Today was meant to be the same. Until it wasn’t. Until NatalieTime is not my friend. With every tick of the clock, my options wane. Winning a lunch meeting with the CEO was supposed to be the answer to all of my problems. After all, Nixon Ballard is known for taking a bit of money and turning it into a lot. But his easy dismissal of my financial struggle took what I hoped would be a quick … a quick solution and turned it into my only option. An option to provide for those who matter most. An option that lays everything on the line. This was meant to be a sacrifice, but quickly became the escape I really need.
The old adage is true… time is money. Which makes it one of my most precious commodities. Starting my company ten years ago, I quickly understood that success is garnered from milking every moment of the one thousand four hundred and forty minutes each day has to offer. Every meeting, conference call, and agenda item is carefully orchestrated like an elaborate meal. Each course perfectly timed and curated, building to the grand dessert- my weekly scheduled evening with a hired beauty.
Ninety minutes with no expectations, other than mutual pleasure.
Ninety minutes where no one knows who I am.
Today was meant to be the same. Until it wasn’t.
Until Natalie.
more
“…That is exactly how my life feels right now. Like it is not my own. Like I am living in someone else’s nightmare. Only I’m not. I’m living in my own.”
I was so excited to get my hands on another KJ Lewis book. This book is so much more than I had expected when I cracked it open.
“You might be broken, but I know what this finished puzzle looks like. I know what the pieces are building. The picture it’s supposed to make. Trust me,”
You will go through so many emotions…it is filled with humor, heartache, self discovery and acceptance, betrayal, loss, forgiveness, steaminess, loyalty, hope and many life lessons.
“The thing about writing our dreams on paper is there is no one to say you can’t do it. No voice to listen to other than our own. No second guessing.”
I give this a 4.5*
This story took me by surprise. It was steamy, captivating and emotional. It was about love and strength. A beautifully written story that captivated me beginning to end. Can’t wait to read the next book from this author.
I won an ARC and volunteered to leave a review.
Oh wow, what did I read! This book drew me in from the very beginning and gave me all the feels. The emotions was raw, and in some places brutal but so real. Such the emotional roller-coaster.
My heart broke and soared with Natalie. What lengths would you go to, to save family? She was so open and honest, I just wanted to wrap her in a hug and never let go.
Nixon whilst he started off being quite distanced, the more I got to see him interact with Natalie the more I loved him. She opened his eyes to what his life had become and what possibilities were in front of him. I will be honest and say that I wanted to hit him upside his head for going about things the way he did but I loved how he stepped up when she hit rock bottom. My heart broke and swooned
This is one hell of a must read but you will need tissues and wine.
5 cranky stars
Natalie is a born care giver. She takes care of her family and friends to a fault, but who takes care of her? When she finds herself in a pickle she turns to her CEO for advice and he snubs her without question. This sets off a chain of events that make the scariest roller coaster feel tame.
Nixon is the innovator. He built his buisness from the ground up yet somewhere along the line he lost sight of why he loved his company. When a timed lunch meeting with Natalie leaves him bewildered and intrigued he finds himself in new territory with no map.
This book had me running the emotional gauntlet. With each page I fell more in love with the characters. This author took a real life struggle and immortalized it on paper. I look forward to reading more of this authors work.
Because is the first book that I’ve read by the author, i don’t know anything about some of the secondary characters but will read the previous books for sure.
Needless to say that I’ve finished reading this book in one sitting and a few days ago but i needed time to regroup my feelings and thoughts as this book is definitely not what i was expected and i was impressed with the plot and story.
At what length will you go to save your family? what limits will you pass to bring that much-needed help that will keep the hope of overcoming deadly health issues for one of your loved ones? I’m not the person to judge someone else’s decisions in life and even if i don’t agree with what Nathalie decided to do, i understand perfectly why as an ultimate option.
Nixon is a very calculated man that built an empire and hos very strict with his time and maybe a bit obsessed. Has certain preferences and being the CEO of his empire, no time for a formal relationship, but fate makes that he meets one of his employees and, honestly i think he was a bit coward for acting the way he did.
I really enjoyed the book, the author is a great storyteller and everything went flawless from the characters to their moments together that are more than hot and maybe I’ve learned a thing or two, to the turns and twists that in a way i didn’t expect but overall it’s a story that proves that love doesn’t care who you are and what you do, it makes you fall in love at the right time with the right person.
Emotionally charged!
All the emotions for this book! I couldn’t put it down; I was so invested in this couple and their story. I found it to be intense, intriguing, and heart wrenching in the best of ways.
Nixon and Natalie, and their alter egos Boris and Natalia (genius!) made my heart beat faster. Their power exchange, their give and take, was fascinating! Without giving anything away, the premise of this story was very exciting and I loved it!
Paper Dreams by KJ Lewis is a steamy, intense, captivating and emotional read that is pack full of feels, twists, and more that keeps the reader hooked until the very literal end of the book.
Nixon and Natalie sizzled on the pages and they made the story come alive and just pop!!! Without giving anything(spoilers) away, you want to keep tissues handy. Also the banter between Nixon and Natalie is awesome. I loved the chemistry between Nix and Nat. Sparks just fly. Supporting characters aid their love story and enrich their love/relationship yet those sneaky plot twists had me wondering if their HEA would ever happen. There was a terrible sadness that occurs in this story ; Ms. Lewis has a deft skill when writing- her writing is phenomenal. I can’t wait for more in the series. I’m hooked and need more of my favorite couple/characters.
My Rating: 4.9 stars *******
This book was amazing! It was worth every day of waiting.
I loved the build up. I loved how the characters (Nixon and Natalie) were broken and they were perfect for one another.
Through their encounters they found themselves and found exactly what they were each searching for.
Don’t wait to read this. Although KJ is a newer author for me I know that I’m going to love whatever she writes!
Paper Dreams
K.J. Lewis.
Reviews on goodreads. Amazon. Book bub. The book addicts.
K.J Lewis knows how to write a great book y’all !!! I loved this one !!!
There was edge of your seat parts , there were moments that melted my heart and moments where I thought I might have to cuss her out!!! Lol !
She holds you captive with her words. I always say i can’t wait to see what she comes up with next and I will say it again. I can wait to see what she comes up with next !! She never disappoints!!
If you haven’t read any of her books you should start now !! She will definitely be your next favorite one click author !!
Paper Dreams was my first KJ Lewis novel and I absolutely loved it. This story was captivating, engrossing and will hold your attention until the very end. Its a story about accepting yourself and releasing your fears and finding love when you least expect it.
I loved the chemistry between Natalie and Nixon. These two were relatable and you will be rooting for them throughout the story. The secondary characters provided balance and support to the couple and greatly added to the story.
This story was steamy, sweet, and tragic and will take you on an emotional roller-coaster ride, yet you will enjoy every moment of it. Told in dual POV, this novel was well-written and compelling and definitely worthy of a 5 star status. I loved it and would highly recommend it.
What a heartwarming, well written, storyline. KJ Lewis has given us a very compelling story with characters that are very down to earth and very relatable. The book will have you smiling, wanting to cry and even give you a laugh or two. But most of all it will make you feel. Feel the romance, the heartbreak, the joy and need that revolve around the lives of Nixon and Natalie.
Nixon Ballard is a rich, business man that knows time is money. He accounts for every minute of his day and honestly takes very little time for himself. Natalie works for Ballard Solutions. If fact Nixon is her bosses boss’s boss. She wins a 20 min lunch with Nixon and plans to pick his brain. You see she needs a lot of money fast. But Nixon basically tell her with her portfolio it can’t be done. The only thing that came of that lunch was Nixon’s sudden infatuation with Natalie and Natalie’s knowledge that her needs mean for desperate actions. So Natalie meets with a Madam who supplies women for the rich and signs on to work for her.
From here the story takes off and not in the vein as a reader you would think. I don’t do spoilers so I’ll only say Kudos Ms. Lewis for a wonderful heartfelt story that kept me glued to the pages. The plot was nothing I expected and literally took my breath away. 2 Thumbs Up and 5 Amazing Stars for Paper Dreams.
Kj Lewis has once again blown me away! Paper Dreams is one of her best books yet and I do not say that lightly.
Nixon is a powerful rich CEO, and the definition of control freak. He can come across as harsh at times due to his
directness. He allows himself to let off steam only once a week for 90 minutes. What he doesn’t know? His perfectly scheduled and perfectly controlled world is about to be turned upside down.
How far would you go to make money? This is the big question that runs through Natalie’s head on repeat. She decides she would do anything to help her parents and decides to take a job that will be as life changing as it is provocative. The bond between Natalie and her family added a lot of depth to the overall story and raised the stakes in every decision she made. She proved she was willing to do anything, go to any length to help them. Their relationship really was beautiful.
Be prepared for Natalie and Nixon’s passion to light you up! My god, it was so sexy, tantalizing, and erotic. But also sweet, beautiful, and romantic. The notes they wrote to each other was one of my favorite parts.
This book really is wonderfully written, KJ Lewis has such a way with words that the reader is lulled into feeling that they are actually in the story. All in all, YOU MUST READ PAPER DREAMS!!
My first book by K.J.Lewis and after reading it, I am sure it won’t be my last! I was extremely impressed with her story telling. The subject was delicately balanced and she did a great job of making it classy and intriguing.
Nixon’s life is confined and dictated by clock. He likes control and takes it to extreme. And his employee Natalia’s life is running on chaos and falling into pieces. Their paths were never supposed to cross in an intimate way. But Natalia had to make a tough choice and it throws her in Nixon’s life without her knowledge. But Nixon knows and he knows this secret will kill them both. But he can’t help revelling in the beauty of Natalia’s body and mind.
The story is written in dual POV. That sometimes get tough but K.J.Lewis nailed the male PoV. Nixon is an arrogant, almost egomaniac , dominating guy who actually hides own weakness behind his mask. And Natalia is an inspiring character all the way. She is strong, brave, compassionate, loyal and dedicated. The chemistry is flowing like electric charge between them. This story has a sinful BDSM component mixed with traditional contemporary office romance and I enjoyed those parts so much. The author put suspenseful ,thrilling and forbidden encounters along with loads of angst and heartbreak. Her writing was beautiful. It was sharp and crisp when required. And sometimes it was loaded with poetic qualities.
Paper Dreams by K.J.Lewis surprised me in the best kind of way. An unusual way of finding love was written with brilliant words. I was hooked to the story and it didn’t disappoint me at all.
RECEIVED ARC FOR HONEST REVIEW