A solid win and my second favorite right behind Everything for You!

This installment focuses on eldest Bergman brother Axel, whose neurodivergence manifests as a stoic grumpy facade, hiding a man who can’t read social cues well and prefers quiet solitude so he can concentrate on his art. When his childhood home (now a shared vacation spot for all members) becomes an unforeseen money pit, he shoulders the responsibility solely and silently as this is the only way he thinks he can show his love for his family. Thing is, his creative self is blocked at the moment and he’s unable to produce his usual paintings for revenue as his mind’s been scrambled by a recent kiss from family friend Rooney. If only Axel could find someone to platonically marry in order to receive his late uncle’s inheritance which is contingent on this <i>small</i> condition.

Enter the aforementioned Rooney.  Invited by BFF Willa to stay at the Bergman vacation home to rest and recuperate from a recent flare in her chronic illness, what she doesn't expect to find is the place under construction and having to stay with Axel instead.  When Rooney readily agrees to the farce to show her thanks, she doesn’t think for one moment anything will come of it despite her longtime crush on Axel.

For me, Liese always does an excellent job at the palpable attraction, and she totally pulled out all the stops here.  The desire is intense, the unintentional banter is funny and touching, and these two try to resist but fall quickly.  It will come as no surprise that I adored Axel.  He is gruff, reticent, but also awkward and easily embarrassed. He feels so much but can’t either process it or express it and of course, he’s yummily written.  He’s a gentle glasses wearing giant, gorgeous, smartly soulful, well endowed (like all the MMC’s in Liese’s fictional world), and <i>naturally</i> good in bed. Liese would not have it any other way, and I suspect the readers wouldn’t either.

What differs here from most of the other books in this series is that I had consistent fun with this.  The comedic situations these two find themselves in made me grin like a fool or burst out in a giggle, but never fear that Liese skirts around tough topics or icky situations.  It absolutely doesn’t hurt at all that Rooney was a solid heroine, and that’s quite a rare thing for me to encounter.  Though there is a 3rd act breakup, it was understandable on both parts and was necessary to make these two realize very important things about themselves and each other.  

If <b>marriage of convenience, grumpy sunshine, forced proximity, slow burn, comedy of errors, family and friend shenanigans, and an adorable dog and scrappy kitten</b> can’t lure you to read this then I don’t know what else you could want.  This was a near perfect mix of romance, plausible personal hangups, mature relationship progression, and humor.  Highly recommended especially if you stalled on this series.  Go forth and enjoy!