The Billionaire Next Door

Jessica Lemmon's penchant for writing sweet, swoony, sexy-as-sin heroes is never more apparent than it is in her latest book, The Billionaire Next Door. Taggart -- Tag -- Crane has to be one of, if not the most endearing of Lemmon's book boyfriends. A free-spirited gentle giant with a heart bigger than his bank account, Tag Crane is as irresistible to Rachel Foster as he is to readers. While this book absolutely can stand alone, the tone of this book and temperament of these characters are different, lighter and more playful, than Lemmon's first installment in the series, The Billionaire Bachelor. Tag is far more laid back than Reese, and Rachel is timid in contrast to Merina, but Tag and Rachel challenge each other nonetheless; the crux of Tag and Rachel's conflict stems from her desire to exert her independence while he battles an overwhelming -- and unexpected -- drive to care and provide for her. And Lemmon's trademark humor and wit dance across the pages, giving life to these endearing, engaging, ebullient characters. The Billionaire Next Door certainly isn't skimping on the heat either. Whether they're cuddling in cold Chicago or seducing each other in the sand and surf in sunny Hawaii, Tag and Rachel's chemistry sizzles. The relationship Lemmon crafts between the two is enticing, exciting, and erotic in the best way possible. In fact, there's a shower scene so steamy that it will more than likely require readers to take a cold shower immediately after reading it. But more than that, the relationship that develops between Tag and Rachel is real, honest, heartfelt, and grounded in acts of love that are indicative of the foundation being laid. There's a real joy evident in the evolution of Tag and Rachel's romance. Lemmon again fills her fictional world with a colorful cast of secondary characters -- like Luc and Gena, who are unapologetically brash and irrevocably AWESOME -- and introduces Eli, the lost Crane brother and soon-to-be protagonist next in line for a happily ever after of his own. Tag has to be, hands down, one of my favorite book boyfriends; he's a paradox and a pleasure. The Billionaire Next Door is a fantastic installment in Lemmon's newest series, and I cannot wait to see more of Tag and Reese in Eli's book.

4 1/2 STARS! He couldn’t quite make me love him more than his brother Reese, but meeting Tag and going on this journey with him to finding love was a blast! I loved what a kind guy he is, I loved Rachel and I adored them together. Lots of laughter, some serious times, and a bunch of sexy chemistry make these two a whole lot of fun! Tag Crane prides himself on being the life of the party, and it’s what he’s good at. He’s working hard on a big project for Crane Hotels, but he’s being distracted by the dog downstairs barking for hours. He heads down to see if he can figure out what’s going on. Rachel Foster fell into a house sitting job that was the answer to her prayers, but while she’s also working full time at her bartender job, the dog is driving the neighbor crazy. And did she mention the neighbor is a drop dead sexy hunk of a billionaire?? She’d be a fool to fall for a player like him, but she can’t deny that she’s hooked with just one look, and what can it hurt to have some love ’em and leave ’em fun of her own? When Tag finds out she’s knowledgeable in some aspects of his big project at work, he coerces her into helping him out with his design. Adding close contact to the mix is a sure thing in getting her to loosen up and enjoy what’s right in front of her. But will they be able to walk away unscathed when the ride is over?

After Rachel's ex Shaun not only took credit for the work she'd done, but then stole the promotion she'd worked her rump off for, she quit the job she'd left the small town in Ohio for, but then dumped him. Now she's working as a bartender with her friend and roommate Bree, except now Bree has a new fiancé so she knows it's time to not only get some of her independence back, but learn to stand on her own two feet again. She gets some of her independence back when Oliver, one of her regular weekly customers asks her to stay in his penthouse to dog sit his Great Dane Adonis for a month while he has to travel for work. While there she meets Tag, the bad boy who lives on the next floor up. Who turns out to not only own the building, but be the youngest son to billionaire Alexander ‘Big’ Crane. Tag runs the restaurant side of Crane Hotels nationwide or “Guest and Restaurant Services,” as he describes it. Rachel thought of Tag as her long-haired, bearded neighbor, who closely resembles Tarzan, or maybe Thor instead. But he's a billionaire hotel magnate, he'd been intimidating physically, but now he's also monetarily intimidating, but oh so hot! Tag was sure Rachel liked him, but now he's not so sure. What's up with her, but maybe it's him? He's never been off kilter with any woman before, they always flock to him and although they only occupied his mind to a certain extent, he's never been one to fantasize, zone out, or lose sleep over any woman. But with Rachel he cannot shake the feeling of her fingers on his body, he just can't stop thinking about what her touch did to him, no other touch has ever been as welcome as hers had been. She has him so wrapped up, he doesn't know what to do and indecision isn't typically him. Usually if a woman gave the impression she didn't want to be around him or want him around he didn't care, he'd just walk away, there were plenty of women who wanted him. But he wanted the blonde, cute, dimple cheeked Rachel. She intrigued him, and he wasn’t going to give up or back away from what he wanted. She wouldn't be staying at Oliver's place much longer. So he came up with a plan to involve her in his bar-rehab project in Hawaii. Since she used to work for Winshop Luxury Hotels as their bar manager, who are one of Crane Hotels' major competitors. As well as currently bartending she had major in site for what was needed to help revamp the hotel bar, but it also gave him a chance to spend more time with her. What happens in Hawaii between Tag and Rachel? Does she stick with her plan of "just having fun", and come back to Chicago to start fresh, or do things become a permanent love story between them? You'll have to read THE BILLIONAIRE NEXT DOOR to find out. But it's worth the time to sit back and enjoy reading their spunky back and forth banter. Although this is Book 2 of the Billionaire Bad Boys series, it can be read as a standalone story, as I read it. I will however go back and read THE BILLIONAIRE BACHELOR (Book 1), just to read Reese's story! This is my first Jessica Lemmon book, but it won't be my last. I enjoyed her writing style and the heroine who stands up to the hot and sexy billionaire who thinks all women will just fall at their feet, awesome storyline! I received an ARC via Tasty Book Tours through NetGalley in exchange for a blog tour review. Due to sexual content this novel is recommended for readers 18 and older! FAVORITE PASSAGES ~ ~ then walked toward her. No, stalked. Stalked toward her like a lion. Or a panther. Or some big, muscled cat. Definitely a lion. Because he has a mane. ~ the girl for you will challenge everything you think you know about yourself. That’s how you know she’s a keeper.

I absolutely loved The Billionaire Bachelor (the first book in the Billionaire Bad Boys series) but The Billionaire Next Door didn’t grab me in quite the same way. Don’t get me wrong, I liked it a lot but it just didn’t affect my emotions the same way The Billionaire Bachelor did. Tag is a different sort of hero. He has long hair and dresses very casually. When our heroine, Rachel, first meets him she thinks he’s the dog walker who’s come to walk Adonis, the dog she is taking care of for a month. Rachel has been hurt badly by her ex. He took credit for her work and then got the promotion that should have been hers. She is not looking for another serious relationship. Tag isn’t really a love ‘em and leave ‘em guy; every one of his previous girl-friends is still his friend; no one can seem to stay mad at him. The relationship between Tag and Rachel develops slowly which is good for readers who don’t like insta-love type stories. I can’t find any fault with the writing of this story; the dialogue was witty and engaging. I really can’t put my finger on the reason that I wasn’t more captivated by it. One of the best parts for me was meeting Eli, the third Crane brother. I won’t give away any details but I’m betting that his story will push all of my emotional hot buttons and I can’t wait to read it. An advanced copy of this book was provided to me by the publisher via NetGalley but my review was voluntary and not required.

I really loved Tag and Rachel's love story. On their own they are each a fun character to read. Put them together and it is even better. Loved all of their interactions. Adding a great dane named Adonis doesnt hurt either. This is my favorite book now. P.S I want Adonis. I received a free, advance copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased review.

This is the 2nd book in the Billionaire Bad Boys series. This book can be read as a standalone novel. It may contain spoilers for those who have not read this series in order. Rachel has been hurt by an ex who didn't care enough about her. Tag has no plans to care about anyone. Together, they are so hot they are nearly combustible. Tag wants someone to care for. Rachel does not want to get involved with an obvious player. She is not ready for the feelings she and Tag are starting to feel. This series is just amazing. Really... and this book was a perfect addition. The heat nearly seared the pages off - so you have been warned - this book is HOT! I loved the character development we see. I loved the sparks that were flying. This story is a just a great read. ***This ARC copy was given by Netgalley and its publishers in exchange for an honest review.

I'm not a huge fan of Billionaire novels, but I'm eating my words on this one. It's funny, the romance builds slowly, and there's a Great Dane! This was a very enjoyable read. Rachel Foster is a bartender at Andromeda, a local Chicago neighborhood pub. She recently left a high powered marketing job when her ex took credit for her work and received her promotion. She is living with her best friend and co-bartender Bree while she is looking for a job in her background and trying to save money. She just had the most unbelievable stroke of luck..one of her regular's at the bar, Oliver, had hired her to dog sit for him in his luxury condo in Crane Towers. Living for a month in luxury and getting paid for it, can't beat that. She loves his dog, Adonis, a giant Great Dane. She will keep her regulars second shifts at the bar. Tag Crane, of the famous Crane family, lives in the penthouse of Crane Towers which he own's. His brother Reese is the CEO of the company and his other brother Eli is in the military. We met Reese and Merina in the first novel in this series, The Billionaire Bachelor. Tag is in charge of Guest and Restaurant services worldwide for the Crane hotels, and works hard at it. He is presently re designing the bar and restaurant for their Hawaii hotel. He gets a glimpse of Rachel as she 's running out to work. All blonde, petite with great legs. He's going to find out who she is! Tag loves women and dates a lot. Not a fan of relationships though. "Tag preferred to binge on the highs and bail on the lows." Listening to Adonis barking all night, he goes to check on Oliver, and finds himself staring into the blue eyed blonde. Isn't that interesting..... Tag and Rachel are immediately attracted, but after being humiliated by her ex, not ready to jump into another romance. Tag is patient, sexy and tries his hardest to make her realize he is not like her ex. When she's ready, the pages heat up! This can be read as a stand alone, the first in the series is also very entertaining. I'm looking forward to Eli's story. I received this ARC from the publisher and Netgalley. For an honest review. Pat Fordyce.