About the Book:
How to Survive Your Next Relationship Disaster 101
Step 1: Get pumped. Your new house, in your new town, comes with a sexy and shirtless man next door. Score!
Step 2: Don’t let your freak-out show when Mr. OMG Shirtless turns around—and it’s your old crush.
Step 3: Hold your head high when you run into him again on the first day of your new job—literally—and spill coffee all over yourself.
Step 4: Stay calm when he introduces himself as your new boss…and then announces that your first assignment is to go on a fake honeymoon together.
Step 5: Keep your $h*t locked tight when the new boss/old crush and you are forced to sleep in the same room…with one bed.
Step 6: Try to ignore just how freaking hot he is, and how much you want to touch him…
Review:
Lucy and William were so fun to read about. They both liked each other yet neither could admit it to the other. Pretend play was how this one started, and just when you think they have it all together tragedy strikes. Something you do not see coming and it was perfectly written to keep you reading waiting to find out what happens. I can’t say it enough; Christina’s flow was fantastic and there were moments that were so real it makes you really feel for the characters. I hope you will grab this book and let me know what you thought. Its that time again, curl up in your favorite spot and enjoy!
Excerpt
More pounding. “Saw you. Know you’re in there, Lucy.”
She drew the curtain back again.
He pointed to the handle and mouthed, “Open.”
She shook her head and planted her hand on her hip.
He rattled the door handle.
Fine.
Safety chain in place, she opened the door a crack. When he pressed to enter, the chain caught.
“Lucy, I need to talk to you,” he said through the thin opening.
“It’s too early for conversation.” She ran a hand over her obnoxious morning hair.
“I need your help.”
“You said I’m not supposed to help you.” She tried to close the door, but he stopped it before the latch caught.
“Bridgett’s in the hospital.”
A knot formed in Lucy’s belly. She released the safety chain and opened the door. “What happened?”
“We’re supposed to leave for Twin Lakes today, but she ate something with peaches, and apparently she’s allergic. I just came from the hospital. She’s all puffed up.”
Peaches? That sounded awful. “Will she be okay?”
“They say she’ll be fine, but she needs monitoring. You have to be my wife.”
The knot in her belly tightened, and she stepped backward into the living room. “It is way too early to discuss marriage.”
He followed her inside. His gaze traveled over her, and the edges of his lips ticked up. “Please, Lucy. I need a favor. And you look like you need caffeine. Where do you keep the coffee?”
She crossed her arms across her chest. “At Starbucks.”
He tossed her an annoyed look and brushed past her to the kitchen.
Ugh. “Fine. To the coffee. Not the marriage.” She followed him into her kitchen where he snagged the tin of blonde roast off the counter.
“Coffee liners?” he asked.
“Use your sock,” she replied sweetly. She didn’t do controlling. Not with men. Not in life.
He dug through her cupboards. “You always this grumpy in the morning?”
She grumbled under her breath.
“I’ll tell you what. You go do whatever you do to wake up.” He turned and stepped toward her to trace his fingers intimately along her arms, leaving a trail of goose bumps behind.
Unable to move, she stared at his warm hands against her bare flesh.
He leaned into her, all sexy stubble and man. “I’ll make coffee.” His gaze rested on her mouth, which at some point had parted against her will. She promptly shut it.
“Then we can talk about our trip to Twin Lakes.” He gave a squeeze and released her.
Full-bodied with an extra shot of persistence was apparently on her menu this morning. “I have to work, I’ve got a cat, and there are three thousand other reasons I’m not going with you.”
“Let’s talk after you resurrect Happy Lucy. Shower, meditate, whatever you usually do…then coffee.” He returned to rummaging through her cupboards.
She stared at him, scruffy, delicious, and in her kitchen. The universe had a messed up sense of humor.
“You getting that shower going or are you waiting for me to take one with you?” he asked without turning around.
She scowled at his ridiculously attractive back for a beat. It wasn’t fair that even his back was sexy. Her gaze traveled lower to his shorts. Over his ass. His legs. His calves.
He cleared his throat. She glanced up quickly to meet his…dimples.
“I’ll come, too, then?” His lips formed the husky words, mesmerizing her.
He took a step forward, the tin of coffee still in his grip.
She froze, certain the look on her face must’ve mirrored an early-morning deer meeting the headlights of a Ferrari. Like, if she was gonna get hit by a car, might as well be a good one.
Oh boy, was she about to get run over.
She licked at her lips.
His gaze fell to them, mouth parted, eyes flared.
Next, please.
She noped right out of there. Turned and bolted for the bathroom, ensuring the lock on the door clicked behind her.
Head in her hands, she slumped against the thin wood panel on the wall beside the cracked tub.
She was officially hiding from William in her bathroom. Not because he recommended she shower. Nope, she needed to wake up. Her hair needed shampoo. And she had lusty irritation to rinse down the drain.
Christina kept this book flowing smoothly. Have you ever been teased? Hurt as a kid so bad that is stays with you even when you think you have moved on. Well this is what happens to Lucy and though she has changed a lot that little girl inside is still there. This makes her very leery of anyone she knew in her past, even if it seems they don’t remember her. William is just such a person, he doesn’t seem to remember her but he is very attracted to her. As a reporter he needs to go undercover as a honeymooner and this is what sets out two characters up.
Meet the Author:
Christina Hovland lives her own version of a fairy tale—an artisan chocolatier by day and romance writer by night. Born in Colorado, Christina received a degree in journalism from Colorado State University. Before opening her chocolate company, Christina’s career spanned from the television newsroom to managing an award-winning public relations firm. She’s a recovering overachiever and perfectionist with a love of cupcakes and dinner she doesn’t have to cook herself. A 2017 Golden Heart® finalist, she lives in Colorado with her first-boyfriend-turned-husband, four children, and the sweetest dog around.
Giveaway:
