She's buying a husband
And he's buying a…dog?
Veterinarian Jessica Talbot wants to build a clinic and
wildlife rescue. She could access her trust fund, but there's a caveat -- to
get the money, Jessica needs a husband. When she learns Officer Jake Carter
needs funding to buy and train his own K-9 partner, Jessica proposes. Jake is
shocked, but he agrees -- only for the money. It's the perfect plan -- if only
Jessica can avoid falling for her husband…and vice-versa!
Good book that kept me hooked from beginning to end. Interestingly,
this is the second contemporary "marriage of convenience" book I've
read this month. I'm used to this trope in historical romance, but not as much
in modern-day stories.
Jessica left her job with a high-end veterinary practice
in Hollywood after a humiliating breakup with her boyfriend. When she ran into
the vet from Oak Hollow, Texas, at a conference and learned he was retiring,
she decided to go there. She and her dad used to vacation in Oak Hollow, so she
has fond memories of the place. And when she learns the ranch they used to stay
at is for sale, it seems that karma was finally on her side. The ranch purchase
has left her stretched a little thin financially, but she'll dip into her trust
fund when she's ready to start building her clinic.
On her first day there, Jessica has a flat tire on her
way into town. She's just finished changing it when a truck pulling a horse
trailer stops. The handsome cop who steps out to see if she's okay is surprised
that she managed on her own but respects her abilities. Jessica is a bit grease-stained
and disheveled by this time and wishes she'd taken the time to dress better for
the trip. When she recognizes the cop as her childhood crush, Jake Carter,
she's so flustered that she trips over a root, causing Jake to try to help. They
both end up on the ground. Jessica's embarrassed, and Jake leaves quickly to
spare her.
Fate isn't done with Jessica and Jake. When Jessica gets
the disturbing news that she must be married to draw extra money from her trust
fund, she goes job hunting instead. Her first "interview" is as a
waitress at the local diner, where the owner has her try waiting on a table.
She's flustered again when one of the customers is Jake and proceeds to spill
three cups of coffee off her tray - right onto his lap. Trouble comes in threes,
and the next time she sees him is when she scoops a turtle out of the middle of
the road - as he is driving down the street and has to swerve to miss her. Poor
Jessica can't catch a break.
Jake is intrigued by "Mystery Woman," who looks
familiar and can't keep out of his mind. He finally remembers who she is and
the summers they knew each other. But as interested as he is, he's been burned
in one relationship which took off quickly, and he's not about to make the same
mistake. Besides, he'll be headed back to Dallas once the K-9 trainer job he
wants opens up. He only came back to Oak Hollow to help his dad recover from
his heart attack. He has enough on his mind helping around the house and with
the expenses. Jake also dreams of getting a pup he can train as a K-9.
It was fun to watch Jessica and Jake reconnect as
friends. Jessica is determined to redeem herself from those initial encounters,
but those attempts don't go entirely as intended. Then she overhears him
talking about the cost of a trained K-9, which the Oakwood PD can't afford, and
the bills due from his father's medical expenses. Jessica gets the brilliant
idea of proposing a marriage of convenience to Jake. She'll get the money she
needs and give him what he needs for his dad and the dog. Jake is aghast at the
idea but, on further reflection, sees that it might work - with specific rules
in place.
I loved that both Jessica and Jake see the potential
pitfalls but won't back out once committed because they don't want to mess things
up for the other one. I enjoyed the scenes of them spending time together,
getting to know each other, and putting on a show to convince others that they were
falling for each other. The elopement sequence was sweet and a little steamy as
they fought their growing attraction. It only gets worse once they are living together.
Jessica's aunt's visit brings the simmering attraction to a full boil. Jessica realizes
that she's already in too deep to protect her heart, and Jake begins to believe
the same.
What happens when the Dallas job opens sooner than Jake
expects and he's no longer sure what he wants to do? Then his helicopter mama,
who is far too involved in his business as a thirty-year-old man, sticks her
nose in where it doesn't belong? I hurt for Jessica, who loves Jake too much to
get in the way of his dreams and "helps" him the only way she knows
how. Thank goodness for friends who know when not to keep a secret. I loved the
ending and seeing them so happy.
I loved being back in Oak Hollow and catching up with
characters from the earlier books. I especially enjoyed the sweet scenes with
little Hannah, Lily, and Cody. Jessica fit right in with the other women, and I
liked seeing her renew her childhood friendship with Emma.
And he's buying a…dog?
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