REVIEW: The Backup Bride Proposal by Jaci Burton

In The Backup Bride Proposal by Jaci Burton, the Bellini family has agreed to let a movie be filmed at Red Moss Vineyards. Mae Wallace works for Bellini Weddings, and at one of the weddings they were hosting, she kicks out a wedding crasher. The next day she’s assigned to be the liaison between the Bellini’s and the filmmakers. When meeting the director, she discovers the wedding crasher was actor Kane August.

Kane found it refreshing that Mae hadn’t recognized him. He also liked the fact that she had no problem telling them what she was thinking. So when they learn that his co-star is going to be late, still filming another movie, he suggests Mae as a stand-in to get to spend more time with her.

Mae has no interest in a long-term relationship, while Kane knows his time at the vineyard is limited. But the more time they spend filming the romance movie, the closer they come to having a romantic relationship of their own. And while Mae is determined to keep Kane at arm’s length, he’s determined to break down her walls to show her not all men are not as untrustworthy as her ex had been.

This is the fourth book in the Books and Bouquets series and can absolutely be read as a standalone. I hadn’t read any of the previous stories but did not feel like I was missing anything. I enjoyed all the characters so much that I’ll be going back to read the previous books about the three Bellini sisters.

While Kane’s an actor, there’s so much more to him than that, and he lets Mae into a part of his life that he doesn’t let many people see. Mae, for her part, doesn’t fawn over him just because he’s an actor. She treats him like she would any other person. They seem like an unlikely pair at first, but they really work well together.

This is a story about friendship, family, loyalty, and love. If you’re looking for a sweet romance with only a little bit of drama and a lot of heart, then The Backup Bride Proposal is a book for you.

Book Info:

Publication: April 23, 2024 | Berkley | Boots and Bouquets #4

Bellini Weddings has agreed to allow a production company to film a movie at Red Moss Vineyards. It will be great PR for both the vineyard and the wine and wedding businesses. Mae Wallace, who works for the Bellini family, is thrilled with the possibility of new business. What she isn’t thrilled with is actor Kane August, who she finds crashing one of the weddings. He tells her it’s research for the movie, but she finds him overconfident and annoying.

Kane August is rarely surprised by anything—until he meets Mae Wallace. She’s sharp, just a bit on the snarky side, and the most refreshing woman he’s had the pleasure of meeting. She constantly challenges him, and he can’t remember having this much fun on a movie set. He takes every opportunity to spend time with her, peeling back layers until he gets to the heart of who this amazing person really is. And, unexpectedly, he realizes that he’s letting her in, too, something he hasn’t done with anyone before. However, they live very different lives and he’ll need to be careful around Mae, because she’s someone he could see a future with. But can she see the same thing?

When Kane takes her to his family’s ranch in Texas, Mae discovers a whole new side to him, learning about the heart and soul of a kind and gentle man. And as they grow closer, her guard goes up. Once burned, she has no intention of falling in love ever again, despite this very hot and sexy guy who’s trying his best to turn her world upside down and work his way through the steely wall she’s built. Kane is determined to show her he’s the one man she can trust with her heart. If only Mae will allow herself to fall.