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The Auction
Some girls dream about Prince Charming. I got the highest bidder.
JulesMy dad put me up for auction at a horse show. That’s something you don’t hear every day.
His excuse? He was dying, and he didn’t think I was capable of running our Montana farm. His cure was marriage.
Enter Creed O’Mara—former Navy SEAL and ultimate badass. He decided I was the future he wanted the second he laid eyes on me.
I, however, had other plans. Like surviving this sham of a marriage long enough to divorce him and reclaim my legacy.
We were never supposed to be partners. Never supposed to be friends. And definitely never supposed to fall in love.
That kind of thing is for hopeless romantics.
(The Auction is a standalone story set in the world of the The Bride.)
JulesMy dad put me up for auction at a horse show. That’s something you don’t hear every day.
His excuse? He was dying, and he didn’t think I was capable of running our Montana farm. His cure was marriage.
Enter Creed O’Mara—former Navy SEAL and ultimate badass. He decided I was the future he wanted the second he laid eyes on me.
I, however, had other plans. Like surviving this sham of a marriage long enough to divorce him and reclaim my legacy.
We were never supposed to be partners. Never supposed to be friends. And definitely never supposed to fall in love.
That kind of thing is for hopeless romantics.
(The Auction is a standalone story set in the world of the The Bride.)
312 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 22, 2025
46 people are currently reading
98 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
November 21, 2025
4🌟, 3🌶️
I didn’t expect this book to hit me the way it did.
The whole setup—Jules being essentially sold at a horse auction and Creed, a silent, steady Navy SEAL, stepping in as the “buyer”—sounds wild, but it becomes a surprisingly grounded story about her stepping into the world for the first time and him trying to give her the space and safety she’s never had.
Jules definitely tested my patience in the beginning, but watching her grow made every moment worth it. She’s sheltered, emotional, and figuring herself out in real time, and I felt every one of her stumbles and small victories. And Creed…he’s a quiet tangle of loyalty, trauma, and dry humor, the kind of man who feels everything but says almost nothing. Their shift from wary strangers to a slow, sweet, occasionally chaotic connection was honestly addictive.
By the end, I was completely invested in their messy, tender, slow-burn romance. The marriage-of-convenience twist, the small-town quirks, the emotional beats—it all just worked.
I closed the book feeling ridiculously soft about both of them.
~~~~
Grateful to S. Doyle & Hambright PR for the Advanced Reader Copy. All views expressed are solely my own. ✨
I didn’t expect this book to hit me the way it did.
The whole setup—Jules being essentially sold at a horse auction and Creed, a silent, steady Navy SEAL, stepping in as the “buyer”—sounds wild, but it becomes a surprisingly grounded story about her stepping into the world for the first time and him trying to give her the space and safety she’s never had.
Jules definitely tested my patience in the beginning, but watching her grow made every moment worth it. She’s sheltered, emotional, and figuring herself out in real time, and I felt every one of her stumbles and small victories. And Creed…he’s a quiet tangle of loyalty, trauma, and dry humor, the kind of man who feels everything but says almost nothing. Their shift from wary strangers to a slow, sweet, occasionally chaotic connection was honestly addictive.
By the end, I was completely invested in their messy, tender, slow-burn romance. The marriage-of-convenience twist, the small-town quirks, the emotional beats—it all just worked.
I closed the book feeling ridiculously soft about both of them.
~~~~
Grateful to S. Doyle & Hambright PR for the Advanced Reader Copy. All views expressed are solely my own. ✨
October 22, 2025
I finished this book in 3 days i couldn’t put it down. I loved this book so much. I will definitely be going back and reading the others in this series.
Stars:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️
Stars:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️
October 25, 2025
✨ Thank you to S. Doyle and Hambright PR for the eARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own. ✨
Can you imagine being sold at a horse auction by your own father? That’s exactly what happens to Jules, who finds herself “purchased” for $50K—along with her family’s ranch—by Creed, a stoic Navy SEAL veteran. My heart immediately broke for Jules while I bristled at Creed for buying a wife, even if his intentions weren’t cruel.
Jules has lived a sheltered, isolated life, and this forced arrangement becomes her first real experience of independence, self-discovery, and love. Creed, though quiet and commanding, recognizes her need for space and patience. Their slow-burn connection unfolds beautifully—equal parts emotional and unexpectedly spicy.
S. Doyle delivers a well-paced, emotionally charged story with layered characters and an addictive mix of marriage of convenience, forced proximity, and enemies-to-lovers energy. I couldn’t put it down!
#HPRTheAuction #SDoyle #HambrightPR #MarriageOfConvenience #ForcedProximity #EnemiesToLovers #SlowBurnRomance #ContemporaryRomance #BookishCommunity #Bookstagram #RomanceReaders #BookLovers #eARCReview #SpicyReads #RomanceReview #FiveStarRead #BookishLove #SmallTownRomance #AlphaHero #StrongHeroine #BookstagramReviews #RomanceBookstagram
Can you imagine being sold at a horse auction by your own father? That’s exactly what happens to Jules, who finds herself “purchased” for $50K—along with her family’s ranch—by Creed, a stoic Navy SEAL veteran. My heart immediately broke for Jules while I bristled at Creed for buying a wife, even if his intentions weren’t cruel.
Jules has lived a sheltered, isolated life, and this forced arrangement becomes her first real experience of independence, self-discovery, and love. Creed, though quiet and commanding, recognizes her need for space and patience. Their slow-burn connection unfolds beautifully—equal parts emotional and unexpectedly spicy.
S. Doyle delivers a well-paced, emotionally charged story with layered characters and an addictive mix of marriage of convenience, forced proximity, and enemies-to-lovers energy. I couldn’t put it down!
#HPRTheAuction #SDoyle #HambrightPR #MarriageOfConvenience #ForcedProximity #EnemiesToLovers #SlowBurnRomance #ContemporaryRomance #BookishCommunity #Bookstagram #RomanceReaders #BookLovers #eARCReview #SpicyReads #RomanceReview #FiveStarRead #BookishLove #SmallTownRomance #AlphaHero #StrongHeroine #BookstagramReviews #RomanceBookstagram
October 23, 2025
I liked this way more then I was anticipating. Don't judge me😅
4.5 not quite 5 stars
4.5 not quite 5 stars
November 11, 2025
I went into this book not knowing what to expect, but it completely pulled me in. What seemed like a simple small-town setup turned into a story full of heart, humor, and emotion. Jules and Creed’s slow burn was the kind that sneaks up on you and stays.
Jules tested my patience early on, but I grew to love her. She’s young, sheltered, and still figuring out who she is, and watching her find her strength was so satisfying. Creed was the quiet, guarded type with a good heart buried under all that pain. Once he started to let his walls down, I couldn’t help but fall for him too.
Their relationship unfolded in the best way. It was awkward, funny, tender, and full of tension. The marriage of convenience and small-town charm mixed with genuine emotion made it impossible to put down.
S. Doyle delivered a story that felt real and warm, with just enough angst to keep it interesting. I closed the book with a full heart and a smile, still thinking about these two finding their way to each other.
Jules tested my patience early on, but I grew to love her. She’s young, sheltered, and still figuring out who she is, and watching her find her strength was so satisfying. Creed was the quiet, guarded type with a good heart buried under all that pain. Once he started to let his walls down, I couldn’t help but fall for him too.
Their relationship unfolded in the best way. It was awkward, funny, tender, and full of tension. The marriage of convenience and small-town charm mixed with genuine emotion made it impossible to put down.
S. Doyle delivered a story that felt real and warm, with just enough angst to keep it interesting. I closed the book with a full heart and a smile, still thinking about these two finding their way to each other.
October 22, 2025
ARC Review. 4.5 Stars!!
Thank you HambrightPR and S. Doyle for the opportunity to read this wonderful book. I enjoyed it so much and devoured it in less than 24 hours.
Jules lives on a generational farm in Montana with her dad who has isolated from just about everything. But, she knows how to run a sugar beets farm. He is dying and he thinks his legacy will not live on if it was up to her. His big plan...put her up on the auction block during a horse sell. Whoever has the best bid will get her, the farm, lock stock and barrel.
Enter Creed O'Mara - former Navy SEAL - decided Jules was the future he wanted the second he laid eyes on her. Jules' dad agrees and she is married to Creed in just a few days.
Jules has other plans. She will do anything she can to get her "husband" to divorce her and get her legacy back. Creed has a lot to learn about farming and she isn't about to help him.
This book is filled with so much laugh out loud banter! Jules is a hoot and Creed...oh my, such a bad a$$ hunk! He is so patient with her. You will be rooting for them to succeed in their friendship, parternship and fall in love!
TROPES ✨
~ One Bed
~ Marriage of Convenience
~Enemies to Lovers
~Small Town Romance
~Clueless FMC-but willing to learn
~Patient and Protective MMC
I highly recommend this book! Have fun. You will love it just like me!
Thank you HambrightPR and S. Doyle for the opportunity to read this wonderful book. I enjoyed it so much and devoured it in less than 24 hours.
Jules lives on a generational farm in Montana with her dad who has isolated from just about everything. But, she knows how to run a sugar beets farm. He is dying and he thinks his legacy will not live on if it was up to her. His big plan...put her up on the auction block during a horse sell. Whoever has the best bid will get her, the farm, lock stock and barrel.
Enter Creed O'Mara - former Navy SEAL - decided Jules was the future he wanted the second he laid eyes on her. Jules' dad agrees and she is married to Creed in just a few days.
Jules has other plans. She will do anything she can to get her "husband" to divorce her and get her legacy back. Creed has a lot to learn about farming and she isn't about to help him.
This book is filled with so much laugh out loud banter! Jules is a hoot and Creed...oh my, such a bad a$$ hunk! He is so patient with her. You will be rooting for them to succeed in their friendship, parternship and fall in love!
TROPES ✨
~ One Bed
~ Marriage of Convenience
~Enemies to Lovers
~Small Town Romance
~Clueless FMC-but willing to learn
~Patient and Protective MMC
I highly recommend this book! Have fun. You will love it just like me!
November 6, 2025
Small town meets arranged marriage in The Auction. Juliette's father decides that his dying wish is to get her and their family's 400-acre farm sold off together before he passes from cancer. When Creed - a new ex-military man in town - offers to marry Juliette, the two start on a rocky relationship as they try to run the farm together.
I wanted so badly to love this one. Small town and arranged marriage are two top-tier tropes for me, but for some reason, I just couldn't connect with this story or the characters. Juliette was a frustrating and stubborn FMC to follow, and I didn't love how she treated Creed for a large chunk of the book. Same with how Creed treated her. It seemed like their relationship largely took off when sex entered the picture, and although they had some sweet moments too, I just didn't really feel convinced by them by the epilogue. Also, it felt weird to me that their entire farm flooded and they lost everything, but then in the next scene, they were in the throes of passion like nothing happened. The setting was fun, and I LOVED the animals featured throughout it, but overall, I just didn't enjoy this one like I wanted.
CW for sexual content, emotional abuse, loss of family members, gunshot wound, PTSD.
Thanks to Hambright PR and the author for the ARC of The Auction by S. Doyle.
I wanted so badly to love this one. Small town and arranged marriage are two top-tier tropes for me, but for some reason, I just couldn't connect with this story or the characters. Juliette was a frustrating and stubborn FMC to follow, and I didn't love how she treated Creed for a large chunk of the book. Same with how Creed treated her. It seemed like their relationship largely took off when sex entered the picture, and although they had some sweet moments too, I just didn't really feel convinced by them by the epilogue. Also, it felt weird to me that their entire farm flooded and they lost everything, but then in the next scene, they were in the throes of passion like nothing happened. The setting was fun, and I LOVED the animals featured throughout it, but overall, I just didn't enjoy this one like I wanted.
CW for sexual content, emotional abuse, loss of family members, gunshot wound, PTSD.
Thanks to Hambright PR and the author for the ARC of The Auction by S. Doyle.
October 21, 2025
Rating: Somewhere between Loved it and Obsessed
Okay, for once, I’m writing my review immediately after finishing because…I have FEELINGS. I went in 100% blind. All I saw were the tropes and the tagline:
“When she showed up to the auction, she didn’t know she was on the block.”
And I mean…how do you not click that?!
🛏️ One Bed
💍 Marriage of Convenience
👩❤️👨 Strangers → Enemies → Lovers
🎖 Military MMC
😇 Virgin FMC
🥺 Mental Health Rep
I didn’t know what I was getting into and the cover wasn’t giving much away (though I adore how simple and cozy it is...and it has Patches 🥰). But wow, did this story take me through it. I think I experienced every emotion Jules did...especially that slow, sloooooow fall for Creed.
Jules drove me a little crazy at first (I rolled my eyes so hard I nearly sprained something), but I remembered she’s barely 21, sheltered as heck, and just trying to find her footing in a world that hasn’t given her much to stand on. By the end, I was feral to protect her. When her heart broke, I wanted to scoop her up, hand her a fuzzy blanket, and snuggle her.
And Creed…oof. A tough nut to crack, and I’m not even sure we fully cracked him by the end. Loyal, protective, complicated, and haunted. He’s straddling two worlds (white dad, Native mom), a Navy SEAL with ghosts that don’t stay quiet. He’s a layered mess in the best way.
Also, Jules trying to force Creed to leave her? Comedy gold. Girl had plans and zero hesitation to take herself down if it meant taking him with her. The slow descent from strangers to enemies to lovers was perfectly paced. Slow burn done right.
By the end, my heart was happy and Creed’s POV epilogue? Chef’s kiss. I could easily read three more books about these two fumbling their way through love and life.
Huge thanks to @hambright_pr and @sdoylebooks for the ARC.
Okay, for once, I’m writing my review immediately after finishing because…I have FEELINGS. I went in 100% blind. All I saw were the tropes and the tagline:
“When she showed up to the auction, she didn’t know she was on the block.”
And I mean…how do you not click that?!
🛏️ One Bed
💍 Marriage of Convenience
👩❤️👨 Strangers → Enemies → Lovers
🎖 Military MMC
😇 Virgin FMC
🥺 Mental Health Rep
I didn’t know what I was getting into and the cover wasn’t giving much away (though I adore how simple and cozy it is...and it has Patches 🥰). But wow, did this story take me through it. I think I experienced every emotion Jules did...especially that slow, sloooooow fall for Creed.
Jules drove me a little crazy at first (I rolled my eyes so hard I nearly sprained something), but I remembered she’s barely 21, sheltered as heck, and just trying to find her footing in a world that hasn’t given her much to stand on. By the end, I was feral to protect her. When her heart broke, I wanted to scoop her up, hand her a fuzzy blanket, and snuggle her.
And Creed…oof. A tough nut to crack, and I’m not even sure we fully cracked him by the end. Loyal, protective, complicated, and haunted. He’s straddling two worlds (white dad, Native mom), a Navy SEAL with ghosts that don’t stay quiet. He’s a layered mess in the best way.
Also, Jules trying to force Creed to leave her? Comedy gold. Girl had plans and zero hesitation to take herself down if it meant taking him with her. The slow descent from strangers to enemies to lovers was perfectly paced. Slow burn done right.
By the end, my heart was happy and Creed’s POV epilogue? Chef’s kiss. I could easily read three more books about these two fumbling their way through love and life.
Huge thanks to @hambright_pr and @sdoylebooks for the ARC.
November 2, 2025
ARC Review
⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️🌶️
What in the 1700s did I just read?! 🤣
This one was… okay. It took me a while to get into it, and honestly, the beginning had me questioning every small-town mentality choice. Like sir, you tried to sell your daughter at the rodeo auction?? Be so for real 😭
Creed was definitely the saving grace here. I appreciated how he let things move at Jules’ pace, and I understood why he was a little controlling girl’s been stuck on a farm her whole life and doesn’t really know the outside world. But still.
By the end, I was just ready to be done. And Creed… buddy… we talk things out before making life-altering decisions, okay?! 😤
⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️🌶️
What in the 1700s did I just read?! 🤣
This one was… okay. It took me a while to get into it, and honestly, the beginning had me questioning every small-town mentality choice. Like sir, you tried to sell your daughter at the rodeo auction?? Be so for real 😭
Creed was definitely the saving grace here. I appreciated how he let things move at Jules’ pace, and I understood why he was a little controlling girl’s been stuck on a farm her whole life and doesn’t really know the outside world. But still.
By the end, I was just ready to be done. And Creed… buddy… we talk things out before making life-altering decisions, okay?! 😤
October 11, 2025
✨✨ARC REVIEW✨✨
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
I was so interested to see how this book would unfold when I read the blurb for it, the FMC Juliette is auctioned off by her dying father because he wants to make sure she is married and the farm is properly taken care of. The MMC Creed who is a navy veteran buys Juliette and the farm for 50k from her father. Which by the way is totally not legal LOL!
I wanted to hate Creed so badly, at the beginning of the book he’s standoffish and also WHO BUYS A WIFE?! As the book progresses you realize Creed has no intentions of hurting Juliette and rather fell in love with her from the moment he saw her, and he’s pretty gentle with her and takes things at Juliette’s pace.
It was cute seeing Juliette go from this naïve almost infantilized adult into a mature woman. Her father restricted her from a lot growing up, including going to school and having a social life so at 20 years old she’s kind of thrusted into the real world and has to figure things out for herself.
This spice in this book was pretty amazing at times! I really enjoyed the love that blossomed between the two characters! This book was pretty hard to put down because it was such a wild concept! If you like marriage of convenience, forced proximity and grumpy X sunshine you’re going to enjoy The Auction! Thank you to Hambright and the author for sending me a copy in exchange for my honest review! #HPRTheAuction
#SDoyle
#HambrightPR
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️
I was so interested to see how this book would unfold when I read the blurb for it, the FMC Juliette is auctioned off by her dying father because he wants to make sure she is married and the farm is properly taken care of. The MMC Creed who is a navy veteran buys Juliette and the farm for 50k from her father. Which by the way is totally not legal LOL!
I wanted to hate Creed so badly, at the beginning of the book he’s standoffish and also WHO BUYS A WIFE?! As the book progresses you realize Creed has no intentions of hurting Juliette and rather fell in love with her from the moment he saw her, and he’s pretty gentle with her and takes things at Juliette’s pace.
It was cute seeing Juliette go from this naïve almost infantilized adult into a mature woman. Her father restricted her from a lot growing up, including going to school and having a social life so at 20 years old she’s kind of thrusted into the real world and has to figure things out for herself.
This spice in this book was pretty amazing at times! I really enjoyed the love that blossomed between the two characters! This book was pretty hard to put down because it was such a wild concept! If you like marriage of convenience, forced proximity and grumpy X sunshine you’re going to enjoy The Auction! Thank you to Hambright and the author for sending me a copy in exchange for my honest review! #HPRTheAuction
#SDoyle
#HambrightPR
October 22, 2025
2.5 stars
I was eager to enjoy this book because the plot idea was intriguing, and I genuinely love a marriage of convenience. However, the story felt like it transported me to a world where women lacked freedom and were subjected to whatever their husbands wanted.
Juliette, a 20-year-old woman, resided with her ailing father in Montana. Her life had been confined to the farm since birth, lacking any friends, boyfriends, or career prospects. When her father, unable to trust her ability to manage the farm upon his death, auctioned her off for marriage, Juliette’s fate was sealed.
Enter Creed, a mid-30s ex-Navy man who happened to be in town that weekend. The father accepted his proposal, and Juliette found herself in a precarious situation. The relationship felt off-putting, especially considering her father’s treatment of her as if she were a mere commodity. I couldn’t shake the feeling that he disregarded her desires and aspirations.
Furthermore, the notion that Creed, a man, possessed superior farming skills over Juliette, simply because he was a man, added to the unease. The age gap between them, with Creed being around 36 and Juliette 20, also felt problematic. While I appreciate age gaps, it felt like Creed owned her and denied her any sense of autonomy.
The tension between them was non-existent, and their relationship oscillated between hatred and infatuation. Did Juliette simply like him because he was the only man she had ever been with? I believe that this book would have been more enjoyable if Juliette had been given the opportunity to find herself or if their friendship had been explored first.
I was eager to enjoy this book because the plot idea was intriguing, and I genuinely love a marriage of convenience. However, the story felt like it transported me to a world where women lacked freedom and were subjected to whatever their husbands wanted.
Juliette, a 20-year-old woman, resided with her ailing father in Montana. Her life had been confined to the farm since birth, lacking any friends, boyfriends, or career prospects. When her father, unable to trust her ability to manage the farm upon his death, auctioned her off for marriage, Juliette’s fate was sealed.
Enter Creed, a mid-30s ex-Navy man who happened to be in town that weekend. The father accepted his proposal, and Juliette found herself in a precarious situation. The relationship felt off-putting, especially considering her father’s treatment of her as if she were a mere commodity. I couldn’t shake the feeling that he disregarded her desires and aspirations.
Furthermore, the notion that Creed, a man, possessed superior farming skills over Juliette, simply because he was a man, added to the unease. The age gap between them, with Creed being around 36 and Juliette 20, also felt problematic. While I appreciate age gaps, it felt like Creed owned her and denied her any sense of autonomy.
The tension between them was non-existent, and their relationship oscillated between hatred and infatuation. Did Juliette simply like him because he was the only man she had ever been with? I believe that this book would have been more enjoyable if Juliette had been given the opportunity to find herself or if their friendship had been explored first.
October 22, 2025
I had such a fun time with this book! I was immediately interested once I read the synopsis, a father auctioning his daughter off to the highest bidder?! And it did not disappoint. This book was packed full of banter and just an all around fun time! Thank you Hambright Pr for the arc!
October 22, 2025
Turning Romance on its Head!
This book. S. Doyle. She’s turned romance into ordinary people! How can it be so good?!
Don’t get me wrong I love the fantasy element in romance. I mean who doesn’t want to win a billionaire who looks like an angel but is the devil in the sheets?
Hear me out though…
I loved that these are just ordinary humans and that Jules, the FMC, thinks Creed, the MMC, is ugly at the beginning . It’s genius really. See? Turning romance on its head!
In my poor comprehension and memory, I had an inkling that I had read another author who wrote very nonconformist fiction. Turns out S. Doyle also wrote The Bride, and The Wife… the very books that I loved several years ago.
I assure you, I can’t make this stuff up! I can’t remember book titles, or book characters five minutes after I’m done, nor authors until I read a schwack of her books, let alone books I’ve read even a week ago, but I will not forget this author again. That much I know is true. (As much as I know I need to read the other two books in this series again!)
#HPRTheAuction
#SDoyle
#HambrightPR
This book. S. Doyle. She’s turned romance into ordinary people! How can it be so good?!
Don’t get me wrong I love the fantasy element in romance. I mean who doesn’t want to win a billionaire who looks like an angel but is the devil in the sheets?
Hear me out though…
I loved that these are just ordinary humans and that Jules, the FMC, thinks Creed, the MMC, is ugly at the beginning . It’s genius really. See? Turning romance on its head!
In my poor comprehension and memory, I had an inkling that I had read another author who wrote very nonconformist fiction. Turns out S. Doyle also wrote The Bride, and The Wife… the very books that I loved several years ago.
I assure you, I can’t make this stuff up! I can’t remember book titles, or book characters five minutes after I’m done, nor authors until I read a schwack of her books, let alone books I’ve read even a week ago, but I will not forget this author again. That much I know is true. (As much as I know I need to read the other two books in this series again!)
#HPRTheAuction
#SDoyle
#HambrightPR
November 7, 2025
3 ☆.
It was a cute read. It had all book elements that I love reading about. But, sadly, when the story hit the 50%, it fell down and I felt like the storyline wasn't for me. BTW, the author's writing is good and I love the main characters, even sometimes they got on my nerves.
Anyways, it is such entertaining book to read in your free time.
It was a cute read. It had all book elements that I love reading about. But, sadly, when the story hit the 50%, it fell down and I felt like the storyline wasn't for me. BTW, the author's writing is good and I love the main characters, even sometimes they got on my nerves.
Anyways, it is such entertaining book to read in your free time.
October 26, 2025
I’m going to keep this short sweet and succinct out of respect for the author.
This was 100% not the book for me. I thought I would enjoy it based of the trope of marriage of convenience but sadly this book just made me rip roaring mad for the majority of the book and my brain blocked out the last 50% of the book.
We went from her living with her abusive controlling father to being auctioned off at a horse auction to an equally problematic man.
In my personal opinion there was no romance to be had within these pages and thus I rated this 1 star.
This was 100% not the book for me. I thought I would enjoy it based of the trope of marriage of convenience but sadly this book just made me rip roaring mad for the majority of the book and my brain blocked out the last 50% of the book.
We went from her living with her abusive controlling father to being auctioned off at a horse auction to an equally problematic man.
In my personal opinion there was no romance to be had within these pages and thus I rated this 1 star.
November 8, 2025
2.5⭐️
So, I liked the idea of this story. I did. I truly couldn't put it down. However I couldn't connect with the characters. Jules, I felt for her. Being secluded from the world thanks to her crap of a father. It got worse with him when he had this brilliant idea to "auction" off his daughter for marriage to save the farm after he passes.
When Creed steps forward to take marry her, Jules makes it her mission to make his life unbearable.
Though everything she seems to try barely phases Creed. He just rolls with whatever sabotage job Jules comes up with. He's convinced she'll come around, they'll make it work.
there was just some things Creed does that just stopped me in my tracks and I couldn't look past.
thank you S. Doyle for the arc opportunity. 🫶🏻
So, I liked the idea of this story. I did. I truly couldn't put it down. However I couldn't connect with the characters. Jules, I felt for her. Being secluded from the world thanks to her crap of a father. It got worse with him when he had this brilliant idea to "auction" off his daughter for marriage to save the farm after he passes.
When Creed steps forward to take marry her, Jules makes it her mission to make his life unbearable.
Though everything she seems to try barely phases Creed. He just rolls with whatever sabotage job Jules comes up with. He's convinced she'll come around, they'll make it work.
there was just some things Creed does that just stopped me in my tracks and I couldn't look past.
thank you S. Doyle for the arc opportunity. 🫶🏻
October 30, 2025
I'm very happy that S. Doyle has decided to come back to the place where I first found her: the wilderness of Montana. With The Auction, we are treated to a somewhat familiar storyline to The Bride. But this time our heroine has a less than kind father and although needing to also figure out a way to hold onto her farm, much like Ellie had to, Juliette Clarke is literally auctioned off to one Creed O'Mara. And once these two are married and now living together after Juliette's father passes, the fireworks are immediate as Jules is forever wanting out of her current life and Creed does all he can to keep her in his.
From not loving that Creed calls her Jules, to being angry that she has zero say in what she wants out of her young life, our girl is one ornery woman. But Creed is forever patient and I actually loved their dynamic, hoping that at some point, Jules would realize that Creed is not out to smother her. In fact, although a man of few words, he is beyond useful around the farm and I was impressed, just as Jules began to notice, that he was truly the asset she didn't even know she needed.
Now, Jules can be quite the brat and in one scene, Creed handles her in quite the surprising fashion. Jules, in her innocent ways, since she was very sheltered and not allowed to attend school, becomes fascinated with how her body is suddenly reacting to the man she had decided was ugly and not the kind to dream about. But Doyle handles her physical reactions well, giving Jules just enough to want more. And I enjoyed how Creed knew enough of her expressions and watching her body's signals that he soon enough might just be able to tame his wild wife for both of their benefits.
I felt all the emotions as these two find their own unique rhythm and suffered right along with both of them as Jules almost pushed Creed away for good. But, thankfully, both find a way to try and say what they mean instead of using snark or silence as a way to communicate. And once all their cards are laid out on the table, they can't get enough of each other. Even with an unexpected and heartbreaking pause in their growing attachment to each other, there was no mistaking that they were falling in love and it was honestly a beautiful thing to witness.
I loved being back in The Bride world, and it was wonderful getting glimpses of Ellie and Jake Talley and their growing brood, knowing how far they had come in the last few years.. I look forward to what I'm hoping will be son Jackson Talley's book next, since we get a brief, puzzling moment where he seems to be keeping secrets from his family.
It's a sweet world that S. Doyle has created and The Auction is a perfect addition to this well-crafted series. The pace was great and I lost myself in her words once more, just as I did when I picked up The Bride all those years ago. Happy to be back in small-town Montana, I happily give The Auction a huge 4 stars!
From not loving that Creed calls her Jules, to being angry that she has zero say in what she wants out of her young life, our girl is one ornery woman. But Creed is forever patient and I actually loved their dynamic, hoping that at some point, Jules would realize that Creed is not out to smother her. In fact, although a man of few words, he is beyond useful around the farm and I was impressed, just as Jules began to notice, that he was truly the asset she didn't even know she needed.
Now, Jules can be quite the brat and in one scene, Creed handles her in quite the surprising fashion. Jules, in her innocent ways, since she was very sheltered and not allowed to attend school, becomes fascinated with how her body is suddenly reacting to the man she had decided was ugly and not the kind to dream about. But Doyle handles her physical reactions well, giving Jules just enough to want more. And I enjoyed how Creed knew enough of her expressions and watching her body's signals that he soon enough might just be able to tame his wild wife for both of their benefits.
I felt all the emotions as these two find their own unique rhythm and suffered right along with both of them as Jules almost pushed Creed away for good. But, thankfully, both find a way to try and say what they mean instead of using snark or silence as a way to communicate. And once all their cards are laid out on the table, they can't get enough of each other. Even with an unexpected and heartbreaking pause in their growing attachment to each other, there was no mistaking that they were falling in love and it was honestly a beautiful thing to witness.
I loved being back in The Bride world, and it was wonderful getting glimpses of Ellie and Jake Talley and their growing brood, knowing how far they had come in the last few years.. I look forward to what I'm hoping will be son Jackson Talley's book next, since we get a brief, puzzling moment where he seems to be keeping secrets from his family.
It's a sweet world that S. Doyle has created and The Auction is a perfect addition to this well-crafted series. The pace was great and I lost myself in her words once more, just as I did when I picked up The Bride all those years ago. Happy to be back in small-town Montana, I happily give The Auction a huge 4 stars!
November 5, 2025
🌟 Thanks @hambright_pr for the ARC
💕 "(I love you stupid, too)"
Jules has grown up in isolation under the strict rule of her single father. After receiving a terminal diagnosis, he decides to auction off the family farm to continue his legacy - which includes marrying off his daughter to the highest bidder. Creed O’Mara, a Navy SEAL veteran, is new in town and stumbles upon this unconventional auction. With a farm and wife in hand, he must now contend with the growing pains of his new profession and the crazy antics from his spunky wife. Jules is dead set on finding a way to divorce Creed and walk away with her inheritance in tow. As hard as she tries to drive a wedge between them, she can't resist falling for her gruff husband - or is she just experiencing Stockholm syndrome?
This book is exactly what I love about a slow burn, enemies to lovers story. The banter was equal parts spicy and absolutely comical. While the main plot of Jules being sold off at an auction is insane by today's standards, these characters were actually so relatable. Jules' little pranks were so petty yet hilarious and I loved how Creed barely even bats an eye at them. The "Scotchbonnetgate" scene had me in tears because it is totally something I may have accidentally done to my poor husband (I can't help that I love spicy food 😅). I feel like the virgin FMC trope can be hit or miss but it was so well done in this book. I love how everything Creed did was with Jules in consideration - from their intimacy to aiding with her growth outside of the clutches of her father's reign. I was so excited to find out there are more books in this universe and I will absolutely be picking those up.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5
🛏️ One Bed
💍 Marriage of Convenience
👩❤️👨 Enemies to Lovers
📆 Age Gap
💕 Virgin FMC
💕 "(I love you stupid, too)"
Jules has grown up in isolation under the strict rule of her single father. After receiving a terminal diagnosis, he decides to auction off the family farm to continue his legacy - which includes marrying off his daughter to the highest bidder. Creed O’Mara, a Navy SEAL veteran, is new in town and stumbles upon this unconventional auction. With a farm and wife in hand, he must now contend with the growing pains of his new profession and the crazy antics from his spunky wife. Jules is dead set on finding a way to divorce Creed and walk away with her inheritance in tow. As hard as she tries to drive a wedge between them, she can't resist falling for her gruff husband - or is she just experiencing Stockholm syndrome?
This book is exactly what I love about a slow burn, enemies to lovers story. The banter was equal parts spicy and absolutely comical. While the main plot of Jules being sold off at an auction is insane by today's standards, these characters were actually so relatable. Jules' little pranks were so petty yet hilarious and I loved how Creed barely even bats an eye at them. The "Scotchbonnetgate" scene had me in tears because it is totally something I may have accidentally done to my poor husband (I can't help that I love spicy food 😅). I feel like the virgin FMC trope can be hit or miss but it was so well done in this book. I love how everything Creed did was with Jules in consideration - from their intimacy to aiding with her growth outside of the clutches of her father's reign. I was so excited to find out there are more books in this universe and I will absolutely be picking those up.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5
🛏️ One Bed
💍 Marriage of Convenience
👩❤️👨 Enemies to Lovers
📆 Age Gap
💕 Virgin FMC
October 29, 2025
🔥💍 THE AUCTION by S. Doyle 💍🔥
Some girls dream of Prince Charming and Jules got the highest bidder.
When Jules’ dying father puts her up for auction at a horse show (yep, you read that right 😳), she never expects to be bought by a brooding, ex–Navy SEAL with glacier-blue eyes and a soft spot he refuses to admit exists. Enter Creed O’Mara and the man who doesn’t just buy the ranch… he buys her future.
Jules isn’t some damsel waiting to be saved and she’s determined to survive this sham of a marriage, take back her freedom, and prove she can run her own life. But Creed’s quiet strength, protective streak, and maddening patience start breaking down every wall she’s built.
What begins as a marriage of convenience turns into a slow-burn, emotional, and spicy love story that’ll have you clutching your Kindle and swooning through the Montana sunsets. 🌾💫
💫 Expect:
🏡 Small-town, slow-burn tension
💍 Marriage of convenience meets forced proximity
🔥 Stoic ex–Navy SEAL x stubborn ranch girl
💔 Emotional healing, found strength, and one hell of a payoff
🌄 Steam, sass, and a love that sneaks up on you
This story has heart, heat, and so much grit. Jules and Creed will frustrate you, melt you, and make you believe in second chances you never saw coming.
✨ “We were never supposed to fall in love. But maybe that’s exactly why we did.” ✨
#TheAuction #SDoyle #HambrightPR #MarriageOfConvenience #ForcedProximity #SlowBurnRomance #EnemiesToLovers #SmallTownRomance #BookstagramRomance #AlphaHero #StrongHeroine #RomanceReads #BookishLove #SpicyRomance #MustReadRomance
Some girls dream of Prince Charming and Jules got the highest bidder.
When Jules’ dying father puts her up for auction at a horse show (yep, you read that right 😳), she never expects to be bought by a brooding, ex–Navy SEAL with glacier-blue eyes and a soft spot he refuses to admit exists. Enter Creed O’Mara and the man who doesn’t just buy the ranch… he buys her future.
Jules isn’t some damsel waiting to be saved and she’s determined to survive this sham of a marriage, take back her freedom, and prove she can run her own life. But Creed’s quiet strength, protective streak, and maddening patience start breaking down every wall she’s built.
What begins as a marriage of convenience turns into a slow-burn, emotional, and spicy love story that’ll have you clutching your Kindle and swooning through the Montana sunsets. 🌾💫
💫 Expect:
🏡 Small-town, slow-burn tension
💍 Marriage of convenience meets forced proximity
🔥 Stoic ex–Navy SEAL x stubborn ranch girl
💔 Emotional healing, found strength, and one hell of a payoff
🌄 Steam, sass, and a love that sneaks up on you
This story has heart, heat, and so much grit. Jules and Creed will frustrate you, melt you, and make you believe in second chances you never saw coming.
✨ “We were never supposed to fall in love. But maybe that’s exactly why we did.” ✨
#TheAuction #SDoyle #HambrightPR #MarriageOfConvenience #ForcedProximity #SlowBurnRomance #EnemiesToLovers #SmallTownRomance #BookstagramRomance #AlphaHero #StrongHeroine #RomanceReads #BookishLove #SpicyRomance #MustReadRomance
October 19, 2025
I was lucky enough to receive as an ARC 🥰
From the very first line, The Auction hooks you with its wild, unconventional premise — a daughter literally being auctioned off by her dying father to save the family farm. What follows is a story that’s as gritty as it is tender, with emotional depth wrapped in slow-burn tension and surprising vulnerability.
Jules is fierce, independent, and absolutely determined not to be saved — least of all by a man who “bought” her.
But Creed O’Mara, the former Navy SEAL who wins the auction, isn’t the controlling alpha you might expect. He’s patient, protective, and quietly powerful — the kind of man who shows love through actions, not words. Their chemistry simmers from the start, and watching it shift from wary tension to genuine connection is addictively satisfying.
This isn’t your typical marriage-of-convenience romance. It’s a story about reclaiming power, trust, and learning that love can grow in the most unexpected places. S. Doyle balances emotional grit and soft romance beautifully — a raw yet heartwarming ride set against a rugged Montana backdrop.
🏔️ Fake marriage that feels too real ❤️ Grumpy ex-SEAL x stubborn farm girl 🔥 Emotional slow burn 💍 Redemption, healing, and unexpected love
If you love small-town grit with heart and a heroine who refuses to be tamed, The Auction delivers every ounce of drama and desire you could want.
From the very first line, The Auction hooks you with its wild, unconventional premise — a daughter literally being auctioned off by her dying father to save the family farm. What follows is a story that’s as gritty as it is tender, with emotional depth wrapped in slow-burn tension and surprising vulnerability.
Jules is fierce, independent, and absolutely determined not to be saved — least of all by a man who “bought” her.
But Creed O’Mara, the former Navy SEAL who wins the auction, isn’t the controlling alpha you might expect. He’s patient, protective, and quietly powerful — the kind of man who shows love through actions, not words. Their chemistry simmers from the start, and watching it shift from wary tension to genuine connection is addictively satisfying.
This isn’t your typical marriage-of-convenience romance. It’s a story about reclaiming power, trust, and learning that love can grow in the most unexpected places. S. Doyle balances emotional grit and soft romance beautifully — a raw yet heartwarming ride set against a rugged Montana backdrop.
🏔️ Fake marriage that feels too real ❤️ Grumpy ex-SEAL x stubborn farm girl 🔥 Emotional slow burn 💍 Redemption, healing, and unexpected love
If you love small-town grit with heart and a heroine who refuses to be tamed, The Auction delivers every ounce of drama and desire you could want.
January 7, 2026
Juliette & Creed-oh my heart! Juliette is the only daughter of a mean sonofagun farmer who isolated her throughout her 20 years of life and hammered a religious she’s a sinner and his property on his farm her whole life. He is dying of cancer and decides to auction her and the farm off at the small town near them’s horse auction to the best offer. Out of towner and ex-Navy Seal Creed O’Mara sees her and makes the best offer. Now she is married to a stranger and four months later her father is dead. She has plans to make Creed miserable so he’ll divorce her and leave her the farm so she can sell it off and finally get the freedom to choose her life and what she wants from it. But Creed has his own plans-to make the farm work and be profitable for their livelihood, to have sex with Jules (a nickname she hates), and to have babies and make a legacy. She’s determined to get out of there and he’s determined to have a real go at the farm and a wife with realistic ideas and benefits. What neither of them see coming is falling for one another and the farm facing disaster so that Creed takes a special ops job to cover the loss on the farm and leaves Jules. The separation makes her see she loves him, him being shot makes him see he loves her, they get their HEA together. I really loved their arc together and Jules’ character arc. It was so well done and a different take on a forced/arranged marriage. I loved it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 24, 2025
This book was unlike any other I have read. You get an MMC that isn't drool worthy right off the bat, but you grow to love. A FMC that is young, sheltered, spunky, sarcastic, wild, and determined to be free. Enter her horrible sperm donor that auctions her off as a bride before he dies. Wild way to start a relationship, right?
Creed ends up being this stable, generous, thoughtful, protective, softie, badass, beast of a man that you adore. Jules grows up, but never loses her spark. I loved watching her develop friendships and feelings for her hubby.
This book had sweet moments, heart breaking ones, and spicy parts. Funny laugh out loud moments, and some that have you screaming at the characters. A few scenes made my jaw drop, and a few had me smiling along with the scene.
🫶🏾 Lines I liked:
It was days like these I regretted the fact that I wasn't a sociopathic murderer.
It's like you've spent your whole life reading romance books.
F--- around and find out.
Fall in love with me and I'll never let you down.
You know flattery will get you more blow jobs. 🤣 (his response was funnier....read the book to find out)
Now, I thought. Now, I'm home. And whether she believed me or not, trusted me or not, our vows felt truer to me than I could have ever believed when I said them out loud. I was with her. My wife. My partner. My love. From now until death do us part. 🥺
Creed ends up being this stable, generous, thoughtful, protective, softie, badass, beast of a man that you adore. Jules grows up, but never loses her spark. I loved watching her develop friendships and feelings for her hubby.
This book had sweet moments, heart breaking ones, and spicy parts. Funny laugh out loud moments, and some that have you screaming at the characters. A few scenes made my jaw drop, and a few had me smiling along with the scene.
🫶🏾 Lines I liked:
It was days like these I regretted the fact that I wasn't a sociopathic murderer.
It's like you've spent your whole life reading romance books.
F--- around and find out.
Fall in love with me and I'll never let you down.
You know flattery will get you more blow jobs. 🤣 (his response was funnier....read the book to find out)
Now, I thought. Now, I'm home. And whether she believed me or not, trusted me or not, our vows felt truer to me than I could have ever believed when I said them out loud. I was with her. My wife. My partner. My love. From now until death do us part. 🥺
November 22, 2025
I loved this book. It is so different from the romance books I’ve been reading lately. The MMC is the definition of grump and crass to boot. The MFC is a total brat – but for a good reason. They came together in the most cringy way – her father basically auctioned her and the family farm off to the highest bidder. In walks Creed – a total stranger they’ve never met. Before she knows it, Juliette is in a sham marriage with Creed and he’s moved into the house. But not her bed. Not yet.
Creed is a former Navy Seal. He isn’t cruel, but he’s definitely no nonsense. He means what he says and all of Juliette’s attempts to scare him off and divorce her roll of his back. Infuriating, right? Juliette just wants her freedom. Nothing she had with her cruel father. What she doesn’t realize is that she already has it – she just needs to take it.
They both have scars from their past that need to heal, and somehow they start to trust each other and start sharing a life together, not just existing. I loved how patient Creed was with Jules, and I loved how vulnerable Jules allows herself to be with Creed. She is safe with him, and she knows it. The book is funny, heartbreaking, and sweet. A perfect book to keep you company one afternoon.
I received a complimentary ecopy of this book from Hambright PR. All opinions are my own.
October 18, 2025
I absolutely enjoyed this read from start to finish!
At first, I was shocked at the premise of the story! Juliette’s father basically selling her off alongside their farm to ensure everything is taken care of as he is heading to his death bed pretty quickly…wildly illegal and barbaric! My jaw was on the floor at some of the horrible things Juliette’s father said…but it had me hooked from the very first page! What a moment when Creed the MMC buys the farm and technically a wife (Juliette), I thought I was going to hate this man but as the book went on I fell in love with creed just like Juliette did!
Juliette was a resilient woman with dry humour and a back bone! I loved the fact she was so reserved but also couldn’t help opening up to Creed as time went on.
Creed was an interesting character at the begging, I thought he was going to end up being similar to Juliette’s father in how he thought and acted but as time went on it became apparent he was caring, loving and had his own trials and tribulations he had dealt with himself!
A fun, wildly interesting and romantic read! One with angst, tension, marriage of convince and forced proximity ropes which I love and also….lots of steamy spice! A great 4 star read for me! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
At first, I was shocked at the premise of the story! Juliette’s father basically selling her off alongside their farm to ensure everything is taken care of as he is heading to his death bed pretty quickly…wildly illegal and barbaric! My jaw was on the floor at some of the horrible things Juliette’s father said…but it had me hooked from the very first page! What a moment when Creed the MMC buys the farm and technically a wife (Juliette), I thought I was going to hate this man but as the book went on I fell in love with creed just like Juliette did!
Juliette was a resilient woman with dry humour and a back bone! I loved the fact she was so reserved but also couldn’t help opening up to Creed as time went on.
Creed was an interesting character at the begging, I thought he was going to end up being similar to Juliette’s father in how he thought and acted but as time went on it became apparent he was caring, loving and had his own trials and tribulations he had dealt with himself!
A fun, wildly interesting and romantic read! One with angst, tension, marriage of convince and forced proximity ropes which I love and also….lots of steamy spice! A great 4 star read for me! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
November 3, 2025
The Auction - S. Doyle
The Bride Series Book 3
Thank you @sdoylebooks and @hambright_pr for my gifted ebook.
My Review:
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pages: 312
Genre: Romance
TROPES ✨
🛏️ One Bed 💍 Marriage of Convenience 👩❤️👨 Enemies to Lovers
#HPRTheAuction
#SDoyle
#HambrightPR
This is Creed and Juliette’s story. Jules (Juliette) has lived a very sheltered life. Her mother left when she was a child. Her father showed her no love. He rarely allowed her to leave their farm. She was home schooled. Which meant she learned by reading. She learned to tend the soil, raise sugar beets and read the signs that the weather was changing. She had no friends and no one visited them. Basically the only place they went was to church.
Her father developed cancer. He decided to auction her off with the land and house as her dowry going to the highest bidder for marrying her. No one bid on her but one drifter, Creed. Creed was a retired navy seal.
Now go read the book to see how Jules and Creed get along and if she’s able to run him off or if he’s able to win her over.
I loved this book and highly recommend.
#SDoyle #theauction #hambright_pr #thebrideseries #enemiestolovers #onebed #marriageofconvience #booktok #bookstagram #romance #mustread
The Bride Series Book 3
Thank you @sdoylebooks and @hambright_pr for my gifted ebook.
My Review:
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pages: 312
Genre: Romance
TROPES ✨
🛏️ One Bed 💍 Marriage of Convenience 👩❤️👨 Enemies to Lovers
#HPRTheAuction
#SDoyle
#HambrightPR
This is Creed and Juliette’s story. Jules (Juliette) has lived a very sheltered life. Her mother left when she was a child. Her father showed her no love. He rarely allowed her to leave their farm. She was home schooled. Which meant she learned by reading. She learned to tend the soil, raise sugar beets and read the signs that the weather was changing. She had no friends and no one visited them. Basically the only place they went was to church.
Her father developed cancer. He decided to auction her off with the land and house as her dowry going to the highest bidder for marrying her. No one bid on her but one drifter, Creed. Creed was a retired navy seal.
Now go read the book to see how Jules and Creed get along and if she’s able to run him off or if he’s able to win her over.
I loved this book and highly recommend.
#SDoyle #theauction #hambright_pr #thebrideseries #enemiestolovers #onebed #marriageofconvience #booktok #bookstagram #romance #mustread
October 20, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
4.5/5🌟
What a fast, laugh out loud funny read! I giggled, I laughed, I cried. That makes it a great book to me! I love the banter between the 2 MCs. The whole book is one POV until the end when you get a peek at the male POV and I loved that! The inner dialogue of our FMC is so good. I just absolutely fell in love with these characters. This is a sort of arranged marriage (obviously) and I didn’t realize how much I love that trope! The relationship building felt very genuine to me and I appreciate that. This does have open door spice (🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️4/5 chili peppers for me). Thank you to the author and Hambright PR for the eARC. This voluntary review is my honest thoughts and opinions about the book. If you like tropes such as arranged marriage, banter, feisty FMC, and falling in love…you will enjoy this book!
Some quotes I loved:
“Maybe his job in the Navy had been pulling up anchors.” 😂🤣
“The thing I was starting to understand about marriage was that there were a lot of battles to fight. Which meant there were times you had to pick which ones mattered.”
I don’t want to put any more quotes for fear of spoilers. I want you to go through it like I had to! 😉
4.5/5🌟
What a fast, laugh out loud funny read! I giggled, I laughed, I cried. That makes it a great book to me! I love the banter between the 2 MCs. The whole book is one POV until the end when you get a peek at the male POV and I loved that! The inner dialogue of our FMC is so good. I just absolutely fell in love with these characters. This is a sort of arranged marriage (obviously) and I didn’t realize how much I love that trope! The relationship building felt very genuine to me and I appreciate that. This does have open door spice (🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️4/5 chili peppers for me). Thank you to the author and Hambright PR for the eARC. This voluntary review is my honest thoughts and opinions about the book. If you like tropes such as arranged marriage, banter, feisty FMC, and falling in love…you will enjoy this book!
Some quotes I loved:
“Maybe his job in the Navy had been pulling up anchors.” 😂🤣
“The thing I was starting to understand about marriage was that there were a lot of battles to fight. Which meant there were times you had to pick which ones mattered.”
I don’t want to put any more quotes for fear of spoilers. I want you to go through it like I had to! 😉
November 4, 2025
The Auction is an interesting twist on arranged marriage and exposure to farming, while healing from trauma.
Tropes:
🐱 Arranged Marriage
🐱 Enemies to Lovers
🐱 Slow Burn
🐱 One Bed
Juliette is a sheltered girl who has been kept at home by her very religious dad. She learned a lot by sneaking on the internet. Her dad is dying, and he doesn’t trust her to take over the family beet farm, so he’ll give the farm to the highest “bidder” and will become Juliette’s husband. When Creed comes knocking, a retired Navy SEAL, she has to try to get him to divorce her in a way that gets her the farm for herself.
This book was so interesting. It kind of gave me vibes of a fictional version of “Educated”. I live by religious extremists like this who I could see doing this type of thing, so I felt a little more of a draw to that based off that. It was entertaining for Jules to try and sabotage Creed, and Creed slowly breaking her down toward feeling things toward him. There was a lot of mystery behind him, and that made things interesting too.
🌶️🌶️
Thank you, S Doyle and HPR, for sending me a copy of this book!
Tropes:
🐱 Arranged Marriage
🐱 Enemies to Lovers
🐱 Slow Burn
🐱 One Bed
Juliette is a sheltered girl who has been kept at home by her very religious dad. She learned a lot by sneaking on the internet. Her dad is dying, and he doesn’t trust her to take over the family beet farm, so he’ll give the farm to the highest “bidder” and will become Juliette’s husband. When Creed comes knocking, a retired Navy SEAL, she has to try to get him to divorce her in a way that gets her the farm for herself.
This book was so interesting. It kind of gave me vibes of a fictional version of “Educated”. I live by religious extremists like this who I could see doing this type of thing, so I felt a little more of a draw to that based off that. It was entertaining for Jules to try and sabotage Creed, and Creed slowly breaking her down toward feeling things toward him. There was a lot of mystery behind him, and that made things interesting too.
🌶️🌶️
Thank you, S Doyle and HPR, for sending me a copy of this book!
November 15, 2025
I laughed. I cried. I laughed again... and then cried again... this book took me on an emotional rollercoaster that I was not expecting.
Jules finds herself being auctioned like a horse by her father to find her a husband. They also get the farm that her father owned. Creed takes him up on that offer and now they have to learn to co exist. I know, I know... it's definitely a bit cringe to have an arranged marriage and have the man in charge, etc. Hear me out though!
The banter between the two of them is perfection. Jules is willing to try and make Creed's life as miserable as she can. Creed is smart though, and gives her hell also. The humor in this book is some of the best I've read in quite a while.
I had wanted to read this book because it sounded so different from things I normally read. What I wasn't expecting, was to enjoy it as much as I did. When Jules had the worst day of her life it felt like I could feel what she was. The author did such an amazing job making the reader feel exactly how the characters were feeling. Thank you so much to the author and Hambright PR for an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion.
Jules finds herself being auctioned like a horse by her father to find her a husband. They also get the farm that her father owned. Creed takes him up on that offer and now they have to learn to co exist. I know, I know... it's definitely a bit cringe to have an arranged marriage and have the man in charge, etc. Hear me out though!
The banter between the two of them is perfection. Jules is willing to try and make Creed's life as miserable as she can. Creed is smart though, and gives her hell also. The humor in this book is some of the best I've read in quite a while.
I had wanted to read this book because it sounded so different from things I normally read. What I wasn't expecting, was to enjoy it as much as I did. When Jules had the worst day of her life it felt like I could feel what she was. The author did such an amazing job making the reader feel exactly how the characters were feeling. Thank you so much to the author and Hambright PR for an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion.
November 22, 2025
A Marriage Nobody Wanted…Until Feelings Got Involved
Jules doesn’t get a say when her dying father literally auctions her off at a horse show, convinced she can’t run their Montana farm alone. Creed O’Mara — stoic ex–Navy SEAL with big “I’ll fix everything myself” energy — is the highest bidder and instantly claims her as his future.
She’s furious, trapped, and laser-focused on divorcing him the minute she can. Creed, on the other hand, is quietly steady, patient, and completely certain she’s the life he wants. What starts as a forced marriage slowly shifts into respect, partnership, and a connection Jules never saw coming.
What works: Creed’s protector energy is chef’s kiss, and the gradual trust between them feels earned and deeply satisfying. Their push-pull dynamic keeps the tension alive from page one.
What might not: The premise is messy on purpose. Readers who dislike forced marriage or stubborn-to-the-end heroines may struggle.
But if you love rugged ranch settings, slow-burn tenderness, and a hardened hero falling headfirst for the woman he wasn’t supposed to have? Jules and Creed deliver a heartfelt, addictive ride.
Jules doesn’t get a say when her dying father literally auctions her off at a horse show, convinced she can’t run their Montana farm alone. Creed O’Mara — stoic ex–Navy SEAL with big “I’ll fix everything myself” energy — is the highest bidder and instantly claims her as his future.
She’s furious, trapped, and laser-focused on divorcing him the minute she can. Creed, on the other hand, is quietly steady, patient, and completely certain she’s the life he wants. What starts as a forced marriage slowly shifts into respect, partnership, and a connection Jules never saw coming.
What works: Creed’s protector energy is chef’s kiss, and the gradual trust between them feels earned and deeply satisfying. Their push-pull dynamic keeps the tension alive from page one.
What might not: The premise is messy on purpose. Readers who dislike forced marriage or stubborn-to-the-end heroines may struggle.
But if you love rugged ranch settings, slow-burn tenderness, and a hardened hero falling headfirst for the woman he wasn’t supposed to have? Jules and Creed deliver a heartfelt, addictive ride.
November 2, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Thank you to S. Doyle and Hambright PR for the eARC in exchange for my honest thoughts!
Wow 😮 this one pulled me in from the very first page. The setup alone is wild 🤪 being auctioned off by your own father? I had no idea what to expect, but I was immediately hooked. Jules and Creed’s story is equal parts emotional, slow burn, and deeply satisfying.
Jules has lived such a sheltered life, and watching her grow into her own person after being thrown into this unexpected marriage was so rewarding. Creed is quiet, stoic, and commanding 🥵the kind of hero who shows his care through patience and steady strength. Their chemistry builds slowly but powerfully, and when it hits, it hits.
The “marriage of convenience meets enemies-to-lovers” mix worked perfectly here. I loved the emotional tension, the growth, and the way Doyle balanced vulnerability with spice. This story had heart, heat, and just the right touch of angst ! I devoured it in a day!
If you love strong heroines, protective heroes, forced proximity, and a romance that feels earned, this one’s for you.
Thank you to S. Doyle and Hambright PR for the eARC in exchange for my honest thoughts!
Wow 😮 this one pulled me in from the very first page. The setup alone is wild 🤪 being auctioned off by your own father? I had no idea what to expect, but I was immediately hooked. Jules and Creed’s story is equal parts emotional, slow burn, and deeply satisfying.
Jules has lived such a sheltered life, and watching her grow into her own person after being thrown into this unexpected marriage was so rewarding. Creed is quiet, stoic, and commanding 🥵the kind of hero who shows his care through patience and steady strength. Their chemistry builds slowly but powerfully, and when it hits, it hits.
The “marriage of convenience meets enemies-to-lovers” mix worked perfectly here. I loved the emotional tension, the growth, and the way Doyle balanced vulnerability with spice. This story had heart, heat, and just the right touch of angst ! I devoured it in a day!
If you love strong heroines, protective heroes, forced proximity, and a romance that feels earned, this one’s for you.
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