"married 'til monday" by denise hunter

Throughout the Chapel Springs Romance series, Denise Hunter has told the stories of the McKinley siblings. In Married 'til Monday, oldest brother Ryan finally gets his chance (or really his second chance) at romance.

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With a big anniversary party in the works for her parents, Ryan will pretend to be Abby's husband for just one last weekend.

Ryan McKinley has tried to move on from his ex-wife, Abby. He's sulked, he's gotten angry, and ultimately he bought her dream house. Big mistake. Living alone in the massive 2-story has only made him miss her more. When her parents call him out of the blue about their anniversary party in Summer Harbor, Maine, Ryan believes God has dropped a golden opportunity straight in his lap.

Abby McKinley never exactly told her parents about the divorce. A strained relationship with her dad has culminated in a distant relationship with her parents, but she's finally succumbed to her mom's pressure to make the drive for their 35th-anniversary party.

Then Ryan shows up on her doorstep, looking as devastatingly handsome as ever. When he insists he's going to Seabrook, with or without her, Abby knows she can't say no. Her parents still think they're married and now Ryan knows it too. Besides, he only wants to check in with his best friend from college-her cousin Beau, who just lost his dad. It's just a one-week road-trip with the man who broke her heart. What could possibly go wrong?

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I have enjoyed every second I've spent reading the Chapel Springs series, and Married 'til Monday didn't break that trend. Married 'til Monday is quite different from the other books in the series though—it's not a bad thing, it's just different, and it almost didn't even feel like it was part of the same series, probably because the other McKinleys don't have a large role in the novel.

Most of Married 'til Monday takes place over a long weekend road trip. That setting allows for some comedy as, of course, things always go wrong on a road trip! So there's a lightheartedness to the novel that helps balance out some of the serious moments—and there are plenty of those, as Abby's past comes to light and Ryan tries to break down her walls.

While there are plenty of humorous and serious moments, one aspect of the novel stands out: romance. One of the hallmarks of Hunter's writing is sizzling chemistry between the hero and heroine, and that chemistry is certainly on display in Ryan and Abby's interactions! I ached for them to work things out and get back together; I was definitely invested in their journey.

I did feel like the novel drug on a bit once they returned home from their road trip, but that's a minor quibble. Married 'til Monday is a fantastic romance, and I can't wait to pick up Hunter's next novel! 4-1/2 stars.

Buy the book.
Read my reviews of the other Chapel Springs books: Barefoot Summer (5 stars), A December Bride(4.5 stars), Dancing with Fireflies (5 stars), and The Wishing Season (5 stars).

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Denise Hunter is an internationally published best-selling author. Her books have won The Holt Medallion Award, The Reader's Choice Award, The Foreword Book of the Year Award, and was a RITA finalist. In 1996, inspired by the death of her grandfather, Denise began her first book, writing while her children napped. Two years later it was published, and she's been writing ever since. Her husband says he inspires all of her romantic stories, but Denise insists a good imagination helps, too. When Denise isn't writing, she's busy raising three heroes-in-the-making with her husband.

Learn more about Denise at http://www.denisehunterbooks.com.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookLook blogger program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Also, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase an item, I will receive an affiliate commission. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."