Running Mate

Title: Running Mate Audiobook review

Series: Under Kansas Skies #1

Author: Leah Brunner

Narrators: Shaina Summerville & Kyle Mason

Publisher: Leah Brunner Publishing

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Fiction

Source: Kindle own

My Review:

Running Mate is the first book I have read by Leah Brunner. And, I have very mixed feelings which I will try to sort out below.

With a marriage of convenience story you never know what you will get. 

What I liked:

-that Madden was running for Congress and needed a wife

-that Madden was generous with Odette's parents

-Odette's desire to take care of her parents

What I didn't like:

-no chemistry between the characters

-their conversations were very stilted

-some people didn't know the marriage was fake at the start that should have

-Madden runs hot and cold (which made me think that Madden does not deserve Odette. He is an idiot.)

-there was a fade to black scene instead of closed door (it is still clean, just FYI)

-there was a scene near the end that struck me as wrong. I don't want to give a spoiler, but it was out of left field and I kept saying, "No, it's a mistake!" Apparently, it wasn't and I after finishing the book I still don't understand why it happened. I don't know if it sets up something in a later story, but I was not happy and it's not easy for me to get past

Overall, again, very mixed feelings. I am not sure at this point if I will finish the series or not.

Synopsis (Goodreads): 

When making it to congress means faking a marriage… fake it til’ you make it takes on a whole new meaning.

Apparently, the conservative mid-western voters want more than my brains, connections, and good looks to vote me in as a congressman.
I thought I had it all, but missed one glaring requirement: a wife to make me look like the all-American family man Kansas wants.

The lovely Odette Hastings seems to fit the bill. She’s a wholesome small-town girl, and conveniently in need of cash. I’ll give her the money to take care of her elderly parents, and she’ll be the political arm candy I need.

We both win, right?

The only problem is Odette is a little too beautiful, a little too intelligent, and much too distracting. I have to keep my eye on the prize. Even when I’m starting to think there might be something I’d rather have more.

Running Mate was formerly published as A Love Unexpected. This is Book 1 in the Under Kansas Skies series. Running mate is a closed-door romance and can be read as a stand-alone.