Logan Ward doesn’t want any more women in his life.Being a football player and legal guardian to his four younger sisters means his playbook is full. However, one of them just landed in the hospital, which gives his brother the shot he needs to challenge Logan for custody.Legal counsel says there’s only one thing Logan can do—find himself a wife.Paige McKinney doesn’t always think things through.… always think things through.
Like walking away from her modeling career without a thought of what might come next. She really doesn’t think it through when she proclaims herself Logan’s fiancé at the hospital, simply because the sexy—albeit grumpy—football player forgot his cell phone at a party and security won’t let her pass. It’s not her fault it was overheard by the worst possible person.
A bargain is struck, and a fake marriage is the perfect solution. But the simple solution creates a whole new problem: they’re not as different as they seem. The reluctant groom has fire inside him, and his impetuous bride is about to light the match.
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HOW. How does Karla Sorensen get better with every. single. book?! HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE? Seriously, just when I think she can’t outdo herself, there’s no way she can write a better Hero, there’s no way her heroine can steal my heart more than the last one did, there’s no way her character and world development can make me fall more in love than the last one did… SHE DOES IT. It’s absolutely incredible. The Marriage Effect completely knocked me off my feet, and then swept me up into its arms and carried me away into the sunset. A top read of 2019 for me!
I could probably write a complete essay and how much I loved this book and WHY, but I want to touch on some major points and keep this as short and sweet as possible.
1) STRONG HEROINES. This is a huge huge HUGE turn on for me, and Karla always seems to nail it. I have loved every single heroine in this series, but man, Paige might have stolen the show for me. Just in the first CHAPTER, she demonstrates how strong she is and I love how feminist this series is. The women are powerful and strong and vulnerable and smart. I just want to give a standing ovation to Karla for writing women that my future daughters could look up to, that I would be proud for them to read about. THAT is amazing.
2) Incredible world building. Karla has completely sucked me into this world of The Washington Wolves. I am OBSESSED with football, so I love a good sports romance, but I love it even more when it’s done RIGHT. You can tell Karla did her research, and she doesn’t just give us a romance, but an amazing sports story, too. She also ties all the characters we’ve come to know in the other books together so wonderfully. And now, with the editions of Logan’s sisters, the world is even more rich. I loved it!
3) Slow burn angst. HELLO, I AM AN ANGST WHORE — no one is surprised. But, I love the kind of angst Karla writes because it’s natural and free flowing. It’s not forced, no crazy dramatic schemes necessary. It’s just that yummy, slow burn tension that makes you want to squirm every time the characters are in the same room. By the time they finally kissed, by the time they finally hooked up, I thought I was going to combust lol. SO FRIGGING GOOD.
4) Emotional writing. I love a good story that pulls on my heart strings, and man, this one fit the bill. There’s a boxing scene with one of Logan’s sisters and Paige, and I swear I was BALLING. It was so emotional, written so exceptionally well, and it packed a punch in the feels that knocked the breath right out of me. You know an author can write well when a scene between a woman and a young girl steals the show in a ROMANCE book. It showed me that all the characters were powerful in this book, not just the Hero and heroine.
5) True romance. I loved how the love between these characters developed so slowly and purposefully that I fell in love right along with them. It was so easy to see how and why they felt the way they did. The chemistry was real, the emotional, deep rooted feelings were true. It was just so well done.
Seriously, I could go on and on and on about this amazing book, but if you love sports romances, angst, well-written characters, strong heroines and the fake marriage trope — this is going to steal the number one spot in your heart. YOU NEED IT.
Sorensen has completely shattered my expectations when it comes to romance. She should have her own genre, that’s how much she’s in a league of her own. I am a fan for life. 5 stars isn’t enough for The Marriage Effect — easily a top read of 2019 for me.
Paige and Logan…. I new from the other books he had one check of a secret but that was not it.
I loved it. The sacrifice, the protection, and the love. Those four girls were broken but Iz was the worst off but with good right. Logan was all they had that stuck and he saw himself doing what he knew best. Putting them first and trying to head off his brother who lived them but was driven by jealousy.
Paige showed up and turned everything upside down, in a good way. Brought order and understanding. A coping mechanism that had everyone’s guards down until it all came crashing down.
This story was the end of all ends. One goal in mind and it was executed perfectly. Showing truly love always wins and family is forever. Regardless of how it’s formed and knowing there will always be bumps and bruises. You fight and keep your unit tight. From a bond that no one else can break it penetrate
No Faking It
The Marriage Effect is a story driven by brilliantly flawed yet feisty characters. Logan and Paige are both loyal, determined, and compassionate. Although to the outside world they look like an unlikely match, they compliment each other in the best ways. They challenge one another to see more than their own perspectives. The chemistry is combustible and the banter fun. Trying to navigate new family dynamics, only adds to the heart and humor of this story. Paige and Logan grow and bend and weave their lives together in emotionally binding threads. Instead of reverting to old patterns and defense mechanisms, they learn to fight for the things that matter most….family and love.
The Marriage Effect had me swooning so hard ! I fell in love with these characters. One of the sweetest and most original stories I have ever read. Logan and Paige definitely had their work cut out for them. Their chemistry was off the charts!
4.5 Stars
I was looking forward to this one because I got to know Paige from her best friend Allie’s book. I was intrigued by Logan being the legal guardian of his sisters. It told me that he is prime book boyfriend material in the making. I liked the sexual tension between Paige and Logan. You could feel their frustration, but also the explosive chemistry they have. They also had some playful banter as well. There was some humor which I loved. Logan, Paige, and Logan’s sisters warmed my heart. It may be a little unconventional, but it’s heartwarming. I was hooked on this book from the beginning and it was hard to out down. I’m a big fan of Karla Sorensen’s writing style. She creates great characters that you get invested in.
I have to admit I hesitated a little before starting this book, as I wasn’t quite sure whether it was something I would enjoy. I’m not a huge fan of fake marriage/marriage of convenience stories but I loved the previous book I read by this new to me author and so decided to dive in. I’m so glad I did as it was wonderful and quite different to what I was expecting.
Paige and Logan meet in a way which feels rather serendipitous and, despite the fact that they barely know each other, they soon find themselves entering into a marriage contract which they hope will solve their respective problems.. Their agreement is mutually beneficial, each requiring a spouse for very different reasons and as such, I appreciated the fact that there wasn’t a load of drama surrounding their decision to marry. That doesn’t mean to say that everything is plain sailing in the Ward household, especially as Logan is determined that things should remain platonic between him and his new wife and she’s equally determined that it should not! Throw in 12 year old twins with a propensity for playing pranks, a stoic 14 year old with a wise head on her shoulders and a 16 year old who is still trying to figure out what she wants to be and acting out whilst she does, and it’s anything but dull.
I absolutely loved Paige, her confidence and her feisty personality really appealed to me. She’s a no nonsense kind of woman with a kind nature and fantastic sense of humor. Logan is the strong silent type, a man of mystery, all self controlled and alpha growly, and I couldn’t wait to see how long it would take Paige to break through his cool demeanor. They might have come together unexpectedly but, despite their obvious differences, they were actually a perfect match.
This is only the second book I’ve read by this author but once again, I enjoyed her writing style enormously. I thought the pacing of the book was just right, with a great balance of fun, humor , steam and drama. I loved it and spent most of my time reading with a big old smile on my face.
A wickedly awesome beautifully developed story that pulled all my heartstrings with the right dose of humor. Logan is a handsome rugged defensive captain for the Seattle Wolves NFL franchise. He’s an unassuming player that flies under the radar for good reason he is the legal guardian for his dead’s fathers four daughters with a jealous twin brother Nick who is married and has been trying to gain custody. Paige McKinney is a world famous model who is notorious for making snap decision and has recently left the modeling world behind and moved to Seattle and is living in the guest room a the Wolves owner. Paige and Logan have crossed paths over her stay and at a required social event they meet again. Logan gets an urgent call from his housekeeper that the oldest of his sisters Molly has been involved in an car accident and is the hospital. Logan leaves in a rush leaving his phone on the bar. Paige has also received a call that her recently deceased aunt’s will has been read and she is to inherit three million dollars but she must be married within the year. Paige agrees to drop Logan’s lost phone off at the hospital on her way home. At the hospital Logan learns that Molly was driving around a drunk friend when the accident occurred. Nick sees this as his opportunity to take the girls from Logan and threatens to do so first thing Monday morning. Logan calls his lawyer and the lawyer says this could be the instance where Nick and his wife could make their case. Logan’s lawyer says to bad you aren’t hiding a fiancé. In the meantime Paige arrives at the hospital and in order to get the phone to Logan claims to be his fiancé and who would overhear but Nick. This is where the story really begins as two lonely attractive desperate people decide to marry for all the wrong reasons Logan to keep the girls and Paige to get the money. This is a story of laughs, learning, trust, deception, football and love. Definitely a five star plus read with so many twists and turns as Logan and Paige maneuver the pitfalls of falling in love and marriage.
I am a huge fan of Ms. Sorensen. I have loved all of her books and this one is no different. Logan and Paige come together in a very unconventional way, but the feelings they develop rather quickly for one another are quite real.
Ms. Sorensen does a great job of making us feel their emotions as they ride their rollercoaster of a life together. I love how Paige fell in love not only with Logan, but with his sisters, too. Her fierce protectiveness was not only of him, but of them as well. Logan and Paige were both strong characters with a lot of chemistry. I loved catching up with the other couples from the series as well. This was a really good read.
Karla Sorenson is a new author to me, and while this book is the 3rd in the Washington Wolves series, it can be read as a standalone, as I did. I’m going to have to read the previous two, justv because this one was so good.
The Marriage Effect is a fantastic combination so sweet and sexy with a kicka** herione, a steadfast, hard to crack hero and some secondary characters that will make you laugh as much as you cry.Logan and Paige are simply put, made for each other. They started out as pretend but the fake relationship soon blossomed into the real thing. Both needed a spouse to get themselves out of a jam, but in doing so they found what they had always wanted. This story gave me all the feels, from swooning with Paige, snarling at Logan’s brother and getting lost in the antics of his sisters… well, you can’t ask for more than that, can you??
I loved this story, it has you entertained from beginning to end with the wit and humour mixed with explosive chemistry that is just waiting to explode.
I loved all the characters in this book. With Logan you are swooning over this strong Alpha male who has taken on his 4 younger sisters, he will do anything for them, hence the swooning. Paige, oh i loved her fiestiness, her strenght and sass. The way she pushed Logan’s comfort limits was entertaining and oh so hot.
I will be honest and say that, personally, i think Logan’s sister stole the show. I loved them! They pulled at my heartstings and amused me emensely, espcially the twins with their pranks.
Once you start this book you will not be able to put it down. It’s a must read sweet romance.
When Karla Sorensen releases a sports romance, I know a sure, beautifully written narrative full of belly-aching humour, delightfully sweet moments, heated chemistry and heartfelt emotions is guaranteed. The Marriage Effect doesn’t fail to ensure your mind is enamoured; your heart bursting with so much warmth and enchantment from this faultless marriage of convenience between two seeming opposites.
“Paige and I were the same. Whatever fire burned inside her, I had it in me too. I’d just never met anyone who made me want to let the flames consume me. Who made me want to see how hot they could burn, what heights they could reach, what we could reach together.”
Irresistible and enigmatic, Logan Ward is an obsession waiting to happen—a man who broods and quietens, but behind the facade harbours a secretive characteristic: a loving sweetheart with an unwavering affection for his sisters. Full of sass, ferocity and unrivalled feistiness, Paige McKinney can’t be ruffled by anyone or anything, but she’s unsettled and the unforeseen weakness in this woman creates a complex, realistic character.
Despite coming across as opposites, this couple is bound together by an irrefutable connection that manifests itself through their marriage of convenience. It is filled with a combination of passionate chemistry, sexual tension and affectionate endearment, you won’t even realise this is slow burn as every moment shared is an enchanting intoxication that’ll ensure you remain invested in this couple.
“There was a time in my life when falling in love felt impossible and unattainable, and now I was in love with five people in different ways.”
Packed with so much heat, tender moments and genuine emotions, this will become your newest sports romance obsession. But, no matter the sweetness, The Marriage Effect is also about bonds we share and sacrifices we make to protect our family that will fill your heart with many sensations.
The Marriage Effect is the first book from this series I have read, and I enjoyed every minute of it. I loved following Logan and Paige’s story of two people full of love they want to keep a family together. I will definitely be going back to read the other books on the series.
4.5 Stars
Man Karla really knows how to do football romance stories! I love Logan! He may be my favorite. He is so quite and distant but he has the biggest heart. His purpose in life is to keep his sisters safe, make sure they know they are loved, and provide them the best life. He doesn’t want recognition or the spotlight he does it solely because he loves them.
Paige has made a good life with her career. She has a tendency to be flighty but she has spent the last year taking a break from everything and figuring out life. I loved how she was confident in not letting guys talk to her anyway. I loved how even with her career accomplishments she has stayed grounded.
I thought this story was a great slow burn. I loved the supporting characters and getting slight glances of the previous couples. This is a must read!
Sexy, broody hero- Check
Sassy, fierce heroine- check
Fake relationship- check
Sports romance- check
If that doesn’t entice you to read this amazing book, I don’t know what will!
Paige is fantastic. She gives as good as she gets, doesn’t let people walk all over her because of her looks, and is helpful to everyone.
Logan is mostly quiet and keeps to himself. He has a big secret he doesn’t want in the press, and this secret makes him that much more amazing.
The way these two come together was happenstance. Both of them needing the same exact thing at the same time.
The connection these two develop was so genuine and gradual. The sexual sparks were there from the beginning, and these two may have had different opinions on whether or act on those spark. The back and forth, will they, won’t they aspect had me reading this in one sitting.
The way the story is written makes it where there isn’t a doubt in the reader’s mind that these two belong together. The sacrifices they made for each other and other people showed their true colors and made me fall in love with them as individuals and as a couple that much more.
-An Arc was generously provided in exchange for an honest review.-
I have been a fan of Karla from the Bombshell effect and that will continue to be my favorite of the series. We have met Paige tin the first book and I liked her then and sometimes a character that you had liked from being secondary characters in other books when they get there own books sometimes they tend to disappoint, not the case here. I loved Paige she made the book, I loved her and I loved her relationship with Allie, I kind of hoped to get a little more of Allie, but beggars can’t be chosers. I liked Logan’s sisters they kept the book entertaining and enjoyed Paige’s pranks along theirs. Logan, drove me crazy sometimes, I mean do not get me wrong what he did for his sisters was fantastic and I respected him for it, but he needed to let lose..He finally did, however at the end after his fight with Paige I think he was the one that needed to apologize, but hey only my opinion..Can’t wait for Molly’s
This is another fun and sexy read you won’t be able to put down. The cover is my favorite of this series. The characters are charming, sassy and someone you just want to be friends with. I loved the plot of the book. A marriage of convenience and no strings attached. Well that is until you put your heart into the mix. Watching this love affair unfold is truly beautiful. I love Karla’s writing style and I can’t wait for the next book.
Wolves! Wolves! Wolves!
I love this series! The Washington Wolves have more drama going on in their lives off the field than a soap opera has plot twists! I know that was lame but I love the high octane needs that these big bulging….football players have. (Wait, what did you think I was going to say?!)I
The Marriage Effect is a perfect storm of wtf proportions. Right time, right words, right place…Just wrong woman, wrong people, wrong day.
Sexy secretive Logan Ward and the picture perfect Paige make a duo that is more than dynamic. Steam, lust, and self preservation are all in tatters. Holding onto that fine line may work on the field but flags are available at home when lines are crossed.
It’s their Hail Mary and it will take all the praying in the world for it to work.
Reviewed for Sweet Spot Sisterhood
The Marriage Effect by Karla Sorensen is book 3 in the Washington Wolves series, and if you have read the previous books you know these characters already!! I was so excited to read Logan’s story and let me tell you Karla did AMAZING!! this is my favorite books of the whole series.
Logan is well known for being a quite guy that wants to stay far far away from social media, and when you read this book you will understand why is he this way. Then we have Paige, a model who has worked in a lot of countries and with important designers but found herself feeling lonely, so she goes back and stay with her friend Allie, and help her with work stuff.
Logan and Paige found each other in a tiny difficult situation when they need from each other, so thats why they decide to star the fake relationship, that soon will start to feel very very real.
I wont give you so many details, because you need to read the book to enjoy it!! You will know more about characters from the previous books and also when you know why Logan is so secretive about his life you will meet incredible characters that have all different personalities but that no matter what you will love them.
Logan and Paige have different personalities but they will find a way to complement each other, and if you want to know how this happen and they have their HEA, you need to read it AS SOON as is live! I’m telling you, you will lovee this story so much!!
Congratulations Karla for this amazing and wonderful story, i lovee it so much!! and I’m so excited for your next project!!!!
1000 Stars for Karla Sorensen newest book The Marriage Effect. Karla has written one masterpiece y’all are going to flip for!!
A MUST READ book for any Sports Romance reader! Gahhhh…this book is packed FULL of emotions. You get the whole package with this book. You’ll laugh, you’ll swoon, you’ll cry and your heart will burst from all the love written in this story. Paige and Logan are EVERYTHING!!
What started out as “fake” ends up becoming so much more. Paige needed Logan and Logan needed Paige. These two had the perfect plan but both never knew it would grow to something that neither of them wanted out of. People ended up depending on them each and once the whole family was a well oiled machine nothing could tear them a part. Nothing but maybe themselves.
Highly recommended. One of my favorite books of 2019.
*I was given an advanced copy of this book by the author in exchange for my honest and voluntary review. All thoughts and opinions are my own*
The Marriage Effect is my first book by Karla Sorensen and I loved it so freaking much! It was hilarious, it was sexy, it was emotional and it was brilliant. It was an exhilarating emotional rollercoaster that gave me an impossible high.
I have a new girl crush and her name is Paige. A soul free like bird, a heart bigger than ocean and a spine tougher than steele. She is sassy, smart and beautiful who is ready to face any and every challenge. She may be fleeting, impulsive and restless with her life choices but at core she is a girl who wants to be loved unconditionally. And she didn’t imagine the reclusive and enigmatic soccer player Logan Ward will be that person. But when they decide to have a marriage of convenience to help Paige get her inheritance and Logan keep his sisters’ custody, it soon becomes so much more.
Logan is the kind of guy who will keep on haunting in your dreams after finishing the story. He is so caring and protective. He has built this fortress around his heart to keep people at bay but Paige is not backing down. I love his crazy, naughty sisters with their issues. Their chemistry was deepened by the family. It was the cruelest kind of slow burn those will make you want to scream in delicious frustration. The writing was a perfect balance and eclectic mix of sweet, sassy, funny, angsty and heartwarming.
Karla Sorensen’s excellent and captivating writing made me happy, swoony, hot and bothered in the best possible way. A great romance that you cannot miss.
Received ARC for Honest Review