Will You (Pretend) Marry Me (Swan Cove Series) by Christi Barth – Review by Ayla Phipps

Will You Pretend Marry Me by Christi Barth
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Just when she thought she could take a break. My oh my. Gotta say, Christi Barth has quickly earned her place on my favorite authors of the year list with this one. This is the first book I have read by this interesting talented author. No joke the back and forth with Abigail and Everett made this book fly by so much more than I thought possible. Dual perspective Abigail/Kaia and Everett.
Kaia is a world pop star coming off a six-month world tour. Kaia was her escape from her real life, a way to reinvent herself without anything permanent. Wigs, platform boots, curvy padding added to her undergarments. From day one she was thinking about the day when she was just herself again. Abigail Dilworth, the girl that no one wanted. Not her parents, foster parents, no one. Until she found teachers that took her under their wing and pushed her into the light to embrace her talents and not hide them. Now she has a five-month sabbatical to get her student teacher hours to get her certificate. Then she will deal with the biggest decision of her life. To continue life as only Abigail the teacher or continue to be popstar Kaia. Everett Reynolds is the AP Chemistry teacher and vice principal of Swan Cove High, who secretly has a government job with the EPA. The moment they first meet it is sass and comebacks that keep him fired up and not in a fun way. He’s not happy and when he sees her the next day at school, and who she is the back and forth honestly gets better. When she reveals her secrets at least part of them and then asks for a favor he must decide what to do but the next favor is even more. He’s just a coastal town teacher, he never wanted to be in the limelight on the arm of a popstar.
Can Abigail survive the five months? What will happen when friends become enemies? When enemies become lovers? This world is based in a small town in America with a twist. The author is open about her inspirations behind this story and while it is obvious it’s more mature in many ways while holding on to the classic nostalgia. I would definitely get in line to watch a movie based off this movie just to see it all come to life for real and not just in my head. That banter stays with you, and I admit I threw a few of the really good lines at my husband while reading. His face was priceless. Thank you, Christi Barth.

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