The Billion Dollar Bad Boy

The Billionaire's Club #2

by Jackie Ashenden

Donovan Morrow, the charming, loveable, sexy face of the Morrow company, can’t seem to get a break. Despite all the wining and dining he does for his partners—both in business and in bed—he feels underappreciated. Always coming in second to big brother Jax, he’s considered the playboy of the family, and not someone to be taken seriously. Even more frustrating is when Victoria de Winter, the sexy, sultry manager of the Morrow’s company biggest rival, won’t give him the time of day or night. If only Donovan could show her how his darkest desires revolve around her, she wouldn’t keep blowing him off…

Victoria has always been a good girl. Working hard for the family business and engaged to a respectable man her parents approve of, Victoria thought she had her whole life figured out. That is, until Donovan Morrow entered her life. Victoria knows she shouldn’t lust after him—a direct competitor of her family and a notorious playboy, Donovan is all wrong for the stable life she has carved out for herself. But if this hot billionaire keeps pursuing her, Victoria can only resist for so long before she has to explore his darker, wilder side…

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Novella, Erotica, Adult, Erotic Romance

100 pages, Unknown Binding

First published March 11, 2014

About the author

Jackie has been writing fiction since she was eleven years old. Mild mannered fantasy/SF/pseudo-literary writer by day, obsessive romance writer by night, she used to balance her writing with the more serious job of librarianship until a chance meeting with another romance writer prompted her to throw off the shackles of her day job and devote herself to the true love of her heart – writing romance. She particularly likes to write dark, emotional stories with alpha heroes who've just got the world to their liking only to have it blown wide apart by their kick-ass heroines.

She lives in Auckland, New Zealand with her husband, the inimitable Dr Jax, two kids, two cats and some guppies (possibly dead guppies by the time you read this). When she's not torturing alpha males and their stroppy heroines, she can be found drinking chocolate martinis, reading anything she can lay her hands on, posting random crap on her blog, or being forced to go mountain biking with her husband.

Reviews

[Crazy for Books (Stephanie) · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC provided by St. Martins Press through NetGalley for an honest review

2.5 - 3 PRINCESS STARS

This one wasn't as good as The Billion Dollar Bachelor , but still cute. Donovan "Van" Morrow is the younger, playboy brother to Jax Morrow. He's the face of the family business and runs all their P.R. He never felt as if he fit into the family and felt used by his father, so now he's determined to keep some property that Jax want to get rid of.

While going through the motions of reviewing bids for the property he has no intentions of selling, Van meets Victoria de Winter. She is the daughter to real estate magnet, Cameron de Winter. She's known as the "Ice Princess." She's shrewd in business and known for taking no prisoners. But she's had to be. She also feels unaccepted by her family for many reasons.

These two see something in each other that calls out to them. Maybe loneliness, the need for love and acceptance. But what ever it is, they can't seem to stay away from each other. She wants the deal to happen and will do anything to make it so. He won't budge and she's determined to find out why. They can't seem to stop testing each others boundaries and limits. Until they realized that they only need each other.

This one was much harder to get into than The Billion Dollar Bachelor , but it was still sweet.

The Good: Two people finding each other when there was every reason for them to never believe in love. I did like the ending.

The Bad: Very slow moving and getting to the point. The connection wasn't there as much as it seemed to be with Jax and Pandora's characters.

[Snow · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 hard to resist stars

this was even better than the first one in the series...

it is a novella, so of course i have read it in one sitting but that is not the only reason!
this was full of angst in the most palpable way possible but it wasn't too much, you know, it didn't choke me BUT made me turn the pages faster...

the banter, the word play between the main characters who were on opposite sides of a business deal BUT who faught their mutual attraction...and chemistry...



the challenge they represent to each other is more that one can take and the mind games of "push and pull" are actually the essence of a good tention and suspensful anticipation...



"when are they gonna do it" cause you KNOW "they ARE gonna do it!"

"It's okay to want it. It's okay to be turned on. It's not a weakness, Victoria. In fact, you don't even have to make the decision if you don't want to. You can let me be bad for you. Let me take all the blame. Just do what I say. That's all you have to do."

"Mr. Morrow..."

"Just get on your knees....And do it right now."

they also dealt with personal issues covered with arrogance and assertivness BUT when the masks are taken off and the "true" personas come into the light, those that are left are two souls that hid their insecurities, fears and hurt of being unloved, pushed aside and taken advantage of in a world that only takes BUT rarely gives...

and the chance they both got from each other can not be taken for granted!

enjoyable read!

[*CJ* · Rating 2 out of 5]

"The Billion Dollar Bad Boy" is the story of Donovan and Victoria.
Donovan Morrow, the playboy and face of Morrow company faces his biggest challenge in Victoria de Winter, the daughter of potential buyer of the drowning business.
Both have their reasons- Donovan does not want to sell to protect his legacy, Victoria wants to buy to finally have hers. However, on their first meeting attaraction strikes, and they end up banging.
It was an average read. Both had LOADS of emotional baggage, and were unnecessarily unfeeling towards one another. Sex was meh-hot, and the ending was abrupt.
Safe/SWME when h and H initially sleep together, h is engaged to OM but soon breaks up with him.
H threatens to date OW but does not.

2.5/5

[Simply Love Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slick‘s review posted on Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews

4.5 STARS

Review copy provided for an honest review

Here that sizzling sound? I’m pretty sure that’s my panties burning! Holy hell can author Jackie Ashenden pack a whole lot of hot, raunchy, steamy sex in a small package but she also manages to give us a good look at the characters and their motivation. The Billon Dollar Bad Boy is the second book in her Billionaire’s Club series and it’s every bit as good as the first.

Following his father’s death Donovan (Van) Morrow has returned to the family corporation at the request of his brother who inherited the whole thing. Van’s a little bit bitter about that because of what he did at his father’s request for many years only to realize it would never make a difference to the father who thought of him as less. After opening and running a successful PR firm, he’s back and the first thing his brother has asked him to do is get rid of some land that Van has no intentions of letting go. But first he has to sit through buyer proposals and the latest one is giving him fits.

Victoria de Winter wants nothing more than to finally have her adopted father’s approval and sealing the deal on the historic docklands is what she needs to do. However she finds herself going head to head with a man who likes to play games and she’s decided he’s not going to win.

Damn it was fun watching these two try to one-up the other and the fact that they used sexy games to do it made it even more fun. I love how unbalanced they both felt in the presence of each other which only added to the thrill of it all. Most of all I had to admire Victoria for not allowing Van to get the best of her; she kept him on his toes a good portion of the time and that was fun to watch.

Both these characters have baggage and they use it to throw up all kinds of road blocks and while it works for awhile, the reader can begin to see them crumble with each encounter. That’s not to say they fell easily, but they both shared more with each other than they’d every shared with anyone in the lives. I thoroughly enjoyed this usual love story and these very interesting characters.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC provided on behalf of St. Martin's Press from NetGalley.



We meet Donovan Morrow in The Billionaire Bachelor, brother to Jax and the master of the PR spin. Coming back into the Morrow family fold with his eyes set on one prize, land - land that is his. That is until Veronica catches his eyes. The only problem is she wants the same land... for the same exact reasons.

There was something that was so vulnerable about both these characters that had me falling in love with them. Donovan and Victoria both had daddy issues; both for different reasons and those reasons had shaped their lives, their goals... their everything. But one kiss, one limo ride and one offer for a night to set them both free, they see for the first time the one thing that might finally make them feel whole.

I absolutely adored the second installment of this series, although short I never felt that it was rushed. There is just something about a love story about a billionaire that has far more than a few cracks and trouble realizing love can exist.

Jackie Ashenden brought me back into the fold with this installment. I enjoyed Jax & Pandora in the first book, but Donovan & Victoria stole the show for me. These are good little short reads that hit that perfect spot.

[Shauni · Rating 3 out of 5]

Originally Reviewed For: Tea and Book

Three brothers born into wealth but left out of the emotional warmth. Not exactly poor little rich boys but men who have discovered that there is more to life than what their emotionally lacking father offered them. Now they are defining family on their terms, one brother at a time.

Jackie Ashenden's Billionaire's Club Series.. It conveniently tells the story of middle brother.. bad boy Donovan Morrow..

Victoria DeWinter has something to prove and she is determined to do it. An adopted child desperately wanted by her mother but less so by her father.. "The gift that you can't return". Since her mother's death, Victoria has spent her life trying to be the "son" her brother, the "true child" wasn't. Hoping against hope that someday her father would accept her as his real daughter. Finally, she has a chance. The Morrow family wants to sell some family land and Daddy DeWinter wants it. Victoria hopes that if she can turn this into the deal of a lifetime she will finally be vindicated. Only she has to walk through Donovan Morrow, the "face" of the Morrow Company, first. Should be easy as he is little more than fluff.. *shakes head* when will they ever learn?

Donovan Morrow is on a mission to save the family history. While his brother wants the land sold off, it is a reminder of a shady company past, Van feels that it's best to address your history and move on. On further more, he wants that land. He wants to do something with it. He wants to prove that he is more than a face. That the years he spent seducing his rivals wives and girlfriends as a corporate spy was worth it... Yeah,, bad enough that someone would do that but for Van, it was done at his father's insistence. He firmly believed that if he offered enough his father would accept him as he was. The scholar in the family, the sensitive one.. but that self was destroyed and Van knows how to hide it. Finally, he has a chance at personal redemption.. Only it means telling sexy Victoria no and for some reason he just can't quite say that to her.

Two wounded souls lost in their family dynamics, both want something tangible to validate who they are and both have to learn that there is nothing tangible. You are who you make yourself out to be. A wonderful lesson.

All that emotional intensity does not take away from the fact that this book steams.. literally. I think for a bit there I saw smoke coming off my kindle. The connections on all levels sometimes made me feel a bit voyeuristic, like I was watching things play out that I shouldn't have. Like I was offered a piece of someone's soul..

Most excellently done. Although it was too short for

All in all, I would recommend this book.

Shauni

This review is based on the ARC of The Billion Dollar Bad Boy, provided by netgalley.

[Cocktails and Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love billionaire stories. I think they may be my very favorites. Jackie Ashenden's novella, "The Billionaire Bad Boy" is a perfect addition to my collection.

It's a short, sweet, to the point read, and it took me about an hour to read. However, that hour was awesome! Donovan Morrow is the charming, sexy playboy of the family. Women love him, and he loves them back. He doesn't want to fall in love with anyone, and he's had no trouble managing that until Victoria De Winter shows up. All sorts of fun and sexy banter follows, and before we know it, Donovan is in trouble. Then, there's that limo ride...

That's it. No more spoilers from me. I really enjoyed this story. It made me smile from ear to ear. It was very well written, and it was very descriptive. The sex scenes were very hot, but they wern't over the top and in your face. The main characters had chemistry to spare, and I found myself thinking that, if they were real people, I'd like to be their friend.

This is the second in a series called "The Billionaire's Club" about three brothers. The first is called "The Billionaire Bachelor", and another, "The Billionaire Biker" will be the third. I would totally recommend this one. It's a quickie to be sure, but it will find its way into your heart.

Reviewed by Kenna for Cocktails and Books

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Donovan is the care free brother, the player who never settles down.
Finding himself in negotiations with a gorgeous lady trying to buy the land he wants to keep, he doesn´t know what to do. He wants to keep the land, but he wants the lady as well.
Victoria knows that scoring this deal will finally let her be someone in the eyes of her adoptive father, she can´t afford to let this deal fall through, but how to convince that stubborn man not wanting to sell?
And what to do with the explosive feelings burning between them? Can either of them survive this?
Quick read, smutty fluff and chemistry in a great combo.
A copy of this book was provided to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Received an ARC from NetGalley for review.

I really liked Donovan in book one of The Billionaire's Club but not so much at the beginning of this book. He did redeem himself in the end. Victoria was perfect for him. I hope we see more of both couples in Sean's HEA.

[Renée Dahlia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Similar to the first in this series, a hot, fast read with a strong heroine who knows what she wants.

[nadia · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not for me

[Cinzia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very very nice to read, the story won't be perhaps very original in its plot, but the two characters Donovan and Victoria deserve to be discovered, in the true sense of the word, since they love to hide their feelings well.
I read it in a short time because things between the two evolve very fast and I was curious to see what would happen.

"What happens in the limo, stays in the limo."

And this says a lot about how much about how the things can become hot when the two of them are alone.
It all begins when the two meet in order to make an agreement on the sale of the land in the possession of Donovan Morrow's family. The agreement is impossible since the company's front man Morrow, the charming playboy, think about this land as a well-deserved compensates for all the dirty work he has done over the years for his father. Yes, because Donovan has always felt like an outsider, he feels underappreciate by his father, his elder brother Jax is always better than him, but Donovan has the ability to seduce women, steal useful business confidences from both men and women;puoi father pushed his son to act in this way.

Victoria De Winter needs to conclude this transaction, she thinks this can be the only way to get the approval of her adoptive father, that in fact he never considered her like his daughter, but only as a courtesy to his wife.
The two are accustomed to wearing their "masks" like a second skin, Donovan, a wealthy businessman who leaves broken hearts and Victoria the Ice Queen, stolid at work and in private life.
He wants to enjoy playing like cat and mouse, provoke, putting her in a uncomfortable zone and stop the women's insistence for the conclusion of the transaction, but Victoria always amazes him , she is not liable to his provocations ever, she doesn't react as she is expected to do and between the two of them are real fireworks.

The story is engaging, well written and full of sensuality, passion, and more.
I liked Donovan and Victoria for the way they always play barefaced between them.
This is the second book in The Billionaire's Club, it can be read as an independent book; the first one is about Donovan's bigger brother, Jax.
Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the book

Molto molto carino da leggere, la storia non sarà forse molto originale nella sua trama, ma i due personaggi Donovan e Victoria meritano di essere scoperti, nel vero senso della parola, visto che amano mascherare bene i loro sentimenti.
L'ho letto in pochissimo tempo perchè le cose tra i due evolvono in un lampo ed ero curiosa di vedere quello che sarebbe successo.

"Quello che succede nella limo, rimane nella limo."
E questo la dice lunga su quanto si facciano bollenti le cose quando i due si ritrovano da soli.
Tutto comincia quando i due si incontrano per stipulare un accordo sulla vendita di un terreno in possesso della famiglia di Donovan Morrow. Accordo impossibile visto che l'uomo di facciata della compagnia Morrow, l'affascinante playboy di famiglia, lo considera come la meritata compensa per tutto il lavoro sporco che ha fatto negli anni per il padre. Sì, perché Donovan si è sempre sentito come l'outsider di famiglia, non tenuto in considerazione dal padre come il fratello maggiore Jax, ma la sua capacità di sedurre donne, carpire confidenze utili per gli affari sia dal uomini che donne ha fatto sempre molto comodo al capofamiglia che ha spinto il figlio ad agire in questo senso.
Victoria De Winter ha bisogno di concludere questa transazione, pensa che sia l'unico modo di ottenere l'approvazione del padre adottivo, che in realtà non l'ha mai considerata come sua figlia, ma come una gentile concessione fatta alla moglie.
I due sono abituati a indossare le loro "maschere" come una seconda pelle, Donovan uomo d'affari, ricco e abituato a lasciare cuori infranti e lei la regina di ghiaccio, imperturbabile sul lavoro e nella vita privata.
Lui vorrebbe divertirsi a giocare come il gatto con il topo, per provocarla, metterla a disagio e far cessare l'insistenza della donna per la conclusione della transazione, ma Victoria lo stupisce sempre e comunque, non risponde mai alle sue provocazioni come lui si aspetta e tra i due sono vere e proprie scintille.
Libro coinvolgente, ben scritto e pieno di sensualità, passione, ma non solo.
Mi sono piaciuti Donovan e Victoria per il loro modo di giocare sempre e comunque a carte scoperte tra di loro.
È il secondo libro della serie The Billionaire's Club, può essere letto anche come libro indipendente dalla serie; il primo è sul fratello di Donovan, Jax.
Si ringrazia Netgalley e la St. Martin's Press per il libro

[Just Let Me Read ~ Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review for Billion Dollar Bad Boy by Jackie Ashenden


The Billion Dollar Bad Boy, by Jackie Ashendon, is the second book in her trilogy ,"The Billionare's Club:NY."  This trilogy is about the three very hot but troubled Morrow brothers and the women that help each brother tackle their issues and begin to heal. While the books are somewhat inter-related, they are stand alone books. Each book has it's own story and can be read in any order the reader chooses. It is not necessary to read these books in any particular order. I actually read the third book first and was totally unaware that it was part of a trilogy. I have not yet read the first book in this trilogy but I fully intend to so ASAP.

I absolutely loved this book. I loved the story, the humor, and the hot explicit love scenes. I once again I have a new book boyfriend who is a brother of a boyfriend already on my list. I think that by the time I read all three books, I'm going to be in love with all of the Morrow brothers.

It's unusual to find a book with a smoking hot alpha male that gives us "Oh My God" scorching love scenes that also has a believable touching story as well. Jackie Ashendon pulled this off effortlessly and added humor to the mix. The main two characters did not meet, fall into bed for hot sex, then play out a story. They met because of their careers, both wanting something that happened to be the opposite of what each other wanted. Both characters, although damaged by their families, were strong and insanely stubborn. It was amusing watching the battle of their wills play out and quite funny at times. There were many laugh out loud moments.  

Because of their issues, they both deny their growing feelings and try to push one another away. There were times that I just wanted to jump into my Kindle and yell at them both. I got so invested in the story, in their pasts and in everything to do with these two that I could not help but to feel their emotions. Only a very talented author could get a reader this involved with her characters and her book.

I have to once again mention that the sex is unbelievable hot. It leaves very little to the imagination. I suggest completing a bucket challenge after each scene so that you can continue with the book without much of a break. Ha ha!

I devoured this book in one sitting. It grabbed me from the beginning and held me captive, making it impossible to put it down until the very end. The characters, setting and plot were well developed and the plot moved forward smoothly. The book was very well written, which is alway very refreshing. As previously mentioned, I feel in love with both main characters and really really wanted them to find their HEA.

Did that happen? Now that you will have to one click to find out for your self. I don't do spoilers except to say that it will not rip your heart out. It does not have a cliff hanger, so one click now and find out if they get their HEA. 

I picked this book because I loved the first book I read by this author. I will be reading the other book in this series as well as any other books that she writes. There is only one rating that I would even consider for this book and that's a FIVE! I very highly recommend this book and this author.

REVIEW BY Kathy Newton.. I reviewed this book for BOOKLOVINJUNKIE.BLOGSPOT.COM

[Vania Nunes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Donovan, the middle sibling of Morrows, did all he could to fit in Morrow's standard quality. In his father's view, Patrick Morrow, he was too soft, always clung to books and an exemplary student. He had no grit and ferocity of the older, Jax, or even the half-brother, the youngest son, Sean. Thus, half unwittingly, Donovan found a way to please his father, and made ​​that for a long time. He called that as "their little dirty secret". Until he realized nothing that would change the thinking of the old Morrow about him. And when he resign, it just proved to be true. His father let him go away without even blinking.

Donovan opened his Public Relations company and was successful. The events he organized were always crowded and well spoken.
When his father fell ill and left the responsibility of the company in the Jax's hands, this made ​​a proposal to his brother to have him back. The Morrows would be united again. Still, Donovan felt that something was missing.

Victoria de Winter had a target in mind: to convince Donovan Morrow to sell the docklands estate that her father insisted that had belonged to their family. She had done the research and knew that the eldest of the brothers wanted to get rid of that estate anyway. And the proposal of Winter for them would be irrefutable. But Donovan refused. Not once, not twice, but every time. But first, he wanted to know the limit that beautiful red-haired woman - and he was not even gotten to redheads, really - who seemed more than interested in buying his land. In fact, she seemed to have some secret about her reasons for so hard to convince him to sell them.

The clash between the two was fierce. The scene of them in the limo was ...WOW!!! And then another one took over at Jax and Pandora's engagement party... On fire!!! !
And at each new meeting, they were becoming more accomplices, more knowledgeable of their weaknesses, until they couldn't resist anymore...


And then, when it seemed that all the walls had been vanquished, Victoria had one more obstacle: Donovan did not believe in love. Victoria had been rejected enough in her life, this rejection she could not face.
She left without looking back. Now, Donovan would have to make the next move in the game of conquest...

Jackie Ashenden managed to arrest my attention.
Who knew a short story could be as or more exciting than a long book.
In 100 pages she can tell the Morrow's life history, the current situation of them and yet, all the current romance.
The pace is great, the scenes are hot; the characters, wonderful, with their dilemmas and seeking their redemption.

Donovan and Victoria had more in common than they thought. And that was exactly what made them seek each other.
I only wish it had something more about the couple after the closing of the case, but at least does not have an inconclusive end (I hate cliffhanger!!!).

5 STARS

[Stephanie Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

While overall this was an enjoyable story I can see where there might be some issues for readers. The heroine is actually engaged at the start of the story and while you know upfront that the relationship is not one of love but convenience please don't read this if any sort of infidelity bothers you. In this case I didn't get too fixated on the engagement but I know many see this as unequivocal cheating and won't look beyond that to the "arrangement" the two of them have.

Victoria has always wanted one single thing - her father to treat and consider her his own daughter not just the kid he adopted to make his wife happy. She's lived most of her life (mom died at 8) wanting to matter to her father but knows that he just sees her as a burden. She's desperate to get the land that Morrow is selling in order to maybe just maybe finally be seen as a de Winter and get a bit of her father's attention/affection. As she works to get the deal she is forced to deal with Donovan Morrow who is adamant he will not sell the property but plays games with her and causes her to maybe want something real.... She's so locked up and used to living behind a mask that the fire unleashed by her chemistry with Donovan throws her for a loop. I liked how she was honest with herself once the walls started to come down and that she stood up for herself in the end.

Donovan just wants to be a real Morrow. Sure he is related by blood to his family but his father never considered him worth anything, even when he did things that made him deeply ashamed in order to get information for his dad. He's so good at putting on the mask everyone expects to see and when Victoria manages to get under his skin he just keeps lying and saying there is nothing there. I liked how he was so able to see behind the mask with Victoria but hated how he wasn't willing to give her the chance to show him that her feelings were real. He needed to have a major wakeup call but I did get that his actions were a direct result of years of damage from his prior lifestyle and not a direct attack on Victoria.

The two of them have a chemistry that burns up the pages but there is a definite amount of heart and angst that play factors in the story. Donovan just needed someone to show him he was worth everything and Victoria needed someone to show her she belonged. They find this in one another and I am happy to have read the story.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley.com for the chance to read this in exchange for my honest review. I really did enjoy it!

[Monica Cardoza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two characters that want the same thing belong to their family.

I found this to be a really emotional, fun, passionate, well written story. I love how Ms. Ashenden was able to create these two characters; they were similar in almost every way. They were both very passionate; they both wanted the Morrow land for their own reason but most of all they both have this electrical chemistry that they can’t deny. I love how she was able to open up to him and then he was able to open up to her and they saw that they were not so different that they both wanted to belong.

Donovan Morrow and Victoria de Winter both have their reasons for wanting the dockyard land. I couldn’t believe what Donovan had done in order for him to fit into the Morrow family. I’m just glad that his older brother Jax had no idea what Donovan had done. Then we have Victoria a woman that wanted to be loved, all she wanted was for her father to love her. Her mother passed away at a young age and after that she needed to buy this land so she could prove to her father that she deserved a place in the boardroom but not only that a place in the de Winter family.

Donovan and Victoria have this instant chemistry that they could not fight; only that Victoria was engaged. I could not believe when she told Donovan that her and her fiancée had this “get out of jail card” where if they needed to set out of the engagement for the night to be with another person they could do it without endangering their engagement. He calls her out and dares her to come with him but when she tells him no, he can’t believe it.

Victoria knows that she can go to his older brother and settle the deal for the land but deep inside she knows that she wants to see Donovan again. When she goes to the meeting he seems so cold but she knows how to get him to melt and he called her the ice princess. When they are together at his place they connect and it’s something that should be good. She opens up to him and he opens up to her but in the end it’s him that can’t pour his heart out. He can’t see that he she is what he needs, that she is his “salvation.”

The Billion Dollar Bad Boy was a great read that I enjoyed immensely. The chemistry between these two characters was sizzling hot and passionate. I can’t wait to read the final installment in this series. I truly recommend this read to all readers that believe in a happily ever after.

Received ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an Honest Review

[Elisabeth Lane · Rating 3 out of 5]

In The Billion Dollar Bad Boy, Victoria de Winter and Donovan Morrow have competing visions for a slice of Morrow land. For personal reasons, Victoria approaches Donovan to buy the property, but for personal of his own, he doesn't want to sell. This puts them in direct conflict for much of the story, which is generally fine for me, but I didn't love the way this one played out. I had some pretty specific issues though so most of this review is hidden for spoilers.

There was a point about a third of the way through where I thought it should have moved a little faster to get the characters' issues out in the open (or at least to the reader). As a result, the ending felt rushed with both of them overcoming years of abuse and neglect in just a couple of pages, magically redeemed by the others' love. Though I really felt quite sorry for the way Donovan had been and in some ways still was treated by his family, his blatant sexual harassment of Victoria early in the book got him off on the wrong foot with me. There's a scene early on in the limo that worked, but just before that in the conference room and the elevator, I found myself feeling pretty uncomfortable about it. Even though we do eventually find out what's driving the behavior, I felt like I needed to know that earlier on in order to get on board with him as a hero.

As for Victoria, I'm glad she arrives at a decision healthy for herself at the end, but I felt like the book left the question of her career path too far up in the air for it to be plausible. Someone might choose love over family or love over work, but before her life was so dominated by her quest for success that, whatever was driving that, it seems like it would leave a gaping hole. I didn't like the implication that Donovan was what would be filling that. I think I would have preferred some explicit indication of a future plan on her part.

On the plus side, the smexy hot sex and dramatic tension between the characters was superb, as always with Ashenden. Working in the characters' favor is that they have similar issues of acceptance by family and acceptance of themselves, which made their happy ending plausible for me even in light of the other problems I had with the book. I did like the first in the series better, but this made for a good read on a rainy afternoon.

[LJT · Rating 5 out of 5]

After devouring the first novella in The Billionaire’s Club series, I waited patiently for the second book to be released, The Billion Dollar Bad Boy. I found the second book to be even better than the first. I am a huge fan of Ms. Ashenden, and I look forward to reading everything she authors. This is a hot and engaging read that should not be missed.

Billionaire public relations guru and playboy, Donovan Morrow, has worked very hard to shed his clandestine past and prove to the world that he is not just a pretty face. Now that his father is gone, he has the chance to remove the mask and put his business acumen to work. His older brother Jax is a chip off the old block to a degree, so Donovan must convince him as well that he is capable of making the right decisions for their company.

Victoria De Winter is adopted and when her mother passed away, her father was less than thrilled to take over the reigns of child-rearing. Because she is not a blood relative, he has always treated her differently both personally and professionally. She has always had to work harder to prove her worth and has done so with her head held high. She is a top-notch business executive and known to her colleagues as the ice princess. She has gone so far as to get engaged to a man she does not love, because it makes good business sense and it will please her father.

Donovan and Victoria are two lonely people searching for acceptance and love. Due to a possible business deal, they spend some time together and the heat between them very quickly ignites. They slowly break down each others barriers and let their true-selves shine through. The author creates some wonderful sex scenes that go beyond scorching.

The Billion Dollar Bad Boy is a steamy, fast-paced novella. The characters are well-defined, likeable and exciting. I am truly looking forward to the final book in the series that is due out next month. This novella can be read as a stand alone.

I received this book via NetGalley.

[Melissa Portillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this title from Netgalley in return for an honest review.

Donovan Marrow has come back to his family company with reluctance. He was always the black sheep of the family, doing things he wasn't comfortable with in order to gain his fathers approval. Now his father is gone from the business and his brother needs him back in the company. Jax got the company but Donovan wants the family land he feels this is his heritage, only problem is Jax wants the land gone in a deal with Victoria De Winter.

Victoria needs this land, she knows her father wants the land bad, and has for many years in order to one up the Marrow family. Getting him it would secure her place in a family she never believed loved her, and getting her fathers love means more to her then anything. She is known for her business mind and strength but going up against the Marrow family playboy seems more then she had bargained for..

This book is a Novella sized story, do I wish it was longer...indeed. Did I feel that Victoria and Donovan's relationship seemed a little rushed? Possibly, But I totally and utterly fell in love with these characters!

This isn't another office romance with a quick fumble in the boardroom. These characters are intelligent and can hold their own in a battle of wits. They are both missing something in life - a sincere love with no limitations which totally makes them relatable.

I read this book in less then two hours watching such well defined characters who where power houses in the business world let down there guard and fall in love made for a page turning read!

They thought they knew what they wanted, but slowly what they wanted didn't seem to hold the appeal it once did.

I read this book by itself although it is book 2 in a series. I very much enjoyed the read. However did I mention that the Marrow family consists of brothers? And now I cant wait to find out each of their stories!

[AlligatorSmith loves to read · Rating 4 out of 5]

Donovan and Victoria both had terrible childhoods in which they were never good enough for their fathers. This is the unique Jackie Ashenden connection between the two leads - she usually has something that is behind the drive or choices the main characters make, and it's in this connection where attraction lies.

Donovan's brother Jax (who we read about it the first book in this series) wants to sell a piece of Morrow property that doesn't have a good history and might negatively impact the reputation of the Morrow family. Donovan doesn't want to sell but has to hear the offer that Victoria de Winter and her family have for the property. Donovan will do anything not to sell the property, and Victoria will do anything to buy it. And that "anything" involves lots of sexy scenes.

Both Donovan and Victoria make mistakes as their attraction and relationship heat up, but they are obviously quite in to each other. I actually read this second book in the series last and Sean's story (#3) first - since most of the action in all three books took place around a limited time period, reading out of order didn't really affect the story that much. I actually liked meeting both Jax and Donovan in Sean's story first and then going back and delving into both their characters a lot more.

I had never read a Jackie Ashenden story before this series, and I'm glad that I found her as an author. I never really got into the billionaire stories as they become more and more popular (and the millionaire stories that used to be popular in the Harlequin series either), but if her work is indicative of what I have in store for me, I'll probably be checking out more of her books and a lot more billionaires.

[Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm really enjoying this series centering around the three Morrow brothers. This is Donvan's story and his attraction to one very gorgeous and fiery Victoria de Winter.

Donvan has a very jaded view on love, as does Victoria, both growing up in families where they never felt as if they really belonged. Both are out to prove their worth to their families and both hide their true feelings behind tough exteriors, rarely letting anyone in to their inner most thoughts. When they meet, the attraction is instant and they certainly waste no time in getting down to business. They were evenly matched in the boardroom and eventually in the bedroom. Their encounters in the bedroom were lustful and steamy, their boardroom encounters were full of simmering desire.

I loved the dialogue between these two. They went toe to toe with each other engaging in witty banter and snarky comebacks. It was fun and kept me invested in their relationship. I loved the strength of Victoria's character and how well they complimented each other. I loved Van and the way he loved Victoria. He was the consumate sexy, boardroom executive and as we saw more of his character he became more real. I enjoyed watching the development of their relationship and how they finally let down the walls around their hearts and let the other in to their deepest, closely guarded feelings.

Even though this story was short at no time did I feel rushed. I liked that we saw more of Jax and Pandora and were given a glimpse into Sean's story. I am looking forward to Sean's story.

copy kindly provided by Netgalley and the publisher

[Wednesday Stanley · Rating 4 out of 5]

**I received an ARC from Netgalley for my honest review**

As I said in my other post of this A Billionaire's Club Stories when I requested to review this book I didn't realize it was in a set. Ok maybe I did with it's title. Or at least I should have realized. Also I didn't realize that this was the 2nd book in the series. So of course I read this book 2nd, not realizing it was the 2nd book.

Now that being said I think these books in The Billionaire's Club can be read as stand alones or you can read them in order. There wasn't much confusion reading them backwards.

Now onto my review, the author Jackie Ashenden didn't waste anytime with Donovan or Van and Victoria getting to know each other. Both Van and Victoria are strong and determined characters trying to both of their families that they belong.

Donovan is trying to prove to his brother Jax that he belongs in the family business. Honestly I can't stand Jax, Van and Sean's father. He's mentioned in both Van and Sean's stories. Not sure if he's mentioned in Jax's story since I haven't read it yet. But their father obviously put his business before his sons.

Victoria was a likable character. But like Vans character she is trying to prove that she belongs in the family business. I'm glad in the end she goes with love with Van.

Warning this book does contain steamy sex scenes.

I give this book 4.5 out of 5 stars. I guess now I need to go read Jax's story.

[Fiona Marsden · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short and steamy novella, the second in the series about the Morrow brothers. Donovan was the bookish soft boy who didn't measure up to his father's expectations. He wanted a tough take no prisoners son like Jax, not a man who was better at interpersonal relationships than corporate takeovers.

Van was an interesting character and I think, despite the short format, we got to understand a little of what drives him. Newly back in the fold after his father's death, Van wants his own piece of Morrow history to justify the things he did to try and wrest some acceptance from his father.

Victoria is fighting her own battle for acceptance from her adoptive father. She takes on Van to get the piece of real estate she thinks will finally win her father's approval. She finds she has much more in common with Van than she first thought.

The interactions between Van and Victoria are sizzling hot. You will never look at one of those blacked out limos in the same way. The story is heavy on the physical connections but the emotional and intellectual connections, while brief, are telling enough to make the ending believable within the parameters of the story.

[Britt Marczak · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

Ahh. I read book one, then three, and finished this trilogy with book two. Overall, I'm completely satisfied, and smiled throughout the book. I've just got to apologize to Van. Oh Van...I'm sorry honey. *pets* After reading Sean's book, I knew there was no way Van was going to capture my heart quite like he did. And it proved true.

Not to say that this book disappointed me. It didn't. I really loved the dynamic between Van and Victoria. Especially how Victoria responds and meets Van's challenges head on.



The power games they play lead to some delicious scenes. As always, the chemistry between Jackie Ashenden's characters positively sizzles. It one of the things I love most about her books.

Now excuse me while I go reread Sean's book because unf...

[Mariel Hoss · Rating 3 out of 5]

***ARC from NetGalley in Exchange for an honest review***

The second in the Billionaire’s Club trilogy features Donovan Morrow and Victoria De Winter. I didn’t read the first book but that fact did not majorly impact my enjoyment of this book. Donovan and Victoria are locked in negotiations over a piece of property that means more to both of them than the price they are haggling over. Hostilities in the boardroom spill over to the…limo, coat closet, living room, bedroom…in a, definitely, not hostile way. You can picture what I mean. The property issue becomes secondary to the push and pull between these two – interactions are very passionate and physical and kept at that level until they both break down and find out/confess to the real meaning of that property. Which then paves the way for a real relationship. Fast-paced and sexy. While I can’t say I could relate to either of these characters, I enjoyed reading their journey.

[Maria Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

This sexy romance is the story of Donovan and Victoria. Donovan is reluctant to sell a piece of land that his brother Jax wants gone, but Victoria won’t take no for an answer. Their clash in the boardroom leads to another sort of clash in the bedroom. Donovan comes across as an arrogant and confirmed playboy but in reality he is hiding insecurities deep down. Victoria is a strong confident woman, always doing the right thing for her family and their business. Being bad with Donovan lights her up from the inside but she knows it’s not going to last and when the business deal is resolved they’ll go their separate ways. But Donovan finds that Victoria has cracked open his shell. The more time he spends with her, the more he wants to share with her the reality of his life. These two share an intense sexual connection and the love scenes are emotional and downright dirty. It was a fun, sexy read with a delightful romance in the mix. 4 stars!

[Heather andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh Donovan what am I going to do with you? "You can leave my brother out of this. I'm in charge of this deal. I'll handle it." With a quick, hard movement, he pulled open the car door. "Now, Ms. de Winter, if you would be so good as to get in the effing car, we can get to this effing party." He's so damn bossy as well, "just get on your knees." His eyes glittered impossibly green. "And do it right now." I mean some of the conversations that Donovan and Victoria have are pretty funny to me:
The expression on her features could only be termed as long suffering. "You're going to talk about your genitals again, aren't you?"
He grinned. "Of course I'm going to. As we've already established, men are simple creatures. And I'm on of the simplest there is." I always love reading these books they always find a way to entertain me.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have begun to actively hunt for Jackie Ashenden books. I have found her books to be extremely satisfying reads and this latest novella, The Billion Dollar Bad Boy, is no exception. Once again I found her story skills quite strong. This book is evenly paced,has a really interesting and fully dimensional cast of characters, interesting and compelling enough to again easily see the secondary characters having their own stories. The settings are detailed, the dialogue appropriate to character and situation, and the story itself well plotted and woven. The most difficult thing to do in novella format is balance character/story/and sex, and Jackie Ashendoen has mastered the skill; the steamy passionate sex scenes move the story along rather than seeming gratuitous.
*I was lucky enough to request and receive my copy from NetGalley.com in exchange for an honest review.

[Emily (Mrs B's Books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Copy provided by Netgalley and St Martin's Press for an honest review**

The second novella in this series is just as good as the first. We have heat, passion and fire.

Both Donovan and Victoria struggle in their position within the family fold and find a similar pain within the other that pulls then that much closer to each other. They see in each other what know one else has ever seen in them before and Victoria especially just gives her acceptance and love much easier once she's free.

Both have a sharp tongue and a cool personality when in the boardroom and manage to get under each other skin trying their best to get the upper hand.

A brilliant read.

[Meagan Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Donovan & Victoria were both interesting characters, both struggling to feel accepted within their families. The each want the same thing, a piece of property that belongs to Donovan's family but that Victoria's father thinks was stolen from their family generations ago. The story focuses mostly on their fast developing sexual relationship, which was at times WAY too much for me. In general I liked the story, the characters were good together but I feel like their was no romance, just sex. To be honest I'm not sure if I would recommend reading it unless you just want something short & steamy.