Review: The Marriage Trap - Jennifer Probst

Synopsis: 

Italian billionaire seeks faux fiancée. Willing to agree to anything in return...

In order for his sister to marry, Italian billionaire Michael Conte has to find himself a bride – and fast! When he learns that photographer Maggie Ryan is going to be in Milan, Michael hatches a plan to introduce her to his family as his “fiancée.” Never mind that Maggie is confident, independent, and a control freak. Never mind that she’s everything he doesn’t want in a wife… and everything he wants in his bed!

Convinced that Michael is in love with her married gal pal, Maggie agrees to keep up the ruse if he’ll keep away from her friend. Besides, she’s not attracted to charming, ridiculously hot billionaires who drive her nuts. Once they’re in Italy, however, everything changes – and the sexual tension between Maggie and Michael goes from simmer to naked nuclear meltdown!

But have they found the perfect arrangement… or are they trapped in a make-believe marriage?

Hootie Says:

YOWZA!!! Let me start by saying if you haven't read The Marriage Bargain you most definitely should! You don't NEED to in order to follow the story in this one but it was a fantastic book and I loved it! This book starts out with the infamous book of love spells that Alexa used in TMB.

Maggie ends up with it one night and decides it couldn't hurt to give it a try...right? So against her better judgement she makes a list, burns it and sits back and waits for her Mr. right. She soon finds out that it's not that easy to find what you are looking for. Michael gets under her skin big time. She knows that but she just can't seem to stay away. I loved watching Maggie in action in this book. I knew she would be fun and spunky just judging from her friendship with Alexa in TMB. She has convinced herself that Michael is in love with Alexa because she can't believe a guy could have platonic feelings for a woman. She had a shitty childhood due to her parents being absent and because of that she had a bad experience with her first boyfriend that shaped her love life from then on. My heart broke for Maggie knowing what she went through with her parents. She never really felt loved by them and that can really mess a child up. I am surprised she turned out so well in her career due to that trauma. Things get serious when Michael approaches her about being his fake wife just for appearances sake in front of his family. The fun starts when they get to Italy and meet his Mama....

Yes I did picture his mama as Sophia from Golden Girl! I really couldn't help it because I am such a huge GG fan! So Once they arrive in Italy Maggie has a hard time not loving his family. How could you NOT love them? They freaking make fresh pasta for GOD sake!!! I loved watching Michael with his family! It was absolutely adorable, especially at a certain part when they were baby sitting his nephews one night....

"Aunt Maggie said ASS! ASS means BUTT! ASS ASS BUTT BUTT!"

Maggie isn't too fond of kids so she has no clue what to do with all these boys. It's so funny to watch her and Michael  in this situation, both trying hard to work together even though they are fighting the attraction to each other! 

I loved Michael in this book. I knew he would be an amazing character and I was right. He was charming, sexy, and real. He was thrust into a fatherhood role too early when his papa passed away, so he had to become their provider and guardian. I felt so bad for him, all he wanted to do was take care of his family. I wanted to climb inside this book and ravish the hell outta Michael! He can speak Italian to me any day! Speaking of ravishing when Maggie and Michael finally give in to their chemistry....

Whoo Lawd! I needed a damn cigarette after this even though I quit 15 years ago! Needless to say things heat up between Maggie and Michael. It was so fulfilling to see things come to fruition with these two. I thought I was going to have to slap Maggie!! I was like "GIRL STOP FIGHTING THIS SHIT YO!" UGH! The few nail biting moments had me climbing the walls not knowing where this story was going though. I tend to get a little emotional when shit hits the fan! Thankfully though Jennifer Probst knows what she is doing when it comes to writing! I loved how it ended and I really hope she isn't done with these books or characters! It's definitely a five star book you have to read!!


Find it on GOODREADS, and BARNES & NOBLE