This is a probably a case of "it's not the book, it's me". YMMV.

This wasn't one of my favorites in this series, and I'll tell you why. The arranged-marriage/marriage-of-convenience/fake marriage trope - I like that a lot, and while that part of the story worked just fine (I bought the reason for this 'green card' marriage completely), the two MCs were lackluster and somewhat one-dimensional, and I didn't for the longest time think that there was an actual romantic relationship.

Ondrej was mostly cold and somewhat rude, while Archie was flailing without directive and failing miserably to make things work. Their initial arrangement was believable, as was how they acted toward each other, but there was a consistent undertone from Archie's side that he was way more invested in Ondrej than vice versa. And since we didn't have any explanation for this undertone for most of the book, it left me puzzled. And if it was love at first sight for Archie, his hesitation in stating as much left me thinking he was younger emotionally than his actual age.

When there is little chemistry or connection between the MCs, their romance just falls flat. I was somewhat disappointed with the portrayal of the characters, to be honest. I expected more, based on the blurb.

Outside of the fake-marriage plot, there's a subplot involving Archie's company, and an exec who's trying to oust him. Clearly, Archie has his hands full, but he's also reluctant to allow Ondrej to help him. In addition to the business issue, they have to deal with an Immigration Services agent, who wants to poke holes into their story, and a gossip columnist who's spreading rumors about their fake marriage as well. Ondrej doesn't not want to return home to Prague, which was the explanation for his agreeing to Archie's proposal, but is standoffish for most of the book, and seems to want to misunderstand Archie's attempts at bringing them closer.

Bad assumptions are made on both sides, with lots of miscommunication, and in some cases complete failure to communicate - this also did nothing to endear the characters to me. I alternately felt sorry for Ondrej, and then didn't like him much for how he stayed aloof with Archie, and in the next chapter felt sorry for Archie, but then also wanted to throttle him for being stupid.

While both characters as a whole were likable enough, and while I could understand their reasons for the most part, I just never made a real connection with them here, which is too bad. That's one thing I need when reading a romance novel. I'm not hung up on needing on-screen sexy times, but I have to be able to "feel" the romance. I didn't get that here.

The title is also a little misleading - Archie has Greek roots, but other than his late father's investments in Greece that are impacted by a failing economy, there's really nothing much Greek about this book. Additionally, there is very little character development, and also little character growth throughout the book.

If it weren't for the fabulous HEA, which was completely in tune with the Harlequin-style novel I expected this to be, I probably would have rated this even lower. I would say that this book fits within the overall intent for the Dreamspun Desires series, so if you like the Harlequin-style romances, coupled with somewhat prickly and uncommunicative MCs, give this a try.


** I received a free copy of this book from its publisher. A positive review was not promised in return. **

Anyone else a fan of the movie Green Card with Gérard Depardieu and Andie MacDowell? 

I loved that movie.  In case you A: Were not born or B Some how missed it in 1990 here is the plot according to IMDb 

George Faure is a Frenchman who has been offered a job in the U.S. But in order to get the job he must obtain a work permit - green card, and the easiest way is to marry an American. Bronte Parrish is a New Yorker who is a keen horticulturist and just found the perfect flat with its own greenhouse. Unfortunately the flat is for married couples only. A marriage of convenience seems the ideal solution to both problems. To convince the immigration officers they are married for love, they must move in with each other. As the mismatched couple attempt to cope with life together, they start to fall in love.

I love Marriage of Convenience plots!  I adore the couple time and the you must deal with each other.

For a Contemporary Romance what could be a more realisic reason for this kind of marriage that citizen status.  I do wish they had less "we are going to get found out" drama.

Here are some fun Green Card Romances with immigration needs for all kinds of reasons.

My lists are never in any particular order. Enjoy!  

1. An Engagement in Seattle by Debbie Macomber

Aleksandr Berinksi is a Russian biochemist in the U.S. on a visa that is about to expire. Marriage will allow him to stay—marriage to Julia Conrad. If Julia's going to save her Seattle-based company, she needs him as much as he needs her. There's a Groom Wanted in Julia's life. And not just any groom!

2. Rio Grande Wedding by Ruth Wind

One kiss stole her heart. So when Molly Sheffield realized Alejandro Sosa needed a green-card bride, it seemed only natural for her to stand by his side….

But the pretty widow could not predict the feelings she would have for her new husband. After opening her heart to Alejandro, Molly knew she was meant to spend forever with this man. But she and Alejandro had only so many passionate nights, so many warm and loving days, before they said goodbye.

Or before they fell hopelessly in love…

3. Wanted: Outback Wife by Ally Blake

hen Jodie Simpson met her long-lost sister, Louise Valentine, she didn't realize the biggest adventure of her life was about to begin. With her visa about to expire, and desperate to stay in Australia, Jodie has a plan…she'll marry for convenience!

Jodie is offering a one-year marriage, with no strings attached. So why does sexy cattle rancher Heath Jameson, who is almost certainly looking for a long-term wife, want to marry her? Heath seems so sure—and so handsome—that Jodie takes the plunge. Only to fall for a convenient husband who seems to be running from the ghosts of his past…

4. An Inconvenient Wife by Katy Madison

Brandi Yeats wants gold—Olympic gold, but she needs a new ice dancing partner. One man is available, but he's totally wrong for her, and he's the wrong nationality. Marriage is the only way they can compete for the same team. So what's a girl to do when her dreams are on the line? What she won't do is have an affair with the broody, but far too attractive, Russian, even if he is her husband. 

Nikolai Petronof is willing to do anything to skate with a strong competitor like Brandi—even trap himself in a lie he can't get out of. Everyone warns him not to mix fire and ice, but he can't help himself. That is until he's caught in a hands-off marriage of convenience that is far too inconvenient...

5. Mail-Order Groom: by Cindy Flores Martinez

Lisa is about to marry the love of her life, but her world is shattered when she finds her fiancé, Jeff, in the arms of another woman. When he calls off the wedding, she's heartbroken. 

In a twist of fate, she meets Krzysztof Zielinski from Poland on Mail-Order-Grooms.Com. He needs to marry an American woman so that he can stay in America, and he’s willing to pay money for it. His reason for needing to stay is what tugs at Lisa’s heart and convinces her to say “I do” to him. After all, it’s going to be strictly a business deal. 

Lisa races to the altar with Krzysztof, but things become complicated when she finds herself falling for him, and he’s not planning to stay in America forever. Will her heart break all over again?

6. Kissing the Canvas by Billy London

Russian boxer, Pasha Markovitch, has everything in his corner, looks, potential for Olympic greatness, and speed of powerful fists professionals only dream of. There’s just one small issue. If he can’t find a solution to his current visa situation, he’ll be out of the UK and ducking and weaving with government standard silver bracelets on his wrists. The pressures of his father’s greed and the anxiety of a past that continues to knock him down, steadily wear on him until chance leads him to green fingered, sarcastic mouthed, Liliana Asare who offers the light of a reprieve. Coming to an arrangement of mutual exchange, they both get what they want. Pasha gets to stay in the country and Liliana gets the financing for her florist shop. The whole scenario is perfect enough to list. Woman willing to marry him so he doesn’t end up deported and she doesn’t end up losing her livelihood? Check. Avaricious father satisfied? Check. Falling in love with his fake wife? Wait, that’s not on the list…

7. Baily's Irish Dream / Czech Mate by Kate Thomas

She knew all the right moves...

Wendy Marek needs to see green -- as in money to finance her studies in fashion design in Paris. But to claim her inheritance she must marry. Visiting Czech Peter Havel also needs to see green -- as in green card! What will Wendy do with a Czech math genius with the body of an Olympic gold medalist? Well, marry him, of course. However, what will happen to this marriage of convenience when love enters the equation?

8. A Marriage of Convenience by Jewel Amethyst

After being left standing at the altar, Tamara needs someone to share the new home she can’t afford. Enter Kawbena Opoku, a gorgeous Ghanaian scientist in search of a green card, to fulfill Tamara’s needs—and the desires she didn’t know she had.

9. Marry Me, Cowboy by Lilian Darcy

Champion barrel-racer Tegan Ash has nothing left to go home to in her native Australia and every reason to stay in the USA. But her visa is about to expire, and her prospective groom has called off their green-card wedding. 

Jamie MacCreadie doesn’t actually want to marry a woman he can't stand, but his best friend and fellow rodeo rider Chet has just let her down and, somehow, he finds himself offering to do the deed instead. 

There’s no chance it could turn into the real thing, because they have nothing in common… do they?

10. Temporary Wife by Joan Kilby

Veronique Dutot and Burton O'Rourke—each has something the other needs.

Veronique is a talented chef, while Burton happens to need a chef for a new cooking show he's about to produce.

Veronique, on the other hand, needs her visa extended so she can live in Vancouver near her former mother-in-law.

Burton proposees and old-fashioned solution to their very modern problems. A temporary marriage. A marriage of convenience.

Veronique accepts—although there's nothing temporary or convenient about the way she's starting to feel.

So I need more for these. Perferably between working class people. Yeah. 

Whatcha got? Or if you don't have any which writer should we hound to creative more? lol

Vote for the best of the best on my Goodreads list: Green Card: Marriage of Convenience Romance.