The Secret Mistress Arrangement

This is the debut book of Kimberly Lang a new author to the Harlequin Presents family and she comes out of the box swing with this story of Ella and Matt, they are both up and coming career focused and in their 30s and just happen to have the hots for each other at first sight. Ella is the maid of honor and the super efficient wedding coordinator for her best friend's wedding and Matt is the best man and best friend of the groom who's marrying Ella's BFF; these two have known about each other for years but haven't ever been in the same room together and when they finally are, sparks fly. When Matt meets Ella she's not the friendliest to him thinking he's a slacker and not up the par of being the best man, because he's missed the last wedding rehearsal and shown up a little worse for the wear and she'll be damned if he ruins what's she set out to be the wedding of all weddings for her best friend. Matt's first impression of Ella is that she's a pint sized Nazi wedding planner/brides maid wielding a clipboard with a vengeance and a face though beautiful seems to be permanently etched in a scroll of disapproval every time she looks his way. After the wedding Ella apologizes to Matt for being the bride's maids version of bride- zilla explaining that she's been stressed out trying to make "the perfect wedding" for her best friend and that she missed judged him, do to his disheveled and late appearance to the wedding rehearsal. Once apologies are made this book does some smoothing sailing, Ella and Matt are flirting up a storm at the wedding reception and hit it off. Matt asks Ella to dinner as a way of making amending for his being late and missing the rehearsal and also for making his and her best friends wedding day, a day to remember. One dinner turns into a week to remember for both Ella and Matt; they stop fighting the attraction that has pulled at them since their first meeting and give into. Ella going against her normal straight laced code of "good girl" conduct has a seven day affair with Matt, believing that because she'll be moving out of town at the end of the week, it will be a last fling before she sets off into the wild blue yonder, little does she know that its only the beginning for her and Matt. I loved this book for several reasons it took place in the US for a change, yes I love to be taken to foreign lands and exotic places, but it feels good to also have a story set in familiar surrounds, the story starts in Chicago, travels to Alabama, Florida and Atlanta, GA. Another reason I loved this story is that for a change both hero/heroine were at the top of their respective career games without either one being super rich or super poor, I felt like they were both on a level playing field. Also there wasn't any mind or emotional games being played and heaven above there was no blackmail, secret babies or accidental pregnancies, all and all this was a great first book for the new author Kimberly Lang, two thumbs up. Happy Reading

The Secret Mistress Arrangement is Kimberly Lang's debut contemporary and it's magnificent. As a reader I'm always so excited to read a new author, especially a M & B or Presents author. Honestly, they never let me down and Kimberly is no exception. I'm also a true romantic at heart so when I began reading this book and it began with a wedding setting, I was overjoyed and not disappointed. Mel and Ella are best friends and Ella wants to make Mel's wedding the wedding of her dreams. They were college roommates and later roomed together in Chicago. She is very special to Ella as she has no family and Mel and her family have adopted Ella into their fold. Let's just say Ella's fond memories of family as such, relate to her grandparents who raised her. Ella is petite, beautiful, feisty, bright, organized and is making plans after the wedding to move to Alabama to begin a new job, a new life and return to her Grands home. Quite honestly she has commitment issues and you will want to help her along because she is such a lovely woman who needs that extra "push". The groom and Matt have known each other forever and Matt is his best man. He has arrived late for the rehearsal dinner from Atlanta due to a late flight. This attorney is to die for; he's handsome, he has an incredible body and well let's just say is very very good at everything he does in and out of the bedroom. Matt's goal is to make partner by his mid thirties and he's a workaholic. He comes from a large and close family, is the youngest and even though he loves his family, would rather spend his time in Chicago with Ella. Matt and Ella's journey in finding love begins with a dance at their friends wedding and then Matt invites Ella to dinner and the chemistry between them is hot! They act upon their attraction and the next morning they make the decision to continue their affair in secret for a week. In return Matt will help Ella pack for her move and it will give him time to get to know this lovely woman. Their time together will take your breath away, not only their passion but their romantic journey, first as friends and then as lovers. Matt and Ella's goodbyes, well have some tissues ready for the farewell and for their future struggles. Kimberly Lang has crafted such a beautiful and romantic love story. I congratulate Kimberly on her debut book and look forward to reading many more.