A Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, and Amazon Charts bestseller.From New York Times bestselling author Catherine Bybee comes a new First Wives novel about wanting a family…and finding love.Shannon Wentworth’s biological clock is ticking, and she isn’t going to let her single status keep her from having a baby. When her wedding-photography business takes her to Mexico, she has every intention … business takes her to Mexico, she has every intention of finding a willing baby daddy to help her out. Until the bride goes AWOL, leaving Shannon to coddle the arrogant fiancé who has accused her of sabotaging his wedding.
Victor Brooks never could have imagined that he’d be on a honeymoon for one. Only here he is, taking a hard look at his life after the younger women he thought he loved walked out. The woman who volunteers to help him reflect is the last person he expects to be attracted to. Between the tequila, the sun, and one earth-shattering kiss, Victor finds Shannon a distraction too sexy to ignore.
They strike a deal: wait three months, cool off, and see if their tropical beach attraction is worth taking up when they go back home. Unfortunately, that’s just enough time for the past to come calling. All their best-laid plans are at risk. So is the last thing Shannon expected to matter the most: her heart.
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The fourth book in the First Wives Club series does not disappoint! The chemistry between Shannon and Victor is palpable, the emotion is intense, and the return of the First Wives and their husbands is delightful! I’m loving this series!
One woman’s trash is another womans treasure.
It is said that when one door is closed another one is open. Victor been left at the alter was the best thing for him because he would have married the wrong women. Shannon was exactly what he needed. Another great story in the series.
A middle age woman hoping to have a baby with anyone but didn’t know what she was really in for was exactly having just a baby but winded up having so must more to life .
Love this series!
Now, I had to admit to secretly wanting Shannen’s story to be about her re-kindling her love for ex-husband Paul, second chance love and all that but I have to admit, Shannon found herself a much better love interest in Victor.
It was Shannon’s story that I have been looking forward to reading the most and, thankfully, it lived up to all of my insanely high expectations. Shannon, the quietest of the First Wives, has always sat back and observed her friends exploits whilst secretly spending her time nursing her broken heart. With her body clock ticking though, Shannon decides to take things into her own hands and with a trip to Mexico on the cards, puts a plan in action whereby she will return pregnant, or at least that is what she hopes will happen. The problem is, Shannon is not your one-night-stand type of woman and she is certainly not as feisty and outgoing as Avery.
When Shannon is hired as a wedding photographer to the bride-to-be, Corrie, she assumed this will be another straightforward job, that is until she meets an obnoxiously annoying man on the plane to Mexico. After arriving at the wedding venue, which is practically underwater thanks to a storm, Shannon finds the bride in tears and hinting that she has may have made a mistake by agreeing to get married. What Shannon doesn’t immediately know if that the groom is the handsome but annoying man she sat next to on the plane.
When the wedding takes an unexpected turn, Shannon continues with her plan to meet Avery at another hotel and to put her plan to get-pregnant-by-any-possible-means into action. That is until she comes across a jilted Victor at the same hotel she and Avery are staying at.
Spending their time enjoying the sun and plenty of strong cocktails, Shannon soon comes to realise that she may have misjudged Victor and before long they actually start to enjoy spending time together. But, the question is, will they and can they keep their friendship going when they return home and will it blossom into something more special?
Gah, I love these books and the First Wives et al. They are all fascinating characters to spend time with albeit via the pages of a book but boy do they lead complicated lives. I thought that all of the drama would end with Avery’s book but whilst not as dramatic, Shannon adds her own brand of chaos to this story.
Whilst I said I couldn’t wait to read Shannon’s story, I have to admit to having a secret obsession with Sasha and I can’t wait to see if a man can tame her wild ways and if she can ever learn to trust anyone.
This is a highly recommended series, and author, if you are looking for a new reading direction. You won’t be disappointed.
What a great book. Great characters that were mature and knew what they wanted
Author Catherine Bybee ROCKS each story she writes. I loved Victor and Shannon’s story in Faking Forever. I found myself smiling and laughing whenever Victor was around. I really enjoyed the witty dialogue and banter throughout this book. Shannon showed that she was no pushover just because she was the quiet one. Loved that Samantha and Blake made a cameo appearance as they were my first Catherine Bybee couple I read and fell in love with. I cannot wait to read the last book in this fantastic series.
Bybee delivers readers a satisfying addition to the First Wives series. Continuation of characters and witty and often emotional dialogue drive this novel. I highly recommend this book to fans of the contemporary romance genre.
I am entirely hooked on the First Wives Series. Each wife has a history, has a story, and is NOT looking for love. All readers will know that not looking for love means you find it where you least expect it.
I love the cockiness, the sexiness, and the persistence of Victor. He meets a woman on an airplane, they don’t get along. Heck they can hardly stand each other. Oops, they run into each other again in a sticky situation. Can you see where the story is heading? While the story is predictable, it was so enjoyable to follow their story to love.
The friendships, the romance, and the settings are all things I come to look forward to when I pick up a Catherine Bybee book. She never disappoints her readers. I recommend this series and the rest of Catherine’s books.
ARC for honest review with no compensation 4.5 stars
Faking Forever is book 4 in the First Wives series by Catherine Bybee and a great continuation to the his series!
This is Shannon’s story…at 35 years old, divorced, wants a baby and no man in her life she decides that since she is in Mexico to photograph a location wedding she might find the perfect specimen of a man who is willing to be her “baby daddy”…what she doesn’t expect is a runaway bride and a smoldering attraction to the jilted groom. Through mutual agreement she and Victor decide to table the attraction and see if they still feel the sparks 3 months later…
Will the attraction still be there???
I loved this book! Shannon is the quiet reserved one of the first wives group or so we thought. I loved how Victor brought out her feisty side. I laughed throughout the book with Shannon’s snarky comments and how she treated Victor. At first, I was a bit worried that I wouldn’t like Victor but that changed somewhere along the way. I loved the epilogue where we get a glimpse of the future with Shannon and Victor and the other couples. I see there will be a 5th book in this series and I’m looking forward to reading it
I loved this book. I have the loved the series. I was shocked to see another one . I’m hoping it is Sasha’s story. Who else could it be? Looking forward to September release.
I have been counting down the days for the release of this new book in the First Wives Series. As I have done with the others, I listened to the audio of this one. I normally just listen in the car, but with this one I didn’t want to stop. I listened to it for two evenings straight while I worked on stuff at home. I couldn’t get enough of Shannon and Victor and their story.
I so love the lives Catherine has created for us to follow. For allowing us to get to know the characters over the previous books. Shannon’s book is no different as you get to catch up with the rest of the ladies. Shannon and Victor’s story isn’t an easy one, but none of the first wives’ stories have been.
Now to patiently(?) wait for Sasha’s.
Wonderful read.
Wow! I absolutely loved Faking Forever!!
It’s everything your looking for in a
great romance. Touching, emotional,
funny & sexy.
From the minute Shannon & Victor,
met, they did not see eye to eye.
Once they land in Mexico, it ends up
he’s the groom at the wedding, she is
the photographer for.
Shannon, is ready to be a mom.
While in Mexico, she’s plans to look
for a baby daddy. When life has a
different plan for Victor, he decides to
enjoy a honeymoon for one.
The emotions, the humor & their chemistry pulled me in, & kept me hooked!!
With strong characters and emotions that could be felt on the page, Catherine Bybee has once again delivered a story that grabbed me from the first page and never let go.
Having only seen one side of Shannon in the previous books, I wasn’t too sure about how I would relate to her, but from her first interaction with Victor I knew she and I were going to hit it off just fabulously! There was so much sass and snark buried under her quiet exterior and I just loved it. I was a bit unsure how Victor and Shannon’s romance was going to play out given their circumstances, but Catherine Bybee is a master storyteller and I should have known she would create just the right path for these two to come together in such a way that there was no way I wouldn’t fall for these two. There was a little drama towards the end that added a bit of angst, but it ended up being the perfect set-up for a wonderful ending.
One of my favorite parts about reading a series is having other characters from other books make an appearance, and I just loved how the ladies from the First Wives Club were there to support Shannon no matter what, even if they did meddle just a little bit, for all the right reasons. It was also fun to see the men get involved as well and help Victor out, even if that was not what they were instructed to do! There were also some other great supporting characters that I just loved, including Victor’s brother Justin and his parents, and even Corrie – at least until she turned into a bit of a psycho.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, if you haven’t read a book by Catherine Bybee you are truly missing out and need to put her on your TBR ASAP!
I received an advance reader copy from the publisher via NetGalley which I voluntarily reviewed.
This is yet another incredible story by one of my all time favorite authors, Catherine Bybee. I’ve been intrigued by Shannon since I read the very first book in the First Wives series and I’ve been patiently waiting for quite some time now to get my hands on it. So you can imagine how excited I was when I got my hands on it.
To be honest, after reading the first three books in the series, I kind of expected a different story for Shannon. I kind of thought that Paul will finally realize he is in love with her and they could find their happily ever after. But after reading Faking Forever, I now know that Paul was never the right person for Shannon and she was destined to be with Victor all along. The connection between them is obvious from the start. Even if neither Shannon, nor Victor realises it. Their chemistry is explosive and though it takes them awhile to realize it, what they have together is worth fighting for. Of course, nothing in life is ever that easy, so when the past comes calling, they have to fight their way through it or risk losing their HEA.
Though this story is not as suspenseful as some other Catherine Bybee books, it is still intriguing and entertaining and definitely a page turner. The characters are incredible and I am sure they will win your hearts along the way. And as a bonus you get to revisit with old favorites 🙂 So don’t waste any more time and get your hands on this book asap. It is a standalone, so you don’t have to read the previous books in the series, but I think you might enjoy it better if you do 🙂
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Grace under pressure is Shannon. With her Wedding / photography business moving right along, she finds she is missing something or someone. Surprising her close knit friends, that she wants a baby, but no baby daddy. She decides to take action when she flys to Mexico for a wedding. Will she be able to go through with her plan? Will fate have another path for her?
Absolutely, loved Shannon and Nick. Romance and passion, with a little hummm. You’ll want to read this one for sure!
Faking Forever is the fourth book in the First Wives series by the talented Catherine Bybee. Catherine writes such strong, independent, women and I look forward to her series’ and books. We’ve met all the women in the First Wives Club and I personally have been waiting with bated breath for Shannon’s story. Unlike her friends, she actually fell for her husband. But it wasn’t meant to be. It’s been years and she’s finally ready to move on. Alone. But she wants a baby. A trip to Mexico is perfect timing. Except she meets the groom, dislikes him, then is there to help when he’s left at the altar. They have amazing chemistry and they each loosen up and have fun, together. After sun, relaxing, cocktails and actually learning they like each other, one hot kiss has them rethinking what they thought they wanted. Victor works too much, wasn’t really heartbroken when his fiancée walked out and now he’s on his honeymoon alone. Well, except for the sexy wedding photographer, Shannon. He gives himself the week to forget about his future and live in the moment. Except he wants Shannon in his future. He learned he needs to make more time for life instead of just work. He wants more from her, but she thinks he’s on the rebound. He asks for three months. Wait for three months and see if their attraction was a fluke. Guess what? It wasn’t. Now Victor has to get Shannon to take a chance on him and love. It’s the hardest thing he’s ever had to do. Will their pasts come back and haunt them before they can find their happily ever after? I loved this story! I loved seeing Shannon open up, be herself and not just please everyone. Victor is buttoned up, but once he sheds the suit, he shows his sexy, sweet side and I loved him! The other women and their men are always a fun treat! The drunk singing is by far my favorite part!
You’re in love with your husband but you’ve both only signed up for a limited time engagement. You divorce as planned but are very sad. The money helps. Now you’re feeling like your biological time clock is running down quickly. You want a baby and can support one by yourself. Now all you need is the genetic material to get the whole thing started. You’re heading to Mexico to photograph a wedding…perfect opportunity…and so begins Faking Forever!
Victor is heading to Mexico for his wedding. He feels he ‘needs’ to marry so went on the hunt, found a young woman, and will be marrying her. Romance be damned. He also presents as not so nice or polite or attentive AND is sitting next to Shannon on the flight to Mexico. They can’t wait to deplane and be done with their forced proximity!
Shannon and Victor meet again at the resort where the wedding will take place. Guess who the photographer is! Sparks fly. Groomsmen take bets on the wedding and the bride goes missing! What will happen next?
I LOVE Shannon. I’ve felt she has been the most emotional of the ‘First Wives’ because she genuinely fell in love with her ‘for now’ husband. Victor is a perfect foil for Shannon, making her stronger and more in control of her life, while sometimes royally making her mad! She wants to change…he just needed to push her to it!
The First Wives series by Catherine Bybee is a must read for people who enjoy multifaceted stories. All the books in this series are ‘stand-alone’, although you learn so much about the other women and their bond by reading them all, why wouldn’t you? Ms. Bybee’s writing is top notch and her stories speak to your heart.
Shannon’s biological clock is ticking, divorced for a couple of years with no man on the horizon she decides she will be a single parent. However her plans are thrown awry when she mets and at first dislikes, workaholic Victor. I liked that the couple were in their thirties, that the relationship was allowed to develop a bit before the fell into bed with each other and that there was not strong language.
I haven’t read any of the other stories in this series but on the basis of this one, I may look to read one of the earlier stories.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.