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Melanie Summers
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Even Better Than the Real Thing: A Romantic Comedy Kindle Edition

by Melanie Summers (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 out of 5 stars 1,238 ratings
He's the heir to a fortune. He’s my aloof, intimidating, insanely handsome boss. And he just asked me to marry him.

Hayden Stuart is the quintessential English lord. He went to the most exclusive private schools. He hangs out with royals and other richy rich A-listers. His summer home is a castle.

Whereas I grew up on a peanut farm in Georgia.

When the spit hits the fan for Hayden, he asks me to be his wife. He makes it very clear to me that this is all for show.

Totally temporary.

Business only.

This is not a fake husband with benefits situation.

Of course I say yes.

Who wouldn’t want to live in a castle and have a staff take care of your every need? This is Beauty and the Beast, complete with the freaking library. Only Hayden’s crazy hot and knows how to eat soup without slurping it all over the place.

The problem is, the more time I spend pretending to be Hayden’s wife, the more desperate I feel to believe the lie.

And it’s not just about the castle.

It’s about the man.

Even Better Than the Real Thing is a swoon-worthy, uber-fun, opposites attract romance about a fake marriage between two people who couldn't be more wrong for each other. It comes complete with a fabulous bestie, snarky staff, an evil stepbrother, and pastries fresh from the oven.
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  1. Print length
    298 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publication date
    April 7, 2022
  4. File size
    2.0 MB
  5. Page Flip
    Enabled
  6. Word Wise
    Enabled
  7. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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From the Publisher

Top of maroon car with bride and groom, and author reviews.
Bottom of maroon-colored car, with a sign on the back saying "Just Kidding"

Editorial Reviews

Review

"What a fantastically fun, tugs-at-your-heartstrings read!" ~ USA Today Bestseller Whitney Dineen

"Witty, heartwarming, and with just a hint of spice, Melanie Summers hits it out of the park with this one!" ~ International Bestselling Author Kelly Collins

"Fake marriage? Castle? Uber hot British guy? Yes, I think I will." ~ USA Today Bestseller Kate O'Keeffe

"If there is an author who knows how to put a smile on my face, it's Melanie Summers! Her stories are always the light-heart, fun, happy books that I love reading!" ~ What Emily is Reading

"Melanie Summers is a gifted writer. Her books are filled with humor, excitement and great characters. This Canadian chick rocks. Can't wait for her next book." ~ Krista W.

"I absolutely adored this funny, sweet fake relationship romance, which featured likeable, three-dimensional characters and an engaging plot." ~ Laurie Reads Romance

"Light, breezy and whimsical, this story of upper-crust Brit Hayden and his marriage of convenience to wannabe art historian Finley was a blast!" ~ Avid Reader

"Unique, funny, and even heartbreaking at times are all words I would use to describe this book. The fake marriage troupe is done nicely and authentically." ~ Cali Girls

"This was a terrific, swoony romance with all the humor I've come to expect from Summers." ~ Michelle Reads Romance

"HOW is this my first Melanie Summer's book? The cover looked cute and the summary seemed fun, so I knew I would like it. I was unprepared, however, for how much utter delight this book brought!" ~ Carol

"A great love story that will make you laugh out loud, cry out loud and wish for true love at the end." ~ Naty

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09R3BFKBY
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Indigo Group (April 7, 2022)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 7, 2022
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.0 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 298 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 1988891485
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars 1,238 ratings

About the author

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Melanie Summers

Melanie Summers

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Melanie Summers is a multi-award-winning, Amazon best-selling author of romantic comedies and women’s fiction. She’s written over thirty books for people who have 'had it up to here' with the real world and need to laugh, feel good, and sigh happily. When she’s not writing or reading, she's usually out for a walk with her two adorable dogs, hanging out on the beach with her husband and their three teenagers, or curled up on the couch for family movie night. Melanie resides on Vancouver Island, Canada where her life goal is to become one of those fabulous people who take daily ice baths in the ocean. So far, she can get in up to her ankles, which is not awful, thank you very much.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
1,238 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers thoroughly enjoy this romantic comedy, finding it a fun read with well-developed characters, particularly the heroine. The book features a wonderful story of love and romance without being too spicy, and customers appreciate its perfect blend of humor that makes them laugh and cry. Customers describe the book as cute and sweet, with one review noting its charming southern-ness.

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83 customers mention "Readability"83 positive0 negative

Customers find the book enjoyable and fun to read, with one customer noting how the plot's twists keep readers engaged.

"Great story. I enjoyed the characters. Finley and Hayden are a great pair. Their friends are wonderful too...." Read more

"...I liked the main characters, and the pacing was good, but I kept stumbling over things an editor should have corrected--unusual for this author...." Read more

"...Your characters are smart and their HEA are well written and so engaging. Now, on to the next!" Read more

"This is a well crafted story that works so perfectly every step of the way. One of the best by a top notch author!" Read more

36 customers mention "Romance"36 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the romance in this book, describing it as a wonderful story of love and romance that's cute and heartwarming without being overly spicy.

"Great story. I enjoyed the characters. Finley and Hayden are a great pair. Their friends are wonderful too...." Read more

"...This is a sweet romance about a peanut-farmer's daughter and an Earl. They fake- marry so he can receive his inheritance but fall in love for real!..." Read more

"Nicely written with cute backgrounds and displays of friendship along with romance. Fast read. Like the heroine and family that goes with it." Read more

"...I like how the romantic bits keep u interested without all the gory descriptions of "his manhood". Anxiously awaiting her next book!!" Read more

35 customers mention "Character development"35 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the characters in the book, particularly the heroine, with one customer noting how the main characters are easy to connect to.

"Great story. I enjoyed the characters. Finley and Hayden are a great pair. Their friends are wonderful too...." Read more

"...It's a quick read, despite being over 300 pages long. I liked the main characters, and the pacing was good, but I kept stumbling over things an..." Read more

"...Your characters are smart and their HEA are well written and so engaging. Now, on to the next!" Read more

"...She's a master at character building and her people seem so real! This is a sweet romance about a peanut-farmer's daughter and an Earl...." Read more

18 customers mention "Humor"18 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's humor, finding it will make them laugh and cry, with one customer noting it has a great mix of comedy and drama.

"...Took off a point for that. The author's trademark easy humor is sprinkled throughout; this book is a great way to pass a couple of rainy days inside..." Read more

"...than Summers' usual, which worked well for the story, and I loved some of the humor...." Read more

"...from a Pretty Woman makeover to a peanut farm, this book will leave you smiling. I loved it!" Read more

"Good amount of tention, humor, and emotion. It was like a well-balanced glass of wine. Until you've had it you don't know what you've been missing...." Read more

16 customers mention "Cute book"16 positive0 negative

Customers find the book cute and sweet, with one customer noting its lighthearted vibe and another mentioning its steamy but tastefully done romantic scenes.

"...The ending is a little bit of a surprise, but very sweet! Worth a read!" Read more

"...I loved the easy, lighthearted vibe and I'm always up for a marriage of convenience where opposites attract, but there also needs to be time spent..." Read more

"Nicely written with cute backgrounds and displays of friendship along with romance. Fast read. Like the heroine and family that goes with it." Read more

"Finley and Hayden were a super cute and entertaining couple...." Read more

Just what I needed!!
5 out of 5 stars
Just what I needed!!
I wanted a fun, interesting, intelligent book and that's what I got. The art historian via the deep South, the English Lord, it had it all!
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Top reviews from the United States

  • I. P.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it!
    Reviewed in the United States on April 17, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Great story. I enjoyed the characters. Finley and Hayden are a great pair. Their friends are wonderful too. They come from very different worlds, and together, they make those worlds better. I also really like grandpa.
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  • Lexie
    4.0 out of 5 stars Fun romp, inadequate editing
    Reviewed in the United States on April 29, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    The author takes a common trope and makes it fun and funny again. It's a quick read, despite being over 300 pages long. I liked the main characters, and the pacing was good, but I kept stumbling over things an editor should have corrected--unusual for this author. Her books are almost always edited well. Took off a point for that. The author's trademark easy humor is sprinkled throughout; this book is a great way to pass a couple of rainy days inside or read while lolling on a beach with an umbrella drink or three.
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  • Dawn Feldt
    5.0 out of 5 stars Melanie Summers I cannot get enough of your books !
    Reviewed in the United States on April 22, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    I've just finished my fourth one and I'm looking for my next. Your characters are smart and their HEA are well written and so engaging. Now, on to the next!
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  • P. Smith
    5.0 out of 5 stars Loved this book!
    Reviewed in the United States on September 10, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This is a well crafted story that works so perfectly every step of the way. One of the best by a top notch author!
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  • Rochelle Hamel
    5.0 out of 5 stars She did it again!!
    Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I have to say,, I'm a huge fan of Melanie Summers' rom-coms, and this is no exception. She's a master at character building and her people seem so real! This is a sweet romance about a peanut-farmer's daughter and an Earl. They fake- marry so he can receive his inheritance but fall in love for real! The ending is a little bit of a surprise, but very sweet! Worth a read!
    Helpful
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  • Jeeves Reads Romance
    3.0 out of 5 stars Mixed feelings
    Reviewed in the United States on April 12, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Light and playful, this started strong before fizzling along the way. There just wasn't enough time spent with our couple together, with too much telling and not enough showing. I loved the easy, lighthearted vibe and I'm always up for a marriage of convenience where opposites attract, but there also needs to be time spent on the page together to build that romantic foundation. It's a little sexier than Summers' usual, which worked well for the story, and I loved some of the humor. There's the foundation of a great read here, but the devil is in the details.

    The story follows Hayden, a commitment-phobic Brit whose absentee father left a lasting impression. When Hayden's father passes away, he discovers that he'll need to get married in order to inherit. And Hayden really wants to inherit so that he can tear his father's legacy apart... yeah, he's got daddy issues. So when one of Hayden's employees asks for a major favor, he proposes a marriage of convenience. They'll both get what they want, then part ways as soon as possible. But spending time with Finley stirs up unexpected feelings in Hayden, and it's not long before their fake marriage begins to feel real.

    I'm a fan of Summers' rom coms and have been loving marriage of convenience stories recently, so I didn't hesitate to pick this up. And it was a lot of fun at the start. The initial banter between Hayley and Finley was so much fun, and I was sure that I was going to be in for a great read. But somewhere along the way, they started spending more time apart than together. And there would be page after page with little to no dialogue. It just didn't do much to enhance the romantic relationship, and then the final act... well, it didn't help. There's a lot of good stuff going on in the story, but I'm left with a lingering sense of disappointment. Not one of my favorites from Summers, but it certainly did deliver a quick and funny read.
    6 people found this helpful
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  • Khizer
    4.0 out of 5 stars enticing and cute
    Reviewed in the United States on June 10, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Nicely written with cute backgrounds and displays of friendship along with romance. Fast read. Like the heroine and family that goes with it.
    Helpful
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  • Susan H in Cary NC
    5.0 out of 5 stars The best book yet!
    Reviewed in the United States on April 22, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    The most engaging chick lit writer ive found .I really love both of her other series but I loved this book even more. Combining the "entail" of UK royalty with a career driven PhD - who knows what will happen? Sophie Kinsella books used to be this fun but lack something that Melanie provides. I like how the romantic bits keep u interested without all the gory descriptions of "his manhood". Anxiously awaiting her next book!!
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Gisela H.
    5.0 out of 5 stars unterhaltsam
    Reviewed in Germany on May 13, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Modernes Märchen - völlig unrealistisch aber unterhaltsam. Falls man also nicht vorhat, die Story ernst zu nehmen, gibt es immer wieder mal etwas zu lachen
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  • Makonz
    5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it
    Reviewed in Australia on November 22, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    A real feel good story with plenty of drama. I need to go find out if the thesis premise was true!
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Nice story
    Reviewed in India on November 22, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I thought Finley would kill it at the hearing but this mushy ending is actually pretty cute. But I don't like it that the real gold digger succeeded. A little sad that
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  • Kim Cowherd
    5.0 out of 5 stars Super fun read, laughed a lot!
    Reviewed in Canada on April 13, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    As always, I enjoyed all the different characters that Melanie has created. I read through this book in less than 24 hours because I couldn't put it down!

    I always look forward to new books by Melanie, helps that she is from my hometown too!

    Great job Melanie!
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  • H. Horne
    5.0 out of 5 stars Easy read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 10, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Loved this book, was charming and exciting to read. Looking forward to the next one. Hoping to continue being part of their journey.
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