The Marriage Bargain

Stephanie Dees

Feb 2019 · Harlequin

About this ebook

Times of loss can lead to blessings for a world-weary bachelor and the foster mother caring for his two nieces in this heartwarming smalltown romance.

Jules Sheehan will do anything to keep custody of the two orphaned girls in her care—even enter a marriage of convenience with their uncle. Cam Quinn crosses the globe as a travel writer, but when he learns that his sister died—leaving behind two little girls—he’s ready to settle down and care for them. Now tough, tender Jules is offering the home Cam has secretly been longing for. And what starts as a marriage in name only may soon become a family of the heart.

Ratings and reviews

This is book four in The Family Blessings series. It is the first in the series for me and I had no trouble following along, however I could tell it was part of a series. I feel I missed lots of history and some good books as well, by just jumping into this one. Jules Sheehan finds herself in need of help, when Cam Quinn may be the answer to her prayers, that is where the excitement happens. There is much to overcome, problems to solve, feelings to figure out and so much more.

As others have stated, this is a marriage of convenience story. You don't get many of those in a modern setting, most of them are in a historical setting! I very much enjoyed this one! I have loved all the Family Blessings books and the Sheehan family. Although Jules has been in the other books, I have been waiting for her story. She's a baker and a planner! I knew she'd have a story that upended her "planned" life and that's what happened. She suddenly had 2 young children dropped in her lap when her best friend dies and she becomes the guardian. Not only is she overcome with grief but she becomes an instant mom and has to integrate that into her daily life! THEN, the children's uncle shows up and things get even crazier. I fell in love with Cam almost instantly because of his background story! I wont give spoilers but he has had a rough childhood and he craves to have a family and someone to love him. He wants to be part of his nieces' lives even though they don't know them. When Jules suggests a marriage of convenience to help keep the children, he agrees but it suddenly becomes much more than that. I LOVED how all the characters from the other books were in this book - a lot! That's my favorite kind of thing! Caring for the two girls together and fighting their ever-growing feeling for each other was just the type of story I enjoyed. I know some reviewers have said that there was no way some of the events would have happened as fast as things did in this story but that's why this is fiction! It had to happen fast because of the story line! I definitely recommend this book!

The Marriage Bargain Family Blessings #4 By Stephanie Dees Jules Sheehan opened her home to the two children of her best friend following a tragic accident that left them orphans. Providing a home for Eleanor and Emma is something she never thought would become a reality but she's determined to keep them safe from their grandmother and she'll do anything to keep that promise. She just never imagined she'd have to get married to keep it. Cam Quinn hasn't been back to Red Hill Springs since he was kicked out of the family home when he was 15 years old by an angry stepfather. He last saw Glory when she was 6 years old and the time he lost with her is a regret that he is determined to not repeat her daughters. When he offered to help Jules with the girls he never imagined that his assistance would mean getting married to Jules and having the family he had always wanted. But how long will this marriage last when it is in name only? Cam and Jules are determined to do what is best for the girls and convince everyone looking in that they have the stable loving family that is needed to keep Eleanor and Emma away from Cam and Glory's mother. But will they lose their hearts to each other and become a true family? Or will their differences keep them apart? This is the fourth book in the Family Blessings series and is perhaps my favorite. There is just so much that Jules and Cam are having to deal with - personal loss, grieving children, maintaining their careers, and a marriage of convenience. And then the rest of the Sheehan siblings are dealing with their own lives that have been unexpectedly blessed as well. And then there is Bertie mom to the whole Sheehan bunch who has a surprise of her own for the family and will have a far-reaching impact on Red Hill Springs - an impact that just adds to Jules stress and burden at a time when she's about maxed out. This was a true delight to read as we finally get to know Jules better. I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by the author with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion - all thoughts expressed are my own.

About the author

Award-winning author Stephanie Dees lives in small-town Florida with her pastor husband and their two youngest children. A Southern girl through and through, she loves sweet tea, SEC football, corn on the cob and air-conditioning. For further information, please visit her website at stephaniedees.com.