NOTE FROM THE BLOGGER: This book is part of the Secret Heir for Christmas & Tempted by the Bollywood Star by LaQuette; Sophia Singh Sasson Bundle I received from Harlequin via Netgalley, but I decided to review them separately because Secret Heir for Christmas is part of the Deveraux, Inc. series and, since I reviewed previous books of the series, I want all books to be together in its proper tag.
After a two year self imposed exile, Stephan Deveraux-Smith comes back to New York to be with his uncle Ace in his last days. Ace wants Stephan to live life, so he asks Stephan to organize Deveraux family’s traditional Christmas party. One day on his way home, Stephan has an incident with a girl. That’s how he meets his neighbor Carter Jiménez, former Hollywood actor who left his prominent career behind to live away from the paparazzi. Thanks to the mentioned incident involving his daughter Nevaeh, Carter invites Stephan to his VIP club; eventually, Carter helps Stephan to organize his party since Carter’s club offers party planning. Carter makes clear his dislike for public life, so Stephan has to hide the fact that he’s part of one of the most famous and wealthiest families in the world. What will happen when their attraction gets stronger to the point Stephan has to tell Carter the truth?
Stephan and Carter have a lot in common; their pain, struggles and fears are very palpable as you turn the pages. Stephan is a loyal man who will do everything to protect his family. Even at the cost of his own happiness. He suffers a lot for all the secrets he has to hide, so it’s a huge weight on his shoulders. Carter, on his part, blames himself for the death of his wife. Since then, he avoids everything that has to do with his former notoriety, trying to give his daughter a normal, simple, and protected life.
I LOVE Carter and Stephan. They’re fabulous-fantastic-wonderful-incredible-and-all-that’s-in-between together. Their intimacy and sexual tension are so real you can feel it, and their teasing is delightful. Something that I love about this couple is how they take care for each other; both Carter and Stephan have an unique empathy that makes their interactions more meaningful. Although their first two scenes together felt odd; kinda forced, maybe? Actually, I didn’t connected with them nor the plot for the first 30% of the story.
As the series finale for Deveraux, Inc., the book brings secondary characters who were main characters in previous books. As always, Ace lives up to his name as the common thread of the general plot this series has. Also, there are new characters from Carter’s side. His mother and mother-in-law are that wise advice every time it’s needed. And Nevaeh, Carter’s daughter is such a cute girl. Sadly, we didn’t see enough of her and her precocious personality.
When I read One Night Expectations (book 3 in the Deveraux, Inc. series), there were so much details about Stephan that got me intrigued enough to ask for an LGBTQ+ story for him in my review for Harlequin Junkie. Now that we have Stephan and Carter’s story, I’m so glad the author created a compelling story with two gorgeous heroes who needed to learn about trust and heal their broken hearts.
That said, there were a few hits and misses I need to mention. Starting with the misses, Carter is a Puerto Rican guy, and for some reason I felt him more Mexican than Puerto Rican. I mean, I know my countrymen… Also, his Caribbean heritage is something the author could exploit more than reduce it to mere mentions while writing the book, in my humble opinion. At the same time, kudos to Ms. LaQuette for delaying Stephan’s secrets until the very end while making the reading intriguing and enjoyable, building the tension that involves keeping a secret. Another hit is the way the LGBTQ+ topic is brought to the table, without melodramatic scenes.
The fourth and last installment of the Deveraux, Inc. series gives a proper closure to the family and brings a fascinating, well written story of two men who have to deal with their issues to get their second chance to have their happily ever after.
ARC given by Harlequin Books via Netgalley. Thanks for your trust.
About the Book
Release Date: October 24, 2023
ASIN: B0BQJKLWQ8
Published By: Harlequin Desire
Series: Deveraux, Inc. #4
Genre: LGBTQ+ Contemporary Romance
eBook, 190 pages
Fame cost him his first love. An unassuming man next door may be his second chance at happiness…until his wealthy family puts them back in the spotlight! LaQuette stuns in this holiday romance, the latest in her Devereaux Inc. series.
Fame cost him his first love.
This holiday, will the man next door tempt him with a second chance?
Actor Carter Jiménez lived a glamorous life until he lost his wife to the dark side of fame. Now he’ll protect his young daughter by avoiding celebrity at all costs. Then his seemingly understated neighbor, Stephan Devereaux-Smith, tempts his still-wounded heart. Is this Carter’s second chance at love?
But Stephan isn’t an average man caring for a sick relative. He’s part of a billionaire family and the ritzy world Carter left behind. Torn between new love and old demons, can Carter trust Stephan with his family—and his heart?
Harlequin Desire transports you to the luxurious worlds of American tycoons, ranchers and family dynasties. Get ready for bold encounters and sizzling chemistry.
You’ll be swept away by this bold, sizzling romance, part of the Devereaux Inc. series:
Book 1: A Very Intimate Takeover
Book 2: Backstage Benefits
Book 3: One Night Expectations
Book 4: Secret Heir for Christmas
About the Author
LaQuette writes sexy, stylish, and sensational romance. That means she writes sentimental and steamy stories (like Hallmark movies, but with a lot of sex) featuring at least one MC who always keeps it cute.
This Brooklyn native writes unapologetically bold, character-driven stories. Her novels feature diverse ensemble casts who are confident in their right to appear on the page.
If she’s not writing, she’s probably trying on or looking for her next great makeup find. She is the 2016 Author of the Year Golden Apple Award winner & the 2016 Write Touch Readers Award winner. Writing—her escape from everyday madness— has always been a friend and source of comfort. At the age of sixteen, she read her first romance novel and realized the genre was missing something: people that looked and lived like her. As a result, her characters and settings are always designed to provide positive representations of people of color and various marginalized communities living their best lives and experiencing joy.
She loves hearing from readers and discussing the messy characters that are running around in her head causing so much trouble. Contact her at https://dot.cards/laquette.
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