Rules of Pretend (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781944253295)

Millicent Arthur has always been the perfect daughter-the peacemaker in a family full of strong personalities. Sandwiched between two older brothers and under the watchful eye of her matchmaking mother, Millicent's life has always been neatly planned out. Her days are a careful balance of family obligations and polite nods to endless suitors who are all deemed "suitable" by everyone but her.

At 24, Millicent feels like she's living someone else's life. For her, coming of age isn't a journey of self-discovery but a tiresome marathon of dodging family expectations. That is, until Jace Kwaku Elrod steps into her world. He's everything her family disapproves of-an irresistibly charming artist with an easy smile and a refusal to follow anyone's rules but his own. His carefree nature is magnetic, and for the first time, Millicent begins to wonder: could there be more to life than following her family's script?

When her mother's matchmaking reaches a breaking point, Millicent makes an impulsive decision. She strikes an unlikely deal with Jace: they'll pose as a married couple to keep her family at bay. It's the perfect plan-or so it seems. Millicent gets her freedom, and Jace gets to avoid the meddling of his own complicated past.

But as they navigate awkward family dinners, nosy neighbors, and the occasional slip of the act, their staged marriage starts to feel a little too real. Jace's mysterious past begins to resurface, and Millicent's carefully constructed world begins to unravel. Feelings grow, secrets emerge, and both Millicent and Jace are forced to face an uncomfortable truth: sometimes the lines between pretend and reality blur, and love can bloom in the most unexpected places.

Will Millicent and Jace find the courage to rewrite the rules? Or will their "fake" love story remain just that-an act? Step into a world of heartwarming humor, family drama, and undeniable chemistry in this unforgettable romantic tale.