GRR Reviews Secrets, Fireworks, and her Billionaire Boyfriend by Chelsea Hale

Sayler's boss is getting married and going on a six-week honeymoon, which means as exec assistant, Sayler will have to take a six-week vacation too. With nothing to do, Sayler went to her brother's mansion in "The Cove" in Seattle and met Brooks, her brother's jogging neighbor... when her brothers' in town (and he's not). Brooks is having PR nightmares, with a lot of fake photos, fake stories, and more released by unknown parties, all portraying his company negatively. He also wants to throw a spectacular July 4th party for the Cove... while his ex, Natalia, the head model for his clothing line, seemingly doing damage control, but is negotiating for a contract extension and pay raise. Saylor saved him by smoothing over his vendor problems and gave him ideas on how to solve his problems. But when Sayler found that Brooks has married Natalia, and did not get a divorce, she ran. Brooks needed her back for himself. Can he ever explain to her the truth... and will she listen?

A bit hypocritical, something even the author poked fun at... As Sayler knew not to take what you read too seriously... yet she took everything Natalia said as the gospel truth, never thought there was another explanation (annulment). 4/5

GRR Reviews Mr. Write by Chelsea Hale

Liz had to dump her "Mr. Perfect" only 4 days before their wedding. The pain was too raw, causing her to swear off virtually all men. She's happy to fill her life with her NFL player brother's charity, her job, and her graduate studies. But when his brother's biographer Tyler came to town for interviews, Liz is intrigued, after spilling root beer all over him. And Tyler is definitely into Liz, a lot. And the attention was reciprocated. But when it seems Tyler may skip his obligations toward Liz for his own book tour, will Liz's choice for Mr. Right / Write prove to be another monumental mistake?

Why is it that the darkest hour almost ALWAYS comes down to "worst-case assumptions, fragile ego"?  Good polish, great meet-cute, good build-up, but trope darkest hour. I have trouble imagining Liz suddenly feeling so inadequate she'd make that worst case assumption despite months of bliss. 4/5

GRR Reviews Snowed In with the Movie Star Billionaire by Chelsea Hale

Billionaire actor Jordan decided to sell his Vail Colorado cabin after a bit of a funk, but wanted a realtor that can respect his privacy. He got Madilyn... // Madilyn is the best in the biz, but even she's shocked at the lack of detail in the appointment... NDA, and ONLY pictures? Meeting Jordan was nice, but she's not impressed with his attitude. But when an avalanche closed roads, she's stuck with him for a few days. // Jordan was unsure around people who are resistant to his charms, and Madilyn was surely one of them. But even he realized that there is life away from the Tinseltown... but can it be with Madilyn, who does not trust him?

Hmmm... Clean, but not that interesting. 3/5

GRR Reviews Her Fake Christmas Eve Billionaire Boyfriend by Chelsea Hale

Emery threw herself into work when her boyfriend left her for her sister. It has been a whole year, but the wound had only deepened as her sister and his ex are now engaged to be married. Under pressure from mom, Emery made a white lie about going to her new boyfriend's place for the Holidays. But when mom let slip that grandpa had changed, Emery was forced to changed her plans... Except she doesn't have a boyfriend... Then her best platonic friend offered his other best friend, James. // James is rich and handsome, but it seems all the women around him are golddiggers. Desperate to see if he can be attractive without money, he just wants to be just "plain" James. When his best bud needed a little help for a friend, he can't refuse. Until he realized Emery wanted to hire him to be her fake boyfriend around her family. What was supposed to be a day or two with grandpa quickly snowballed into a week with her entire family... including her sister and her ex. James knew he shared something real with Emery, but is it love, or merely friendship? Is it real or pretend? And when his secret was revealed, will their relationship survive?

Good, but again, not great. The darkest hour is basically hypocrisy... She said she can't trust him because he lied, but her hiring him was a lie as well. But then, they usually are.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 4/5

NOTE: Tropes are now in the "Labels" below.

GRR Reviews The Undercover Resort Billionaire by Chelsea Hale

Callie can't believe she got taken by her fiancee... Who not only used her accounts to launder money for his ponzi scheme, he also max out her credit cards, took out a second mortgage on her house, and disappeared with all her business capital she needed to launch her dream. She ended up working at a resort, pulling every overtime she can, hoping to repay all her debt and save enough in a few years to relaunch her dream as a premium purse designer with her own product line. // Liam had been working at his family's resort empire since he was a teen. Now in his twenties, he just took over as CEO after his uncle had passed away. However, his uncle has a last request for him: go to this island and work undercover at the resort for two weeks, WITHOUT revealing his true identity. Else the ownership of the entire chain will be controlled by the board, NOT HIM. // Liam went to work as a trainee, and drew Callie as the trainer. Callie was helpful, and Liam was studious, even though he already knew all this. But Callie, stung by prior betrayal, can't tolerate a liar, and Liam, obligated to keep his identity a secret, was forced to lie. Yet there's no doubt there are sparks between Liam and Callie. When Liam finally revealed his true identity, will Callie run from betrayal?

Weird will combined with "undercover boss", chemistry is not bad. But the whole thing's a bit long-winded, and the darkest hour wasn't really that dark. it's basically Emma refuse to acknowledge the difference between an intentional lie and a forced lie.

Category: Contemporary

Overall Rating: 4/5

NOTE: Tropes are now in the "Labels" below.