You know how I have been enjoying this meme, for lack of a better word, is grab a random free book off Amazon, something that I don’t know a ton about, but has elements I might enjoy. Last week, it was the trans character and the thriller. This week, it is the beautiful colours on the cover and the summer vibe. Speaking of last week’s novel, I’m about to start it while I write this.
First Lines Friday is a weekly feature for book lovers that was formerly hosted by Wandering Words. What if instead of judging a book by its cover, its author or its prestige, we judged it by its opening lines?
- Pick a book off your shelf (it could be your current read or on your TBR) and open to the first page.
- Copy the first few lines, but don’t give anything else about the book away just yet – you need to hook the reader first.
- Finally… reveal the book!
Note: The original host blog does not appear to be active any longer, but if anyone knows of a new host, please share the information!
First Lines:
Normal people might see tying the knot as the ultimate endgame in the evolution of a relationship, but Evander Westin wasn’t normal. Hell, depending on who you asked, he barely qualified as a person.
The product of an upbringing that taught him everything was transactional, Evan saw getting married as the means to a different sort of end. Instead of two souls pledging to love and honor until death, this would be two soulless husks pinky-swearing to behave in public while reaping the advantages of lucrative family connections.
A business partnership with benefits—and an airtight prenup.
Goodreads Blurb:
Ditched at the altar, hotshot lawyer Evander Westin flips tradition the middle finger and takes his honeymoon alone. The vendetta against his father can wait until after he spends two weeks relaxing in private island luxury.
Invited to an exclusive resort by the man of his dreams, ever-sensible bookworm Heath Lennox had plans of his own. Getting stood up and then having his entourage bully him into taking the trip anyway wasn’t among them. He caves to the pressure while refusing to enjoy a second of it.
It’s bristle-at-first sight when they meet in the not-so-friendly skies. Heath is a judgmental stick-in-the-mud, and Evan is everything he’s vowed to avoid—wealthy, brash, and most importantly, straight.
However, arrival at the resort reveals they have bigger problems than each Solo is a no-go at this couples-only retreat. Agreeing to pose as newlyweds, they’re shocked when an actual friendship develops, especially when a late-night baring of souls leads to a baring of… other things.
Evan and his daddy issues are the definition of red flag, and guys aren’t even his thing! Heath is not falling for another undependable man. No matter how gorgeous, sweet, or romantic… because everyone knows the vacation fantasy crumbles in post-paradise reality.
Alex
PS: if anyone is interested, I’m on chapter 8 and loving By Way of Sorrow by Robyn Gigl