Take It Off the Menu is the first book I've read by Christina Hovland. I look forward to reading others in the future.

Marlee was dumped just days before her wedding. That's bad enough, but she finds out that her ex told her father before he told her (to try to make sure he could keep his job). Marlee with the help of her best friends (who were all in town for the wedding that never happened) moves out of the townhouse she shared with her ex-fiancee and then they decided she needs to just get out of town.

A jilted bride, her three best friends and their protector Eli (brother of one of the friends) head to Las Vegas. Surely nothing could go wrong. Except, Marlee and Eli wake up married. They try to get a quick annulment, but they are denied. So now they have to wait for a divorce to go through.

I enjoyed watching their relationship develop and was howling with laughter at some events that happened in the story.

#TakeItOffTheMenu #NetGalley

I loved this sweet romance. This is a perfect summer read. The characters are great. There is a lot of humor. Even the heavy parts are just right. This is my first book by the author and it won't be my last.

With its sizzling chemistry, endearing characters (main and secondary), snappy humour and drama filled love story. Take It Off the Menu is a sign-worthy romantic, sexy and passionate romance that you do not want to miss. A fantastic addition to this amazing and beautiful series. I’m so excited to see what this author writes next, with this series and any other she brings out in the future. Happy reading!!

Marlee was on her way to the wedding, when her fiancé bailed.
Eli is her wedding caterer, he's not a relationship guy. At all.
But on a trip to Vegas, Marlee still gets married. To Eli.

There's a ton of drama from her ex, and you can see how Marlee and Eli learn to be friends, and then a couple.
And her dog is pretty funny, too.

Take It Off the Menu is the third book in the Mile High Club. It can be read as a standalone, as I haven't read the other book in this series, and I had no problem getting into this story. I enjoyed this story, it was fun, steamy, romantic. What do you do when your jilted two days befor your wedding? Well you grab your girlfriends and head to Vegas of course. What could go wrong? You wake up married to your bestfriends brother. I liked Eli and Marlee together. Secondary characters one liners made me laugh out loud. This is the first book I have read from this author, and I will definitely be reading more of her stories.

Oh my what should a gal do when her fiance calls off the wedding two days before the big day. Take some time with her gal pals and head to Vegas to regroup! Marlee has been let down and her fiance has not only stayed in their home, he will be going on their honeymoon and keeping his job her family busniess. This is a little too much to handle so when her best friends decide to wisk her away that makes perfect sense! Eli is the perpetual bachlor that is also a well known chef and he has been looking after his little sister and her girlfriends for as long as he can remember. When he finds the lovely Marlee in need he gelps her move and then follows them to Vegas as a chaperone but soon they find that they have more in commmon than they once thought , they are now both single and hell they are in Vegas!!! This was a sweet, funny sexy read !!!
~~Michele McMullen ~~

Please note: I received an advance digital copy of this book through NetGalley from Victory Editing in exchange for a honest review. This does not influence my opinions in any way.

Two days before her wedding, Marlee is dumped by her fiancé Scotty and her first thought is effort it’s take to cancel the wedding. The spark in their relationship had faded long ago, but she had hope it’d rekindle after the wedding. But when she discovered Scotty had left her to deal with the fall out alone while he went on their honeymoon alone, she lets Sadie and her friends convince her to head to Las Vegas with them to get back at him. They’re chaperoned by Eli, Sadie’s older brother, who fears what trouble they’d get up to. Marlee has known him all her life and, after a drunken night out, is shocked to wake up in bed with him, married. Shocked because of how right it feels. But Eli is horrified, considers their wedding a mistake and so Marlee concedes to help him rectify it. But can they fall in love while they await the divorce to go through?
This is a slow-burn and I feel it does a really good job of establishing the relationship and making us fall in love with Marlee and Eli right alongside them. Though I got through this book slower, it was due to the lack of time and not because of boredom. In fact, I tried picking it up whenever I could, eager to see how Eli and Marlee would overcoming their fears and resolve their differences. I liked the fact that they’re opposites in many ways and how nicely they balance each other out. (Eli’s mom stated it perfectly: “Marlee is wild. And he’s stable. Balance.”) I’m not a fan of love triangles, but I did how Marlee compared what she once felt for Scotty to what she feels now for Eli, showing us how different her love was for each man. And why Eli is better suited for her, without completely villianizing Scotty to force us to like Eli better. That was pretty refreshing to read.
And I loved Eli in his own right for how courteous, determined, and compassionate he was. My heart goes out to him. After being unable to study culinary aboard due to having to look after his sisters after his mother got sick, he had no choice but to run a catering company. What he really longs for is to run his own high-end restaurant in the heart of downtown and he even has the spot picked out. He works so hard to accomplish this goal on his own, he does not realize that he has people around who’d gladly help him out. He dreads having people rely on him, but he’s always there for others when they need him.
I loved Marlee, her courage, her fighting nature and kindness. After discovering her parents had cut her off and favouring her ex-fiancé over her, she’s fights to get control of her life at all cost, not even complaining at her lowered standard of living. That isn’t easy and was refreshing to read! I loved how easily she befriended Eli’s friends, while still keeping contact with her own. I loved reading about her antics she got up to with Babuska. And most of all, how she found her real passion in arranging flowers and kept that going even when she got her trust fund back.
All in all this was a very enjoyable read and I’m looking to read more of Christina Hovland’s other books. I realized after I finished it, that this is book three of her Mile High Matched series. It could be read as a stand-alone. Despite that, I’ll definitely be picking up the rest of the books in foreseeable future because I want to read more about Eli’s friends.
Thank you Netgalley, Victory Editing, and Christina Hovland for providing me with the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book.

This is my first book from this series and from this author. It definitely will not be my last. My gosh, I love this funny story. Eli is perfect but flawed. I love Marlee. I love getting to know the other characters and I love their quirk. This is a funny and sweet, sweaty story. I really love it. I love Marlee's spunk and spice. I don't like Marlee's parents.

In short, this was boring. For some reason it feels like it took me forever to finish this book. It was fine. Not great, not awful, just ok. Nothing stands out, neither in a good nor in a bad way. The characters are bland and the storyline predictable. Before the halfway mark I was already skimming in hope of getting to something interesting again. This story line had so much potential and I so desperately wanted to like it. It wasn't a bad book, nothing special really bothered me about it but nothing really held my attention either. I really wanted to like Take It Off Menu but I just had a hard time connecting to Marlee from the get-go. I also feel like the plot was not flowing. I skipped pages in between because I kept getting bored. I keep thinking that I was supposed to like and enjoy the main couple, except I didn't. I didn't hate or dislike them but I didn't like them either. They were simply 'meh'. I liked some of the ways they handled their relationship though. I was thinking to myself not so long ago that what I like about romance is how a good author can take an expected outcome - falling in love, the happy ever after - and make the getting there feel fresh and inventive. And this didn't really do that for me. It felt like pretty paint-by-the-numbers contemporary romance, to be honest. Perfectly serviceable, but nothing to get excited about.
I tried, I really tried but this one just didn't do it for me. I’m still looking forward to reading more books by Ms. Hovland but this one didn’t quite excite me as much as I had hoped.

I adored this! Marlee and Eli are perfect. I loved the story and how these two got together. There was a like to like about this book and the the characters are the first reason. They are well written and so likeable and real. I had such fun with them and the other characters in the story. This was the first book I've read by this author and it won't be the last!

Entertaining fun!!

Poor Marlee! She’s dumped just 48 hours before the wedding she’s done the planning forever! Then, her parents takes her ex-fiancé’s side! Thank goodness her crew is there to help her! And Eli who is one of her besties’ brother, always there to help and support. They decide that they need to go to Las Vegas to celebrate her newly single status! After a night of drinking, Marlee and Eli are married! Now they need to wait 90 days to get a divorce. These two are made for each other, listening to each other, supporting each other and accepting of each other’s idiosyncrasies.

A fun group of characters and a wonderful rebound from a horrible situation.

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely.

Take It Off the Menu by Christina Hovland is the 3rd book in the Mile High Matched series, and my second by this author. Not only is this book a romance, it is funny. Eli, the hot chef, and a committed bachelor, wakes up married after a trip to Vegas . I'm looking forward to reading the next and first book in the series. I recommend this book if your looking for a hot and fun romance.

I reviewed a digital arc provided by NetGalley and the publisher. Thank you.

4 Taking the Moments Stars
* * * * Spoiler Free
This series has been a fun ride for me. I have enjoyed getting to know Christina Hovland style and humor. I know I am really into a book when I am reading and what is on the page makes me start talking out loud and even to a co-worker about the crazy thing that just happened...As if it was a real-life experience. When I started this story and reached a couple of early turning points, I did just that!

Marlee Medford was prepared for her soon to be life. She was to marry her long-time fiance' and then start the next chapter. She had been doing all of the wedding prep, mainly alone which did put stress on her but she was sure once the vows had been said and they were married, all the fire and passion they once had would come back.

After all, Marlee and her husband to be worked together at her father's company, her family adored him and in her social status, trust fund baby and all...everything should fall into place.

Except it didn't...

Marlee is told by her fiance' two days before the wedding, he isn't feeling it...and hasn't for a while...The man who told her He Always Loved Her More...Didn't. And surprise, surprise...when it was all said and done, Marlee realized she had stopped loving him too. It just was a very selfish way of doing what he did...

Now Marlee's world as she knows it has been turned upside down. The good news is her posse is in town and have her back. She makes a call to them and they immediately swing into gear bringing their secret weapon, Eli Howard.

Eli has been the protector and support system for this crew since forever. He is the big brother of one of Marlee's besties and through the years has always been there to be the shoulder to lean on or bail them out. Eli never knows until he gets the call. This time, he was there because he was catering the wedding that didn't happen.

Eli was a self-made man who was on his way to French culinary school when suddenly he was needed to help with his sister and family. Instead, he studied at a lessor school and worked to hone his skills. He now is at the point where he is known for winning awards and talked about as one of the top bachelors on the Hot Denver Scene.

Eli had experienced all the responsibility of others in helping raise his sister and her friends. He never wanted to be that responsible for another person's happiness or pain...it was too hard, too painful. He made a promise to himself, he would enjoy and make sure every partner knew the score...no relationships.

Now he is here in Marlee's house, watching her try to be strong and hold it together while the troops are packing up her stuff. She looks so lost. She was this rich kid whose parent thought it would be good for her to go to public school and that was how she became tight with his sister. Eli always thought she was something...big heart, sweet as all get out and a little bit cray-cray...

Well, now the Sh!t has Hit the Fan because the idiot ex has come to "talk " with Marlee and what comes out of his mouth is absolutely ridiculous and makes Eli want to slam him up against the wall. Restrained and the ex is escorted out, the crew decides it is going to Vegas and before Eli can say anything, he is on the private plane with them...

Yes, Marlee is that loaded and the trip takes on a life of its own...with her feeling all the hidden feelings she has had over the years for Eli and Eli trying to be good but things getting out of control...Dares are made, challenges too and before you know it, the Vegas Cliche Captures another couple, Marlee and Eli.

This is the beginning of this tale and with the humor and ways of a Hovland story, we experience a gamut of things. Some, as I said earlier, were so perfectly funny or just so annoying, it felt like it happened to me and I was talking to myself. That was a good thing. Other times, it did get a bit messy but worked itself out. When Eli and Marlee's relationship was working...it was terrific, lots of chemistry and you wanted them together.

All of the secondary players had their purpose, causing humor or anger...I have thoroughly enjoyed this series and look to see what Ms. Hovland has coming next.

"She was only falling in love with the guy who had the power to totally decimate the remains of her tattered heart."


Eli was hired as a caterer to the wedding of his youngest sister's best friend. What he didn't expect was to have to comfort a jilted bride, take part on a girl-only trip to Vegas and end the weekend with a different marital status. One that makes him shiver.

Marlee planned her wedding for eighteen months and is now married. But with the wrong groom. After being abandoned two days before her wedding, there's nothing like going to Vegas with her bridesmaids and drowning her sorrows in alcohol. What wasn't in the plans was to marry her best friend's older brother.

He has a wedding phobia. She was just abandoned. They have known each other since adolescence and have never looked at each other differently. Until they get married in Vegas. And this will be the beginning of a journey of discovery.

The always frowning and lonely Eli and the sweet, talkative, radiant Marlee seem to have no place in each other's lives. But they complement each other perfectly. The evolution of this relationship that started upside down is as natural as breathing. And it culminates in a story full of flavors and feelings that warms the heart and makes us sigh.

A special read, full of romance, with some steamy scenes near the end of the narrative. With that touch of destiny that shakes the lives of the characters and makes them rethink what is really needed to achieve happiness.

Eli and Marlee will make you laugh, fall in love and cheer for happy endings. Even when they happen out off plan and totally the upside down.

I so enjoyed this novel from Christina Hovland. I see that it's part of a series and that makes me extremely happy. That means there are more characters and adventures to be found! Ms Hovland writes stellar dialogue; crisp, witty and touched with humor. The primary couple in Take It Off The Menu are complex, fully dimensional characters, and the secondary cast was just as strong, which bodes well for other books in the series. This novel stands alone, the author provides enough background to make it an easy read. 3.5
I received my copy through NetGalley under no obligation.

Marlee is dumped days before her wedding. The relationship had grown stale but Marlee was convinced it'd pick back up right after the wedding. Needing to get away from the madness she and her close girlfriends head to Vegas for a weekend.

Eli is an up and coming chef and was supposed to be catering Marlee's wedding. Now with time on his hands he finds himself watching after his sister and her best friends in Vegas, Marlee being one of those friends.

Trying to prove a point that Eli is afraid of marriage and that Marlee too, can overcome this hurdle; they get fake married. Only when they wake up the next morning, in bed together, it's not so fake.

Determined to get a quick annulment they hit a speed bump. Having to wait out all the legalities, Eli and Marlee become closer and closer.

Will they want to remain divorced when this is over? Definitely one click to find out.

When Eli goes into protective mode with his sister's best friend after she gets dumped right before her wedding things go differently than anyone expected. A trip to Vegas with Marlee, the dumpee and her girlfriends has Eli the commitment-phobe and hot up-and-coming chef face a fear that will change everything. A surprise, a denial and then the story really begins. Hope there's more in this series.
I received an advanced copy of this book for my honest review.

I love accidental marriage books and this was a great one. I love Eli he is such a hero, he is deeper than he appears and a good contrast to Marlee who is just a bit wild, but in a loveable way. Their story is such a lovely read and the supporting characters add depth to it especially Lothario and Babushka. If you are looking for a light hearted read with some depth, humour and a bit of spice then this is for you.

This took me a a while to get into, I didn't hate or love it. I might try the next one in the series.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance read, I am voluntarily providing my honest review.

I loved Take It Off the Menu by Christina Hovland. It is the third book from the Mile High Matched series, and the first two are equally as entertaining. This book can be enjoyed as a standalone.

Two days before Marlee Medford's high-society wedding, her fiance broke up with her. Interestingly, the spark in their relationship had been non-existent for a long time. Her girlfriends decide that a weekend in Vegas is just what Marlee needs to begin her new normal. Eli Howard, her maid of honor's older brother, accompanies them on the trip to ensure that they all stay out of trouble. Marlee has known Eli most of her life, and has always admired his devotion to his family. They all consume a little to much alcohol, and as a result, Marlee and Eli not only sleep together, they marry as well.

Eli is an up-and-coming chef in the Denver area, and his catering company continues to gain recognition with each and every event. He plans on opening his own restaurant in the very near future, as soon as his finances will allow. Eli prefers a more solitary life, after years of taking care of his family. Eli and Marlee's unplanned marriage evolves into true love and pure happiness.

There is a lot going on in this well-written novel. To begin with, Marlee comes from money and has always relied on her parents or her ex-fiance for financial support. She learns very quickly that working for her parents is nothing compared to working for herself, while doing something she enjoys. Her local friends drop her like a hot potato once they find out her trust fund has been cut off. Eli becomes her rock, as Marlee realizes that he is the real deal. Eli is a good guy through and through. He learns what falling in love is like from Marlee, and his feelings for her cannot be denied. Overall, this is a sexy romance with a some very funny moments and a wonderful cast of characters.

Complimentary copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.