Unwrapping: Review of NEVER SAY NEVER by Aimée Duffy

When I read MONSTER OF FAME, book one in the Price of Fame series by Aimée Duffy back in October 2012, she surprised the beejeebers out of me by actually getting me to enjoy a contemporary romance about, of all things, a reality TV show. So, when she came to me asked if I’d like to read a copy of her second book in the Price of Fame series, NEVER SAY NEVER, no strings attached, I didn’t hesitate to say yes - much to her surprise. She was worried that I wouldn’t want to because it had a reality TV star as the hero. Oh, poo!

***eARC provided by author in exchange for an honest or unscripted review – whether she wanted it or not.

Blurb for NEVER SAY NEVER:

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.}

 

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Chloe Butler returned to London with a broken heart to care for an ailing mother and no prospects for a job doing what she loves. Instead, she finds herself working as a waitress in a coffee shop dreaming about what could be, including what can never be between her and the gorgeous Sander Chase, actor and star extraordinaire, who comes in for coffee every day.

 

Sander Chase is caught between a rock and a hard place. His ex, who cheated on him with his band partner, is having an engagement party and he’s expected to attend with a smile and an eagerness to let bygones be bygones. The problem is that he has no one in his life right now and doesn’t want to go without a beautiful woman on his arm. Having noticed the lovely young woman who works in the coffee shop on more than one occasion, he decides to offer her a proposition that she just can’t turn down.

 

Their relationship is supposed to look real from the outside but remain pretend on the inside. Pretty soon, it’s beginning to look real to more than just those watching. It’s beginning to feel real to Chloe ...  and Sander.

 

NEVER SAY NEVER, book 2 in the Price of Fame series, by Aimée Duffy is a contemporary romance that plays out similarly to nearly everyone’s favorite movie, PRETTY WOMAN. Just as in the movie, our hero simply needs a companion who can play the part of his date, his girlfriend, even his lover. Chloe is NOT a prostitute, but in order for Sander to secure Chloe continuing in her role, he arranges for her to get an interview for her dream job, he pays for new clothes (actually takes her shopping), and arranges a caretaker for her mother so that she’s free to attend to his needs – as a companion, of course. Everyone benefits, no one is hurt, Chloe gets what she needs, and Sander doesn’t lose face. What neither expects is that with one kiss, everything changes and they both find themselves fighting the electric connection sparking between them – a battle they both fight hard not to lose.

Aimée creates an atmosphere of a developing friendship, kindred spirits, and a couple with whom you'll fall in love. I love that she sprinkles her prose with bits of British slang that, although it means looking things up occasionally, lends a London air to the environment of the story that draws you in even deeper. Her characters are full-bodied and charismatic which is quite amazing considering the modest length of the book.

 

I highly recommend NEVER SAY NEVER by Aimée Duffy to anyone who loves a fairy tale romance that’s simple yet complicated, subtle yet explosive, and that will have you urging the hero and heroine to stop fighting what is inevitable and just go for it – to NEVER SAY NEVER - and pursue their happily-ever-after.

 

Happy Reading Everyone!

 

NEVER SAY NEVER, a Price of Fame novel by Aimée Duffy, Beachwalk Press, available now in ebook formats.