I thought this book was ok. Some parts I loved and some parts I thought were too predicatable. I like a book that is going to keep me interested and on my toes. Thats not to say I didnt love the characters of May and Austin. The moments the two of them shared with Caroline. May's daughter, melted my heart. Overall, a great book and I cannot wait to see what is next from Victoria

I've read - and enjoyed - plenty of Victoria James books in the past. But this one didn't work for me, at all. Stiltled dialog (I frequently thought "NO one talks like that!"), a silly reason for not having relationships (a la the Bachelor Contract), and a glacially slow pace had me dragging through this book one chapter at a time over the course of several months. I finally got through it, but I never connected with the characters or their story.

Such a great story full of feel good romance. Sometimes you want a romance that flows smoothly and ends without much angst, this is that book! I haven’t read any stories from Victoria James in the past so I am not sure if this is her normal style of writing, but it works well in this story!

4 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

📚Disclosure: I received a review copy of this #book from Entangled Publishing via #Netgalley. All thoughts, opinions, comments, and interpretations of the story are my own and bias free. I did not receive any money in exchange for this review. Thank you to the publisher/author for allowing me the opportunity to review. Reviews are usually cross-posted to social media, goodreads, and blog. 🦄 @entangledpub
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This is a good book. The two main characters are May and Austin. They have known each other all their lives. May has come back to hometown to sell her mother’s house. Austin runs a remodeling business with his brothers. He is doing a remodel for May. There is an attraction. They start dating. They each have issues but together they work them out and fall in love.

Step into the construction zone of romance and family dynamics – you won't want to clock out of this read.

Austin Merrick, the charismatic head of the family's construction empire, navigates life side by side with his brother, Brody. But hold onto your hard hats, because Austin's world is about to be delightfully turned upside down when a blast from his past reemerges – none other than the girl who's always been a fixture in his thoughts. And let's not forget, this is all happening against the backdrop of his vow with Brody to steer clear of entanglements like marriage and kids. But life has a funny way of flipping plans on their heads, and Austin is in for a surprise that even he couldn't have built!

Now, let's talk about Mable Peterson. She's not just another brick in the wall – her journey through life, striving to stay out of the shadows, is nothing short of inspiring. Returning to Maple Hill, a town brimming with bittersweet memories, May faces her own past demons. Will the sunlit memories outshine the darkness of her history?

May and Austin together are like a well-orchestrated symphony, hitting all the right notes of friendship and affection. Even in the moments of heart-stopping confessions, they manage to keep the harmony alive. Austin, ever the knight in shining tool belt, wants to shield May from her painful past, while May, a phoenix in her own right, is determined to confront it head-on.

<i>The Bachelor Contract</i> isn't just about romantic bonds – it's a construction of family dynamics, complete with scaffolding of real-life experiences. <b>Victoria James</b> works her magic, infusing the story with moments that tug at your heartstrings and make you smile through tears. Get ready, because the Merrick brothers are about to fall – not from grace, but head over heels into your hearts.

<center><b>Rated 4 Stilettos by Deb!</b></center>

May Peterson is returning to the hometown she left behind a decade ago. She plans to sell the childhood home she inherited from her mother. Her lifelong friend Callie, along with her family, welcome May warmly, treating her as one of their own, just like they did during their childhood. Callie's brothers are involved in the construction business, with Austin, the brother May has had a crush on since she was twelve, leading the renovation of her house. The age difference, which seemed too much in their youth, isn't a hindrance now, and they both find themselves considering what could develop between them. However, May's stay is supposed to be temporary, until the house is sold.

This is a narrative exploring the concept of family, its presence and absence, and the quest for love, underscoring the joy of entrusting one's heart to another. It underlines how childhood events significantly shape one's adulthood. The story is captivating with its rich characters, blending moments of heartbreak and warmth beautifully.

Victoria James seems to write genuine romance books. The Bachelor Contract is a second chance small town troupe. I enjoyed the relationship development between May and Austin. I had a big issue with May's father. I think that if you enjoy romance books, this would be great for you. Here's a heads up this is book 2 in a series.

This is the second book in the Maple Hill series. I did not read the first book but I learned a lot about the first book through this one. This is a small town, second chance romance with a loving family who have treated May ( the main character) like one of their own. When she comes back into town to refurbish her mother’s home and sell it, she runs into Austin, one of her best friend’s brother and from the loving home they embody. She has come back to town with a new baby that she adopted. May, herself was adopted and there are things that she wants to make “right” with her daughter that she never got. A nice, small town romance and I will look for the next book in this series as I really enjoyed this one

May and Austin reconnect when she is back in town temporarily. She soon falls for him again, but her priority is her daughter and Austin has a pact that he'll never get married so can they have a future together?
I liked how it is told from both points of view and look forward to the next book in this series.

When I requested this book, I was in a contemporary romance mood; however, when I got around to reading it, I was not. It might be a me thing, or maybe I just didn't really connect with this book, I'm not sure, but I found it hard to want to read. There was nothing really wrong with the book at all. The plot was engaging. The tropes were interesting. But sometimes the dialogue felt a little forced to me. I didn't realize that this was the second in the series when I started it, but it was very clear that I had missed the brother's story while reading this and felt like I was missing out on inside jokes and things that were said/mentioned. I am interested in reading book 1, but I'll probably wait until I'm in the mood for contemporary romance.

Read this if you love:
- Best friend's brother
- Single mom/adoptive mom
- Girl/boy next door
- Dual third person POV
- Childhood crush
- Mentally abusive parent
- House flipping

If you have ever dealt with or know someone who has dealt with Mental illness this book will have you all up in your feeling for sure. The author did an amazing job making you feel like. you were sitting down catch up with friends I didn't read the first book in the series but still felt like I was right there watching it all play out. May was so relatable she was a survivor of her childhood but that did not stop her from fighting for what she wanted. Austin grew up so different but due to a situation in his life he built walls around his heart and sometimes if felt he was to stubborn to see what was right in front of him. I loved his family his sister Callie was no holds bar she was not going to let her brothers get away with anything. There is adult content in this book so may not be suitable for all. Overall super quick read and well worth it.

The Bachelor Contract is a well written romance. Loved the plot and the characters. Recommend this book. My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for my advance ebook. This is my unbiased review.

This is one of those slow burn HEA. May returns to her hometown to fix up the family home and Austin is roped in to help. Such a great story.

I loved this story! It’s perfect for a best friend’s brother, single mom, and dysfunctional family tropes. May comes back to Maple Hill after years of being away to finally fix up the house her mother left to her so she could sell it and have some extra money to live off from with the baby she had adopted.

May’s father is absolutely hateful and doesn’t deserve any happiness with the emotional abuse he caused her.

May was always considered to be part of the Merrick family with her neighbor and best friend. Austin was older than May but they always had a special bond but they couldn’t act on it because of the age difference. All these years later, he realizes that May and her daughter are what his life has been missing!

I enjoy reading sweet romances by Victoria James!

May Peterson had a very lonely and emotionally traumatic childhood, her few moments of serenity came when she was with her best friend Callie’s family. The Sunday dinners and especially the evenings spent with Callie’s brother, Austin, on the porch swing talking and eating popcorn. May was determined to overcome her childhood and make a life and a family of her own. She would not allow a man to have any sway over her after what her father did to her mother. Austin Merrick saw his older brother, Cooper, fall apart after the death of his wife and swore never to be like that. He makes a pact with his brother, Brody, to never have a relationship with a woman and never fall into the crushing weight of loving someone. When May returns to Maple Hill after 10 years to sell her mother’s house and move on alone with her baby daughter, Caroline, she is grown up, pulled together, and is willing to live the rest of her life alone with Caroline. She’s sure her childhood crush on Austin has evaporated over the years and he is looking forward to seeing the one person who knows and ‘sees’ who he is.

I loved the way Victoria James brings these two old friends back together and slowly opens their hearts to each other. The realization they meant more to each other than just friends and the sweet way Austin falls for Caroline. How Austin opens his eyes and heart to the possibility and May works to overcome her issues with trust and faith. The Merrick family is loud and boisterous and loving and is there to support each other. There are the typical people from the past, high school bullies, the father that didn’t want her, and friends who mean more than anything. This is a story of friends who become so much more. They become family! It’s about being seen for not only who you are but what you have the potential to become. It’s about overcoming childhood trauma, high school bullying, being invisible, and learning you are enough. I enjoyed May and Austin and the Merrick family. I received an arc of this book from NetGalley, and this is my honest review.

Victoria James writes some of my favorite romances. The Bachelor Contract is a great read and a nice addition to the Maple Hill series.

Austin and May have known each other since they were kids, and when she comes back to town their friendship becomes so much more. I really enjoyed their relationship development and the sweet romance they shared. They each have their own issues to work through, and I loved seeing them come together for an HEA

The Bachelor Contract is the second long await book in the Maple Hill Series by Victoria James. May Peterson has come back t Maple Hill to fix up and sell her family home. Much like the house she is fixing up her childhood was not a good one. It was inspiring to see how she had risen above her parents and the time she spent growing up in that house.

Austin Merrick has made a silly contract with his brother Brody to never fall in love. Which makes no sense, since it was caused by Cooper’s grieving. The first book in the series, The Boyfriend Contract has Cooper finding love again, so why not give love a try? Austin is a great guy, which May knows because they were friends years ago. Just enough angst, drama and romance in this story of hurt, healing, and happiness. The last ballgame may seem a bit silly and unrealistic in the story but let’s face it, Callie nailed it when she said about her brothers, “But they still do say stupid things,” They do dumb things too so we can forgive Austin.

An ARC of the book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Quick Summary: A "happily-ever-after" romance

My Review: The Bachelor Contract by Victoria James was the type of fictional romance that depicts real life with all of its many problems.

About the Story:
May Peterson had once lived a life that could not be described as happy or ideal. She came from a broken home with broken people. The only light source that existed in her dark and depression-filled existence came by way of the Merrick family.

About the Characters:

May Peterson - >
May's best friend's family saved her. Truth be told, Austin Merrick had a lot to do with it. When she returns home to handle some business, she is confronted by her past and soon must cross paths with the one man she has always loved. Can she find the necessary courage it takes to love and trust him? Will she ever feel deserving of receiving unconditional love?

Austin Merrick - >
Ten years ago, May Peterson had confessed her feelings to him. He had responded by not responding. He didn't get to say what he truly felt for the girl who had once grown up alongside him and his siblings. When she returns home, he is suddenly slated to do reconstruction work for her. Will he finally get the chance to tell her what he really feels for her? Will they find their happily ever after together?

What I Liked About the Story:

This novel was steeped with family ties. I loved how the book showed so many different representations of family.

The Merricks were good people, and the love they had for May was genuine.

Austin and May were right for each other. They deserved a Disney trip, a Disney cruise, and all of the bells and whistles.

Sweet little Caroline was a delightful addition to the story.

The glimpses into the stories of the other family members were nice. Cooper and Emily's situation was unique. Brody's views on love will likely make his story entertaining, to say the least. Callie and Will's soon to be more love story seems like it will be interesting.

The look at mental health through the eyes of the protagonist was attention grabbing.

My Final Say: Although The Bachelor Contract began with a hard loss and a ridiculous bet, it ended with a wish that two hearts made. Readers who like light to moderate emotion-driven romances will enjoy reading this slow burn read.

Rating: 3.5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Status: Clean
Level: 🍬

Thanks to the author and to Entangled Publishing for making this work available for review via NetGalley. The words I have voluntarily shared are my own.

Can you fall in love in eight weeks?

May Peterson never intended to return to her hometown of Maple Hill especially with her daughter Caroline but she needs to renovate her mother’s house before putting it for sale in only eight weeks.

Austin Merrick never planned to fall in love after seeing his brother fall apart after his wife’s death he had made a contract with his brother Brody to never fall in love. But Austin can’t avoid May since he’s in charge of the renovation and he’s falling in love with her daughter Caroline.

The Bachelor Contract deals with a lot of healing by May dealing with her childhood and making sure that Caroline knows that she is loved.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

It had been a while since I had read the Boyfriend Contract from Victoria James. But who could forget that cover and title? So when The Bachelor Contract came up on Netgalley, it immediately drew my eye.

This story continues right after Cooper and Emily ended up together. Austin and his brother have created a pact, to never fall in love, and stay a bachelor forever. And Austin is very certain that he can uphold his part of the deal. Until May comes along.

May has left Maple Hill years ago, to flee from her past. So, when she inherits her childhood home, she is determined to come back for a short period, sell the house and leave again. She didn’t count on Austin though. Her high school crush and the one that got away.

Same as with the Boyfriend Contract, Victoria is able to create a wonderful story with many layers. About broken people, who have been hurt, but have survived. So, hopefully the last Merrick brother will get a happy ending as well. Five out of five stars and a special thank you to Netgalley for providing the arc.