Beauty from Pain (Beauty #1) by Georgia Cates

They agreed on three months...but their love knew no boundaries.

Jack McLachlan is a winemaking magnate and easily one of Australia’s most eligible bachelors. His success and wealth make him no stranger to the complications of romantic relationships and that’s why he goes to extreme measures to avoid the hassle. He prefers simplicity in the form of a beautiful female companion with no strings attached. He arranges relationships like business deals and they’re always the same. No long term relationships. No real names.

It’s his game and his rules. He’s content to play as usual, but when Laurelyn Prescott enters his life, his strategy must change because this player is like none he's ever encountered. His world is turned on its head after he begins a three month affair with the beautiful American musician. Nothing goes according to plan and as he breaks more and more of his own rules for her, she’s exceptionally close to becoming something he never thought possible. His ultimate game changer.

Not recommended for younger readers due to sexual content and language.

Five Stars

I’m on the ledge, about to fall. Or jump. I’m not sure which, and then I hear his possessive words through gritted teeth and it sends me over the edge. “No one else touches you. Only me. Do you understand?” 

FUCK. That was so unbelievably good. Wow. Just wow. 

I wanted to read this for a long time, but I knew this was going to end in a cliffhanger, so I waited for the sequel to come out. So when it finally did, I no longer had any excuses not to; I dove right in. I cannot believe how good this was. I haven’t read an actual five-star read in such a long time; this totally relieved that ache. It had everything I craved in a book: A strong Alpha male Hero (who by the way has a sexy Australian accent --- which made me create a new shelf I love Aussies LOL!), sizzling sex and just a touch of angst. 

“I can’t wait to have a naughty with you. You know it’s only a matter of time, and when I do, I’m going to make you come so hard.” 

Jack McLachlan is looking for his next conquest, one that will share his bed for the next few months. His past conquests have only lasted three to four weeks at best, but this time, he wants it a little more prolonged. He doesn’t do relationships. He’s a very rich man and the women he use to date wanted more from him. He’s learned his lesson: Be upfront, no telling of real names, no falling in love, just sex, lots of sex, and afterwards, make a clean break. Simple. 

When he spots Laurelyn, he immediately knew his search was over. When he finds out she’s only in Australia for a few months, he knew it was meant to be. 

“No. I can’t love a lie and that’s all we were.” 

When Laurelyn landed in Australia to visit her best friend’s brother, she did not expect to meet a man like Jack. She immediately dismisses Jack’s initial proposal, but couldn’t help but be curious. She decides to live and dive into this arrangement with Jack. She doesn’t know anything about this man, not even his name. What she does find out is that Jack is willing to make all her fantasies come true. She knows she’s living in a fantasy and that it comes with an expiration date, but sooner or later the balloon is going to burst on the fantasy and real feelings start to emerge from both her and Jack. 

I love her too much to let her leave and I need to tell her right this minute. 

Laurelyn is unlike any of his past companions. He doesn’t know what to do. He wants more time with this southern belle, but his constant state of denial keeps him from really opening up to her. All Laurelyn wanted was some sort of reassurance of his feelings, but will it come too late? As I read this, a ticking clock was always in the background. I was constantly on the edge of my seat wondering how these two will pull this off. 

I loved everything about this story and I’m happy that book two is immediately available to me because that ending was simply unacceptable. OMG! I need a resolution NOW! Loved this story! 

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Me, prior to having the sequel out LOL:

UGH! Once again, I was all set to read this, then BAM! Found out it ends in a cliffhanger. CURSE YOU, CLIFFHANGERS!!