29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Can't wait for the next 2 in the trilogy!, September 8, 2007
Every so often one picks up a book and for some reason it hits all of those deep buttons we try to ignore. In other words, we all like a Cinderella story even if we think we are far too sophisticated to want one! Sometimes series fiction rises above itself by being well-written and peopled with characters that get under your skin. For me, this book, despite its inane and rather juvenile title was one of those times when I was sure I was about to read something silly and shallow but I was, in fact, moved and entertained greatly.
Nurse Lizzie Bond hasn't had it easy. She works hard and lives modestly, caring for an elderly neighbour and mentally inadequate mother. When her neighbour dies, she tries to locate his family but when she does, she runs into a whole wall of contradictions. Working through them brings her close to Sean O'Banyon - Wall Street giant with a hurt soul and a heart full of angst. Seemingly opposites, Lizzie and Sean are each the missing half of the other.
This book is the first of a trilogy telling the stories of three brothers whose horrific childhood has marked each of them deeply. I, for one, can't wait for the next instalment for the author writes well, creates wonderfully well-rounded characters and tells a damned good story. Wonderful stuff!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Like a fine wine her books get better with age, August 16, 2007
I received my book yesterday and read the whole thing within two hours-- I simply couldn't put it down. I'll skip a long synopsis and instead state that Sean and Lizzie were definitely a random coupling. Lizzie is financially responsible for her mother, working two jobs to support them both. Sean is a rich playboy who earned every dollar of his money by putting himself through school. However, once he meets Lizzie he realizes that she might actually care about him for who he is and not his money. Jessica took the time to provide a good backdrop for Sean and why he has issues with trust. Excellent character development--at the end I was emotionally invested in ALL of the characters and not ready for it to be over so soon.
Jessica did a good job setting up the storylines for his brothers--I myself am definitely looking forward to Mac's story!
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a happily ever after with a few predictable bumps and twists along the way.
Also for those familiar with The Black Dagger Brotherhood we have a brief mention of one those lovely men in leather :) For those who are not familiar you are seriously missing out.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
LOVE!, February 11, 2010
JR Ward (aka `Jessica Bird') wrote `The billionaire next door' in 2007, the same year that `Lover Revealed' (Butch's story) and `Lover Unbound' (Vishous's book) came out.
`Billionaire next door' definitely has all the romantic characteristics we've come to expect from JR Ward. Strong Alpha male with a fractured background. Angelic heroine who pulls the hero out of his drudgery. And of course, hot sex scenes. I wasn't actually expecting such explicit sex because the book was published by Harlequin Silhouette, and for some reason I have this idea that Harlequin romance books are a little tame when it comes to the nitty gritty. The sex scenes aren't as hot and heavy as they are in the `Blackdagger' books (not so many dirty detailed descriptions - damn!) but they are sizzling and definitely add spark to Sean and Lizzie's romance.
`Billionaire next door' reminded me quite strongly of Rehvenge's book `Lover Avenged'. Rehvenge and Sean are both rich, successful Alpha males who had abusive childhoods. Elena and Lizzie are both nurses, currently experiencing tough financial times by being their single-parents soul providers - Elena's father had a form of Alzheimer's, while Lizzie's mother has some sort of mental disability. For a good portion of the book Sean keeps secret his true career and financial success from Lizzie, for a plethora of reasons - just as Rehvenge kept quiet about his being a nightclub owner (among other shady dealings).
There is a small nod to the `Blackdagger Brotherhood' during one of Sean's childhood flashbacks. He mentions that growing up his father wasn't much of a cook, and so Sean and his brothers relied on the kindness of his best friends mother. The best friend in question was one Butch O'Neal. Has to be the same cop turned vampire, right? Butch is a Southie boy who had a big family - and Sean mentions that Butch was one of five kids. Reading that small Blackdagger reference had me doing a little fan-girl squeal.
I really, really liked this book. It has all the best aspects of the Blackdagger Brotherhood, minus intense plot, heavy action and heroes vs. villains. It's just romance - boy meets girl and everything that ensues.
Perhaps the only negative thing about the book is the fact that it beautifully sets up a series (subsequent books intended to tell the story of Sean's older brother, Mick and younger brother, Billy) that by all accounts JR Ward has no real intention of continuing. It's a real shame because there is plenty of potential here - but rumour on the chat boards is that since the `Blackdagger' books blew up, Ward put the `O'Banyon Brothers' on the backburner indefinitely.
But `Jessica Bird' did write an earlier series for Harlequin, the `Moorehouse Legacy' series has 4 books, and I intend to read all of them because I was so impressed with `The Billionaire next door'.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
![[Start the discussion]](http://g-ecx.images-amazon.com/images/G/01/x-locale/communities/discussion_boards/start-new-discussion-sec._V192250339_.gif){kind=small}
