Review: Bombshell - C.D. Reiss

Bombshell (Hollywood A-List #1)
by C.D. Reiss
Published: May 1st 2017
Genre: Contemporary, Romance

From New York Times bestselling author CD Reiss, a standalone romance about a nanny, a Hollywood star, and a love they never expected.

Hollywood bad boy Brad Sinclair always gets his way, whether it’s the role he wants or the bikini-clad model he has to have. But when a bombshell gets dropped in his lap in the form of a dimpled five-year-old from a forgotten relationship, he knows his life is about to change forever.

Cara DuMont isn’t exactly thrilled when she gets assigned to be the nanny for the latest box-office king. She has one rule: no celebrity fathers, especially single ones with devilish good looks and rock-hard abs.

But as soon as Cara meets Brad and his adorable little girl, she knows she’s in for a world of trouble. Because there’s something about the way Brad looks at her that makes her believe that some rules are meant to be broken…

Goodreads | Amazon

Review

4 Stars

Told from alternating perspectives, Bombshell follows Cara DuMont as she bravely takes on a new client, Brad Sinclair. He's new to the role of being a father, having just discovered he has a daughter and that he is to take her with full custody. He doesn't grasp the changes he must make and that's where Cara comes in, the nanny that makes little Nicole's world normal. Only, Cara promised herself she'd never work for a famous person again, especially for a handsome single dad she can't stop fantasizing about. The nanny role comes with a timeline, with Cara and her best friend stepping in only short term while a new nanny is found, but she grows attached to Nicole and ultimately to her father, who finds himself wanting a life that he had never imagined before.

"I was young and cute, and you don't bring a time bomb into your home"

I have had Bodyguard by C.D. Reiss on my Kindle for ages and when I started reading it I realized it was number two in a standalone series, HOW COULD I HAVE MISSED THAT? So, off I went to Amazon where I proceeded to buy Bombshell and dive right in. Seriously, by dive I mean I started immediately and read non-stop until I finished it. I loved Cara DuMont and Brad Sinclair and I especially loved little miss "bombshell" herself, Nicole. C.D. Reiss takes a cliche connection, that of a nanny and a daddy, and turns it into a brilliant, smart story.

"This job was the worst I ever had. I really should quit. But I couldn't".

Cara is a sassy, educated woman with a really great head on her shoulders. Being a nanny is not all rainbows and butterflies, you're a stand-in for a parent and have to be able to do it all, which C.D. Reiss really shows in this novel. Cara doesn't do drama, at least she doesn't gravitate towards the spotlight, she's relatable, and despite knowing what's to come with her and Brad we don't predict the type of chemistry they would share. Brad is a Southern boy, though his manners seem to be buried under money, women, and booze. He's the lead in several huge movies, booked through the year, and not equipped to be a father at all. Of course, he somehow manages to still win us all over, whether it is with sharing his secrets or discovering that he is natural at being a father. The two have a push and pull type of relationship, but continue to be drawn together due to Brad's sweet little girl. Nicole really is the best secondary character I've ever read, even for being a child. The interactions they all have are so excellent and C.D. Reiss shows off her dialogue writing skills, for sure.

"This guy could ruin me. He had all the tools to do it. He was gorgeous and laid-back. He listened when I spoke and had a daughter who was just about perfect."

Unlike other nanny/daddy type novels, the drama is fairly low. There is a consistent issue throughout the entire novel that is worked through slowly rather than issue after issue popping up. We learn a lot about the characters individually and as they come together it is the perfect amount of sweet and scandalous. Bombshell had so many unique moments, some really great character growth, and I think shines as a contemporary romance, highlighting a lot of the strides we've made in how we treat children and women today. The focus on Hollywood A-listers and the difference between many of them as parents was also really great to read, because we all know the gossip rags want to sell you a different story than reality.

"You protect your heart as if your life depended on it. And you fail, but you try."

Bombshell was a fantastic read for me and I absolutely recommend it. I think it's a unique release from C.D. Riess and a great addition to the genre. When placed among novels with similar storylines, this one will absolutely shine the brightest.