Book Review: The Academic Bride

Not long ago I told you about a freebie called The Academic Bride by Lucy McConnell. I finished the book and really enjoyed it!

The premise is that a really high end marriage broker puts Janel, a woman who has just lost funding for her archaeological dig in Guatemala, together with Nick, a billionaire businessman who wants to fend off the ladies who only want him for his money. They agree to be married for a year, with the possibility of an extension. She'll have enough money to fund her dig and he'll hopefully stave off the gold diggers for a while.

I loved the premise of a modern day mail order bride story, and the author really delivers. There are cute moments as our hero and heroine start to get to know each other and fall in love. The sweet texts and little things they do for each other are swoon-worthy. Nick was definitely a hero worth rooting for and I was totally swept up in their story. The only thing I wish was that there had been more dating and more interaction in public. They had one ball, which was eye-opening and fun, but it left me wanting more, especially when we see how Nick's acquaintances and partners react to Janel. The story could definitely have been longer, but then again, when the readers want more, that means the author has probably done a good job! This story really kept me turning pages to see if they'd get their happily ever after and I think Ms. McConnell is going to be on my authors to watch for list!

(The book is also still free if you'd like to download your own Kindle copy. You can get it here)

Here's the back copy:

A fun and romantic contemporary mail order bride book.

Early on, Pamela Jones realized she had an unusual talent for putting two people together. Over the years, she’s turned it into a successful matchmaking service for the ultra wealthy: Billionaire Marriage Brokers. While she specializes in “business” marriages — paring people off because of their skills, education, or training — she can spot a potential love match a mile away. When Pamela has a “good feeling” about a bride and groom - a business marriage can become so much more.

Janel Fendrick is a go-getter. Her dream of excavating a Mayan temple is within reach — until the funding is pulled and she’s left scrambling for an alternative. Pamela Jones comes along with a proposal...and a groom! Janel hesitates, until she realizes that one year of marriage is a small price to pay to have all her dreams come true. What she doesn’t realize, is that she’s about to get more than she ever dreamed of.