by: Naima Simone
Series: Blackout Billionaires
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: September 1, 2019
Publisher: Harlequin Desire
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He’s everything she wants…and shouldn’t have.
His smile was slow, deliberate…sinful.
Has she just made a deal with the devil?
During a blackout at a black-tie gala, Shay Neal says yes to one night with billionaire Gideon Knight…not knowing he’s her brother’s enemy with plans for payback! Now, to save her brother, Shay must pretend to be in love with Gideon. But playing his game means resisting the very real desire that could destroy them both…
USA TODAY bestselling author
Naima Simone is an auto-buy author for me. I know I'm in for a nice read whenever her name is attached to a book. With that said, I didn't read the blurb for Black Tie Billionaire. All I knew about the story was that it was the second book in her Blackout Billionaire Series, where the couple meet during a citywide Chicago blackout.
Black Tie Billionaire was full of surprises. I loved that this was a multicultural romance. I loved that the hero and heroine weren’t portrayed using cultural stereotypes. I loved the tangled web created giving the characters this Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon vibe.
Gideon Jian Knight is the Chinese-American self-made billionaire CEO of KayCee Corp. I can honestly say I wasn't prepared for Gideon. He is a ruthless, take-no-prisoners businessman. Gideon goes after what he wants. He's straightforward and blunt. He's the quintessential dirty talker. He's like the beast from Beauty and the Beast. No. Maybe he's more like a lion, with a splinter in his paw. He's just waiting for someone to remove it and kiss the pain away.
Camille Shay Neal is an African-American socialite from one of Chicago's oldest, wealthiest, and most influential families. She's highly intelligent but is underutilized by her family who owns RemingtonNeal Inc. Her whole life she's been expected to sit back, look pretty, and accept her place in the family. Meaning, she’s expected to always smile, look pretty, host parties, chair events, but not have an opinion or mind of her own. Shay has big plans that have nothing to do with her family's company.
Gideon and Shay first meet the night of the Du Sable City Gala. Shay is in disguise and tells Gideon her name is Camille. With the lights out, the two end up sharing a passion-filled night together. Outside of their intense physical attraction to each other, these two seemingly have nothing in common, except for Trevor Neal. Trevor is Shay’s older brother and Gideon’s business rival.
To Gideon, family means everything. When Trevor crosses the line it will become “An eye for an eye. A sister for a sister.” Gideon plans on using Shay to get back at Trevor. He just doesn’t expect to fall for her in the process. “Don't let me break you, Shay. Protect yourself for me.” As Shay is about to find out, the cost of loving Gideon is high, with new revelations and serious consequences.
Gideon and Shay are great. I will admit, it took me a while to really embrace Gideon. He wasn’t what I was expecting and I couldn’t believe he didn’t realize that Camille and Shay were one and the same. But these two bring out the best in each other. Shay is so genuine and caring. She seemingly becomes a friend to everyone she meets. Gideon is a protector and he makes it his mission to protect Shay when she needs it.
I mentioned earlier the things I loved about Black Tie Billionaire. Add to that, the surprises that kept popping up. All of it combined to make this book a truly enjoyable page turner. It should be noted that Black Tie Billionaire is a true standalone read. No one from the previous book, The Billionaire’s Bargain is mentioned.
**Received a copy from the author and voluntarily reviewed. Also purchased a paperback copy personally.**
Rating: 4
Purchase Black Tie Billionaire from:
The Blackout Billionaires Series:
The Billionaire’s Bargain ~ Review
She is wife to Superman—or his non-Kryptonian, less bulletproof equivalent—and mother to the most awesome kids ever. They all live in perfect, domestically-challenged bliss in the southern United States.
Places to find Naima Simone:
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Instagram | Amazon Author Page | Saints & Sinner Street Team
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