I am sad that the Sorensen Family series is likely ending with Her Surprise Engagement, but it is a fabulous way to wrap everything up!

I had been so excited when reading the previous book, The Playboy's Proposal (Benny and Henry's story), and there was mention of the delicious dessert chocoflan! One of my best friends makes it and I hadn't heard about it anywhere else.

When I saw that Daisy was dreaming of opening her own bakery, I knew that there would be more delicious baked goods mentioned and I only wish there had been recipes at the end!

After loving Benny and Henry so much, I was worried I wouldn't enjoy Daisy and Jack's story as much. I was happy to be proved wrong, though.

Through a mix-up Daisy and Jack end up sharing her sister-in-law's family vacation home in Lake Tahoe. Daisy is there after her ex disappointed her kids by bailing on a promised vacation. Jack, the state's Lieutenant Governor, is there to spend time with his daughter before the press catches wind that he is about to take over for the current Governor.

As much as I love Henry, Dominic, and Cruz from the previous books, Jack definitely gives them a run for their money. He is kind, generous, and thoughtful. I especially enjoyed seeing his interactions with his daughter and Daisy's three kids.

Daisy is a strong character you can't help but admire. She really stepped up after her ex left her and the kids. I liked that she is level-headed and not afraid to stand up for herself.

The author did a great job with story threads that carried through all four books in this series. I highly recommend both this book and the series as a whole!

Thank you to Netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.5.stars

A sweet and clean romance - strange for me - but I loved it.

Daisy is a strong single mum of 3 kids, she has big plans - she wants to open a bakery of her own, she is a doting mum too and is off on a holiday in a big house with her aunt in tow.

Jack is big in politics and things are about to explode for him as he runs for governor so a short break with his daughter is a welcome distraction.

The big house is double booked and Jack and Daisy, who have acquaintances in common but don't know one another are in a difficult predicament.

'When the thought had passed his mind a time or two of what it would feel like to run his fingers through this mass, he hadn't imagined he'd be digging out a wiggling worm as did so. He choked back a laugh.'

I really enjoyed this story, 2 families coming together, having fun. The spark between Jack and Daisy grows daily but they lead two different lives so you can understand Daisy being reluctant, Jack is persistent and even though I enjoyed this clean romance I did wonder if he was a gentleman in the bedroom!

'Daisy hadn't even heard his arrival, but she felt enormous relief when Jack climbed the front steps looking like her own Prince Charming. Sexy, panty-melting Prince Charming.'

Sweet, delightful read - will read more from this author.

ARC REVIEW

I read this book for my blog Shakespeare's Wench Book Blog. I love sweet romance. This book is an awesome rom-com that I know readers will love this summer! This book is a must-read!

Her Surprise Engagement by Ashlee Mallory is a sweet contemporary romance. I greatly enjoyed reading this story.

Meet Daisy Sorensen on a vacation with her three kids. Through a mistake her house is double booked and she has to share. But that is no hardship at all, the other part is a seroiusly hot governor to be and single dad. Both meet and are smitten. Go with them on a journey to their HEA.
Her Surprise Engagement is a story full of twists and turns and has a beautiful, beautiful HEA.
I really liked the characters and the writing and give 4,5 beautiful Stars. Thank you Ashlee Mallory!

Two families, one vacation house, a mix up in communication on the availability of that house and one politically damaging situation equals the need for some fast thinking and a possible solution for two strangers. Daisy just wanted to get her three kids and her aunt to the vacation her sister-in-law had offered them at Lake Tahoe. A poor substitute for Disneyland, but then it’s just one more time that their father, her ex, had let them all down for his own selfish reasons. Her van dying on the way hadn’t helped matters any. Now all she wants is a soak in a tub and a bed to fall into. Jack was thankful that a friend of the family had offered her family’s vacation home for his and his daughter’s use over the coming holiday week. As Lieutenant Governor, Jack was certainly used to politics, and now it seemed that he might have that shot at Governor sooner than next election if things worked out. But this was his time with Lily, a chance to ease her into understanding what was coming next for them. He expected an empty house. What he found was an opened wine bottle on the kitchen counter, and a lovely sleepy woman in a very old bathrobe instead. Add into that mix a reporter and camera crew at the front door and some innocent children’s comments – and you have a political mess to clean up, fast.

Her Surprise Engagement starts off with a chuckle, a bit of attraction and two adorable families…. oh, and a fake engagement. I had fun with this story. Daisy is still recovering emotionally from her ex-husband’s actions. She’s strong, stubborn and unlikely to accept help from anyone. So when Jack proposes a business deal in exchange to pretending to be engaged for a short time she reluctantly gives in. And over the course of a few days two families seem to slowly merge into one group. It would be easy to think that this can be forever. But Daisy knows full well that fairy tales are a pretty story and nothing more. Jack’s need to help and Daisy’s determination to not accept help are at the center of their troubles. The issues they faced, the pressure and the feeling of belonging that they bring out makes this an emotional romance where you will be fully engaged in the outcome for this couple. I would definitely recommend this story, and the entire series to any Romance reader who enjoys strong stories, believable couples and interesting secondary characters.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this story. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this book.*

When I find myself in reading slump, I always find myself drawn to a good ol’ fashioned romance. Her Surprise Engagement by Ashlee Mallory was just what I needed to lighten my load.

 Single mom, Daisy, still struggling with her divorce and financial troubles from her prior marriage wants nothing but a stress-free family vacation at her sister in law’s vacation home. This is thrown for a loop when widowed, soon-to-be Governor Jack arrives with his daughter in tow. Thinking he has booked the vacation home, there is nothing much to do but wait for the morning and deal with the mix-up. However, when the paparazzi arrives, having followed Jack, things take on a life of their own and before she knows it, Daisy finds herself in an arrangement she cannot refuse. She will pretend to be engaged to Jack and he’ll help her open the bakery she has been dreaming of.  What starts as a business agreement, soon becomes tricky, as the pair develop feelings for each other.

 This is technically the fourth in this series by Ashlee Mallory; I hadn’t read any of the prior books but I had no trouble settling into the plot and could follow it quite easily. I am a sucker for a fake relationship storyline in the movies I watch and the romance I read; I love the humorous spins and the mix-ups. This one fit that mould perfectly. Humorous and heartwarming, I finished this one easily in a sitting. I loved Mallory’s easy writing style and the relationships between the characters.

 The perfect palette cleanser!

I had just finished Her Backup Boyfriend when I came across the opportunity to review Her Surprise Engagement. So I of course jumped on the chance because I was intrigued by Daisy's character. She showed strength in it but I was in two minds about her. So I am happy the way her story turned out.

One thing I have to note is that the book cover doesn't seem to fit Daisy and Jack. Oh it is attractive but it doesn't go with their characters for me.

My perception of Daisy was different from how she is in this book. I love her strength, her stubbornness and her love for her family and friends. She is well developed and is a good complement to Jack. Her love is boundless as shown by willingness to include Jack and his daughter in her inner circle. Oh how I loved her character!

Another surprising character who caught my heart in their trap is the hero himself. I have read books with heroes who are billionaires, teachers, firefighters, players etc., But I have never encountered a politician as a hero and I was pleasantly surprised how down to earth he was. I loved his simple needs and his yearning for a big loving family.

Kudos to the author who once again has created a protagonist pair who touched my heart effortlessly with their actions and their pasts. The way the author added a bit of sadness of their pasts to enhance their present happiness adds well to the story. The romance was sweet but not over the top. It was perfectly paced and I loved their love story! Oh I wish this happens in real life!!

Now I am smitten with the Sorenson family and I can't wait to read the other intervening books. Each is a standalone so it doesn't have to be read in order or all books have to be read. You can always enjoy it as a single. Now I am off to peek at the other titles while I hope you guys check this one out!! I strongly recommend this tale and the series to people who love romances with sweet love and family closeness.

My one line review : A sweet love story with a sprinkle of family closeness

My rating : 5/5

My reread factor : 4/5

Since I have read one of her other novels I thought I would see if the magic of her writing could still take me somewhere with the romance she spins. This one centers around Daisy and Jack. Both are interesting with them you forgetting right away you are not in a novel because you are now with their story. Just as the title says she will get a surprise, one that will lead her on a different road then she planned on. They both want to have it their way but each will have to do their part with those parts binding them together in a way that will make for any other plans wasted. The web it weaves will be fun to watch them as the chemistry works its magic. You so enjoy watching this relationship build with a bond that will be hard to break. The style is one that will give you plenty of romance that will warm the heart.

Her Surprise Engagement, by Ashlee Mallory is an interesting contemporary romance, which is focused on family dynamics and a fake engagement.

Daisy Sorensen is a financially-struggling single mom who dreams of opening her own bakery. After her ex-husband disappoints their three children by promising and then denying them a trip to Disneyland, Daisy quickly plans a family vacation in Lake Tahoe.

Due to a mix-up, wealthy widow Jack Harrison also arrives at the same home for a vacation with his daughter and their dog. With the announcement of Jack's upcoming governor campaign, reporters appear on the doorstep of the vacation house and surprise both families in a humorous manner, which leads to Jack and Daisy's fake engagement. As the story continues, their pretend engagement leads to a real relationship, yet both Jack and Daisy have personal issues to overcome before truly combining their families.

Since it's the fourth book in The Sorensen Family series, it's ideal to start with the first book, yet it's not necessary to read the books in order. I started reading the series with this book.

Her Surprise Engagement is geared towards those who enjoy reading modern romances with children, pets, and pretend engagements.


Note: I received this book from NetGalley, which is a program designed for bloggers to write book reviews in exchange for books, yet the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

A sweet fake-to-not romance story!

Though Daisy and Jack's "relationship" started out a bit heavy on the side of insta-lust, once the two of them really started to get to know each other? the whole story became pretty magic. Each of them brought out the best in each other, and together with their kids/dog also managed to make their incomplete families whole again. Such a fun, satisfying read, and a great ending to the Sorenson family series :)

Her Surprise Engagement could work as a standalone, if needed; if you've read the other books, though, you'll love the glimpses you get here into the HEAs of Daisy's two brothers and sister. I'll definitely be keeping an eye out to see what Ms. Mallory is going to bring us next :)

Rating: 4 stars / B+

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

This is a delightful sweet romance, I loved it!

After her ex husband unexpectedly cancelled the trip to Disneyland for their children, Daisy Sorensen has to come up with something quickly that won’t cost a fortune. She takes up a friend’s offer to use her family’s holiday home on Lake Tahoe. Nothing goes as planned, especially when she discovers a single man and his daughter also thought they’d got use of the home for their holiday, too. It wouldn’t be so bad if he wasn’t so attractive and the chemistry between them volatile. She realises he’s also a prominent political figure – the soon to be Governor, Jack Harrison, and when the paparazzi also turn up life is definitely going along a different route. He suggests she pretends to be his fiancée but when the feelings between them prove to be anything but fake, can they make their relationship real?

This is a different take on a contemporary romance and a lovely story to escape into. The characters are complex and brought to life within the pages of the book. The story is well paced and has plenty of other surprises along the way to make it a brilliant, highly entertaining read that I have no hesitation in highly recommending. I’d really like to know if Payton and Emily were planning to be matchmakers all along . . . . if so, it worked!

Many thanks to the publishers who gifted me a copy of this book via NetGalley. This is my honest opinion after choosing to read and review the book.

I’ve been a fan of Ashlee Mallory’s The Sorensen Family series since the first book, Her Backup Boyfriend, and have enjoyed each book since. I love the relationships between the Sorensen siblings and have enjoyed getting each of their stories.

In Her Surprise Engagement we focus on the last of the Sorensen siblings, Daisy. Daisy has recently become a single mother and she’s determined to prove that she can provide for herself and her three children. She frustrated me at times because that determination came off as prideful and it didn’t seem like good parenting to turn things down that would be beneficial to her kids. However, as we get to know her a little better we see how it’s not so much pride keeping her from asking for help, but the fear of once again being in a position where she relied solely on someone else for support and how hard it would be to pick up the pieces of her life again if that support leaves. I liked how she learned that accepting some help sometimes didn’t mean she would lose her independence.

The fake-relationship storyline is always one of my favorites to read about and I liked that it was incorporated here. I thought the events that led up to it were humorous. I did think that the fake relationship turned real a little too fast, though. Jack is a love-at-first-sight kind of guy and while I thought he was sweet and romantic and did like him and Daisy together, it was a little too insta-love for me to really get behind it. They only know each other for a couple of weeks before he’s all in and I would’ve liked to have seen their relationship develop a little more before that.

Overall, I enjoyed Her Surprise Engagement. I enjoyed re-visiting the Sorensen clan one more time and thought this book did a good job of showing us all their Happy Ever Afters. I would definitely recommend this to fans of the series and Contemporary Romance.

Overall Rating (out of 5): 3 Stars

I have loved every single story about the Sorenson's and this book is no exception!!

Daisy is a single mom whose ex-husband is a constant disappointment to her and her kids. When he, once again, fails to follow through, she takes her children to her sister-in-law's vacation home for a getaway. They are ready for a relaxing week until another houseguest shows up also expecting to use the house. Jack is close to being announced as the next governor so this is his last chance to get away with his daughter before their life will change. When the press shows up unexpectedly, they have to think fast on how to protect Jack's image and Daisy's family. Of course the only potential solution is to fake an engagement. After an amazing week, their connection and chemistry is off the charts but with Daisy's past and Jack's ambitions, it's not clear if they can move from fauxmance to real love.

Daisy is amazingly strong after all of the things her ex put her through. She's a great mom, a fantastic baker, and fiercely independent. Jack is one of the most romantic characters I've ever read. He's a dedicated father and hopeless romantic. I loved how he just knew that Daisy was right for him and did whatever he could to move their relationship forward. I have been hoping that Daisy's story would make up for all of the hardship that she's experienced and it definitely did!! I will miss these characters but I can't wait to see what is next for this author!

*This is my voluntary review of an advanced reader copy*

This was an excellent way to spend a summer day ☺

Y'all know I love fake to real romances and this one was sweet and perfect and I want Jack Harrison for myself lol I loved how he just wanted the best for Daisy and would do whatever it took, even if it wasn't what Daisy wanted. The kids made this book even better. It gave it a sense of realism...having single parents reluctantly learning to fall in love and trust again.

*thanks to the publisher for sharing a copy of this with me*

4.5 Stars!

I typically prefer books that offer a little spice along with a well conceived romance. However, since the Bliss imprint from Entangled always offers a great story, I tend to overlook my need for more. Her Surprise Engagement by Ashlee Mallory, is a wonderful book, with well-developed characters and a plot that kept me engaged from start to finish. This is the fourth book from The Sorensen Family series, and it can be enjoyed as a standalone.

Daisy Sorensen is slowly getting her life together after her divorce from two years ago. Her ex-husband Leo continues to have very little interest in their three children, which leaves Daisy to parent alone and support her family. Daisy is a talented baker, and hopes to open her own bakery in the very near future. Unfortunately, her new and inflexible boss stifles Daisy's creativity, which has turned the job that Daisy once loved, into one that she now detests. After her ex cancels the kid's vacation to Disney at the very last minute, Daisy scrambles to find a reasonably priced vacation spot. Luckily, she is able to take her family to her sister-in-law's beach house, which happens to be unoccupied for the week.

Jack Harrison is smart, good-looking and wealthy. He is also the next governor of Utah, if all the votes and logistics fall into place. He lost his beloved wife to cancer a while back and he finds raising his thirteen-year-old daughter to be quite challenging. Before the campaign becomes his life, he takes his daughter on vacation. Jack is surprised to find Daisy and her brood already vacationing at the beach house an old family friend assured him was free. Nevertheless, the huge home can accommodate them all and over a very short period of time, they all get along famously. When the press finds out that Jack is shacking up with a woman and her family, Jack and his publicist quickly come up with a story that will help Jack save face and hopefully help him win the governorship. To the world, Jack and Daisy are now engaged and looking forward to wonderful life together. In exchange for Daisy's cooperation, Jack agrees to cosign her business loan.

Overtime, Daisy and Jack fall in love, and together with their kids form a family. They have a few obstacles to overcome before they can be each other's forever, and Ms. Mallory does a terrific job creating the conflicts that arise. Overall, this is an entertaining romance that I enjoyed very much.

Complimentary copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.

This is a sweet heartfelt story that I enjoyed all the way through. The characters are very likeable and believable, so you find yourself pulling for Jack and Daisy. These two have some overcoming of their pasts but I loved seeing their stories be told. Ashley Mallory is an amazing storyteller and pulls us readers into the story. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.

This is book #4 in The Sorensen Family series.  I was hooked by the end of the first paragraph.  I loved everything about this book. 

Daisy Sorensen is a single mom to 3 kids.  Her ex-husband has left her and the kids.  He was to take the kids on vacation somewhere, but of course, he cancels on his kids to be with his girlfriend.  Daisy needs to take them somewhere so a friend offered her their family's Lake Tahoe home.  She says yes, but what she does not know is that Jack Harrison will arrive there, too.  Jack is going to be the Governor soon.  Now what?

This is a new favorite for me.  This was a feel good romance with humor and sadness mixed in.  Daisy is strong and very stubborn.  She wants to do everything on her own.  She is not used to having someone helping her.  Jack wants to help her and her kids.  Daisy needs to be open in letting Jack and others help her. 

☆☆☆☆☆
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.
Recommend this book? Yes! Author? Yes!
Read more from this author? Yes!

Happy Reading!
Melissa

3.5 stars

This book is the fourth in a series, but it completely stands alone and you do not have to have read the others to enjoy this one. There is minimal cursing and any sex that happens is completely off-screen, so if those things bother you, you don't have to worry about them here.

This is a very sweet book about people who come from totally different worlds and are unexpectedly thrown into a pretend relationship and then realize that maybe they should make a real go of it. I really liked the fact that both Jack and Daisy were single parents and that it wasn't completely smooth sailing from start to finish where the kids were concerned. Watching the two families interacting with each other and figure out how to coexist peacefully was one of my favorite things about this book. And, even though it created the problems in the book, I very much appreciated the way that Daisy stood up for herself instead of allowing Jack to take care of her.

If you enjoy a really sweet story about two very likable characters (and their adorable children) who come together in a really sweet way despite the fact that they come from two different worlds, you should give this one a read.

I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley and was under no obligation to write this review.