The Relationship Pact

Fake Dating Standalone

By: Adriana Locke

Narrated by: Teddy Hamilton, Erin Mallon

How hard can it be?

That was the question rolling around Larissa Mason’s mind just before she asked Hollis Hudson to be her fake boyfriend.

It was only supposed to be for five minutes, after all.

Granted, that was also before she felt his hand on the small of her back as he charmed the heck out of her family.

And it was definitely before she saw the football god shirtless. Otherwise, she would’ve had an idea of just how hard some things could be.

It turns out that pretending to be in love with a crazily handsome, somewhat enigmatic, and absolutely unforgettable tight end (that has an amazing tight end) is easy.

Reminding herself that just because opposites attract doesn’t mean they’re forever is much harder.

What they have isn’t love - it’s a relationship pact. Right?

AUTHOR'S NOTE: The Relationship Pact is a fun and flirty college sports romance with lots of heart. No cliffhanger.

Other interconnected stand-alone books in this series:

The Revenge Pact by Ilsa Madden-Mills
The Romantic Pact by Meghan Quinn

©2020 Adriana Locke (P)2021 Adriana Locke

Another fantastic read!

I haven’t read an Adriana Locke book yet that I didn’t fall madly in love with! I can’t wait for the next one. 💕

Super Loved Hollis and Larissa's story

Why'd I start at book 3? Ugh, if the first couple books in this series are this good then I'm in for a treat. I really enjoyed Hollis and Larissa's story made me so happy! The stars aligned!

Here's what I loved:
Larissa is such a wonderful FMC. I loved how self-aware she is. She open and communicative. Knowing exactly what she wants in life, from her career to the type of man she wants she forged ahead to get it.
My poor, sweet, broken Hollis. Gah, why are the damaged ones so freaking hot. I loved his story so much. After finding out his back story, he deserved this brilliant love story.
The audiobook narration is fanstastic! Teddy Hamilton and Erin Mallon are elite!
Don't even get me started on the cover because its fantastic!
Found family AND fake dating are two of my favorites, so its not surprising that I loved The Relationship Pact so much.

Overall, another fantastic read from this great author.

very good

Loved it !! this story. the narrator is so fantastic it's like your really there!! good overall

Highly enjoyed this fake dating story

The Relationship Pact is book #3 in the Kings of Football series. Each book is a different kind of pact that brings an interesting story between the MC’s. Hollis and Larissa never expected their fake dating pact to turn into something so long lasting. They were brought into each other’s lives when they needed someone the most. Well written love story. I enjoyed their banter and chemistry. Teddy Hamilton and Erin Mallon did a great job portraying both characters.

Low angst romance

I was in the mood for something light without all the unnecessary drama and this was exactly what I was looking for. It was a great story with character growth, funny moments, a couple of steamy moments and a sweet HEA. And you can never go wrong with Teddy Hamilton and Erin Mallon, they’re 2 of my favorites that I specifically search for.

Loved this on audio

I had previously read this on ebook when it was released in December 2020. I was offered a code to review the audiobook from the author in exchange for an honest review. I knew I already loved the book so listening to the audio would be no chore. The narrators did a wonderful job brining Hollis and Larissa to life. They have great chemistry on the page already, but it really comes through the narration.

This is the final installment of The Kings of Football series and follows Hollis, one of 3 friends on the Braxton football team. Much like book 2 in the series this doesn't take place at the university and doesn't center on sports much at all. Hollis is in Savannah for a few days to receive an award for all of the charity work he does when he isn't playing football or going to class. He doesn't want anyone to make a big deal about it, but it is the holidays and everyone has left school to be with their families. Fortunately this little trip out of town has led Hollis to Larissa, who just happens to need a fake boyfriend for a few minutes to let her jerk of an ex know that she doesn't need him around anymore and she's doing just fine. Larissa and Hollis hit it off in the few minutes they spend together, and they exchange numbers which works out because they both end up needing dates for events later in the week. Neither of them start out wanting anything serious because they both know Hollis is only in town for a few days, and Larissa has had a run of bad luck with men. Neither of them expected to find the person they'd been waiting for, but when baggage from the past threatens to push them apart are will flight or fight win the day?

I really loved the character development that we see in this. While the relationship is fairly instant between Hollis and Larissa, they both have some baggage to work through especially when it comes to trusting people. The chemistry and banter is there from the start and the easily fall in to something more than a "fake" relationship for a few days. Hollis has quite the heart wrenching back story, so naturally he doesn't let people into his life easily because of it. He has wall about a mile thick because of people letting him down in his past, but Larissa is the first person he's met in quite some time that he'd like to let into the fortress that he's built around him. Larissa is awesome, she's been burnt by so many guys, but she hasn't let it ruin what she wants from love and relationships. She hasn't given up hope, she knows she hasn't found the right guy yet. I really loved them together and figuring things out. I can't write this review without mentioning Grandma Judy. I am a sucker for an amazing Grandma character and Judy was amazing! Everyone needs a Grandma Judy in their life. The way she just adopted Hollis as her own and gave him such good advice! And she was funny! I really enjoyed getting to know these amazing characters and their stories. You might want to have a box of tissues handy, there are some moments that may make you tear up.

If you haven't read the other 2 books in the series, I highly recommend them. They are written by different authors, but they are well worth the read.

A fake relationship... what could go wrong?

Nothing. This story is the perfect fake relationship story.

Starting with the narrators. You can't go wrong with the Teddy Hamilton/ Erin Mallon duo for this story. Their voices matched the characters and their performance enhanced the story.

Larissa has a long string of bad relationships and she's made herself a promise that she won't do it again. After running into her jerk ex-boyfriend, she has a chance meeting with Hollis. He pretends to be her boyfriend and their fake relationship blossoms from there.

Hollis is "broken," but not in a whiney "woe is me" sort of way. His character is super loveable and as his friendship with Larissa is grows, his wounds start to heal.

It was wonderfully interwoven with many of Locke's former storylines and the result is a swoony, sweet, and sometimes steamy read.

Not what I expected but turned out good.

Good story great narration, wish it had more substance but I enjoyed it. I love a sports romance just wish it had a little more. Will probably listen again.

a great read/listen

A case of fake boyfriend, used to detour an ex boyfriend, leads to a laugh out loud, sweet, HEA!

Hollis and Larissa are too cute together. This book flows perfectly. Great writing. Just a feel good rom-com.

Great Story of Love and Learning to Accept It and Yourself

This book is the story of Hollis Hudson,
He is the tight end of the best friend trio of the Kings of Football series.

We met Hollis in Savannah, GA after Christmas to receive an award from Lincoln Landry’s charity. THE Lincoln Landry, if you read Adrianna Locke’s books you know Linc. Hollis really does not want this award as working with foster kids is not about recognition for him, but his passion. He has only agreed to receive the award if they do not specify what he is receiving it for.

Hollis is at a crossroads, he thought he would be going to the NFL, but after a disappointing senior season he is at odds on what his future holds.

His first night in Savannah he meets Larissa in an adorable met cute. Larissa’s smarmy ex boyfriend has been pushing his new girlfriend in her face all night and she decides to ask the hot guy she meets at the bar to pretend to be her boyfriend to get the ex to leave her alone. Hollis is happy to cuddle the beautiful Larissa and to shut down the douchebag ex. From there they exchange numbers in case she needs a fake boyfriend again.

The next day Hollis needs Larissa to stand in for his lack of family and friends and she needs him to attend a society function to get her overbearing mother to back off.

Along the way we meet the adorable Grandma Judy, Larissa’s feisty best friend Bellamy and Larissa’s amazing aunt and fun loving cousin. The Masons will become a whole lovable Locke series.

In the process of faking it Hollis and Larissa open up to each other and fall in love. It is sweet and you fall for both of these slightly damaged people as they face their challenges on the way to accepting themselves and learning not only to accept themselves, but to accept love.

The rip that tears them apart is believable for a man who has never felt true loved or worthy of love. The journey of hearing him learn that he is worthy of love and accepting it and that his love is an amazing gift was wonderful.

At the end you have a satisfying ending and will look forward to seeing Hollis and Larissa again in other Mason books.