**BP Note: Don’t forget to check out yesterday’s giveaway sponsored by Jessica Clare Jessica Clare Giveaway
Publisher: Berkley
Publish Date: Out now
Reviewed by: E
How I got this book: ARC from the author via her assistant
Kylie may be a makeup artist to the stars, but she knows what it feels like to be overshadowed. Especially by her famous boss, the pop star Daphne. That’s why she’s stunned—and delighted—when one night at a party, she attracts the attention of a gorgeous stranger. But when Daphne decides she wants the handsome billionaire for herself, Cade Archer is suddenly off-limits for Kylie…
Cade has known Daphne for years, and always wondered if she might be the right woman for him—even though she never gave him the time of day. But one sizzling night with Kylie has changed everything. So why is she suddenly avoiding him? Fortunately Cade is determined to get what he wants, and he’ll do anything to show Kylie she can get everything she wants too…
This blurb came from Goodreads
I have been reading this series for a couple of years now and have grown invested in the group of friends and their unexpected journeys into the land of romance. Unfortunately, this one didn’t work as well for me as the previous stories did. I am not sure if it was the characterization or if it was a change in my mindset but the some of the same sorts of things I found humorous before were somewhat annoying this time.
Cade had a crush on Daphne since they were children playing together. As he gained a fortune and she became a famous entertainer he maintained his love for her but she never seemed to really reciprocate. As she started reeling from one scandal to the next drug/alcohol fueled scandal each time promising him she would clean up and stay clean to keep his love, they developed an unhealthy co-dependent relationship. Cade’s best friends kept trying to tell him he needed to let her go but he refused to change what had become a habit. Even after the events of the third story The Wrong Billionaire’s Bed, Cade continued to maintain his love for Daphne.
Kylie was struggling to make ends meet. She was a make-up artist to the stars and could do magic with her box of tools and cosmetics but seemed to always be stuck working for someone who never appreciated her as a person. On more than one occasion because she didn’t fit the “Hollywood” image her job wasn’t renewed or was ended abruptly despite her excellent work. Desperate for a job, she accepted the makeup artist position for Daphne’s upcoming tour. Daphne had relapsed into a life of incredible highs and lows propelled by drugs and her sense of self-worth tangled up in what her record label said. As a result, Kylie had a lot of work to do to make Daphne look healthy, vibrant, and presentable.
Daphne did not have a healthy mindset or a healthy body. She was so addicted to chemicals, she would do whatever it took for her next fix. Yet she remembered the innocence of her friendship with Cade and used his feelings to manipulate him into always remaining attached to her. On one of her concert stops Cade accepted Daphne’s invitation but when Daphne forgot, Kylie kindheartedly tried to make excuses for Daphne and caught Cade’s eye. When Daphne found out she not only missed talking to Cade but he witnessed her behavior she threw a tantrum and was determined to reach out and bring him back. While Cade did return it was really to see Kylie since Daphne continued her reckless uncaring behavior.
I had mixed feelings about the primary characters. I liked Kylie’s individualism but I struggled reconciling it with her doormat behavior both personally and professionally. Cade was rather annoying and self-centered to me. His fixation on Daphne aside, he was so sure his money could solve anything he insisted in jeopardizing Kylie’s job. Now this wasn’t solely Cade’s fault because Kylie kept seeing him and never really mentioned Daphne’s obsession, however Cade did come up with ways for their meetings to remain secret. I haven’t liked Daphne since she first came on scene but I think Clare has started her on the path of redemption. I am curious to find out if she succeeds and if I like the character she becomes or not. Daphne has a lot to make up for.
Cade and Kylie struck sparks off of each other from their initial meeting. I enjoyed how they tried to deny their attraction then insisted “just one night” would work it all out. Instead “just one night” got them addicted. I did laugh at the plant and at how Cade wasn’t ashamed to hire people or cause a scene to get Kylie’s attention when he was trying to grovel, but I felt like he brushed off her concerns about Daphne. It was extremely hot when Kylie and Cade were physically together, but it was more of a challenge to see their emotional connection, especially since Cade insisted he was still in love with Daphne for much of the story. Cade did come to his senses and to the rescue for both Kylie and potentially for Daphne as well when he realized what was really happening.
I actually ended up feeling kinda meh with One Night with a Billionaire. I did really like how Clare used the Club’s meeting place to demonstrate how much the lives of all 6 friends had drastically changed over the course of the series and to provide closure. I also thought some of the previous main characters demonstrated some significant character growth but I was more willing to accept a HFN between Cade and Kylie then a HEA. The tangled love triangle of sorts lasted for too long for me to completely trust their feelings but it ended on a positive note. I just wish the characterization had more depth and connection to me.
I give One Night with a Billionaire a C