Two secrets. One bet. Who will break first? Taylor Caldwell can't decide if she wants to kiss her new college roommate or punch him.

On the one hand, Hunter Zaccadelli is a handsome blue-eyed bundle of charm. On the other, he's a tattooed, guitar-playing bad boy. Maybe that's why Taylor's afraid of falling in love with him, or anyone else. She doesn't want to get burned, so she needs him gone before it's too late.

Hunter himself has been burned before, but Taylor's sexy laugh and refusal to let him get away with anything make her irresistible. Determined not to be kicked out of her life without a fight, Hunter proposes a bet: if she can convince him she either truly loves or hates him, he'll leave the apartment - and leave her alone.

But when the man behind Taylor's fear of giving up her heart resurfaces, she has to decide: trust Hunter with her greatest secret, or do everything in her power to win that bet and drive him away forever.

Lauren “Lo” Bowman is in a bit of a pickle. She needs money, like ASAP. She lost her job, the rent is due, and her car needs repairs. Problem is, the inheritance left to her by her old-fashioned Granny has one stipulation before she can collect: she has to be married.

Let’s just say suitors (of any gender) are not knocking down her door. And then Cara Simms, her best friend from childhood that she’s recently reconnected with, pours her heart out and confesses that she needs money to pay for grad school. Lo has a completely brilliant idea: they should get hitched.

Not married married. Like, fake married. All they have to do is play the part for the lawyers, get the money, and then get the marriage annulled. Easy as hell.

Well, it starts out that way, but being fake married feels a lot like being real married, and Lo is flipping out. She cannot be falling for her best friend. Can she?

Review

If you like marriage of con romance, you must pick up this lovely book.

Lo and Cara have been friends since childhood. They have a always loved each other but here we get to see that love turn romantic and physical. 

They are wonderful as are the cast of friends and Lo's parents. 

The plot has all the fun of the theme--wedding dresses, rings, ceremonies, deepening feelings. 

The inheritance stuff is silly but Cara coming to full terms with her sexuality is tender. 

Light, low angst. The cover matches the mood. 

Taylor and Hunter met when he became their roommate in college.  She was shocked that the school would not even give her notice about his arrival.  They get along like oil and water as they try to survive living in the same room.

As they get to know one another, and even have a class together, they discover they actually have things in common.  And when he cooks.... well everyone is happy.  Hunter is just as closed off as she is, as they both have pasts that were filled with pain and secrets.

Hunter also has the hots for Taylor.  She is attracted to him as well, just does not want him to know it.  Everyone around them sees it though.

This was such an amazing book about love, loss, pain, and even sacrifice.  I started out hating Hunter right along with Taylor but soon fell under his spell also.  I give this story a 4/5 Kitty's Paws UP!