I'm a barista with coffee grounds under my fingernails and rent due next week.
My favorite customer slips me an invitation to Manhattan's most exclusive masquerade ball.
I show up in a borrowed gown, feeling like an out-of-place Cinderella.
Then a mysterious stranger pulls me into his arms to dance.
Our chemistry is magnetic.
That dance turns into a night of intoxicating, sensual bliss entangled in silk sheets.
I slip away before dawn, taking only memories and leaving my mask behind.
Some fairy tales aren't meant to last beyond sunrise.
Weeks later, my Cinderella fantasy crashes into reality when he walks into my coffee shop.
Xander Sterling—billionaire extraordinaire and Manhattan's most eligible bachelor—is staring at me with those same piercing blue eyes, recognition dawning.
Ten years my senior and from a world of penthouse views and private jets.
I try to pretend that night never happened.
I'm a struggling artist with dreams of my own—not another conquest for a powerful man.
But Xander isn't letting go that easily.
As he pursues me with a single-minded obsession, I'm faced with an impossible keep my hard-won independence or surrender to the commanding billionaire who's determined to unmask my heart.
This book was an absolutely chaotic, inconsistant, hot mess of confusion. The only reason it didn't get a 1 star is because the verbiage and writing was pretty, even if the plot was a nonsensical pile.
The inconsitancies started in chapter 2, where how the two characters approcahed eachother and saw eachoter didn't match chapter one. Neither did their conversation. This was a consistant issue through out the story. Then there were a ton of conversation issues where someone would respond in a way that didn't match the prior sentence like "She needs time," being responded to with "I don't brood." Sophia told Xander "Give her time, let her come to you," but then a few chapters later was telling him to stop waiting and just go to Lily. Damien comments on seeing Mia again and seems to have forgotten entire dinners/chapters they shared with the two MMCs.
THE ENDING DOESN'T MATCH THE BEGINNING. IT's like two seperate books are put together. ******Spoilers Below *How is it that in the begining of the story there is an entier chapter from Xander dedicated to spending weeks with his best friend and head of security looking for Lily, and then the next chapter we read his POV where he sees her for the first time while meeting his sister there. But at the end of the story he tells her he had seen her at the coffee shop before they ever met and had been watching her for weeks? WHAT? That completely contradicts the first half of the book. *Also, Lily tells Xander "You let me go. You made this choice," and he agrees with her. Which is literally the opposite of what happened. She ran and pushed and shoved and was an absolute witch to Xander from the get go.
This story was reminiscent of Cinderella. Except she leaves a masquerade ball mask instead of a slipper. It started off well, had a lot of potential but then ended up a mess. Xander is desperately in love with Lily, but Lily has a chip on her shoulder the size of Australia. She feels less than because Xander is a billionaire and she couldn't possibly fit into his world. This goes on and on and on. It becomes tiresome listening to Lily's inner negative thoughts. In the second part of the book, two new male characters come into play. This adds absolutely nothing to the story. It's a no for me.
I finished when I wanted to dnf half way thru and I regret the decision. This book made no sense. The FMC was rude and insufferable for 90% of the book to the MMC and in the last 3 chapters she is all of a sudden in love with him? They had no chemistry. I didn’t feel a deep enduring love from them because they spent no time really getting to know each other. He chased her the whole book and I still can’t figure out why because she was mean to him the whole way through then accepts his marriage proposal. It started out good but after chapter 3 took a nose dive into a horrible read and I am not usually hard to entertain. Don’t waste your time on this book trust me.
Xander Sterling is a billionaire who assumed responsibility for the family company at a young age when his parents suddenly died. He was grown the company, although he is a workaholic. Lily Bennett is an aspiring painter who works in a coffee shop to pay the bills. One of her customers, Xander's sister, gives her an invitation to a charity masquerade gala. Xander sees Lily at the gala, and he is immediately attracted to her. They flirt, he takes her home, they have sex, and she leaves st dawn without leaving a note or her number. After 2 weeks of trying to find her, Xander joins his sister at the coffee shop and sees Lily again. Xander pursues her, trying to help her with her career. Lily is insecure, constantly fighting the attraction and lashing out at him. She runs from him repeatedly, saying they are from different worlds and accusing him of grabbing her spotlight. Lily is annoying for most of the book. Xander struggles with trying to balance his dominant personality with her insecurities. He tries to give her space, and then she yells at him that he can't just show up. Xander is a caring and sympathetic character. The book had potential, but Lily's attitude really detracted from this reader's enjoyment of the story.
Such a beautiful love story that shows opposites does attract. The story of the Artist and the Billionaire.
Lily and Xander come from two different backgrounds. Lily is a barista and a striving artist while Xander is a corporate billionaire who run a Fortune 500 corporation. Sophie is the younger sister of Xander who has befriended Lily and Mia. She comes into the coffee shop never with the attitude that she was better than the people who worked there. Her family was sponsoring a masquerade gala and she asked Lily to attend. She provided Lily with a dress to wear. At the Gala Lily felt so out of place and wanted to leave when Xander walked over a started talking to her. They danced and spent the night together. Xander only had her first name and he hunted several weeks looking for her when finally finds her at the coffee shop. To Lily they were not compatible even though he admired her artistic ability and her art work. Over hearing conversations by jealous women she ran and Xander continued to chase her. It took some life changes for her to believe how he really saw her. Self doubt was her keeping her from truly opening her heart even though she knew she cared for Xander. A beautiful simple love story with a happy ending. I recommend reading this book.
Ella Ashton delivers a delightful dose of romance with The Forbidden Billionaire's Masquerade Ball, a story that expertly blends intrigue, passion, and a touch of stubborn charm. This novel shines, largely thanks to its captivating characters and a writing style that keeps you hooked from the first page. What truly makes this book a standout is the dynamic between the main characters. The male lead's persistence is genuinely swoon-worthy, showcasing a determination that's both admirable and incredibly attractive. He knows what he wants and isn't afraid to go after it. Complementing him perfectly is the female lead, whose stubbornness and sassy wit provide plenty of engaging banter and keep the story lively. Their push-and-pull creates a fantastic chemistry that crackles off the pages, making their journey together all the more enjoyable. Ashton's writing style is smooth and engaging, pulling readers effortlessly into the opulent world of masquerade balls and billionaire romance. The pacing is just right, allowing the relationship to develop organically while maintaining a sense of excitement and anticipation. If you're looking for a romance with strong characters, a captivating premise, and writing that sweeps you away, The Forbidden Billionaire's Masquerade Ball is definitely one to add to your reading list. It's a charming and steamy read that will leave you smiling.
Ok how do I begin to describe the book? 🤔 Lily Bennett is a coffee shop barista.. in Manhattan and also an artist.. But she has to work very hard to get her self known as an artist.. So for now Lily and her roommate Mia has to work at Elite Coffee House..
Sophie Sterling a friend of Lily ‘s that comes into the coffee house every day, she knows that Mia’s trying to work toward being a clothes designer and Lily is trying to get her art work discovered. She tells Lily that she should come to this masquerade ball that her brothers company is having, so she can relax and get some inspiration for a new art piece, because Lily has been having trouble focusing on her art work..
That’s where Lily meets the handsomely, and possibly good looking masked guy.. little do she knows that it’s Xander Sterling, Sophia‘s brother.. which of course Sophie never talked about and Lily didn’t know existed. . Things get interesting after that.. especially since Lily slept with Xander that night and snuck out the next morning.
It’s a very lovely story little confusing a lot of back-and-forth but very interesting. I can’t tell you anymore or I’ll give away the whole story. It’s a fantastic story. You just have to read it to believe it. I enjoyed it tremendously and I’m sure you will too.. 😍🥰
I thoroughly love the writing in this book! The author is skilled at giving a sense of place and emotion throughout. I spent a good eighty percent of the story feeling sad and wistful. Why? Because the MMC, Xander, is a gorgeous, open-hearted, dominant (but never domineering!) billionaire who has fallen hard for Lily... and she's a bit of a b!tch. Beautiful Lily is a struggling barista and passionate artist. That's it. Oh, and she doesn't belong, and she can't wear borrowed finery, and people are mean to her because she doesn't fit in (is this as irritatingly whiny to anyone else?!), so, naturally, she's cruel and awful for the majority of the story to the one who DOESN'T treat her this way. This is the first romance I've ever read that primarily gripped me because of the male character. The reader discovers how much of Lily has been closed off in the last chapter reveal and gains even more respect for how intentional this author has been with her choices; I will say, though, there are a couple of places the story doesn't seem to line up. Still, I loved it!
She is working as a barista trying to launch her art career. He is the broody billionaire brother of her friend Sophie. Things heat up after they meet at a masquerade ball that Sophie brings her to. Things take an interesting turn two weeks later when he walks into the coffee shop she works at. The pursuit begins. Lily doesn’t make it easy for him. They both have their inner demons to battle. Will she give in and finally let hi in? Or are their differences just too much for her to handle. This was such an endearing, passionate romance. I simply could not put it down until I finished the very last page. Well done. Hopefully we will get Mia and Damien’s story soon.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book provided by booksprout.
an invitation to a masquerade ball will change Lily's life. When she enters the ballroom, Lily feels like she doesn't belong but feeling of being watched soon comes to fruition when a handsome masked man makes her acquaintance. Xander is captivated with the masked woman right from the start and their intimate encounter will change everything, but Lily is unlike any woman he has ever encountered. Will their connection lead them along the path to happiness. This heartfelt story had me connecting with Xander and Lily as their relationship unfolds on the pages.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
That masquerade ball leads to these two people together. Two different lives that leads to Xander pursuing Lily to love him. She's afraid because of their different social backgrounds. She wants to pursue her artistic skills without Xander influence. She doesn't want him to influence the outcome of her career she wants it to because of her talent. He loves her enough to let her make the decision if she wants him for him. Not for his money. Great story of two people who care enough to give each other space. Loved this love story by Ella Ashton
This story of billionaire Xander Sterling and the struggling artist Lily Bennett was worth me purchasing and discovering this new author for me. This is the story of a young woman trying to fight the inner demons in her mind telling her she is not good enough for Xander because he is a billionaire and she thinks he is trying to control her because that's how she thinks people with wealth, influence and good looks do to win over someone they like maybe even love. It was a different type of romance but I did really enjoy reading this book 📖 📚. I would definitely recommend this book.
Ella Ashton’s *The Forbidden Billionaire's Masquerade Ball*, the first book in the Coastal Elite Billionaire Romance series, offers an engaging contemporary romance with a Cinderella twist. The story follows a struggling artist and barista who, at an extravagant Manhattan masquerade ball, encounters the mysterious billionaire Xander Sterling. This sparks a passionate night, leading to a struggle between her independence and Xander’s determination when their paths cross again. She skillfully creates a sizzling chemistry between the characters with her engaging storytelling. The story has themes of age-gap romance and rags-to-riches, which add depth, even if some parts are predictable.
This book started out hot and strong for the first three chapters, and then I was so turned off by the character, Lilly. She was so sexy and mysterious at the masquerade ball, and I loved her interaction with Xavier.
Xavier was a handsome and very charming man. The minute he saw Lilly, he began to pursue her and continued throughout the book.
Lilly became a different person entirely after the ball. I won't spoil it for anyone, but I had to wonder what the author was thinking.
I made it 40% into the book and couldn’t continue because the characters kept on contradicting themselves and each other on what was happening in the previous parts of the book. The main female character Lily would say one thing and then a couple chapters later it would be her saying the complete opposite of what happened same thing with the main female character Xander. He said he spent weeks looking for her and then all of a sudden he didn’t, and he had known exactly where she was the entire time??
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This is definitely an interesting read from start to finish. Xander and Lily are great characters with an undeniable chemistry. I was drawn in from the first page and couldn't put it down until I was done. Definitely recommend reading and I'm hoping that Damien and Mia get a book cause from their interactions there's definitely something brewing there and I'm totally here for it.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I ate this book up. I absolutely loved it! I think I had a smile on my face for most of it. Xander and Lily are just perfect together. I love how Xander would not quit and give up on Lily but she would not give her on independence. The story and spice just kept me invested. I did not want to put it down. I highly recommend!
This was good. Definitely took some unexpected turns. Lily lashing out at Xander threw me off quite a bit. I was really worried about how things would go on their road trip. And there is something going on with Damien and Mia! I just know it! I definitely enjoyed this book.
I really enjoyed the story of Xander and Lily, their story kept your attention from the beginning and the way Lily dealt with him was amazing. This is definitely a must read.
I received an Advance Reader copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I enjoyed the forbidden billionaire’s masquerade ball which was Xander and Lily’s story. I thought it was an entertaining read. I received an early copy of the book. And voluntarily leaving this review.
Lily pissed me off this entire book. She was so difficult and added no flavor or chemistry. I felt as though this book was too one sided. It felt like Xander needed someone who actually liked him
The glass looking into would never be Then the fairy appear from hard work to bliss Life is good. Beautiful. Here we are Again . More intriguingm Again it wont me hit submit
I wasted so much waiting for something. Unfortunately, the main female character keeps running from an incredible hunk that just wants to be with her. You don’t get the happy until the very end of the book. Not worth reading.
Worst presentation I’ve seen on this site. The story jerks you around. Nothing is consistent. Characters haven’t been developed. Probably could be fixed by a decent editor but then it would be at very typical billionaire trope.
The story would have been mildly entertaining if the female lead wasn't so insecure. It made the story feel tedious so I have chosen to forgo the rest of this series
And it was a delightful surprise! I will look forward to her book. Even though it was another billionaire story, this one was way better. Everyone should read!