From USA Today and Amazon Charts bestselling author Meghan Quinn, comes a new marriage of convenience romantic comedy. This steamy, laugh out loud, enemies-to-lovers small town standalone delivers the perfect happily ever after.
He proposed . . . and I said yes. Normally a jovial occasion for a couple in love, but this proposal has a very different feel. Because the man that I'll be calling my husband blew into town with one thing on his mind . . . to make my life a living nightmare.
So why did I say yes?
Well, because we both need something from each other.
Namely, I want the farm land he currently owns, and he needs a wife in order to inherit his family cabin in his grandfather’s will.
So as he so eloquently put it, my hand, for his land.
At first, I thought the idea was nuts. Who really gets married out of convenience? Apparently, I do.
And now we have to sell our relationship to the town. Meaning, we're holding hands, he's pinching my cheeks . . . upper and lower. We're even forced to share the one-bedroom guest house on the farm where his monstrous body is taking up a large percentage of the bed.
But we’re so persuasive about our farse, that now I’m starting to think he actually might like me. Especially when he grabs me by the wrist and teases the shell of my ear as he whispers, “Mine.”
When I was in high school I occasionally read books but was consumed by other teenage things so I didn't take the time to appreciate a good book on a cloudy day, wrapped up in a blanket on the couch. It wasn't until I received a Kindle for Christmas one year that my world completely flipped upside down. When looking for books I came across the Contemporary Romance genre and was sold and I haven't turned back since.
You can either find my head buried in my Kindle, listening to inspiring heart ripping music or typing away on the computer twisting and turning the lives of my characters while driving my readers crazy with anticipation.
I currently reside in beautiful Colorado Springs where the sun is always shining and there is a trail waiting to be hiked on every corner. I share a lovely and warm home with the love of my life and my five, four-legged children.
4.5 ⭐️ This was such a fun and easy read. So funny too, had me giggling the WHOLE time. OH, and it’s a small town romance, where she’s grumpy and he’s sunshine?!? I rest my case
DNF. There were too many characters to keep track of that were underdeveloped that I was getting so confused.
Also, I didn’t like the MMC from page 1. At first I actually thought it was a woman narrator until it became clear it was the MMC. And he was described in such a gross way… really didn’t set him up as likable.
I kept pushing through, but I really did not enjoy this. I felt it was the worst thing I have ever read by this author and I am usually a fan of her books… not for me.
I used to LOVE Meghan Quinn. At the height of my reading journey, I would inhale any one of her books in a single day. Did my tastes change? Or did the writing get worse?? IDK, but between the last one of hers I read and now this…I cannot say I’m that big of a fan anymore. I’m not one to EVER DNF but this was so cringy, it felt like a caricature of itself. Where the plot was going was so farfetched and the dialogue…wow. And 500+ pages?? Yeah no thanks!
🚩 Yes I realize I gave this book zero chance and yes I'm still shelving it, a girl's gotta do what she needs to red flag these reads, come @ me 🚩
If this review comes off as a bunch of random notes that were put together and seem incoherent as a whole, it's most likely because that's the actual case. 😂
So I would like to apologize in advance if reading this review would hurt or confuse your head about whether you should read this or not. I'm not a literary agent, but I'll try my best to put my disorganized thoughts together and make them as unchaotic (is that even a word??😂) as I can. 🤣
============================
Background:
Sooooo, Wyatt's (35) fiancee ended things with them a day before their wedding. She told him she didn't love him anymore and just up and left without giving him any explanation. In the present time, in the prologue, that was three weeks ago. He became depressed (more like sad) because, according to him, he "loved" her, yet it turns out she didn't feel the same.
You see, Wyatt's grandfather left a cabin that is very sentimental to him, and based on his will, the first grandchildren to get married will inherit that house. Wyatt loved that cabin so much, and it was working according to his plan before, but then it all came crashing down when he was jilted.
He stayed with his best friend, Laurel, in those weeks, and she felt awful seeing him that way. But she needs to be honest with him, so she dropped the news that his cousin, who was a jerk and doesn't particularly care for the cabin, is about to get married in a few months. Obviously, Wyatt doesn't want that to happen, and this is where Laurel suggested to him that he marry someone in order to get ownership of the cabin.
This is where Aubree (28) comes into the picture. Wyatt's brother and Aubree's sister were married, and unfortunately, both of them have already passed away, leaving a farm that is now passed onto Aubree and Wyatt. It was a 50-50 ownership, and that farm was Aubree's life, but Wyatt doesn't want to do anything with it.
Laurel suggested to Wyatt that he ask Aubree to marry him. They have to be married for a year to make it believable, and in this MOC, he'll get the cabin and she'll get the farm. Making this a win-win situation for them.
============================
Like I said in my disclaimer, I don't know how this review will go, so I'll just put my jumbled thoughts here. Don't judge; most of these are still disorganized in my head. 🤣
Aubree
She was a tough nut to crack, mainly because of her childhood trauma and the way it molded her into the woman she is now. The verbal and physical abuse from her father greatly impacted her self-esteem and confidence. They said she's grumpy, but honestly, she just doesn't know how to let loose and deal with emotions and feelings. She put a lot of pressure on herself to disprove her father's opinion that she would never amount to anything. So when half of the farm was given to her, she promised that she would make it successful, not just for herself but also for her late sister.
Of course, with this kind of upbringing, Aubree became so closed-off, headstrong, and way too independent. She prefers to handle problems on her own and dislikes asking for assistance. It's totally badass if you ask me, but it could also be a bit of a problem. No man is an island after all.
But if anyone would try to get to know her, like, really get to know her, people would realize how thoughtful, caring, and loving she is. That she's witty and has a great dry sense of humor—that's kind of difficult to pull off, imo. Also, despite her grumpy persona, deep down, all she ever wanted was to be loved and cared for. She's not used to affection and intimacy, but she wants to experience those things and be able to get past her own issues.
Wyatt
I'm conflicted with his character, if I'm being honest. I have a love-hate relationship with him. 😅
Wyatt sure gave off "nice guy" vibes, and I think the way he charmed the small town of Almond Bay and its locals was a great example of that. He never had any trouble settling in there, and was greeted with such warmth by everyone right away. He's funny, witty, and friendly, and I wouldn't blame anyone for liking him off the bat because he was an overall sunshine-y person.
But as much as I enjoyed his comedic lines and attempts to get past Aubree's wall, I couldn't help but feel that most of what he did was a bit calculative and manipulative. Sure, they'll both get something out of this arrangement. But the way Wyatt bulldozed his way into Aubree's daily routine doesn't sit well with me.
He came into her town, pretended that he was interested in the farm, and not even a day into it, he was spewing some things or activities that would "help" the place become a bit successful. I know this should be seen as productive or whatever, but when he told Lauren that half of what he said to Aubree was "mainly taking out of his ass that made sense," for some reason this pissed me off because I know this is one way of him manipulating her into believing that he cares for the place.
He seemed to invade her boundaries slowly with each passing day, bribing her with pastries, coffee, help with the farm, and even with sexual innuendos that she was uncomfortable to begin with. It only took two weeks to get past her walls; it wasn't really a hard manipulation, but if you look closely, you'll realize that what he was doing. There was an instance after he finally told her his proposition that he went low with blackmail, saying that he would sell his part of the farm if she didn't agree to marrying him, and I almost want to throat punch him in this scene.
Tbf, he backtracked with the blackmail because he felt guilty about that move. So he offered Aubree his land and even told her that she didn't have to marry him. But knowing her, she wouldn't take that handout for free, so she accepted his proposition.
Also, this could be a positive for Wyatt because he's really good with words; after all, he's a best-selling author. But for some reason, I feel like some of the things that come out of his mouth are either half-truths or just plain words. He's so good and has such natural talent with words that it was so convincing, yet for some reason I can't buy some of them.
I think this is my problem because, in the back of my mind, I feel like SOME of these sweet words are a calculated attempt on his part to bring down Aubree's walls and not because he meant them.
Overall
Then Wyatt's stupidest mistake was not being honest with Aubree about his ex-fiancee. She asked him twice about who Cadance was, because not once did he mention her and their failed engagement. But did Wyatt answer Aubree? No! He brushed off her question and told her that previous relationships should stay in the past. Would it be considered the past when it was more than a month or two ago? That was hardly the past; it's freaking fresh and very recent.
Of course, the fiancee will pop into the story because they always do (why though?). To say Aubree was caught off guard is an understatement. She didn't know anything about this woman, and the way she saw Wyatt's reaction made her think that he was still in love with her. Which was not true; according to Wyatt, he's not in love and even thinks that he never loved her at all. He finally got his closure, told off his ex, and even proudly said to the ex that he's in love with his wife.
Then, we got the lamest grovel ever—four nights of him talking to her before they went to sleep. 🥲 🫠 Despite the hurt, Aubree still wants to stick with the contract and stay married to him for a year. Because she's just that person—someone who keeps her word.
After that debacle, she didn't talk to him for four days, but they still live together and sleep in the same bed. And Wyatt thought that opening up to her at night was one way to gain her trust, of course, when everything exploded, that's when he finally realized that he should've been truthful to her from the very beginning. Like I said, lame grovel, it was all words and no action. And Aubree, so disappointing but not surprising, caved in so fast and gave him another chance.
Anyway, this was not particularly original, plot-wise, that is. It was predictable, but I still read it and had fun because this is a rom-com after all. But does this need to be a 588-page story? I honestly don't think so. 🥲 And the slowburn definitely killed me. I'm just not into it atm, but I persevered, can't help but be proud of myself. 🤣
So if you ever reach this point, thanks for reading or skimming. 😂 Take my ramblings with a grain of salt and do what you will with them. I originally rated it as 3.5, but after some reflection, I feel like this is more of a 3⭐ for me.
Goooosh! This was a freaking long review, and I felt so drained after organizing my thoughts. Why did I even do this to myself? 😭🤣
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Unrealistic, flat out plain, too long, immature MCs. I had to skip and skim too many pages to get to the end and it wasnt anything spectacular as well I liked the first book but second one was not for me.
Meghan Quinn does it again with 'The Reason I Married Him'! 📚 ✨ This enemies-to-lovers small town romance had me hooked from the first page. 💑 The marriage of convenience, one bed tropes add a delightful twist, keeping you on the edge of your seat wondering how these two will navigate the unexpected journey to their happily ever after. 👫💖
From cheek-pinching antics to whispered promises, the chemistry between the characters is sizzling, making you question if their fake relationship might just turn real. 🔥 The banter, the spice, and the humor make this a steamy, laugh-out-loud read that you won't want to put down. 😂🔥
Wyatt and Aubree's story in the Almond Bay series is a rollercoaster of emotions, blending heartwarming moments with a touch of heat. 🎢💓 Wyatt's quirky personality and Aubree's strength create a dynamic duo that you'll be rooting for until the very end. 🌟 The groveling, the dirty mouth, and the undeniable connection make this a perfect addition to the Meghan Quinn universe.
I couldn't get enough of this book – it's everything I love about Meghan Quinn's storytelling wrapped up in a delightful package. 🎁💕 The cameos and family dynamics add extra layers to the story, making it a truly immersive experience. 🏡👨👩👧👦
If you're a fan of spicy rom-coms, strong characters, and a plot that keeps you hooked, 'The Reason I Married Him' is a must-read! 📖✨ Don't miss out on the magic of Almond Bay. 🌰💫
I need some laughs… and I got lots of it. This was such a fun read. Had some great characters and excellent banter. I especially enjoyed the reverse grumpy sunshine dynamic. Could’ve done without that third act breakup though but at least it wasn’t dragged out. My first book by this author and I’m definitely looking forward to reading some more from them.
Read if you : - Marriage of convenience - Small-town romance - Rom-com - Grumpy fmc/sunshine mmc - Enemies to lovers
This was an okay read; it had the typical Meghan Quinn charm, even though it wasn't as funny. I liked that the reason for marriage of convenience actually made sense in this book. The banter was nice, and the small town farm was a vibe. I didn't connect to the characters as much as I would have liked to, but the romance was cute. Also, I won't say it's as spicy as other MQ books, but there are some very steamy scenes. Thank you to Good Girl PR for this arc for an honest review.
I was honestly SO excited about this one since the main trope is Marriage of Convenience, however I didn’t love it quite as much as book 1 in the series. I didn’t really care for either of the MCs. That’s not to say it was bad, I don’t even think Meghan could write a bad book. I have loved everything I had ever read by her & I did enjoy this one — It was just different than I was expecting!
Thank you so much to Meghan & her team for sending me an ARC!
Tropes: - Small Town - Marriage of Convenience - Reverse Grumpy x Sunshine - Forced Proximity
Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Trope: marriage of convenience, reverse grumpy/sunshine Angst: 😱😱😱 Smexy: 🔥🔥🔥
Absolutely loved it! Wonderful slowburn with all the chemistry. Reverse grumpy/sunshines are a fave and this one had so much laugh out loud, witty dialogue that just highlighted their differences. Beautifully written story about overcoming your past and the importance of family ❤️.
My oh my, did I love this book. I was super hesitant because I had no idea what to expect from Aubree, since I wasn’t a fan of her when I met her on Hattie’s book. But she surprised me and I fell in love with her.
Aubree is a great depiction of perseverance, strength AND stubbornness. She guards her heart in order to protect her feelings so that she doesn’t get hurt (understandable) but the way Wyatt smoothly sneaks into her life, gets under her skin and wins her over is worth everything.
He was exactly what she needed to get out of her comfort zone and her constant state of grumpiness. Wyatt slowly loved Aubree with all the love languages. Never gave up on her and truly was her number one fan.
This oneturned out to be the perfect love story between two complex and misunderstood characters.
I loved the family dynamic and the cameos.
And once again it was proved that fake dating/marriage of convenience will always be the superior trope 🤗
I’m grateful to have received an ARC by Meghan Quinn’s team for my honest review.
Really disappointed. I thought the writing was poor. The plot poor, chemistry was poor. It rambled. Was too long. The steamy scenes weren't anything exciting. Almost cheesy. DNF 84 percent. I tried really hard because I love this author.
If I have a chance to listen to an audiobook written by Meghan Quinn, I'm always going to take it. She writes with heart, wit, humor and of course gives us that steam. But when we get to hear her books on audio, it's a whole other level of goodness. Performed in duet style by Aaron Shedlock and Stella Hunter, The Reason I Married Him was the ultimate slow burn, marriage of convenience, dislike to love, small town romcom. These amazing narrators did a wonderful job of bringing the characters to life and showing how the characters evolved over the course of the story.
I was excited to return to Almond Bay and get to know another one of the Rowley's better. After the first book in the series (and don't worry, both of these can be read as standalones) I wasn't sure how to feel about Aubree. She was the sister that held a lot back and kind of seemed a bit standoffish. But this family had been through a lot with a less than stellar father and their sister's recent death. So I knew I had to show her some grace. She's had a rough go at life. Now she is running the farm that her sister left to her and it looks like things aren't adding up to show the success she has had. When Wyatt shows up, the other half owner of the farm, he is full of ideas of how to make everything better and Aubree can only see that he wants to take it all from her.
Wyatt is a well known thriller writer that has just been left at the altar. He's been in a bad place, obviously and his best friend needs him off of her couch. He's a grown man that needs to face the music and move on. When he realizes the fact that he didn't get married puts the ownership of his grandfather's cabin in jeopardy, he will do anything to save it. He has something Aubree wants, so he has a proposition for her. A marriage of convenience!
Wyatt comes to Almond Bay with all his positive, golden retriever vibes and everyone falls in love with him. The whole town...minus Aubree. But she will do anything to have 100% ownership of the farm. And if marrying this guy that is over the type positive, pleasing and full of good ideas is the way to do it, Aubree will take the deal.
While the pacing felt slow at first, the character development was perfect. You get to see who these characters are and what brings them to their decisions. Aubree was understandably suspicious of Wyatt and I could see why. Too much happy go lucky almost turned me off. But then I started to believe the words that came out of Wyatt's mouth just like Aubree did and I felt those feelings right along with her. She doesn't trust easily and you could feel that through the story. And Wyatt? He's just so sweet, smart, sexy and it felt like his words were almost too flowery, but it was just him. He wanted to love and be loved and be oh so giving (IYKYK). While Wyatt and Aubree are two very different characters, they bloomed in one another's presence. And once we got to see Aubree start to melt and her walls start crumbling, we got to see a woman that has just been hurt but wanted more. To see both of these characters slowly fall for one another and finally give into their attraction was a thrill to watch. From their banter, to "one bed" cuddling at night to chapters 15 and 16?! Yowza!! I was just worried for Wyatt and what had to happen for them both to have a deep level of trust.
I truly adored Wyatt and the woman that Aubree became. I liked their connection and the way they worked together at home and at work. I think these two characters grew with one another and learned what it truly meant to be partners. And while it started out a marriage of convenience, you could feel that they had a strong foundation to build on for the future.
I am loving this small town and all of the nosy community that wants to be a part of everything. Not only are we getting to know the MCs, but also all the supporting cast and it makes you feel like you are a part of the town. I can't wait to see all the Rowleys get their HEAs!
I love all that Meghan Quinn writes… I love her characters, the family and friends she creates and a book with laughter and deep thoughts…
I loved Wyatt… his boldness and perseverance to get Aubree to help him. Watching him want to be her protector and fall for her…
I loved Aubree…My heart breaks for her…. It’s ok women have issues…. She’s not annoying… she’s just broken… and guarded…and beautiful… watching her grow within herself from life’s battles she faced and becoming stronger herself was amazing…
Life is hard… put yourself around people who support you and love you… be there for your family, appreciate everyone is different like Hattie and Ryland… find a friend like Laurel who is amazing….
Thanks Meghan Quinn for another book that makes you love those in your life… in a crazy town where everyone knows your name!
This book was unnecessary too long and drawn out. I really wish Romance authors would write shorter books. There’s no reason a romcom should be almost 600 pages. It only slows the pace of story. At some point you just can’t wait to be done with it.
✓ Marriage of Convenience ✓ Age Gap ✓ Dual POV ✓ Duet audiobook
When in doubt, Meghan Quinn will knock it out (of the park). I am so glad I had the chance to read this arc because I needed to be the giggly girlie that I turn into when I read one of MQs romcoms. I laughed so much oh my god I really enjoyed it.
WYATT. Oh Wyatt. I am still swooning over him bc he is definitely one of my new faves men of hers. He was such a cinnamon roll/golden retriever but the fact that he’s a famous thriller author that loves eating p🐱ssy makes him PERFECT.
Aubree’s character melted my heart from the start bc this grumpy girl went through the worst of the worst :( she needed someone bright & fun in her life AND THEN BOOM. She meets Wyatt and the fake dating fun begins hehe
Okay but the burlesque show scene was so hot I actually felt it throughout my entire body while reading. Like out of body for a sec. Listening to it also made it SO MUCH HOTTER!!!!!
I do wish we got a little more to the ending bc even though this book was a tad longer than I would’ve liked, I wanted to see more sass to her ex-bf & ex-bsf. And I still feel like I didn’t get some answers. But either way I really enjoyed the story!
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ Type: audio
Tropes: Marriage of convenience Fake dating small town Grumpy sunshine (she’s the grump) Enemies to lovers (kinda) Forced proximity
I’m gonna be 100% honest, I don’t really know how to rate this one, so my rating on it might change. This was a very middle-of-the-pack book for me in regards to MQ’s books overall. It didn’t wow me like others have, nor did it fall flat or make me cringe at overuse of ridiculous nicknames. It had some good sex scenes, and the tension was built up really nicely, and I always enjoy the banter between MQ’s characters. But it just was A LOT of buildup. I don’t think the mains kissed until like 50%. 😂 I said this in an update of my reading progress, but it was shocking to me that a marriage of convenience book didn’t actually have the characters married until 75% of the book was finished. Now, this wasn’t bad by any means! Because the characters were trying to make their relationship as real as possible… but it also makes you think “okay, are we gonna get to the marriage part at all??” And with so many allusions to cousin Wallace who would contest this marriage the most… we don’t meet him until like 80 or 85% mark… so it just felt very late in the game for that confrontation to finally happen. It was like “oh, now we’re doing this?” But that whole moment did lead to some pretty good groveling in my opinion, so I can’t say I didn’t enjoy it! Overall, I enjoyed listening to the audiobook! I think if I really HAD to give it a truthful rating, I’d probably say 3.5 or 3.75 out of 5 ⭐️ so I’m gonna round up to 4. I am curious about Maggie’s book being next, I am hoping we get a Ryland book more than anything 👀 single guardian trope? Mhm, hand that one over MQ if you would be so kind
I am obsessed with so many of her books but this one might be on top. I loved The Way I Hate Him last year so much so I was SO excited for this one. It exceeded my expectations. I loved the MMC Wyatt.. he was funny, cute, swoony, & the freaking sweetest. I loved how he was with Aubree. She is a tough cookie & hard to break & Wyatt never gives up!
FMC Aubree is so strong, closed off & not warm. She’s been through so much & I love watching her come back to life it seems in this book after the hell she’s been through!
Meghan’s books always make me laugh out loud, swoon & fall in love with her characters so hard. The entire family is seriously so good. I love the dynamic. I love all the details Meghan always gives- nothing is usually rushed which I love.
A must read.
Tropes: -Marriage of Connivence -One Bed -Small Town Romance -Golden Retriever MMC
I like the premise of Aubree and Wyatt's love story but there were a few things that made this a miss for me. I did enjoy going back to Almond Bay and I look forward to hearing the audiobook narration to possibly change my overall feelings for the story.
It was SO good to be back in Almond Bay!!! I continue to fall in love with this family and town more and more! Meghan does an incredible job writing her books as standalones so you can easily pick this one up if you haven’t read book 1, The Way I Hate Him. (Although I HIGHLY recommend that book too!)
This book is Aubree & Wyatt’s story and I could not get enough of it! It will have you all in your feels, while cracking up laughing, swooning and melting all at the same time! The banter in this book was just freaking PHENOMENAL!! I was smiling so darn hard during all the hilarious joking and teasing with Wyatt and Aubree! At the same time their story had me getting emotional when Aubree spoke of her past as she had a heart wrenching upbringing and has also lost her sister. Overall, this story was just SO fun with many adorable moments that had me completely head over heels for these characters!
😂Romantic Comedy 🌦Reverse Grumpy/Sunshine 💍Marriage of Convenience 🏡Small Town 🛏One Bed
📖Wyatt Preston (who might be my new fav MMC from Meghan!) is a successful author who got dumped by his bride right before the wedding. After wallowing in his sadness he learns that now he won’t inherit the cabin from his grandfather as it was going to the next person to be married, which is now his cousin. He heads to Almond Bay to propose a marriage plan to Aubree as he owns half of the potato farm they inherited when their married siblings passed away. Will she go along with this plan?
🎧AUDIO REVIEW: Aaron and Stella gave a phenomenal performance in this DUET narration!! This is the kind of audiobook where the narrators truly brought these characters to life and made them feel SO REAL!
Listening to the banter in this story with the duet narration was MY FAVORITE! I felt like I was just a fly on the wall just watching them go back and forth!! That right there is why I just love the production of a duet performance as the conversations flow together and make the audio so easy and enjoyable to listen to! A seamless performance!!!
Aaron’s portrayal of Wyatt is one of my favorite narrations from him EVER!!! I already love Aaron’s voice but he completely captured the playful and swoony demeanor of Wyatt with his voice which makes you fall even harder for his character! Meanwhile Stella had so much feeling in her voice and was able to showcase Aubree’s grumpy personality while also switching to a softer tone during emotional moments. She had me feeling all the things with her performance. Overall, I cannot recommend this one on audio enough!!! It is easily going to be one of those audiobooks that will be a comfort listen for me as it was just THAT ENJOYABLE of a narration!
The Reason I Married Him is a reverse grumpy-sunshine, marriage of convenience, enemies to lovers, small town romance and rom com all mixed together. Let me start by saying, I loved Wyatt. I loved everything about him. I loved his CHARISMA. I also loved his banter, kindness and will to push our heroine out of her comfort zone.
Aubree is one tough woman. She is often seen as closed off and cold... the Rowley left in the background that no one really cares about. She is fiercely loyal to those she loves, but has a very hard time loving herself. If you met her in The Way I Hate Him, her rigid personality really makes a lot more sense.
Wyatt approaches Aubree with a deal... "your hand for my land." Aubree wants nothing more than to own the entire farm she runs so she can truly fulfill her sister's legacy, while Wyatt wants to save his family cabin from a cousin who just wants to tear it down. The first to marry receives the cabin.
I loved watching literally the entire town fall for Wyatt right along with Aubree. He was so patient and kind. He really showed her what it could be like if she just let her guard down even just a little bit; to help her see that she is worth loving and worth putting the time in to help heal her very damaged mental health.
Once again, Meghan builds a small town that I can't get enough of. Almond Bay is so cute and full of characters that I won't soon forget that I enjoyed getting to see again. There is also such purposeful character building. These books definitely are standalones, but I think its so much better to start at the beginning with The Way I Hate Him. My only downside to TRIMH is that it is a pretty long book. Not that I don't enjoy a long book, but there was quite the slow build up to the romance in this one.
Tropes: Marriage of Convenience Enemies to Lovers Reverse Grumpy Sunshine One Bed Small Town Romance RomCom
Vibes: Happily on my MQ hype-train and never hopping off! This story has so much depth - all of the feels, laughs, and spice. I love diving the quirky small-town life of Almond Bay with its over-the-top townsfolk and charming storefronts. Aubree Rowley, closed-off and rightfully guarded, needed someone to come and rock her world. That someone is none other than Wyatt Preston (brother to her late sister’s husband). Wyatt-charming charismatic, a total cinnamon roll with a devious mind - is fresh off of his own heartbreak. He and his best friend devise a way to inherit his grandfather‘s cabin, while also reconnecting with his niece. I LOVE how Wyatt plots elaborate ways to reach his goals and also prove that he is Aubree’s #1 fan. Aubree is perfectly snarky, hilarious, and super witty. It’s absolutely gut-wrenching when she finally lets herself be vulnerable. This is such an amazing series!
Audio Notes: These two narrators make a fantastic reading experience. They are seamless in the way perform these characters. I appreciate so much the decision to voice their respective genders. There was not a single line that I would change. The pacing was perfect. The tone and accents helped to distinguish between characters perfectly. This was an immersive experience that I would recommend anyone.
Recommended to readers who adore small town romance with witty banter and all the spice.
It was so fun to be back in Almond Bay in this book and do a brief cameo with Canoodle as well. This is my favorite in this set of interconnected standalones so far. I loved the reverse grumpy-sunshine dynamic, the marriage of convenience, and the classic Meghan Quinn humor. This one earned its page count and kept me engaged throughout....AND this was the best spice in a contemporary romance that I've read in ages. Meghan outdid herself with this one.
The Way I Hate Him wasn’t my favorite. And I’m not going to lie, I was a bit nervous, because I absolutely fell in love with Aubree in that book, and I hoped her story was as good as I thought it would be. And thankfully I have finished and I can say it was every bit as good as I hoped.
📕 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: The Reason I Married Him by Meghan Quinn
📙 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀: The Almond Bay character series, book two.
📗 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀: E-book on Kindle. 🆓️ on KU
📘 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲: Contemporary romance
📔 𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝘀: Marriage of convenience, reverse grumpy/sunshine, golden retriever MMC, slow burn.
📖 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘀: Wyatt was just left the night before his wedding. His heart is broken, but he’s also about to lose his family’s cabin in the wreckage. So he comes up with a plan - ask Aubree to marry him to save his cabin, and he will give her the other half of the farm she loves so much.
🌟 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: I absolutely adore FMCs like Aubree. Women who are layered and complicated. Women who everyone thinks are horrible and closed off, but have good reason to be.
And I loooooove golden retrievers like Wyatt. So honestly, this book was basically written for me.
This felt like the Meghan Quinn I love - I laughed super hard in some scenes. I teared up a few times. And just genuinely was rooting for a happy ending. I can’t wait until Ryland’s book, because these siblings are such a good read.
𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 4.5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹: 3.5/5 🌶🌶🌶
📝 𝗔 𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗲… Bridesmaid for Hire is releasing next, which is Maggie’s book. It’s listed under the Almond Bay series, so I guess we don’t have to wait too long.
Bummer. This story fell flat for me. Aubree was hard to like, and didn’t deserve Wyatt. He also kept having the same conversations over and over with her. The book was slow for me and I had trouble paying attention or caring. This felt more like her Montlake books than her indie ones and I don’t jive with her Montlake books.