This book is the third in the Bachelors of Arizona series but absolutely can be read as a standalone book. Brant and Nikki met and married when they were very young. They didn’t have blessings from either of their families, but that was OK in the beginning. They had each other. But when tragedy struck, they were both too hurt by each other and by circumstances to be able to make it through and they went their separate ways. Both hurt beyond what they could handle. Brant turned to drinking and women. Nikki turned to her career and her best friend. Now they are thrown together… can they get beyond the hurt, or will the hate be too great to overcome?

Yes, I’m a pretty big (OK huge!) fan of this author. But I have to say, this wasn’t my favorite of her romcom series books. Don’t get me wrong. This is a great story. And really angsty for a romcom. (Apparently, I really like angst because her mafia series is my current favorite. Who knew?! So maybe I am a bit biased….) It also covers a really hard topic, so there were also some tears. But for some reason, I just wasn’t able to get into these two characters like I was able to in the first two books. But that’s all me. The writing is great, as you’d expect from her. And since it had been quite a while since I read book 2, I felt she did a great job giving the reader enough background of the minor characters as they appeared from the first 2 books so that if you haven’t read the first two, you aren’t going to be lost at all. There’s also the sarcastic wit we’ve come to expect and love from this author, even amidst the heavy stuff. It truly does read like an extended episode of “Friends” in the later seasons, so if you loved that show, you’ll want to read this book.

NICUnurse’s Rating: I’m going to give this story 4.5 stars. While it had all the elements of a 5 star read, I didn’t leave the story unable to stop thinking about it. However, I will still highly recommend this book to anyone who loves romantic comedies, with the added bonus of angst.

Second chance romances have been all the rave lately and I love them. I love seeing couples find their way back together when you know they are meant to be together. But sometimes that journey is a hard one for readers. The Bachelor Contract by Rachel Van Dyken was one of those hard journeys I devoured!

The Bachelor Contract is the third book in the series and though each story can be read as a standalone, they are interconnected stories about brothers. Here we get Brant Wellington’s story. We know from the other books that he lost his wife after tragic events tore them apart. Since then Brant has been down a very disruptive path. So, his family devises a plan to set him back on the right path.

Brant is desperately trying to forget his ex-wife, but she happens to be the love of his life as well. In attempt to put everything behind him he lets his family talk him into going back to work. He is going to spend a week observing a new hotel to ensure it is running as needed. But what he did not expect? Was that she would be there.

Nikki was devastated after all she lost and has been working on turning her life around and putting him behind her. But forgetting the love of your life is never easy. Especially when you had a front row seat to all the destruction in his path. But her heart has always been his. Even now.

I found The Bachelor Contract to be a bit on the sadder side from Rachel Van Dyken, though she also gives us the humor we are accustomed from her as well. Nikki and Brant are fighting so hard to deny what they feel, but true love is not easily pushed aside. Can they find a way to overcome their past and find a way together?

I absolutely loved Brant’s family and Nikki’s’ co-workers. Each are faithful friends and family to the very end, even as they dish out humor and honesty. I devoured this story in one sitting. There was so much push and pull between Nikki and Brant, but the chemistry and history was so much stronger. Another great story from this author.

The Bachelor Contract is a second chance story of Brant and Nikki Wellington. To say that the Bachelor Contract took me on an emotional rollercoaster is an understatement. I laughed, I cried (literally), I was frustrated by Brant and Nikki’s stubbornness, and I was writhing with anticipation waiting to find the answers to all my questions.

The story starts off with legally blind Nikki at a bachelor auction bidding on date with her ex-husband Brant at the behest of her new boss Nadine Titus. Nikki wins Brant with Nadine’s money but the date never happens. Brant refuses to meet with Nikki and keeps sending her the $25,000 she spent at the auction but Nikki just sends the check right back to him. Later Brant accepts a new job from Nadine which sends him to Azul, a resort that caters to the rich and famous, to get his take on how to make improvements. Once Brant is at Azul he discovers that his ex-wife Nikki is working there as a masseuse. Both Brant and Nikki keep telling themselves that they can remain professional, do their jobs, and move on but their powerful and passionate love, along with their painful past keeps pulling them towards each other. Can they forgive each other and themselves for not fighting for each other all those years ago?

I was so surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. This is a third person storytelling, which I don’t usually enjoy but after the first few pages it didn’t matter at all. I was so engrossed in the story and so emotionally invested into finding out the rest of the story that it felt like a first-person account. Van Dyken did a phenomenal job of making me feel what the characters were feeling, the attention to detail was superb. I absolutely loved that every chapter brought on new questions and once questions were answered there was a new question right around the corner. Each mystery of the story was solved with so much care and at the appropriate time.

While I loved the book there a couple things that didn’t jive well for me. The scene leading up to when Brant and Nikki finally meet at Azul was tense and comical (in a good way), but when it finally happened, when they finally realize they are in the same room it fell flat, it was anticlimactic. They hadn’t seen each other in 4 years and when they finally meet neither of them seem all that surprised each other is there. I would have like more of an emotional realization. Both of them should have seemed more surprised. The only other part I did not like was that the question of why Nadine Titus was so invested in Brant and Nikki reuniting was never really answered. This is the 3rd book in the series but since this can be read as a standalone then I would have expected to find out what the connection is.

One of the most impressive aspects of this novel are the sex scenes. There are a few over the course of the book, the first one was steamy, while the others that followed were more sensual and not very descriptive in the usual sense. Now, I usually do not like books with few sex scenes, short sex scenes, or mild scenes. I like them down right erotic. HOWEVER, the sex scenes in this book were written with so much emotion that I didn’t even care about the lack of eroticism.

I really enjoyed this book. The emotion, the flow, the humor, it all came together so well that I couldn’t put it down.

~ Diana

This is an emotional book second chance romance novel. If you are a fan of the Hit Television Show, <i>This is Us</i>, then you will most likely love this book. For me, I read to escape and do not watch <i>This is Us</i> for that emotional reason. With that said, I still enjoyed the book and my heart broke for Brant and Nikki. I just prefer my stories and main characters not to be so debilitating...

This second chance romance leaves you breathless searching for what originally ended Brant and Nikki's picture perfect happily ever after leading them to their sad present day. If you have enjoyed this thee part book series of the Wellington boys then you will really enjoy Brant's story. I am a major fan of Rachel Van Dyken's books, especially her Eagle Elite Series, and will continue to read whatever she publishes!

*********3.5 Stars*********

I have really enjoyed The Bachelor of Arizona series and was really excited to get Brant’s story. Second Chance love stories are my favorite and couldn’t wait to feel all the feels.

Brant and Nikki’s story had some really great moments. These are to very damaged souls that found it easier to leave each other then to fight for their love and to deal with the pain and heartbreak that occurred in their lives.

Nikki and Brant both choose to numb the pain instead of dealing with it. Brant did the typical route, Drugs, Alcohol and Meaningless sex. Nikki focused on her job and her and need for independence. This has left two very broken, bitter and angry individuals who are just playing at life instead of really living life.

When Rachel really focuses on these two and allowed them to confront their anger, bitterness and the rawness of their pain and hurt the book was stellar. However these moments were to rare for me.

This was a book expected to rip my heart out and then put it back to together but it fell short of my expectations. I know Rachel is very capable of writing such a story but felt at times she used crude humor and inappropriate situations that made me cringe and distracted from the story.

I also wish Brant’s family was used more. I would have loved to see them more involved in the healing journey of Brant and Nikki. Instead of them owning up to their role in the initial breakup and dealing with forgiveness and acceptance, they felt more like prop pieces, only there for a funny line or to look pretty.

While the story had a few problems for me, I did enjoy the book overall. It still packs an emotional punch and is a great story of two people finding there way back to each other

So Brant is such a complete and utter jerk in this story. I get that him and Nikki both suffered a traumatic loss but that doesn’t give him the right to act the way he did. It’s been 4 long years and he still hasn’t deal with his issues. Nikki is too much of a doormat for my liking. She suffered just as much (if not worse) like Brant did and she shouldn’t allow him to make her feel less than throughout this story. Brant has threatened her twice to fire her knowing she needs this job but as her new boss he feels he can do whatever he wants. I’ve enjoyed the other two books about the other brothers but I’m having a really hard time with connecting and liking Brant and Nikki’s story.
My thoughts at 35%....and this is when I stopped and moved on. Even though this story wasn’t my cup of tea it may be for you!

3.5-4 stars

Brant Wellington is heading, on the order of Grandma Nadine, to work at one of her hotels. But what he finds when he arrives is more than he expected: his ex-wife. Though he hasn’t seen her in years, he still feels grief, guilt, and anger about the events that led to their divorce and working with her brings everything back to the surface.

Nikki’s life changed drastically during and after her marriage to Brent collapsed. Her independence as a massage therapist is huge for her, and the routine she has developed is a life line. But Brant’s arrival at her hotel shifts her equilibrium and she finds that she isn’t as far beyond her past as she thought.

These two probably would have continued to avoid even the mention of the other if not for the meddling of Grandma Nadine and Brant’s grandfather. They have so much heavy baggage between them that at times it seems too much to sort through in order for them to have a second chance.

As this series has established, there is plenty of humor throughout. But there were times that the humor felt like too much for the heavy topics Brant and Nikki needed to deal with. There were times it felt like the humor made too much light of the situation, and the humor and pain didn’t go hand in hand.

I enjoyed the bones of the story, but it was really the juxtaposition of the humor and pain that made it difficult to love. This is one of those books where I can identify that it didn’t work for me, but that added lightness may be exactly what other readers need.

As usual, this is filled with meddling side characters. I liked the addition of Nikki’s friend, Cole, and the competition he makes Brant feel added spark to the early stages of the book. I love Grandma Nadine’s influence in the story, and as she always does, chaos falls in her wake.

This was a mixed bag of emotions and feelings. It has everything from slapstick to subtle humor and fun, to deep hurt and guilt for past events. Reading it kept me on my toes and kept my own emotions rolling.

I was gifted a copy in exchange for an honest review.

OH MY GOD. I’m DONE with Rachel Van Dyken. Just when I think I can’t love her writing any more than I already do, she proves I’m completely wrong. Every time I read one of her books I end up bawling, laughing, swooning, staying up all night and with the biggest book hangovers ever. I didn’t think I would make it out of this book without having my heart bursting out of my chest but here I am, barely alive and with a not-completely-ruined heart.

I don’t know what I expected going into this book. I honestly don’t even expect anything but greatness from Rachel because whatever it is you expect, it’s probably not happening. Rachel is one of the most unpredictable authors I’ve ever read. You might be thinking “oh, this is just another second chance romance to add to the bunch” and I’m here to tell you, you are mistaken. This story is not just another one to add to the bunch. Brant and Nikki’s story is by far one of the most emotional and unforgettable reads I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading.

Brant and Nikki were married once. They had it all. And then they had nothing. After tragedy struck their lives and left Nikki legally blind and both completely destroyed, they started drifting apart. To say things ended pretty badly would be an understatement. Four years later, they are still not able to see face to face—no pun intended.

I feel like I might actually cry right now just remembering how much I loved Brant and Nikki and how much it hurt to read about all the things they went through. Reading glimpses of their past throughout the book destroyed me. I was desperate for them to work things out and get together again. Not once did it feel like the author was unnecessarily dragging their reunion. It is a perfectly paced book. Everything happens at the perfect moment.

I’m telling you guys, you have to give this book a try. It is one of the most emotional books I’ve read this year. And it was fun and romantic at the same time. It has banter and angst and heart breaking moments. You will fall in love with Brant and Nikki and they will leave a mark in your heart.

Brant and Nikki were broken souls from hurt and a shattered past. What they both didn’t understand was they were better together and angry for not trying to heal one another, fight for what they fought for from day one. This is one sweet love story about guilt, passion, longing, and hurt. Rachel showcased love in a way many people associate heartbreak with.... anger and loneliness. Brant had it in spades but with a little push and some drinks to remember he found his way home. Nikki.... his home and family.

Sexy, sweet, at times angsty and others oh so much fun. I loved this third installment of the Bachelors of Arizona series. I am such a sucker for second chance stories and this one quickly became a favorite of mine.

I love the characters, the storyline and all the emotions that you experience when reading this. I am loving this series and I would never tired of reading these characters. I cannot wait to read more from Rachel and I definitely hope to read more from this series.

***ARC Provided by the Author and NetGalley***

I struggled with this book. I did end up liking it at the end, but I had a hard time with both Brandt and Nikki. I was not totally convinced I believed in their actions and their reactions. the story never felt real to me, and I am not sure the actions of the characters really acted in a way that worked for me as a plot and story.

As the book went on, I warmed up to Nikki and I started to believe in her and to think that I was hanging out with a character I like. Brandt, however, always felt a little like a caricature and I was not really able to connect with him. His family didn't help much, as I thought they were over the top.

The writing was strong and the pacing was mostly strong...but the plot was off to me. I liked the idea of the auction, but I just didn't relate to the characters. Overall, I think I felt sorry for them and I thought they were a little tragic.

I wish I was able to recommend this title as I usually enjoy the author, but I am not able to do so.

The Bachelor Contract is the third book in the Bachelors of Arizona series by the amazing Rachel Van Dyken. Each book can be read as standalone since each book is a different Wellington brother finding their happily ever after. Bentley and Brock are living theirs and now it was time for Brant...

He had it all then he lost it. He left and never looked back. Four years and many drunken nights, casual hookups, and parties later he was in the same room with her. His ex-wife. His soulmate. The one he drinks to forget but never will. He was angry mostly with himself that his life has gotten to this point. He blamed himself for what happened between them and seeing her again only made him hate himself even more. Drink even more. Then Nadine digs her claws into him even more and offers him a job. A job he was once amazing at. President for new resort acquisitions. What he didn’t realize at the time was that he was now going to be seeing his ex, Nikki every day for the next week at the resort she happen to be a masseuse.

Nikki would never forgot the way Brant made her feel. The good and the bad. She both loved and hated him. Hated him for leaving when she needed him most. Loved him because of the way he made he feel before their lives changed four years ago. That was the Brant she remembers. Not this Brant. The angry jackass that walked around the resort yelling at the employees for no good reason. The one who acts like their past together didn’t matter. She knew he cared. Probably too much and that is why he was this Brant and not the other. Can she get that Brant to show up? To open up so they have closure.

Brant and Nikki’s relationship is complicated, heartbreaking, funny, sexy, and emotional. Brant has his faults but underneath that it all he is swoon worthy. He has his moods but I thought the different stages of them made him feel more real. Nikki is a strong woman that I admire and wish I knew in real life. Together, they have their past. Now their present. Will their futures be together?

Overall...I love a good second chance romance and this one was awesome! It has humor, heart, and pain. I was hooked from the very start. I cried, swooned, and got hot and bothered. I have been waiting for their story since The Bachelor Auction and it was so worth the wait. It was even better than I expected.

P.S. I want more Cole!

Quote:

“He’s always angry. It’s kind of his thing.”

“You do realize I could be envisioning something along the lines of CSI while you’re all Fifty Shades, right?”

“It’s not like you shit rainbows, either. You were friend zoned from the start,” Brant grumbled.
“Ouch. Good one,” Cole mocked with a sarcastic edge to his voice.

I received a copy from Netgalley!

This is the third book in the series but can be read as a standalone.

This is such an emotional story, Brant and Nikki have been apart for four years and it's so sad that they wasted all that time. At first I really didn't like Brant he's drinking and womanising and trying to bury his pain. My heart broke for Nikki, but at the same time she's such a strong woman to have gone through all that she has in the past, and still be walking with her head held high- the woman has spirit!

I really enjoyed this book, there's plenty of giggles to be had and some really funny characters. It's also sad in places. I'm hoping this isn't the last we see of this couple as I have a couple of unanswered questions!

I haven't read the other books in this series, but I'm definitely going to go back now and catch up. Five stars!

Reviewed on behalf of Amo’s Book Corner

5 Stars

I love this series and was so excited to get Brant’s story and it certainly did not disappoint!

Brant had it all and lost it, he has been living the past 4 years in varying states of anger, guilt and depression along with alcohol and lots of women, but he still cannot get past what he lost.

Nikki has not had the best few years, she lost two things that meant the most to her, then in a horrific fire she lost her sight. She has been trying to rebuild her life with the help of her best friend Cole but she struggles to get over her past love leaving her.

With the help of meddling Grandparents (yes Grandma Nadine is back!!) these two get pushed back together, but can they overcome what they have lost and move past the hurt, anger and guilt?

Book 3 in The Bachelors of Arizona and this is Brant and Nikki’s story, what happens when you end up working with the last person you expect or want to see, well that’s just what happens to Brant when he find himself working with his ex wife. They married young and as the story goes on you understand why they ended up going their own ways, a second chance at love maybe, the problem is they need to get past the past before that can happen and the past is heartbreaking. Once again Rachel Van Dyken has given us a story that’s emotional it will make you laugh but you will also feel the heartfelt struggles this couple have gone through. I loved reading Brant and Nikki’s story and this is one of my favourite series. A beautifully written love story with just the right amount of humour.

I absolutely loved Nik I think she is one of my favorite female leads I have read recently. I spent the better part of the book mad at Brant on behalf of Nik. She is such a strong character that even after everything that had happened to her she was able to pull her life together and not just survive but succeed. I wanted to kick Brant in the butt on more than one occasion especially when I found out how he had left her in the first place. Thankfully he was able to see what an awesome and amazing person he was missing out on. I will definitely read this book again as well as recommend it to others.

The Bachelor Contract is a second chance romance, and it’s also one of my top reads of 2017. It was epic. Seriously. I laughed. I cried. I laughed through my tears, and then I sobbed. I have a massive book hangover.

Brant is arrogant, hot, and almost constantly angry and drunk. Nikki is sweet, self-sufficient, but oh so broken. They had it all. Then they lost it all. Love. Family. Everything was lost. Enter Grandma Nadine. If you haven’t met her, you need to. She is one of the funniest characters I have ever read! She loves matchmaking, and guess who is in her sights?

The characters were so well written and incredibly complex. I hated Brant; I didn’t think anything would redeem him for me, but I was wrong. I hurt for Nikki and all she had lost. And Cole. Oh, how I loved Cole. I really hope Grandma Nadine will meddle in his life next! Nikki was truly blessed to have such a wonderful best friend.

The plot was steady, with just the right balance of drama, tears, comedy, and laughter. The writing flowed beautifully and kept me completely mesmerized to the end. I read it in one day because Brant and Nikki became so real to me that I couldn’t let them go.

This is the third book in the Bachelors of Arizona series, but it could easily be read as a standalone. It was definitely my favorite of the three! That being said, you will not want to miss Bentley and Brock and all of Grandma Nadine’s antics in books one and two. I highly recommend this book and this series!

4.5
I'm a huge fan of Rachel Van Dyken's writing, stories, characters and her personally. She writes more than fluffy romance and I love that about her. I always laugh while I'm crying and laugh more than cry, but there's always substance, meaning and a bigger picture. The Bachelor Contract is Brant's story. We met him in the Bachelor Auction and I've been looking forward to his story ever since. He's drinking away his pain. Losing himself if nameless women trying to forget The Woman. When he ends up working at a resort where his ex-wife Nikki works hilarity ensues before he even lays eyes on her. I laughed out loud at the antics Nikki's best friend went through to keep them apart. Btw, LOVE Cole! Brant and Nikki have a sad history together and one night of passion isn't going to fix it. Can Brant finally open up to her? Will Nikki be able to open her heart again? I really enjoyed this story. There was a lot of emotion, loss and sadness amongst the humor and sexiness. It was the perfect mix of emotions for me! I laughed, cried, swooned and laughed some more. Brant has some pretty romantic gestures that warmed my heart! Now, I want COLE!

"I was talking about the sexy-as-sin guy who's staring you down like you're the last woman on earth - like you're his sunshine after years of living in a thundercloud."

"How can you tell me about the stars if you can't see the?
"The same way I recognize things without seeing them, I guess. I did it from memory, and when that failed, I just looked into your eyes."

"Why are you ruining polar bears for me? Thanks, dream killer."

This book had me laughing, crying and falling in love with the brooding Brant and of course the hilarious grandma Nadine. I loved everything about this book and the series in a whole.

utterly captivating! This book had me from page one and pretty much kept me glued to the pages until the very last line. Packed full of emotion, The Bachelor Contract is as heartbreaking as it is heartwarming. There are still moments of Rachel Van Dyken's trademark humor, but there is a real weighty storyline here to balance it all out.

Ultimately, this book is a wonderful tale of forgiveness and second chances.