7 Steps to Seducing Your Fake Fiancé
Author: Kelly Siskind
Reviewer: Jen
Rating: B+
What I’m Talking About:
Jake, the eldest Bower brother, carries guilt and blames himself for events from the past, but it’s the hurt and pain he caused Larkin that haunts him every time he sees her, especially because he is drawn to her and can’t ever act on it. He knows he shouldn’t have tried to protect Larkin by saying he’s her fiancé in front of Larkin’s a-hole ex, so when she insists they go through with the fake engagement, he’s shocked.
I will admit, I had a lot of emotional anxiety going into 7 Steps to Seducing Your Fake Fiancé. This book has so many things that put me on edge: false accusations, big secrets, someone with unfair power over another, and a promise to never hurt the other again. Both Larkin and Jake have a lot of baggage from their past, and they haven’t each fully dealt with it. Larkin finds it hard to trust after being in a number of abusive relationships. Jake blames himself for everything that went wrong with his father and being put into WIT-SEC. They carry heavy burdens that cloud the sunshine of their mutual love.
Yet the author navigates the turmoil and tough issues without blowing them out of proportion OR going down a well-travelled path. Sure, both characters make mistakes, but not to the point of eye-rolling. What I love is that although Jake and Larkin are damaged, they are willing to communicate and try to trust, so when the bumps do happen, they are softened rather than jagged mountains with the power to destroy. The author pens a beautiful relationship that needed the twelve years of maturing (while separated) in order to work. And I appreciate that Jake and Larking acknowledge more growth is required.
While I felt the resolution of the climatic confrontation went a little too easy, the author actually has her characters acknowledge it and move on, which I liked. Sometimes things do work out how they are supposed to and don’t require additional drama.
In the end, I really enjoyed 7 Steps to Seducing Your Fake Fiancé. Overall, I really liked the Bower Brothers series, and Jake and Larkin put a lovely bow on the final title. There is also a lovely free epilogue novella that made me smile.
My Rating: B+
Jen
About the Book:
What’s worse than being fake engaged to a woman who despises you?
Falling head over heels for her.
Larkin Gray hates me with the fire of ten thousand suns.
We haven’t seen each other in twelve years, but she’s still furious with me for breaking a promise to her…and she’s even prettier than I remember.
But there’s no undoing the damage I caused.
Since I can’t make amends, I avoid her lethal glare at all costs. Until I stumble upon her lying about having a fiancé to her ex, and I lose my ever-loving mind. Suddenly, I’m introducing myself as her betrothed and getting us invited to his wedding.
Predictably, Larkin is intent on making my life miserable, except this barbed banter is kind of fun. And the more time we spend together, the more we discover we have in common.
Then she kisses me to prove our relationship status and I damn near lose my heart.
I’m ready to go all in with Larkin, but she’s not the only one I hurt twelve years ago. Her intimidating brother has every reason to hate me too and doesn’t want me touching his sister. But my lips and tongue don’t count as hands. Right?
Content warning from author: Physical and emotional abuse. It’s also recommended that you read book four in the Bower Boys series, 4 HINTS YOU LOVE YOUR BEST FRIEND, before reading this heart-gripping story.
Release Date: November 15, 2023
Publisher: Self-Published
Series: Bower Boys #5
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Format(s): paperback (334 pages), e-book
Book Source: Author
Purchase Info:
Amazon (affiliate link)
Reviews in the Series:
50 Ways to Win Back Your Lover by Kelly Siskind (Bower Boys #1)
10 Signs You Need to Grovel by Kelly Siskind (Bower Boys #2)
6 Clues Your Nemesis Loves You by Kelly Siskind (Bower Boys #3)
4 Hints You Love Your Best Friend by Kelly Siskind (Bower Boys #4)