Marrying the Gardener by Camilla Evergreen: Book Review

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

The Book

I’m only his wife until I get my inheritance, then this relationship is over.

Growing up in an environment that doesn’t value women has meant playing the incompetent princess in order to survive. Now that my grandfather—the man who holds the most power in the family—is dying, I have a chance to get what should have always been mine.

All I need is enough testosterone on my side to win over the sexist patriarchy.

Thankfully, Kaleb Charter and I cross paths while he’s leaving a job accompanying someone to a party I may have shown up late to…because I didn’t want to go.

I’ve only ever known Kaleb as the Bachelor brothers’ broad-shouldered gardener.

But if he offers fake dating on the side, I think I’ve found my fake husband.

Now, he just needs to teach me how to make this believable. Which might be easier said than done.

~

This is a marriage of convenience, forced proximity romcom with plenty of sizzle, yet none of the spice. Fall in love with he falls first swoon, and enjoy the humorous world of Sunset, West Virginia.

The Author

Camilla Evergreen is an alias of USA Today bestselling author Anne Stryker. Originally intended as a dumping ground for all things lacking fantasy, Camilla/Anne came to the shocking discovery that writing sarcastic, chaotic romcoms full of quippy heroines and adoring heroes has a kick to it.

Camilla/Anne’s neurodivergent tendencies leave her hyperfocused on writing sweet and sassy romances from dawn till dusk and lending whatever her current creative obsessions are to her characters. From arranged marriages to falling for the boss, there’s lots of love to go around.

Follow me on Instagram: https://instagram.com/authorannemilla

Book Review

I'll be honest, oftentimes when I read the author's note in a Camilla Evergreen book, I find myself questioning how on earth she's going to pull off... whatever it is that she's going to pull off. In this case, a MMC that's an escort!? Well, that's certainly not something you see often in the sweet/closed-door side of the romance world! And yet, once again she has managed to pull off that perfect blend of super sweet and a little bit unhinged that I've come to expect and enjoy in each one of her stories. A MMC who falls hard and fast and is wholly devoted to the woman he falls for? Check. Tackling harder topics like abuse with grace and sensitivity? Check. Characters who don't fit the molds we typically see in a romance novel? Absolutely check. Kaleb and Crimson were a unique pair, and I found I enjoyed their sweet connection. If you enjoy marriage of convenience and a good slow burn, this is certainly one to check out.  

Marrying the Gardner is a closed-door romance with kisses only but does have quite a bit of innuendo and discussions of sex and minimal minor language as well, more so than I think we've seen in her previous books. As always, the author does a great job of laying out reader expectations in her author's note, so I definitely recommend checking that out. This is the third book in the Bachelor Brothers series, and while I think readers will have a better understanding of some of the family/relationship dynamics if they've read those previous books, I do think this could also be enjoyed as a standalone as well. 


You can purchase your copy here: https://amzn.to/45T57c9