{"id":64886,"date":"2022-06-06T08:00:25","date_gmt":"2022-06-06T12:00:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/?p=64886"},"modified":"2025-08-28T10:23:32","modified_gmt":"2025-08-28T14:23:32","slug":"release-excerpt-arc-review-reluctantly-yours-by-erin-hawkins","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/?p=64886","title":{"rendered":"Release, Excerpt & ARC Review: Reluctantly Yours (Unexpectedly in Love, #1) by Erin Hawkins"},"content":{"rendered":"

Reluctantly Yours by Erin Hawkins is live!<\/strong><\/h4>\n

A fun and feisty enemies-to-lovers\/fake-relationship romance full of humour, romance, sexy times and sweetness, I loved this one!<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Amazon\u00a0<\/a> |\u00a0 Amazon Worldwide<\/a>\u00a0 |\u00a0 Paperback<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n

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\r\n <\/div><\/div><\/strong><\/h4>\n
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Blurb<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Barrett<\/strong>
\nI\u2019ve rebuilt my father\u2019s media company with hard work and determination, but my single status leaves me on the outs with the one businessman I need to get close to. A little white lie and I\u2019m suddenly in love, head over heels. Now I need to find a fake girlfriend, someone to keep up appearances without any emotions.
\nWhen I find my mother\u2019s fiery assistant in a compromising position, it\u2019s the perfect opportunity to get what I want: a girlfriend for business appearances, without any feelings involved. I won\u2019t let the fact that I\u2019m wildly attracted to the petite redhead get in my way.
\nBut the closer she gets, the more my heart thaws and all too soon I find myself having to choose between the business deal I\u2019m determined to land and the woman I\u2019ve fallen hard for.<\/span><\/p>\n

Chloe<\/strong>
\nAfter two years as editorial assistant to JoAnna St. Clair of the famed St. Clair Press, I\u2019ve been given a chance to take on my dream job as an assistant editor.
\nWhen my childhood best friend asks me to host her bachelorette weekend in the city, I\u2019m thrilled to show everyone how amazing my life is in New York. (Things not included on the tour are my shoebox of an apartment or my romance book collection that is the only thing keeping me warm at night.)
\nBut when I fail to confirm the restaurant reservation and I\u2019m left with no event location an hour before the party starts, I\u2019m desperate. Desperate enough to use my boss\u2019s penthouse for a party while she\u2019s out of town.
\nNo one will ever know. That is until her cold, dismissive, and annoyingly hot son walks in.
\nIn order to keep his silence, Barrett demands a favor in return: he needs a date for a business dinner. That\u2019s easy enough until his mother finds out and he seals my fate by telling her we are dating. It\u2019s that or kiss my job goodbye.
\nWhile I\u2019m reluctant at first, the more time we spend together, the harder it is to fight my attraction to him. Beneath that brooding, icy demeanor lies a heart of gold.
\nBut when a scandalous discovery puts his deal at stake, and our relationship to the test, will Barrett prove he\u2019s all about business?<\/p>\n

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Add to Goodreads<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

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Review<\/b><\/h4>\n

4.5 stars!<\/b><\/p>\n

I love this book! It\u2019s a fun and feisty enemies-to-lovers\/fake-relationship romance between a grumpy billionaire and a sassy young wannabe-editor (his mother\u2019s assistant). It\u2019s full of chemistry and heat, and it\u2019s wonderfully romantic, and I enjoyed every moment of it.<\/p>\n

Barrett and Chloe do not get on. At all. He is the workaholic CEO of his family\u2019s media company with goals of taking it to the top of the industry, she is a wannabe book editor currently working as the assistant to Barrett\u2019s mother at a publishing company. They only briefly interact, but when they do it\u2019s full of sparks and genuine hatred.<\/p>\n

Barrett\u2019s latest business deal requires him to appear like a family man\u2026 or at least a relationship man. Of which he is neither. As one of the city\u2019s most eligible bachelors, he has no lack of women hanging off him at every opportunity with dollar signs and diamonds in their eyes, but he avoids complications at all costs. He needs a fake girlfriend and fast, one that won\u2019t expect anything else from him. So when Barrett catches Chloe in a position that could see her lose her job, he sees his opportunity. He agrees to cover for her \u2013 if she agrees to be his fake girlfriend until he can clinch his deal. Stuck in a corner with little other option, Chloe agrees.<\/p>\n

It’s a fun set-up, made so enjoyable because these characters are fantastic! They\u2019re both so gloriously stubborn, confident, witty and intelligent, and though their lives are vastly different, Chloe bravely stands up to grumpy Barrett, and they have a fantastic dynamic. It\u2019s feisty but playful, and their bickering is so freaking entertaining. It\u2019s not too long before we see a gradual softening towards each other, and as they get to know one another, they begin to see each other in a new light, and that\u2019s when things get really good.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a wonderful sense of intensity between these two. They\u2019re attracted to each other, there are some slips with random statements, glances, touches, and even a few kisses, but everything between them has the feeling of a slow burn, with their attraction simmering along for a while before anything truly happens. I was madly flipping pages, desperate for something<\/i>, but I enjoyed each and every moment of the build-up.<\/p>\n

\u201cTell me you\u2019re mine because you want to be.\u201d<\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Their shift is gradual, but intense, and when they do finally get to the sexy time, it\u2019s hot and passionate, and my kindle was steaming! Holy damn, these two are on fire together! Their feelings for each other continue to deepen, and before too long, everything has changed.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know I should regret forcing you into a fake relationship, but I can\u2019t. Just being near you makes me a better man. You made me realise I was missing out on life. I\u2019ve fallen for you, Chloe. Hard.\u201d<\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

They still have issues to work through \u2013 secrets that they are keeping, and processing a shift in their priorities and what that means for both of them, but it\u2019s resolved well, and there\u2019s lots of swoon as these two figure it all out and get their happy ending.<\/p>\n

\u201cI need you to say you\u2019re mine. Because I am yours.\u201d<\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This is my first read by Erin Hawkins, and I really like her writing. There will be a book following on from this one for side-character, Emma, and I can\u2019t wait to get my hands on her story.<\/p>\n

Full of humour, romance, sexy times and sweetness, I loved this one!<\/p>\n

4.5 stars!<\/p>\n

An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.<\/i><\/p>\n

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Unexpectedly in Love<\/strong><\/h4>\n

\"\" \u00a0\"\" \u00a0\"\" \u00a0\"\"<\/p>\n

Reluctantly Yours (#1)<\/strong> (Barrett & Chloe)
\nReview<\/a>
\nBuy:\u00a0 Amazon\u00a0<\/a> |\u00a0 Paperback<\/a><\/p>\n

Unexpectedly Mine (#2)<\/strong> (Griffin & Emma)
\nReview<\/a>
\nBuy:\u00a0 Amazon\u00a0<\/a> |\u00a0 Paperback<\/a><\/p>\n

Accidentally Ours (#3)<\/strong> (Holden & Sophie)
\nReview<\/a>
\nBuy: \u00a0Amazon<\/a>\u00a0 |\u00a0 Paperback<\/a><\/p>\n

Surprisingly Us (#4)<\/strong> (Rhys & Colette)
\nReview<\/a>
\nBuy:\u00a0 Amazon<\/a>\u00a0 |\u00a0 Paperback<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

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Excerpt<\/strong><\/h4>\n

I take another shot because hosting your friend\u2019s bachelorette party in your boss\u2019s penthouse apartment without her permission is super stressful. When Jules originally suggested it, my gut reaction was hell, no but then Lauren texted me how excited she was for the party and with no other options this late in the game, I caved sending a mass text with the updated address.<\/p>\n

The thing is I couldn\u2019t even ask JoAnna for permission even if I wanted to. Her flight would land at LAX long after Lauren\u2019s party was scheduled to start. And what if she said no? Joanna has been nothing but kind to me, even motherly as I navigate this city on my own, but using her apartment for a personal gathering is definitely crossing into\u00a0inappropriate territory. I scratch at my neck. Either the sequins on this rented dress are irritating my skin or breaking rules gives me hives.<\/p>\n

Jules called a caterer friend of hers that was able to make extra hors d\u2019oeuvres last minute. She didn\u2019t have time or ingredients for me to make personal selections so I was at the mercy of what Jamie and Greg picked for their Hawaiian luau themed wedding reception. So, Luau Thai chicken and sweet and sour meatballs it is!<\/p>\n

While the rest of the ladies are out in JoAnna\u2019s living room, snacking and sipping on drinks, I pull my custom-made pin the hunk on the junk game out of my tote. That\u2019s right, Etsy, I made it myself and saved fifty bucks. Although the guy at Kinkos gave me a funny look when it came off the machine.<\/p>\n

Ryan Gosling smiles back at me, the over muscled body double I used for the lower half is disproportionate to the size of his head. The empty spot between his legs the intended target for my printed and hand cut paper dicks.<\/p>\n

\u201cChloe!\u201d I can hear my friend Claire yelling for me down the hall. Claire, Lauren and I were three peas in a pod growing up. Claire lives in Seattle now and while we haven\u2019t been the best at keeping in touch, when she arrived an hour ago, we easily picked back up where we left off in high school.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe dicks are coming!\u201d I shout, as I pull the paper dicks out of the bag, but she\u2019s already there in the doorway, and I hold up the poster so she can check out Ryan Gosling on steroids. I wave the paper dicks around, then, I explode with giggles at my little joke. \u201cGet it? They\u2019re coming?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHilarious,\u201d she deadpans before waving me out toward the hallway.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m still laughing as she waves her hands, urgently motioning me out of the guest room where I\u2019ve put all the party supplies. I didn\u2019t think pin the junk on the hunk would garner such enthusiasm.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere should we hang it?\u201d I ask.<\/p>\n

\u201cForget the game. The stripper is here. And, he\u2019s gorgeous. Not like a Jersey Shore beef cake, fake tan kind of stripper, but a sexy businessman stripper. Where did you find him? WallStreetstrippers.com?\u201d<\/p>\n

Ooh la la. A stripper sounds fun. Even better than pin the dick on the prick or whatever this game is called. But, I gather the game up and bring it anyways because I did put a lot of effort into it.<\/p>\n

As I start to follow Claire back into the living room, her words finally penetrate the vodka induced fog clouding my brain. I really should have been keeping track of how many shots I\u2019ve taken.<\/p>\n

\u201cWait.\u201d I stop short, nearly dropping the paper dicks on the floor. \u201cI didn\u2019t hire a stripper.\u201d<\/p>\n

There\u2019s only one man that would have access to JoAnna\u2019s apartment without needing to be buzzed in. My stomach clenches with anxiety. Oh God.<\/p>\n

\u201cReally?\u201d Claire\u2019s eyes turn to saucers, \u201cso, who\u2019s the stud in the suit?\u201d<\/p>\n

My eyes scan the sea of scantily clad women until I find him. There, across the room, looking like sex on a stick in a navy suit, with his dark hair hanging over his forehead, being hounded by all the bachelorette party attendees is Barrett.<\/p>\n

My heart stops. This is a scenario that I never in a million years considered. And why would I? Why would Barrett stop by JoAnna\u2019s on a Friday night? When he knows she\u2019s out of town? Doesn\u2019t he have better things to do?<\/p>\n

He sees me then, and when our eyes connect, everything stops. It\u2019s what I imagine a deer feels when its body is lit up by the high beams of an oncoming vehicle. Frozen, stunned, unable to do anything but wait for impact.<\/p>\n

His hazel gaze holds mine, intense and challenging, before his full lips slide into a devilish smirk.<\/p>\n

\u201cChloe Anderson,\u201d he shakes his head, \u201cyou\u2019ve been a bad girl.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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About Erin<\/strong><\/h4>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Best Laid Plans is Erin Hawkins\u2019s debut novel. She lives in Colorado with her husband and three young children. She enjoys reading, running, spending time in the mountains,\u00a0and watching reality TV.<\/p>\n

Connect with Erin:<\/p>\n

Facebook\u00a0<\/a> |\u00a0 Amazon\u00a0<\/a> |\u00a0 Goodreads\u00a0<\/a> |\u00a0 Bookbub\u00a0<\/a> |\u00a0 Instagram\u00a0<\/a> |\u00a0 Newsletter<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Reluctantly Yours by Erin Hawkins is live! A fun and feisty enemies-to-lovers\/fake-relationship romance full of humour, romance, sexy times and sweetness, I loved this one!   Amazon\u00a0 |\u00a0 Amazon Worldwide\u00a0 |\u00a0 Paperback   Blurb Barrett […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":64439,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","yasr_overall_rating":4.5,"yasr_post_is_review":"","yasr_auto_insert_disabled":"","yasr_review_type":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[86,1132,9,29],"tags":[59,1399,48],"class_list":["post-64886","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-enemies-to-lovers","category-fake-relationship","category-romance","category-steamy","tag-arc","tag-erin-hawkins","tag-review"],"yasr_visitor_votes":{"stars_attributes":{"read_only":false,"span_bottom":false},"number_of_votes":0,"sum_votes":0},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Reluctantly-Yours.png?fit=200%2C300&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7gaNL-gSy","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/64886","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=64886"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/64886\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/64439"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=64886"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=64886"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.escapistbookblog.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=64886"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}