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Deacon Hamilton was supposed to be just a client.
And I don't date clients.
Well, not anymore.
But I've fallen in love with his son, fallen in love with our trips to the cabin...and now I can't be with Tucker anymore.
Not when Deacon is the man I want.
So I'm just going to tell him.
And hope for the best.

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First published June 23, 2020

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Victoria Quinn

43 books1,276 followers

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5 stars
1,391 (48%)
4 stars
902 (31%)
3 stars
454 (15%)
2 stars
85 (2%)
1 star
22 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
Profile Image for  Leo (Queen of the Rants and Spoilers).
1,147 reviews92 followers
June 26, 2020
I’m handing over my woman card.
description
I can’t believe that everything I despise in a book and makes me rant about them I did not have a problem with here. Damn. i read these back to back and now I’m left waiting for book 3 and 4.
description
Finally we get a relationship between the two main characters. But woah the drama that the next following books will bring..
Profile Image for Alloverthebooks ✎.
396 reviews38 followers
December 1, 2023
Le début de ce tome est toujours aussi soft. Les personnages ne sont toujours pas passés à "l'action", si je peux dire, dans cette première partie.
Les choses évoluent cependant et cela donne une nouvelle dynamique à l'histoire. J'aime beaucoup le fait qu'ils soient dans une relation qui dépasse le concept de l'amitié sans toutefois sortir réellement ensemble. C'est vraiment touchant de voir comme les sentiments peuvent évoluer entre eux alors qu'ils sont encore au stade du vouvoiement.
La relation entre les protagonistes et Derek est vraiment mignonne. On sait où veut en venir l'auteure, mais c'est beau à voir.
Je ne mets pas 5 étoiles tout simplement parce que je trouve qu'il y a eu parfois quelques longueurs, mais j'aime où l'on va. J'ai hâte de voir comment vont évoluer les choses.
Profile Image for Shyralf.
1,517 reviews72 followers
June 30, 2020
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Stars! I absolutely loved this billionaire romance. Bummed have to wait 2 months for the complete series. That ex Valeri is a complete bitch, little Derek is a sweetheart.
Profile Image for Laura.
792 reviews28 followers
June 26, 2020
This is a very slow burn love story but I like it! However, I was really disappointed to find there is another two books. Not sure why when the story could easily have been resolved by now?

It takes until three quarters through this book (which is longer than book 1) for them to even get together but of course there are a few obstacles in their way so no happy ever after yet.

First read for me by this author and I'm enjoying her writing.
Profile Image for Khanique McDaniel.
1,199 reviews36 followers
November 13, 2020
The soap opera continues...

So far, Victoria Quinn has kept me engaged in this vanilla games. I keep waiting for moments to see Deacon in his scrubs because that's probably the hottest thing I have read two books later. Sex included.

It's not that this story isn't good. It's just not interesting. It's very girl next door. A nice pace, just not what I am used to. At least Derek is an intelligent cutie pie? At this point, the five-year-old is my favourite character.

A change for me however is that I now like Deacon's POV more than I do Cleo's. I still love our girl because her efficient, professional and light moments feel so real. I believe she is that Manhattan know-it-all who slays dragons in pencil skirts and five-inch heels.

Deacon is as can be predicted. Cold, detached but way more vocal in both is abuse from Valerie and what he wants for his future. He's even running jokes. Dad, doctor, lover. You just can't get enough of Deacon.

I'm still invested so I will be moving on to the next book in the series but I do hope something of real interest and excitement happens soon because as of now, I feel third-party to a really bad divorce and a really good friendship.

Thank God for Tucker's 'locker room' talks, Jake's obsession with being with Cleo and Valerie's toxic ways, or what would we have to look forward to?
Profile Image for Alberta.
789 reviews
April 25, 2022
No conclusion. Predictable.

If this series weren’t part of kindle Unlimited I would not have bothered reading this book.

Still no conclusion. And now it’s becoming painfully predictable.

I’m in the thick of it now so altered to read the next book.
1 review
August 7, 2024
disappointing after build up of book 1

Liked the story but found the romantic/sex scenes too cringy to read at times. Couldn’t make myself finish the book
Profile Image for Vanessa.
626 reviews12 followers
June 23, 2020
Truly loved this book. I was irritated when I had to put the book down to do some work. But I loved every minute of it. I loved Cleo and Deacon’s relationship. It’s not typical. Cleo truly has the heart and patience of a saint. She truly understands Deacon and what he is trying to say. Deacon is in a league all on his own. He doesn’t let his riches get to his head and he works hard for them. You could tell he instilled that in Derek. Who is the coolest little boy I have ever known. I wish I could meet him. I cannot wait to see what the next book has in stored for them. I re-read this book 2 or 3 times. I can only imagine how it’s going to be when the next book comes out.
Profile Image for My Little Nook.
523 reviews110 followers
July 19, 2020
This Valerie is such a snake...I hate her!
This 2nd book was as good as book one. Deacon finally accepted his love for Cleo and their physical connection is as strong as their emotional.
Derek is the sweetest little boy and I adore him more and more!
Valerie continues to be the evil that looms on Deacon's life. The woman is so horrible, can't believe they are letting her back in his life. This is such a huge mistake...so I forsee a horrible situation coming up in the next book.
Can't wait for book 3 to come out next week!
Profile Image for Patricia H.
401 reviews7 followers
June 28, 2020
Valerie is a BITCH!!!

Deacon needs to grow a pair. His five year old son Derek, had more balls than he does. His son stood up to his wicked evil mother, Valerie. And told her to STOP IT!!! Stop making his dad sad. You just gotta love him. Deacon needs to talk to the lawyer Cleo spoke with in book one. He needs to get a game plan on how to get rid of his ex-wife Valerie and keep Derek. Now Valerie wants a a Penthouse apartment in his building. Just so she could keep an eye on Cleo, and keep her away from Deacon. She needs to hook up with Cleo's client/ex-lover Jake. She needs another rich man. They need to find some dirt on her, or some way to get rid of her permanently. I think that when Valerie moves to New York, she"s going to find out about Cleo and Jake's affair, and use it to break up her and Deacon. She's that evil and vindictive. Deacon is way too sweet to fight such an evil woman like Valerie. How to get rid of Valerie for good!!! That's what I want to read about in the next book. I'm so over her already. Can't wait to find out what comes next.
Profile Image for Alison.
1,507 reviews107 followers
July 10, 2025
“I was a man full of nothing. But she made me feel everything.”

Read 2: I’m glad he stopped the man-whoring in this book lol. I liked the first half better than the second half. I thought Cleo was waaay pushing it when she confessed her feelings. My heart broke for her at Deacons rejection. I’m glad that he suffered a bit before he came around but I think she shouldn’t have taken him back right away. Also, I HATE Valarie. So so much.

The second installment did not disappoint. This series gets better and better. I was addicted and finished the first 4 books in less than 48 hours.
Profile Image for Macey.
173 reviews
June 1, 2021
This book is a 11 part series on the SAME story. I gave up after the second book because it seemed super drawn out and I wasn’t super in love with the main characters to read all the rest of the books
42 reviews
May 31, 2021
“..the sexy curve of her tits so sexy.”
Profile Image for cheriecoco.
147 reviews
January 2, 2024
1.5 , just didn’t like it & skimmed like 30%. also just saw some other books i forgot id seen by this author & it all makes sense now lol wish i could go back and save myself the time
Profile Image for Ilana.
1,220 reviews17 followers
May 6, 2021
UGh….this series was taking us on the most insane journey in the first book that we know the roller coaster was going to get intense. What we have in this second book is a mix of emotion, turmoil, hope and dispair. If you’ll remember, we watched how Cleo began to truly understand how Deacon operated – was able to get under his skin and truly become his friend. At the same time she started to let Tucker under her skin and begin what could be an amazing relationship, albeit a bit awkward given the brother tie there. Add to the mix Derek, Deacon’s son who everyone adored and yet still coudlnt’ have in New York because of Deacon’s ex wife. So, such a mix.

There’s one other story line here that we can’t underestimate. Jake – the tenant in the building that Cleo had a relationship with previously, and who isn’t willing for that to be over. He’s still interested in pursuing her, he got divorced to be with her and she’s not interested. He’s going to stir up trouble – this is something that i’m sure of. I think that he’s got a vendetta now against her and once he truly realizes what’s going on with Cleo, well, that means that all hell will break loose.

In this second book, we watch how the dynamic between everyone shifts. We watch how Cleo does more for Deacon than even he realized he needed. When he expressed his love for the outdoors after sharing an image of him and his son, Cleo locates the perfect lake cabin for him to buy. This becomes their solace – their getaway, and when they’re able to bring Derek, it’s their family home. Backing up a second, we watch how Cleo is really capable of doing the impossible. She’s convinced Valerie to let her bring Derek to New York for Deacon’s birthday, and even towards the end of the story she manages even more – to work an angle to get Valerie to move east so Derek could live closer to Deacon. There’s a price though, and that’s the cliff that we’re left on.

There’s so much going on in this story that it’s hard to pick one story line to follow. Do we choose to watch the evolution of Tucker and Cleo – and how deacon gets in the middle of it. Do we watch how Cleo and Deacon grow closer together only to have things shattered when Deacon breaks Cleo’s heart. Do we sit on the edge of our seats knowing that Jake is going to blow up everything that Cleo has worked hard for, and in the back of my mind, do we know that Valerie and Jake will some how team up and bring things to a crashing halt?

The heat and passion in this series is amped up a level in this second book, especially as we see characters getting more invested in one another. There are deep emotional and physical connections across the board, regardless if it’s a romantic relationship or just one of family or friend. We see trust grow and get shattered. We see deceit and we see conniving. But at the end of it all we see hope, and wonder if that hope is enough to carry the story through. So, that all being said – you know what i’m going to say. I’m off to get book 3 because I HAVE to see what happens next.
Profile Image for Monique Delaney.
266 reviews3 followers
August 28, 2023
Cleo and Deacon

Part two in this series picks up the very moment the last book left off at.

And we get to see things progress between Cleo and Deacon despite some challenges.

Ex wife drama, custody drama and communication issues make for a bumpy ride. This book ends on a cliffhanger as well.

Things to note*

The slow burn finally becomes a forest fire and we finally get to see our lovebirds heat things up. And they make up for lost time.

The ex wife/custody thing was extremely realistic in an almost triggering way. Anyone who has had to co-parent with an abusive narcissistic type ex spouse will probably feel a bit triggered. Having to play nice and fake feelings of calm and kindness in the face of someone who uses your children to manipulate and hurt you is suffocating and painful. The way this author describes how Deacon feels in those moments tracks as very realistic. Ask me how I know lol

I feel bad for Tucker. He's a nice guy, living in his brother's shadow. I'm not sure he gets his own spin off book or not, I'm still new to this author, but I kinda hope he does at some point.

Being in a relationship with someone like Deacon in real life can ultimately be very unfullfilling after decades go by with someone who struggles to understand your thoughts and feelings and needs. As beautiful as Deacon is, I feel a little sad for Cleo. She does a lot more giving then receiving and that type of dynamic is destructive over long periods of time.

I'm looking forward to seeing where things go in the next book.
Profile Image for Kenisha.
261 reviews9 followers
June 25, 2020
Soulless book 2

Diving right into the 2nd book and it was amazing! We pick up after Cleo did the unimaginable, she was able to get the ice queen into letting Derek come to New York to visit his father.

Deacon was totally surprised she was able to pull this off and realized that she was a godsend and she can get anything done.

He was surprised when Tucker said Cleo broke things off and knowing she had feelings for Deacon. Being the stubborn and hell bent on not being in a relationship any time soon after his disaster of a marriage , he shut the idea down real quick.

As Cleo begins to spend more time with Deacon she’s realizes just how hard over heels she falling for him. And Derek is just an added bonus. She treasures the little boy and is more determined then ever to get him to the city permanently.

When the situation becomes a little to real,,Deacon resorts back to his jackhole ways and Cleo being the most awesome assistant ever continues business as usual.

Deacon doesn’t understand what changed, work-wise things are the same but something else is off.

I feel the saying If You Love Someone, Set Them Free. If They Come Back They’re Yours, rings so true with Deacon and Cleo. But at what cost will it take for them to be truly be together.

Profile Image for Samm Lynn.
1,326 reviews20 followers
June 25, 2020
If you didn't know by now - this segment ends in a cliffhanger.

If you are looking for a lot of horizontal action, it's not in this book (there is some but it is towards the middle and the end of the story.

This book is an absorbing relationship building story (kind of like a soap opera or serial where you can't look away or you will miss something). The author has carefully crafted these characters and keeps building and adding more depth to their personalities and life experiences. This segment brings in the addition of Deacon and Tucker's mom and more Valerie (Deacon's demon ex). There is a lot of heartache, touching family time, and a very vicious witch (figurative not literal).

The cliffhanger puts Chloe between a rock and a hard place and I cannot wait to find out what happens next.

The author has graciously allowed me an advance copy and I review so that others may find her great work. If you hate cliffhangers and want to grab one of her completed series, I would suggest the Boss series with Hunt and Titan it is freakin' awesome.
327 reviews
April 13, 2021
I'm not sure of the plan in this one. Telling the lies to Valerie vs just omitting the truth. I think the misleading will do more harm. However, I love that Deacon has had some realizations and that Cleo does mean something to him. Clearly Derek loves Cleo, apparently too much so to draw the ire of Valerie.
I know they realize there are treacherous waters to navigate and Cleo is sticking with her independence for her job and reputation but her step back with Jake will be part of the implosion. She truly could quit and just work for Deacon.
I know she vowed nothing would tear them apart but it seems inevitable as clearly Valerie has her sight set on getting back with Deacon or torturing him by keeping Derek from him. They need to revisit Deacon meeting with the divorce attorney to see how he could renegotiate his parental rights.
Profile Image for Michaela.
240 reviews1 follower
May 3, 2025

Okay I’m getting slightly annoyed now with this spamming over into the third book.. is the whole series about them? If so.. I’m out 🙅🏻‍♀️

As much as I did enjoy this book! I just wanted it to end.. like the first book was the slow burn.. and I’m unsure what this was to be honest!!

Deacon is really playing with fire getting his ex wife to move to closer especially when she’s still in love with him and threatening Cleo!

I understand it’s to have Derek (can’t get over they named a child this lol) closer and see him but at what cost! The lying about being together and the fake relationship with his brother to show they aren’t together infront of Vivian.. 🚩🚩

I had high hopes for this book but I’m so over it spamming across and being dragged out
Profile Image for Shae.
994 reviews38 followers
June 30, 2020
Book 2 continues right where Book 1 stops! You really need to read book one to understand and follow along.

Deacon and Cleo finally allow themselves to realize that they are falling in love with each other. He has never met someone who totally understands him and does not try to change him.

This book really showcases their love and devotion to each other! Even Cleo's love for Derrick - Deacon's son is beautifully laid out in the story.

I really can't wait to read what happens next...

Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Action-packed, Easy-to-read, Original, Page-turner, Romantic, Unpredictable, Wonderful characters
Profile Image for leila braga.
577 reviews7 followers
February 11, 2024
é uma melhora considerável em relação ao primeiro.

e o hot... hmmm 4/5
se bem que tem umas passagens que nossa senhora... cringe é a palavra. em geral quando ele tá narrando, porque ele só pensa merda. pra um suposto gênio, ele é muito ordinário. pensa igual a todos os outros homens, o que fica bem velho bem rápido.

sério, ele faz oral nela e depois diz:
I kissed her, letting her taste herself, showing her how much she desired me... as if she didn't already know.

valeu, amigão, você tem tesão por você mesmo, né. que cansativo.

mas, enfim, depois me vi me envolvendo mesmo com a história (e só deus pode me julgar bjs).
101 reviews
June 24, 2020
What a fabulous read, a love triangle thats probably far more complicated than most... a spoilt, bad mannered, nasty, bitter bully of an ex wife who is determined to blackmail Deacon by using his poor son Derek all the while not even considering her young sons feelings, Cleo the bright, wonderful personal assistant who Deacon actually loves and Deacon who is finally opening himself to have a life. I hope the pressure of Valeries demands doesn’t split them up and they can have a happily ever after.
Profile Image for Michele.
1,539 reviews9 followers
June 29, 2020
This is book two in the series! It is fantastic! It picks up where the first book left off. Let me just say that I still can not stand Valerie. She is a first class b**ch. I really want to see her fall off her pedestal. Cleo and Deacon are in love and the question is can they make it work? Does love trump work, vindictive exs and secrets? Their chemistry is explosive. I was on the edge of my seat reading! I had to know what was happening! Derek stole my heart! This is a must have book and series! I can not wait for the next book! I am all in! Job well done Ms. Quinn!!!
262 reviews1 follower
July 7, 2020
Wow! This is a fantastic read but you must read The Man Who Has No Soul first to really understand Deacon and the way he comes across. I love that we have now seen Deacon come out of himself and open up to Cleo and especially the way that Deacon is with Derek. I really hope that Valerie gets the message soon and stops treating Derek as a bargaining chip. This book has so much more to the story than just your average romance. I couldn’t put it down and felt emotionally vested in what was going on with all of the characters. I can’t wait for the next book.
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