Xavier

Spoiled Royals #1

by Gia Bailey

He’s a billionaire aristocrat. She’s his new chef. He’s too old for her. She’s too feisty for him.
Is that going to stop him? Absolutely not.

Xavier
Propriety and preservation of tradition are important in maintaining a cohesive social hierarchy.
My new chef doesn’t seem to care one bit.
She’s distracting, infuriating. Intoxicating.
She’s completely unsuitable for me.
She’s too young, too argumentative, too mouthy.
Someone needs to take her in hand and teach her some manners.
That someone is going to be me, and I’ll enjoy every single second.

Lily
My new boss takes grumpy and controlling to a new level.
He’s a duke. Who’s a duke nowadays?
Uptight and reserved, Lord Xavier Acton, Duke of Roxburgh, doesn’t know what to do with a woman like me.
I don’t care about his rules or conforming to his archaic social guidelines.
I don’t care about anything, except pushing his control to the very edge.
Because there is a completely different man, hiding underneath the Duke’s uptight exterior.
I’m going to break him out, any way I can.

Xavier is the first hero in the Spoiled Royal series. These heroes are badly-behaved billionaire aristocrats who are used to getting their way. They’ll go all out for their feisty, independent heroines and stop at nothing, to get their ring on their fingers.
A steamy story about obsessed OTT billionaires, always SAFE, with a sweet HEA guarantee.

Genres: Romance, Novella, Royalty, Chick Lit, Workplace

103 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 18, 2021

About the author

Gia Bailey loves to write steamy, sweet, short romances to keep her warm during the cold Scottish nights. All her heroes, from mountain men to billionaires, are possessive, obsessive alpha males, who go OTT for the women they fall for. And the heroines? Shy, sweet, smart, ambitious, and everything in between, these ladies always get their happy endings.

When not writing, she lives with her own burly Russian mountain man and all-knowing four year old, and enjoys baking, reading, jumping in muddle puddles (it’s Scotland, so there are lots), and inventing elaborate dreamworlds to play in. After all, life’s too short for anything other than a HEA.

Steamy Romance - High Heat - High Emotion - No cheating - No cliffhangers - HEA guaranteed

Keep up with Gia by following her, on Facebook, or join her mailing list here:
http://eepurl.com/hp6N79

Reviews

[QuinnReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Improper Minx

An enjoyable read. Xavier has holed himself up in the ancestral home for a long time. Then a temporary cook upends his world in unexpected ways. They are like oil and water until the right ingredients are mixed in. The banter they share is possibly the best part of the book.

“Must you be quite so loud? A bull in a china shop has more finesse,” [Xavier] muttered.

“But they don’t look half as good while doing it,” [Lily] rejoined, sashaying into the room.

They may be mismatched but somehow it works. I will say that the colorful language often caused me to chuckle and created a more playful atmosphere. 😲😄

“My mother would give you a lapdance if she thought you wanted it, so, her judgment is clearly fucked,” Lily said,

The relationship does develop quickly but a voice of reason - or perhaps fear? - does slow things a bit. While my heart broke, it was interesting to see it play out.

[Meg ✨ · Rating 2 out of 5]

cute

[♥ WishfulMiss ♥ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This kicks off a new series about spoiled royals and the sassy women they fall in love with.

Xavier Acton is a lord, but not any lord. He's the Duke of Roxburgh and is as stuffy and standoffish as his generation's old name sounds. He knows he has to marry and produce an heir so that his family's legacy can continue but in this, he's always found himself unable to comply. He wants more than just a marriage of convenience and is it too much to ask for a wife that he can like and want to spend time with?

Lily Stone is the new cook at White Hall House and she gets a kick out of riling the lord of the house. There's something about Xavier that brings out her sass but more than that, his calm demeanor and well earned confidence also makes Lily feel safe and cared for. It's a combination she didn't expect and the feelings he stirs in her? Even less!

An old school Duke and a feisty chef are about to experience what it means to really trust and love someone with all their hearts. There are some bumps along the way, but every good story has a pot hole or two that helps the characters learn and grow. This one is no different but the HEA for Lily and Xavier is one of a kind and gave me all the happy lovey dovey feels at the end!
* * *  ARC provided for an honest review * * *
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

SAFETY INFO:
Ages : Xavier is 35 and Lily is 23 
Cheating : 

OM/OW drama : None. Lily is a virgin - she's been super focused on her career, having just graduated from Le Cordon Bleu in Paris. She's also been off men and any hint of romance since her abusive cheat of a father, left her mother when she was still a kid. As for Xavier, he hasn't dated for years and has been celibate until meeting Lily.

Separation : Yes, there is one 3 month long separation. Lily's mom is against her daughter giving up her dreams for a man. She makes Lily promise to go back to Paris and if after 3 months, she knows what she wants out of life and if Xavier really cares about her, she can come home to England. Both MCs remain celibate during their separation.

Push/Pull  : At first there was some push from both of them. They were still feeling each other out but nothing major. When Lily's mom throws a wrench in their blossoming romance, things kind of screech to a halt but they both are still very much in love with each other. It was more an outside push/pull situation since they both agree to the break to appease Lily's mom.

Main Pursuer of relationship : It was mutual but Xavier is the more experienced and more dominant in the relationship.
Possible Triggers: This hints at some risky Daddy kink (due to their age gap :)), a lot of dirty talk (the best kind) and is a love at first sight trope.

HEA/HFN : Ends on a HEA.

[Abby Platt · Rating 1 out of 5]

Terrible. Just terrible. Was literally crossing the X off of my A-Z challenge.

[Raven (the.readingraven) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this short billionaire romance novel! Xavier is so loving and caring but this duke has a naughty side for his new house chef Lily. I adore Lily, this girl can banter and has such confidence. I would have frozen up if Xavier approached me! 😅 I am excited to read more of these little stories and the extra scenes of Xavier and Lily after the epilogue!

[Megan ☆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute little read, except for how appalling her mother acted in the end. Wtf.

[christy - pr0bablyreadingsmut · Rating 4 out of 5]

hot 30-something billionaire falls for his chef’s 23 year old daughter. steamy, quick read. loved the banter between the two

[Clarissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, I'll be completely transparent here; I only read this to fill up the X slot on my A-Z book challenge. But! I found a sweet, short, sexy little Hallmark novella. Tropey and fun. Why not?!

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

The addition starts with the book cover….yeah…yeah…yeah don’t judge a book by its cover they say ….well we all do it and this one here it is the scratch to your itch or better yet the filling to your oreos! Within the first chapters you get the panoramic view of whom you’re dealing with! This is book is part of the Spoiled Royal series why just read one when you can start at the beginning and keep reading through the series it won’t be a waste of time. Lily is intelligent, home to help her mother out by filling in for her after she was injured and her mother’s boss (her boss now) well he is a lot to deal with. Duke is the sexy as all get out boss, trying to deal with his usual employee’s daughter who is feeling for her, and it isn’t going as thought. They clash in every single way especially verbally; they are opposites in so many ways but as they say it is a very thin line between love and hate. The more they go against each other the more the chemistry builds it is insanely intense and the magnetic pull can’t be ignored no matter how hard they fight because fate has other plans for them. After trying to get to know each other a slip of a relationship starts with them but Xavier mess up causing her mother to step in making the situation seemingly worse. But they get back on track but is it enough because their banter is crazy, can they have more than just banter because the chemistry is there, will her mother step allowing them to have something more, and can they find happiness?

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great story about opposites Xavier, a British aristocrat who is a bit sadden that at his age he has not found a woman to fall in love with and have a family. Lily is his Chef’s daughter and a trained chef herself who is full of life and humor. Lily is helping at the manor while her mother recovers. Over the years Lily has heard plenty of stories from her mother about Xavier and feels like she knows him. When Xavier hears someone signing off key he looks for the person only to find an attractive young woman’s rear end that ends up on top of him. The banter between them from the start is something special, funny, intriguing and flirting with an undeniable attraction. Over time they give in to each other to discover how much they each mean to one another only to have their short time together to fall apart as Lily’s mom gets Lily to agree to go back to Paris to continue her work to become a head chef in a successful restaurant. Lily’s heart is torn as she believes staying in her hometown to open a new restaurant is her dream and to have a relationship with Xavier who is a wonderful man. Xavier is a man who knows want he wants and shows Lily more then he does verbally so when she’s ready to head back to Paris Xavier doesn’t stop her. Months later Lily makes a decision on what she wants out of life and makes plans to do just that! I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Xavier is one that likes most traditions. He’s grown up a British aristocrat and takes his responsibilities seriously. It pains him he hasn’t found someone to become his partner, but he’s not willing to marry someone just for the sake of checking off that box.

Lily has listened to stories of his grace for years. Her mother adores him. When her mother is in need, lily decides to take a break from the life she has in Paris to be closer to mom and take over her position as chef to alleviate some of her mom’s worries.

Neither knew what the meeting would bring. Their chemistry is instant and they have to work through life’s challenges to figure out what they want their futures to look like.

I enjoyed both characters. You see both go to great lengths for the people that mean the most to them while also stepping back to really take in different situations. I usually stay away from age-gap books, but this gap was the type that many don’t even focus on.

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

[Ann Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Xavier' by Gia Bailey is the first book in her new series Spoiled Royal and tells the story of Xavier, Duke of Roxburgh, and Lily, the daughter of his cook and a trained chef. Lily's mother is in the hospital after a fall. Lily comes home to watch over her mum and cover her job. Lily and Xavier meet when he hears something unusual and goes to investigate and they collide. Xavier is floored in more ways than one, Lily is gorgeous and he can't touch. Too bad she works for him. Too bad I work for him, Xavier is yummy but off limits.

Ms. Bailey has kicked off her series with a fantastic story. Lily and Xavier are opposites in every way but opposites attract and their chemistry was sizzling. This story has drama, suspense, secrets, laughs, passion, family meddling, and plenty of steam. I enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to anyone who likes a bit of drama with their romance. I can not wait for the next book.

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

[Dawnmarie Burke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Xavier is the first book in Ms.Bailey's new Spoiled Royal series. This was the perfect book to kickoff the series. Xavier the Duke of Roxburgh is a British aristocrat who can't believe that he's still single and a strong sense of responsibility. Lily who's mother is the Duke's cook has listened to her mother wax on about him for years so she feels like she knows him. When Lily's mother gets hurt Lily comes home to take care of her mom and cover her cooking duties. Little does she know how this will change her whole life. When the Duke hears something out of the ordinary coming from the kitchen he goes to investigate not knowing life as he's known it is about to be changed forever. I don't want to say anymore and ruin it for anyone else with spoilers but you definitely need to read this book. It has something for everyone chemistry, drama, passion, suspense, family who meddle etc. I would definitely recommend this book.

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

[Evan · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars but rounded it up to a four. This is very cute book and overall really good. I wanted more. I wanted to see. I wanted to see how things went how they were treated by society after marriage. Five it was nice short sweet and I liked it.

Lily was hard-working, strong and independent, even though she loved Xavier she didn’t give up on her. She made a life for herself and the man followed. It was very sweet..

Xavier he knew what he wanted he knew who he was, but Lily made him see things in a different light made him grow in different ways. He was a good guy and he was sweet and kind to her and I liked his dynamic with Lily.

I wish there was a little more. I think we got maybe one or two, but it was good still spicy overall it was a good book and I look forward to reading the other ones in this series.

[Ana Stasia · Rating 1 out of 5]

The plot had a lot of potential but nothing was properly fleshed out. The whole plotline with the heroine's father's other family could have been an interesting plot point but was mostly shoved aside. It seemed to just be used to cause the heroine to have to stay with the hero to get them together. Their chemistry seemed promising in the beginning but ended up being meh. Not to mention the gazillion spelling and grammar and punctuation and "wrong name" errors. It really needed some proper proofreaders. The ending was also very meh. I hoped to see how her dad's family's issues would be resolved but as it stood at the end, the hero just paid them a bunch of money to get them to leave the heroine alone. I basically just skimmed after about 40% or so. All in all, an opportunity wasted.

[Ren || Reading What I Want · Rating 3 out of 5]

~ 𝙻𝚒𝚕𝚢 𝚂𝚝𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚍𝚒𝚍𝚗’𝚝 𝚓𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝚎𝚡𝚒𝚜𝚝 𝚒𝚗 𝚖𝚢 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚕𝚍. 𝚂𝚑𝚎 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚊𝚕𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚢, 𝚒𝚗 𝚊 𝚖𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚝𝚠𝚘 𝚍𝚊𝚢𝚜, 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚖𝚘𝚜𝚝 𝚒𝚗𝚏𝚞𝚛𝚒𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐, 𝚒𝚗𝚊𝚙𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚙𝚛𝚒𝚊𝚝𝚎 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚕 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚒𝚗 𝚒𝚝. ~

For a quick novella it wasn’t that bad. Xavier is a wealthy Duke and Lily is the daughter of his cook/maid. When he hears her singing and spots her for the first time, the stoic Duke becomes obsessed. Lily kind of teases him, but I really didn’t feel any romance blossom.

In a matter of days, they’re sleeping together, Xavier tries to get her to stay but her mom changes her mind, she returns to Paris for three months, then they get married. I LOVE novellas but this one really lacked any development. I didn’t feel the connection.

[VR Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ugh! Lily's mother!

This story had my emotions all over the place. I was dying for Lily and Xavier to finally get together, seemed like it took forever even though the timeline in the book was short. ..it just seemed like it was taking longer. Then her mother! I wanted to strangle her! I don't want to say too much and spoil the story....but I guess you know you are invested in a book couple when you are angry at some or one of the supporting characters lol. ( Would have been awesome if there was an epilogue with Xavier and Lily later on) Regardless of the annoying things, I really enjoyed this story.

[casvec · Rating 5 out of 5]

Xavier is a great fast read with amazing character and a tale that will have you hopping for the best. Xavier is English and from the upper class, he rather be by himself than live by some of the society's expectations. Lily is at the manor help out while her mom is recovering. In from Paris where she is a chef, to Xavier, she is a breath of fresh air.

I really like this book, the contract between Xavier and Lily worked well, my only sticking point was Lily's mom. I get she wants Lily to follow her dreams, but seemed stuck in the past with social classes.

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

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

This was a very enjoyable read. I liked both Xavier and Lily. They were perfect for each other and had combustible chemistry together. I understand that Lily’s mom had issues but she really wasn’t supportive of her daughter and scared her away. I liked how Xavier was an alpha but also gave Lily her space when he thought she needed it. I also liked that he wasn’t far away from her.

Safety and Spoilers
Completely safe. No ow/om drama. H has been celibate for years and h was a virgin. h’s mom causes some drama by scaring h into leaving the H. She isn’t supportive of their relationship and thought the H would get bored with her and marry someone more in his class.

[M Hurford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pinky’s Up!
Author, Gia Bailey has a way with words…all sorts of words. And when she strings them together she creates such a fun time for the reader. The main characters, The Duke, Xavier and his Chef, Lily are a match made in heaven in spite of the age different, and bless his heart how much Lily’s mom, Maura, his on the mend, chef, can bend him to his knees.
I’m looking forward to more of these stories from the author. They are well written and enjoyment to read. I’m highly recommending. PEACE.

[Kristine L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Start of a new series. Xavier is an aristocrat billionaire Duke and Lily is filling in for her mom as his chef. (Her mom fell and hurt herself). There is an attraction between the Duke and the chef. Xavier thinks that he's too old for Lily but he wants her anyway as she's not a bore like the women in his aristocratic circle. Lily is fun, sassy and not appropriate to be his wife. Quick read that has sweetness, humor, and heat. Great HEA> I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[april ♡ probably reading smut - safety reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

”I wanted it all. Her heart to keep, her body to possess, and my ring on her finger.”

This was a quick, sweet read. Xavier is an aristocrat who isn’t very social. His cook, Maura, has an accident so her daughter, Lily, is filling in for the position. They don’t hit it off at first- but there’s some hilarious moments between the two that keep you turning your page. Their banter is off the charts! I enjoyed reading it albeit some parts were boring.

important bits:
virgin heroine
celibate hero
no OM/OW drama
no cheating
safe as hell
HEA & epilogue 💗

[Magali · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unexpected by its characters
I found it to be a good short romance, mainly because the characters don't necessarily choose what you might expect. There are still a few clichés of this kind of romance, but ultimately the characters allow it to get over it. I really liked Lily's, which is out of aristocratic etiquette, ultimately, like Xavier.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book

[Rhonda Howell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a tale of an aristocratic Duke whi does not like the women in his social circle and wants a challenge. His muse is the daughter of his chef, who is filling in for her ill mother. Lily is no meek mouse she is fiery and feisty and will give Xavier a run for his money. Is he up for the challenge. This is the beginning of a fantastic new series.

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

[CJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author has given us a wonderful older man/younger woman story that pulls us into the lives of Lily and Xavier and does not let go. They have an instant attraction but try to fight it. If they give in to their attraction will they be able to follow their dreams or are they too far apart?

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

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fast-paced book one in the Spoiled Royals series! It is emotionally deep, well written, engaging, funny, and relatable with witty banter, steam, likeable characters, instant chemistry, and more. Definitely recommended!

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

[Manisha Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book one in the first Spoiled Royal series . Xavier and Lily have a love and hate relationship Lily like pushing Xavier buttons until the man underneath that comes out . This book is a page tuner and well worth it .

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

[adina willis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Xavier is a Duke. He is held to a different standard than those that are not royal. Lily is his new chef. She pushes Xavier's buttons. Xavier is older than Lily. He knows that she is different than the other women in his social class. He also knows that Lily is the one for him.

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

[Kathleen Bradbury (Bulfon) · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG I loved all of these Older men that see the one younger woman for them and do anything and everything to prove to them that they are all the man needs in his world. I loved this book and can not wait for more. I loved the action and adventure in these books and even a few that have danger in them too.

[Victoria Wyatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short quick, beautiful story. Xavier swoon.. I was happy with this book, it was a great age gap book. As usual Gia die a great job, it was well written.

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