A review by mlbnbrit
Beautiful Trouble by Claire Raye

5.0

Oh man. Beautiful Trouble was seriously sexy, and Lewis Bristol is jockeying with Jack Wilson for position on my book boyfriend list. I loved Lewis and Ava’s story. It started hot and it stayed hot, but the romance factor was balanced evenly with the heavy picture of the dark side of Hollywood that’s painted in the storyline. Once again, Claire Raye has succeeded in crafting a seriously sexy romance that has depth, substance, and a powerful message. 4.5 stars!

We first meet Ava in Beautiful Secret (Dirty Hollywood #1), and while Beautiful Trouble is a standalone, I do recommend that you read Beautiful Secret before diving in. I feel like my appreciation and love of this novel was strengthened because I had already formed a strong connection with Ava from the first book. I usually am not a fan of fast-burn type romance, but Claire Raye hooked me and I was 100% invested in this story because I was aware of the relationship beginnings from Beautiful Secret. Plus, the characters from book one make appearances in this story, and it helps to be familiar with them.

Ava and Lewis are a fast burn. It was supposed to be a one-night stand, but the chemistry was too strong to ignore and the relationship stuck, and I am totally here for it because I am totally here for Lewis Bristol. Lewis is EVERYTHING. He’s such a sexy blend of alpha bad boy and sweet hopeless romantic. His dirty talk is unparalleled, and his alpha tendencies come out in full force when Ava is being threatened, but he totally and completely supports her decisions and trusts her judgement. He’s protective without being possessive. He’s commanding without being controlling. He’s dirty without being skeezy. He’s hopelessly romantic without being silly or ridiculous. I fucking love Lewis Bristol. I might tattoo his name on my ring finger, okay?

I loved the sexy romance in Beautiful Trouble, but just like the first book in the Dirty Hollywood series, the romance isn’t the only intriguing aspect of this story, and, in my opinion, it’s not the most important. Once again, Claire Raye crafted a plot that exposes the seedy underbelly of Hollywood. Ava’s new boss is controlling and abusive, but he’s also an extremely powerful name in the industry. He uses his fame and money to bully people and silence those he torments. Claire Raye takes you right into the wicked web of lies and deceit, and it feels so realistic that you can’t help feeling appalled and incensed at the unfairness of it all. I was rooting for Ava all the way, and I love how she’s the heroine of her own story.

Along with a sexy, romantic love story, Raye gives us a thrilling struggle for justice and a stellar victory over deception. A portion of Hollywood’s dark side is exposed and conquered, and I loved every second of it. Plus, LEWIS BRISTOL IS FIIIIIIINE, YALL. Sexy with a capital SEX. 4.5 stars, and all the anticipation and excitement for book three!