Zara Cox writes a great story about two hotel owners who are trying to overcome family drama and become wealthy in their industry. Neve and Damian are both legacies in hotel business and both want to be the best and the richest. After a chance encounter in the bar of a hotel a business transaction goes awry and bad blood is established. Neve and Damian are both competitive and both come from demanding and drama filled families. Zara Cox writes an excellent book filled with high stakes business transactions and sexy scenes that will take you to new heights. This is a penthouse level romance!

Big thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

“Everyone has an agenda.”

The interesting thing in Harlequin DARE is the sexy-spicy-and-hot atmosphere in its stories. And in Pleasure Payback you can see it that. A story well written that keeps the reader captivated with the plot, the scenes and, yes, the intense sexual chemistry between the main characters.

Neve (I like this name, I've never heard it before!) is the owner of an hotel chain who's about to get a great deal. The night before the deal was sealed, she meets Damian in a bar in Boston. Their chemistry fires up since the first second, and they ended in bed. The morning after, she found out that he's rejected the deal and that leaves her in near catastrophe. Two years later, she accepted being part of Damian's reality show with one purpose: to put him down on his knees. Will her plan end well, or the medication become worse than the illness?

I have to say that the book has funny moments and it was an easy and fast reading (that last one is something I appreciate because English is not my mother language, and I use to read slower in English). On the other hand, I found a few flaws in the story; the rhythm at the beginning of the story is slower than the ending. In fact, I found it an abrupt ending, as if the author wanted to leave no loosen ends only in the last two chapters. That said, the transition between scenes and locations were excellent. And the fact that we could see both hero and heroine's POV is fantastic (even though I preferred, this time, to see Damian only through Neve's eyes. Don't ask me, I still don't know why...).

I loved Damian. He's a wounded soul hardened by his past who deals with lots of demons and with a dysfunctional family behind his back. His personality is more deep than it shows at the beginning. Damian has a good heart but was betrayed enough times that his trust in people was destroyed. He needs to be loved, but he doesn't let people near him. Business is his language, nothing else is permitted in his life. Neve, on the other hand, is a self-made woman with issues with her mother who sees failure as a big deal. Is a woman who doesn't like to lose a game but, at the same time, believes in commitment.

Together, their chemistry is so strong it could burn pages. Their equal roles made them a perfect match.

The secondary characters were nice, but didn't add something interesting to the story, they were more extras than having complementary roles for the main characters. I would liked to have more of Sam and Tyler, because the twins would add more spice to the scenes. They have a great introduction that deflated through the story. I'm not telling that they opaque Neve and Damian, but they were so refreshing that I wanted more of them. Without stealing the show, of course.

This is my first Zara Cox book from Harlequin DARE. And it was a good reading, in general. I want to read more of her, because she has a great talent creating stories. Looking forward for her next Harlequin DARE.

This was my first from Zara Cox and my first in the DARE line. I enjoyed Cox's writing voice and will absolutely be looking for more of the DARE line- a Harlequin with fan-yourself-hot sex scenes? Yes please!
3 stars because it took me a while to get sucked into the story- I spent a good portion of the first half feeling like I was missing something and couldn't understand the character's motivations. Most of their interactions are dirrrty sex and their chemistry in the bedroom is obvious. It was refreshing to read such a take charge h- she is the one buying the drink in the bar that leads to the first hookup. At about 80% in I really started to like the characters and got more of a feel for the H- and trust me, his fantasy scene is adorable and worth the wait!
Final verdict: I want to book a Fantasy Room for myself; I enjoyed where the story ended so am overall happy, just disappointed the first 80% was rough to get though resulting in my 3 star review.

Spoiler/content warning: the H was roofied and there is an implication of being taken advantage of by a woman

I recieved a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. #PleasurePayback #NetGalley

This book is SIZZLING HOT!!! Damian and Neve are COMBUSTIBLE!! Their chemistry is electric from the moment they meet in a hotel bar and then again two years later when they meet again on the set of a reality TV show .I don't like to put spoilers and give it away but you really need to read this book and go on this journey with them as it's emotional,sexy,funny and the story really flows well. I would definitely recommend this book and look forward to reading other books by this author. I was given an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This story was made to feel sexy all the way to the end. Everything, the clothing, the scenery induces desire and fantasy.
Neve is independent, confident and compassionate. And has a big mistrust of Damien. One of the main things they have in common. He has been burned badly to the point of having no trust left. But little by little and without effort Neve gains his trust. I really liked his I'll get what I want attitude and his panty steeling ways. But more than anything what I liked was a man with all the power still doesn't mind begging.

This was a quick read for me. I found it to be mostly predictable, as these types of romance novels tend to be, however that didn't take away from the story in my opinion. I enjoyed the banter between Damian and Neve and found it to be comical at times. The premise of their second meeting was a bit of a let down as it was the novels version of Shark Tank. It works in the book, yes, I just would have liked to see a different plot setting so to say.

The irresistible Damian Mortimer nearly destroyed me. First, he gave me mind-blowing pleasure in the bedroom then he tricked me out of a business deal. Now we’re both mentors on a TV show for budding entrepreneurs.When I started reading I couldn't put it down.Carrie Ann Ryan is magnifysent and amazing writer.I cannot wait to read more of there books.Keep up the great work.You should definitely read this book.Can't wait for the next book.

This was a thoroughly enjoyable romance. It grabs you from page one! The push/pull of the relationship is entertaining and the author gradually brings you along for the evolution of distrust and betrayal to love and man, do they combust when the are together!
Neve and Damian were a well characterized , intense couple. Everything they do is intense! Talk about hot!
I enjoyed the peak into careers that you dont read about in many romances. Refreshing!
The story moved along nicely and when it ended I felt like smacking my lips saying, "Man, that was yummy!" Ordinarily, I'm not a fan of enemies to lovers stories but this was so well written I was NOT going to put it down til I found out what happened next!
Highly recommended!

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

5 STARS for Pleasure Payback
Author = Zara Cox

ARC received from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Opinions expressed are my own ...

This book is so deliciously sexy & the chemistry between the main characters is definitely off the charts !! 🔥🔥

Neve Nolan was double crossed by Damian Mortimer 2 years ago & it personally as well as professionally almost destroyed her ... A one night stand & Damian literally screwed her over the next day by influencing a partner to back out of business deal that costs Neve millions ...

Fast forward - Neve wants revenge & she figures the best way to do this is get on top in the bedroom. Damian & Neve are both mentors on a TV show for up & coming entrepreneurs... the only problem is they are both interested in mentoring & investing in the same start up business. They were not able to work together before & this new venture does not bode well for the (2) as they can’t seem to put aside their differences all while finding out they are still wildly attracted to each other...

Couldn’t put this book down - read in just a few hours!!

Super sexy read - loved it with a guaranteed HEA !!