*** NETGALLEY BLITZ and REVIEW *** THE CEO by Shealy James

Book Title: The CEO (The Game Changer) Author: Shealy James Genre: Contemporary Romance Release Date: August 18, 2015 Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions

Eve Bryant finds herself moving across the country with only one goal—to rediscover herself and get her life back on track… Leaving a disastrous marriage, she swears off men and relationships, but when she meets sexy, charismatic Grant Mitchell, her new rules fly right out the window. Grant is a born and bred businessman, and he always gets what he wants… The moment he lays eyes on Eve, Grant is determined she will be his. She’s different from other women he knows—too stiff, too prim—but her smile pierces his heart and he longs to see what she’s like when she lets her hair down. They discover a powerful and undeniable connection, leading to a fast moving relationship that leaves Eve whirling in its wake. The odds are stacked against them, and trust is hard to come by. A woman scorned, a troubled ex-husband, and a mother bent on orchestrating her son’s future to suit her own agenda make for a very rocky road. The new couple may not last, no matter how strong their feelings for each other are. Grant is willing to fight to keep Eve in his life, but after recent events, Eve isn't sure she has any fight left to give.

Will outside forces drive Eve and Grant apart? Or will they learn there’s no love greater than the one you fight the hardest to keep?

“Have you been listening to anything I have said to you? I would move mountains to be with you, to make you happy. Baby, I felt you that first time I met you. I felt you from across the room. There is no doubt in my mind you were made for me. You make me feel for the first time ever. I lose my breath when you walk in a room. When you opened the door downstairs, I literally couldn’t breath after not seeing you for two days. You make me laugh, and you make me crazy. There is no one else in the world who does what you do to me, and I know a lot of women.” “Grant!” “I’m just kidding about the other women.” “No you aren’t,” I pouted. He took my bottom lip between his teeth. “No woman has ever made my heart beat as fast as you do. I had never felt butterflies until I met you. I don’t know what else to do to prove I am totally, without a doubt, head over heels in love with you.” He kissed me again. “I’m out of words, Eve. I’ve told you over and over how I feel. I have chased you all over Seattle and now across the country. What else can I do?” I ran my finger across the worry lines on his forehead and looked into his worried eyes that were his usual mix of colors. “There isn’t anything else you could do to show me that you love me. I never doubted our feelings for each other. When it is just the two of us like this, I forget about everything else in my life. This is happiness right here, but unfortunately we can’t spend all day everyday like this. The outside world has a way of creeping in, and for whatever reason, I’m still so weak. Knowing what you were willing to risk for me makes me want to try harder though. Knowing you think I’m worth all of that makes me kind of believe it too. You are a wonderful man, and I’m just the lucky one who happens to own the heart that was meant to connect with yours.”

The CEO is a modern day fairy tale.  The middle class young woman meets the multi-millionaire, highly successful, very hot guy and are hit with a strong attraction to one another. 

This is an easy read with a great hero.  In the beginning he has a different girl every day.  They are all beautiful and from the right families.  As attractive as these women are they don’t interest Grant Mitchel as anything more than arm candy and a one night stand. 

Enter Evelyn (Eve) Bryant a sweet little southern girl running from her old life.  She moved across country to get away from her ex.  She isn’t looking for a relationship at this point in her life; she wants the freedom to live on her own. 

 "I imagined reacting similarly if Henry Cavil sat next to me and while he wasn't wearing a cape like Superman, he rivaled Clark Kent for his good looks, minus the awkward geek thing and the glasses."  

Grant is smitten almost immediately by Eve.  She makes him think about the future, family and a life together.  Eve is attracted to Grant too but she is keeping some secrets.  She fears that Grant won’t want her once he really knows her. 

I love Grant.  He knows what he wants and he takes on his family to get it.  It is a little surprising how quickly Grant goes from zero to I love you but it didn’t put me off.  I believe in insta-love but I didn’t really feel it in the beginning. 

I am a fan of the strong heroine.  Eve has some strong qualities but they are often overshadowed by wishy washy responses.  I get it sometimes but generally I want to shake her and yell snap out of it.  There is also a phone call she makes at the end that totally turned me off.  I think I get the message behind the call but it doesn’t feel right for me. 

I have to take a minute to mention the supporting characters.  Both Eve and Grant’s close friends are some of my favorite support characters.  I want to learn more about them.  The women in Grant’s circle of friends are all major Bs.  They are so nasty and catty you will love to hate them.  These characters add another dimension to the story that is very entertaining.

Anyway this is a cute story featuring a swoon worthy hero and absolutely great supporting characters.  I like a lot about the story and the things I don’t like are minuscule.  The CEO is one of those books that are great to read on a lazy weekend when you need to escape reality and drop into a fairy tale world for a short time.   I recommend giving it a try.

3.5 STAMPS

Shealy James is a Georgia native who teaches math by day and writes romance at night. As an avid reader, expert on romantic comedy films, and lover of realistic characters who could be her best friends if only they really existed, Shealy appreciates when

humor mixes with drama to guide her imaginary friends to their happy endings. And there must always be a happy ending. Shealy openly eats enough candy to feed a small nation, drinks sweet tea by the gallon, and hopes to hit 10,000 steps each day.

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