By: Jessica Lemmon
Releasing June 28, 2016
Forever
Forever
The Billionaire Bachelor
Billionaire Bad Boys Series
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 . . .
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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.
“Seems this April morning is colder than you anticipated,” he drawled.
This is my second Jessica Lemmon novel and my expectations are more than met in this fun and frivolous billionaire style marriage of convenience romance.
Reece Crane wants to take over as CEO of his father's company, only his man-whore, playboy lifestyle means he's not taken seriously in the business world. After a soaking wet, angry woman confronts him about one of his hotels, He decides to hatch a plan to clean up his tarnished image, only the outcome is far greater than the original plan.
Merina Van Heusen's devastated when she finds out her parents sold her beloved Van Heusen boutique hotel to Crane Hotels. Horrified, that the new owners will spoil the ambience and charm of this Chicago landmark with changes, she heads off to challenge the person who instructed the renovations. The drop-dead gorgeous specimen of a man she meets is the epitome of what she despises in the opposite sex:
"You listen to me, you suited sewer rat."
Yet unbeknown to Merina, she's made a lasting impression and he's going to make an outrageous proposition worth considering.
I loved Reece and Merina together. The pretence of their arrangement ensues it becomes more than an agreement to marry, it's a full-blown PR campaign to turn Reece into a respectable business man rather than fodder for the gutter press. Whilst he can charm the birds from the trees, he's hiding a crippling personal secret, reducing his chance of ever achieving a happy and stable relationship. The more he spends time with Merina, the more he falls in love, yet simultaneously pushes her away. Merina, hurt from a previous relationship is wary of Reece, but as time wears on she falls for him and dumbfound as he pushes her away, knowing that he's hiding from his true feelings. Yet, her feisty nature kicks in when most needed and challenges him to reveal the truth.
I love Jessica's writing style, how she brings her protagonists to life in a believable way. The Billionaire Bachelor is a fabulous start to what promises to be an amazing series.
***arc generously received courtesy of Forever via NetGalley***
Reece Crane wants to take over as CEO of his father's company, only his man-whore, playboy lifestyle means he's not taken seriously in the business world. After a soaking wet, angry woman confronts him about one of his hotels, He decides to hatch a plan to clean up his tarnished image, only the outcome is far greater than the original plan.
Merina Van Heusen's devastated when she finds out her parents sold her beloved Van Heusen boutique hotel to Crane Hotels. Horrified, that the new owners will spoil the ambience and charm of this Chicago landmark with changes, she heads off to challenge the person who instructed the renovations. The drop-dead gorgeous specimen of a man she meets is the epitome of what she despises in the opposite sex:
"You listen to me, you suited sewer rat."
Yet unbeknown to Merina, she's made a lasting impression and he's going to make an outrageous proposition worth considering.
I loved Reece and Merina together. The pretence of their arrangement ensues it becomes more than an agreement to marry, it's a full-blown PR campaign to turn Reece into a respectable business man rather than fodder for the gutter press. Whilst he can charm the birds from the trees, he's hiding a crippling personal secret, reducing his chance of ever achieving a happy and stable relationship. The more he spends time with Merina, the more he falls in love, yet simultaneously pushes her away. Merina, hurt from a previous relationship is wary of Reece, but as time wears on she falls for him and dumbfound as he pushes her away, knowing that he's hiding from his true feelings. Yet, her feisty nature kicks in when most needed and challenges him to reveal the truth.
I love Jessica's writing style, how she brings her protagonists to life in a believable way. The Billionaire Bachelor is a fabulous start to what promises to be an amazing series.
***arc generously received courtesy of Forever via NetGalley***
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.
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Thank you for sharing your lovely review!
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