Never
Say Never
By:
Aimee Duffy
Blurb
When
pretend turns to desire, heartbreak is unavoidable.
Sander
Chase needs a date for his ex-fiancée's engagement party, but he
doesn't have time for a woman in his life. Between working on the TV
show Do You Have What
It Takes? and his
band reforming, he's too busy for a relationship. What he needs is a
pretend girlfriend. He thinks he may have found the perfect woman for
the job, and the bribe he offers means she's sure to accept.
After
losing her job in the film industry, breaking up with her movie star
boyfriend, and finding out her mum has dementia, Chloe Butler
returned to the UK determined to put her life back together. The last
thing she needs is to parade around London on the arm of a celebrity,
and after the heartbreak caused by her ex, she swore she'd never
again date a star. But when Sander offers her a chance at her dream
job, it's not something she can turn down.
As
Chloe gets to know Sander she learns he's nothing like her scumbag
ex. But she struggles to fight her attraction to him, knowing their
relationship is only for show and their separation date is closing in
fast.
Ignoring
the insane chemistry between them should be easy for Sander,
especially since he carries a secret that means there can be no
future for them, but the more time he spends with Chloe, the harder
it is to keep his hands to himself.
Content
Warning: contains more denial than you'll find in a courtroom, more
sexual tension than most people could handle, and explosive sex that
some readers may find long overdue.
Excerpt
Chloe
Butler’s mouth dropped open. She struggled to remember how to close
it as she stared at the man with the expectant expression on his
avenging angel face. She couldn’t have heard him right. Sander
Chase would never ask someone like her out on a date.
“Excuse
me?”
He
flashed his Hollywood smile. “Come on. Don’t make a guy ask
twice.”
Nope,
she’d not misheard him, nor had she gone mad. Months of serving him
coffee and this was the first time he’d shown any kind of interest
in her.
“I’m
sorry.” She retreated a few steps. She couldn’t date a celebrity,
not after what happened the last time. She was just beginning to get
her life back together. Not to mention the fact her mum needed her
around more than ever. “I can’t. Thank you for the offer.”
Chloe
tried to smile politely, but it was harder than usual. She turned to
head back to the counter to get on with her work. If her boss Richard
caught her talking to a celebrity, he’d get the wrong idea and hand
her a P45 before she could explain. After all, the coffee shop was a
classy place. Not even the press were allowed in.
A
large, warm hand ensnared her wrist and drew her to a halt.
Electrified jolts shot up her arm from the contact.
“Can’t
or don’t want to?”
She
turned back to Sander and saw his brow was raised and amusement
glittered in his baby blue eyes. Pushy, wasn’t he?
“Don’t
want to,” she replied, determined not to give him any hope.
Can’t
left wiggle room, and there was definitely no wiggle room. She’d
sworn off men after the last one had taken her for a mug.
Her
reply seemed to please him. His grin grew huge and her heart sped.
She frowned at the reaction and put it down to the stress of the
situation. After all, as far as she was concerned, her libido was
extinct.
“That’s
perfect.”
Was
he
mad? From her experience, celebrities could be a little…odd. But
she’d never met a full-blown lunatic before. “I’m sorry, I
don’t know what you mean.”
Why
wasn’t she backing away? Better yet, why wasn’t she demanding he
let go of her arm? She darted a glance around the coffee shop. Most
of the customers’ attention was on their morning papers.
“I
don’t need a date. I need a pretend one.”
Hmm,
definitely time to call the men in white jackets. Sander had clearly
lost his marbles. “I really have to get back to work.”
She
couldn’t believe a man who’d been in one of the best male vocal
pop groups of all time had lost his mind. Or maybe that’s what the
pressure of it did to him. She vaguely recalled the rumors
surrounding their split, but hadn’t paid much attention to the
international news. At the time she’d been in LA and stupidly in
love with a jerk.
Sander
released her arm and sighed. “I’m not saying this right, am I?”
He
raked a large hand through his golden hair and blew out a breath. She
smiled at his exasperation, but still didn’t move away. Chloe shook
her head in answer to his question.
“My
manager called today.” Sander waved his hand to urge her closer.
She obeyed. “He wants to get the group back together.” His hot
breath caressed her neck and she shivered. The smell of espresso
mingled with his spicy aftershave resurrected those bloody extinct
hormones. “One of his conditions is that I attend Paul’s
engagement party next Friday to show the world I’m over
our…fallout.”
Review Rating: 4 LIGHTNING BOLTS
Review: Pretending isn't working when feelings become very real.
It was just supposed to a ruse, for show. Chloe and Sander have their reasons for not wanting to fall in love, and it's best that they stick to it. But one thing is for sure, their mutual, budding attraction is making them second guess things.
Chloe can't believe someone like Sander would ever talk to her, let alone ask for her company to pull of a stunt that makes them look like a happy, loving couple. She's got enough on her plate already, and her past history with famous men has left her jaded and a little more than burnt out. But the thing about Sander is he's persistent. Besides, what could it hurt, right? It's only make believe. Or at least, she thought it was.
Sander just wants to move on from his own past. He doesn't need the drama or the media trying to nit pick at things he'd rather just forget. Chloe is a sweet woman, and she ends up lighting a fire within him that makes him second guess everything. I love how tender he is with Chloe. He's not just one of those famous people putting on an act. Underneath his somewhat rough exterior, there's a kind hearted man inside just needing that one woman to turn it all around for him. It might just be Chloe, if he just opens his heart to the possibility.
Never Say Never is a light, enjoyable read. The characters are likable, and the pace is smooth, transitioning easily between Chloe and Sander. Ms. Duffy has created a brilliant cast of characters that one just wants to root for. All they have to do is let go of the past and give the future a chance. I recommend this book a s fun, sweet story that will have you cheering for the HEA.
Review Rating: 4 LIGHTNING BOLTS
Review: Pretending isn't working when feelings become very real.
It was just supposed to a ruse, for show. Chloe and Sander have their reasons for not wanting to fall in love, and it's best that they stick to it. But one thing is for sure, their mutual, budding attraction is making them second guess things.
Chloe can't believe someone like Sander would ever talk to her, let alone ask for her company to pull of a stunt that makes them look like a happy, loving couple. She's got enough on her plate already, and her past history with famous men has left her jaded and a little more than burnt out. But the thing about Sander is he's persistent. Besides, what could it hurt, right? It's only make believe. Or at least, she thought it was.
Sander just wants to move on from his own past. He doesn't need the drama or the media trying to nit pick at things he'd rather just forget. Chloe is a sweet woman, and she ends up lighting a fire within him that makes him second guess everything. I love how tender he is with Chloe. He's not just one of those famous people putting on an act. Underneath his somewhat rough exterior, there's a kind hearted man inside just needing that one woman to turn it all around for him. It might just be Chloe, if he just opens his heart to the possibility.
Never Say Never is a light, enjoyable read. The characters are likable, and the pace is smooth, transitioning easily between Chloe and Sander. Ms. Duffy has created a brilliant cast of characters that one just wants to root for. All they have to do is let go of the past and give the future a chance. I recommend this book a s fun, sweet story that will have you cheering for the HEA.
Author
Info
About
me
For
as long as I can remember, I've had a good book in my hands. In
primary school I loved Roald Dahl. In high school my English teacher
introduced me to Charles Dickens, Stephen King, Jane Austin, Emily
Bronte, and Shakespeare. It was then that I discovered my love for
romance and I've wanted to pen my own imaginary heroes and heroines
for others to enjoy ever since. Only in the last few years was I
lucky enough to meet some fabulous and encouraging people to help me
gain the skills to make that dream possible.
I
live in sunny Scotland in a small town near the Ochils and work nine
to five in a solicitors office. In my free time, you'll find me on
Facebook, stalking *cough* following friends on Twitter, and may even
catch me shoe shopping.
Feel
free to follow me on:
Twitter https://twitter.com/AimeeDuffyx
Giveaway
Aimee
will be hosting a TOUR WIDE COMMENTER Giveaway for a $20.00 Amazon
Gift Card,
Buy Links
Beachwalk Press: http://beachwalkpress.com/never-say-never/
The Voice!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for hosting today!!
ReplyDeleteI have to admit that I haven't been keeping up with the latest seasons but I am a fan of American Idol. I have already read Never Say Never and I loved it! Chloe and Sander are a great couple and I loved watching them work through their issues! Thanks for the giveaway
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting Nikki and for a fab review!
ReplyDeleteYou too Maria. Good luck.
I watch the US versions of The Voice and Idol but think we're behind in the UK. It's Britain's Got Talent the now with Simon Cowell. Is it sick that I fancy him a little?