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Unmasking the Billionaire
Eve was born on Halloween. She’s the loner with only one friend to her name. When that friend drags her to a masquerade ball for Halloween and dares her to kiss a mysteriously handsome and dangerous-looking stranger for a thousand bucks, there’s no way she’s going to turn down that kind of cash.
Besides, Eve might be inexperienced, but they’re all wearing masks, and it’s not like she’ll ever see him again.
Right?
Besides, Eve might be inexperienced, but they’re all wearing masks, and it’s not like she’ll ever see him again.
Right?
52 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 21, 2021
About the author
Emma Bray
155 books503 followersUSA Today bestselling author Emma Bray writes intense, steamy romances with possessive alpha males who’ll stop at nothing to claim the women they want. Emma’s instalove stories are filled with heat, passion and happily ever afters.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
December 16, 2021
My 1st read from this author. Short book about 50 pgs.
Good emotionality with some angst & sigh-worthy moments for such a short book. Good romance/pacing/S chem/hot sex scenes. Likable characters & good character development. Straightforward writing that conveyed the romance & emotional development between 20yo virgin maid h & 32yo scarred recluse businessman H in a sexy & sweet way. With some humor (liked h's combo of sass & innocence) & the depth of their strong feelings for each other.
What stood out for me was how faithful they were to each other, when they didn't know each other's identities during the 1 kiss they shared @ a Halloween party (since h ran away after). And the prospect of never seeing each other again. They both felt such a strong deep attraction from that brief interaction & didn't want to let go of it. Loved how each struggled with the loss of each other when they only shared 1 kiss. So, even when they were attracted to each other as boss-maid yet had no clue they already met, h was reluctant to kiss boss-H because she didn't want to erase the memory & essence of masked-H.
Loved H's OTT obssessive faithfulness to masked-h (he kept masturbating to memories of her). He also felt troubled by his similar attraction to maid-h when he was still so enraptured by his memories of masked-h. Loved his possessive-claimy “mine” with her, when he was starting to figure out that maid-h was his masked-h. Epilogue 1-yr later with H&h married with a baby daughter & they're re-enacting their 1st meeting in a current Halloween party.
Sexual History:
virgin h kissed her BFs but thought they were sloppy & didn't do more with them. H has been celibate for 5 years since the fire-accident that scarred him & took the lives of his beloved parents & brother 5 years ago. H dealt with his sexual needs since via masturbation. And since the kiss with masked-h, exclusive thoughts of her when he masturbated. Then, a blend of maid-h & masked-h fantasies since he thought them so similar until he found proof
Good emotionality with some angst & sigh-worthy moments for such a short book. Good romance/pacing/S chem/hot sex scenes. Likable characters & good character development. Straightforward writing that conveyed the romance & emotional development between 20yo virgin maid h & 32yo scarred recluse businessman H in a sexy & sweet way. With some humor (liked h's combo of sass & innocence) & the depth of their strong feelings for each other.
What stood out for me was how faithful they were to each other, when they didn't know each other's identities during the 1 kiss they shared @ a Halloween party (since h ran away after). And the prospect of never seeing each other again. They both felt such a strong deep attraction from that brief interaction & didn't want to let go of it. Loved how each struggled with the loss of each other when they only shared 1 kiss. So, even when they were attracted to each other as boss-maid yet had no clue they already met, h was reluctant to kiss boss-H because she didn't want to erase the memory & essence of masked-H.
Loved H's OTT obssessive faithfulness to masked-h (he kept masturbating to memories of her). He also felt troubled by his similar attraction to maid-h when he was still so enraptured by his memories of masked-h. Loved his possessive-claimy “mine” with her, when he was starting to figure out that maid-h was his masked-h. Epilogue 1-yr later with H&h married with a baby daughter & they're re-enacting their 1st meeting in a current Halloween party.
Sexual History:
virgin h kissed her BFs but thought they were sloppy & didn't do more with them. H has been celibate for 5 years since the fire-accident that scarred him & took the lives of his beloved parents & brother 5 years ago. H dealt with his sexual needs since via masturbation. And since the kiss with masked-h, exclusive thoughts of her when he masturbated. Then, a blend of maid-h & masked-h fantasies since he thought them so similar until he found proof
December 17, 2021
**4/5 stars**
I sometimes find it hard to really enjoy novellas because of the very common rushed pacing and developments. So when I find novellas that have satisfying pacing, I like to give them a higher score. If the pacing is good, it can convey a lot in so little time and to me, it’s something that should be rewarded.
Now was it perfect? Hmmm, not really.
Did I enjoy it? Absolutely.
The story is about Eve, a young woman who finds herself at a masquerade party, dragged in by her best friend, who then dares her to go and kiss a hot masked stranger. They exchange a life-changing, toe-curling kiss before Eve runs away, leaving Lucian wanting for more, and wondering who she is.
I don’t want to say too much because it is a novella, so you will have to read it for yourself. Just know that personality-wise, Lucian is grumpy, broody and possessive (slight OTT and obsessed tendencies) while Eve is somewhat meek, inexperienced and she has no idea how attractive she is (well Lucian really likes the way she looks).
✔️HEA
✔️Novella
✔️Dual POV
✔️Age gap
✔️Possessive and broody H
✔️Virgin h
✔️No cheating
✔️No OW/OM
🔥Steam level: 3.5/5
⚡Content warning
Quick and steamy! Enjoyable!
I sometimes find it hard to really enjoy novellas because of the very common rushed pacing and developments. So when I find novellas that have satisfying pacing, I like to give them a higher score. If the pacing is good, it can convey a lot in so little time and to me, it’s something that should be rewarded.
Now was it perfect? Hmmm, not really.
Did I enjoy it? Absolutely.
The story is about Eve, a young woman who finds herself at a masquerade party, dragged in by her best friend, who then dares her to go and kiss a hot masked stranger. They exchange a life-changing, toe-curling kiss before Eve runs away, leaving Lucian wanting for more, and wondering who she is.
I don’t want to say too much because it is a novella, so you will have to read it for yourself. Just know that personality-wise, Lucian is grumpy, broody and possessive (slight OTT and obsessed tendencies) while Eve is somewhat meek, inexperienced and she has no idea how attractive she is (well Lucian really likes the way she looks).
✔️HEA
✔️Novella
✔️Dual POV
✔️Age gap
✔️Possessive and broody H
✔️Virgin h
✔️No cheating
✔️No OW/OM
🔥Steam level: 3.5/5
⚡Content warning
Quick and steamy! Enjoyable!
February 25, 2022
I HONESTLY don't understand what the hype was all about.
It was okayish for me.
It was okayish for me.
October 22, 2021
WOW!
This is the first book I’ve read from this author, I must say I was BLOWN away! The story was captivating and hard to put down! I loved the characters and the writing was smoking hot. It’s hard to find a book that check all of my reader boxes, but this one definitely did. I can’t wait to read more from this author!!
This is the first book I’ve read from this author, I must say I was BLOWN away! The story was captivating and hard to put down! I loved the characters and the writing was smoking hot. It’s hard to find a book that check all of my reader boxes, but this one definitely did. I can’t wait to read more from this author!!
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November 6, 2025
The hero constantly talking about her “little lips” thankfully he was referring to the ones on her face but omg why??? because I don’t think he was saying they were thin, just further enforcing that every single feature about this teeny tiny girl was tiny…just in case you forgot she’s so small 🥴 then the heroine referring to him as “Mr. Shmexy”?…🤦🏼♀️ enough said. And lastly the hero referring to his cock as his “stem”, “stalk” (obsessed with plants?) and “rod”, among other things. I feel like I’m in that one scene in 10 Things I Hate About You, iykyk. Just every word he used to describe his sex, hers, the act of sex, was so not sexy it’s not even funny. There’s way too much ridiculous shit packed in to 50 pages to even bother bringing up, but this was terrible and the cover sucks too ✌️ literally why did I read this? 🤡 I was wanting some more Halloween novellas but after this I’m definitely done haha
November 10, 2021
Fast, fun and steamy
Possessive, OTT hero with a twist on Cinderella meets beauty and the beast. Hero wasn’t a manwhore. Innocent heroine. Totally safe.
Possessive, OTT hero with a twist on Cinderella meets beauty and the beast. Hero wasn’t a manwhore. Innocent heroine. Totally safe.
November 4, 2022
This was just... not it. I was throwing read flags in the first 10 pages. The interactions between her and her friend are contrived and fall into harmful language surrounding food and appearance.
The main character's body is described in a way that sounds damn near pre-pubescent.... like we get it- she's small, but at a few points it got real creepy with the way that the guy was reacting as well as the way that the main character keeps reminding the reader she is a virgin...
Also Mr. Smexy was a fun description, tall dark and brooding, this character unsurprisingly is cold and mean because of course. But some on the behavior described is down right childish and abusive. It's not hot or sexy to read about just a total asshole with no redeeming qualities other than being attracted to the infantalized main character...
The main character's body is described in a way that sounds damn near pre-pubescent.... like we get it- she's small, but at a few points it got real creepy with the way that the guy was reacting as well as the way that the main character keeps reminding the reader she is a virgin...
Also Mr. Smexy was a fun description, tall dark and brooding, this character unsurprisingly is cold and mean because of course. But some on the behavior described is down right childish and abusive. It's not hot or sexy to read about just a total asshole with no redeeming qualities other than being attracted to the infantalized main character...
October 14, 2022
Cute short story about a kiss turned true love
October 31, 2021
It's like Cinderella but with a modern twist and secret identity entailed. You see Eve was dragged to some fancy masquerade ball by her BFF. At the party, her BFF dared her to kiss a hunky older guy. A kiss and it's all it took to fall. Both fell hard. Eve ran because it was just that. A dare. When they met again as a maid and billionaire boss with a scarred face, both fell unexplainable attraction toward each other. But they fight it because they fell for the beautiful stranger at the party. So what happened next then?
The story was kinda short, but I liked the steaminess the most. Emma had this steamy thing going on with most of her story. Though the story was a bit more a hybrid between Cinderella met Beauty and the Beast. Quite predictable, I know, but it was entertaining nevertheless.
Virgin h, Celibate H
No condoms
OTT instalove
Dual PoV, 1st person
No cheating
No drama/angst
Safe read, HEA, epilogue
Overall score: 3 instalove stars
The story was kinda short, but I liked the steaminess the most. Emma had this steamy thing going on with most of her story. Though the story was a bit more a hybrid between Cinderella met Beauty and the Beast. Quite predictable, I know, but it was entertaining nevertheless.
Virgin h, Celibate H
No condoms
OTT instalove
Dual PoV, 1st person
No cheating
No drama/angst
Safe read, HEA, epilogue
Overall score: 3 instalove stars
October 23, 2022
Yikes the audiobook made it worse
May 4, 2025
A fun bathtub read.
November 13, 2024
Unmasking you by MeemsAngel82
This is it! This is the Emma storytelling that I love! I have been a fan especially because of stories like Paws Off which is still to this literal day my favorite book of hers. The plot is just at the right length for a short read but everything and everyone is fleshed out nicely. These characters needed one another. He was too alone and she didn't think of herself ending up happy in that way.
But a dare from a well meaning friend turns their worlds upside down.
Now that was a happy coincidence! Her Mr. Smexy was the boss of her dreams after she realizes he isn't the boss of her nightmares. These two have a lot of chemistry and I loved he me took control of that kiss during their first encounter. That was some guts she had and I will give her credit for that. That night started something important for the two and I was loving how it turned out!
This is it! This is the Emma storytelling that I love! I have been a fan especially because of stories like Paws Off which is still to this literal day my favorite book of hers. The plot is just at the right length for a short read but everything and everyone is fleshed out nicely. These characters needed one another. He was too alone and she didn't think of herself ending up happy in that way.
But a dare from a well meaning friend turns their worlds upside down.
Now that was a happy coincidence! Her Mr. Smexy was the boss of her dreams after she realizes he isn't the boss of her nightmares. These two have a lot of chemistry and I loved he me took control of that kiss during their first encounter. That was some guts she had and I will give her credit for that. That night started something important for the two and I was loving how it turned out!
August 5, 2022
This is a short captivating story. When Eve is dared to kiss the tall stranger for a thousand dollars at a masquerade party there’s no way she can refuse. She needs the money, besides it’s not like a kiss with a stranger she will never see again is a big deal. When Lucian notices the petite gorgeous woman walking towards him he’s captivated. Never in his wildest dreams would he have guessed she was there to kiss him, and what a kiss it was! The intensity shocks them both and as Eve flees the party Lucian is left behind wondering how to find his mystery woman. Will these two meet again? Take a longer lunch and enjoy this short steamy story.
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.
September 25, 2022
Short, great read!
* Age-gap
* Virgin h
* Celibate H
* Scarred H
* Size difference
Lucian Claymore (32 yrs old) is at a masquerade Halloween party purely for business. His choice would’ve been to be at home, away from people. While he’s holding up the wall, this teeny tiny woman (Eve Carter 20 yrs old) comes up to him and kisses him. They’re both masked so when there’s an instant connection, but Eve runs away, it feels like all is lost for both of them.
In a strange twist of fate, they’re brought back together but it’s a simple case of mistaken identities for a brief time since neither is wearing a mask now.
The book unfolds and progresses from there.
🌶🌶🌶🌶/5 for Spice (I just wish there was more)
Would definitely recommend and re-read. Enjoy.
* Age-gap
* Virgin h
* Celibate H
* Scarred H
* Size difference
Lucian Claymore (32 yrs old) is at a masquerade Halloween party purely for business. His choice would’ve been to be at home, away from people. While he’s holding up the wall, this teeny tiny woman (Eve Carter 20 yrs old) comes up to him and kisses him. They’re both masked so when there’s an instant connection, but Eve runs away, it feels like all is lost for both of them.
In a strange twist of fate, they’re brought back together but it’s a simple case of mistaken identities for a brief time since neither is wearing a mask now.
The book unfolds and progresses from there.
🌶🌶🌶🌶/5 for Spice (I just wish there was more)
Would definitely recommend and re-read. Enjoy.
August 21, 2022
Eve (h) accepts a friend's dare to kiss a dark, brooding masked stranger, Lucian (H), at a Halloween masquerade ball. For both Lucian and Eve, the kiss is like no other and before they can do anything more Eve runs off never expecting to see her mystery man again. But fate seems to have other ideas when Eve is hired as the new maid in Lucian's mansion, though neither know one another's true identities. Little things start adding up and the pair realize they have found their passionate partner from the ball. Short, hot and steamy quickie!
November 12, 2024
A dare leads to love
I kind of loved this story. It was really entertaining and enjoyable with just a smidge of Halloween thrown in. I did a lot of smiling while reading it. Eve and Lucian “met” on her birthday while they were at a masquerade party. Thanks to a dare, they shared a kiss that changed both of them in ways they didn’t think possible. It was super sweet that Lucian was looking for Eve even though he didn’t have anything to really go on. I loved their happily ever after. I recommend reading this book.
I kind of loved this story. It was really entertaining and enjoyable with just a smidge of Halloween thrown in. I did a lot of smiling while reading it. Eve and Lucian “met” on her birthday while they were at a masquerade party. Thanks to a dare, they shared a kiss that changed both of them in ways they didn’t think possible. It was super sweet that Lucian was looking for Eve even though he didn’t have anything to really go on. I loved their happily ever after. I recommend reading this book.
October 10, 2022
Short Sexy Read
This novella is somewhat entertaining. However, their ages seem a bit to young for my personal enjoyment. This is more a young adult story. I did like the character of Lucien. He’s a bit tough and sexy, but mostly he knows what he wants and goes for it. This would be a much better novel and could be easily lengthened with more in depth attention paid to his background and family circumstances.
This novella is somewhat entertaining. However, their ages seem a bit to young for my personal enjoyment. This is more a young adult story. I did like the character of Lucien. He’s a bit tough and sexy, but mostly he knows what he wants and goes for it. This would be a much better novel and could be easily lengthened with more in depth attention paid to his background and family circumstances.
January 28, 2024
This short insta-love story is positively delightful! It has Cinderella vibes, except instead of losing a shoe, it's an unforgettable kiss while the two are wearing masks. The chemistry between the two is absolutely amazing!
This is a short story with not a whole lot of plot, but it has a lot of romance/insta-love.
It's a perfect quick, steamy read for a break in the afternoon!!.
It is dual narrated and both do a good job!
This is a short story with not a whole lot of plot, but it has a lot of romance/insta-love.
It's a perfect quick, steamy read for a break in the afternoon!!.
It is dual narrated and both do a good job!
April 16, 2024
If you like the old fashioned Harlequin books inherited from your mother, you will like this. I feel that this little insta-love reads should be sweet, easy and without overly exorbitant drama, so far this writer's style meets my reading requirements without getting me all frazzled and pissed of with some jackalope imaginary H and doormat h.
I give this a 7 star or a 10 on my own personal grading scale.
I give this a 7 star or a 10 on my own personal grading scale.
August 8, 2024
A very quick instalove age gap story about a scarred, reclusive thirty something year old wealthy man, Lucian and a twenty year old virgin who meet at a Masquerade Halloween party. Eve is dared by her friend to kiss the masked man and there is a surprising connection and instant flare of attraction. She flees the party but they meet again unexpectedly when Eve procures a job as his housemaid.
This romance was only five chapters long but it felt like a complete romance. This is not a clean book as there is swearing and sex and it is a bite sized read that can be read in an hour.
This romance was only five chapters long but it felt like a complete romance. This is not a clean book as there is swearing and sex and it is a bite sized read that can be read in an hour.
November 19, 2024
Birthday Surprise
Eve goes to a masquerade party with her best friend. On a dare she walks up to the Mr. Smexy and gives him a kiss that stops both their worlds. Lucian is reclusive and grumpy but that kiss knocked his socks off and he desperately needs to find her. Little does he realize that his mysterious kiss works for him and when he realizes it he sets out to make her his forever
Eve goes to a masquerade party with her best friend. On a dare she walks up to the Mr. Smexy and gives him a kiss that stops both their worlds. Lucian is reclusive and grumpy but that kiss knocked his socks off and he desperately needs to find her. Little does he realize that his mysterious kiss works for him and when he realizes it he sets out to make her his forever
December 4, 2021
"Unmasking the Billionaire" is the story of Eve and Lucian.
A very sweet story in which an impromptu kiss at a masked ball leads to longing.. However fate leads to a second meeting in which our characters realize they are made for each other as their identities are revealed. I enjoyed this!
Safe
4/5
A very sweet story in which an impromptu kiss at a masked ball leads to longing.. However fate leads to a second meeting in which our characters realize they are made for each other as their identities are revealed. I enjoyed this!
Safe
4/5
March 25, 2022
Good
This was a good short story. Lucian and Eve share an unforgettable kiss that they both can’t forget. When Lucian finally finds his raven he is determined to never let her go again.
Safety and Spoilers
Completely safe. No ow/om drama. H has been celibate for over 5 years and h is a virgin. No abuse.
This was a good short story. Lucian and Eve share an unforgettable kiss that they both can’t forget. When Lucian finally finds his raven he is determined to never let her go again.
Safety and Spoilers
Completely safe. No ow/om drama. H has been celibate for over 5 years and h is a virgin. No abuse.
September 5, 2022
An insta-love between a scarred, reclusive beast of a man and a quiet, struggling to make ends meet girl. They share a steamy kiss in a masquerade ball and she run, but they were under each other’s skin after that single taste and fate brought them together. They just have to figure out who they are.
November 21, 2021
THE KISS
Love the dare and the after effects of the kiss. This is a true love story for the telling. They made a great couple, not wanting to kiss unless it was the one they kissed that night. Great story.
Love the dare and the after effects of the kiss. This is a true love story for the telling. They made a great couple, not wanting to kiss unless it was the one they kissed that night. Great story.
March 22, 2022
It’s a good very short and fast read when u don’t wanna read a long book or r so busy that u don’t have time to read a long book but reading relieves your stress so u just wanna read something short cuz that’s the only type of book u can read at the moment.
July 29, 2022
Eve and Lucian
I dare you to kiss a smexy stranger for $1000. In out and money... totally easy right? Not at all life changing. This is a story about a masked ball and miss communication. So sweet and smexy. So cute!
I dare you to kiss a smexy stranger for $1000. In out and money... totally easy right? Not at all life changing. This is a story about a masked ball and miss communication. So sweet and smexy. So cute!
October 16, 2022
Got this on “stuff your kindle day” for a quick Halloween read. I usually think short books are so cheesy and dull to read however I truly enjoyed this one! Will be sharing in my book groups. Good, quick Halloween read.
January 17, 2023
Cute story
Eve is dared by her bestie to kiss a stranger. This kiss turns out to be scorching. Lucian and Eve obsess over each other , not knowing each mothers identity. I love the ending.
Eve is dared by her bestie to kiss a stranger. This kiss turns out to be scorching. Lucian and Eve obsess over each other , not knowing each mothers identity. I love the ending.
October 5, 2023
I liked the idea of this story. Masked strangers who meet on a dare is definitely alluring. A lot of the story seemed rushed but that might be because I wanted more. I’ll definitely be reading more from this author.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews