Keeping Her Curves

by Christa Wick

Previously published as Owning Her Curves (c) 2017 with edits throughout.

A Billionaire romance

“Plus-size model Juno Bell breaks into billionaire’s mansion estate.” I can already see the social media headlines now…

Of course, with my luck, it isn’t the evil paparazzi who catch me in the act. It’s billionaire Ian Dekker himself. And weirdly enough, he’s amused by the whole thing (this time—let’s not get into the last three times…the man really needs better security). He even takes a photo of me on his phone in all my breaking-and-entering glory as a souvenir.

This whole thing is going to kill my career, I just know it. But I don’t care. Saving my dad’s big cat rescue from being demolished by Dekker and his big property development plans is the goal. My parents already endured enough at the hands of another rich guy without a conscience. Preventing it from happening again is the only thing that matters.

Only, Ian’s different from the other life-ruining billionaire. Still richer than sin. But different. He’s actually willing to help my family.

And what he wants in exchange…is me.

Note that unlike most of the other 2019 catalog re-publications with extensive revisions, this one does not have a new/different extended ending because the one it had was already a pretty great fit. :)

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Erotica

203 pages, ebook

First published July 21, 2019

About the author

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Christa Wick has been hybrid publishing since 2012 (yep, she's one of the O.G. indie authors). She's written 50+ romances starring curvalicious heroines and alphalicious heroes whose stories span the spectrum of: steamy & sweet, steamy & emotional, steamy & suspenseful, steamy & paranormal, steamy & dark, and...well, you get the idea. Her darker, dirtier books are under C.M. Wick, and she also writes general fiction sci-fi thrillers and suspense novels under other pen names.

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Reviews

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok

There were some parts of this book that I liked and some parts that I didn’t. I liked Juno very much. She was tough and feisty and independent. Ian was a mystery to me through out the entire book. This book was only told in the heroine’s POV so I never really connected to the hero. I also didn’t understand the point of the sex country club island, it really had no importance to the story other than Ian owned it. Did he participate in the clubs activities? His past isn’t really discussed so we never find out if he was a manwhore before meeting Juno. I liked the mystery and suspense of the story and the cat rescue and I liked the interaction between Juno and Ian.

Safety and Spoilers
Safe. No ow/om drama. Lots of family drama on both sides. h is very distrustful of rich people after the events of her mother’s death so she is pretty distrustful of H a lot of the book, even when she is falling for him. Both are non virgins but their sexual pasts aren’t discussed. H’s nephew suffers abuse from his mother but there are no details. One of the sanctuary tigers dies of cancer which made me cry because tigers are my favourite animal and I regularly donate to WWF’s tiger program. They are such majestic animals!

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had a hard time getting through this book. I’ve read several other books by this author and usually relish reading them.
This story is light on romance and heavy on mystery/suspense and family drama. Didn’t understand, and therefore unsympathetic toward, Ian. He ran hot and cold but at times his response was odd and peculiar. It’s a wonder that Juno didn’t get whiplash from his behaviors. Loved the theme of the animal rescue aspect as well as the nephew. The adult only XXX resort was bizarre in that it didn’t appear to me to fit in. It didn’t explain who he was as a person, though I suspect that’s what the intent was. I enjoyed Juno’s character as being strong and resilient but couldn’t see her attraction to Ian.
I received an advanced reader copy from Booksprout in exchange for my volunteer review.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book of Ian and Juno. The storyline was a bit complex, with a few extra twists and turns thrown in that made it a little hard to follow at the end. Overall it was an enjoyable read.

[Hopeless Romantic Chick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny and enjoyable to read

Had fun reading this story. The characters are adorable most especially Juno. Shes not so perfect and that for me is very realistic. Ian on the otherhand is typical billionaire, full of himself yet caring and so passionate. Love the way he sort of trap his lady love who happens to be his crush. I like the concern and action taken for rescue animal shelters, readers get insights on their struggle and hope to have more Ian in the future minus his own personal objective of course. Thanks!

[Kim Wijnja · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am not sure what to think about this book. I can not really find himself in his world .. he has too much money and has everything, but I really do not understand. I wanted to stop, but her story fascinated me again .. and that made him read it to the end .. this hero really didnt bother me at all .. mine therefore 3 stars. I think if the story were to be described from two points of view it would all be a little easier to understand, at least from his side.

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

[Never Stop Reading or Dreaming · Rating 4 out of 5]

Owning her curves

I was super excited about this as I read it. It had been a while since I truly loved one of wick's books like I did this one.... it was 5 stars all the way till the end where it just didn't do it for me... Ian was so strong and dominant in the beginning then.... I don't know what happened. But all in all, it was one of her better books as of late.

[Andra Shaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keeping Her Curves keeps you reading from the turn of the first page. With lots of humorous moments, drama, a little suspense, and hot steamy sex, the storyline is engaging and the characters relatable.

Juno is a plus-sized woman who embraces her curves. She makes no apologies for who she is and stands up to anyone that messes with her family. Note that her family includes several lions, tigers, and maybe a cheetah or two. Her best friend Cara is the BFF we all need to have our backs and keep us honest and true to ourselves. Ian is a bit of an enigma, but what ruggedly handsome billionaire isn't?! Ian is also quite protective of the people he loves, and he has a big heart. His sister is a whole other ball of wax. Along with Juno's Dad, these characters make Keeping Her Curves an exciting and compelling story.

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

[Jill Haworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Juno is a beautiful and successful curvy model. But her full time job is on hold at the moment as she tries to help her father save the families big cat rescue from an intrepid billionaire. After unsuccessful attempts to set up a face to face meeting with Ian Dekker, Juno decides that scaling his properties wall and forcefully meeting him might solve her problems. Ian is fascinated by Juno and agrees to hear her argument if she will go out with him for dinner. As a creative problem solver, Ian sets his sights on how to keep her around for more than just dinner as well as trying to help her to save the cat rescue. Juno cannot deny the electric chemistry between them, but as their relationship begins to blossom, other forces are at work to tear them apart. This was a very enjoyable and interesting read with entertaining characters. Loved it.

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

[Debbie Orazi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story. The main and secondary characters are wonderfully created. The story has all the feels - it is funny, snarky and heartbreaking.

The heroine, Juno Bell, is a plus size model trying to save her father's big cat rescue. Ian Dekker is the geeky property development billionaire forcing her father to move out. She breaks into his estate by climbing over the wall in broad daylight and bumps into Ian. He agrees to speak with her over dinner at his hedonistic island estate. He takes her on a ride in his submersible and things get heated. He manipulates her into spending time with him on his yacht in order to get the changes she wants for the development. They have a rocky road to their HEA in part from their own baggage and also because of his psychotic sister. Highly recommend.

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

[Magali · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very torrid negotiations
4.5
It's a very good romance, very well written, with some torrid scenes and a fairly strong tension between the characters, while also having a touch of humor.. The story sounds simple, but it is more complex than it seems.
I liked the character of Juno from the first chapter, when she broke into Ian property, a billionaire, to convince him to not buy his father's animal shelter (with tigers, lions) because Ian will expropriate them to use their land. He agrees to talk about it if she comes to an appointment. What is happening is nothing like what she expected. Slowly but surely, Ian weaves a canvas so that she stays close to him, but Juno is not so easy to convince.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book

[Claudia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ian Dekker is a land developer, and his next project is set to start its building phase, when a woman starts breaking-in onto his private property. After having her escorted out a few times, he finally decides to talk to the lady in question. Juno is trying to save her father's big cat rescue, which sits on the property. Ian is not interested in the cats, but he is interested in Juno, and bargains with her.
A strange, not entirely believable love-story, but entertaining to read, as the two main characters make life for themselves very complicated.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lately25 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Juno!!! Juno has got to be one of my favorite heroines so far in the Christa Wick books. The opening alone of this book with Juno climbing the wall was hilarious, and it the story stays on point from there. Ian is a great hero, but Juno is the winner in this book for me b/c I love her strength and how she doesn't back down from her fight. I loved their short love story and how things ended up regarding Ian's sister to be honest, normally author's want to wrap things up all lovey-dovey and everybody hugs, but I'm glad there was a little bit of ugly in their story. I'd definitely recommend this read to others.

[Vivian Chrisman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keeping Her Curves

Juno has a good reason to have issues with the rich. Ian is a rich, "jackhole" trying to take the land her father's big cat rescue sits on. As these two go head-to-head, tempers aren't the only things that get heated. What will happen when Juno's past, present and future collide? I refuse to give away spoilers. I will say that Cybill was a total bit** that I don't think the devil would trust.....

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

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christa Wick hit it out of the ballpark with this book! It had drama, suspense, romance, betrayal and enough twists and turns to keep you guessing. Once you begin reading, you won't be able to put it down. In order to save her family's big cat rescue, she breaks onto Ian Dekker's property. She is determined to save the nonprofit her parents started. Just how far will she go? And what are Ian's true intentions? Highly recommend.

[PW · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twists and Turns

LOVED IT!!!! Juno is a curvy goddess who is strong, confident, passionate, and sensitive. Ian is a billionaire developed with heart and a kinky side. He has a heart of gold. This story has some unexpected twists and turns. There is a secret connection that is exposed that hurt Juno to the core. Ian is trying to protect his nephew from his own mother. Everything works out but with some hair raising events. This action packed story is a must read.

[Emmah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm bummed that I didn't enjoy this one as I did with The Billionaire Master by her other pen name.

But that insta-love 🤢 Not to mention the errors... Like she wrote, multiple times, that the happy brain chemical is oxytocin. LOL no. There were some other incorrectly used words in it too, but that one bugged me the most.

Also TIGERS CANNOT PURR!! If you're going to have a big cat rescue in your book, do 👏🏻 your 👏🏻 research 👏🏻

[Rowena · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable read.

An enjoyable romance read that had heat level and great chemistry. I was intrigue with the storyline and the background setting was fascinating, different and entertaining. I loved that Juno’s character wasn’t your typical woman, she was likable and relatable. Overall a good read that doesn’t disappoint.

[Patti · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. This story is outstanding! A drop dead gorgeous guy who’s geeky cute at the same time? Yes, please! The steamy parts were good, gosh, they were so good. There were a couple of chapters that were tough to read. Still, the book was excellent! One of my favorite lines: Where the heart leads, the body follows.

[Romance Book Lover · Rating 2 out of 5]

SPOILERS:

There were too many aspects of this book that didn't make sense. Almost like she was trying to fit in multiple stories into one like a 'catch-all' for her unassigned ideas.

I love all the ideas, individually. I think that the cat rescue situation and the twist of him being the owner/editor in chief of the magazine she modeled for would have made a great story alone.

[ChattyChik21 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was bonkers

I like how fullly fleshed her character was, i wish that he was more fleshed out he was i just still felt i didnt know him. Some things were added superfluously which was annoying but overall i liked it

[Blair · Rating 2 out of 5]

While the setting and plot were interesting and unique the characters left something to be desired. I could never get past the fact that I felt disconnected from the female lead and flat out disliked the male lead.

[Kelly foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. Finished in just over a day. Would read it again. X

[Libby Burns · Rating 5 out of 5]

great read

Sweet romance with some nice twists. Wonderful HEA. Great characters with solid plot and nice literary touches to appreciate throughout.

[Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Read.

I’m really enjoying this authors works. This book was really good, I wish the secondary characters had been more developed, but all in all it was an epic read.

[Simone · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Gladys · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought that this was an OK read. There were some things that I really liked but others that really bothered me. On the plus side: A curvy girl heroine, A hot nerdy hero, some really unique settings and some pretty steamy scenes. Now, the negatives: Above mentioned nerdy hero was no smooth talker and he often came across as crude, distasteful and even creepy, the second time these two meet for what I consider a business meeting reeked of sexual harassment to me and it honestly made me cringe and feel very uncomfortable, I was both angry and disbelieving that a man as powerful and rich as Ian was did not and could not get his nephew away from this woman that was completely out of control and so obviously mentally unstable and last but not least was Juno's family tragedy that in my opinion was never successfully wrapped up. I'd be lying if I said that these were the only issues I had with this book, these are just the big ones. There are also many plot holes and petty annoyances. I am not saying it was a terrible read but I feel was nowhere near the extremely pleasurable, charm filled, steamy, fun and emotional reads that I expect from this very talented author. This is my candid review that I am posting freely.

[Di · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Juno breaks into Ian’s property to get his attention, she gets more than what she wants and soon she is being whisked away by the man. She wants him to understand that taking over the land where they rescue and house big cats will not be taking sitting down and she’s there to fight for her father, the land and the cats. What she doesn’t expect is to be charmed and fall for the man. But there are forces that don’t want them to be together and will do anything to destroy her and Ian...will they last.
A good read with steam but I was missing Ian’s POV as he is still a mystery....was he with those other women....did he join in on the island’s “festivities”....where is his other sister....where is his mother....was he with anyone once he had first seeked out Juno with the magazine....what was he thinking and feeling when she was hurt...what did he say to her dad after the tiger incident...did the man who was involved with her mom’s accident ever face justice, especially with all the evidence....lots of questions but no answers. I did like Juno, she was strong and stood up for herself and would do anything for the ones she loves. She wasn’t catty and didn’t lack confidence when she faced others who “judged” her....loved her. I also like the ending and the way everything ended for them both.
*I voluntarily read an advanced copy and expressed my honest opinion*

[L H · Rating 2 out of 5]

So many things going on and for me that just took away from the main plot...which should’ve been the romance ...I think...

Like:
- her being a plus size girl...was nothing except to say she was blond or brunette...
- her being a plus size model...which we’re only told that she is, but never actually see during the book cus she didn’t do any modeling jobs...in fact, her agent dumps her around the end cus she wouldn’t take any jobs...
- her mom’s doesn’t really gets resolved and the person at fault never even gets punished
- the sick tiger...what was the purpose of that? Just to make you sad? Didn’t add anything to the story plot....just like the trip to Japan!!!
- his secretive club for the ultra wealthy...really didn’t match his character! He’s a real estate billionaire who is secretly a tech geek...who also seem to have this secret artificial island for the the rich to explore sexual fantasies? You never really get what was the purpose of the island or the trip and why was it put in the plot for such a very brief mention!
- and the sister?! It’s strange how he hates her but she seems to be a constant person in his life who has easy access with no fear for consequences at all!

Whatever! I had so many more points on this book and I will keep on rambling if I don’t stop now!

[Janet Adams · Rating 3 out of 5]

Keeping her curves title: not my usual enthusiasm I have read many of Christa's books and I have loved all of them. Well this one I wasn't all in as I usually am with Christa's books. I wasn't really fond of the obnoxiously cocky jackass hero and the heroine was a weak to me. I may be in the minority but in my opinion Juno was a rent a hoe. According to Ian he would give her father money for the rescue sanctuary if Juno slept in his bed when he wanted. I don't care how you fix it up or justify it it still sounds like a rent a hoe. The mire I think back on the book the more I solidify the fact that I don’t like neither the hero or heroine. Throughout the whole book he was an overbearing ass and she had no spine when it came to him. Ian did show some redeemable qualities at the end by that tuneup was to late. I had out up with his nonsense too much already. I don't understand the purpose of introducing the freaky sex island. It added no purpose to the story except at the end when Ian closed it. My heart broke for Roland the tiger. It was so sad because tigers are my favorite animals. This was an aberration for me the next Christa Wick book I read will be awesome. I’m sure. Until next time y’all happy reading.

[annette k · Rating 4 out of 5]

Roar

Juno has a career as a plus size model. Ian Dekker is a billionaire with an agenda. Juno is his agenda. Can Ian bring his fantasy girl to a reality or will life get in the way? Secrets always come out.