Breathless in Love

The Maverick Billionaires, Book 1

By: Bella Andre, Jennifer Skully

Narrated by: Eva Kaminsky

Length: 9 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's Summary

Meet the Maverick Billionaires, an exciting and emotional contemporary romance series about sexy, self-made men from the wrong side of town who survived hell together and now have everything they ever wanted. But when each Maverick falls head-over-heels for an incredible woman he never saw coming, he will soon find that true love is the only thing he ever really needed....

Will Franconi has a dark past that he's kept a closely guarded secret; very few people have ever heard his real story, and he plans to keep it that way. After surviving a hellish childhood, he's now living the dream life, where everything he touches turns to gold. But something's missing. He doesn't quite know what until a simple letter from a teenage boy brings Harper Newman into his life. A woman who just might fill up the empty places inside him...if only he could ever be worthy of her love.

When a man has more money than he could possibly spend in five lifetimes, Harper has to ask herself what Will Franconi could possibly want from a woman like her. She's learned the hard way that rich men always get what they want no matter the cost. If it was just herself she had to worry about, Harper would manage, but she's guardian to her younger brother, who depends on her for everything. After nearly losing his life in a car crash, she's vowed never to let anyone hurt him ever again. Still, sometimes Harper can't help but long to change her story from one of an always-cautious woman to an adventurous tale of a heroine who's wild and free...especially when Will's kisses and caresses make her utterly breathless. And as he begins to reveal his story to her, she discovers that he's so much more than just another wealthy, privileged man. He's kind and giving, and he fills up all the spaces inside of her heart that have been empty for so long. Together can they rewrite their stories into a happily ever after that neither of them had previously thought was possible?

©2015 Maverick Oak Press (P)2015 Maverick Oak Press

Repetitive

Could have been 6-7 hours instead of 9-10 and not missed a thing. I found myself tuning out the way I do when I listen to a book I have already heard, even though this was a first listen. The story wasn't bad, but the two main characters repeated the same inner dialogue so many times I kept thinking I accidentally hit the rewind button.

Cheesy

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

This book is so cliche and cheesy - spending about 5 chapters on one simple scene that solely consisted of them checking each other out while first meeting and riding in luxury cars. I just couldn't bring myself to listen past this point. Clearly this book isn't story driven but an excuse to describe body parts and carry out a predictable plot. Don't waste your time.

What was most disappointing about Bella Andre and Jennifer Skully ’s story?

Boring and cliche

DNF@50%..

This could have been a very good book if it hadn’t been so long and repetitive. And the inner dialogue was just ridiculous: the same thing over and over again about Will’s time he spent with the Road Warriors, the bad things he’d done, and his switch to the Mavericks. And Harper’s indecision about Will. The only great thing about this book was the author’s writing of Jeremy. He’s the reason I read until 50%, chapter 19. Where Will and Harper were always confused and depressing Jeremy was always happy and fun. Take about 150 pages of this book away and it would have been interesting but I don’t know that I’ve ever read a 400 page book where things aren’t repeated over and over again, whether the things are said word for word or the words are changed around, they’re still the same. And his thoughts over wanting her but not being good enough for her? Wow! That’s been told a thousand times before.

There were the usual swearwords: da*m, h*ll, sh*t but that’s about all BUT there’s a pretty explicit sex scene that probably goes on for 15 to 20 pages. That’s all, up until I quit reading it. It was just too boring for me. I gave it back for a refund. 3 stars for not finishing and I want to be fair to the author.

As to the narrator: She did alright. The men sounded a little manly but she read with little to no emotion.

Hard To Finish…….

This was my first Bella Andrea story and I felt a little let down. I was expecting it to have more drama, action, romance….something, but it felt so watered down, it barely held my attention. I stopped listening several times, and had to force myself to finish. The writing was good, but the plot was mind numbingly dull, and the best part of the whole story was Jeremy. While I didn't connect to this story, I would still consider listening to another story by Bella Andrea.

Eva Kaminsky did an awesome job with the narration. I loved how she portrayed the characters, especially Jeremy.

loved

there was a little redundancy with the self deprecation of both leads. overall I was hooked and loved it!

Not a bad love story ;)

Any additional comments?

Breathless in love portrayed a young woman that has had to grow up to fast for her age due to circumstances in her life that were unavoidable. The heroine is a strong willed woman who does not ask or want anyone’s help until she meets Will. Will is the man that’s childhood was not at all normal and filled with disgrace. He has thought for many years that he was undeserving of love until he met Harper. They bring out the best in each other. She calms him and gives him clarity. He makes her feel like the woman that she is and allows her to be a young woman and not the mother figure she has had to portray since she was 22.

The story is gripping. Most could never imagine having to take on the responsibilities that Harper has been given. The narration was well done and portrayed by dual POV’s. Unlike most love stories where the man doesn’t want to settle and just wants to play the field, this story is reversed. Will realizes what he wants and goes after it and Harper is the one who is hesitant and takes longer to convince.

If you are looking for a sweet romance with a good back story then this listen is for you.

Awful - didn't finish

What would have made Breathless in Love better?

They could have done the entire book in one chapter - it was the same thing over/over. I didn't bother to listed to many of the chapters; skipped to the last! Not worth the time

What do you think your next listen will be?

Not sure

What did you like about the performance? What did you dislike?

Performance was fine - too bad she didn't have a good story

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Can't think of one except it was HIGHLY recommended - I plan to watch this closer from now one

Martyred Sister

I wanted to like Harper, a dedicated & caring sister to a younger mentally challenged brother Jeremy. While her heart was in the right place, she turned her responsibility as his guardian into the world's whiniest martyr.

When Harper & Jeremy met Will, a sensitive yet tortured millionaire businessman, Harper doesn't believe she is entitled to have a personal life, let alone a boyfriend. Whine, whine, whine. Harper beats herself up over everything - boring!

Breathless in Love would have been enjoyable if Harper had been less uptight and Will had gotten therapy to get over his painful past. At least the narration was excellent..

Another great psudo family saga!

I have loved each and everyone of Bella Andre books and this one is no different! I can't wait for the next one!

LOVELY FEEL-GOOD ROMANCE & A GOOD START

Billionaire Will and Hayley met because of Jeremy her teenage brother's love of fast cars and car lover Will had a hanger full of them and Jeremy was desperate to see them. A tragic accident had left the teenage Jeremy mentally impaired and he would always act like a much younger version of himself however he was loving, kind, thoughtful and a treasure. And that is exactly what Hayley, his care giver and big Sister, did, she treasured him, protected him and looked after him even though she had a successful business of her own to manage. She put his life and needs before her own which were buried deep and rarely thought of. And then things changed when she met the handsome and charming Will who was nothing like she was expecting.

Will had everything money could buy and yet something was missing and, as soon as he sets eyes on beautiful caring Hayley, he knew what it was - her..... and he also liked and had a tender spot for the fun loving Jeremy too. However, Hayley had to be the sensible Sister tentatively letting her barriers down as Will spent more and more time mentoring Jeremy. The chemistry and sparks were there and, through tender words and soft touches that led to caresses, Will finally unleashes the woman within. Will has mental anguish because despite being thoughtful, respectful and generous he is haunted by Demons in his past which often makes him feel inferior and unworthy of Hayley but it doesn't stop him.... nothing can. Until everything is perfect and one phone call destroys it all.

This is a sweet contemporary listen, 5 boys with bad backgrounds rise up to become self-made Billionaires with the help of a loving Foster family and now they're a tight group of best friends and business partners. Regarding the love story - I enjoyed and felt the connection all three characters had with each other and relished Will's slow approach towards the guarded Hayley. And when the passion, romance and sex was finally unleashed you could feel the hesitation, nervousness.... and the rush. My only negative thought was that I just couldn't see a powerful successful Billionaire be put off from ever getting naked because of a tattoo (can't say more).

Worth a credit? Dual POV's, good narration and a feel-good love story that had a subtle but positive message about brain injury and how it affects a family. It wasn't depressing, it didn't dwell on anything negative and focussed mainly on the positives and the blossoming romance. Lovely story and YES creditworthy.

predictable

Sorry its an OK listen but is typical of Bella's writing, I brought it as there was an additional author but not sure where she is . Die hard Bella fans will love it