Laurelin Paige is BACK with a BANG

One thing Laurelin always excels at is writing taboo billionaire romances that gets readers talking. In them she gives the best love stories that consume me for days on end, with a**hole heroes who leave a lasting impression, and heroines who, no matter if they're weak or strong, always grow into their own over the course of the book. She also always delivers a one-of-a-kind love story that is unlike anything I've ever read before, and she delivered all that and more here, in Brutal Billionaire.

It was immediately a highly anticipated read for me from the fact that this was a Laurelin Paige story alone. Add in the fact that this book is also a reimagining of the movie Indecent Proposal? A movie that delves into just how far a couple would go, and just what they would do to secure their dream? Their future? I was EXCITED! And if Laurelin was reimagining it, then it was a guarantee that with her signature flare, this book would be full of sex, spice, secrets and seduction, and a whole lot of drama.

Brystin Shaw is a news anchor for a local network who dreams of going big; she wants to work for a bigger network, and she dreams of having her own show and with her husband, Michael, producing at the helm. When they married, they made a vow to make it big together, or not make it at all. But they also vowed that their marriage would only be on paper - no rings, no exchange of last name... and no fidelity. It's a marriage of convenience, truth be told. But for Brystin, it's a real marriage. She loves Michael, and if sharing him with others is the only way she can have him, then she'll take it.

And despite the fact that she's basically in an open marriage, she never thought she'd so much as consider sleeping with another man... Until a faulty elevator changes the course of her life forever, by trapping her with none other than Holt Sebastian.

He's the CEO of Sebastian News Corp, and the man to impress for Brystin and Michael to get their dream show. And an invitation to a weekend work retreat with Holt could just be the start of their dream coming true. But Holt will only give them their show in exchange for one thing in return: Brystin. He wants her. Her time whenever he demands it, and her body whenever he desires it. And he wants her to convince him why it is she should headline her own show at his vast network.

Brutal Billionaire is a story that's very much cat and mouse. It's a story of secret seduction and true love; of jealousy and deceit. And it's a story where everyone has something to lose, and everyone wants something they can't have. But just how far would they go to get what it is they really want?

The plot for Brutal Billionaire was absolutely phenomenal. It spans over the course of a few months, but the time jumps dotted throughout are so smooth, it doesn't even feel like so many days or weeks sometimes go by between each chapter. But as much as I could talk about the plot for days on end, it was the characters who stood out the most in this novel for me.

Now, if you've read Kincaid, then you've already met Holt. And you should know from that book alone that he is a man who is driven in getting what he wants. In Kincaid, I definitely wanted to know more about him. And in Brutal Billionaire? I got that more. He's definitely a morally grey character with questionable work ethics, and I wanted to throttle him at first more times than I can count. But the more into the story I got, the more I found myself falling for this man who hid his vulnerability behind his a**hole personality. His POV chapters were my favourite of this book - they were funny and insightful, and really broadened the world of the Sebastian clan for me - and even though we didn't get to have a lot of them - this is more Brystin's story than Holt's - what we did get of and from them were moments that I treasured. Especially when it came to his feelings for his honeybee.

And speaking of Brystin... I absolutely loved her. At first she was forgettable and did start off as a weak heroine in my eyes. However, as the story progressed, you could see how she slowly but strongly grew into her own and became a character who stood out more than anyone for me. Her growth was absolutely amazing, and it was my second favourite thing about this book overall.

My first favourite thing were the little moments between Brystin and Holt where they're just... together. Connecting. Talking. Those little moments that can sometimes get overshadowed by the overall plot, but not for me. And they're moments that are mostly mentioned as mere memories that Holt and Brystin sometimes think about when thinking of each other, but those little moments were enough for me to see the chemistry that Holt and Brystin have, without needing an actual scene to show it. The memories and mentions of them alone were enough.

And Elena Wolfe and Jacob Morgan were phenomenal in narrating those moments and having me falling in love with those memories just as much as they left me blushing and giddy at the salacious moments between this forbidden couple. And Brutal Billionaire is actually my first audiobook that I've listened to that is narrated by this duo. I've never listened to one by them before, but I can certainly see why people were excited for these two to bring this book to life. They both conveyed the emotions and frustrations and highs and lows of these characters brilliantly.

The differentiation of the side characters could've been better improved in my eyes... or ears... since if I wasn't reading the ebook as I was listening to the audiobook, I would've struggled at times with knowing when different characters were talking if I was listening to the audiobook alone. But that's about it. Other than that, the audiobook was amazing, and I would listen to it again in the future.

I just could not love this book any more than I do even if I tried, and I cannot recommend it highly enough. I loved Holt. I loved Brystin. I loved Zully, and Jessa too. And I LOVED the Sebastian clan who seriously put the RoyaI Family to shame with their secrets and scandals. It's already been confirmed that each will be getting their own story... and I truly cannot wait for them. Bring on the rest of 2023.

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2 people found this helpful

Good listen!

Steamy but hard to relate to the adulterous nature of the characters. Found the female lead too submissive and took too much bad behaviour

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Pleasant surprise!

I haven’t read/listened to anything by Ms Paige before, mainly because I’m not a huge fan of stories that go on over a few books - I haven’t the patience, so when I saw this was a stand alone I thought I’d give it a go. Glad I did.

I was unsure at first about the concept, I’m not a fan of the film indecent proposal, and thought the whole concept might be a bit “icky”. I did find the first few chapters a bit uncomfortable if I’m honest. No matter how the inner dialogue of Brystyn let us know it was all consensual and it turned her on, there was still the power dynamic, which made for uncomfortable listening. I also felt Brystyn was a bit weak - not so much re Holt, but with Michael, she didn’t give her husband nearly as much sh!t as she should have done given he seemed more than willing to sell her for the sake of “their” career. But putting all that aside as the story progressed I became more comfortable as we started to get a window into the soul of Holt. I also had in the back of my mind that Holt did merely ask for the favour of “getting to know” Brystyn, and that it was Micheal and Brystyn herself who interpreted that as something different to what he may actually have meant; more could have been made of this.

Putting all that aside the relationship between Holt and Brystyn was hot, and as it developed it became more than just sex. Clearly it was obvious where it was heading, but there was a twist towards the end that I wasn’t expecting, and by the end we pretty much had a reversal of the power dynamic which was gratifying. It is true to say that both main characters are flawed, and both of them have weaknesses and are both quite needy in different ways. This isn’t a story about perfect people who do the right thing. They both did the wrong thing at times but it worked out in the end. Also loved Zuli as the best friend. I’d like to hear more from her.

Both narrators did a fabulous job - which is unsurprising given they are both class acts. Elena does great male voices and Jacob (sigh) could literally read a training manual and I’d swoon! Both acted the narration really well.

I enjoyed it so much I may even try Ms Paige’s other books which involve multiple books.

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1 person found this helpful

Holy Holt Sebastian 🔥

I’m a huge fan of Jacob Morgan & Elena Wolfe, so when I seen they were narrating and bringing Holt & Brystin to life I couldn’t wait to put my headphones on and float away into another world for a while.

Holt did not hold back on letting us know how much he was here to shake things up, because he can. Not only a powerhouse in business but in pleasure too.


Brystin is coasting along as a news reporter but with a hunger to make it to the big time, but does her boss have her best interests at heart or will he be the one left behind.

What starts out as negotiating about the job of Brystins dreams, turns out to more than just a job!

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Addictive and HOT with off-the-charts narration!

She’s only gone and done it again; written yet another addictive story. BRUTAL BILLIONAIRE is Holt Sebastian’s story. One of the ruthless billionaires we were first introduced to in the MAN IN CHARGE series. The object of his obsession is Brystin Shaw an aspiring news anchor married to a much older man who is her producer.

As we’ve come to expect from Laurelin she brings the filth. Holt has the dirtiest of dirty mouths and I was here for it all. But his filthy words are balanced with his tender swoony nickname. Really, I’ll be your honeybee, any day of the week, Holt.

In a world full of deals with “conditions” we see Brystin wrestle with her morals and her hunger for her dream. Holt dangles the “carrot” and she takes it all!

I’m not going to ruin the plot, just know you’ll be gripped from start to finish. Holt’s possessive nature is H.O.T, HOT, and Brystin can’t help but be turned on by the things he says and does. His grand gesture is a public one and perfect for this book.

Now let’s talk narration. Elena is a Laurelin favourite and you can see why. She navigates emotions, steam, and relationship dynamics with ease. We are confused by Brystin’s inner turmoil just as she is. Jacob with his signature swagger strolls in like he owns the place. He gives us an inside POV of a man who is brought to his knees (quite literally) by this amazing woman. The chemistry between these two is undeniable. Yet another fantastic audio experience.

If you are looking for a book with…

Power dynamics.
Complicated relationships.
Indecent proposals.
Opulent lifestyles.
Feelings and
The fire-of-a-thousand-suns steam pick BRUTAL BILLIONAIRE.

Congrats to Laurelin and the whole crew who brought this audiobook to life. I lapped it up just like Holt did Brystin!

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Brutal

I loved this audio Jacob was so good he made me laugh and sigh over the things he said to elena whom I also like. The story was fantastic looking for another audio by Lauren

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Loved

Brilliant performance by the narrators, really enjoyed the story, I was kept engaged throughout the book

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A book I hate to love..

What an interesting book right, although I was listening i I wasn’t initially convinced that I even liked Holt or any of the characters for that matter! But it certainly grew on me.

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I 👏 ate 👏 this 👏 up

Jesus Christ I loved this story. I loved Holt so much. I don’t have a lot to say but this was a 5 star for me. LISTEN TO IT NOW 😩

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I liked it but it went on and on.

I gave this overall a four-star. The thing I liked was the command of English. Well done. My first and foremost hate was the overuse of the word C***. Hate it. Demeaning and crass. However, I liked the characters although he was very naughty and I might have slugged him before chapter three. Overall I enjoyed it but thought it went on far too long. I could have wrapped it up so many times I think I had four ending places. But we'll done anyway I'm sure others will love it.

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