Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book
Rate this book
What’s a movie star to do when she wants privacy for her wedding day? Pay someone else to stage a fake wedding half a world away, of course. Struggling artist Bree has been the great Maggie Tate’s decoy for a while now, but when the A-list actress asks her to play the star for three weeks to distract the paparazzi from Maggie's real wedding Bree has no idea what she’s getting herself into. Especially when she realizes she’s going to be isolated in one of the world’s most romantic settings with the bodyguard she can’t seem to stop drooling over. Retired football star Cross has always been driven to be the best at everything he does – whether that’s professional sports or personal protection. He doesn’t make mistakes. Ever. But when the sexy little decoy and her complete lack of impulse control start throwing him off his game, he’s about to discover that there are some things in life he can’t control. Like the irrepressible decoy… and his heart.

355 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 29, 2018

779 people are currently reading
299 people want to read

About the author

Lizzie Shane

31 books270 followers
Contemporary romance author Lizzie Shane was born in Alaska and still calls the frozen north home, though she can frequently be found indulging her travel addiction. Thankfully, her laptop travels with her and she has written her way through all fifty states and over fifty countries.

Lizzie has been honored to win the Golden Heart Award and HOLT Medallion, and has been named a finalist three times for Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA Award®, but her main claim to fame is that she lost on Jeopardy!

For more about Lizzie and her books, please visit http://www.lizzieshane.com. Happy reading!

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
191 (35%)
4 stars
200 (36%)
3 stars
106 (19%)
2 stars
37 (6%)
1 star
7 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
Profile Image for Coco.V.
50k reviews128 followers
Want to read
July 3, 2019
🎁 FREE on Amazon today (7/3/2019)! 🎁
307 reviews1 follower
June 26, 2019
Too much repetition and fill in to make a long book. It dragged on and on. I think I skipped as many pages as much as I read. I can't believe all the five stars. I wonder if we all read the same book? I agree with Kathryn. I won't read any more of this series. I'm glad I did not pay for this book!
Profile Image for Kathryn.
257 reviews1 follower
June 22, 2019
This was an okay read, had a lot of repetitive moments that started to get annoying. Overall it wasn’t bad but I don’t know if I’ll be reading any of the other books in the series. Definitely don’t care what happens with Maggie, she’s a terrible person celebrity or not. I don’t feel like she redeemed herself enough but apparently it doesn’t take much for Bree to forgive and forget.
Profile Image for Gale.
1,970 reviews22 followers
May 29, 2018
The Decoy Bride is ultimately about Bree Davies and Aaron (please just call him) Cross and Bree’s “job” as a body double/bride to be, planning a wedding, to throw paparazzi off the scent of the “real” bride. MAJOR oversimplification, truly, but know that the author writes a MUCH more interesting story.

When I first started reading, I thought Bree and Cross were so very different. Turns out, these two characters knocked me for a loop with just how alike they are. They are both passionate about their work – or are they? – they are both great at what they do – but are they really? – and their road to the end of their story and relationship has many twists and turns. Both Bree and Cross have backgrounds that they still need to deal with and both of the stories will make you crazy and break your heart.

I really liked when Bree came into her own (you will not get spoilers from me; Ms. Shane does a MUCH better job of telling the story than I ever could) and held her ground against the world, including Cross. She spent a lot of the book hating how she had to act in order to deflect the press’s attention but she never really said ‘wait a minute!’ Sorry to be cryptic however the book, at least for Bree’s character, really comes full circle, IMHO. Some of the revelations, at the end of the story, surprised me, but it really fits and made her a great character.

I liked this book, it is a standalone, but characters from previous stories show up and I enjoyed knowing who they were. All in all, a good read for me.
Profile Image for Cait M.
1,373 reviews11 followers
December 5, 2021
3.5 stars
Bree is a struggling artist whose latest work has been labelled pedestrian, lacking soul. She loves her photography but is at a crossroads deciding if she should stick it out in California or return to her small hometown in defeat.

To make ends meet, she acts as a decoy for a famous and beautiful actress Maggie Tate. Maggie is eloping and wants Bree to get the paparazzi off her tail for 3 weeks. She sets Bree up on a tropical island with her manager, an identical 'decoy' dog and her security detail to pretend to plan Maggie's wedding, all while the real Maggie is off somewhere else getting married and having her honeymoon in privacy.

Head of security for Bree is Cross a famous ex-NFL player. Cross and Bree form an immediate bond while under the close quarters of the island. They must pretend to the staff that Bree is Maggie the whole time and it wears them down. Bree and Cross struggle to keep up the act, when the attraction between them heats up.

Cross is under personal pressure when he discovers his late father's affair and child with his mistress. He has spent his life in the shadow of his father's incredible NFL career and 'perfect' reputation. He has also spent the last few years and millions of dollars building a state of the art football facility in his hometown to honour his father's legacy. So when he discovers the secret his mother kept hidden for so many years he doesn't know what to do. Bree is there to help him understand and process the situation, but everything starts to fall apart when the media catch a glimpse of the "movie star" kissing her security guard instead of her fiancee.

Well written story with all the right tropey feels.

This book contains descriptive love scenes.
487 reviews2 followers
June 26, 2019
This is really a great book I stayed up well into the morning hours reading it with a box of tissues close at hand. Bree is literally a starving artist. She has just taken a group of her best pieces to a gallery owner and gets a hit that she didn’t expect. To make ends meet she is also a decoy for the actress Maggie Tate. She is called on to partake in a huge assignment for Maggie. Something that she had never had to do this long of a time period. She is really nervous about doing this but she also in desperate need of the money. Not wanting to move home to her parents home and admitting defeat. She also doesn’t want to let Maggie down; will she be able to keep it together for Maggie?

Aaron Cross is now in the security business. Being an ex pro NFL player they hired him on after his career ending injury. Aaron is a highly driven individual, and has felt enormous pressure to measure up. He will be protecting the decoy as Maggie Tate goes off to get married in a private ceremony. He doesn’t know that much about the decoy, and is not even sure if he could tell the two women apart. Once he starts working with Bree she brings new questions to his mind and helps him to answers some things in his own life.

This is such a great story that it really should speak for itself to the reader. I loved it. Bree is an interesting individual. I wish I had a friend like her.
447 reviews4 followers
May 29, 2018
Bree is a artist waiting for her big break and has a side job as a decoy for the famous actress Maggie Tate. When Maggie calls this time Bree has the ultimate job to pull off, pretend to be making wedding arrangements on a private island while Maggie is really off getting married. Bree had just gotten some disappointing news about advancing her career when Maggie called. Cross, the bodyguard sent to protect her, has issues he is trying to work through, living in the shadow of his deceased but famous NFL father. He gets some other unsettling news while on the island which really confuses everything he's ever believed. Even though Cross and Bree have worked together before, it had been for hours at a time not weeks at a time. The connection between these two is very apparent and leads to a whole other set of problems to defuse! Neither think they are good enough or maybe even want HEA. They eventually find out they really are good and even better together! This is the 5th book in the Bouquet Series but can be read as a stand alone. I received an ARC from the author and am voluntarily leaving my review
54 reviews
June 12, 2018
Bree Davies is a struggling artist who after ten years in Los Angeles is on the verge of giving up on her dream. The opportunity to play decoy for movie star Maggie Tate will give her a financial boost and help her to keep that dream alive a little longer. Aaron Cross, former football star who was secretly happy to walk away from the game, has spent his life trying to live up to his late father's reputation. He now works as a bodyguard for Elite Protection and his latest assignment is to protect Bree as she pretends to be Maggie Tate planning her wedding. Bree is impulsive, speaks her mind, and makes Cross's job a challenge. He is tightly wound, difficult to read, and needs an infusion of Bree's free spirit. As the two get to know each other they find there is more than physical chemistry to bind them together. Great dialogue, a beautiful tropical setting, and two people who need to learn they are more than enough on their own but even better together, make for a fun read. Enjoy!
715 reviews9 followers
July 7, 2019
An engaging story that has a novel approach to mismatched lovers!

A little different format than most contemporary romance I've read! So, an A list actress needs a decoy to fool the paparazzi so she can wed outside the limelight! This requires her celebrity impersonator to spend 3 weeks at Carribean villa attracting the press to that location!
Self absorbed, but bodacious "Cross" provides protection as befit a movie star, while escorting aspiring artist and free spirit Bree as the decoy! It's cute,quirky and fun until the author gets bogged down in repetitive angst about self esteem issues that drag on........
There were some genuine insights about how people react to unwelcome betrayals as the protagonists eventually learn that we all are flawed and we need to accept imperfection!
One thing that annoyed my inner "bit..(e)" was how Bree calmly accepted clueless Cross back with open arms without making the fool grovel righteously! I really wanted him to beg but poof, okay were good! NOT in a million years! Seriously?
1,382 reviews10 followers
May 13, 2018
I really enjoyed reading this book.
It is a emotional, & sexy story.
Bree, is a struggling artist, living in LA.
She is also a decoy, for a popular actress. With a little help, they look identical. Bree's newest assignment is to be
a decoy bride-to-be, for three weeks,
while Maggie gets married in private,
in Fiji. Cross, is a former NFL player.
Since his retirement, he's been working
for a security company. Cross' next job
is to watch out for the decoy bride-to-be. Bree questions if she can pull off being Maggie Tate, 24/7. Bree & Cross' connection is undeniable. Not knowing when someone may be hiding with a camera. When the finally give in to their feelings, Bree wonders who Cross thinks he's kissing, her or Maggie. They're both strong people,
with their own insecurities.
Will Bree & Cross finally admit what they feel, & find their way to one another? Or will life have other plans?
A MUST READ FOR EVERYONE!!
Profile Image for Terri.
2,369 reviews52 followers
May 18, 2018
This book was a lot of fun. Bree is a woman who has been trying to capture her dream of being an artist for years. Unfortunately, she hasn't had a lot of support. Her art seems to be labeled mediocre by other artists and gallery owners. Her work lacks spirit. Her own parents don't even support her dream.
Cross is an ex-football star who always seemed to live in the shadow of his deceased football player father. He never seems to measure up...and people are always doing the comparing. He got out of football and never looked back.
Even though Bree is working as a look-alike decoy for a famous actress, Cross (who is now working for a security firm) sees only Bree when he looks at her. As things heat up between them, so does the emotional understanding that each needs. Cross says he'll never fall in love, but Bree just might be the touchdown his heart needs.
This book is sweet and sexy at the same time and I fell in love with both Bree and Cross.
463 reviews3 followers
June 7, 2018
This was a delightful change from the usual romance novel plot. Of course it has the hot guy and the beautiful woman, but neither one of them has the confidence that you usually expect from those characters.

Aaron Cross provides security and Bree Davies is a struggling artist. The connection occurs when she agrees to be the ‘double’ for actress Maggie Tate. She’s done this many times before when Maggie needs a day away from the press. This time is a little different – she wants to get married without the press and Bree will be planning the wedding on a beautiful island while the real thing happens elsewhere!

The author has definitely put some real thought into making the story unique and somewhat unpredictable. You will enjoy the change of pace and smile as you put yourself in their shoes!

I received an ARC from the author for an honest and unbiased review. No compensation was promised or received for this review.
Profile Image for Cheryl.
264 reviews2 followers
May 31, 2018
This was a great addition to the Bouquet Catchers series. Bree and Cross appear to be so different, she a struggling artist and decoy for a star, he a retired NFL player, now bodyguard for the famous. However, as they are forced to spend time together for a job, they slowly reveal their true selves. They find they are more alike than at first glance. Acting like lovers soon becomes the real thing, but will either of them recognize or admit to those feelings? This was my favorite book in the series. I enjoyed it immensely.

I voluntarily reviewed this advanced reader copy and I have not been compensated in any way.
642 reviews
June 26, 2019
Good story!

I love this tale of Bree and Aaron, who meet when she is employed as a movie star's double and he is the same star's bodyguard. The star is wanting some privacy for her upcoming wedding & honeymoon so she cooks up this idea of having her double go off to a Caribbean island, complete with her own bodyguard and others of her regular entourage, while the star & her real fiance take off to Figi to get married. Things go along fine for a few days but when Bree and Aaron give in to their own attraction things get "sticky" when they find there is a leak in the entourage. This was a very good story - a lot better, really, than I expected red. I recommend this book!
Profile Image for Cheryl.
1,912 reviews18 followers
May 30, 2018
I very much liked Bree and Cross's story, but I'll be honest and say it started off slow for me. I had to put it down and pick it back up more than once. It really caught my attention (and kept it) once they went off script and enjoyed some time away from the resort (not saying more...read the book!)
Both sweet and sexy, our couple was more alike...and more insecure about themselves...than at first glance. I'm not going to rehash the back blurb nor am I going to give away any of the plot. JUst buy the book and read for yourself!!

Thanks to NetGalley for the RC...all opinions are my own!
Profile Image for Terry Hammoutene.
1,447 reviews12 followers
June 7, 2018
Bree is a starving artist and in order to make money she gets paid to be a decoy for a famous actress. When the said actress decides to go away to get married she pays Bree a lot of money to be a decoy on a Caribbean Island. Cross is her bodyguard. He is to die for. What fun this becomes to try to keep things professional when the tension is hot. When they realize their is a traitor in their mist the story gets even more interesting.

This story moves fast from the beginning to end. It is a great read.


** I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review**
513 reviews17 followers
June 7, 2018
It is said that everyone has a doppelganger. Bree is Maggie Tate’s, and Maggie gets what Maggie wants. I enjoyed this story, knowing all the while how it would go. Or so I thought. Bree is Maggie’s stand-in when Maggie wants privacy, and it’s worked for years, until now. Cross is a good guy, famous on his own, so watching him deal with Bree/Maggie and Cecil/Cecil II was fun.

This is a nice, fun, easy read about the rich and famous, and those who work for them. The locations were nice, too. A fun, easy read.
Profile Image for Barbara.
1,610 reviews22 followers
July 4, 2019
Nice storyline

This is the first story I’ve read by this author. I almost stopped reading when the F-bombs started dropping quite frequently, but I kept going because I wanted to see where the storyline went. In spite of the language and all of the sex, I did enjoy the story itself. The bodyguard and the decoy, both with feelings of failure throughout their lives, playing roles that end up going beyond play acting. Can it really turn into something more, and could it last when they returned to the reality that was their everyday lives?
14 reviews
June 5, 2018
Bree and Cross just exploded off the page for me! This is my favorite in this series so far. At first glance they are two very different people but are actually more alike than either of them thinks. Their chemistry was on fire! Bree is very impulsive and Cross is very driven. Throw extreme attraction into the mix and POW! I received a free advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
1,353 reviews
September 16, 2018
The Decoy Bride is the fifth book in the Bouquet Catchers series. Bree is tasked with a three-week adventure of fooling the paparazzi into thinking she is Maggie who is preparing for her wedding. Cross is Maggie's bodyguard, but he could be so much more. Cross and Bree's chemistry is powerful, but can they deal with their own issues and let down their guards long enough to find their true destiny? I really enjoyed this story, and I definitely recommend it as well as the entire series.
Profile Image for Kim.
1,688 reviews9 followers
June 29, 2019
Good plot with insecure heroine

This story starts with the heroine getting a big blow and that sets the tone for the rest of the book. The plot was good but the characters were very confused, lonely and insecure people. The hero and heroine are isolated in a beautiful location where romance flourishes. Then the heroine has to make a big discussion. She sticks to what is right but the hero is not as noble. This had a good ending that was well thought out. Good read.
312 reviews4 followers
May 17, 2018
What a great book. Bree is a starving artist that does a side job as a decoy for a movie star. Aaron is one of the bodyguards that protect the real and decoy movie star. Such a fun, sexy, and entertaining story. Truly loved this book. I was gifted this book. I voluntarily give my review. This is my honest review.
Profile Image for Liz.
546 reviews42 followers
May 30, 2018
Loved The Decoy Bride!!! The story of Bree & Cross just draws you in & keeps you reading for hours. I loved the story line & was so excited to read more in the series I bought the other 4 books in The Bouquet Catchers before I was even half way finished with The Decoy Bride. The books can be read as a stand alone.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Profile Image for Meryl.
1,509 reviews6 followers
July 14, 2019
Entertaining.

An easy to read, entertaining and endearing story. Cross and Bree’s relationship starts as a ruse, but as they spend time together they open up about themselves. Bree has a strong sense of humility that makes you connect with her. Cross, the big brooding bodyguard, hides his soft protective heart and is quite swoon worthy.
135 reviews
August 9, 2019
Life of a movie star.

Maggie Tate is the movie star and Bree, the want-to-be artist, looks enough like the star to be her decoy. Bree is used to being Maggie for four to five hours at a time but not three weeks! Oh and Bree has a crush on the body guard. Maggie has decided to marry her new boyfriend of two weeks. Very interesting how it all works out.
62 reviews
July 4, 2019
Jude

Enjoyed the light romance and the realist attitude toward life in this story. Characters are true and all are likeable. Love story at its best by an author who thinks her plots through,so they make sense. Good one.
744 reviews4 followers
July 6, 2019
Truth or False

Good book. Ever wonder how many famous actors use decoys. Action movies all have stunt people. What happens when decoy and bodyguard fall for each other. Where does the public persona stops just to fool paparazzi?
1,292 reviews1 follower
July 15, 2019
Illusions

Cross can't tell his famous client from her decoy double. He thinks that is a good thing until they spend seems together at a tropical resort. Bree has never done the double big for more than a few hours so this job is driving her crazy.
Profile Image for SynergyQuest.
2,029 reviews7 followers
July 15, 2019
Solid

The Decoy Bride is a solid romance. All the trope staples are present, and done well. If you enjoy contemporary romance that isn’t trying to break new ground, you’ll like this one.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.