I need to hire a wife. But I only want my assistant. I’m Evan Cook—billionaire tech entrepreneur and widower. Professionally, I’ve got it all. But since my wife died, my personal life has fallen apart. Remarrying seems like the obvious answer, so I place an ad. I’m not asking for much. The ideal woman only needs to be smart, organized, pretty, and helpful—both in and out of bed—without expecting … helpful—both in and out of bed—without expecting romance. I never thought to look right in front of me…but it turns out that Nia Wright, my sexy, sassy assistant, just might be the perfect candidate.
After an unexpectedly hot night together, I’m ready to stop interviewing strangers and simply marry her. On paper, she ticks every box on my list. Best of all, she’s far too sensible to fall for me. I didn’t see the flaw in my logic until it was too late. I never thought I’d lose my heart for the first time. And I definitely never imagined Nia could consume me. But she’s harboring a secret that could tear us apart. Can I prove I more than crave her before it’s too late?
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I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads, so here is my review.
Wow, what a beginning. With Evan wanting to put an ad out there for a wife and to be married before moving to Hawaii by the end of the year. Is he crazy or something. The ad sounds like he is looking for all the wrong things. What about love and happiness? He isn’t looking for love because he thinks he can’t love again after he lost his wife.
Nia Wright is the perfect assistant. And after one wild night together, she is the perfect wife for Evan. But Nia wants love, the one thing that Evan thinks he can’t give. Nia thinks he is crazy for his way of thinking but places the ad and sets up interviews.
When Evan realizes that Nia is all he needs, will he pop the question? Can they spend time together and learn more about each other? Will Nia show Evan that he can fall in love again? What happens when Evan learns about her secret? Will it destroy any chance they have at a future?
First, I love Evan and Nia but he was a little out there for me. I wanted to slap him up side the head a couple of times. But then you think about his past and who his father was and you forgive him because he never really knew love as a child. While Nia had her mother, she never knew her father.So both was missing some things.
Anyway, their story was great for them. And guess what? There will be more to this series and I can’t wait. So sit back and enjoy the More Than Words series and I hope you love it too.
**Wicked Reads Review Team**
More Than Crave You (More Than Words, #4)
by Shayla Black (Goodreads Author)
Read
Evan Cook is a lost soul. He lost his wife and unborn child in a car accident. Now he feels he will never love again. But a man has needs, right? So he decides to place an ad for a wife. Address his basic needs, but also mention no love required.
His assistant Nia thinks his approach is crazy. There’s always room for love, right?
Well even the best laid plans dont always work out. Especially when Evan realizes that he has the perfect person right in front of him. She’s beautiful, smart, funny and knows him better than he knows himself. The only problem is, he feels he cant love again. Nia has had a crush on Evan for years. But he was married…
When he decides to place his wife wanted ad she realizes nows her chance. Can she show him how to love again? She’s going to need a lot of patience and to show him what love feels like.
Yes, Evan wants Nia but to keep her he will have to show her he more than craves her…is he capable of love? A breath taking, emotionally charged love story.
Love is never logical.
When analytic minded Evan wants a wife / help mate he if course wants a personal ad doing for a robot with benefits.
Now, his long time assistant see the flaw in his plan to fill the hole his late wife left.
But a conniving business partner and best friend knows what he needs and forces him to see it too.
It’s amazing how a sexual dry spell and a new case if raging jealousy can open a man’s mind and eyes!
But vultures are circling and threaten everything new and amazing.
The revelations, the push and pull, the insurmountable heat factor and the pain all make for another wonderful book by Shayla Black!
The logical man meets the emotional female. It’s perfect, the contrast between the two is amazing. Evan thinks, therefore acts, in black and white terms, and suddenly he wakes up to a rainbow of color pouring down on his methodical existence. It’s a fabulous read!
I started listening to the audio but had to switch over to the book. The narration was ok, but the story became tedious. I was sick of both Evan and Nia.
For one thing, if I had not known Nia was supposed to be black, (from the cover), I would not have known at all except for the occasional references to skin tone. Then, wait, her sexual history continued to be brought up. Again and Again. I started out with high hopes. Nia was strong, intelligent, witty. She deteriorated into something I can’t explain. Also, why did she have to be a burlesque dancer? Couldn’t she have been ANY other kind of dancer, ballet? Jazz?, etc.? Why did she have to be biracial? If she was a product of two AA parents would she not have been good enough for Evan? Why did she have to have more sexual experience than Evan? Does that come up in other romance novels?
There waa something wrong with Evan. Maybe because this was the first book I read in this series, and didn’t have much background, I had to wonder what happened to him that he was so removed from his emotions. Why did he marry his wife? Didn’t seem like he felt anything for her. It seemed !One she was convenient, like a Keurig.
I didn’t feel much of anything for Evan or Nia. I just wanted them to get together so the book would end.
I didn’t even realized I owned this book, and the first 3. After reading this one, I’m hesitant to invest the time in the first 3.
Let’s just say this first – Evan is mine. So everyone else back off. He is a man who has been mentioned a little in previous books in the series, but this book can be read as a stand alone.
He’s a driven business man. Has been raised fighting every step, not with the rest of his biological family. He realizes he needs a reset in life. Nia is the reason why his life runs as smoothly as it does as his right hand. But he soon realizes he can’t live without her for more than just that reason.
Nia is a strong willed woman who knows what she is willing to do and not to do. But something about her boss catches her eye. What happens then is explosive.
As in all Shayla Black books, our characters have a mind of their own, they aren’t pushovers and they dictate where their story will end. You need to read this one to appreciate them. It is a diamond in the rough.
Evan and Nia, just wow. The whole I like you; no wait I love you was so infatuating and sweet. Also at the same I kept on yelling at them for them to get theirselves together.
Shayla Black as always it’s a pleasure to read on of your works.
This was an awesome book. One part of that was the narrator and the other part was the character portrayals. But I think no matter how you read this, you will be entertained. This story was messy as heck! Love it! Stuff happened when it shouldn’t have, and people with feelings or not sure what they’re feeling were just not connecting. Add in some family drama, some mysterious business dealings, and you’ve got one entertaining read!
I think I have been over billionaire books for a while, even though a new one keeps coming into my orbit every few weeks. Billionaire seems like a code word for jerk or alpha male, and I get enough jerks IRL. But Evan’s “jerk”-like behavior is mostly due to his social awkwardness and logical mindset. He’s clipped and rational, which could come off as acting like a snobby jerk. Here, it’s just endearing. Think Sheldon Cooper personality-wise, but less extreme.
And Nia gets him right in line! I love that she’s very much a round character and not a stereotype of a Black woman trying to save some dude. Again, we do that all the time, so I don’t need to read about it. Nia has her own issues, her own hobbies, her own interests, and an open mind. But she is blunt and no-nonsense like a Black woman with common sense who doesn’t take crap from people. Thank you, Shayla Black for this character.
More than Crave You is book 4 in the More Than series, but I didn’t feel like I was missing anything from the others, or that I needed the others to feel satisfied here. While a couple of the others are on my TBR list, I’m not in a rush to read them, but I thoroughly enjoyed this one, and I probably will with the others.
And last note: about the cover. While I love the model picked for Nia, and the model for Evan is hot, I don’t imagine Evan looking like that. I see Grant Gustin. Glasses on or off–still sexy. To see more of this review, check out Goodreads.
Yet again, Shayla delivers an outstanding plot, with amazing, well developed characters, and a love story that’ll have you lost for words.
More Than Crave You is book 4 in the More Than Words series. It can be read as a stand-alone but best read from book one of the series called More Than Want You.
After reading book three of this series and getting a peek into Evans life, I knew I had to know more, knew their has to be a book for him so when I read the blurb to this and realised it was his story, I was excited as ever and Shayla did not disappoint!
Evan? He’s overly cautious, he overanalyses every little thing and makes sure everything is logically correct, to control everything he could around him. My heart broke for him, he’d grown up in the foster system and had married a girl he rescued when he was just a young man, he’d lost his wife and unborn child in a car accident and as time went by he realised he wanted to find love again and that his wife would want him to. So he comes up with the idea of advertising for a woman and got his assistant Nia to help but it’s not as straight forward as that..
Nia? She’s a witty, free spirited, fun, loving, successful, hard working and helplessly in love and wanting a happily ever after with Evan, and honestly she’s exactly the type of woman who would be perfect for him.
The relationship between the two could not be more complicated. It’s a friends to lovers romance, and the two of them are two totally different people, total opposites. As much as Nia wants him, Evan is reluctant as ever and has placed a wall up between the two of them, to try control the way he was feeling about her. And Nia has secrets of her own that prove that she’s not the woman he thought she was.
But when together they are fireworks, hot as hell, all consuming and down right dirty and sexy! The passion, lust and intimacy between the two of them is on fire and I could feel it all the way through.
This story isn’t just based around their love story, it always included family drama and work drama.
This story has some twists and turns in it, and it’ll have you second guessing what exactly is going on, but as per usual Shayla throws you many curve balls and keeps you on the edge of your seat, flipping pages frantically and wanting to know what happens next!
I absolutely love Evan and Nia. Their unrequited, friends to lovers love story took hold of me tightly and very quickly and I managed to devour this book within 48 hours.
It’s most definitely worth a 5 star rating, if not more!
This is my favorite book of this series so far! I love Evan and Nia together. Shayla Black is the queen of creating turmoil between a man and woman and then putting them back together better than they were. And I loved that it included the characters that I’ve fallen in love with from other books in this series. One of my favorite scenes was when all the guys were together and giving Evan advice about his amd Nia’s love life. Absolutely perfect!
4.5 STARS!!
Evan is trying to move forward after his tragic past. He needs to move forward to fill a void that he has been left with. He is very geeky, romantically awkward and just out of the game. He is definitely not in tune with his emotions. Evan hires Nia to assist him without ever realizing or thinking she could be the one.
Nia is definitely unexpected in Evans life. Nia is seeking true love while Evan is more businesslike and really just wants to fill the void in his life. What neither of them realize is they are a perfect fit for one another. Can Nia make Evan fall in love?
It was amazing to read the story from Evan’s POV. It definitely helps you understand him and fall head over heels for him at the same time. This was a great story and addition to the series. It was also nice to get updates on other couples and see where they are now. Some things never change 😉
EVAN!!!! If you have read any of the books in the MORE THAN WORDS series you will know that Evan is the half brother of Maxon, Griffin, and Harlow, who lost his wife and child in a car accident. If you thought Maxon and Griffin were sexy, holy cow move on over because EVAN oozes sex right through his pours.
I haven’t read many interracial relationship romances because some of the ones I have go through the stereotypical hangups so I am thrilled that we didn’t have to deal with that here #LoveHasNoColor but we did have the billionaire / assistant hangups as far as money and social status.
How do you move on when you thought you had everything and then it all was taken away in the blink of an eye? Well, you get your assistant, Nia, to run a “Wife Wanted” ad for you, that’s how…LOL. The premise is so silly it had me laughing but hey whatever it takes for someone to open their eyes to see what is right in front of them I’m all for it.
This story can be read as a standalone but I would recommend reading at least More Than Love You, which is where I started the series and first met Evan, first.
Whether you choose to read or listen to this book I don’t think you will be disappointed. Shayla Black did a wonderful job with not only creating two likable characters who really have amazing chemistry together, she took a difficult subject and made it more palatable. Christian Fox is another amazing job with the narration, I really love his voice. Happy Reading / Listening!!!
Playlist
FIRST DATE – Blink 182
FALLINGFORYOU – The 1975
YOU AND ME – Lifehouse
KISS ME – Sixpence None the Richer
GOD ONLY KNOWS – Beach Boys
THANK YOU – Dido
TRULY – Lionel Richie
BOO’D UP – Ella Mai
A COUPLE OF FOREVERS – Chrisette Michele
GOODBYE – Natalie Imbruglia
BREATHE AGAIN – Sara Bareilles
FALL BACK IN – Plumb
IT’S NOT OVER – Daughtry
WHATEVER IT TAKES – Lifehouse
IF – Bread
When what you want is right in front of you…
Evan Cook, CEO of Stratus Solutions is the quintessential tech geek. Now a widower for six months, he’s still mourning the loss of his wife and unborn child. His personal life has taken a toll, his penthouse apartment is lonely and strewn with dirty dishes and laundry. Evan’s interpersonal skills aren’t the greatest but he’s in desperate need of a wife, one who does not have romantic expectations. He entrusts Nia, his assistant, to set up the interviews.
Nia Wright has been Evan’s executive assistant for 3 years. She’s loyal, practical, and is secretly drawn to Evan. She makes a deal helping him organize and clean his home before Evan makes a rash decision towards a marriage of convenience. She never expected Evan to take a second look at her outside of the office. Her love of dance finds her working weekends at Bawdy Boudoir Burlesque. Evan and Sebastian, his best friend and CFO of Stratus, catch the show one evening and Evan can’t believe it’s Nia. The sexy siren is everything he wants and needs. There is sizzling chemistry between them. Can he convince Nia to become his wife? Can Nia agree to a life without love?
More Than Crave You is book 4 in the More Than Words series and a great addition to the series. Secrets are revealed about Nia’s heritage, Evan finds hurtful evidence about his wife, and an unexpected surprise makes this story intriguing. My heart went out to Evan, but he had quite the journey in finally realizing he found love with Nia. Ms. Black delivers a wonderfully sigh-worthy, sexy romance in this story. I received and voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.
“She’s everything I’ve been seeking for longer than I care to admit.”
I don’t know about other fans of this series, but this is the one I’ve been waiting for.
*waves hand*
Yes, yes, never fear – ALL of the books in the series can be read as standalones, but just like chocolate, one taste is never enough to satisfy *winks* You’ll definitely crave more! (see what I did there? *pats self on back*)
*coughs*
Speaking of sampling the goods, Evan and Nia’s story was everything I’ve come to expect from a Shayla Black read, and more. I’ve been devouring this author’s words since 2012, and she never fails to deliver a tantalising story for the senses.
*smirks*
Nu-uh, that was totally you this time, not me *shakes head* I cannot be held accountable for the way your mind works *wags fingers*, lol.
I know I probably say this with each new book, buuutt Evan is my favourite (well, at least until the next release). He’s like the human version of Dr Spock *snorts* His geekiness and social awkwardness just endeared him to me even more. Okay, so his hotness factor was an added bonus *whistles*
Evan has experienced an unbearable loss. One which no-one should have to endure. Life may have to go on, and Evan being Evan, thinks he has a foolproof way of forging ahead – ‘Wife wanted but feelings not required’. Yeah, right.
Sometimes 1 + 1 doesn’t equal 2, and this throws our hero for loop. Especially when his assistant, Nia, fires a need and want in him he has trouble computing (psst – fried circuits *snorts*). But once he does – it’s like a champagne bottle being uncorked…
Who knew all that passion was simmering just underneath the surface?
*sighs*
“Be with me. Stay with me. Love me.”
On paper, Evan and Nia don’t appear compatible but this feisty female is everything Evan didn’t even know he wanted. She’s intelligent, beautiful, and sassy with an unending capacity to love. Life is what you make it, and whilst it hasn’t always been easy for her, Nia lives life to the fullest.
Yet, there’s one thing Nia doesn’t want to compromise on…
This is no ordinary romance. I loved the unfolding drama and intrigue as secrets are revealed. It made for a suspenseful read at times. Also, we get to explore the dichotomy between the head and the heart. Who will win?
I know who gets my vote.
*sighs*
Yup…
As long as Ms Black keeps writing, I’ll keep reading. My cravings will need to wait meantime.
I love everything Shayla writes. She is one of my go to authors.
I CRAVED this new romance like I crave my favorite chocolate! Shayla Black once again brought me to my KNEES with her newest, compelling, heartrending, sexy, smart romance!
More Than Crave Me gave me EXACTLY what I needed and wanted. It was incredibly brilliant with wonderful characters. I loved the romance which was sultry, sexy, and sweet. And the storyline made my heart clench in the BEST way and the plot made it hard to resist. You can NEVER go wrong with a romance by Shayla Black that’s for sure!
More Than Crave You gets a SIZZLING FIVE SHOOTING STARS!
*A copy of this book was gifted to me from the author and I freely give my honest review*
A man with more logic senses than emotional senses is trying to find a new wife, an he not see what’s right under his nose?
I love this book so much, it was a emotional roller coaster with some extra surprises.
* Very good storyline that had some unexpected events and a very good ending
* Wonderful characters descriptions that’s filled with feelings. I felt like I got in to Evan’s head and heart. This is written from his POV but in the last chapter we get a little bit of Nia’s POV
* I love how Evan is on a journey that makes him realise some truths that isn’t all he thought it was. He also learns about what real love is.
* No unnecessary descriptions of surroundings
* Lots of dialogues that makes the story drive forward.
* The love scenes is intense but also beautiful described and there’s just the right amount in my opinion.
Excellent 5 stars story about a intriguing journey through the mind and heart of a man that still has a lost child inside.
Vive l’amour! The fourth book in the More Than Words series is like a gentle brook that flows deliciously over one’s body immersing the individual in a range of emotions from passion, betrayal, self- reflection and understanding. Evan is a sweet geek and the billionaire CEO of his own company. He is a very left brained individual and places importance on logic and being reasonable. Nia is his loyal right hand and a free spirit. After the death of Evan’s wife and child, he does not cope well and is incapable of truly being on his own as his late wife was the one who handled all of the domestic chores and ran the household. In order to rectify the problem, Evan asks Nia to place an ad for a new wife. Nia is not thrilled with that prospect as she has had a crush on Evan for the past three years that she has been working for him; not to mention the two are perfect for each other. You know the saying that sometimes you cannot see what is right in front of your face….Well in this case that is an understatement until one night when Evan’s best friend Sebastian takes him to a club and they bump into Nia. From there, it is as if a light has gone on in Evan and the two are a combustible combination. However, can two divergent perspectives on love and marriage make a relationship work? Pick up the book and find out!
I volunteered to read an advance copy of this book.
It was an interesting premise, not entirely unique. Loved that this featured an interracial couple. My main issue was the single POV from Ethan. This desperately needed dual POVs, I felt bogged down by Ethan’s processing and over thinking. It also left Nia barely elevated from all the other secondary characters. If you like the single POV then you won’t mind the pacing.
More than Crave You by Shayla Black but is my first in the More Than You series. So this can be read as a standalone but I would recommend that you read the first three books; I felt a little lost or missing some info because I have not read the first three books.
The blurb is what got my attention, who doesn’t love a good contract marriage/office romance? At first, I didn’t like Evan, it was hard to connect with him; I understand he was going through something I would never wish on anyone but it seemed like that he was giving up on life. But the more I kept reading he started to grow on me. Nia was awesome; I loved her character and all of her sassiness. Evan and Nia together had so much sexual chemistry; it brought smoke to my kindle. All the secondary characters have me wanting to go back and read their stories, which I will be doing. Overall, this book was really good; recommend giving this series a read.