Executive Decision by Maude Winters Series: Lakeshore Empire #1
on May 23rd, 2025
Genres: Fiction, Adult, Romance, Contemporary
Format: ARC
Buy on Amazon, Amazon UK, Amazon Canada, Amazon Australia, Available with KU Subscription, Storygraph
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Sometimes, the riskiest business deal is falling in love with the one you can't have...
When Daphne Delphine returns to Chicago's elite Gold Coast after her father's death, she finds more than grief waiting for her. Her family's retail empire is crumbling, her marriage is in shambles, and the only man who can help her happens to be the one she can't have—Cal Markham, Chicago's charismatic billionaire mayor and her late father's best friend.
They have history: one wild weekend in Hawaii a decade ago that neither can forget. Now, as Cal steps in to help save Delphine Holdings, that spark reignites into an inferno. But timing has never been their strong suit. He's fighting for his political future, and she's battling her brother for control of the family empire.
When Daphne's vengeful ex unleashes a scandal that could destroy everything, Cal must choose: his career or the woman who sets his world on fire. In the game of power and privilege, love might be the riskiest business of all.
EXECUTIVE DECISION is the first book in the Lakeshore Empire Series, perfect for fans of Succession and Rivals. This steamy, high-stakes romance features:
Age gap
Father's best friend
Billionaire Romance
Second chance
Political intrigue
Family dynasty drama
I received Executive Decision for free. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Maude Winters is switching gears from European Royalty to American Royalty in her new Lakeshore Empire series. Executive Decision is an addictive blend of corporate intrigue, sizzling romance, and whip-smart dialogue that kept me turning pages as fast as I could.
The Delphine family is considered as elite as a family can get in the United States. They rule the retail industry from their flagship store in Chicago with custom shopping experiences. David Delphine Sr leads the company, with his determined daughter Daphne poised to ensure its future success.
Executive Decision unfolds over eleven years in four parts. It starts with twenty-four-year-old Daphne, who is heartbroken from a breakup with her British boyfriend. She unexpectedly enjoys working with her father’s friend, Cal Markham, who is thirteen years her senior. During a wedding trip to Hawaii, their connection intensifies despite the age gap.
The chemistry between the Cal and Daphne crackles from the first page they appear together on, but what really impressed me was how fully realized both characters were outside of their romantic entanglement. Daphne is motivated, intelligent, and has her imperfections, while Cal exhibits authority without resorting to stereotypes. Their power dynamics evolve in believable and satisfying ways, lending the romance genuine emotional weight.
Winters presents a narrative that is both emotionally resonant and highly engaging, achieving a rare balance in contemporary romance. Highly recommended for readers who love their romance with brains, bite, and just the right amount of heat.
About Maude Winters
Maude Winters loves to write saucy fiction just like the titles she devours. She’s a horse girl through-and-through and lives in the Midwest with her husband, horse girl daughter, and two dogs.
Maude loves to write strong female characters who challenge institutions and find strength in their relationships with their sisters in the world. She is known for her amazing cinnamon roll heroes.
Maude has lived throughout the world but attributes her interest in writing about the intersection of modern politics, feminism, and royalty with her time spent in the UK as a twenty-something.
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