Guest Review: Beauty and the Billionaire by Jessica Clare

Posted November 9, 2013 by Judith in Reviews | 0 Comments

Judith’s review of Beauty and the Billionaire (Billionaire Boys Club #2) by Jessica Clare

Gretchen’s a ghostwriter who hates her career. But when a fat contract lands in her lap with an odd caveat, she takes it. That caveat? That she has to live under the roof of the scarred, brooding, and incredibly sexy billionaire that she’s just seen naked…

I have never really been a fan of stories that are re-writes of traditional or ancient fairy tales, yet this re-write of Beauty & the Beast is cleverly done and far more readable, as far as I am concerned, that some of the other renditions I have encountered in the past. I don’t think I realized that it was indeed connected to that old story until I was well into this novel–now that may say that I am sort of not aware much, or it may be a comment on the skillful writing of the author. Either way, I found it a very compelling story about a many who had been injured early in his life and who had endured the taunts and cruel words of most of the people he met. Thus, he had become reclusive except when his business demanded his physical presence or when he was gathered with his Billionaire Boys Club pals.

Hunter’s deep pain resulted in his being convinced that no normal woman would ever care about him apart from his money. Yet when he saw Gretchen, a ghost writer whose demeanor, her lush figure, and her fire-red hair zinged his libido, he was determined to come up with some kind of scheme to get her into his house long enough for him to get to know her and perhaps convince her to stick around. Thus was born a new publishing enterprise who offered her a contract she couldn’t turn down, with the caveat that she would have to live in Hunter’s mansion for a month.

Now Hunter isn’t the only person in this story who is, for all intent and purpose, a round peg in a square hole. Gretchen hates being a ghost writer, even though the stuff she is writing is selling and it is sort of paying the bills. But she rebels by being late on her deadlines, resisting taking on new projects unless she absolutely has to, and working in a coffee store to suppliment her income. The only problem there is that the owner of the coffee store is a long-time friend who in love with her.

Both these people are seriously in trouble–one who carries the deep wounds of loneliness and the awareness that he will never be one of the “beautiful people” in spite of his billions. The other is carrying the burden that there is so much in life she wants to do but she is stuck doing something she hates. However, Gretchen brings a sense of wonder and an emotional breath of fresh air into Hunter’s life with her open acceptance of him as a person, a woman who really doesn’t want any of his money (she doesn’t realize that he is funding her writing contract at this point) and who introduces him to the wonders of really good sex. Hunter, on the other hand, struggles to accept Gretchen’s open acceptance, even though his is hoping against hope that she is genuine. He really doesn’t believe in his heart of hearts.

I found this novel to be a really good read on several levels and a compelling look at the thoughts and dreams of two very different people. Ms Clare has re-told an old story with verve and vitality, crafting a heroine who is a delightful person, whose love of life and love itself seems to triumph more often than not. Readers will probably get a bit frustrated with Hunter because he seems like such a “stick in the mud,” and you will most certainly dislike his butler, a man who probably doesn’t have a creative bone in his body. Other than his loyalty to Hunter, I found little in him to like. He certainly was the perfect foil for Gretchen.

I hope you will read and enjoy this book as I did. It was very entertaining and I found it to be quite thought-provoking. And the loving between Hunter and Gretchen was bad at all . . .no siree, not bad at all.

I give this novel a rating of 4 out of 5.

The Series: