Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Mary – ☆☆☆☆
I have become a fan of this author and look forward to each new book. I liked this one; newfound twin brothers, now switch lives so the businessman can help the farmer. You think it will be a simple task, but the woman thrown into the mix is going to steal Jesse's heart.

Jesse has to figure out why someone wants Scott's farm so bad. He also has to learn to be a farmer and take care of the animals. What was supposed to be for a day or two, turns out to be longer because Jesse has found that farm life is growing on him and so is Crystal.

Crystal was sent to Scott's farm to deliver a new proposal for the farm, that is all she had to do. When seeing the man, something inside stirs. She has never had these feelings before.

What happens when Crystal learns who she thinks is Scott? What will Jesse do when he learns what Crystal is sent to do? Can Scott tell him the truth about the farm?

I liked this story a lot and can't wait for Scott's story. This one is filled with banter, fun, crazy farm animals, suspense, lost family, and finding love. Another great start to a series worth reading.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This is the first book in a new series – and I am definitely looking forward to the next installment already!

The fun premise is that identical twins adopted at birth by very different parents have rediscovered each other. One has taken over the farm from his now retired and travelling parents, and the other is a hugely successful and ruthless businessman. The latter decides to save the former from losing the farm due to an oil company wanting to buy it. Little could we expect what transpires – it is fun, sexy, and has a rather lovely world-saving opportunity thrown in!

Crystal has been brought up by her wealthy uncle and had the opportunities to study and travel the world thanks to his generosity. So when he asks her to deliver some contract papers to a farmer he wants to buy out, she really doesn't think of declining. Meeting Jesse – who is posing as his brother – gives her an unexpected jolt of lust and desire. The fact that he doesn't seem very competent in the farm he is running is odd, but endearing.

The underlying plot is definitely a little out there. The warnings about not letting her in the house really have the reader wondering what could be going on, but in time we get the answers, the resolution of the business issues, and the consolidating of a relationship, we are invested enough to be happy at the outcome. There is some fabulous humour created due to the differences between the two of them, and yet they find the common ground too.

Fun, passionate, farm-drama-based romance.

I am ahuge fan of Ruth Cardello. This is a new series about twin brothers who were adopted by very fifferent families and then discover each other as adults. Jesse is the tough city guy and businessman and his twin is a ranch owner with land that an oil company wants to buy. Crystal is sent by her uncle to convince him. But she gets a surprise when they pull off a twin switch on her as Jesse helps his brother negotiate a deal.

I enjoyed this story and loved the banter, fun, crazy farm animals, suspense, lost family, and finding love plot in this story.

This was an entertaining, well-written book. The progression of the relationship between the two main characters was great. The book was fun, sweet, steamy and held my interest. I didn't want to put it down. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more books by this author.

Strictly Business by Ruth Cardello is the First book in The Switch Series. This is the story of Crystal and Jesse. Jesse is a successful business man who was adopted when he was young. Now in Jesse present day he learns he has a twin brother Scott who is a farmer. Scott is having issues with someone wanting to buy his land. Scott ask Jesse to help him find out what is going on and they switch places to do so. This is how Jesse ends up meeting Crystal who is sent to bring the proposal for buying the farm. What both find is that they are attracted to each other but of course there are secrets being kept.

I do enjoy a good twin switch and this one was even more interesting due to the fact that the twins don't really know each other that well. There is some definite chemistry going on between Scott/Jesse and Crystal and as they are quick to say...they shouldn't work but they do. There are some serious trust issues going on all around and I honestly couldn't blame any of them. There is some suspense and really interesting information to be had and I'm most definitely looking forward to Scott's story.

What happens when identical twins who were adopted by different families, suddenly find each other and decide to switch lives for awhile?

At least that is how things started but what an adventure Jesse and Scott find themselves on. It becomes a wild journey of discovery, romance, secrets and mystery.

I am looking forward to seeing where this new series takes us...

An engaging start to a new series. With the love and loyalty of family these characters are challenged by devotion and trust. A great read

Oh, the start of a new series with all the possibilities to come. I love the twin aspect. This is one of my favorite go to authors. Always look forward to more.

Strictly Business is a clever story about twin brothers who were separated at birth.This is the book of Jesse, a cold businessman, who takes his twin brother's place in order to deal with an oil rep who wants to buy his farm.Crystal has been sent by her Uncle to deliver the purchase proposal.  Jesse and Crystal have a rough start and eventually things start to smooth out. Will Jesse and Crystal get there happily ever after. Grab this book and read to find out what happens.

Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is the first book I have read by this author, although I understand she has a big following with her previous books. A great read, with good characters full of suspense and intrigue. I enjoyed it. A recommended read.

There's a lot going on in this book!

Our deliciously intense romance is between Jesse and Crystal, but there's also a huge mystery surrounding the farm owned by Scott (Jesse's twin brother) and how much Crystal's uncle knows about it. We've got a huge dichotomy between Scott's down-to-earth parents and Jesse's closed-off business-minded father. We've got some bad guys, but up until the very end we're not sure who's a villain and who's not. And if that's not enough, we get a secondary love story with Crystal's BFF, Ellie, and her maybe-he-is/maybe-he-isn't boyfriend.

Oh, and a couple thousand secrets. At least. Whew!

In the hands of a less gifted author, a story this complex could easily run off the rails. No worries about that here. This author brilliantly connects all the dots, leans heavily into the self-analysis and introspection that allows for a truly deep emotional connection for our main characters, and somehow pulls off a HEA that feels joyously triumphant even while leaving a few matters unresolved for the next book (featuring Scott).

The steamy scenes will light you up, the feels are very real, the humor makes everything roll along beautifully, and the farm animals are absolutely adorable. Just when you think everything's all worked out, Wren and Mauricio Romano show up with the most unusual engineering project for a very special recipient. I loved everything about this book, and am eagerly looking forward to reading more in this series. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

What an amazing book! I was laughing out loud most of the time.
Jesse have just found out he has an identical twin. They have nothing in common. He was adopted by a successful businessman who raised him to see life as a game and gave him the skills to win it. His brother Scott is about to lose his family’s farm. But when it comes to family, no one goes to battle alone. So they decided to switch lives in order for Jesse to use every business trick he know to save the farm. However, their initial plan did not take into account a drop-dead gorgeous oil rep or the secrets Jesse uncovered about his brother.
This book is beautiful. Crystal is an amazing character. She lost her parents in a car accident and now her only family is her uncle. When he asked her to drop some papers in Scott’s farm, she didn´t imagine she would meet this gorgeous guy that has a duck with an orthopedic leg and a cow with anxiety issues. I loved how they dance around each other. The chemistry is explosive but there are many secrets that threaten to separate them.
I really enjoyed the smart dialogs with the side characters, especially with Thane and LJ. There are great sexy times and some cute farm animals.
Do yourself a favor and go for this one. I’ll be waiting restless for the next one.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This book was a quick read, with some really different themes and it has to be said I'm Team Jesse all the way. I actually favoured him over Scott.

While some of the themes were really out there and felt a bit far fetched, it wasn't a bad read. I did finished the book feeling like there were still questions that need answering so it is definitely leading to the next book.

The relationship between Jesse and Crystal is a big part of the story although to begin with she believes he is Scott.

You don't find out much about the twins biological parents as both of them feel secure enough in their lives to not look into them.

To me it felt like there is still more behind Crystal's uncle and LJ's involvement and interest.

Overall it was a nice quick read that keeps.you entertained.

This is book one in The Switch Series and it is Jesse and Crystal's story and what a great start to a new series and definitely a must read. Jesse has recently found out that he has a twin brother called Scott and that they had been separated at birth and now Jesse was helping Scott to save his farm by pretending to be Scott as Jesse was more ruthless that Scott and that was needed and Jesse was determined to do everything that he could for his brother not knowing that it will change his life. When Crystal's parent's died it was her uncle that stepped in and was there for her when she needed him so when he asked her for a favour how could she say no even though she wasn't very comfortable with what she had to do. When Jesse and Crystal met things didn't go very smoothly at all and trust was a big issue between them but there attraction and chemistry was really strong but both of them were not willing to go there and kept there distance as much as possible but sometimes things don't always go as planned. There are twists and turns along the way that makes this book a real page turner and so addictive that I couldn't put it down but will Jesse and Crystal be able to sort out all the situations that they seem to find themselves in especially as danger is just around the corner watching and waiting for the right time to strike but will they be able to find the person responsible and deal with all the secret's that are being kept especially as Jesse and Crystal are so perfect for each other and they both deserve a happy ending but will they get it or will they go there separate ways missing out on something special only time will tell what the outcome would be. I absolutely loved this book and I definitely recommend you read it and you will not be disappointed. Ruth Cardello is an amazing author and writer and she certainly knows how to keep her reader's attention and on the edge of their seats and the depth of her story's are what makes you go back time and time again to read them.

I Voluntarily Reviewed a Copy of This Book.

A bit mad cap and out of the ordinary to say the least, and yet two endearing characters that you go along with! Crystal is a phd scientist who get roped into do her favour an uncle. Jesse a hard business type who trusts no one and is going to sort out his twin’s affairs on the farm if he does nothing else. Things get a bit hectic, blunt and there is a gun, and there is also tenderness and a willingness to make things work. Very cute,

Jess has just discovered he has a twin brother and is taking his place for a short time to help him resolve some issues with his farm. Then he meets Crystal and everything gets complicated.

I liked how it was told from both points of view, but the first chapter felt like I had already missed part of the book.

Looking forward to reading the next book in the series though.

This is the first book in a new series with a big start of setting the bar quite high.

Mistaken or fake identity is always something that I’m looking forward to read in romance stories. And this one touched quite a few topics while at it. I loved the instant lust and falling into love between them. The banter and chemistry were there at all times, and the steamy scenes set fire to those initial sparks.

Their dialogues about families and past and regrets tugged at my heart, but I loved how it made them so much lovable and beautiful souls.

Crystal and Jesse might have started that relationship with a fake step, but they worked through it all with building trust and love in the end.

A must-read new story from an author that everyone should try.

Not a bad read, the story behind it was quite good but somewhat over shadowed by the more raunchy side to the story

Strictly Business by Ruth Cardello is the first book in the Switch Series. Jesse is a savvy businessman who recently found out that he has an identical twin who is into farming and about to lose his farm. Jesse is a ruthless businessman, when he find out Scott is in danger of losing his farm he makes a decision to switch lives with him and will use every business trick he knows to save his farm. This is where he meets Crystal who
Who is the niece of an oil businessman who is trying to buy the farm. Jesse and Crystal starts falling for each other quite quickly, Jesse feels guilty that he is not disclosing his real name. I liked this book very much, I have read many of Ms Cardello’s books and I must say this didn’t quite reach the usual standards. However I thoroughly enjoyed this small town, insta- romance, mistaken identity book and look forward to reading the others in the series.

Thank you to the Author and #Netgalley for the eARC received for a honest feedback

Corporate espionage, identity switch, enemies to lovers. I enjoyed the intrigue of the corporate espionage and I liked how one character didn’t have to “save” the other. I did feel the romance part stuttered. Granted there were trust issues between Crystal and Jesse since Jesse was impersonating his twin brother, Scott., but it seemed to jump from wary attraction to “I love you” with not much in between. While I liked Jesse’s character, and yay for Crystal to have her own chemical laboratory (kudos to the author to make both Crystal and her BFF in STEM), she seemed emotionally immature and insecure. I like my female MC’s to be stronger. There were some humorous moments, especially with TJ, and some heart-warming moments with both sets of “parents” but I was unsatisfied with the romance.