The CEO's Takeover: A Fake Relationship Billionaire Romance

by Margarette Grey

The moment my marriage exploded, my billionaire boss decided I was his to protect.

I was supposed to be the good wife, the polished marketing executive who held her marriage together with polite smiles. Instead, I discovered my husband’s betrayal… and woke up to a photo of me and my boss splashed across every screen in the city.

Rafael Sebastian is everything I should run from—calculating billionaire CEO, relentless control freak, and a man whose charm is dangerous.

Before I know it, I am in a private jet with my boss, agreeing to a sham of a relationship just to keep up appearances. No feelings, no future, just a contract with an end date.

But the more he protects me, pushes me, and pulls me into his orbit, the more I see the man his jealous streak, the possessiveness, and the fractured past he refuses to name.

I know I should walk away.

But when our contract expires and the cameras move on, do I walk away and rebuild the safe life I lost… or risk everything on the man who was never supposed to be anything more than my CEO?

426 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 24, 2025

About the author

Margarette Grey writes contemporary romance stories featuring hot billionaires and witty heroines. She loves the thrill of reading gripping romance novels at night, kissing alpha males in her dreams, and writing about them in the morning. She makes her home in The Pearl of the Orient Seas, where ‘leisure time’ means indulging in drawings, watching anime, Korean dramas, and Netflix series.

Reviews

[Cailee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was an ARC reader for this book and am happy to give my honest review. This flirty romance was fun to read and drew me in quickly. An accidental meet turns into a fake relationship and eventually leads to more. Savi is sweet but determined, she reaches for what she wants. She is full of love to give and sees the good in Raf even when he can’t find it in himself. The story itself was cute with a plot twist that added an extra layer of depth. There were a few instances where the sense of time got confusing but overall it was well written and a pleasure to read.

[Sarah O’Donnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ARC Review✨

Savannah bumps into a stranger in an airport and accidentally swaps phones with Rafael, from there her life unravels beautifully.

Her husband decides he wants a divorce. Meanwhile Rafael family want him to settle down and have a family, more to the point an heir to the company. Savannah, post divorce announcement, needs a new job and guess who’s hiring! Savannah starts at Raf’s company as his brother’s assistant, only he didn’t know she was being hired and she didn’t know it was his company let alone his brother.

As Raf’s a Casanova he needs to protect his image and tabloids say he has a new girlfriend, the girl in the pictures is Savannah.
Enter one of my favourite tropes, they come to an agreement to fake date, to not only help with his family problem but help them land a deal at work and piss off savannahs soon to be ex husband and his new gf.
The plot twist with her brother was great.

Although this book is 500+ pages it’s a quick fun read.

[Cassandra Booth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished The CEO’s Takeover and excuse me while I stare into the distance because this CEO walked in like he owned the company… and my entire mental stability 💼🔥

Savannah and Rafael had me hooked from page one. This is a workplace romance that leans ALL the way into power dynamics, forced proximity, and banter sharp enough to violate multiple HR policies. Rafael is the kind of CEO who makes power moves without asking permission, while Savannah is freshly divorced, finding her footing again, and absolutely not here to be steamrolled, no matter how intimidating or ridiculously attractive her new boss is.

The setup? Chef’s kiss.
Fake dating ✔️
Office tension ✔️
“She falls first” ✔️
Found family vibes ✔️

And while some elements felt familiar in the best romance-reader way, there is a twist I genuinely didn’t see coming, and it added so much depth to the story. One of my favorite parts was watching Savannah fall back in love with herself. Her growth felt earned and empowering, especially after everything she’s been through. At the same time, Rafael’s emotional arc surprised me. He comes off as an arrogant, demanding CEO at first, but underneath that? Loyalty, protectiveness, and a man learning how to be better for the people he loves.

Let’s talk spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️
It’s not overpowering, but when it hits? It hits. The tension builds beautifully, the payoff is satisfying, and the chemistry between these two is undeniable.

Yes, this is a longer book, but it reads fast. The pacing is solid, the emotions run high, and the author takes her time delivering a HEA that actually feels deserved. There are heavier themes woven in (including infidelity and emotional abuse), handled thoughtfully without overshadowing the romance.

This was my first read from Margarette Gray, and it definitely won’t be my last. If you love CEOs with control issues, workplace chaos, fake dating schemes, and characters who grow right alongside the romance, this one’s for you 💖📚

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It had a lot of emotion and intense scenarios. The characters were wonderful. They had heart, soul and much depth to their personalities and problems. The book has a great plot twist, that is pretty easy to pick up on. Especially with all the hints that are dropped in the story. The author did a wonderful job with her delivery of the story and did not rush to get to that HEA. Which I find comforting.

I really loved Raf's character. Even though he comes off as an asshole, he is sweet, fierce, demanding, yet loyal. He truly cares deeply for his family, even with all their disfunction. Savi is a wonderful person. Even though she has been wronged in the most horrible way, she still tries to be understanding of those individuals. Edward's character was not my favorite, as he was not really taking responsibility for the part he played in the story. He was demanding and possessive, especially as he had no right to be. He was a very selfish person.

I felt like the author took her time and delivered her story well. The book is a medium paced read and is full of emotion. This book has touches a bit on domestic abuse and infidelity, so be prepared. I truly enjoyed this book and it's amazing lineup of characters. Being that this is the first book I have read by this author, I can honestly say that I will read more by her.

[Susan Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This fun and flirty romance delivers equal parts chaos, chemistry, and charm.
Savannah’s life is turned upside down the moment she bumps into a stranger at the airport and walks away with the wrong phone. Returning home from her business trip, she’s ready to reignite the spark in her marriage—only to be blindsided when her husband announces he wants a divorce.
Meanwhile, Rafael, a famed Casanova and dedicated workaholic, faces pressure from his company’s board: it’s time to clean up his image, find a wife, and produce an heir. The last thing he expects is that the woman who accidentally stole his phone will soon be working for him.
After resigning from her old job, Savannah joins a competitor… only to discover that the mysterious airport stranger is none other than Rafael, her new CEO. The attraction between them is instant and electric, but both must decide whether what they’re feeling is merely desire—or something much deeper.
With sizzling tension, humorous twists, and two characters who meet at exactly the wrong yet perfectly right time, this romance is a delightful escape and well worth the read.

[Ann Adolphson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spice/ 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
I received an eARC of The CEO’s Takeover by Margarette Grey through Book Sirens, and I’m leaving this review completely voluntarily.
This story kicks off with a chance airport run-in when Savi accidentally swaps phones with a stranger and that small moment ends up changing everything. That stranger turns out to be Raf, a powerful CEO known by the press as a modern-day Casanova. But from the moment he meets Savi, something about her gets under his skin in a way no one else ever has. He’s intrigued, drawn in, and very quickly wants more.
Things get even messier when Savi lands a job at Raf’s company, putting them face-to-face in a workplace setting where the chemistry is impossible to ignore. The tension between them is sizzling from start to finish, and the twists along the way kept things fun and engaging. I genuinely enjoyed watching their dynamic unfold and seeing how fate kept nudging them back together.
For a 400+ page book, this was a surprisingly fast read I flew through it. If you enjoy broody billionaire CEOs, fake dating, grumpy x sunshine energy, and workplace romance, this one is definitely worth picking up.

[Melissa Mejia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of receiving this as an e-ARC and voluntarily will be giving my honest review. This was a quick and easy read! I devoured it in one sitting!! I absolutely loved this story line!! This is a billionaire romance with some spice and loved the chemistry of the FMC and MMC even though the FMC was technically still married. Make sure to read your triggers!

“Powerful. Steadfast. New York’s most eligible bachelor.

Rafael Sebastian had been labeled every good and wicked thing in the corporate world.

At the stage of my heartbreak from my crumbling marriage, I literally ran into him. He left me breathless with a single word and an irresistible smile. But there’s more to Rafael than meets the eye. He was an enigmatic force with more secrets than answers.”

[Redcurlsangel · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review, Thx Margarette Grey

This book was a nice change of pace from the dark romance novels I usually read. Although the novel is over 500 pages long, it's a quick read.
Margarette writes in a simple style with plenty of dialogue. The storyline is well thought out, and it's refreshing that FMC isn't a naive girl but someone with her life together. The plot also makes the book exciting.
It was interesting to read how Raf and Savi find each other.
The book has an HEA. For readers who take cheating seriously, FMC and MMC get together while FMC is technically still married.
⭐️4/5
🌶 2.5/5

[Ohheyymorgan M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating:

*4.5 out of 5*

*Spoiler free review*

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this! Watching the characters develop and grow tugged at my heart so much. I felt that the story moved along for the most part pretty well. There were a few moments where I felt that it was a little slow. However, the heart warming moments, the emotional moments… the spicy moments were done perfectly. I found myself connecting to the characters and went through their emotions with them. The sadness, the hurt, the love, the feeling of family, being proud of them, etc. Overall a delightful read!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Heather E. · Rating 3 out of 5]

The tone of this book made me feel as if I was an observer in the life of the characters, and did not allow me fully to immerse myself in the story. The story started off with Savi’s husband Edward’s unexpected announcement and a mishap at the airport. The mishap leads to a new beginning and a connection that was unknown for years. A long lost friend is reunited with Savi, only for Savi to find out that she has been betrayed by her. Raf is a workaholic who lives a life by going through the motions, until he meets Savi. This story is an interwoven tale of connections, and how the lives of those around us are connected in the most unexpected ways.

[Alyssa Maness · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review!
I’ll admit, this book intimidated me at first—a contemporary billionaire romance that’s over 500 pages? Definitely outside my usual comfort zone. But let me tell you, I devoured it in a single day! I simply couldn’t put it down. Savi and Raf are overflowing with passion, tension, and that delicious slow-burn angst that keeps you turning pages. I’m a sucker for a hero who believes he’s incapable of love until the right woman proves him wrong, and this story delivered that perfectly. Add this to your TBR immediately—The CEO Takeover is pure gold and hits shelves November 24th!

[Samantha S. (TikTok: RADHouse - RileyAnthonyDesigns) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just finished my ARC of The CEO’s Takeover by Margarette Gray and HELLO???

Why did this CEO walk in like he owns the company and my free time?? 💼🔥

This book is 4 stars of corporate chaos, tension thick enough to violate HR policies, and a hero who really said: “Let me take over your job, your schedule, AND your thoughts.”

Sir… boundaries?? Never met her 😂

If you love workplace banter, power moves, and a CEO who is one board meeting away from being your whole personality, this one’s already out — go grab it!

[Shabella Gutierrez-McLean · Rating 5 out of 5]

I immediately fell in love with this story and these characters from the first page. It was somewhat predictable but I think that’s what a lot of romance stories are. There is a twist that I did not see coming that threw me. I definitely loved seeing the love of Savi grow for herself more than anything. Reading and witnessing acceptance and growth of a character like Raf if very special. As a reader, that was one of the most important parts to read for me. If you love found family, she falls first, forced proximity then you will love this book!!

[Zulma · Rating 5 out of 5]

savannah is at the airport where she buenos into astra ver and they accidently switch cellphones. then. Savi goes to dinner with her husband who then asks for a divorce but will not explain why. so savi goes to.brooklyn to stay at her brother Michael house. her friends Riley and Wes (siblings) try and help her find a job. which she then becomes the assistant to Wes boss carter. to then find out he is brother to the guy who she bumped into at the airport. the story is super good and spicy. there are twist and you will be surprised

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Savi and Rafael were the perfect main characters. Their chemistry was undeniable, their dynamic completely addictive, and they made it impossible to put this book down. Every interaction between them pulled me deeper into the story, to the point where I absolutely ignored my responsibilities just to keep reading. 😅

The tension, the banter, and the slow build between them kept me hooked from start to finish. If you love a romance where the main characters carry the story and make you need to know what happens next, The CEO’s Takeover delivers.

[Katrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved loved loved this book. I read it in one day and could not put it down. Savannah’s and Rafael’s relationship is simply beautiful. From the moment they met they had a connection and it never went away. I love how Raf overcomes his hangups and builds a life with Savi. The secondary characters are great too and support the leads. The CEO’s Takeover is a terrific read and well written. Highly recommended

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Candee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book. Was definitely a roller coaster of events and some plot twist that was unexpected. The main character Savi she definitely made me mad at time with the decisions she made but understood some of them. And Raf is such a complex character that was so amazing to see his character development. If you love fake dating stories then this is an amazing book to read. I didn’t want it to end. But it’s such a good book and has a fast pace to it.

[Tiffany Wade · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the wonderful opportunity to read this as an ARC! The story line of this book sucked me. I really enjoyed the story line and continued to want to know what was going to happen throught out the book. For me the read was a little difficult I felt that the writing made it seem rushed and was a bit clipped. I kept wanting a bit more explanation and world building. The Spice was good and the I fell in love with the characters. This was a good billionaire romance.

[Liz Bench · Rating 4 out of 5]

there were a bunch of things that happened and it just didn't hit me as a five star read. First way too many troops which I mean I guess I can understand. The writing was beautiful but the smut scenes were just honestly I think there could have been different words but saying that doesn't take away the fact you can kind of feel the characters emotions and the twist and turns you could kind of see happening. Saying that I feel like it's a really decent book.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Savi + Raf.

I loved the story very much! Savi is such a good FMC. My only qualm with the book is the stiff language/interactions between characters. Savi being rescued by Raf on many occasions throughout this book just shows how much she needs someone to lean on. I also really disliked how Savi's husband could never really articulate why he wanted a divorce. Having to pull emotions and feelings out of a person is frustrating and Savi was 100% frustrated with her husband.

Raf's character felt well rounded and I really enjoyed reading him. Raf is in need of a companion to make his image better than it appears and he wants Savi.

[Melanie]

The CEO takeover is a great read filled with tons of ups and downs, twists and turns. This book was a great read and loved the story line to it, i cant wait to see if there will be more to this story or add ons for other characters. I received an advance review copy for free, and i am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Samantha Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute book! I really enjoyed reading it. It was fun and flirty and who doesn't love that. I was drawn in from the beginning and couldn't put it down. I will definitely recommend this to my reader friends! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kendra Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story had me throwing real life to the side just so I could keep reading about Savannah and Raphael. Parts of it were a little predictable and Raf came into his feelings way too easily for someone who was that closed off. Savi was just the one for him and he changed himself to the core. But it made for a great read while off from work.

[Anna Yocum · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sav and Raf's story is steamy, has soul and full of plot. It's interesting as he tries to stay cold and distant to how he burns and grovels. I loved Savannah especially, not a young sassy clueless heroine. I liked her mature thoughts and reactions to life.

[Monica Minniti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meet Rafael and Savannah. Once I started I couldn’t stop! This book sucked me in right away! Savannah is feisty and Rafael tries to stay away. I love how they meet and as the book progresses I just got more invested. Great storyline, great banter. Such a great read! Spice is 🌶️🌶️🌶️ story is 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[Mic Rausch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had the greatest pleasure to receive an e-ARC for an honeat review. I loved Savanah and Rafael's story. Totally captivating and the billionaire having to fake date. Read it fairely quick and fell in love with it.

[JD]

Really enjoyed this book - plenty of drama and angst in this book. I did feel like the synopsis was a bit too over dramatised compared to the actual content of the book - I almost didn't read it because it didn't sound so good in the blurb

[Jessica H · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

I really loved the story, I did think some more time for Savannah to understand and feel her situation was needed. I feel as though that part was rushed. Otherwise I couldn’t put it down once I started it!

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing story! I couldn’t put it down !! Thankfully I was part of the arc team and could read it before release. Praying there’s another book coming ! I completely adored this story !!!

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s amazing to me how a book with this amount of pages is such a quick read. The FMC was a nice change of pace from the typical damsel. Solid plot.