Source: pr firm in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: December 22, 2022
Buying Links: Amazon* | Apple Books* | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Smashwords
* affiliate links; the blog receives a small commission from purchases made through these links.
Blurb from goodreads:
WHAT’S ONE ITSY, BITSY, LITTLE LIE? Cassian Anders will be the youngest governor in Illinois history... If he wins.
That’s all everyone seems to talk about these days. Jolie Coldwell isn’t one of them. As a journalist, her priorities comprise digging up dirt on crooked politicians and local cover-ups. When her latest exposé on a congressman lands her in hot water, her days are reduced to covering the senior center’s casino night.
Unexpectedly, news breaks: the on-air investigative segment needs a replacement. This promotion advance could her career.
She needs a breaking story. She needs it now.
The road to office is ruthless compared to the courtroom. Without warning, Cassian Anders’ popularity rating falls, threatening his position on the ballot. He will do whatever it means to secure votes. Now, not only is he engaged, but he’s getting married to his non-existent fiancée...
He’s never relied on luck, but when a convenient but unorthodox wife falls into his lap? He makes her a deal.
He needs a wife. He needs it now.
Will Jolie and Cassian be able to fool the public long enough? Can she handle the public poking around in her past, one she would rather keep under wraps... Above all, can she be a model first lady or are they destined to be a scandal?
The Last-Minute First Lady is a steamy marriage of convenience romance. Perfect for readers who love outrageous in-laws, honeymoons to Napa Valley, and crooked politicians. This novel contains cursing and sex scenes, and intended for audiences 18 years and older.
Welcome to my stop on the tour and don't forget to check out the giveaway near the end of this post.
The premise and cover appealed to me and I was happy to be accepted for the tour. I admit, "First Lady" had me thinking about the White House but the blurb made it clear that wasn't the case. I just don't think of governor's spouses as "First Lady" or "First Gentleman". Aaaanyway,
"The Last Minute First Lady" starts out with a strong women's fiction feel and then slowly changes into a romance, but still with a women's fiction feel. One thing I didn't like, but this is a very personal pet peeve and may not bother anyone else: cancer is part of the story, though not any of the main characters and it's not a large part of the story. But I wasn't expecting it and I generally try to avoid stories with cancer in them. So, you have been warned.
Cassian and Jolie start out as enemies who unite to achieve goals. It's definitely a marriage of convenience. But, slowly, feelings develop between them. Sadly, communication is a challenge for both of them and there were times I wanted to smack them both. I enjoyed seeing them work at communication, at acknowledging and coping with their feelings, and I was invested in Cassian winning the election. I understood his obsession, his need, to win but wished he listened more to his parents. Again, communication was a weakness. Communication, and trust, were recurring themes and Montford deftly explored them while developing the characters and furthering the story. If enemies-to-lovers mixed with politics and family drama is your catnip, grab a copy!
About Tinia Montford:
Tinia (TUH-rrnor NIA) Montford is a Pisces who’s a sap for romance, especially when there’s (tons of) kissing. Loves eighties sitcoms and will consume anything with chocolate. She graduated from the University of San Francisco with a degree in English and Graphic Design.
She is a world traveler having climbed a volcano in Nicaragua, scaled Angkor Wat in the blistering sun, and roamed the Acropolis of Athens. Oh, she also dabbles in short stories occasionally.
If you can’t catch her writing, you can bet she’s overindulging on poke bowls, listening to the same four songs, or chilling with her adorbs doggie. She is currently pursuing her MFA in Fiction.
Find Tinia Online:
Rafflecopter Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/e2389ba21588/?
Tour Schedule Week Two:
12/19/2022 @just_another_mother_with_books IG Review
12/19/2022 The Litt Librarian Review/IG Post
12/20/2022 Author Z. Knight Review/IG Post
12/20/2022 Eye-Rolling Demigod's Book Blog Review/IG Post
12/21/2022 Karen Dee's Book Reviews IG Review
12/21/2022 More Books Please blog Review/IG Post
12/22/2022 @jael_and_jenessa_reads Review/IG Post
12/22/2022 Nagma | TakeALookAtMyBookshelf IG Review
12/23/2022 Bea's Book Nook Review
12/23/2022 beersbooksboos Review/IG Post
I love the marriage of convenience trope and it's fun to see it dealt with in a contemporary and with a women's fiction spin. That said I try to avoid books with cancer too (for obvious reasons!) so I'm not sure this book is for me. Great review!
ReplyDeleteThanks! The cancer story line is secondary but it was an unpleasant surprise, and I understand you wanting to skip it.
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