BLOG TOUR REVIEW: All or Nothing at All (Billionaire Builders #3)

All or Nothing at All (Billionaire Builders #3), by Jennifer Probst
Publish Date: July 25, 2017
Publisher: Gallery Books
Format: e-ARC, provided by the publisher and Inkslinger PR
Genre: adult contemporary romance
To Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Rating: 3 STARS

(Synopsis) Tristan Pierce left the family business to carve out a life of his own, but never forgot his passionate affair with the much younger, inexperienced Sydney Green, or the hurtful break-up that tore him apart. When he’s forced to return home and face his past, will he be able to carve out a future, or will lies ruin his second chance at love? 

Sydney Green loved Tristan her entire life, but when he left, he took not only her heart, but her trust with him. Now that they’re together again, it’s time they both face the biggest secret of all….

I love Jennifer Probst, and I have thoroughly enjoyed her Billionaire Builders series. I'm sad to see it end, particularly on this note. See, I've been looking forward to Tristan's story since the beginning. He's always been so buttoned up and proper. I just knew that, of the three brothers, he'd be the most filthy when behind closed doors. And I was right. Too bad he ended up being such a jerk.

Interestingly enough, Sydney surprised me just as much as Tristan did. Through the first two books, I always liked her and how good of a mom she was to her 5-year-old daughter Becca. She is the office manager for Pierce Brothers construction, and she's really good at her job. In All or Nothing at All, she takes the initiative to make incredible strides in her career, and I was cheering her every step of the way. 

However, when I found out that Sydney had known that Tristan was Becca's father since the moment she found out she was pregnant and never told him, I lost all respect for her. The secret baby trope might be some people's cup of tea, but it's definitely not mine. Except in extreme circumstances, fathers should always be given the choice to be a good dad. If they squander that choice, then more power to the single mother. But, he can't make that choice without knowing he has a kid in the first place. 

I appreciate that Sydney made the choice when she was pregnant not to tell Tristan about the baby. I understand her reasons - I just don't agree with them. But, that's an aside. Tristan has been back in town for more than a year and has made it clear he's home to stay. Sydney had that entire time to tell him that Becca is his, but she chose not to. That's not a character I can get behind. 

So, I spent the first half of the book championing Tristan and hoping he found out he was a dad soon. Except, when he does find out, his reaction is so far away from what I knew about him as a character so far, it was genuinely upsetting. He is ruthless, cold and so mean to Sydney and goes so far as to blackmail her into marrying him so that Becca had the illusion of "family." How completely messed up is that? 

He has resolved that he could never love someone who has screwed him over so thoroughly, yet, he is okay with getting his rocks off with her and forcing her to sleep in the same bed as him so that Becca doesn't suspect they are anything but a picture-perfect family. And the strong Sydney from the beginning is nowhere to be found. She goes along with the possibility that she will never be loved in her life, that her body will be used to slake a need and that she will be lying to her daughter forever. 

There were a few shining moments in All or Nothing at All. Tristan as a dad was a complete delight. I loved catching up with Caleb, Dalton, Blake and their women. And the ending was really sweet. Also, this IS Jennifer Probst, so the writing is awesome and the pace was perfect. I just didn't care for the story so much. And I think a lot of it is just personal taste. Those who love the secret baby trope will love this book, and if that's you, I encourage you to check this one out. 

Jennifer Probst wrote her first book at twelve years old. She bound it in a folder, read it to her classmates, and hasn’t stopped writing since. She took a short hiatus to get married, get pregnant, buy a house, get pregnant again, pursue a master’s in English Literature, and rescue two shelter dogs. Now she is writing again.

She makes her home in Upstate New York with the whole crew. Her sons keep her active, stressed, joyous, and sad her house will never be truly clean.

She is the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of sexy and erotic contemporary romance. She was thrilled her book, The Marriage Bargain, was ranked #6 on Amazon's Best Books for 2012. She loves hearing from readers. Visit her website for updates on new releases and her street team at www.jenniferprobst.com.

Website: www.jenniferprobst.com
Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/jenniferprobst.authorpage
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jenniferprobst
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2965489.Jennifer_Probst

BLOG TOUR REVIEW: Somehow, Some Way (Billionaire Builders #2.5)

I need Pierce Brothers to be real. Because these guys and their guys are awesome. As is this new novella in Jennifer Probst's Billionaire Builders series.

Somehow, Some Way (Billionaire Builders #2.5), by Jennifer Probst
Publish Date: May 30, 2017
Publisher: Evil Eye Concepts, Inc.
Format: e-ARC, provided by the author and Inkslinger PR
Genre: adult contemporary romance
To Buy: Amazon

Rating: 4 STARS

(Synopsis) Bolivar Randy Heart (aka Brady) knows exactly what he wants next in life: the perfect wife. Raised in a strict traditional family household, he seeks a woman who is sweet, conservative, and eager to settle down. With his well-known protective and dominant streak, he needs a woman to offer him balance in a world where he relishes control.

Too bad the newly hired, gorgeous, rehab addict is blasting through all his preconceptions and wrecking his ideals…one nail at a time…

Charlotte Flowers knows who she is and refuses to apologize. Growing up poor made her appreciate the simple things in life, and her new job at Pierce Brothers Construction is perfect to help her carve out a career in renovating houses. When an opportunity to transform a dilapidated house in a dangerous neighborhood pops up, she goes in full throttle. Unfortunately, she’s forced to work with the firm’s sexy architect who’s driving her crazy with his archaic views on women.

Too bad he’s beginning to tempt her to take a chance on more than just work…one stroke at a time…

Somehow, some way, they need to work together to renovate a house without killing each other…or surrendering to the white-hot chemistry knocking at the front door.

We know Brady Heart as the brilliant architect that works for Pierce Brothers Construction. We know he's oldest brother Cal's best friend and equally close to Cal's two younger brothers. We didn't know much else about him, but we certainly learned a lot in the span of a short novella. 

There are a lot of layers to Brady. He is a very traditional man. He loves the finer things in life. He also loves women - respects them and treats them like gold. But, he has very archaic views about them. He thinks wives belong in the home and not in the workplace. That they should defer to their husbands in all things. And Brady is in the market for a wife. 

He has a big crush, however, on Charlie Flowers, the rehab expert Pierce Brothers recently hired. She's a big problem for him because she flies in the face of everything he believes. She is fiercely independent and wildly talented at what she does. She was raised poor, so she eschews extravagance. She is basically the exact opposite from Brady's ideal woman. Which makes the fact that he wants her more than any other woman terribly inconvenient.

I spent most of the book incredibly frustrated with both Charlie and Brady - but moreso with Charlie. She spends much of the book judging Brady for his views and ideals, while being pissed off with him at the same time for his judging of her for the same reasons. She doesn't appreciate him meddling in her business, and yet, when she does the same thing in the name of pinching pennies, he's supposed to be grateful. It was maddening. 

As Brady got to know Charlie, he started shifting his ideas about what he wanted in a woman. And, although his family still held traditional views about marriage and kids, Brady's time working on a house with Charlie caused him to start questioning everything. Can you imagine what a jarring experience that would be? He understandably has a hard time with this realization. Wouldn't you?

Somehow, Some Way was a great addition to the Billionaire Builders series. Despite my frustration with Charlie, I did like how she and Brady worked together once they both got over themselves. And the glimpses of the three Pierce Brothers was icing on the cake. 

Jennifer Probst wrote her first book at twelve years old. She bound it in a folder, read it to her classmates, and hasn’t stopped writing since. She took a short hiatus to get married, get pregnant, buy a house, get pregnant again, pursue a master’s in English Literature, and rescue two shelter dogs. Now she is writing again.

She makes her home in Upstate New York with the whole crew. Her sons keep her active, stressed, joyous, and sad her house will never be truly clean.

She is the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of sexy and erotic contemporary romance. She was thrilled her book, The Marriage Bargain, was ranked #6 on Amazon's Best Books for 2012. She loves hearing from readers. Visit her website for updates on new releases and her street team at www.jenniferprobst.com.

Website: www.jenniferprobst.com
Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/jenniferprobst.authorpage
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jenniferprobst
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2965489.Jennifer_Probst

BLOG TOUR REVIEW: Any Time and Any Place (Billionaire Builders #2)

 

I am loving this new series by Jennifer Probst. These billionaire builders have already won my heart. Check out my review, then check out these boys!

Any Time and Any Place (Billionaire Builders #2), by Jennifer Probst
Publish Date: January 24, 2017
Publisher: Gallery Books
Format: e-ARC, provided by the publisher and Inkslinger PR
Genre: adult contemporary romance
To Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Rating: 4 STARS

(Synopsis) When she was a teen, Raven Bella Stratton’s father was killed in a horrible car crash. The bigger shock was the discovery of a woman with him—Diana Pierce—and their two fully packed suitcases with airline tickets to Paris. Devastated by her father’s betrayal, Raven went to live with her aunt, never truly overcoming the traumatic event. When she discovers that the mysterious woman had a family with a husband and three boys, Raven vows to leave the memory of her father behind.

Until Dalton Pierce visits one night and suddenly her past challenges her future...

Leaving his life in California behind to run Pierce Construction with his two older brothers, Dalton Pierce has enjoyed returning home and studying his passion of woodworking. But when he visits the local bar with his brothers one evening, he’s immediately drawn to the smart-mouthed, badass, sexy bartender who sets his body on fire. Unfortunately, she doesn’t seem as intrigued by him, and his multiple advances are met with rejection. When he offers to restore the bar back to its original glory, he begins to work with her on a daily basis, and falls harder. His plan of seduction slowly weaves a web around them both, until they are caught up in the spell. But Dalton doesn’t know the secret that can either destroy them both...or finally mend two broken hearts.

Jennifer Probst is full of awesome. Not only did she create this awesome family and community around the Pierce brothers, but she has even given fans little glimpses into characters from her past series. Her new Billionaire Builders series is such a delight - I am anticipating every new book that comes out. 

Dalton is the youngest Pierce brother. He's a master of woodworking and of women. He loves women a lot, but he doesn't believe in commitment. Luckily, he's such a likable guy that the girls don't even mind. But the one woman he can't get his mind off doesn't fall for his charms, only he has no idea why. 

Raven Hawthorn knows that Dalton's mom was the woman who was running away with her dad when their car crashed and they both died. She's hated the Pierce family ever since that night. She is now the successful owner of a bar and restaurant on the outskirts of town, and to her dismay, she finds she needs Dalton's special skills as a wood-whisperer to fix up the place in time for a magazine spread. 

I love Dalton's special brand of wooing. He is diligent. He pays attention. He is creative. And he is super sexy. Raven shouldn't feel bad for giving in to his charms. It was inevitable, really. No female on earth could've resisted Dalton Pierce when he focuses all his manliness on her like that. 

"I don't want to think about the future, or why we're wrong for each other. I just want to claim this moment and kiss you in the moonlight, because you're so fucking beautiful, my head hurts."

But, the past continues to be a barrier between them. For Raven, it's the guilt of falling in love with the man who ruined her family. For Dalton, it's the continued anger over his mother's abandonment. And they don't even realize that these things are causing them from moving forward with anything real. 

She'd been so intent on digging for information, she hadn't prepared for the emotion behind it. He was someone who understood what it felt like to lose a parent in an accident. Somehow, she'd kept her idea of him separate from any feelings, as if his accusations against her father had numbed him to the power of grief. She was just beginning to realize it was going to be harder than she thought to revisit the past.

The Billionaire Builders series is getting better with each book. I love how Jennifer Probst has taken these three estranged brothers and built a life for them. They are making connections with people and falling in love, and each new book builds upon those relationships. We got to see Cal and Morgan from book 1, and glimpses of Tristan's upcoming story. I can't wait to see what's up with him.

Jennifer Probst wrote her first book at twelve years old. She bound it in a folder, read it to her classmates, and hasn’t stopped writing since. She took a short hiatus to get married, get pregnant, buy a house, get pregnant again, pursue a master’s in English Literature, and rescue two shelter dogs. Now she is writing again.

She makes her home in Upstate New York with the whole crew. Her sons keep her active, stressed, joyous, and sad her house will never be truly clean. She is the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of sexy and erotic contemporary romance. She was thrilled her book, The Marriage Bargain, was ranked #6 on Amazon's Best Books for 2012. She loves hearing from readers. Visit her website for updates on new releases and her street team at www.jenniferprobst.com.

AUTHOR LINKS:
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Newsletter

TEASER REVEAL: Any Time, Any Place (Billionaire Builders #2)

Today I'm showing off some teasers from ANY TIME, ANY PLACE by Jennifer Probst. This is the second title in the Billionaire Builders series. The book will be released on January 24th and it is currently up for pre-order everywhere.

Amazon | iBooks | B&N | Kobo | GooglePlay

Purchase in Paperback

 

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Any Time, Any Place (Billionaire Builders #2), by Jennifer Probst
Publish Date: January 24, 2017
Publisher: Gallery Books
Genre: adult contemporary romance

(Synopsis) HGTV’s Property Brothers meets The Marriage Bargain in this second volume in the Billionaire Builders series, an all-new heart-wrenching and sexy contemporary romance from New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Probst.

When she was a teen, Raven Bella Stratton’s father was killed in a horrible car crash. The bigger shock was the discovery of a woman with him—Diana Pierce—and their two fully packed suitcases with airline tickets to Paris. Devastated by her father’s betrayal, Raven went to live with her aunt, never truly overcoming the traumatic event. When she discovers that the mysterious woman had a family with a husband and three boys, Raven vows to leave the memory of her father behind.

Until Dalton Pierce visits one night and suddenly her past challenges her future...

Leaving his life in California behind to run Pierce Construction with his two older brothers, Dalton Pierce has enjoyed returning home and studying his passion of woodworking. But when he visits the local bar with his brothers one evening, he’s immediately drawn to the smart-mouthed, badass, sexy bartender who sets his body on fire. Unfortunately, she doesn’t seem as intrigued by him, and his multiple advances are met with rejection. When he offers to restore the bar back to its original glory, he begins to work with her on a daily basis, and falls harder. His plan of seduction slowly weaves a web around them both, until they are caught up in the spell. But Dalton doesn’t know the secret that can either destroy them both...or finally mend two broken hearts.

PURCHASE THE PREVIOUS BOOK IN THE SERIES

PURCHASE EVERYWHERE AND EVERY WAY NOW

Amazon | iBooks | B&N | Kobo | GooglePlay

Jennifer Probst wrote her first book at twelve years old. She bound it in a folder, read it to her classmates, and hasn’t stopped writing since. She took a short hiatus to get married, get pregnant, buy a house, get pregnant again, pursue a master’s in English Literature, and rescue two shelter dogs. Now she is writing again.

She makes her home in Upstate New York with the whole crew. Her sons keep her active, stressed, joyous, and sad her house will never be truly clean. She is the New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of sexy and erotic contemporary romance. She was thrilled her book, The Marriage Bargain, was ranked #6 on Amazon's Best Books for 2012. She loves hearing from readers. Visit her website for updates on new releases and her street team at www.jenniferprobst.com. 

AUTHOR LINKS:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Newsletter

RELEASE WEEK REVIEW: Everywhere and Every Way (Billionaire Builders #1)

Everywhere and Every Way (Billionaire Builders #1), by Jennifer Probst
Publish Date: May 31, 2016
Publisher: Gallery Books
Format: e-ARC, provided by the publisher
Genre: adult contemporary romance
To Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Rating: 4 STARS

(Synopsis) Ever the responsible eldest brother, Caleb Pierce started working for his father’s luxury contracting business at a young age, dreaming of one day sitting in the boss’s chair. But his father’s will throws a wrench in his plans by stipulating that Caleb share control of the family business with his two estranged brothers.

Things only get more complicated when demanding high-end home designer Morgan hires Caleb to build her a customized dream house that matches her specifications to a T—or she’ll use her powerful connections to poison the Pierce brothers’ reputation. Not one to ignore a challenge, Caleb vows to get the job done—if only he can stop getting distracted by his new client’s perfect…amenities.

But there’s more to icy Morgan than meets the eye. And Caleb’s not the only one who knows how to use a stud-finder. In fact, Morgan is pretty sure she’s found hers—and he looks quite enticing in a hard hat. As sparks fly between Morgan and Caleb despite his best intentions not to mix business and pleasure, will she finally warm up and help him lay the foundation for everlasting love?

A new series by Jennifer Probst about a trio of hot brother builders? Is there even a question as to whether you should give this series a try? Here's another reason - the first book is really good. 

For a change, this is not a book about siblings where they love and adore one another and approach problems together with a unified front. Caleb's relationships with his brothers Tristan and Dalton made me sad throughout much of the book. Their nasty father and the death of their mother played large parts in the brothers' disillusionment from one another. And now they are, at best, strangers, and at worst, enemies. 

They are brothers, and it sounds like they were close once. But years of distrust and separation have taken their toll. Their times together are volatile, which isn't good when they're trying to run a business together. Even through all their disastrous interactions, I spent the entire book hoping and waiting for the moment when the three brothers overcame their pasts and started working together. 

But, Caleb's relationship with his brothers is only half of this story. The other half is about his relationship with the very proper Morgan. She's a type A personality and a shark when she wants something. And she wants Caleb's construction company to build a house for her clients. 

Morgan was sort of annoying at times. I wasn't quite sure why she always had to wear white, and how she got away with that on the construction site was beyond me. The way she got Caleb to take her job was horrible, and I was so mad that Caleb let her get away with it so easily. And finally, despite her crazy attraction to Caleb and his equally crazy attraction to her, she continued to spur his advances well past the time when I thought she should've just given in, for crying out loud. Then again, that did make for some awesome sexual tension through much of the book. 

The Morgan throughout much of the book may not have been my favorite character, but I did like who she became in the end. I did also like her confidence. And I liked the relationships she had with all three brothers. And once she and Caleb started moving in the right direction, they were really good together, and super hot. 

I'm already looking forward to the second book in this series, which will be Dalton's book. Everywhere and Every Way was a great start to a fun new series about building houses and homes.