A Reason To Stay: A Billionaire Romance (Blackwood Series Book 1) Kindle Edition

A Brief Chance Encounter Is All It Takes For Them To Know That They Belong Together. Ava Tries To Run From Rhett’s Magnetic Pull, But Their Chemistry Is Undeniable. They Each Have Baggage That Weighs Them Down, Threatening To Destroy Their Fragile Happiness.This is book one of the Blackwood series. The series consists of four books – two duets. Siblings Rhett and Valerie are born into a life of privilege. These are their stories.The Blackwood series includes:The Only One Duet:1. A Reason To Stay (Rhett & Ava’s story, part 1)2. The Only One (Rhett & Ava’s story, part 2)Forever Yours Duet:3. A Reason To Leave (Liam & Valerie’s story, part 1)4. Forever Yours (Liam & Valerie’s story, part 2)ABOUT THE BLACKWOOD FAMILY:Charles and Vivian Blackwood may live a life of opulent luxury, but the Blackwood family’s wealth and connections are new money. An entrepreneur, Charles began working on his fortune after finishing college when he started Blackwood Industries. Today, he is a self-made billionaire. Vivien enjoys working on charity events and dabbles in decoration. Though they are based out of New York, private jets give the family the flexibility to travel at a moment’s notice.The press follows the Blackwoods’ business pursuits, and the attention spills over into the tabloids occasionally as well. The guest lists for their parties include a who’s who of the rich and famous. Despite all the pressures of high-stakes business deals and the distractions of living in the spotlight, the Blackwoods have a tight family. Charles and Vivian are supportive parents and surprisingly approachable, not hardened by their wealth.IN THIS BOOK:The story opens in the fall near Wellesley College, just outside of Boston.Ava Conner, roughly twenty-one, is hard-working and stubbornly independent. She is beginning her senior year at Wellesley College where she is studying architecture. She fell in love with design as a little girl and is now working on her applications to graduate school. With her best friend since grade school at her side, Ava had left her hometown of Litchfield, Connecticut after graduating from high school three years ago, determined to make her own way in the world. She loves her family dearly, but she learned a hard lesson about depending upon others when she caught her high school boyfriend Chris cheating on her the summer before freshman year. Refusing any financial support from her family, she has worked her way through college ever since.Ava began waiting tables at Christopher’s her freshman year. Named after its owner and sought-after chef, the high-class restaurant has no trouble drawing customers thanks to it proximity to Boston. It has become a second home of sorts to Ava over the years. She and her co-workers enjoy hanging out after hours, and sometimes her best friend Lizzie joins them. Ava treasures those friendships. Stephen and his younger brother Mike are especially dear – they feel like brothers to her. Stephen is handsome and popular with the women, but he always has time for Ava. Mike is handsome as well, but unlike Stephen, he has a reserved personality and is happier sitting on the sidelines. Despite the long hours devoted to school and work, Ava enjoys the company of her close group of friends.Ava and Lizzie occasionally return home to Litchfield to catch up with their families. Nana is full of spunk and personality. She dotes on Ava, but she causes endless headaches for Ava’s mother. Ava adores her father, a kind man who exudes a quiet strength. Her mother is now caught up in the wedding planning for Ava’s sister’s wedding. Emily and her fiancé Jackson will finally exchange vows in the spring. Ava is so happy for them; they make a perfect couple. As for Ava, she has not considered dating since Chris broke her heart and her trust. Lizzie teases that Ava lives like a nun, and there is a little truth to it.When Ava literally runs into a stranger one morning as she rushes to an exam, she finds herself dazed and confused. Just one look, one brief touch, is all it takes to shift her off her axis. After years of immunity to the charms of men, she suddenly finds herself drawn to the handsome and magnetic man. Every time he pops up again she runs, knowing her defenses won’t work against him. Her trust is still shattered, so she shies from making her heart vulnerable again. Eventually, however, she can no longer ignore him.Rhett Blackwood, twenty-six, recently moved to Boston. After graduating with his master’s degree from Harvard just over three years ago, he went to work with is father at Blackwood Industries in New York City. It was some newer investments in Boston that led to his decision to relocate. Rhett’s name appears in business journals and tabloids alike, where he is pictured with a parade of blondes. One such blonde is Serena Archibald, the daughter of Charles Blackwood’s long-time best friend and business associate.Ava has been cheated on in the past, so she is reluctant to give in to temptation. She isn’t the only one with misgivings, though; Rhett has also triggered Stephen’s protective instincts. He believes Rhett will leave her broken-hearted just like Chris, and he tries to warn her off. This creates a further complication as Rhett assigns other motives to Stephen.Serena acts possessive of Rhett, and he allows it, though without encouraging it. Rhett insists he and Serena are strictly friends, but there must be a story he isn’t sharing. Serena appears to be exactly his type. Ava, on the other hand, is a petite brunette, not a blonde supermodel type. She dresses modestly and comes from humble beginnings. She doesn’t understand Rhett’s supposed attraction to her, but denying their insane chemistry is impossible. The couple faces challenges as they struggle to make a relationship work. This story ends in a devastating cliffhanger.Rhett and Ava’s story concludes in book two, The Only One.Wow! Rhett and Ava’s story really grew on me. I was not hooked at the beginning. Some of the writing felt too focused on minutia and unimportant things, but it did all build up, until finally, I was hooked. It could easily have been resolved here, but a somewhat manufactured situation assured that a divide would separate the couple. How long that separation lasts remains to be seen. I had not realized the book would have a sequel when I began reading, so it was a bit of a disappointment to discover that at the end. I want to read the second book, though I have some misgivings about the direction it might possibly go. The story really ought to wrap up quickly, but with an entire book ahead, I am afraid to learn what drama they put themselves through before earning their happy ending.Rhett seems as taken with Ava as she is with him. They feel an unexplainable force that pulls them together. But Ava enters her relationship with Rhett while still suffering from a shattered heart and broken trust. She resists Rhett. When she finally caves to desire, she continues to push back at him at every turn. It seems to drive him crazy, but he never wavers. Everything else in his life seems to fall into place, easily controlled. Ava is the exception. Perhaps that is why they fit so well and feel so strongly about one another. Neither falls into a mold.Ava is not the same young woman she was when she dated Chris. Her pain has transformed her. Though her confidence was destroyed by him, the pain made her stronger. Her altered heart gives her the strength to not cow to a man, but to stand up for herself instead. She is determined to be independent. She never wants to rely on anyone or give another the power to destroy her. Rhett has in all likelihood had a string of very willing women, so having to work so hard for Ava’s affections is new for him. Her hard-won affections are thus valued and treasured.Rhett and Ava come from different worlds, but a brief chance encounter is all it takes for them to know that they belong together. Ava tries to run from Rhett’s magnetic pull, but their chemistry is undeniable. They each have baggage that weighs them down, threatening to destroy their fragile happiness. The story is nicely written. The plot is fairly simple. The story is character-driven. The characters are carefully crafted. There is a large cast of characters – including family and friends – that lends a realistic feeling to the story. The story is told in first person in Ava’s POV, with the epilogue in Rhett’s POV. I rate this book four stars.I received an advance copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

OMG!!!! This is a first read by this author but the next book is downloading as I write this review. The story of Ava and Rhett blew me away from the first page and I hated to put my Kindle down for even a minute. Ava is a stubborn and independent female working to put herself through college. Having giving up on men after catching her high school boyfriend cheating on her, you could say she has major trust issues. That's OK because she has her best friends with her. When she literally runs into Rhett at a coffeehouse, the chemistry is instantaneous and so potent Ava had a panic attack and flees. When their paths cross again, and again the attraction is still powerful enough to force Rhett to confront Ava. With Rhett's billionaire playboy status Ava is convinced it will be a one night stand but Rhett claims otherwise. As their relationship grows complications arise and of course the story isn't complete without the spoiled, rich manipulative scorned ex. This story had twists in it I definitely didn't see coming but only added to the strength of the characters through their heartbreak. As secrets are revealed and a loss Ava may never recover from, Rhett is determined not to give up but it may be too late. We'll have to read the next story to see what happens, but make sure you have tissues handy. Loved this story from the beginning and purchased is after reading twenty percent of an ARC!!!I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this bookThank You Melissa Ellen and Shifted Sheets

I really enjoyed the first book of this duet. Strong characters, good story line. Lots of drama and a bit of angst. Lots of sex...however, it wasn’t crazy and vulgar...just a lot of it. I liked the side characters as well. However, I will say after reading this first book for free, paying for the 2nd wasn’t worth it. The 2nd book was too repetitive, anticlimactic and dragged on longer than it should with boring everyday stuff. It was like the author had to have so many words, so unfortunately I have to tie that in with this review as you will be disappointed with the 2nd.

I'm not much of a reader so I usually spend weeks (if not months) trying to finish a book. I often find it hard to get drawn into the book. Not with this one. I read this book over the course of two nights. I could not put the book down. The author made it so easy to relate to the characters. The amount of detail given made me feel like it was more than just a book, and I was more than just the reader. It drew me in early on and held me there throughout the duration of the book. We were given so much insight into their lives and not just the "love story" in front of us. I was not ready for the book to end, but it helped that I had already seen that the second book would be released soon. I enjoyed each character and cannot wait to find out where their lives head next. Of course, I am the most ready to read about Ava and Rhett's love story and see what happens next. The second book cannot get here quick enough!

I have enjoyed the first book in this series of four. It reminded me of how it feels to be in a new relationship. The insecurities and how a person might assume the worst case scenarios, because there is no grown up version yet. The trust issues are hard to deal with and much more pushing against giving away a whole heart. I am looking forward to the next book in the series and look forward to how things evolve.

wow. This book is going to put the reader through some emotion.There is no HEA. The book leaves you hanging to read the second book to see how they end up. It definitely leaves you wanting to jump straight to the next in the series!

I enjoyed reading this book, so much so I read it in 2 days. The plot was good and the writing flowed in an easy manner and kept the reader interested. I began to ignore the language and continued to read. Yes I will purchase another book by this author. The only draw-back is I wish authors could write and not have to include bad language. Surely the publishing companies do not require this type of language.

This book is painfully slow- dialogue, chemistry (which really is not there), plot progression. I stopped reading this book half way through. I just couldn’t take the awkwardness between the two main characters anymore although I think the authors writing is mainly to blame for that.

Fear Melissa, just to say, I really enjoyed, your book, and looking forward to reading the follow up. Only 1 Black mark, for using the 4 letter C word for his private part.