Intimate Mergers

Bastard Capital #4

by Raleigh Davis

A sultry standalone romance about a billionaire prince and the fake engagement that feels all too real...

Grace: When I landed a job at a big-name tech company, it was like winning a golden ticket. At least until I uncovered a massive conspiracy and my golden ticket became a golden cage.

Now I'm jobless and about to be deported. Imagine my surprise when Paul, the handsome Prince Charming of Bastard Capital, comes riding to my rescue. But then his mom, the Ice Queen, sweeps in and we're suddenly pretending to be engaged. And my ex-employer acts like a big, bad troll and Paul saves me again.

Fairy tales aren't real, and I'm not princess, but Paul's got me believing in the impossible...

Paul: I'm a Bastard--the well bred, old money one. So when my mother shows up with an engagement ring and her unlucky choice of bride in tow, I don't tell her to get lost. Instead, I spin a white lie about the wonderful woman I'm already engaged to.

Grace is only too happy to take the deal--she fakes being in love and I set her up like royalty back home. She's the perfect pretend fiancée: gracious, canny, and leaving very soon.

But Grace turns out to be more than just an easy solution, with her sarcastic one liners, love of pro wrestling, and scorching hot kisses. And now I'm determined to make my fake fiancée my very real lover...

Enter the world of Bastard Capital: Unrivaled men. Unimaginable wealth. Unlimited power.

Genres: Contemporary Romance, Romance

235 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 9, 2019

Reviews

[lf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can Fake become Real when it is not a K-drama?

Intimate Mergers by Raleigh Davis is the first book that I have read by this author and of the Bad Boy Capital series so I was not sure what to expect. I was really surprised as to how engaged I was in the story-line and characters as I was reading this book. It reminded me of a cross between a bad boy romance with Crazy Rich Asians...............the family is definitely Crazy Rich Asians.

This is the story of Grace and Paul. These two could not be more opposites if they were white and dark chocolate or hot and cold. She is a studious and hard working mid-20's, Chinese national, computer programmer who is working in the San Francisco tech industry. He is a 32yo, Taiwanese national, who is a partner in Bastard Capital, an investment/venture capital firm. Paul is also the only son of a woman who is the head of a large and rich Taiwanese family (just think straight out of Crazy Rich Asians for your reference point here).

It appears that Grace has gotten herself into a bit of an issue in the previous book of this series and is having her H-1B visa cancelled as she got into some trouble with her previous employer and sponsor. Paul is trying to help her out by having his lawyers try to get around immigration, he has been arranging job interviews for her at large tech companies, and he has put her up in an apartment in a building his family owns.

There is a fake engagement, real family, lots of family gatherings, feelings on both sides that are being denied and a whole lot more. There were parts where i was laughing out loud and others where I was feeling the heat between Grace and Paul. Let's just say that it once they start to fell things the book gets more interesting. I don't want to give away the whole story but there are a number of twists and turns that you don't necessarily see coming at you.

The author has done a good job at writing the characters, inner dialogues, some witty and funny family interactions and some heat inducing scenes. I enjoyed reading this book and only sorry that I have not read the previous 3 books in the series before I read this book. But I will be gong back and grabbing the previous books to fill in the story, as there are a number of characters and stories that overlap from previous books.

I received a free ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. My opinions are all my own.

[Melissa H · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved Paul Grace's story. Its not your typical fake fiancee story. Yes, Grace has immigration issues but the fake engagement isnt for her benefit! What?! Paul is old world money, Grace is a hard working tech gal who got mixed up with the wrong company for her work visa. Thankfully the venture capitalists were able to save our fair heroine in a previous story but shes not free and clear yet, former employer has friends in high places and Graces stay in the US is in jeopardy. Along comes our old money prince to help her out with her legal issues but his responsibilities back home are knocking at his door as well! Grace comes along at just the right time and if she plays along, everyone wins, right? But will she lose her heart? Will Paul? Loved everything here. The sexy times were steamy (hello Chapter 16!!) and the relationship between our characters was natural and fun.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[BookSLoth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great addition to the Bad Boy Capital line up. Grace finally gets her story. Though she was saved from evil mega-corporation in an earlier book, she is still having immigration problem. On the verge of being deported, Mr. Stoic Bad Boy Himself, Paul, steps in to lend a hand. He is having problems of his own. His mother had been trying to marry him off but he has been able to dodge her, that is until she manages to bring the girl, the ring, and the papers to him. Eek! What does a Fortune 500 man when a crisis presents itself? He comes up with a solution in the form of a lie, involving the sweet Grace as is fake finance. What starts out as fake soon turns into something more as they realize they have a lot in common. Sparks fly and panties are shed *wink wink* It's a wonderful story for Grace and Paul.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[MIPat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grace has been trying to get her immigration troubles resolved with Paul's help after she was unfairly fired from her tech job. Now that she is past the worst of her problems, Paul is in need of Grace's help when his mother shows up with an engagement ring and a totally unsuitable prospective bride - so Grace becomes Paul's fiancee and the story really takes off! No spoilers here, but the characters are well developed, the plot is mostly believable and I enjoyed reading the book. This is the first book I've read by this author, and even though this book is part of a series, I don't feel that I missed anything by not reading the earlier books in the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lisa H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fake to real.

Paul is the fixer of the group.
He knows everyone and makes things happen. He’s been asked, as a favor, to help Grace Li. She found out some heavy duty intel on Corvus and they want her deported.

Grace is smart, strong, graceful and witty.
Paul announces to his bad A mother Lillian Tsai that Grace is his fiancée. Lillian was ready to marry Paul off to a woman of her choosing. Lillian (think Michelle Yeoh in Crazy Rich Asians) incredibly strong willed.
Can Grace charm Paul and Lillian and pull off being fake engaged?

So awesome.
Recommend.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[MaLoBe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well written modern day damsel in distress story

I really enjoyed reading this full of action and suspense romance story. Grace and Paul are great together with undeniable chemistry between them and connection that goes deeper than simple lustful feelings. The fake fiancée trope is also treated a little bit differently than in many other books. I very much enjoyed their story and was happy that there was not too much angst and the book was sweet, romantic and clean. There was curveball thrown the main characters' way and twists in the story-line that made this read very interesting. Can't wait to read the next instalment.

[Rudy Red · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book. This was a fake engagement turn true. The twists that the author took, and the hero/heroine(s) vs. villans conflicts were great. Character development gave them depth and personality, as did the interpersonal banter and internal dialog.
I found this book to be chighly engaging from the moment I started through to the conclusion. It was fast paced enough to keep my attention, but not such that the events went in a blur. Look forward to reading more of the series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't warm to the characters in this as much as the previous books. Paul seemed very aloof & guarded. Grace however was a little warmer but for me the chemistry wasn't there. Perhaps this is true for the Asian culture & the family thing they have going.
Again there are issues with Corvus & Arnie trying to disrupt things.its starting t build in that regard.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. 3.5*

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s lovely story.Fake engagement or maybe not.
He needs his mother stop meddling,and bringing potential wife . She is in danger of deportation after exposing ex-boss dirty work.
This is Grace story,but could be read as standalone.Love the quick banter between them. They falling fast and denied even faster.
Very enjoyable read

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This fairy-tale has two very compatible characters in it who in the beginning need each other in different ways. A fake relationship seems to fix everything for both of them, unfortunately these things never seem to go easy and to plan! This is a nicely written fun exciting story that has some steam to it as well.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

She has just got the golden ticket and landed the job she wanted. It soon ends up being a cage as she finds out a fraud in the company. Then she is sacked and she has no job or money. He is a bad boy who is about to save her. His mother has brought a girl to be his fiancee. He asks her to pretend to be his. What will happen? See who wins out

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ashleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this to be a superb storyline that grabs you right from the start keeping you engrossed and on edge throughout the whole book!

Great characters that will keep your interest extremely well.
The chemistry, sweetness, and twists in plot kept things interesting.
Add in drama and steamy passion and you have a good read.

I received a free copy of this book. This review was posted voluntarily.

[Shifty Bugger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the book it was great the story was well written and the characters were well executed throughout. Paul is from old money Grace has hit rock bottom with debt, Paul asks Grace to stand in as a fake fiancee and he will pay her a lot of money.

Thank you for allowing me to review this book it was great.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Elvira · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an easy book to get into with characters that are well developed and engaging and had what started off as fake relationships but turned into real chemistry between the couple. Storyline flowed smoothly.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Theresa Doherty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved the Bastard League stories, and I think Paul and Grace were made for each other, the testerone filled back drop of these guys and a complete turnabout when Paul becomes involved with Grace, couldn't stop reading.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Vinessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a pretend to be in love story for a down on her luck lady who is in need of saving so many times.
Parental interference and pretend becomes all to real from the first kiss. Drama, suspense and mystery claim this couple.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is a good romantic suspense read. The story has a good story line. The characters are good, ans they have good chemistry. The story is an enjoyable read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Melissa B · Rating 4 out of 5]

When pretend is not just pretend anymore will they fight for their feelings or end their deal with just a goodbye?
Entertaining and a good read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed Grace and Paul's story! It's a fake to much more story but does not go along with a lot of the stories have read with this theme. It' a fun, steamy story that starts with a lie and ends up much more. The story is well written with some wonderful characters.

[Willie-mai · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a well written book with strong characters. The storyline was a good and developed. This was my first time reading this author's work but it won't be my last.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Coco.V]

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