Smitten by Books

WIFE FOR HIRE
Author: Christine Bell
Publisher: Entangled Publishing
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: August 18, 2012
Digital Price: $2.99
Pages: 133

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 He needs a wife for three weeks…

Owen Phipps is out for revenge. His mission? To expose the man who stole his sister’s money and dignity. All he needs is a “wife” who can play along. Too bad his last best hope is an actress who tries to mace him with perfume when he offers her the role of a lifetime.

Lindy Knight is a real sap. She loves too hard, feels too deep, and often finds herself saying yes when she should be saying “Let me think about it.” She can’t believe her good fortune when Owen offers her more than enough money to hold off foreclosure until she can find a job. Three weeks at a resort, money she desperately needs, and she gets to help bring a criminal to justice? Score.

It seems easy enough until a couples bonding game turns intimate, and they realize how dangerous their mutual attraction could be. Can they keep their hands to themselves long enough to find the evidence Owen needs? Or are the close quarters more temptation than they can handle?

~~~

REVIEW

Wife for Hire is a sexy, witty, and engaging contemporary romance.

Owen Phipps is a desperate man. His sister, Cara, was hurt by a despicable man and he wants revenge. Nico stole money from Cara and Owen is convinced he is working on some new con to hurt someone else. Owen refuses to let that happen. His plan is only missing one important piece…a wife. After placing an ad that was only answered by crazies and oddballs, he knocks on the door of his last chance.

Lindy Knight’s life is full of chaos. She can’t say no to anyone and has ended up with an elderly roommate who sometimes causes small fires and seven puppies who destroyed her couch. Her two brothers help her get by, but in a moment of desperation she answered the ad for an acting job that would pay $20,000 for three weeks of work. Know that the gorgeous Owen Phipps is knocking on her door she isn’t sure it was the smartest idea.

I love the premise of this novel. Although this plot has been done before in various ways, the author managed to make it feel fresh and new. The writing is nearly flawless. There is very strong character development. Through the story we find out things about Owen and Lindy’s past that have colored their opinions of love and also what drives both of them to go through the plan to seek revenge against the man who hurt Cara.

The romance is sweet and incredibly sexy. Owen and Lindy are attracted to each other from the instant they meet and the attraction builds as they are forced to spend time in the same room. However, they both know that a relationship between them wouldn’t work. Owen isn’t looking for love and Lindy will settle for nothing less. There is a moment where they almost give in to the temptation and she asks him to be strong enough for the both of them and stop. Owen does and it is a completely swoon-worthy moment. Owen and Lindy complement and complete each other; filling wholes that they didn’t even know existed.

Christine Bell is a contemporary author that I will definitely be reading again and again.

Rating: 4.5 (Excellent)

Heat Level: 3 (Sensual)

Reviewed by Carrie