You get what you pay for… discover a man sitting on the carpet in the corridor outside my penthouse apartment.
He’s tall, gorgeous, wearing an expensive suit, and carrying the biggest bouquet of red roses I’ve ever seen.
He also has a huge red bow tied around his waist.
“I’m from Casanovas,” he says.
Hmm. That sounds vaguely familiar…
He gestures at the bow, and his smile turns mischievous. “Sarah says Happy Birthday.”
Oh. My. God.
*
A sensual romantic fantasy by USA Today bestselling author Serenity Woods (USA Today bestseller list November 2016).
more
Casanova by Serenity Woods
Sizzling sensual story of a male escort gifted to Elise by her best friend and business partnerr for her thirtieth birthday. Now, Elise is not in the market for a man of any sort…definitely not an escort…or is she? With smooth talking Nik there it doesn’t take long for her to ask him inside, offer him a drink and challenge him to a video game and that leads to talking and thinking and then…what Nik was paid for in the first place.
This is indeed an adult romance but it is more than spicy scenes because the author has created two believable and lovable characters that so deserve to have a happily ever after together. Both have suffered losses and both have life issues to deal with but together I do believe they are stronger than they are apart and they are so very good for one another. I know that when I read a book by Serenity Woods I will be entertained and educated and meet characters I would like to know in real life. This book is a keeper and one I will read again.
Thank you to the author for the ARC that I voluntarily read – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
Emotionally intense, sensual, opposites-attract love story
I was pleasantly surprised by how powerful this quiet, introspective romance really was. The author makes excellent use of the first-person POV style to really get deep into the hearts and minds of her characters, showing us all their hopes, fears, and insecurities as they forge a friendship that hints at being so much more.
Nik is working as an “escort” because it pays enough to help cover his father’s medical bills. Elise is an introverted billionaire hacker with enough tragedy in her past to make her never want to risk her heart again.
The push-pull between these two characters was so gentle and sweet; it perfectly showed not just the obstacles that stood between them but also the gradual shifting of those obstacles so that they could find their happiness together. There is no external drama at all; there doesn’t need to be because there’s plenty of internal drama going on for both Elise and Nik. The pacing is detailed and not at all rushed, giving the reader plenty of time to really get to know these wonderful characters.
I’m not familiar with this author’s other works (yet) so the inclusion of characters from other books mostly went over my head, but it wasn’t at all necessary to have read anything else as this book is a complete standalone. I really enjoyed this story, and highly recommend it.
This book managed to be sweet, sexy, and at the same time sad. There was something so endearing about both Elise and Nikau, that they tugged on your heartstrings from the very beginning.
You could sense the vulnerability and loneliness from each of them. You felt that “click” when they connected. You were in their corner from the very beginning.
This felt different from other Serenity Woods books, yet somehow very familiar. It made me wonder about what the author was thinking and feeling as she wrote this book.
When the book begins, you wonder how are we ever going to get to a romantic HEA from this point? It was somewhat obvious, but how was Elise going to overcome her doubts?
A thoroughly enjoyable romantic, sweet, sexy read. I voluntarily read and reviewed the Advanced Reader Copy and purchased the book.
Very enjoyable book. It’s funny and interesting. Wonderful characters.
Such a different spin on a hot romance. Loved every page
Sarah and Elise made their billions by hacking companies and then selling their services to make their sites secure. While Sarah is happily married with two children, Elise is single and refuses to even date. Her heart can’t take it.
When for her birthday Sarah hires an escort from Casanovas, she isn’t interested at all. That is until they have a drink, play a video game and talk.
He does finally manage to seduce her, and she gets out of him why he works as an escort.
Once he’s gone she finds herself still thinking about him, and after a call from Sarah she decides to do something more.
An interesting take on the billionaire falls for an escort scenario, one I fully enjoyed. Lots of sizzling heat, laughter, fun and more. I know I will be reading more of Serenity’s books.
Wow! First book of 2019 for this author and she hit it out of the ballpark! I love characters that are complete opposites, rather complex, smart, sassy, damn sexy, and end up with so much in common you start rooting for them to make it from the get go. Elise is a self made billionaire in computer security, she’s not social, loves gaming, has had a tragic past and doesn’t stray far from her penthouse that overlooks Waitemata Harbour. She has everything but a man in her life and she’s perfectly content. Nik is sex on a stick, and works for an escort service called Casanova. And lucky Elise has just been gifted a night with Nik by her partner Sarah, because she thinks getting Elise laid will be a step in the right direction for her. I loved these two characters right from the start. As with all the books this author writes, you’re sucked into the story right from the start, and you can’t put it down until the very last page. Didn’t see Elise’s tragedy coming at all, and I adored what she did for Nik and his dad. Great story and great characters makes this book a must read.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC copy of this book.
I very much enjoyed this book! Casanova, by Serenity Woods, is an interesting book, really sexy, very emotionally charged, written in present tense-which is not my favorite but it was done well. It takes place in New Zealand where, since 2003, prostitution/escort services are legal. This gave a different tone to the Pretty Women- esque tale. Whatever the trappings, though, the heart of this story is the chemistry between the thoroughly, adorably simpatico protagonists. I will add this to my growing list of Serenity favorites.
An instant romance classic!
OMG, this book is so wonderful! I was captivated from the very first page to the end. Elise and Nik had such a strong initial connection, and they started to have deep feelings for each other from the very first date.
The story setup is like a reverse “Pretty Woman” scenario, but the author makes the story better, not sordid, and full of depth. It takes place in New Zealand. Elise is a 30-year-old self-made billionaire in the data security industry. She is very down-to-earth, not arrogant. Her best friend/business partner, Sarah, and Elise had gotten rich quickly since college. Elise is rather reclusive and lonely, so her best friend gave her the birthday present of a high-priced escort. Nik has only been an escort for 2 months, and he would like to get a normal job as soon as possible. He had been a lieutenant in the army, but he recently got out to care for his father with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. Nik couldn’t get a good-paying normal job in the economic slow-down, and he has medical bills to pay. With all these details, Nik is such a regular, good-hearted guy (aside from being totally hot and great in bed). FYI, Nik is half Maori (the Pacific Islanders in New Zealand), not Eastern European, as I assumed from his name in the book blurb.
Nik and Elise communicate really well. They help each other deal with serious personal problems. Their chemistry is explosive! There are a bunch of love scenes, some a little kinky. The scenes are exquisitely intimate. Their first love scene was gorgeously romantic, one of the best I have ever read!
I recommend this novel to everyone who loves steamy contemporary romance and to anyone who likes the movie “Pretty Woman”. The writing is extremely brilliant. It is one of the best romance novels that I have ever read.
A sexy heartfelt story. Nik is an escort in order to care for his dad who has Alzheimer’s. That alone got me as I believe we all have known someone suffering from it.
Elise keeps herself cut off from people, staying busy and working hard, to keep from risking getting hurt again.
Elise’s friend hires Nik as a birthday present for her 30th birthday. Not only do they hit it off, but they end up falling in love and getting their HEA. In usual Serenity Woods fashion, we get cameo appearances from some of her other stories.
Heat level is HOT! If you love Serenity Woods other works, you’ll love this one just as much. I know that I did.
*I voluntarily reviewed an arc of this book.
Casanova is the start of a new series that hooks us up once again with The Wise Men who we met in a previous series, that being said you don’t need to have read those books to love this story. Serenity Woods has a way with words she makes you feel like you are catching up with friends when she introduces you to her characters and she also describes New Zealand so well in fact I always think I’m going home even though I have never visited this beautiful country.
Nikau works for an escort agency, his job is all about pleasing woman and he has been hired by Elise’s best friend in the hope of giving her a surprise she won’t forget….
Elise arrives home after a run to find a handsome hunk sitting on her doorstep dressed in a tuxedo and holding the biggest bunch of roses she has ever seen. The first thought is he needs to go but as she try’s to convince him of this she starts to think what’s wrong with a night of fun …..
I loved getting to know this couple, they are both dealing with issues and doing what is needed to survive. Opposites in so many things but also having so much in common can Nikau be the man to draw Elise out can he be the man to make her live outside the walls she has built around herself. This love story is a breath of fresh air, it’s moving and vibarant and it will certainly captivate you so make sure you have time to finish what you start. I can’t wait to see where Ms Woods takes us next with this series and what new characters she will introduce us too.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
I am a big fan of Serenity Woods, having read 36 of her books, and I think she is really trying to kill her fans in Casanova. She has created every woman’s fantasy here with a wonderful man who is there just to pleasure a woman. Who cares that he is being paid well to do it, which is legal is New Zealand where the book is set. And he is trained to bring a woman to ecstasy!! Elise is bordering on being a recluse who works from home 7 years after she suffered personal losses (no spoilers!) and her friend and partner in business Sarah decides to send her a male escort from Casanova. In this reverse Pretty Woman story, Nik manages to charm and seduce Elise and she sees what she has been missing. She makes a deal to pay for Nik’s company for a month and in return he can afford to pay for expensive Alzheimer’s medicine for his father. For her, paying for an escort is a safe way to have sex and companionship without the emotional involvement of a relationship. Any man that she is dating probably would not stay around as long as Nik does, since he is paid to be there.
Elise has a lot of secrets and baggage that keep her at arm’s length from people.. The book alternates the narrative between Elise and Nik so you get both of their points of view. The dialog is great and you will fall in love with the characters. However, can they really continue to claim no involvement after a month of companionship and sex? Does love creep in when they are not looking? This story is incredibly hot and sexy, but also deep and emotional and, oh so romantic.
5 Star Review of Casanova by Serenity Woods
What an unusual story line which hooked me and reeled me in from the first to the last chapter.
When her best friend Sarah, hires Nikau, an escort from Casanova’s to entertain Elise on her 30th birthday, her first instinct is to turn him away.
However, putting on her big girl panties, she invites him in for a drink, or so she thought.
After their initial night, Elise cannot stop thinking about Nik and decides to hire him for two weeks. With the money he can earn, Nik will be able to use the money to pay for what he needs to. After a great deal of discussion with Elise, Nik accepts and they agree he will spend from 6pm to 6am with her for a month.
The dynamics of their relationship intrigued me and I fell hard and fast for Nik.
When circumstances tear them apart, Nik cannot understand what has happened, particularly since Elise refuses to talk to him, he has to enlist her friend to help him.
This was an emotional roller coaster of a read which had me in tears on occasion and then laughing out loud.
Never have I wanted a couple to get their happily ever after as much as I wanted it for Elise and Nik.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.