It was a modern take on an arranged marriage that was supposed to lead to my happily ever after. The rules were simple:

1. Marry a complete stranger chosen for you by professionals.

2. Live together as man and wife for eight weeks while cameras record your every move.

3. Make a decision to stay together or get a divorce.

Call me crazy, but I had complete faith in the process, until I saw who was waiting for me at the end of the aisle.

Austin James has never met me, but that doesn’t mean I don’t know him. With no other choice, I say my vows and pray I can make it through the next eight weeks. Then I’ll leave. What connects us is my best kept secret, and I’ll protect it at all costs even if that means walking away from the only person I’ve ever cared about.

Rachael Duncan has most definitely hit it out of the park with Hopeless Vows! The premise sounded so intriguing I couldn’t wait to see how it played out. As participants in a reality show called First Comes Marriage, the main characters have agreed to marry a complete stranger, live together for eight weeks, then decide whether to stay married or not. All while their every move (well, almost every move) is recorded by a team of camera-wielding nosy Parkers. Before you start sputtering that it’s absurd for anyone to agree to this, just settle down (and remember there is indeed a reality show titled Marriage At First Sight). The four couples have been carefully vetted and undergo weeks of rigorous tests before the actual wedding. We’re talking meeting with a sociologist, a psychologist, you name it. And this is all after thousands of applicants have been narrowed down, and four couples chosen based on, among other things, their compatibility factor. I have to say, Ms. Duncan covered every angle in order to make this story truly believable. Also, since the couple must continue therapy throughout the eight weeks, it gives us, even more, glimpses into what they are thinking and going through. Or what they are hiding. Yes, I said hiding.Jillian is alone in the world. Up until now she’s preferred it that way. Her best friend Janey is the only person she confides in. Janey knows all of Jillian’s dark secrets. Which I was dying to find out! I mean, I spent every minute trying to piece the Jillian puzzle together as I read this book. Since Janey knows Jillian so well, she’s a bit shocked she would even consider putting herself out there on a reality show. But Jillian has reached a turning point in her life; her career at a fashion magazine is going well, her past (whatever that is, dammit!) is far behind her, and she wants to build the kind of life she never had growing up.

“My parents were never home when I was a kid. When I was forced to live with my grandmother, I was so angry and upset with the world that most of my days were spent locked away in my room. I craved solitude then. Now, it only serves as a constant reminder of how lonely I really am.
At twenty-eight years old, I started losing hope I would find that one person made for me. If he even existed at all. Hence, why I’m going through this insane, unconventional process. I just hope this isn’t a huge mistake.”

Hopeless Vows is really Jillian’s story, and it’s told primarily from her point of view. However, throughout the novel Ms. Duncan has cleverly sprinkled chapters told in Austin’s voice. These chapters are well written, perfectly timed gems. I felt Austin’s growing love for Jillian, his confusion at her hesitancy yet obvious desire to move their relationship forward, and his determination to make her see they are perfect for each other.

Austin, Austin, Austin! Oh my goodness, I love this man! He instantly falls for Jillian as she makes her way down the aisle. His confidence in the process that has paired them together is without a doubt. But when Jillian hesitates halfway to the altar, his breath hitches, until she smiles and continues walking. Chalking it up to nerves, he resolves to do everything possible to show her they belong together. Austin is a dream come true for Jillian. He is calm, reasonable, and fun to her often too serious, driven personality. He’s gorgeous, successful, sexy, charming as hell, and thoughtful. Did I mention sexy? Well, it bears repeating.

Jillian is plagued by a dark secret. Whatever it is, it’s taken years and a lot of work to accept what happened. That doesn’t mean she will ever get over it. But she has chosen to be a survivor instead of a victim. Jillian is such a caring, and beautiful person, full of integrity, always concerned about doing the right thing. Which is why she’s kept to herself all these years. Just when life seems to be giving her a reprieve from those painful memories, Karma steps up and kicks her in the gut. The very thing she’s worked so hard to put behind her is now standing at the altar with a dazzling smile, directed at her.

Hopeless Vows had my emotions ping-ponging all over the map! I sighed as the romance blossomed. The chemistry and sexual tension between these two gave me butterflies and hot flashes. I wanted to yell at Jillian: Just tell Austin your secret, whatever the heck it is!! I hoped with all my heart Austin would understand and forgive her when she finally does confess. And, I felt the heartbreaking, gut-wrenching devastation when tragedy strikes. Ms. Duncan’s writing is beautiful, and her characters real. This story is unique, and so engaging I’m sure you will devour it as fast as I did, loving every minute of agony it puts you through.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

HOSTED BY: