The Honeymoon Prize

The Honeymoon Prize by Melissa McClone

After the death of her grandmother and the betrayal of her greedy family leaves her homeless, Addie Sinclair is grateful to her childhood best friend for his offer of protection, even if it is in the form on an "in name only" marriage.  Considering she realized long ago that falling in love with Nick was a bad idea, their agreement seems perfect.  She gets a place to live, financial security, a chance to go to college, and a free vacation, courtesy of their friend Emily.  Too bad Emily forgot to mention a few details.

Nick Cahill doesn't believe that love and sex belong in the same thought, much less the same relationship.  His parents' marriage was disaster and his own fiancee was a lying cheater.  In fact, the only relationship he has ever been able to count on all of his life has been his friendship with Addie.  So when his boss implies that he either needs a wife or a new job, Nick finds the perfect solution to both his and Addie's problems.  A marriage based on friendship without sex.  However, as they arrive on Starfish Island for their "prize" honeymoon, Nick and Addie both realize that keeping their marriage platonic is going to be a lot harder than they had originally thought.

This story tested my boiling point.  Probably because Estate Law in and of itself boils my blood.  Ms. McClone did a wonderful job creating one of the most heartbreaking, and all too real, situations faced by non-inheriting caretakers.  My heart was ripped out for Addie, and I wanted to reach through the pages and slap her family.

Now to the warm and fuzzies.  The scenery in this book was beautiful!  The descriptions made me want to hop on the internet and book a vacation to Fiji, forgetting that I don't exactly have three grand to blow at the moment.

I loved how Nick and Addie interacted with each other.  Once they remembered that they were still friends, their banter was fabulous.  Even their interaction with the supporting characters was better when they remembered that they were friends.  I loved Brad and Mama Lani most of all because they were true to their character stereotypes, but still made to be interesting.

Overall, this was a great quick read that will make you wish you had more books just like it.

Ratings:

(1=unacceptable, 2=poor, 3=acceptable, 4=good, 5=excellent)

Continuity/Flow – 4

Sex – 4 

Language – 4

Storyline – 5

Overall – 4