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The O'Banyon Brothers #1
The Billionaire Next Door
Take-no-prisoners deal-maker Sean O'Banyon ate Wall Street financiers for lunch. So why was he losing sleep over a fresh-scrubbed nurse in old jeans and a too-big T-shirt? Maybe it was those warm green eyes. Or the way she blushed when he got personal. There was no denying the serious chemistry between them. But sooner or later Lizzie would learn his deep, dark secrets: First, he had trust issues. And second—he'd rather not go into the whole family thing.
He didn't do relationships…but amazingly, Lizzie made him want one anyway.
He didn't do relationships…but amazingly, Lizzie made him want one anyway.
242 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2007
355 people are currently reading
2561 people want to read
About the author
Jessica Bird
38 books1,192 followersJessica Bird also writes as J.R. Ward
Jessica Rowley Pell Bird was born on 1969 in Massachusetts, USA. She is the daughter of Maxine F. and W. Gillette Bird, Jr. She began writing as a child, penning her thoughts in diaries as well as inventing short stories. She read her first Harlequin Presents novel in a rose garden when she was in her teens. She was hooked immediately. By the time she went to college, she had boxes and boxes of Harlequins and Silhouettes. Every year, her mother would ask why all those books had to live in the house and Jess would reply that if even one of them disappeared she would know. (She'd catalogued them.)
Jess finished her first romance manuscript the summer before her freshman year of college. She attended Smith College and graduated with a double major in history and art history. She then received a law degree from Albany Law School. Shortly after that, she began working in the healthcare industry in Boston. She spent many years as one of the premier medical center’s Chief of Staff. While working as a lawyer in Boston, she completed two novels more and started a number of partials. In 2001, Bird married John Neville Blakemore III. Both her mother and her new husband kept telling her to send something in to an agent, a publisher, the Tooth Fairy, anyone. She thought they were nuts, but eventually got her nerve up and bought a lot of stamps. Since getting published, she has written contemporary romances as Jessica Bird and paranormal romances as J. R. Ward. She has been a Rita Award finalist, received two Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice nominations and has been a HOLT medallion finalist.
New England born and bred, Jess is surprised to find herself living south of the Mason Dixon line. (But that's what happens when you marry a Southern gentleman.) She and her husband live with their golden retriever, who oversees her writing in a supervisory role.
Jessica Rowley Pell Bird was born on 1969 in Massachusetts, USA. She is the daughter of Maxine F. and W. Gillette Bird, Jr. She began writing as a child, penning her thoughts in diaries as well as inventing short stories. She read her first Harlequin Presents novel in a rose garden when she was in her teens. She was hooked immediately. By the time she went to college, she had boxes and boxes of Harlequins and Silhouettes. Every year, her mother would ask why all those books had to live in the house and Jess would reply that if even one of them disappeared she would know. (She'd catalogued them.)
Jess finished her first romance manuscript the summer before her freshman year of college. She attended Smith College and graduated with a double major in history and art history. She then received a law degree from Albany Law School. Shortly after that, she began working in the healthcare industry in Boston. She spent many years as one of the premier medical center’s Chief of Staff. While working as a lawyer in Boston, she completed two novels more and started a number of partials. In 2001, Bird married John Neville Blakemore III. Both her mother and her new husband kept telling her to send something in to an agent, a publisher, the Tooth Fairy, anyone. She thought they were nuts, but eventually got her nerve up and bought a lot of stamps. Since getting published, she has written contemporary romances as Jessica Bird and paranormal romances as J. R. Ward. She has been a Rita Award finalist, received two Romantic Times Reviewer's Choice nominations and has been a HOLT medallion finalist.
New England born and bred, Jess is surprised to find herself living south of the Mason Dixon line. (But that's what happens when you marry a Southern gentleman.) She and her husband live with their golden retriever, who oversees her writing in a supervisory role.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 290 reviews
March 16, 2024
Nurse Lizzie Bond contacts Sean O’Banyon to let him know his father (Eddie O’Banyon) passed away. Sean has been estranged from his dad for years because of the abusive behavior Eddie had towards Sean and his two brothers when he was drunk. Lizzie became close to the old man and has no idea about the past. (She was renting the lower floor of the home Eddie was living in and spent a lot of time with the old man.) Sean goes home and meets Lizzie and sparks fly.
I really loved the heroine, Lizzie. She was so sweet, warm, and compassionate. The hero I liked less. He was a total jerk sometimes to Lizzie. I was tired of him mistrusting her, which lowered my enjoyment of the story. I liked the other books I’ve read by this author, so this one was quite a disappointment.
I really loved the heroine, Lizzie. She was so sweet, warm, and compassionate. The hero I liked less. He was a total jerk sometimes to Lizzie. I was tired of him mistrusting her, which lowered my enjoyment of the story. I liked the other books I’ve read by this author, so this one was quite a disappointment.
January 9, 2012
This was my first book by Jessica Bird, who is better known as J.R. Ward, the author of the bestselling Black Dagger Brotherhood series. J.R. Ward's writing style is very characteristic and I was curious to see if her writing as Jessica Bird would be as "unique", so I decided to give this book a try.
So, what's my "verdict" after reading it? Well, there was definitely some similarities in the writing style of these "two" authors, especially when it comes to showing the hero's POV. That wasn't a bad thing, since I happen to like the way this author tells a story. And the best thing about this book when compared to the BDB books was the fact that there was no switching POV with the villains. Argh, how I hate those scenes with the BDB's lessers! Anyway, I'm getting a bit sidetracked here. Let's get back to the main program...
Sean O'Banyon is a Wall Street genius who doesn't do relationships, either with women or friends. He's barely survived an alcoholic and abusive father while growing up, and he has the emotional scars and constant nightmares to prove it. When he's informed of his father's death, he flies back to his hometown Boston to do his "duty": claim his father's body, arrange his cremation, pack his affairs, sell his old house, and forget the whole thing as quickly as possible.
Lizzie Bond was Sean's father's tennant and friend. With an absent father, a mentally challenged mother and on the verge of losing her job, her life is anything but easy. But she's one of those strong and no-nonsense heroines who never falter, and she's just what Sean needs to start overcoming his tortured past. Their relationship is a bit tentative at first, mainly due to his emotional hang-ups, but it isn't long before they realize there's more than a simple attraction between them. Unfortunately, trust isn't something that comes easily to Sean, so they have to face a major bump before they get a more than deserving HEA.
I loved this book! I don't remember the last time a "category" book got me so emotionally involved with the story and the characters. I could see Sean and Lizzie falling in love with each other, and I could feel their connection. Every time Sean had one of his nightmares, I wanted to jump inside the pages of the book and comfort him. Yeah, I'm crazy like that! *sighs*
As for the the plot, it wasn't unique but Ms. Bird has managed to craft an excellent story out of it, with a well-rounded hero (who I just wanted to hug and never let go) and a likable heroine (who sometimes seemed too good to be true but, hey, it fit the story). I wasn't even bothered with the fact that Sean only said his ILY on the epilogue, because that was just the right time to do it. He was so emotionally damaged that he really had a long way to go before he could open himself to say those three little words. And the waiting was more than worth it... :)
All in all, this was a more than satisfying read, and I'm going to try and find more of Ms. Bird's backlist.
Fun fact: Butch O'Neal, from the BDB series, was briefly mentioned in this book as being one of Sean's childhood buddies. While it was funny to see that loose connection, I couldn't help but wonder if Ms. Bird (or Ms. Ward, I don't know how to call her anymore) wasn't getting a bit too far with her "obsesssion" with the BDB.
So, what's my "verdict" after reading it? Well, there was definitely some similarities in the writing style of these "two" authors, especially when it comes to showing the hero's POV. That wasn't a bad thing, since I happen to like the way this author tells a story. And the best thing about this book when compared to the BDB books was the fact that there was no switching POV with the villains. Argh, how I hate those scenes with the BDB's lessers! Anyway, I'm getting a bit sidetracked here. Let's get back to the main program...
Sean O'Banyon is a Wall Street genius who doesn't do relationships, either with women or friends. He's barely survived an alcoholic and abusive father while growing up, and he has the emotional scars and constant nightmares to prove it. When he's informed of his father's death, he flies back to his hometown Boston to do his "duty": claim his father's body, arrange his cremation, pack his affairs, sell his old house, and forget the whole thing as quickly as possible.
Lizzie Bond was Sean's father's tennant and friend. With an absent father, a mentally challenged mother and on the verge of losing her job, her life is anything but easy. But she's one of those strong and no-nonsense heroines who never falter, and she's just what Sean needs to start overcoming his tortured past. Their relationship is a bit tentative at first, mainly due to his emotional hang-ups, but it isn't long before they realize there's more than a simple attraction between them. Unfortunately, trust isn't something that comes easily to Sean, so they have to face a major bump before they get a more than deserving HEA.
I loved this book! I don't remember the last time a "category" book got me so emotionally involved with the story and the characters. I could see Sean and Lizzie falling in love with each other, and I could feel their connection. Every time Sean had one of his nightmares, I wanted to jump inside the pages of the book and comfort him. Yeah, I'm crazy like that! *sighs*
As for the the plot, it wasn't unique but Ms. Bird has managed to craft an excellent story out of it, with a well-rounded hero (who I just wanted to hug and never let go) and a likable heroine (who sometimes seemed too good to be true but, hey, it fit the story). I wasn't even bothered with the fact that Sean only said his ILY on the epilogue, because that was just the right time to do it. He was so emotionally damaged that he really had a long way to go before he could open himself to say those three little words. And the waiting was more than worth it... :)
All in all, this was a more than satisfying read, and I'm going to try and find more of Ms. Bird's backlist.
Fun fact: Butch O'Neal, from the BDB series, was briefly mentioned in this book as being one of Sean's childhood buddies. While it was funny to see that loose connection, I couldn't help but wonder if Ms. Bird (or Ms. Ward, I don't know how to call her anymore) wasn't getting a bit too far with her "obsesssion" with the BDB.
May 20, 2010
My Review:
Once I started reading this book, I couldn’t put it down because it’s a story that hits very close to home. As usual, whether writing as Jessica Bird or J.R. Ward, this author knows how to take some of life’s most horrible experiences and then write them with a depth of compassion that always leaves me wondering how she could be so spot-on unless she’s had those same things happen herself. And I’m in no way implying she has, merely commenting on the accuracy of the levels and types of emotions one who has gone through these things does indeed experience.
In The Billionaire Next Door our hero is Sean O’Banyon, a man who is used to getting his way and succeeds in everything he does. He’s driven by the nightmares of a past that would destroy most people, but has only made him smarter, stronger and more ruthless in his dealings with the corporate crowd on Wall Street. Once he sets his sights on something, he doesn’t stop until he’s reached his goal, and it doesn’t matter who he has to take down to get there.
Lizzie Bond has been renting the lower level of the O’Banyon family duplex from Eddie O’Banyon, Sean’s father. She’s known Eddie to be kind and caring, yet reclusive and not entirely open about his past, but small things he has said to her over the two years she’s rented from him and helped care for him has led her to believe that he has some skeletons in his closet. Grateful for his friendship and the cheap rent, she chooses not to pry into his affairs and just accepts their landlord/tenant relationship for what it is, even though in many ways he’s like a father figure to her. It isn’t until Eddie passes away and Lizzie contacts Sean that the truth begins to come out.
Sean really struggles with going home to the place where his nightmares all began, but he was the only one of his brothers who was available to see to his father’s belongings and get the duplex ready for sale. Fortunately for him, Lizzie was there and ready to help him out in whatever way she could. That turned out to be one of the greatest blessings of his life.
I was worried that because of Sean’s job, we the readers would spend a lot of time in the boardroom, watching as he hashed over corporate takeovers and other non-romance issues, but that wasn’t the case at all. Towards the end of the book there was one scene of that nature, but it was short, to the point, and necessary to show us exactly how deeply Lizzie had managed to affect him.
Lizzie had no idea that Sean was wealthy, and because of Sean’s mistrust of women, he wanted to keep it that way. He was enjoying her company too much to risk having her find out about his money and turn into the kind of woman he tried to avoid like the plague; a gold digger who wanted nothing more than his name and his money. I was pleasantly surprised with the amount of one on one time Lizzie and Sean had doing things like going to the park, going out to dinner, and doing the kinds of things “normal” people do.
I loved how comfortable Sean was being with Lizzie in her modest surroundings. This was probably because he himself had grown up in that very house and so it was familiar, even in its painful memories. But what Lizzie added to the mix was a sense of comfort that Sean and his brothers hadn’t known since before the death of their mother.
Even though Sean and Lizzie are the hero and heroine of this story – a couple – I’m going on and on about Sean and that’s because I can relate to him all too well. But the truth is, Lizzie is the real hero of the story, because seeing him with her heart, rather than her head, she was able look beneath the surface of his actions, recognize the reasons behind them, and then was willing to help him work through it all so that they could have a chance at the happily ever after they both so desperately need and deserve.
Once again Jessica Bird/The WARDen has given us a storyline that, even though the book is shorter, is easy to follow and characters who are honest, open and easy to love. And while this is an easy read, it’s by no means a brainless one.
On a Black Dagger Brotherhood note, we hear that as a boy, Sean used to hang out with his best friend, Butch O’Neal. It sounds like those times with the O’Neal family are the few happy memories Sean has from his childhood. Even though the references are very short, they are by no means vague, and it makes me love Butch and his mother that much more.
Once I started reading this book, I couldn’t put it down because it’s a story that hits very close to home. As usual, whether writing as Jessica Bird or J.R. Ward, this author knows how to take some of life’s most horrible experiences and then write them with a depth of compassion that always leaves me wondering how she could be so spot-on unless she’s had those same things happen herself. And I’m in no way implying she has, merely commenting on the accuracy of the levels and types of emotions one who has gone through these things does indeed experience.
In The Billionaire Next Door our hero is Sean O’Banyon, a man who is used to getting his way and succeeds in everything he does. He’s driven by the nightmares of a past that would destroy most people, but has only made him smarter, stronger and more ruthless in his dealings with the corporate crowd on Wall Street. Once he sets his sights on something, he doesn’t stop until he’s reached his goal, and it doesn’t matter who he has to take down to get there.
Lizzie Bond has been renting the lower level of the O’Banyon family duplex from Eddie O’Banyon, Sean’s father. She’s known Eddie to be kind and caring, yet reclusive and not entirely open about his past, but small things he has said to her over the two years she’s rented from him and helped care for him has led her to believe that he has some skeletons in his closet. Grateful for his friendship and the cheap rent, she chooses not to pry into his affairs and just accepts their landlord/tenant relationship for what it is, even though in many ways he’s like a father figure to her. It isn’t until Eddie passes away and Lizzie contacts Sean that the truth begins to come out.
Sean really struggles with going home to the place where his nightmares all began, but he was the only one of his brothers who was available to see to his father’s belongings and get the duplex ready for sale. Fortunately for him, Lizzie was there and ready to help him out in whatever way she could. That turned out to be one of the greatest blessings of his life.
I was worried that because of Sean’s job, we the readers would spend a lot of time in the boardroom, watching as he hashed over corporate takeovers and other non-romance issues, but that wasn’t the case at all. Towards the end of the book there was one scene of that nature, but it was short, to the point, and necessary to show us exactly how deeply Lizzie had managed to affect him.
Lizzie had no idea that Sean was wealthy, and because of Sean’s mistrust of women, he wanted to keep it that way. He was enjoying her company too much to risk having her find out about his money and turn into the kind of woman he tried to avoid like the plague; a gold digger who wanted nothing more than his name and his money. I was pleasantly surprised with the amount of one on one time Lizzie and Sean had doing things like going to the park, going out to dinner, and doing the kinds of things “normal” people do.
I loved how comfortable Sean was being with Lizzie in her modest surroundings. This was probably because he himself had grown up in that very house and so it was familiar, even in its painful memories. But what Lizzie added to the mix was a sense of comfort that Sean and his brothers hadn’t known since before the death of their mother.
Even though Sean and Lizzie are the hero and heroine of this story – a couple – I’m going on and on about Sean and that’s because I can relate to him all too well. But the truth is, Lizzie is the real hero of the story, because seeing him with her heart, rather than her head, she was able look beneath the surface of his actions, recognize the reasons behind them, and then was willing to help him work through it all so that they could have a chance at the happily ever after they both so desperately need and deserve.
Once again Jessica Bird/The WARDen has given us a storyline that, even though the book is shorter, is easy to follow and characters who are honest, open and easy to love. And while this is an easy read, it’s by no means a brainless one.
On a Black Dagger Brotherhood note, we hear that as a boy, Sean used to hang out with his best friend, Butch O’Neal. It sounds like those times with the O’Neal family are the few happy memories Sean has from his childhood. Even though the references are very short, they are by no means vague, and it makes me love Butch and his mother that much more.
July 6, 2013
Opening line:"No, really I heard he was coming tonight."
THE BILLIONAIRE NEXT DOOR was written in 2007 and has a noticeably darker tone than Jessica Bird’s other contemporary romances (The Moorehouse Legacy) This could be because Bird was already writing as JR Ward and was 2 books into her Black Dagger Brotherhood series when she wrote this and it shows in a great way. Including a flashback moment where we’re given a squeal worthy glimpse of Butch O’Neil as a young boy. Without comparing the two this is a great romance that hooked me from page one with original characters, a moving storyline and (wow this is Harlequin?) scorching hot love scenes.
Sean O’Banyon as our tortured alpha-male hero (love that combination) comes from an abused childhood and has spent his life trying to not only forget where he comes from but overachieving to compensate for it. He is now a ruthless Wall Street business mogul who most financiers fear and is worth a cool billion and change. When Sean’s father dies he’s forced to go back to South Boston and deal with the details, back to a place that he and his brothers had promised each other they’d never return to again, their childhood home.
Lizzie Bond is an ER nurse who for the last couple of years has rented the ground floor apartment of Eddie O’Banyons duplex. During that time the two formed a friendship and as the lonely old mans health began to fail Lizzie found herself taking over more and more of his homecare duties as he didn’t appear to have any close family.
When our couple meet there’s no denying the instant chemistry between them however that’s the only thing that is undeniable; Lizzie’s doesn’t know that Sean’s loaded and while he’s enjoying this anonymity he’s also trying to figure out if she was after his father’s money and not break his confirmed-bachelor code of ethics. Because Sean doesn’t let women in, he doesn’t trust them and he certainly doesn’t ever allow himself to wake up beside them in the morning. Its just that the nightmares have returned and she’s right downstairs.
What a great read my only disappointment would be that Bird (thus far) hasn’t completed this series. Leaving me hanging with a great introduction and already formed attachment to Sean’s super yummy and mysterious brothers, Damn.
THE BILLIONAIRE NEXT DOOR was written in 2007 and has a noticeably darker tone than Jessica Bird’s other contemporary romances (The Moorehouse Legacy) This could be because Bird was already writing as JR Ward and was 2 books into her Black Dagger Brotherhood series when she wrote this and it shows in a great way. Including a flashback moment where we’re given a squeal worthy glimpse of Butch O’Neil as a young boy. Without comparing the two this is a great romance that hooked me from page one with original characters, a moving storyline and (wow this is Harlequin?) scorching hot love scenes.
Sean O’Banyon as our tortured alpha-male hero (love that combination) comes from an abused childhood and has spent his life trying to not only forget where he comes from but overachieving to compensate for it. He is now a ruthless Wall Street business mogul who most financiers fear and is worth a cool billion and change. When Sean’s father dies he’s forced to go back to South Boston and deal with the details, back to a place that he and his brothers had promised each other they’d never return to again, their childhood home.
Lizzie Bond is an ER nurse who for the last couple of years has rented the ground floor apartment of Eddie O’Banyons duplex. During that time the two formed a friendship and as the lonely old mans health began to fail Lizzie found herself taking over more and more of his homecare duties as he didn’t appear to have any close family.
When our couple meet there’s no denying the instant chemistry between them however that’s the only thing that is undeniable; Lizzie’s doesn’t know that Sean’s loaded and while he’s enjoying this anonymity he’s also trying to figure out if she was after his father’s money and not break his confirmed-bachelor code of ethics. Because Sean doesn’t let women in, he doesn’t trust them and he certainly doesn’t ever allow himself to wake up beside them in the morning. Its just that the nightmares have returned and she’s right downstairs.
What a great read my only disappointment would be that Bird (thus far) hasn’t completed this series. Leaving me hanging with a great introduction and already formed attachment to Sean’s super yummy and mysterious brothers, Damn.
February 6, 2017
This was not what I expected going into this book but I enjoyed this sweet story nonetheless! I read it in one sitting and, after shedding a few tears during, was left with a giant grin on my face in the end! If you are in the mood for a 'feel good quicky', 'The Billionaire' will definitely hit the spot.
Want to read
January 2, 2016This is Gonna Be Good
I love Billionaire love stories!!
Previously published under her pin name Jessica Bird.
I love Billionaire love stories!!
Previously published under her pin name Jessica Bird.
April 4, 2017
4.5 stars
Thanks to Flavia for recommending this one to me as I loved it.
For me, this wasn't your typical cheesy billionaire/poor girl cliched story. Yes, it was the same principle as so many others but it developed better and the money bags angle wasn't stuffed in my or her face constantly like some of these books tend to have.
Looking forward to the next brother's story.
July 14, 2012
A touching and well written story that could have been closer to a 5 star read for me. I had a lump in my throat throughout the first half of the book because of the heroine, Lizzie. Her heart was so big, she was genuine treasure, and she gave and gave and gave; she really got to me. Sean was a jerk who distrusted everyone except his two brothers. He was a self made man in the finance world, a gazillionaire, but went dutch on his dates…really??? The “dutch” part did lead to a scene that brought tears to my eyes because of the proud Lizzie.
A few little things that made me go “really”, they were minor because overall I have to say I loved how I felt when I read this book. At time things didn’t fit for me; I won’t elaborate, but just list,
They might be silly, but they stop my flow ever so slightly on this wonderful love story. Definitely recommend this if you want a short, emotional read.
A few little things that made me go “really”, they were minor because overall I have to say I loved how I felt when I read this book. At time things didn’t fit for me; I won’t elaborate, but just list,
They might be silly, but they stop my flow ever so slightly on this wonderful love story. Definitely recommend this if you want a short, emotional read.
July 10, 2020
This was an enjoyable, quick and easy read. I could have been made a bit longer and probably more detailed in some ways, it did feel a bit rushed at times, but I enjoyed the story.
October 17, 2009
The Billionaire Next Door is the first book in the O'Banyon Brothers Series by Jessica Bird (aka J.R. Ward). Although this book was written in 2007, it's the only one of the series she has completed. I guess she's been a little busy... ;)
This is the only book I have read by Jessica Bird, but I'm going to judge it by what I know about J.R. Ward because I have read everything she has written.
Sean O'Banyon is a tortured hero who was abused for years as a child by his father. He meets Lizzy Bond when he goes home to Boston to clean out his dad's house after he passes away. Lizzy is a tenant in his father's duplex and she's also a registered nurse who has befriended his dad and helped to take care of him.
Sean was a super sexy hero. He's also a brother. Well, not a brother but he does have an older brother Mac and a younger brother Billy. If Jessica Bird ever gets around to writing Billy's story, I'll be first in line to read it. Smoking hot!
The story was okay...about as developed as it could be for the length. I did like the relationship between Sean and Lizzy. I wouldn't say the writing was as good as what I have come to expect from J.R. Ward, but I did see occasionally flashes of her style in the BDB books with lines such as "Hey, boys, what's doing?".
This book was a solid 4 and I will definitely read more by Jessica Bird.
This is the only book I have read by Jessica Bird, but I'm going to judge it by what I know about J.R. Ward because I have read everything she has written.
Sean O'Banyon is a tortured hero who was abused for years as a child by his father. He meets Lizzy Bond when he goes home to Boston to clean out his dad's house after he passes away. Lizzy is a tenant in his father's duplex and she's also a registered nurse who has befriended his dad and helped to take care of him.
Sean was a super sexy hero. He's also a brother. Well, not a brother but he does have an older brother Mac and a younger brother Billy. If Jessica Bird ever gets around to writing Billy's story, I'll be first in line to read it. Smoking hot!
The story was okay...about as developed as it could be for the length. I did like the relationship between Sean and Lizzy. I wouldn't say the writing was as good as what I have come to expect from J.R. Ward, but I did see occasionally flashes of her style in the BDB books with lines such as "Hey, boys, what's doing?".
This book was a solid 4 and I will definitely read more by Jessica Bird.
March 21, 2022
When I read The Billionaire Next Door I was charmed by how good it was. Jessica Bird, aka J.R. Ward, gave warmth to her characters. I started the story late one evening and finished it by early the next day. And yes, I got some sleep.
Sean O'Banyon was the go-to guy, a wonder among Wall Street and the man with all the answers. He was about to complete a big deal when he received a phone call informing him that his father had just died. Immediately all his boyhood insecurities resurfaced.
Lizzie Bond was a young nurse; she was employed in South Boston. She lived in a duplex owned by one Eddie O'Banyon who she had befriended. Caring for others was part of her nature and she had developed a relationship with Eddie. So it was a wonder why he never mentioned he had some sons. It also made her wonder why none of them ever visited their father while he was alive.
When they finally met, Lizzie and Sean were attracted to each other, but his past left him bitterly and emotionally scarred.
Sean and his boyhood are the core of the story. Lizzie tried to fill in the gaps because Sean was tight-lipped about his childhood. Trust was a big issue. He was very successful, but still insecure in some ways. Sean developed feelings toward Lizzie and they both alarmed and comforted him. Besides trying to figure out what Sean had gone through, she was unaware he was a powerhouse on Wall Street. Lizzie was unfamiliar with his notoriety and influence.
There was the 'Big Misunderstanding' but the story needed it to flesh out some issues. Lizzie also had problems from her childhood. Ms. Bird did a wonderful job showing the reader how a person's past can take you into different directions when you reach adulthood.
The story was a great contemporary romance about healing relationships.
Sean O'Banyon was the go-to guy, a wonder among Wall Street and the man with all the answers. He was about to complete a big deal when he received a phone call informing him that his father had just died. Immediately all his boyhood insecurities resurfaced.
Lizzie Bond was a young nurse; she was employed in South Boston. She lived in a duplex owned by one Eddie O'Banyon who she had befriended. Caring for others was part of her nature and she had developed a relationship with Eddie. So it was a wonder why he never mentioned he had some sons. It also made her wonder why none of them ever visited their father while he was alive.
When they finally met, Lizzie and Sean were attracted to each other, but his past left him bitterly and emotionally scarred.
Sean and his boyhood are the core of the story. Lizzie tried to fill in the gaps because Sean was tight-lipped about his childhood. Trust was a big issue. He was very successful, but still insecure in some ways. Sean developed feelings toward Lizzie and they both alarmed and comforted him. Besides trying to figure out what Sean had gone through, she was unaware he was a powerhouse on Wall Street. Lizzie was unfamiliar with his notoriety and influence.
There was the 'Big Misunderstanding' but the story needed it to flesh out some issues. Lizzie also had problems from her childhood. Ms. Bird did a wonderful job showing the reader how a person's past can take you into different directions when you reach adulthood.
The story was a great contemporary romance about healing relationships.
May 12, 2016
What an awesome story.
Loved it
Loved it
May 6, 2022
A generous 2.5🌟
Don’t know how I landed on this book thanks to someone’s rave reviews. It started out nice and smooth but didn’t live up to my expectations.
The h is a nurse and also tenant to an elderly dying man but, she isn’t his nurse. She is however noted as next of kin in case of an emergency. And so the h with her landlord passing away has to phone his family.
The h contacts the H, the landlord’s son. They get along fine and the H who is loaded and wealthy doesn’t let on to her of his financial standing. She assumes that he’s poor and a construction worker also given his deceased father’s life with little to no income. They go out on dates and almost go at it until the H has to briefly go away.
The H finally reveals that he’s filthy as sin and the h is turned off at how he treated his father who barely had groceries to get by. Eventually it is revealed why the H really hated his father and only came by after his death. (This spoiler was a bit of a shocker and I couldn’t but let my brain wander off to those who deal with these real life situations. So be warned. There isn’t any graphic detail but it’s there)
Both the h and H were modern. It wasn’t the first time for the h and she wasn’t held back in anyway about it. She was pretty easy to sleep with the H and was easier with it the next time around. Meh.
Quick while it lasted.
Don’t know how I landed on this book thanks to someone’s rave reviews. It started out nice and smooth but didn’t live up to my expectations.
The h is a nurse and also tenant to an elderly dying man but, she isn’t his nurse. She is however noted as next of kin in case of an emergency. And so the h with her landlord passing away has to phone his family.
The h contacts the H, the landlord’s son. They get along fine and the H who is loaded and wealthy doesn’t let on to her of his financial standing. She assumes that he’s poor and a construction worker also given his deceased father’s life with little to no income. They go out on dates and almost go at it until the H has to briefly go away.
The H finally reveals that he’s filthy as sin and the h is turned off at how he treated his father who barely had groceries to get by. Eventually it is revealed why the H really hated his father and only came by after his death. (This spoiler was a bit of a shocker and I couldn’t but let my brain wander off to those who deal with these real life situations. So be warned. There isn’t any graphic detail but it’s there)
Both the h and H were modern. It wasn’t the first time for the h and she wasn’t held back in anyway about it. She was pretty easy to sleep with the H and was easier with it the next time around. Meh.
Quick while it lasted.
April 26, 2016
** 2.5/ 3 stars **
Well...that was...disappointing.
I cannot believe that this was written by the same author that writes the Black Dagger Brotherhood series. The Billionaire was absolutely dull and boring. There was 1 moment of excitement but that was because Butch O'Neal was mentioned, briefly. The Billionaire was originally published in 2007 and Butch's book was published in 2007, a couple of months after. Yet the writing style? Completely different. This seemed as if it was just written for the fun of it with no real thought or care to how it turned out. And the sad part is this is a revised/republished edition.
Will I continue with this series (if this series ever ends up actually happening)? Probably not.
Well...that was...disappointing.
I cannot believe that this was written by the same author that writes the Black Dagger Brotherhood series. The Billionaire was absolutely dull and boring. There was 1 moment of excitement but that was because Butch O'Neal was mentioned, briefly. The Billionaire was originally published in 2007 and Butch's book was published in 2007, a couple of months after. Yet the writing style? Completely different. This seemed as if it was just written for the fun of it with no real thought or care to how it turned out. And the sad part is this is a revised/republished edition.
Will I continue with this series (if this series ever ends up actually happening)? Probably not.
October 22, 2009
So I was really looking forward to this my last book,boo hoo, by Jessica Bird AKA J R Ward unitl Lover Mine which comes out next year. But you know what, I loved Lizzie and I loved Sean but this story felt like it was the first of a series ,which it is albeit unfinished, and it wasn't quite happening for me. I don't know why, but there you go. Seans story was sad and Lizzie was sweet, some parts even had me shedding a tear and they get together in the end for a solid HEA but it still didn't do it for me in the way I really really wanted it too.......still staying on my forever shelf tho' :)
Want to read
February 29, 2016This should be interesting - look forward to reading this one.
May 15, 2017
5 stars
What happened to Billy and Mac's books?? This series CANNOT go unfinished. Such a waste. :(
This was very good and reminded me once again what a talented writer Jessica Bird (aka JR Ward) is. She absolutely excels at writing raw emotional real characters with powerful back stories. This was more gritty and emotional than I was expecting it to be. I really loved Sean O'Banyon. His abusive history broke my heart, I wanted to give him and his brothers a big hug. With so little page count and certain restrictions Bird made the most of it and managed to pull off a powerful story. I did not feel like I was reading a harlequin book which says so much. The flashbacks and characters reactions and PTSD to a brutal abusive childhood was so wonderfully handled. The flashbacks in particular and the crippling PTSD Sean and Billy deal with were brutal and so flawlessly handled. Bravo Bird! Everything about this story came across incredibly real and nothing was forced or half approached. Loved Lizzie Bond thought she was wonderful with a big selfless heart and just what big rugged cynical Sean needed. He made me melt with his words. Gah. Given his severe trust issues, Lizzie was very kind and understanding yet firm when she needed to be. I adored these two so much and loved seeing how they handled things together. They go through quite a few tests together and apart.
And to all the BDB lovers, we do get a Butch mention in this. Nice clever wink to the BDB series. :P Butch O'Neal! I loved the connection of Sean being friends with Butch as a kid. It was sweet and oddly comforting given the awful atmosphere Sean and his brothers lived in growing up. :(
And getting to know Sean's younger brother Billy, I really really wanted to know more about him. I adore him <3. I'm DYING to read his story. The gorgeous star quarterback who is dyslexic and has serious PTSD from his traumatic childhood. And there's also the mysterious eldest brother Mac. I get the feeling this series will be left unfinished which really bums me out. :(
Brilliant story, 5 stars all the way!
What happened to Billy and Mac's books?? This series CANNOT go unfinished. Such a waste. :(
This was very good and reminded me once again what a talented writer Jessica Bird (aka JR Ward) is. She absolutely excels at writing raw emotional real characters with powerful back stories. This was more gritty and emotional than I was expecting it to be. I really loved Sean O'Banyon. His abusive history broke my heart, I wanted to give him and his brothers a big hug. With so little page count and certain restrictions Bird made the most of it and managed to pull off a powerful story. I did not feel like I was reading a harlequin book which says so much. The flashbacks and characters reactions and PTSD to a brutal abusive childhood was so wonderfully handled. The flashbacks in particular and the crippling PTSD Sean and Billy deal with were brutal and so flawlessly handled. Bravo Bird! Everything about this story came across incredibly real and nothing was forced or half approached. Loved Lizzie Bond thought she was wonderful with a big selfless heart and just what big rugged cynical Sean needed. He made me melt with his words. Gah. Given his severe trust issues, Lizzie was very kind and understanding yet firm when she needed to be. I adored these two so much and loved seeing how they handled things together. They go through quite a few tests together and apart.
And to all the BDB lovers, we do get a Butch mention in this. Nice clever wink to the BDB series. :P Butch O'Neal! I loved the connection of Sean being friends with Butch as a kid. It was sweet and oddly comforting given the awful atmosphere Sean and his brothers lived in growing up. :(
And getting to know Sean's younger brother Billy, I really really wanted to know more about him. I adore him <3. I'm DYING to read his story. The gorgeous star quarterback who is dyslexic and has serious PTSD from his traumatic childhood. And there's also the mysterious eldest brother Mac. I get the feeling this series will be left unfinished which really bums me out. :(
Brilliant story, 5 stars all the way!
February 26, 2024
Puedes encontrar esta reseña en español al final.
I read this story because my friend Linda´s review. Because I´m a bit shortsighted regarding millionaires in my tittles, contemporary in my romances and anything Harlequin in general. And this one had all the above. So, I almost missed this lovely romance because of my prejudices. Lesson learned (I hope…)
There is nothing new here. But there were lots of the typical clichés (rich guy, working class girl, cynicism, shyness, private planes, family melodrama…) although they were done right, and they worked at the end. Even the Misunderstanding.
I liked it. I was sweet, lovely and nothing to take too seriously.
And now, if only Ms. Bird could write Mac´s story… That would be awesome.
***
He leído esta historia por la reseña de mi amiga Linda. Porque soy un poquito corta de miras en lo que se refiere a millonarios en los títulos, romances contemporáneos y cualquier cosa que se llame Harlequín. Y este lo tenía todo. Así se casi me pierdo esta bonita historia por culpa de mis prejuicios. Espero haber aprendido la lección…
Aquí no hay nada nuevo. Pero sí que hay todos los clichés típicos del género (el tipo rico, la chica trabajadora, cinismo, timidez, aviones privados, melodrama familiar…) pero hecho de tal manera que funcionaron al final. Incluso el gran Malentendido.
Me ha gustado. Ha sido bonito. Algo para entretenerse y no tomárselo muy en serio.
Ya solo queda que la Sra. Bird escriba la historia de Mac. Sería fabuloso.
I read this story because my friend Linda´s review. Because I´m a bit shortsighted regarding millionaires in my tittles, contemporary in my romances and anything Harlequin in general. And this one had all the above. So, I almost missed this lovely romance because of my prejudices. Lesson learned (I hope…)
There is nothing new here. But there were lots of the typical clichés (rich guy, working class girl, cynicism, shyness, private planes, family melodrama…) although they were done right, and they worked at the end. Even the Misunderstanding.
I liked it. I was sweet, lovely and nothing to take too seriously.
And now, if only Ms. Bird could write Mac´s story… That would be awesome.
***
He leído esta historia por la reseña de mi amiga Linda. Porque soy un poquito corta de miras en lo que se refiere a millonarios en los títulos, romances contemporáneos y cualquier cosa que se llame Harlequín. Y este lo tenía todo. Así se casi me pierdo esta bonita historia por culpa de mis prejuicios. Espero haber aprendido la lección…
Aquí no hay nada nuevo. Pero sí que hay todos los clichés típicos del género (el tipo rico, la chica trabajadora, cinismo, timidez, aviones privados, melodrama familiar…) pero hecho de tal manera que funcionaron al final. Incluso el gran Malentendido.
Me ha gustado. Ha sido bonito. Algo para entretenerse y no tomárselo muy en serio.
Ya solo queda que la Sra. Bird escriba la historia de Mac. Sería fabuloso.
July 12, 2011
This was my first Jessica Bird story, and although I'm a hardcore J.R. Ward fan and in my opinion nothing can compare to the woman's Black Dagger Brotherhood Series, I enjoyed this just as well.
The woman knows how to write a love story and create compelling characters. Especially male ones. I really loved Sean. Felt for him, understood him. Lizzie was a tad less compelling; maybe I would have liked her better if she had kept her financial problems more to herself. Even more than she did. I have to admit she even irritated me at a couple of points. That's why I'm giving this four instead of five stars. That and because the more intimate scenes felt a little incoherent and hasty. And a little forced. I mean, knowing what the WARDen is capable of? They were simply not enough. Not that they were bad. They were alright. But they weren't the sizzling hot material we're used to when it comes to her novels.
And what do you know! As a boy, Sean used to be best friends with Butch O'Neil! My favourite part of the story.
The woman knows how to write a love story and create compelling characters. Especially male ones. I really loved Sean. Felt for him, understood him. Lizzie was a tad less compelling; maybe I would have liked her better if she had kept her financial problems more to herself. Even more than she did. I have to admit she even irritated me at a couple of points. That's why I'm giving this four instead of five stars. That and because the more intimate scenes felt a little incoherent and hasty. And a little forced. I mean, knowing what the WARDen is capable of? They were simply not enough. Not that they were bad. They were alright. But they weren't the sizzling hot material we're used to when it comes to her novels.
And what do you know! As a boy, Sean used to be best friends with Butch O'Neil! My favourite part of the story.
October 18, 2011
5 Stars +
One of the best Harlequin books I have read in a long long time. We met sean in the Moorhouse series and he came across as a really nice guy in that and I wasn't disappointed to find out that he was a nice guy despite his tortured past.
It was obvious that Ms Bird/Ward had intended to write 2 more books in this series and tell us Mac and Billy's story. I really wish she had done them as I really would like to read them especially the one about the mysterious older brother Mac.
One of the best Harlequin books I have read in a long long time. We met sean in the Moorhouse series and he came across as a really nice guy in that and I wasn't disappointed to find out that he was a nice guy despite his tortured past.
It was obvious that Ms Bird/Ward had intended to write 2 more books in this series and tell us Mac and Billy's story. I really wish she had done them as I really would like to read them especially the one about the mysterious older brother Mac.
March 29, 2013
An Easy read for Easy Day :)
May 24, 2016
Ahhhhhh this was so cute!! I liked it more than I expected to. I hope Ward/Bird continues with this series one day. This is one for the re-read pile.
May 29, 2012
I wasn’t sure what to expect with this since I have only read J.R. Ward's, a.k.a. Jessica Bird, paranormal novels but I found it to be an okay read. I am giving it 3 stars because while I did enjoy the story overall, I found the romance to be a bit lackluster. I do think the book itself was well written – Ward/Bird is a talented writer. She has a powerful way with words. For example, during a scene when the Hero, Sean O’Banyon, receives terrible news, Bird/Ward describes his reaction to the news this way:
All at once, the sounds of the party drained away. The patter of talk, the winding chords of the chamber orchestra, the trilling laughter of a woman nearby – all of it disappeared as if someone had thrown a thick blanket over everything. And then the sight of 150 people before him fogged out until he was alone in the vast room.
In fact, the very fabric of reality disintegrated until it seemed as if the world had become an intangible dreamscape and him a formless vapor: he couldn’t feel the floor under his feet or the phone in his palm or the weight of his body. Nor could he remember what he was doing in this room full of crystal chandeliers and too much perfume.
I absolutely loved that.
One of the criticisms that I have seen lodged at Ward (Bird) is that she fails to write compelling female characters. While I do not agree with this in some instances, I do think it is a valid criticism here. The heroine, Lizzie Bond, was a likeable character but I felt that Bird/Ward failed to flesh her out and make her a person in her own right. Lizzie did not seem to have a true personality and remained somewhat flat throughout most of the novel. I thought her backstory was interesting but something failed to connect me to her – she never truly became real to me and remained, for the most part, words on paper. I did like her and while she was compassionate of Sean’s situation, I knew this more because I was told but not because her behavior was especially emotional or compelling to read. Since Lizzie was not a compelling character in her own right, I felt the romance itself lacked the emotional punch it could have had. The potential was there but it was never realized to my satisfaction. Don’t get me wrong, I liked the HEA and was happy for her and Sean, but I felt a distance from it. I did find the epilogue to be moving though.
Where Bird/Ward truly succeeded, which is the case with most of her male characters, was with the Hero, Sean O’Banyon. He stole the show.
Sean’s history of abuse (as well as his brothers) at the hands of his father is poignant. His emotional and psychological reaction to seeing his father’s home again and to the past is moving, heart wrenching, and extremely realistic. If there is one thing Ward does well, it’s write emotion and psychological trauma. She is extremely talented at bringing these issues home, and it’s no less the case here. This part of the story is what kept me reading. I was more interested in Sean, his brothers, and the relationship with his father than I was in the romance. And in reality, this book was really more about Sean and his journey towards healing. Lizzie plays a definite role in that but I felt that was her only role in the story. This is probably another reason I failed to connect with Lizzie, she did not really have her own journey in this story. Everything truly centered on Sean. In any case, I really hope that Bird/Ward writes the story of the two brothers, Billy and Mac, since I would love to read how they learn to cope and heal from their past.
I also thought Ward/Bird did a fantastic job with Sean’s father. Of course he is an integral part of the story, but it’s more than that – he becomes a real presence here. He’s never just Sean’s abusive father but a true person in his own right. We never meet the man, but Ward/Bird manages to make him compelling, real, and complex. She even manages to make him somewhat sympathetic. Bird/Ward handles his story in such a way that I actually found myself feeling sorry for him and cried for him (!) during two pivotal scenes. She never excuses his behavior, but presents it in such a way that makes it much more realistic than just an abusive drunk. Definite kudos to Ward/Bird on that score.
A quick side note, I thought it was really cute that Sean was childhood friends with Butch from the Black Dagger Brotherhood series.
In any case, I think if you are a fan of J.R. Ward, you will like this book. Though it’s not as gritty or erotic as what you might be used to with her Black Dagger Brotherhood series, I still think you might enjoy it. I would also recommend this to fans of romance who don't mind a story that is more hero-centric in nature and who also like a story with a little bit of a darker theme and edge to it. It’s not necessarily a dark novel, but it’s also not a light and fluffy read.
All at once, the sounds of the party drained away. The patter of talk, the winding chords of the chamber orchestra, the trilling laughter of a woman nearby – all of it disappeared as if someone had thrown a thick blanket over everything. And then the sight of 150 people before him fogged out until he was alone in the vast room.
In fact, the very fabric of reality disintegrated until it seemed as if the world had become an intangible dreamscape and him a formless vapor: he couldn’t feel the floor under his feet or the phone in his palm or the weight of his body. Nor could he remember what he was doing in this room full of crystal chandeliers and too much perfume.
I absolutely loved that.
One of the criticisms that I have seen lodged at Ward (Bird) is that she fails to write compelling female characters. While I do not agree with this in some instances, I do think it is a valid criticism here. The heroine, Lizzie Bond, was a likeable character but I felt that Bird/Ward failed to flesh her out and make her a person in her own right. Lizzie did not seem to have a true personality and remained somewhat flat throughout most of the novel. I thought her backstory was interesting but something failed to connect me to her – she never truly became real to me and remained, for the most part, words on paper. I did like her and while she was compassionate of Sean’s situation, I knew this more because I was told but not because her behavior was especially emotional or compelling to read. Since Lizzie was not a compelling character in her own right, I felt the romance itself lacked the emotional punch it could have had. The potential was there but it was never realized to my satisfaction. Don’t get me wrong, I liked the HEA and was happy for her and Sean, but I felt a distance from it. I did find the epilogue to be moving though.
Where Bird/Ward truly succeeded, which is the case with most of her male characters, was with the Hero, Sean O’Banyon. He stole the show.
Sean’s history of abuse (as well as his brothers) at the hands of his father is poignant. His emotional and psychological reaction to seeing his father’s home again and to the past is moving, heart wrenching, and extremely realistic. If there is one thing Ward does well, it’s write emotion and psychological trauma. She is extremely talented at bringing these issues home, and it’s no less the case here. This part of the story is what kept me reading. I was more interested in Sean, his brothers, and the relationship with his father than I was in the romance. And in reality, this book was really more about Sean and his journey towards healing. Lizzie plays a definite role in that but I felt that was her only role in the story. This is probably another reason I failed to connect with Lizzie, she did not really have her own journey in this story. Everything truly centered on Sean. In any case, I really hope that Bird/Ward writes the story of the two brothers, Billy and Mac, since I would love to read how they learn to cope and heal from their past.
I also thought Ward/Bird did a fantastic job with Sean’s father. Of course he is an integral part of the story, but it’s more than that – he becomes a real presence here. He’s never just Sean’s abusive father but a true person in his own right. We never meet the man, but Ward/Bird manages to make him compelling, real, and complex. She even manages to make him somewhat sympathetic. Bird/Ward handles his story in such a way that I actually found myself feeling sorry for him and cried for him (!) during two pivotal scenes. She never excuses his behavior, but presents it in such a way that makes it much more realistic than just an abusive drunk. Definite kudos to Ward/Bird on that score.
A quick side note, I thought it was really cute that Sean was childhood friends with Butch from the Black Dagger Brotherhood series.
In any case, I think if you are a fan of J.R. Ward, you will like this book. Though it’s not as gritty or erotic as what you might be used to with her Black Dagger Brotherhood series, I still think you might enjoy it. I would also recommend this to fans of romance who don't mind a story that is more hero-centric in nature and who also like a story with a little bit of a darker theme and edge to it. It’s not necessarily a dark novel, but it’s also not a light and fluffy read.
May 4, 2020
This is J R Ward writing what she does best romance. The story is OK but it is one you have read before. Rich Boy with a difficult past meets poor girl, misunderstandings follow until everything is sorted out. Not a bad way to spend a couple of hours. But if you are looking for something new look elsewhere.
April 24, 2025
A compassionate, unworldly, insolvent nurse falls for a hard-as-nails, workaholic Wall Street tycoon.
Lizzie lives in the downstairs apartment of a duplex in a working-class neighborhood in South Boston. For the past two years, she has cared for her elderly landlord, Eddie O’Banyon, a sickly man in his 70s. As far as she knows, he’s a kind and decent person--he’s always treated her well--but he is sadly estranged from his three adult sons. When Eddie suddenly dies, Lizzie calls a number he had personally given her, which she was to use only when he was dead.
Sean O’Banyon returns to the rundown apartment he hasn’t set foot in for 20 years. Raised by a brutal, alcoholic father, the visit hits him like a PTSD episode. At first, he distrusts Lizzie, assuming she’s just another materialistic woman looking to take advantage of the situation, exactly the type he’s known for decades. But as time passes, even someone as deeply cynical as Sean can’t help but recognize the goodness in her.
I rated this a 5-star read the first time I read it years ago. I really liked the sensitivity of the sex scenes and the strong emotional connection between Lizzie and Sean. This was before the romance genre became saturated with gratuitous, meaningless sex scenes and crude language. Here, every romantic moment serves to develop the characters and move their relationship forward.
On a second read today, I rate it 4 stars, mostly due to several significant plot elements that felt too unrealistic. For example, Eddie’s medical expenses: since he would have had Medicare, and very likely with supplemental coverage, it made no sense for Lizzie to be paying large medical bills out of her pocket and expecting repayment. If Eddie were competent enough to sign checks Lizzie wrote for him to repay her, she could have simply written checks directly from his account to pay the bills in the first place without placing herself unnecessarily in the middle.
I also found the backstory involving Child Protective Services (CPS) implausible. Mac, the eldest brother, supposedly took beatings to protect his younger siblings, yet allowed them to return to their father’s abusive home after CPS intervened. Given that Sean is around 38 in the 2007 timeline, their childhood would have occurred in the 1980s, which was not an era when CPS would simply drop the ball without follow-ups. That weakens the credibility of the trauma backstory that shapes Sean’s personality and the novel’s pivotal dark moment.
Still, despite being nearly 20 years old, the story didn’t feel dated to me, except for the presence of landlines, a Blackberry, and the absence of internet and smartphones. What did feel dated was the decision to reissue the book with the generic title, "The Billionaire." That’s like naming your pet poodle, “Dog.” The original title, "The Billionaire Next Door," was far more distinctive and fitting.
This novel was intended to be the first in a trilogy about the O’Banyon brothers but, unfortunately, the other two books were never written. That’s a real loss, because the remaining brothers seemed intriguing.
Jessica Bird is the contemporary pen name of J.R. Ward, best known for her Black Dagger Brotherhood series. Under this name, she also wrote the Moorehouse Legacy series, another collection of emotionally rich contemporary romances for Harlequin.
Lizzie lives in the downstairs apartment of a duplex in a working-class neighborhood in South Boston. For the past two years, she has cared for her elderly landlord, Eddie O’Banyon, a sickly man in his 70s. As far as she knows, he’s a kind and decent person--he’s always treated her well--but he is sadly estranged from his three adult sons. When Eddie suddenly dies, Lizzie calls a number he had personally given her, which she was to use only when he was dead.
Sean O’Banyon returns to the rundown apartment he hasn’t set foot in for 20 years. Raised by a brutal, alcoholic father, the visit hits him like a PTSD episode. At first, he distrusts Lizzie, assuming she’s just another materialistic woman looking to take advantage of the situation, exactly the type he’s known for decades. But as time passes, even someone as deeply cynical as Sean can’t help but recognize the goodness in her.
I rated this a 5-star read the first time I read it years ago. I really liked the sensitivity of the sex scenes and the strong emotional connection between Lizzie and Sean. This was before the romance genre became saturated with gratuitous, meaningless sex scenes and crude language. Here, every romantic moment serves to develop the characters and move their relationship forward.
On a second read today, I rate it 4 stars, mostly due to several significant plot elements that felt too unrealistic. For example, Eddie’s medical expenses: since he would have had Medicare, and very likely with supplemental coverage, it made no sense for Lizzie to be paying large medical bills out of her pocket and expecting repayment. If Eddie were competent enough to sign checks Lizzie wrote for him to repay her, she could have simply written checks directly from his account to pay the bills in the first place without placing herself unnecessarily in the middle.
I also found the backstory involving Child Protective Services (CPS) implausible. Mac, the eldest brother, supposedly took beatings to protect his younger siblings, yet allowed them to return to their father’s abusive home after CPS intervened. Given that Sean is around 38 in the 2007 timeline, their childhood would have occurred in the 1980s, which was not an era when CPS would simply drop the ball without follow-ups. That weakens the credibility of the trauma backstory that shapes Sean’s personality and the novel’s pivotal dark moment.
Still, despite being nearly 20 years old, the story didn’t feel dated to me, except for the presence of landlines, a Blackberry, and the absence of internet and smartphones. What did feel dated was the decision to reissue the book with the generic title, "The Billionaire." That’s like naming your pet poodle, “Dog.” The original title, "The Billionaire Next Door," was far more distinctive and fitting.
This novel was intended to be the first in a trilogy about the O’Banyon brothers but, unfortunately, the other two books were never written. That’s a real loss, because the remaining brothers seemed intriguing.
Jessica Bird is the contemporary pen name of J.R. Ward, best known for her Black Dagger Brotherhood series. Under this name, she also wrote the Moorehouse Legacy series, another collection of emotionally rich contemporary romances for Harlequin.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 24, 2025
A compassionate, unworldly, insolvent nurse falls for a hard-as-nails, workaholic Wall Street tycoon.
Lizzie lives in the downstairs apartment of a duplex in a working-class neighborhood in South Boston. For the past two years, she has cared for her elderly landlord, Eddie O’Banyon, a sickly man in his 70s. As far as she knows, he’s a kind and decent person--he’s always treated her well--but he is sadly estranged from his three adult sons. When Eddie suddenly dies, Lizzie calls a number he had personally given her, which she was to use only when he was dead.
Sean O’Banyon returns to the rundown apartment he hasn’t set foot in for 20 years. Raised by a brutal, alcoholic father, the visit hits him like a PTSD episode. At first, he distrusts Lizzie, assuming she’s just another materialistic woman looking to take advantage of the situation, exactly the type he’s known for decades. But as time passes, even someone as deeply cynical as Sean can’t help but recognize the goodness in her.
I rated this a 5-star read the first time I read it years ago. I really liked the sensitivity of the sex scenes and the strong emotional connection between Lizzie and Sean. This was before the romance genre became saturated with gratuitous, meaningless sex scenes and crude language. Here, every romantic moment serves to develop the characters and move their relationship forward.
On a second read today, I rate it 4 stars, mostly due to several significant plot elements that felt too unrealistic. For example, Eddie’s medical expenses: since he would have had Medicare, and very likely with supplemental coverage, it made no sense for Lizzie to be paying large medical bills out of her pocket and expecting repayment. If Eddie were competent enough to sign checks Lizzie wrote for him to repay her, she could have simply written checks directly from his account to pay the bills in the first place without placing herself unnecessarily in the middle.
I also found the backstory involving Child Protective Services (CPS) implausible. Mac, the eldest brother, supposedly took beatings to protect his younger siblings, yet allowed them to return to their father’s abusive home after CPS intervened. Given that Sean is around 38 in the 2007 timeline, their childhood would have occurred in the 1980s, which was not an era when CPS would simply drop the ball without follow-ups. That weakens the credibility of the trauma backstory that shapes Sean’s personality and the novel’s pivotal dark moment.
Still, despite being nearly 20 years old, the story didn’t feel dated to me, except for the presence of landlines, a Blackberry, and the absence of internet and smartphones. What did feel dated was the decision to reissue the book with the generic title, "The Billionaire." That’s like naming your pet poodle, “Dog.” The original title, "The Billionaire Next Door," was far more distinctive and fitting.
This novel was intended to be the first in a trilogy about the O’Banyon brothers but, unfortunately, the other two books were never written. That’s a real loss, because the remaining brothers seemed intriguing.
Jessica Bird is the contemporary pen name of J.R. Ward, best known for her Black Dagger Brotherhood series. Under this name, she also wrote the Moorehouse Legacy series, another collection of emotionally rich contemporary romances for Harlequin.
Lizzie lives in the downstairs apartment of a duplex in a working-class neighborhood in South Boston. For the past two years, she has cared for her elderly landlord, Eddie O’Banyon, a sickly man in his 70s. As far as she knows, he’s a kind and decent person--he’s always treated her well--but he is sadly estranged from his three adult sons. When Eddie suddenly dies, Lizzie calls a number he had personally given her, which she was to use only when he was dead.
Sean O’Banyon returns to the rundown apartment he hasn’t set foot in for 20 years. Raised by a brutal, alcoholic father, the visit hits him like a PTSD episode. At first, he distrusts Lizzie, assuming she’s just another materialistic woman looking to take advantage of the situation, exactly the type he’s known for decades. But as time passes, even someone as deeply cynical as Sean can’t help but recognize the goodness in her.
I rated this a 5-star read the first time I read it years ago. I really liked the sensitivity of the sex scenes and the strong emotional connection between Lizzie and Sean. This was before the romance genre became saturated with gratuitous, meaningless sex scenes and crude language. Here, every romantic moment serves to develop the characters and move their relationship forward.
On a second read today, I rate it 4 stars, mostly due to several significant plot elements that felt too unrealistic. For example, Eddie’s medical expenses: since he would have had Medicare, and very likely with supplemental coverage, it made no sense for Lizzie to be paying large medical bills out of her pocket and expecting repayment. If Eddie were competent enough to sign checks Lizzie wrote for him to repay her, she could have simply written checks directly from his account to pay the bills in the first place without placing herself unnecessarily in the middle.
I also found the backstory involving Child Protective Services (CPS) implausible. Mac, the eldest brother, supposedly took beatings to protect his younger siblings, yet allowed them to return to their father’s abusive home after CPS intervened. Given that Sean is around 38 in the 2007 timeline, their childhood would have occurred in the 1980s, which was not an era when CPS would simply drop the ball without follow-ups. That weakens the credibility of the trauma backstory that shapes Sean’s personality and the novel’s pivotal dark moment.
Still, despite being nearly 20 years old, the story didn’t feel dated to me, except for the presence of landlines, a Blackberry, and the absence of internet and smartphones. What did feel dated was the decision to reissue the book with the generic title, "The Billionaire." That’s like naming your pet poodle, “Dog.” The original title, "The Billionaire Next Door," was far more distinctive and fitting.
This novel was intended to be the first in a trilogy about the O’Banyon brothers but, unfortunately, the other two books were never written. That’s a real loss, because the remaining brothers seemed intriguing.
Jessica Bird is the contemporary pen name of J.R. Ward, best known for her Black Dagger Brotherhood series. Under this name, she also wrote the Moorehouse Legacy series, another collection of emotionally rich contemporary romances for Harlequin.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 19, 2010
(4 Stars)
This is my first Jessica Bird story. I really liked it. It was a fast and easy read. I’m a self-confessed addict of the Black Dagger Brotherhood, which is written under Jessica Bird’s pen name, J.R. Ward. I was not sure what to expect from her Jessica Bird books, but I enjoyed this story.
It’s been over a decade since I read a Harlequin Mills & Boon book. While J. Bird created a deliciously sexy and tormented hero in Sean O’Banyon, and a strong and compassionate heroine in Lizzie Bond, I remember why I don’t enjoy 200-something page HEA stories (ie. novellas) quite as much as I do a full length novel. I wish the story had been longer, dang it! ^_^ I wanted a bit more of a development of the relationship between Sean and Lizzie. I much prefer “novellas” as extra bonus glimpses of already developed characters/relationships. Those are way more satisfying, for me. That being said, in this short span of pages, what Bird succeeded in doing for me (as she did in the BDB series) was to make me care about the characters and wish for more of them.
While this is the only book thus far of the O’Banyons, Billy O’Banyon, the 6’5” gorgeous, charming and youngest O’Banyon brother, had me captivated and I would LOVE to read his book. I’m also intrigued about the eldest brother, Mac O’Banyon, who arguably would be the most tormented of the brothers. I just can’t resist a tortured alpha hero. Bring on more O’Banyon brothers, J. Bird! .... Though I understand, you’re busy writing more about my fave “Brothers”, so I can wait for these. ^_~
Also, an added bonus and confirmation of my addiction, was my heart leaping and the squeal that escaped my mouth, at the mention of Butch O’Neal’s connection to the O’Banyons. Loved it!
This is my first Jessica Bird story. I really liked it. It was a fast and easy read. I’m a self-confessed addict of the Black Dagger Brotherhood, which is written under Jessica Bird’s pen name, J.R. Ward. I was not sure what to expect from her Jessica Bird books, but I enjoyed this story.
It’s been over a decade since I read a Harlequin Mills & Boon book. While J. Bird created a deliciously sexy and tormented hero in Sean O’Banyon, and a strong and compassionate heroine in Lizzie Bond, I remember why I don’t enjoy 200-something page HEA stories (ie. novellas) quite as much as I do a full length novel. I wish the story had been longer, dang it! ^_^ I wanted a bit more of a development of the relationship between Sean and Lizzie. I much prefer “novellas” as extra bonus glimpses of already developed characters/relationships. Those are way more satisfying, for me. That being said, in this short span of pages, what Bird succeeded in doing for me (as she did in the BDB series) was to make me care about the characters and wish for more of them.
While this is the only book thus far of the O’Banyons, Billy O’Banyon, the 6’5” gorgeous, charming and youngest O’Banyon brother, had me captivated and I would LOVE to read his book. I’m also intrigued about the eldest brother, Mac O’Banyon, who arguably would be the most tormented of the brothers. I just can’t resist a tortured alpha hero. Bring on more O’Banyon brothers, J. Bird! .... Though I understand, you’re busy writing more about my fave “Brothers”, so I can wait for these. ^_~
Also, an added bonus and confirmation of my addiction, was my heart leaping and the squeal that escaped my mouth, at the mention of Butch O’Neal’s connection to the O’Banyons. Loved it!
June 29, 2009
Okay, so I almost never read categories. They are not my bag. Except for a Blaze sometimes. But I thought I'd try J.R. Ward's alter ego Jessica Bird (or is J.R. Ward Jessica Bird's alter ego?) and boy am I glad I did. She really packed a lot of emotion into a short page count. Sean O'Banyon's hangups were very real and very understandable. And Lizzie was a good match for him. Not a doormat and able to hold her own with him. Their romance was believable. Only jarring note was the beginning which took place in NYC where Sean made his billions on Wall Street--I can't help but wonder if he has been affected by the recent economic downturn...probably not as he is a fictional character, but still...
I checked out Bird/Ward's webpage and it looks like the other books in this series are on hold while she works on the BDB. Understandable, I guess, but sad-making for this reader who would like to see more from the Jessica Bird side of her personality. But there are quite a few in the Bird backlist so I suppose those can keep me busy for a while.
I checked out Bird/Ward's webpage and it looks like the other books in this series are on hold while she works on the BDB. Understandable, I guess, but sad-making for this reader who would like to see more from the Jessica Bird side of her personality. But there are quite a few in the Bird backlist so I suppose those can keep me busy for a while.
October 12, 2019
Didn't like this as well on the reread but I'm not going to change my rating. Still a good read.
Original review:
This isn't a story we haven't heard before. Successful man who had a drunk abusive father now has trust issues in relationships. Healed by the love of a good woman. It's the quality of the writing that makes this book shine. Jessica Bird/JR Ward's writing is nearly always gripping. It's smooth and descriptive and the dialog is real and believable. Hero and heroine well developed and believable. Wish that she had actually followed through with the books about his brothers. I particularly wanted to read about Billy who had such a low opinion of himself. Well maybe someday.
Original review:
This isn't a story we haven't heard before. Successful man who had a drunk abusive father now has trust issues in relationships. Healed by the love of a good woman. It's the quality of the writing that makes this book shine. Jessica Bird/JR Ward's writing is nearly always gripping. It's smooth and descriptive and the dialog is real and believable. Hero and heroine well developed and believable. Wish that she had actually followed through with the books about his brothers. I particularly wanted to read about Billy who had such a low opinion of himself. Well maybe someday.
June 19, 2011
Sean O'Banyon put his sweat and tears into every dollar he has made, a successful money man now Sean is the best at what he does. Sean has learned long ago not to trust those around him, they ususally only want one thing, his money.
When Sean meets nurse Lizzie under unfortunate circumstances, he is taken with the innocence she exudes. Not sure whether to trust his instincts that she is as honest as she comes or if it is all an act and she is after something.
I thought this was a great story, the back story of Sean is a heart tugging tale. Lizzie is wonderful, patient and able to read his shifts in mood. You are really cheering for these two.
When Sean meets nurse Lizzie under unfortunate circumstances, he is taken with the innocence she exudes. Not sure whether to trust his instincts that she is as honest as she comes or if it is all an act and she is after something.
I thought this was a great story, the back story of Sean is a heart tugging tale. Lizzie is wonderful, patient and able to read his shifts in mood. You are really cheering for these two.
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