Rooney Sullivan is sunshine incarnate and the antithesis of quiet, reserved Axel. He’s been able to hide his attraction to her until a party game gets out of hand and ends in an unexpected kiss. Months later, Rooney’s staying just next door to him for a cozy A-frame getaway and temptingly within reach.
Axel, the eldest Bergman brother, is a gorgeous grump and Rooney’s longtime crush. Their kiss was an accident, and months later, so is stumbling into him at the Bergman family’s property. Rooney’s sure her feelings are unrequited, thanks to the distance Axel keeps, so she keeps her attraction to herself.
But when Axel and Rooney unexpectedly find their paths—and problems—converging, marriage proves the perfect solution. At least, until they face a new dilemma: a marriage of convenience that’s inconveniently become a love match, after all.
Release Date: Jan 23, 2024
Series: The Bergman Brothers
Book: 4
Heat Level: Sensual
Publisher: Penguin Group
Imprint: Berkley
Price: $10.99
Rooney and Axel both have feelings for it despite never acting on it. Their feelings come to a head when they share a kiss during what was supposed to be a good family game. Now they are both trying to come to grips with this. Axel needs Rooney’s help with getting money for his home and Rooney is willing to do anything for her crush. She agrees to marry him for the sake of it.
Rooney has been close to the family since her best friend married into it. I have liked her character whenever she was around. It is nice to see a character finally get their own book. It has been a while leading up to this book. In theory, I liked the storyline but in reality, there are many shortcomings that have me scratching my head.
Why couldn’t I rate this higher? To answer that in the simplest manner…the plot. It falls short. Rooney and Axel marry for money which is understandable. However, nothing is going on that is exciting to me after the marriage. There is no angst or tension to build from. No conflict to rectify. Besides building up the house and the family trying to push them together, there was not much to the story.
The author relies heavily on Rooney and Axel’s personal issue which leads me to not see them as characters that are falling in love. There is no need to have their identities revolve around her chronic illness and his disability. Yes, I love it when an author can use real-life issues in the story because anyone can find love despite physical and/or mental challenges. However, I wanted to see them outside of that.
I’m invested in the series. I’m a fan of the author. I still recommend this book to fans who love contemporary romances.
~ Samantha
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