Made the Grade: Holland Springs Series, Book 4

Format: Kindle Edition | File Size: 792 KB | Release Date: August 7, 2013 | Publisher: Self-Published | Obtained: Amazon.com | Originally Found Out About @ Marquita Valentine's Facebook Post

"Just Desserts" [Holland Springs Series, Book 4] by Marquita Valentine

Author's Book Description : What an earl wants isn’t always what he gets...

British billionaire and modern day Earl of Spenserfield, Sebastian Romanov only wants one thing in life: to reclaim his position as president of Romanov Industries. But in order to do that he must convince Holland Springs' favorite caterer, Daisy Barnes, to become his fake fiancée. As Sebastian and Daisy spend more time together, neither can tell where the fake romance ends and true love begins...

My Book Review : 3.5 out of 5 stars, this romance is between a man who isn't used to falling in love--yet tries his hardest to brake out of his shell just for the woman he's fallen for--and a woman who's life is falling in shambles around her--yet isn't willing to have a broody knight come sweep her off her feet to take care of her...or is she?

I enjoyed this novel and thoroughly enjoyed reading about the main characters, along with their backgrounds. Sebastian & Daisy are a unique couple, in the sense that once all of their cards are on the table both still want to make the other happy or due whatever is best for them, even if that means making sacrifices for one another. Plus, they have an unusual relationship; in the sense of how they became a couple that was fun to read about!

The only thing that I didn't like was how slow this novel's beginning was, which could have been because it was mostly about previous main characters that I haven't read about. Yet, it took a while for their romance to become something more then just rude remarks and lust to/for each other making it drag a bit.

Overall, though, I do recommend this novel to those who are fans of Ms. Valentine and this series. In addition, this novel is for those who love broody English heroes and stubborn, smart-mouthed, sweet-hearted heroines.

Purchase This Book and/or The Other Books From It's Series Here :

My Previous Review(s) for this Series : Book 1

Author's Series Extras : Holland Springs Series - Overview | Holland Springs Series Reading Order | First Book in Holland Springs Series only 99 PENNIES!! | Pre-order NOW- All For You (Boys of the South #2.5) and Not Over You (Holland Springs #5) | Not Over You- Holland Springs #5, coming December 9th!

Book Teaser(s) :

“One cupcake again, Jules?” Daisy stared at the order for a moment, then rechecked the on-line form. One red velvet cupcake to be sent to a Mr. Jules Westmoreland in Surrey, England. One cupcake a week. Just like every order he’d made for the last three months. This was getting ridiculous, not to mention she felt guilty as heck that she’d let it go on as long as she had.
She tapped out a tune on her keyboard with the tips of her fingers.
So far, she’d shipped each one via FedEx per his request at the tune of over a hundred and fifty bucks just for shipping. It would be cheaper for him if he’d just order all four at once, and she really should let Jules know.
Brow scrunching, she began to type:

Dear Jules,
How is your dad doing? Has he stopped being a difficult patient yet? When my mother was convalescing at home, there were days I wanted to pull my hair out, because she was so darn stubborn and didn’t want my help. If you have to, leave the room for a minute, or hire someone to help him.
Be strong!
I also wanted to let you know that you could save a lot of money by ordering and having me ship all four cupcakes (baked however you want and whatever flavor icing you want) at once. Please don’t mistake my email as a complaint—I truly want to do what’s best for my customers (and my friends, no matter how recently made) and that includes pointing out where they could save some money.
Let me know if you’d like to change your order.
Smiles,
Daisy

Mr. Westmoreland’s response came faster than she expected. Heck, it was almost nine at night and there was a five-hour time difference.

Daisy,
He remains the same—arrogant, bad-tempered and non-cooperative—and that’s on his good days. Thanks for asking. How goes negotiations with the insurance company? Still insisting the procedures weren’t covered?
I rather like the arrangement we have, but if you feel it would be best to change, I suppose I could order four a week (and run the ten extra miles it would require to eat them).
Make it so.
Your servant,
Jules

She let her head fall against her palm. That’s not what she meant at all. And had he really just quote Captain Picard from Star Trek? She laughed.

J.
Let me know how everything works out. You know you can email me anytime if you need to!
Ugh. Not going there with the insurance. At this rate, I’ll have to sell the house and move in with my best friend, then Glen and I’ll never be able to afford to get married. :}
BTW, I didn’t mean you had to order four cupcakes every week, you goose! I meant you could order all four at the beginning of the month, and I would mail all of them to you at the same time, then all you would have to do is follow my instructions for keeping them fresh.
So sorry for the misunderstanding. I apologize.
Ten points deducted from Hufflepuff.
D. ~ within Chapter 4

It was nearly midnight when Sebastian arrived home. He trudged up the stairs, rubbing the back of his neck. For the time being, everything was going according to plan. Liang Technology wanted to do business with Romanov Industries. The details merely had to be worked out. But the devil usually cropped up in those, so he had to be wary and hire his own translators to make sure the agreement would be profitable for both companies.
He blinked, his jaw cracking on a yawn. He needed to sleep and check on Daisy. The report from Ivan said they’d visited the Palace today and the Tower. Though he hadn’t needed one from his bodyguard.
Oh no.
Daisy had texted him at every opportunity, usually with a picture attached. His favorite was of The Tower, her standing beside it and holding a sign that read, Vacancy. Earls Only.
God love her.
A grin kicked up the corners of his mouth as he made his way down the hall to his room. Perhaps he could find a way to have breakfast with her in the morning. ~ within Chapter 17

For more information on this book, series, and/or any other books by Marquita, then please check out her website.