He set his sights on the wrong girl.Me. Law school taught me a lot of things, but nothing prepared me to deal with this determined, hotter-than-Hell millionaire. Don’t get me wrong, I’m flattered. But resisting Will Mershano is harder than passing the bar. He’s everything: sexy, confident, intelligent. And he wants me. When he hires my firm to represent Mershano Vineyards, I’m left with no … I’m left with no choice but to work right alongside him—or forfeit my job. There’s only one problem. He doesn’t know about my past or how it stalks me at every turn. All he wants is a little flirtatious fun, but Will’s playing a dangerous game.
And there’s more at stake than just my heart. . .
Although this book is part of a series, it is a standalone novel that can be enjoyed without reading the other Mershano Empire books
more
Five beating hearts for Charmer’s Gambit!
I have been patiently waiting for Will and Racheal’s story and it was worth every minute –
Foss met and exceeded my every expectation!
Charmer’s Gambit is packed with suspense, subterfuge, secrets, a sexy leading man, and a very sensual romance that will leave you wanting more of the Mershano empire.
I attempting this review without spoilers –
If you read Prince’s Game then you know Will is our sexy resident playboy and Racheal is our take no prisoners, level-headed attorney and best friend to Sarah.
These two clash right from the start – their antics as well as the sexual tension produced between them is enough to light up the city of San Francisco!
Racheal does not date rich arrogant self-absorbed men – She once had a taste straight from that fountain and she has never been able to rid herself of the bitter taste – literally
Will – I can only say do not judge a book by his cover!
This story was filled with some surprises regarding both characters – some new characters were introduced and some plot twists were set in motion that have me questioning who is next in this little dance of chance
I really like the direction that Foss is taking the series and am looking forward to book 3
Will is a man who doesn’t stop until he gets what he wants and Rachel is what he wants, but more than just her body he wants her brain and skills as a lawyer. Rachel is still running from an abusive ex and she knows that she can never let her guard down and let another cocky power hungry man in again. Will just feels different, can she trust him or will he just be another man who destroys her again? What a great book and even better story. This is definitely a must read book on an author that never ceases to bring joy with her books.
From the moment she met him, Rachel knew she was in for trouble when she meets Will Mershano, doing a favor for her best friend. He’s incredibly handsome, charismatic, wealthy, intelligent and a hard-worker. Not only that but he wanted her and she had a dark secret she kept from everyone about her past. Can she escape her past and find love in Will’s arms or is it all just more of the same as before?
Having read the predecessor to this book (NOT AT ALL NEEDED), I could not wait to get my hands on Rachel and Will’s story. This was an enjoyable read that I did not want to put down once I picked it up. How does he keep slipping past her barriers and surprising her at every turn? Can Rachel overcome her past in order to create a new future? Enjoy this book with a glass of your favorite wine, hell enjoy the whole bottle and read it in one sitting like I did! 🙂
The Charmer’s Gambit by Lexi C. Foss is Book 2 in the Mershano Empire and can be read as a stand-alone.
You know how you read about these alpha millionaire men who think they are so entitled and sit behind a desk all day pressuring women and working on their empire? Well this is NOT that story…
Will Mershano is man who could have starred in one of those old black and white movies where the females all swooned because the lead male was so charming (ohhhh, THAT’S why it’s titled what it is). He speaks several languages fluently, has impeccable business sense and knows exactly how his business is run because he’s not afraid to do the manual labor. Rachel Dawson is someone who knew exactly what she wanted in life and ever so slowly found herself bending to someone else’s ideals. Now as a corporate attorney on her way up the ladder, she is confident and strong, even when she has doubts. In college she studied law and French and when asked why French she said in case law didn’t work out, she could become a teacher. LOVE HER.
“I don’t require a babysitter, Mister Mershano.” “Oh, I’m well aware of what you require, Miss Dawson.” Can’t you feel the heat???
This story was sexy and romantic from beginning to end. The characters were all well-developed (even the mean ones), the story line flowed evenly and it had a clear beginning, a middle and an end. Will is patient and willing to take his time in the seduction department. Rachel is trying really hard to move on from her baggage. Both are fans of hard work and end results.
I read this story in one sitting, would absolutely recommend it to friends and can’t wait for the next installment in the series.
Read: 5/22/2020
The Charmer’s Gambit was the second book in the Mershano Empire series by Lexi Foss.
We met Will and Rachel in book one, The Prince’s Game. Will was Evan’s trusted cousin and the head of Mershano Wineries. Rachel was Sarah’s best friend and an attorney. They worked together on each of Evan and Sarah’s negotiated contracts. However, you don’t have to have read the first book to enjoy The Charmer’s Gambit.
Will was alpha dominant and used to getting what he wanted. Although flirty, what he wanted was Rachel to work for him on his new acquisitions. Rachel would not be manipulated and controlled by any man. She had a mysterious past and Foss hinted Rachel’s attitude spawned from a “been there, done that, and barely survived it” experience. None the less, Will was persistent and that’s where the storyline began.
The Charmer’s Gambit was well written, well developed, action packed and told from a single POV, Rachel’s. Foss began by setting the stage for Rachel and Will’s daily lives then began to reveal Rachel’s past secrets. For full disclosure, this could be a trigger for some.
I enjoyed both characters as well as the storyline. I also enjoyed the secondary characters – except for the antagonist of course. I preferred a different conclusion to the antagonist, but I’m hopeful, based on the bonus scene, that we’ll see more in a later book or series.
All in all, it was enjoyable, entertaining, fun, suspenseful and action packed. I’ve enjoyed the series thus far and can’t wait to read more. Additionally, a teaser was left for a potential spin off – please say yes – for an ABS Operatives series.
Will charms Rachel
Ever since Will met Rachel for the first time, he’s been fascinated with her. He will do anything to have her by his side for the present and foreseeable futureHowever, Rachel once gave herself to a powerful man and she’s still trying to recover from it even three years on But she could never have predicted Will’s determination and charming charisma would break down all the walls she’s built to protect herself…..until now
Loved this story and very intrigued with Kincaid and the hints about a new series Thank you to Lexi for my advanced copy which I leave my honest review
Definitely 4.5! Well edited.
Will and Rachel first show up in The Prince’s Game. Rachel is Sarah’s best friend and lawyer, while Will is Evan’s cousin. Will begins a relentless pursuit of Rachel and she says no at every turn. Eventually, Will is able to get Rachel to be the lawyer for his vineyard. Meanwhile, the reason Rachel is so hesitant surfaces and begins to make her life very scary. Will she relent and allow Will in? Will they be able to stop the scary before it is too late? Loved the bit where Will leaves Ryan some wine…!
Funny, witty, and a great read. Great to see Evan and Sarah stop by, as well as continue to move the stories of Garrett, Mia, Mark, Abby, and Caleb. Also looks like scary Ryan will be back to stir up more trouble in the future. Hmmmm…
What can I say, I loved this book, it hooked me from the start.
The first book I read by Lexi C Foss was The Prince’s Game, the predessor to this and first in the Mershano series. I never thought I’d love a book about a reality TV show, but the author has such a fantastic writing style, it draws you in and holds you tight. When I realised The Charmers Gambit (which can be read as a standalone) was to be about Evan’s cousin Will and Sarah’s best friend Rachel, it was an absolute must read for me, as are all this authors books now.
Rachel, a dedicated, talented lawyer, is running from her past, but the past has a habit of catching up and threatens any form of peace or happiness. She has no room for men or relationships but when she meets Will Mershano whilst checking through a contract as a favour for her best friend, she starts to realise he is a man that won’t be pushed away and won’t give up on her no matter what.
I loved the banter between Will and Rachel, the story builds throughout as the chemistry between them heats up and the danger increases threatening them both. Will is powerful, rich and unrelenting, the kind of man Rachel is both attracted to and terrified of. Can she overcome the darkness of her past as it collides with the present and learn to trust the one man who wants the very best for her?
There are a lot of potential book boyfriends out there, but every now and then a very special one comes along with that something extra. I have to admit, Will has stolen a little piece of my heart. What a perfect mix of alpha, dominant, protective, caring, observant, gorgeous and sinfully hot sexiness he is.
I loved The Charmers Gambit, it was just fab and I am totally in love with Will. I loved Rachel too (but definitely not in the same way) they were well suited which resulted in a completely unputdownable book for me. Lexi C. Foss has an amazing talent for writing and I highly recommend this book. Five hot Will Mershano stars!!!