Thursday, January 10, 2013

Review: Hale Maree by Misty Provencher

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Hale Maree by Misty Provencher

Release Date: November, 19, 2012
Publisher: Self-Published
Pages: 190
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Source: Won
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords
Haunt Author: Website | Facebook | Twitter


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.

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 

14 comments:

  1. I completely agree w/you, Jennifer. I love arranged marriage stories, probably from watching All My Children & Lifetime movies as a kid! lol

    I think Misty did a great job of making the storyline work. And Im so excited that Cher is getting her own story!

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  2. I have only read a few reviews of this book, but it sounds like one I would like. I am intrigued by the arranged marriage in modern times thing. Awesome review!

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  3. WOW! Love the quotes and this looks so interesting. The concept of arranged marriage is very popular in my country and you cannot help but think that it might happen to you too. So this is really intriguing.
    LOVE your review
    Your reader,
    Soma
    http://insomnia-of-books.blogspot.com/

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  4. I enjoyed this one as well. I thought it was a lot of fun and I agree sign me up for an arranged marriage if I can get an Oscar... the only complaint I had was that Oscar seemed to good to be true but I loved everything else. Misty is fast becoming one of my fav authors!

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  5. Glad there was humor and romance! I too am intrigued by prearranged marriages, but I am a little wary of who my parents would have picked.
    Happy reading,
    Brandi from Blkosiner’s Book Blog

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  6. "I'm actually really intrigued by the idea of an arranged marriage."

    Yeah, but for other people. Great review!

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  7. I've read a bunch of reviews for this, and everyone has seemed to enjoy it. great review!

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  8. I read a book about an arranged marriage last year and I was amazed at how plausible it seemed. I would love to read this one because it sounds like the author really did a good job of making it seem likely. Great review!

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  9. Great review, Jennifer. I'm so glad you enjoyed this one!

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  10. I really enjoyed this one too. I wasn't sure about the arranged marriage thing but Misty made it work!

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  11. I love those quotes! If I hadn't already been convinced to get this one based on Candace and Heidi's past reviews, those quotes would of had be buying it!

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  12. Thank you so much for the review, Jennifer! I love all the comments and I appreciate you reading! Thank you again!

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  13. I can't think of many, or any, arranged marriage stories that I've read, especially not in YA/NA but that last quote was really great and I think I'll have to read this now! Great review, Jen!

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  14. AHHHHH....this is soooo good!!! I can't wait to read this. Thanks for putting it on my radar. I also love arranged marriage type books, and this one sound shot and fun. Can't wait to see how the story and the characters develop. Can't wait to read this! Glad you enjoyed this. Fantastic review! :)

    ~ Maida @ Literary Love Affair

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