Exclusive. Elite. Always Discreet: Welcome to the Billionaires Club. In the second installment of The Billionaires Club quartet, arrogant tycoon Sebastian Dumont risks everything for one night with an exquisite dancer – whose dark fantasy leaves him wanting more. Love is a risk I will never take, a prize too good for a man who betrayed his family. That’s why I prefer to keep things … things transactional. So when I see an exquisite dancer in the exclusive Parisian billionaires club, turning her burlesque into an erotic art form, I’ll give whatever it takes to have her…
She is mine for one night, to do with as I please. But following my commands seems to bring her as much pleasure as it does me. And I can’t help wondering at her performance. She almost makes me believe this is a fantasy of her own making.
I’m not ready to let her go after just one night, but I never imagined my hunt would lead me to New York City, or to a restrained and disciplined ballerina. Stoking the fire that rages between us could be the biggest risk I’ve ever taken…one that may cost me everything, including my damaged heart.
Take control. Feel the rush. Explore your fantasies – Harlequin Dare publishes sexy romances featuring powerful alpha males and bold, fearless heroines exploring their deepest fantasies.
Discover more wealthy, international heroes in the entire The Billionaires Club series;
The Debt by Jackie Ashenden
The Risk by Caitlin Crews
The Proposition by JC Harroway
The Deal by Clare Connelly
more
The Risk by Caitlin Crews is her entry into The Billionaires Club series, the second novel in that multi-author series, and if you’re in the mood for a steamy, sexy read, a hot, hunky, alpha hero, and if you love and understand the hard work, pain and effort that ballet dancers are willing to sacrifice in hopes of becoming prima ballerinas, you’ll find all of the aforementioned in his novel, which gets 5 stars from this reader.
Darcy, our heroine, has been in the corps de ballet with the Knickerbocker ballet company in New York City for a decade. Having studied ballet for well over a decade myself, the depth of commitment her choice of career requires and her willingness to keep on striving says a great deal about her–but after 10 years of the brutal demands ballet makes on the bodies and souls of its dancers, she’s still in the corps de ballet, dancing in the background, and has not yet advanced to the more elevated status of prima ballerina, and she’s beginning to realize she may never reach her goal.
Darcy’s friend and fellow ballet dancer, Annabelle, is quite kinky and free spirited, and she has been selling her body and working as an escort to supplement her income and to let her kink fly, but she has a conflict and needs Darcy to take her place as a burlesque dancer in an ultra exclusive Paris nightclub for one night. Annabelle, who shares a small apartment with Darcy, is aware of Darcy’s favorite fantasy, spending the night with a strong, alpha male who will pay a lot of money for the privilege of controlling her, and demanding her submission to his every sexual whim. Eventually, Darcy agrees to replace Annabelle, and it’s while dancing at that exclusive and private club, that she locks eyes with just the type of man she hoped to find, Sebastian, sitting right in front, and he finds himself enthralled and entranced by the lithe and lovely woman dancing on stage. He pays the club for a night with her, and what a night it is. If erotica and BDSM are not your thing, this book is not for you. If you are into it, prepare for some of the sexiest prose it’s been my pleasure to read for quite some time. When Sebastian wants to purchase a second night, Darcy refuses his request, having fulfilled her fantasy, and she returns to New York. These two know virtually nothing about one another, not even their last names, but Sebastian manages to eventually track her down, propose an arrangement based on their incredible sexual chemistry for an indefinite period of time, and, eventually, having been unable to forget their one night together, Darcy agrees to his request–but what will become of their very specific arrangement?
Again, prepare yourself for a lot more steamy sexual encounters, and also be prepared to learn that although Darcy may be sexually submissive, she wants to delve deeper into Sebastian’s life, learn his secrets, learn why he can’t seem to open up to anyone, including her, learn why he has such low self-esteem, and why he considers himself both unlovable and incapable of loving anyone. Ms. Crews has, in this rather short novel, delved deeply into the minds, souls and hearts of these two very private, very self-contained characters to show the reader who they really are, what drives them, and why they make the decisions they do, and, quite honestly, I found it virtually impossible to put this novel down until almost dawn.
I consider The Risk to be Caitlin Crews’ sexiest novel to date, and also the one where she displays an uncanny ability to let the reader climb inside the psyches of these two memorable characters and walk around in their shoes, and I’m happy to recommend it, but, be forewarned, this is definitely not a novel for the 18 and under reader. Personally, I can’t wait to see how she’s going to top this one.
I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions expressed are my own.
I did not read the first book in the series and read this as a stand alone. I read an ARC from NetGalley.com and this is my voluntary and unbiased review.
Darcy and Annabelle have been friends, roommates and professional ballet dancers at the Knickerbocker Ballet for years. After ten years of dancing, despite their hard work, dedication and toll on their bodies, they realize that they will never rise above the corps and become a Prima ballerina. And even though they are still in their twenties, inevitable retirement looms. Annabelle is very promiscuous and has obtained an invitation to perform a one night burlesque routine at an exclusive sex club in Paris, which pays extremely well. But when she is offered to understudy a Principal, she talks Darcy into taking her place, with the opportunity to not only get paid well, but live her fantasy- having a stranger take care of her body and her needs.
Billionaire Sebastian has held himself in penance from a mistake he made years ago. An error in judgement, made out of arrogance not intentional, but it cost him his best friend and half brother and he now believes that he does not deserve love, because he has only hurt those he loved. But when he spots Darcy performing at the M Club, he is mesmerized, and claims her, as soon as she finishes her dance, a dance that has set her free, since she could do what she wanted and not the ridged dictates of a dance master. The night they spend together, changes them both, but when Sebastian demands another night, Darcy refuses, afraid that she will fall in love with the man and flees back to NYC. However, when Sebastian can not get the little dancer out of his mind, he searches and finds her. Can they unlearn the cruel lessons that they learned from their parents, and find freedom and love with each other?
Captivating characters, insights into the world of ballet and an unusual plot made this a book well worth reading.
Both Darcy and Sebastian work very hard for the successes they attain. Darcy is a professional ballet dancer who has been working hard for ten years trying to reach the pinnacle in her profession. Sebastian likewise pushes himself in business and has his own demons that drive him to do so.
Refreshing to see the female MC grow in confidence in making decisions for herself based on what she perceives as best for her, rather than impressing her family or others close to her. In the beginning, Darcy seems too eager to please others…until she risks the one night contract with Sebastian.
While Darcy’s obstacles are clearly explored, Sebastian’s seem a little too glossed over and the outcomes rushed. Yes he too is taking a risk in facing his demons but are they both willing to take a risk on one another?
This is the first series that I’ve read where each book is penned by a different author. I did start it because I am a fan of Jackie Ashenden. I will continue because I loved Sebastian and Darcy’s story and the author did a great job making THE RISK a seamless addition to the Billionaire’s Club series. I was very curious about Sebastian after the backstory we got in THE DEBT. Darcy indulges herself one fantasy in a night at the M club. Sebastian cannot let her go. I loved how driven both of these characters were and how they did not need to be attached at the hip as often happens in many stories these days. While I was disappointed that again we don’t get to witness Ash and Seb burying the hatchet, I hold out hope that maybe these authors will want to expand on their stories.
4 Stars for The Risk by Caitlin Crews
ARC received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are my own and have not been influenced in any way.
This is Book #2 in the Billionaires Club & although it can be read as a standalone I highly recommend reading Book#1 The Debt
What a great read with such amazing chemistry between Sebastian & Darcy. When Sebastian sees Darcy dancing at a private -invitation only burlesque club he is immediately attracted to her & wants her … Darcy agrees to one night only & then they go their separate ways.
Of course one night is not ( will never be ) enough ….
These characters are both flawed & lonely yet when they find each other its pure magic !!!
There is a much anticipated HEA & in true Dare fashion this is a fairly quick romantic read that captures your interest from the very first Chapter!
Great story – loved it !!
This is book 2 in the Billionaires Club series but it can absolutely be read as a stand alone, although I recommend reading book 1 because it does introduce the main character in this one. In this one we get Sebastian’s story, who is the brother of the main character in book 1. This story takes place at the same time as book 1-which definitely makes it interesting. Sebastian see’s a dancer at a burlesque club and knows he wants her, and Darcy agrees to one night. But that one night changes everything for them both, whether they realize it or not.
There is such chemistry between these two right from the start that I had a hard time putting it down! Darcy seems to be in control of every aspect of her life, and I would assume that she has to be in order to stay at the top of being a ballerina. Sebastian seems to have no emotions-but in reality he just suppresses them in order to do what he needs to do. And when these two come together, it’s explosive! And they both work through their own issues and demons to be able to be with one another, which I loved. My only drawback is that there really isn’t a resolution between the two brother’s. I was really hoping they could work through their own issues with each other and be true brothers. Maybe another book? Overall though I did enjoy it!
I don’t even know what to say about this book. The author’s style of writing is very different from what I’m used to, and I loved every moment of it. For those who aren’t into power exchange, this book won’t be their cup of tea, but I was sucked into this story like the proverbial ‘dirty shirt’. After meeting Ash in the previous book, I was really excited to see what their family dynamic looked like from Sebastian’s point of view. Into these already turbulent waters, our striving-to-be-Prima ballerina gets dropped. Every aspect of Darcy’s life is rigidly controlled. It has to be in order for her to stay in top dancing form. She has a fantasy to give that control to a man for one night, where he will look after everything. That one night sets into motion a whirlwind of changes for both Darcy and Sebastian that could bring about some much-needed healing and growth. But only if they survive the storm. I adored this book and I can’t wait to see what the next in the series looks like.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book through NetGalley.
Quick steamy read. This is the second book in the Billionaire’s Club series but can be read as a standalone. Sebastian and Darcy were so hot together. Their chemistry was off the charts. What started as one night and a fantasy was able to blossom into something much more real and loving.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I devoured this book! It was so sexy and hot, I couldn’t put it down. And then the emotions started, and I had to see how it worked out. What started as a fantasy, became a reality for Darcy. What began as a glance across a room became an obsession for Sebastian. Darcy’s confusion transforms into clarity. Sebastian’s knowledge becomes cloudy. Both are caught up in the whirlwind that is them, and trying to decide on taking the biggest risk of all, loving each other forever
This is Sebastian’s story we met his brother in The Debt and we also learnt about their brotherly conflict now we get Sebastian’s side of the story
He is the total brooding alpha who doesn’t believe in love or commitment that is until he meets Darcy. She is a ballerina who knows she will never be the prima ballerina but is happy in her role Until she is introduced to burlesque has she found where she really belongs and what about the dark brooding man who has staked his claim on her. The chemistry between these two is off the charts and when you throw in the kink it will melt your e reader. Looking forward to more books in this series
I loved all the different levels of risks involved in this delicious love story.
We learned a little about Sebastian in the first book, The Debt, that focuses on his brother, Ash. Here, we see Sebastian’s side of their brotherly conflict as we watch him face his life’s choices and how those have colored his ability to make the most of his opportunities.
Darcy is a fierce, determined young woman, a ballerina who has mastered the discipline necessary for her career yet still hasn’t found her contentment in life. She carefully considers a chance at a different style of dancing, mostly because it allows for some fantasy fulfillment without requiring that she make any huge changes in her life. But she can’t stop the changes in her heart, and as she leaves Paris, and Sebastian, she finds she can’t leave any of it behind.
I truly enjoyed Darcy’s quiet strength, her dedication, and her fearless acceptance of the changes her risk-taking is making in her life. I thought Sebastian’s character was very well-developed, enough like the nemesis we knew from Ash to make for a seamless transition between the two books written by different authors, yet he was also his own man, one who knew what he wanted and wasn’t afraid to confront his own fears when they stood in the way of his happiness.
The love scenes were exquisitely explicit as these two characters laid their hearts bare while they let their guards down. Even so, the true strength of this book is in the emotional and psychological growth of both Darcy and Sebastian, and how they allow their blossoming romance to completely shake up their entirely-too-complacent lives. This was a beautiful love story with a satisfying HEA. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
What made me request this book was that I had read “the Debt” and since we were introduced to Sebastian or alluded to Sebastian in that book I wanted to know about him. I liked that this story coincides with that story and so it gives you a better picture of what took place and how and how the conflict between Sebastian and Ash was resolved or worked thru..
Rcvd and ARC at no cost to author..(netgalley) Voluntarily reviewed with my own thoughts and opinions