Reviews

Naughty or Nice by Rachael Stewart

norwayellesea's review against another edition

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5.0

A Christmassy Rachael Stewart novel?… Yes, please! 

Eve Beaumont is a feisty, strong woman but even she struggles to break away from the financial control her family have over her. It's even more frustrating when the only man she's ever wanted is despised by them, Specifically, her brother, Nate. So when Lucas Waring walks back into her life and wants to invest in her company, she's the only one please to see him.

Lucas Waring is rich beyond his dreams but he still hasn't got what he wants and she's called Eve Beaumont. He plans to invest in her company, but he also wants her in his bed. With the past destined to catch up with him, he's determined to stake his claim, until secrets threaten to destroy his chance to finally have what his heart desires.

I love a man in a sharp suit and Lucas is the epitome of class and sophistication. Oozing charisma, he's a ladies man. He's also rich, a billionaire but money doesn't always buy what you want and Eve is his idea of a perfect woman. After ten years, Eve still wants the only man she's ever loved but so many questions need answers. 

The title says it all! It's sexy (phew, it's hot) packed with sharp dialogue and sexual tension. Eva and Lucas are well matched. Electrically charged chemistry sizzles between them, trying to assert influence over the other. However, events in the past promise to spoil what they both desire as outside influence tests their will power to the maximum. Thankfully, a happy and satisfying ending is the result for two people made for each other. 

The narrative flows effortlessly and I was instantly drawn to the Eve and Lucas. Their romance is intense and this balances out well with a fascinating back story full of lies and deceit. Ms Stewart is one of my go-to authors and if you haven't discovered her novels, I suggest you should.

***arc generously received courtesy of publisher Harlequin Dare***

lisaluvsliterature's review against another edition

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4.0

This book started out hot from the very first pages! It was a quick and easy read, lots of steam, lots of emotion, lots of back story. The characters both had great reasons for why they felt the way they did. Everyone in the family did in a way. It was good that in the end they were able to find out the real events that led to the rift between Lucas and Eva's family. I like that Eva was working on her own product and that she was taking charge and making her own decisions. There was a time or two when I feel like she gave in and let others come between her and Lucas, but again, I know that's needed to add the drama to the story. As I said, it was a fast read, and I could see reading more from this author in the future. Probably more of a 3.5 stars in reality though.

This review first appeared on Lisa Loves Literature.

joreadsromance's review

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5.0



Very, very nice!
5 stars

[a:Rachael Stewart|15103378|Rachael Stewart|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1526372299p2/15103378.jpg] has really made the Harlequin / Mills & Boon Dare line for me - and I know that I can pick up one of her books and receive a fantastic blend of smart, hella sexy and devastatingly beautiful romance. Which is exactly what you get from this story.

Eva is exactly the kind of heroine that I love to read about. We meet her when she’s 18 and wearing her heart on her sleeve - optimistic and enthusiastic - and about to have her heart broken. 10 years later, she’s a successful businesswoman and is fierce, in control and knows what she wants and goes out to get it. But she’s still optimistic, enthusiastic as well as being kind and generous. I loved her, rooted for her and aspired to be her. She’s a kind, kick-ass businesswoman in cute outfits and killer heels!

But my heart absolutely fell for Lucas and surprisingly not because he was estranged from his surrogate family - or at least not only because of that. I expected a grumpy alpha single-mindedly bent on revenge. But that’s not what we get. Lucas is definitely an alpha male and he does have a slightly stubborn streak - handy for a billionaire businessman - but he so refreshingly honest with his feelings that I fell in love on the first page. It’s disarming and so wonderfully refreshing. You don’t get many heroes who have that equal blend of emotional awareness with the alpha goodness we all love. If Ms Stewart it taking her inspiration from the men in her own life then she needs to introduce me to them right now!

Even with my love of Eva and Lucas separately - it’s together that the pair really shine. The chemistry is so palpable I felt like I was in the room with them. And that room was HOT! From their first encounter at Eva’s launch event, it sets the tone for the pair’s interactions. Neither can hide their feelings for each other and again it’s refreshing that neither use sex as a weapon against the other. Oh, there’s definitely still some unfulfilled moments, shall we say, but it all happens realistically and works with the progression of the story. And did I mention it’s HOT?!

From the blurb of this book we’re sold a tale of heartbreak, betrayal and revenge - but that’s really selling it short. It’s got everything that you want from a Dare romance or just a romance in general. And okay, so this is a Christmas book and I’m reading it in March - but it’s definitely an ‘anytime of year’ kind of story. There’s a delightful twinkle of festive-ness that just adds to the romance whatever month you read it.

All in all, I loved this story and [a:Rachael Stewart|15103378|Rachael Stewart|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1526372299p2/15103378.jpg] has once again proved to me that she’s the queen of Mills & Boon Dare romances and now an auto-buy for me. Highly recommended and a very worthy 5 stars.


shell74's review

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4.0

See the full review at HarlequinJunkie

Provocative and achingly real, Naughty or Nice was a romance that quickly swept me away. Rachael Stewart created a sizzling tension between our hero and heroine that stemmed back a decade and had seen a few changes along the way. But through it all they had feelings between them that weren’t just on the surface, they ran deep. I loved that Lucas and Eva had previously been–and again became–good friends in addition to their incredible chemistry. Read More

lilith_elinor's review

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4.0

This book was a pleasant surprise. I saved it for close to Christmas because it's a holiday romance, and it didn't disappoint me.

Lucas is a good hero, confident and quite alpha, but not overly so, he's definitely human which is how I prefer my heroes, with doubts and vulnerabilities. He needed a family and was hurt by rejection, he was lonely, he wanted to impress Eva and craved her recognition. I like this kind of thing, it's catnip for me when the hero's strength and resilience is balanced with more vulnerable places.

Eva was also good, she's loving and kind, but she's not a doormat. She works hard, she's good at what she does and organised. She's willing to protect herself and those she loves from hurt. I really liked how she called the shots for their first encounter and told him what to do. The sexual tension is strong in this book and the sex scenes are steamy!
And I agree with her, it was hot when he came in his pants.


I found Eva and Lucas' history and the way they both pined for each other moving, I felt emotionally engaged and was rooting for them. As the book progressed you could see them relax with each other and draw closer. Seeing them be affectionate was sweet and made their connection tangible. I also liked how you could see he'd always been thinking of her. They were adorable together and that epilogue was perfect, it gave me the warm fuzzies and I ended the book happy.

The story felt well told to me, the pacing was good, the writing was neat and unobtrusive. The main pair were three dimensional and the conflict compelling. The holiday bits were a nice bonus since I read it on Christmas Eve. Overall an entertaining, fast read, I'll be looking for more from this author.

ellesea's review

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5.0

A Christmassy Rachael Stewart novel?… Yes, please! 

Eve Beaumont is a feisty, strong woman but even she struggles to break away from the financial control her family have over her. It's even more frustrating when the only man she's ever wanted is despised by them, Specifically, her brother, Nate. So when Lucas Waring walks back into her life and wants to invest in her company, she's the only one please to see him.

Lucas Waring is rich beyond his dreams but he still hasn't got what he wants and she's called Eve Beaumont. He plans to invest in her company, but he also wants her in his bed. With the past destined to catch up with him, he's determined to stake his claim, until secrets threaten to destroy his chance to finally have what his heart desires.

I love a man in a sharp suit and Lucas is the epitome of class and sophistication. Oozing charisma, he's a ladies man. He's also rich, a billionaire but money doesn't always buy what you want and Eve is his idea of a perfect woman. After ten years, Eve still wants the only man she's ever loved but so many questions need answers. 

The title says it all! It's sexy (phew, it's hot) packed with sharp dialogue and sexual tension. Eva and Lucas are well matched. Electrically charged chemistry sizzles between them, trying to assert influence over the other. However, events in the past promise to spoil what they both desire as outside influence tests their will power to the maximum. Thankfully, a happy and satisfying ending is the result for two people made for each other. 

The narrative flows effortlessly and I was instantly drawn to the Eve and Lucas. Their romance is intense and this balances out well with a fascinating back story full of lies and deceit. Ms Stewart is one of my go-to authors and if you haven't discovered her novels, I suggest you should.

***arc generously received courtesy of publisher Harlequin Dare***
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