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Lincoln's Lost Gold Romances #1
The Academic Bride
Early on, Pamela Jones realized she had an unusual talent for putting two people together. Over the years, she's turned it into a successful matchmaking service for the ultra wealthy: Billionaire Marriage Brokers. While she specializes in "business" marriages -- paring people off because of their skills, education, or training -- she can spot a potential love match a mile away. When Pamela has a "good feeling" about a bride and groom - a business marriage can become so much more.
Janel Fendrick is a go-getter. Her dream of excavating a Mayan temple is within reach -- until the funding is pulled and she's left scrambling for an alternative. Pamela Jones comes along with a proposal...and a groom! Janel hesitates, until she realizes that one year of marriage is a small price to pay to have all her dreams come true. What she doesn't realize, is that she's about to get more than she ever dreamed of.
Janel Fendrick is a go-getter. Her dream of excavating a Mayan temple is within reach -- until the funding is pulled and she's left scrambling for an alternative. Pamela Jones comes along with a proposal...and a groom! Janel hesitates, until she realizes that one year of marriage is a small price to pay to have all her dreams come true. What she doesn't realize, is that she's about to get more than she ever dreamed of.
177 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 8, 2015
411 people are currently reading
626 people want to read
About the author
Lucy McConnell
189 books1,591 followersPlease hit the follow button. I'd love to keep in touch!
Lucy McConnell loves romance, chocolate, Christmas, horses, music, crochet, and fun!
She believes that romance books should:
Keep you up past your bedtime.
Make you laugh out loud.
Have happy endings.
With that in mind, she's written over 90 novels full of fun and flirty characters who navigate the turbulent waters of romance with open hearts and creativity.
If you enjoy sweet romance stories with great kissing scenes, follow her on Goodreads.♥️
Lucy McConnell loves romance, chocolate, Christmas, horses, music, crochet, and fun!
She believes that romance books should:
Keep you up past your bedtime.
Make you laugh out loud.
Have happy endings.
With that in mind, she's written over 90 novels full of fun and flirty characters who navigate the turbulent waters of romance with open hearts and creativity.
If you enjoy sweet romance stories with great kissing scenes, follow her on Goodreads.♥️
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 118 reviews
March 7, 2017
3.5
I thought this was a pretty cute and original novella. Janel is an Archeology student and trying to find funding for a Mayan dig she wants to do when she overhears a conversation in a restaurant that changes her life.
This is a bit like a modern mail-order-bride story, I like arranged marriage plots and was curious to see how things would play out. It starts out as more of a business arrangement, but they soon start having feeling for each other.
The reason I didn't give this a higher rating was I just did not believe they were in love. I don't want to rant, but here are a few of my thoughts. First, they barey spoke before they got married. I was expecting at least a little conversation, see if they actually mesh or not. I wouldn't base even a business marriage on just him being good looking. Second, he wanted to get married to have someone go to functions with and to get him off the market. They only did ONE function the whole time. I guess I was expecting more. Lastly, by the end when they are declaring their love for each other I just didn't buy it. Not after spending zero time together over the course of their three month marriage. Maybe if we could have seen more of their texts? Or heard their phone conversations? I'm not kidding when I say they are never together. He's a workaholic and she is working on her PhD and teaching classes. How does she know he is such a great guy if they are never together. Sure he does some "sweet" things, but really they weren't over the top, just normal stuff a normal person would do. By the end, I could see maybe a friendship forming, but not love. At least not yet. Sorry.
Overall, I did enjoy it and thought it was a fun premise and fun idea. I look forward to reading more from the series.
Content: Clean romance, no language, no violence
I thought this was a pretty cute and original novella. Janel is an Archeology student and trying to find funding for a Mayan dig she wants to do when she overhears a conversation in a restaurant that changes her life.
This is a bit like a modern mail-order-bride story, I like arranged marriage plots and was curious to see how things would play out. It starts out as more of a business arrangement, but they soon start having feeling for each other.
The reason I didn't give this a higher rating was I just did not believe they were in love. I don't want to rant, but here are a few of my thoughts. First, they barey spoke before they got married. I was expecting at least a little conversation, see if they actually mesh or not. I wouldn't base even a business marriage on just him being good looking. Second, he wanted to get married to have someone go to functions with and to get him off the market. They only did ONE function the whole time. I guess I was expecting more. Lastly, by the end when they are declaring their love for each other I just didn't buy it. Not after spending zero time together over the course of their three month marriage. Maybe if we could have seen more of their texts? Or heard their phone conversations? I'm not kidding when I say they are never together. He's a workaholic and she is working on her PhD and teaching classes. How does she know he is such a great guy if they are never together. Sure he does some "sweet" things, but really they weren't over the top, just normal stuff a normal person would do. By the end, I could see maybe a friendship forming, but not love. At least not yet. Sorry.
Overall, I did enjoy it and thought it was a fun premise and fun idea. I look forward to reading more from the series.
Content: Clean romance, no language, no violence
December 7, 2015
Novella romances don't normally work for me so I was surprised to find myself enjoying this one as much as I did. The usual problem of not having enough time to get to know each other was alleviated by making this solely about their relationship with very little extraneous material. And it doesn't hurt that McConnell put together a couple that works very well together.
Not that there aren't weaknesses. Indeed, I'm not sure if I'd recommend the story to others or not, despite enjoying it immensely, myself. There's a simplicity that flirts with naiveté to the story with both protagonists being genuinely and uncomplicatedly nice. Coupled with a lack of anything more than kissing makes the story read a lot younger than the ages of the characters would indicate. So it isn't YA, and couldn't work as a YA story, but it feels closer to YA than an adult romance probably should.
And yet I lost myself in the story, regardless. Even though I knew it was too simple and that things would never really work that way and there's no way a hunky billionaire would need the services of BMB (because he'd have no trouble sending gold-diggers on their way himself), I still got lost in the fantasy of it, anyway.
Which is probably the key to enjoying this story. If you can give it its premise and let the fantasy live enough to buy the foundation, the rest flows perfectly fine from there. You have interesting characters you care about getting together in all the ways that add up to a sweet and charming conclusion that fulfilled all the promises the story makes in its beginning.
So yes, that's a generous four stars and may not be representative of the experience of others. It's a personal four stars and indicates my enjoyment and being man enough to own being touched by something fundamentally uncomplicated. I only hope other stories by the author are as sustainably charming and in the same vein.
Not that there aren't weaknesses. Indeed, I'm not sure if I'd recommend the story to others or not, despite enjoying it immensely, myself. There's a simplicity that flirts with naiveté to the story with both protagonists being genuinely and uncomplicatedly nice. Coupled with a lack of anything more than kissing makes the story read a lot younger than the ages of the characters would indicate. So it isn't YA, and couldn't work as a YA story, but it feels closer to YA than an adult romance probably should.
And yet I lost myself in the story, regardless. Even though I knew it was too simple and that things would never really work that way and there's no way a hunky billionaire would need the services of BMB (because he'd have no trouble sending gold-diggers on their way himself), I still got lost in the fantasy of it, anyway.
Which is probably the key to enjoying this story. If you can give it its premise and let the fantasy live enough to buy the foundation, the rest flows perfectly fine from there. You have interesting characters you care about getting together in all the ways that add up to a sweet and charming conclusion that fulfilled all the promises the story makes in its beginning.
So yes, that's a generous four stars and may not be representative of the experience of others. It's a personal four stars and indicates my enjoyment and being man enough to own being touched by something fundamentally uncomplicated. I only hope other stories by the author are as sustainably charming and in the same vein.
February 9, 2018
This was a cute matchmaking/marriage of convenience story. And a great start to a series. I can't wait to dive in and read the other books.
I read this book a little bit ago and kept meaning to come back to write my review for it and realized, almost two months later that I didn't. So here it is now, nothing fancy and long. Just me saying that I really had fun reading it. Lol!
Janel doesn't know what she's getting herself into when she meets the Billionaire Marriage Broker, Company owner. All she knows is that she's desperate for a job to help her get funding for her archaeological dig and she overheard the owner telling an employee she was sorry that she was needing to take a break from the job to see to family. Janel takes a chance and approaches this lady because when she heard the money was really good, that might be something to help her get her dig funded. She's given a card, a mini interview right there and told to go to the office and she's hired. She's still not entirely sure what's going on. Once she gets there and is rushed through the whirlwind of everything she realizes she might be a little in over her head.
She soon finds herself engaged, married and very wealthily employed. She'll soon be able to go to her dig and her marriage isn't real, just in looks. She's his secretary, has an amazing spending account, he's never around and she's free to work on her schooling and projects.
That is until his family finds out, and work and everyone else that they're married. How long can they keep up the ruse and she not fall in love with him. He's completely immune to her, but she's falling hard and fast.
Read it. Super fun!
Content: Clean
I read it as part of the Love and Romance: 15 Sweet Contemporary Romances collection.
Happy Reading!!!
I read this book a little bit ago and kept meaning to come back to write my review for it and realized, almost two months later that I didn't. So here it is now, nothing fancy and long. Just me saying that I really had fun reading it. Lol!
Janel doesn't know what she's getting herself into when she meets the Billionaire Marriage Broker, Company owner. All she knows is that she's desperate for a job to help her get funding for her archaeological dig and she overheard the owner telling an employee she was sorry that she was needing to take a break from the job to see to family. Janel takes a chance and approaches this lady because when she heard the money was really good, that might be something to help her get her dig funded. She's given a card, a mini interview right there and told to go to the office and she's hired. She's still not entirely sure what's going on. Once she gets there and is rushed through the whirlwind of everything she realizes she might be a little in over her head.
She soon finds herself engaged, married and very wealthily employed. She'll soon be able to go to her dig and her marriage isn't real, just in looks. She's his secretary, has an amazing spending account, he's never around and she's free to work on her schooling and projects.
That is until his family finds out, and work and everyone else that they're married. How long can they keep up the ruse and she not fall in love with him. He's completely immune to her, but she's falling hard and fast.
Read it. Super fun!
Content: Clean
I read it as part of the Love and Romance: 15 Sweet Contemporary Romances collection.
Happy Reading!!!
July 16, 2015
Cute! I love mail order bride stories and enjoyed the modern day twist.
Content: clean
Content: clean
April 12, 2016
The Academic Bride was such a cute book! I absolutely loved it and could not put it down!
We have our heroine, Janel, who is going to school for her PhD. Her dream is to excavate a Mayan Temple. She is so close and then the funding gets pulled and she is left trying to figure out how in the world she is going to achieve her dream now. She overhears an opportunity and decides that if she is going to make it to Guatemala then she'll need to take a chance. Little did she know exactly what she was getting herself into.
Now our hero, Nick. *dreamy sigh* He is a billionaire. He is so tired of people taking advantage of him and trying to get close to him just for his money. When he hears about Billionaire Marriage Brokers from his friend he decides to take a chance.. a wife for a year or two.. just to get people off his back and then when it's over he can really try to find the woman of his dreams. Little did he know that what he's been looking for just might be right in front of him.
I absolutely LOVED Janel and Nick! They are both strong, lovable characters. Watching them get to know one another and seeing their chemistry had me doing dreamy sighs throughout the majority of the book. Nick is such an AMAZING hero! He would do little things for her.. always looking out for her... and taking care of her when she needed it. And yes... Janel was just as AMAZING! Baking for him... being the calming presence when needed... being unlike any woman he had ever met. These two were seriously perfect for each other!
If you're looking for a cute, fun and swoon worthy book then I say check this book out! I seriously could NOT put it down! I just HAD to see Janel and Nick get their Happily Ever After! It was perfect for a Sunday read! :)
This was my very first book by Lucy McConnell and I have to tell you that after only ONE book she is on my favorite authors list! I can't wait to read more books by her and I'm definitely looking forward to the next book in this series!
We have our heroine, Janel, who is going to school for her PhD. Her dream is to excavate a Mayan Temple. She is so close and then the funding gets pulled and she is left trying to figure out how in the world she is going to achieve her dream now. She overhears an opportunity and decides that if she is going to make it to Guatemala then she'll need to take a chance. Little did she know exactly what she was getting herself into.
Now our hero, Nick. *dreamy sigh* He is a billionaire. He is so tired of people taking advantage of him and trying to get close to him just for his money. When he hears about Billionaire Marriage Brokers from his friend he decides to take a chance.. a wife for a year or two.. just to get people off his back and then when it's over he can really try to find the woman of his dreams. Little did he know that what he's been looking for just might be right in front of him.
I absolutely LOVED Janel and Nick! They are both strong, lovable characters. Watching them get to know one another and seeing their chemistry had me doing dreamy sighs throughout the majority of the book. Nick is such an AMAZING hero! He would do little things for her.. always looking out for her... and taking care of her when she needed it. And yes... Janel was just as AMAZING! Baking for him... being the calming presence when needed... being unlike any woman he had ever met. These two were seriously perfect for each other!
If you're looking for a cute, fun and swoon worthy book then I say check this book out! I seriously could NOT put it down! I just HAD to see Janel and Nick get their Happily Ever After! It was perfect for a Sunday read! :)
This was my very first book by Lucy McConnell and I have to tell you that after only ONE book she is on my favorite authors list! I can't wait to read more books by her and I'm definitely looking forward to the next book in this series!
December 10, 2015
I'm really loving the premise of this series so far! Billionaire Marriage Brokers seems to be a really distinctive concept. The whole time I was reading about the company I was wondering if there really was such a thing. I tried googling it, but I'm still not sure. Anyway...I loved the whole concept of finding brides to match up with what a billionaire needs. And I really loved the way things worked out for Janel and Nick.
Let me back up. Janel is a hard working college student. She's trying to finish her history degree, but the funding has been cut for her final project. Leaving her scrambling to figure out a way to pay for it herself. Enter BMB. She's matched with Nick and before she even has any idea what BMB is or does, she finds out that she will be marrying him the very next week, and she gets a huge salary that she'll be able to save pretty much all of, because the position as his wife comes with food, a place to stay, clothes, pretty much everything she could ever want.
The one thing for me was the way that marriage in this book is kind of looked on as just a convenience for the parties, not really a way to be in love or have a family. But then I remember arranged marriages, and that they are even still happening in our own country even and it makes me think that if these arranged marriages can be put together by someone that can almost know who will work well together, then why not!
This is a cute, clean romance that will keep you hooked from the very first page!
Let me back up. Janel is a hard working college student. She's trying to finish her history degree, but the funding has been cut for her final project. Leaving her scrambling to figure out a way to pay for it herself. Enter BMB. She's matched with Nick and before she even has any idea what BMB is or does, she finds out that she will be marrying him the very next week, and she gets a huge salary that she'll be able to save pretty much all of, because the position as his wife comes with food, a place to stay, clothes, pretty much everything she could ever want.
The one thing for me was the way that marriage in this book is kind of looked on as just a convenience for the parties, not really a way to be in love or have a family. But then I remember arranged marriages, and that they are even still happening in our own country even and it makes me think that if these arranged marriages can be put together by someone that can almost know who will work well together, then why not!
This is a cute, clean romance that will keep you hooked from the very first page!
September 24, 2016
I wasn't sure what to think about a book of women being lined up to marry for convenience. I was skeptical at first, but found that I enjoyed the story. I have read other books by Lucy McConnell and that was why I purchased this book.
The premise is like a modern day mail-order bride. A wealthy man seeks a bride that is a contract. At the end of the year they can decide to terminate the marriage. It is a business deal and a relationship without guaranteed "benefits". The benefit for the bride is it is a job, she is paid to go to attend functions and do other odd tasks, not necessarily in the bedroom.
The characters are very likable and I understood their motivation for entering into the contract. There is a happy ending that makes me look forward to reading more books in the series.
This is a clean read with some innuendo and kissing.
The premise is like a modern day mail-order bride. A wealthy man seeks a bride that is a contract. At the end of the year they can decide to terminate the marriage. It is a business deal and a relationship without guaranteed "benefits". The benefit for the bride is it is a job, she is paid to go to attend functions and do other odd tasks, not necessarily in the bedroom.
The characters are very likable and I understood their motivation for entering into the contract. There is a happy ending that makes me look forward to reading more books in the series.
This is a clean read with some innuendo and kissing.
February 29, 2016
If you were guaranteed a hefty sum of money and all you had to do was marry a billionaire and pretend to be his wife and companion to events would you do it or are you the type that would only marry for love ? Janel had planned an archaelogical dig out by the Mayan Temples until the funding fell through , desperate to get the money she needs - one day while out for coffee she overhears two women speaking and the possibility of a job opening. It's pay was what she needed. On a whim Janel applies to Pamela and gets the job - thing is she doesn't actually know what the position is or entails until she arrives and discovers she has been signed up as a modern day mail-order bride and the business Pamela owns is called Billionaire Marriage Brokers. What happens is Billionaire apply and Pamela matches them with a bride - normally conditions are they have to be married for a year , then can divorce and go their separate ways. Nick is a computer geek and looking for a wife and a friend recommended this service. Janel and Nick end up getting paired and a marriage proceeds. As the couple spend more time together though , it seems that their marriage may actually be sparking some real romance or are they both just that good at playing the pretend marriage game ? I really enjoyed The Academic Bride and went on to purchase the others in the series . The thing though that gets me about these books is when does the line of pretending and playing the game stop and they fall in love as to me I believe that in any marriage, once you are around that person for a while - feelings will develop . On a personal level, I have always wondered about arranged marriages, as you have to think whether or not that if we had arranged marriages today - would less people be getting divorced or more ? In a way these sorts of books appeal to me as it's like reading a modern day Cinderella story type romance .
If you are looking for that type of read , love Cinderella and wanting a 22nd Century Mail-order bride novel , then check out The Academic Bride by Lucy McConnell today.
June 15, 2015
Here is the beginning of a new series of short stories from author Lucy McConnell. I actually stumbled on the second book in this series, The Organized Bride (Billionaire Marriage Brokers Book 2), on Amazon, picked it up and read it. I have read other books by Lucy McConnell (Snow Valley Anthologies ) which I really enjoyed so I was excited to read it. I didn't realize at first that I was reading the second book but it is a stand alone book and didn't require me reading the first book in the series to enjoy it. As soon as I finished it, I knew I wanted to read the first book and review it so I could share this fun series with everyone who loves a good, clean romance!
There are pros and cons for this book being shorter than a regular book. The biggest con for me is that I was left wanting more. More, more, more. I think the author could have dragged this book out and given me a full sized novel with these characters and this situation. I'm greedy. I wanted more.
BUT.
Everything was accomplished in this book in a way that kept me invested and happy. I was drawn in from the very first pages and I loved the growing attraction between Janel and Nick. Nick is so considerate and sweet. He really wants to take care of Janel. I loved that. I also loved the brownie bonding and the ice cream kiss. Yum.
I really love this series because I get fun characters thrown into a crazy situation where love grows and my romantic heart lets out a contented sigh. These books are clean, which I really appreciate in my romance novels. (no swearing or sexual situations- just some kissing)
Because these are shorter stories, I read through them quickly. I polished this one off in a couple hours while waiting for my daughter at a conference. I can't wait to read the next book! I hope it comes out soon. :)
There are pros and cons for this book being shorter than a regular book. The biggest con for me is that I was left wanting more. More, more, more. I think the author could have dragged this book out and given me a full sized novel with these characters and this situation. I'm greedy. I wanted more.
BUT.
Everything was accomplished in this book in a way that kept me invested and happy. I was drawn in from the very first pages and I loved the growing attraction between Janel and Nick. Nick is so considerate and sweet. He really wants to take care of Janel. I loved that. I also loved the brownie bonding and the ice cream kiss. Yum.
I really love this series because I get fun characters thrown into a crazy situation where love grows and my romantic heart lets out a contented sigh. These books are clean, which I really appreciate in my romance novels. (no swearing or sexual situations- just some kissing)
Because these are shorter stories, I read through them quickly. I polished this one off in a couple hours while waiting for my daughter at a conference. I can't wait to read the next book! I hope it comes out soon. :)
October 13, 2018
Janel Fendrick is working on her PhD in archeology and needs to go on a dig in Guatemala for her thesis project. The funding fell through and since she barely makes enough teaching two classes and working as an aide to one of her professors, let alone save up to cover the cost of trip to Guatemala. Her option is to hurry to find another thesis project if she wants to graduate on time. She has no idea what she's getting into when she introduces herself to Pamela Jones who runs BMB (Billionaire Marriage Brokers), she's just trying to fund her archeological dig.
When she shows up for orientation and has to sign a privacy agreement, approval for a background check, and a code of conduct agreement which includes maintaining an exercise program, then she's whisked off to accounting where's she's given a credit card and a monthly expense account which was more than she made in three months! She still doesn't understand what her job will be as she hasn't asked anyone any questions yet. She doesn't find out until she's scheduled for a shopping trip and a salon visit that she finds out she's a Billionaire Broker's bride!! Before she knows it Janel is married to hunky, ultra-rich Nick Ryburn. How long can they be in this pretend marriage before the attraction becomes real?
This is like a modern mail-order bride story, these marriages were like business arrangements. I liked Janel who was working hard to finish her degree and things she couldn't control, like university funding, was getting in the way. I also liked Nick who wanted to keep all the money-hungry women away. He wanted her suite of rooms to have her favorite color, and he bought the book on Mayan temples because of her interest in it. Those things touched me and made me think maybe I should get my husband to read The Five Love Languages. Lol
This is the first book in a new series and sounds like fun books to read.
When she shows up for orientation and has to sign a privacy agreement, approval for a background check, and a code of conduct agreement which includes maintaining an exercise program, then she's whisked off to accounting where's she's given a credit card and a monthly expense account which was more than she made in three months! She still doesn't understand what her job will be as she hasn't asked anyone any questions yet. She doesn't find out until she's scheduled for a shopping trip and a salon visit that she finds out she's a Billionaire Broker's bride!! Before she knows it Janel is married to hunky, ultra-rich Nick Ryburn. How long can they be in this pretend marriage before the attraction becomes real?
This is like a modern mail-order bride story, these marriages were like business arrangements. I liked Janel who was working hard to finish her degree and things she couldn't control, like university funding, was getting in the way. I also liked Nick who wanted to keep all the money-hungry women away. He wanted her suite of rooms to have her favorite color, and he bought the book on Mayan temples because of her interest in it. Those things touched me and made me think maybe I should get my husband to read The Five Love Languages. Lol
This is the first book in a new series and sounds like fun books to read.
October 10, 2015
What a fun take on a old story line done millions of times. I don't know why i am a sucker for arranged marriage stories, but I am. This was a sweet cute book and I think I'll be reading more of these. The characters were done well and the story line was believable. There was a one scene that could have been altered a lot it just didn't fit in the story well and seemed off but other then that the writing was good. Very clean, an older teen could read this.
August 3, 2016
I love clean romance novels. This is the second book I have read authored by Lucy McConnell and I am very impressed by the quality of her work. I especially appreciate that the emotions and relationships of her characters depict the development of deep love, not shallow lust. I am actually surprised at how well the premise of this series actually works, although I find it hard to believe that there are sufficient billionaires using matchmaking services to support a business like BMB. But then a little fantasy is a good thing. Whoever edited this and the previous story I read deserve many kudos. The professionalism shows. From page one I was drawn in and did not want to put it down. It was a fun, fast read that I recommend to any and all who appreciate real romance without steamy, pornographic passages.
February 16, 2016
Because of budget cuts, Janel Fendrick is unable to go to Guatemala on a dig that will help her finish her PhD in archeology unless she can come up with private funding. So it seems like fate when she meets Pamela Jones and finds out about a job opportunity at BMB. She makes it through several interviews and it's still unclear what job she's interviewing for, but she desperately needs this job. So she's surprised to find out that she's hired... as a bride... to the wealthy Nick Ryburn. She essentially becomes a partner in a marriage corporation... I loved this twist on a marriage of convenience!
I loved Janel and Nick... He was such a good man and they were so great together! This was a fun, short novella!
Content: Clean
Source: Amazon.com
I loved Janel and Nick... He was such a good man and they were so great together! This was a fun, short novella!
Content: Clean
Source: Amazon.com
February 6, 2018
Contract marriage billionaire style
Contract marriage billionaire style, fills the bill without the unknowns and entanglements that may ensue. Signup with a billionaire marriage broker, and they do the work and you have a year contracted marriage that can work for both sides. In this case, he is constantly being deluged with the women who see money and he wants some distance from that. She needs funds to complete her PhD, which entails a trip to a Mayan temple. This contract could help both.
Contract marriage billionaire style, fills the bill without the unknowns and entanglements that may ensue. Signup with a billionaire marriage broker, and they do the work and you have a year contracted marriage that can work for both sides. In this case, he is constantly being deluged with the women who see money and he wants some distance from that. She needs funds to complete her PhD, which entails a trip to a Mayan temple. This contract could help both.
August 22, 2017
I loved this book because, it was a light romance. The couple Janel & Nick were so meant to be together. I like my hero's like Nick, very gentle, very thoughtful and just a little smirk! Janel was a very independent young woman working on a PHD. The author did a very good job of detailing them and their story. I would definitely recommend this book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed honestly an Advanced Reader Copy.
I voluntarily read and reviewed honestly an Advanced Reader Copy.
April 16, 2017
Matchmaking
Janel is almost done with her PhD but has been told her trip yo Guatamala has been cancelling and her teaching hours were to be cut. Nick is tired of dating good diggers. He sign up four the marriage broker. Janel finds a way to cover her costs. But little foes she realize she falling in love and so is he.
Janel is almost done with her PhD but has been told her trip yo Guatamala has been cancelling and her teaching hours were to be cut. Nick is tired of dating good diggers. He sign up four the marriage broker. Janel finds a way to cover her costs. But little foes she realize she falling in love and so is he.
March 19, 2015
I loved this book. The heroine and hero were both strong and had been through rough times. It was one of those romances you just can't put down until the happily ever after. I can't wait for more books in this series.
April 17, 2015
A fun new series of arranged marriages with billionaires. I loved it and can't wait for the next installment!
April 7, 2015
Well that was cute!!! I LOVED nick! What an awesome guy! Didn't seem like a rich guy at all. I do wish we could have heard more of their banter and getting to know each other. But so good.
May 20, 2016
Clean, sweet, darling romance! Loved it! could not put it down. I immediately went and got book 2! highly recommended
November 17, 2017
Really, really cute. I like the way their relationship progressed.
Good premise for a billionaire series.
Good premise for a billionaire series.
May 21, 2017
Sweet and Satisfying
I have previously read a few of the books in this series, but it's been a while and I'd never read these first few books. I enjoyed it so very much! It was a sweet romance, with two strangers gently falling in love. My favorite kind of romance- clean and toe-curling!!
I have previously read a few of the books in this series, but it's been a while and I'd never read these first few books. I enjoyed it so very much! It was a sweet romance, with two strangers gently falling in love. My favorite kind of romance- clean and toe-curling!!
March 17, 2016
4+ stars
I stumbled across this series on Kindle Unlimited and I am so glad I did! While I find the story premise to be a little far fetched, it still makes for a fun and engaging read! All of the first 4 books I have read in this series have been delightful! I have enjoyed the characters and seeing them work through their circumstances to find love.
At first, the books would seem to be stand alone novels, as only the secondary characters show up repeatedly. However, later in the series there is a repeat of a previous couple in Book 4 and a character from this novel will be in McConnell's newest release, The Protective Groom. Also, Book 6 will have another character from one of the earlier novels, who had a cameo appearance. So with all that said, I would read them in order.
Another wonderful plus is that this series is currently available with Kindle Unlimited, so you can read right through the whole series! Yay!
This is a clean read romance. Light, fun and heartwarming!
I stumbled across this series on Kindle Unlimited and I am so glad I did! While I find the story premise to be a little far fetched, it still makes for a fun and engaging read! All of the first 4 books I have read in this series have been delightful! I have enjoyed the characters and seeing them work through their circumstances to find love.
At first, the books would seem to be stand alone novels, as only the secondary characters show up repeatedly. However, later in the series there is a repeat of a previous couple in Book 4 and a character from this novel will be in McConnell's newest release, The Protective Groom. Also, Book 6 will have another character from one of the earlier novels, who had a cameo appearance. So with all that said, I would read them in order.
Another wonderful plus is that this series is currently available with Kindle Unlimited, so you can read right through the whole series! Yay!
This is a clean read romance. Light, fun and heartwarming!
May 14, 2017
The Academic Bride: Billionaire Marriage Brokers is by Lucy McConnell. This is light reading that especially lends itself to those times when you want to just be entertained. It is well-written and rather unrealistic in that everyone involved is beautiful and/or rich. A poor girl landing a rich husband is possible; but rarely happens. It does make for fun reading though.
Janel Fendrick is very upset. Her dig in Guatemala has been cancelled because backing has been withdrawn. This means that her thesis has to be rethought and redone which will make graduating will have to be postponed too. Then she overhears a conversation from the adjoining booth. A girl is turning down a lucrative job because of her ill mother. Janel decides to take a chance and talks to the lady who is left about the job. She agrees to go to Pamela’s office the next day to talk. What she doesn’t know is Pamela is the head of Billionaire Marriage Brokers! What has Janel walked into?
Janel Fendrick is very upset. Her dig in Guatemala has been cancelled because backing has been withdrawn. This means that her thesis has to be rethought and redone which will make graduating will have to be postponed too. Then she overhears a conversation from the adjoining booth. A girl is turning down a lucrative job because of her ill mother. Janel decides to take a chance and talks to the lady who is left about the job. She agrees to go to Pamela’s office the next day to talk. What she doesn’t know is Pamela is the head of Billionaire Marriage Brokers! What has Janel walked into?
September 1, 2017
I absolutely loved this book! I really liked the idea of this book too. I think that it could be very beneficial to both parties involved and they go into this agreement with an understanding of what's to be expected. I thought Nick was the sweetest, most thoughtful, fun guy. I liked that Janel was always surprising him and that he would reciprocate with the surprises. I can't even imagine what it would be like to be Janel. I think that it's kind of a fun idea and wonder if I wasn't already married if I would have the guts to do what she did. I loved their banter back and forth with the texting and just how sweet they were with each other. I really appreciated how clean the book is because it could have gone in a completely different direction. I will definitely read this book again and can't wait to read another book in the series.
May 14, 2020
cindy of erlauf recommended this book to me when she heard i was a fan of arranged/fake marriage tropes!
i was a little unsure when i heard the premise, but it was outlined really well! it didn't feel creepy or like one of those "sell your soul" kind of billionaire bride stories. the couple was really cute, and i appreciated that they were both in emotionally healthy places-neither one was "damaged" or trying to "fix" the other. when they had trouble or disagreements, it was handled in a mature way. a nice change! : D also, the nerd in me loooooved the five love languages being included! (i'm a words of affirmation/physical touch girl myself ; D)
i also really enjoyed the Great Chocolate Brownie War, haha.
my only thing is i wish it were longer? the ending seemed really ubrupt, and i wanted more details on their lives and things!
i was a little unsure when i heard the premise, but it was outlined really well! it didn't feel creepy or like one of those "sell your soul" kind of billionaire bride stories. the couple was really cute, and i appreciated that they were both in emotionally healthy places-neither one was "damaged" or trying to "fix" the other. when they had trouble or disagreements, it was handled in a mature way. a nice change! : D also, the nerd in me loooooved the five love languages being included! (i'm a words of affirmation/physical touch girl myself ; D)
i also really enjoyed the Great Chocolate Brownie War, haha.
my only thing is i wish it were longer? the ending seemed really ubrupt, and i wanted more details on their lives and things!
June 23, 2015
Clean Romance
Interesting business proposition for a wife that is in name only, but with this quick read, of course they fit together well, and end up changing their agreement to be for keeps!
Cute, quick read. Blending together two people who are working hard for their dreams. Making time for what really matters (personal relationships) even while running a business, teaching and working on a degree, and running a home require them to learn to communicate effectively and make some compromises as they grow to understand how to best communicate with each other.
Novella (only about 150 pages or so), but still tells the story. 3 because it isn't long enough? It was fast and cute. Details would have come with longer story I think.
Interesting business proposition for a wife that is in name only, but with this quick read, of course they fit together well, and end up changing their agreement to be for keeps!
Cute, quick read. Blending together two people who are working hard for their dreams. Making time for what really matters (personal relationships) even while running a business, teaching and working on a degree, and running a home require them to learn to communicate effectively and make some compromises as they grow to understand how to best communicate with each other.
Novella (only about 150 pages or so), but still tells the story. 3 because it isn't long enough? It was fast and cute. Details would have come with longer story I think.
August 31, 2018
The one that started it all!
This is an incredible book! I have read it many times and still love it as much each time. I love the unique premise of the Billionaire Marriage Brokers (BMB) and how it's a modern take on match-making and bringing couples together to accomplish goals. I love the female protagonist's determinaton to make her PhD thesis a success and how the couple implements love languages to connect with eachother. This was sweet and clean, I'd rate it PG.
This is an incredible book! I have read it many times and still love it as much each time. I love the unique premise of the Billionaire Marriage Brokers (BMB) and how it's a modern take on match-making and bringing couples together to accomplish goals. I love the female protagonist's determinaton to make her PhD thesis a success and how the couple implements love languages to connect with eachother. This was sweet and clean, I'd rate it PG.
April 14, 2017
Good clean romance. Very enjoyable.
Read
December 7, 2016I read this one so long ago that I needed to reread before reviewing it. It was worth it. This is a sweet romance where the two characters find that they really were perfectly matched. Janel and Nick are cute. They start out flirting through texts and emails--after they get married! They are both trying to live their lives according to the "contract" but find that not only are they attracted to each other, but they genuinely make each other better.
My only beef is I wish there was more of them "dating". A lot of their relationship seems to develop off screen as it were. But even with that, I love the moment they both reveal their true feelings. Both characters are dedicated to making their dreams come true, but willing to bend and compromise so that both can be happy. It's the way marriage should be.
I give The Academic Bride by Lucy McConnell a 4.
1-5 scale and what it means:
1: I couldn’t even finish it / just plain bad
2: I hope I didn’t pay for this / disappointing
3: I didn’t hate it, but it was still missing something / forgettable but inoffensive
3.5: On the line between good and ok / like, not love
4: Solid mind candy / worth reading
4.5: So very close to perfection! / must read
5: I could not put it down and I’m still thinking about it! / a true treasure
My only beef is I wish there was more of them "dating". A lot of their relationship seems to develop off screen as it were. But even with that, I love the moment they both reveal their true feelings. Both characters are dedicated to making their dreams come true, but willing to bend and compromise so that both can be happy. It's the way marriage should be.
I give The Academic Bride by Lucy McConnell a 4.
1-5 scale and what it means:
1: I couldn’t even finish it / just plain bad
2: I hope I didn’t pay for this / disappointing
3: I didn’t hate it, but it was still missing something / forgettable but inoffensive
3.5: On the line between good and ok / like, not love
4: Solid mind candy / worth reading
4.5: So very close to perfection! / must read
5: I could not put it down and I’m still thinking about it! / a true treasure
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