Going Down Hard (Billionaire Bad Boys Book 3)

Another 5 star installment of the Billionaire Bad Boys series. Carly Phillips sure knows how to write a sexy read. This one is about Derek West and Cassie Storms. He is the son of a maid and a gardener, Cassie’s maid and gardener to be exact. One kiss and then some hurtful words he heard her speak to her friends put a halt on anything happening between them when they were 18.Now after going to college and meeting some like minded friends there, years later he is a self made billionaire as one of the co-founders of the very popular app, Blink. Cassie runs a tech magazine owned by her father’s company. She comes back into Derek’s life when she contacts him to see if she can do a story on him and his rise to the top. He says yes because he actually plans on telling her no to her face. He has not forgiven her for the things she said or other things that went down for his parents at her family’s home. He can’t do it though because seeing her again brings back all the feelings he had for her when they were younger and they are even stronger now. She is also not who he thought she was and forgives her and then begins to fall for her pretty quickly.I love second chance romances, and I feel like this definitely fits that even though they didn’t actually have a romance before. They have to navigate some pretty tough truths before they can live happily ever after together but they do it because they love and trust in each other and are able to work through everything else. The storyline is awesome as it always is, the characters were very well developed, and as always the steamy scenes were sizzling hot, hot, hot!!!I am looking forward to Julian and Kendall’s book next. I am assuming he will fully redeem himself.

"Come on, princess. Live a little." - Derek WestGoing Down Hard is the 3rd book in the Billionaire Bad Boys series, and Derek is part of the trio of best friends who created a successful app-turned IPO, and he is now a billionaire. But, Derek comes from very humble beginnings. His mom was the maid, and his dad the gardener for a very wealthy family. He grew up in the guest house on their property. He was about the same age as their daughter Cassie, but of course they didn't run in the same circles. Also, he went to public school, and Cassie to private school. They crossed paths one night by the pool in the backyard, and he kissed her. He'd hoped for more, but something happened the next day to change his mind about her. Then they both left for college, and that was that.Flash forward a decade or so, and Cassie is the editor of an online tech magazine, owned by her family's multimedia company, which isn't doing that well. She has been trying to interview many CEOs, and other important people in the tech industry to give her magazine a higher profile. Derek notoriously doesn't do interviews, but she's hoping she can get him to make an exception for her. He agrees, to see her and, of course, sparks fly again, as they had in the past. But, she's still surprised when he agrees to let her write her story. Even when it means shadowing him for a while. But no one is more surprised than Derek himself!This was a bit of a second chance romance, since they knew each other before, though they were never really together in the past. I really liked their banter, and their chemistry felt really organic because of it. There were many misunderstandings between them from the past, but they moved through them like adults, after having an open communication. Imagine that! I really enjoyed that about them. They reacted to things like adults, and didn't jump to conclusions. There's nothing I hate more in a book than to feel that the entirety of the story's conflict could have been avoided with one simple conversation. There was none of that here.I liked seeing the characters from the prior stories in the series. Also, I really enjoyed some of the side characters in this story, especially Derek's mother. Meanwhile, Cassie's father and brother were wretched, and I wanted to reach through the book and punch them in the mouth every time they said something horrible, or thoughtless, to her. They were well written antagonists, and you could really feel their entitlement and their disdain for others. I hated them with a passion.I really enjoy Carly's writing, and her couples fit well together. There's great chemistry, and she really makes you feel what they are feeling. The pace felt good, and I loved the easy banter and dialogue between both the 2 main characters, and between Derek and his friends/partners. You can really feel how much the guys love and care about each other. It's nice to see truly close male friendships in books, and not just female ones!I would definitely recommend this book, and I'm very intrigued by the premise for book 4, Going In Deep. It will be quite the task to redeem Julian's character, as he was the villain of book 1! Looking forward to it!I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

This is an amazing addition to the Billionaire Bad Boys with the third partner in the Blink company, Derek West finding love with the girl whose family disgraced his, Cassie Storm. Years later Derek graduated from college starting their successful company, Blink, with his friends Lucas and Kade all he wanted to do was punish the Storm family for how they mistreated his family right before he went to college on a scholarship. Cassie had spoken badly about him when she was with her snobby friends when he worked for her family which made Derek dislike her as well. They accused his mother of stealing Mrs. Storm's necklace and had her arrested and fired her and his dad without any severance package. A while later his dad died and Derek blamed the Storms because they had no medical coverage to diagnose his illness until it was too late. Meanwhile Cassie regretted how she treated Derek when they last saw each other and wanted to apologize to him for years. She was running her family's magazine Take a Byte after her father gave the running of the family business to her brother who was an unemployed playboy when she worked there for years building the family business. Doing an interview with Derek West, who was now a billionaire and did not do interviews would help save their magazine which surprised her that he agreed to do it. Now she could say she was sorry and he could find out if he could finally put his past behind him by getting revenge or forgiving her and her family. This is where this sexy erotic romantic story begins with Derek and Cassie getting their happily ever after when they learn to forgive and love each other inspite of their past. I like how the three friends, Kade, Lucas and Derek are there for each other no matter what happens they will have each others back. The next book in this series puts Kade, Maxie and Kendall, her sister in a tense situation when Julian wants to prove his love for Kendall is real. He has to prove to them all that he has changed as well. I highly recommend this series of books as they are all very hot and romantic with just the right of excitement and action which makes for interesting stories.

**Advanced copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review**Not often do I sit down and read a book in one sitting. With Going Down Hard, the third book in the Billionaire Bad Boys series, I did just that. I simply could not put this book down!Derek West is one of the co-founders of the uber popular app Blink and he has gone from virtual poverty as a child to having just about everything he could ever want as an adult. He made his way through college on scholarships and he learned the hard way that just because you have money doesn't mean that you don't treat people with the same respect and integrity that you would expect in return. When Derek receives a call out of the blue, it throws him back to a time in his life that he would prefer to leave exactly where it is - in the past.Cassie Storms has worked hard to work her way into a position where she can excel in her family's business and she hopes to be given the reigns of the company when her father finally decides to step aside. Unfortunately, while Cassie knows that women have always taken a backseat to the men in her family, she is completely blindsided by a decision her father makes and it spurs her on to accomplish what no one else has been able to do - land an interview with Derek West. The only problem is, will what happened years ago influence whether or not he even takes her call?This is a story of second chances and I felt for everyone involved as they all tried to navigate the turbulent waters that they found themselves in. I liked that in areas where I thought things could be obviously going in one direction, Carly Phillips went the exact opposite way, making the story that much richer.I enjoy any Carly Phillips book and I would highly recommend you pick this one up. I am really, really looking forward to the next book in this series based on the tease we got at the end of this one!

From rags to riches, Going Down Hard will siding with the underdog. Derek had a hard childhood and always lent a hand to his parents. A tough worker who learned that you had to work hard through blood, sweat and tears that nothing ever came easy in life. He proved his critics wrong and especially Cassie and her parents. By wanting to please her father and friends, Cassie was a yes girl. But then she realized she had to live her life for herself and not others.When we fast forward and see Derek being the tech guru and billionaire. But he always kept his personal life private for special reasons. And that reason was partially because of Cassie. But a Cassie needed help and knocked on his door. They both opened up and learned to trust each other. However you always have to wonder when the other shoe will drop.Going Down Hard was a good read. Even though this was part of a serious but can be read as a standalone. Carly Phillips doesn't disappoint!3.5 starsReceived arc for an honest review

Oh, Carly Phillips. What a wicked web your weave around my heart with your characters. Going Down Hard is the third book in the Billionaire Bad Boys series, and along with little sneak peeks at the two previous couples from books one and two, we are introduced to our It couple. The couple that may take the prize in this series ( though I am reserving full judgement until Julian and Kendall grace my screen). Cassie and Derek bring everything to the table and leave no regrets. They passion is undeniable and their rightness together is unmatched. Derek couldn't have been a better guy. He had a bit of a rocky alpha ass start, but that quickly gave way to just the most unbelievably swoon-worthy guy. And Cassie. Sigh. Can I be her when I grow up? She's fierce. She's sweet. She's alluring. And above all else she's strong and loyal.Together these two are a powerhouse of amazingness, wrapped up in a past the was tainted by others and a future that could easily be railroaded by those same people. But hell hath no desire like a Derek West when he wants something. He'll get her, but will they make it last? Can they see past the differences that truly mean nothing in the face of what their forever could be?I gladly and oh so willingly went down HARD for Derek and his love and lust for Cassie. And I simply cannot wait for what I'm sure will be a heartachingly beautiful tale in Julian and Kendall's story. I've waited so long. I'm gun-shy. But what this series has taught me is to put my precious and sensitive reader heart in and Ms. Phillips hands and believe that she'll give you the most amazing story her characters deserve.Happy Reading!*ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*

Derek West grew up poor. He vowed he would turn his life around. Going to college on scholarships, he met his best friends and co-founded Blink, a popular app. He gets the surprise of his life when he gets a call requesting a meeting from someone he was never good enough for. Rich girl Cassie Storms wants to interview him, and it's the perfect opportunity for revenge against her family. He'll seduce her, and ruin her family.I admired Derek for making such a huge difference in his life. Having a success business with his friends and partners, and going from poor to a billionaire was what he worked hard for. He held onto his bitterness for things that were said by Cassie and her friends when they were teens, as well as what happened between her father and his parents. I wasn't surprised when he couldn't get enough of Cassie once they got together after so many years. Plans started to change, his feelings altering.Cassie was very hard working. She longed to take over the family business once her father retired. She brought the company a long way since working there and felt it was a sure thing. Hurt and betrayal hit her hard. No one in her family is in her corner. The business is meant to be run my the men in the family. She's in charge of the web based tack magazine, and knows an interview with the elusive Derek will boost ratings. What she doesn't count on, is all the old feelings and chemistry to still be there.I love stories of second chances. This was definitely a second chance for both Derek and Cassie. There were so many misunderstandings when they were younger. They both needed to step back and re-evaluate everything that happened way back when. I loved Derek's mom and her unconditional love and advise. Carly Phillips does it again. She has an amazing way of pulling you into the story and making you feel like you're a part of it. The writing just flows flawlessly and is so easy to read. I loved past characters being a part of this book as well and seeing how far they've come.

Going Down Hard was an endearing, sweet (but still sexy) romp about getting back the one that got away. I liked Derek West and Cassie Storm right from the start. I even liked them in the prologue, teenage mistakes, immaturity and all. But I am so glad that Carly Philips shows us what can happen if you actually get that second chance. Cassie got a second chance to apologize. Derek got a second chance to forgive. And they both got a second chance at love and at getting it right.Growing up poor and the son of a maid and gardener, Derek was determined to get out of poverty and make a different kind of life for himself and his family. Being part owner of Blink with Kaden and Lucas gave him just that chance. Now a billionaire, he comes across Cassie who he has never forgotten and is now in a position for a little payback. Cassie, who has always regretted how things went down with Derek when they were teens, now awkwardly finds herself in a situation where she needs him. When they get together, the sparks fly and neither one of them is prepared for the attraction that still exists between them.Going Down Hard was definitely a page turner from beginning to end. Plus it was great getting an update on how things are going with our other favorite couples - Kaden and Lexie, as well as Lucas and Maxie. I can’t wait for Kendall’s story in the next and final book in this series. This whole series has been fantastic!!*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I've said it before but it's worth repeating.... I am not a fan of billionaire/millionaire lead males in books BUT when it's Carly Phillips writing all bets are off and I'll happily read about these guys!Going Down Hard was another fab installment in the Billionaire Bad Boys series and I LOVED Derek and Cassie's story. It was hot and steamy second chance romance (which I AM a fan of) and it brought out all the feels.We had met Derek in the previous books but still knew little about him. The influence of his parents, the difficulties he faced growing up and his determination all saw his life transformed from what it was when he first knew to Cassie as a teenager to what it was today.Cassie's family were pretty horrible. High expectations, lacking in care and attention and oblivious to how they made their daughter feel, they were never gonna win parent of the year, ever!When they first get together it purely from a business POV but as they spend time together they both discover there's more to the other than they thought and hearts and messy emotions come into play.A well written story, with great characters, loaded with emotion, attraction, heat and angst, this is a must read! From the teaser set up towards the end of the book I cannot wait for the next installment in this great series.5*

In diesem Buch geht es um Derek West der als Jugendlicher zusammen mit seinen Eltern für die Familie Storms gearbeitet hat.Bis er auf die Uni ging und dort Kaden und Lucas kennen gelernt hat. Er konnte Cassie die Tochter der Storms in all den Jahren nicht vergessen, da sie ihn ganz schön beleidigt hat. Und genau die Meldet sich jetzt bei ihm und bittet um ein Interview mit dem Billionär.Es geht spannend weiter mit der Serie! Ich kann sie sehr empfehlen!

Here's the thing. My pre-ordered copy is also the same book inside as in Gowing Down Fast! Even though I really enjoyed book 2, I'd actually like to read the 3rd book! Any suggestions on how to accomplish that?

This story is my favourite of the series so far. It really sucked me in and kept me engaged throughout. It was also quick and easy to read. Had very little in the way of angst and both main characters Derek and Cassie were likable, shared a spark and some hot moments. It also left me excited for Kendall and Julian's story and I would happily recommend it to others.

Carly Phillips has a whole series about the men of Blink. This is Derek West's story.He grew up poor. The son of a handy-man and maid for the wealthy Storms family.He and Cassie Storms had a bit of a moment back when they were teens, but Cassie's father destroyed everything for the Wests.When Cassie comes back into Derek's life, he is surprised to feel the old attraction. But happenings in the Storms family and media empire are contriving to keep them apart ... again.