Fake marriage plots are one of my guilty pleasures—usually packed with simmering tension, emotional walls coming down, and a swoon-worthy happily ever after between the “pretend” couple. But Single by Saturday throws that formula out the window in the best way possible. Yes, there’s romance. Yes, there’s a happily ever after. But it doesn’t come from the couple originally tied together by the marriage of convenience—and that’s exactly what made this book so compelling.
In this installment of the Weekday Brides series, we meet Karen and Michael, two people bound by a mutually beneficial arrangement. Karen plays the role of the dutiful wife to Hollywood heartthrob Michael, helping him keep up appearances—and in return, she gains both privacy and financial security. It seems like a simple enough setup... until Michael’s brother unexpectedly enters the picture.
Suddenly, Karen finds herself in a situation far more complicated—and emotionally charged—than she signed up for. Falling for your brother-in-law (even if the marriage is fake) isn’t exactly part of the plan. But that’s where Catherine Bybee shines—she takes a well-worn trope and gives it an unexpected twist, delivering a romance that feels bold, fresh, and a little daring.
I loved the chemistry between Karen and the brother (no spoilers here!), and the internal conflict she faces as her feelings begin to shift felt real and deeply relatable. Their growing connection is tender, flirty, and emotionally satisfying in a way that slowly sneaks up on you.
Now, I do have to mention one scene that was a little tough for me to read. During a family picnic, Michael has a moment where he lashes out—physically grabbing Karen and forcefully kissing her. While I understand the scene’s purpose in the plot and the tension it was meant to create, it did make me uncomfortable. Consent matters, even in fiction, and that moment felt jarring compared to the rest of the story’s tone. It didn’t ruin the book for me, but it did take me out of the story briefly.
That said, Catherine Bybee continues to be one of my go-to authors for contemporary romance. Her writing is fast-paced, emotional, and always leaves me wanting to pick up the next book in the series. I highly recommend starting from book one in The Weekday Brides to really appreciate the interconnected characters and rich relationship arcs she builds over time.
Final Thoughts:
Single by Saturday is not your average fake marriage romance—it’s layered, a bit edgy, and full of surprising turns. If you like your love stories with a twist, emotional stakes, and a hero who comes out of left field, you’ll find plenty to enjoy here.
📚 Pick this one up—or better yet, read the whole series. You won’t regret it.
Book Excerpt:
This man was gorgeous, and if she were one to believe in instant attraction, her body responded to him with a fierceness she didn’t think possible. Maybe this was what the women gazing at Michael experienced that she did not. This wild thrill of discovery that led to possibilities only the big screen could fulfill.
Instead of letting her imagination get the best of her, Karen flattened a hand over her stomach and attempted to act unaffected. “Do I know you?”
The sex personified blue-eyed man stepped toward her. It took effort for her to hold her ground.
Sensing her unease, he held still, looked around the both of them as if noticing the caterers running about and guests arriving behind him, and said simply, “Zach Gardner.”
The smile on her face stayed. The name tickled at the edges of her consciousness. Memories flashed behind the veil of her mind until she narrowed her focus. “Michael’s brother?” she whispered.
Zach gave a small nod and swept his eyes down her frame. When his eyes met hers again, he masked whatever he’d been thinking, then he smiled and said, “And you’re the wife none of us have met.”
Not a lot shook Karen. She’d managed the role of Michael’s wife under the ever-present scrutiny of paparazzi, producers, actors, and fans . . . but the man standing in front of her did what no one else could. He made her question her decision to marry.
About the Author:
New York Times & USA Today bestselling author Catherine Bybee was raised in Washington State, but after graduating high school, she moved to Southern California in hopes of becoming a movie star. After growing bored with waiting tables, she returned to school and became a registered nurse, spending most of her career in urban emergency rooms. She now writes full-time and has penned novels Wife by Wednesday, Married by Monday, and Not Quite Dating. Bybee lives with her husband and two teenage sons in Southern California.CONTACT LINKS:
www.catherinebybe.com
catherinebybee@yahoo.com
catherinebybee.blogspot.com
twitter.com/catherinebybee
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