Review: Marriage for One by Ella Maise

Note: An advanced reader copy (ARC) was provided by the author.

“You are the love of my goddamn life,” I whispered back, my voice raw and hoarse. “Somewhere in between all the pretending, I completely fell for you, and I can't even think of my life without you in it.”

It feels like forever since I last read something from Ella Maise--although in reality it was only last year!--but I guess that's what happens when you've loved the three novels you've read from one author and have a constant eye out for whatever new release they have to offer. Well, Maise is back and with it she brings readers and fans the story of Jack and Rose--no, not THAT Jack and Rose, though they do happen to be one of my all-time favorite fictional couples. She releases Marriage for One today and it's the tale of two people who come to an agreement to enter an arranged marriage in name only that should simply be mutually beneficial but becomes quite complicated when feelings come into play. Who would have thought that faking it could lead to potential and all too real heartache?

A few weeks ago, twenty-six-year-old Rose Coleson was planning her wedding. When she walks down the aisle, however, it's towards a groom she'd only met three times. Instead of a look filled with love and warmth, thirty-one-year-old Jack Hawthorne eyes are cold and there isn't a hint of a smile on his lips. This was nothing more than a professional arrangement, so why is it slowly becoming very personal and turning into everything that matters most to Rose? Maybe falling in love with your fake husband wouldn't be so bad, especially if he feels the same way about you. But when it turns out that there are more secrets and lies than Rose thought possible, will she decide to walk away from her dream and their marriage and could it be too late for Jack to convince her to never let go?

Okay, I'm going to keep this spoiler-free and if that makes this part of my review sound really vague, my apologies. Full disclosure: I'm not a huge fan of fake relationship stories because, more often than not, they basically follow the same script. It takes a whole lot to get me excited over this particular trope, and well, will you look at that, Ella Maise succeeded in doing exactly that. Her extraordinary writing, which included taking a far more creative and original approach to this well-worn trope, and two fascinating main characters had me hooked and by the end of it all, my heart felt as if it had run the gamut of emotions. THIS is how slow-burn romances should be written and trust me, the reward is both in the journey and in the ending. If you've never read anything by Maise before, I highly encourage you to snag Marriage for One as soon as you can. I promise, you WON'T regret it. Five-plus stars. ♥

Release Date: 09 May 2019

Date Read: 09 May 2019

Learn more about Ella Maise.

Purchase Marriage for One on Amazon.