Review: The Billionaire Bachelor (Billionaire Bad Boys #1)

The Billionaire Bachelor (Billionaire Bad Boys #1)

by Jessica Lemmon 

Blurb:

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.

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 . . .

Themes:  Contemporary

Rating: 3.5 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

I am always on the lookout for new authors and new experiences when it comes to my reading and the cover and blurb for Jessica Lemmon’s Billionaire Bachelor was irresistible and I am thrilled I gave myself permission to add a new author to my repertoire.  Reese and Merina were amazing characters, both perfect foils for one another and passionate in their own unique ways, even while being flawed.  In other words they were the most believably human characters! Merina is a woman that has devoted her life to her family’s small boutique hotel and is determined that it not fall into the hands of a man that will change everything that has made the place her home since her childhood.  When Reese proposes an outrageous solution to both her desire to keep her hotel in the family and his desire to reach his professional dreams,  Merina—quite reluctantly—agrees to the charade.  Reese is the perfect coldhearted CEO on the surface, but the more Merina gets to know him the more she realizes he is much more than that.  Reese has been hurt, badly, by women in the past and has closed himself off to love, but Merina is impossible to truly resist.  He decides that having a fling with his temporary wife won’t cause anyone any heartache and they are both soon wrapped up in one another so closely that the love becomes undeniable.  I loved seeing Merina pull Reese out of his shell and find a way to make him accept her love and offer his own equally.  While there were certainly moments I cried for him, right alongside Merina, there were also moments I wished that he would pull his head out of his behind and see what (or who) was right in front of him.  Once he learns the humble lesson that love truly can never die when it is given fully, he is able to see the error of his ways and take what his heart has been telling him he needed all along.  Merina was an interesting woman, obviously passionate in all ways, but also intelligent, caring, giving, and—luckily for Reese—forgiving.  I loved seeing her find her place in his world and finding a way to help him heal and face the love she was showing him every moment they were together.  From enemies to friends and ultimately to the deepest of loves, Lemmon takes us on a thrill ride between two high-powered individuals both used to being on top and finding a way for them to blend and become stronger for their partnership.  The intensity of Merina and Reese’s emotional connection and physical attraction was like two high-powered magnets and when they finally come together, the result is explosive.  I cannot wait to read more of Ms. Lemmon’s work and see what other sexy men and women she takes on an adventure of a lifetime to find their HEA.  Another great name to add to my list of author’s to watch out for, keep up the good work Jessica.

*eBook provided by publisher (via netgalley) for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review.  No compensation was provided.