I really enjoyed the first book but found the second one wasn't for me. I think many people will love this book and series but it's no longer matching my reading tastes

This is about Aiden and the man he cares about - Caspian. Caspian does open up and show he does care about Aiden. Aiden is sweet and innocent in a lot of ways. Aiden flew out to the U K as his friend Nik had been in an accident. Caspian is starting to accept he and Arden are fated to be together. Then they went to Ellery’s birthday party and the man who had made his move on Caspian was there. He had also played with Caspian’s mind for a long time . Caspian blames himself.
I could not get into this book so I didn’t finish this . I just didn’t connect with the characters or the plot and the story didn't catch or keep my interest.

Spoilers!!!!!

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Omar

There are always times when your emotions get the better of you after reading a story. You can cry for the suffering that the protagonists of the story have, you can be happy for them when they profess their love to each other, and you can feel their fear and confusion for the dystopian world they live in; but there are rare times when you just feel a murderous rage for a character in a book. That was my first emotion with How to Blow It with a Billionaire. Murder. I want “L” dead.

How to Blow It with a Billionaire starts with a strange letter to Arthur Hart, father of Caspian Hart. After it, the story continues where it left off in How to Bang a Billionaire, Arden wakes up in his family home in Scotland to find Caspian watching the dawn from the window in the room. As the two of them talk about what happened to make Arden leave London and Caspian asks for forgiveness. They come to an agreement that they will work on their relationship, and Arden decides to go back with Caspian to London. Once back at his apartment in One Hyde Park, Arden receives an angry visit from Ellery. She is angry with him for just disappearing and not telling her that he left. As they make amends, Ellery reminds Arden that he needs to RSVP to her birthday party or he can’t attend.

As Arden and Caspian work on their relationship, Arden decides to send some of the articles he has written to a magazine that he likes, but as he waits for a response, he receives bad news that will make him leave London. Now they will have to see if their relationship can withstand the distance and the secrets that Caspian is keeping from Arden.

I liked How to Blow It with a Billionaire It was a good story and I liked Arden. I liked the way he thinks and looks at the world, but also how he grows and has more courage in himself over the course of the book.

The letter from the prologue got me a little worked up, but it made it into a kind of a search to find who was the mysterious “L” that was mentioned at the beginning, and find an explanation to what he’s talking about. For this type of book that has a BDSM genre, “L” is the best antagonist or villain that a character who has this lifestyle could have, and helps shape the story.

While the How to Blow It with a Billionaire is a BDSM book, compared to other books in this genre I didn’t think it was that dark. The sex scenes are lighter that what I expected when reading the summary of the book and the prologue of the book. They are still kinkier than normal sex, but not like other books that I have reviewed before. Still, I think that given the trouble and storyline that Arden and Caspian have, the lighter tone of the genre seem to help it progress in the long run.

This is the second book in the story, and given that I haven’t read the first book, I do recommend to readers to first read How to Bang a Billionaire, which is the first book of the Arden St. Ives series. It was a little confusing when they mention things that recently happened in the live Arden and Caspian, but at the same time we get to meet new people and get new situation that balance that missing information.

All the characters in this book were very interesting, and most of all my favorite one was Ellery. Her story and the way she interacts with all characters was so interesting and fun. Most characters have a so interesting life that I believe will can expand the storyline and make thing more exciting for Arden.

A thing that I really like was how Arden explain things or how author Alexis Hall captures the reading by setting the scene and explaining the things they do or are around the characters. For example, I loved how the author explains the photographs that George captures at Ellery’s birthday, or simply Ellery’s scene at her party.

Lastly, Arden and Caspian’s relationship. Over the course of the book, we get to see an aspect of their new relationship. They are trying to make it work, and at the same time trying to get to know each other. This relationship is new for both of them, and it seems to have a lot of up and downs, most of them with Caspian understanding himself and letting Arden into his life. I don’t think that Caspian can understand what the is feeling, and the trauma of his past has left deep scars that are stopping him from letting him be happy. But a silver lighting is those romantic scenes that come up so natural and give the reader hope for their future relationship.

If you are a fan of Alexis Hall or her work, such as the Arden St. Ives series, then I recommend you, How to Blow It with a Billionaire. In this story, two men try to forge a new relationship based on the desire and passion that they feel for one another, but their past is too heavy to let go, and sometimes speaking out loud is the best way to get what you really want, even when you are not sure if the other person wants to hear it.

*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*

I think that I expected something different with this book. It started off really intense and honestly just lost me. I could not finish.

In this second book in the series, Arden and Caspian come to a closer understanding regarding their "relationship". I'm not sure what that relationship is, because even after finishing this installment I feel like I barely know Caspian, and I'm hoping that Arden's eyes are open.

Can I believe Caspian when he croons "My Arden" during intimate moments? I'm not sure. I'd like to think he's authentic with Arden, but he's mostly so tormented about his past that I have no sense of who he is beyond the fact he doesn't want to repeat his past mistakes when it comes to dominant sexual preferences. Caspian just feels a bit wooden and one dimensional for me at times in this book, although there are a few flashes of kindness that saved it for me.

Arden has to face some growing up moments in How to Blow It with a Billionaire, such as his education, a job, and a serious accident that hurts someone he loves. He's still open and caring, but he's learning that life isn't always smooth. I like how he believes in Caspian-- Arden is who makes me care about Caspian too.

I had a few problems with this story. It's told completely from Arden's point of view, and I found it to be a bit repetitious and slow for my taste. I could have just read the last bits to get the story.

There's a bit of a cliffhanger at the end of the story which you could probably figure out from the title. And although I had some issues with this book, I'll probably check out the conclusion, just to see how Arden makes out.

An ARC was provided for review.

How to Blow It with a Billionaire is the second book in the Arden St. Ives series and it's not really a stand-alone. As you can gather from the series title this is the story of Arden. Since Arden's name is the only one in the title, can I hope that he will choose not to have Caspian in his life and move on with another man? I don't know how many books I can handle. This one ended in a cliffy way btw. I hope to see a stronger Arden in the third book with another man and a life.

I decided to separate the next part of this review into two parts. The good and the bad stuff. I shall begin with the good stuff because there is only one. Arden was a better character. He didn't cry every two seconds. Also, he was tamer in this book and he actually made a couple of good choices. Should I consider a bonus the fact that I was actually able to finish this book? I DNF the first around 40%.

Now the bad things: Caspian. Who is this dude? I don't know him at all. He is still a mystery and the lack of his point of view is starting to getting annoying. I didn't feel like this was a romance book. The thing between him and Arden felt cheap and almost non-existent. The next big thing that bothered me is spoiler-y so stop reading this paragraph if you don't want spoilers. Is Arden bi? I thought he was gay-gay. If he never mentions an attraction towards women why create drama? I hated the scene when Caspian found Arden and his sister in a bed and immediately assumed they had sex. This is a very suspicious behavior. I wonder what Caspian did while he was away... That happened after half the book was gone, so you can see why I don't believe in this relationship.

I am still not invested in the series or the characters. I didn't like a si

Opening with a prologue tinted with such sinister and brutal (and potentially prophetic) avarice that my nerves were on edge for the entirety of the narrative, How to Blow It with a Billionaire was as wonderful and absolutely crushing as I’d hoped—and feared—it would be. In a fairly seamless a transition, it picks up where How to Bang a Billionaire left off, continuing Arden and Caspian’s story with all the potential their new, and hard-won understanding might bring.

Told entirely from Arden’s POV, How to Blow It with a Billionaire felt remarkably well-balanced and generous with regards to the other characters in Arden’s world. Arden is very easy to love, and I was instantly caught up in every hurt or happiness he experienced. Unguarded and generally hopeful, he views everything with an artist’s eye, always referencing various movies, music, novels, etc., to provide context for the situations he finds himself in. His awkward, often hilarious internal commentary provides most of the story’s humor, as well its heart.

As was the case in How to Bang a Billionaire, I found the cast of secondary characters to be yet another highlight of the story. Ellery—Caspian’s younger sister and an absolute favorite of mine—is back, and her presence was both welcome and far better than I expected. Bellerose has returned, as well, and is even more charming and prickly than before. Arden’s expanding post-Oxford life also includes several notable additions, specifically the staff at Milieu—George the photographer, most especially.

Never tidy nor easy, How to Blow It with a Billionaire is substantially darker than its predecessor, Arden’s increasing intimacy with Caspian exposing many of the latter’s secrets which were only hinted at before. Caspian is not at all what he appears to be, and Arden’s determination to make him at least accept the validity of Arden’s feelings and desires indicates a resilience that neither of them seemed to expect. As their relationship involves a particular kink, there is a significant emphasis on the difference between taking something unwillingly sacrificed and accepting something willingly given, and the inherent complications that must surely arise, allowing that a snapshot of either circumstance without proper perspective might look much the same.

If you haven’t read How to Bang a Billionaire yet, I strongly suggest doing so before starting How to Blow It with a Billionaire. If you’ve already read it, I believe a reread or at least keeping a copy handy would make this story even better. I kept jumping between the two to refresh my memory and double check things (but, I’m a nerd and find this to be an exercise I enjoy a great deal). There’s also an odd and disturbing strategy in play for certain characters, causing some of the newer details to affect both stories.

Once again, Mr. Hall has created an exceptional narrative with How to Blow It with a Billionaire. Clever, funny, gorgeously-detailed, and utterly heartbreaking, it left me both wrung dry and hopeful at the same time. Unsurprisingly, I ended up with nearly as many highlighted passages in the book as those without, and I’d like nothing more than to have the entire set displayed on my favorite bookshelf. No matter how difficult the truth can be, it’s good to be reminded that there are some things that can’t be bought—either with tears or flesh or even love. With one more story in the series still to go, I have every hope that Arden and Caspian will both find what their hearts need, and will wait with all the greedy impatience I can muster.

Since reading How To Bang A Billionaire, I've been waiting patiently for book two in the Arden St. Ives trilogy and after finishing I can say; Alexis Hall manages to deliver a truly magnificent second instalment.

This novel picks up where we left off in book one as we catch up with Arden and Caspian in rural Scotland as they salvage their relationship. We see a softer, caring side of Caspian as he convinces Arden to come back to London. If you haven't read the first book, It is possible to pick up the story here, but I recommend you read HTBAB first to truly appreciate the foundations of Arden and Caspian's relationship.

I loved the author's writing in the first novel in this series and yet he manages to exceed my expectations this time around. The narrative's littered with witty dialogue and observations which had me laughing out loud.

"Notorious Wild Child Eleanor Hart Spotted with New Mystery Man at Proms" because the internet murdered brevity the way video killed the radio star.

Some of the humour is more subtle but kept me entertained the whole way through as Arden pushes Caspian's boundaries until he can't.

The character development is exquisite and the chemistry between the is protagonists is palpable always. Arden gains the confidence to systematically coerce Caspian in a direction he wants; for him to trust him. It's done in his own unique way with outrageous humour. Equally, Caspian encourages Arden to take chances to achieve his career goals. In addition, we also see a heart-warming glimpse of his compassionate side and willingness to help the man he loves. It works fine until a face from the past highlights issues Caspian is deceitfully keeping from Arden.

With notable appearances from Ellery and Nik, the novel ends with uncertainty and a yearning to find out what happens next in the life of Arden. You're guaranteed to run through a whole spectrum of emotions as these two very different men try to find a common ground to exist upon.

If you are looking for an exceptionally written M/M erotic romance, I highly recommend this compelling Arden St. Ives series based on what I've read so far.

***arc generously received courtesy of Forever via NetGalley***

Anticipating “How to Blow It with a Billionaire” I reread “How to Bang a Billionaire,” the first in Alexis Hall's Arden St. Ives series. What a treat. If you saw my review of How to Bang, you'd know it is on my “best of 2017” list. I recommend you devour it before reading this new episode. 
 
The second novel in a romantic trilogy is generally fallow grounds before the spring bloom of triumphant love. But Hall delivers a riotous bouquet of images, as exquisite as the tulips his self-made billionaire, Caspian, delivered to Arden, a desultory Oxford University English graduate, in book one.
 
Caspian, an overly self-disciplined, morose man became infatuated with Arden, who dreams of becoming a writer, but has been too busy carousing as an undergraduate to apply for a journalism internship. Arden accepted his offer to temporarily live alone in one of Caspian’s uber-wealthy condos, at Caspian's sexual beck and call. What a neat way to delay adulthood!
 
“How to Blow It” is told through Arden’s point of view, as he discovers the situation requires more constraint than he has developed, “(Caspian) could reach into my world whenever he wanted, while his remained utterly inaccessible to me... That was the thing about billionaire non-boyfriends, though. They could do anything, reshape the whole fucking world. But you’d probably always be left eating ice cream by yourself.”
 
While Arden realizes, “Despite having made no effort to get one, I wanted a career,” he’s a perceptive man, noting, “It was easier to say I hadn’t tried than admit I wasn’t good enough.” Can Arden develop sufficient self-respect to develop his career, equalizing his relationship with Caspian, the man who appears to be more mature?
 
Hall’s throw-away wisdom's are a delight.  “In my experience, dignity was pretty much the opposite of sex,” Arden thinks. And Hall’s ability to describe the vulnerability, the paradox of submission as power, elevates earthy erotic scenes into rapturous operas.
 
“How to Blow It” is a glorious spring, revealing the sensory overload we all encounter, establishing ourselves as young adults, almost a self-help book, how to pick oneself up, find resolve, and honor one’s strengths. To do this Hall paints vivid contrasts between internal and external success.
 
As easily embarrassed as Arden may be, he knows emotions and flaws can elevate humanity to its finest. Meanwhile, Caspian, sophisticated in all manner of control, loses a bit of himself with each business conquest. While Arden uses Caspian’s admiration to gain courage, Caspian repeatedly insists he’s a monster.
 
Is Arden naïve, or actually wiser? Hall’s life lesson- lean into your instincts and celebrate your joys- is quintessentially un-British.
 
A humor-glutton, I was enthralled by Arden’s hedonism. “And sex was all very well but pancakes. Caspian went for the lightest sprinkling of sugar and a twist of lemon juice. While I went for syrup and cream. And strawberries. And chocolate. And-okay, yes, everything. I went for everything. I couldn’t help but notice the way he was watching my lips. It’s possible they were a little bit glisteny. And sticky…And I seriously hoped I was going to pay for this later.”
 
Hall demonstrates uncanny discernment of language. When Ellery platonically spends the night with Arden, Caspian becomes jealous, accusing her of attempting to seduce his “partner.” Arden’s hyper-sensitive soul is flayed by the fact that Caspian won’t admit his depth of caring, but will use the word “partner” as a wedge to condemn his sister.
 
“I loved thinking of myself as Caspian’s. I wanted to be claimed and possessed and treasured by him. But in this particular context-when it wasn’t about me or us at all–it was icky. It was icky as fuck,” Arden thinks.
 It was obvious Arden would need to decide he was Caspian's equal, but will Caspian come to accept he’s Arden’s equal?
 
As Hall extensively pre-warns on “How to Blow It with a Billionaire’s” book jacket, the novel has a “miserable-for-now” ending. But it offers readers sufficient hope to send shivers of anticipation for book three, out Summer 2018.

Note:  If you haven’t yet read the first Arden St. Ives novel, this review will contain spoilers.  The series should be read in order; you will be confused if you try to start with How to Blow it With a Billionaire.

By now, if you’ve read How to Bang a Billionaire, you’ve recognized that the Arden St. Ives trilogy is Alexis Hall’s riff on the super popular bildom romantic trope, and specifically, on Fifty Shades.

Reader, How to Blow it With a Billionaire is so much better than any of those other stories, I almost feel silly comparing it to them.  Sexy, funny, clever, smart... everything about this series elevates the familiar trope, making it feel fresh and new.  In How to Blow it With a Billionaire, the author quickly delivers what readers were hoping for at the end of book one - a happy reunion between Arden and Caspian.  But this begs the question - what happens next?  HTBIWAB is darker and more difficult than the first novel, and the ending broke my heart.

When last we left Arden St. Ives, he was holed up in Kinlochbervie, Scotland, nursing a broken heart.  Shortly after graduating from Oxford, Arden embarked on an affair with billionaire businessman Caspian Hart, the attraction and intense connection he felt towards Caspian like nothing Arden had ever experienced.  The brief hints Arden got of the man behind Caspian’s icy façade was enough to leave Arden eager to pursue something with Caspian, and he convinced himself a relationship predicated on Caspian’s pre-defined terms was better than none at all.  In return, Caspian installed Arden in a luxury apartment, and provided him with a credit card to use as he wished, but Arden didn’t care about the stuff Caspian could give him.  He wanted the man he sometimes glimpsed - who liked to hurt and love him in equal measure, not the remote and withdrawn version Caspian was willing to share.  But Caspian proved unable and unwilling to commit himself physically and emotionally to Arden, so Arden ended the relationship and fled home to Scotland.

HTBIWAB picks up shortly after Caspian follows Arden to Kinlochbervie, determined to win him back. Much like the bildom trope upon which the series is based, Caspian - our dark hero - is badly damaged by his past and he’s decided that repressing his kinky desires is the only way he can move forward in a new relationship.  But Arden isn’t willing to settle for a lesser version of Caspian and isn’t afraid of his darkest desires, his passion for his damaged lover - or his past. Caspian reluctantly agrees to try - if Arden can be patient with him.  The pair enjoy a blissful couple of days and Arden again sees glimmers of the Caspian he wants in his life - unfettered by work, relaxed and willing to try and find a way forward together.  Their too short sojourn ends abruptly, but the return trip to London (aboard Caspian’s private jet) leaves Arden hopeful they can make things work.

Much of HtBiWaB details how Caspian tries to be the lover Arden hoped for before fleeing to Kinlochbervie - and how their relationship evolves after they return home to London.  It’s a treat to see Caspian finally accept the love and kindness that Arden wants to share with him, and witness Arden slowly but surely getting Caspian to open up and reveal himself.  Unfortunately, even as Arden demands more from the relationship, Caspian keeps his secrets - unwilling to reveal why he thinks he’ll only hurt Arden if he gives in to his desire to dominate him.   Arden longs for a D/s relationship with Caspian, urging Caspian to hurt and pleasure him and to trust that Arden will stop him if he goes too far, but Caspian doesn’t trust himself.  The sex between them is still passionate and fulfilling, but Arden wants more - and knows something in Caspian’s past is holding him back. This push/pull dynamic - Caspian relents, Arden feels fulfilled and then Caspian retreats again - characterizes the majority of their relationship in HTBIWAB; and it’s frustrating and ultimately unsatisfying for both of them and for readers.  When Arden, impatient to know the truth about Caspian’s past, presses him for answers, Caspian’s response is heartbreaking and devastating in equal parts.

Part of what sets HTBIWAB apart from other bildom novels is the principal character of Arden St. Ives. Smart, funny and charming, Arden knows what he wants and who he wants - he just isn’t sure how to get any of it.  In HTBIWAB, he begins to map out his professional future with a strong push from Caspian. His inner dialogue is delightful and he’s a relentlessly honest and sarcastic narrator, even in awkward situations.  He doesn’t make any apologies for who he is or what he wants from his relationship with Caspian - now or in the past - and he’s quick to come to his own defense whenever the situation warrants it.  His belief in himself - and the power of his love to help Caspian overcome his own demons - is particularly lovely.  Caspian is similarly well-drawn.  Though everything we know about him is seen through the filter of Arden’s affection and love, it’s clear that professional success hasn’t made Caspian’s personal life any easier.  It’s a treat to see Caspian respond to Arden and allow himself to enjoy all the wonderful things that make Arden so Arden - especially the snuggling.  Though the trauma in Caspian's past will come as no surprise to anyone familiar with Fifty Shades, it’s quietly devastating to Arden.  Caspian’s response to his reaction is brutal and ice cold.  I can’t wait to see how Mr. Hall will find a way forward for these two.

I’ve been deliberately vague about the sequence of events in this novel because I don’t want to spoil it for you, but suffice it to say, the relationship - and the principals - are very different from the first novel in the series.  HtBiWaB is also significantly hotter than the first novel in the series, and though this reader usually likes (loves!) that in her romance novels, it sometimes distracted from the evolving emotional relationship between Caspian and Arden.  Almost every interaction between them ends in orgasms - and after a bit, it started to feel like overkill.  I wish the author had squeezed in one more shared day or date, because it’s such a delight to see these two happy out of bed together, falling in love.  But that’s really my only major quibble with the novel, which - much like everything else the author writes - is simply great.

As I mentioned earlier in this review, HTBIWAB is dark and deals with a lot of difficult subject matter - though I like how Mr. Hall concludes the novel on a somewhat hopeful note.  We’ve finally discovered Caspian’s secret, but it's unclear whether or not he will allow Arden help him deal with it.  I hope we get to know more about the Harts (Ellery and Eleanor) - and the men who shaped Caspian into the man he’s become, because Mr. Hall has left us lots of intriguing clues but not a lot of answers.  And of course - I want more Arden.  He’s the best.

If you’re looking for an intriguing, complex and romantic billionaire romance, look no further - the  Arden St. Ives series is all that and more.

Buy Now: A/BN/iB/K

I expected a little depth and storyline but all I got was subpar attempts at raunchy sex. GROSS!

I have no idea how I’m supposed to feel about How to Blow it with a Billionaire, or even the series. Alexis Hall is a fantastic writer and so painfully smart. I worry that he’s so smart that he’s kind of making fun of me with these books to my face, but I’m not smart enough to get it. I feel a little like he’s using clichés and over-used tropes on purpose to sort of make fun of readers who might have enjoyed books involving shades of a certain color. So maybe I’m playing right into his hands, but you know what? I kind of love these books so far and I’ve decided regardless of intention, I’m okay with it.

I love Arden. Most of the time I love Caspian, and sometimes I hate him. Most of the time I hate Ellery, and sometimes I love her. These characters are all complex and interesting in their own ways and I’ve enjoyed their story so far. I’m troubled that this book ends on yet another cliffhanger, though not surprised and I’m anxiously anticipating the final book in the series to see where Arden and Caspian’s story ends up.

Their journey has been a bit of a rollercoaster and I’ve enjoyed watching them grow together. I think that Caspian is a tad melodramatic and has a way about him that complicates things that don’t have to be complicated. I’m hoping there are parts of his story we haven’t discovered yet that will explain some of his behaviors and idiosyncrasies so we can understand him a little better.

I’m looking forward to the next book in the series. Here’s hoping Alexis Hall romances the hell out of me!

Arden and Caspian come from far different worlds, and trying to create a relationship amongst those two worlds is very trying for both of them. Arden was not raised in a world of finer things, and being with Caspian means he is completely surrounded by it, and as much as he tries to embrace it, the more he realizes he has no idea what he is doing half of the time. There are expectations to be met, families to answer to, and he is certain he isn't handling it well at all... but he is willing to do whatever it takes to keep Caspian in his life.

Caspian thinks he doesn't deserve to have someone like Arden in his life, he is a hardened man with certain tastes that aren't meant for everyone and he is beginning to think Arden isn't quite meant for his kind of world. His family doesn't approve of his relationship with Arden or his eccentric tastes and they are constantly trying to drive a wedge between them. But Caspian isn't quite ready to let him go...

In this second installment you will delve deeper into the worlds of these two well crafted characters, and follow them as they try to maneuver through their very different worlds, and try to find a way to create one of their own. Of course, there are a lot of obstacles for them to conquer and along the way they start to lose sight of what is important to them, but their growing attraction and feelings for one another quickly remind them what is at stake, and it drives them to fight a little harder. This erotic and emotionally rich read will push you to your breaking point and have your emotions swirling throughout, and of course leaves you wondering if these two will ever find a way to be truly happy. I have to say this series has been a wonderful discovery for me, it has pushed me out of my comfort zone, opened my eyes a little, and given me a glimpse of a literary world I may just like after all! Highly recommend you get your hands on this one, and take this journey with these two wonderful characters, you will not be disappointed with what you find.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this title.