Melanie Harlow Boeken

It was the perfect plan.I needed a wife--temporarily--in order to inherit the family business.And she needed a favor--the kind that takes nine months to deliver.We had it all worked out, from the no-touching policy on our wedding night (her rule) to the no-falling-in-love decree (mine). She'd marry me, I'd give her the means to have the baby she'd always wanted, and one year later we'd amicably part ways with no hassle, no demands, and certainly no regrets.After all, Bianca DeRossi and I are experts at infuriating one another--we've been doing it since we were kids. Trouble is, she grew up gorgeous and feisty, and she still knows exactly how to get under my skin.And that wedding night? Well, it doesn't exactly go down hands-free.Then she moves in with me, and I really start to lose my mind. From her sexy little pout to her wicked sense of humor to those meatball sandwiches she makes just because she knows they're my favorite . . . I find myself wanting to break every rule we put in place. Our story was never supposed to end with happily ever after. But call me crazy, I just might be in love with my wife.

"Just friends. That’s all Beckett Weaver and I have ever been. Sure, he’s a hot cowboy who left Wall Street behind to take over his family’s ranch. Yes, I’ve had a secret crush on him since we were seventeen. And who wouldn’t appreciate those strong hands, that massive chest, and the way he fills out a pair of Levis? He makes a girl sweat just looking at him . . . and I look. A lot. But I’m a single mom trying to move on with my life, and he’s running that ranch single-handedly while taking care of his elderly father. We don’t even live in the same state. I only returned to my hometown of Bellamy Creek to sell my late mother’s house, and he just invited me and my son to stay with him because he’s got a big heart. That’s not the only big thing he’s got--which I discover the night I finally sneak across the hall to his bedroom and shed my inhibitions right alongside my pajamas. And once we give into each other, we can’t stop. The hayloft. The bed of his truck. The dock by the pond. Nothing has ever felt so right, but his past has taught him not to believe in happily ever after, and every perfect night I spend in his arms brings us closer to goodbye. Like any cowboy, he’s good with a rope and knows exactly how to tie me up. But what if I want him to tie me down?"--Back cover.

The story unfolds with a humorous reflection on a festive breakfast event gone awry after indulging in one too many mimosas. The protagonist navigates the chaotic aftermath of their choices, leading to unexpected and entertaining consequences. As the narrative explores themes of holiday mishaps and personal growth, it highlights the importance of moderation and the charm of embracing life's imperfections during the festive season.

The story revolves around a complicated romantic relationship where the protagonist finds herself drawn to her brother's best friend. Their close bond is tested as feelings deepen, leading to tension and conflict within their friendships and family dynamics. Themes of loyalty, desire, and the challenges of navigating love within close-knit circles are explored, making for a compelling narrative filled with emotional highs and lows.

The narrative explores themes of nostalgia and loss, reflecting on a time when the protagonist felt fulfilled and successful. As they reminisce about their past, they confront the changes that have led to their current state of discontent. The journey delves into personal growth, the impact of choices, and the search for meaning in a life that once seemed complete. Through introspection, the story reveals the complexities of human experience and the desire to reclaim what has been lost.

Theo MacLeod wasn't supposed to be the one.Tall, dark and handsome suits me just fine, but the cocky grin, know-it-all attitude, and mammoth ego? No thanks. I only hired him so I wouldn't have to sit at the singles table again. It was just pretend.He wasn't supposed to kiss me. My heart wasn't supposed to pound. We weren't supposed to spend the night together--the hottest night of my life. One night turns into a snowed-in weekend away, and even the blizzard of the century can't cool the fire between us. I can't get enough--of his smile, of his body, of the way he makes me feel.We're nothing alike. He's a daredevil, and I'm a nervous Nellie. He's a drifter, and I want to put down roots. He's an opportunist with a checkered past, and I'm a Girl Scout volunteer.But none of it matters when I'm in his arms.I know he's made mistakes. I know his wounds are deep, and he doesn't trust easily. I know he doesn't believe he could ever be enough to make me happy, but he could. All he has to do is stay.

"I'm a full-time single dad to three daughters and CFO at Cloverleigh Farms. I don't have time to fall in love--I'm too busy trying to run a business, keep the red socks out of the white laundry, and get the damn pillowcases on without owing a dollar to the swear jar. Sure, Frannie Sawyer is beautiful and sweet, but she's twenty-seven, the boss's daughter, and my new part-time nanny--which means she's completely off-limits."

Sometimes your first love deserves a second chance. He was my first crush, my first kiss, my first everything.But I’m not a lovesick teenager anymore, and I’d never let that cocky troublemaker break my heart again.So when he shows up out of the blue asking me to have dinner with him “for old time’s sake,” I say I will. After all, it’s been twelve years, and I’m stronger and smarter than I was back then. Except…he still does something to me. He’s got those eyes that make me weak, those hands that drive me wild, and a body I can’t resist—especially once I see the tattoos. It doesn’t take long for our trip down memory lane to go from sweet to sizzling.We’re just as good together as we were back then—better, even—and I’m willing to give the only man I’ve ever loved another chance.But he’s got to tell me the truth. * * *All I wanted was to see her again. Tell her I’m sorry. Make her smile.Okay, that’s a lie. I wanted to do more than that—a lot more. But I know she’s better off without me, and I promised myself I’d behave.Except I’ve never been much good at keeping promises…or my hands to myself when I’m around her. I can make her laugh, I can make her cry, I can make her body surrender to mine in ways that neither of us could have imagined back then. I can—and I do—love her more than she’ll ever know.But I can’t tell her the real reason why I’m here.And I can’t stay.

The protagonist devises a clever scheme to secure a temporary wife, essential for inheriting the family business. This arrangement promises to be straightforward, but as unexpected emotions and complications arise, the plan becomes increasingly complicated, forcing the characters to navigate their evolving feelings and the implications of their arrangement. The story explores themes of love, commitment, and the unforeseen consequences of a seemingly simple decision.

Balancing the challenges of single fatherhood and a demanding career, the protagonist juggles raising three daughters while managing Cloverleigh Farms as CFO. His life is a whirlwind of domestic chaos, from laundry mishaps to navigating everyday parenting hurdles, leaving little room for romance. The story explores themes of responsibility, love, and the humorous struggles of a dad determined to keep everything in order amidst the delightful chaos of family life.