Carole's Sunday Review: Trade Me

Author: Courtney Milan

Narrator: Xe Sands & Sean Crisden

Title: Trade Me

(Cyclone #1)

Genre: Romance, Contemporary, Fiction

Pages: Audiobook

Published: January 19th 2015 

Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)

Tina Chen just wants a degree and a job, so her parents never have to worry about making rent again. She has no time for Blake Reynolds, the sexy billionaire who stands to inherit Cyclone Technology. But when he makes an off-hand comment about what it means to be poor, she loses her cool and tells him he couldn’t last a month living her life.

To her shock, Blake offers her a trade: She’ll get his income, his house, his car. In exchange, he’ll work her hours and send money home to her family. No expectations; no future obligations.

But before long, they’re trading not just lives, but secrets, kisses, and heated nights together. No expectations might break Tina’s heart...but Blake’s secrets could ruin her life.

I've enjoyed other books by this author so this was a no-brainer. Plus I would love the concept of this story. 

Tina is striving to get her degree and find a good job so she can take care of her parents and sister. Blake is trying to get a degree too so he has something of his own. He is a billionaire who is going to be inheriting his father's company some day. Things happen and Tina opens his eyes and inspire him to offer her a trade. Tina gets his income, house, car, and part of his duties. Blake will get a job like Tina's, her hours, budget, and her obligations. Things happen and they fall for each other, but they are both broken and terrified. 

The author really knows how to write a people story. They talk, they share, they grow, they feel, and they love. It is really sweet, but it wasn't all rainbows and kittens. I think what I really loved was that these two characters are sooo flawed even pretty boy billionaire. Even their families are flawed which added to the story as well. 

I really liked Blake. I didn't think I was going to, but he was much more complex than I was expecting. His big "problem" really made me like him more. It was sad, but it really made him more human. 

Now, I did feel for Tina. She has the poor girl and poor family thing going on. She is pretty much the adult for her family. She also had a crappy ex who made her doubt herself. However, I did get really annoyed with her. Her constant "not safe" mentality killed me. Love is always risky and he OBVIOUSLY loves you and he has money. And you love him! Sighs. C'mon woman!

The ending was too easy. SMH. Hopefully, it really isn't AS easy as the author is making us think. There are other books in the series...soooo who knows? But some of the issues seemed to be too quickly resolved. Mmm

Now, I really liked the narrators. They had one for Tina and one for Blake. They both did a good job with their characters. The accent they gave Tina's parents seemed a little off though. 

Overall, I did like this story. The next book isn't about Tina and Blake, but I am curious about it. I think Tina and Blake come back in book 3? I do want to check out book 2 though. Some issues I had, but I liked this overall. I'll stamp this with 3 stars. 

One line done for Billionaire!