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13th out of 82 books
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89 voters
His Wife For A While
by
Donna Fasano (Goodreads Author)
(This book is a revision of a title originally published by Harlequin.)
Desperate Bachelor
Ben Danvers was about to lose everything―unless he found a woman willing to become his wife. The terms of his grandfather's will were outrageous, but they were iron clad. Just when Ben was about to give up all hope, the last woman he ever expected to wed made a startling proposal.
Barga...more
Desperate Bachelor
Ben Danvers was about to lose everything―unless he found a woman willing to become his wife. The terms of his grandfather's will were outrageous, but they were iron clad. Just when Ben was about to give up all hope, the last woman he ever expected to wed made a startling proposal.
Barga...more
Kindle Edition, 144 pages
Published
November 16th 2011
by Hard Knocks Books
(first published September 1st 1994)
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I was looking for something different than the traditional girl meets boy, they fall in love and live happily ever after. Donna Fasano's book His Wife for Awhile seemed to fall into that something different...to a point. This time the girl, Chelsea, really doesn't want to fall in love with the boy, she just wanted something from the boy. In return she'd help the boy out with his troubles.
The boy, Ben Danvers, is desperate to save his family business (thanks to his granddad), but feels there is n...more
The boy, Ben Danvers, is desperate to save his family business (thanks to his granddad), but feels there is n...more
This is my first for Donna Fasano.
Ben runs his late grandfather's orchard but finds that, due to a stipulation by his grandfather, could very well lose it if he doesn't find a wife, and quick. Chelsea is the orchard's bookkeeper and knows well the hurdles Ben is facing. She wants to help him...if he will help her.
The problem is, Chelsea has experienced a lot of pain in her short life that has caused her to close herself off from everyone for fear she could get hurt again. She feels the only pe...more
Ben runs his late grandfather's orchard but finds that, due to a stipulation by his grandfather, could very well lose it if he doesn't find a wife, and quick. Chelsea is the orchard's bookkeeper and knows well the hurdles Ben is facing. She wants to help him...if he will help her.
The problem is, Chelsea has experienced a lot of pain in her short life that has caused her to close herself off from everyone for fear she could get hurt again. She feels the only pe...more
Ben is a great character. He wants to help everyone and keep his families legacy alive. Unfortunately his late grandfather wants him to have more in life than just work. He has a week left to find a bride. Here comes Chelsea. She is willing to help on one condition. She wants a baby, but she wants to leave as soon as she is pregnant. He agrees but things become complicated when the one thing they never counted on happens, they fall for one another. But Chelsea has had a hard past. She may love B...more
Audio book Review:
In another thoroughly enjoyable story from the pen of Donna Fasano, this audiobook version of His Wife for A While was the perfect afternoon listen: who can resist a sweet romance when the week gets too long?
Meet Chelsea: bookkeeper at the family orchard owned by Ben. With the recent death of his grandfather, Ben has some unusual conditions that he must meet to finalize the terms of the will, and save the orchard. Chelsea has overheard the discussions about this strange “condit...more
In another thoroughly enjoyable story from the pen of Donna Fasano, this audiobook version of His Wife for A While was the perfect afternoon listen: who can resist a sweet romance when the week gets too long?
Meet Chelsea: bookkeeper at the family orchard owned by Ben. With the recent death of his grandfather, Ben has some unusual conditions that he must meet to finalize the terms of the will, and save the orchard. Chelsea has overheard the discussions about this strange “condit...more
The story is about Ben, who inherits his grandfather's orchard, which he's been working on for years but on one condition ... he has to be married and he has 21 days to accomplish that or the orchard will be sold and the proceeds will go to several charities. Then you have Chelsey who works for Ben and she has a goal. One that she thinks that she can make a deal with Ben in order to achieve. Her goal ... to have a baby.
I thought this story was beautiful. I can relate to Chelsey in some ways. Sh...more
I thought this story was beautiful. I can relate to Chelsey in some ways. Sh...more
I’ve been pleasantly surprised to discover the diversity of character and plot possible in romance novels, despite the constraints of genre convention. Even though you know the hero and heroine will end up together, understanding the hurdles they must overcome and how they stumble their way to the happily-ever-after ending is entertaining. In the case of the better authors such as Fasano, they often provide insight or new perspectives into the human condition. "His Wife for a While" explores som...more
Heartwarming Sweet Romance
I read this and listened to the audio book edition of it. Lovely romance; excellent narration!
Donna Fasano is great at creating characters that seem real -- with the mixture of strengths and weaknesses that real people have. Best of all, she's at the top of the game in writing a sweet romance filled with emotion and characters who end up yearning for each other -- like Chelsea and Ben in this story. For comic relief, there's Ben's Aunt May.
Narrator Mary Lynn Bowen is sk...more
I read this and listened to the audio book edition of it. Lovely romance; excellent narration!
Donna Fasano is great at creating characters that seem real -- with the mixture of strengths and weaknesses that real people have. Best of all, she's at the top of the game in writing a sweet romance filled with emotion and characters who end up yearning for each other -- like Chelsea and Ben in this story. For comic relief, there's Ben's Aunt May.
Narrator Mary Lynn Bowen is sk...more
A bachelor who desperately needs a wife to save his apple farm and a woman who wants a child more than anything, team up to try to solve both of their problems.
I understand that this book had been published a while back and it shows in the story. The problem with it is that this topic has been over-done lately and the theme/story-line is quite predictable. I find that the best genre for this type of story would be a historical romance, since it would seem a little more believable in some ways.
...more
I understand that this book had been published a while back and it shows in the story. The problem with it is that this topic has been over-done lately and the theme/story-line is quite predictable. I find that the best genre for this type of story would be a historical romance, since it would seem a little more believable in some ways.
...more
Ben needs to marry. Chelsea wants a baby. When she offers him a marriage in exchange for a baby, it seems like the perfect deal. But things are never as easy as they seem, and it turns out that neither of them can be quite as distant as they'd hoped.
The way the pieces fall together, and the story plays out manages to make sense, without any major issues. I'd probably give it 3.5 stars, given a chance. It was a quick read, and entertaining, but it really skimmed the surface rather than delving in...more
The way the pieces fall together, and the story plays out manages to make sense, without any major issues. I'd probably give it 3.5 stars, given a chance. It was a quick read, and entertaining, but it really skimmed the surface rather than delving in...more
Subtly sexy but totally romantic when a 28 year old woman finds love for the first time. When I talk about love, I'm not just talking about what goes on in the bedroom (or the forest *spoiler*) but also friendship love, family love and self-love. I like that time passes and this isn't packed into a week, because damaged people talk a lot longer to heal. I would know if you ever met me or my family and friends; we should have yellow police tape wrapped around us because we are one huge romantic/l...more
Chelsea and Ben make a deal... Ben needs to marry and Chelsea wants a baby...
Chelsea is a hard character to get to know. She is closed off... has been through a lot. She went through things that no child should ever have to experience.
For me, I just didn't feel a connection to the characters. In the end, I felt that it was more centered around Chelsea overcoming her demons than anything else... they were important demons to overcome, yes, but I did not feel the relationship developing between...more
Chelsea is a hard character to get to know. She is closed off... has been through a lot. She went through things that no child should ever have to experience.
For me, I just didn't feel a connection to the characters. In the end, I felt that it was more centered around Chelsea overcoming her demons than anything else... they were important demons to overcome, yes, but I did not feel the relationship developing between...more
I do generally like these marriage of convenience stories, and I did like this story to an extent. I would probably have given it 4 stars except for Chelsea. I get that she had a rough childhood but she was too much of a 'Debbie downer'. The one thing I can't stand in any character is their belief that they're some kind of omnipotent empath. I found myself skimming through some of Chelsea's parts, it was just so negative.
I really liked Ben, he was a sweetheart. He had the patience of a saint. An...more
I really liked Ben, he was a sweetheart. He had the patience of a saint. An...more
Oh YES! Just the right amount to heat is added to this story! I think this is my favorite of Donna's stories so far!
Chelsea suffered from neglect growing up and has closed herself off from emotional attachments. She doesn't believe she deserves to be loved and thinks a baby will fill the hole in her heart. Ben needs to get married fast or lose everything.
Chelsea proposes the deal to Ben to save the orchard and fulfill her dream of a baby with no emotional involvement. Luckily Ben is able to brea...more
Chelsea suffered from neglect growing up and has closed herself off from emotional attachments. She doesn't believe she deserves to be loved and thinks a baby will fill the hole in her heart. Ben needs to get married fast or lose everything.
Chelsea proposes the deal to Ben to save the orchard and fulfill her dream of a baby with no emotional involvement. Luckily Ben is able to brea...more
Ben Danvers had worked hard on his family’s orchard for years and even through the pain of losing his grandfather, who served as a surrogate father after his own parents passed away when he was young, Ben has been plugging along. What he wasn’t expecting was his grandfather to include a caveat in his will that Ben must marry within months of his death otherwise the orchard will be sold. With no prospects in sight Ben’s coming to the realization that he’s going to lose everything he’s ever dreame...more
This is a book more about the effects neglect/verbal abuse of a child has when that child grows up, than about romance and smut. In fact, this one is completely smut-free. Oh the characters do hook up, and we know what, when and where - there just aren't any graphic descriptions. Graphic smut in this book would have been wrong, and would have taken away from the message the author is trying to portray.
Chelsea is like an injured bird, untrusting and wary of everyone. Some thoughtless words by a g...more
Chelsea is like an injured bird, untrusting and wary of everyone. Some thoughtless words by a g...more
Short.Cute.Sweet. It took me a short while to finish the book but that short while had me smiling, a little teary eyed and a little overwhelmed. The characters were portrayes beautifully and the past was properly explained in detail so it wasn't just hear say when it came to understanding the h. The H was sweet understanding and thankfully not dumb. He made quite an effort to understand h and fid everything possible to change her opinion on stuff. All in all very cute and sweet.
This book was a sweet yet frustrating read. I kind of wish the characters were more dimensional - I would have enjoyed it if this book were longer to show me how they fell in love with each other and why. I liked it, no doubt, but it fell short for me as I felt like I was missing something somewhere. The Epilogue was great though. it was perfectly sweet and sad in the right places. and my favorite character was Aunt May - she had the most depth out of the characters.
The story follows Ben Danvers who inherited the family orchard upon his grandfather's death. However, Grandpa puts a provision in the Will that Ben needs to marry within a month of the Will reading or else the orchard will be sold at auction to the highest bidder and the money given to charity. Chelsea Carson, the business's bookkeeper, aware of the provision makes Ben an offer to marry him in exchange for a no-strings attached pregnancy, the one thing she wants most in the world. When he fulfil...more
2.5 at best.
With a past where no one loved her, all Chelsea Carson wants is a baby she could love.
Working for his grandfather, Chelsea knew of the terms the old man laid out for grandson Ben Danvers, he has to get married. With time running out, she offers him a deal.
She'll marry him with no strings attached if he give her a baby and signs away his parental rights.
With no other choice Ben agrees, but as he sees how withdrawn she is from the world, but glimpses a loving side to her, he won't...more
With a past where no one loved her, all Chelsea Carson wants is a baby she could love.
Working for his grandfather, Chelsea knew of the terms the old man laid out for grandson Ben Danvers, he has to get married. With time running out, she offers him a deal.
She'll marry him with no strings attached if he give her a baby and signs away his parental rights.
With no other choice Ben agrees, but as he sees how withdrawn she is from the world, but glimpses a loving side to her, he won't...more
I have heard many reasons on why people get married, but this marriage arrangement was interesting. Trading rights to lands for a baby? This book was actually a very good book, better than I expected. It was a romance book but not sticky sweet, with a side of syrup. I liked the characters in this book, and found myself feeling for the characters. I will be looking for more books by Donna Fasano.
I really enjoyed this book. Chelsea and Ben were both flawed people and had to learn not only to accept and love one another but more importantly they had to learn to accept and love themselves first. I couldn’t put this book down, I wanted to know what was going to happen next and see how it ended! Nice job Donna!!
His Wife for a While reminded me of why I used to love reading romance. I see many contest around the net to win a book and I never try for them until I saw this one. When I won I couldn't wait to read it and finished in one night. The real world disappeared and a sweet romance took its place. Simply lovely.
This book was AMAZING i loved it!! i mean a little strange at some parts but i really can really feel the characters. i mean i can really see been with the discriptive language!!!! BEST BOOK EVER
plz write a sequel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
plz write a sequel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is a lovely, tender story which I enjoyed reading. Chelsea was neglected as a child and so could not believe that she was lovable; a marriage of convenience to Ben changed that, as Ben gradually overcomes her fears and she learns to trust him. A deeply moving and enjoyable story.
This female lead might officially be the biggest woe-be-gone character of any book I've read to date. I almost want to slit my wrists on her behalf. Annoying story. Annoying characters. Nothing new here. Moving on.
Summary:
According to his grandfather's will, Ben Danvers had to marry in order to keep his family's orchard. He finds a willing participant in Chelsea Carson, who has conditions of her own. She wants a baby. Their plan is to marry and annul the marriage once she becomes pregnant, but they don't count on actually falling for each other.
My Take:
This really was a sweet story. Even though I knew how it would end up, I still enjoyed getting to know the characters. Chelsea's story was intriguing and...more
According to his grandfather's will, Ben Danvers had to marry in order to keep his family's orchard. He finds a willing participant in Chelsea Carson, who has conditions of her own. She wants a baby. Their plan is to marry and annul the marriage once she becomes pregnant, but they don't count on actually falling for each other.
My Take:
This really was a sweet story. Even though I knew how it would end up, I still enjoyed getting to know the characters. Chelsea's story was intriguing and...more
Two-haiku review:
She wants a baby
He needs wife to inherit
Of course love happens
Her childhood awful
So she can't trust anyone
Simple but well done
She wants a baby
He needs wife to inherit
Of course love happens
Her childhood awful
So she can't trust anyone
Simple but well done
I kinda liked this book was a quick fun read! He needs a wife to fulfill his grandfathers wish and she wants a baby but not wanting a relationship.
almost didnt finis this one. i intelectually understood the actions of the heroine, but that didnt change the fact i found her anoying.
Eh. It was fun to read and have something to do my senior year of high school in forced study hall. Nothing to especially write home about.
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Growing up the third child of five—yes, smack dab in the middle and the only girl to boot—Donna Fasano had no idea she would one day be a published author. Her story-telling talents came to light when she conjured lively and elaborate tales of pure blarney (yes, she has a bit of Irish in her blood) for, first, her youngest brother, and years later, her children.
Donna sold her first manuscript in 1...more
More about Donna Fasano...
Donna sold her first manuscript in 1...more
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Dec 29, 2011 12:54pm