Keeping My Wife

arcs childhood-crush fake-relationship

Amazon

Cam loves to restore things, make beautiful furniture out of people's old, unwanted and discarded stuff. Thank God for his side hustle, because it brings him back to his teen crush, Maxine "Maxie" Delacroix, when she's selling the contents of her grandmother's house. She needs a husband for a year and if he agrees, she'll give him everything in the house for helping her access her inheritance. What she doesn't know is that Cam is angling for far more than just the contents of her grandma's house - he wants her heart, forever.

I love the Murdock Brothers. Each brother has their own unique identity, each stands out in their own way, and falls in love with a unique, special woman. Cam is the sweet one who loves doing something more than just the family business, and loves his teen crush, the woman he's just agreed to marry, temporarily, but if he has his way - permanently. Maxie had a horrible mother, but Cam's family welcomed her into the fold, like the Murdocks do, and she finally got the life, and love, she deserved with the sweetest guy. I'm sad there's only one Murdock brother left, but I'm excited to get Ripley's story finally when One Heartbeat Away releases next month.

Alison Walsh

26 reviews

Keeping My Wife is book 5 in the fantastic Insta Love Murdock Brothers Series.
Although it is book 5 it can be read as a stand alone and enjoyed just as much without reading the previous 4 book.

We open to Maxine Delacroix attending her grandmothers funeral and will reading, both of which shock Maxine and her mother. To inherit the aging mansion and millions, one of them must marry within and live in the house for one year. The issue, neither is in a stable relationship. Maxine's Mum is all for liquidating the assets and skipping off, while Maxine loves the house and really wants to keep it within the family.

Cameron Murdock is one of the Murdock brothers, a family of contractors / handymen who live within Indigo Valley. Cam loves to restore old antiques and an estate sale at the Delacroix mansion is just too good to miss. He is wandering around the mansion when he bumps in to Maxine. Cameron always had a crush on Maxine, she was slightly older than him but that never stopped him from hoping he could end up with her.

And so this mad cap journey begins. Maxine offers Cameron all of the pieces which he had wanted from the sale if he becomes her husband for one year, not knowing that she literally just made his deepest dreams come through.

We watch these two struggle both with their attraction to each other, being an inter racial couple, interfering families and all of the repairs of the old mansion to get to their HEA.

This tangent into the world of Indigo Valley which Taryn has gone on is full of crazy characters, strong family values, insta love stories with hunky men and strong women, all while doing what she does best, creating a fantastic world full of mad cap schemes, quick proposals and men who fall first and hard for their lady loves.

This book is a quick read, as, you cannot put it down until you get to the end. Cameron is the kind of man that every woman will fall for and Maxine is the strong, independent woman everyone wants to be.

just-fantastic

Sandy Kelly

1,253 reviews12 followers

This is book 5 in the Murdock Brothers series and it can be read as a standalone, but I recommend reading the previous books before reading this one. The Fixer-Being one of six kids meant a whole lot of chaos and very little privacy. Hand-me-downs were a way of life—so I learned to make beauty out of broken things. Now, I liked my quiet workshop where I brought old furniture back to life. During a routine weekend ramble around town, I stopped at an estate sale—It was where I got the best stuff for my side-hustle. And I found Maxie Delacroix. She was chaos. She was lightning. She was my teen crush. She needed my help and there was no way I could say no. She was selling anything and everything to save her childhood home. But what she really needed was a husband for a loophole in her grandmother's will. Only a married woman could inherit the Delacroix house. I fixed things. It was my specialty. One year was all she needed. My all the antique furniture I could ever want. Too bad what I really wanted was to keep my wife. Marrying his childhood crush wasn't on Cam's bingo card, but falling in chaotic love with Maxie made him the happiest he's ever been. And he wants forever, not just a contracted year. Indigo Valley is full of hope and new starts. The Murdock Brothers fall hard and fast, but a scorching HOT happily ever after is guaranteed.

This is a quick, fun, sexy story! Cam and Maxine come together in unusual circumstances but I loved how it all played out! I even love how everything plays out with the angst with her mother! It has twists and turns that you don't expect in a shorter story, but I really enjoyed it! Do I wish these stories were longer? Sure, but only because I love these books by these author's! And the side characters, as usual, always keep me wanting more to come in the series!

Tracey

981 reviews18 followers

contemporary-romance fake-relationship family-saga

Is it really insta-love if you've known each other forever...? I'm going to have to answer with a resounding 'No!' because insta-love is not my jam, but this book, these characters, totally are. KEEPING MY WIFE, the fifth book in the Murdock Brothers series by Taryn Quinn, makes the phrase 'teenage dream' look like something completely different, and I am here for it.

There is not one of the Murdock brothers, heck, the whole family, that I haven't absolutely loved, and Cam Murdock is not changing my mind at all. Not afraid to go for what he wants, whether it's antique furniture in need of some loving care, or damsel in distress Maxie Delacroix, Cam is on the job. I love that Cam is all in, no misgivings, from the minute that Maxie proposes her plan, and dead set on making her see that what they have is anything but fake.

I adore all of the worlds that the ladies of Taryn Quinn create, but the small town stories are some of my favorites. The books in this series are short, sweet, steamy bites of the small town vibe that I love, while bringing all of the heart and heat that is always a part of TQ's books. If these ladies aren't on your radar, change that now, because you will fall completely in love with every single word. ❤️

Trace

123 reviews3 followers

Keeping My Wife is the 5th book in the Murdock Brother series and again I loved it as much as all of the other ones.
The couple in this book are Cam and Maxie. Her grandmother has passed away and she comes home for the funeral and reading of the will. Her mother doesn't care about anything but the money and the house she thinks she is getting..... Surprise she isn't. Maxie's grandmother put a clause in the will that you have to be married for a year and live in the house to get it. Her mother is ticked and walks out.
Maxie begins getting the furniture to sell when Cam comes in to see it all. He is a carpernter and a restore of old antiques. They get to talking about all of this and she comes up with a crazy idea that they should marry and he is shocked. She doesn't know he has had the hots for her for years but he has one condition.. he wants a chance to bid to reno the house with his brother. She agrees.
The more time they spend together the more she realises he is one of the good guys but has a rough time dealing with that.
On there wedding day her mother shows up and tries to raise hell but the whole Murdock family shows up and saved the day.
HEA and a well deserved one.

Melissa Carlton

107 reviews

Fifth in the Murdock Brothers series, this book definitely does not disappoint. Cameron Murdock loves bringing antique furniture and buildings back to life. He doesn’t mind putting in hard work to get the best results possible.
Maxine Delacroix, his lifelong childhood crush, has just inherited her grandmother’s antique home full of antique furniture that needs tons of TLC, but the inheritance comes with a catch. She must get married for a year to inherit the money to restore and maintain her beloved grandmother’s property to its former glory or her moneygrubbing diabolical mother will sell the property to fund her lavish lifestyle with whoever she can convince to marry her first.
Cameron agrees to a marriage of convenience, but neither of them could have anticipated how quickly the relationship would become real. With interference from well-meaning family and friends along with trying to avoid the chaos that Maxie’s mother constantly tries to bring, they definitely have their work cut out for them. The book really was so good that I didn’t want to put it down. I loved the storyline, the characters, and the absolutely charming town.

Teresa Williams

630 reviews6 followers

November 27, 2025

Keeping My Wife: A Fake Marriage Small Town Romance (Murdock Brothers Book 5) by Taryn Quinn is a story of a family member trying to save her grandmother’s home and claim her inheritance from her greedy mother, or lose it all to her grandfather’s alma mater, a military school. Maxine plans to restore the family's old mansion by turning it into a Bed and Breakfast. Her inheritance comes with a condition: she must be married to claim it, along with the $500 million trust fund that accompanies it. Cam Murdock, who loves woodworking and refurbishing antiques, was browsing a catalog when he met Maxine, whom he’s had a crush on since ninth grade. After discussing some of the pieces he wanted, she offered him a deal: he could have everything on his list and hers if he married her for at least one year. Cam is eager to help Maxine and intends to assist in restoring her home, working with his brothers and other crews who can handle the house flip. As Maxine moves forward with Cam, family drama and insecurities threaten her. Cam is committed; he needs to show Maxine that color, age, and inheritance don't matter to him, as Maxine is his prize. Taryn brings a fun, short story to life in Keeping My Wife: A Fake Marriage Small Town Romance (Murdock Brothers Book 5), a book that can be read in one sitting—perfect for lunch or a glass of wine—and is a spicy, hot read to unwind with.

Monica

1,075 reviews11 followers

This was such an incredible addition to this series. I absolutely could not put it down. Cam and Maxie have the sweetest love story!

Maxine Delacroix is in town for her grandmother’s funeral but she is in for a huge surprise when she and her conniving mother attend the reading of the will. Maxie realizes she might actually have a chance to save the Delacroix mansion her mother wouldn’t hesitate to sell, if she can find a husband before her mother.

Cameron Murdock has been half in love with Maxie Delacroix since he was fourteen. When he hears Maxie’s grandmother died he shows up at her mansion hoping to purchase some of the antique furniture before the house is sold. But things take a twisted turn when he and Maxie come face to face for the first time in years and Maxie suddenly proposes.

Cam’s love for Maxie doesn’t faulted for a second but can he convince her that their marriage is more than just a matter of convenience?

I received an ARC and freely offer this review.

Jean Marie

820 reviews2 followers

This was a quick fun read about Cam Murdock. He's the brother that loves to work with wood and create masterpieces.

Maxie is back in town because her grandmother passed away. Maxie hasn't been back in this town in forever because when she graduated high school, she couldn't wait to get away. But she's back and settling up her estate. She finds out that the house she's always loved is in need of lots of love and that her grandmother is willing to give it to the one who's married for at least a year. This means that either Maxie or Maxie's mom must get married. Maxie's trying to sell off some of the furniture to get some quick cash when Cam stops by. He wants some of the pieces and Maxie figures, I'll give him the pieces if he marries me.

Cam is shocked. He has always had a crush on Maxie and this is like a dream come true only he wants this to be for real. Can he convince her that it's the real thing? Read on to find out.

Jennifer

158 reviews2 followers

arc-or-gift have-book part-of-a-series

Maxine comes home for a funeral, and the reading of her grandmother's will. Grandma's estate comes with a beautiful old mansion that needs a TON of work. It also comes with a catch -- she can only have the house if she's married and lives in the house for a year. Maxine's overbearing and wildly inappropriate mother has the same deal, though, so the race is on.

To help pay for the house's renovations, Maxine looks to sell off some of the mansions many pieces of antique furniture. Enter Cameron. Cam is a carpenter by trade, but his passion happens to be restoring old antiques.

Aaand, he's had something of a mad crush on Maxine for what feels like forever.

Cam agrees to marry Maxine so she can fulfill the terms of the will, and in return, he gets first crack at the antiques in the house. A marriage of convenience quickly turns into something real with all the Taryn Quinn swoony, sexy goodness.

A quick read, and well worth it!

litljen

1,238 reviews41 followers

2025-read age-gap alpha-males

*** I received an advanced copy and chose to review it ***
** 100% spoiler-free review **
* 5 swoony and sexy stars *

I've been loving Taryn Quinn's Murdock Brothers series, and with each book, I fall more in love with this family! Keeping My Wife is Cam and Maxie's story. It's a funny, emotional, swoony, quick read that will make you believe in fate. Marriage of convenience, age gap, childhood crush, insta-love....this book has it all! Full of steam, it will keep you invested from the first page until the last page. I only wish it was longer, because I loved Cam and Maxie! If you haven't read the other Murdock books, it's okay and you can dive right in. But there are some spoilers for the previous books so I highly recommend you read them as well to catch up on Cam's brothers and their significant others. I can't wait for Ridley's story! 5 stars

Okie Reads All The Romance

116 reviews

November 20, 2025

Keeping my wife ARC REVIEW
Book 5: Murdock Brothers series

Cam, who has a love of restoring old furniture and houses, heads to an Estate sale for Maxines Grandmother. Maxine just found out there's a stipulation in the will. In order for her to keep the house and get her 5 million dollar trust..she must be married. When she runs into Cam during the sale, she makes him an offer he won't refuse. She will give him all the furniture he wants as long as he agrees to marry her for 1 year.

For a short book, this story actually had quite a bit to it. I loved the storyline. The plot with her mom added some angst and emotion to the story. The relationship growth between Cam and Maxine was just right for a short story. Its also keeps with the theme of the series, of the Murdock brothers falling fast and hard.
Overall very enjoyable story.

Pennie Morgan

2,351 reviews10 followers

Welcome back to Indigo Valley and this time we have Cam Murdock up to find his happy. When he hears about the passing of Mrs Delacroix he stops by the old mansion where he runs into Maxine who he has been half in love with since he was a teenager. Maxine and her mother came back to town when her grandmother passed away for the funeral and the reading of the will. Her mother came for the money and when she found she was not getting any took off but Maxine loves the mansion and even though there is a loop hole, she has to marry for a year or nothing, she stays. When Cam and Maxine come face to face, she offers him a proposal, he can have all the antiques in the mansion if he will marry her for a year. He jumps at the proposal. Add in his crazy family and all bets are off who falls harder.

**Received this ARC for review**

Carole

1,503 reviews17 followers

contemporary-romance small-town-quirky spiritual-energy-emotional-healing

Another relatively short steamy romance in this series. Really liked Cam who is a Master Carpenter and furniture reclamation and restoration fan. The romance occurs with Maxie, his not-so-secret teenage crush who is slightly older and the steam heat sexy times start pretty early in this one. While the plot hangs on the "Temporary Marriage of Convenience" trope to inherit big money, the story was believable and I loved Maxie’s main motivation was to save her family’s historical home and she goes on her own emotional journey around her career. The plot was interesting and I would have enjoyed reading more about their planned joint renovation of Maxie’s house. I love the Murdock family and how they pull together and am looking forward to the next book in the series.

Pam

511 reviews2 followers

November 23, 2025

Maxine really wants to keep the old house they were given in her grandmothers will but her mom wants to sell everything and go. Cameron loves old houses and really enjoys restoring them. He couldn’t resist the estate sale and he cann’t believe his fortune when he runs into Maxine while touring the old house. Then she gives him a proposition that is too good to refuse. This is just the start…the rest of this book is just as good if not better. With family trying to stick their noses where they don’t belong and add that to both of them fighting their obvious real attraction while they go thru their fake marriage that was part of the proposition. All being said, this book is full of up and downs and twists and turns and the most interesting characters. Highly recommend.

Laci Wimer

11 reviews1 follower

November 25, 2025

Keeping my Wife is the fifth book in the Murdock brothers series, and it was just as fun to read as the first four in the series. This book can absolutely be read without reading the other books, but it’s more fun to know all of the characters throughout the books.
Cam and Maxie know each other from high school, when he had a crush on her, but was the “little brother” of her friend. Maxie has to return to town when her grandmother passes away, and then she finds out there are conditions for her and her mothers inheritance. Cam is more than willing to jump in and help Maxie to fulfill the condition of the will, and things heat up from there! Cam will do anything in his power to make Maxie his forever. I can’t wait for the next book in this series!

I received an ARC and chose to review it.

Fedora

2,760 reviews130 followers

KEEPING MY WIFE is the fifth in Taryn Quinn's delicious Murdock Brothers series. Cameron Murdock's happy to be home and happy to helping with the family construction business, even if it means he's got less time to work on the antique renovations his heart delights to tackle. When Maxine Delacroix returns to town to for her beloved grandmother's funeral, it turns out her legacy is a little more tangled up than she'd hoped. All she needs to fast-track her inheritance is a husband...

Taryn Quinn pens an entertaining gotta-be-married story, and readers are going to fall just as hard as Maxie does for Cam's all-grown-up talents in and out of the bedroom. A keeper for sure!

Fran

2,492 reviews4 followers

This is the fifth in the Murdock brothers series and it's a once started can't stop read. Maxine Delacroix has been left her grandmother's old home but she has to marry and stay married for a year in order to keep it and get her inheritance. Cam Murdock loves antiques, he's a restorer at heart and while looking at the items for sale in Maxie's home he comes across Maxie. He's always crushed on her but her being a few years older has kept them apart. No more, Cam seizes his moment when she suggests marriage of convenience and Cam takes it planning on keeping Maxie no matter what. This is so sweet and steamy, a fun read, great characters and fast paced. I absolutely loved this story.

GMW

337 reviews1 follower

A hot, short & sweet insta-love story. Cam is back in Indigo Valley to work for the family business while restoring antique furniture in his limited spare time. Maxie came back for her grandmother's funeral. Her grandmother's will has some very unexpected specific provisions regarding her beloved house. In order to inherit the house she must be married and live in the house for a year. Cam & Maxie meet when he comes to the house to look at some furniture that is for sale. Maxie asks Cam to marry her, Cam is all in - she's thinks it's temporary - he wants forever. Another wonderful addition to this series!

Gab Mce

366 reviews

contemporary-small-town-romance

Cam is the quiet, resolved, resilient hero of the Murdock Brothers. His vibe is steady, sure of his actions and fully in love from the get go. I think this is what makes him my favorite. To be engulfed in a love that sure has to be a thing for the ages. Maxie just needs to catch up. She is beautifully strong and full of fight. She is smart and knows what she wants and that just might lead her to the love of her life. Indigo Valley is a small town full of these families that entertain us with their antics and are so full of love that you can't help but want to be immersed in their world. Sad that there is only one more book in the series left, but am waiting for it impatiently!

Reading Addict

1,091 reviews21 followers

November 23, 2025

The Murdock Brothers books have been a lot of fun. Cam and Maxie's story was another good addition. Cam and Maxie have known each other all their lives. Maxie worked hard to leave town and never really thought about coming back. Cam loves his life here and when Maxie shows up for her grandmother's funeral and runs into some problems, Cam takes this opportunity to not only help her out, but to give her a reason to stay permanently. Keeping My Wife is a hot, fast, small town romance. Perfect for a rainy afternoon of reading. It was told from dual POV and blends in nicely with the rest of the series.

Susanne M.

1,339 reviews3 followers

December 6, 2025

Was it for the dowry?

Grandma threw in a whopper of a surprise in her will. If you want to inherit....... get married. That stipulation was for both mother and daughter. Only they have totally opposite ideas for how to use the inheritance. Maxine wants to make a B&B out of her grandma's mansion in hopes of honoring her grandma. Cam and Maxine reunite at the estate sale and asked him to help her. Cam is thrilled! Now ... how to keep her. A moving story with well rounded characters and storyline. No cheating or cliffhanger and you get the beginning of a happy ever after. Enjoy 🤓

Perrin Larton

1,037 reviews12 followers

I am loving these hot short stories by Taryn Quinn. I've said it before and will say it again...these are perfect quick reads for a lunch hour or before bed!

Cameron Murdock is a carpenter and furniture restorer. When he turns up at an estate sale, he finds lots of furniture he would love to have. He is just about to leave when his teenage crush, Maxine, shows up. It is her grandmother's house and some of the treasures are being sold. Maxine is a gorgeous as ever and has a proposition for him. It's desperation on her part and a dream come true for Cameron!

Loved this story!

Brigid Brown

960 reviews23 followers

Perfect quick read!!

Oh man, I just love these Murdock Brothers books. There is something to be said about being able to immerse yourself into a story when you don't have a lot of free time - especially with the holidays upon us.

Keeping My Wife is one of those stories. I fell completely in love with Cam. He found himself in the right place, at the right time and found himself the opportunity of a lifetime - marry his teenage crush, Maxine. Oh the chemistry these two have!!! I just absolutely loved this story!!

lovestoread

969 reviews12 followers

November 23, 2025

Ha! So fun. Maxie is thrown for a loop when her grandmother passes. Her own mother was never really there for her. Her grandmother's will has created sparks and Maxie is not sure how she will deal with it.

Cam loves old furniture. He's curious to see what the Delacroix house holds. He's shocked when he finds Maxie at the house and even more when she springs her proposal on him!

I just love the Murdock fun. The family is so varied but there for each other. You don't mess with one of their own.

Andrea Smierciak

194 reviews1 follower

I absolutely loved Cam and Maxine's story. Max's grandmother passed away and she finds herself back in Indigo Valley and about to do the craziest thing to secure her inheritance and the house of her dreams. Cam has not seen Max in many years but has always had a crush on her. Cam loves working with his family but his passion is restoring antique furniture. Can a business arrangement turn into more? Will Max get taken advantage of my her mother? A must read in the Murdock family series!!!

Jenn Allen

3,270 reviews46 followers

2025-read-books arc marriage-of-convenience

I love this family so much and enjoyed every minute with Cam and Maxine. It's a quick read, but it doesn't feel like it. We get great characters, bits of tension with her mom, an amazing connection, and so much more. Cam's been crushing on her since they were young so there's a bit of a friendship already there to build from. The story flows well, and we get the growth of their relationship, and just how protective he can be. It's another must read in this series!

I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

Donna Hatridge

581 reviews32 followers

Maxie Delacroix was back in town, and after hearing her grandmother's will, her life had been turned upside down. Cam Murdock has had a crush on Maxie since he was a teen; now, as a man, he is falling hard and fast in love. For Maxie, what started as needing Cam's help led her to falling hard for the man who showed her he cared.
This is a short, steamy story perfect for this time of year, when everyone is busy, but you need a break to escape. I enjoyed this book and love the Murdock family.

Renaye hopkins

322 reviews1 follower

In Keeping My Wife, Cam is offered the business opportunity of a lifetime by Maxie—his once–untouchable teenage crush. He leaps at the chance so fast that Maxie is left questioning what, exactly, she’s invited into her world. But when Cam proves he’s the real deal, the sparks they strike together make it clear there’s no limit to what they can build together.

A Murdock Brothers must-read, insta-love romance, with lots of spice and devoted family.

Nancy

1,139 reviews39 followers

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