So, I cannot figure out what this book was and for some reason it keeps popping up in my thoughts. I am hoping that someone can help me, if only so that I can re-read it and get it out of my head! It’s like a song that you’re stuck with on repeat at the moment.
This book was definitely part of a series with a new character for each book. This was not the first book and as far as I recall, based on the context clues in this book, the previous book would have been about the FMC’s older brother. I didn’t read the other books though.
FMC runs her art gallery that I believe her older brother helped/ helps her fund. She is struggling but wants to be independent. The book begins with a party where the FMC’s best friend (a guy) uses her as collateral in a bet without her knowledge. Her best friend loses the bet and is forced to tell her that she essentially must go to the dude he lost the bet to (enter your classic ruthless hot billionaire). As the stakes for the bet were very dangerous FMC begrudging heads off to meet the MMC at the party in some dark room. Sparks fly, then MMC pushes FMC into a “fake” marriage with him. She realises quickly that he’s a lot more ruthless than she thought.
I can’t remember all the details but we find out later that MMC married her because he has a custody battle with his niece and he is trying to retain custody of her - so has decide he needs a wife. It was his sister’s child and she had died.
MMC & FMC head off to a swift honeymoon and then she moves in with him when they get back and meets the kid (and obvs loves her etc.). There is a lot of resentment obviously between the two of the because he has so fully manipulated her into this deal.
Another scene I remember is that he comes to her art gallery for a show to support her, as they are thawing, and there is some kind of an assault form an ex or something , where he comes to her rescue.
And the final thing, is that the MMC knows the FMC’s brother, and hates him. I recall that he married her originally as a way to get back at her brother in part? They have a dinner at her house with her mum and siblings and the whole time her brother and MMC are pretending not to know each other in front of her but MMC is enjoying toying with him now that he has his sister.
Wow, okay. That was a lot. Fingers crossed - I could be reading this book by tonight. 😂 thanks for reading everyone, I hope someone out there recognises this!