When the maid of honor and the best man fabricate a romance to keep the peace, the only thing they can’t fake are the sparks.
Lucy Jones is tired of being the “other sister.” Elizabeth is the golden child—beautiful, serene, and engaged to the perfect man. Lucy? She’s thirty, single, and still dodging her mother’s digs about how she never quite measures up. But when Elizabeth names Lucy as her maid of honor, she vows her sister’s wedding will be her grand rebrand. She’ll prove she’s polished, sophisticated, and totally in control.
Enter Hunter Bain. Best man. Business bro. Walking scowl emoji. Also the rudest, most aggravating man Lucy has ever met—and her new partner in planning the joint bachelor/bachelorette weekend. Fantastic. Because nothing says “reinvent yourself” like clashing with a man who thinks party planning is beneath him.
From drunken disasters to shenanigans on Martha’s Vineyard, Lucy and Hunter can’t stop butting heads. Until one impulsive lie forces them to pretend they’re dating. It’s supposed to be temporary. It’s supposed to be fake. But every lingering glance, every stolen kiss, every unexpected laugh makes it harder to remember what’s real and what’s not.
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This book is about Lucy Jones and Hunter Bain, two people who reluctantly agree to pretend they are engaged while planning the wedding of Lucy’s sister and Hunter’s best friend. What begins as a practical arrangement quickly becomes complicated as their dislike slowly gives way to unexpected attraction and emotional connection.
Lucy is warm, optimistic, and eager to please, yet she quietly struggles with deep insecurity caused by years of feeling overshadowed by her seemingly perfect sister and judged by her demanding parents. Hunter, on the other hand, is a successful co-CEO who hides his own fears of failure behind a guarded, cynical exterior shaped by painful past experiences.
As they spend more time together, their fake relationship becomes an emotional journey of self-discovery. Lucy begins to question her need for approval, while Hunter slowly learns to trust and open his heart. Their chemistry is undeniable, and the tension between them creates a compelling blend of humor, vulnerability, and romance.
Louise Bay crafts a heartfelt story about healing from past wounds, embracing one’s worth, and daring to pursue happiness. Ultimately, The Deal Maker shows how love, honesty, and courage can transform two guarded hearts into something real and lasting.
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