The Acquisition

Business and Pleasure #2

by Kimberly Carrillo

Colter Greyson is off limits.

There’s a long list of reasons why I can’t give into the attraction that simmers between us. But quite possibly, the biggest reason being…

He’s my best friend’s father.

With my sarcastic sense of humor as a weapon, I fight off all of his advances. My heart is safe behind the titanium walls I’ve carefully constructed.

Until it isn’t.

Until the night the life I knew is snatched away, and I find myself with nowhere and no one to turn to. Colter transforms once again from my sparring partner into my white knight.

He comes up with a solution to my problems. All I have to do is say, “I do.”

Maybe this can work…as long as I remember, Colter Greyson isn’t mine to keep.

Genres: Marriage Of Convenience, Contemporary

300 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 24, 2022

About the author

Kimberly Carrillo is a storyteller from the Pacific Northwest, currently living in a small town with her teenage son and a house full of pets. The author of the romantic suspense Destroy Series, and other books, Kimberly writes tales of beautiful, messy love. When she isn’t reading or out supporting her son at sports events she can be found moving a cat off her keyboard so she can help the heroine find the love that she deserves.

Follow her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kdcarrilloau...

Titkok: @kimberlycarrilloauthor

Instagram: @kdcarrilloauthor

www.kimberlycarrilloauthor.com

Reviews

[Kursed Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jana Easton and Colter Grayson have been dancing around their attraction for more than a year. When a personal situation leaves Jana homeless and penniless, it creates the perfect scenario for them to explore what more would look like.

“I can see the cracks forming in that icy façade you’ve built around yourself. I think if I apply the right amount of pressure you’ll melt in my arms.“

These two give good banter! Their back-and-forth was probably my favorite part of the book. I’m anxious to see what comes next in the Business & Pleasure series.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Angst: 😩😩😩
Burn: 🔥🔥🔥
Heat: 🌶🌶🌶

🗂 Genre: Contemporary Romance

✨ Tropes: Age Gap, Forbidden, Forced Proximity, Marriage of Convenience, Kidnäpping/Cåptive

⛔️ Warning: This book may cause blushing, squirming, combusting panties, and/or self-care.

📣 Type: The Acquisition is part of the Business & Pleasure series, but can be read as a standalone. However, these books will be best enjoyed when read in order.

🛑 Be Advised: My Goodreads shelves are … explicit in both senses. As such, they could be considered spoiler-y.

[Bella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kimberly Carrillo has done it again! I am really loving the way this author writes. I anticipate every book she puts out! .
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Half.sassed.books · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Acquisition is the second installment in the Business and Pleasure series. Although it is a standalone, it is interconnected. Do yourself a favor and read Beck and Call first. Do not read anymore if you haven't read the first book.

The heroine, is just the kind of girl we all wish we could be. She's strong, smart, well educated and wealthy. She is demoted by her father, but expected to complete the job of her previous position. Hath no fury like a woman scorned, and she allows her father's promotional event to epically fail.

This is the beginning of a series of events that will bring Jana and Colter closer together. If you read Beck & Call, you'll remember their sexy banter. It only gets better in their own book.

Jana's Dad does some shady dealings and hides the Will of his father. In the Will, Jana takes control of her family's business when she gets married or reaches 30. Since she's years away from 30, a marriage of convenience is arranged with a too hot to handle, Colter seed what he's been missing. Being single into his late thirties and believes Jana is his chance to have it.

What you will find:
Age Gap (12 years)
Fun & Flirty banter
A marriage of convenience
A serious mistake by the hero, which requires grovel.
Side characters that you can't wait to see more of.

There's a mix of happy, sad, emotional moments. They will make a statement in how much we grow and change as we develop into who we are supposed to be. You will cheer for Jana & Colter and maybe be a little jealous of her.

Loved these characters & their journey to find their HEA.

Story 5⭐
Spice 4.5 🌶️ (wedding night 🔥🔥🔥)

[Brenda Moser · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a well written book with strong characters in Jana and Colter. The author does a great job building the story and brings all the feels as she develops the relationship. She moves the story fluidly with her descriptive scenes and had me hooked from start to finish. I loved and would recommend this book.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.

[Alyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jana is a twenty-six year old whose life has fallen apart. After her father gives her position in the company away to her cousin because he's male and she isn't, she tells dear old dad to kick rocks. In doing so, he freezes all of her assets and changes the locks to her home and she finds herself locked out in the rain. After going through her contacts, she decides their is only one person she can call.

Colter is Evie's father and Jana is his daughters best friend. However, when he gets the call from Jana that she is in need he speeds across town to her rescue. He wants her even when he shouldn't, but he can't resist.

As the drama with her father unfolds and more of the inheritance stipulations come to light, Jana and Colt make the decision to get married for her inheritance. Jana calls it a business proposal, and Colt tells her he wants her forever.

Tensions rise, steamy scenes happen, and Colt shoves his foot in his mouth and causes all the angst. Don't fret, it ends on a HEA.

Definitely recommend for that taboo best friend's dad trope. This was hot, Colt was hot, possessive and just delicious. . I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tammy Manning · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely love reading books that give me all the emotions and that’s just what I got with The Acquisition. The banter between Jana and Colter had me laughing throughout the book and I couldn’t get enough of it. At the same time, learning what they both had been through during their lives and why they had up the walls that they did was heartbreaking. I loved that while Jana was the one trying to fight her feelings and keep their marriage as a business arrangement, Colt was determined that he was going to convince her their marriage was real. He knew that he wanted Jana and he once he got her, there was no way he was going to let her go. These two really are perfect for each other and I loved seeing them figure everything out. If you’re looking for a book that will suck you in from the first page and keep you turning the page until you reach the end, then make sure you give this book a try.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was truly awesome! I liked Jana and Colter, although there were a couple moments I wanted to str@ngle him. What he said and did was really hurtful. It would have destroyed me too, and I haven't gone through what Jana did with Malcolm and especially her parents. So... in those moments he was the one needing a spanking. A hard one. I'm glad they had their HEA. They deserved it. They were weirdly perfect for each other. What a match. I guess next book is Sabrina's, right? I have a suspicion on who her man will be but I'm not saying.
Now I'm also curious to go back and read Evie and Beck's story too.

[Peggy Hogan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gahhhh, so good!!! I couldn't wait to read Colter and Jana's story, and it was everything I knew I'd love! I loved being back in this world. Colter and Jana's chemistry was undeniable, and even though Jana tried to fight it, her feelings for Colter were palpable.

I loved everything about this story! A forbidden marriage of convenience full of angst and drama, which was pure perfection! I really loved that Colter was the one who was so attentive, and doing everything he could to make the marriage work, instead of it always being the female. This series so far is one of those that I can already tell is going to stay with me for a long time! Definitely worth reading! Highly recommended with more than five stars!

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

taboo, billionaire romance, age gap, Colter Greyson is off limits, he is my best friend's father.
what is a girl to do other than fall in love.
. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great read. Enjoyed it from start to finish. Haven't read Kimberly before but will again. Looking forward to the next book . I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[APRIL COIL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grear book kept me turning the page . I cant wait on the next one
Possibly my new favorite book
Love it . I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Evie and Beck's story in Beck and Call but Jana and Colter's is even better. The suspense and emotions throughout the story had me turning page after page, getting lost in the world where business mixes with pleasure. The Acquisition is a must read!

[Hollie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went in blind reading this story as it was an offered ARC and the title sounded good, so I said why not? I’m so glad I did. I was immediately sucked in right from the first page. My heart kept breaking for Jana for not only how her family was treating her but for how she viewed herself as well. I kept wishing she could just catch a break.. and then Colt comes along, I wasn’t sure how it was going to go at first with them, but I’m SO glad they found each other and learned to truly communicate what that were feeling, while also trying to help and navigate everyone and everything else that was thrown at them. I went through just about every emotion while reading this story, it was just so good.

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

[Tracy H · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Acquisition
Book 2 of Business and Pleasure

by
Kimberly Carrillo

I could not wait to read this story. Colter is Jana's best friends dad and they have such chemistry. The banter is amazing between the two. Jana finds herself in a situation and Colter swoops in and helps her out. This book is so good. .
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[EmpK · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok I’ve read two books now in this series. And it’s the same. Emotionally abusive men who manipulate women into thinking everything is their fault. There’s some mild kinkiness, which seems worse because of the emotional abuse. It’s decently written but I can’t bear the casual cruelty of men who blow hot and cold and then blame the woman for it. And then other women blame the main female lead too. Yuck yuck yuck.

[Novelist400 · Rating 1 out of 5]

Okkk sooo this book is about eve hooking up with her besties father…apparently he is only 12 years older than her!?!?!?

Maybe it’s because I’m not good at math but does Anyone see the flaw in this logic? Or is the thought of a 12 yr old kid impregnating someone only disturbing to me? 😰😰😰😰

To be fair it’s repeatedly mentioned and addressed in this book hat the relationships between the MCs and all the supporting characters is taboo and F*D up in a massive way.

Colt 38 yo is the main MC and best friends with Beck. They’ve been friends since they were 8 and Becks family essentially count colt as their other son.

Moving on…Beck is married to Colts long lost daughter (Evie) who he didn’t know existed. So colts bestie is also his son in law. Now Evies bestie the Jana has the hots for colt and ends up married to him. This makes Jana evies Stepmom/bestie.

Then there is Sabrina….she is colts stepsister and the 3 friend in Jana and Evie bundle. This makes Brian Evies step Aunt and Jana’s sister in law.

Evie and Becks daughter Gracie is technically the granddaughter of Colt and Jana. But when Jana and Colt have their daughter violet who is younger than Gracie she is Eves stepsister.

This was an ABSOLUTE CLUSTER of a book. Regardless of the ridiculous family relationship drama, there was NO feelings from any of the characters. They story was just surface level and characters were contradictory. The H was at times an essential d*bag and shouldn’t have been forgiven. If I had as much money as the characters in this book, I’d pay for it to be removed and not read. And I don’t say those words lightly after some of the stupidest things I’ve read.

[Duckie Mack · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Acquisition was an awesome follow up to Beck and Call. I love this complicated billionaire friend group. The connections between them are tangled and interesting. Jana and Colter's story was amazing. These two had intense chemistry.
Colter might be the father of Jana's best friend, but she can't help the attraction to him. Colter is healing from some deep wounds, and while he might have been a playboy in the past, he wants nothing more than to settle down and have a forever person, and the one he wants that with is Jana.
When Jana's crooked father tries to bump her out of the family company and all of her finances, they realize there is a way for her to take back everything that belongs to her, a marriage clause in her trust.
Colter happily agrees to marry her to help her out, but he doesn't intend for it to be temporary. It's his way in with her. Jana gives in to the idea that Colter does things to her, she enjoys being with him and loves the things he can do to her, but in her mind, it's a benefit to an arrangement that has an expiration date. Jana has her own hurts that she is trying to work through.
I may have yelled at the characters a few times, but I absolutely loved the way they were together. Even if they got themselves in trouble here and there.
Colter is the sexy, best friend's father who should be off limits. Jana is the woman of Colter's dreams, but he's haunted by the past. These two together were explosive in all the best ways. This book swept me away and stole my sleep, but I'm not mad about that at all, I just couldn't put it down. I can't wait to see what happens in the next book.

[Stacey Foss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Colter is so attracted to Jana but she keeps putting distance between them as he is her best friends father. The have great banter that makes you laugh out loud and love them from the beginning. Colter has decided that he wants her and is not going to put up with her pushing him away. Jana is dealing with so much her life is a mess. Jana always feels that she is not enough and will always be everyone's second or third but never someone's first priority. She is terrified to feel anything or to hope what they have is real so she tried to hide her feelings. Colter knows he feels something but still is stuck on his past and the person he felt was his true love. When things seem to be going good, he does the one thing to push her away. This story is of love, heartache and letting the past go. It is a journey of finding who you are and who you want to be. Colter wants a family but is he ready to move on? This story is a fun one with many emotional turns but it will pull you in and keep you reading right from the beginning.
I was given this book as an ARC for my honest review.

[Sharon Moritz-rosenthal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a complimentary early release copy of this e-book from the author prior to release and am voluntarily leaving a review.

This is book 2 in the series. It is supposed to stand alone but I decided to read the first book in the series, Beck and Call, and I was really glad I did because I would have been lost in this story if I had not. This story picks up from close to the end of Beck and Call. Events in Beck and Call are central to the plot in this story so if you had not read the previous book, you could be lost.

This was a story with twists and turns and surprises along the way. I don't want to spoil the fun. But its also a story that gave me all the feels. Its sexy, super hot and filled with friends that become family and love from many different sources, parental love, soul mate love, sister and brotherly love and friend love. It was an awesome story that kept me entertained throughout to the very last page.

[Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Acquisition was a glimpse into a high powered world of business featuring the people who call the shots and those whose fates hang in the balance of those decisions. The story explores the complicated connections between friends, family and foes whose histories go back a long way. I didn't realize there was a book that preceded this in the series, so be sure to read that! The Acquisition worked just fine as a standalone but I'm sure the experience would have been enhanced had I done my homework. That said, Jana and Colter's story was one of a lightly taboo connection that refused to be ignored and their reapective journeys to finding out what matters most in life. Their biting repartee was entertaining to read and after some strife and emotional tumult, I was pleased to see the resolution.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC from the author and am voluntarily leaving my review. Jana is having some work and family issues. It seems that she has a choice to comply or lose everything. When she needed someone the most, Colt comes to the rescue. He is the father of her close friend but the attraction and chemistry are all there between them. They make a deal between them that changes everything. She is in it for one thing and he is for another but they still feel the same. I enjoyed the characters and thought that book was well written. It had a good amount of drama, family issues and conflict but also humor, friendship, passion and love. . I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[HEA PR · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read if you love an emotional rollercoaster romance!

Age gap? CHECK.
Marriage of convenience? CHECK.
Forbidden romance? CHECK.
Best friend's father? CHECK.

✯Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3GvQfTi
✯Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3qS3qr7
✯Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/3qXxd1s
✯Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/3zAjGAN

✯✯✯ Read Book 1, Beck & Call: https://amzn.to/31y004d

[Sue Ouellet-Cofsky · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first read by Kimberly Carrillo and I will definitely read more in the future. At first, I felt like either I or the story was off. I wasn't getting into it and I think it was because I didn't really understand all the familial dynamics in all the characters. Beck and Call I believe may be the story prior to this and reading it may have helped me understand better where these characters were coming from. It picked up speed around the 50% mark and I truly started to enjoy the chemistry between Colt and Jana. Some suspenseful moments helped elevate the story for me. Steam was nicely off the charts as well.

[Steph W · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Acquisition is book 2 in the Business & Pleasures series by Kimberly Carrillo.

I’ve been looking forward to Jana and Colter’s story since meeting them in book 1 of this series, Beck and Call. The Acquisition brings us a marriage of convenience storyline with an age gap and somewhat taboo/forbidden element added in as a bonus. I enjoyed this book very much, with my favorite parts being the fun banter between the two MC’s (especially her calling him “Gramps”) and the wedding night scene, which was fabulous. While the road to their HEA was a bit bumpy, it was very satisfying in the end.

Looking forward to more from this author and series!

[Skye · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5⭐️
I’m reading through the pierced pecker listopia. Unfortunately for me the piercings were mentioned twice ever and it didn’t feel realistic as an aspect of their sexual relationship. It was introduced and dropped and didn’t exist.

Story was fun and drama-y like gossip girl. Everyone is unfathomably rich which sometimes is glamorous but this time felt hollow and wasteful. More than once in this book he flew her somewhere far away to sequester her cuz they needed to talk. Spoiler- they banged and didn’t talk. The prose was VERY dialogue heavy and it kinda felt like reading a screenplay or similar instead of a book.

[Serena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jana has tried denying the attraction to Colten, because as much as they both feel the chemistry, he’s her best friend’s father.
Jana’s father decides that her male cousin is better suited for the position she has and removes her, then her father basically leaves her homeless. Calling the one person she thinks can help she calls Colten.
Finding out more and more about what her father is really trying to do, Lana and Colten work to outsmart him. The only thing Jana tries to say it’s just a proposal to help her out of a situation, while Colten wants it to be real.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh I love me some age-gap romance, and this new to me author had me glued to the pages!

I enjoyed the characters and the banter between them.

I loved that Colter wanted more than a marriage of convenience.

Not sure if I could have a relationship (marriage) with my best friend's dad, but, when it's right, it's right!

Going to read book one and see what else I'd like to read by this talented author.

[LLS · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a highly anticipated book from this author! It is not necessary to read the first book in this series but I would recommend it to fully enjoy the story. Colter and Jana have strong feelings for each other but don't know if they should act on them. Colter is Jana's best friend's father. Their chemistry is off the charts as they work through their journey to happiness! It was a very emotional read.

Thank you for the privilege of reading this book! Well done

[Happyscribe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not usually a fan of age gap ranges but this story hit the mark on so many other points that I couldn't help but fall a little (ok a lot) in live with the book. I've now read the book out of order (this is book 2 - the first was Beck and Call) but I honestly didn't feel I HAD to know the backstory to enjoy this one. Such a fun read!!. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lynn Stifle · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Acquisition is book #2 in the Business and Pleasure Series and it’s a fabulous age gap romance. Jana and Colter have been fighting their attraction for awhile now, and Jana has went out of her way to distance herself as he’s her best friend’s father. When Jana needs someone the most, Colter swoops in to rescue her. I thoroughly enjoyed everything about this story…and I especially loved the banter between Jana and Colter. A recommended read.