Big-city sophistication meets carnal hunger in this devilish contemporary romance from New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Katy Evans.Heir apparent to her father’s company, Lizzy Banks needs a man. The perfect man. But when the rich “fundbabies” she usually rubs shoulders with prove impossible to hire, she takes a chance on a raw beast of a man salvaged from the wreckage of a bar … salvaged from the wreckage of a bar brawl.
James Rowan earns a modest income as a YouTube daredevil, but he can’t refuse Lizzy’s million dollar deal. As she polishes his rough edges, creating a sophisticated gentleman fit for the highest circles of society, not only does she bring out the perfect man—it’s like she’s making the man of her dreams. How can she resist?
Though Lizzy loves seeing James in his clothes—and out of them—he isn’t the kind of man you bring home to Daddy. Her father’s disapproval and the pressure of the campaign have her eyeing the straight and narrow, but Lizzy’s finding it awfully hard to resist the devil on her shoulder…
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Katy Evans wrote some of my fav books… Real and Manwhore. But she also wrote some books i liked not so much.
The blurb of Million Dollar Devil was promising, i was hopeful. A modern pretty woman but with a man to replace Julia Roberts…
The prologue : i loved it!
Until 20% the story begins really tooooo slowly. Lizzy spends her time saying how hot is James (with multiple different words but still) and James spends his time trying to get in her pants, not smoothly at all. She’s rich, he’s not. She shouldn’t want him but after 5 minutes after meeting him she kissed him fiercely in a cab. Then she runs cold. There’s a scene with a picture i didn’t like… (no respect for James). Lizzy’s plan is not realistic (not with social medias, the web…).
From 20% to 80% things are a bit better. They speak more about sex and work at first but finally (a little late but that could be worst) they learn to know each other.
“I don’t know what it is about this guy that affects me so much. Maybe it’s because he’s daring, unique, and not afraid to be himself. Or maybe because my whole life i’ve tried to be perfect and never really bought into the act…”
I like James’ philosophy : “You take risks, and you show people who you are and what you stand for, and if they don’t like it, f***’em. You make every day mean something. If you’re just surviving, what the hell good is it?”
James can be crass but also sweet and moving and swoon worthy. The first time they have sex… *Sigh*… I don’t really understand why his only solution to his brother’s issues was his fists though… But i like his relationship with Charlie (even if we don’t see him enough, for someone who pretend to make his little brother his priority James doesn’t spend so much time with him). I understand where Lizzy comes from but i was a bit angry with her when she talks about him as “her creation”, “her property”, and like a rate or garbage she picked in the streets… He’s not a thing but a human being, and he was a good man before meeting her.
At 80%… there is a scene in a restaurant… just nope, nope , nope , nope… that’s not what i’m looking for in a romance! James was no more swoon worthy for me… And he’s not honest enough to talk about it to Lizzy. Then the end was too rushed: the issues with Lizzy’s father, with the 2 different worlds they live… I liked the way James returns to Lizzy though.
The epilogue : that’s not what i call an epilogue with HEA, the scene is unnecessary and not romantic…
All Lizzie needed was the perfect man. One man who could encompass everything the new men’s clothing line called for. A man of power, finesse, looks, and unrelenting sex appeal.
She was the only child to a man who demanded perfection. This was her chance to finally assert herself and prove to her dad just because she was a woman did not mean she was not capable of running their mega-corporation. Meeting Jimmy in the middle of her despair at not finding such a man seemed like a miracle. He had the looks but could this diamond in the rough be groomed in just a few days to be the image of the clothing line?
Jimmy is a daredevil in pursuit of his next buck. With a younger brother to feed and clothe, risking his life was nothing compared to the possibility of going hungry or being homeless. Any bet was worth the risk. One million dollars for three months’ work was just what he needed, even if that meant wearing a suit and tie every day. But could he survive the insane attraction he felt for Lizzie?
Endearing and sweet, this book made my day!
I am voluntarily reviewing this book. Thanks to the author for sharing a copy with me.
Million Dollar Devil was such a great read. I absolutely loved James (Jimmy) character. Elizabeth (Lizzy) was a good character, but James character made this story. His character was entertaining, charming, seductive, sexy, handsome, enjoyable and unstoppable to a fault. His character made me smile a lot. Lizzy was determined to take charge and find the perfect man to represent Banks Suits. James is that man and although he isn’t from Lizzy’s “world” he turns out to be even better than she imagined. He shows her what she’s been missing and he is everything she never expected. Their story is one that’s charming and entertaining but it also has drama, blackmailing and so much more.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Katy Evans is back!!!!! Good, gosh, almighty, this cover is James without a doubt in my mind, down to the hair. The title, Evans hit it head on. James and Lizzy’s story is the MILLION DOLLAR DEVIL. I am not gonna lie, in the beginning I did not think I would be able to finish this one. Both the hero and heroine wasn’t doing it for me. But, in Evans fashion it picked up tremendously, and I fell in love with the character development and the development of the story. I loved how these characters grew into whom they were meant to be, it was awe inspiring . To see two different people, from two different sides of the town connect on a deeper level, it made this story what it is. I would have loved to have seen a little bit more for the ending though.
Lizzy had that heiress attitude, that I did not like at all. She was a snob, with that rich person personality, but she does mature. All she wants is to be accepted in this big world, full of billions of people. Deep down she does have a heart, and a soft spot for certain things.
James is a YouTube dare devil that just wants to earn some cash. He comes off as a pig, but seriously has the best of attentions. He is a simple man, that had the world take him to his knees when he is younger, so he just wants to expierence life.
When Lizzy gives James the chance to change his life, he is not prepared for what all that entails.
*I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK
A war of opposites has never been so sexy. I think I fell in love with this unique story on page one. Elizabeth and James are one of my favourite couples because they exude chemistry like a pheromone-charged perfume.
He is rough around the edges and a little wild, but still a walking monument to male beauty. It really surprised me that he’s more than brawn and brag, he’s got a noble spirit that I relished along with his powerful magnetism. Like a man made of chocolate for a sugar-deprived woman.
That takes me to Elizabeth. I loved her character! She’s a lady, smart and driven and knowledgeable, and also vulnerable, torn between her need to prove herself to her father and this sudden, liberating crave to love freely in a totally unprecedented way.
So they embark on this secret mission to sculpt a street-wise daredevil into the perfect man of modern sophistication. I loved this part. It’s a fantastic, sensual, fun, provoctive rendition of the My Fair Lady concept, but it’s the man who’s created to perfection. The transformation is molten hot. I loved James’ incorrigible pursuit of the woman he wants while being raw, sexy and admirable at once. The passion between them really engulfed my senses. And all thanks to this writing style that is so sensual and can really conjure all the irresistible manliness of James.
After the business and media frenzy, there’s a part of the story where the romance derails a bit to my liking, going into colder regions of separation, where hearbreak and betrayal and public outrage reign. I wasn’t too much of a fan of that as it seemed over-the-top crazy. And that’s why I lost touch with the characters, he lets something happen that I would consider disloyal and she just goes against everything she’s been fighting for so long.
However, it truly makes up for all of it with a Romeo and Juliet finale bursting with romantic and freeing resolutions that made me happy again <3
Can’t find the perfect man for you new ad campaign? No problem for Lizzy Banks…she’ll just find a diamond in the rough and make him into the perfect man. She has no choice, because everything she has worked for is riding on the success of this campaign. Failure is not an option.
James Rowan is just a rough around the edges guy getting by with his stunt videos. He’s got his own following and he’s willing to do just about any stunt on video to make some cash.
The day Lizzy walks into the bar he frequents, life as he knows it is about to change. She’s about to make him an offer he won’t be able to refuse. All he has to do is become the perfect gentleman for a few months and then cash in on the big payday.
James’ only problem is that he’s more interested in the woman behind the offer, than he is in the cash!
This story is a slow burn. It has all the sexy and a man no woman can resist. Lizzy and James are an inevitable explosion! James definitely delivers as the dirty talking alpha. He knew what he wanted and was willing to make the effort to break through Lizzy’s walls. The story had an incredible sexual tension and sweet moments. Total opposites that ended up being the perfect match.
Elizabeth Banks is always trying to impress her father. Always trying to show him that she can run his company just as well as anyone else. She is pushing for CEO and their new launch for men’s suits may just get her there. Lizzy has to find the perfect man to be her model for the new men’s line. When all the top profile men turn her down she finds herself drawn in by a man that her father would not approve of. However Elizabeth is sure she can make him into the perfect man.
When she exceeds her own expectations and the entire country agrees she decides that James Rowan was already the perfect man for her. Now he is being pulled away by all those wanting to buy into their lies. Will the truth come out about James? Will they realize they don’t need all the money to be happy they just need each other?
I completely enjoyed these characters and the strive for power and need to show she could do the job.
*** Advanced copy provided in exchange for an honest review. ***
This is the first book in the Million Dollar Series. OMG! I love this story so much! The story is beautifully written, fun and sexy. Jimmy/James and Elisabeth/Lizzy are such great characters. Jimmy is really handsome and caring. They share a beautiful chemistry. I like their slow burn story. Charlie, Jimmy’s brother, is also a great character. The other secondary characters are also interesting. The ending is beautiful. I totally recommend this story. Now, I can’t wait to listen to the audiobook version of this story, and for the next book in the Series!
There is nothing more wonderful than a great book, one that pulls you in and entertains while giving you all the feels. Katy Evans’s Million Dollar Devil does all that and more!
Add in a slow burn romance and chemistry hot enough to cause spontaneous combustion and you have perfection on the pages.
Elizabeth “Lizzy” Banks is a character I can understand and relate to, especially the pressure she is feeling to not only have a successful campaign launch with the perfect man for the brand, but to also impress her father into considering giving her control of the company he founded after he steps down. That’s a lot to handle, not to mention extremely stressful. Initially I thought how she kept putting Jimmy down as needing work was a bit excessive, but I realized while it may have come across in a demeaning way, she was unable to balance her attraction to him while handling all of that stress so she used that technique to convince herself it wasn’t worth pursuing anything with him. Watching her learn about what kind of man Jimmy was and learning how wrong she was. for me. very satisfying.
And what can I say about James “Jimmy” Rowan? The man is beautiful and talented and has a heart of gold. He wasn’t perfect either, but watching him take care of Lizzy and handle everything thrown at him was uplifting and super-sexy. I mean how can you not love a man who will go the extra mile to protect and provide for the people he loves? I loved how he was willing to take risks to do that, but still a man of character. It bothered me he kept putting himself down, but I realized it’s difficult for most people to acknowledge their better qualities. I mean if all you hear from others is how low, dirty, and unsuitable you are, you will start believing it, so it’s not difficult to understand why Jimmy would put himself down. I loved that he wasn’t willing to tolerate when it came to his loved ones! He’s a wonderful addition to the canon of Katy Evans’s heroes!
Lizzy and James together burned up the pages! Katy Evans is a master at crafting romantic tension and then elevating the anticipation to almost unbearable levels before delivering in the best way possible. I absolutely adored watching their love story unfold. I loved meeting Luke and can not wait to read Million Dollar Marriage and get to know him better. I loved how he was there for Jimmy and a great friend. I hope Lizzy and Jimmy have some cameos, but I’d love to see more of them!
Million Dollar Devil is the perfect summer read- hot, sexy, entertaining, funny, and will tug on your heart-strings. Lizzy and Jimmy have to work through things to find each other, but it is so worth it! I hope you enjoy this book as much as I did!
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
What kind of man would you pick to be the next Million Dollar Man? Elizabeth Banks is determined to make her Daddy proud. In doing so she needs to create the “perfect” man for the new Banks, Ltd suit line for her father’s clothing company.
Elizabeth (Lizzy) didn’t expect to come across James (Jimmy) Rowan. She can’t believe her luck though. It will take some doing but she’s determined to make him into the new face of the Banks, Ltd line.
There’s trials throughout this process because let’s face it – everyone’s definition of perfect is different. Lizzy wants James to be the most romantic, perfectly mannered, smoldering man who looks every bit of a million dollar man.
James just wants to give his little brother better choices and experiences than he had. When Ms. Banks approaches him with this deal to be their new face he couldn’t pass up the million dollar deal. Though during the process of living up to her rules there’s something about her that he just can’t resist.
Of course you know there has to be some obstacle standing in their way, or several. Overcoming them seems to be the biggest obstacle of all. The way these two characters are together will warm your heart. James Rowan has smooth moves and Lizzy melts like butter. Oh, I have a feeling you’ll enjoy this contemporary romance. It hits all the smoldering triggers.
Wow!! I loved this book so much more than I thought I would. The prologue only had me sucked in and then once everything was starting to be revealed I couldn’t stop.
Lizzy is desperate to prove to her dad that she is worthy of taking over his company and now everything lays at the feet of the new menswear campaign. When desperation meets lust the results are electrifying!
James is trying to live his life in the best way possible…this usually entails risking his very life. But when the tenacious, beautiful Lizzy makes him an offer he can’t refuse; everything changes overnight.
I loved these characters and everything they brought to the table. The storyline is unique and yet everything you need to make this book a must read. I highly recommend that you check out this book right away, you will not be disappointed!
5 Stars
Million Dollar Devil by Katy Evans is the first book in the Million Dollar series. It is a stand-alone and OMGGGGG it was so good! It was not what I was expecting at all. From the very first chapter it sucked me in and did not let go! It was a slow burning, exciting, and captivating read that I couldn’t put down. Million Dollar Devil was full of chemistry that was off the charts hot and characters that are unforgettable.
Socialite Lizzy Banks is desperate to prove to her father that she can run a billion dollar empire. She will do just about anything to get that approval-like creating the perfect man for the new men’s line that’s coming out. Too bad she doesn’t realize that by creating the perfect man, she was setting herself up for heartbreak.
YouTube sensation Jimmy Rowan will do just about anything for a dare. He’s charming and lives life from one daring adventure to the next. So when he meets Lizzy and she offers him a million dollars to become the new face of Banks LTD, what could he say besides yes??
I loved this book so freakin’ much! The slow burn romance between the characters was fantastic! Ms. Evan’s writing is phenomenal in Million Dollar Devil and I am so looking forward to reading more in this series!
I really enjoyed Million Dollar Devil with its hilarious, flirty and sexy storyline. It’s a well written opposites attract romance and I couldn’t get enough of Jimmy and Elizabeth. Elizabeth is a prim, proper and classy woman who exudes grace and tact. And then you have Jimmy who is a crass, rough around the edges, swears like a sailor kinda guy and at the same time, he is one sexy devil!!!
Elizabeth needs to prove herself to her father by finding the perfect, debonair male model for the launch of his new men’s suit line. She stumbles upon Jimmy by accident and realizes he may be the solution to her problem. She offers him the job and boy does she have her work cut out for her. Their witty and amusing banter throughout the “makeover” process was quite entertaining. The sparks and undeniable chemistry between them was on fire!! This adorable and sweet book is a must read!!
This book surprised me. On the surface, Elizabeth has been trying for years to prove herself to her father. The new line of men’s clothing for Banks LTD falls on her shoulders. As she works to find the right man to sell this line, she strikes out and finds herself in a bar. She crosses paths with Jimmy Rowan, daredevil extraordinaire in a bar fight. She sees something in this guy and knows he can be the look they need. She polishes the diamond and Jimmy steps up delivering everything needed. Along the way, Jimmy’s no-holds bar approach to life draws Elizabeth in and she finds a place where she can just be herself. Jimmy, aka James, had to step up and raise his younger brother. They make do and have a lot of love in their life even out of tragedy. You can dare him to do just about anything for not a lot of money so when Elizabeth offers 1 million dollars to become James and sell her suits, well, he can’t turn it down. What will the real cost be as he embraces this new world? So who really is the teacher? Will Elizabeth finally prove her worth to her father? I loved how Jimmy kept pushing Elizabeth’s buttons, giving her an outlet, she so desperately needed. Their chemistry is sexy and fun which kept me entranced. And truly, by the end, Jimmy held my heart. I voluntarily read an ARC of this book and this is my honest review.
I really enjoyed this book. The heat level was’t as high as I expected from this author but that was ok with me. The sexual energy and banter between James/Jimmy and Lizzy was intriguing and I enjoyed the slow build up. I also enjoyed watching both these characters change especially as Jimmy transforms into James. Jimmy was not the bad boy character I originally thought he was. In fact he turned out to be quite sweet. I was expecting Lizzy to be a snobby princess since she was raised with money but wasn’t that way at all and I found her real and genuine. I like the premise of this book and these characters really brought the story to life. I’m looking forward to more in this series. I would definitely recommend this book.
This is almost like a Pretty Woman type of situation except the roles are reversed and James is a YouTuber who becomes a suit model. James was all about getting into Lizzy’s suit pants from first eye contact, it was nonstop. Lizzy was just meh for me. I don’t know, I had a hard time getting through this. It was dragging and I started skimming some parts. Unfortunately it didn’t blow me away.
3.5 Stars
This was a hit and a miss book for me. I liked Lizzie and James early interactions. The back and forth banter had me giggling. Loved James he is a take me as you find me kind of guy. Lizzie has been brought up by her dad and is a male dominated work environment so I was disappointed that she got so tongue tied that she couldn’t form a sentence at times. There were parts of the story that just seemed to drag on and on and the drama at the end just seemed unnecessary.
Although this book didn’t wow me I’ll still be looking out for the next book from this author.
Million Dollar Devil is a fantastic story, the writing is superb and the characters, although complete opposites, are perfect for each other.
From the first time Elizabeth and James meet the sexual tension flowing between them is off the charts. He stalks her with his catlike approach and she scampers away but is immediately drawn back to his masculine magnetism. Lizzy exposes James to a world he would have never had the opportunity to be a part of. He conforms to her world but it really isn’t who he is or wants to be.
They come from such opposite stations in life but the chemistry between them can not be denied, but more importantly their relationship allows them to finally figure out who they want to be.
The next two paragraphs are my favorites in the book and show the intensity of the passion that flows between these two characters.
“Every part of this man has touched my life. Every part of him I’ve touched has touched me back, and the parts that I had nothing to do with have outright shone on their own. Near blinded me. There is so much to him to admire.”
“When I am with him I want to shed that skin and just be me, the girl who tries to be perfect but never really buys into being all that. The girl who just wants to be happy, succeed in life, have her father’s love, joke around, and yes, even, fall deeply and madly in love with the guy who will make her feel happy. Compliment her perfectly.”
Stunts were Jimi Rowan´s life until he met her…Elizabeth…the Heiress and daughter of a fashion magnate Harold Banks. She made him offer he couldn’t resist and on top of that a hope, that maybe he could get Lizzy’s delicious body and soul for himself. What they didn’t plan on was fall one for another. Except all that shine and glamour had its price. The lost of friends and Self. Was it even worthy to become someone else and forget about the person he once had been?
Read this amazing story about trust, hope love and so much more. The book is so very much Katy Evans, raw, emotional and the twist….le sigh… oh so brilliant. I loved every second.
When I first saw the blurb, I was like ”This I have to read”. It reminded me of the movies The Makeover (starring Julia Stiles – love it!!!) and another movie that was about a guy who is homeless (I think) and steal watches (??? and I can’t find it anywhere so if you know the title please tell me!!!). Anyway, in both cases, there was a complete makeover and the guy turned out hot. Of course.
The book wasn’t so bad but it wasn’t good either. Couple things that bothered me:
For one, how was Lizzy always thinking that she made him that way, she made him desirable, gorgeous and hot. She made him sophisticated. I get where that came from but it gets annoying if she thinks that he’s nothing without her. I mean, yeah, maybe he’s not great for your circle but he’s still a great person??
I also know that she changed a lot about him, just so he could fit in her circle but I still kind of hated her when she was forcing him to smoke even though he refused to do that.
___________
I reach into the humidor, where I keep a stash of my father’s favourite cigars for those rare, once-every-few-months evenings when he comes over for dinner. I offer the box to him.
He shakes his head. ”Quit smoking when I was eighteen.”
”To smoke is human; to smoke cigars is divine.” I take one out, open his jacket, and stuff one in the inside pocket.
____________
Like bitch, if he doesn’t smoke, he doesn’t smoke. There are a lot of people who don’t, no need to force them just to fit in.
When I was reading this and other similar moments, where she talked about dad in the same line, it looked to me like she wanted to turn James to be exactly like her dad.
In one moment, even her friendship was weird. I think her friend despised James because he was a ”nobody” which was mentioned when that same friend found out James is not really a rich man but rather a common one.
I also wished that text messages would be in italics or in other way separated from the rest of the text because sometimes I couldn’t distinguish between what was a text message and what was just a normal line in a book.
3.5 stars.
ARC provided via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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