One Night With A Billionaire

Perfect Man #1

by Vicki Lewis Thompson, Arika Rapson (Narrator)

Growing up on a ranch, Melanie Shaw always assumed she'd end up with a strong, protective cowboy someday. Before she settles down, though, she decides to take a romantic adventure in Paris, a city she longs to explore.

But on the first day of her getaway, Melanie winds up in trouble and is rescued by an unlikely stranger—the handsomest Texan she's ever seen. He may not be a cowboy, but what girl can resist a billionaire who wants to take her on a whirlwind tour of the City of Lights? And when the romance between them heats up, Melanie realizes that she may have found her perfect man where she least expected.

Genres: Romance, Audiobook, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Novella, Fiction, Adult

MP3 CD

First published May 21, 2013

About the author

New York Times and USA Today bestseller Vicki Lewis Thompson believes love makes the world go around and laughter makes the trip worth taking. The recipient of RWA’s Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award and the author of more than ninety books, Vicki pioneered a new kind of romance hero with Nerd in Shining Armor. Following the success of her nerd stories, Vicki launched a boisterous paranormal series featuring a matchmaking witch and wizard, an ADD dragon named George, and a black cat inspired by her own precocious feline, Eve.

Reviews

[Carvanz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audio-book: Narrator - Arika Rapson

Another great performance by this narrator as she carries both male and female characters. No struggle to adjust to her voice and her inflections were more than fine. Overall and very nice listen.


This is short and sweet with some steam to accompany a country girl’s trip to Paris. When she is mugged she is rescued by none other than a hot handsome billionaire. He takes her in, tries to spoil her and they fall in love. Everything was pretty standard fare of a billionaire novella but you know what? I still enjoyed it. This was one of those reads/listens that you go into not expecting much in the way of plot because come on, it’s a novella. Therefore I was not disappointed when this was all wrapped up nice and neat with a HEA in this couple’s future after a week in Paris together.

This is the perfect listen/read when you’re looking for something a little on the light side and/or something that will not consume much of your time or your thought processes.

Dual POV
Safe no ow/om drama
Triggers no apparent triggers

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Melanie Shaw was supposed to go on a girl's vacation to Paris with her best friends. When they back out, she decides to just go by herself. Melanie is excited when her plane lands in Paris. She has a list of famous places she wants to see and experience. But a mugger puts a stop to her plans, taking her money and credit cards with him. Melanie is rescued by a handsome stranger who comes to her aid. Drew Eldridge spends a lot of time working in Paris and knows his way around the city. When Drew and Melanie learn that they are both from Dallas and have a mutual acquaintance, he suggests Melanie stay at his home and he will show her the city. How can a girl resist a whirlwind tour of the city with a handsome billionaire?

This novella is a very straight forward contemporary romance with no surprises or conflict. It's a nice story where Cinderella meets Prince Charming, but really didn't hold my interest. My rating: 3 Stars.

[Jurate · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Sylvie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn’t enjoy this book. It felt disjointed and that it didn’t really work. It seemed like someone wanted to write some sex scenes and putting together a plot and tying it all together was a bit of an afterthought. It worked for filling some time I had between books but not sure i would bother with this author again.

[Elena · Rating 2 out of 5]

2*
120 pages of useless, juvenile and far fetched. No chemistry, no plot, no conflict, no POINT!
The story is literally: "She comes to Paris, meets him accidentally, they fall in love, he asks her to marry him 5 days later. The End." >> Really?!

[Mai · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a refreshing read. I liked how they were very blunt and upfront with each other about their feelings and thoughts. No big misunderstanding that could have been fixed if they just talked to each other. No assumptions made. Just straight to the point, I want to show you things my way cause I got the money man trying to convince a I pay my own way and not use you woman to spend time with him because he's attracted to her.

The downside is the length. It was a bit short but the story didn't feel rushed. I wish it was a bit longer cause the insta-love wasn't convincing enough to me to set up the rest of the story. It worked but I wish there was more. I think if Drew saw Melanie before the meet or ran into her before actually having a conversation with her, I would have bought him letting her stay in his townhouse and being all protective. Cause then her reaction to Notre Dame would have just clinched the attraction and spurred him to act.

[Donna Drury · Rating 5 out of 5]

One Night With a Billionaire: The Perfect Man

Although we're back into very sexy and romantic area, I enjoyed this book greatly and look forward to more of the same. I hope this will become a series like the cowboy series that I loved. It's enjoyable to continue with the same as Ms. Thompson's cowboy series. Would recommend this to relatives and friends.

[Pam Marcola Duff · Rating 1 out of 5]

Short quick read almost hand no story line it went so fast. Truly man meets girl, he becomes her night and shinning armoir and live happily ever after

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Un po’ sciapo, ma ho apprezzato l’assenza di inutile drama

[Van Tran · Rating 1 out of 5]

Typical story! Girl meets billionaire boy and they made love a lot

[Karrot · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVED this book. ❤ 😍😍😍

[Lorry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good cute, sexy, short book. I love the romantic side of Paris and the hero. I wanted more from the ending/prologue but maybe it will be in the next book.

[Roza · Rating 1 out of 5]

fell in love and proposed in apprx 0.2 seconds

[Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review originally posted at Ramblings From This Chick

One Night With A Billionaire is the first book I have read by Vicki Lewis Thompson. I really enjoyed reading this novella. It was short and sweet and everything I hope for when reading a contemporary romance. Melanie has dreamed of going to Paris and when her friends both bail on the trip, she decides to go anyways. Right after arriving she is mugged and loses her backpack containing her money, credit card and phone. A handsome stranger named Drew, attempts to get it back but is unable to catch the muggers. Seeing that she is obviously a tourist, he immediately offers to help her. By some crazy coincidence, Drew is also from Texas like Melanie and they immediately hit it off. Drew sees the hotel that she is supposed to stay in and offers to let her stay at his home. Even though Melanie is suspicious at first, she quickly sees that Drew means no harm and decides to stay with him and let him show her Paris. What starts out as a friendly companionship around the city, quickly becomes an attraction that neither one can or wants to fight.

Drew is from an extremely well to do family from Dallas and has had every priviledge growing up. Now that he is an adult he has expanded upon the wealth he was born to. He knows instantly that Melanie is different from the women in his social circle, and that is part of what first appealed to him. I loved that he liked Melanie because she was her own person and refused to rely on others to help her when she could clearly take care of herself. It was nice to see that even though she wasn't rich and didn't have fancy clothes that he could see who she was beneath the surface. Melanie was strong and independent refusing to let a mugging ruin her trip. She was a really likeable character and I loved that she showed her wonder and awe of visiting Paris for the first time. It was so sweet how Drew would encourage her to experience everything like that because he got just as much enjoyment out of seeing it through her eyes as she did. Drew and Melanie were so sweet together and the growth of their relationship was very romantic.

For me this book was like a dessert at the end of a meal. It was quick, light and fluffy and the perfectly sweet end to a day. I read this in one sitting as it was a short novella. Even though the story was a quick one, I really felt the connection between Drew and Melanie and found their story to be completely believable. I would give this book a try if you love short and sweet romances. I know I will be looking for more books to read from Vicki Lewis Thompson in the future, and I can't wait to check out the rest of the Perfect Man series featuring Melanie's two best friends!

**ARC provided by Publisher**

[Monica Cardoza · Rating 5 out of 5]

A modern day Cinderella story where anything can happen in the city that I to consider the city of love, Paris.

Melanie Shaw is a young woman that is very independent and no matter if her friends cancelled their trip to Paris she was going stag. Only she never thought that her first day in Paris after she checked into her hotel that she would get robbed. All of her belongings were in her bag good thing that she kept her passport in a different place. Only that meant no money, no phone but prince charming had her back when went after the thieves maybe he would recover her belongings and save the day.

Drew Eldridge had plans when he left his townhouse but the moment that he laid eyes on a beautiful woman that looked so fascinated staring at the Norte Dame he knew he needed to say hello. Only at that precise moment two guys snatched her bag and ran off. He tried his best in catching up with them but was unsuccessful. When he took her to her hotel but the moment that he saw where she would be staying and alone with no money he offered her a room in his home. Only that she was not like other women that would take the opportunity to have a man spend countless money on them, she offered to pay her own way as soon as she received money.

Melanie is attracted to Drew but she knows that they come from different worlds and he is just being the gentlemen he is. Drew knows he is attracted to Melanie and when she gives him a small peck of a kiss he wants more. When they finally fall into bed together Drew knows that his whole world is about to change but how is he going to convince Melanie of his feelings and they are true. Will Melanie be able to see past the money that Drew wants to spend on her and see that they are meant to be?

This is a short read and very well written. The storyline had me enthralled form the moment that I started reading the story till the very end. I liked Melanie and how simple and independent she was, how she was able to just let go and have fun. Drew was a very passionate, strong, protective man and I loved how he was trying to make Melanie’s experience in Paris the very best. Drew and Melanie matched perfectly in every way; they had fun together and believe me they devoured each other every chance they got. The way that Ms. Thompson described the heated moments, the darkness of their eyes when the passion was so intense, the way that they caressed each other, the way they explored their bodies was intense and hot. I can’t wait to read the second book in this series, Tempted by a Cowboy, this is Astrid’s story.

If you are looking to read a quick short hot, spicy read this is the perfect read for you.

[Book Binge]

Some of us who have traveled abroad will be able to empathize with the heroine of this novella, a woman who has almost everything she owns stolen the very first day she is in Paris. Actually, it all happened within hours of her arrival. Now Melanie Shaw is stranded and wondering how she can even manage to get to the American Consulate, much find a way to get her credit cards, her funds, and even get back to her shabby hotel. Enter the “knight in shining armor” as the gentleman who chases the thief and who eventually rescues her from a not-very-nice section of Paris. And so begins the short but engaging tale of a very ordinary rancher’s daughter who manages to end up spending her vacation in the over-the-top mansion of a billionaire.

What saved this story for me — imagining a rescue by a billionaire is the stuff of fiction, pure and simple — was the very real disaster that puts this ordinary tourist in a very dangerous and difficult situation from the get go. It happens far more frequently than most of us think. But who of us hasn’t fantasized about the wealthy rescuer, the fabulous accommodations and meeting someone who is right out of a fairy tale? What is also so endearing about Melanie is her refusal to allow the riches of her rescuer to change her in any way, for she has her character guidelines and she lives by them 24/7. So this guy has money. So what? She is going to pay her way and thus keep control of her life. I found her to be lots of fun, even when she was being naive.

Ms Thompson has give us lots of very readable stories and this is the beginning of a series that will feature three women, all of whom are very different but all are linked together in this “family” of sorts. Their loyalty to one another is without question. And the reader gets a sense that each is a support to the other no matter the circumstance and certainly no matter if their is money involved. While I am not a big fan of novellas, I still found this one a very fun read and am glad I found it on NetGalley. I think Ms Thompson’s fans will be pleased, and anyone who is a true fan of contemporary romance fiction will also find it an entertaining piece.

I give it a rating of 4 out of 5.

This review was originally posted on Book Binge by Judith.

[Sandy S · Rating 3 out of 5]

Received an ARC-not audio-but ebook-review to come

ONE NIGHT WITH A BILLIONAIRE is the first novella in Vickie Lewis Thompson’s The Perfect Man series. Focusing on three friends from Texas, the first storyline finds Melanie Shaw, alone in the romantic city of Paris, France when her friends are unable to make the long awaited European vacation. Things go from bad to worse when Melanie finds herself the victim of a mugging and all of her money is now in the hands of a Parisian thief. Enter Drew –a fellow Texan; a billionaire; and Melanie’s savior. Within a matter of a few minutes, Drew has come to Melanie’s rescue, offers his home and car and planned out her Paris itinerary down to the last minute. Along the way, the couple will soon realize, that they have more in common than Paris and a Texas twang-they are perfect for each other in every way-almost too perfect. Drew likes to rescue people and things and Melanie is ripe for the rescuing.

The story is a novella, therefore everything happens rather quickly-from a rescue by Drew to the final kiss-five days will pass and an entire lifetime of promises is vowed and a happily ever after. There is no angst; no mystery; no suspense and no conflict. There was nothing to propel the storyline forward. The writing is simple; the plotline is very predictable but it is the one-on-one conversations between Drew and Melanie that are difficult to accept-almost adolescent in context. I thought I was reading a story written by a teenage girl. The quality or perhaps the style of the writing was less than stellar.

I am not sure how to describe my feelings about this particular book, but for all intents and purposes, I was disappointed. And as for the title, there was more than ONE night with a billionaire. In fact there were five nights with this particular billionaire, which made me curious as to the selection of the title. The sex scenes were romantic but again, the talk between the couple would have been best left off the pages. I was rather uncomfortable with their sex talk-it felt off; stilted; juvenile.

Sadly, One Night With a Billionaire did not live up to my expectations, although I am not sure what I was expecting. But I know, this was not it.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Melanie was in Paris despite her two best friends who were unable to make the trip. And so far the little she has seen of Paris has lived up to her expectations, that is until she is mugged and her backpack where her money, credit card and cell phone are stolen. Lucky for her she meets a hero that tries to chase down her mugger and then wants to help.

Drew Eldridge is a very wealthy man who spends a lot of time in Paris for business. He just happens to be in the right place at right time to help a beautiful woman in distress. He is unable to get her stolen items back however does help her with accommodations. And the fact that they are from the same state and have a mutual acquaintance shows that it really is a small world sometimes.

Melanie and Drew are instantly attracted to each other and spend several fun days seeing the many beautiful places in Paris. Drew loves viewing Paris in a new light as Melanie is full of child-like wonder as she is seeing places she has always dreamed of in person. And of course nothing says love like being in Paris.

This is a nice romance, very sweet and light. The two are attracted to each other and there is nothing that is stopping them including drama, they just gravitate toward each other and the next thing you know they are heading home to meet family and riding off in the sunset. I liked that Drew was from Texas as was Melanie and that they had a common friend, Astrid. I also liked that this story arc will continue featuring Melanie's friends Astrid and Val in their own novellas.
Very enjoyable short romance.

Received copy through publisher from NetGalley for an honest review

[Jackie (Jackie's Book World) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review can also be found at Jackie's Book World.

Rating: 4.5/5

For a novella, this book was cute, quick and romantic. I absolutely loved the characters, and the setting of the book. I mean who doesn't love Paris? Growing up on a ranch, Melanie Shaw always assumed she’d end up with a strong, protective cowboy someday. But upon arriving to Paris, she suffers an accident that leads her to none other than Drew Eldridge, a wealthy man whose family is very well-known in Texas. Captivated by Drew, Melanie embarks in a journey throughout Paris that will lead their already attraction towards each other into another level. As they start to get close, both of them will realize just how much they are meant to be together. Like I mentioned before, for a novella this book was short and very quick, but everything was described beautifully. I loved the author's writing style as she captures the beauty of the city of love. Melanie is such a strong character, she is humble and full of wonder. Drew is such a gentleman and his attraction towards Melanie is what brings the story to another level. I would have liked to see more of them towards the end, maybe show more scenes to tie everything together, but overall this novella is a must read for those of you that want something quick and romantic at the same time.

[Joana Correia · Rating 1 out of 5]

★☆☆☆☆



Sinopse (em inglês)

Melanie, Astrid, and Valerie may be best friends, but they have very different ideas of what kind of man is more fun—one with a pocket full of cash or a guy with spurs on his boots? Growing up on a ranch, Melanie Shaw always assumed she’d end up with a strong, protective cowboy someday. Before she settles down, though, she decides to take a romantic adventure in Paris, a city she longs to explore. But on the first day of her getaway, Melanie winds up in trouble and is rescued by an unlikely stranger—the handsomest Texan she’s ever seen. He may not be a cowboy, but what girl can resist a billionaire who wants to take her on a whirlwind tour of the City of Lights? And when the romance between them heats up, Melanie realizes that she may have found her perfect man where she least expected...

Fonte


Opinião
Não gostei nada deste livro.
O enredo era parvo, personagens eram idiotas... Enfim, nem consegui terminar.

[Christa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a satisfying novella with likeable characters and a storyline that kept me interested. Melanie was sweet and independent, and Drew was strong and protective. I enjoyed reading about their developing relationship, and liked the chemistry between them. I'm looking forward to reading about Melanie's friends in the future.

Melanie's two best friends had to cancel on their dream vacation to Paris, but since everything was already arranged, she decided to go on her own. Almost immediately upon her arrival, Melanie is accosted by muggers who take her backpack with her wallet inside. She is rescued by fellow Texas Drew, who takes her to his home and insists she stay there in safety instead of at her low end hotel. A strong attraction sizzles between Melanie and Drew, but he is afraid that she will misread his rescue if he lets her know how he feels. Melanie's determination to be independent and not take advantage of Drew's generosity may stand in the way of what they could have together.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novella. It captured and kept my attention with the setting and storyline, and I loved the characters. I received this ARC through Netgalley.

[Tala · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick, sweet, and romantic read. There wasn’t any drama or anything trying to keep the two apart, just a true love story. You have to believe in love at first sight to truly enjoy this one. Melanie and Drew only have four days together, but it is four days in Paris with no budget. The sexual tension in the beginning is palpable and then when they do give into its hot and intense. Neither Drew nor Melanie have past issues to deal with, they have just found love where they didn’t expect to.

Overall this an enjoyably sweet read. I did enjoy Drew and Melanie’s story, but I had a difficult time getting into it at first. I would’ve liked to connect to the characters more. I am interested in reading Astrid’s story.

I recommend this to anyone looking for true love without all the usual drama. This was a very refreshing break from all the angst that I seem to read these days.

(I was given a copy from the publisher/netgalley in return for an honest review.)

Darker Passions

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, Sweet, and Sexy - A Perfect Novella

Novellas are a tough breed. Enough time and words to develop the characters without rushing the story to the finish line. Good pacing is needed -- if you spend too much time developing and defining, you leave little time to wrap things up and the reader feels cheated or feels that the writer gave up or cracked up under dead-line pressure.

This was a perfect balance! Melanie and Drew were lovable from the get-go. (So cute how Drew's Texan accent came tumbling out like a spring thaw rushing over a pebbly creek bed on a blue sky, early bird's chirping in the bright sunshine.) Gotta love Prince Charming to the rescue with a level-headed, independent, ain-t-afraid-to-work cowgirl Cinderella.

Great job, Ms Thompson! I'll be looking for more of your work.

I received a digital copy of this book courtesy of NetGallery, Vicki Lewis Thompson and Penguin Group Berkeley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for this opportunity.

[Christina Montminy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute contemporary novella. It was a quick read. In Paris on her own for a trip of a lifetime Melanie is mugged just 2 hours after landing there while sightseeing. Drew comes to the rescue trying in vain to retrieve her belongings. He'd already noticed her before she became a victim & now he wants to protect her. For her safety, because he doesn't like the hotel that she's staying at he offers her one of his guest rooms. Drew becomes her official tour guide & falls hard for Melanie. Finding out that Drew is rich doesn't change how Melanie treats him & he finds that he likes the fact that she wants to be independent. Melanie tries to hide her feelings from Drew but she's fallen hard for him right from the start. Things heat up for them & eventually it's time for Melanie to go home. Being from the same city Drew takes her home on his private plane, where he then divulges his feelings for her & she in turn confesses her feelings for him.

[Sharon Redfern · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet story of a Texas farmgirl who meets the man of her dreams on a vacation in Paris. Melanie ends up in Paris by herself after her two best friends have to bow out of their planned vacation. On her first day she gets mugged and a fellow Texan comes to her rescue. Drew is a wealthy businessman who noticed Melanie even before her difficulties. The story revolves around Melanie's concerns that their lives are just too different for the relationship to work even though they have great chemistry. Drew is convinced that he has found the woman for him and he is determined to get what he wants. It's fun to watch how the two of them work thing out.

This is the first novella in a trilogy. The second book Tempted by a Cowboy is due out in June.

[Judith · Rating 4 out of 5]

First in a series that highlights three women who met at a college sorority and bonded more closely than most biological siblings. In this story a very ordinary woman who expected to marry a cowboy, much as the men in the community where she was raised, has arrived for her much anticipated trip to Paris, but now without her two friends who have had to back out for various reasons. Her encounter with an American who is "loaded" is the meat of the story, especially as she is one of those who is not necessarily impressed by a big bank account but who works very hard to be independent and self-supporting. This is an engaging tale of two people who find each other through very unusual circumstances. It's a really fun read.

[Heather T · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was it original? No. Did I love it? Yes. I'm not sure why it's called One Night With a Billionaire when clearly it's more like five nights, but I really liked the characters. They didn't do any of those annoying things that make me twitch while reading. They were both very much their own people and while there was some minor panic emotionally, it wasn't anything that made your eyes roll about how dumb the characters concerns were. It was very well balanced, something I haven't seen from VLT in a while. Normally she goes a little overboard at least once. I'm glad I clicked on this one.

[amanda s. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not exactly my favorite. The second book still over the top to me, you know.

But so far, I enjoyed it. I don't think meeting a stranger in a strange country and ended up have sex with him in a matter of days really appeal to me. I mean, don't you think it's a bit dangerous? LOL, sure I know it's a fiction but still..

Overall, I enjoyed it. Can't wait to read Val's story. ;)

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this was a short novella, Lewis Thompson did a wonderful job introducing us to the characters in this book. Hard to imagine meeting a fellow Texan in Paris, but that is exactly what happened. They fell in love fast and hard and took me on their exciting journey. I enjoyed every moment of it!

[Christina Lyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed it very much. I just wished their wedding elaborate more and their love story continues as they go on. I just wished you tell us more about them. I'm axious for the two of them. But over all there story is unique.