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scbennett08's review against another edition
5.0
Fake Fiance leads to Real Choices, Real Consequences and Real Love
This is book 3 in the Ardor Creek Series. The series is best enjoyed in order. This book centers on Mark Lancaster a local attorney and good friends with the rest of the gang in Ardor Creek and Dr. Teresa Rae, a therapist in private practice. Teresa has been mentioned in book 1 and is the therapist that Scott was seeing after the death of his wife and Child. Teresa is in her mid forties and after not being able to obtain the family she desires, she decides to try for a relationship free relationship via an app designed for that purpose. Mark, on the other hand is married to his work and has had a string of “no strings”relationships by meeting people on the same app. After matching with each other on the same app, they decide on a weekly arrangement where they meet at a centrally located hotel. When Mark decides to run for county attorney his campaign advisor tells him he must clean up his womanizing image and he meets with Teresa one more time to break things off. Little do they know that his opponent is having him followed and photos are published putting their arrangement. Mark, desperate to save his campaign from failure before it begins asks Teresa to be his “fake” fiancé. She agrees and they both end up with more than they bargained for.
On the surface this book seems like a pretty standard set up for a fake relationship but the emotions and heart that a flows through the entire book series is front and center in Desires Uncovered and make it anything but ordinary. The characters also really set this book apart from the standard fake fiancé troupe. Mark and Teresa form a bond that starts in a mutual respect for each other and grows into more as Teresa becomes a part of his life. Teresa’s background as a Therapist gives her a unique perspective when dealing with the emotional fallout of being in a fake relationship with a determined playboy and the way she steps up when Mark has to assist his abused sister and his niece when the unthinkable happens makes their friendship and support true relationship goals. Great book, fabulous continuation of the series. Can’t way too see Mark’s sister get her HEA later in the series.
I listened to this book via Audiobook and it is a duet narration which really helps to draw you into the story. Loved it and its another fantastic installment in this series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is book 3 in the Ardor Creek Series. The series is best enjoyed in order. This book centers on Mark Lancaster a local attorney and good friends with the rest of the gang in Ardor Creek and Dr. Teresa Rae, a therapist in private practice. Teresa has been mentioned in book 1 and is the therapist that Scott was seeing after the death of his wife and Child. Teresa is in her mid forties and after not being able to obtain the family she desires, she decides to try for a relationship free relationship via an app designed for that purpose. Mark, on the other hand is married to his work and has had a string of “no strings”relationships by meeting people on the same app. After matching with each other on the same app, they decide on a weekly arrangement where they meet at a centrally located hotel. When Mark decides to run for county attorney his campaign advisor tells him he must clean up his womanizing image and he meets with Teresa one more time to break things off. Little do they know that his opponent is having him followed and photos are published putting their arrangement. Mark, desperate to save his campaign from failure before it begins asks Teresa to be his “fake” fiancé. She agrees and they both end up with more than they bargained for.
On the surface this book seems like a pretty standard set up for a fake relationship but the emotions and heart that a flows through the entire book series is front and center in Desires Uncovered and make it anything but ordinary. The characters also really set this book apart from the standard fake fiancé troupe. Mark and Teresa form a bond that starts in a mutual respect for each other and grows into more as Teresa becomes a part of his life. Teresa’s background as a Therapist gives her a unique perspective when dealing with the emotional fallout of being in a fake relationship with a determined playboy and the way she steps up when Mark has to assist his abused sister and his niece when the unthinkable happens makes their friendship and support true relationship goals. Great book, fabulous continuation of the series. Can’t way too see Mark’s sister get her HEA later in the series.
I listened to this book via Audiobook and it is a duet narration which really helps to draw you into the story. Loved it and its another fantastic installment in this series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
ariesrisingfeather's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Can two consenting 40 something adults have a casual relationship without anything getting messy?
Teresa and Mark met on a hook up ap and we're able to have a successful no strings attached casual sexual relationship that serves both their needs.
Until Mark announced he was running for District Attorney and his opponent hired a PI to follow him and uncovered their affair.
Apparently voters don't like their candidates to have consenting clandestine affairs.
Will Mark and Teresa recover?
5 ⭐️ for portraying an older couple (he's 40, she's 46) and all the nerves and questions that comes with- Do they see themselves getting married? Having kids? Giving up their career?
Many twists and turns to this casual affair and how friends and family can make something casual become something messy pretty quickly.
4 🌶 Although it's not BDSM, it does get spicy and hot with the couple exploring what they reach like and trying their old tricks with new partners, as well a New tricks that have earth shattering results. And even among the intricate plot, there's still plenty to keep you satisfied.
📌- Pennsylvania
Teresa and Mark met on a hook up ap and we're able to have a successful no strings attached casual sexual relationship that serves both their needs.
Until Mark announced he was running for District Attorney and his opponent hired a PI to follow him and uncovered their affair.
Apparently voters don't like their candidates to have consenting clandestine affairs.
Will Mark and Teresa recover?
5 ⭐️ for portraying an older couple (he's 40, she's 46) and all the nerves and questions that comes with- Do they see themselves getting married? Having kids? Giving up their career?
Many twists and turns to this casual affair and how friends and family can make something casual become something messy pretty quickly.
4 🌶 Although it's not BDSM, it does get spicy and hot with the couple exploring what they reach like and trying their old tricks with new partners, as well a New tricks that have earth shattering results. And even among the intricate plot, there's still plenty to keep you satisfied.
📌- Pennsylvania
riss253's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
_alyreadssmut's review against another edition
5.0
Everytime I read one of Ayla Ashers books I think its my favorite and everytime I read a new one it becomes my favorite. I adore how each book works with the books that came before it and stories flow effortlessly.
Another wonderful book in the series
Another wonderful book in the series
swoon_me_away's review against another edition
3.0
MMC always saying “hon” “honey” “sweetheart” gave me the ick….and he didn’t just call the FMC these.
owella's review against another edition
4.0
This was such a refreshing read! Two people in their 40s trying to find love and who know how to communicate! I love how with the authors writing, you really feel what they are feeling going through the story! I was invested in their journey. It was lovely to catch up with other characters from previous books as well.
In the storyline there is some hard hitting themes such as domestic abuse and infertility but these were written very well. I can't wait to start book 4!
In the storyline there is some hard hitting themes such as domestic abuse and infertility but these were written very well. I can't wait to start book 4!
yogicath's review against another edition
5.0
This is book three of the Ardor Creek series and brings together therapist Dr Teresa Roe and lawyer Mark Lancaster, who has just decided to run for the position of County District Attorney. Teresa had moved from the city to find somewhere more relaxed to find a partner and have a family, but she is now in her late forties and found she is unable to have kids, which was a blow. Instead she concentrates on building up her therapy practice and signs up to an app for some fun, no strings hook ups. Mark is far too busy with his law practice and now running for DA, to have a relationship, so he also uses the app. The two meet in a hotel bar for their hook up, using fake names which don’t last very long as nerves kick in for Teresa, with one of the rules is not to discuss anything personal like jobs and so on. They are perfectly matched and decide to continue this no strings affair, meeting twice a week at the hotel, taking turns to book a room and always meeting in the bar first. When Mark puts the papers in to run for DA, he didn’t realise his unsavoury opponent would immediately start following him to catch any scandal he might be involved in. When he met Teresa, he told her that would have to be their last time, as he couldn’t have anything going on in his life that could be taken the wrong way. He will also be even busier than he is at the moment. His opponent will do anything to ensure he wins and has their relationship spread all over the papers and social media the very next morning. Not something Teresa wanted, as she is a very private person and the way it is being reported will probably lose her a new contract, plus a number of clients!
When his campaign manager calls him to sort out possible outcomes and ways to deal with the issues raised, the only one that seems to poll well, is if the two of them get engaged and their hook up becomes a proper romance. It isn’t either of their first choices, with Teresa trying to pay off a few years of unsuccessful IVF rounds, whilst Mark wants a marriage and children once he is more settled after becoming DA, hopefully. For now, both were happy seeing each other regularly and hooking up, finding it easy to be with each other and not have any other pressures on any sort of relationship woes, for two very independent people who like living alone. He is lucky that Teresa agrees to be his fake fiancé and moves in with him the next day. Both their lives are very busy and he comes to realise he likes coming home to her, as time passes and he is even busier than ever. She is introduced to his group of friends and their partners, one who is even her ex-client. The journey towards election day is not easy, as his opponent continues to make life difficult for Mark, and even interferes with his criminal cases by increasing all the charges against his clients, when none of that is warranted.
A situation with his sister Justine, who lives with an abusive husband, Dean, soon explodes and his opponent makes the problem worse for Mark, his sister and her daughter Avery. Instead of forcing their fake relationship apart, this brings them even closer together and fake has soon turned real, whether they were looking for it to or not! Scandal hasn’t broken them apart, but they do need to work out what their possible futures could be, as they aren’t the same. She cannot give him what he has said he wants and no matter how much she has come to love him, sometimes you have to walk away and do the right thing for those you love instead! A mature couple of strong independent characters, who have found someone who could be their perfect match in love in an unusual manner, but have different ideas for their futures. Whether one can adjust their expectations to a loss of their dream, to be with the other, is a hard choice to make and needs time and lots of contemplation. Action forces his hand and he comes to realise what is truly important for his future and the different ways it could be achieved with the one he loves. A strong storyline, with infertility, domestic abuse and even a corrupt county official, all mixed into an unconventional love match. I look forward to seeing characters from the previous books in the next ones, as the small town community pulls together. I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
When his campaign manager calls him to sort out possible outcomes and ways to deal with the issues raised, the only one that seems to poll well, is if the two of them get engaged and their hook up becomes a proper romance. It isn’t either of their first choices, with Teresa trying to pay off a few years of unsuccessful IVF rounds, whilst Mark wants a marriage and children once he is more settled after becoming DA, hopefully. For now, both were happy seeing each other regularly and hooking up, finding it easy to be with each other and not have any other pressures on any sort of relationship woes, for two very independent people who like living alone. He is lucky that Teresa agrees to be his fake fiancé and moves in with him the next day. Both their lives are very busy and he comes to realise he likes coming home to her, as time passes and he is even busier than ever. She is introduced to his group of friends and their partners, one who is even her ex-client. The journey towards election day is not easy, as his opponent continues to make life difficult for Mark, and even interferes with his criminal cases by increasing all the charges against his clients, when none of that is warranted.
A situation with his sister Justine, who lives with an abusive husband, Dean, soon explodes and his opponent makes the problem worse for Mark, his sister and her daughter Avery. Instead of forcing their fake relationship apart, this brings them even closer together and fake has soon turned real, whether they were looking for it to or not! Scandal hasn’t broken them apart, but they do need to work out what their possible futures could be, as they aren’t the same. She cannot give him what he has said he wants and no matter how much she has come to love him, sometimes you have to walk away and do the right thing for those you love instead! A mature couple of strong independent characters, who have found someone who could be their perfect match in love in an unusual manner, but have different ideas for their futures. Whether one can adjust their expectations to a loss of their dream, to be with the other, is a hard choice to make and needs time and lots of contemplation. Action forces his hand and he comes to realise what is truly important for his future and the different ways it could be achieved with the one he loves. A strong storyline, with infertility, domestic abuse and even a corrupt county official, all mixed into an unconventional love match. I look forward to seeing characters from the previous books in the next ones, as the small town community pulls together. I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
rellimreads's review against another edition
4.0
Note: All of Asher’s books & audios are in KoboPlus at the time of this review.
This is book 3 in Ayla Asher’s Ardor Creek series. While this stands alone in terms of the couple's relationship, characters and events are introduced in earlier books which make these best enjoyed in order.
Asher is great at combining burgeoning relationships with serious topics. There’s angst but it isn’t over the top or needlessly drawn out. I enjoyed this no-strings lovers becomes fake engagement romance. When their "just sex" relationship threatens Mark’s run for DA, Teresa agrees to become his fiancé.
While few people in town seemed to think it was actually real, the real focus was on whether or not they would eventually become more. A lot of hurdles to overcome and honest conversations. Add in a nefarious political opponent and a family member on trial.
There was a third-act-breakup, but it was resolved quickly and I liked their HFN and the epilogue. I’m excited for Chad’s story, Resolutions Embraced as well as Justine & Gary’s book, Passions Fulfilled.
Narration:
Wonderful duet narration by Kai Kennicott & Wen Ross. They continue to do a fantastic job bringing Asher’s characters to life. Especially with all the emotions.
This is book 3 in Ayla Asher’s Ardor Creek series. While this stands alone in terms of the couple's relationship, characters and events are introduced in earlier books which make these best enjoyed in order.
Asher is great at combining burgeoning relationships with serious topics. There’s angst but it isn’t over the top or needlessly drawn out. I enjoyed this no-strings lovers becomes fake engagement romance. When their "just sex" relationship threatens Mark’s run for DA, Teresa agrees to become his fiancé.
While few people in town seemed to think it was actually real, the real focus was on whether or not they would eventually become more. A lot of hurdles to overcome and honest conversations. Add in a nefarious political opponent and a family member on trial.
There was a third-act-breakup, but it was resolved quickly and I liked their HFN and the epilogue. I’m excited for Chad’s story, Resolutions Embraced as well as Justine & Gary’s book, Passions Fulfilled.
Narration:
Wonderful duet narration by Kai Kennicott & Wen Ross. They continue to do a fantastic job bringing Asher’s characters to life. Especially with all the emotions.
elbow1227's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Thank you to Ayla Asher for allowing me to listen to a copy of this book. Teresa and Mark's relationship was just so wholesome. And the infertility representation was great in my opinion. And Kai Kennicott and Wen Ross's performance was so wonderful, and it makes listening to audiobooks by Ayla Asher come to life more. And the plot was just so gripping and wanting me want to listen more and more. I cannot wait to continue the Andor Creek series in the future.
pattyfgd's review against another edition
5.0
Desires Uncovered
by Ayla Asher
Narrated by Kai Kennicott, Wen Ross
Series Ardor Creek #3
Back to Ardor Creek I go! I love visiting this small town and I love that Ayla Asher features more mature characters in this series. It's a pleasure to relate to women close to my age. This story features Dr Theresa Roe. Unable to get pregnant, even with medical help, she finds herself looking for companionship on a dating app. These two hit it off immediately, but decide to keep it casual. Now Mark is running for DA and his opponent will use anything to prevent him from being elected. Even how he met his current girlfriend. How will these two handle it? Sparks fly, plans are set and it's time to find out how it all plays out! I love these two characters. Mark is attentive and swoony, and has a good handle on where his life is going. It's fun to see how Theresa can throw a wrench into his plans. Theresa is sweet and caring, lover her with Mark's niece and is willing to do what it takes. I love how Asher weaves in relevant issues like domestic abuse into her plots too, making the story current and realistic. It's a wonderful addition to this series.
Kai Kennicott and Wen Ross continue to bring Ardor Creek to life. This team never ceases to amaze me on how they find the characters' voice and create their personalities. Each one is perfectly fit. The chemistry between them is always evident and makes the romance flourish. Another fantastic listen!
by Ayla Asher
Narrated by Kai Kennicott, Wen Ross
Series Ardor Creek #3
Back to Ardor Creek I go! I love visiting this small town and I love that Ayla Asher features more mature characters in this series. It's a pleasure to relate to women close to my age. This story features Dr Theresa Roe. Unable to get pregnant, even with medical help, she finds herself looking for companionship on a dating app. These two hit it off immediately, but decide to keep it casual. Now Mark is running for DA and his opponent will use anything to prevent him from being elected. Even how he met his current girlfriend. How will these two handle it? Sparks fly, plans are set and it's time to find out how it all plays out! I love these two characters. Mark is attentive and swoony, and has a good handle on where his life is going. It's fun to see how Theresa can throw a wrench into his plans. Theresa is sweet and caring, lover her with Mark's niece and is willing to do what it takes. I love how Asher weaves in relevant issues like domestic abuse into her plots too, making the story current and realistic. It's a wonderful addition to this series.
Kai Kennicott and Wen Ross continue to bring Ardor Creek to life. This team never ceases to amaze me on how they find the characters' voice and create their personalities. Each one is perfectly fit. The chemistry between them is always evident and makes the romance flourish. Another fantastic listen!