Series: Love in the Balance #3
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series: Love in the Balance #3
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Forever
Publication Date: 6/24/14
Format: Paperback
Pages: 336
Source: Publisher
Rating: 4-4.5 stars
LOVE IS A DEAL BREAKER . . .
Millionaire ad executive Landon Downey has a policy: no romantic relationships allowed. So when he's saddled with his six-year-old nephew for a week, he doesn't think twice about asking Kimber Reynolds to act as live-in nanny. What he doesn't expect is the undeniable attraction to the woman he hasn't seen since they were kids. And not only does she like him back-she suggests they work their way down a list of extracurricular activities in the bedroom. How can he resist?
Kimber wants to prove once and for all that she can love 'em and leave 'em with the best of them. All she has to do is keep her sixteen-year crush on Landon out of the equation. No problem . . . until she realizes she may not be the only one whose heart has gotten completely tangled up in their no-strings agreement!
My Review
Oh you guys, I am so happy I read The Millionaire Affair! This is a book that wasn't even on my radar until an invite to read it came my way. I'm really overwhelmed with books right now, but something about this one niggled at my brain. Apparently the niggle was right because I adored this book!
It's kind of funny that I did decide to read The Millionaire Affair, since I'm consistently whinging on about how I like books about "normal", working-class men. My husband saw this one and was like, "I thought you said you were tired of billionaire books." At first I thought I'd been busted, as if it were a guilty pleasure. But then I had a lightbulb moment and replied, "He's not a billionaire, babe, he's a millionaire. That's completely different. Plus, he's not even a Dom like all the other rich dudes, so I don't even know why we're having this discussion." If you're reading this thinking that I am logical yet ridiculous, then you're probably in the same boat as my husband.
My point being, The Millionaire Affair isn't the standard mega-rich dominant alphahole story. So if you tend to be wary of that sub-genre, don't let this one scare you off.
The Millionaire Affair is the classic, falling-for-little sister's-best friend trope, made even better by the fact that Kimber had an epic crush of Landon sixteen years ago. And boy, did that old spark flare back to life when they reconnect. Especially when Landon gets a load of Kimber now. The years have treated her well, turning her from a frizzy-haired teen with a mouthful of braces to a thirty-two-year old redhead bombshell with a flair for vintage clothing. Kimber is a heroine most readers will like, I believe. She's has little worries about herself that made her relatable, not so overcome by inferiority that she's annoying. She has a big heart that's been mistreated by the men she too easily falls for, which just made her more endearing to me. She was funny and a little goofy, which is always a plus in my book. I just really liked her.
Our hero Landon Downey happens to be super wealthy, but he's also a relatively well-adjusted, hard-working man from a happy, supportive family. That's not to say he doesn't have an issue or two, particularly when it comes to emotions and intimacy. At times I felt like he was just emotionally-stunted rather than "damaged" (or perhaps those are the same thing), and I wanted to tell him to grow up and move onward and upward and all that. Looking back, I got it, and as far as issues go, it made sense. So yeah, his reasons for being the Tin Man -to reference the book- we're actually valid, if not a little frustrating. But honestly, Landon was a very likeable hero, particularly when he lets himself feel, and when he stops denying that he's fallen hard for Kimber. He was patient with her issues, selfless to his own detriment at some points. I like that he realized he needed to rein in his compulsion to give her what he believed she needed. Landon wasn't a man who wanted to take over Kimber's life, he only wants to be a part of it.
So as you might have deduced, Kimber and Landon have a crazy chemistry that they agree to indulge, for a limited time. Kimber's best friend urges her to have a fling, just to prove she can. Kimber's mom has taught her to never commit her life to a man. Can I just say that the people on Kimber's life give the worst advice. Poor girl. So Landon is on board with this plan because he doesn't want love or a family but he does want Kimber. I mean, we all know these book flings turn out just as expected, yes? No. No, they never ever do, guys. But that's okay because it makes for a fun read.
Of course Kimber and Landon fall for each other. Add in a major turn of events, and you have a fling-turn-forever type of situation here. Naturally, these two won't go down the road to true love without a fight. They're opposites in most ways, which does scare Kimber off. I got it, even when her stubbornness at keeping her emotional distance from Landon made me a little crazy. And Landon, he's emotionally-stunted, remember? This leads to angst and heartbreak and tough realizations, and I ate it up! The Millionaire Affair gave me the same feelings I used to get when reading one of those really good harlequin category romances I used to sneak from my aunts as a teen. Super romantic and emotional and really, really yummy.
The Millionaire Affair was so good. It made me happy and content and really pleased I'd chosen it to enjoy on a quiet Sunday afternoon.
Favorite Quote
"This is the talking bed," she teased as he licked a path to her collarbone.
"So, talk." He kissed her arm. "Start with something like Oh, Landon"--he tongued her shoulder--"then yes, Landon." He smiled, his teeth lightly nipping her flesh. "Maybe thrown in a please and a don't stop."
As he slid down her body, she found herself murmuring those words in order, then out of order. Until there was nothing left but incoherent syllables.
The Love in the Balance Series
(covers lead to GoodReads pages)
About Jessica Lemmon
Jessica Lemmon writes sexy contemporary romances with a squeeze of humor for Grand Central (Tempting the Billionaire, Hard to Handle) and Entangled (If You Dare). She is an artist, dreamer, former meateater, fun-loving, fast-talking wife, and a den mother to two dogs. She loves to hear from her fans.
