Reviewed by Larissa

TITLE:  The Husband Hoax 

SERIES:  Accidental Love, Book 1

AUTHOR:  Saxon James

PUBLISHER:  May Books

LENGTH:  284 pages

RELEASE DATE:   February 9, 2023

BLURB:

Christian

Being invited to my cousin’s wedding really shouldn’t be a big deal except, oh yeah, I haven’t seen my family for a decade.

My parents turned their backs on me and I’ve done everything since to become successful and show them what they lost. Only, it’s kinda hard to be a success when you’re a walking trainwreck.

So I’m going to fake it. Hire a guy with an online presence so impressive they’ll be desperate to welcome me back into the elitist fold, and roll into the wedding with the kind of confidence I’ve never felt a day in my life.

The plan’s a knockout.

Until my fake date cancels minutes before the ceremony.

Émile

One letter from my dearly departed grandfather, and suddenly I’m on a husband hunt.

He’s reworked his entire will so I’m set to inherit far more than I’m entitled to, and all because he’s asked me to use that money for “good.”

In order to get that inheritance, though, there’s one stipulation: marriage.

Even with his request, I’m tempted to stick to my original plan of getting as far from my wretched family as possible, and letting them fight it out.

But then I run into a tall drink of scattered mess outside of a wedding who’s in desperate need of a date, and the pieces click into place.

I help him, he helps me.

Marriage, money, then go our separate ways.

Easy.

Now all I have to do is stop myself from actually falling for the guy.

REVIEW:

The Husband Hoax, the first book in Saxon James’ new Accidental Love series, is a wonderfully madcap romantic adventure featuring two loveable men who appear to be complete opposites but prove to be kindred spirits.  This story sits squarely in James’ wheelhouse. She is particularly strong in creating lighthearted, playful, and completely engaging stories, and The Husband Hoax proves that point.

The plot of this story is a fairly typical take on the fake relationship-themed romance, but James mixes it up by pairing two unique, relatable characters and puts them in some implausible circumstances. Émile is a rich guy who wants to throw off the mantle of obligation imposed on him by his toxic family and just be independent, money be damned. Christian’s just scraping by, estranged from his own wealthy family who threw him out ten years ago because of his sexuality. He and Émile are kindred spirits in their independence, stubbornness, and desire to do right by people.  I felt their chemistry immediately, but not in an “OMG they’re so hot” way, but rather in an “Oh these two are perfect for each other” way.  There’s a synergy in their attitudes and behavior that just works – Christian is a hot mess and Émile is completely unfazed by it.  He’s got Christian’s back even in the most embarrassing of situations. In turn, Christian is completely unfazed by Émile’s horrific family and all of the obligations Émile is bound to.  

Émile and Christian are effortless together, and I found myself eagerly turning the pages with a smile on my face.  While some of the plot is predictable and often ridiculous, it matters not because the story is addictive as it is because of the characters.  In fact, one of the best aspects of this story is the found family of Christian and his four friends/roommates who share a house together, one they affectionately call Big-Boned Bertha, and who are mothered by their crazy next-door neighbor who they call “Aunt Agatha”.

Overall, The Husband Hoax provides a virtually no-angst, joyful read full of warm fuzzy feelings, silly shenanigans, and lots of secondhand embarrassment on behalf of Christian, all wrapped in a romance that feels authentic despite the preposterous circumstances that bring Émile and Christian together.  Recommended.

RATING:

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