Beauty and the Grease by Stephanie J. Scott: Book Review

 **ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own. 

The Book

Picking up my stranded ex from the side of the road is only the beginning of my problems. Somehow, I’ve agreed to be his fake girlfriend for the weekend.

Jenny:

I’m on a routine tow truck call through the auto shop I own when my day frays worse than my hair: stranded in the ditch is none other than my ex, Chase, who shattered my heart.

I admit, I don’t mind seeing the man lose his cool. It took me years to gain my Lady Boss confidence, even if my tow truck is bright orange and second hand from a retired clown.

I can’t abandon Chase, though that’s exactly what he did to me over fifteen years ago. The upside? I’ll charge him top dollar for the tow and repairs on his swanky European sedan. The downside? As I’m driving him to his work conference, he does the worst thing ever.

He apologizes. Only my heart is too hardened to ever let Chase back in.

Chase:

I’ll take Jenny any day over my ex-wife, whose heated phone conversation attempting to cast off our kids on her designated weekend sent me off-roading in my Audi. She has no idea my job is at risk and that this work retreat is my chance to save it.

What’s meant to be a simple drop-off turns nearly deadly after a tornado forces Jenny to shelter with me at the retreat center.

Now my bosses believe I brought a significant other to the work event. Shockingly, Jenny plays along, but I suspect she’s drawn to the yoga retreat next door over pretending to date the man who dashed her belief in love. I want her to stay, but I can’t let my boss know the secret of our past or my reputation—and my job—are toast.

Meanwhile, my heart is battling with what I’ve known for years. Leaving Jenny was a mistake.

The Author

Stephanie J. Scott writes light-hearted, quirky romance and young adult. She enjoys dance fitness, everything cats, and has a slight obsession with Instagram. A Midwest girl at heart, she resides outside of Chicago with her tech-of-all-trades husband and fuzzy furbabies.

Book Review

Beauty and the Grease is part of the Midlife Meet Cute series. This is a multi-author series of novellas that all feature couples that are forties plus. They can be enjoyed as standalones or in any order. 

I always enjoy a good second chance romance and this one was really cute! Chase and Jenny had a VERY brief marriage that ended in an annulment due to pressure from his family. Years later, he finds himself stranded on the side of the road, to be rescued by Jenny who now owns a car repair company! With an unexpected storm, a company retreat and a bit of fake dating, these two find themselves spending more time together and old feelings resurfacing. I really enjoyed getting to know these two and seeing them get their second chance at a happily ever after. Second chance romance works really well for shorter reads like this one, because they already have that history and foundation, so even if the story is quick, it doesn't feel at all rushed. This was definitely a fun addition to the series!

Beauty and the Grease is a closed-door romance with kisses only and no language. 



You can purchase your copy here: https://amzn.to/402D9Zx