Member Reviews
✨ My Thoughts✨
Camilla is one of auto-buy authors now so I had to see if I could join this Blog Tour because the other books I’ve read have been incredibly good.
This is basically about two Billionaires, Blake is self made she started everything from scratch on her own now her business is thriving beating all the odds.
Gabriel is from a very privileged background and got help to start his business , this is something that Blake hates so that puts them at odds anyway.
This is a real enemies to lovers romance that I absolutely loved but I didn’t think it would happen at the start after everything they thought about each other, I was glad Blake found out who Gabriel truly was not just how the media portrayed him.
This is also the start of a series and I’m so glad because it’s full to brim of funny and interesting characters.
💜 "But even a single minute with him is worth all the risks"
Isn't easy to make me laugh while reading and specially not easy for me to be so obsessed with a couple being together hahaha. I was laughing and loving these two. Blake and Gabriel and their interactions really made me happy while reading. I was invested since the beginning.
I was shipping this couple since the beginning!!! And aww Gabriel is such a gentleman and Blake is such a great girl!!!! When they finally kissed I was so excited haha I felt so happy. Like two real people I know were finally together haha.
Gabriel has a cat. His cat's name is Latte. One of my cat's name is Latte !!!!!! Let me jump on excitement!!
I adored this book!!! Once I started I couldn't put it down and it was such a fun, entertaining, relaxing, romantic read!!! The families, the friendships, the work talk, everything. It just made me feel good !!!!
I'm glad I was invited by Boldwood Books to be part of this readalong. Thank tou so much also to the author!!! I'll need this in physical copy because it totally belongs on my shelf next to my favorite romance books. This was a great read. I highly recommend it to all my romance readers out there!!!!
Not in a Billion Years is a new full-length standalone enemies-to-lovers romantic comedy by Camilla Isley.
25-year-old Blake Avery is a self-made billionaire fitness guru. She started making dance videos in her bedroom as a teenager and worked her way through college. She utilized social media to create her brand and make a fortune. Now she has recently opened a fancy gym/corporate headquarters in Manhattan and bought a million dollar classic car.
When she is interviewed by a business magazine and is compared to another New York billionaire, Blake declares that Gabriel Mercer is not self-made because he came from a wealthy family. He went to an Ivy League college and his father secured Gabriel’s first business loan. Gabriel is a deca-billionaire but most of his wealth comes from owning the land that his fitness centers sit on, not the fitness businesses themselves. Gabriel takes issue with Blake’s criticism and seeks to meet her, not knowing that she is a woman. Their first encounter is hilarious.
Blake and Gabriel clash but are also attracted to each other. They both are successful businesspeople, but each endured some heartbreak along the way. They have to learn to trust each other and get over their past baggage in order to find happiness. There’s a subplot involving Blake’s best friend, Melissa, and her desire to have a baby.
Not in a Billion Years is a wonderful story that is full of sparkling banter between the main characters and great interactions with the colorful secondary characters. I just can't find the words to say how wonderful this book is! This is the first billionaire book that I have liked; I hope that this is the start of a new series. Not in a Billion Years would make an entertaining and enjoyable movie; the author’s descriptions are so clear that it’s easy for the reader to visualize the scenes.
I received an advance review copy (ARC) from NetGalley and Boldwood Books for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Blake Avery is a fitness sensation, committed to health and wellness. She worked her way to the top through hard work, dedication, exercise videos, social media, and word of mouth. Gabriel Mercer is a billionaire mogul. He believes in real estate and knows how to make money. He grew up enjoying a life of privilege but after college worked hard to make a name for himself in the fitness world.
When they meet, both make assumptions about the other. Both will find that there is more to the other than meets the eye!
This was an engaging and fun book about first impressions, hard work, rivalry, healthy competition and being vulnerable. Both main characters are likeable as are the supporting characters. From their meetcute to the very last page, this was an enjoyable and fun read.
I loved their banter, their phone messages, their rivalry, and their drive to be their best. I also enjoyed that there are chapters dedicated to each character making it easy for readers to know each character's POV.
Well written, engaging, witty and cute.
This enemies to lovers story was brilliant! I laughed so many times!! Thomas Mercer was a fantastic character who supported his brother Gabriel no matter what and this will create some hilarious scenes where you will be laughing out loud!! The chemistry between Gabriel and Blake is unmistakable.
Their first meeting is because Blake makes an offhand comment to a reporter about Gabriel, who also has a large business within the fitness industry,and the paper would not take the comment out. She regrets it but as she's never met the man, she doesn't give it another thought. Gabriel however, doesn't take it well and decides to confront this man and have it out with him!! He doesn't think it's a woman, it doesn't even cross his mind that a woman could have built her own company from the ground up!!.
This book definitely deserves its 5*.!
I received this free arc book for an honest review.
#Netgalley, #bookandtonic, #camillaisley.
"Not In A Billion Years" by Camilla Isley offers readers a delightful enemies-to-lovers romantic comedy that defies expectations. The story revolves around Blake Avery, a self-made fitness sensation, and Gabriel Mercer, a billionaire mogul, who initially come across as sworn enemies and rivals. However, as the plot unfolds, it becomes evident that there's more to their dynamic than meets the eye.
What makes this book stand out is the slow-burn romance that develops between Blake and Gabriel. Contrary to the initial impression of Gabriel being a grumpy character, the story paints a more nuanced picture of their relationship, filled with witty and engaging dialogues. This slow-burn aspect adds depth to their connection, making the eventual romance all the more satisfying.
While the book offers a captivating exploration of Blake and Gabriel's evolving relationship, some readers might find the extensive focus on job details a bit overwhelming. Nevertheless, it's a minor setback in an otherwise quick and enjoyable read.
Overall, "Not In A Billion Years" is a charming romantic comedy that keeps you engaged with its engaging characters and the intriguing evolution of their relationship. Camilla Isley's storytelling prowess shines through in this entertaining tale of love, rivalry, and personal growth.
I thought Blake and Gabriel's story was quite fun. Undeniable chemistry, sharp banter, fiery sparks and lots of laughs made this book a highly entertaining and very enjoyable read.
My Rating: ❤️❤️❤️.5
Disclaimer: I received a review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily. Thanks to the author and Netgalley.
General Thoughts: ARC review. I have read quite a few books by this author now. I’ve come to expect some sort of rivals to lovers, witty banter, tension, and a fade-to-black book. This fits the bill nicely. For much of the book, this was one of my favorites by the author. The miscommunication trope in this one bugged me a bit, and I would have liked more resolution at the end, but on the whole, I enjoyed this one. Blake and Gabriel were intriguing characters with well-developed backgrounds. This was a fun, enjoyable, quick read that I am glad I read. Great one-sitting book. I am curious to see what comes next.
Steam Meter: 🪵 Hints of steam and tension, but fade to black.
Tropes
-dual POV
-rivals to more
-dislike to like
-entrepreneurs
-realistic contemporary
-interconnected standalone (first in series)
You can read more of my reviews at mylastromance.com. You can also find me on Insta @mylastromancenovel.
I loved the banter between Blake and Gabriel. It always made me smile and/or giggle whenever these two were talking. But I didn't love all the business talk! I'm from Australia, so most of the talk about the SEC went over my head.
Overall, there is a lack of spice in this book but it still manages to give you all the feels whilst reading it!! Definitely give this one a go if you like witty banter in your romcoms!!
Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read this book.
Not In A Billion Years was such a delight to read, I flew through it and finished it in one sitting.
Blake Avery is a self made entrepeuner, she faught to reach the peack. She is a lot judgemental towards the wealthy people who come from rich families that have a smoothed road to become even richer. When she says some not flattering things about a business competitor, Gabriel Mercer, in an interview, they have an interesting first face to face meeting. Will Gabriel make Blake change her mind about him?
You have to absolutely meet Blake and Gabriel. At the first glance she might appear overcritical and fussy, and he seems arrogant and conceited, actually they are two strong, witty and independent persons.
I liked the characters' dynamics, their relationship is so much fun and romantic. It's nice to see how they bring the best out of each other.
Camilla Isley wrote a very good story, with lively characters and humorous situations that keep the readers entertained and put a big smile on their faces.
I highly recommend to read this book.
‘Not In A Billion Years’ is a book that will have you hooked within a few chapters if not sooner. This book really shows the spark between Blake and Gabriel right when they meet which isn’t too far into the book. This book really shows how they formed a relationship that started as rivals you could say. There were moments in the book where I was laughing out loud, they were so funny, but also moments that made me have heart eyes.
Camilla Isley was able to pull out all the stops with ‘Not In A Billion Years’ and really make this book one you won’t be able to put down. I know that was the case for me as I finished the book in two days. It was an easy read but very enjoyable from start to finish. I am only giving it a one on the sizzle scale but trust me when I say the banter and energy both Blake and Gabriel give off won’t make you miss the sizzle. You will be rooting for them right away and I know I was.
All in all, I am giving this book 4 ½ stars. This was a great read to get out of the real world with and I enjoyed every moment of it. I have to say I was a bit sad to see this end. I am hoping that there will be a sequel with Gabriel’s brother?? I would love to read that, and I have a bunch of ideas on how he would be doing.
I highly recommend you take the time and get this book wherever you get your books. It was released today, and I have a feeling this is one people will be talking about and wanting everyone in the group to read.
**I would like to thank NetGalley and Boldwood Books for giving me an ARC copy of the book. Getting the ARC copy had no influence in my thoughts.**
She's an entrepreneur....
And that's a good thing. What's not the best? Blake (that's the female lead) let's her boyfriend get up in her business. He is supposed to do a grand gesture to make up for almost tanking her company, but does he? No, unless i missed it? Gabriel doesn't apologize, they don't address what he did. At all. Its suddenly al forgiven. But I did like that she was a lady business owner.
Not in a Billion Years by Camilla Isley
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Blurb
She's a self-made fitness sensation. He's a billionaire mogul. They're sworn enemies and rivals... aren't they?
Blake Avery knows all about hard work. She’s gone from making videos in her teenage bedroom to founding a booming fitness business and opening a state-of-the-art Manhattan gym. Now she’s on the cusp of realizing her wildest dreams, and she’s not going to let anyone stand in her way. Certainly not man-of-the-hour Gabriel Mercer.
He might be one of the biggest names in the fitness world and set women’s pulses soaring more than a grueling HIIT workout, but he grew up in a billionaire dynasty and had everything handed to him – or so Blake thinks.
But when Blake publicly criticizes Gabriel, she sparks a feud that neither entrepreneur is willing to back down from. And in an industry that seems determined to keep pushing them together, can Blake hold on to her grudge? Or will she finally warm up to Gabriel's charm?
My Opinion
I think this is the fourth Camilla Isley book I have read in the last few months, and I have yet to grow tired of them. This was an enjoyable read that kept me entertained whilst I read this during my lunch break. This is a light-hearted, slow-burn romance with some great banter. From the beginning I found myself invested in the outcome.
Camilla Isley has once again written a great book! This book would make for a great book if you want something you can dip in and out of, but it will also work if you need to escape for a couple of hours. A great holiday read.
Rating: 4/5
I really wanted to like this, but it was slow and unengaging for me. Blake and Gabriel didn't have chemistry. I waited....and waited...and waited for it to develop, but it didn't. There was too much focus on pizza and social media. I liked Blake's friend, and their friendship was realistic. But other than that, I just did not get into the story at all. I tried, but it wasn't for me.
Thanks to Camilla Isley and Boldwood Books for a NetGalley eARC.
2 stars
I loved this book right from the start. If you're an enemies to lovers fan, then I'd highly recommend this one.
Gabriel is literally my dream man, he does everything he can to make Blake happy with good intentions, not that she sees them that way. And I love the interaction he has with his brother throughout too.
This was the first Camilla Isley book I've read but it certainly won't be the last!
I really enjoyed this light-hearted, closed-door, enemies to lovers, he-falls-first romance. Gabriel, the MMC, is a charismatic and devilishly handsome billionaire who attempts to woo Blake, a self-made fitness guru. She is a tough cookie and does her best to ignore his swoon-worthy attempts to win her affections. Loved it! Can't wait to read more by Camilla! You smashed it girl!
I love a good romance, and this one was wonderful! It had witty banter, and lovable characters. I was rooting for them the whole way through!
I would firstly just like to say a big thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources who very kindly forwarded me an arc copy of this book, for my kindle, in return for my honest review.
She’s a self-made fitness sensation. He’s a billionaire mogul. They’re sworn enemies and rivals………aren’t they?? Ooooooo I really do love an enemies to lovers story and this one had everything you would want it to:
* scorching chemistry between the two main characters
* slow burn romance
* some very funny moments
* dual point of view
Not In A Billion Years was a fun, romantic read and i loved following Blake and Gabriel on their love / hate journey.
This book had me laughing and smiling all the way through and I couldn’t get enough of it.
Such a cute, lighthearted read! Can easily be read in one sitting. I loved the banter between Gabriel and Blake - the enemies to lovers trope is one of my favorites. The tension between these two can be felt from off the pages!
I liked the premise of the story and I really liked the banter between the two MCs, but there was no chemistry. This made the 180 from enemies-to-lovers feel very quick and rather unbelievable to me.
My favourite character was Thomas, the brother of the MMC.