Member Reviews
This is a cute enemies to lovers rom com. It was a quick, warm and fuzzy read that I enjoyed from begining to end.
Quick Summary: A tug of war romance
My Review: Not in a Billion Years by Camilla Isley is book #1 in the True Love series.
About the Book: Two business rivals with a shared attraction for each other go through the ups and downs of a relationship.
My Final Say: Gabriel and Blake had such an intense connection. The prom scene was everything! That alone was worthy of a number of gold stars.
Rating: 4.75/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Re-read: Yes
Keeper: Yes
Favorites Shelf: Yes
Status/Level: 💗
Thank you to the author, to the publisher (Boldwood Books), and to NetGalley for granting access to this title in exchange for an honest review. I appreciate the opportunity to read this sweet story.
Ugh this was fine and then he like kinda kidnapped her but then they talked about it, but the natural disaster was still blocking her exit. Closed door romance another ugh. The grumpy billionaire turned mushy really quick. “Make love” kinda gave me the icl when he talked about it. He kinda almost destroyed her company she built from the ground up at 16 and she told him to go away and leave her alone MULTIPLE TIMES. But his bajillionaire daddy was like don’t listen to what she says- go after her.
She gets prego at the end.
I just summarized this 300+ page book in a paragraph. It didn’t need to be that long.
I thought I liked this author but I’ve missed the mark with her a lot lately.
Special thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for this digital ARC.
This book had me hooked the further I got, there were plots and twists through out you would never know what was coming next. This is the first book I have read by Camilla Isley and look forward to reading many more.
This was a fun, flirty, and humorous romantic comedy that ticked all the boxes for what a light escape read should have. Filled with all the banter that I have come to expect from Isley. I was pulled into this story right from the start and I enjoyed Blake and Gabriel's meet cute but I found the resolution of the book a little flat. Although this is something unique for Isley, and I can't wait to read her next book!
This cover is FIRE and would have drawn me in on its own if I didn't already know I wanted it since it's Camilla Isley. I love all her books and this one definitely did not disappoint!
Not In A Billion Years - Camilla Isley
A really strong opening to this book, with great tension and confusion on Gabriel's behalf (The car auction winner was a great added touch!) There was a lot of pizza chat which made me very hungry and craving a pizza evening. There were plenty of good side characters, I particularly liked Blake's dad and Gabriel's brother Thomas ( I thought their childish brotherly behavior was spot on and totally believable. I loved the ongoing tension between Blake and Gabriel and the prom was the icing on the romantic cake! Thank you very much Netgalley and Boldwood Books for this e-arc in return for my honest thoughts and opinions
Loved the story and the chemistry of the main two characters. Biggest problem was that several pages in the kindle version were blanked out. About ten in total, spread throughout the book. It made for very disjointed reading. But the author and the actual storyline were fantastic. I would gladly give a better star review were the technical issues to be straightened out.
Funny delicious enemies to lovers trope
Blake and Avery banter is funny and hilarious
Cute lighthearted read
nice side charachters (the Brother)
Read in two evenings
Cute
3 stars
Camilla Isley books are always a cute, fun time! Just enough fluff to be a light read but also a cute plot with some laughs and swoons!
Blake Avery, deeply committed to health and wellness, attained success through hard work, dedication, exercise videos, social media, and word of mouth. On the flip side, Gabriel Mercer, a billionaire mogul with a keen interest in real estate and money-making, moved from a privileged upbringing to making a mark in the fitness world post-college. When their paths cross, assumptions arise, unveiling hidden facets about each other.
Blake Avery stands out as a captivating figure, while Gabriel, despite some questionable behavior, defends his actions from his own viewpoint. Blake, however, holds him accountable, resulting in a humorous scene that elicited a chuckle – those in the know understand!
This story unfolds as an enemies-to-lovers tale, featuring two people who initially see themselves as complete opposites but ultimately discover surprising commonalities. The business elements introduce a clever and enjoyable layer to the narrative, brimming with humor and just the right amount of sizzle and spice.
Camilla Isley has done it again.
“Not in a Billion Years” is an engaging and fun book. It is also book 1 in a new True Love series that will leave readers clamoring for book 2.
With a rivalry, some competition, and an adorable meet cute, you’ll find yourself enthralled by the two MCs. The book is also told from multiple POVs which greatly adds to the story as a whole.
Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for gifting me this ARC.
Good banter between enemies - I couldn't get past the "Dodgeball"-type plot though! Love a strong, independent female lead.
I didn't feel quite connected to the characters. I thought there could have been more chemistry between the two main, even though I found some of the banter delightful.
Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for the early copy in exchange for a review.
I read this one as part of a Boldwood read along and had a lot of fun enjoying this story and the prompts that went with it. I have read other books by this author and knew I would enjoy this one too. This book tells the story of two fitness moguls who enter into a competition over control in their market, and yet it all ends up bringing them back together, again and again. There were lots of fun and interesting moments and it was an enjoyable storyline with great characters. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for giving me the chance to read this book and join in on the fun!
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3.0/5.0
Not In A Billion Years by Camilla Isley
Blake is a self made fitness queen and Gabriel is a billionaire business mogul. He’s only in the fitness industry because of real estate but Blake decides they’re sworn enemies. After they’re not so meet cute, Gabriel falls hard and fast - and Blake does everything in her power to resist his charm.
This was a slow start for me but at about 35%, it picked up and I finished it very quickly. The FMC was strong, independent, and determined to make it on her own. I liked her grit and her character was a lot of fun. Gabriel, the MMC, was sweet but also gave off a lot of red flags. He fell fast and hard and the I Love You’s so quickly were a bit much. I liked the business aspect of the story and especially liked the side characters, particularly Thomas. Overall, it was a good read that I think a lot of readers will enjoy.
Read if you like:
👟 not so meet cute
👟 billionaire romance
👟 enemies to lovers
👟 forced proximity
I am always very happy to discover that Camilla Isley is releasing a new novel - they are always full of heart, with a great 'will they won't they' storyline and some serious romance. I am pleased to confirm that Not in a Billion Years does not disappoint!
Blake Avery is a self made woman. She has been creating her own brand since the tender age of 16, and finally she has made it, with the bricks and mortar (also known as a state-of-the-art gym!) to prove it. She has no intention of letting some billionaire in the fitness world who has been handed everything on a plate hold her back or stop her progress. When she publicly criticises said billionaire, she inadvertently finds herself starting a feud!
Gabriel Mercer is the hot shot billionaire in question. Devastatingly handsome and wildly successful, he is very upset to find out that the owner of a new fitness centre has called him out for being handed his success on a plate by his wealthy family. He can't help himself as he finds himself marching down to this new fitness centre to have it out with the unknown Blake Avery in person. Imagine his surprise when he find out she's a very attractive young woman!
Blake and Gabriel are both great characters, and perfect for a 'will they won't they' novel. They are attractive and successful in their own right which I find makes for a great story. Blake is self assured, and confident in her own abilities, as well as the brand that she has created from nothing in her teenage bedroom. Her success is all her own, and she certainly did not need a man to get her to where she is. Obviously she has some past relationship trauma (who doesn't!) but everything she has, she created herself. Throw in the very attractive, intelligent Gabriel, and you have two characters that you can't help but root for!
I am more than happy to recommend this to you all - it's a fab novel, and perfect for these warm September days. So grab yourself a glass of wine, and cosy up with these novels whilst enjoying this later summer sunshine!
I got an ARC through NetGalley (yay!).
First of all - I loved the premise of this book. It was so unique to see successful business owners that were not in media or finance or a fashion. This was all about fitness and I Loved the freshness of it.
I also really loved some of the scenes throughout the story. The first meeting, where he asked for her father and her response ? LMAO! And then how she bested him at the retreat ? Brilliant!
All in all - I still felt like this was a first draft. The scenes jumped around a lot with no transition. I didn’t understand the H motives to pursuit the h. I didn’t find it genuine. So I guess I felt skeptical the whole way through.
There was also ALOT of repetitive words and not in an endearing way. The h nickname for the character was super immature and nobody thinks that way. Also, the over use of deca billionaire ? Who uses that word on a regular ?
Overall - I think this has so much potential but didn’t quite make it into a favorite for me
Gabriel's affection for Blake is tender, even if there are moments when it appears he might be pushing boundaries. His confidence in their connection is palpable. The banter between them adds a charming element, and witnessing Blake gradually lower her defences to allow Gabriel into her life is heartwarming. Camilla Isley skillfully infuses spice into the narrative, creating a delightful and engaging closed-door romance.
This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if it were in a bookshop. Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.
I love a good dual POV, but something about these character's internal monologues, specifically their word choice when describing their attraction/trying to fight their attraction, felt unnatural to me. That being said though, I did find myself chuckling out loud multiple times while reading!