The Accidental Fiancé

Christi Barth

Feb 2021 · Love Lottery Book 1 · Tule Publishing

About this eBook

Is it the chance of a lifetime or his biggest mistake?

When former hotel manager Alex Kirkland, his sister and their best friends pooled their money for an unusual lottery prize—a historic, dilapidated inn on the Maryland shore—as a last-ditch attempt to escape rotten circumstances, they never expected to win. But they’re all looking for a fresh start and a second chance, so Alex convinces everyone to move in and repair the building in time for the spring wedding season.

Sydney Darrow never planned to return to her hometown. But her family needs her and Sydney can endure anything for 90 days—including making sandwiches and serving coffee with a smile until she returns to her jet-setter career. When her grandma mistakes a handsome customer for the “fiancé” Sydney created when she thought her grandma was on death’s door, well...Sydney will do anything to keep her spirits up during treatment. She can persuade him to keep up the charade for a few months, right?

But when Alex agrees to play along, will they both fall for their own fiction?

Ratings and reviews

4 Star review of The Accidental Fiance (Love Lottery #1) by Christi Barth Having read several books by Christi Barth I couldn't wait to read The Accidental Fiance. I was intrigued when I read the blurb for this series and after reading book one, I am excited to see where this series goes. Alex Kirkland is the leader of the group and it was fitting that his story is the first. I really enjoyed the story Ms. Barth wove about Sydney Darrow and Alex. I love the relationship that Alex has with his sister Amelia, and their friends Everleigh and Teague and their journey to make Three Oaks Inn a success. After agreeing to be Sydney's pretend fiancee, Alex has no idea that that decision would change his life. There was some miss communication and secrets between them but the chemistry is undeniable and it was fun to watch them comes to terms with their feelings. The secondary characters were easy to relate to and I love Sydney’s grandmother, she is a hoot. Being set in a small town, you know people are going to be all up in one another's business and that added to the story.

First, let me say this took me two different tries to get through. The first time I tried reading this book I got really mixed up because there are so many characters and conversions going on at one time. I only got have way through it and I put it away and say not for me. About 2 weeks later I decided I wanted to give it a go again and tried it when I had no distractions and wow it was a different book to read. So not sure if that will help you as a reader but wanted to put that out there. Don't read this while watching a remote schooler. This book sets up future books in the series and I think that might be while it is the length it is. In this book, we get to know the different groups of friends who decide to try to win this hotel, and goodness me they do. BUT it turns out to be more work than they expected. This is Sydney and Alex's story and it is funny how he becomes her accidental fiance. I am looking forward to the next book in this series.

This is a fun story that I thoroughly enjoyed reading. Alex, his sister, and two friends, win a lottery with an inn as the prize. Since they've all been down on their luck and a bit lost, they're thrilled and move to the inn, only to learn that it needs a great deal more work than they'd been told. As they dig in to their work load, they begin too meet the townspeople and engage with the community. When Alex meets Sidney, sparks fly, and, almost before he knows it, he's fake engaged to her. Heat and humor follow, along with a great hook. If you enjoy the genre, you will love this book. I'm giving it 4.5 stars, only because the middle of the book seemed to drag a bit. I'm a fan of the author and have her on my must read authors' list.