From New York Times bestselling author Katy Evans comes a hot romance about two strangers and their race to fall in love.If someone had bet Nell a million dollars that she would be saying “I do” to a complete stranger on national television, she’d have called them crazy, but with her crushing student loan payments sending her deep into the red, she’s out of options. This should be nothing more … should be nothing more than a business transaction—until she sets eyes on her groom, and everything changes.
The game is on the instant Luke spots Penelope “Nell” Carpenter. He’s out for the money, yes, but getting a little dirty with Nell doesn’t sound too bad either. Everyone knows he’s not the marrying kind, so it’s a good thing it’s just for show. God knows he’s the worst guy his pretty wife should pick for real.
They have nothing in common, but if they want the grand prize, they’ll have to beat out eight other couples. Proving that total opposites attract should be easy enough…as long as they don’t fall in love in the process.
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Million Dollar Marriage was FABULOUS. I laughed as my heart melted while I fell in live with Nell and Luke. These two couldn’t have been more opposite if they tried; they only proved opposites attract is SO possible, even when least expected. The two together started out with a bit of friction and it slowly transformed to tension until it became an attraction that sparked a fire so deep and bright.
Penelope aka Nell (or Penny, to Luke) was like my soul sister. I don’t know that I could ever be as studious as she [I mean, I’ll keep my Kindle handy to read…but a textbook? In French??]. She’s hardcore and practically determined to earn as many degrees as possible, this chick is smarter than smart. Hence the need for a chance at a million bucks via reality TV. She’s accumulated some serious school loan debts. And she’s introverted as hell. She’s a loner and a guy like Luke is WAY out of her comfort zone.
Luke is vulgar and brash. Flirtatious and crude but also sexy in a Neanderthal way . Best friend to the sexy daredevil, James Rowan, from Million Dollar Devil. He tends bar and is plagued with worries about the surmounting debts incurred to keep his beloved bar open.
Together they’re paired to fight they’re way to the top and win the big prize. But on their journey, the bicker, banter, argue, joke…and fall.
This story was a beloved story of love in a modern era where reality tv is “real” but real love is better than what can be edited by the best of production studios. Their differences only fit together to bond them in a way that made these two completely different people into one solid couple.
I don’t watch reality TV but these two could convince me! Million Dollar Marriage is the perfect feel good, smiling because you can’t stop romance. Everything is hard. As complete opposites, Luke and Nell are definitely not the favored team. These two couldn’t be more different. But what none seems to notice is the fighting…not the fighting that everyone sees. No, I’m talking about fighting their attraction.
Million Dollar Marriage is sexy and sweet in all the right ways.
Million Dollar Marriage by Katy Evans is book Two in the Million Dollar Series. This is the story of Luke and Nell. I have read the previous book but feel you can make this a standalone book if you wish to do so.
Luke is trying to save his bar and to do so needs money of course. Nell has been a dedicated student working toward finishing school. But now with goal in site she learns of her large student bills she has…so she needs money too. This leads her to a reality show. Luke ends up taking the same route that leads them to meet each other and to be paired up. But can these two opposite people find that maybe they aren’t so different.
Enjoyed their story.
I really loved the narrators, I think they did a great job. I sorta liked the amazing race aspect of this trope but reality TV marriages aren’t my cup of tea. I also had a hard time connecting with the characters.
This author has an incredible talent to draw you into the story from the first page. I loved Penelope and Luke from the first appearance. I loved how they are so different and yet how well they fit together. It took them a lot of fighting, but eventually they saw each other and became a team.
This book made me feel tired, because the characters were lead on a merry chase all over the USA participating in a reality TV show. Reading about all their physical feats as they conquered obstacles exhausted me in spirit, LOL. The basis of the program was that they had to go through several challenges as a married couple, competing with another ten couples. The winning couple would win one million dollars if they decided to stay together, otherwise they would win a measly five hundred grand.
Penelope was estranged from her parents and is paying for her studies. She’s about to defend her thesis for a doctoral degree but she’s also deep in student loan debt, to the tune of $500,000. Likewise, Luke is deep in debt. He inherited his bar from his grandfather and he’s working hard to keep the place. However, his grandfather took a lot of mortgage loans against the bar. Luke has his grandmother in a very expensive home, and this is also bleeding him dry. Both need to win the contest to solve their financial problems. The problem? Penelope is very quirky, set in her customs, nerdy, low self-esteem, and a little uptight. Luke, on the other hand, is gorgeous and uncouth, school dropout at the age of sixteen, ex-junkie until his grandfather took him in hand. He has the best intentions of making good with his bar to honor his grandfather but is overwhelmed by all the demands on him.
I loved Luke! He was unashamedly sexy and friendly. He quickly makes friends with everyone and throughout the reality program, he was competitive but fair and helpful. He never hesitated to give a hand and help his program mates. Penelope wasn’t as likable because she was uptight and sometimes a little closed minded. She had good thoughts but her low self esteem made her take the wrong attitude. Eventually she opened up, trusted more, and worked with Luke instead of against him. They made a great combination of opposites attracted to each other; she was the brains and he was the brawn, she was a little innocent in bed, he was an expert. So where one was weak, the other was strong and together they were great.
The plot was a page turner series of delights, a great pace, great characters and lovely love story. The sexy times were yummy too. This author never fails to give me a great time reading her book! Always something to learn, a lot to enjoy!
Million Dollar Marriage by Katy Evans is the second standalone story in her Million Dollar series. Told in dual POV between the hot alpha bar-owner Luke and the book smart career student Nell. Add in a reality show competition, a marriage and a series of challenges where they must work together and this book is equal parts hilarity and sizzling sexual tension. We previously met Luke in Million Dollar Devil as the best friend of Jimmy and owner of the bar in which Jimmy has his “office”. The premise was unique, the story was very well-written. I felt so very frustrated with Nell and her judgements in the beginning but it’s a testament to how she grew as a character through the taping of the reality show to get to where they have their Happily Ever After. Katy Evans is a must-read author for me and this story is just another example of why. Enjoy!
I was not sure how I was going to feel about this book. I’m not a big fan of reality dating shows. They don’t spark my interest. So I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to finish this book, but once again Katy has pulled it off. This book was superb. I even listened to the audiobook after reading it. Who would have thought Mr.Luke Cross, rough around the edges and Penelope Carpenter, a bit of an uptight bookworm would make the perfect couple? Financial troubles bring them together. Fate ties the knot. Nell and Luke Clash from the moment they meet, but the challenges they face change everything for them. Things get a bit muddy, but they are in it to win it.
OMG I Love Katy because she can write like no ones business and she always has me on the edge of my seat wondering what is going to happen next and when I read it I talk to my kindle whether it be yelling, screaming, laughing, or crying. I get all the feels from her books and this one really did it for me. I felt like I was inside the story watching friends go through there fare share of things.
Nell and Luke are an amazing couple together. The get together on this TV reality show and they are complete opposites. They are like fire and ice and lord when they come together and have to do their challenges sparks are flying all over the place even though they both act like they hate each other.
What happens to this couple at the end will have you very surprised because I was. I was taken by surprise and that is what I love about Katy because she keep us on our toes.
So go on and one click this gem for an amazing read!
Holy cracker jacks, I freaking loved this book!! Katy Evans NAILED IT with this exciting new story. What an awesome roller coaster of adventure mixed with a love story that had me hot to trot and swooning over hunky lead man Luke Cross. Million Dollar Marriage is a fantastic read!! I was flipping the pages so fast to keep up with the adventure of a lifetime.
This story combines reality TV sensations Married at First Sight and The Amazing Race for a super fun, heart pulsing, race to the end where the prize is not only a million dollars but perhaps an unexpected soulmate. Dr. Penelope Carpenter and Mr. Luke Cross are coupled up to take a gamble on this brand new reality show. Complete strangers with completely different personalities, they compliment each other perfectly. I loved every page of watching them grow together. Each adventure in the race brought them closer together and I swooned so hard.
This book was so unexpected, I went in blind, but Katy Evans never disappoints. I literally couldn’t keep a smile off my face the whole way through. I’m totally addicted to this story, Luke and Penny made this book EVERYTHING. So fun, charming, exciting and blowing up with dynamite chemistry. Hop on board this race, you’ll love the ride.
Oh my God, Katy Evans! What have you done to me? I loved Million Dollar Marriage! Luke and Nell are such a delight! Complete opposites but you know what they say about opposites. That they attract and the sparks flying off these two almost ignited my Kindle.
Million Dollar Marriage is a fun, fast-paced, feel good story.
I enjoyed this journey into reality television as a romance novel. Honestly, I don’t like to watch it on TV but I had fun experiencing this world through Nell and Luke’s eyes as they took on a crazy challenge to help them each deal with financial issues in their own lives. I don’t think either one expected to be picked yet they both rose to the occasion. Nell’s journey was more profound as she had to find who she truly is after putting herself in a box to cope with issues within her family and pursuing her passion in literature. She carried a lot of fear and Luke was just the right person to push her out of that comfort zone. Luke is that easy going, likable guy but he’s let the business he inherited fall apart. He needs someone to push him and realize he is more than a sexy face. Nell and Luke are definitely opposites and this crazy TV show throws them together where they have to decide to either get along or lose. There are so many amazing moments as each one of them is forced to dig deep to find their true selves. I was pulled in and anxious to know if they could really survive this wild adventure.
I love this book. Penelope “Nell” keeps to herself and has one best friend. Luke is a sexy bartender. They both signup to do a reality tv show. They have to work together. They are so good with one another. Love them together. After both being stubborn and hard headed, they both get what they want…each other. I highly recommend this book
This is Survivor on steroids!
Imagine a reality show where you have a chance to win ONE MILLION DOLLARS if you successfully complete all the tasks they give. One catch. You and your partner must work together and complete all tasks together. Oh! A couple of rules: you MUST marry your partner, and your partner will be assigned. You cannot choose who you want to partner with. Easy, right?
Nell and Luke are two opposites that would NEVER be teamed together. She is the typical bookworm and over achiever with multiple college degrees and an insurmountable debt in college loans. Luke is a bartender for his own failing bar in debt to the hilt. The only thing they share is determination to win the $1M and move on.
I do not normally watch Reality shows. This book is entertaining, challenging, and gripping. What appealed to me from the beginning was potential for growth in both characters. As they team up and are forced to work together to achieve their goal, they both help each other grow and look at life differently. You must read this book!
I am voluntarily reviewing this book. Thanks to the author for sharing a copy with me.
The Million Dollar Series is quickly becoming one of my favorites! Katy Evans has always been a one-click author for me.
Million Dollar Marriage is a behind the scenes look at reality shows, and who doesn’t love reality shows? The show Penelope and Luke end up on they are competing against other couples, so picture a cross between the Bachelor and Amazing Race and you have it.
At first glance Luke and Penelope are an unlikely pair, opposites. He is a bar owner who dropped out of high school at sixteen, and she’s academic based all the way. But you know what they say opposites attract, and never judge a book by it’s cover. You really never know what is below the surface when you look at someone.
These two fake being love for a chance to win a million dollars on this reality show. But most fake relationships lead to real feelings. In doing this reality show they get to know each other and the adventure they go on is a great read! I absolutely love how they build each other up during this book. As strangers it would be easy to tear each other a part while participating but it’s like second nature to just encourage each other.
I absolutely loved Million Dollar Marriage! Luke and Penelope were very real characters and that is probably one of my favorite things about a book. I absolutely recommend to everyone!
I loved this book!! It may be one of my top 3 favorite Katy Evans books ever. Million Dollar Marriage was a fun, easy, sexy read with the right amount of sass and heat.
Luke Cross and Penelope Carpenter are both in debt and in desperate need for money. With no other options, they both agree to participate in a reality tv game show where strangers are required to marry and work together as a couple solving challenges around the world. (I kind of wish Million Dollar Marriage was a real show because I’d totally watch it.) I enjoyed the opposites attract element between these characters. Luke and Nell could not be any more different. She is well educated and a bit uptight. He is a bar owner with a less than stellar past. These two butted heads like crazy but it created the most delicious tension. I live for their push and pull. As the game went on, they definitely brought out best in each other.
I loved everything about this book. I devoured it in one sitting and I didn’t want it to end. I highly recommend if your looking for a fun, low angst, sexy read with a game show element.
Fun-angsty romance! Katy Evans had swooned me with her sassy charm. This story was daring and spontanious. Million dollar challenges? Oh yeah.. Nell Carpenter and Luke Cross were on it like two magnets. I adored their relationships throughout the story. It was fun and flirty. MDM will allure you with royal battle of attraction.
Q: My spouse. Oh my god, I’m married. To this hot, dirty, completely-wrong-for-me hunk.
Q: Because this girl? This smart, beautiful, hot-as-hell girl in the ponytail and freckles? She is mine.
Million Dollar Marriage was absolutely perfect. Katy Evans delivered an opposites-attract, fake relationship romance that I couldn’t put down. The storyline is a spin-off what most consider their guilty pleasures… reality television! Katy paired an enticing and swoon-worthy hero with a heroine that will quickly capture your heart and sends them on an adventure unlike anything I have ever read. Completely unique, with crisp writing, impeccable flow and utterly unpredictable storyline made for one of my favorite reads this month.
Q: She’s beautiful and has no idea how beautiful she is. She closes herself off to the rest of the world because she thinks the only thing she has to offer is that big brain of hers.
In addition to the above characteristics of Million Dollar Marriage, Luke and Nell were the perfect protagonists to make this story engaging and unputdownable. Both were in desperate need of a cash infusion and undertake a journey in reality television that requires them to marry a complete stranger for a chance at one million dollars— think The Amazing Race and The Bachelor. This plot was incredibly fun and deliciously full of sexual tension and chemistry! Additionally, the competitions that Luke and Nell undertake as part of their adventure were totally fresh and showed forethought on behalf of the author. She truly built a romance out of characters getting to know one another under the most extreme of circumstances and it just worked brilliantly. I thoroughly enjoyed their adventures and the differences between Luke and Nell that should have made their relationship a complete joke ended up making them the perfect match. Luke was the extrovert and decidedly the one physically capable of completing the challenges set forth. (Remember I said swoon-worthy? Just wait until you read Katy’s description of this hunk. WOW!) And Nell was the reserved, introverted brain that helped power them through challenges that Luke couldn’t. Combined they had a delicious level of chemistry that progressed in the story as I expect in an enemies-to-lovers trope.
Q: I knew the second I laid her down in bed that I wouldn’t be able to sleep. My mind was racing with thoughts of her, my cock hard as a rock for her. For this little girl who keeps opening herself up to me in the best of ways, like a Christmas present I get to unwrap every morning.
Million Dollar Marriage can be read as a standalone but is, in fact, the second book in the Million Dollar series. I missed out on reading Million Dollar Devil, but after reading Luke’s story, I quickly one-clicked MDD so that I could read it at the first opening in my blog schedule! I loved that Million Dollar Marriage was written as a dual POV romance. Both characters were fantastic and getting into their minds was a true pleasure… Million Dollar Marriage is not only immensely entertaining, it’s also wickedly sexy! The tension between the characters was off. the. charts. Hawt! Seriously, prepare yourself for a cold shower because I was definitely in need of one myself! If you’re in the mood for a fast, engaging and fun story that will keep you completely spellbound from cover to cover, Katy Evans’ Million Dollar Marriage is the perfect book to grab! Five well deserved stars!!!
Q: Penny’s so under my skin and in my veins that I can’t even look at another woman. This isn’t about sex or release or any of that. I need her like the air I breathe.
This book has you rooting for the couple from page one! Nell has dug herself into quite a debt after following her dreams and going against her family’s wishes in regards to her education. Graduating with her PHD, she is $500K in debt with no job opportunities on the horizons. When her roommate talks her into auditioning for a reality TV show, she’s skeptical but once hearing about the cash prize jumps at the chance. Luke has experience hardships in his life, but has since turned his life around, until he finds out the financial situation his late grandfather put him in, and it’s time to pay up. Figuring the reality TV show was his best option for quick cash, he auditions, and in line meets Nell. The two are like oil and water, which is why they end up paired up, and throughout the course of the competition, get to know the real person behind the facades they put up. But when the magic of reality TV is shown to Nell and she believes Luke betrayed her, her fight or flight instinct kicks in and she runs. I can’t get enough of Katy and this series! Her style of writing is amazing and each book sucks me in so much that I can’t put it down before finishing in one sitting if I tried (and trust me, I have)! I love the cameo from Jimmy and how this book intertwines with the previous one, yet still holds on it’s own. I can’t wait to see who’s next in this series!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Oh WOW!! Luke and Nell are THE COUPLE that I just adored. I felt their chemistry from the get go. I knew this “act” was going to bloom into something more!
That is as much as a spoiler this review will provide. I loved Million Dollar Marriage was the “IT” book for me. Katy Evans delivers the huge show that everyone wants to win. I love how the main characters connect and eventually have you rooting for these two. Great read and I need MORE!
I absolutely loved Penny & Luke . If you love the opposites attract genre than get ready for a wild ride . Would you marry a stranger for money ….. a million dollars? Well Penny never thought she would find herself hitched let alone to a crude, blunt, brawny oh yes hot man but she is . Penny needs money to pay off her student loans and Luke wants to save his bar. When these two unlike characters are thrown together on a reality show get ready for a wild ride. They are funny, snarky complete opposites but soon find out that they can really work well together under pressure but what happens when you start to get the feelings !!! This was a fun, fast paced wild romance !!!
~~Michele McMullen ~~