The Ruthless Gentleman by Louise Bay

 

A Review by Wendy

 4.5 Sail Away on Desire Stars
* * * * 1/2

 Spoiler Free 

Louise Bay is a favorite of mine. She gives me dynamic men and strong women. Each always have their own issues to handle and it is the relationship which develops that helps them to become stronger "better" people. It doesn't hurt that they each have all the needed qualities to make it all work. Whether it is charm and strength or guile and the absence of posturing...All of her characters have that "It" factor which makes us want to know their story and root for them.

The Ruthless Gentleman is the start of another possible linking series by Bay. In the past, Bay used New York City as the backdrop of her books with men who were entities in corporate companies which made them stars in the business world of Manhattan.

This time we have British Venture Capitalist Hayden Wolf under siege from an adversary who is purposely undercutting all of his offers he was negotiating quietly with companies.

Hayden has been cutoff at the knees on his last couple of deals and that is not what his financiers are supporting. With one last chance to satisfy his backers, save his hedge fund and honor his father, Hayden decides to isolate himself and "go to the mattresses" per the Godfather like his security advisor brother suggests.

Of course, Hayden's idea of "going to the mattresses" is booking a luxury superyacht out in the middle of the Mediterranean. There he will be away from anyone who could be sharing his plans on the biggest deal of his career. On this yacht, he will have to work old school with paper, not electronic connections... because he cannot risk any chance of detection and interference.

Avery Walker is tired. She has been working as the chief stewardess on the luxury yacht circuit for years now. Her family is complicated...and needs her income to make it possible for her brother to get the therapy he needs. Avery has been the one to hold everyone together...Her mother left because she couldn't deal with the aftermath of her brother's accident. Her father held it all together for the children and gave them the love and healing they needed...but now, with the father's back out of commission, Avery is the major breadwinner.

A well earned break was scheduled to return home after the last yachting season. Avery missed her family and even though Sacramento, CA could never hold a candle to the exotic places Avery went...she was really looking forward to doing the normal family stuff...

Then, Avery is asked to work a very special gig...it will pay about 3 times the amount and her position will be in charge of all of the attendants. Avery is having a hard time deciding...She really wanted to see her family...It isn't that she doesn't love the job, she does...it is more that the salary she receives and tips from the guests are just so important in taking care of her father and brother... it makes the next gig so hard to turn down...

Which brings these two people together....

At first Avery is her professional self... never crossing the line or having any interest in a guest...It is forbidden mixing with a guest. It is a line she has never had any interest in crossing.

But this man...This sexy British man has caused Avery to look at him and sense a difference in herself when she is around him... She really cannot understand what the hell is happening...

And Hayden Wolf doesn't quite understand his interest in this Avery person. He has purposely stayed devoted to working and focused all these years. He has had "dates" and encounters for release...but the 6th sense he has every time he is around Avery... is not the norm.

These two have this connection... and interest. It is technically forbidden and to explore it could cause a huge difficulty for Avery. Both try to stay away but fate... life has other ideas...

This is a very quick read... and engrossing as there is a story of intrigue and traps...and a bit of angst...The chemistry is there for the both of them and when they are together...without others causing any difficulty...sweet love is possible.

Louise Bay has this new book with no promise of another... but I am interested in the Security Expert Brother...please...

A gifted copy was provided by author/publisher for an honest review.

About Louise Bay

USA Today bestselling author, Louise Bay writes sexy, contemporary romance novels - the kind she likes to read. Her books include the novels Faithful and Hopeful, The Empire State Series, Parisian Nights, Promised Nights, Indigo Nights, King of Wall Street and Duke of Manhattan.
Ruined by bonk-busters and sexy mini-series of the eighties Louise loves all things sexy and romantic. There's not enough of it in real life so she disappears into the fictional worlds in books and films.
Louise loves the rain, the West Wing, London, days when she doesn't have to wear make-up, being on her own, being with friends, elephants and champagne.