The Boyfriend Contract is another fantastic book by Victoria James.

Emily is from a wealthy family but circumstances beyond her control lead her to a small town. Her goal is to restore her late grandmother’s rather large home into a quaint, but upscale, inn. She needs to prove to herself, and to her abusive brother, that she can run a business on her own without her brother. Having been a go-getter in the city, she discovers just how lonely she is in her new hometown. She quickly learns though, how the town might actually be full of the life and family she’s always craved.

Cooper Merrick and his family’s construction company are gearing up to begin restoration work on a huge home of a beloved late resident. He is surprised at the feelings that spring up when he meets the new owner. Cooper is drawn to Emily but the loss of his wife 5 years ago keeps him shuttered. He never wanted another relationship but he’s finding her harder and harder to resist. As everything starts falling into place, a chain of events cause him to push her away right at the time she needs him the most.

I devoured this book in one day. Emily and Cooper are wonderful characters. Cooper’s siblings are instigators and I loved their meddling. Emily is a very down-to-earth, genuinely pleasant person. She’s compassionate, understanding, friendly to everyone she meets. Her self-esteem is seriously lacking, though but that helps make her character realistic and believable. Cooper is gun-shy. He poured all the love he thought he had to give into his first wife. When she died, he made the decision not to put himself out there like that because he didn’t want to endure the heartache and pain losing someone else might cause.

The book is emotionally charged and evoked responses from me through every situation. Emily’s low self-esteem made me cry. Her brother made me angry. The chemistry between Emily and Cooper made me swoon. The loss of Cooper’s wife and how he’s dealing with it brought forth empathy and sadness.

Victoria James is one of my absolute favorite authors. Her writing is realistic and her subject matter for each book is believable. Her heroines and her heroes are not perfect, but they are perfect for each another. There is a reason that Victoria James is one of my all-time favorite authors - she writes impassioned and realistic contemporary romances. Each book I've read manages to evoke emotional responses from me. I always tear up during some part of the novel. Her characters are believable and realistically written. I get lost in the novels and put myself right into the middle of them. I feel for the characters and drawing on my emotions is what makes a book worth 5 stars for me. If I hurt with them, cry with/for them, laugh, or get angry, then the author did a fantastic job and has written the perfect book for me.

Okay it has been a while since I read a Victoria James book, and you know what... I have totally have missed her stories. Seriously, they are an amazing sappy read. A feel good kind of read for sure. You will not be disappointed with The Boyfriend Contract. We have Emily Birmingham who believes that she meant nothing to her father, so she leave the city for small town living to pick up the pieces of her life. Yet, nothing goes according to plan. She meets Cooper Merrick who has an emotional wall. You don't find out right away why he has his barriers so high, but she comes in like a wrecking ball. She manages to knock it down, but he's pretty quick to patch the damages.

Anyway, this was an enjoyable read. You might need a few tissues as you watch Emily trying to patch up her life, and fight her attraction to Cooper. You might want to smack Cooper in the back of the head for being stupid when it comes to Emily. However, you will cheer them both on to find a happy ending with one another. I like the ending, but I wish they did something to her awful brother, but the epilogue made it a cute ending. Okay, it's like a Hallmark kind of ending, but a still good read.

Copy provided by Entangled.

The story of Emily and Cooper. She is new in town and he is her contractor. She has been hurt by all the men in her life, and he is not recovered from the death of his wife. Can they be happy together?
The book was a lot more emotional than I expected it to be.
Gret characters, especially Coopers family, so hoping this will be a series!

The Boyfriend Contact is a heartfelt wonderful read. This story will pull you in and its a small town, romantic story. The characters Cooper and Emily are wonderful. I really enjoyed this two characters. It was wonderful written and a great storyline. I look forward to reading more from this author.
I read and reviewed an Advanced Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are of my own. Thank you Entangled Publishing and NetGalley for letting me read this story.

This was my first book by this author and I really enjoyed it. She delivered a sweet, emotional romance that engaged me from the beginning to the end. She made me laugh quite a lot but she also made me shed some tears. So many beautiful emotions.

Emily is all alone and trying to find herself. After her parents died she inherits her grandmothers house in a small town so she moves there to get her fresh start, to turn the house into a boutique Inn. She just never expected to find instant attraction to her contractor Cooper Merrick.

The chemistry between Emily and Cooper is off the charts electric but they have some battles to fight. Emily has practically no self esteem. Shes been told all her life she's not good enough, too fat, not attractive enough. Cooper is barely living, he is just functioning, going through the motions whilst grieving the death of his wife five years previously.

"He hadn't been living until Emily came along. He'd been living a half-life"

It was so lovely watching Emily bloom into the woman she should be. Someone so sweet and caring. She is stronger then she thinks.

Cooper is learning to love again, to live and to have hope.

This is such a cute romantic story, exactly my cup of tea. I loved it! The characters are amazing and there are enough laugh-out-loud moments to put a permanent smile on readers faces. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Emily had just moved to a small town from a big city. She is enjoying the quaintness and people around her are all good. Cooper is one of the brothers who are working on her home. He is sweet and broody, a bit of a contradiction but she likes him instantly. However, both have ghosts in their pasts which they are trying to avoid. So, accepting their feelings and giving in to their mutual attraction might not be simple for these two.
I think that this book is well written and a must-read of all romance lovers in the world. It's such a feel-good kind of story that will warm your heart for sure.

I have read many books by Victoria James and loved many of them. This one is no exception. From the beginning I loved the character of Emily. She is someone I could be friends with (Cheetos are the best!), wears her emotions on her sleeves, desperately wants a family to belong to, and has such big aspirations to achieve. Emily is a beautiful, vulnerable, lonely young woman who just gives you the feels. And I truly enjoyed when she charmed the people she would meet. She would just jump in to help others, no matter who they were. Throw in a sexy, hurt, and charming contractor, and that is what she needs. The magnetic pull between Emily and Cooper (swoon!) was undeniable. They were magic and fit perfectly. They gave to each other something the other was missing. And his interactions with his siblings throughout the book were not only hilarious but sweet. I loved their story. But it does make me want a story for Austin, Brody, and Callie.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review from the publisher through Netgalley.

The Boyfriend Contract will pull at your heartstrings! I often found myself wanting to reach into the book, just to wrap Emily in a giant hug and give her the love she didn't experience growing up. I struggled with who I loved more: Cooper or his entire family! They're such lovable, entertaining characters and you'll find yourself shaking your head at their antics, all while trying to contain your laughter. A truly enjoyable romance, with enough drama to keep you guessing what will happen next, and tender moments you won't forget. I absolutely loved this book and wish I could find more Coopers in the world!

My first read from this author and I LOVED IT! After the troubled childhood she had, Emily has decided that she has taken the final straw when the family company is given to her brother rather than herself. Inheriting her estranged grandmother’s house outside of town, she decides to regroup and restore the house and turn it into an inn, branching out into her own company and making it on her own. Hiring the only contractors in town, she meets Cooper and his family, and while the attraction is instant, the pair aren’t necessarily ready to start anything with anyone because of their pasts. Cooper has also had a rough experience in life and it has hardened him into the person he is today. After it almost wrecked him and his life, he has recovered, but vowed to never fall in love again. But when the feelings towards each other become too much, they decide to essentially have an undefined relationship without gaining feelings, and Emily creates a contract with Cooper as a guideline to their situation. As the story goes on and they pretty much break all the rules, Cooper’s past really gets to be too much for him and consequently breaks Emily’s heart. But with Emily’s past, she vows to bounce back and rely on nobody but herself as she’s the only one she can count on, but when Cooper realizes his true feelings, is it too late? This was my first read from Victoria but it was SO FREAKING GOOD and definitely won’t be my last. I love the spin on the storyline that is somewhat of a romance standard, and her style of writing was so great! Here’s to hoping the rest of Cooper’s siblings get their own books because I would be down for that series!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

4/5
I loved Emily and Cooper! I love small town romances because I think small towns can be so unique! James did a great job of showing what living and moving into a small town is like.
Emily and Cooper has such chemistry, that I was rooting for them before they even spoke to one another.
Both were so strong and so caring. They were great people who I would want to be friends with! They both had struggles and had to deal with them, but they were trying to be the best them they could be.
I shed a few tears (because I often get emotionally attached to character). The book was well-written and made me really feel for Emily and Cooper!
I enjoyed reading this book and would love to take another trip to Maple Hill in the future!

THE BOYFRIEND CONTRACT drew me in and never let go until the final word… and even then, I wished for more. Emily and Cooper have far more in common than a first glance might tell you. They are both wounded emotionally, even mentally by what life has dealt them. Emily from being overlooked when her overbearing brother inherits the business she put her heart into and worked her butt off for over the years. No more, she’s done with that life and has set out to start fresh – never to make the same mistakes in trust again. Cooper is still in mourning for his wife who lost her battle with cancer a few years ago. He’s going through the motions but his heart just isn’t ready for more than survival mode. As these two come together and discover an attraction they both have to make decisions. And Emily’s first decision – is rules laid out clearly, rules that neither can break. But that’s not as easy as it might sound – not with the sizzle going on between them.

I loved Emily and Cooper together. They are believable, relatable and it’s so easy to root for them to give love a chance. There are moments that will start tears flowing, either with reaction or laughter. There are other moments when you’ll want to sit one of them (or both) down for a stern talking to. Yet in the end, they are two independent, stubborn, hurting people who are learning to trust and giving themselves permission to fall in love, take risks and chances that aren’t always easy.

I wish this was the beginning of a series for I’d love to learn more about some secondary characters. Ah, well. You just never know, right? In all, I had a fun blast with THE BOYFRIEND CONTRACT and would highly recommend it to any reader who loves Rom-Com, wounded souls finding love, laughter and lots of love.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

The Boyfriend Contract!!

I enjoyed this Victoria James story of the journey to love for Emily and Cooper! This is a small town story about two people with pasts they are struggling with, while deciding if their chemistry is worth exploring. Both Emily and Cooper have very caring natures, while they both also expressed their opinions. I found myself laughing and shedding a few tears while reading this story.

This is an enjoyable Sweet with heat read.

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely.

The Boyfriend Contract is a very cute read. The background for this book was of a sensitive issue that never really gets a lot of notice. This story touched on some real life situations. Your heart will break for Emily and Cooper.

I love Emily. She knows what she wants and how things need to be done. I laughed at some of her antics and cheered her on with her plans. I enjoyed Emily’s strength & character as she set out to take back her life. I loved the chemistry she had with Cooper. Cooper, he just grabs at your heart. The sadness surrounding Cooper was a weight you could feel and to see him change & fall in love was wonderful.

The book was well-written and made me really feel for Emily and Cooper! I enjoyed reading this book.

When Emily’s parent’s pass away rather than inheriting the family business she helped build she finds it was left to her emotionally abusive brother and she inherited her grandmother’s home. With no one to depend on except herself she decides to move into the home and renovate into an inn.

Cooper and his brother’s own the only construction company in town and their latest contract is Emily’s renovation. He is a man with a painful past who isn’t looking for love or a relationship but there is no denying the attraction he feels for her.

As they spend time together it is only a matter of time before the chemistry between them ignites but will Cooper allow the pain from his past to destroy the happiness he can find in the future?

I really enjoyed these two characters together. Cooper helps Emily regain her self-confidence and shows her how strong she really is while Emily helps Cooper to live again.

The Boyfriend Contract is a love story with also a lesson that one can be more than others think they could be. As usual Victoria James has created a wonderful romance that has character growth along the way.

Emily Birmingham’s family has not always been the best or the biggest supporter of Emily but plans to make it on her won. How can you not like someone who does exactly what they believe that they can do? Despite Cooper Merrick’s loss which made him give up on another relationship, he is drawn to Emily. I found him a very likable character. Maybe more so than Emily.

Lovely romance with family drama where two characters are wary of giving love another chance. Sometimes you find exactly what you need even when you didn’t know it was what you wanted all along too. It will make a believer in taking the chance on love.

If you are looking for a sweet romance then this is for you. This is my first book from this author and it was a good read. Cooper and Emily were such sweet and wonderful couple. This book was a quick read and had minimal heat. I personally like a book with heat but if that is not what you are looking for, then pick this book up. You will not be disappointed.

So much more than I expected. I thought this would be more of a romantic comedy based on the concept of drafting a contract for your boyfriend but I was wonderfully surprised with the depth of emotion and drama that I actually got. Emily is forging a new path following the ultimate betrayal by her father after he dies, giving the family business to her abusive brother. She inherited her grandmother's historic house in Maple Hill and decides to turn it into a boutique inn. In business, Emily has all the confidence in the world having worked alongside her father for years. But in all other things, she is full of insecurities following the abuse inflicted by her brother over the years. Something we can all related to on some level. Yet, given all the doubts that will plague her and almost debilitate her, she pushes through, she finds the inner strength and courage to fight for what she believes in. When the town turns down her proposal to rezone the property, well, it almost crushes her. Now, her contractor, Cooper, is a bright light in all the craziness and he never makes her feel inferior even if she doesn't know how to do something. Cooper is drawn to Emily's heart and strength. He sees this amazing woman that is always willing to help anyone and it sparks something in him that he lost years ago. He is dealing with his own issues but Emily might be just what he needs to emerge from his fear. There are so many beautiful moments in this journey that took my breath away. I found this story very relatable as I experienced Emily and Cooper battling their fears and insecurities. And what Emily ends up doing with her grandmother's house is inspiring. I voluntarily read an ARC of this book and this is my honest review.

Victoria James writes an emotionally charged story that will make you laugh as well as bring tears to your eyes. Emily has moved to claim her in inheritance as well as run away from all the pain in her life. Cooper is still trying to recover, years later from the death of his wife.

In a small town it is difficult to escape running into the same people. Emily has trust and insecurity issues. She finds Cooper, her contractor, attractive but does not want to lose her heart to him. This is a sweet and compassionate story. Emily makes friends for the first time and opens her heart to helping and making a difference. She does all this without expecting anything in return which makes Cooper fall deeply in love with her. The other characters are also warm and wonderful and add greatly to the story. This is a story that you will want to snuggle in with and read straight through.

The Boyfriend Contract gives us the story of Emily, a woman looking to start over after being kicked out of her family's business, and Cooper, a 30 year old contractor and widower.

Victoria James wrote this book wonderfully. I really liked that we got both Emily and Cooper's points of view. It really helped me see both sides and what they each were struggling with. While lighthearted at times, this book actually had a lot of emotional depth that I was not expecting. Both characters had such hurt in their pasts and I was rooting for their HEA the entire time.

I definitely recommend picking this one up when it comes out on 9/23. Absolutely loved it! Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

3.5 stars! There are several things that I liked about this book. The narrative flows easily and that makes it an "easy" read (easy as in I don't have to struggle to deconstruct paragraphs and I can follow the plot easily and the descriptions add to it),
We're treated to the story of Emily, who has resisted the abuse from her brother for years, leaving to claim her grandmother's inherited house and turn it into an inn.
Her path crossed with Cooper, one of the contractors in charge of the restorations. Cooper is a widower that is not interested in falling in love again after losing the love of his life.
Sparks fly between them, but in order to protect both of their hearts, they made a contract before dating.

I struggled with the idyllic view of small towns that this book portrays, as it feels as if too unrealistic at times. But that being said, I really enjoyed Cooper and Emily, Cooper's struggles to date to love again and Emily's character growth as she finds herself and what she wants to do with her life
*I was given an ARC from the publisher under no obligation*