The Bastard Billionaire Customer Reviews

This installment is the best of the Billionaire Bad Boy series. Eli Crane has a depth and pain that runs far deeper than Reese and Tag. Likewise, love interest, Isabella Sawyer, seems much more self-possessed and emotionally mature than Merina Van Heusen and the infuriatingly insecure Rachel Foster. She tackles Eli’s difficult nature head on until she falls in love with him.

It was very frustrating seeing such a strong woman become difficult and jealous and lie to herself, believing she can continue a casual affair with her heart in the mix. The strong Isa we’re introduced to devolves into a fretful mess who can’t be upfront with the man she’s sleeping with without allowing an argument and breakup ensue.

The killing blow is when Isabella compares her desire to have her needs met to the way her toxic ex treated her, convincing herself that she was too hard on poor Eli, who was stalling and playing games with her feelings due to his own, honestly irrational fears.

Their love story is a hot one, oftentimes a cute one, but an immature one same as the rest.

Still an enjoyable, quick read but it’s hard watching a good girl go bad.

This is the third book in the Billionaire Bad Boy series and each book is a stand-alone. It is the first book I have read by Jessica Lemmon and I enjoyed it so much I now want to read the first two books in the series.

This story is about Elijah Crane, a man devastated by war and trying to come to terms with his new life after being in the military. Now that he is no longer in the Marines, Elijah’s family insists he work for Crane hotels, the family business. Elijah grudgingly takes the job and vents his frustrations on his personal assistants.

Isabella is trying to establish her personal assistant company, Sable Concierge, but Elijah keeps scaring off everyone she sends to work for him. Isabella can't fail and lose the Crane account, so she decides to become Elijah’s personal assistant. Elijah tries to run Isabella off but his surly attitude doesn't bother her. Isabella is gutsy and self assured and even though Elijah continually tries to fire her, she does not let him intimidate her. Elijah has met his match when he meets Isabella.

Underneath all Elijah’s gruffness, there is a sensitive and likable guy. All he wants is to be left alone but his meddling family is constantly interfering and

bothering him. Elijah is attracted to Isabella but he is dealing with so many issues, he is afraid to take a chance with her. He is no longer the self assured playboy he was before he fought in the Middle East. I liked Elijah once I got to know him. He has a bad attitude but it is easy to feel sorry for him and understand his feelings. Elijah has a closed heart and it isn't easy for him to open up and let isabella in. He is afraid of commitment and uncommunicative and Isabella has to decide if she is willing to wait around for him to decide what he wants. Elijah and Isabella have a lot of chemistry and are good for each other and I was rooting for them to work things out.

Not only did I enjoy the two main characters, this story also has some entertaining secondary characters. The Cranes have a good time together and there is a lot of good natured bantering between them. They are funny and love to give Elijah a hard time but they are also there when he needs them. THE BASTARD BILLIONAIRE is smoothly written with funny lines and interesting characters.

I received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review for Netgalley and Cocktails and Books.

This is the 3rd book in the Billionaire Bad Boys series. This book can be read as a standalone novel. For reader understanding and enjoyment, I recommend reading this series in order.

Elijah AKA Eli meets Isabella AKA Isa (or Sable) when she comes to work for him as his assistant. He has fired and sent away all the others she has tried to get him to work with. A battle torn veteran, he has lost more than his leg.

Isa puts up with a lot of attitude from Eli so she can build up her business. She decides to put herself in as the temporary employee. The sparks star flying from the moment they meet.

This series is always full of heat, hot men, and surprises. This story fits in very well. We get to see more of our favorite characters from previous books as also. Such a fun read.

***This ARC copy was given by Netgalley and its publishers, in exchange for an honest review only.

4 1/2 STARS!

Another awesome Crane brother! I have loved this entire series and just can't fathom that it's over ... can't we find a long lost sibling somewhere? :) The characters are great, the family connection is so heartwarming, and the chemistry is off the charts! There was some weakness in the plot in that he really had too easy of a transition back into real life with no PTSD, etc. other than a little survivor's guilt, but overall it was a great book!

Former Marine Elijah Crane is not adjusting well to being home. He worked hard to heal after the injury that ended his military career, and now he just wants people to leave him alone. He does NOT want to take on a roll in the family business no matter how much his brother's continue to harass him about it. They keep sending one personal assistant after another to his home office to try to get him doing work and he keeps running them off ... until she walks in the door ...

Isabella Sawyer's employment agency is soon going to get a bad reputation for all of the assistant's the Crane's are going through, so she decides to take matters into her own hands and shows up herself as the next assistant for Eli. Her no nonsense attitude catches his attention immediately and soon he doesn't want her to leave! They end up being good for each other and their passion is mega hot ... but can it lead to anything real?

Eli is most definitely surly, trying to chase everyone away so he can be alone. He never counted on Isabella coming in and turning his world upside down. She is the perfect match for him, always pushing and challenging him, and not taking his crap. The chemistry is off the charts as soon as they meet, and even though they give in to the attraction, Eli cannot or will not offer Isabella more than a physical relationship. Unfortunately, Isabella wants more than Eli can offer, and after previously being in a loveless relationship, she knows she deserves it. I loved the slight Beauty and the Beast theme going on and that they both grew and changed throughout the book. If you love broody heroes, then Eli is perfect for you! I've really liked this series and was especially looking forward to Eli's book - I was not disappointed!

4.5 stars

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book. I was not compensated for this review, all conclusions are my own.

I've been waiting for Eli's book from the beginning of this series; I just knew I was going to love it and I wasn't wrong. The books standalone so don't worry if you haven't read the others first. Each of the Crane men are unique, and so are their stories, but Eli's been to war and come back a different man.

Isabella Sawyer's company, Sable Concierge, depends on references from high-profile clients. She has been hired by Crane Hotels to provide someone to help Eli get organized and transition back into the family business and take his place as COO of Crane Hotels. After Eli fires 10 PAs sent from her company she decides to tackle the beast head-on herself.

This story grabbed right from the beginning. I'm a sucker for a man suffering the way that Eli is and the story is all the sweeter when that man meets his match in a strong woman like Isabella. Jessica Lemmon's attention to detail regarding Eli's injury and the pain he feels makes this story so believable. I know it's fiction but the story and characters seem very real to me and all of my emotions were engaged. I wanted to hold and cuddle Eli and at the same time smack him and tell him to wake up so he doesn't lose Isabella. The path to their HEA is not smooth or without pain for both of them but Jessica delivers as she always does.

It was great to once again visit with the other members of the Crane family in this book. The only thing I can think of that would make this series better is another story to catch us up with the lives of all the Cranes a year or two down the road.

A review copy was provided by the publisher via NetGalley but this did not influence my opinion or rating of the book.

*****Reviewed for Xtreme-Delusions dot com*****

In the Bastard Billionaire by Jessica Lemmon we meet he third of the Crane brothers, Eli. Eli has been the most enigmatic of the brothers, the Marine off fighting for his country. When he returns home it is after the death of his friends and missing a limb. “Beastly” Mr. Crane meets his match in the owner of Sable Concierge. Just like his family, Isa refuses to let him wallow and takes him head on. Lemmon treats the very real issue of soldiers acclimating to life at home after war, especially after losing a limb, with great care and reverence. Eli and Isa’s story is so much more powerful because Lemmon tackles those issues head on. This is as much Eli learning to live as it is them reaching for their HEA. Bonus, we get to catch up with all the other Cranes as they refuse to let Eli wallow, too. If you haven’t read this series start at the beginning. It isn’t required, but you will thank me for the advice. If you like wounded heroes this book is definitely for you.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this novel.