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WaterFyre Rising #3

The Innovator

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She is the irritation that turns his heart inside out.

Sharp, gorgeous, and skeptical, Grayson Wu is a top-notch architect who has built impenetrable walls around his unstable heart due to a betrayal he can’t soon forget. When an irritatingly beautiful woman threatens his foundation, he struggles to let her break down his barrier.

To resurrect his soul.
To reconstruct his heart.
To reset his life.

Determined, elegant, and versatile, Natalie Chapelle has courageously taken a city job well below her pay grade to save her family’s legacy. Though adaptable, she finds it hard to work with the arrogant and innovative designer who makes her want and hate him at the same time. When the tension between them snaps, she is tossed into his complex world, revealing more than she expected.

A man with more depth than the sea.
A mind more brilliant than the sun.
A lover more skillful than a surgeon.

As their romance builds, danger and dark secrets unfold that drive Grayson to sacrifice his heart in order to save the woman he loves.


The Innovator is an enemies-to-lovers, hidden identity, forced proximity, billionaire hero, and a suspenseful contemporary romance. It is Book Three in the WaterFyre Rising series but can be read as a standalone.

Caution: This book contains sexual content, profanity, violence, mentions of suicide, and eating disorder. Recommended for 18+.

ebook

Published February 1, 2023

219 people are currently reading
978 people want to read

About the author

Nadia Han

15 books289 followers
Nadia Han is a dreamer, a visionary, and a believer in karma and kindness. She lives in New England with her family and spends most of her time crafting stories. When she’s not writing, she practices yoga, reads, explores nature, and eats all kinds of foods.

Website: https://www.nadiahan.com
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5 stars
115 (38%)
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97 (32%)
3 stars
59 (20%)
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15 (5%)
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9 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
570 reviews2 followers
December 12, 2023
Mixed bag

Ok, this story (and series) has a good plot and the characters are likeable.

But this man calls his girlfriend boring and bland, tells her he’s been cheating because of it (I don’t care if this t true, he broke her heart) and the drugs her and sends her away.

And she forgive him with morning but a few sorts, visits and a dare.

Backbone for one please.
Profile Image for Pages and Paws.
55 reviews2 followers
March 27, 2024
THIS REVIEW WILL CONTAIN MEGA SPOILER STOP NOW IF YOU DON'T WANT SPOILERS


WTF. This book has one of the worst unsupported landings I have ever seen.

Okay so he makes her believe he doesn't care about her and when she does not behave in the way he wants he drugs her and kidnaps her. Then plops her in Paris like it is nothing. With the help of their mothers no less. I would immediately be NC with my mother.

Okay all fine and good with a fuck up like this I expect a grovel and humbling of epic proportion.

Nope. Zip. Nada.
THERE IS NO GROVEL. NONE.

She just gives him another chance. A man drugs someone...
He goes straight to jail
no second chances

But to just forgive him. What??

Oh honey he is gonna cheat on you within the first 2 years and convince you it was all your fault and a learning experience for you and you need to apologize and thank him for the learning opportunity.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Floraljoy.
1,138 reviews
April 3, 2023
Things heat up:
This book started off slowly and it felt long winded and drawn out in the beginning. However it sped up around the midway mark with more action taking place and greater advancement of the timeline. By this stage I was drawn into the plot and enjoyed the suspense and mystery. I really liked how unpredictable it all was and was curious to see what was going to happen next. Unfortunately some things didn't seem very plausible and it seemed like it was too much of a coincidence how all of the pieces fitted together. I'd highly recommend reading this as part of the series as there is a continuing mystery and follow through from previous books.
I liked Natalie and Grayson as individuals and a couple. However I found it a bit disconcerting as the heroine was supposed to be from France yet they way she spoke and acted was completely American. This is an interesting group of friends and I look forward to carrying on with the rest of the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Rae’s Library.
146 reviews4 followers
March 31, 2023
Another home run by Nadia Han! I absolutely love Natalie and Grayson together. Getting to see some of our other WaterFrye Rising lovers! Seeing all of these characters come together is amazing and I love seeing how “whipped” the precious boys are.

Nadia once again breaks our heart in her spicy romance novels! Grayson struggles with the betrayal of his uncle while Natalie is coping with the death of her father.

A spicy romance full of danger, secrets and falling in love!
Profile Image for Gabriela.
205 reviews1 follower
March 31, 2023
4.5⭐
Enemies to lovers is one of my favorite tropes.
Natalie and Grayson are perfect together. Both characters are independent, strong, successful and they keep their own personalities even after they starting dating.
The book has a bit to much drama for my tastes but the writting helped a lot. Nadia made me read complicated drama even if is not my cup of tea.
The hot scenes are... hot
Profile Image for Sara Jacobs.
186 reviews
April 6, 2023
Loved reading Grayson and Natalie’s story and learning more about the organization. The suspense is real!! Learning more about all the friends relationships, the past, the futures, and when you think someone’s dead? Think again.
I can’t wait for more. Eek!
Profile Image for Allison Comis.
873 reviews11 followers
September 25, 2024
This was Natalie and Grayson’s book. Natalie moved to Providence to figure out why her father bought a building for her before his death. She left Paris to figure this all out. She started working for the city. She didn’t tell anyone who she really was. Grayson was trying to rebuild the city and he wanted the one building that nobody knew anything about. It turned out that this is the building Natalie owned. He wanted her to help him with his project and trying to find out information on that building. They had a love hate relationship and they loved to aggravate the other. She told him that she couldn’t find anything. Natalie was engaged before she left Paris. She broke it off because Rafael was not the man she thought he was. One day a guard that worked for Rafael came to take her back to Paris. She told him she wasn’t going to go. He ended up putting his hands on her and Grayson came by and got him to release her. Natalie needed a vacation so Keira told her that she could use her weekend at the place she booked for herself since she couldn’t use it. Turns out Grayson was there too. They ended up talking and getting along. They each opened up to each other. There was a lot going on in this book. It was my favorite of the series so far.
Profile Image for Jenni.
6,488 reviews81 followers
October 11, 2023
4.5 stars
There is a caution with this book as it contains sexual content, profanity, and violence. Recommended for 18+.
I was happy to see the next book was out so jumped right in.
The Innovator is the third book in the WaterFyre Rising series. It is a forced proximity enemies to lovers tale. Even though this is the third book in the series each book can be read as standalones. This contemporary romance is a suspenseful tale with danger and dark secrets that may just destroy it all.
Gray was burned before and it is still leaving a bitter taste with him. He is safe from heartache as he has built walls around his heart with reinforced steel. Or so he thought.
Nat is out to save her family’s legacy but wonders if it is all worth it when you are working with an arrogant SOB. When tensions are at breaking point she discovers much more than she thought she would find. However, when danger comes calling who will help her?
I look forward to what comes next from Nadia.
584 reviews11 followers
April 24, 2023
I love this series! Book 3 did not disappoint! The Innovator made me intrigued of what’s to come. There’s been drama, action, and romance in all the books so far, but it’s starting to peak in book 3. The author wrote a wonderful story about the romance of 2 people, but also the collective danger lurking in the wings for all the characters throughout these books.
Book 3 is Grayson and Natalie’s story. Which definitely didn’t start off on the best foot. They argued and got under each other’s skin, at the same time those arguments made them more interested in the other.
Natalie is in Providence trying to find out why her father died and why he left her a building. Under an alias she gets a job at the Department of Public Works and Parks to see if she can dig up any info she can on The Prism. Not that it led her to anything but Grayson.
Grayson is trying to get his Three Point Park Project off the ground. One problem he needs to get his hands on The Prism building. The other problem is a beautiful blonde(Natalie) who just gets under his skin but he loves to argue with.
It’s a constant game of cat and mouse between these two. Until a bet is placed between them. That bet goes hand and hand with their attraction to one another. But what happens when they end up at The Fortress together. A getaway retreat where they are the only two occupying the space.
Do they succumb to their desires?
What happens when Natalie is threatened by her ex? Does Grayson come to the rescue?
What about the never ending threats to Grayson and his friends?
They saw something when they were teenagers that could threaten their lives and of those they love even now. Can Natalie and Grayson weather that storm?
So much going on and so many questions that come to mind. I’ll reiterate that the author wrote a wonderful story. A story that could be read as a standalone novel because of the romance, however it’s not recommended due to the drama and action. These books are all connected. Each one may focus on a different set of characters but it also focuses on the group of guys as a whole. You will have so many more questions if you don’t start at the beginning. So it’s time. You need to either start this series, trust me you won’t regret it. Or it’s time to jump into book 3 because you read books 1 & 2. The decision is yours!
Profile Image for Sheewhoreads .
210 reviews16 followers
April 9, 2023
Thank you author for providing me with an eARC copy of this book.

“His unique scent was kissed by the sun, chilled by the snow, and pressurized in a container of aged wine, organic wood, and rustic metal. He was masculine, and he was all mine.”

This book holds my heart. I loved this book so much. The writing style was so poetic and beautiful that i was engrossed with it and it tugged my hero strings, the storyline was intriguing and i had so much fun trying to figure out what actually happened it kept me on the edge of my seat.

I knew from the previous encounters we had with Grayson in the previous books that he’s going to be my favorite right after Remi though😂😂 even though I want to slap him sometimes during the second half of the book i still loved his character. I loved getting into his mind and reading about what he thinks he’s an intelligent, beautiful and a complex character it was fun seeing his hard stoic personality falter around Natalie.

Natalie must be protected at all costs. This sweet and independent woman was amazing, i loved reading about her and getting to know her character. I loved her relationship with the girls and how positive she was against the odds and don’t get me started on her relationship with Grayson it was wholesome and beautiful to see them both give in to each other and create something amazing.

The side characters were as usual amazing, beautiful, funny and fun to be around. I wanted to sit them all and see how awesome they we’re together as a friend group.

This series so far has been amazing and phenomenal and I cannot wait to read the next book.

“Sunlight without her was just sunlight. Sunlight with her transformed into this metaphysical or cosmic ray that I couldn’t explain.”

✨My Rating✨
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

✨Type Of Book✨
📚Part Of A Series/Standalone📚

✨Tropes✨
- Enemies To Lovers🔥
- Possessive MMC🔥
- Amazing FMC🔥
- Secret Identity🔥
- Obsessed With Her🔥
- Forced Proximity🔥
- Workplace Romance🔥
- Billionaire MMC🔥
- Suspense🔥

✨Trigger Warnings✨
- Kidnapping⚠️
- Grief⚠️
- Mention Of Parental Death⚠️
- Mention Of Murder⚠️
- Mention Of Child Abuse⚠️
- Elements Of Violence⚠️
- Mention Of Cheating (not between MCs)⚠️
- Mention Of Betrayal⚠️
Profile Image for Jessica Stone.
66 reviews2 followers
April 27, 2023
The Innovator (WaterFyre Rising Book 3) by Nadia Han - Review by Jessica Stone


"The Innovater", is book 3 of the WaterFyre Rising series and like this novels two predecessors, the author Nadia Han, knocked this one out of the ball park.

Natalie LaRue has recently moved to the states and taken a job way under her normal pay grade l in hopes of solving a mystery surrounding a property that her father purchased before his recent death.
Grayson Wu is a top notch architect just trying to get a project of his off the ground and running but is having a hard time getting his hands on the means to. All the while dealing with his Uncle betraying his family in the worst possibly way and trying to heal his heart from the damage and distrust resulting from this. The last thing he needs is the infuriating Natalie taking up more space in his head, but she's to distracting to not linger on.

I believe that this book could be read as a stand-alone but I recommend reading the first two books before this too help you get the whole picture, each book builds a little more and you can tell that things are coming to a head soon.

I love the relationship, the angsty, cat and mouse, enemies to lovers feel to this book. Natalie is so strong and brave and proud and just wants answers. I admire the strength her character shows in this book. Grayson is also a strong character, his stubbornness frustrated me for a while but the healing that he goes through in this book and his growth is *chefs kiss* wonderful. Both of these characters are well rounded and made for each other.
I feel like this author might be becoming a favorite of mine, I like the thought and effort put into her work, the world and character building is terrific. The slow burn of this series as it picks up steam is a wonderful change of pace.


The Innovator, WaterFyre Rising Series, Nadia Han, Review, Itsy Bitsy Book Bits, Romance, Suspense, Romantic Suspense, Jessica Stone, April 2023
1,013 reviews14 followers
May 15, 2023
Grayson Wu is a man with vision, he is an architect with an eye for detail and a drive to succeed in his every venture, but he is also under a lot of pressure because of this and other events which have taken place in his life and the emotional toll it has taken on his heart and soul. Natalie Chapelle is a woman who is determined to help the family business which is in dire straights and while Natalie is trying to figure out what to do about it, but she is also seeking answers of a different kind, but for this to succeed, she has to change, take a low paying job and work in a field she knows nothing about.

From the moment Natalie and Grayson meet, their personalities go head to head and the irritation Natalie feels for this enigmatic, handsome and egotistical man are the only thing which could derail her plans and this is especially true when he demands that she is his link between their offices on his biggest project to date. Grayson is both intrigued and excited by the breath of fresh air which is Natalie and the fact that she doesn’t back down or fawn over him like all the other women who surround him makes her even more of a mystery to solve and that is why he chooses her to work on his latest and most important build yet.

Neither Natalie or Grayson can deny that there is a pull between them, but they have both had too much heartache in their pasts to trust and open up the walls they have both written around their hearts, but the more they are thrown together both inside and outside of work, the tension builds and finally their willpower snaps, but can their budding romance stand true when the going gets tough and their dark pasts collide with the present, or will the ultimate sacrifices have to be made? This is a romantic suspense which is full of secrets, lies, revelations, the creation and destruction of bonds and drama galore, as this fast paced and all encompassing series makes the name “Waterfyre” more real with every turn.
Profile Image for Tara Johnson.
749 reviews14 followers
May 15, 2023
The Innovator is the third book in the WaterFyre Rising series. Although this book continues on from the first two books it can easily be read as a standalone. Grayson has been hurt in the past by a woman, so he has all but shunned off women and withdrawn from his family after his uncle’s betrayal. His way of dealing with life is by throwing himself into his work. This keeps him too busy for romance or relationships as he tries to juggle numerous projects all at once. Natalie has recently moved to the United States from Paris for work and has no time for love or romance. She is grieving the loss of her father and intends to focus on the mysteries surrounding her father and his death.

When Grayson and Natalie cross paths they argue and do not get along at all. Grayson does find Natalie very attractive and loves to get under her skin by bickering with her. Natalie is attracted to Grayson as well and continues the banter back and forth with him. As they start to spend more time together things begin to heat up. When they end up alone in a building together will the chemistry between them become undeniable? Can there ever be a future for these two as a couple?

This series has been great and each book builds on the other as the pieces start to come together and form a bigger story. The characters are intriguing as is the case with Grayson and Natalie. Both are hard-working, successful, smart, independent, and hard-headed. Each has found their own way of dealing with loss, grief, and betrayal by shutting out others and focusing on work. They butt heads and bicker because they are more alike than they would like to admit which makes the enemies to lovers’ aspect of this story so plausible. This book was wonderfully written, and the author did a beautiful job of covering sensitive topics such as grief, loss, suicide, and eating disorders. If you want a read full of suspense, tension, romance, passion, and chemistry this book is a must.
Profile Image for Angela Shirley.
941 reviews6 followers
April 18, 2023
Grayson is stuck in a cycle of mistrust and work, when his Uncle betrayed the family he did not think he would survive the personal struggle which occurs from such a great betrayal but as he tries to purpose his project unexpectedly he meets someone who challenges him and does not back away from the alpha billionaire.

Natalie wants answers, her father died in mysterious circumstances and when a letter arrived saying she own a piece of real estate that her father had willed her she tries to seek information and why he would have done this. While on her adventures she is confronted with a man who stirs something inside and seems to have some more information regarding her property, the only problem he needs it as part of his project and she is hiding the fact she owns it, will this set of sparks of anger or are they both showing feelings of something more.

This the third book in this series and they only get better the more you read on, all the books can be read as stand alone books as there is only a small thread of background which runs through each character. I loved the chemistry which jumps off the page relating to Natalie and Grayson, with also the fact they are both hiding a secret in there past just adds to the overall arc of the story.

The story was well written and draws you in with the twists and turns as you delve further into the story on the page. It was also lovely to see the relationship between these two characters blossom in too respect and love in the end. With Grayson, understanding the relationship between his uncle and why this is such a betrayal that he had to try and understand and piece himself back together was brilliant to read.

I definitely can't wait for the next instalment of this wonderful series.
Profile Image for Mohini Shukla.
431 reviews4 followers
April 11, 2023
The much-awaited book is here from the WaterFyre Rising series and it was a roller-coaster read. This is the third book from the series, you can read it as a stand-alone but it would be better if you read the other two books because this book has some deep connection with book 1. In the first book female protagonist, Audri has a brother Grayson and it is his story from his perspective.
An incident changed the course of Grayson's life and a happy, full-of-life man becomes grumpy and unhappy and heartbroken, who has no hope for his life and does not trust anyone.
On the other hand, Natalia, who is a French girl and has a big fashion brand as her legacy, came to Providence and joined there a city job to solve a mystery about her family, and stay undercover.
Grayson and Natalia have to work together on a city project which already has many obstacles but their annoyance for each other makes the situation worse and here is the beginning of a love story which no one can imagine.
This story has all the elements that are from Steamy romance to action, thrill, suspense, betrayal, love, friendship and many more.
The quotes from the books are just heart-touching. Read the journey from enemy to lover, and read the journey of losses and darkness with Grayson and Natalia from their POVs.
In a world full of betrayals, how will Grayson fall in love when he does not trust anyone? Why did he lose faith in love and stop believing people? What is the mystery which brings a business-class woman to a city job? To know more, read this book.
"She was reconstructing me in unimaginable ways." - The innovator #Grayson.
Profile Image for Kerry  carr.
1,961 reviews25 followers
April 21, 2023
This is the third book in the Waterfyre Rising Series. Even though it is part of a series these books can be read as a standalone as the main story focuses on individual couples. One thing i love about this series is that author attention to detail and character building. Her characters have so much depth and back stories that you can't help be captivated by their story and how it unfolds

In this story we meet Grayson and Natalie.

Grayson has had a tough upbringing after witnessing a murder with his friends and then suffering more lies and betrayal in his family he has grown to become a man who trusts no one and allows no one to get to close to him. Relationships aren't something he does as he loses interest too quick that is until he meets Natalie. Natalie is quick witted, she had a spark about her and she's not afraid to bite back which makes her interesting to Grayson. Shes not like other women.

Natalie however, isn't all she seems to be. She too is hiding secrets and lies revolving her family which is she on the hunt to find the truth too. The last thing she needs is to get distracted by a man. Especially a man that makes her blood boil as much as Greyson does. Why does he have this effect on her? Why does she allow him to possess so much control over her feelings?

This is a steamy enemies to lovers romance story which will keep the reader gripped till the end. As secrets start to be unraveled between them and their closeness grows will Natalie be able to break down the wall around Greysons heart or are they both too damaged to be able to fixed the damage they have already suffered?
Profile Image for Angela.
8,598 reviews122 followers
April 17, 2023
4.5 Stars

‘The Innovator’ is the third book in the fantastic ‘WaterFyre Rising’ series by Nadia Han. I love the way this series is building on itself. Even though each book has its own story and couple, all the books combined help to build a much bigger picture, giving us more morsels of information on the characters, backstories, arching storyline, and Waterfyre. The whole Waterfyre element is what really hooked me into the series in the first place, then add in some really intriguing characters and exciting storylines makes this series stands out from the crowd.
Since diving into book one and developing a taste for Nadia Hans work, I look forward to each new release to find out what she has in store for us (and the characters). Each new instalment slightly eclipses the previous one, which is proof, in my eyes, of a talented author.
This instalment is a bit of an enemies-to-lovers contemporary romantic suspense. A billionaire romance with drama, angst, tension, chemistry, sizzle, secrets, forced proximity, and contains sensitive topics/potential triggers for some readers (swearing, violence, the mention of suicide, grief, abuse, and eating disorders).
The story was a little slow to build momentum - but as the story progressed and the pace picked up- especially with all the added angst, sizzle, drama, and suspense unfolding, definitely grabbed my attention and held it right through till the end.
Looking forward to The Inquisitor’ (Book #4), it’s set to be even better yet…
Happy Reading!

Thank you, Nadia Han!
Profile Image for Marissa.
405 reviews5 followers
April 22, 2023
I should not be surprised at the varied and depths of emotions this author can evoke from me. But I find myself surprised again. The story keeps you involved from beginning until the end. Each mystery is part of the larger story that continues to build. The devotion from these childhood friends is the backbone for each guy. The growing SSG is a fantastic compliment to the guy group.

Natalie is trying to find out the truth behind the secrets surrounding her father’s death. She walks away from her posh lifestyle in Paris to re-establish herself as a municipal employee in Providence, the city that contains the answers she is looking for. She meets Grayson through normal business and decides that he is a jerk.

Grayson has been in a dark place ever since his uncle’s secrets and deception came out. Grayson has been shaken to his very core. He has been grouchy and growly, not caring who he insulted. It was during this time that he met Natalie. When he started hanging out with her, for business of course, he discovered that there was more to this woman than her persistence for government documents and signatures. Her creative soul spoke to his wounded soul in a way no one else had ever before.

I love this series. These characters are real despite their millions. Facing down secret societies and masked villains are commonplace for this group of friends. A wonderful chosen family that defies the quests and coded operations. Looking forward to the next in the series. Forrest!!
Profile Image for The Dragon Den Book Blog.
2,969 reviews66 followers
April 12, 2023
ARC Review of The Innovator by Nadia Hahn
* * * * *
A steamy, fun and amazing read filled with secrets and conspiracies and a teasing romance that will get you flustered.

Grayson was not a man who did relationships. He got bored quick. No one interested him...until Natalie. She was sexy and spunky and taunted him in the best ways.
Natalie had her troubles.
She was hiding her true identity, and still mourning the loss of someone important in her life. Grayson was an ass and she knew it, but the attraction was undeniable. He was much better than her ex, who was starting to crawl back into her life, along with the rest of her troubles.
Grayson becomes her solid ground.
He knows a thing or two about dealing with messy people and issues...and betrayals.
He knows a thing or two about secrets too.
Deadly ones.
Grayson has no idea how much he needs Natalie, until he has to consider the danger she is being put in.

I loved the teasing and banter and taunting until FINALLY they just rip each other's clothes off! Love those moments. After all that snippy remarks and sly eyes with hidden meanings behind the smiles, the rubbing and the heated gazes, thee friction in the air...BANG!
Natalie's troubles really do pile onto one another, and even when Grayson knows most of them already, he is there for her to open up to. Fireplaces, epic treehouses, snuggle time that I dream of.

Thank you to Nadia Han for providing this review copy!
222 reviews3 followers
April 17, 2023
Natalie Chapelle is more than she appears. Natalie is working for the city of Providence, trying to learn information about a building that her father left to her when he passed away, though she is not sure why he would have done so. What Natalie hopes nobody figures out is that the background that got her the job is all a lie, and she is really the heir and designer for a major fashion label in Europe, a family owned company called LaRue. When Natalie first meets Grayson Wu, an architect that is helping the city with a new project, sparks fly as the battle of wills and tempers begins nearly immediately. Both are attracted to one another, but it’s not until they are parent trapped into spending time alone together in a secluded location that they finally allow themselves to give into the lust they feel. Both of them are dealing with a lot of stress and pressure outside of the project they are working together on for the city, but they start a relationship that helps them to both feel more grounded and happy than they have in a long time. When Grayson’s outside business becomes more dangerous, he pushes her away to try and protect her, going as far as sending her back to Paris and her family (with some help) to try and protect her. Once the danger has passed, Grayson hopes to be able to convince Natalie to forgive him. This is a good quick read. It is part of a series, but can be read as a standalone, with plenty of sex and intrigue to keep you reading.
Profile Image for Lorralei Hoerner.
929 reviews24 followers
April 18, 2023
5 Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Hands down one of my favorite series'....The Innovator is book 3 of the WaterFyre Rising and I absolutely LOVED Grayson and Natalie's story. I highly recommend reading this series from the beginning as the characters and stories intertwine. I can say I loved each book so far and the author does not disappoint with book 3.

Enemies to lovers....Grayson and Natalie are that...while Grayson is all business, focused and determined to succeed in all his projects, Natalie thinks that he is rude and arrogant. When a project puts Grayson and Natalie together to work as a team, it was a bit rocky at first. Both Grayson and Natalie have their own "secrets" and truly darkness overshadows their heart. When Grayson and Natalie finally get to know each other more of their truths....the walls around their hearts start to crumble. Sparks and hot sizzling moments along with intelligent and intellectual conversations, there is more to Grayson and Natalie than meets the eye. They both fall for each other, but when both of their pasts comes back to haunt them, will Grayson be able to protect Natalie when she needs him the most or will he self sabotage and push her away......

Definitely read and find out. This story is FANTASTIC!!!!!! If you love hot romance, drama with a twist of banter and suspense, I would HIGHLY recommend this series!! I am totally anticipating book 4!!
Profile Image for Rosanna Ingram.
669 reviews5 followers
May 16, 2023
Grayson is trying to get his life back on track after a devastating betrayal from someone close to him. Natalie is in the US trying to uncover the secrets her father left behind after his death. What neither of them plans on is the hate-love-hate some more relationship that these two find themselves in. While each tries to hide their secrets, and keep their hearts hidden behind the large walls they have built up...they find themselves fighting these growing feelings of lust, protection, and (gasp) love, But, when secrets come to life and shake the foundation they are building, can they stand strong? Or will their trust issues from the past keep them from moving forward?

I really enjoyed both Grayson and Natalie's characters. They were both so multi-dimensional with secrets and issues as far as the eye could see. However, it made them the people they are. Natalie's take-no-crap attitude as she stood up to a man that most feared provided some comedy relief. This story is heavy in tragedy and betrayal...so the humous banter between the two was a nice balance. The story unfolded in an entertaining manner that kept my attention the entire time. Their support for each other, while also continuously finding ways to make the other mad, was quite enjoyable. I could not put this book down until the end!
Profile Image for Chaos.
3,612 reviews117 followers
June 15, 2024
My goodness. I'm so glad I took a break from this series and came back. Book 1 and 2 were amazing, but I was too worried about getting into a slump and hating the next few books! I LOVED this book. It took me a bit to get back into it because I had to remember who was who and the plot with the organization. Everything I loved about the first books was here in this one, too. As much as I love the romance between Grayson and Natalie, the friendships Natalie developed with the girls made it so much better. Women supporting women regardless. Being there for each other. No snarky and shady dealings. Just loving and supporting each other. It makes the story just that much better. I wish more authors would incorporate the female friendships in their books. Yes, it's a romance book, but without those girls, Natalie would have been completely destroyed without finding her way up. Michelle, Audri, and Kiara supported Natalie after everything. They were her life raft when she was drowning. Grayson didn't grovel as long as I wanted, but he did ask for forgiveness and showed he was sorry. Actions speak so much louder than words. There are a lot of questions with the organization, and I'm worried about where the answers will lead. Already, there has been so much betrayal. It terrifies me for the next few couples.
Profile Image for Beth (what.beth.reads).
792 reviews46 followers
April 6, 2023
Thank you author Nadia Han for the advanced reading copy, receipt of which did not impact my review.

Natalie Chapelle is a new friend to the WaterFyre Rising crew and works in municipal government - but is drowning in secrets as she tries to learn what happened to her father. She doesn’t trust anyone, especially not Grayson Wu. Sure, he’s handsome - but also arrogant, rude, and acts like everyone else works around his schedule and needs.

Grayson is dealing with family betrayal and fallout from the first two books in the series and busy in his life as a billionaire architect and video game designer. He doesn’t have time for love - and barely has time for his friends.

There’s a little bit of matchmaking that happens within the friend group to throw these two together. Once it happens, their chemistry is hard for either of them to resist.

The Innovator continues the series and storyline from the first two in the series, including a suspenseful mystery that continues to build. While not my favorite of the series - Grayson was a little too over the top protective and alpha for me (I know that many others are super into that, so this is a me thing!) - I enjoyed how strong Natalie was and how passionate they both were about their careers and each other.
Profile Image for Laurie Bell.
Author 8 books29 followers
May 21, 2023
Another fabulous instalment in the WaterFyre Rising series and another terrific Romance by Nadia Han. This one is an enemies to lovers story, and who doesn’t love that!

The tension between the two main characters, Grayson and Natalie, is hot and gripping. Natalie’s family business is in trouble. To discover why and to hopefully fix things, she has to look into the secret surrounding her father’s mysterious gift to her. She is forced to work in close proximity with a clever, sexy, confident man who taunts her like no other. His presence burrows into her head and into her heart. Grayson is the third of a male friendship group to discover the hidden truth about the dark mystery he and his friends experienced as children. He is also determined to discover the ownership of the building he needs to acquire for his newest business venture. It brings him into close proximity with a beautiful, strong-willed woman who refuses to fall at his feet and who draws his focus like no other. Their separate investigations bring them together time and again until the sparks between them flame into an inferno that will change their lives. A fun, sexy romance. Can be read as a stand alone or as part of a series. A terrific holiday read.
Profile Image for Lisa.
3,788 reviews21 followers
April 20, 2023
I was very very excited for this story! I LOvE this series and could not wait to dive into this one. Sadly I did not love it. Oh there are scenes that were excellent but for way too much of the book there were too many repeated inner thoughts of the two main characters. I actually ended up flipping pages and could go 3-4 before I started reading again so I could pass repeated info. The beginning was good, the chase was good and the ending was great. All the rest I could have done without and enjoyed a shorter more condensed, more exciting read.

With that being said there were parts I loved. All the angle references were extremely cute. The bantering leading to that first kiss!?! Soo Sexy! His sensual attack on her senses during the bet would be hard to pass up. The time spent with his friends and her friends and when he worked on the game among others. The characters were fun to watch and learn about as are the secrets.

Overall this is just above an okay story for me. I LOVED the first two in the series and was expecting the same here. It is a good story but I am just sad about it. I am hoping the next gets back up to snuff.
Profile Image for Book Magic.
289 reviews2 followers
April 26, 2023
The Innovator is the third book in the WaterFyre Rising series by Nadia Han. This contemporary romantic suspense can be read as a standalone, but I'd suggest reading the other books in the series as they show other aspects of the shared past of this group of male friends.

Starting in the prologue, we get a glimpse of Grayson's past and how he feels after what happened to his friends and him when they were younger. This scene drew me into our main Hero's life, allowing me to connect to him and to want to protect him. I loved that I got to see how his past kind of shaped his future and shaped him.

I love the strong, sexy, smart heroine, Natalie, who is bold enough to go up against Grayson. Will being stuck together change their minds? Can they get over despising each other long enough to explore their mutual attraction? And if they do, will it then be possible for them both to overcome their past in order to have a future together? Grayson and Natalie’s story definitely has passion, romance, friendship, danger, and suspense. You should definitely check this series out.


1,942 reviews24 followers
May 11, 2023
The Innovator (WaterFyre Rising Book 3) by Nadia Han. This series has been so much fun, full of spice, romance and mystery. This is Grayson and Natalie's story. Natalie is in town to find out why her father died and why he left her a building called The Prism. Grayson need The Prism building for his project at work and work is what Grayson does, non stop. He's build a wall around his heart and emotions because of a previous relationship/heartbreak and he's not about to let that happen again. When he meets Natalie he is instantly attracted to her but she pushes all his buttons too and not the good ones. Natalie finds Grayson very irritating but knows that he may have information about her father and this building he's left her. The more time they spend together the harder it is to not succumb to their attraction to each other. When Natalie's ex comes in to town to harm her Grayson is the first one to stand up for her and protect her. Will these two finally figure out they need to be together and will Natalie find out the secrets of her fathers death? This is a turn the pages late in the night book that I loved. Do yourself a favor and pick up this series and start reading!
328 reviews5 followers
April 5, 2023
The Innovator is the third book in the phenomenal WaterFrye Rising series. There is so many moving parts to this beautiful, brilliant, and complex story. It captivates you right from the start and keeps you on edge. Natalie Chapelle has taken a job working for the city of Providence, RI well below her paygrade as she is trying to understand and save her family’s legacy. She has to work with the arrogant and innovative top-notch architect, Grayson Wu. His heart is closed off due to a betrayal. This story has so much danger, mystery, action, heartache, and steamy romance. It has twists and turns you will not see coming. Will this love/hate relationship survive all that is thrown in its path? When Natalie is having lunch in a café in Paris with her mother, the author’s beautiful words really make you feel you are right there in Paris. The way this amazing author describes Grayson and Natalie’s appreciation for architecture and fashion design and how they relate is so beautiful. You can not help but fall in love with this fantastic story!
Profile Image for Michelle Mulvey.
1,157 reviews13 followers
April 17, 2023
Natalie and Grayson know of eachother because Natalie’s new besties are Grayson’s sister and her friends.

Natalie has come to the US for answers. She doesn’t need to work. She’s a very wealthy woman but she’s doing this under the radar to find out answers. Her fathers plane went down and she found out her father purchased a building for her. The building just so happens to be one Grayson is trying to buy for his latest project.

Natalie and Grayson have been in contact thru email / phone calls and Grayson has been giving her the brush off.
These two have ridiculous chemistry and they both know it. When they realize it, they make a deal. Whomever loses, steps back from what they want with the project. When they end up in a retreat with just the two of them, Natalie has a plan….will it work or will Grayson Wu be stronger then she thinks.

There’s alot of suspense and danger looming ahead. Are they ready for what secrets are exposed or what danger is about to come?

Great addition to the series.
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