The teaser for “Million Dollar Marriage” says “a hot romance about two strangers and their race to fall in love.” If you’re thinking of the reality show “Amazing Race” with a touch of “The Bachelor” or “The Bachelorette” then you are correct.

With her fingers on the pulse of Americans’ (or is it the whole world?) fascination with reality shows like Survivor and Amazing Race, author Katy Evans imagined “Million Dollar Marriage,” a reality show wherein the contestants have to be married to “race” for the grand prize of $1 million.

It seemed simple enough; but it was not! The contestants were strangers and they were paired by a so so algorithm. The clincher, these total strangers have to get married at the beginning of the show and win the million dollars if they remained married till the end.

Whew! That’s a lot to take in. But, have no fear. Katy Evans can tell a good yarn and she totally nailed this one. It was a romantic comedy with a bit of drama. Front runners Nell Carpenter and Luke Cross were so wrong for each other that you actually question how the author could bring them to a happily ever after.

Just remember, we are in the era where reality stars become celebrities. Nielsen ratings and social media could do that. And in this imaginary world of “Million Dollar Marriage,” Katy Evans used that arsenal to make Nell and Luke three-dimensional.

In short, if “Million Dollar Marriage” was a true reality show, the Brainiac (Penelope “Nell” Carpenter, with a PhD to her name) and the High School Dropout (Luke Cross, bar owner and bartender) could be an audience’s favorite.

I will not describe the challenges that Nell, Luke and the other contestants went through because it would be a spoiler. Let me just say that Katy Evans have a wicked imagination, that is, she’s wicked enough to actually dream things up for Survivor if given a chance.

That said, the romance between Nell and Luke was also steamy enough to get you hot and bothered! Is Luke Cross swoon-worthy? If you’re into reformed bad boys, then, yes, he is!

A fun read that will actually crack you up in more ways than one. The interactions between the hero and heroine plus the supporting characters feel so real, they actually be people you know!

“Million Dollar Marriage” is Rated T for Teens. Parental guidance is strongly advised due to the challenges in the in-book game and some sex scenes.

Story

Million Dollar Marriage

Title: Million Dollar Marriage

Author: Katy Evans
Release Date: July 23, 2019
Publisher: Montlake Romance

Summary

If someone had bet Nell a million dollars that she would be saying “I do” to a complete stranger on national television, she’d have called them crazy, but with her crushing student loan payments sending her deep into the red, she’s out of options. This should be nothing more than a business transaction—until she sets eyes on her groom, and everything changes.

The game is on the instant Luke spots Penelope “Nell” Carpenter. He’s out for the money, yes, but getting a little dirty with Nell doesn’t sound too bad either. Everyone knows he’s not the marrying kind, so it’s a good thing it’s just for show. God knows he’s the worst guy his pretty wife should pick for real.

They have nothing in common, but if they want the grand prize, they’ll have to beat out eight other couples. Proving that total opposites attract should be easy enough…as long as they don’t fall in love in the process.

Image credits: Building photo by Ribastank on Pixabay; Man with tattoo photo by Sanna Jaggas Pixabay; Graduate photo by MD Duran on Unsplash.

Title: Million Dollar Marriage

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