Reviews

How to Bang a Billionaire by Alexis Hall

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mcd10's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

leatherbee's review against another edition

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5.0

Arden is one of my favorite character because he’s so unashamedly himself.

phoofy's review against another edition

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funny fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

Ardy, the main character, is a bit frustrating. He’s charming and funny on his own (or with his friends), but when it comes to Caspian, it feels like he immediately turns into a clingy, whiny mess. While I found Alexis Hall’s writing brilliant as usual, I found it hard to root for the main couple, and I may skip the next two books in the series.

amazingjane's review against another edition

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fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

lezreadalot's review against another edition

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3.0

I started this book kind of appalled, because it seemed bad verging on parody. But a few chapters in I realised it kind of WAS parody (though.. not really) and I leaned into it. I've never read 50 Shades but I've seen it mocked enough to know when Alexis Hall was poking fun.

The good: I do generally like Alexis Hall's writing, and I liked it a lot through Arden. Arden's a lot, perhaps too much sometimes, all the pop cultures references got a little exhausting, but he's a cute fun character. (Also, painfully me. /weak queer English Lit major flailing through life high five.) I really appreciated that in a book about a negotiated relationship of whatever, there were people OTHER than Caspian around him. Nick, Ellery, Arden's parents, even the secretary dude, Rose whatever; all relationships that I actually enjoyed. I REALLY appreciated Arden yelling at Caspian and telling him to "leave it for the bedroom" because god knows I hate any sort of lifestyle D/s or over the top possessiveness.

The bad: eh. I get that Caspian has a past and his own trauma that'll probably be unpacked later but he just didn't do much for me. Every bit of cruelty made me leery, him calling Arden stupid that one time made me furious. And all billionaires, fictional or not, are fucking obnoxious to me lol. And sometimes it felt like the book let Caspian off too easy. As much as Arden yelled at him, I wanted MORE YELLING. (Metaphorically) KICK HIS ASS!!! FINISH HIM!!!

I listened to the audiobook as read by Joel Leslie and he was good! Very expressive. I feel like I might not have liked Arden's voice as much if I've read this book myself. Leslie's emoting actually made some bits funny where it might have been cringey.

I've forgotten half of the things I wanted to say. This isn't a bad book. Probably? I just have no patience for mean, repressed doms, and it's good that we get glimpses of the sweet person Caspian can be, or else I would drop this series right now. As it is, I'll probably get the second one. Maybe.

I don't know. Go read Prosperity instead tbh.

3.5 stars.

mhor's review against another edition

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2.0

Was ok. But the kink was not treated like kink. There was no talking about soft or hard limits,, no discussions on safe words. No after care. Nothing.

This book was more in abusive territory, not kink.

Don’t think I’ll be continuing