Kian

Undercover Billionaire #1

by Melody Anne

New York Times bestselling author Melody Anne’s sizzling novel of ex-lovers locked again in a game of hearts.

There was a time when surgeon Kian Forbes would have surrendered every cent of his vast family fortune if it could make Roxie Gilbert happy. That was before she skipped town, broke his heart, and sent him spinning through a string of forgettable one-night stands. He never even knew he’d fathered a child—with Roxie’s sister, no less. But in the wake of tragedy, little Lily needs a home. And Kian wants his daughter. But Roxie’s not giving in or giving up without a fight.

Fearful of her intense feelings for Kian, Roxie ran. Now that her sister’s death has brought her home, she intends to take custody of her niece and avoid Kian—easier said than done on both counts. With their wealth and power, the Forbes men are accustomed to winning. And as she and Kian are forced to spend time together for Lily’s sake, saying no to everything he wants proves impossible…even though it means risking both their hearts all over again.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Audiobook, Second Chance, Fiction, Second Chance Romance

250 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 20, 2018

About the author

Nobody likes sexy men, sassy heroines, and emotionally charged books, right? WRONG! We all want to feel extraordinary when we read, and that's exactly what you'll get when you pick up a Melody Anne book. She has the feel-good stories of a damsel in distress with prince charming riding in to save the day . . . and she also has emotionally charged books that take you through a journey of emotion as you try to figure out if you love or hate the characters as they find themselves. What you get at the end of every Melody Anne book is a resolution that has you begging for more.

Melody Anne is a NYT best selling author of more than 70 books about strong women, strong families, and sexy strong men. Each series has its own theme, and each is different. Melody touches subjects others might not want to touch and you won't get away from reading one of her series without laughing, crying, and thinking about the journey you've just gone on even months later.

See her website and subscribe to her newsletter or text messaging service at: www.melodyanne.com. She makes it a point to respond to her fans. You can also join her on facebook at: www.facebook.com/authormelodyanne, or on Instagram and TikTok @authormelodyanne. Also, follow her blog at authormelodyanne.blogspot.com. Come say hello and peek beneath the covers of her books to go to a whole new world.

Reviews

[Esther · Rating 1 out of 5]

ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I debated not rating it as I didn't finish it, but yet I didn't finish it because it was that bad and skimming the book I found that it didn't seem to have much improvement.

I was bothered by the hero sleeping with the heroines sister, really bothered.
~JUST NO~

And the heroine's thought process, actions, behavior was just to juvenile, silly and ridiculous.
~How she left the hero (wrong and immature)
~Why she left the hero (made no sense and was silly)
~Her behavior and reasoning on her return (not communicating or working things out like adults)

And after a third into the story, the frustration and irritation of the heroine and the storyline, I was done.

[Leo (Queen of the Rants and Spoilers)]

he was so heartbroken after the heroine left him he slept with her sister and got her pregnant. Lol this is so funny.

[Jen]

DNF @35%

Soooo, after giving this what I believe to be more than a fair shot, I'm giving up and moving on. There were just some things I couldn't move past.

Even though I'm not normally down with the "ex sleeps with her sister" thing (and it's not a favorite trope here), that's not the reason this isn't working for me. Both MCs are all over the place and I'm already tired of the heroine sleeping with the dude and running from him under the guise that it was a mistake, etc. Own your actions, woman!

The writing in general is fine, but this just isn't my jam.



ARC provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

[Book Lover · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have read this author’s Turbulent series and liked them. So, when I saw she had a new series starting, I requested this book without completely reading the blurb. Mistake. I am NEVER ok with a hero sleeping with the heroine’s sister.

Roxie and Kian were supposedly completely head over heels for each other when Roxie left town leaving him a very short and not sweet note. It’s 4 years later and Kian is an ER trauma doctor. Roxie’s sister shows up, pregnant, multiple stab wounds and with her dying breath tells Kian he is the father of her 3 year old daughter, who also has multiple stab wounds.

Roxie is notified her sister is in the ER in critical condition and needs to come right away. Roxie arrives to find Kian asleep with her niece.

These two hit it and quit it so many times. Kian seems certain he wants her back while Roxie caves then runs away EVERY time. By a third of the way in I was ready to bang my head on whatever was close by.

Roxie is a sniveling, spineless, gutless, ridiculous woman. She’s 26 now. She left 4 years ago to go to college yet it states she’s been a nurse for 6 years. So much in her timeline didn’t add up. She is from a broken home. Her mom ran off when she was young leaving her and her sister with their alcoholic dad.

Kian is now 35 and an in demand trauma surgeon. He comes from a very wealthy, powerful, tight knit family. Here’s what he reels off when he tells Roxie he’s Lily’s dad: “I drank a lot, partied even more, and yeah, I didn’t care which women I was with. I just wanted to forget you….But I wouldn’t have been on the prowl for anyone else had you been at my side, where I thought you’d always be.” OMG sooo many things wrong with these two sentences. The fact that he used the break up as an excuse for his behavior and then blamed her for his actions! NOT a man I’d want in my life.

These are just a few of my issues with this book.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher.

[♡Tonya♡]

the blurb.... nothing more to be said 😂

[Jenny]

Hero has a baby with heroine's sister? This is gross! Avoid!

[Dilek VT]

The blurb says it all!
(The hero has a child from the heroine's sister.)

[Lu Bielefeld]

The hero has a child from the heroine's sister. WTF!

[Rejane]

EWWWW.. this blurb..
and why is she going to fight him for custody?? I mean.. isn’t the child his and nobody told him??
Not that I will ever read this but it seems everyone here is kinda jerks. 🤮🤮. And he didn’t know the ons was heroine’s sister. The bitch targeted him in a bar when he was drunk
What a bunch of low moral characters 🤢🤮

[Alaina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved Kian and Roxie!

Kian was an unexpected audio that I grabbed. After listening to it, well, I easily fell in love with the characters and the story line. However, that doesn't mean that I didn't find things in this book that I didn't like.

One major thing was... him sleeping with her sister. Yep, that was a huge dagger to the heart kind of moment. I just couldn't get past that because they obviously still loved each other, and yeah he had no clue that she had a sister or what she looked like.. but still. Not cool man..

Besides Kian.. well, Roxie definitely had her moments too. I just feel like her thought process could've been WAY better. It was just certain moments she would just frustrate me.. and yes, I feel like that happens a lot when there's a kid thrown into any situation. Adults start acting stupid and crazy and this leads to my frustration.

Their romance and chemistry was so freaking good. Of course I still had the whole kid thing in the back of mind. Then the whole random murderer stalking thing was kind of weird and caught me off guard. At one point I just kind of freaked out and cringed because he was licking the kids face. LICKING PEOPLE! It was just plain creepy.

Overall, it was kind of hot mess that I eventually started to like more and more of. I have no idea what the second book will deliver but I also can't wait to dive into it.

[Martina · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was severely disappointed in this book. The beginning was great. Awesome. By chapter 6 however, it all went downhill. None of it made sense. She left for 4 years and came back a nurse who could find a job anywhere, which is not realistic because she wouldve had zero experience. It took me 4 years just to get my bachelors in nursing. Second, I hate females that are all “I can’t stop myself, I can’t resist, I’m not strong enough” and then the next day are completely like “it was a mistake.” And this happened throughout the whole book, over and over. It was so annoying. She would be stubborn for no good reason. A break in at the house I’m staying in where my sister was brutally murdered? Oh no, I have to stay, must exert my independence. I’ll just buy a lock. She was too defensive about the most asinine stuff. Would not recommend.

[Sissy's Romance Book Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kian by Melody Anne is the First book i the "Undercover Billionaire" Series. This is the story of Kian Forbes and Roxie Gilbert.
This was a great second change at love book. Roxie and Kian knew each other previously but they didn't end up together. Now they are bought back together by a tragic lost but can this time around will it be forever?
I enjoyed their story and I am excited for this new series!!

[Raine · Rating 3 out of 5]

****ARC was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.****

I didn't like Roxie

I really wanted to love this book - or at least really like it. But I really can't give it better than just an OK rating of 3 stars. I am usually a fan of Melody Anne's books so I'm surprised I didn't like this one as much as her other books.

I just couldn't stand the heroine, Roxie! I kept thinking that there was some great reason why she left the love of her life, Kian, and why she stayed away for four years. But when the real reason was revealed I just kept thinking to myself, "That's it???" The reason was SO LAME that it makes the character of the heroine out to be a selfish witch. She left Kian without an explanation. She left her sister - even if they didn't really get along she was the only family Roxie had left. She left her friends, especially her best friend Eden and never even kept in touch with her. And she never even came back for her niece. I'm sure she never even saw or met her because if she did she would've seen she looked like Kian. So basically Roxie's character us pretty selfish and has no regard for anyone else she supposedly cares about.

Now Kian was a little better character, though there were still some flaws there that I couldn't really swallow about. First if all, he is supposed to be a confident and self-assured man. Even though it says he grew up with wealth his parents never spoiled their kids and made them work hard form what they wanted. This should've shown that Kian's character wouldn't just let Roxie leave without trying to find her and ask her why she left him. Also, he wouldn't be weak enough to drink and whore his way through a lot of women. He said he couldn't remember all the women he was with because he was so drunk so I agree with Roxie when she realizes this and wonders if he has fathered more kids. Because how would he even remember if he used a condom? Also, how did women not trap him because he's so rich and good looking? And he's a doctor! He really should know better! He could get a disease! Finally, if he loved Roxie so much why would he never check on his love's sister? Or for that matter why wouldn't his family since they loved Roxie as well?

I think the one character I did really like in this book was the sister. Even from that letter she gave her lawyer we could see how her sister was initially selfish and then after Lilly how she really tried to turn her life around. That letter right there is why I love Melody Anne's books. She is able to reveal so much of a character, which is why I'm surprised that I don't like these characters as much as those in her other books.

I'm hoping that the next book will be better. I know it can be because I've loved other books by Melody Anne and I know she could write a heck of a story with great characters. This one just falls short of her usual high standards.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Roxie was the love of Kian's life, but she left him out of the blue with little explanation. He worked through his hurt in the arms of many women. Turns out one such woman was Roxie's sister, who ends up in Kian's ER with stab wounds. As she dies, she whispers that the 4-year-old girl (Lily) in the next gurney is his. He's even more shocked when this revelation brings Roxie back into his life as they are both named as guardians for Lily. They must work through their past hurts to do what is best for Lily.

I liked the premise for this second chance romance; however, I have never wanted to shake sense into a character more than I wanted to with Roxie. It completely annoyed me how illogical she was and dismissive of the feelings Kian might have as a father of Lily. Every time her inner dialogue came up, I just wanted to slap her. Kian's character was great and very patient with the custody situation. Thankfully, the smut was pretty good too - 3.5 out of 5. I'll give the series another try, but if the next book's FMC isn't an improvement, I'm out.

[Tami · Rating 3 out of 5]

The couple were in love and then she vanished on him. He sought solace in alcohol and women. Among whom is our heroine's SISTER. The sister and the hero have a baby together. The sister dies and the heroine and hero raise the baby together. Sorry, but there is no possible way that I could reconcile sleeping with him ever again. Forgiving maybe, because the heroine did in fact leave him in a bad place. But if you dip your wick in my sister you aren't ever coming back.

This review is based on the ARC provided by the author and/or the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Felicia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh my gosh. This book was absolutely infuriating! I found myself literally eye rolling so many times throughout this book I seriously wanted to chuck my phone while listening to it. I did not, at all, like the narrator. And Roxie, the heroine, was so god damn annoying. I honestly almost DNFed this so. many. times. because of her. She was an idiot and acted like a straight up child throughout the entirety of this book. So. Fucking. Annoying.

That's it. That's all I got because I just can't find it in me to care about this book in any way.

[Lexy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was good and intense

[Melody Cox · Rating 1 out of 5]

A terrible subject matter. Having a baby with the sister of the woman you loved. That just crosses the line in a very huge way.

[Marie Vasquez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall: 3.5/5
Naughty Factor: 3/5
POV: Dual/3rd person

Kian was my first Melody Anne book and I truly enjoyed the premise of the story and got hooked in Chapter 1. As I continued through the story, I fell deeper and deeper in love with Kian. The man had an amazing heart, he was kind and caring and came from a wonderful family. He was honorable and patient and protective and all around “Dr. McDreamy”.

But as much as I loved Kian and his part of the story, I was not a Roxie fan. I didn’t understand her motivation. I found myself fighting through her parts of the story. She was whining and defensive and I couldn’t fathom her reasons why. She lived so much with the fears in her head that she dismissed Kian’s good gestures and patience and, for me, it was like their only true connection was between the sheets.

Though I didn’t connect 100% with Roxie, I did ultimately enjoy this story. Kian was the one that left the everlasting impression for me. His family was great and I see good things coming out of this new series. I will definitely be interested in more from the Forbes men.

[Three Chicks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review by Jen Hagen

This was such an unusual synopsis for a book I knew it would be right up my alley…and my angsty sense was correct. Holy macaroni…the first chapter blew me away. Trauma surgeon, Kian, is called to an emergency only to leave the confines of a hospital privacy curtain knowing that he is now a father… Whoa. What a shock to your perfectly organized life. But the next shock is seeing your once-in-a-lifetime true love, Roxie, at the bedside of your daughter.

This is my favorite line of the entire book, “Seconds passed without sound beyond of their breathing.”

Oh my..Let the questions begin for Kian. The first being… How in the H E L L did you manage to knock up the sister, and 2) Why did you and Roxie break up?

“One night they’d been making love; the next night she’d been gone with very little explanation.”

The story is told in third person, alternating between characters. It was a very good storyline, but I did find that not a lot of depth was given to Roxie’s character. Her family past was a little rough, and I feel like we were just given a small enough glimpse into it to validate her absence for all those years. So much more could have been elaborated upon.

I really liked Kian’s character. He was strong, caring, and fiercely devoted to those he loved which included his daughter and his ex-girlfriend. He never lost his love for Roxie. He wants her back, but Roxie is too dang stubborn.

“Their time had come and gone, and to think of them in a relationship again was impractical and just wasn’t going to happen.”

Kian is 35 years old and has been through the run of the mill single club, and now he’s wanting a chance at a family. Roxie needs to open up her eyes. My goodness woman. There is an incredibly sexy man wanting you but yet you are too hung up in the past. Ugh… sometimes a strong-willed woman really irks me when they don’t see what is best for them.

Kian and Roxie need to get over the past and move forward raising this beautiful little girl. Along the way we meet Kian’s brothers and I think we will be in for a real treat reading more about them.

[Teejayy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Honestly, I didn't enjoy it as much as I thought it would. This short book took me 2 whole weeks to read. There was so much potential for the story, but I did not like the writing. The timing and pace felt like it was all over the place. Honestly, the writing was just bad! Maybe I'm being too critical, but this book definitely had me in a reading slump. I am proud that I even finished it. I will not be reading the rest of the series.

[Isha Coleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always look forward to reading a Melody Anne novel. Her stories are profound, her characters relatable and the romances turbulent, to say the least. With Kian, she pulled a fast one on me. I went into the experience thinking: "How am I supposed to enjoy a story where I don't like the characters very much?" and came out reminded of what a talent this author really is. She has to be in order to get me to love any type of story with medical terminology. Kian and Roxie have a past that has stalked them into their present day life. When tragedy reunites them, secrets are exposed, hurts are revealed and passions reawakened. What happens when the passion of the past becomes the storm of the future? Kian and Roxie were a work in progress that painstakingly turned heartache into a lesson in forgiveness. Bravo, Ms. Anne!

[Desirae (Dee) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok. Grew tired of our heroinne.

While I liked the story, I grew very tired of Roxie very early on. Once I felt like that, it was a hard win to bring me back. The constant running, not wanting to share Lily with her dad, constant pulling away, always wanting to hurt him. It got old. And I mean, how long was this behavior going to continue? 90% of the book. So be prepared.

[Tiera McMillian · Rating 2 out of 5]

I want to start by saying the reason this was only ok for me was not because of the writing style. I felt it was well written. I did listen to the narration for most of the book and I will say that it is enthusiastically narrated which was fun. The main problem I had was the storyline... This book just seemed to be a lot about nothing. When the biggest adversity to a romance is a females stubborn defiance for seemingly no reason... until bam its like a freaking light bulb it just all of a sudden makes sense it just doesn't really captivate me. I can see why alto of people in the reviews here DNF it. There just wasn't anything happening except Roxy, our FMC, playing super hard to get for some really petty reasons. There were also some plot things that I felt should have been happening that were glossed over a tad.

Kian, our resident surgeon MMC who happens to be a dreamboat and comes from a wealthy family, gets the shock of his life when multiple stab wound victims come via ambulance to his table. The shock not being the wounds of the victims but who they are and the news they share. An old friend and one night stand as well as the sister of the girl who ripped his heart out years ago... but she also has a tiny plus one that just happens to be his. Enter Roxy, sister, and total spazz character wise...shes a whiner and a runner and in all honesty really stubborn and irritating in her fierce drive for independence from... love I guess because of... reasons? who the freak actually knows.

In a nutshell Kian sees his ex walk back into his life and practically try to steal his newly found out daughter away and of course attempt to run away again.... Maybe I should spoiler alert this because that happened for probably 95% of the book... It just lacked some substance really for me anyways. It would have made way more sense to me for Roxy to have been chasing Kian and begging for forgiveness or something especially after the way she has treated him. The whole thing just irritated me lol.

Either way I think the scenes and the world building were fine just the plot dragging that out was a tad painful..

[BookAddict · Rating 3 out of 5]

Any book that has Joseph Anderson and his cronies in it is one I know I’ll enjoy, so I was grateful I had an opportunity to read an early copy of Kian. Four years ago Kian was ready to propose to Roxie and she left town without a word. Four years later, Kian finds out he has a daughter after one drunken mistake with Roxie’s sister, who reveals this bit of news to Kian right before she expires on the O.R. table. Now Roxie is back and she and Kian are to co-parent three-year-old Lily.

I generally love Melody Anne's books but this one was actually too much. I know an author pours her heart and soul into her work, but it needed a little toning down in order to keep my attention. I found myself skipping several sections of character introspection in order to keep the story moving. Kian's brothers and parents, as well as little Lily, were all terrific secondary characters who all make me eager for more of the Forbes family. I adored Kian, and he was just the type of strong, intelligent, kind hero I like, but honestly, his being crazy in love with Roxie is the only explanation for why he put up with so much for her. I have great appreciation for a heroine who is a little lost and becomes a strong woman as she finds herself, but Roxie was immature, selfish, and quite possibly already had her ticket punched for the crazy train. Then finally at ninety-seven percent she figures things out and she's now the perfect woman and deserving of Kian.

An author can put a reader through the ringer and have a lot of rollercoaster emotions, but there better be a big payoff at the end that rewards the emotional investment and makes the whole thing believable, and that was missing here. Still, if you’re like me and you’re a Melody Anne fan (especially with these families) you’ll enjoy Kian's story and be eager to read Arden, Owen and Declan's stories.

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am in love with Kian. He stole my heart the moment he would not leave the little girl that came into to the ER with her mom who were brutally attacked. Kian, a top notch trauma surgeon discovers that he had a one-night stand with the woman in his ER. This woman, sadly does not survive the attack, then rocks his world by telling him that the little girl next to her is his daughter. Kian is now faced with a new chapter in his life, fatherhood. He must also come to terms of dealing with her aunt, Roxie Gilbert, his former love. Roxie ran away from Kian 4 years ago, unable to deal with her overwhelming feelings for Kian. Now, Roxie must learn to deal with her feelings for Kian which never went away and learning to be a mom to Lily. Slowly, Roxie comes to realize that her future is with her niece, Lily and Kian. Lily is such a sweet 3 yr old who you just want to squeeze with love because of what she has been through. Both, Kian and Roxie find themselves transforming to become the family they were always destined to be. I have read many many books by Melody Anne and have loved them all: Billionaire Bachelors, Baby for the Billionaire, and Billionaire Aviators. Amazing how Ms. Anne can intertwine beloved characters from one series to the next. Joseph Anderson(Billionaire Bachelors) and Sherman Armstrong(Billionaire Aviators) make an appearance in this series as they teach/help Lucian(Kian’s dad) to meddle in his kids lives in the pursuit of grandchildren.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anyone who has read previous reviews of mine will know I absolutely love Melody Anne books...I adore the characters especially Joseph and his matchmaking shenanigans with his friends and their children.
With that said I really enjoyed this book but I found Roxie hard to like. In the beginning even throughout the whole book she kept saying she couldn’t look past the betrayal of Kian sleeping with her sister...who I might add he had no clue she was even Roxie’s sister. In the same breath she said that she forgave her sister even after finding out that her sister only slept with Kian as a revenge tactic against both of them.
How she could forgive her sister who did it knowing that Roxie was in love with Kian but have issues forgiving Kian who was just as much a victim was beyond me.

Kian on the other hand I absolutely loved...he was patient, caring, and overall an amazing character. I also loved the intertwined stories from previous books, we get new characters but also see and hear about the older ones we grew to love in passed books.
I REALLY want to see what happened between Eden and Owen but looks like I’ll have to wait until after Arden’s book.

Advanced copy received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

[Jae Mod · Rating 4 out of 5]

***ARC provided by the author for an honest review***

New York Times bestselling author Melody Anne gives us a wonderful start to her newUndercover Billionaire series with Kian.

Roxie likes to see herself as an independent woman. After leaving Kian she goes through the motions. When she is forced back into his life, she tries to keep her distance.

Kian is a doctor who is dealing with a broken heart. To deal, he sleeps around and buries himself in drinking. He tries to come off as a cold-hearted person, but you can see right through him. When Roxie re-enters his life, he does everything in his power to get her back.

Both are still very much in love with each other but are too stubborn to let each other in. Will they overcome the past? How far will Kian go to protect the ones he loves? Will they have their happily ever after?

At first, I was hesitant to read this, but I am glad that I did. Roxie and Kian had great chemistry. You could really feel how much they loved each other, even when Roxie was trying so hard to keep them apart. Although their situation was unique, it just goes to show that family can come in all forms. I would have loved to read more bonding time between Kian and Lily. Overall, it was a good read. Four stars.

[Erin Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 star review Kian (Undercover Billionaires #1) by Melody Anne

I enjoyed this book however, it may not be for everyone.What is a man to do when faced with death and fatherhood at the same time? That is the position that Kian Forbes, a surgeon finds himself in when he treats a woman and little girl who have been stabbed multiple times.

Roxie Gilbert’s world is shattered when her sister dies, leaving behind her daughter Lily. Roxie knows that she will assume custody of Lily, but is shocked to find out that the man she once loved, is actually Lily’s father, a fact he only learned moments before her sister’s death.

While I liked Kian, his drunken one night stand with the heroine’s sister bothered me. I also found Roxie to be exceedingly annoying at times.The chemistry between Kian and Roxie was intense, although I felt that there could have been more development of the relationship between Kian and Lily, but that is just my opinion.

Kian wants Roxie and Lily to become his family, but can they both forgive the hurts from the past and move on? I liked Kian’s brothers and I look forward to reading their stories.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book through NetGalley from the publisher.

[Christina Montminy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly loved the continuation of the matchmaking efforts of Joseph Anderson & his friends. This story while on its own is both heartbreaking & heartwarming continues the matchmaking of Joseph Anderson & he’s done good again. Kian & Roxie are given a second chance at love when brought together by the saddest of circumstances. With the death of Roxie’s sister a secret is released that both shocks & saddens Roxie. Now with both their lives changed forever by this secret they have to find a future that both can deal with. I love how Melody Anne has kept the suspense up throughout the book as well as the intense heat between Kian & Roxie. I enjoyed the quick wit of Kian’s brothers & also the introduction of Evan, Kian’s friend who Kian is seeing as trouble when it comes to Roxie. I laughed & cried throughout this book which is no surprise when I’m reading a book by Melody Anne, her books are truly enjoyable reading. Definitely recommend. I voluntarily reviewed this book. #kian #net galley