Beyond the Stroke by Erin Hawkins is live!
A golden retriever/black cat fake marriage of convenience romance, this is such a sweet read!
Amazon
Blurb
“You know, Wildflower, I think you just ruined me.”
SUMMER
After years on the road, I’ve discovered Coral Cove is the perfect beach town to live a quiet, untethered life where I can paint in the shadows. That is until a mermaid cosplay goes horribly wrong and Rory Shields, world champion swimmer and the town’s golden boy plucks me out of a sticky situation.
Our chance encounter soon develops into a surprising friendship, and the more I learn about Rory, the more I find myself feeling protective over this charming golden retriever of a man. So, when his meddling parents and relentless ex won’t leave him alone, I announce that we’re not only dating, but married.
My parents’ miserable marriage taught me to never say ‘I do’ but knowing the guise will help Rory focus on training, I agree to follow through with the ruse.
But the more we play husband and wife, the harder it becomes to keep the lines from blurring. And before I know it, I’m treading water in the deep end and falling for my fake husband.
RORY
After rehabbing a knee injury that almost ended my swimming career, I’ve returned to Coral Cove, home of the Carolina Current swimming club, determined to focus on training and preparing for the next summer games. But not everyone in my life is on board with my plans for another run for gold.
My parents and ex-girlfriend have a different plan for my life. Until Summer, the intriguing woman I pulled out of the ocean, announces we’re married and I realize being tied to the gorgeous, free-spirited woman is the perfect solution to keep my parents off my back.
What starts out as a marriage of convenience quickly turns into something much deeper, and suddenly I’m fighting for a future I never saw coming. But Summer doesn’t believe in marriage and happily ever after, so how can I convince her we’re meant to last?
BEYOND THE STROKE is a black cat/golden retriever, marriage of convenience romance. This is book one of the Carolina Current, a series of interconnected stand-alone spicy romantic comedies set in a small, coastal beach town.
Review
3.5 stars
A golden retriever/black cat fake marriage of convenience romance, this is such a sweet read! It’s the first in a new series from Erin Hawkins, and I really enjoyed this one.
Summer escaped a life of privilege where she was neglected yet controlled and has set herself up in a small coastal town where she lives quietly, pursuing her art and enjoying her freedom, even though she’s struggling to get by. She mostly keeps to herself, and she plans to keep it that way, until a hilarious meet cute with a local swim hero changes everything.
Rory is a swimming champion coming back from injury. He’s returning to Coral Cove to rejoin his swim team when he rescues Summer from the ocean. He’s instantly smitten with her and pushes his way into her life, determined to help the struggling woman, but also genuinely attracted to her and unable to stay away. When Summer helps him out of a bind by pretending to be his wife in front of his family who are determined to reunite him with his clingy ex girlfriend, Rory realises that a marriage between them could help them both. So, he proposes they make it real by entering into a marriage of convenience. Summer agrees, but only on the condition that it’s strictly platonic.
“Excuse me. What are you doing?” I jerk back.
“Showing you what it would be like if we were married.”
“Um, no.” I turn to scowl at him. “We wouldn’t be a same side of the booth couple.”
“Why not?”
“Because that’s weird.”
“I like being close.” He props a muscular arm over the back of the booth behind me. “Physical touch is my love language.”
“Of course it is.”
“What’s yours?”
… “Personal space.”
Rory and Summer may be opposites, but they have such a fun dynamic. Given her past, she’s mistrustful and completely closed off, and she does everything she can to keep Rory at arm’s length. But he’s a sweetheart who lives to help others, and he’s all in, determined to do all he can for Summer because he’s already fallen.
“It doesn’t matter what you’re wearing. You walk into a room, and I notice. Every damn time.”
It’s a cute read, and I enjoyed watching Rory and Summer grow closer as they give each other the family, companionship and support they’ve both been needing. They understand each other and they are there for each other, and while Rory tries his best to win Summer’s heart, she’s finding it harder and harder to resist him.
“So let me get this straight,” I drop my voice low, “because I don’t want to put words in your mouth, but you’re annoyed that I’m too good looking.”
… “Yes. It’s frustrating. I never planned on getting married in the first place and now, I have to deal with a hot fake husband.”
… “And I’m too nice to you?”
“Something like that.”
She has no idea how much nicer I want to be. How much more I would give her if she’d let me.
Rory is just gorgeous. He’s got the biggest heart and he is caring, understanding, patient and endlessly charming. He’s everything that Summer needs, and though her walls are high, and her determination to keep him away gets a bit frustrating, she has no hope against him, and their slow-burning love story is sweet and sexy, and I loved seeing them come together.
The man I am when I’m with Summer isn’t the swimmer, the competitor, or the guy everyone expects me to be. With her, I’m just me – vulnerable, exposed, and completely hers.
I’m not just the girl with the secret. I’m not just the artist or the traveler. I’m the woman who feels seen by the man who’s always been right there, waiting for me to let him in.
There’s no external drama, no third act break up, just two people falling for each other and finding their way despite their hurdles, and it was gorgeous to see.
“I want you, Summer. Nothing has ever felt simpler.”
There’s a great bunch of side characters. We get to know Rory’s swim team, and I love the camaraderie between the boys and their fun dynamic. The Carolina Current series will follow them, and with some stories already hinted at, I am so excited to continue on with this series.
3.5 stars
An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author for an honest review.
About Erin
Erin Hawkins lives in Colorado with her husband and three young children. She enjoys reading, running, spending time in the mountains, and watching reality TV.
Connect with Erin:
Facebook | Amazon | Goodreads | Bookbub | Instagram | TikTok | Newsletter