Review - Protecting His Defiant Innocent (Bound to a Billionaire #1) by Michelle Smart
Lucky enough to be accepted as a Mills & Boon Insider, I was even luckier to get to review this book by Michelle Smart. I've read and enjoyed many of Michelle's books now, so I couldn't wait to dive into Protecting His Defiant Innocent!
Blurb
Tempted by her billionaire protector…
Travelling to a dangerous Caribbean island to continue her late brother’s charitable work, Francesca Pellegrini finds herself under the protection of security tycoon Felipe Lorenzi. Independent Francesca is infuriated by his commands, but Felipe’s every look invites her to give up her innocence to him…
His body and heart as hard as stone after his military career, Felipe has no time for Francesca’s seductive games. Until this captivating young woman entices him beyond all measure, and this lone wolf decides to throw away his strict rules and take her as his own!
Book 1 in the Bound to a Billionaire trilogy
Buy links: amazonuk | amazon.com
Review
With emotions raw after the loss of her brother, Francesca Pellegrini makes a decision to carry on his charitable work to honour his name and the person he was. However, Francesca is obviously thinking more with her heart than her head and doesn't consider the dangers she could be facing. Therefore her trip and the fate of the project comes with a condition.
Felipe, a security tycoon, has strict rules for himself and his team. He doesn't take chances and he doesn't allow relationships with clients. Ever. When he meets grieving Francesca, she isn't what he was expecting, and her naivety with regards to safety and trust infuriates him. Especially when she puts herself in a compromising situation that could affect the future of the project and her career.
When Felipe has to put Francesca under close supervision, temptation forces him to break his rules. And with it, he could be breaking Francesca's heart.
What I really enjoyed about this story is that though Felipe screams alpha - Francesca matches him. Both characters are equals and I loved that. For all of Felipe's control, Francesca has the confidence to push him and question him. As for the author and her writing, Michelle Smart creates a vibrant setting with incredibly likeable characters. And the tension!!! The pace and the tension is there throughout both the plot and the captivating relationship between the characters. Protecting His Defiant Innocent is a stunning read with incredible tension and a satisfying end. Well done Ms. Smart!
4.5 Butterfly Rating
About Michelle
Michelle Smart is a Publishers Weekly bestselling author with a slight-to-severe coffee addiction. A book worm since birth, Michelle can usually be found hiding behind a paperback, or if it's an author she really loves, a hardback. With varied reading tastes, her favourite authors include Stephen King, Philippa Gregory, Hilary Mantel, Khaled Hosseini, Karin Slaughter, Linwood Barclay, Marion Keyes and Jilly Cooper. She considers herself to have the best job in the world.
Michelle lives in rural Northamptonshire in England with her husband and two young Smarties. When not reading or pretending to do the housework she loves nothing more than creating worlds of her own. Preferably with lots of coffee on tap.
