When I fist decided to read The Pretend Wife, I was just looking for a breezy read. I didn't find it. This isn't Contemporary Romance in the truest sense of the word, but it was still wonderful to read.

"But I won't miss the Internet," I said and then blurted, "If I get one more piece of spam telling me that my penis is too small, I might need to go to a support group. I immediately wanted to reel the comment back in."

This describes Gwen perfectly. She is fun but tense, and afraid of everything.

"Elliot, it turns out, is in need of a pretend wife, just for the weekend, in order to fulfill his dying mother’s last wish."
The story of pretend love turning out to be the real thing isn't new at all, and some of the twists are too timely. What saved it is Bridget Asher's keen, and un-Harlequin voice. I didn't know who Gwen was going to end up with. Maybe she would've played it safe and stayed with Peter. Maybe she would've gone to Elliot. Maybe it would have ended with Gwen finally 'discovering' who she is, and letting go of both of them. The point is, I didn't know, and I liked that. It started out dry but grew interesting. It was honest (without having to be insincere), and it was touching.

So, yes, I loved it more than I thought I would. This had no rustic virgins, virile heroes or gay friends. What it did have? Depth. Nonfluff. You've restored my faith in romances for a while, Bridget Asher. ( )

I took me a little while to get into this book. I have made it a goal to at least read the first 3 chapters of any book before putting it down for good. I'm glad I stuck with it, because I feel in love with this book! You can see how it was going to end, but it had twists that were surprising. It was definitely worth reading! ( )

Bridget Asher's first novel, My Husband's Sweethearts was a decent read. I was not sure whether I should read this novel at first, but I am glad I did. Great chick lit read! I read it in one day!! I smiled, laughed, and cried in the end because it was that good! ( )

Pretty good. Like the issue of secrets.

It was a good book and the story was interesting but I didnt like that there was sooo much narritive. I got lost in it a few times. All she did was say is this what marriage is... Once she found out that things with Peter werent quite right and realized how things could be the story did turn around. But I would have liked a more ellaberate ending... What happened after she saw Elliot again? Where did that leave her. At least and Epiloge or something. ( )