From Amazon top ten bestselling author Samantha Whiskey comes the billionaire, fake relationship romance you won't want to miss!
I hold several NHL Calgary Team Owner, McClaren Empire Heir, and Insatiable Playboy.
My friends believe I’m more likely to walk on the moon than hold down a monogamous relationship, and that’s never bothered me…
Until now.
Call me cocky, but I don’t like being told I can’t do something. So when my best friend throws down a high-stakes bet stating I can’t stay in a serious relationship for three months, I lie and tell him I’m already in one.
Not my most brilliant move.
In an effort to prove everyone wrong, I approach the first woman I see and offer her ten thousand to be my girlfriend for thirty minutes.
Thirty minutes turns into a negotiation for three months, and to my utter surprise, Aspen is more than willing to play the part. She needs the cash to take care of her sister’s college fees, so it’s a win-win for both of us.
Aspen is funny, smart, and humble to her core. She plays her role as my girlfriend almost too well, and soon I find myself wanting to spend time with her even when the public isn’t watching.
The lines between pretend and reality blur, and one steamy night with my fake girlfriend turns my entire world on its axis. We started this relationship under false pretenses and with a hefty price tag, but soon I’m willing to risk everything to make it real.
But Aspen’s history is complicated, and just when I think there’s hope for the future, it nearly shatters everything. To keep her in my life forever, I’ll have to prove to her that nothing will come between us—not money, fame, or our pasts.
Samantha Whiskey is a wife, mom, lover of her dogs and romance novels. No stranger to hockey, hot alpha males, and a high dose of awkwardness, she tucks herself away to write books her PTA will never know about.
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If you enjoy sports romances, you must read the Billionaire’s Game Novel series by Samantha Whiskey. It’s professional sport team owners (football, hockey and baseball) who bond and become friends in “real life,” and each fall in love, one book at a time. While this is a series, the books could be read in any order, but I encourage you to start at the beginning as they are all fabulous…Asher, Weston, Ethan, and now Crossland.
I really love the premise of this book and the author’s imagination as I cannot even imagine what it would be like to be uber wealthy and just jet off to exotic locations to meet my friends to play a monthly game of poker! While their high stakes like betting sports cars and their very own teams will have your jaw dropping, I mostly enjoy all of their interactions, ribbing, and conversations, and how they are there for each other any day of the week. I love the relationships and friendships all of the ladies formed as well, and how down to earth they all are.
It’s fun to read how these Bachelor Billionaire’s each fall hard, and I couldn’t wait to see what was in store for Crossland McLaren, the owner of the National Hockey League Calgary team. He’s known for never wanting to settle down, and becomes agitated when his three friends, who are now in committed relationships, comment on his playing the field, and he declares he has a girlfriend. NOT! So funny how he has five minutes to scramble to find one to present to the group, and as luck would have it, he runs into Aspen.
I love when couples meet by chance, and in this series, that is how they each met their significant others except for Weston which is workplace/high school friends to lovers. Crossland and Aspen are drawn to each other, and when he proposes the deal of the life-time, she is unsure whether she should slap him, run for the hills, or hug him for helping her get out of debt.
As these two spend more and more time together, you will get to know their backstory and admire them both. I loved how she would pepper him with questions to get to know him better, and how honest they both were from day one. There were no games played other than trying to trick his friends, and their honesty and vulnerability was very endearing.
They both are dedicated to family, treated people well, worked hard, and really brought out the best in each other. These billionaires don’t just have one job as being a team owner, they have their hands in many pots, and I find it all very fascinating. Aspen challenges him and makes him think about what is really important in life.
Aspen is so genuine and likeable, and Crossland can’t help but want to keep her after their little ruse is over. There are so many sides to Crossland, and she sees his very generous heart, his loyalty to his friends and sister, and his gentle, protective side. While they were “Fake” dating so he could win a bet, it never felt fake to each of them, especially during all of their steamy times!
There is one bachelor left and that is Gareth and I CAN’T WAIT! He has been secretly pining for the daughter of the villain of this series, a team owner we all can’t stand, and I just know Samantha Whiskey is going to end this series with a big smile on all of our faces. Gareth has been the quiet one with big feelings, and I am hoping he swoops in to save her. Their story has been building and building for the past four books. Stay tuned!
I’ll admit, I’m a sucker for a fake dating trope and this one just worked for me. I’m even going to say that I think it’s my favorite in the series so far. The banter between Cross and Aspen kept me laughing and I loved that even though they came from such different worlds, they were so similar in so many ways. And the way they took care of each other - just what each of them needed - was perfect. Such a fun, easy read. 🥰
hiring a girlfriend to win a bet with your friends?
Samantha Whiskey is back again with the latest addition to her Billionaire’s Game series. If you love a story about a billionaire playboy being brought to his knees, then you will love Crossland & Aspen. A moment of impulse leads to two kindred spirits meeting in the club and launching into a 3 month contracted fake relationship, what could possibly go wrong with their plans? The perfect read for a day of fun.
A great read! This series is proving to be just as amazing as Samantha’s hockey series are. Crossland is given a bet that ends up being the bet of a lifetime. He just didn’t realize it at the time. Aspen is sweet and has been the one responsible for her sister for years. She takes care of her, works hard to make sure she can attend any college she wishes and have the life that she wants. These two are great together, they complement each other perfectly even though Aspen is extremely independent. I just absolutely love the banter, chemistry and friendship between Crossland and Aspen. A fantastic story. I highly recommend this book. Told in dual POV.
This was a super cute fake dating romance. Crossland and Aspen agreed to a mutually beneficial agreement and led to more than what they bargained for. They each had to let go of their hangups and accept the reality that they were perfect together and made for each other. I loved the book.
Am I a bit embarrassed to read this? Sure. Even more so to put it on goodreads? Obviosuly. But a yearly goal is a yearly goal and I will be seeing this series through. Crossland was better than the last 2 books, but not as good as Asher (Book1). I’m hoping Gareth is the grand finale I’ve hyped it up to be.
Crossland is at the poker game where he, for some reason, convinces the guys he has a girlfriend. They’re in a club and he goes downstairs and spots a girl with beautiful green eyes who is complaining about the lack of food options. He offers her $10k to pretend to be his girlfriend. Later, the guys bet him like a gazillion dollars that he can’t keep her for 3 months. So he offers her a million to be his fake girlfriend for 3 months. Aspen is a poor girl who raised her sister because her parents are trash. Her sister goes to nyu and she works her ass off at a coffee shop to pay her tuition. She accepts crosslands offer and off to fake dating land they go. But of course the contract turns into a huge love affair and at the end of it they’ve fallen for each other. Her scumbag parents show up and ruin everything and aspen goes into hiding for two weeks. Her friends drag her out but crossland is at the same club and spots her. He drags her to the office because of course he owns it and they make up, move to Bangor Maine, get engaged and live HEA.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
“I fell in love with your playfulness, your heart, your ability to take care of those that you love. I don't want to spend another second where I'm not yours.” I love this group of billionaires that Samantha Whiskey has created. Each of the five guys is so different but when it comes down to who they are they are nothing but loyal. Crossland is the latest victim to love. At one of their monthly poker games, Ethan bets Crossland that he can’t be monogamous for 3 months. But jokes on Ethan when Crossland claims to already have a girlfriend of 3 weeks, turning it into 3 months will be an easy bet to win. Just one minor catch, he doesn’t have a girlfriend. So he goes in search of the first girl he finds.
Aspen is at a club with her best friends trying to pretend her life is not as stressful as it. She isn’t actually a broke 28 year old who has been raising her sister since she was 18 and her sister was 8. She isn’t work triple shifts in order to pay for her sister’s tuition and basic needs like food. However when Crossland sees her and offers her some quick cash for a fake relationship it is a tough offer to turn down.
As much as the two of them claimed they were not relationship people it is clear that a relationship was what they both needed. They were both extremely independent people who carried baggage too heavy for one person. They needed someone to share their day with and although it started out fake, these two were anything but, especially when the lines they drew were blurred. “But if you let me, I’m going to spend the next two months worshiping that goddamn irresistible body of yours so much that you’ll feel me long after you move on.”
Now to not so patiently wait for Gareth’s story, one I have been waiting for since we met this crew! Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🔥: “Didn’t expect to see such a prize when I rushed home.”
“And I knew in that moment that he’d thoroughly ruined me for any other person. Just like he told me he would.”
Crossland (A Billionaires Series, Book 4) Author: Samantha Whiskey Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
The boys are back at it with their poker night antics. When Crossland’s late father’s car is up for stake, things get serious…with Crossland’s love life. Tasked with the bet of remaining in a monogamous relationship for three months, Crossland takes to his club to find a willing participant. He’s got the money to back up his promise of $1 million for three months of exclusively dating, now he just has to find someone desperate enough for the money to overlook the complications that may come with a business deal of a relationship. Aspen has had it tough, escaping her past hasn’t been easy, and has left her working dead end jobs just to make it work for her and her sister. When first approached she thinks there is no way she could agree to three months, but she is soon left with no choice but to take the money. Three months is a long time to not catch feelings, so what happens when their time spent together slowly turns from obligations in public to quiet nights at home? They have three months to figure it out.
Okay, this is a hard statement to make because I have loved all the Billionaire Series books, but this one has quickly become my favorite! The banter between Crossland and Aspen was laced with tension from the first thirty minutes they spent together, and I knew I needed more then. They were so quick to move beyond a surface level relationship that it was hard not to fall with them. The compassion these two share for one another’s struggles is unmatched, developing a friendship that quickly turns into more. Their story was perfectly written and I can’t wait to read more from the Billionaire Series.
If you like: Grumpy Sunshine Fake Dating Billionaire Romance
“I lived for that look, for his praise, for the way he made me feel like an absolute queen.”
Crossland (A Billionaires Series, Book 4) Author: Samantha Whiskey Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Aspen would do just about anything to ensure her sister has all the opportunities that she didn’t have herself due to a pair of sh*tty parents. That is how she finds herself agreeing to earn a quick $10k for 30 minutes of her time and the potential for so much more if she can trust the billionaire stranger who plucked her from the crowd at a nightclub. Crossland McClaren on the other hand, is in a pinch to not lose a bet with a buddy and luckily has the re$ource$ to hire someone to pretend to be his girlfriend as means to win. As this story progresses, Cross isn’t just interested in winning a bet - his real win is going to be the girl.
Samantha has a way about making her books move seamlessly and fast paced from the beginning. Because we already know the Billionaires and their monthly poker game, we jumped right into how this couple met - it had me hooked from the start. And of all the girls Cross could have ended up with, Aspen couldn’t have been more perfect with her quick wit and hard working personality. When she finally loosens the reins and lets herself go after what she deserves, mixed with Cross finally figuring out his purpose in taking over the family empire, it’s a perfect match. .
If you like: Grumpy Sunshine Fake Dating Billionaire Romance
I think Crossland McClaren might be one of my favorite billionaires to date. “Crossland” is a sweet, steamy, and heartfelt fake dating billionaire romance that just made my heart so happy with Crossland and Aspen’s story.
It’s just another poker game amongst the Billionaires when the happy and in love guys give Crossland a hard time about being unattached. Without hesitation, he tells them he has a girlfriend which he definitely doesn’t have. In a panic, he goes down to the lobby of the club and sees Aspen. Aspen is a barista who works long hours to care for her sister so she can be a lawyer. Money is tight and after a discussion, she agrees to be his fake girlfriend for 3 months. Being a billionaire’s fake girlfriend is easy until they both start to develop very real feelings.
I have been loving this series and I’m so glad Crossland had his story next. I love how eccentric he is with his friends but he has a huge heart and is a smart businessman. Losing his parents shaped who he is today and made him the savvy businessman he is. Aspen was an instant like for me with her emerald green hair and the way she cared for her sister. I loved how she was willing to work long hours so she could live her dream. Crossland and Aspen had instant chemistry and I loved their banter. I was turning the pages for when they would finally give into the attraction they had and it was steamy. They shared a connection that ran deep and I loved that about them. Their HEA was so sweet and I can’t wait for the next book in the series.
Crossland McLaren likes his freedom, he doesn't do relationships, and especially doesn't do love...that is until he's issued a challenge of sorts by his friends. Mind you all these friends of his have met their forever girls and are ridiculously happy, so naturally they all think he needs to do it too. They want the unattainable bachelor to take the plunge...
The pages of this one bring us into the lives of two people who meet solely by chance, make a commitment to one another in under five minutes and wind up finding that they are quite perfect for one another. It's an unexpected surprise that leads them on a journey neither were expecting to take. I loved watching these two discover what they could be together, build a foundation and eventually take steps towards their forever.
It was a beautifully penned and steamy union that I thoroughly enjoyed, one that kept me up into the wee hours of the morning, and I'd gladly lose sleep over these two all over again!! Highly recommend you take a chance on this series, nobody does romance quite like Ms. Whiskey, her tales just hit different, they're the kind that linger long after the last page finds you. They're literary perfection!!
I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving my honest and unbiased opinion.
This book was a lot of fun but the plot was too similar to the previous book. They were both slightly different versions of the fake girlfriend/love bet trope and I enjoyed it but it was odd to me that they came one after another.
Crossland is challenged by his friends at his lack of relationships in the past. He immediately insists that he is currently in a relationship and goes to find a woman in his club to temporarily pretend to be his girlfriend. He finds Aspen to play the role and he is intensely attracted to her. His friends take it a step further by betting him that he wouldn’t be able to last 3 months in a relationship and Crossland convinces Aspen to pretend to be his girlfriend for the duration for a fee.
I really liked both Aspen and Crossland. They were both so perfect for each other and I enjoyed reading about their love story. However, nothing really happens during the story. I don’t need a contentious relationship but I would have loved for them to have had to face some external conflict together. I felt like it was just a very sweet story with not a lot of plot.
This story was really enjoyable and very very low angst. If you are someone who just wants to read about two people falling in love then this is probably for you.
Oh Cross…. I am absolutely obsessed with you. Our billionaire playboy finally found his person. My heart was melting in their story. I loved their meet cute with the fake relationship turned very real. These two were effortless and it was both sweet and electric. They had great banter and playfulness that meshed well with those serious topics as they got to know one another.
Aspen is no stranger to a hard life and this girl is a survivor at her core. So many of her moments are so rooted in that pain that my heart hurt for her. Cross understood her on such a fundamental level. He experienced his own loss so young and taking care of his sister much like Aspen did. They both were living for others dreams and hopes but it was sweet to also see them start to live for themselves again and as a team.
I was pleasantly surprised by the third act drama and how that unfolded for them. Samantha could’ve gone a few ways since there were so many layers to the story that would equally cause some drama. As always I love seeing our billionaire couples again and Gareth is the lone bachelor left of the bunch. I just know his story is going to be incredible.
I found this book to be pretty entertaining. I was a little concerned with the plot being similar to Ethan’s in the previous book, but it was vastly different.
Despite their economic differences, Crossland and Aspen shared a lot of similarities. They both stepped up to take care of their siblings at a young age, they both shied away from commitment, and they both had trust issues. I loved their “fake” relationship that quickly turned into a real friendship. I loved the way Aspen challenged Crossland and advocated for herself.
Crossland surprised me a little bit. In the previous books he was a playboy who didn’t seem to care about anything but his businesses and his freedom. But in his role as a main character his heart really came out. Crossland showed up for Aspen and really fought to show her how she should be treated. He understood her need for independence and could have easily taken over her life but always made it her choice.
I loved Crossland and Aspen’s relationship. The instant chemistry they felt, the fake relationship, and the way they fell for each other was perfectly executed.
Crossland McClaren owns the Calgary NHL Team amongst other businesses. He got himself in a bind with his regularly scheduled poker game with his rich friends. He needs a girlfriend for three months asap because he lost a hand. Aspen is a barista and has raised her sister because her parents are losers. Now she is putting her sister through college, but can’t afford it at all. The meeting of these two is very unconventional. He offers her lots of money in a contract for being his girlfriend with no strings attached. And now their story begins. Their business relationship is filled with happiness, steam and romance, until it isn’t. The twist this story takes broke my heart for the two people who were too scared to admit how they felt about each other and stick together. Then there’s the ending which is superb! Crossland is a romantic without any effort. Aspen is a nurturer, smart and funny. They also have a lot in common but in different ways. You won’t regret reading this story one bit.
I've loved ready the Billionaire Games series so far.
This book was all about playboy Crossland that didn't do relationships but liked the ladies. So, during one of the famous poker games with his other Billionaire buddies, he said he had a girlfriend. Of course, he had to prove it. So he stops Aspen in the club and offers her £10k to play the role for half an hour. She plays the role well, so well that Crossland loses a game, the bet stating that he can't keep Aspen for 3 months. So they enter into a business deal where she plays the role of fake girlfriend, and in return, she gets 1.5 million dollars.
They both try to keep things professional, but the attraction between them is on fire from day one, and they soon give into those desires and set the pages alight. However, both of them have baggage, so seeing the storyline play out was excellent. I couldn't put the book down. Before I knew it, I was at the end.
This was a great story. The characters had me laughing out loud with the banter between them was on point, and the spice between them was hot hot hot.
Samantha Whiskey has done it again! Crossland is a fiery cocktail of desire, deception, and undeniable chemistry that will leave you breathless. This billionaire romance is a thrilling rollercoaster ride that I couldn’t get enough of.
The fake relationship trope is done to perfection, with characters that are both relatable and captivating.
Crossland, the billionaire playboy, is a complex character who defies expectations. Beneath the bravado lies a vulnerable man searching for something real. Aspen, with her wit and resilience, is the perfect match for him. Their chemistry is off the charts, and their journey from fake to real is both heartwarming and exhilarating.
Samantha has a talent for creating believable and emotionally charged characters. Aspen and Crossland’s story is filled with ups and downs, keeping you on the edge of your seats. The author masterfully balances humor, passion, and drama, creating a truly unforgettable reading experience.
𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗦: Billionaire romance, fake dating, friends to lovers, friends with benefits, forced proximity, opposite attract
What happens when their fake dating become reality?
Billionaire Crossland McClaren knew his friends didn’t think he couldn’t keep a girlfriend for more than three days but when he was pressed about his lack of dating, he lied and said his girlfriend was downstairs at his club. He needed a fake girlfriend right now!
Aspen Reed didn’t think that Crossland would track her down and offer her a million dollars for three months of pretending to date him but she needs the money to take care of her sister. But what happens when they cross the line from fake dating?
Many romance with fake dating sometimes force a connection tween the couple but Crossland and Aspen just fit together so smoothly because they fit together so well.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This story, these characters, sucked me in so quickly the next thing I knew the book was over. Apparently the earth kept spinning, because when I lifted my head I was missing time. Crossland amazed me with his honesty, generosity, and the fact he was quite willing to live a life full of risks but so afraid of risking his heart. And his heart is absolutely beautiful. I love his confidence, and his desire to protect and care for those around him. Aspen blew me away with what she has been through, and watching her put the ones she loves before herself yanked my heart on so many levels. Yet how she allows and appreciates Crossland for caring for her was breathtaking. Speaking of taking my breath…their spice scenes left me hot and gasping. I absolutely adore this couple and their story. I cannot wait to see how Gareth will fall.
5 Gajillion stars! Just like the balance of Crossland's bank account's!!
"She may have started off as a business deal, but she'd quickly become something so much more."
Ah yes, Crossland is the next Billionaire to fall.
When Crossland makes a stupid bet with his most prized possession, he must do something to secure that bet. In the heat of desperation, Crossland propositions the first attractive woman he could find downstairs in his club. The same location of the latest Billionaire's poker game. $10k for 30 minutes of your time. Wait, what? Yeah, right!
I absolutely loved this book. Samantha is always a one click author no matter what it is. I just love her writing.
I cannot wait for Gareth's book. That one is going to be a barn burner!! I can just tell.
When I read the blurb for this book, I had to check I wasn't reading Ethan by mistake! But no, this is indeed crossland and Ethan was getting him back. Crossland will do anything for those he loves, including objects! So when Ethan makes a bet with him he has to ensure he does not loose! Enter Aspen. She has trauma for days but has used it to build her self up and look after her sister. Aspen is goals! Gay best friend ✔️ low Maintance friend group ✔️ best baby sister in the world ✔️ job she loves ✔️ confidence in herself? Well... Crossland and Aspen together is fire! The chemist from the start is phenomenal and they way the care for each other, swoon. Prepare for some tears but the third act heartache is nowhere near is achy as the others in this series. Happy every after does happen.
I couldn't see/believe the connection because they weren't together on page much. The internal thoughts ran rampant throughout the first half of the book so much so that once they got together, I didn't feel the connection.
He places a bet that he can remain in a monogamous relationship for 3 months and sees her in his club, then decides that she will be his fake gf because she makes him laugh. She needs the $$# to send her kid sister through college, so they agree to 1.5mil for her to fake date him. She fits in well with his peeps and she travels with him on a whim because he bought the coffee shop that she works in so that she can have a job when this arrangement is over as well as she has an extended paid vacay away from her job.
Not the best, I skimmed through quite a bit because I just didn't feel them.
General Thoughts: I have read many Samantha Whiskey books. I discovered her awhile ago and have been making my way through her entire catalog ever since. I think I've read all of her contemporary books now. I always end up binging them. That was no exception here, where I read three in a row.
I love a good fake dating romance, and this one was done well and had a slightly different spin from what I normally see. I liked the characters, and it was a great, quick read.
Spice Meter: ❤️🔥❤️🔥.5 Spicy. This one has spice throughout and is fairly detailed.
Romantic Tropes -billionaire romance -contemporary romance -dual POV -fake dating -billionaire -found family
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I loved this story! It was really fun to read and I could not put it down.
I absolutely love Samatha Whiskey! She does an amazing job creating must read stories, and I love how she brings back old couples for updates!
Crossland needed someone to pretend of be his girlfriend during billionaire poker, and when he saw Aspen, he knew she was perfect for the job. The next thing he knows, he has to convince Aspen to pretend to be his girlfriend for 3 months to win a bet. As Crossland and Aspen get to know each other, the both start to realize they are starting to have feeling for each other, but both are too scared to admit it!!!
As this one opened on the poker game, I knew what was going to happen. It was fun to see the how and to know I was right. The business agreement really worked for Crossland and Aspen at the start. It allowed there to be no walls and for them to be open with each other. This really helped them build a base of friendship, one where they could really see the other person. Of course feelings grew and neither knew what to do about it. It almost seemed like they were going to screw things up, but both of them had people in their corner giving advice to go for what they wanted and they did, which allowed for a very nice HEA.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.