REVIEW: The Charmer by Ava Rani

The Charmer by Ava Rani: Penelope Chen-Astor is a high powered Manhattan lawyer who thrives on control, precision and staying ten steps ahead. But when her grandfather’s will demands she marry to claim her inheritance, her carefully curated life is suddenly on the line. Now if the archaic clause only effected Penelope she would have walked away from it all, but her mothers assets also hang in the balance and the only way for Penelope to protect her is to bend to her late grandfathers wishes. Enter Xander Sutton; biotech billionaire, effortlessly charming and the one man who makes her heart skip and her defences rise all at the same time. What begins as a no-strings-attached arrangement soon tangles into something far messier and much more real. From boardrooms in New York to moonlit rooftops in Singapore and fending of meddlesome family members Penelope and Xander navigate a whirlwind of family expectations, simmering tension and a growing connection neither of them planned for.

The Charmer is the third and final instalment in the Biotech Billionaires series by Rani, and let me just tell you that I have been loving this series big time. From the easy to love main characters, the relatable storylines and the down right swoony love stories, there really hasn’t been anything not to love about this series. In this book we get one of my all time favourite tropes a marriage of convenience turned epic love story, not only does Rani do a brilliant job in crafting this story but there is so much of heart and emotion packed in along with all the cute moments.

Penelope is a standout heroine; independent, cool headed and refreshingly blunt. Her struggle to reconcile familial duty with her own desires is portrayed in such a relatable manner. I really liked the fact that she is not looking to be saved, she’s just trying to maintain control in a world constantly trying to steer her path. I really enjoyed getting to follow her as she tried to figure out how to walk this line of maintaining her autonomy but also for filling her grandfathers archaic wishes to marry. We really get to see her going from this buttoned up reserved lawyer to a more open and vulnerable woman. Now for our hero, well Xander was the total opposite, he’s playful, emotionally intelligent and respectful. What makes his character so compelling isn’t just his wealth or looks, but his vulnerability and the quiet ways he supports Penelope without trying to fix her. I loved the fact that she never tries to over power her or mansplain anything, he genuinely respects her boundaries and supports her choices. He knows when to push and when to pull back, when to tease and when to be serious. And the best part about Xander is the fact that he’s not afraid to show his feelings.

While these two might have started their relationship out as something strictly business, there is definitely no way anyone can deny the bubbling chemistry between them from the very start. While they could not be more different from each other, this is exactly what allows them to work so well together, because they challenge and complement each other. We get to see both of them grow as individuals as the book progresses; Penelope learns to let her guard down and trust someone enough to share the burden, while Xander matures from a carefree charmer into someone deeply committed to building a life with someone who challenges him. Their love story is a perfect blend of emotional depth and slow-burn tension with just the right amount of steam.

I have to also say that I really liked the way that Rani explored the cultural expectations and familial responsibilities that both Xander and Penelope faced. We get to see how different these two have been brought up while coming from very similar backgrounds. I also really liked getting to see a bit of life in Singapore through their love story.

The Charmer delivers a romance that feels both escapist and grounded while being filled with sizzling chemistry, cultural richness and characters who feel refreshingly real. Penelope and Xander’s love story is a masterclass in slow burn tension and emotional payoff, striking the perfect balance between sharp wit and heartfelt vulnerability. This book is definitely a must read!
 

Book Info:

Publication: May 13, 2025 | Avon | Biotech Billionaires #3

Sometimes love outsmarts the best laid plans.

Penelope Chen-Astor ran away from the stifling expectations of her wealthy family in Singapore for an independent life as a high-powered Manhattan lawyer. But familial duty comes crashing back when her grandfather’s will demands she be married for a year to claim her inheritance. She’d walk away from it all, but her mother’s assets are at stake too, and this is the only way Penelope can see to protect her.

Enter Xander Sutton, the billionaire co-founder of investment group Dawn Capital. With his effortless charm and easy smiles, he’s used to winning hearts, but Penelope’s always proven immune to him. When she’s backed into a corner and asks Xander to masquerade as her husband for a year, he sees a golden opportunity to finally win over the only person who’s kept him at arm’s length—but the closer they get, the harder it becomes to play pretend.

What begins as a strictly business arrangement quickly spirals into steamy encounters and genuine emotions. When meddling relatives, corporate espionage, and high-stakes legal battles come into play, Xander and Penelope will have to decide if the inheritance is all they stand to lose when the year is done…