Shopping for a Billionaire 4

Shopping for a Billionaire #4

by Julia Kent

A confusing fight, a garbage-covered car, and a mom who shares her past as a stripper all drive Shannon to the edge of madness. When her big shot at mystery shopping luxury properties leads to another crazy toilet incident, it’s Declan to the rescue...but can they take the “plunge”? The Shopping series from New York Times bestselling author Julia Kent reaches its conclusion with heart, heat, and hilarity.

Part 4 of a 4-part series.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Chick Lit, Audiobook, Humor, Rom Com

224 pages, ebook

First published August 15, 2014

About the author

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New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Julia Kent writes romantic comedy with an edge. Since 2013, she has sold more than 2 million books, with 5 New York Times bestsellers and more than 21 appearances on the USA Today bestseller list. Her books have been translated into French, German, and Italian, with more titles releasing in the future.

From billionaires to BBWs to new adult rock stars, Julia finds a sensual, goofy joy in every contemporary romance she writes. Unlike Shannon from Shopping for a Billionaire, she did not meet her husband after dropping her phone in a men's room toilet (and he isn't a billionaire in a rom com).

She also writes romantic suspense as Meli Raine, sexy shifter romances as DJ Jennings, billionaire shifters as half of the author team Diana Seere, and co-authors with Elisa Reed.

She lives in New England with her husband and three children in a household where she is the only person with the gene required to change empty toilet paper rolls.

She loves to hear from her readers by:

Email at jkentauthor@gmail.com

Twitter @jkentauthor

Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/jkentauthor

Instagram @jkentauthor

Visit her at http://jkentauthor.com

FORTHCOMING:


Love You Again (Love You, Maine, #2), July 19, 2022

Ten First Kisses (anthology with my story, Shopping for a Booty Call), August 12, 2022

Love You More (Love You, Maine, #3), October 11, 2022

Love You Now (Love You, Maine, #4), January 3, 2023


Author photo credit: Felix Rust http://www.felixrust.com

Reviews

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

Last book in the series, or shall I say serial. It is the last chapters of the story. It picks up with the aftermath of "Twitter-gate". Welcome to the angst.

Mostly I have loved this story, this takes a turn to the drama-rama. I always like how strong and secure, well mostly secure, Shannon has been. She becomes mopey dumped girl. Ugh!!! She still has the same fun attitude, but the woo is me, I don't have a Billionaire boyfriend anymore, gets old fast. Even with that, I still adored the story. It is just so engaging!

I still love the supporting cast to pieces!! They are quirky and awesome and too fun for words!! I was also giggling like a loon through the hotel secret shop! Funny beyond words!!

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Tanya Eby, who is delightful! She has the perfect tone for the vibe of this book. I love the way she adds energy and sass to the characters. She keeps the story moving right along with her swift pace. The men's voice are just masculine enough, without seeming like a caricature. Definitely a narrator I will be looking for more of in the future! She gives good voice!!!

Very chick-lit kind of ending for the book. I really hope we get stories for the other yummy brothers!! Please let them and her sister, and her BFF all get HEA!! Possibly with each other!!

Disclosure - I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts, opinions and ratings are my own.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this series so much. I haven't laughed as much as I did with these 4 books since I read wallbanger. Highly recommend!! 5+++Stars!!

[Lauren · Rating 2 out of 5]

Shopping for a Billionaire - Part 4
2 Stars

Series note: The 4th installment in the serial.

To be honest, this installment is disappointing. At this point, the slapstick style comedy is more irritating and embarrassing than humorous, and the angst of Shannon and Declan's break-up is drawn out and ridiculous. It is particularly annoying that the man cannot just explain what his problem is.

[Lisa Mandina · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. So we got a lot of the things that totally irritate me in romance books, the jumping to conclusions, not knowing why someone is acting the way they are. And then the stupid reasons for not dating someone. But, Kent makes all of that okay in my book in the end because of the hilarious situations she puts the characters in. I mean the luxury shopping job at the hotel, all of that was so funny! The vibrator that took off out the window, the trash can dumping on the car, so funny. Now I think those Dr. Pimple Popper type of shows are disgusting, so I don’t get why people would watch that when they were depressed. Because ewwwwwww!!! But in the end, the whole series wrapped up perfectly for me. That’s why I ended up with a 4.5 instead of just a 4 star rating for this one. Now I know I’ll have to find all the other books that are extras for this series and catch up with Shannon and Declan.

Review originally published at Lisa Loves Literature.

[⊱✿⊰ Alicia ⊱✿⊰ · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. This series is so funny and light and has been a great break from the serious books I have been reading lately. The characters are great and the lead female Shannon is strong and sarcastic which makes for very easy reading. I think this would be a much higher rated series if the author had joined books 1&2 and 3&4 together as they were very short and did get on my nerves at having to get them as individual books. I think for a comedic relief I would highly recommend this series, if your looking for a intense love story with lots of hot scenes I would give it a miss.

[Gabby · Rating 3 out of 5]

and... It's was funny, but I expected more to be entirely honest!

I love her other series, but this last book from this one... I just liked it.

Plot wasn't so substantial enough, but characters are really charming.

That said, I love Julia's weird and geek sense of humour!

[Cyndi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Story!

[P.A. Lupton · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I’m writing a review for all 4 books in this serial, since technically they should be one book. First, I need to say that I hate serials. I usually avoid them like the plague. However, I will sometimes pick one up, but only if all of the books are released. I still don’t understand why publishers are following this new fad. Basically, they are releasing unfinished novels and charging readers for them. And it’s not like it’s a great deal because it’s a partial. They are making way more money selling off partial novels than they would if they sold it as a full novel. It’s annoying. Anyway, rant over.

You may be asking why I bothered with this book after the rant above. Well, the truth is, I read the blurb, not realizing it was a serial and by the time I did realize I couldn’t resist giving it a read. It sounded so cute. Still, I purchased all 4 before I started. Anyway, this book is just as cute as it sounds. It reminded me of Emma Chase’s Tangled and Alice Clayton’s Wallbanger. The crazy family was fantastic. I especially loved Shannon’s mother continuously overshared about her sex life. There were so many laugh-out-loud moments. This was such a great lighthearted read and it was perfect for in between those novels that rip your heart out when you just need to laugh and feel good. I also enjoyed the romance—it was the perfect blend of sweet and sexy.

However, this was not a 5 star read for me and there were 2 reasons:

1. I don’t mind books with a robust heroine, but please if you are going to write that don’t make them insecure. Women, whether skinny or not skinny, have body issues. I don’t want to read about them. I have enough body issues that run through my head that I don’t feel like reading it in my heroine’s narrative. I love a heroine who is secure with who she is, no matter her size.

2. This heroine had a great, full time job. She was independent and strong. Then all of a sudden in the last few pages of the book she is fired and her new billionaire boyfriend swoops in with a new, much higher paying job. This pissed me off. Now you’ve taken the strong, independent woman and made her reliant on her boyfriend. I loved that she fell in love with this man and didn’t need anything from him. She didn’t need to rely on him for her livelihood. I have no idea why the author chose to do this, but it ruined the entire story for me.

[Anita Powers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had to give this book 4 stars even though I love this series I did not like some of the things that happened in this book, how Shannon was treated and how long it took to get to the root of the issue was terrible. I hate how one person could have so much control over another person's life, that this person could ruin so much and I hated how awful things kept happening to Shannon, it was like she was made a fool of over and over again. I did not like how Declan handled this situation at all and I thought his father James treated her like dirt. We find out some surprising things in this book that I didn't see coming. There were funny moments again in this book but more sad then funny which was such a change from the first 3. The terrible Jessica and Steve make their appearance in this book which makes matters worse. Finally in chapter 13 things start to change around and I relax and enjoy the rest of the book. I like what happens at the hotel, who we get to meet, how Shannon stands up for herself and something funny with a flying object, I could not stop laughing. Finally the truth comes out and they are able to hash everything out and decide what they both want. I love the time they spend together talking and having fun, then a another bad thing happens to Shannon but it ends up being a blessing in disguise. I like how it ends but I don't like how we don't get to see what happens to them in the future.

[J.L. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the storyline and the writing is interesting but I was disappointed. The story is based on the continuing drama between the two main characters but the underlying story is all about how Declan's mother dies and the impact it has on his life. This causes complications between him and Shannon and throughout most of the book they are separated. The issue with the bee allergy is very plausible but.... I am not sure what to say. I just found it a bit overly dramatic.

[belle ☆ﾐ (thisbellereadstoo) · Rating 4 out of 5]

my favourite book out of the shannon and declan's story is this. i love the both of them, and their wit. andrew was adorable when he was serving drinks to shannon and about thighs and amanda and subsequently, him blushing. CUTE.

and shannon got what she wanted in the end. she got really f-ed up by jessica but it's a blessing in disguise.

i loved shannon's family - they are all so quirky. LOL. SHANNON’S MOM IS DA BOMBZ. she's so bold and open. i wouldn't know how to handle her. and shannon's date being the beta-alpha, woohoo! that scene was awesome. though i can't forget about him sitting on chuckles' mice-vomit.

Lake Chargoggagoggmanchauggagoggchaubunagungamaugg (yes, it’s a real lake in Massachusetts)
^ Julia Kent just answered my question. SHE’S A PSYCHIC

definitely recommend this four part series. it was a really awkward, sweet and cute series. be sure to check it out!

[Denise ~The Procrastinating Book Diva~ · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars

This was a great palate cleanser series - good enough to keep me interested yet light enough not to overwhelm the senses. Written during the Fifty Shades of Gray billionaire craze, it almost managed to ruin a perfectly hilarious heroine with the ridiculous clumsy heroine cliche that was so popular during this time 😒 I'll never understand what is considered funny or romantic about a woman who can't walk a few feet without face planting.

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a little disappointing. I found Shannon’s lack of self-confidence & her moodiness a tad disheartening.

James, Declan’s father, is trying to run his son’s life and has convinced him that Shannon and Declann won’t work.

I listened to this book and found the narrator did an excellent job.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just as funny and cute as the three before it. So far, one thru four have not been stand alones. They end with cliff hangers and the next one picks up at that exact moment.

[Erin Book Nerd · Rating 2 out of 5]

It’s rare when I can’t figure out what’s going on. I became very disenchanted with the story and plot by the fourth novella. Too much unbelievability for me.

[Regina Knudson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laugh out loud funny. I love Shannon!

[Malissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall an entertaining series that helped with my reading slump, idk if it would recommend but I had fun lmao

[Lonnita · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an awesome story. I haven't chuckled like this in a while. I'm so happy to have found this author and this series.

[K D · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another crazy funny episode although a little manic in places.

[Preet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seriously, this book and series is hilarious and hot. So much of both! This series is just amazing!

[Ilana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Title: Shopping for a Billionaire
Author: Julia Kent
Publisher/Year: Julia Kent 8/15/14
Length: 146
Series: Shopping for a Billionaire #4

Overview

A confusing fight, a garbage-covered car, and a mom who shares her past as a stripper all drive Shannon to the edge of madness. When her big shot at mystery shopping luxury properties leads to another crazy toilet incident, it’s Declan to the rescue...but can they take the “plunge”? The Shopping series from New York Times bestselling author Julia Kent reaches its conclusion with heart, heat, and hilarity.

My Thoughts

Ahhh, we finally make it to the conclusion of all this craziness that surrounds Shannon's life. Like the summary says, it's a luxury shop that really brings things to a close, but really, we have to remember where we left off in book 3. The relationship between Shannon and Declan couldn't be in worse shape, nothing makes sense, and everything seems to be going downhill. Shannon can't get the answers that she wants, and is left to wallow. You know though that given Shannon's personality so far, that her wallowing will be quite amusing anyway.

Where this final installment takes us is on a fact finding mission and we slowly learn more about the McCormick's back story than we ever knew before. Even how it all relates to James and Maria (the parents) and well, that's quite a story in itself. In learning about what happened 10+ years ago, we finally get a bit more depth to the characters that we haven't had to this point and that's something that i'm really pleased that our author took us to.

Like the overview says as well, we get to the luxury shop and this is where things get to be even more amusing. It's all been wonderfully coordinated and mastermind by Amanda- to get everyone to open their eyes and to be in the same place at once, and well that couldn't have led to a better conclusion. We see that people are forced to have conversations that they weren't ready to have, and that means that we'll see walls come down, and maybe not all of them good.

Where we are left is with someone losing their job, people becoming more receptive to one another, and the question being posed of what's to come for everyone. I think that the way that this story ends isn't necessarily realistic, but still does the story justice since it's interesting how it's all been intertwined.

Given the pace of this story though, i don't know that i would have stayed interested had i had to wait for each of the installments to come out - so i'm glad that i didn't pick up this series until they were all published. It's entertaining for sure, but i think that it serves a better purpose of being entertaining reading as one longer book v. the 4 installments. Otherwise though, i think that it's a great read when you just want something enjoyable and light to pass your time. Enjoy the final installment of the Shannon/Declan journey!

[iDreem2 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let me start by saying this was not my favorite series from Ms. Kent. I love her work, and I absolutely love how she can build characters and make them someone you want to get to know. Sometimes though, she goes too far in trying to get a laugh, too many irrelevant analogies and metaphors, and too much/ many crazy mishaps and circumstances that leave the characters in embarrassing situations. I love that she makes her characters real, not perfect, but sometimes it's just too much in one book. It makes you think "And why would someone so put together not find that nasty instead of cute in real life?"

All that being said. I loved the last two parts of this serial. When all those extra things were stripped away or moderated, and the love story and the conflict became the real heart and focus of the story, that's when I started to get a feeling for the characters. I've said the same thing about her Random Acts series, I couldn't stand Darla's character at first, and wasn't that fond of the series. But the two last books, especially Random Acts of Hope, were fabulous! I love comedy, I love references to shows and books that I watch and read, but it gets old fast when it's on every page for the first 50 or so pages. With Shopping...4, she kept it to a minimum and focused on what I cared most about, Shannon and Declan and how to get to there HEA.

Julia Kent continues to please and amaze. Some parts of a very small portion of a few of her books I could do without, but in the over all package it becomes insignificant. And as she continues to grow and find her voice as a writer she continues to only get better and better. Seriously, if you haven't read everything by her try it. She is an author on the rise, and I guarantee you'll find a few favorites.

[Kristy Dean-Veen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved this series since the beginning. Shannon is a klutz and you laugh a lot. This is book 4 so please read books 1-3. It's worth it. This one is about 146 pgs. Shannon finds out that Declan is dumping her and she throws his words in his face that he used when he was talking bout her ex and that she deserves more. She then is forced to work with her mom and go to sex shops. Not something she really wanted to do. Her mom is doing well with mystery shopping and is receiving products too. Since Shannon is alone, her mom buys her products too. She has to face Declan a couple of times and is heat broken. But when she has to go and review his families hotel she dies a little more. When she shows up, the parking guy looks like Declan but different eyes. Than she falls getting out of the car and he saves her. As she walks up the stairs, she falls and a dildo falls out of her purse and her skirt rips up the side and he helps her up. When she get to her room she makes an issue to see how long maintenance takes to fix it. While doing that the dildo gets stuck in the toilet. So when they show up they see her with her hand in the toilet. But the guy ends up being Declan dressed as maintenance. He get it out and she kicks the dildo and it flys out the window and causes an accident. She is still mad and goes to the bar to find Declan's brother serving her drinks. She gets drunk at the ice bar. She goes to the restaurant and her server is Declan's dad. All hell breaks lose and she can't stand it so she goes back to her room to pass out. But Declan won't leave her alone. Love the story. I laughed sooo much. Lots of tears as I try to explain to my hubby.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Note: I'm using this final edition as a means of reviewing the entire series.

What struck me immediately about Julia Kent's writing was the effortless, believable characterization that pervades throughout each of the books in this series. In Shannon she's introduced us to a size sixteen, mystery shopper with a penchant for drowning her sorrows in coffee and ice cream. Opposite is Declan, a billionaire who could be accused in a very classist way of "slumming it" with Shannon but who just doesn't retain any of the qualities to make that possible. Added to the mix are Shannon's family and coworker friends, a mix of "oversharers" and Declan's uptight father and brothers.

This series takes us through the: Very awkward first meeting of Shannon and Declan, through dramas involving both of their ex partners, through their breakup and finally to their reunion. And it does it all with humor. In fact, it's the humor that made me continue to read the series to completion. Kent has a way of incorporating toilet humor and specialty vibrators into the most ordinary of scenes in ways that reach just under being over the top.

Do I think these books could have been parsed and consolidated into just a few editions? Sure. But was I offended they were spread out? No.

If you're looking for a quirky, just fun for fun's sake, read, this series wouldn't be the worst place to find it.

[iamGamz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Declan and Shannon have a disagreement that leads to a break-up. The reason; Shannon's claim that she is married to Amanda for a mystery shop cover and being forced to say that she only dated Declan for an account, to no blow her mystery who cover. Declan's is upset, but it might be a bit over the top. He and Shannon separate and after a long separation, Amanda sends Declan and his brother to a hotel that Shannon is shopping to fi things. Of course, things don't go exactly as planned but in the long run, Shannon and Declan get their act together.

But not before Shannon is covered in trash, she has to shop a sex store with her mother(Eeww), there are several vibrator fiascos, including one being drop-kicked off of a hotel balcony and into traffic, a drunken confrontation with Declan's dad, some hot hotel sex, and we learn some of the truth of Declan's mom's death.

A whole lot of stuff packed into one tiny book! Once again, a crazy, fun read that will have you laughing your behind off.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was gifted a copy of this book for an honest review and I must say that this series is one I will keep and re-read! As each book in this series was released I went and bought them to have in my e-book library. I have been a fan of Julia Kent since I read my very first book by her and have read all she has written ever since. This book opens where book 3 in the series left off and Shannon and Declan's story full circle we even have another hand in the toliet incident! I must say that during this series I have never laughed out loud so much I truly love all of the parties involved in their story. I will not reveal any secrets here but this book is funny, sexy, romantic, maddening but most of all true to form for Julia Kent. If you are looking for a great series then this one is it! You will not be disappointed.

[Christina Montminy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one as well but it was a sad version. Declan has broken Shannon's heart because she was put in a position where she had to lie about her feelings for him to save a mystery shop. With so many people against her Shannon does the only thing she can....trudge on with her life. But things aren't as bad as they seem when she ends up mystery shopping the McCormack's hotel & all the men in Declan's family are working undercover there. As Declan tries to win her back Shannon proves to him & herself that she's not a pushover. Finally learning Declan's secret, Shannon forgives him & thinks that life is working out for the good only to find out that she's been fired because her mother outed her mystery shop on Twitter by mistake. Declan to the rescue & he's not taking no for an answer & he's not letting her go.

[Rebecca Fitts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bitter sweet. I mean this is book 4, so no more Shannon, Declan, and Marie. How will the people at my gym look at me now? I almost fell off the treadmill (yes, fell off) because I was laughing so hard and bent over to catch my breath. Embarrassing, yes!! Nothing like a soccer kick to J to stop traffic, but hey...I do laugh out loud when I read! I needed an ice bar to alleviate my red cheeks. This book wasn't long enough, so I can't say it was perfect. Hee hee. Julia knows how to deliver the goods and so she does. Best comedy right here!! I love how your mind works and you capture and share it with us. This book is funny, witty, enlightening, riveting, exciting, and beyond great! I'm going to miss my favorite characters, but thank you for this! This series Rocked!!! You rock Julia!

[Ronda Bearden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gifted Copy

This series is beyond funny. I laughed so hard that people around me thought I was crazy. I have to say Shopping for a Billionaire 4 is the funniest. You wonder how so much could happen to one person, then you realize that there are people out there that just seem to attracted that kind of crazy.

Shannon and Declan relationship has been one wild and crazy ride. I love the pull that is between them and how much craziness out to each other. It's not a one side relationship.

I love the fact that Julia can have you laughing so hard your about to pee your pants and then turn around and have you crying your eyes out the next. Amazing writer!

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ah... now we've come to the angst part of our story. 3.5 hours of it is a little too much for my taste. Especially because the big Reason for it was something I (and probably every other reader) figured out long ago.

But it remains a funny, sweet story. And Declan is the perfect Book Boyfriend.

Cover: Okay. A little disjointed. But it keeps with the look of the series, which is a good thing.
Narrator: Tanya Eby does a great job with humorous romances like this.
Hogwarts Sorting Hat: I think I've decided that Declan is a Gryffindor and Shannon is a Hufflepuff.

Themes: family, wacky mom, crazy cat, secret shopper, bee sting allergy