THE BILLIONAIRE TAKES A BRIDE (Billionaires and Bridesmaids #3) by Jessica Clare-a review

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About the book: Release Date October 20, 2015

Billionaire Sebastian Cabral loves his family, he just doesn’t love their reality TV show, The Cabral Empire. So when his ex-girlfriend tries to rekindle their relationship on camera, Sebastian decides that drastic measures are in order.

By day, Chelsea Hall is a happy-go-lucky, rough and tumble roller derby skater. By night, she’s still living in fear of her past. Most of all, she just doesn’t want to be alone. And she really, really doesn’t want to date.

So when their mutual friends’ upcoming wedding turns Chelsea and Sebastian into fast friends, they realize they can solve both of their problems with one life-changing lie: a quick trip down the aisle.

But with one kiss, Chelsea and Sebastian suddenly realize that their pretend relationship is more real than either of them expected…

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REVIEW: THE BILLIONAIRE TAKES A BRIDE is the third installment in Jessica Clare’s contemporary, adult BILLIONAIRES AND BRIDESMAIDS erotic, romance series-a spin off from her Billionaire Boys Club Series that will focus on the upcoming nuptials of the Billionaire Boys and the women that they love. This is billionaire Sebastian Cabral, and derby girl Chelsea Hall’s storyline. THE BILLIONAIRE TAKES A BRIDE can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty-any important information from previous storylines is revealed where necessary. Several characters from the original series cross over as Gretchen (Beauty and the Billionaire ) begins a series of parties aimed at matchmaking her bridesmaids with potential future husbands.

Told from dual third person perspectives THE BILLIONAIRE TAKES A BRIDE follows Sebastian Cabral as he stays hidden from the media while his extended family lives and breathes their own reality TV show wherein his meddling mother pushes an ex-girlfriend towards Sebastian in the hopes of higher ratings. But an accidental meeting between Chelsea and Sebastian at Gretchen’s pre-wedding party finds Sebastian making Chelsea an offer she can’t refuse-a marriage of platonic convenience to keep the paparazzi at bay, and his mother off his back. What ensues is a building relationship between Chelsea and Sebastian- but a relationship that finds Chelsea hiding secrets about her past that control almost every aspect of her present. Chelsea’s fear of the dark is only the tip of the iceberg as it pertains to her physical and emotional health. Sebastian is a very patient man when it comes to his wife’s fears as he endeavors to take things slow so not to add fuel to an already volatile situation.

The relationship between Chelsea and Sebastian is loving as our heroine tries to work through her demons, and her dark past that has left Chelsea emotionally fragile in certain aspects of her life. The $ex scenes are provocative, loving and seductive. Sebastian is more of a beta male who never forces or coerces his lover into anything she does not want to do; he is supportive, patient, and loving.

THE BILLIONAIRE TAKES A BRIDE has a large ensemble cast of characters including Chelsea’s roller derby team; her best friend Pisa; and several of the bridesmaids and groomsmen we met in the previous series. We are introduced to Sebastian’s mother- a throw back to Chris Jenner and her ‘momager’ ways of controlling the family and the unreality of reality TV. Sebastian’s ex plays a small role to add a bit of conflict to his life with Chelsea.

There are moments of fun and flirtation; drama and tension; heartbreak and moving forward. The premise is entertaining with a little bit of everything-romance, $ex, fun, betrayal, heartbreak and love. The characters are relatable, charismatic and familiar. Jessica Clare takes the reader on one couple’s journey from strangers to lovers in the blink of an eye-where the happily ever after is a promise for the future.

Copy supplied by the publisher through Netgalley.

Reviewed by Sandy