The Accidental Fiancé by Christi Barth – a Review

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Descripition:
Is it the chance of a lifetime or his biggest mistake?

When former hotel manager Alex Kirkland, his sister and their best friends pooled their money for an unusual lottery prize—a historic, dilapidated inn on the Maryland shore—as a last-ditch attempt to escape rotten circumstances, they never expected to win. But they’re all looking for a fresh start and a second chance, so Alex convinces everyone to move in and repair the building in time for the spring wedding season.

Sydney Darrow never planned to return to her hometown. But her family needs her and Sydney can endure anything for 90 days—including making sandwiches and serving coffee with a smile until she returns to her jet-setter career. When her grandma mistakes a handsome customer for the “fiancé” Sydney created when she thought her grandma was on death’s door, well…Sydney will do anything to keep her spirits up during treatment. She can persuade him to keep up the charade for a few months, right?

But when Alex agrees to play along, will they both fall for their own fiction?

Review:

The Accidental Fiancé by Christi Barth is the first book in her new Love Lottery series. Alex Kirkland, our hero, has lost his job, and his sister, plus two close friends are also in dire financial shape.  When his sister, Amelia, buys a lottery ticket (to win a historic inn), since it’s Christmas and the other three also buy a ticket.  They actually win the lottery and the 4 of them are partners, as they head to Maryland, for a fresh start, and hope.  The Inn is in bad shape, totally dilapidated, but they are determined to work hard to renovate and manually repair the Inn, and hope they can make some money when it is restored.  In a short period, they begin to meet the wonderful townsfolk, who are happy to see the inn possibly return to its former glory. 

Sydney Darrow, our heroine, returns home to help her grandmother, who is undergoing chemo, run the family mercantile. Sydney is also on leave from her job, which she was hoping for a promotion; but has put everything on hold until her grandmother is done with her treatment.  While working at the store, Sydney meets a handsome stranger, who came across as arrogant, even though he was a hunk. 

Alex, the handsome stranger, comes to the store to buy stuff, and her grandmother misunderstands, and thinks he is Sydney’s fiancé.  Alex goes along with the ruse (for a couple of months), and soon they become good friends, helping each other, and the town actually believes they are engaged; except for a select few who know the truth.   

In a short time, the chemistry between them is sizzling hot, and a romance will begin.  It was fun to see Alex, Amelia, Ever and Teague work hard on the house, and the girls especially becoming close to Sydney, who was not used to having girlfriends.  I also loved a number of characters in the town, and how many would help the group at the Inn.  Alex is also concerned, since he has put out most of his money to pay for the restoration, and the others keep adding to the bills. 

What follows is that both Alex and Sydney have some past issues, that somehow are interconnected to Alex losing his job, with neither telling the other.  Will they stay together after the truths are revealed?

The Accidental Fiancé was a sweet, heartwarming, romance that was very well written by Christi Barth.  This was a fun read, likeable characters, great couple and some steam. If you enjoy a pure romance, I suggest you read this book.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy supplied for Review