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Chicago Billionaires
Dark as Knight
If Peter stands at the Pearly Gates, then billionaire Atlas Knight stands at the gates of Hell…and I just married him.
Hard to say no to five million dollars, even if it means selling your soul to the devil.
His proposition was simple: one year of marriage, after which, we both walk away.
He would gain control of the majority shares of his father’s empire, a stipulation outlined in his will, and I would gain financial freedom.
The deal of a lifetime offered to me by the mysterious, yet sexy stranger that’s been coming into my coffee shop the last several months.
After all, how hard can it be to live a life of pure luxury for a year on the arm of a man that looks like a walking fantasy?
Not to mention that payday would help me get out from under the clutches of the low level gangster who owns the jazz club I sing at on the weekends.
There’s only one rule—no physical relationship.
A rule I’m convinced he’s dying to break no matter how many times he reminds me through gritted teeth and veiled threats of punishment.
And maybe, that’s a good thing, because I’m not sure I would survive him losing control with me.
The more I get to know my husband, the harder I fall and soon I’m head over heels for a man that has one true desire in this world—power, and he will stop at nothing to get it.
I thought a broken heart was the worst that could happen when all this was over, but I had no idea the truth that lurked around the corner, waiting to destroy us.
A lion keeping a sheep for a pet is dangerous…especially when she has no idea.
Hard to say no to five million dollars, even if it means selling your soul to the devil.
His proposition was simple: one year of marriage, after which, we both walk away.
He would gain control of the majority shares of his father’s empire, a stipulation outlined in his will, and I would gain financial freedom.
The deal of a lifetime offered to me by the mysterious, yet sexy stranger that’s been coming into my coffee shop the last several months.
After all, how hard can it be to live a life of pure luxury for a year on the arm of a man that looks like a walking fantasy?
Not to mention that payday would help me get out from under the clutches of the low level gangster who owns the jazz club I sing at on the weekends.
There’s only one rule—no physical relationship.
A rule I’m convinced he’s dying to break no matter how many times he reminds me through gritted teeth and veiled threats of punishment.
And maybe, that’s a good thing, because I’m not sure I would survive him losing control with me.
The more I get to know my husband, the harder I fall and soon I’m head over heels for a man that has one true desire in this world—power, and he will stop at nothing to get it.
I thought a broken heart was the worst that could happen when all this was over, but I had no idea the truth that lurked around the corner, waiting to destroy us.
A lion keeping a sheep for a pet is dangerous…especially when she has no idea.
276 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 11, 2024
840 people are currently reading
356 people want to read
About the author
Alexis Winter
91 books2,164 followersAlexis Winter is a contemporary romance author who loves to share her steamy stories with the world. She specializes in sexy billionaires, cocky alphas, brooding bad boys and the women they love.
If you love to curl up with a good romance book you will certainly enjoy her work. Whether it's a story about an innocent young woman learning about the world or a sassy and fierce heroine who knows what she wants you're sure to enjoy the happily ever afters she provides.
When Alexis isn't writing away furiously, you can find her exploring the Rocky Mountains, traveling, enjoying a glass of wine or petting a cat.
You can find her books on Amazon.
If you love to curl up with a good romance book you will certainly enjoy her work. Whether it's a story about an innocent young woman learning about the world or a sassy and fierce heroine who knows what she wants you're sure to enjoy the happily ever afters she provides.
When Alexis isn't writing away furiously, you can find her exploring the Rocky Mountains, traveling, enjoying a glass of wine or petting a cat.
You can find her books on Amazon.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews
April 2, 2024
1.5 ⭐
This is mostly a long rant
I don't even know where to start with this book. All I know is that I wasted three hours of my life that I'll never get back. Maybe I should've DNF this early on when I can already see it's not going to work for me. But I'm too stubborn to finish it, and I'm curious to see how this atrocity will end. Also, this is an addition to my Goodreads challenge, so there's that. 😮💨
============================
Background:
Nine months ago, Atlas (39), the man-child, workaholic, arrogant, bossy, and asshole extraordinaire, was dumped by his girlfriend of five years. She just walked out on him after telling him she didn't love him anymore. Brokenhearted that he is, he went out and ended up in a hole in the wall bar, where Stella (24) is a jazz singer.
For some reason, despite the pain he's feeling at that moment, when he looks at Stella, something snaps inside him. And surprise, surprise, he got fixated on her the same night he got dumped by his ex. Fixated in the sense that he stalked her for nine months, staying hidden as a patron in the jazz bar and a regular customer at a coffee shop where she's working as well.
Then the perfect reason for him to act on his obsession fell into his lap in the form of his father's will. It says there that he has to get married before his 40th birthday in order to get the majority of their company stocks. Since this company has been his life ever since, he decided he'd do whatever it takes to fulfill that will.
So he propositioned Stella to marry him, but she rejected his business proposal. Then he paid a visit to her boss and paid him to fire Stella. With one job and barely making ends meet, Stella came back to his house and accepted his proposal.
============================
**** Atlas ****
He's a bossy, controlling, domineering asshole for the majority of this book. I thought this would be hot and sexy, but nope, it's not. I've lost count the number of times I had the urge to DNF this because he was such an insufferable jerk.
The hot and cold treatment was exhausting AF to read. He kept telling himself it was a bad idea to get entangled with Stella, yet he kept doing the opposite. He would avoid her, then pull her in, and then he'd walk away after making her feel like she was wanted and that what they had was more than a contract.
He's also candid, with no regard to his choice of words or how it would affect Stella. He just can't stop being a raging asshole, and he never fails to hurt her, not just with actions but also with words. I get so tired of reading how he would fucked up colossally only to give the most insincere apologies.
Then around 72%, I think? Before his confrontation with his ex, he's still unsure if he loves her (the ex). Then, when the true color of the OW came out, he had a come-to-Jesus moment and realized what a fool he had been all this time.
Also, I have to say that I hate that the OW kissed him in that freaking scene. I knew he didn't expect it, and it was so sudden. I also knew he pushed her right away. But he never told Stella anything about this kiss, not even at the end of the book. He gave her the PG version, saying that they "talked" only. Maybe he wanted to spare her feelings or whatever, but I want him to be honest for once, because almost the entirety of this book and their relationship were built on his freaking lies!
Then, at the end, when he finally comes clean about the things he did, he is still a proud man, even after all the mistakes he committed. It won't emasculate him if, for once, he freaking swallows his pride and shows remorse for what he did. He apologized, but then again, it was so disingenuous. And while I read that, I felt like it was more of an order for Stella to accept his lame apology so they could move on with their lives.
He said that's why he's been pushing her all the time in the beginning because he felt guilty over his lies, yet he did this pushing away callously. The way I see it, he could care less about Stella's feelings because, probably in his head, he thinks he's doing the right thing. Yeah, sure, buddy, you're doing the right thing by making her feel like crap all the time.
He didn't even have to grovel because she took him back right away. And I just gave up at this point.
**** Stella ****
She only wants someone to love, choose, and accept her for who she is. So I kind of get how she's so understandable about Atlas's shortcomings. I used to admire her patience and sympathy with him. Or how she doesn't find it difficult to give him numerous chances time and time again, despite the fact that he kept hurting her with his stupidity.
But, Ms. Girl, when will enough be enough? The more she opens up and throws herself at him, only for him to reject her, the more it makes her look desperate and pathetic. She deserves to be treated in a good way, and yet she keeps taking it all in. I mean, doesn't she have any self-respect or even pride? Why would she let him get away with things so easily?
Don't get me started with the horniness she feels when he's around. Like, is she serious about letting her hormones and body take over her common sense?
Then the stupidest thing she ever did was do the deed without protection and let Atlas come inside her when she wasn't under any birth control. I was so stunned at that scene because why would she allow that to happen knowing they have an expiration date? I want to shake some sense into her because I'm so frustrated with her life choices.
I honestly wished at the end that when Atlas gave her the divorce papers to test her, she should've signed them. Because that's the only time she'd grow a freaking backbone for once. But then again, in another disappointing turn of events, she didn't sign it and chose to still be married to the asshole. Atlas didn't even work hard to earn her forgiveness, but he said that he's going to prove to her that she didn't make a mistake by giving him the nth chance. 🥲
**** Overall ****
I didn't enjoy it; it was an awful read to me, mainly because of the MMC, and the FMC added to it gradually. It had potential, but then Atlas ruined it, and I don't have it in me to be more understanding like Stella. But I have to say the last 5% made me feel marginally better.
Anyway, while this isn't my cup of tea, maybe other readers will enjoy it.
Book info:
- Forced Marriage
- Marriage of Convenience
- Age gap
- Asshole MMC
- Billionaire romance
- Stalking
- Non-virgin MCs (h - celibate 3 yrs, H - almost a year)
- OWD (H's ex made some appearance and issue in the story)
- OMD (not really, but the OW manipulated this OM to break apart the MCs)
- Unsafe smex, h's not on BC
- Cheating-ish??? (The OW kissed the H but it wasn't his fault, she grabbed him out of nowhere but he pushed her right away. The H didn't tell the h about this kiss, though)
- HFN (still married and pregnant)
This is mostly a long rant
I don't even know where to start with this book. All I know is that I wasted three hours of my life that I'll never get back. Maybe I should've DNF this early on when I can already see it's not going to work for me. But I'm too stubborn to finish it, and I'm curious to see how this atrocity will end. Also, this is an addition to my Goodreads challenge, so there's that. 😮💨
============================
Background:
Nine months ago, Atlas (39), the man-child, workaholic, arrogant, bossy, and asshole extraordinaire, was dumped by his girlfriend of five years. She just walked out on him after telling him she didn't love him anymore. Brokenhearted that he is, he went out and ended up in a hole in the wall bar, where Stella (24) is a jazz singer.
For some reason, despite the pain he's feeling at that moment, when he looks at Stella, something snaps inside him. And surprise, surprise, he got fixated on her the same night he got dumped by his ex. Fixated in the sense that he stalked her for nine months, staying hidden as a patron in the jazz bar and a regular customer at a coffee shop where she's working as well.
Then the perfect reason for him to act on his obsession fell into his lap in the form of his father's will. It says there that he has to get married before his 40th birthday in order to get the majority of their company stocks. Since this company has been his life ever since, he decided he'd do whatever it takes to fulfill that will.
So he propositioned Stella to marry him, but she rejected his business proposal. Then he paid a visit to her boss and paid him to fire Stella. With one job and barely making ends meet, Stella came back to his house and accepted his proposal.
============================
**** Atlas ****
He's a bossy, controlling, domineering asshole for the majority of this book. I thought this would be hot and sexy, but nope, it's not. I've lost count the number of times I had the urge to DNF this because he was such an insufferable jerk.
The hot and cold treatment was exhausting AF to read. He kept telling himself it was a bad idea to get entangled with Stella, yet he kept doing the opposite. He would avoid her, then pull her in, and then he'd walk away after making her feel like she was wanted and that what they had was more than a contract.
He's also candid, with no regard to his choice of words or how it would affect Stella. He just can't stop being a raging asshole, and he never fails to hurt her, not just with actions but also with words. I get so tired of reading how he would fucked up colossally only to give the most insincere apologies.
Then around 72%, I think? Before his confrontation with his ex, he's still unsure if he loves her (the ex). Then, when the true color of the OW came out, he had a come-to-Jesus moment and realized what a fool he had been all this time.
Also, I have to say that I hate that the OW kissed him in that freaking scene. I knew he didn't expect it, and it was so sudden. I also knew he pushed her right away. But he never told Stella anything about this kiss, not even at the end of the book. He gave her the PG version, saying that they "talked" only. Maybe he wanted to spare her feelings or whatever, but I want him to be honest for once, because almost the entirety of this book and their relationship were built on his freaking lies!
Then, at the end, when he finally comes clean about the things he did, he is still a proud man, even after all the mistakes he committed. It won't emasculate him if, for once, he freaking swallows his pride and shows remorse for what he did. He apologized, but then again, it was so disingenuous. And while I read that, I felt like it was more of an order for Stella to accept his lame apology so they could move on with their lives.
He said that's why he's been pushing her all the time in the beginning because he felt guilty over his lies, yet he did this pushing away callously. The way I see it, he could care less about Stella's feelings because, probably in his head, he thinks he's doing the right thing. Yeah, sure, buddy, you're doing the right thing by making her feel like crap all the time.
He didn't even have to grovel because she took him back right away. And I just gave up at this point.
**** Stella ****
She only wants someone to love, choose, and accept her for who she is. So I kind of get how she's so understandable about Atlas's shortcomings. I used to admire her patience and sympathy with him. Or how she doesn't find it difficult to give him numerous chances time and time again, despite the fact that he kept hurting her with his stupidity.
But, Ms. Girl, when will enough be enough? The more she opens up and throws herself at him, only for him to reject her, the more it makes her look desperate and pathetic. She deserves to be treated in a good way, and yet she keeps taking it all in. I mean, doesn't she have any self-respect or even pride? Why would she let him get away with things so easily?
Don't get me started with the horniness she feels when he's around. Like, is she serious about letting her hormones and body take over her common sense?
Then the stupidest thing she ever did was do the deed without protection and let Atlas come inside her when she wasn't under any birth control. I was so stunned at that scene because why would she allow that to happen knowing they have an expiration date? I want to shake some sense into her because I'm so frustrated with her life choices.
I honestly wished at the end that when Atlas gave her the divorce papers to test her, she should've signed them. Because that's the only time she'd grow a freaking backbone for once. But then again, in another disappointing turn of events, she didn't sign it and chose to still be married to the asshole. Atlas didn't even work hard to earn her forgiveness, but he said that he's going to prove to her that she didn't make a mistake by giving him the nth chance. 🥲
**** Overall ****
I didn't enjoy it; it was an awful read to me, mainly because of the MMC, and the FMC added to it gradually. It had potential, but then Atlas ruined it, and I don't have it in me to be more understanding like Stella. But I have to say the last 5% made me feel marginally better.
Anyway, while this isn't my cup of tea, maybe other readers will enjoy it.
Book info:
- Forced Marriage
- Marriage of Convenience
- Age gap
- Asshole MMC
- Billionaire romance
- Stalking
- Non-virgin MCs (h - celibate 3 yrs, H - almost a year)
- OWD (H's ex made some appearance and issue in the story)
- OMD (not really, but the OW manipulated this OM to break apart the MCs)
- Unsafe smex, h's not on BC
- Cheating-ish??? (The OW kissed the H but it wasn't his fault, she grabbed him out of nowhere but he pushed her right away. The H didn't tell the h about this kiss, though)
- HFN (still married and pregnant)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 9, 2024
Really enjoyed this story and had trouble putting it down. I especially liked that the heroine, Stella, was so spirited. It took her to change the grumpy hero, Atlas, into a better man.
Alexis Winter wrote quite an interesting story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Alexis Winter wrote quite an interesting story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 18, 2024
Dark as Knight is the seventh book in the Chicago Billionaire series. A full-length steamy, naughty and downright filthy complete standalone novel with no cheating or cliffhanger and complete with a happily-ever-after. A beautifully written story with complex individuals and a fascinating storyline that captures your attention from the first chapter and keeps you hooked and turning the pages until the end. An addicting and unputdownable read. It's deliciously dirty, thrilling and absorbing. A billionaire romance, fake marriage story, opposite attracts story, contemporary romance, relationship-that-started-with-a-contract, age gap trope story, forced proximity romance, OTT possessive alpha, possessivesness, obsessive, stalking, transactional relationship, grumpy sunshine story, filled with tension, emotions, passion, anger, lust, angst, guilt, jealousy, revenge, revelations, and love.
Thirty-four year old Atlas Knight is trying to get control of majority shares in his father's company in which he's now a minority shareholder. Atlas had spent every second of his adult life and most of his teenage life and some of his true adolescence years dedicated to his father's company. He has more houses, cars and money that he could spend in a lifetime. But the only thing that he has ever craved or want he doesn't have. What he don't own is a majority stake in the company that has his name on it. He's the CEO of his father's company but that's not enough for him. Atlas feels he deserves those majority shares and has put in more than enough time to deserves the power. His dad Bryon Knight has left him all his physical assets, money, investments, you name it. The only thing that he didn't outright leave him was the Knight Enterprises the thing he knew he cared about and wanted. Bryon Knight left a stipulation in his trust regarding his company stating that his son has until his fortieth birthday to get married or all of his shares will be released back into the market.
Atlas has five months remaining until his fortieth birthday. He has spent the last nine months researching trying to find a loophole in his father's trust where he doesn't have to go through with a marriage but as been unsuccessful. His father had been pushing him and pushing him to settle down and to get married because he wanted his company to be kept in the family but Atlas push back against him so he add an addendum to his trust after their last argument about marriage. Atlas Knight and his girlfriend Eleanor Tate had broken up after she tells him that she was no longer in love with him. He's so obsorb in his work and the company She only option he has in fulfilling his father's trust was to get married to a complete stranger and compensate them. He will draft up a simple contract outlining that they will be required to stay married to each other for one year, live together, zero requirements or desires for any sexual relationship. Eleanor had broken his heart. The cold and callous look in her eyes on the day that she walked out of his life as strengthen his resolve in never letting a woman have that kind of power over him again. He vowed to stay focused on the things that matters which was taking over Knight Enterprises.
Stella Porter is twenty-four and a lounge singer at Freddy's Jazz Bar. It's a little hole-in-the-wall and for last two years Stella had been singing in there, it's her escape away from her full-time job as a manager at a coffee shop. She as a dream of one day buying Freddy's and restoring it back to it former glory. The day after Eleanor broke up with Atlas he stumbled inside the seedy bar and was mesmerized by Stella singing on stage and from then on he has been going back to watch her every Thursday night, but he hid in the back so she could not see his face. He didn't want her to know that he was the same person who had been buying coffee from her every Friday morning. Atlas had been stalking her for nine months because he believes that she would be the perfect candidate to be his wife of convenience and given the information that he has found out about her, he believes that she's not in the position to reject his offer.
However, when Atlas presented his proposal to Stella he was certain that she wouldn't turn him down because he had offered her a million dollars and take care of all her financial needs apart from the million dollars. And when Stella rejected his proposal he went to Freddy's and tells him to fire her and offers him one hundred thousand dollars. He wants Stella to come crawling to him and accept his offer when she no longer has the gig at Freddy's. Atlas plan worked because immediately after she got fired she went knocking on his door in the middle of the night and tells him that she would marry him but for five million dollars. The trust stipulate that he must get married within ten days after the marriage contract is signed but he offered to give her a month. But when Atlas goes to the coffee shop and saw her with a customer, Jason and how they trummy they were touching and laughing he immediately got jealous and decided to up the date of the wedding. They went to the courthouse and got married then jet off to a tropical island for a week long honeymoon. But he ignored her the entire time consuming himself in work because he was so attracted to her and was afraid of breaking his own rules. He was consumed with the need of having his wife and was dying to break his rules and no matter how many times he reminds her through gritted teeth and veiled threats of punishment. He dance around his attraction for her and not wanting to give in but he eventually broke and succumb to their desires and once he let go of his fear and allow himself to love again he saw that he didn't have anything to fear in being with her.
I received an advanced copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Thirty-four year old Atlas Knight is trying to get control of majority shares in his father's company in which he's now a minority shareholder. Atlas had spent every second of his adult life and most of his teenage life and some of his true adolescence years dedicated to his father's company. He has more houses, cars and money that he could spend in a lifetime. But the only thing that he has ever craved or want he doesn't have. What he don't own is a majority stake in the company that has his name on it. He's the CEO of his father's company but that's not enough for him. Atlas feels he deserves those majority shares and has put in more than enough time to deserves the power. His dad Bryon Knight has left him all his physical assets, money, investments, you name it. The only thing that he didn't outright leave him was the Knight Enterprises the thing he knew he cared about and wanted. Bryon Knight left a stipulation in his trust regarding his company stating that his son has until his fortieth birthday to get married or all of his shares will be released back into the market.
Atlas has five months remaining until his fortieth birthday. He has spent the last nine months researching trying to find a loophole in his father's trust where he doesn't have to go through with a marriage but as been unsuccessful. His father had been pushing him and pushing him to settle down and to get married because he wanted his company to be kept in the family but Atlas push back against him so he add an addendum to his trust after their last argument about marriage. Atlas Knight and his girlfriend Eleanor Tate had broken up after she tells him that she was no longer in love with him. He's so obsorb in his work and the company She only option he has in fulfilling his father's trust was to get married to a complete stranger and compensate them. He will draft up a simple contract outlining that they will be required to stay married to each other for one year, live together, zero requirements or desires for any sexual relationship. Eleanor had broken his heart. The cold and callous look in her eyes on the day that she walked out of his life as strengthen his resolve in never letting a woman have that kind of power over him again. He vowed to stay focused on the things that matters which was taking over Knight Enterprises.
Stella Porter is twenty-four and a lounge singer at Freddy's Jazz Bar. It's a little hole-in-the-wall and for last two years Stella had been singing in there, it's her escape away from her full-time job as a manager at a coffee shop. She as a dream of one day buying Freddy's and restoring it back to it former glory. The day after Eleanor broke up with Atlas he stumbled inside the seedy bar and was mesmerized by Stella singing on stage and from then on he has been going back to watch her every Thursday night, but he hid in the back so she could not see his face. He didn't want her to know that he was the same person who had been buying coffee from her every Friday morning. Atlas had been stalking her for nine months because he believes that she would be the perfect candidate to be his wife of convenience and given the information that he has found out about her, he believes that she's not in the position to reject his offer.
However, when Atlas presented his proposal to Stella he was certain that she wouldn't turn him down because he had offered her a million dollars and take care of all her financial needs apart from the million dollars. And when Stella rejected his proposal he went to Freddy's and tells him to fire her and offers him one hundred thousand dollars. He wants Stella to come crawling to him and accept his offer when she no longer has the gig at Freddy's. Atlas plan worked because immediately after she got fired she went knocking on his door in the middle of the night and tells him that she would marry him but for five million dollars. The trust stipulate that he must get married within ten days after the marriage contract is signed but he offered to give her a month. But when Atlas goes to the coffee shop and saw her with a customer, Jason and how they trummy they were touching and laughing he immediately got jealous and decided to up the date of the wedding. They went to the courthouse and got married then jet off to a tropical island for a week long honeymoon. But he ignored her the entire time consuming himself in work because he was so attracted to her and was afraid of breaking his own rules. He was consumed with the need of having his wife and was dying to break his rules and no matter how many times he reminds her through gritted teeth and veiled threats of punishment. He dance around his attraction for her and not wanting to give in but he eventually broke and succumb to their desires and once he let go of his fear and allow himself to love again he saw that he didn't have anything to fear in being with her.
I received an advanced copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 28, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 4.5 stars
“How can a woman I’ve never touched, never held, never kissed have this kind of control over me?”
✨️ Fake Marriage Arrangement
✨️ Age Gap (H 39, h 24)
✨️ Opposites Attract
✨️ Alpha Billionaire
✨️ OTT Possessive MMC
✨️ "My Wife"
✨️ Forced Proximity
✨️ HEA
Atlas Knight was absolute fire! Everything I want to see in an alpha billionaire! Obsessed with his own power, dominant both at work and in the bedroom, arrogant and intensely possessive, unapologetically himself. The one who's jaded by love, viewing it as a complication until the day the right woman brings him to his knees.
After watching her for months, Atlas approached Stella Porter with a proposition, offering her five million dollars in exchange for one year of marriage so he could gain control of the majority shares of his father's company. Just trying to survive, Stella needed the money so she could escape the rundown jazz club she sang at and one day buy it and restore it back to its former glory.
Stella and Atlas were from two completely different worlds but Stella was such a strong FMC. A carefree spirit, she spoke her mind, independent and driven, going after what she wanted but always enjoying the little things in life, the perfect balance to Atlas's workaholic tendencies.
“I know this is a dangerous game I’m playing, a lion keeping a sheep as a pet, but I can’t undo what I’ve already set in motion.”
Atlas was so consumed by Stella and his feelings for her. I couldn't wait for his restraint to shatter and for him to lose control and give in, surrendering to his feelings with everything he was holding back. The tension, the desire, the want and need all set fire to the pages and I loved every minute of it! Atlas was so moody and temperamental, switching from hot to cold, he and Stella pushing each other's buttons, but that only intensified everything when he finally let himself go. It was so steamy and wicked and I couldn't get enough of his dirty talk. But there were some tender moments too and that made me fall in love with Atlas even more.
“Did you ever think about what would happen if you did fall in love with the person who agreed to marry you?”
Conflicted feelings and guilt mixed with tangled emotions, threatening to destroy everything and I was completely invested in their relationship. Stella and Atlas were falling for each other but their marriage was simply a contract with an expiration date and that could only lead to inevitable heartbreak. What was real and what was for show? Would Stella walk away with her dignity intact? The third act breakup tore my heart into a million little pieces and I wanted nothing more than for them to commit to making their marriage last forever.
Throughout it all, Madi was a true friend to Stella, supportive and unconditionally by her side. I absolutely adored her and I would love to see her get her own HEA as well. Ultimately, this story was about seeing and accepting someone for who they really are, seeing straight through to their soul and taking risks for the chance at love. Alexis always writes alpha billionaires and the women who turn their worlds inside out so well and I was completely caught up in Atlas and Stella's whirlwind romance.
“I never want to exist another day in this world without you by my side. You are my world, my everything. I am nothing without you.”
* Special thanks to author Alexis Winter and Booksprout for sending me this ARC to read and review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. Quotes subject to change at time of publication. Available March 11, 2024. *
“How can a woman I’ve never touched, never held, never kissed have this kind of control over me?”
✨️ Fake Marriage Arrangement
✨️ Age Gap (H 39, h 24)
✨️ Opposites Attract
✨️ Alpha Billionaire
✨️ OTT Possessive MMC
✨️ "My Wife"
✨️ Forced Proximity
✨️ HEA
Atlas Knight was absolute fire! Everything I want to see in an alpha billionaire! Obsessed with his own power, dominant both at work and in the bedroom, arrogant and intensely possessive, unapologetically himself. The one who's jaded by love, viewing it as a complication until the day the right woman brings him to his knees.
After watching her for months, Atlas approached Stella Porter with a proposition, offering her five million dollars in exchange for one year of marriage so he could gain control of the majority shares of his father's company. Just trying to survive, Stella needed the money so she could escape the rundown jazz club she sang at and one day buy it and restore it back to its former glory.
Stella and Atlas were from two completely different worlds but Stella was such a strong FMC. A carefree spirit, she spoke her mind, independent and driven, going after what she wanted but always enjoying the little things in life, the perfect balance to Atlas's workaholic tendencies.
“I know this is a dangerous game I’m playing, a lion keeping a sheep as a pet, but I can’t undo what I’ve already set in motion.”
Atlas was so consumed by Stella and his feelings for her. I couldn't wait for his restraint to shatter and for him to lose control and give in, surrendering to his feelings with everything he was holding back. The tension, the desire, the want and need all set fire to the pages and I loved every minute of it! Atlas was so moody and temperamental, switching from hot to cold, he and Stella pushing each other's buttons, but that only intensified everything when he finally let himself go. It was so steamy and wicked and I couldn't get enough of his dirty talk. But there were some tender moments too and that made me fall in love with Atlas even more.
“Did you ever think about what would happen if you did fall in love with the person who agreed to marry you?”
Conflicted feelings and guilt mixed with tangled emotions, threatening to destroy everything and I was completely invested in their relationship. Stella and Atlas were falling for each other but their marriage was simply a contract with an expiration date and that could only lead to inevitable heartbreak. What was real and what was for show? Would Stella walk away with her dignity intact? The third act breakup tore my heart into a million little pieces and I wanted nothing more than for them to commit to making their marriage last forever.
Throughout it all, Madi was a true friend to Stella, supportive and unconditionally by her side. I absolutely adored her and I would love to see her get her own HEA as well. Ultimately, this story was about seeing and accepting someone for who they really are, seeing straight through to their soul and taking risks for the chance at love. Alexis always writes alpha billionaires and the women who turn their worlds inside out so well and I was completely caught up in Atlas and Stella's whirlwind romance.
“I never want to exist another day in this world without you by my side. You are my world, my everything. I am nothing without you.”
* Special thanks to author Alexis Winter and Booksprout for sending me this ARC to read and review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. Quotes subject to change at time of publication. Available March 11, 2024. *
October 20, 2025
As with the other Alexis Winter book I read recently, this one (mostly) delivered on the things I was looking for. I really wanted to read about some heroes who are so all-consumingly desperate for their women that they can't keep their hands off of them, and a heroine I could like and root for. This story loses a few points though because the hero did a lot of shady manipulation at the beginning and the heroine grabbed the idiot ball at the end.
Overall it was a decent story. The hero's burning desire for the heroine was well done, but outside of that, he was kind of a jerk and a bit of an idiot with him being so fixated on never falling in love with his wife because that would mean his father had been right. Yeah, good job dude. Make yourself miserable instead, that'll show him!
Overall it was a decent story. The hero's burning desire for the heroine was well done, but outside of that, he was kind of a jerk and a bit of an idiot with him being so fixated on never falling in love with his wife because that would mean his father had been right. Yeah, good job dude. Make yourself miserable instead, that'll show him!
April 2, 2024
Oh my goodness! I’ve never read a book that had a severe case of sexual frustration before. I physically felt it when I was reading this book so I can imagine how both Stella and Atlas felt. It wasn’t a slow burn exactly, but went in a different direction with the sexual tension. This went from delicious seduction, to sexual frustration, followed by annoyance about Atlas. Stella was fine, she was caught in the crosshairs of all this and didn’t know how to act. Never has the hero pissed me off but also had me yearn for him at the same time. He was one of the more moodier heroes compared to others I’ve read in the past. One minute I like him and support him, the next I’m about ready to throw in the towel about him and give up until he does something that makes me swoon. You got moments of the real him, then the next he would close you off and distance himself. Honestly, I was right there with Stella. I didn’t know what his mood would be or what he was expecting. He would put Stella in her place, demand he obey her and stick the contract over her head, only to come back and seduce her with tender touching and kissing. Then, he would flirt with her with sexual innuendos and bragging about his certain body parts and how he makes a woman feel. Normally I like this, but in Stella’s case I would have wanted him to prove it, hence you get this dancing around with I can’t, but then does. It’s very hypocritical and it was a definite case of Atlas fighting his feelings for her while also maintaining distance and giving her the impression he wanted nothing more from her. I also think he was also feeling insecure about the whole charade with him and Stella. He felt guilty and wanted to emphasize that while the marriage itself is fake, there were definite feelings involved and he didn’t want Stella thinking his actions were all fake and playing into the story. I think that’s why he did all those tender moments with her away from the glitz and appearances they both make. Honestly, I’m surprised the sexual interactions took so long to happen. The author knew that storyline and stuck to it until pretty much the end. My frustration with Atlas, plus the sexual tension and frustration I felt with them was intense but it put me in Stella’s shoes so I understood where she was coming from and I think I mentioned that in the beginning. When they do finally give in, or should I say Atlas does, it was so satisfying that I found myself celebrating because of all that tension finally loosening and they can unleash it all, which they do. Honestly Stella was already ready to go there with him way sooner in the book. However, I do see how readers may not like Atlas and how that makes or breaks the story. He definitely did a lot of things that would piss you off and his attitude and arrogance, as well as cockiness can change a person’s mind on the hero. It didn’t for me, but I can see why and I found myself having a love/hate emotion about him, but not enough to rate this book lower for it. While I did have all this tension built up in me from the story, it was an intensely satisfying book and I loved following along with both Atlas and Stella. It was fun unwrapping Atlas’ personality and exterior, though he had a funny way of showing it. With all this combined, I have to give this book a 4. My annoyance with the situation and how I was feeling about Atlas was enough to not give this a full 5, but a solid 4. I wonder if there will be more to this series in the future, because I’ve really enjoyed them.
March 1, 2024
3.75 ⭐️
Author Alexis Winter is here with her newest release, the seventh Standalone in Chicago Billionaires series Dark as Knight.
In this Forced Proximity, Marriage of Convenience, Age Gap, Billionaire Romance, the story details the life of Atlas Maxwell Knight and Stella Gwendolyn Porter through their POVs.
When it came to the storyline as a whole, it delivered in giving a plot that allowed you to follow Atlas and Stella through the building and progressing of their world.
It was not only done through the ups and downs and highs and lows, given all that is ongoing in their individual lives within the situations they face and are dealing with.
But also within the journey that had them coming together into forced proximity, courtesy of Atlas and controlling the events and situations to make it so courtesy of his deal for a marriage of convenience.
This not only led to tensions rising, whilst building up some suspenseful moments alongside moments of drama, making it quite a bumpy ride for the two.
With Atlas and Stella's character journey, author Alexis had us navigating through their emotional aspect coming about not only from within their own personal lives and all that they were dealing with due to their situations. Although mostly in Stella’s case, considering the hard life she has lived.
But also when it came to tracking their budding relationship that may not have started conventionally, however the turns it took had them eventually leading that way.
And the emotions that came out to play within the development of their relationship were many to explore. Particularly on Atlas’s part, considering he just couldn’t control himself with keeping him to himself despite the rules he had made and tried to enact.
From the head butting, constant pushing and pulling, going back and forth many, many times, their holding back of feelings despite the electrifying and sizzling chemistry they had going on from sparks flying, was it any surprise it was bound to lead to fireworks that came from the results of Atlas and Stella getting down and dirty from the Red-Hot, Fiery steam they gave off.
Let me just clarify, it was no a fluke, seeing as each time was just as Spicy proving their physical connection was very much real, with their emotional connection slowly growing to later be proved the more they built in their time of bonding.
Having read and enjoyed many of author Alexis’s other books, it caught me off guard how Dark as Knight took me awhile to get into and connect with the story.
Don’t know what it was exactly per se that made it that way for me, but it just wasn’t clicking and did have me a little lost and confused too at times with trying to keep up when it came to the back and forth, given Atlas’s hot and cold behaviour.
In the end Dark as Knight by author Alexis Winter still managed to be a good read, having enjoyed it despite my issue.
It was an entertaining read at times, whilst being spicy, romantic and passionate, given the sweet and cute moments shared between Atlas and Stella.
*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Author Alexis Winter is here with her newest release, the seventh Standalone in Chicago Billionaires series Dark as Knight.
In this Forced Proximity, Marriage of Convenience, Age Gap, Billionaire Romance, the story details the life of Atlas Maxwell Knight and Stella Gwendolyn Porter through their POVs.
When it came to the storyline as a whole, it delivered in giving a plot that allowed you to follow Atlas and Stella through the building and progressing of their world.
It was not only done through the ups and downs and highs and lows, given all that is ongoing in their individual lives within the situations they face and are dealing with.
But also within the journey that had them coming together into forced proximity, courtesy of Atlas and controlling the events and situations to make it so courtesy of his deal for a marriage of convenience.
This not only led to tensions rising, whilst building up some suspenseful moments alongside moments of drama, making it quite a bumpy ride for the two.
With Atlas and Stella's character journey, author Alexis had us navigating through their emotional aspect coming about not only from within their own personal lives and all that they were dealing with due to their situations. Although mostly in Stella’s case, considering the hard life she has lived.
But also when it came to tracking their budding relationship that may not have started conventionally, however the turns it took had them eventually leading that way.
And the emotions that came out to play within the development of their relationship were many to explore. Particularly on Atlas’s part, considering he just couldn’t control himself with keeping him to himself despite the rules he had made and tried to enact.
From the head butting, constant pushing and pulling, going back and forth many, many times, their holding back of feelings despite the electrifying and sizzling chemistry they had going on from sparks flying, was it any surprise it was bound to lead to fireworks that came from the results of Atlas and Stella getting down and dirty from the Red-Hot, Fiery steam they gave off.
Let me just clarify, it was no a fluke, seeing as each time was just as Spicy proving their physical connection was very much real, with their emotional connection slowly growing to later be proved the more they built in their time of bonding.
Having read and enjoyed many of author Alexis’s other books, it caught me off guard how Dark as Knight took me awhile to get into and connect with the story.
Don’t know what it was exactly per se that made it that way for me, but it just wasn’t clicking and did have me a little lost and confused too at times with trying to keep up when it came to the back and forth, given Atlas’s hot and cold behaviour.
In the end Dark as Knight by author Alexis Winter still managed to be a good read, having enjoyed it despite my issue.
It was an entertaining read at times, whilst being spicy, romantic and passionate, given the sweet and cute moments shared between Atlas and Stella.
*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 11, 2024
Stella is the singer in Freddy’s Jazz Bar. She loves to sing. Stella sings on Thursday nights and she has noticed a man sitting beside the spotlight so all she can see is his expensive shoes. Stella also works at a coffee shop early in the mornings and each Friday a very handsome man comes in and orders a black coffee. Stella was taken by Child Protective Services when she was less than six months old and at sixteen she moved to Chicago. Atlas is the CEO of Knight Enterprises and when his father died he left a trust that stated Atlas had to be married before the majority shares are transferred to him. Altas had been in a relationship with Eleanor for a few years but then she left him because he worked too much. Atlas found himself in a dingy jazz bar where he saw Stella for the first time and he wants her. Atlas comes up with a contract for a year of marriage to Stella where there is no relationship no sex just coexisting in the same house. Stella is required to go to events with Atlas. Stella needs the five million dollars that atlas has offered her to marry him. Stella’s dream is to own Freddy’s Jazz Club and make it in to a great jazz club. Stella knows Atlas as TGIF from the coffee shop, she doesn’t know that he has been stalking her for months. Atlas is cold and heartless mainly because of Eleanor. Stella starts to fall for Atlas when she see the real man beneath the mask. When Atlas and Stella are stuck in Kansas because of a threatening storm they end up having sex and it is awesome. Will Atlas realize that he loves Stella and wants to be in a real marriage? Will Stella be able to get through the cold callousness of Atlas? Will Atlas and Stella get the family they want? Will Atlas and Stella find love and happiness through their fake marriage?
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book via Booksprout.
Outstanding Chicago Billionaire romance!
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book via Booksprout.
Outstanding Chicago Billionaire romance!
March 21, 2024
I love Stella whose dream is to own the club she sings at but she has to put up with the sleazeball owner Freddie until she has the money.
Hot, sexy, brooding billionaire Atlas needs a wife for him to complete the clause in his father's will to gain control of his company but when his girlfriend he loves suddenly leaves him he needs to find someone & time is running out but then that night drowning his sorrows in a bar he spots the beautiful singer Stella & sets up a plan.
Stella has been dreaming about the hot guy who comes in the cafe for coffee every Friday but one day what she thinks is a date turns out to be Atlas offering alher a proposal something that is so bizzare that she can't stop laughing.
Atlas knows about the struggles she is having & how she needs the money so makes her an offer to be his wife that he knows she can't refuse.
Atlas insisted that it is a business deal only no personal dealings unless they are out in public but Stella is already falling for him but even though he won't admit that he wants her he keeps holding back but she's sassy, flirty & soon he can't help but cave into her. Once they give in to the hot, steaming sexual chemistry between them feelings start get involved but then get even more complicated & hopes of a happy ever after seem to fade when his secrets threaten the trust she had in him. I love Stella but had a love hate thing for Atlas & just wanted to slap him & tell him to wise up to how bad he was treating her which at times he'd hurt her leading a few emotional times, I was desperately hoping he could man up & give sweet Stella the love she deserved.
Definitely recommend this book & once you start reading it you won't want to put it down.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Hot, sexy, brooding billionaire Atlas needs a wife for him to complete the clause in his father's will to gain control of his company but when his girlfriend he loves suddenly leaves him he needs to find someone & time is running out but then that night drowning his sorrows in a bar he spots the beautiful singer Stella & sets up a plan.
Stella has been dreaming about the hot guy who comes in the cafe for coffee every Friday but one day what she thinks is a date turns out to be Atlas offering alher a proposal something that is so bizzare that she can't stop laughing.
Atlas knows about the struggles she is having & how she needs the money so makes her an offer to be his wife that he knows she can't refuse.
Atlas insisted that it is a business deal only no personal dealings unless they are out in public but Stella is already falling for him but even though he won't admit that he wants her he keeps holding back but she's sassy, flirty & soon he can't help but cave into her. Once they give in to the hot, steaming sexual chemistry between them feelings start get involved but then get even more complicated & hopes of a happy ever after seem to fade when his secrets threaten the trust she had in him. I love Stella but had a love hate thing for Atlas & just wanted to slap him & tell him to wise up to how bad he was treating her which at times he'd hurt her leading a few emotional times, I was desperately hoping he could man up & give sweet Stella the love she deserved.
Definitely recommend this book & once you start reading it you won't want to put it down.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 28, 2024
Stella Porter is a 24 year old lounge singer at Freddy’s Jazz Bar. Her dream is to own Freddy’s, restore it to its former glory and be a full time singer. Right now, during the day, she is the shift manager at a coffee shop. A mysterious stranger has been coming to hear her sing on Thursday nights for the last few months but he always stays behind a spotlight. She can only see his silhouette.
Atlas Knight inherited his father’s physical assets, money and investments when he died. However, he did not outright leave him in control of Knight Enterprises. There is a stipulation stating Atlas must be married before his 40th birthday to receive his father’s shares of the company and become the majority stock holder. One night, Atlas’ live in girlfriend, Eleanor Tate, tells him that she doesn’t love him anymore and she is moving out. Atlas left while she finished packing and got drunk. He stumbled into Freddy’s Jazz Bar and saw Stella.
On Fridays, Atlas goes into the coffee shop where Stella works and gets coffee from her. She and her friend and co-worker call him Mr. TGIF. Atlas decides to offer Stella a contract to marry him, be his wife for a year and then she can divorce him. When the year is up, he will give her enough money to be financially free. She has to live in the mansion with him but he wants no physical relationship with her. He is attracted to Stella but will never fall in love again after Eleanor.
Stella turns him down so he offers her more money. She turns him down again. When she is fired from Freddy’s, she agrees to the contract.
Stella grew up in foster care and has been fighting for everything she has while Atlas is obsessed with work and the company. I enjoyed the bantering and the fighting between these two. Good story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Atlas Knight inherited his father’s physical assets, money and investments when he died. However, he did not outright leave him in control of Knight Enterprises. There is a stipulation stating Atlas must be married before his 40th birthday to receive his father’s shares of the company and become the majority stock holder. One night, Atlas’ live in girlfriend, Eleanor Tate, tells him that she doesn’t love him anymore and she is moving out. Atlas left while she finished packing and got drunk. He stumbled into Freddy’s Jazz Bar and saw Stella.
On Fridays, Atlas goes into the coffee shop where Stella works and gets coffee from her. She and her friend and co-worker call him Mr. TGIF. Atlas decides to offer Stella a contract to marry him, be his wife for a year and then she can divorce him. When the year is up, he will give her enough money to be financially free. She has to live in the mansion with him but he wants no physical relationship with her. He is attracted to Stella but will never fall in love again after Eleanor.
Stella turns him down so he offers her more money. She turns him down again. When she is fired from Freddy’s, she agrees to the contract.
Stella grew up in foster care and has been fighting for everything she has while Atlas is obsessed with work and the company. I enjoyed the bantering and the fighting between these two. Good story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 11, 2024
Driven Stella Porter hadn't had the best start in life, taken away from her parents at six months old and passed from home to home until she was old enough to escape and chase her dream.
Stella was doing two jobs in order to save enough to buy Freddy's Bar, the run down jazz club where she sang two nights a week, Stella loved singing but she hated Freddy, the sleezy bar owner. Stella had noticed a wealthy stranger in the bar, she couldn't see his face but she could see his bespoke suit and designer shoes, what was he doing in a dive like this ?
Stella's second job was working in a coffee shop but even with her wages from two jobs it would be a long time before she could follow her dream. Who was the broodingly handsome stranger who had started frequenting the coffee bar, always when Stella was working ?
Atlas Knight was a workaholic, he deserved his father's shares in the family company but a condition in his father's will stipulated that he must be married before he could inherit, as his girlfriend had left him devastated, he was never going to get his heart broken again but he must get control of the company, how was he going to do it ?
Atlas did some digging and found that the beautiful singer in the sleezy jazz club, the girl who he loved listening to, the girl that he fantasized about, had ambitions to own the bar, what if he was to offer her enough money to do just that in exchange for marrying him for a year, a marriage that must be in name only.
This story follows the highs and lows of Stella and Atlas's fake marriage, of Atlas's fight against the combustible attraction to Stella, of sassy, independent Stella's confusion and hope. I really enjoyed this story.
I received a free copy of this book and my review is voluntary
Stella was doing two jobs in order to save enough to buy Freddy's Bar, the run down jazz club where she sang two nights a week, Stella loved singing but she hated Freddy, the sleezy bar owner. Stella had noticed a wealthy stranger in the bar, she couldn't see his face but she could see his bespoke suit and designer shoes, what was he doing in a dive like this ?
Stella's second job was working in a coffee shop but even with her wages from two jobs it would be a long time before she could follow her dream. Who was the broodingly handsome stranger who had started frequenting the coffee bar, always when Stella was working ?
Atlas Knight was a workaholic, he deserved his father's shares in the family company but a condition in his father's will stipulated that he must be married before he could inherit, as his girlfriend had left him devastated, he was never going to get his heart broken again but he must get control of the company, how was he going to do it ?
Atlas did some digging and found that the beautiful singer in the sleezy jazz club, the girl who he loved listening to, the girl that he fantasized about, had ambitions to own the bar, what if he was to offer her enough money to do just that in exchange for marrying him for a year, a marriage that must be in name only.
This story follows the highs and lows of Stella and Atlas's fake marriage, of Atlas's fight against the combustible attraction to Stella, of sassy, independent Stella's confusion and hope. I really enjoyed this story.
I received a free copy of this book and my review is voluntary
April 10, 2024
Stella is exhausted, she works as a manager at the coffee shop during the day then sings a couple nights a week at Freddy’s Jazz Bar. The owner is sleezy and makes Stella cringe whenever he’s near. But if she ever wants to save enough to buy the bar and restore it to its former glory she has to put up with him. Every Thursday there’s a man who sits behind the spot light out of sight except for his expensive shoes. Every Friday there’s a customer at the coffee shop that is so attractive that Stella can’t even look him in his eyes, he’s also obviously very rich. Her best friend and coworker at the coffee shop writes Stella’s number on the sleeve of the cup. Atlas needs a wife thanks to a clause in his father’s will that keeps him from getting the majority shares in the family company if he’s not married by his birthday. When he stumbled into Freddy’s and saw Stella he knew he found his wife, but it takes moths of him watching her sing from behind the spotlight and seeing her Fridays by buying coffee from her before he offers her 5 million dollars to be his wife for 1year strictly a business arrangement. The underhanded ways he uses to get her to agree could destroy everything he didn’t know he wanted and the fact that his ex who turned him against love suddenly wants him back and will use and hurt whoever she can to do it doesn’t help. Atlas and Stella learn a lot about each other and themselves helping them reach a hea neith ever anticipated.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 9, 2024
When Love Came Knocking, He Answered -
Stella was desperate when she agreed to Atlas’s proposal to enter into a marriage of convenience, but she never expected it would be the start of a wild and wonderful journey where she found a happily ever after and fulfilled her life long dream. Atlas swore off love and relationships after his breakup, but he felt an inexplicable pull towards Stella from the moment he laid eyes on her, so he did everything within his power to make her a part of his life.
Even though Atlas tried to keep his hands off Stella as per the agreement, but spending time with her in close proximity destroyed his will power and led to them enjoying pleasurable intimate moments. Unfortunately, just as they settled into a semblance of a relationship, their lives were upended when the secrets Atlas had been hiding were revealed and his ex-girlfriend decided to cause friction between them. Luckily, resolving their problems actually helped them finally open up to each other about their feeling and realise they wanted a life together.
This was a well written story, with drama, romance, with unadulterated steamy passion, secrets, and betrayals, that was woven together to create an entertaining and riveting page turner. This is a fabulous story that deserves to be read and recommended.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Stella was desperate when she agreed to Atlas’s proposal to enter into a marriage of convenience, but she never expected it would be the start of a wild and wonderful journey where she found a happily ever after and fulfilled her life long dream. Atlas swore off love and relationships after his breakup, but he felt an inexplicable pull towards Stella from the moment he laid eyes on her, so he did everything within his power to make her a part of his life.
Even though Atlas tried to keep his hands off Stella as per the agreement, but spending time with her in close proximity destroyed his will power and led to them enjoying pleasurable intimate moments. Unfortunately, just as they settled into a semblance of a relationship, their lives were upended when the secrets Atlas had been hiding were revealed and his ex-girlfriend decided to cause friction between them. Luckily, resolving their problems actually helped them finally open up to each other about their feeling and realise they wanted a life together.
This was a well written story, with drama, romance, with unadulterated steamy passion, secrets, and betrayals, that was woven together to create an entertaining and riveting page turner. This is a fabulous story that deserves to be read and recommended.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 9, 2024
Dark as Knight is an opposite attract marriage of convenience story. It is part of the Chicago Billionaire series but is a standalone. It features Atlas and Stella. Atlas is a billionaire who is obsessed with work. He is anti love but needs to marry someone to gain control of his fathers business. He sees Stella singing in a club and becomes obsessed with her. He offers her 5 million in exchange for a one year fake marriage. Stella needs the money so agrees to the contract. This contract has rules for Stella to follow but because Atlas is obsessed with work he doesn't see how much he is hurting Stella. Then secrets arise which make Stella want out of the contract but Atlas has realised he actually loves Stella and doesn't want to let her go.
I loved this story. It was a slow burn at the beginning but once I got into it I couldn't put it down. I loved Atlas, he was arrogant, dominant and didnt care if people liked him or not, he was just him. I also loved Stella, she was such a strong character, independent and driven. These two were total opposites but worked so well together Stella's character balanced Atlas's character perfectly. Overall a fantastic story with great characters. Definitely recommend if marriage of convenience with an alpha male is your thing.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I loved this story. It was a slow burn at the beginning but once I got into it I couldn't put it down. I loved Atlas, he was arrogant, dominant and didnt care if people liked him or not, he was just him. I also loved Stella, she was such a strong character, independent and driven. These two were total opposites but worked so well together Stella's character balanced Atlas's character perfectly. Overall a fantastic story with great characters. Definitely recommend if marriage of convenience with an alpha male is your thing.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 29, 2024
Holy Hotness, I loved this story! A slow burn, marriage of convenience, where both Stella and Atlas fight the undeniable attraction they both have towards each other. Atlas has a shattered heart from a previous relationship and refuses to allow another woman have a hold on him like Eleanor did. He closes himself off until he realizes, to maintain power within his fathers company he needs a wife and heir.
He stumbles on a bar where Stella is the Jazz singer, and is instantly smitten. He won't admit to himself what she does to him, but knows that she is the woman that he will get to sign his contract for a marriage of convenience, with a hefty payday for her at the end of the twelve months. Unknown to him at the the time, Stella firmly wedges herself in his life and heart.
I loved the push and pull between these two and how he refuses to give in to his feelings and constantly pushes Stella away.
Stella finds herself falling for the elusive Billionaire, and when hidden secrets are revealed decides no amount of money is worth the heartache. She leaves, or tries to, unknowing how a far reach a billionaire has!
Oh you will love this story and more. Expertly written and well worth a read!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
He stumbles on a bar where Stella is the Jazz singer, and is instantly smitten. He won't admit to himself what she does to him, but knows that she is the woman that he will get to sign his contract for a marriage of convenience, with a hefty payday for her at the end of the twelve months. Unknown to him at the the time, Stella firmly wedges herself in his life and heart.
I loved the push and pull between these two and how he refuses to give in to his feelings and constantly pushes Stella away.
Stella finds herself falling for the elusive Billionaire, and when hidden secrets are revealed decides no amount of money is worth the heartache. She leaves, or tries to, unknowing how a far reach a billionaire has!
Oh you will love this story and more. Expertly written and well worth a read!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 11, 2024
Stella is a hard-working young lady who sings at night and is a barista by day with her best friend Matilda. Stella is the type of FMC I love. Strong-willed, a mind of her own, stubborn and sweet as can be. She has a pure heart and a funny personality. Every Friday a hottie comes in and orders a black coffee and Matilda is convinced that he like Stella, so one morning she writes her number on the cup.
Mr. Hottie turns out to be billionaire Atlas Knight. An as it turns out he knows more about Stella than just her skills at the coffee shop. He has been watching her sing for months, hiding near the back spot light to stay hidden. Atlas is at a cross roads withnhis company. In order to gain majority shares he must marry. He has his sights set on Stella and a transactional marriage of convenience. Stell must marry Atlas for one year, no sex, no complications, she must obey his every command and at the end of the year she will have 5 million dollars.
Alexis Winters writes books and characters that are easy to fall in love with. This book is sweet, funny and the spice is...***chef's kiss ***.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Mr. Hottie turns out to be billionaire Atlas Knight. An as it turns out he knows more about Stella than just her skills at the coffee shop. He has been watching her sing for months, hiding near the back spot light to stay hidden. Atlas is at a cross roads withnhis company. In order to gain majority shares he must marry. He has his sights set on Stella and a transactional marriage of convenience. Stell must marry Atlas for one year, no sex, no complications, she must obey his every command and at the end of the year she will have 5 million dollars.
Alexis Winters writes books and characters that are easy to fall in love with. This book is sweet, funny and the spice is...***chef's kiss ***.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 27, 2024
Atlas and Stella couldn’t be more different, but that is essentially what brings them together. When Atlas is stuck between a rock and a hard place, he does what he needs to do to secure Stella as his wife.
Tropes:
✨Billionaire romance
✨Age gap
✨Grumpy/sunshine
✨Forced proximity
✨Fake marriage
✨Rich man/poor woman
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level: 🌶️ 🌶️
Angst level: 💔
After Atlas finds himself needing a wife, he makes a plan to force the hand of the one woman who has caught his attention recently. And after a little encouragement, Stella agrees to a one year, sexless marriage. But the entire time, Atlas has been hiding things from her? What will happen when they all come to light?
The two of them go through constant pushes and pulls, but you can tell it’s all because their feelings are bubbling to the surface!
I loved that Stella wasn’t afraid to admit when she left slighted or lonely and how she was unabashedly herself. And I loved that she was finally able to relax and not worry about things out of her control for once in her life.
I would love to see a book about her friend Matilda in the future!
Tropes:
✨Billionaire romance
✨Age gap
✨Grumpy/sunshine
✨Forced proximity
✨Fake marriage
✨Rich man/poor woman
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level: 🌶️ 🌶️
Angst level: 💔
After Atlas finds himself needing a wife, he makes a plan to force the hand of the one woman who has caught his attention recently. And after a little encouragement, Stella agrees to a one year, sexless marriage. But the entire time, Atlas has been hiding things from her? What will happen when they all come to light?
The two of them go through constant pushes and pulls, but you can tell it’s all because their feelings are bubbling to the surface!
I loved that Stella wasn’t afraid to admit when she left slighted or lonely and how she was unabashedly herself. And I loved that she was finally able to relax and not worry about things out of her control for once in her life.
I would love to see a book about her friend Matilda in the future!
February 28, 2024
So not gonna lie, this one took me a few chapters to get into, which is weird for a book by Alexis. But I'm so happy I stuck with it as it got so so good. It was a nice palette cleanser for me, as I've been reading a lot of dark romance as of lately. It's an age gap, marriage of convenience which are my favorite tropes.
The tension between Atlas Knight and Stella Porter was off the charts. Atlas is obviously a billionaire who needs to marry to inherit his business, and Stella is working two jobs to make ends meet with the hope and dreams of owing the little run down Jazz bar she sings at on weekends. So Atlas makes her and offer that she really can't refuse, marry him for a year and she gains 5 million upon their divorce. Rules are made like sleeping in separate rooms, no intimate relations, and so forth basically she just needs to play the role at events and gatherings. Little did both realize that they'd catch feelings and throw the rules out the window. Oh and Atlas has a dirty mouth on him, if you know what I mean.
Great job Alexis, can't wait for the next billionaire.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The tension between Atlas Knight and Stella Porter was off the charts. Atlas is obviously a billionaire who needs to marry to inherit his business, and Stella is working two jobs to make ends meet with the hope and dreams of owing the little run down Jazz bar she sings at on weekends. So Atlas makes her and offer that she really can't refuse, marry him for a year and she gains 5 million upon their divorce. Rules are made like sleeping in separate rooms, no intimate relations, and so forth basically she just needs to play the role at events and gatherings. Little did both realize that they'd catch feelings and throw the rules out the window. Oh and Atlas has a dirty mouth on him, if you know what I mean.
Great job Alexis, can't wait for the next billionaire.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 15, 2024
I absolutely loved Atlas and Stella. These two are opposites in every way and that’s what makes them perfect for each other. The back and forth between them and them both trying to guard their hearts. Atlas is a workaholic who doesn’t want to fall in love again. Stella is a head strong, independent woman who holds nothing back. She is the breath of fresh air that Atlas needs in his life. Alexis weaved a story with drama, angst, and finding true love unexpectedly. Unbeknownst to Stella, Atlas has been enamored with her ever since he first saw her. She has had a crush on him since he started coming into her coffee shop. I loved this story and all the characters, especially Stella’s best friend Mari. She was great and I hope she gets her own story. I recommend reading this grumpy billionaire/sunshine read with a fake marriage sprinkled in that may be not so fake after all.
““You attract the love you think that you deserve.” She said with such casual confidence, like she didn’t just drop wisdom on me that I’d never once considered. “And someday, when you finally realize you deserve true love…it’ll find you.””
““You attract the love you think that you deserve.” She said with such casual confidence, like she didn’t just drop wisdom on me that I’d never once considered. “And someday, when you finally realize you deserve true love…it’ll find you.””
February 29, 2024
Wow Atlas totally won me over! He is an alpha billionaire who needs a wife in order to have a majority of his father’s company. He offers Stella money that she needs to buy the club she works at, in exchange for being his wife. His plan is to have no emotional connection to Stella. The problem with that? He can’t keep his eyes off her and she slowly works her way into his life. They come from different backgrounds but I love that Stella wasn’t this innocent v!rgin, she was actually able to keep up with Atlas. Atlas’ dominance was so good, all the “my wife” parts phew so hot! Stella brought some life back into Atlas’ world, she made him stop and enjoy the simple things with her. I really enjoyed seeing Atlas completely fall for Stella!
My only complaint would be that I think this straddled the line of alpha billionaire and anti hero a little too closely. Atlas did a few questionable things which would have been totally fine if we were looking at a dark anti hero, but thought it was a little too much if this was just an alpha billionaire.
My only complaint would be that I think this straddled the line of alpha billionaire and anti hero a little too closely. Atlas did a few questionable things which would have been totally fine if we were looking at a dark anti hero, but thought it was a little too much if this was just an alpha billionaire.
March 12, 2024
Atlas is the quintessential billionaire in need of a wife to inherit his father’s company. His last relationship left him blindsided and scarred. He’s unwilling to open himself up to the possibility of love. So he treats everything as a business transaction when it comes to Stella.
Stella was so easy to like. She has a bit of a heartbreaking past with no family, but she’s still optimistic about life. When Atlas made his proposition, I loved her initial response, but she also knew she needed help to make her dream a reality.
There was so much delicious tension between them. It hurt when Atlas was so callous with his word choice, and even more when he was intentional, even if it was to protect himself. I give Stella a lot of credit for sticking by him, even after she realized he could very well break her heart.
I didn’t foresee the little twist near the end with a couple of characters that I would have never suspected to have teamed up, but it was a very good addition to the plot!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Stella was so easy to like. She has a bit of a heartbreaking past with no family, but she’s still optimistic about life. When Atlas made his proposition, I loved her initial response, but she also knew she needed help to make her dream a reality.
There was so much delicious tension between them. It hurt when Atlas was so callous with his word choice, and even more when he was intentional, even if it was to protect himself. I give Stella a lot of credit for sticking by him, even after she realized he could very well break her heart.
I didn’t foresee the little twist near the end with a couple of characters that I would have never suspected to have teamed up, but it was a very good addition to the plot!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 9, 2024
Stella is a spit fire she knows what she wants in life she is just not sure how she is going to get it but by god she is going to figure it out come hell or high water. She has this gumption that I love so much the best part is she goes Toe to toe with Atlas it doesn’t back down watching them argue should be in Olympic sport. And they flirt in their banter is something to the behold. He needs someone who will go toe to toe with him.Atlas he is a Brooding billionaire you would imagine charismatic very goal oriented but when he sees Stella she gets right under his skin. She loves to push his buttons and push the envelope to see what she can get away with and try to push him over the edge. This was just such a fun book they brought me so much joy reading it. There was a little bit of ups and downs will they or won’t they. They had a couple stumbling blocks, couple issues they had to overcome but they figured it out and they got their happily ever after.
March 13, 2024
Atlas got burned before. This time around he is going to ask a stranger to marry him when his father’s trust demands his marriage to own the family business. He is power hungry, grumpy, and calculating. He also has a weakness for Stella. Stella grew up in the foster care. She is poor and singing in a jazz club. The $5 million marriage proposition from Atlas is a shock. She originally turned it down. Then she finds a cause to use the money. Not to mention Atlas is gorgeous. Atlas starts this marriage of convenience as a business transaction to defeat his father’s wish to control him. One of the rules is no sex. But they both know there is chemistry between them. They resist the sex as long as they can. When the dam breaks, the sex between them is out of control. Atlas and Stella are complex characters, totally opposites but attract to each other. The story is beautifully choreographed and strings reader’s heart along. I enjoy the read.
March 7, 2024
Talk about a complicated male main character, Atlas definitely takes the cake. I had so many mixed feelings about him through the entire book and I usually "come around" to liking the male character but I have to admit, it took to the very end of this book to truly like Atlas. When he first saw Stella, he was at a pivotal point in his "romantic" life as he was reeling from the woman he "thought" he was going to marry had just walked out on him. Stella was given a chance of a lifetime when Atlas proposed a "marriage of convenience" that had a timeline of one year. The struggles between these two as they each tried to find a place in the "marriage" was a sight to behold and masterful writing. Great story with the most complex characters I have read in quite some time.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 24, 2024
Dark as knight is right.
Atlas needs a wife of convenience to inherit the company.He chooses Stella.
He does not want a physical relationship in case he gets feelings and is jaded about love.
Stella wants to marry for love,but when she is offered 5 million dollars to marry Atlas for a year she agrees.
She starts to fall for Atlas,but he is cold and keeping his distance.She knows he wants to bteak the rules.
I did not warm upto Atlas,took me a while.I absolutely loved Stella.She kept him on his toes..
Of course the path to true love is never smooth and Atlas and Stella have to get through twists and turns to grt to their happily ever after.
A steamy read with lots of banter,friendships,supporting characters,romance,tears,emotions and a happily ever after.
I recieved an advanced review copy of this book for free from the author and am voluntarily leaving my review.
Atlas needs a wife of convenience to inherit the company.He chooses Stella.
He does not want a physical relationship in case he gets feelings and is jaded about love.
Stella wants to marry for love,but when she is offered 5 million dollars to marry Atlas for a year she agrees.
She starts to fall for Atlas,but he is cold and keeping his distance.She knows he wants to bteak the rules.
I did not warm upto Atlas,took me a while.I absolutely loved Stella.She kept him on his toes..
Of course the path to true love is never smooth and Atlas and Stella have to get through twists and turns to grt to their happily ever after.
A steamy read with lots of banter,friendships,supporting characters,romance,tears,emotions and a happily ever after.
I recieved an advanced review copy of this book for free from the author and am voluntarily leaving my review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 9, 2024
Between the characters it went back and forth between them about who was in the wrong, who did what, if they were falling for each other or not, if they should give into the physical side of their relationship. The flip flopping gave me whip lash but it was written so well I wanted to get to the end to see what would happen. The sudden about face from the lead male was shocking after everything I read about him. But it made for a good book. Throwing the ex in made the plot more interesting but I could never figure out her end game or what was in it for her. I'm not sure if I'll read it again, but I enjoyed it for what it was, its a good quick read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 12, 2024
Atlas really was a jerk. It wasn’t that he wanted a marriage of convenience. In his situation, it wasn’t unexpected. But for an apparently smart man, to expect to spend any time at all with someone and not at least be friendly … very unrealistic and self-defeating. Especially since he treated his other employees (as Stella was since he kept bringing up the contract) with at least a modicum of consideration. Stella really needed to look deep to find good in him. It takes a long time for him to accept he HAS feelings, let alone realizing how he feels. But luckily Stella is willing to hear him out. Just the right amount of angst and intrigue. Good read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 15, 2024
A Marriage of Convenience
Atlas is the S.O.B. that you want to slap him a few times with the way he treats Stella once they get married. Yes, it is a contractual agreement to be married for a year, with no sexual contact in that time-frame. When she realizes she has to give up everything, including what she loves to do most. He's totally absorbed into his business & rarely does anything with her. When she discovers the secrets he's been hiding from her, he faces the reality that he'll lose her but he wants to keep her as his wife. Who's going to win this battle between them? Will he change & start to realize he can have true love with someone? A great story to read.
I received an ARC of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Atlas is the S.O.B. that you want to slap him a few times with the way he treats Stella once they get married. Yes, it is a contractual agreement to be married for a year, with no sexual contact in that time-frame. When she realizes she has to give up everything, including what she loves to do most. He's totally absorbed into his business & rarely does anything with her. When she discovers the secrets he's been hiding from her, he faces the reality that he'll lose her but he wants to keep her as his wife. Who's going to win this battle between them? Will he change & start to realize he can have true love with someone? A great story to read.
I received an ARC of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 29, 2024
Atlas is a powerful, dominant, arrogant, and workaholic CEO who has to marry by his 40th birthday to inherit the majority shares in his family company. Stella is a delightful, bright woman who works as a barista as well as a jazz singer in a dive club she dreams of one day owning. Atlas manipulates her into accepting a proposition of a one year fake marriage and money, no relationship included. Despite growing feelings on both their parts, he persists with lies of omission mostly until Stella reaches breaking point and Atlas finally sees the light so that they can both achieve their dreams together. Enjoyable and captivating romance.
March 5, 2024
This one was interesting. I enjoy most everything by Alexis Winter, and this was no exception, but it was different. And it was one that I couldn't put down. Started and finished in 1 evening.
It starts off seeming like it is going to be a nice story of the people mutually attracted to each other, but geez! Atlas gives it his best to stay cold and indifferent towards Stella. He really pissed me off so many times I had a little issue letting their HEA happen.
Loved Stella! She is fiercely loyal of her found family. Even if she has to sell herself, as long as it helps them, it will be worth it. She deserves an HEA and she finds it with Atlas, but he doesn't make it easy!
It starts off seeming like it is going to be a nice story of the people mutually attracted to each other, but geez! Atlas gives it his best to stay cold and indifferent towards Stella. He really pissed me off so many times I had a little issue letting their HEA happen.
Loved Stella! She is fiercely loyal of her found family. Even if she has to sell herself, as long as it helps them, it will be worth it. She deserves an HEA and she finds it with Atlas, but he doesn't make it easy!
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