When a business dealBecomes an affair of the heart.
Big-city Noah Wainwright's always viewed business as a game. But when he stumbles across bed-and-breakfast owner Viviana Remington, she's playing by different rules. Rules of honor that bring the love-'em-and-leave-'em playboy to his knees. And reserved Viviana's hardly immune to the real-estate guru's many charms. When Viv learns how the Wainright family plays the game, though, all bets are off...
Rochelle Alers was born in Manhattan, New York, USA, where she raised. She obtained degrees in Sociology and Psychology, before started to work. She is a member of the Iota Theta Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., and her interests include gourmet cooking and traveling. She has traveled to countries in North, Central and South America, and Europe. She is also in accomplished in knitting, crocheting and needlepoint.
Published since 1988, today a full-time writer, has been hailed by readers and booksellers alike as one of today's most prolific and popular African-American authors of romance and women's fiction. With more than fifty titles and nearly two million copies of her novels in print, she is a regular on the Waldenbooks, Borders and Essence bestseller lists, regularly chosen by Black Expressions Book Club, and has been the recipient of numerous awards, including the Gold Pen Award, the Emma Award, Vivian Stephens Award for Excellence in Romance Writing, the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award and the Zora Neale Hurston Literary Award. She also wrote as Susan James and Rena McLeary.
Rochelle Alers lives in a charming hamlet on Long Island.
Pretty good classic romance story. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I cannot tell you how many books like this I have read over the years. I think hundreds would be a safe range. So I was a bit curious to see how they have changed over the years.
One thing I noticed was that this story was just as simplistic as I remember they used to be. This book is pretty light on the character development and the story was as close to an Insta-love as you can get. Even though this book is part of a series, I had no issue following the story.
Viv’s character was a bit odd. On one hand she was stiff and rigid, distrustful of all men. Then the next thing you know she is taking a trip with this guy she barely knows.
Noah is a sweetie but falling for someone instantly simply because you as attracted to them is certainly different, but at least he was a gentleman. But I never really felt a deep connection between the two. The story never sucked me in totally.
While the author kept the story along the classic romance lines, she also added in a bit of heat and fire that added to the overall relationship. The writing was straightforward without a lot of added fluff but time and the plot jumped here and there, which made it a bit of a distraction to follow at times.
Overall, the book was so much like they used to be. It seems that time has not moved forward on this classic romance style of writing, except for the added hot parts.
Loved everything about this book. Noah was an upright all around good dude. We need these stories as well as the bad boy angsty ones. Reading a book that can show love and passion, without the explicit sex,is a winner for me. Viviana has been burnt by love and it took a strong self-assured man, like Noah, to stay the course to get what he wanted. He knew she was a treasure. Rochelle has written another winner that will be an enjoyable reread many times over.
I received and eArc of this book from the publisher.
I tried to enjoy this book, kept reading it even though it was sluggish. The characters were flat, and the storyline was like wading through molasses. Viviana and Noah were two people I couldn't connect with at, they didn't connect with each other.
I am always excited to try new authors, and bummed when they just don't work out for me. This one had potential, but kept getting bogged down in the writing, and I had to push myself to finish it (I'll admit to some skimming...okay, quite a bit of skimming, especially in the last third.)
First, conversation in this book is incredibly stilted. So much of it just doesn't feel natural or genuine. Second, there was a whole lot of unnecessary repetition, like twice in about as many pages Noah mentioning that his younger brother was 4 years younger. I'm not sure why we had to know this once, let alone twice--and that's just one out of many, many examples of details we don't really need being told to us more than once. Combined with some odd phrasing (I didn't highlight any of them, so I can't remember off hand what they were exactly) it felt like there was a lot of unnecessary verbiage going on and the book could've been so much shorter and more succinct.
Several times the characters themselves reversed position on things--Vivian did it constantly, pulling Noah closer and pushing him away over and over again (I can't go to the Bahamas with you! I'm not for sale! on minute and then the next she's shopping for beachwear at her "favorite boutique") which can be traced back to her man problems and somewhat excused, if so much of it didn't happen so often or so quickly. It's not just Viviana who does this, though--Noah's mom went from glaring at her grown daughter at a family gathering for "ruining" the evening by "being sarcastic" (her father gave a speech and she told him there was no need to be sappy--that's it, but mom was still glaring at her a paragraph later, so much that Noah had to tell his sister to let it go) to loving the idea when it's suggested that the same daughter be given a job in the family company and a seat on the board of directors. Which is she? Proud of her adult daughter, or frustrated with her pre-teen behavior? Again, just a small sampling.
In short, for a book published with a major house, the editing felt like it was phoned in.
Overall I wanted to like this one but it just didn't work for me. It was a struggle to keep reading, and chances of me reading this author again are slim.
Rating: 3 stars / C
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Noah Wainwright believes in being hands on with his job. Viviana Remington wants to repurpose the family home and at the same time restores it to its former glory. Theirs is a story that seems slow and easy – helps with the feeling like you are a part of what’s going on.
I could almost feel Noah “twisting my arm” to take this book and go on a road trip. Viviana gave me the perfect idea of where I would love to stay. I’m good at multitasking but if she has an old-fashioned swing, I’m not sure if it would be possible to swing and read at the same time. – I think I’d get lost in the ambiance.
Renovation shows have found their way into my heart. I watch quite a few of the House Hunters and their more extended renovation shows. There would be no issue with me being transfixed if Viviana’s family estate was featured. I could see Noah there as well. She’s a woman who seems to be up to any challenge that may come her way but he would be there to give suggestions.
If I had to give one critique it would have to be one scene between our couple. Noah wants to prove something to Viviana. He says one thing but then turns around and makes a suggestion that you know has temptation written all over it. Other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed this laid back tale. I’m not going to suggest that this is a beach read but I will say it’s a great vacation read. It was an easygoing story that I could see reading every summer.
I was not compensated nor was I required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
Not bad story of another Wickham Falls Wedding-to-be. It doesn't seem that this one will ever take place since the two principals have no idea how to be comfortable in a give-and-take relationship. Noah is wealthy and used to having women chase him for his money and Viviana is used to looking for security and being taken advantage of.
Their relationship is at the back of the attempted salvaging of the Bed and Breakfast left to the Remington siblings by their family. Viviana wants to make it work. They decide to sell part of the land they have owned for hundreds of years and Noah wants to purchase and build on the land. They have to take a step back to deal with a legal setback and the setback gives them time to resolve their relationship.
When your young there are events that can cause you to be a person who takes things with a bit of cause. Signs are always flashing, always. Vivi’s parent's broken relationship left scars. Causing her own picker lets call it to be off. It seemed the men she picked were takers and never givers. They were men who never gave of themselves, their time, or their money. Yet, wanted all those things and more from Vivi. So, when this last guy almost cost her the family home and land, she swore she would never allow herself to cry over or be taken in by another man. At that moment she started building her brick wall around herself. The Noah walks into her life. She is beyond grateful for him and his money for sure. It’s because of him that she will be able to keep her estate, but he is beyond alluring. He is sinful. Yet, she knows their paths will meet again because his cousin Giles is married to a friend of hers. After talking with, Leland, her brother she finds out he bought the land for more than fair market value. So, when he comes back to stay, he gets he is getting ready to build, and she knows she’s in trouble. He looks better now than he did before. See how two people from two totally different backgrounds can find common ground. Enjoyed the conflict but had a problem at certain times how it happens. Other points the resolve to the conflict comes too soon. Just seemed odd at some points. I give this: 4 stars.
This was a very easy to read novel and I found myself reading the majority of it in one day. Most Harlequin romance novels are quick and easy reads. I don't expect a lot of depth with them but I do expect some some strong chemistry between the two leads. That was lacking a little here. Noah was pretty much in love with Viviana from the get-go and it didn't take much persuading to have her come around. They were a safe couple with minor conflict. This is a book that will keep you entertained on a slow Sunday afternoon but it's not a novel that will have you rereading over and over again.
I recieved an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This time we have heartbreaker Noah Wainwright and his love Viviana Remington. Noah a ladies man has found the one. Viviane has been betrayed by men do many times she doesn't trust Noah. Getting past the fear of being wrong about another man Viviane fights not feel anything for Noah. Noah is determined to make Vivana see that he won't do any to hurt her. It is a psychological fight to the end. I learned more about Chanel in this book than the others. I hope Ms.Akers will do a book about Chanel too. I like this book too. The Wainwrights are fun, interesting, intelligent, and lovable.
But the more I read; the less I liked the female lead. How she managed to fall in love with Noah; I'll never know because she seemed to be always waiting for him to miss up. She seemed to be penalizing him for the things that happened to her as a result of the choices she made. I liked Noah: Viviana - not so much.
Love the Wickham series,it small town folks and living
Love the Wickham Falls series,small town folks and small town living. The family stick together and help other people. The family secrets are far and wide.
I enjoyed this story! Although Viv could be a little frustrating, I understood why she was the way she was! She endured a lot from a little girl all the way to now. I loved how Noah was with her. Another new Wainwright!! Kudos, Rochelle! 💜
I enjoyed reading Noah's story, and I really liked it. I would absolutely recommend reading this book to anyone who enjoy reading a cute and sweet read. I hope we will see more of the Wainwright's stories in the future. Great job Ms. Alers and thank you. 👍🙏
I enjoyed this small town interracial romance. The characters were believable and I loved the banter and interaction between them. A bit predictable, but that's usually to be expected in a romance.
Because I liked Viviana’s character I went ahead and completed the book. But it started to bore me when I would put it aside for days at a time. I appreciate that the Wainwrights accepts the mates that their children find.
I truly tried to like this book, giving it chance after chance, but there’s just so much wrong with it. Viviana is a woman who’s been hurt by the men in her life, all except for her brother and hasn’t gotten over the hurt caused (not surprising, most of us don’t). She’s very private (which I totally get), but she’s not believable as a character. She’s immature, constantly going back and forth with her feelings, from one extreme to the next. She goes so far as to refuse to listen to what Noah tells her, without any kind of fact checking. She takes the word of someone who has mistreated women (including her) all his life, over a man who has only shown her love and compassion. She’s flat as a character, there’s no depth to her at all. Noah meets Viviana while talking with her and her brother about buying land they need to sell to save their family home. He fell for her immediately, even though she was rude and condescending. He continues to pursue her (I have no clue why) and is always the gentleman. As a matter of fact, he’s too perfect and isn’t all that believable as a character either. The writing is old fashioned. The story is slow and at times truly boring. I actually thought I was reading an old story being republished because of phrases like “nocturnal emissions”. It wasn’t until the end of the story, when she gets a gift that’s engraved with the year 2018, that I found out that this is a new release and I absolutely couldn’t believe it. This story took me days to read, where they only normally take about 1 day, because I couldn't read the book for long before getting bored or disgusted with the characters. I read it to the end, hoping it would get better, but it didn't. **I received an ARC from Netgalley and this is my voluntary review.
Who is Noah Wainwright? What does he do? Where do we find him at the beginning? Who is Viviana Remington? Talk about sparks in this book! Whoooie! Those sparks may or may not be good, I don't yet know. Who is Leland Remington? What does Noah need to speak with him about? Who are Giles and Mya? What we learn about the Wainwright patriarchs is funny. My heart broke for Viviana when I learned about her ex. The exchanges between Viviana and Noah had me chuckling, shaking my head, and rolling my eyes at times. Oh my, the WDG board meeting had me in stitiches! When Viviana gets some news about a decision and mentions it to Noah, who mentions it to his father, what happens? What does that decision cause Viviana to do and by extension, Noah? Read and see!!!
RECEIVED THIS BOOK AS A GIFT FOR A FAIR/HONEST REVIEW and REVIEWER FOR Bloggin' With M. Brennan.
Dealmaker, Heartbreaker by Rochelle Alers is a sweet romance filled with lots of drama and two characters who have to learn together how to love and trust in one another.
Noah is such a charming man. I loved him instantly. He's a charismatic character who has to learn how to get through to Viviana. Viviana's character is a sweet person, but I just couldn't connect with her. I felt like she needed to be more open to Noah because she was throwing her past at him an awful lot through the story. These two have a lot of past mistakes to overcome in order to find love in each other, but when they finally do it's mesmerizing.
I enjoyed watching them grow together and finally discover how to connect with one another. If you love a good romance that will leave you content, then you'll enjoy this one.
I give Dealmaker, Heartbreaker by Rochelle Alers 3 out of 5 STARS!
Dealmaker, Heartbreaker (ebook) by Rochelle Alers This is the first book by Rochelle Alers that I have read and I hope to read more in the series WICKHAM FALLS WEDDINGS. Thank you so much to the publisher and #NetGalley for letting me preview this book. I enjoyed meeting the Wainwrights and the Remingtons. Noah and Viviana both have their problems with family history and I enjoyed their journey to finding their HEA.
Reasons I enjoyed this book: Romantic Great world building Wonderful characters Happily Ever After Easy-to-read Funny Tear-jerker Steamy
When a business deal...Becomes an affair of the heart. Big-city (Architect/Real Estate Developer) Noah Wainwright’s always viewed business as a game. But when he stumbles across (bed-and-breakfast owner) Viviana Remington, she’s playing by different rules. Rules of honor that bring the love-’em-and-leave-’em playboy to his knees. And reserved (due to last boyfriend stealing her identity) Viviana’s hardly immune to the real-estate guru’s many charms. When Viv learns how the Wainright family plays the game, though, all bets are off!
I enjoyed this book! I am new to Rochelle Alers and I was pleasantly surprised! This is a sweet book with lots of drama. I thought it was well written with likable characters in a great story line.
Noah Wainwright is an expert in wheeling and dealing in his business ventures and is used to complete success. But when he meets bed-and-breakfast owner Viviana Remington he is floored. Meeting Viviana makes Noah start thinking about things he never thought he wanted. Vivian has had quite a few hurts in her life and is immune to Noah's charms. But over time Noah convinces Viviana to give him a chance. But a family business transaction may end it all.