Ella Rowe’s best friend, Cassie Browning, worked for a TV station and was producing a reality show which was originally Ella’s idea. Ten people, five couples, would meet for the first time on live television, the audience would vote who would be coupled together, and then the couples would immediately marry, still on live TV. Cassie took credit with her boss for the concept of the new show, “Married to a Stranger.” Ella was not scheduled (she thought) to be on the show; Cassie convinced her at the last minute to participate. The pairs voted on by the audience would be given 20 minutes to get to know each other before the wedding. The idea was to see if “arranged” marriages would work as well as traditional ones.

Of course Ella and Jake Griffin were the favorite couple. Ella, a shy, very plainly dressed librarian, did not know that Cassie planned to use her for the comic relief of the challenging show. Jake was a Sergeant in the Marine Corps Reserves, a sexy hunk, and currently employed with the Homeland Security system; he was taking part in this show because of a bet he lost to his two Marine buddies.

These couples were to live together for six weeks and compete in challenges; the winning couple would receive a phenomenal prize. The book was written in such a manner that it felt as if I was involved with each. The cameramen were always following them and their apartments were bugged. Nothing escaped the cameras or Cassie! As the competition unfolded, the couples became better friends to each other as well as part of “our” lives!

This impression of the latest rage in reality TV was wonderfully written and executed! The notion of this plot was fresh and zany. I highly recommend this book. It is refreshing and funny, sexy and heart-wrenching. You definitely will not be sorry that you read this offering!

Overall rating:
Sensuality rating: Very sensual

Reviewer: Brenda Talley
August 13, 2007