The Bachelor Auction

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The Bachelor Auction

The Bachelor Auction

by: Rachel Van Dyken
My Rating: Loved it!



Published by: Forever on January 31st 2017
Genres: Adult, Cliffhanger Free, Contemporary, HEA, ROM/COM, Romance

ISBN: 1455598712

ASIN: B01F1UD6KE
Pages: 352
Series: The Bachelors of Arizona #1
Also in this series: The Playboy Bachelor
Disclosure: I was invited by the publisher to read this title in exchange for my honest and unbiased review. I received no monetary compensation, and all comments are subjective and mine alone.
Content Warning: sexual content, drug and alcohol use, and/or violence make this title appropriate for readers 18 and over.



Synopsis

Cinderella never had to deal with this crap.


Jane isn't entirely sure that Cinderella got such a raw deal. Sure, she had a rough start, but didn't she eventually land a prince and a happily-ever-after? Meanwhile, Jane is busy waiting on her demanding, entitled sisters, running her cleaning business, and . . . yep, not a prince in sight. Until a party and a broken shoe incident leave Jane wondering if princes---or at least, a certain deliciously hunky billionaire---maybe do exist.

Except Brock Wellington isn't anyone's dream guy. Hell, a prince would never agree to be auctioned off in marriage to the highest bidder. Or act like an arrogant jerk---even if it was just a façade. Now, as Brock is waiting for the auction chopping block, he figures it's karmic retribution that he's tempted by a sexy, sassy woman he can't have. But while they can't have a fairy-tale ending, maybe they can indulge in a little bit of fantasy . . .






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You just can’t go wrong with Rachel Van Dyken. I’ve read a few of her books. Unfortunately, not all of my reviews survived the migration from Blogger to WordPress, but that’s a different blog post. The point is, I’ve enjoyed all her books. And the Bachelor Auction was no exception.

 

First lines: He’s senile. Last night he asked if I believed in unicorns.

 

The Bachelor Auction is a modern day take on the Cinderella fairy tale. And while Van Dyken takes some liberties here and there, changing things a little to make the story work, it was very much a Cinderella tale. But, unlike some fairy tale retellings, it wasn’t cheesy. I thought it was a well thought out, well executed, contemporary love story with characters that we all can relate to in some small way.

 

 

Jane, aka Cinderella, is likable and I found her relatable in some areas of her life. Although she was a pushover, and a downright doormat for her sisters, we learn through her back story why she is the way she is and it makes a sense. It doesn’t mean it’s rational or that you or I would act the same way, because it’s not. The human brain, and the emotions that go with it, is an odd and complex thing. Jane acted the only way she knew how. You or I might act differently. That’s what makes her character relatable. She isn’t a cardboard cut-out, she’s her own person, with her own personality and flaws. And it was so easy to root for her.

 

Brock, aka Prince Charming, is a little harder to pin down for the first third of the book or so. First, he runs hot, then cold, then hot, then cold, then… well, you get it. Usually, I don’t get into characters like that. Fickle characters are almost as bad as the dreaded insta-love. But, again, when you understand Brock’s back story, you’ll understand his behavior and he’ll become you next book boyfriend. He’s awesome. I loved his flaws and how fiercely devoted he was to his family and how totally and completely he loved Jane.

 

Even the farm animals play a role in the story (loved them, too):

 

… a loud animalistic bellow sent him flying off the couch and onto the floor.

he rubbed his head and blinked his eyes as a giant donkey stared at him from the of the floor.

The donkey made another ear-splitting noise and glared.

It was too early.

Way too early for a donkey in the middle of the room.

How the hell had it gotten in the house?
“Coffee?” Brock asked aloud. “Can i at least have coffee first?”

“Are you talking to a donkey?” came Jane’s silky voice from behind him.

Brock’s headache gripped his head like a vise. “Well, it seemed the other option was to ignore him and I wasn’t sure if that would just piss the damn thing off more.”

“Fred’s harmless.” She breezed past him and moved into the kitchen while the donkey continued staring at Brock like he was the one who didn’t belong here.

“Wait. Did you call him Fred?” Brock stood slowly, eyeing the donkey for any sudden moves.

“Yup,” came her reply. “All the animal have names. The ranch hand said it makes them feel more like pets. He left a list on the fridge.”

“Donkey’s aren’t pets.”

Jane’s eyes twinkled. “Oh?”

“No,” Brock argued.

Jane pointed. “He seems to think differently.”

 

Brock’s grandfather seems like a manipulative old, man used to getting his own way in the boardroom and in life. But he has a few tricks up his sleeve and it was fun watching them unfold.

 

 

Brock’s younger twin brothers are wild. They stole the show for me. Absolutely hilarious. So I was excited to learn that they’re each getting their own book and, personally, I can’t wait for book two of The Bachelors of Arizona Series!

 

 

As with any Van Dyken novel, pace and mechanics were on point. There were a few typos and grammatical errors, but I was reading an ARC, and I’m sure these will be taken care of before the final copy goes to print.

 

 

Bottom line: Cute, sweet, romantic read. I highly recommend it. I’m all in for the next book in the series!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

About Rachel VanDyken

Rachel Van Dyken is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of regency and contemporary romances. When she’s not writing you can find her drinking coffee at Starbucks and plotting her next book while watching The Bachelor. She keeps her home in Idaho with her Husband, adorable son, and two snoring boxers! She loves to hear from readers!

Michelle
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