This book takes the whole concept of the “marriage contract” romance novel theme to a whole new level!
What’s it About?
Dead-end job? Dreary apartment? Disastrous love life? Check, check, and check. Toddler who makes it all worthwhile? Absolutely. Juggling work, college, and the care of young Alex was never Sabrina’s plan. But Sabrina’s dreams are bigger than any curve ball life can throw at her. Her top priority is keeping her small family together, no matter what the cost.
Vladimir Grigory doesn’t believe in dreams. He earned his position at the top of New York’s corporate ladder with his own sweat. His empire is his baby, and he’ll destroy anyone who threatens it. Even the sexy employee who challenges him on every level. When the New York tabloids and the world call him the baby daddy of Sabrina’s son, Vlad believes Sabrina is part of a plot to expose the secrets of his past. He threatens to destroy her future. But since Sabrina has secrets of her own, she has no choice but to agree to Vlad’s marriage ultimatum.
First Impressions
I literally finished this book in a day. It’s a quick read that holds your interest, and you can’t wait to find out how everything will come together in the end. I think the primary features of this novel which draw you in are the lovable characters. He’s a billionaire businessman. She was just fired from his company. They seemingly come from completely different worlds. However, it is their troubled backgrounds which have made them into the people they are today. Vlad hails from an orphanage in Russia, while Sabrina struggles to support her brother Alex since the unexpected death of their mother. They are fighters. They are survivors. They strive to move on from their pasts, but it is the fact that they both come from broken homes which links them together.
Sex vs. Trust
These two have the sex side of things down to a science. No question. They find it difficult to remain within close proximity for any length of time without putting their hands all over each other. The part that they have trouble with is trust. He believes she went to the tabloids in an attempt to disgrace his reputation by claiming he’s the father of her child. Sabrina feels she can’t tell him the truth that the young child in her care is actually her brother, not her son. She’s struggled to care for him all by herself, and fears that Alex will be taken away from her if the truth gets out.
Who knew that entering into a marriage deal would be the answer to both their problems? But can Vlad still keep his distance from this supposed liar as they spend more time together? Can Sabrina continue to let him think she’s Alex’s mother even as he develops a stronger relationship with the young boy? You’ll just have to read it to find out!
Smallest of Faults
If I had to find one teeny, tiny, little complaint about this novel, it would be that it ended too quickly. The entire book is sort of one big build-up to the final reveal of the true identity of Alex’s father. As I got 90% of the way through the book, I wondered if the truth would ever be revealed. And then bam! It happened.
Vlad discovers the truth and the matter is seemingly resolved in just a matter of pages. After so much build-up, I think I would have liked a longer climactic scene at the end. Again though, it’s just the teeniest of little itty bitty complaints.
*A copy of this book was provided for an honest review*
Series: City of Dreams, Book 1. I’d definitely read more from this series.
Should you read it? Aside from the ending feeling a bit rushed, I really enjoyed this book! The characters are definitely intriguing, the plot keeps you guessing, and there’s enough sexual tension to keep you fully satisfied.
Smut Level: Oh my! What better way to spend an evening trapped inside during hurricane-type weather than with a Russian sex god and a can of whipped cream?
Get it on Amazon: Click Here. $4.99 Kindle Price. The Wild Rose Press, Inc. 176 Pages.
Romance Novels for the Beach 