Brooke Fern
***4 Stars*** This was a fun fake relationship morphs into way more than either person ever imagined read that was filled with a good balance of heart, smexyness and drama that kept me turning the pages to see what would happen next. It was easy to like both Carson and Ella. They aren’t afraid of working hard for what they want, they’re honest and have an ease about them that made it easy to connect with both of them. Their journey to their HEA was a fun one and I really liked the direction it took. It is all kinds of insta-lust that morphs into insta-love, but it worked for me because of how the fake relationship came about. They were forced to get to know each other without the game playing and stringing each other along, so they got the “This is me. Take it or leave it” version and it totally worked for me. The sexual chemistry between them is off the charts and I really enjoyed how they became a couple without realizing it. There are a few bumps in their road, but I like how everything worked out in the end. Misadventures of a Back Up Bride was a fun read and pretty much devoured once I started it. There was one spot where things did slow down for me, but overall it was an engaging and well paced story. The secondary cast of characters were very well written, one I wanted to gut with a spoon on numerous occasions, but he did add a bit of fun to the story in the end. I’m quite curious about Ella’s sisters and am keeping my toes crossed that they may just get their own books one day. ~ Copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley & voluntarily reviewed ~
1 person found this review helpful
Megan Cooke
Misadventures of a Backup Bride by Shayla Black was a delightful, steamy, and all consuming romance that I could not put down! From start to finish this book had me hooked in to everything I was reading with these characters, it gave me a story that was fast paced and worked so phenomenally well, and it gave me a reading experience that was fully enjoyable through every word. This story was well written, it was enrapturing as all get out, and it gave me a love story that made me blush and hit my heart in the same breath! This is the first book that I have right by Shayla Black, but I know that it will not be the last. I absolutely loved her writing style. She made it so easy for me to fall right into the story with these characters, and I love how she let me feel and experience it all with them. Her effervescent writing gave me these characters, their personalities, their story, and it just gave me them. I loved that. I loved how I felt like I was living this book with them and it made this book even more enjoyable to read because of that. What I loved about Misadventures of a Backup Bride was the premise of the story, how this author perfectly blended a story of steam and sexy with sweet and heartfelt, and how I just fell in love with these characters. What you get with Carson and Ella as the story unfolds will melt your heart among other things, and will have you rooting for them! This story follows them as they see if a bargain and an agreement between them could lead to much more than either of them thought. Carson needs a bride. He's trying to save his family business, and he's trying to be a good guy who does the right thing. Ella is an actress who is trying to help Carson do just that. What starts off as the two of them agreeing to help each other out, soon find them falling hard and fast for each other. This story follows them through every twist and turn, through every high and low, and as these to try to see what could be with the very real and very heartfelt feelings that have grown between them. What I loved about Carson was that he was so genuine and was a good guy trying to do the right thing for everyone involved. That pulled me into his character, and it seared me to him with what I got with him in the story. He was a man that completely stole my heart through every word that I got with him. Ella was a female character that I immediately connected to. She was real, she was sweet, and she was an independent woman ready to do what needed to be done. What she didn't expect was to fall for Carson so quickly and so deeply, but I loved that throughout all of those feelings she had for him, she was still smart and headstrong and not afraid to fight for what she wanted. I loved both of these character so much, and the way that Shayla Black makes them so real, so authentic, and so easy to love will have you rooting for them every step of the way! This was another phenomenal addition to the Misadventures Series. This book had it all. It had the spark and fire between these characters that I could not get enough of. It had their love and the world a feeling that developed between them. It had a story that was unique and consuming. It had the writing that brought it all together, and I truly can't say enough how much I loved it! This was a well-written, fast-paced, and all-around phenomenal read. If you are looking for something quick and enjoyable, then run yourself to this amazing book this second! It will make you blush and melt and you will love every single sweet and sultry second you get within its pages!
Penelope Smith (A Nerd with MS)
Who is Fooling Who is the Question! This is #04 in the Misadventures Series by Shayla Black. HEA with No cliffhangers! This is a Multi Author series, written as a standalone. You do not need to read them in order. Content Advisory: High heat There is sex, dirty talk, and dirty thoughts. 👍 I've listened to several titles in this series and they have all been very steamy! The stories are page turners too, which makes them a win, win for me! The consistency as a whole has been great even though this is a multi author series of standalones. Most of the Misadventures can be found in the library as well as various subscription services so they are easy to come by. Carson Frost is trying to salvage the business left to him by his birth father, but his rash choices are coming back to haunt him. He took a deal with a competitor for the money he needed to keep the business afloat and the shiny coins aren't shiny or even real coins anymore. In an effort to get out of the deal he hires Ella Hope to be the long lost love of his life ... that will get him out of his current engagement ... and then dump him at the altar ... Simple, Right? Ella Hope is a struggling actress. Her love life, as well as her bank account, have seen better days. She remembers Carson and how she would of been interested if she were not on a date with his friend. The call was welcomed timing. Spending time with the hot guy from the party while padding her bank account sounds like a solid plan. She is a professional ... she can do this ... Simple, Right? It wasn't Simple! Things heat up fast, and their well laid plans go out the window. As the outside players keep changing the rules, things get crazy. Well, more crazy , because things started there in the first place. Lies become real, while the real becomes lies. Don't believe anyone till its all said and done! A good time will be had, and that is not a lie! Shayla Black is a go-to for racier reads with awesome characters. 😊 She did not disappoint with this title. Christian Fox and Lucy Rivers narrate this title with alternating POVs. Both individually did a great job in their pacing and emotion. I do wish it would of been a true Duet though, because they end up, by default, competing with each other for who did the character better. It's really hard to pick a clear winner. Normal speed was fine, however I listened at 0.90x. It is my personal preference. Ebook obtained through my local library (Overdrive). Audiobook obtained through Audible Romance Package.
