Crave by Monica Murphy

Billionaire Archer Bancroft always gets what he wants—and he’s wanted Ivy Emerson, his best friend’s sister, for far too long. Being forbidden and untouchable only makes her more tempting. When a million-dollar bet with his friends throws down a challenge—last bachelor standing takes all—Archer knows he can win. That is, until one enchanted evening with Ivy takes his heart for a ride.

Ivy knows Archer is nothing but bad news: Infuriating, arrogant…and completely intoxicating. But despite her best efforts, she can’t seem to keep away. When a stolen kiss leads to a night of heated passion, Ivy realizes she’s in trouble and in head over heels.

But in the light of day, everything seems clearer and Archer’s not so sure a one-night stand is all he wants. Concocting a plan to keep Ivy by his side, Archer might just be willing to lose this bet…and win the jackpot instead.

*****

Crave is the first book in the Billionaire Bachelors Club by Monica Murphy. To be honest, I had mixed feelings about reading this story, and here's why: There's not a low or middle income hero left in the country, and it's not likely a twenty something Billionaire Bachelor would be interested in a fifty something grandma of 4, like me. So where's the potential for a realistic, rock-my-socks fantasy in that, I ask you? There isn't one. Not. A. One. Of course, again to be honest, there's probably not a low or middle income twenty something hero who'd want to rock-my-socks, either. Where were these guys when I was twenty something??

But I digress.

In general there seems to be an overabundance of stories about millionaires, billionaires, and trillionaires. Sheikhs, princes, cowboys, doctors, businessmen, rakes, rogues, jocks, vampires, shifters... Everyone is wealthy. Everyone is retina burning gorgeous. Everyone is single. Everyone is... well... frankly, cookie cutter.

Everyone, that is, except Archer Bancroft. Yes, he's single. Yes, he's a bjillionaire. Yes, he's gorgeous. But he's also got this non-tortured vulnerability about him that I simply couldn't resist! And because he's not all world-weary and tormented, I didn't feel all stressed and angsty and didn't feel the need to fix him. To deal with his drama.

I. Hate. Drama.

So instead of my fantasies being stifled by the dreadful task of bringing him home and fixing him, I was able let loose and fantasize about bringing him home and loving him until neither of us could walk straight.

Just tellin’ it like it is.

Archer and Ivy are a great couple. This is a friends to lovers tale, except friends might be an exaggeration. How about, a tolerant to lovers tale? Yes, that's more like it. It was fun watching them fight against their attraction for one another, Archer falling back on "the-last-bachelor-standing" bet as his excuse for not giving in to his feelings. Ivy really is a great heroine, especially given what she has to deal with - an obnoxious brother and his obnoxious friends - girl deserves a medal.

Anyway, I'm rambling... I really did enjoy this story. I've read that it's a great cross between New Adult and Contemporary Romance, and I can see that. So if you're looking for something new but don't want to deal with the angst of New Adult, then you should give this a try.

I'm excited about the next book, and can't wait to read it! There's something about Gage that I find super intriguing, and I absolutely have to have his story!

My thanks to Avon Books for providing me with a copy of this story in exchange for an honest review.