Can't Buy Me Love By Susan May Warren & Andrea Christenson

Can't Buy Me Love

by Susan May Warren & Andrea Christenson

Series: Deep Haven Collection

Publisher: Sunrise Publishing

ISBN: B08M5HZRNV

I was SO thrilled to join the launch team for book 2 of the Deep Haven Collection series! I thoroughly enjoyed the first book and was looking forward to the second one. Thankful that they sent me the ebook for my review.

Summary:

She’s not looking for love…

Housekeeper-slash-entrepreneur Ella Bradley prides herself on being ready for anything. After all, with a father who died—and lied to her—and a stepmom and stepsister who despise her, she has no one else to depend on. But on the biggest night of her life, she’s unprepared to be trapped in an elevator with the man of her dreams.

He doesn’t mean to lie…

Wealthy prince-to-a-fortune Adrian Vassos wants nothing more than to shed his reputation as a party boy and prove that he is a savvy businessman. Even, a gentleman. But when he’s trapped with a woman who knows his reputation but not his face, he gives into the temptation to be someone else—and lies.

A disastrous beginning leads to a fresh start…

When serendipity brings them together again—this time to work off community service—can their combined sentences spark a new ending? Maybe…if Adrian’s lies don’t find him out. Again.

My Review:

I'm ready to pack my bags and move to Deep Haven, MN! I'm not convinced it doesn't exist even though the authors are clear that it's a fictional town. Listen, this Minnesota gal gets all of the "Minnesota nice" vides in this story!

I haven't ever read any retellings, and while Can't Buy Me Love has a light touch of Cinderella, it's ALL Deep Haven!

Ella has made her way to Deep Haven to make a new start. Unfortunately, that start has hit some snags and it's hard to not feel sorry for her. It was so fun to notice the underlying retelling, but not have it stick out as we got to know her. It's cute that her father was the "King of Clean" and she's starting her own environmentally friendly cleaning line.

Her meet-cute with Adrian was pretty funny, but it all blows up in his face. Top off that meeting with her "wicked" stepsister entering the scene and the meet-cute ends up being disastrous. Honestly, it was easy to have a quick soft spot for Adrian. Yes, he's got a not-so-glowing past, but he's resolved to change that. Of course, that plan is to take place in none other than Deep Haven!

Just when you think Deep Haven is the place to escape to and start all over, people are being handcuffed, put in jail cells, being "defended" by someone who doesn't seep to give a hoot, and a judge who seems to not give one whit about finding out the truth. Hence, the shared community service both end up committed to.

As we all know, Deep Haven is full of friendly, God fearing folk who come along just in time to lend a hand. I'm here to tell you again, like I did in Still the One's review, Minnesota nice is truly a thing and tends to shine brightly in small towns. I love when Deep Haven characters from other books show up in these stories. There's a cohesiveness that can't be beat!

And just like any good Minnesotan, Adrian has meddlesome ladies in his life in the form of his mom and cousin, Athena. hahaha They're both interested in his love life and he's not so interested in their input. Athena is not subtle in any way and definitely does not take a hint.

Adrian and Ella are on opposite sides of the fence when it comes to the waterpark he wants to build in Deep Haven. You can understand why he wants to prove to his father that he's a good businessman, but at what cost? Ella and he are out to show the world that they can be successful in their own right and it will take a wing and a prayer for them to figure out what God really has for them!

While you get the sense of Deep Haven running through this story, you can see how Andrea's writing is different than Rachel's, but you still feel Susan's tether that keeps them tied together. With the sampler of book 3 at the end, I'm already looking forward to book three!

About the Authors:

With over 1 million books sold, critically acclaimed novelist Susan May Warren is the Christy, RITA and Carol award-winning author of over seventy-five novels with Revell, Tyndale, Barbour, Steeple Hill and Summerside Press. Known for her compelling plots and unforgettable characters, Susan has written contemporary and historical romances, romantic-suspense, thrillers, rom-com and Christmas novellas. 

Andrea Christenson lives in the Minneapolis suburbs with her husband and two daughters. When she is not busy homeschooling her girls, she loves to read anything she can get her hands on, bake bread, eat cheese, and watch Netflix--though not usually all at the same time. Andrea's prayer is to write stories revealing God's love.