Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.
Published on: 04 February 2020
Published by: Dawn Hill Publications
Type: standalone, HEA
Author: Ravina Hilliard
Read: 16 August 2020
Shelved: 16 August 2020
Get here: Amazon USA
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Synopsis:
Alexandra “Lex” Granger is a private security consultant who has to go undercover to protect billionaire businessman Michael Thornton, pretending to be an escort. Michael does not think he needs a bodyguard, despite the death threats he has received from protesters against his takeover of a Danish company, but he does need protection against the predatory wife of the Danish ambassador. Lex knows that this assignment is dangerous, made more so because her client does not even know that he is being protected.
She doesn’t know that he thinks she is a con-artist a gold-digger who takes rich men for everything that she can get. As sparks fly, and the attraction between the two goes stronger, they face a deadly danger from an unknown assailant. Lex and Mike embark on a turbulent affair in the beautiful city of Copenhagen, with Mike realizing that there is much more to the sexy seductress, her bewildering vulnerability evoking unfettered passion and feelings that he has never experienced before. Lex realizes that she has committed the ultimate folly, that of falling in love with a man who despises her. Will she overcome the dangers to Michael to her breaking heart?
Alexandra “Lex” Granger (aka Sasha White) is in such a dilemma. What she initially thought was “her choice/option” is now “required” and she was emotionally ‘blackmailed’ for the love and honor of her boss, Henry, thus ensuring the company’s job security and also it made it seem like “national security” to maintain the good relationship between countries. I felt for her since she is a good employee – diligent and focused, then to be thrown in a situation that she is handicapped that the person she needs to protect doesn’t know and seems to have a preconceived idea in the worst way. It makes everything stack up against her badly.
Michael Thornton seems to be too cautious of a man. We all can understand his concern with women coming on to him and “using” him for his fame, power and money but it was stated clearly what he wants and expects with hiring Lex so he should be respectful of it. For a rich man, his manners are lacking so much that he goads Lex to the point of belittling her. I did not like how he treated her, even if she is the “hired help”. He has to remember that she’s still a human being. He can respect her and expect her to do the job, just like any of his employees.
As I read through the book, I realized that although there are some reviewers in the past who warned me that there is the pitfall of stories seeming to be repetitive, I didn’t see or feel it to be so in this book. (Note that I’ve read her sophomore book, The Billionaire’s Secret, first versus this one.) I enjoy her writing and her colorful characters. Granted there is some similarity of women saving their men, the plot ends there. There were a lot of unanticipated things that Ravina added in this book that I liked. The language was easy to follow and makes it a good fast enough read but is action-packed, mixed with some internal conflict/drama.
Readers will get frustrated with Michael’s stubbornness and arrogance in not realizing his safety while feeling so helpless for Lexi/Sasha since she’s trying her very best. He played with Sasha’s feelings and confused her so much for the purpose of putting a “story” behind their relationship to make things convincing without realizing that he’s also making himself vulnerable to the inevitable – back and forth attractions.
There are a few ‘double standard’ arguments posed by Lex to Michael when he would berate her on her work/background and even how she acted as a ‘cover’ that I found interesting and very astute of her. It really proved the point that Michael takes advantage of women without realizing that being treated in the reverse would make him feel inadequate. I liked how Ravina pointed this time and time again in the book – very blatantly too.
There were a lot of hot scenes which is Ravina’s forte as I read her other books. She’s known for a lot of ‘tasteful, unexpected encounters’ so expect more of this in the book. There is a lot of heated arguments followed by these intense scenes.
“And I simply adore the way you say the word ‘only’ and then refuse to finish your sentence until prompted.”
— Michael, The Billionaire Needs a Bodyguard
The ending was amazing! I did not see it coming – even as I read it. I was wrong to assume that I could predict what Ravine’s thought process is because I haven’t been right in this book either. It was a pretty spectacular one then the aftermath was like a big “mic -drop” moment and left me speechless then things moved faster and it was done before you know it. I think Michael’s head spun so fast as I had that we both got whiplash with the events that followed. Things were timed like clockwork and the plan that Lex/Sasha was a professional in all of it! All I can say is, read the book.
He could make a simple statement and make it sound like a promise.
— Lex, The Billionaire Needs a Bodyguard
I would recommend this book for readers who want the ‘unexpected girl’ to win, for the underdog to reinvent herself and succeed; and for those who want to prove the dominant male lead that there is a strong female heroine that can protect their targets with her wit and physical skill. It has a suspense/mystery theme that had a hidden love story that won me over.
Ravina Hilliard is a new romance novel author for Dawn Hill Publishing that dives into the world of suspense and steamy romance all rolled together. Her first book, The Billionaire Needs a Bodyguard was published in early 2020. Billionaire’s Secret is Ravina’s sophomore book and is gaining a following among readers.
Currant7 Recommends 