Book Review: The Billionaire's Sweet Valentine (Holiday Contest) by Laura L. Walker

This is a charming, clean romance – lovely for a Valentine or anytime romance read.

The Billionaire's Sweet Valentine (Holiday Contest)
by Laura L. Walker

File Size: 1402 KB
Print Length: 191 pages
Publication Date: January 18, 2018
ASIN: B0794PGVBK
Genre: Holiday, Romance
My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

When a Valentine's Day contest for Arizona's Cutest Couple throws two romance-challenged friends together, can they survive a fake engagement and win the prize?
All Penny Merrill wants to do is run her own sweet shop in ritzy Scottsdale, Arizona, but her money-hungry mother and conniving stepfather are making it nearly impossible to keep her dream alive. When Penny finds an advertisement for a Valentine’s Day contest for Arizona’s Cutest Couple, with the winnings being enough to enable her to hold on to her floundering business, she comes up with an idea that might just work—if she can find the right man for the job.
Commercial contractor Preston Ames is starting to develop feelings for Penny, and even though he’s been through enough heartache to know that he should avoid her at all costs, he can’t keep himself from visiting her sweet shop every day. When Penny asks him to participate in a crazy scheme so that she can overturn her stepfather’s underhanded business ploy, Preston hesitates, wanting to keep the fact that he’s a billionaire a secret. However, one look into her soulful blue eyes and he’s a goner.
Everything seems to be going well for Penny and Preston until they compete with another couple whose heartache transcends all of their misconceptions about love. When all is said and done, will they do the right thing and, in the process, discover a bond that is greater than they thought was even possible? Can just one picture turn Penny into Preston’s sweet Valentine? Find out in this clean and wholesome romance featuring a fun holiday contest!

Review:
Penny hasn’t had the easiest upraising with a single mother who went through one husband after another seeking riches. Now mom has married a rich man but for some reason they want to control her life. Penny broke out on her own and is struggling to give her sweet shop bakery a chance for success. When she learns of a Valentine’s Day Contest that has a $5,000.00 prize, she decides to be bold and ask Preston to pretend to be a couple with her.

Preston has been picking up treats at Penny’s shop for some time. He is a little reluctant to enter into a pretend relationship, but he really does want to help her. Preston has chosen to build his own business rather than just ride on his family money and he doesn’t want to explain to Penny his financial background. Instead he decides to enjoy the time with her as they become a couple for the contest.

Penny is facing more difficulties with her shop when she learns her step brother has become the new landlord and has moved in next door. Then some other troubles surface which are looking suspicious. Fortunately, Penny is enjoying her time with Preston and is glad to have him to lean on. She isn’t aware that Preston is investigating her problems in secret trying to determine what is going on.

I really liked this couple. Penny is full of optimism and determination. Preston has integrity and caring. It was sweet to watch their feelings for each other grow even as they tried to hide it. The other couples in the contest have different love stories that show love at various stages of life and through good times and struggles. The romance is sweet and clean and I found it charming. The storyline contest and touch of mystery flowed very smoothly and made for a nice, easy read.

I have to admit that I tend to avoid “billionaire” books. However, this one sounded like he wasn’t a pompous guy and it was a chance to read a Valentine story. I am glad I read this as it was a breath of fresh air and change of pace from some of the other things I have been reading. This is the second book I have read by Ms. Walker and I would be glad to read more. I recommend this to readers who enjoy a clean, sweet romance.

Note: Ms. Walker advised that she generally writes in the Christian genre. Although this is a sweet, clean novel, she has added Christian elements to the final version. I know I would have enjoyed those elements just fine.

Source: from the Author for review. This qualifies as a 2018 title for my Alphabet Reading Challenge.

Also see my review of Caitlyn's Christmas Wish by Laura L. Walker.

Book Review: Caitlyn's Christmas Wish by Laura L. Walker

This is a quick, enjoyable, sweet Christmas romance.
Caitlyn's Christmas Wish
by Laura L. Walker

File Size: 4127 KB
Print Length: 122 pages
Publication Date: November 15, 2016
ASIN: B01M2CD0G3
Genre: Romance, Christmas
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0

Right Family, Wrong Brother - Just when former model and single mother Caitlyn Drevier Reel has finally put her life on track after a divorce and a six-month stint in rehab, her ex-in-laws extend an invitation to spend Christmas with the family. After all, she reasons, her ex-husband Grant is constantly on the road with his band and it's only fair to allow them to get to know her young son. What Caitlyn isn't prepared for, however, is the spark of attraction she feels for Ridge, Grant's older brother, or the wonderful sense of belonging to their family once again. Ridge, who is recovering from his own personal heartache, seems to feel the same way. As they work together to ensure the success of the Winter Festival his parents have organized for their small Wyoming town, Caitlyn begins to envision a bright future. But will Grant's unexpected arrival at this family get-together keep her Christmas wish from coming true? Caitlyn's Christmas Wish is an inspirational romance novella that will have you reaching for a mug of hot cocoa as you get into the holiday mood.

Review:
Caitlyn was a child model ‘managed’ by her determined mother. Caitlyn was prone to eating disorders in her attempt to stay thin enough to suit her mother and the camera. She was excited to get a break from her parents when she married Grant, an up and coming music star. But it didn’t take long for the romance to wear thin while he was on the road with his band. He partied hard and was caught in unfaithful situations. Caitlyn chose divorce and, with the warm, steady support of her ex-in-laws, she went into rehab to get her own life on track.

Caitlyn was pregnant when she and Grant separated and he has taken no time to be with her or their son. She has accepted the invitation from her ex-in-laws to spend Christmas with their family (minus Grant). The small town is in full festival mode with seasonal events organized by her ex-mother-in-law and ex-father-in-law, who is the Mayor. Caitlyn is warmly greeted by Grant’s older brother, Ridge.

Ridge has had his own marital troubles with an ex-wife who battered his ego. He is thrilled to help Caitlyn and her eight-month-old son. His affections grow as they spend time together and he becomes even more protective of mother and son when Grant shows up unexpectedly. Grant is clearly up to something, putting suspicions in Caitlyn’s mind and making it clear he is interested in winning her back, even if she comes with a small creature that he has no idea how to handle.

The story-line may not be new but it is nicely handled with the Christmas events making a busy backdrop. The story is told in third person pov but alternates with some scenes focused on Ridge, although most are with Caitlyn. This read very quickly and I liked the little bit of mystery the author built into Grant’s presence. I particularly enjoyed how she revealed and resolved his issues with a bit of light religious reminders. There is a nice blend of the true focus of Christmas with some sweet Christmas magic.

This is a light, enjoyable romance that I recommend, especially to those who enjoy a “Hallmark” like story. I liked the cover a lot too. I would like to try more titles by Ms. Walker, especially when I am in the mood for a clean, sweet romance.

I received this title from the author.