From Best Friend to Fiancee’: I fell in love with author Ellie Darkins’ writing after reading Snowbound At the 
Manor, so it was easy to feel just as strongly about her new novel, From Best Friend To Fiancee’. With that title the reader knows that it’s a friends to lovers tale, but the journey is the important element.
Both Jannes and Lara have had abandonment issues from the past that make them wary about having close romantic relationships. The two have been very good friends for three years, but didn’t let romance enter the picture. Jannes, with his Nordic good looks and athletic physique from being a professional yachtsman, is seen with beautiful women on his arm everywhere. That playboy image is threatening his getting sponsorships, so he makes a deal with Lara to be his girlfriend for PR purposes. Of course, things get out of control and they have to decide if they will have to part after this “stunt” to protect themselves and each other.
Jannes comes across as a strong man in every way except his emotional life. It is easy to understand how hard it’s for anyone who has had less than loving parents. He can relate to Lara with her own “daddy issues”. It is true for anyone that you have to move on from your past, no matter how difficult it was, otherwise you will never be content or reach your full potential.
I still don’t understand about people being “social influencers”, but perhaps I am out of the loop. Apparently, it works very well for many people who can actually make a living from it. Lara doesn’t come across as a person who is over the top about sharing and she has the support of people close to her. I am always happy to see characters in novels or people in real life who can be good friends without romantic attachments.
From Best Friend To Fiancee’ is a very sweet love story that is sure to lift your spirits and bring some peace through a beautiful HEA.
Book Info:
Publication: June 29, 2021) | Harlequin Romance |
She’s strictly off-limits…
Isn’t she?
Jannes is a professional yachtsman—with a playboy reputation. The tabloids devote more columns to his romantic entanglements than his around-the-world races! But scandals spook sponsors, so Jannes makes a proposal of mutual convenience to his commitmentphobe best friend, Lara: pose as his girlfriend for PR purposes only…and he’ll help keep her chaotic family at bay. It’s perfect…until the paparazzi leak photos of Lara with a diamond ring on her finger!
