Deal Breaker by Suzie Tate, the second book in the Aristocrats of London series, follows Poppy Sterling, a beloved media personality who has long loved Rory Wallace, a rugby star and her brother’s friend. Although Rory finds her beautiful, he sees her fame as a boundary he cannot cross.

Poppy’s charm and celebrity help her secure high-profile interviews and attract major donations for charity. When Rory’s best friend, Connor, and Connor’s wife, Mhairi, decide Poppy is the right person to lead their Motor Neuron Disease charity, Rory is forced back into her orbit.

Rory has avoided Poppy for five years after a champagne-fueled World Cup interview ended in an embarrassing confession he never forgave her for. Now, working alongside her again, he begins to question why he let her go. But whether he can become what she truly needs remains uncertain.

Full disclosure: I’m a fan of Susie Tate’s books and have read them all. One of her strengths is writing the angst and emotional pain between flawed main characters, and this story is no exception. While a few familiar tropes are at work, and you may want to strangle one or both leads at times, their growth and slow-burn connection more than make up for it. Add in the supporting cast, and the result is a fun, spicy romance.

Deal Breaker delivers the emotional tension, messy character dynamics, and satisfying payoff that make Susie Tate’s romances so enjoyable. Readers who like wounded heroes, determined heroines, and a romance that makes them work for the happily ever after will find plenty to love here.

Thank you to the publisher, Putnam, the author, Susie Tate, and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.