Engaging the Billionaire

Scandals of the Bad Boy Billionaires #8

by Ivy Layne

If we can’t outrun the past, we won’t have a future. The rock on her hand is real, but our engagement is a fake. Once upon a time, I dreamed of buying her a ring, until everything blew up in my face. That was the past, and this is business. At least, it is until I kiss her. It's supposed to be part of the act — and it is — right until my lips touch hers. I forget where we are. I forget why I'm kissing her. I just want more. More of her taste, more of the tug of her fingers in my hair as she pulls me closer. More of her tongue stroking mine, more of her breath in my lungs. Just more. I want everything. Annalise is more than a client. More than my ex. She could be my future. If I can’t keep her safe, I won’t lose her to the past, I’ll lose her forever. Engaging the Billionaire is a standalone romance with a happy ending. It’s the eighth book in The Winters Saga and reveals more about the notorious Winters family. You can read it on its own, everything you need to know is explained, but once you get a taste you'll want to read the others ;} *The Winters Saga was originally published with the series title Scandals of the Bad Boy Billionaires

Genres: Romance, Second Chance, Suspense, Contemporary, Billionaires, Contemporary Romance, Audiobook

330 pages, ebook

Published November 28, 2017

About the author

Ivy Layne has had her nose stuck in a book since she first learned to decipher the English language. Sometime in her early teens, she stumbled across her first Romance, and the die was cast. Though she pretended to pay attention to her creative writing professors, she dreamed of writing steamy romance instead of literary fiction. These days, she’s neck deep in alpha heroes and the smart, sexy women who love them.

Married to her very own alpha hero (who rubs her back after a long day of typing, but also leaves his socks on the floor). Ivy lives in the mountains of North Carolina where she and her other half are having a blast raising two energetic little boys. Aside from her family, Ivy’s greatest loves are coffee and chocolate, preferably together.

Sign up for Ivy's Reader's Group for free books, exclusive content, giveaways, and more @ ivylayne.com/readers-group

Reviews

[ME · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG! OMG! OMG! is the first thing going through my mind when I saw this ARC hit my email and then again when it was revealed who was the stalker behind Annalise’s running all these years. I also wanted to scream, “I knew it!” because something from Gage’s books just made me think it could be this person. Now, I will say this standalone series is absolutely one of my favorites! It has all the mystery, suspense, super sexy scenes, and the love of a family that has persevered through some VERY difficult times. I #OneClick these books from Ivy Layne as soon as I can! Each one has its own emotional, drama ride but this one was so eloquently written, I just couldn’t put it down. If you don’t “feel” something from this book then you don’t have a heart.

I felt so sorry for the young Annalise so mistakenly caught up in a secret admirer from a young age to an early thirties woman who has spent the last 11 years running, trying to keep the people she loved safe, missing out on so much of life. Not only missing out on family events, but also the chance to solidify her relationship with her first and only love, Riley. When she finally decides to stop running and confront her stalker, her family and Sinclair Security come up with a plan and in order for it to work someone has to be a fake fiancé for Annalise in order to draw out her stalker. Yeah, you guessed it, Riley re-enters her life.

My heart broke when Annalise finally put pieces of the missing puzzle of her life together and figured out the real reason she met Riley. I wanted to reach out and grab her, to comfort her like Charlie did, and to let her know everything would look better tomorrow.

For Riley, I couldn’t believe he thought so little of Annalise to have believed her “Dear John” letter all those years ago and didn’t go after her. They both made some serious relationship mistakes; however, will they get their second chance before the stalker goes after the one person they never thought they would? #MustRead #RileyandAnnalise #ScandalsoftheBadBoyBillionaires

[April Symes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Annalise Winters story-she appeared in other books on the periphery because she moves from place to place. She has been stalked by this vicious stalker so her life hasn’t been her own for a while. She is this fantastic photographer but because of this stalker she doesn’t get to really do what she wants. We meet Riley who was the boyfriend she left in the hospital years before and she ran away to keep him safe from this person(stalker). Now Riley works for Sinclair Security and he is determined to get the stalker out in the open so he is guarding her and the plan he comes up with to get this person is very risky yet sort of genesis—he announces their "fake" engagement.
Annalise and Riley start to find their way back to each other after 10 years of being apart and what I can tell you is this story really delivers on the romantic suspense along with passion, heartbreak, young love, lost love, 2nd chance love, humor, sizzling chemistry, and deep love. I loved how this story flowed and the ending was great. This is a standalone read and I am looking forward to more books in this series.

My Rating: 4.5 stars *****
“I received an advanced copy of this book from the author at no cost to me."

[Lien ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is the 8th book in the series in the Scandals of the Bad Boy Billionaire series. This story is about Annalise (fmc) and Riley (mmc). Annalise is the oldest sister in the family and Riley was an old love interest. and the plot wowwowowo didn't see that coming. After this read I will probably take a break before tackling the next read about Aiden finally! (oldest brother) the one to raise the members of the family before the tragedy of their parents. This read was good but predictable other then the plot. I read this on Kindle Unlimited btw

[Diane'sBookReflections · Rating 5 out of 5]

COMPROMISING THE BILLIONAIRE (Scandals of the Bad Boy Billionaires Book 9) IS Coming!! 2018!! No release date yet. I don’t know about you, but I have been waiting for Aiden’s story since The Billionaire’s Pet. FINALLY!

Here's the details from Ivy's website:

It's hard to believe the sweet blond is a stone cold criminal.
Those lavender eyes, that long, curling hair.
That body.
But I won’t be taken in by a sweet pair of tits and long legs.
She’s after my company. She’s after me.
You know what they say about enemies. I could fire her, or I could put her right next to me.
I need her close so I can figure out exactly what she’s up to.
It’s all business, I swear.
The more I'm with her, the harder she is to resist.
She's an ice sculpture of a woman, perfect and untouchable.
But I see the spark in her eyes, the fire beneath the surface.
I need to see her ignite. Just for me.
What do I do when I discover the truth? She’s everything I suspected her of and worse.
But the real shock?
She’s not the villain in this story.
I am.
And somehow I have to find a way to make it right before I lose the best thing that’s ever happened to me.

A copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review!!

Five wonderfully engaging stars!
*****

Clever, engaging, amazing and smartly written, Engaging the Billionaire by Ivy Layne is the crème de la crème of the Scandals of the Bad Boy Billionaires saga. This is her best book yet in the saga of the Winters Family Dynasty. Bravo to you Ms. Layne. There are twists and turns I didn’t see coming and I should have. I’ve read every book in this series but knew the “real story” of the Winters family was going to lie with the telling of Annalise’s story, our MIA Winters family member. You had it all laid out in front of us, but because of your intricate storytelling, I just didn’t see it, and I’m assuming I’m not alone in this situation.

Now before I go any further, I am going to say that I would not consider this book a “stand alone.” Engaging the Bachelor is going to tie up a bunch of loose ends and answer a number of questions. If you have not read any of the preceding books in this series, I believe a number of things will not make sense to you as a reader. I’m not saying you can’t read it, but the other books in this series have been building to this point, and a lot will be missed if other books have not been read first.

Annalise Winters has been “on the run” for a number of years trying desperately to escape an unknown stalker who threatens anyone who is part of her life. But after 11 years, she has grown tired and is willing to do what she needs to do to bring this to an end; so she returns home and with her older cousin’s support (Aiden Winters), tells Sinclair Security she is willing to do whatever it takes to stop her unknown stalker. She is unprepared, however, that their plan is for her to have a “pretend” engagement to the former love of her life, Riley Flynn, who she left after he fell victim to her unknown stalker. Riley has never forgotten (or forgiven) Annalise’s sudden departure and is now working for Sinclair Security, so he is the most likely candidate for this pretend engagement. They know that the stalker is very much aware of his past relationship with Annalise. They hope this fake engagement will draw out the stalker once and for all. What Annalise doesn't count on is how this engagement went from fake to real, putting her once again at odds with her feelings for Riley and trying to keep him safe.

Mystery upon mystery takes the reader on a roller coaster ride of emotions as we see how Annalise’s stalker has affected every member of the Winters Family along with Annalise and Riley. This family is not your picture perfect family. They are argumentative, belligerent at times, but they fiercely love one another and in the true Musketeer format they truly believe “all for one and one for all.”

Questions are answered; mysteries are solved; love is revealed. Engaging the Billionaire has it all, and finally, everyone is getting their happily ever after ending, EXCEPT older cousin Aiden. And quite honestly he has been my favorite Winters all along. Quiet, strong, fiercely loyal…. I want to know him better as the patriarch of the Winters Family and hope his book is coming soon.

I can’t even begin to say how much I enjoyed Engaging the Billionaire. The characters are smartly written. The sex is both romantic and hot, and only Ivy Layne can make a guy (namely Riley) look hot in glasses!!! If you have read any of these books in this series, you won’t be disappointed with the culminating Engaging the Bachelor!!!

For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways

[Candace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Riley & Annalise. Now this is what I'm talking about. I was wondering why this book came off different from Gage's book (Book 7) when both books had characters that we weren't fully invested in from other books in the series. I think I figured it out. Like Gage, Annalise had been away from home for 12 years after the death of her aunt and uncle. Unlike Gage though, we had a feel for what had her staying away from home. I got invested in Annalise pretty quickly because the author developed her
(and Riley) better than she did with Gage & Sophie.

She had a stalker since she was 16. When she went off to college, she met Riley in some psych class and was attracted to him from the get. She kept running into him around campus and he ended up asking her out for "coffee" (j/k it was really a coffee date). They hit it off and started dating and falling in love with each other. Riley gets in a pretty serious car accident. Annalise is staying with him waiting for him to wake up. She receives flowers from her stalker man and he's such a gimp that he communicates via the flowers that he picks out. Yeah I knew Red roses were for love and yellow friendship (black are go F yourself) but I didn't know every flower had a meaning. Anyways, they flowers he sent her portend something bad going on. After receiving the flowers, Riley's medicine in the hospital gets messed up and he almost dies. Realizing her stalker was to blame she decides to protect Riley by sending him a sweet Dear John and then leaves town.

Over then next 11 years-ish, she moves from city to city and resetting up her life over and over after her stalker finds her in the new city and sends her flowers. She had been in Taos but then moved to Austin. After 3 mo, her stalker found her again and sent her some flowers. She ran again but returned home first for Charlie/Lucas & Tate/Emily's weddings. She'd run again afterwards. She meets with Sinclair Security and they propose to try drawing the stalker out into the open so they can catch him (or her because they haven't figured out a single thing in 12 years). In comes RILEY!

Riley is working for Sinclair and since they had history before they decide to make a show like Annalise and Riley are engaged (which would piss off her stalker since he wasn't happy with her previous boyfriends and kept trying to kill them). He gets her this killer engagement ring and moves into her bedroom with her (uhhhhhh room next door was too far?). While they both tried to keep their feelings hidden (her by convincing herself that he wasn't interested in him and that she was just another client to him; him by beating it in the shower).

During Tate's wedding, Riley takes Annalise off to talk to her about something (I can't remember what it was). The wine room was in use by Vance/Maggie (he was balls deep) so they went to the bedroom. Finally they start hashing out the past and end up rekindling their physical relationship (who didn't see that coming when the decided to talk in her bedroom). Like all romance Hs, they go at it all night long (unrealistic stamina). They are cuddling and she is asking him about some scars he had and while the gunshot wound was only a few years old, the calluses on his fingers had been there from when they were together before. When she asked him about it, he said it was from shooting and trigger finger something or other. Annalise realizes and then proceeds to freak out because she realizes that from their first meeting he wasn't who he said he was. Come to find out he had been working for Sinclair Security and was assigned to blend in as a college student to keep an eye on her (they weren't supposed to hook up but shit happens).

She is devastated and runs off with Jacob to calm down and be away from Riley and Aiden (he arranged her tail). Realizing that she was tired of running and that they had come closer to finding her stalker, she decides to keep up the engaged pretense. Riley has always been in love with Annalise and has to figure out how to win her back (the $40K engagement ring wouldn't be enough. I guess his D didn't close the deal either). Their relationship issues were put on ice until they figured out the stalker thing.

Riley begins thinking outside the box and thinks there is a chance that her stalker had something to do with her mother's death. He figured the stalker wasn't a stranger. They went to her parent's home (about 1/4 of mile from the Winters McMansion) to find some clues. They find pictures of her and her mother were gone. They then get word that there has been another present delivered to Annalise (I love presents!). Instead of flowers, it was a pair of earrings that Annalise and her brothers had given to their mother for Mothers' Day one year. She wore them all the time but lost them and never found them. Now they are showing up (creepy) as a gift from her secret admirer.

Riley is taking the earrings to Sinclair Security's offices to be tested for evidence (there hasn't been evidence before but I guess they thought this time would be different; spoiler alert it wasn't different). Riley and the Sinclair team receive a call from Sophie, Charlie, and the other ladies telling them that Annalise has disappeared from the house. She wakes up (in her childhood bedroom) from being drugged and finds "Uncle" William was her stalker. And begins the extra creepy discussion.

Cliff's notes:
- William was in love with Anna her freshman year in college. While on holiday she meets James and falls in love with him and dumps William
- She goes home for an extended period of time and returns. William decides to be friends with Anna and James.
- Marissa (the crazy B in Charlie's book that was sending the pictures of the parents' murder scenes to Jacob, Vance and Charlie) was in love with William.
- William didn't want Marissa so she got jealous and ended up killing Anna thinking she could have him when Anna was out of the picture.
- Aiden's parents (after the death of Gage's parents) takes in the kids and raises them until they were killed by William. They found out about his role in the death of Anna & James or that he knew about their murders.
- We find out that William was the daddy of the baby that she had when she went home and gave the baby up for adoption with the help of Sinclair's dad.
- Without Anna, William sees Annalise at 16 and she looks so much like her mother that he thought she was there to replace Anna. Yeah...seriously...he even kept calling Annalise by her mother's name.

Discussion over and William tells Annalise that when she returned home and got engaged to Riley, it was her indication that she was ready to settle down and since she was William's they would marry, have babies, and start their lives together. Remember, he's her dad's age. He has her childhood room all romantic with candles and decides to consummate their relationship. He attempts to rape her but she keeps fighting and manages to hit him in the head with a candelabra. Candles are knocked over and her bedroom catches fire. She's running down the hall (smoke is thick) when Riley finds them and shoots William in the shoulder. He saves Annalise and takes her out to an ambulance to got to be checked out in the hospital. Everyone forgot about William because he died in the fire (darn! so much for his HEA).

In the hospital, despite having already told Annalise how much he loves her, he rehashes everything he previously told her but said he loved her a couple more times. She had loved him for years and managed to get past being pissed off at him. When he proposed, she accepted. Charlie was going to help them fix the portion of the house that was burned down. Despite her parents being murdered in the living room and her almost raped in both her bedroom and the hallway, Annalise and Riley decide they will make her childhood home their own home. Yeah, IDK about that decision.

Anywho, I really liked this book. I liked Riley even though he was a liar and I understood Annalise flights instead of fights. Some would believe she was weak but she didn't come off as weak but more caring and protective of the people she loves. She sacrificed a lot for other people. I liked them as a couple too.

[Cheryl Woods-lucero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engaging the Billionaire is the 8th book in the series about the billionaire Winters family. The Winters family has had tragedy in their lives, both parents and aunt and uncle were murder and the murders have never been solved. When Annalise begins dating strange things start happening to any one she show an interest in. In college she met Riley and they fall in love, when it looks like it is getting serious, Riley is involved in a car accident. As he is in the hospital, his medication is mishandled and he almost dies. At this point Annalise has her suspicions but only that. However soon after a flower arrangement is delivered to the hospital. Each flower has a meaning danger and jealousy along with a note that states “Tell him goodbye or I’ll do it for you.” To save his life Annalise runs and to ensure that Riley doesn’t search for her by sending him a brutal Dear John letter.
Annalise has stayed away from her family for eleven years. During this time she has taken menial jobs trying to stay under the radar, but her stalker continues to locate and send flower arrangements with their hidden meanings. On her birthday she is sent an an arrangement with a note for her birthday. This is the last straw and she is determined not to let this stalker own anymore of her life. She decides to go back home and with her family’s help identify the person who has tormented her.
Once she returns home she needs security 24/7. The security is provide by a friend of the family‘s security agency. The cover story is she is now engaged and her fiancé is none other than Riley. The sparks fly as the two pretend this relationship and as the team tries to determine who her stalker is.
This is a true page turner. I love that this story also has characters from the prior stories. Make sure you have the time to read because you are not going to want to put the book down. Dinner can wait, sleep is overrated.

[The Book Junkie Reads . . . · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ivy Layne has returned us to the world of the Scandals of the Bad Boy Billionaires . . . a second chance romance that could have never really ended in the first place if he would have been bold and been a man and went after his woman. But then again this all had to happen to give Annalise the chance to grown, mature, and experience more of life. But that also leads to the fact that she has missed so much of life with family, friends, and loved one. One crazy self-obsessed person changed her world and took her life in a different direction.

Riley and Annalise have now trumped the favorite couples list in this series. This couple brought on the danger, suspense, stalker, second-chance, intensity all in this wonderfully written romantic suspense that came highly equipped with great characters.

There was much to find in this one. The depth of all the goings on was just captivating. The suspense was off the page from all the other books of this series. The mystery of who was doing this to poor Annalise was just page turning. It was so much going on here. Finding the culprit was the key to opening the future up for Annalise and Riley.

The two may have comeback as a way to draw another out but there chemistry they shared was there and never went away. Come for the suspense and stay for the romance that was touching.

Ivy Layne writes one absolutely engrossing read. I highly recommend this read for a place to start in the series or go back to the beginning and really get locked in to all the goings on in the Winter’s and Sinclair’s world.

Merged review:

I knew I was right
Overall 5 out of 5 stars
Performance 5 out of 5 stars
Story 4 out of 5 stars

We get answers that have dragged out for several of the books of this series. There was no doubt for me in the very beginning when I made the peg. I was not sure how it was all going to come together but it did and I was so right. It was so worth it all. This played out spectacularly.

Annalise and Riley came together and feel hard. There parting was not one of there own making but of their unselfish choosing. Of course Aiden always knows what he feels is right for everyone. Years later they have a chance to make things what they should have been. The reach for their HEA was not easy or always safe but they worked for it and almost paid with their life. Annalise was fragile. Coming home should have been safe for her but it was not. Watching their journey through danger, family, lies and deceit was one to see. The e cliffhanger ends.

Duo narrators CJ Ana Beckett made it well worth the time to listen and consume the words.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is officially my favorite book in the series. It was perfect from beginning to end. Each of the books has a different feel and are never a formulaic storyline. This one reminded me of a classic suspense/romance from the first until last page. Not having seen much of Annalise (and I don't think Riley at all), the development of both characters was perfect as was the pacing of their story.

I love to see past characters in series like these. In this one, we get a little more Jacob/Abigail as well as Gage/Sophie. (My only wish is to see more of Holden/Josephine and Tate/Emily in upcoming books. They were the first ones to hook me, but also novellas and I'd love to see more of them.)

Of course, Aiden plays a big part in the story and I hope is up next. I really thought Annabelle, the chocolatier, was going to be his heroine, but it sounds like it's someone from his office. Although Annalise/Riley solve a major piece of the puzzle that's been carried forward throughout the books, I'm interested to see if there's more to come out about the family. Plus, we have the unknown son out there somewhere. As excited as I am for Aiden's story, I'm really looking forward to the Sinclair's! Their story is starting to build and I'm ready for more!

I received a copy of this book from the author for an honest review. (Thank you!)

[Tamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sucking a awnswering romance

Okay thank you for finally explaining the murders of the winter clan parents, and getting rid of the horrible uncle William Davis. I loved Riley and Annalise’s story that spanned so many years of lost time. Thank you for Aunt Amelia and making all of these characters so lovable and likable. Can we please have this series continue with the Sinclair security brothers getting there happily ever after s too.
Thank you Ivy Layne for your words and thank you Audible for bring them to life with your readers. Looking forward to read more from Ivy Layne

[Kimberly Garner · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book like the others in the series was a great book. There wasn't anything I didn't like. The characters were awesome, the dialogue was on point, and this book kept me flipping pages until the early morning. I dare say this was probably my more favorite book in the series.

[Sue Moss · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hard to rate this book. I like this author but sometimes too many sex scenes make them tedious not sensual. The first half of the book was slow for me but when we got to the parts about family intrigue it was a lot better.

[Larry Bos · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just too much

Angst, inner monologue, repetition, and miscellany to be good. I skipped many chapters, and knew who the villain was upon his introduction.

[Kim Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Goodness! What a ride this one was. I think this was the most high stakes book I read in the whole series. This got you to question everything and everyone you’ve ever met in the series. This book focuses on Annalise and catching her stalker. You learn about how it all started and the ramifications that came from it. It was intense, kind of creepy, uncomfortable and angsty with some sensuality on the side blended with locked up feelings and misunderstandings. It had everything! I had so much feelings I experienced when I read this book. It is a second chance romance but it felt different. It didn’t feel Iike the standard plot for a second chance, mainly because of how Riley and Annalise were acting around each other. They started the book essentially acting like they never had a past, determined to put any lingering feelings and questions about the past and not entertain the idea of getting together. A big chunk of the book focuses on Riley trying to convince himself he was over her but we all know he never did move on. It showcases the hurt he felt when Annalise left him at a low point in his life and how that still stung when the book starts so he channels it into indifference and normalcy. Meanwhile, Annalise is hung up about seeing him again and at a point in her life when she decides it’s not worth it to run and wants to fight back. She also tries and fails to keep indifferent as well. What continues is the growing threat Annalise is facing when the stalker gets too close to home. They start leaving obvious clues that lets the family know that there is a deeper meaning and story behind their family getting murdered and things are not what they seem. It was interesting learning about all the different flowers and their meanings too. It just goes to show that it’s all in how they are presented to you. I will never think of certain flowers the same after reading about them in this story. Annalise is dealing with this, while also dealing with her feelings for Riley coming back to the surface and Riley going back to open his heart to her once he finds out the way they ended things was all a ruse and bullshit. It was a definite roller coaster of emotions and moods I felt when I read this book. When the stalker is revealed, I wasn’t surprised. If anything, I was sick and uncomfortable when I figured it out. Once I heard this person and their chilling thoughts with their beliefs and the obvious mental illness the person has and experiencing, my skin crawled. I kept thinking about it after I finished this book. The way the person came after Annalise after finally getting her and the plans they recited to her, it was crazy. It can be a trigger for some, so I strongly warn against reading it because it was uncomfortable. However, combine this with the rest of the story and you get an unbelievable book. If a book can make you feel these things then bravo to them because it was very well written. It just goes to show you really don’t know anyone and sometimes things are just under your nose and you don’t figure it out until it’s too late. Riley was right to suspect everyone, even those that you wouldn’t think of because of either rose colored glasses or the idea that they can do no wrong. Now that the murder is solved of the family and Annalise’s stalker is gone, (no surprise there) it makes me wonder what else could happen to this poor family. There’s just so much despair, loss, scandal and motives that plague them because of their status as a family and the power they hold. What else could they possibly experience that hasn’t been explored. It makes me really curious about the last two books and what else lurks around the corner for them.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engaging the Billionaire, by Ivy Layne is a 364-page contemporary romance novel and is the eighth book out of a 10-part series (other reviews can be found below). And since this is a 10-part series, you can expect reviews by this author pretty back to back for the next few weeks as I go through the books. It is written from a first-person POV, two-sided.

Ivy Layne is an author who generally writes dirty, dirty sex scenes. So if you're someone who is looking for some dirty read (which there is nothing wrong with that) this is the book for you. I will warn you ahead of time if you are reading this series, this book in particular had A LOT of sex.

Spoilers Ahead ***

Oooh man...okay, so one of the things I appreciate about Ivy's books, particularly this series, is that she does an amazing job creating a cohesive world. I've read so many of her books in the past few months I know ALL the characters she references or whoever pops in randomly in a scene. It's really nice. And what's even nicer? They all get their own stories. So let's talk about the characters in this story, Riley and Annalise.

This is a second chance romance. Riley and Annalise met back in college and started dating. The secret that Annalise had is she was being stalked and had been since she left high school. The notes she used to get seemed harmless at first then they escalated, real quick. Now the interesting part about this series is that there was a central theme running through all of the books and that theme is the Winters kids, their parents died. They didn't just die though, it was marked a suicide and murder...and to clarify there are two sets of parents, so the Winters kids, some are siblings and some are cousins.

All of that is importantish when you need to think about whether someone is a brother, sister, or cousin. So this being Annalise's story, she's the cousin to Charlie from book 5, The Rebel Billionaire. After the last set of parents died the kids all acted differently and Annalise? Well, she had a stalker so she ran. She never stayed in one place for long and somehow he always found her. So what about Riley? Well, you find out in one of her flashbacks that Riley was actually targeted by her stalker and almost died, twice. To keep him safe, Annalise broke it off and left.

After running for almost ten years she decided it was time to stop and take her life back. So she worked with her family and Sinclair Security (YES they have a story too! I will be reviewing those later) to expose the stalker. So much craziness happens, but the in the end, they find out the stalker was a man who basically looked after them after the parents died and you find out that the reason he was stalking Annalise is because she looked so much like her mother and he had been in love with her. You also learn that he is the one that killed Aiden's (his story is in book 9) and that his ex girlfriend is who killed Annalise's family. Why? Apparently Annalise's mom did date the stalker guy and got pregnant and she gave the baby up for adoption and the ex of the stalker thought she could get stalker guy back by retrieving the kid.

Whew...yeah. So yes...that means there is another, unknown Winters out there, story 10.

This book impressed me the most because it tied EVERYTHING together.

Overall, the characters were likeable, and since you are familiar with about 90% of the characters in the book it makes it more fun.

In summary, I give this a 4 out of 5.

[Ann Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engaging The Billionaire

He Had Me At The Wink

I voluntarily received an arc of this book from Booksprout for a fair and honest review.
It is ALWAYS A PLEASURE to read an Ivy Layne book.....but to get an arc of one? Pure bliss. Annalise has been running. It started back in high school when her senior prom date was threatened. She had a stalker, a stalker who knew her too well. One of Annalise’s fondest memories of her late mother was her mother’s love of flowers..most especially the language of flowers. Her stalker knew this and every time she ran, things would be great for a little while, until coded message bouquets would be delivered. This always meant that her stalker had been given an “accidental” lethal dose of morphine. Then a bouquet arrives. Annalise must pack up and leave Riley behind. Know Riley will never let her go, she is forced to write him a scathing Dear John letter and then just vaporizes into thin air. It’s been several years and several moves and Annalise is working at a coffee shop in Austin. Until a floral arrangement arrives. Before you can say Aiden Winters...she is whisked away on a private jet back to the Winters family home. Her love of photography has been the only constant in her life, but what good does it when she can’t show her talent to the public. Annalise is presented with two options...stay and fight..with the loving support of her family, or hit the road..which is the only way she can keep her family safe. Immediately Aiden calls in call in Sinclair Security I or spend another eleven or more years running. The Sinclair’s and the Winters are brother in everything except blood. The winter.’s family trust them..trust them to keep Annalise alive. A lot has changed in the last eleven years for Riley. He had a new job...at Sinclair security so a plan is hatched. Because of their former relationship Riley and Annalise will be posing as an engaged couple.. riley will never forget the hateful words Annalise wrote to him when she vanished..bit s job is a job and he trusts no one else to do it. This is the woman he actually thought he would be marrying. Now she is his fake fiancé. How will they hold it together and deny their true feelings in order to catch the very reason Annalise was forced to leave him so many year ago. This story is fraught with tension, well developed and infinitely interesting people. Another winner from Ms.Layne

[Melanie Marnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Annalise has been on the run for over 12 years and it's got to stop. Her stalker has stolen her life. Only one problem, her family. Whoever is after her may harm one of her family like Riley Flynn who was injured and almost killed 13 years ago because he was her boyfriend. Imagine her surprise when she walks in to Winters house for a meeting about how to get her life back and there sits Riley. The plan? She and Riley we'll pretend to be engaged since they once had a relationship back in college. The hope is to get her stalker to escalate. She's never really stopped loving Riley even though he seems to have put their past behind him. When Riley sees Lise he's determined to remain professional even though she hurt him beyond measure. A fake engagement is going to be tough on both of them but its necessary. He quickly realizes he still has feelings despite the hurt she caused him. The stalker gifts keep showing up and Riley is convinced that Sinclair security and the winters are all looking in the wrong direction. Just about the time Riley and Lise start to get a relationship back off the ground, she figures out that he has been lying to her ever since they met. Talking about going off the rails! Now he needs to prove to her that he really does love her and has all these years despite not telling her the truth. The stalker finally gets his hands on Lise and it is a very dangerous situation fortunately it turns out well. Lise and Riley get their happily ever after. This only leaves Aiden without someone to love and Lise is determined to find him someone.

The Mystery of the Winter' murders is finally solved once Lise's stalker is finally revealed. There still are some nanswered questions though and hopefully we will get those answers in Aiden's book. I really liked this series, I like the interweaving of characters from previous stories and the huge family atmosphere. Ivy Layne has done a good job in creating the Bad Boy Billionaires.

[Book Lover · Rating 4 out of 5]

Annalise Winters has been on the run for 11 years, since she started getting flowers and creepy threatening notes from an anonymous stalker. No matter where she ran, the flowers and notes eventually followed. Anyone she dated would be injured in some way. She finally decides she’s done running and returns home to put an end to the harassment.

Riley Flynn fell in love with Annalise when she was in college. Her stalker struck again, threatening Riley and she pushed him away and ran. It’s 10 years later, she’s home, he’s working for the Sinclairs and they’re put together again to flush out the stalker.

Riley and Annalise have unfinished business, hurts to get over and truths still to come out. If only the overprotective and interfering Sinclairs and Winters will give them some space to figure it all out while chasing down a stalker.

This book is an emotional roller coaster that grabs you from the start and keeps you turning pages. The entire Winters clan makes an appearance as well as a few Sinclairs. The Winters family has suffered more than its share of tragedy and become very close and supportive of each other because of it. However, not in a Hallmark classic sort of way. It’s very real. They give each other crap, stand up for each other and fuss and fight as a normal family would.

I knew who the stalker was before this book revealed him. However, I wanted more details on the actual stalking. Where did he get all the exotic flowers without leaving any kind of trail? It took a great deal of planning and effort to accomplish what he did.

There are still a couple of unanswered questions. And, I’m anxiously awaiting Aiden’s story. He’s the glue that holds them all together and it’s time he got his HEA.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC provided by the author.

[Sherill · Rating 5 out of 5]

A SECOND CHANCE THAT SIZZLES WITH DANGER & MYSTERY

SUPERB enticing thrilling read; soul-stirring moments tug your heart, breathtaking vivid scenes wow you, action, horrific danger, life-threatening moments, mystery, humor, keep you entertained and the hot-blooded romance is oh so sensuous. There is a heavenly happy ever after but not until all the hurdles are conquered and disappear into the past.

For over a decade Annalise has been fleeing from a stalker who has been chasing her since she was a teen; moving from town to town when he gets too close. Finally reaching a breaking point she goes back to her home. The Winter's and Sinclair Security have been stumped for years and now they have a plan that should catch the psycho stalker. Riley and Annalise were college sweethearts but that ended when the stalker threatened his life; she bolted leaving him broken-hearted. Now working for Sinclair Security he becomes her protector with a fake engagement while burying secrets from her and still angry. When the past collides with the future he will do anything to protect the one he has truly never stopped loving.

LOVED this story so much I wanted to jump into it; a true page turner until the end with a full cast of praise-worthy characters. I adored Annalise and Riley together; perfect and so believable; their second chance is wild and sweet too. The family unit is tight, protective and loving. Riley is certainly hot but he is definitely a force in this story and one you would not want to cross. If you love romance with a mystery this is certainly a fabulous book for your library. I was captivated and enjoyed this book so much {I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy.} Without reservations, I highly recommend this read.

[Terri Pietrowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is the newest book of the Winter Family saga, it features the oldest sister and female cousin, Annalise. It started when Annalise was 15 years old, her parents and her aunt and uncle are dead, her older cousin, Aiden is now head of the family and she has a secret admirer. It all started out very innocent, with notes, little gifts and flowers, but soon escalated to harming people and threatening Annalise. For several years she was able to finish high school and attend college for several years, when her secret admirer struck again. Annalise fell in love with Riley, who she met in college, Riley was almost killed by a hit and run driver and even a over dose while in the hospital recovering, someone tried to kill him again, she once again receive flowers and a note stating, he would kill him next time. This time Annalise took matters into you own hands and left Riley in the hospital, with a Dear John letter, to save you lovers life and ran. Now after ten lonely years, Annalise came home and decided to fight for her life and find out who is this secret admirer and bring him to justices. I have read all of the books of the Winter Family and have enjoyed every one of them, but this is one of my favorite. It was well written, and the characters fit perfectly together and with each scene the author writes you can feel the love the family has for each other and the deep love they have for their, wife's , husbands and fiancee. Can't wait for the next book.

[Carmen Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. Annalise Winters has had her share of heartache and tough breaks. After losing her parents tragically at a young age, the eldest daughter in the Winters family suffers another setback in her tragic life after being forced to leave her family, friends, and love of her life-Riley because of a ruthless stalker who is believed to be connected to her parents' and aunt and uncle's deaths. Annalise stays on the run for 10 years until she decides enough is enough and comes home. Her family rallies around her to help her finally stop the stalker who has ruined her life up until now. To her surprise her long lost love whom she left selfishly 10 years ago is part of the plan to stop the stalker. He is now an employee of Sinclair securities and has convinced a reluctant Annalise to be her fake fiancé to drive the stalker out. Annalise reluctantly agrees to the plan and soon her and Riley begin to find each other again! Then secrets and lies crop up that may make their long lost love impossible to get back along with a persistent and dangerous stalker. An entertaining, mystery-romance novel that weaves past characters into the story to make the entire story line in all the Winters book come together! I really enjoyed it!

[Juliette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review. I've been a fan of Ivy Layne's books for some time and this is only the second time I've had an ARC of one of her books, so I was very excited not to have to wait until publication day because the books are so good. I couldn't put this down.

This is the story of Annalise Winters, a talented photographer who has only appeared on the periphery of the other books in this series because she has been moving surreptitiously from place to place, hounded by a stalker since her late teens. Riley was the boyfriend she left in the hospital years before when she fled to keep him safe, now he is working for Sinclair Security to guard her and flush out her stalker by announcing their "fake" engagement.

If you having been following the Billionaire series with the Winters family, you'll know there is an underlying mystery. I've had my thoughts on who might be involved, and I was thrown for a loop because although I had it half right, the other person I had completely dismissed as being anything other than a bystander. Aunt Amelia with her pranks gives some light-hearted relief and it is good to catch up with many of the other family members.

Sadly, this is probably going to be the penultimate book in this series, with Aiden's story next. However there is still the missing "Winters"; baby, now a man in his mid thirties, plus the Sinclair series to come. All of which I'll be devouring as they become available.

Engaging the Billionaire was a very satisfying read with a good ratio of plot to romance and I have no hesitation in recommending it. If you are new to the series you may want to start at the beginning, but this works as a standalone as well.

[Becky Claxon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Annalise Winters has been running for eleven years. She is tired of running from whoever is sending her the scary flowers. She decides to go home now. When she gets back to Winters House her family is happy to see her and have her home. Riley Flynn and Lise were together until who ever was sending her the flowers tried to kill Riley twice and Lise ran to keep him alive eleven years ago. Riley works for Sinclair Security and he is assigned to keep Annalise safe now. They are going to pretend to be engaged so they can flush the flower stalker out in the open to catch him or her.

So many secrets come out once they start investigating and asking questions. Things that should have been cleared up earlier come out and are taken the wrong way. Riley and Lise still love each other even though they try to tell themselves they don’t. It was so good to finally find out who had killed Annalise’s parents as well as Aiden’s parents. There were some sick people that were out there. My heart broke for Annalise and Riley for the misunderstandings and the lies that were never meant to hurt. The book was exciting, sad, heartwarming, and so much love. It was a great book that I strongly encourage you to read. I voluntarily read an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this book.

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engaging the Billionaire by Ivy Layne is a 5 star read.
Annalise Winters was born into one of the riches families in America, but the death of her parents when she was a child and then the death of her aunt and uncle, who took her and her brothers in, 8 years later in an almost identical situation has left her family torn apart, but when she was 16 she started receiving flowers that held an terrifying message that she belonged to the sender. At 20 the love of her life is almost killed and her stalker lets her know he was to blame, this sends Annalise running and for the next 11 years she doesn’t stop because he keeps catching up with her but she’s finally had enough and decides to come home to once and for all end the madness that her life has become.
Riley Flynn has secrets, but when he finds out that the only woman he ever loved and who broke his heart is finally coming home he knows he needs to help her, telling himself that it’s just unfinished business but from the moment he sets eyes on Annalise again his heart goes to war with his head, can he figure it all out and save Annalise before her stalker catches up with her??
I loved this story and finished it in one sitting, I can’t wait for what’s to come next.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Annalise Comes Home

Annalise Winters, the older of the two Winters' girls, met and fell in love with Riley Flynn during her second year of college. When Riley received a serious concussion from an automobile accident, Annalise was by his side when a nurse accidentally overdosed him and he almost died. Then the flowers arrived with their dire warning, and Annalise knew that the person who'd been stalking her since she was 16 was back. In order to protect Riley from the next "accident", that could take his life, she needed to let him go. She also needed to get away, so she ran and kept running each time the stalker let her know he knew where she was.

Ten years later, Annalise returns home. After another stalker flower delivery forces her to decide to stop running, face the problem, and make the stalker reveal himself, it's decided that a fake engagement to none other than Riley Flynn (who is now working for Sinclair Security) should do the trick.

As with all the previous books in this series, I really enjoyed this story. It was especially satisfying because it resolved some of the major open issues from prior stories. But still looking forward to the next story, as it's Aiden's. Off to start it now.

[Jenniekenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED LOVED LOVED IT! Riley is one hot guy! Annalise and Riley met while she was in college and after he was almost killed twice in 1 night she ran. Anyone other than family who gets close to her gets her. The “stalker” sends her messages in the form of flowers. After another delivery she decides to go home and fight this. She wants her life back. She did not realize Riley has been working for Sinclair Security. The plan is they will marry to really piss the stalker off and have him/her make a move. That’s all you’ll get about the story from me but believe me Ivy delivers on everything…mystery, hot chemistry, returning family/characters and a HEA for Riley and Lise!!! This a great standalone but you really really need to read the entire series to enjoy the family. I love Amelia and that cookie incident LOL..Sophie got her good. And Jacob and Abagail in the wine closet…lock the door LOL. I went awwww when Riley paid for the ring himself awww! I received an ARC for an honest review. I’m so glad I found Ivy. I love her books and I love this family. PLEASE let Aiden be next. He really needs his HEA.

[Robin M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engaging the Billionaire by Ivy Layne is intense, exciting and utterly terrific. It is book eight of the Scandals of the Bad Boy Billionaires series. I’ve been waiting for the story of Annalise (Lise). I was not disappointed. The mystery and romance is so intriguing and continues to build within each of the books in this series. This book moved so fluidly through each chapter and situation. Beautifully written with great depth to the characters. Both characters were well developed and you can’t help but fall in love with both of them. This book contains romance, humor, sizzling chemistry and edge of your seat suspense. This book moved so fluidly through each chapter and situation. Beautifully written with great depth to the characters. This is a must read book. This story finally answers many of our questions that have plagued us through the prior books! It did not disappoint. I did not put it down until I read the very last sentence. Thank you Ivy for another exciting story of the Winter’s family. I can’t wait until Aiden’s story is out. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

[Shawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was concerned when I read Gage and Sophie's love story that all of the details of Annalise & Riley's story were revealed. I thought this book could be boring. I should have known better when Ivy Layne is involved. I loved the back story for Riley. I was surprised by many elements of his history and a bit by Annalise. I loved the interplay between the two and it had the right amount of tension to keep me fully engaged. I inhaled this book in a few hours and feel a little bereft now that it is over. For readers of the entire series, the mystery of the parents deaths has been resolved. The mystery does not start to be addressed until midway through the story, but fits together nicely. The series is neatly wrapped up and leaves the reader for a hunger for the security company family men next (Note for Ivy: My fav is Knox. Can he have the next story - please?). Also the next question - where in the world is papa Matthew? The story ending is fully developed. No abrupt endings here! We get to see all of the children married with children and back together in Atlanta living happily. Complete happiness.

[Joan Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would've liked to have known the age difference between Riley and Lise.

Lise led a difficult and lonely life on the run from a stalker. No matter where she moved he would find her and let her know he knew where she was. If she was in a relationship, he would threaten to harm them. In 2 or 3 cases, he caused serious harm to them. So she gave up on relationships. After 11 years, she came to the conclusion she wanted her life back. The Winters family worked with the Sinclair Security Team to force her stalker out in the open. Her previous college boyfriend worked for the security company, was asked to be her fake fiancee for the sting operation. Riley and Lise both were not happy about being together for the operation because of their past relationship. After several weeks, they reconciled their relationship until Lise found out he was her security detail during her freshmen years in college and not a student. She lied to him why she left school and moved out of town. They did catch her stalker and they mended their relationship.
I'm leaving holes in the review so you would read the book.

[Christyg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. I loved this installment in the series. While the books can be read standalone or out of order, reading them in order helps with the characters and continuing storylines. Annalise was absent in the other books in the series. After being stalked for so many years, she finally comes home. I love how each story continues to make the family stronger as a whole and Annalise's homecoming went a long way to cementing the family. After the tragedies of their parents unsolved deaths, I enjoyed each of the children getting their own happy ending. Annalise's story hooked me right away and kept me sucked in until the end. Riley had his own secrets and they made for some interesting plot twists. There was suspense, humor and a lot of emotions in this book. I don't want to put any spoilers in the review, but I really did like this story. I was happy that one of the mysteries was answered.....I'm looking forward to the rest being resolved in the next installment.

[Kari Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Annalise has had to endure having a stalker in her life since she was 15. The situation escalated when she was in high school and Riley, the only man she has ever loved, was threatened so she left town to ensure the safety of him and her family.

Eleven years later her stalker has found her again and she has grown weary of running every time he shows up. Instead she ends up back at home where her cousin Aidan and Sinclair Security have devised a plan to draw the stalker out and capture him.

If Annalise knew what the plan was before she returned home she may have changed her mind as it involves Riley, who now works at Sinclair Security, pretending to be her fiancee. Riley is not about to forgive and forget the betrayal he felt when she left without explaining the real reason and although he will protect her he will not let her into his heart or so he thinks.

The chemistry and connection between Annalise and Riley is stronger than ever and the combination of suspense and twists makes this an enjoyable read. I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.