Sometimes you have to fake it till you make it, in life and in matters of the heart.WalkerI practically have Widower stamped on my forehead as a speaker traveling the world talking about my experience losing my wife to cancer as newlyweds. Which has always suited me just fine. Until a woman all wrong for me jumpstarts my heart with her comical bad luck at the airport. If I help her out, even for … comical bad luck at the airport. If I help her out, even for just this weekend, will I also have to throw away my lucrative career as the permanently grieving husband?
Jemma
This final yearly trip with my old friends from high school has gone from bad to worse with a broken suitcase handle and my clothes strewn all over the baggage belt. Tall, dark, and handsome has witnessed all my humiliation with that condescending smirk, yet somehow I crave more time with this total stranger. When he offers to get my so-called friends off my back, who am I to say no?
But somehow between fake kisses and real conversation, the lines blur on what’s pretend and what’s true love. But what happens in Colorado, has to stay in Colorado. Doesn’t it?
The Faking It series books are all stand alone sweet romances about fake relationships turning out to be more real than ever suspected. When true love is on the line, you can’t fake your feelings…
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A grieving widower who helps people deal with their losses meets a quirky and beautiful young woman who helps him heal, and gives him a chance at a brighter future. Walker and Jemma are one of the most endearing and romantic couples that I have come across in a long time. He fell for her infectious personality and honesty which made him realize that there is more to life than being alone and wallowing in his grief.
Jemma is a caring and compassionate nurse who gives everything to her patients and doesn’t have time for a social life. She thought Walker was very handsome, confident and somewhat mysterious. His life consisted of counseling people about overcoming their grief, but he never stopped to realize that love was missing from his life. He appeared reserved and too perfect on the surface but he was actually very funny, thoughtful, caring and would go out of his way for a stranger.
Walker desperately wanted to experience what life could be like and he needed Jemma by his side to make that happen. They could experience everything together; the ups and downs, the good times and bad times, the sunrises and sunsets. Jemma reached into his heart and shined a light on his soul, awakened him from despair, and led him into a life full of magical love.
Oh my goodness this sweet book gave me all the feels. I loved this novella about Walker and Jemma. Walker is a published author and speaker on grieving for spouses after losing his wife to cancer. Jemma is a pediatric oncology physicians assistant and a bit of a klutz. They meet at an airport when Walker is traveling to a convention as a speaker and Jemma is traveling for a girls trip with high school friends. Jemma makes quite an impression with a series of klutzy accidents. They agree to fake date to act as a buffer for Jemma’s mean friends. Despite the book being short there was character development for both Walker and Jemma. This book has a little bit of everything – sweet moments, real life issues, imperfect characters, laugh out loud moments, and so much love. I especially like when real issues – like grief and difficult relationships – are included in romances, it makes for more three dimensional characters and more well rounded storylines. I will definitely read the other books in this series.
Great characters and wonderful story arc.
I liked the characters’ back stories and how they made each other stronger and more secure, even when they didn’t know each other very well.
4.5 Stars
I know… I know. I can see and hear your confusion right now. “Wait… isn’t this a trope that KJ is boycotting?! Did she really read a ‘fake relationship’ book willingly?!” And the answer is yes… yes I did. Why? Because just reading the synopsis had me feeling like there was more depth to this book than the other books I’ve tried in this trope. I was about 41% into the book when I realized that maybe it’s not the trope per se, maybe it was the writing style of the authors who had written said books that I had the issue with. And with that… I continued reading.
Jemma really does not want to go on the yearly trip with her “friends”. Over the last few years they’ve only gotten worse and seem to go out of their way to treat her horribly. But she’s determined to make this the last year of seeing them.
Walker has been going through the motions ever since his wife died 8 years ago. But meeting Jemma woke something up inside of him. He no longer wanted to live his life alone. He wanted to experience everything that life had to offer but didn’t want to do a disservice to his fans.
Both he and Jemma were shocked with his idea of him being her boyfriend just to get her friends off her back, but decided, what could it hurt? It’s only for the weekend. But somewhere along the line, fake and reality started to blur and they’re left with a tough decision. Do they walk away when all is said and done? Or do they see where their relationship could go?
I adored the meet-cute between Walker and Jemma. I couldn’t help but giggle a little but then think… poor Jemma! I knew from the beginning that this story was going to be a fun one. Jemma and Walker were just what the other needed. Watching their relationship grow and seeing the sacrifices that they were willing to make for the other, had my heart smiling. They both wanted what was best for each other, even if that meant letting the other go.
I have to say, I’m looking forward to reading the other books in this series. If they’re anything like this one, I know I’ll love them!
This was a sweet novella that you can read in a couple of hours. It is a second chance of sorts romance for Walker and Jemma. A second chance for Walker in that he is a widow and he finds his second chance at love with Jemma. I really liked both of them and they were a sweet couple. It was a nice romance because neither of them were looking for anything, they happened to meet by chance in an airport and it all took off from there. Jemma was able to open Walker up to a chance at another romance and Walker helped Jemma find confidence in herself and stand up for herself. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it.
loved reading this story about a grieving man finding new love.
The Widower’s Girlfriend by Marika Ray
“Who needs air when you’re begging for a woman to give you a second chance?” – Walker
Walker, a grieving widower who has made a career out of telling others who have lost their loves that life DOES go on, discovers that he DOESN’T really have all the answers after all. Walker is immediately enthralled with Jemma, with her self-deprecating sense of humor, and her rigid code of honor.
“Who needs tall dark and handsome, anyway?”- Jemma
A blue eyed, blonde woman who spends her days tending to pediatric cancer patients, having her heart slowly crumble away, bit by bit, piece by piece, until the day she stumbles into Walker at the airport; literally. Jemma is stunned by Walker’s offer to help her out during her weeks’ vacation with “the girls”. But things quickly turn sticky as Walker blows hot and cold, and Jemma says “enough”.
A charming klutz, a grieving widower; what could these two possibly have in common?
A delightful romp; quickly changing from humor to steamy, with plenty of setbacks and miscommunications between the characters. Loved them both! A great, feel good read!
Marika Ray never fails to wow me! I was hooked on her writing from her debut series that contained a nice bit of steam and here I am just as in love with this sugary sweet romance! The Widower’s Girlfriend is not only adorably sweet it’s also full of heart. I was flying through the pages totally addicted to the way these characters kept my heart full of warm fuzzy goodness on practically every page.
This book is literally the perfect read to relax with after a long day! Low on angst but still containing heartfelt emotion to match that sweetness Walker and Jemma’s story will absolutely steal your heart.
A true heartfelt book that can’t be missed. It’s hard to describe without giving anything away-I will just say that some of the scenes in this book took my breath away at the emotion in them. It really was a sweet story and I loved everything. Their emotional journey, both of theirs, was something to behold. I cried, I laughed at her totally and utter clumsiness and I sobbed toward the end. A total must read shorty that you are going to love.
This was a quick, fun read. The author is terrific with adjectives and descriptions to really make you see the story unfolding. Jemma is a cute, quirky heroine I can easily relate to and Walker is definitely a dreamy guy who can easily fall into the “knight in shining armor” category. I highly recommend this book!
ONE AMAZING READ!!!
OMG! Talk about blown away. All the drama, heartache, loss and hope make for one interesting experience. A whirlwind of circumstances and events really catapult all those swirling emotions bursting to life perfectly. Twixt and twined and put through the wringer with so many trials and tribulations it really draws you deeper into this web of hope and love. The characters and scenes are written with such realism it really pulls this little jewel together beautifully. Twists and turns abound along with a few bumps and bruises here and there that leave you reeling. The characters are complex, believable and so realistic it feels as though you can just reach out and touch them. The scenes are so graphically detailed and descriptive it’s easy to picture each scenario as they play off one another in perfect balance. Fantastic job Marika, thanks for sharing this little guy with us.
This is such a feel good romance! As I was reading it I couldn’t stop smiling, laughing out loud and swooning over how perfect Walker and Jemma are. Their first meeting in the airport was laugh out loud hilarious. Your instantly drawn into their story. Jemma is adorably awkward and one of the sweetest characters. Walker is dealing with a loss so deep that he doesn’t think he will ever be able to fully move on, but yet there is something about Jemma that he can’t ignore. The whole premise of this novel is genius. I love how their hilarious first encounter, led them to help each other over the weekend by being in a fake relationship. However, the lines quickly begin blurring between the two of them, as they begin to get to know each other and before the weekend comes to an end they have to decide if they have something worth fighting for. Don’t miss out on this sweet and charming romance!
The Widower’s Girlfriend by Marika Ray is an emotional powerhouse of feels! This has the heat, chemistry, passion, characters, drama, angst, twists, love and joy from start to finish.
Jemma and Walker have you rooting for their HEA immediately. Jemma is the klutzy girl who is single, in need of that special someone . She is traveling, on her way to a girls weekend when she runs into Walker. He is a widower , traveling to Colorado for his job as public speaker who talks to people about being a widower. These two are traveling to the same place- fate it seems and in the end, Walker ends up offering to help Jemma out. Their faux relationship blossomed into a real life one but because of that, trouble happens for both of them. Could this undue the happiness they have found together? Only way to find out is to read this sweet and beautiful emotional feels romance read.
My Rating: 4.5 stars *******
Sweet romance with sass
Jemma, a physicians assistant, provides comic relief to Walker, a public speaker, when a suitcase debacle arises at the airport. As the story progresses embarrassment knows no limits, old relationships are challenged, and choosing to be true to yourself could overcome it all. Marika Ray has given sweet romance her signature sass and I am definitely looking forward to more from this series.
I received a free copy of the book from the author. I had the opportunity to review or not.
There’s a lot going on in this little book. First let’s start with a delightful “meet cute “. Then move on to how both people have their own individual struggles going on in their lives and are just trying to make it through one day at a time. This book deals with real issues that many people face in their lives every day. We get to watch them navigate their way through life struggles and come to terms with how to decide when enough is enough and what expectations of others do we have to meet or do we really have to meet other’s expectations? When do you start living your own life? How do you want to live your life? When is the real you allowed to emerge?
This book touched both my heart and soul. I laughed, teared up, smiled a lot and actually thought deeply about the real story going on. There were such tender moments that brought all the feels. I really didn’t want this book to end. I read it so fast because I couldn’t put it down.
You will fall in love with Walker and Jemma from the moment you start reading. I did. You get your villains. The thing is you probably have villains in your life very similar to those in the book and don’t even know it. Maybe you do know it and don’t know how to stop it. This here little story may provide so,e suggestions. Like I said there’s a lot going on in this little book. When a book leaves you wanting a sequel that’s a good book!
This sweet romance by Marika Ray is just everything you would want in a sweet read. Jemma is a funny, somewhat clumsy and very smart woman that Walker, the grieving widow, meets and has to decide if it is time to open his heart to love again. There are funny moments and a well written developing relationship that we have the pleasure of witnessing between Jemma and Walker. This author has the ability to bring the steam but also give the sweet just as well.
The Widower’s Girlfriend was a short, sweet read that captivated me from the first page and didn’t let me put it down until the very end. Seriously, it has been a while since I’ve read a book in one sitting, but this was it.
Jemma is a clumsy, single woman on her way for a girl’s weekend with her high school friends, and she’s dreading it so much. We don’t find out until a bit later why this is. Enter Walker, a public speaking widower and sparks fly. Ok, they don’t fly immediately but you see the chemistry and connection between them right away. Walker offers to help her with her friends in a fake relationship sort of deal, but how long will it be fake for? Walker is the one who pulls away due to his career, and once finding out he is a celebrity, Jemma is not too keen on getting close. She’s been burned before. The struggle for them to accept each other and the forming real relationship will keep you turning the pages as fast as you can.
I recommend this sweet read.
Great romance story about moving on after death of spouse. Walker had no reason to move past his wife’s death. Until he met clutzy Jemma while traveling for work. Jemma was trying to keep her friends happy by attending a girl’s weekend with them. To avoid the constant ribbing about no boyfriend, Walker suggested he be Jemma’s girlfriend for the weekend. They agree to put on a show for her friends, but true feelings emerge. Their relationship is exposed and they question whether they are right for each other. Walker realizes his feelings and goes for what he wants. I loved this story, and have loved every story written by this author! Well done!
I loved this book 100 percent. Definite 5 star read!!!!!!!!!! Page turner. Walker who is a widower goes to Colorado for his job as speaker to people about being a widow/widower. Walker lost his wife to cancer years ago. Just before he boards the plane, he see’s this woman who having trouble with her suitcase. Her name is Jemma whom is going to spend a last trip with old friends from high school and Walker thinks its a bit comical watching her with her luggage. When they land in Colorado and get off the plane more ends up happening with Jemma and her luggage and Walker decides to help. They end up faking a relationship for Jemma who has friends that aren’t so nice. Will faking it work? Will Walker walk away due to his job being a speaker. You have to read this sweet, comical, and loving story to find out what happens not only with Jemma and her friends but Jemma and Walker. Thank you Marika.