Review: The Marriage Merger (#4, Marriage to a Billionaire) by Jennifer Probst

My Thoughts

The seductive and tantalizing tale of two power players
colliding as they fight logic, insecurities and each other
to find their happily ever after.
Alluring, sizzling and totally addictive!

• Main Characters and Casting: Julietta Conte and Sawyer Wells

Synopsis

Her sisters have found wedded bliss with their wealthy,wonderful dream men, but not Julietta Conte. She’s stayed on terra firma as top executive of the family’s corporation, La Dolce Famiglia bakery. Work is her passion, and her trendy Milan apartment her sanctuary . . . until Sawyer Wells, a masculine masterpiece in a suit, lures her out of hiding with an irresistible offer: an exclusive partnership with his international chain of boutique hotels.

Julietta’s been burned before—and trusting her brother-in-law’s friend, whose powerful gaze alone has her rethinking the best use of a conference room, is the riskiest proposition. But with a once-in-a-career chance to take the bakery global, will she mix stone-cold business with red-hot seduction?

My Review

“Your future can be changed by one decision. One good thing can offset a mountain of bad. But you need to choose.”

Logic. Power. Confidence. Control.  

Julietta Conte and Sawyer Wells boast all these elements expressly. They are both alphas who thrive on complete command, losing themselves in favor of controlled contentment. But when they meet, sparks fly and desire burns wildly.

“He should be the poster board image of what to avoid in teenage pregnancy. The balance between light and dark was just enough to tempt a female to jump over the edge of reason, no matter how hard the recovery from the fall.”

Desire. 

Desire can be uncontrollable and the pull between them doesn’t wane one bit, but rather, burns hotter every time they see each other.

“It was official. He was nuts about her. Her mind along brought him to ecstatic heights he’d missed. The thrust and parry of conversation engaged his intellect, while his body hummed with pleasure from her physical presence. She was his feminine equal in all forms except her refusal to admit she wanted him. But she did.”

Fear. Pain. Shame. Insecurities. 

Julietta, the oldest Conte sibling, has been the one to follow in her Papa’s footsteps, taking over the family business — La Dolce Famiglia. She’s driven and determined to prove herself worthy in the business world of men. However, with her focus on work and her unrelenting habits to control all aspects of her life, she hasn’t been successful in love like her other siblings. She’s convinced herself that she lacks passion, labeling herself frigid in bed.

Meanwhile, Sawyer Wells has been with countless women who have never held his attention for more than a few days. They’re flings with people who don’t care about him, which is fine by him since he can keep the feelings of guilt and heartbreak buried deep. He’s had a painful past that has led him to believe he’s unworthy of being loved.

So when they both find themselves thinking about the other obsessively, they do the only thing they feel comfortable doing… they take back control and strike a deal.

They give it a go… physically that is. Sawyer is convinced Julietta has been wronged by idiots who haven’t been able to ignite the passion she carries within.

“The woman was a mass of contradictions. Savvy businesswoman. Bad-ass motorcycle rider. Sweet and domestic in her mama’s kitchen… Somewhere, underneath all that proper restraint, lay a hidden temptress dying to escape.”

I loved seeing their witty, verbal sparring! Being the unfailing alphas that they are, neither backs down in a battle of rhetoric. Every time they’re together the sizzling sexual tension crackles and I honestly couldn’t get enough!

“Let’s get something straight. I have no need to threaten or bully a woman into bed. I enjoy sex and giving pleasure. I find you fascinating, complex, and hot as hell. I also think you may be the only woman I’ve met in the past few years who made me crave to break a few rules just to put my hands on her. In her. Over her. But if you go screaming foul play and harassment, I’ll politely back away and leave you alone. Capisce? Now breathe.”

But the more time they spend together, feelings begin to evolve and it suddenly feels like more. Old fears threaten a rift between them and it becomes easier to push the other away.

“Let’s agree it’s been a lovely experience, shake hands, and move on…”
“I say no. I’m not going to pretend to shake your hand when I’d rather push my fingers between your legs and make you come. I’m not smiling politely when I’d rather kiss you senseless and force you to confront the woman you are.”

I absolutely loved both characters. I loved that Julietta was a strong, fiery woman that in reality was also warm and good on the inside. I loved that Sawyer was innately caring, and immediately is able to see through Julietta’s tough facade. The familiar elements of family and support are evident in this fourth installment as well, and amidst the idyllic backdrop of Milan, there was more romance and profound emotion interwoven with the chemistry that was oh. so. very. hot.

“There are real feelings there, but they are caught up with logic and contracts and a bit of fear.”

It was a highly addictive read which I enjoyed from beginning to end. Deeper emotion and character insight strengthened Jennifer Probst’s last book in the series, leaving me with warm, happy feelings to take with me after the last word was read. I loved it and if you’re looking for a smooth, well-written, steamy alpha book laced with heartfelt feelings, look no further than The Marriage Merger.

Reading Order and Purchase Links

There are 4 books in The Marriage to a Billionaire series.
They can be read as standalones or in order.

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