course, the book had a cute and "they lived happily ever after" ending, but it didn't leave a lasting impression on me. It's good for an afternoon, but there are much better romance novels out there, so 3/5⭐️
March 22, 2019
I loved this book! Ava grew up next door to Mateo's family, when Mateo learns his Grandpa has cancer and only weeks to live, he proposes to Ava so his Grandpa can see him marry. Ava does accept his proposal , and they get married, and hilarity ensues on Ava's way to the wedding, read the book, it's funny and heartwarming and sad all together but with an HEA.
April 2, 2020
What a great little, sweet romance that was super entertaining. What a great story line, that was super sweet yet super emotional. Filled with awesome characters, engaging dialogue, and easy to visualize descriptions to detail.
Written as a 3rd person, multi pov with a HEA ending.
Would I recommend this book? Yes
Would I read more from this author? Yes
Sassy Beta Reading and Review
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Written as a 3rd person, multi pov with a HEA ending.
Would I recommend this book? Yes
Would I read more from this author? Yes
Sassy Beta Reading and Review
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 30, 2020
This is a sweet and touching love story between Ava and Mateo. The author does a beautiful job building their story and pulls you in with all the emotions both happy and sad and delivers a heartwarming read. It's well written,moves fluidly and I enjoyed reading.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
May 9, 2022
Well, well, well. What have I dealt with today? Idiotic decision to marry quickly for the sake of dying grandfather? Guilt tripping childhood friend into a marriage deal? And the worst aspect - the whole relationship feels extremely rushed, even with believability issues put aside. Pity, because I like both leads who seem like quite normal, well-adjusted people.
July 24, 2023
2.5 ⭐ de 5, aunque realmente no fue una mala lecturas. Realmente fue una historia corta que disfruté en la medida de sus posibilidades y con la que logré conecta con los personajes principales, pero en especial con el Señor O. Este último me aguó el ojo con su situación.
✨El final me hubiera gustado menos conveniente y un poco más de desarrollo porque si me pareció una historia cute.
✨El final me hubiera gustado menos conveniente y un poco más de desarrollo porque si me pareció una historia cute.
February 6, 2018
Me gusto, es una historia de amor muy bonita aunque un poco rápida pero eso no le quita él encanto si bien hay cosas que no me parecen chidas para la historia, me entretuvo bastante
September 30, 2023
The perfect book to get back into reading 🤍
April 21, 2019
Love
A love that was meant to be. This is a very nicely written story about tow people who were always meant to be happy together. You will like it if you enjoy clean romance.
A love that was meant to be. This is a very nicely written story about tow people who were always meant to be happy together. You will like it if you enjoy clean romance.
July 26, 2022
Lovely ….
What a beautiful love story.
What a beautiful love story.
February 19, 2014
Childhood next door neighbors find a second chances romance while pretending to date each other because a beloved dying grandfather. Clean contemporary romance.
Ava McKenna has finally decided to let her childhood go by selling her childhood home. So Mateo Ortega makes an offer to buy the place if she will met with him, they haven't seen each other in a decade since high school graduation when Ava ran away from the memories of her youth. Mateo has never forgotten her, but I do wonder if she had turned out jobless and fat, if he would have gone through with his 'pretend fiancé' plan to make his dying grandfather happy?
I'll shut my cynical mouth in time to finish my thoughts on this story. Ava is lonely so I'm surprised that she doesn't have a girlfriend entourage already in place because is the usual MO for only children alone in the world. So I'm also surprised that she doesn't immediately go along with the plan because it doesn't hurt anyone and Mateo is a good person that was like a brother growing up who probably never asked for anything in their entire lives. So I started to not like Ava when she hesitates to date Mateo.
There was something missing in this story for me to like the characters so I was only 'eh' at the end and didn't want to read any more about the crazy miscommunication between Mateo and Ava. I think this author has potential in the romance genre because there were a lot of entourage characters that were interesting but not enough to keep me involved in the story.
146 pages and kindle freebie
2 stars
Ava McKenna has finally decided to let her childhood go by selling her childhood home. So Mateo Ortega makes an offer to buy the place if she will met with him, they haven't seen each other in a decade since high school graduation when Ava ran away from the memories of her youth. Mateo has never forgotten her, but I do wonder if she had turned out jobless and fat, if he would have gone through with his 'pretend fiancé' plan to make his dying grandfather happy?
I'll shut my cynical mouth in time to finish my thoughts on this story. Ava is lonely so I'm surprised that she doesn't have a girlfriend entourage already in place because is the usual MO for only children alone in the world. So I'm also surprised that she doesn't immediately go along with the plan because it doesn't hurt anyone and Mateo is a good person that was like a brother growing up who probably never asked for anything in their entire lives. So I started to not like Ava when she hesitates to date Mateo.
There was something missing in this story for me to like the characters so I was only 'eh' at the end and didn't want to read any more about the crazy miscommunication between Mateo and Ava. I think this author has potential in the romance genre because there were a lot of entourage characters that were interesting but not enough to keep me involved in the story.
146 pages and kindle freebie
2 stars
January 25, 2016
3 estrellas
lo primero que pense fue: esto no pasa en la vida real!
pero claro, esto es ficcion. Un historia por completo romantica, rosa, llena de corazones y flores, en donde los protas de enamoran con mucha facilidad (pero bueno ya se conocian anteriormente).
Pero lo que realmente me encanto fue el abuelo. sip es ese tipo de abuelos tiernos y que casi siempre se salen con la suya, pero tiene tambien toda la sabiduria de haber vivido una vida larga y plena.
una lectura recomendada a todas aquellas que quieren leer algo corto, simple y romantico.
lo primero que pense fue: esto no pasa en la vida real!
pero claro, esto es ficcion. Un historia por completo romantica, rosa, llena de corazones y flores, en donde los protas de enamoran con mucha facilidad (pero bueno ya se conocian anteriormente).
Pero lo que realmente me encanto fue el abuelo. sip es ese tipo de abuelos tiernos y que casi siempre se salen con la suya, pero tiene tambien toda la sabiduria de haber vivido una vida larga y plena.
una lectura recomendada a todas aquellas que quieren leer algo corto, simple y romantico.
June 12, 2020
The wedding favor/muckelson
The story line was ok, but needed more depth to it. It was like most story you read, girl next door grew up without next door. Plan a fake wedding for patriarch of family because he was dying. Nothing that tournament read before except unchanged but same plot same story you read over and over again. The creative process to me was lacking. It does not, to my opinion would make me want to read another of same. To some you may like reading same o same o.
The story line was ok, but needed more depth to it. It was like most story you read, girl next door grew up without next door. Plan a fake wedding for patriarch of family because he was dying. Nothing that tournament read before except unchanged but same plot same story you read over and over again. The creative process to me was lacking. It does not, to my opinion would make me want to read another of same. To some you may like reading same o same o.
September 30, 2016
L'histoire est incohérente, irréaliste. Un roman de gare a l'eau de rose. Uniquement pour ceux qui aime ce genre de littérature. Car sinon pas du tous captivant.
March 30, 2020
THE WEDDING FAVOR is the first book in the Your Invitation to Romance series. Each is a stand-alone, fake marriage – to – love romance.
When Mateo tells his Abuelo (grandfather) that he is engaged, the only woman who comes to mind is Ava, the girl from next door whom he hasn’t seen in ten years. To me that shows that he is already half in love with her before he even proposes the ruse to present themselves as engaged in order to provide his abuelo with happiness in his final days.
Ava already admitted that, after the generosity, kindness, and care shown to her family when she was a child, she has always wanted to be in the Ortega family. Of all of the Ortegas, when told that someone from the neighborhood wanted to meet with her, her first thought was Mateo. Those two facts tell me that she was already infatuated and when she agrees, and one-ups the proposition, I’m convinced that she is showing her secret desire to build a real relationship with him.
Their relationship may be rushed (on the surface) in the beginning, but ultimately love has to win. I believe this with my whole heart. I love sweet love stories – such as this one – that reinforce that concept.
The majority of what I have read from Caroline Mickelson has been paranormal romance, but she writes contemporary sweet romance beautifully, as well. I look forward to reading more!
Note: While I received this book as a gifted ARC via Booksprout, my opinions are my own and are given freely.
Title: THE WEDDING FAVOR
Series: Your Invitation to Romance #1
Author: Caroline Mickelson
Publisher: Caroline Mickelson
Publish Date: 01.30.2014
Category /Genre: Sweet Romance
Recommended for: 18+ due to fade-to-black romance
Grammar/editing: A – near perfect
Received from: Caroline Mickelson (as a gifted copy)
When Mateo tells his Abuelo (grandfather) that he is engaged, the only woman who comes to mind is Ava, the girl from next door whom he hasn’t seen in ten years. To me that shows that he is already half in love with her before he even proposes the ruse to present themselves as engaged in order to provide his abuelo with happiness in his final days.
Ava already admitted that, after the generosity, kindness, and care shown to her family when she was a child, she has always wanted to be in the Ortega family. Of all of the Ortegas, when told that someone from the neighborhood wanted to meet with her, her first thought was Mateo. Those two facts tell me that she was already infatuated and when she agrees, and one-ups the proposition, I’m convinced that she is showing her secret desire to build a real relationship with him.
Their relationship may be rushed (on the surface) in the beginning, but ultimately love has to win. I believe this with my whole heart. I love sweet love stories – such as this one – that reinforce that concept.
The majority of what I have read from Caroline Mickelson has been paranormal romance, but she writes contemporary sweet romance beautifully, as well. I look forward to reading more!
Note: While I received this book as a gifted ARC via Booksprout, my opinions are my own and are given freely.
Title: THE WEDDING FAVOR
Series: Your Invitation to Romance #1
Author: Caroline Mickelson
Publisher: Caroline Mickelson
Publish Date: 01.30.2014
Category /Genre: Sweet Romance
Recommended for: 18+ due to fade-to-black romance
Grammar/editing: A – near perfect
Received from: Caroline Mickelson (as a gifted copy)
June 13, 2020
Normally, when I finish a book from a new author, I will always give it a 3-star rating unless it's awful (it all depends though). I always have reservations when it comes to authors that are new to me. That even after reading and liking it a bit, I still have my reservations and drop those 3-stars. But for this one, I am giving it a 4-star rating and break the chain (which I sometimes do to some spectacular new authors, *wink). I can't pinpoint exactly what made me decide that but giving it that rating sounds like it's the right thing to do. So I'll just leave it here and see if I'll change it in the next days to come (which I doubt I will do, hahaha)
This one was surprisingly a very wholesome story. I'm not sure if my "pervert" side is happy about that though (hahahaha), but I really do enjoy this book. I love the close-knit family aspect in this story and how losing someone you love made their family even stronger. The wooing part is very short but just reading the first chapter, you can't definitely hide the chemistry between the two main leads. And oops, didn't I tell you I love pretend stories? Hahaha. Another plus is that there's no bitchy or jealous ex or some absurd misunderstanding between the main leads that you'd want to just kill them both to make it stop. There was ofcourse some misunderstanding because I think that's how every romance story should be, but this one (thank goodness) wasn't awful. If I have to describe it, then it's just a "mild" one.
So if you're like me who doesn't want the drama but just pure love, you may want to consider this one ;)
This one was surprisingly a very wholesome story. I'm not sure if my "pervert" side is happy about that though (hahahaha), but I really do enjoy this book. I love the close-knit family aspect in this story and how losing someone you love made their family even stronger. The wooing part is very short but just reading the first chapter, you can't definitely hide the chemistry between the two main leads. And oops, didn't I tell you I love pretend stories? Hahaha. Another plus is that there's no bitchy or jealous ex or some absurd misunderstanding between the main leads that you'd want to just kill them both to make it stop. There was ofcourse some misunderstanding because I think that's how every romance story should be, but this one (thank goodness) wasn't awful. If I have to describe it, then it's just a "mild" one.
So if you're like me who doesn't want the drama but just pure love, you may want to consider this one ;)
February 14, 2021
I received a complimentary copy of this book and I also purchased a copy.
This was an enjoyable story to get away from everything at the moment. I enjoyed reading how childhood friends Mateo Ortega and Ava McKenna reunited after she left the area when her mother passed away. Now Mateo's abuelo (Joaquin) is dying of cancer and he needs a favor. Joaquin would love to see Mateo happily married. The problem, he isn't seeing anyone. The only woman who comes to mind is Ava. He approaches her with asking for a favor, can he tell his abuelo, that he is engaged to be married.
Ava is stunned! She hasn't seen Mateo in years. The Ortega family as a whole had helped Ava and her mother many, many times of the years before Ava's mother passed away. She feels like she owes them this. One condition that she asked for though, to get married for real! Mateo is stunned. Ava mentioned that she doesn't want to lie and she knows Mateo would hate to lie to his family.
Again this is charming. I enjoyed the dual POV format that the story is written in. The story flowed very nicely and kept me interested throughout. There was no long drawn out angst in this story and it wasn't a complicated plot.
This is a clean romance. The author did a fade out on the sexy scene after the removal of clothes. There was no bodily details given so I really don't think it should offend young readers BUT that is up to the parents to decide.
This was an enjoyable story to get away from everything at the moment. I enjoyed reading how childhood friends Mateo Ortega and Ava McKenna reunited after she left the area when her mother passed away. Now Mateo's abuelo (Joaquin) is dying of cancer and he needs a favor. Joaquin would love to see Mateo happily married. The problem, he isn't seeing anyone. The only woman who comes to mind is Ava. He approaches her with asking for a favor, can he tell his abuelo, that he is engaged to be married.
Ava is stunned! She hasn't seen Mateo in years. The Ortega family as a whole had helped Ava and her mother many, many times of the years before Ava's mother passed away. She feels like she owes them this. One condition that she asked for though, to get married for real! Mateo is stunned. Ava mentioned that she doesn't want to lie and she knows Mateo would hate to lie to his family.
Again this is charming. I enjoyed the dual POV format that the story is written in. The story flowed very nicely and kept me interested throughout. There was no long drawn out angst in this story and it wasn't a complicated plot.
This is a clean romance. The author did a fade out on the sexy scene after the removal of clothes. There was no bodily details given so I really don't think it should offend young readers BUT that is up to the parents to decide.
![Profile Image for Momo [Serial Romance Reader].](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/users/1643565043i/98950306._UX200_CR0,0,200,200_.jpg)
March 2, 2022
Oh my word, this was lovely but I am immensely disappointed.
I listened to the audiobook of this which is generously posted by the author on YouTube.
I really liked how this started and played out. Mateo was a gem who was so gentlemanly and sweet. He had a big, warm, and busybody family who were all nice. They were a tight-knit family who was always there for each other.
I liked Mateo and Ava's chemistry. Despite not seeing each other for years, they fell into this relationship (albeit fake) like it was the most normal thing in the world. They were just so cute together. I grinned so widely every time they had a moment together even if with just little glances, smiles, and touches.
The thing is, the end was too abrupt. No epilogues or anything and aside from that, it felt like it shouldn't have ended there. I so so so wish there were more moments that they had when they had finally clearly established to each other that what they had couldn't be even more real. I needed to see more so badly that I was disappointed to know that there was only a minute left in the audiobook and I am not yet satisfied.
All in all, I liked listening to it but finishing it left me massively wishing for more.
Rating:⭐⭐⭐💫 (3.5)
Steam Level: 🔥 (This has some fade-to-black scenes.)
I listened to the audiobook of this which is generously posted by the author on YouTube.
I really liked how this started and played out. Mateo was a gem who was so gentlemanly and sweet. He had a big, warm, and busybody family who were all nice. They were a tight-knit family who was always there for each other.
I liked Mateo and Ava's chemistry. Despite not seeing each other for years, they fell into this relationship (albeit fake) like it was the most normal thing in the world. They were just so cute together. I grinned so widely every time they had a moment together even if with just little glances, smiles, and touches.
The thing is, the end was too abrupt. No epilogues or anything and aside from that, it felt like it shouldn't have ended there. I so so so wish there were more moments that they had when they had finally clearly established to each other that what they had couldn't be even more real. I needed to see more so badly that I was disappointed to know that there was only a minute left in the audiobook and I am not yet satisfied.
All in all, I liked listening to it but finishing it left me massively wishing for more.
Rating:⭐⭐⭐💫 (3.5)
Steam Level: 🔥 (This has some fade-to-black scenes.)
July 22, 2022
Este libro llego a mi gracias a su traductora Natalia que se puso en contacto conmigo para leer esta novela y fue un gran acierto aceptar.
Esta historia se lee en un suspiro y es bastante agradable yo me la leí en una tarde y quede con una sonrisa en el rostro cuando la termine, es una novela romántica pero no cayendo en exceso tiene el toque perfecto.
Ava es un personaje que intenta huir lo mas que puede de su tormentoso pasado y lo ha logrado a tal grado de querer vender la casa en la que paso tanto con su mamá pero entre los compradores hay una persona muy interesada en ponerse en contacto con ella y tal vez comprar la casa, a ella esto se le hace un tanto extraño ya que todo esto lo haría su agente inmobiliaria.
Se da cuenta que conoce a este hombre que al igual que todo había dejado en su pasado y creyó que allí se quedaría, él mas que comprar la casa le tiene una propuesta bastante extraña y para Ava difícil de aceptar.
Esta historia tiene de todo un poco romance, humor y una gran lección a aprender, y aunque vas leyendo te imaginas en que puede acabar a pesar de las pocas páginas te quedas con la duda conforme avanzas de si en verdad pasara o no, tiene un final muy bonito que cierra la historia a la perfección así que no me puedo quejar de que me falto saber más.
Esta historia se lee en un suspiro y es bastante agradable yo me la leí en una tarde y quede con una sonrisa en el rostro cuando la termine, es una novela romántica pero no cayendo en exceso tiene el toque perfecto.
Ava es un personaje que intenta huir lo mas que puede de su tormentoso pasado y lo ha logrado a tal grado de querer vender la casa en la que paso tanto con su mamá pero entre los compradores hay una persona muy interesada en ponerse en contacto con ella y tal vez comprar la casa, a ella esto se le hace un tanto extraño ya que todo esto lo haría su agente inmobiliaria.
Se da cuenta que conoce a este hombre que al igual que todo había dejado en su pasado y creyó que allí se quedaría, él mas que comprar la casa le tiene una propuesta bastante extraña y para Ava difícil de aceptar.
Esta historia tiene de todo un poco romance, humor y una gran lección a aprender, y aunque vas leyendo te imaginas en que puede acabar a pesar de las pocas páginas te quedas con la duda conforme avanzas de si en verdad pasara o no, tiene un final muy bonito que cierra la historia a la perfección así que no me puedo quejar de que me falto saber más.
March 31, 2020
Mr. Ortega. The man who has built a solid foundation called the family institution with his wife Beatriz. He going to be leaving this earth soon to meet up with his Beatriz. Over the years, the family has helped neighbors, family and friends. Including Ava. She and her mother felt like they were godparents always looking out for them. Mateo Ortega is the grandson who is a few years older than Ava and helped too. When her mothers died 12 years ago, she in her grief, peaked the house and left without saying goodbye. Now Ava wants to sell the house. Mateo wants to buy it. He also wants her. He also wants to make his abuelo happy and asked Ava to marry him since he already told him they were engaged. What. What?
In this crazy heartwarming story, the Ortegas are overbearing, helping, loving and one hunt of something can definitely lead to a celebration and more. What’s starts out to be a fake wedding has blown to great proportions and the race against time. When the smoke clears are we all going to be hurt or loved?
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
In this crazy heartwarming story, the Ortegas are overbearing, helping, loving and one hunt of something can definitely lead to a celebration and more. What’s starts out to be a fake wedding has blown to great proportions and the race against time. When the smoke clears are we all going to be hurt or loved?
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 1, 2020
This was a cute story. Ava McKenna had left the community where she lived when her mom died of cancer. The Ortega family next door still lived next door to her old home and, when Mateo Ortega’s grandfather is dying of cancer also, Mateo wants to grant his wish and hope to see Mateo married before he dies.
The first person who came to mind who might help Mateo with this was Ava who had been his neighbor. He asked her if she would pretend to be his fake fiancée and told her why. He thought she would be the best one to ask since their families had been close and interacted with each other as they were growing up. Ava agrees to actually marry Mateo to make the “wish” really true. Will they stay married once they no longer have to pretend for his grandfather? Has the marriage become real for both of them, or will they choose to divorce as planned and walk away without saying anything?
This book has a good story line. I would like to have seen more of a relationship developing, as it seemed fairly “low key”. But the end result was what I hoped for. Grab your copy and see how it all worked out for them.
The first person who came to mind who might help Mateo with this was Ava who had been his neighbor. He asked her if she would pretend to be his fake fiancée and told her why. He thought she would be the best one to ask since their families had been close and interacted with each other as they were growing up. Ava agrees to actually marry Mateo to make the “wish” really true. Will they stay married once they no longer have to pretend for his grandfather? Has the marriage become real for both of them, or will they choose to divorce as planned and walk away without saying anything?
This book has a good story line. I would like to have seen more of a relationship developing, as it seemed fairly “low key”. But the end result was what I hoped for. Grab your copy and see how it all worked out for them.
September 11, 2022
It was short and cute. Didn’t end where I thought it would, which was good, added a little extra umph to the end, though the fem MC running off during the male MC’s period of mourning because of the baby misunderstanding was a little stupid. She should have just talked to him. She had ample opportunity to. I liked how there actually wasn’t a baby, thought the grandpa might be onto something with his guess but nope, I like being tricked by authors, it’s fun.
I think it might have made more sense to have the MCs be childhood sweethearts, or have had mutual undisclosed strong feelings for each other so that when they came back together it was even sweeter and would have been a teeny bit more believable when they started throwing the “L” word around. This book isn’t only short page-wise, also happens over a short period of time so I had the impression of the MCs being together for a matter of weeks (in a state of awkward co-existence btw) before claiming they loved each other.
Other than those tiny bits of feedback, I really enjoyed this book. It had it’s moments of charm and quirkiness and was just a little cheesy sometimes, it was good.
I think it might have made more sense to have the MCs be childhood sweethearts, or have had mutual undisclosed strong feelings for each other so that when they came back together it was even sweeter and would have been a teeny bit more believable when they started throwing the “L” word around. This book isn’t only short page-wise, also happens over a short period of time so I had the impression of the MCs being together for a matter of weeks (in a state of awkward co-existence btw) before claiming they loved each other.
Other than those tiny bits of feedback, I really enjoyed this book. It had it’s moments of charm and quirkiness and was just a little cheesy sometimes, it was good.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 13, 2021
This story was okay. I liked the premise and I really enjoyed the first 50% of the book. I liked Mateo and Ava’s story, their back and forth. And although their characters weren’t fleshed out and didn’t have a lot of depth, they were both cute and funny.
After the half-way mark, the story dragged and I thought that Ava became more and more irrational. I was so upset that she decided to run away ‘again’ and to make matters worse, Mateo was going through such a difficult time. Rather than having an honest conversation with Mateo, Ava just took the coward’s way out and I did not appreciate that.
If you’re into “marriage of convenience tropes” then you might enjoy this quick read. P.S. I listened to the audiobook on YouTube and it was not the best experience. The narrator’s voice was void of emotion and quite bland.
Content: Clean, kissing, moderate inundation, off page intimacy implied (nothing too detailed).
After the half-way mark, the story dragged and I thought that Ava became more and more irrational. I was so upset that she decided to run away ‘again’ and to make matters worse, Mateo was going through such a difficult time. Rather than having an honest conversation with Mateo, Ava just took the coward’s way out and I did not appreciate that.
If you’re into “marriage of convenience tropes” then you might enjoy this quick read. P.S. I listened to the audiobook on YouTube and it was not the best experience. The narrator’s voice was void of emotion and quite bland.
Content: Clean, kissing, moderate inundation, off page intimacy implied (nothing too detailed).
April 9, 2021
I truly enjoyed this novel and tried not to cry when Ava mistakenly thought that she needed to get away from Mateo after they had married with a lie, I could understand that he'd do anything to make his grandfather happy as he was in the final stages of cancer and his grandfather had mentioned that he wanted to see Mateo married. How could he not try to make him happy even if was a fake? I understood the heartache of Ava going to live in her childhood home as their were bad memories of her mom dying there but good memories as the Ortega family next door sending them over food and taking care of the yard at no cost to them. All of her childhood she had a crush on Mateo and would die of shame if he had known. It had been years since stole away without a word to anyone, but now, she needed to sell her old home and shut off the memories, until Mateo asked her for a favor.
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