The Three-Week Arrangement

Chase Brothers #3

by Sarah Ballance

Ethan Chase isn't interested in dating. After losing the woman he loved more than life itself, he'd much rather ride solo, but his family is dead set on fixing him up. To get them off his back, he hooks up with ultra-adventurous, ultra-temporary adventure photographer, Rue Campbell. All he has to do is survive three weeks in her orbit and he'll be single again, only without the pitying looks and pressure to move on.

Rue is literally counting the days until her plane leaves New York City. The last thing she wants is a relationship, but being Ethan's pretend girlfriend can't hurt, right? Wrong. With Ethan, there's no faking anything—in or out of the bedroom. With the sheets burning hot and the clock ticking on their arrangement, Rue realizes she's falling for a man guaranteed to derail her goals...and break her heart.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Chick Lit, Audiobook, Adult, Fiction

200 pages, Paperback

First published April 4, 2016

About the author

Sarah and her husband of what he calls “many long, long years” live on the mid-Atlantic coast with their six young children, all of whom are perfectly adorable when they’re asleep. She never dreamed of becoming an author, but as a homeschooling mom, she often jokes she writes fiction because if she wants anyone to listen to her, she has to make them up. (As it turns out, her characters aren’t much better than the kids). When not buried under piles of laundry, she may be found adrift in the Atlantic (preferably on a boat) or seeking that ever-elusive perfect writing spot where not even the kids can find her.

She loves creating unforgettable stories while putting her characters through an unkind amount of torture—a hobby that has nothing to do with living with six children. (Really.) Though she adores nail-biting mystery and edge-of-your-seat thrillers, Sarah writes in many genres including contemporary and ghostly paranormal romance. Her ever-growing roster of releases may be found on her website.

Reviews

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5ish Stars

“Sometimes falling in love with someone , or at least moving in that direction, is reason enough to take a chance"

Cute contemporary romance and as a bonus, for once the female MC didn't work my last good nerve.

Full review to come.

ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

[Irene · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

The Three-Week Arrangement was a heartwarming read.

I've really enjoyed the Chase Brothers series & I've been eagerly awaiting The Three-Week Arrangement, Ethan Chase's story. I'm very happy to report Sarah Ballance has not let her readers down.
She's written an entertaining, emotional, fun, sweet, frustrating and romantic read with lovable, passionate characters that shared a strong attraction with amazing chemistry.

I loved Rue, she was the perfect person to help Ethan learn to live and enjoy life again after the death of his wife, Amy.
With Rue's full of life personality Ethan couldn't help but open his heart & mind to the possibility of falling in love & being loved back. How rare was it for someone to find their perfect partner twice in one lifetime?



Overall I was very happy with how Ethan and Rue's relationship developed & the epilogue was a heartwarming look into the future that left me with no doubt that these two truly had found their HEA.

While each book in the Chase Brothers series can be read as a standalone, I highly recommend you read them all as you too will fall in love with the Chase Brothers.

Thank you to Entangled Lovestruck via NetGalley for the advance copy.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Are you ever in the mood for a fun, fast but very sweet romance…well do I have the book for you…
The Three-Week Arrangement is all that and more.

Ethan loved his wife with a singular devotion. When she died it devastated his world. No woman will ever take her place and he plans on never opening his heart to another one again.

When Rue accidentally uses Ethan as a buffer between her mother setting her up with a jerk, she never expected that word would get back to Ethan’s family. They are thrilled that he is finally moving forward with his life and it forces them to attend the social event together.

Rue isn’t looking for anyone serious, she is totally career minded. While her family wants her to become the socialite life she was born into.

Get the fire extinguishers ready, boy does Ballance know how to make it get hot. Proving once again opposites do attract, Ballance writes a story you can sit back and savor.

I received this ARC copy of The Three-Week Arrangement from Entangled Publishing, LLC - Lovestruck in exchange for a honest review. This book is set for publication April 4, 2016

My Rating: 4 Stars

Written by: Sarah Ballance
Print Length: 172 pages
Publisher: Entangled: Lovestruck
Publication Date: April 4, 2016
Sold by: Macmillan
ASIN: B01CXOYM9A
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Three-Week-Arra...

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-t...

[Chris C - A Midlife Wife · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book in the Chase Brothers series from this author and the second one that I have read and reviewed. I was thrilled to find that this one was just as good as the last.

Introducing Ethan Chase, a delicious specimen of a man.

This book is so opposite of the last Chase Brothers book it is almost funny. Ethan had lost his wife and has no interest in women but was thrown into pretending to date Rue to keep their families off their back. Seems innocent and easy to do until he started actually enjoying himself and liking the fact he is around her.

I love the interaction between the two. This is a fast paced read, with plenty of family interference for some laughs and anxiety along the way. We have to survive the heat buildup between these two for quite a while before they decide it is worth becoming involved, but the scenes are steamy, sweaty, and panty dropping too!

I love how the author depicted Ethan. Slow to realize his feelings and yet very afraid to make a commitment too. Rue on the other hand - I love her energy and the fact she made Ethan stretch his comfort zone. Definitely polar opposites that somehow figure out something that works for them.

The author knows how to write a hot scene and she does not disappoint in this book. With plenty of steam and a fast paced read, this is a fun addition to the Chase Brothers series.

[Maria Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

When a chance encounter brings Ethan, still grieving the loss of his wife to cancer three years earlier and Rue, three weeks away from chasing her photography dream (away from New York, to the horror of her society parents), together, she inadvertently puts Ethan into a situation he never expected - being her date at a charity benefit, that as it so happens both of their mothers are involved in. Ethan doesn't have the heart to tell his mother that it's all a mistake when she appears so thrilled that he's finally moving on, so he and Rue make a deal to pretend to be involved for the duration of her time left in New York, followed by an easily explainable breakup when she heads off to South America. But as they spend time together, the attraction between them leads to a relationship that is more than in name only. Will Ethan be able to finally let go of the past and take hold of an exciting future with Rue?

I've been waiting for Ethan's story after seeing him as a secondary character in the previous stories in the series where his brothers met their partners. He's always come across as reserved and quiet, no surprise as he's still been grieving the loss of his wife and unable to move on. Meeting Rue, who has no idea of his past when she meets him and therefore treats him without sympathy or pity is refreshing and makes him aware of how much his current state has to do with the expectations of friends and family. Though she does find out almost right away about his loss, she still treats him as she would any other attractive man, something Ethan must adjust to, having considered himself off the market for so long. Having him slowly come out of shell and start to live again was wonderful to see. It's natural that he feels guilty for starting to have feelings for another woman, and watching him deal with that and accepting that his wife would have wanted him to be happy was emotional but heartwarming too.

Rue was such a fun character! She's lively and spirited and plain spoken. She doesn't try to take the place of Ethan's wife and is accepted by his family on her own merit. It doesn't take her long to fall for Ethan, even knowing that it's not supposed to be anything more than a friendly arrangement between them. But she's got too big a heart not to want to share it with him.

The scenes between Ethan and his brothers are some of my favourites, the banter between giving lots of laugh out loud moments as they initially question the validity of his relationship with Rue, and then encourage him to fix things with her when he inevitably screws things up. There are some really adorable scenes involving the shelter where Rue is volunteering her time to photograph animals as part of their adoption campaigns (which results in Ethan adopting his own rescue dog much to Rue's delight). The more Ethan fights his attraction to Rue, the more he falls for her, and the eventual love scenes between them are sweet and sexy. They really made a wonderful match and I found the story a delightful romantic read that I wanted to start all over again as soon as I finished. This series is easily one of my favourites. 5 stars.

"Ethan, could you please---"
She lost her ability to speak when he blew on one nipple, simultaneously circling the other with a fingertip. "I'm beginning to think," he said, his lips barely grazing her tight flesh while she squirmed,"that you might like it rough."
Her semi-coherent thoughts didn't manage to form words.
"Or maybe you just like it deep," he said. "Solid. Full. Un. Mis. Take. Able."
He punctuated each word by touching his lips to her poor, tortured breast. He didn't take her in his mouth - no, that would be too merciful.
"I definitely like it deep," she said. God if she could only breathe. "And I like it hard. And I want it sweet. And I want it rough. I want to know every side of you, so--"
He sucked her into his mouth then, and the pleasure was so blisteringly harsh that it was almost pain. The only thing she managed was to hold on to him while his tongue laid claim to the best sex she'd ever had.
Only. His. Tongue.
His tongue and one nipple.
She was so screwed.

Note : a copy of this story was provided by the publisher via NetGalley for review.

This review appears as a blog post at : http://straightshootinbookreviews.com...

[Lexy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought that this book was good

[Lisa (Remarkablylisa) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Elaine - Splashes Into Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm so glad that Ethan has his own story with a HEA! I've enjoyed reading about the escapades of the Chase brothers and the author has skilfully made the reader feel that I've grown to know the family through her stories. Having said that, I suspect that you could also read this as a standalone novel and thorough enjoy it.

Ethan had found love whilst in school and had been happily married to his childhood sweetheart until she tragically lost her battle with cancer three years ago. He's been going through the motions of living ever since but has protected himself against further heartache by barricading his emotions away, keeping his heart protected and avoiding any possible romantic relationships. However, after trying to help a damsel in distress, a feisty elderly citizen assumes the worst and tries to deter him by attacking with a spraying water hose, drenching him! So much for gallantry being rewarded! This then introduces him to the young lady in question and, after a somewhat reluctant arrangement is brokered between the two, life is about to take a turn for the better as they both try to ensure their family and friends believe they are in a relationship with each other - if only for the three weeks she'll be in the country. As they say, the best laid plans ......

This is a great romance, with a strong male lead who has closed himself away from relationships after his wife's untimely demise. How his self protective layer is broken down following an accidental encounter is portrayed brilliantly. The reactions of family and friends are central to the story, as are all the animals involved! The plot is well structured with plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader guessing how everything can be resolved in the end. A great addition to the series, all of which I have no hesitation in highly recommending to anyone who enjoys reading romantic stories about families, where past grief is overcome to enable a future HEA to be achieved. I can't wait to eat Liam's story!

Thanks to the author, publishers and NetGalley, too, for letting me read an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Cyndi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our hero met the love of his life in high school. He was so happy until he lost her way too young. He buried an important part of himself with her. When he meets our heroine and introduces her to his family he realizes how much they have all been worried about him. So he asks her to fill in as his fake girlfriend to ease their fears until she has to go back home.
Our heroine is an adrenaline junky. She travels the world as a photographer, taking chances to get the best picture. Settling down is the last thing on her list.
A great story with so many emotions. Can he ever open his heart to another woman? Can she slow down enough to let someone in? Can he fall in love with a woman that seems to chase death? Can she fall in love with a man that seems to want to clip her wings? You'll have to read the book for the answers.😘

[Suze · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ethan isn't ready to date. He's lost his wife three years ago and still misses her very much. His family wants him to be happy again and his mother and brothers constantly worry about him. When he meets Rue an opportunity presents itself. She needs someone to show her parents and the man who doesn't take no for an answer that she's already taken and he can give himself some breathing space at family occasions. Rue will leave the country in three weeks, so there's no way they can get attached to each other. They know it's temporary and that it isn't real. Only when they start spending more time together Rue discovers she likes Ethan a lot. Is the short time she has with him worth the heartache she will have later?

The Three-Week Arrangement is a wonderful story about two people who are each other's opposites. Ethan is careful and thinks twice before he does anything. He doesn't want to get hurt again and he doesn't mind being on the sidelines. Rue has only got one goal and that's living. She likes danger and she loves a thrill. For her work she needs to be fearless and that's exactly what she is. She's fabulous. Ethan is such a generous and kind guy. He's absolutely wonderful. They have a great connection, but there are also plenty of obstacles.

I liked this story a lot, mainly because both of the main characters have such a distinctive personality. They're likable and they stand out. I also enjoyed reading about the animals and their love for them. The Three-Week Arrangement is a very romantic story with two main characters who are made for each other. I love this series and highly recommend it. You can read this book as a standalone as well, but why do that when there are more good stories to enjoy?

[Tracy Kellies · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favourite in the series but a good book nonetheless. Thought I would like it more based on the rave reviews so to say I was disappointed is an understatement because I really expected way more. The ending was also a bit meh... I would still recommend it though...

[Bette Stanek · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Electric green eyes and a body that would make a nun sob for sweet relief stars. This one is better than book two; this series tends to do that with each book. It’s a cute, quick and somewhat quirky read. The plot has been used many times before but there are a few fresh twists in this one. There’s lots of fun and witty banter between characters, just like there has been in this entire series. There’s also plenty of snark.

Ethan is the #3 brother, married his high school sweetheart, she died, and he’s been existing ever since. Rue is bound for wandering and about to take off for anywhere but NYC. Their attraction has an expiration date, which is really the main attraction anyway. They come to an agreement that is mutually beneficial and the story takes off from there. There is a lot packed into this book and it’s all fun.

[Elizabeth Neal · Rating 5 out of 5]

**4.5 Stars**

What happens when the day you're revisiting your past, you find your future? As he does every year since losing his wife, Amy, to cancer three years ago, Ethan literally takes a walk down memory lane by walking down the street they lived on. This trip always brings his always present grief even more to the forefront, but this year he meets Rue, a woman that makes him feel something other than sorrow.

Rue on the other hand fully embraces life and views everything as an adventure. She is immediately attracted to Ethan, yet regrettably reins herself in...for the time being. *snicker* Rue is only in town for three more weeks before she embarks on her next adventure, an internship which could be a step towards fulfilling her dream of becoming a conservation photographer. Now if only Rue's Mom could be proud of her daughter aspirations, instead of embarrassed. *cough cough snob*

As Ethan and Rue are waiting for his clothes to dry, you'll have to read why LOL, Rue is bothered, yet again by Boyd, an elitist snob that feels she should jump at the chance to attend a charity gala with him and refuses to hear all the ways she tells him no. It doesn't help that her Mom is on Boyd's side either. Unfortunately, the tentative friendship that Ethan and Rue are forging is abruptly stopped when Rue, thinking they'll laugh about it later, says she's going with Ethan to the gala. Ethan, in a panic as he knows his Mom, also on the gala committee, will hear about it and assume he's ready to move on, quickly bolts. Once Ethan leaves, after the stream of smoke dissipates, Rue uses the be all and know all that is Google and realizes what today's date means for Ethan. *open mouth, insert foot sideways while wearing clown shoes*

When Ethan shows for Sunday's family dinner only a couple of hours later, his whole family is smiling at him with hope, not pity for once, in their eyes. That fact lessens the load on his shoulders a bit, a weight he didn't realize he felt. But, they have it wrong, he's not dating Rue, right?

Ethan soon realizes he and Rue can help each other out. They can "date," which will stop the smothering pity he's been feeling and Rue can finally get Boyd to go away. It sounds like the perfect solution. Ethan only needs a temporary fix and feels he's had his one chance at a HEA and Rue is leaving in three weeks and has never thought she wanted a long-term relationship. Of course, nothing could go wrong with this scenario...but everything could go right. *wink*

What do you do when your fake relationship starts feeling real, when you know your feelings are real? What happens when a man who never thought he'd love again, falls for a woman who never thought she'd want forever? Will Ethan ever be able to let go of his past and embrace a future, a future that he's realizing he not only wants, but also needs, with Rue? Or will he let her go, thinking he'll be holding her back from accomplishing her dreams if she stays? Will Rue lose her chance at happiness for the chance to live her dream? Or will she realize that her dreams, both professionally and personally, can co-exist, giving her a life she never knew she wanted?

One-click now and read this beautiful story of love, loss, loyalty, family, and second chances. You'll feel Ethan's pain and his hope for a chance to love and be happy again. You'll experience Rue's zest for life and her heartfelt wish to be that happiness for Ethan. While this is the third book in the series, I didn't read those books prior to this one and can honestly say I didn't feel at all lost when previous characters were mentioned. I feel the author gave us enough to help fill in some blanks, without said information being overwhelmingly present so as to detract from Ethan and Rue's story.

I do have to say I love the relationship between Rue and her brother, Ian, that's alluded to. Their tradition of trying to out-ugly the other in regards to pjs is hilarious. I also love that for Ethan it had always been Amy since meeting her his freshman year of high school. He loved her, and vice versa, and they both stayed true to that, even after he lost her to cancer. That, to me, is a beautiful thing, because he didn't drown his sorrow in liquor or women. He was grieving at his own pace and couldn't fathom loving, or being with, anyone else. Thank you for that as it was refreshing to read about a hero that didn't take the route that seems typical in a lot of stories nowadays. He's never once thought of, let alone been with, another woman until he meets Rue. She's his second chance at happiness and while he'll always love Amy, and it took him awhile to start living again, he and Rue fit together and he knows they could have something special. She's not Amy and doesn't have to be, nor does she try to be and Ethan doesn't want her to be...he just needs her to be Rue.

**I received a copy of this book from Entangled Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**

[Lena Baila · Rating 3 out of 5]

An ok read, nice , cute....

[Rê · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 “Great inner conflict” STARS

ARC via Netgalley

Thank you, Entangled!!

Well, let’s start by giving praise where praise is due, which in this case means high stakes. Talk about major inner conflict.

Ethan Chase’s major inner conflict.

Let’s be honest here… This was the typical third-person dual-POV romance, but Ethan was the main character. He had a richer back story and he was the one with the biggest decision to make. Solidifying his status as main character was the number of chapters dedicated to his perspective in comparison to Rue’s.

Ethan Chase was a man still mourning the loss of his wife three years after the fact. He wasn’t ready to let go yet. He wasn’t ready to move on. That showed me (as well as it did Rue) that Ethan was a man who loved with everything he had. It made loving him much easier and harder.

It was especially hard for Rue, a woman who was definitely not looking for love. Rue is the definition of free spirit. She wanted to conquer the world and she was ready to leave NYC as soon as she heard back from the photography internship that would take her far away from everything she knew, but toward everything she loved.

But Rue meets Ethan. Ethan meets Rue. And the life they didn’t think they wanted turns into everything they need.

I can’t say I fell madly in love with Rue, but I did like her a lot. How could I not? A free spirit like hers was bound to catch people’s attention. Rue lived life the way I wish I could; the way most people should. She truly lived it. And fewer things are more attractive than that.

Ethan, on the other hand, was barely alive, but I still felt a stronger connection with him. Again, maybe it was due to the amount of time we spent inside his head (as inside as third person allows). Maybe it was because I could see where he was coming from and where he was probably going to, something we didn’t have with Rue. She already knew what she wanted, and that was everything. Ethan, included.

There was a bit of insta lust there, I have to say. From the moment Rue set her eyes on Ethan, she wanted to jump his bones. Look, I get it. Sometimes we just meet a person we’re instantly attracted to and we want to get down and dirty. Being a normal person, you act accordingly and keep your fantasies in check. Although Rue was as far from “normal” as I could imagine (my friends and family don’t usually go around punching sharks and jumping from airplanes), she didn’t attack Ethan. She made him her ally.

Together, Ethan and Rue had their family and friends fooled. To keep her mom off her back and to keep his family happy, they pretended to be a couple (one of my favorite romance tropes – and the reason I requested this book). What I liked about it was that Rue and Ethan acted as a couple even when they weren’t being watched. They visited animal shelters together, he adopted a rescue dog she loved, they ordered take-out. They had sex. That’s not a spoiler. If you’re reading this, you’re hoping for some sexy times. I know it. You know it. No need to pretend.

You know who else wasn’t pretending? Ethan. Dude was falling madly in love with Rue while realizing perhaps she was too much to hold on to. How could he keep someone like her from living the life she wanted? How could he let her go when he wanted to live his life with her?

So, you see his drama now. But you won’t figure out how he gets out of this mess unless you read the book. I’d advise you to go do that soon because for a romance with a common trope, this one has stakes that will keep you turning pages.

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a good pretending story! And I do mean good. Some are too contrived and just wrong but this one gets pretending right! And once I started it, I didn't stop till it was done.

Ethan...I love that name btw...is three years past the death of this wife. He's fine. Really, he is. He'll tell you so. But he's shut down on living and just goes through the motions. His family worries so much for him but he never sees it until they believe he has a date to some fancy gala. And as it happens, Rue needs that date to avoid some unpleasantness. Perfect set-up for pretend relationship.

What I love about pretend relationships is that the couple never thinks they could work for whatever reason. But the pretending gets them together, may force a kiss or two and pretty soon they're shocked into emotions they weren't expecting. I love that. Because the best couples never saw themselves as couples.

I love that these two are so different. They really are opposite. Yet they are each what the other needs at this point in their life. I love that.

The relationship didn't feel rushed at all but genuine. As Ethan deals with feeling he hasn't felt in a long time, he pulls back often. That felt real. Rue is so outgoing and passionate that she's the perfect one to call him out on it or push him to take risks. It was a perfect blend of two opposites that just worked.

This is a quick read that I devoured in an evening. A perfect nights entertainment with a side of sexy and sweet.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

***ARC Provided by the publisher and NetGalley***

It is hard to review this one without spoilers...and even if I were to give all of the details away, it wouldn't matter, as it is the reading of the well-written story that draws you in. It's Ethan and how much you like him, and believe in him. After you get to know him, you understand how his family feels about him and why they so much want him to move on, because he has so much to give even when he is adopting dogs and stocking iced coffee in his refrigerator.

Rue is charming, and free, and so open to being with Ethan that it scares both of them, him more than her. The story is a journey for both of them, and it is told in such a way that you find yourself falling for both of them, feeling what they are feeling and hoping that it is going to work out for them so they get their HEA.

It's so hard to describe this adequately in a review, other than to say that Sarah Ballance lets you feel what the characters are feeling and it draws you in, completely. It is well written with great dialog and moments that just break your heart, before putting it back together again.

I highly recommend this one...it is going on my "re-read" list.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I loved Ethan and Rue's story. This book was filled with so much heart, bittersweet, heavy emotions. Or maybe that is how I felt for Ethan. He is a beautiful man, still loving his wife who passed away, struggling to go on. And then he meets Rue, making his whole life come alive. I loved the way she brought him out of his comfort zone, never pitied him, and even let him share his wife. This book was sweetly written that I could not put it down.

Rue was a fun woman, eager to do all life has, but a big heart for animals and certain chunky widowers. She was great on dealing with her mom and those in the upper social circle. She marched to the beat of her own drum and encouraged Ethan to do the same.

The familial glimpses we got with Ethan and his family were priceless. Their brotherly banter and interactions were hilarious. I adored their close knit bond.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review from the publisher through Netgalley.

[Steffi · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC recieved via Netgalley and Loveswept in exchange for an honest review.

I haven't read the first two book about the Chase brothers but I never had the feeling that I missed out anything. I never had problems finding into the story.

This book has some very strong and likeable characters who made me immdiately enjoy the story. Rue is a very strong and independent woman, she has certain aimes in her life she wants to achieve. But what will she do when her feelings are messing up those plans?!
Then we have Ethan who is stil struggling with life after losing his wife. He was described as a very down to earth man and it was easy to understand his struggles.
I really liked them both and they made a great couple.

This book is a very cute read with lots of romantic and funny scenes. I also enjoyed the writing style of Sarah Ballance. I am looking forward to read about the other Chase brothers.

[Katherina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I could have given four stars, but while there is nothing wrong with the book, it just wasn't as good as the previous book in the series. I do absolutely love Ethan's family, the boys tease and annoy each other, but also have each others back. Being "forced" to spend time together during their "arrangement" helps Ethan and Rue to realize that what you want is not necessarily what you need. For more romance reviews, check out my website: https://katherinasbooks.wordpress.com

[Isha Coleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

So much emotion was flowing through me when I read this story. The Three Week Arrangement will make you laugh, cry and scratch your head in puzzlement at times. Sarah Ballance's offbeat stories have a way of getting a person to see things differently with her great sense of humor and her heart stealing characters.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny, and touching. Ethan wedged his way into my heart and to watch him falling for Rue was endearing. Sometimes you read a book that brings many emotions to the surface and at times that's exactly how I felt. Yet, the funny moments and the crazy pets had me smiling like a fool.

I have to say I would definitely pulls this one out for a second read.

[Romancing the Book · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed by Danielle U
Book provided by NetGalley

The Three Week Arrangement   is the first novel I have read by Sarah Ballance. It's definitely one that makes me want to beg for more. The characters are shy, bold, and hot. Their dramas become your own. A young woman is bold and daring has a high socialite mother forcing her hand to a rich jerk. The same rich jerk who can't take a no for an answer. However, a solution pops up when her neighbor, a sexy man who has been constantly nagged not just by his mother but his brothers as well about isolating himself from the world. That is until a sweet, beautiful, dark blue-eyed sexy woman steps into his path. She needs a pretend boyfriend to get a jerk to leave her alone, and he needs a pretend girlfriend to get his family to leave him alone. But it's not too soon that both go from a three-week stand to wanting a forever after. Can they get a happily ever after or will the best thing that has happened to either of them walk away?

The Three Week Arrangement is hot, sexy, and perfectly sweet. I love how Sarah Ballance has woven together the right amount of sex, drama, and love all into one brilliant read. Trying to stop reading this book is difficult...you won't be able to...it lures you straight into its heart. Heart-pounding, sweaty, and an emotional journey that readers won't be able to deny reading. An absolute must read for all. Realistic relationships are shown inside of this fictional read that makes it super easy for the readers to not only connect with the story and characters but to follow along as the plot unfolds.  I loved reading this new romance. Overall, I highly recommend it to readers worldwide.

[Night Runner · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars for me!

My rating range of this story... 2 - 3.5
If significant, why? Every other minute of the story... I cannot be in a relationship or I am leaving to conquer the world.

Main Character Ratings...
H = 5 /10
h = 5/10

Was cheating involved? No
Any major triggers to be aware of?

Scenes with heat... Yes
What point does it start? 60%
How much of the story? 10%
Anything beyond M/F? No
If yes, explained

Heat Rating... 7/10
Clean or Fade to Black - 1 or 2
Normal to Descriptive 3-5
Detailed Descriptive Sex - 6-7
Um, Wow, Beyond Descriptive Sex - 8 or above

Was there so much sex or unrealistic sex that you rolled your eyes and/or skipped forward? Almost

The back story... The H lost his wife to cancer and cannot seem to move on. The h is doing all she can to stay out of the reach of her overbearing mom by traveling the world as a photo-journalist assistant.

The Romance... Builds as the spend time together during a fake relationship.

The drama explosion... The H freaks out
Did it feel real or contrived? A bit contrived
Was it OTT? A bit
Separation involved? Short
Was it resolved properly or rushed? Ok

Final Notes... Authors, we get it on the issues. My guess is that I skipped forward at least 45 minutes past the same repeated phrases and did not miss anything in the story.


HEA or HFN? HFN

[Karlee · Rating 5 out of 5]

On the anniversary of his wife's death, Ethan walked down the street of their old neighborhood. This year was different, he ran into Rue kicking her mustang because she had locked her keys in her car. Everything she owned was either locked in her car or her house. When she asked Ethan to break into her car while she broke into her house, Rue's neighbor drenched Ethan with her hose. With Rue feeling terrible, she invited Ethan inside so he can dry his clothes. A gala was coming up for a charity both were involved in, when Rue's mother calls her with excitement of Rue's agreement to go with the person she did not want to go with, Rue tells her mom she's already got a date and it's Ethan. Little does she know what that date was to him when he storms out of her place. However, word travels fast and Ethan's family is thrilled he's back in the dating world. With the two of them using each other for their own personal reasons, can the friendship they've developed and the lie of their fake relationship last? Or will it turn into more? Rue is ready to leave New York in three weeks and Ethan is still dating his dead wife. Find out in another great story regarding the Chase brothers!

[Jenn C Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received an ARC from NetGalley for an honest review.

I want a puppy. That's what I'm getting from this. Every time I read a book that features dogs to adopt, I wish I was in a situation where I could get a dog.

But I digress. Rue and Ethan are as different as two people could probably be and watching them come together was a lot of fun. It was also really heartbreaking and emotional because you understood how much he loved his late wife and you got how big of a heart Rue had for him to break. I'm not sure why Ballance left that weird cliffhanger with Boyd, but I'm assuming nothing came of that.

Also, I love when authors give us a little epilogue so we can check in on our HFNs to see if they're really HEAs.

[SandyL · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ethan Chase is a widower whose wife died five years ago and he hasn't dated since. Rue Campbell is an adventurer/photographer who doesn't plan to settle down - there is too much life to live! When the two meet, they discover they can help each other by pretending to be boyfriend and girlfriend until Rue leaves in a few weeks - Ethan can make his family happy that he's finally moving on and Rue can avoid a date with a friend of her parents. Funny thing - opposites do attract, even when it's not practical! Add in a pathetic looking dog and some hot chemistry and you have a fun and entertaining read! I haven't read the other books in the series, but I'm definitely going to go back and read them!!!

[Nanette · Rating 1 out of 5]

After a knockout 1st paragraph The book quickly dwindles into “are you kidding me?” Nothing adds up, the dialogue is inane, the characters are too perfect and don’t suit their persona (Not that I got very far enough to know whether Ethan fit his persona). Rue is a conservation photographer who “kicks the crap out of a vintage mustang” only to find the visual crash since she’s wearing a tight fitting vintage dress and heels where she can barely walk. I guess she was tapping the tires with her toes. I suppose she doesn’t mind getting dirty when she’s on the job. And poor Ethan the widower—apparently it takes him three years to realize just going on a few dates would relieve his family and their pity and they’d get off his back.

[Victoria Sturlini · Rating 5 out of 5]

SUCH A SWEET, HEARTWARMING, BEAUTIFUL STORY!!!!

Loved this story.... Loved the kindness, and understanding of grief that was evident throughout the whole story. It was an upbeat beautiful, sexy, romantic and very funny story, yes, but it also was "real" and heartwarming about how difficult it us to move on sometimes but it is worth it to try! Love this family.... Love how they love and tease each other... The banter is so how families act... Sarah's characters are so life like you get caught up in the story like they are your friends!!!! Give this series a try... You will not regret it!

[Myprivatebookclub · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a very short and quick read - the exact thing that I needed at the time!

Ethan was scarred and although I am not very fascinated by men, who always drag their past with them, somehow the quietness and pacific attitude of Ethan did not disturb me. I also enjoyed the brothers' conversations, I have a sister so manly talks always have an interesting thing for me.

I also liked Rue, her openness to novelty, her business, her approach to new and old things -she was a nice character.

I guess the entire "brothers' series" is quite popular, so I may also dig with the stories of the remaining brothers, because, as usual, I have started the series from the 3rd book ahahahhah.