5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️♾️

Penelope is a world class lawyer who's family is trying to force her into an arranged marriage or else she could lose her inheritance and her mom will lose her shares. Penelope ends up last minute marrying her billionaire friend Xander to still get her inheritance.
The chemistry in this book is UNREAL. So good! I will definitely be reading the first two books in this series and every new book Ava Rani writes. The storyline is intriguing and flows while the spicy scenes are beautifully written. Ava Rani is officially a must read author for me!

*Thank you Good Girls PR for this ARC in exchange for and honest review!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon & Harper Voyager for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

If you enjoy the following the tropes: Marriage of Convenience and by extension, fake “marriage”, Dual POVs, and a slow-burn romance (emotionally), you might want to give this book a shot.

Penelope is an FMC who is initially portrayed as guarded. Her background is sad and long story short, she is considered the ‘black sheep’ of her family. Xander, the MMC, is quite the opposite. He’s able to charm his way to anyone and despite his reputation for deadlines when it comes to romantic relationships, said relationships never end in grudges.

There’s an inheritance, a scheme and a marriage of convenience. And while that might sound very typical of a billionaire romance, I honestly really enjoyed this book.

First things first, this book is the <i>third and final</i> book in a series of interconnected standalones. I did not know this and while I felt there was some details and characters I should have already known, I was able to follow the plot easily.

Secondly, this book has spice! While I mentioned that this was a slow burn romance, the spice starts at around 50%. If I had to rate the spice level, it’ll be:
🌶️🌶️🌶️ out of 🌶️🌶️🌶️
This rating (which is totally subjective because it is based on my opinion that constantly changes as I read more books)
means that there are more than three open-door scenes thats either moderately graphic or 2 or more scenes that’s highly graphic.

I took note of 5 explicit scenes, 1 of which was explicit foreplay, but if you ask me, these scenes were about moderately graphic. This again, however, is totally subjective and can be different for others.

If I could name one thing that made this book enjoyable, it’s the MMC himself, Xander. While I am not particularly fond of his name and would prefer his full name, everything else about this guy has made me decide that he deserves to be in my list of book boyfriends.

I don’t know how to explain his character without spoiling the book, but if I could summarize him, it’s that <i>Xander knows how to love</i>. There are so many moments where I felt words were not needed especially when his actions were so loud. I’ll get more into the FMC and why this matters, but I don’t think there could be a better fit for the FMC than this MMC. I want to note that while I don’t read a lot of billionaire romances, the ones that I stumble upon always have a very possessive and arrogant MMC— which I do not like. Xander? Yeah, he has a jealousy scene, but I feel like it’s controlled and no lashing-out occurs. It’s honestly so refreshing to read up on an MMC like him because I don’t get the blaring “red flag” during his POVs and scenes in general.

Penelope— I am also not a fan of this name, but I like the way she was written. A lot of her character growth was based on the need for independence. Her story is one of familial obligations and dealing with a toxic family. This is a character who has a family, but longs <i>for a family</i>, if you catch my drift. And the reason why I like Xander so much is that many of the things he does it rooted to showing how loved the FMC is. This guy notices the little things and acts on it either to show that the FMC was heard or to show that she doesn’t need to do all things by herself. I may be completed bias at this point, but that speaks my love language and gets himself a ticket to my book boyfriend list.

In terms of the plot, I thought it was pretty solid. I did struggle with certain parts, like the politics and all the organization names but, I think I got the gist of it. Despite some grammatical errors here and there that will hopefully get fixed before the publication date, I also did not have much problems with the writing.

Honestly, there’s so many moments that I want to talk about, but it would spoil the book and I would hate to mark this review with spoilers so instead, I will share some of my favorite quotes.

> “Did it ever occur to you to find a different hiding spot?” he teased.
It wasn’t about winning the game, not for me. “I liked knowing she’d find me.”
That I wouldn’t be alone, waiting for someone who wasn’t coming.

^ This right here. I feel that you don’t outright get Penelope’s background, but you get moments like this that indicate and more importantly <i>show</i> what her childhood was like.

> “I’m a little broken.”
“No, just a bit bent.”

And my absolute favorite quote of all for this book—
> “What if in six months, it’s not Singapore anymore?”
“Here or Manhattan or Tokyo or Bali or wherever the hell you want to go. Take me with you, or have your adventures on your own and then come back to me. And not because I’m afraid I’ll lose you— because I ‘want’ to be with you, however you’ll have me.”

^ This is one of my favorite scenes and I so want to talk about it, but you’ll just have to get there.

So why 4 stars?

Despite not being able to put the book down, the first 30% of the book was really slow and I honestly could not remember what exactly happened or why it took so long to pick up.

I was also hoping to see more of Xander’s friend group (Jackson, Tristan, and Rohan) and I would honestly love to read a spinoff of their stories. Jackson though— is it me? Or is he like, nonexistent in this book. 💀 His name is mentioned, but I don’t think he even appears in person. I am not sure if perhaps that has something to do with the previous two books in this series.

Lastly, there are two flashbacks that play a significant role in the book. It is supposed to be impactful, as both scenes are referred to by the MCs, but I just didn’t feel that way. I think a little revising to include more dialogue would have made the flashbacks more memorable to the reader or, more scenes in the past to highlight the existing relationship between the leads.

Nevertheless, I truly enjoyed this book and I am so grateful to have received an ARC. Thank you once again, NetGalley and Avon & Harper Voyager for this opportunity. And a happy almost pub day to the author, Ava Rani! The previous two books in the series will now be on my long list of TBRs. 💕

The Charmer is the third novel in the Biotech Billionaires series by Ava Rani. I've been impatiently waiting for Xander and Penelope's story since the first book. Regardless, the story can easily be read as a stand-alone. The drama is well contained to this story despite being larger than life. It's a bit difficult to follow the business piece at first since there are so many moving parts, but it comes up often enough that it does flow together. Xander and Penelope are both complex characters who lead independent lives, they're easy to root for, and I love a solid friend group that comes together to support the MCs when they need it the most. I really enjoyed this series and this was a wonderful ending to a fun trilogy

Some things I enjoyed about this romance were the diverse characters, found family friendships, confident female lead, and "he falls first" hero. I feel like I might have enjoyed this book more if I had read the other books in the series first. While I did feel Xander's yearning, I didn't feel the vibes from Penelope much. I wish I had enjoyed this book more, and I'm so bummed that I couldn't get into it as much as I wanted to.

This was a new to me author and I didn't know what to expect when I started the story. I found a fun romance with interesting characters. While this was the third in the series, I found the story was easily enjoyed without having read the others. It might have made the connection to some of the side characters a little stronger, but it truly stands alone. I liked Xander from the start. Penelope took a little longer for me to feel strongly about but I ended up loving her too. The connection between the characters felt real having started as friends. I liked the story and how everything was resolved. I would read more from this author in the future. I received an advance copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Rani paints a portrait of the heart that never stops evolving. From the uncertainty of life to the heartache of love, The Charmer sets it's own rules. Penelope and Xander turn a marriage of convenience into a complicated battle of emotions. With neverending twists and captivating characters, The Charmer lives up to it's name.

This is my first Ava Rani book and safe to say it didn't disappoint me. A perfect combination of crazy rich Asian with all your favourite romance tropes included.

One thing I absolutely loved about this book is the flair and smoothness in Ava's writing. It felt so controlled, in a way that when the story needed to move fast it was fast paced and vice versa, the writing style was definitely new for me.

I also liked that we have strong MCs in this story. Full of family drama and a lot of business based decisions and elements in the story. I liked the fact that Penelope did not become a damsel in distress and kept looking for ways to get control of her life.

The diverse cultural backgrounds and lifestyle were very beautifully captured in this story.

This book is part of Inter-connected standalone series. However, while reading sometimes i felt confused/lost when parts from other stories where mentioned. Hence, would definitely recommend to read the first 2 books to get a grasp on the characters and background. Also, at the end, it felt that the ending was slightly rushed.

Overall, this is a good read

Ava Rani wraps up her Biotech Billionaires trilogy with a deliciously addictive finale in The Charmer, a sizzling slow-burn romance that blends fake marriage, billionaire charm, and corporate drama into a story that’s equal parts heart and heat.

Penelope Chen-Astor has worked hard to escape the gilded cage of her privileged upbringing in Singapore. Now a fiercely independent lawyer in Manhattan, she’s built a life on her own terms until her grandfather’s will throws a wrench into her hard-won freedom. To protect not only her own future but her mother’s financial security, she must marry and remain so for a year. The last thing she expects is for her longtime acquaintance, charismatic billionaire Xander Sutton, to become the solution to her problem.

Xander is a smooth-talking co-founder of Dawn Capital and a man who’s never had trouble turning heads except for Penelope, who has always kept him firmly in the friend zone. When a misunderstanding leads her family to believe they’re already engaged, Penelope proposes a year-long fake marriage to save face and secure her inheritance. For Xander, it’s the perfect opportunity to finally crack the armor of the one woman who’s always resisted his charm.

What begins as a practical arrangement quickly shifts as sparks fly, emotions deepen, and the boundaries of pretend start to blur. The chemistry between Penelope and Xander is electric, but their story isn't just about fiery attraction it’s about trust, vulnerability, and letting love in when the stakes are high.

Ava Rani elevates this fake relationship trope by layering in corporate espionage, complicated family dynamics, and high-stakes legal tension. The shifting settings from the glossy boardrooms of New York City to the sun-drenched tranquility of the Hamptons and the cultural elegance of Singapore.

As the third and final book in the Biotech Billionaires universe, The Charmer delivers a satisfying conclusion for fans who’ve followed this interconnected world of powerful women, swoony billionaires, and hard-earned happy endings. Xander and Penelope’s romance feels earned, their banter is sharp, and the tension simmers beautifully before boiling over in all the right ways.

If you love fake marriage tropes with a side of glitz, legal drama, and a reluctant heroine who meets her match, The Charmer is the perfect read to sweep you off your feet. Ava Rani proves once again that sometimes love really can outsmart even the best-laid plans.

The Charmer is my favorite of the Biotech Billionaires series.

Penelope needs to be married for one year to access her trust fund. Xander, her work best friend Sloane's childhood best friend, gets jealous when he's not on Penelope's spreadsheet of potential husbands. I love that Xander's mom's heirloom ring got stuck on Penelope's finger. It was meant for her. She starts calling Xander "darling."

While Penelope hates the nickname Penny that her brother and ex calls her, she loves when Xander calls her Poppy. Xander even remembers the first time he saw her in the office and what she wore that day.

Xander keeps the poppies alive for Penelope, while loving her from afar secretly for years. Xander is scared of leaving New York City, his safe place after his parents died. Poppy wants him to love her but not out of fear of losing her. Their marriage of convenience blossoms into a love story. Xander will do anything to make sure Penelope can gain her financial freedom from her family. Xander's love for Poppy is everything. He's even willing to leave his comfort zone for her. Where does one find a man like Xander Sutton?

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was an engaging read! I enjoyed the plot and would read it again.

In this swoony romance, Penelope, a reserved lawyer from a powerful family in Singapore, marries Xander, a charming billionaire, to claim her inheritance and escape her family’s control. Though this is the third book in a series, I jumped in without reading the others and had no trouble keeping up. It gave me major Crazy Rich Asians vibes with its lavish settings and family drama, yet the characters certainly brought their unique twists and kept me hooked. I really enjoyed the romance, and think it had the perfect balance between sweet and spicy. If you’re in the mood for a feel-good story that will leave you blushing and smiling, this is a perfect choice.

Another great addition to this series! For fans of Ana Huang this is a wonderful match! Love the characters and how the story continues on. Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for this copy for read and review

I tried reading book 1 and didnt enjoy it so much that I don’t want to go back to try to finish this sorry I gotta put me first…

thank you nonetheless to netgalley & avon & harper voyager for this arc to review!

This book grabbed me by the cover and description and when I was approved for the ARC, I decided to read the first two books before I dug in and I’m so glad I did. I didn’t think it was possible to be even more excited for Xander and Penelope’s story than I was for Sloan and Marcus but the story building and nuance was perfect by the time we reached their part. I DEVOURED their story in practically one sitting, I just kept wanting to see what antics they could get into next. The “announcement” of their engagement had me cackling and I love how of course Selena got to work her magic. The build up had just enough familiarity for the story to have a bit of the friends to lovers feel but mostly the fake husband trope prevailed. The relationship development past the physical was handled really well too, no suffering through miscommunications and misunderstandings to get them to their endgame. Mature conversation instead of ultimatums or deception was a refreshing way to go. I don’t know if this is going to the be the final book in the series or not, I know they set up Cece or potentially Maya for some development. I think it would be hard to follow this one since part of what made it so successful is our inherent investment in the characters after seeing them support the previous two books’ protagonists. It will be interesting to see how it plays out but so far The Charmer was my favorite!

Thank you Avon and Harper Voyager for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

The Charmer by Ava Rani is the third book in the Biotech Billionaires Series. I have not read the first two books, but I had no trouble jumping into this one. There are a lot of characters, and I’m sure if I had read the previous books, I would have kept them all straight early on, but I eventually got it. I enjoyed the pace and the author’s writing style. I quickly fell in love with Xander and Penelope’s love story and thoroughly enjoyed their journey. There is some “business talk” that I had trouble following, but in the end, I was able to understand it enough. I enjoyed the extended epilogue so much because it tied everything up in a nice little bow and you are able to get a glimpse of their lives in the future. 4 ⭐️ 3 🌶️

I love them your honour! Ava Rani wrote another banger and I loved that this story followed our resident prankster Xander along. It was so beautiful seeing him be vulnerable and learning a lot more from the seemingly-always-standoffish Penelope. I’ve grown to love these characters and I believe Ava truly handles their stories which such care and attention to detail.

I love fake dating, secret pining and billionaire romances and I appreciate that they all were given substance and nuance instead of going in the general direction these stories tend to do. Adversely, I hate the miscommunication trope but I think this was so well done and still lead to much-needed internal work that Xander had to do. The nods to the other characters without fully spoiling their own love stories was also perfectly vague. I just can’t believe this series is over but this was truly a spectacular way to end.

After finishing The Heir, I couldn't wait to dive right into Xander's story! I think this is my favorite of the series. Xander has always had a charm to him when he made appearances in the previous books and I honestly was waiting with baited breath to see how he was going to charm Penelope. The mutual yearning for years got me and I was rooting for them to get together. Xander was down bad for Penelope from the start and I loved that he showed up for her when she needed him most with no reservations even if he desperately wanted to stay away and protect his heart. I loved getting to see more of Xander's vulnerable side as he opened up to Penelope. Like both of the other books, the friend group was stronger than ever and stood by one another. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the gifted eARC. All opinions are my own.

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The Charmer is just as the title is! Charming. Penelope Chen-Astor is the epitome of a first born Asian daughter and has the sense of filial piety due to trying to access her inheritance to help her mom financially and to gain her independence from her Singaporean family. Throughout the book, she is working on how to be her complete self, how to be happy on her own by making decisions for herself, and to finally let herself fall in love! Xander Sutton is literally a dreamboat MMC. Xander has his own fears that he has to work on throughout the book, but the way he shows his love and adoration for Penelope was so swoon worthy. The Charmer was giving Crazy Rich Asians, New York glitz and glam, and a sweet and spicy love story that I did not want to end. Thank you so much Ava Rani, team, and NetGalley. I adored this book so much!

The Charmer is the third book in the Biotech Billionaire series and centers around the love story of Xander and Penelope. After reading all three of the books within the last ~30 days, this is definitely my favorite. Being an Indian American, it is always great to see my experience shown in media and on the page and even though this novel did not center around the Amaris - the culture was still there, true to the characters.

Ava Rani's books are not for the faint of heart as there are quite a few spicy scenes but that's not all that you see in her novels. There's a true love story being explored in each one. I'm not sure if I liked this one the most knowing I was building to it from book 1 or if the characters were ones that I could just fall in love with instantly, but I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel.

It's hard to share favorite moments without spoiling the novel, but when the characters find out the others' secrets - the way that they are written feels so authentic to them and their age without infantilizing them. I also loved getting to see the main characters from books 1 & 2 effortlessly thrown in to this novel (as with the others) and I hope someone out there has made a timeline because all of them slightly overlap, especially with the epilogues. My only hope is that we do get a CeCe novel...because she deserves it!

This was a fun, spicy, and easy to love novel and I gave it 4.25/5 stars. Thank you to HarperCollins, Avon, and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Book 3 of the Biotech Billionaire series, a stand alone with interconnected characters, and Ava saved the best until last! Xander Sutton, swoon worthy billionaire has been pining over gorgeous lawyer Penelope for a few years. Featuring my favorite trope, marriage of convenience, this book had it all, the banter, the steam and the love, both in friendship / support group and in finding each other for their well deserved HEA.