The Billionaire Bachelor by Jessica Lemmon

The Billionaire Bachelor (Billionaire Bad Boys, #1)

by Jessica Lemmon

Reese Crane has a problem. His father has been grooming Reese to take over as the CEO of the infamous Crane Hotel brand when he's ready to retire and that day has finally come. Too bad the Board of Directors isn't on-board. Reese's past as a manwhore has been splashed all over the tabloids and gossip columns and the last thing the Board wants is a pleasure-seeking playboy to sully the company name. But Reese isn't giving up so easily. 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 keep her parents' funky and historic boutique hotel in business-even marry cold-as-ice but sexy-as-hell billionaire bachelor Reese Crane to do it. It's a simple business contract-six months of "marriage", absolute secrecy, and the Van Heusen is all hers again. But nothing is ever that simple. Now married and appearing together publicly, Merina has no problem putting on a show for the cameras but what she doesn't expect is to be as wildly attracted to Reese behind closed doors as he is for her.
With sparks flying and tempers flaring, they give into the volatile attraction more than once and Merina finds herself faced with her worst nightmare: falling in love with her husband.

Reviewed by Lynn on

4 of 5 stars

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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.

4 Stars

***arc generously received courtesy of Forever via NetGalley***

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 28 May, 2016: Finished reading
  • 28 May, 2016: Reviewed