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.
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