The Billionaire's Fake Fiancée

Anyone else a sucker for the grump falling for the sunshine character trope? Or the fake engagement trope? If so, you’re in luck! Annika Martin’s latest rom-com has all that goodness (if you couldn’t tell, I love a good grump) and more. The Billionaire’s Fake Fiancée is a fantastic, light-hearted romance that will have you smiling and giggling. It’s feel-good and adorable and exactly what I want in a rom-com!<br /><br />I’ve been wanting to read Annika Martin’s contemporary romances for a while. I’ve only ever read her dark romances, and I always find it so fascinating and impressive when authors switch up genres/subgenres – and do it well. Now I know for a fact that Annika Martin can do both dark and lighthearted romances, because I enjoyed The Billionaire’s Fake Fiancée so much! We’ve got the grumpiest grump of a hero (which, if you include in a book, I’ll want to read it) who needs a fake fiancée to win over an account for his billion-dollar company. Rex wants to find someone he does not like and who is in no danger of falling for him… so he hires his hairdresser Tabitha. Tabitha, the sunshiniest girl he’s ever met, the woman he sees once a week for his hair, the one who owns a hamster, loves daytime soap operas, and gets on his nerves like no other.<br /><br /><blockquote>“Don’t worry, your kindness is a secret between us. You’re my brutish, gothic Heathcliff, the alpha male who shows his soft side only to me. Ooh, that’s good.” Here she does one of her upwards finger-pointing gestures. “Right there. That’s our couples dynamic.”</blockquote><br /><br />Most of the story takes place on a giant yacht, so not only do we have fake fiancés, we’ve got fake fiancés who are forced to be in close proximity for the next two weeks. Rex and Tabitha are entertaining as all get out when they’re together – she’s constantly ruffling his feathers and he’s being a total grump about it. I loved their dynamic, with and without the fake engagement. And I loved being able to see Rex slowly let down his walls to let Tabitha in. She turns his life completely upside down with her adoring, sweet ways. She’s ridiculous and hilarious and I loved her for him.<br /><br /><blockquote>It drives me crazy that I can’t read her right now. It drives me crazy that she isn’t wearing any of her secret little Tabitha things. She’s everything that drives me crazy, and everything that I ragingly, infuriatingly, frustratingly want.</blockquote><br /><br />Now I am absolutely looking forward to reading Annika Martin’s other billionaire rom-coms! This one read completely fine as a standalone, so I’m sure the others can be too. I’m also DYING to read the next book in the series, another opposites attract romance, about the shy friend who confronts the owner of the building they live in!<br /><br /><i>Quotes are taken from the arc and are subject to change in the final version.</i>

I didn’t enjoy this book at all. And after a while, I started to skim and scan it to be able to finish. <br /><br />My main reason for my dislike of the book is the fact that I immensely disliked the heroine’s character. I don’t like people who try to look too happy, too fun, too care-free just to hide away their vulnerabilities. She was too bubbly and too silly. She thought she was funny but she wasn't. I mean, think of a person who says “sad face” when she is making a sad face or who says “excited face” when she is making an excited face. How annoying is that!?!<br /><br />To me, she was just an irritating person who thought herself as a fun person. With her sparkly outfits and crazy talk, she sounded too fake to me all the time. She constantly made fun of her tragic past to show people that she didn’t get affected by it but it was all an act. And I didn’t like her act.<br /><br />She was in love with the hero and during their fake engagement, she slept with him but she insisted that it had to stay as a fling later on. When the hero begged and begged her to date him for real because he had real feelings for her, she kept refusing him because, as she herself said, she was a coward who let her past rule her future. Her fiancé and her dad hurt her in the past and now she didn’t allow herself to have a real relationship with anyone. Her life was full of friends-with-benefits kind of relationships. She thought she was protecting her heart in this way.<br /><br />I disliked the heroine but I didn’t like the hero much, either. He was a grumpy asshole for a long time. Even assholes usually have a cute and likable side but he had none. I couldn’t find anything attractive about him. He was just rude, cold and moody with nothing cute and lovable about him until he started to have feelings about the heroine. And then, magically, his whole character started to change. He started to thank people although he was non-appreciative before. <br /><br />He initially made mistakes that hurt the heroine but later he tried to make it right with her and that was a plus. He really tried hard but then, the heroine was a pain in the ass with her constant refusal of him. Ergo, the book never felt good.<br /><br />All in all, this was an annoying book for me with unlikable characters. It was never fun for me. It had so-called hot scenes, which meant nothing to me as I didn’t buy their connection at all. <br /><br />I liked some books from this writer before but unfortunately this book wasn’t one of them.

Title: ➳ ❤- The Billionaire's Fake Fiancée<br />Author: ➳ Annika Martin<br />Publication:, April 28, 2020.<br />??? ?<br /><br />ღ Rex O’Rourke has bad reputation as playboy, that he never sleeps with the same woman twice. Seem to have caught up with him! That reputation is now seeming to be affecting some major deal<br /><br />So you guess by the title, this Billionaire is looking for Fake Fiancée to close deal of lifetime…<br />All Rex needs to do is to keep his hands off his Fake Fiancée for a two-week cruise on his potential client’s yacht… Seriously how hard can that be, when he asks his assistant to find the most annoying woman to him, so that he not tempted to sleep with her<br /><br />Rex wants that account with every fiber of his being. Having all of Driscoll’s assets underhis management will give him more financial power than most governments, But in the end will he risk everything for woman that once annoyed the heck out him?<br /><br />Tabitha Evans, she is completely different from any woman Rex has dated in the past<br /><br />For god sakes, the woman has, multicolor streaks in her hair, she has an obsession with Hello Kitty. Should I dare name more? <br /><br />I could say: I laugh out loud &amp; this book was delight.<br />Annika delights you with her quirky characters &amp; grouchy Billionaire's &amp; I can even say this was great read! Which is all totally true… but this book at times felt like scene out of tv soap opera…. So of course, you are going say WTF few times… but that doesn’t mean you aren’t going enjoy this read<br /><br />The hair dresser. Is the lynchpin to rescuing our billion-dollar account?”<br />? Hope you enjoy this read &amp; also always keep in mind this is just my opinion+ Also I wouldn’t never discourage anyone from reading this book.<br /><br />➦* Note: ARC kindly provided by author in exchange for an honest review. This has not influenced my review!<br /><br />Happy Reading --- Enjoy ……. Paulette Review<br /><br />

“He lets go of my shoulders and cradles my cheeks like two fragile birds, gently cradling them.<br />“Are you trying to decide how to hold me and which way to tilt your head?” I ask.<br />“Shut the fuck up.” With that, he crushes his lips over mine, kissing me fervently. He presses me to the wall with his body.”<br /><br />And that scene,up there, was a practice kiss ?☺️

3.5 stars <br /><br /><b>Reread on September 18, 2022:</b> Jason Clarke is creeping up to my Narrator Hall of Fame. Read via library/audio (narrated by Jason Clarke and Neva Nevarre).<br /><br />***<br /><br /><b>First read on October 27, 2020:</b> These books are like candy (this is a compliment). They have zero logic and make me go WTF every other page. Read via library.

i've got nothing much to say about this one and i'm pretty sure i will forget about it tomorrow. <br /><br />[2.5/5★]

Thank you so much for all your amazing love for Rex and Tabitha!! Heart-eyes! <br><blockquote>"I love a growly hero who falls for a sunshine-y heroine and Annika Martin NAILS IT!”~Susannah Nix, author of Remedial Rocket Science</blockquote><br><br><img src="https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1589140819i/29450971._SY540_.png" width="300" height="300" alt="description" class="gr-hostedUserImg" loading="lazy"><br>Grab it everywhere:<br>➤ Amazon: <a href="https://amzn.to/2xlKc5t" rel="nofollow noopener">https://amzn.to/2xlKc5t</a><br>➤ Amazon World: <a href="https://geni.us/bEMRor4" rel="nofollow noopener">https://geni.us/bEMRor4</a> <br>➤ Kobo: <a href="https://geni.us/9OkrMoW" rel="nofollow noopener">https://geni.us/9OkrMoW</a><br>➤ Apple: <a href="https://geni.us/nCpIs" rel="nofollow noopener">https://geni.us/nCpIs</a><br>➤ Nook: <a href="https://geni.us/0bbj0FH" rel="nofollow noopener">https://geni.us/0bbj0FH</a><br>➤ Google Play: <a href="https://geni.us/IVAkzhA" rel="nofollow noopener">https://geni.us/0bbj0FH</a><br> <br><br>****<br>The Billionaire's Fake Fiancée Sneak Peek!<br>One of my favorite scenes is on the jet, when Tabitha makes Rex do a fake fiancé questionnaire. <br>***<br>Tabitha pulls up her fake fiance questionnaire. <br>I take a look at it and groan. “You’ve gotta be kidding.” <br>“First up, pets,” she says. “I have a hamster named Seymour. He has a little black dot on his right front paw.”<br>“Yes, I seem to recall you mentioning him once or twice,” I say. <br>She bites back a smile. “Do you have any pets?”<br>“Take a guess.” <br>She types in “NO PETS” and then looks back up, eyes sparkling. “You were not enthusiastic about Seymour at first, but I believe you will learn to love him as much as you love me, though hopefully not in the same vigorous and passionate manner.” <br>When I don’t respond to her ridiculous joke, she presses her lips together, like it's funny that I'm not responding. <br>“Moving on,” I say. <br>She gazes out the window. “The other day you took Seymour out of his little cage and you were holding him so nicely. You always call him little guy. Hey, little guy. It’s sweet. And when you look at him, you kind of soften…”<br>She rambles on about me and Seymour and something strange ripples through my chest. <br>“I think this is going to take all week,” I say, scrolling down. “I'm not doing seventy questions. Choose three.” <br>She studies the list. “Past significant relationships,” she says. “I was engaged when I was twenty-two. We were young. It was stupid.” <br><i>Engaged? Stupid?</i> “In what way?” I ask. <br>She shrugs. “Just stupid.” I wait for her to elaborate, but she's back to scanning the list. She went on about her hamster, and this is what she decides to hold back on? <br>I could see Tabitha getting engaged to somebody inappropriate. Was he the male version of Tabitha? Colorful and happy-go-lucky? Did he wear hats and play the ukulele or something? I find the whole idea annoying. <br>“And that's it for your significant relationships?” I ask. <br>“I keep things casual these days,” she says. “I'm a friends-with-benefits gal these days.” <br>I frown, not loving that, either. <br>“Waiting,” she says. <br>“No significant relationships—ever,” I say. “Next.” <br>“Okay, what is your dream? Your ultimate goal in life?”<br>I fix a steely gaze on her. “I'm a billionaire flying around in my own jet. I'm living the dream.”<br>“Come on,” she says. “People never stop dreaming of the next thing. Don't billionaires try to fly to the moon in a rocket ship once they have everything else nailed?”<br>“A rocket ship is just a rich man’s Corvette,” I say. <br>“What do I know? Maybe you’re the Corvette type…” Her smile is mischievous. “Some men require a Corvette…you know…” <br>I lower my voice. “I definitely don't require a Corvette.” <br>She snorts, like it's all so ridiculous, but dusky rose spots seem to heat her cheeks and it's…compelling. <i>She's</i> compelling.<br>We shouldn't have dressed her up in these new clothes. It's making me forget that she's Tabitha Evans, the most annoying human being that I know. <br><br>Read the First Chapter: <br><a href="http://annikamartinbooks.com/first-chapter-billionaires-fake-fiancee/" rel="nofollow noopener">http://annikamartinbooks.com/first-chapter-billionaires-fake-fiancee/</a><br>Pre-order here:<br>➤ Amazon: <a href="https://amzn.to/2xlKc5t" rel="nofollow noopener">https://amzn.to/2xlKc5t</a><br>➤ Amazon World: <a href="https://geni.us/bEMRor4" rel="nofollow noopener">https://geni.us/bEMRor4</a> <br>➤ Kobo: <a href="https://geni.us/9OkrMoW" rel="nofollow noopener">https://geni.us/9OkrMoW</a><br>➤ Apple: <a href="https://geni.us/nCpIs" rel="nofollow noopener">https://geni.us/nCpIs</a><br>➤ Nook: <a href="https://geni.us/0bbj0FH" rel="nofollow noopener">https://geni.us/0bbj0FH</a>

DNF at 25%.<br /><br />Started reading this one a while ago, but just couldn't stay focused on the plot. It's a fairly standard "quirky" middle class protagonist who pretends to be together with the love interest. The characters just felt forced and lacked any sparks.

This may be one of my favorite in the Billionares of Manhatten series by far. I connect with Tabitha on so many levels and completely get her relationship reservations. The dynamic between her and Rex is absolutely dynamite?.

<em>This is fourth in a series, but they're extremely loosely connected. This one has characters from previous stories show up near the end, but they don't play a huge role and you won't miss out much if you haven't read them.</em><br /><br />So fake fiancée is almost as unlikely as billionaire so you already know you're going to have to roll with the wish-fulfillment premise. Right? I liked this one more than I expected, frankly. I dunno why, but grumpy guy with bubbly girl works for me. Maybe because I find both attractive in their own ways? And because if the author shows it working, it's a powerful combination with lots of complimentary strengths.<br /><br />Everything about this plot was whacked. Like, next-level whack. To the extent that Tabitha's soap opera obsession was an accurate guide for behavior. Oddly, this worked for me. I mean, however unlikely, it was all at least <em>possible</em> and had the added benefit of letting these very different people work together and build a bond of shared experiences. Plus, Gail stole the show, just a bit, and that was fun, too.<br /><br />Less fun is that both main characters had the same negative motivation* of never wanting to have a relationship because relationships are bad. And this was the expected drag on the plot, but worse, the author countered it by having Tabitha ignore her negative motivation for the first half and Rex overcome his in the second. So they trade off being the drag on the relationship developing around the midpoint and because their reasons were essentially the same, it just made me frustrated.<br /><br />Also, I'm not a fan of the manufactured dark moment. I'm sorry, but Rex becoming an idiot just to provoke it was dumb. This is partially made up for with the king of grand gestures that I loved more than a little. Still, getting there just hurt.<br /><br />So I'm going to go with 3½ stars that I almost rounded up on the grand gesture and truly outstanding ending but can't because I still haven't forgotten how manipulated the dark moment was.<br /><br /><strong>A note about Steamy</strong>: There are a handful of explicit sex scenes putting this about the middle of my steam tolerance. I think they were extremely good and well-integrated into the story and emotional arc of the characters (though Tabitha's idiocy was particularly strong afterwards).<br /><br />* <strong>Negative Motivations</strong>: I kind of hate that the term "negative motivation" isn't widespread, yet. Since it isn't, I'm going to save off this little jag to append to my reviews that feature the term. <a href="http://arghink.com/2014/04/questionable-positive-and-negative-goals/" rel="nofollow noopener">Jennifer Crusie blogged about it</a> a bit back (or, if that link doesn't work, <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170531161335/https://arghink.com/2014/04/questionable-positive-and-negative-goals/" rel="nofollow noopener">here's a cache of the original</a>) and it changed how I understand story. The problem with the term is that if you've never heard it before, you'd assume it meant motivations that are harmful or immoral. Not so. What it refers to is motivations <em>not to do something</em>. The thing is that many of us are motivated to not do things for a lot of different, perfectly valid and reasonable, reasons. The problem is that <em>in a story</em> motivations to not do things are a huge drag on the plot—particularly considering the fact that most negative motivations are overcome by the character simply deciding they don't care any more (or, rather, that they <em>do care</em> and are now motivated to do the thing). So not only do you have a counter to action but you also have a situation where to overcome it, all a character has to do is change their mind. Which means eventually, the reader is rooting for the character to get over him/herself already and do the thing we want them to do. Conflict drives story. Conflict between a reader and a main character drives readers away from story.