Part-Time Lover by Lauren Blakely

   

   

BLURB

I’ll say this about Christian — he made one hell of a first impression. When I first saw the strapping man, he was doing handstands naked on a dock along the canal. His crown jewels were far more entertaining than anything else I’d seen on the boat tour, so I did what any curious woman would do — I took his photo. I might have looked at the shot a few dozen times. Little did I know I’d meet him again, a year later, at a secret garden bar in the heart of the city, where I’d learn that his mind and his mouth were even more captivating. But given the way my heart had been trampled, I wanted only a simple deal — No strings. No expectations.

Our arrangement worked well enough until the day I needed a lot more from him…

***

Let me just say, this whole part-time lover thing was her idea. I’d have gone all-in from the start, but hey, when a gorgeous, brilliant woman invites you into her bed, and only her bed…well, I said yes.

But then, one hysterical phone call from my brother later, begging me to find myself a wife so grandfather’s business stays in the family, and I need a promotion with Elise. Turns out a full-time husband suits her needs too, and a temporary marriage of convenience ought to do the trick, until we can simply untie the knot…

As long as no one finds out… As long as no one gets hurt… As long as no one falls in love… But our ending was one I never saw coming.

Part-time Lover by Lauren Blakey is a wonderfully sexy contemporary romance follow up to her Wanderlust.  This story of a mutually beneficial part-time love affair, is told in first person from dual perspectives, with flashbacks & crossover characters from Wanderlust - this book is angsty, witty, clever, funny, sexy & emotional.  "I love that it's completely haphazard and completely meaningful in a whole new way."

Elise is a woman on a mission - rebuild, recover & be happy - minus the risk of a broken heart.  Christian is a persistent twenty-nine year old retiree with the body of a god "Let the record reflect, the Danes make the best-looking men."

  These two characters reflect on past relationships & loss, to discover a "...connection--it was the most intense..." that  just might be worth taking a risk for & see through to the other side "The side of letting go, of being free."

Elise with her caring heart & fierce determination & Christian with his kindness, intellect & patience of a saint, I couldn't get enough of the honesty, openness & ease of their relationship.  I love the connection these characters have across the board - with friends, family, cities, towns, places & people.  The way Blakely activates all your senses, sight, sound, taste, smell, touch... That belief in what life can hold if you trust in fate - "To the realization that all I have to do to find happiness is step off the cliff."

ARC received in exchange for an honest review. 

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