Good read, quick, fun, romantic. A rancher in Hawaii and a rising country star both have some issues they are dealing with, but yes, they can be stronger together!

A great start to a series! A well written second-chance romance. I love that they are in Hawaii. I could picture it. The author describes it so well. This was a really fun quick read. Alex and Brittney had real chemistry. I liked Alex's personality and how he wouldn't give up. Overall I would recommend

I really enjoy these storyline’s about marriage and marriage of convenience which is why I chose to one click it. The banter between the two I just adored and thought it was quite funny in places. I’ve never read a book by this author before and will definitely be reading her work again. I loved the ending and hopefully there will be more from this author very soon.

***I received an e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-Op, and Crista McHugh.**

3.5 stars

Better Together, by Crista McHugh, was a second chance romance between Hawaiian rancher Alex and rising country singer Britney. A whirlwind week-long romance in Las Vegas ended with a walk down the aisle before Britney disappeared. It’s been a year, and Britney just wants to put the mistake behind her, but Alex won’t sign the divorce papers. Alex tempts Britney to his ranch with the promise of his signature on the dotted line, as long as she plays the role of loving wife in front of an important business contact.

This story was just ok for me. The writing was decent. I struggled a bit with the Hawaiian phrases, despite the glossary. I found flipping back to it took me out of the story, and I was too impatient to see whether McHugh would help define the phrase further down the page. I liked Alex and Britney well enough, but I didn’t love either of them. I definitely felt a spark between them, however, the story spent so long focused on their stubbornness and resistance of the marriage having any chance at working that the story felt a wee bit unbalanced for me. There was so much back and forth between them that I think a part of me doubted that they actually wanted to be together, that either was actually capable of compromise. I guess when it comes right down to it, I wasn’t convinced they actually fell in love the first time around.

This book checked off all my romance must haves......it’s steamy, funny, touching moments, a great plot and a good array of characters. What more could you ask for? As this book definitely has it all. Have to pick up this book, you don’t want to miss out. I will definitely be looking up more books by this author.

This was an okay read. I thought it was hard to get into, and it took a while before I felt invested in the story. Alex and Britney were good together, but Britney had a lot of issues from her childhood that held her back from the relationship. Alex was a good guy, but he had some things that held him back as well. I loved the feeling of family in this one. Not just the family you're born into, but the family you chose. It was nice to see them be able to overcome their obstacles and be together. I did like the HEA. This was a first for me from this author, but I would be willing to read her again.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book.

Cowboys, country music, tropical setting, and romance, Better Together by Crista McHugh has it all. The storyline is contrived but still great fun. The easy summer afternoon kind of read.

The characters are well developed meaning they are likable but far from perfect. Britney could be annoying at times. I liked her but thought that Alex saw her through rose colored glasses. Still I found myself hoping that Alex would manage to win her heart permanently. What I loved was the way that by the time I had finished the book, it was like I too had taken a trip to Hawaii. The setting is beautifully described. Also, the supporting characters were just as interesting. I have my fingers crossed that this is the beginning of a long, long series.

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If at first you don't succeed ...

Alex and Britney discovered the right love at the wrong time. Will the second time around be the charm? McHugh picks the perfect setting for a fun and flirty romance. Better Together begins with a quickie wedding and an even quicker separation as Britney and Alex take the long route to love. Amidst celebrity, desperation, frustration and heartache this duo captivates as they ponder the risks of love. Prepare to get lost in love with Better Together.

3.5Stars? hmm, I will still ponder on the rating.
Let's just look at what I liked and didn't like first.

So I have read several books by McHugh, so it's kinda clear I like her writing style. Better together had many beautifully written moments, which just reaffirmed my love for her prose.

The storyline is... well, honestly, kinda a little bit different and a lot of cute & fluffy. But in all fairness, this is a cute & fluffy. Which I really enjoyed, I wasn't looking for some deep mystery or beyond shocking twists. It kept me entertained, made me smile and even a little swoony. It's a fast and sweet read, perfect for a summer afternoon.

I loved the setting. I love all of Alex's clique. They are an awesome support cast and the heart of this novel. Hawaii is really high on my bucket list and while I was reading Better Together, I started thinking maybe we should move there! Mountains, Oceans, lots of green and nice people? Totally my vibe! ;)
But seriously McHugh made me totally fall in love with Kauai. Her descriptions felt real and gave me a taste of the place. I would love to know what locals think of this! The sense of beauty and belonging, loving your roots- something that made my nomad heart ponder very much, yet did speak to it- is beautifully conveyed.
Alex is swoony. I love love love him. (I am calling dips, just saying!)

The scenes where Britney plays her music are inspiring. And Alex'love for his island and his Ohana is infectious and inspirational.

Now my issues.
My biggest issue was Britney. I mean I got why she was doing what she was doing. I got why she wanted those papers.. but the whole, okay just one little bit, a bit of flirting here and a whole lot of freakn rejection there, it was grating on me. She was complaining when Alex kept her distance, yet she didn't want to be close to him. She ran so hot and cold all the time, I just got beyond annoyed.
The other issue I had was actually Alex. I mean I do love him. Really I love love love him. But- yes there is always one of those. But, his chip was, well, I didn't get it. I mean I did but it didn't resonate with me. Or maybe it just felt a bit too thick layed on. I am not sure. But around halfway in I did feel, those two should just get the messages. His constant need to change her mind was too much. He kept saying, cool I am letting go, then she as much as batted her lashed and he was, let me try do this, so she will change her mind. The pull and push felt childish and was annoying. Until it wasn't. I have to admit I was naturally rooting for them, and when they both finally let go of their stubborn on mind track, I totally swooned.
I love that Alex sorted stuff in the end, and naturally, I love that the gang was there supporting him.

So a few bits that I found exasperating but mostly a sweet romance and beautiful moments.
Very enjoyable, a book that takes you to your own island!

Alex Kahale lost his father and brother within the last year. Now he runs the family cattle ranch on Kauai. If Alex wants to continue to expand the ranch, he will need some help from his estranged wife, country singer Shelby Morris or as he knows her Britney Moore. Who knew that their wild week in Vegas could be benefical for both of them or that the chemistry between them is still alive. Alex needs to convince the Idaho rancher to sell some of the Wagyu heifers and a bull or semen to stimulate his cattle production. The old Idaho rancher wants a family man which means Alex needs to bring Britney to the island. Hopefully he can convince the rancher and Britney that he and the ranch are just what is needed.



Britney has been sending divorce papers to Alex for the last seven months. She needs to maintain this sweet girl next door persona for her fans especially after her win on Nashville Idol. Britney or Shelby is recording her new album and she only has one more song to record before it's finished. She can't let the media find out about her marriage to Alex. The girl next door would never have a week long fling and marry a guy--even if she still dreams about that week. God, if they find out her real name --that would be even worse since her mother is in prison. Britney has too much at stake. When Alex offers her two weeks in Hawaii on his ranch in return for signing the divorce papers--she jumps at the chance. But things don't go according to plan. Seeing Alex again reminds her of why she fell in love with him in Vegas especially when he arranges a recording session for her and takes her horseback riding. If she falls for him again will he leave like all the other men in her life? How could they make a marriage work if he can't leave the island?

This is Alex and Britney book, the whole book is set in beautiful Hawaii!! Alex is a cattle rancher in Hawaii! I was very surprised to hear that they have ranches just like in Texas! I didn't know that lol Britney is a up and coming country superstar! She won a reality show like American idol but she had married Alex a year before in a drunken vega s hookup now her pr ppl want her to get divorced the only way Alex agrees is if she spends a few weeks on the ranch to impress another rancher he's trying to buy cattle off of! She agrees cuz she needs him to sign! This was a very nice, sweet, hot, easy breezy read! It was a very good story!! I really enjoyed reading this book! Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for sharing this book with me!

This was a well written and enjoyable story. But it was a little too Hawaiian for me. If you love Hawaiian stories you will absolutely adore this story. It features the food, history and traditions of the Big Island. Lots of things I did not know about Hawaii and its folklore. Very fascinating but at times it got too much for me. I do want to say this made this book very original for me. Not something I had ever read before. But I was reading more for the romance than to experience Hawaii so at times it got too much for me.

This is the story of Alex and his estranged wife of one night Britney. They met 8 months before in Vegas, fell in love instantly and married the same night. The next morning Brit had buyers remorse and took off and just sent divorce papers. Meanwhile Alex's brother died and he has been trying to save their families ranch.

Life has been busy for Britney she has been discovered, has a recording contract and if a big country music star but has a good girl image so she needs to get divorced quietly so she can find an advantageous country powerhouse romance.

Alex wants to buy some cattle but can't unless he can make the seller believe he is a family man and that is where Brit comes in. She has to come to Hawaii and make Stan believe they are happily married for two weeks and then Alex agrees to quietly divorce her.

So the two have a lot of unfinished business. Can they stay away from each other and not fall into lust/love again? Well you will have to read to find that out. Alex wants Brit for forever so he pulls out all the stops to make her fall in love with Hawaii and that is what made this book original was the history, folklore and traditional foods described in this book were all about Hawaii.

Great summer read, set in Hawaii. Britney and Alex married within a week of meeting each other in Vegas. they haven't seen each to her since, but now she is in Hawaii and neither of them can deny the attraction between them, but don't think there is a future when they both are committed elsewhere: her to her music career and him to running the ranch.

Looking forward to reading the rest of this series.