Review and Giveaway: Beauty and the Billionaire

Beauty and the Billionaire (Billionaire Boys Club - Book 2) by Jessica Clare

Publication Date: 10/07/2014
Publisher: Penguin Group
Imprint: Berkley Sensation
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Pages: 304
ISBN-10: 0425269140
ISBN-13: 978-0425269145

(Received for an honest review from Berkley Sensation)

Purchase: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, Indiebound

Jessica Clare  (aka. Jill Myles)on the WEB: website, blog, twitter, facebook, goodreads

Books in the series: 

Billionaire Boys Club

1. Stranded With the Billionaire
2. Beauty and the Billionaire
3. The Wrong Billionaire's Bed
4. Once Upon a Billionaire

Coverart: Click the Image for a larger, clearer view of the covers in this series.

WARNING: The book is inappropriate for readers under the age of 18.

Excerpt from, Beauty and the Billionaire, courtesy of Amazon's Look Inside feature

Synopsis:

The Billionaire Boys Club is a secret society of six men who are incredibly wealthy—but not always so successful when it comes to love…
 
Real-estate tycoon Hunter Buchanan has a dark past that’s left him scarred and living as a recluse on his family’s palatial estate. Hunter is ready to give up on love—until he spots an enigmatic red-haired beauty and comes up with an elaborate scheme to meet her.
 
Gretchen Petty is in need of a paycheck—and a change. So when a job opportunity in an upstate New York mansion pops up, she accepts. And while she can overlook the oddities of her new job, she can’t ignore her new boss’s delectable body—or his barely leashed temper.
 
Hunter’s afraid his plan might be unraveling before it’s truly begun, but Gretchen is about to show him that life can be full of surprises…

Thoughts:

Jessica Clare brings readers another billionaire bad boy in her second book in the Billionaire Boys Club series, Beauty and the Billionaire. This is a modern twist on the age-old beauty and the beast fairy-tale and readers will be enchanted from the first page to the last. Though there isn't any magic of the witchy kind, there is lot of sizzling romance and a heart-felt love story that will leave readers sighing with contentment. Clare knows how to write a tortured hero who is scarred inside and out, and the woman who can change his world. A great addition to the series!

What I liked:

I can genuinely say that Hunter is my favorite Jessica Clare hero, ever. In fact he is probably one of my all time favorites heroes from any author and that's saying a lot! You all know how many books I read and how many authors I have had the pleasure to enjoy. Hunter is my favorite kind of hero, tortured. Because of an accident Hunter is left scarred for life. He is used to looks of horror and revulsion when people look at him. He has become reclusive and lonely. Though he spends time with his boys, he doesn't entertain. I loved that he became attracted and intrigued with Gretchen from afar and then went to great lengths to pursue her. 

What's the point in being a billionaire if you can't use that money to bring a little happiness to your life? Hunter doesn't pull any punches. When he finds out that Gretchen is a ghost writer, he actually goes so far as to start a publishing company in order to offer her a job. A job that comes with certain conditions including staying on sight for the duration of the project. He becomes a part of Gretchen's life and never looks back. He went for it, despite the reactions he was used to, in spite of the fact that she didn't know him from Adam. I loved his confidence, his billionaire attitude, his big heart and his sexiness! What a hero!

Gretchen had to be a very strong character to match up to Hunter. She had to be intelligent, resourceful and strong. She was all those things and more. She looked past the outside and saw the man behind the scars. Clare was able to challenge the ideas of what makes a great relationship with these two characters and I think readers will really respond to that. The chemistry between Hunter and Gretchen was spot on. They sizzled! The love scenes were steamy, yes you will need a fan and a cold drink, but more importantly there were so many poignant moments and a heart felt love developing. 

The fact that Gretchen was a writer, struck a cord with me as well. The whole book had a great theme. They were working together on a book that required her skills as a ghostwriter. Readers get a sense of the publishing world and how ghostwriting works and I liked that plot device. It gave Gretchen a reason to be with Hunter and it also satisfied that writing angle I love so much in books. Being a struggling author and freelancer myself might have a thing or two to do with that...LOL!

What I didn't like:

What can I say, I've read some really good books lately and this one is probably one of my favorites. You have to read it to understand!

Bottom Line:

This is just a great book. I liked the first one in the series, but I loved this one. The romance is sweet and sexy all at the same time. Jessica Clare fans will love this story and Hunter is one grade A hero! Sexy, tortured, a little brooding and a whole lot lonely. Gretchen is spicy, sassy and very accepting. A great combination and a great love story!

Beauty and the Billionaire is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 5 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

About the Author:

Jessica Clare is the New York Times bestselling author of the Billionaire Boys Club novels and the Bluebonnet novels, and is featured in the anthology Hot Summer Nights.

Giveaway Details:

The publisher is sponsoring a giveaway for one copy of Beauty and the Billionaire by Jessica Clare.

~ You must be an email subscriber to participate.
~ US addresses only.
~ The deadline to enter this giveaway is Midnight EST, October 23rd.

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