The Accidental Newlywed Game by Jaci Burton

We've sort of seen in previous books in the series that Honor Bellini was probably going to end up with her sister's ex-fiancee, Owen Stone. And, while that's a setup that I don't usually enjoy, I really like Burton's writing and thought she might be one of the authors that could pull it off. I really wish that there hadn't been so much secrecy. Also, the big ending was So Very Public. 

Honor is in Vegas for a conference. Surprisingly, Owen is at the same hotel. After a night out together, they wake up married. The chemistry is undeniable (at least to them; it took me a longer to buy in) and they decide to keep dating, but secretly until it becomes clear that it might be a longer term relationship that either thought. 

Three stars

Follows The Engagement Arrangement

This book comes out June 29th, 2021

ARC kindly provided by Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

The Engagement Arrangement by Jaci Burton

I had enjoyed the first book in this series and thought that the second looked like it might be fun as well and friends-to-lovers is one of my favorite tropes. Fake relationship is a trope that I don't mind (not catnip; not something I avoid) but it was interesting to me that so little of the book was actually spent with Brenna and Finn actually having to pretend to be in a relationship when it is literally in the title of the book. There are a few chapters where Brenna needs Finn to pretend to be her fiance so that her ex-husband and his new wife (Brenna's high school BFF turned worst enemy) can't gloat. Then there is a larger part where they are moving toward a real relationship with a couple of chapters thrown in for faking the relationship again though that seemed to be mostly for Brenna mending fences. 

Finn Nolan has loved Brenna Bellini ever since he arrived at her family's vineyard after his parents died. Now that she needs a buffer for an upcoming wedding, he's ready to make her see that he can be more than just part of the family. 

Three stars

Follows The Best Man Plan

Followed by The Accidental Newlywed Game

This book comes out June 29th, 2021

ARC kindly provided by Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

The Best Man Plan by Jaci Burton

Dumped by an email? Two days before her wedding? To a man she's known since they were kids? This is Erin Bellini's reality. And it sucks. But she pushes through and turns her wedding reception into a celebration for her family's winery. She also decides that she's going to get revenge on her fiance. The best way to do that? Sleep with his best friend (a friend of both of them since childhood,) Jason.

But Jason is having none of that. He's had a crush on Erin for forever and was just working up the courage to ask her out when Owen swooped in. So now that Erin is single again, he's going to make sure that she's coming after him for the right reasons. 

And I wish that there had been even a little bit more time in between Erin getting dumped and her hooking up with Jason. I get that he's her Twu Lurv and thus it is All Okay but it didn't really work for me. Yes, I knew this going into the book but Burton is an amazing author and made it so this wasn't a DNF book for me. I am looking forward to other books in the series.

Three stars

Followed by the Engagement Arrangement

This book comes out July 7th

ARC kindly provided by Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

The Matchmaker's Mistletoe Mission by Jaci Burton

Professional matchmaker Alice Weatherford offered to go ahead to Oklahoma to help make sure her friend's wedding preparations are on track. She didn't expect to be stranded at the Bellini's ranch (with a set of three daughters who are obviously sequel bait and I am so excited to read Erin's story about falling in love with her fiance's best friend.) Nor did she expect to meet their neighbor, Clay Henry with whom she has such a chemical reaction.

I actually liked this novella, Burton actually managed to get a lot of "getting to know you" time into the story which doesn't often happen. The end was a little more rushed but the characters were fairly well developed.

Four stars

This novella came out October 15th

ARC kindly provided by Berkeley Publishing Group and NetGalley

Opinions are my own