Five years ago, Reese Finley decided he had to live without love. He entered into a marriage of convenience to protect the family business from his stepmother's greed. But when a dark-eyed man literally falls into Reese's lap, his resolutions are blown out of the water.
Burned before, Jonas Griffin refuses to hide and won't remain involved with a married man—even if that marriage is in name only. So once more, Reese must choose his happiness or the business. This time around, can Reese give up all the money and success to have Jonas in his arms again?
Carrie Davis crafts contemporary gay male romance with plenty of angst, but her men always get their happily ever after.
She lives in Florida, where it’s needlessly hot and the mosquitoes are the size of hummingbirds.
She requires caffeine to be a reasonably functional adult. Yes, reasonably functional is as good as it gets.
Carrie might have a small addiction to buying books, so if she's not writing, she's reading, and when she's not reading, she is happily spoiling her nephews, Zachary and Isaiah, and her dog, Remington.
You finally had something to fight for Reese always knew what he wanted to do and that was to take over the business from his dad but when his dad found out he was gay he went crazy. Reese can't believe how homophobic his father was. They didn’t talk for a long time but then slowly they got back to normal but when his father died Reese thought he would get the company. But when they read the will, his father had the last laugh because unless Reese married a woman he would not take control of the family company. He wasn’t allowed to divorce, if he did the company went over to his stepmother and she was just vile so Reese did the only thing he could think of and he married a lovely lady called Isabel who had her own problems. But together they would get both of the families off their backs. And thankfully Isabella turns out to be Reese‘s closest friend. But when he meets a man on a plane Reese throws caution to the wind. Jonas had been burnt before so when he learns about Reese being married that’s it no more he doesn’t want anything to do with him. But will he listen to the reasons why he’s married when it’s so obvious that he is gay. There’s just so much more going on in this book and I really dislike the stepmother!!!!! she really does put you know the name evil stepmother into the context she is vile. But I do like his brother. Getting a bit away from everything soo I do like Jonas and Reese. They are a match made in heaven they are just perfect for one another but how will they get around his fathers will. He could give up the company and have Jonas or keep the company and lose Jonas forever. I thoroughly enjoyed this book it made me smile it made me laugh but my heart also bled for these guys how could somebody be so cruel, to make somebody withhold the true person that they are just because he’s a bigot! This is one brill read and I can’t wait to see what Carrie has for us next
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Life choices can certainly get complicated. Reese Finley’s father added a condition to his Will that required Reese to get married before the age of 30 in order to receive his inheritance. Otherwise, complete control of La Vio would revert from Reese to Rebekah. Cheating with someone else, divorce, or annulment would have the same consequences and Reese would lose the business. Rebekah freely admitted she didn’t want the company, but she had plans to sell it and would not give it back to Reese.
So Reese and a female friend, Isabella Montlake, agreed to a marriage of convenience. She had no desire for a man and no expectations of him as her husband. She would discreetly carry on her relationships, although he felt he could not do the same since Rebekah would no doubt be closely watching him. So when Jonas Griffin came back into Reese’s life, it was a dead end.
Having been burned in a previous relationship, Jonas Griffin will not hide who he is, nor will he get involved with a married man, even if Reese’s marriage is not “real” but in name only for business purposes. That means that Reese must make a decision, because he cannot have both. Will Reese choose to let the business go, to be snatched up by his greedy step-mother, in order to choose the one he loves? Or will he accept a lonely fate of not having the partner he wants to spend his life with? Or is there perhaps another option available as Cassia (a premier defense attorney in New York and Isabella’s secret girlfriend), Isabella, Jonas, and Reese discuss the situation. Cassia believes they can work out a plan to get out of Rebekah’s clutches and protect Leo, Reese’s younger brother, who was injured as a warning when Rebekah did not make her loan payment to a dangerous loan-shark? Will Cassia’s plan work? Can she free them from Rebekah’s hold? Can all parties at last find the happiness they deserve?
I really liked the premise to this story. We all know this trope has been done time and time again, but I liked how it was done here.
I felt so sorry for Reese. He had a pretty awful family. He father was a alright ass even beyond the grave and his stepmother was the wicked witch of the west. They both only concerned about money and how people persevered them. That led to a very horrible time for Reeves. I felt so sad when he talked about the stupid stipulation of his fathers will. But I supposes he didn't think of what agreeing to it would mean for him. He agreed to it all in the heat of the moment and then rushed when he found someone with a similar problem as him. Then 5 years later he is regretting it. I loved the plane scene and what happened after. It was nice seeing Reese come alive for the first time ever. I loved that he was honest with Jonas about his stituation and didn't push him when Jonas made his decision after that. Isabella was an amazing fake wife and best friend to him. Especially with the little note she left. When Reese finally got his head of his his arse things moved at warped speed.
Jonah was a great person. He has been burned by live before and that makes him super nervous to repeat the same mistake. I'm glad he doesn't to begin with and sticks to his guns. They may have super strong feelings and struggle with what Jonah decided, but I'm glad he didn't make a move till he had a better grasp of the situation. When they do get together they are just an electric couple and you can see genuine love between them.
I loved the ending and how the evil witch got what she deserved. It was nice seeing love prevail and I adored the epilogue. They both truly deserved to be happy, especially after everything Reese had to go through and also Jonah.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. It is heartwarming in that the good people get what they deserve in the end. When Reese's father died he delivered another blow to Reese for being gay. If Reese didn't marry before he was thirty he would lose the family business to his hated stepmother, Rebekah. Isabella goes to Reese and offers to marry him as she is in the closet and a lesbian wanting to avoid her family's demands. They become friends and Isabella is discreet. Reese unwilling to take a chance is chaste for five years until Jonas falls into his lap. There is a brief time when Jonas refuses to see Reese until Reese explains and encouragement is give to Jonas from Isabella. Reese decides that Jonas is more important than keeping the family business La Vio. At the same time Isabella has fallen for her partner Cassia and wants to come out and live with Cassia. Just before Reese can give up La Vio, Rebekah screws up big time and it comes out when her son Leo is beaten. Cassia who couldn't find a way to break the will suggests another plan. In exchange for Reese helping, Rebekah gives control of La Vio to Reese and gets help for her addiction. Reese and Jonas get together and are in love while Isabella and Cassia are together as well. Even Leo becomes a better man. The epilogue is priceless.
Sometimes, turbulence is a good thing! Reese loved his famly and his business. Not necessarily in that order. His Father died leaving him with a stepmother and a half brother Leo. When Reese came out to his Father, tolerance and acceptance was not one of the top 5 reactions. He went through life on tiptoe until his Father died, and his will revealed how he really felt. In order to retain ownership of the company, Reese had to marry a woman and stay married, else the company would revert to stepmom. At the end of 5 years, Reese meets Jonas on a plane from Paris to NY and realizes he met the man who could tempt him from his committment. There is a lot of history and toxic dysfunction that shows this to be a horrible idea. Will Reese give in and comply with the will? If so, how long can he live without companionship or love? How does Jonas feel about the will? Good story! Trying to find a solution in an impossible situation, keeps the reader riveted. Nicely done! I received an ARC from Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
It sucks when you are all set to get what you deserve and someone throws a monkey wrench into the proceedings that leads to unnecessary complications. That is what happened to Reese, whose father put a condition in his will that forced him to marry to inherit. A marriage of convenience with a good female friend is fine until they both find love partners that they want to build lives with. It sucks that wanting to be with someone you love can cost you the family business but luckily circumstances come about that does not make that outcome come to pass. True friendship, true love, some space for redemption and some drama with the problematic stepmother and step-sibling made this a good story from start to finish.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Wow, when you say Blindsided, that's what this book was. Totally hot from the beginning to end. The chemistry and connection was felt from fall one. I truly enjoyed this journey between Reese and Jonas. So perfect and so totally in love with one another. The whole situation that Reese was put in by his father sucked on so many levels. There were a few obstacles to overcome, like his step-mother and I am so glad in the end he was able to come out on top as the winner. Reese and Jonas deserved their HEA, because really, how many people actually find love at first sight. Loved this book, ups and downs and let me tell you there is one downside for me and even though it was a marriage of convenience, I still had a hard time with Reese being married. Outside of that, it was a great read
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
4.5 Stars I thought that this was a really good book. Reese was between a rock and a hard place for 5 long years but that all came to stop when Jonas fell into his lap. I really enjoyed the deep connection and chemistry between Reese and Jonas. I commend Jonas for standing his ground and standing up for himself even if her hurt both himself and Reese. I loved how determined Reese was; not just with wanting Jonas but his will to respect Jonas's wish but also doing anything he could for his company. I really enjoyed the little twits and turns that this book took. I can't wait for Ms. Carrie's next book! I really enjoyed this book and I would recommend it and Ms. Carrie as a great author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Another heartbreaking love story from Carrie Davis. I alway know when I dive into one her books is that one or bit of her main characters will have a heartbreaking or tragic past. And that I will make your heart hurt to read. But she’s always good at picking up those pieces and sewing them back together! Jonas and Reese maybe be different in many ways but when it comes to live they are definitely on the same page. Amazingly sweet book! And I can’t wait to read what’s next!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
4.5 Stars - What I really enjoy about Carrie's books are that the situations and circumstances are authentic and realistic. This is not only an MM romance, but is about true friendship, supporting those you love and draws attention to injustices that still occur even now. A love at first sight story, simply lovely.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This title says it all! Reese is blindsided by Jonas and how quickly he has fallen for the man and then with family drama. Although Reese is a successful business man, he is unsuccessful at love. He finds the love of his life at a time when his family is in crises and a way out of his misery! This book ticked off all my boxes because it has everything you want in a book to be enjoyable! I loved it!
A well written, easy read, in the usual moving, sensitive manner of Davis’ fare. A marriage of convenience then he meets the man of his dreams, and the stage is set for a heart-wrenching, emotional read. As in everything Davis writes, the story is handled with sensitivity and understanding. The characters are relatable and the reader feels an affinity for them and their circumstances. Another winner for Davis and sure to satisfy legions of fans and win new ones as well!
Told from Reese’s pov, he was backed into a corner when his father died and made the only decision he saw for at the time. Exceptional at his job, he saw no reason to chance losing his life until Jonas fell into his lap and he realized he wasn’t really living anyway. Jonas had been burned before, wary, he asked Reese not to contact him. With a little help from Isabella, he realizes he needs to live his life. Quick read with a great villain and good friends.
Reese is not happy with his life. Five years ago he had to give up his lifestyle and any chance of a relationship so he can keep the company that he loves. He meets Jonas is thinking about letting it all go because of him. Jonas doesn't want to be hidden and be involved with a married man. The book is short, romantic, with some angst, and these two get their happily ever after.
There is a lot going on in this book and I had to finish it once I started to see how everything worked out for Reese. I was really hoping that Reese and Jonas got their HEA despite everything trying to stop it and was happyit all worked out.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Because Reese was gay, his father had amended his will to include harsh restrictions leaving no loopholes to contest. A well written story. I am looking forward to the next Carrie Davis book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Wow! This was great, loved it! Jonah and Reese were hot and steamy, so much chemistry! They had an amazing connection! I literally could not put this story down!! I'm voluntarily reviewing from an advanced copy that I received.
Another amazing story by this author. Great characters as always and well written. I couldnt put it down! Check it out and the other books in her catalog!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Reeve made a bargain with the devil to keep the business his father started and now would be his. After five years, he wonders if it was it. I enjoyed this book.
This is the second book I have read by this author and it won't be the last. This is a well written and easy to read story. This is the story of Reese Finley and Jonas Griffin. Reese is the CEO of his father's make up company. He has been groomed to take over from his dad. There personal relationship took a hit when Reese came out as gay, but their work relationship kept going. Then unexpectedly his father dies from a heart attack. At the reading of the will his father unexpectedly strikes out from his grave. Reese must marry before his 30th birthday to a woman and never cheat on her or divorce. Otherwise he will lose the company he has helped build to his evil stepmother Rebekah. To keep the company Reese enters into a marriage of convenience with Isabella. She approached him with the idea as she is as lesbian and didn't want or need her families interference while she goes to law school. The two quickly marry and become good friends who live in the same house with separate bedrooms. Isabella has liaisons but she is always discreet. Reese never has the opportunity as he is always aware that his stepmother is watching him. On a flight home from Paris we meet Jonas Griffin. He is an art gallery owner. Both he and Reese have instant chemistry. They make plans to meet up the next day but by Jonas. He has googled Reese and found out he is married. Jonah had his heart broken by a married man who strung him along for 2 years saying that he just had to patient. Never again he promised himself. He even refuses to listed to what Reese has to say. Meanwhile Reese is coming to the realization that in order to find happiness, he will have to give up the company to his step mother. This is their story. And it is a good one. There are plenty of surprises and lots of ups and downs. The surprise at the end will put a smile on your face. Enjoy.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.