In order to claim an inheritance, Penelope needs to be married for one year. She enters into a arrangement with Xander Sutton and it soon becomes clear their (steamy!) arrangement is anything but false. There was some depth to this in that Penelope was bound to her family in a way and she couldn't just walk away as her mother was impacted as well.

I really enjoyed Xander's character. While this is the third book in a series, I had not read any of the others and it stood alone no problem. I want to read the first two now, but am worried they might fall short in comparison to this one as I was really immersed in this storyline and the characters. I liked that Xander and Poppy were both billionaires...equals on that front so there was no rags to riches trope. That would have taken away from this love story. I also really liked not only having an epilogue, but an extended epilogue as well as The Charmer was dual point of view.

*Dual Point of View
*Multicultural Romance
*Friends to Lovers
*Arranged Marriage

Thank you to Ava Rani, Avon/Harper Collins, and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this book. I have not read the first 2, which at times I felt like I would’ve understood the friendships better, but it didn’t take away from me enjoying the story. Penelope finds herself in a situation where she has to marry not for love but to secure her and her mother’s future. Xander, while friends with Penelope, wishes it could be more and when the opportunity presents itself for him to be the one she marries, he jumps at the chance. Seeing these two work through their issues and become better people because of it was an important part of the book. They grew individually to make their relationship together stronger. I loved that they communicated with each other and did not jump to conclusions that could’ve been hurtful to their relationship.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and will go back to read the first 2.

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy!

The Charmer by Ava Rani is the third book in the Biotech Billionaire series, focusing on the relationship between Penelope and Xander. Although I haven't read the previous books, I found it easy to follow the story and understand the characters. I appreciated how the author addressed Penelope's people-pleasing tendencies and her family issues, and I enjoyed glimpsing Xander's personality beyond his charming persona.
My main issue with the story was its flow. There were many instances where events were told rather than shown. I’m not sure if these details were explored in the earlier books. Additionally, I found the chemistry between Xander and Penelope to be dull. A lot of their attraction and relationship were described based on past events, but I didn’t witness these moments fully unfold in the present narrative. Overall, I was disappointed by how dull I found the story.

I just finished an excellent romance read. If you like reading about unexpected love, pick up The Charmer by Ava Rani.

I love billionaire romance and this was so much fun. it really reminded me of ana huang, I will read more from this author

I haven't read the rest of this series, but I still thoroughly enjoyed this story. Penelope finds herself in a challenging situation, caught between her family in Singapore, her family in England, and her chosen family in Manhattan. Her English mother depends on her to manage finances, and now Penelope must navigate a complicated inheritance. Adding to her troubles, her family in Singapore has arranged a marriage for her, but she doesn't love the man or the circumstances.

Her only escape? Marrying someone else. Enter Xander, her friend who’s been smitten since he first laid eyes on her. He's more than willing to enter into a "fake" marriage to help Penelope out. Together, they let their feelings blossom into true love built on trust and honesty. They face their share of obstacles, but by learning to trust each other, they overcome them.

It's a spicy romance with characters who genuinely care for each other.

“Have I satisfied your request?” I nodded. “You’ve lived exactly a little.”

Penelope lives her life without making waves. Adept at caring for others, and solving problems this Manhattan lawyer is trying to ignore a deadline she doesn't want to deal with. Antiquated terms, and family frustration leave her even less inclined to face the terms of her inheritance... but if her family has decided to treat her like a pawn in the game of life, maybe it is time she didn't just start playing, but played to win.

Xander engages in an annual prank war with one of his longtime friends. It isn't that he doesn't take life seriously, but he finds the joy in living. A people-person in all the best ways, Xander is the guy who just doesn't seem to burn bridges, nor does he engage in committed relationships. If ever there was someone who could make a good teammate, it just might be Xander.

The book's title, The Charmer, is likely meant to be a reference to just one of these two lead characters, but the reality is that this character-driven book features two charming characters with a delightful and engaging dynamic.

This is a story about family, the one we are born into, as well as the one we choose. About the art of relationships, and the little ways in which we can nurture and tend them, among friends, family -- and with the ones who mean the most to us. Perhaps my favorite part was the threads about providing support for those we care about, enabling them to stand tall on their own two feet, knowing those who care will always have their back.

The Charmer is a page-turners in all the best ways. The third book in the series, but the first one I've read, it stands solidly on its own while offering interesting tidbits in scenes with characters from the previous stories that left me curious to read them.

I was gifted with a copy of The Charmer and chose to share my thoughts.

Hallelujah! An ARC that was absolutely INCREDIBLE. I was beginning to lose faith.

I could have gone my entire life not knowing this book existed, and I would have been missing out. Truly, this was a great time and surprisingly deep for a fluffy billionaire romance. In that sense, it reminded me of Abby Jimenez (one of my favorite romance authors), so you'd be hard pressed to find higher praise. Seriously, I could not put this book down. I DEVOURED it in a day.

The story was perfectly paced, and there were so many omg heart (and fanny) flutter moments. I mean SHEESH Xander Sutton the man that you are! He’s your classic congenial playboy who has a traumatic past losing his parents, and is so scarred that he fears relationships. But of course, all that changes with Penelope! * sigh * I ate this up because my favorite kind of MMC is the damaged kind. UGH this MAN literally had me feral from page 50 on— the perfect amount of tension, and pining and then as their story goes on, the sacrifices and gifts he lavishes upon Penelope. Sign me up, where can I find myself one of these??

Penelope was also an incredibly likable FMC. She’s hardworking, always looking out for those around her, and like Xander, emotionally closed off. Seeing her and Xander force the best out of each other and slowly open up just gave me all the warm and fuzzies.

This was 4.5 ⭐️ for me, and I can’t pinpoint why its not exactly 5 stars, maybe because I wasn’t ready to say goodbye? But this is absolutely worth the read and I am so pissed the rest of the world can’t giggle and kick their feet with me until May!

But y’all keep an eye out for this one. You wont want to miss it.

"I'm thankful I can't forget things because every smile, every laugh, every time you call me darling, they play in my head, filling the time before I see you again. "

Can't go wrong with a Billionaire Romance surrounded by the best group of friends/family. It was such a feel good story. Penelope was such a strong FMC. I loved how her walls broke down with Xander. Xander was lovely. I loved how she told him what she needed at the end, and he worked on himself for her.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher Avon and Harper Voyager as well as the author Ava Rani for an ARC of The Charmer. All opinions are mine.

Ava Rani is a fresh voice in billionaire romance. The Charmer is an interconnected standalone novel in the Biotech Billionaire Series. In this installment, we follow Xander and Penelope story. I enjoyed how much we get to see of Xander and really get to know him for being more than just the friend or little brother. I recommend reading the first book in the series if you haven’t yet. This is where we are introduced to Xander for the first time. I enjoy the HEA and seeing all the characters from the first two books.

A banker, a lawyer and an inheritance that requires a marriage to receive. This book is a trip around the world, a sizzling romance and a lot of fun!

It has been a while since I read the first two books, so reacquainting myself with characters from the other books took a little. But this was a fun read with some of the same people as the prior books. Xander is cute and hiding his real feeling from Penelope, but when they first pretend an engagement and then fulfill it, it’s still hard to be frank. Penelope is a lawyer and Heiress from Singapore who’s supposed to marry a family acquaintance to blend their companies. She’s been resigned to it, but suddenly lets her true shelf shine through and marries Xander instead. Xander only wants what’s best for his Poppy, but he’s also up to something that could ruin their chances of happiness.

Oh my goodness. If you liked Crazy Rich Asians and any of Ana Huang’s books, then this is right up your alley. Precious story. Thank you so much to the Ava, Harper Collins Publishing, and NetGalley for my copy of this book.

Xander and Penelope may not have started off in a traditional way, but their love was so sweet to watch. Xander giving Penelope a safe place to land while she figures out how to be her own person and do things for herself has been so precious.

“Whether it was in the glaringly bright lights of Manhattan or under a blanket of stars in the desert, she was all I could see.”

more often than not, I’m doing to love and devour a marriage of convenience romance, and that was absolutely the case with The Charmer. Penelope and Xander provided a wonderful combination of angst, care, and heat. I enjoyed the business aspect of it, too, and the way all the friends in the group showed up in some capacity!
—

this and that:
♡ billionaire romance
♡ friends-to-lovers
♡ found family
♡ intercultural romance
♡ karma
♡ Kintsugi
♡ marriage of convenience
♡ Norman Rockwell
♡ open door spice
♡ poppies x green thumbs
♡ reconciliation
♡ Singapore x NYC

triggers:
☞ toxic family dynamics

I absolutely loved the love story in The Charmer by Ava Rani! It’s the perfect blend of friends-to-lovers and forced marriage, but what really got me was how he fell first—way before she even realized. The way he cared for her, the quiet devotion, the little moments where he showed just how deep his feelings ran? Chef’s kiss! Honey, he was gone for her, and watching her finally catch up to what was right in front of her was so satisfying. Their chemistry was undeniable, the tension was everything, and the way their relationship unfolded had me hooked from start to finish. If you love a romance where the hero is completely devoted and patiently waiting for his love to wake up and see it—this one is for you!

I wasn't sure what to expect since Ava Rani is a new-t0-me author but I'm glad I gave this a try. This series is new to me and I haven't read the prior books, but it didn't stop me from diving into this book, and Ava's writing style is so accessible and enjoyable.

Penelope and Xander's connection was such a joy to discover, though I'd wish we delved in a bit more (but perhaps the seeds were planted in earlier books for a better payoff?). We meet Penelope, who was weighed down by her own familial expectations yet didn't really know how to ask for what she wanted and just craved family, and Xander who was just down bad for her from the beginning, and ready and willing to help her discover herself, give her agency and to give her the home that she had always wanted. I've discovered a recent, irrational (?) pet peeve of mine is the proliferation of recent "billionaire romances" which turns out to just be a hot dude/asshole with money, so it was also refreshing that we have a billionaire romance that actually recognizes the fact that these characters are rich and operate in an echelon of society where inevitably they grapple with power, connections, politics, business and, yes, arranged marriages or marriages-of-convenience and actually have the characters face these head on.

Special mention goes to Xander and Sloan's friendship and the Central Park duck feeding sessions, and RIP to all the dresses that were ripped.

ahhh i loved this!! like, way more than i was expecting to?! it was so addicting and i sat and finished it in one sitting. this is my first book by this author but it’s clear to me now that i need to get into ava rani’s series asap rocky!!

The Biotech Billionaires series has been an incredible ride, and I’m genuinely sad to see it wrap up. With The Charmer, Ava Rani once again proves her talent for creating deeply engaging characters, emotionally rich relationships, and a plot that keeps you glued to the pages.

Xander and Penelope’s connection is pure magic. Their relationship is layered and authentic, and watching Xander evolve around Penelope is especially moving. He sheds his usual playful façade, revealing a man who truly sees and values her. After everything she’s been through with her toxic family, it’s incredibly satisfying to see him become her safe haven.

The friendships in this book, especially Xander and Sloan’s, add another layer of warmth and depth. The sense of found family throughout the series has been one of its strongest aspects—it’s a beautiful reminder that the people we surround ourselves with can be just as important as blood ties.

The book delivers all the opulence, drama, and high-stakes romance you could want, giving me major Crazy Rich Asians vibes. The marriage of convenience trope is done to perfection, and the contrast between Xander’s golden-retriever energy and Penelope’s more guarded nature makes their dynamic both compelling and fun.

Few series manage to leave such a lasting impression, but this one has. The Charmer is the perfect send-off, and I already know I’ll be revisiting these books in the future. Make sure to grab your copy on May 13th—Ava Rani has officially earned a spot on my must-read list, and I can’t wait to see what she does next!

Billionaire romances but both parties are powerful MCs, love that!! I will always eat up a good fake dating/fake marriage trope. The yearning was to die for, especially from Xander's POV. That man is seriously down bad. I love the teasing moments, "Poppy", and the realization of their found family.
I felt the romance itself was a little lackluster though.

For me this was more Suits meets Crazy Rich Asians, the law politics was interesting too!

Thank you NetGalley and Avon for the ARC!

Full review on my goodreads page.

Unfortunately I was not a fan, but it maybe a me problem rather than an author problem. The book was well written and although I jumped in at book 3 it was easy to follow.

That being said there was no real flow in the book, no necessary want to keep reading. Some days that’s exactly what I need, but today was not that day.

Thank you to NetGallet for the arc. All thoughts and opinions are my own.