'The Billionaire's Virgin' by Jackie Ashenden is book one in the "Billionaire Fairytales" series. This is the story of Xavier and Mia. I am a sucker for for the rich guy and the innocent women story line so this was right up my alley. I loved it from the first few pages that started off with Xavier with that rich bad boy attitude. Mia was also a character you fell in love with fast too. I liked how we were slowly drawn into their story and how we got to see Xavier grow from the rich boy into a great man. I can't wait for my stories by Ms. Ashenden!
"My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read."

I have to start off by saying how unique this story line was, I'm sure you have read romances of billionaires falling for someone of lower economic stations (lord knows I've read a ton of them) but I have never come across one where the billionaire falls for a homeless person.

Xavier De Santis has screwed up yet again and this time he has to do some community service as his penance, so he is handing out food at the homeless shelter. While he is there he is making comments to each person that comes to him for food, then he notices a young woman that comes in dressed in a clothes that are way to big for her frail body and is captivated by her.

Mia is living on the streets after running away from her abusive grandmother's home, in this story we find out why Mia left and how old she was at the time but I cannot tell you how old she is in the story because there was no clear cut answer of how long she was living on the streets. Mia is very skittish and almost afraid of her own shadow.

When Mia heads to the shelter one night she finds it closed now she has no place to go, she's hungry and cold, but she would rather freeze then go to the other shelter. Xavier has been waiting for Mia to show at the shelter now that he has her attention he is determined to get her to stay with him at his home in the city.

I enjoyed watching Mia emerge from a frightened shell of a woman to someone that allowed herself to be pampered by the finer things in life. Now don't get me wrong there is a whole bunch of angst going on in this story and it does take a long time for Mia to warm up to Xavier because she's not sure she can trust that he wont leave her like everyone else in her life has.

This is the first book in the Billionaire Fairytales series by Jackie Ashenden, up next is The Billionaire Beast which is Nero de Santis' story (Xavier's half-brother) I cannot wait to read about Nero, there was mention of him several times in this book but we never met him.

The Billionaire’s Virgin is a rags to riches story, a modern-day fairytale retelling. Xavier de Santis is a wealthy playboy, the youngest son of a billionaire. He has led a sheltered and privileged life. He is bored, though and doesn’t seem to know what his life purpose could be. He has been forced by his manipulative father to volunteer at a homeless shelter. Let’s just say that he isn’t a natural-born benefactor! But he is ready to cater to every whim of his father, to obtain ownership of his late mother’s ranch. Mia, a young homeless girl attracts his attention. She seems fragile, but is proud, determined and a survivor. Mia has had a run of bad luck and lives every day in survival mode. I really felt sorry for her. She was a victim of family abuse and now lives on the streets. He is moved by the harsh reality of her life.

Xavier is fascinated by her and wants to become her knight in shining armor, giving her a shelter in his own penthouse. The second part of the story is inspired by Cinderella, but I couldn’t fully buy into it, maybe because of the insta love aspect. Mia is overwhelmed by Xavier’s luxurious living standards, and has initially doubts about his intentions. Their worlds are polar opposite, obviously, but they connect easily.

Xavier definitely grew on me as the story unfolded. He wants to give Mia all material things she couldn’t have before and seems to have found a purpose. Despite my initial issues with the believability of the plot, I enjoyed this sexy novella. Jackie Ashenden’s seductive writing definitely won me over, and I really needed to see Mia and Xavier get their much deserved happiness. This novella is the first in a new series, and I can’t wait for more by this talented author!

I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley.

3.5 stars--THE BILLIONAIRE’S VIRGIN is the first installment in Jackie Ashenden’s contemporary, adult BILLIONAIRE FAIRYTALES romance series. This is billionaire businessman Xavier De Santis, and homeless waif Mia’s story line.

Told from dual third person perspectives (Xavier and Mia) THE BILLIONAIRE’S VIRGIN is a Cinderella-esque romance that follows a homeless young woman name Mia who is rescued by the brooding billionaire businessman Xavier De Santis. Mia has lived on the streets of New York since she was thirteen years old-a victim of domestic violence at the hands of her maternal grandmother -Mia made the decision to risk life on the streets rather than face her abuser on a daily basis. Meeting Xavier De Santis at the local homeless shelter and food kitchen finds our heroine targeted by the billionaire during his volunteer service for attacking a paparazzo and destroying his camera. Xavier’s need to rescue Mia comes from the heart but our heroine doesn’t trust her would-be rescuer. What ensues is the building relationship between Mia and Xavier, and Xavier’s need to give Mia everything she could ever want.

The relationship between Xavier and Mia is slow to build. Xavier bides his time as Mia struggles to accept Xavier and everything he offers. Mia is naïve and innocent, and doesn’t trust easily but soon lets go of her inhibitions as her emotions and feelings towards Xavier begin to bloom. Our heroine is a survivor but broken. Xavier struggles with his place in the De Santis family, and the death of his mother years before. Guilt wars with our story line hero when memories of the past begin to push at his heart and soul. There is a slight spoiled little rich boy persona dogging Xavier De Santis.

We are introduced to Xavier’s brothers: Nero, Raphael, Lorenzo, and their father Cesare De Santis, The fractured family dynamics pushes Xavier in another direction.

I struggled with the lack of character building. We know very little about our leading characters especially as it pertains to Xavier and his earlier life. THE BILLIONAIRE’S VIRGIN focuses on the present and the future leaving very little exploration of the past.

THE BILLIONAIRE’S VIRGIN is a sweet, romantic story about two people who fall in love against the odds. The Cinderella-esque nature of the story has Prince Charming rescuing Cinderella from a life on the streets, driving her home towards a happily ever after. The premise is peaceful without too much outside conflict; the romance is fated.

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Xavier De Santis is the playboy, black sheep of the De Santis family. Being forced to be dependent on his father does not sit well and so he lashes out by being the bad boy. Thanks to one of his shenanigans he's forced into community service at a homeless shelter where amongst the despair and hopelessness he meets a woman with fire in her eyes.

Mia may be homeless but she has not lost hope. She has dreams and she is going to fulfill them one day at any cost. Xavier is intrigued by her and he finds himself looking forward to serving food at the homeless shelter. But then it is closed down and just as he is returning to his car he sees Mia. He manages to convince her to stay with him for a while and once she's in his domain, he discovers that there is so much more beneath all that spit and fire.

Mia realizes this dream she's living won't last for long. But the hope she carries within won't let her give up without a fight even if Xavier doesn't have enough to believe in himself.

The Billionaire's Virgin
Dark, tortured, and intimidating, these dominant billionaires will steal their innocent heroines' breath away. Overwhelmed by their desire to control their world, they push their heroines to explore their deepest desires. But even the most unworldly of heroines can unlock these billionaires' secrets.

Xavier De Santis: Disgraced. Ruinous. Playboy.

The headlines are always shouting about Xavier’s various excesses, and he’s everything they say he is. But now he’s gone too far, and the black sheep of the De Santis family has been ordered to clean up his image. Volunteering at a homeless shelter, he sees a bright light amidst all the bleakness. An angel whose luminous face and tragic beauty call to him in ways he can’t explain.


Mia: Vulnerable. Homeless. Virgin.

When the shelter Mia calls home closes, she is left with nowhere to go - nowhere except for the luxurious, glorious palace of a home that Xavier De Santis has invited her to stay. This too-handsome billionaire is dark, dangerous - and also too good to be true. But surely Mia can indulge in her fantasies and escape the drudges of her daily life for just one night?

As one night turns into two, Mia knows that eventually, the magic will end and she will have to return to her life of hardship. She can't keep the beautiful clothes. She can't keep the soft bed. And most of all, she can't keep the hard, handsome, brutal man who makes her crave his touch with every breath she takes. Mia doesn't belong in his world. But as Xavier tempts his rags-to-riches heroine with exquisite pleasure and heady desire, Mia doesn't stand a chance but to surrender completely to him.

***Review***

Changing things up a little this time around and doing two reviews together since I am also participating in these two books' release blitz.

I will start by saying I have read both of these Authors before and enjoy their work. Plus, when I read the blurb for each book, I found them to be unique and they piqued my interest.

The Billionaire's Virgin:

Okay, so this trope has been done almost to death. That being said I really liked this one. I liked that Mia is not the typical romance heroine. She is homeless and really she has been on her own since she was around thirteen. Mia is tough, street smart, but still hopeful and motivated to get out of her current situation. Xavier is your typical bad-boy playboy, who turns himself around, to get Mia and to get his mother's ranch out west. The only thing I see as an issue is that for being hardened by life, Mia gives into Xavier rather quickly and easily, But it is a romance and the story is on the shorter length side so I took that with a grain of salt. This is the first book in this new series and it looks as though Xavier's brother Nero is next to get a book.

Overall, I enjoyed it. Liked the story line and Mia's unique background.

3.5Stars

*I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of these books provided by the publisher.*

The Billionaire's Virgin is the first book in Jackie Ashenden's new series, Billionaire Fairytales. There's no doubt it's fairytale material – the billionaire meeting and falling for a homeless woman. But the execution and storytelling make it an enjoyable and sexy read.

Xavier, wealthy billionaire and one of the heirs to the De Santis fortune is doing his time cleaning up his image by volunteering at a homeless shelter. He's an arrogant, entitled and good looking man who is used to being the center of attention. But there is a young woman at the shelter, Mia, who turns up in the food line every day and is quite adept at ignoring him. His attempts at conversation fall flat, but he's intrigued by her – partly because she obviously has no interest in him, and partly because when he does catch a glimpse of her eyes, he sees a determination and spark that are missing from the other patrons. She intrigues him. When circumstances result in him being at the right place at the right time to help her out, he offers her a hand and she reluctantly accepts.

Mia has been on her own on the streets she was thirteen, abandoned by her mother at age 5 to a grandmother who was abusive. Every day is a test of survival. She has a small piece of an alley set up as her territory, and ventures into the shelter nearby only reluctantly. She can sense Xavier's eyes on her and worries about the attention. She's steeled herself for so long against trusting anyone that there is no sense in her believing his interest could be genuine. But when she's locked out of the shelter on an extra cold night and Xavier chances to happen by, she's smart enough to take him up on his offer. But one night leads to more, and a dawning attraction between them. Can two people from wholly different worlds really make a long lasting connection?

I really liked both characters in this story. While Xavier is definitely a spoiled and selfish man, he does have a conscience. He is quick to make it clear to Mia that his offer of a warm night in his penthouse comes with no strings. He's not interested in her sexually, he just wants to help. Besides, he's got plenty of available women who'd love the chance to hop into bed with him. But his attraction to her character, her strength and her determination to survive does lead to more. I appreciated that they didn't just hop into bed together on the first night, though it's not long before Xavier's attraction to Mia and vice versa leads to some steamy scenes between them. There are some ongoing issues Xavier has with his father and brothers that add conflict to the story and show that things are definitely not perfect just because one has money. Xavier has issues of his own that he finds himself sharing with Mia, gaining support and understanding he's not experienced elsewhere.

Mia intrigued me as a woman who is down but not out. She has a goal, to eventually get off the streets and get her own apartment and she's working on it day by day. It's the difference between her and the other patrons of the shelter who are just existing and not looking to change their circumstances. She has understandable fears about being with Xavier in his home. Part of it is worry that he'll expect something from her that she's not prepared to give, though he quickly dispels that notion. But more, it's about experiencing warmth and comfort and readily available food – fantasy for her really, and then having to go back to her real life. She can't let herself get used to these things when she knows it's only temporary, and how hard it will be to go back to her 'normal'. She stays true to her character for the whole story, and while it would be easy to just let Xavier be her savior she's not willing to stay with him without some kind of real emotional commitment. Sure it's a fantasy – the rich man saves the homeless virgin - and very unlikely to happen in real life, but it's well done. The Billionaire's Virgin is a sexy romance with flawed characters who get to 'save' each other. I'm definitely looking forward to more in this series!

This review has been posted at Straight Shootin' Book Reviews and feedback updated with the link. It will be posted on sale sites during release week.

If there is something this author does well, it's bringing two unlikely people together and making it work.
Xavier is the son of a Billionaire, not actually a billionaire himself and this is something that niggles at him. He has the standard tortured past, in this case it's guilt, making him act up. Because, hey, if you've got the name for it why not enjoy it. Except he isn't really enjoying it. Especially not the stoush that got him the gig helping out at a homeless shelter.
Mia doesn't like the shelter, she doesn't like any shelter. They are unsafe, but when you live on the streets, without documentation to help you get work or healthcare or pretty much anything, you have to eat somehow. Only trouble is that there is this guy handing out the food who stares.

It has to be the most unlikely pairing, the charming, perhaps even a little sleazy, playboy and the street wise virgin in unwashed clothes with all she owns in a backpack.

If you can dispense with all critical faculties, this is kind of a fun take on the Cinderella trope. It's only novella length so there isn't a lot of time to delve but we get to know Xavier and Mia pretty well. The connection is well drawn and I enjoyed watching these two bring their vulnerabilities to the table, or should I say bed, and poke and prod at their fears.

This was a nice little story, not as dark as some by the author with sufficient angst and emotion to enjoy the ride. I received a copy from Netgalley for an unbiased review.

This is the start to a new series and it is off to a good start. I look forward to the next book in this series and hope several more will come.There is depth to this book.

The Good, The Bad, and Everything In Between
-Love me some smutty fairy tale romance. It’s right in the series title, so I had some expectations and boy, they were met. In spades.
-Good chemistry which helped me buy into a highly implausible scenario
-That said, I think Mia’s homeless situation was handled very well and I don’t believe that the relationship is rushed in pursuit of the HEA.
-This ticks alot of fantasy boxes for me, with possessive, protective hero, willful heroine who’s suffered her share and the obstacles they overcome make it work. These are things that need a deft hand to make it gel, and Ms. Ashenden’s writing was on point. If I had a quibble...
-The final big obstacle was a bit contrived, and made me a bit angry at Xavier, but it’s a fairy tale, so I appreciate the need for a bit of that tension.
-Wraps up nicely and I want to see more of the DeSantis brothers.

The Bottom Line
If you love a good old fashioned fairy tale that brings the feels AND smut for your reading pleasure, I would recommend this.

I didn't care for the direction the story took. I absolutely loved the first half and couldn't put the book down. The writing was so raw and I felt so much compassion and empathy for Mia. I saw what being homeless could be like through this writing. It was very moving.

Then we have our hero and I loved him until I didn't. He starts off being so dominant and take control. He knows exactly what she needs and gives it to her. Then slowly his character starts becoming unsure of himself and gone is the dominant male. Then we getting into the "feelings" part of the story and it became a bore. My interest was lost.

Can a billionaire playboy and a homeless woman have a happily ever after?

I wasn't really sure about this book at first. Take a smart ass, playboy billionaire and force him to work in a soup kitchen/homeless shelter as penance for attacking a paparazzo. While wearing top of the line garments, Xavier feeds the destitute while muttering disrespectful trash. I absolutely disliked his treatment of some of those in need. When a dark haired beauty shows up in front of him for some food his tune completely changes. Instead of dreading the time spent in the shelter, Xavier looks forward to being there and seeing her.

Mia left home at a young age to escape abuse. Living on the street is all she's known for many years. Despite that, she has goals and doesn't want to be homeless forever. When the cocky rich guy from the shelter offers her warmth, food, and clothing when the shelter closes, she makes the shaky decision to take him up on it.

The story began to grow on me when the random acts of tenderness by Xavier toward Mia began. His simple gestures were uncharacteristic and made me melt. The interactions between the pair were not rich man vs. poor woman, they were equal. Sure he could provide her with whatever she wanted and she couldn't reciprocate but love isn't about who has more money.

The author created a story that is engaging. The Billionaire's Virgin ia about a hero and heroine with childhood scars that dictate a lot about how they are as adults. We are products of our environment and, unfortunately for Mia and Xavier, their environments messed them up, plain and simple. The author managed to pull tears from my eyes with very dramatic scenes with just Mia and with Mia and Xavier.

Even though Xavier didn't impress me at the beginning, the story intrigued me and I'm glad I continued to read the book completely.

This book is for 18+ only as it contains adult scenes.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader's Copy of this book.

kicking off a new series by jackie ashenden, the billionaire's virgin is actually a sweetly emotional story about poverty and generosity. mia has been homeless since she ran away from her abusive grandmother. somehow she's managed to survive the streets of new york, avoiding assault, robbery, prostitution, starvation and hypothermia, among other horrible things. she wants a better life for herself, but without a proper education, without an address and access to the internet, she doesn't even have the chance to better her position in life.

xavier de santis was born with a silver spoon. he's never known what it is to want or need without having those things fulfilled. he doesn't understand why mia resists his tiny overtures, why she refuses his help at every turn. yes, he wants her, he's intrigued by her, but he also genuinely wants to give her the things she needs. and her insistence on battling him at every turn is so baffling. he doesn't have the ability to comprehend the kind of life she's been living, and yet he is so drawn to her that he can't help but try. and when circumstances make it so that she has nowhere else to turn, he's going to take every advantage he can. because all he wants to do is hold this woman in his arms and cherish her. the attraction between them something inexplicable. there are so many willing women in his social set, but he wants mia.

i really enjoyed the connection between mia and xavier. she's such a strong character and as the connection between them grows and strengthens you see real growth on both their parts. as a cinderella story this really works, and as a sexy romance it also really works. i love the cover, and am less excited about the title, but you can't have it all.

Get the tissues ready! You're going to bawl all the way through this one. It's intense and heartbreaking but the writing is on point.

I loved this variation on the Cinderella story. Mia and Xavier's journey from homeless and an arrogant billionaire to love was steamy. I enjoyed Mia's strength but wish it would have showed more. I also would have liked to see more in the ending. But I wouldn't hesitate to pick up the next book in the series.

Note, I received an advance copy of this books from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

***ARC Provided by the Publisher and NetGalley***

Let me start by saying that, sometimes, it is nice to read a book that is what you were expecting. Not necessarily predictable, but what you were expecting.

This was one odf those books. I am a fan of Swerve books by St. Martins, as they tend to be the shorter and more erotic books,and this one did not disappoint.

I thought it was well written and well paced, which can be a challenge for the shorter books as they often either lose plot or characters in order to make up for the shorter length. In this case, I thought both were well-developed.

I liked Xavier and Mia, although at times, Xavier was a little difficult to relate to as he was definitely the somewhat unlikable spoiled, rich, playboy. But you get to know him, and what makes him tick, fairly quickly. Mia is a bit less developed, but still compelling, as a woman who has taken care of herself for so long that she is afraid to rely on someone else.

The story was compelling and their chemistry was intense, making this a great short read.

The Billionaire's Virgin was the first book I have read by Jackie Ashenden. This was quick read for me. as it was a Novella with eleven chapters.

We have Xavier and Mia as our main characters. Mia is homeless from escaping her grandma. She had a horrific life and trying to figure out who she really is. Until she meets Xavier serving food at a local homeless shelter.; She finds out that he is a Billionaire. She right away thinks he has to be there only for volunteering purposes and not from the real good within his heart. But once Xavier meets the dark eye beauty Mia, he is captivated.

Xavier and Mia's relationship is fire at the beginning. The drama was definitely there. The love scenes were making the screen melt, but I felt that is where the story was actually good at. The chemistry between the characters were off the charts. The emotions you knew that were there caused conflict, but was easily resolved. Every point of drama, was easily resolved. If you want to know what happens between these two, and need something short to read, this book may work for you. Happy Reading.

The book was ok, but the plot was hurried and you never really got to know the characters. There were lots of times that things were mentioned, and then dropped without resolving.

3.5 Stars!

A hero usually makes or break a book for me. I was worried when I first started this book because Xavier started off as a spoiled man child and that is just unattractive. He lives off Daddy's money and parties more than he works. When his father makes him volunteer at a homeless shelters because of the latest scandal, his behavior is appalling.

What this author did right was show us how Xavier gradually got drawn to a homeless woman who stops in the shelter most nights for meals. It wasn't love at first sight. There is something about Mia that made Xavier take notice and it wasn't her beauty. She's dirty and bundled in so many clothes he couldn't even make out her shape. He's baffled by it but tries to shake it off and move on. Only he can't. Each night she comes in, he's pulled in by her to the point he decides he needs to save her from the streets. This is where he started to behave more like a man to me.

Another thing the author did right was show a slow progress for Mia to trust. Her falling at his feet would not have worked for this story. The book is only 179 pages so we don't get a full background on both characters or their family, which I would have loved to learn more about, but the pacing of the story was good. Xavier was also borderline with his behavior with Mia. He forced her to accept certain situations that some readers may have a problem with but Mia does give consent when she realizes he won't just walk away.

Overall, it was a very good read with a few minor things that could have been better. I will continue with this series. I would like to see where the author takes the brothers of Xavier. ARC provided by NetGalley.

This was a little pretty woman meets Cinderella...a homeless woman is taken in by a billionaire who's been helping in a soup kitchen and they end up falling in love. Does he give her the world? Does she want the world or just him? Read it and find out.

Both of main characters, Xavier and Mia, have a boatload of baggage in here. They were both broody and wary and it made it just a little too dark for me to be 100% comfortable. The epilogue was light and bright and I wish we could have had a little more of that LOL Xavier did do some AMAZING groveling though. I loved it! (I love a good grovel scene).

Xavier has two brothers and a half brother who I'm guessing will all get books since you can read the beginning of his half brother, Nero's book at the end. They all had names...Lorenzo, Rafael and Nero. He also has a sister, but we never got her name!!!! That kind of drove me crazy LOL

All in all, a good way to spend a cloudy, fixing to snow, kind of day.

*thanks to the publisher for sharing a copy of this with me*