Trinette Dungee's 3 Star Review
“Hearts can start off pretending, but they don’t always end that way.”
What started off as pretending for Rafferty Abrams and Tempe Martin definitely did not end that way.
Since being traded to the Pittsburgh Titans, Rafferty has adjusted quite well. He’s fitting in well with his teammates and being the young single guy that he is, he’s living his best life. Especially when it comes to the ladies, and one lady whom his teammates discouraged him from getting involved with is now having a hard time accepting their time together was just one night.
One night in a grocery store attempting to escape the unwanted attention he’s getting from what he thought was a one stand, and who also happens to be the cousin of the Titans’ owner, Rafferty makes an impulsive decision and kisses an employee after quickly pleading with her to just go along with him. If Tansy thinks he has a girlfriend, then maybe she’ll back off. Unfortunately for Rafferty, Tansy isn’t buying the act. There’s no way playboy Rafferty has suddenly decided to become a one-woman man; and he certainly wouldn’t choose a grocery store clerk. Rafferty has no choice but to go back to Tempe and convince her to be his fake girlfriend one more time, but one more time turns into way more.
Temperence “Tempe” Martin has deferred her last semester of college to go home and help her mom, who is unable to care for herself after an accident, and her younger brother. Going to work and being kissed by a handsome stranger was definitely not on her bingo card, but handsome stranger looks so desperate she can’t help to go along. When he comes back to her the next day and asks her to be his fake girlfriend for one day and offers to pay her a crazy amount of money she agrees, because well...her family has bills to pay. Soon Tempe finds herself in a longer commitment.
Fake relationships aren’t my favorite trope. Honestly, I don’t think they make into my top three. Every so often though, one comes along that gives me a little tingle, and that’s what this book did. It wasn’t so much the storyline, but the characters. I absolutely loved these two together. Their chemistry was instant. The progression of their relationship from strangers-fake relationship-friends-lovers was seamless. I honestly wasn’t expecting a lot from this book because I wasn’t so sure from past exposure of Rafferty that I was going to like him. I felt like he was going to be a little too cocky for me. Don’t get me wrong, the ego was there but it wasn’t overbearing. Tempe was an instant like for me. I mean, come on, the woman agreed to let a stranger in a grocery store lay one her. She had no idea who Rafferty was. When she realizes who he is and he offers to pay her to help him out, she could have completely taken advantage, but she didn’t. She was more of “just what I need to get us through a rough patch. They were just too cute.
One of my favorite scenes was the dinner they shared getting to know each other. I can’t put my finger on it, but there was something very genuine in the scene.
This was a fast-paced book and a quick read (as long as life wasn’t life’ing). Fake dating can be angsty at times, but this was very low on angst (I’m not a fan of angst). If I had to rate the spice level, I’d give it a two or three, which was perfect for this book. It’s a nice addition to this series. There are still a few more players to learn about in this series and the one that has my mind truly spinning is Penn. I can’t wait to read about him. Also, Rafferty’s sister shows up on his door announced and is sticking around…. wonder how she’s going to fit into any further books?
