Review: Hale Maree by Misty Provencher

Hale Maree by Misty Provencher

Release Date: November, 19, 2012
Publisher: Self-Published
Pages: 190
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Source: Won
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Hale Simmons dreams of climbing out of her impoverished life, going to college, and getting herself a titanium crash helmet, so she can eventually bust through the Plexiglas ceiling of her crappy life. But for now, she’s just a 18-year-old girl with a flimsy hope, barely getting by with her alcoholic father, Jerry. But for Hale, ‘crappy’ suddenly takes a nosedive, when Jerry becomes the sole witness to a horrible accident. It is an event which means to effect everyone, especially Hale, who wasn’t even involved. While the depth of the accident has just begun to unfold, Otto Maree, a prominent business man and old family friend, stands to lose everything because of it. Otto is desperate for Hale’s father to stay quiet about what occurred the night the two men met for a drink. Out of mutual moments of desperation, the two fathers forge a deal. Jerry is desperate to gain financial stability for both himself and Hale, and Otto Maree is more than willing to pay to keep his secret just that. But deals like this need to be made of the strongest vows and bound with the most faithful of loyalties. Otto proposes a marriage between Hale and his playboy-son, Oscar, in order to assure that the secret remains ‘in the family’. The mystery surrounding the accident continues to grow and Hale struggles against her own mysterious feelings that begin to develop for Oscar, who turns out to less of a playboy, but just as fiercely loyal and dedicated as his father. As the pressure around her continues to escalate, Hale realizes that she’s got to decide if this arranged marriage is really just a big mistake or an amazing twist of fate that has been waiting around for this particular accident to happen.

ADD TO GOODREADS

I'm actually really intrigued by the idea of an arranged marriage. I have watched a lot of lifetime movies and have read quite a few Harlequins about them. LOL I like that this was a more modern arrangement and understood the circumstances that Hale and Oscar were thrown into. Their dads are mutual friends and one night something bad goes down. Oscar's dad would like Oscar to settle down and locking him down into a marriage with Hale's father would guarantee that Hale's father will never tell or not only would he ruin his friend but his daughter too. Hale's father is jobless and a drunk but he truly loves Hale and wants a better life for her. Oscar is rich and gorgeous so her dad thinks he would be a great match and kicks her out to go move in with Oscar.

With no other option Hale heads with Oscar to his families lake house. Oscar really wants this to work and he was actually really sweet and honest about the entire situation. He told Hale what really happened right at the beginning. Oscar wants to get to know Hale and have her say yes to marriage and not feel forced. Hale is only 18 and inexperienced and a bit scared to be with the 24 year old known playboy. I enjoyed the aspect of the arranged marriage because Hale and Oscar skipped the games and got right to the point of what each other want in a relationship and worked toward being that for each other. Oscar truly wanted to make her happy.

I loved their scenes together. There was humor, romance, and a few steamy scenes. I enjoyed watching them fall in love. Hale was scared and reserved but Oscar slowly brought her out of her shell and truly listened and knew her by the end of their stay. Before long Hale can't deny she has real feelings for Oscar. If anyone would like to arrange a marriage for me with a super hot and rich guy then please arrange away! LOL I devoured their story in one sitting. I also loved that in the end everything was cleared up and then Hale was completely free to choose whether or not to marry Oscar without any obligations. If you're looking for a great new adult romance then I highly recommend this! I actually kept thinking about the couple long after I finished their story.



"I want you to worship me," I say. Oscar's entire forehead wrinkles up with amusement as he chews.
"Worship? Seriously?" he asks, his mouth full.
"Yup."
"You mean like bowing when you walk in the room? Making altars? That kind of thing?"
I roll my eyes. "No. I mean that if I call for you, I want to know that you'll come running. I want to know that, when I walk into a room, you'll notice. That if I burn dinner or turn your t-shirts pink or gain five pounds, you'll still feel lucky to have me. When we talk, I want you to really hear what I'm trying to say. That's what I want from you."
"Done."


It's like the entire room disappears and all I see is Oscar with his level gaze, as he drops his voice to a whisper and says, "Come here."
But I stay where I am, with the sun warming my back through the windows, and I shake my head at him.
"No," I say. "Come running."
He doesn't hesitate. Oscar crosses the room in four strides, pulling me into his arms.

Rating: 4/5