Is This Real or Just Pretend? - by Emily Sullivan (Paperback)

About the Book

"Alexandra Atkinson's talent for spotting successful business ideas has helped enrich her father's company while leaving her with little time for a social life-and certainly nothing as silly as love. But when her father hints that Alex will need to marry as well if she ever wants to win the approval of the company's far more fusty board members, she hatches her most ambitious plan yet: a fake courtship that lasts just long enough to see an important deal through and secure her place at the head of the company. As the son of the Atkinson's coachman, Lucien Taylor grew up admiring the family from a distance-and pining for Winifred, the youngest sister. But when he finally accepts that she will never see him as anything other than a playmate, Lucien leaves home to make his fortune. Now he's back and in search of funding after his duplicitous partner ruins his business. Help comes from the most unexpected place when Alexandra, the eldest Atkinson sister known for her icy beauty and infamously brusque manner, makes a proposition: she will help him secure what he needs to start his business if he pretends to court her for a few weeks. Her offer is too good to pass up, but the more time they spend together, the more Lucien realizes that a fake courtship with Alex isn't enough. He wants something real"-- Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

they thought they could fool everyone with a fake courtship, but they may be fooling only themselves...

Alexandra Atkinson prides herself on being in control. It's why she's such an asset to her father's investment firm--along with her utter lack of a social life and her talent for spotting successful ventures for investors. But with her father nearing retirement and the board unwilling to have a female head, Alex could lose everything . . .

After his business partner burned him, Lucien Taylor is determined to start over. But he doesn't know how until his childhood friend's sister, Alexandra Atkinson, comes to him with a most unusual proposal: She'll help Lucien find the funding he needs if he pretends to court her long enough to secure her claim to her father's company.

But Alex and Lucien soon realize they didn't quite account for all the details in their arrangement--like how they can undo each other with just a look. And the more time they spend together, the more the intensity shimmering between them can't be controlled. Not even by Alex. And if they give in? Well, she's not sure which of them will be in more trouble . . . but she's willing to find out.

About the Author

Emily Sullivan is an award-winning author of historical fiction set in the late Victorian period. She lives with her family in New England, where she enjoys taking long drives and short walks, and she always orders dessert.