This was a cute romance with small town charm. Cooper is a widowed contractor working on Emily’s old house that she inherited. I liked that Emily is finding herself after her parents die and she leaves her family business. I didn’t like the abuse by her brother. Not my favorite Victoria James romance but was still a good read.

Victoria James' The Boyfriend contract is a sweet romance with two damaged people. We will be purchasing for our library.

****The Boyfriend Contract tells the story of Emily, who having spent most of her young life trying to do and be the person she thought would make her family love and respect her, finally decides she will become her own person. She comes to Maple Falls as the inheritor of her paternal grandmother’s large house with a plan to turn it into an inn. Cooper is one of the members of the family of contractors hired to assist in the restoration. A widower, Cooper is as attracted to Emily as she is to him, but each is reluctant to make a move. The story follows Emily as she learns to deal with the challenges her new path presents...whether uplifting or disappointing. Her tenacity inspires Cooper to reconsider his lonely life. The story is well written, sweet, sometimes humorous, and somewhat angsty. I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book from NetGalley.

The Boyfriend Contract is an adorable contemporary romance. Emily arrives in Maple Hill, a little bit lost and a lot grieving. Cooper is moving along in life and avoiding any entanglements after a devastating loss. But from the first minute they meet there is chemistry and a spark.
I enjoyed this small town romance. The characters were extremely likable and the overall story tugged at my heartstrings. Emily was so amazing and finally realized that she could do and be so much more than her past. Cooper was just such a likable solid guy.
This is a “clean” romance, which I have said before I do enjoy reading. Overall, if you like good characters, sweet romance and small towns then this book is definitely for you.
I received an ARC from #netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

LOVED this book! I found myself totally engrossed in this story and couldn't put it down. I loved the characters and was so immersed in Emily and Cooper's story that I felt as though I was a part of it, experiencing it along side them. Both of them have had difficulties in their pasts that are overshadowing their futures. This adds to their depth and makes them feel real and come alive on the pages. I especially enjoyed how they each grew and reached for difficult things, even when they're scary and filled with unknowns.

If you enjoy contemporary romance, this is a must read. The author is a master of the genre and creates stories that stay with you. She is on my must read authors' list. Fair warning - this novel touches on domestic abuse, but with a gentle touch. Additionally, while this is very much a grown up story, it is clean and does not contain any explicit scenes or language.