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.

Jackie Ashenden was one of my favorite "new-to-me" authors that I found last year. From the moment I started reading Dirty For Me, the first book in her Motor City Royals series, it was lust at first sight. As per my usual reaction towards a new book from a new author, I squealed with delight and immediately dived right on in. And I have to say, The Billionaire's Virgin was not what I was expecting. While Dirty For Me is pretty much in your face sexy, The Billionaire's Virgin was much more of a slow burn, which worked well for two characters from completely different backgrounds. First, we have Xavier. I truly wanted to make him my new book boyfriend, but he came off as too much of a jerk at the beginning of the book. Forced to volunteer at the homeless shelter, he spends the time looking down at people below him. And while he does start to turn his attitude around once he sees Mia, his only focus is helping her. He would help someone if it benefited her instead of wanting to help someone in need. He does redeem himself by the end of the book and a huge part of it is because of the emotions Mia pulled out of him during their budding relationship. Kudos to Jackie for creating a character like Mia. I don't think I've ever come across a homeless heroine. In some ways she is strong and resilient, but she's also incredibly vulnerable. She survived when others would probably crumble by being strong and knowing her surroundings. While she brings out the better side of Xavier, he also helps her blossom into who I think will be a stronger woman. It's cliche, but they were what the other person needed.

While I enjoyed The Billionaire's Virgin, I wished it was longer so I could see more of Xavier and Mia together. This is a story that would benefit from being a series of novellas based on them as a couple. I wanted to see how Mia got accustomed to having money and no longer homeless. How does Xavier continue to grow with Mia by his side? Overall, I enjoyed their romance and I'll definitely be back for the next book when it comes out in March.

Great start to this sexy series. Xavier the billionaire bad boy and Mia, the poor homeless girl. This is a fast paced read with a good story and plenty of steam. I really liked it, looking forward to more.

This is certainly an unlikely pairing, Xavier, the bad boy Billionaire and Mia, the homeless virgin. My pet peeves are it's really unclear how old Mia actually is. Kept bugging me and if she was in school how does she not remember her last name. Other than those two issues this was a good rags to riches storyline.

The Billionaire’s Virgin by Jackie Ashenden
A Billionaire Fairytale

This story, for some reason, reminded me a bit of The Little Match Girl by Hans Christian Anderson. That said, I much prefer this modern version with a happy ending.

Mia has lived on the streets since she was thirteen. She is a survivor and very skittish. She has dreams but roadblocks continue to thwart her as winter sets in. When she walks into the shelter for a meal one evening she catches the eye of Xavier who is doing public service as penance for his last bad behavior. Their interactions are few in the shelter before one cold night he saves her from the fate of the match girl in the fairytale. And, as time goes on they share, become closer to one another and deal with their own demons as they forge a relationship that means “home” to each of them.

This is a deeper story than I was expecting and one that grabbed me a bit more with each page I read. I enjoy a book that makes me think and feel and this story did just that. I came away thankful for what I have and not willing to take any of it for granted.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4.5 Stars

The Billionaire’s Virgin is a good book, which is why the 3 star rating of mine… it’s basically a good book that many readers will enjoy.

Unfortunately, I was never able to connect to the main characters, especially Xavier who I waited and waited for him to redeem himself, in my eyes, but I never got that feel from him. Mia, I felt for, she’s had a horrible life and coming under the wing of Xavier could have meant so much for her life.

When I read of a character like Xavier who is so over the top in his arrogance, mocking the less fortunate, deciding that what he wants is above everything else in the world including another person’s wants… it’s difficult for me to like them enough to care about their romantic outcome unless somehow he is redeemed by his actions or feelings at some point. I simply never found that in Xavier. To me he was only slightly less arrogant at the ending of the story than he was at the beginning.

So, as I mentioned before – I’m sure there is an audience that will enjoy and love this story… for me it was a good story that I neither hated nor loved.

*I received an e-ARC of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. That does not change what I think of this novel. It is my choice to leave a review giving my personal opinion about this story.*

Jackie Ashenden is a new author to me but I was given an opportunity to read an advance copy of this book and enjoyed it very much. I will definitely be reading her work again!

The Billionaire's Virgin is, to me, a reluctant Cinderella style story. Xavier is a very reluctant hero and Mia is a VERY reluctant heroine who isn't sure she wants to be rescued.

Xavier is a privileged man who is forced to put some hours in at a soup kitchen and finds himself drawn to a young woman who comes in some nights for a meal. He is oddly fascinated with her but doesn't really want to be and wonders what it is about her that he can't ignore.

Mia lives on the street and is suspicious of everyone and everything - she has learned that she has to be to survive. So she wonders why this man - a very good looking and rich one - won't leave her alone. What does he want? Why is he bothering her?

Xavier starts out as a fairly spoiled, entitled rich man but starts wanting to be a better person as he gets to know Mia and her struggles in life.

A bit on the darker side of a fairytale but sweet and sexy too. Virgin heroine and a safe read.

The Billionaire's Virgin by Jackie Ashenden is full of mystery, passion and a bit of a fairy tale-ness to the story. This is a more modern day slant on the fairy tale myths. Mia is homeless when she meets Xavier De Santis at the local soup kitchen and homeless shelter. He is super rich while she is so broke . His reasons for being in the soap kitchen are more for his needs than to help people BUT he does agree to meet Mia and he offers her a place to stay in his home for a night because she has nowhere to go and the temps are down near zero. One night becomes quite a few nights and the chemistry between them is electric. Mia's innocence and sheer vulnerability comes shining thru while Xavier’s ruthlessness and overprotectiveness come thru. Their relationship develops slowly, but it does slowly come to bloom and when it does its lovely and full of light. There is danger and there are twists and turns that will keep you on your toes. Do they save each other and in essence become each other’s saviors or do they end up falling apart?
This was one awesome read and one I have read over and over again, that’s how great this book is. I would love to read more stories in this vein. Its full of passion and heat and heart.
My Rating: 4.5 stars *****
"I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review***

This was another quick read for me. Rich, bad boy serving community service in a soup kitchen. Then, he meets a girl who could care less about his money, looks or charms. Mia (the girl) just wants her meal and a dry place to sleep. Female lead has a bit of a sad backstory. Xavier is intrigued by the little female who ignores him. Angry at first, for her indifference to him, and it annoys him to the point where he looks for her whenever he has to work a shift. I thought this was kind of like when a guy plays hard to get and the girl puts in more effort to be noticed by her crush. The "girl" of this scenario is Xavier, which I found a little funny. After much effort, Mia and Xavier finally grow closer together until they finally do the deed. For Mia, it's a dream come true. She gets to sleep on a nice, soft bed and gets her world rocked by a sexy guy who knows how to rock. ;) Overall, it was a good read.

So, this is a new author to me and I was really impressed... don't let the title fool you. This isn't your average-run-of-the-mill Billionaire and Virgin book. This is about a very strong-willed homeless girl and the privileged man that has the power to change her life.

I really enjoyed reading about Mia and Xander... they really were perfect for each other. They both had their own demons they were battling, but they managed to overcome the odds to be together.

Mia was not a trusting person but she was determined to find a way to make a life for herself and I loved that about her. I also loved how Xavier basically swept her off her feet and made it clear he was going to keep her. Even though he needed to be knocked over the head at one point, it all ended up perfectly!

The Billionaire's Virgin is two of my favorite things when it comes to what I read and that is that it's a very safe read and that I get my HEA ending. So, you can bet that I will be looking forward to more books by Jackie Ashenden.

~ A Hopeless Romantic's Booklandia, 5 Stars

Even though it was a unrealistic story, I still enjoyed it. Of course they always have a manwhore, why I don't know, but seems to be the norm. The good thing we did not have to read about his exploits. The story is a love story between a billionaire Xavier who gets intrigued by a homeless woman Mia. As he sets out to get to know her and help her, they fall in love. He is a broken man, so thinking to protect her after she gives him her trust, and her hopes., leaves her. But he realizes that he loves her and that he needs her as much as she needs him.

A sexy read about redemption and acceptance.
For Xavier it is a chance to redeem himself not only for her but for himself and the memory of his mother that has tortured him.
For Mia, it is a chance to become the person she was meant to be, a woman worthy of love and so much more. Her beauty and her innocence are what attracts him to her but her soul is what makes him want to keep her.
A quick read that will capture your heart not only for Mia, but for him and the growth that he goes through, learning that communication is the most important thing next to forgiveness.

Dark and intense but Cinderella-ish. Overall, I enjoyed this tale of a bad boy billionaire who has always broke his toys and wreaked havoc wherever he went and would rather be on a ranch in Wyoming with the horses and guns than in New York City working for his father and a homeless waif who will be lucky to not freeze to death since the shelter she usually sleeps at when it gets this cold has closed. A chance meeting when Xavier is trying to clean up his act has him crossing paths with Mia. There is something about her that calls to him but she wants nothing to do with him because to depend on anyone or to accept anything from anyone is to be vulnerable. Can these two come together and help each other?

I am looking forward to more stories in this series.

**Received an ARC copy for review from the publisher via NetGalley**

This surprised me with how much I enjoyed it. Don't get me wrong, I didn't start this read thinking I was going to dislike it, but after a few chapters of Xavier playing the typical arrogant and selfish prick, I was borderline hating his guts. But the more I read about this poor (sexy) rich guy and the elusive Mia, the more I was intrigued by it all.

No beating around the bush here, Xavier definitely has his faults but the more I read about him, the more I felt myself softening towards him. His fascination with Mia was gritty, a bit stalker-ish at times, and there is definitely a little stock home syndrome vibe going on at others, but there was real genuine caring at the end of it all. I was a sucker for the way he cared for her. Here was a guy who has everything that money can buy - lavish homes, exotic foods, the best clothes, a cushy job, and the cream of the crop when it comes to women. He has it made in the shade and then one day, in walks a fiery half feral half wild street urchin and Xavier's whole perception is changed.

Then there's Mia - I haven't come across many heroines quiet like Mia. Mia has been living on the streets for years. After her mother abandons her with her grandmother, who physically and verbally abuses her, she runs away. Her life is anything but charmed. But even though she only has the clothes on her back and the warm pipe behind a dumpster to call her own, Mia still has dreams of getting out of the streets, of having her own home, a safe place with four walls and a secure door, that will keep her warm, a place no one can take from her.

For someone who has never cared for anyone but himself, who's family consists of a cold emotionally distant father, a mother who committed suicide, and siblings who compete, ignore or look down on each other, Xavier has learned to keep his heart remote. Even he doesn't understand his obsessive need for Mia. As for Mia, she kind of just rolls with the punches, like Xavier, she's been shown just how unloving the world can be, and even then she's incapable of resisting the man that forces his way into her life and without reason sets out to help her, care for her, and ultimately love her.

These two come from two completely different worlds, yet through all their differences they still manage to find peace within each other's arms. Love brought these two together, and that probably explains why I liked The Billionaire's Virgin so much. That against all odds there was a HEA in the end.

This easily could have been a four star read, however I really disliked the fact that as soon as things got physical between Xavier and Mia, the Mia we get to know prior to her losing her virginity completely disappears. In her place we get a girl who is a lot more assertive, vocal and all around different. Which isn't bad but I felt that the whole first half of the book sets out to emphasize just how different Mia is and then Poof she has sex and all her survival instincts, all her fears and protective mechanisms from years of abuse and living on the streets just go away. It didn't quiet fit with her original characterization.

Then there is the big break up scene towards the end. The way Xavier pushes Mia away was predictable because it's been done a million times. I wish he would have handled it better instead of the way he did. It belittled their relationship over something so petty. I get it was used to create the conflict but I wish we could have seen his struggle without his blatant disregard of Mia's feelings in this. His treatment was sh!t. Luckily he was saved with his grovel scene and that super sweet epilogue.

Highly recommend as it's a different, darker twist to Cinderella.

Billionaire bad boy Xavier De Santis is being held emotional hostage by his ruthless father who holds the one thing that Xavier wants over his head to control him, the ownership of his mother's family ranch. Ordered to clean up his image Xavier's father orders him to volunteer at a local homeless shelter. Abused and having been fighting for survival her whole unwanted life Mia strives to lie under the homeless radar. But when Mia's inner strength shines through and beckons the attention of Xavier De Santis the undeniable draw between them brings a chance at the one thing that could save them, each other.

Jackie Ashenden has her pen on the pulse of intriguing and difficult dynamics. This author goes dark and does it well in bringing Xavier and Mia, troubled and edgy characters, if not full enlightenment some form of inner peace. I can think of no two people who needed saving more then Xavier and Mia. Brutal at times, Ms. Ashenden uncovers her portrayals in raw and powerful increments that build up to a strong and gripping conclusion. An emotional and provoking writer Jackie Ashenden never takes the easy road and her works are better for it.