Harper
It’s one thing to be dumped by the huge Hollywood star you thought you were going to marry. It’s quite another to move back to the small town you’re both from.
As a booby prize for being shown the door by Dex Ryder, everyone is trying to set me up with their son, their nephew, or their long-lost cousin’s gardener. Either that or they’re throwing me pitying looks that say, “You’re a big loser.”
I’m not going to put up with their patronizing sympathy anymore.
So, when I spot new-guy-in-town Christopher Young, I set out to make him mine. Or you know, pretend to make him mine. I’m still in a horrible funk over Dex, and Christopher is an uptight grump. Not exactly my type.
The fact that despite appearances, he’s gorgeous and doing weird things to my blood pressure doesn’t mean a thing.
Really.
Not. A. Thing.
Christopher
Hunter’s Creek, population next to nothing, is the reason I work all the time. I’m solely focused on buying the town’s lumber mill so I can go back to NYC and get my big promotion. This small town is a means to an end. Nothing more.
That is until the prettiest girl I’ve ever seen superglues her lips to mine in an unexpected and very public way. She’s not the kind of woman I usually go for with her boho dress and ankle boots, but that kiss…
I’m disappointed when she comes up for air and tells me it’s all for show. But if Harper Cole wants me to be her fake boyfriend while I’m here in town, who am I to turn her down? Being attached to a local might ingratiate me to the townsfolk and make my job that much the easier.
After all, dating Harper can only be make believe. Not when my entire future is at stake.
Published Date: 14 March 2023
My Review
Harper, a lively and enthusiastic teacher, finds herself heartbroken after being dumped by her childhood sweetheart. Returning to Hunter’s Creek, a community where she is adored yet pitied due to a viral video, she strives to project strength and avoid the sympathetic gazes of those around her. On the other hand, Christopher, a high-powered city lawyer, visits the town with a specific objective in mind, focused primarily on his work and maintaining a strict demeanor. In an effort to fend off the pitying looks from friends and family, Harper impulsively claims to be dating someone—none other than Christopher himself. Surprisingly, Christopher agrees to this ruse, recognizing that pretending to date a local may alleviate suspicions about his true purpose in town.
This book delves into the intricacies of a fake relationship within a close-knit community, set against an incredible backdrop. The main characters, Harper and Christopher, couldn’t be more different from each other. Harper is gentle, intelligent, and selfless, often putting others’ needs before her own. In contrast, Christopher is gruff, adhering to rules, and guarded when it comes to matters of the heart. The dynamic banter and chemistry between them are truly captivating. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, finding it to be a delightful experience.
My Rating
My Sanctuary 