Title: The Billionaire Bachelor
(Billionaire Bad Boys #1)
(Billionaire Bad Boys #1)
Author: Jessica Lemmon
Publication Date: June 28th, 2016
Category/Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Forever
Merina Van Heusen will do anything to get her parents' funky
boutique hotel back-even marry cold-as-ice-but-sexy-as-hell Reese Crane. It's a
simple business contract-six months of marriage, absolute secrecy, and the Van
Heusen is all hers again. But when sparks fly between them, their passion
quickly moves from the boardroom to the bedroom. And soon Merina is living her
worst nightmare: falling in love with her husband . . .
Publisher: Forever
Indecent
Proposal
Manwhore. That's what the board of directors-and the
tabloids-thinks of billionaire bachelor Reese Crane. Ordinarily he couldn't
care less, but his playboy past is preventing the board from naming him CEO of
Crane Hotels. Nothing-and no one-will keep him from his life's legacy. They
want a settled man to lead the company? Then that's exactly what he'll give
them.
Buy Links: Amazon | B & N | Google Play | iTunes | Kobo
“Seems this
April morning is colder than you anticipated,” he drawled.
Even with
her nostrils flared, Merina forced a smile. There was only one way past this
gatekeeper. She called up an ounce of poise—an ounce being the most she could
access at the moment. “Merina Van Heusen to see Reese Crane.”
“Ms. Van
Heusen,” the woman said, her tone flat, her eyes going to the doorknob in
Merina’s hand. “You’re here regarding the changes to the hotel, I presume.”
“You got
it,” Merina said, barely harnessing her anger. How come everyone was so damn calm
about dismantling a town landmark?
“Have a
seat.” Crane’s bulldog gestured one manicured hand at a group of cushy white
chairs, her mouth frowning in disgust as she took in Merina’s dishevelment.
“Perhaps I could fetch you a towel first.”
“I won’t be
sitting.” She wasn’t about to be put in her place by Reese’s underling. Then
her prayers were answered as the set of gleaming wooden doors behind the
secretary’s desk parted like the Red Sea.
Jackpot.
Merina
barreled forward as the woman at the desk barked, “Excuse me!”
Merina
ignored her. She wouldn’t be delayed another second…or so she thought. She
stopped short when a woman in a very tight red dress, the neckline plunging
into plentiful cleavage, her heels even higher and potentially more expensive
than Merina’s Louboutins, swept out of the office and gave her a slow,
mascaraed blink back. Then she sashayed around Merina, past the bulldog, and
left behind a plume of perfume.
Interesting.
Reese’s
latest date? An escort? If Merina believed the local tabloids, one and the
same. Paying for dates certainly wasn’t above his pay grade.
Before the
doors closed, she slipped into Reese’s office.
“Ms. Van
Heusen!” came a bark behind her, but Reese, who stood facing the windows and
looking out upon downtown, said three words that instantly shut his secretary
up.
“She’s fine,
Bobbie.”
Merina
smirked back at the sour-faced, coal-eyed secretary as Reese’s office doors
whooshed shut.
“Merina, I
presume.” Reese still hadn’t turned. His posture was straight, jacket and
slacks impeccably tailored to his muscular, perfectly proportioned body. Shark
or not, the man could wear a suit. She’d seen the photos of him in the Trib as well as Luxury Stays, the hotel industry’s leading trade magazine, and like
every other woman in Chicago, she hadn’t missed the gossip about him online.
Like his more professional photos, his hands were sunk into his pant pockets,
and his wavy, dark hair was styled and perfect.
Clearly the
woman who had just left was here on other business…or past business. If
something more clandestine was going on, Reese would appear more mussed. Then
again, he probably didn’t muss his hair during sex. From what she gleaned about
him via the media, Reese probably didn’t allow
his hair to muss.
The snarky
thought paired with a vision of him out of that suit, stalking naked and
primed, golden muscles shifting with each long-legged step. Sharp, navy eyes
focused only on her…
He turned to
face her and she snapped out of her imaginings and blinked at the stubble
covering a perfectly angled jaw. What was it about that hint of dishevelment on
his otherwise perfect visage that made her breath catch?
Thick dark
brows jumped slightly as his eyes zoomed in on her chest.
She sneered
before venturing a glance down at her sodden silk shirt. Where she saw the
perfect outline of both nipples. A tinge of heat lit her cheeks, and she
crossed her arms haughtily, glaring at him as best she could while battling
embarrassment.
A former job-hopper, Jessica Lemmon resides
in Ohio with her husband and rescue dog. She holds a degree in graphic design
currently gathering dust in an impressive frame. When she’s not writing
super-sexy heroes, she can be found cooking, drawing, drinking coffee (okay,
wine), and eating potato chips. She firmly believes God gifts us with talents
for a purpose, and with His help, you can create the life you want.
3.5 “Sexy Billionaire & Strong Heroine” Stars
ARC via NetGalley
Thank you, Forever!
Billionaire romances are really popular after the whole 50SOG frenzy (so not a fan of that series), so making your story stand out from all the other books about the same topic is a tough task.
While I did have a few problems with The Billionaire Bachelor, I think it succeded on making itself different enough by introducing a leading lady who wasn't the usual helpless and innocent young woman seduced by a powerful man.
Merina Van Heusen was a strong woman. She knew what she wanted and she fought for it as best as she could. What Merina wanted was to keep her family's hotel the way it was supposed to be -- funky and full of personality. In her way stood billionaire Reese Crane, the next CEO of Crane Hotels, a chain known for its business-like style.
When Merina finds out her mom and dad sold the Van Heusen hotel to the Cranes, she freaks out because she's sure they'll make it look like just another estabilishment in their hotel chain, meaning it'll ruin the image her family has fought so long to preserve. As the manager of the Van Heusen and the person who's worked so hard to mantain its integrity, she doesn't want to see this happen. See, that's one of the reasons I liked her from the start. You gotta appreciate a professional who's willing to fight for her business, right?
And Merina is willing to fight hard. She storms into Reese Crane's office and demands the hotel back. Even though the cold and detached CEO pratically makes fun of her for her behavior, she holds her ground and confronts him. This is when I'm clapping and going "go, sister!" Love strong woman.
Instead of pissing him off, Merina's attitude makes Reese (quietly) admire her. Her surprising visit to his office isn't half as upsetting as the problems he's dealing with at his company -- his fame as a womanizer is making the board of directors unsure of his abilities to run Crane Hotels. He needs to change their mind ASAP, and what better way to do it then to strike a deal with someone as desperate as him?
I gotta give it to Reese. He's a pretty smart guy. He knew how to spot an opportunity and make the best out of it. He knew what he wanted and he knew what Merina wanted, and fortunately for him, what she wanted was within his reach. So that's how the arragement takes place: Merina helps Reese convince the board he's a changed, responsible and serious man, and Reese gives Merina the Van Heusen hotel back. Win, win.
Of course you know where this is going, right? Forced to spend time together and convince others they're crazy in love, Merina and Reese end up getting to know each other well enough to realize they like what they're seeing. Though Reese is stubborn and acts like a "chickenshit" (his words, not mine), these two find the happy ending they deserve.
I enjoyed following Merina and Reese's story from "almost enemies" to "couple in love". I think the author did a good job building the romance (it wasn't insta-love) and showing their personalities. I wished some of the plot choices had been different, but I wasn't unhappy with the way things turned out. There were some very sweet moments between them, some hot ones and even some heartbreaking ones.
I think fans of billionaire romances will enjoy this book.
While I did have a few problems with The Billionaire Bachelor, I think it succeded on making itself different enough by introducing a leading lady who wasn't the usual helpless and innocent young woman seduced by a powerful man.
Merina Van Heusen was a strong woman. She knew what she wanted and she fought for it as best as she could. What Merina wanted was to keep her family's hotel the way it was supposed to be -- funky and full of personality. In her way stood billionaire Reese Crane, the next CEO of Crane Hotels, a chain known for its business-like style.
When Merina finds out her mom and dad sold the Van Heusen hotel to the Cranes, she freaks out because she's sure they'll make it look like just another estabilishment in their hotel chain, meaning it'll ruin the image her family has fought so long to preserve. As the manager of the Van Heusen and the person who's worked so hard to mantain its integrity, she doesn't want to see this happen. See, that's one of the reasons I liked her from the start. You gotta appreciate a professional who's willing to fight for her business, right?
And Merina is willing to fight hard. She storms into Reese Crane's office and demands the hotel back. Even though the cold and detached CEO pratically makes fun of her for her behavior, she holds her ground and confronts him. This is when I'm clapping and going "go, sister!" Love strong woman.
Instead of pissing him off, Merina's attitude makes Reese (quietly) admire her. Her surprising visit to his office isn't half as upsetting as the problems he's dealing with at his company -- his fame as a womanizer is making the board of directors unsure of his abilities to run Crane Hotels. He needs to change their mind ASAP, and what better way to do it then to strike a deal with someone as desperate as him?
I gotta give it to Reese. He's a pretty smart guy. He knew how to spot an opportunity and make the best out of it. He knew what he wanted and he knew what Merina wanted, and fortunately for him, what she wanted was within his reach. So that's how the arragement takes place: Merina helps Reese convince the board he's a changed, responsible and serious man, and Reese gives Merina the Van Heusen hotel back. Win, win.
Of course you know where this is going, right? Forced to spend time together and convince others they're crazy in love, Merina and Reese end up getting to know each other well enough to realize they like what they're seeing. Though Reese is stubborn and acts like a "chickenshit" (his words, not mine), these two find the happy ending they deserve.
I enjoyed following Merina and Reese's story from "almost enemies" to "couple in love". I think the author did a good job building the romance (it wasn't insta-love) and showing their personalities. I wished some of the plot choices had been different, but I wasn't unhappy with the way things turned out. There were some very sweet moments between them, some hot ones and even some heartbreaking ones.
I think fans of billionaire romances will enjoy this book.
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2 comments:
Thank you for sharing your review for THE BILLIONAIRE BACHELOR!
Glad to be a part of it!
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