Surprisingly Us, an all-new must-read, spicy rom-com from bestselling author Erin Hawkins is now available!

A fake relationship between childhood friends has a reformed playboy and determined dancer wondering if opposites really do attract.

 

Amazon  |  Paperback

 

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Blurb

Colette

I’ve spent the last eighteen years of my life living and breathing dancing, there’s been no time for anything else. Now, as a seasoned member of The City Ballet, my goal of becoming a principal dancer is within reach. But in order to land a pivotal lead role, the choreographer wants more passion and emotion in my dancing. The problem? My lack of experience with relationships and love. The solution? I need to start dating, if only as research for the coveted role.

I’m used to drilling footwork. Repetition. Muscle-memory. But how can I practice dating?

I never imagined Rhys Spencer, my childhood friend and NYC’s notorious ladies’ man, would be the answer.

Rhys

I’ve only come back to NYC to claim my trust fund, but being faced with losing control of my parents’ legacy foundation to my cousin and rival has me rethinking my plans. Though my reputation as a ladies’ man paints me in an unfavorable light with the foundation board and has me desperate to change my ways, if only temporarily.

My childhood friend, Colette Davenport, is the perfect fake girlfriend. She’s talented, gracious, and stunning. With her on my arm, I’ll have no problem convincing the board I’m the right man for the position. Everyone is shocked by the pairing of the sweet, yet determined ballet dancer and a tattooed bad boy with a BIG reputation.

When the competition intensifies, and I blindside Colette with a new proposal, things start to heat up. Soon, I’m on my knees for a different reason and I’m breaking all our rules.

With every kiss, every touch, I’m even more desperate to have her. To keep her for myself. I never want our arrangement to end, and no one is more surprised than me.

 

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Review

4.5 stars

The fourth and final book in the Unexpectedly in Love series, this is a fun, funny and beautifully heartfelt friends-to-lovers, fake-relationship romance with epic chemistry and wonderful character development. It was a fantastically entertaining read, and I loved it!

Colette and Rhys were introduced in the last book of the series, and are both part of the friend group that makes up the heart of this series, so there is a bit of character crossover. You could read this one as a standalone, just beware that there will be a lot of people that you won’t know.

Colette’s life is ballet. She’s a ballerina who dreams of becoming a principal dancer, but she’s been told that while her technique is flawless, her dancing lacks passion, and she’s to go out and find some. Unfortunately, the very thought of the word “date” causes her to break out in hives. She needs help.

Rhys is a privileged playboy who spends his life travelling, partying, and hooking up with beautiful women. His late parents left him a fortune, and when it looks like their legacy foundation will fall into the hands of his cousin and rival, he decides it’s time to set up and take charge. But his bad boy lifestyle has been splashed all over social media, and he needs a reputation fix, fast!

Having spent their childhood summers together at their family’s lakehouses, Colette and Rhys were childhood friends. They haven’t seen each other for years, but when they reconnect as adults, Rhys recognises that Colette would be the perfect fake girlfriend to prove that he’s reformed his bad boy ways. And if he can help her overcome her dating phobia, it’s a win-win.

And so begins the epic fake dating of Rhys and Colette. It’s so much fun, with lots of joking, banter and flirting, and you can see from the very beginning that there is an attraction between them which creates a wonderful dynamic. The touches, the kisses, the hot looks and sweet smiles, it’s all there, and I was so excited to watch them both embrace it so easily.

The ‘fake’ part of the relationship quickly and naturally becomes so much more. Rhys is falling hard, and without even realising it, he falls into the role of boyfriend perfectly. He’s sweet, caring and thoughtful, and there are so many little moments in this book which had my heart fluttering at the adorableness of it all. He’s so endearingly clueless about it, he just follows his heart, and watching him come to care so deeply for Colette is beautiful.

Being so clueless, he does make mistakes along the way, and he and Colette have a lot to work through to figure out the boyfriend/girlfriend thing. Neither of them has been in a relationship, and even though they are faking it, there is a lot to learn about trust, communication and expectations. All the while they are wrestling with their growing feelings for each other and trying to figure out where they stand with each other, and exploring their mad chemistry. It’s a glorious mess of feelings that is sweet, swoony and passionate, and I loved every moment of it.

There’s wonderful character growth for both Rhys and Colette as they figure themselves, and their relationship, out. I felt so much for both of them and was right there with them on their journey and was so happy to see them get the happy ending that they deserve.

As the final book in the series, there is a sensational epilogue that provides a glimpse into the future for all of the couples. I loved seeing Rhys and Colette living their HEA, and fans of the series will obviously appreciate catching up with all of the couples in this beautifully happy and satisfying ending.

I love this book. It’s a long one, but doesn’t feel like it when you’re so caught up in the story, and I loved Rhys and Colette’s story.

4.5 stars.

An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

 

Unexpectedly in Love

 

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About Erin

Erin Hawkins lives in Colorado with her husband and three young children. She enjoys reading, running, spending time in the mountains, and watching reality TV.

 

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