A fake-girlfriend clause hidden on page seventeen of a roommate agreement? Add a grumpy FBI agent, a sunshine cookbook writer, forced proximity, and mandatory cuddling, and I was completely sold.
Crew Jensen relies on order and routine to manage his anxiety and OCD. When his boss threatens to transfer him to Alaska, Crew’s best friend and FBI partner, Foster, jokingly suggests that having a serious girlfriend might prove he has roots in town. Crew takes the suggestion very seriously and secretly adds a fake-girlfriend clause to his roommate agreement.
Luckily for him, Emmie Marshall signs without reading every page.
Emmie needs a peaceful place to finish her cookbook, while Crew needs someone willing to play his girlfriend. Their arrangement should be simple, but fake dates, public affection, shared meals, and Emmie’s mandatory cuddling sessions soon begin to blur the line between pretending and something much more real.
I loved Crew and Emmie together. Their opposite personalities created plenty of funny moments and playful banter, but their relationship also had a lovely emotional depth. Emmie brings warmth into Crew’s carefully controlled world without ever trying to change him. She understands that his routines help him feel safe, and she gives him the patience and reassurance he needs to slowly lower his walls.
Crew was the character who stole my heart. His difficult childhood in the foster system explains his need for stability and his fear of losing control. He often believes he is too complicated or broken to deserve Emmie, which made watching him accept her love both touching and frustrating. There were definitely moments when I wanted to shake some sense into him!
Emmie may be the sunshine in their relationship, but she has insecurities of her own. She worries that her personality and loving—but sometimes overwhelming—family make her “too much.” Crew gives her the stability she craves and makes her feel accepted exactly as she is. I loved how naturally they balanced each other, especially during the quieter domestic moments. Emmie expresses her feelings through cooking, while their adorable cuddling sessions reveal just how lonely and touch-starved Crew has been. Their growing connection made the third-act conflict particularly painful, and although Crew’s choices were frustrating, the emotional payoff made the angst worthwhile.
The Wild Card is a funny, sweet, and heartwarming opposites-attract romance with lovable characters, wonderful chemistry, emotional growth, and just the right amount of spice. Crew and Emmie shouldn’t make sense on paper, yet together they fit perfectly.
If you enjoy grumpy-sunshine romances, fake dating, forced proximity, nurturing heroines, guarded heroes with soft hearts, and a judgmental cat, this one is definitely worth adding to your reading list.
Happy reading!
- Would I recommend this book: Yes.
- Would I re-read this book: Yes.
- Would I read future books by this author: Yes.
e-ARC kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
🛒 Amazon
Read FREE in Kindle Unlimited!
Meet the Author
A New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of more than three dozen titles, Kendall Ryan has sold millions of books and they have been translated into several languages in countries around the world.
Her books have also appeared on the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists more than 100 times. Ryan has been featured in such publications as USA Today, Newsweek, and InTouch Magazine.
She lives in Texas with her husband and two sons.
Where to Find Kendall:
Mia Book Addict 
Leave a comment