At His Discretion: A Billionaire Boss Romance

by Alix Vaughn

AN AMAZON TOP 40 BESTSELLER

When my wealthy ex threatens to take our six-year-old daughter halfway around the world, I don’t have a choice. I need money for lawyers. Fast.

That's how I end up at Sterling House—the exclusive agency where billionaires hire discreet, "full-service" executive assistants.

My first assignment?
Ethan West.
Infuriatingly gorgeous. Ridiculously powerful. Impossibly arrogant.

At first, I only wanted one thing from Ethan.
The paycheck that'll help me keep my daughter.

But the longer I work for him, the harder it becomes to remember this was only ever supposed to be a business arrangement.

Because behind the expensive suits and impossible standards is a man who makes me laugh when I least expect it... who sees through every wall I've built... and who tempts me to risk everything.

Now I'm caught between the future my daughter deserves... and the man who makes me question everything I thought I wanted.

Because if I lose this job, I could lose my little girl.

But if I give Ethan my heart...
I may never get it back.

Genres: Romance

393 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 7, 2026

Reviews

[Bri · Rating 3 out of 5]

Get it here:
Amazon US * Amazon UK

[Sina · Rating 2 out of 5]

He is such a man child.

[Kim Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally! The next Sterling House story. I’ve really enjoyed this series since I started it earlier this year and this one almost had me at a 5. The reason being is because Ethan acts like a snob, looked down on those less fortunate and scoffed at places that weren’t top notch or high end. The good news is that he eventually checks himself and realizes the importance of character and that not everything has to be luxurious. On the other hand, I felt Violet was overly cynical of wealth and money. They both had flaws that brought my rating down. I wanted Ethan to be less critical of places and people that weren’t wealthy and I wanted Violet to not be so judgmental about the rich and money. They couldn’t just come together in the middle and find a happy medium which bothered me. I was tired of negativity Ethan expressed at these non-fancy places and people. I was also tired of Violet having a vendetta against wealth. I mean, couldn’t she see that Ethan wanted to give her something because he thought of her? He did it because he wanted to, not out of obligation or because he felt like he should. I would have happily accepted that gift with a smile on my face because it’s a nice gesture and I appreciated that he did it for her, even though I don’t wear jewelry. It’s the thought that counts. I get why she didn’t want her ex’s wife showering them with gifts because she was doing it out of spite. Ethan was doing it because he genuinely wanted to and I don’t get why she didn’t see it, even though he expresses how hurt he is by it. At least take it so he doesn’t get hurt to be polite, rather than turning it down and being aggressive about not accepting it. Anyway, those were the traits that had me give this a 4, I couldn’t get past those two parts of their personalities. Story wise, I enjoyed the plot. I loved how Violet was so open with her sexuality and knew what she wanted. She wasn’t guarded necessarily, just withheld information for as long as she could, until the relationship with her and Ethan got personal. I have to hand it to the author, she made their story feel transactional most of the time. She managed to have them keep it professional throughout the book up until near the end. Most authors would have had the couple toss away the payment part of a relationship either at the halfway point or even a little before then. This author stuck to keeping Sterling House at the forefront of their agreement and had Violet and Ethan be very open about how much he was going to pay her and how much she wanted. Her desperateness was a bit over the top though and made her seem pathetic so that was also hard to get behind too and contributed to the 4 rating. Then you had the way she acted around her ex. She couldn’t control her anger and frustration even though they ended on amicable terms. It felt like she kept losing it in front of him, and in public places too. I can understand why she would be upset but her sudden outbursts in public places made her seem unhinged. When you combine the good with the annoying it’s easy to see how this ends up being a 4. Like I said earlier, I enjoyed the story. To elaborate on that, the story also started unconventionally on the man’s side. I liked how the author did that. It showcases Ethan as a man who has a hard time settling down because he has never been satisfied with the women he’s been with. He admits cheating and not treating women correctly. He wasn’t abusive or anything but he was always searching for someone better and tended to toss women aside. At first glance, you think what an asshole! Who’s to say he wasn’t and he could be? He did take a while to root for whereas the other men in previous stories I liked right away. Ethan didn’t know about Sterling House, and all the other men in the series knew and were in the midst of hiring or did already. With this one, Ethan didn’t know what he was doing, nor did he know what to expect. When Violet first did her interview with him, he was expecting her to start them off and tell him what to do, whereas she thought he was going to do it. What follows is Violet essentially showing him how she initiates sex and then he just obliges. I liked how they both didn’t know what to do but took the assignment seriously. There was a lot of steamy and passionate scenes in the book which is typical of any Sterling House option. I appreciated how it felt more intimate and tender in this book. Overall, the story was good, there were just quirks of their personalities that took the rating down to a 4. Ethan does learn a good lesson in the end and I think that was important. Life isn’t about having the most luxurious lifestyle or preference. It’s about appreciating where you come from and not forgetting how you felt before the wealth and having anything at your disposal. You can use your wealth to your advantage, enjoy, and share it with those who care about you, but never do hand outs or over expend it. Ethan learns this the hard way and Violet witnesses this first hand. I’m looking forward to Bethany’s story. I was wondering when she would get her moment and I’m glad it’s finally here. It begs the question though if this will be the last book in the series.

[Charlotte · Rating 2 out of 5]

At His Discretion by Alix Vaughn | Sterling House Series | 2/5 Stars

I finished the fourth book in the Sterling House series, and unfortunately, this was my least favourite.

I really liked Violet, particularly her relationship with her daughter, Kitty. Their bond felt genuine and emotionally grounded. In fact, I found their relationship more compelling than the romance between Violet and Ethan.

Ethan, however, felt immature to me. I struggled to believe his sudden desire to volunteer at a soup kitchen and change his life. The one aspect of his character I found psychologically convincing was his relationship with his parents. Having grown up poor, they now expected him to finance their lavish lifestyle. They valued his money rather than who he was, and that emotional dynamic had real potential.

Unfortunately, I never felt the chemistry between Ethan and Violet. Ethan didn’t stand out as a memorable billionaire book boyfriend, and even the spicy scenes failed to hold my attention.

Having read 103 books this year, many of them billionaire romances, I have high expectations for emotional intensity, character development, and believable relationships.

I’ve noticed a significant difference in this series. Books one and three delivered the chemistry and emotional depth I love, while books two and four fell flat.

My series ranking:

1. Book 1
2. Book 3
3. Book 2
4. Book 4

I genuinely enjoy Alix Vaughn’s writing, but not every book in a series will resonate equally. For me, books one and three are absolutely worth reading, while books two and four are skippable.

I’m hoping book five delivers the emotional intensity that made me love this series in the first place.

Final rating: 2/5 stars. Unfortunately, I wouldn’t recommend this one.

[Jodi · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF @ 15% I couldn't get over her putting her pride over the safety and well-being of her daughter.

[Stephanie · Rating 1 out of 5]

These two are so incredibly unlikable. 35% dnf…and I.do.not.care.

[Ruth R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Violet is a single mother, she is a hairdresser, she works in a soloon as an employee because when she opened her own saloon its failed.

One day she received a box for her 6 year old daughter full of expensive clothes .
It was coming from her ex boyfriend wife, she called him to tell him she didn’t like to spoil her daughter with expensive things that it’s not worth.
He tells her that they are coming to New York to see the girl, and he wants to take her to China with him,She was afraid because she had no money to pay for a lawyer.
The day after ,going to work she had a customer that she didn’t like, she charged her the double and she had problems with her boss, he told her he’s going to held a couple of dollars from her salary but her next client entered the saloon heard everything and tells him that she’s going to pay for her.
She asked what she do for living , she gaved her the card of an agency called sterling house.
Ethan still single at 33 years ,he’s a billionaire ,he owns a company.
One night he went out with his employees to a night club , there he met his ex , she was a bit crazy and wanted revenge because he broke up with her. A friend of his suggested sterling house ,there he can meet a woman and no strings attached.

A fantastic story that I recommend to read.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5★

This is another great Sterling House romance. It took me a little while to warm up to Ethan because he was hard to like at the beginning. After his recent ex went a little crazy, having an escort is new territory for him, and he’s determined to avoid any kind of emotional entanglement.

Violet is beautiful, sassy, and definitely not afraid to speak her mind. She’s also not impressed by Ethan’s money, although she needs it to help hire a lawyer to fight for custody of her daughter. Once Ethan learns about her situation, he wants to help.

Neither of them wants to get emotionally involved, but their insane chemistry keeps pulling them together. I also really enjoyed the supporting characters in this story.

This was an easy, spicy, and enjoyable read with great chemistry and plenty of emotional tension.

[Michellelovesreading · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a good book. I always love reading a billionaire romance.

Stars:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Spice:🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Sharon · Rating 1 out of 5]

Both FMC and MC are unpleasant. Violet is not a mama bear, she's just annoyingly nonchalant about things she doesn't need to be nonchalant about. How is always forgetting to buy food for the house something to always brush off?
Also, she could have sold all those designer bags to fix up the house. She isn't doing "anything" to survive and keep her daughter safe.... she's just being stubborn for no reason... I get not wanting to be rich and use other people's money, but if the father of the child wants his child having better things take it....
But you'd rather fuck someone for extra money?! Smh. Their chemistry isn't believable as well.
And Ethan nah...
I loved the books before this one, but I will not be pushing through with this one. DNF at 25%.

[Jenna Lundberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

❤️ When the Billionaire Falls, He Falls Apart ❤️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 Stars | 🌶️🌶️ 2 Chili Peppers

Who knew one of my favorite things about a billionaire romance would be watching the billionaire completely fall apart over the woman he loves?! 😂❤️ Because Ethan West certainly wasn't prepared for Violet, and honestly, I loved every minute of it!

At His Discretion was another fantastic addition to the Sterling House series! Between the emotional tension, wonderful chemistry, character growth, and a fiercely protective single mom who refuses to be intimidated by a wealthy businessman, this story had me hooked.

Violet is doing everything she can to protect her six-year-old daughter. When her ex threatens to take their little girl halfway around the world, she desperately needs money for legal representation. That leads her to Sterling House, where she finds herself working for the demanding and ridiculously wealthy Ethan West.

And let me tell you, Violet is NOT impressed by his bank account! 😂

I absolutely loved her determination, sass, and willingness to speak her mind. She's a mama bear through and through, and everything she does comes from wanting the best possible future for her daughter. My heart hurt for her as she navigated the custody situation, especially when the people involved made an already difficult situation even more complicated.

Now, Ethan wasn't exactly winning any awards for charm in the beginning. He's guarded, arrogant, and determined to avoid emotional attachments. But what I appreciated was that he wasn't written as some perfect billionaire who could solve every problem with a checkbook.

He had his own issues to work through, and watching Violet challenge him and gradually bring out his softer side was one of my favorite parts of the story.

And when this man finally falls in love? Oh, he falls HARD! 🥹❤️

I especially loved that we got to see Ethan genuinely vulnerable. There's something so refreshing about a powerful MMC who doesn't always have the answers, especially when his heart is involved. Watching him experience real heartbreak and struggle with his feelings made his character development so much more satisfying.

The chemistry between Ethan and Violet was wonderful, too! Neither of them planned on developing feelings, but their attraction slowly became something much deeper. I loved their banter, their emotional connection, and the way they gradually began to understand each other beyond their original arrangement.

The supporting characters also added so much personality to the story. Ambrose brought some much-needed humor, while Kitty and Pete helped make the world of Sterling House feel even more entertaining.

And those final chapters? My goodness! ❤️

There was plenty of emotion, heartbreak, and tension before everything came together. I loved that the story allowed both characters to be imperfect and gave them room to grow. The epilogue was such a lovely way to wrap everything up and left me with that wonderful feeling of a well-earned happily ever after.

This was another five-star Sterling House read for me! Alix Vaughn delivered a romance filled with heart, heat, and two characters who discovered that letting someone love you can be just as challenging as falling in love.

Violet might have entered Ethan's life because she needed a paycheck, but she ended up becoming the one thing his money could never buy. ❤️

Thank you to Alix Vaughn and Booksprout for the gifted advanced reader copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Cindy Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

At His Discretion is the fourth story in the Sterling House series. It is well-written and emotional.

Violet is a single mom who is working hard to provide for her daughter. She works as a hairdresser and lives in the family home she grew up in when her mother passed away. Her ex, Danny, has threatened to take their daughter back to China with him and his new wife. Violet finds herself needing some quick money. One of her clients tells her about Sterling House and she decides she doesn't have a choice if she wants to keep her daughter.

Ethan is a self-made billionaire who is very intelligent. He had an ex who went crazy on him so he decides an escort is what he needs. This is his first time having an escort. He has all he could want and doesn't want to get involved in a relationship. When he meets Violet, he is drawn to her unique sense of style and her beauty. He hires her as his escort and begins to be more and more drawn to her. She doesn't want his money except for the protection for her daughter. As Ethan gets to know Violet and learns about her potential custody battle, he becomes more and more attached to Violet and her daughter.

I loved the instant chemistry between Ethan and Violet. Their story drew me in because of how much emotions they each had. I loved how Violet would do anything for her daughter. She was such a lovable character. I loved how Ethan seemed so shy at times and grew as a person. I loved how Violet showed him how other people live who don't have a lot of money. There was so much heart to their story. I look forward to the next story from this talented author.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Debbie Lyon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very enjoyable!

The story wasn't bad,Violet has to struggle to raise her daughter Kitty but her father and his wife have plans to take her from her home and school to live with them in China.Violet is devastated, so she takes on another job has a escort girl and meets with Ethan a man with bucks,tons.Ethan is British and he has certain ways he likes things and down,Violet even committed on his money and how he uses it,After being around each other,they get comfortable until she gets serve with court papers and everything changes,but the case looks good for Violet. Danny and his wife make Violet look bad about how she has Kitty late for school,the condition of the house and a ton of other stuff and it's not a rosy picture,Ethan sets her up with a very good lawyer. It looks like Violet has a chance until they have one more meeting to together and Christine pulls out a bunch of paper make it look worst for Violet and Kitty!Violet makes a Decision and not take Danny to court and she tells Ethan thanks and goodbye! Ethan is miserable, Violet may of stared out has a escort but she became his love and she even change some of British ways.Part of his problem was he had tons of money and he felt like everyone like his money only,just like his parents,which Ethan pointed out to Violet and she slap some cents into him and they talk their feeling out which help. Not a bad story!

[Jennifer Burns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best one yet!!!

I am absolutely OBSESSED with this series, but this one? Hands down, the best one yet!!! ❤️

I loved everything about Violet and Ethan’s story, especially how they both fought for each other. And the soup kitchen scene?! Oh my goodness, that one had me in tears!!

Looking back from the very first page to the last, it was so beautiful to see just how much Violet’s loving and caring personality changed Ethan’s life for the better. My heart broke for him knowing how so many people had taken advantage of him. All he ever needed was someone to genuinely love him for who he was, not what he could provide. And Violet was exactly that person. She showed him that there was so much more to life than money and that he deserved to be loved just as much as anyone else.

Watching Ethan grow and finally experience the kind of love he deserved was everything! Their relationship was so beautiful, and I loved that they brought out the best in each other.

This book gave me ALL THE FEELS!!! The heartbreak, the healing, the love, the emotional moments… EVERYTHING! Such a beautiful story and easily my favorite of the series so far!! ❤️

[Katey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series

Another enjoyable instalment in the Sterling House series! This one follows a familiar formula, with a brooding, grumpy billionaire MMC and a sunshine FMC who turns to Sterling House when desperate circumstances leave her with few options.

Violet is a single mother fighting to maintain custody of her daughter against her extremely wealthy former partner. I really liked her character. Despite everything she’s going through, she has plenty of backbone and humour, particularly when dealing with Ethan.

Ethan is pretty brutal at the beginning, and honestly, not particularly likeable! He treats people terribly, but I loved that Violet wasn’t afraid to stand up to him and call him out. His character development was satisfying, and I enjoyed seeing him genuinely change and come through for Violet when she needed him most.

The storyline might feel familiar if you’ve read the previous books, but the chemistry between these two kept me hooked. And the spice? Very well written and seriously hot!

Spice rating: 5/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

[Emma Kupsa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks so much for this ARC opportunity. At His Discretion is part of the Sterling House series and is Ethan and Violets story ❤️
I have loved every book in this series but this takes top spot for me. Violets a single mom and without too much spoiling, needs money and is recommended to Sterling House where she meets Ethan.
I love how direct Violet is and takes Ethan by surprise, she isn’t impressed by money and is a mom who is trying to do her best.
Ethan never came from money but has done very well for himself and perhaps has lost himself a little.
I love how their story develops and the final chapters were emotional, I felt the painful moments for both of them and can I say his friend Ambrose added some comedy!
Spice was perfect and the whole story was brilliant. The epilogue was a perfect end to the story.

[Caroline Reichardt · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic story about Ethan and Violet. This story is so great I didn’t want to put it down at all. All the suspense and trouble Ethan and Violet went through seemed like more than most couples could handle. The lessons Violet taught Ethan about life and that money wasn’t the only thing in life. I liked how Ethan took it upon himself to go to talk to Danny about what Danny was doing to Violet and how it was affecting his daughter as well. Ambrose was a great friend when he called Ethan to come over for lunch and Ethan found Violet there and they had a great understanding. Danny finally figures out that it’s too late for him with Violet and then he and Ethan get along fine around Danny and Violet’s daughter Kitty. I liked how Violet didn’t want Ethan just to throw his money around everywhere. Great story and I would recommend it to adults.

[Merry Jelks-Emmanuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Violet is in dire need of finances to keep her little girl. Her ex is threatening to take her, and she needs a lawyer fast. She takes a job as an escort where she connects with Ethan who is having his own issues because of his past. Violet is not impressed with his finances other than she needs them to keep her daughter and when he learns about her situation he wants to help out. I love how their relationship unfolds on the pages and how it leads them along a path neither saw coming. It is heartwarming and kept me glued to the drama.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Desiree Henley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not a huge fan of the billionaire tropes but I have to say that Alix Vaughn knows how to keep her reader's entertained. At first I didn't think that Violet and Ethan matched well together. They had two different vibes going, but once you learn about their heartache and pain things start to click together. I do love it when the guy falls first and Ethan fell hard. His whole persona flips and Violet fits like a puzzle piece with him. Their storyline is filled with determination, romance, surrender, and spice. This is a great fit in The Sterling House series. Thank you for the opportunity to be part of the ARC team.

[Nancy Yohe · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much to love about this one.

I love this series so much! They are from different worlds. Ethan is a handsome, wealthy and gruff CEO. Violet is a single mom, pink hair, social, hairdresser. But when Violet’s ex and his wife threaten to take her daughter to China to live with them, she must do something to make money fast to fight them in court. Sterling House is an elite escort agency catering to wealthy men like Ethan. That is how they meet. Neither expected more than sex but that began to change quietly and passionately. I loved the characters and their story. I’m hopeful we will eventually get to read a story for Ambrose.

[C Schmidt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I came very close to giving up on this book in the first 1/3. But, I’m glad that I continued to read and finished it. It was a good book.

Violet works at a salon and Ethan is a successful billionaire. When Violets ex indicates he’s suing her for custody of their daughter, she needs money fast, so she becomes an escort and goes to work for Ethan.

The story was slow to start for me mainly because Ethan just wasn’t captivating me like most domineering men in romance novels do. I struggled to like him initially.

Eventually the story turned for me. It was pretty predictable but overall a good one.
4 🌟🌟🌟🌟

[Sarah Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book started a little slowly for me, but it soon picked up the pace. I didn't really like Ethan at the beginning, but once Violet started to influence him, he became much more likeable.

The custody battle was heartbreaking for Violet, and it was wonderful to see Ethan fall for her and support her through everything.

The secondary characters added a lot to the story, and Kitty and Pete were particularly enjoyable.

Overall, this was a great read with a satisfying HEA.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Narelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alix has a way of writing her books in this series so that they are part romcom, with touches of seriousness and/or drama, have heart and love that grows throughout the story, are not too heavy, and yet still have the steamy and spicy moments we expect.
Here we see the English born CEO Ethan, who falls for this new EA, Violet, a single mum to six year old daughter Kitty. With language differences, banter, a sweet little girl and a man who finally figures who he needs in his life.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Evelina Boheen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another fantastic Sterling House romance—easy, spicy, and thoroughly enjoyable, with wonderful chemistry and plenty of emotional tension. I’ve loved every book in this series. The way their story unfolds kept me hooked, and the final chapters were deeply emotional, making me feel the pain both characters experienced. The spice was spot-on, and the entire story was brilliant. The epilogue wrapped everything up perfectly.

[J.p · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stirling house really is becoming the place to find help, a release and eventually love. Ethan who is not the most likeable at the start but as he’s been duped before it’s kind of understandable! He doesn’t want commitment just release so he’s introduced to sassy, determined mum Violet who is there for her own reasons. Love their chemistry and her no nonsense approach to Ethan. With drama and plenty of heat this book was a hit.

[Gazelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another interesting Sterling House Story. This single mom has been sacrificing and barely getting by when her wealthy ex-husband threatens to take her daughter. What's a mom to do when she needs money to repair her house and hire a lawyer to fight but to get a job for quick cash. Ethan was interesting as his character had some childhood trauma that rolled into the adult version. These two were perfect for each other but they had to realize what was real and worth fighting for.

[Emily Byrne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fantastic book. I wasn’t sure about Ethan in the beginning but he totally grew on me as you started to see what’s underneath his posh exterior. The FMC was amazing. I loved her confidence and how she fiercely and authenticity protected her daughter. Now I have to wait till January to read the next book. Ughhh! Sterling house series has been one of the best series I’ve read in a long time and ready 3-4 books a week.

[Leah Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

FMC was iffy 😒

I usually love Alix’s books. But I wasn’t really a fan of Violet. Her absolute disdain for wealth actually clouded her judgement especially regarding her daughter. Her house was falling down and dangerous. Her daughter went to a crappy school, with bullies. All because she hated rich people and wouldn’t accept help, even for her daughter’s benefit. She did get better and I otherwise enjoyed the book, but Violet irritated me from the beginning. Loved the earlier books and can’t wait for the next one, but Violet…I just don’t know

[Melissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok so maybe I was just in a funk when I read this.
But I just didnt like it as much as I wanted to.
Everyone felt kinda flat, the smut was good but not great.
The plot felt thin.
The writing did not suck, sentence structure was good, chapters well thought out, boring filler kept to a minimum so it wasn't painful to read or anything. It was just...meh.
Will not be continuing the series if that tells you anything.

[Cara · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF Cannot bear to read one more page. I’m at 16% and I find Violet completely ridiculous. She can purchase designer clothes but can’t pick up groceries to feed her child. Her home has a cracked roof, and stairs with holes, but she’d rather put her child at risk than accept money from her ex for home improvements. And all we know of Ethan is that he is a serial cheater with zero regard for women. They deserve one another.