Going Down Hard

Going Down Hard is the third book in Carly Phillips newest series, the Billionaire Bad Boys. Derek West was the gardener and maid’s son growing up. His family lived in a cottage on the estate of the Storms family where his parents work. Cassie Storms was intrigued by Derek but allowed peer pressure to make her a rich snob toward him. Years later the two meet again when Cassie decides to interview Derek for the tech magazine she is in charge of for her family’s media empire. Cassie has once again suffered from her father’s patriarchy view, being passed over for director of the company, after years of working there, when her undeserving brother receives the position. As Cassie and Derek spend time together they discover the changes each other made, their attraction for each other, and the chemistry they share. I enjoyed the camaraderie Derek shares with his business partners and how well they included and accepted Cassie when Derek brought her into their inner circle. Ms. Phillips did an excellent job describing the sexual tension and love scenes between these two. Reading about Derek’s rise from poverty to become the billionaire he now is was enjoyable, especially knowing he was still the kind, loving son and brother he was beforehand. This book is definitely hot and sexy with loveable characters that you want to support and cheer on hoping for that happy ending. The characters were well written, authentic and complex. The story line was riveting and kept my attention to the very end. I genuinely enjoyed reading this book and had trouble putting this book down. I highly recommend this book to other readers. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

As soon as a book by Carly Phillips hits my kindle, I know I'll stop reading any other books until I've devoured her new book. Going Down Hard was no different. I literally stopped reading everything else to read Cassie and Derek's story and I'm so glad I did. Derek and Cassie knew each other as teens, as Derek's parents worked for Cassie's parents. I'll be honest and say after an interaction between Cassie and her friends when she was in high school; I was a little worried about liking her. I didn't like how she acted when talking with her rich friends about Derek. However, my fears were quickly dispelled when Cassie was absolutely up front with Derek and apologized the very first time they saw each other again for how she acted. Her actions showed me Cassie was truly sorry for her actions all those years ago and gave me hope Derek and Cassie could have a real relationship. I did worry some about Derek letting go of some of the past regarding Cassie's parents and his parents. Honestly I completely understood his anger at Cassie's dad, but worried in the long run it would be too big of an obstacle for them to have in their relationship. I loved that there was amazing chemistry between Derek and Cassie from the moment they saw one another again. Seriously their lovemaking steamed up the screen on my kindle it was so hot. I found myself loving how protective Derek was of Cassie and actually felt like she was pretty protective of him as well as she continued to learn more and more about his past. I love that Derek stepped up to help Cassie out each time her dad and brother were totally tools. I seriously hated both Cassie's dad and her brother so much as I saw how they both treated Cassie much of the time. I will say I felt like her father finally stepped up for his daughter by the end of the book. Derek and Cassie both had to work to get past everything that had happened in the past. I loved that Cassie wasn't willing to accept the story she had always been told about Derek's parents leaving once she heard his side of the story. Honestly, I figured out what had really happened long before it was discovered, but have to say I loved how Cassie's parent responded to the truth. I think their response was part of why I knew that Derek and Cassie could make it despite their past. I found myself loving them more and more as a couple as they dealt with all that had happened in the past and move forward with their future. While I feel like Going Down Hard can completely be read as a stand alone book, as it focuses on Cassie and Derek's story, I did love we got to spend time with all the characters from the first two books. I believe you understand the dynamics of all the characters better by reading all the books in order. I love we will finally get Kendall and Julian's story with Going In Deep. I've loved the first 3 books in the series and have a feeling that Kendall and Julian's story will destroy me in the best way possible. Rating: 5 Stars (A) Review copy provided by publisher

I love Carly Phillips and all her books and after reading this one i now want my own Derek West. He is loyal, fierce, knows his own mind and can bear a grudge. Cassie and Derek come from to different worlds. Derek is the son of a gardener who works for Cassie's parents and has had a crush on Cassie. Cassie is the rich girl who has a crush on Derek but bows to peer pressure easily. Derek overhears a crushing thing she says in reply to her friends and that's the last time they see each other. This story is all about betrayal, guilt and forgiveness. I felt for Cassie when she had to bow to peer pressure and give an answer to a question one of her friends asked her. I also felt for Derek as well and it broke my heart that he had to listen to the what Cassie had to say and I could almost feel from the emotions how he was feeling. Roll on years and Derek is now a successful business man and Cassie works for her dad. After a humiliating time at a board meeting and her brother coming back she gets in touch with Derek again to get one thing that no other person has never gotten from him........an interview. Things get yesterday between them as though no time had elapsed. Misunderstandings from the past are brought out and forgiven. Cassie's brother is the biggest problem! And I had to read this book in one sitting as I needed to know what was going on between brother and father. Once truths come out after an underhanded thing her brother does it cones to a surprise to me how everyone feels. Can Cassie and Derek get the HEA they so deserve from their chemistry at the beginning or is her family, regret, betrayal and guilt just to much. This book complements the other 2 and I really enjoyed reading about the third member who founded the app. Everybody needs a little Derek in their lives and I can't wait for the forth book. This is another 5* read for me and carry on writing these excellent books. Although this is the third book of the series it can be read as a stand alone although it might be useful to read the other 2 books so you get to know the other characters. Derek is a sweet man who is fiercewhen it comes to family and Cassie is a sweet natured girl who just wants her job and do right by people. I read this book as an advanced reader copy