I love how my fingers look entwined with the fire of Emma’s hair.
Lainey Davis
Fragile Illusion
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Format:
Audiobook
Note: Books 1-3 have also been packaged into a box set
Publisher’s Synopsis:
It started with a lie.
A story to clean up my reputation.
I never bargained on falling for the girl.
I don’t really care what my family thinks. I work hard, selling my art for a f*ck-ton of money and yeah, I celebrate with the ladies. But my brothers just won’t ease up.
So I blurt out the first thing that comes to mind. It seems like such a small deception to get my family off my back. Only now…I need to find a fake fiancé.
The red-headed reporter from my art show needs to interview me to keep her job. I figure, we can strike up a deal.
I give her the scoop and she plays the part. We both just need to stick with the rules. What could go wrong?
Point of view:
1st person. Alternating chapters between Thatcher & Emma’s perspective.
Rellim’s Thoughts:
This is book 3 in Lainey Davis’ Stag Brothers series. Each book is about a different brother and they’re best enjoyed in order starting with Sweet Distraction.
Thatcher has good reasons for eschewing relationships – but doesn’t always go about life in respectful ways. Emma is a reporter sent to do a puff piece on Thatcher Stag’s latest art showing. Thatcher thinks she’s just another groupie and hits on her much to Emma’s dismay.
When Thatcher needs a fake fiancé, he uses Emma’s need for a story to convince her to play the part. As things do… what starts out fake becomes very real. I liked the way Davis portrayed Emma’s health issues. As someone with chronic illness – I could relate to a lot of what Emma goes through when it comes to how people react/treat her when they learn of her condition. I also like that Thatcher really listens to Emma.
A surprise from the Stag brother’s past comes back creating all sorts of chaos. Thatcher really struggles with avoiding letting Emma into his life for real and hurts her quite a bit in the process. I would have liked a little more groveling from him to solidify their HEA, but it was sweet to see them end up together. I also liked the epilogue – cute ending.
I actually started this series by listening to book 5, Beautiful Game. And now I’m going to listen again!
Narration:
Enjoyed Nikola Muckajev again. He’s great at narrating the dual POV’s.
About the author:
Lainey Davis lives in Pittsburgh with her husband, her feral sons, and rescued rabbits. She writes steamy, contemporary love stories with grouchy heroes, strong heroines, and plenty of fiascos. She’s excited to find out how much coffee is too much.
You can connect with Lainey Davis here:
My Favorite Quotes
“I love how my fingers look entwined with the fire of Emma’s hair.”
Rellim Reads 