Finlay is determined to undertake her PhD researching art history in London, travelling all the way from USA to do so, and working for a grumpy Englishman. Yet when her boss, Lord Hayden Stuart needs to get married to inherit his late father's estate and earldom, Finlay realises that her dreams may come sooner than she thinks. Yet, the more time they spend together trying to convince the public and Hayden's relatives, that their fake romance is actually real, the more that Finlay starts to hope that it is real.

I loved this story, for its ability to turn the attraction between two people who might never have been a couple, into a beautiful romance. Finlay is such a positive soul, who manages to make everyone like her, if only for her down to earth nature. Hayden is so reluctant to believe in love, but he too begins to come alive in Finlay's company. Such a delightful story that was refreshing in its ability to see the good in people.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley and Indigo Group. All thoughts and opinion are my own.

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Finley and Hayden, two unlikely partners, but each willing to help the other achieve their goals. Finley is determined to work with the esteemed art history advisor, Daniella Beauchamp, who makes it known she will only have a spot in her PhD program if Finley can get access to Hayden’s family estate’s untapped artwork. Hayden, a proud bachelor, is first in line for the earldom, but learns he must be married to receive. Thus, a marriage of convenience is born. Can these two handle a fake marriage without forming real feelings?

This was a cute story with bits of humor throughout. If you love tons of details with minor dialogue, this book is your jam.

#netgalley #evenbetterthantherealthing #indigogroup #humor #romance #goodreads

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫 (4.5)
Steam Level: 🔥🔥🔥 (mildly descriptive sex scenes)
Trigger Warning: divorce, death of a parent

Finley Greene is hoping to land a spot with her dream PhD advisor, but the only problem is that she needs access to the art collection owned by her boss, Hayden Stuart. When she approaches Hayden to ask for a favor, she finds out he needs something too: a wife. The only way he can get the title of Earl and inherit his family fortune is by being married. The two agree to a marriage of convenience with the understanding that neither one of them is looking for real love. But as they spend more time together, they realize they may have trouble sticking to their original agreement. Will their fake marriage turn into true love or will they be able to part ways once they've gotten what they wanted out of the arrangement?

I really enjoyed Finley and Hayden's story! The first few chapters had me hooked, and I was really invested in both characters. These two had some really great chemistry, and their physical connection was undeniable. I loved that they spent time getting to know each other and had some tender moments in addition to the steamy ones. I also really loved both of their friends- Caleb and Chalani. Caleb and his wife did a great job helping Hayden see that he was capable of love, and Chalani was a great support system for Finley. I did get a little bored with Finley's advisor and the PhD thesis, but thankfully those parts of the story were brief and didn't overshadow the romance. I'm definitely looking forward to reading more from Melanie Summers in the future!

Thank you Netgalley and Xpresso Book Tours for providing me with an ARC of this book.

I liked the premise of this book, but couldn’t totally get past the voices of both of the main characters feeling inauthentic (her southern voice and his British). They just didn’t feel authentic or believable. One of the most frustrating things was that, even though it says multiple times how much Finley’s family loves her, they (especially the women) treat her TERRIBLY! Even in the end when Hayden is speaking with her mother on the phone, it seems like her mother is saying bad things about her. It’s a little much. Her family comes across as completely toxic.
The premise of the book is fun, but as things go on, they just seem less and less believable. In the end, I had trouble getting past that.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me access to this eARC for my honest opinion!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to Netgalley & Xpresso Book Tours!

After the passing of his father, Hayden Stuart stands to inherit his father’s title and estate. His biggest obstacle becomes his marital status. In order to inherit the earldom, Hayden has to be married. Finley Greene needs access to the Stuart estate and its mysterious art collection in order to complete her PhD program. The two settle on a marriage of convenience to help both parties. If they can keep up appearances, Hayden will inherit everything and Finley will have unlimited access to the estate.

Even Better Than the Real Thing is a fast-paced romance with a decent blend of sweet and spicy. The rushed storyline does leave some plot points underdeveloped. I think both main characters could have used some more background information. Although the book sounded somewhat predictable, I was hoping for some fun twists but there weren’t really any.

This is the first book that I’ve read from author Melanie Summer. Even though this one was not for me I would be interested in reading some of her other novels.

HOW is this my first Melanie Summer’s book? The cover looked cute and the summary seemed fun, so I knew I would like it. I was unprepared, however, for how much utter delight this book brought! It is my favorite dual POV, H/H from opposite sides of the pond, charming southern-ness and eye rolling elitists, fake marriage, friends to lovers, and so much more! I made the mistake of starting it at 2 in the morning… and didn’t stop until I finished. Overall, this book is the perfect combination of all stellar things you want in a romantic comedy!

Thanks to Indigo Group, the author and Netgalley for an ARC of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily. This was the first book from this author I have read but it won't be the last. I thoroughly enjoyed this opposites attract, marriage of convenience story. It was funny in parts, uplifting and gave me the genuine feels.
The only thing I will say is that Finley's extended family seemed like not nice people, except for her Grandpa - they were seriously overbearing and I found that a bit off-putting. But they weren't in it enough to detract from the story. And there were a few American-isms in there where there should have been English-isms. Like Hayden referring to Finley 'not getting a dime' instead of not getting a penny. Again, nothing too serious - it's just something I always take note of.
This was a fun read and I can't wait to read more from this author.

I am always up for a good marriage of convenience book so I was looking forward to read this one. Finley Green is very ambitious and wants to impress her mentor but for that she needs access to Hayden Stuart's estate where his family's antique art collection is stocked up. At the same time, Hayden is stuck in a predicament and he has no choice but to find himself a wife no matter how much he despises the concept of love and relationships in general. The book was enjoyable and the chemistry between Hayden & Finley was undeniable but somehow I couldn't feel the connection. It took me a while to get into the story because the first few chapters felt really slow but as the book progressed, I started to like the playful conversations between Hayden & Finley. Both of them had very strong opinions and I found myself understanding Hayden's pov more than Finley tbh. Overall, it was a sweet story. Lighthearted and short, you can binge read it in a day. Though the ending was abrupt and I was quite disappointed with the way some things turned out tbh so it was more of a 3.5 star read for me.

Thank you Netgalley & Xpresso Book Tours for this ARC

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Love The One You're With!

Even Better Than The Real Thing by Melanie Summers is a fun and charming story about Hayden, the overworked and underloved CEO who never imagines a wife in his future until he becomes the heir to a title in England. The hitch is that he has to marry, and he has to marry fast, so he asks one of his employees, Finley, to fake-marry him to help him inherit his title. In exchange, Finley gets to finish her Ph.D. in art history using the paintings at Hayden’s British castle and some cash for their “fake” marriage. You can have all the money in the world, but without a family to love you, it’s hard to love yourself until you meet the right person…your person. It takes a lot of trials and tribulations for these lovers to find their way to each other; they are indeed in love and genuinely passionate about their relationship. This story was funny, emotional, and heartwarming. I enjoyed the story so much, and I think it will be a very successful romance novel for Ms. Summers. I can’t wait to read more books by Melanie in the future. #romance #EvenbetterThantheRealThing #alreadyPublished #buyitNow @indigo_group_ #indigogroup @mj_summers_author @netgalley #netgalley #makeup #breakup #truelove #tilldeathdotheypart #love #life
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Thank you to Indigo Books, Melanie Summers, and NetGalley for this free ARC; my thoughts and review are my own and without bias.
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#bookaddict #booksofinstagram #bibliophile #bookstagram #bookstagramer #bookshelf #booksbooksbooks #readersofinstagram #reader #booklove #author #instabooks #literature

A book about a marriage of convenience.... Finley wants to get accepted into art history program and need access to the art. Hayden needs a wife to inherit. But of course it turns into love....

Lots of witty banter, likable characters and hilarious situations. It's fast-paced and no boring parts. Love the ending especially. :)
A really light and fun romance.

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.

I have a couple of Melanie Summers books on my Kindle (they were free) but they are still unread. I saw this one on NetGalley and immediately liked it. I’m still on the precipice if I like the whole fake dating and marriage trope though.

Hayden needs to be married in order to get an earldom and, therefore, revenge on his late father. His employee Finley seems like a good candidate because she hates his guts. She needs his family’s paintings in order to have an advantage in her art program with her favorite professor.

They have a cute wedding and then she moves into his castle. (Yes, he has one!)

Even Better Than the Real Thing is described as a romantic comedy. Personally, I still don’t know what classifies as one because this story had one laughable moment in my opinion. I would say this was a very light romance, it had some spicy scenes that are –according to the author – not usual to her style. I liked it even though I prefer steamier scenes.

I’d say the story was good with the chemistry between these two but I think it was executed poorly when it came to the whole art plot. I loved reading about her passion but once the main conflict came this kind of faded into the background. I personally also don’t understand the ending. He gave up too quickly and for his bitchy half-brother I can’t believe he would do what Hayden asked him to do.

All in all, I think this book included a lot of stuff that could have more potential but the author decided to mention it, talk about it a little and drop it.

3.5 stars.

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Even Better Than The Real Thing is an enjoyable take on the marriage of convenience trope. He needs a wife to inherit his rightful title. She needs access to his family estate’s art collection. He’s a stuffy Brit; she’s the daughter of peanut farmers in the state of Georgia…and very outspoken. These differences provide humor and lightness. The mutual attraction adds a touch of non-graphic spice. This reader devoured the book in one sitting and found it just about perfect for the mood I was in at the time. I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book from NetGalley. Highly recommend.

🖼In true Melanie Summers style, this was the epitome of happiness, humor & swoon-worthy romance. As if the writing wasn't enough, numerous tropes such as Marriage of convenience, grumpy×sunshine, boss/employee, opposites attract, aristocratic hero-farm girl heroine, British hero-Southern Belle heroine, all were thrown into the mix which turned out to be AMAZING.

"There should be group homes for women like me. Dumb ones who can't stop having sex with their fake husband even though they know darn well how it going to end."😆

I loved Finley so much. Such a positive, determined, optimistic, art-loving character that you can't help but fall in love with her.

🖼And Lord Hayden, was damn irresistible & adorable at the same time. My heart broke for his childhood days which turned him emotionless.

🖼Finley & Hayden were mesmerizing together. So in sync, so in love (secretly of course). I loved the grand gesture & reconciliation at the end. This is a love story that I'll be thinking for days to come.

I enjoyed this marriage of convenience, grumpy/sunshine, slow burn book! A solid 3.5/5 stars for me.

Finley is hoping to be accepted into an art history program, the only problem is she needs something from the grumpy, broody Hayden Stuart. And Hayden? He needs a wife to be able to inherit a fortune, so of course the two strike a deal. This was an easy story to get into and I enjoyed the characters, the banter and the romance quite a bit. Any story with a grumpy, broody man has my heart and Hayden delivered. I think these characters are well-developed and brought out the best in each other, making this marriage of convenience as believable as any MOC can be!



Thank you #Netgalley for an early read of #EvenBetterThanTheRealThing in exchange for my honest review.

Finley needs access to her boss's extensive art collection at his manor house. Lord Hayden Stuart needs a wife to inherit after his father dies. Neither expects this marriage to ever be more than a contract. But love has a way of sneaking into the equation.

Even Better Than the Real Thing was such a fun novel. The first of this author's that I have checked out. It was full of witty banter, likable characters, and romance. It also was a great contract marriage novel. There is so much laughter and energy built into the plot that I couldn't put the book down. I will be reading Melanie Summers book's in the future.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of Even Better Than the Real Thing by Melanie Summers. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Netgalley and Indigo Group for providing an ARC to review.

3.5

classic marriage of convenience. funny at times, but i didn’t like hayden all that much. the falling in love felt a bit rushed. that being said, i loved the ending!

#netgalley

I was excited to read another cute, easy story from Melanie! Sadly this wasn’t my favorite. I didn’t like the over-exaggerated Southern-ness (dialogue, stereotypes, etc…). I also found it unrealistic how hateful Finley’s family was for her moving away from home, and there were few redeeming qualities in Hayden.

Choosing love over duty, or revenge?

Hayden has good reason to be bitter about his father, and he sees his opportunity for satisfaction when he's named the heir to the earldom. However, it comes with a stipulation that he be married. Finley needs access to his family's art collection for her PhD studies, a request Hayden has no interest in granting until he decides to trade the access for her role in a marriage of convenience.

These are well-developed characters who bring out the best in each other. I was somewhat shocked by the manner in which the last conflict was presented, though it did eventually (once explained) make sense for the characters. There is a solid HEA, though the HEA was a little more modern than what I would've chosen.

I really enjoyed reading about Finley's family in America, especially the on-point southernisms and the family camaraderie. I loved the side story of the mystery revealed in the art, especially how it highlighted the need to respect art throughout the years as a form of recorded history. I really enjoyed the story, and recommend this author for anyone who loves heartwarming romances. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.