It’s a match made in heaven…as long as they don’t fall in love!The ranch Nolan Key has spent decades working for, even lost a leg for, is now his—or at least it should be. But an absurd clause in his father’s will means he’s in danger of losing the place to his lazy, undeserving cousin. Nolan finds himself scrambling to save his home—by proposing marriage to the town laundress. Corinne …
Corinne Stillwater’s hands have betrayed her. Numb from hours of doing the same work over and over, her hands will only heal, according to the town doctor, if she gives up the laundry and marries. But she’s been stung repeatedly by love before, so that is one remedy she can’t swallow.
When Nolan offers Corinne a marriage in name only, how can she refuse? Such a partnership could give them the security they seek, but what if the ranch isn’t as secure as they believe, and their lives—and dreams—aren’t quite as compatible as they thought?
Pretending to Wed is the second book in the Frontier Vows Series by award-winning Christian romance author Melissa Jagears. If you like marriage-of-convenience stories that deal with the nitty-gritty of making a relationship work, you’ll love this authentic romance set in a time gone by that tackles issues still relevant for today.
Until the Look Inside Feature pops up, you can read the first chapter on Melissa’s website at: http://melissajagears.com/pretending-to-wed/
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Set in 1884, Wyoming Territory, the author combines the western flavor with the historical aspects well.
Nolan, a rancher, living alone after his father dies, and dealing with the loss of his leg, is not adjusting as well as he thinks. He’s never felt he measured up to what his father wanted and his will confirms it. Now, he is forced to do something he doesn’t want to keep the ranch from the clutches of his cousin, Matt.
Corinne, a laundress, struggling with her own demons from the mistakes of her past, tries to fit into the town she fled to.
The story is one of redemption, a second chance at love; even though it doesn’t come easy. The characters were likable and the tension in the story made it exciting and unpredictable. A very good read.
I received an ARC and voluntarily choose to review it.
Pretending to Wed (Frontier Vows, Book 2), by Melissa Jagears, is a terrific historical fiction novel! Offering a refreshing story rooted in the marriage-of-convenience sub-genre, this book is compelling and unexpected. I was thoroughly invested in this novel after just a few paragraphs, because page after page, this well-written book successfully balances history, romance, faith, and intrigue, making the story utterly entertaining.
The characters in this novel are unconventional, authentic, and unforgettable. As they struggle with physical limitations, regrets, and emotional scars, they are wholly relatable. Even as they encounter various trials that test their faith and place their dreams in jeopardy, the gift of God’s grace brings hope, forgiveness, healing and restoration. As the characters learn to place the needs of others before their own, this novel moves beyond mere entertainment and into a space of true meaning, encouragement, and relevancy.
Pretending to Wed is a thoughtful novel of new beginnings and new perspectives. It is a story of faith, trust, and embracing the unexpected. It is also a story of love and selflessness. From beginning to end, this novel is truly a pleasure to read. It is honest, tender, heartfelt, and ultimately uplifting. I sincerely recommend it.
*I was given a copy of this book by the author/publisher. A review was not required. The review I have written contains opinions that are entirely my own.
Corinne and Nolan agree to be business partners in a marriage of convenience, I loved seeing them become more
I appreciate how Melissa Jagears writes intelligent, flawed, characters that face real challenges. She does not shy away from adult, relationship issues but works through them with faith, friendship, forgiveness, and trust. A little bit of blushing too.
It was fun to see characters from Romancing the Bride again, especially young Spencer.
A very enjoyable, entertaining story!
What I love about reading Melissa Jagears books, is that her characters face real-life challenges. The story begins with the couple getting married and discovering what daily life looks like. They face difficult challenges. Love and romance is only part of the story, the real life experiences happen when you face challenges together. Does it pull you closer or drive you further apart.
I fell in love with this wonderful characters, flaws and all! I wanted to reach in and give Corinne a hug and encourage her to pray and then talk with Nolan, maybe even give her a good shake and push her in the right direction. Both Corinne and Nolan have past baggage that no matter how they try to leave behind, somehow tags along. This is true for all of us. And just another example of how these characters are delightfully realistic!
I loved reading this book and enjoyed getting to know Corinne and Nolan! I highly recommend this story to anyone who enjoyed marriage of convenience stories, and or stories with dynamic, realistic, flawed, lovable characters.
(I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher in exchange for my honest opinion. I am not required to write a positive review. My thoughts and opinions are my own.)
First thing that caught my eye about this was the whimsical cover. I mean look at the heroine’s crossed fingers behind her back and the smirk on her face. That tells me I’m most likely going to laugh at some point in time reading this! Poor Nolan has no idea what hits him when it comes to Corinne Stillwater, but he’s soon to find out. Secondly, it’s a marriage-of-convenience story, one of my favorite troupes. I was anticipating it well before I even read the first sentence!
“This couldn’t be happening. Not unless he’d stumbled into one of those silly romance novels his aunt used to read.”
Okay, so maybe they wed on false pretenses, both gaining something they needed. He fulfilled his uncles wishes by marrying to keep the ranch from his swindling cousin Matt and she can finally follow doctors orders and quit the laundry she owns to heal her hands. They agree to a business partnership only without all the “romantic nonsense” involved in a true marriage. But they find so much more as time goes by! When Corinne’s past springs up threatening to dissolve everything right before their eyes and an accident threatens Nolan’s ability to physically run the ranch, will they find the courage to face the hard things or will they bow to the whims of man and dissolve what God has put together for their good?
“He (God) doesn’t promise the journey won’t be frustrating and sadly, sometimes what we find at the end of the journey is not what we hoped for. But when your focus is on believing God has good things in store for you, if you follow Him—seeking His kingdom first—He can bless you with joy.”
One thing I truly love about Jagears writing is her characters are never the cookie cutter type you find in some romance novels. They struggle with real life problems, get themselves in some real life trouble—sometimes of their own making—and oftentimes doubt themselves which can lead to frustration & pain. But what I also love about Jagears writing is how she shows the HOPE that can come from these things. The hope God gives us when we surrender ourselves, our wills, and our own dreams into His hands where he can begin to mold and shape us into what He knows best. The characters become people of courage, able to face what life throws at them because they have faith that God will take care of them & that He does have only good in mind for their lives. This is exactly the ultimate lesson both Corrine & Nolan learn throughout the book. I loved the depth of this story, the character growth, the faith lessons that can apply to our own lives, and the romance that does eventually blossom and grow between these two. They’ve had to face hard trials and overcome a lot of their own “stinking thinking”, so by the end they came out better and stronger.
“She couldn’t let the fear of reliving past disappointments keep her from the chance of discovering a joy she’d never known.”
“He certainly believed she was something special, and he ached for her to believe it too.”
*I received a complimentary copy from the author and was not obligated to leave a favorable review. All opinions are my own. *
If you enjoy reading in the genre of historical fiction or romance this is the book for you! I gave it 5 stars because I truly feel it’s deserving of them! This book….I really don’t know where to start. It is a marriage of convenience story, which I am a sucker for every single time! There are so many lessons to glean from this single novel. I won’t add any spoilers but be alert to them as you travel the pages of this story. Melissa Jagears has a way of catching your attention on the fist page of her novels and she keeps that attention throughout the amazing stories she tells. Pretending To Wed was no different. There were sections of this book that were difficult and emotional. There were other sections where I laughed out loud and had butterflies in my tummy. When you put all these necessary parts together you have a fulfilling tale of love and life. This book is some of the best work by Mrs. Jagears. I’m already looking forward to book three!
I was provided a copy of this book by the author, but was under no obligation to post a review.
Fun story of unexpected love in a frontier setting.
If you are expecting Pretending to Wed to be a fluffy romance because of the title, you would be wrong. There are so many layers to this story of Nolan and Corinne. Nolan is a young rancher who learns his father’s will states he has to marry in three months to inherit the ranch, otherwise it goes to his cousin Matt who is a real scoundrel. Nolan has always said he’d never marry. He doesn’t think a woman would want a man with one leg. Corinne has an even more complex past that has made her lock up her heart and vow not to marry. But she’s in a desperate situation. Her hands are in constant pain from overwork as the town laundress so she’s having trouble making enough money. Noel proposes a business deal and Corinne accepts. Corinne is a very interesting character. She is an inventor at a time (1884) when it’s difficult for smart women to be taken seriously. As details of her past are revealed, the book delves into an area where Christian fiction rarely goes. The author handles the marital trouble in a sensitive way. Nolan and Corinne have many hurdles to face. Nolan is a very worthy hero, kind and supportive. He’s a bit clueless at times but so is Corinne, which adds to all the misunderstandings between them. I really enjoyed Pretending to Wed.
I received a complimentary copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
MY THOUGHTS ON THIS BOOK
A marriage offer in name only? This is what Nolan offers Corinne so he can keep his fathers ranch. And they can both be happy can’t they?
I love love this story. Melissa Jagears creates a cast of characters that will grip your heart. Especially Nolan and Corinne. These two were the main characters and my favorite by far. I felt bad for them both, life was just not being good to them. Nolan had no choice but to marry and Corinne thought she was unworthy of a man, so marriage in name was all she deserved. Nolan was so sweet, wanting to make sure Corinne has what she wants.
I so much enjoyed watching the two of them grow throughout the story. There were many emotions flying around at times, some tensed and some pretty comical. I found myself laughing quite a bit during the story. And I appreciate the elements of faith running in the story as well. Overall, this is a very sweet story. I didn’t read the first book in this series but I had no problem keeping up in this one. I do want to go and read it though. And I simply can’t wait for the next book!! This is a really good story for those who love a good clean and fun historical read. This one is a 5 plus stars++ for me!!
A special thanks to the author/publisher for a copy of this book. I am not required to write a positive review, the opinions here are mine alone. I am disclosing this with my review in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Marriage of convenience is my absolute favorite trope, enough so that that’s basically all you need to say to convince me to read a book! And it’s even better when it’s by an author that I know I enjoy! So when I heard about this story I of course jumped at the chance to review it.
This one was a little different than most marriage of convenience stories in that both of the characters had previously decided to never marry and so when circumstances forced their hands they very much approached the whole arrangement as a business deal and were very clinical about the whole affair. The moments where they found themselves slipping up on the “no romantic nonsense” rule we’re definitely my favorites even if they weren’t acting on their thoughts!
Both Nolan and Corrine had physical limitations/ailments and both of them were too stubborn for their own good when it came to properly resting and/or taking care of themselves, which honestly was a little frustrating at times. They also were not great at communicating which led to problems that could have been avoided or at least handled better if they’d just have had a conversation. Their romance was still sweet overall though and made me smile several times!
Nolan’s cousin on the other hand did not bring any smiles and his conniving, slimy, manipulative ways made me what to give him a solid boot to the you-know-what and give him a one-way ticket to Siberia.
So while this wasn’t my favorite of Jagears works it gave me the full range of emotions and if it sounds like something you’d enjoy I encourage you to check it out for yourself!
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
“What was love if not a desire to make someone happy? Just because she feared she couldn’t, didn’t mean she didn’t desperately want to.”
Another sweet, uplifting historical from Melissa Jagears. This is book 2 in the Frontier Vows series but can be read as a stand-alone. The setting of Wyoming Territory in 1884 is very tangible and palpable as each person works hard to make way in the wild west. For Corinne, the town laundress, life gets more difficult as pain interferes with her ability to keep up with her livelihood. Nolan, a disabled rancher, already has limitations on what he can do for his business but gets slammed into a huge obstacle when his father’s will stipulates marriage for him to inherit the land. Both characters are vulnerable and quite broken, physically and emotionally. It is easy to fall in love with both of them – Corinne with her insecurity from her previous experiences and Nolan with his inability to believe that he’s worthy of love and respect. Corinne is creative and resourceful while Nolan is practical, good with numbers and has a great sense of humor. Their dialogue is fun, their friendship that develops from their initial business agreement is endearing, and the fast-paced plot that includes a scheming villain is quite exciting. There is sacrificial love, forgiveness, and healing in Corinne and Nolan’s relationship that will tug at your heartstrings.
If you enjoy historical romance, you will definitely enjoy this book. I received a copy of the book from the publisher/author via Celebrate Lit Tours and was under no obligation to post a positive review. All comments and opinions are solely my own.
I really enjoyed this book! The characters were so relatable and although there was mention of “romantic nonsense” (as the characters in the book call it), there was nothing distasteful, and there weren’t any parts that made me uncomfortable. My favorite thing in the story was Nolan and Corinne’s relationship -how they both had such different personalities, but somehow they worked so well together. I will say that broke my heart that Corinne didn’t feel like she was worthy to be loved, but I loved how kind Nolan was and his caring, selfless personality. I also loved that he wanted to help Corinne follow her dream, even if it crushed his.This may be a classic marriage of convenience story, but I will say it some unexpected twists. Overall, I absolutely loved this book and althrough I haven’t read a lot from this Author, I’m definitely going to check out her other books! I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars!Special thanks to Melissa Jagears, Celebrate Lit and Book Funnel for allowing me to read and review this book — all opinions are my own.
Things never go according to plan.
We can make all the plans in the world, but many of them never work out because God has something else in mind. We also were never meant to go through this life alone, thats why God gives us people to share this live with. To be partners in life. I think those are two components these two characters forgot when they hatched their plan to wed without the benefits of marriage, without the attraction.
This story was just what I needed in the romance genre. Typically, my romances are contemporary so when I saw the premise for this book, I grabbed hold of it. Wilds of the western frontier, in-name-only marriage, and all the “unwanted” attraction you can stand in one book. I loved it. It was something I would have read when I received my first Kindle so it was nostalgic as well as entertaining (only difference is this time, I didn’t have little kids pulling at me).
One aspect I enjoyed most is the physical limitations these two characters have and watching how the author waved them together to work as a team. Marriage is about team work, even when the passion is unavailable at the moment. It’s about connecting your life to someone else’s and shouldering each others pains together. Pretending to Web gave us a glimpse into that beautifully.
***I received a copy of this book from the publisher through CelebrateLit. These thoughts are entirely my own and a favorable review was not required.
This is a very good historical western romance. I loved the romance and this made me laugh. I loved that Corrine was an inventor and Nolan had the handicap. Both of these characters had handicaps to overcome before they could be truly happy. Corrine also had a medical problem with her hands that she had to overcome. I loved the reference to the dime novels also. I received a copy of this book from Celebratelit for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
This book was an enjoyable marriage of convenience story! I liked Corinne and her spunky, independent personality. Nolan, too, is a great hero. Despite the fact their marriage starts as a partnership for each of their goals, you cannot help but cheer for their romance as the story unfolds. Melissa Jagears knows how to create a great romantic tale! The writing is also well done and the book flows well. I think the ending was a little rushed, but this didn’t detract from the good aspects of this book. The setting was great, the spiritual truths were well integrated, and the growth of the characters was done well. I enjoyed this novel and recommend it to those who love historical romance!
I received a complimentary ecopy of this book from Utmost Publishing and Celebrate Lit Tours. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
Who doesn’t love a good marriage of convenience story? Melissa Jagears takes the trope to a new and delightful level in Pretending to Wed.
With characters that come to life on the page, a plot that is engaging, and deep themes, this book was hard to set down to do anything related to real life. Corinne and Nolan make an agreement to marry but not develop feelings for each other. What could possibly go wrong?
Both our hero and heroine have some baggage they carry into their marriage which makes misunderstandings relevant and believable. From the cover to the first lines of the book, moments of humor sprinkled in with the more challenging moments mean readers are in for quite the emotional rollercoaster ride.
Disclosure statement: I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.
Marriage of Convenience stories are a favourite of mine because it’s fun to see two people learn to live together due to certain circumstances and make it work. Done right, it’s a delight to read.
This was the premise with this story. From the start, I understood Nate’s dilemma. His insecurities about not wanting to get married due to his disability but unwilling to let go of the ranch he had worked so had to build.
I loved Corrine, smart, independent but with her own insecurities too. Only willing to enter into the marriage because of her disabilities.
One aspect that I enjoyed was the fact that the author was real about the struggles of married couples age touched on the aspect of intimacy all pointing towards Christ and it was fun to see them grow although a bit frustrating at times too.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Celebrate Lit for a blog tour all opinions expressed are solely mine.
What a fun novel! I love novels like this that are a marriage of convenience type weddings. They need each other but don’t want love or the “traditional” marriage. But then they end up actually falling in love and fighting it before they let the other one know.
One needs security, and one needs to marry to keep his inheritance. I mean, what could go wrong?!
Such a fun novel! I loved it. This is the second novel in a series and I’m very sad that I didn’t read the first one first but now I’m going to be doing that. The first novel brought you characters and this one expands on some of them and catches you up to their life while also digging deeper into new characters.
Because this is the second novel you should read the first one first. I don’t necessarily feel I lost out on a lot but I do feel that I would understand things better if I had read the first one first. I highly recommend you learn from my mistake and read the first one first!
This is a wonderful read. I loved learning about Corinne and her reasons for marrying. It’s always informative to know how they lived and what life was like. Historical fiction is by far my favorite.
I highly recommend you get a copy of this series. Not just this book mind you, but the series!
I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received through Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.
Pretending to Wed is the second novel in the Frontier Vows series from Melissa Jagears. It is a marriage of convenience story, which is one of my favorite troupes. And although marrying as strictly business partners is common, Nolan and Corinne take it to a whole new level, drawing up a contract and splitting profits.
I loved the respect Nolan and Corinne had for each other from the beginning. Nolan was surprising in how he supported his new wife in everything from working chores on the ranch to tinkering with inventions. His attention to her happiness was endearing and had me cheering for him instantly.
I also loved how business savvy Corinne was, and how creative she could be with her inventions–while still being practical. Sometimes her unwillingness to communicate with Nolan and her focus on increasing profits for their ranch was frustrating, but after learning more about her past, it was obvious she just wanted to be helpful and wanted.
For me, all the conversations about Corinne’s experience in the bedroom (in her past and otherwise) was a bit distracting. I understand it is a realistic problem, but I felt like the discussions didn’t add much to the plot. And the conflict that resulted could have been explained by other heartbreaks in Corinne’s history. Also, I felt like it was highly unlikely for Nolan’s best friend’s wife to talk to him about it openly when they were alone. It all just felt out of place for me.
Still, I enjoyed reading Nolan and Corinne’s story and watching their mutual respect deepen into something more.
Pretending to Wed is a sweet love story and one marriage of convenience fans will enjoy.
I was given a copy of this book by the publisher with no expectation of a positive review. All opinions are my own.
What if she unwittingly fell for him? Nothing good would come of that!
This story will grab your attention and make sure you don’t quit reading until you have reached the end! Three months to marry or you lose the ranch – the last will and testament that makes one wonder about the sanity of the deceased father. A business arrangement perhaps….but can it really work?
Nolan is not interested in marriage, but cannot get the will changed. Corinne, the local laundress, needs to find a way to earn a living that doesn’t use her hands. Marriage is not for her, but a mutually beneficial contract would work. Thus a marriage of convenience takes place, neither of them expecting the changes this decision will bring.
Between laughing out loud and wanting the shake sense into them both, I thoroughly enjoyed this well written book. I particularly appreciated the research into patents and how they worked in 1884. It was most interesting to consider the difficulties and joy that came from a design that performed as the inventor envisioned it would.
This ARC was received through Utmost Publishing, BookFunnel and CelebrateLit. The comments and impressions are my own and were in no way solicited.