Aurora Henderson and Leo McKendrick were love’s young dream when they first dated as teenagers.
But like many a first love, parents, life, and distance got in the way, and the couple lost touch. Now, twenty years later, Aurora – Rory to her friends – needs a break. Burnt out from her teaching career and longing to write a novel, Rory heads to the idyllic village of Roseford for a summer of writing and relaxation.
Leo needs a change too. Ex-pat life in Australia has come to a sticky end so the opportunity to run his family’s B&B, Roseford Villas, for the summer is too good to turn down.
Neither Rory nor Leo believe in fate, but when Leo opens the door to his latest guest, he might just have to reconsider. And when a sultry summer fills with nostalgia and memories and six weeks flies by too fast, love’s young dream might just get a second chance…
The next thing I see is the chiseled and extremely grumpy face of my billionaire client, Theo Barnes, looking down at me. If I’m Goldilocks, he has all the grouchiness of three bears. I was overworked and overstressed juggling photographing his fleet of yachts with my other projects. Add in a super comfy bed on one of his yachts and I’m out.
Now I’m about to be fired. Except, we’re in the middle of the ocean and he’s looking at me like I’m the missing piece of a puzzle. Instead of getting the axe, he offers me an insane amount of money for a single day of work—an amount it’s really, really hard to say no to. But I should have. Because this bosshole wants me to be his pretend girlfriend for the afternoon.
The rules: no PDA, don’t get cornered by his mother and the deal is done once we dock. That first rule lasted about four minutes. This pretend girlfriend thing was supposed to be a one-and-done gig, but now his mother insists he bring a “nice” girl to a family wedding.
And Theo thought of me. A “nice” girl would have said no, but here I am, stuck with Mr. Cocky. It’s not all bad. There are those rule-breaking kisses. And the scorching sex. But sex has consequences And Goldilocks has a surprise for her grumpy bear.
This book is a charming romantic tale about Maxine and Theo, who initially enter into a platonic agreement but find themselves drawn into a passionate relationship. Despite resisting a deeper connection due to insecurities, external voices insist they are meant to be together. The plot, while occasionally predictable, incorporates enough surprises and twists to maintain reader engagement. The pacing is generally well-handled, though the ending feels rushed at times. Secondary characters, particularly Theo’s mother, add depth to the narrative. Leslie North’s engaging writing style and vivid descriptions bring the story’s settings to life. Overall, “Mr. Cocky” is an enjoyable romantic adventure with well-developed characters, palpable chemistry, and a mix of humor and passion, making it a recommended read for those seeking a lighthearted yet steamy story.
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