PRAISE FOR CATHERINE BYBEE
WIFE BY WEDNESDAY
“A fun and sizzling romance, great characters that trade verbal spars like fist punches, and the dream of your own royal wedding!”
—Sizzling Hot Book Reviews, 5 Stars
“A good holiday, fireside or bedtime story.”
—Manic Reviews, 4½ Stars
“A great story that I hope is the start of a new series.”
—The Romance Studio, 4½ Hearts
MARRIED BY MONDAY
“If I hadn’t already added Ms. Catherine Bybee to my list of favorite authors, after reading this book I would have been compelled to. This is a book nobody should miss, because the magic it contains is awesome.”
—Booked Up Reviews, 5 Stars
“Ms. Bybee writes authentic situations and expresses the good and the bad in such an equal way . . . Keeps the reader on the edge of her seat.”
—Reading Between the Wines, 5 Stars
“Married by Monday was a refreshing read and one I couldn’t possibly put down.”
—The Romance Studio, 4½ Hearts
FIANCÉ BY FRIDAY
“Bybee knows exactly how to keep readers happy . . . A thrilling pursuit and enough passion to stuff in your back pocket to last for the next few lifetimes . . . The hero and heroine come to life with each flip of the page and will linger long after readers cross the finish line.”
—RT Book Reviews, 4½ Stars, Top Pick (Hot)
“A tale full of danger and sexual tension . . . the intriguing characters add emotional depth, ensuring readers will race to the perfectly fitting finish.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Suspense, survival, and chemistry mix in this scintillating read.”
—Booklist
“Hot romance, a mystery assassin, British royalty, and an alpha Marine . . . this story has it all!”
—Harlequin Junkie
SINGLE BY SATURDAY
“Captures readers’ hearts and keeps them glued to the pages until the fascinating finish . . . romance lovers will feel the sparks fly . . . almost instantaneously.”
—RT Book Reviews, 4½ Stars, Top Pick
“[A] wonderfully exciting plot, lots of desire, and some sassy attitude thrown in for good measure!”
—Harlequin Junkie
TAKEN BY TUESDAY
“[Bybee] knows exactly how to get bookworms sucked into the perfect storyline; then she casts her spell upon them so they don’t escape until they reach the ‘Holy Cow!’ ending.”
—RT Book Reviews, 4½ Stars, Top Pick
SEDUCED BY SUNDAY
“You simply can’t miss [this novel]. It contains everything a romance reader loves—clever dialogue, three-dimensional characters, and just the right amount of steam to go with that heartwarming love story.”
—Brenda Novak, New York Times bestselling author
“Bybee hits the mark . . . providing readers with a smart, sophisticated romance between a spirited heroine and a prim hero . . . Passionate and intelligent characters [are] at the heart of this entertaining read.”
—Publishers Weekly
TREASURED BY THURSDAY
“The Weekday Brides never disappoint and this final installment is by far Bybee’s best work to date.”
—RT Book Reviews, 4½ Stars, Top Pick
“An exquisitely written and complex story brimming with pride, passion, and pulse-pounding danger . . . Readers will gladly make time to savor this winning finale to a wonderful series.”
—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
“Bybee concludes her popular Weekday Brides series in a gratifying way with a passionate, troubled couple who may find a happy future if they can just survive and then learn to trust each other. A compelling and entertaining mix of sexy, complicated romance and menacing suspense.”
—Kirkus Reviews
NOT QUITE DATING
“It’s refreshing to read about a man who isn’t afraid to fall in love . . . [Jack and Jessie] fit together as a couple and as a family.”
—RT Book Reviews, 3 Stars (Hot)
“Not Quite Dating offers a sweet and satisfying Cinderella fantasy that will keep you smiling long after you’ve finished reading.”
—Kathy Altman, USA Today, “Happy Ever After”
“The perfect rags to riches romance . . . The dialogue is inventive and witty, the characters are well drawn out. The storyline is superb and really shines . . . I highly recommend this stand out romance! Catherine Bybee is an automatic buy for me.”
—Harlequin Junkie, 4½ Hearts
NOT QUITE ENOUGH
“Bybee’s gift for creating unforgettable romances cannot be ignored. The third book in the Not Quite series will sweep readers away to a paradise, and they will be intrigued by the thrilling story that accompanies their literary vacation.”
—RT Book Reviews, 4½ Stars, Top Pick
NOT QUITE FOREVER
“Full of classic Bybee humor, steamy romance, and enough plot twists and turns to keep readers entertained all the way to the very last page.”
—Tracy Brogan, bestselling author of the Bell Harbor series
“Magnetic . . . The love scenes are sizzling and the multi-dimensional characters make this a page-turner. Readers will look for earlier installments and eagerly anticipate new ones.”
—Publishers Weekly
NOT QUITE PERFECT
“This novel flows extremely well and readers will find themselves consuming the witty dialogue and strong imagery in one sitting.”
—RT Book Reviews
“Don’t let the title fool you. Not Quite Perfect was actually the perfect story to sweep you away and take you on a pleasant adventure. So sit back, relax, maybe pour a glass of wine, and let Catherine Bybee entertain you with Glen and Mary’s playful East Coast–West Coast romance. You won’t regret it for a moment.”
—Harlequin Junkie, 4½ Stars
NOT QUITE CRAZY
“This fast-paced story features credible characters whose appealing relationship is built upon friendship, mutual respect, and sizzling chemistry.”
—Publishers Weekly
“The plot is filled with twists and turns, but instead of feeling like a never-ending roller coaster, the story maintains a quiet flow. The slow buildup of a romance allows readers to get to know the main characters as individuals and makes the romantic element more organic.”
—RT Book Reviews
DOING IT OVER
“The romance between fiercely independent Melanie and charming Wyatt heats up even as outsiders threaten to derail their newfound happiness. This novel will hook readers with its warm, inviting characters and the promise for similar future installments.”
—Publishers Weekly
“This brand-new trilogy, Most Likely To, based on yearbook superlatives, kicks off with a novel that will encourage you to root for the incredibly likable Melanie. Her friends are hilarious and readers will swoon over Wyatt, who is charming and strong. Even Melanie’s daughter, Hope, is a hoot! This romance is jam-packed with animated characters, and Bybee displays her creative writing talent wonderfully.”
—RT Book Reviews, 4 Stars
“With a dialogue full of energy and depth, and a twisting storyline that captured my attention, I would say that Doing It Over was a great way to start off a new series. (And look at that gorgeous book cover!) I can’t wait to visit River Bend again and see who else gets to find their HEA.”
—Harlequin Junkie, 4½ Stars
STAYING FOR GOOD
“Bybee’s skillfully crafted second Most Likely To contemporary (after Doing It Over) brings together former sweethearts who have not forgotten each other in the eleven years since high school. A cast of multidimensional cha
racters brings the story to life and promises enticing future installments.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Romance fans will be sure to cheer on former high school sweethearts Zoe and Luke right away in Staying For Good. Just wait until you see what passion, laughter, reconciliations, and mischief (can you say Vegas?) awaits readers this time around. Highly recommended.”
—Harlequin Junkie, 4½ Stars
MAKING IT RIGHT
“Intense suspense heightens the scorching romance at the heart of Bybee’s outstanding third Most Likely To contemporary (after Staying For Good). Sizzling sensual scenes are coupled with scary suspense in this winning novel.”
—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
FOOL ME ONCE
“A marvelous portrait of friendship among women who have been bonded by fire.”
—Library Journal, Best of the Year 2017
“Bybee still delivers a story that her die-hard readers will enjoy.”
—Publishers Weekly
HALF EMPTY
“Wade and Trina here in Half Empty just might be one of my favorite couples Catherine Bybee has gifted us fans with so far. Captivating, engaging, lively and dreamy, I simply could not get enough of this book.”
—Harlequin Junkie, 5 stars
“Part rock star romance, part romantic thriller, I really enjoyed this book.”
—Romance Reader
FAKING FOREVER
“A charming contemporary with surprising depth . . . Bybee perfectly portrays a woman trying to hold out for Mr. Right despite the pressures of time. A pitch-perfect plot and a cast of sympathetic and lovable supporting characters make this book one to add to the keeper shelf.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Catherine Bybee can do no wrong as far as I’m concerned . . . Passionate, sultry, and filled with genuine emotions that ran the gamut, Faking Forever was a journey of self-discovery and of a love that was truly meant to be. Highly recommended.”
—Harlequin Junkie
SAY IT AGAIN
“Steamy, fast-paced, and consistently surprising, with a large cast of feisty supporting characters, this suspenseful roller-coaster ride will keep both series fans and new readers on the edge of their seats.”
—Publishers Weekly
ALSO BY CATHERINE BYBEE
Contemporary Romance
Weekday Brides Series
Wife by Wednesday
Married by Monday
Fiancé by Friday
Single by Saturday
Taken by Tuesday
Seduced by Sunday
Treasured by Thursday
Not Quite Series
Not Quite Dating
Not Quite Mine
Not Quite Enough
Not Quite Forever
Not Quite Perfect
Not Quite Crazy
Most Likely To Series
Doing It Over
Staying For Good
Making It Right
First Wives Series
Fool Me Once
Half Empty
Chasing Shadows
Faking Forever
Say It Again
Creek Canyon Series
My Way to You
Paranormal Romance
MacCoinnich Time Travels
Binding Vows
Silent Vows
Redeeming Vows
Highland Shifter
Highland Protector
The Ritter Werewolves Series
Before the Moon Rises
Embracing the Wolf
Novellas
Soul Mate
Possessive
Erotica
Kilt Worthy
Kilt-A-Licious
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, organizations, places, events, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
Text copyright © 2020 Catherine Bybee
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.
Published by Montlake, Seattle
www.apub.com
Amazon, the Amazon logo, and Montlake are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates.
ISBN-13: 9781542009850
ISBN-10: 1542009855
Cover design by Caroline Teagle Johnson
To every woman who has shared their personal story with me.
You are loved.
You are worthy.
And you are strong.
Don’t let anyone treat you otherwise.
CONTENTS
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
CHAPTER NINETEEN
CHAPTER TWENTY
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
CHAPTER THIRTY
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
EPILOGUE
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
CHAPTER ONE
Erin kept a close eye on the clay target as it left its spring, flew through the air, and shattered into tiny pieces once Parker squeezed the trigger of the shotgun.
“Every time. How do you do it?” Erin was impressed. She’d only managed to hit one clay out of ten, whereas Parker had earned her nickname, Annie Oakley, in spades.
“Practice. You just started, give yourself some time.”
They were in a location well up into Angeles National Forest at a shooting range. The place was dominated by testosterone with the occasional wife or girlfriend mixed in. Erin and Parker were the only women shooting without a man at their side.
“Let’s throw out a few more and move over to the pistol range. Moving targets are harder. But I really want you to get the feel of how the shotgun kicks back so you can keep control of it.” Parker was giving her lessons without the bucketful of questions anyone else would ask.
Erin had moved onto Parker’s property at the end of the previous summer. Parker had been desperate to rent the guesthouse after surviving a fire that almost destroyed everything her family owned. And Erin had been just as eager to set up a new life far away from the main roads and close-knit neighborhoods of any big city. She wouldn’t stick out in a town the size of Santa Clarita, nor would she be surrounded by the tourists and businesspeople that overran larger Southern California cities.
Erin had expected to find solitude, and what she found instead was a spectacular friend. A friend who realized Erin was hiding from her ex, but never once pushed to find out the details. No, Parker didn’t pry. She simply told Erin that when she was ready, she would listen.
Even now, while shooting targets, or missing them as in the case of Erin’s terrible aim, Parker could easily ask why she had a strong desire to learn how to shoot. Parker hadn’t. Not once.
She handed Erin the gun with the barrel open and ready to load. This she’d figured out. Hitting shit with it . . . not so much. Although, if anyone asked, she’d say that even loading the weapon offered a certain amount of strength she didn’t know was in her.
With her safety goggles on and her ears plugged with orange earplugs, eyes and ears as Parker calle
d them, Erin placed the butt of the gun into her shoulder.
“Are you forgetting something?” Parker asked.
For a second, she paused, confused. Then she smiled and cocked the gun. The sound was hauntingly satisfying. It said Don’t fuck with me with two solid clicks.
Parker smiled. “This time I want you to lean into the gun and stare down that barrel until you feel like it’s an extension of your arm. You know the clay is headed to the left so don’t aim to the right at all.” She moved behind the pulley. “Whenever you’re ready.”
Erin took a deep breath, placed her finger on the trigger. “Pull.”
Parker released the spring. An orange clay shot into the sky. She saw it fly past and knew she was going to miss before even squeezing the trigger.
The blast from the gun sounded in her ear and jolted her shoulder back with one action.
The undamaged orange clay flew until it hit the back of the hill to join all of its friends. Only then did it crumble.
Parker walked up behind her. “Shift your weight to your left foot.” She put a hand on Erin’s shoulder and gave a slight push into the weapon. “Lean into it.”
Back in position, she took a few more deep breaths. I can do this.
“Pull.”
Miss.
“Pull.”
Miss.
“Pull.”
Hit . . . Holy crap, she hit it. Erin felt like she’d won the lottery as a huge smile erupted on her face.
She sat the gun down and gave Parker a high five.
“Quit while you’re ahead?” Parker asked. “Or try a few more?”
Erin put the gun down. “Let’s try something smaller.”
An hour later they were driving down the long canyon road smug in their marksmanship. Parker had been right. Shooting a pistol was a lot easier than the shotgun. Each plink of the metal targets was an exclamation point. Erin couldn’t stop smiling.
“That was a lot more fun than I thought it would be.”
Parker kept both hands on the wheel as she traversed the canyon switchbacks. “My dad used to take me out all the time. Said that since we had guns in the house, it was imperative that I know how to shoot.”
“What about Mallory and Austin?” Mallory and Austin were Parker’s younger sister and brother that she took care of after the passing of their parents three years before.
“Mallory went a couple of times, but didn’t like it. She knows enough to be safe. Austin shot my dad’s twenty-two when he was little. Now we try and come out here a couple times a year to get some practice.”
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