Susan F. (scoutmomskf) -
Good marriage of convenience story with some twists. Galen wants to give his ward, a little girl named Ellie, a stable home after the trauma of losing her parents. He uses his grandmother's matchmaking program to find a suitable wife. He's not looking for a grand passion, only someone compatible with whom he can make a life.
Peyton is out for revenge against the Horvath family, especially the matriarch Alice, whom she blames for the devastation her family experienced. She manipulates the matchmaking program to ensure that she is matched with Galen. She expects the marriage to get her close enough to the family that she can get the information she needs for her exposé.
I liked Galen. He is intelligent, kind, and protective of those he loves. I loved seeing him with Ellie, who adores him. His sympathy and understanding of her loss is heartwarming.
I had a harder time liking Peyton. Her focus on revenge prevented her from seeing the possible collateral damage. She also allowed her personal bias to influence her research instead of the balanced writing she is known for.
Having never met before the wedding day, neither Galen nor Peyton knew what to expect from each other. The sparks of attraction are undeniable, but Peyton resists as long as she can. She has no intention of remaining in the marriage, and intimacy will complicate matters. However, during their "honeymoon," Peyton tries to guard her heart from more pain but discovers that Ellie and Galen have wiggled past her walls.
Galen quickly realizes that he has fallen hard for Peyton but can sense that she is hiding something. I liked his patient hope that she'll open up to him. I liked how he made Peyton part of parenting Ellie, even though she initially tried to hold back.
When the truth comes out, Peyton and Galen must decide if their marriage is worth saving. Grandmother Alice plays a big part in the ending as she reminds Peyton that every story has two sides. I ached for Peyton as she looked at her past from a new perspective. There's a twist that surprises Peyton, though I had my suspicions. I also hurt for Galen and his feelings of betrayal when he learned the truth. It takes a little time for each to realize that they belong together. I liked Galen's determination to convince Peyton of his love.
The ending was good, as Alice's matchmaking program and her instincts proved right again.
Peyton is out for revenge against the Horvath family, especially the matriarch Alice, whom she blames for the devastation her family experienced. She manipulates the matchmaking program to ensure that she is matched with Galen. She expects the marriage to get her close enough to the family that she can get the information she needs for her exposé.
I liked Galen. He is intelligent, kind, and protective of those he loves. I loved seeing him with Ellie, who adores him. His sympathy and understanding of her loss is heartwarming.
I had a harder time liking Peyton. Her focus on revenge prevented her from seeing the possible collateral damage. She also allowed her personal bias to influence her research instead of the balanced writing she is known for.
Having never met before the wedding day, neither Galen nor Peyton knew what to expect from each other. The sparks of attraction are undeniable, but Peyton resists as long as she can. She has no intention of remaining in the marriage, and intimacy will complicate matters. However, during their "honeymoon," Peyton tries to guard her heart from more pain but discovers that Ellie and Galen have wiggled past her walls.
Galen quickly realizes that he has fallen hard for Peyton but can sense that she is hiding something. I liked his patient hope that she'll open up to him. I liked how he made Peyton part of parenting Ellie, even though she initially tried to hold back.
When the truth comes out, Peyton and Galen must decide if their marriage is worth saving. Grandmother Alice plays a big part in the ending as she reminds Peyton that every story has two sides. I ached for Peyton as she looked at her past from a new perspective. There's a twist that surprises Peyton, though I had my suspicions. I also hurt for Galen and his feelings of betrayal when he learned the truth. It takes a little time for each to realize that they belong together. I liked Galen's determination to convince Peyton of his love.
The ending was good, as Alice's matchmaking program and her instincts proved right again.
