Book Review (and a Giveaway!): The Lawman’s Secret Vow by Tara Randel

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

SERIES: Meet Me at the Altar #1
GENRE: Clean Contemporary Romance
PUBLISHER: Harlequin Heartwarming
RELEASE DATE: August 1, 2018
PAGES: 384

To have and to hold—

until the case is solved?

When an undercover assignment pairs laid-back Florida detective Dante Matthews with by-the-book cop Eloise Archer, he knows it won’t be easy. And not just because they’re competing for the same promotion.

Now they’re living together under the same roof, and it’s getting harder to ignore his deepening feelings for his “wife.”

Can he convince Eloise to partner up—for life?

I love marriage-of-convenience stories, and to me ‘pretend marriage’ stories are just as marvelous, if not better. The same tension, the same romantical potential, but with the added element of trying to keep up with the cover story & the different sort of tension that brings to the mix. The perfect recipe for breathless gazes and stolen kisses. Whether the pretend marriage is to fool a family or a boss or a reporter … or if it is a means to the perfect undercover operation… this trope has lots of great moments at the ready!

The Lawman’s Secret Vow is a great example of why I love pretend marriage stories – plus the undercover aspect gives it a dash of suspense too. Win-win, in my book 🙂 Dante is one of those heroes who, at first, seems like a bit of a renegade and flirt with no real depth. That doesn’t last long, however. Through his ‘forced-proximity’ friendship & blossoming romance with Eloise, we see his true colors and I loved him! I also really getting to know his brothers a bit, and I can see some great story potentials in them for the rest of the series. My reader mind is already whirring with possibilities 😀

Eloise did not have the same familial support as Dante did growing up (or now, for that matter) and this has left her with insecurities that threaten to hold her back. At the same time, she has a big heart and a strong spirit – and I loved how she acclimated into the neighborhood and really blossomed there. She and Dante are opposites in many ways (which adds to the delicious tension between them) but at heart, where it counts, they are more alike than either of them realize.

Bottom Line: Two great protagonists with stellar chemistry. An undercover marriage with a high-stakes case. Intriguing supporting characters and lots of delightful possibilities for the series. If you love the undercover marriage trope, then you’ll love rooting for Dante and Eloise as their friendship builds into something more all while trying to catch the bad guys and secure their spots for the same promotion.

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.)

My Rating: 4 stars / Love it!

KissingBook Level: 3 / May forget to breathe on occasion

USA Today Bestselling Author Tara Randel has enjoyed a lifelong love of books, especially romance and mystery genres, so it didn’t come as a surprise when she began writing with the dream of becoming published. Family values, mystery and, of course, love and romance are her favorite themes, because she believes love is the greatest gift of all. Tara lives on the West Coast of Florida, where gorgeous sunsets inspire the creation of heartwarming stories, filled with love, laughter and the occasional mystery.

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Prize #1: Beach/pool tote and water bottle, signed print copies of The Bridal Bouquet and His One and Only Bride, $25 Amazon Gift Card. (Open to US only)

Prize #2: $25 Amazon e-Gift Card (Open Internationally)

Ends August 22nd

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This giveaway is hosted by Prism Book Tours, not RimSP
Follow along with the tour HERE.

What about you? What are some of your fave undercover marriage stories? (Print or TV, etc.)