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Even Better Than the Real Thing
>b>He's the heir to a fortune. He’s my aloof, intimidating, insanely handsome boss. And he just asked me to marry him.
Hayden Stuart is the quintessential English lord. He went to the most exclusive private schools. He hangs out with royals and other richy rich A-listers. His summer home is a castle.
Whereas I grew up on a peanut farm in Georgia.
When the spit hits the fan for Hayden, he asks me to be his wife. He makes it very clear to me that this is all for show.
Totally temporary.
Business only.
This is not a fake husband with benefits situation.
Of course I say yes.
Who wouldn’t want to live in a castle and have a staff take care of your every need? This is Beauty and the Beast, complete with the freaking library. Only Hayden’s crazy hot and knows how to eat soup without slurping it all over the place.
The problem is, the more time I spend pretending to be Hayden’s wife, the more desperate I feel to believe the lie.
And it’s not just about the castle.
It’s about the man.
Even Better Than the Real Thing is a swoon-worthy, uber-fun, opposites attract romance about a fake marriage between two people who couldn't be more wrong for each other. It comes complete with a fabulous bestie, snarky staff, an evil stepbrother, and pastries fresh from the oven.
Hayden Stuart is the quintessential English lord. He went to the most exclusive private schools. He hangs out with royals and other richy rich A-listers. His summer home is a castle.
Whereas I grew up on a peanut farm in Georgia.
When the spit hits the fan for Hayden, he asks me to be his wife. He makes it very clear to me that this is all for show.
Totally temporary.
Business only.
This is not a fake husband with benefits situation.
Of course I say yes.
Who wouldn’t want to live in a castle and have a staff take care of your every need? This is Beauty and the Beast, complete with the freaking library. Only Hayden’s crazy hot and knows how to eat soup without slurping it all over the place.
The problem is, the more time I spend pretending to be Hayden’s wife, the more desperate I feel to believe the lie.
And it’s not just about the castle.
It’s about the man.
Even Better Than the Real Thing is a swoon-worthy, uber-fun, opposites attract romance about a fake marriage between two people who couldn't be more wrong for each other. It comes complete with a fabulous bestie, snarky staff, an evil stepbrother, and pastries fresh from the oven.
332 pages, Paperback
First published April 7, 2022
314 people are currently reading
5305 people want to read
About the author
Melanie Summers
54 books1,105 followersMelanie Summers is a multi-award-winning, Amazon best-selling author of romantic comedies and women’s fiction. She’s written over thirty-five books for people who have 'had it up to here' with the real world and need to laugh, feel good, and sigh happily. When she’s not writing or reading, she's usually out for a walk with her adorable dog, Nelson, hanging out on the beach with her husband and their three almost-grown kiddos, or curled up on the couch for family movie night. Melanie resides on Vancouver Island, Canada where her life goal is to become one of those fabulous people who take daily ice baths in the ocean. So far, she can get in up to her ankles, which is not too shabby.
Melanie Summers also writes under the name M.J. Summers
Melanie Summers also writes under the name M.J. Summers
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 258 reviews
September 1, 2024
Summers, you’re too good to use the ‘fake marriage’ trope, and the cliche of a man not believing in love. But despite all that, it was an enjoyable read and I loved the banter.
April 26, 2022
Okay, THIS BOOK -- wow!! I'm speechless. It was so cute and funny, the perfect romantic comedy for anyone out there! Absolutely my favorite read this month, and I've already read 38 books in April. The main character is so relatable and quirky, yet messy it's a perfect mixture. The male counter part is just completely opposite. But by the end, they go together like Ying and yang. Absolutely unforgettable! The writing style was flawless and flowed beautifully, truly captivating the audience the entire time. The build up and character development along the way was so beautiful as well. A+!! I will definitely think about this book for a while. I am going to go straight to this author's page and check out more of her books now!!
This book was given to me by NetGalley and the publishers to read and review. All comments above are my personal opinions after reading this book in it's entirety.
This book was given to me by NetGalley and the publishers to read and review. All comments above are my personal opinions after reading this book in it's entirety.
April 10, 2022
I am always up for a good marriage of convenience book so I was looking forward to read this one. Finley Green is very ambitious and wants to impress her mentor but for that she needs access to Hayden Stuart's estate where his family's antique art collection is stocked up. At the same time, Hayden is stuck in a predicament and he has no choice but to find himself a wife no matter how much he despises the concept of love and relationships in general. The book was enjoyable and the chemistry between Hayden & Finley was undeniable but somehow I couldn't feel the connection. It took me a while to get into the story because the first few chapters felt really slow but as the book progressed, I started to like the playful conversations between Hayden & Finley. Both of them had very strong opinions and I found myself understanding Hayden's pov more than Finley tbh. Overall, it was a sweet story. Lighthearted and short, you can binge read it in a day. Though the ending was abrupt and I was quite disappointed with the way some things turned out tbh so it was more of a 3.5 star read for me.
Thank you Netgalley & Xpresso Book Tours for this ARC
Thank you Netgalley & Xpresso Book Tours for this ARC
October 31, 2022
Estuvo muy lindo 😍
Amé la forma en la que los protagonistas se conocieron, estuvo muy divertido jajaja y cuando Hayden le propone matrimonio a Finley. No tengo mucho más que decir, es un buen libro de matrimonio por conveniencia entre un jefe y su empleada y la verdad tuvo mucho más 🔥 de lo que me esperaba.
Así que sí lo recomiendo, Hayden es súper adorable 😍
“I hope she knows I loved her more than I’ve ever loved another human being, as limited as I am in showing it.
I hope she knows she’s enough just as she is, and that the fault lies entirely with me, and not with her because she is perfect. ”
Amé la forma en la que los protagonistas se conocieron, estuvo muy divertido jajaja y cuando Hayden le propone matrimonio a Finley. No tengo mucho más que decir, es un buen libro de matrimonio por conveniencia entre un jefe y su empleada y la verdad tuvo mucho más 🔥 de lo que me esperaba.
Así que sí lo recomiendo, Hayden es súper adorable 😍
“I hope she knows I loved her more than I’ve ever loved another human being, as limited as I am in showing it.
I hope she knows she’s enough just as she is, and that the fault lies entirely with me, and not with her because she is perfect. ”
November 1, 2022
-Matrimonio Falso
-British Nobility
Hayden Stuart necesita una esposa para heredar el título de Conde, y poder destruir el legado de su familia como venganza.
Finley Greene está haciendo su tesis doctoral en Historia del Arte, y la profesora que quiere que la asista, le pide que obtenga acceso a la propiedad de los Stuart bajo cualquier medio necesario para aceptar guiarla.
¿Solución? Matrimonio. 😏
Me encantaron esos dos. Me hacían reír demasiado.
Pasan del te odio, al me agradas, y finalmente al no puedo vivir sin ti. 🤣
Bravo Hayden por defender el honor de los ingleses.😆 👏🏼
📖
I inhale the scent of his aftershave and his skin and I swear, it causes me to drop an egg. Maybe four.
_
If Shakira was right and the hips really don’t lie, I’d say my husband might be more than a little into me.
_
“I love you. You are my home.”
-British Nobility
Hayden Stuart necesita una esposa para heredar el título de Conde, y poder destruir el legado de su familia como venganza.
Finley Greene está haciendo su tesis doctoral en Historia del Arte, y la profesora que quiere que la asista, le pide que obtenga acceso a la propiedad de los Stuart bajo cualquier medio necesario para aceptar guiarla.
¿Solución? Matrimonio. 😏
Me encantaron esos dos. Me hacían reír demasiado.
Pasan del te odio, al me agradas, y finalmente al no puedo vivir sin ti. 🤣
Bravo Hayden por defender el honor de los ingleses.😆 👏🏼
📖
I inhale the scent of his aftershave and his skin and I swear, it causes me to drop an egg. Maybe four.
_
If Shakira was right and the hips really don’t lie, I’d say my husband might be more than a little into me.
_
“I love you. You are my home.”
April 11, 2022
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫 (4.5)
Steam Level: 🔥🔥🔥 (mildly descriptive sex scenes)
Trigger Warning: divorce, death of a parent
Finley Greene is hoping to land a spot with her dream PhD advisor, but the only problem is that she needs access to the art collection owned by her boss, Hayden Stuart. When she approaches Hayden to ask for a favor, she finds out he needs something too: a wife. The only way he can get the title of Earl and inherit his family fortune is by being married. The two agree to a marriage of convenience with the understanding that neither one of them is looking for real love. But as they spend more time together, they realize they may have trouble sticking to their original agreement. Will their fake marriage turn into true love or will they be able to part ways once they've gotten what they wanted out of the arrangement?
I really enjoyed Finley and Hayden's story! The first few chapters had me hooked, and I was really invested in both characters. These two had some really great chemistry, and their physical connection was undeniable. I loved that they spent time getting to know each other and had some tender moments in addition to the steamy ones. I also really loved both of their friends- Caleb and Chalani. Caleb and his wife did a great job helping Hayden see that he was capable of love, and Chalani was a great support system for Finley. I did get a little bored with Finley's advisor and the PhD thesis, but thankfully those parts of the story were brief and didn't overshadow the romance. I'm definitely looking forward to reading more from Melanie Summers in the future!
Thank you Netgalley and Xpresso Book Tours for providing me with an ARC of this book.
Steam Level: 🔥🔥🔥 (mildly descriptive sex scenes)
Trigger Warning: divorce, death of a parent
Finley Greene is hoping to land a spot with her dream PhD advisor, but the only problem is that she needs access to the art collection owned by her boss, Hayden Stuart. When she approaches Hayden to ask for a favor, she finds out he needs something too: a wife. The only way he can get the title of Earl and inherit his family fortune is by being married. The two agree to a marriage of convenience with the understanding that neither one of them is looking for real love. But as they spend more time together, they realize they may have trouble sticking to their original agreement. Will their fake marriage turn into true love or will they be able to part ways once they've gotten what they wanted out of the arrangement?
I really enjoyed Finley and Hayden's story! The first few chapters had me hooked, and I was really invested in both characters. These two had some really great chemistry, and their physical connection was undeniable. I loved that they spent time getting to know each other and had some tender moments in addition to the steamy ones. I also really loved both of their friends- Caleb and Chalani. Caleb and his wife did a great job helping Hayden see that he was capable of love, and Chalani was a great support system for Finley. I did get a little bored with Finley's advisor and the PhD thesis, but thankfully those parts of the story were brief and didn't overshadow the romance. I'm definitely looking forward to reading more from Melanie Summers in the future!
Thank you Netgalley and Xpresso Book Tours for providing me with an ARC of this book.
May 13, 2022
Even Better Than the Real Thing was a nice, fun and sexy story story with all the feels.
I've read some of Melanie Summers' previous works and this is definitely hotter but still enjoyable.
Finley is an American woman who studies art and works in England, she needs access to the artistic treasures of Pemberton Hall for her PhD, the only obstacle is that the art collection is kept under lock and key. Hayden is the new Earl of Pemberton but he has to be married to keep the title, so when one of his employee asks to let her visit his manor he proposes a pretend wedding to solve both of their problems.
This is only the begin of their journey, will they honor the contract? Or will they fall in love for real?
I couldn't get enough of these characters and their fake dating plan to achieve their different goals.
Finley is a force of nature, her passion for art is contagious and I love when she lets her southern accent free. Hayden is a pretty closed up man, he is scared of love because of his not so joyful younth, but it was a pleasure to see him growing and to finally understand that he deserves to be happy and that he is also able to love and to be loved by the right woman.
I didn't think they were the best match for each other, coming from very different worlds, but I'm glad I was wrong, because they are cute together and they have a great physical chemistry.
The secondary characters were really fun too, I hope to see them again.
April 12, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley and the Indigo Group for an arc of this book! This was great, fake dating/ marriage is my favorite trope and when he said the infamous Will Smith Oscar line I fell in love with Hayden.
April 26, 2022
Asla hayal ettiğim gibi bir hikaye değildi. Hatta orada neden romantik komedi ibaresi var anlamadım. Kurgu, karakterler arası duygu geçişi... Olmamış.
Anlaşmalı evlilik-sevgililik temalı kitapları severim. Temaya o kadar aşinayım ki çoğu şeyi bilir, tahmin ederim. Ama klişe bile değildi. Sıkıldım ben okurken.🤷🏻♀️🙈
Anlaşmalı evlilik-sevgililik temalı kitapları severim. Temaya o kadar aşinayım ki çoğu şeyi bilir, tahmin ederim. Ama klişe bile değildi. Sıkıldım ben okurken.🤷🏻♀️🙈
November 1, 2022
Ayyyyy lo lindo y divertidos que fueron Finley y Hayden ✨
Lo ameeeee una lectura ligera, divertida, fake marriage, el es un Conde, ella su empleada Ahhhhh 😍 AMO...
Aunque no faltaron l@s insoportables 🙄
Lo ameeeee una lectura ligera, divertida, fake marriage, el es un Conde, ella su empleada Ahhhhh 😍 AMO...
Aunque no faltaron l@s insoportables 🙄
May 2, 2022
Somewhere between 2.5 and 3 stars.
It was well written and engaging with decent, but kinda predictable plot and hilarious situations, that made me laugh many times but Immature and mediocre characters.
I especially didn’t like Finley’s family. They could’ve been a little more caring and supportive of her. Especially her sister and mother. They were very judgmental and criticised her relentlessly.
I loved heroine Finley and Chalani’s friendship. They were two peas in a pod.
I didn’t feel any chemistry between protagonists. Which was a rather bummer. But epilogue was cute and I loved that Finley didn’t forgive Hayden quickly.
Safe.
I expected At least the Gossip guy to get comeuppance but was severely disappointed.
ARC given By NetGalley.
It was well written and engaging with decent, but kinda predictable plot and hilarious situations, that made me laugh many times but Immature and mediocre characters.
I especially didn’t like Finley’s family. They could’ve been a little more caring and supportive of her. Especially her sister and mother. They were very judgmental and criticised her relentlessly.
I loved heroine Finley and Chalani’s friendship. They were two peas in a pod.
I didn’t feel any chemistry between protagonists. Which was a rather bummer. But epilogue was cute and I loved that Finley didn’t forgive Hayden quickly.
Safe.
I expected At least the Gossip guy to get comeuppance but was severely disappointed.
ARC given By NetGalley.
April 12, 2022
Mixed feelings
Light and playful, this started strong before fizzling along the way. There just wasn't enough time spent with our couple together, with too much telling and not enough showing. I loved the easy, lighthearted vibe and I'm always up for a marriage of convenience where opposites attract, but there also needs to be time spent on the page together to build that romantic foundation. It's a little sexier than Summers' usual, which worked well for the story, and I loved some of the humor. There's the foundation of a great read here, but the devil is in the details.
The story follows Hayden, a commitment-phobic Brit whose absentee father left a lasting impression. When Hayden's father passes away, he discovers that he'll need to get married in order to inherit. And Hayden really wants to inherit so that he can tear his father's legacy apart... yeah, he's got daddy issues. So when one of Hayden's employees asks for a major favor, he proposes a marriage of convenience. They'll both get what they want, then part ways as soon as possible. But spending time with Finley stirs up unexpected feelings in Hayden, and it's not long before their fake marriage begins to feel real.
I'm a fan of Summers' rom coms and have been loving marriage of convenience stories recently, so I didn't hesitate to pick this up. And it was a lot of fun at the start. The initial banter between Hayley and Finley was so much fun, and I was sure that I was going to be in for a great read. But somewhere along the way, they started spending more time apart than together. And there would be page after page with little to no dialogue. It just didn't do much to enhance the romantic relationship, and then the final act... well, it didn't help. There's a lot of good stuff going on in the story, but I'm left with a lingering sense of disappointment. Not one of my favorites from Summers, but it certainly did deliver a quick and funny read.
Light and playful, this started strong before fizzling along the way. There just wasn't enough time spent with our couple together, with too much telling and not enough showing. I loved the easy, lighthearted vibe and I'm always up for a marriage of convenience where opposites attract, but there also needs to be time spent on the page together to build that romantic foundation. It's a little sexier than Summers' usual, which worked well for the story, and I loved some of the humor. There's the foundation of a great read here, but the devil is in the details.
The story follows Hayden, a commitment-phobic Brit whose absentee father left a lasting impression. When Hayden's father passes away, he discovers that he'll need to get married in order to inherit. And Hayden really wants to inherit so that he can tear his father's legacy apart... yeah, he's got daddy issues. So when one of Hayden's employees asks for a major favor, he proposes a marriage of convenience. They'll both get what they want, then part ways as soon as possible. But spending time with Finley stirs up unexpected feelings in Hayden, and it's not long before their fake marriage begins to feel real.
I'm a fan of Summers' rom coms and have been loving marriage of convenience stories recently, so I didn't hesitate to pick this up. And it was a lot of fun at the start. The initial banter between Hayley and Finley was so much fun, and I was sure that I was going to be in for a great read. But somewhere along the way, they started spending more time apart than together. And there would be page after page with little to no dialogue. It just didn't do much to enhance the romantic relationship, and then the final act... well, it didn't help. There's a lot of good stuff going on in the story, but I'm left with a lingering sense of disappointment. Not one of my favorites from Summers, but it certainly did deliver a quick and funny read.
June 26, 2022
Even Better Than the Real Thing
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Romance
Format: Kindle eBook
Date Published: 4/7/22
Author: Melanie Summers
Publisher: Indigo Group
Pages: 332
Goodreads Rating: 4.25
Thank you to NetGalley and Indigo Group for providing a digital advanced readers copy of the book for me to read for my honest opinion.
Synopsis: Not so great being told I’ll only get accepted to the program if I gain access to my aloof, uppity, super grumpy boss’s private art collection. As it turns out, said boss—a one Lord Hayden Stuart—needs to get married to inherit his late father’s estate and earldom. And if there’s one thing Hayden Stuart is never going to want for real—it’s a wife. So, we strike up a deal: I marry him and go live at his castle, where I’ll have unlimited access to his collection, he gets his earldom, and when the estate is settled, we part ways forever. Because the more we’re together, the more I realize that, even though we’re from totally different worlds, we have a lot more in common than I ever could have imagined.
My Thoughts: This was a cute romantic read. Finley is so messy, yet relatable, while Lord Hayden is the opposite. While it does not appear that they would normally mesh well, it was a perfect match. The characters were well developed, had depth, Finley and Hayden had witty banter and amazing chemistry, and they were intriguing, grew throughout the story, and the supporting characters did not disappoint. The author’s writing style was complex, creative, and kept me engaged throughout the story. The ending felt rushed and I would like to have seen it drawn out a bit. Overall, a cute light romantic read.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Romance
Format: Kindle eBook
Date Published: 4/7/22
Author: Melanie Summers
Publisher: Indigo Group
Pages: 332
Goodreads Rating: 4.25
Thank you to NetGalley and Indigo Group for providing a digital advanced readers copy of the book for me to read for my honest opinion.
Synopsis: Not so great being told I’ll only get accepted to the program if I gain access to my aloof, uppity, super grumpy boss’s private art collection. As it turns out, said boss—a one Lord Hayden Stuart—needs to get married to inherit his late father’s estate and earldom. And if there’s one thing Hayden Stuart is never going to want for real—it’s a wife. So, we strike up a deal: I marry him and go live at his castle, where I’ll have unlimited access to his collection, he gets his earldom, and when the estate is settled, we part ways forever. Because the more we’re together, the more I realize that, even though we’re from totally different worlds, we have a lot more in common than I ever could have imagined.
My Thoughts: This was a cute romantic read. Finley is so messy, yet relatable, while Lord Hayden is the opposite. While it does not appear that they would normally mesh well, it was a perfect match. The characters were well developed, had depth, Finley and Hayden had witty banter and amazing chemistry, and they were intriguing, grew throughout the story, and the supporting characters did not disappoint. The author’s writing style was complex, creative, and kept me engaged throughout the story. The ending felt rushed and I would like to have seen it drawn out a bit. Overall, a cute light romantic read.
April 7, 2022
Universal
Finley's just got to get this position with the professor she idolizes. Then she finds out the only way she'll get that position - get her uber cold, emotionless boss to give her and the professor access to his family's art collection. Um yeah. Sure. Imagine her surprise when her boss eventually agrees, but only with his own caveat - enter into a marriage of convenience with him. She'll get the access and he'll get to claim his father's earldom and estate (and get the revenge he's seeking). No problem. Uh huh...because we all know that fake relationships rarely stay fake, especially when the two people end up being as perfect for each other as Finley and Hayden.
Grumpy/sunshine - check. Opposites attract - check. Marriage of convenience turned very real - check. And hot Brit and Southern belle - check!! I loved this sweet, a little spicy rom com. Finley was absolutely adorable and I loved the way she brought Hayden's frozen heart to life. Speaking of Hayden...oh boy but do I love it when the grumpy jackass falls and finds the love he wasn't expecting, wanting, or even believed existed. Hayden was so damaged, so cold, but I could just tell he was just waiting for someone to come along and tilt his world off its axis, and the way it happened was glorious. They are so darned cute together, I just wish Melanie would keep writing about them!
ARC provided by Wildfire Marketing Solutions for an honest review.
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April 10, 2022
Finley Greene grew up on a peanut farm in Georgia but moved to London to study art history when she was 18. She's now working full time as a data entry clerk at Stuart Private Equity while waiting to start her PhD program. The professor she's admired for years has agreed to be her advisor, provided Finley can persuade her boss, Hayden Stuart, heir to the Earl of Pemberton, to grant them access to his family's private art collection. Meanwhile, Hayden's father has just passed away, and he's shocked to learn that he must be married in order to inherit the title and estate. When Finley comes to him and asks for his permission to study his family's art collection, he realizes that she's the perfect candidate to help him with his marriage problem. Once they've eloped, however, each starts to see that their temporary marriage of convenience might not be so convenient after all. Will their fake relationship turn into real love?
I absolutely adored this funny, sweet fake relationship romance, which featured likeable, three-dimensional characters and an engaging plot. After watching his parents' marriage implode and suffering from their neglect all his life, Hayden came to the conclusion that all relationships were transactional and that marriage should be avoided at all costs. Finley managed to break down his walls and prove that not everyone loved him for what he could give them. He didn't make it easy for her, but his apology at the end was obviously heartfelt and showed exactly how much he'd changed because of her love.
The book's supporting characters were a ton of fun and added a great deal of depth and humor to the story. I particularly loved Hayden's hilarious best friend Caleb and his wife Ava. I don't think they have a story of their own, but I'm officially begging the author for a prequel novel or novella. I need more Caleb and Ava!
Overall, "Even Better Than the Real Thing" was yet another fantastic book by the amazing Melanie Summers, and I highly recommend it for all contemporary romance and romantic comedy fans. I can't wait for her next release.
*Review copy provided by the author/publisher via Wildfire Marketing Solutions. All opinions expressed are my own.
I absolutely adored this funny, sweet fake relationship romance, which featured likeable, three-dimensional characters and an engaging plot. After watching his parents' marriage implode and suffering from their neglect all his life, Hayden came to the conclusion that all relationships were transactional and that marriage should be avoided at all costs. Finley managed to break down his walls and prove that not everyone loved him for what he could give them. He didn't make it easy for her, but his apology at the end was obviously heartfelt and showed exactly how much he'd changed because of her love.
The book's supporting characters were a ton of fun and added a great deal of depth and humor to the story. I particularly loved Hayden's hilarious best friend Caleb and his wife Ava. I don't think they have a story of their own, but I'm officially begging the author for a prequel novel or novella. I need more Caleb and Ava!
Overall, "Even Better Than the Real Thing" was yet another fantastic book by the amazing Melanie Summers, and I highly recommend it for all contemporary romance and romantic comedy fans. I can't wait for her next release.
*Review copy provided by the author/publisher via Wildfire Marketing Solutions. All opinions expressed are my own.
April 5, 2022
In order to get her PhD, Finley needs to have access to her boss' rare art collection at his family estate.
The future Earl Lord Hayden, needs to find a wife asap to inherit his father's estate. Both of them strike a deal to help each other out by a marriage of convenience & then part ways later. But it's not as simple as it sounded & it turns out this arrangement is even better than the real one.
In true Melanie Summers style, this was the epitome of happiness, humor & swoon-worthy romance. As if the writing wasn't enough, numerous tropes such as Marriage of convenience, grumpy×sunshine, boss/employee, opposites attract, aristocratic hero-farm inherited heroine, British hero-Southern Belle heroine, all were thrown into the mix which turned out to be AMAZING.
"There should be group homes for women like me. Dumb ones who can't stop having sex with their fake husband even though they know darn well how it going to end." 😆
I loved Finley so much. Such a positive, determined, optimistic, art-loving character that you can't help but fall in love with her.
And Lord Hayden, future Earl was damn irresistible & adorable at the same time. My heart broke for his childhood days which turned him emotionless.
Finley & Hayden were mesmerizing together. So in sync, so in love (secretly of course). I loved the grand gesture & reconciliation at the end.
An Iconic love story that I'll be thinking about for days to come.
The future Earl Lord Hayden, needs to find a wife asap to inherit his father's estate. Both of them strike a deal to help each other out by a marriage of convenience & then part ways later. But it's not as simple as it sounded & it turns out this arrangement is even better than the real one.
In true Melanie Summers style, this was the epitome of happiness, humor & swoon-worthy romance. As if the writing wasn't enough, numerous tropes such as Marriage of convenience, grumpy×sunshine, boss/employee, opposites attract, aristocratic hero-farm inherited heroine, British hero-Southern Belle heroine, all were thrown into the mix which turned out to be AMAZING.
"There should be group homes for women like me. Dumb ones who can't stop having sex with their fake husband even though they know darn well how it going to end." 😆
I loved Finley so much. Such a positive, determined, optimistic, art-loving character that you can't help but fall in love with her.
And Lord Hayden, future Earl was damn irresistible & adorable at the same time. My heart broke for his childhood days which turned him emotionless.
Finley & Hayden were mesmerizing together. So in sync, so in love (secretly of course). I loved the grand gesture & reconciliation at the end.
An Iconic love story that I'll be thinking about for days to come.
April 19, 2022
Finchley needs access to her uptight boss' private estate art collection to get the PhD advisor she really wants. Her boss, Lord Hayden Stuart, heir to an earldom, really, really needs a wife as soon as possible so he can inherit said earldom. Can a contract marriage get them both what they want, or will it end in disaster?
Contract marriages are one of my most favourite tropes. There is just something about throwing two people who would not normally talk to each other into close proximity and watching the banter and sparks fly. This novel was very cute, sweet, romantic, lovely, and just the perfect amount of romantic fluff one needs to enjoy a good romance. Finchley and Hayden have an undeniable spark and chemistry, and watching them come together was a real pleasure. The third act conflict, before a very satisfying conclusion and climax, was really believable and an honest one for the circumstances they started with. The side characters and friends also add to helping flesh out the story. I do have some thoughts about how things with the earldom were resolved, but those would be too spoilery. All in all, a very satisfying and enjoyable read. It would definitely be a worthwhile purchase and addition to any romance library collection. 4.5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and Indigo Group for this free eARC in exchange for this voluntary and honest review.
Contract marriages are one of my most favourite tropes. There is just something about throwing two people who would not normally talk to each other into close proximity and watching the banter and sparks fly. This novel was very cute, sweet, romantic, lovely, and just the perfect amount of romantic fluff one needs to enjoy a good romance. Finchley and Hayden have an undeniable spark and chemistry, and watching them come together was a real pleasure. The third act conflict, before a very satisfying conclusion and climax, was really believable and an honest one for the circumstances they started with. The side characters and friends also add to helping flesh out the story. I do have some thoughts about how things with the earldom were resolved, but those would be too spoilery. All in all, a very satisfying and enjoyable read. It would definitely be a worthwhile purchase and addition to any romance library collection. 4.5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and Indigo Group for this free eARC in exchange for this voluntary and honest review.
April 12, 2022
This was a marriage of convenience romantic comedy.
Finley Greene is an art history student trying to get accepted by her advisor of choice for her PhD. She also works as a data clerk at Stuart Equity. She is originally from Georgia, raised on a peanut farm. Her family thinks she is above herself to be earning her degrees in England.
Hayden Stuart owns Stuart Equity and is the future Earl of Pemberton. His father left him and divorced his mother when he was four and has had little contact with him since. Hayden plans to sell off the estate in revenge against his father when he inherits. After his father passed he finds out he needs to be married to get the title and estate.
Finley's advisor of choice, Dr. Beauchamp, says she will accept Finley only if she gets her access to the art collection at Pemberton. Finley asks Hayden for access but he denies permission. The next day Hayden asks Finley to be his wife in order to get his inheritance. They come to a mutually beneficial agreement and get married in Portugal and she moved into Pemberton to study the collection. After his father's service they end up spending the night together. He freaks out and goes back to London. They eventually fall in love, but he sends her away when his claim on the estate is challenged. She is heartbroken and goes home. They manage to resolve their issues and get their HEA and remarried.
Finley Greene is an art history student trying to get accepted by her advisor of choice for her PhD. She also works as a data clerk at Stuart Equity. She is originally from Georgia, raised on a peanut farm. Her family thinks she is above herself to be earning her degrees in England.
Hayden Stuart owns Stuart Equity and is the future Earl of Pemberton. His father left him and divorced his mother when he was four and has had little contact with him since. Hayden plans to sell off the estate in revenge against his father when he inherits. After his father passed he finds out he needs to be married to get the title and estate.
Finley's advisor of choice, Dr. Beauchamp, says she will accept Finley only if she gets her access to the art collection at Pemberton. Finley asks Hayden for access but he denies permission. The next day Hayden asks Finley to be his wife in order to get his inheritance. They come to a mutually beneficial agreement and get married in Portugal and she moved into Pemberton to study the collection. After his father's service they end up spending the night together. He freaks out and goes back to London. They eventually fall in love, but he sends her away when his claim on the estate is challenged. She is heartbroken and goes home. They manage to resolve their issues and get their HEA and remarried.
November 22, 2022
This book was such a joyful surprise! Surprise because it’s one of my favourite books of the year and actually featured some lovely Christmas / holiday moments! But I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised because this is my fourth book by Melanie Summers and I’ve definitely learned she is the best of the best at feel-good-rom-coms!
The first few times I encountered the Fake Dating trope I wasn’t sure I was keen on it, but books like Even Better Than the Real Thing are made to change your (my) mind. As silly as it sounds, it actually felt entirely plausible (the plot) and I found myself wondering if this has ever actually happened. Fenley is one of the most endearing, disarming and relatable characters I’ve read in a while and I honestly am a little sad the book is over because I’d love to read more of their story. And Hayden of course has to be a new book boyfriend of mine. I really enjoyed both their POVs and seeing the story unfold.
Also surprising was a bit of the history woven in re the art and physics history. Pieces like this always spark my interest and really show Melanie’s ability as a writer off. She wrote truly compelling character ARCs for both Finley and Hayden.
4.5 stars rounded up! If you are looking for a light romantic comedy and enjoy the fake dating trope (or honestly even if you don’t - she does it so well you might), I highly recommend.
The first few times I encountered the Fake Dating trope I wasn’t sure I was keen on it, but books like Even Better Than the Real Thing are made to change your (my) mind. As silly as it sounds, it actually felt entirely plausible (the plot) and I found myself wondering if this has ever actually happened. Fenley is one of the most endearing, disarming and relatable characters I’ve read in a while and I honestly am a little sad the book is over because I’d love to read more of their story. And Hayden of course has to be a new book boyfriend of mine. I really enjoyed both their POVs and seeing the story unfold.
Also surprising was a bit of the history woven in re the art and physics history. Pieces like this always spark my interest and really show Melanie’s ability as a writer off. She wrote truly compelling character ARCs for both Finley and Hayden.
4.5 stars rounded up! If you are looking for a light romantic comedy and enjoy the fake dating trope (or honestly even if you don’t - she does it so well you might), I highly recommend.
May 12, 2022
A sweet take on a marriage of convenience (some SPOILERS in this review)
Finley Greene is a PhD student from Georgia, USA whose thesis hinges on Hayden Stuart, the son of a British peer, allowing her & her advisor access to his family's art collection. Hayden is seeking a quick 'business arrangement' of a marriage so that he doesn't lose his family's estate to his gold digging half step-brother. When Hayden extends this 'business offer' to Finley (who's also his employee!), it seems like a perfect arrangement. Nothing can go wrong... right?
The pace of the book is rather quick and we get fleeting glimpses into the characters, as the narration switches in first party styles between Hayden & Finley. These two couldn't be more different in terms of character, upbringing, careers. And, yet, they are drawn to each other...
I did find some of the sudden changes of secondary character behaviours a bit at odds. Finley's advisor goes from cold & selfish to warm & supportive. Similarly, to a lesser degree, Finley's family.
This ARC was given to me by NetGalley and the publishers to read and review. All comments above are my personal opinions after reading the ARC.
Finley Greene is a PhD student from Georgia, USA whose thesis hinges on Hayden Stuart, the son of a British peer, allowing her & her advisor access to his family's art collection. Hayden is seeking a quick 'business arrangement' of a marriage so that he doesn't lose his family's estate to his gold digging half step-brother. When Hayden extends this 'business offer' to Finley (who's also his employee!), it seems like a perfect arrangement. Nothing can go wrong... right?
The pace of the book is rather quick and we get fleeting glimpses into the characters, as the narration switches in first party styles between Hayden & Finley. These two couldn't be more different in terms of character, upbringing, careers. And, yet, they are drawn to each other...
I did find some of the sudden changes of secondary character behaviours a bit at odds. Finley's advisor goes from cold & selfish to warm & supportive. Similarly, to a lesser degree, Finley's family.
This ARC was given to me by NetGalley and the publishers to read and review. All comments above are my personal opinions after reading the ARC.
April 3, 2022
4 Star Review Even Better Than The Real Thing by Melanie Summers
Melanie Summers is a new author to me and I am surprised that I have not read her books before. This was a fun and entertaining story about a fake marriage. Lord Hayden Stuart and Finley, could not be more different and yet to me they really worked as a couple.
We all know that what starts as fake can quickly become complicated when feelings become involved and of course this is what happens. In order to inherit his late father’s estate and earldom, Hayden needs a wife and since Finley is desperate to be accepted into a prestigious art history PhD program she agrees.
Coming to an agreement, they enter into a fake marriage that they will walk away from once the estate is settled. The feelings that Finley develops means that she wants their marriage to work out but Hayden is equally determined to walk away .
Can Finley convince Hayden that they are good together and that what started out as fake could lead to a real chance of happiness together?
Melanie Summers is a new author to me and I am surprised that I have not read her books before. This was a fun and entertaining story about a fake marriage. Lord Hayden Stuart and Finley, could not be more different and yet to me they really worked as a couple.
We all know that what starts as fake can quickly become complicated when feelings become involved and of course this is what happens. In order to inherit his late father’s estate and earldom, Hayden needs a wife and since Finley is desperate to be accepted into a prestigious art history PhD program she agrees.
Coming to an agreement, they enter into a fake marriage that they will walk away from once the estate is settled. The feelings that Finley develops means that she wants their marriage to work out but Hayden is equally determined to walk away .
Can Finley convince Hayden that they are good together and that what started out as fake could lead to a real chance of happiness together?
April 8, 2022
I love a believable fake marriage story and not only is the reasoning plausible, but the love that blooms is too! The opposites attract theme is strong with this one as the daughter of a peanut farmer marries an Earl.
Finley is a student of art history and Hayden is owner of an unexplored collection of world class art. While they both have their own selfish reasons for desiring a union, they find that opening up their lives to each other also opens up their hearts. And, what started as fake is anything but.
This story is a great mix of laugh out loud moments and some very emotional moments. Both Finley an Hayden have bffs who adds the comic relief. But maybe most surprising is how steamy it is. Hayden is out to prove to Finley that he is anything but a stuffy Englishman! And Finley does an amazing job at melting his cold, cold heart.
This was a terrific, swoony romance with all the humor I’ve come to expect from Summers.
I received an advance readers copy of this book and these are my honest opinions.
Finley is a student of art history and Hayden is owner of an unexplored collection of world class art. While they both have their own selfish reasons for desiring a union, they find that opening up their lives to each other also opens up their hearts. And, what started as fake is anything but.
This story is a great mix of laugh out loud moments and some very emotional moments. Both Finley an Hayden have bffs who adds the comic relief. But maybe most surprising is how steamy it is. Hayden is out to prove to Finley that he is anything but a stuffy Englishman! And Finley does an amazing job at melting his cold, cold heart.
This was a terrific, swoony romance with all the humor I’ve come to expect from Summers.
I received an advance readers copy of this book and these are my honest opinions.
April 7, 2022
Another new author to check out because after reading Even Better Than The Real Thing by Melanie Summers I need to look up her previous works. This is the first book I have read by this author, it certainly won’t be the last and if you love romantic comedy I think you will also be entertained by Lord Hayden Stuart and Finley’s story.
What starts off as a fake relationship in order for Hayden to inherit in late father’s estate soon turns into so much more and that means walking away once the estate is settled is going to prove hard to do. Findlay is desperate to get her History PHD and that was meant to be the reason for this fake marriage but feelings have taken over so what dies the future hold for this couple….you will need to one click to find that out.
This is a captivating tale with plenty of funny laugh out loud moments but don’t be fooled it also has some emotional moments. This is a read with something for every9me
What starts off as a fake relationship in order for Hayden to inherit in late father’s estate soon turns into so much more and that means walking away once the estate is settled is going to prove hard to do. Findlay is desperate to get her History PHD and that was meant to be the reason for this fake marriage but feelings have taken over so what dies the future hold for this couple….you will need to one click to find that out.
This is a captivating tale with plenty of funny laugh out loud moments but don’t be fooled it also has some emotional moments. This is a read with something for every9me
April 14, 2022
I really enjoyed this book! I’m not usually a big fan of the fake marriage trope, but this book was so well done! It’s also great for those grumpy-sunshine trope lovers out there. And except for the fact that his step-family is selfish (luckily, they aren’t in it much) and her family is kind of wishy-washy (lookin’ at you mama!), I really liked the side characters. Best friends for the win! And, as always, I’m a sucker for a HEA.
Thanks to NetGalley for this book in exchange for my honest review. This book is out now, so go check it out!
Thanks to NetGalley for this book in exchange for my honest review. This book is out now, so go check it out!
April 11, 2022
Lots of twists and turns as Finley and Hayden plan Hayden’s revenge. Little do they realize that life often gets in the way. Get ready for an adventure into comedy, confusion and lots of love. You’ll find yourself cheering for Finley and Hayden as they plan their future.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 30, 2022
thank you to netgalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
i loved this book! i’m not even kidding, i was squealing, kicking my feet, the whole works. marriage of convenience, boss/employee, all aspects of a good book. it was literally so cute. i definitely plan on getting a physical copy at some point and reading more of melanie’s books!
i loved this book! i’m not even kidding, i was squealing, kicking my feet, the whole works. marriage of convenience, boss/employee, all aspects of a good book. it was literally so cute. i definitely plan on getting a physical copy at some point and reading more of melanie’s books!
April 21, 2022
This is such a feel good author.. I am fairly certain I have read everything she has ever written and enjoyed each story. They are always this perfect flow of story, romance and feel good and who doesnt love a story about a royal?
April 11, 2022
More of a traditional romance book rather than steamy. Sweet read with relatable characters.
April 17, 2022
Finley Green is an ambitious daughter of a Georgia peanut farmer, she's been in London for ten years studying Art History part-time while working full-time (nights) at a private equity firm, Stuart Equity, as a data entry clerk, although that job got a whole lot easier after her friend Chalani automated the process and now the two of them sit around reading/ scrolling social media while the program takes the strain.
Finley wants to be accepted onto a prestigious Professor's PhD programme, being one of the three students accepted would pave the way into her dream job practically anywhere, but she is shocked when the professor says her thesis is boring, the only way to get the coveted spot is to somehow gain access for the professor to her boss, Hayden Stuart's, ancestral home which she believes may contain a painting which would confirm a centuries old scandal.
Hayden Stuart is a disillusioned rich aristocrat. His father only married his mother to get the requisite heir and then disappeared with the first in a succession of new wives four years later. Hayden Hayden has barely seen or spoken to his father since. Now his father has died, Hayden is set to become the next Lord Stuart, but there is a catch, to inherit the title and all the assets he must be married. With his ghastly half-brother and his wife eager to get him disinherited, Hayden must act quickly to find a wife.
Hayden and Finley enter into the classic marriage of convenience, he gets the title and the castle with all its priceless art (which he fully intends to sell off) while she gets the opportunity to devote her time to her PhD, get the prized place on the professor's programme and study all the amazing art at Hayden's ancestral home. What could go wrong?
First a major niggle. If you are going to write about a foreign city please either create fictional restaurants/hotels/suburbs or do some research. There is a heinous sentence quite early on when (and I paraphrase because I can't be bothered to find the quote) Finley gets the tube from her flat in Croydon to her interview in Mayfair opposite The Savoy, one block back from the Thames. Almost everything in that sentence is wrong. There is no tube station in Croydon, The Savoy is not in Mayfair, and The Savoy is on the banks of the Thames. All of these things can be googled, as I did to double-check that I wasn't getting irate unjustifiably. There were other examples of things just being plain wrong.
I was misled by the art historian and private equity aristocrat labels into thinking this was a more mature marriage of convenience romance, whereas this is most definitely in YA/NA territory despite Finley and Hayden's ages. I mean their names alone should have given me a clue. Consequently, I was a bit disappointed which is all on me for expecting something different.
Overall, barring the factual inaccuracies, and the fact that this was not the book I was expecting, I did enjoy the romance, after the initial YA/NA internal posturing monologue (Hayden: there's no such thing as love, all relationships are transactional, that's what my parents taught me and now I'll never be fooled by love; Finley: aw shug, I'm just a Southern gal, bless your heart) they settled down into nice characters - question why do some many YA/NA characters start the books as one thing and end as something completely different? The romance was sweet, if predictable, and the resolution had an unexpected twist.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Finley wants to be accepted onto a prestigious Professor's PhD programme, being one of the three students accepted would pave the way into her dream job practically anywhere, but she is shocked when the professor says her thesis is boring, the only way to get the coveted spot is to somehow gain access for the professor to her boss, Hayden Stuart's, ancestral home which she believes may contain a painting which would confirm a centuries old scandal.
Hayden Stuart is a disillusioned rich aristocrat. His father only married his mother to get the requisite heir and then disappeared with the first in a succession of new wives four years later. Hayden Hayden has barely seen or spoken to his father since. Now his father has died, Hayden is set to become the next Lord Stuart, but there is a catch, to inherit the title and all the assets he must be married. With his ghastly half-brother and his wife eager to get him disinherited, Hayden must act quickly to find a wife.
Hayden and Finley enter into the classic marriage of convenience, he gets the title and the castle with all its priceless art (which he fully intends to sell off) while she gets the opportunity to devote her time to her PhD, get the prized place on the professor's programme and study all the amazing art at Hayden's ancestral home. What could go wrong?
First a major niggle. If you are going to write about a foreign city please either create fictional restaurants/hotels/suburbs or do some research. There is a heinous sentence quite early on when (and I paraphrase because I can't be bothered to find the quote) Finley gets the tube from her flat in Croydon to her interview in Mayfair opposite The Savoy, one block back from the Thames. Almost everything in that sentence is wrong. There is no tube station in Croydon, The Savoy is not in Mayfair, and The Savoy is on the banks of the Thames. All of these things can be googled, as I did to double-check that I wasn't getting irate unjustifiably. There were other examples of things just being plain wrong.
I was misled by the art historian and private equity aristocrat labels into thinking this was a more mature marriage of convenience romance, whereas this is most definitely in YA/NA territory despite Finley and Hayden's ages. I mean their names alone should have given me a clue. Consequently, I was a bit disappointed which is all on me for expecting something different.
Overall, barring the factual inaccuracies, and the fact that this was not the book I was expecting, I did enjoy the romance, after the initial YA/NA internal posturing monologue (Hayden: there's no such thing as love, all relationships are transactional, that's what my parents taught me and now I'll never be fooled by love; Finley: aw shug, I'm just a Southern gal, bless your heart) they settled down into nice characters - question why do some many YA/NA characters start the books as one thing and end as something completely different? The romance was sweet, if predictable, and the resolution had an unexpected twist.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
June 28, 2022
3.5 stars but rounded down.
I was super excited for this book because of the concept, since I really enjoy marriage of convenience as a trope and think that when it’s done right, it’s really great to read. It was an interesting set up for why the marriage was needed, and I found myself caring about Finley wanting to get her PhD, as well as what was going on with her relationship with her family. I weirdly found myself not hating the third act break up, which is normally my least favorite part of a romance novel. Also, I feel like I often dislike the grumpy half of the grumpy/sunshine duo, but by the end I had definitely warmed up to Hayden a lot, and I loved his grand romantic gesture at the end.
However, I felt like even though it’s a romance novel and I was obviously reading for the romance, there wasn’t enough focus on outside topics, like the ones I mentioned before as well as Hayden’s relationship with his own family and his background, until pretty close to the end.
Another thing I didn’t like is how events would happen that would then only be described later on like “there was a conversation about this topic” or “we spent the day together doing this activity,” which was kind of annoying.
My main complaint was the pacing. In a way, it was the only thing that kept this from being “insta-love.” Mild spoilers, but the proposal doesn’t happen until 25%, and the marriage at 50%. I found this kind of annoying, since it meant the bulk of the book was the lead up to the marriage of convenience, rather than it actually in action. Then, Finley is saying she’s in love with Hayden after being married for two weeks (with the “engagement” having been like two days), which felt like it came out of nowhere.
Overall I thought that the last quarter of the book was the best part, but that was kind of too late for me to stop being annoyed with it. I feel bad for saying so much negative stuff about this book because it really was a fun concept and I just know if these things were changed it would totally be getting a raving review from me, but they were just a bit too distracting for me to enjoy it to the fullest. However, I can still see myself reading more from this author in the future.
I was super excited for this book because of the concept, since I really enjoy marriage of convenience as a trope and think that when it’s done right, it’s really great to read. It was an interesting set up for why the marriage was needed, and I found myself caring about Finley wanting to get her PhD, as well as what was going on with her relationship with her family. I weirdly found myself not hating the third act break up, which is normally my least favorite part of a romance novel. Also, I feel like I often dislike the grumpy half of the grumpy/sunshine duo, but by the end I had definitely warmed up to Hayden a lot, and I loved his grand romantic gesture at the end.
However, I felt like even though it’s a romance novel and I was obviously reading for the romance, there wasn’t enough focus on outside topics, like the ones I mentioned before as well as Hayden’s relationship with his own family and his background, until pretty close to the end.
Another thing I didn’t like is how events would happen that would then only be described later on like “there was a conversation about this topic” or “we spent the day together doing this activity,” which was kind of annoying.
My main complaint was the pacing. In a way, it was the only thing that kept this from being “insta-love.” Mild spoilers, but the proposal doesn’t happen until 25%, and the marriage at 50%. I found this kind of annoying, since it meant the bulk of the book was the lead up to the marriage of convenience, rather than it actually in action. Then, Finley is saying she’s in love with Hayden after being married for two weeks (with the “engagement” having been like two days), which felt like it came out of nowhere.
Overall I thought that the last quarter of the book was the best part, but that was kind of too late for me to stop being annoyed with it. I feel bad for saying so much negative stuff about this book because it really was a fun concept and I just know if these things were changed it would totally be getting a raving review from me, but they were just a bit too distracting for me to enjoy it to the fullest. However, I can still see myself reading more from this author in the future.
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