Category Archives: 5 Spot

Review: The Billionaire in Boots by Julia London

Title: The Billionaire in Boots by Julia London
Princes of Texas Series Book Three
Publisher: Berkley
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 364 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher

Summary:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Julia London delivers a sexy new contemporary western, where a lonesome rancher and a no-nonsense cowgirl learn that you don’t choose who you fall for–love lassos you….

As the firstborn son, it’s been drilled into Nick that he is the heir apparent to the Prince family empire. But cattle ranching has never been his true passion. Nick wants to be a pilot.  However, when his father dies, leaving Nick to clean up the mess, he knows he must do his duty before following his heart.

Charlotte Bailey can’t believe that Nick is back to run the ranch. As the office manager, she knows it’s her responsibility to help him. If only he wasn’t so brooding and cranky–and so hot it’s a wonder his chaps don’t melt right off him. But when sparks fly between them, she’s adamant about staying away from a cowboy on his way out the door.

Nick knows the ranch’s pretty, smart, and capable office manager is off-limits, but he needs her. And working in such close proximity to Charlotte every day is making Nick crazy. She smells good, she looks good, she makes him laugh, but most of all she makes him want to stay….

Review:

The Billionaire in Boots by Julia London is a funny and heartwarming romance. Although this newest release is the third installment in the Princes of Texas series, it can be read as a standalone.

Eighteen months after his father’s death, reluctant rancher Nick Prince is worried his chance to fulfill his dream is slipping through his fingers.  He is in charge of the family ranch which remains in a financially precarious situation due to his father’s gambling.  Nick loves his brother Luca and sister Hallie but he is slightly resentful they do not have to sacrifice their career choices for the future of the ranch. He loves the solitary home he has created for himself, but Nick is beginning to feel a little lonely. The highlight of his day is sparring with office manager Charlotte Bailey. Despite deciding not to pursue a relationship with her following their scorching hot encounter two years ago, Nick is finding it very difficult to resist his attraction to the sassy, spirited Charlotte.

Charlotte is funny, vivacious and bighearted.  Now in her early thirties, she is afraid her dream of  marriage and a family might not come true. At the urging of her sister Cassie, Charlotte is giving on line dating a whirl, but her dates fizzle more than sizzle. Charlotte truly enjoys her job and she has worked hard to push her one night with Nick and her interest in him to the back of her mind. But she still enjoys their teasing conversations, witty emails exchanges and humorous text messages.

Their flirtatious banter soon gives way to passion, but Charlotte and Nick live in the present and avoid planning for a future together. Charlotte is  close to her family and she is firmly planted in their small country town. Nick still yearns to fulfill his dream of becoming a pilot. When Nick comes to a startling realization, their relationship hangs in the balance as he makes decisions without consulting Charlotte. With two very different visions of their lives, is there any chance Nick and Charlotte’s romance will turn into a lasting relationship?

The Billionaire in Boots is a light-hearted romance with serious undertones. Charlotte is a refreshing breath of fresh air who is upbeat and loving. Nick is the epitome of the strong, silent type who can be a little grumpy. Despite their diverse personalities, they are a surprisingly well-suited couple.  With realistic problems to overcome, Julia London brings this heartfelt and engaging romance to a sweet and uplifting conclusion. This playful addition to  the Princes of Texas series is sure to be a hit with readers of contemporary romances.

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One Good Friend Deserves Another by Lisa Verge Higgins

Title: One Good Friend Deserves Another by Lisa Verge Higgins
Publisher: Hachette Book group/Grand Central Publishing
Imprint: 5 Spot
Genre: Contemporary, Fiction
Length: 352 pages
Book Rating: A

Review Copy Obtained from Publisher

Summary:

HOW MANY OF THESE DATING RULES HAVE YOU BROKEN?

1. Choose Your Own Man
2. Make Sure Your Friends Approve
3. No One-Night Stands
4. Trust Your Instincts
5. Never Make the Same Mistake Twice
6. After a Break-Up, Wait Six Months Before Dating Again.

Dhara, Kelly, Marta, and Wendy have been the closest of friends since college. So close, that after a series of romantic disasters, they bond together to create Rules of Relationships to keep their hearts safe.

Years later, the rules seem to have worked . . . until Marta discovers that her hot boyfriend is married, Kelly begins a risky love affair, Wendy inches closer to a pre-marital infidelity, and, most shocking of all, Indian-American Dhara suddenly agrees to an arranged marriage.

Hearts are about to be broken and the bonds of friendship are tested. Is it possible to find true love, when you’re breaking all the rules?

The Review:

One Good Friend Deserves Another by Lisa Verge Higgins is an absolutely captivating story about four very different women from completely different socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds and the friendship that keeps them grounded as they are faced with potentially life altering decisions.

Dhara Pitalia, Kelly Palazzo, Wendy Wainwright and Marta Sanchez forge a close friendship in college that endures the passage of time and all of life’s ups and downs. Indian/American Dhara’s sudden agreement to an arranged marriage comes as a huge shock to Kelly, Wendy and Marta. As her friends stage an intervention and remind her of dating rule number one, Dhara comes face to face with Cole Jackson, the first man she loved. Through flashbacks, Dhara relives her tempestuous relationship and finally confesses to her friends what eventually destroyed their romance. Will Dhara go back to the man she loved with all her heart and soul? Or will she honor the agreement between the Pitalia and Bohara families and marry Desh?

Wendy is a from a wealthy and socially prominent family. Desperately trying to live up to family expectations, she has conformed to their idea of an acceptable life. She is overwhelmed with her upcoming wedding preparations and finds herself at odds with her mother and fiancé over some of the arrangements. With her unexpected attraction to artist Gabe Teixeira, Wendy must decide if family acceptance is worth compromising who she really is.

Kelly is from a working class background. She is a computer genius who is socially awkward and clueless when it comes to social cues. When she is danger of breaking rule number five, her friends immediately stage an intervention. Kelly is well aware of the risks involved but she is more than ready to take a chance on love. Will she find everlasting love? Or will her romance end in heartbreak?

Marta has a life plan and she is carefully sticking to it. Having achieved her career goals, she would like nothing better than settle down and raise a family. In the aftermath of her break-up with Carlos, she is guilty of breaking rules number four, five and six. Brutal honesty and an intervention might be the only hope for Marta as she frantically pursues her happily ever after.

Lisa Verge Higgins has an engaging writing style that quickly draws you into this beautiful portrayal of love, family and friendship. It is a heartwarming journey for these four close friends. Each of the women in the story discovers their inner strengths and a stronger sense of who they are as they work through their difficult decisions.

One Good Friend Deserves Another is a charming and compelling story that I highly recommend.

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Filed under 5 Spot, Contemporary, Fiction, Grand Central Publishing, Hachette Book Group, Lisa Verge Higgins, One Good Friend Deserves Another