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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I’ve been looking forward to Shannon’s book and Catherine Bybee didn’t disappoint! Faking Forever provides insight into the past, while also providing friendships, family, romance, conflict, and an engaging story. Of all the First Wives, Shannon has struggled the most with moving on from her divorce. It didn’t help that the public and paparazzi were so invested in her marriage, divorce, and life post-divorce. She’s back to her true love of photography and takes on enough weddings to stay busy. She’s smart, talented, wary, and now determined to make her dream of being a mom come true. She’s not entirely looking forward to shooting the upcoming destination wedding, even before it turns into a disaster. Victor is sexy, charming, loyal, and an absolute workaholic. He didn’t expect his fiancée to leave him and he’s knocked off course by his own wedding photographer. Shannon and Victor unexpectedly bond over his honeymoon. They have chemistry and banter and they challenge each other.
Faking Forever by Catherine Bybee will keep you engaged from the moment you are introduced to the lively bunch of characters. Each personality is wonderfully executed, and getting to know them is an enlightened experience. This novel primarily takes place in Tulum Mexico, a beautiful location for a destination wedding or a tropical night of passion. The author brilliantly combines a complicated yet sexy romance, emotional moments, and unique individuals into this slightly suspenseful romance. This is the fourth book from the First Wives series and it can be enjoyed as a standalone.
Complimentary copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.
In Faking Forever, we revisit The First Wives. Shannon agreed to a marriage of convenience to a man running for governor. He won & they divorced. Now she’s trying to decide what to do with the rest of her life. She wants children but is tired of trying to find someone. She’s decided to spend six months looking for & having s one night stand for the sole purpose of getting pregnant. If that doesn’t work, she’ll look at artificial insemination or adoption. The women try to talk her out of it but at least get her to agree that someone needs to be there to look out for her. Wouldn’t you know it? The first time out she finds a man she’s interested in & he’s the groom in the wedding she’s photographer for. When the bride runs out on the wedding, Victor & Shannon start seeing each other. Has she found her happy ever after?
I love this series! The First Wives is s group of women that always have each other’s back. They’ve come together with the strangest tie connecting them & have turned into real friends. They are witty, sarcastic, bitchy, funny & always supportive. Victor & Shannon end up being good for each other. Shannon forces him to stop being serious & leave his work at the office. Victor helps Shannon realize she isn’t content photographing society weddings & helps her see her potential in other photography that would uplift her.
Shannon is the last of the first wives to find love. She finally does in a most spectacular fashion. Her story is highly entertaining. Amusing, fun and sweetly romantic. She finds closure and her happy ever after in high style. I loved it.
I have been waiting for Shannon’s story since the beginning and did not disappoint me. You always need to worry about the reserved person in the group and Shannon found her voice and strength in this story. After her divorce she has finally moved forward and her next desire is to have a baby, so now she just needs to find a baby daddy. With her wedding photography business she arrives in Mexico and meets Victor, a jilted groom. From enemies to lovers you will love this story!!
Once again this book is filled with so much emotion, steamy romance and a wonderful group of women friendships. Loved this series, but can be read as a stand alone but recommend reading from the beginning.
I LOVE THIS SERIES! We are now going to finally get Shannon’s story. Shannon wants a baby but she absolutely does not want a baby daddy to go with it. In fact, she wants the one night stand with the knowledge the daddy will not be able to find her or want to find her. However, she didn’t plan on Victor. He is a workaholic and just happens to be the groom of the wedding she is the photographer for. Add in a runaway bride, a destination wedding in Cancun, and enough sparks between Shannon and Victor to burn down the surrounding jungle and we have a recipe for another perfect story by this author! I didn’t think it was possible but Bybee has done it again. I definitely recommend this one. This may be a lengthy read but it is a quick read.
The best was saved for last! It was filled with fun, laughter, a little heartache, and a HEA ending. I love the way each book was chock full of all the main characters from the whole series. Our main interest learned to be a stronger person and go for what she wanted instead of what others thought she should do. In the end, she needed no protection from anything. Great ending to an enjoyable series!
This book was gifted to me by the publisher in return for an honest review.
Oh my heavens! THIS book ya’ll! Do you ever dive into a book and can’t pinpoint a particular scene or thing that made you love it, you just loved it all? Yeah, that was me and this book! I ADORED Shannon! I loved her sassiness, her confidence and how she was ready to go after what she wanted. She wasn’t going to let a stinkin’ guy stop her! (Get ’em, girl!) lol. Shannon has always seemed to be the quieter one of the First Wives, but she was not one to sit quietly. I enjoyed how she met Victor and the emotions he invoked in her. Victor wasn’t prepared for this woman who dropped into his life and she was a breath of fresh air to him. I liked the slow burn this book had. Whew! The chemistry between this couple was palpable and SO PERFECT! The circumstances of their meeting was unique, but they also didn’t let it stop them from getting to know each other. I couldn’t devour this book fast enough and I certainly didn’t want things to end. I’m looking forward to what Catherine is going to bring next to her readers. Don’t miss this fantastic book!
FAKING FOREVER (First Wives Book 4) by Catherine Bybee is a contemporary romance and the fourth book in this series. I have been anxiously waiting for Shannon’s story. It was not what I was expecting or hoping for and yet it was the perfect story for Shannon’s HEA and I loved it.
Shannon Wentworth is in Mexico as the photographer for a destination wedding. She has decided that while she is in Mexico, she will also find willing man to give her what she desires – a baby. Her biological clock is ticking and she is not going to let being single stop her.
Victor Brooks is a workaholic in Mexico to marry his much younger finance. She walks out and he is suddenly alone on a honeymoon for one. Victor blames Shannon of sabotaging his wedding.
Even though Victor blames Shannon, the sparks are flying between the two. Shannon thought she knew Victor’s type, but between the beautiful Mexican setting, tequila and sun she discovers a very different side to the man. They go from enemies to wanting more. Worried that it is just the surroundings, they both decide to return home and wait three months to see if they can be just as attracted to each other at home.
But the past comes calling and all of their plans are at risk.
Shannon surprised me in this book. She was always the quiet and steady First Wife. I was expecting a different romance for Shannon and yet Ms. Bybee took me to a completely new place and made it perfect. The emotional changes in both Shannon and Victor make this work. It was also great to catch up with the other First Wives. Their bond is what made these stories special for me. Ms. Bybee always gives me an emotionally realistic romance read that is hard to put down and this one had some unique twists. I am sorry to see the First Wives all paired up now, but hopefully Sasha will get a story even though she is not technically a First Wife.
Thank you so much to Montlake Romance and Net Galley for allowing me to read this eARC. It has been a wonderfully entertaining romantic series.
Faking Forever is my very first read from this author. I absolutely loved this story! This will not be my last book from this author. I enjoyed the writing so much that I devoured this book in one sitting. The characters were entertaining and had me laughing out loud. I enjoyed the back and forth banter between them and I absolutely loved that Shannon and Victor’s relationship wasn’t an instant love kind of romance. This read definitely had a few surprises in it, especially with Shannon’s first marriage but the ending was worth everything. This story is the perfect one for readers looking for a fantastic, light, funny, steamy and heartwarming romance read. This one does not disappoint!
Shannon is the only single woman from The First Wives group today and has decided she wants to have a child no matter what. Always reserved and quiet, she surprises her newly-married friends with this news, having already planned everything: she’ll go to Mexico to photograph a wedding, stays there for a few more days, chooses a baby daddy and returns from there pregnant. Pefect! All her problems solved …. or so she thought.
Victor is a workaholic, serious and without many friends who never imagined being left on the altar by his fiancee. When approaching Shannon, the woman who didn’t like him since she met him and who does not melt for his money or his charm, he realizes how his behavior itself may have pushed his bride away and then decides to stay on the beach for a few more days without thinking at work.
Attraction between these two are inevitable and upon returning from traveling both will have to deal with a jealous ex fiancee and with tabloids who insist on creating unreal stories about them. Between hot kisses and humorous conversations, they will realize how much they can change their way of seeing the world and life and how together they can form a pair with perfect fit.
With a light and humorous writing, Catherine Bybee brings a romance with light social criticism and loaded with passion and hot scenes with the chance to review the wonderful characters of the previous books and a cute epilogue.
Wow! Not what I was expecting and I loved it! Shannon has been the most reserved character in this whole series. She was still in love with her first husband and was always the voice of reason in this group of women. She never really stood out because the rest of the First Wives had such huge personality.
We got to see a side to Shannon we have never experienced before. I love the way her and Victor met, reacted to each other and then ultimately fell in love. It’s an enemies to lovers trope that I admit I usually struggle with, but not in Shannon and Victor’s book. I actually, really loved how they got started and how he brought out her sass. The sparks flew from the start!
This whole series has been fantastic. I’m really sad to see it end. I’m hoping Sasha gets a story but I don’t think she is a first wife so maybe a start to a new series? One can hope.
Catherine Bybee once again brings us an incredible story with characters that will melt your heart from the beginning and a story that will keep you entranced from the first page to the last. This book is a perfect example of why Ms. Bybee is one of my go to authors!
In this one we have Shannon. A woman who has lost at love but doesn’t want to give up her dream of having a child. With a plan firmly in place she sets out to find a baby daddy with no strings or obligations attached. Then there is Victor. A workaholic who can’t even take the time off for a proper honeymoon and he wonders why he’s jilted at the altar. When these two first meet it’s not pretty and Shannon hurls some pretty caustic words Victor’s way. When everything she says proves true Victor is determined to prove to Shannon that he’s not the man she thinks he is. Could he be just the man she needs?
Put this on the must read list, I highly recommend it.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
I hate that this is the last book in the First Wives series. These ladies are so much fun to read! In this final novel we learn about Shannon and her interests. Her biological time clock is ticking and she’s determined to have a baby the natural way…though she’s not seeing anyone to make that happen. One night stand it is!
Her photography business takes her to Mexico to shoot a wedding and had decided that’s where she’ll find her baby daddy. No matter how much her friends try to talk her out of following through with this plan Shannon is determined to follow through.
I want to tell you so much about this story! I won’t spoil it for you though. You’re just going to have to take a chance on Shannon and see how she handles this whole debacle. It’s entertaining for sure. The relationship between Shannon and Victor starts out very rocky then moves to more.
If you haven’t read any of the other books in this series you can read this one without the others. Though you might enjoy them better in order. I recommend this book and series to you. I devoured them as soon as I could read them.
4.5 stars
It’s finally time for level-headed, quiet, supportive Shannon to get her HEA. It’s amusing how the shy woman we’ve gotten to know through this series lets her true self show in this book. So much so that Victor can’t even believe the woman her friends describe is the same woman he knows.
This story doesn’t have the same suspense/danger element of the other stories in the series, but it’s still a wonderful read. I loved watching Victor and Shannon both grow and seeing their love blossom. As always, it was also wonderful to watch this group of friends band together. The men support their women but also support each other when they know the women aren’t able to break their friend code. It’s a lot of fun to read.
While there are other characters in this series I could see getting their own stories, I’m pretty sure this is the last book in this series. But that doesn’t mean the author won’t spin this off into another series. After all, this series is a spin-off of her Weekday Brides series. I adore this author and believe she writes some of the best female friendships.
**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of Net Galley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely**
This review can also be found at https://allingoodtimeblog.wordpress.com/2019/03/11/faking-forever-first-wives-arc-review/
This was the book I have been waiting for since the series started and Shannon’s story did not disappoint in fact it was everything and more than I would expect in a great read. This book is romance at it best, it’s an enemies to lovers wrapped up in a second chance romance and I’m sure like me you will experience all the feels by the end of this story.
Shannon a divorcee looking to start a family and to be honest she is happy to be a single mum, she may be on the lookout for the perfect baby daddy but she sure didnt expect to find him at the wedding she has been hired as the photographer especially considering he was the groom who was left at the altar…….
A enjoyable entertaining read with characters I loved, I love this group of women and I’m loving the partners they are finding in each story. I do believe you can read these books as stand-alones but I’m sure once you have read one you will want to read the others. Looking forward to more from this very talented author and I can’t wait to see where she takes us next.
Faking Forever by Catherine Bybee is book 4 in the First Wives Series. This is the story of Victor Brooks and Shannon Wentworth. I feel this can be made into a standalone book if you wish to do so.
Shannon is a divorced women after her husband left her. Now she is busy working as a Photographer and looking to achieve her goal of becoming a mother. Victor is a workaholic never really stopping for anything, even working hard when he should be setting things right for his wedding. Shannon gets a destination wedding photo shoot where she thinks to find that one man to be the father of her baby. Victory’s future bride walks away and lays some blame on Shannon. But sparks were flying between the two but both agree to a step away time to make sure that what sparks are flying are real ones.
This was a nice change from the younger couples to a more mature romance that still had the heat on high. Great series!
This book really surprised me in the best way possible. With a jilted groom and a heroine who is looking for a one night stand to be a baby daddy, I wasn’t sure if this author could make me love these characters. I should’ve never doubted her because I did. Every step of the way.
When Shannon plans to lengthen her working trip to include a hunt for a baby daddy, she had one iron clad rule in place. He must never be able hunt her down after the fact. In order to accomplish that goal, it would mean finding a man that who would never want to find her. With her plans firmly in place she heads out. Unfortunately, the a-hole seated next to her riles her to before unknown heights and acting completely out of character for her, she lays into him.
Victor is a busy man but the woman seated next to him is quick to point out how terribly rude he is as well as informing him what she would do if he were her boyfriend…and it’s not friendly. Surprises abound when this couple meet again and realize that he is the groom and she is his wedding photographer. When his bride to be takes off, Victor remembers her caustic words.
I loved watching this couple work through their individual issues even as they try to avoid the chemistry brewing between them.
Watching both of these characters grow in the best ways possible was soo good! When they were together I could feel the sizzle even as I was smiling from ear to ear. They were both so charming and endearing and together they were magic. I loved that the time constraints they had placed on their relationship was tenuous at best.
This is a lengthier book but is actually a fast read as things are constantly moving. The drama is relatively low angst despite the breakup of Victor’s wedding and some other outside forces that want to tear them apart. Their conflict is handled rather quickly and we are given a great epilogue that not only shows us this couple down the road but a bit of the other couples as well.
Dual POV
5 Star Review Faking Forever (First Wives #4) by Catherine Bybee
There is something about Catherine Bybee’s style of writing that resonates with me. She weaves a story that has me invested from the very start. Although a stand alone I would probably be inclined to read the previous books in the series before reading Faking Forever as their stories provide the back story for this book.
Shannon Wentworth is a successful photographer and has no intention of settling down, happy to remain single. However Shannon wants a baby and she is determined that nothing will stop her in making her dreams come true.
Victor Brooks is the jilted groom whose wedding Shannon was meant to be photographing. Now it looks like he will be on his honeymoon on his own.
From the first moment Victor and Shannon meet, the sparks fly and the air around them sizzles.
Ms.Bybee creates characters that are strong, yet vulnerable and you know that there will be plenty of romance and some rather steamy scenes. It was wonderful to see Shannon finally come into her own.
When Shannons’s past comes back to haunt her and danger rears it’s ugly head, Victor will do what he has to to protect the woman he has come to care for. I fell hard and fast for Victor, he was so swoon worthy.
It was great to see the other ladies of the first wives club and catch up on their lives as well. I love this group of strong and determined women and I am sad to see the series conclude.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book which was provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
Absolutely awesome book in the First Wives series. Faking Forever is Shannon’s story. This story follows the main characters that became close best friends after their first marriages ended. Shannon is hesitant, even years after her divorce, to get close to a man but her desire to have a baby is strong. She ends up being the photographer for a destination wedding but realizes neither the bride or groom really care for one another. She strongly dislikes the groom, Victor. Suddenly, after the bride runs away she gets to really know the intended groom. I love the crossover of secondary characters. Ms. Bybee’s books catch the reader from beginning to end, they’re fun as well as romantic and a pleasure to read. I received a complementary copy of this book via Net Galley and chose to write a review. I look forward to reading future books by this talented author.