Catherine Bybee (2011)
Genre
Romance
Reading Time
12 Minutes
Key Themes
See below
Sign in to track this book
A wealthy businessman needing a wife by Wednesday hires a matchmaker, only to find their business arrangement complicated by an undeniable attraction and a love neither of them expected.
Samantha Elliot, a successful matchmaker and owner of Alliance, is in her office when she receives a call from Blake Harrison, a wealthy businessman. He needs a wife by Wednesday to secure a business deal. Samantha initially thinks she is speaking with a male 'Sam Elliot,' but Blake's assistant clarifies the mix-up. Despite her skepticism and the unusual request, Samantha agrees to a meeting. She is interested in the challenge and the potential for a substantial fee. Her family faces significant medical bills for her niece, Maya, and a large payment could change their lives. She prepares to meet Blake, unaware of how personal this professional encounter will become.
Blake Harrison arrives at Alliance and is surprised by Samantha. He expected a male business associate, not the beautiful, sharp woman before him. Despite his surprise, he quickly explains his proposition: he needs a wife for one year to finalize a multi-billion dollar merger. He offers Samantha ten million dollars for a one-year contractual marriage, with a strict clause against intimacy. Samantha is stunned by the offer. Her professional ethics say no, but her family's dire financial situation, specifically her niece Maya's medical treatment, makes the figure incredibly tempting. After much thought, and understanding it is only a business arrangement, she reluctantly agrees to Blake's terms, setting a wedding date for Wednesday.
As agreed, Samantha and Blake have a swift, private wedding ceremony. It is a simple event, designed only to fulfill the contract. Despite the clinical nature of the arrangement, Samantha finds herself drawn to Blake's charm, even as she reminds herself it is purely business. Blake, too, becomes captivated by Samantha's wit and strength, an unexpected development. After the ceremony, they quickly transition into the public role of a happily married couple, preparing for the scrutiny that will come with the merger announcement. This immediate immersion into their 'new' life begins to blur the lines of their agreement.
As expected, news of Blake Harrison's sudden marriage, especially to a relatively unknown matchmaker, creates a media frenzy. Samantha and Blake are thrust into the spotlight, forced to act like a loving couple for cameras and the public. They attend high-profile events and give interviews, crafting a believable story of their whirlwind romance. Samantha, despite her initial discomfort with the deception, proves to be natural, charming, and articulate, which impresses Blake. He finds himself admiring her composure and quick thinking. The constant closeness and the need to maintain their facade begin to chip away at their professional distance, making their 'no intimacy' clause hard to uphold.
Samantha introduces Blake to her family, a close group that includes her sister, brother-in-law, and her young niece, Maya, who has a serious illness. Blake sees Samantha's deep love and devotion to Maya, understanding her true motivation for accepting his proposal. He is touched by her selflessness and the warmth of her family, a contrast to his more reserved upbringing. He also sees the immense financial strain Maya's medical bills place on them. This encounter makes Samantha more human to Blake, moving her beyond just a business partner. He begins to feel protective of her and her family, deepening the emotional connection forming between them.
As their fake marriage progresses, Blake begins to lower his guard with Samantha. He reveals more about his past, including his family legacy and the reasons behind his ambition and the merger. He explains that the deal is not just about wealth, but about securing his family's long-term future and proving his worth. Samantha listens intently, offering empathy and understanding. This shared vulnerability creates a connection between them, moving their relationship beyond the transactional. Samantha sees a side of Blake few others do, a man driven by more than money, burdened by responsibility. The emotional intimacy between them grows, challenging the boundaries of their agreement.
During an intense moment, perhaps after a stressful public appearance or a shared conversation, the unspoken attraction between Blake and Samantha finally breaks through. A kiss, initially tentative, quickly deepens into a passionate embrace that shatters their 'no intimacy' clause. The kiss is electrifying, revealing the undeniable chemistry and deep emotional connection that has been building between them. Both are shocked by the intensity of their feelings, realizing that their carefully constructed business arrangement is rapidly dissolving under genuine desire. This moment marks a turning point, making it impossible for them to ignore their romantic feelings.
Following their first kiss, Blake and Samantha find it increasingly hard to resist their powerful attraction. Their 'no intimacy' clause becomes a constant internal battle, which they eventually lose. They share intimate moments, physically expressing their emotional bond. These encounters are filled with passion and tenderness, deepening their connection and making the pretense of a platonic marriage almost unbearable. While they both acknowledge the complications this creates for their original agreement, neither can deny the profound happiness and fulfillment they find in each other's arms. The line between fake and real marriage blurs, leading to questions about their future.
As Blake nears the completion of his merger, suspicions surface regarding the authenticity of his marriage to Samantha. Competitors or jealous parties start to investigate their sudden union. Questions are raised about the speed of their wedding and Samantha's background as a matchmaker. Pressure mounts on Blake to maintain the facade, while Samantha fears their arrangement will be exposed, jeopardizing the merger, her reputation, and the ten million dollars crucial for Maya. The stress of keeping their secret while navigating their escalating feelings creates tension, forcing them to confront the precariousness of their situation and the potential fallout.
Despite their best efforts, the truth about Blake and Samantha's contractual marriage is eventually exposed. The revelation sends shockwaves through the media and the business world, jeopardizing the merger Blake worked so hard for. Samantha is devastated, fearing she has ruined everything for Blake and that her reputation is in tatters. The public backlash is severe, and their carefully constructed image crumbles. In the aftermath, both Blake and Samantha must face the consequences of their deception, not just professionally but also personally. The exposure forces them to confront the true nature of their feelings for each other outside their agreement.
With their secret out, Blake faces immense pressure to save his merger, which is now in jeopardy. He also realizes he genuinely loves Samantha and does not want to lose her. He makes a heartfelt public statement, acknowledging the initial contractual nature of their marriage but emphasizing that their feelings for each other are real. He fights fiercely to salvage his business deal, demonstrating his commitment to his vision. Simultaneously, he works to reassure Samantha, proving his love goes beyond any contract or financial gain. This period tests their budding relationship, forcing them to decide if their love is strong enough to withstand public scrutiny and professional fallout.
After the truth comes out, Samantha is left reeling. She has the ten million dollars for Maya, but her heart is broken by the public exposure and the potential damage to Blake's career. She questions whether her love for Blake is worth the continued scrutiny and the unconventional start to their relationship. She grapples with her own feelings, realizing how deeply she has fallen for him, despite the circumstances. She must decide if she can truly embrace a future with Blake, a future that began as a lie but blossomed into something real. Her decision is crucial for both their individual happiness and the potential for a genuine life together.
Ultimately, Blake successfully navigates the fallout from the merger, securing his business goals despite the controversy. More importantly, he convinces Samantha of his sincere love and commitment. Samantha, having processed her emotions and recognized the depth of her own feelings, chooses to stay with Blake, no longer bound by a contract but by genuine affection. They decide to build a real marriage, one based on love, honesty, and mutual respect, rather than a business arrangement. The book concludes with them looking forward to a future together, having overcome the unique challenges of their unconventional beginning and proving that love can be found in unexpected places.
The Protagonist
Samantha transforms from a pragmatic businesswoman focused on family duty to a woman who embraces love, learning to trust her heart despite unconventional circumstances. She finds personal happiness beyond her professional success.
The Protagonist
Blake evolves from a man who views marriage as a business transaction to one who values genuine love and emotional connection, learning to prioritize his heart over pure ambition.
The Supporting
Maya's health improves as a result of the financial aid, symbolizing the positive outcome of Samantha's sacrifice.
The Supporting
They experience relief and hope as their daughter's medical needs are met, fostering a sense of security for their family.
The Supporting
Remains a consistent, professional presence, reflecting Blake's demanding lifestyle.
The Supporting/Antagonistic
They act as catalysts for external conflict, eventually leading to the exposure of the contractual marriage.
This theme explores the conflict between fulfilling a duty or obligation (Samantha's need to help her niece, Blake's need for a business marriage) and the unexpected emergence of genuine romantic love. Both protagonists enter the marriage for practical reasons, but their constant closeness and shared experiences lead to an undeniable emotional and physical attraction. The narrative questions whether love can truly grow when initially born out of necessity, and how one navigates the moral and emotional complexities of falling for someone under such circumstances. It asks if a 'fake' start can lead to a 'real' and lasting connection.
“It was a marriage contract that planned for everything…except falling in love.”
The novel contrasts two different understandings of family: Samantha's warm, close-knit, and supportive family (especially her devotion to her niece, Maya) versus Blake's more formal, legacy-driven family expectations. Samantha's willingness to sacrifice her personal life for her niece's health highlights the powerful bonds of family love and responsibility. Blake, initially driven by his family's business legacy, gradually learns the deeper, emotional value of family through Samantha. The theme explores how family influences decisions, shapes identity, and how creating a new family (through marriage) can redefine one's priorities and values.
“Her family was her anchor, her reason for everything.”
The entire premise of the story involves the contrast between the appearance of a loving, whirlwind marriage and the reality of a strictly contractual business arrangement. Samantha and Blake must constantly perform for the public, media, and business associates, creating a carefully crafted facade. This theme explores the challenges and emotional toll of living a lie, even a benevolent one. It also delves into how prolonged pretense can blur the lines, making the 'fake' feelings start to feel real, ultimately leading to the discovery of genuine emotions beneath the surface of the illusion.
“Every smile, every touch, every declaration of affection was a performance, yet with each passing day, the lines between acting and reality blurred.”
Given the deceptive nature of their marriage, trust becomes a critical and complex theme. Samantha and Blake must learn to trust each other, first as business partners keeping a secret, and then as individuals developing genuine feelings. The process of revealing their true selves, their motivations, and their pasts to each other requires vulnerability. Their relationship deepens as they shed their guarded exteriors, showing that true connection can only be built on honesty and openness, even when the relationship's foundations are built on a lie.
“He saw past the feisty matchmaker and into the heart of a woman driven by love and sacrifice.”
A contractual marriage for specific, non-romantic goals.
This is the central plot device. Blake Harrison needs a wife by Wednesday to secure a crucial merger, and Samantha Elliot needs ten million dollars for her niece's medical bills. Their marriage is purely a business arrangement, with explicit clauses against intimacy. This device immediately establishes conflict (they are 'married' but not really), provides a clear external goal for both characters, and sets up the perfect scenario for unexpected romantic development as they are forced into close proximity and public performance, leading to genuine feelings that were never part of the original contract.
Characters compelled to spend significant time together.
As a direct result of the marriage of convenience, Blake and Samantha are forced into constant proximity. They live together, attend public events as a couple, and interact daily to maintain their facade. This device is crucial for the development of their relationship, as it creates opportunities for them to get to know each other, witness each other's true character, and build emotional intimacy. The sustained closeness, despite their initial 'no intimacy' rule, inevitably leads to the growth of their undeniable attraction and romantic feelings, making their initial agreement increasingly difficult to uphold.
A deadline that creates urgency and pressure.
The initial 'wife by Wednesday' deadline creates immediate urgency and high stakes for the plot. This short timeframe forces rapid decisions and propels the narrative forward quickly. Beyond the wedding itself, the impending merger also acts as a ticking clock, creating continuous pressure on Blake and Samantha to maintain their deception and achieve their respective goals within a specific timeframe. This device heightens the tension, making every public appearance and potential slip-up feel more critical, and accelerating the emotional development between the protagonists under duress.
A character placed in an unfamiliar and challenging environment.
Samantha, a matchmaker accustomed to her own business, is suddenly thrust into the glamorous, high-stakes world of Blake Harrison's elite society. She must navigate media scrutiny, formal events, and the expectations of being a CEO's wife, a role completely foreign to her. This device allows for character growth as Samantha adapts and demonstrates her resilience and intelligence. It also provides opportunities for humor and highlights the stark contrast between her down-to-earth personality and Blake's more privileged world, making her unexpected charm even more apparent to Blake and the reader.
Ready to see how well you understood this book? Take our interactive quiz with 10 questions.
Catherine Bybee is a USA Today bestselling author known for her captivating contemporary romance novels. Her "Wife, Inc." series, including the popular "Wife by Wednesday," has garnered a significant following for its blend of humor, heartfelt emotion, and engaging characters. Bybee's work often explores themes of love, friendship, and second chances, resonating with readers seeking feel-good stories.
