In all the compounds, in all the oil kingdoms, in all the world, she had to fly in to his. Myfanwy Lane knows it’s crazy to marry her gay best friend, Gavin, and move to an ultra-conservative country for six months. But it’s the only way Gavin can be with his fiancé. And it won’t all be weird. She’s planning on using the time to focus on the thing she loves the most: painting. All she has to do … loves the most: painting. All she has to do is keep a low profile, and everything will be fine.
Or at least that’s what she believes until she realizes how few rights she has outside of her luxurious American compound’s tightly guarded walls. Worse, she’s surrounded by expats who have nothing better to do than gossip, which becomes a red-hot issue when Myf meets Ethan Locke, an enigmatic Texan engineer who sets more than her creative impulses aflutter.
Ethan has worked half his life in a foreign oil kingdom, and he’s determined nothing will get between him and the big payout he’s soon due. Growing up in a South Texas trailer park has taught him the value of financial security. But he never counted on the arrival of a bohemian painter lady, or the temptation she presents.
It doesn’t take long for Ethan to realise Myf’s marital status isn’t what it seems—or for the sparks between them to ignite. But with a camp busybody snooping into their business, and the local authorities taking an interest, Myf’s fake marriage is starting to become downright inconvenient.
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This was an okay read for me. Lots of information in regards to the different cultures. Some parts seemed to drag. I couldn’t feel a connection to the characters. I thought the two guys were selfish to ask their friend be in a fake marriage just so they could be together. It ended up in a HEA but at what cost
What a great story this is! Once started I couldn’t put this book down. It sucked me in and at some parts I could feel the tension oozing of the pages.
Myf’s gay best friend Gavin asks her to marry him so he can be together with his boyfriend Damon in a country where gay relationships are illegal. Once there, she’s immediately attracted to Damon’s coworker Ethan. And the attraction is definitely mutual. But it’s really hard for them to act on it, because of her fake marriage to Gavin and because there are spying eyes from people within the community who love to destroy other people’s lives.
I really loved the descriptions of the characters, their surroundings, the struggle of life under these difficult circumstances, just everything. This story stuck with me, even long after I finished it.
I received an arc of this book and this is my voluntary and honest opinion.
Romance and secrets in a fishbowl
Ever wonder what daily life would be like living in a remote expatriate community in the Middle East? This romance by “Evie Snow”, a husband and wife writing couple, delves in a realistic way into the insularity of living in a totally foreign environment and at the mercy of your employer. Their small expat community is intrusive and similar to living in a fishbowl where everyone is watching and evaluating each others’ lives. The story is eye-opening if the reader does not know about the strict limitations women are subjected to in these countries where hierarchies of men have total control.
The heroine, Australian artist Myf, lets her friend Gavin talk her into a fake marriage and a move to an oil company conclave in the Middle East where she is to be the beard disguising his gay romance. I did not think Gavin or Damon, his secret reason for moving to the Middle East, were sympathetic characters. I felt they gave Myf a pretty raw deal, set high expectations of her but ignored Myf when they weren’t criticizing her or placing more demands on her.
In all but two respects this move and marriage was a bad deal for Myf; her art and Ethan, another expat oil worker, saved her from boredom and a lonely existence.
I found the main romance good, with steam, and the world building informative. Just wish more of the characters would have been likable.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
This was a really interesting story. The romance was intense and the characters wonderful. The tension was high, and Evie does a good job of creating some thoroughly unpleasant characters. She also does a terrific job with the humor. This was also a glimpse into a new world for me. I had no idea such places or situations existed. I don’t think you could pay me enough to ever live there myself – I hope I’d do it for a desperate friend though. Myf’s loyalty and generosity were inspirational. I read an ARC of this book, and I am delighted to offer this honest review.
Another brilliant book from the writing duo Evie Snow.
Myfanwy’s best friend, Gavin, has hatched an insane plan that if she marries him they can move to a middle eastern country as a married couple, covering up the fact that in reality he’s there with Damon his boyfriend.
Being gay is illegal in the country where they’re living, so if Gavin and Darius’s relationship is discovered they would lose their jobs, their liberty and possibly their lives. They didn’t imagine how restricting their three lives would become, especially with watchful eyes keen to report any misdoings.
In an attempt to be less noticeable Myf agrees to subdue her colourful style of clothing but is shocked with the dramatic change from being a successful artist in Australia to having no rights in her new country.
A co-worker Ethan begins to have suspicions that Myf and Gavin’s marriage is a pretence, sending the three friends into a panic should his discovery result in common knowledge.
I’ve read many books by Evie Snow, this is probably the best, combining drama and romance. Thoroughly recommended.
Myf’s love for her best friend Gavin is what makes her marrying him and travel to a compound in the middle of the dessert. They must fake their marriage in order for Gavin to love with his boyfriend Damon. She has to keep quiet for six month and work on her paintings. But life in a Arabic country is difficult for women and in the compound is more difficult with all the gossip around. Ethan is less thank two year for his dream to finish his twenty year story of working in the compound and get all his savings. In his plan does not enter a beautiful and enigmatic married woman. But can’t Ethan and Myf fight their attraction or will their succumb even with all the risk they can face? A real love story about faith, forgiviness and believe in your dreams