This was a Nook freebie. I am a sucker for marriage of convenience stories, but I'm leery of modern ones. They tend to make very little sense or seem contrived. This one was original and also threw some suspense with a hitman into the mix. I really liked this one! ( )

The product description provides a good plot synopsis, and it even mentions that it was previously published as a Harlequin, so you know what you're getting. This is an enjoyable, light beach read that is mostly a romance novel. There are conflicts, and a few suspenseful/thriller moments, but overall it's a story of a man and woman who become married to help each other out and end up in a very complicated relationship. Jonas and Pam develop feelings for each other, but it's awkward to talk about them. Neither one wants to be the one to put it all on the line, so they skirt around their feelings until the resolution. The Key West lifestyle is described in charming detail, and Pam's relationship with Lizzie (Jonas's niece) provides plenty of entertainment as they truly become a family. Jonas and Pam have great chemistry. This is an unusual instance where I happen to like both the male and female leads Jonas is an atypical character, but he shows a lot of growth and stability, and he fearlessly protects Pam. Pam is open and honest about her lack of maternal skills, so I really enjoyed watching her develop in this area. She's loyal to Jonas and Lizzie and fights to keep them together. Everything's tied up neatly (perhaps too neatly for some readers), but it's a good happily-ever-after ending. ( )

Amazon Kindle freebie. As awful as the cover with the studly type. Predictable. ( )