I received this book for free from Netgalley in order to prepare an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

For 100 Days (100 Series) (Volume 1) by Lara Adrian
Series: 100 Series #1
on May 24, 2016
Genres: Contemporary
Goodreads

“Would he want me like this if he knew I was at the gallery party by coincidence rather than invitation?  Would he treat me differently if I told him I was a failing artist and struggling bartender? That I had no money and nowhere to go before I’d suddenly gotten the chance to live in his fancy building for a little while?

“What would he think if he knew all of my other secrets? The ugly ones. The dangerous ones. The ones I’ve never let see the light of day.

“He doesn’t know any of that. And he won’t.”

FINAL DECISION: More of a beginning than a whole story, this book introduces the characters of Avery and Nick and begins to give readers the scope of the questions that are still unanswered.  Oh, and there is lots and lots of sex.

THE STORY:  Avery Ross, struggling artist and bartender, needs a break.  She has about had to give up on her dream of being in New York. Just at her lowest point, she gets the opportunity to apartment sit at a ritzy Park Avenue address.  There she runs into Dominic Baine, billionaire and owner of the penthouse apartment. What begins as two strangers with an intense sexual attraction becomes more than Avery expected — or perhaps wants.  She has deep, dark painful secrets that she is keeping and which would tear her and Nick apart.  The thing is — she knows that he is damaged and has secrets as well.

OPINION: There has been a series of these billionaire hero multi-book series recently, most famously Crossfire and Shades of Grey.  Some good some disappointing.  This book is a nice kick off to the series but because there is almost nothing resolved — or fully revealed here — I reserve the right to be mightly annoyed if this series doesn’t have a good resolution.

As is often the case in this billionaire hero books, Nick is mysterious and damaged.  In fact, this book leaves almost his entire story a mystery.  For me, knowing that there is more to come in the series, it worked that Nick’s story is yet to come.  What is revealed here about Nick is pretty nice.  He’s totally into Avery and although he wants her surrender, he wants to care for her.  Of course, the problem will clearly be that while he wants all her secrets, he really has no intention of sharing his own.

Avery has secrets.  One of her secrets is fairly easy to guess if one reads this a particular trope.  It is almost a cliche, although it is well done here.  What I did really like is that the end of the book makes it clear that Avery has other secrets that are not revealed in this book.  Her unwillingness to trust other people, to be willing to allow others to help and care for her are understandable in this book and I actually liked her character.  She isn’t a naive plaything for Nick by any means.

Their relationship is sexy and hot but also gentle and sweet at times.  There is less angst in the relationship between them than I might have expected.  Most of the drama and turmoil is external — except for the fact that Avery has lied about herself to Nick from the beginning and that lie becomes more looming and dangerous as the story goes by.

I enjoyed this book and believe it has the promise of being a really good story — but it will depend upon the other books in the series so I’m reserving judgment.

WORTH MENTIONING: This book is only part one of the story between Avery and Nick. Be prepared to commit to all three books to get the full story.

CONNECTED BOOKS:  FOR 100 DAYS is the first book in a trilogy about Avery and Nick.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4 stars.