The Marriage Bargain by Jennifer Probst (Marriage To A Billionaire Series #1)

I've had this whole series in my nook for a while now and I finally decided to give it a read. 

A marriage in name only... 

To save her family home, impulsive bookstore owner, Alexa Maria McKenzie, casts a love spell. But she never planned on conjuring up her best friend's older brother—the powerful man who once shattered her heart. 

Billionaire Nicholas Ryan doesn’t believe in marriage, but in order to inherit his father’s corporation, he needs a wife and needs one fast. When he discovers his sister’s childhood friend is in dire financial straits, he offers Alexa a bold proposition. 

A marriage in name only with certain rules: avoid entanglement. Keep things all business. Do not fall in love. The arrangement is only for a year so the rules shouldn’t be that hard to follow, right?

Except fate has a way of upsetting the best-laid plans…

Match made in heaven right?

No. 

They agreed to marry each other for a year. Strictly business. No falling in love. Sounds easy? Not with the lust and desire between these two! 

“Hell, at this rate she’d end up in the mental institution by the end of the year. Cause: Celibacy.”

The book is ideal for a quick read as it's only 100+ pages. I definitely enjoyed the banter between them and I don't remember a book where the female lead doesn't annoy me. Every book, there is always a tiny little bit where the female lead annoys me with her actions or attitude. So imagine my surprise when I did not get irritated by Alexa at all throughout the whole book! 

I actually really like her! I thought Alexa definitely gave Nick a run for his money with her comebacks. And I love how independent she is (view spoiler)

4 stars though cause the story line is pretty predictable. So if you are looking for a book with twists, the this is not it for you.

But other than that, the writing and conversations between Alexa and Nick was really great!

“Did you feed the fish?”

Nick closed his eyes. “Alexa, I’m working.” She made a rude snort. “So am I. But at

least I worry about poor Otto. Did you feed him?”

“Otto?”

“You kept calling him Fish. That hurt his feelings.”

“Fish don’t have feelings. And yes, I fed him.”

“Fish certainly do have feelings. And while we’re discussing Otto, I wanted to tell you I’m worried about him. He’s placed in the study and no one ever goes in there. Why don’t we move him into the living room where he can see us more often?”