Twenty women. One ring. And the choice of a lifetime.
It's been years since Parker's loss in House of Deceit, but with his best friend's recent engagement, he's ready to return to national television. In a bid to prove himself over his ex-wife, he joins the even more grueling competition of House of Desire. Except, this time, he's the prize to be won.
Running her own bakery doesn't give Anya much time for anything else, especially her love life, but after a flirtatious escapade is quickly snubbed, all bets are off. When her friend is able to secure her a position on the hottest dating show, with the hottest male lead, she all but jumps at the opportunity.
In House of Desire, fantasy dates await. Drama ensues. Sparks fly. When nothing's real on reality TV, can Parker and Anya trust their hearts, or is it just another fabrication from producers? Tune in to find out...
Inspired by the reality TV show The Bachelor, walk alongside Parker as he searches for growth, forgiveness, and his happily ever after.
House of Desire by N.E. Butcher Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
This Bachelor inspired contemporary romance with dual POV kept me guessing the whole book. I went into this book with high expectations which were all met! I love a good reality TV show and I’ve seen the bachelor a few times. Similarly to House of Deceit, we get to see behind the curtain about what happens on set which I absolutely love.
Parker, our MMC, is a lovable business owner who we met on House of Deceit, and he comes with real life baggage making him so relatable unlike so many male leads in romances. Anya, your FMC, is also business owner, she’s funny, and her inner dialogue makes her so relatable. I loved both of these characters and I was rooting for them throughout their “journey.”
I loved how this book wasn’t just the bachelor-style competition but it was also life after the show. Parker and Anya’s romance was SUCHHHH a great slow burn that I couldn’t put the book down. I also really enjoyed a certain T Swift inspired celebrity popping up and setting up a potential next book!
Thank you to N.E. Butcher for the advanced copy of House of Desire! I loved reading it and can’t what to read what’s next!
Are you a fan of the Bachelor/Bachelorette? This will be a read for you!
Book 1- House of Deceit sets you up for book 2, but can be read as a stand alone. Just like the show, there are competitions, dates, and all the drama just to see if there will be two who fall in love at the end.
Check out both House of Deceit and House of Desire from author NE Butcher. Thank you to Happily Booked PR for the opportunity to read this epub, my review is being left voluntarily.
While you definitely could read this as a stand alone, reading N.E. Butcher’s first book - House of Deceit- was incredible ! It also sets up the story and brings in characters from the first book to this. Parker getting his chance in the spotlight was everything I had hoped for and more ! I loved the telling of his story. While this definitely isn’t the spiciest book you’ll read, it’s still there and definitely worth reading. The whole story is incredible! Definitely recommend to someone wanting to get into the romance book/smut club world but not get too overwhelmed. I hope the author continues to write and definitely expand on the series ! I forever need updates on all the characters! Amazing job !
This story was so much fun to read. The romantic suspense of the will they won’t they was crazy, the emotional intelligence that was gained throughout was so real and important, and the scenes were phenomenal. Highly recommend for any romance lover!
If you love The Bachelor, but wish it came with a little more spice and actual romance, House of Desire is for you.
Parker stepping into the spotlight after the events of House of Deceit felt like such a natural progression. He’s not your typical perfect romance lead—he’s flawed, carrying some heavy emotional baggage from his past, and he's actually working through it. Honestly? That made him ten times more lovable. Anya, with her bakery, sass, and determination, was the perfect counterbalance. Her inner dialogue cracked me up, but she also brought a refreshing dose of realism to a setting designed for drama.
The show format was just as entertaining as I hoped, but what really made this stand out was the after. The story doesn’t just stop when the cameras fade, and that gave Parker and Anya’s romance a more authentic feel.
The side characters also added so much color (Courtney deserves her own spinoff, let’s be honest). My only wish? A few pacing hiccups pulled me out. I'm not usually a big fan of contemporary romance that is more than 300 pages, unless there are no pacing issues. This one does slow quite a bit and makes you wonder why it wasn't wrapped up sooner; however, the ending was adorable and worth it.
I absolutely loved this book. Parker is absolutely amazing. I love how it touches on his journey from where he started to where he is now and why that is. I’m not going to spoil the big shock but the gasp I gusped when I read it was insane. And Anya is just the cutest ever! I love her character and her sassy little comments throughout the book. A 10/10 and an instant recommendation to anyone who wants a more slow burn but once it burns or lordy does it burn kind of book.
I absolutely loved this read!! Parker and Anya’s story was perfection, but I also enjoyed seeing Charlie and Parker’s friendship continue on in this book.
If you like the Bachelor/Bachelorette, cute little love stories with some spice, and solid best friend relationships, this one is for you!!
4.5/5 stars 2/5 spice This book brought tears to my eyes in the best possible way and I’m so sad that it’s over because Parker is amazing. He has flaws like all characters but he’s working on himself through therapy and the growth of him throughout this book is so amazing! Nothing is sexier than a man working on himself! This book was similar pace as House of Deceit and so fun to watch unfold. I love the bachelor like vibes as you read going through the show with Anya and Parker. This book is steamy and spicy and so sweet. You’ll fall even more in love with Parker than you did in book 1. Also, Courtney is the best side character she had me cracking up adding even more hilarity to the pages than what was already there. Parker is so angry about his past and making a rash decision decides he’s going to be the new lead on House of Desire where 20 women will compete for his heart. Anastasia thinking of her bakery and the burn of rejection decides she will join the show because of nothing else it will bring a little publicity to her shop. Things literally fall into place as Anya competes for Parker’s attention and his heart.
First of all, thank you to N.E. Butcher for picking me to an ARC reader! Truly blessed!
This is the second book in a standalone duology set by N.E. Butcher. It can be read as a standalone, but I really recommend reading the first book "House of Deceit". It was a five star read as well and sets up "House of Desire" perfectly!
Parker's story from the jump had me interested and wanting more from him. He was one of my favorites in "House of Deceit." I was so excited when I found out he was getting his own book.
I LOVE his friendship with Charlie, Courtney, and Alec. While Parker has his flaws, he was constantly putting in work to better himself and heal. Park is such a kind and caring man. Anya was sweet and sassy. Her little remarks here and there had me cracking up! This book had me crying and laughing in the best way.
I highly recommend this book and the Author!! This book did something to heart, and I can't wait to put the physical copies on my bookself!
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
N. E. Butcher is now one of my instant-buy/instant-download authors. This is her second book and the new ensemble of characters she weaved are just as fun as the first book she wrote. The MMC wasn’t my type because he was just such a nice good guy and also I have a weird thing with long hair but I still liked him as a person so overall no complaints there. He just won’t become my next book boyfriend. The FMC was fun, driven and logical (I love when a character doesn’t blindly follow their heart). I liked this book with the spin on the bachelor which was shocking since I don’t like the show itself. A good second book and I cannot wait for Dom’s book next!!
I had no idea what to expect going into this book. I didn't know if I was going to like it or not because I've never read anything like this before (I haven't read the first book in the series). I was surprised and liked this book. The characters were deep and well rounded with realistic flaws.
The whole Brittney situation made me very uncomfortable, hence four stars instead of five - but I think those are the feelings that the situation was meant to provoke, I'm just bad a dealing with them.
If you like romance and reality TV, then pick up House of Desire! After reading House of Deceit last year, I was so excited to dive into Parker's story.
N.E. Butcher writes characters with flaws who are easy to relate to. Parker is actively working through anxiety, depression, and trauma throughout the book, so being able to see his character grow to love himself was heartwarming. Anya's relationship with her brother is super sweet, and I cannot wait for N.E. Butcher to dive more into Dom's story! (fingers crossed)
I loved it! I loved seeing more of Parker (physically and emotionally 😏), and Anya is so fun. Plus the characters we loved in the first book were there! The story is super cute and made me smile, kept me turning the pages for just one more chapter. The book itself is gorgeous—the cover is beautiful, and the page edges are a matching pink. Is the next one going to be Dom and Ryan?? I know it’s basically Taylor and Travis, but I’m here for it!
Also, thanks to Under the Cover, an indie romance bookstore here in KC, where I found this book!
After reading House of Deceit last year I had high expectations for House of Desire. To say those expectations were met would be an understatement. Parker and Anya’s story had me giggling, gasping and even crying! Finding out more about Parker’s past made me love his character even more than I did in the first book, and seeing his love for Anya grow on and off the screen was beautifully written! I can’t wait to see what N.E. Butcher comes up with next!
When I tell you I DEVOURED this book. Honestly I think this might be my favorite out of the two! Both are so good but Parker just holds a special place in my heart! His grief really took hold and I feel like his growth and development was beautifully executed. I also enjoyed seeing Charlie again and I love love LOVE hers and Parker’s friendship!! Anya is also a gem of a person. I immediately fell in love with her character.
what can I say... truly fabulous... fun, irreverent and exciting. It kept me glued from start to finish. With her first book this author already had won me over and the second confirmed her talent, now I can only hope that there will be another one soon. Highly recommended