The Bad Boy Billionaire: What a Girl Wants Mass Market Paperback – June 3, 2014

3.5 StarsThe Bad Boy Billionaire: What a Girl Wants is the conclusion to the contemporary end of the Bad Boys and Wallflower series. For readers who don't know, this is a collection of stories that span two genres. The main character of the novellas, Jane Sparks, is an aspiring historical romance writer whose novels are heavily influenced by her own love life. The audience can read about Jane's romantic struggles and then read the historicals that were inspired by them.I was a little hesitant about this set-up when I first started the novellas. I thoroughly enjoy Maya Rodale's historical romances, but wasn't sure how the contemporary aspect would mix. The first and second books were really entertaining especially the second. I liked seeing librarian Jane deal with her own life crises in a (mostly) mature way. While the romance between her and Duke could have used a little more development, I did find myself cheering them on.Unfortunately, I found the third novella to be just a re-hash of issues that Duke and Jane had already dealt with. I'm not sure why, but I was bored for most of this book. There were some funny scenes, particularly the ones where tech mogul Duke is forced to live with his beloved internet for a few days, though I found those to be few and far between. I really liked how the romance ended in book two (The Bad Boy Billionaire's Girl Gone Wild) and thought that bringing up old problems wasn't really necessary.The main conflict in this book surrounded something that happened to Jane right before the hurricane hit. I thought this was an interesting approach to the overall plot and was excited to see how Jane dealt with it. But, I felt like it was pushed to the back burner for a large chunk of the story and was just not developed enough for such an important topic. The hurricane storyline (while amusing at times) could probably have benefited from more pages in order to fully showcase how desolate the city was in the aftermath.Despite some issues with the plot and its development, I did think the modern-day side of the series ended on a sweet note. I am a big fan of romantic comedies and the "Grand Gesture" at the end hit all the right buttons for that part of my psyche. Jane and Duke are two likable people and it is always fun to see them discover such happiness together. I am off now to catch up on the historical part of this series with Wallflower Gone Wild and, in October, What a Wallflower Wants.

The three part contemporary novella series concludes with a more serious entry than the prior two novellas.THE STORY: Duke and Jane seem to finally made it. At the end of the second installment, Duke has publicly declared his love for Jane. Things turn dark when Jane is almost assaulted by her ex-boyfriend. The repercussions from that event make Jane question herself and threaten her relationship with Duke.OPINIONS: Taking on such a serious subject in a novella is difficult and only works because it is clear that Duke and Jane have already resolved most of their personal conflicts from the prior two novellas. I thought that the attempted assault story was handled tastefully and I appreciated that Rodale did not make the story a stereotype.WORTH MENTIONING: While Duke and Jane's story concludes here for the series, readers get a chance to read about their wedding in AT THE BILLIONAIRE'S WEDDING, an anthology written around their wedding.FINAL DECISION: I recommend the entire Duke and Jane series as an easy read that is enjoyable.CONNECTED BOOKS: WHAT A GIRL WANTS is the 3.5 book in the Bad Boys & Wallflowers series. This novella concludes the contemporary story. The historical novels are written as the work of Jane, but a reader can read the contemporaries and the historicals independent of one another. A reader should read the other two contemporary novellas before reading this one because the stories are dependent on one another.STAR RATING: I give this novella 3.75 stars.

Maya did it again. I absolutely loved this book. Jane could barely believe that her old love had tried to assault her. She was caught in a hurricane and fled to Duke's apartment. She arrives just before the electricity goes out. Duke is horrified for Jane. Then he takes care of her in his loving manner. They survive the hurricane. Duke had ventured out to see if he could find food and candles but didn't have access to money. What does he do? He gives the bodega owner some stock of his IPO. He is after all going to be a billionaire. Their race through the city to get to Wall Street to ring the bell is comical. They are on a horse, Jane is in a skirt and heels. Duke is in his usual jeans and tee shirt. They make it just barely. Then that night is her reunion. Duke was supposed to go, but his party was also going on. But, he does make it to the reunion via helicopter. He gets down on one knee and proposes to Jane again, in front of her classmates. Not with a fake ring, but with a real one. Of course, she says yes and they go off in the helicopter to celebrate. Jane has also started her next book about Prudence. Which should be out soon. I waiting with bated breath for this. LOVED, Loved, Loved this book.

I have truly loved this entire series from the Jane Austen names floating here and there to the nods to the editing process both in code and in novels, but this final book takes the cake for me. I did not expect the showdown with Sam to go the way it did, but I've lived through similar situations. For years, I've had my feelings pushed aside by others (why didn't you...? It was your fault...). I understood Jane completely, and I loved how, although the problem is real and there and very present in Jane's mind, IT IS NOT EVERYTHING. That fact in itself was a huge validation. The writing never fails. The Austen allusions continue to pop up ("Elizabeth walked further..."). Duke is still the lovable very fallible hero (another love I have in the series). Yes, we get our HEA, and even as we know where we're headed, the metafictional aspect of the book heads right over the top. I howled with laughter through the last chapter. This series will appeal not only to the romance lover but also to the lover of deliberate fiction.

These are ok, whereas the wallflower series is great. I downloaded it because I wanted to see how the modern take was different. If you want something quick and easy to read there are good. However, I'd read her regency series before these.

Really nice story, needed a bit more sex and rude scenes. But still a good read. Loving the bad boy billionaire series.

This is the 3rd and final novella in the " Bad Boy Billionaire - Wallflower Series " The theme in this story is centered around the 3rd novel in the historical romance series written by Rodale, so this novella is about the difference between modern-day and regency day issues in women's abuse and sexual violence. I liked the characters and storyline in this series of novellas. It was quite clever how Rodale wove the modern day events to show the main character as a writer of historical romance. I still have a problem with the small novella process of the story instead of just writing one novel but they were very well written and interesting.