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Billionaire Bossholes #3

Mr. Eingebildet: Ein Bosshole-Griesgram/ Sonnenschein-Milliardärs-Liebesroman (Milliardär Bossholes)

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Ich lege mich für eine Sekunde hin …

Das Nächste, was ich sehe, ist das markante und extrem mürrische Gesicht meines milliardenschweren Kunden Theo Barnes, der mich von oben herab ansieht.

Wenn ich Goldlöckchen bin, ist er so griesgrämig wie die drei Bären.

Ich war überarbeitet und gestresst, weil ich das Fotografieren seiner Jachtflotte mit meinen anderen Projekten jonglieren musste.

Als mich dann noch ein superbequemes Bett auf einer seiner Jachten einlädt, bin ich weggedöst.

Jetzt bin ich kurz davor, gefeuert zu werden.

Aber wir sind mitten auf dem Meer und er sieht mich an, als wäre ich das fehlende Teil eines Puzzles.

Anstatt mich zu feuern, bietet er mir eine irrsinnige Summe für einen einzigen Tag Arbeit an – eine Summe, zu der ich nur schwer Nein sagen kann.

Aber ich hätte es machen sollen.

Denn dieses Arschloch will, dass ich für einen Nachmittag seine angebliche Freundin spiele.

Die kein öffentliches Zurschaustellen von Zärtlichkeiten, sich nicht von seiner Mutter in die Enge treiben lassen und sobald wir angedockt haben, ist die Sache erledigt.

Die erste Regel hat ungefähr vier Minuten gehalten.

Die Sache mit der gespielten Freundin sollte eigentlich eine einmalige Sache sein, aber jetzt besteht seine Mutter darauf, dass er ein nettes Mädchen zu einer Familienhochzeit mitbringt.

Und Theo dachte an mich.

Ein nettes Mädchen hätte Nein gesagt, aber jetzt sitze ich hier mit Mr. Eingebildet fest.

Es ist nicht alles schlecht.

Es gibt diese regelwidrigen Küsse.

Und den heißen Sex.

Aber Sex hat Konsequenzen.


Und Goldlöckchen hat eine Überraschung für ihren brummigen Bären.

398 pages, Paperback

Published July 3, 2024

226 people are currently reading
172 people want to read

About the author

Leslie North

664 books1,521 followers
New to Leslie? Readers suggest starting with 'The Bossy One' (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C6BP3BBF) —Imagine a sunny Minnesotan Mary Poppins, employed by a grumpy Irish billionaire. The story is a blend of humor, revenge, passion, heartbreak, hope, and witty banter. As one reader put it, ‘This story had me squealing at the romantic moments and silly moments.’

Leslie North is the USA Today Bestselling pseudonym for a critically-acclaimed author of romantic comedies and contemporary romance. The anonymity allows her to fully express her creativity, especially in the romantic and fun sexy scenes!

In fact, she confesses to loving her fictional persona, Leslie North, more than her everyday self! Her bestselling books are known for their strong characters, particularly women who aren’t afraid to challenge an alpha bosshole. And the humor? So infectious, you’ll be laughing out loud in public!

Leslie’s love for romance began when she picked up a worn-out romance book from her local library. She started writing soon after, and as they say, the rest was history. She now resides in a cozy cottage on the British coast, enjoying long walks with her two Dalmatians, George and Fergie.

She LOVES reader feedback, and if you have any comments, don’t hesitate to contact her!

I'm Social Too:
Website: www.leslienorthbooks.com
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TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@leslienorthcomments
Instagram:www.instagram.com/leslienorth_books

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5 stars
460 (57%)
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233 (29%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 215 reviews
Profile Image for Canan .
1,084 reviews71 followers
August 11, 2023
Güzeldi. Sevdiğim konular bunlar. Sadece... bu serideki kitapları okurken, oldukça uzun sürdüğü hissiyatını üzerimden atamıyorum.

Theo bir anlaşma üzerinde çalışır. İşler biraz sallantıya girdiğinde ara vermek için odasına geçer. Yatağında uyuyan bir güzel bulur...Ve belki de sorunlarına bir çözüm. Maxine...

Max bir fotoğrafçıdır. Reklam kampanyası için Theo'nun yatını fotoğrafladıktan sonra uyuya kalır. Ve bir an adamla tartışırken sonraki an kendisini sahte bir ilişki içinde bulur.


Gerçek gibi hissettiren duygular ve altta yatan acılar çarpışınca ortalık biraz karışıyor tabi 😅
Profile Image for Hey Lin.
745 reviews
Read
July 31, 2023
Wow, these five star arc reviews are such blatant lies. 😂😂 I mean.....maybe they love this book if you like bland tea and Chewing flavorless gum.

Billionaire, who is apparently cocky from the title but to me he was more bland toast, finds a photographer who is asleep on his yacht while apparently attempting to make a deal. The couple he's with has a horny wife who wants him so they fake a relationship so the husband of horny wife won't feel like he has a .5 inch dick.

Story plods along while behold!!!!! His mother wants him to bring a nice girl to his cousins wedding. Hmmmmmm.....I WONDER WHO MIGHT WANT TO FAKE A RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM for.money?!!!! Since she wants an internship with a photographer dude? Hmmmmm!?

Hmmm......

It plods along like this from point A to point B. Maybe these arc readers really loved it but I see their vaguenreviews that seem a lot like they just extrapolated from the summary 😂😂😂✌

The characters are boring. The plot is trite and already done before.its not funny, cute or sexy. Bland. Bland toast. From the clearance section at the grocery store you hear me?!

I'm always baffled at the people on Facebook groups that recommend these books......sigh.

Fuck this shiet. Dnf.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Korkoi.
7,025 reviews31 followers
July 19, 2023
Their Unexpected and Whirlwind Forever -
When Maxine agreed to become Theo’s fake girlfriend to deter a married woman who was actively pursuing with him, it was meant to be temporary, but they discovered that they liked spending time together and getting to know each other. Even though their agreement was meant to be platonic, their attraction for each other led them to embark on a sexual relationship.

Whilst they weren’t looking to pursue a relationship, everyone around them pointed out to them how they were meant to be together, but their insecurities were holding them back. Unfortunately, just as Maxine was about to tell reveal her life changing news to Theo, he caused her to keep her secret. However, Theo accidentally discovered her secret, which threw him through a loop.

Even though Theo came around to accept the news, Maxine wasn’t prepared to compromise, so it took time apart and Theo’s perseverance for them to finally acknowledge their love for each other and work towards getting their forever happiness. I really enjoyed reading this book, with a captivating storyline, interesting characters and the right amount of heat to keep you entertained for a few enjoyable hours.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Paulski.
396 reviews2 followers
August 21, 2024
Vielen Dank an Leslie North für das kostenlose Rezensionsexemplar. Meine Meinung wurde dadurch nicht beeinflusst.

Durch einen scheinbar dummen Zufall begegnen sich die Protagonisten Max und Theo. Was zunächst wie eine zufällige Begegnung wirkt, entpuppt sich schnell als Schicksal, da beide am Ende stark davon profitieren. Ihre Liebesgeschichte entwickelt sich in einem angenehmen Tempo, wobei die Gefühle erst dann vollständig erkannt werden, als ein große „Probleme“ auftaucht.

Die Charaktere sind gut entwickelt und sympathisch, insbesondere die Nebenfiguren, die der Geschichte zusätzliche Tiefe verleihen. Max' bedingungslose Liebe zu ihrem Bruder wird sehr gut dargestellt.
Allerdings stört Max' Verhalten nach dem Enthüllen der "Neuigkeiten" etwas den Lesefluss. Ihre Reaktion Theo keine Chance zu geben die Situation zu erklären, wirkt etwas übertrieben.

Der Schreibstil von Leslie North ist gewohnt leicht und flüssig. Die detaillierte Erzählweise sorgt dafür, dass man förmlich durch das Buch fliegt, da man unbedingt wissen möchte, wie es endet. Die Spannung ist bis zum Schluss greifbar.

Insgesamt ist es ein sehr gelungener Abschlussband, der 4,5 von 5 Sternen erhält.

Profile Image for Ridim Buk.
416 reviews5 followers
August 7, 2023
When Max is woken up after falling asleep on a yacht when she should have been working, she wasn’t expecting to be yelling at her new boss (and hot billionaire) Theo. She also wasn’t expecting to agree to fake date him before they return to land.

This was a nice, easy read as we followed their fake dating plot. The chemistry was there between the two MCs and the dual POV brought us in to both side of the story which, I think, improved the connection between the characters.

Thanks to #NetGallery and the publisher #WWCrown. I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Genre: Romance
Format: Digital
POV: Dual
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
Age suggestion: 18+
Profile Image for Caroline F.
2,398 reviews52 followers
August 12, 2023
Really enjoyed this easy, sexy story. It was humorous, hot, and melted my heart.

”I wanted to explore this moment with only her, this new connection that was unfolding between us. Because she fit with me…”

When Theo Barnes finds Maxine Simon asleep on his boat, he turns it into an opportunity to salvage his business deal. Later, when his mother pressures him into bringing a date to a family wedding, he makes her a proposition she can’t turn down. However, physical attraction and chemistry start the blur the lines of their agreement.

This was such a great read. I really liked both main characters and also a lot of the secondary ones. Max was stubbornly independent, and Theo was a cocky guy with a heart of gold. Together, they made a fab couple.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-re...
Profile Image for Marlou Klijn.
693 reviews24 followers
July 23, 2023
DNF at 47%

I love fake relationship stories, but this one was so boring. There was no chemistry. No heat. The story kept dragging and I kept skipping entire paragraphs in the hopes of getting to an interesting part of the story. I just couldn't continue any longer.

This book was provided to me by Netgalley.
Profile Image for ashley stevenson.
191 reviews9 followers
July 7, 2023
Leslie North's "Mr. Cocky" takes readers on a wild and steamy ride filled with unexpected twists, undeniable chemistry, and a touch of humor. This contemporary romance novel presents a classic tale of opposites attract, with a billionaire hero and a hardworking heroine who find themselves caught up in a pretend relationship that quickly spirals into something more.

The story kicks off when our protagonist, Max, finds herself in a precarious situation after dozing off on one of her billionaire client's yachts. Theo Barnes, the brooding and enigmatic billionaire, discovers her slumbering and unexpectedly offers her a proposition she can hardly refuse. What follows is a rollercoaster of emotions and a whirlwind adventure as Max navigates the complexities of being Mr. Cocky's pretend girlfriend.

One of the highlights of "Mr. Cocky" is Leslie North's ability to create well-rounded and relatable characters. Max is a strong-willed and independent woman who, despite her initial reservations, becomes entangled in a web of desire and undeniable attraction. Theo, on the other hand, is a complex character with a hardened exterior but hidden vulnerabilities that add depth to his personality. Their banter and interactions are both entertaining and engaging, keeping readers hooked until the very end.

The chemistry between Max and Theo sizzles off the pages, and their passionate encounters are sensually depicted, adding a captivating layer of heat to the story. However, it is not just the physical connection that makes their relationship compelling. Leslie North skillfully weaves an emotional journey as well, exploring the consequences of their actions and the unexpected surprises that arise along the way.

While the plot is filled with predictable moments, the author manages to inject enough surprises and plot twists to keep readers invested. The pacing is generally well-maintained, although there are instances where the story feels rushed, particularly towards the end. Additionally, the secondary characters, especially Theo's mother, provide additional depth and contribute to the overall enjoyment of the narrative.

The writing style is engaging and accessible, making it easy for readers to immerse themselves in the story. Leslie North's descriptive prose brings the settings to life, whether it's the luxurious yachts or the family wedding, allowing readers to visualize and experience the events alongside the characters.

In summary, "Mr. Cocky" is a delightful and captivating romantic adventure that delivers a satisfying blend of romance, passion, and humor. Leslie North's skillful character development, coupled with the palpable chemistry between the main characters, ensures an enjoyable reading experience. While it follows some familiar romance tropes, the surprises and emotional depth within the story make it stand out. If you're looking for a lighthearted and steamy read, this book is worth adding to your list.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
2,996 reviews43 followers
July 23, 2023
This is book three of the Billionaire Bossholes series and the main characters are billionaire and owner of Barnes Oceanic, Theo Barnes, and photographer Max (Maxine) Simon. Max had been hired to do a photoshoot on one of his yachts, but having been up really late editing some other photos, she sat down then fell asleep on the bed in the back of the yacht! Theo is trying to get a new contract signed with an amazing yacht designer, Ford Peterson, but the deal is going south as his wife Pam for some reason is openly flirting with him. He escapes below deck to get away from her and finding Max on the bed, offers her a deal, pretend to be his girlfriend for the day and he will pay her a big bonus. When his mother Elena calls to ask who he will be bringing to his cousin Jessica’s wedding in a couple of months, he soon learns just what she thought of his last few girlfriends! With Pam causing further problems with Theo’s possible contract with Ford, and Elena’s wishes for the wedding, Theo soon has to revise is offer. He offers to pay her a larger sum, if she will accompany him to all the wedding activities, which is enough to allow Max to hopefully follow her dream of an unpaid internship with a famous photographer!

They make a set of rules for what sort of touching, etc, is allowed, but that soon goes by the wayside after a kiss between them. Theo is his usual controlling and cocky self but soon finds Max has a mind of her own and is nothing like any other woman he has gone out with before! Kisses soon lead to more and they end up in bed together, but that ends up with some unexpected consequences and Max isn’t sure how her cocky billionaire will react. I liked how the story showed the reality of those with less fortunate lives, with Max’s mother Renee’s marriage to her second husband Nick and the abuse she put up with for so long after their son Rafe was born. Max has to deal with a lot trying to help her younger brother Rafe when situations at home are too much for him! Theo tries to control how things go between them, wanting to buy her clothing, shoes and anything else she might need, but she doesn’t see that as part of the agreement and has to put her foot down. Not something he is used to at all. I loved how Theo took to Rafe and was willing to help out whenever needed, which he obviously got from his mother. A lovely romance between two unlikely characters, who would never normally have come across each other, but are in the perfect place at just the right time to help each other get what they want. The path to love is never smooth and road bumps occur in even the best of relationships. Great read and very realistic. I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
Profile Image for libri.di.laura.
390 reviews
October 10, 2024
Questo è il terzo volume della serie “ i capi miliardari” e siamo di fronte a libri autoconclusivi, c’è un richiamo ai personaggi precedenti ma senza evidenti spoiler.

Questo libro è un vero e proprio romance, con una dolce storia d’amore che ti sa regalare qualche ora avvolta nella tua coperta di dolcezza e sentimento.

 

Il protagonista maschile è Theo, un’affascinante imprenditore, che ha creato da solo il suo impero, ma per quanto risulti sicuro di sé non ha per nulla atteggiamenti arroganti anzi l’ho trovato un uomo estremamente generoso. Magari se guardiamo il punto di vista della protagonista lui può sembrare un ragazzo che vuole tenere tutto e tutti sotto controllo…ma a mio parere ho visto un protagonista che vuole che le persone a lui importanti possano stare bene e fa di tutto per regalargli benessere e stabilità.

 

Ovviamente ha la disponibilità economica per poterlo fare…ma non la ostenta…io ho visto tanta bontà e disponibilità in questo personaggio. Per quanto il lavoro sia un fattore importante, lui trova il tempo per le persone ed è estremamente premuroso e dolce. Diciamo che non gli manca nulla per far cadere una donna ai suoi piedi.

 

Maxine è una fotografa, una ragazza normalissima con una forte necessità di indipendenza. E’ determinata, ha tanti progetti nella sua testa, è premurosa soprattutto con il fratello…il bello perché l’autrice la descrive terra terra e per questo ti senti vicinissima a lei…e il suo incontro con Theo è avvenuto davvero per pura casualità.

Mi è piaciuta la sua determinazione, un po’ esagerata in alcuni episodi ma ci sta perché la paura di perdere la sua indipendenza è dovuto ad alcuni avvenimenti della sua vita che l’hanno portata a temere di dover dipendere da un uomo.

 

Lei vive tutte le emozioni ma ha sempre quella razionalità….in certi frangenti lo è più lei che Theo.

 

Una storia che inizia quasi per caso e da li nasce una finta relazione, ma che evolve pagina dopo pagina…l’autrice ci mostra la crescita del rapporto e la chimica che si crea tra i due protagonisti….il tutto in maniera  lineare ma molto dolce…

Non ci sono grandi colpi di scena eppure la storia è coinvolgente perché ti rimane la curiosità di capire se il tutto avrà un evoluzione e soprattutto cosa accadrà. Io personalmente sono rimasta affascinata da Theo e i suoi capitoli ero li occhi a cuoricino a leggerli.

 

Nel romanzo si fa un accenno anche al tema delle violenze domestiche, in maniera molto delicata e non approfondita…. tuttavia offre un occasione di riflessione su un argomento sempre più importante.

 

 Credo che sia bello per un lettore avere dei libri coccola, che è piacevole leggere e anche rileggere…una storia d’amore con il giusto pizzico di spicy ma che ti permette di sognare ad occhi aperti

 

 

 

 

 

 
Profile Image for Cat.
2,187 reviews1 follower
November 20, 2023
I listened to the audiobook of this story.

This is the first time I have listened to Leslie North's stories and I have to say I was very impressed with her writing and how much detail she puts into her characters and storylines.
This is a slow burn kind of book so you have to have the patience and persevere for me the slow burn was worth it...Because its a great book.
It starts with a BANG,Because Theo and Max meet on Theo's yacht while she is asleep in his bed..Maxine aka Max is a photographer and was up early taking photos on the yacht,so Ooops she falls asleep and gets caught.
The dialogue between them as they argue is hilarious,but having Max there was unexpected but could be of use to Theo ,as he could now pretend she was his girlfriend to ward off a clients handsy wife who is trying to get into his pants....Its a success having Max as his fake girlfriend kept the clients wife away..
So Theo comes up with another event he would like Max to attend with him as his fake girlfriend..a wedding..He would pay her nicely and it would keep his mother from trying to marry him off to every bridesmaid at the wedding.
Max agrees to do the job because she needs the money to further her photography career and help her family..there was no way she will fall for the cocky Billionaire.
Theo is Amazing I Love him he may be cocky but he is so freaking generous and sweet..but he always seems to be saying the wrong thing at the beginning.He speaks without thinking first,but he is learning from Max and is willing to change.I found him quite funny actually and so adorable.
Max is very independent..but she is having family troubles which she can't control..
Max is very open and she is just herself and low maintenence,which Theo is not used to and it makes him realise all his past relationships have been just one sided...where he does all the giving and his exes do all the taking.
I loved the friendship that develops between Theo and Max they become so comfortable with one another..which inevitably turns into more than friendship and the fake start to feel real.
Mr.Cocky is perfectly narrated by new voice actors to me Logan Anare and Lexi Evans,they were incredible and really brought out all the emotions of the characters with the expressions in their voices.
Logan was great as Theo he got the sarcastic just right for Theo and Lexi portrayed Max and her strength ideally.I thoroughly enjoyed listening to them tell me this story.
This is the 3rd book in the series and now I definately want to go back and listen to books 1 and 2..I really loved this story and Leslie North's writing.
Excellent
5 Stars.
4 reviews2 followers
August 1, 2023
This review is for "Mr. Cocky" and may contain minor spoilers in terms of underlying tropes/themes.
This story is told in first person past tense with dual points of view. It is novel-length. I didn't find many spelling/grammatical errors to pull me out of the story.
This is a modern romance with plenty of character/relationship development and some spice. The plot is nicely paced, and all plot devices feel very organic and plausible. The book includes some lovely moments of subtle foreshadowing that are clear in retrospect, but seemed, in the moment, to be just more facets of character development.
The book centered around some common tropes, including fake dating, the millionaire/billionaire male main character, and the surprise/accidental pregnancy. There were also some less common themes, including the relative in distress, the nuances of complex family structures, and consent vs. duress, particularly as it relates to power differentials and young women as a vulnerable population. I really enjoyed all of these aspects of the story, which made it feel layered and nicely-considered.
I found the main characters to be very likeable, and was rooting for them as individuals and in their relationships throughout. I also found the supporting characters to be very likeable and plausible; the energetic mom who just wants her kids to be happy; the tired mom who just wants her kids to be safe; the sullen teenager with all the struggles of adolescence. Everything rang true for me, and I felt that I could fall in love with the whole family.
The billionaire aspect was definitely used as a plot point, but it never felt gratuitous and silly. Of course, a very wealthy man would want to spend his money on experiences and possessions to enrich his life and the lives of those around him; but the use of money (and refusal to use said money) was primarily as minor plot points and major aspects of character development and relationship development.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book, and I give it a solid 4-4.5 stars. The characters and relationship-building are nicely nuanced and not static, the plot feels plausible and reasonably paced, and the writing style is very pleasant and easy to read. I devoured it in a day, and I strongly recommend it to anyone who likes modern romance with some steamy scenes.

I received a free advanced review copy of this book.
Profile Image for Kelly  DeMarco.
1,922 reviews4 followers
July 21, 2023
This cool, detached Billionaire has a sweet and tender side
Mr. Cocky (Billionaire Bossholes Book 3) by Leslie North is a wonderful conclusion to this series. With a meet cute to get things going, the fake relationship starts out completely business like and both Theo and Max are happy with the arrangement. For a bosshole, I didn’t think Theo was all that bad. He is definitely a guy and a boss though, intent on fixing and controlling. Both of those traits are hot buttons for Max.
As the fake relationship trope goes, things inevitably become less fake and very, very real. For Theo and Max ’complications’ end up making things more real. Despite their agreement to remain complication-free, with family members involved, that becomes impossible. Theo and Max find themselves more deeply involved than they ever planned to be and honestly hope and want their fake coupledom to be real.
I love how this couple, claiming to not be a real couple, continually support each other, comes to the other’s rescue and seeks out the company of the other outside of agreed upon engagements. One thing leads to another and another and another, including a happiness neither expected.
I enjoyed this book for many reasons beyond the romance and wonderful characters. There is some of the story dedicated to their family members too which adds to the drama without taking away from Theo and Max. These two are darling together!
Overall, this fake relationship was destined to fail at first fake. The chemistry and genuineness of both Theo and Max make resistance futile. Max is by far the most stubborn one of the two, but thanks to a well-meaning meddlesome mom, the angsty break is short lived and the path to their HEA is made clear. The future is bright, happy and joyous for all.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving my review.
1,016 reviews
July 22, 2023
Theo and Max meet in a most unlikely way and quickly decide to pretend to be in a relationship. It's a mutually beneficial arrangement with lots of rules but will they be able to follow the one simple rule of no complications?

Theo is a man who is driven to succeed. He is a millionaire because he has earned it. He plays hard because he has earned that, too. The author does a good job of showing that there is more to Theo than just the playboy persona. Yes, he really is a playboy but maybe there is more to him than the playboy he projects to the world. It made total sense that he would fall for a woman like Max. She balances him in many ways. Max is driven to chase her career as a photographer. Her life is complicated due to some family issues. I like that Max didn't feel sorry for herself. I like that she is strong and driven. The author did a good job giving Max layers and showing how she developed into the woman she is today. I like the side characters and side storylines. I even liked "the bad guy" in the story because that part of the story was necessary to get Theo and Max together.

The thing that threw me off was the timeframes. Did it take two months to get a contract signed? Why not move on and sign with someone else? I am not going to give more details but I just kept scratching my head about how long things were taking. I also got the impression that the story was going to include a certain type of adult activity based on an early comment in the story but then that went nowhere. It was odd that the author hinted at it but didn't follow through.

This is contemporary romance. There's lots of talk of boats and photography. This is a sweet love story with a little angst. I will read more from this author in the future.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Karen Nastasio.
2,661 reviews19 followers
July 26, 2023
This is book 3 of an amazing series that I’ve read by the author and she never disappoints they are always new and exciting with plenty of twists and turns and some very hot and steamy scenes and this book is about two people Theo and Max who need each other and must learn to trust each other and work together but what neither of them seen coming was falling in love. Max is overworked juggling everything all at once and now she is taking photographs of her bosses yachts for a Marketing campaign when she just lies down for a moment and when she wakes her boss is standing over her and she thinks she is to be sacked but he offer her money to be his pretend girlfriend for the day and she needs the mon ey and agrees it will help with her as an intern in photography. Theo Barnes is a billionaire who is looking at his friend Ford and his wife Pam as a potential partners and has taken them out on his cruise ship but his wife keeps flirting and hitting on him and so he takes a break and heads to his state room where he finds Max the photographer a sleep on his bed and instead of getting mad and sacking her he’ll ask for her help against Pam. Now Max is awake and she is looks worried but I tell her i need her help and that i will pay her and she agrees to be my pretend girlfriend and when Pam comes looking for him she is mad at seeing them together and doesn’t sign the contract. Now his mother wants him to bring a date to the wedding and straight away he thinks of Max and so he asks her again for help and tells the rules 1. Don’t get cornered by his mother 2. No PDA and when they dock the deal is over so what could go wrong lol what indeed. There is so much more I could’ve written but if you want to know more get this great book you wont be disappointed.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Bookly__n.
342 reviews5 followers
February 29, 2024
Quand le milliardaire Théo Barnes surprend Max, sa photographe, en train de dormir sur son yacht au beau milieu de l'océan, elle est persuadée qu'il va la virer. Contre toute attente, il lui offre une somme d'argent indécente pour une seule journée de travail où elle doit endosser le rôle de sa petite amie. Les événements se déroulent si bien que lorsque la mère de Théo insiste pour qu'il invite une "gentille fille" à un mariage familial, il pense immédiatement à Max pour l'accompagner.

L'auteure réussit brillamment à créer des personnages complets et attachants.

Max m’a profondément impressionnée par sa force intérieure, son indépendance manifeste et sa volonté indomptable mais j’ai été totalement conquise par le personnage de Théo. Il ne se contente pas d'être un homme d'affaires prospère, mais il incarne également une bonté sincère envers ceux qui l'entourent. Sa motivation profonde, celle de veiller au bien-être de ses proches, transcende les frontières du stéréotype du milliardaire arrogant. Cette nuance dans son caractère m'a particulièrement touchée.

Il y a une alchimie indéniable entre eux qui les pousse à franchir la frontière de l'amitié platonique. Bien que leur accord initial n'était censé être que temporaire, leur attirance mutuelle les conduit dans une relation passionnée.

Cependant, ce n'est pas seulement la connexion physique qui rend leur relation convaincante. L’auteure explore habilement le voyage émotionnel des personnages, dévoilant les conséquences de leurs actions et les surprises inattendues qui parsèment leur parcours.

L'auteure a su doser parfaitement les surprises et les rebondissements tout au long de l'histoire, maintenant ainsi un niveau d'engagement constant chez le lecteur.

Si vous recherchez une lecture légère, passionnée et parfois humoristique, ce livre mérite d'être ajouté à votre liste de lectures.
Profile Image for Pat.
37 reviews
August 22, 2024
Book 3 Mr. Cockey, Theo Barnes, a billionaire who owns a fleet of yachts, hires Maxine, an overworked and overstressed photographer juggling photographing his fleet of yachts with her other projects. She goes to rest for just a moment in one of the comfy beds on the yacht, then she is out cold asleep, only to awaken to Mr. Cocky, Noah, starring down at her. The next thing she sees is the chiseled and extremely grumpy face of her billionaire client, Theo Barnes, looking down at her with all the grumpiness of the three bears. But she's not Goldilocks. Now she expects to be fired. Except, they are in the middle of the ocean and he’s looking at her like she's the missing piece of his puzzle. Instead of giving her the axe, he offers her an insane amount of money for a single day of work—an amount it’s really, really hard to say no to. Because this cocky bosshole wants her to be his pretend girlfriend for the afternoon.

Theo may be the most attractive man she’s ever seen, but he’s way too arrogant and brash for her tastes. And it’s definitely the toughest assignment she’s ever had. All those rule-breaking kisses and scorching sex...oh my! She'll play the "nice" girl while stuck on his yacht and at a family event, but even a fake relationship can have real consequences, and she has a surprise in store for this arrogant grumpy bear.

I thoroughly enjoy Leslie North's writing especially the way she develops not only the story line but cast of characters. The story is not only hot and steamy but thought provoking. You are an intimate observer of the characters strengths, flaws, challenges and personal development encompassing, love, kindness, compassionate and forgiveness.

I received a free audible copy and leave my honest, unbiased review freely.
363 reviews2 followers
July 17, 2023
Clams on Celeritas.
Awesome book. Theo is trying to close a business deal while staying away from the man’s wife. He escapes to his cabin on the yacht only to find a woman in his bed. Sound asleep. When he wakes her she thinks he means her harm and threatens to tell the owner, not realizing that would be him. When he hears the footsteps coming Theo begs the woman to follow his lead. Max is stunned by the woman that strolls in calling his name then again when he introduces Max as his girlfriend. The upset woman stomps off and Theo asks her to pretend to be his girlfriend to stop the man’s wife’s advances. She agrees since it’s only for a couple hours. Max doesn’t really care for Theo because he says that he always gets what he wants. A week after they part he gets a visit from his mom who is worried about who he is bringing to a family wedding. She doesn’t approve of any of the women his previously dated and he knows the perfect fake girlfriend…Max. He hasn’t been able to get her out of his mind anyway. While doing a photo shoot with a client Max receives a visit from Theo and against her better judgment agrees to play the girlfriend, again, in a couple months. But, it’s more than just the wedding itself. They grow very close during this period and Max finds herself falling for Theo. Theo doesn’t want to end things with Max but, he can’t figure what’s happening to them as the wedding is going on. She makes a comment that this is the end of their agreement which leaves him shaken. What did he do wrong? He thought they were happy and on the same page.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
1,255 reviews
July 18, 2023
Fake romance turning real isn't a new concept but Leslie North manages to turn it into a wonderful, emotional story with wonderful characters.
When billionaire, Theo Barnes walked into the bedroom on his luxury yacht little did he expect to find a beautiful woman asleep on his bed and little did he know that this meeting was to change the rest of his life.
Photographer, Maxine Simon (Max) had made a very early start to take promotional pictures on a yacht, she wanted to be well prepared, she hadn't intended to fall asleep when she stopped for a break and now she was facing an very angry owner.
Theo was having a business meeting with Ford Peterson and his wife Pam, he desperately wanted a contract with Ford because he was the best in his field for yacht building but Pam had other ideas, she set her sights on Theo and she wasn't about to take no for an answer..............enter Max to save the day.
This story follows the journey of Max and Theo and their fake romance, the only problem was that Theo's family loved Max. Max also had family problems, a controlling step father, a mother who could see no wrong in him and a teenage brother, Rafe, who she was trying to keep on the straight and narrow. Rafe was becoming close to Theo, Max needed to do something, so many people were going to get hurt when their contract came to an end.
Would Pam ever stop chasing Theo ? Would Ford's jealousy break the deal ? Would Max get the photography internship that she desperately wanted and had worked so hard for ? would common sense and love win through ?.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Joyce M. H..
1,398 reviews19 followers
July 24, 2023
I am a big fan of Leslie North, whether it’s her cowboys, Navy SEALs, billionaire bosses, Shiekhs, fake relationships etc., you can never go wrong when reading one of her books. She tells an awesome story that has drama, action, pager turner, mystery, mayhem, danger, twists, turns, awesome characters and plots that will hold captive and keep you turning page after pager. Mr. Cocky is the 3rd and final book in the “Billionaire Bossholes Series”. Maxine is a photographer. Theo is a billionaire CEO and owner of Barnes Oceanic. Theo and Max meet when she lands a job using her photographic skills taking photos of his fleet of yachts. Max is tired and decides to take a nap and she lands in the master suite in a comfortable bed and Theo walks in on her out on the ocean. Max knows that now she has been caught sleeping on the job that she now has no job. Theo is in need of Max’s help so instead of firing her he makes her offer of pretending to be his fake girlfriend to land a contract with a business client and is willing to pay her a large sum of money. The two get more than they bargained for when their feelings get in the way. Theo’s mom wants him at a family wedding with a nice girl and what was supposed to be a one fake girlfriend outing turns into the two faking their relationship at a family wedding. These two have great chemistry, attraction and are awesome.

Will Theo land the contract of a potential client, will Theo’s mom learn the truth about his fake girlfriend, can and will Theo and Max take their romance and relation to the next level?
I received an ARC and I am leaving my review voluntarily.
514 reviews8 followers
July 25, 2023
Falling asleep on her boss’s yacht proved to be a fortuitous turn of events for photographer Maxine Simon. Offering her an obscene amount of money to be his fake GF for an afternoon, Theo Barnes needs Max to provide a buffer between him and the wife of a prospective business partner. It was a successful maneuver, leaving the door open for future negotiating. Although that concluded their arrangement, Theo was so grateful to Max, that when his mother asked him to bring a “nice girl” to his cousin Jessica’s wedding, he contacted her. Another contract was negotiated with no PDA and no complications, but they both broke the rules shortly afterwards.

North constructs a wonderful fake GF relationship with a cocky but generous billionaire. Theo is really a wealthy down to earth guy who came from humble beginnings, but who is shielding himself from possible heartbreak. Max is a fiercely independent woman who is saving for an unpaid internship with a renown photographer; she is also very protective of her family…particularly her brother Rafe. Read how the author has Theo financially supporting Max in her career aspirations and how he emotionally supports her abused mother and Rafe. The more PDA’s occur and the more they become entangled in each other’s family life, steamy scenes begin to occur regularly. It’s a toss up of who is the most endearing character: Max, Theo, Rafe or Elena, Theo’s mother. I’m choosing Theo. Enjoy picking your favorite in this toe-curling ❤️‍🔥, heartwarming romance. Another North success! 🌟✨⭐️. I have received an ARC from Booksprout and I am leaving an unbiased review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Rebmay.
2,807 reviews50 followers
July 20, 2023
Max and Theo’s story is funny, emotional and fascinating. Their first meeting is a stand off until suddenly she is playing the role of his pretend girlfriend. As a hardworking photographer, Max can’t afford to lose the job she was hired to do for Theo’s company. If acting as his girlfriend until the yacht they are on returns to port will not only save her commission but double it, then Max has no choice but to go along with Theo’s plan. At first she finds him to be rather obnoxious, bossy and arrogant, but she also sees his charming, flirty side too. When the evening is over, they part ways and neither expects to see the other again since they certainly don’t belong in the same social circles. Yet, when he needs a “nice girl” to take to family events ii order to keep his mother happy, Theo once again approaches Max and asks her to be his fake girlfriend for a few months and he will pay her twenty thousand dollars. How can she refuse when she is trying to raise the money for a prestigious photography program? Spending time together means getting to know each other better, seeing the good, the quirky as well as the flaws and liking what they see. Neither expects to develop feelings for the other or that their mutual attraction will lead to some very steamy encounters. Could the billionaire really want a future with the hardworking photographer? Could two opposites make it work?

The well developed characters and engaging storyline made this book a wonderful read. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Carôle Ceres.
891 reviews9 followers
June 19, 2024
I listened to the audiobook version of this title which was part of the Audible Plus Catalogue.

The dual narration by Lexi Evans and Logan Anare is the absolute best format ever and I wish that all dual narration would be done in this manner. The performance/production alone encourages you to keep listening to the audiobook!
WHY?: Quite simply, they don’t just alternate between chapters. She does all of the narrative for her character (even if it’s within his chapter) and he does all of the narrative for his character. Additionally; she voices all of the female characters and he voices all of the male characters - it’s superb! THIS is how it should be done! You get a far superior and enjoyable listening experience. 10 Stars for that alone!

This is book 3 in the series (I do hope that there are more) and my favourite! Very little crossover from the previous books. Noah and Theo met in book 2 through an introduction from James. James has a brief cameo here.

The fun “introduction” to each other and subsequent “work arrangements” is not a new trope, but is used to great effect here. The mothers are lovely and the misunderstanding COULD HAVE been avoided if each person would just communicate!!!!

But I Really did enjoy this telling. In My Opinion it’s the best of the 3 (so far), not too long, like book 1, or too one sided, like book 2. Wonderful characters (except for the creepy one)! Most importantly, the dual narration format is the way all audiobooks should be produced and performed!
281 reviews4 followers
July 15, 2023
This is an opposite's attract novel with humour, strong characters and of course steamy romance.

Max is an up and coming photographer trying to make a name for herself, who after taking on a job photographing a yacht takes a quick nap before leaving the vessel but is woken by the owner Theo whilst out at sea. To retain the fee for her work, and to appease her grumpy boss she agrees to take on the role of his fake girlfriend to help him out of a sticky situation. This one off request, then escalates into more as their lie needs to be continued to gain the business deal Theo is chasing. Max will be compensated financially, but of course feelings get involved and what starts out as an arrangement to benefit them both developes into a complicated real life relationship exposing their vulnerable sides.

As always with Leslie, the characters are complex but relatable, and pages turn easily as you disappear into this emotional adventure. Max is an independent strong willed woman who butts heads with Theo's vulnerable hard persona whilst discovering his gentler, caring core. Their banter makes you laugh, whilst routing for them to discover the hidden depths of their sizzling chemistry.

Leslie takes us on an emotional journey interwoven with unexpected surprises and plot twists keeping you entertained and invested to the end. Another great read Leslie.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
874 reviews5 followers
July 17, 2023
A Wonderful Love Story
I loved this awesome story about a chance meeting of two people who have an instant connection. What started out as a fake romance to ward off the advances of an aggressive business partner’s wife grew into a fantastic friendship, then, continued to grow into true love. Theo and Max (Maxine) are the perfect couple. Both are independent and fun and care so much for their families.
Theo Barnes has a lot to be cocky about. On his own, he has worked hard to achieve his goals and is a very successful man. Theo’s top priority is taking care of his family and he does this by sharing his wealth. Theo has set up his lovely mom Elena with a life of luxury and he is paying for his niece’s “out of this world” wedding. Max is a hardworking awesome, professional photographer. She met Theo after a photo shoot on his yacht and they formed a mutual friendship. Max is very close to her mom Renee and brother Rafe. When Max was young her widowed mom remarried and Rafe came along soon after. Rafe is now 13 and their family is breaking apart. Max has to rescue Rafe when tensions get out of control and the abuse is escalating. With Theo’s help, Max helps her family escape the abuse and start a new safe life.
The story revolves around Theo and Max’s growing friendship and family adventures. The characters are so real and oh-so-wonderful. I loved this story. I received an advanced copy of this story from Booksprout and this is my opinion. Linda
183 reviews3 followers
July 24, 2023
Mr. Cocky is book 3 of the Billionaire Bossholes series. Theo, the supposed bosshole in question, finds himself in a bit of a dilemma. Out to sea with a potential business partner, he can't escape the unsubtle advances of the man's randy wife. Imagine his surprise when he enters his stateroom and discovers that the photographer that he has hired is sound asleep in his bed. What's a man to do but wake her up and ask her to be his fake girlfriend in order to save his business deal.

Max can't believe she fell asleep. Or that the man waking her up is her boss. She thinks he is a jerk for teasing her about how long they've been at sea but she willingly helps him fend off his soon to be partner's wife. When Theo asks her to extend the role in exchange for an unheard of salary, Max accepts.
What neither expected was to fall in love.

This story was probably the best so far of all the Billionaire Boshhole series. I enjoyed it despite spending most of the book disliking Max. Theo wasn't nearly as cocky as the title implies but Max was a real piece of work.

I enjoyed all of the family dynamics at play but didn't enjoy the surprise baby trope. It was a bit clumsily and unnecessarily introduced and didn't really add anything to the story, honestly just mad Max look immature and emotionally stunted in my opinion. If babies aren't your thing, give this one a pass.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Emily Pennington.
20.7k reviews359 followers
July 20, 2023
Theo and Max's Agreement . . .

Theo Barnes is working on a business proposition and invites his prospective business partner Ford Peterson and his wife Pam for an outing on his yacht as part of the persuasion. However, the man’s wife continues to make advances on him. When he goes below deck, he finds a strange woman, Maxine (“Max”), in his bed and in a deep sleep. Max had made an early start on photographing his fleet of yachts and was exhausted. When she sat down on his bed for a moment, she fell asleep. But Theo needed help to keep the wife of the businessman away from him, and Max made that possible by pretending to be his girlfriend for the rest of the day. The money he offers will definitely help pay for her photography internship goal.

When Theo’s mother starts in on who he will be bringing as a date to a wedding, he again asks Max to be his girlfriend and she agrees. The two of them enjoy each other’s company, and one thing leads to another until they cross that line. Everyone who knows them think they are perfect for each other. She has family issues though. And now she has a little secret to tell Theo, which he is not ready to deal with. Is this the end for them? Or will he realize walking away from the best thing that ever happened to him is not the right choice?
Profile Image for Ellie (On a break, mostly rereading).
797 reviews17 followers
June 30, 2023
Mr Cocky is a standalone novel, which is part of the Billionaire Bossholes series by Leslie North.

Leslie North, recently, has fast become a favourite author of mind, for easy-read romances, characters that are down to earth and relatable (even the uber rich), MCs that have great chemistry that can be felt off the page, fun stories and with great endings. Mr Cocky is no exception for me.

Max (Maxine) is a photographer who has scored a big contract, taking photos for a boating tycoon's company so they can refresh their advertising. The problem is, when the story picks up, Max has been caught sleeping in the master room of the yacht she had been on, after she had laid down and not realising she was so tired she would fall asleep. She is caught by Theo, the billionaire CEO of the company and he had taken the boat out with a prospective business partner to get the man to finally sign the contract.

This results in a wild ride between Theo and Max, what started out as a two hour job where Max is Theo's fake girlfriend. Things snowball and things become more personal than professional, and inevitable, feelings begin to get involved.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Alex Rubricadellelettriciseriali.
179 reviews2 followers
October 17, 2024
4,5 ⭐️
La storia prende vita fin dalle prime pagine con una situazione così assurda da non poter fare a meno di ridere: Maxime, esausta dal lavoro, si addormenta nello yacht del suo capo miliardario, Theo Barnes.
Da lì parte un’avventura che, tra finti fidanzati, yacht di lusso e baci rubati, mi ha tenuta incollata.

Theo è il classico personaggio che ami odiare: arrogante, autoritario, ma con quel fascino irresistibile che ti fa intuire che c’è molto di più sotto la superficie.

Maxime, invece, è esattamente come vorrei essere in una situazione del genere: ironica, determinata, ma anche vulnerabile quanto basta per lasciarsi coinvolgere.

I personaggi secondari sono altrettanto ben sviluppati, e ho adorato le scene tra Theo e Rafe, il fratello di Maxime.

La chimica tra Theo e Maxime è esplosiva, e devo ammettere di aver riso più di una volta per le battute taglienti e le dinamiche tra i due.

Ma è nei piccoli momenti, quando i due abbassano le loro difese, che la storia rivela tutto il suo potenziale emotivo. Il loro rapporto inizia in modo caotico, ma cresce in qualcosa di inaspettato, trascinandomi completamente nel loro mondo.

Se cercate una storia romantica e con un tocco di ironia che vi farà sorridere, "Mr. Arrogante" è la scelta perfetta!
Profile Image for Anika.
662 reviews5 followers
June 29, 2023
"Mr Cocky" by Leslie North is a delightful romantic comedy that effortlessly combines humor, chemistry, and a touch of vulnerability to create an engaging and entertaining story.

The story follows the romance between Max(ine) and Theo.
Max is a determined and intelligent woman who is unafraid to speak her mind, while Theo exudes confidence and success but hides his fears behind a cocky facade. Their dynamic is filled with banter and witty exchanges, creating a delicious tension that keeps readers invested in their journey.

The dialogue in this book is snappy, clever, and laugh-out-loud funny. The interactions between Max and Theo are both entertaining and endearing, making their connection feel authentic and natural.

The pacing of the book is well-balanced, keeping the reader engaged from start to finish.
"Mr Cocky" is an entertaining and enjoyable romantic comedy. If you're in the mood for a light-hearted, feel-good read that will leave you with a smile on your face, then this book is a perfect choice.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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