So... This book does not wait to get into the spice. I mean, it's right there in the just pages into the book. I'll admit... It does sound like Rebecca and Hudson have a good time in bed together... But could we not try to focus a little more on the plot? Whoops... There actually wasn't much of that... Never mind. But in all seriousness, I wasn't actually sure what the point of the story was. I'm sure there was supposed to be character growth, but I didn't see much of that. Now, can we talk about how Rebecca's family was just okay with her boyfriend dumping her because she got a promotion and then him swooping in to date/marry her SISTER?!?! Umm... What? That did not sit well with me at all. With a family dynamic that is okay with something like that it was already screaming TRAUMA. And then the way her whole family acts... I mean, I understand it's supposed to be upper class wealth, but come on... On the flip side we see Hudson's family who is (in my opinion) just a little to laid-back? No... Cute? No, still not the right word... well basically the complete opposite of Rebecca's family. I really do mean these two families are polar opposites. The difference was just a little too much for me. Also, I don't know any sisters that would go comfort the girlfriend after break-up when they have only known her for a few days... I don't know many sisters that would do that after knowing the girlfriend for years... This too felt unrealistic. Then the way she gets her promotion... I was smacking my forehead at this part - it really bugged me so I won't get into it here. Finally, for negatives (I didn't realize there where so many until I started writing it all out), the ending... what was that all about. So, did he find a date to just have some arm-candy? Because if that's what it was, then it does not read like Hudson at all.
There where a few good things about the book though. I did like that Rebecca had a strong career and that Hudson supported her in this and realized it was important to her, while still encouraging her to relax a little. I also like the two holidays (American Thanksgiving and Christmas) and the dual setting (New York and the UK).
Truth be told the book had it's cute moments. It was an okay read if you're looking for something to read in the evenings with a glass of wine next to the Christmas tree, but it's not a book that's worth more than one read.

Thank you, Netgalley, for the ARC!

Don’t judge me.

I haven’t read a really good book in a while and I was hoping that early smut scene would set the stage for a really good book because wow.

God, all the smut was great. Some of the best I’ve read.

I enjoyed reading Rebecca and Hudson’s banter and chemistry. They were so much fun together in their fake relationship. I love how both of them got to play with the guise of the fake relationship since I usually read books where only one person needs the fake relationship. I loved all the family moments. I wish we got more of them getting to know each other but I’m content with how everything played out.

Where can I get a Hudson?

Think Hallmark. But *holiday chai* SPICY. This was all I wanted in a holiday romance, complete with fake dating and chemistry that dazzles like Christmas lights.

Thank you to HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter, NetGalley and the author for the Advanced Reader's Copy. Thoughts and reviews are my own.

hooked and hooked some more. Loved all of this and couldn't put it down. I was like oh my. I need to know more. Read it.

High-flying corporate lawyer Rebecca Maddison is sitting in a hotel bar when she received a text from her younger sister. Informing her she has just got engaged to Rebecca’s ex-boyfriend (who dumped her 3 years ago when she got the promotion that he wanted). If this weren’t bad enough they are having an engagement party at Thanksgiving when she had previously agreed to fly home to New York. At the same time as receiving this message, the man next to her at the bar also curses when he looks at his phone – his business partner calling quits on their arrangement. Kickstarting a conversation with Hudson Strong as she talks about breaches of contracts etc.

One great night together and Rebecca is practically running away the next morning as he takes a call. but pressure from her mom to come to the party has Rebecca drawing up a contract and getting in touch with Hudson for a Wedding Date feel arrangement. He attends the party/Thanksgiving with her and she’ll give him the money he needs for his business. Despite clauses in the contract they are much more intimate than anticipated and it’s hard to walk away at the end of the agreement.

Three weeks later and it is Hudson’s turn to ask for help. Paying Rebecca the money back he needs her to come home for Christmas. His family falls in love with her and Rebecca understands what family life can truly be like. But all good things must come to an end and once again they go their separate ways. Rebecca is unable to stop thinking about him, but how can she possibly have Hudson in her busy corporate life?

The cover is eye catching, it's why I wanted to read it and I enjoyed it. It was a spicy holiday romance book that was quite entertaining. It sucked me in, I love holiday books.

Sadly this one wasn't for me and because of that I wasn't able to finish it. It felt way too insta-love which is a trope I do not care for. The writing also wasn't for me and made me cringe at several points. I do love the cover and think they did a great job with it. Overall, I would still recommend this one because I think others might really enjoy it.

Thank you so much for the gifted copy.

I didn’t think I would like (dare I say, love?) Cassie Connor’s holiday romance Love Under Contract as much as I did. Not being much of a romance reader, I mainly picked up this book due to its Thanksgiving tie-in, but I quickly found myself surprised by how fun and engaging this story is. Taking place over Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years, it is a prime pick to kick off your holiday reading spree!

When “buttoned up” contract lawyer Rebecca Madison meets Hudson Strong in a bar, she has no idea he is about to turn her world upside down. Not only does she have a one night stand with him (so unlike her), she soon finds herself drafting up a contract and hiring him to come home with her to New York for Thanksgiving under the guise of a fake relationship. Hudson is everything that the cold, brusque, ever the professional Rebecca is not - he is charming, funny, and affable … and he has the uncanny ability to thaw out Rebecca’s cool, calm, and collected personality. Hudson is SO not Rebecca’s type, so why does she find herself inexplicably drawn to this man who is all wrong for her?

I am so glad that I decided to read Love Under Contract mid-November ahead of Thanksgiving. Connor captures the atmosphere of heading home for the holidays and navigates large family gatherings with wit and ease, making this novel a perfect precursor to the holiday season. Not only did Connor get me into the holiday spirit, but she also drew me in with her straightforward plot, memorable characters, and engaging dialogue. I am so pleased to say that I was never bored while reading this novel, nor did my mind wander … which is saying a lot!

The only thing that I did not care for in this book (and it is partly the reason why I don’t read a lot of romance) was the amount of smut this story contained. This novel kicks off with a literal bang, and quite explicit romantic entanglements are sprinkled regularly throughout the pages of this book. I wasn’t expecting this novel to be quite so graphic, so I found myself surprised by some of its content. Just be warned that this is not a clean, closed doors romance!

Love Under Contract comes highly recommended to lovers of holiday romances and those who are looking for a fun and flirty read to kick off the season.

Thank you Net Galley and the publisher of an ARC of this book.

I was drawn by the gorgeous cover and the tropes!! I did struggle with the writing style at some points and the middle fell flat. The spice scenes were written well and this was an overall good debut book.

Thank you @netgalley @cassieconnor for my copy of this eARC in exchange of my honest review.

Rebecca Madison has the career of her dreams, but no success in the relationship department. Which is why she is more than dreading her mandatory trip home for Thanksgiving. She just knows her family will be laser focused on her lack of date. Good thing she’s a brilliant contract lawyer and comes up with the perfect plan - hire her mind blowing one night stand to be her pretend boyfriend. Though, no repeats of that night are to be had!

This book did the fake dating trope proud! It was witty and steamy and all things that make a great rom com. Definitely one to pick up when it releases!

This one gets 4⭐️‘s from me!

When Becca meets Hudson it is only supposed to be for one night, but leads to a fake boyfriend contract. Will it lead to more for them, or is the contract too ironclad?

Love Under Contract by Cassie Connor was a fun, witty, steamy romantic comedy. The author could not have created a better match in this couple. Well done Cassie. And I just realized this is her debut novel. Definitely an author to watch if you like your romantic comedies on the steamy side. Admittedly, I assumed by the cover that sex would be behind closed doors. Absolutely not, we start the book with a hookup in a bar and what Rebecca thinks is a one night stand.

Rebecca is the buttoned up lawyer fighting for her success in a male dominated world. Hudson is carefree and knows just how to get under her skin and she ends up having a great time. We get our HEA but the author will take you for an adventure before we get there.

Romance - several steamy scenes
Language - the F word is used over 90 times
I received this book from Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review.
You can see my full review at More Than a Review dot com where I rate the level of sex, violence, language and drug/alcohol use in books.

I was drawn by this cover and one of my favorite tropes (fake relationship) and was excited to dive in. In practice, though, I struggled with the writing style. I did not finish the book. Thank you for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

Cassie’s debut novel Love Under Contract has everything you want in a romantic comedy: quirky lovable characters, grumpy vs. sunshine storyline with a fake relationship twist, smoking hot scenes, fantastic banter, and a happily ever after that leaves you wanting more.

3.5 stars. Spicy parts were good but middle part was long. Could have down without all the details and story lines about each of the families. Skimmed the last half..

Holy cow, this is a debut?? This story easily sucked me in and within minutes I could easily have been tricked into thinking I was reading the words of Tessa Bailey. That perfect mix of romance, fun and spice that I adore. I have added Cassie Connor to my “must read” list and can’t wait to see what she comes up with next.

I really loved this one! It was everything I wanted in a Romance novel! I can’t believe this is the authors debut novel! I will definitely be ready and recommend more from this author

DNF @16%- This book just started off wrong (for me). The two main characters publicly, gratuitously make out after speaking for about two minutes and then go and immediately sleep together. That just gives me the ick. I wasn’t drawn to either character, especially all of the MMC’s “sexy” smirks. I’m all for spice in books, but there needs to be way more build up to it, at least in a book that’s supposed to be a rom-com.

This book could be classed as porn without much plot. Enjoyable while it lasted, but won't leave a very long lasting impression. The characters weren't all that great, I lost my patience with the FMC quite soon as she has the emotional intelligence of a potato, and no matter how many epiphanies she had, she would continue her behaviour and never act on those. The author’s writing style was complex, funny, passionate, and kept me engaged, though. Overall, it was an entertaining and fast paced read, ideal to enter into the holiday spirit.

This book reminds me of The Stranger in Seat 8B; a one night stand turned insta love, reversed grumpy-sunshine and lots of smut.

Rebecca, an uptight workaholic lawyer and Hudson, a happy-go-lucky furniture designer have an amazing one night stand. She runs away in the morning and expects to never see him again, but then one thing leads to another and… she, uhm, draws a freakin’ contract (!!!) and hires him as a fake boyfriend for her sister’s engagement party. There’s a clause about sex (not allowed) and one about kisses (special regulations apply) but then all Rebecca’s pathetic efforts to keep things professional go down the drain because she obvs can’t keep her hands off him.

Hudson is a man written by a woman, so ya know; attentive, understanding, loving and hot af. Rebecca tested my patience a few times, but I was mostly sorry for her; such a smart girl, how come is she so dumb?!

The constant need for contracts was slightly cringy, but the title kinda’ warns you about it so I’ll shut up.

All in all it’s a quick and easy read if you’re into insta love and open door romance. Maybe nothing special but entertaining enough.

3.5 stars round up to 4

Thank you HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter and NetGalley for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review