Naima Simone delivered everything I want in a marriage of convenience romance, which is really no surprise! My only complaint is that the end was very rushed and I wanted like two more pages or an epilogue to assure me that Zeke and Reagan are going to be just fine.

Zeke has kind of put his life into stasis since his fiancé died in a car accident a few years ago and now his company is dealing with a lot of scandals. (The company scandals piece isn't resolved in this book.) When he encounters his friend Reagan at the cemetery, Reagan confides that she feels trapped because she can't get access to her trust fund until she turns 30 or until she marries a "suitable" man. Zeke brilliantly determines that a proposal is a great way to solve Reagan's problems.

I really love how skillfully Naima Simone created Zeke and Reagan as characters. Despite their very wealthy backgrounds, they feel like real people. I loved the way the marriage of convenience went, kind of back and forth. And I thought the family dramatics piece was well done. Honestly, other than my struggles with the too abrupt ending, I think this is probably my favorite category from Simone (who is my favorite category author!). I would definitely recommend picking up a copy if marriage of convenience is a trope you enjoy!

Thanks so much to Netgalley and Harlequin for the advanced copy for review!

4.5 Hot and Sweet Stars!

Wow! Another hot read from Naima Simone! With a marriage of convenience/forbidden romance between friends that turns into so much more, this was a quick, satisfying read!

Ezekiel Holloway was so perfect in so many ways! He’s smart, sexy, and so very sweet. Reagan was just a genuinely nice person who is trying to find her way and I loved watching her learn to stand up for herself and take charge of her life. Together these two not only could set the pages on fire, but they could melt your heart with their caring and concern for each other and those around them. They are both dealing with issues that have defined their outlook on love, and when the added burden of society and class expectations come into play, the have more than their share of challenges when it comes to being together - the biggest being Reagan’s father, also affectionately known as Douglas Stick-Up-His A$$ Sinclair.

This is part of an ongoing series but can be read as a stand-alone - but now I am very curious to learn more about the scandal at Wingate Enterprises and some of the characters that have been introduced. The length of the book was fairly short, so it was a quick read, but Naima Simone does a great job adding emotion and heart into every page which allowed for just enough character development and plot development to keep me fully engaged throughout. And I can’t say enough about some of the dialogue that the author has created - Zeke was just so sweet and supportive and I loved so many of the things that he said throughout this book!

Another well-written story by Naima Simone that I would recommend!

I adore Naima Simone's Harlequin books, I've only read a few but hers are probably my favorite Desire titles. I really liked this one a lot! I'm always on board for a fake fiancee/fake engagement situation! I thought this was such a fun and steamy read. I read it as a standalone but want to go back and read the rest of this series from her. I was so intrigued by the mystery in this story. 4 stars!

I love Naima Simone’s writing and I wasn’t disappointed with Trust Fund Fiancé.

The writing was sharp, the characters had chemistry, and it was so much fun to watch these two try to deny what was happening between them. I love that they started off as friends, that Zeke wanted to help Reagan. Yes, he would benefit a little from the union, but it was mostly Reagan who would reap the rewards. Although, I don’t think either realized when they tied the knot, exactly what those rewards were. I love that Reagan was Zeke’s champion against her parents and those that snubbed him. Those were totally magical moments that made you see how perfect these two were for each other. Zeke was strong, yet caring. And while Reagan came off, at first, as a spoiled little rich girl, she had substance and depth that made me really want to fight for these two to be together.

I found Trust Fund Fiancé a compelling read. I loved the romance and am intrigued by the mystery surrounding the Wingate’s and what looks to be their fall from grace.

I don't particularly love category romances but I will basically read anything that Naima Simone writes. I actually enjoyed this book mainly for the heroine and the hero and who they were as individuals. I would have liked to have seen more scenes that solidified for me when and how they actually fall in love but I also understand that a category romance limits the word count and you only have so much space to play with. Given all that, I did appreciate how these two characters came together, got past their respective issues, and found their HEA.

This was my first Harlequin novel and I really enjoyed it. I had read other work from Naima Simone so I was excited to read this one as well. I did receive and ARC from NetGalley and Harlequin but my review is my honest opinion.

This was a marriage of convenience trope done well. Reagan and Ezekiel are friends because Reagan is best friends with his cousin so they have that connection. The friendship between Reagan and Ezekiel only gets stronger as the novel progresses and I really liked how they continued to have that as their foundation. They felt more like partners and equals rather than one dominating the other.

Both characters were strong people and I really enjoyed seeing such a strong heroine especially given Reagan’s past trauma and current family issues. Ezekiel was really encouraging and supported Reagan’s dreams and really pushed her to succeed and I like seeing that from a hero. He also helped her move on from her past once she finally confided in him and got that weight off her shoulders. Some of my favorite highlights/quotes in this book were in regards to this. “...though her past might have shaped the woman she’d become, she was not the sum of her mistakes” is one of my favorite quotes in the book. Reagan’s relationship with her dad and how it plays out was such a good added component to this story.

Ezekiel went through some trauma that caused him to be closed off in the love department but I felt like he was still able to have an emotional connection with Reagan even in the beginning and not be cold about it which we don’t always see when there is past loss.

There were a few times the pacing felt off which is the only reason I didn’t give it 5 stars. Things would be progressing at a certain speed like with their feelings for each other for example and then bam, the conflict explodes and their feelings are apparently way stronger than a few pages before. Things like that. This may have just been me though and not everyone would see it this way.

However, I really enjoyed this book and would definitely recommend it to others! I definitely want to pick up the next books in the series and go back and read others involving the Texas Cattleman’s Club.

Trigger/content warnings for: talk of pregnancy, miscarriage, loss of a loved one

I adore this author's words, and this book was no exception. I love a marriage of convenience trope! But, this ongoing multi-author series thing just isn't my favorite. I never end up getting some of the mysteries solved, if I don't want to read 7 other books, by different authors.

Ezekiel Holloway is part of the rich and powerful Wingate family of Royal, Texas. But, he's never felt completely like he fit in with them, especially after the deaths of his parents when he was in college. So, he and his older brother Luke are all the family he really has left. But, he does work for the family business, and it is currently going through a serious rough patch. It's created quite the stir in their small town, and he and Luke are struggling to set things right.

Reagan Sinclair wants to be free. She's spent the last 10 years bowing to everything her parents wanted her to do, ever since she made a huge mistake at 16 that they've never forgiven her for. Her grandmother left her a sizable inheritance, but she can't access it until she's married to a "suitable" man, or she turns 30. She has no interest in waiting 4 more years to be able to do what she wants with her life, but she also doesn't have any interest in marrying any of the stable of men her parents have paraded in front of her the last couple years. So, what's a girl to do?

Zeke and Reagan's chemistry was off the charts, but they also just genuinely LIKED each other. They had been friendly a long time, and she had been his cousin's best friend when they were growing up, though he was 4 years older. They wanted to help each other in any way they could, which was why Zeke came up with the marriage idea to start with. He really wanted to help her, and was able to convince her that she'd be helping him too.

There were definitely some interesting side characters here, some of whom have books that already exist, and others whose books are yet to come in the series, including Zeke's brother, Luke. I really loved him, and I pegged his assistant as his heroine, and it appears that will be the case! We also sneaked a peek in this book of Zeke's aunt Piper, and her younger man hero, who will appear in a future book as well!

There was an ongoing mystery storyline with all the bad things happening with the Wingate family's company, and how it appeared someone might be setting them up, but there was no resolution to that part. I assume it will be resolved further along in the series.

This story was full of tropey goodness, and I adored watching these 2 wounded hearts fall hard for each other, while trying desperately not to. If you love this author, or these soapy, wealthy family sagas, you should definitely jump on this train, but you better read ALL of the books if you want all of the answers you seek.

Content Warning for mentions of pregnancy loss, and mentions of the sudden death of loved ones.

When I first saw the cover for this book I knew it was going to be amazing and I wasn't disappointed. Trust Fund Fiancé is a marriage of convenience that will most certainly burn up.the pages. Naima Simone has never written a book that I didn't love. I can't wait for more from her.

YOU MUST READ THIS! IT'S SO GOOD!*

Go get it. Now.**

* More thoughts to come soon.
**Well, as soon as you can. :)
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OK, here's the more thoughts ;)

Trust Fund Fiance by Naima Simone is the fourth in the Texas Cattleman's Club: Rags to Riches series. It is one dee-licious fake engagement story! Ezekiel Holloway’s family and business are facing down some rocky times. No thanks to some scandalous news stories and shaky business moves, the world is watching with bated breath to see them tank. Zeke has zero intention of allowing that to happen, if there is anything he can possibly do to prevent it. In the meanwhile, Reagan Sinclair's stymied by the requirements of her trust fund, which prevent her from being able to access its funds unless she's much older or frustratingly, married. To that end, her socially conscious parents have been throwing a string of potential candidates her way, none of whom interest her in the least, and worse, some of whom even have sketchy reputations (but the requisite wealth and social standing).

Zeke lays out a proposition for Reagan--they've been friends for years, so they announce their engagement and marry quickly, allowing Reagan to gain control of her fund and giving Zeke some positive press. They can undo the marriage after a suitable length of time, and it'll be a win-win.

Now, neither of them anticipates that the time they spend together will take this spark of interest and turn it into a blazing inferno of passion and building trust and ultimately love. Oops...

Naima Simone's characterizations are spot on, as always. Zeke and Reagan's growing feelings sweep readers away, as solidly as the dire circumstances around them threaten those tender shoots. Trust Fund Fiance is a page-turner of the very best kind, and will leave you smiling with delight and satisfaction.

An e-ARC was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review, all opinions are my own.

This story is such a sweet escape. The marriage of convenience is so cleverly done and the chemistry between Zeke & Regan is beautiful. They were each their own person with passions and fears but their love paved a great love story. It was different than most marriages of conveniences because of the diversity and the level of internal conflict we see as readers. I think this book packs a powerful punch and definitely recommend it.

Received an E-ARC on #NetGalley for an honest review.

I love a fake relationship trope so I was very excited to read this book.
I am also a fan of Naima Simone's work.

This was a fun read which covered both characters needing the other to achieve their goals which I find to be not tackled enough in the fake relationship space.
It doesn't present that way exactly at first and seems to focus on the heroine, Reagan, and her need to get married to get access to her trust fund but it becomes increasingly obvious that Ezekiel has just as much, if not more to gain from this arrangement.

The sparks fly from their first meeting and continue throughout the book.
The conflict was kinda eh for me and made me want to punch Zeke in the throat but Reagan was a strong woman who carried the entire story in my opinion.

They covered some deep topics but it was handled with just enough care that I was able to not be bogged down by it.

All in all, it was a good read and I would read more by Naima Simone in this series.

Trigger Warnings for mentions of past of miscarriage, death of a former partner and emotional abuse by a parent.

Reagan lost the trust of her family as a teen and has never completely gained their trust back. Her grandmother left her an inheritance with the stipulation that she had to either be 30 to get the money, or married to a suitable man. Zeke has lost a lot of people in his life in tragic accidents, so he never engages in relationships with women. He would rather not take the risk to become close to someone and lose them. Zeke and Reagan are friends and when he sees the opportunity to help her get her inheritance, he offers up a marriage of convenience.

This book is exactly what I expect from Naima Simone - steamy and seductive! Zeke and Reagan have spectacular chemistry and it sizzles from the first kiss. Zeke and Reagan are both dealing with heavy issues and they both need to heal emotionally. This could weigh the book down, but Simone handles it expertly. I loved that Zeke and Reagan find the desire to heal in each other, but they both heal on their own individually. This book was a quick read and left me wanting more of anything written by Simone!

This is my first book I have read from from Reese Ryan and I was very pleased and excited that I chose to read this book. I will definitely read her back log and upcoming books in the future. Max and Quinn have amazing sexual attraction. This second chance romance featured angst, lust, passion, powerful families and touch of hometown closeness. I would recommend this book to all my book buddies 🥰

In Trust Fund Fiance by Naima Simone, good friends Zeke and Reagan decide to marry so she can receive her trust fund. Once she receives her inheritance, the two will part ways. What they didn't count on was their chemistry. And it is charged and hot. Though they have their reasons for entering the marriage, they might find themselves with an even better reason to stay in it.
Naima Simone wrote with such great visual descriptions and imagery that I had no problem visualizing everything that took place - from the love scenes to the fight scenes, she laid it down. I loved Zeke's depth and Reagan's story of coming into her own. I was excited from the first page until the very end. Very sharp, good writing.
This has all the components of a good romance read:
alpha male
strong heroine (love that)
drama
scandal
And of course, a great journey to happy-ever-after.
A great emotional, passionate read.
Thank you, #Netgalley/Harlequin.

Zeke and Reagan decide to marry for convenience sake, but there’s nothing at all convenient about their relationship! Family expectations, undeniable chemistry, secrets, work drama, ack! So much was happening, I didn’t know where these two were going to end up!

If you are looking for an emotion-filled, substance-packed, passionately romantic story, look no further than Naima Simone!

I received an advance reader copy from Netgalley/Harlequin and this is my honest review.

Nobody does swoon worthy millionaire romance like Naima Simone! This book is flirty, sexy, fun, and surprisingly emotional. I highly recommend it!