Mr. Rich
Virna DePaul
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Cute flirty romance about a big sexy guy that has lupus and doesn't want to get involved in a relationship. He doesn't want someone to have to take care of him when his lupus flares up and he can't get take care of himself. But he doesn't realize how hard it is to let someone go that you are in love with. This story touches on lots of different realities and it was great to read about someone that appears to have it all but doesn't.
Thanks NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

Anyone who reads this blog should have come to understand that I love angsty reads. Mr. Rich ​has plenty of angst mixed in with some humor (my fave) with Julia and Bastian. Julia is currently working in a grocery store giving away samples to customers, and Bastian is a rich (of course) customer of said grocery store. Julia has been intrigued by this handsome customer, and one day he actually speaks to her! Until he passes out...

​The angst comes with Julia and Bastien's past. They each have experiences that they'd rather ignore, but how often does secret keeping help any budding infatuation? There some guy-is-a-jackass moments, but I like those moments too. Those moments are my crack - so, if they are yours too, I think you'll like this read.

​Julia and Bastian were written very well, and I read this book rather quickly. I'd still mark it as 3 stars, however. Why not 4? I can't place my finger on it, but there is something missing for me. Maybe it's a little too much insta-love? I like for characters to suffer a little more. This is a horrible thing to say as both Julia and Bastian...well, let's just say, I should be kinder to them. Still - definitely worth a read, and I would read more from this author.

This is my first book I've read by Virna DePaul and I'm left feeling confused. I wanted so badly to love it but I found it difficult to get into. I will definitely read from this author again and hope to reread this story in the future. Side note, that cover is amazing!!

ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a quick read and I would recommend it if you are looking for a story between books that's on the lighter side. Bastian is definitely "Mr. Rich" in all ways but he has a few secrets that he keeps from Julia. He meets Julia while she's working at a store passing out samples and we don't get too much background on her until a little later in the story. She seems like she should have a career yet has been working in the store for years. She does have a quick wit that comes across making her character a little stronger. We learn later about Julia's past which does come up near the end.

The romance isn't instant which is nice and there were some schmexy scenes that gave this story some heat. There's a little interest from another party in Julia but most of the drama gets resolved fairly quickly in this book. As stated initially, this was a lighter read and seemed like it might be NA at times even though the characters are a little older. At times, I felt like the story was being told although the writing is in the first person. The alternating POV's helped with this factor giving a little more depth to the characters.

Would love to read something by this author again! The story was well thought out and the characters were very likable!

This was my first Virna DePaul novel and I have to say that I found it to be not only steamy, but also funny and highly entertaining. This is the kind of book that will have you laughing out loud the whole time!

Julia Rominger has a huge crush! She gives out samples at the grocery store/ drugstore where she works. Her work related adventures are a story in itself and even though they may seem a little far fetched at times, you can't help but laugh at them. Julia ls definitely not one to mince words and is the kind of heroine that you can't help but love. Ever since the first time that she has laid eyes on "Big Sexy" she has been fantasizing about him. Even though she has no clue what his name is or even whether he is single or not, she wants him. He may be way out of her league, but she just can't help it, he is the man of her dreams. When he faints right in front of her stand one day, she finds his wallet and finally finds out his name and also some other things about him ;) she has to work up the courage to return his wallet and finally does so after a couple of days. It seems that some times fairy tales can come true as evidenced by this story!

Sebastian "Bastian" Rich is a former playboy who has had many relationships in the past. Well maybe not relationships, but definitely a lot of one night stands. From the first time that he sees her, Bastian is entranced by Julia. It's not only her beauty and her luscious curves that draw him to her, but also her vivacity and sass. So when she comes to return his wallet to him, he is determined not to lose his chance with her. But he also has a secret that keeps him from pursuing anything serious with her. However,
it seems that try as they may, Julia and Bastian just can't seem to stay away from each other and have found their soulmates in one another.

A sweet and hilarious romance that will not only have you chuckling all the way through, but will also make you blush with its red hot love scenes!

Fun read. Loved the characters and the setting. Couldn't put the book down.

Mr. Rich is pleasant, but nothing too exciting. It's not horrible or even bad, it's just a little bland.

Julia is a grocery store samples girl, meaning she's one of those people who hands out samples to customers as they walk by. She's sort of put her life on hold after dropping out of music school. She has a best friend who works with her, Kevin, who is probably my favorite part of Mr. Rich. He's funny and a loyal friend. Julia has been crushing on a customer she keeps seeing, who apparently has a really nice ass. Then one day he finally stands in front of her sample stand, but when she comes back from getting more chicken wings to hand out, he's passed out cold on the floor in front of her stand. She ends up with his wallet after he's taken away by the ambulance, and she makes it her mission to find out who he is so she can return the wallet. Unfortunately, their meeting is less than pleasant, and she leaves after returning his wallet, thinking not that he has a nice ass, but that he IS an ass.

Of course, Bastian Rich makes a decision to apologize, as he'd been interested in her, too since he saw her at the store, and they begin a casual but exclusive relationship that turns into more. But, Bastian has a secret he doesn't want her to find out, and it makes him stupidly push her away after she reveals her real feelings for him.

Mr. Rich had all the makings of a good story: hot, rich hero who turns out to be a really nice guy, sassy, take no s*** heroine, a good secondary cast, but it's all a bit boring. The feelings aren't very deep between the two of them and she is a mass of insecurities despite her actually being a smart, talented woman. It's not that I didn't like either of them, because I do, especially Bastian, I just wanted more. I wanted more passion (not sex, as there was plenty of that), more of a deeper connection, more excitement, just more, and I didn't get it. It's why I couldn't rate it 4 stars or even 5.

This is the story of Julia and Bastion …
Life for Julia has pretty much come to a standstill. Working at a grocery store and living paycheck to paycheck is her life. Oogling the fine backside of the mystery hottie she’s nicknames Big Sexy is literally the highlight of Julia’s life.

When Big Sexy falls at her feet, Julia is more worried for his health then the possibility that he’s finally been struck dumb by her charm. Turns out Big Sexy fell unconscious, at her feet, and something more substantial than a kiss was going to wake this sleeping beauty. After a frantic few minutes and the arrival of the medics, Julia is left holding Big Sexy’s personal affects. Returning the wallet should have been an easy in and out thing. She never expected it to lead to a dinner invitation with the man of her dreams.

Big Sexy a.k.a. Sebastion Rich has been secretly crushing on the cute Julia for quite a while. He finally worked up the nerve to ask her out when his worst fear comes back to haunt him. He knows now is not the right time to start anything with anyone, let alone a young and smart Julia, but when she turns up at his office, returning his wallet, Bastion can’t help but pursue her.

Their whirlwind relationship becomes more than either ever expected. Bastion is gorgeous, attentive, nice and (for reasons she still can’t understand) completely into Julia. She doesn’t get how a guy like him could be into a girl like her but she decides to go with it for as long as this will last.

The more time they spend together, the more Bastion falls for Julia. But the secret Bastion is withholding might just be the one thing that will keep them apart.

What I liked:
Julia and Bastion bring out the best in each other. They’re supportive, encouraging and really cute when their together.

It’s when they’re not together that things go south for these two. There were too many moments where Bastion second guesses his choices and ghosts on Julia. Julia in turn was a little too naïve when it came to Ryland’s interest in her and never managed to assert herself. She let Bastion call all the shots in the relationship and sometimes acted way too immature.

The ending was sweet and I liked that their issues weren’t magically resolved or forgotten. It ended on a positive note, Julia makes some life altering decisions about her next step in life, Bastion learns to embrace Julia’s support and see her love as unconditional and their future looks bright, if a work in progress. Overall, I enjoyed reading it but a little less drama would have helped me connect a little more with both MCs.

This is a great book with a wonderful story and well developed characters. The story flowed very well and was very enjoyable. This book will keep you reading long into the night and you will not want to put this book down until you finish. This was such a great read and full of surprises

Julia and Bastion were an interesting match. It was a somewhat impossible meet cute, his lupus and shame over it seemed out of character, and Julia seemed awfully confident and outspoken to be stuck in a grocery store job for the rest of her life. The sub-plot with the musician/client of Bastion's was unnecessary and unrealistic. Quick read, fairly predictable (which isn't always a bad thing!) with some steamy scenes.

Good plot and very likeable and relatable characters grabbed my interest from the very beginning and kept me enthralled until the very end!

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.

I really liked this book....the relationship between the Hero and the heroine was awesome.

This is a great book with a wonderful story and well developed characters. The story flowed very well and was very enjoyable. This book will keep you reading long into the night and you will not want to put this book down until you finish. This was such a great read and full of surprises. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader’s copy of this book. The free book held no determination on my personal review.

Unfortunately I could not get in to Mr. Rich so I will not be reviewing it at this time. Thank you for the opportunity to review.

Everything from this author is on my must read list and should be on yours too. Virna hooks you from the beginning and keeps you entertained throughout the book. I just loved this story, love what the characters had for each other. Would recommend

Cute read. Happy that the lead girl had a brain and wasn't your typical size 2, model-looking girl.

Mr. Rich is Mr. Right, my fellow romance book loving friends. Bastian Rich had me at “..I’m not the fling type. Not anymore. I’ve grown up from the bad-boy man-whore I used to be, and I like the man I’ve become. I like having a girlfriend. I like pursuing something important with the knowledge that it just might end up being the most important thing in my life.” Yeah, he’s done some things in his past he’s not proud of/regrets, but he’s dealing with something big now that likely was the catalyst that caused him to grow up. Not that he didn’t have a couple very big knucklehead moments here, too, folks. You can’t help but eventually forgive/feel sorry for this indecisive hero though, since he stupidly thought he was doing what was best.

Throw in Julia’s sassy, spitfire wit and humorous charm, and by 25% I realized I was the one feeling rich here, like I just struck literary romantic gold. Who knows, maybe it was because I was still suffering from a book hangover after writing a review for a rather dark read that the humor in this one had me giggling aloud and was just what I needed to restore my romance balance.

Sure, I wanted to lovingly bash some sense into Bastiana a time or two, mainly for delaying telling Julia a certain something-something after spending a passionate night with her. Julia would have just went with it and accepted it. But no, this surprisingly handsome, hand-wringing, knucklehead hero makes the wrong decision more than once. So bless his little misguided heart, you’ll need to reach down deep and pray for patience. But not to worry, the pay-off is a groveling, remorseful hero and a HEA.

With writing that was rich in humor, steeped with some very steamy scenes/lusty language, and more surprisingly, a softer side, I stayed fully engaged until the end. Yeah, this romantic storyline brought a smile to my face, blush to my cheeks, and warmth to my heart. Thank you Ms. DePaul for enriching my day but giving me such an entertaining, quick romantic read.

Title: Mr. Rich, Author: Virna DePaul, Pages: 183, stand-alone, VERY steamy scenes with lusty language, hero is hiding a secret, instant attraction, knucklehead moments, no cheating, pushes her away, sassy heroine but insecure at times, OM wants her, no OW drama, non-virgin MC, humorous, HEA.

(This review is based on an advanced reader copy distributed via NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. No compensation was provided to this reviewer, nor is there any affiliation between the reviewer and author/publisher/NetGalley.)

I absolutely enjoyed this story from start to finish. I'm giving this beauty a 4 star rating. The writing was beautiful, the characters intriguing and the romance adorable.

Julia is a woman who sticks to safety instead of living out her dreams and doing what she loves. She currently works in a market offering samples to people and she hates her job. It isn't until a likely encounter with a hottie causes her to seek adventure and return to the things she once loved. Julia was a beautiful woman, but insecure. I loved seeing her bold moments when she let go of her insecurities and just enjoyed everything around her. Julia was a woman who knew what she wanted, but allowed fear to keep her content with what she had going on in life. I was happy when she finally stopped letting fear control her and went about doing things she loved again.

Sebastian is a very dominating, smart man. He's a financial advisor and struggles with his health thanks to a disease he has. He feels like he has to do everything on his own to avoid a woman seeing him as weak or less than. He feels like he's not worthy of love because of how his past relationships have gone. Though he had this going on in his life he was still a strong man. I loved his spunk and snarky comments. Everything about him was pretty amazing.

The romance was pretty cliche, but it worked for these two love birds. I enjoyed seeing them help one another with their life, love and dreams. They worked extremely well together and let's not forget to mention the amazing sex they seemed to enjoy with one another. Be forewarned that this is an insta-love kind of story, but it was still a great read to me.

This was such a good book! I really enjoyed reading it. It really wasn't your typical billionaire romance. Yes Bastian is rich and Julia isn't. But how they meet is interesting and how they fall in love was a great story.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book provided by NetGalley.