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The Contract
Jamie needs a job. Etta needs a sub.
Surely, they can come to some sort of agreement.
Jamie is jobless and down to her last dollar, living in squalor with only a cat to keep her sane. On the day of an important job interview she's spotted by Etta Coleman, the smart and striking billionaire bachelorette who tears through assistants like cheap tissues.
Etta wants her. To be her assistant. To be her submissive.
For six months all Jamie has to do is be at Etta’s beck and call. In the office, in the boardroom... and in the bedroom.
In return, she'll become a millionaire.
They say that every woman has her price. Etta is willing to pay Jamie’s. Now she will enter a decadent world of money, bad jokes, broken hearts, dangerous business partners, and sweet white-collar power.
The moment Jamie signs that billion-dollar contract, she belongs to Etta Coleman. Body... and heart!
This is a sapphic retelling of the 2015 serial THE BILLION DOLLAR CONTRACT by Cynthia Dane.
Surely, they can come to some sort of agreement.
Jamie is jobless and down to her last dollar, living in squalor with only a cat to keep her sane. On the day of an important job interview she's spotted by Etta Coleman, the smart and striking billionaire bachelorette who tears through assistants like cheap tissues.
Etta wants her. To be her assistant. To be her submissive.
For six months all Jamie has to do is be at Etta’s beck and call. In the office, in the boardroom... and in the bedroom.
In return, she'll become a millionaire.
They say that every woman has her price. Etta is willing to pay Jamie’s. Now she will enter a decadent world of money, bad jokes, broken hearts, dangerous business partners, and sweet white-collar power.
The moment Jamie signs that billion-dollar contract, she belongs to Etta Coleman. Body... and heart!
This is a sapphic retelling of the 2015 serial THE BILLION DOLLAR CONTRACT by Cynthia Dane.
Audible Audio
Published February 9, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
July 11, 2023
A very typical billionaire rich/poor trope romance. Which I don't mind at all. It could be an enjoyable guilty pleasure.
But one thing that bothers me a lot is Jamie was so ANNOYING. She was annoying from the beginning to the end, and I just couldn't like her.
But one thing that bothers me a lot is Jamie was so ANNOYING. She was annoying from the beginning to the end, and I just couldn't like her.
March 11, 2025
As a very, very submissive bi girlie girl, I so loved this sapphic BDSM tale! Oh my, how I truly want to be Jamie and totally submit and serve Etta in every way possible. Read this book right now and you will definitely not be disappointed:)
April 4, 2024
DNF @ 41%
Its like a they took m/f spice scenes and did a ‘find & replace’ on some keywords to make them f/f spice scenes OR it feels like it was written by a guy — its literally all the same idea. Like I’ve read heteronormative f/f smut — and it didn’t even compare to this — I mean, Etta might as well have an actual 🍆 with the way it was written.
On top of it, the way the spice scenes were written, they were impossible to follow. Plus, there were SO SO many euphemisms used which just made it worse.
It’s sad because the book had a lot of potential.
This is literally only the 2nd book ever that I’ve DNF’d.
Its like a they took m/f spice scenes and did a ‘find & replace’ on some keywords to make them f/f spice scenes OR it feels like it was written by a guy — its literally all the same idea. Like I’ve read heteronormative f/f smut — and it didn’t even compare to this — I mean, Etta might as well have an actual 🍆 with the way it was written.
On top of it, the way the spice scenes were written, they were impossible to follow. Plus, there were SO SO many euphemisms used which just made it worse.
It’s sad because the book had a lot of potential.
This is literally only the 2nd book ever that I’ve DNF’d.
July 11, 2023
The Contract gives what is expected.
Rich buys poor.
It's a bit more complicated, of course, but nothing unexpected.
However, the relationship is far more complicated over time. I have to say, however, that I had trouble seeing these two as a couple.
Whether bought or not.
The constant mention of the money and the negotiated sum really annoyed me at times. It was just too much.
I know it was meant to represent the everlasting distance, but that made it hard for me to warm to Jamie.
She has an extreme personality and that's probably what appeals to Etta, but as a reader I don't understood some scenes.
The cheerleading scene is really stupid, sorry.
It's still a classic Billings book and if you're a fan of these books and characters, then this is it!
Thanks to Cynthia Dane Hildred Billings for the Arc!
Rich buys poor.
It's a bit more complicated, of course, but nothing unexpected.
However, the relationship is far more complicated over time. I have to say, however, that I had trouble seeing these two as a couple.
Whether bought or not.
The constant mention of the money and the negotiated sum really annoyed me at times. It was just too much.
I know it was meant to represent the everlasting distance, but that made it hard for me to warm to Jamie.
She has an extreme personality and that's probably what appeals to Etta, but as a reader I don't understood some scenes.
The cheerleading scene is really stupid, sorry.
It's still a classic Billings book and if you're a fan of these books and characters, then this is it!
Thanks to Cynthia Dane Hildred Billings for the Arc!
September 16, 2023
Worth the read!
An interesting remastered story, from m/f to f/f. Light bdsm. Angst. A little twist that you kind of were expecting yet not what you were expecting. Communication was there but always a bit short and then kept shifting back to keep the angst alive. Lots of spice, lots of feels. The d/s was good but seemed thrown in? Again back and forth with little teasers, even in the last chapter (epilogue?) Would definitely recommend and would definitely read a novella with updates on these characters and their hea.
An interesting remastered story, from m/f to f/f. Light bdsm. Angst. A little twist that you kind of were expecting yet not what you were expecting. Communication was there but always a bit short and then kept shifting back to keep the angst alive. Lots of spice, lots of feels. The d/s was good but seemed thrown in? Again back and forth with little teasers, even in the last chapter (epilogue?) Would definitely recommend and would definitely read a novella with updates on these characters and their hea.
July 27, 2023
This book felt like it was written by a man to me. Some of the things the women said in this book felt like it was for the male gaze. Maybe I just read different types of sapphic erotica but hearing a woman refer to another woman’s breast as a “rack” was a mood killer. There were other small moments like that. I finished the book and I’m not upset about having read it, it just didn’t feel like a sapphic book to me at times.
June 30, 2024
This is a D&S story that ends with an assumption that the conventional situations defining D&S may have been overlapped by a conventional relationship.
Dramatic to a fault, had some laughs and self arguments. Generally entertaining
Dramatic to a fault, had some laughs and self arguments. Generally entertaining
July 23, 2023
Normally, huge fan of these two writers, but this one I couldn't get on board with.
I am a sucker for the butch/femme dichotomy, a rags to riches, ice queen/sunshine, D/s foray so those plots all hit the mark. BDSM is my cup of tea and shot of whiskey, but the dynamic with these two was a bit sideways. Yes, there are steamy scenes, so if you are looking for smut- look no further. These writers always provide in that arena.
BUT a collar, scenes, limits, nothing discussed beforehand- just a sub being tossed into The Life deep-end and expected to swim because money was on the line. The sub bounces between wanting to be used and disliking the wanting, then falling for her Domme, but not falling, then running, but topping from the bottom. Meanwhile the Domme loves but doesn't love but loves her sub(s) and you don't really know what's going on with that hot mess of feels.
(The use of the word billion/billionaire occurred 61 times which set off some sort of irksome monster inside me.)
I am a sucker for the butch/femme dichotomy, a rags to riches, ice queen/sunshine, D/s foray so those plots all hit the mark. BDSM is my cup of tea and shot of whiskey, but the dynamic with these two was a bit sideways. Yes, there are steamy scenes, so if you are looking for smut- look no further. These writers always provide in that arena.
BUT a collar, scenes, limits, nothing discussed beforehand- just a sub being tossed into The Life deep-end and expected to swim because money was on the line. The sub bounces between wanting to be used and disliking the wanting, then falling for her Domme, but not falling, then running, but topping from the bottom. Meanwhile the Domme loves but doesn't love but loves her sub(s) and you don't really know what's going on with that hot mess of feels.
(The use of the word billion/billionaire occurred 61 times which set off some sort of irksome monster inside me.)
January 21, 2024
This was....not good.
"Want me to clean the carpets after all" babe WHAT??? Never have I read a sentence that made lesbian oral sex sound less appealing?? There were so many moments of weird dialogue like this, especially since Jamie regularly acted like a teenager in a sorority. Rocked up to a meeting in a CHEERLEADER COSUTOME??? babe ik ur boinking the boss but huh?????? Outing their relationship in a meeting via a sign shown to the whole board?? Bizarre.
Sex scenes were mid, not much chemistry sexual or romantic. Also, I feel like this book is kinda marketed as domme/sub but like there's no bdsm. Jamie is literally never submissive to Etta in bed or otherwise.
Also, Etta ignoring that Jackie is abusing Monique??? yikes.
It doesn't surprise me this was a hetero book retooled to be sapphic bc that's 100% what it reads like.
"Want me to clean the carpets after all" babe WHAT??? Never have I read a sentence that made lesbian oral sex sound less appealing?? There were so many moments of weird dialogue like this, especially since Jamie regularly acted like a teenager in a sorority. Rocked up to a meeting in a CHEERLEADER COSUTOME??? babe ik ur boinking the boss but huh?????? Outing their relationship in a meeting via a sign shown to the whole board?? Bizarre.
Sex scenes were mid, not much chemistry sexual or romantic. Also, I feel like this book is kinda marketed as domme/sub but like there's no bdsm. Jamie is literally never submissive to Etta in bed or otherwise.
Also, Etta ignoring that Jackie is abusing Monique??? yikes.
It doesn't surprise me this was a hetero book retooled to be sapphic bc that's 100% what it reads like.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 6, 2023
I was really excited for this book but honestly ended up so disappointed. I don’t think i’ve ever read a romance where I haven’t rooted for the MC’s to end up together until now. Even with this being a darker romance and the premise of Jamie being hired for sexual purposes, the turn around to them falling in love was just so forced to me. Even when Jamie had fallen for Etta she so clearly hated her and the BDSM elements to their relationship, and whilst that aspect was communicated it felt like it was done in such a toxic way. One scene that really got under my skin was Jamie almost telling Etta she was non binary even though she was disputing the fact. The smut in this book was readable but honestly Hildreds own books are so much better for that.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 13, 2023
Hab mir jetzt nochmal die Print Ausgabe bestellt, weil ich es so toll fand 😭
August 16, 2023
I was originally going to give this a 2 stars but those cute moments between Etta and Jamie had me giggling and smiling so I bumped it to a 3 stars.
majority of the smut scenes were confusing as hell so I ended up skipping them...
this book reminded me of the multiple billionaire books I read and loved on wattpad. but wtf was that cheerleading scene in a board meeting ahhh BOARD MEETING. Other than that it a pretty basic billionaire romance book.
majority of the smut scenes were confusing as hell so I ended up skipping them...
this book reminded me of the multiple billionaire books I read and loved on wattpad. but wtf was that cheerleading scene in a board meeting ahhh BOARD MEETING. Other than that it a pretty basic billionaire romance book.
August 19, 2024
This was okay. The premise was interesting and the sex scenes were great for a read. However, my one pet peeve for multiple times was that you could tell that this was a rewrite of a hetero relationship. Many times the translation in the sex scenes were not well written when it came to two women - especially when it came to 'penetration' in some scenes. You couldn't always tell if it was fingers, or it seemed that a strap suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
There was also a few other problems. The constant bickering was rather annoying, and the sudden no build up to what Jennifer does was a little weird. Also, it didn't lead to anything? I know there is another book after this about Monique, but it was still weird.
All in all, a surface deep rewrite that seemed to be made just to appeal to a new audience, however it wasn't done very well and Dane didn't know what she was doing.
There was also a few other problems. The constant bickering was rather annoying, and the sudden no build up to what Jennifer does was a little weird. Also, it didn't lead to anything? I know there is another book after this about Monique, but it was still weird.
All in all, a surface deep rewrite that seemed to be made just to appeal to a new audience, however it wasn't done very well and Dane didn't know what she was doing.
May 20, 2024
The straight content did not translate to gay very well. The second star is for effort because at least there was an attempt at gay. This was by far the straightest gay thing I've ever read and it basically stripped all the gay out of the gay relationship until nothing but straight existed and no gay could survive. I realize that all relationships are different but on what planet do lesbians only "do it" in one position for like 10 minutes and then consider it the best/longest sex they've ever had?!?
November 24, 2023
Unsafe BDSM practices, sexual coercion, DNF
Another book bought on a whim when I couldn’t sleep. I should stop doing that.
This book was silly. The characters aren’t likeable, the Domme/sub relationship depicted is not a healthy one, and the direction the book took at the end was dumb. Tbh I skimmed a lot of it.
Another book bought on a whim when I couldn’t sleep. I should stop doing that.
This book was silly. The characters aren’t likeable, the Domme/sub relationship depicted is not a healthy one, and the direction the book took at the end was dumb. Tbh I skimmed a lot of it.
June 8, 2026
I hesitated about trying one of these "sapphic retellings" for a long time, because I worried it wouldn't feel sufficiently… feminine, for lack of a better way to put it. The Algorithm Gods kept insisting that I should definitely try them, though, and I finally gave in. Would that I'd held my nerve.
The Contract is just full of little things that feel like vestiges of the original maledom version, e.g., on pg. 70, Jamie worried "that [Ms. Coleman] would want to get it in her as quickly as possible." What is "it" when there's no penis? Sure, penetration is a thing in lesbian sex, but it hardly holds the same primacy. This story relies very heavily on strapons in ways that feel like shortcuts to avoid having to do a more thorough rewrite. e.g., Etta evidently wore a strapon under her suit to dinner. Later, during foreplay, "Knowing that a woman like Etta Coleman almost burst through her trousers to get her to her lover was one hot thought." What?
If this story had been written from scratch, it feels like Etta would've been the focal character instead of Jamie, because it seems like the sex is more about her grappling with some gender identity issues than it is about Jamie grappling with the D/s dynamics. As it is, we don't get any window into what's going on with Etta, really, but whatever it is, it makes the sex scenes—of which there are loads; they're are a substantial fraction of the book—not really feel like a work of sapphic erotica. It seems pretty clear that this was conceived in some fashion more superficial than a true "retelling". I just couldn't shake the impression that it was hastily edited from The Billion Dollar Contract, changing only the bare minimum to give it a veneer of sapphic erotica without bothering to rework the scenes sufficiently deeply to feel like they authentically involve two women.
There's definitely some potential in The Contract, but I just couldn't get past how un-sapphic it all felt. I'd guess it would probably appeal more to bi or pan readers, but I'm not in a position to speak to that.
Beyond that, there are a number of more pedantic issues with the writing and editing.
There are a number of instances where the hyphen is missing from end-of-line syllabification.
There's some inconsistency about Ms. Coleman's pronouns. Usually she's she/her—and she's also "a woman" and "a lady" and "Madam"—but occasionally she's they/them for no discernible reason. And this inconsistency isn't strictly limited to Ms. Coleman, either, although most instances seem to be with her. I don't have a copy of The Billion Dollar Contract to compare, but I'm guessing Ms. Coleman isn't the only character who's been reworked from male to female, and it comes up with any of them; e.g., on pg. 108, apropos of Jacqueline Love, we get, "If they had a hat, Jamie did not doubt that she would tip it at her before leaving."
There are little discontinuities in the writing, e.g., on pg. 44, Jamie dons a "silk red Queen Anne dress" (adjective order violation also original; more on that below), but then later that night on pg. 62, we're told a sapphire "matches the color of [her] dress perfectly," before on pg. 68, the dress is explicitly confirmed to be blue. I doubt Jamie changed dresses during dinner.
Surprisingly, the authors violate the rules of adjective order multiple times, e.g., on pg. 123, Jamie is wearing a "silk white pencil skirt". This is a sort of error that non-native speakers often struggle mightily with, but most native speakers never err with this, so I'm not sure where this is coming from. (opinion, size, age, shape, colour, origin, material, purpose)
The Contract is just full of little things that feel like vestiges of the original maledom version, e.g., on pg. 70, Jamie worried "that [Ms. Coleman] would want to get it in her as quickly as possible." What is "it" when there's no penis? Sure, penetration is a thing in lesbian sex, but it hardly holds the same primacy. This story relies very heavily on strapons in ways that feel like shortcuts to avoid having to do a more thorough rewrite. e.g., Etta evidently wore a strapon under her suit to dinner. Later, during foreplay, "Knowing that a woman like Etta Coleman almost burst through her trousers to get her to her lover was one hot thought." What?
If this story had been written from scratch, it feels like Etta would've been the focal character instead of Jamie, because it seems like the sex is more about her grappling with some gender identity issues than it is about Jamie grappling with the D/s dynamics. As it is, we don't get any window into what's going on with Etta, really, but whatever it is, it makes the sex scenes—of which there are loads; they're are a substantial fraction of the book—not really feel like a work of sapphic erotica. It seems pretty clear that this was conceived in some fashion more superficial than a true "retelling". I just couldn't shake the impression that it was hastily edited from The Billion Dollar Contract, changing only the bare minimum to give it a veneer of sapphic erotica without bothering to rework the scenes sufficiently deeply to feel like they authentically involve two women.
There's definitely some potential in The Contract, but I just couldn't get past how un-sapphic it all felt. I'd guess it would probably appeal more to bi or pan readers, but I'm not in a position to speak to that.
Beyond that, there are a number of more pedantic issues with the writing and editing.
There are a number of instances where the hyphen is missing from end-of-line syllabification.
There's some inconsistency about Ms. Coleman's pronouns. Usually she's she/her—and she's also "a woman" and "a lady" and "Madam"—but occasionally she's they/them for no discernible reason. And this inconsistency isn't strictly limited to Ms. Coleman, either, although most instances seem to be with her. I don't have a copy of The Billion Dollar Contract to compare, but I'm guessing Ms. Coleman isn't the only character who's been reworked from male to female, and it comes up with any of them; e.g., on pg. 108, apropos of Jacqueline Love, we get, "If they had a hat, Jamie did not doubt that she would tip it at her before leaving."
There are little discontinuities in the writing, e.g., on pg. 44, Jamie dons a "silk red Queen Anne dress" (adjective order violation also original; more on that below), but then later that night on pg. 62, we're told a sapphire "matches the color of [her] dress perfectly," before on pg. 68, the dress is explicitly confirmed to be blue. I doubt Jamie changed dresses during dinner.
Surprisingly, the authors violate the rules of adjective order multiple times, e.g., on pg. 123, Jamie is wearing a "silk white pencil skirt". This is a sort of error that non-native speakers often struggle mightily with, but most native speakers never err with this, so I'm not sure where this is coming from. (opinion, size, age, shape, colour, origin, material, purpose)
November 17, 2023
“Your business partner is a dick, your friends are dicks, you’ve got like five different dicks in your drawer.”
.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
.
Genre: Sapphic Romance, very extremely light BDSM
.
Tropes: Dom x sub
.
Main Concepts: Our MC, Jamie desperately needs a job. She interviews at this prestigious company called Love-Coleman, where the interview doesn’t go according to plans. Jamie gets called up to Ms. Coleman’s office and gets offered a deal and a job. Be Etta Coleman’s personal assistant for $50 an hour, but with a catch. Be Etta Coleman’s sub for 6 months with a million dollar payout in the end.
.
Favorite Scenes: Probably their night at Jamie’s apartment. Very domestic.
.
World building: 5/10 would have like some more details.
.
Spice level: 2/5 honestly the spice scenes were just very bland and did not really contain any BDSM. Very light play.
.
Overall thoughts: This book was decent, just not my favorite and I won’t be reading it again. There were cute moments between Etta and Jamie and I did like the ending but there just wasn’t enough for me. I also feel like Jamie’s behavior at times was a little uncalled for and sometimes a bit immature. The spice was also just very mid to me. I honestly don’t know why this is under the BDSM category. Jamie does wear a collar at one point and there is a scene with some light spanking and bondage but that’s about it. The spice scenes were also just written in a weird way in my opinion.
.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
.
Genre: Sapphic Romance, very extremely light BDSM
.
Tropes: Dom x sub
.
Main Concepts: Our MC, Jamie desperately needs a job. She interviews at this prestigious company called Love-Coleman, where the interview doesn’t go according to plans. Jamie gets called up to Ms. Coleman’s office and gets offered a deal and a job. Be Etta Coleman’s personal assistant for $50 an hour, but with a catch. Be Etta Coleman’s sub for 6 months with a million dollar payout in the end.
.
Favorite Scenes: Probably their night at Jamie’s apartment. Very domestic.
.
World building: 5/10 would have like some more details.
.
Spice level: 2/5 honestly the spice scenes were just very bland and did not really contain any BDSM. Very light play.
.
Overall thoughts: This book was decent, just not my favorite and I won’t be reading it again. There were cute moments between Etta and Jamie and I did like the ending but there just wasn’t enough for me. I also feel like Jamie’s behavior at times was a little uncalled for and sometimes a bit immature. The spice was also just very mid to me. I honestly don’t know why this is under the BDSM category. Jamie does wear a collar at one point and there is a scene with some light spanking and bondage but that’s about it. The spice scenes were also just written in a weird way in my opinion.
July 20, 2023
According to the author, this book is a sapphic version of a previous book she wrote where one of the MCs was a guy. I didn't read that previous version so I can only talk about this one.
The book presents some excellent writing, complex characters, and an interesting plot. While the characters' arc is not so impressive (because there isn't that much development) what we see is a wonderful depiction of a slow-burn romance that had sex in the relationship from the very beginning. In other words, through a sexual relationship, the MCs get to know each other, get closer, and fall in love. This is a powerful demonstration of the concept of Erotic Romance and it can be just as slow burn as "regular" romance.
Worth mentioning: I loved the way the author divided up the sections of the book, opening each of them with a letter that both foreshadows the events in the section and creates a milestone in the path to the end resolution.
T&T:
Tropes: workplace romance, sex worker, rags to riches, poor girl/rich girl, cute pet
Triggers: BDSM, sex work, poverty, threat of non-con, abusive relationship (mostly off-page)
Rating: easy 4 stars
The book presents some excellent writing, complex characters, and an interesting plot. While the characters' arc is not so impressive (because there isn't that much development) what we see is a wonderful depiction of a slow-burn romance that had sex in the relationship from the very beginning. In other words, through a sexual relationship, the MCs get to know each other, get closer, and fall in love. This is a powerful demonstration of the concept of Erotic Romance and it can be just as slow burn as "regular" romance.
Worth mentioning: I loved the way the author divided up the sections of the book, opening each of them with a letter that both foreshadows the events in the section and creates a milestone in the path to the end resolution.
T&T:
Tropes: workplace romance, sex worker, rags to riches, poor girl/rich girl, cute pet
Triggers: BDSM, sex work, poverty, threat of non-con, abusive relationship (mostly off-page)
Rating: easy 4 stars
November 17, 2023
An Exciting Read!
First, this book was not perfect. There were some little discrepancies that appeared but there was so much more good that made this a worthy read. First the characters, Jamie and Etta. Jamie is down on her luck, living in a bad neighborhood, a badly run building, an apartment that always feels wet and a big red ball of fur caller Barbarossa. She has just left another temp job and needs another fast since she is down to her last few dollars thanks to unemployment the last few months. So she can’t screw up this interview at Love-Coleman. Etta is a young billionaire, who is half owner of Love-Coleman. She likes to hire her own personal assistants. As she is entering the building, she finds a face that intrigues her. Jamie is there for the administrative assistant job but when she is summoned for a different job that is with the executives. Turns out job is for the woman who was staring at her in lobby. Etta Coleman. But Jamie is soon going to realize that Etta wants more. So much more. I love the letters that start each section which was different. I love that Jamie has pride and does the right thing when it’s questioned. It is a very good read.
First, this book was not perfect. There were some little discrepancies that appeared but there was so much more good that made this a worthy read. First the characters, Jamie and Etta. Jamie is down on her luck, living in a bad neighborhood, a badly run building, an apartment that always feels wet and a big red ball of fur caller Barbarossa. She has just left another temp job and needs another fast since she is down to her last few dollars thanks to unemployment the last few months. So she can’t screw up this interview at Love-Coleman. Etta is a young billionaire, who is half owner of Love-Coleman. She likes to hire her own personal assistants. As she is entering the building, she finds a face that intrigues her. Jamie is there for the administrative assistant job but when she is summoned for a different job that is with the executives. Turns out job is for the woman who was staring at her in lobby. Etta Coleman. But Jamie is soon going to realize that Etta wants more. So much more. I love the letters that start each section which was different. I love that Jamie has pride and does the right thing when it’s questioned. It is a very good read.
January 21, 2024
There are a lot of "meh" reviews, and I wanted to balance that back. This book was fantastic, given that I've not read the original m/f version.
The breakup notes that are sprinkled throughout made me cry, a lot of this book made me cry tbh. I read it in a single sitting, not realizing how quickly I was pulled in. The relationship blooms nicely, even if the timejumps hurt (i get why they're there, for pacing; but I want more)
Thats what this book is to me.
Its my favorite kink, and I want more of it.
All the "owner/pet" dynamic books I find tend to be supernatural or fantasy, and to have this version of the real world instead was a nice change of pace.
I DO have one issue, the final act. I wanted more of a buildup or suspense, but the finale was still beautiful.
All in all, I want more. As someone who'se favorite smut is Fae Queen's Captive and Princess's Pet (I know my pattern here) I'm glad I came across this on my kindle.
I can't wait to reread it.
The breakup notes that are sprinkled throughout made me cry, a lot of this book made me cry tbh. I read it in a single sitting, not realizing how quickly I was pulled in. The relationship blooms nicely, even if the timejumps hurt (i get why they're there, for pacing; but I want more)
Thats what this book is to me.
Its my favorite kink, and I want more of it.
All the "owner/pet" dynamic books I find tend to be supernatural or fantasy, and to have this version of the real world instead was a nice change of pace.
I DO have one issue, the final act. I wanted more of a buildup or suspense, but the finale was still beautiful.
All in all, I want more. As someone who'se favorite smut is Fae Queen's Captive and Princess's Pet (I know my pattern here) I'm glad I came across this on my kindle.
I can't wait to reread it.
October 8, 2024
When I first read the Summary I saw Dom and Sub and I was like Yes! So I dove in. This story wasn’t my favorite but it was okay. The story follows a woman named Jamie who lives in not so great conditions. She doesn’t have a lot of money, she lives in an apartment building that isn’t in the best of shape and so the book starts out with her going for an interview to be the assistant of Etta Coleman. Out of everyone there, Etta singles out Jamie and eventually hires her. Etta is a billionaire, so the trope of this story is pretty much billionaire boss x employee romance. Not bad just my neutral enjoyment. We also see some LGBTQ+ representation in this book, and not just lesbians either so that was really awesome to see.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 10, 2023
The Contract is Hildred Billings at her best - sexy, fun, decadence with a twist! Jamie’s personality leaps off the page. She’s a feisty, hot mess with a ginger cat! What’s not to love? She’s so likeable Billings had me rooting for her happy ending from the start. Etta is the archetypal enigmatic billionaire, but there is real character development for her through the book.
The book is not without its faults, but the storyline is great, the chemistry between Jamie and Etta is sizzling and there is the perfect balance of humour, heat and tension. This is high fantasy but Billings manages to keep it real.
The book is not without its faults, but the storyline is great, the chemistry between Jamie and Etta is sizzling and there is the perfect balance of humour, heat and tension. This is high fantasy but Billings manages to keep it real.
July 21, 2023
This is better than the original, way better!
The story is familiar but the action is written so wonderfully and the tension is riding up and down so fast that it is very difficult to put down. I had to take several cold showers while reading this, mostly without any relief! So what can one say, this is one hot, no really hot read! I loved the twists and turns the writers had to take to work this rewrite to completion. The characters have all been developed fully and worked to bring the story new life. Well done Cynthia Dane and Hildred Billings!
The story is familiar but the action is written so wonderfully and the tension is riding up and down so fast that it is very difficult to put down. I had to take several cold showers while reading this, mostly without any relief! So what can one say, this is one hot, no really hot read! I loved the twists and turns the writers had to take to work this rewrite to completion. The characters have all been developed fully and worked to bring the story new life. Well done Cynthia Dane and Hildred Billings!
June 19, 2024
This book has me feeling so many different emotions and I wish there was a sequel. It was an emotional rollercoaster in all the best ways. As I reared closer to the end I guess I wasn’t as happy with the outcome of it all. I expected more character growth and a bigger coming together. I was happy with the ending overall as it’s expected and wanted, but the long wait for the anti climactic union was upsetting. Overall a good book, very spicy, got a bit too much for me at a point, but I understand why, just wish there was more plot. Look forward to the authors other books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 29, 2025
Uncertain...
I'm uncertain how I feel about this story. I've read these authors before, so I had high expectations. Well, i honestly don't think I've ever disliked an MC as much as I dislike Jamie Joy. Her whole attitude got on my nerves, I didn't like that cheerleading stunt she pulled on the board, and she just seemed relatively clueless half the time. Overall it wasn't the worst book I've ever read, but several times throughout, I found myself double checking how much was left so I would know how much longer I had to hold out....
I'm uncertain how I feel about this story. I've read these authors before, so I had high expectations. Well, i honestly don't think I've ever disliked an MC as much as I dislike Jamie Joy. Her whole attitude got on my nerves, I didn't like that cheerleading stunt she pulled on the board, and she just seemed relatively clueless half the time. Overall it wasn't the worst book I've ever read, but several times throughout, I found myself double checking how much was left so I would know how much longer I had to hold out....
July 11, 2023
Outrageous. Must read.
This story was amazing. I couldn't put my Kindle down. I love the relationship between Jamie and Etta and how they tried to keep their feelings for each other to themselves orally, but it ended up coming out physically. I would love to read a short story extension on their future along with what happened to Monique and Jacquelyn. Thank you for rewriting this great story.
This story was amazing. I couldn't put my Kindle down. I love the relationship between Jamie and Etta and how they tried to keep their feelings for each other to themselves orally, but it ended up coming out physically. I would love to read a short story extension on their future along with what happened to Monique and Jacquelyn. Thank you for rewriting this great story.
July 29, 2024
The Contract
OK, first let me say that there are so many things going for this book. Billionaire propositions a down-on-her-luck girl in need of a job... I love the premise! The writing is great. Etta is swoon worthy - mysterious, confident, intelligent, and sexy. The sex scenes are 🔥🌶💥. It's definitely worth the read. The only problem for me was that I had a hard time liking Jamie, but I'll let that just be my personal opinion.
OK, first let me say that there are so many things going for this book. Billionaire propositions a down-on-her-luck girl in need of a job... I love the premise! The writing is great. Etta is swoon worthy - mysterious, confident, intelligent, and sexy. The sex scenes are 🔥🌶💥. It's definitely worth the read. The only problem for me was that I had a hard time liking Jamie, but I'll let that just be my personal opinion.
June 14, 2025
3 stars. Dane and Billings are such hit and miss authors for me. I’ve got a few five stars from them, some three stars, and two stars. This was way too long to be so boring. Over 400 pages of a molasses paced plot, the characters of Etta and Jamie (wonderful name) were okay and I did like the chemistry between them but I just wasn’t impressed with this book as a whole. I’ve read worst from these two hence the three stars but this one didn’t need to be this long at all.
August 2, 2023
Another fantastic book by Cynthia Dane and Hildred Billings!
Get ready for the ride of your life because this book is SPICY!
I really enjoyed getting to know Etta and Jamie though I think Barbarossa steals the show ;) (not really, Etta is still my favourite!). I loved Etta and Jamie's chemistry right from the start
This one will go on my re-read pile
Get ready for the ride of your life because this book is SPICY!
I really enjoyed getting to know Etta and Jamie though I think Barbarossa steals the show ;) (not really, Etta is still my favourite!). I loved Etta and Jamie's chemistry right from the start
This one will go on my re-read pile
August 3, 2023
Wowsers!
Jamie needs money and just happens to catch the eyes of a billionaire. What a trip the story takes us on. I loved that Jamie didn't once give up who she is, even for money. Etta runs her personal life like a tight ship, just as she runs her professional life. Throw in a contract and what a whirlwind of a story with our characters.
Jamie needs money and just happens to catch the eyes of a billionaire. What a trip the story takes us on. I loved that Jamie didn't once give up who she is, even for money. Etta runs her personal life like a tight ship, just as she runs her professional life. Throw in a contract and what a whirlwind of a story with our characters.
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