Release Blitz + Review: "Bargain with the Bachelor" by Tru Taylor

I'm delighted to take part in the release blitz celebrating "Bargain with the Bachelor" by Tru Taylor, book #2 of the Eastport Bay Billionaires series. Characters from the previous book make cameo appearances in this one, but it reads as a standalone.

"Bargain with the Bachelor" was a charming modern retelling of "Snow White" featuring incredibly likeable, well-developed lead characters and an engaging plot. There was a ton of chemistry between aspiring photographer Kristal Bianco and billionaire tech genius Hunter Bestia, but for various reasons, each was afraid to admit that they'd had a crush on the other since high school. Hunter never felt as if he was good enough for Kristal, but when she fell on hard times after the death of her father, it seemed as if he'd finally have an opportunity to prove his worth by offering Kristal a place to live. There was quite a bit of push-pull between them, with conflicts arising due to Kristal's determination to stand on her own two feet and Hunter's stubborn refusal to share his painful family history, but it was obvious how much they loved one another. I found it very easy to cheer them on to their HEA.

 

There were some very interesting personalities and backstories amongst the various secondary characters, particularly Hunter's friends and housemates (aka "the dwarves"). I hope several of them will return in future stories. I'm also excited for Kristal's best friend Cinda's story, which will be based on my absolute favorite fairy tale, "Cinderella." The teaser included at the end of this book was so good!

Overall, I highly recommend this funny, sweet, and heartwarming tale for all fans of contemporary romance and romantic comedy. I can't wait to get my hands on the next book of the series.

*Review copy provided by the author/publisher via Give Me Books Promotions. All opinions expressed are my own.

 

About "Bargain with the Bachelor"

You can’t completely comprehend the term “shaken” until you find yourself playing an accidental game of Seven Minutes in Heaven with your lifelong unrequited crush at a swanky society fundraiser.
—Hunter Bestia

Kristal:
So I’ve just been kicked out of my family home... by my wicked step-mother. I know, I know, sounds like something out of a fairy tale.

More like a horror movie.

But even I have no sympathy for the poor-little-rich-girl sob story, and I refuse to take charity, so I’ve traded my camera for a waitress’s order pad and put my dream of becoming a world-renowned photographer on hold.

The problem is I can’t keep couch-surfing at my best friend’s tiny house. I need a new place to live—the sooner and cheaper the better.

Hunter:
Thanks to a knack for coding and a whole lot of hard work, I’ve gotten almost everything I ever wanted growing up poor among the rich kids of Eastport Bay, Rhode Island.

Almost.

I’ve made my first billion, working with my six best friends is a blast, and women are throwing themselves at me everywhere I go.

Actually, that last thing wasn’t on my list.

There’s only one woman I’ve really ever wanted, and she’s still out of my league. All my money means nothing to her.

But then we end up accidentally spending seven minutes in heaven—in this case a dark room at a high society party—together, and I start to think she might not be so indifferent to me after all.

So I offer her a bargain she can’t afford to refuse. She’s desperate for a temporary place to live—my mansion has plenty of room.

And there’s no way I’m leaving Snow White out in the cold this winter.

Not when there’s even the smallest chance my lifelong unrequited crush might finally wake up and see I’m the prince she’s been waiting for. 

Bargain with the Bachelor is a full-length sexy small town rom com take on the Snow White fairy tale. It’s a standalone secret crush, friends-to-lovers, roommates, fake dating billionaire romance.