Thursday, April 14, 2022

A Marriage of Benefits - Makenna Lee (HSE #2898 - Mar 2022)

Series: Home to Oak Hollow (Book 4)

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.


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