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Billionaires of Manhattan #8
The Grumpy Billionaire
I’m the most feared man on Wall Street…unfortunately, my best friend's little sister hasn’t gotten the memo.
I brandish equations like lightning bolts and shatter fortunes with mere scribbles on a whiteboard. People up and down Wall Street steer clear of me—or come to regret it.
My walls are impenetrable as Alcatraz, and my self-control? Rock solid, my friend.
Except when it comes to her.
The woman I've secretly longed for. The only woman I can never have.
My best friend’s little sister, Stella.
Growing up, she saw me as a heartless robot. It couldn't be further from the truth, but a promise I made to her brother binds me, and my code of honor is as rigid as my isosceles triangle.
I hadn't laid eyes on her for years, but now she's in the heart of Manhattan, and I've unintentionally sent her career into a nosedive. My solution? Offer her a job at my hedge fund.
Suddenly I’m the boss of her, faced daily with her sparkling eyes and gummy worm obsession–and her infuriating refusal to stay away from me.
Well, I buried my feelings for her once before. I’ll do it again—to the nth degree.
I brandish equations like lightning bolts and shatter fortunes with mere scribbles on a whiteboard. People up and down Wall Street steer clear of me—or come to regret it.
My walls are impenetrable as Alcatraz, and my self-control? Rock solid, my friend.
Except when it comes to her.
The woman I've secretly longed for. The only woman I can never have.
My best friend’s little sister, Stella.
Growing up, she saw me as a heartless robot. It couldn't be further from the truth, but a promise I made to her brother binds me, and my code of honor is as rigid as my isosceles triangle.
I hadn't laid eyes on her for years, but now she's in the heart of Manhattan, and I've unintentionally sent her career into a nosedive. My solution? Offer her a job at my hedge fund.
Suddenly I’m the boss of her, faced daily with her sparkling eyes and gummy worm obsession–and her infuriating refusal to stay away from me.
Well, I buried my feelings for her once before. I’ll do it again—to the nth degree.
358 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 16, 2023
756 people are currently reading
1984 people want to read
About the author
Annika Martin
47 books3,510 followersAnnika Martin is a NYT bestselling author who loves reading, taking pictures of her cats, consuming boatloads of chocolate suckers, and helping animals. She lives in the Twin Cities with her awesome husband and adorable cats.
Website: http://annikamartinbooks.com
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Website: http://annikamartinbooks.com
Amazon books: https://amzn.to/2UIYzeA
Apple Books: https://apple.co/2PkneA7
Annika on Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/annik...
Instagram: instagram.com/annikamartinauthor
Kobo: http://bit.ly/2UH02SC
Google Play http://bit.ly/2UKJ45O
Nook: http://bit.ly/2Gt304m
Newsletter: https://geni.us/nwslettr
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 340 reviews
June 18, 2024
My least favorite hero of the series. I had a difficult time seeing why Stella was so obsessed with him. I also feel like this book lacked the humor of the previous ones. I do hope the author keeps up with this series because I love it, but this one fell a bit short.
November 15, 2024
Tropes: grumpy /sunshine, boss/employee, brother's best friend
Feels: 2.5/5
Steam*: 3/5
Kinks: dirty talk, blindfolds, elevator sex
Angst: low
HEA: yes
Pairing: MF
Triggers/potential icks/content warnings: pining, miscommunication trope, bad exes, family and friends who eat away at your self-esteem, addict parents, genius MMC (yet so dumb? Lol)
Three stars, barely. This story wasn't really my jam. I liked a bunch of things about it but it just wasn't enjoyable for me.
This book is about Stella, 32, and Hugo, 34. They've known each other since they were 11 and 9 years old. They met at a math camp for kids, Hugo became friends with her brother Charlie who was also at the camp. Stella was only really at the camp because it was something to keep her occupied and her brother was already going. Hugo is a math genius. They were closely in each other's lives from then until Stella turned 22 and one or both of them moved away. They've barely interacted if at all during the last 10 years. Secretly they both had massive crushes on each other in childhood. Hugo always considered Stella completely off limits as his best friend's little sister, it goes against his code of what's right to try anything with her.
They live their lives. In the present, Stella has moved to his city for a job that fell through mysteriously. The company had seemed so committed to her, paid for her moving expenses, and then pulled the job away out of nowhere. And then no one else in the city will hire her for some reason, even though she's very employable. She ends up having to take a job at Hugo's company that she gets through her family connection. Once working for Hugo, they start interacting as adults and their attraction to each other becomes harder to ignore and the code doesn't seem as important when Stella is a grown adult. They start something up. But Stella has been hurt pretty darn bad in her past relationships and she goes into this one with Hugo with a lot of trepidation and she's trying to protect herself by keeping a certain amount of distance between them. And the type of person that Hugo is is a hurdle for their relationship, triggering her insecurities.
This book was a mixed bag for me. There were some things that I liked. From a feminist perspective I enjoyed the fact that Stella lived a full life and didn't pine away for Hugo. I liked that she had relationships, it was sex positive. I liked that she was the one carrying around a condom when they needed it. It was kind of refreshing that this book didn't even talk about marriage or kids until the smallest of mentions at like the 95% mark, it wasn't limiting a woman's story to marriage and kids. I liked Stella's female friends and a few of her supportive close colleagues that she worked with. There were some nice moments of humor. The sexual tension was pretty good.
But even though I liked all of those things, this wasn't really an enjoyable story for me. Here's why:
- This was a Brother's best friend story that just irritated me. One thing that I hate about that trope, is when the hero prioritizes his friend over his love interest, for years and years, and his love interest suffers. This couple was mutually in love from their early teen years and there was only a two-year age gap between them. There really was no reason why they couldn't have been together. By not being together, Stella ended up with guys that hurt her and took away her light. And her brother Charlie and Hugo were very well aware of this. But for some reason Hugo would have been a worse choice?!
- I didn't like how Charlie was so unsupportive of their relationship. It was nonsensical. And him flying from Japan just to tell them how he disapproved was over the top. He was deliberately hurtful.
- I hated how Stella's family thought so poorly of her, that they interfered against her wishes in her life over and over again. It was so disrespectful. And they never really learned their lesson or the consequences of what they did. They needed to grovel.
- There were some things about Hugo that I just did not like. He was a dumb man and he made dumb decisions even though he is a genius. Hugo also needed to grovel and he did no groveling. They would just make up by their sexual attraction driving them to have sex. And then at the end he did do one grand gesture but it wasn't apologizing. They didn't really talk about how Hugo's devastating recommendation letter for her job ended up on the internet getting her blacklisted from jobs, and he didn't have to pay for it. He was dumb and unromantic for bringing her to the same hotel that he was a regular at, for bringing his other women to for hookups, and he was obvious about it - way to make her feel not special at all. And if the author is trying to sew seeds of romance - pick a place or way for them to hook up that can have some respect or specialness behind it.
- I am a person that has a weakness for non-sexual touch and snuggling. If characters are going at it and having the wildest sex, that doesn't do jack for me, I might as well be reading a phone book. I need moments where the love interest is such a comfort to their person, platonic treasuring of that person, that person is my home. I also really prefer the sex to be sensual, like really involving the senses, like the characters are described as basically getting goosebumps, breath catching, sighs, senses engaged. And I didn't get any of that really from this couple. My love language was not engaged on this book.
Some notable moments:
I loved how everyone at work was in awe of her standing up to Hugo. People dropped off her favorite candy at her desk as a reward for her bravery. "Jane rolls up and grabs my arm. “Did you call him Mr. Roboto?” “Something came over me.” “You’re gonna get fired,” she whispers. I turn to her—I’m sure she’s bummed. We get along so well, and they really do need my help here. “Sorry—” “No,” she hisses. “You are livin’ my dream.” “You’re living my dream, too,” Tinley squeak-whispers."
"The next time I glance at Hugo, he looks really troubled. Like something’s upset him. My belly flops upside down. “What’s wrong?” He points up at the Hanson brother’s poster on the wall. “What did you do to that poor guy’s mouth?” “I loved him too much,” I whisper."
*FYI about steam: I rate steam based on a combination of quality & quantity. I note kink separate from steam because I don't want to underrate steamy reads that don't have much kink.
**Note about spoilers: I like to comment on the plot of a book in reviews, so I almost always mark my reviews as containing spoilers. But I try to avoid spoiling the big dramatic moments! As a reader, I personally like to know what I'm getting into before I read a book so I know more about the content and if it's to my taste/mood, so I try to give that information in my reviews for myself when I'm considering rereading and also for other readers.
Feels: 2.5/5
Steam*: 3/5
Kinks: dirty talk, blindfolds, elevator sex
Angst: low
HEA: yes
Pairing: MF
Triggers/potential icks/content warnings: pining, miscommunication trope, bad exes, family and friends who eat away at your self-esteem, addict parents, genius MMC (yet so dumb? Lol)
Three stars, barely. This story wasn't really my jam. I liked a bunch of things about it but it just wasn't enjoyable for me.
This book is about Stella, 32, and Hugo, 34. They've known each other since they were 11 and 9 years old. They met at a math camp for kids, Hugo became friends with her brother Charlie who was also at the camp. Stella was only really at the camp because it was something to keep her occupied and her brother was already going. Hugo is a math genius. They were closely in each other's lives from then until Stella turned 22 and one or both of them moved away. They've barely interacted if at all during the last 10 years. Secretly they both had massive crushes on each other in childhood. Hugo always considered Stella completely off limits as his best friend's little sister, it goes against his code of what's right to try anything with her.
They live their lives. In the present, Stella has moved to his city for a job that fell through mysteriously. The company had seemed so committed to her, paid for her moving expenses, and then pulled the job away out of nowhere. And then no one else in the city will hire her for some reason, even though she's very employable. She ends up having to take a job at Hugo's company that she gets through her family connection. Once working for Hugo, they start interacting as adults and their attraction to each other becomes harder to ignore and the code doesn't seem as important when Stella is a grown adult. They start something up. But Stella has been hurt pretty darn bad in her past relationships and she goes into this one with Hugo with a lot of trepidation and she's trying to protect herself by keeping a certain amount of distance between them. And the type of person that Hugo is is a hurdle for their relationship, triggering her insecurities.
This book was a mixed bag for me. There were some things that I liked. From a feminist perspective I enjoyed the fact that Stella lived a full life and didn't pine away for Hugo. I liked that she had relationships, it was sex positive. I liked that she was the one carrying around a condom when they needed it. It was kind of refreshing that this book didn't even talk about marriage or kids until the smallest of mentions at like the 95% mark, it wasn't limiting a woman's story to marriage and kids. I liked Stella's female friends and a few of her supportive close colleagues that she worked with. There were some nice moments of humor. The sexual tension was pretty good.
But even though I liked all of those things, this wasn't really an enjoyable story for me. Here's why:
- This was a Brother's best friend story that just irritated me. One thing that I hate about that trope, is when the hero prioritizes his friend over his love interest, for years and years, and his love interest suffers. This couple was mutually in love from their early teen years and there was only a two-year age gap between them. There really was no reason why they couldn't have been together. By not being together, Stella ended up with guys that hurt her and took away her light. And her brother Charlie and Hugo were very well aware of this. But for some reason Hugo would have been a worse choice?!
- I didn't like how Charlie was so unsupportive of their relationship. It was nonsensical. And him flying from Japan just to tell them how he disapproved was over the top. He was deliberately hurtful.
- I hated how Stella's family thought so poorly of her, that they interfered against her wishes in her life over and over again. It was so disrespectful. And they never really learned their lesson or the consequences of what they did. They needed to grovel.
- There were some things about Hugo that I just did not like. He was a dumb man and he made dumb decisions even though he is a genius. Hugo also needed to grovel and he did no groveling. They would just make up by their sexual attraction driving them to have sex. And then at the end he did do one grand gesture but it wasn't apologizing. They didn't really talk about how Hugo's devastating recommendation letter for her job ended up on the internet getting her blacklisted from jobs, and he didn't have to pay for it. He was dumb and unromantic for bringing her to the same hotel that he was a regular at, for bringing his other women to for hookups, and he was obvious about it - way to make her feel not special at all. And if the author is trying to sew seeds of romance - pick a place or way for them to hook up that can have some respect or specialness behind it.
- I am a person that has a weakness for non-sexual touch and snuggling. If characters are going at it and having the wildest sex, that doesn't do jack for me, I might as well be reading a phone book. I need moments where the love interest is such a comfort to their person, platonic treasuring of that person, that person is my home. I also really prefer the sex to be sensual, like really involving the senses, like the characters are described as basically getting goosebumps, breath catching, sighs, senses engaged. And I didn't get any of that really from this couple. My love language was not engaged on this book.
Some notable moments:
I loved how everyone at work was in awe of her standing up to Hugo. People dropped off her favorite candy at her desk as a reward for her bravery. "Jane rolls up and grabs my arm. “Did you call him Mr. Roboto?” “Something came over me.” “You’re gonna get fired,” she whispers. I turn to her—I’m sure she’s bummed. We get along so well, and they really do need my help here. “Sorry—” “No,” she hisses. “You are livin’ my dream.” “You’re living my dream, too,” Tinley squeak-whispers."
"The next time I glance at Hugo, he looks really troubled. Like something’s upset him. My belly flops upside down. “What’s wrong?” He points up at the Hanson brother’s poster on the wall. “What did you do to that poor guy’s mouth?” “I loved him too much,” I whisper."
*FYI about steam: I rate steam based on a combination of quality & quantity. I note kink separate from steam because I don't want to underrate steamy reads that don't have much kink.
**Note about spoilers: I like to comment on the plot of a book in reviews, so I almost always mark my reviews as containing spoilers. But I try to avoid spoiling the big dramatic moments! As a reader, I personally like to know what I'm getting into before I read a book so I know more about the content and if it's to my taste/mood, so I try to give that information in my reviews for myself when I'm considering rereading and also for other readers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 14, 2023
What I’ve learned from The Billionaires of Manhattan series is to never settle. A couple of millions is not enough - aim a thousand times higher and go for a BILLIONAIRE instead. Not sure where to look for them? Well, Annika Martin knows this place in Manhattan where the women are fierce and funny and the billionaires all over the place 😉
I have a soft spot for this charming billionaires series. It’s outrageously funny and I find myself howling every single time. I can’t believe that The Grumpy Billionaire is the eighth book already. I’m not bored at all, and I still feel all the excitement whenever a new couple is introduced.
Stella moves to Manhattan to start her dream job, just to see her career being shattered before it even started. Hugo Jones, Stella’s brother’s best friend offers her a job and she reluctantly takes it. And I’m so glad she did!
Hugo being a numbers person, orderly, and kind of imperturbable was kept on his toes so badly, I almost felt sorry for him. Stella is a true force and I loved how she resisted to ever relent to him. Stella totally had the upperhand, while Hugo was supposed to be the one in control. Her sunshine mischievousness was simply irresistible. Extremely entertaining with wonderful characters, and so many absurd and hilarious moments I couldn’t stop laughing while reading.
I loved it!
And a shoutout to the pineapple mystery. That was simply brilliant.
I have a soft spot for this charming billionaires series. It’s outrageously funny and I find myself howling every single time. I can’t believe that The Grumpy Billionaire is the eighth book already. I’m not bored at all, and I still feel all the excitement whenever a new couple is introduced.
Stella moves to Manhattan to start her dream job, just to see her career being shattered before it even started. Hugo Jones, Stella’s brother’s best friend offers her a job and she reluctantly takes it. And I’m so glad she did!
Hugo being a numbers person, orderly, and kind of imperturbable was kept on his toes so badly, I almost felt sorry for him. Stella is a true force and I loved how she resisted to ever relent to him. Stella totally had the upperhand, while Hugo was supposed to be the one in control. Her sunshine mischievousness was simply irresistible. Extremely entertaining with wonderful characters, and so many absurd and hilarious moments I couldn’t stop laughing while reading.
I loved it!
And a shoutout to the pineapple mystery. That was simply brilliant.
May 14, 2025
Loved it! Forgot to log it!
April 17, 2024
DNF at 40%.
This douche canoe is not a hero. He is a sexual predator.
Maybe it's not "fair" of me to give this book 1 star. I usually reserve that for books where there is abuse or some predatory behavior wrapped up in some false narrative.
Oh, wait. That matches this book. I almost cannot even write out because I am feeling so much RAGE right now at the narrative this author has used in her "rom-com".
Being grabbed and kissed by a man who just tanked your career isn't romantic... it's predatory and violent. And having the female main character be super into it and turned on is just body betrayal at its worst.
Stella is successful in her field. She has a great reputation in marketing, having moved up in leadership over 10 years of working. She just moved to a new city for her dream job when they call her up the night before she's going to start and fire her for no good reason.
Her family is pretty toxic and harsh with her. When she tells her parents, they decide not to listen to her and approach her brother's best friend to see if he can provide a job. He does. Of course, it's not a job that Stella has any experience, skills, or talent for... but she's grateful for any job after EVERY other marketing firm turns her down and she's afraid she's going to have to move back in with her parents in her 30s. She's told by her family that he gave her the job, but she should act like she doesn't know him cause Hugo doesn't like to engage with people, especially her. Ya, that's total crap.
For the most part, Stella follows through. She tries her best to do the job and ignore Hugo. But, she's grateful he gave her the chance when no one else would even talk to her. She can't help but reach out and thank him. She also had a crush on him when she was a kid that she's over, though adult Stella thinks adult Hugo is still pretty hot. She makes a handmade card and delivers it to him personally. He's pretty gruff to her, but I'm still okay with this cause in his POV we hear that he stood up for her to her brother and family. He thinks she's great at her work. Cool. Cool, cool, cool, cool.
But THEN... Stella finds out that the reason she didn't get her dream job, nor any other job she tried for after that didn't work out, was because Hugo wrote a "recommendation" letter to her new employee lambasting her character and working style. Of course, SHE didn't ask for the letter. Her toxic family asked him to write the letter.
Stella is rightfully furious. She lights up like a roman candle and I was all like "Ya! You go get him with your female rage!"
She goes to Hugo and asks, "Why did you write the letter?"
He says, "I can't tell you."
And then he reaches out and PULLS HER IN FOR A KISS!
AND SHE LIKES IT!
ARE YOU F'ing KIDDING ME!!!!???
Thankfully, after some groping and kissing she pulls away and is like "I don't want you! You tried to manipulate me with sex to not answer the question".
It gave me hope. But NOPE!
The next interaction is worse. Where he tells her to call him Mr Jones and when she's still mad at him re: him getting her fired, he goes straight to grabbing her by the 🐱. This author's toxic narrative has her turned on and into it. This is straight up sexual assault in the workplace. And writing this in the way she does is reinforcing the idea that consent can be found by seeing if someone is turned on rather than by ascertaining whether they consent with their words and actions. She likes it!? WTF, author!? He goes straight for her 🐱!!! "Grab her by the 🐱" sound familiar to anyone!?
This book is gross.
This douche canoe is not a hero. He is a sexual predator.
Maybe it's not "fair" of me to give this book 1 star. I usually reserve that for books where there is abuse or some predatory behavior wrapped up in some false narrative.
Oh, wait. That matches this book. I almost cannot even write out because I am feeling so much RAGE right now at the narrative this author has used in her "rom-com".
Being grabbed and kissed by a man who just tanked your career isn't romantic... it's predatory and violent. And having the female main character be super into it and turned on is just body betrayal at its worst.
Stella is successful in her field. She has a great reputation in marketing, having moved up in leadership over 10 years of working. She just moved to a new city for her dream job when they call her up the night before she's going to start and fire her for no good reason.
Her family is pretty toxic and harsh with her. When she tells her parents, they decide not to listen to her and approach her brother's best friend to see if he can provide a job. He does. Of course, it's not a job that Stella has any experience, skills, or talent for... but she's grateful for any job after EVERY other marketing firm turns her down and she's afraid she's going to have to move back in with her parents in her 30s. She's told by her family that he gave her the job, but she should act like she doesn't know him cause Hugo doesn't like to engage with people, especially her. Ya, that's total crap.
For the most part, Stella follows through. She tries her best to do the job and ignore Hugo. But, she's grateful he gave her the chance when no one else would even talk to her. She can't help but reach out and thank him. She also had a crush on him when she was a kid that she's over, though adult Stella thinks adult Hugo is still pretty hot. She makes a handmade card and delivers it to him personally. He's pretty gruff to her, but I'm still okay with this cause in his POV we hear that he stood up for her to her brother and family. He thinks she's great at her work. Cool. Cool, cool, cool, cool.
But THEN... Stella finds out that the reason she didn't get her dream job, nor any other job she tried for after that didn't work out, was because Hugo wrote a "recommendation" letter to her new employee lambasting her character and working style. Of course, SHE didn't ask for the letter. Her toxic family asked him to write the letter.
Stella is rightfully furious. She lights up like a roman candle and I was all like "Ya! You go get him with your female rage!"
She goes to Hugo and asks, "Why did you write the letter?"
He says, "I can't tell you."
And then he reaches out and PULLS HER IN FOR A KISS!
AND SHE LIKES IT!
ARE YOU F'ing KIDDING ME!!!!???
Thankfully, after some groping and kissing she pulls away and is like "I don't want you! You tried to manipulate me with sex to not answer the question".
It gave me hope. But NOPE!
The next interaction is worse. Where he tells her to call him Mr Jones and when she's still mad at him re: him getting her fired, he goes straight to grabbing her by the 🐱. This author's toxic narrative has her turned on and into it. This is straight up sexual assault in the workplace. And writing this in the way she does is reinforcing the idea that consent can be found by seeing if someone is turned on rather than by ascertaining whether they consent with their words and actions. She likes it!? WTF, author!? He goes straight for her 🐱!!! "Grab her by the 🐱" sound familiar to anyone!?
This book is gross.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 26, 2023
Stella Woodward has landed the job of her dreams in New York and the company has even paid for her move. Yet, on the eve of her first day, she is told that there is a “change in direction” and she is no longer employed! Strangely, all other promising job prospects dry up soon after. Stella doesn’t want to confirm her family’s view of her as an incompetent screwup, but is forced to accept a consolation job arranged by her brother’s best friend, and her lifelong crush, Hugo Jones.
Annika Martin writes the funniest billionaire workplace romances, so I was very excited to purchase this one (grabbed it on Kobo before it disappears to KU), #8 of her Billionaires of Manhattan. Hugo is a math genius and brilliant quantitative analyst, but he doesn’t like people in general, except for one. He’s always had a secret obsession with Stella. He may be impatient with the disorganized irrationality of others, but Stella’s vibrancy and creativity has never ceased to captivate him. He pretends to not see her, but when she’s in the room he focuses on no one else.
I enjoyed the grumpy sunshine unrequited love scenario. Stella is such a lovable and cheeky character in the workplace. Hugo is an adorable grump who you want to slap upside the back of the head for being so smart and so dumb simultaneously.
I didn’t enjoy the reason that Stella lost her original job. I felt that as a successful quant, even a socially awkward one, Hugo demonstrated a lack of insight that is not consistent with his abilities throughout the rest of the book. Nor is it explained how things got so badly out of hand after the initial job loss. I didn’t think Hugo really did anything to fix the problem or show remorse, before Stella not only forgave him but jumped into bed with him. I would have been livid and “only telling the truth” would have earned him much more than a tongue lashing. There were other ways to handle a potential threat to Stella besides ruining her reputation. So, there was a middle portion of the book where I felt quite disconnected with the characters.
However, this author is so adept at delivering on the fun and thoughtful elements. Hugo won me over with his epiphanous turnaround. Stella finally stopped allowing others to make her feel less worthy. Even the mean cheese ball nazi was finally brought to heel. It brought a warmth to my heart every time a previous character was mentioned, including and especially, Smuckers and Spencer. I think I can guess which other couple (*cough* Lolfric/Wula) is being set up for the next book and I’m looking forward to seeing if I’m right.
Annika Martin writes the funniest billionaire workplace romances, so I was very excited to purchase this one (grabbed it on Kobo before it disappears to KU), #8 of her Billionaires of Manhattan. Hugo is a math genius and brilliant quantitative analyst, but he doesn’t like people in general, except for one. He’s always had a secret obsession with Stella. He may be impatient with the disorganized irrationality of others, but Stella’s vibrancy and creativity has never ceased to captivate him. He pretends to not see her, but when she’s in the room he focuses on no one else.
I enjoyed the grumpy sunshine unrequited love scenario. Stella is such a lovable and cheeky character in the workplace. Hugo is an adorable grump who you want to slap upside the back of the head for being so smart and so dumb simultaneously.
I didn’t enjoy the reason that Stella lost her original job. I felt that as a successful quant, even a socially awkward one, Hugo demonstrated a lack of insight that is not consistent with his abilities throughout the rest of the book. Nor is it explained how things got so badly out of hand after the initial job loss. I didn’t think Hugo really did anything to fix the problem or show remorse, before Stella not only forgave him but jumped into bed with him. I would have been livid and “only telling the truth” would have earned him much more than a tongue lashing. There were other ways to handle a potential threat to Stella besides ruining her reputation. So, there was a middle portion of the book where I felt quite disconnected with the characters.
However, this author is so adept at delivering on the fun and thoughtful elements. Hugo won me over with his epiphanous turnaround. Stella finally stopped allowing others to make her feel less worthy. Even the mean cheese ball nazi was finally brought to heel. It brought a warmth to my heart every time a previous character was mentioned, including and especially, Smuckers and Spencer. I think I can guess which other couple (*cough* Lolfric/Wula) is being set up for the next book and I’m looking forward to seeing if I’m right.
December 31, 2023
Ms. Martin delivers yet another amazing story in this series! And another grumpy billionaire to swoon over. He’s a sexy nerd to boot! This brother’s best friend romance was adorable and funny and spicy and everything I wanted.
It was story that kept me hooked and had characters with whom I fell for immediately. Ms. Martin’s voice brought them to life and made it so easy to imagine the scenes as I read them. The sexual tension was thick, and sizzling, and sparked something fierce.
Hugo is a very powerful man, both financially and in the business world. He’s always had a thing for his best friend’s younger sister. But he knew it was wrong, bro code and all that, so he never acted upon it. He is such an adorkable, sexy AF nerd!!
Watching them bring back all the memories of their childhood (when they both had secret crushes on each other) and seeing their relationship grow and get stronger was sweet and beautiful and made my heart flutter with happiness. Stella is a strong heroine, but she hides her vulnerabilities very well. Even though Hugo had a knack for saying the wrong things at the wrong times, he was the perfect hero to lift her up with love and compliments and positivity and make her feel better about herself.
This story has everything I love as a romance reader. Lots of humor, plenty of sass & witty/snarky banter, a yummy amount of steam, and a whole bunch of heart. I always enjoy Annika’s words and The Grumpy Billionaire was yet another fantastic book I adored.
If you’ve read and loved the other books in this series, I’m confident you’ll enjoy this one too. I recommend this story if you love a well-written, best friend’s sister, hot nerd romance.
It was story that kept me hooked and had characters with whom I fell for immediately. Ms. Martin’s voice brought them to life and made it so easy to imagine the scenes as I read them. The sexual tension was thick, and sizzling, and sparked something fierce.
Hugo is a very powerful man, both financially and in the business world. He’s always had a thing for his best friend’s younger sister. But he knew it was wrong, bro code and all that, so he never acted upon it. He is such an adorkable, sexy AF nerd!!
Watching them bring back all the memories of their childhood (when they both had secret crushes on each other) and seeing their relationship grow and get stronger was sweet and beautiful and made my heart flutter with happiness. Stella is a strong heroine, but she hides her vulnerabilities very well. Even though Hugo had a knack for saying the wrong things at the wrong times, he was the perfect hero to lift her up with love and compliments and positivity and make her feel better about herself.
This story has everything I love as a romance reader. Lots of humor, plenty of sass & witty/snarky banter, a yummy amount of steam, and a whole bunch of heart. I always enjoy Annika’s words and The Grumpy Billionaire was yet another fantastic book I adored.
If you’ve read and loved the other books in this series, I’m confident you’ll enjoy this one too. I recommend this story if you love a well-written, best friend’s sister, hot nerd romance.
November 17, 2023
Annika Martin made me laugh, swoon and burn so hard in The Grumpy Billionaire! This spicy slow burn rom com is everything I love about grumpy sunshine opposites attract trope. Then there was the forbidden tension of best friend's sister and workplace romance. Stella is a firecracker with little cracks of vulnerability put in in her heart by the very grumpy brooding antisocial billionaire who is going to make her feel like a queen! It was hilarious. It was heartwarming. It was full on swoony. It was full of sizzling hot chemistry that finally crossed the line and exploded. An unputdownable entertainer from Annika Martin.
Stella has just moved to New York for an exciting new job as assistant creative director at a renowned company but at last minute, they cancel her job. Her mother arranges a new job of Administrative assistant, despite her repeated protest, in the company where her forever crush and greatest nemesis is kind of a god. Hugo is her brother’s best friend, honorary member of her family, a super successful math nerd creating groundbreaking financial models for Wall Street and according to her, hater of everything Stella. But the truth is, Hugo is obsessed with her too. And working closely is going to test his control. But what will happen when Stella will come to know that Hugo is the one who is behind her being unemployable? Can she open her heart to a man who broke it?
Hugo and Stella is extremely opposite. Stella can come across reckless and crazy and weird. But it's actually her colorful and lovable personality! She has unique ideas and a brilliantly creative mind. She brings joy and life to evertwhere she touches. She loves fast and hard. She is smart and wickedly witty and love to live life fullest. Contrary to Hugo who is maximum perfectionist. He likes his life controlled and measured and excelled at. Spontaneity isn't his style. And that's why he was obsessed with Stella. He loves her sassy and fierce and vivacious personality. The way she makes him want to forget boundaries and rules. Stella purposely drove him crazy with her antics as those make him go all growling and brooding and rough and..that is a huge turn on for Stella. Hugo is all about intensity and when the focus of that intensity is Stella..oh my god! There was so much push and pull that I was dying for them to do the "deed" finally! The slow burn was scorching hot. It took a bit for Hugo to accept that Stella is the exception to his rules and he has to have her in his life and it took even longer for Stella to belive it. Because she has been hurt by men before, men similar to Hugo but obviously nothing like his genius brooding side, and those men broke her self confidence by rejecting her spicy and adorable and quirky personality. Hugo had the job to heal her and worship her like she deserved. And I am proud that he definitely rose to the occasion. It took serious efforts to change his perspective and slay Stella's demons but he did it. This story is a pretty mash up of laugh out loud moments, heartbreak and steam. I freaking loved the secondary characters..some new and some old from previous standalones of this series. I didn't know how the time flew away while reading this book. Stella and Hugo just challenge each other perfectly..
I reviewed an early copy voluntarily
Stella has just moved to New York for an exciting new job as assistant creative director at a renowned company but at last minute, they cancel her job. Her mother arranges a new job of Administrative assistant, despite her repeated protest, in the company where her forever crush and greatest nemesis is kind of a god. Hugo is her brother’s best friend, honorary member of her family, a super successful math nerd creating groundbreaking financial models for Wall Street and according to her, hater of everything Stella. But the truth is, Hugo is obsessed with her too. And working closely is going to test his control. But what will happen when Stella will come to know that Hugo is the one who is behind her being unemployable? Can she open her heart to a man who broke it?
Hugo and Stella is extremely opposite. Stella can come across reckless and crazy and weird. But it's actually her colorful and lovable personality! She has unique ideas and a brilliantly creative mind. She brings joy and life to evertwhere she touches. She loves fast and hard. She is smart and wickedly witty and love to live life fullest. Contrary to Hugo who is maximum perfectionist. He likes his life controlled and measured and excelled at. Spontaneity isn't his style. And that's why he was obsessed with Stella. He loves her sassy and fierce and vivacious personality. The way she makes him want to forget boundaries and rules. Stella purposely drove him crazy with her antics as those make him go all growling and brooding and rough and..that is a huge turn on for Stella. Hugo is all about intensity and when the focus of that intensity is Stella..oh my god! There was so much push and pull that I was dying for them to do the "deed" finally! The slow burn was scorching hot. It took a bit for Hugo to accept that Stella is the exception to his rules and he has to have her in his life and it took even longer for Stella to belive it. Because she has been hurt by men before, men similar to Hugo but obviously nothing like his genius brooding side, and those men broke her self confidence by rejecting her spicy and adorable and quirky personality. Hugo had the job to heal her and worship her like she deserved. And I am proud that he definitely rose to the occasion. It took serious efforts to change his perspective and slay Stella's demons but he did it. This story is a pretty mash up of laugh out loud moments, heartbreak and steam. I freaking loved the secondary characters..some new and some old from previous standalones of this series. I didn't know how the time flew away while reading this book. Stella and Hugo just challenge each other perfectly..
I reviewed an early copy voluntarily
November 26, 2023
Yeah, well, I am a grumpy reader because of this. Billionaires, in general, annoy me in romances but I had always made an exception with Annika Martin's Richy Riches characters. Though even hers had started to bore me in this Billionaires series, it had been a good while since #7 was released and I decided to try out this #8. Well, I tried. Failure was an option.
Romance outcome was pretty much settled by a quarter in. Lots of sexy times ensued. An itsy bitsy conflict about obsession with perfection on the part of one character and the feelings of imperfect inadequacy on the part of the other. The don't-date-your-best-friend's-sister code played a part too. A code I have never understood, unless you and your best friend are 30 and the little sister is 15.
Will I read Billionaire #9 if it is ever written and released? Don't think so. But then I always say this is the last time I will ever ever read Eloisa James or Mary Balogh or Lisa Kleypas, etc., and then find myself sometimes getting them on a bargain day.
Romance outcome was pretty much settled by a quarter in. Lots of sexy times ensued. An itsy bitsy conflict about obsession with perfection on the part of one character and the feelings of imperfect inadequacy on the part of the other. The don't-date-your-best-friend's-sister code played a part too. A code I have never understood, unless you and your best friend are 30 and the little sister is 15.
Will I read Billionaire #9 if it is ever written and released? Don't think so. But then I always say this is the last time I will ever ever read Eloisa James or Mary Balogh or Lisa Kleypas, etc., and then find myself sometimes getting them on a bargain day.
May 25, 2024
This whole series: *chef's kiss*
Was so excited when my library got the 8th installment. These are good light reads. Super cute
Was so excited when my library got the 8th installment. These are good light reads. Super cute
November 6, 2023
The Grumpy Billionaire❣️
Stella had just moved to the big 🍎 for a new and exciting career change. When she suddenly receives a call to say they’ve gone another direction, she’s confounded and unemployed😢 Now she has to find a new job so she can pay her rent and she only appears to have one option, as all other prospects have dried up. The option is not what she wants, but what’s a girl to do when she’s desperate🤷♀️
Suddenly, she’s working for Hugo at his big business, but she’s been told by her family to not be too in his face… “pretend you don’t know him”. Stella and Hugo have known each other since they were younger as Hugo was her brothers best friend. Stella has always crushed on him but his interests lie more in his mathematical problem solving…until he suddenly appears to be interested😳
A great story…Stella’s character is a little flighty and spontaneous and Hugo’s is a bit stiff and rigid…but they both melt together to create the “perfect” couple😍 A not to be missed addition to this series and also to catch up with some of our old favs. I received an advanced copy and voluntarily leave my honest review❤️
Stella had just moved to the big 🍎 for a new and exciting career change. When she suddenly receives a call to say they’ve gone another direction, she’s confounded and unemployed😢 Now she has to find a new job so she can pay her rent and she only appears to have one option, as all other prospects have dried up. The option is not what she wants, but what’s a girl to do when she’s desperate🤷♀️
Suddenly, she’s working for Hugo at his big business, but she’s been told by her family to not be too in his face… “pretend you don’t know him”. Stella and Hugo have known each other since they were younger as Hugo was her brothers best friend. Stella has always crushed on him but his interests lie more in his mathematical problem solving…until he suddenly appears to be interested😳
A great story…Stella’s character is a little flighty and spontaneous and Hugo’s is a bit stiff and rigid…but they both melt together to create the “perfect” couple😍 A not to be missed addition to this series and also to catch up with some of our old favs. I received an advanced copy and voluntarily leave my honest review❤️
November 16, 2023
I absolutely LOVED this one! Hugo is a perfectionist grump that has a lot more going on inside than meets the eye. Stella is - well, she might be one of my absolute favorite characters ever. She is literal sunshine with a unique personality and if you've ever been told you're "too much", you will absolutely identify with Stella. I see so much of myself in her and I was absolutely DELIGHTED with her obsession with cheeseballs (IYKYK - if you don't, READ THIS BOOK IMMEDIATELY).
I loved everything about this book - the dialogue is natural and hilarious; I laughed out loud multiple times. It's funny while still being poignant and the character growth is spot on. Did I mention it's funny? If you like contemporary billionaire romances with tropes like grumpy/sunshine, slow burn, and opposites attract, you will love this one!
A couple of my highlights:
"Do not pass go, do not collect two hundred dollars, just get into the vagina".
"He points up at the Hanson brother's poster on the wall. "What did you do to that poor guy's mouth?"
"I loved him too much," I whisper."
I loved everything about this book - the dialogue is natural and hilarious; I laughed out loud multiple times. It's funny while still being poignant and the character growth is spot on. Did I mention it's funny? If you like contemporary billionaire romances with tropes like grumpy/sunshine, slow burn, and opposites attract, you will love this one!
A couple of my highlights:
"Do not pass go, do not collect two hundred dollars, just get into the vagina".
"He points up at the Hanson brother's poster on the wall. "What did you do to that poor guy's mouth?"
"I loved him too much," I whisper."
November 11, 2023
I have Kindle Unlimited on Amazon, but I was so excited to read this book that I just paid for it on Google so I didn't have to wait 6 days. Good decision. I loved it.
I love the chemistry between Hugo and Stella. It was pretty incendiary and amplified by the fact they've been pretty much sublimating that attraction since they were teenagers. It's a classic opposites attract/best friend's sister is taboo trope that's been done before. But this is still fresh and funny. In becoming closer, they change each other in small but good ways.
Stella has been relocated by a new company to New York City as an associate creative director, then learns the night before she's due to start that they're not going to hire her. She has to scramble to find a job to cover her rent. As she looks and sends out resumes she keeps getting refusals and doesn't know why. It's like there's some word out on the street about her. Her neighbors in the building are all friends and one of them looks into it and she seems soon finds out why.
Her brother Charlie offers to talk to his best friend, Hugo who's a quant and math prodigy at a financial company, about an admin job. Stella doesn't want him to but he does anyway. She doesn't know anything about admin but she's the get it fixed girl. Everyone at the company is all sort of afraid of Hugo because he's very standoffish, almost in mild autism spectrum way. But it's still very attractive. And he is really happy that he's in a high enough position and rich enough to ignore the social niceties.
Stella is his polar opposite and he can't resist her bright personality or her levels deep, imperfect intelligence that's so different from his drive for the perfect algorithm. This is a fun book. I really enjoyed it.
I love the chemistry between Hugo and Stella. It was pretty incendiary and amplified by the fact they've been pretty much sublimating that attraction since they were teenagers. It's a classic opposites attract/best friend's sister is taboo trope that's been done before. But this is still fresh and funny. In becoming closer, they change each other in small but good ways.
Stella has been relocated by a new company to New York City as an associate creative director, then learns the night before she's due to start that they're not going to hire her. She has to scramble to find a job to cover her rent. As she looks and sends out resumes she keeps getting refusals and doesn't know why. It's like there's some word out on the street about her. Her neighbors in the building are all friends and one of them looks into it and she seems soon finds out why.
Her brother Charlie offers to talk to his best friend, Hugo who's a quant and math prodigy at a financial company, about an admin job. Stella doesn't want him to but he does anyway. She doesn't know anything about admin but she's the get it fixed girl. Everyone at the company is all sort of afraid of Hugo because he's very standoffish, almost in mild autism spectrum way. But it's still very attractive. And he is really happy that he's in a high enough position and rich enough to ignore the social niceties.
Stella is his polar opposite and he can't resist her bright personality or her levels deep, imperfect intelligence that's so different from his drive for the perfect algorithm. This is a fun book. I really enjoyed it.
February 10, 2024
#AudioReview
This is #8 of the Billionaires of Manhattan series by #AnnikaMartin and I can't stop recommending them enough for a fun read. This one is no exception and can definitely be read as a standalone.
Stella comes from a family of mathematians, who 'adopt' Hugo as they recognise his genuis, and he becomes best friends with her brother, Charlie. She, on the other hand, is completely different in her brightness and quirkiness to the extent that they joke that they may have been swapped at birth!
Due to this, she has insecurities that she isn't intelligent enough, and although she's had a childhood crush on Hugo, she believes he hates her and she could never be good enough for him.
Their paths cross 10 years later when she is 31 when a job in New York falls through
and Hugo gets her a job in his Wall Street office.
I loved how their relationship developed, but I did get tired of her insecurities, which seemed to go on and on, and she never gave Hugo an inch.
I did love some of her quirks, though, and learnt that you can actually get a cheeseball big enough to eat on your own with a spoon! The mind boggles!
Hugo, on the other hand, was your typical uptight brilliant perfectionist mathematician who was uncomfortable around people and held a formidable frown. He also had a superpower in buying the perfect gift and he didn't disappoint!
It was lovely to discover under the hard exterior his delightful character; not only keen to learn how to be rash but to accept and love Stella as she was! I think all girls should have a Hugo!!
The #dualnarration was superb by #AngelinaRocca and #GraysonOwens who kicked this one right out the park!
Although I received a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
This is #8 of the Billionaires of Manhattan series by #AnnikaMartin and I can't stop recommending them enough for a fun read. This one is no exception and can definitely be read as a standalone.
Stella comes from a family of mathematians, who 'adopt' Hugo as they recognise his genuis, and he becomes best friends with her brother, Charlie. She, on the other hand, is completely different in her brightness and quirkiness to the extent that they joke that they may have been swapped at birth!
Due to this, she has insecurities that she isn't intelligent enough, and although she's had a childhood crush on Hugo, she believes he hates her and she could never be good enough for him.
Their paths cross 10 years later when she is 31 when a job in New York falls through
and Hugo gets her a job in his Wall Street office.
I loved how their relationship developed, but I did get tired of her insecurities, which seemed to go on and on, and she never gave Hugo an inch.
I did love some of her quirks, though, and learnt that you can actually get a cheeseball big enough to eat on your own with a spoon! The mind boggles!
Hugo, on the other hand, was your typical uptight brilliant perfectionist mathematician who was uncomfortable around people and held a formidable frown. He also had a superpower in buying the perfect gift and he didn't disappoint!
It was lovely to discover under the hard exterior his delightful character; not only keen to learn how to be rash but to accept and love Stella as she was! I think all girls should have a Hugo!!
The #dualnarration was superb by #AngelinaRocca and #GraysonOwens who kicked this one right out the park!
Although I received a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
November 13, 2023
A wonderful grumpy/sunshine romance! Stella has taken some drastic steps to change her life and get over her pull toward men like Hugo, her brother's best friend. But when her new job mysteriously falls through at the last minute, she ends up having to take a job at Hugo's company. They fall into the dynamic they had as kids at first, but there is a whole new tension this time. The chemistry between them is impossible to ignore or resist. Stella figures that they can have a fling to get Hugo out of her system once and for all, but Hugo has a completely different outcome in mind.
I enjoyed everything about this book. The banter was excellent and hilarious. I loved that Hugo saw Stella and her talents so clearly, better than anyone else. I also loved that Stella is so very good at pushing Hugo's buttons. She made me laugh so much. And the final presentation was astounding. I about fell out of my chair! Plus, the previous FMCs of the series make fun cameos during the story. This is exactly the kind of billionaire rom-com that I love to read. I can't wait for the audio.
I enjoyed everything about this book. The banter was excellent and hilarious. I loved that Hugo saw Stella and her talents so clearly, better than anyone else. I also loved that Stella is so very good at pushing Hugo's buttons. She made me laugh so much. And the final presentation was astounding. I about fell out of my chair! Plus, the previous FMCs of the series make fun cameos during the story. This is exactly the kind of billionaire rom-com that I love to read. I can't wait for the audio.
November 12, 2023
This is such an awesome book, where I was eagerly flipping through the pages needing to know what is going to happen next, and also just wanting it to last forever.
Stella and Hugo have known each other for years, due to the fact Hugo is Stella’s brothers best friend. And when there is flashbacks to when they were younger, it certainly seems like they do not get along. But as the story unfolds this couldn’t be further from the truth. I won’t go into details here because I will only give too much away. But what I will reveal is that I found this book absolutely hilarious. I felt like I was laughing from start to finish, mainly due to Stella, the things that came out of her mouth, her actions and even her inner thoughts were not only funny but made this book as incredible as it ended up being.
But what I enjoyed most were how these two completely opposite characters just worked so well together. Yes there are some hiccups, but these two are just so perfectly written I fell in love with both of them.
Stella and Hugo have known each other for years, due to the fact Hugo is Stella’s brothers best friend. And when there is flashbacks to when they were younger, it certainly seems like they do not get along. But as the story unfolds this couldn’t be further from the truth. I won’t go into details here because I will only give too much away. But what I will reveal is that I found this book absolutely hilarious. I felt like I was laughing from start to finish, mainly due to Stella, the things that came out of her mouth, her actions and even her inner thoughts were not only funny but made this book as incredible as it ended up being.
But what I enjoyed most were how these two completely opposite characters just worked so well together. Yes there are some hiccups, but these two are just so perfectly written I fell in love with both of them.
February 10, 2024
**Audio Review**
The Grumpy Billionaire by Annika Martin was a sweet and sassy best friend’s little sister billionaire romance that had me smiling and swooning from start to finish. I have loved every couple in Annika’s Billionaires of Manhattan series. Stella and Hugo’s journey to HEA was of nerdy twists and spicy turns that made this couple’s romance so much fun.
Angelina Rocca and Grayson Owens perform this audiobook in dual narration, and I loved these two paired together to bring Stella and Hugo to life. Angelina’s performance embodied Stella’s quirky, bold, and passionate persona as she embraced her new job and her desires for Hugo. Grayson’s portrayal of Hugo presented the perfect amount of broodiness mixed with swoon-worthy charismatic charm that made him irresistible to Stella. Both narrators were spot on delivering the witty banter and longing steamy tension between Stella and Hugo.
Overall, I loved this book. If you are a fan of a billionaire romance with a hot, nerdy mathematician, fiercely bold heroine taking on a new job in NYC, ceramic retro owls, gummy worms, pineapples, cheese balls, Wall Street, office elevator spice, finding the perfect gift, he falls first, hotel steamy times, protective brothers, fancy galas, giving into your true desires, and a HEA that was worth the wait, then you will love Stella and Hugo’s story. I always look forward to more from Annika Martin.
The Grumpy Billionaire by Annika Martin was a sweet and sassy best friend’s little sister billionaire romance that had me smiling and swooning from start to finish. I have loved every couple in Annika’s Billionaires of Manhattan series. Stella and Hugo’s journey to HEA was of nerdy twists and spicy turns that made this couple’s romance so much fun.
Angelina Rocca and Grayson Owens perform this audiobook in dual narration, and I loved these two paired together to bring Stella and Hugo to life. Angelina’s performance embodied Stella’s quirky, bold, and passionate persona as she embraced her new job and her desires for Hugo. Grayson’s portrayal of Hugo presented the perfect amount of broodiness mixed with swoon-worthy charismatic charm that made him irresistible to Stella. Both narrators were spot on delivering the witty banter and longing steamy tension between Stella and Hugo.
Overall, I loved this book. If you are a fan of a billionaire romance with a hot, nerdy mathematician, fiercely bold heroine taking on a new job in NYC, ceramic retro owls, gummy worms, pineapples, cheese balls, Wall Street, office elevator spice, finding the perfect gift, he falls first, hotel steamy times, protective brothers, fancy galas, giving into your true desires, and a HEA that was worth the wait, then you will love Stella and Hugo’s story. I always look forward to more from Annika Martin.
December 20, 2023
Quick(ish) Review
So, I literally had to read the blurb to remind myself what this book was about and even then, it took a hot minute for it to click in, which, I think, says all it needs to about how I feel. I was annoyed with the MMC's high handedness in general and the reason for the conflict? Didn't seem believable in the least. Look, I love romance novels so my suspension of disbelief muscle is as flexible as a taffy pull. I can go with the flow, but this didn't make a lick of sense to me. Add to that their chemistry being just ok, and overall, it was pleasant but that's about it.
So, I literally had to read the blurb to remind myself what this book was about and even then, it took a hot minute for it to click in, which, I think, says all it needs to about how I feel. I was annoyed with the MMC's high handedness in general and the reason for the conflict? Didn't seem believable in the least. Look, I love romance novels so my suspension of disbelief muscle is as flexible as a taffy pull. I can go with the flow, but this didn't make a lick of sense to me. Add to that their chemistry being just ok, and overall, it was pleasant but that's about it.
November 30, 2023
Annika Martin's Rom Coms are an absolute treat! This one was a perfect balance of heat, romance, and LOL moments--exactly the way Romantic Comedies are supposed to be!
August 18, 2024
There is a much more interesting side plot happening with Lola that I presume will become book #9.
November 11, 2023
These two were perfect foils for each other! But as much as they were opposite, the passion and heat between them, that made their encounters all the more interesting. And the heart, the feelings, right there, simmering below the surface, those made everything all the more……. Important. They tried to hide, they tried to be what the other wanted, but in the end, they needed to see things from a different angle, and once they did that, their HEA was, with 100% probability, guaranteed <3
September 22, 2024
annika girl what happened
January 25, 2024
It is not often that I come across a RomCom that actually makes me LOL. This one did! I absolutely loved Hugo, Strict and analytical, he's the epitome of a grumpy MMC. In comes Stella, his best friend's younger sister, with all her sunshine and in need of a job.
The progression of the story was natural and a joy to read. Highly recommend if you are in need of a few laughs while swooning.
The progression of the story was natural and a joy to read. Highly recommend if you are in need of a few laughs while swooning.
November 17, 2023
Sunshine's cheese balls and Grumpy's pineapples
Holy cheeseballs! I love this book. It's a hilarious, medium burn, romantic comedy with a grumpy man and a sunshiny woman. There's a ton of laugh out loud moments, steam, and banter. This can be read as a stand alone, but I recommend reading this series in order because there are slightly spoiler-ific cameos of main characters in the other Billionaires of Manhattan books.
I especially like the opposites attract tropiness. Hugo is a perfectionist while Stella is perfectly happy with imperfections. She's creative and enjoys poking at him. He's a mathematical genius who is more prickly than a porcupine. I love that they both realize that it's not just other people's opinions that limit them, but their own self images - and labels - that have boxed them in.
I love the dash of mystery! Why does Stella's dream job get taken away from her? It adds to the delicious suspense and friction between the main characters.
A few of my favorite things: the perfect gifts, Stella's way of eating cheese balls, the pineapple incident(s), the elevator scene, and the childhood bedroom poster.
I was pleasantly surprised that there is a bonus scene at the end! Just click on the link for more fun!
Holy cheeseballs! I love this book. It's a hilarious, medium burn, romantic comedy with a grumpy man and a sunshiny woman. There's a ton of laugh out loud moments, steam, and banter. This can be read as a stand alone, but I recommend reading this series in order because there are slightly spoiler-ific cameos of main characters in the other Billionaires of Manhattan books.
I especially like the opposites attract tropiness. Hugo is a perfectionist while Stella is perfectly happy with imperfections. She's creative and enjoys poking at him. He's a mathematical genius who is more prickly than a porcupine. I love that they both realize that it's not just other people's opinions that limit them, but their own self images - and labels - that have boxed them in.
I love the dash of mystery! Why does Stella's dream job get taken away from her? It adds to the delicious suspense and friction between the main characters.
A few of my favorite things: the perfect gifts, Stella's way of eating cheese balls, the pineapple incident(s), the elevator scene, and the childhood bedroom poster.
I was pleasantly surprised that there is a bonus scene at the end! Just click on the link for more fun!
November 27, 2023
This series just keeps getting better and better. I have had such a great time reading these books, and I really enjoyed this one. This grumpy/sunshine romance will sweet you off your feet as you read about Stella and Hugo's story. I laughed so much while reading this, because Stella is hilarious. Her thoughts, actions, and everything about her just made me giggle. I loved how Stella and Hugo were complete opposites, but they made total sense together.
November 15, 2023
I was lucky enough to receive this book as an ARC.
This is Book 8 of the Billionaires of Manhattan Series!
The Grump Billionaire is a sizzling and entertaining romance that explores the complexities of love, loyalty, and forbidden desires against the backdrop of Wall Street.
The story follows the most feared man on Wall Street, a brilliant and enigmatic figure with impenetrable walls around him. However, there's one person who sees beyond the facade—Stella, his best friend's little sister. Bound by a promise he made to her brother, he keeps his distance, but when circumstances bring them together, sparks fly.
Annika Martin creates a captivating narrative filled with humour, tension, and a simmering romance that keeps readers hooked from start to finish. The dynamic between the gruff billionaire and the spirited Stella is both entertaining and steamy, adding depth to the story.
The characters are well-developed, with the grumpy billionaire's internal struggles and Stella's determination providing layers to their personalities. The banter and chemistry between them create a magnetic pull that propels the story forward.
The Wall Street setting adds an intriguing backdrop, with financial intrigue and high-stakes decisions enhancing the narrative. The author weaves in moments of vulnerability and emotion, allowing readers to connect with the characters on a deeper level.
The Grump Billionaire is not just a romance; it's a tale of breaking down barriers, facing one's past, and embracing the unexpected. The author skilfully balances moments of humour and heart, creating a well-rounded and satisfying reading experience.
This book is a must-read for fans of contemporary romance who enjoy stories that blend sizzling chemistry, witty banter, and characters with depth. "The Grump Billionaire" is a delightful and engaging romance that leaves readers wanting more
Rating: 4 / 5⭐️’s
This is Book 8 of the Billionaires of Manhattan Series!
The Grump Billionaire is a sizzling and entertaining romance that explores the complexities of love, loyalty, and forbidden desires against the backdrop of Wall Street.
The story follows the most feared man on Wall Street, a brilliant and enigmatic figure with impenetrable walls around him. However, there's one person who sees beyond the facade—Stella, his best friend's little sister. Bound by a promise he made to her brother, he keeps his distance, but when circumstances bring them together, sparks fly.
Annika Martin creates a captivating narrative filled with humour, tension, and a simmering romance that keeps readers hooked from start to finish. The dynamic between the gruff billionaire and the spirited Stella is both entertaining and steamy, adding depth to the story.
The characters are well-developed, with the grumpy billionaire's internal struggles and Stella's determination providing layers to their personalities. The banter and chemistry between them create a magnetic pull that propels the story forward.
The Wall Street setting adds an intriguing backdrop, with financial intrigue and high-stakes decisions enhancing the narrative. The author weaves in moments of vulnerability and emotion, allowing readers to connect with the characters on a deeper level.
The Grump Billionaire is not just a romance; it's a tale of breaking down barriers, facing one's past, and embracing the unexpected. The author skilfully balances moments of humour and heart, creating a well-rounded and satisfying reading experience.
This book is a must-read for fans of contemporary romance who enjoy stories that blend sizzling chemistry, witty banter, and characters with depth. "The Grump Billionaire" is a delightful and engaging romance that leaves readers wanting more
Rating: 4 / 5⭐️’s
January 3, 2024
The grumpy billionaire – cute & quirky, with a dash of spice.
First off, thank you SO much to Valentine PR and Annika for my copy of this book/little PR package! The owl bookmark and tabs had me perplexed until I met Stella’s character 😆
It took me a little bit to get into this book, but once some of the comedy started clicking with me, I really started to enjoy it!
Blurb:
Stella is bright eyed and bushy tailed, on her newest journey in New York to work for a company she’s dreamed to be a part of for a while! Working in media marketing has always been her thing. She loves the nature of the job and how it lets her creativity and freedom of expression flow. However, her dreams come crashing down when suddenly the position she moved across the country for is no longer available to her. And it seems oddly suspicious that a company would conduct multiple interviews and pay for her to move just to dump her the day before she is supposed to start. Searching for a job in expensive New York has become her next priority, that is, until her family intervenes and gets her a job with her childhood crush, and brother’s best friend, Hugo.
Hugo is a new bigwig on Wall Street. A billionaire in fact. And someone Stella had no intentions of seeing, even after 10 years apart. But what happens when they work together and the insufferable, brilliant, and an infuriating Hugo finally let his walls down? Only time will tell if working together is the perfect scenario, or an equation that even the magnificent Hugo cannot solve.
What I liked about this book:
- side characters/girl gang
- the way Stella stood up for herself and spoke her mind in front of Hugo
- Hugo’s “perfect” gift giving abilities
- Grumpy x sunshine (to the extreme, which gave us our comedic relief😆)
- the way Hugo is soft for Stella, and Stella only
This is book #8 in the series, but can totally be read as a standalone!
Happy reading, friends🫶🏼
First off, thank you SO much to Valentine PR and Annika for my copy of this book/little PR package! The owl bookmark and tabs had me perplexed until I met Stella’s character 😆
It took me a little bit to get into this book, but once some of the comedy started clicking with me, I really started to enjoy it!
Blurb:
Stella is bright eyed and bushy tailed, on her newest journey in New York to work for a company she’s dreamed to be a part of for a while! Working in media marketing has always been her thing. She loves the nature of the job and how it lets her creativity and freedom of expression flow. However, her dreams come crashing down when suddenly the position she moved across the country for is no longer available to her. And it seems oddly suspicious that a company would conduct multiple interviews and pay for her to move just to dump her the day before she is supposed to start. Searching for a job in expensive New York has become her next priority, that is, until her family intervenes and gets her a job with her childhood crush, and brother’s best friend, Hugo.
Hugo is a new bigwig on Wall Street. A billionaire in fact. And someone Stella had no intentions of seeing, even after 10 years apart. But what happens when they work together and the insufferable, brilliant, and an infuriating Hugo finally let his walls down? Only time will tell if working together is the perfect scenario, or an equation that even the magnificent Hugo cannot solve.
What I liked about this book:
- side characters/girl gang
- the way Stella stood up for herself and spoke her mind in front of Hugo
- Hugo’s “perfect” gift giving abilities
- Grumpy x sunshine (to the extreme, which gave us our comedic relief😆)
- the way Hugo is soft for Stella, and Stella only
This is book #8 in the series, but can totally be read as a standalone!
Happy reading, friends🫶🏼
January 4, 2024
Hugh is Stella’s older brother’s childhood best friend, and he spent a lot of time at her family’s home because of stability issues in his family. Both Stella and Hugh harbored a secret crush on the other, but Hugh couldn’t cross the “best friend’s sister” line and Stella assumed Hugh hated her because she was so outrageous. Fast forward to the present, and Stella finds herself out of work. Even though she told them not to interfere, her family asks Hugh to find Stella a job. Now she works at his office, and fireworks explode from the moment they see one another again.
The Grumpy Billionaire is a fast-paced, humor-packed rom com, written with Martin’s trademark flare for the outrageous. There is something about Martin’s characters that draw me in, and I want them to succeed. Stella and Hugh are adorable together once they get past old hangups and pain. The story plays out with an enemies-to-lovers vibe until the air clears.
Stella harbors a lot of baggage. Despite not seeing him for a decade or more, Stella has wanted Hugh for so long and has seriously dated men that match his cold, perfectionist profile. And the guys always leave her because she’s “too much.” So when Hugh wants more from Stella than a tawdry affair, she does everything she can to keep her emotional distant out of fear he’ll break her heart and she won’t recover.
While I loved both characters, I worried about their mental and emotional well-being. Based on their actions, there may be indications of neurodevelopmental disorders in both, and there are definitely major emotional scars. There is a brief mention of some therapy, but by-and-large their well-being is handled via self-help or brushed over. It made me a bit uneasy that the behavior and issues are used more for comic relief than emotional investment.
Despite my concerns, Martin writes an engrossing tale with characters I adore. As always, I cannot put her book down and end up loving it in the end. The Grumpy Billionaire is another fun-filled, standalone rom com from one of my favorite authors.
My Rating: B+
Review originally posted at That's What I'm Talking About
Review copy provided by author
The Grumpy Billionaire is a fast-paced, humor-packed rom com, written with Martin’s trademark flare for the outrageous. There is something about Martin’s characters that draw me in, and I want them to succeed. Stella and Hugh are adorable together once they get past old hangups and pain. The story plays out with an enemies-to-lovers vibe until the air clears.
Stella harbors a lot of baggage. Despite not seeing him for a decade or more, Stella has wanted Hugh for so long and has seriously dated men that match his cold, perfectionist profile. And the guys always leave her because she’s “too much.” So when Hugh wants more from Stella than a tawdry affair, she does everything she can to keep her emotional distant out of fear he’ll break her heart and she won’t recover.
While I loved both characters, I worried about their mental and emotional well-being. Based on their actions, there may be indications of neurodevelopmental disorders in both, and there are definitely major emotional scars. There is a brief mention of some therapy, but by-and-large their well-being is handled via self-help or brushed over. It made me a bit uneasy that the behavior and issues are used more for comic relief than emotional investment.
Despite my concerns, Martin writes an engrossing tale with characters I adore. As always, I cannot put her book down and end up loving it in the end. The Grumpy Billionaire is another fun-filled, standalone rom com from one of my favorite authors.
My Rating: B+
Review originally posted at That's What I'm Talking About
Review copy provided by author
November 16, 2023
*ARC IN EXCHANGE FOR HONEST REVIEW*
THIS BOOK! My love for this book cannot be measured. I went into this book knowing that I was going to love it, AND DID I! OH BOY! The banter, the tension, the plot! UGH! I love them. I. LOVE. THEM! Tell me when I can find a man like this. This book follows the main character Stella who had a job offer in New York, but then suddenly they let her go the day before to her first day! Luckily, her mom calls her brother's best friend to see if he could offer her a job. So he did, but what he doesn’t know is that she has had a crush on him for YEARS!! This book is steamy, it had me blushing, giggling, and kicking my feet in the air. I cannot recommend this book enough. Thank you Valentine PR for the Advance Readers Copy <3
Tropes:
Grumpy x Sunshine
Opposites Attract
Brothers Best Friend / Bestfriends Sister
Dual POV
She Falls First He Falls Harder
Steam Radar: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
THIS BOOK! My love for this book cannot be measured. I went into this book knowing that I was going to love it, AND DID I! OH BOY! The banter, the tension, the plot! UGH! I love them. I. LOVE. THEM! Tell me when I can find a man like this. This book follows the main character Stella who had a job offer in New York, but then suddenly they let her go the day before to her first day! Luckily, her mom calls her brother's best friend to see if he could offer her a job. So he did, but what he doesn’t know is that she has had a crush on him for YEARS!! This book is steamy, it had me blushing, giggling, and kicking my feet in the air. I cannot recommend this book enough. Thank you Valentine PR for the Advance Readers Copy <3
Tropes:
Grumpy x Sunshine
Opposites Attract
Brothers Best Friend / Bestfriends Sister
Dual POV
She Falls First He Falls Harder
Steam Radar: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
November 16, 2023
This book is a wonderful slice of magical fun and verbal dexterity. Stella and Hugo, friends from long ago..or should I say, people who were present in each others lives, but who did not communicate to the optimum outcome...find themselves in close orbit after many years apart. What ensues is gorgeously witty, warm and a delightful journey into the minds and hearts of two people who are genuinely meant to be together , but who have the knack of standing in their own way. I loved Stella so much. She is clever, funny, kind, self deprecating, though the latter is not surprising given her past, and so meant for great things. Hugo's intellectual brilliance is allied with a truly good heart and he is working so hard to link the two to make his life bigger and more fulfilled. I loved their journey!
This book is so well written. It sparkles with mirth and a love for the characters that Annika has created. Absolutely fabulous 💖💖💖💖💖💖
This book is so well written. It sparkles with mirth and a love for the characters that Annika has created. Absolutely fabulous 💖💖💖💖💖💖
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