Member Reviews

Enemies to lovers.
He falls first and harder.
Dual pov.
Romcom.

Seriously, what's not to like?

I had such a fun time reading this book, it was super entertaining. I loved it!

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Blake and Gabriel meet after she has some negative comments about him in an article. A fun enemies to lovers story, and I liked how it was told from both points of view.

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As someone who has now read every Camilla Isley book published by Boldwood Books I can easily say that this is one of my favorites, and I was so excited to read the Afterword and find out there will be two more books!

This book is a slight enemy to lovers, with a bit of forced proximity that leads to romance. The male main character Gabriel quickly realizes his interest in the female main character, Blake, and makes it clear that he wants her while Blake vehemently denies her feelings due to mishaps from a past relationship. But truly, how long can she deny her attraction to Gabriel, and can he truly release control in order for their relationship to thrive?

I truly enjoyed this book and give it high praise. I can't wait for the next one!

Thank you NetGalley for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review..

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3,5* It started with a great premise for an enemy to lovers, but soon lost some of its verve.

Blake Avery has just reached a big peak on the success ladder with her fitness business. Honest and hard working she's not going to have her spot shadowed by others: having started as a teenager posting workout video from her garage and growing from there, she's not going to share the "selfmade" attribute with people who build an empire starting from welth.
Gabriel Mercer hit his success a while back, he is today one of the big names in the fitness business, he didn't use his family name to arrive where he is, o when he finds out a rising star doubted his hard work, he can't let it go...

While I found this book entertaining and enjoyable I felt something missing.
I really liked how it started, how Blake predicted Gabriel's every move, but it soon lost the enemy to lovers appeal, I feel like there's no real game in this trope the start developing feelings too soon and while I felt most of Camilla Isley past book where kind of short, this one doesn't provide in the added pages the real insight I missed in the previous ones.
There are some really funny moment and a nice romance though so I still would recommend it for a funny beach read.

Thank you Netgalley and Bolwood Books for providing this book as an arc in exchange of an honest review.

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This is such an entertaining romcom, crackling with chemistry between the two central characters and with some whip smart dialogue throughout. I loved the interactions between Blake and Gabriel as they traded put downs and they were never given in a mean spirited way. Starting as business enemies, they find their paths crossing and Gabriel's pursuit of what he wants leaves you in no doubt as to how he has become so successful. However, both characters have a softer side hidden below the surface and need to open up with their vulnerabilities if they are to get past their arguments.

Blake is also totally dedicated to her business. Being a self -made business woman, she has no time for those she thinks were handed everything on a plate. You see her softer side when she drops everything to help her family. She has never tried to hide her humble background. The pace of the story is fast and snappy. I also liked some of the secondary characters, such as Gabriel's PA and his brother, Thomas. Thos is a great escapist read from start to finish, full of entertaining moments.

In short: enemies to lover

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I loved this book - it was a fun read. The back and forth between Blake and Gabriel kept me going and I would love to read a story about Gabriel's brother Thomas! I love when a side character makes an impact without taking over the whole story.

The book was an interesting view of the difference between 2 billion dollar fitness businesses. One, lead by a woman, who made her fortune by selling herself as an online fitness instructor which lead to an expansion to a physical gym. The other lead by a man who made his fortune based on the real estate his gym empire is built on. Man vs Woman. Online vs In person. 2 different business models but is one necessarily better than the other?

Add in some sparks.... I couldn't put this one down!

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This was such a fun read. Not in a Billion Years is the epitome of what a Romantic Comedy is in Book form. You have the two characters that are business rivals to lovers, and the banter between the two is hilarious.

The book is about Blake Mercer a self made billionaire - she has done a lot to get where she is and nothing is going to stop her from going further with her business not even MGM aka her business rival Gabriel Mercer. She has been working since she was 16 using social media to grow her following about easy access exercise that caters to all and she has done well for herself. She doesn't like that she is compared to Billionaire Gabriel Mercer who she doesn't think is self made at all and had a handout from Daddy. Cue all the hilarious banter and shenanigans when they meet.

Gabriel Mercer is driven - he knows what he wants to do with his business and makes it happen. Stumbling across an article where Blake Mercer has bad mouthed him, he storms to Blake's placed of work to read "him" the riot act. Gabriel messes up as doesn't realise that Blake is female and owns the business so when they first meet sparks fly.

This book is definitely he falls first and harder. The banter between the two is so good and I really enjoyed watching them fall in love and overcome their own issues to be together. There is the undeniable excellent secondary characters that makes the book more rounded and I am excited to read book 2 and 3.

The style of writing is easy to read and I read this book within a few hours, it was that good I flew straight through it.

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delightful enemies to more story that was such fun to read! Blake is no stranger to hard work. She has worked her way up to be the successful fitness sensation she is today. Gabriel, on the other hand, is a billionaire mogul, who has had everything handed to him, at least that's what Blake believes to be true. Thus, fueling the animosity she feels for him. Her negative opinions are made public when she does an interview, and this initiates a feud between them. Both make assumptions upon meeting each other, but they later realize the truth is not always plain to see and first impressions are not always accurate, because there is undoubtedly more than meets the eye.
The story was full of fun banter and cute and laughable moments. Both Gabriel and Blake had a great dynamic and were interesting characters and I enjoyed getting to know them. It was fun initially watching their rivalry play out, and the slow-burn romance really kept me engaged. The chemistry between them was just amazing!
This was a light-hearted read, told in dual POVs (which I always appreciate) and was the perfect feel-good story. A cute and fun story I am glad to have had the opportunity to read!
I received a complimentary copy from Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

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Definitely not as good as the other book I read by this author. Maybe it's because I"m not a bit workout person so I didn't really connect with any of the characters. I did think it was a bit faster paced than previous books but still wasn't really my favorite.

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I really enjoyed this RomCom by Camilla Isley. It’s not the first of her books that I have read and it’s definitely not the last one I will read. Her stories contain plots and characters that are at times very different from my life… famous people, super rich and entrepreneurs, but I still really liked the characters in this billionaire romance. Blake is such a strong female character and thanks to her ex she’s super cautious when it comes to men. Gabriel (MGM) was like a dream main male character. Rich, handsome and with a really good heart even though he sometimes went about things the wrong way. Both Blake and MGM were very easy to like and I loved the chemistry between them and the constant banter and teasing.

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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

If You Love These, You’ll Love This:
- Slow Burn
- Enemies to Lovers
- Rom-Com
- Dual POV
- He Falls First
- Billionaire/s
- Forced Proximity

A cute and easy read.
Blake and Gabriel’s story was great! I ate it up, literally devoured it and enjoyed every minute of this book. Filled with many of my favourite tropes.

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I won't deny, I very rarely read 'RomComs' - mostly because I find that most 'RomComs' are not generally very comedic, but I have long since been a fan of Camilla's books, so when I was asked to take part in a blog tour for her latest novel, Not in a Billion Years, I was happy to put down my latest thriller and dive right in.

This review is a little later that I had hoped as the dreaded Covid virus floored me again, but in a way, I was grateful to have something to cheer me up while I was in isolation for a week. When feeling truly sorry for myself, I fumbled around to find my kindle, snuggled up with my duvet and Lucozade, and settled in for what I hoped would be another hilarious, trope filled rollercoaster of romantic emotions.

As I mentioned before, I often find that many books labelled with the tag 'RomCom' are more Rom than Com, but Camilla is different. She has a sharp quick wit that translates well on the page and doesn't just bring a smile to my lips but often a chuckle to my chest. This latest instalment was no exception to that. The insults traded between Blake and Gabriel quickly reminded me of those moments when I was first dating my husband when the snappy-catty remarks would spark tiny little fires between us. It feels real, and authentic and incredibly funny.

As a self-made fitness sensation, I did found Blakes prickly attitude at time irritating, she deserved more than to have to justify herself, but I feel my irritation was more to do with true representation of a woman in this world than a badly drawn character. In fact, I was irritated because she was so well drawn. For a young woman to have worked so hard to get from her teenage bedroom filming on her own to the dizzying heights she has achieved and still feel the need to 'justify' herself to a billionaire mogul is infuriating, but entirely believable at the same time.

As always, Camilla has created an entertaining 'easy' read that will have you flipping the pages quickly as you are drawn deeper into their world and the well rounded characters allow you to see not only quick sharp wit, but softer and loving personalities.

If you are looking for an escapist read to snuggle up with as the colder, darker miserable night draw in, this may just be the one for you.

Many thanks to Rachel's Random Resources for inviting me onto this Blog Tour.

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I loved this enemies to lovers romance. I have really enjoyed this. It was such an good book! I didn't want it to end. I loved it.
I just reviewed Not In A Billion Years by Camilla Isley. #NotInABillionYears #NetGalley
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A really enjoyable read loved the character energy and the way the story played out. The chemistry was brilliantly simmering between them both

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I didnt know how i would feel going into the story of Gabriel and Blake's enemies-to-lovers story so I wasn't pleasantly surprised by how Isley was able to meld their lives and love.

Thank you to Boldwood Books and NetGalley for providing an eARC for a honest review.

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I really enjoyed Blake and Gabriel as characters and watching their relationship develop. I also really loved the side characters, especially Thomas, who is now one of my all time favourite side characters. My only criticism is that I found this book to be a little long.

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A brilliant read and one I really enjoyed. The characters are loveable and varied, the plot is one that is engaging and medium paced. I found myself completely drawn into the story and enjoyed the writing style.

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Blake Avery is a self-made fitness sensation who has worked tirelessly to transform her teenage bedroom video-making hobby into a booming fitness business, complete with a state-of-the-art gym in Manhattan. She's on the verge of realizing her wildest dreams and is determined to let nothing stand in her way.

Enter Gabriel Mercer, a billionaire mogul and one of the biggest names in the fitness industry. With his charm and physique, he sets hearts racing more effectively than a gruelling HIIT workout. However, Blake's perception of Gabriel is shaped by the belief that he's a man who had everything handed to him, thanks to his privileged upbringing in a billionaire dynasty.

When Blake publicly criticizes Gabriel, the two fitness entrepreneurs ignite a feud that neither is willing to back down from. Despite their animosity, the industry seems intent on pushing them together. As they navigate the competitive fitness world, will Blake be able to hold onto her grudge, or will Gabriel's charm and charisma begin to sway her?

The novel offers an intriguing premise that combines the competitive world of fitness with the timeless theme of unexpected attraction and rivalry. The characters of Blake Avery and Gabriel Mercer promise to be complex and multifaceted individuals with contrasting backgrounds and motivations. Blake's journey from a young video-maker in her bedroom to a successful fitness entrepreneur adds an element of relatability and determination to her character. Her ambition and drive to achieve her dreams create a compelling narrative arc. In contrast, Gabriel's privileged background and status as a fitness mogul bring a layer of intrigue and complexity to his character.

The feud between the two protagonists, sparked by a public critique, serves as the catalyst for the story's conflict. The dynamics of their rivalry, set against the backdrop of the competitive fitness industry, create opportunities for tension and unexpected encounters. Readers can anticipate a battle of wills and a clash of personalities as Blake and Gabriel navigate their shared world.

The novel's central theme of unexpected attraction in the face of rivalry is a classic trope in the romance genre. It promises to deliver moments of tension, chemistry, and emotional connection as Blake and Gabriel are pushed together by circumstances beyond their control. While the book's title and author are not provided, the synopsis hints at a story that explores themes of personal growth, forgiveness, and the power of love to overcome differences. It will be interesting to see how the characters evolve and whether their feud evolves into something more profound.

Overall, the untitled romance novel has the potential to offer readers an engaging and entertaining story set in the competitive and passionate world of fitness. It's a tale of unexpected attraction and the possibility of finding love where you least expect it.

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Blake is a self-made Instagram fitness superstar. She has just opened her first gym and she is about to list her business on the stock exchange. She has been fighting stereotypes and finding ways to success despite people like Gabriel. However, when she is quoted as accidentally (maybe) saying Gabriel is not self made in wall street news, she finds herself face to face with the man himself.

Gabriel is a recluse decacorn - having a start up that is worth multi billions. He is not on social media and he has no idea who this Blake 'guy' is. Mistake number one. Asking for her father, who must be the owner of the business, is mistake number 2. However, when he is realises his mistake and how Blake makes him feel emotions like he has never felt before, he will do almost everything to get Blake's forgiveness.

Will Blake forgive Gabriel? Are these the only mistakes that Gabriel will make? Will Blake let herself fall in love with Gabriel? And what will happen when business gets in the way of love?

This was a lot of fun to read. I really enjoyed learning about start ups, business and the stock exchange. Romance and an education! I enjoyed the banter between the two main characters but I also really enjoyed Gabriel's brother, Thomas. He deserves a book of his own. The ending as a result of Gabriel's grand gesture was super cute and very satisfying. The spice was not detailed open door but were enough.

Big thanks to Netgally, Boldwood books and Camilla Isley for this early release copy.

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Camilla Isley did it again, she cannot disappoint. It was fun and it was sexy. The banter and the chemistry always get me. Also, I can’t resist a man with a cat named Latte. I liked both Blake and Gabriel and I enjoyed their story very much. Can’t wait to catch glimpses of them in the next book.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me a copy of the book.

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