The Arrangement by Adriana Locke is live!
This is a gorgeous read full of fantastic chemistry and sexual tension, with a friends-to-lovers, sort-of-pretend marriage, boss/assistant romance. It’s sweet, sexy and gorgeously romantic, and I loved it.
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Blurb
The gorgeous CEO of Brewer Air is my boss and, thanks to a bet, my new husband for six months.
Why? Because I begged.
I have a grandmother to support, a stack of bills higher than my five-foot frame, and as a cherry on top, I need to find a new place to live. Soon.
Sure, Jason Brewer’s bright green eyes and chiseled jawline steal my breath. His smirk makes me weak. The former military hero’s protective nature is as sexy as watching him control a boardroom or fly a plane.
But none of that matters. I’m desperate—not foolish. I know forever-level commitments aren’t real. This is simply a business transaction with a billionaire.
It’s too bad we didn’t consider all contingencies.
Our first kiss was to seal the deal. The second was in front of an Elvis impersonator. The third kiss led to a honeymoon that was so hot it burned into my memory.
I tell myself it’s okay because there’s an arrangement in place. It’s a—very—enjoyable means to a much-needed end. There’s nothing to worry about.
Except there is …
Jason is determined to prove that we could be more. When he proposes a new arrangement, it changes everything in ways I never saw coming.
From USA Today and Amazon Charts bestselling author Adriana Locke comes a new age-gap workplace romance featuring a former military hero who falls first and hard for his heroine. You will swoon over this spicy standalone romance.
Review
4.5 stars
This is a gorgeous read full of fantastic chemistry and sexual tension, with a friends-to-lovers, sort-of-pretend marriage, boss/assistant romance. It’s sweet, sexy and gorgeously romantic, and I loved it.
This is the second standalone in the Brewer Family series, and it’s the story of brilliant billionaire and CEO, Jason Brewer. Patient, caring, solid and dependable, Jason has an air of seriousness about him, but he’s actually quite a playful guy, and nowhere is that more evident than when he interacts with his Executive Assistant, Chloe.
Jason and Chloe have known each other since Chloe was a child and used to play with his younger siblings. They reconnected as adults, became friends, and then he offered her the job as his EA, and they make a sensational team in the office. They’re also wildly attracted to each other. Their relationship is a great mix of professional, friendly and flirtatious, but neither of them have ever made an actual move. Until Chloe overhears Jason and his brothers discussing a bet against Jason ever getting married and then staying married for six months. About to be evicted, and needing money to help care for her aging grandmother, Chloe recognises an opportunity to solve her financial problems, and declares herself Jason’s fiancé, and he’s all too happy to go along with it.
I admit, it’s a bit of a flimsy premise to get us to a fake marriage – the whole ‘let’s get married to win a bet and therefore help Chloe’ premise is a little weak. But the sexual tension is so intense that they’re willing to grasp onto any flimsy excuse to finally explore their mad attraction, and they seize the opportunity. And I was loving the direction the story was taking, and was right on board!
“Are we consummating this marriage, Mr Brewer?” I ask, hoping I’m reading the situation correctly. If not…
“That’s up to you.” He shifts his weight from one foot to the other. “But I hope so.”“So my options are to take the money and run…” My cheeks flush as I meet his gaze. “Or I take the money, have a place to stay, and have sex with you for six months?”
He pins me to the spot with only a look. If this intensity is a promise of things to come, I’m in. I’m so fucking in.
“Option B, please,” I say.
A flicker of a smile kisses his lips.
OMG, I love these two together! I was feeling the attraction, I wanted them together so badly, and I was madly flipping pages as their friendly working relationship becomes something else entirely!
“Marriage is a big deal to me, even if this one has special circumstances. But I will expect complete exclusivity. I will be your husband – and I will take that honor seriously. You need to understand that. This is going to be very real to me.”
“I’m going to be your wife, Mr Brewer,” she says, her voice filled with a naughtiness that constricts my entire body. “We’re marrying because of the bet. We’re going all in because we want to.”
Fucking hell.
It’s sexy and intense, but so beautifully sweet. Jason is a kind-hearted gentleman with a wild dirty streak and oh holy hell, the man is so damn hot! The sexy time is sizzling, but more than that, his feelings for Chloe are so strong! He’s already halfway in love with her before they get married, once they’re actually together, he throws himself all in, holding nothing back, and I was there for it!
“For the next six months, you’re mine,” he says, his voice rough. “If you want out, all you have to do is ask. But until you do ask, I will treat you like I think you should be treated.”
“How’s that?”
The twinkle in his eyes is divine.
“With respect.” He brushes a strand of hair off my shoulder, making me shiver. “With attention.” His hand wraps around my neck under my hairline. “With kindness.” He leans in and kisses me just under my earlobe.
Oh. I moan softly. I might melt right here.
His lips hover over my ear. “And I’m going to give you so many orgasms that you’ll be begging me to stop,” he whispers.
Apart from all of the wild sex, we see their relationship shift and change as they open up in ways they haven’t before, and help support each other through challenges they’re both dealing with. It’s a beautifully functional relationship, and though there is some drama, the romance is almost completely angst free, which I really appreciated.
“I fell in love with you.” My voice cracks. Hopelessly in love with you … I’ve fallen so fucking hard for you that I can’t breathe.”
Swooooon!
I also loved seeing so much of the Brewer siblings – my God, these are so freaking funny. They are a great group of guys with their own distinct personalities already, and I love their dynamic and the way they tease and banter with each other. There is some continuation for Renn’s story from the last book, and I cannot wait to read more about these boys as the series continues.
This is such a gorgeous love story, with fantastic characters and a fun, sexy and heartfelt romance. I loved it
4.5 stars.
An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
The Brewer Family
The Proposal (#1) (Renn & Blakely)
Review
Buy: Amazon | Paperback | Audio
The Arrangement (#2) (Jason & Chloe)
Review
Buy: Amazon
The Invitation (#3) (Ripley)
To be released 23 September
Pre-order: Amazon
Meet Adriana
USA Today and Amazon Charts Bestselling author, Adriana Locke, writes contemporary romances about the two things she knows best—big families and small towns. Her stories are about ordinary people finding extraordinary love with the perfect combination of heart, heat, and humor.
She loves connecting with readers, fall weather, football, reading alpha heroes, everything pumpkin, and pretending to garden.
Hailing from a tiny town in the Midwest, Adriana spends her free time with her high school sweetheart (who she married over twenty years ago) and their four sons (who truly are her best work). Her kitchen may be a perpetual disaster, and if all else fails, there is always pizza.
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