crlntm's review
3.0
The Wedding Hoax was a nice fluffy read. The story was a typical romance, Daisy and Cole were typical romance characters, and everything played out as expected. Nothing really spectacular stood out to me about this novel, but it was a fun read and I felt compelled to keep reading until the end.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
bananatricky's review
3.0
Someone recommended the second book in this series, The Hook-up Hoax, but because I'm a bit OCD when it comes to reading series out of order I decided to read this first.
This was nice. Unfortunately I find it much easier to explain the things that I don't like about a book than to praise the good aspects.
The premise is that Daisy Willows, a wedding dress designer, and Cole Benton, the editor of a wedding magazine, are asked to help generate publicity for a bridal show expo by pretending to be engaged and then asking the public to help choose the different aspects of their wedding (eg the dress, the ring, the honeymoon). Daisy's mother has expensive hospital bills to cover and Cole's magazine is struggling so both businesses could use both the publicity and the cash incentive that they are offered.
The only trouble is, Daisy and Cole were a couple - until Daisy told Cole that she wanted (in time) the whole nine yards: engagement; wedding; children; dog; and picket fence. Commitment was never on Cole's agenda and they broke up.
Whilst I appreciate that romance, with the emphasis on the HEA is often a predictable genre I just felt that this was too formulaic. Both Daisy and Cole's attitudes towards marriage seemed too entrenched: she wanted the family and stability she was missing as a child, his father has constantly told him that 'relationships aren't for men like us'. In fact, Cole's father and brother were also stock characters without any flesh to them.
If you are looking for an uncomplicated second-chance-at-love/ hoax engagement story then this is the book for you - I would have liked something that would have made this stand out from all the other similar books and I didn't find it.
This was nice. Unfortunately I find it much easier to explain the things that I don't like about a book than to praise the good aspects.
The premise is that Daisy Willows, a wedding dress designer, and Cole Benton, the editor of a wedding magazine, are asked to help generate publicity for a bridal show expo by pretending to be engaged and then asking the public to help choose the different aspects of their wedding (eg the dress, the ring, the honeymoon). Daisy's mother has expensive hospital bills to cover and Cole's magazine is struggling so both businesses could use both the publicity and the cash incentive that they are offered.
The only trouble is, Daisy and Cole were a couple - until Daisy told Cole that she wanted (in time) the whole nine yards: engagement; wedding; children; dog; and picket fence. Commitment was never on Cole's agenda and they broke up.
Whilst I appreciate that romance, with the emphasis on the HEA is often a predictable genre I just felt that this was too formulaic. Both Daisy and Cole's attitudes towards marriage seemed too entrenched: she wanted the family and stability she was missing as a child, his father has constantly told him that 'relationships aren't for men like us'. In fact, Cole's father and brother were also stock characters without any flesh to them.
If you are looking for an uncomplicated second-chance-at-love/ hoax engagement story then this is the book for you - I would have liked something that would have made this stand out from all the other similar books and I didn't find it.
mischievousreads's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 Stars!
The Wedding Hoax features two ex-lovers thrust into a marriage of convenience charade in order to save their respective businesses from getting messy, with Daisy Willows as a wedding gown couturier and Cole Benton and his bridal magazine.
Heather Thurmeier's characters in this book are instinctively cliche; we've got the playboy who doesn't want to settle down and the girl who's always dreamt about forever. But as typical as they sound, I enjoyed reading this novel. It had the dramatic flair going on within the romance, which sparked a bit of intensity in the read.
Daisy Willows was the typical female character who's dreamed of happiness one day. The future goal is a husband, kids and a dog, and once she thought it to be with Cole. But despite her lifetime goal, she's also a headstrong and witty female, and a businesswoman at that, which is also why I enjoyed her character very much.
Meanwhile, Cole isn't the type to settle down. A few girlfriends and hook ups here and there, he's never wanted to put a ring on one because of the fear that it would sabotage his focus and mindset towards his career. He was such an arrogant character, and reading about him was very frustrating.
For more reviews, check out: Mischievous Reads
The Wedding Hoax features two ex-lovers thrust into a marriage of convenience charade in order to save their respective businesses from getting messy, with Daisy Willows as a wedding gown couturier and Cole Benton and his bridal magazine.
Heather Thurmeier's characters in this book are instinctively cliche; we've got the playboy who doesn't want to settle down and the girl who's always dreamt about forever. But as typical as they sound, I enjoyed reading this novel. It had the dramatic flair going on within the romance, which sparked a bit of intensity in the read.
Daisy Willows was the typical female character who's dreamed of happiness one day. The future goal is a husband, kids and a dog, and once she thought it to be with Cole. But despite her lifetime goal, she's also a headstrong and witty female, and a businesswoman at that, which is also why I enjoyed her character very much.
Meanwhile, Cole isn't the type to settle down. A few girlfriends and hook ups here and there, he's never wanted to put a ring on one because of the fear that it would sabotage his focus and mindset towards his career. He was such an arrogant character, and reading about him was very frustrating.
"The playboy might have put a ring on my finger, but he'll never stop playing the game, will he?"If the author's attempt was to make my chest clench while reading, well, she was successful, because I sincerely felt the ache between these two characters (I may or may not be talking about personal experience, hah!) If you're looking for a quick read about fake marriages and second chance romances, this book is something you should pick up and devour.
For more reviews, check out: Mischievous Reads
intostarlight's review against another edition
3.0
This wass my first Heather Thurmeier book and it was a good read. Not extraordinary or amazing but good nonthless.
At first, I really liked Cole. I swooned for the guy. I liked his character and how he was confident and driven, with a touch of sexiness present. But then, his true colours appeared. I didn't love him. He was selfish. He just did nothing for me. I felt like he only cared about his career. It was his one and only priority. I was confused. He loved Daisy, but he wanted his career more. So much more that it wasn't an ambition thing anymore. He just didn't feel right to me. But he and Daisy fit. Surprisingly.
Daisy was ... I don't know how to put into words. Again, I don't know what to feel about her. She was kind and sweet. But she didn't grab me. I wasn't hooked and not that much interested in her. I only felt her attraction to Max. They sure had a chemistry. But the way she acted on it was weird. She had some surprising reactions. I hate the way she bottled up some emotions on the inside.
I wanted more from her.
This book felt lacking. I needed more. The characters weren't that well developed. They had the chemistry, but it wasn't eventful. Their interactions weren't amazing. By the end, everything felt rushed. And BAM the book was finished. It was rather quick with a typical HEA. Would have rated it 4 stars if the author would have pulled the conclusion out better. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't a bad book but it wasn't that great either. The story was heart warming, funny, sad & some times frustrating and I guess I could say it was a good story. Overall it was a decent read. I'll be looking for more from this author.
***I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
At first, I really liked Cole. I swooned for the guy. I liked his character and how he was confident and driven, with a touch of sexiness present. But then, his true colours appeared. I didn't love him. He was selfish. He just did nothing for me. I felt like he only cared about his career. It was his one and only priority. I was confused. He loved Daisy, but he wanted his career more. So much more that it wasn't an ambition thing anymore. He just didn't feel right to me. But he and Daisy fit. Surprisingly.
Daisy was ... I don't know how to put into words. Again, I don't know what to feel about her. She was kind and sweet. But she didn't grab me. I wasn't hooked and not that much interested in her. I only felt her attraction to Max. They sure had a chemistry. But the way she acted on it was weird. She had some surprising reactions. I hate the way she bottled up some emotions on the inside.
I wanted more from her.
This book felt lacking. I needed more. The characters weren't that well developed. They had the chemistry, but it wasn't eventful. Their interactions weren't amazing. By the end, everything felt rushed. And BAM the book was finished. It was rather quick with a typical HEA. Would have rated it 4 stars if the author would have pulled the conclusion out better. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't a bad book but it wasn't that great either. The story was heart warming, funny, sad & some times frustrating and I guess I could say it was a good story. Overall it was a decent read. I'll be looking for more from this author.
***I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
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