I loved the Cinderella fairy tale as a young girl, and I'm not ashamed to admit that I still love it today. The Billionaire's Virgin is a modern day Cinderella fairy tale and it captured my interest now just as its old fashioned counterpart did when I was a girl. Mia is a young homeless woman living on the streets of New York City who turns up at a homeless shelter for food. Xavier de Santis is the playboy son of a billionaire who is unhappily volunteering at said shelter when he sees Mia for the first time. Something about her catches his attention. It's not her beauty, because he acknowledges she's not beautiful, or even pretty, really. No, it's most likely the fact that she doesn't react to him the way women normally do, she doesn't react to him at all. As the nights wear on, Xavier does his best to get Mia to react to him, but she just blinks at him, or turns away from him even as he puts food on her tray. He even goes as far as to buy her a beautiful cashmere cap to replace the dirty, ugly orange one she normally wears. But, still, she doesn't really react to him the way he wants her to, even after he gives her the new cap.

He doesn't get much of anything from her until the night she comes to the shelter and finds it has been closed. So he whisks her away to his 20 million dollar penthouse and proceeds to break down her walls and gain her trust. Mia is a really strong woman, with a fire that even living on the streets since she was 13 hasn't been able to extinguish. She's fierce and guarded, but curiously with a core of innocence. Xavier is a strangely contradictory mix of demanding and compassionate. His sense of entitlement is in full force at first, but it wears away as do Mia's walls. They both have some serious emotional scars, though, and they hamper their burgeoning relationship, especially on Xavier's part.

This modern day fairy tale is a nice mix of fantasy and modern day romance. It's not fluff, though, it's got too much heat, and heart to be fluff. Xavier and Mia are nicely complex characters that are far more interesting than any one dimensional, cardboard commoner and Prince Charming types. Even the rest of the de Santis brothers are interesting, I'm looking forward to their stories, too. The glimpse of Nero de Santis that's presented after the end of The Billionaire's Virgin is enough to get me all excited for more of this series!

I wasn't the biggest fan of this book. The social differences between the billionaire and the homeless girl just seemed too much to overcome.

I liked this book even though at the same time it had a mild creep factor to it. Xavier had an ick factor to him that was a bit uncomfortable. I'm sure it was just that he felt almost stalkerish to me. And I definitely did not like the way he pretty much forced his will on Mia.
It was a twisty retelling of Cinderella and as a novella, you did not have to invest much time in it. I loved the character Mia and was on her side throughout the book, Xavier not so much.

Review to be live on blog on 1/25/17

I'm a sucker for a good rags to riches story and this one hit all the right spots for me. A great take on a cinderalla storyline, I liked the characters and the chemistry between them. I really enjoyed this one!

I just finished reading The Billionaire's Virgin by Jackie Ashenden. This story gutted me and then put me back together.

Mia is homeless and has been since she was a teen.  She is so courageous and strong even after all she has faced. In walks Xavier which his on heart wrenching back story.  He wants to know her and help her.  This story broke my heart as they fought their battles. 

Such a great and short read.  Did have me holding my breath towards the end and thankful for the HEA.  If you are looking for a good read that will give you the feels, then one click now! 4 stars from Reviews by Reds!

I had to DNF this book. I honestly couldn't even get to 30% in the story before I had to stop. I didn't like Xavier at all and couldn't connect with Mia either. I really couldn't buy into a billionaire picking up a homeless woman at a shelter. Especially with how condescending Xavier was about the homeless from the moment he arrived at the shelter.

I've enjoyed books by Ms. Ashenden in the past and will read future books by her as well, I just didn't connect with this particular book or set of characters.


Rating: 1 Star (DNF)

This story pulled on my heart strings!!! Mia & Xavier's story was told in a way that made me feel for both characters and their circumstances.
Xavier has gotten in some trouble and was forced to work at a homeless shelter where he sees Mia for the first time. Mia has been homeless for years and was not going to rely on anyone for anything. Xavier was not accustomed to hearing the word no especially from a woman. So he wasn't going to accept no from Mia.

I truly enjoyed this story and highly recommend!

I received a copy from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a decent read, i didn't love nor hate it was a good little in between story!

The Billionaires Virgin
Billionaire Fairytales series book #1
Release Date: January 10, 2017
Review copy provided by the publisher

I've said it before, I love a good billionaire meets naive and shy woman trope. I suppose it's the whole "knight in shining armour" thing. I like when the hero swoops in to save the day. That's doesn't mean I don't love a kick ass heroine, because they rock!

After reading the blurb to this book, I was so excited. But I was also a little weary. I love discovering new to me authors, but sometimes I worry that I won't connect with their "voice". The blurb grabbed me, though. I couldn't wait to dive in.

Xavier De Santis was an ass. I can't even beat around the bush about that. I struggled to find any likeable qualities from page 1. He's serving the folks at a homeless shelter, and he is having an internal diatribe of how pathetic these unfortunate people are. He mocked them by asking if they wanted the caviar this evening when they stood in front of him with their food trays. I was immediately turned off by his character. At this point, I'm hoping the author has something up her sleeve to redeem this schmuck.

Mia is a lost soul. She's homeless and struggling to find a way out of her hopeless situation. She's built a thick wall around herself. She doesn't let anyone in. It's all about survival, finding her next meal, and not freezing to death on the cold New York streets. She's caught the eye of billionaire playboy, Xavier. And try as she might, she can't help but be intrigued about the pompous jerk.

Here's where I was hoping the author would redeem, Xavier. And to some degree she did. I could see that there was a decent person hidden under his sense of entitlement and arrogance. I was starting to warm up to him, but then he ruined it by essentially telling, Mia that he was going to kiss her and there was nothing she could do to stop him. It was creepy. She wasn't protesting per say. But she was a homeless woman with zero experience in the sex department. Trust issues would be putting it mildly, and then he spouts stuff that has dubious consent written all over it. It left a yucky taste in my mouth.

Both, Mia and Xavier have their respective baggage. There's pain in both of their hearts. She wanted a home and he wanted redemption. There were a few moments where I got choked up, and I love a good emotional scene! I started to think maybe Xavier was capable of being what, Mia needed. After shredding her heart, he does some serious begging on his knees. I liked that. I think I needed to see him do that. I spent so much of the book disliking him, that the idea of him grovelling brought me much joy!

So much of this book was shadowed by a hero that I couldn't respect; not until the end anyways. And I'm not sure that was even enough. The author had a good "voice". I'd like to read something else of hers to get a better sense of her writing. Perhaps if I liked the hero, I could concentrate on the overall plot and writing.

Lots of unanswered questions and plot holes left me feeling unsatisfied at the end.

A fantastic hot story by Ms. Ashenden. I was hooked from the start to the finish.

Thoroughly enjoyed this book and I would recommend it.

This was an okay book but ultimately not the book for me. The plot was cliché and predictable. The characters Xavier and Mia had a boat load of issues that all just seemed to disappear. I had a hard time getting through this read as I didn't connect with the characters and the plot did nothing for me.
I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book via NetGalley.

OMG Jackie Ashenden does it AGAIN. Totally had me hooked from the beginning and kept me enthralled all the way through. Mia was such a unique and extraordinary character, which is hard to find, especially in the delivery of Pretty Woman type stories. Absolutely will read again and recommend this book to anyone who enjoys contemporary romances or just an interesting spin n a tried and true plot. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for a honest review.

I'm a bit of a Jackie Ashenden fan. Usually her books have pace and have great characters. This was an ok read, started well but then maybe the characters never developed so hard to connect with the book.

Both characters had potential, however, I felt that I didn't get to know either of them. Yes I could list some facts about their history but nothing about them as people.
As for why they fell in love who knows? And the first sex scene was a little icky.

Mia started off like she would be a tough cookie but quite honestly she was a bit if a push over for xavier. I didn't understand why she agreed to have sex with him and then it seemed the whole thing was just easier to be with him, and I can't really blame her. Maybe I would too but it wasn't really a love story if that's the case. Lots of potential didn't quite come off though

I was given ARC copy for review by Netgelley and Loveswept.
Love Jackie Ashenden!!!!
A sweet fairy tale of a poor homeless girl and a rich man.
Mia Just wants a home of her own.
Xavier de Santis is rich. Thinking that because Mia is homeless he could help her.
Must read!!!

What do a homeless woman and a billionaire have in common? They both survived their childhoods. Xavier has to do penance for his latest misdeed so he's volunteering at a homeless shelter serving food. Mia is homeless and just wants to stay alive and think about having a place of her own someday. Their chemistry even in extreme circumstances is undeniable. Enjoyable read!

This is Book 1 in the "Billionaire Fairytales" Series. I always enjoy the tale of the billionaire who meets the shy and sweet girl. It makes me dream about my childhood reads.

Xavier De Santis is not nice. I made an effort to find redeemable qualities but it was difficult to find any. He is ironic, too proud and not a bit humble.

Mia is lot in the world. She's homeless and trying very hard to find a way to improve her situation. Her barriers are very high and she doesn't allow anyone to get too close to her. But suddenly Xavier is interested in her which intrigues her.

The plot is interesting, the characters are well done and it was a very entertaining read!

I voluntarily reviewed a copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley

4.5 stars! This was a different type of story. I liked that a lot about this book. It was good. Xavier is a rich playboy who has to volunteer in a soup kitchen per his father's orders because he did something to embarrass his family's name. In walks a young girl, Mia, who immediately catches Xavier's eyes. Not because of her beauty, but something else he sees. He watches her a few days, tries to talk to her but she ignores him. This upsets him and he's not sure why. Without giving away too much story, Xavier and Mia find each other and build something special. It's a heart felt journey with these two that I really enjoyed embarking on. I was provided an ARC of this book.

Actual Rating: 4.5 Stars

Xavier De Santis is the youngest and most charming of the De Santis dynasty. Spoiled, charming, and very entitled; Xavier is one known to push the limits of scandal, notoriety, of excess. But now, as he finds himself on the cusp of the one more important to him than fun. Xavier De Santis also finds himself part of a world far removed from the pampering and privilege that he has always enjoyed. Bringing him face to face with the one woman capable of bringing the real man out of the playboy.

Mia is young, beautiful, tough, and...homeless.
She has had more than her share of losses in life. So when the smiling and flirty stranger becomes a fixture of the soup kitchen that Mia depends on for what is often her only hot meal of the day. She is more than a little wary.
But there seems to be something about the polished, dark-eyed, stranger that Mia just can't resist. So when he offers her a much needed, but very temporary guestroom in his plush uptown apartment. She is very careful not to say no.
But the question still remains...
By saying yes to the prince...could Mia also be saying yes to heartbreak?
Or do modern day fairy tales still offer even homeless princesses the chance at the truest of 'forever afters' .

This first book in the Billionaire Fairytales series, has everything that lovers of Contemporary Romance and those not quite ready to chuck their tiaras to the wind, are reading for.
With a cultural and economically diverse cast, the story is one that pricks the emotions at every turn.
Readers can't help wanting the best for Mia. Although one can not help wondering at every turn if Xavier is truly that.

While it is clearly obvious that Xavier is haunted by very personal demons from his past. Demons which whisper that he is not deserving of the loving heart on offer. Demons that, if not exorcised could cost him everything.

The fact that Mia is a virgin works as a double edged sword for the plot of this book. One one hand, it stands as a point of interest for their first sexual encounter. One the other hand, the fact that she is a virgin gets lost amid the later emotional drama. Thereby losing its unique brand of surprise factor over time.

This is a book that is perfect for those who love tales of pretty princesses and dashing but dense princes.

Reviewer's Note: This book is the first in a companion series which may be read as standalone volumes or in its intended order.