Passion or Possession?

Wicked Billionaire is the first book in the Wicked series, though familiar faces from Stephanie's other books make an appearance. The story follows Jareth, a brooding billionaire who has convinced himself that love isn't an option for him. But when his kind, confident, plus-size assistant Hazel insists they’re meant to be together, his carefully built walls start to crumble. Jareth’s dark past and possessive nature create obstacles that could either tear them apart or bring them closer.

So, this genre: I’ve read similar books before, but this one definitely took things a step further! The writing style was smooth and easy to read, making it a quick and engaging book. However, the story had its highs and lows.

The story throws you straight into the action, almost as if a chapter is missing. At times, it felt like the author tried to do a little too much with this book. Jareth’s actions were often way over the top: he wasn’t even in a relationship with Hazel yet but still trashed his entire apartment because she went on a date with someone else? And then he just whisks her away to Bali for a week without asking, even though she planned to spend Christmas with her family? Major red flags.

That said, the characters grew on me as the story progressed. I really liked Hazel, and it was refreshing to see a plus-size FMC! The spice was well-written and definitely delivered. One of the book’s highlights is its side characters: Hazel’s support system, especially her grandmother, was heartwarming and added a lot of charm.

Overall, this was a fun dive into the genre, and I’m definitely curious about book two. Hopefully, the "morally grey" MMC will be a little less extreme next time!