Playing with Fire: A rivals to lovers romance packed with billionaire decadence, private Greek island luxury and LOTS of spice from Christy Mckellen for 2026

by Christy McKellen

One Night to Settle the Score

Ten years ago, April Darlington-Hume broke ex-tennis star Jamie De Montfort's heart and vanished without a word. Since then, he's had nothing but questions… and a memory of the passion they once shared.

When a scandalously heated encounter at a fundraiser throws them back together, he finally sees his chance to get the answers he's waited a decade for. So he makes April an offer he knows an ambitious businesswoman like her can't refuse.

He'll sell her his father's company—if she admits he's the only man who's ever truly satisfied her. It's a simple remind her exactly what she's been missing, drive her wild with desire, and tempt the truth out of her at last.

But every heated touch and dangerous glance proves one thing—whatever burned between them ten years ago never really went out. And this time, the fire might consume them both.

157 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 21, 2026

About the author

Formerly a Video and Radio Producer, Christy now spends her time writing provocative, passionate, seductive romance. When she’s not writing, she can be found enjoying life with her husband and three children, walking for pleasure and researching other people’s deepest secrets and desires.

You can find out more about her books at www.christymckellen.com

Reviews

[niki ౨ৎ · Rating 2 out of 5]

౨ৎꨄ︎ 2.25 stars

Thank you NetGalley, Boldwood Books and Christy McKellen for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

started quite strong and had me hooked in, but honestly it didn’t meet its potential.

i will start by saying that the introduction was done well and i was easily pulled into the story. honestly didn’t expect the book to start the way it did, but that made it enjoyable and interesting enough to keep on reading!

and i got even more excited when the story moved to greece. i really was hoping for fun, quick-paced rom-com with summer vibes. but sadly that’s when the story missed the huge opportunity. i knew there was going to be a lot of spice, i just wished for more summer vibes scenes given the fact they were on an island and all alone!!!

both the character were quite fun to follow, yet both acted like children. and if i’m being honest jamie had more red flags than green ones. when i finally started to warm up to him, the whole drama happened and he handled it very, very poorly.

and this brings me to the plot twist which.. what the hell. it made me quite disgusted with the whole dynamic of the both families. there could have been million reasons, but this one was just weird.

on the plus side, i did enjoy the writing. the pacing definitely isn't bad, it's just the story itself that i didn't enjoy.

────୨ৎ────

౨ৎꨄ︎ pre-read: got the arc, hoping for a quick rom-com to fill my sunday hehe <3

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went into Playing with Fire expecting a quick, spicy romance, and that’s exactly what I got. What I didn’t expect was how invested I’d become in April and Jamie. From the moment they ended up back in each other’s lives, it was obvious there was far more between them than old attraction. There were years of hurt, unanswered questions, and a whole lot of things neither of them had ever really dealt with.

The chemistry is there from the very beginning. There’s really no slow build here. These two know exactly how to get under each other’s skin, and sometimes it feels like arguing is just another way they communicate. Their conversations made me smile because neither one was willing to back down, even when it probably would have made life easier.

This is definitely one of the steamier romances I’ve read lately, but I never felt like the relationship was only about the physical side of things. The attraction gets them back into the same space, but it’s the history between them that kept me reading. I wanted to know what had happened ten years earlier. Every time another piece of their story came out, I found myself changing my mind about who I felt sorrier for.

I actually liked that neither April nor Jamie was perfect. They both make frustrating decisions. More than once I wanted to tell them to stop talking around the issue and just have an honest conversation already. Of course, if they’d done that in chapter two there wouldn’t have been much of a story left. By the time everything finally came to light, I understood why they had both carried the weight of the past for so long.

The Greek island setting was another thing I enjoyed. It gave the whole story a fun, glamorous feel without taking attention away from the characters. I could picture the beautiful scenery while all the emotional fireworks were happening, and it made for a nice escape for a couple of hours.

My only real complaint is the same one I had when I reached the last page—I wanted more. This is a short book, and I don’t think I was ready for it to end. I would have loved to spend more time with April and Jamie once all the secrets were finally out in the open. Their relationship felt like it had earned a little extra breathing room.

One thing I appreciated was that the ending didn’t leave me frustrated. After all the tension, misunderstandings, and emotional baggage these two carried around, it was nice to close the book feeling like everything had come together the way it should have. Sometimes that’s exactly what I’m looking for after a long workday.

If you’re picking this up expecting lots of spice, you’ll definitely get it. If you’re hoping for two people trying to figure out whether love deserves a second chance after ten years apart, you’ll get that too. It’s a fast read, easy to finish in one sitting, and one I’d recommend when you’re in the mood for something escapist with plenty of heat.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for the advance reader copy. As always, these thoughts are completely my own.

[Tanisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second chance romances are one of those tropes that almost always grab my attention. There is something so compelling about two people who never truly got over each other getting another opportunity to make things right. When I read the description of this book, I was immediately intrigued by the combination of unresolved history, family secrets, and a reunion ten years in the making.

This story hooked me right from the beginning. April and Jamie have undeniable chemistry, and it was obvious that neither of them had fully moved on from what they shared years ago. I also appreciated that there was more going on than just the romance. The mystery surrounding their breakup and the secrets connecting their families kept me turning pages because I needed to know what had really happened. As the layers were peeled back, I found myself sympathizing with both characters and understanding how much pain they had been carrying for years.

I will say that this is definitely a very spicy romance, but beneath all of that was an emotional story about love, forgiveness, and learning how to move forward from the mistakes of the past. There were several moments where I wanted to shake both characters, but that only made me more invested in seeing them work through everything. I especially liked that neither of them was perfect and that they both had to confront some difficult truths before they could truly move forward.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It was a fast read that kept me engaged from beginning to end. The family drama, emotional revelations, and second chance romance all came together in a satisfying way. The wedding epilogue was the perfect finishing touch, and it left me with a smile on my face when I turned the final page.

**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

[Kasey Blake · Rating 2 out of 5]

Parts of this book had a lot going for it there were moments where we were fully in the moment with the characters and their connection made sense. Their bond and draw to each other because of their storied past was very prevalent and obvious in their interactions. However, there was a lack of connection building in the current day and while I could sense they felt a nostalgic love for each other I didn’t think we had enough time with them in the present for their feelings to grow to where they were by the end of the book. For me, one of the main issues was that their individual background was mostly revealed through internal monologue and so while they were telling us information about each one of them we didn’t see them share that with one another and so they didn’t really have any opportunities to connect on a deeper level. Their relationship seemed mostly based on sexual attraction and not an actual emotional intimacy. The premise also was bothersome to me, I know a lot of moral liberties are taken in romance to develop a plot to keep two people together however, outright trading sexual intimacy for a business deal is really icky to me. There was also no real reason for them to spend multiple days together on his island and for her to not be working. It was very loosely thrown together which made me lose interest from the beginning as the stakes seemed falsified. Also without spoiling the reveal of the secret was underwhelming as she did seem forced to share that information it didn’t come about in a natural way and also I hate those kinds of twists it’s a bit gross as a concept

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for an advanced copy of this arc!

[ashleey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the opportunity to read and review this arc.

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

When Jamie’s dad passes and leaves a mysterious note asking him to ask his ex what really caused their tumultuous breakup ten years ago, he finds himself hatching a plan to seduce the answers out of her.

I absolutely love second chance romances so I was dying to pick this up once I read the blurb. I was pleasantly surprised that the spice was SPICY. Although I loved the spice, I do feel as thought Jamie and April’s relationship was more on the physical side. They had a long term relationship prior to breaking up so I was disappointed to see that there was no… umph to their relationship. The way Jamie spoke to April was quite frankly not what I like in a MMC. He really treated her as an object to conquer rather than someone he loved. April wasn’t perfect either, it did make for an entertaining read and I would have loved if this was just a bit longer so we could have that depth between them.

Moving onto the plot, it was a tad bit weak. Jamie gets this odd letter from his dad which turns into a bigger family secret than I was actually expecting. It truly didn’t make sense to me. Adding that secret in would have been perfect for a longer novel or an interconnected series, which I would have dived right into. 

If you love short and spicy second-chance romances this is for you! While reading I was reminded of Tessa Bailey’s novels, so if you’re a long time fan of hers you might want to pick this up in between your heavier reads. 

[Taylor · Rating 2 out of 5]

Soooo, this wasn't quite what I was expecting?

Going in, I knew this was going to be a high spice romance. What I wasn't expecting was how little I would connect with the characters themselves.

This is a very quick read, and I flew through it in two days. But because everything moves so fast, I never felt like I got to know Jamie and April beyond their attraction to each other. The book kept telling me there was all this history, chemistry, and unresolved tension between them, but I never fully felt it myself?

To be fair, the book isn't shy about being spicy, and readers looking for a very steamy read may have a different experience than I did. My issue wasn't the amount of spice! Hell yeah, spice! It was that I never felt all that invested in the characters outside of their physical attraction to each other. And when I'm reading a romance, I personally need a little more emotional connection than that.

I also found the writing a little more tell than show than I tend to like, which made it even harder for me to connect with the characters. By the end, they still didn't quite feel like real people to me.

Overall, this one just wasn't for me. But if you're looking for a fast, steamy read, this may be exactly what you're looking for! Personally, I found myself wanting more from the plot and characters than I ultimately got.

Thank you to Netgalley, Boldwood Books, and Christy McKellen for the eArc!

[lena_likes_to_read · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story felt a little flat for me. I know it promised a lot of smut, but that's the only thing that was there. I felt no love connection between April and Jamie. In fact, I think Jamie was still manipulating her to get the secret out up until the very last moment, I didn't believe it when he said it started out that way for him, because from his standpoint he was still thinking of manipulating her 5 minutes before that.

April went to the island for a business proposal. I don't get why Jamie got so angry every time she asked questions about it. That was literally the reason he made up to bring her there. I don't think i liked anything about Jamie's personality. He was irrational in every decision and it never felt like he actually cared about April, not even a little bit.

I understand why April would keep the secret for him. It is a big part of her life and it's not her fault if she didn't want to tell Jamie. It had already disrupted most of her life, why would it be her responsibility to tell someone else and potentially disrupt their life?
Honestly girl, you could do so much better. You could get someone who doesn't emotionally manipulate you for his own personal gain. You could get someone who cares about anyone else besides himself.

Thank you Christy McKellen and Netgalley for the e-ARC. All thoughts are my own.

[Faithe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Playing with Fire by Christy McKellen

10 years ago, April broke Jamie's heart and then cut off all contact. A fundraiser brings them back together where a heated encounter almost has them picking up where they left off. Jamie sees an opportunity to get the answers he has been waiting a decade for, so he makes her an offer he know she won't be able to resist. He will give April his father's company if she admits hes the only one that can drive her wild. But as the teasing begins, the sparks prove that the flames that were there ten years ago, never truly went out and this time it might burn them both.

Tropes
- rivals to lovers
- billionaire
- second chance romance

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Boldwood books, in exchange for my honest opinion and review.

With under 200 pages it is a quick read that was packed with spice, teasing and longing. I loved the balance between the spice and the caring and loving moments in between. I loved the dual perspectives, Christy seemed to know perfectly when to switch pov's. The twist was definitely twisty and something you cannot see coming. Definitely adding more Christy McKellen books to my to be read list.

#playingwithfire #netgalley #boldwoodbooks

[Meg Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Talk about a book that lives up to its title! 🔥 Playing with Fire is a sizzling second-chance romance packed with tension, chemistry, and enough heat to keep the pages practically smoking.

I was immediately drawn into April and Jamie's complicated history. Their unresolved feelings, sharp banter, and undeniable attraction made it impossible not to root for them. The mystery surrounding their past kept me turning the pages, while the family secrets and emotional revelations added depth to their journey.

Yes, this book is definitely spicy 🌶️🌶️🌶️, but beneath the steam is a heartfelt story about forgiveness, trust, and finding your way back to the person you've never truly stopped loving. I especially enjoyed watching the layers of their relationship unfold as long-buried truths finally came to light.

Fast-paced, entertaining, and incredibly addictive, this was the perfect read to get lost in for an afternoon. The ending left me smiling, and I closed the book wishing I could spend a little more time with these characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[N.L. Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

April is a ruthless businesswoman. Her shields are up, and she knows what she needs to do to get the deal done, but the only person who could break down those walls is Jamie, her ex-boyfriend from 10 years ago.

Jamie's father has passed away, and he needs answers. The only person who can give them to him is April. He needs to remember his game plan, this is all an act, and not to catch feelings along the way.

McKellen gives us another quick, spicy read. I loved the story of April, especially since hearing about her in the two previous novels. I loved that she was able to find her own feet and discover what she really wanted, as well as know it was time to take control of her own life. Building this character in the previous novels allows her to have so much more depth in this one.

This was a very short timeline, but it worked as you could feel the connection between the two characters from the start, and also because of their previous history.

I found my chest tightening in a specific scene as the storyline unravelled, and felt the emotions of each character. Another great novel by this author.

[Kaveesha Bandara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book can easily be read in a single day while transporting you to a beautiful Greek island filled with spice and romance. It follows April Darlington-Hume, an ambitious businesswoman, and Jamie De Montfort, a former tennis star, whose passionate relationship ended abruptly when April disappeared without explanation ten years earlier. As they are forced back into each other's lives, old wounds resurface, undeniable chemistry reignites, and the pair must confront the secrets, heartbreak, and lingering feelings they left behind to discover whether their love deserves a second chance.

The characters are developed really well and effectively highlight the story's central themes. The chemistry between the two main characters is incredibly strong and had me swooning from beginning to end. Even though this novel is short, it captures plenty of emotion and explores its themes beautifully, creating a strong emotional connection with the reader.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys second-chance romances, sizzling chemistry, and quick, emotionally satisfying reads set against a stunning Greek island backdrop.

[VickydpBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re looking for a sizzling second-chance romance packed with chemistry, unresolved feelings, and plenty of emotional tension, this one is a fantastic summer escape.

April and Jamie’s story is full of sparks from the very first page. Their history together adds real depth to the enemies-to-lovers dynamic, making every confrontation feel meaningful rather than forced. The decade-long mystery surrounding their breakup keeps you turning the pages, while their undeniable attraction makes it impossible not to root for them.

The glamorous Greek island setting provides the perfect backdrop, bringing sunshine, luxury, and plenty of forced proximity to their emotional journey. The banter is sharp, the romance is deliciously spicy, and beneath all the passion is a heartfelt story about forgiveness, trust, and finding the courage to face the past.

Fans of Meghan Quinn, Liz Tomforde, and Christina Lauren will feel right at home with this addictive romance. If you enjoy billionaire romances, second chances, beautiful holiday settings, and characters who have to confront old wounds before finding their happily ever after, this is definitely one to add to your summer reading list.

[Joanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars for me.

Ten years ago, April Darlington-Hume broke ex-tennis star Jamie De Montfort's heart and vanished without a word. Since then, he's had nothing but questions… and a memory of the passion they once shared.Now they wants to put past to rest,and a few nights private Greek island luxury will both give them what they want.But it's never so easy,and it seems that April and Jamie playing with fire.

It was a quick and steamy read.April and Jamie have a second chance at being together,but the secret from the past keep them from have what they want.It was a great and emotional story,first filled with hate and then with the attraction that both could not deny.I was rooting for them to resolve the past mistakes and have their HEA.Jamie was so cold at the beginning I was not sure if he will be a likable MMC for me.Glad to say that he really was feeling bad about relieving some secrets about April and was genuinely sorry.Another great and fast read from this author.

If you looking for a enemies to lovers ,second chance romance with a lots of spice,I would recommend this one.

Thank you netgalley and Boldwood Books for arc,my review is honest and my own.

[aribooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

well haha I wasn’t expected ALL that in a such a short novel (don’t get me wrong haha it’s not in a bad way!) this was very hot and very intense ! I loved all the tension Jamie and April had, and the games they played back and forth together… oh and the banter and rivalry ? This was so so entertaining and made me laugh a few times….
I’m not gonna lie I usually not a big fan of second chances romance but this one was very well written !!!
This was really a quick, fast paced and quite a spicy romance, and I was surprised there was even a whole intrigue about their first break up…which made my jaw dropped lol and scared for a sec…. ;)
I really enjoyed April and Jamie cause they had such a good connection…they were so made to be with each other and also their love was so deep….they loved each other as much as before even 10 years after….
I also very much liked the summer setting, the Greek Island, the time they shared together, the pool scene….
How I wished it was longer omg….but still this was such a good short spicy romance

thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc !

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very hot and spicy book! I loved it! I love the back and forth between April and Jamie. I really liked that even though they were "rivals", there was still that level or respect when it came to sex and making sure it's what the other person wanted. I enjoyed the sexual tension that oozed from the pages of this book, the whole way through! It was fantastic! I only wish it was a tad bit longer, that's my only complaint! The communication that April and Jamie finally get to was a breath of fresh air after all the pages of tense internal dialogue. I feel like they make a great couple and hearing the reason for their break up just broke my heart. I'm really glad it turned into a happy ending! Thank you to NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy of this book.

[Cobalt's Son · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since this book is heavily marketed as erotica, I didn't mind the sheer amount of spice at all. Honestly, I was actually expecting even more. The characters are somewhat interesting, but I have to admit I wanted more from them. April is a character who definitely needed a lot more depth to her backstory. Jamie's arc was a bit different—dealing with his dad and his relationship with alcohol was interesting and had the potential to be fleshed out more, but with the current page count, there just wasn't enough room. Also, I have to confess I caught myself desperately wanting the damn book about April’s sister who got married. It really made me curious to get to know this Maya girl.
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC!

[Emma H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Phew from the onset there is hot spice in this book. I’ve read a lot of books by this author and enjoyed them all but seem to have missed the previous books in this series. However, this didn’t hinder my enjoyment of this sexy story.

With a complicated hate relationship between the main characters who are most definitely exes, the heat is bubbling and the steam is rising. Through worryingly underhand tactics on both their parts they end up alone on a remote Greek island but this fuels their lust. Eventually some pretty heavy secrets get prised out and the aftermath is stormy.

This author always finishes her books with just the right amount of detail of an ending which leaves you feeling good.

[Joanna HL · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars rounded
Playing with Fire was a short, spicy romance that was perfect when I wanted something quick and easy to binge.

Set on a private Greek island, it packs in rivals-to-lovers, second chance romance, billionaire vibes, forced proximity, and plenty of drama. The banter made me laugh a few times, and I enjoyed the themes of trust and forgiveness running alongside the romance.

I didn’t quite buy into the depth of April and Jamie’s history as much as I wanted to, but considering it’s a shorter book, it delivers exactly what it promises. It’s fast-paced, super spicy, and full of summery escapism.

A fun, flirty read that’s easy to fly through if you’re looking for a little sunshine, drama, and spice

[Kristy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the level of spice in Playing With Fire, but I found myself skimming a lot of the story because I just couldn’t fully connect with the characters or the overall story. The ex storyline had potential with the shared history between April and Jamie and the way their families were woven into their past, but the emotional side of their relationship felt rushed and I just didn't get into a good vice with them together.

While I appreciated the backstory, I didn’t really feel the chemistry between them, and the story seemed to jump straight into the intimate moments without building a better connection. Overall, it had the potential for a good second-chance romance, but it just wasn't a stand out story for me this time.

Netgalley ARC

[K.J. Sweeney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although this is a fairly quick read, it took me longer than expected to finish. The story itself is good, and I liked the idea of enemies to lovers, albeit a couple who already had a past. For some reason, though, I just couldn't connect with this pair. There was something about them that just didn't work for me, sadly.
The basis of this story is that April and Jamie were a couple, but something happened that caused April to suddenly break things off. We find out what this was at the very end of the book, and to be honest, I wasn't really sold on the reveal or the storyline. Perhaps that's why I enjoyed this, but didn't love it.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.

[Casca Wardle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, this story did not mess around from the moment it started. I was thoroughly entertained and intrigued immediately. I found this very hard to put down because things escalate very quickly and you just need to keep reading to find out all of the juicy details. April and Jamie’s past history is a bit of a mystery and when the big reveal is finally brought to the surface about why they broke up in the first place, my jaw dropped in disbelief! This is a very steamy, and saucy tale of lovers, to enemies, to lovers again, and to…….Oh, you just need to read this to find out about all of the forbidden details! I loved this!


5 out of 5! A delicious and naughty romance that will leave you wanting more!

[Vanessa Symington · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a decent book, but for me it was a struggle to truly enjoy.

The plot, while having some entertainment, felt like it could have been worked out a little more. It was also filled with miscommunication (or lack of communication) and manipulation - while I find these things can help drive a plot, they felt like a little much in this case. Both characters actions came across as childish more often than not.

It was spicy, and it made sense with the story as it was presented. I am a big fan of spice, but for some reason there were a few details contributing to the spicy scenes that gave me a bit of the ick.

I didn't completely dislike it. However, this might not be one I would read again.

[Jess (lucky.bookclub) Hilbert · Rating 3 out of 5]

🔥Caution: extra spicy! 🌶️

The upper-class British setting, the star-crossed lovers dynamic, and the contrast between ice-queen businesswoman April and easygoing former tennis player Jamie gave this story a lot of potential. ✨

For me, this felt a bit more like erotica than romance, with the story often taking a backseat to the spice. The major reveal was easy to see coming, and I was surprised by how quickly the characters moved past the conflict near the end.

Overall, this was a quick, steamy read, but I found myself wanting a little more story and a little more emotional development. 📚💕

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Zoe Lipman · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75/5 rounded up.

This was not at all what I was expecting it to be.

This was way spicier and shorter and faster-moving than I was expecting. My ARC copy was only like 124 pages, which I wasn't expecting. And maybe that's why it felt so fast, it was short, so it kind of had to be fast?

They were just instantly so into each other (very insta-lust) and that is just never something I can get into.

This sounded fun, but I wanted a lot more from it. Especially from the characters. They didn't have enough depth even though they were going through serious things. It was a bit strange in that way.

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

[Julia Bozza · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

This was okay but I didn’t really love it. I liked April and felt like her actions and motivations generally made sense, but I struggled with Jamie. His motivations seemed to shift constantly throughout the story, which made it a bit difficult to understand what he actually wanted.

The romance had some good chemistry, and there was definitely plenty of spice, but for such a short book, it felt like the physical relationship took up too much page time. Overall, I didn’t dislike this book, but I would’ve liked more depth from both the characters and the story.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a fan of rivals to lovers and second chance romance and I feel this book did it really well! 🥰
It's a spicy, fast paced story revolving around April and Jamie who split up after April's mum passed away from a skiing accident.
From the start of the book I was pulled into the story by the obvious chemistry between the characters and both of their unresolved feelings towards the other. Trying to work out why their relationship failed the first time around kept me guessing throughout and I wasn't expecting the actual reason it ended up being!
This was a fun and quick read that I'd recommend reading 💕

[Eloise Wood · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a big fan of Christy McKellen's books, although this one sadly wasn't up there with her best.
It was a classic second chance steamy romance.
There were parts of this book that I enjoyed, parts with the characters really building up their connection. but at times I did struggle to get through the book as it felt like their main connection was just sexual without any emotions behind it.

This book wasn't hugely for me however if you are looking for a quick steamy read it it might be for you.

Thank you netgalley and boldwood books for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Laura · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was interested in April and Jamie's story from the blurb, and I was expecting it to be spicy. But, I am going to have to agree with the other reviews of this one, the situation between them was really not ok and the secret was...bizarre.

I don't usually read the reviews of books I am reading, but I was taken aback enough by the plot of this that I really needed to see if I was the only one. I wasn't.

I did finish this one, but it didn't really work for me at all. I just couldn't get past the entire premise of their business deal.

Disclaimer: I was provided a review copy by the publisher

[Jane Hunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

The only thing that former lovers April and Jamie agree on is that they hate each other, but their attraction didn't wane despite their years apart, and Jamie is determined to prove it. Passion defines April and Jamie's relationship; whilst neither can deny it, the cause of their devastating break-up needs to be explored if they are to find happiness together. It's an emotional romance full of drama, secrets and spice; you invest in the couple and want their happiness. The setting is glamorous and adds depth to the story. I like the characters, the emotional narrative and the glamorous setting.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

[Ilonka Gangadin (masbookslessgluten) · Rating 4 out of 5]

These exes were so ruthless with each other at first that I wasn’t sure I’d ever connect with them. The manipulation and mind games felt brutal, but as their history unfolded, it became clear that pushing each other’s buttons was almost their love language. Both are constantly fighting for control and trying to gain the upper hand. She wants the company he’s supposedly selling, while the sale itself is just a ruse to uncover a truth she’s kept hidden for ten years. This is a complex enemies-to-lovers story packed with tension, power plays, and the heavy weight of family secrets.