Series Review: Brutal Billionaires by Laurelin Paige

Series Review: Is this series worth your time? Does it get better as the novels progress? Or does it get worse? Find out below:

Brutal Billionaires Series

Synopsis for Brutal Billionaire (from Goodreads):

He’ll get what he wants—even if I’m already taken.

Holt Sebastian is royalty in our world.

As CEO of the Sebastian News Corp, he’s the man with all the power. The man who decides if I’ll always just be a local television anchor or if I’ll be the rising star of my own show.

I make it my mission to be noticed. Make him see my potential. But soon, it’s clear he’s the one in charge.

His possessiveness is brutal.

His eyes own everything they touch. I feel his gaze on me when he’s in the room. The heat of them as they rake down my body, taking me in, marking me as his. He doesn’t just want me on the screen—he wants me in his bed.

And Holt Sebastian gets what he wants.

No one will stop him, no one will get in his way.

No one can protect me from his desire.

Not even the man who promised nothing would come between us and his ambition—my husband.

Laurelin Paige delivers a twist on Indecent Proposal in this billionaire workplace standalone romance featuring elements of fake relationship, marriage of convenience, enemies to lovers, and a new alphahole readers will love to hate.

SERIESous’ Top Picks: Favourite Author
Author: Laurelin Paige
Series: Brutal Billionaire

Set in the same universe as the Dirty Universe.
Connected to the Man in Charge Series.

# of Books: 5 (Full Reading Order Here)

There is a novella: Dirty Filthy Billionaire

Book Order: Connected
Complete?: No
Genre: Adult, Contemporary, Erotica, Romance
Heat Rating: Smokin’
Point of View: First Person, Alternating
Publication Date: March 2023 – ongoing
Source & Format: Author–ARC

**This post was originally published as a Fresh Friday review of the first book of the series. It has now been updated to include the newest publications in the series.**

Why I Picked it Up / My Expectations:

Every series Laurelin Paige writes has it own unique flare yet her style and ability to surprise me is always constant. At the end of the Dirty Universe, we were introduced to the Sebastian Family and all their delicious family drama. And I couldn’t wait to see what would happen next!

What I Liked:

–The Chemistry–

I don’t really like alpha leads but damn, Holt might convert me. He is a layered character that we slowly unravel and I really liked getting to see the many sides of him. I didn’t love him at the start, but once he and Brystin started their indecent proposal and interacted more — I was on board! Their story is more of a slow burn but that doesn’t mean it isn’t hot from the start!

–Brystin–

Brystin was great as well. Her attitude about navigating a male dominated world and her support for other women was refreshing. I enjoyed watching her grow and find herself.

–The Indecent Proposal Influence–

I’ve never watched An Indecent Proposal but I read a quick synopsis before I started this just to get the vibe. I don’t really enjoy stories with cheating but that isn’t really the case here, so I recommend you give it a shot if you are on the fence. There is more to the situation that meets the eye.

What I Didn’t Like:

Not a thing.

When to Read the Novella Dirty Filthy Billionaire:

While this novella actually came out before Brutal Billionaire, time-line wise, it actually takes place a little bit before. So I would recommend you read it after you finish the Dirty Universe–specifically after Kincaid as the novella starts at a particular scene in that novel–but before Brutal Billionaire. However, you can honestly read it at any time. I think it just helps introduce you to the world of the Sebastians.

It’s a super great side story that I absolutely loved!

My Expectations for the Rest of the Series:

I can’t wait to meet more of this family!

–November 15, 2023– Book #2: Brutal Secret

The vibes are definitely more fun than dark in this novel. It does read like a rom-com with the big scenes you expect in a rom-com: plot twists, laughs and OMG moments. And in classic Laurelin Paige fashion – family secrets, drama and the weaving of other characters completes the setting.

While I missed the darker twists I’ve come to adore from a Laurelin Paige novel, it was fun to just escape in a plot that focused more on the “will-they-or-won’t-they” romance. These two have plenty of chemistry and their scenes together are hot. However, I craved a little more to their connection besides that physical chemistry.

–March 13, 2024– Book #3: Brutal Arrangement

Honestly, I was hesitant to pick this one up when I read the synopsis and got the impression that our heroine maybe having an affair with her boyfriend’s brother. I’m not one for cheating in my romance books. I like forbidden romances but cheating is just a line I don’t enjoy reading about. However, I’ve read enough Laurelin Paige books over the years to know that if anyone can make me enjoy a trope I don’t think I’ll enjoy, it’s her. And that’s what happened here.

As for the romance, it took me a bit to get into it. Not just because of the “she’s his brother’s girl” bit — you’ll understand when you pick it up — but the chemistry just wasn’t uber apparent to me between Alex and Riah at the start. But as they start to interact more and get to know each other, I definitely saw why they would be drawn to each other and I was totally on board.

–October 8, 2024– Book #4: Brutal Bargain

This was so, so, so good! It’s been a while since I read a truly GREAT hate to love you romance. I’ve been dying for this romance since the story of the series and it did not disappoint!

The chemistry between them is phenomenal. Palpable and steamy. It helped that Axel’s POV wasn’t given as often. It made him have that enigma quality to his motives, easily making you swoon when you did get the brief moment of insight to his mindset.

I don’t always know what will happen in a Laurelin Paige novel but I know I will get a fabulous, heated story from start to finish: this was no exception!

My Rating: 4.5/5

I had a hard time putting it down. It kept my full attention with the romance, plot and of course, twists along the way. It’s a classic Laurelin Paige novel that returning fans will adore and new fans will devour.

Read if You Like: contemporary romance, contract relationships, family sagas
Avoid if You: dislike erotica