Going in Deep (Billionaire Bad Boys, Book 4) by Carly Phillips
Blurb:
He isn't Mr. Nice Guy…
Julian Dane thought he'd hit rock bottom — until he met a woman (isn't that what they all say?). He used her and broke her heart. Now he wants to turn things around but the damage he dealt stands in his way.
Kendall Parker's unique issues have made it hard to live a normal life. Very few people understand her and she trusts even less … but she believed in Julian once, and he only betrayed her.
Now Julian is back — a new man — and determined to win Kendall's heart. But this reformed bad boy just might find that Going in Deep is harder than it looks.
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It's not possible to review this book without spoiling the first one in the series, so apologies in advance. Yes, this can be read as a standalone second-chance romance, but really, it is a redemption story.
Julian was not all that nice when we met him. In fact, he is the villain in Kade and Lexie's story, and he uses (quite callously) Kendall, who happens to be Lexie's sister.
Usually, you don't see the misdeeds of the reformed bad boy, they are usually in the past, and they are told in retrospect and with regret. And, usually the reformed man sees the error of his ways. What I thought was interesting is that while Julian regrets the way he handled things, the choices (not mistakes, his words from the very beginning) he is not really able to regret the way things turned out, as he really feels that, in the end, he got what was owed to him. And, honestly, when you hear his story, his side of it, you agree. The way he went about it was not right, but the end result was probably correct. This is one of the places where you need to have read the 1st book to really be able to relate, both to the end and to the ways he handled it.
Kendall was not in the best place when she initially became involved with Julian, and neither was he. It's been more than a year, they have both changed and have made some decisions that are getting them back to being the people they want to be. And, when they meet again (deliberately on his part, again) they are not the same people they were in book 1.
Carly Phillips made me like Julian. And, while I was slightly sympathetic to him in the first book, as I did think he was due a small piece of the company the others built, I was not all that fond of the rest of who he was. I can't even describe the feeling of reading about a villain, about a man I didn't like, with reason, and all of a sudden liking him, seeing him as the new man he claims to be, and wanting him to find his happily ever after.
There is a line in the epilogue about a repaired relationship that made me cry. I knew I was loving this book, but tears over Julian's happiness snuck up on me a bit. And, they are the reason this is a 5 star read for me. He went from a complete villain to someone who I was emotional over his happiness. If that isn't amazing writing and story telling, I don't know what is.
I recommend this book, and the entire series. I was sad to see it end, but I like where we left the characters.
Carly Phillips is a go to author for me and the superb storytelling in Going in Deep provides just another reason why. This second chance romance put me through quite the wringer-and I wouldn't have it any other way. This can be read as a standalone but I would recommend reading the other books because I think it enhances this story. I'm going to do my best to keep this as spoiler free to the rest of the series as I can.
As much as I wanted to read this story but of me hesitated-knowing Julian and his actions from other books. However, I trusted Ms. Phillips in that she was going to give voice to him in a way that suited him. Boy, did she deliver. This hero doesn't shy away from what he did, doesn't hesitate to acknowledge how his actions hurt others. His growth was truly tremendous. I applauded this hero, and swooned over him more than a little in the end.
My heart ached for Kendall. She has her own share of issues-but she is dealing with them the best she can. She isn't ready for Julian to come back into her life, but he's not willing to stop trying to show he's the right man for her. Watching Kendall come into her own and realize what was best for her-not for her family- was great.
There's no denying the chemistry between our main characters. They aren't perfect, each bringing their own issues to the table, but together they just work. Not everyone is supportive at first-and I can't say that I blame them. There are some deep wounds here for many parties involved, and at the end of the day everyone just wants what is best for Kendall-and the best thing for her is Julian.
This book wasn't a light, easy second chance romance. There's heart here and there's plenty of heartache. But it's all worth it-and that's why this is a 5 star read for me. I cried, I swooned, my heart pounded. And I loved every moment of the journey Ms. Phillips took me on with these characters. I recommend this book and this series.
About Carly Phillips
After a successful fifteen-year career with various New York publishing houses, and over 40 sexy contemporary romance novels published, N.Y. Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Carly Phillips is now an Indie author who writes to her own expectations and that of her readers. She continues the tradition of hot men and strong women and plans to publish many more sizzling stories. Carly lives in Purchase, NY with her family, two nearly adult daughters and two crazy dogs who star on her Facebook Fan Page and website. She's a writer, a knitter of sorts, a wife, and a mom. In addition, she's a Twitter and Internet junkie and is always around to interact with her readers. You can find out more about Carly at www.carlyphillips.com.
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