She wanted revenge. He wanted the only thing he couldn't have--her.
Image consultant Caroline Parker is willing to resort to corporate espionage to get revenge on Seattle tech billionaire CEO Joshua Martin. He may be king of the computing world now, but when they knew each other in high school, he was just the geeky friend of her younger brother she refused to date.
To successfully launch his new venture, Aeon Industries, Josh's got to shake off his geek veneer and get into beast mode, and he needs her help to do it. Josh always thought the brass ring was his next big business coup, but once he sees Caroline again, he realizes that old desire to have her has never waned. Now he's determined to make her his, no matter what the cost.
Caroline knows she can create a superstar from the geek, but she's got a deeper reason to sign on for the job. Helping Josh remake his image gives her an opportunity to get close to him--and get her hands on the plans for Aeon that could save her brother from a ruthless blackmailer. But as Josh's image makeover takes hold, and she starts to fall for her creation, she realizes too late that her venture into espionage could ruin more far more than Josh's empire.
The progeny of a slightly mad NASA scientist and a tea-drinking bibliophile who turned the family dining room into a library, Theresa Meyers learned early the value of a questioning mind, books and a good china teapot. But it wasnt until third grade that Theresa overcame her dyslexia and learned to read, going on to make words her lifes work. With a degree in Mass Communications she became first a journalist, then a public relations officer in both the corporate and agency realm. But by far the most challenging has been using her writing skills to pen paranormal and steampunk novels in the turret office of her Seattle-area Victorian home. Shes spent nearly a quarter of a century with the boy who took her to the Prom, drinks tea with milk and sugar, is an adamant fan of the television show Supernatural, and has an indecent love of hats. "
My Review: Okay, I am normally not a big fan of the billionaire trope, but when I saw the title of this book, I couldn't resist it...and then I read the story line. I love the backstory to this one and the history between the two main characters.
There were three friends in high school and college that started up Josh's company. One of them still works with him as his PR guy, the third dropped out of the partnership to stay in school and missed out on the vast wealth the other two eventually received. Caroline's brother is that third, but that's not her only issue with Josh. When she was a junior in high school she turned him down for a date. Two weeks later he saw her in a heavy petting session with the quarterback. An anonymous letter was sent to her father and resulted in her getting sent to a military boarding school abroad where her life was more than just miserable...she was abused for 2 years. She's never forgiven him.
Now Josh is a huge CEO with tons of wealth and power at his fingertips, but he's trying to sway some big-name players in politics with his new venture and needs a makeover to make those new friends. That's where Caroline comes in. She's been instructed (blackmailed) to take him on as a client because her blackmailer who she calls Mr. X wants her to ferret out the plans for Josh's new company. Caroline is happy to do something to take the high-and-mighty Josh down, but that's before she re-meets him and realizes that there is much more than just a business arrangement between them.
Like I said this is a trope that I knew would work for me because in my book there is nothing sexier than a geeky guy who doesn't understand or know his own appeal. Josh is that guy. While he is great at flirting with Caroline, he truly has no idea of his own appeal for her. In his mind he'll always be that awkward 10th grader that she shot down in high school. As a reader, I loved that. I also really enjoyed the conflict that Caroline finds herself in. While she never appreciates the blackmail or the idea of breaking the law, she does truly have issues with Josh and wants to hurt him in his pocketbook. She always saw him as the guy willing to do whatever to make his goals and successes, no matter who he trampled along the way. Hiring her now to re-make him so he can get this deal just solidifies that idea she has of him. But that isn't Josh. While he absolutely is business savvy, he is not the heartless jerk she's painted in her mind. She has no idea what all happened behind the scenes back then.
Josh is one of those characters that I just loved. He's a sweet, vulnerable guy mixed in with hot, sexy flirt. I loved the chemistry between the two and enjoyed every single minute of reading their story. It was a great one and I definitely recommend it!
I received a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest review.
4.5 stars This was a very good book. I liked the way that Caroline and Joshua fought their attraction to each other, to a point. They both had some very deep feeling about each other that went a long way back, and weren't quite accurate on one hand. I did like the fact that Caroline went into this not of her own choosing, but because someone was threatening her brother. I really enjoyed when the truth of everything came out - everything, and what happened next. I found that I really enjoyed Joshua's ability to control most situations and be comfortable doing it, as well as overcoming his fears. Caroline overcame her past, when she really found out the truth and was able to put it behind her and move forward. I thought that Joshua and Caroline's attraction was fantastic, and I loved the insight that Caroline had to Joshua's character. I absolutely loved the end, when everything was pulled together and fixed, one way or another. I will be keeping Theresa on my TBR list, she's a fantastic writer and was able to pull me in and get me to relate to her characters on more than one level.
Started the book, couldn't continue. I don't love how he doesn't get to know her, or try to flirt with her but instead goes immediately to kissing her (even though she said no a second before), grabbing her by the waist (even though she made no indication of wanting the attention). Also, it seemed there relationship was really just basing itself on a mutual want to sleep together with no regard to the weird and tense history between them. Hard pass.
***ARC courtesy of Entangled Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for honest review
The Geek Billionaire Makeover was just a confusing book. Everything was just jumbled up and all I could react was: "WAT?" YES. A 'Wat' without the 'h'. And the reason why I had given it three stars instead of a two because I kind of giggled at some parts especially the Star Wars references. But don't get me wrong, I'm not a Star Wars fan.
A geek billionaire hires his childhood best friend's older sister as his image consultant, and things go haywire after that because she's up for revenge. Revenge is such a strong word. I'd have preferred the term payback.
Josh Martin is in need of an image consultant if he wants his new project industry, Aeon Industries, to be launched successfully. He requires a total makeover, physically and socially, and Caroline Parker is the perfect candidate for the job. He's always wanted her ever since she turned him down way back in high school, and now was the perfect chance to get her closer.
Caroline Parker hates Josh Martin with all her heart. He's the reason why her high school days had been terribly miserable and why her brother isn't the billionaire he deserved to be... or so she thinks. And now, someone's blackmailing her into getting close to Josh for confidential files, or else, her brother would be framed for murder.
Everything just confused me about this book, especially from the beginning. The progression was just jumbled up and so scattered, I had no clue what the main point was anymore. Although the makeover part was actually kind of cute to begin with.
Caroline was just the easiest person ever. Even if she should have been a professional as an image consultant. Accepting the blackmail at the very beginning was just so low, and in fact, it wasn't even necessary because it didn't do crap for the story and just made it seem so far fetched.
And let's not forget that she wants 'revenge', with her reasons being immature as hell: Not getting to attend her Junior Prom just because she was whisked away to boarding school by her Colonel father. (Okay, so she didn't exactly say that, but her reasons where more into the likes of "taken away from her life and being held in a prison cell like boarding school", which was kinda close, right?)
And Josh, he's just the most love struck character ever. Who in the hell proposes after one night of sex? (Not unless the sex was just so darn good, then hell, I so would gladly suggest marriage. LOL) But seriously. Who does that?
And let me not forget the part where she finally confesses to him that this was all due to blackmail, because she just said it with total ease, I didn't even feel any aches, except for my head.
I'm even surprised I got to reach the end of this book. This was just not my cuppa except for the Star Wars references.
This is a fairly quick and light read about a geeky computer something (not sure, but it's the tech industry in Seattle, so think Bill Gates) and how he needs his public image overhauled to launch his new aerospace venture. Through some convenient and off the page scenes, Josh hires his former best friend's older sister, Caroline, who he has been in love with since they were kids.
I really tried to suspend disbelief through a lot of this book. She easily accepted being blackmailed and I mean it was kind funny how fast she agreed to the plan. I was definitely intrigued to keep reading for the ultimate confrontation about what happened when they were kids and her brother. Although this confrontation was what I hoped for, I was let down with the follow up confrontation with someone else and was left wanting more outrage and redemption.
By the time we reach the climax to the blackmail scheme, it seems to happen off the pages and it's all over and done with. Most of the book felt that way and left me wanting to know more about her brother and Josh's relationship
I think if you would like a sweet and light read and like a little bit of Star Wars thrown in for your reading pleasure... this would be a good way to spend a few hours.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher for an honest review.
This book is a tad confusing, as it seems as though it will be a reunited-friends-to-lovers sort of thing…except the couple in question were never more than brief acquaintances in the past. Nevertheless, the storyline is largely based on idea that Josh was hopelessly in love with Caroline in high school. And that, unbeknownst to her, he’s continued to carry a torch for her all these years. The problem is, the attraction that he had for her as a teen is used as a sort of a crutch, and the H/h never really connect in the here and now.
I felt like Josh was someone that we got to know fairly well—although, I must say, his Star Wars obsession was a little overplayed. Not that it was unrealistic, but just that as a concept, it was very overused in the storyline. In contrast, there was so little information about Caroline that I could never get a good grasp on who she was. We are told what her job is now, and a bit of who she was in high school. We are told, repeatedly, that she finds Josh incredibly sexually attractive…but that’s pretty much as deep as her character gets.
My other issue with this book was the multitude of sub-plots that were all over the place. So much of the storyline was bogged down with the Star Wars obsession, the actual makeover, dating advice, the People magazine thing (which made no sense plot-wise anyway), and the ridiculous and severely anti-climactic blackmail scheme. It just seems to me that any (or most) of those things could have been left out and that time better spent forming a real connection between the characters.
For the sake of full disclosure it must be stated that I received this book, free of charge, from Netgalley.
I seem to be on an Entangled Publishing kick right now and Indulgence is one of my favorite imprints. Also, who can turn down a story about a geek turned hottie AND and second chance romance. This was a quick and easy read for me, which is perfect considering my time constraints lately. There was nothing really dramatic or emotionally draining about this story, making a perfect easy afternoon read. I really liked Caroline, for the most part. She didn't really try to deny her feelings too much and so the story wasn't too drawn out leaving me to roll my eyes. I REALLY liked Josh and rather enjoyed that he isn't your typical womanizing, serial-dating billionaire. I liked the fact that he was sort of recluse and hated being in the public too much, sometimes the ego's and need for attention from book heroes can be too much. The reason behind his anxiety was pretty heartbreaking and completely understandable. I think it's great when a book centers mainly on the couple, with only a few secondary characters making minor appearances. It makes it a little easier to experience their connection, which is exactly what this book did. The way that Caroline so easily accepted the blackmail situation was a little unsettling but not a story-ruiner for me. Why wasn't she more curious about who was trying to do the blackmail, or why wasn't she trying to warn her brother? I almost would have enjoyed a little more drama when the whole situation finally came to light. It was like we didn't even get the satisfaction of the trouble-maker getting called out. I think that would've made a lot of difference in the ending for me.
*I received an ARC from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review
“She wanted revenge. He wanted the only thing he couldn't have—her”
That quote pretty much summarizes the storyline of THE GEEK BILLIONAIRE MAKEOVER by Theresa Meyers. This is a cute book! What I REALLY liked about it: there is a lesson to be learned here. Things are not always what they seem. How many times do we make assumptions and pre-judge people without really knowing all sides to a story? With light hearted pleasure the author allows us to watch Caroline and Joshua get to know each other again – and discover the misconceptions they had of one another.
The characters were developed to the extent of telling the story. You don’t get to know them as well as you’d like, but enough to understand the storyline. Joshua lends an amusing element to the story with his love of everything Star Wars.
Caroline had been popular in school and Josh had been her brothers geeky friend that had a huge crush on her…she just never realized to what extent. Now he’s the CEO of a huge software conglomerate and a billionaire. Go figure! Goes to show who we should have been dating in high school! Of course, Caroline was a cheerleader and hung out with the jocks.
This is a sweet and funny story that took me away from reality for a bit and that’s exactly what I wanted. I love a story where the geek turns into a rich, good looking hunk! That is the true revenge, isn’t it Caroline?
As sad as I am to say goodbye to Josh and Caroline, I am satisfied with the conclusion to their journey. You will be, too!
I received an eBook copy from the publisher and NetGalley for the purpose of an honest review. I was not compensated for this review. All conclusions are my own.
You can take the geek out of the billionaire but...
My last read featuring a geek character as one of the protagonists was a total bust for me so I was really wary going into THE GEEK BILLIONAIRE MAKEOVER. I mean, the title alone made me nervous because I hate the idea of a geek character being forced to change who they are to succeed at something. Thank goodness my fears were unfounded.
Meyers weaves a slightly over-the-top back story for Caroline and Josh that puts them somewhat at a chance for revenge against one another for past hurts. As Caroline goes about helping Josh work his way out of his frumpy recluse image into a better balance between nerdy dreamer and business man she begins to see that there's parts of him she could love. Josh on the other hand is quick to decide his original plan might be the right one for his business but not for his heart.
It's sweet and funny with just enough Star Wars references to prove the geek cred and plenty of spice between Josh and Caroline to tantalize romance readers. I'm not often one to press her cheek into her palm and sigh dreamily as I read but there was just something charming and delightful about their banter and the imminent falling for one another that felt like I was watching a movie... tropey romances rarely do that for me. If you like a nerdy hero that has the brains and ambition with the body to pull off a suit you will adore Josh and be thrilled he finally gets the girl he crushed on all those years ago.
The story line behind this book was unique and fun. I do sort of wish we had gotten a little more detail in a few areas, but I didn't feel like so much was missing that I couldn't become a part of the story.
The characters are decently developed and relatable. Josh is super sweet and a total gentleman. I was totally in love with him pretty early on. Caroline was a tough chick. She took what life threw at her and dealt with it with minimal crying and whining.
As a couple these two fut together pretty well and make for a geeky and yet sexy couple. I loved that The Geek Billionaire Makeover takes a popular story line, falling for my best friend's sister, and puts a twist on it. The way that the story is written honestly kept me from thinking about the played out theme. I never once felt the story was predictable or boring.
The Geek Billionaire Makeover totally would have been a 5 star book for me if the ending had been as strong as the build up. I felt like things were rushed and didn't flow naturally. The blackmail issue is just sort of dropped and passed over, the Connor issue is never explained...he is just thrown back into the mix. ..and the proposal, while heartwarming and sweet, was kind of rushed after the way Josh behaved for the past two weeks!
Anyways, this book was totally worth reading and the story kept me wanting more! I definitely recommend that you give it a try!
I liked the catchy title which alludes to all the Greek tycoon stories. This guy however is a Seattle computer software inventor. He's shy and agoraphobic, though a strong leader of his company and top in his field. A lady makeover image consultant is hired to make people want to invest with this man, who now thinks space habitats on Mars are a future option.
I would have liked to see more of what the software company actually does and what running it entails. Instead the owner is obliged to drop his schedule and switch off his phone and tablet. He displays none of the usual signs of withdrawal that we could expect, so that wasn't too realistic. However the story we do get is amusing, with tailor-made clothes top of the list, then having good clean fun in the Oregon sand dunes. This guy talks about Star Wars as having inspired him, but we also get the personal connection.
This young couple went to the same high school and the girl was popular, so when the shy geek asked her out, she refused and a quarterback decked him. At least three people are considering revenge in the story; there's blackmail, double-crossing and a hint of scandal. The lively mix makes it worth a read, and bright, talented men and women are our best hope of saving the planet. Be nice to geeks.
The storyline on this one really threw me off a few times. The only reason Caroline agrees to work with the man she hates, Josh Martin, is because she is being blackmailed. This whole thread seems to be incredibly out of place. It only pops up a few times and the reasons behind it all seem very far-fetched. Now, if we pretend that didn't happen and just let Caroline work with Josh so she can get revenge on him for some things that he did to her and her brother - then we would have had a perfectly good story.
I loved Josh's character, but I've always had a soft spot for geeks. I find them too adorable to resist, and Josh definitely fit the role well. Afraid of crowds and without a good public image, he has a lot to work on with Caroline - the girl he's loved since high school. Caroline is an image consultant with a huge bone to pick. But she wasn't counting on falling for the guy she trying to take down.
There were a lot of cute scenes in the story that really showcased both characters. If only the whole blackmailing part had either been more prevalent and detailed or left out altogether I would have liked the story a lot more.
*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*
If you love Star Wars, sexy men hidden behind dorky glasses and men who are computer geeks.. this book is for you!
Both characters have always liked one another; however they were never able to tell one another.. events happened (lies and hatred occur).
Caroline loves the idea of her new job and what she can accomplish from it.
Josh is able to get Caroline for his new look for the company and also use this to his advantage.
With both harboring secrets what will unfold?
These two are cute together! You will see how they fabulously sizzle and their intense attraction. And the underwear.. LOL LOL that made me laugh out loud!
I enjoyed Geek to Sheek! I loved these two together.
However, that being said I think a few parts were brushed over where I would have liked to see some more events explained.
Overall, this is a geeky and sexy short story with black mail, lies and hot attraction!
You will fall in love with the sexy Josh Martin!!
4 stars from me!
* I recv'd a copy of this book from Net Gallery from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
Revenge, a chance to get the girl, and blackmail. What a book it would make right? then you add in the fact the billionaire is a gamer with a star wars fascination and it becomes a whole lot better. As a gamer who is addicted to my own brand of nerdiness I love reading these types of books with the geek trying to be turned into more than he is. It's just not going to happen.
Caroline knew Josh from when they were high school. He was her brother's best friend. After boarding school hell, Josh creating a company and making a ton of money, and Caroline creating her own image consultant business, they haven't seen each other in a long time. Now Josh needs her to recreate his imagine to get his new company off the ground.
All he wants is her.
She wants to get back at him for what he did to her and her brother. What will happen? Well you know they are gonna hook up but you have to read to find out.
*ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
I loved the twist on the unrequited love thing...this time it's the guy who's geeky and the girl who is out of his league...in the beginning. Fast forward a few years and the geek is still a geek but not quite. Popular girl is still pretty much popular girl. Both Josh and Caroline have hidden depths that are slowly revealed as the story progresses but I am kinds of ambivalent about Caroline and her bitterness from the past. I don't get the revenge angle..seems too flimsy...almost as flimsy as the blackmail thread. For such a woman with (supposed) gumption - I would have expected her to come to Josh and lay her cards on the table from the get go and work together to unmask the blackmailer...which in this case...was resolved with nary a whimper...so some characters do come in with only the express purpose of proving a point before dropping off the wayside. Josh kept me going though...!
This is a fun, light story perfect for geeks and fangirls alike. It had a bit of an awkward start, but I really got into the witty banter between Josh and Caroline. Lots of chemistry and yearning to keep you hooked. It definitely got spicy, but it wasn't overdone throughout the book. Plus, fangirls like myself will enjoy the numerous references to Star Wars, Supernatural, and Comicon.
Can I please have a super hot, Star Wars loving, billionaire too??
For overall entertainment I give it 3.5 stars out of 5 For overall quality of writing I have to give it a 2 out of 5.
It's a fun, fast read and perfect for one last weekend away before summer ends. Perfectly fluffy and not too stuffy for lounging poolside. Or perhaps sitting in a coffee shop while it rains in Seattle. Whichever. Just don't let the kiddos look over your shoulder while you read this one.
** Copy provided by NetGalley and Entangled Publishing, LLC for an honest review**
Billionaire Geeks have one thing in common, the determination to succeed. When Josh realises that his makeover consultant is his high school crush Caroline he takes action to have her.
Caroline is being blackmailed into helping Josh with his image, a man she believe helped in sending her away to a horrid boarding school and who has also cheated her brother out of millions.
What doesn't sit right about this story is how Josh, the complete workaholic, is able to down tools at her command and hardly have withdrawal symptoms.
I never also fully understood if Caroline and her brother Connor lost their mum at at early age as nothing was mentioned, neither was the fact that possibly their father had also died? That bit was a bit vague.
On the whole this is a sweet story and quite a fast read.
This book was simple and enjoyable. I just wish there was more to it. I mean Caroline was way too accepting whens she was being black mailed then there was Joshua that forgave her easily. I mean its a relationship they needs to work through that a bit, if it was swapped and I was Joshua I would've given Caroline a hard time about the whole betrayal thing. I was going to talk more about what I didn't like but I don't want to spoil the book for you reader. Then the whole problem was solved too quickly when it came down to it. I also wishes there was more to the book to make it unique I feel like I've read the before same situation just different characters. Now even though I had some problems about this book I overall did enjoy the book. I liked watching the connection between the two characters. The story line was interesting. I would rate this book 3 stars since I did enjoy the book.
This was a nice read! The story was something that I could connect with and it kept me interested the whole time. What happens when you have held a grudge against a man your whole life? And what happens when you fall for that man? It was a unique take on the hot billionaire, he is gorgeous but he isn't...cool! He is a geek and really doesnt want to change!
My only niggle with this book was it felt the ending went really fast. Once she had told hint he truth of why she took the job, and he had told her his true feelings it jus jumped to the end. He didn't speak to her for a week and was cold to her....then suddenly everything was sorted. The ending was good but I would have liked more about how they found Mr X and what happened there.
Caroline Parker wants revenge on the man that she blames for her ending up in boarding school as a teenager. She gets her chance when she is hired to transform her nemesis, CEO Joshua Martin, into a hottie. The downside is that she is being blackmailed by an unknown foe. What could go wrong? I loved the romance between Caroline and Joshua. He always wanted to be with her but she never saw that he cared. I enjoyed seeing her really see him for who he was beneath the Geek. Watching them fall in love made for a enjoyable story. I loved seeing him win her love. The story was humorous, fast paced and romantic. Theresa Meyers wrote a feel good book.
This book was fun and quick to read. I enjoyed the story of the younger computer geek who had always had a thing for his friend's older sister. There were some major misunderstandings and misconceptions between the two main characters that had been ongoing for a great deal of time, as well as an outside influence trying to force the heroine into a betrayal of the hero. Overall, this was a very enjoyable light and easy read.
The story kept me interested, although it was entirely predictable. Maybe it's just me. Or maybe predictability comes with any romance. I mean, the genre pretty much is an ironclad formula that has to end with a 'happy ever after.' That said, Ms. Meyers' writing skills were good, and that is always a critical element for me in enjoying any book. Her characters were well defined, and the scenes were especially well laid out with short but intense descriptions. Definitely an above-average work!
Overall The Geek Billionaire Makeover was a good read but I found the ending a little rushed. I was left wondering what happened in the week Josh didn't speak to Caroline after she opened up to him.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Entangled Indulgence for the advance copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review.
This was an easy, quick read. I found it difficult to put down once I started. Think though the ending seemed rushed to me. But overall it was a great read!
Loved Caroline and Josh, and the romance in the story. I would have given it five stars if the suspense storyline had been better laid out and plotted, I was left wanting on that part. Could have used more character development on Conner as well, but for the most part really enjoyed this book!