Ahhhh Eli. Broody and distant, he didn't feel that he was worthy...of the faith his family had in him, or the love of Isa. Isa challenged him to be better and more open and in true Crane fashion, he screwed it up lol Thankfully his dad gave him some words of wisdom and I sobbed like a baby :)

As always, Jessica Lemmon wrote a fantastic story that touched my heart. I'll be sad to not get anymore from the Crane family, but I can't wait to see what she gives her readers next.

We are back with book 3 of Jessica Lemmon's Billionaire Bad Boy series, and I think this one is my favorite of all! As it reminds me of a Beauty and the Beast fairytale, but with a twist!

Eli Crane is different from his brothers, Eli never wanted to follow in the family footsteps, and rather than take his seat at the families hotel chains, Eli went into the marines, to serve his country and to have a sense of fulfilment. But after an attack that caused him injury, but took the lives of two of his friends, Eli is honorably discharged because of injury; But Eli is struggling to return to civilian life, and has been taking it out on the personal assistants, his brother has been sending to him, even after he has been scaring them off, that is until Isabella Sawyer storms into his life.

When Isa walks through Eli's door, he never expects to have such a reaction to one of the assistant's that his brother keeps sending to him. But that doesn't stop them from entering into a no strings affair…that is until their feeling get in the way! But is Eli to scared to act on what his heart is feeling?

I loved many aspects of this book! From the characters feistiness, to the amazing story line and writing. The author manages to weave the web of deliciousness and pain around you, that you truly end up feel at one with the book! I honestly could go on forever about while this book is so good, but it basically comes down to the authors storytelling abilities is simply amazing and you are left desperate for more!

I give The Bastard Billionaire 5 stars!

Eli is most definitely surly, trying to chase everyone away so he can be alone. He never counted on Isabella coming in and turning his world upside down. She is the perfect match for him, always pushing and challenging him, and not taking his crap. The chemistry is off the charts as soon as they meet, and even though they give in to the attraction, Eli cannot or will not offer Isabella more than a physical relationship. Unfortunately, Isabella wants more than Eli can offer, and after previously being in a loveless relationship, she knows she deserves it. I loved the slight Beauty and the Beast theme going on and that they both grew and changed throughout the book. If you love broody heroes, then Eli is perfect for you! I've really liked this series and was especially looking forward to Eli's book - I was not disappointed!
4.5 stars

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book. I was not compensated for this review, all conclusions are my own.

The third novel in the Billionaire Bad Boys series focuses on the middle son, Eli who's determined to do things his way. For those who read Tag Crane's story, you'll have already met his grumpy older brother.

Eli Coolidge Crane wishes his family would leave him alone. When older brother Reece arranges for a personal assistant to ease him into the unwanted role of COO for Crane Hotels, he manages to intimidate and scare off ten within a short period. Only the subsequent assistant makes it her business to let him know she won't be following her predecessors anytime soon. Something, he surprisingly respects and realises he doesn't want either.

With the reputation of her employment agency at stake, Isabelle Sawyer takes matters into her own hands when she takes over the contract with Crane Hotels and becomes Eli Crane's temporary personal assistant. With a positive attitude and determination, she relishes the challenge to smooth out the rough start to their working relationship. In doing so, she uncovers the reason for Eli's reluctance to commit to the role within his family's business and understands his need to prioritise issues from his past before he can move forward with his life.

When I first began reading Eli's story, I thought I understood his issue with Crane Hotels. Hell, I'd be irked if pressured into accepting a position I didn't want. With constant nagging, I'd put up barriers too. However, situations are not always black and white as we begin to understand what motivates the middle Crane son. When his tough protective shell chips away he reveals a secret and a desire, the latter an unexpected bonus caused by his new assistant. Eli didn't stand a chance when Isabelle catapulted herself into his life; A woman on a mission to preserve the reputation of her business with a clear view that an anti-social, rude client won't destroy what she's worked so hard to achieve. Where her predecessors had failed, Isabelle earned a respect from her new client who appreciated her forthright attitude and her ability to call him out on his appalling behaviour.

I've thoroughly enjoyed reading all the Billionaire Bad Boys novels. Each brother is distinct but all are inflicted with the same problem...a broken heart caused by grief. Each shutting off their emotions to prevent their fragile hearts breaking again. Each had their own coping mechanism and becoming a Marine was Eli's escape. Only now back home, he's more broken; not only emotionally but physically too. I love the dynamics of Eli and Isabelle's relationship. She gives him space to breathe and doesn't pity him. She's a strong, ambitious and independent woman creating a life for herself against the wishes of her parents. He's loyal and compassionate with a heart of gold.

Overall another fabulous novel by Jessica Lemmon; devoured and enjoyed. The hero and heroine are adorable. There's humour, sadness, heart-warming positivity and button popping sexiness!! What's not to like?

5 stars

***arc received courtesy of the publisher Forever Romance***

3.5 stars
This was a nice enjoyable read. Though I didn’t read the first two books in the series, I was still able to follow along without a problem. Eli is the middle brother who has just been honorably discharged from the Marines. He is back home and his family is pressuring him to join the family business. But Eli wants to do his own thing. Isabella’s company is hired by the Cranes to send PAs (personal assistant) to Eli to keep him somewhat in the business. When one PA after another leaves Eli, the owner Isabella takes it upon herself to work for him and do what his family would like. What will happen when these two strong-willed people meet and interact? Eli and Isabella’s interactions were fun to read. Though they could be cringeworthy at times, I did enjoy the back and forth between the two. There was so much more lingering beneath the surface and I couldn’t wait for it to explode to the forefront. Eli and Isabella were a great match and I was really into the progression of their relationship from beginning to end. I couldn’t wait to see how it would all play out. Eli pretty much keeps to himself a lot and is very mysterious. But as the story goes on we found out more things about him. Isabella was a good heroine and I liked how she knew what she wanted and was very strong and independent. I also liked how both main characters bring out so much more from the other. I enjoyed seeing the family dynamic with the Cranes-it was nice to read. The writing, the storyline, and the characters were pleasant and great. Overall, I really liked this story and now I will go back and read the other two brothers’ books.

Eli Crane is the last brother in the Billionaire Bad Boys series to find love and for him, he is having a hard time dealing with that. Back home from war, he suffers from the effects of that and he doesn’t want to be around a lot of people and he is suffering from the lost of a friend that he lost before coming home. That makes him so very cranky and unwelcoming.
Isabella comes into his life as his assistant , Eli isn’t welcoming or happy to see her. In fact, he does to her what he does to everyone else—he tries to push her away but he wasn’t expecting Miss Isabella. She is not one to let a man push her around at all. Isabella needs this job so she pushes thru and deals with Eli and does what she needs to do in order to be his assistant in order for her business to succeed! But the more time she spends with Eli, the more she sees thru his outer shell and sees the sensitive man and she starts to fall for him.
I loved Isabella because she stood her ground and didn’t let Eli push her around. She also looked thru his gruff behavior and saw the goodness about him. When he acted like a jerk, Isabella pushed right back and didn’t take any flack from him. I loved that about her. She was a smart and sassy heroine. Eli was wounded hero and he felt he didn’t deserve love so he pushes people away with his behavior. The battles that would happen between Isabella and Eli were intense yet there was this heat , this chemistry between them. A lot goes on and there were the twists and turns that take place. Do they end up together or does Eli push Isabella away for good? All I can tell you it is worth it to read this awesome story!

My rating: 4.5 stars ****
"I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review***

It might sound silly, but I wanted to read The Bastard Billionaire from the moment I read the title and you might ask why I said that was silly and it's because of the answer I'm going to give you. I wanted to read it as soon as I saw the word, Bastard. It is probably bad, but that's just my favorite curse word and once I saw it, I had to have it! And when I read the synopsis, it only made me want it even more. The Bastard Billionaire was even better than I was expecting and I absolutely loved it! 

Isa is a complete and total bada*s. She's strong and fierce, independent and brave. Isa doesn't take any crap from Eli, she's always pushing him, challenging him, and standing up to him. She's quite a force to be reckoned with and when her best friend, Chloe told her that she wants to be Isa when she grows up, I have to wholeheartedly concur because I want to be her when I grow up too. Isa is beyond amazing and I just loved her! 

I couldn't wait to meet Eli! I adore my funny, playful heroes, but I also love my broody, grouchy ones too. There's something so fun about watching them get all growly and gruff sometimes and it was no different with Eli. It's true that the man did make me want to shake him every now and then, but that didn't change the way I felt about him. I loved his surly side, his vulnerable side, and his sweet, loving side most of all. Eli stole my heart, he's so wonderful and I utterly loved him! 

The Bastard Billionaire is heartbreaking and cry-worthy, it's sexy and entertaining, and its heartwarming and sweet. I can't tell you how much I enjoyed reading it or how often it made me feel giddy or put a smile on face. It was an incredibly fantastic book and I can't wait to read more from Ms. Lemmon! 

The Bastard Billionaire is the third book in the Billionaire Bad Boys series, but it can be read as a standalone, it's told from Eli and Isa's POV, and they do get their happy ending. 

~ A Hopeless Romantic's Booklandia, 5 Stars

The Bastard Billionaire, the third novel in Jessica Lemmon's Billionaire Bad Boy series features a grumpy hero (my catnip!) and a feisty heroine in a thoroughly entertaining and sexy romance. Eli Crane came back from a military deployment with a missing limb, two dead friends and a survivor guilt complex that has him struggling to adapt to life back at home. His father Alex, and two brothers Reese and Tag are waiting for him to take his place as COO of Crane Hotels. But Eli isn't ready for that role yet, and continues to push back as Reese sends him one personal assistant after another, women that Eli's bad temper and deliberate rudeness send packing.

Isabella Sawyer, owner of Sable Concierge prides herself on sending in the right employee for the job and when they keep getting turned away by Eli Crane, she's determined to up the ante, going in herself under the guise of being one of her own employees. She's up for the challenge of showing Eli that she can give as good as she gets. But she wasn't expecting the mixture of empathy and attraction she'd have for the devastatingly handsome but obviously troubled man. The push and pull between them soon leads to a sexy affair. Eli doesn't believe he deserves the happiness he's finding in Isabella's arms, and Isabella won't settle for anything less than love. Will Eli admit his true feelings for Isabella before it's too late?

I really enjoyed this story, with its blend of sexy romance and heartwarming moments. At the start of the story Eli has some fairly predictable PTSD issues. Part of it is survivor guilt, especially because the two men who died placing themselves in harm's way to save him had partners, one of whom won't talk to him. It keeps him perpetually stuck emotionally, unable to forgive himself for their deaths even though he'd have done the same for these men if the situation was reversed. Physically he deals with the obvious difficulties of navigating with a prosthetic, making stairs a particularly daunting task. He deals with random bouts of phantom pain from his missing limb. Psychologically, these physical issues are reminders that he's not the confident, self assured man he was before, which may be the most difficult thing to accept. Always the ladies man, now he worries about how women will see him, especially since his last girlfriend broke up with him because she couldn't handle his injuries. At first he runs hot and cold with Isabella, not wanting her pity and believing her attraction won't last long because of his injury, but she soon dispels him of that notion. Still, he's wary to let himself feel anything more for her.

I liked Isabella's character as a woman who could have fallen easily into the path her wealthy parents set out for her to work for their company (and marry a man of their choosing) but went her own way instead. She's very happy with her personal assistant company and is making a name for herself. Having the Crane family as clients will definitely help with her business. She's a good businesswoman, personable, friendly and smart. Her last boyfriend didn't value these things but Eli makes it clear that he respects her (once he gets over his annoyance at having yet another PA thrust upon him, this one not scared off like the others). Eli and Isabella have a definite spark between them right from when they first meet and this results in several steamy scenes as their relationship goes from wary adversaries to emotionally connected lovers.

Besides the romance, the scenes with Eli and his family are a key part of the story and make for some lighthearted and comedic moments. Eli's brothers are not giving up on him being part of the family business and part of their lives and make an effort to include him in everything. I also really liked the charity that Eli is building to help make physical modifications to veterans homes to accommodate their injuries. The author has done a great job of taking the reality of the experience of an injured war veteran and making a story that is topical and relevant. With its combination of sexy romance, likable characters and an interesting plot, The Bastard Billionaire is an entertaining and enjoyable read.

This review has been featured at Straight Shootin' Book Reviews and feedback updated with the link. It has been posted at sale sites during release week, and at goodreads.

This was so much more than your typical billionaire romance. Eli had served his country and returned home to help his brothers run the family business. Only he didn’t want anything to do with it. Eli was rough around the edges and determined to push everyone that cared about him away. Isabella is the head of her personnel placement business and determined to stop Eli from firing one more assistant. Isabella takes the position as assistant but almost immediately falls for Eli. Well first she must look past his sour attitude to find the good inside. This was a fun read with two characters that needed each other but were afraid to ask. The story moved in a fast but enjoyable pace and I liked the whole family united feel it had. This is the last book in the series and they certainly saved the best for last.

Eli Crane has become a huge problem for Isabella Sawyer. So far he has gone through 10 of her best assistants and now she is on the fence on who to send in next. There’s only one solution and that’s to forge into the battleground herself.

Eli just wants to be left alone. That’s what he’s best at now that he’s returned back home. He doesn’t want to be a part of the family business. He doesn’t deserve it. And he sure doesn’t want his brother’s sending assistant after assistant to get his ready for a position he has no mean of taking. Scaring off the assistant has become a game to him… until Isabella walked into his loft. And it seems all bets are off. He’s tried and tried to make her walk, but she strong and fierce and doesn’t put up with his attitude. She pulls no punches and gives as good as she gets. Has Eli finally met his match?

I was so excited to finally get Eli’s story! This series is everything you want in romance reads – hot alpha males, strong females who know just how to handle them with some laughter and steam thrown in. Eli’s story is no different. I loved the dynamic between Isa and Eli and how the two had so much in common. The sexual tension between these two has you fanning yourself at times and their connection is so tangible and real. Loved every minute and couldn’t put the book down. This is one of my all time favorite series and I highly recommend this book and the other two in the series. Each can be read as a standalone.

I've been waiting for Eli's book!

I've been waiting for Eli's book from the beginning of this series; I just knew I was going to love it and I wasn't wrong. The books standalone so don't worry if you haven't read the others first. Each of the Crane men are unique, and so are their stories, but Eli's been to war and come back a different man.

Isabella Sawyer's company, Sable Concierge, depends on references from high-profile clients. She has been hired by Crane Hotels to provide someone to help Eli get organized and transition back into the family business and take his place as COO of Crane Hotels. After Eli fires 10 PAs sent from her company she decides to tackle the beast head-on herself.

This story grabbed right from the beginning. I'm a sucker for a man suffering the way that Eli is and the story is all the sweeter when that man meets his match in a strong woman like Isabella. Jessica Lemmon's attention to detail regarding Eli's injury and the pain he feels makes this story so believable. I know it's fiction but the story and characters seem very real to me and all of my emotions were engaged. I wanted to hold and cuddle Eli and at the same time smack him and tell him to wake up so he doesn't lose Isabella. The path to their HEA is not smooth or without pain for both of them but Jessica delivers as she always does.

It was great to once again visit with the other members of the Crane family in this book. The only thing I can think of that would make this series better is another story to catch us up with the lives of all the Cranes a year or two down the road.

A review copy was provided by the publisher via NetGalley but this did not influence my opinion or rating of the book.

*****Reviewed for Xtreme-Delusions dot com*****

Marine, Eli Crane loses his leg and his life's purpose when he is honorably discharged from the military. When his brothers insist Eli take his place in the family business he proceeds to run off the assistants they hire to help him acclimate at a record pace. Isabella Sawyer has no choice but to step in when Eli Crane has literally terrorized the entire staff of her employment agency. Now the tables have turned and Eli has met his match with the determined smart and sexy assistant who refuses to put up with his bad boy antics, setting his head spinning and his heart pounding.

The Crane brothers are back and this time readers watch the enigmatic and cantankerous Eli get toppled by love in The Bastard Billionaire. Jessica Lemmon cultivated passion and humor eloquently in a scenario where finding both was a stretch as emotions like doubt, anger and guilt vied for top billing. Eli was not an easy character to embrace but once you got past his gruff exterior he was worth it and exuded worthy hero with every word that came out of his contrary, belligerent mouth. Isabella was the perfect foil to Eli's isolating himself and their head-butting was truly magnificent to watch play out as they worked through a multitude of issues that were preventing them from committing to each other. Their attraction sustained by a steady infusion of stubbornness and sexual frustration worked well in driving their relationship and forcing both of them to treat their wounds both internally and externally. Jessica Lemmon brings full circle in book three of the Billionaire Bad Boys series the power of love in all of its guises.

This is the third novel in a series about the wealthy Crane brothers, owners, along with their father, of the successful Crane Hotels chain based in Chicago. Elijah (Eli) Crane is the only one not working for the family business. His military career cut short after losing a leg, along with two of his best friends in Afghanistan. He has spent a year of rehab, soul searching and survivors guilt, he is slowly returning to his life, but not interested in Crane Hotels. He is working on a secret project that has his heart.

Eli has had a series of PA's, hired by his brothers to ease him into the work they feel he is destined for. The eleventh ran from his office crying, calling him a monster. Isabella (Isa) Sawyer is the owner of Sable Concierge, and values the Crane Hotel's contract with her. As a last chance effort she is putting herself in the firing line and determined to not let Eli run her off. Within the first several minutes of introducing herself, he does his best to bark at her and get her to leave.....he has met his match.
"Standing in Eli's hallway was like hovering at the mouth of a cave where a hibernating grizzly bear hid." Eli is frustrated by this maddening woman, but can't seem to ignore his unwelcome attraction to her.

Isa left her families wealth and pressure behind when she opened her own business.
She loves her work, and is not going to let Eli undermine her success. But the more she gets to know him, she realizes his bluster is just a facade, and she's falling for the wounded warrior underneath. They both have been damaged by previous relationships, but Isa is ready to try again, Eli needs time. But, Isa is running out of patience.

This novel can be read as a stand alone, but the first two books in the series really set this story up, and are a great read. I'll be honest, I'm not a great fan of "Billionaire" stories, but this series made me eat my words.

I received this ARC from the publisher and Netgalley for an honest review.
Pat Fordyce

Eli Crane is acting, in the most polite terminology, like a jerk with illusions of moving on up to complete ass… and he’s getting there with lightening speed. He’s rude, arrogant, dismissive and cruel. He doesn’t want the position in the family business that his brothers have pushed him into and he’s making no bones about that fact. His plan, get rid of every single personal assistant they toss his way and sooner or later everyone will get the memo and leave him the hell alone. It’s worked so far – but Eli is about to meet his match.

Isabella has worked long hard hours to build her young business up from the ground. She may come from a business family, but she’s on her own now and that’s exactly how she wants it. However, one Eli Crane is systematically tearing down her personal assistant providing firm one PA at a time – and it’s going to stop right now. She’s not about to lose everything she’s worked for on the whim of an arrogant, entitled ass. She has one secret weapon left – herself. And she’s about to unleash that on Eli and let the winner take all.

I don’t think that anyone who has not served on active duty or in war can truly understand what our returning men and women veterans have faced and survived. We can have empathy, we can imagine but to truly understand the mental, emotional, spiritual, physical effects of serving our country in war, you have to have been there. Eli is going through changes. As the youngest brother he never really wanted into the family business so the military was where he felt he was serving a purpose. When he was injured, lost his leg, saw his friends die, and is now dealing with survivor’s guilt – it changed the man he once was into the man who has survived. His family may think that pushing him to deal with business and life now is the right move, and it may be. But all Eli wants is to work on his nonprofit, and be left alone to deal in his own way. He may think he has the perfect solution by firing or causing every PA in sight to leave the position – but he’s about to meet his match.

Isabella and Eli worked. Both strong and stubborn. Both felt they were in the right. And the sexy chemistry between them was off the charts. I enjoyed seeing previous couples wander through this story, it’s always good to see the overall picture of a group of people who connect through the story line. In all, I enjoyed The Bastard Billionaire very much. It is a story that will touch you, maybe enlighten you and definitely get you believing in the chemistry of love. These two make an awesome couple, and I can only imagine what their life together would be like. Hot, that’s for certain.

Love Romance? Then The Bastard Billionaire and the Billionaire Bad Boys series should be on your reading list. Good solid stories, interesting characters and an underlying story that will draw you in and not let go.

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

4 1/2 STARS!

Another awesome Crane brother! I have loved this entire series and just can't fathom that it's over ... can't we find a long lost sibling somewhere? :) The characters are great, the family connection is so heartwarming, and the chemistry is off the charts! There was some weakness in the plot in that he really had too easy of a transition back into real life with no PTSD, etc. other than a little survivor's guilt, but overall it was a great book!

Former Marine Elijah Crane is not adjusting well to being home. He worked hard to heal after the injury that ended his military career, and now he just wants people to leave him alone. He does NOT want to take on a roll in the family business no matter how much his brother's continue to harass him about it. They keep sending one personal assistant after another to his home office to try to get him doing work and he keeps running them off ... until she walks in the door ...

Isabella Sawyer's employment agency is soon going to get a bad reputation for all of the assistant's the Crane's are going through, so she decides to take matters into her own hands and shows up herself as the next assistant for Eli. Her no nonsense attitude catches his attention immediately and soon he doesn't want her to leave! They end up being good for each other and their passion is mega hot ... but can it lead to anything real?

What a wonderful, sexy heartfelt story! I've wanted more Eli since I met him in book one, The Billionaire Bachelor, and I am so happy with the outcome. Excellent addition to the series!

Eli is just so wounded, and I don't mean from his missing leg. He's taken so much on his shoulders and has so many walls up. It made him super grumpy but somehow sweet at the same time. I couldn't wait to watch his barriers break down and for him to start to heal. I loved Isabella and her strength. She was such a strong, in charge character and I really loved how grounded she was. Eli and Isa together were awesome. I loved Eli and Isabella’s animosity and tension. They had a great chemistry happening and I loved watching it build and ignite.

Besides Eli and Isa’s building heat, there is a lot of underlying emotion happening as Eli works things out. I got choked up several times. Those walls though, they were killers and they made for some ups and downs in he and Isa's relationship. Even though I understood his pain and struggles, I didn't always like his actions and wanted to smack him on several occasions. I really enjoyed the build not only to their relationship, but to Eli's epiphany as well.

The Crane brothers are so fun and I love their good natured ribbing with one another and Merina and Rachel as well. When they got together it created some fun, light moments which where needed. I also love that there dad Alex, Big Crane, and the fact that he finally got some closure for his story that has been lightly talked about since book one.

Really great story with a good pace. I loved the details and the build. A nice amount of drama and a lot of emotion. While I did enjoy their push and pull for the most part, by the end I was more than ready for them both to get it together. The ending was sweet but wrapped up a little to nicely for me, it was still a great HEA though.

I love the feeling of peace I got after reading this and am so happy for the closure that Eli got. Isa is the perfect match for him. I love this series and I'm going to miss it. Great characters and a fantastic family, this series is a must read.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story. Sable and Evan are highly entertaining couple. She knows how to manage the Beast Crane and he helps her to be the better her. I loved the other characters popping back in and the whole story was fantastically written. There's parts that pull at you and parts that make you smile. Overall a good and entertaining read.

***ARC Provided by the Publisher and NetGalley***

There are books that are exactly what you want them to be...and this is one of them.

I fell for Eli when you meet him in the previous book, and he made me teary then. And that continues in his book. His pain, the things he is learning to deal with, his fear that he will not measure up. It was handled so well, it was so believable that you can't help but fall for him. Add in the fact that he is hot, and rich and, well, the women are lining up (behind me, please).

Eli and Isabella were wonderful together. I loved that she gave as good as she got. I love that she understood him. There is a scene involving a shirt and some buttons (I don't want to spoil it) that is both emotional and erotic at the same time.

That really sums up the book...emotional and erotic at the same time. If you can get through the book without falling for Eli, read it again, you missed something. And I would hate for that to happen.

Jessica Lemmon is a favorite of mine. I always enjoy her writing, her stories and most importantly, her characters. And, this story revolves around Eli, and who he is, so she is the perfect author to write it...as characters are her strength.

This is the 3rd book about the 3 brothers, and while it is a standalone, I am going to recommend you read the others first (they are great too, so no issues with that) as Eli's story is the most emotional of the 3, in my opinion, and the depth of the relationship is stronger when you have met all 3 brothers.

It's hard to talk about this book without spoiling it, so I am going to leave it at this...I recommend it, you should read it. You will be glad you did.

Jessica Lemmon really excels at writing stories that combine sweet, sexy and emotionally charged, and THE BASTARD BILLIONAIRE has all of that in the right amounts. I have been looking forward to this book since the first time Eli was mentioned and it was worth the wait.

Eli Crane planned on being career military but that plan was cut short abruptly when an explosion left him injured and took the lives of his friends and he's finding it hard to fall into Plan B - life as the COO of Crane Hotels. Surly, snarly and grumpy, Eli just wants to be left alone and has run off every assistant sent his way. But he's about to meet his match.

Isabella Sawyer needs the Cranes' business to boost her employment agency's profile and after Eli Crane chased off the eleventh assistant she sent him, it's time for her to handle this by herself. And Isabella is nothing but determined to save her fledgling company even if it means bearding the lion in his den.

But nothing prepares Eli and Isabella for the sparks that fly between them. Isabella is intriguing in a lot of ways to Eli and brings his libido roaring back to life. After her last relationship fizzled out, Isabella avoided the dating scene and focused all her energy on her business, so having her new albeit temporary boss light that fire in her is complicated, to say the least.

Isabella is magnificent. She's beautiful and wields her looks like a weapon, sexy, passionate, smart and independent. Eli is a very interesting character. Under the difficult exterior lay a really giving heart, which was also wounded by the loss of his friends and survivor's guilt.

Say what you will, but as their relationship goes from professional to personal they find themselves developing major feelings for each other, which bring up hidden emotional issues which they'll need to overcome for a chance at happiness and a future. Eli's struggles to open up in his relationships seem to predate his injury but his feelings of inadequacy have made it even harder for him to completely open himself up to anyone and it made my heart hurt for him. Isabella has found herself shortchanged emotionally multiple times by her parents and her ex and nothing but a full-throated declaration of love from Eli would do for her this time.

I really enjoyed reading this book and catching up with the rest of the Crane family and I liked how they supported Eli through his issues, without overwhelming him. I am so glad I got the chance to read this series and I highly recommend it.

3.5 stars
A sweet and sexy retelling of Beauty and the Beast!
Eli Crane has returned from war missing part of his leg - his physical rehab has gone well, but his emotional scars run deep.
His brothers decide he needs someone helping in his home office and Isa ends up working as his assistant after he runs off more than 1/3 of her employees with his bad attitude.
I loved Isa and Eli together. Even when they weren't sure they liked each, they clicked pushed each other out of their comfort zones. Eli's emotional growth was heartwarming and I loved how he supported Isa with no questions asked.
Isa was a great Belle to Eli's Beast and the subtle changes she brought to his world made me root for both of them to get the happily ever they deserved.
This is the third book in the series, but works well as a standalone. There main couples from the first two books are here as supporting cast, so having read the first two books would be helpful, but not required.