the reason i married him – Professor Romance

Overall Grade: B+

Tropes: marriage of convenience; small town; golden retriever MMC; emotionally protective FMC

I’m late in posting this review. I’ll admit it, and it isn’t that I didn’t love Meghan Quinn’s newest Almond Bay story, The Reason I Married Him (TRIMH); it’s because it hit close to home in a way. You see, I’m Aubree. Maybe not to the depth of her pain hidden behind walls of emotional stone, but I’m similar in that I erect those stone walls of emotion and let them down only when I feel safe. Meghan Quinn captures this reality beautifully in TRIMH, so much so, that, for someone who lives it, it felt tortuous at times. Quinn’s careful development of the breakdown of Aubree’s walls is easily the best part of the book, but it also has emotional gravitas. In fact, when Wyatt’s character flaw is revealed, it adds very little to the story. For me, it felt like it explained his poor choices away too easily. What was most important about Wyatt, what brought levity to Aubree’s difficult character journey, is his way of lightening and cajoling joy into Aubree’s life.

Quinn carefully couches Aubree’s journey to feeling safe with Wyatt by crafting his character with humor and resilience. Even though Wyatt’s journey is laden with difficulties – his need for perfection doesn’t compare to Aubree’s. It allows him to empathize with her and challenge her, but his easy persona is the perfect foil to Aubree’s more challenging one. The light/dark motif of this book underscores their relationship well.

My only challenge with the book is its necessity for a slow burn. There are deep trauma walls to burn down, and it can only happen with patience, resilience, and encapsulating moments. Quinn does this well, but it also slows the movement forward. I needed to take breaks from Wyatt and Aubree’s back-and-forth banter because their chemistry is a minefield. This is necessary for this book, but it makes it harder to read than the first book of the series, The Way I Hate Him. That’s still my favorite of the series.

I adore Meghan Quinn’s romances. The Reason I Married Him adds more depth to the struggles of the Rowley siblings. Like an onion, Quinn is peeling each layer, revealing more to love about their lives in this delightful town of Almond Bay. Even more, she connects more of her universe, delighting fans like me repeatedly.

In love and romance,

Professor A

new release

✍🏻 What do you get when you combine a golden retriever MMC with an emotionally shut-down grumpy FMC plus a marriage of convenience trope? Pure perfection! Meghan Quinn’s The Reason I Married Him hits you in all the feels: you’ll laugh, you’ll cry, and you’ll end it with a HUGE smile on your face. Grab it TODAY! ✍🏻

February 6, 2024 professorromance

One-click your copy of THE REASON I MARRIED HIM today!

https://mybook.to/TheReasonIMarriedHim

And don’t miss the Illustrated Hardcover? It’s NOW LIVE and has beautiful, hand drawn illustrations so you can take a deep dive into Wyatt and Aubree’s love story! You can get your copy HERE!

About THE REASON I MARRIED HIM:

He proposed . . . and I said yes.
Normally a jovial occasion for a couple in love, but this proposal has a very different feel.
Because the man that I’ll be calling my husband blew into town with one thing on his mind . . . to make my life a living nightmare.

So why did I say yes?

Well, because we both need something from each other.

Namely, I want the farm land he currently owns, and he needs a wife in order to inherit his family cabin in his grandfather’s will.

So as he so eloquently put it, my hand, for his land.

At first, I thought the idea was nuts.
Who really gets married out of convenience?
Apparently, I do.

And now we have to sell our relationship to the town. Meaning, we’re holding hands, he’s pinching my cheeks . . . upper and lower. We’re even forced to share the one-bedroom guest house on the farm where his monstrous body is taking up a large percentage of the bed.

But we’re so persuasive about our farse, that now I’m starting to think he actually might like me. Especially when he grabs me by the wrist and teases the shell of my ear as he whispers, “Mine.”

https://mybook.to/TheReasonIMarriedHim

Audio Lovers!

Stella Hunter and Aaron Shedlock narrate in duet this sexy, marriage of convenience romance. THE REASON I MARRIED HIM is NOW LIVE in audio, so grab your earbuds and make this your next listen today!

https://mybook.to/TheReasonIMarriedHim

ABOUT MEGHAN QUINN:

USA Today Bestselling Author, wife, adoptive mother, and peanut butter lover. Author of romantic comedies and contemporary romance, Meghan Quinn brings readers the perfect combination of heart, humor, and heat in every book.

Never miss another NEW RELEASE, text READ to 474747.

Connect w/ Meghan:

Website: https://authormeghanquinn.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meghanquinnauthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meghanquinnbooks/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorMegQuinn

Excerpt/Sneak Peek

✍🏻 I’m halfway through Meghan Quinn’s The Reason I Married Him, and it’s divine: lots of banter foreplay, a golden retriever MMC, and a compassionate FMC whose feelings are hidden so deep the MMC has to dig them out. Check out this excerpt and preorder it TODAY! ✍🏻

January 31, 2024 professorromance

From USA Today and Amazon Charts bestselling author Meghan Quinn, comes a new marriage of convenience romantic comedy. This steamy, laugh out loud, enemies-to-lovers small town standalone delivers the perfect happily ever after. Releasing February 6^th in all formats, check out the excerpt below and pre-order your copy today!

https://mybook.to/TheReasonIMarriedHim

About THE REASON I MARRIED HIM (Coming 2/6/2024):

PRE-ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY!

https://mybook.to/TheReasonIMarriedHim

Read the Excerpt Here!

I peek a look over at Wyatt, and he does the same. When our eyes meet, he keeps them locked for a few seconds before they drop to my mouth and back up again.

I do the same.

And when our eyes lock, I can feel it, this electric energy bouncing between us. It’s worrisome but also exciting. It shouldn’t be happening, but oh my God, I can’t stop myself from leaning into him, letting him touch me, stare at me, and make me feel unlike anything I’ve felt before.

He was right. I avoided him for a reason today, and that was because I felt something. Something toward him. Something I shouldn’t be feeling, but I can’t help.

I’ve grown accustomed to having him around.

I look forward to him holding me at night.

And I crave his witty comebacks that provoke an eye roll from me.

But tonight, tonight it feels different, and I don’t know why.

Tonight, it feels like something’s going to happen. Someone will break, and I just hope it’s not me.

Stella Hunter and Aaron Shedlock narrate in duet this sexy, marriage of convenience romance. THE REASON I MARRIED HIM will be released on February 6^th in a live release on Audible!

ABOUT MEGHAN QUINN:

Never miss another NEW RELEASE, text READ to 474747.

Connect w/ Meghan:

Website: https://authormeghanquinn.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meghanquinnauthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meghanquinnbooks/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorMegQuinn

Cover Reveal

✍🏻 The Reason I Married Him is coming SOON! Ever since I fell in love with The Way I Hate Him, the first book of this series, I have been WAITING for this story. This cover is exactly what I need on this Hump Day!✍🏻

January 24, 2024 professorromance

https://mybook.to/TheReasonIMarriedHim

About THE REASON I MARRIED HIM (Coming 2/6/2024):

PRE-ORDER YOUR COPY TODAY!

https://mybook.to/TheReasonIMarriedHim

Get your sneak peek here!

“See,” he says as he turns toward me. “I am helpful on the farm.”

“Never said you weren’t helpful,” I reply as I cast the room into darkness by turning off my light. “Just that you don’t have to be on the farm every day.”

“What if I like being on the farm every day?” he asks as his fingers dance down my arm, creating a wave of goosebumps.

“Well, I mean . . . that’s, uh . . . that’s up to you,” I say as a blast of nerves hit me all at once . . . because I know what’s coming.

I know what we’ve been developing over the past few nights.

The intensity has grown.

The countdown in my head until I can slip into bed with him has kicked up.

And today, when I was washing my face and getting ready for bed, I realized that this light, airy feeling in my chest was the anticipation of how he might kiss me tonight.

“Well, I like being on the farm.” He dances his fingers down to my wrist where he encircles it and then slowly lifts my hand over my head and pins my wrist to the pillow. “I saw you looking at me through the office window.”

“What?” I say breathlessly as he lowers his head. “No . . . no, I wasn’t.”

“Darn,” he says with a devilish grin. “I was hoping to catch you. You didn’t watch me at all?”

“I, uh . . .” He brings his face so close our noses are nearly touching. “I was, um . . .” I wet my lips. “Working.”

“Maybe next time,” he says and then whispers. “Well, good night, Aubree.”

“G-good night,” I say just before his mouth descends on mine.

At first, he’s soft, exploratory, just like last night, but when I think he’s going to pull away, he applies more pressure as his mouth opens.

His body leans into mine.

And his mouth opens and closes along with mine, causing my mind to reel and my body to sing.

It’s so good.

His kisses are so delicious.

So addictive.

I cup his face softly and mold my lips against his, parting my lips as his tongue connects with mine.

Oh yes.

My grip intensifies as I take a chance and slip my tongue against his.

He mutters something as he pulls away and stares down at me, his chest heavy, his eyes searching.

I run my tongue over my lips as I keep my gaze on his. “That . . . uh, was that okay?”

“Yeah, more than okay,” he says right before he brings his mouth back to mine. This time, his body sinks into my side, the heaviness of it now falling into me like a weighted blanket. He parts my lips again, and his tongue dances across my tongue, tangling and twisting, our mouths opening wider.

He’s so good at this.

His command, his pressure, the feel of him holding me in place but also treating me as if I’m fragile. It’s unlike any kiss I’ve ever experienced. And I don’t want it to end.

It’s why I move my hand to the back of his neck.

It’s why I shift, making more room for him.

It’s why I continue to run my tongue over his, causing him to groan softly as he returns the stroke.

This is unexpected, but it’s also what I thought might happen tonight. Because the tension every night has been building. The kisses have grown. And now that he has me pinned against this bed, making out with me, using his tongue, making me feel things I don’t think I’ve ever felt, I’m slowly starting to melt.

To accept this.

To be okay with it.

To want it.

Stella Hunter and Aaron Shedlock narrate in duet this sexy, marriage of convenience romance. THE REASON I MARRIED HIM will be released on February 6^th in a live release on Audible!