When the Ink Is Dry

When in Manhattan, Book 1

By: A.R. Rose

Narrated by: Stephen Dexter, Kasi Hollowell

From author A.R. Rose comes a billionaire romance perfect for those who loved Gossip Girl mixed with tension, angst, humor, and spice.

What do alcohol, Paris, and a hot guy have in common?

Evidently, me.

The last thing I expected when I went to Paris on a work trip was to drink too much and end up legally wed.

What I really didn't expect was to wake up the next day and have no recollection of what happened.

Now, more than a year later, my husband has shown up in my penthouse foyer, waving our marriage license in my face, and demanding I step into the role of his wife.

The only person who can help me get rid of this little legal problem I've found myself in is Manhattan's most prestigious divorce attorney, Luciano Paladino.

Oh, did I mention my new attorney is also my best friend's brother?

My best friend's super grumpy, sinfully hot, older brother, who just so happens to hate me.

Lucky for him, he just needs to tell me where to sign and I'll be on my way.

So why is he looking at me like he wants to break every one of his ethical rules of conduct?

When the Ink Is Dry is the first book in the When in Manhattan series and can be enjoyed as a complete standalone. This book features high tension, laugh out loud moments, and cameo's from previous A.R. Rose books. Contains mature content. A complete list of content warnings can be found on the author's website.

©2026 A.R. Rose (P)2026 Podium Audio

Not too shabby at all..

I loved the narration! The story isn't too shabby either! I mean who doesn't love a good friend's brother story??

Who doesn’t love a good fake dating romance?

Raina finds out she got married after a drunken night a year ago, She lies to her husband that she has a fiancé. She hires her best friend’s brother, Luciano, as her divorce lawyer and he volunteers to be her fake fiancé.

I could not put this book down. Something about the fake dating, forbidden love always locks me in. I loved Raina & Luciano together. I loved their friend group even more!

I Read this originally as an ARC earlier this week so I bought the audio yesterday and listened to it as well! I love this book and loved their story. Both the book and the audio is a must.

“It would be a conflict of interest for me to take you on as a client.” “Because of Vinnie?” No, because I want to fuck you six ways to Sunday.

Another hit from AR Rose

Loved this story and these characters. Not my first AR Rose book and definitely won’t be my last.

Great listen on audio

If this my first AR Rose book? Why yes, yes it is and it won’t be my last. I mean who doesn’t love an opposites attract, grumpy/sunshine with secret mutual pinning and the fact that’s he’s her best friend’s brother.

Luciano and Raina are everything I wanted them to be. A one night stand, a forgotten marriage, a fake engagement to her attorney? What could go wrong. The tension and chemistry between these two? Palpable and oozing off the pages. They definitely took me on a roller coaster ride with their banter, the angst, the ups and downs but I’m glad they were able to finally get it together.

I loved how Rose brought levity to their love story through their friend group and the text threds. Not to mention the spicy scenes. I need to take a ride in a convertible and be taken to church too. Great read. I can’t wait for the next book in the series.

This is first time I listened to this narrator combo and I really enjoyed it. They brought the tension, the banter, the sass and grit.

5 stars

5 stars
audiobook review

ahhh i loved this story and the narrators were so good that it made the book even better for me!

tropes:
billionaire romance
forced proximity
best friends brother
lawyer/client
mutual pining
found family
grumpy x sunshine
fake engagement