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Heirs of Damon #4
Stripping the Billionaire
For the last eight months, Mandy has lived across the hall from a caveman.
He won’t trim his beard, he mostly talks in grunts, and he’ll hardly emerge from his cave of an apartment. Ben might be a grumpy mess, but she kind of likes him anyway. She’s not attracted to him, of course. Not at all. Those stray feelings are merely a fluke. She’s looking for a man who has it all together, and Ben isn’t even close.
Benjamin Damon is heir to a billion-dollar corporate empire, but he has put his family and that whole lifestyle behind him. No one knows who he is now—not even his pretty princess of a neighbor who refuses to leave him alone.
When she ropes him into taking her with him to work on his mother’s historic Savannah home, he knows it’s a mistake. Mandy represents the world he’s tried so hard to escape, and he can’t let one woman strip him of the new man he’s tried to become. The more he’s with her, though, the more he wants her. Despite his best efforts, he’s falling for her hard—and dreading the day she finds out all of his lies.
He won’t trim his beard, he mostly talks in grunts, and he’ll hardly emerge from his cave of an apartment. Ben might be a grumpy mess, but she kind of likes him anyway. She’s not attracted to him, of course. Not at all. Those stray feelings are merely a fluke. She’s looking for a man who has it all together, and Ben isn’t even close.
Benjamin Damon is heir to a billion-dollar corporate empire, but he has put his family and that whole lifestyle behind him. No one knows who he is now—not even his pretty princess of a neighbor who refuses to leave him alone.
When she ropes him into taking her with him to work on his mother’s historic Savannah home, he knows it’s a mistake. Mandy represents the world he’s tried so hard to escape, and he can’t let one woman strip him of the new man he’s tried to become. The more he’s with her, though, the more he wants her. Despite his best efforts, he’s falling for her hard—and dreading the day she finds out all of his lies.
134 pages, Nook
First published September 9, 2014
595 people are currently reading
1398 people want to read
About the author
Noelle Adams
140 books2,671 followersNoelle handwrote her first romance novel in a spiral-bound notebook when she was twelve, and she hasn't stopped writing since. She has lived in eight different states and currently resides in Virginia, where she teaches English, reads any book she can get her hands on, and offers tribute to a very spoiled cocker spaniel.
She loves travel, art, history, and ice cream. After spending far too many years of her life in graduate school, she has decided to reorient her priorities and focus on writing contemporary romances.
She loves travel, art, history, and ice cream. After spending far too many years of her life in graduate school, she has decided to reorient her priorities and focus on writing contemporary romances.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 208 reviews
no-way-jose
November 15, 2025Note to self: this series has been a flop for me. This FMC was way too hyper-sunshiny-pushy with the MMC neighbor guy who was supposed to be grumpy (he wasn’t). It all felt too silly for me. ☹️
March 18, 2016
Sweet, slow-burn n enjoyable friends to lovers romance between work-in-progress H and a h with a heart of gold.
4 stars
Safe romance.
4 stars
Safe romance.
September 20, 2014
Meh...that about sums up my feelings for this book. The biggest issue was the melodic, omniscient narrator. This sing-songy voice was better suited to a children's book then a just-a-tad racy book about two adults...though they did, at times, act very childish. I really liked the MC, Ben Cain/Damon. He was a grumpy bear with a good, strong, though wounded, heart. At first, I was really drawn to to Amanda/Mandy Milton, the female MC. But, too quickly, her neediness put me off and I found myself desperately pleased that she wasn't MY across-the-hall neighbor. ;) And this is completely off-track, but I'm just sSO bugged by all these heroines with hair grown down to their ass. Why is this a selling-point? Call Locks of Love already! Anyway, there were a few racy scenes, very tame, though. But they left me cold as they were, of course, narrated in that same nosy grandmother voice.
Well, I've got that off my chest. Please, I do want to stress that I've read and enjoyed several other books by this author. This one just missed the mark, in my opinion.
Well, I've got that off my chest. Please, I do want to stress that I've read and enjoyed several other books by this author. This one just missed the mark, in my opinion.
February 22, 2021
What a beautiful friends-to-lovers romance with all the angsty goodness you could want.
I liked Mandy immediately. She didn’t take Ben, with all his grumpy, growly ways, seriously. It was her innate sunny attitude and determination that had him yielding to her friendship. Her ability to talk him into what she wanted was fun.
Ben was amazing. I love a grumpy hero and the fact that he was very much a Neanderthal, as Mandy called him, not only in looks but when it came to protecting her made me love him all the more. When he thought someone had hurt her he came unglued and that’s a characteristic in a hero that I adore.
While this has a lot of light hearted moments throughout the story, it hits some pretty dark times and heavy angst as well. I was grinning and laughing one moment and within pages my chest had a knot forming in it from the issues the hero, heroine or this couple faced. The epilogue was a wonderful addition to this story and had my eyes watering and my heart soaring.
Dual POV
Safe
Triggers
I liked Mandy immediately. She didn’t take Ben, with all his grumpy, growly ways, seriously. It was her innate sunny attitude and determination that had him yielding to her friendship. Her ability to talk him into what she wanted was fun.
Ben was amazing. I love a grumpy hero and the fact that he was very much a Neanderthal, as Mandy called him, not only in looks but when it came to protecting her made me love him all the more. When he thought someone had hurt her he came unglued and that’s a characteristic in a hero that I adore.
While this has a lot of light hearted moments throughout the story, it hits some pretty dark times and heavy angst as well. I was grinning and laughing one moment and within pages my chest had a knot forming in it from the issues the hero, heroine or this couple faced. The epilogue was a wonderful addition to this story and had my eyes watering and my heart soaring.
Dual POV
Safe
Triggers
October 13, 2014
Mandy has been chasing down the idea of a family ever since she lost hers. Needing to find a way to fill the void that the death of her parents left behind, she has been on a quest to meet a man that is ready for the kind of commitment she needs.
Ben has a family, one that he’s been trying to escape. Giving up his family name and money, Ben is tired of trying to please everyone. So now he isn’t going to do a damn thing beyond exist for himself. But it’s becoming far more difficult than expected, when his neighbor continues to befriend him.
Mandy never imagined that she’d feel desire when she looked at Ben, but even behind the grumpy attitude and the mess of facial hair – she can’t deny that there is a sudden attraction blooming. When he takes her along to his mother’s house to do some repairs she gets even closer to him and to learning the secrets he’s been keeping. But for Mandy, honesty is a requirement of her friendship and Ben’s not been quite honest with her thus far. As these two allow their attraction to blossom, Ben is forced to face what he’s been trying to escape before he loses everything.
This was a cute, short romance. Ben was quite likable and even with the rats nest of a beard hiding his handsome face, I found that I liked his grumpy behavior. It was a nice change of pace from the demanding alpha-male hero – to have one that was just sort of brooding. His interactions with Mandy were sweet at times. The way he didn’t like her feelings getting hurt, the easily giving in and apologizing... sweet as can be.
The story wasn’t overly complex or riddled with drama/angst, but it was enjoyable. A light read that hit the spot in a quirky way. Although this is the fourth book in the series and I read this completely out of order, it can be read as a stand-alone. I have a feeling I’ll be going back to the other books in the series and loved that the author did not give details away that were pertinent to the prior stories, which is often the case in this type of series.
Ben has a family, one that he’s been trying to escape. Giving up his family name and money, Ben is tired of trying to please everyone. So now he isn’t going to do a damn thing beyond exist for himself. But it’s becoming far more difficult than expected, when his neighbor continues to befriend him.
Mandy never imagined that she’d feel desire when she looked at Ben, but even behind the grumpy attitude and the mess of facial hair – she can’t deny that there is a sudden attraction blooming. When he takes her along to his mother’s house to do some repairs she gets even closer to him and to learning the secrets he’s been keeping. But for Mandy, honesty is a requirement of her friendship and Ben’s not been quite honest with her thus far. As these two allow their attraction to blossom, Ben is forced to face what he’s been trying to escape before he loses everything.
This was a cute, short romance. Ben was quite likable and even with the rats nest of a beard hiding his handsome face, I found that I liked his grumpy behavior. It was a nice change of pace from the demanding alpha-male hero – to have one that was just sort of brooding. His interactions with Mandy were sweet at times. The way he didn’t like her feelings getting hurt, the easily giving in and apologizing... sweet as can be.
The story wasn’t overly complex or riddled with drama/angst, but it was enjoyable. A light read that hit the spot in a quirky way. Although this is the fourth book in the series and I read this completely out of order, it can be read as a stand-alone. I have a feeling I’ll be going back to the other books in the series and loved that the author did not give details away that were pertinent to the prior stories, which is often the case in this type of series.
August 4, 2015
**Free on Amazon, ibooks & Kobo!
Awwww :).
What a cute read!
After finishing Clipped Wings I was looking for something lighter but still within the romance genre to read. I came across this on iBooks, and having read a couple of her other books I decided to pick this one up! I really enjoyed it, I had no idea it was part of a series! The writing style was fantastic, and I loved all the characters. Mandy + Ben were perfect together, their relationship and the growth of it was perfectly executed. Overall, a great read! At some point I will go back and read the previous books in this series :).
Side note: I just finished reading Clipped Wings by Helena Hunting and Hayden has a serious obsession with cupcakes. In Stripping the Billionaire Ben calls Mandy cupcake...seriously!?! I went from one cupcake lover to the next :D.
Awwww :).
What a cute read!
After finishing Clipped Wings I was looking for something lighter but still within the romance genre to read. I came across this on iBooks, and having read a couple of her other books I decided to pick this one up! I really enjoyed it, I had no idea it was part of a series! The writing style was fantastic, and I loved all the characters. Mandy + Ben were perfect together, their relationship and the growth of it was perfectly executed. Overall, a great read! At some point I will go back and read the previous books in this series :).
Side note: I just finished reading Clipped Wings by Helena Hunting and Hayden has a serious obsession with cupcakes. In Stripping the Billionaire Ben calls Mandy cupcake...seriously!?! I went from one cupcake lover to the next :D.
September 11, 2014
Genre: CR
Series: 4 of 4, cannot be read standalone IMO
Sensuality: R
I am not into the gruff mountainous H trope but the first half was fun with the light banter. Then the second half got tiresome with H/h dithering back and forth and all the drama with the previous characters from the series. I only read 2 of the previous 3 bks and it was a while ago so I didnt give a F.
I first got into this author bc she did a lot of MOC romances which are my faves. This year, she has mixed it up with rom-coms, sex tape scandals, and road trips, and while the results have been sorta interesting, they have not been my cuppa.
Series: 4 of 4, cannot be read standalone IMO
Sensuality: R
I am not into the gruff mountainous H trope but the first half was fun with the light banter. Then the second half got tiresome with H/h dithering back and forth and all the drama with the previous characters from the series. I only read 2 of the previous 3 bks and it was a while ago so I didnt give a F.
I first got into this author bc she did a lot of MOC romances which are my faves. This year, she has mixed it up with rom-coms, sex tape scandals, and road trips, and while the results have been sorta interesting, they have not been my cuppa.
January 30, 2015
This review was first posted on Babblings of a Bookworm: http://babblingsofabookworm.blogspot....
This is the fourth book in the Heirs of Damon series, which follow the four nephews of Cyrus Damon. We were introduced to black sheep of the family, Ben, in the last book, which was ‘Engaging the Boss’ but Ben’s story gets told here. There were originally five Damon nephews – Ben had an older brother, but he died in a car crash years ago. In the past, Ben tried so hard to be everything that his uncle wanted, but he never felt loved in return, and when his uncle tried to control Ben’s life and dictate who Ben could date that was the final straw. Ben’s career would have been compatible with joining his uncle’s business, as he is an architect, but his determination to be successful on his own terms and without using the Damon name has led him to cut himself off from his family, even going so far as to legally change his last name. Ben’s attendance at his cousin Harrison’s wedding was a mistake as far as he was concerned, and he is determined not to be part of the Damon scene again.
Ben is not the most sociable of people – probably the only person he can count as a friend is the tenacious Mandy, who lives across the hallway from him.
'If he'd been smart, eight months ago when he'd returned from his cousin's wedding to discover someone new had moved in across the hall, he never would have opened the door to the pretty, smiling princess on his doorstep.
She'd kept knocking on his door, asking for help with moving boxes and rearranging furniture, asking if he wanted dinner since she'd made too much. At first, he'd tried to discourage her, but eventually he hadn't even wanted to.
Now he was stuck with her.
Now he was starting to miss her when she didn't come over.'
Mandy is an interior designer who is just starting her own business. Her parents were rich and she’s inherited a lot of money from them following their untimely death in an accident when Mandy was just 17. Mandy doesn’t need to work but she wants to. The other thing that Mandy wants is a family of her own. Her guardian did his job financially, but offered nothing emotionally, dealing with business transactions on Mandy’s behalf but not really welcoming her into his family. Mandy is determined to find a husband and not waste her time dating men who aren’t serious about settling down, however, being a friendly and loving type of person she enjoys being on good terms with her neighbour, including Ben, who Mandy feels must be pretty lonely. Ben is decidedly not Mandy’s type. He’s not husband material, he’s not interested in settling down, he’s a little on the slobby side, pretty grumpy, and Mandy laughingly refers to him as a ‘hulking Neanderthal’. Mandy has been starting to have feelings towards Ben which she needs to stifle, as no matter how fond of him she is, he isn’t going to fit into the husband-shaped hole in her life. Ben is also very attracted to Mandy, but she is everything that would fit straight into the world of the Damons, and that’s a life that Ben has left behind him. Since Ben has a history of being a people-pleaser he doesn’t want to take a chance on taking on a partner who wants him to change into something he doesn’t want to be.
When Ben leaves town to do some renovation work on his mother’s house, in his hometown, Mandy begs to go with him to have the experience to add to her design portfolio. But Ben still wants to keep his identity a secret, and they both need to fight against the attraction they feel as they want different futures.
I thought this was a really enjoyable, easy reading romance. Mandy was a loveable, sweet heroine, who just needed to relax her inflexible requirements. Ben was more of a mess, he had walls that he needed to let down to allow anybody else near him. You would need Mandy’s impressive level of tenacity to stick with him! I liked that he was a little different from a lot of romantic heroes, we need more hairy, grumpy romantic male leads if you ask me, I far prefer Ben to some bossy alpha male!
In this series, each book has led on to the next, like you’d expect in a series. As this was the last book in the series I liked the fact that this book dealt with Ben, whose brother was involved in the accident that caused the fallout that was resolved in book 1 of the series, it felt like the series came full circle.
Please note that there are a number of sex scenes in this book and some swearing, so if those things are not for you, steer clear.
I’ve really enjoyed this series. They have all been entertaining, light reads, perfect to whip you away from reality for a couple of hours without being too taxing. I’d rate this one as 4 stars.
This is the fourth book in the Heirs of Damon series, which follow the four nephews of Cyrus Damon. We were introduced to black sheep of the family, Ben, in the last book, which was ‘Engaging the Boss’ but Ben’s story gets told here. There were originally five Damon nephews – Ben had an older brother, but he died in a car crash years ago. In the past, Ben tried so hard to be everything that his uncle wanted, but he never felt loved in return, and when his uncle tried to control Ben’s life and dictate who Ben could date that was the final straw. Ben’s career would have been compatible with joining his uncle’s business, as he is an architect, but his determination to be successful on his own terms and without using the Damon name has led him to cut himself off from his family, even going so far as to legally change his last name. Ben’s attendance at his cousin Harrison’s wedding was a mistake as far as he was concerned, and he is determined not to be part of the Damon scene again.
Ben is not the most sociable of people – probably the only person he can count as a friend is the tenacious Mandy, who lives across the hallway from him.
'If he'd been smart, eight months ago when he'd returned from his cousin's wedding to discover someone new had moved in across the hall, he never would have opened the door to the pretty, smiling princess on his doorstep.
She'd kept knocking on his door, asking for help with moving boxes and rearranging furniture, asking if he wanted dinner since she'd made too much. At first, he'd tried to discourage her, but eventually he hadn't even wanted to.
Now he was stuck with her.
Now he was starting to miss her when she didn't come over.'
Mandy is an interior designer who is just starting her own business. Her parents were rich and she’s inherited a lot of money from them following their untimely death in an accident when Mandy was just 17. Mandy doesn’t need to work but she wants to. The other thing that Mandy wants is a family of her own. Her guardian did his job financially, but offered nothing emotionally, dealing with business transactions on Mandy’s behalf but not really welcoming her into his family. Mandy is determined to find a husband and not waste her time dating men who aren’t serious about settling down, however, being a friendly and loving type of person she enjoys being on good terms with her neighbour, including Ben, who Mandy feels must be pretty lonely. Ben is decidedly not Mandy’s type. He’s not husband material, he’s not interested in settling down, he’s a little on the slobby side, pretty grumpy, and Mandy laughingly refers to him as a ‘hulking Neanderthal’. Mandy has been starting to have feelings towards Ben which she needs to stifle, as no matter how fond of him she is, he isn’t going to fit into the husband-shaped hole in her life. Ben is also very attracted to Mandy, but she is everything that would fit straight into the world of the Damons, and that’s a life that Ben has left behind him. Since Ben has a history of being a people-pleaser he doesn’t want to take a chance on taking on a partner who wants him to change into something he doesn’t want to be.
When Ben leaves town to do some renovation work on his mother’s house, in his hometown, Mandy begs to go with him to have the experience to add to her design portfolio. But Ben still wants to keep his identity a secret, and they both need to fight against the attraction they feel as they want different futures.
I thought this was a really enjoyable, easy reading romance. Mandy was a loveable, sweet heroine, who just needed to relax her inflexible requirements. Ben was more of a mess, he had walls that he needed to let down to allow anybody else near him. You would need Mandy’s impressive level of tenacity to stick with him! I liked that he was a little different from a lot of romantic heroes, we need more hairy, grumpy romantic male leads if you ask me, I far prefer Ben to some bossy alpha male!
In this series, each book has led on to the next, like you’d expect in a series. As this was the last book in the series I liked the fact that this book dealt with Ben, whose brother was involved in the accident that caused the fallout that was resolved in book 1 of the series, it felt like the series came full circle.
Please note that there are a number of sex scenes in this book and some swearing, so if those things are not for you, steer clear.
I’ve really enjoyed this series. They have all been entertaining, light reads, perfect to whip you away from reality for a couple of hours without being too taxing. I’d rate this one as 4 stars.
September 8, 2014
Ben was the youngest Damon heir who walked away from it all after a huge blowout with his Uncle, owner of Damon Inc. He walked away from his family and the business and never planned to go back and be shackled by responsibilities ever again.
Mandy is Ben's neighbor. She's beautiful, smart and looking for Mr. Right. They became friends and Mandy made it her mission to coax Ben out of his shell, so to speak. Circumstances brought them together finally until Ben's past came and destroyed it.
This was an okay read for me. I finished it in one sitting, and I liked Ben and Mandy. This was okay. Not great, just an okay read. I wish it had more. Other than that, a very sedate read.
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Mandy is Ben's neighbor. She's beautiful, smart and looking for Mr. Right. They became friends and Mandy made it her mission to coax Ben out of his shell, so to speak. Circumstances brought them together finally until Ben's past came and destroyed it.
This was an okay read for me. I finished it in one sitting, and I liked Ben and Mandy. This was okay. Not great, just an okay read. I wish it had more. Other than that, a very sedate read.
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
January 23, 2015
4.5 Caveman Stars!
OMG, Ben was sooo sexy! I know that I should try and sound like a mature adult here and not a giddy girl but, I just can't help myself. Something about a brooding man with a beard, freaking does it for me!!! Lol!
Ben is one of four who inherited a huge fortune from his very wealthy uncle. However, he wants no part of it, nor of the life that comes with it, so instead he has decided to go live his life his way....pretty much off-grid. Mandy is his neighbor and is looking for love. But with anyone except her awkward, unkempt neighbor. They have been friends but a sudden trip to Savannah, and the events that follow, make Mandy start start seeing Ben in a way that she never thought possible.
"Ben wasn't anything she'd thought she wanted, but she wasn't planning to let him go either."
Noelle Adams has become one of my favorite authors this year. I can pick up one of her books and I know it is never going to disappoint. She writes emotion so beautifully, with the perfect blend of hot-as-hell sex! Her characters are real and there is never any OTT drama.
I recommend this book to anyone looking for a sweet, but hot and emotional read.
"I want you too," he murmured, his voice a little thicker than before. "Only you. All of you. Even if it means breaking every vow I ever made for myself."
OMG, Ben was sooo sexy! I know that I should try and sound like a mature adult here and not a giddy girl but, I just can't help myself. Something about a brooding man with a beard, freaking does it for me!!! Lol!
Ben is one of four who inherited a huge fortune from his very wealthy uncle. However, he wants no part of it, nor of the life that comes with it, so instead he has decided to go live his life his way....pretty much off-grid. Mandy is his neighbor and is looking for love. But with anyone except her awkward, unkempt neighbor. They have been friends but a sudden trip to Savannah, and the events that follow, make Mandy start start seeing Ben in a way that she never thought possible.
"Ben wasn't anything she'd thought she wanted, but she wasn't planning to let him go either."
Noelle Adams has become one of my favorite authors this year. I can pick up one of her books and I know it is never going to disappoint. She writes emotion so beautifully, with the perfect blend of hot-as-hell sex! Her characters are real and there is never any OTT drama.
I recommend this book to anyone looking for a sweet, but hot and emotional read.
"I want you too," he murmured, his voice a little thicker than before. "Only you. All of you. Even if it means breaking every vow I ever made for myself."
October 8, 2017
Got this book from @Areaderrambles 🙂 It's a fun story to read between other books. It's fastpaced, funny and predictble. Good ingredients for a guilty pleasure.
May 26, 2021
can’t believe ben was so stupid. oh wait. i CAN believe it, judging from his cousins’ behaviour from before. anyway, i’m happy for the four of them damons. nice ending to the series
November 6, 2025
I really enjoyed this series of books.
February 26, 2021
This was a good friends-to-lovers romance. It’s a good slow burn, showing they have a good friendship, but clearly more is in the works. They falter with their communication, but still make it through in the end. A quick read that leaves you with all the feels. A good end to the series.
February 14, 2021
Wow I am totally in love with Ben and Mandy. I thought that they were a perfect match. Ben was trying to hide from his past and change who he was. Mandy had what she wanted her future to look like all planned out. They definitely did not fit into each others plans. What happens when the heart wants what it wants? What if what you want and need are right in front of you? I will tell you what happens one great read. Pick up this book you will not be disappointed.
September 8, 2014
Book Review - Stripping The Billionaire by Noelle Adams - *** ‘too sweet for me’ stars
I wanted so badly to love this book. When I read the premise, it was full of promise. Neighbours who are friends, but then an attraction builds. He’s a bit of a caveman, but he’s not the man he seems and as they get closer, his lies start to start to trip him up. So I sat down and rubbed my hands waiting for the thrills.
Sadly, it just didn’t do it for me. It’s a nice enough story, if a little on the overly romantic side for me (lots of flowery ways of showing the feels), but I couldn’t help feeling like something was missing. And I think what that was, was a real connection with the characters.
Whilst I know this flows from a series, i’d been led to believe it could be read as a standalone, yet Ben’s background is barely covered. I couldn’t help but feel that if there had been more background, grittier raw love scenes and maybe a few raw scenes full of emotional angst, this story could have been pulled over the edge.
Maybe we should have had a few scenes from the previous eight months at the start to show how their relationship built and became close.
Maybe we just needed telling more about what it was about Mandy that made Ben open up and let her in. Mandy’s neediness wasn’t an attractive trait, so for me I couldn’t see what Ben saw in her. I don’t really buy into the whole needing a man to make you whole kind of thing, but that’s what Mandy puts across. She’s looking for a serious boyfriend, who is looking long term, because she craves a connection. Why couldn’t she get that from getting out there and making friends with people? (not just her neighbour Ben, but others as well) So because that bit isn’t attractive about her, we need more about what is, underneath it all.
This book just didn’t hit the mark for me and that makes me sad. People who like a more flowery romanticised story will probably enjoy it a lot more than I did. I’m certain it has a market out there, sadly it’s not mine.
August 26, 2014
2.5 stars
I have complains! I was loving the blurb and was looking forward to reading it but I ended up contemplating if I should even finish this book but then I thought maybe it would get better but it just didn't. Kinda disappointing. For me, it was just too much drama and I do not like drama. This was like teenage drama. I was irritated by the amount of drama so I didn't really enjoy the book much.
Mandy came off as naive in a sense, fantasying about the perfect man and how things should play out in a relationship. She was immature when it came to the problems between Ben and her. Sure, they had sex once but that doesn't mean you two are exclusive and he should be pouring out all his secrets to you. Everyone has their secrets. And then she starts getting pissed and going on about how he's lied to her when he's been keeping his identity a secret for the past 6 years. Newsflash, the world doesn't rotate around you.
Ben was more likable. I like him as the hulking Neanderthal that he is. Gruff, grouchy, growly. He has his share of issues though, drama~ He's sweet in the sense where he tried to make up for fucking up.
Maybe it's because I didn't read the others in the series but I felt like I was thrown into the middle of the story as it started with them already knowing each other for 8 months. With that, I didn't really had a good feel of the characters from the start nor did I feel any connection to them. At least I got a happy ending...though it seemed a little rushed as well.
Other than that, story telling and writing was pretty good. Flow wise, it was a little rushed and could use a little more development. I didn't really feel attached to the characters. I did like how persistent Mandy was in trying to get Ben to open up to her. And he calls her cupcake :D
I have complains! I was loving the blurb and was looking forward to reading it but I ended up contemplating if I should even finish this book but then I thought maybe it would get better but it just didn't. Kinda disappointing. For me, it was just too much drama and I do not like drama. This was like teenage drama. I was irritated by the amount of drama so I didn't really enjoy the book much.
Mandy came off as naive in a sense, fantasying about the perfect man and how things should play out in a relationship. She was immature when it came to the problems between Ben and her. Sure, they had sex once but that doesn't mean you two are exclusive and he should be pouring out all his secrets to you. Everyone has their secrets. And then she starts getting pissed and going on about how he's lied to her when he's been keeping his identity a secret for the past 6 years. Newsflash, the world doesn't rotate around you.
Ben was more likable. I like him as the hulking Neanderthal that he is. Gruff, grouchy, growly. He has his share of issues though, drama~ He's sweet in the sense where he tried to make up for fucking up.
Maybe it's because I didn't read the others in the series but I felt like I was thrown into the middle of the story as it started with them already knowing each other for 8 months. With that, I didn't really had a good feel of the characters from the start nor did I feel any connection to them. At least I got a happy ending...though it seemed a little rushed as well.
Other than that, story telling and writing was pretty good. Flow wise, it was a little rushed and could use a little more development. I didn't really feel attached to the characters. I did like how persistent Mandy was in trying to get Ben to open up to her. And he calls her cupcake :D
June 24, 2015
This is the only book of the series that I have read, so maybe I don't have the whole picture, so this are the things that I didn't like:
1. Ben seemed to be too dramactic on why he left his family, then when I get to meet his uncle he wasn't so bad.
2. Everything was wrapped so fast.
3. There wasn't a good reasoning in why Ben had to meet his uncle and say hi to the family, his mother give him really bad advice as well as Harrison.
4. There seemed to be an underlying in the relationship between Ben's nephews and him, but it doesn't get explored.
5. Boring plot.
6. Boring perfect people.
7. Mandy was so inmature about Ben's secrets and everything hurt her, she was always so pushy. Being friends doesn't mean you have to pour your soul out!.
8. What was so bad about Ben having a beard? Mandy was really annoying with her list of a husband to be, she wanted a robot, poor Ben.
Ben needed to grow a backbone to stop being pushed around by Mandy and his uncle.
This was a free ebook, otherwise I would be very disappointed.
1. Ben seemed to be too dramactic on why he left his family, then when I get to meet his uncle he wasn't so bad.
2. Everything was wrapped so fast.
3. There wasn't a good reasoning in why Ben had to meet his uncle and say hi to the family, his mother give him really bad advice as well as Harrison.
4. There seemed to be an underlying in the relationship between Ben's nephews and him, but it doesn't get explored.
5. Boring plot.
6. Boring perfect people.
7. Mandy was so inmature about Ben's secrets and everything hurt her, she was always so pushy. Being friends doesn't mean you have to pour your soul out!.
8. What was so bad about Ben having a beard? Mandy was really annoying with her list of a husband to be, she wanted a robot, poor Ben.
Ben needed to grow a backbone to stop being pushed around by Mandy and his uncle.
This was a free ebook, otherwise I would be very disappointed.
June 15, 2016
Out of all the books in the series, this one is my favorite.
I have to say, the hero was testing my patience all throughout but the heroine was so easy to love.
They were confusing, funny and interesting together I just couldn't put down the book.
And if we have been getting glimpses of Ben from the previous books, we get the full effect now. I still don't think being a Damon is much big of a deal as his issues are though. And if we liked the cousins in the previous book, seeing them together and playing again in this book is a treat for fans of the series.
And all those cliffhangers with the uncle is finally put to rest here. Now that part was what made me emotional. You can't really tell with family sometimes, cause they absolutely do think they do the right thing even though it's a conflict of what we feel - and the books in this series give an example of how far family would go for family.
So all in all, I highly recommend this series to those who want fun, easy light reads about responsibility, love and family.
I have to say, the hero was testing my patience all throughout but the heroine was so easy to love.
They were confusing, funny and interesting together I just couldn't put down the book.
And if we have been getting glimpses of Ben from the previous books, we get the full effect now. I still don't think being a Damon is much big of a deal as his issues are though. And if we liked the cousins in the previous book, seeing them together and playing again in this book is a treat for fans of the series.
And all those cliffhangers with the uncle is finally put to rest here. Now that part was what made me emotional. You can't really tell with family sometimes, cause they absolutely do think they do the right thing even though it's a conflict of what we feel - and the books in this series give an example of how far family would go for family.
So all in all, I highly recommend this series to those who want fun, easy light reads about responsibility, love and family.
September 11, 2014
I didn't know what to expect reading with Stripping the Billionaire but I have to say I was very pleasantly surprised. This will tick all the boxes for Ladies that love, deep, meaningful building of relationships. It's hot and very sexy. Erotic and steamy but definitely packs a good story, it's not all sex at all.
My rating revolves around the writing style being a little bit like the author needed to point a lot of things out, things that could be left to the imagination are continually told and that the only reason it lost a star. I was able to connect with the characters, I did somewhat get slightly agitated when said pointing out of things got in the way but all in all this is a very fine hot, steamy romance that I am very glad to have read.
I received an ARC of Stripping the Billionaire in return for an honest review. My reviews are my own and are 100% honest.
My rating revolves around the writing style being a little bit like the author needed to point a lot of things out, things that could be left to the imagination are continually told and that the only reason it lost a star. I was able to connect with the characters, I did somewhat get slightly agitated when said pointing out of things got in the way but all in all this is a very fine hot, steamy romance that I am very glad to have read.
I received an ARC of Stripping the Billionaire in return for an honest review. My reviews are my own and are 100% honest.
April 29, 2015
I enjoyed the majority of this book, but felt that the ending didn't fit well. The resolution to the couple's conflict is weak and doesn't really make sense. Mandy's the one that takes the risk and reveals how she feels to Benjamin. When he isn't receptive she bows out and vows to just stay friends. Benjamin doesn't open up and reveal the extent of his feelings for Mandy when he comes back home, he just continues being himself. His internal issues aren't addressed (in my opinion), hence my feeling that the conflict isn't sorted out well.
Benjamin in my eyes was the most interesting of the Damon men and so I was looking forward to this book more than the others. I'd love to read a novella or short story that revisits Benjamin and Mandy and addresses some of my unresolved feelings.
Benjamin in my eyes was the most interesting of the Damon men and so I was looking forward to this book more than the others. I'd love to read a novella or short story that revisits Benjamin and Mandy and addresses some of my unresolved feelings.
September 11, 2014
I really like this author and I really wanted to like this book, but I hated it. Well, maybe hate is too strong a word. I should say I just didn't care anymore, which I think is worse. I got about 1/2 way through and I couldn't even bring myself to finish it.
There was something weird with the writing. It felt awkward and abrupt. There wasn't any real emotion that drew me in. I felt like I--as the reader--was kept at a distance from these characters.
There was something weird with the writing. It felt awkward and abrupt. There wasn't any real emotion that drew me in. I felt like I--as the reader--was kept at a distance from these characters.
June 20, 2015
What is the world?!
How have so many people liked this book? Too much talk about long beards, suddenly it gets cut and now the main character can see him as husband material? As if husbands can't have beards? Thank goodness this book was free... I certainly won't be bothering with the rest of this series and I wish I hadn't with this one.
How have so many people liked this book? Too much talk about long beards, suddenly it gets cut and now the main character can see him as husband material? As if husbands can't have beards? Thank goodness this book was free... I certainly won't be bothering with the rest of this series and I wish I hadn't with this one.
April 27, 2016
I waited for Ben's srory for so long and I really wanted to be Wowed by it.
Sadly , I wasnt.
I never really felt the connection between the mc. I felt that they became together because they just near each other.
I found myself rolling my eyes a lot during the reading.
NA stories are always really short and maybe thats the reason that I dont see whole charechters.
Sadly , I wasnt.
I never really felt the connection between the mc. I felt that they became together because they just near each other.
I found myself rolling my eyes a lot during the reading.
NA stories are always really short and maybe thats the reason that I dont see whole charechters.
May 20, 2016
A beautiful conclusion.
Ben and Mandy both brought so much to this story. I love the struggle each of them faced and how they had to navigate around that. It was nice to get some answers to the problems Ben was having with the family and I found myself tearing up near the end.
A beautiful series about family and love and overcoming the obstacles the world throws at us.
Ben and Mandy both brought so much to this story. I love the struggle each of them faced and how they had to navigate around that. It was nice to get some answers to the problems Ben was having with the family and I found myself tearing up near the end.
A beautiful series about family and love and overcoming the obstacles the world throws at us.
December 11, 2022
I've been going through my ebook library for books I bought from one of the ebook groups that gives you deals on ebooks or gives them for free, books I've put aside in favor of others. I have decided no more external library ebooks, no new books, until I have caught up with what I already have. I've had this one for years, likely.
I'm glad I didn't pay whatever was full price. At the time I obtained this one, there were rarely warnings about which contemporary romances had pornography in them and which were real stories, so it was a hit or miss proposition on whether or not you'd end up paging through almost half the book dodging porn, or actually get a full story without the sex, or at least without the blow-by-blow descriptions of it.
I think I paged through at least a third of the book dodging porn. Don't get me wrong, I like sex - I really, really like it - but IMO it belongs solely in the bedroom with the person God has chosen for you, not in the pages of an otherwise decent story with a casual acquaintance down the hall or from the cubical 3 openings down. I have never had sex wirh anyone except my husband in 49 years of marriage, nad have been asked how I know he's the best if I have never had it with anyone else. As I told one man who wanted me to be his mistress, if you drive a Rolls Royce, you don't have to try a VW Bug to know the Rolls is the best ride.
I honestly wish the author had just stuck with the story as it was. The story was really quite good and didn't need "help," able to stand on its own - minus the boring sex parts that can be copied and pasted from one book to another (I'd bet the romance writers groups have a few Word documents with a couple of rearranged sex scenes for just that purpose), just change the names of the moaning, panting, sweaty characters (well, sex is a moan-y, panting-y, sweaty proposition so it's a safe assumption). Rearrange the cuss words and sweet nothings a bit, and let those of us who are bored by the same-old, same-old tired and physiologically impossible sex scenes page through to the story we came to read, and those who want can get their jollies (and assume all sex could be like that if only men put more effort and self-control into it). In it's way, these books have the same effect on women that internet porn has on men: makes them completely and totally unable to have a real relationship with a real person.
It's a great story, but I'd skip it if you don't like the porn. It's a pain in the parts having the story interrupted like that.
I'm glad I didn't pay whatever was full price. At the time I obtained this one, there were rarely warnings about which contemporary romances had pornography in them and which were real stories, so it was a hit or miss proposition on whether or not you'd end up paging through almost half the book dodging porn, or actually get a full story without the sex, or at least without the blow-by-blow descriptions of it.
I think I paged through at least a third of the book dodging porn. Don't get me wrong, I like sex - I really, really like it - but IMO it belongs solely in the bedroom with the person God has chosen for you, not in the pages of an otherwise decent story with a casual acquaintance down the hall or from the cubical 3 openings down. I have never had sex wirh anyone except my husband in 49 years of marriage, nad have been asked how I know he's the best if I have never had it with anyone else. As I told one man who wanted me to be his mistress, if you drive a Rolls Royce, you don't have to try a VW Bug to know the Rolls is the best ride.
I honestly wish the author had just stuck with the story as it was. The story was really quite good and didn't need "help," able to stand on its own - minus the boring sex parts that can be copied and pasted from one book to another (I'd bet the romance writers groups have a few Word documents with a couple of rearranged sex scenes for just that purpose), just change the names of the moaning, panting, sweaty characters (well, sex is a moan-y, panting-y, sweaty proposition so it's a safe assumption). Rearrange the cuss words and sweet nothings a bit, and let those of us who are bored by the same-old, same-old tired and physiologically impossible sex scenes page through to the story we came to read, and those who want can get their jollies (and assume all sex could be like that if only men put more effort and self-control into it). In it's way, these books have the same effect on women that internet porn has on men: makes them completely and totally unable to have a real relationship with a real person.
It's a great story, but I'd skip it if you don't like the porn. It's a pain in the parts having the story interrupted like that.
December 16, 2024
I have been waiting to see who grumpy hermit Ben would finally fall for! This is a pretty classic grumpy/sunshine neighbors-to-lovers romance. Mandy is the sunshine to Ben's grump and just wants to be a good friend to him but there's no denying their connection when they travel to Savannah. One of the best parts was getting both a sexy haircut and shave scene!
On a personal note, the way this handled Ben's estrangement from his uncle did not work for me. Making this particular boundary choice doesn't mean you need to isolate yourself from everyone or be a jerk. It was frustrating that he had so fully isolated himself from everyone, not just his extended family. That's not realistic at all. Estrangement often makes people more mentally and emotionally healthy, not worse. I wish we'd known more about his final argument in order to better understand why he went to such extremes. Either way, I didn't appreciate all the family, including his mom, telling him to make up with his uncle and give him a chance. You don't owe anyone a relationship just because you're related. I'm so tired of how many stories refuse to acknowledge this truth. If not for these choices, I would have bumped this up to 4 stars. It was enjoyable overall.
Characters: Mandy is a 24 year old white interior decorator. Ben is a white architect. They've been apartment neighbors for 8 months. This is set in LA and Savannah.
Content notes: lie of omission, family estrangement and reconciliation, past death of MMC's brother (car accident; he drove drunk and one passenger died and the other was seriously injured), past death of FMC's parents (boating accident), MMC's father abandoned his mother when she got pregnant, fertility issues (secondary character), pregnant secondary character, on page sex, alcohol, gender essentialist, ableist language, hyperbolic language around suicide
On a personal note, the way this handled Ben's estrangement from his uncle did not work for me. Making this particular boundary choice doesn't mean you need to isolate yourself from everyone or be a jerk. It was frustrating that he had so fully isolated himself from everyone, not just his extended family. That's not realistic at all. Estrangement often makes people more mentally and emotionally healthy, not worse. I wish we'd known more about his final argument in order to better understand why he went to such extremes. Either way, I didn't appreciate all the family, including his mom, telling him to make up with his uncle and give him a chance. You don't owe anyone a relationship just because you're related. I'm so tired of how many stories refuse to acknowledge this truth. If not for these choices, I would have bumped this up to 4 stars. It was enjoyable overall.
Characters: Mandy is a 24 year old white interior decorator. Ben is a white architect. They've been apartment neighbors for 8 months. This is set in LA and Savannah.
Content notes: lie of omission, family estrangement and reconciliation, past death of MMC's brother (car accident; he drove drunk and one passenger died and the other was seriously injured), past death of FMC's parents (boating accident), MMC's father abandoned his mother when she got pregnant, fertility issues (secondary character), pregnant secondary character, on page sex, alcohol, gender essentialist, ableist language, hyperbolic language around suicide
March 17, 2021
3.5 cupcake stars
I was in the mood for a grumpy H and sweet h, can't say I loved this book, but I liked it just fine.
Amanda and Ben are neighbours and somehow friends, mostly because she is very persistent in befriending him when he just wants to be alone, but Ben still enjoys her company even behind his grumpy mask (come on, he calls her cupcake lol). There is an obvious attraction between the two, but because Mandy is looking for a husband material and Ben feels he can't give that to her, there is a lot of miscommunication, secrets, and drama.
This book is a quick read with good writing, characters, and else but plotwise... meh. Too much drama (the kind of drama that irritates you, because you can't even understand why a small thing became such a whole drama), not enough groveling (mostly because Ben is a grumpy ass and Mandy was there to forgive him, and I don't know, I wanted him to be jealous and to realise what he just lost because of his grumpy ass because Hi! Mandy is described as a gorgeous woman that's gets asked out on a daily basis, and author didn't take advantage of that to make him jealous and grovel over that, sigh... but no, Mandy was like, yes, let's be friends again, I was at fault, etc., etc. Yeah...
Not sure how to describe the OW/OM situation, lol. It wasn't bad at all since OW is Ben's ex from high school. She was friendly and didn't seem to want to be with him again, so for me, she wasn't OW, and as for OM... lawd lol nothing is described in detail. Still, Mandy dates a lot because she is searching for her future husband lol and it is mentioned that when they separate, Mandy said yes to every guy who asked her out to forget Ben, but again nothing in detail.
I was in the mood for a grumpy H and sweet h, can't say I loved this book, but I liked it just fine.
Amanda and Ben are neighbours and somehow friends, mostly because she is very persistent in befriending him when he just wants to be alone, but Ben still enjoys her company even behind his grumpy mask (come on, he calls her cupcake lol). There is an obvious attraction between the two, but because Mandy is looking for a husband material and Ben feels he can't give that to her, there is a lot of miscommunication, secrets, and drama.
This book is a quick read with good writing, characters, and else but plotwise... meh. Too much drama (the kind of drama that irritates you, because you can't even understand why a small thing became such a whole drama), not enough groveling (mostly because Ben is a grumpy ass and Mandy was there to forgive him, and I don't know, I wanted him to be jealous and to realise what he just lost because of his grumpy ass because Hi! Mandy is described as a gorgeous woman that's gets asked out on a daily basis, and author didn't take advantage of that to make him jealous and grovel over that, sigh... but no, Mandy was like, yes, let's be friends again, I was at fault, etc., etc. Yeah...
Not sure how to describe the OW/OM situation, lol. It wasn't bad at all since OW is Ben's ex from high school. She was friendly and didn't seem to want to be with him again, so for me, she wasn't OW, and as for OM... lawd lol nothing is described in detail. Still, Mandy dates a lot because she is searching for her future husband lol and it is mentioned that when they separate, Mandy said yes to every guy who asked her out to forget Ben, but again nothing in detail.
March 24, 2022
My only major problem with this was the ending, which wasn't very satisfying. I liked the hero, but imo, he was hard to love. For all him being gruff, with tattoos and a beard, the hero was one of the biggest beta males I've seen in a long time. I don't dislike beta males, but there were points that this did annoyed me, since all their problems came from his emotional weakness. I'm all for a sensitive hero, but he was to the point of being irrational and I don't understand why he hadn't gotten mental help in the past.
Even with my issues with the hero, I still would have given this book 5 stars, but the very end when they say their I love yous was anti-climatic.
Even with my issues with the hero, I still would have given this book 5 stars, but the very end when they say their I love yous was anti-climatic.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 10, 2025
Forgiveness 🙏
One needs to forgive themselves in order to know how to really forgive others. If YOU want to be forgiven, you also need to forgive. It took Ben 6 years to learn this lesson, and once he did, he was able to grow stronger with his family, and open his heart to love . Mandy thought she needed one thing from a relationship, only to realize what she truly needed was right in front of her with her neighbor, Ben. We can all learn that if we calm down during a passionate moment, we actually get a clearer picture of what is really going on. It's easier said than done......but worth the step back to regroup and approach with the clearer picture. The epilogue wasn't a wrap up to a beginning of a happy ever after for Mandy and Ben, but more of a coming to peace for Ben's uncle, Cyrus. Ben and Mandy's story itself ends on a happy note, but would have preferred another chapter or 2 so they could have gotten their beginning of a happy ever after. No cheating or cliffhanger. There were glitches in the proofreading that really could have been addressed. Enjoy 🤓
One needs to forgive themselves in order to know how to really forgive others. If YOU want to be forgiven, you also need to forgive. It took Ben 6 years to learn this lesson, and once he did, he was able to grow stronger with his family, and open his heart to love . Mandy thought she needed one thing from a relationship, only to realize what she truly needed was right in front of her with her neighbor, Ben. We can all learn that if we calm down during a passionate moment, we actually get a clearer picture of what is really going on. It's easier said than done......but worth the step back to regroup and approach with the clearer picture. The epilogue wasn't a wrap up to a beginning of a happy ever after for Mandy and Ben, but more of a coming to peace for Ben's uncle, Cyrus. Ben and Mandy's story itself ends on a happy note, but would have preferred another chapter or 2 so they could have gotten their beginning of a happy ever after. No cheating or cliffhanger. There were glitches in the proofreading that really could have been addressed. Enjoy 🤓
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