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The Last Eligible Billionaire
He's a billionaire heir. A grump supreme. Hater of people. Bigger hater of peopling with people. And my new fake boyfriend.
Emotionally unavailable doesn't even begin to describe Hayes Rutherford. He's cold. He's distant. He has more defenses than a nuclear missile silo. And he's the ultimate catch of the century. At least, according to his bank statement.
My job's Keep Hayes's matchmaking relatives and all interested ladies away from the cranky, grumpy, walled-off heir to my favorite movie empire by pretending to be his one true love, and in return, he won't ruin my life over a teensy, tiny little misunderstanding.
But the more I sneak past his walls and fences, the more I realize that while we might be from different worlds, we have more in common than either of us expected. The man under all the glitz, glamour, and dollar signs could be the real love of my life.
But you know what they say about fake dating a billionaire-it's all fun and games until the scandals start.
The Last Eligible Billionaire is a swoony, laugh-out-loud romance featuring a botched wax job, a woman in over her head, a man in over his heart, and the sweetest misguided dog to ever play matchmaker...or at least make sure these two anti-love birds never have clothes when they get out of the shower. It stands alone and comes complete with grand romantic gestures.
Emotionally unavailable doesn't even begin to describe Hayes Rutherford. He's cold. He's distant. He has more defenses than a nuclear missile silo. And he's the ultimate catch of the century. At least, according to his bank statement.
My job's Keep Hayes's matchmaking relatives and all interested ladies away from the cranky, grumpy, walled-off heir to my favorite movie empire by pretending to be his one true love, and in return, he won't ruin my life over a teensy, tiny little misunderstanding.
But the more I sneak past his walls and fences, the more I realize that while we might be from different worlds, we have more in common than either of us expected. The man under all the glitz, glamour, and dollar signs could be the real love of my life.
But you know what they say about fake dating a billionaire-it's all fun and games until the scandals start.
The Last Eligible Billionaire is a swoony, laugh-out-loud romance featuring a botched wax job, a woman in over her head, a man in over his heart, and the sweetest misguided dog to ever play matchmaker...or at least make sure these two anti-love birds never have clothes when they get out of the shower. It stands alone and comes complete with grand romantic gestures.
350 pages, Paperback
First published March 3, 2022
9828 people are currently reading
13221 people want to read
About the author
Pippa Grant
66 books10.7k followersPippa Grant wanted to write books, so she did.
Before she became a USA Today and #1 Amazon bestselling romantic comedy author, she was a young military spouse who got into writing as self-therapy. That happened around the time she discovered reading romance novels, and the two eventually merged into a career. Today, she has more than 30 knee-slapping Pippa Grant titles and nine published under the name Jamie Farrell.
When she’s not writing romantic comedies, she’s fumbling through being a mom, wife, and mountain woman, and sometimes tries to find hobbies. Her crowning achievement? Having impeccable timing for telling stories that will make people snort beverages out of their noses. Consider yourself warned.
Before she became a USA Today and #1 Amazon bestselling romantic comedy author, she was a young military spouse who got into writing as self-therapy. That happened around the time she discovered reading romance novels, and the two eventually merged into a career. Today, she has more than 30 knee-slapping Pippa Grant titles and nine published under the name Jamie Farrell.
When she’s not writing romantic comedies, she’s fumbling through being a mom, wife, and mountain woman, and sometimes tries to find hobbies. Her crowning achievement? Having impeccable timing for telling stories that will make people snort beverages out of their noses. Consider yourself warned.
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Currently reading
March 3, 2022It's HERE!!!! THE LAST ELIGIBLE BILLIONAIRE is NOW AVAILABLE in e-book, print and audio. This opposites attract, grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity, fake relationship, billionaire romance will have you smiling, sweating, swooning and snort-laughing!
GRAB IT NOW and FREE in Kindle Unlimited, plus also available in audio and print!
ONE WEEK TO GO! It's COVER REVEAL TIME!!
I couldn't decide between these two gorgeous covers Najla Qamber made for me, so instead I'm using both. You can get that delicious suit cover on the e-book and the adorable dog on the print edition! Can't wait for you to all meet Hayes and Begonia!
TWO WEEKS LEFT and WE HAVE A BLURB!!
THREE WEEKS TO GO until THE LAST ELIGIBLE BILLIONAIRE ARRIVES! Want to meet the hero and heroine of this romantic comedy arriving March 3rd?
Hayes Rutherford, a grumpy, somewhat shy billionaire meets his match in Begonia Fairchild, a heroine who's looking to rediscover herself and finds something unexpected in the process. Co-starring her canine sidekick who has a fondness for, well... something.
Update:
We're only ONE MONTH AWAY FROM RELEASE NOW and WE HAVE A TITLE!!
THE LAST ELIGIBLE BILLIONAIRE releases March 3rd and I CAN NOT WAIT for you to read this book.
Stay tuned for a hero/heroine reveal next week and make sure you've added it to your TBR!!
Initial post:
Coming March 3, 2022! So excited to share this book with the world. It gave me the warm fuzzies and the snortles (that's snort-chuckles) and the swoons!!! Audio coming in early March too!!
More details soon!
GRAB IT NOW and FREE in Kindle Unlimited, plus also available in audio and print!
ONE WEEK TO GO! It's COVER REVEAL TIME!!
I couldn't decide between these two gorgeous covers Najla Qamber made for me, so instead I'm using both. You can get that delicious suit cover on the e-book and the adorable dog on the print edition! Can't wait for you to all meet Hayes and Begonia!
TWO WEEKS LEFT and WE HAVE A BLURB!!
THREE WEEKS TO GO until THE LAST ELIGIBLE BILLIONAIRE ARRIVES! Want to meet the hero and heroine of this romantic comedy arriving March 3rd?
Hayes Rutherford, a grumpy, somewhat shy billionaire meets his match in Begonia Fairchild, a heroine who's looking to rediscover herself and finds something unexpected in the process. Co-starring her canine sidekick who has a fondness for, well... something.
Update:
We're only ONE MONTH AWAY FROM RELEASE NOW and WE HAVE A TITLE!!
THE LAST ELIGIBLE BILLIONAIRE releases March 3rd and I CAN NOT WAIT for you to read this book.
Stay tuned for a hero/heroine reveal next week and make sure you've added it to your TBR!!
Initial post:
Coming March 3, 2022! So excited to share this book with the world. It gave me the warm fuzzies and the snortles (that's snort-chuckles) and the swoons!!! Audio coming in early March too!!
More details soon!
March 28, 2022
”Love’s a leap.”
This has been my first Pippa Grant book. Even though people kept telling me I should read her stuff, I never did. Until now. And now I may want to get her whole catalog because this book... it was the perfect mix of funny, sexy, and emotional for me. I went from snort laughing (charming, I know) to swooning over stuff, to... just every emotion out there.
I’m trying to be nice here, and he’s all grump grump crank snarl grump.”
I won't deny that Hayes pissed me off sometimes. He was sort of too grumpy at times, like he was making a deliberate effort to annoy the heroine (and myself!). But as the book progresses, you get that, just like in real life, he's that way for a reason. A valid one. And once you realize that, he is perfect in every way, and maybe you want to hug him just because. Or find someone just like him.
”I want to deserve her.”
Connecting with Begonia was easy. There were times I felt so very seen because some of her thoughts were my own, as were her doubts, insecurities, and wishes. I loved her quirks. I love how open and sunshiny she is, even though there were times when I thought there was too much sunshine. But there really isn't. She's very much perfect in her own way. I wish there were more Begonias in the world.
A full smile curves his lips. He barks out a laugh, and someone hand me a parachute. I’m falling. I’m falling hard, and fast, and it is a long way down.”
After a meet cute that had me in tears because Marshmallow, the dog, is just the cutest thing, I was thinking to myself 'How would these two people even function together?'. Honestly, they really shouldn't. But Hayes needs someone like her in his life to get rid of any women who are interested in dating the last single billionaire (for all the wrong reasons, of course), and to stop his family from playing matchmaker (with all the wrong people).
Newsflash: Begonia is pretty much ideal for that.
My heart tumbles out of my chest and offers itself to him on a clay platter. It’s not fancy. Not diamond-encrusted. Not even very pretty sometimes. But it’s what I have, and it’s his for the taking.”
As far as fake relationships go, this is spot-on. You're rooting for them from day one. You think you know everything there is to know about them, but, as it turns out, he's not that grumpy and she's not that sunshiny. They both have things they need to work out, the biggest one of them being that there's no one quite like them for each other.
Now if only they could finally see that, and act accordingly...
”We are so weird.
“We are so us.”
More than grumpy & sunshine, Hayes and Begonia are weird & weird. Two very different people, burnt in the past, desperate to be love and be loved, and very imperfectly perfect together.
The secondary characters, and Marshmallow, of course, just add to the whole experience. I absolutely loved Begonia's sister, and Hayes' cousin.
”I’ll be here.
It’s not I love you.
It’s better.”
This is a love story. It's a cute, romantic comedy. It will show you how sometimes words are not enough to express feelings. And ultimately it's a book about how you should always be yourself, regardless of whether you’re a billionaire or an art teacher, and you should find someone who loves you... for you.
This has been my first Pippa Grant book. Even though people kept telling me I should read her stuff, I never did. Until now. And now I may want to get her whole catalog because this book... it was the perfect mix of funny, sexy, and emotional for me. I went from snort laughing (charming, I know) to swooning over stuff, to... just every emotion out there.
I’m trying to be nice here, and he’s all grump grump crank snarl grump.”
I won't deny that Hayes pissed me off sometimes. He was sort of too grumpy at times, like he was making a deliberate effort to annoy the heroine (and myself!). But as the book progresses, you get that, just like in real life, he's that way for a reason. A valid one. And once you realize that, he is perfect in every way, and maybe you want to hug him just because. Or find someone just like him.
”I want to deserve her.”
Connecting with Begonia was easy. There were times I felt so very seen because some of her thoughts were my own, as were her doubts, insecurities, and wishes. I loved her quirks. I love how open and sunshiny she is, even though there were times when I thought there was too much sunshine. But there really isn't. She's very much perfect in her own way. I wish there were more Begonias in the world.
A full smile curves his lips. He barks out a laugh, and someone hand me a parachute. I’m falling. I’m falling hard, and fast, and it is a long way down.”
After a meet cute that had me in tears because Marshmallow, the dog, is just the cutest thing, I was thinking to myself 'How would these two people even function together?'. Honestly, they really shouldn't. But Hayes needs someone like her in his life to get rid of any women who are interested in dating the last single billionaire (for all the wrong reasons, of course), and to stop his family from playing matchmaker (with all the wrong people).
Newsflash: Begonia is pretty much ideal for that.
My heart tumbles out of my chest and offers itself to him on a clay platter. It’s not fancy. Not diamond-encrusted. Not even very pretty sometimes. But it’s what I have, and it’s his for the taking.”
As far as fake relationships go, this is spot-on. You're rooting for them from day one. You think you know everything there is to know about them, but, as it turns out, he's not that grumpy and she's not that sunshiny. They both have things they need to work out, the biggest one of them being that there's no one quite like them for each other.
Now if only they could finally see that, and act accordingly...
”We are so weird.
“We are so us.”
More than grumpy & sunshine, Hayes and Begonia are weird & weird. Two very different people, burnt in the past, desperate to be love and be loved, and very imperfectly perfect together.
The secondary characters, and Marshmallow, of course, just add to the whole experience. I absolutely loved Begonia's sister, and Hayes' cousin.
”I’ll be here.
It’s not I love you.
It’s better.”
This is a love story. It's a cute, romantic comedy. It will show you how sometimes words are not enough to express feelings. And ultimately it's a book about how you should always be yourself, regardless of whether you’re a billionaire or an art teacher, and you should find someone who loves you... for you.
August 14, 2024
will be mentioning this book in my suicide note 🤍
March 6, 2022
There have been very few books that surprise me. I typically know by 15-20% what my rating will be. This started as five quacky stars for five glorious chapters. Thereafter, I wouldn’t give this book the leftover bits of a one-star shit flushed down a toilet.
Five Chapters
G’zus, what a mofo disaster. A smile is etched… engrained… against my face as a read this foolishness. I mean Begonia Bidelspach <—— sounds like a curse word, right. This starts with silly mishaps that bring two very different characters and a nutso dog together.
Down-F’ing-Hill
Once the fake dating begins, this becomes less funny and more tedious. There’s a lot of time spent between the characters, a lot of dialogue, deep inner thoughts… but it all feels as forced and fake as the relationship itself.
The only star here is the dog.
As separate entities, both characters are unique enough to be interesting. They’re quirky in their own unique very different ways. She’s an outlandish do-good ray of sunshine that’s mostly warm, but she is capable of giving sunburn when needed. He’s a Scrooge with a bark way worse than his bite.
Together, however, I just don’t feel any chemistry whatsoever. It’s a hard to get past the MMC’s immediate lack of romantic or even human interest in the FMC. Hell, he finds her almost repulsive at first. He physically responds to a kiss, but that’s not enough - mentally, the FMC means zilch to him for too long. The FMC is the same - he could be his brother, a fisherman, a stranger - she just wants to pop her post divorce cherry on something, anything. <<<—— IOW, this is about as romantic as watching a slug pilfer a flower bed.
While that 25%-40% slowly shifts gears into the doing love-stuff, but not admitting it’s love-stuff, I find a lot of this boring, and the characters become more and more irritating vs quirky.
There’s all this noise around the central story, such as the sister phone call. This part of the storyline is missing the funny bone it’s aiming at, and I’m getting very impatient with character and plot development.
There’s some N. Sparks type of lovey-dovey scenes that will be enough for the 🌈 and 🦄 readers, but not me. Problem: I still don’t buy this relationship. With 1/3 left in the book, the storyline has been a flat wavelength ➖➖➖➖ like a very long and wordy first date. Conflicts〰️, struggles,〰️ ordeals, 〰️challenges, 〰️drama, 〰️choices 〰️ any and all story arcing is completely nonexistent.
The sisters together are mind-numbing and exhausting. Skip-reading the 💨.
At 80%, the MMC’s fear is the only 〰️ you get, and it causes a brief separation. It’s too late in the game for fear, doubt, and misplaced priorities. Yet, ironically, I have to agree with him in that I, the reader, have been given nothing (other than words) to believe that the FMC wouldn’t have swooned the same over ANY man showing her the attention she’s been missing. It’s never romantic to feel like ANY character could have been inserted for the same exact story.
BTW, when he calls her Bluebell, a cow immediately comes to mind. 😑 Again romantic? ❌
By 91%, every itty bitty character in the book is trying to convince the MMC that the FMC is worth chasing and risking rejection from. 🛑 It occurs to me that this is the antithesis of everything I find romantic about a romance novel, and, at this point, do I really GAF about any HEA that had to be verbally beat into the MMC by literally every other character in the book? No, which led me to do something I don’t think I’ve ever done. I DNF’d this book at 91%. 🚷
Bottom Line
I kept reading hoping that the spark from the first five chapters would ignite. It never did. The FMC is so long-winded in everything that it depletes the story’s oxygen, smothering out any humor or romance. It takes her character from quirky to annoying. I mean it’s bad when you empathize with the ex husband in telling her to take it down a notch. His fear of rejection is the same. It sucks the wind out of the sails of romance, leaving it dead in the water. The storyline has no storyline other than a meet-cute turning into the type of monotone boring that one would expect from a documentary on why some people prefer banana nut oatmeal to cinnamon oatmeal.
Five Chapters
G’zus, what a mofo disaster. A smile is etched… engrained… against my face as a read this foolishness. I mean Begonia Bidelspach <—— sounds like a curse word, right. This starts with silly mishaps that bring two very different characters and a nutso dog together.
Down-F’ing-Hill
Once the fake dating begins, this becomes less funny and more tedious. There’s a lot of time spent between the characters, a lot of dialogue, deep inner thoughts… but it all feels as forced and fake as the relationship itself.
The only star here is the dog.
As separate entities, both characters are unique enough to be interesting. They’re quirky in their own unique very different ways. She’s an outlandish do-good ray of sunshine that’s mostly warm, but she is capable of giving sunburn when needed. He’s a Scrooge with a bark way worse than his bite.
Together, however, I just don’t feel any chemistry whatsoever. It’s a hard to get past the MMC’s immediate lack of romantic or even human interest in the FMC. Hell, he finds her almost repulsive at first. He physically responds to a kiss, but that’s not enough - mentally, the FMC means zilch to him for too long. The FMC is the same - he could be his brother, a fisherman, a stranger - she just wants to pop her post divorce cherry on something, anything. <<<—— IOW, this is about as romantic as watching a slug pilfer a flower bed.
While that 25%-40% slowly shifts gears into the doing love-stuff, but not admitting it’s love-stuff, I find a lot of this boring, and the characters become more and more irritating vs quirky.
There’s all this noise around the central story, such as the sister phone call. This part of the storyline is missing the funny bone it’s aiming at, and I’m getting very impatient with character and plot development.
There’s some N. Sparks type of lovey-dovey scenes that will be enough for the 🌈 and 🦄 readers, but not me. Problem: I still don’t buy this relationship. With 1/3 left in the book, the storyline has been a flat wavelength ➖➖➖➖ like a very long and wordy first date. Conflicts〰️, struggles,〰️ ordeals, 〰️challenges, 〰️drama, 〰️choices 〰️ any and all story arcing is completely nonexistent.
The sisters together are mind-numbing and exhausting. Skip-reading the 💨.
At 80%, the MMC’s fear is the only 〰️ you get, and it causes a brief separation. It’s too late in the game for fear, doubt, and misplaced priorities. Yet, ironically, I have to agree with him in that I, the reader, have been given nothing (other than words) to believe that the FMC wouldn’t have swooned the same over ANY man showing her the attention she’s been missing. It’s never romantic to feel like ANY character could have been inserted for the same exact story.
BTW, when he calls her Bluebell, a cow immediately comes to mind. 😑 Again romantic? ❌
By 91%, every itty bitty character in the book is trying to convince the MMC that the FMC is worth chasing and risking rejection from. 🛑 It occurs to me that this is the antithesis of everything I find romantic about a romance novel, and, at this point, do I really GAF about any HEA that had to be verbally beat into the MMC by literally every other character in the book? No, which led me to do something I don’t think I’ve ever done. I DNF’d this book at 91%. 🚷
Bottom Line
I kept reading hoping that the spark from the first five chapters would ignite. It never did. The FMC is so long-winded in everything that it depletes the story’s oxygen, smothering out any humor or romance. It takes her character from quirky to annoying. I mean it’s bad when you empathize with the ex husband in telling her to take it down a notch. His fear of rejection is the same. It sucks the wind out of the sails of romance, leaving it dead in the water. The storyline has no storyline other than a meet-cute turning into the type of monotone boring that one would expect from a documentary on why some people prefer banana nut oatmeal to cinnamon oatmeal.
March 3, 2022
Zero stars. DNF. I tried really hard to read this but the main female character is way too annoying. I hated her. She's supposed to be an adult yet she literally talks, acts, thinks like a damn child. I tapped out at chapter 8. Her name is even awful. It's beyond ridiculous. There was no way I could power through. Nothing she said or did was funny, it was CHILDISH. The main male character should have just kicked her out immediately.
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June 29, 2024
The Last Eligible Billionaire is a stand alone, humor filled romance by Pippa Grant. This is one of those books that makes you smile, laugh out loud even, but also swoon. I fell in love with these two characters. I won this paperback a long time ago in a giveaway and it has been sitting on my desk ever since. I finally decided this was it and I was finally going to read it. I’m so very glad I did.
Hayes Alexander Rutherford is thirty nine years old and is the last eligible billionaire after the recent marriage of his brother. Hayes is from a family that seems like a cross between the Disney family and the Hallmark family if there was such a thing. His family owns a theme park and has produced hundreds of family themed movies. His brother has starred in a huge percentage of him. But Hayes is known as the odd brother. He’s awkward, happier with numbers than he is with people. And after having his heart broken years ago, is not the least bit interested in marriage, even though his match making family thinks otherwise.
After a rough couple of weeks, all Hayes wants is to go to his estate on a small island off the coast of Maine, sleep, and be alone. But when he arrives, he soon discovers he has an uninvited house guest.
Begonia Fairchild is thirty two years old and is a high school art teacher. After her recent divorce, Begonia wants to rediscover her true self. What better way to do it than to go on a vacation to a small island getaway. She should have known the deal was too good to be true. So you can imagine the commotion when a strange, very angry man barges in wanting to know what she is doing in his house!
First, I want to tell you about Begonia’s dog, Marshmallow! He is a German Shepherd who was trained as a service dog. Only, Marshmallow decided he didn’t need to wait for commands to open doors or remove things from people’s belongings. He pretty much helped himself to whatever he wanted. It was hilarious the trouble this dog got in to!
Hayes has a problem. Every single woman on earth is trying to win him, and his family is trying to fix him up. So he comes up with the perfect solution. In return for not prosecuting Begonia for trespassing, she will become his fake girlfriend. Only a funny thing happens as they spend time together. Those protective walls start to come down. Hayes actually smiles, and yes, even laughs for the first time in maybe years. And we won’t even talk about chemistry because these two have it in bucket fulls.
So what do you get when you put together a very proper, very buttoned up billionaire, an art teacher who is trying to rediscover herself and loves everyone, and a dog who is just a little bit too smart for his own good? Well, I do believe you get chaos!!
This really was so much fun but as I said, also so adorable and sweet. Swoony and sexy. It was a wonderful book that made my heart happy.
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
Hayes Alexander Rutherford is thirty nine years old and is the last eligible billionaire after the recent marriage of his brother. Hayes is from a family that seems like a cross between the Disney family and the Hallmark family if there was such a thing. His family owns a theme park and has produced hundreds of family themed movies. His brother has starred in a huge percentage of him. But Hayes is known as the odd brother. He’s awkward, happier with numbers than he is with people. And after having his heart broken years ago, is not the least bit interested in marriage, even though his match making family thinks otherwise.
After a rough couple of weeks, all Hayes wants is to go to his estate on a small island off the coast of Maine, sleep, and be alone. But when he arrives, he soon discovers he has an uninvited house guest.
Begonia Fairchild is thirty two years old and is a high school art teacher. After her recent divorce, Begonia wants to rediscover her true self. What better way to do it than to go on a vacation to a small island getaway. She should have known the deal was too good to be true. So you can imagine the commotion when a strange, very angry man barges in wanting to know what she is doing in his house!
First, I want to tell you about Begonia’s dog, Marshmallow! He is a German Shepherd who was trained as a service dog. Only, Marshmallow decided he didn’t need to wait for commands to open doors or remove things from people’s belongings. He pretty much helped himself to whatever he wanted. It was hilarious the trouble this dog got in to!
Hayes has a problem. Every single woman on earth is trying to win him, and his family is trying to fix him up. So he comes up with the perfect solution. In return for not prosecuting Begonia for trespassing, she will become his fake girlfriend. Only a funny thing happens as they spend time together. Those protective walls start to come down. Hayes actually smiles, and yes, even laughs for the first time in maybe years. And we won’t even talk about chemistry because these two have it in bucket fulls.
So what do you get when you put together a very proper, very buttoned up billionaire, an art teacher who is trying to rediscover herself and loves everyone, and a dog who is just a little bit too smart for his own good? Well, I do believe you get chaos!!
This really was so much fun but as I said, also so adorable and sweet. Swoony and sexy. It was a wonderful book that made my heart happy.
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
April 7, 2022
Grumpy/Sunshine/Fake Relationship/LOL cackling
What do you get when you mix the last eligible, billionaire, grumpy bachelor with the sunshine, carefree, glass-is-half-full art teacher? You get a laugh out-loud romcom that might make you face palm, sweat, and get a little hot 🥵, but will make you feel good by the end of the book 🥰😅.
Begonia (32) just got a divorce and found this STEAL of a deal for only $50 a night (yeah yeah. I know. Not exactly realistic). She’s happily grooming herself, singing loudly, when she gets rudely interrupted by Hayes (39?) who claims to be the owner. Of course, Begonia screams and proceeds to throw whatever she can at him (shampoo bottle, toothbrush, towels, etc) while he quickly ducks to avoid the arsenal at her disposal. As this is happening, she keeps saying Marshmallow (is that her kinky safe word?) who ends up being her huge non-guard dog that can open doors and take himself to the restroom. He’s of no help during this tense misunderstanding 😅😂. But regardless…
I. Was. DYING 💀😂😂😂😂😂 (thank god I was alone or else I’d look like a lunatic).
Hayes is the last eligible single billionaire who’s constantly avoiding his mother’s meddling when it comes to his love life, which is why he needed to get away after becoming CFO of Razzle Dazzle (his cousin passed away). So he comes up with a plan.
Begonia will be his fake girlfriend/fiancé. He BLACKMAILS her into doing this… and he can… because, well, he’s rich 🤷🏻♀️. As soon as his mother comes around (and anyone else) they become the doting couple anyone would be envious of. As they’re doing this, or course their chemistry is off the charts 😅.
This is on the medium/slowish burn side, but oh so good when it happens 😉. Their first smexual anything happens at the 57%. My gosh. This prim and proper Billionaire sure knows how to 🔥🥵 his woman. Full smexx finally happens at about 66%. Although there aren’t many steamy scenes, the ones that appear are🔥😅.
I have to say. I even appreciated the banter during smexy times.
There’s some family drama that happens, of course, but overall I loved it.
And, oh my gosh, the side characters were just amazing. From Begonia’s pregnant twin sister, to Hayes’s cousin Keisha, I was appreciating it all. But the star side character had to be MARSHMALLOW!!! That dog might’ve been kicked out of service school but he cracked me up 😂😂😂.
Plus, this grumpy man gets so swoony! I loved it!
⚠️ safety squad ⚠️
-no cheating/sharing
-OMD- h’s ex hubby tries to get back with her a couple of times
-OWD- the h meets 2 childhood exes who think are engaged to the H (one from second grade, the other from sixth grade). The H shuts them down quickly because they’re not
-condom
-HEA/epilogues/bonus epilogue
-aftermath of family death (cousin)
What do you get when you mix the last eligible, billionaire, grumpy bachelor with the sunshine, carefree, glass-is-half-full art teacher? You get a laugh out-loud romcom that might make you face palm, sweat, and get a little hot 🥵, but will make you feel good by the end of the book 🥰😅.
Begonia (32) just got a divorce and found this STEAL of a deal for only $50 a night (yeah yeah. I know. Not exactly realistic). She’s happily grooming herself, singing loudly, when she gets rudely interrupted by Hayes (39?) who claims to be the owner. Of course, Begonia screams and proceeds to throw whatever she can at him (shampoo bottle, toothbrush, towels, etc) while he quickly ducks to avoid the arsenal at her disposal. As this is happening, she keeps saying Marshmallow (is that her kinky safe word?) who ends up being her huge non-guard dog that can open doors and take himself to the restroom. He’s of no help during this tense misunderstanding 😅😂. But regardless…
I. Was. DYING 💀😂😂😂😂😂 (thank god I was alone or else I’d look like a lunatic).
”Begonia. I’m Begonia. Oh my god. I had your brother’s posters all over my wall when I was a teenager.”
My eyelid twitches. Begonia? If that’s her real name, I’ll eat my left shoe. “Begonia who?”
“Oh, are we doing knock-knock jokes?”
Hayes is the last eligible single billionaire who’s constantly avoiding his mother’s meddling when it comes to his love life, which is why he needed to get away after becoming CFO of Razzle Dazzle (his cousin passed away). So he comes up with a plan.
Begonia will be his fake girlfriend/fiancé. He BLACKMAILS her into doing this… and he can… because, well, he’s rich 🤷🏻♀️. As soon as his mother comes around (and anyone else) they become the doting couple anyone would be envious of. As they’re doing this, or course their chemistry is off the charts 😅.
This is on the medium/slowish burn side, but oh so good when it happens 😉. Their first smexual anything happens at the 57%. My gosh. This prim and proper Billionaire sure knows how to 🔥🥵 his woman. Full smexx finally happens at about 66%. Although there aren’t many steamy scenes, the ones that appear are🔥😅.
I have to say. I even appreciated the banter during smexy times.
The way he’s teasing and licking and nipping at my neck is driving me wild, and I finally give up and yank, sending his buttons flying. He chuckles into the crook of my neck as his thick, heavy length pulses against me. “Just when I thought you couldn’t possibly get any more attractive, bluebell…”
“Want me to do the same to your pants?”
“Yes.”
“Are you adding this to my bill?”
“Payable in sexual favors. Where is that sweet nipple I found yesterday? I miss it. Ah. Here it is.”
There’s some family drama that happens, of course, but overall I loved it.
And, oh my gosh, the side characters were just amazing. From Begonia’s pregnant twin sister, to Hayes’s cousin Keisha, I was appreciating it all. But the star side character had to be MARSHMALLOW!!! That dog might’ve been kicked out of service school but he cracked me up 😂😂😂.
”Are his nipples even?”
“Will you never quit mocking my poor high school boyfriend and his crooked nipples? That’s how his body was made, Hy. Knock it off.”
Plus, this grumpy man gets so swoony! I loved it!
His breath whooshes out like he’s been holding it for weeks, and then he’s kissing my neck, sending delicious shivers dancing across my skin. “You are my universe, Begonia. My entire world.”
⚠️ safety squad ⚠️
-no cheating/sharing
-OMD- h’s ex hubby tries to get back with her a couple of times
-OWD- the h meets 2 childhood exes who think are engaged to the H (one from second grade, the other from sixth grade). The H shuts them down quickly because they’re not
-condom
-HEA/epilogues/bonus epilogue
-aftermath of family death (cousin)
April 7, 2022
5 stars. Holy shit, this book was SO MUCH BETTER THAN I EXPECTED. TBH, I've seen a lot of really negative reviews for books by this author from my GR friends, so I didn't really have high expectations. 🤷🏻♀️🤷🏻♀️ However, I saw several positive reviews for this book, and so I figured I'd give it a shot.
And I’m in love. I mean seriously, this book is absolutely pure entertainment. It’s funny (SO DAMN FUNNY), it has just the right amount of angst, it’s romantic and swoon-worthy, and it’s just really enjoyable overall. I know that not everyone has the same sense of humor, so this book won't be for everyone. And there were definitely a few OTT dumb jokes, but overall, it worked for me.
Were there things I found a bit annoying? Yes for sure (e.g. the token separation before the end of most romance books is just SO OVERUSED)… but I felt like the bad was outweighed by all the good this book had to offer. I mean… the heroine was downright ridiculous but also oh so delightful.
IMO, this book is totally worth reading, I highly recommend it, and it’s available on KU, which is a major bonus! Let me know what ya'll think! ☺️ I’m now going to have to check out more books by this author. Anyone have suggestions? There are several I know I want to avoid, but can't decide which seem to be the better ones.
Safety Info: Heroine is recently divorced, she’s been celibate for over a year, her ex husband causes just a small amount of drama. Hero didn’t seem to be a manwhore but he’s been with his fair share of women. Quite a bit of OW drama from women his mom is trying to throw at him because his family want to see him married. Several of them act proprietary towards him, but he isn’t interested in any of them. There’s one OW he was in a short relationship with the year before, but she doesn’t cause much drama at all, and he was never serious about her. No scenes with OM/OW, no cheating between H&h (although hero has been cheated on in the past).
And I’m in love. I mean seriously, this book is absolutely pure entertainment. It’s funny (SO DAMN FUNNY), it has just the right amount of angst, it’s romantic and swoon-worthy, and it’s just really enjoyable overall. I know that not everyone has the same sense of humor, so this book won't be for everyone. And there were definitely a few OTT dumb jokes, but overall, it worked for me.
Were there things I found a bit annoying? Yes for sure (e.g. the token separation before the end of most romance books is just SO OVERUSED)… but I felt like the bad was outweighed by all the good this book had to offer. I mean… the heroine was downright ridiculous but also oh so delightful.
IMO, this book is totally worth reading, I highly recommend it, and it’s available on KU, which is a major bonus! Let me know what ya'll think! ☺️ I’m now going to have to check out more books by this author. Anyone have suggestions? There are several I know I want to avoid, but can't decide which seem to be the better ones.
Safety Info: Heroine is recently divorced, she’s been celibate for over a year, her ex husband causes just a small amount of drama. Hero didn’t seem to be a manwhore but he’s been with his fair share of women. Quite a bit of OW drama from women his mom is trying to throw at him because his family want to see him married. Several of them act proprietary towards him, but he isn’t interested in any of them. There’s one OW he was in a short relationship with the year before, but she doesn’t cause much drama at all, and he was never serious about her. No scenes with OM/OW, no cheating between H&h (although hero has been cheated on in the past).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 17, 2022
Insufferable characters. Main female lead is painfully obnoxious and gives secondhand embarrassment routinely for the first few chapters. Dog was the saving grace.
March 15, 2025
This had a great premise but the book didn't reach my expectations.
Pros:
1) Marshmallow, the dog, was the star of the book! Adorable!
2) Half of the novel is super fun until they come back from Maine.
Cons:
1) It's not hilarious: It could've been so much fun considering the premise but it was more a drama after the first half.
2) The female lead is consumed by her past: She talks about it in every other chapter about it. She needs help/therapy to get over it.
Pros:
1) Marshmallow, the dog, was the star of the book! Adorable!
2) Half of the novel is super fun until they come back from Maine.
Cons:
1) It's not hilarious: It could've been so much fun considering the premise but it was more a drama after the first half.
2) The female lead is consumed by her past: She talks about it in every other chapter about it. She needs help/therapy to get over it.
October 15, 2022
2.5⭐️
Kinda ridiculous tbh.
Kinda ridiculous tbh.
June 23, 2022
3.5 Stars rounded up to 4
My first read after few grueling days. FYI - Shifting sucks. Can't help but scatter my books in three different cities. Thank you God for ebooks.
Anyways,
My first book by Pippa Grant. When I picked this book, I didn't have any great expectations. But the author nailed this story. Your favorite tropes - fake dating and grumpy x sunshine along with a sexy billionaire. It made me laugh. While some of the events were far-fetched, Marshmallow was the one who stole the show, among other things.
That line sealed the deal for me. She cared for everyone, and he cared for her. 😭 What more can you ask, right? And there were so many lines and words and passages that just enraptured me. Reminded me again why I love reading.
And all those other characters? Aaaaaaaa. Just perfect. Be it Giovanna or Winnie or Merriweather or Hy or Jonas or Keisha or even Nikolay. Can I have even one of them in my life? 😭
On a different note, this book gave me similar vibes of The Fine Print . So, if you loved that book, you would definitely love this book too.
My first read after few grueling days. FYI - Shifting sucks. Can't help but scatter my books in three different cities. Thank you God for ebooks.
Anyways,
My first book by Pippa Grant. When I picked this book, I didn't have any great expectations. But the author nailed this story. Your favorite tropes - fake dating and grumpy x sunshine along with a sexy billionaire. It made me laugh. While some of the events were far-fetched, Marshmallow was the one who stole the show, among other things.
“What do you get out of it?” I ask. “I know what I got out of today. I know what your students get out of an easy class, and even out of learning to enjoy some form of art. What do you, Begonia Fairchild, get out of doing so much for everyone else?”
“Joy,” she says quietly. “I get joy out of knowing I’ve brightened the world by brightening someone’s world.”
I’ve spent my life serving my family in one way or another. And I know Razzle Dazzle’s entire mission is to entertain people, and thus to also spread their own kind of joy. But I don’t get it. I don’t understand how so much giving can be anything but a drain. “Who makes your world better?”
That line sealed the deal for me. She cared for everyone, and he cared for her. 😭 What more can you ask, right? And there were so many lines and words and passages that just enraptured me. Reminded me again why I love reading.
And all those other characters? Aaaaaaaa. Just perfect. Be it Giovanna or Winnie or Merriweather or Hy or Jonas or Keisha or even Nikolay. Can I have even one of them in my life? 😭
On a different note, this book gave me similar vibes of The Fine Print . So, if you loved that book, you would definitely love this book too.
April 10, 2022
3.5 stars⭐️
my first ever Pippa Grant book and loved it! I loved the starting and middle but the end felt flat for me and lacked the chemistry but otherwise this book was so hilarious and good! Marshmallow stole the show for me🥳🥳
my first ever Pippa Grant book and loved it! I loved the starting and middle but the end felt flat for me and lacked the chemistry but otherwise this book was so hilarious and good! Marshmallow stole the show for me🥳🥳
March 3, 2022
Pippa Grant, where have you been all my life? I LOVED this book! It made me laugh, smile and swoon. I loved Begonia and Hayes and of course Marshmallow is now my new favorite dog! This was my first Pippa Grant book and I can't wait to gobble up more of them!
THE LAST ELIGIBLE BILLIONAIRE has everything I love. An ornery hero with a sweet gooey center (#cinnamonRollHero). A super sweet, sassy and self-assured heroine who knows who she is. Fascinating family dynamics. Tons of sexual tension and sparks, and a dog that stole my heart… along with a dildo, clothes and bunch of other things that had me in stitches.
Begonia is such a likeable character. She loves to help others, always sees the silver lining and as a result has everyone eating out of the palm of her hand including the stodgy Hayes Rutherford who underneath all his walls is absolutely swoon worthy. I loved seeing him grow and get over his insecurities with Begonia’s help of course. Together, they’re such a great couple that I could help but cheer them on from the start.
I also loved getting to know all the side characters starting with Begonia’s service dog Marshmallow, her twin sister, and Hayes family.
THE LAST ELIGIBLE BILLIONAIRE has all the feels and made me want to read all of Pippa’s catalogue.
By the numbers quick review:
★ Character development: 👤👤👤👤👤
★ Plot: 📚📚📚📚📚
★ LOL moments: 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
★ Romance: 💕💕💕💕💕
★ Sexiness: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
★ Overall Rating: 4.8
Amazon -> https://amzn.to/3CcnLwr
★ I was given an ARC of this book courtesy of the author via Give Me Books. The excerpts are from that copy. I am voluntarily reviewing this title.
★ Check out all my book edits over at Instagram
THE LAST ELIGIBLE BILLIONAIRE has everything I love. An ornery hero with a sweet gooey center (#cinnamonRollHero). A super sweet, sassy and self-assured heroine who knows who she is. Fascinating family dynamics. Tons of sexual tension and sparks, and a dog that stole my heart… along with a dildo, clothes and bunch of other things that had me in stitches.
Begonia is such a likeable character. She loves to help others, always sees the silver lining and as a result has everyone eating out of the palm of her hand including the stodgy Hayes Rutherford who underneath all his walls is absolutely swoon worthy. I loved seeing him grow and get over his insecurities with Begonia’s help of course. Together, they’re such a great couple that I could help but cheer them on from the start.
I also loved getting to know all the side characters starting with Begonia’s service dog Marshmallow, her twin sister, and Hayes family.
THE LAST ELIGIBLE BILLIONAIRE has all the feels and made me want to read all of Pippa’s catalogue.
By the numbers quick review:
★ Character development: 👤👤👤👤👤
★ Plot: 📚📚📚📚📚
★ LOL moments: 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
★ Romance: 💕💕💕💕💕
★ Sexiness: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
★ Overall Rating: 4.8
Amazon -> https://amzn.to/3CcnLwr
★ I was given an ARC of this book courtesy of the author via Give Me Books. The excerpts are from that copy. I am voluntarily reviewing this title.
★ Check out all my book edits over at Instagram
February 27, 2022
Another Perfectly Pippa Experience
Once again, Pippa Grant does what she does best, and it is absolutely glorious! The Last Eligible Billionaire (TLEB) takes the common grumpy sunshine trope and creates a fun, unique, enjoyable, laugh-out-loud reading experience. Main characters Hayes and Begonia are perfectly imperfect in the best ways. Add in a loveable but unruly sidekick in the form of an adorable pup, and the hilarity and aaawww factor skyrockets. And of course there are the side characters you want to punch and the ones you want to hug, all coming together to help Hayes & Begonia understand how exceptionally perfect they are for each other. I love the way Pippa weaves deeper themes of self-acceptance and finding your own way into the story as well. It’s not all fluff, and I found myself highlighting many passages in the story because of those deeper meanings. TLEB is a beautiful standalone in the Pippaverse, and would be a perfect novel to jump into whether you’ve read some, all, or none of her other novels.
Once again, Pippa Grant does what she does best, and it is absolutely glorious! The Last Eligible Billionaire (TLEB) takes the common grumpy sunshine trope and creates a fun, unique, enjoyable, laugh-out-loud reading experience. Main characters Hayes and Begonia are perfectly imperfect in the best ways. Add in a loveable but unruly sidekick in the form of an adorable pup, and the hilarity and aaawww factor skyrockets. And of course there are the side characters you want to punch and the ones you want to hug, all coming together to help Hayes & Begonia understand how exceptionally perfect they are for each other. I love the way Pippa weaves deeper themes of self-acceptance and finding your own way into the story as well. It’s not all fluff, and I found myself highlighting many passages in the story because of those deeper meanings. TLEB is a beautiful standalone in the Pippaverse, and would be a perfect novel to jump into whether you’ve read some, all, or none of her other novels.
March 17, 2022
Unfortunately DNF’d this one at 13%
the heroine was just a tad bit too wacky and quirky for my tastes and her thoughts were all rambles and it honestly annoyed the hell out of me and made me dislike her. if you’re into reading long winded rambles by a quirky heroine this may be for you but for me it was torturous to read and I couldn’t torture myself any longer. i think I may have enjoyed this more if the writing wasn’t so wordy but I understand that the character is quirky and thus her thoughts are probably long and wordy but as a reader I was just irritated and wanted her to shut up.
the heroine was just a tad bit too wacky and quirky for my tastes and her thoughts were all rambles and it honestly annoyed the hell out of me and made me dislike her. if you’re into reading long winded rambles by a quirky heroine this may be for you but for me it was torturous to read and I couldn’t torture myself any longer. i think I may have enjoyed this more if the writing wasn’t so wordy but I understand that the character is quirky and thus her thoughts are probably long and wordy but as a reader I was just irritated and wanted her to shut up.
March 20, 2022
Edited- confused it with a different book lol
Yeah I dnf’d this one as soon as that dude whipped out a contract like, 5 minutes into meeting her. Which is about 50 pages in.
Listen, I love me a good tacky-done-a-million-times-before-fake-dating-romance but this started so ridiculous I just…. Couldn’t. Also what kinda fucking name is begonia!!!!! Should’ve been my first clue really
Yeah I dnf’d this one as soon as that dude whipped out a contract like, 5 minutes into meeting her. Which is about 50 pages in.
Listen, I love me a good tacky-done-a-million-times-before-fake-dating-romance but this started so ridiculous I just…. Couldn’t. Also what kinda fucking name is begonia!!!!! Should’ve been my first clue really
October 26, 2024
3.5 Stars
Opinion Breakdown
The Good: The premise, the side characters, and the dog.
The Not-So-Good: The humor, while mostly good, felt a little too forced at times. Especially the beginning because I honestly wasn't sure if I would continue because it just felt OTT ridiculous in how they met.
The Bad: If I had to say something bad, I'd say that I wanted more depth. At least with the H and instead of hearing about his baggage from other characters, maybe having him open up himself about his trauma.
Overall: This was cute and funny, but not necessarily deep or something that I'll be putting on my favorites shelf. I enjoyed it for what it was and it was a nice escape for when my real life is a little hectic.
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Begonia and Hayes' story. Hayes finds himself the last eligible billionaire under the age of 40 and goes to one of his many houses to escape the madness that comes along with that. Only he meets Begonia, who is a recently divorced high school art teacher that thought she was getting a vacation rental on the cheap for her and her crazy dog. They but heads, something happens to a priceless artifact, and Hayes snatches the opportunity to blackmail Begonia into being his face girlfriend to get everyone off his back. There are lots of shenanigans, some sweet and sexy times, and some past baggage they have to work though...and they get a HFN ending.
Point Of View (POV): This alternated between Begonia and Hayes' POV.
Overall Pace of Story: Good. I never skimmed and I thought it flowed well.
Instalove: No, they take a while to develop stronger feelings.
H (Hero) rating: 3 stars. Hayes. I liked him, but I wanted some more depth in his character.
h (heroine) rating: 3.5 stars. Begonia. I liked her sass and strength in self-acceptance.
Sadness level: Low, no tissues needed
Push/Pull: Yes, but mild
Heat level: Good. They have some good tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but not so much it takes away from the story.
Descriptive sex: Yes
OW (Other Woman)/OM (Other Man) drama: Yes
Sex scene with OW or OM: No
Cheating: No
Separation: Yes
Possible Triggers: Yes
Closure: This ends with a super cute epilogue but with what I would call a HFN ending , but I'm sure many readers would be fine calling this a HEA.
Safety: This one should be Safe for most safety gang readers
Opinion Breakdown
The Good: The premise, the side characters, and the dog.
The Not-So-Good: The humor, while mostly good, felt a little too forced at times. Especially the beginning because I honestly wasn't sure if I would continue because it just felt OTT ridiculous in how they met.
The Bad: If I had to say something bad, I'd say that I wanted more depth. At least with the H and instead of hearing about his baggage from other characters, maybe having him open up himself about his trauma.
Overall: This was cute and funny, but not necessarily deep or something that I'll be putting on my favorites shelf. I enjoyed it for what it was and it was a nice escape for when my real life is a little hectic.
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Begonia and Hayes' story. Hayes finds himself the last eligible billionaire under the age of 40 and goes to one of his many houses to escape the madness that comes along with that. Only he meets Begonia, who is a recently divorced high school art teacher that thought she was getting a vacation rental on the cheap for her and her crazy dog. They but heads, something happens to a priceless artifact, and Hayes snatches the opportunity to blackmail Begonia into being his face girlfriend to get everyone off his back. There are lots of shenanigans, some sweet and sexy times, and some past baggage they have to work though...and they get a HFN ending.
Point Of View (POV): This alternated between Begonia and Hayes' POV.
Overall Pace of Story: Good. I never skimmed and I thought it flowed well.
Instalove: No, they take a while to develop stronger feelings.
H (Hero) rating: 3 stars. Hayes. I liked him, but I wanted some more depth in his character.
h (heroine) rating: 3.5 stars. Begonia. I liked her sass and strength in self-acceptance.
Sadness level: Low, no tissues needed
Push/Pull: Yes, but mild
Heat level: Good. They have some good tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but not so much it takes away from the story.
Descriptive sex: Yes
OW (Other Woman)/OM (Other Man) drama: Yes
Sex scene with OW or OM: No
Cheating: No
Separation: Yes
Possible Triggers: Yes
Closure: This ends with a super cute epilogue but with what I would call a HFN ending , but I'm sure many readers would be fine calling this a HEA.
Safety: This one should be Safe for most safety gang readers
March 5, 2022
Mostly good
There was something missing for me, but this has all of the ingredients of a GREAT book - Grant's signature quirky humor, an unexpected pairing, a fake relationship scheme that quickly gets out of control, and a coldhearted billionaire who finally meets his match. I wanted to love it so hard, and I did enjoy it quite a bit. I loved the outlandishness and the comedy aspect, and I'm always a sucker for a fake relationship romance. The opposites attract dynamic also worked, and it's easy to get caught up in the story. For me, I was distracted at the start by the many characters - while this says it's a total standalone, I kept trying to remember if I'd heard names before in past Grant romances - and then somewhere along the way the emotional connection started to feel a little lacking. I still enjoyed this (I'm a huge fan of Grant's work for a reason), it was just easier to put down than others I've read.
The story follows Begonia and Hayes, two strangers who meet in the most memorable of ways. Begonia is on a post-divorce vacation and minding her own business in her rental property when Hayes enters and claims that he's the owner of the building... and he didn't rent it out. After their initial encounter spirals out of control, Hayes finds himself blackmailing Begonia to be his fake girlfriend. As the last eligible billionaire, everyone is obsessed with Hayes' love life - and he's been burned too many times before to want something real. Claiming that this hot mess of a woman is his girlfriend is sure to get his family to stop meddling, but things don't go as planned. As the two spend time together, Hayes and Begonia strike up a friendship that feels like more. Whether it's friends with benefits or something real is yet to be determined.
I've never been a fan of friends with benefits, so that's where this started to go off course for me. At one point, Begonia literally says (in reference to a potential hookup between them), “You don’t have to kiss me, you don’t have to look at me, we don’t have to have the lights on, and we can keep touching to a minimum," and I think my love of the book sort of curled up and died in that moment, lol. Not completely, but it definitely put a damper on things for me. Everything else about the book is 5-star-worthy, but the lackluster emotional connection and Begonia's self-esteem issues kept me from loving the book. We see a lot of resistance from both characters to fall for real, even if it was happening against their will. I did love Hayes though; it was great to see this unfeeling guy fall for someone so bold and vibrant. Opposites definitely attract in this case, and they balance each other out perfectly. Overall, not one of my favorites from the author, but still a very solid rom com.
There was something missing for me, but this has all of the ingredients of a GREAT book - Grant's signature quirky humor, an unexpected pairing, a fake relationship scheme that quickly gets out of control, and a coldhearted billionaire who finally meets his match. I wanted to love it so hard, and I did enjoy it quite a bit. I loved the outlandishness and the comedy aspect, and I'm always a sucker for a fake relationship romance. The opposites attract dynamic also worked, and it's easy to get caught up in the story. For me, I was distracted at the start by the many characters - while this says it's a total standalone, I kept trying to remember if I'd heard names before in past Grant romances - and then somewhere along the way the emotional connection started to feel a little lacking. I still enjoyed this (I'm a huge fan of Grant's work for a reason), it was just easier to put down than others I've read.
The story follows Begonia and Hayes, two strangers who meet in the most memorable of ways. Begonia is on a post-divorce vacation and minding her own business in her rental property when Hayes enters and claims that he's the owner of the building... and he didn't rent it out. After their initial encounter spirals out of control, Hayes finds himself blackmailing Begonia to be his fake girlfriend. As the last eligible billionaire, everyone is obsessed with Hayes' love life - and he's been burned too many times before to want something real. Claiming that this hot mess of a woman is his girlfriend is sure to get his family to stop meddling, but things don't go as planned. As the two spend time together, Hayes and Begonia strike up a friendship that feels like more. Whether it's friends with benefits or something real is yet to be determined.
I've never been a fan of friends with benefits, so that's where this started to go off course for me. At one point, Begonia literally says (in reference to a potential hookup between them), “You don’t have to kiss me, you don’t have to look at me, we don’t have to have the lights on, and we can keep touching to a minimum," and I think my love of the book sort of curled up and died in that moment, lol. Not completely, but it definitely put a damper on things for me. Everything else about the book is 5-star-worthy, but the lackluster emotional connection and Begonia's self-esteem issues kept me from loving the book. We see a lot of resistance from both characters to fall for real, even if it was happening against their will. I did love Hayes though; it was great to see this unfeeling guy fall for someone so bold and vibrant. Opposites definitely attract in this case, and they balance each other out perfectly. Overall, not one of my favorites from the author, but still a very solid rom com.
February 20, 2022
4.5 Marshmallow stars!
"Hayes Alexander Rutherford, aka a billionaire who would give his fortune to never see another single woman again in his life."
"Begonia Fairchild, aka a woman who would like to stop regretting every last decision in her life. Any day now. Really…"
This was my first book by Pippa Grant and it took me by surprise! Hayes & Begonia's grumpy-sunshine dynamic was just too cute to handle! It's about two middle aged adults who've been jilted by life and come together by entering into a contract only to realise that they're perfect for each other. Hayes was a bit standoffish and guarded himself when it came to feelings. He just wanted to protect his family's reputation and was also trying stop his mother from meddling in his life by matchmaking him with the ladies she preferred. Begonia on the other hand was recently divorced and made a resolution to never settle for less again. She was so open and went above and beyond not only for her family but also for the people around her. Usually, when an mc is feeling jealous, we kind of get to see him/her trash talking about the OW/OM but Begonia here was such a breath of fresh air! She never once said anything bad about anyone, instead she always complimented them (even when they weren't nice to her). Honestly, she and her cute little dog were the highlights of the book! Their scenes with Hayes were just so funny and entertaining. I'm not going to get into the specifics of how exactly they met because it would be spoilery but I can definitely say that I enjoyed reading this book more than I expected! The side characters were unique and had their own backstories that made them seem real to me. Overall, this was a cute, unnecessary drama-free, hilarious and lighthearted read. You should give it a try if you're a fan of the grumpy-sunshine or fake dating tropes!
ARC received in exchange of an honest review
"Hayes Alexander Rutherford, aka a billionaire who would give his fortune to never see another single woman again in his life."
"Begonia Fairchild, aka a woman who would like to stop regretting every last decision in her life. Any day now. Really…"
This was my first book by Pippa Grant and it took me by surprise! Hayes & Begonia's grumpy-sunshine dynamic was just too cute to handle! It's about two middle aged adults who've been jilted by life and come together by entering into a contract only to realise that they're perfect for each other. Hayes was a bit standoffish and guarded himself when it came to feelings. He just wanted to protect his family's reputation and was also trying stop his mother from meddling in his life by matchmaking him with the ladies she preferred. Begonia on the other hand was recently divorced and made a resolution to never settle for less again. She was so open and went above and beyond not only for her family but also for the people around her. Usually, when an mc is feeling jealous, we kind of get to see him/her trash talking about the OW/OM but Begonia here was such a breath of fresh air! She never once said anything bad about anyone, instead she always complimented them (even when they weren't nice to her). Honestly, she and her cute little dog were the highlights of the book! Their scenes with Hayes were just so funny and entertaining. I'm not going to get into the specifics of how exactly they met because it would be spoilery but I can definitely say that I enjoyed reading this book more than I expected! The side characters were unique and had their own backstories that made them seem real to me. Overall, this was a cute, unnecessary drama-free, hilarious and lighthearted read. You should give it a try if you're a fan of the grumpy-sunshine or fake dating tropes!
ARC received in exchange of an honest review
March 21, 2022
I felt myself becoming illiterate while reading this book.
March 3, 2022
I was thoroughly charmed. From the characters to the story to the grand gesture, it was a masterclass in romcom writing. With the little spice and the unique sense of humor that have become the author’s brand. It worked so well!
She writes “sunshine” characters like no other. Begonia was quirky but lovely, ingenuous but not stupid, with a generous but fragile heart. I adored her. I wanted to wrap her in a soft and warm blanket. And Hayes deserved all of her love, despite a difficult beginning. He wasn’t a jerk just to be a jerk–he had developped a form of people-phobia to protect himself after some drama that’s revealed later in the story. But he just felt too much, to the point of being easily overwhelmed. I adored him too. And together, they were great.
The opinion he had about Begonia that made him doubt her feelings seemed to come out of nowhere, and that might be the only character arc flaw I’ve seen. I loved how he showed Begonia she had value and deserved to come first from time to time, and how she showed him the world wasn’t set against him, that there were many things to enjoy in life. They healed each other perfectly.
The author loves her four legged sidekicks, and the role was this time bestowed on Marshmallow, the faulty service dog that wreaks havoc wherever it goes. It wasn’t there only for comic relief, and moved the plot forward at times. It even helped with defining the main characters.
In the midst of love and laughs, some parallels between Hayes and Begonia were adressed, and deeper subjects were broached–what it means to have a sibling that ressembles you or that it the total opposite of you, why you stay with someone and why you divorce, the way you live your life when you’re in the eye of the public… Plus a little message about diversity in the media we consume that I enjoyed a lot.
Definitely another hit for this author!
Quickie
- Series: standalone
- Hashtags: #romcom #billionaire romance #grumpy-sunshine #fake relationship #dog
- Triggers: some domestic abuse through neglect and disdain
- Main couple: Begonia Fairchild & Hayes Rutherford
- Hotness: 4/5
- Romance: 5/5
- + I agree with Hayes, Begonia is a ray of sunshine
- – what a meddling family
She writes “sunshine” characters like no other. Begonia was quirky but lovely, ingenuous but not stupid, with a generous but fragile heart. I adored her. I wanted to wrap her in a soft and warm blanket. And Hayes deserved all of her love, despite a difficult beginning. He wasn’t a jerk just to be a jerk–he had developped a form of people-phobia to protect himself after some drama that’s revealed later in the story. But he just felt too much, to the point of being easily overwhelmed. I adored him too. And together, they were great.
The opinion he had about Begonia that made him doubt her feelings seemed to come out of nowhere, and that might be the only character arc flaw I’ve seen. I loved how he showed Begonia she had value and deserved to come first from time to time, and how she showed him the world wasn’t set against him, that there were many things to enjoy in life. They healed each other perfectly.
The author loves her four legged sidekicks, and the role was this time bestowed on Marshmallow, the faulty service dog that wreaks havoc wherever it goes. It wasn’t there only for comic relief, and moved the plot forward at times. It even helped with defining the main characters.
In the midst of love and laughs, some parallels between Hayes and Begonia were adressed, and deeper subjects were broached–what it means to have a sibling that ressembles you or that it the total opposite of you, why you stay with someone and why you divorce, the way you live your life when you’re in the eye of the public… Plus a little message about diversity in the media we consume that I enjoyed a lot.
Definitely another hit for this author!
Quickie
- Series: standalone
- Hashtags: #romcom #billionaire romance #grumpy-sunshine #fake relationship #dog
- Triggers: some domestic abuse through neglect and disdain
- Main couple: Begonia Fairchild & Hayes Rutherford
- Hotness: 4/5
- Romance: 5/5
- + I agree with Hayes, Begonia is a ray of sunshine
- – what a meddling family
March 7, 2022
Begonia has to be the worst name ever but she was the most delightful heroine and I am smitten by her
March 10, 2022
Fun, feel-y, with characters who share fiery chemistry: AKA, THE LAST ELIGIBLE BILLIONAIRE is the perfect romantic comedy! I had the best time reading Begonia & Hayes's romance. It was the romantic, light-hearted read I didn't know I needed. The writing itself is top notch, and Pippa's mastery of craft is second to none. I loved seeing the carefully laid pieces of Begonia & Hayes's puzzle come together over the course of their story, and I love, love, LOVED the author's exploration of each characters' internal worlds and struggles. This one hit the spot for me. Five stars all day long!
April 20, 2022
⭐️⭐️ two stars -
So, so boring… really painfully boring…
This one is a DNF at 67% - right after the mc’s first smexy time. What does that tell you? Well, I did stick this one out to get to the aforementioned sex (so it wasn’t so terrible that I couldn’t read up to that point), but even this intimate scene was lackluster. Equally as boring as the rest of the story, and zero chemistry between the two leads.
* mild spoilers follow - I only made it to 67% and didn’t even bother skimming to get to the ending, so it’s my belief that this review doesn’t need to be hidden - as I don’t know the ending, cause I didn’t care…
What really killed this story for me? The misnomer “Billionaire” in the title, to be honest. This in no way reads like a billionaire romance. None of the scenes contained anything remotely exciting to me about the fact that our Hero here is a billionaire. He wants to jet her off to Paris! Ooh la la, but what does our h here say, “no, thank you”. What?!? She’d rather not since she’s been saving forever to get there on her own dime. Seriously? I’m here to read a BILLIONAIRE romance, not to read the reality of some poor woe is me heroine 🙄
Then, other small things kept irritating me about the whole promised billionaire trope here: our H’s lack of security detail - dude, you could be kidnapped cause you’re a BILLIONAIRE. It just made our H here appear stupid.
What else bothered me? Our H’s constant boners. Really, in every chapter that was from his pov, he developed and commented on his boner. What are you 12? I just couldn’t with this supposed grown man and his lack of control over his body. Too immature for me.
Funny enough, what really made me nuts was the mention of a measly six counter stools around the kitchen island at the supposed billionaire estate. I know this seems petty, but it’s this inattention to detail in a supposed billionaire romance that drove me to the brink of insanity.
No double-digit million dollar home has a measly six stools around the island in what’s described as the main kitchen. There’s def more than one kitchen on an estate that size, and there’s most definitely an entire staff of people somewhere. These tiny out of place details irrationally irritated me lol. I was promised the lifestyles of the rich and famous by the title word choices, and this story did not deliver - disappointed ☹️
This whole story was just a study of missed opportunities in the plot. The h’s dog here is a huge character (actually too much so), but there is a lack of description of scenes surrounding the dog’s character where the author missed a chance to introduce comedy. For example, we are told that the dog causes a major ruckus at dinnertime at the estate, but we aren’t shown this scene - missed opportunity imo.
The same goes for secondary characters - several are introduced, but there’s no action for them. Am I expecting too much from a fluff piece? Maybe, but the writing is actually fairly competent, and I’m convinced that this author is capable of a better story, but for some reason it just didn’t happen here, and you know what? I’m not interested in wasting my time with boring, poorly written romance stories at the moment.
Two stars - earns extra star as I feel this author is most definitely capable, but may just need a little guidance to get there - possibly from her editor?
Do not recommend this one. If you want to read a cute, sexy, easy to read, fun, billionaire romance, try Annika Martin’s Billionaire series (I have reviewed a few of those - a handful are quite good).
So, so boring… really painfully boring…
This one is a DNF at 67% - right after the mc’s first smexy time. What does that tell you? Well, I did stick this one out to get to the aforementioned sex (so it wasn’t so terrible that I couldn’t read up to that point), but even this intimate scene was lackluster. Equally as boring as the rest of the story, and zero chemistry between the two leads.
* mild spoilers follow - I only made it to 67% and didn’t even bother skimming to get to the ending, so it’s my belief that this review doesn’t need to be hidden - as I don’t know the ending, cause I didn’t care…
What really killed this story for me? The misnomer “Billionaire” in the title, to be honest. This in no way reads like a billionaire romance. None of the scenes contained anything remotely exciting to me about the fact that our Hero here is a billionaire. He wants to jet her off to Paris! Ooh la la, but what does our h here say, “no, thank you”. What?!? She’d rather not since she’s been saving forever to get there on her own dime. Seriously? I’m here to read a BILLIONAIRE romance, not to read the reality of some poor woe is me heroine 🙄
Then, other small things kept irritating me about the whole promised billionaire trope here: our H’s lack of security detail - dude, you could be kidnapped cause you’re a BILLIONAIRE. It just made our H here appear stupid.
What else bothered me? Our H’s constant boners. Really, in every chapter that was from his pov, he developed and commented on his boner. What are you 12? I just couldn’t with this supposed grown man and his lack of control over his body. Too immature for me.
Funny enough, what really made me nuts was the mention of a measly six counter stools around the kitchen island at the supposed billionaire estate. I know this seems petty, but it’s this inattention to detail in a supposed billionaire romance that drove me to the brink of insanity.
No double-digit million dollar home has a measly six stools around the island in what’s described as the main kitchen. There’s def more than one kitchen on an estate that size, and there’s most definitely an entire staff of people somewhere. These tiny out of place details irrationally irritated me lol. I was promised the lifestyles of the rich and famous by the title word choices, and this story did not deliver - disappointed ☹️
This whole story was just a study of missed opportunities in the plot. The h’s dog here is a huge character (actually too much so), but there is a lack of description of scenes surrounding the dog’s character where the author missed a chance to introduce comedy. For example, we are told that the dog causes a major ruckus at dinnertime at the estate, but we aren’t shown this scene - missed opportunity imo.
The same goes for secondary characters - several are introduced, but there’s no action for them. Am I expecting too much from a fluff piece? Maybe, but the writing is actually fairly competent, and I’m convinced that this author is capable of a better story, but for some reason it just didn’t happen here, and you know what? I’m not interested in wasting my time with boring, poorly written romance stories at the moment.
Two stars - earns extra star as I feel this author is most definitely capable, but may just need a little guidance to get there - possibly from her editor?
Do not recommend this one. If you want to read a cute, sexy, easy to read, fun, billionaire romance, try Annika Martin’s Billionaire series (I have reviewed a few of those - a handful are quite good).
August 7, 2022
2.5 Stars
I probably took ages to finish this one. The first 60% of the book was okay pretty enjoyable I'd say but I literally crawled through the last 40%. The heroine was nice. The hero was okay. The dog was amazing. My friends have been shoving this author's books my way for years now and I picked up one of the most popular and I was so disappointed. If I have to describe this book in one word, it's forgettable. I know this is a it's-me case but I don't get why this is so popular!
I probably took ages to finish this one. The first 60% of the book was okay pretty enjoyable I'd say but I literally crawled through the last 40%. The heroine was nice. The hero was okay. The dog was amazing. My friends have been shoving this author's books my way for years now and I picked up one of the most popular and I was so disappointed. If I have to describe this book in one word, it's forgettable. I know this is a it's-me case but I don't get why this is so popular!
February 21, 2022
This book was a lot of fun to read. Genuinely fun. I loved all the characters, especially the main couple, Begonia and Hayes, as well as the true star of the story: Marshmallow, the service dog who only does what he wants when he wants.
Discovering the characters as I was reading the story was incredible, because at first, it seemed like I knew everything there was to know about them, but then the book would surprise me over and over again.
The Last Eligible Billionaire is a story about love but also about figuring out who we are and not being embarrassed by it. It was a light read but with such deep and meaningful moments. Begonia was very unique and her energy is a bit contagious, which is one of the reasons this book was so fun to read. And Hayes was hurt in the past and has closed off, but as we get to know him, we want to protect him for the world. In fact, this happens to both of them.
Their families were also amazing and such a nice addition to the plot. Her sister and his cousin were incredible and I've also fallen in love with them.
Thanks Pippa Grant and GiveMeBooksPR for providing an ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Discovering the characters as I was reading the story was incredible, because at first, it seemed like I knew everything there was to know about them, but then the book would surprise me over and over again.
The Last Eligible Billionaire is a story about love but also about figuring out who we are and not being embarrassed by it. It was a light read but with such deep and meaningful moments. Begonia was very unique and her energy is a bit contagious, which is one of the reasons this book was so fun to read. And Hayes was hurt in the past and has closed off, but as we get to know him, we want to protect him for the world. In fact, this happens to both of them.
Their families were also amazing and such a nice addition to the plot. Her sister and his cousin were incredible and I've also fallen in love with them.
Thanks Pippa Grant and GiveMeBooksPR for providing an ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
March 18, 2022
Honestly loved this book! It took me by surprise, but i just loved the dynamic. It was one of the best grumpy/sunshine and fake dating ones I’ve read in recent months!
I loved the fmc, Begonia was a breath of fresh air. The H was also pretty great, i loved watching him slowly fall in love with her. Some of the things he would do and think, I laughed because he was so stubborn with his feelings lol.
There were times where I wish some scenes had been shown and not just told. It would be a chapter or two later and things would be mentioned that I felt would’ve been better just shown.
The climax wasn’t my favorite, but of course they rarely are lol. I just didn’t like what it was and how it was handled.
I will say, I tried one other book by this author since this one that was a DNF pretty soon in due to the male POV grossing me out. This one was done really well in my opinion.
No OW/OM outright - there are women pursuing the H, but he has no interest and nothing happens with them.
No virgins - h is divorced, H not seemingly a manwhore, but he’s 40 and experienced
I loved the fmc, Begonia was a breath of fresh air. The H was also pretty great, i loved watching him slowly fall in love with her. Some of the things he would do and think, I laughed because he was so stubborn with his feelings lol.
There were times where I wish some scenes had been shown and not just told. It would be a chapter or two later and things would be mentioned that I felt would’ve been better just shown.
The climax wasn’t my favorite, but of course they rarely are lol. I just didn’t like what it was and how it was handled.
I will say, I tried one other book by this author since this one that was a DNF pretty soon in due to the male POV grossing me out. This one was done really well in my opinion.
No OW/OM outright - there are women pursuing the H, but he has no interest and nothing happens with them.
No virgins - h is divorced, H not seemingly a manwhore, but he’s 40 and experienced
March 21, 2022
I wish Goodreads would implement a "heroine quirko-meter" or something. I personally do not like the MC female lead to be at a red flag level of quirkiness. I don't find incompetence at the basics of life, personal hygiene, ability to filter oneself to have somewhat normal conversations endearing. I know this is a popular portrayal of women in romance novels but I cannot bear it so my 1 star rating is simply an indicator that I couldn't even get past the first meeting of the two main characters because Begonia behaved in a totally ludicrous way.
August 28, 2023
Hayes Rutherford just wants solitude at his home in Maine, after a rocky couple of weeks. What he walks into is a disaster of a house, a shrill of a singing voice that he is not even sure is human, and a dog creating havoc around his house. Confronting Begonia who he has no clue how she got into his house has him fuming and he wants her out asap. The warning that his mother is coming though has him blackmailing Begonia into being his pretend girlfriend to help get his family out of his hair. His plans though go awry when Begonia and her dog Marshmallow worm their way into his hardened heart. He finds Begonia delightfully honest and she surprises him at every turn with her zest for life but Hayes has the weight of the world on his shoulders with his job and responsibilities. Can he find a way to have both his happiness and keep Begonia too?
This was such a delight. I was laughing out loud absolutely hilarious. Hayes is fairly rigid in the beginning and Begonia is carefree embrace life in unusual ways. At the start of the book you are swept away with Hayes horrified reaction to what is going on in his house and Begonia has some really hilarious moments. Wonderful read.
This was such a delight. I was laughing out loud absolutely hilarious. Hayes is fairly rigid in the beginning and Begonia is carefree embrace life in unusual ways. At the start of the book you are swept away with Hayes horrified reaction to what is going on in his house and Begonia has some really hilarious moments. Wonderful read.
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