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Review

4 stars

Another beautiful read from J. Saman. A heartfelt, fake-relationship billionaire romance that is sparked at a high school reunion and quickly brings the feels. It’s got chemistry and passion, and so much emotion, and I loved this story.

Oliver and Amelia went to high school together. They ran in different circles and crushed on each other from afar, but they didn’t really interact that much. When they run into each other outside of their high school reunion, they’re both dreading walking in the door, so Oliver proposes (ha!) that she pretend to be his fiancé. It will help him save face with the ex-girlfriend inside who broke his heart and will give her somebody to lean on for the night. She agrees, and we get all of the affectionate touches and longing looks that I love about this kind of set-up. The mad chemistry spills over into a sensationally steamy night together, and though they plan to go their separate ways, the media catches them together and to avoid a scandal, they agree to keep the fake engagement ruse going for just a bit longer.

It’s the most fabulous setup, and I was fully on board with these two from the very beginning. Though they’re pretending to be engaged, their relationship never feels fake. They are quickly sucked into each other’s lives – Oliver’s wealthy family, loving parents and bunch of siblings, and Amelia’s difficult, lonely life where she cares for her teenage sister, who is an absolute firecracker (Layla is filterless, outspoken and a complete scene-stealer, and I adored her). The attraction is there from the very beginning, and though they may not admit it out loud, every moment between them feels real. And once they finally give in to their feelings, the romance is beautiful! Swoony, heartfelt and so steamy, it’s easy and natural, and these two are magic together.

“Where the fuck have you been, Amelia Atkins?”
She smiles like the first burst of morning sunshine after a week of rain. “Right here all along. Waiting on one particular alpha dick to find me. I am yours, Oliver. But you’re mine too. Don’t forget it.”

Oliver stole my heart. He’s not only completely smitten with Amelia, but he genuinely cares for Layla too. He wants them in his life, and he knows he has a battle on his hands to convince Amelia that he’s in it for the long haul, but he’s determined. Amelia is strong and fiercely independent, and such a great heroine, and as much as I love Oliver’s protective nature, I loved how he gives her space and respects what she needs.

“Not everything is as easy as your heart wants to make it.”
“And not everything is as difficult as your brain wants to make it. Sometimes your heart knows better.”

They have challenges, but their feelings for each other are strong, and I loved watching them work through it all and find their way forward together.

With strong links to the The Edge series (the last book The Edge of Chaos is Oliver’s sister’s story and introduces the family), we get to catch up with the characters from those books, but you can easily read this as a standalone. We get to spend time with the rest of Oliver’s siblings, who are a fabulous bunch. I am loving this world and look forward to continuing on with the series.

4 stars.

I listened to this as an audiobook, narrated by Blake Lockheart and Avery Reid, and it’s definitely a great one to listen to!