Charlotte McKendrick is your typical thirty-something stay-at-home mom. She has three beautiful children, a loving family, special friends, and the most wonderful, adoring husband. Her life is a dream.
Er . . . let’s try this again.
Charlotte McKendrick is not your typical thirty-something stay-at-home mom. Yes, she’s got three beautiful children, a loving family (all of them lingerers—you’ll see), and her friends are special, all right! As far as her wonderful, adoring husband, what a joke! That bastard abandoned her and the kids six months ago.
Now, she will do anything she can to survive and provide for her children. Even if it means signing on the dotted line . . .
Mitch Colton is the CEO of Colton Technologies. Most of his year is spent traveling around the world, bringing companies the latest innovations in automobile technology. He doesn’t have time for a traditional relationship and the BS that comes with it. He doesn’t do the “marriage” thing, the “kid” thing, and he certainly doesn’t do the “falling in love” thing. All that said, he still wants someone to come home to. Someone who will offer everything he wants, and nothing he doesn’t. He realizes loyalty paired with these kinds of demands won’t come cheap. No problem. What he doesn’t realize is that once Charlotte McKendrick signs that dotted line, he’ll be paying with a lot more than money.
Review
I love hot romantic comedies. There’s just something special about authors who can weave humorous, dramatic, and sexy moments together and have their readers hooked right from the beginning. Jacquelyn Ayres’ Under Contract is one such text. Her main and supporting characters are both snarky and witty. They’re not afraid to say what’s on their mind or act a bit out of control to make sure everything works out the way it’s supposed to, even when it seems impossible.
Charlotte “Charley” McKendrick has reached rock bottom. Her husband ran off to “find himself” and left her alone to raise their three children with no money to do so. She’s desperate, willing to do whatever it takes to ensure her kids have a roof over their heads and food in their bellies. Charlotte’s desperation forces her to enter into a contract with Mitchell Colton, a man who doesn’t want to do the whole dating thing, but wants someone to warm his bed and be available to him whenever he deems necessary. Sounds simple, right? Charlotte gets the money she needs to help her family, and Mitchell gets a companion who he doesn’t have to worry about getting close to…it’s mutually beneficial. But what happens when feelings do get involved and their relationship becomes more than what the contract dictates? Can Charlotte adhere to the mandates of the contract without losing herself in the process, or will Mitch finally see that he’s merely been existing for all these years and move on from his tragic past, letting go of his grief and allowing Charlotte to heal him in a way he never thought possible?
Under Contract is a fantastic read that had me laughing out loud on numerous occasions. Charlotte is a strong and passionate woman who gives Mitch a run for his money from the onset of their partnership. She doesn’t allow him to dominate her in any aspect of her life, expect the bedroom, which totally puts Mitch off kilter because he’s used to calling the shots. As a successful businessman who leads with his head and not his heart, their contract should be easy to adhere to, but Mitch wasn’t counting on this sassy, fiery woman consuming his world so completely that it quickly becomes more about just wanting to be with Charlotte and making her life easier than having a companion at his beck and call.
Ayres’ supporting characters are another aspect of the text that makes it successful. Charlotte’s friends and family are hilarious, especially the GEGs. The way they have each other’s back and the crazy antics that they get into together makes their interactions anything but dull. Mitchell’s grandma also brings a lot to the storyline. She helps him see his life for what it is and what it needs to be, and she can scheme with the best of them.
Charlotte and Mitchell’s story is a definite must read for readers who enjoy kickass heroines and heroes who may seem closed off and unfeeling, but actually would willingly do anything for the people they love. Now, I’ll admit, there were times I wanted to throttle Mitch for acting without thinking, but once his back story is told, it makes a lot more sense as to how he became the man he is when Charlotte first meets him.
If readers are looking for a comical cast of characters and a storyline that is filled with humorous, emotional, and highly erotic scenes then Under Contract is a great choice. I can’t wait for book 2 to see what crazy things Cici has in store for everyone!
A complimentary copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.
4.5 poison apples
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