Overall a good read, but sometimes a little confusing. Maybe because I haven’t read her other books, but there were definitely areas where I felt like parts of the story was missing, or there was an unexpected leap of logic. Most of it was about Penelope and Xander’s backstory, so it felt like it may have been over edited. And the way they got engaged definitely felt like it was missing some details. As I got farther into the book, the story felt more complete, though I continued to note areas missing full explanations.

In any case, this book was definitely a parade of the lifestyles of the rich and famous, from the over the top social club they belong to, to the private jet and fancy clothes.

"Lots of things are going to change, but them? We're stuck with them because when you love people, you can't really lose them".

I think this maybe my favourite book in the series! Ava really encapsulates quiet luxury without making it feel garish or over indulgent. This book has a “my wife” moment, a marriage of convenience, a bucket list and gave me 'Crazy Rich Asian' vibes. Plus when Xander bought a piece of art for Poppy? Definitely one of my fave moments. I can't wait for another book in the series cause I know Ava's cooking up something special.

Thank you Avon and Harper Voyager for the digital ARC!

it was very mature of penelope to say ‘i need to calm down. everything’s fine. i’m an adult.’ i liked them, but their relationship really relied on ~past events~ for the ~tension~. it’s not like there was missing information, but i wasn’t given enough time to marinate in it. it was just like oh ok, so they had a moment years ago?

maybe i should have read the first two books, but this was coupled with a lot of details about their individual pasts being glossed over. like we were constantly told about how they were a lil traumatized from their pasts, but it was all very vague. i’m not saying i need podcast deep dives, but bc nothing was expanded upon, it felt like they had archetypical backstories

the found family aspect … i mean good for them, as they’re really leaning into being super financially and politically powerful people who can get away with unethical things, but it’s okay bc their goals align with the greater good! guslib, gertkip, galboos✨

lmao this is nitpicky, but i feel like in the american pop culture sphere, people don’t usually refer to familial norman rockwell paintings as good … things … anyway, thanks for the arc netgalley & harper voyager

I really enjoyed this book! It was a quick read that kept me invested the whole time. The marriage of convenience was how their relationship started but I appreciated that it wasn't a super large focus. The characters had really good banter, and I love a good banter. I could actually see the chemistry between them which is the markings of a good romance book (and author!). It was a fun read that I would highly recommend. I hadn't read any of Ava Rani's other books prior to this one but am excited to continue reading her other work.

Such a cute series. Loved the characters. I binged all 3 this week! Thanks Netgalley and Avon and Harper Voyager | Avon

3.5/5

In real life, I am very anti-billionaire, but in books...that's a very different story. Literally. Heehee, see what I did there?

An attorney and a tech billionaire (especially hate tech bros in real life) fake date/fake marry. And that's always a fun and chaotic time.

I really liked how we got to see a depth to these characters, we saw them deal with their own personal issues as well as external issues. We see our FMC dealing with how she interacts with others, her people-pleasing and how that impacts the relationships in her life, especially with her family. I really enjoyed that depth to her because I didn't find there to be much depth in the relationship between her and Xander.

The pacing of this book also felt a bit stop and start at times for me.

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review! My Goodreads review is up and my TikTok (Zoe_Lipman) review will be up at the end of the month with my monthly reading wrap-up.

Excellent addition to the two already in the series! I liked the dual locations and the tropes!! I couldn’t wait for Xanders book since I started the first book!

A great start which sucked me in. Good premise, familiar without being redundant. Yet a bit too spicy for my liking and eventually it becomes less plot and story line and more of that.

I was so excited to read the 3rd book in the Biotech Billionaires series. I loved Penelope and Xander. They're both rich and who doesn't love a good marriage of convenience. This has all the great aspects of a good romance novel. What a way to end this universe.

In order to claim an inheritance, Penelope needs to be married for one year. She enters into a arrangement with Xander Sutton and it soon becomes clear their (steamy!) arrangement is anything but false. There was some depth to this in that Penelope was bound to her family in a way and she couldn't just walk away as her mother was impacted as well.

I really enjoyed Xander's character. While this is the third book in a series, I had not read any of the others and it stood alone no problem. I want to read the first two now, but am worried they might fall short in comparison to this one as I was really immersed in this storyline and the characters. I liked that Xander and Poppy were both billionaires...equals on that front so there was no rags to riches trope. That would have taken away from this love story. I also really liked not only having an epilogue, but an extended epilogue as well as The Charmer was dual point of view.

*Dual Point of View
*Multicultural Romance
*Friends to Lovers
*Arranged Marriage

Thank you to Ava Rani, Avon/Harper Collins, and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this book. I have not read the first 2, which at times I felt like I would’ve understood the friendships better, but it didn’t take away from me enjoying the story. Penelope finds herself in a situation where she has to marry not for love but to secure her and her mother’s future. Xander, while friends with Penelope, wishes it could be more and when the opportunity presents itself for him to be the one she marries, he jumps at the chance. Seeing these two work through their issues and become better people because of it was an important part of the book. They grew individually to make their relationship together stronger. I loved that they communicated with each other and did not jump to conclusions that could’ve been hurtful to their relationship.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and will go back to read the first 2.

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy!

The Charmer by Ava Rani is the third book in the Biotech Billionaire series, focusing on the relationship between Penelope and Xander. Although I haven't read the previous books, I found it easy to follow the story and understand the characters. I appreciated how the author addressed Penelope's people-pleasing tendencies and her family issues, and I enjoyed glimpsing Xander's personality beyond his charming persona.
My main issue with the story was its flow. There were many instances where events were told rather than shown. I’m not sure if these details were explored in the earlier books. Additionally, I found the chemistry between Xander and Penelope to be dull. A lot of their attraction and relationship were described based on past events, but I didn’t witness these moments fully unfold in the present narrative. Overall, I was disappointed by how dull I found the story.

I just finished an excellent romance read. If you like reading about unexpected love, pick up The Charmer by Ava Rani.

I love billionaire romance and this was so much fun. it really reminded me of ana huang, I will read more from this author

I haven't read the rest of this series, but I still thoroughly enjoyed this story. Penelope finds herself in a challenging situation, caught between her family in Singapore, her family in England, and her chosen family in Manhattan. Her English mother depends on her to manage finances, and now Penelope must navigate a complicated inheritance. Adding to her troubles, her family in Singapore has arranged a marriage for her, but she doesn't love the man or the circumstances.

Her only escape? Marrying someone else. Enter Xander, her friend who’s been smitten since he first laid eyes on her. He's more than willing to enter into a "fake" marriage to help Penelope out. Together, they let their feelings blossom into true love built on trust and honesty. They face their share of obstacles, but by learning to trust each other, they overcome them.

It's a spicy romance with characters who genuinely care for each other.

“Have I satisfied your request?” I nodded. “You’ve lived exactly a little.”

Penelope lives her life without making waves. Adept at caring for others, and solving problems this Manhattan lawyer is trying to ignore a deadline she doesn't want to deal with. Antiquated terms, and family frustration leave her even less inclined to face the terms of her inheritance... but if her family has decided to treat her like a pawn in the game of life, maybe it is time she didn't just start playing, but played to win.

Xander engages in an annual prank war with one of his longtime friends. It isn't that he doesn't take life seriously, but he finds the joy in living. A people-person in all the best ways, Xander is the guy who just doesn't seem to burn bridges, nor does he engage in committed relationships. If ever there was someone who could make a good teammate, it just might be Xander.

The book's title, The Charmer, is likely meant to be a reference to just one of these two lead characters, but the reality is that this character-driven book features two charming characters with a delightful and engaging dynamic.

This is a story about family, the one we are born into, as well as the one we choose. About the art of relationships, and the little ways in which we can nurture and tend them, among friends, family -- and with the ones who mean the most to us. Perhaps my favorite part was the threads about providing support for those we care about, enabling them to stand tall on their own two feet, knowing those who care will always have their back.

The Charmer is a page-turners in all the best ways. The third book in the series, but the first one I've read, it stands solidly on its own while offering interesting tidbits in scenes with characters from the previous stories that left me curious to read them.

I was gifted with a copy of The Charmer and chose to share my thoughts.

Hallelujah! An ARC that was absolutely INCREDIBLE. I was beginning to lose faith.

I could have gone my entire life not knowing this book existed, and I would have been missing out. Truly, this was a great time and surprisingly deep for a fluffy billionaire romance. In that sense, it reminded me of Abby Jimenez (one of my favorite romance authors), so you'd be hard pressed to find higher praise. Seriously, I could not put this book down. I DEVOURED it in a day.

The story was perfectly paced, and there were so many omg heart (and fanny) flutter moments. I mean SHEESH Xander Sutton the man that you are! He’s your classic congenial playboy who has a traumatic past losing his parents, and is so scarred that he fears relationships. But of course, all that changes with Penelope! * sigh * I ate this up because my favorite kind of MMC is the damaged kind. UGH this MAN literally had me feral from page 50 on— the perfect amount of tension, and pining and then as their story goes on, the sacrifices and gifts he lavishes upon Penelope. Sign me up, where can I find myself one of these??

Penelope was also an incredibly likable FMC. She’s hardworking, always looking out for those around her, and like Xander, emotionally closed off. Seeing her and Xander force the best out of each other and slowly open up just gave me all the warm and fuzzies.

This was 4.5 ⭐️ for me, and I can’t pinpoint why its not exactly 5 stars, maybe because I wasn’t ready to say goodbye? But this is absolutely worth the read and I am so pissed the rest of the world can’t giggle and kick their feet with me until May!

But y’all keep an eye out for this one. You wont want to miss it.

"I'm thankful I can't forget things because every smile, every laugh, every time you call me darling, they play in my head, filling the time before I see you again. "

Can't go wrong with a Billionaire Romance surrounded by the best group of friends/family. It was such a feel good story. Penelope was such a strong FMC. I loved how her walls broke down with Xander. Xander was lovely. I loved how she told him what she needed at the end, and he worked on himself for her.

A banker, a lawyer and an inheritance that requires a marriage to receive. This book is a trip around the world, a sizzling romance and a lot of fun!

It has been a while since I read the first two books, so reacquainting myself with characters from the other books took a little. But this was a fun read with some of the same people as the prior books. Xander is cute and hiding his real feeling from Penelope, but when they first pretend an engagement and then fulfill it, it’s still hard to be frank. Penelope is a lawyer and Heiress from Singapore who’s supposed to marry a family acquaintance to blend their companies. She’s been resigned to it, but suddenly lets her true shelf shine through and marries Xander instead. Xander only wants what’s best for his Poppy, but he’s also up to something that could ruin their chances of happiness.