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Billionaire heiress Emma Devereaux has been living a safe-yet-mundane existence in Georgia for too long, but when she learns her sister, Joslyn, has been arrested, she heads to New York City to find out what really happened. Unfortunately, as an unemployed debutante, she’s not exactly qualified to be leading an investigation. But help is at hand in the form of the handsome, former military man Jace Lance who happens to be the one who got her sister arrested in the first place.
Jace thinks Emma is crazy for even considering working with him since he’s the one who stopped Joslyn from killing his former client. However, he can’t deny that the sexy southerner is in over her head when her tycoon cousins try to hire him to make sure Emma doesn’t find out the truth about what really caused her sister’s murderous actions.
As they begin to uncover the truth together –and get to know each other intimately – it becomes clear that the more answers they get, the more danger Emma is in. Jace is determined to protect her, but how can he keep her safe when her whole family is in on the conspiracy?

163 pages, ebook

First published June 19, 2015

463 people are currently reading
1409 people want to read

About the author

Mallory Crowe

64 books340 followers
Mallory Crowe has lived in Michigan her whole life and has been in love with romance ever since she'd skip to the end of every novel, just to make sure the hero and heroine survived and ended up together. She lives with her husband and three dogs. When she's not writing, she's spending too much time in front of the TV, hiking, or working with various animal rescues.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 165 reviews
Profile Image for Pamela(AllHoney).
2,693 reviews376 followers
January 6, 2018
The first in the Devereaux Billionaires and the fourth in the Billionaires in the City series by Mallory Crowe. Emma Devereaux comes to New York to find out what happened to cause her sister, Joslyn, to attempt murder. She runs into Security Consultant Jace Lance and hires him to help. Emma is staying with her cousins, Michael and Luke, who want to know everything she does and when she hires Jace, they secretly hire him too. Jace had worked for the woman that Emma's sister tried to kill but it was his last day of employment with her the day he met Emma.

A new author for me and I enjoyed it. The style of writing worked for me. There were issues for me, however. The ending seemed to quick. More of a HFN(Happy for now), rather than a HEA (Happily Ever After). Plus there were unresolved issues in the story, but I believe they are to be addressed in other books in the series so I can deal with that.
Profile Image for Sandy S.
8,252 reviews208 followers
February 8, 2017
ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date June 19, 2015

Billionaire heiress Emma Devaroux has been living a safe-yet-mundane existence in Georgia for too long, but when she learns her sister, Joslyn, has been arrested, she heads to New York City to find out what really happened. Unfortunately, as an unemployed debutante, she’s not exactly qualified to be leading an investigation. But help is at hand in the form of the handsome, former military man Jace Lance who happens to be the one who got her sister arrested in the first place.

Jace thinks Emma is crazy for even considering working with him since he’s the one who stopped Joslyn from killing his former client. However, he can’t deny that the sexy southerner is in over her head when her tycoon cousins try to hire him to make sure Emma doesn’t find out the truth about what really caused her sister’s murderous actions.

As they begin to uncover the truth together –and get to know each other intimately – it becomes clear that the more answers they get, the more danger Emma is in. Jace is determined to protect her, but how can he keep her safe when her whole family is in on the conspiracy?

••••••••

REVIEW: TOUCHING JACE (formerly titled TRUSTING THE BOSS) is the fourth installment in Mallory Crowe’s contemporary, adult Billionaires in the City and the first installment in the Devereaux Billionaires romance series. This is billionaire heiress Emma Devaroux, and security specialist/former SEAL Jace Lance’s storyline. TOUCHING JACE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous storyline is revealed where necessary.

Told from dual third person perspectives TOUCHING JACE focuses on the aftermath of the attempted murder of billionaire businesswoman Victoria Green. Emma Devereaux’s sister Joslyn has been arrested and is awaiting trial in New York, and Emma is determined to uncover the truth about her sister’s psychotic motives. When Emma is unable to get an appointment with Victoria Green, Emma finds herself hiring the man who was witness to the attempt and the events leading to her sister’s breakdown, in the weeks before. Jace is caught between a rock and hard place, when Emma’s cousins hire Jace to keep Emma from uncovering the entire story.

The relationship between Emma and Jace begins acrimoniously. Jace was Victoria Green’s bodyguard, and in this he considers his current dilemma an act of betrayal against his former client. But Emma wants information about her sister’s secret life, and Jace has the connections and mindset to get the job done- but Jace is also working for her cousins, and when found out, his betrayal and deceit will break Emma’s heart. The $ex scenes are intimate, provocative and hot.

The secondary characters include Emma’s cousins Michael and Luke, who currently own and operate DevX-a billionaire dollar enterprise that provides cyber protection software to some of the largest defense companies in the world. We are also (re)introduced to FBI agent Evelyn Price whose involvement in the investigation reveals little to no information to the reader. The requisite evil comes in the form of Joslyn Devaroux-herself- as she continues to manipulate the family (behind the scenes) ; and David-a man who has been hired to get information from Emma that she knows nothing about.

TOUCHING JACE is a fast paced story of betrayal, romance and suspense. The central characters are charismatic and determined; the premise engaging and captivating; the romance, not without some steamy bedroom moments. Mallory Crowe’s BILLIONAIRES IN THE CITY / DEVEREAUX BILLIONAIRES is an entertaining and pleasurable series but there are always some questions that have yet to be answered.

Copy supplied by the author through Netgalley.

www.thereadingcafe.com

Profile Image for Allyson.
494 reviews47 followers
February 21, 2018
3.75 stars :)


It was cute, had some suspense and had some sexy scenes. I just couldn't get pass how "silly" Emma was but I will continue to read the series.
Profile Image for Delaney Diamond.
Author 103 books9,770 followers
March 7, 2021
The hero was a great bodyguard and the heroine likable because she was so kind despite being a wealthy heiress. But I felt a bit lost sometimes, as if I was missing background information. Which is strange because this is book 1 in the series. For instance, I'm still not clear on why the sister behaved the way she did. I also felt a bit lost about the cousins and their role and behavior. Maybe more information will arrive in book 2 and some of the loose ends tied up.

Profile Image for Sienna Logan (Lost to Books).
1,063 reviews20 followers
June 13, 2015
Actual rating 3.5

Once again this broke away from the pattern of the previous books. Whilst it followed the same line as book 3, whereby the woman was the one who had the money, there was no corporate/business side to things. Emma is wealthy from inheritance and it made for a nice change of pace I think.

Trusting the Boss is my favourite of the whole series. I know I've said this with every book since Teasing the Boss, but in my opinion the writing and plots became better as the series went on.

I always like hot bodyguards in books, and that's exactly what Jace was. I liked how his protective desire increased as his feelings became real and I believed he really did care about Emma. Similarly, I'm glad that Emma put more importance on her life. In book 3 Victoria didn't so it was an improvement.

As for the story there are some plot holes. With the whole series you have to suspend reality and not question the stories too deeply. There are decisions that are made that seem stupid or out of character to purely get the book to the action and tie the story up. It's not always that believable, and not everything is worked out in detail, but it's still enjoyable.

Similarly, this author doesn't exactly tie everything up. The H/H get their ending but she always forgets the secondary characters. What did Luke and Michael do? How did they? Why did Joslyn do what she did? There are always questions I'm left with.

Anyway, overall these are easy reads. You shouldn't think too hard over them and they're good to kill a few hours.
Profile Image for Atlanta Whitlock.
907 reviews12 followers
January 28, 2016
Emma Deveraux has come to New York because she wants to know what actually happened between her sister Joslyn and Victoria Green. She heads to the building where Victoria Green works and even though she thinks that she is probably crazy for even attempting to get to speak with her she does end up meeting Jace, he has worked in the building for a bit and he happened to be there the night Emma's sister tried to kill Victoria. Even though Emma doesn't exactly know who Jace is she asks him for a business card so she can contact him in case she thinks he might be able to help her.

When Emma gets back to her brother Luke's apartment she decides that she is going to do some digging into Jace to see who he is but nothing comes up but after doing some searching through articles from the night of Joslyn's arrest, she happens to come across a picture with Jace in it so now she's not exactly sure what to make of him. The next morning Emma decides that considering Jace was there when everything happened that night that he is most likely to give her answers so she decides to phone him to arrange a meeting.
As soon as Jace found out Emma's last name he knew that it was going to be an interesting visit considering only not to long ago her sister was attempting to kill Victoria, so when he gets a phone call from Emma he tries his hardest to shut her down by stating that he doesn't want anything to do with helping her look into her sister's life but somehow she manages to convince him to meet with her.

After Jace has his meeting with Emma the last thing he was expecting was to be meeting one of her brother's. So when Michael shows up and ends up having a word with him he is shocked to learn that both of Emma's brothers had been paying Joslyn to keep away from Emma and they want him to not let Emma find anything out about her life. After thinking everything over later on Jace decides that he is going to help Emma look into her sister's life but also help her brothers out by not giving her the information that Emma wants. He knows that he is playing a dangerous game but in his heart he doesn't want anything bad to happen to Emma.

After helping Emma search through her sister's apartment he can't help but feel a bit sorry for her considering from the looks of everything in front of her it's like she hardly knew her sister at all. He tries his hardest to help but little does Emma know that he has gotten in touch with someone who has managed to alter every single piece of information that Emma seems to be receiving from her own contact. Emma gets the details for Joslyn's email accounts and she thought that surly Joslyn wasn't doing anything that was surly that much of a danger but later after replying to an email which in her heart knows she shouldn't have, there is a slight chance that she could be in even more danger than she thought she could be in.

Will Emma ever find out what her sister was hiding or will that lead her into so much trouble that she will really depend on Jace's help. What will Emma do when she finds out that her brother's had paid Jace to not give her everything that he finds out about Joslyn. Will Jace and Emma give into temptation or willthey step away before someone gets hurt. Trust me you will want to read this book. From what I have read so far I have fallen in love with the series. It has everything you could ask for in a romance book, for instance it has the action and the suspense of two people who hardley know each other fall in love with the other but the both refuse to acknowledge it. It's such a good read and you will totally enjoy the rest of the series.
Profile Image for Anna.
580 reviews20 followers
July 1, 2015
Emma Devaroux is an heiress who has been earning multiple college degrees while trying to decide on a future for herself. Her sister is arrested for attempted murder, and Emma feels that she must go to New York and figure out what happened. She comes into contact with Jace, who she hires to help her with her investigation. Jace was involved in her sister's arrest, and in addition to his investigating skills, has first-hand information about what happened. As they begin to work together, it becomes clear that Emma is going to need protection, and Jace finds that he wants to protect her.

This book had an interesting plot, and there was some good chemistry between Emma and Jace. I did find the characters to be a little flat. We know a little about both of them, but neither main character is really fleshed out. Emma is a likable character since she seems to be a very genuine person. Jace is harder to read, but eventually I was hoping that these characters would find a way to be together. The sister's situation never really made a lot of sense to me and I'm not sure whether that was because I haven't read the previous books in the series or not. Overall, this was a nice easy read with a little mystery and a lot of predictability. I would have liked for everything (characters, plot, etc.) to go deeper, but it didn't.

*An ARC was received in exchange for an honest review
Profile Image for Sherri Hayes.
Author 31 books1,249 followers
October 1, 2017
I always know when I pick up a Mallory Crowe book that I'm always going to get a great story.

Touching Jace introduces readers to the Devereaux family and a mystery that surrounds Emma's sister. Emma enlists the help of an ex-SEAL, Jace, in order to find out what led to her sister trying to murder one of the richest women in New York. He's reluctant at first, but it doesn't take long for sparks to fly between these two.

This was a fast paced romance. Everything happen quickly, including the feelings that developed between the two, but it didn't feel unrealistic. They were well matched, even though it didn't seem that way at first. What could an ex-SEAL who works private security and an heiress have in common?

The story had just the right amount of steam and mystery to keep me turning the page. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a sexy romance with a touch of suspense.
2 reviews
October 30, 2015
I loved this book. Emma is such a strong and determined woman and Jace does whatever he needs to keep her safe. Can't wait to read the rest of the books in this series.
Profile Image for Erica.
1,289 reviews702 followers
January 10, 2016
There was a good romance, but the plot had so many random things thrown in with resolutions that didn't quite satisfy.
Profile Image for Tisa.
1,218 reviews6 followers
June 28, 2023
Emma Devaroux Billionaire heiress educated with three degrees lives a boring existence life in Georgia in the family home that she inherited when her parents were killed. Then she learns her sister, Joslyn, has been arrested for attempted murder. Which isn't surprising considering she has always been the black sheep of the family. It was never proven but she was accused of murdering her parents. which is why her cousins got a Joslyn removed from the family trust. Emma wants to know the truth & heads down to New York City to find out what really happened.
Unfortunately, her lack of the outside world doesn't exactly qualified to be leading an investigation. When Emma accidently bumps into the former well built military man Mr. Jace Lance. Who also happens to be the the man who caught Joslyn & had her arrested for the threat to his employer.

Jace Lance doesn't understand why Emma would considering hiring him since he’s the one who stopped Joslyn from killing his former client. Though from his experience from his own childhood, being in the military. He believes the sexy southerner doesn't realize the type of business her sister was really into. Which is why secretly Emma's tycoon cousins hire him to keep Emma in the dark when it comes to uncovering the truth about what caused her sister’s murderous actions.

In the beginning of the investigation they work together. Within a few short days the electricity between them turns physical. Now more evidence is revealed. It puts Emma life in serious danger. Jace is determined to protect her, but how can he keep her safe when her whole family is in on the conspiracy? The novel is suspenseful, though there were a few spelling errors. As well as inconsistences with the plot. Maybe explained thru the other chapters in the series.
Profile Image for Paige Norman.
609 reviews3 followers
July 1, 2021
Read this as part of a four-part romance book by Mallory Crowe (Meet Cute: Four Heart Pounding Romances From Mallory Crowe)

Emma is trying to find out why her sister lost it and tried to kill someone. Her cousins are sabotaging her, the guy she hired is on their payroll and working against her too. Lots of intrigue, romance (and sex), and a HEA -- Kind of. Standalone, but part of a series. There really isn't a resolution to her sister's crime, and there's a pretty big skip between the conclusion and the "HEA". It's not a cliffhanger, but there are a lot of unanswered questions I'm assuming are answered in Michael or Luke's books.
Profile Image for Bobbi.
1,264 reviews7 followers
February 5, 2017
"Touching Jace" is the first book in the "Devereaux Billionaires" series, by Mallory Crowe. I was gifted the three book set and I'm voluntarily giving my honest review. I understand that this story is also book #4 in the Billionaires in the city series.
The most important thing in a book for me is the characters. I fell in love with Emma and Jace pretty quickly. The storyline kept you guessing. I can't wait to read more.
The next book in the series is "Trusting Michael" one of Emma's two cousins in New York.
So far another exciting series by Mallory Crowe!
Profile Image for The Book Junkie Reads . . ..
5,011 reviews154 followers
July 6, 2018
Not so excited with this story
Overall 4 out of 5 stars
Performance 4 out of 5 stars
Story 3 out of 5 stars

Jace was interesting for the full thirty seconds of seeing him rescue Victoria, but did he warrant his own story. I just did not see him that way. Then I get to the young heiress. I was not so sure about her either. She seem to not think things through until after the fact.

Reid Kerr gets credit here again. He made the story come to life and lifted it up from a mediocre read/listen.
Profile Image for Deanna Walker.
677 reviews9 followers
April 20, 2023
Wow! That was lots of action and a bit drama…

I really enjoyed the book so, she had two cousins as well the third cousin who she never saw him anymore..But we’ll see what’s happened on the next series soon…Jace was into Emma pretty much from what I was reading this story and it’s true!

Looking forward to read more book series soon…
Profile Image for Karry.
1,420 reviews21 followers
December 18, 2017
Exciting Read!

This was a very Nancy Drew meets sexy, special forces type, Hardy boy kind of book. It was thrilling and hot all at the same time. The writing and editing was truly well done. It was an incredibly refreshing read!
1,577 reviews54 followers
May 5, 2018
Not the worst book I've ever read but not the best either. It was alright, characters and plot were all boring. Characters were flat and the plot ended with too many loose ends. There was no real motive or explanation for what happened. Or how it was solved. I won't continue with the series.
Profile Image for Hbeebti.
2,039 reviews50 followers
July 6, 2018
3.5 Not my favorite from this author, but it was still very good. Jace and Emma were a great couple. I enjoyed the slow romance and mystery. Although the action was on the light side for me. Im looking forward to more books in this series.
Profile Image for Melissa Swafford.
746 reviews
March 27, 2019
Absolutely love this series and this author. Have read every book in the series up to number 5 and am eagerly awaiting the next installment. Love the suspense, the romance, the sexual tension and the characters. Both characters are well developed and believable.
844 reviews
October 7, 2021
Yikes

Jocelyn was in so deep that her sister would never get to the bottom without the fbi. Jace is intrigued by the situation so he is the only one who realizes how much danger she is in.
126 reviews2 followers
May 31, 2023
Absolutely loved this book , think Mallory are one of my new must have Author books :)
Do yourself a favor and read the Devereaux Billionaire series and follow it up
Mallory your books are tops , wish there are multiple more brothers and sisters so we can read and read :)
Profile Image for Lorie Varner.
260 reviews
September 25, 2017
Jace

I really liked this book. Jace I loved! I really limed Emma too! Opposites do attract! I will be reading more from this author.
Profile Image for Amberlie McGrady.
63 reviews3 followers
October 12, 2017
Great Story

This was a great start and introduction to the Devereaux Clan. I love Emma and Have and can't wait to read more of this family
Profile Image for Kim.
148 reviews1 follower
October 24, 2017
It was so so...yup that's all I got
Profile Image for Mary E.
434 reviews3 followers
December 5, 2017
Good read

I enjoyed the characters and the story line. It had some interesting twists and turn that held my attention and kept me engaged.
Profile Image for Cynthia.
3,201 reviews101 followers
December 24, 2017
Intriguing

Emma is in NY trying to figure out why her sister tried to kill somebody. Her cousins don't want her investigating. Jace was the bodyguard, but is reluctant to help her.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 165 reviews

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