I Lost The Love Of My Life… Billionaire Romance, inspired by Alexandre Dumas’ “The Count of Monte Cristo”. It’s a thrilling and steamy story of jealousy, betrayal, lust, and revenge. This is a stand-alone novel with no cliff-hanger and a HEA, the first in the Classic Billionaires series.more
The CEO of Cristo: A Secret Baby Billionaire Romance (Sophie Lark Standalones)
By sophielark
This story is very different from what I usually read in that I wasn’t sure who to “root for” in the Van-Hazel-Ethan triangle for several chapters. All I am going to say is that the way the characters are developed and the physical and emotional changes they go through are so raw at times, I could not put the book down.
I can say, without revealing too much, that I shared tears with two of the characters – mostly with Hazel. It is a poignant romance and an intriguing set of circumstances that will keep you wondering, ‘what could possibly happen next?’
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This romance takes a turn after the first few chapters that I wasn’t expecting. Because it has three points of view you have to guess at first who the romance will be with. It has heart breaking moments for Van, Hazel and especially Ethan. I was happy this romance didn’t completely follow the plot of the original version that inspired it. It is similar to the book that inspired it and that there is a secret baby, a dramatic transformation and revenge. I enjoyed reading this inspired version.
When I was in college, I had to read the “Count of Monte Cristo” for a British literature class. It became one of my favorite classics. This book is a modern time retelling of that incredible story. It’s just as good as the original book.
The best thing about this retelling is that we get the POV of the three main characters: Van, Ethan, and Hazel. It’s a story of jealousy, betrayal, unconditional love, and revenge. I often tell the young people that I work with that bitterness is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die. The character who cannot let go of jealousy basically destroys his life, although in the eyes of others, he seemed to have it all. The one who has nothing ends up with the HEA.
This book was very heart wrenching even though you know that the ending is going to be good. I love Sophie‘s books. I love the historical part about it and what is so cool is that this is set in a place where I call home. Many of her other books are set in Chicago, but this is set in the Silicon Valley area. I recognized all the cities and all the places that were mentioned in this book, which made it more real to me. I forgot that San Quentin prison is close to us. I have also been to Alcatraz which used to be the big prison in this area.
THE CEO OF CRISTO, A Secret Baby Billionaire Romance (Classic Billionaire Book 1) By Sophie Lark
What an addictive read this is! I could not put it down and finished it at 4:30 AM. This has betrayal, devotion, jealousy, love, revenge, loyalty, murder, twists & turns. Sophie Lark has done an excellent job of presenting this in a current contemporary fashion. Definitely a 5 star read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received a free ARC copy in exchange for my honest review.
One of my favorite books is the Count of Monte Cristo. I was very interested to see Sophie Lark’s take on the story. I can honestly say I love The CEO of Cristo.
If you know the original story you will find this story sticks to the basic story with modern twists. All three of our main characters are in the tech field, designing and marketing of an app.
Van and Ethan are best friends an roommates in college. After graduation they both separately meet Hazel at a New Year’s Eve party. Both guys fall for her but it is Ethan who she likes. Of course that makes Van very jealous. He undertakes actions that change the lives of the three in terrible ways.
The story moves through the years at a decent pace but it is clear what year you are reading and what the characters are doing. We are given great characters that I came to care about. I was shaking my head because of the frustrating position the characters are in. There is definitely romance in this book along with suspense, thrills and heartache. I held on to the hope that as the original story ended happily ever after that the The CEO of Cristo would also. It does have a very satisfying ending. This story is added to my collection of books to reread. I highly recommend it. I would rate it 100 stars if I could.
I’m a new fan of this author’s Mafia books & thought I would give this dark retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo a try. At first, I thought this book was a love triangle but it definitely is not. Van, the wealthy alpha male and his studious but poor college roommate Ethan both meet Hazel on the same night; to say more about the story would spoil it. Go in blind, it will enhance your experience. There were times where I wished for expansion on certain relationships, to increase my connection to them. I did enjoy all three main characters though. The story was set over a period of years, and so parts obviously moved slowly. As the author brings us to the present, the story moved much more quickly, at which point I was glued to the pages. This story was intense & emotional (with a few creepy parts!), thoroughly enjoyed it!
I received a copy of this book. My honest opinion is voluntarily provided.
The CEO of Cristo
by Sofia Lark
This was my first book by this author so I wasn’t sure what to expect. I’m happy to say that I enjoyed the storyline my only gripe would be I think Van got off way to easy.
Van is a rich privileged college student who has tried his whole life to make his father proud of him yet never quite lives up to the task. Van definitely has daddy issues. Ethan is his roommate and bestfriend but comes from a poor single mother and is extremely smart. They come from different worlds and are opposites yet their friendship works.
Everything seemed great until they go to a New Year’s Eve party where they both meet the same girl unknown to the other. Van meets Hazel first and is drawn to her only to discover his bestfriend Ethan kissing her at the stroke of midnight. Years of yearning for her love makes him do unforgivable things in the end. Their journey is one of love,obsession,revenge and perseverance.
4
Was okay but not what I was expecting
The CEO of Cristo is the first book in the Classic Billionaires series by Sophie Lark. I have read and really enjoyed the Colors of Crime series by this author and was looking forward to starting a new series, especially after reading the book description, albeit short. This tells the story of Hazel, Van and Ethan over a period of years. Well I knew that this book was loosely based on The Count of Monte Cristo this book did not hit the notes that I was expecting. There is love, jealousy, murder, double-crossing, suspense, revenge, and a number of twists it was just too over the top to me. I thought the book was well written but it was the story-line that was the issue for me. So in the end I think this book was okay but not what I had anticipated. But I do know that other readers will love this story and I will read the next in this series to see whether it is the series that I may not be into, as not every book an author writes will be your favorite.
I received an ARC of this book from the author for my honest review. My opinions are all my own.
Loved the book, the story was well written and the characters were intriguing. Once I started I could not get enough, from the start till the end I was engrossed I was even on the edge of my seat with twists and turns, lust and passion, strength, erotic, raunchy and happiness with a touch of Romance with happily ever after. Do yourself a favor and buy the book you want be disappointed.
Thank you for allowing me to review your book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
4.5 Stars
This was a great read. This book is full of suspense, deceit, drama, dedication and faithfulness. Hazel’s love never falters. Van’s ultimate betrayal to his friends is finally revealed and resolved after gruelling pain. Love prevails.
What a wild ride we get with this romance suspense. Murder, lies, betrayals, one wants what the other has and you need to grab this one to see just how far he will go. My heart was thumping and page turning as fast as I could to see if justice was served and if love won in the end. Loved it!!
I received a free copy of this book via BookSirens and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Wow, so thrilling. This book had me drawn in from beginning to end. This book has suspenseful elements and move quite briskly. The twists and turns in this book kept me glued to the pages. Ethan want what is his back, Hazel and his child. The journey that Ethan takes makes for a truly thrilling read and I cannot wait for the next book in the series. This is a standalone book.
The CEO of Christo: Secret Baby is a modern day take on the Count of Monte Christi and features Ethan, who was betrayed by his best friend Van who framed him for a murder, and Hazel, his fiance who birthed and raised his daughter while Ethan was imprisoned. Ethan seeks revenge upon Van when released from prison and plans to reunite with Hazel and his child. But, do his plans materialize as he plans? This well written book is a quick read with wonderful characters and a fantastic modern plot filled with steamy romance.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was my first book by this author and I gotta say I was impressed! It kept my attention from beginning to end! With all the twists and turns in this, I couldn’t put it down! I had to know what happened next! Normally I’m not a huge fan of 3 point of views in a story but for this one, it was totally needed and necessary to the story. It made it so much better!! I will say I wasn’t a big fan of Ethan at first but by the end, I was all on board with him. Once things started clicking in, he was out for vengeance and rightfully so. I mean his best friend threw him under the bus just so he could have the girl. To bad his plan didn’t work out as he had planned. I may have laughed way to hard at that. Ethan may have been a nerd at first but by the end of this book, he was a LEGEND. He had the brains to survive prison and the brains to start up a company to take out his old one. He was a genius. He knew who did him wrong and found out all the info he could to take them down. This book was a thrill ride for sure. I loved Hazel and the fact that she held on to her love for Ethan and never let anyone sway her otherwise. She was a strong character. Van, I’m ashamed to say that I found him incredibly charming at first but when I found out how much of a snake he was, that love went out the window. He was a dirty, deceitful little boy who was just like his dad and I’m glad he got his in the end. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I loved this story. It is the kind that you can identify with the characters and immerse yourself in the story. Very well written and characters to win the heart make this book a must read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I felt as if I was on an emotional rollercoaster at times during this read. It’s brilliantly written and a great update of the classic. Loved this book from start to finish.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Wow, what a book! It is absolutely fantastic, thrilling, riveting, and quite enjoyable! This story had me hooked from the beginning and kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. It is well written with a well-developed plot, moves along at a brisk pace, and is quite the page turner. The suspense, action, nefarious acts, revenge, and much more. The main characters are amazing, likeable, strong, and you will root for them; the chemistry between them is smoking hot. This book is guaranteed to knock your socks off; it could not have been better in my opinion. Definitely recommended!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This book took me by surprise, even with the title showcasing what was to come. Was definitely taken back by the storyline in the beginning and how much I loved the progression of things. I had a OMG, WTF moment and became so engrossed in the words. This is my first book by Sophie and I was thoroughly intrigued by her writing style and the setup of the story. Won’t be the last read by her!.
“The Count of Monte Cristo” by Alexandre Dumas is one of my favorite stories so when I saw the word Cristo in the title of this book I was curious. Then I read the blurb and was intrigued. When I started reading this story I got that ache in the pit of my stomach, that feeling you get when you know bad things are going to happen to good people. If you’re familiar with the Dumas story you know that eventually there will be vengeance for the wrongs done to an innocent man. “The CEO of Cristo” mimics the same plot on a smaller scale and delivers it brilliantly. Sophie Lark brings passion, jealousy, betrayal, and revenge to life in these pages. So strap in and enjoy the ride! 5+ stars of excellent storytelling!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Having only being familiar with the 2002 movie The Count of Monte Cristo, I love this author’s modern take on the story. I loved reading Ethan and Hazel’s story, his of revenge and her of reuniting with the father of her little girl. This book is the first from this author that I have read, and look forward to reading more from her.