Hudson Harper is in trouble—and not the kind he can fix with contracts or spreadsheets. When he agrees to hire Sloane, the younger sister of his business partner Jude, he expects a favor paid, maybe a few awkward weeks. What he doesn’t expect is a gorgeous, sharp, endlessly distracting assistant who throws his carefully controlled world into chaos. Sloane is everything Hudson tries to avoid: bold, unpredictable, and absolutely impossible to ignore.
Things take a wild turn when they attend a business associate’s wedding and Sloane is asked to step in as a last-minute bridesmaid. She agrees—but only if Hudson marries her. Sloane needs a husband to gain access to an exclusive high-society club that could elevate her career, and Hudson just happens to need that same club to land the business deal he’s been chasing for years. As long as no one finds out their marriage is fake, it’s the perfect trade.
At first, Hudson shuts it down. But Sloane lays out the benefits, promises complete secrecy, and somehow convinces him to say yes. What’s supposed to be a clean, no-strings arrangement quickly becomes a messy, emotionally charged situation that neither of them is prepared for.
This book pulled me in from page one. The pacing is fast, the banter is sharp, and the tension between Hudson and Sloane is immediate. I hadn’t read the previous books in the Bridesmaid series and had zero trouble keeping up—this one absolutely stands on its own. The chemistry between the main characters is electric, and their dynamic is a perfect mix of tension, resistance, and slow-building intimacy.
The humor in this story is top-tier. The scene where they end up in the wrong etiquette class had me actually laughing out loud—it’s chaotic, clever, and unforgettable. The comedy feels natural, rooted in character rather than gimmicks, and that makes it hit harder. But the book isn’t just funny—it’s also emotionally rich.
Sloane is ambitious and unfiltered, trying to find her footing in a demanding world. Hudson is guarded and disciplined, weighed down by years of trying to live up to his father’s expectations. Watching them push each other—sometimes clumsily, sometimes tenderly—adds depth to what could’ve been just another “fake marriage” rom-com.
What really stood out was the emotional complexity. Hudson’s fear of vulnerability and Sloane’s growing realization that she wants more than just career success drive the tension just as much as the physical attraction. Their growth as individuals, and as a couple, is gradual but satisfying.
Family plays a strong supporting role in the story. Sloane’s dynamic with her siblings, Jude and Stacey, feels real—equal parts support, teasing, and history. And the way she approaches Hudson’s siblings to try to understand him better is one of the most thoughtful moments in the book. It reveals not just more about Hudson, but also about the people who care about him and how easy it is to overlook someone who keeps everything in.
The London backdrop adds the perfect touch of sophistication and stakes. It’s a fitting setting for a story about appearances, ambition, and playing by society’s rules—only to realize you want something entirely different.
Overall, this was a fun, smart, emotionally satisfying read. It brings together everything you want in a rom-com—great banter, real tension, strong character arcs, and moments that genuinely make you laugh or ache. Hudson and Sloane are opposites in all the right ways, and watching them unravel and rebuild was endlessly enjoyable.