Why am I just tapping into this series now?! After reading The Charmer, I'll definitely go back to read the first two books, but I will say that this stand perfectly on its own. However, there's some moments mentioned between them that I feel like I can see more in the previous, so back I go to read them. I have a feeling we'll get more of a sense of the chemistry between before they finally become a couple in this one.

I loved how natural things were between them, they had a solid base of friendship, not saying that that is essential in any relationship. I just loved that about them. I quite enjoyed this duo and the ease around them.

The Charmer makes for such a light-hearted read, which my soul absolutely need. I LOVE the friend support that surrounds them, definitely one of the bests out there.

Absolute win for me and I can't wait to read the rest of this series!

Fake Marriage 📌 Rom Com 📌 Billionaire romance 📌
The Charmsr by Ava Rani is a true escape from reality between the pages and will sweep readers off of their feet.

Liked it, didn't love it
OVerall a fine read though
Penelope and Xander just didn't feel like a great couple to me

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️♾️
I feel like I have been waiting for this story from @authoravarani since I read the first book in the Biotech Billionaires (The Spare) because I LOVED both prankster and good time guy Xander and the woman he often picked on, serious and beautiful lawyer Penelope.

Penelope has recently learned that to fulfill her obligations and get her inheritance - and more importantly keep her mom from losing everything - she must get married. In the next few months. And while she *technically* has a fiancée back in Singapore, she feels like that match will ruin her choices. Enter Xander, her friend and colleague’s BFF, a venture capitalist who is also her client. ALSO!! HE’S BEEN HOLDING A FLAME FOR HER???? They agree (and I can’t wait for you to see how it goes down because my flabber was gasted) to a year long marriage of convenience so Penelope can get her inheritance and Xander can impress some investors. But obviously both of these dummies fall for each other, WHICH I LOVE.

The baggage these two have from their families - Xander’s was great but ended tragically while Penelope’s is the worst - is the big thing possibly driving a wedge between them, but Rani handles this *so* well. They each get to grow independently but also as a couple! I’m literally so obsessed??!!

This is for you if you love:
💍 found family
💍 MY WIFE
💍 crazy rich asians vibes
💍 marriage of convenience
💍 idiots in love (MY FAVE)
💍 a spreadsheet queen
💍 the absolute best “it’s always been you” moment
💍 spicy bucket lists
💍 golden retriever men
💍 blindfolds
💍 fictional billionaires
💍 the cutest nickname

I seriously cannot recommend this whole series, but especially this one, enough!! Go grab it!!

3.5 Stars

I’ll admit I went into this, the third book in the series knowing absolutely nothing, and not having read the first two books, but it didn’t detract from my experience at all. In fact, I want to go back and read those books since I really enjoyed the couples we met in this one.

Speaking of The Charmer, Xander more than lives up to the title. He’s the sweet, and yes, charming golden retriever who makes friends wherever he goes, but hides a surprising amount of trauma under that sunshine exterior. And he has a ruthless streak too, only when it comes to business and protecting his loved ones. The way he adores Penelope and adores her is a swoony as shit to behold. His care and consideration for her should be studied. Everyone deserves to be loved and taken care of by a Xander.

Penelope is the reserved, half Singaporean, half British aristocrat lawyer, burdened with expectations and stipulations from her family all her life, and buckling under that pressure. While I absolutely melted for Xander’s continued efforts to take the load off her shoulders and give her the moon and stars, I didn’t quite warm to her as much as I did some of the other characters. She’s a lawyer and while we see a tiny glimpse of that at the beginning and end, she comes off as a damsel for most of the book. I could so relate to her constantly buzzing mind though, and Xan knowing exactly how to quiet it? Goals. Her “fuck it” list and Xan’s quest to check off all the items on it was delightful, and added a generous dose of spice to the proceedings.

The writing is a little cheesy at times, and I thought it would be too sweet for me, but it hits just the right amount of adorable. Even without a melodramatic third act break up (which I love). Touted as a cross between Crazy Rich Asians and Suits, it fits the vibes but I would love to see more drama. Get messy, all you finance guys and lawyerly types. Gonna check out the other books to see if they do, since Sloane seems like she could cut a bitch. Speaking of, I fucking loved their little found family, albeit consisting of billionaires and politicians, and how unconditionally they were there for each other through everything. I loved the Indian and Asian representation. That’s also a reason why I was a little miffed at Penelope for triggering (not forcing) Xan to move his entire life across the world when they had such a wonderful support system in New York (something she’d wanted all her life), all to move somewhere she only had a fleeting connection to. Girl I’d never tell you to move away from everything for a boy, but don’t make the boy do that either. Anyway, that was a personal pet peeve that made me irrationally angry, but also it was fixed at the end. And truly that might be the truest happily ever after to me.

I thought Penelope and Xander communicated so well with having a marriage of convenience!! They were honest about their feelings immediately and didn’t play games about it. Xander is literally the sweetest MMC. He’s so thoughtful and showed Penelope that he truly sees her. His nickname for her “Poppy” has to be one of my favorite nickname especially because of the background story. He trusted and supported Penelope when she had to take care of some things on her own. 🥹

I really loved Penelope’s character!!!! Asian FMC, who chose to follow her own dreams than follow her family’s expectations. I love that she’s a lawyer who has hobbies and isn’t that “workaholic” stereotype 🙂‍↕️ I was happy to see that she was able to make her life her own while looking out for her family after feeling so guilty for choosing herself all those years ago 🤍

⋆⭒˚.⋆ the charmer

Bless the day I decided to fill for this arc. I’m madly, devoted and grateful for THIS story.

I was having an awful reading slump and I couldn’t concentrate with books. The Charmer was THE book that helped me to read again and I’m so so happy because this book is definitely a five ⭐️.

Xander and Penelope love story is what woman dreams for. This is my first time reading Ava Rani and what a wonderful introduction to her work. She’s so grumpy and sweet. He’s a cutely golden retriever.

Black cat + golden retriever ALWAYS and I mean ALWAYS makes the best couple ✨📖🫶🏽.

All the scenarios were so fancy and dreamy. I always wanted to travel to Singapore and this book gave me some ideas for sightseeing 👀.

I’m definitely reading this group of friends books because THEY WERE THE PERFECT SIDE CHARACTERS 😭.

I’m begging you to read The Charmer because ITS SO GOOD!!!!

I’d like to thank Ava Rani and NetGalley for the copy.

Xander was more than I thought he was gonna be 😏 and I absolutely loved his and Penelope’s story! Their dynamic was beautiful and a such a great representation of loving one another while growing together and pushing each other to be best version of yourselves. 🥹

This man Xander, from the moment he stepped onto the page he was pining hard for Penelope. Both have a little crush on the other, Xander more so, he had no restraint in acknowledging Penelope as his fiancé. The marriage forces them together but they are quick to get to know each to the point they can’t keep their hands to themselves. Found family also played a big role with both Xander and Penelope, for bittersweet reasons they’ve both managed to created their own circle of family.

I came into this book not having read the first two books in the series. I feel like I missed some background, but overall it was a great book! I liked Penelope and Xander together and the flip of Penelope needing the marriage of convenience. Xander has had a thing for Penelope for a long time, but Penelope was supposed to marry Maddox Xu, a match made for her by her Singapore family. They are married in a small ceremony and then get to know each other. Xander is obviously smitten by her, but Penelope (or Poppy) as he calls her is more cautious.

"i'll follow you to every corner of the world. you know that."

GODS I am GIDDY over this book. head over heels IN LOVE with xander and absolutely in love with Penelope! i love absolutely every second of this book and I ADORE seeing all of the other characters in this book as well. ava rani, you are becoming one of my favorite authors.

This is book three in a series, but the first one I read. It works well as a standalone, introducting the characters without feeling like there was missing information from previous books. However, I felt like their romance was a bit instalove, because their feelings (especially his) were already established from the beginning of the story, and maybe reading in sequence would have allowed me to get glimpses of the earlier interactions and their first sparks.

The pacing was a little off, seeming too fast and too slow at different parts of the books. And for a "marriage of convinience" trope, I wanted a bigger, more emotional moment when they admit their feeling are real (and/or a "my wife" moment from the MMC).

Overall, it's a sweet romance that doesn't make you hate billionaires!

DNF

I do not think this is a "bad" book, but unfortunately, the writing style didn't work for me. It's written in first-person past, and the tense kept pulling me out of the story. I couldn't get into a reading groove.

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of the book.

This is the third and final book in the Biotech Billionaires series and it is such a fun and lighthearted read.

Penelope escaped her controlling wealthy family in Singapore, for a life of independence as a high powered lawyer in NYC. However, when Penelope’s grandfather passes away, his will states that she needs to be married for a year to claim her inheritance. Xander is the billionaire co-founder of an investment firm, who has been quietly pining for Penelope for a few years now. When he discovers that Penelope will need a husband for a year to gain her inheritance, he doesn’t hesitate to this no-strings-attached agreement.

Xander was charming and full of charisma. Behind his playfulness and quick wit, he was emotionally closed off hiding his pain from a childhood trauma. I found Penelope’s struggle to navigate her familial obligations with her desire for an independent life was very relatable. What started off as a marriage of convenience soon spirals into steamy encounters and a growing connection neither of them planned for.

If you loved the movie Crazy Rich Asians, then I would definitely recommend this book. This slow burn romance but lots of emotional depth and amazing locations such as NYC, the Hamptons and Singapore interwined into the story.

Thank you Avon Books and Netgalley for this ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

This book totally gave Crazy Rich Asians vibes—both the MMC and FMC are billionaires! 🤣
The story was sweet and steady, just like a billionaire should be. The chemistry between Xander and Penelope was built with care. Sure, the spark was there from the start, but it was subtle—and I loved that the story didn’t rush it. Their emotional development felt mature and genuine.

The slow burn really hooked me. I kept flipping pages because I needed to see how their feelings would grow and when they’d finally get together—and let me tell you, the wait was worth it. That post-slow-burn steam? Pretty sexy. 🤭

I absolutely adored Xander! He’s a sweet man with golden retriever energy, and I lost count of how many times I swooned over the things he said to Penelope. And Penelope? Total badass. She’s a billionaire, but not the soft kind—she radiates confidence, even while facing her own struggles.

Come for the billionaire drama, stay for the golden retriever man who will melt your heart.
A well-paced romance with mature characters, slow-burn tension, and just the right amount of steam—The Charmer truly lives up to its name.

I received an advance copy of this book and am voluntarily sharing my honest review.

WHY did I sleep on this series until now? This book was so much fun and I already want to read it again. Xander and Penelope’s story was absolutely captivating and I loved every moment.

Penelope is an heiress to a high-powered family in Singapore. Faced with a life she doesn’t want, she walks away with no intention of looking back. However, to complete the terms of her grandfather’s will, she must face the life she was determined to leave behind. Enter Xander, the sexy billionaire who happens to have a sweet spot for Poppy. A marriage of convenience comes into play but it quickly gets complicated when real feelings form.

This book was sweet, sexy, and a ton of fun to read. I also loved all of the cultural references and nods to Singapore that popped up in this book. I cannot wait to go back and read the first two books in the series!

Thank you so much to Ava, Avon, and NetGalley for this ARC in return for my honest review. My opinions are my own.

From the very first page of The Charmer, Ava Rani sweeps readers into a whirlwind of emotions, masterfully blending angst, family dysfunction, corporate intrigue, and the irresistible allure of a fake marriage that blossoms into something palpably real.

The heart of the story lies in the complex dynamic between the protagonists, whose fake marriage arrangement is anything but simple. The chemistry between them is electric, simmering beneath layers of denial, longing, and emotional vulnerability. Rani’s portrayal of their evolving relationship is both authentic and heart-wrenching, making it impossible not to root for them.

The family dysfunction adds another compelling layer, offering a raw and sometimes painful look into how past wounds and unresolved issues shape our present selves. The corporate wars are equally engrossing, filled with sharp dialogues, strategic maneuvers, and high-stakes drama that kept me on the edge of my seat.

What sets The Charmer apart is Rani’s ability to balance intense emotional depth with gripping plot twists, creating a narrative that’s as thought-provoking as it is entertaining. The writing is sharp, the pacing flawless, and the characters linger long after the final page.

Ava Rani has crafted a story that’s both a heartfelt exploration of love and identity and a thrilling ride through corporate battlegrounds. The Charmer is an absolute must-read, and I can’t recommend it highly enough.

What a joy it has been to watched Ava Rani grow as an author. I've been an ARC reader from the beginning when The Spare was written. I thought that the writing was phenomenal then, but it just continues to get better and better! The Charmer made me feel so many emotions and I needed a tissue at the end. Poppy and Xanders love story was so heartwarming and to see both of them heal and grow through this story made my heart so happy. Also their chemistry and spicy scenes were 🔥. I highly recommend this marriage of convenience, fake marriage, billionaire romance 🔥

5 star rating, thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy for my honest review.

This is my favorite book of this trilogy! Must read if you love fake relationships, enemies to lovers, and a man who goes out of his way to make her life easier.

Xander Sutton is your new books boyfriend. A billionaire co-founder of an investment group with a heart of gold, amazing humor, and the perfect candidate for fake dating. Penelope Chen-Astor is the eldest daughter who has the weight of the world on her shoulders. From managing her mom’s finances to being an amazing lawyer, the last thing she needed was for her inheritance to have stipulations. She must get married by the end of the summer for her and her mom to receive their inheritances.

Full of drama, finding true love, new experiences, an amazing found family, and reconnecting with blood family, this is a must read this summer.

The Charmer by Ava Rani, this was a new author for me and I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I loved the chemistry between Penelope and Xander. In my opinion it was an original story line also. I would certainly recommend to others

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Avon, and I am leaving my review voluntarily.