Member Reviews
Sebastian Hart makes a mistake that lands him a Big Brother gig for community service. What will happen when he discovers it's the son of a former classmate. The one girl he pestered and crushed on throughout high school.
The chemistry is still there, the sparks are flying, will they give in? There are secrets from the past that must be disclosed if they're to have any relationship.
A story of one mans journey to do the right thing and the woman who will unravel him in the process
The Irredeemable Billionaire is book 3 in the Muse series. Sometimes you may come face to face with your past so make sure it is not one you could regret. Sebastian is the arrogant billionaire who get what he wants, when he wants, Grace is a woman trying to put the pieces back together and raise her son after losing her husband. When circumstances cause their paths to cross what will becomes of two people who find something they didn’t know they were looking for.
Full review will appear on Reader's Edyn on 11/17/17 at http://bit.ly/2jhSAeT
Grace Ford Wilder is a single mother, widow, and paramedic. She’s been living the glamorous life of a single mother and is exhausted trying to keep up with it all. When her best friend thinks to help her out by getting her son a big brother, she’s floored when he shows up on her door step. Anyone but Hart. He made her life miserable when they were kids. Not that she didn’t give it right back to him, but he’s a self-absorbed pig and a billionaire film director. There’s no way he could have improved. She doesn’t have time for his celebrity ways. She has a life and the hero worship her son has for him only spells disaster for her son … and her. Sebastian has similar habits of the past, but he isn’t the same person and now her heart is on the line, leaving her nowhere after he tires of her and moves on. And he will move on because he doesn’t want to settle down and Grace isn’t the red-carpet premiere, rub shoulders with celebrities type of person. She doesn’t belong in that world; his world.
Sebastian Hart can’t believe his eyes. Ford is standing in front of him and she’s not that dorky young teen anymore. He used to tease her mercilessly and she used to retaliate with a kick to the shins after delivering a scathing retort. He’s missed the saucy little brat more than he realized, but she isn’t the same. She looks exhausted, haunted, almost beaten … and it’s tearing him up. Suddenly his court order to be a big brother becomes something altogether different. But Ford won’t be easy to bring around. She knows the old him and proving to her that he’s changed is going to be the hardest thing he’s ever done. And maybe, just maybe, all that teasing and ill-treatment in the past was him trying to hide from something he should have known all along; someone who was in front of him the whole time. He’s just got to keep from screwing things up. Easy, right?
I really enjoyed this book. This story takes place in Australia and so there is a lot of Australian swang used. I laughed at a lot of it because it reminded me of my friends in Roxburgh Park. It was a nice touch for me. I also liked that Sebastian wasn’t the typical billionaire movie star. He is a director and so he is in the spotlight, but not quite as much. He has a bit more wiggle room from the paparazzi, but not much. Sebastian is interesting to follow because he believes he is a different person, but eventually sees that he hasn’t changed all that much. His epiphany is a catalyst in which he has to decide whether to give it his all, or throw the towel in and return to his selfish lifestyle. Grace is completely torn because she sees the person Hart was and the person he can be, but she struggles with what is best for her son, and her own personal desires she wants to succumb to. Ultimately, Sebastian missed Grace’s brutal honesty – something he doesn’t get with people always rushing to do his bidding. The question ends up being whether Sebastian wants to change, or if he just wants her to challenge him while he continues with his egotistical behaviors. He’s somewhat of a conundrum because he’s definitely a self-centered person, but he also behaves completely opposite when doing the nicest things for both Grace and Cody.
The character list within this book was short. Grace’s best friend, co-worker, Sebastian’s brother, and the jerk-face paparazzo was pretty much it for supporting characters with a purpose. I appreciated that both Shelly and Harrison knew the end game all along despite both Grace and Sebastian fully denying things for a long time. There were other characters involved, but they didn’t live up to their possible full potential. I was a little irritated with the introduction of Grace’s mother-in-law because she really didn’t serve much of a purpose at all. Ultimately nothing was ever resolved with her, so I question her appearance other than to add a little drama and Grace making a decision for her life, which could have been handled any number of other way. Also, we got a small glimpse into Cody’s school project, but never much else. I had been hoping we’d see more of that – or Cody and Sebastian presenting it with Grace unsuspecting – something like that. Oh! I almost forgot about plain-faced Justin! Haha! I had a bit of an issue with his character as well because again, no resolve. I kept getting the feeling there was more to him, like he was going to end up being evil and Seb would have to swoop in and save the day or something, but he just sort of dropped out. So I guess, in reflection, this book did have a few technicalities that could have been better addressed. Besides those, it is still a pretty good read with well-developed main characters. I read it quickly and was satisfied with the story from the romance aspect. And despite the deficiencies with a couple of the secondary characters, I still very much liked Hart and Ford and was pleased to spend time with them. I plan to visit Ms. Couper’s books again in the future.
Kindle version provided by Entangled/Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was a sweet and fun read. I liked how Seb and Grace were enemies to lovers. I liked how Seb was with Cody. I even liked how Shelli was. A good storyline and characters that were all together so real, made this story very enjoyable.
The most precious gift is the one that is hard to obtain. It's been a long, winding road, but Sebastian finally got the message. Lexxie Couper continues to surprise me by expanding her range and getting in tune with the emotional side of love, not just the physical. The Irredeemable Billionaire is not a story of loss. It's is a message of healing. A journey of hope and a pathway to second chances. Grace and Seb had to travel separate paths to get them to their happily ever after, but life experience and lessons learned gave them a valuable treasure. Happiness.
Gah. She expected her son, but it's her childhood nemesis/crush at the door? I'd die.
Her son is so sweet.
His mother sounds like a pretentious witch.
She left her kid alone with someone she hasn't seen in ten years?
Tim Tams are so good.
For someone who used to make her life hell, he sure remembers a lot about her.
Get a clue, Justin. You're becoming a stalker at this point.
Holy crap! No one mess with this woman. Ever.
This is the best kid ever.
Talk about a selfless act.
I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is the first book I have read by the author and this is book 3 in a series. I don't believe they are connected books and so this one stands alone very easily.
I LOVED this story. Seriously LOVED. Every scene and moment is this book was terrific. The characters, the plot, the writing, everything was wonderful. Seb and Grace grew up together. She the poor kid and he the rich kid. He the hot and popular kid and her the nerd. And well he tortured her, so much she was happy when he left town and moved to Hollywood and is now a big time director.
Until there is a knock on her door, and guess who is there. Yep its Seb and he is now her sons Big Brother as part of his community service for a vandalism incident. And I am not spoiling anything else. This story is beyond terrific. I loved the family and friends involved in the story and I loved Seb so much as he starts to fall in love with Grace.
RATING 4.5 STARS
The Irredeemable Billionaire is book three in the Muse series by Lexxie Couper. I have not read either of the previous books in this series and it didn’t take away from my enjoyment of this book at all.
Sebastian Hart is a famous movie director. He is currently home in Sydney, Australia preparing for the premier of his latest project. Sebastian is used to always getting what he wants. So when he has a few too many beers and is out with his friends and saw a hat he just wanted to try on in a window, he thought nothing of breaking the store window so he could try on the hat. As a punishment, he is set to perform community service by becoming a big brother to a younger boy. Who would ever guess that when he showed up to meet the little boy, Cody, he turned out to be the son of his next door neighbor when he was growing up. The girl that he mercilessly teased. The girl that gave back as good as she got. His arch enemy. But you know what they say about boys that are mean to girls. That it is only because they really do like you.
Who would have thought that Grace Wilder would already be a widow and single mother. Except that her ten year old son, Cody, is the best son a mother could ever want. It’s been two years since she lost her firefighter husband in a fire. Grace is a paramedic and works long hours trying to support her son. Her friend, Shelli, helps her as much as she can. It seems like Shelli is trying a bit too hard to help her. She signed up her son, Cody for the big brother program. Now, as she is in a hurry as she always is, who shows up at her door but her arch enemy from her school days, the boy, now a man, that made her life miserable. Even if he has grown up into a very good looking man.
Grace swore that she would never replace her husband. She doesn’t date. There isn’t any time for anything besides work and her son. But Sebastian sweeps into their lives like a hurricane. He quickly bonds with her son over a shared love of movies. But it’s her reaction to him that puzzles her the most. She hated him for so many years. But this Sebastian who is all grown up and filled out and oh so sexy, stirs something in her that’s long been asleep.
“Don’t remind me of the boy I grew up living beside, not when I’m halfway to liking the man he’s become.”
Along with paparazzi, jealous neighbors, and most of all, memories of their past, Sebastian and Grace try to reacquaint themselves with the adult versions of who they’ve become. While Cody is fast starting to hero worship Sebastian, Grace is guarded. She can’t let this man into their lives. She promised her husband’s memory she would not replace him. She and Cody are all each other needs, right? She can be both mother and father to him. But somehow, Sebastian makes her want more. He wakes up things that have long been asleep.
First, let me say that this little boy, Cody, is probably the star of this book. He is adorable. And then there is Sebastian. This man had me swooning right from the start. Was he impulsive and crazy? Yes. But I saw so much more. He just hadn’t seen it yet. He had so much love to give, he just had to find the right woman and son to give it to.
I loved this book. Sebastian, Grace and Cody were perfect. I really enjoyed all the Australian slang and the constant drinking of Earl Gray Tea since I’m a huge tea drinker. The book was sweet and silly and sexy and sometimes even a little heart breaking. Lexxie Couper kept me turning to pages to find out if these three got their happily ever after.
This book is a good quick read. Pretty standard for a contemporary romance, the only thing was that the pacing was pretty fast which made the heroine seem shallow.
Omg! I smiled the whole way through this book. Lexxie Couper has delivered another fantastic book that I just love. It really was impossible to put down and was such a pleasure to read. Would totally recommend this book
**I received a copy of Irredeemable Billionaire from Net Galley and Entangled Publishing in exchange for a voluntary and honest review**
Irredeemable Billionaire is the third book in Lexxie Couper's Muse series. I haven't read the previous two and didn't have any issues diving into this story and in turn loving it. I'd give the story 4.8 stars and highly recommend it.
What would you do if you became a widow with a then 8 year-old son and were always late, never having enough money, worked every shift available to you as a paramedic but never seems to get ahead. But Grace always makes sure that her now 10 year son knew he was loved. Then one day running late she opens the door to the bully from her childhood who now wants to be Cody's Big Brother thanks to your BFF, Shelli. Would you just let the teasing that he dished out just put to rest? Or would you wonder why he's interested suddenly and why did he pick her and Cody?
Sebastian Hart is now a billionaire film director who in a fit of anger broke a store's window and was caught. Now he has to complete community service with the Big Brothers or go to jail. When he's placed with Grace's son can he prove to her that he's n0thing like he was as a teen. But he's got a bigger issue, his newest film is receiving troubling feedback from critics. Can he redeem himself in Grace's life even while trying to push the neighbor (whose last name he never gets right) away from her. Can he convince her and also save his career all the while falling in love with both Grace and Cody?
You'll love the reference to a certain pair of shoes and a unrelenting photographer who Grace shows that you just don't mess with a Mama Bear especially when she's angry.
Lexxie Couper has written a good solid story. Enjoyed it from start to finish.
I did not finish. I didn't feel the setting was wrong or the characters. The story went too far off kilter on Seb and his arrogance. When he left the theater at his movie premier because he didn't like it, I put book down because I didn't like it.
I think Lexxie Couper has outdone herself with The Irredeemable Billionaire. It's fun and sweet but so full of depth and meaning, it will take your breath away. You will fall in love with Sebastian, scoundrel that he is, Grace and Cody.
I first met Sebastian in The Mistaken Billionaire and I loved him in that. If this were a historical he'd be branded a rogue and possibly a reprobate. There is a boyish sense of fun to Sebastian with his winning smile and his ability to get what he wants out of life. Sebastian has a lot of growing up to do in this story and what better way than to pit him against the woman who has challenged him his entire life.
Grace is a wonderful woman. I loved her. She has so much strength and character to her. She's so stoic and strong in the face of adversity, even at times when life seems to have kicked her down one too many times, she has the resilience to pick herself up and keep going. I love that she makes Sebastian want to be a better person or at least that he's a better person around her.
Sebastian and Grace have a past. They grew up living next to each other as kids. Their past is skillfully woven into the present that it brings a lot of depth and dimension to their relationship. It colors their every interaction and yet, in spite of their past, they get to know each other as adults and see beyond what their childhood stamped upon them.
Cody was a wonderful addition to the story. He added so much texture to the landscape of Sebastian and Grace's relationship. And of course, he's a great kid. You can tell Ms Couper has first hand experience with children of that age because she captures Cody so well and brings him roaring to life. You can't help but love Cody. But then again, you also can't help but love Sebastian and Grace.
Of the three books in the Muse series, this is my favorite. I was rooting for Sebastian and Grace right through to get to their happy ending. And the ending ... boy! I did not see that coming. Way to go, Sebastian!!
This story will warm your heart and make you smile. Go read it right away. You don't even need to read the first two books before it. It stands well on its own.
The Irredeemable Billionaire by Lexxie Couper ticks off my checklist in a book. First off, we're drawn to 'bullies'. When it comes to romance novels, we love those guys who seemed place in this world to give as a hard time most of the time, if not all the time. And yes, we love it! And hate it at the same time. Confusing right? Well, that's 'us' girls. BUT not Grace Wilder. Oh no. Grace has a backbone and she never back down to Sebastian Hart, a film-director when he's not being a narcissistic, self-centered, egotistical normal self.
"Sighing, she followed. Okay, so she needed to talk with him about sneaking up on her. In fact, she’d had that conversation with him when she was fourteen . Or was it fifteen? When he’d gone through his let’s-scare-TinselTeeth-and-make-her-scream stage. That stage had ended when she’d given him a black eye. His mother had given her parents hell about that. Had threatened to have her arrested. Her mother had told his mother to stick it in her arse."
Their story in the surface seemed a common one. A bully meeting her victim and ending up together in the end after struggling for a relationship here and there. No. Not this story. Grace was never a victim, for one. She always stood up with Sebastian, going nose to nose with him when he felt like being a jerk to her. But you know that those who usually teases us or 'pulling my pigtails" thing were the ones who was really attracted to us but don't know how to process this feelings. Secondly, we have Sebastian in his same-old-brand new attitude. She throws Grace off her game usually she didn't know how to react around him. The billionaire however, was as shocked and off-game at first but he bounces back easily. There was no other choice for Seb but to proceed since it was part of his punisment for something stupid that he did (which happened in Muse book 1-'The Stubborn Billionaire with James Dyson').
"How much longer can you cling to that? The Sebastian in front of you now is far from annoying."
Imagine a reunion with your sworn enemy? The very bane of your existense? And oh, do I have to mention that he's waaay handsomer now? What will you do? And, he's looking for your son? A ten year old son you had with your dead husband. He's now on your doorstep and memories from that sordid past you had with him came back.
“Sorry. I just wasn’t expecting a blast from my past when I rang the doorbell. Wow. You look good.”“And I didn’t before?” She shoved her hands onto her hips. “Of course I didn’t. You told me that often.”
I appreciate the development of each of the characters here as the author didn't forced the relationship between the main characters. It all went natural with the hero and heroine and the kid as well. Oh and Justin Fitzgerald or whatever is a good additional tool in the plot. And lastly, the fact that I did not had any eye-rolling moments is a sure win for me. I totally would love to recommend this book to anyone looking for a hot billionaire but jerkish boyfie who we all wants to redeem. Or not.
*ARC generously provided by the publisher. This review was made with all honesty and sincerity for the sake of all the book lovers who trusts our views from the books that we review.*
I really enjoyed this book. Usually your billionaire books are all premised the same. I like this as it adds the older kid, no dad alive, the old kid from next door all grown up and a lot of repressed feelings.
I like that there weren't flashbacks but snippets of thoughts from old days.
The added Justin factor added a stressor as well as a bit of humor.
The final chapter took an interesting turn and I thought the outcome was great. I think the judge probably fell over with the decision.
Would like to see more of this couple as I think there could be much more for this family.
I honestly didn't realise that this was the third book in a series when I read the blurb and you really can't tell when you are reading the book either!
So Seb and Grace used to be next door neighbours... Seb was not the nicest to Grace (extreme case of pulling pigtails of the girl he likes) and at first she thinks that not much has changed since then! But Seb proves her wrong (of course) as he spends time as Big Brother to her son and he (<I>finally</I>) sees what even his brother knew all along - he's crazy about Grace!
You do get your traditional misunderstanding, I don't love you anymore, but after a quick stint in prison everything turns out hunky-dory
I enjoyed this book, so much so I am tempted to get the others in the series to find out more about Seb's friends!
Grace is working hard to keep her head above water, caring for her son, after her husband has died. Running late one morning, she opens the door to find Sebastian on the other side. When she finds out he is her son's Big Brother, Grace isn't so sure she wants the man who used to tease her relentlessly hang out with her son. But her son, a horror movie fan, is excited to have a famous horror movie director as his Big Brother. Such a great read, watching these two come together. Love Lexxie's story telling!
My honest review is for a special copy I voluntarily read.
Fantabulous Book!!!! I really loved this book. It's another don't be deceived by the cover or the blurb.
Far more than that.
Set in Australia we meet Grace, single mom to son Cody and a hard working EMT, at times pulling doubles to keep them afloat. Grace is a widow, her husband was a firefighter killed in the line of duty.
Cody is a great kid, I loved him. Grace's best friend Shelli runs the Big Brother/ Big Sister program and puts Cody in for a Big brother without Grace's knowledge or approval and she doesn't find out until her past comes knocking on her door one day in the form of Cody's big brother. Sebastian and Grace grew up together, to say he made her life hell is probably an understatement, but Grace now rips them back right at him. He's a world famous movie producer and the bad boy got drunk and was remanded to community service and Shelli talked the judge into the Big Brother situation. Shelli and Grace grew up together, she knew what he was like and they'd had a few schoolyard scraps as well because of his mouth.
So after a good dose of shock and a boatload of lip service, Grace reluctantly agrees (sort of) to allow Seb to give it a go. Cody is a movie geek and Seb really gets on with her son well. Grace also has a neighbor who brings her coffee in the morning and is trying to insert himself into her life, doesn't like Seb now coming around, yet has no claim over Grace either. They two men seem to have a pissing contest going on. Cody and Seb grown closer and he really does help out when Grace has to work doubles and get Cody to school and such. Plus there's a chemistry there that's been long ignored since they were kids. Now that they're adults, well at least Grace is; Seb does seem to fall back on some of his bad tease Grace until he peeves her off behavior, but he's trying. Meanwhile, Shelli is also interfering and Grace can't seem to catch a break.
When it becomes obvious to Seb that his feelings for Grace are much more than he realized and she also, the flames spark the fire that gets hosed quickly after Seb does exactly what Grace asked him not to do, "try not the screw it up" within hours he's run over her like a mack truck and Grace is done.
Seb is down for the count and Grace has had it. She feels bad for Cody but figures out how she can tell him.
Now there are no spoilers there because I'm only skimming the highlights. You have to read the story to fill in the blanks and get the impact of the dialogue between these two and what a buttbrain Seb can really be. I loved the plot, the characters and the whole story. The judge made my day. You might think this trope has been done before but not until you read the story by Lexxie. It's a great book! I actually had fun reading this one. Seemingly a rarity these days.
Great story Lex! I loved it!
**arc from NetGalley and Entangled in exchange for a fair review**
Four and a half stars.
This was just a charming romance that ticked all the boxes for me.
Grace Wilder is the widow of a firefighter, she is a paramedic and has a ten year old son. Perpetually stressed, perpetually overworked, perpetually late for work, taking her son to school etc etc.
Imagine her horror when, while running late taking her son to school, she opens the front door to see her arch-nemesis from when she was a child, Sebastian Hart, standing on her doorstep. To add insult to injury, instead of dying a slow, painful death alone and unloved the ghastly boy next door has morphed into a world-famous film director and a hunk to boot.
Sebastian Hart has been given community service instead of a prison sentence for an act of gross stupidity and self-indulgence. He has agreed to act as a Big Brother for his community service and Grace's best friend Shelli suggests that Cody Wilder would be an ideal candidate as he has an interest in film. She just fails to mention that Cody's mother used to be the girl next door that he teased mercilessly, Grace Ford. Sebastian has grown into a man used to doing whatever he wants and being allowed to do it, ever since he was a child when his mother indulged his every whim. The only person who ever called him on his behaviour was the chubby, brace-wearing short-sighted girl next door. Sebastian had every intention of paying lip service to his community service sentence, maybe making one star appearance and then delegating the tedium to a minion, but he is shocked that the girl who gave him hell and regularly kicked him in the shins for his bad behaviour has become this tired, defeated woman. Add in Grace's (male) next door neighbour who likes to drop round with a cup of coffee un-announced and Sebastian is suddenly determined to be Cody's BIg Brother for real.
This is part Cinderella, part Pretty Woman (which of course it is, since Pretty Woman is a retelling of Cinderella) but also just fun and delicious - I really think the Australian setting, with the accompanying fruity language, elevates this story above the standard billionaire romances. Add in cute-as-a-button Cody and I don't think even the grinchiest-Grinch would dislike this.
I don't recall reading any other books by Lexxie Couper but I will definitely look out for me if this is a sample.