That was definitely something. It was actually a pretty bonkers story. But it was a quick bonkers story. A lot of it was very very over the top and not my cup of tea. I did like some parts, but all in all not my kind of romance. Am happy I read it after 3 years of having a copy. Don’t think I’ll carry on with the series though.

Boone Price hates when people disrespect him because of how he looks and dresses and when a client sends a guy out to over see what he's doing on the land he gets mad and drops him as a client. When his brothers and he go to a bar Boone decides he wants a big house and a classy lady and he desires on Ivy the girl in the real estate advertisement.
When Boone comes into three Jacks realty to meet Ivy he is looked down upon by everyone but her so when he asks her on a date she tells him she can't date clients. Boone doesn't take no for an answer so he convinces her to show him some houses but they give in to their attraction. No matter how much she wants the relationship she can't let Boone know how bad her situation is because she is sure she will lose him. Well will both of their stubborn streaks get in the way? Will Ivy come clean? I just love this couple together so you really want them to work out.

Thank you for the opportunity to review this title. Unfortunately, I found it difficult to connect to the story. As I didn't completely finish this book, I will not be publishing a review. We do not feature uncompleted books on the blog. Although this title didn't work for me, I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read and review this title. Unfortunately in this instance,I didn't connect to the story. As I didn't finish reading, I will not be reviewing this title. Many thanks and I do look forward to picking up another read from this author.

4.5 stars

Unfortunately, I DNFed this book in the first 15%. It just didn't grab my attention.

Jessica Clare’s DIRTY MONEY really didn’t work for this reader. Boone comes off as crude, rude, pompous, sexist and determined to seek revenge on those he thinks have slighted him because of his filthy looks and ways. While he had his moments, this reader simply could not find much to like about him and had a really difficult time imagining Ivy falling in love with him. Ivy is kind, sexy, determined to give her sister a better life and instantly sees dollar signs when she realizes Boone is a billionaire, if she can just keep her three bosses from stealing him out from under her.

While the story was entertaining and at times funny, the fact that Boone thinks he should be respected simply because he now has money was ridiculous. Everyone but Boone and this author seem to know respect is earned and you can’t buy class. And every time Boone feels someone has failed to give him the respect he thinks he deserves, he reacts is a way over the top manner, purchasing and burning businesses to the ground for spite. And yet, still Ivy is enamored. This reader was not. Still, if you are able to overlook Boone’s bad manners, sloppy dress and sexist attitude, the story itself is well written and moves along at a constant pace and even includes some very funny scenes (that this reader imagines could never really happen in real life – see comment about burning down perfectly good businesses).

Fans of contemporary romance will probably still enjoy this story. In fact, this reader would bet that you will either really love this story and or really agree with this review. For me, DIRTY MONEY was like the characters, a little rough around the edges.

I like Jessica Clare. She is good at giving us non-traditional characters who are the sort of underdogs that you root for. So, I'm used to seeing offbeat characters from her and I was expecting it. Boone is that character in this book but Boone is also what goes really wrong for me in this one.

Boone is a billionaire oil guy in the tradition of the Beverly Hillbillies. He basically unexpectedly hit oil on his land and became richer than rich overnight. The problem is that Boone has not adopted any of the ways of wealth so despite the fact that he has access to all the rich people stuff, the rich people still treat him like something they stepped in. Boone comes up with a "solution" to his problem being accepted by "classy" people. All Boone needs is a classy woman by his side and he'll be totally in with the rich people. To that end, Boone chooses a woman who looks real upscale from her photo in a real estate advertisement, that woman is Ivy. What Boone does not know is that Ivy grew up in and still lives in a trailer park just like him (because despite being a billionaire, Boone still lives in a friggin trailer).

And things keep going downhill. When Boone meets Ivy, he approaches her about being his real estate agent because he wants to purchase a house that will make him look rich and classy. He's ready to get out of the trailer, apparently. Ivy is a great agent but she works for these jerks who steal any good listings from her so she basically can't make a living at all. Enter my problem with Ivy. Ivy is working her butt off but accepting living in poverty because she doesn't either stand up for herself or just find another flipping job. Ivy is a good person, I liked her but her being a doormat just worked on my nerves.

When Boone meets Ivy, yeah, it takes instalove to a whole new level. I think he asked her to marry him the first time he met her. He also tells her that he wants to be classy and that's why he wants a real big expensive house (although he doesn't shave or like wash the dirt off his hands before going in public). He also tells Ivy that he wants her because he needs a classy lady. Of course Ivy likes Boone and doesn't want to tell him that she's from the trailer park like he is trying to get away from. She means to tell him but keeps putting it off and blah blah until he finds out and blah blah blah, drama followed by HEA.

Boone's quest to be classy in the stupidest possible imaginable ways was a total turn off. I absolutely hated the way he wanted to be accepted and then did dumb stuff to get that acceptance. To make matters worse, when Boone wasn't accepted, he did even dumber stuff. Hint, he buys a golf course to get back at the people from the country club who treat him bad. And what happens next is even worse. But wait, here is the absolute stupidest part, he doesn't buy the golf course from IVY who desperately needs the commission. Like WTF just happened? I was so fixated on these issues that I honestly couldn't enjoy the book. I read the whole thing but both Ivy and Boone stand out in my mind as being sort of immature. This is not my favorite Jessica Clare book but I know I will read more by her and maybe even more in this series.

Sometimes I read the word "roughneck" in a blurb and my ovaries go all MINE. And there comes a time in a girl's life where she has to appease her ovaries, right? Even if smutty, insta-love romance isn't normally her thing, she'll make an exception for a bearded and dirty talking rough neck. Why? Um, did I not explain that part already?

Some kisses are gentle and hesitant, almost as if they’re asking permission. That’s not how Boone Price kisses, though. His kiss is deliciously savage, his tongue plundering my mouth. It’s like he wants to claim me with every flick of his tongue against mine, every caress of his lips.

Dirty Money was a total guilty pleasure read for me. It was totally over the top and yet it still hit the spot just right. Think Beverly Hillbillies but with hot guys and sex.

Boone was a complete caveman. He was an unapologetic, possessive, domineering, dirty talking caveman and I loved every filthy word that came out of the man's mouth. This was not a man born into money, yet came about it by hard work and a bit of dumb luck. He doesn't put on an act for anyone. He still lives in his trailer with his brothers all next to him, he dresses like a roughneck and talks like one too. He doesn't need the fancy clothes and the manners to make him a man. But tired of the disrespect from all the suits he has to deal with in his business now, he decides that what he needs to spruce up his image is a classy woman and he spots the one he wants on a real estate ad.

Ivy is struggling to make ends meet for herself and her sister. Working as a real estate agent for men that are as misogynistic as they are condescending isn't exactly her dream job, but she's determined to make it. She's gone through great lengths to escape her trailer part beginnings and she's hell bent on not going back. When Boone Price walks through the doors of the real estate company she works for and demands she find him a house and takes every opportunity he has to hit on her, she's flabbergasted. The last thing she expected when she looked at him was a filthy rich billionaire that thinks she can clean up his image. Too bad she's hiding behind a carefully crafted veneer that seems to shake on its foundation every time the man looks at her.

I want this more than I’ve wanted anything, ever. He’s consuming my senses, until there’s nothing but heat and sweat between us, bodies pressed together.

I'll admit, there wasn't much depth to this book. Don't go reading it expecting some deep meaning or carefully constructed and complex plot. But if you're looking for a super fun, sexy read, a la Alexa Riley, this one just may do it for you.

Will I read the next books in the series? Absolutely. It's one of those fun, shut your brain off and enjoy sort of books that a girl needs every now and then. I read it, I enjoyed it, and I'm not sorry! Domineering alphas aren't always my thing, unless they're Boone Price.

I’m a red-blooded man and I’ve wanted women in the past, but there’s something about Ivy Smithfield that makes me think I never knew lust until I set eyes on her. She’s changed the entire game for me.

Another great series from Jessica Clare. I loved the chemistry between the characters and how they are both searching for more and are a little gobsmacked when they realize they are searching for each other... even if it's not in the way they originally thought.

I can't wait for book two. Clare reminds me yet again why her books are a no-brainer. I'll continue to click them sight unseen.

Four Stars and Four Wet Panties.

ARC Review by Miranda at Mommy's a Book Whore.

Tabs’ review of Dirty Money (Roughneck Billionaires, Book 1) by Jessica Clare
Contemporary Romance published by Intermix 17 Jan 17

Jessica Clare starts a new series with a ridiculous over-the-top redneck self-made billionaire who sees something he wants and goes for it full bore. In this case, he decides he needs a glamorous woman to help him gain respect from San Antonio society, sees a pretty real estate agent in a promotional flyer, and decides she’ll be his.

Boone is, quite frankly, rather insane. He’s aptly described at one point as “Pig Pen from Charlie Brown, just aged a few years.” He has an innate gift for finding oil-rich well sites, which has turned himself and and his equally uncouth trailer-residing brothers into unexpected billionaires. He also has a mean streak and doesn’t handle insult well. His fury usually results in the fire department showing up (all legal-like, though!).

Ivy is a smart, young woman struggling to make ends meet and better herself. She’s dealing with problems every which way she turns. At work, she has sexist jerk bosses who steal her best clients and leave her with barely enough work to make ends meet. At home, she has a younger sister about to head to college and who she’s trying to give better than she herself got. The relationship between Ivy and her sister Reba is really relatable. Ivy is such a protective older sister. She struggled to make ends meet when she was Reba’s age and she wants Reba to have a better life. Boone swooping in and wanting her to be his realtor for a McMansion purchase is just what she needs to get on the right track. But he’s hellbent on romance and she doesn’t quite know what to do with that.

"I’m still feeling slightly dazzled by how he treats me. Like I’m some sort of rare jewel he feels lucky to have run across. I’ve never encountered that before. It’s… nice."

Boone and Ivy are really sweet together. Once Ivy gets on board with the idea and their whirlwind courtship really gets under way, watching them have fun together is really satisfying. But Ivy’s keeping Boone in the dark about just how similar their blue-collar backgrounds are and is afraid to tell him once she realizes he probably won’t react well. The conflict makes sense, especially for a new relationship, and it plays out well. I know a lot of people are understandably noping out on billionaire romances nowadays, but if amusing crazypants-over-the-top obsessed heroes still float your boat, this book is likely right up your alley.

Grade: A-

DIRTY MONEY is book 1 in Jessica Clare's Roughneck Billionaires series. The hero in DIRTY MONEY is different from any other billionaire hero Jessica Clare has written about before. Boone Price is a self-made tycoon, but he neither knows nor cares about the rarefied life of the social jet set. Boone is a man who knows about hard work and has a tough exterior. What bothers Boone is the disdain shown him by people who mock him, or disrespect him, because he doesn't look or act like the powerful and wealthy man that he is. Attractive realtor Ivy Smithfield seems like just the woman to give him a touch of class.

Boone has an earthy sexuality and is a rough and tumble kind of guy. What he lacks in tact or any kind of social graces, he makes up for by being honest with Ivy about his feelings for her. I also really like how Boone constantly confides in Ivy and tells her about his life in order to build a deeper connection with her, rather than have a purely sexual one. All those positives balance out the manly swagger and alpha tendencies. Because DIRTY MONEY is told from alternating perspectives, the reader gets Ivy's take on why she insulates herself from Boone as much as she is able. On some level, Ivy knows that Boone wouldn't turn her away because her pedigree is as lowly as hers, but her fear keeps her from taking a chance. Her fear and determination to be self-reliant make Ivy a realistically flawed and sympathetic character. DIRTY MONEY is part breezy, fun, and sexy story about a billionaire looking for a trophy wife but finding a soul mate instead, but it's also an intense character-driven story with emotional resonance.

DIRTY MONEY is a little bit down and dirty but a whole lot of sexy, with fun characters. Jessica Clare once again succeeds at getting the reader to empathize with her characters - perfectly capturing their anxieties as well as their moments of joy. I like how this hero and heroine wind up having more in common than they would ever imagine, and how those similarities create a soul- deep affinity between them. I love Jessica Clare's books and can't wait to see where she goes with this "Roughneck Billionaires" series.

I have really mixed feelings for Dirty Money.

My true rating for this book is 2.75/5 stars. I didn't hate it, but I didn't like it very much either. But it's still very readable, but the characters drove me nuts... Like I said, very mixed feelings.

Okay, I'm going to start with what I liked.

Yes! I thought. A different kind of billionaire. I love my billionaire heroes, but I have to admit a lot of the time they're one and the same: smooth, sophisticated, well-cut suit, coiffed hair, worked in a high rise office with corner windows. Then, here comes Boone: a dirty roughneck with unkempt hair, Duck Dynasty-style bushy beard, trailing dust wherever he goes, and basically the opposite of sophisticated. Did I swoon and fall for him? No. Because he did some stuff that made me side-eye him, which I'll get into later. But I appreciated the fact that we got a different type of hero in Boone.

Another thing I liked was the writing. It was very readable. It was paced well, and there weren't any parts that dragged. It was well-written. Oh, and the smexin' was HOT!

Now, what I didn't like.

Boone was this uncouth guy, but I didn't mind that about him. There's something sexy about a hardworking, dirty man.

But Boone did some crazy shit. Like, when he went to confront this one rich guy at a golf course and this guy and his other rich buddies turned their noses up at Boone, which understandably upset Boone. If there's one thing Boone hates, it's people looking down at him. So, to get back at these people, he decided to buy their golf course (because he can afford it) just to torch it down to the ground. Like, that'll show 'em for disrespecting me! He did ended up doing something nice to the golf course after he burned it to the ground so that sort of redeemed his actions. But, there were also other instances where he just threw money at situations because he didn't want to deal with it, or he threw money to get what he wanted. Personally, for me, throwing money to solve problems is not sexy no matter if you can afford to.

Another thing was how Boone found Ivy: he saw a picture of her on an real estate ad (because Ivy worked in real estate company) and from seeing her picture he decided she's the classy lady he wanted as his wife. So, he goes to her place of work and within a day of meeting her, he proposes marriage. Boone continually would do these things where if it happened in real life, it wouldn't be romantic, it'd be creepy. However, as much as I didn't like some of his actions there was something endearing about Boone so I couldn't really dislike him.

As for Ivy, I wasn't a big fan of hers. She hit two of the things I hate most about heroines: she's the martyr type (she worked herself to the bone so that she can give her little sister the college education she didn't have, but she refused to tell her sister that she can barely keep food on the table and pay the bills every month--like, why? If her little sister was a young child, I would've understood keeping money troubles from her, but her sister was in college. If she got sick, what then?) and she kept a big secret about herself--lied to Boone--pretty much the entire book that she's not the rich, classy lady Boone thought she was. And she kept lying until about 87% of the book. She was also kind of hot and cold towards Boone (which is another strike against her) where she'd pull away and avoid him for a few days whenever he'd ask anything personal.

And when the "I love yous" came between the two of them, I really wasn't feeling it, especially from Ivy.

So, basically, I read Dirty Money to get to the next book in the series. Boone is the oldest of five roughneck billionaire brothers and I wanted to the next brother's book. While this particular book didn't quite for me, I do want to continue on with the series. This series is like the sexy, steamy version of Duck Dynasty and I'm all for that. If you like your billionaires rough around the edges and a lot dirty, give this series a go!

When my co-blogger told me about this book I couldn't stop thinking about it. I wanted to read it so badly! So what did I find when I started it? An enjoyable, super hot, quick and sweet story.
Boone is my favorite billionaire! He is hot, possessive, bossy, protective and sweet. He will do whatever is needed to make the girl he wants happy.
The story is generally a little bit over the top and there were moments I found it a little crazy for me but this didn't stop me from loving it! It was entertaining and so hot!

I have quite liked all of Jessica Clare's billionaire different series so I was super stoked for this one. Here we have Boone Price who is a bit of a uncouth billionaire who wants to make a point. With this having a 'classy lady' on his arm is the key. After seeing a quick real estate brochure, he finds his target but it ends up much more than just arm candy.

I was digging this book and loving Boone Price but is was Ivy who made me not like the story as much. For one, her secret was dragged on for WAY TOO LONG. And for two, when he was trying to make amends he sent her flowers and presents daily and her response was "I wasn't sure if you wanted to hear from me." What the ever loving eff?

On Ivy

~Ivy doesn't call me. No surprise there. She hates confrontation, and the moment someone gets in her face and asks questions, she runs away to hide. ~

I don't mind a bit of running but when the heroine runs the whole book I get tired of it real quick. I liked many elements of this book but Ivy was the thorn in my side that made me not like this book as much as I could have. However, it was still full of Jessica's sweetness and humor which helped me like the book just not love it.

When I think of billionaire romance stories, this was not the scenario that comes to mind. And see, that was what was so appealing about Dirty Money. Dirty Money breaks the romance book rules for me in many ways, but I ended up not caring so much about that when all was said and done.

A rough guy billionaire, Boone Price, grew up dirt poor and scratching out a living working the oil rigs of West Texas discovering he has a specialized skill that leaves him and his brothers set for life and waaaay out of his element. Boone is troubled by the superior attitudes of other people who either want to change him into something he’s not or treat him like the dirt he is covered in after a hard day’s work. His plan is to buy a big house and have a classy woman. He thinks he has all that covered when he spots a real estate office ad with a classy realtor on the front who can sell him a house and he’ll sell her on being with him.

Ivy Smithfield has clawed her way slowly toward the life she wants that’s far from living in a beat-up trailer, a dad in prison, and low wage dead in jobs. When Boone comes through the door in his trucker hat, soiled clothes and rough looks, her boss pushes him off on her thinking he’s not worth it. Privately she agrees, but it’s not the clients fault she needs a big commission to pay some bills. However, not ten minutes into their encounter, Ivy is left spinning by Boone’s announcement that he wants a 40-bedroom home and her because she’s classy. If he only knew.

So this one was a fun one the way larger than life Boone went after what he wanted. He’s starkly honest, confident and sees no barriers if he wants something badly enough. Ivy is his opposite in that she lies all the time and even to herself, she has little confidence, and her life is full of barriers. They come from the same place, but Ivy is terrified of letting Boone see this which makes up much of the conflict in the book.

This is one of those books that is an exception in that Boone wants Ivy the second he sees her. There is insta-everything with him. He wants in Ivy’s panties and is honest about it. He is also a steamroller in that he never takes things slow or follows the rules if he doesn’t want to. ‘NO’ is not a word in his vocabulary. I shouldn’t have liked him, but I ended up loving his character and cheering him on. Ivy was always a struggle for me because of the lying. She frustrated me to no end. The moment of truth was as bad as I thought it would be. I understood her issues so I never hated her and even wanted her to break through her doubt and fear.

Now, there are brothers… and I do look forward to getting their stories.

All in all, Dirty Money is a light and lusty blue-collar billionaire romance that hit the spot with its quirks, depth, and passion. I can definitely recommend it for those who want a down to earth rags to riches story.

My thanks to Penguin Group for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

RAW. SEXY. DIRTY. What an absolutely entertaining read! Dirty Money is the first book in a new series by Jessica Clare and it is pure fun and entertainment. From the rough around the edges new billionaire Boone Price to the secret keeping not so rich Ivy Smithfield to the crazy storyline, Dirty Money is totally worth checking out. If you are looking for an escape to the world of HOT, alpha Texas men, then you’d best start off with Boone Price!

What’s it About? Boone Price and his brothers go from working the oil rigs to billionaires practically overnight when they find out that their hunting land is on top of one of the biggest oil wells in North America. Suddenly Boone has more money than he knows what to do with. Boone starts acquiring a taste for the finer things in life all while he’s learning to navigate his new social and financial status. He thinks a trophy wife might help him and when he sees realtor Ivy Smithfield he figures she’s the perfect candidate. She’s classy, and lives a life of luxury, or so he thinks. Ivy’s actually as poor as Boone was, but she’s his match in every way and then some. So now Boone has to decide if he wants the perfect trophy wife or if he wants Ivy as she is.


Describe the hero in five words: Funny. Arrogant. Possessive. Mischievous. Stubborn.

Did you like him? Most of the time.

Why? I really don’t like possessive or over the top arrogant males and Boone was definitely that BUT what saved him in my eyes were his other traits that made him a larger than life kind of guy. He had no verbal filter, zero shame, and remained a hard working, everyday guy even though he wanted to have the respect of the “rich guys’ club.” He totally surprised me because I was not prepared to like this arrogant alpha. Yes, there were moments that I was like “Come on man! Seriously?” And the macho side of him was a little hard to get past so Boone won’t be everyone’s cup of tea (He very nearly wasn’t mine) but he had his irresistible moments and at the heart of it all he’s just a guy trying to adjust to the extraordinary circumstances he’s found himself in.


Describe the heroine in five words: Stubborn. Determined. Witty. Strong. Sarcastic.

Did you like her? Yes.

Why? I love a female character who doesn’t let the odds beat her. Ivy was a very hard working woman who was determined to make her business a success. As a person she had a lot in common with Boone so it made it easier for her to fight back whenever he got to be “too much” male and that happened quite a bit. Ivy’s no pushover, she’s no weakling waiting for a superhero to come and save her, she can save herself thank you very much. I wasn’t totally on board with her at first but she changed my mind pretty quickly.


How convincing were the main characters as a couple? It took some time for me to be convinced that Boone and Ivy were a good couple mainly because of Boone’s insta-love for Ivy. He had this “See. Want. Buy. Have” attitude that didn’t allow for a realistic and genuine connection and growth with Ivy and I wasn’t feeling it for about a quarter of the book. The physical chemistry between them was on point though, it just took a little longer for me to believe that there were genuine feelings for them. The best part of these two was their back and forth because they’re both so stubborn and unwilling to bend to the other that it brought out some very entertaining exchanges.



Is there a “Scooby Gang” worth mentioning? Boone’s brothers are a hoot when they’re all together. I can’t say who I’d like to get their book next though.



How “Lost” did you get in the story? I read Dirty Money fairly quickly, even with Boone’s over the top antics I found the story to be entertaining and flowed easily. Some parts of the story were a little farfetched and unbelievable but the overall result was fun. Readers get to see things from both Boone and Ivy's point of view and while I'm not a fan of first person pov, I will say that Jessica Clare did a good job of providing a well rounded set up for this romance.


Click It or Skip It? Boone and Ivy aren’t for everyone but they can be a lot of fun if you give them a fair shot. I would Click It. I’m curious to see how

Grade: C-

Boone Price and his brothers are or rather were roughnecks-oil drillers. When they discover oil on their property, the money flows in as fast as the oil gushes out. Now a billionaire, Boone finds he’s more than ready for the respect that should come with his new found wealth. When it doesn’t, he decides what he needs is some class in his life. Enter Ivy Smithfield. Blonde, gorgeous, and intelligent with legs that don’t stop, Boone has found his trophy wife. But Ivy has a few secrets of her own. And she is positive that Boone will drop her in a heartbeat when he finds out the woman he wants doesn’t exist.

Dirty Money is the first in a romance contemporary series that follows the four Price siblings as they look for love in all the wrong places. This spirited romance requires a definite suspension of belief and some common sense as Clare introduces a rambunctious storyline with some raunchy lovin’ and characters who go all out and then some for love. Boone and Ivy come out strong but soon dissolve into a puddle of misunderstandings and temper tantrums. Ivy’s lying drags the storyline down and I found Boone’s attitudes on money and women tacky as the story wore on. I think the series has plenty merit, I’m just not sure it’s for me.

Boone Price and his brothers are billionaires—oil billionaires. But deep down they’re just a bunch of Roughnecks that got lucky—a billion times over. But all their money can’t buy respect. Boone’s determined to “class” up their business and he’s set his sights on Ivy Smithfield. Boone’s view of Ivy is she’s classy and beautiful and would look terrific on his arm. Now to just meet her and make her his.

Her face is expressive. I can see the exact moment she realizes I just declared by intentions. Hell, I did more than that. I fucking planted a stake on that hill and stood on it, beating my chest.”

Pretty as a picture. A picture speaks a thousand words. Ivy’s role at Three Jack’s realty office can be pretty much summed up as that. She’s the token woman in the office—and desperate to make something of herself. She’s very attracted to Boone and his “caveman” ways, but she’s hiding the true about her real life circumstances. And what’s going to happen when the truth comes out?

I loved this rags to riches story. Boone and his brothers we’re such fun. I loved how each of them behaved with their new found money. Boone especially. I loved how he just took charge and made people pay for how they treated him. Loved how he took care of his own… *giggle* Loved how he took care of Ivy.

And Ivy. God, could the woman be more awesome? She’s pulled herself up by her boot straps to leave her poor roots behind her and make a better life. She just needs a break and some luck. And someone who sees the real her. That’s Boone. I loved the two of them together. They were adorable and so very sweet and down and dirty sexy. A perfect balance. A near perfect book. An un-put-down-able book. And I can’t wait for more in this Roughneck Billionaires series.