Veena’s review of The Backup Bride Proposal (Boots and Bouquets, Book 4) by Jaci Burton
Contemporary Romance published by Berkley 23 Apr 24
Mae Wallace is definitely not looking for romance and especially not with the gate crasher at the Bellini Wedding she’s managing. Not even when she finds out that he’s a famous movie star, who is starring in the latest production that will be filming at the Bellini Vineyards. Oh, and she’s going to pinch hit for the actress starring against him in the movie. No sir, no siree! 
The production crew sets up their trailers on the property and August manages to have dinner with Mae on the pretext of learning the lay of the land. Then Mae finds herself being asked to be the backup for the leading actress. As she learns the lines and plays opposite August, she finds a tentative friendship and a lotta attraction blooming. But once bitten, twice shy and Mae is definitely not open to romance, even as she finds herself succumbing to the attraction between them.
August has been around the glamour of Hollywood and finds Mae appealing, most particularly as he peels back the layers to the heart of her. She’s a forever person for him, but does she feel the same? The supporting cast of both the Bellini family and August’s grandfather and his aunts add such a wonderful intimate, warmth to the story.
Clearly, it’s not going to be all smooth sailing to the romance. The angst comes from an unexpected story in the news portraying a romance between August and his co-star. True or not, it hits too close to home for Mae and her triggers. Can they work through this crisis and find a way to the other side?
A great read, a solid addition to the series.
Grade: A
Summary:
Bellini Weddings has agreed to allow a production company to film a movie at Red Moss Vineyards. It will be great PR for both the vineyard and the wine and wedding businesses. Mae Wallace, who works for the Bellini family, is thrilled with the possibility of new business. What she isn’t thrilled with is actor Kane August, who she finds crashing one of the weddings. He tells her it’s research for the movie, but she finds him overconfident and annoying.
Kane August is rarely surprised by anything—until he meets Mae Wallace. She’s sharp, just a bit on the snarky side, and the most refreshing woman he’s had the pleasure of meeting. She constantly challenges him, and he can’t remember having this much fun on a movie set. He takes every opportunity to spend time with her, peeling back layers until he gets to the heart of who this amazing person really is. And, unexpectedly, he realizes that he’s letting her in, too, something he hasn’t done with anyone before. However, they live very different lives and he’ll need to be careful around Mae, because she’s someone he could see a future with. But can she see the same thing?
When Kane takes her to his family’s ranch in Texas, Mae discovers a whole new side to him, learning about the heart and soul of a kind and gentle man. And as they grow closer, her guard goes up. Once burned, she has no intention of falling in love ever again, despite this very hot and sexy guy who’s trying his best to turn her world upside down and work his way through the steely wall she’s built. Kane is determined to show her he’s the one man she can trust with her heart. If only Mae will allow herself to fall.
