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I love this book. I LOVE this book! One last time for the cheap seats: I LOVE THIS BOOK!! Before Annika Martin’s Billionaires in Manhattan series, I gave the billionaire trend little more than a passing glance. But not now. With Just Not That Into Billionaires, Martin has crafted a charming, fun, sexy story that hits every emotion on the spectrum. It’s like the literary version of Ted Lasso, where you find yourself grinning when you’re done, yet never felt the smile develop on your face.
I attribute that entirely to Martin’s engaging storytelling style. Her playful way with words and fully packed sentences are addictive, and her use of first person from the perspective of both Francine and Benny draws the reader in and grabs them by the throat.
The setup is unanticipated. Ballet dancer Francine has finally reached the pinnacle of her career where she’s a principal dancer embarking on a European tour with her company. But her travel papers can’t be brought into order because she’s married. Unknowingly. And has been for around a decade.
As a young dancer in a Las Vegas Cirque du Soleil-style show, Francine worked with Benny, an oddly appealing tech guy who was a total grump and misinterpreted by most of the company because of his perpetual “resting annoyed face.”  But not Francine. She was always drawn to Benny, with her sunshiney-ness and optimism that was, unfortunately, wrapped up in her youthful zest for experience. And on one fateful, drunken night, they got hitched.
But although Francine remembered nothing about it, Benny never forgot. In fact, his marriage to Francine was a steady faded heartbeat in his consciousness, honing him into a sharp businessman and tech guru. Until the day he’s expected for some time arrives and Francine asks for a divorce.
There are a couple of different ways Martin could’ve handled the divorce, from a quickie phone call from an influential billionaire to a judge, to a mean-spirited battle of wills. This story is neither. Instead, it’s a window into the hearts of two people once quietly drawn to one another, who have both grown and developed into people with remarkable accomplishments and dreams achieved. Francine and Benny are highly intelligent, capable people on opposite sides of the same coin. They are equally flawed, equally resilient. They have their own agendas, yet neither are spiteful or cruel. They see each other and honor each other. There are some truly laugh out loud moments, followed by teary, woeful ones. And then another LOL. Martin is an expert at keeping readers on the edge of their seats in anticipation throughout this fun story. It’s happy and lighthearted and unexpected, and the perfect literary break from your day to day.
Buy it at: Amazon or your local independent retailer
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Grade: A
Book Type: Contemporary Romance
Sensuality: Warm
Review Date: 26/08/21
Publication Date: 08/2021
Recent Comments …
Yep
This sounds delightful! I’m grabbing it, thanks
excellent book: interesting, funny dialogs, deep understanding of each character, interesting secondary characters, and also sexy.
I don’t think anyone expects you to post UK prices – it’s just a shame that such a great sale…
I’m sorry about that. We don’t have any way to post British prices as an American based site.
I have several of her books on my TBR and after reading this am moving them up the pile.
I was just not into this billionaire whatsoever. This was a low point in the series for me.
This book had a high school vibe for me all the way through that did not work with the 30-ish characters. I could not get into that mood.
Thanks for the good interesting review, it made me try her out, and now I know that she is not for me.
I’ve had mixed opinions about Martin, but I lie her sense of inter-neighborhood community.
I agree—I loved this book and it’s on my list of favorite books of 2021. In fact, this is probably my second favorite of the six books in Martin’s Billionaires of Manhattan series, just behind the first book, MOST ELIGIBLE BILLIONAIRE. The story also has an undertone of melancholy (which will always grab me) as both Francine and Benny have to come to terms with choices they made and conclusions they came to in the past knowing they can’t change those things, only pledge to do better in the future. If I have one quibble about the book (Dabney, please put this in a spoiler box if you think it’s warranted), it’s that the actions of the villain are so awful that they’re in danger of crushing the perfect soufflé of the plot. That being said, everything else about the book is wonderful—and I love how Annika Martin used the music of the Dave Matthews Band in a way similar to how Slim Whitman’s music is used in “Mars Attacks.” Chef’s kiss.
I laughed out loud every time Benny had an adverse reaction to DMB, because I have that same reaction when my husband listens. It physically hurts. LOL. I’m torn on this or The Billionaire’s Wake-Up Call Girl being my favorite. Thanks for commenting!
This sounds fabulous. When Martin/Crane is on her game, she’s unstoppable. Great review!
Thanks Dabney!