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Westbrook #2
The Enemy Contract
Faking a relationship with Hunter Westbrook should be easy—if only I didn’t hate him.
When a scandalous tell-all threatens to expose both of our families� secrets, I’m forced into an uneasy alliance with Hunter—gorgeous, arrogant, and maddeningly impossible.
We’re supposed to work together, but every conversation turns into a battle, and neither of us is willing to back down. Until his mother, the infamous Betsy, hatches a wild fake a romance with Hunter, fool the press, and save our families� reputations. Simple, right?
Except the Westbrooks are worth six hundred million dollars, and I’m a high school teacher barely scraping by. Hunter and I have nothing in common—aside from the undeniable pull that, against all logic, keeps drawing me back to him.
But the longer we fake it, the harder it is to remember it’s all just an act.
I have no interest in playing nice with an Ashford, least of all Avery.
Sure, he’s easy on the eyes. But he’s also frustratingly stubborn and entirely too good at getting under my skin. When Betsy’s fake romance scheme becomes the key to saving our family name and a multimillion-dollar deal, I have no choice but to play along.
But I need Avery. And for this plan to work, we have to convince everyone—including ourselves—that we’re falling for each other.
The problem? Somewhere between the staged kisses and forced proximity, hate turns to something else. Something I have no business craving.
This is all for show. A performance. A lie.
But every lingering look, every accidental touch, burns hotter than it should.
This is the second book in the Westbrook series. It can be read as a standalone with no cliffhanger.
- GenresM M Romance
112 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 29, 2025
40 people are currently reading
18 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
February 5, 2025
Tropes: fake dating, forced proximity
Feels: 2.5/5
Steam*: 1.5/5
Kinks: n/a
Angst: low
HEA: yes
Pairing: MM
Triggers/potential icks/content warnings: bad parents
Cheating between MCs: No
Any cheating: No
Other person drama: there's none
2.75 stars
Hunter is 36. Avery is 33. They've never met each other before the book starts. But their family is have been feuding for decades because of Hunter's family screwing over Avery's family in a business deal. Avery's family is still pretty wealthy, but Avery has been cut off by his parents for reasons that we didn't see. Hunter's mom wants to sell the gallery owned by both of their families jointly for $400 million, but their family feud has been news recently and the scandal might keep the buyer away. So she conspires for Hunter and Avery to fake date to show that the feud is no more. But it becomes a real relationship.
I have a hard time with novellas like this, because there's never enough pages to tell a story that would satisfy me. So I feel like I can't judge novellas according to the same standards as regular books. This book was okay, it didn't have a lot of depth but it was pleasant enough. There was a little twist at the end that was interesting though I wish they had giving it a bit more bread crumbs so that it would have been more of a payoff.
Things I didn't like:
- Hunter is a grown man who is wealthy but not almost a billionaire like his mother. Him being reliant on his mom to gift him millions and millions of dollars was a little desperate, materialistic. At his age, it would have been more admirable if he was more of a self-made wealthy man, making his own future and not needing to humble himself to get money
- Hunter was a little pompous and pretentious at times
- I didn't feel like we really saw the development of their feelings for each other, it was more of a told situation. I didn't feel it through the pages of the book that they had a special connection and tension.
Some notable moments:
"“What about you, Hunter? Why are you doing this? I mean, aside from the fact that your mother is terrifying…� I quickly realized I had just insulted his mother in front of him. Not a great way to start a first date—even a fake one."
*FYI about steam: I rate steam based on a combination of quality & quantity. I note kink separate from steam because I don't want to underrate steamy reads that don't have much kink.
**Note about spoilers: I like to comment on the plot of a book in reviews, so I almost always mark my reviews as containing spoilers. But I try to avoid spoiling the big dramatic moments! As a reader, I personally like to know what I'm getting into before I read a book so I know more about the content and if it's to my taste/mood, so I try to give that information in my reviews for myself when I'm considering rereading and also for other readers.
Feels: 2.5/5
Steam*: 1.5/5
Kinks: n/a
Angst: low
HEA: yes
Pairing: MM
Triggers/potential icks/content warnings: bad parents
Cheating between MCs: No
Any cheating: No
Other person drama: there's none
2.75 stars
Hunter is 36. Avery is 33. They've never met each other before the book starts. But their family is have been feuding for decades because of Hunter's family screwing over Avery's family in a business deal. Avery's family is still pretty wealthy, but Avery has been cut off by his parents for reasons that we didn't see. Hunter's mom wants to sell the gallery owned by both of their families jointly for $400 million, but their family feud has been news recently and the scandal might keep the buyer away. So she conspires for Hunter and Avery to fake date to show that the feud is no more. But it becomes a real relationship.
I have a hard time with novellas like this, because there's never enough pages to tell a story that would satisfy me. So I feel like I can't judge novellas according to the same standards as regular books. This book was okay, it didn't have a lot of depth but it was pleasant enough. There was a little twist at the end that was interesting though I wish they had giving it a bit more bread crumbs so that it would have been more of a payoff.
Things I didn't like:
- Hunter is a grown man who is wealthy but not almost a billionaire like his mother. Him being reliant on his mom to gift him millions and millions of dollars was a little desperate, materialistic. At his age, it would have been more admirable if he was more of a self-made wealthy man, making his own future and not needing to humble himself to get money
- Hunter was a little pompous and pretentious at times
- I didn't feel like we really saw the development of their feelings for each other, it was more of a told situation. I didn't feel it through the pages of the book that they had a special connection and tension.
Some notable moments:
"“What about you, Hunter? Why are you doing this? I mean, aside from the fact that your mother is terrifying…� I quickly realized I had just insulted his mother in front of him. Not a great way to start a first date—even a fake one."
*FYI about steam: I rate steam based on a combination of quality & quantity. I note kink separate from steam because I don't want to underrate steamy reads that don't have much kink.
**Note about spoilers: I like to comment on the plot of a book in reviews, so I almost always mark my reviews as containing spoilers. But I try to avoid spoiling the big dramatic moments! As a reader, I personally like to know what I'm getting into before I read a book so I know more about the content and if it's to my taste/mood, so I try to give that information in my reviews for myself when I'm considering rereading and also for other readers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
February 2, 2025DNF. MM. didn’t read more than a few chapters. Couldn’t hold my interest.
February 1, 2025
I don't know how they can fall in love because their interactions were minimal, plus their pretendings weren't much and not believable at all. I felt like when they woke up one morning, voila, they were suddenly in love.
February 10, 2025
I really like Jason Collins's writing, but I think with both books: The Nanny Contract and this book, he did himself and his readers a bit of a disservice.
Take The Nanny Contract, for instance, Casey NEVER talked or did anything with his charge, Henry. You can't just tell us Henry and Casey got along. You have to show that happening. Everyone always stood up for Casey, but why? Logan was gay his whole life, then suddenly kisses Casey and takes him to his room to manhandled him with complete knowledge of gay sex? The relationship was based on nothing at all. Fill in the story. From what he wrote, Collins has the chops to do it well.
The Enemy Contract had similar issues except that Avery wasn't hired to fulfill a job, but again, the jump to "I am falling for him." Is only based on what the author says, but not on the actions of the characters.
I think Collins can definitely write a great story of love and passion while writing complete stories . . . These are not. Chapters are missing throughout the novellas.
Take The Nanny Contract, for instance, Casey NEVER talked or did anything with his charge, Henry. You can't just tell us Henry and Casey got along. You have to show that happening. Everyone always stood up for Casey, but why? Logan was gay his whole life, then suddenly kisses Casey and takes him to his room to manhandled him with complete knowledge of gay sex? The relationship was based on nothing at all. Fill in the story. From what he wrote, Collins has the chops to do it well.
The Enemy Contract had similar issues except that Avery wasn't hired to fulfill a job, but again, the jump to "I am falling for him." Is only based on what the author says, but not on the actions of the characters.
I think Collins can definitely write a great story of love and passion while writing complete stories . . . These are not. Chapters are missing throughout the novellas.
February 20, 2025
i read this book as part of an arc program. This is the second book in the Westbrook series. In this book, Hunter is called to his mother's mansion to discuss his inheritance. His mother, Betsy, is making the family members do strange things to claim their inheritance. When Hunter arrives, Betsy tells him she is selling the art gallery that she owns with the Ashfords. Only the buyer doesn't like scandals and Betsy wants Hunter to fake a relationship with the Ashford's son Avery. She believes they will take the focus away from a new tell all book, Avery is a high school teacher, he has been living without family money for a while and is barely making ends meet. When Avery learns he will profit from the sae of the art gallery, he agrees to the relationship. Hunter is frustrated because he didn't want to like Avery, but he finds himself more and more attracted to him. I loved this book, i loved Hunter and Avery together. Betsy is great and she knows more than anyone about how to get what she wants. Another great one.
February 1, 2025
One of my two favorite authors bring us another fantastic book. I love how he writes conflicting characters that find love and characters I want to hang out with. This one is no exception. A short read of two men from dueling Charleston families are thrown together to help the family fortunes stay on track. Despite Hunter and Avery valuing different things and being so different, they are both great characters trying to step out of their parent’s shadow, become their own men, and find their own voices. Their interaction made me smile and their interaction with Hunter’s mom, Betsy, was pure Charleston. I love how they first pretended to be boyfriends for different reason but soon found it was no longer pretend. A quick easy fantastic read. I am ready for book three. I did receive an ARC and leave this honest review.
January 30, 2025
Genius! Avery and Hunter are from rivaling families in Charleston and have never met. They were physically attracted when they first saw each other. Betsy, thinks it's a good idea for them to fake a relationship to convince a potential gallery buyer that the two families' reputations are above board and a good foundation to help the buyer's tarnished reputation. The author continues to build strong characters that challenge family members. Betsy, Hunter's Mom's presence continues to drive the angst and growth of her relatives. She is a hoot! Nicely done. I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 3, 2025
To save face with a company on a lucrative sale, Hunter is "forced" into a fake relationship with the enemy. He is told he needs to start dating Avery. They don't know much about each other except their families are like the "Hatfields & McCoys". They at first don't seem to get along but to save face & make it look real they put their guard down. and a relationship blooms. I received an advance review copy and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 30, 2025
HUNTER AND AVERY
I received this book for free and am giving my honest and voluntary review.
This is a cute story that takes the reader on a ride with a controlling mother, a neglected son and an obedient son. The romance in this MM story is sweet and quick. A great short story with a great ending.
I received this book for free and am giving my honest and voluntary review.
This is a cute story that takes the reader on a ride with a controlling mother, a neglected son and an obedient son. The romance in this MM story is sweet and quick. A great short story with a great ending.
February 13, 2025
I am conflicted
The story world makes sense. The plot makes sense. It's a good premise. But the characters are a total disconnect. It's OOC schizophrenia. Totally broken character behavior. The whiplash is frequent. I got to the end just to watch the train wreck.
Despite that, the writing style is good. I have hope for this author, and hope this book is just an anomaly.
The story world makes sense. The plot makes sense. It's a good premise. But the characters are a total disconnect. It's OOC schizophrenia. Totally broken character behavior. The whiplash is frequent. I got to the end just to watch the train wreck.
Despite that, the writing style is good. I have hope for this author, and hope this book is just an anomaly.
February 27, 2025
What we have here are two "warring" families in Charleston, South Carolina. The head of one of them, Betsy, tells her son, Hunter to "date" Avery Ashbrook, the son of the other one, to make it seem as if the two families are unified in some way. Naturally, the two young men like each other and it turns into a love match. They are married and much richer at the end of the book.
March 3, 2025
They thought it was worth it to play the parts to get the inheritance.
Little did they know that playing the parts got the true love of their lives. They both decided not to worry about their inheritances, just go for their true loves. In the end they got both, their true love and their inheritances. THANK YOU, JASON! ENJOY!
Little did they know that playing the parts got the true love of their lives. They both decided not to worry about their inheritances, just go for their true loves. In the end they got both, their true love and their inheritances. THANK YOU, JASON! ENJOY!
March 13, 2025
Unfortunately, this book in the series was also missing something... The chemistry was almost absent, the narrative was very smooth—perhaps too focused on the matriarch of the family. It's a shame because it had a lot of potential... all the right elements were there. Especially knowing the great skills of the author.
February 1, 2025
The Enemy Contract is a yummy enemies to lovers romance. When the MCs agree to a fake relationship to save their families, they continue to bump heads. But the longer they are together the more things begin to change. Now what started out as fake has somehow become real. Very real.
March 4, 2025
Entertaining
Laced with so much drama and self doubt, one has to push sometimes to reach the chapter’s end. A bit of a fairytale style romance, with large sums of money and two characters who are most reluctant to admit their true feelings.
Laced with so much drama and self doubt, one has to push sometimes to reach the chapter’s end. A bit of a fairytale style romance, with large sums of money and two characters who are most reluctant to admit their true feelings.
March 15, 2025
Fast-paced romance
Love the concept a lot but felt a little too fast paced for me. Somehow I didn’t believe the whole going from lust to suddenly in love. For me it felt like that transition was missing.
Love the concept a lot but felt a little too fast paced for me. Somehow I didn’t believe the whole going from lust to suddenly in love. For me it felt like that transition was missing.
January 31, 2025
Great 2nd Book, this is Hunter's story and Betsy, Hunters mum is up to her usual tricks again, I love this series and look forward to more.
February 8, 2025
This did not have the same flare the first book had ☹️
February 8, 2025
Hunter and Avery must fake date to improve both their families' reputations. A quick, low angst read. My big complaint was the sudden real feelings from one chapter to the next.
March 20, 2025
Great book/series
I love seeing a love/hate relationship turn beautiful!!!! Not a lot of angst bit there are sure a lot of shenanigans going on!!!
Thank you - Lori
I love seeing a love/hate relationship turn beautiful!!!! Not a lot of angst bit there are sure a lot of shenanigans going on!!!
Thank you - Lori
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