The Substitute: The Wedding Pact #1

Denise Grover Swank

Jan 2015 · DGS

About this ebook

Book one in the new humorous contemporary romance by New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Denise Grover Swank. 

Megan Vandemeer meant to tell her parents about her broken engagement, but a month and a half later she finds herself boarding a plane home to her wedding. Having stretched avoidance to its limits, it's time to come clean--a terrifying prospect since her mother is sure to blame her rather than her cheating, emotionally frigid ex. A couple of drinks and two Dramamine later, Megan finds herself spilling her sob story to the tall, dark, and handsome stranger in the seat next to her.

With only one week left to save his business, Josh McMillan boards a plane to Kansas City in a last-ditch effort, leaving the details to chance. An unexpected answer is delivered in the form of the beautiful brunette beside him. Though she’s completely loopy, her honesty, openness, and humor charm him. So when she passes out before landing, he helps her off the plane--a good deed that leads to a colossal misunderstanding. Her parents assume he’s her fiancé. In a twist of fate, the mix-up might help Josh save his business, so he plays along, figuring he can help Megan too. All he has to do is stage a public break up convincing enough to appease her mother.

Josh is only supposed to be a substitute groom, but the more time he and Megan spend together, the more their pretend engagement starts to feel real…and the less they want to break it off. Can a relationship that began as a farce turn into happily ever after?  

The Wedding Pact and the Bachelor Brotherhood series:

The Wedding Pact
#1 The Substitute (Megan's story)
#2 The Player (Blair's story)
#3 The Gambler (Libby's story)
#4 The Valentine (Blair short story)

Bachelor Brotherhood
#1 Only You (Kevin's story)
#2 Until You (Tyler's story)
#3 Always You (Matt's story)

Ratings and reviews

I gave this book three stars because I thought it was good enough that I am interested in reading the other books in the series, but it isn't a book I would re-read or keep in my personal library. The story was cute, the conflict was interesting. I must not have paid close enough attention to the category and/or description, because as I was reading I wasn't expecting the level of detail for certain scenes. If you enjoy romance novels, it is a cute one to check out. (This is the first book review I am writing for Google, their have a slightly different idea of star ratings than what I have been using on Goodreads, so I'm keeping it consistent.)

The overall concept is cute and almost could adapt into a movie if some of the characters weren't so extreme. It's definitely modern but not that exciting. I was extremely disappointed with the ending because it simply wrapped up very quickly and didn't resolve in a way that was satisfying to the large buildup. It was very predictable throughout as well, but I at least expected something more powerful at the end. I don't suggest reading this book even though it's free, it's your time. Kudos it wasn't cheesy

Boy was this a breeze to read! Loved the main couple and the realistic best friend descriptions. I like that the protagonist's friends are not cookie-cutter and they are their own three dimensional persons. The hero is also very sweet, with human flaws - it's great to have imperfect yet acceptable heroes. He is kind and supportive and there was not a moment in the book where I lost faith in him. It's not a perfect book but it's truly enjoyable!

About the author

New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author Denise Grover Swank has released over thirty novels and novellas and has sold over two million books. She writes mysteries with romance, humorous romance, light-hearted young adult romance, and urban fantasy. She lives in Blue Springs, Missouri with her three naughty dogs and six imaginative children. You can find out more about Denise at www.denisegroverswank.com.