Javier: The Castillo Family

3.75 stars—JAVIER is the second instalment in Fiona Murphy’s contemporary, adult THE CASTILLO FAMILY erotic, romance series focusing on the Castillo Billionaire family. This is thirty-six year old, attorney Javier Castillo, and twenty-four year old nanny Esperanza ‘Hope’ Martinez’s story line. JAVIER can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous storylines is revealed where necessary. WARNING: There are two familial suicides off page that may be triggers for more sensitive readers. Told from dual first person perspectives (Javier and Hope) JAVIER follows the building romance and relationship between thirty-six year old attorney Javier Castillo, and twenty-four year old nanny Esperanza ‘Hope’ Martinez. Hope Martinez is desperate for a job when she overhears a group of nanny’s complaining about Javier Castillo, and his struggle to find a nanny he likes. Javier is a single father to a five month old daughter, the result of a one-night stand months before but Javier wants a specific kind of nanny, and Hope is all kinds of wrong for our story line hero. Refusing to keep Hope as his daughter’s nanny for the long haul, Javier offers a one month trial wherein Hope must leave at the end of thirty days. What ensues is the building but acrimonious relationship between Hope and Javier, and the potential fall-out as Javier struggles with his attraction to Hope Martinez, a woman who is falling in love with Javier and his infant daughter Ava. Javier Castillo doesn’t want Hope Martinez as his daughter’s nanny because of his attraction to a woman who probably wants marriage and family. Javier doesn’t do long term relationships, and his need for Hope is palpable and strong. Hope Martinez knows Javier is barely holding onto to his control but his treatment of our heroine is heart breaking and wrong. The emotional back and forth is meant to push Hope out of the lives but Hope refuses to leave, having fallen in love with Javier and his daughter. The relationship between Javier and Hope begins as employee and employer but a relationship that quickly turns volatile and unfriendly. Javier’s attraction to Hope is manifested with anger and reluctance. Javier knows it is only a matter of time before he crosses the line from which there will be no return. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic, seductive and intense with some scenes of spanking. We are reintroduced to Javier’s brother Rafael and his wife Carrie, as well as their mother Elizabeth, and grandfather Luis Castillo. Hope’s large extended family is present but mostly off-page. JAVIER is a story of family and relationships, support and acceptance, revelations and surprises, hope and love. The premise is entertaining and captivating; the romance is passionate and edgy; the characters are determined and energetic.

I knew going in that this book would be all about two people who really didn’t want to fall in love and I was 100% correct. Javier and Hope didn’t even want to get involved, despite the fact that they were instantly attracted to each other. Watching them fight their desire for one another and denying any growing feeling was a lot of fun. I love it when love overcomes even such strong resistance. Things were burning between them from the moment they met and when they finally came together, holy cow was it hot! Despite the blurb and cover photo this is not a dark romance. It is however a very adult one and definitely not even PG rated so if explicit scenes and language offends you then you should probably read something else. For thos like me who have no problem there, then this is a great book and I very much recommend it. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

I really enjoyed this book. It was about a billionaire and a nanny. Javier and Hope had an immediate attraction to each other but both characters did not want a relationship. I loved how Javier was possessive, arrogant, and a little cruel but underneath he really had a heart of gold. I liked how Hope stood up for herself a little and was a nanny that really cared for the kids that she took care of. Although I thought this book would be a little bit dark, I didn't feel that it was dark at all, but that did not lesson my opinion of it. It was so steamy and had a story line that was easy to get drawn into. This was a very well-written and entertaining story. I can't wait to read the other books in this series now. I received a review copy of this story and am leaving a voluntary honest review.