A review by mommasaystoread
The Billionaire's Fake Wife by L. Steele

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.0

 I had a hard time with The Billionaire's Fake Wife. So much so that I set it aside a few times, but the determination to finish brought me back. Well, that and I really wanted to like it more than I did. It's made up of some of my favorite romance tropes, but too many things just didn't work for me. Mainly though, I really did not like Sinclair. The blurb describes him as "Mr. Superior Jackass with a God complex." That's too generous, in my opinion. I didn't find him at all likable or redeemable, and if they don't have some redeeming qualities, that just leaves them as unlikeable. Summer is every bit the spitfire I hoped for, but I felt, and still feel, that she deserved sooo much better than Sinclair. I also feel like the story falls short on - well, story. Don't get me wrong, I like a steamy romance, but not when it takes the place of story or character development. Sinclair could've done with some serious development because he seems to have never made it past the horny teenager stage of his life. The book does have a revenge plot, and I could've gotten behind that, but again, the previously mentioned development would've come in handy. The saving grace for this one falls to Shane East, who I always enjoy listening to. This is my first time listening to Faye Adele, and I think she could've been a little more creative with the voices, but other than that, I liked her performance. Both narrators did well with the material they had, in my opinion.

Now, all of the above-mentioned reasons I had problems with this book could very well be things someone else will love. I think that's the beauty of reading. What one person doesn't care for, someone else will love. This one just didn't turn out to be something I loved.