It was against my will. But family has a way of forcing you into tight spots, right? My wealthy father wanted me at his swanky benefit and refused to budge. Luckily for me, the most beautiful curvy woman happened to come too. Only one problem: she thinks I’m rich too. No way in hell I can tell her the truth. Women like men that can deck them out in jewels, and that ain’t me. I don’t share … deck them out in jewels, and that ain’t me.
I don’t share in the family inheritance, not yet at least.
Hard work is all I know. It’s who I am.
But will she understand that if the truth comes to light?
I’m just a normal guy in love with a woman far above my paygrade.
And she’s going to freak when she finds out I’ve been pretending to be rich.
Every Good Girl Deserves a Bad Boy. ~ Weston
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Another fun literary journey to Crete. I loved both of the main characters and the story was really fun to read. Cade was a bit too persistent in my opinion. At some point (by this I mean nearly immediately) one must learn to take no for an answer. Luckily, this being fiction, it all worked itself out. Also, the narrators were great, but I found it odd that even though Eliana was Greek, her first person narration was with an American accent.
This is a well written book with strong,well developed characters with a hot chemistry. The author does a great job bringing a sweet romance and an entertaining story line. I enjoyed reading this book.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
I loved Cade and Eliana. Loved the storyline and all the characters in this book.
It was wonderful that Cade made peace with his Mum and Dad.
Also wonderful that Cade and Eliana found their complete happiness within each other and it was lovely that they chose to name the baby after his Dad.
It was nice to see Rand and Nicole make an appearance.
Loved Maceo too. I was so happy that Cade found a lifelong friend in Maceo. We need to find a wonderful woman for him now too.
I absolutely loved this book and was honored to have been able to read and review. It was such a phenomenal read and had amazing characters as well as an amazing story line. I just could not get enough of it and once I started reading it I could not put it down. I recommend that you read it.
“I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.”
This was an amazing book that was hard to put down once I began reading. Cade and Eliana had so much in common re their situations and baggage with their parents. The characters were well-developed with a lot of depth and the storyline was engaging. Weston Parker is an amazing writer and he once again does not disappoint. Plenty of drama and lots of sizzle.
This book was really good. I enjoyed the story and characters. They really fit eachother in every way. I liked every part of this book.
It is Cade’s turn for love. I liked him a lot in My Favourite Mistake, now we find out more about this Italian man living in Greece.
As usual, this story is well written with absolutely lovely characters. This one is now in my top 5 for Weston Parker.
This is the story of Cade and Eliana… if you’ve read any of the previous stories in this series, you should be familiar with Cade, but definitely do not know his story – until now. Cade owns a gelato shop and though he came from money (parents are extremely wealthy) he is not wealthy and works very hard to keep his small business open and his head above water, financially. Eliana is a server at an event center who works long hours and barely makes ends meet. They meet at a charity fundraising event that she is working and he was forced to attend with his parents. He is immediately drawn to her and she immediately wants nothing to do with him. She assumes he one of the many wealthy attendees to the evening’s event and he lets her make that assumption (though it is not true). He manages to convince her to go out with him but then feels it’s necessary to keep of his charade of extreme wealth.
Eliana’s issues with money go back to her childhood and her terrible relationship with her mother, that continues to this day. Honestly, when her mother comes around in this story in the beginning I wanted to scream for her to stand up for herself and tell her mother off – to find her spine and speak her mind!!
After a few dates, where it becomes clear that there is both attraction and chemistry, Cade finally tells Eliana the truth about his financial situation. This adds to the trust issues that Eliana is harboring and just when you think they are finally going to figure things out, Cade gets an unexpected phone call from his mother and has to immediately return to his family home in Italy (no spoilers!).
In the meantime, Eliana finally starts to deal with the ghosts from her childhood and confronts her mother – she seems to realize that until she deals with this baggage there is no way she will be able to move forward with her life. Once he deals with some of his family drama/baggage and she does the same, you hope that they can finally figure out a way to truly be together….that they will be able to have a real relationship full of trust, love and laughs despite their less-than-ideal family histories.
It’s a fun story and an easy read that I enjoyed.
What’s not to like about this book.
We have 2 characters who both have challenges in their lives, although on different levels.
Cade is a character that you can’t help but fall for. He is sincere, sweet and wants a simple life with someone he can love and love him back.
Eliana is someone I could connect with. Her life has not allowed for much trust or love yet with Cade she has the chance to change that. The question is can she allow herself to believe she deserves it and can she trust Cade long enough to give them a chance.
The author has a way with winning us over with a wonderful story.
Pretending to be Rich, the story of Cade and Eliana, is a somewhat sad, yet hopeful tale of learning to trust in people before money. Cade is the son of a very wealthy family, but he’s not interested in their wealth. He’s most happy when he’s in his Gelato Shop, earning his own money and living life his own way. His father insists that he attend the charity event, in a suit, leaving him no option. Eliana is a young lady who hasn’t had a good start in life and doesn’t believe that she’s capable of having a decent relationship. Her father had died and her mother spent more and more time going from one rich man to another in order to find her sugar daddy. In fact, the only time they really ever spoke was when she wanted money from her daughter. Eliana is a caterer, working the charity event. Cade spots her and knows immediately that she is the one for him. He makes an offhand comment about being rich and Eliana runs as fast as she can. How could a wealthy man who looks like Cade want anything to do with her!? Cade does his best to convince her that he is very interested in her, indeed! They both make a slight mess of things as they navigate their ever-growing feelings, making it a very endearing and sweet romance. Sweet and sexy describes a Weston Parker romance and this book doesn’t disappoint!
This was a sensational new novel from Weston Parker. Eliana is an event server who thinks she’s too damaged for a relationship. Cade is an ice cream shop owner who is finally ready to settle down. When these two meet the attraction is off the charts intense even though Eliana fights her feelings for Cade. Cade and Eliana are a great couple but each have painful pasts that they help each other overcome. Pretending to be Rich is a heartwarming story filled with heartache, laughter, humorous wit, forgiveness, healing, courage to overcome doubts and fears, passion, friendship, and love. This is a captivating story with wonderful characters readers will fall in love with. I really loved reading this book.
“I voluntarily reviewed an ARC copy of this novel.”
It’s Cade’s Turn To Fall In Love! Eliana Makes Him Work For Her Attention.
Cade Kouris, twenty-eight, is a glass half full type of guy. He is proudly not rich, happily eschewing the trappings of wealth that remind him of his wealthy father. He loves to laugh, and recently began to enjoy running. After being overweight for years, he finally has gotten the extra weight off. He has even cut down on the gelato, which takes considerable self-control given he owns a gelato shop. Although Italian by heritage, he has spent most of his life in Heraklion, Crete, refusing to return to Italy when the rest of his family moved back. With his close friend Rand gone, Cade doesn’t have many friends. Because of his recent weight loss, he had hoped to have an exciting love life by now, but Rand lied. His dating game is still non-existent, and nobody has captured his interest.
Eliana Floros, twenty-six, doesn’t spend her free time worrying about makeup and nails. She sees the glass half empty. She has lived in Heraklion most of her life. Working as a waitress at an event center, she sometimes rubs elbows with rich men, yet barely scrapes by herself. She keeps men at arm’s length due to childhood baggage. She tried a relationship once, but discovered she was a bad girlfriend. She didn’t want to experience a break up again, so she avoided relationships thereafter.
When Cade first sees Eliana waitressing at a charity gala, something draws him to her and he can’t get her out of his mind. He manages to get her phone number, but thanks to his sarcastic nature, she gets the impression he is another rich customer. Cade struggles to correct her understanding without losing her interest in him.
Cade chases after a skittish Eliana for much of the book. Neither felt loved by their parents growing up, and both have to face the past before they can move forward. The advice given by their friends gets tedious at points and drags the story. Maceo’s initial advice doesn’t line up with his later advice and feels off. There are points where the advice for them to give up trying sounds wise. When they do finally begin a relationship, they get a well-deserved and satisfying HEA!
This book is part of a series. It reads perfectly as a stand-alone; however, it does have several references to Cade’s good friend Rand from the second book in the series as a bonus.
This book is well-written. The plot is simple. The characters are more complex. Cade is a colorful character and a joy to read about. Much of the story, however, comes across as flat. The POV alternates between Cade and Eliana. I rate this book four stars.
I received a free advance copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Another impressive book by Weston Parker with a great story line, just enough steamy and a valuable lesson learned.
Cade, was most definitely not his father he walked away from the money and chose his own life but, when he met a beautiful women outside of a benefit he put his foot in his mouth a lied to her about his bank account.
Eliana was raised by a gold digging, absent mother who has defined her life – never be like her. When she met this charming man at a benefit she was working he was unlike any wealthy man she had ever known.
These two try to break the preconceived notions and damaged caused by childhood to come together.
Really worth reading.
This was a well written storyline and has wonderful characters. Cade owns a small gelato shop and is comfortable with what he makes. Eliana is a server for an event center. Her mother only shows up when she needs money. They both have difficult parents and have struggled. This story has twists, ups and downs. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
This one was one of the best books I’ve read by you. Cade had to deal with alot and didn’t know how to fully understand it. When he finds the other half of his soul he knows right of the bat. Eliana I’d this hard working woman who doesn’t want to end up like her mom but when she meets Cade all that changes. This two have that lasting love. I give it 5 stars. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book as an Advanced Reader’s Copy.
I found this book to be a very enjoyable read with the great storyline and the wonderful characters, Cade and Eliana, were very likable and believable which kept me totally engaged throughout the entire book!
Weston Parker’s Pretending To Be Rich is a well written story, has intriguing characters and a slew of emotions that will definitely pull at your heartstrings. One click it and follow Cade Kouris and Eliana Floros as they journey the bumpy ride to a happy ever after. I highly recommend this book and author.
I have voluntarily read and reviewed this advanced readers copy
Cade is a happy go lucky guy with his happy laid back life. He’s happily single u til he meets Eliana at a catered party his father forces his to attend. Eliana has high walls surrounding her heart Cade must fight for her love.
A lot of drama as long buried secrets are reveled and a controlling Greek dad.
A page turner with a full range of emotions from lol to disbelief and frustration.
Another must read book by Must read author Weston Parker
Cade and Eliana meet when his dad has him come to one of his events. Eliana is a server there. Cade is taken with her, but Eliana fights her attraction to him. There is alot of back and forth with these two. Cade doesn’t give up and hopes to convince Eliana that she is worthy and that he is genuinely interested in her. Can these two find a way to make a relationship work? Grab this wonderfully written book today! I received an advanced readers copy of this book and highly recommend it.
3.5 stars ***** Eliana has a bad taste for the wealthy when she waitresses for events and her mother who wants another loaded sugar Daddy to take care of her. Her mother was more concerned about her social life than raising a child. She meets Cade while taking a serving break. Cade’s wealthy father guilts him into attending the gala. Although financially secure, he was sent to boarding school and teased and bullied because he ate his sad feelings making him chubby. He works out regularly and is now pretty buff. He owns a modest gelato shop in Crete. His father is extremely rich in Italy. He makes the mistake telling her he is rich. Nicely written book for the series but very low key.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.