The Billionaire Next Door

by Jessica Bird

Book Overview

Take-no-prisoners deal-maker Sean O'Banyon ate Wall Street financiers for lunch. So why was he losing sleep over a fresh-scrubbed nurse in old jeans and a too-big T-shirt? Maybe it was those warm green eyes. Or the way she blushed when he got personal. There was no denying the serious chemistry between them. But sooner or later Lizzie would learn his deep, dark secrets: First, he had trust issues. And second--he'd rather not go into the whole family...

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 037324844X
• ISBN13: 9780373248445
• Release Date: July 2007
• Publisher: Harlequin Special Edition
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.31 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 4.2" x 6.6"

Customer Reviews

Short but sweet story of the rich man and the gold-digger; or is she?

Jessica Bird is better known now for writing the Black Dagger Brotherhood vampire series within the paranormal genre under the name J R Ward. Those stories are all excellent with great characterisation, plot, action and excitement. As I started this book I wondered how J R Ward/Jessica Bird's writing style would fare in the contemporary romance genre. The answer is, she still writes a very good book. 'The Billionaire Next Door' is very different from the Black Dagger Brotherhood, not only in the lack of vampires but also because the story isn't a particularly original one. A very rich man meets a nurse who's working two jobs to keep going financially. She doesn't know who he is, that he's a billionaire financier, and they find themselves drawn to each other. However Sean O'Banyon is always wary of women who are only after him for his money and when he seems to find evidence that Lizzie Bond has been enticing money from his now-dead father he thinks he's been taken for a ride. Despite the fact the basic storyline is well worn, there's more depth to this story than many others of this type. Sean is successful in business but he's worked his way up from nothing and has completely cut himself off from his father. Lizzie knew his father for two years before he died and had a great deal of affection for the man but for Sean and his two brothers, Mac and Billy (who will appear in future books by this author), their father was a monster. How can the two views be reconciled? Can Sean ever trust Lizzie enough to tell her about his father, and will that upset her fond memories of the man? Can Sean overcome the trust issues that he now has because of his father? For lovers of the Black Dagger Brotherhood there's a mention of Butch O'Neal in this story as a friend to Sean as he was growing up but this story is very much a standalone novel, although the first of the three O'Banyon Brothers stories. It's a good read and, although short, didn't feel rushed and had more of an exploration of the characters' personalities than you often get in these types of novels. Sometimes I wondered whether Lizzie was a bit too good to be true, and whether Sean could ever really put aside his workaholic nature so that they could actually spend a lot of time together, but, hey, this is fiction, and anything is possible!

Jessica Bird is the BOMB

I have read ALL of Jessica Bird/ JR Ward and she never fails to delight! Every single one was worth every penny to buy them NEW! (Thank you Ms. Bird/Ward!) My preference is for longer stories but even her shorts are great (like this one from Silhouette). While devouring the stories (usually in one sitting), I convince myself that each new protagonist (male and female) is my favorite so far! At the end of Sean's story, here, I was SALIVATING to read what will happen with his brothers!

Can't wait for the next 2 in the trilogy!

Every so often one picks up a book and for some reason it hits all of those deep buttons we try to ignore. In other words, we all like a Cinderella story even if we think we are far too sophisticated to want one! Sometimes series fiction rises above itself by being well-written and peopled with characters that get under your skin. For me, this book, despite its inane and rather juvenile title was one of those times when I was sure I was about to read something silly and shallow but I was, in fact, moved and entertained greatly. Nurse Lizzie Bond hasn't had it easy. She works hard and lives modestly, caring for an elderly neighbour and mentally inadequate mother. When her neighbour dies, she tries to locate his family but when she does, she runs into a whole wall of contradictions. Working through them brings her close to Sean O'Banyon - Wall Street giant with a hurt soul and a heart full of angst. Seemingly opposites, Lizzie and Sean are each the missing half of the other. This book is the first of a trilogy telling the stories of three brothers whose horrific childhood has marked each of them deeply. I, for one, can't wait for the next instalment for the author writes well, creates wonderfully well-rounded characters and tells a damned good story. Wonderful stuff!

If you read just one...you will be an addict!

Without a doubt one of my favorite contemporary authors. I LOVE this woman's writing. She has a gift. She can put you into a characters mind, give them strength, yet they aren't perfect. Each of her characters has their own unique personality. I love that! One of my biggest complaints about most authors is that they seem to give me the same story in every book I read. I do expect HEA's, but I still expect a unique journey to finding that HEA in each book. I mean whose life will be a carbon copy of another? Ms. Bird is truely a talent when it comes to giving me what I expect. 1. HEA, 2. a unique story, 3. Characters that I would love to meet and befriend. People I can relate to on some level...no I am not a billionare, but I can relate to the struggle and daily issues. I recommend any book written by either her or her alter ego J.R. Ward. You won't be disappointed!

Like a fine wine her books get better with age

I received my book yesterday and read the whole thing within two hours-- I simply couldn't put it down. I'll skip a long synopsis and instead state that Sean and Lizzie were definitely a random coupling. Lizzie is financially responsible for her mother, working two jobs to support them both. Sean is a rich playboy who earned every dollar of his money by putting himself through school. However, once he meets Lizzie he realizes that she might actually care about him for who he is and not his money. Jessica took the time to provide a good backdrop for Sean and why he has issues with trust. Excellent character development--at the end I was emotionally invested in ALL of the characters and not ready for it to be over so soon. Jessica did a good job setting up the storylines for his brothers--I myself am definitely looking forward to Mac's story! I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a happily ever after with a few predictable bumps and twists along the way. Also for those familiar with The Black Dagger Brotherhood we have a brief mention of one those lovely men in leather :) For those who are not familiar you are seriously missing out.