Cinderella's Billion-Dollar Invitation - Michele Renae (HR #4888 - Feb 2024)

Series: If the Fairy Tale Fits (Book 2)
 
A DATE UNTIL MIDNIGHT…
 
Scientist Ivy's dreams are derailed following her brother's devastating illness. Now, she's working as a barista to make ends meet. So, when billionaire Wolf -- Ivy's most charming customer -- invites her to be his fake date at a glamorous ball, stepping out of her ordinary life is impossible to resist…as is his kiss! But what happens when Wolf wants her to be his Cinderella for more than just one night?
 
Good book. Ivy is an entomologist who has taken a break from her career to help her brother deal with an unexpected illness. She works as a barista in a local coffee shop to make ends meet. One charming but quiet customer catches her eye.
 
Wolf is a workaholic billionaire who built his company from nothing. A difficult childhood taught him to guard his heart, with multiple unsuccessful relationships reinforcing the necessity. He envies his business partner, Skyr, who has found love and happiness. Skyr gives Wolf a day-by-day calendar with challenges to get Wolf out of his rut. He first laughs it off but then decides to try it.
 
Wolf is a regular at the coffee shop, and we learn early that Ivy is the draw. Wolf is too reticent (maybe shy?) to speak to her, so he gets his coffee and cake and enjoys being in her presence. He orders the same thing every time until this day when the calendar challenges him to "try a new to you food." I laughed because he was not a lemon fan but chose lemon cake anyway. I laughed at his reaction and loved seeing Ivy take him a piece of his usual chocolate chip cake. They chatted for a few minutes, which he had never done before. The next day, it happened again.
 
Within a few days, Wolf involves Ivy in his daily challenges. I loved their connection and their growing friendship. I loved how Ivy encouraged Wolf's pursuit of the challenges. It doesn't take long before each feels more than friendship, but both are wary of saying anything. Wolf's invitation to his company's ball allows Ivy to step out of her everyday life and experience Wolf's. The ball scene was terrific. I enjoyed seeing Wolf's employees' reactions to Ivy and loved the promise it showed for their future.
 
However, obstacles stand in their way. Wolf's past comes back to bite him when an action taken early in their friendship damages Ivy's trust. Her reaction stirs up his insecurities. Ivy pulls away out of guilt when her brother has a medical episode while she is off with Wolf. Both must let go of the past before opening their hearts to a future together. The ending was sweet and emotional, and the epilogue wrapped the book beautifully.
 
Ivy's brother Ivan played a critical role in the book. He is the reason Ivy is in New York. His illness adds an uncertainty to their lives that both must adjust to. Ivy is a little overprotective and tends to hover more than Ivan likes. I felt that Ivan handled his diagnosis better than Ivy did. I liked their close relationship and their support of each other.

Their Fairy Tale India Escape - Ruby Basu (HR #4889 - Feb 2024)

Series: If the Fairy Tale Fits (Book 3)
 
A CHANCE TO LET HER HAIR DOWN!
 
Rina longs for independence, but she's indebted to the overprotective aunt who raised her. When tycoon Connor arrives to acquire her family's company, she sees an opportunity to escape with him on a business trip to India. Their desire ignites the second they arrive! Yet Rina soon learns that commitment-phobe Connor's life is as complicated as hers. Can the spark between them last beyond their temporary adventure?
 
Interesting Rapunzel-style romance. Rina's parents died when she was ten, so her Aunt Maria raised her. Rina and Maria are the only family each other has, and Maria has become super protective of Rina. They rarely leave their small Swiss town, though Rina longs to travel. Rina and Maria own a company that is famous for its haircare products. Rina is the developer of these products. I ached for Rina. She feels guilty about her need to get away because she loves her aunt and wants to keep her happy.
 
Connor arrives in their town to talk to Maria about acquiring her company. He travels constantly for his work, bringing back unpleasant childhood memories.  His father couldn't keep a job, so they were continually moving. If Connor successfully acquires this company, he will have earned a promotion that allows him to limit his travels.
 
Connor and Rina met accidentally several days before his scheduled meeting with Maria. They have an immediate connection, but Rina is a little wary since she has limited experience with strangers. But she is also friendly and adventurous, so she offers to show Connor around the area. Connor is drawn to Rina's joy in everything she experiences. There are sparks of attraction that both attempt to ignore. A relationship between them is impossible. Connor won't allow himself to get close to anyone, preferring to protect himself. Rina knows that her place is with her aunt. Both are shocked when they discover they are connected through the business, which endangers their connection.
 
When Rina finds out Connor's next stop is India, her mother's birthplace, she is determined to accompany him. Connor is less than enthusiastic, as he is having enough trouble resisting his attraction to her. It was fun to see Rina's determination against Connor's resistance - it was pretty obvious what the outcome would be. I loved their time in India. Rina learned about her past, Connor experienced a different perspective on traveling, and both learned a little about themselves. Their attraction continued to grow, but along with it was a feeling that hoping for more was impossible. I hurt for them both when the trip was over, and they had to part.
 
The following weeks and months were difficult as Connor and Rina came to terms with their feelings and tried to find their way to the future. Friendship was possible, but not enough for what they both felt. I liked watching Rina stretch her wings as her relationship with her aunt changed. Connor also took some surprising steps that altered his life. I loved his big moment at the end. It was sweet, romantic and emotional. The epilogue was a terrific follow-up with a peek into their lives a few years later. 

 

Part of His Royal World - Nina Singh (HR #4887 - Feb 2024)

Series: If the Fairy Tale Fits (Book 1)
 
A CONNECTION AS DEEP AS THE OCEAN…
 
When aspiring singer Arielle rescues a gorgeous man from a boat crash, she doesn't expect her life to be turned upside down -- because the man she's saved is Prince Eriko! In gratitude, she's whisked away to the palace, where their instantaneous chemistry soon becomes irresistible… But with Riko duty-bound to marry another royal, can Arielle ever truly be part of the prince's world?
 
Good book. I loved the tie-in to "The Little Mermaid," right down to their names and the title. It was a sweet story that kept me hooked from start to finish.
 
Arielle is an aspiring singer who left her overachieving family in Chicago to pursue her dream. Unfortunately, the band split up in Spain, leaving her stranded and jobless. She found a job at a local resort entertaining visiting children. As the story opens, the red-headed Arielle is dressed as a mermaid while reading to the children. When a storm pops up, she sees a man clinging to a float ring in the surf and rushes to his aid.
 
Prince Erikol is the heir to the throne of his small kingdom. He is under much pressure to marry, and his parents are pushing one particular princess at him. In a desperate attempt to escape for a while, he takes his sailboat out for a spin and some peace. When the sunny day suddenly turns stormy, Riko finds himself tossed overboard and in danger of drowning. He doesn't expect to be rescued by a beautiful mermaid.
 
I loved watching Arielle's rescue of Riko. She is determined to save him and refuses to give up. Losing her job over it put her in the tough situation of possibly having to return home with her dream unfulfilled. I enjoyed seeing Riko show up to thank her for saving his life - her reaction was priceless. Riko was bemused by his desire to help her, and I liked how he found her a job as a nanny to his niece and nephew.
 
I enjoyed watching the relationship between Riko and Arielle develop. The connection between them was instantaneous, making them comfortable with each other despite their differences. I liked how Riko behaved uncharacteristically by finding excuses to be with her. Arielle enjoys her time with Riko but tries to protect her heart, knowing they have no future. Matters become complicated when the princess arrives for a visit, and the pressure on Riko resumes. I ached for Riko, who, torn between duty to family and country and his love for Arielle, felt powerless to pursue his heart's desire, and for Arielle, who had already lost her heart to him.
 
I cheered for Arielle when she had the opportunity to make her dream come true, but I also ached for her as it took her away from Riko. I loved seeing Riko get timely advice from his twin brother, Manny, and its effect on him. I liked the solution Riko found to his issues with his parents. I loved the sweet and emotional reunion between Riko and Arielle. The epilogue was terrific, and I liked seeing where they stood two years later. I especially enjoyed the twist involving Arielle's music.
 
The secondary characters were great. My favorites were Riko's brother, Manny, and his family. I liked Manny's close relationship with Riko. Manny's wife was sweet, and I liked how quickly she became friends with Arielle while the two children were adorable. Riko's parents had their good and bad moments, but they turned out to be okay. Arielle's sisters were supportive. I especially enjoyed Maysie's reaction to Riko's arrival at the end. However, I really wanted to see Arielle's judgmental father's response to his daughter's future.