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One Week with the Best Man

One Week with the Best Man, November 2015
Brides and Belles #3
by Janice Maynard, Andrea Laurence

Harlequin Desire
Featuring: Gretchen McAlister; Julian Cooper
ISBN: 0373734239
EAN: 9780373734238
Kindle: B00WAT4370
Paperback / e-Book
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"Equal parts fun, sexy, and poignant!"

Fresh Fiction Review

One Week with the Best Man
Janice Maynard, Andrea Laurence

Reviewed by Miranda Owen
Posted February 17, 2016

Romance Contemporary

ONE WEEK WITH THE BEST MAN is Book 3 in Andrea Laurence's Brides and Belles series about a group of friends who own a wedding planning business. Because of Julian Cooper's movie star mega-celebrity status, he and wedding planner Gretchen McAlister are worlds apart. Due to some convoluted machinations on the part of Julian's manager - they find themselves in a pretend dating relationship.

Having the story told from two perspectives was crucial to my enjoyment of ONE WEEK WITH THE BEST MAN. Julian and Gretchen have so much emotional baggage and hidden feeling, which makes completely understanding each other difficult at times. Gretchen struggles with some body image issues, and Julian yearns for somebody to want him for himself rather than his Hollywood image. I like how Gretchen encourages Julian to stretch himself as an actor like he has always wanted to and how Julian builds up Gretchen's confidence about her body. The struggle to trust themselves and each other is a theme that runs throughout ONE WEEK WITH THE BEST MAN. I like that both main characters are flawed and experience personal growth by the end of the story.

Andrea Laurence creates a steamy connection between Julian and Gretchen almost from the first moment they meet. I love the chemistry between them and the slow and sexy way their romance builds. Andrea Laurence does a great job of balancing the tender scenes with the more erotic ones. The conflict in ONE WEEK WITH THE BEST MAN comes from the hero and heroine overthinking things and almost sabotaging their burgeoning relationship. This is the kind of love story that makes you cheer for the couple until the very end.

ONE WEEK WITH THE BEST MAN is equal parts fun, sexy, and poignant. Another element I love in ONE WEEK WITH THE BEST MAN is the close friendships between the female characters. The fun banter between the women and the support they give each other helps lighten the mood. I look forward to reading Natalie's story in the next Brides and Belles series by Andrea Laurence.

Learn more about One Week with the Best Man

SUMMARY

What happens when a fake wedding date gets all too real?

Pretend to be famous bachelor Julian Cooper's girlfriend? Some women might be thrilled with the request—not Gretchen McAlister. Her job is planning weddings, not being the best man's date. But after Julian's latest celebrity breakup, "ordinary" Gretchen is the perfect PR ploy.

Julian is against the whole plan…until he meets Gretchen. Honest and beautiful—even beneath her fancy makeover—his new "girlfriend" makes him want something more, something real…

Enjoy a special Texas Cattleman's Club: Lies and Lullabies bonus prequel short story from Janice Maynard RECLAIMED BY THE RANCHER


What do you think about this review?

Comments

1 comment posted.

Re: Equal parts fun, sexy, and poignant!

Great review I love this series, I'm looking forward to reading it, thanks
Penney
(Penney Wilfort 10:50am February 18, 2016)

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