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She’s like nothing he ever imagined, but might just be what he needs.
Lilly
I’m an accidental nanny.
It was only supposed to be a weekend and then all hell broke loose.
How could I walk away. His two young girls needed me.
Nate the handsome and brooding CEO was lost and lonely.
I couldn’t help myself and took a bite of the forbidden fruit. Now I crave more.
Being with Nate could unravel all we’ve built. But being without him and his girls make my life incomplete.

Nate
My wife was murdered and to cope I work.
I never thought I’d find love again, but it’s right here under my roof.
Lilly is beautiful and sweet, but she’s completely off-limits.
It’s bad enough I can’t stop fantasizing about her.
It’s worse than that—I didn’t stop at a kiss and now I can’t stay away.
There are so many things that could go wrong. Now, I’m screwed.

Showdown is a standalone romantic suspense novel with a happy ending. It’s the fifth and final book in the Billionaire Tech Series featuring the characters from the Venture Capitalist and Clear Security series.

350 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 1, 2021

323 people are currently reading
176 people want to read

About the author

Ainsley St. Claire

46 books253 followers
Ainsley St Claire is a Romantic Suspense Contemporary Romance Author and Adventurer on a lifelong mission to craft sultry storylines and steamy love scenes that captivate her readers.

An avid reader since the age of four, Ainsley’s love of books knew no genre. After reading, came her love of writing, fully immersing herself in the colorful, impassioned world of contemporary romance.

When she isn’t being a bookworm or typing away her next story on her computer, Ainsley enjoys spending quality time with her loved ones. She is happily married to her incredible soulmate and is a proud mother of two rambunctious boys. A scotch aficionada and lover of good food (especially melt-in-your-mouth, velvety chocolate) St Claire has an appreciation for the finer things without pretention. Travel and adventure have taken her around the world, getting inspiration for many of her stories from the characters she meets and observes along the way.

To find out more about Ainsley St Claire both creatively and personally, feel free to visit her official website at www.ainsleystclaire.com or follow her on social media (@ainsleystclaire). St Claire always loves to hear from her readers so feel free to reach out via ainsley@ainsleystclaire.com

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5 stars
513 (64%)
4 stars
200 (25%)
3 stars
48 (6%)
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22 (2%)
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10 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
Profile Image for Bibi.
1,287 reviews133 followers
February 2, 2021
Nate and Lily's relationship lacked something. Chemistry, perhaps? Yes, there was loads of sex, but she appeared to be a passive character who was there mainly to care for Nate and his needs. I didn't like that. Nor did I like that their romance was secondary to the suspense.

On the plus side, Ainsley is a good writer and I hope to read more of her books.
Profile Image for Cheryl.
1,909 reviews18 followers
February 1, 2021
I knew this book would be hard for me, since I have read the whole series and was, frankly, very invested in Nate and Cecelia’s story...I couldn’t imagine anyone taking her place. But it wasn’t Lilly I had an issue with as much as it was Nate. I’m glad the mystery has finally been solved, though, but it still left me with concerns and questions.
I liked...
Lilly’s connection with the girls, especially her honest conversations with Katrina.
How open all the friends/significant others in Nate’s group embrace Lilly into the fold. Even though they are all have more money than they can ever spend, none of them have ever been elitist.
What I didn’t enjoy...
I don’t need to know the menu of every meal eaten, whether it’s during the tournament or just a breakfast for the family. It seemed to be too much filler.
Nate himself. He’s been grieving his wife, working like a fiend, avoiding his house and hasn’t been a very hands on dad. And now from one page to the next he notices the nanny and bang (pun definitely intended)...onto the sexcapades.
I read all kinds of romance, from sweet to erotic. After their first time, I skimmed or outright skipped Nate and Lilly’s romps. We get it. Nate’s ready to get it on. But again, where are his kids?
The writing is fine, the mystery wasn’t as shocking as I had hoped but still twisty. It was nice seeing characters from past books, too. But I wouldn’t recommend jumping in with book five for a new reader. Start with the first Tech Billionaires story and watch the nuances of the story unfold for yourself.
Profile Image for C. Gray.
1,560 reviews16 followers
February 2, 2021
Heck yeah!! Thank you Ainsley, this story was absolutely AMAZING and then some!! I honestly wish I was able to give this a lot more stars because I feel 5 is just not enough. This had me either on the edge of my seat, crying, yelling or laughing while reading this but what I wasn’t expecting was that. Girl, you kill me!! Now I can’t wait to read Champagne Brunch next since I love all of these characters to pieces!! Thank you babe, you rock!! 🖤🔥❤️🔥🖤
3,728 reviews42 followers
February 1, 2021
Best not read as a standalone: 💦steamy romance, excess and danger for the tech rich & famous💲💰💲

3.5-4🌟stars
This story has a load of suspense centering on male lead Nate and his social circle of mega wealthy techies. Impossibly luxurious yachts, estates scattered across the globe, huge security details: these characters want for nothing but peace and safety for them and their families!

I had not read the earlier volumes that appear to have paired off numerous couples in this series who reappear here in supporting roles and, for the most part that was okay. But, there's a key event that took place three years before this book starts that is never adequately described. That frustrated me somewhat because I wondered from beginning to end what actually happened. Cecelia, Cecelia, what exactly did they do to you?

But here Cecelia's family is trying to move on with the stable support of Lilly, a de facto nanny for Cecelia and Nate's two daughters, when unsettling danger ramps up. There's steamy passion side by side with teen growing pains, jetsetting and organizing that rivals a military campaign to keep everyone safe and flush out the villains and their motives.

Personally, I found the extreme wealth and luxury a bit off-putting. And, at times, the details were TMI, especially regarding every meal and drink imbibed (enough with the pancakes!). It detracted and lengthened a good plot that could have been tighter. I also found it disheartening that Lilly's career aspirations played such a minor role in the book. I also found the number of significant secondary characters a bit daunting, although I doubt this would have been an issue if I had been following the series all along.

In summation, the bones of the novel were good and the story kept moving at a fairly good pace, but there was some unnecessary flab that I could have done without.

I read a complimentary advance copy of the book provided by Booksprout; this is my voluntary and honest review.
5,520 reviews
December 28, 2020
Hot and sweet! This is Nate and Lilly's addition to the series.

Want to talk about lust filled love! Hotel sex, phew....

I'm just wondering how long the feelings for Lilly were wiggling their way into Nate's heart. Will Nate finally open up? He deserves happiness, but he has to let it in.

Bex and Katrina contributed so much to the story. Will Cecelia's killer finally be revealed? Why is Nate's family in so much danger? From whom?

I was glued to the pages of Showdown, and am enticed by Mia's app!

A definite page-turner. I can’t wait to read the next installment!...

I received an advanced reader copy, and this is my honest and voluntary review.
Profile Image for Sugan.
128 reviews2 followers
January 25, 2021
This is the most incredible series! Ainsley St. Claire wrote both the “Tech Billionaires” and the “Clear Security” series. They are all tied together. The way the stories intertwine so intricately is absolutely amazing! This is the story of Nate Lancaster. He is, of course a self-made tech billionaire. He has been trying to cope with the death of his wife while raising his two daughters. I to I don’t want to give anything away – but, if you are familiar with the series and what has happened with the character of Nate in past books, then you know why this book is appropriately titled “Showdown”. Nate is finally having his day in court! I will say, that along with his friends and family, Nate is getting a lot of help from the nanny his wife hired before she died. If you are new to Ainsley St. Claire and the books in this series, I would highly recommend that you read the others in the series first. Each is a standalone, and St. Claire is a master at writing past details and sub-plots into the new books but why would you want to miss any of them? They really are THAT GOOD!
The characters in the stories are all friends, colleagues, and/or work associates. They work in high tech jobs that are based in the San Francisco area. Because of what they do, they have become not only famous, but also targets for the many crazies and criminals in the world. Enter the Clear Security team. They are there to protect their friends at all costs.
The vast wealth of the characters allows them to not only be very generous with their money, but also allows them to travel the world. St. Claire lets her readers travel with them. She does such a beautiful job of writing about exotic places that you feel like you are there and a part of the story. Ainsley also writes with such knowledge about the tech industry that I feel like she could be living in the Silicon Valley producing robots rather than writing romance novels! (But I would miss her stories too much!) Every one of St. Claire’s books is incredibly well researched and thought out. I am amazed every time I read one her books. If you haven’t read any of Ainsley’s books, you need to start.
Profile Image for A Hybrid Reads.
66 reviews8 followers
January 24, 2021
This books is full of answers, and D*MN it, Ainsley St Claire did it again, this one it’s the perfect ending for the Venture Capitalist series, and we got to see our favorite’s billionaires.

Nate is an amazing character, we get to see the way he deals with Cecelia’s death, something we’ve seen through other people’s eyes, but getting to be inside Nate’s head is amazing, and we discover so much about him, and his past, it’s just so beautiful, also we see how he develops feelings for Lilly and how he deals with it.

Lilly is something else, she is not just a nanny, she is a very capable and determinate person, she loves his daughters so much, we get to see all that she has given up for them, she is just such a lovely girl.

The relationship between these two is a slow burn, and it’s amazing how all of his friends are so on board with him moving on, I do wish I had friends like that, they’re so supportive and good. Also I love the way Lilly manage the fact that he had kids, and she was supportive and putting them first, that bond was something so beautiful.

A plus on this one, is that we get to see familiar faces from the Venture Capitalist and Clear Security series, which I love, because all their stories are connected somehow, also, I adore Jim and Jackson soo much, I mean I wouldn’t mind another book for them… Also, love all the teasing to Landon, it was just soooo good!

On this showdown, we finally understand why Cecelia was killed, and how everything is connected to someone we all know, and that itself was a shock, a very well planned one, also the ramifications of this was just soooooo good, and opens the door for the next series, which I’m honestly looking forward to.

The closure we got was amazing, the characters were flawless and beautifully portrayed, I am looking forward to see more of them.

You’re going to love the twist and turns, and the plot on this beautiful showdown.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Stabby .
272 reviews
February 7, 2021
Lily was only supposed to be there for a weekend and it’s been tree years. Nate was supposed to mourn Cecilia forever but Lily is just that damn good. Nate and Lily have been parenting the children and keeping them safe for so long. With Nate usually being at the office they are never really in the same house or together enough to acknowledge the feelings that have been developing between them. Nate thought it was just gratitude but when they go to his friends wedding things get complicated. Him and Lily realize they are more than just employer and employee. While there relationship develops and the poker tournament starts they begin to spend time together and wow is the sex explosive. Three years is a long time to not have anyone in your life.

Nate and Lily know too be careful because of Bex and Katrina and they need to respect their feelings . Once the truth comes out and they finally find out who killed Cecilia it is a big shock. Especially since Vivian was friends to Cecilia and Nates Sister. Great book all in all.
Profile Image for BP34.
6,280 reviews46 followers
January 28, 2021
This is the fifth and final book in the Billionaire Tech Series and is Nate's story. Some of the characters in this book were featured in the Venture Capitalist and Clear Security Series. So you may recognize some of them if you've read any of those books. This is a romantic thriller that is hard to put down once you begin. A real page-turner that's full of suspense and danger. Nate's wife was murdered and to cope with the pain he works constantly. He is a tech billionaire and an amazing characters. Lily is the nanny that his wife Cecilia hired before she was murdered. This is an amazing story that was a delight to read. I don't want to give away any spoils. He and Lily have a slow burn romance that will spice up your life. His friends are so supportive and amazing. A fantastic read that was so well written and entertaining. I read a free book via Booksprout and voluntarily chose to review it.
Profile Image for Xiomarie Benito.
31 reviews
January 20, 2021
I enjoyed so much this series. The author’s writting style is flawless and the story line inter connecting in each standalone was brilliant.

This book is the conclusion we have been waiting for with big anticipation. Nate and Cecilia had a once in a lifetime love story and throughout the other books in the series I belief everyone who’s read them have suffer her death and Nate’s loss.

It’s very challenging for an author to create a character that going to connect with the reader and be a love interest to Nate after having loved Cecilia and basicly putting her in a pedestal for the whole series. And let me tell you she did it!!

Now anxiously waiting for Mia’s story in the Stiletto Sisters Series. This is not over!!!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Korkoi.
7,004 reviews31 followers
January 30, 2021
Taking Their Life Back -
This book is another brilliant read from Ainsley St Claire, however, I suggest you read books one to four before reading book five, so you will be able to follow Lilly and Nate’s storyline as it unfolds. There are so many amazing layers to this story, that it kept me totally engrossed and I wanted to find out what happened to Cecelia, as well as who was behind everything that happened. All the characters came together to make the story truly come alive and kept me entertained.

I guarantee you will be on the edge of your seat, as the twists and action-packed scenes in the story, unravels with each page turn. This book deserves to be your next weekend read, as it requires a few uninterrupted hours to really enjoy it.

I received an ARC of this book from Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Kathy Dunn.
1,311 reviews24 followers
January 25, 2021
As a faithful reader of Ainsley’s Tech Billionaires series, I have been waiting with bated breath to read Nate’s story. Whew, what a story! Nate sees through his grief of losing his wife Cecelia and cannot help but notice the nanny of his two girls, Lilly. Accidental nanny Lilly, tries to keep her feelings about Nate to herself but sometimes it just can’t be helped. Throughout their story, we see their attraction and love develop as they get closer to finding out who killed Ceceila.
This book was the perfect ending to the Tech Billionaires and can’t wait for the next series, Champagne Brunch.
Profile Image for Suzette.
3,618 reviews23 followers
January 28, 2021
Lots of steamy scenes as Nate and Lilly find creative ways to make time for each other. This story has been a long time in the making and has been thoroughly worth the wait. Watching Nate get his groove back after the death of his wife is like watcha butterfly emerge from a chrysalis. It was beautiful. Lilly was always in the background and now she has emerged bright as a shining sun. As the mystery unravels surrounding the death of his wife it frees up him and the children to fully love Lilly. The author always does such a great job with the characters that the readers will be surprised when they see who the villains are. It is an exceptionally crafted series.
Profile Image for Ann.
740 reviews
January 28, 2021
Showdown
By Ainsley St Claire
Main Characters: Nate and Lily
I voluntarily and honestly reviewed this book without bias or persuasion from the author.
5 out of 5 stars
Hard to beat a story by Ainsley! This whole series was fantastic. I have very mixed feelings about the end of it but holy cow what an end. I did not see the killer coming. Ainsley's characters are all so wonderful and I looked forward to seeing how Nate and Lilly's ended. Back in the beginning I hated it when Cecilia was killed but it was a heck of a ride to finally see who the killer was. I recommend this whole series.
Profile Image for Emily Pennington.
20.7k reviews359 followers
February 3, 2021
This is the story of Nate Lancaster, a tech billionaire trying to accept the death of his wife while raising his two daughters. The relationship that starts between Nate and Lilly, the girls’ nanny, is a slow burn and is met with surprising acceptance by Nate’s friends. It was also surprising to see him move on after such blind dedication to Cecelia, but I am glad he found the strength to do that and not cling so desperately to the past. Lilly continued to put the girls’ well-being first, and I respected that as things got more serious with Nate. And having the mystery solved was cathartic and tied things up well.
1,000 reviews6 followers
February 10, 2021
This author has an amazing ability to write a really great story that has more than fluff in it. She develops characters and storylines that feel realistic and have twists and turns. The women are strong and intelligent, the men are supportive and just nice in general. This is the last book in the series and it’s well worth a read, as are the other books in the series. I loved that the characters have ups and downs and eventually find an HEA, but they have to work at it and there are odds to overcome that at times seem insurmountable.
1,465 reviews1 follower
February 11, 2021
Lilly was a impressive character. Intelligent, loving those who need love and not selfish. Even after the death of his wife 3 years ago, Nate still struggling to move own. Their relationship grew slowly because they put the girls first due to them struggling with the death of their mother's death. Lilly constantly kept reminding them no one couldn't take the place of their mother. Lilly was a woman who loved these girls and put them above all else.This book kept my interest throughout the entire story. It was a good suspense of who done it. I do recommend reading the reading of this book.
Profile Image for Leah.
175 reviews
November 23, 2021
I received a free ARC of this novel via Booksprout in exchange for an honest review. My opinion is my own.

I have been a long term reader of Ms. St. Claire. This book is another in a long line of awesome books. You'll see characters from her other popular series which I find fun. If you have not read the other books in this series or the others the story may feel slightly lacking but its still pretty solid and enjoyable. The interactions between the characters are amusing and very believable. Overall, a solid good read.
36 reviews
December 29, 2024
Fantastic Series

Unbelievable series of books!!

I had to wait for my review until I completed the whole series. I'm glad they found out who killed Cecilia and why. It was sad to see the hurt the 2 young sisters had to go through because of cruel people when they didn't do a thing.

The way each couple found love was entertaining. The connection between all the tech giants was great to see...no jealousy, they had each other's back and the poker games...just wow.

I'm looking forward to reading more Ainsley St Claire books and highly recommend reading this series in order!
2,616 reviews8 followers
February 2, 2021
What an amazing read that will have you feeling so many emotions. Nate has finally found love again after losing his wife Cecilia. We finally get the answers to the mystery behind his wife's death and who Lily really is. The storyline was well written and grabs ahold of you from the first page to the very last.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Suzanne Giorgione.
522 reviews19 followers
February 3, 2021
Once again Ainsley St. Claire has given us a book full of everything! So many familiar faces are back and we finally get answers for Nate and his girls as to what happened to Cecilia. There is suspense, heat, friendship, family, love, danger and action inside for your enjoyment. What a great end to the Tech Billionaires series, but looking forward to the new series coming with some familiar characters. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Review Copy from Booksprout.
923 reviews3 followers
February 3, 2021
Amazing finale to a great series!
This whole series each revolved around a couple finding love with lots of heat! Love the added heat to this series. This series also had mystery and suspense as well which added another aspect to the series that added extra interest. It was a page turning book. I also found this book more emotional as well. The sex scenes were intense and super hot!!
I can't wait for the next series.
46 reviews1 follower
February 8, 2021
Don't miss this one.

Like each book.in this series, I give it 5+++++ stars.

As heartwarming and romantic as it is, the mystery and intrigue is off the charts. Just as I thought I figured it out, nope, another twist and turn. Prepare yourself to read until finished!

The element of children is just so wonderfully managed.

Kudos to Ainsley St Claire. PLEASE continue the excellent stories.
939 reviews7 followers
May 24, 2021
Definitely Loved This Series

These are really great storylines and fantastic characters. You'll finally find out who murdered Cecelia and you won't guess until well into the book. That's the downside of these books. It takes a long time to get to the part where it's a page turner. Granted there are parts that have drama but it quickly ends. There are also parts that if skim through you will miss an important piece. I like this author but I wish her books were shorter.
83 reviews1 follower
May 30, 2021
Wonderful series!!!!

I’ve waited until I finished all of these books. I don’t know where to start. I cannot pick a favorite, they all were wonderful! I will say when I read of Cecelia’s murder, after reading their story on book funnel, I cried. I love how your brought all these books together!!! I’m so looking forward to The Stiletto Sisters series. I’ll wait to read those until they all are available!! Thank you for sharing your writings with us!!!!
Profile Image for Lisa Caddick.
305 reviews4 followers
September 4, 2021
Can love come more than once for this billionaire?

This is the story of Nate and Lilly. Lilly works for him as his nanny, but is their relationship going to remain strictly professional? Nate loses his wife, Cecilia, and Lilly is right by his side to help both Nate and his two daughters through a hard time in their lives. Will sharing this difficult time with them bond them together? Please read this book to find out. Another great read from this author.
Profile Image for Tammy.
9,118 reviews50 followers
February 2, 2021
Nate’s wife was murder and works to cope with the loss. Lilly was only supposed to take care of Nate’s daughters for the weekend, but it turned into more. Now sparks are flying between them will they be able to build a new family together? Great characters and loads of drama and steam. I liked it.
Profile Image for Misty Goan.
2,809 reviews13 followers
August 25, 2021
An amazing well written romantic suspense standalone romance.  This engaging storyline is exciting and action packed with amazing family and friends interactions to a great HEA and ending to the Billionaire Tech Series.  The characters are likeable, interesting, and have sizzling chemistry.  I voluntarily read and reviewed this ARC.
Profile Image for Monica.
123 reviews
September 30, 2021
Mind blown!

New author for me and I’m immediately a fan! Loved the suspense and action and love and everything about this book! It was different and original. I started with this book which is the last book in the series but I am going back to read the previous 4. I loved Nate and Lilly and the girls and how raw and real this book was. I wish I could give it more then 5 stars.
Profile Image for NRDD86.
9 reviews
October 22, 2021
This book is nice to read.. and i cant help but wonder, if Jonathan Best from House of Cards ended up with Maggie Reinhardt? Because in this book, it says that Jonathan Best is married to William Bettencourt sister in the last chapter.. so Im not sure if im missing something here.. ive only read the first book and this book.. anyone can enlighten me please?
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