I loved the characters and the storyline development of this book. It was absolutely one of my favorites so far and I can't wait to delve in to the next one that this author writes. The storyline was simple, enjoyable, and entertaining. I love all of CG works and this was no exception.

DON'T CALL ME SWEETHEART - Codi Gary

#1 in the Something Borrowed romance series

UNATTRACTIVE CHARACTERS - 2 stars

Plot - 3 stars - The plot is kind of farfetched, but I suppose there's always someone out there who will take advantage of an opportunity, no matter how odd. So in a town called Sweetheart, there's actually a company called Something Borrowed that hires out attractive young people as bridesmaids or maids of honor for women who lose their attendants for whatever reason--sickness or a fight or something. Marley takes on a bridezilla job for a hefty bonus, but some major complications occur.

Writing - 2.5 stars - Gary got my attention from the beginning with a light, pleasant writing style. I found, however, that she suffered from what a lot of authors do--"too much" syndrome. Meaning the bride was worse than any other bride, the problems Marley faced were worse than any other problems, everything was overdone when less would have been better.

Characters - 1 stars - Marley is a no-nonsense independent woman who has a dream of working in a publishing house in New York. She's just working at Something Borrowed to earn enough money for a new start instead of continuing to suffocate in her small town. She prides herself on being honest and straightforward, but she was much more brutal than honest. She's extremely tough and shows her true colors after the wedding. She turns into a nasty, single-minded witch who takes her sadness, turns it into fury, then takes it out on everyone around her. She burns her bridges (Luke, Kelly, Dustin), but then she turns around and wants something from them, bulldozing her way through until they actually give her what she wants. She comes across as stuck up and unlikeable, as she discovers from a couple of comments from local people. (I couldn't stand her.) Luke, on the other hand, is a good guy, only here to support his best friend as best man in his wedding. For some reason, he needs to travel 7 hours every weekend for this. But it's a fairly relaxing break from his active job as a SWAT team member in L.A., so he's going with it. He's cute and sexy and overwhelmingly male, and he's attracted to Marley who is running hot and cold for him. I understand that she needs to stick to her confidentiality agreement, but she just keeps jerking him around, and I can't understand why he puts up with it. He lost major points for me when he kept chasing after her, falling for a pretty face and not recognizing the unrelenting iron will that Marley had.

Title - 2 stars - Marley says this a lot, although there's never a reason why. The fact that the town is named Sweetheart makes her aversion to the phrase kind of odd.

Cover - 3 stars - Fairly typical cover for a romance. An attractive couple, nice background, nothing special to catch the eye.

Overview - 2 stars - This romance was going fairly well for me until we approached the end at the wedding. Marley is very professional, doing her job well and dealing with a bridezilla, but then she suddenly snaps on the wedding day. Dumb. Not only dumb, but I thought it was unnecessarily cruel to handle things that way. She hated the way Sonora treated her, but then she basically behaved just as badly, but Marley did it in a totally public and humiliating way. Plus why put up with it for weeks, then give up at the last minute when you're hours away from getting a big bonus and completing your job? It didn't make sense. And I didn't like the way Marley played around with Luke--first giving in to him, then keeping him hidden. I understood why she felt she couldn't explain, but I didn't like it. All that being said, I did like Luke as the hero--he was nice but not pushy, supporting his friend but not forcing his opinion on him. But why oh why did he put up with Marley's behavior? These characters totally brought down the book for me, which otherwise had some fun potential. The whole situation seemed pretty contrived, but I didn't hate it. It read quickly and pleasantly, and I might look for more from this new-to-me author, but I'm in no great hurry to do so. And I don't think I'll continue with this series.

LOVE this book! The premise of the whole wedding town is awesome and the characters had my heart from the very beginning! Can't wait for more!

Sometimes when you start reading a book you already know what is going to happen, I mean it's a romance so a happy ending is expected, but when I started reading this one it wasn't exactly what I thought it would be. Luke is best man for his best friend's wedding, Marley is hired to organize the wedding and act as the MOH since the Bridezilla can't seem to get anyone who will put up with her nonsense. I loved Marley, she is a sweetheart, but how anyone could put up with everything she did is beyond me, but she gets Luke in the end so that's the important thing :)

Hope you enjoy Don't Call Me Sweetheart as much as I did.

I have chosen not to review this title or to feature it on the blog.

For an author who is new to me, I was completely taken by Ms Gary's depth of storytelling abilities...to where I was transported to the location in the Sierra Nevada Foothills were the story takes place. And, because I live in that area, the points of reference were perfect. Not many may realize the importance that Placerville, Coloma, et.al. played in the California gold rush. I was happy to see the reference made here in Marley and Luke's story.

Marley and Luke were endearing, they clicked early on, it was fun to experience their relationship as it grew. Pushing Marley to the breaking point as a processional MOH, was hilarious...I enjoyed her going off on the Bridezilla for hell...I couldn't stop laughing.

I now know to keep an eye out for Ms Gary's books in the future. Especially since I'm looking forward to Rylie's story in the next book in this series.

This ARC book was complimentary, provided by the Publisher and NetGalley. I am voluntarily providing my honest review

I enjoy reading Codi's book and this one kept me entertained from start to finished. Marley has a lot of issues... so did Luke. The way he handled her with humor, and lots of patience despite his PTSD was a way hero's should do.. 5 stars!!

Marley is working as a bridesmaid for hire to be able to leave Sweetheart, CA. She meets a fun and amazing man and they click and their chemistry bounces off the pages. She discovers he's the best man in one of her weddings, so she must keep her distance and stop seeing him. Luke, he made this story flow. When Marley was a bit hard headed he was able to break the story with humor and wit at the perfect times. I enjoyed this story from the beginning to the end. The horrible bride Marley had to work for was psychotic and verbally and mentally abusive. That was the main draw back. Also, that Marley's boss allowed her employees to be treated like crap. I have high hopes with the next story there will be much less negative and mostly about the love. (There has to be some twists).
If you enjoy a wedding romance where love conquers all in the end then I recommend checking out Don't Call Me Sweetheart.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
M/F Romance
Triggers: Click HERE to see Avid Reader’s review on Goodreads for trigger warnings.

This story has a lot going on. You have Marley and Luke, Sonora and Brent, and then you also have Kendall, Kelly, Rylie, and Dustin.

Sweetheart is the perfect place for couples to marry. The name itself has generated businesses that capitalize on weddings. Marley has lived in this town all of her life and hates the small town. However, she is amazing at being a Maid of Honor for women who want someone who can handle the pressure, get things done, and allow the bride to shine. Kelly owns the business and has known Marley for several years. When a difficult client comes to town, Kelly asks that Marley take her on.

What follows is a few weeks of torture, a new friendship, and renewed friendships. There are also new propositions, a lot of steamy, sneaky scenes, and a whole lot of drama. Brent is supposed to get married. He doesn't do it for love – it's more of a transaction. Marley is hired for his bride to be, Sonora. Whew is Sonora a basket case, wrapped in a psychotic wedding dress made of fluff and tulle. Brent's best friend, Luke is there for moral support and to be the best man. Luke has never really understood what Brent saw in Sonora, but wants his friend to be happy – whatever Brent's definition of happy is, Luke will stand by and not open his mouth.

Despite the strict no fraternization rules, Marley and Luke can't seem to stay away from each other. They have quickies, long drawn out dates, and are just sweet with each other. They develop a relationship that is based on a lie, but can't disguise their feelings for each other.

This story was full of drama, both good and really bad, but it also made me laugh out loud. The cake tasting scene was so funny. But it also had elements of reality – sometimes love gets in the way and then you have to figure out what's worth fighting for and who you want surrounding you.

I really hope that Kendall gets a story, as she was my favorite character followed closely by Rylie. I want to see where all of these people go.


Mary Jo – ☆☆☆☆
3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars

This book has a lot going on, world building, setting the stage for all the major players, and setting the stage for book two.

In Sweetheart, everything and I mean everything seems to have some connection to the wedding industry. Marley works for one of those ventures as a "bridesmaid" for hire. When someone has a last-minute cancellation in their wedding party, Marley steps in and becomes a long-lost friend who assists the bride in whatever capacity she needs.

In this instance, she's been hired as the Maid of Honor for a D-list celebrity who has already lost two maid of honors due to her nasty attitude. One of the rules of the company she works for is that there is no fraternization with the bridal party or their families.

What she doesn't count on is Luke. After meeting in the grocery store and going out for a lunch date, she then finds out that he's the best man in her most recent assignment. Talk about awkward.

There's a lot of will she/won't she, a bridezilla of epic proportions, and some friendships made. Marley knows that if she makes the wrong choice she will lose her job, but she also knows that Luke is more than just a fling. Can she risk her heart again after all she's lost? One thing that Marley is good at is hiding and protecting herself, the question is how good is Luke at being a protector?

I hate when choosing between a relationship or keeping a job/paying the bills are presented as the only options. Other than that, I really enjoyed this sweet and sexy romance. Marley and Luke had a great meet-cute, and their push/pull relationship was engaging.

This was a new to me author, and I am excited to read more from her. This was a quick, fun read!

Marley works very hard and she is focused., she works at Something Borrowed which is a wedding planning service that includes having bridesmaids/ maid of honor you can hire. Sonora is a starlet btu basically a snob and definitely a bridezilla. Marley knows this is going to be a tough assignment making Sonora happy and keeping her that way. But Mallory is a professional and what Sonora is willing to pay will bring Mallory a lot closer to her dream and being a book editor living in NYC away from Sweetheart where Mallory feels stuck. Then Luke and Mallory meet and there is an instant attraction Luke couldn’t understand how someone like Mallory could be best friends with Mallory. Luke liked being best man knowing Mallory is the maid of honor. There was a confidentiality clause in the contract as well as mixing business with pleasure was not to be done. Marllory thought of this when she thought of Luke. Also Luke had a dangerous job as a SWAT officer and Mallory had already lost enough people she loved.
I enjoyed reading this book but had mixed feelings I liked how Luke was so sure Mallory was the one for him.I also loved how Luke pursued Mallory. I liked the plot and pace and felt this was well written. I didn’t like the push and pull Mallory did on Luke. I liked how Mallory and Kendall became friends so quickly. However I didn’t like that Luke didn’t really trust Mallory. How can he think Mallory is the one if he can’t trust her? I also felt it was brought up to much how Mallory wanted to leave town. The ending was also a little too predictable. I would have liked to see Sonora knocked off her high horse. But I really like the small town feeling of this story. So i gave a three some things I liked some things not so much.

I love wedding themed stories and Codi Gary writes stories that are fun and sexy. Her new series Something Borrowed starts in August with DON'T CALL ME SWEETHEART. This concept was a little different-Marley works as a wedding planner and also is a MOH Maid-Of-Honor for hire for wealthy celebrity types.
In this story, Marley is hired to be the MOH for a nasty pop princess Sonora whose career is sliding down. She is engaged to Brent, the son of a hotel dynasty. Marley will get a nice bonus for the job so that she can pay off some college loans and she has plans for a future career. One night she meets Luke and sparks fly, especially on his part.
Marley is fun and good at her job which she takes seriously. When she discovers that Luke is Brent's best man, she tries to push the flirty Luke's attentions off because she needs this job. But they will be meeting each weekend for the next to months before the wedding. Marley is a very human character-sometimes you love her because she is a good hearted person and other times she can be uptight and you want to shake her and tell her to chill. Luke is sweet and sexy and such a flirt. I can see a lot of readers falling for him.
I can't wait for more in the series. It takes place in Sweetheart, CA, which is a town with romance on its mind. There are some nice changes coming to Something Borrowed and Codi Gary is a writer who creates stories full of fun and sassy romance.

Loved this new start to a series about a wedding town. It was a nice setup. Marley and Luke's relationship had a huge push-pull. I loved Luke!!! Marley... I wanted to slap her several times. She crushed Luke with her constant self-doubt. I understood it most of the time but dayum girl!! It all worked out and I can't wait to read more about what they do with the Ghost Town!

Loved this book!! Marley is always a bridesmaid, well that is her job. She has one rule never date a groomsmen, until Luke. She tries to live by her rules but Luke tries his hardest to change her mind. The bride, is the bridezilla, oh my I even wanted to strangle her a few times!!

Luke and Marley are just so perfect for each other, loved them. This is a fun sweet read that I did not want to see end. Can't wait for more in this series. I highly recommend

Marley Stevenson lives in Sweetheart, California, the Hollywood elite’s wedding destination. She works for Something Borrowed as a wedding planner and fill in bridesmaid or maid of honor. She’s saving to leave town and fulfill her dream of becoming a book editor in New York.

She literally runs into Luke Jessup, former marine and current SWAT team member from L.A. in the local grocery store and falls for his Southern accent and good looks. She accepts a date not realizing he is the best man in a wedding she recently accepted a contract for, and dating groomsmen is not allowed.

Bridezilla made me want to smack her around and give her a taste of her own nastiness. What a loathsome, despicable woman.

Luke is a nice guy from the beginning. He’s there to support his friend but he doesn’t get the attraction to bridezilla. He’s very happy to finally meet someone he thinks might be someone he could have a future with. However, since he takes a lot of crap from Marley right from the start, I‘m not sure what he saw in her. I loved that he called her out on her crap and didn’t cave easily.

I struggled to like Marley. Her character came across as a little immature and after a while, her push and pull with Luke got old. The church scene with bridezilla was great though!

Two couples get their HEAs. Loved the engagement scene.

This is a quick day at the beach read that does not require much thought. I am very interested in Rylie and Dustin’s story.

I voluntarily read an ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher.

Loved this one! A unique story and a lot of fun! I can't wait to read more by this author!

I really enjoy Codi Gary’s small town stories and this one had a fun bridesmaid for hire twist added to it. Don’t Call Me Sweetheart is so unique and fun I read straight through in one day!

“Check out my ass again, and you’re going to find your balls in your throat.”  “I love it when you talk dirty to me.”

Marley and Luke are put in impossible situation, she can’t let him know she was hired as the made of honor in the wedding he is the best man in and if she acts on their chemistry she is in breech of contract and can lose out on all the money she is counting on to give her a new start in life. She knows she should stay away but the pull she feels with him makes that almost impossible. I really enjoyed their rendezvous and I honestly truly loved me some Luke Jessup He was dream worthy.

This was a fun idea and Codi Gary did it justice. Don’t Call Me Sweetheart is full of fun antics, addictive side characters, tons of steam and an overall enjoyable plot. Well written and thought out you won’t regret this!
~miranda

Don't Call Me Sweetheart is a totally absorbing book from new to me author Codi Gary. It grabs you right from the beginning and the journey to wedded bliss is quite out of the ordinary. The two primary characters, Marley Stevenson and Luke Jessup, have seductive chemistry, and their romantic courtship is replete with friendship, desire and love. Ms. Gary is a talented storyteller and her words kept me engaged. This is the first book from the the author's brand new series, Something Borrowed, and it can be read as a standalone.

Marley has been employed as a wedding planner/rent a bridesmaid by Something Borrowed for seven years. She has seen her share of bridezillas, and her latest and hopefully last assignment is a real doozy. Getting former pop diva Sonora Star to the altar is quite a challenge, and Marley can't wait to get the nasty and loathsome woman out of her life. Sonora treats everyone with complete disrespect, which includes her soon to be groom. On the bright side, Marley gets to know Luke, SWAT officer and the groom's best man, and he makes her toes curl. Unfortunately, due to the confidentiality agreement between her company and the diva, Marley is not able to let Luke know who she really is. Thus, she has no choice but to keep many secrets about the wedding happenings.

If you are looking for a contemporary romance with the perfect balance of emotion and heat, an intriguing plot, and a happily ever after that will leave a smile on your face, read this book.

Complimentary copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.