A sinfully sexy new standalone romance from #1 New York Times Bestseller Lauren Blakely I’ll say this about Christian — he made one heck of a first impression. When I first saw the strapping man, he was doing handstands naked on a dock along the canal. His crown jewels were far more entertaining than anything else I’d seen on the boat tour, so I did what any curious woman would do — I took his … would do — I took his photo. I might have looked at the shot a few dozen times. Little did I know I’d meet him again, a year later, at a secret garden bar in the heart of the city, where I’d learn that his mind and his mouth were even more captivating. But given the way my heart had been trampled, I wanted only a simple deal — No strings. No expectations.
Our arrangement worked well enough until the day I needed a lot more from him…
***
Let me just say, this whole part-time lover thing was her idea. I’d have gone all-in from the start, but hey, when a gorgeous, brilliant woman invites you into her bed, and only her bed…well, I said yes.
But then, one hysterical phone call from my brother later, begging me to find myself a wife so grandfather’s business stays in the family, and I need a promotion with Elise. Turns out a full-time husband suits her needs too, and a temporary marriage of convenience ought to do the trick, until we can simply untie the knot…
As long as no one finds out…
As long as no one gets hurt…
As long as no one falls in love…
But our ending was one I never saw coming.
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This was a fun, playful book.
Ever since Griffin’s friend, Christian, and Joy’s friend, Elise, were introduced in Wanderlust, I had a sneaking suspicion we might be seeing more of them. The moment Elise mentioned her preference for a “part-time lover,” that suspicion became a certainty (of course, it helped that the title for Lauren Blakely’s next book was already released). Little did I know that Christian and Elise’s history was more complex than I initially imagined. A missed connection and a helping hand from fate pave the way for a slow-burning, angst-filled romance that’s sure to tug on your heartstrings.
The first time Elise locked eyes on Christian, they were two strangers, drawn to each other by a clothing-optional display of impulsiveness and an equally spontaneous agreement to become better acquainted. Though the two missed their planned rendezvous, each left a memorable impression on the other that lasts until they meet again a year later. And then things get even more complicated… Fast-forward a few dates to a marriage of convenience that bears some not-so-convenient feelings and things get messy faster than you can say “naked handstand”. With a deadline in place and an agreement to keep their relationship strictly physical, what could go wrong?
Characters that are as bold and carefree as they are vulnerable and introspective, banter that’s rife with wit, humor, and innuendo, and a teasing, agonizingly slow-building romance make Part-Time Lover a gripping love story. A hero that’s confident, roguish, and irresistibly charming, and a heroine that’s fierce and cynical, yet fragile and hopelessly romantic, make for spellbinding narrators of this tale about fate and second chances. With Part-Time Lover, the author dives into the backstories of Christian and Elise, revealing their innermost thoughts and feelings, and exposing their every strength and every flaw – an intimate process that ensures you’re emotionally invested in the outcome of their story.
From start to finish, Part-Time Lover will have you laughing and swooning and falling in love with love. If you’re looking for a book to give you your lighthearted rom-com fix with a side of the feels, Part-Time Lover is a sure bet.
*complimentary copy provided by author for an honest review
Christian is the charmer. He’s the funny man in the Griffin and Christian friendship. He’s free to do as he pleases, Including handstands, sansclothes, on the dock of his home in Copenhagen.
Elise is serious and focused on work. She’s got no time for romance. She enjoys her travel business as she can interesting places and do fun things. Her favorite just might be the boat tour along the canal in Copenhagen. It was a moment she’ll not forget. She has the photos to prove it. Ahhhh, the sweet memories.
One year later, with her friend Joy and her boyfriend, Griffin, she meets the charming Christian, up close and personal. It’s fate he says. She’s charmed but no so easy to succumb. She’s going to enjoy him, on her own terms.
Until “drunk Eric”. I looooooove “drunk Eric”!!! Eric finds himself on a predicament that leads to the potential downfall of everything Christian and Eric’s grandfather worked his whole life for. Eric’s drunken ramblings lead to a proposal, or rather contract. There is a proposal but it involves a pillow.
So many walls to tear down. Christian finds himself falling. She’s made rules and he has no choice but to abide by them. She won’t allow herself to fall. Skyscrapers can’t be high enough barriers. But Christian’s charm and manner seem to be poking holes in everything she believed. But the rules will protect her.
Eric will not let anyone shoulder the responsibilities he has claimed. He’s about to set things right. Unknowingly destroying everything. Charming Christian becomes contemplative. Elise behind the Walls starts seeing cracks and gummy bears?
Family wins. It’s all about family. Love. And Fate.
Read in audio. Loved it!!
“If this isn’t fate looking out for us, I don’t know what it is.”
A part-time arrangement turns into a temporary marriage of convenience turns into so much more than what they were prepared for…
Lauren Blakely gives us another AMAZING standalone romance about surrendering to fate and to love. It’s beautiful as much as it was sexy. It’s heartwarming as much as it was emotional. Pretty much, it was the whole damn package, but I’ve come to expect nothing less from one of my GO TO authors of this genre. PART-TIME LOVER was sexy, swoony, emotional, and uber romantic! Once I turned the very first page, I was a complete goner. I was lost in Ms. Blakely’s world and it was pure bliss! Christian and Elise…I have a huge smile on my face just thinking about these two and their journey to get to their wonderful happily ever after. From the moment they first laid eyes on each other, to the moment they confessed their love for one another, you could just tell that fate had such a major part in their story. And I absolutely LOVED that about their journey. This is was this author does though. She weaves a beautiful, romantic tale of hope, love, and fate and makes us believe in love ALL OVER AGAIN. This is her super power and I never want her to stop gracing us with her unbelievable heart and talent.
Do you believe in fate? That things happen for a reason? Part-Time Lover by Lauren Blakey is a story about fate and second chances that will tug at your heart! It truly was such a fun and charming audiobook with great characters and a story I wanted to devour. And that beginning, I was laughing and swooning!
When Elise first saw Christian, she saw him in all his glory, literally! Since she was on vacation and allowing herself some freedom, she let him know what she thought of him. They agreed to meet, but miscommunication had them missing each other. With their moment lost, they never expected to see each other gain. Imagine their surprise when almost a year later they come face-to-face again.
I absolutely loved Christian and Elise so much. Both had pasts that haunted them, but in different ways. Christian was honest, caring and lived his life with freedom. He never thought he would want forever again. Elise was hurt so badly, she did not know if she could ever trust, much less love again. But they had such an easy comradery and chemistry, they decided to enjoy each other for as long as they could.
As their friendship and attraction grew, Christian is surprised to learn that he needs a bride, now. And even more surprised by Elise’s offer to help but her intentions are only to help and for this to be temporary. They could enjoy and help each other at the same time. But what happens when real feelings emerge, and everything changes?
I must say, Shane East and Grace Grant did an amazing job bringing Christian and Elise’s story to life. I felt every emotion and every moment between them. I truly enjoyed listening to Part-Time Lover. It was a light story with very little angst and a whole lot of charm!
Listened and reviewed for Sultry Sirens Book Blog.
Happy reading!
A standalone read with a HEA. This is a fun read. See the guy on the cover? That says it all. He is retired at 29, been divorced for several years. In his younger days he worked hard in finance, earned enough money to retire and now just have fun. He meets Elise as he is doing yoga on a dock in Denmark totally in the nude! She is a successful businesswoman on the other side of a marriage that left her devastated. she is only interested in fun. These two have a great deal of fun and not just in bed. Then they get caught up in a marriage of convenience and things get a little serious. It is a fun, entertaining read and I definitely recommend it. The story is set in Denmark and in Paris.
6/9/18
I usually love Lauren Blakely books. This one was just an okay read for me. I loved the first few chapters, and even when Elise and Christian met again a year later. But after that, it slowed way down for me. It was still a decent read, but this isn’t one of my favorites from her. I liked both Christian and Elise. The inner monologue they both had over “I love them, but I have to pretend I don’t” had me rolling my eyes a little since they did that so much.
I liked the plot and the storyline. The delivery just didn’t do it for me this time. I am in the minority, so I would still tell people to get this and read it.
4.5 stars!
Christian had no idea that a stunt to rile up the tourists would be a life changing moment. Elise is taking some time away with her friend trying to forget her past relationship that still haunts her. Talking her friend into a boat tour in Denmark sounded like a fun thing to do but Elise get a little more than the normal “scenic view” which lingers in her memory long after her return home.
I was so happy when their paths crossed again. Lauren Blakely gives you two characters that you cannot help but invest in. Christian is all sorts of swoon-worthy and it was fun to watch Elise try to be very lax about what was transpiring between them. Their relationship was very unique not only to them but to their situation.
I enjoyed watching them fall for each other. They not only made me smile but they made me shed a tear or two too. Watching them find the better versions of themselves was definitely an enjoyable aspect of this story. If you enjoy fun, witty, second chance romances this may be the book for you. I can never turn down an opportunity to read a book by this author and Part Time Lover may just be one of my new favorites.
Review is for the audiobook version.
This is a great book to listen to. Having the narrators read to us with an accent helps the reader picture the characters that we’re learning about and falling in love with. I feel like I need to pack my bags, grab a ticket, and take a trip in order to set the mood for when I relisten to this story. Mr. East and Ms. Grant show us what we miss when we read the book to ourselves.
Even though Elise works in another country, she still has family here in America. I love how thoughtful her brother is when it comes to the little gifts he gives her. Christian is a man that’s very bold, knows what he’s got, and isn’t afraid to flaunt it. His brother will pull on our sympathies and Elise acts on hers.
Some may think this is a second chance romance but is it a second chance if they don’t have a date the first time around. But that doesn’t mean that they didn’t feel a connection the first time they see each other. So in that way it could be considered a second chance. This was a fun ride from beginning to end. I was glad that I had a chance to listen to the book because I think I enjoyed it more by having the narrators read to me. I certainly don’t read in an accent and I don’t think I would have put in as much emotion as we get here.
Our author even got me to talk to her characters – which wouldn’t happen if I was reading the book myself. I was glad that no one was around because I think I would have gotten quite a few quizzical looks. Of course I was out doing yard work at the time so I could always lie and say that I was only talking to myself. The hard thing to pass off would be my chuckling. There were times that it got very hard to hold it in. By the end, I was ready for more but I’ll have to be patient. I hunted and hunted to see what’s coming next in the Part-Time Lover series and couldn’t find anything. But I’m sure that I’ll thoroughly enjoy any of her other titles I choose to listen to.
I voluntarily reviewed an Audiobook copy of this book.
Part-Time Lover is a sexy and swoony romantic story. It’s starts out with a missed connection but fate has other ideas.
After some bad experiences, Elise is not looking for love or a long term commitment but she can’t deny the chemistry with Christian. What starts out as sort of a friends with benefits type of arrangement turns into a temporary marriage of convenience.
These characters were introduced in a previous book, but the story can definitely be read as a standalone. This was actually my very first Lauren Blakely book (but will not be my last!)!
The audiobook narration is just amazing, swoony accents and all! A great ‘credit-worthy’ listen!
-4.5 Stars!!-
I liked it. The characters weren’t that strong though. It’s a good story.
Elise is soured on relationships and has decided to lock her heart away for good. She’s only willing to be with someone if they know the score . . . friends with benefits, but no emotional or permanent attachments. When she runs into the fantasy man she saw doing naked handstands on vacation a year ago, she’s willing to flirt and have some fun as long as he’s willing to keep things no strings attached.
Christian fet like it was fate when he ran into his mermaid from the docks a year after their chance encounter. He’s intrigued and wants to know more about the witty and sexy woman who captured his interest with her bold personality. He’s willing to go all in from the start, but will keep that a secret and play by her rules so that he can be near her. Things change, however, when he finds he needs a wife to save his family’s business and she offers herself up as a solution for three months until he can gain control of the company.
Christian was more than happy to turn their part time love into a full time marriage, but is terrified to scare off the woman he’s fallen for so he keeps his feelings secret from everyone. Part time lovers to a marriage of convenience was enough for Elise until she needed more from Christian even though she didn’t want it. But what happens when neither realizes they both want the same thing . . . each other?
Lauren Blakely did an amazing job taking what starts as a light hearted romance and turning it into so much more. From the first moment Elise and Christian meet, sparks fly. Everyone can see it is fate except for Elise. She’s so terrified of getting hurt and being played again that she’s truly shut herself off from experiencing love.
Christian is a true sweetheart of a man. He falls hard for Elise but is willing to play by her rules to give her what she needs hoping it doesn’t end up backfiring on him. As their friendship grows, so does his feelings for her that he hides so she stays near. Little does he know that her feelings have grown into more as well, which is where the true beauty of this story lies. They both must find a way to believe and trust in their own feelings as well as each other’s.
This is truly a gorgeous slow burn of a romance. Fate brought together an amazing couple if only they can move forward from past hurts to accept the gift they can have in each other. 5 stars!
Once upon a time, I was looking for something light and fun to read and stumbled across Lauren Blakely’s Big Rock. I’ll admit that I picked it entirely because of the cover – the typography was funny and clever and I hoped that the book would be that way too. It absolutely was and I’ve been a massive Lauren Blakely fan ever since, devouring every book of hers I could get my hands on. And then, the worst happened. I ran out of published books and had to start waiting for her to release new ones. It was a tragedy. But now I really have something to look forward to every few months and Part-Time Lover did not disappoint.
Elise and Christian first met under rather unusual circumstances. She’s on a touristy boat tour of Copenhagen. He’s doing yoga on a private dock her boat passes. Naked yoga. Naked yoga including full-frontal handstands. Christian is handsome and bold and Elise is smitten. Smitten enough to take some photos and to shout her praises at him. A shouted date invite from him and then a missed connection because of her later, neither one think they’ll see the other ever again. That is until a year later when they’re both in Paris and are properly introduced by mutual friends. Sparks fly, but Christian and Elise both have failed marriages in their pasts and aren’t interested in love again. They’re on the same page and make a pact to have a fun part-time fling. At least until circumstances change and they suddenly discover that a temporary marriage of convenience could be very mutually beneficial. She helps him save his family’s company, he helps her out with some business deals of her own and they both have some fun along the way. Except when just fun turns into real feelings, things suddenly become a lot more complicated…
Is fake marriage trope-y as hell? Yes. Does that mean I don’t love it with every fiber of my being? I think the five-star rating answers that question. I love Lauren Blakely and I loved this book. And on the topic of tropes and for people that may be tired of them (but really, does anyone not love fake dating/married??), I really appreciated that while there was some standard marriage of convenience stuff to it (a will stipulation about being married), it also deviates from the mold. Elise and Christian don’t try to fake it. Their closest friends and family know the truth about their marriage. They don’t have a super complicated fake background, they just slightly embellish their real story. They genuinely do like each other and are attracted to one another and just happen to also be married simply because it’s what helps them both out. And I really appreciate that. It makes for an excellent story and a natural and believable path to real love.
And oh how believable their path is. Blakely has done a spectacular job of writing two well-rounded characters that you can’t help but know absolutely belong together. The banter is spot on, their chemistry is on fire, and their soft and loving moments are rather beautiful. Elise has some seemingly insurmountable walls put up around her heart thanks to her previous marriage, but Christian is the perfect man to start to bring them crumbling down around her. He’s brilliant and entertaining and, most importantly for Elise, he’s honest. The two characters have so much fun together that it just makes the book itself a thoroughly entertaining thing to read.
As always, this book is beautifully written. I sometimes get caught up in thinking about how hilarious and steamy Lauren Blakely’s books are that I almost forget that her writing and phrasing is spectacular. The way she writes about all the settings (mostly Paris in this novel, but also Copenhagen and New York City) makes me feel like I’m right there too and it adds so much to the all-encompassing nature of the book. It makes the book flow and really creates a wonderful world you just want to live in. Part-Time Lover made me want to hurry up and read the whole thing, but also I never wanted the book to end. I guess now I just get to count down the days until her next book comes out…
This is a very enjoyable, sexy and funny book. I loved Elise and Christian. They are it from the same cloth! Another hit for Ms. Blakely
You should know I read half of this book in my imaginary British accent that I don’t have, but think I do. Why? Because the sexy, funny, hero in this book is a wickedly delicious viking who is half Danish, half British. Therefore, imagining him talking to his equally sexy heroine in his accent just makes reading and enjoying this book so much more.
I’m not lying. Christian is charming, funny, and sweet. I’ve been half in love with him when I met him in Wanderlust . If you didn’t read Wanderlust it’s OK, you will fall in love with Christian just the same. Ms. Blakely did an incredible job delivering this story without spoiling Wanderlust. But I also love Elise. I love how she’s protective of her heart and a fan of “living in the moment”. I love how she’s a defender for her friends.
After reading Part-Time Lover, I found “lemon drops” sweeter. I believe that fate and magic work hand in hand. After reading Part-Time Lover, I remembered just why I love Lauren Blakely books so much.. the romantic message behind each happy ending.
This is a must read!
4.5 stars
Aww, this was a sweet and fun marriage of convenience story. A great beach read – low angst, steamy fun. I loved Christian’s fun, cocky demeanor!
Christian and Elise have both been married before, she’s more jaded about love than he is. He needs to be married to save the family business. She could use an analyst for her upcoming business deal.
They can help each other out…but it’s just for 3 months – an expiration date on their fake marriage.
But what happens when neither wants it to end?
“I thought we were only fun and games when we started, but then, unexpectedly, she took my heart. She can keep it. She’s the only one who gets to have it.”
In one of the Facebook groups I’m in, one of the moderators asked what would we bring if we were stranded on a desert island. My immediate response was “WiFi,” which I clearly thought was really clever at the time, but the real genius is the woman that said “Lauren Blakely so she could just tell me new stories she makes up. Better than a Kindle!” Well, I wholeheartedly second that. I was done for within the first 15% of the book and Elise and Christian’s love story just kept getting better. The way that Lauren Blakely took us back and forth in time, used blog entries, and a dual first person POV was storytelling magic at its best. I wanted to be with Elise on the streets of Paris, New York, and Copenhagen. I love the way she connected her to characters from Mister O and The Sexy One (two of my favorite books from the author). I love that Part-Time Lover is just as much a love story between man and woman as it is a love story between brothers, and love story with the world, travel, life, scent, and flowers. Lauren Blakely speaks to my soul – her books somehow always leave me satisfied yet longing for more. 5 out of 5 wine glasses.
4.5 stars!
Christian is ridiculously swoony and I just love him! I love the back and forth that him and Elise have. They have a very enjoyable connection and one of the funniest first meetings ever. They connect well on so many levels and have such a bond. I really liked the way fate was brought into the story a lot. They do have to kind of relationship that is plain old fate. They make too much sense to not be. Both of them were really interesting to read about and the storyline was so enjoyable. The book has great sexy time and some really cute moments between them. Such a great read!
Bravo! Bravo! Another fun read by Lauren Blakely! I loved Christian’s introduction to the story. Haha! I can’t imagine! What a sight that would be! Elise and Christian’s story was super cute. I loved the idea of leaving love to fate. This is a perfect summer read when you are looking for something light and easy. Part-Time Lover will leave you with a smile!
Review by Lys
I feel like I’ve been popping my new to me author cherry a lot lately! (Did that make sense? lol) I’ve been meaning to read this author and so glad it finally happened. I’m sorry it took so long, my TBR and arc list is insane right now.
This book was… torture. Like the good kind. Total slow burning, melt your panties and if I had one, cock-teasing, torture! In the beginning, you get to see how Elise and Christian meet. Well sort of. It’s pretty funny, and the little name error was perfect as it keeps you saying and thinking… what if. I love the fact that Christian believes it’s fate when they “meet” again a year later. Elise, on the other hand, isn’t a believer in fate… more like coincidence or chance. Needless to say, Christian has his work cut out for him. I think that’s part of the fun of this book, the chase. Their chemistry is undeniable and oh so sexy and Christian is just charming and funny, cocky, and sexy as hell. Plus he has an accent… instant swoon!! I love his innuendos and dirty mouth. I also love that Elise keeps right up with him and dishes it back out to him. It’s fun to watch their verbal sparring.
Easy to read, fun banter and some laugh out loud moments that made this book charming. What a great book of Lauren’s I picked to be my first one! Definitely a new fan and will be going back to read more of her books I have on my kindle.
#B2BKristina