Beauty and the Billionaire (The Boys of Hudson Burrow Book 3) by Hayden Hall

A billionaire living a self-imposed solitary life who's only interest is work and revenge stumbles across an earnest younger man that wants to protect his family from the man known as the Baron of Manhattan. Can the innocent beauty bring out the kindness underneath the beast's exterior?


From the Beauty and the Billionaire blurb:

My life was just fine until he came down from his ivory tower.

Sure, I lived my days hiding deep in the closet, but I got to see all the beautiful guys in Neon Nights whenever I delivered fresh produce from my father’s store. And maybe I didn’t have enough time to read all the books in the world the way I would have liked. And maybe sharing one small room with three siblings wasn’t ideal. But that was the best we could do.

Until a man with wolfish eyes and a sinful smirk came to our little home and demanded that my father settle an old debt. He was going to ruin what little happiness we built for ourselves in Hudson Burrow.

The only thing I could do was offer my work in exchange for my father’s mounting debts. I would go with Dominic Blackthorn to his secluded mansion, and I would work off the debt no matter how long it took.

But real life is never so simple.

Dominic is a cruel and emotionless man with nothing but disdain for those around him. And the longer I am there, the clearer it becomes: Dominic’s appetites extend beyond amassing his wealth. He wants the one thing he can never have. He wants me. And to be wanted like that stirs something new in me.

How long can I live with this heartless man before I start seeing something good in him? How long before he lets himself act on this impulse?

I want to resist him, even if I see disarming warmth in his handsome smile.

Beauty and the Billionaire is the third novel in The Boys of Hudson Burrow story. It features a young man torn between his father’s traditional values and a dangerous new faHeathscination with his billionaire employer, a wounded man who locked himself up in the clouds and gave up on the world, and a deliciously long path to a HEA. Dominic and Zain’s story is full of teasing, power struggles, and unbearable attraction. It can be read as a standalone, but it’s best enjoyed if read in order.


SNik's review:

Third in series (The Boys of Hudson Burrow), can be read as a standalone but might be more fun if read in order. Age gap. Boss/employee. Found family. Hurt/comfort. Close proximity. Slow burn. Dual POV. 

A fairytale retelling, Zain offers to work off his father’s debt to financial billionaire Dominic, who is also known as the Baron of Manhattan and is rarely in the city preferring his solitude outside the city. As Zain has always feared losing his family if they found out he is gay, Dominic has suffered in his life from family and bullies due to his sexuality. 

Zain is interested in seeing beyond Dominic’s gruff exterior and Dominic sees such future possibility and innocence in Zain. Their close proximity leads slowly to some emotional interactions and I enjoyed their grumpy/innocent dynamics. Dominic is able to remember the better parts of himself with Zain and Zain is able to feel confident and loving towards Dominic, himself and a nice set of supportive friends.


Heather's Review:

This modern-day Beauty and the Beast retelling doesn't have a disneyesque beast, but does give us a chance to get to know a reclusive billionaire with a chip on his shoulder... and the sweet but stubborn young man who agrees to work off his father's debt.  

This was an interesting grumpy/sunshine, age gap hurt/comfort read that made you root for these two men to discover their happiness.  I also really love low Zain is able to influence Dominic!


Beauty and the Billionaire  is currently available as an e-book and can be read as part of your Kindle Unlimited Subscription