Reno Sullivan is tormented by his demons, unable to work through his anger and pain. His tolerance for alcohol has always been low. Letting go on his first vacation in forever was the biggest mistake of his life. His marriage to Maggie was a mockery, bearable only because of his beloved daughter, Lexie.Shortly before her death, Maggie hurtfully claims that Lexie is not his child, which is later confirmed by a paternity test. Now he cannot bear to look at her, but at the same time feels an obligation to provide for her. He concludes that he needs a wife, a woman who will take care of his domestic affairs and Lexie. Sarah, his secretary, seems the ideal choice. But will she be able to pick up the pieces of his life as he wants her to? Could their marriage be one of more than convenience?

Sarah Madison has worked for Guardian Security for three years. She enjoys her job and has a great working relationship with her boss, Reno. Yet, she pines for a child of her own. Since the death of her husband and the loss of her unborn child, she has not dated. Knowing the chances of her conceiving again are remote, she has lost hope that her dream of motherhood will come true. When Reno requests a marriage of convenience, he provides her with a chance to attain motherhood. But will she take him up on his offer? Will she uncover the painful secrets Reno is keeping and help him bond once more with his daughter?

The Hired Wife is an extremely emotional love story that is bound to have you sympathizing with the characters and eagerly awaiting the next scene. Reno's pain comes across so clearly. The torment he is going through is tangible. Yet, whilst you can understand his feelings, you'll also want to whack him across the head and tell him to sort himself out. He so very obviously needs a fresh start, but is so mired in his feelings of pain and anger that he becomes focused on what he cannot change rather than what he can. Sarah is gentle, compassionate, hard working, organized, nurturing…she is everything a man could ever hope for and the best chance Reno has of sorting out the tangled chaos of his life. The love and chemistry these characters share is fantastic, and love scenes are described in a gentle tone. The plot flows smoothly and fairly consistently, taking an unforeseen turn here and there. The Hired Wife is a heartrending tale of one man’s torment, a woman's pining, and an innocent child who needs loving. In short, Judith Rochelle has created a tale that has it all.


Reviewed by: Elizabeth