The Wicked Billionaire is the second book in the Tate Brothers series and frankly these books are a lot better than the title implies. By that I mean, there are so many “Billionaire” books out now, and so many are fun but frivolous. This book as well as the first book in this series are so much more involved. They have a depth of character that I really didn’t expect. Lucas is very very closed off, due to childhood incidents that we don’t learn until about halfway through this book. Because of the way he is portrayed in the first part of this book, I wondered if he would ever be more than a closed off “Iceman”. Part of what I really liked about this book is that the romance is a slow burn. They did not hop into bed, but there is a romance that grows over this book and that to me makes really enjoyed every bit of this book. Thanks as always to Netgalley and the Publisher for allowing me to read and review this book for an honest review!.

So angsty and so good! What I loved about this book was how completely different Lucas and Grace were and yet they fit so well together. But when you read the beginning about and find out how the view each other, you can't possibly imagine these two characters ever coming together. They do though and it's smoking hot. Lucas and Grace were both so broken but they find healing within each other. They give each other something that was completely lacking their entire lives and it makes them whole again. That was the most enjoyable part of this read for me. I could really feel the inner turmoil of these two characters but it was beautiful how they both gradually started to see their worth. Lucas's fierce protectiveness of Grace was so alpha and extremely sexy. I loved how quirky Grace was and how even though that quality went against everything that Lucas was he comes to embrace that about her. He never tries to stifle her organized chaos. The story was suspenseful but I could have used a bit more. I loved the Wolf teaser at the end and I'm really looking forward to reading his story!

Lucus killed this for me. He was too cold, detached and very frustrating. Grace, in the beginning, was slightly annoying. I was thinking someone in her position should have been a bit more compliant or a least more grateful. Lucus takes the job of protecting Grace from some men from her dead husband's shady past. Everyone's limits are pushed, including mine.

I just couldn't get into the Lucus and Grace love connection. The story is slow-paced and suspenseful and for some, it will be an enjoyable read. But for me, it was just okay. I don't like my male characters to be so hard, and wishy-washy, it makes it difficult for me to care about him or his situation.

I didn’t like book one in this series but gave this one a try in hopes the series would improve. It did not.

Lucas Tate is a cold, control freak and walled off human being who refuses to let anyone get close. He prides himself on being in total control of his whole being. He is a Navy SEAL sniper on leave due to his adoptive dad’s death and settling the estate.

Grace Riley is the widow of a SEAL teammate. She is an artist who grew up in an oppressed family atmosphere. She is a free spirit. She refuses to let anyone control her or deter her from her life’s goal of having a show in an art gallery and getting her art seen.

I didn’t connect to either character or care if they ever got together or worked it out. This book starts out slow, drags and is boring. At 36%, it had already stalled out and I couldn’t force myself to continue. This is a DNF for me. I think it’s time for me to take a break from this author.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher.

This was a good read. I loved how they complimented each other and filled each others flaws. He was cold as ice and she was intense flame. The only thing they could do was combust and they did in spectacular fashion. This is quite a thrilling ride.

Lucas Tate didn't like when he received a letter from his adoptive father giving him a mission.
Noah Tate, a millionaire from the oil industry, adopted 3 boys from St. Mary's Home for Boys. Now the three are adults, they were military men, and they were responsible for bringing the Tate's legacy forward.
Lucas would have to protect a woman whose husband was accused of smuggling guns, and as the bad guys wanted the money back, she would be their next target.

Grace Riley was a determined woman, difficult to deal with. She and Lucas spend more time arguing about what she wants to do - and he doesn't want it in order to protect her. She doesn't think she can be targeted, and even if it's true, she thinks she can handle them alone. Until the threats begin.

The air around the couple always stays electric, releasing sparks. There are more secrets behind the hunt for Grace.
But the worst is yet to come. The Tates may suffer with a fatal blow...

The plot is interesting. Lucas is an enigmatic man who knows how to do his job. But I didn't feel any empathy for Grace. I found her annoying, complaining all the time.
The surprise is in the final scene of the book, and this one will bring a bomb that will only explode in the next book. I want that one.
3 stars

I give THE WICKED BILLIONAIRE (TATE BROTHERS, #2) by Jackie Ashenden 4 1/2 stars. I enjoyed the book and Lucas and Grace's story. They both carry deep wounds from their past that they help each other work through....which is not an easy task. Can Grace melt the ICE MAN and can Lucas show Grace her worth. They get their HEA but the story does go on with Wolf's story to be next. I did not read Van and Chloe's story and now will go back and read it.

This is the second book in this series and just as good as the first. Lucas Tate is another of boys taken in and raised by a man who, well you have to read the books to understand him. Lucas Tate is a former sniper with the SEALs and he will do anything to protect Grace Riley who is the widow of one of his former brother in arms. What starts as just protecting her turns into so much more. It was so fun to watch them fall...

I am so looking forward to the next one in this series!

**Received this ARC for review from the publisher via NetGalley**

The Wicked Billionaire is sort of a cross between a military romance and a modern ugly duckling story. It has lots of mystery and intrigue, so if you like unraveling mysteries, you will enjoy this book!

Lucas is a trained sniper and SEAL. He is cold and calculating, both in his job and in life. I found it hard to like him much of the time. He did, however, give me a sense of security when it came to Grace’s safety. Grace is a stereotypical starving artist. She was more likable, but I couldn’t really relate to her. Lucas and Grace are about as different as two people can be, and yet they are attracted to one another. (Opposites attract!)

The plot was steady and even a little slow at times. I struggled to get into the storyline. The last 25-30 percent really picked up, though. I liked how it concluded.

This is the second book in the Tate Brother’s series. While it can be read as a standalone, I wonder if I might have gotten into the book more quickly if I had read book one. I really enjoyed some of Ashenden’s previous books, and I look forward to seeing what she publishes next.

This series is a definite read in order it your going to be hopelessly lost. The brothers storylines all happen overlapping, so it's important you know what's going on or your going to have some major spoilers.
With that being said, Lucas Tate's story was every bit as hot as his brother Vans. The Tate brothers are all strong, somewhat damaged men, which makes you want to root for them to find happiness. Lucas is more closed off from others and he has his reasons. Grace is in danger and needs protection. She is vivid and talented with her own hidden scars. Together they are combustible.

3.5 Stars

I've read many books by Jackie Ashenden and enjoyed them but none in this series so when I saw this available on NetGalley I thought - great! When I read the story description (as above) again, I thought - this is going to be great! I've enjoyed this author in the past and the description sounds intriguing enough to make me want to read it...

Ok, so you can't always hit the ball out of the ballpark every time. That's how I feel about this book. This just wasn't quite what I expected. Without giving anything away, there were times when I became frustrated/distracted with the number of times we (the readers) were told not only that Lucas is a SEAL trained sniper, but also what it takes for him to be successful at it, how success he is, etc. Please, please...I got it the first time it was mentioned. Mentioning it again so many times made me feel like the author was insulting the reader's intelligence. Ditto Grace's upbringing - got it the first time, no reason to tell me multiple times.

Having said that, there were some extremely insightful and touching moments where both main characters had to come to grips with their pasts as it affects their current lives and futures. When the MC's supported one another with insightful commentary, it was very touching and heartfelt. There were also extremely heartbreaking moments, along with some angst.

Was I disappointed? Maybe only because I believe the description did not quite fit the story as well as it could have. Had I not read the description would I have felt differently about this story? Probably.

Will I read Jackie Ashenden's books in the future? Absolutely!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Wicked Billionaire by Jackie Ashenden
A Billionaire SEAL Romance
The Tate Brothers #2

Three brothers are sent on missions via letters each one is left by their recently deceased father. In book one Van deals with an issue his foster sister, Chloe, faces. In this book we hear the story of Lucas and Grace and in the book yet to come we will hear Wolf’s story and the mission he was given.

Lucas Tate is in control at all times and this, he believes, is necessary to keep his life in balance and also allow him to be the best Navy SEAL sniper he can be. He does not do emotion because it can lead to fiery trouble he never wants to experience again. He knows where his temper can lead and avoiding that temper is paramount.

Grace Riley, widow of Griffin (SEAL friend to Lucas) has no idea she is in a heap of trouble with potential pain and suffering ahead. Nope, she is an artist who escaped her father’s verbal abuse and belittling of her artistic talent, a widow and ready to have her first big art show IF she can come up with the one painting that will tie a year’s work together.

When Grace spots Lucas she denies the situation at first. Realizing that Lucas is only there to help her she allows him to protect her. Neither realize that close proximity might lead to emotions and emotions to more. The more time they are together the more they end up sharing and ultimately end up caring. Their truths are painful but need to be exposed rather than left to fester.

This has action, suspense, a tie-in to the first book and a lead-in to the third. It is a roller coaster ride for the H/h and also for the reader. I was rooting for Lucas and Grace while also enjoying their journey…even when it was painful. The two have so much to give and do it so well with one another – they become more together than apart – and that is just as it should be.

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

5 Stars

This was pretty good! I loved the storyline and the characters were good if somewhat difficult. Lucas is all icy and cold but I love when his ice starts to break. Grace is fiery and argumentative, which sometimes gets annoying. These two burn up together! There is lots of action and I don't just mean the steamy kind! I definitely enjoyed it, especially the further I got into it. Definitely worth a reread.

The wild and crazy mind of Jackie Ashenden is back at it with this second book in the Tate Brothers series. The way this author can craft a story and create characters that are flawed but real always intrigues me and this one is no different. It has the perfect mix of passion and suspense which kept me turning page after page.

Lucas Tate is a stone cold killer. Being a sniper for an elite SEAL team has taught him to do what needs to be done and move on. He plans on protecting Grace Riley in exactly the same way. Easier said than done. His attraction to Grace is unwanted. She is the widow of a former teammate and should be off limits. Staying away from her while keeping her safe proves to be the hardest thing he's ever tried to do.

A great read that I highly recommend to everyone.

The Wicked Billionaire is about Lucas Tate. He's a Navy SEAL Sniper and he's very good at what he does. After Noah passed leaving him and his brothers Tate Oil and gas well thats not really his thing. He isnt' really close to anyone and there is a reason. Much better that way. Well a letter is about to change his life. His only what you could call friend and comrade lost his life and now his Widow is in danger.

Grace knows she's in trouble but the attraction between the two burns the pages. It was great reading such passion between the two especially after knowing how Lucas was in the first book. I can't wait for more in the series and I recommend this one.

3.5☆
The Wicked Billionaire was an enjoyable story overall. Although it was quite slow to develop and at times I did feel like the story kind of plodded along. Plus I did find it hard to stay engaged throughout, especially in the beginning. But the final third really picked up and the characters were great. Especially Lucas, who does come across as very cold, remote and unfeeling. But as the story develops. More is revealed and so are the reasons why Lucas feels the need to keep his feelings in check and I did like the connection that was created between him and Grace. Yet I never really felt any chemistry between them and their actual relationship left me feeling a little flat. That being said though, this was a good and easy read. That I would recommend to others. Especially if you enjoyed the first book in the series

This second book in the series runs parallel to the first, so you get Lucas' perspective on the happenings with Van and Chloe. Lucas' doesn't believe he deserves to be happy, and is stone cold because of it. Grace doesn't know anything about the danger she's in, so is shocked when Lucas tells her the story. Grace has issues of her own, but is at least willing to work on them. Good story. My interest was definitely peeked at the end with the glimpse of Wolf's story...

There’s something about an author that can write about the personality and actions of a person in such a way that it sucks you right into the story.

This story is about Lucas, whom we met in the first book. He’s cold and calculating, a master at his craft. But yet he burns very hot for those that can penetrate and deal with his icy exterior. A person like Grace.

The author is extremely talented at highly detailed descriptions of people, places, and things. Quirkiness and details many people wouldn’t notice in a day to day life, but yet add so much to the story.

She writes about the push and pull of a connection between two people that seems like hate on the exterior but is actually a deep, fiery attraction. The steam between these two may actually raise your own temperature a few degrees.

The story and plot is intriguing and interesting with never a dull moment. We even get a sneak peek into what’s happening in the next book. Yay! Written with a little bit of edge and suspense, a little bit of grit and crime, you get a taste of real life with the heat and passion of a relationship we could only dream about.

Jackie Ashenden is a writer who can balance a wonderful plot, deep description, sexy heat, and plenty of anticipation of more to come into a book that begs to be read. This series is definitely one to put on your list. You will want to start with book One in this series so you can get a feel for the entire story overall.

The Wicked Billionaire is book two in the Tate Brothers series by Jackie Ashenden. I’ve been noticing this author and was tempted by the first book in this series but for some reason, never picked it up. Something about this one called to me so I decided to go for it. Oh my gosh! This book! It was just amazing. Passionate is one word that keeps coming to mind. I don’t know that I’ve ever read love scenes with more passion. And the two main characters had so much passion. This book was just full. Full of so much everything. I could not stop reading.

Lucas Tate was adopted along with his two adoptive brothers, Wolf and Van, by a rich oil tycoon, Noah Tate. Noah has passed and left the three men as directors of Tate Oil and Gas. Lucas is a sniper with the Navy Seals. He is one of the or maybe is the very best at what he does. The reason is because Lucas keeps everything locked away. He has ice in his eyes. He has complete control. He can lower his own heart beat to thirty beats per minute.

When Noah died, he left his three sons each a letter. Lucas’s letter informed him that the widow of a fellow Navy Seal needs protection against some very bad men. That Lucas must protect her or she will surely be killed.

Grace Riley is the widow of Lucas’s now dead Seal team member, Griffin Riley. Griffin was probably the only friend Lucas had. They weren’t close but the few times Lucas had met Grace, there was something there that made him uncomfortable. An electric current when they accidentally touched. He didn’t know if she was aware of it but he kept his distance because of it. Now he was forced to protect her, to follow her.

“He’d been on missions that had broken lesser men, and this woman, the widow of his best friend, wasn’t going to make him lose it no matter how warm and elegant, no matter how smart or fascinating or downright desirable she’d become to him. He’d never been a weak man and he wasn’t about to start now.”

Grace had been a widow for six months. She was adjusting to her life, although her husband was away more than he was home. Grace was an artist, a painter. She had finally landed her first showing. She had eleven paintings done but needed one more and she was stumped. She couldn’t put brush to canvas. Nothing was coming to her. The last couple of days she had felt something, a prickling on her neck. Then, she finally saw him, her husband’s friend Lucas, watching her. He had always made her feel funny when he was around, and he always seemed so cold, so aloof. Why was he watching her now?

The tale Lucas has for Grace is impossible to believe. That her husband had been a traitor. That he was an arms dealer. And now that he was dead, that he owed the bad guys money and they were after her for revenge. Could she have been so wrapped up in her art, kept herself so distanced even when her husband was home, that she never really knew him?

As Grace and Lucas are stuck with each other until he can figure out who is after her, it becomes impossible to contain the electric chemistry between them. As boundaries are lowered, secrets are revealed. Secrets they both have kept to themselves since their own childhoods. For both of them, they are secrets that have held them back. In Lucas’s case, they are what made him into what he is now. But he is tired of denying what he wants, tired of not giving in to what he feels.

“She was heat and wildfire and sunlight. She was golden and glorious and he wanted her so badly.”

“He was like a bonfire. She wanted to get close enough to warm herself against the flames, but she was also terrified of getting burned. He will consume you if you let him.”

I just can’t say enough how much I loved this book. I definitely want to go back to the first book and read Van’s story. And can’t wait for the third book to get Wolf’s story. Jackie Ashenden now has a new fan in me

I've read so many billionaire stories lately and I love that each one is so different! It truly shows how many talented authors there are out there!

Lucas is rich, adopted, military, and cold hearted and with good reason, so we find out. I definitely hated him at first, but felt sorry for him as the book went on.

Grace is a widow, in danger and apparently being guarded by one hot Navy SEAL named Lucas. Lucas was friends with her late husband. He's very intimidating but, oh so hot! She finds herself being attracted to him! Is he just as attracted to her?

The sparks that fly between these two! Holy smokes!! Great addition to this series!!