Full Moon Crazy

Published: December 10th, 2011

The Heiress and Her Fake Fiance

By: Kimberly Hope

Gateway Reads, LLC

ASIN:  B006KSVXVG

When her father starts manipulating her life again, Jessica Heymore needs an escape and time to determine her next move. She runs to Blakely and the safe haven of her grandmother’s house. Except Grandma didn’t mention the house was occupied. Now she finds herself living with the star of her high school fantasies. Matt Lawson has moved back to Blakely to prove he’s more than they thought the son of the town drunk could ever be. An accomplished landscape designer, he’s looking for a wife who will stay in the small town and help him set down strong roots on the right side of the tracks this time. But Jessica’s grandma has a penchant for matchmaking and now the whole town is talking about the future for these unlikely roommates.

Review

   Jessica Heymore thought her life was pretty good.  She had a great boyfriend turned fiance, the perfect job with an advertising agency and she got it all without the help of her family's influence - that is, until she finds out her Dad is conspiring with her fiance to sign a contract with their ad agency.  To escape from the disappointment and a broken heart Jess runs away to Blakely and her Grandma's empty house.  At least that's what Grandma led her to believe.  In reality her high school crush, Matt Lawson, is living there and taking care of the property for Jess' Grandma.  At first they are fighting over who gets to live there and who needs to leave, but when Jess' Grandma (known for her pranks and mischievous nature) begins showing possible mental deterioration, they band together to learn once and for all if it's just a prank or Grandma needs serious help.  Along the way Jess and Matt finally come to terms with their feelings for each other.  But will they be able to give up their stubborn denials for a happily ever after?  After reading the book (which is pretty funny) I was left a little disappointed.  I share the same complaint as some other readers - it should have been longer.  One hundred and thirty-six pages was not NEARLY long enough to truly flesh out the characters, give a detailed history of their past relationship and resolve all the conflict preventing them from connecting romantically.  It was a very cute romance and the idea was worthwhile. It just could have used more expansion.  I identified with Jess' devotion to her Grandma, determination to make her own way in life and her way of dealing with the originally unrequited love for Matt.  On the other hand, her blatant lack of reasoning is obvious when at the beginning of the book she's about to marry a man she doesn't love.  SAY WHAT???  And she knows it!!!  Matt came across as hot, kind, understanding and the perfect man for most of the book.  Except for the fact that he was undeniably sexist in his expectations for a relationship.  Plus his wife hunt was slightly hard to stomach.  Grandma was probably my favorite character and even she wasn't that developed as an individual.  She was really funny though.  Overall a cute, funny romance but it needs to be edited and expanded a little bit more.  I'm interested to see what Kimberly Hope does next! :)

VERDICT:  3/5  Stars

*I received an Advanced Reading E-book Copy from the publisher, via NetGalley. No money or favors were exchanged for this review. This book was published December 10th, 2011.*