Growing up in her large, crazy Serbian family, Camryn Covic became an expert at shutting down her emotions in order to maintain her sanity. But when she loses her apartment, her job, and her boyfriend all in one day, she hits her breaking point. Worse, if her family finds out she’s single again, her sister’s upcoming wedding will be a disaster. The bride-to-be has a plan, though. A plan that … involves an old friend, a pretend relationship… and the probability of ending up in a padded cell. This time for real.
Troy Lanske agrees to the insane charade only because, when he was a lonely foster child, Camryn was his lifeline. But she isn’t the idealistic girl he remembers. She’s become so jaded that she doesn’t even believe in love anymore. He sets out to restore her faith in happily-ever-afters, but his plan backfires when the fake relationship begins to feel all too real. Falling for the one woman he can’t have could mean losing more than just his honorary family. He could lose everything.
Warning: Contains a Playgirl-material hero and a woman who thinks she couldn’t be any more wrong for him. Enter one “Big Fat Overly Romantic Serbian Family.” Sit back and watch the magic happen.
Fans of Jill Shalvis, Kristan Higgins, and Susan Mallery will enjoy The Dysfunctional Test.
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I loved this story. It had me feeling all sort of emotions. I was laughing out loud many times. I wanted to scream in frustration at choices that were made. I was swooning so hard for this couple. This is the story of Cam, who is a no nonsense sort of woman. She only does things that have a purpose. She has been called cold and no fun. She is fine with that. That is until her boyfriend breaks up with her and she has to show up to her sister’s wedding alone. With her big Serbian family, that’s not a good thing. She doesn’t want to take the attention away from her sister so she agrees to her sister’s crazy plan, take her child hood family friend Troy as her boyfriend. Let the shenanigans begin! While they are busy trying to convince her family their relationship is real something is happening between Troy and Cam themselves — they are starting to have real feelings. It becomes them both not wanting to blow things but also keeping the truth inside. Then it all erupts and they have to decided what they want and how to fight for it. This book has a great lesson of don’t judge from appearance. I even learned it from this book! I hated her family in the beginning. I thought they were so rude and mean but as the story went along I understood them along with Cam. I felt like I was in this story! I was team Cam and Troy all the way through. This story touched me heart so deeply. It’s not just a funny romance. It’s a story full of heart. I dare anyone to read/listen and not be touched. I wish this was series because I want to follow more along with everyone!
There are very few books to register on my epic “Rob Roy” cry scale – the blotchy-faced-glad-the-kids-aren’t-here-to-be-humiliated bawl fest. I bought this book because of the cute cover and intriguing blurb – she begs an old friend for a pity date to attend her sister’s wedding. I thought it would be a fun, funny read on my day off. Don’t get me wrong – it is. The niece’s mispronunciations are cosmic, and the extended family is beyond strange, of “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” proportions.
But it’s so much more than that.
I read this book in one sitting. Burnt the coffee. Never saw the mailman deliver even though the dog usually announces. Never heard the dog – and she’s a Chow who sounds like a T-Rex-sized rage-monster when the mailman shows up. Because I got lost in this book. Completely.
Camryn and Troy are believably REAL. They’re real people with personal issues people can relate to and identify with. Scars and fears and insecurities. Everything starts out with the “One Big Lie” to fake it and fool the family. Only pretend becomes terrifyingly real, and to see two wounded souls open up and LIVE again – because of the other person – was humbling and moving. I laughed and cried(and really hated Grandma a time or two) and was pissed at the perfect ending because it was OVER and the next page was BLANK! I will probably reread this book again a few hundred times – if only to hear Emily butcher the word “popcorn.”
This book is a gem. PLEASE go get your own copy – you’ll own a true treasure!
This is a Love Story about Troy Lanske and Camyrn Covic. Troy Lanske could never deny Camyrn anything. When he was dropped off at the Covic family home as a Foster Child years ago, it was Cameron who believed in him, who made him feel like someone, and who gave him a reason to hope in tomorrow and the days to follow. Camyrn lost her apartment, her boyfriend and job all in one day and Camyron didn’t know what she was going to tell her family as she was expected to bring her boyfriend to her sister’s wedding as the family had never met her boyfriend. Camyron’s crazy Serbian family always made her feel like she’s the odd woman out? Her family considered her not to the prettiest, the funniest. After years of feelings of inadequacy she has learned to block the feelings from showing. But in her mind, they raged. Camyron’s sister come up with a plan which involved Troy [who has been considered family since he was a little boy, when he was placed in their home as a Foster Child] pretending he was her boyfriend. Troy is always open for a good time but, he decides to make a list to get Camyrn to loosen up a bit and they also end up talking about stuff from his past regarding his father. Troy and Camyrn had to spend a week together and it was just suppose to be for show for the family. Things between Troy and Camyrn start to get hot sexually more then once. I won’t say any more as I don’t want to give away any spoilers. You will have to read the book to find out what happens. The only other thing I will say is that this is a Great Love Story. I Fell in Love With Troy & Camyrn!! Thank You Kelly Moran!!
It is no secret that I adore Kelly Moran’s writing, her style to tell a story, and the characters she creates. In The Dysfunctional Test, I also related to the characters like I don’t remember when before. I read the book while traveling to a big family celebration, and throughout it laughed about the similarities and how close to home it hits time and again.
I love the big Serbian family, the description of them is so true to life, I could picture them in my mind, and hear them banter and argue, love and laugh like I was in the room with them.
Camryn Covic and Troy Lanske have a history that goes back to their childhood. There is the bond and the connection that has always been there, that was tight and true. But with the fake relationship scheme, it takes on a new, different type knowledge they need from each other, and a new kind of eyes they have to look at each other, to make the relationship seem even remotely real.
Troy has a reputation of a ladies man that is slightly exaggerated. Yes, there has been a good number of relationships in his past, but only one at the time and feelings of a true attraction has always been part of the conquests. Growing up to be a man like his father is the biggest fear in Troy’s mind, thus avoiding serious relationships and fatherhood. I really liked him, there were honesty, sincerity, and solidity in him, that was easy to appreciate and like. He was fun, he had an eye for the true emotions of others around him, he could look through the smoke and mirrors that hid the truth and made an effort to bring the forward the best in people.
Camryn had always felt like an outsider in her own family. She had learned early on to hide her emotions, hold control in every situation, and never let feelings take over her and make a fool out of herself like her family did constantly. She is smart as a whip, she is kind, considerate, and sweet, yet people don’t see her true colors, but only the outside shell she puts on when surrounded by the overwhelming family of hers.
There’s a lot of fun and humorous banter in the story, there are moments that made me sigh and swoon, there are moments that hit home with emotions so hard I was in tears, and moments that had me holding my breath with anticipation, wishing for the best. The characters are easy to relate to, it is easy to find similarities with them, with the family situations and the relations we have with our own relatives.
A lively and fastly entertaining story, that gave many laughs yet touched my heart and hit close to home on many occasions. The romance is filled with deep emotions, passion, and adoration, and is based on life-long bond. The crazy, out of control family creates conflicts but also delivers humor and love. There are so many layers into the tale, each easily identified with, that made me love the story from so many different perspectives. I think this story made me see my own family and its dysfunctions in a different light, and that in itself is a huge accomplishment.
Laughter, affection, loving, and adoration…. An absolutely touching yet humorous story that I treasured.
~ Five Spoons
This was my first read from this author. It won’t be the last, that’s for sure! Ms Moran brings her characters to life through dialog, with plenty of humor and snark, which makes them come to life. Think “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” Serbian style. It’s hilarious, sweet, emotional, and quirky. It’s perfect when you’re looking for pure entertainment and fun.
Camryn used to be self-assured and confident. Everyone thinks she still is, but Troy knows better and he’s not happy. Nope. Not happy at all. He’s happy to have Camryn back home, but he’s not happy that she’s been broken. Troy also isn’t sure how happy he is about the proposition Camryn presents to him just before the family is getting ready to head to Colorado for Heather’s wedding. Heather is Camryn’s little sister and the family is insisting that everything is picture perfect for Heather’s wedding. Camryn needs a boyfriend for that to happen, she just lost hers, she can’t mess up the wedding. Troy is the perfect solution. Kinda. Sorta. Maybe.
The Covics are the only real family that Troy has ever known and he’ll do anything for them. After all, they were there for him when he needed a home. They welcomed him with open arms and provided the only sense of stability and family he’s ever had. The thing is, as much as he’d do for the Covics? He’d do even more for Camryn. She has always had a special place in his heart and that place has turned into so much more. Can he go through with her proposition without losing everything? It doesn’t really matter. He’s got to do it. Camryn needs him.
And so starts the wedding weekend of a crazy dysfunctional family that takes being able to pass a dysfunctional test to keep up with them. Only a select few have ever managed to do that!
Everyone has a wacky (and sometimes tacky) family, you know, the kind that can frustrate you. This is Camryn’s family. Her sister is getting married and whatever can go wrong in Camryn’s life, absolutely does… in the matter of one day! She loses her apartment, her boyfriend, and her job in a matter of hours. Going home for her sister’s wedding, without a boyfriend, spells disaster. However, Cam’s sister has a solution: find someone who can pass the dysfunctional test. The person they know will pass the test: Troy. Now to just get him on board… Troy has always viewed Camryn’s family as his own. She needs help and he’s willing to do it. Can they convince everyone they are truly in a relationship (even though it’s just a week) without losing their hearts?
This truly a romantic comedy at it’s best. This family has everything. The perfect sister, the mom who thinks you can stand to not eat that… the grandmother who feels her opinions (no matter how crass) should be heard… and the 3-year-old niece who repeats everything she hears. It creates comedy and a huge chance for romance, which Kelly does so well. There were moments where Camryn frustrated me, but I understood where she was coming from. I need this to be turned into a Hallmark movie IMMEDIATELY!!!!