November 4, 2025 • 43 mins
This week's episode is full of tension, forced proximity, and secret pining. Jordan and Devonnie have their top 5 marriage of convenience romance recommendations for you, plus bonus recs if you still haven't had enough!
Marriage of convenience in romance is when two characters (usually two who can't stand each other) agree to get married for a previously agreed upon amount of time to fulfill some kind of requirement. These can range from keeping citizenship, meeting a stipulation to receive an inheritance, or improving their public image. The agreements create forced proximity and a whole lot of sexual tension! And who doesn't love a good "My Wife" moment?!
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Episode Transcript
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Devonnie (00:02):
Welcome to Romance Recs We are romance obsessed
bestie sharing book Recs, brokendown by genres and tropes so you
can be sure you're gettingexactly what you want out of
your next read.
Hi guys.
Dev here.
Jordan (00:14):
Hey, and what are you reading, dev?
Devonnie (00:18):
Fuck.
It's I've never done this a dayin my life.
Okay.
I am actually I every singletime, like one day I'm actually
so excited about what I'mreading.
Okay.
I am reading a Darkness So Sweetby Emma Ham.
This is one of those books Ijust randomly stumbled across.
I don't know how I got here.
I downloaded it at 1230 at nightand I'm listening to it and also
(00:40):
reading the Kindle copy.
First of all, on Good Reads, ithas 7,000 ratings over a
thousand actual reviews, andit's an Amazon Top 100
bestseller.
I think that kind of swayed me alittle bit, not the Good Reads
part, but the Amazon Top 100Bestseller.
I'm like, let me see what thisis about.
I'm very excited.
I really do wanna talk about itand I might, because it kind of
falls into the episode we'redoing today.
Jordan (01:02):
Awesome.
And hello?
Hello?
It's Jordan, it's me.
I am currently listening to theBoyfriend Goal by Lauren
Blakely, and it's so much funand I am about to start reading
Fallen Gods by Rachel Van Dykenfor reasons.
Devonnie (01:25):
Right.
I too am about to start readingthat soon.
InteRecsting.
So inteRecsting.
Jordan (01:33):
And welcome.
We're here to talk about I'd saya pretty popular trope.
Devonnie (01:38):
Yes, one of my favorites.
Jordan (01:42):
Yeah.
It's
Devonnie (01:43):
okay.
We're
Jordan (01:44):
the trope where you force their heads together and
just say, kiss
Devonnie (01:47):
yeah.
Kiss kiss.
Yeah.
We are talking about themarriage of convenience trope.
Now, not to be confused witharranged marriage because they
are, they're very slightdifferences.
The end goal is typically thesame.
They probably don't like eachother, and they have to get
married.
Jordan (02:04):
Or they
Devonnie (02:04):
think that's a a, or they taught, yeah, it's a common
denominator.
What makes marriage ofconvenience a little, I guess,
better is that there's an endgoal.
There's a reason why thesepeople have to be married.
They both need something fromthe other person, you know?
It's mutually beneficial,
Jordan (02:23):
It's convenient.
Devonnie (02:24):
It's very convenient.
It's oh my gosh, a marriage.
Wonderful.
How convenient.
I actually needed one of thoseright now.
Jordan (02:30):
I feel like usually it's either to fulfill the needs of a
will from a loved one to get aninheritance or they need it to
up their public image for theirjob.
Or there is some kind of.
Extenuating circumstances thatthey're like, okay, I need this.
(02:52):
And there's usually an end date.
They set let's be married for ayear.
Devonnie (02:57):
Yes.
Jordan (02:57):
year.
Just be married to me for oneyear.
Let's play the part.
Let's do this.
Devonnie (03:02):
And then we'll go our separate ways.
So they think because they nevergo their separate ways.
Babe, you know what authorswrite that?
Write me a marriage ofconvenience where the time is up
and they separate, but thenobviously they find each other
again.
But I want a significant amountof time, like at least a year
passes and then they find theirway back.
Lemme see
Jordan (03:20):
they've been yearning that whole
Devonnie (03:21):
Yes, that whole
Jordan (03:22):
missing, sleeping next to them, missing, Ugh.
Devonnie (03:27):
Bring back the yearning we could get out of
that.
Authors take note.
Okay.
I actually wanna dive right inbecause I am foaming at the
mouth to talk about thismarriage of convenience book.
Jordan (03:36):
I have a quote first though, so I'm gonna have to
Devonnie (03:39):
Do you?
Oh, yeah.
Okay.
Okay.
Jordan (03:40):
I'm gonna have to push pause on you.
I am so sorry.
I am excited.
Devonnie (03:44):
I don't even have a
Jordan (03:45):
too listener.
Wow.
Okay, so it's all up to me then.
I'm really carrying this on myshoulders.
You guys.
So Hold on.
It's okay.
You don't have to have a quote.
You're coming with the most recstoday, so that's okay.
My quote is from one of myfavorite books.
It's from Leather and Lark byBryn Weaver, which is The
Marriage of Convenience.
(04:06):
And one of my favorite partsabout these books, right, is
when they start to realize thatthey like care about their
spouse.
I don't just want to hear herlaugh.
I need to hear it.
Every time I gain a littleground, I want more.
I want to break out of the shadeand back into her light without
even realizing it.
(04:27):
I've become addicted to it toher.
Lachlan
Devonnie (04:32):
Yeah.
Oh, the Lockland.
Jordan (04:33):
Love the man that you are.
Oh.
Devonnie (04:36):
Oh my gosh.
Absolutely.
I actually do think I wannaquote, so,
Jordan (04:41):
Oh, okay.
I'll allow it.
Devonnie (04:48):
okay.
Jordan (04:48):
a while since we've recorded a regular episode,
everybody, it'd say at least
Devonnie (04:52):
Yeah.
Yeah.
Right.
Jordan (04:53):
us.
Devonnie (04:54):
I don't know.
There's, I just read the list ofquotes that I highlighted from
this book,.
Okay, so one, one of the booksI'm gonna talk about today is
Bourbon and Proof by VictoriaWilder, and it's the third book
in a series you should haveknown.
It's the third book in theBourbon Boys series.
This series has plenty ofquotable things, but this
specific book is, or quote isfrom that book.
(05:15):
So it's 90% in, I can't describethe environment'cause I think
that it would give too muchaway, but it's high stakes.
And Ace, who is our maincharacter, is talking to his
wife.
And this is what he tells her'cause he's trying to tell her a
secret message.
And so this is what he says,where you think all men should
be, I say, pushing past theroughness in my throat so she
(05:37):
can hear me clearly.
Her eyes dart around my face,more tears streaking her flesh
cheeks where you prefer me.
And each word is isolated by a.
Period.
I'm sorry, I'm have flashbacksof this scene.
But that's what he's telling herso that she can drop to her
knees
Jordan (05:57):
Oh,
Devonnie (05:57):
because that is where she does think all men should
be, and that is where sheprefers him to be.
And he needs her to drop to herknees.
I'm not, I don't wanna give itaway, but I thought that was so
cute because it's the way, Iguess the audiobook, you have to
listen to it.
'cause the way he says it, he,it's like a high stake
situation, but he's like tryingto tell her without giving
(06:20):
himself away that I need you tojust do this.
Get on your knees quick.
So, yeah.
That was cute.
We love Daddy Ace.
Jordan (06:27):
Thanks.
Now give us the rec that youwere dying to talk about.
Is it that book?
Devonnie (06:31):
Yes, it is.
This book?
Yes.
I'm starting with Bourbon andProof.
Again, the series is The BourbonBoys by Victoria Wilder.
This is the third book in theseries.
It follows Ace Fox.
Atticus is his name, but he goesby Ace, so Ace Fox and Hadley
Finch.
We meet these two characters inthe very first book, like.
(06:53):
Within the first chapter.
Originally when the first bookopens, I thought Ace was gonna
be the MMC of that book and hewasn't.
So it was really fun.
And you actually get to see himand Hadley interact in that
first book.
And then I was kind of thrownoff because I was like, what's
going on here?
Isn't he my MMC?
And then you find out he's not.
Ace and Hadley have known eachother since they were teenagers.
(07:13):
Hadley is Ace's Middle brother'sbest.
He's the oldest brother, andthen there's Lincoln, and then
there's Grant.
Lincoln and Hadley are BFFs.
And they're BFFs becauseLincoln's ex-wife.
Hadley's friend.
And so, you know how you becomelike a trio?
It's like a Yeah, I know.
Do the mental gymnastics.
Anyway, Lincoln and Hadley BFFs,they grew up together.
(07:35):
Hadley has her like own room inthe main house.
The Bourbon boys have their owndistillery.
They're like the most popularbourbon brand in the world.
Sorry, exclusive.
They're greats and greatsstarted it.
And then they, these three boysnow run this line with their
grandfather who's also pRecsentcurrently.
This book.
My God, I don't even know how todescribe how good this book was.
(07:58):
Of all the other two books Igave four stars.
This one I gave five stars'causeit was so damn good.
Hadley and Ace enter a marriageof convenience thing because
Jordan (08:11):
Why
Devonnie (08:12):
the grandfather
Jordan (08:13):
is it like
Devonnie (08:14):
we do no, we get to know why.
I will tell you why.
Jordan (08:16):
not a, it's not a big reveal.
Devonnie (08:19):
No.
It's not.
Because you could see it come inwhen this thing happens.
So the grandfather, they noticedthat their grandfather, who they
call Grizz, is like Macon.
His name is Griswold.
And they, they don't call himgrandpa, they call him Grizz.
He is a character.
I love everything about Grace.
Like when I tell you I'mobsessed with that man.
(08:39):
He has a romance book club.
Or just with Judy?
Yeah, Grizz and it's all ladiesand then Grizz
Jordan (08:45):
Get it.
Get it.
Devonnie (08:46):
that.
He loves that.
But Grizz is like one of my, hedrives around town in a golf
cart that he souped up.
Jordan (08:51):
Of course he does.
That
Devonnie (08:52):
he's 60 something.
70, 80.
Yeah.
Anyway, so Grizz is acting weirdin this book.
He's like making moves andmaking plans.
He's talking about retirementand whatever.
And the boys are on edge andthey're like, what the hell?
He calls the grandsons in andhe's I'll be splitting my
company equally amongst mymarried grand, my married
grandsons.
(09:14):
Guess who's not married?
Ace.
Guess who is like the CEO of FoxBrands.
And the, and Bourbon ace.
He's the one doing everything.
So the fact that Griz kind ofpurposely shoves him out of
this, he's what?
Don't do this.
Like begging Griz.
Griz is no, figure it out.
I guess
Jordan (09:31):
Classic meddling grandparents, like trying to
make sure that they prioritizesomething other than work and
forcing.
Devonnie (09:38):
Work.
And that's exactly it is becauseAce does nothing but work like
the he is Fox
Jordan (09:43):
think about the poor woman that like that.
It could have been
Devonnie (09:48):
Right.
I know, but it's not.
It's Hadley.
So Hadley finds out about thisbecause Ace storms out while
she's coming to go hang out withher best friend.
Ace storms out and she's whatthe hell?
Who pissed in his Cheerios?
Now Hadley is an instigator.
She's also been in love withthat man since the very first
time.
She laid eyes on him, but sheknows who he is and he seems to
(10:08):
keep her at distant.
Like when I tell you do, you getno sense that he likes her.
In this book, until you're inhis head.
In his POV, he like is soannoyed by her all the fucking
time.
He tells her, get out, get awayfrom me.
Like all this thing.
But in his POV, oh, a man whoyearns, right?
But he's already put her in abox Anyway, she tries to figure
out what's going on.
(10:29):
They tell her, oh Griz made upthis rule that he's not giving,
splitting the company with Acebecause Ace isn't married.
So she's oh, this is great.
I'll marry him.
Hadley says that, she says I'llmarry him.
She follows him into the barn.
'cause he went to go cool offwith his horse
Jordan (10:44):
Ooh,
Devonnie (10:45):
marry me.
She proposes.
She's I heard the situationmarry me.
And then he's what?
No, like he, he rejects her.
He rejects her twice, by theway, until he finally buckled
in.
But that's why they have to getmarried because it's a
stipulation for him to get thiscompany and his family, Hadley
included, knows what Fox Bourbonmeans to him, and also that he's
the one who's running it.
(11:05):
So to be cut out of it is soannoying.
But Griz knew what he was doing.
And so now Hadley and ACE haveto get married.
Hadley's benefit is that he cankeep her safe because there is a
lot going on that I actuallycan't talk about.
'cause I feel like that might bespoilers.
But Hadley's dad is not a goodman.
He gets tied up in some stuffthat puts Hadley at risk, like
(11:28):
severely financially as well asjust physically, more physically
than anything.
And Ace feels like the only wayhe can keep her safe is by
marrying her and keeping herclothes, keeping her on at their
distillery, like all that.
So that's their the benefit.
This is so hot.
If you can, if you read thisbook, yes.
Great.
If you can listen to the audiobook, I tend out of 10,
(11:49):
recommend that experience.
The voice actors in this, hisvoice.
Good God.
Hadley Victoria Connolly.
I love her work.
I love her so much, but afterexperiencing the first two audio
books and the voice actors whoplayed Hadley in those books,
'cause Hadley's in the wholeseries.
I prefer the voice they use forher in those books than the
(12:13):
voice.
Vitor Victoria Connolly uses inthe third book.
I got over it real quick.
They work, it's fine.
But the, you have to listen tothese books.
It is Superior Victoria.
I don't know what you put inthis Ms.
Wilder, but please, I need more.
And apparently there's more tocome.
So thank you.
That's my long-winded, my
Jordan (12:34):
And I love it.
I've been getting details ofthis series as Dev reads it, and
it I am so excited to start it.
Devonnie (12:43):
It took me outta my slump for sure.
It's definitely something thatpulled me outta my book Slump.
Jordan (12:47):
Yeah.
Okay.
So I won't go as deep into minebecause I know I've mentioned it
before, but I would be remisswithout talking about leather
and lark.
It is, like I said in the intro,one of my favorites.
It was the quote that I readfrom Lachlan and Lark.
(13:08):
I just love it.
I love when.
It sounds like yours was likethis too.
I love when it starts, liketheir banter back and forth is
just snarky and they like can'tstand each other and they get on
each other's nerves constantly.
Okay.
I eat it up.
I love that kind of tension whenthey just show their inteRecst
(13:32):
in each other by justrelentlessly making fun of each
other.
So Lachlan's brother is marriedto, I don't know if they're
married at this point, but I'mpretty sure they're he's with
lark's, for lack of a betterword, sister.
And so they're around each othera lot, and something happens, a
(13:54):
significant thing happens wherethey do not get along.
He thinks that she, oh, and la.
Is a famous singer andsongwriter, which feels like a
total subplot that we don't seea lot of in the book, but it's
there.
And he thinks she's just thispampered princess.
(14:15):
He is a contracted killer on aalive.
And so he really would like toget out of that, but he becomes
indebted to his boss.
And his brothers don't reallyrealize how deep into this he
is, but he kind of really wantsto claw his way out of this
(14:36):
underworld.
He does not wanna be a part ofthis, right?
He, his boss is psycho.
And because of things thathappen, Lark and Lark's, family
has connections, right?
Her family has its own stuffgoing on, and, she offers him a
deal that she could use, likeher connections and the things
(14:59):
she knows to secure his freedomout of this.
Because she has her own reasonsfrom her family and stuff
needing to be married.
And so she says, I can help you,but you have to marry me they
cannot stand each other evenwhen they get married, and I
love it so much.
And.
Lark is just so unhinged.
(15:20):
Lark is so unhinged, and no oneknows in her life that she
herself is a serial unli.
She just calls herself a serialdeleter is what?
And she really enjoys crafting.
And there are so many unhingedsweet moments.
But to me, the heart of this isLachlan seeing all of her, and
(15:43):
no one in her life has everseen.
All of her, even the people thatshe's closest to, she has.
She just, she, I don't know.
It hits me so hard, like I mighteven cry talking about this,
like when I say I connect didmost to dev is burning her house
(16:06):
down like, Jordan, don't cry.
This is too much for thisepisode.
Devonnie (16:12):
No, it's my damn fridge.
It was beep beeping to tell me,Hey, close me anyway.
Jordan (16:17):
perfect.
When I say I don't think I'vefound another fictional
character that I most relate to,like on an emotional and
personality level as much as Ido to Lark, which is wild.
'cause this is about like aserial unli.
Devonnie (16:33):
Cereal.
Right.
Jordan (16:35):
Who puts thumbs in jars with glitter and I just, I love
it because she's just full ofenergy and like it, it masks so
many layers and she's beinghonest, but she's not completely
herself until someone sees thatand is almost like theoretically
shakes her and is just like.
I see you.
(16:55):
What are you doing?
You're being a little crazyright now, but I'm here for it
and I
Devonnie (16:59):
Lean into it.
Jordan (17:01):
yeah.
And he
Devonnie (17:01):
He encourages her.
Jordan (17:03):
Yeah.
He encourages her.
He sees all of her and he can'thelp but feel for her.
And then the way that he looksout for her and he keeps finding
bodies or parts of bodies andit's just, I just love it so
much and I need everyone to readit.
Yeah.
Leather and lark.
It's unhinged and so, so sweet.
Devonnie (17:26):
I know I do.
I do love that series.
That series Let, I think, Ihonestly think the first book is
my favorite, but the second bookis my second favorite.
Third book is my third favorite.
So the order that they came outis how I love them.
Jordan (17:39):
See, this is my favorite.
Leather and Lark was definitelymy favorite.
And I have to read'em again tosee.
I just, they're all so good.
Brynn Weaver does such awonderful job and tourist season
is amazing too.
I just, she so far has done nowrong.
And I will say what I like toois like at the end he like.
PRecsents her with like divorcepapers and she's just fuck off.
(18:01):
What are you doing?
Do not ever do that to me again.
So when I say he tries to do hislike best to do what he thinks
is right for her, she's justscrew
Devonnie (18:10):
What are you doing?
We're not getting divorced.
Jordan (18:13):
So the banter just stays true through the whole thing,
and that's what I appreciate,
Devonnie (18:17):
Yeah, you love the banter.
Oh, that, okay.
Love Arranged by Lauren Asher.
This is the third book in thisseries, which is the Lakefront
BillionaiRecs.
Lauren Asher has a bunch ofinterconnected standalone
series, and this is the thirdbook in that, in this second
(18:38):
series of hers.
In that world,
Jordan (18:41):
There's Dreamland, billionaiRecs.
That's the one I read, and thenthis is the different
Devonnie (18:44):
And then there's, this is yeah, the spinoff, basically
this one follows Lily andLorenzo.
Lily is the sister of the peoplein the first book and.
Jordan (18:59):
That's like my, sorry, Lachlan and Lark and Lily and
Devonnie (19:03):
yes.
Yeah, the elves.
So Lillian and Lorenzo, you get,you gotta peek at both of them
actually in the first book.
And then you see them in thesecond book'cause they're
characters, but this is theirstory.
Essentially they both get on adating app.
Could you imagine?
They both get on a dating appand then they match with each
other.
They don't know who each personis because they're using
(19:25):
different names.
They're not being veryforthcoming with information.
But then one day she like keepsasking to meet up.
She wants to meet this person,and he agrees and they figure
out it's the other person.
Jordan (19:40):
Love that.
Devonnie (19:42):
They figure, and this is early in the book, right?
They figure out it's the otherperson and are shocked.
Still kind of come together.
They, I think they dance orsomething like that, have an
interaction and then separate.
And then it's like pretty muchLorenzo ghosts her on the app.
He, she was messaging and thenhe wasn't Recsponding, and then
(20:04):
eventually she logs out of theapp.
She's you know what?
Whatever.
And they avoid each other for ayear.
There's no communication betweenthey, they run into each other,
but there's no communication.
Well, Lorenzo is aiming to bemayor of Wisteria.
And he needs his ratings to goup.
Essentially, everyone hates him.
They Recsent him for leaving thetown and then trying to come
(20:25):
back to the small town to be themayor.
His family died prettyhorrifically when he was
younger, and so there's likejust a lot going on around him
and how he's choosing to spendhis money.
He made a he's attached to themob in a certain way, and so
they think that he still is.
When he comes back to the townand they don't want that drama
in their little
Jordan (20:45):
so some legitimate concerns it sounds like,
Devonnie (20:47):
Legit concerns about him.
Yeah.
And he's an asshole.
He does not do himself anyfavors because he's not kind.
He is mean and he hateseverybody.
Okay then, and he's, oh, he alsohas OCD.
That was so tough to readbecause he struggles with his
OCD and it's something he thinkshe got from his dad who also had
it, but it is hard for him forcertain things.
(21:11):
Right?
Then there's Lily, who'sliterally a fucking glitter
bomb.
And someone with OCD, and thenyou have a chaotic cat running
around.
All right?
She's loud and colorful.
She goes through a breakup withsomeone who's very popular, I
think the son of one of themayors.
The son of the mayor, one of thesons of the mayor, and it's a a
(21:32):
breakup that is like horrific.
He's an asshole.
He treats her really badly, andthen I think basically dumps her
because she's too much, shewears too many bright collars,
she's too loud, and stuff likethat.
After that breakup and thenexperiencing everything with
Lorenzo, she literally allblack, no more colors, no more
rainbows.
She's wearing monotone outfits.
(21:54):
She's not being herself.
Some executive or whoever movesinto the town, they're trying to
buy up all the businesses, turnit into I don't know, whatever
people do when they come andgentrify beautiful small towns
and Lily's business that sheshaRecs with her mom.
She's a florist and they have aflower shop.
It's at risk of being bought up.
(22:15):
Well, they decide, I'm not evengonna explain how they even get
in the same room to have thistype of a conversation, but
basically the idea.
Lorenzo pRecsents is that hewill marry her and she can help
his ratings increase.
She needs to help him win thiselection'cause she's a town's
princess and then he will saveher business.
(22:36):
Right?
The banter in this, the banter,the yearning.
Oh, but also the heartbreakbecause there are a lot of heavy
materials.
Lily.
Her dad passed away quite a fewyears ago, but he was a big part
of their family out their town,their community, everyone knew
by him.
So there's a lot of her stillbeing in the middle of that
grief, even though it's been awhile.
(22:57):
And then also, and it's very paYeah.
You know, everyone knew him.
Everyone knows her family andthen Lorenzo dealing with.
Own parents dying.
His connection to the mob andhis uncle and the life he walked
away from, and then also beinghated in this small town that he
actually really loves.
He loves it here because this isthe place that his parents chose
to settle down in, away fromthe, their previous life.
(23:19):
And so he has a lot of love forthe people, but it's just the
banter is really good when theybecome the, my wife of it all,
you know, and that'll get methe, where's my wife?
Yes, wife.
It's like catnip.
It's like catnip.
So we see two people who reallyhonestly need each other.
Lily needs to break out of hershell.
(23:39):
She needs to come back to whoshe was, all that color and
chaos that she still has tuckedaway.
And she shows a little bit toLorenzo and he needs that.
He needs to be shaken up alittle bit.
He does everything.
Doesn't have to be perfect.
And while he is struggling withsomething that is pretty
serious, he doesn't have tolike.
Put himself in a box and keephimself there just so he doesn't
get close to people and showthem this side of him.
(24:01):
'cause that is what he's worriedabout.
He doesn't want people to knowabout it.
Yeah, I really loved it.
I loved that entire series, butI think that was my favorite
book of the series.
So yeah, love Arranged by LaurenAsher.
I'm actually sad that is done,but apparently we're getting
another series, so can't waitfor that.
Jordan (24:19):
Nice.
Alright, my second rec is gonnabe gloves off number four, book
four in the Vancouver Stormseries by Stephanie Archer.
Okay, I listened to this one.
If you have a chance to listento gloves off, please do.
It is JF Harding and StellaHunter.
(24:40):
Love them both.
I think Stella Hunter is one ofmy top three female narrators.
And Harding is just always solidIt was so good.
So this one follows AlexiVolkov.
He is the grumpiest enforcer inthe NHL.
And Georgia.
(25:01):
So they can't stand each other.
It's a very grumpy sunshine.
She loves her heels.
She likes to be put together.
She is girly.
She's got it all.
She looks like she comes frommoney, which she does, but it's
not what everything's about.
She the only way to get herinheritance is to get married.
(25:23):
His contract is up and withoutthe promise of that, he could
lose his citizenship, hisCanadian citizenship, and his
mom is relying on him so theydon't have to go back to Russia.
That is was the big drivingforce behind him becoming pro
and moving to Canada to give hismom a better life.
They came from nothing in Russiaand like I think there was some
(25:47):
political stuff that they weretrying to get away from and so
this is a really big deal forhim.
And that's also why he's alwaysbeen such like, seen as such a
jerk and like tough and grumpybecause all he's ever done is
he's focused on his career.
He's focused on this becausethis is the, his livelihood,
this is him saving his mother.
(26:09):
And so, but no one really knowsthat because he doesn't, that's
a private
Devonnie (26:13):
Share it.
Yeah.
Jordan (26:15):
Right.
But.
Devonnie (26:16):
But.
Jordan (26:17):
Lo and behold they find this out about each other, but
he seemingly can't stand her.
He doesn't Recspect her, right?
He thinks she just like throwsmoney away and can't like, take
her seriously.
But they're banter there.
This is like as close toenemies, to lovers in a
contemporary situation as youcan get, right?
I'd say rivals.
She wears these like designerhigh heels.
(26:41):
All the time.
And he, whenever he sees them,is just like glaring at them.
He hate apparently hates them.
Like he's just what the heck?
That's so impractical.
But you know, in his POV, he'sGod dammit, they're so hot.
I fucking hate them.
Do you know what I mean?
Devonnie (26:54):
Yes, yearning, sipping, if you will.
Jordan (26:57):
yeah.
She's he just always glaRecs atmy heels.
He insists he's not attracted toher, like he's only marrying her
for citizenship and so they getmarried.
She has to move in with him.
So this is one of my favoritesuper micro tropes, is when the
guy thinks that she has aboyfriend or like when she
(27:18):
refers to someone with a malename and they're like, the fuck
is this?
And everyone's oh, have you metyet?
He's so great.
She loves him, but it's her likea pet.
So she has these bunnies thatshe's named Stefan and Damon.
And he is not familiar
Devonnie (27:35):
I love her for
Jordan (27:36):
And she's SEF and Damon.
I love it.
And he hears him, her talking inher room and he's she's on the
phone with someone.
What the fuck?
Right?
And they supposedly don't, theyhate each other still, but he
like hears this and she's who isthis?
I think at one point, like theydo like pranks on each other
too.
Or get mad at each other.
He like tosses all of her heelsat one point in the garbage.
(27:58):
Like it gets intense.
It this.
Devonnie (28:01):
I would scream.
Jordan (28:02):
But at the same time, he like cooks for her and he's like
angry at her about like her carand stuff because her car is.
Falling apart.
There's this, like all thisstuff that, like he's, he
seemingly hates her, but then helike ly takes care of her.
(28:23):
You know what I mean?
Reluctantly, he sends herflowers and, but she, like his
mom is a florist and so all ofthe flowers he sends her has
meaning, but she doesn't knowit.
And so it as they progRecss,they reflect his feelings
towards her.
And then when, after she meetshis mom, which is the cutest
thing ever this little Russianwoman and and then she sees this
(28:47):
book of flower meetings when shegoes to the shop and then she
learns what?
They met it.
Devonnie (28:53):
I love that.
That's so cute.
Jordan (28:55):
And eventually he calls her his wife and it's just,
yeah.
Listen to it.
Devonnie (29:01):
Oh yeah.
Jordan (29:02):
fun.
The banter was amazing and youknow, it's a lot of assumptions
about stereotypes from bothsides.
So it's the breaking down ofthat.
Devonnie (29:12):
Yeah.
And you said, was this a series?
This is
Jordan (29:14):
Yes.
This is number four.
They're interconnected,standalones.
So if you wanna jump on this tosee if you like Stephanie Archer
or the series, you can, But.
I'm excited for number five tocome out too.
That's a player's sister andcoach comes out
Devonnie (29:30):
course.
They always gotta throw thecoach in there.
They everyone wants the Yeah,everyone wants to throw a coach
as the last book.
I'm so confused.
Jordan (29:38):
is it last?
Because he is like the Phantomin the
Devonnie (29:43):
Yeah.
In the background, you get tosee.
And so is, damn.
There was someone else, but Ican't remember the name of the
author right now, but yeah, alot of people are doing the co.
The one I'm reading, B cbra, I'mpretty sure that one of her
books is with the coach as well
Jordan (29:59):
Okay.
Okay.
Okay.
We'll get you more hockeyromance in January.
So if you're a hockey romancefan, January is gonna be your
month with us.
Stay
Devonnie (30:10):
We love that.
Okay, my, I think this might bemy last re, I have some
honorable mentions, but this isthe last one.
I'll dive deep into it.
This is gonna be Wild Side byElsie Silver.
This is a part of her Rose Hillseries.
This is book four.
The other three books phenomenalas well.
Or is it book four or bookthree?
No.
Yeah.
Book.
This is book three.
There are four books in thisseries.
(30:33):
This book follows Tabitha andReese d Reese Dupree.
So I can never remember the FMCslast name, but always I remember
the Mmcs last name.
Anyway, so Tabby and Reese, theyare brought together in some
really heartbreakingcircumstances.
Tabitha's nephew, Milo, I thinkhe's about five years old.
She gets guardianship of himbecause her sister unfortunately
(30:55):
passes away.
Due to a drug overdose.
At the beginning of this book,everyone, and even in the
previous series when Tabitha hasbrought up, everyone talks about
her sister as being like, youknow, the black sheep always
with the wrong crowd doing drugsand stuff.
Well, her sister moves toEmerald Lake, which is where
Reese was living to kind ofstart fRecsh, get a new start.
(31:16):
She unfortunately ends up with aman who brings her right back.
While she's going through this,she's creating this image of her
sister being and her, they'retwins.
She's creating this image of hersister being like this horrible
person.
Tabby never wants to help her.
Her parents never wanna helpher.
Her parents and sister love herso much.
They offer her so much support,but that's the image she's
(31:38):
projecting to Reese, who's.
Apartment.
She's renting like the housenext to him or their neighbors
or something.
And so Reese is man, your familysucks.
Yeah.
You're working so hard, likeyou're trying to take care of
your son.
That's the image he gets of taof Tabby through her sister's
eyes.
He also becomes kind of like astand-in caretaker.
For Milo, because when she'srunning out onto town, when
(32:01):
she's gonna do, she needssomeone to watch Milo.
At the beginning it was, becauseI have a job interview, I have
to go to work.
They called me and I don't havea sitter, you know?
So she was using Reese for thatbecause Reese is a professional
wRecstler.
He has a lot of downtime.
So when he was home.
And he's really
Jordan (32:16):
Outta nowhere.
Devonnie (32:18):
I know,
Jordan (32:19):
I'm so
Devonnie (32:20):
and it's, I know, and it's very much so wwe e whatever
they now, I don't know, when Iwas watching wRecstling, it was
like WWE FI know it's WWE e nowthey call it something.
Anyway, I'm talking about maskedman, tights, storyline.
This is what Reese does for aliving.
People, okay?
He has a lot of downtime, but hedoesn't have to work.
Jordan (32:41):
so sorry.
Devonnie (32:44):
Well, anyway, he has, his life is separate because he
wears a mask.
No one knows who he is.
He loves that.
Right?
Oh, so anyway, sister dies andnow in her will or in something
legally, she appoints bothReese.
Jordan (33:01):
Oh, Jesus.
Devonnie (33:03):
And Tabby?
Oh no, I don't even think shedoes.
She appoint that either way.
Guardianship over Milo getssplit between the two of them.
Reese has pretty much raisedMilo for three years.
He loves that boy, like that'shis son.
Tabby, of course, thought therewas something going on with him
and her sister, but therewasn't, he was literally just a
friend to her because he thoughtshe had no one because of what
(33:24):
she was saying about her family,which was not the case.
In order to keep them together,Reese pretty much moves to Rose
Hill from Emerald Lake to likebasically stay with Tabby to
give Milo a good like life andalso for legal reasons.
With the guardianship, it's kindof better if they're married, so
(33:44):
they enter marriage ofconvenience where he gets to do
his thing, he gets to go towork, and then he'll come home
and be there as a family.
He'll spend time at In the RoseHill, but also he'll still have
his Emerald Lake apartment oryou know, live there.
And they just wanna provide Milowith stability because he loves
Reese Milo also loves Reese.
So pulling Milo away from Reeseis not something that Tabby
(34:05):
actually wants to do.
You know, she can see how muchher nephew loves him.
Their banter's crazy'cause theydon't really get along.
They don't like each other.
Again, Reese doesn't think she'sa good sister.
He's he's basically there tokeep an eye like you're a
trouble person and I wanna makesure Milo is in good hands.
That's how he sees her for themajority of this book, until
(34:26):
he's realizing, wait a minute,she's just running her
Recstaurant.
She has dinner with her friends.
She's a nice person.
And so he starts to realize thatthe image he had of her is
completely wrong, and that was,that's not who she is.
And then she, I can't rememberhow, but randomly finds out that
he's a wRecstler.
Oh.
It is actually the best way.
Jordan (34:47):
Is she a fan?
Devonnie (34:47):
No, she's not a fan.
She's not a fan.
But there's book one follows acouple.
It's a, so this entire series isabout single dads.
It's like the single dad seriesand Reese is kind of lumped into
that.
But Book one follows.
An actual single dad.
He has a daughter named Chorus,and by this book, she's a
teenager now.
She's obsessed with wRecstling.
(35:09):
More importantly, she's obsessedwith Reese's character in
wRecstling.
She thinks he's so dreamy.
She's she's got like teenage.
She's oh my gosh, she's sodreamy.
Blah, blah, blah.
And then something happens whereshe's forcing Tabitha to watch
wRecstling with her andTabitha's wait a minute.
I know them legs.
I know those arms.
What what's going on?
And he would come back a littleinjured.
(35:29):
So she thought he was like aboxer or something.
That's what she thought
Jordan (35:32):
lighting up
Devonnie (35:33):
didn't wanna share it.
Yeah.
Yeah.
And then she's oh.
And she like springs it on him.
Basically go through his stuff,I think finds his mask and is
like putting it on and tauntinghim.
It is so cute.
It is so hot, so spicy.
Okay, let me tell you.
They enter this marriage ofconvenience and it's fun to see
them like learn to one, not onlyhow to be married to each other,
(35:54):
but also how to be parents to akid that's not their kid, you
know, and go through, you know,stuff with Milo.
So it's really nice you get tosee the characters from the
first two books and also kind ofmeet the characters from the
next book.
And it's just a really fun time.
It was a great read.
I love everything that ElsieSilver does.
These.
Interconnected, standalone shehas of and Emerald Lake.
(36:16):
Apparently you were gonna get aseries from Emerald Lake Next,
which I'm really excited about.
This series, or no, it's herprevious series.
The Chestnut Hill series isbeing turned into a TV show on
Netflix.
So there's a lot to dive into,but I really loved Wild Side.
Jordan (36:31):
That's awesome.
Devonnie (36:32):
Yeah, for
Jordan (36:32):
I have a couple special nods.
So, electric Idol by Katie.
Robert is Marriage ofConvenience.
This is a psyche and Aerosretelling.
Basically Aeros is the son ofAphrodite, and in this world,
Aphrodite, like he is her hitmanbasically.
(36:54):
He is her cleaner, so if she hasan enemy in the city, she sends
Eros to go take care of it.
She puts a hit on Psyche andEros has to go take care of it,
but something is keeping himfrom it.
And the only way he can think ofto protect her is to marry her,
and it unravels from there.
And so.
It's a lot of action.
(37:14):
It's some action, it's a lot ofdeception.
It's really hot, scorching hotsex as Katie does.
So if you haven't started thatseries you definitely, the dark
Olympus series definitelyshould.
That's only book two, so it'searly on.
And of course special mentionfrom Blood and Ash, Jennifer l
(37:37):
Armand, trout.
Is that a spoiler?
If you haven't read it?
A little bit.
Now that I'm thinking about it.
Devonnie (37:43):
Is it.
Jordan (37:44):
does turn into a marriage of convenience.
Yes.
Now that I'm
Devonnie (37:49):
So minor spoiler.
Jordan (37:50):
maybe spiders, spoiler, So, from Blood and Ash is a
marriage of convenience andthat's what I'll say.
Devonnie (37:56):
That actually might be some, a reason someone will pick
that up.
'cause me, I didn't know that.
And you know, I have nointeRecst in reading this
series.
You've just spiked my inteRecst.
Jordan (38:05):
It is political and this is for political reasons.
Devonnie (38:09):
yeah.
Jordan (38:09):
So like it's marriage of convenience, so that a whole
group of people won't want tokill her or it'll protect her
and I can't even say why,because it would be huge
spoilers.
But yeah, it's very political,so yeah.
Devonnie (38:26):
I have, so a quick few rapid fire ones as well.
Ones I've mentioned before, liketerms and conditions, again by
Lauren Asher, hopeless by ElsieSilver.
There's also King of Envy byAnna Huang.
There's that, oh my God, that,that one.
But also, oh, sorry, I said Kingof Envy, but I also mean King of
Wrath.
King of Wrath.
(38:46):
The reason, yeah.
Wrath is the first book in thisseries.
The King of Sins or something.
It's a sins.
Series follows the seven DeadlySins.
King of Wrath is the first one,king of Envy, I think is the
fourth book, and it's not yourtypical marriage of convenience.
I put that in there becauseshe's technically marrying her
(39:07):
best friend for convenience orlike marrying a friend of hers,
but.
And they're not in love.
They both know they're not inlove.
This is strictly for convenientneeds, but he has someone, he
considers his best friend whoends up being her love
inteRecst.
So while it's a marriage ofconvenience for two characters
who are not end game, it's inthe book.
(39:29):
Yeah.
They're not the ones who areconveniently trying to
Jordan (39:31):
I like that
Devonnie (39:32):
Yeah, me too.
So if you're inteRecsted insomething that's a little twist
on.
Marriage of convenience, I woulddefinitely recommend that Ride
With Me by Simone Tani.
It follows an F1 Racer.
This is book two in thisspecific series.
Follows F1 Racer Thomas MaxwellBrown and Billionaire Baker.
Aris, Stella, Baldwin Stella'sgo number one.
(39:57):
She gets left at the altar, thenwakes up, does a drunken rant on
social media.
She's way too popular to bedoing drunken rant.
Oh God, her entire career islike tanking.
No one wants to work with her.
It's just very ugly.
She goes to her best friend's orher cousin's bachelorette party
ends up getting drunk andmarrying someone in Vegas as you
do.
Her and Thomas immediatelythough, they both go into let's
(40:21):
figure this out because we'remarried and we can both, we need
this.
Essentially there's a reason.
Yeah, there are those.
Jordan (40:28):
that's like the one from Chelsea Kdo.
Chelsea Kdo is like they ly getmarried, but then make it into a
marriage of a convenience type
Devonnie (40:35):
Yeah, exactly.
Yeah.
And and right away.
And I kind of love that.
I love when they're quick aboutit.
When they're like, no, we haveto there is some of that
obviously'cause I'm sure it isshocking when you wake up
married to someone that youdidn't expect.
But I love that they go.
Right.
I've never experienced it,
Jordan (40:52):
Maybe one
Devonnie (40:52):
wait, I love that thing.
They go right.
Oh God, no.
Could you imagine?
That's my story.
I end up in a marriage ofconvenience.
What would conveniently requireme to be married?
Jordan (41:01):
money.
Devonnie (41:02):
Money.
You're right.
I could conveniently be marriedfor, oh my
Jordan (41:06):
I'm like, Deb, we talk about this all the
Devonnie (41:08):
Yeah, you're right.
You're right.
You're right.
Money.
You're right.
And I what am I saving him from?
Jordan (41:13):
Loneliness.
Devonnie (41:15):
I guess hopefully that's
Jordan (41:17):
You're like, I don't want him by me though.
Devonnie (41:20):
Oh, right.
But also authors, again, ifyou're listening, a marriage of
convenience with a single mom.
Yeah.
Get writing on that.
I'd love to read that.
Jordan (41:27):
Yeah.
Devonnie (41:28):
I'd love to read
Jordan (41:28):
You're paying for childcare.
Okay.
Devonnie (41:31):
Oh my god, I love that.
So yeah, those are my quickrapid fire recs.
I'm sure there are a couplemore, but, and again, so many of
them I've already mentioned onthe pod before.
We'll try to throw up these recsin a little post on the
Instagram if you're looking forexactly what we're talking
about.
And also follow our Substack,because you're probably gonna
get a list of our extra marriageof convenience recs there as
(41:53):
well.
Jordan (41:54):
Yes, definitely.
Check out the substack.
We have so much good bonus.
Information, content.
If you're local, you get localevents.
If you aren't local, you getextra content.
We do at least one.
Now it's on episode really thatyou get, so you get bonus Recs
bonus deep dives behind thescenes.
So make sure to check that out.
(42:16):
Romance Recs, pod and Substack.
Make sure to check us outeverywhere else at Romance Recs
Pod and make sure pleasesubscribe follow, comment, all
those things help us so much.
Devonnie (42:29):
Yes, we wanna grow and we need that engagement peep.
So don't forget to do that.
And we also really love bookrec.
So what do you rec something tous guys?
Let let us know what you'rereading, that we absolutely have
to read or you will neverforgive us.
Let us know.
Jordan (42:45):
Did we miss like your favorite marriage of convenience
and you're like, what the fuck?
Why aren't they talking aboutthis?
Please let us know.
We're open to that.
Also, we have some really coolinterviews coming up, so make
sure to keep an eye on that.
But until then, happy readingeverybody.
We'll talk to you later.
Devonnie (43:02):
Yeah.
Bye.
Welcome to Romance Recs We are romance obsessed
bestie sharing book Recs, brokendown by genres and tropes so you
can be sure you're gettingexactly what you want out of
your next read.
Hi guys.
Dev here.
Jordan (00:14):
Hey, and what are you reading, dev?
Devonnie (00:18):
Fuck.
It's I've never done this a dayin my life.
Okay.
I am actually I every singletime, like one day I'm actually
so excited about what I'mreading.
Okay.
I am reading a Darkness So Sweetby Emma Ham.
This is one of those books Ijust randomly stumbled across.
I don't know how I got here.
I downloaded it at 1230 at nightand I'm listening to it and also
(00:40):
reading the Kindle copy.
First of all, on Good Reads, ithas 7,000 ratings over a
thousand actual reviews, andit's an Amazon Top 100
bestseller.
I think that kind of swayed me alittle bit, not the Good Reads
part, but the Amazon Top 100Bestseller.
I'm like, let me see what thisis about.
I'm very excited.
I really do wanna talk about itand I might, because it kind of
falls into the episode we'redoing today.
Jordan (01:02):
Awesome.
And hello?
Hello?
It's Jordan, it's me.
I am currently listening to theBoyfriend Goal by Lauren
Blakely, and it's so much funand I am about to start reading
Fallen Gods by Rachel Van Dykenfor reasons.
Devonnie (01:25):
Right.
I too am about to start readingthat soon.
InteRecsting.
So inteRecsting.
Jordan (01:33):
And welcome.
We're here to talk about I'd saya pretty popular trope.
Devonnie (01:38):
Yes, one of my favorites.
Jordan (01:42):
Yeah.
It's
Devonnie (01:43):
okay.
We're
Jordan (01:44):
the trope where you force their heads together and
just say, kiss
Devonnie (01:47):
yeah.
Kiss kiss.
Yeah.
We are talking about themarriage of convenience trope.
Now, not to be confused witharranged marriage because they
are, they're very slightdifferences.
The end goal is typically thesame.
They probably don't like eachother, and they have to get
married.
Jordan (02:04):
Or they
Devonnie (02:04):
think that's a a, or they taught, yeah, it's a common
denominator.
What makes marriage ofconvenience a little, I guess,
better is that there's an endgoal.
There's a reason why thesepeople have to be married.
They both need something fromthe other person, you know?
It's mutually beneficial,
Jordan (02:23):
It's convenient.
Devonnie (02:24):
It's very convenient.
It's oh my gosh, a marriage.
Wonderful.
How convenient.
I actually needed one of thoseright now.
Jordan (02:30):
I feel like usually it's either to fulfill the needs of a
will from a loved one to get aninheritance or they need it to
up their public image for theirjob.
Or there is some kind of.
Extenuating circumstances thatthey're like, okay, I need this.
(02:52):
And there's usually an end date.
They set let's be married for ayear.
Devonnie (02:57):
Yes.
Jordan (02:57):
year.
Just be married to me for oneyear.
Let's play the part.
Let's do this.
Devonnie (03:02):
And then we'll go our separate ways.
So they think because they nevergo their separate ways.
Babe, you know what authorswrite that?
Write me a marriage ofconvenience where the time is up
and they separate, but thenobviously they find each other
again.
But I want a significant amountof time, like at least a year
passes and then they find theirway back.
Lemme see
Jordan (03:20):
they've been yearning that whole
Devonnie (03:21):
Yes, that whole
Jordan (03:22):
missing, sleeping next to them, missing, Ugh.
Devonnie (03:27):
Bring back the yearning we could get out of
that.
Authors take note.
Okay.
I actually wanna dive right inbecause I am foaming at the
mouth to talk about thismarriage of convenience book.
Jordan (03:36):
I have a quote first though, so I'm gonna have to
Devonnie (03:39):
Do you?
Oh, yeah.
Okay.
Okay.
Jordan (03:40):
I'm gonna have to push pause on you.
I am so sorry.
I am excited.
Devonnie (03:44):
I don't even have a
Jordan (03:45):
too listener.
Wow.
Okay, so it's all up to me then.
I'm really carrying this on myshoulders.
You guys.
So Hold on.
It's okay.
You don't have to have a quote.
You're coming with the most recstoday, so that's okay.
My quote is from one of myfavorite books.
It's from Leather and Lark byBryn Weaver, which is The
Marriage of Convenience.
(04:06):
And one of my favorite partsabout these books, right, is
when they start to realize thatthey like care about their
spouse.
I don't just want to hear herlaugh.
I need to hear it.
Every time I gain a littleground, I want more.
I want to break out of the shadeand back into her light without
even realizing it.
(04:27):
I've become addicted to it toher.
Lachlan
Devonnie (04:32):
Yeah.
Oh, the Lockland.
Jordan (04:33):
Love the man that you are.
Oh.
Devonnie (04:36):
Oh my gosh.
Absolutely.
I actually do think I wannaquote, so,
Jordan (04:41):
Oh, okay.
I'll allow it.
Devonnie (04:48):
okay.
Jordan (04:48):
a while since we've recorded a regular episode,
everybody, it'd say at least
Devonnie (04:52):
Yeah.
Yeah.
Right.
Jordan (04:53):
us.
Devonnie (04:54):
I don't know.
There's, I just read the list ofquotes that I highlighted from
this book,.
Okay, so one, one of the booksI'm gonna talk about today is
Bourbon and Proof by VictoriaWilder, and it's the third book
in a series you should haveknown.
It's the third book in theBourbon Boys series.
This series has plenty ofquotable things, but this
specific book is, or quote isfrom that book.
(05:15):
So it's 90% in, I can't describethe environment'cause I think
that it would give too muchaway, but it's high stakes.
And Ace, who is our maincharacter, is talking to his
wife.
And this is what he tells her'cause he's trying to tell her a
secret message.
And so this is what he says,where you think all men should
be, I say, pushing past theroughness in my throat so she
(05:37):
can hear me clearly.
Her eyes dart around my face,more tears streaking her flesh
cheeks where you prefer me.
And each word is isolated by a.
Period.
I'm sorry, I'm have flashbacksof this scene.
But that's what he's telling herso that she can drop to her
knees
Jordan (05:57):
Oh,
Devonnie (05:57):
because that is where she does think all men should
be, and that is where sheprefers him to be.
And he needs her to drop to herknees.
I'm not, I don't wanna give itaway, but I thought that was so
cute because it's the way, Iguess the audiobook, you have to
listen to it.
'cause the way he says it, he,it's like a high stake
situation, but he's like tryingto tell her without giving
(06:20):
himself away that I need you tojust do this.
Get on your knees quick.
So, yeah.
That was cute.
We love Daddy Ace.
Jordan (06:27):
Thanks.
Now give us the rec that youwere dying to talk about.
Is it that book?
Devonnie (06:31):
Yes, it is.
This book?
Yes.
I'm starting with Bourbon andProof.
Again, the series is The BourbonBoys by Victoria Wilder.
This is the third book in theseries.
It follows Ace Fox.
Atticus is his name, but he goesby Ace, so Ace Fox and Hadley
Finch.
We meet these two characters inthe very first book, like.
(06:53):
Within the first chapter.
Originally when the first bookopens, I thought Ace was gonna
be the MMC of that book and hewasn't.
So it was really fun.
And you actually get to see himand Hadley interact in that
first book.
And then I was kind of thrownoff because I was like, what's
going on here?
Isn't he my MMC?
And then you find out he's not.
Ace and Hadley have known eachother since they were teenagers.
(07:13):
Hadley is Ace's Middle brother'sbest.
He's the oldest brother, andthen there's Lincoln, and then
there's Grant.
Lincoln and Hadley are BFFs.
And they're BFFs becauseLincoln's ex-wife.
Hadley's friend.
And so, you know how you becomelike a trio?
It's like a Yeah, I know.
Do the mental gymnastics.
Anyway, Lincoln and Hadley BFFs,they grew up together.
(07:35):
Hadley has her like own room inthe main house.
The Bourbon boys have their owndistillery.
They're like the most popularbourbon brand in the world.
Sorry, exclusive.
They're greats and greatsstarted it.
And then they, these three boysnow run this line with their
grandfather who's also pRecsentcurrently.
This book.
My God, I don't even know how todescribe how good this book was.
(07:58):
Of all the other two books Igave four stars.
This one I gave five stars'causeit was so damn good.
Hadley and Ace enter a marriageof convenience thing because
Jordan (08:11):
Why
Devonnie (08:12):
the grandfather
Jordan (08:13):
is it like
Devonnie (08:14):
we do no, we get to know why.
I will tell you why.
Jordan (08:16):
not a, it's not a big reveal.
Devonnie (08:19):
No.
It's not.
Because you could see it come inwhen this thing happens.
So the grandfather, they noticedthat their grandfather, who they
call Grizz, is like Macon.
His name is Griswold.
And they, they don't call himgrandpa, they call him Grizz.
He is a character.
I love everything about Grace.
Like when I tell you I'mobsessed with that man.
(08:39):
He has a romance book club.
Or just with Judy?
Yeah, Grizz and it's all ladiesand then Grizz
Jordan (08:45):
Get it.
Get it.
Devonnie (08:46):
that.
He loves that.
But Grizz is like one of my, hedrives around town in a golf
cart that he souped up.
Jordan (08:51):
Of course he does.
That
Devonnie (08:52):
he's 60 something.
70, 80.
Yeah.
Anyway, so Grizz is acting weirdin this book.
He's like making moves andmaking plans.
He's talking about retirementand whatever.
And the boys are on edge andthey're like, what the hell?
He calls the grandsons in andhe's I'll be splitting my
company equally amongst mymarried grand, my married
grandsons.
(09:14):
Guess who's not married?
Ace.
Guess who is like the CEO of FoxBrands.
And the, and Bourbon ace.
He's the one doing everything.
So the fact that Griz kind ofpurposely shoves him out of
this, he's what?
Don't do this.
Like begging Griz.
Griz is no, figure it out.
I guess
Jordan (09:31):
Classic meddling grandparents, like trying to
make sure that they prioritizesomething other than work and
forcing.
Devonnie (09:38):
Work.
And that's exactly it is becauseAce does nothing but work like
the he is Fox
Jordan (09:43):
think about the poor woman that like that.
It could have been
Devonnie (09:48):
Right.
I know, but it's not.
It's Hadley.
So Hadley finds out about thisbecause Ace storms out while
she's coming to go hang out withher best friend.
Ace storms out and she's whatthe hell?
Who pissed in his Cheerios?
Now Hadley is an instigator.
She's also been in love withthat man since the very first
time.
She laid eyes on him, but sheknows who he is and he seems to
(10:08):
keep her at distant.
Like when I tell you do, you getno sense that he likes her.
In this book, until you're inhis head.
In his POV, he like is soannoyed by her all the fucking
time.
He tells her, get out, get awayfrom me.
Like all this thing.
But in his POV, oh, a man whoyearns, right?
But he's already put her in abox Anyway, she tries to figure
out what's going on.
(10:29):
They tell her, oh Griz made upthis rule that he's not giving,
splitting the company with Acebecause Ace isn't married.
So she's oh, this is great.
I'll marry him.
Hadley says that, she says I'llmarry him.
She follows him into the barn.
'cause he went to go cool offwith his horse
Jordan (10:44):
Ooh,
Devonnie (10:45):
marry me.
She proposes.
She's I heard the situationmarry me.
And then he's what?
No, like he, he rejects her.
He rejects her twice, by theway, until he finally buckled
in.
But that's why they have to getmarried because it's a
stipulation for him to get thiscompany and his family, Hadley
included, knows what Fox Bourbonmeans to him, and also that he's
the one who's running it.
(11:05):
So to be cut out of it is soannoying.
But Griz knew what he was doing.
And so now Hadley and ACE haveto get married.
Hadley's benefit is that he cankeep her safe because there is a
lot going on that I actuallycan't talk about.
'cause I feel like that might bespoilers.
But Hadley's dad is not a goodman.
He gets tied up in some stuffthat puts Hadley at risk, like
(11:28):
severely financially as well asjust physically, more physically
than anything.
And Ace feels like the only wayhe can keep her safe is by
marrying her and keeping herclothes, keeping her on at their
distillery, like all that.
So that's their the benefit.
This is so hot.
If you can, if you read thisbook, yes.
Great.
If you can listen to the audiobook, I tend out of 10,
(11:49):
recommend that experience.
The voice actors in this, hisvoice.
Good God.
Hadley Victoria Connolly.
I love her work.
I love her so much, but afterexperiencing the first two audio
books and the voice actors whoplayed Hadley in those books,
'cause Hadley's in the wholeseries.
I prefer the voice they use forher in those books than the
(12:13):
voice.
Vitor Victoria Connolly uses inthe third book.
I got over it real quick.
They work, it's fine.
But the, you have to listen tothese books.
It is Superior Victoria.
I don't know what you put inthis Ms.
Wilder, but please, I need more.
And apparently there's more tocome.
So thank you.
That's my long-winded, my
Jordan (12:34):
And I love it.
I've been getting details ofthis series as Dev reads it, and
it I am so excited to start it.
Devonnie (12:43):
It took me outta my slump for sure.
It's definitely something thatpulled me outta my book Slump.
Jordan (12:47):
Yeah.
Okay.
So I won't go as deep into minebecause I know I've mentioned it
before, but I would be remisswithout talking about leather
and lark.
It is, like I said in the intro,one of my favorites.
It was the quote that I readfrom Lachlan and Lark.
(13:08):
I just love it.
I love when.
It sounds like yours was likethis too.
I love when it starts, liketheir banter back and forth is
just snarky and they like can'tstand each other and they get on
each other's nerves constantly.
Okay.
I eat it up.
I love that kind of tension whenthey just show their inteRecst
(13:32):
in each other by justrelentlessly making fun of each
other.
So Lachlan's brother is marriedto, I don't know if they're
married at this point, but I'mpretty sure they're he's with
lark's, for lack of a betterword, sister.
And so they're around each othera lot, and something happens, a
(13:54):
significant thing happens wherethey do not get along.
He thinks that she, oh, and la.
Is a famous singer andsongwriter, which feels like a
total subplot that we don't seea lot of in the book, but it's
there.
And he thinks she's just thispampered princess.
(14:15):
He is a contracted killer on aalive.
And so he really would like toget out of that, but he becomes
indebted to his boss.
And his brothers don't reallyrealize how deep into this he
is, but he kind of really wantsto claw his way out of this
(14:36):
underworld.
He does not wanna be a part ofthis, right?
He, his boss is psycho.
And because of things thathappen, Lark and Lark's, family
has connections, right?
Her family has its own stuffgoing on, and, she offers him a
deal that she could use, likeher connections and the things
(14:59):
she knows to secure his freedomout of this.
Because she has her own reasonsfrom her family and stuff
needing to be married.
And so she says, I can help you,but you have to marry me they
cannot stand each other evenwhen they get married, and I
love it so much.
And.
Lark is just so unhinged.
(15:20):
Lark is so unhinged, and no oneknows in her life that she
herself is a serial unli.
She just calls herself a serialdeleter is what?
And she really enjoys crafting.
And there are so many unhingedsweet moments.
But to me, the heart of this isLachlan seeing all of her, and
(15:43):
no one in her life has everseen.
All of her, even the people thatshe's closest to, she has.
She just, she, I don't know.
It hits me so hard, like I mighteven cry talking about this,
like when I say I connect didmost to dev is burning her house
(16:06):
down like, Jordan, don't cry.
This is too much for thisepisode.
Devonnie (16:12):
No, it's my damn fridge.
It was beep beeping to tell me,Hey, close me anyway.
Jordan (16:17):
perfect.
When I say I don't think I'vefound another fictional
character that I most relate to,like on an emotional and
personality level as much as Ido to Lark, which is wild.
'cause this is about like aserial unli.
Devonnie (16:33):
Cereal.
Right.
Jordan (16:35):
Who puts thumbs in jars with glitter and I just, I love
it because she's just full ofenergy and like it, it masks so
many layers and she's beinghonest, but she's not completely
herself until someone sees thatand is almost like theoretically
shakes her and is just like.
I see you.
(16:55):
What are you doing?
You're being a little crazyright now, but I'm here for it
and I
Devonnie (16:59):
Lean into it.
Jordan (17:01):
yeah.
And he
Devonnie (17:01):
He encourages her.
Jordan (17:03):
Yeah.
He encourages her.
He sees all of her and he can'thelp but feel for her.
And then the way that he looksout for her and he keeps finding
bodies or parts of bodies andit's just, I just love it so
much and I need everyone to readit.
Yeah.
Leather and lark.
It's unhinged and so, so sweet.
Devonnie (17:26):
I know I do.
I do love that series.
That series Let, I think, Ihonestly think the first book is
my favorite, but the second bookis my second favorite.
Third book is my third favorite.
So the order that they came outis how I love them.
Jordan (17:39):
See, this is my favorite.
Leather and Lark was definitelymy favorite.
And I have to read'em again tosee.
I just, they're all so good.
Brynn Weaver does such awonderful job and tourist season
is amazing too.
I just, she so far has done nowrong.
And I will say what I like toois like at the end he like.
PRecsents her with like divorcepapers and she's just fuck off.
(18:01):
What are you doing?
Do not ever do that to me again.
So when I say he tries to do hislike best to do what he thinks
is right for her, she's justscrew
Devonnie (18:10):
What are you doing?
We're not getting divorced.
Jordan (18:13):
So the banter just stays true through the whole thing,
and that's what I appreciate,
Devonnie (18:17):
Yeah, you love the banter.
Oh, that, okay.
Love Arranged by Lauren Asher.
This is the third book in thisseries, which is the Lakefront
BillionaiRecs.
Lauren Asher has a bunch ofinterconnected standalone
series, and this is the thirdbook in that, in this second
(18:38):
series of hers.
In that world,
Jordan (18:41):
There's Dreamland, billionaiRecs.
That's the one I read, and thenthis is the different
Devonnie (18:44):
And then there's, this is yeah, the spinoff, basically
this one follows Lily andLorenzo.
Lily is the sister of the peoplein the first book and.
Jordan (18:59):
That's like my, sorry, Lachlan and Lark and Lily and
Devonnie (19:03):
yes.
Yeah, the elves.
So Lillian and Lorenzo, you get,you gotta peek at both of them
actually in the first book.
And then you see them in thesecond book'cause they're
characters, but this is theirstory.
Essentially they both get on adating app.
Could you imagine?
They both get on a dating appand then they match with each
other.
They don't know who each personis because they're using
(19:25):
different names.
They're not being veryforthcoming with information.
But then one day she like keepsasking to meet up.
She wants to meet this person,and he agrees and they figure
out it's the other person.
Jordan (19:40):
Love that.
Devonnie (19:42):
They figure, and this is early in the book, right?
They figure out it's the otherperson and are shocked.
Still kind of come together.
They, I think they dance orsomething like that, have an
interaction and then separate.
And then it's like pretty muchLorenzo ghosts her on the app.
He, she was messaging and thenhe wasn't Recsponding, and then
(20:04):
eventually she logs out of theapp.
She's you know what?
Whatever.
And they avoid each other for ayear.
There's no communication betweenthey, they run into each other,
but there's no communication.
Well, Lorenzo is aiming to bemayor of Wisteria.
And he needs his ratings to goup.
Essentially, everyone hates him.
They Recsent him for leaving thetown and then trying to come
(20:25):
back to the small town to be themayor.
His family died prettyhorrifically when he was
younger, and so there's likejust a lot going on around him
and how he's choosing to spendhis money.
He made a he's attached to themob in a certain way, and so
they think that he still is.
When he comes back to the townand they don't want that drama
in their little
Jordan (20:45):
so some legitimate concerns it sounds like,
Devonnie (20:47):
Legit concerns about him.
Yeah.
And he's an asshole.
He does not do himself anyfavors because he's not kind.
He is mean and he hateseverybody.
Okay then, and he's, oh, he alsohas OCD.
That was so tough to readbecause he struggles with his
OCD and it's something he thinkshe got from his dad who also had
it, but it is hard for him forcertain things.
(21:11):
Right?
Then there's Lily, who'sliterally a fucking glitter
bomb.
And someone with OCD, and thenyou have a chaotic cat running
around.
All right?
She's loud and colorful.
She goes through a breakup withsomeone who's very popular, I
think the son of one of themayors.
The son of the mayor, one of thesons of the mayor, and it's a a
(21:32):
breakup that is like horrific.
He's an asshole.
He treats her really badly, andthen I think basically dumps her
because she's too much, shewears too many bright collars,
she's too loud, and stuff likethat.
After that breakup and thenexperiencing everything with
Lorenzo, she literally allblack, no more colors, no more
rainbows.
She's wearing monotone outfits.
(21:54):
She's not being herself.
Some executive or whoever movesinto the town, they're trying to
buy up all the businesses, turnit into I don't know, whatever
people do when they come andgentrify beautiful small towns
and Lily's business that sheshaRecs with her mom.
She's a florist and they have aflower shop.
It's at risk of being bought up.
(22:15):
Well, they decide, I'm not evengonna explain how they even get
in the same room to have thistype of a conversation, but
basically the idea.
Lorenzo pRecsents is that hewill marry her and she can help
his ratings increase.
She needs to help him win thiselection'cause she's a town's
princess and then he will saveher business.
(22:36):
Right?
The banter in this, the banter,the yearning.
Oh, but also the heartbreakbecause there are a lot of heavy
materials.
Lily.
Her dad passed away quite a fewyears ago, but he was a big part
of their family out their town,their community, everyone knew
by him.
So there's a lot of her stillbeing in the middle of that
grief, even though it's been awhile.
(22:57):
And then also, and it's very paYeah.
You know, everyone knew him.
Everyone knows her family andthen Lorenzo dealing with.
Own parents dying.
His connection to the mob andhis uncle and the life he walked
away from, and then also beinghated in this small town that he
actually really loves.
He loves it here because this isthe place that his parents chose
to settle down in, away fromthe, their previous life.
(23:19):
And so he has a lot of love forthe people, but it's just the
banter is really good when theybecome the, my wife of it all,
you know, and that'll get methe, where's my wife?
Yes, wife.
It's like catnip.
It's like catnip.
So we see two people who reallyhonestly need each other.
Lily needs to break out of hershell.
(23:39):
She needs to come back to whoshe was, all that color and
chaos that she still has tuckedaway.
And she shows a little bit toLorenzo and he needs that.
He needs to be shaken up alittle bit.
He does everything.
Doesn't have to be perfect.
And while he is struggling withsomething that is pretty
serious, he doesn't have tolike.
Put himself in a box and keephimself there just so he doesn't
get close to people and showthem this side of him.
(24:01):
'cause that is what he's worriedabout.
He doesn't want people to knowabout it.
Yeah, I really loved it.
I loved that entire series, butI think that was my favorite
book of the series.
So yeah, love Arranged by LaurenAsher.
I'm actually sad that is done,but apparently we're getting
another series, so can't waitfor that.
Jordan (24:19):
Nice.
Alright, my second rec is gonnabe gloves off number four, book
four in the Vancouver Stormseries by Stephanie Archer.
Okay, I listened to this one.
If you have a chance to listento gloves off, please do.
It is JF Harding and StellaHunter.
(24:40):
Love them both.
I think Stella Hunter is one ofmy top three female narrators.
And Harding is just always solidIt was so good.
So this one follows AlexiVolkov.
He is the grumpiest enforcer inthe NHL.
And Georgia.
(25:01):
So they can't stand each other.
It's a very grumpy sunshine.
She loves her heels.
She likes to be put together.
She is girly.
She's got it all.
She looks like she comes frommoney, which she does, but it's
not what everything's about.
She the only way to get herinheritance is to get married.
(25:23):
His contract is up and withoutthe promise of that, he could
lose his citizenship, hisCanadian citizenship, and his
mom is relying on him so theydon't have to go back to Russia.
That is was the big drivingforce behind him becoming pro
and moving to Canada to give hismom a better life.
They came from nothing in Russiaand like I think there was some
(25:47):
political stuff that they weretrying to get away from and so
this is a really big deal forhim.
And that's also why he's alwaysbeen such like, seen as such a
jerk and like tough and grumpybecause all he's ever done is
he's focused on his career.
He's focused on this becausethis is the, his livelihood,
this is him saving his mother.
(26:09):
And so, but no one really knowsthat because he doesn't, that's
a private
Devonnie (26:13):
Share it.
Yeah.
Jordan (26:15):
Right.
But.
Devonnie (26:16):
But.
Jordan (26:17):
Lo and behold they find this out about each other, but
he seemingly can't stand her.
He doesn't Recspect her, right?
He thinks she just like throwsmoney away and can't like, take
her seriously.
But they're banter there.
This is like as close toenemies, to lovers in a
contemporary situation as youcan get, right?
I'd say rivals.
She wears these like designerhigh heels.
(26:41):
All the time.
And he, whenever he sees them,is just like glaring at them.
He hate apparently hates them.
Like he's just what the heck?
That's so impractical.
But you know, in his POV, he'sGod dammit, they're so hot.
I fucking hate them.
Do you know what I mean?
Devonnie (26:54):
Yes, yearning, sipping, if you will.
Jordan (26:57):
yeah.
She's he just always glaRecs atmy heels.
He insists he's not attracted toher, like he's only marrying her
for citizenship and so they getmarried.
She has to move in with him.
So this is one of my favoritesuper micro tropes, is when the
guy thinks that she has aboyfriend or like when she
(27:18):
refers to someone with a malename and they're like, the fuck
is this?
And everyone's oh, have you metyet?
He's so great.
She loves him, but it's her likea pet.
So she has these bunnies thatshe's named Stefan and Damon.
And he is not familiar
Devonnie (27:35):
I love her for
Jordan (27:36):
And she's SEF and Damon.
I love it.
And he hears him, her talking inher room and he's she's on the
phone with someone.
What the fuck?
Right?
And they supposedly don't, theyhate each other still, but he
like hears this and she's who isthis?
I think at one point, like theydo like pranks on each other
too.
Or get mad at each other.
He like tosses all of her heelsat one point in the garbage.
(27:58):
Like it gets intense.
It this.
Devonnie (28:01):
I would scream.
Jordan (28:02):
But at the same time, he like cooks for her and he's like
angry at her about like her carand stuff because her car is.
Falling apart.
There's this, like all thisstuff that, like he's, he
seemingly hates her, but then helike ly takes care of her.
(28:23):
You know what I mean?
Reluctantly, he sends herflowers and, but she, like his
mom is a florist and so all ofthe flowers he sends her has
meaning, but she doesn't knowit.
And so it as they progRecss,they reflect his feelings
towards her.
And then when, after she meetshis mom, which is the cutest
thing ever this little Russianwoman and and then she sees this
(28:47):
book of flower meetings when shegoes to the shop and then she
learns what?
They met it.
Devonnie (28:53):
I love that.
That's so cute.
Jordan (28:55):
And eventually he calls her his wife and it's just,
yeah.
Listen to it.
Devonnie (29:01):
Oh yeah.
Jordan (29:02):
fun.
The banter was amazing and youknow, it's a lot of assumptions
about stereotypes from bothsides.
So it's the breaking down ofthat.
Devonnie (29:12):
Yeah.
And you said, was this a series?
This is
Jordan (29:14):
Yes.
This is number four.
They're interconnected,standalones.
So if you wanna jump on this tosee if you like Stephanie Archer
or the series, you can, But.
I'm excited for number five tocome out too.
That's a player's sister andcoach comes out
Devonnie (29:30):
course.
They always gotta throw thecoach in there.
They everyone wants the Yeah,everyone wants to throw a coach
as the last book.
I'm so confused.
Jordan (29:38):
is it last?
Because he is like the Phantomin the
Devonnie (29:43):
Yeah.
In the background, you get tosee.
And so is, damn.
There was someone else, but Ican't remember the name of the
author right now, but yeah, alot of people are doing the co.
The one I'm reading, B cbra, I'mpretty sure that one of her
books is with the coach as well
Jordan (29:59):
Okay.
Okay.
Okay.
We'll get you more hockeyromance in January.
So if you're a hockey romancefan, January is gonna be your
month with us.
Stay
Devonnie (30:10):
We love that.
Okay, my, I think this might bemy last re, I have some
honorable mentions, but this isthe last one.
I'll dive deep into it.
This is gonna be Wild Side byElsie Silver.
This is a part of her Rose Hillseries.
This is book four.
The other three books phenomenalas well.
Or is it book four or bookthree?
No.
Yeah.
Book.
This is book three.
There are four books in thisseries.
(30:33):
This book follows Tabitha andReese d Reese Dupree.
So I can never remember the FMCslast name, but always I remember
the Mmcs last name.
Anyway, so Tabby and Reese, theyare brought together in some
really heartbreakingcircumstances.
Tabitha's nephew, Milo, I thinkhe's about five years old.
She gets guardianship of himbecause her sister unfortunately
(30:55):
passes away.
Due to a drug overdose.
At the beginning of this book,everyone, and even in the
previous series when Tabitha hasbrought up, everyone talks about
her sister as being like, youknow, the black sheep always
with the wrong crowd doing drugsand stuff.
Well, her sister moves toEmerald Lake, which is where
Reese was living to kind ofstart fRecsh, get a new start.
(31:16):
She unfortunately ends up with aman who brings her right back.
While she's going through this,she's creating this image of her
sister being and her, they'retwins.
She's creating this image of hersister being like this horrible
person.
Tabby never wants to help her.
Her parents never wanna helpher.
Her parents and sister love herso much.
They offer her so much support,but that's the image she's
(31:38):
projecting to Reese, who's.
Apartment.
She's renting like the housenext to him or their neighbors
or something.
And so Reese is man, your familysucks.
Yeah.
You're working so hard, likeyou're trying to take care of
your son.
That's the image he gets of taof Tabby through her sister's
eyes.
He also becomes kind of like astand-in caretaker.
For Milo, because when she'srunning out onto town, when
(32:01):
she's gonna do, she needssomeone to watch Milo.
At the beginning it was, becauseI have a job interview, I have
to go to work.
They called me and I don't havea sitter, you know?
So she was using Reese for thatbecause Reese is a professional
wRecstler.
He has a lot of downtime.
So when he was home.
And he's really
Jordan (32:16):
Outta nowhere.
Devonnie (32:18):
I know,
Jordan (32:19):
I'm so
Devonnie (32:20):
and it's, I know, and it's very much so wwe e whatever
they now, I don't know, when Iwas watching wRecstling, it was
like WWE FI know it's WWE e nowthey call it something.
Anyway, I'm talking about maskedman, tights, storyline.
This is what Reese does for aliving.
People, okay?
He has a lot of downtime, but hedoesn't have to work.
Jordan (32:41):
so sorry.
Devonnie (32:44):
Well, anyway, he has, his life is separate because he
wears a mask.
No one knows who he is.
He loves that.
Right?
Oh, so anyway, sister dies andnow in her will or in something
legally, she appoints bothReese.
Jordan (33:01):
Oh, Jesus.
Devonnie (33:03):
And Tabby?
Oh no, I don't even think shedoes.
She appoint that either way.
Guardianship over Milo getssplit between the two of them.
Reese has pretty much raisedMilo for three years.
He loves that boy, like that'shis son.
Tabby, of course, thought therewas something going on with him
and her sister, but therewasn't, he was literally just a
friend to her because he thoughtshe had no one because of what
(33:24):
she was saying about her family,which was not the case.
In order to keep them together,Reese pretty much moves to Rose
Hill from Emerald Lake to likebasically stay with Tabby to
give Milo a good like life andalso for legal reasons.
With the guardianship, it's kindof better if they're married, so
(33:44):
they enter marriage ofconvenience where he gets to do
his thing, he gets to go towork, and then he'll come home
and be there as a family.
He'll spend time at In the RoseHill, but also he'll still have
his Emerald Lake apartment oryou know, live there.
And they just wanna provide Milowith stability because he loves
Reese Milo also loves Reese.
So pulling Milo away from Reeseis not something that Tabby
(34:05):
actually wants to do.
You know, she can see how muchher nephew loves him.
Their banter's crazy'cause theydon't really get along.
They don't like each other.
Again, Reese doesn't think she'sa good sister.
He's he's basically there tokeep an eye like you're a
trouble person and I wanna makesure Milo is in good hands.
That's how he sees her for themajority of this book, until
(34:26):
he's realizing, wait a minute,she's just running her
Recstaurant.
She has dinner with her friends.
She's a nice person.
And so he starts to realize thatthe image he had of her is
completely wrong, and that was,that's not who she is.
And then she, I can't rememberhow, but randomly finds out that
he's a wRecstler.
Oh.
It is actually the best way.
Jordan (34:47):
Is she a fan?
Devonnie (34:47):
No, she's not a fan.
She's not a fan.
But there's book one follows acouple.
It's a, so this entire series isabout single dads.
It's like the single dad seriesand Reese is kind of lumped into
that.
But Book one follows.
An actual single dad.
He has a daughter named Chorus,and by this book, she's a
teenager now.
She's obsessed with wRecstling.
(35:09):
More importantly, she's obsessedwith Reese's character in
wRecstling.
She thinks he's so dreamy.
She's she's got like teenage.
She's oh my gosh, she's sodreamy.
Blah, blah, blah.
And then something happens whereshe's forcing Tabitha to watch
wRecstling with her andTabitha's wait a minute.
I know them legs.
I know those arms.
What what's going on?
And he would come back a littleinjured.
(35:29):
So she thought he was like aboxer or something.
That's what she thought
Jordan (35:32):
lighting up
Devonnie (35:33):
didn't wanna share it.
Yeah.
Yeah.
And then she's oh.
And she like springs it on him.
Basically go through his stuff,I think finds his mask and is
like putting it on and tauntinghim.
It is so cute.
It is so hot, so spicy.
Okay, let me tell you.
They enter this marriage ofconvenience and it's fun to see
them like learn to one, not onlyhow to be married to each other,
(35:54):
but also how to be parents to akid that's not their kid, you
know, and go through, you know,stuff with Milo.
So it's really nice you get tosee the characters from the
first two books and also kind ofmeet the characters from the
next book.
And it's just a really fun time.
It was a great read.
I love everything that ElsieSilver does.
These.
Interconnected, standalone shehas of and Emerald Lake.
(36:16):
Apparently you were gonna get aseries from Emerald Lake Next,
which I'm really excited about.
This series, or no, it's herprevious series.
The Chestnut Hill series isbeing turned into a TV show on
Netflix.
So there's a lot to dive into,but I really loved Wild Side.
Jordan (36:31):
That's awesome.
Devonnie (36:32):
Yeah, for
Jordan (36:32):
I have a couple special nods.
So, electric Idol by Katie.
Robert is Marriage ofConvenience.
This is a psyche and Aerosretelling.
Basically Aeros is the son ofAphrodite, and in this world,
Aphrodite, like he is her hitmanbasically.
(36:54):
He is her cleaner, so if she hasan enemy in the city, she sends
Eros to go take care of it.
She puts a hit on Psyche andEros has to go take care of it,
but something is keeping himfrom it.
And the only way he can think ofto protect her is to marry her,
and it unravels from there.
And so.
It's a lot of action.
(37:14):
It's some action, it's a lot ofdeception.
It's really hot, scorching hotsex as Katie does.
So if you haven't started thatseries you definitely, the dark
Olympus series definitelyshould.
That's only book two, so it'searly on.
And of course special mentionfrom Blood and Ash, Jennifer l
(37:37):
Armand, trout.
Is that a spoiler?
If you haven't read it?
A little bit.
Now that I'm thinking about it.
Devonnie (37:43):
Is it.
Jordan (37:44):
does turn into a marriage of convenience.
Yes.
Now that I'm
Devonnie (37:49):
So minor spoiler.
Jordan (37:50):
maybe spiders, spoiler, So, from Blood and Ash is a
marriage of convenience andthat's what I'll say.
Devonnie (37:56):
That actually might be some, a reason someone will pick
that up.
'cause me, I didn't know that.
And you know, I have nointeRecst in reading this
series.
You've just spiked my inteRecst.
Jordan (38:05):
It is political and this is for political reasons.
Devonnie (38:09):
yeah.
Jordan (38:09):
So like it's marriage of convenience, so that a whole
group of people won't want tokill her or it'll protect her
and I can't even say why,because it would be huge
spoilers.
But yeah, it's very political,so yeah.
Devonnie (38:26):
I have, so a quick few rapid fire ones as well.
Ones I've mentioned before, liketerms and conditions, again by
Lauren Asher, hopeless by ElsieSilver.
There's also King of Envy byAnna Huang.
There's that, oh my God, that,that one.
But also, oh, sorry, I said Kingof Envy, but I also mean King of
Wrath.
King of Wrath.
(38:46):
The reason, yeah.
Wrath is the first book in thisseries.
The King of Sins or something.
It's a sins.
Series follows the seven DeadlySins.
King of Wrath is the first one,king of Envy, I think is the
fourth book, and it's not yourtypical marriage of convenience.
I put that in there becauseshe's technically marrying her
(39:07):
best friend for convenience orlike marrying a friend of hers,
but.
And they're not in love.
They both know they're not inlove.
This is strictly for convenientneeds, but he has someone, he
considers his best friend whoends up being her love
inteRecst.
So while it's a marriage ofconvenience for two characters
who are not end game, it's inthe book.
(39:29):
Yeah.
They're not the ones who areconveniently trying to
Jordan (39:31):
I like that
Devonnie (39:32):
Yeah, me too.
So if you're inteRecsted insomething that's a little twist
on.
Marriage of convenience, I woulddefinitely recommend that Ride
With Me by Simone Tani.
It follows an F1 Racer.
This is book two in thisspecific series.
Follows F1 Racer Thomas MaxwellBrown and Billionaire Baker.
Aris, Stella, Baldwin Stella'sgo number one.
(39:57):
She gets left at the altar, thenwakes up, does a drunken rant on
social media.
She's way too popular to bedoing drunken rant.
Oh God, her entire career islike tanking.
No one wants to work with her.
It's just very ugly.
She goes to her best friend's orher cousin's bachelorette party
ends up getting drunk andmarrying someone in Vegas as you
do.
Her and Thomas immediatelythough, they both go into let's
(40:21):
figure this out because we'remarried and we can both, we need
this.
Essentially there's a reason.
Yeah, there are those.
Jordan (40:28):
that's like the one from Chelsea Kdo.
Chelsea Kdo is like they ly getmarried, but then make it into a
marriage of a convenience type
Devonnie (40:35):
Yeah, exactly.
Yeah.
And and right away.
And I kind of love that.
I love when they're quick aboutit.
When they're like, no, we haveto there is some of that
obviously'cause I'm sure it isshocking when you wake up
married to someone that youdidn't expect.
But I love that they go.
Right.
I've never experienced it,
Jordan (40:52):
Maybe one
Devonnie (40:52):
wait, I love that thing.
They go right.
Oh God, no.
Could you imagine?
That's my story.
I end up in a marriage ofconvenience.
What would conveniently requireme to be married?
Jordan (41:01):
money.
Devonnie (41:02):
Money.
You're right.
I could conveniently be marriedfor, oh my
Jordan (41:06):
I'm like, Deb, we talk about this all the
Devonnie (41:08):
Yeah, you're right.
You're right.
You're right.
Money.
You're right.
And I what am I saving him from?
Jordan (41:13):
Loneliness.
Devonnie (41:15):
I guess hopefully that's
Jordan (41:17):
You're like, I don't want him by me though.
Devonnie (41:20):
Oh, right.
But also authors, again, ifyou're listening, a marriage of
convenience with a single mom.
Yeah.
Get writing on that.
I'd love to read that.
Jordan (41:27):
Yeah.
Devonnie (41:28):
I'd love to read
Jordan (41:28):
You're paying for childcare.
Okay.
Devonnie (41:31):
Oh my god, I love that.
So yeah, those are my quickrapid fire recs.
I'm sure there are a couplemore, but, and again, so many of
them I've already mentioned onthe pod before.
We'll try to throw up these recsin a little post on the
Instagram if you're looking forexactly what we're talking
about.
And also follow our Substack,because you're probably gonna
get a list of our extra marriageof convenience recs there as
(41:53):
well.
Jordan (41:54):
Yes, definitely.
Check out the substack.
We have so much good bonus.
Information, content.
If you're local, you get localevents.
If you aren't local, you getextra content.
We do at least one.
Now it's on episode really thatyou get, so you get bonus Recs
bonus deep dives behind thescenes.
So make sure to check that out.
(42:16):
Romance Recs, pod and Substack.
Make sure to check us outeverywhere else at Romance Recs
Pod and make sure pleasesubscribe follow, comment, all
those things help us so much.
Devonnie (42:29):
Yes, we wanna grow and we need that engagement peep.
So don't forget to do that.
And we also really love bookrec.
So what do you rec something tous guys?
Let let us know what you'rereading, that we absolutely have
to read or you will neverforgive us.
Let us know.
Jordan (42:45):
Did we miss like your favorite marriage of convenience
and you're like, what the fuck?
Why aren't they talking aboutthis?
Please let us know.
We're open to that.
Also, we have some really coolinterviews coming up, so make
sure to keep an eye on that.
But until then, happy readingeverybody.
We'll talk to you later.
Devonnie (43:02):
Yeah.
Bye.
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