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Scandals of the Bad Boy Billionaires #1
The Billionaire's Secret Heart
Josephine:
It was the worst blind date in the history of the universe, until Holden Winters swept in and rescued me.
Are you kidding? Holden Winters?
A scion of the notorious Winters family, Holden is gorgeous, wealthy, and brilliant. He dates socialites and pop stars, not computer science grad students more comfortable in a hoodie than couture.
Our night together was a fantasy…and a huge mistake.
Holden:
I don't usually steal other guy's dates. I don't have to. A look is all it takes, and the women fall over themselves to get to me. Then I saw Josephine, sitting with her dweeb of a date, just waiting for a man who could appreciate her lush curves and sharp brain. When she ghosted on me, I shouldn't have been so shocked, but women never walk away from me. Josephine thought she could call the shots - she didn't realize that a Winters man always gets what he wants. And I wanted her.
The Billionaire’s Secret Heart is a standalone romance with a happy ending. It’s the first in the Scandals of the Bad Boy Billionaires series, and introduces the notorious men of the Winters family. You can read it on its own, but you might want to read the others once you get a taste of the Winters men.
It was the worst blind date in the history of the universe, until Holden Winters swept in and rescued me.
Are you kidding? Holden Winters?
A scion of the notorious Winters family, Holden is gorgeous, wealthy, and brilliant. He dates socialites and pop stars, not computer science grad students more comfortable in a hoodie than couture.
Our night together was a fantasy…and a huge mistake.
Holden:
I don't usually steal other guy's dates. I don't have to. A look is all it takes, and the women fall over themselves to get to me. Then I saw Josephine, sitting with her dweeb of a date, just waiting for a man who could appreciate her lush curves and sharp brain. When she ghosted on me, I shouldn't have been so shocked, but women never walk away from me. Josephine thought she could call the shots - she didn't realize that a Winters man always gets what he wants. And I wanted her.
The Billionaire’s Secret Heart is a standalone romance with a happy ending. It’s the first in the Scandals of the Bad Boy Billionaires series, and introduces the notorious men of the Winters family. You can read it on its own, but you might want to read the others once you get a taste of the Winters men.
130 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 6, 2016
About the author
Ivy Layne
36 books1,152 followersIvy Layne has had her nose stuck in a book since she first learned to decipher the English language. Sometime in her early teens, she stumbled across her first Romance, and the die was cast. Though she pretended to pay attention to her creative writing professors, she dreamed of writing steamy romance instead of literary fiction. These days, she’s neck deep in alpha heroes and the smart, sexy women who love them.
Married to her very own alpha hero (who rubs her back after a long day of typing, but also leaves his socks on the floor). Ivy lives in the mountains of North Carolina where she and her other half are having a blast raising two energetic little boys. Aside from her family, Ivy’s greatest loves are coffee and chocolate, preferably together.
Sign up for Ivy's Reader's Group for free books, exclusive content, giveaways, and more @ ivylayne.com/readers-group
Married to her very own alpha hero (who rubs her back after a long day of typing, but also leaves his socks on the floor). Ivy lives in the mountains of North Carolina where she and her other half are having a blast raising two energetic little boys. Aside from her family, Ivy’s greatest loves are coffee and chocolate, preferably together.
Sign up for Ivy's Reader's Group for free books, exclusive content, giveaways, and more @ ivylayne.com/readers-group
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 436 reviews
September 3, 2016
**as of 9/3/16 this is free on amazon**
Short read with a little spice. Hot billionaire falls for the least likely girl. Miscommunication and interference from a jealous suitor causes some problems.
-sexy billionaire hero
-self proclaimed "nerd" heroine
-steamy sexy times
-no pushing away, but miscommunication causes some trouble
-no ow/om drama
-no epilogue at all which knocks stars off for me. An epilogue is a must for me.
Short read with a little spice. Hot billionaire falls for the least likely girl. Miscommunication and interference from a jealous suitor causes some problems.
-sexy billionaire hero
-self proclaimed "nerd" heroine
-steamy sexy times
-no pushing away, but miscommunication causes some trouble
-no ow/om drama
-no epilogue at all which knocks stars off for me. An epilogue is a must for me.
July 21, 2024
2.5⭐️ This is a quick dive into insta-lust with nil romance and minimal sensuality. Added a half star for the creative third act misunderstanding.
March 14, 2017
This story was ok. I liked the idea of the characters and their storylines. It all just seemed rushed and unreal. After a week they both said they loved the other. Every story has a fight or turning point and this one was kind of week. I get the guy messed with her phone and they didn't talk for 4 days but for her to punch him three times and say she was gonna turn him in over something so small it seemed a little extreme. Not a favorite.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 11, 2019
The Billionaires Secret Heart is a quick read delightful novella. I like to read this type of novella on train to New York or a quick flight.
Holden Winters billionaire meets geeky computer science grad student Josephine. Josephine is having the blind date from Hell Stuart when she is rescued by the handsome Holden. They have a one night stand that turns into forever!!
This was a really good novella
Holden Winters billionaire meets geeky computer science grad student Josephine. Josephine is having the blind date from Hell Stuart when she is rescued by the handsome Holden. They have a one night stand that turns into forever!!
This was a really good novella
September 29, 2016
Warning: This review/rating is based on my feelings, thoughts, likes and dislikes. You should read the book to form your own opinion/thoughts. Read on!
Rating: 4 stars
Cover: I like it...
Cliffhanger: Nope, but the series continues
Well, this was a very very unrealistic, fast-paced, hot, steamy, short story.
Holden is supposed to be a player, a man who would not allow love grow for a woman, yet, he doesn't hesitate, at all, in a matter of 4 to 5 days...
Josephine is a geek, but she is a knows-what-she-wants geek woman and is not afraid to get what she wants.
I had fun reading this book, that is why the 4 stars, because it was so unbelievable that it became like a dream.
The characters are not very deep, their stories are just on the surface and for this kind of story it worked.
Rating: 4 stars
Cover: I like it...
Cliffhanger: Nope, but the series continues
Well, this was a very very unrealistic, fast-paced, hot, steamy, short story.
Holden is supposed to be a player, a man who would not allow love grow for a woman, yet, he doesn't hesitate, at all, in a matter of 4 to 5 days...
Josephine is a geek, but she is a knows-what-she-wants geek woman and is not afraid to get what she wants.
I had fun reading this book, that is why the 4 stars, because it was so unbelievable that it became like a dream.
The characters are not very deep, their stories are just on the surface and for this kind of story it worked.
April 30, 2019
Lmfao.. feels like I've read this story countless times before.
The Billionaire's Secret Heart feels like an omen to myself. Mostly because people tell me I'm heartless and have no soul allllll the time. I get it, I'm dark and don't give two shits but I'm me. Anyhoo, back to this book. Well, if you didn't know it's about a billionaire who falls in love with someone who isn't a billionaire.
It's true love you see? So, money shouldn't matter at all - right? RIGHT! Besides love, there's a ton of drama from this guys past. Tons of miscommunication too because that seems to kill a lot of relationships to this very day. This book did deliver some good laughs and I loved how short it was. Seemed to have flown through it but I enjoyed every second of it.
The Billionaire's Secret Heart feels like an omen to myself. Mostly because people tell me I'm heartless and have no soul allllll the time. I get it, I'm dark and don't give two shits but I'm me. Anyhoo, back to this book. Well, if you didn't know it's about a billionaire who falls in love with someone who isn't a billionaire.
It's true love you see? So, money shouldn't matter at all - right? RIGHT! Besides love, there's a ton of drama from this guys past. Tons of miscommunication too because that seems to kill a lot of relationships to this very day. This book did deliver some good laughs and I loved how short it was. Seemed to have flown through it but I enjoyed every second of it.
August 14, 2023
—novella.
—one night stand.
— smart heroine d billionaire hero.
— engaging, safe and recommended.
—one night stand.
— smart heroine d billionaire hero.
— engaging, safe and recommended.
Read
August 10, 2023Free today 10 August 2023
August 7, 2020
❤️❤️❤️❤️
💋💋💋
Holden takes Josephine away from the worst blind date every , romances her ,beds her, and steals her heart in the process .
Steamy romance, beautiful characters and storyline.
Very enjoyable read
💋💋💋
Holden takes Josephine away from the worst blind date every , romances her ,beds her, and steals her heart in the process .
Steamy romance, beautiful characters and storyline.
Very enjoyable read
August 25, 2018
This book was terrible, but at least they used condoms every time.
Full review on my blog.
Full review on my blog.
Want to read
November 8, 2024💝FREE on Amazon today (5/30/2018)!💝
August 26, 2016
This is the first book in the Scandals of the Bad Boy Billionaires series by Ivy Layne aka Alexa Wilder. It's a really good start to a series and I'm excited to read the next one. Holden Winters is a rich successful businessman whose last name is quite famous in Atlanta because of a horrible tragedy that happened when he was just a boy. He is best friends and business partners with his cousin Tate, the two of them grew up together because of the family tragedy and they are quite close. Holden and Tate own the hottest nightclub in Atlanta called Mana. Josephine "Jo" is a grad student at Georgia Tech majoring in computer science she doesn't go on many dates so she agrees to a blind date with her adviser's nephew. Talk about the blind date from hell, first the dork picks her up on a bicycle, which forces her to drive. Then he makes comments at dinner about her weight and that she should watch what she eats and actually splits the check with her. She was prepared to leave immediately after dinner but he had a VIP pass to club Mana and she knows she'll never get another chance to go there so she agrees. At the club in the VIP lounge he again remarks about her weight ordering her a rum and diet coke but she quickly tells the waitress she'll have a Bellini instead. He says shit about her weight yet the douchebag is openly staring at her legs and breasts. Holden witnesses the whole thing and cannot believe what this gorgeous woman is doing with this asshole and he starts talking to her. Jo can't believe that someone as hot as Holden would be talking to her and she agrees to leave with him. After a night of unbelievable sex Jo figures the best thing to do is leave while Holden is still sleeping because she doesn't want to see the look of regret on his face. Holden is pissed when he wakes up and she's gone because he knows she's different and wants to get to know her.
February 6, 2017
Josephine and Holden met at his nightclub while she was having the worst blind date ever. They saw each other, liked each other, and ended up having sex. It was a case of lust at first sight, that quickly morphed to love. Of course, things couldn't be easy for them, so there were a couple of broken hearts, a misunderstanding, and a jealous guy interfering with their relationship. It was all very fast, very intense and very good. It was a short story, with a lot of elements and a happy ending.
February 4, 2017
Poor Josephine is on the blind date from hell. Her date shows up on a bicycle, insists they split the check (and tries to give a crappy tip to the waitress), makes off-handed remarks about what she should be eating for her figure, then tries to feel her up at a trendy night club. Poor Jo needs a savior from her horrible date. While sitting on a couch at the night club and trying to ignore her date, she catches the eye of Holden, who comes to her rescue in high fashion. What woman doesn't want to be kissed with an inch of her life and then whisked away? Jo's rescuer takes her home for the night, only to find her gone the next morning. Unlike the other women he's been with, he wanted to wake up with her the next morning. Unbeknownst to Jo, Holden is billionaire with connections, and he will find her one way or another.
While Jo cleaned up nice for her date, she's actually just a geeky girl that prefers to wear jeans and hoodies to grad school. When Holden tracks her down, she's surprised to say the least. When she finds out who he really is and that he is actively pursuing her, she's shocked! What seems too good to be true may be just that, as it seems there might be outside forces working against them. Will the billionaire and the grad student be able to have a happily ever after?
This is a great first book for a series. Good writing, characters that are interesting, and the drama that will keep you turning the page. I'm definitely looking forward to the rest of the series!!
While Jo cleaned up nice for her date, she's actually just a geeky girl that prefers to wear jeans and hoodies to grad school. When Holden tracks her down, she's surprised to say the least. When she finds out who he really is and that he is actively pursuing her, she's shocked! What seems too good to be true may be just that, as it seems there might be outside forces working against them. Will the billionaire and the grad student be able to have a happily ever after?
This is a great first book for a series. Good writing, characters that are interesting, and the drama that will keep you turning the page. I'm definitely looking forward to the rest of the series!!
April 21, 2018
I found this on the freebie list and when I began reading it made me feel old. The thought behind it is geared at a newer generation. Holden is a billionaire with several different business schemes and investments he and his cousin Tate own and practice. One night at his club on the VIP lounge he sees a curvy blonde arrive and can't seem to take his eyes off her.
Josephine goes out on a disastrous blind date which she bails on when her and Holden make their connection. The two are hot and heavy an hour or so later and both are thinking this isn't lust it's love. " Never in my entire life, had I imagined desire like this. Holden was more than hot, and this was more then lust. I needed him-needed him inside me, his mouth on me..." um I think that's lust.
The story continued and I do have to say the idea with her jealous friend was interesting but the majority of their time together was wild sex scenes. In my opinion I just feel you can't have love without conversation and while there was some it wasn't enough to convince me that this was love. If you enjoy love at first sight books than you may enjoy this read. Enjoy!
Josephine goes out on a disastrous blind date which she bails on when her and Holden make their connection. The two are hot and heavy an hour or so later and both are thinking this isn't lust it's love. " Never in my entire life, had I imagined desire like this. Holden was more than hot, and this was more then lust. I needed him-needed him inside me, his mouth on me..." um I think that's lust.
The story continued and I do have to say the idea with her jealous friend was interesting but the majority of their time together was wild sex scenes. In my opinion I just feel you can't have love without conversation and while there was some it wasn't enough to convince me that this was love. If you enjoy love at first sight books than you may enjoy this read. Enjoy!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 11, 2016
ARC received in exchange for an honest review.
I'm a big fan of books where the "nerdy" girl gets the hot guy and this is no exception. Josephine is a grad student who goes to Georgia Tech and ends up on a blind date from hell. In the middle of this disastrous date, she's whisked away by Nolan Winters, the billionaire playboy. The cover of the book is a little misleading since Holden describes Josephine as a pale blonde, but it's a minute detail. It really is your standard insta-love/insta-lust book, but I really loved the characters. Josephine was smart, sarcastic, and really seemed like someone you could be friends with in real life. Nolan was described as a playboy, but honestly, I didn't really believe it. He was so sweet and kind (but had the dirtiest mouth in the bedroom). The love scenes were scorching hot and I couldn't put the book down. She was only in the book briefly, but I was so intrigued by Josephine's shy friend, Emily. She kind of stole the show a little bit. I can't wait to read her story.
I'm a big fan of books where the "nerdy" girl gets the hot guy and this is no exception. Josephine is a grad student who goes to Georgia Tech and ends up on a blind date from hell. In the middle of this disastrous date, she's whisked away by Nolan Winters, the billionaire playboy. The cover of the book is a little misleading since Holden describes Josephine as a pale blonde, but it's a minute detail. It really is your standard insta-love/insta-lust book, but I really loved the characters. Josephine was smart, sarcastic, and really seemed like someone you could be friends with in real life. Nolan was described as a playboy, but honestly, I didn't really believe it. He was so sweet and kind (but had the dirtiest mouth in the bedroom). The love scenes were scorching hot and I couldn't put the book down. She was only in the book briefly, but I was so intrigued by Josephine's shy friend, Emily. She kind of stole the show a little bit. I can't wait to read her story.
February 7, 2019
**3.5 stars**
This was too short! I think there was meat in this book for more.
I really like the heroine - I liked how much she was into her job and how she wasn't insecure because she wasn't thin. I also liked how much the hero knew about gaming (it was his business) and how much he was interested in her career. How many books have you read where the hero has a business and you never hear him actually TALKING about it? This was so refreshing!
The ghosting was an interesting conflict, which again, could have been taken further - I've been there and I can tell you, it sucks.
Looking forward to the next in the series!
This was too short! I think there was meat in this book for more.
I really like the heroine - I liked how much she was into her job and how she wasn't insecure because she wasn't thin. I also liked how much the hero knew about gaming (it was his business) and how much he was interested in her career. How many books have you read where the hero has a business and you never hear him actually TALKING about it? This was so refreshing!
The ghosting was an interesting conflict, which again, could have been taken further - I've been there and I can tell you, it sucks.
Looking forward to the next in the series!
July 12, 2020
Actual rating: 3.5⭐
This was a novella and a fast read, just 100+ pages. Since it's short, it was very fast paced.
This was steamy and sort of a whirlwind romance.
Josephine met Holden while in a disastrous blind date. Since then they were sort of inseperable. The plot wasn't solid and everything escalated too quickly to be believable.
But if you're looking for a fast, steamy and sometimes cheesy and absurd read? This one is fairly okay. Just a chill read. 😊
This was a novella and a fast read, just 100+ pages. Since it's short, it was very fast paced.
This was steamy and sort of a whirlwind romance.
Josephine met Holden while in a disastrous blind date. Since then they were sort of inseperable. The plot wasn't solid and everything escalated too quickly to be believable.
But if you're looking for a fast, steamy and sometimes cheesy and absurd read? This one is fairly okay. Just a chill read. 😊
November 14, 2023
1 hour of audio of insta love… but well done 👍🏻
March 18, 2024
It is a short read for the start of this series. I didn't expect to like it more than I did. I enjoyed it very much! Even though I know a lot of readers have a hate relationship with this kinda of storyline. But I loved, dropped a star bc it's your typical billionaire way. But I loved Josephine and her demeanor, a thiickkkkkkk gal and university student, smart and so sweet. Holden is your usual billionaire who looks like a model and all. This is very LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT MOMENT and I am into that, many readers aren't or say it's not realistic but thats fiction romance for ya lol I thought overall this book read was JUST CUTE. I will be continuing onto this series. sucks the first 2 in this series is not on Kindle Unlimited. the smexxx scene is mhmmmmm delishhh.
March 11, 2022
Okay, it would probably have worked best as a novel instead of a novella. It's alright as a novella, but there were very minimal background details to the ML and nothing on the FL, so it was very hard to connect to the characters.
It also didn't help that this was an insta-love to the third power, too, and it felt very unrealistic. I liked how the FL was a grad student at a tech school, though, it's not something normally seen.
It also didn't help that this was an insta-love to the third power, too, and it felt very unrealistic. I liked how the FL was a grad student at a tech school, though, it's not something normally seen.
July 23, 2017
Is it possible to find an alpha male with a hidden sensitive side? If so sign me up. Ivy Layne created the perfect guy. Holden is a charmer that never takes no for an answer. Josephine shows him what it means to be sensitive and like a modern day Cinderella runs away with his heart. The Billionaire's Secret Heart maybe short but does not forget to deliver the sweet or the heat.
December 21, 2022
Short but sweet
This story was really fun. But be warned it's kind of insta-love. I'm not sure they had one meaningful conversation on the 2 dates they had, but they love each other. 🫣😂 If you're just looking for a fun quick steamy reed this is it though! I really liked all of the characters and I absolutely loved Jo's spunk towards the end. I wish it was longer.
This story was really fun. But be warned it's kind of insta-love. I'm not sure they had one meaningful conversation on the 2 dates they had, but they love each other. 🫣😂 If you're just looking for a fun quick steamy reed this is it though! I really liked all of the characters and I absolutely loved Jo's spunk towards the end. I wish it was longer.
September 23, 2020
This was a great little story, I really enjoyed almost all of it. Holden & Jo were super steamy, and their story was fun and interesting. The end, though... OMG, was it cheesy. Could have done without it, but it certainly didn't ruin the rest for me.
July 3, 2018
★★★½✩
March 10, 2020
4*
It was a good novel. It.s the type of books that you read on the subway on your way to work. An easy read, nothing hardcore.
It was a good novel. It.s the type of books that you read on the subway on your way to work. An easy read, nothing hardcore.
April 26, 2020
more 2,5 stars
super fast and easy read.
it’s very fast paced in the way that the meet, have sex minutes after, have misunderstandings and end up together all in the span of maybe 5 days and under 200 pages.
so if you want an actual plot? actual characters? and actual romance?
not the book for you!
of you want fast paced erotica you can read in an hour and be entertained by it and then forget about it again?
great! this is the book for that!
super fast and easy read.
it’s very fast paced in the way that the meet, have sex minutes after, have misunderstandings and end up together all in the span of maybe 5 days and under 200 pages.
so if you want an actual plot? actual characters? and actual romance?
not the book for you!
of you want fast paced erotica you can read in an hour and be entertained by it and then forget about it again?
great! this is the book for that!
July 24, 2022
Super short but kinda cute.
December 27, 2022
C’était bien sympa !
Want to read
March 6, 2023Purch Amazon Aug. 8, 2018
Displaying 1 - 30 of 436 reviews