Not The Marrying Kind by Nicola Marsh

Book Blurb :

LA party planner Poppy Collins has kept her secret side business – planning divorce parties as the Divorce Diva – a close secret, but keeping her business afloat is proving tougher by the day. When her sister’s divorce party gives Poppy the opportunity to save the day and boost her business, Poppy approaches Vegas golden boy Beck Blackwood for help. But this time, she’s about to get way more than she bargained for…

Beck knows Poppy’s secret, and he’s not afraid to use it to get exactly what he wants – a wife. With his reputation and business expansion plans on the line, the only way he can repair the damage is by getting hitched, and fast. And if blackmail is the only way to get Poppy to the altar, then so be it…

But they’re in the city of high stakes, and Poppy has a few aces up her sleeve. Now it’s time to find out if they’re playing to win… or if they’re playing for keeps.

Tash M

Review:

Poppy Collins is trying to save her sister’s business, Party Hard, when she makes the decision to become the Divorce Diva, the anonymous face of Divorce Diva Daily and to host divorce parties against the advice of her best friend Ashley. The reason why? Sara her sister is about to go through one and she upset about it and in a clinic getting help. Poppy owes her sister after she raised her while their plastic surgeon parents were more focused on their careers.

After coming from a small town outside Los Vegas and raised by his Pa after his parents died, Beck  Blackwood ‘s business, Blackwood Enterprise, has become one of the biggest  construction companies in Los Vegas and he doesn’t want his hard work to go down the drain after the company reputation goes to pieces with the recent scandal involving a married site manager and a barely 18 year old intern on one his building sites. He has a deal that will save his company but the investors aren’t willing to sign with him because of the recent scandal. Stan Walkerville, unofficially the leader of the investors, gives him a piece of advice. If circumstances change, they will be willing to do business. In other words get married! But Beck has a problem internally too, his CFO and friend, Lou Robinson, wants him to throw a divorce party to get him out of the stupor he is in over his divorce   and he wants to hire the Divorce Diva which Beck isn’t too happy about.

So what does Beck do but fly the Diva out to Los Vegas from LA after he gets a P.I. and does some blackmailing. He soon discovers that the impression he had in his mind is not what he sees in front of him and the same goes for Poppy. The Gerald Butler–lookalike picture doesn’t do Beck justice, in fact, he hotter than she thought. Standing and staring at each other and volleying with snark, this meeting is about to get amusing until the first bombshell hits Poppy like ton of bricks. But she needs him and he needs her—they’re two people both needing each other’s help. Will this partnership work?

Oh this isn’t the only thing Beck needs Poppy for and how Ms. Marsh brings about the second bombshell into the novel is funny and amusing:

“Can you help me find a wife?” He stood, managing to look imposing and appealing simultaneously.

Laughter bubbled in her throat but she swallowed it when he frowned.

He was serious.

Yep, completely loco.

“Sorry, I do parties. Try a dating service.”

“I need a wife fast.” His frown deepened and the pulse in his neck became noticeable.

“Why? You knocked up?” she deadpanned.

His eyes widened in surprise before he grinned.

“Anyone you can recommend?”

“For the position of wife?”

And that’s the beginning of their relationship, so to speak; Beck the tycoon has spoken and decides Poppy should be his wife. How though? Not without some serious good old blackmail with a twist. He will save her sister’s business if she saves his business reputation and the deal but will their hearts be broken in the process?

Ms. Marsh’s latest book is a refreshing take on the blackmail angle and marriages of convenience, that we have come to love in category romances. Yes, the typical blackmail is there but isn’t for the usual reason (aka the dirty secret) and the way Beck gets Poppy into marrying him is amusing  and charming. How can a girl say no even if she thinks she the least romantic person she knows and completely anti-marriage? Oh, and Beck wants the marriage to be a real one.

If you are looking for snark of the good kind and great bantering, then this book is not to be missed. For fans of Ms. Marsh and fans of category romance, there something for everyone in this book. I give the book five stars, I was LOL and ROFL in my head the whole way through the story in a good way because of the descriptions and the answers characters gave to questions. Also the depth author gave these characters and their emotions was perfect. What hot blooded male wouldn’t want to take a hot woman to bed despite a relationship  based on a business deal?  Is this a sign of the things to come from Entangled and hopefully Ms Marsh too? I say it bring it on and hope to see more of this type of category romance.  One word—EXCELLENT (5 Couples)

Pubisher : Entangled Publishing

Source : Publicist  Provided for Review

Released :  July 14th 2012

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