Weddings are big business in picturesque Sweetheart, California, and Something Borrowed’s rent-a-bridesmaid service is thriving among the Hollywood elite. For the women who work there, a walk down the aisle is just a paycheck—until the right guy makes it priceless . . . RULE #1: GROOMSMEN ARE STRICTLY OFF LIMITS Marley Stevenson never imagined her stint as a rented Maid of Honor would … imagined her stint as a rented Maid of Honor would practically become a career. Then again, nothing in her life has gone according to plan. At least the money’s good—and she needs it to pay off student loans and help out her mom. But the job has rules, which have never been an issue . . . until one encounter with a gorgeous best man—and his swoon-worthy Southern accent—sends Marley reeling.
Determined to get through the weekend with her professional reputation intact, Marley grits her teeth and sends out her best “unavailable” vibes, but Luke Jessup doesn’t give up that easy. A former Marine and a current SWAT team officer, his focus is legendary—and it’s on Marley. Jeopardizing her job is bad enough, and starting a relationship based on half-truths is worse—yet Marley is beginning to wonder if certain risks are worth taking, especially in the name of true love . . .
“Flirty, fun, and fabulous!”
—Bestselling author Candis Terry
“Fun, lighthearted, and full of emotion. You can’t help but smile while reading Cody Gary.”
—K.M. Jackson, author of Insert Groom Here
“Codi Gary is the queen of romance. She’ll make you fall head over heels.”
—T.J. Kline, author of the Healing Harts series
more
Cute and fun
What I liked:
The writing style
The characters
Part of a series: Something Borrowed
Standalone
HEA
Epilogue
I look forward to reading more from this author.
Sometimes when you start reading a book you already know what is going to happen, I mean it’s a romance so a happy ending is expected, but when I started reading this one it wasn’t exactly what I thought it would be. Luke is best man for his best friend’s wedding, Marley is hired to organize the wedding and act as the MOH since the Bridezilla can’t seem to get anyone who will put up with her nonsense. I loved Marley, she is a sweetheart, but how anyone could put up with everything she did is beyond me, but she gets Luke in the end so that’s the important thing 🙂
Hope you enjoy Don’t Call Me Sweetheart as much as I did.
Don’t Call Me Sweetheart is the BEST book I have read in a while! OMG! I love Marley! She is a firecracker, she speaks her mind, and doesn’t seem to have a filter, but is never mean. Marley works for Something Borrow as a Maid Of Honor for hire. Like Jessup is a former Marine who is now a SWAT Team Officer in LA. Marley and Luke meet when he comes to the town of Sweetheart for his best friend, Brent’ s wedding. Wow! Right from the start of their first meeting sparks fly! I almost spewed tea all over myself when Marley says to Luke “What they want to make sure you can keep up in the sack before they take you seriously?” A word of warning don’t drink or eat before you stop reading. Marley and Luke have alot in common. Both having suffer the lost of important people in their lives. Botj of them deal with their losses in very diffent ways. But, because of Marley’ s job she is not suppose to be seeing Luke. But, they can’t stay away from each other. Has been pop star Sonora is the bride from you know where! She is a “witch” and treats every one like they are poop on the bottom of her shoe. Marley does her best to keep her in line, but When Sonora goes too far and Marley tells her off, Marley get fired and what happen next could cost Marley everything! Ms. Gary has written a story that keeps the reader engaged from the very first page. This is a laugh out, emotional, Heartwarming, charming and sexy read. I received an ARC (Adance Reader Copy) from Netgalley. This is my opinion of this book, no one elses.
Don’t Call Me Sweetheart by Codi Gary
Something Borrowed #1
Small town romance with a wedding theme has Marley, a rent-a-MOH, doing her best to adhere to the confidentiality clause of her job description while dealing with Bridezilla Sonora, trying to avoid Luke who might be the man of her dreams, making friends with the sister of the bride and dealing with her conscience.
Luke was a hunk and a half that I really liked. He was a nice guy who was there for (and worried about) his friend Brent engaged to Sonora. He was caring and kind and just all around a good guy. I know he was attracted to Marley physically but I did not see her personality and on-off attitude as one to keep his interest. I guess I had trouble understanding Marley and her behavior and seeing her as someone I might like to know.
Anyway – sweet story with HEA’s for two couples and the introduction of other characters that may end up with HEA’s in future books. The plot was somewhat predictable but definitely a book that some will enjoy greatly. That said, thank you to NetGalley and Kensington-Lyrical Shine for the ARC – this is my honest review – for me it rates 3 Stars.
Prepare to be charmed. How she does it I’ll never know, but by the end of the first chapter, Ms. Gary has managed to steal my heart. Don’t Call Me Sweetheart is the latest in a long string of heartwarming stunners. Maybe it’s the way she modernizes the fantasy of the childhood dream of Cinderella finding her prince. She humanizes the dream with flawed characters and realistic obstacles in a way that is full on humor but never lacks for heart and always keeps the dream alive. The best of what makes us human shines through ever character she creates and that is what keeps me coming back for more.
Marley Stevenson helps brides special day go off without a hitch, sometimes being a stand in bridesmaid, and sometimes helping to plan the big day. Being a stand-in bridesmaid and wedding planner was never the plan, but it’s her reality and it pays well so she embraces it the best she can, and holds out hope that her plan to move the big apple will come along someday. When a Hollywood starlet hires her to be a stand-in bridesmaid for her upcoming nuptials she realizes this could be the client that finally earns her enough money to finally say goodbye to the town of Sweetheart, but of course it doesn’t come along without a whole host of complications. A certain sexy complication, one that is determined to win her attention and her heart!
The moment Marley wanders into Luke Jessup’s life he is completely taken with her, he’d love nothing more than to be able to explore every inch of her, she on the other hand wants nothing to do with him. She is sending unavailable vibes his way, but that doesn’t seem to deter him any, he is a dedicated man and when he wants something he always gets it!
What a charming and heartwarming read, the moment I met the folks of Sweetheart California I never wanted to leave them!! They pulled me into their little world, made me feel right at home, and wheedled their way right into my heart. The chemistry between Marley and Luke was undeniable from the start and their intense attraction to one another kept things consistently hot throughout the entire story. I thoroughly enjoyed reading their story, and also getting small glimpses of the other characters in the series, which I plan to acquaint myself with in the near future. The story line had a nice flow to it, and had just enough angst to keep me on the edge of my seat and continually flipping pages. Very engaging and entertaining read, I highly recommend it!