REVIEW: The Tycoon’s Ultimate Conquest by Cathy Williams

The Tycoon’s Ultimate Conquest by Cathy Williams is a sexy and entertaining romance about a small town lawyer working to protect her neighborhood from a big city developer who goes incognito to change her mind.

Rose Tremain and her neighbors are protesting the development of new housing that they fear will spoil the surrounding land. The protests have had some success, and Arturo da Costa, the head of the development company figures that the only way he can persuade the villagers to back off is to work on them from the inside. As such, he shows up in town under an assumed name and under the pretense of wanting to aid the protests. Rose believes his story and gives him a room in her house, putting them in close quarters. Art is able to convince the protesters that they’d be better off negotiating a deal to add improvements to the town as part of the real estate package since it’s already been approved by the local authorities and they might as well get something of benefit. He also ends up in a relationship with Rose. When the truth of his deception comes out, will it be the end of a fledgling romance?

The plot of this one starts out a bit flimsy, but the more I read the more I enjoyed it. Rose takes Art’s appearance at face value which I think is the weakest part of the plot, that someone would just show up unannounced to protest something and be very vague about their background and reasons for it. Art’s willingness to chip in with tasks around Rose’s large estate (inherited from her mother who had a habit of falling for the wrong man) and genuine friendliness and likability made it easy for her to become friends and then lovers with him. They share some sensual love scenes.

Part of Art’s plans for the development are an assisted living center for autistic adults, including his own brother whom he cares for deeply. I would have liked to see this aspect of the story feature more prominently, and to have met this brother (he stays as an off page character). Art fears that there will be be people prejudiced against his plans if he reveals them. He doesn’t give the villagers the benefit of the doubt which is unfortunate because it casts his fears as theirs and they might have surprised him.

Rose feels taken in by Art when she finds out the truth and is quick to cut off their growing relationship but Art isn’t able to let her go so easily. Wooing her back takes some explanations, groveling and forgiveness, but it all leads up to a lovely happy ending for the couple. With likable characters and a fresh storyline, this is a very enjoyable romance.
 

Book Info:

Publication: Sep 18, 2018 | Harlequin Presents |

His plan is simple…

The ultimate seduction!

When lawyer Rose Tremain places Arturo da Costa’s latest business deal in jeopardy, the billionaire plans to challenge her in the boardroom. Yet when he meets spirited Rose, the sizzling connection between them is irresistible! Now seduction is his greatest asset. He’ll ensure Rose is so overwhelmed with pleasure she forgets all about the deal. Until he finds himself equally addicted—to her!