Running Hot

contemporary-romance romantic-suspense

Synopsis:
Marcella Peterson is out to meet Walker Clifton, the United States Attorney for the Northern District of California and probable future governor. She needs a favour for one of her clients. But Walker reminds her of the one too many favours that she has already availed off of him and that he will soon ask for payback.

Walker has the perfect plan for Marcella. But he can't help the attraction that he feels towards her. And neither is he aware of Marcella loving him all these years. To run for governor, he needs a wife and Marcella is exactly what he's looking for.

Review:
Narrated in the first person from dual perspectives, this is kind of a second chance story where their first chance was not that great seeing that they were really young then.

Marcella is thirty-two now and being a successful lawyer doesn't mean she still isn't the apple of her brother's eyes. She works hard and now that she's been fired from the partnership firm where she worked on the basis of trumped-up charges, she approaches Walker for help.

For being a governor, Walker has to be a family man. Complete with wife and child, and that is where Marcella comes in. Walker's father has done a number on him and it is quite long before he realises the true meaning of love. But it's well worth the ride. And when Marcella is wrongfully dismissed from the law firm she's worked her ass off for, it's time for revenge!

I have mentioned before that I love business romances and no one does it better than Ainsley St Claire. There are discussions, negotiations, contracts, even weird relationship contracts, and of course, a poker tournament. But, this time it's in Canada. And of course, there is always danger lurking around the corner.

I totally loved the BDSM angle that was there in this book. It is quite erotic in parts, more so than the previous books in the series. But it adds to the powerhouse that this story already is. Moreover, that angle was incorporated into the storyline worked wonders.

A city should have quality housing that’s affordable to its workers, not just the high-end.

Something that our government needs to understand, I think all governments do. Anyways, St Claire's books have so many themes and ideas, that are not only close to reality but are executed very well. The last book in the series, Showdown (Nate & Lilly), will be releasing in February 2021. And I'm already feeling sad that this series will be coming to an end then. What a wonderful journey this was and I can't wait to read the author's other books!

An unfortunate incident towards the end displayed the Peterson family's bond. The best out of them was Walker's beloved Nona, Marcella's mother.

A special mention for the powerhouse heroines that Ainsley St Claire writes. They're smart, successful, and can hold their own!

Thank you to Booksprout for an e-ARC of the book.

My review of the books in the Tech Billionaires Series is as follows:
House of Cards | Royally Flushed | Sleight of Hand | Running Hot

BP34

6,280 reviews46 followers

August 30, 2020

This is the fourth book in the Tech Billionaires Series and is Marci and Walker's story. It can be read as a standalone but you'll recognize some of the characters if you've read the other books. They're polar opposites in how they were brought up. Marci had loving parents who were separated when her father was killed. Her mother worked hard as a domestic for the wealthy Clinton family but never remarried. There was never another man who could replace her soul mate. Walker on the other hand was raised wealthy but he had a father with a wandering eye who crushed his mother's soul. He did not believe that true love was possible. Marci was his childhood friend and the only woman he could trust so it was natural for him to turn to her for a favor. To achieve his political ambitions he needed a fake fiance or wife that he could trust. The chemistry is definitely there between the two just like it was when they're young. A beautiful love story that I don't want to say too much and be a spoiler. The author did a wonderful job with the plot and the characters. A great read that will span many emotions. I read a free book via Booksprout and voluntarily chose to review it.

Erin Swann

Author 39 books162 followers

December 18, 2021

You can break away from your history.

Our hero Walker, a man with big political ambitions is given the opportunity of a lifetime, to be appointed the successor to the governor of California. The offer comes with condition. The outgoing governor won’t appoint anyone who isn’t a family man. Walker must get married, and quickly.
The only woman he trusts is the girl he grew up with, Marcella, but she wants more than temporary.
You will enjoy the twists and turns in this one as they navigate their competing visions of the arrangement, and the attacks from foes who don’t want Walker and Marcella to occupy the governor’s mansion.

Nagma (Take A Look At My Bookshelf)

1,708 reviews100 followers

January 5, 2021

Running Hot is the fourth book in the Tech Billionaire Series.

Marcella and Walker have history. Marcella was the only woman Walker has trusted and Walker was the man who stole and then broke Marcella's heart. Circumstances call for them to pretend to be together in order to protect their reputations.

The characters have intense chemistry and the storyline is emotional and exciting. This book was a page-turner.

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

A Hybrid Reads

66 reviews8 followers

October 5, 2020

This book was my most anticipated read from this series, because Walker and Marcella are perfect for each other.
We have met Walker and Marci through the Venture Capitalist series and the Tech Billionaires, so those two are not new to us, and I just love the way they are connected not only by work, as we discovered at the beginning of the book.
The book has tropes I love so much such as arrange marriage ( well not exactly but something like that), the enemies to lovers, the whole discovering who they are together, the whole political plot, just had me since the beginning.
I’m telling you, this one is my second favorite from this series, Jackson and Corrine are my #1.
Walker is involved in politics since he can remember, now the next step in his life is becoming Governor, he has everything he needs to do it… except a wife, which his party is asking him to find, they give him options but he wants nothing to do with them… but them Marcella shows up, and his mind is made. She is it. She is perfect. And they have history, the only thing he is not considering is that she hates him, because he broke her heart when they were young.
Marcella is a very important and well known attorney, but recently she’s being fired with no justification, so she is looking to get justice for her work, and here comes one of my favorites secondary characters to save the day, Fiona, the Fixer, and those two together become friends very fast. Marci is used to ask Walker for favors to help her clients, but this last time, he ask something in return, she is not on board with it, but both of them need help.
One of my favorite parts on these books are the poker tournaments, in which we get to see characters from the Venture Capitalist series and Tech Billionaire come together, and this time is Walker’s time to host the weekend of play. Very interesting things happens that weekend and we get to see who and where the next meeting will take place.
One thing I love about the book is the way Walker without realizing it, changes his mind about love, he is very cynical about it, and has no problem expressing it, Marcella on the other hand, is trying to make amends with the fact that the man she fell in love again, is never going to love her, I just love the way things work out at the end.
There’s political drama, schemes, and a lot more, if you’re into this, I strongly recommend to read this book. It can be read as a stand alone.

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

C. Gray

1,560 reviews16 followers

The title of this book fits in so many ways it’s unbelievable. This is the fourth book in the Tech Billionaire series and one I’ve been waiting for since meeting these two in the Billionaire Venture Capitalist series.

Marcella is a fierce, sexy, bulldog lawyer that takes no crap from anyone, including her childhood best friend and the man whole stole her heart. When things take a crazy turn in her life the last thing she wants to do is let her guard down to be hurt again. 🖤🖤

Nancy

866 reviews9 followers

August 29, 2020

An Evolving and Maturing Love Goes Public

The greatest compliment to some, and the greatest insult to others is to say, “You are just like your mom or dad.” To tell Marcella (Marci) Peterson that she is like her mom would be a received as a compliment, a point of pride—her mother is a strong, loving woman who after the line-of-duty death of her police officer husband, supported her family of four by her own physical labor, working as a domestic for the Clifton’s, one of San Francisco’s wealthiest and most influential families. A clever woman, she had written into her contract, in addition to financial remuneration and housing for her family, the inclusion of seasonal clothing and shoes for her children. And, she never remarried, telling her children that she had never found a man whom she could love as much as she had loved their father, her soulmate.

However, to tell Walker Thomas Clifton, III, that he is like his father would be the greatest insult he could receive and the expression of his greatest fear. Walker has lived his life saying, “What would my father do?” not to emulate his father, but rather to be and do the opposite of the man he has grown to hate—to hate for how his father’s disrespectful philandering had crushed his mother’s heart and her spirit. And so, as an independent, successful adult—the US Attorney for Northern California—he lives a life where he has always enjoyed women, but never loved one and never allowed a relationship to develop. He could not trust himself not to become a replica of the man who had cruelly broken Walker’s mother. His parents’ relationship had blown up his vision of trust and love between a man and a woman.

So, Walker believes in attraction with the illusion of romance as the foundation for sex, and as last a resort, marriage, but he does not believe in love. His parents’ relationship had shown him that “love” was not a real emotion. So, when Walker’s childhood best friend, Marci Peterson, a successful lawyer, is fired by her firm when she challenges the male dominated firm’s withholding on her portion of the quarterly payment and bonus that should align with her success in drawing clients to her and to her firm—clear evidence of her skills and her success at the negotiation table and in court room—he is there to support her and to use his influence to support her claims against her former firm.

But, Walker is in need of Marcella’s support as he stands on the precipice of achieving his personal, political, professional goals—he wants to be the governor of California on a march towards the presidency of the United States. But, to make himself acceptable to the electorate, he is missing one significant element of the story—the image he needs to sell. He needs to be a family man or at least on the pathway to growing a family. So, he needs to find a woman—a girlfriend—a fiancé—a wife—but not just any woman. He needs someone whom he can trust. And the woman doesn’t need to love him, or for him to love her. Rather, he needs this trustworthy woman to fill a role for a period of time, and to establish the myth he wishes to create. He needs this fine, trustworthy woman to play the part and keep the secret of their true relationship. And once the myth has been created, the woman needs to bow out of his life with a believable, but friendly departure. And who better to trust than Marcella, his childhood companion, a strong capable woman who has her own professional goals and dreams that she could follow, and which might, after an appropriate period of marital bliss, provide a story of divergent pathways leading to an inevitable, but amicable parting of ways.

Once more, author Ainsley St. Claire provides her readers with all their desires—a cleverly crafted plot with unexpected twists and turns, telling the stories of intelligent, compelling women engaged in realistic relationships with handsome, hot, passionate men who are respectful and supportive of the women in their orbit. What makes a St Claire novel such an engaging, powerful and emotional reading experience is her masterful plot construction, connecting the lives of interesting, realistic characters in contemporary events of social and cultural concern. Love is always the ultimate result, but as a reader, the experience is most enjoyable as St Claire lures the reader both intellectually and emotionally to consider the actions and choices individuals make, not just for themselves, but to help others. The novels always focus on really good people trying to make a difference in our world.

This novel is the fourth installment in the Tech Billionaires series, but each novel is able to be read as a standalone experience. Tech Billionaires is smart, energetic, and exciting series. And, in this novel as in the novels of her other series, the reader can get a taste of the next volume in the final pages of the romance. So, at the beginning, in the middle or at the end, don't be afraid to jump into a St. Claire series, the author always has you covered. Having had such a delectable taste, of this new series, I really want to taste more!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review and but enjoyed reading it so much that I purchased a copy through Kindle.

Gina

70 reviews

August 31, 2020

Ainsley St Claire has done it again! I am really enjoying this series, we get to keep updated with characters we have met previously in other books. In Running Hot, Walker Clifton is the US Attorney for Northern California with political aspirations of being president one day. Marcella (Marci) Peterson is an attorney with a prestigious law firm in San Francisco. Walker and Marci have know each other since childhood. Walker the son of a San Francisco County Supervisor with money while Marci is the housekeeper's daughter. Of course, as teenagers Walker breaks Marci's heart when he takes her virginity and walks away.

Present day. Marcella has been asking Walker for favors for her clients. Walker reminds Marcella that one day he will ask for a favor in return. Well the time has come. The current Governor of California is about to be appointed to the new administration's cabinet. He would like Walker to replace him as governor. But, there is one problem, Walker is single and the people of California want a family man. The Governor has that problem solved for him, a folder of women who would be the perfect political wife. Walker has other plans, Marcella Peterson is the perfect candidate to be his wife all he needs to do is convince Marci.

Unfortunately Marci has been fired from her firm for standing up for herself. She is accused of over charging clients and other unethical practices. She decides she is going to fight the allegations and hires a cut throat female attorney to help her take down the "Good Old Boys Club" at the firm. Walker tells Marcella it doesn't matter to him and he will help her in her fight. Walker asks Marci to join him for the quarterly high stakes poker game he is hosting has his date. She agrees to go and discovers her feelings for Walker haven't changed. She is still in love with him but he claims he doesn't believe in love, its just a fairytale.

This book is filled with politics, hot sex and intrigue. It is a definite page turner. Great character, some old friends and some new ones. I can't wait for the next book!

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

Sugan

128 reviews2 followers

I don't know how Ainsley St. Claire does it?! Each book is better than the next! .... or maybe just as good but I just can't wait to read them and am so impressed with the stories!!! If you have read any of the other Tech Billionaire books, you probably remember the names Marcella and Walker. Marcella Peterson is an attorney who has helped the other tech billionaires and Walker Clifton is the US Attorney for northern California. This is their story. (The description above does not need to be repeated so I will simply give my views.)
I love the way St. Claire weaves the characters lives together. They sometimes overlap in such creative ways it's like they all have 6 degrees of separation. This was especially trued for Walker and Marci. There were many times that I really did not like Walker at all - I saw him as arrogant and self-entitled; then, I learned about the relationship he had with Marci and what ensued and I found myself pulling for him!
Of all of the Tech Billionaire and Billionaire Venture Capitalist books, I have to say that I liked Clear Security's role in this one the best. They really lived up to their name and reputation in this book. And the addition of Fiona, another lawyer hired by Marci, was a terrific new character. (I hope she gets her own book!)
St. Claire gives us a look into the crooked world of politics and how some people will do anything to get what they want. Politics places an important role in this story but it does not overpower the love story between Marci and Walker nor does it take away from some of the best parts of the series - like the annual poker game. Those are always such a clever way to introduce the next book in the series and some new characters as well.
If you are a fan of the Tech Billionaire series or of Ainsley St. Claire, I would highly recommend the book.

1,263 reviews11 followers

Set around the lifestyles of the rich and powerful as uber intelligent attorney Marcella got her second chance with gubernatorial candidate Walker, her childhood love.
Can’t say I liked Walker much in the beginning after finding out how he dumped Marci after being her first at age fifteen. Adding insult to injury, he knew she loved him and was brutally honest in wanting to be with other girls and did so in front of her.
I liked Marci and her strong savvy take charge personality. When she was wrongfully and humiliatingly terminated at her law office, she never played the victim and her character was exhibited through her actions and the overwhelming support from her coworkers.
Walker was still a rationalizing womanizer and I kind of hated his matter of fact comments on his prowess with women and how he made it a habit to satisfy all his women at least twice before doing the nasty. While the author thankfully spared the reader from any graphic encounters with OW, his proclivities were alluded to often.
Kudos to the author in depicting a woefully corrupt political system that was probably closer to fact than fiction.
Super intense scenes between the main couple as Walker manipulated Marci in a fake relationship to further his political plans.
I truly appreciated the way the author had Walker become a man worthy of Marci as he evolved and grew because of her love. I also enjoyed the way they were surrounded by smart, competent friends and family that were helpful and loyal.
A storyline full of emotion, intrigue, betrayal, and justice.
Well written and worth the time to read!

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

Cheryl

1,909 reviews18 followers

More of my review to come, but at 37%, I was loving it until a huge continuity issue just exploded. I’ll finish the book and hopefully be glad I did, but it’s definitely thrown my engagement in the story.

Okay, so a few disclaimers before focusing on my review. I read the prequel title, Tech Billionaire, but none of the other books in the series. I would highly recommend you read the first 3 books in the series, (not counting the prequel) because there is an event that transcends at least one other book, so it’s definitely spoiler-ish. Also, because I had read the prequel, there was a big continuity mistake that really threw me out of the story for a bit. As a result, I deducted a point from my review.

I very much liked Marci but struggled with Walker through most of the book. He alternately acted like a teenage boy who was solely focused on his libido and a little boy who cried that he couldn’t love anyone. Honestly, if it wasn’t obvious that he did indeed love Marci (or Marcella, as he called her), I would have permanently written him off.
Marci was a strong, smart, take-no-crap woman, but Walker was definitely her Achilles heel. Being in love with her first since the age of fifteen affected their personal relationship to her detriment at times.
The twists and turns of their professional challenges was the real draw for me. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, Ms.St. Claire threw me a curve that blew my mind. I was also happy to see some familiar faces from the prequel and meet some that I was unfamiliar with. I’ll definitely be reading the next book, as I can’t let the overarching mystery be solved without me!
So while the stars seem low, I do recommend this book. Just read the previous ones first.

Judith

972 reviews11 followers

September 4, 2020

Very absorbing, entertaining novel. I loved this book, in fact, it made my favourite list. The story centres around Marcella, a high -powered, high-profile lawyer and Walker, a billionaire States Attorney with political ambitions. They grew up together and get their second chance in this book with a great twist. The book is an amalgamation of a steamy romance with all the intrigue and underhanded, criminal manipulation of the lives of the protagonists by politicians. Walker is incredibly rich and their lives and habits are laced with privilege that most people wouldn’t even dream about, yet the author had managed to weave his riches into the story in a natural, not-in-your-face kind of way. There are several secondary characters in the book, but their existence and roles are well described, and all the characters have been well developed. The language and editing were almost faultless, and the storyline evolved brilliantly, shedding light on the dark side of politics. The relationships of the characters with each other showed their friendship and loyalty very well, at the same time emphasising the possibilities that are available to those with money. The story had an incredible momentum that kept the book rivetingly interesting. All the characters were likeable, and the story had ample tension points throughout. There is an HEA and a twist to this story which I think most readers will like. I strongly recommend this book to all those who like an alpha hero who isn’t afraid to realise he was wrong to deny his feelings.

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

finished-reading

Lauren

799 reviews3 followers

4.5*+ ARC Review – Looking for the Perfect Political Wife
I am an enormous fan of Ainsley St Claire and her writing. I have read all of the books in both this series and the prior one. In the case of this one, the ARC was provided by the author via BookSprout. Being such a fan, I have read all of her books and in order so I appreciate them like that, but I think you could read them as standalone, as the author gives you the pertinent information on the secondary characters and any prior storylines.
If you had read the prior books, you would be somewhat familiar with the main characters in this book, Walker and Marci. In the earlier books, Marci is the hotshot lawyer that has helped many of these characters out of some legal jams. Walker is the US Attorney for the Northern District of California and has his sights on much higher office. When it looks like he might be appointed governor, there is one requirement for the office that he does not have……a wife. After the politicians make suggestions of suitable candidates, Walker decides only one woman could do the job, Marci, who we learn was a childhood friend.
This book has both a great political story with a second chance romance mixed in. There is combustible chemistry between Marci and Walker as they work through their history and family to see if they can legitimately be a couple. There is plenty of action and intrigue that will keep you reading. I could have finished it in a day, but I stopped to prolong my enjoyment of the story and this author’s writing.

P. J.

13 reviews

September 4, 2020

Ainsley, you have done it again. Running Hot is all it's promised to be. Marcella (Marci) Peterson and Walker Clifton, two characters we have previously been treated to in previous books of the Venture Capitalist series finally get their own story. The story begins with Marci getting fired from her law firm as one of the few women partners because she dared to call the managing partner out on not getting her quarterly bonus she is due. She goes to Walker Clifton who is the U.S Attorney General in California for their district on another matter for a favor, and he tries to get her to do one final favor for him, as he tells her he is finally going to collect. He is being persuaded by the governor to replace him as he has been tapped to be a cabinet member of the incoming President's administration, but he has to be married. We learn that these two grew up together and Marci has loved Walker since she was a teen. He says he doesn't know how to love because of how his parents wound up and wants a contract, with time limitations. I don't want to give away any more, but just know that this story takes so many turns, we see many returning characters we love, and the steam of this book kept me up most of the night because as usual, it was so engaging you won't put it down. Ainsley please don't stop. I'm in love with this series.

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

Kaye

7,177 reviews69 followers

🕸️🕸️ONE CHURNING THRILL RIDE🕸️🕸️
Intense! Ainsley unleashes one heart pounding, pulse racing, block busting dynamo, keeping you riveted on a razors edge and frozen to your seat, thrusting this hot little number to life beautifully. A raging tempest of vexing mishaps and suspicious events, observing the intimidating trials and arduous tribulations, stumbling through the deadly twists and shocking turns, wrapping this baby up sleek, shiny and tight. Tangled in a vicious cycle of daring drama, captivating intrigue, intense encounters, escalating danger, spiraling suspense and unnerving situations, negotiating through the cunning manipulations of sinister deeds, vicious iniquity and heinous intent, putting our characters through their paces, blasting this baby to a whole new level. The magnetism, attraction and chemistry collides with such intensity and ardor, drawing you deeper until you feel the electricity running rampant through your veins. The characters, banter, interactions and charged atmosphere along with relatable qualities and individual traits, blend and flow, transforming into genuine charismatic personalities. The scenes are strikingly sharp with abundant details and graphic descriptions creating an elaborate backdrop that feels as though you were transported to ground zero with them. Fantastic job Ainsley, thanks for sharing this amazing bad boy with us.

Terri Zumbrook

2,800 reviews20 followers

September 5, 2020

4.5 stars. This is one of those books you enjoy because the guy is infuriatingly dense about love and thinks his efforts to make sure the woman knows everything is “casual” are noble efforts. I love these books because I look for that moment or event that finally shows he “gets it”.

Walker is a great character because of his views on live, but his political aspirations cause his intimate kinks to be uncovered and positioned for potential blackmail. The political intrigue in the story is really good because we are left wondering who is the target, why, and by whom for most of the book. Anyone could be the “enemy”.

Marcella - smart, vibrant, independent and grounded - but still in love with the same guy she loved when she was 15. Marci can decide to help Walker secure a political appointment and put her own heart at risk, or walk away.

The passion is hot and the intrigue keeps the interest level high. Once again, the billionaires meet for a poker game and we are reminded about Nate’s wife Cecelia disappearing when they met in Vegas, and later being found dead. I was glad to read two books coming up will start solving the mystery of Cecelia’s death. I will be reading them!

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

Ashley Jasper

1,849 reviews24 followers

I am a BIG fan of Ainsley St Claire's Tech Billionaires but there was something about Running Hot that I found harder to get into than the other books in the series.

Don't get me wrong, I really like Marcella. She was smart, fierce and strong but also vulnerable and tender. Especially when it came to Walker. Her teenage love that she never could shake from her heart. And when he came to her to cash in on the mother of all favors, all bets are off.

I won't lie, it took me a long time to warm up to Walker. From the way he went about the deal he wanted to strike with Marcella to his constant badgering for sex, he was like a teenager in a grown mans body. Which seemed odd to me because he was so dang smart and held a very high profile job.

With the pressure on to make a choice and danger lurking, it was a race against time to figure out who was behind all the mayhem surrounding Marcella. And as the pieces began to fall into place, it opened Walkers eyes to what was truly important and had been in front of him the whole time. Marcella.

Though catching up with the rest of the savvy and powerful group of friends is always a treat, seeing the change in Walker was probably my favorite thing about Running Hot. And that ending was a great setup for the next book in the series.

Sharon Moritz-rosenthal

2,271 reviews29 followers

This is my absolute favorite story I have read by this author. It was absolutely fun, romantic and hot and I adored every moment of this book. It was a highly anticipated story and had so much angyst and passion that I could not put it down.

Its the story behind Walker Clinton, a very powerful US General Attorney for Northern California and Marci who is a lawyer at a high profile firm. The two grew up together, moms were close friends and they were bestfriends and eventually lovers. But Walker broke her heart at age 15 because he didnt believe in monogamy.

Years later he likes her but she still hates him but she asks him for favors all the time. He is told he needs a wife and the only one he trusts is her and so he has to convince her to marry him. Meanwhile Marci is having issues with her job and ends up fired, So she has a big fight on her hands.

This story was wonderful. Many twists and turns. I loved seeing characters from other books in the series join the story and I adored Marci and Walker together.

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

Raecharmed

9,295 reviews70 followers

September 15, 2020

Marci is an amazing lawyer and always does her best by her clients. Walker is the US Attorney General for their area. They have known each other since they were kids. They even dated briefly when they were teenagers before Walker ended things. Now Marci goes to him whenever there's a favor she needs that won't be too big for him to handle for her. However when things happen in both of their lives they end up turning to each other for help. Just as it seems like things are going his way Walker learns that someone is trying to manipulate him and his career. Marci's law firm cheats her out of someone money and when she fights back things go wrong for her. Sparks reignite between them as they try to figure out what they need to do in their career paths. Will they give it a second chance for real? Can they take down the bad guys?

This is a great story that will have you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. The chemistry between them is blazing hot. This is a well written and very entertaining story. I would recommend this book to any book lover.

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

D Nik

70 reviews

This is a 2nd chance love story based around family, politics and corruption.
Marcella and Walker’s mothers were best friends and when Marcella’s mother becomes widowed when Marci was 5 they moved into Walker’s family home. At 15 Marci knows she loves Walker but Walker’s father has plans for his son that does not involve the housekeepers daughter and Marci gets her heart broken.
Walker goes on to a successful career in the US Attorney’s office and Marci becomes partner in a law firm. Marci seeks Walker’s help occasionally on behalf of her clients and when she is unfairly dismissed she seeks advice from Walker. So when Walker needs a wife to progress his career he’s drawn to Marci but she will not be heart broken by Walker again and resists his proposal.
There is a lot in this book, intrigue, hot romance and unimaginable wealth. I haven’t read all of the earlier books in this series and I think there were some links to earlier books that would have made it more enjoyable.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Anne Donaldson

799 reviews4 followers

This is one of the most exciting of the Tech Billionaires so far; you’re kept on the edge of your seat, never sure whether Marci or Walker is the target or why, and never sure when the next attack will come and what it will be. The back story with Walker and Marci is empathetically told, and Walker’s interactions with his father really give the reader an insight into that man’s behavior and the threat he poses to the couple. That said, I really hadn’t expected the reason behind the attacks, and I enjoyed the book more for that not knowing. Marcella/Marci is a fantastically written, honest character, and the development of Walker from an outright cynic is a joy to read. And, as always, it is a pleasure to visit again with the other characters from St. Claire’s series. This is a well-deserved five stars.

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

Cynthia L. Green

142 reviews1 follower

I love all of these stories from this series and Ainsley's other books. Marci and Walker were together when they were 15 years old but he broke her heart. Now they both need something from the other person. He needs a fake marriage and she needs a favor for a client. But she owes him several favors and he wants to call them in with a fake marriage to get the governor jobs. Marci gets fired for standing up to one of the partners for not giving her her fair share of the bonus as promised. When Walker and Marci go to Whistler it heats up with a contract. They don't need a contract, they just need each other. Walker finally makes a decision that the Governor job isn't as good as he thought and he wants to stay where he is and he also wants Marci by his side. Great characters and story line. Can't wait for the next book.

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

HEATHER

1,476 reviews20 followers

October 12, 2020

To heal a broken heart!
by sewsummore

Walker was Marci's first lover, and then he broke her heart. It was something she had never forgotten, although they had grown up together. When Walker is asked to become the next Governor, it would seem that his dreams would become a reality. He had just one problem; he had to become a married man. There was only one woman he could trust in that role, Marci. Convincing her to become his wife would not be easy, but with her mother on his side, and a shared past, he was certain she would eventually give in. This was a story that ticked all my boxes. It had lots of romance and steamy lovemaking, drama, and suspense. Many of the characters I had known from previous books added to my enjoyment, but it was the twisted relationship between Walker and Marci that sealed the deal for me.

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

Korkoi

7,004 reviews31 followers

September 5, 2020

Uncovering An Existing Love -
Whilst reading this book, I cried, laughed, wanted to box someone’s ear and also felt like I needed a cold shower to cool me down. In my opinion, Ainsley St Claire found the right balance between the angst, suspense, twists, romance and sizzling sexual encounters, to make it a truly pleasurable reading experience. I also loved catching up with main characters in the previous books in the series and learning what was happening in their lives.

To really enjoy the book fully, you will need to carve out an entire day with no interruptions, as once you start reading the story, there is no way you will want to be disturbed, until you get to the end. I am really looking forward to finding out what happened to Cecilia and whether Nate also gets a happily ever after.

I received an ARC of this book from Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

Stabby

272 reviews

Where do I begin.... Walker and Marcella grew up together as Marcella's Mom was the Clifton's housekeeper. Walker was Marcella's first everything and the one she never got over. Fast forward to present day and politics. Marcella needs a favor and Walker needs a wife. She agrees to think about it. Marcella is fired from her job at WBC and goes to Fiona for help. Walker and Marcella go to Whistler a house Walker won in a poker tournament for the next poker game. While there she realizes she does love him but he doesn't believe in love. She agrees to marry him as he is running for Governor of California. While in Whistler things happen that they find out and he decides to keep his job as US District Attorney. Through all this intrigue Marcella gets in a car accident which turns out was deliberate. Walker then realizes with Nona's help he does love Marcella and always has.

Jo-Ann Forrest

2,935 reviews23 followers

This is one full body shuddering, intense, mind blowing story! Walker is an US Attorney with political aspiration and Marcella (Marci) is a high powered lawyer in San Francisco. They grew up together and after breaking her heart he walked away for good. Now, many years later he needs a favor , for her to become his wife to help him become governor of California, because the good people of Cali want a family man. She is smart, independant and she was fired by her law firm for some bogus reasons and needs to stand up for herself. They need to help each other, but feelings will get in the way and then some. You need ot have read the other books in this series to get the full impact of this political intriguing story.

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

Terry Babb

1,758 reviews12 followers