Um HELLO?? It's been quite a long time since I've read a Sara Cate novel, and boyyyy am I glad I dove into Keep Me. This interesting take on marriage of convenience had me hooked from page one and I was eating up every bit of this book.
I listened to the audiobook of Keep Me, narrated by Kelli Tager and Will Watt, and it was done so well. I loved the back and forth between an American accent and the Scottish accent. H O T to say the least!
If you take anything from this, take away the fact that you absolutely need to read this book! Ebook, physical book, audiobook, who cares?! It's one that deserves to be read.

2.5 ⭐️

There were elements of this that I enjoyed but overall, not really for me. This was pretty long for a contemporary romance and I definitely felt the pacing reflected that. There were also plot elements that ended up falling off (the jealous ex, Sylvie’s terrible parents) and seemingly resolved off page or were rushed and underwhelming. Like what do you mean her emotionally abusive mom just all of a sudden realized she was a shitty parent and issued one measly apology with no real explanation ??

The romance was pretty good, but I didn’t really buy them falling for each other. Once they had established their feelings, I was invested, but it was hard to root for them.

Not sure if I would continue the series; Sara Cate is pretty hit or miss for me, but I totally get her popularity.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Tropes:
Billionaire
Marriage of Convieneance
Enemies to Lovers
Emotional Trauma
Dual POV

This is the first book in a series, and although I'm just speculating, I believe they are all standalones involving the Barclay siblings. "Keep Me" is told from dual perspectives, following 25-year-old Sylvie Devereaux. After her parents cut her off financially and were emotionally absent throughout her life, Sylvie finds herself on the brink of eviction. To make matters worse, she catches her boyfriend and best friend in a compromising situation. This happens after a trip to Scotland, where she and her boyfriend break into the Barclay Manor, leading her to meet Killian, the other main character.

Killian is a 37- or 38-year-old bachelor who has not left his house in ten years. His sister, Ana, persuades Sylvie to sign a contract to marry Killian for one year, using the plan to steal his house as leverage and hopefully encourage him to leave. Killian believes the contract is a means to demonstrate that he isn’t running a sex club from his home anymore, thereby allowing him to remain in the house he loves. Both main characters start off rude, entitled, and at odds with one another.

The book is interesting; it begins by listing trigger warnings, which led me to expect a spicier read. However, it turned out to be less intense than anticipated, with fewer dark themes. The story was decent—it had sweet moments, and both characters experienced growth, though not in ways they anticipated. It had heartbreaking, funny, spicy, and tender moments.

Sylvie must come to terms with her identity and break free from her parents' hold on her—especially the hope that they will ever see her again. Despite growing up privileged, she often felt like a second priority to her parents’ art. On the other hand, Killian is deeply traumatized by his parents' death and struggles with panic attacks and fits of rage during episodes of high anxiety. It’s compelling to see characters in darker places come together since, typically, one main character helps draw the other into the light.

Once Sylvie and Killian start to like each other, the story truly gains momentum. The first half feels awkward and clumsy, but the second half sees the characters becoming more likable. This is crucial, as I would have found the story unappealing if they had remained unlikeable throughout. Both narrators did a great job conveying their characters, and I loved the accents represented.

Overall, the story is decent. It wasn't as dark as it claimed to be, and while there are some spicy scenes, they make up only a small portion of the book. The primary focus is on romance, self-reflection, and healing.

It was hard for me to get into this audiobook. I enjoyed Kelli Tager as a narrator but when it came to dialogue from the Scottish characters, the accent was not enjoyable. I have no personal experience with Scotland outside of TV and film. But it sounded very sharp.
Will Watt narrated the chapters in the male POV and his Scottish accent felt more natural. But his narration of the female character was inconsistent, sometimes American, sometimes Scottish.
It just kept taking me out of the story so I kept switching to read the book on my own, and then the final 25% via audiobook. At that point, I was really into the romance so it was easier. The characters were also (finally) in love and so the narration felt softer.

Keep Me by Sara Cate as one steamy Scottish adventure that I didn’t want to end. I loved everything about Sylvie and Killan’s marriage of convenience romance. This is book one in Cate’s Sinful Manor series, and I’m already ready for more!

Kelli Tager and Will Watt perform this audiobook in dual narration, and these two were just perfect to voice Sylvie and Killian. Kelli added a vulnerability to her voice that helped express Sylvie’s passion and determination. Will was downright swoony as Killian encompassing his broodiness and doubts in his performance. Plus, the chemistry between these two was undeniable and HOT, and both narrators delivered the pent up tension.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. If you are a fan of a marriage of convenience spicy romance set in Scotland, then you will love Sylvie and Killian’s story. I always look forward to more from Sara Cate.

A New Yorker in need of funds moves to Scotland for a one-year marriage of convenience to a grumpy Scot.

There’s more to it than that, but TL;DR: She needs money. His family has money. His family wants him out of the house and his—and, by extension, their—reputation restored. (Our main man Killian has a reputation for holding *ahem* parties at the manor. 👀)

You know what, y’all? These two hate—and I mean HATE—each other. Oof. Granted neither of them is the outwardly warm and fuzzy type, but they’re flinging names at each other and want nothing to do with each other.

BUT forced proximity works its magic. (Oh gosh, I sure do love when forced proximity works its magic.) And, as it turns out, Killian and Sylvie end up having gooey centers for each other.

Are there some proclivities in this one that are not my jam? Sure, but I’m not going to rain on anyone else’s spicy parade.

At a glance:
- Dual POV
- Scottish setting (There are kilts, my friends.)
- Marriage of convenience
- Enemies to lovers
- Forced proximity
- Billionaire romance
- Caretaking
- Grief + mental health
- Things get hot in herre. (Yes, I did mean to spell it like that. Alexa, play Nelly.)

I listened to this one on audio, and Kelli Tager and Will Watt do a great job bringing this one to life. I wish it had been duet narration instead of dual—because I love Will Watt’s Scottish brogue—but I still really enjoyed the narration overall.

I received an advance copy of the audiobook from Dreamscape Media. All review opinions are my own.

Not gonna lie, this was very tame and not what I expect from Cate but I loved it.

This was a story of convenience to help each other out. I did not like Sylvie in the beginning, she was very spoiled and entitled. She won me over as her character developed and how she became a better person while living with Killian.

As I mentioned, this was a departure from Cate's normal kinky story and it had so much depth with both of them having personal issues that needed to be resolved.

There were still a lot of steamy scenes and the story kept me interested. I am looking forward to more of this series.

Will Watt did a great job with the Scottish accent and Kelli Tager was a perfect Sylvie.

Thank you @sourcebookscasa @dreamscape_media for a copy of the audiobook.

ALC Review: Keep Me by Sara Cate
Pub Date: December 3, 2024
Narrators: Kelli Tager and Will Watt

Keep Me is a marriage of convenience in a Scottish manor and man, I was so excited for this one! It wasn't exactly what I was expecting but I ended up really having a great time listening to the audio. The start of the book was a little rough for me - both Sylvie and Killian are kind of terrible people and pretty terrible to each other (I really didn't love the name calling). But as the book goes on you really get to appreciate their growth and get to know more about why they act the way they do given their pasts.

I ended up really loving their relationship - there are quite a few really lovely and soft moments between the two as well as pretty spicy scenes. I was actually expecting slightly more spice but I think the balance here really worked well for me since we were able to see that personal growth. I'm typically a third act breakup hater BUT I do think it can be good when the MMCs use that time to grow, which Killian definitely did. It was clear that even though they were apart, they both still loved and cared for each other.

The narration by Kelli Tager and Will Watt was fantastic! Will Watt especially is one of my favorite male narrators to listen to and his accent work is just so so good. I love a good Scottish accent and he certainly made me swoon throughout.

Read this for:
- Marriage of Convenience
- Kink
- Forced Proximity
- Age Gap
- Enemies to Lovers
- Scottish MMC/Scottish setting


Thank you to Dreamscape Media for the ALC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Omg this book was beautiful!!!! I literally sobbed for an hour at the end. I loveddddd it. The character arcs were soooooo good. The way these two people grow up and change is soooooo cool.
I wishhhhhh it was duet style narration though. Both narrators were absolutely amazing. But with the Scottish accent. I think it would have been better if we only got that accent from the male narrator for the MMCs lines.
Nevertheless, a beautiful story!!!

5⭐️
3.5🌶️
4🎧

Keep Me🩷
By Sara Cate🏵️

Review✔️

Wow, this book really took me by surprise! I did not expect this degree of brilliance. A well crafted marriage of convenience that made me fall in love with both main characters. I believe it turned out so good since both leads were going through challenging periods. They healed themselves and learned to lean on one another. The character development was great. The spicy parts were definitely hot! The chemistry was tense.You know there's a delicate line between love and hate; that was obvious from the beginning. Great read!

Marriage of convenience💍
Enemies to lovers🤌🏻
Forced proximity🏡
Age gap👀

4.5 stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫


Audio review:
I loved both the male and female narrators! The male was especially great for me. An amazing audio!

5 stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Sara Cate crafts a captivating narrative in Keep Me, intertwining passion, vulnerability, and redemption. Killian Barclay, the brooding hero, is a man burdened by heartbreak, a feeling we all can relate to, who seeks solace in indulgence. On the other hand, Sylvie Devereaux, a woman hardened by neglect, resonates with her fierce independence. Their unexpected meeting sets the stage for a story that defies expectations.
The story beautifully delves into themes of self-worth, healing, and the transformative power of love. Sylvie's journey from guarded detachment to vulnerability is as compelling as Killian's reluctant surrender to hope and connection. Cate masterfully builds the tension between the two, balancing fiery banter with tender moments that reveal the depth of their characters.
The Scottish setting adds an evocative charm, with Barclay Manor as both a backdrop and a metaphor for the emotional walls the protagonists must navigate. The story's premise—a modern marriage of convenience, where the characters enter into a marriage for practical reasons, laced with deceit—provides a fresh spin on a classic trope, keeping the stakes high and the reader invested.
Through narration, Kelli Tager and Will Watt breathe life into this captivating story. Tager perfectly captures Sylvie's sharp wit and emotional growth, while Watt's portrayal of Killian's smouldering intensity and vulnerability is nothing short of mesmerizing. Their dynamic performance elevates the story, drawing listeners into the characters' evolving relationship and amplifying the emotional resonance of every scene.
Keep Me is a seductive and deeply emotional tale that lingers long after the final page. In comparison to other contemporary romance novels, Cate's masterful storytelling and Tager and Watt's exceptional narration make this a standout, particularly in its exploration of themes and the depth of its characters.

Thank you so much to Sara Cate, @netgalley, @dreamscape_media and @sourcebookscasa for the opportunity to read the ARC and listen to the ALC.

Well I gobbled this up in one sitting and loved every minute of it. I had just come off of dnfing a book and this was just what I needed! A quick, wickedly delicious and sexy book full of witty banter, steamy moments and past trauma.

If you love:
👩🏻Headstrong FMC
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿Broody Scottish MMC
💵Millionaire Romance
💙He Falls Hard
💍Marriage of Convenience
⛓️Taboo
💚Jealous MMC

The audio was so much fun! I loved the male narrator’s voice! He was perfect for the role 🔥

#keepme #saracate #saracatebooks #smut #smutbooks #taboo #scottish #millionaire #millionaireromance #marraigeofconvenience #arc #review #bookreview #bookreviewer #netgalley #audiobook

Having only read one other Sara Cate book, I went in thinking this would be a super spicy Scottish smutty read. And while it ~was~ spicy, it didn’t hold up to that of the SPC. And that’s fine! I was just surprised.

I also thought the description was a little misleading—the swinger-aspect didn’t quite feel accurate, but I digress. ALSO I was NOT down for the frequent use of the word “cow,” which is what the MMC called his “wife” for most of the beginning of the book.😡

Spice was like 3-3.5/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️

(Thank you, Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley, for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.)

Sarah Cate never misses! Keep Me was so freaking delectable, and gut wrenching at the same time! I literally related to the characters so much which made this read that much more impactful! This has also got me wanting a Scottish man (iykyk). They both overcame their personal situations in the end and were that much better for each other! I can’t wait to see where she takes the series next!

Narration: 4/5 stars
Plot: 3/5 stars

This was my first Sara Cate novel and I wasn't entirely sure what to expect, besides spice. The overall plot had me intrigued and I was excited to give it a go. While I did enjoy the audio, I might not have enjoyed it as much if I read it. I felt the plot got boring and highly predictable at times, but the overall themes were executed nicely. I want to say I felt anything for these characters, but unfortunately, I did not. I will be looking forward to her other writing to see if any of that can change my opinion.

"I'm your husband. I wont let you go. I will always be by your side. I will always care about you, you understand?"
"You're not really-"
"Don't you say that to me again, Sylvie Barclay. I don't care about some stupid f- contract. I love you.. With my whole f- chest, I love you. So don't give me any of that s- about not being your real husband, because I'm right here."

Nothing makes me happier than reading a Sara cate romance - because you know you're getting spice, angst, and just characters that have a unique connection. And this book is no different! ALSO its a grumpy x grumpy pairing which I just adored. Sylvie's family/ ex/. friend are all the worst and I just loved how she found solace (if not begrudgingly) with the grumpy and reclusive Killian. I was desperate to find out more of Killian's backstory (the sad and the spicy) and once I did I just enjoyed his character and growth so much more!

"In truth, I did fall recklessly in love with him. The hate I once felt never went away - it just changed. The passion is a different color now."

💜Marriage of Convenience
💚Enemies to Lovers
💙Grumpy x Grumpy
💚Forced Proximity
💜International: Primarily set in Scotland

Final Rating: 3.75⭐, 3.75🌶️- This wasn't my favorite SC romance - maybe because it was straight to traditional publishing? I'm not sure, but the storyline and flow was off for me, and I didn't get as H&B over the spicy scenes as I normally do. The pacing for the love/ connection between Killian and Sylvie threw me off at times. Like there was a rather quick jump from hostile aggression to spice to warm and fuzzies. And while I recognized the purpose of the third act break-up, I just was discouraged over it. I wanted how Killian found out about the contract to be different. However, while this isn't my fave book by Sara, I'm still a STAN of her writing and you'll find me giddy for the next book in this series aw well as any other book she gifts us with publishing!

"My woman. My Wife. My Darling."

Brief Plot: Killian and Sylvie have a meet-cute, but more of a hate-bad, when S breaks into K's home to see a typewriter. A few days later, K's sister approaches S with an offer for a fake marriage for a wholeeeee lotta money, but at the downfall of her soon to be hubs. But because of the whole hate-bad meeting, she has no problem with stabbing Killian, the reclusive Scot. Or...will she start feeling bad when they start to grow closer, and spicer 😉 (I mean it is a Sara Cate romance!)

Thank you Sara Cate, Hambright PR & NetGalley for eARC's of this book in exchange for my honest review!

Keep me did a fantastic job of using romance for healing. It was a tale of two people with major parental trauma forced to marry and, in return, forced to deal with the personal demons that plague them. That part of the story was lovely!

However, I didn't like any of the main characters. Mfc is spoiled and feels unnecessarily prilliaged and gets upset that her parents aren't paying for her whole life despite her horrible financial habits. I also couldn't grasp the convenience of how she was picked for the marriage.

The mmc is a straight asshole!! I don't care that it's a drak romance calling a woman a "cow" through the whole book is unacceptable! It was extremely hard to get through the first few of his chapters.

The spice was good, but with all the trigger warnings, I was expecting more taboo heat, and we got more generic spice. Which is fine. I just personally thought it was going to be darker. Overall, once you get past the chapters with his horrible name calling and her entitlement, it's a beautiful story of friendship, love, and healing.

Easily the best book I've listened to on Netgalley so far. Devoured this in 2 days and could happily listen to it again already. Sara Cate never disappoints. This was the perfect enemies to lovers, steamy romance. The only part I didn't love was the female narrator doing the Scottish accent but can definitely look past that for all the great moments this book had.

⭐️⭐️⭐️.75
🌶️🌶️

💕Marriage of Convenience
💚Forced Proximity
💕Enemies to Lovers
💚Spice
💕Banter
💚GrumpyxGrumpy

This book was very interesting. It has marriage of convenience, enemies to lovers and banter. The majority of this book does take place in Scotland, which I absolutely loved.

I love a good book that has the hate to love between the two main characters. I love the FMC did not take crap from no one. Both of the main characters had something that they had to overcome. The MMC past trauma that he is still trying to overcome and has not left his house in six years and the FMC has issues with not feeling like she is enough and problems with her parents.

The FMC opportunity to have her own money by getting married to the FMC. The MMC thinks it’s just to help his image but there is a secret that he does not know.

I listened to the audio for this one and I loved the audio. I was not too into how the female narrator did the male characters voice. I did love how the male narrator narrated his parts and her parts. I do think that the female narrator did a great job overall. I would definitely listen to more books by each of these narrators and I would definitely recommend this audiobook to others.

I truly loved Keep Me, and hearing the narrators bring Sylvie and Killian to life really elevated the experience. Like Killian's accent???????? WHEW!!! They added a sense of depth and emotion to the characters that really helped me understand and connect with them in a way that was unexpected.

Initial thoughts:

Keep Me is a story filled with brazen humor, no holds barred banter, and chemistry that shines through in every interaction the main characters have. On the surface, this is a marriage of convenience born between two individuals who TRULY do not like each other. Sylvie, our brash American FMC, is looking for a quick way to replenish her fastly depleting bank account. Killian, our stubborn, grumpy Scottish MMC, is facing the fact that his family wants him to relinquish his rights to the family manor. When a year-long arranged marriage offers each of them a solution to their problem, they jump on it immediately.

Keep Me is more than what we see on the surface; it's a spicy tale filled with debauchery, yes, but it's also a story of falling down and finding your way back to who you want to be, with heartfelt emotion that truly makes the reader love the characters through all of their flaws.

Sylvie and Killian are two people who've experienced so much pain in life that they've hidden themselves in various ways to avoid more hurt.

Sylvie may seem selfish in her motivations for entering the marriage, and she is. But she’s also an incredibly caring individual who seems to wear this mask of hating the world as a guise to avoid the hurt she’s felt from being let down in every interpersonal relationship she has time and time again. Killian may be the life of the party and a brute force, but he is also a man who feels deeply and it shows.

Sara Cate created a very honest tale of what grief and the loss of oneself can look like through the eyes of her characters in a way that was unexpected. I love these characters and can't wait to see what's next in the series!