WINNING THE BILLIONAIRE is book two in J.M. Stewart's Seattle Bachelors series. I'm really loving this series. Unrequited love stories get me every time, and WINNING THE BILLIONAIRE is a prime example of why. Christina McKenzie and Sebastian Blake are equals in so many ways -- they are both wealthy business executives and both let self-doubt and fear hold them back from pursuing the love they deserve. Although they grew up together and have affectionate nicknames for each other, they each also have their own baggage that has acted as an obstacle for them being together in a romantic relationship.

When Christina shows up at Sebastian's door at the beginning of WINNING THE BILLIONAIRE ready to manage and mother him, Sebastian is in the right frame of mind to let loose his desires. His erotic tease is part honest emotion and part attempt to push Christina away, and leave him to lick his wounds from the blow recently dealt him by his late father. In WINNING THE BILLIONAIRE, I feel like J.M. Stewart has offered readers a romantic red herring. When Sebastian is faced with the possibility of losing the family company unless he marries within a year, you might reasonably think that this will be a "marriage of convenience" story, but J.M. Stewart shakes things up a little and goes in a different direction. WINNING THE BILLIONAIRE is about two people giving themselves permission to finally go after their true love.

J.M. Stewart does a great job of detailing the psychological barriers that Sebastian and Christina have when it comes to finding happiness together. Having the story told from alternating perspectives gives a greater insight into the characters. There is so much raw emotion and a delicious sense of longing in WINNING THE BACHELOR. Giving the main characters such a rich history gives the sexy scenes between them extra sizzle. Things only get hotter as Sebastian and Christina communicate and get more honest with each other.

WINNING THE BACHELOR has a winning combination of love, lust, and great storytelling. Sebastian makes a great romantic hero once he makes himself vulnerable. The sparks between Sebastian and Christina are epic and make for a highly entertaining love story. The epilogue puts a great cap on this superb romance. I look forward to hearing more about the mysterious Grayson Lockwood in the next Seattle Bachelors book.