I received this book for free from Goodreads First Reads to review.First off, I'd rate this book really 3.5 stars and the only reason it didn't get 4 was because the novel was very short and some things seemed to be rushed toward the end. Later I realized that this novel is part of a series so Jake and Amanda's adventures continue but it would have still been nice to have more resolution. We all have that ex we love to hate. Unfortunately Amanda's waltzes back into her life first saving her from a snow storm and then offering to pay her to be engaged to him when she's in desperate need of money. However the plan that starts from trouble ends in trouble.Amanda is independent, stubborn, and caring. All traits that are constantly leading her into trouble. After the deaths of her parents she has raised her younger brother since she was 19. She bends over backward to his every whim, currently to the tune of a hundred thousand dollars. She's in debt over her head and her brother only asks for more money, so the deal with Jake is her only break.Jake is passionate, caring, independent, and stubborn. This book often shows a clash of his wills against Amanda's. He believes his uncaring wealthy grandfather's latest change to his trust is just another effort to control Jake's life. He must get engaged and married to access his trust. And he needs his trust to build his agency to help veterans. Asking his ex to pretend to marry him seems like a great plan.Much of the novel is about Amanda and Jake leading this sham of an engagement and lying to everyone around them while struggling with unresolved feelings for each other. Each tries to meddle in the others lives, Amanda with Jake's grandfather, and Jake with Amanda's brother. And all that meddling blows up in their faces. Both end up discovering things about themselves and their families they never would have without each other. Both go through a lot of self-discovery and soul-searching. And of course they both realize they are still in love. This book was romantic and funny. I was a little disappointed that everything moved too fast at the end. But I liked this novel and would read more in this series by Abby Matisse. I won this book on goodreads. So far it's almost been 2 months and no book. Kinda a bummer.If i ever get the book I will change my review. At this point I don't think I am going to get my copy.UPDATE: I got my copy and a very long apology from Miss Abby. The book came wrapped in this beautiful paper with a pretty pink bow. and this stunning card. Thank you for the book Miss Abby. I will get my review of the book up shortly. I am really backed up with reviews at the current time.
