Book Review: The Rancher’s Fake Fiancee by Amy Vastine

SERIES: Return of the Blackwell Brothers #4
GENRE: Contemporary (Clean) Romance
PUBLISHER: Harlequin Heartwarming
RELEASE DATE: November 1, 2018
PAGES: 384

“I’m coming home…With my bride-to-be.”

Tyler Blackwell just announced that he and Hadley Sullivan are getting married. And they’ve never even dated! Now she and her boss are in Montana so Tyler can sell his family ranch.

Hadley only agreed to continue the deception in exchange for a promotion. But moving up the corporate ladder pales beside her growing feelings for Tyler.

Will his past and Blackwell family secrets sabotage what Hadley wants more than anything–a real wedding?

Other Books In This Series

Have I mentioned how much I’ve loved this series? I know I have, but it bears repeating. This multi-author series of clean, contemporary romance novels follows the Blackwell Brothers as they return home one-by-one to deal with the mess their grandfather has left behind when he took off for parts unknown.

In the 4th installment, Tyler Blackwell coerces his assistant Hadley Sullivan into posing as his fiance when he’s forced to return to the family ranch. Short of a marriage-of-convenience story, fake engagement stories are another fave of mine to read. Hadley is such a great character – insightful, witty, charming, savvy  and smart – and she would make a great best friend in real life. Tyler takes a bit more warming up to – at first, he appears pretty self-focused and I didn’t like how he took advantage of Hadley. As the story progresses, though, and we see more layers to his past, we gain a better understanding of what’s really in his heart.

As always the interactions between brothers are realistic and fun to read, and the increasing additions to the family via fiancees and wives and kids makes it all the more enjoyable when everyone shares a scene. ‘Big E’ and his shenanigans still remain a mystery in this 4th book, but it’s starting to heat up toward what promises to be an explosive reckoning in the fifth and final book. I’m also curious how the sell-or-keep debate between the brothers about Big E’s ranch will play out – will Chance (the brother we haven’t officially met yet) sway one side or the other?

Bottom Line: Vastine’s contribution to the Return of the Blackwell Brothers fits seamlessly with the previous three novels and treats readers to a delicious fake engagement story filled with romantic tension and heartwarming family charm. True, the ‘falling in love’ part seems to happen almost overnight but that’s minor when looking at the plot overall & the engaging characters. Each story sets up the next one, and all signs point to a riveting final installment in this fun series.

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received via Prism Book Tours. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.)

My Rating: 4 stars / Love it!

KissingBook Level: 3 / May forget to breathe on occasion

Amy Vastine has been plotting stories in her head for as long as she can remember. An eternal optimist, she studied social work, hoping to teach others how to find their silver lining. Now, she enjoys creating happily ever afters for all to read. Amy lives outside Chicago with her high school sweetheart-turned-husband, three fun-loving children, and their sweet but mischievous puppy dog.

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What about you? Why do you like fake engagement stories? (or do you? lol)