What do you think?
Rate this book
He Wants Series #1
Whatever He Wants
A broken spirit…
Having suffered through an emotionally abusive childhood, self-doubt constantly plagued the shy and reserved Noelle Greene. When she finds herself at a crossroads in her life, entering into a relationship is the last thing on her mind…until she meets James. She soon finds herself in over her head when James makes an offer not of love, but of convenience.
A fractured soul…
James Rothschild has one goal in life: to be powerful enough to overshadow his shameful past. In order to achieve his goal he clawed his way to the top of the business world, associated with all the right people, and dated women with impeccable pedigree. When he meets Noelle, she’s just what he’s looking for…in a mistress.
Noelle is consumed by James’ commanding presence, and immediately falls for him. Though she’s willing to give him whatever he wants, will James realize Noelle is exactly what he needs before it’s too late?
Having suffered through an emotionally abusive childhood, self-doubt constantly plagued the shy and reserved Noelle Greene. When she finds herself at a crossroads in her life, entering into a relationship is the last thing on her mind…until she meets James. She soon finds herself in over her head when James makes an offer not of love, but of convenience.
A fractured soul…
James Rothschild has one goal in life: to be powerful enough to overshadow his shameful past. In order to achieve his goal he clawed his way to the top of the business world, associated with all the right people, and dated women with impeccable pedigree. When he meets Noelle, she’s just what he’s looking for…in a mistress.
Noelle is consumed by James’ commanding presence, and immediately falls for him. Though she’s willing to give him whatever he wants, will James realize Noelle is exactly what he needs before it’s too late?
284 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 4, 2013
59 people are currently reading
950 people want to read
About the author
Eve Vaughn
116 books844 followersNYT and USA Today Bestselling Author Eve Vaughn has enjoyed creating characters and making up stories from an early age. As a child she was always getting into mischief, so when she lost her television privileges (which was often), writing was her outlet. Her stories have gotten quite a bit spicier since then! Eve likes to read, bake, make crafts, travel, and spend time with her family. She lives in the Philadelphia area with her husband and pet turtle. She loves to hear from her fans, so feel free to contact her at Eve@evevaughn.com or join her Facebook Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/eveva...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
October 25, 2021
Reread 10-20-21.
Whew! This story was a tough one to rate. I started out giving it a 3.5, but the more I thought about this story, I bumped it up to a 4 star review. Asshole hero stories need a bit of finesse to them, and this one almost missed the mark. James starts this story out by offering Noelle a sex only, no strings relationship, and she instantly agrees agrees to his terms. You know, because the dude is rich and handsome and he bangs her like a God.
So James sets up Noelle in her very own penthouse with credit cards to spend for all the shopping she desires. His only request is that she's available whenever he wants to bone her. James is cold and unfeeling towards Noelle through just about 80% of the story. He still dates on the side, and even gets engaged. And even though Noelle KNOWS James is with another woman (and engaged) she pathetically waits in her lonely tower for his return to bang her and then coldly leave again. Noelle convinces herself that she's desperately in love with this jerk.
Whenever Noelle's feelings rise to the surface where James can see them, he throws it in her face that she's only whoring herself out to him, just like all of his other mistresses have done before her. And he's right. She's no better than the whore he labels her to be. She just waits around for him to show up again so she can instantly spread her legs for him. It's embarrassing.
Every time James says such awful things to Noelle, she just keeps taking it, or goes shopping to buy more clothes and make up to wear to make James happy, even though he doesn't give two shits about her. She was truly just a hole to use every time he felt the urge.
I adore asshole hero stories, but James wasn't likable at all through at least 80% of this story and I wasn't sure this author was going to be able to save him by the ending, but she completely surprised me and I did finally come around to liking him.
What else did I enjoy about this story?
This story was much like a bloody car wreck. Even though it felt wrong to keep reading, I couldn't put it down. I was glued to the very ending.
Whew! This story was a tough one to rate. I started out giving it a 3.5, but the more I thought about this story, I bumped it up to a 4 star review. Asshole hero stories need a bit of finesse to them, and this one almost missed the mark. James starts this story out by offering Noelle a sex only, no strings relationship, and she instantly agrees agrees to his terms. You know, because the dude is rich and handsome and he bangs her like a God.
So James sets up Noelle in her very own penthouse with credit cards to spend for all the shopping she desires. His only request is that she's available whenever he wants to bone her. James is cold and unfeeling towards Noelle through just about 80% of the story. He still dates on the side, and even gets engaged. And even though Noelle KNOWS James is with another woman (and engaged) she pathetically waits in her lonely tower for his return to bang her and then coldly leave again. Noelle convinces herself that she's desperately in love with this jerk.
Whenever Noelle's feelings rise to the surface where James can see them, he throws it in her face that she's only whoring herself out to him, just like all of his other mistresses have done before her. And he's right. She's no better than the whore he labels her to be. She just waits around for him to show up again so she can instantly spread her legs for him. It's embarrassing.
Every time James says such awful things to Noelle, she just keeps taking it, or goes shopping to buy more clothes and make up to wear to make James happy, even though he doesn't give two shits about her. She was truly just a hole to use every time he felt the urge.
I adore asshole hero stories, but James wasn't likable at all through at least 80% of this story and I wasn't sure this author was going to be able to save him by the ending, but she completely surprised me and I did finally come around to liking him.
What else did I enjoy about this story?
This story was much like a bloody car wreck. Even though it felt wrong to keep reading, I couldn't put it down. I was glued to the very ending.
April 16, 2013
If this book had started as it ended, it would be a much higher rating from me. But I had major issues with the genesis of the relationship between the hero and the heroine.
James, the hero, is quite frankly a gaping asshole in the beginning. There is no other word for it and worse, no real excuse for it. He sees Noelle (the heroine) likes her, and wants to set up her as his old fashioned kept woman, complete with a penthouse he uses for that sole purpose and the use of his (whatever is the latest, coolest most exclusive color) Amex credit card. Oh., did I mentioned he has just ejected his most recent mistress out of the Penthouse because he was dunzo?
Noelle immediately likes/loves James. But Noelle's judgement is not the most reliable thing. It is very clear that she has self esteem issues. Her entire childhood was one of constant belittling and verbal abuse by multiple members of her own family. She has no yardstick by which to judge healthy relationships, clearly.
It was pretty uncomfortable to read as she fell into a relationship with James that frankly bordered on the emotionally abusive. A pattern that she was all too familiar with.
I have no issue with a heroine of a romance novel feeling comfortable with living in a house of apartment provided by her lover and using his money. I prefer my heroines to be more of the type who would have with Destiny's Child's Independent Woman Part 1 (do we even care about Part. 2 btw?) and Destiny's Child Survivor as their personal empowerment anthems. But I kind of like the idea of a full on Capital 'M' mistress as the heroine sometimes.
But the early relationship with Noelle & James:
[image error]
"
He not only sets her up as his mistress, he wants to control her. And not in the sexy D/s way. But in the "you can't go and enjoy a night out with your friends because I say so and oh, by the way, I bought those really expensive clothes so you're wearing so yeah, I own you" way. And Noelle whimpers and begs and let's him use his Magic Stick to bring her to quivery compliance.
So yeah, Ass. Hole.
But Noelle has a fairy godmother and godfather. Her cousin Simone (obvious the one who has gotten all the rationality in the family) constantly urges Noelle to see how unhealthy her relationship is with James and to leave him. And then there is Paul. James' assistant and Mistress Wrangler. Noelle actually is sweet and nice to Paul and they strike up a friendship. Paul too begins to pep talk Noelle. These two poles of positive reinforcement prove to be the self esteem builders Noelle needs to break away from her destructive relationship with James.
And then the book shifts.
What the author did rather effectively, was to take the second half of the book to redeem two characters that I really did not like. Noelle was really quite pathetic. James was terrible. They both have issues although Noelle's are more apparent. James' don't become apparent until Noelle stands up to him in what signals a tonal shift in their relationship and the better, stronger second part of the book.
The second half of the book much more engaging. The characters felt richer and more nuanced. James wasn't just a jerk for jerk's sake. Noelle built a back bone. There were also some really interesting secondary characters. James' society ready fiancee was a stand-out. And his half brother has some surprising layers as well.
I think if some of the more nuanced storytelling from the second half of the book had infused the flatter more infuriating first part, I would have enjoyed the whole thing more.
Not a slam dunk, but still worth the read just to see the growth of the characters.
James, the hero, is quite frankly a gaping asshole in the beginning. There is no other word for it and worse, no real excuse for it. He sees Noelle (the heroine) likes her, and wants to set up her as his old fashioned kept woman, complete with a penthouse he uses for that sole purpose and the use of his (whatever is the latest, coolest most exclusive color) Amex credit card. Oh., did I mentioned he has just ejected his most recent mistress out of the Penthouse because he was dunzo?
Noelle immediately likes/loves James. But Noelle's judgement is not the most reliable thing. It is very clear that she has self esteem issues. Her entire childhood was one of constant belittling and verbal abuse by multiple members of her own family. She has no yardstick by which to judge healthy relationships, clearly.
It was pretty uncomfortable to read as she fell into a relationship with James that frankly bordered on the emotionally abusive. A pattern that she was all too familiar with.
I have no issue with a heroine of a romance novel feeling comfortable with living in a house of apartment provided by her lover and using his money. I prefer my heroines to be more of the type who would have with Destiny's Child's Independent Woman Part 1 (do we even care about Part. 2 btw?) and Destiny's Child Survivor as their personal empowerment anthems. But I kind of like the idea of a full on Capital 'M' mistress as the heroine sometimes.
But the early relationship with Noelle & James:
[image error]
" He not only sets her up as his mistress, he wants to control her. And not in the sexy D/s way. But in the "you can't go and enjoy a night out with your friends because I say so and oh, by the way, I bought those really expensive clothes so you're wearing so yeah, I own you" way. And Noelle whimpers and begs and let's him use his Magic Stick to bring her to quivery compliance.
So yeah, Ass. Hole.
But Noelle has a fairy godmother and godfather. Her cousin Simone (obvious the one who has gotten all the rationality in the family) constantly urges Noelle to see how unhealthy her relationship is with James and to leave him. And then there is Paul. James' assistant and Mistress Wrangler. Noelle actually is sweet and nice to Paul and they strike up a friendship. Paul too begins to pep talk Noelle. These two poles of positive reinforcement prove to be the self esteem builders Noelle needs to break away from her destructive relationship with James.
And then the book shifts.
What the author did rather effectively, was to take the second half of the book to redeem two characters that I really did not like. Noelle was really quite pathetic. James was terrible. They both have issues although Noelle's are more apparent. James' don't become apparent until Noelle stands up to him in what signals a tonal shift in their relationship and the better, stronger second part of the book.
The second half of the book much more engaging. The characters felt richer and more nuanced. James wasn't just a jerk for jerk's sake. Noelle built a back bone. There were also some really interesting secondary characters. James' society ready fiancee was a stand-out. And his half brother has some surprising layers as well.
I think if some of the more nuanced storytelling from the second half of the book had infused the flatter more infuriating first part, I would have enjoyed the whole thing more.
Not a slam dunk, but still worth the read just to see the growth of the characters.
December 7, 2021
2.5 Stars
This is the classic lovesick mistress h with a jerky H scenario. James is a jerk, a rich jerk that keeps mistresses in his fuckpad rather than doing relationships. Noelle lives in a penthouse spending James’s money while waiting for him to come use her, and secretly wishes that he’ll magically love her back. This dynamic works for me in soapy reads, but there still needs to be a balance… the jerk can’t be too jerky, and the girl can’t be too pathetic. I also need to feel some affection.
We start with the couple arguing and Noelle decided that she’s had enough. Then we immediately go back one year and SLOWLY work our way to the present. This is the jerky/begging for scraps parts and takes up the first 60% or so. After that we have a lot of time jumps that makes it a bit choppy as the two try to get it together.
Bottom Line- Not great for me, IMO the balance was off. We spent too long in the past, then the couple were broken up until the end. I felt the drama parts were rushed, and we didn’t spend enough time with their personal/relationship growth. I needed more time spent in the sweet spot… more drama period. It reminded me of The Mistress Mistake which I liked better. Safety- He has a fiancée which is more of a business arrangement. Other than one night of kissing, they aren’t romantic.
This is the classic lovesick mistress h with a jerky H scenario. James is a jerk, a rich jerk that keeps mistresses in his fuckpad rather than doing relationships. Noelle lives in a penthouse spending James’s money while waiting for him to come use her, and secretly wishes that he’ll magically love her back. This dynamic works for me in soapy reads, but there still needs to be a balance… the jerk can’t be too jerky, and the girl can’t be too pathetic. I also need to feel some affection.
We start with the couple arguing and Noelle decided that she’s had enough. Then we immediately go back one year and SLOWLY work our way to the present. This is the jerky/begging for scraps parts and takes up the first 60% or so. After that we have a lot of time jumps that makes it a bit choppy as the two try to get it together.
Bottom Line- Not great for me, IMO the balance was off. We spent too long in the past, then the couple were broken up until the end. I felt the drama parts were rushed, and we didn’t spend enough time with their personal/relationship growth. I needed more time spent in the sweet spot… more drama period. It reminded me of The Mistress Mistake which I liked better. Safety- He has a fiancée which is more of a business arrangement. Other than one night of kissing, they aren’t romantic.
May 9, 2013
WOW!! This was an AMAZING book! I must admit that at the beginning of the story I wanted to invite James on a car ride on a busy street then lean over and open the door as I hung a sharp turn and allow him to fall out of the car and onto the curb where I felt he should have been kicked. As far as Noelle I didn't want to slap her but I did want to shake her until her head bobbed back and forth to shake something lose enough for some sense to fall in there. However, by the end of the story I was ABSOLUTELY Team Jason and even got my pom poms out for Noelle. This is the type of story that takes you on highs, lows, twists and turns and makes you talk out loud to the characters the way some people scream at the television at the villians and heroes of their favorite soap operas. You will hate, love, sympathize and empathize with the characters but most importantly you will connect with them. After all, it isn't every day you read a fairy tale and find out that the dragon was really a knight in shining armor after all.
June 12, 2013
Description: When the shy, sensitive, and damaged artist, Noelle Greene, collides with the handsome, commanding, and also-damaged alpha male, James Rothschild, sparks fly, but dignity gets destroyed.
The Good: What an intense novel and what a crazy and tumultuous relationship. I ripped through this book and couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. It was like reading a paso doble.
As someone with natural hair and anxiety issues, who ended up in a different field than what I studied in college, the character of Noelle and her journey to self-realization really resonated with me. But this also made reading this novel a little upsetting. Noelle reminded me so much of myself, that I had a very visceral reaction to her — I don’t think I’ve ever cheered so hard for a fictional character to get a backbone.
As for James–oh my gosh does Eve Vaughn do a great job of making you hate a character, only to redeem him beyond well at the end. If you don’t throw your Kindle across the room, this will be a very satisfying read. I also, loved the story’s structure which was tight and on point and the character of Noelle’s cousin.
The Bad: As far as I know, this is Eve Vaughn’s first foray into indie publishing, and the book has a few craft issues like prose restated as dialogue, tons of interior thought, see the “Editing Issues” section. It could have benefitted from a strong copyedit.
Also, the dialogue was off in that it often didn’t match the characters. For example, many of the characters from rich backgrounds had terrible grammar. But this is one of those books that I would totally recommend despite these issues.
The Naughty: Erotic. Sex in exchange for money/goods. Explicit language.
Editing issues: Several typos. Weird formatting at chapter breaks. Syntax issues. Idiom and word misusage.
Publisher: Eve Vaughn Books (indie)
Length: 252 pages
Final Grade: B+
Happy Reading,
Theodora from irbookreviews.com
The Good: What an intense novel and what a crazy and tumultuous relationship. I ripped through this book and couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. It was like reading a paso doble.
As someone with natural hair and anxiety issues, who ended up in a different field than what I studied in college, the character of Noelle and her journey to self-realization really resonated with me. But this also made reading this novel a little upsetting. Noelle reminded me so much of myself, that I had a very visceral reaction to her — I don’t think I’ve ever cheered so hard for a fictional character to get a backbone.
As for James–oh my gosh does Eve Vaughn do a great job of making you hate a character, only to redeem him beyond well at the end. If you don’t throw your Kindle across the room, this will be a very satisfying read. I also, loved the story’s structure which was tight and on point and the character of Noelle’s cousin.
The Bad: As far as I know, this is Eve Vaughn’s first foray into indie publishing, and the book has a few craft issues like prose restated as dialogue, tons of interior thought, see the “Editing Issues” section. It could have benefitted from a strong copyedit.
Also, the dialogue was off in that it often didn’t match the characters. For example, many of the characters from rich backgrounds had terrible grammar. But this is one of those books that I would totally recommend despite these issues.
The Naughty: Erotic. Sex in exchange for money/goods. Explicit language.
Editing issues: Several typos. Weird formatting at chapter breaks. Syntax issues. Idiom and word misusage.
Publisher: Eve Vaughn Books (indie)
Length: 252 pages
Final Grade: B+
Happy Reading,
Theodora from irbookreviews.com
November 11, 2015
This was a good IR contribution to the Fifty Shades of Gray alike trend. Innocent Noelle meets breathtaking billionaire James Rothschild and he becomes taken with her unconventional beauty and their instant chemistry. He doesn't have time for a girlfriend but offers her the position of on call mistress instead. She's smitten and too unworldly to understand the difference. This book is a good representation of how the Shades of Grey books would have went if Anna would have been more open to Christian's first offer.
January 30, 2020
This is my 3rd book by Eve Vaughn. While the first two were really good, this one was not a hit lool. Totally missed the mark for me :(
My first and main concern was the way it was written: The 1st two chapters are present time. We met Noelle, a prostitute for only one man (sorry but that's the truth) who is basically selling her body to him. He puts her in a penthouse, comes to see her whenever he feels like it, uses her body the way he wants and gives her a lot of money. Apparently he is a self made genius who is filthy rich lool!
So Noelle accepts to be his ''mistress'' because she loves him lool! And she secretly hopes he will share her feelings. But James needs prestige, power and the perfect wife that is not Noelle. He even has a girlfriend who became his fiancée while Noelle had to stay locked in the penthouse lool!
So my problem here? He treats her really bad during first 2 chapters, calls her a whore blabla... And then 3rd chapter takes us 1 YEAR BEFORE!! Exactly... 1 year before, when they just met and had their agreement... And what should have been a brief flashback drags for half of the book.
We are taken back to present around 60% I believe. And by this time I've lost interest for the book.
I didn't even care about the couple. Of course she leaves and he has to get her back but meh, I simply didn't care. I even had to stop, read another book and come back to this book to start anew at 60% but eh, just no...
My other issue was the characters: I didn't like Paul or even the fiancee Eleanore. Zero angst with her, as we would have expected from the OW.
My first and main concern was the way it was written: The 1st two chapters are present time. We met Noelle, a prostitute for only one man (sorry but that's the truth) who is basically selling her body to him. He puts her in a penthouse, comes to see her whenever he feels like it, uses her body the way he wants and gives her a lot of money. Apparently he is a self made genius who is filthy rich lool!
So Noelle accepts to be his ''mistress'' because she loves him lool! And she secretly hopes he will share her feelings. But James needs prestige, power and the perfect wife that is not Noelle. He even has a girlfriend who became his fiancée while Noelle had to stay locked in the penthouse lool!
So my problem here? He treats her really bad during first 2 chapters, calls her a whore blabla... And then 3rd chapter takes us 1 YEAR BEFORE!! Exactly... 1 year before, when they just met and had their agreement... And what should have been a brief flashback drags for half of the book.
We are taken back to present around 60% I believe. And by this time I've lost interest for the book.
I didn't even care about the couple. Of course she leaves and he has to get her back but meh, I simply didn't care. I even had to stop, read another book and come back to this book to start anew at 60% but eh, just no...
My other issue was the characters: I didn't like Paul or even the fiancee Eleanore. Zero angst with her, as we would have expected from the OW.
January 22, 2023
Riveting novel. I absolutely enjoyed the story and loved the characters and their flawed personalities.
October 25, 2015
Alrighty... here we go. I would first like to say that I read this book despite the pretty rough reviews on amazon. I couldn't really tell if this would a hit or a miss because some loved it.. and some hated based on the subject matter with all that being said and after paying $4.80 cents.. here is my review.
The subject matter didn't bother me... when the book first started we are thrown head first into Noelle's and James arrangement. Actually we don't really know much about the setup or much of anything at all. All we know is what we are currently reading.. which is James is being a little forceful yet Noelle is turned on even though she is not 100% on board with whatever he was telling her to do in the beginning ( I of course know what he was demanding...
however I do not want to spoil the book for anyone who might want to read it regardless of the reviews) now I read alot of reviews that made me nervous stating that Noelle was forced... Now I didn't feel that way completely ... now now let me explain. Do I feel that James was a dick... yes completely.. was he controlling... absolutely... Did I agree with his actions... not at all. With that being said.. do I feel that Noelle really dislike or felt forced completely... no I am sorry to say that I don't... I didn't take that away from the situation in the beginning.
Now the reason I disliked the book or I should say that the book wasn't for me was because I was actually pretty bored reading it... Noelle was so usable that it got to the point where I was like... okay doormat how much more of this will you take... and by the time she grew a pair of balls I was completely over her and James all at the same damn time.
Truly the only person that I actually ended up liking was Paul... and that speaks volumes when you see Paul's role in the book.
Sign... This book did have some heavy subject matter but I guess the way that it was presented... I really just couldn't get into it at all... I would have did a DNF at about 50% but that would be wasting almost 5 dollars so I pushed through anyways.
So overall this wasn't for me.
Signing off.. You can't win them all
The subject matter didn't bother me... when the book first started we are thrown head first into Noelle's and James arrangement. Actually we don't really know much about the setup or much of anything at all. All we know is what we are currently reading.. which is James is being a little forceful yet Noelle is turned on even though she is not 100% on board with whatever he was telling her to do in the beginning ( I of course know what he was demanding...
however I do not want to spoil the book for anyone who might want to read it regardless of the reviews) now I read alot of reviews that made me nervous stating that Noelle was forced... Now I didn't feel that way completely ... now now let me explain. Do I feel that James was a dick... yes completely.. was he controlling... absolutely... Did I agree with his actions... not at all. With that being said.. do I feel that Noelle really dislike or felt forced completely... no I am sorry to say that I don't... I didn't take that away from the situation in the beginning.
Now the reason I disliked the book or I should say that the book wasn't for me was because I was actually pretty bored reading it... Noelle was so usable that it got to the point where I was like... okay doormat how much more of this will you take... and by the time she grew a pair of balls I was completely over her and James all at the same damn time.
Truly the only person that I actually ended up liking was Paul... and that speaks volumes when you see Paul's role in the book.
Sign... This book did have some heavy subject matter but I guess the way that it was presented... I really just couldn't get into it at all... I would have did a DNF at about 50% but that would be wasting almost 5 dollars so I pushed through anyways.
So overall this wasn't for me.
Signing off.. You can't win them all
April 7, 2013
Can you love enough to make a person better? Whatever He Wants is the story which answers this question. Noelle is a talented woman, haunted by her past. Believing herself to be unworthy of love, she begins an arrangement with James, who is equally damaged.
This book had a lot of highs and lows for both characters. I cringed at parts and yelled at others. Some of the book felt a little rushed and could have used more explanation. The prude in me also says less sex and more story! ;)
Simone, Noelle's cousin, has a story that needs to be told. Her non "romance" with Paul is a story for another day, I'm sure. Get this book, it is a keeper and you will enjoy it.
This book had a lot of highs and lows for both characters. I cringed at parts and yelled at others. Some of the book felt a little rushed and could have used more explanation. The prude in me also says less sex and more story! ;)
Simone, Noelle's cousin, has a story that needs to be told. Her non "romance" with Paul is a story for another day, I'm sure. Get this book, it is a keeper and you will enjoy it.
March 13, 2014
Awesome read... One of the best books that Eve Vaughn has ever written.
Fully realized characters, captivating storyline, and an all around compelling story of 2 broken people who learn to deal with their past issues for the sake of future gains.
It's 3am, and I have to say that it was so good, that I just couldn't put it down.
Before I sign off, I must give a million words of thanks to the Fans of Interracial Romance group member, who was kind enough to loan it me...
Giving this ones, 4.75 stars...
Fully realized characters, captivating storyline, and an all around compelling story of 2 broken people who learn to deal with their past issues for the sake of future gains.
It's 3am, and I have to say that it was so good, that I just couldn't put it down.
Before I sign off, I must give a million words of thanks to the Fans of Interracial Romance group member, who was kind enough to loan it me...
Giving this ones, 4.75 stars...
March 6, 2015
I thought James was an asshole for the majority of the book. there was no "real" reason why he treated Noelle the way he did, not even the poor excuse of not wanting people to look down upon him any longer. There was some development of the characters later on in the book, but not enough to redeem him in my eyes. Plus the sex scenes were quick and lacking
September 16, 2017
Fantastic
Complex characters with realistic flaws and realistic timelines. This story really highlights the horrors of the cycle of abuse and how it can play out in many facets of a person's life, especially their love lives.
Complex characters with realistic flaws and realistic timelines. This story really highlights the horrors of the cycle of abuse and how it can play out in many facets of a person's life, especially their love lives.
August 1, 2013
Great story. I enjoyed reading it. It kinda of slowed down towards the end got a bit drawn out but still an excellent story!
March 4, 2014
Rating: 3.25 Stars
The story of James (Billionaire with family issues) and Noelle (Mistress who is an innocent with family issues). Wow...what a couple! For me, this book had the makings for a 5 star rating (see comments below). I liked how the book started with the drama, then it flashed back for several chapters describing how James and Noelle met. The flashbacks allow you to understand what led up to the final drama. I really liked this writing approach. I was quickly caught up in the story from the beginning and then the slow walk-back...I loved it! From that point on, it became a predictable story that's been told/written over and over again. No surprises.
Why Not 5 Stars?
1. EDITING!!! I usually do not pay close attention to editing mistakes. However, there were so many in this book it became very distracting and took away from the story.
2. All of James and Noelle's family issues were disclosed in the last 20 pages. It felt very rushed. More like, I have got to wrap this up so each character gets to tell the why.
3. The epilogue was very thin and did not tie up all of the loose ends.
4. Story contained the same old angst . Zero creativity points.
The story of James (Billionaire with family issues) and Noelle (Mistress who is an innocent with family issues). Wow...what a couple! For me, this book had the makings for a 5 star rating (see comments below). I liked how the book started with the drama, then it flashed back for several chapters describing how James and Noelle met. The flashbacks allow you to understand what led up to the final drama. I really liked this writing approach. I was quickly caught up in the story from the beginning and then the slow walk-back...I loved it! From that point on, it became a predictable story that's been told/written over and over again. No surprises.
Why Not 5 Stars?
1. EDITING!!! I usually do not pay close attention to editing mistakes. However, there were so many in this book it became very distracting and took away from the story.
2. All of James and Noelle's family issues were disclosed in the last 20 pages. It felt very rushed. More like, I have got to wrap this up so each character gets to tell the why.
3. The epilogue was very thin and did not tie up all of the loose ends.
4. Story contained the same old angst . Zero creativity points.
September 3, 2013
Well i don't know what to say .. i thought i would like the James Rothschild. I love tortured hero's but he was not that tortured to me. So He's actions where hard to understand... he treated the Heroine less than a dog...i just cannot tolerate this kind of character.He was beyond excusable and the heroine was very nice... i just wished Noelle was less spineless. Because of this it was hard for me to believe their love was true.. it felt like the heroine was only attracted to him sexually.They communicated rarely... it was hard for me to believe their relationship was sincere... i could not feel the warmth from them. Noelle had a better connection and chemistry with Paul.
April 21, 2013
This story was so deep and more realistic than any other story I've read by Eve Vaughn. The hero wasnt at all perfect which is why I loved the story and the heroine was not all 'google eyed' over him cos she saw his flaws. I love that the hero knows he is hurting and actually admitted it to himself. This is a GOOD book and I do not want to give much away but do read the book and you will not be disaplointed! I absolutely loved both characters. Welldone Miss Eve!
March 26, 2018
I wasn’t feeling the love or connection between this couple.
May 1, 2013
I wasn't sure how to initially rate this book because I hated the hero immediately. I actually had to go back and read the synopsis to make sure James was really the hero. He was such a cold bastard towards Noelle, using her naïveté and body as weapons against her. My heart broke at how defeated she was and what she endured for her unrelenting love for a man who never returned her affections and just plain old dominated her. Noelle had such a pure heart and thought she could change James but slowly realized he cared only about himself. I eventually started to like James about 3/4 if the way through when he finally started opening up and his past was revealed. I wasn't sure how the author could change my original opinion of James, but she did thankfully. The book actually read in reverse, which sometimes slows a story down for me, but it worked in this case. I would have liked to see more of a courtship between the two also, once they revealed their feelings to each other. I think their relationship felt rushed at the end. I guess as a reader I felt a little entitled to see them fall in love. Anyway, even though I hated the hero the majority of the book, I figure it deserves four stars because if an author can elicit such string emotions in a reader such as hate, disgust, sorrow and heartache and I can still come back and wish for a HEA, she did her job. I will definitely read more from this author.
April 20, 2013
What I loved about this book was that neither the hero or heroine were the cookie cutter characters so prevalent in romance novels. And I'm laughing at the reviews from others where they call the heroine weak. Isn't that pretty much true to life when you fall in love with someone? Any person who says they never played a fool in a relationship is a slap up liar because I've seen plenty of fools in my day.
This was a well-written book with great character development. No, the hero wasn't a saint but he is redemeed and its believable. Noelle is weak but she's inexperienced with healthy relationships or relationships at all since she's a virgin. She makes up for everything at the end and comes full circle and on her own two feet without James.
I hope there's a sequel with Paul and Simone.
This was a well-written book with great character development. No, the hero wasn't a saint but he is redemeed and its believable. Noelle is weak but she's inexperienced with healthy relationships or relationships at all since she's a virgin. She makes up for everything at the end and comes full circle and on her own two feet without James.
I hope there's a sequel with Paul and Simone.
July 21, 2017
Billionaire hires broke college girl to be his mistress. He treats her like crap and uses her for sex. He uses her to bury his past. He was sexually abused by his grandfather and rejected by his father's rich family because he is a bastard son of a drug addict. He later on realizes that she actually means something to him but it's too late. She's moved on as a baker and took his executive assistant with her to open up the business.
She has issues with self esteem as she was an orphan and was taken in by her evil aunt who kept calling her stupid and ugly. She took all of his abuse because that is what she is used to.
She has issues with self esteem as she was an orphan and was taken in by her evil aunt who kept calling her stupid and ugly. She took all of his abuse because that is what she is used to.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 20, 2013
I LOVED this book right from the first page. I simply could not put it down and spent a weekend with red eyes and hating the name James.
James was a hard-ass in the first 1/2 and I would be lying if I said I wasn't rooting for Team Noelle. Why the heck do you continue to stay with him Noelle? Why why ???... Well because that girl is of a pure heart.
This is a favourite read for me this year. I'd highly recommend it to readers who like a wounded heroine up against a filthy rich, sexy and god-like powerful alpha-male.
Oh, and the sex scenes were HOT too... 5 yummy hot stars !!!!
James was a hard-ass in the first 1/2 and I would be lying if I said I wasn't rooting for Team Noelle. Why the heck do you continue to stay with him Noelle? Why why ???... Well because that girl is of a pure heart.
This is a favourite read for me this year. I'd highly recommend it to readers who like a wounded heroine up against a filthy rich, sexy and god-like powerful alpha-male.
Oh, and the sex scenes were HOT too... 5 yummy hot stars !!!!
May 26, 2013
Disappointing to say the least.
I read the first chapter and was like what the fuck he's such an
asshole.
I had to skip a lot of the book because I just wasn't interested until
I got back to the point of what happened in the first chapter. I kind of
got better from there.
I cant deny that the sex scene were scorchingly hot. I definitely looked
forward to those.
It's the only reason I gave it any stars.
I read the first chapter and was like what the fuck he's such an
asshole.
I had to skip a lot of the book because I just wasn't interested until
I got back to the point of what happened in the first chapter. I kind of
got better from there.
I cant deny that the sex scene were scorchingly hot. I definitely looked
forward to those.
It's the only reason I gave it any stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 5, 2022
the heroine is: naive to the point of being stupid, with no self-respect and no self-love
her personality resumes to simping and how her p*ssy clenches and gushes around the guy.......
quite pathetic really
and she stays like that for 99% of the book
no respectable development to actually make this worth your while
simone, the cousin, is much more likeable
anyhow, the book uses the annoying body trope every chance it can and just isnt memorable at all
her personality resumes to simping and how her p*ssy clenches and gushes around the guy.......
quite pathetic really
and she stays like that for 99% of the book
no respectable development to actually make this worth your while
simone, the cousin, is much more likeable
anyhow, the book uses the annoying body trope every chance it can and just isnt memorable at all
April 5, 2014
For the first 80% of this book, I was so set on giving it 4 stars. Then the last 20% puts it over the top and I had to give it 5 stars. Make sure to have your kleenex near by for the final half of this book when everything starts to unfold. Once again Eve Vaughn delivers. Great job
December 11, 2014
Turned out to be good. Finally got the background of what made him a S.O.B. It cleared some things up for me. Good storyline.
February 6, 2016
3.75 Stars!
The first half of this book intrigued me but the last part felt anticlimactic for me :(
The first half of this book intrigued me but the last part felt anticlimactic for me :(
June 25, 2020
She was his dirty little secret
Noelle Greene was a shy and unassuming woman who had all of her self assurance whittled out of her by her aunt and her sons. She was the target of abuse and teasing by her classmates at school as well. Her mother Dorothy Bea was her best friend and when she died, her life became a living hell living with her aunt, husband, and sons. It wasn't until her cousin Simone persuaded her to leave and get out on her own. She loved art but even her art professor taunted her work. So when James Rothschild came along, she had no self-esteem left. She was amazed that a man like him would even pay her any attention.
James could see the subtle beauty and genuine kindness in Noelle and he wanted her. There was just one thing, James was a using selfish, narcissistic CEO who kept a series of women. When he tired of them, he just got rid of them. Nothing would stand in the way of his objective of being the richest and best businessman with the right trophy wife on his arm. He'd have his trophy wife and his mistress on the side, after all that's how the rich did it. He'd show them all that he was just as good if not better than the old moneyed family. Even though he persuaded Noelle to be his next kept woman, she was getting under his skin and he resented her for that. He refused to let her get into his heart and open up for her. What he did not expect was Noelle to finally get a backbone when she figured out what was happening. Even his personal assistant Paul Winters had had enough of him.
Eve wrote a story that had me cussing and screaming at my kindle. My emotions ran the gambit reading this story. I wanted to beat some sense into both James and Noelle. My heart just broke for Noelle's predicament but at the same time, I wanted to slap some sense into her. When she finally did what I would have done in that situation, I was pumping my fist in the air shouting YEAH! James, on the other hand, I wanted to beat him down just for the point of it. That was until he told his whole life story and why he did what he did became apparent. He was in an internal battle with himself, to love, or follow his plan. He finally realized that the old money families who tormented him as a child were not worth his time of the day. The turn about of his relationship with his finance was not expected. She persuaded him to have a deep conversation with Noelle. If nothing happened between them again, at least they would have closure and not have the "what if" niggling at the back of their minds. They found out that they had more in common than they knew. They were both damaged people. Hurt people hurt people.
Now I want to see what in the world is keeping Simone from going out with Paul in the next book. What secret is she hiding?
Noelle Greene was a shy and unassuming woman who had all of her self assurance whittled out of her by her aunt and her sons. She was the target of abuse and teasing by her classmates at school as well. Her mother Dorothy Bea was her best friend and when she died, her life became a living hell living with her aunt, husband, and sons. It wasn't until her cousin Simone persuaded her to leave and get out on her own. She loved art but even her art professor taunted her work. So when James Rothschild came along, she had no self-esteem left. She was amazed that a man like him would even pay her any attention.
James could see the subtle beauty and genuine kindness in Noelle and he wanted her. There was just one thing, James was a using selfish, narcissistic CEO who kept a series of women. When he tired of them, he just got rid of them. Nothing would stand in the way of his objective of being the richest and best businessman with the right trophy wife on his arm. He'd have his trophy wife and his mistress on the side, after all that's how the rich did it. He'd show them all that he was just as good if not better than the old moneyed family. Even though he persuaded Noelle to be his next kept woman, she was getting under his skin and he resented her for that. He refused to let her get into his heart and open up for her. What he did not expect was Noelle to finally get a backbone when she figured out what was happening. Even his personal assistant Paul Winters had had enough of him.
Eve wrote a story that had me cussing and screaming at my kindle. My emotions ran the gambit reading this story. I wanted to beat some sense into both James and Noelle. My heart just broke for Noelle's predicament but at the same time, I wanted to slap some sense into her. When she finally did what I would have done in that situation, I was pumping my fist in the air shouting YEAH! James, on the other hand, I wanted to beat him down just for the point of it. That was until he told his whole life story and why he did what he did became apparent. He was in an internal battle with himself, to love, or follow his plan. He finally realized that the old money families who tormented him as a child were not worth his time of the day. The turn about of his relationship with his finance was not expected. She persuaded him to have a deep conversation with Noelle. If nothing happened between them again, at least they would have closure and not have the "what if" niggling at the back of their minds. They found out that they had more in common than they knew. They were both damaged people. Hurt people hurt people.
Now I want to see what in the world is keeping Simone from going out with Paul in the next book. What secret is she hiding?
November 10, 2018
Eve Vaughn always creates her male Alphas with some serious issues which they take out on the one they love, though they are unaware of that at the time. Similarly, James is brutally possessive of Noelle setting her up as his mistress in a beautiful apartment but not giving her any real freedom, even to see her friends and family on a regular basis as he needs her available when HE NEEDS HER AVAILABLE!! throwing their "arrangement" at her should she wish to veer off the letter of the "contract". I am not going to spoil it for you. But as usual, James has issues but then so has Noelle but she does not treat him like dirt. Of course things escalate and deteriorate but, needless to say, both reach a decision once they have HEALED. I enjoyed it and know the readers who like Eve's style will. However, I do feel sometimes Eve that you are pushing the readers' buttons to see how far we will accept obsessive, bullying, alpha males. Don't get me wrong, I like James and he does become a more human and tolerant man but I do wish the heroine does not have to bear the brunt of his initial arrogant and brutal moods. Noelle was wonderful, gifted and self deprecating. I loved seeing her grow and develop into the wonderful lady that she is and James becomes truly in awe of her. An emotional read, Eve. Thank you!
March 16, 2025
you know that problem with this book? it's that we have a lot of the during the arrangement! We could've lived without it, just made me confused over James character!
The FMC goes into the arrangement with a very legit want from someone who suddenly falls in love, better to see yourself than to be wondering "what if" in 10 y.o.! No fault at that! But he was a cabron premium! Ok, he has a lot of issues but why is this her fault?
The after arrangement was actually satisfying! He understanding in faults and wrongs, while she learned the love she deserved! The friendship with the ex-fiance! The booming business!
And my stars go for David! Always protecting her and making she was taken care of but as soon as he understood James wasn't a threat anymore, stepped down and helped them get together! BEST CHARACTER
The FMC goes into the arrangement with a very legit want from someone who suddenly falls in love, better to see yourself than to be wondering "what if" in 10 y.o.! No fault at that! But he was a cabron premium! Ok, he has a lot of issues but why is this her fault?
The after arrangement was actually satisfying! He understanding in faults and wrongs, while she learned the love she deserved! The friendship with the ex-fiance! The booming business!
And my stars go for David! Always protecting her and making she was taken care of but as soon as he understood James wasn't a threat anymore, stepped down and helped them get together! BEST CHARACTER
Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews