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justavoraciousreader's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
bookobsessedmommy's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This was fun and spicy! This is definitely giving instalove, but I didn't give it much thought. Michael seems like a really sweet human ATM, but Kayla seems to like him for more than just his money. And he likes Kayla for her "normalcy". That may not seem like a compliment, but you're going to have to trust me that it is. Their communication is great, the third act conflict actually made sense, and that ending made me laugh out loud. 🤣 On to the next!
bookishkarina's review against another edition
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
This was an enjoyable and fun erotica novella. Loved the different rep in this book.
emmaparker's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
stungbythewood's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
This feels pertinent to today’s socioeconomic climate, seeing how it’s still difficult and time consuming to get hired for jobs in this day in age. I, too, wish I had a handsome billionaire to pay for my college tuition.
I was a little surprised to see that this was published in 2015, as it reads like it was written within the last year. In that regard, this has aged quite well. As someone who’s in the same age bracket as the FMC, the dialogue and expressions felt very similar to how people of my age talk. There’s no out of place terminology used.
Onto the pros and cons:
PROS
I admired Kayla’s desire to keep working even after she’d have all her expenses paid for.
I am not of the notion that someone is lazy if they don’t want to work (because honestly, who likes having to work in this day and age?), but I enjoyed that she still had goals and plans for herself even if she didn’t have to worry about income anymore. She thought of her own financial independence and didn’t let herself get “lost” in her partner.
Another positive for me was how attuned Michael was to how Kayla was feeling and although this is the bare minimum of respect and integrity, he never pressured Kayla into having sex with him and always made sure that he got enthusiastic consent from her when they were having sex.
Michael is also enthusiastically into Kayla. He doesn’t have any insecurities about her weight or what people might say when they’re seen together.
Lastly, in my ever growing desire to read books with more diversity, I am happy to say that this cast includes a variety of characters or color, LGBTQ+ characters, and plus-sized characters. It was really nice to see a trans woman of color develop a cute little relationship with a famous pop star.
CONS
One thing I hate in romance stories is when a friendship between women is dissolved over a man. I had hopes that this wouldn’t happen between Kayla and Adler, but as I got to the last chapter of the novella I soon realized what I feared would happen, happened.
I would probably still dislike this trope even if it had a more natural progression, but this in particular felt very rushed and tacked onto the end to create an unnecessary point of conflict. It just doesn’t make sense to me as to why things ended like that.
I am beginning to realize that I also dislike the insta-love trope within the romance genre. In this case it felt very rushed, especially with the main characters moving in together at the end. I feel like the whole plot point with Adler was just an excuse for these two characters to have a reason to move in together.
I get why Kayla left the apartment and didn’t want to stay roommates with Adler, but I don’t think I’d move in with my partner that I’d only known for a few months at MOST. Michael was wanting Kayla to move in as well but I’m sure if she wanted, Michael wouldn’t have a problem getting a little one bedroom apartment for her.
My last issue is with the anal sex scene. I was a little bit shocked to read that the characters when condom-less, especially when they were still wearing condoms while having vaginal sex, especially when STI’s can still be contracted through anal sex and the characters did not seemingly have a discussion about their status or sexual health history.
There were a few spelling errors here and there in the ebook I read but I’m mostly accrediting that to editing.
All in all this was a quick, fun and summery little read.
I was a little surprised to see that this was published in 2015, as it reads like it was written within the last year. In that regard, this has aged quite well. As someone who’s in the same age bracket as the FMC, the dialogue and expressions felt very similar to how people of my age talk. There’s no out of place terminology used.
Onto the pros and cons:
I admired Kayla’s desire to keep working even after she’d have all her expenses paid for.
I am not of the notion that someone is lazy if they don’t want to work (because honestly, who likes having to work in this day and age?), but I enjoyed that she still had goals and plans for herself even if she didn’t have to worry about income anymore. She thought of her own financial independence and didn’t let herself get “lost” in her partner.
Another positive for me was how attuned Michael was to how Kayla was feeling and although this is the bare minimum of respect and integrity, he never pressured Kayla into having sex with him and always made sure that he got enthusiastic consent from her when they were having sex.
Michael is also enthusiastically into Kayla. He doesn’t have any insecurities about her weight or what people might say when they’re seen together.
Lastly, in my ever growing desire to read books with more diversity, I am happy to say that this cast includes a variety of characters or color, LGBTQ+ characters, and plus-sized characters. It was really nice to see a trans woman of color develop a cute little relationship with a famous pop star.
CONS
One thing I hate in romance stories is when a friendship between women is dissolved over a man. I had hopes that this wouldn’t happen between Kayla and Adler, but as I got to the last chapter of the novella I soon realized what I feared would happen, happened.
I would probably still dislike this trope even if it had a more natural progression, but this in particular felt very rushed and tacked onto the end to create an unnecessary point of conflict. It just doesn’t make sense to me as to why things ended like that.
I am beginning to realize that I also dislike the insta-love trope within the romance genre. In this case it felt very rushed, especially with the main characters moving in together at the end. I feel like the whole plot point with Adler was just an excuse for these two characters to have a reason to move in together.
I get why Kayla left the apartment and didn’t want to stay roommates with Adler, but I don’t think I’d move in with my partner that I’d only known for a few months at MOST. Michael was wanting Kayla to move in as well but I’m sure if she wanted, Michael wouldn’t have a problem getting a little one bedroom apartment for her.
My last issue is with the anal sex scene. I was a little bit shocked to read that the characters when condom-less, especially when they were still wearing condoms while having vaginal sex, especially when STI’s can still be contracted through anal sex and the characters did not seemingly have a discussion about their status or sexual health history.
There were a few spelling errors here and there in the ebook I read but I’m mostly accrediting that to editing.
All in all this was a quick, fun and summery little read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Sexual assault
beccacantread's review
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
chanteld's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I realized that I'm not a fan of billionaire romance books anymore. But the age gap worked. I'd read more from these characters.
golden_lily's review
4.0
20 more pages and this would be a five star novella.
Kayla Davis is about to be evicted. She and her roommate are both out of work. The job hunt is going no where. Neither of their parents can float them. Adler, who had previous luck as a sugar baby in college, suggests that they both sign up for Arrangements, the dating site version of Megan Wants a Millionaire. Kayla's not particularly interested, but after a few days agrees to check out a mixer - just in case.
I immediately loved Kayla. She's not what I think of when I think "billionaire romance". It's not just that she's a curvy woman or that she's black, though hallelujah. She's an adult. She's had sex and knows what she likes. She's not opposed to sex-work and supports Adler's decision, but knows it's not a good gig for her because she "catches feelings". There's no wringing of hands and worrying, "oh does he like me, like me?" She's upfront with Michael about what she wants and makes no apologies for it, which is of course what draws him to her.
Michael is a babe. He's the CEO of the company that owns Arrangements, with irons in a lot of fires. After chatting at the mixer, his idea of a first date is to take Kayla on his plane to NYC to see him work, to see if she can deal with meetings from 6a to 11p. And she does. This isn't a book where the girl is jealous of the guy's work schedule. Micheal talks to Kayla every step of the way. He's not condescending, but he checks in. He asks if it's ok to take her hand. He never pushes for sex. He's not controlling. (He does over-step on the rent payment, but never again after Kay tells him off.)
The sex scenes are amazing, and a little more risque than usual, incorporating toys and anal as the relationship progresses and the characters become more comfortable. The writing isn't super graphic, fitting with the story's relatively fluffy tone, but it's nice to see variety in every encounter. More so than the sex is the connection the characters share from the word go. They're crazy about each other.
As I said, I do wish the book was a hair longer. The antagonist's motives come through ok, but I wish there had been even one more scene to flesh out the reasoning and the consequences. I also thought it was a little clumsy the way Kay, Daniella, and Gordo's sexualities were mentioned. I found the line, "We always joked that we made up three sides of the perfect rainbow triangle; me being black and bisexual, Gordo being Mexican and gay, and Daniella being Afro-Cuban and transgender," clunky. Daniella's beta romance was nice though and I'd like to see more of Duke in the future.
In all, this novella was exactly what I wanted after a bad day. It's cute, sexy, and funny. Kayla is a dream and Michael is amazing and Holger is a mohawked, tattooed, German butler. That last part isn't really relevant, but yes it is, because it proves this book is the best. Romance readers, I command you to buy this one.
Kayla Davis is about to be evicted. She and her roommate are both out of work. The job hunt is going no where. Neither of their parents can float them. Adler, who had previous luck as a sugar baby in college, suggests that they both sign up for Arrangements, the dating site version of Megan Wants a Millionaire. Kayla's not particularly interested, but after a few days agrees to check out a mixer - just in case.
I immediately loved Kayla. She's not what I think of when I think "billionaire romance". It's not just that she's a curvy woman or that she's black, though hallelujah. She's an adult. She's had sex and knows what she likes. She's not opposed to sex-work and supports Adler's decision, but knows it's not a good gig for her because she "catches feelings". There's no wringing of hands and worrying, "oh does he like me, like me?" She's upfront with Michael about what she wants and makes no apologies for it, which is of course what draws him to her.
Michael is a babe. He's the CEO of the company that owns Arrangements, with irons in a lot of fires. After chatting at the mixer, his idea of a first date is to take Kayla on his plane to NYC to see him work, to see if she can deal with meetings from 6a to 11p. And she does. This isn't a book where the girl is jealous of the guy's work schedule. Micheal talks to Kayla every step of the way. He's not condescending, but he checks in. He asks if it's ok to take her hand. He never pushes for sex. He's not controlling. (He does over-step on the rent payment, but never again after Kay tells him off.)
The sex scenes are amazing, and a little more risque than usual, incorporating toys and anal as the relationship progresses and the characters become more comfortable. The writing isn't super graphic, fitting with the story's relatively fluffy tone, but it's nice to see variety in every encounter. More so than the sex is the connection the characters share from the word go. They're crazy about each other.
As I said, I do wish the book was a hair longer. The antagonist's motives come through ok, but I wish there had been even one more scene to flesh out the reasoning and the consequences.
Spoiler
When Daniella says Kayla's always excusing Adler's behavior, I felt surprised. She hadn't acted great at the party, but this seemed to indicate a pattern that we didn't know about and might have explained more. Was she always jealous of Kayla in school? Does she always try to take people's boyfriends? I wasn't even sure Daniella and Adler knew each other before the party.In all, this novella was exactly what I wanted after a bad day. It's cute, sexy, and funny. Kayla is a dream and Michael is amazing and Holger is a mohawked, tattooed, German butler. That last part isn't really relevant, but yes it is, because it proves this book is the best. Romance readers, I command you to buy this one.