***This steamy romance has a complete relationship arc. There are side plots that will be further explored in Book 2.*** Imani Emerson is intelligent, driven, and determined...and flat broke. She only has two months to scrounge up the money to pay her tuition and finally graduate. To do so, she turns to the oldest profession in the world (kind of). This sets her on a collision course with the one thing that can derail her future…love. Shawn Jeter is a wealthy executive who fights love as hard as he can because he knows it will only bring him closer to controlling the family business…and screwing over the older brother he loves so much. But when he meets Imani, he's so drawn to her he finds himself doing something he's never had to do with women...pursue. And then there's Bill the hedge fund manager, AKA plan B. Imani always has a plan B. ***This steamy romance has a complete relationship arc. There are side plots that will be further explored in Book 2.***
Well this was definitely a different read. Sugar babies stand up! This whole older man younger woman scenario was whewww just a whole lot of drama and trying to figure it all out. Shae definitely knows how to write a book where the story line is interesting and entertaining.
This was short and fun to read. Sometimes the group chats of 20-30 something are full of day to day adulting woe's. Especially MONEY and figuring it all out. Friends joke all the time about selling feet pic's or just being a damn sugar baby and spending somebody else's money but Imani takes that idea and runs with it. After one too many downfalls she's ready for a Prince Charming and Shawn may just fit that Bill. This book is funny, has complex friend and family issues, good sex scenes, black girls being spoiled, age gap, and college student woes. The thing I enjoyed most about Imani as a main character was no matter what she was always plotting for the next move. Clearly some street smarts she learned through life lessons.
⚠️: This is Book 1-The cliffhangers are cliffing and hanging! I read Book 1 as a buddy read and we immediately downloaded the 2nd book in the series! We need to know everything that happens with Imani & Shawn! We are invested!
📽️🍿: If I had to compare this to a movie I would say this is the Black version of Pretty Woman! I laughed so hard along the way with these characters and at these characters!
📚: What if: you were down on your luck and experiencing hardship after hardship, will life get better if you had more money, well the answer is yes, if you found a website that led you to be a sugar baby, will danger deter you from living this lifestyle even if you want to meet your educational goals, the man you stumble upon is far from a "Splenda", but you want him to be your man as well? Will you jump at the prospect of love? Will your world come crashing down in front of your very eyes? After all you weren't supposed to catch feelings!
📳Platform: KU
📘Genre: Rom-Com, Black Romance with some mention of SA.
Yeah...nah, this particular series is not gonna be for me. I have a real hard time with "sugar babies" (i.e. prostitutes). To each their own, but it doesn't sit right with me personally. (I know this is a work of fiction, but there are really services like this IRL.)
Plus, Imani was just confusing to me. All of the sudden she wanted to "keep a foot in the game", when initially she had a quick one-time goal to have enough money to finish school. Where did the switch happen, especially when "her Knight" Shawn was offering something long-term/permanent/real?
I had originally given this 2 stars, but realized my issues are more on the storyline and not the way it's written. I like Shae Sander's writing style and have read all of her other works besides the rest of this series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This “sugaring”/“sugar babies” game is not for the novice. The same principle applies to both Imani & Shawn! ..because nothing in life is free! Everything has cost someone something along the journey …joy, peace, sleep, integrity, money etc. These two (among many others 🫣🤔) are living a copious emotional façade. “My Billionaire Benefactor (Candy Girls - Book 1)” was an interesting read. It’s too premature to render an opinion …let’s see what the next installment has to offer🍿📚🤓📝
This is a cute story. Imani just wants to finish school and she has to do whatever she can to get through. Shawn has everything Imani wants should she go for it because he wants too. There's a secret going on maybe a couple. This is my first time reading this author's work I like it so far. I'm anxious to see what happens next.
You can’t help but root for Imani who was doing the best she knew how and it still wasn’t enough. Her chemistry with Shawn is electric and yet I understood why she kept Bill around. This story definitely pulled me in and I’m along for the ride!
Great first read! This is my first read from this author and she got me hooked. I already got the next books in the series lined up to binge. There are so many questions that I can’t wait to get the answer to. Can’t wait for book 2.
The story was a mixture of happy and annoying things. The synopsis had me excited about how the story would play out. It rambled a bit and then chugged a while, then it picked up speed and came to an end with a good feeling in tow.
I gave this 4and One Half Stars I didn't give a Five because I did not know it was going to be a cliff hanger. I like this story though. The story is of how Imani finally comes to grip with the idea of that everyone needs help sometimes. She had to also come to the realization that with a little help from her Boss Fran and her roommate Farrah that every man is not out to control you and that when you find that special someone you need to recognize it. Let me give you a little background. Imani is a struggling senior in college at Georgia State University in Atlanta, trying to get her degree to she can go into High end real estate. She was basically a poor girl who became a struggling college student. She is now a Senior and doesn't have the money to pay for her last year in school. She wants to sell homes to rich people. Shawn is a manager in the firm of his Uncle and Dad which is a Real Estate Investment Firm. He is a trust fund child and he has other investments that have made him pretty rich and he is older that her. But he wants Imani. He sets out to get her. Imani is not the type of a woman to just fall because he is rich their has to be more. I can't wait to find out how this information we were given at the end of this book affects her relationship with Shawn. I still want to know what is going to happen to the man Farrah went out with and out got abused on the date. Hope the next book comes out soon. I loved this because it wasn't just romance and it wasn't just intrigue it was a mix of suspense and romance and good old relationship trials and tribulations...... I would recommend this as good and easy reading and I can't wait for the next book in the series. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was fine, but Imani irritated the fuck out of me, fumbling the bag over and over. I know she had her reasons but damn just take that fine man’s money… I’m not sure yet if I will read on in the series but I really like this authors writing and I will certainly pick up other stories from her. I think this trope is just not my favourite.
My Billionaire Benefactor is the first book in the Candy Girls series. I enjoyed this book but I don't like cliffhangers. The characters are well developed and the storyline is well written with suspense, chemistry, and romance.
I read and reviewed a copy of this book with no obligation.