Kristie J’s review of Dirty Scoundrel (Roughneck Billionaires, Book 2) by Jessica Clare
Contemporary Romance published by InterMix 21 Nov 17
This next installment is the second oldest brother Clay’s tale. I quite liked Boone in the first book, but Clay stole my heart in this one. He’s the much happier and easy going of the brothers. He still goes after what he wants just like his big brother, but he’s more laid back about things, for the most part that is. When it comes to his lady love, it’s a different story.
Years ago while in high school, he was deeply in love with Natalie Weston, as she was with him. This was years before oil was discovered and he was just graduating high school, so he didn’t have a whole lot to offer Natalie except his undying love. He’s all set to meet with her and her father at a local restaurant where he plans to propose. But just her father meets him and does a number on Clay and then later on Natalie, which results in the end of their romance. Seven years later neither has been able to move on.
After their breakup Natalie was planning on going to Stanford, but she never made it, when her father had a stroke and she had to stay to look after him. He was a very famous actor in his day and the only way she can think to make enough money is to run a rather tacky museum dedicated to his movies. She deeply regrets the misunderstanding she had with Clay all those years ago, but figures it’s too late now.
But surprise! It’s not. Clay never forgot Natalie, and after seeing how happy his big brother is, he figures it’s his turn to use his money to get what he wants. He finds Natalie and offers to pay all her bills if she agrees to be his ‘assistant.’ Of course, she turns him down flat at first. But she’s in desperate circumstances financially and is still in love with him, so she finally agrees. Clay is such a sweetheart, and right away feels terrible about how he got Natalie back in his life. But back she is and he’s not going to let her get away again. They eventually actually talk about what went down all those years ago and it comes out that it was her father’s doing. But when tragedy strikes – and, I confess, I did not see it coming – Natalie has to be there for Clay in a way neither could have imagined.
Clay, Clay, Clay. He likes to think of himself as a scoundrel, but he’s really so not – and even he admits that he doesn’t have a single scoundrel bone in his body. I love a hero who is wrecked for the heroine and that’s exactly what Clay is. So wrecked, in fact, that although he’s almost 27 he’s still a virgin. There was just never a woman who interested him enough to jump into that particular pool. And since Natalie has been the caregiver for her father, as well as trying to run the museum, well, there just has never been time for her either to get into another relationship.
These two together are so sweet. I found her much better than Ivy from the previous book. She’s a bit too glued to her selfish father, but it’s very understandable in this case. And did I mention how yummy Clay is? I think I did, but one can’t say it enough.
Again though, as in the last book, there are pages and pages of sex. Once these two get down to business, they really get down – and I do mean down, if you know what I mean. And, as with the first book, I just ended up skipping most of it. And, as I said previously, no mention of mothers. I just don’t get that.
Grade: B+
Summary:
Clay Price has everything he’s ever wanted, except the one thing money can’t buy—Natalie Weston. Years ago, Clay and Natalie were in love…until she turned down his marriage proposal. Now Clay and his brothers are oil-rich billionaires, and they can have whatever they want. And what Clay wants is Natalie in his bed, no matter what it takes. If it means being ruthless, he’ll do it.
Natalie gave up on true love years ago when the realities of the world destroyed her fairy-tale hopes. Giving up Clay is her biggest regret in life, and she’s excited to see him return…until she finds out why. Clay’s got one hell of a proposal for her: he’ll save her father’s business and bail Natalie out of debt if she’ll agree to become his very personal assistant. It’s clear that he wants more from her than just typing.
It’s also clear that Natalie has no choice. This scoundrel’s bet could destroy any hope they had of reconciliation—or it could bring them together once and for all…
No excerpt available.
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