Title: If Love Had a Price
Author: Ana Huang
Series: If Love (Book 3)
Publication Date: Sept. 30, 2020
Synopsis: Every heart has a price.
She offered him $10,000 to seduce her father’s gold-digging fiancée. He countered with $15,000 and a kiss—from her. At any time he chose.
Kris should’ve said no, but she was desperate to get rid of her stepmother-to-be, and the gorgeous actor with the wicked grin was perfect for the job. So she agreed to his terms—not knowing that doing so would cost her a lot more than money and a kiss…
He did it for the money, which he desperately needed. The kiss was just a bonus, or so he told himself. Melting an ice princess like Kris started as a challenge, but by the time Nate realized there was more to Kris than meets the eye, it was too late: he had fallen.
But they’re not just from opposite sides of the track—they’re from different worlds. And when those worlds collide, Kris and Nate must decide whether they’re willing to give up what they have for what could be…
If Love Had a Price is book three in the If Love series but can be read as a complete standalone. It takes place between books one (If We Ever Meet Again) and two (If the Sun Never Sets). No cliffhanger!
Recommended for 18+ due to adult language and explicit content.
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My Review:
If Love Had a Price is the story of Kris, a wealthy woman who offers Nate, a struggling actor, 10,000 dollars to seduce her future mother-in-law. Convinced that her dad’s fiancée is only after her dad’s money and influence, Kris determines to break-up the relationship before the wedding and believes that Nate’s good looks and seductive charm are the perfect solutions. However, Kris didn’t expect a kiss to be part of the deal, nor did she expect to develop feelings for him.
As the sole provider for his family, Nate reluctantly agrees to Kris’s proposal. He doesn’t know why he impulsively included a kiss as part of the deal, but he does know that he is drawn to the high-class beauty. Will the pair be able to resist their attraction? And how can two people from completely different worlds work?
This is a well-developed, character-driven novel that I thoroughly enjoyed. On the surface, Kris appears to be the typical rich girl. She loves her material possessions, has few deep and lasting relationships, and lacks direction. Kris also thinks she can solve life’s problems with money. However, she has much more depth as the story progresses, and her walls come down. Kris is intelligent and caring and deeply wounded by her mother’s abandonment and her father’s lack of interest. She struggles to let people in, for fear of being hurt again. I think that is why she is so drawn to Nate since he struggles with similar issues.
Nate is ambitious and motivated and from a completely different and way less affluent social circle from Kris. However, he has walls up too. Like Kris, Nate grieves the loss of his mother and resents his absentee, alcoholic father. He has a strong relationship with his sister, which keeps him grounded and focused, but he doesn’t trust others easily, and he veers away from deep relationships. Of course, Kris makes him see things differently, and much like her, when they are together, his guard drops.
The relationship between Kris and Nate is fantastic. They’re a couple that brings out the best (and sometimes the worst) in each other. They’re from completely different worlds, and yet, they have so much in common. From their fractured home lives to their feelings about relationships, Kris and Nate are more alike than they realize. They both want to keep their relationship a light, summer fling, and they’re both afraid to take a chance on love. However, their connection is strong, and their chemistry is off the charts steamy!! I loved watching them grow as individuals and as a couple, and their witty, passionate, and sometimes angry and frustrated banter is realistically portrayed.
Other characters in the novel, like Kris and Nate’s family members and one of Kris’s friends, are also interesting and well-developed. I cheered on Nate’s meddlesome younger sister and became angry with Kris’s irksome dad and conniving soon-to-be step-mother when they involved themselves in Kris and Nate’s budding relationship. As family, financial issues, secrets from the past, and other obstacles get in the way of Kris and Nate’s relationship, I found myself rooting for the couple and hoping that they could resolve their issues.
An interesting story with dynamic characters and a super-steamy romance, If Love Had a Price is a great story for readers who enjoy New Adult Romance with interesting characters and witty banter. Though it is the third book in the If Love series, it can totally be read as a standalone novel. Thanks so much to the author for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
Rating:
Favorite Lines:
Kris sometimes glimpsed deep, abiding loneliness behind Skylar’s sunny smile. Now that she could relate to. The feeling of being all alone in the world, even when you were surrounded by people, could be a real bitch.
Minds could be manipulated and bodies could be tricked. Hearts and souls, though? They always knew the truth.
Recommendations:
If you like New Adult Romance with steamy romance and well-developed characters, then you’ll love If Love Had a Price.
Great review! I’ve seen this series mentioned here and there (and the covers always get to me!) but I think I’ve hesitated to pick them up because I’m worried it might be too angsty? I’m definitely curious about it though and the romances sound so heartbreakingly good 😅
The romances are definitely angsty but also really good. It’s steamy – the romantic scenes are a bit descriptive, just so you know.