Black Sheep Bargain (Billionaires of Boston #4) by Naima Simone really surprised me. A 
Revenge/Blackmail/Fake engagement story? I’m in!!
Nico Morgan is about to fulfill his goal, avenge his mother by destroying his late father’s company, and he needs a fiancée to convince his half brothers that he’s a good, settled man while he anonymously buys stocks to gain control of the company. Enters Athena Evans, his ex, as part of the plan. But how would he convince her to be his fake fiancée? By blackmail!!
Nico takes advantage of her family’s bakery financial problems to have her where he wants: if she wants to keep the bakery free of debts, Athena would pretend to be Nico’s fiancée for three months. Athena, on her part, accepts Nico’s bargain to save her adoptive grandmother’s legacy. Once the three-month bargain starts, things get very complicated for both of them.
Nico has a lot of rage and resentment in his heart. His father left his mother, pregnant with his child—Nico—and never claimed him as his son. On the other part and years later, he thinks Athena betrayed him when she left him. Yet he couldn’t keep his hands and his thoughts off her. Deep inside, he’s heartbroken for how things ended with Athena and how his father rejected him, masking his emotions with a ruthless determination of getting justice.
“Athena had reminded him of a very important lesson. Never become attached. […]
Only trust the one person who will never let you down—yourself.”
Athena, on her part, still suffers from their breakup. And she feels Nico abandoned her before she decided to end the relationship. As an adopted girl, Athena has abandonment issues, so she feels nobody really loves her, except her adoptive grandmother, the only one who really had her back until she died. Even her family always expected her to be the one who fixes other people’s mess.
“She was so fucking tired of being the perfect, hungry-for-love daughter.”
Part of Nico and Athena’s issues had its roots in Nico’s resolve to not let anybody in and Athena’s loyalty towards her adoptive family. Once they’re back together as a fake couple, sparks fly between them. At first, it’s a very palpable animosity, then a scorching passion. You can relate to every emotion these two shows through the plot. And that’s the best of this book—a so hot, intense and credible romance capable of making you feel it as your own.
Secondary characters takes a vital role in this book, especially when they influence directly and indirectly in the hero and heroine’s personality and/or their decisions in life. I like the bond Nico’s half brothers have between them and how they understand Nico and his behavior at some point.
The fourth and final installment of the Billionaires of Boston is a roller coaster of emotions as you travel through the main characters’ feelings and struggles. I loved Nico and Athena’s journey to happily-ever-after. This complex characters with their flaws and virtues having the happiness they deserve is a must read for every romance books lover.
Book Info:
Publication: August 23, 2022 | Harlequin Desire | Billionaires of Boston #4
When revenge is on the agenda, anything can happen in this Billionaires of Boston novel by USA TODAY bestselling author Naima Simone.
The family bad boy is about to make good
But he needs his ex’s help!
Outsider CEO Nico Morgan vowed to avenge his mother, who was left brokenhearted when his father abandoned them years ago. Teaming up with his ex, Athena Evans, to infiltrate his father’s high society circles is the first step. But their partnership unleashes long-buried emotions…and something more. Athena worries Nico’s quest to take down his father’s company won’t fill the painful void in his heart. But what if Athena can…
From Harlequin Desire: A luxurious world of bold encounters and sizzling chemistry.
You’ll be swept away by this bold, sizzling romance, part of the Billionaires of Boston series:
Book 1: Vows in Name Only
Book 2: Secrets of a One Night Stand
Book 3: The Perfect Fake Date
Book 4: Black Sheep Bargain
