An emotional and romantic gem
5 Stars

I’m always excited for a new Rachael Stewart story but I was especially keen for this one as it’s the second in the Billionaires for the Rose Sisters series/duo and was teased in the first book, Billionaire's Island Temptation. The first book focussed on younger sister, Jessie, while this book is older sister, Hannah’s, story. The stories are taking place at roughly the same time and you don’t need to read the first to understand and enjoy this one - but go ahead and read it anyway!

So as I said, I was practically giddy with excitement about this story of uptight and emotionally closed off lawyer, Hannah, and her one-time best friend and fellow lawyer (and billionaire), Brendan. If that wasn’t delicious enough on its own, we skoosh the cream and dod the cherry on the top with some close proximity, surprise baby and some swoonworthy unrequited love.

At the start of our story, Hannah and Brendan’s friendship is pretty much broken - but Brendan is the only person Hannah can turn to when her husband files for divorce. So yes, Hannah is technically still married during the majority of the book and the beginning of her relationship with Brendan. I wondered if that would bother me - turns out it didn’t. Part of that reason was Hannah herself. At first I was frustrated with her reasons for wanting to be married and for distancing herself from Brendan. But as the book progressed, I started to understand her more and more, and also pretty much agree with her reasoning.

While Hannah grew on me, I loved Brendan from the very first. He was so totally in love with Hannah but determined to always be there for her - even if just as friends. He was smart, kind, caring and he might have been more than the perfect guy for Hannah, but just the perfect guy. I’m always worried that we might sacrifice a bit of the strong male-ness with a guy who’s a smitten kitten, but Brendan still managed to be the alpha, strong, sexy billionaire that we all want.

In terms of the writing and the storyline, well, you know it’s going to be immersive and deliciously emotive as Ms Stewart’s writing always is. She just knows how to write a romance with all the feels, the hot sex you’re dreaming of and make you want to keep on reading page after page. I felt this story was more emotional than many of her others as it deals with childhood trauma, guarding your emotions, being in control, divorce along with all the emotions of pending motherhood and falling in love. For those who are 38 or older (Hannah’s age in the story) and yet to have children, the warnings of the difficulties of pregnancy at that age (while true) can feel a bit depressing - but on the flip side, how can you fault something for being good enough to create feelings in you?

The story is actually quite simple but it keeps your interest from beginning to end. There are little flashbacks to add context to Hannah and Brendan’s back story and how they got to where they are. It doesn’t stop the flow of the story and it was nice to get some background info.

For all the emotional turmoil both we as readers, and Hannah and Brendan, go through to reach the happily every after in this story - it’s so worth it. I was left feeling uplifted, happy and content that both Rose sisters found their forever people. 5 stars for this romantic gem. ( )