REVIEW: The Renegade Billionaire by Avery Maxwell

The Renegade Billionaire by Avery Maxwell: For Braxton Reyes, his mission in life is to take his families company to the greatest height possible, while also ruining his father. So when his grandfather passes away and leaves a will with the most outlandish stipulation, Braxton has no choice but to comply if he has any hope of completing his mission and regaining his sense of normal. Which is how he finds himself spending the next six months in the small town of Happiness, Georgia, for filling his grandfathers will requirement to gain access to his inheritance.

For a focused guy like Braxton spending six months in the little hick town should be a walk in the park, all he needs to do is keep his family at bay and try and figure out his new feelings of struggling Inn keeper, Madison. After her good for nothing ex all but ruined her life, the last thing that Madison needs to be doing is developing feelings for the mysterious out of towner that is her new tenant. But somewhere between the deep late night chats, stolen touches and an undeniable chemistry, Madison cant help but find herself drawn to Braxton, the question is will he roll right back out of town leaving her broken hearted once again?

The Renegade Billionaire is the first novel in Maxwell’s new Happiness Ever After series and let me just tell you, if this book is anything to go by then I can confidently say that this series is going to be romance perfection. This book combined the best parts of a small town romance, big city guy falls for small town girl, the importance of community and the power of love. I loved the way Maxwell highlights that the key to true happiness doesn’t always lie in material things. Truly this book was so much more than a romance, this book had great depth and I loved how the importance of genuine relationships was highlighted.

While Braxton is portrayed as this busy and powerful business man, I loved getting to see him transform and adapt to small town living. His character growth was just beautiful to see as the book progressed, we really get to see him realize that small things in life are what truly matter. I really enjoyed getting to see his caring and compassionate side come out especially when it came to his relationship with Maddison. Now of our leading lady, well firstly I just wanted to give her a big hug for having to overcome all of the things that she was faced with. Maddison really was a strong, resilient leading lady and I loved getting to see her grow and blossom as the book progressed. We get to see how she uses her situation to learn and grow into a stronger more independent woman and I loved seeing this.

The chemistry between Braxton and Maddison was just perfection. I really liked the heartfelt moments and conversations that they shared and that they helped each other realize that there was so much more to love and just learning to free fall into someone else’s arms. One of the things that I really liked about their relationship was how mature they both were and the way in which they handled each situation. Aside from this I just adored the way that Braxton adored and doted on Maddison, he really was a man in love and he did not shy away from his feelings.

I just loved the cute little town of Happiness, this small quirky town had so much of life and character of its own and I loved the role it played in bring our two main characters together. Truly I am a sucker for a cute small town romance and this book just highlights all the things I love about this trope. If you are looking for a cute, slow burn, small town romance then this is definitely the book for you!

Book Info:

Publication: January 29, 2025 | That’s What She Said Publishing, Inc. | Happiness Ever After #1

He’s got two reasons for getting out of bed every morning: Running his family’s empire and ruining his father.

Braxton Reyes doesn’t have time for anything else in his life. At least not until his grandfather’s will is read. The only man Braxton ever trusted has just derailed everything he’s worked for.

With the entire company at stake, Braxton must walk away from it all for six months to live in some ridiculous small town and do his grandfather’s bidding or he’ll lose it all. But they don’t call him the renegade billionaire for nothing.

He just needs to stay focused, keep his toxic family at bay, and in six months he can return to the helm. There’s just one pretty little problem.

***
She’s just getting back on her feet. She’s not about to be swept off them.

After a smooth-talking ex destroyed her life, Madison Ryan is slowly picking up the pieces while running a ramshackle inn in her tiny hometown of Happiness, Georgia.

Money is tight. So she’s grateful for her mysterious new tenant and his six-month stay, however she’s learned her lesson when it comes to falling for the charming stranger.

But every unexpected good deed, every honest late-night talk, every lingering touch, has Madison opening up in ways she never has before. He makes her feel safe, protected, cared for. Despite her best efforts, she’s falling. Hard.

Their new, fragile love is tested when Braxton’s real identity is revealed and his dark family secrets are tied to Madison’s painful past. Can she forgive the unforgivable?