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Hawkston Billionaires #1
Worth Every Penny
She hates him, but he wants her.
And he always gets what he wants.
Kate Lansen
Everything was fine until the day he walked back into my life. Tall, dark, handsome and with billions in the bank. That’s Nico Hawkston to a T.
By any measure, he should be irresistible. But I'll never go there because Nico is my brother’s best friend.
He’s also the man who caused my father’s death.
When my brother informs me he’s selling our family company to Nico, I’m more than a little pissed off.
If Nico thinks I’m another woman who’ll roll over and do exactly what he wants, he’s sorely mistaken.
Nico Hawkston
It’s no secret that most things come easy to the Hawkston brothers.
But not Kate Lansen. My best friend’s little sister.
Gorgeous, off-limits, and holding a grudge like a pro. She hates me, but I’m determined to have her, one way or another.
And Hawkston men always get what they want.
Worth Every Penny is a standalone, full-length sizzling office enemies-to-lovers romance starring a billionaire male lead and a feisty younger heroine.
Perfect for fans of TL Swan, Catharina Maura and Ana Huang.
And he always gets what he wants.
Kate Lansen
Everything was fine until the day he walked back into my life. Tall, dark, handsome and with billions in the bank. That’s Nico Hawkston to a T.
By any measure, he should be irresistible. But I'll never go there because Nico is my brother’s best friend.
He’s also the man who caused my father’s death.
When my brother informs me he’s selling our family company to Nico, I’m more than a little pissed off.
If Nico thinks I’m another woman who’ll roll over and do exactly what he wants, he’s sorely mistaken.
Nico Hawkston
It’s no secret that most things come easy to the Hawkston brothers.
But not Kate Lansen. My best friend’s little sister.
Gorgeous, off-limits, and holding a grudge like a pro. She hates me, but I’m determined to have her, one way or another.
And Hawkston men always get what they want.
Worth Every Penny is a standalone, full-length sizzling office enemies-to-lovers romance starring a billionaire male lead and a feisty younger heroine.
Perfect for fans of TL Swan, Catharina Maura and Ana Huang.
441 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 20, 2024
830 people are currently reading
3447 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 610 reviews
September 20, 2024
4.5 stars
the only thought that consumed my mind as I devoured this debut novel was, 'I can't believe this is the author's first book!' I genuinely loved every aspect of it, despite not being a fan of the 'brother's best friend' trope, which is often accompanied by the infamous homosapien act of 'don't sniff near my sister🧌'.
as I delved into Worth Every Penny , I discovered that the narrative was cemented on the slow-burning development of the romance and the mutual pining between the characters, rather than the said trope. I appreciated that the storytelling was orchestrated in a certain way to conceal a significant revelation, which I had intuited as a reader, but wasn't explicitly aware of until the big reveal. I was impressed by how Rae Ryder’s masterful scheming connected various subplots, culminating in a surprising twist that caught me off guard.
when it comes to the main characters, I was pleasantly surprised to find that they were both lovable and well-developed, whether painted as an entity or as individuals. Kate, in particular, stood out as a strong and hardworking female character, driven by the aspiration to complete her father's last project and honor his memory. she was refreshingly free from caricatured plot-line-arcs, such as the silly girl who harbors a crush on her brother's best friend-turned-enemy, and accessorily boss. instead, she was a multi-dimensional character who navigated her emotions with vulnerability, even as she struggled to cope with her father's death and her mother's suffocating hyper-fixation on withering everything she said or did. Nico, on the other hand, was the archetype of the rich and imposing boss, but with a twist. he consistently spoke with perfect timing and insight, whether defending Kate or offering words of wisdom. I found myself genuinely fond of his character, despite his tendency to earn Kate's cold shoulder - and couldn't blame her for it either. he didn't always deserve her ire, but his actions often led to misunderstandings and hurt feelings.
all in all, it was an enjoyable read and i’ll certainly be looking forward to this author’s future works, especially for one particular side character (one of Nico’s brothers !).
many thanks to the author for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
——————
he’s a billionaire AND her brother’s best friend 😋
”because there’s only one you, and I love you. I fucking love you, Kate Lansen. you’re one in a million. one in a billion.“
❦ age gap
❦ slowburn
❦ billionaire
❦ ennemis to lovers
❦ workplace romance
❦ brother’s best friend
the only thought that consumed my mind as I devoured this debut novel was, 'I can't believe this is the author's first book!' I genuinely loved every aspect of it, despite not being a fan of the 'brother's best friend' trope, which is often accompanied by the infamous homosapien act of 'don't sniff near my sister🧌'.
as I delved into Worth Every Penny , I discovered that the narrative was cemented on the slow-burning development of the romance and the mutual pining between the characters, rather than the said trope. I appreciated that the storytelling was orchestrated in a certain way to conceal a significant revelation, which I had intuited as a reader, but wasn't explicitly aware of until the big reveal. I was impressed by how Rae Ryder’s masterful scheming connected various subplots, culminating in a surprising twist that caught me off guard.
when it comes to the main characters, I was pleasantly surprised to find that they were both lovable and well-developed, whether painted as an entity or as individuals. Kate, in particular, stood out as a strong and hardworking female character, driven by the aspiration to complete her father's last project and honor his memory. she was refreshingly free from caricatured plot-line-arcs, such as the silly girl who harbors a crush on her brother's best friend-turned-enemy, and accessorily boss. instead, she was a multi-dimensional character who navigated her emotions with vulnerability, even as she struggled to cope with her father's death and her mother's suffocating hyper-fixation on withering everything she said or did. Nico, on the other hand, was the archetype of the rich and imposing boss, but with a twist. he consistently spoke with perfect timing and insight, whether defending Kate or offering words of wisdom. I found myself genuinely fond of his character, despite his tendency to earn Kate's cold shoulder - and couldn't blame her for it either. he didn't always deserve her ire, but his actions often led to misunderstandings and hurt feelings.
all in all, it was an enjoyable read and i’ll certainly be looking forward to this author’s future works, especially for one particular side character (one of Nico’s brothers !).
many thanks to the author for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
——————
he’s a billionaire AND her brother’s best friend 😋
December 22, 2024
Part 1
3,5 👙🖼🤔⭐️s
Nicely written and paced, slightly lengthy and more than a couple sideplots.
3,5 👙🖼🤔⭐️s
Nicely written and paced, slightly lengthy and more than a couple sideplots.
March 4, 2025
4.5 stars. ✨️
I thoroughly enjoyed this. I really loved the British-isms in the writing and from the characters. Felt very much like home. I loved the characters as well, very excited to continue on the series.
I thoroughly enjoyed this. I really loved the British-isms in the writing and from the characters. Felt very much like home. I loved the characters as well, very excited to continue on the series.
December 31, 2024
ARC REVIEW:
1 star.
This is honestly one of the worst books I have ever read. I honestly wish I had DNF’d it. This man embarrassed her throughout the whole book, from when she was young, which made sense because she was only 16 and he was an adult, to when she is a grown woman and he rejects her, AGAIN. Him knowing that the project would be taken away from her and still letting her go up and present and embarrass herself was what I thought was my last straw. But noooooo, she thinks SHE has to grovel and get him back, so she flies to New York and where he is his friend’s fake date to an event. He is supposedly in love with the FMC but turns around and does this…yeah no. Thennn when she turns up, he tells her to go into the taxi back to her hotel while he goes to a gala to be his friend’s fake date. Bear in mind, the FMC was always worried about his friend thinking they had something going on but then he turns around and does that to her. I couldn’t believe what I was reading.
I don’t recommend this book at all
1 star.
This is honestly one of the worst books I have ever read. I honestly wish I had DNF’d it. This man embarrassed her throughout the whole book, from when she was young, which made sense because she was only 16 and he was an adult, to when she is a grown woman and he rejects her, AGAIN. Him knowing that the project would be taken away from her and still letting her go up and present and embarrass herself was what I thought was my last straw. But noooooo, she thinks SHE has to grovel and get him back, so she flies to New York and where he is his friend’s fake date to an event. He is supposedly in love with the FMC but turns around and does this…yeah no. Thennn when she turns up, he tells her to go into the taxi back to her hotel while he goes to a gala to be his friend’s fake date. Bear in mind, the FMC was always worried about his friend thinking they had something going on but then he turns around and does that to her. I couldn’t believe what I was reading.
I don’t recommend this book at all
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 23, 2024
ARC REVIEW
5/5⭐️ 3/5🌶️
IM BLOWN AWAY!!!😍
I have a feeling this is going to be a very popular book/series once it’s released. Rae’s writing is so dang good! I was hooked immediately and had such a hard time putting this down. I’m ready for the other 2 books in the series now please 😆
I’m such a die hard fan of the brother’s best friend trope with enemies to lovers 😍 I fell in love with Nico’s character right away! I love how he respected his friendship with his best friend but let himself give in to the feelings he’s had for Kate. He is this reformed playboy turned possessive MMC and I’m here for it!! Kate is a such a strong character and I really enjoyed how she didn’t automatically give in to Nico and made him work for it 😉 They had such strong sexual tension and I loved the angry banter 🥵
It’s a slow burn but once the spice hits it HITS! The office scene…the crawling… HOT 🔥🔥🔥
If you love…
-Billionaire
-Enemies to Lovers
-Workplace
-Slow Burn But Lots of Spice
-Brothers Best Friend
-Age Gap
READ THIS BOOK!
Thank you Rae for the ARC, you did a fantastic job with this book and I seriously can’t wait to read more of the series!
5/5⭐️ 3/5🌶️
IM BLOWN AWAY!!!😍
I have a feeling this is going to be a very popular book/series once it’s released. Rae’s writing is so dang good! I was hooked immediately and had such a hard time putting this down. I’m ready for the other 2 books in the series now please 😆
I’m such a die hard fan of the brother’s best friend trope with enemies to lovers 😍 I fell in love with Nico’s character right away! I love how he respected his friendship with his best friend but let himself give in to the feelings he’s had for Kate. He is this reformed playboy turned possessive MMC and I’m here for it!! Kate is a such a strong character and I really enjoyed how she didn’t automatically give in to Nico and made him work for it 😉 They had such strong sexual tension and I loved the angry banter 🥵
It’s a slow burn but once the spice hits it HITS! The office scene…the crawling… HOT 🔥🔥🔥
If you love…
-Billionaire
-Enemies to Lovers
-Workplace
-Slow Burn But Lots of Spice
-Brothers Best Friend
-Age Gap
READ THIS BOOK!
Thank you Rae for the ARC, you did a fantastic job with this book and I seriously can’t wait to read more of the series!
October 20, 2024
4.5 stars🩷 Ob fucking sessed. So lucky to have got an advanced copy of this. Truly ate this book up, the spice was so well written and all the twists and turns of the book just added so well to the story. Rae’s writing style is really good, kept me so engaged and i really didn’t want to put it down. Can’t wait to read more in this series!!
August 23, 2024
Was lucky to be selected as an ARC reader and I’m so glad I put my name forward for it.
I’ve read a lot of books, a lot of billionaire romances and this didn’t miss. It even had a side of mystery and deception that made it just that bit different from the others I’ve read.
I really enjoyed Kate and Nicos story, though I will be honest, it took me a minute to really invest myself! I wouldn’t say the slowest burn but slower than I am used to. Once we really got in to it and the secrets started revealing themselves, I was hooked. Well done Rae for writing an epic debut! 🫶🏼
I’ve read a lot of books, a lot of billionaire romances and this didn’t miss. It even had a side of mystery and deception that made it just that bit different from the others I’ve read.
I really enjoyed Kate and Nicos story, though I will be honest, it took me a minute to really invest myself! I wouldn’t say the slowest burn but slower than I am used to. Once we really got in to it and the secrets started revealing themselves, I was hooked. Well done Rae for writing an epic debut! 🫶🏼
September 24, 2025
Worth Every Penny by Rae Ryder
4⭐️ | 3🌶️
Worth Every Penny by Rae Ryder is a captivating debut romance novel that centers around Kate, a woman dealing with the grief of losing her father while trying to complete his final project. Her world becomes even more complicated when she finds herself drawn to Nico, her brother's best friend. The story explores their slow-burning relationship as secrets unfold and emotions deepen. The plot builds around mutual longing, a complex family dynamic, and the complexities of love, loss, and healing. Nico is a wealthy and powerful boss with a unique charm, but his behavior causes frequent miscommunications with Kate, leading to a dynamic of tension and emotional growth. The book also adds layers of intrigue with a hidden revelation that keeps the readers engaged. The romance is rich with chemistry, tension, and spicy moments, making it a delightful read with depth.
Worth Every Penny by Rae Ryder marks an impressive debut in the world of romance. This brother's best friend trope often risks feeling clichéd, but Ryder skillfully sidesteps this by focusing on the characters' mutual longing and the slow-burn romance rather than relying solely on the traditional framework of the trope. The plot is structured in a way that teases a large revelation, keeping the reader intrigued and engaged until the big reveal. This subtle mystery added depth to the story, making it stand out from other romances.
The characters are well-developed and endearing, with Kate standing out as a strong and determined female protagonist. Driven by the need to honor her late father's legacy, she avoids falling into typical clichéd roles. She handles her emotions with vulnerability and honesty, despite the overwhelming grief from losing her father and dealing with her mother's emotional baggage. Although there were moments where Kate's reactions toward Nico felt a bit unfair or dramatic, it didn't detract from my overall enjoyment of her character arc.
Nico, the typical wealthy and powerful boss, is given a unique twist. His wisdom, timing, and ability to defend Kate make him a compelling character, even as his behavior occasionally leads to misunderstandings between them. While some of his actions caused friction, I couldn’t help but appreciate the complexity of his character. The tension and angst between Kate and Nico were perfectly executed, making their dynamic both exciting and emotionally charged.
The spice in this book was intense, adding a layer of heat that elevated the chemistry between the characters. Overall, Worth Every Penny is a fantastic debut, full of passion, emotional depth, and a compelling plot. I look forward to seeing more from Rae Ryder in the future.
4⭐️ | 3🌶️
Worth Every Penny by Rae Ryder is a captivating debut romance novel that centers around Kate, a woman dealing with the grief of losing her father while trying to complete his final project. Her world becomes even more complicated when she finds herself drawn to Nico, her brother's best friend. The story explores their slow-burning relationship as secrets unfold and emotions deepen. The plot builds around mutual longing, a complex family dynamic, and the complexities of love, loss, and healing. Nico is a wealthy and powerful boss with a unique charm, but his behavior causes frequent miscommunications with Kate, leading to a dynamic of tension and emotional growth. The book also adds layers of intrigue with a hidden revelation that keeps the readers engaged. The romance is rich with chemistry, tension, and spicy moments, making it a delightful read with depth.
Worth Every Penny by Rae Ryder marks an impressive debut in the world of romance. This brother's best friend trope often risks feeling clichéd, but Ryder skillfully sidesteps this by focusing on the characters' mutual longing and the slow-burn romance rather than relying solely on the traditional framework of the trope. The plot is structured in a way that teases a large revelation, keeping the reader intrigued and engaged until the big reveal. This subtle mystery added depth to the story, making it stand out from other romances.
The characters are well-developed and endearing, with Kate standing out as a strong and determined female protagonist. Driven by the need to honor her late father's legacy, she avoids falling into typical clichéd roles. She handles her emotions with vulnerability and honesty, despite the overwhelming grief from losing her father and dealing with her mother's emotional baggage. Although there were moments where Kate's reactions toward Nico felt a bit unfair or dramatic, it didn't detract from my overall enjoyment of her character arc.
Nico, the typical wealthy and powerful boss, is given a unique twist. His wisdom, timing, and ability to defend Kate make him a compelling character, even as his behavior occasionally leads to misunderstandings between them. While some of his actions caused friction, I couldn’t help but appreciate the complexity of his character. The tension and angst between Kate and Nico were perfectly executed, making their dynamic both exciting and emotionally charged.
The spice in this book was intense, adding a layer of heat that elevated the chemistry between the characters. Overall, Worth Every Penny is a fantastic debut, full of passion, emotional depth, and a compelling plot. I look forward to seeing more from Rae Ryder in the future.
November 30, 2024
Don’t come for me, but billionaire romances aren’t normally my thing but this was really well written and I didn’t find it to be cheesy.
Kate is an ambitious, independent, career driven woman who finds herself working for her billionaire Nico, who also happens to be her teenage crush.
Let me tell you, the tension alone made me want to chuck my kindle over and over again. I would consider this a slow burn but with tons of tension so it didn’t really feel that slow.
The spicy scenes were pretty good and there was a decent amount of it once things picked up. 3.5 ⭐️🌶️
Kate is an ambitious, independent, career driven woman who finds herself working for her billionaire Nico, who also happens to be her teenage crush.
Let me tell you, the tension alone made me want to chuck my kindle over and over again. I would consider this a slow burn but with tons of tension so it didn’t really feel that slow.
The spicy scenes were pretty good and there was a decent amount of it once things picked up. 3.5 ⭐️🌶️
August 21, 2024
What can I say except Rae Ryder is a literally genius and I can’t wait to get my hands on more of her novels? I’m forever grateful to have had the chance to read this book before launch, especially because I know this is right up there with many good romance books that are highly loved by the BookTok, Bookstagram, and other social communities.
This novel had a slow burn, a tension of a broody gray moral man and his bestfriend’s sister - a sister whom sees him as a horrible person (or does she? Idk bestie but you better read this book!). I loved every minute of this while I was reading, and I truly cannot wait to see more from this author in the future. A fabulous book to begin her writing career and journey with. 🫶🏻
This novel had a slow burn, a tension of a broody gray moral man and his bestfriend’s sister - a sister whom sees him as a horrible person (or does she? Idk bestie but you better read this book!). I loved every minute of this while I was reading, and I truly cannot wait to see more from this author in the future. A fabulous book to begin her writing career and journey with. 🫶🏻
August 23, 2024
The one with the spa.
Where to start? I was given the opportunity to read this as (a/an) ARC. As this being my first experience in the role I’ll try to be as detailed as possible.
The story of Kate and Nico was cute. They met when they were younger, and Kate always had a crush on Nico. She tried to seduce him when she was 17 and he covered his eyes and sent her away. A few years later a deal between the two families goes bad. This is where the feud escalated, because shortly after the downfall Kate’s dad died. Kate’s insistent that the heart attack was from the stress of the situation and therefore Nico is to blame. Kate and Nico meet again after 8 years at a birthday party for her brother where she learns he sold the family business to Nico. Kate still resents Nico after all this time, but damn if he isn’t fine! 🥵 There’s chemistry and sexual tension, but they both refuse to act on it. Long story short they hook up.
That’s the basic premise of the story, but there are side bits within that make it more interesting. There’s deception, cheating (not FMC/MMC), and secrets to reveal.
Unfortunately, this book was very predictable. Not only did I call it a mile away, but it was entirely too long. I love a long story, but this was drawn out. The details were fantastic, and it was so easy to picture and place the characters. However, there are so many words needed to describe something specifically.
I wish Nico had explained with all that detail why he turned her away in the hot tub. Or how he’s felt about her all these years. Those things were glossed over.
I also got the feeling early on that book two would be about Matt. Poor guy.
If you’re looking for a long, light hearted romance this is for you.
Where to start? I was given the opportunity to read this as (a/an) ARC. As this being my first experience in the role I’ll try to be as detailed as possible.
The story of Kate and Nico was cute. They met when they were younger, and Kate always had a crush on Nico. She tried to seduce him when she was 17 and he covered his eyes and sent her away. A few years later a deal between the two families goes bad. This is where the feud escalated, because shortly after the downfall Kate’s dad died. Kate’s insistent that the heart attack was from the stress of the situation and therefore Nico is to blame. Kate and Nico meet again after 8 years at a birthday party for her brother where she learns he sold the family business to Nico. Kate still resents Nico after all this time, but damn if he isn’t fine! 🥵 There’s chemistry and sexual tension, but they both refuse to act on it. Long story short they hook up.
That’s the basic premise of the story, but there are side bits within that make it more interesting. There’s deception, cheating (not FMC/MMC), and secrets to reveal.
Unfortunately, this book was very predictable. Not only did I call it a mile away, but it was entirely too long. I love a long story, but this was drawn out. The details were fantastic, and it was so easy to picture and place the characters. However, there are so many words needed to describe something specifically.
I wish Nico had explained with all that detail why he turned her away in the hot tub. Or how he’s felt about her all these years. Those things were glossed over.
I also got the feeling early on that book two would be about Matt. Poor guy.
If you’re looking for a long, light hearted romance this is for you.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 21, 2024
Thanks author for the arc copy!
✨ I really like this book! Love the storyline and the characters. I was hooked since the beginning and I'm falling deep when secrets after secrets were unravel. Nico Hawkston was her brother's best friend. They knew each other and got along fine until something happened between their family. Kate grew up hating Nico because of the that. I felt bad for Kate feeling like and outsider in her own family. I really hate her mother. Nico was the ultimate book boyfriend! I like reading about their relationship. The spice scene was really good. Very good for a debut author! Looking forward to read the next one🩵
💜 brother’s best friend
💜 billionaire romance
💜 Workplace Romance
✨ I really like this book! Love the storyline and the characters. I was hooked since the beginning and I'm falling deep when secrets after secrets were unravel. Nico Hawkston was her brother's best friend. They knew each other and got along fine until something happened between their family. Kate grew up hating Nico because of the that. I felt bad for Kate feeling like and outsider in her own family. I really hate her mother. Nico was the ultimate book boyfriend! I like reading about their relationship. The spice scene was really good. Very good for a debut author! Looking forward to read the next one🩵
💜 brother’s best friend
💜 billionaire romance
💜 Workplace Romance
September 16, 2024
I really really wanted to give this book more stars, but it felt so long. I really enjoyed certain aspects but felt the characters were really immature for how accomplished they were and there were too many plot points that it to me felt really drawn out. If this was solely based on spice and vibes I’d give it 4/5.
March 25, 2025
Too much drama...
January 3, 2025
**Worth Every Penny** is a 5-star read!
Rae is a phenomenal storyteller who had me grinning from ear to ear the entire time. Kate, the FMC, is absolutely delectable—sweet, hardworking, and incredibly strong! Nico, the swoon-worthy MMC, was a goner from the very beginning, and their chemistry was undeniable.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book from start to finish. Rae's talent for weaving compelling storylines really shines through, and I was completely invested. I especially found myself gritting my teeth whenever Kate’s mom appeared—she drove me *insane*! That woman definitely needs a rude awakening, and I’m hoping she gets it in the next book, especially since Jack, Kate’s brother, is featured in Book 2 ‘Worth Every Game’.
I can’t wait to dive into Jack’s story and continue this series!
Rae is a phenomenal storyteller who had me grinning from ear to ear the entire time. Kate, the FMC, is absolutely delectable—sweet, hardworking, and incredibly strong! Nico, the swoon-worthy MMC, was a goner from the very beginning, and their chemistry was undeniable.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book from start to finish. Rae's talent for weaving compelling storylines really shines through, and I was completely invested. I especially found myself gritting my teeth whenever Kate’s mom appeared—she drove me *insane*! That woman definitely needs a rude awakening, and I’m hoping she gets it in the next book, especially since Jack, Kate’s brother, is featured in Book 2 ‘Worth Every Game’.
I can’t wait to dive into Jack’s story and continue this series!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 19, 2024
This book was very good! It shocked me that this was Rae ryders debut. Thank you Rae for allowing me an ARC of this story it was great. I enjoyed both main characters. I’m a sucker for brothers best friend redemption kinda romance. This story follows Kate (little K) and Nico. Kate was fed some white lies which led to her having a very negative view on Nico who’s basically like family to her as he is her brothers best friend. It followed her becoming more independent, standing up for herself and building her self confidence/esteem. It was a slow burn for sure and Nico’s ability to be hot and cold so easily was frustrating but I do think it made the story. There are some characters in this story that really and truly suck (iykyk). To see Kate finally get her happily ever after with someone she truly never stopped loving was beautiful. I am Interested in seeing what’s in store for the other hawkston brothers. Release day is September 25th. I recommend adding this to your TBR if your looking for a quick read and are a sucker for the brothers best friend, enemies (ish) to lovers and billionaire romance.
September 21, 2024
5 stars⭐️ I’m so lucky to have gotten a chance to read an advanced copy of Worth Every Penny as this book was incredible! This is book one in the Hawkston Billionaires series, which will be made up of interconnected standalones and I cannot wait for the next one🤭
Tropes:
💙Billionaire
✨Brothers best friend
💙Enemies to lovers
✨Slow burn
💙Workplace romance
I enjoyed this book so much! It was so well written and the mystery aspect to it had me not wanting to put the book down! I loved Kate and Nico’s story and the twists and turns that kept me absolutely hooked! And don’t get me started on the tension between the two🥵
Tropes:
💙Billionaire
✨Brothers best friend
💙Enemies to lovers
✨Slow burn
💙Workplace romance
I enjoyed this book so much! It was so well written and the mystery aspect to it had me not wanting to put the book down! I loved Kate and Nico’s story and the twists and turns that kept me absolutely hooked! And don’t get me started on the tension between the two🥵
October 30, 2024
∽ Je suis en retard dans mes reviews ∽
📚 Worth Every Penny : ⭐️⭐️⭐️
#1 Hawkston Billionaires
Kate & Nico
-✨ Tropes : enemies to lovers / billionaire romance / brother best friend's
Au début du livre les deux personnages sont hyper attirés l'un envers l'autre mais ils ne font pas grand chose et se voilent un peu la face. Donc j'ai trouvé le début un peu long !
Pour moi c'était un peu un enchainement des scènes cliché d'un livre avec ces tropes là, et je l'ai vraiment ressenti comme un empilement sans rien autour, je n'ai pas trop aimé le scénario en général. Par contre, je ne m'attendais pas à certaines actions et le dénouement de l'histoire est assez surprenant donc ça c'est plus positif.
Happy ending mais ça s'arrête un peu net à mon goût. Par contre l'épilogue est trop biennnn.
- Spicy : 🌶️🌶️🌶️
(Ps : Mes review sont destinés plutôt pour moi-même que pour les autres, c’est pour ça que c’est écrit de façon random mais si ça peut vous donner envie de lire le livre lets gooo 🫣 et ptit mix français-anglais parce que WHY NOT )
📚 Worth Every Penny : ⭐️⭐️⭐️
#1 Hawkston Billionaires
Kate & Nico
-✨ Tropes : enemies to lovers / billionaire romance / brother best friend's
Au début du livre les deux personnages sont hyper attirés l'un envers l'autre mais ils ne font pas grand chose et se voilent un peu la face. Donc j'ai trouvé le début un peu long !
Pour moi c'était un peu un enchainement des scènes cliché d'un livre avec ces tropes là, et je l'ai vraiment ressenti comme un empilement sans rien autour, je n'ai pas trop aimé le scénario en général. Par contre, je ne m'attendais pas à certaines actions et le dénouement de l'histoire est assez surprenant donc ça c'est plus positif.
Happy ending mais ça s'arrête un peu net à mon goût. Par contre l'épilogue est trop biennnn.
- Spicy : 🌶️🌶️🌶️
(Ps : Mes review sont destinés plutôt pour moi-même que pour les autres, c’est pour ça que c’est écrit de façon random mais si ça peut vous donner envie de lire le livre lets gooo 🫣 et ptit mix français-anglais parce que WHY NOT )
August 23, 2024
I was so lucky to be able to read this ARC, and do you know what? I’m obsessed with Kate and Nico! What a book! I struggled in the beginning as it was a slow burner, but once I got into it, I couldn’t put it down. Rae Ryder is quickly becoming my favourite author and I can’t wait for the next book!
August 24, 2024
- ARC reader review -
I was fortunate to have received an ARC-version of this book. Read it in almost one sitting, was really invested in the story of Kate and Nico. Rae's writing style really kept me engaged, and the spice was amazing. The chemistry and tension between the FMC and the MMC were on fire. The storyline itself gave me a bit of Pride and Prejudice-vibes, with Nico taking care of Kate behind the scenes.
I can't wait to see what she has in store for the other Hawkston brothers! Secretly also hoping there will be a story about Jack.
Tropes :
💥Brother's best friend
💥Irresistible protective billionaire
💥Teenage crush
💥I hate him, but I love him
💥Boss / employee
💥Slight age gap
💥Spicy 🥵🔥
💥HEA
I was fortunate to have received an ARC-version of this book. Read it in almost one sitting, was really invested in the story of Kate and Nico. Rae's writing style really kept me engaged, and the spice was amazing. The chemistry and tension between the FMC and the MMC were on fire. The storyline itself gave me a bit of Pride and Prejudice-vibes, with Nico taking care of Kate behind the scenes.
I can't wait to see what she has in store for the other Hawkston brothers! Secretly also hoping there will be a story about Jack.
Tropes :
💥Brother's best friend
💥Irresistible protective billionaire
💥Teenage crush
💥I hate him, but I love him
💥Boss / employee
💥Slight age gap
💥Spicy 🥵🔥
💥HEA
November 16, 2024
I was hooked immediately!! Rae’s writing is fantastic I couldn’t put it down. Can’t go wrong with enemies to lovers and brothers best friend trope!! Love Kate’s character development throughout the book.
September 9, 2025
This is my first book by Rea Ryder and at times I really enjoyed it but with how much Neco wanted to be with Kate he kept dicking her about and she was always questioning what was happening and the project for the spa she was working on Neco knew it would be taken off her and still didn't tell her.
August 22, 2024
This book!!! It was spicy, romantic, and thrilling, did I mention spicy! I am so lucky to have been an ARC reader for this book. The storyline kept me reading into the early morning hours. If you like a romance with a grumpy hot billionaire, a touch her and d13 vibe. This is it. I'm telling you, you won't be let down. The characters are so fun to get to know, and Nico, well, just you wait. It's a stand-alone. But I can't wait for Book 2 in this series.
November 28, 2024
4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I devoured this book.
Worth Every Penny is an unforgettable debut that delivers all the tension, spice, and heart you could want in a billionaire romance. Rae’s writing style is impressive, drawing you in from the first page and making it impossible to put the book down.
The story is full of twists and secrets, adding a layer of mystery that sets it apart from typical romances. Kate’s personal growth as she gains independence and confidence is inspiring, while Nico’s transformation into the ultimate book boyfriend will have readers swooning. And when the spice kicks in, it’s chef’s kiss—that office scene? HOT. 🔥
Then this is a must-read! Worth Every Penny is the perfect start to the Hawkston Billionaires series, and I can’t wait to dive into the next book. Highly recommended for fans of slow-burn romance with emotional depth and just the right amount of spice. 🩵
I devoured this book.
Worth Every Penny is an unforgettable debut that delivers all the tension, spice, and heart you could want in a billionaire romance. Rae’s writing style is impressive, drawing you in from the first page and making it impossible to put the book down.
The story is full of twists and secrets, adding a layer of mystery that sets it apart from typical romances. Kate’s personal growth as she gains independence and confidence is inspiring, while Nico’s transformation into the ultimate book boyfriend will have readers swooning. And when the spice kicks in, it’s chef’s kiss—that office scene? HOT. 🔥
Then this is a must-read! Worth Every Penny is the perfect start to the Hawkston Billionaires series, and I can’t wait to dive into the next book. Highly recommended for fans of slow-burn romance with emotional depth and just the right amount of spice. 🩵
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 9, 2025
5 Little K. stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
4🌶
4🌶
October 12, 2024
*Put the gun away this is not the Mafia*
*Shotgun on not telling*
*Shes priceless*
*I would chose her*
I can not believe this is Rae's first book. From start to finish I could not put this book down. For a very small moment I was worried it was going to be a will they won't they only book but then everything took off.
Each character was so well described, I felt the pain, discomfort and happy moments. I experienced so many emotions from laughing, crying, cringing and wanting to hurt someone.
I can not wait for the rest of the series! I already feel invested in these characters.
Thank you Rae for allowing me to be an ARC reader, what an incredible book!
*Shotgun on not telling*
*Shes priceless*
*I would chose her*
I can not believe this is Rae's first book. From start to finish I could not put this book down. For a very small moment I was worried it was going to be a will they won't they only book but then everything took off.
Each character was so well described, I felt the pain, discomfort and happy moments. I experienced so many emotions from laughing, crying, cringing and wanting to hurt someone.
I can not wait for the rest of the series! I already feel invested in these characters.
Thank you Rae for allowing me to be an ARC reader, what an incredible book!
September 30, 2024
○ Age Gap
○ Brothers Best Friend
○ Billionaire
○ and so much more
Such a great start to this series, and for the authors debut! I really enjoyed reading this, and I am so happy Rae approached me and made me aware of this book.
The chemistry between the two characters was great, the banter was great, the spice was nice, and Nico was *swoon*.
~~~~~~~
"I hate how good his praise feels. If I were a dog, I’d be rolling on my back, tongue out, kicking my feet at the ceiling, and begging him to rub my belly. Fuck, fuck, fuck."
~~~~~~~
There were some great comical moments in this that had me chuckling for a while!
Thank you so much to the author for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!
○ Brothers Best Friend
○ Billionaire
○ and so much more
Such a great start to this series, and for the authors debut! I really enjoyed reading this, and I am so happy Rae approached me and made me aware of this book.
The chemistry between the two characters was great, the banter was great, the spice was nice, and Nico was *swoon*.
~~~~~~~
"I hate how good his praise feels. If I were a dog, I’d be rolling on my back, tongue out, kicking my feet at the ceiling, and begging him to rub my belly. Fuck, fuck, fuck."
~~~~~~~
There were some great comical moments in this that had me chuckling for a while!
Thank you so much to the author for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!
September 3, 2024
Worth Every Penny
Rae Ryder
Tropes:
💙 Billionaire
💙 Brothers best friend
💙 Slowburn
💙 Workplace
💙 Age Gap
💙 Grand Gestures
Worth Every Penny is Book 1 in the Hawkston Billionaires Series.
Thank youuuu for letting me be an ARC reader for your debut novel! I can’t believe that this is the first novel of Rae’s. It does not read like it, it reads like a seasoned author wrote it. I absolutely love Nico and Kate’s story, the love/hate Nico’s grand gestures for Kate it’s all swoon worthy and I ate it up. The character and plot development was 🤌🏻 chefs kiss awesome! I can’t wait to read more in this series!
Worth Every Penny’s release date is September 24, 2024 make sure you add it to your never ending TBR I know you have.
Worth Every Penny is a standalone, full-length sizzling office romance starring a billionaire male lead and a feisty younger heroine.
Blurb:
She hates him, but he wants her.
And he always gets what he wants.
Kate Lansen
Everything was fine until the day he walked back into my life. Tall, dark, handsome and with billions in the bank. That’s Nico Hawkston to a T.
By any measure, he should be irresistible. But I'll never go there because Nico is my brother’s best friend.
He’s also the man who caused my father’s death.
When my brother informs me he’s selling our family company to Nico, I’m more than a little pissed off.
If Nico thinks I’m another woman who’ll roll over and do exactly what he wants, he’s sorely mistaken.
Nico Hawkston
It’s no secret that most things come easy to the Hawkston brothers.
But not Kate Lansen. My best friend’s little sister.
Gorgeous, off-limits, and holding a grudge like a pro. She hates me, but I’m determined to have her, one way or another.
And Hawkston men always get what they want.
Worth Every Penny, a steamy billionaire romance, releases on September 24th!
Rae Ryder
Tropes:
💙 Billionaire
💙 Brothers best friend
💙 Slowburn
💙 Workplace
💙 Age Gap
💙 Grand Gestures
Worth Every Penny is Book 1 in the Hawkston Billionaires Series.
Thank youuuu for letting me be an ARC reader for your debut novel! I can’t believe that this is the first novel of Rae’s. It does not read like it, it reads like a seasoned author wrote it. I absolutely love Nico and Kate’s story, the love/hate Nico’s grand gestures for Kate it’s all swoon worthy and I ate it up. The character and plot development was 🤌🏻 chefs kiss awesome! I can’t wait to read more in this series!
Worth Every Penny’s release date is September 24, 2024 make sure you add it to your never ending TBR I know you have.
Worth Every Penny is a standalone, full-length sizzling office romance starring a billionaire male lead and a feisty younger heroine.
Blurb:
She hates him, but he wants her.
And he always gets what he wants.
Kate Lansen
Everything was fine until the day he walked back into my life. Tall, dark, handsome and with billions in the bank. That’s Nico Hawkston to a T.
By any measure, he should be irresistible. But I'll never go there because Nico is my brother’s best friend.
He’s also the man who caused my father’s death.
When my brother informs me he’s selling our family company to Nico, I’m more than a little pissed off.
If Nico thinks I’m another woman who’ll roll over and do exactly what he wants, he’s sorely mistaken.
Nico Hawkston
It’s no secret that most things come easy to the Hawkston brothers.
But not Kate Lansen. My best friend’s little sister.
Gorgeous, off-limits, and holding a grudge like a pro. She hates me, but I’m determined to have her, one way or another.
And Hawkston men always get what they want.
Worth Every Penny, a steamy billionaire romance, releases on September 24th!
September 24, 2024
Is this book perfection? No. Does it still deserve five stars? Heck yes. Let me explain.
First of all, this is a debut novel, but it never feels like you're reading a debut novel. The plot, the characters, the writing style.. It all feels solid. It reminded me of some of the authors who are popular with the booktok girlies - Ana Huang and Hannah Grace, mostly. Those books have the same seamless tension between FMC and MMC, backstories that are not completely over the top but feel like people actually experience this, and just the right balance between main plot and (sometimes quirky) side quests.
Up until the end, I was convinced this book had no flaws. But then... The final conflict and mostly the way it was resolved kinda didn't feel right. Nothing big, and it still made sense within the book, but it was not the final character development I hoped for.
So, with that being the ONLY MINOR FAULT in this book, it is safe to say this debut novel is FANTASTIC and I can't wait for the next book in this series.
First of all, this is a debut novel, but it never feels like you're reading a debut novel. The plot, the characters, the writing style.. It all feels solid. It reminded me of some of the authors who are popular with the booktok girlies - Ana Huang and Hannah Grace, mostly. Those books have the same seamless tension between FMC and MMC, backstories that are not completely over the top but feel like people actually experience this, and just the right balance between main plot and (sometimes quirky) side quests.
Up until the end, I was convinced this book had no flaws. But then... The final conflict and mostly the way it was resolved kinda didn't feel right. Nothing big, and it still made sense within the book, but it was not the final character development I hoped for.
So, with that being the ONLY MINOR FAULT in this book, it is safe to say this debut novel is FANTASTIC and I can't wait for the next book in this series.
September 12, 2024
I received an ARC of Worth Every Penny in exchange for this honest review.
I feel that I need to start this review off by stating that this book is, without a doubt, the best book I've read this year. I went into this ARC completely blind. All I knew was the title.
This book was so beautifully written that I couldn't believe it was a debut novel. The characters had depth and growth and the attention to the descriptive imagery was so amazing I was pulled into the world.
Kate broke my heart with how she felt like an outsider within her family. I could understand her plight with how her head and heart were at odds at the beginning of the book. Her stubbornness did grate on my nerves a little, but in the end, her growth redeemed that.
Nico is the ultimate book boyfriend. He remembered everything about Kate. Her likes and dislikes. He stood up for her and protected her, even knowing how she felt about him and what it could do to his reputation.
There were times when Nico said one thing and did the exact opposite because he had to make sure Kate was happy. And isn't that what we all want from our partners and book boyfriend’s?
I dont want to go into too much detail because I will be here for the rest of my life... all I can say is this book was an EXCELLENT read, and I cannot wait for the next book from Rae Ryder to come out so I can binge it the same way I did with Worth Every Penny.
I feel that I need to start this review off by stating that this book is, without a doubt, the best book I've read this year. I went into this ARC completely blind. All I knew was the title.
This book was so beautifully written that I couldn't believe it was a debut novel. The characters had depth and growth and the attention to the descriptive imagery was so amazing I was pulled into the world.
Kate broke my heart with how she felt like an outsider within her family. I could understand her plight with how her head and heart were at odds at the beginning of the book. Her stubbornness did grate on my nerves a little, but in the end, her growth redeemed that.
Nico is the ultimate book boyfriend. He remembered everything about Kate. Her likes and dislikes. He stood up for her and protected her, even knowing how she felt about him and what it could do to his reputation.
There were times when Nico said one thing and did the exact opposite because he had to make sure Kate was happy. And isn't that what we all want from our partners and book boyfriend’s?
I dont want to go into too much detail because I will be here for the rest of my life... all I can say is this book was an EXCELLENT read, and I cannot wait for the next book from Rae Ryder to come out so I can binge it the same way I did with Worth Every Penny.
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