eARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: June 19th 2015
Description:
Billionaire heiress Emma Devaroux has been living a safe-yet-mundane existence in Georgia for too long, but when she learns her sister, Joslyn, has been arrested, she heads to New York City to find out what really happened. Unfortunately, as an unemployed debutante, she’s not exactly qualified to be leading an investigation. But help is at hand in the form of the handsome, former military man Jace Lance who happens to be the one who got her sister arrested in the first place.
Jace thinks Emma is crazy for even considering working with him since he’s the one who stopped Joslyn from killing his former client. However, he can’t deny that the sexy southerner is in over her head when her tycoon cousins try to hire him to make sure Emma doesn’t find out the truth about what really caused her sister’s murderous actions.
As they begin to uncover the truth together –and get to know each other intimately – it becomes clear that the more answers they get, the more danger Emma is in. Jace is determined to protect her, but how can he keep her safe when her whole family is in on the conspiracy?
My Opinion
Once again this broke away from the pattern of the previous books. Whilst it followed the same line as book 3, whereby the woman was the one who had the money, there was no corporate/business side to things. Emma is wealthy from inheritance and it made for a nice change of pace I think.
Trusting the Boss is my favourite of the whole series. I know I've said this with every book since Teasing the Boss, but in my opinion the writing and plots became better as the series went on.
I always like hot bodyguards in books, and that's exactly what Jace was. I liked how his protective desire increased as his feelings became real and I believed he really did care about Emma. Similarly, I'm glad that Emma put more importance on her life. In book 3 Victoria didn't so it was an improvement.
As for the story there are some plot holes. With the whole series you have to suspend reality and not question the stories too deeply. There are decisions that are made that seem stupid or out of character to purely get the book to the action and tie the story up. It's not always that believable, and not everything is worked out in detail, but it's still enjoyable.
Similarly, this author doesn't exactly tie everything up. The H/H get their ending but she always forgets the secondary characters. What did Luke and Michael do? How did they? Why did Joslyn do what she did? There are always questions I'm left with.
Anyway, overall these are easy reads. You shouldn't think too hard over them and they're good to kill a few hours.
3.5
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25500846-trusting-the-boss?ac=1
Buy links:
Amazon Kindle: http://amzn.to/1IwD94M
eARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: March 26th 2015
Description:
As the CEO of a multi-billion dollar retail chain, Victoria Green isn’t used to asking for help, especially not from too attractive for their own good repairmen like Dean Carey. After Victoria is attacked at her own party and Dean fights off the culprit, she’s forced to tell him her secret: Victoria’s father is on his deathbed, and her brother, who nearly ran the company into the ground, might be willing to do anything to make sure controlling interest goes to him. Dean wants nothing to do with the ice princess CEO, even if he can’t keep his eyes off certain… assets of hers. He’s got enough on his plate between trying to get enough work to pay the bills and raising his little sister who’s growing up much too fast for his liking. Despite his misgivings, when Victoria offers him a blank check if he will keep his mouth shut about what he saw and shadow her until she can hire a more qualified bodyguard, he can’t bring himself to turn down that kind of cash. Over the next few days, Dean learns Victoria isn’t as cold as he first thought and Victoria realizes that Dean is so much more than a handyman. But someone wants her dead and if they don’t figure out who and stop them, they might never get their happily ever after.
My Opinion
In the third instalment of this standalone series the author has changed it up so the billionaire/CEO is a female. When I first saw this it did make me slightly hesitant as it normally means the woman is an ice-cold, heartless, and ruthless dictator. However, from getting an insight into Victoria's life in Teasing the Boss, I was intrigued to find out her story. I also think it's my favourite in the series so far.
Tempting the Boss, like the previous two books, was a quick, easy read. I liked the relationship in this book most and thought there was a good amount of chemistry and tension between Victoria and Dean. Whilst Dean isn't the domineering CEO, he the sweet, loyal guy-next-door type who you can't help fall in love with. His situation with Katy and how he took on his parents' responsibility was admirable and it only made you love him even more. He was a good guy through and through, but he wasn't meek or timid to say what he really thought around Victoria. I thought they were a good pair.
Similarly, I though the author did a good job of making Victoria likeable. She had feelings unlike so many female characters I've read about in similar positions. I will admit that she made some stupid choices that at times didn't seem all that believable. I would have thought with someone trying to kill her she'd take less risks. For me a few here and there is fine, but she did have a disregard for her safety and I did roll my eyes a few times as it seemed all to easy to get her in trouble.
Saying that, I did like all the drama. The killer was slightly obvious, but it was still an enjoyable story. Also, there were a few loose ends where not all relationships were tied up.
Overall this has been my favourite in the series so far. Now on to book four.
3.5
ebook received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Release Date: March 11th 2015
Description:
Premier business consultant Simon West can turn around any struggling billion dollar corporation in New York City, but he can’t get what he wants most: revenge against Mark DuFord. The slick investment banker's shady dealing led to Simon’s best friend’s suicide. Wealthy, and well-protected by the political influence he’s been able to purchase, DuFord has become untouchable—or so he thinks. But when DuFord’s former girlfriend asks Simon for help, he knows that Grace Bell is the weapon he needs to finally destroy his enemy completely. All Simon has to do is pretend to love her. Grace Bell knows that approaching hot-shot Simon West to save her business is a long shot, but she’s desperate. After growing up with a family that expected her to be a happy housewife, she’d proved them all wrong when she became the go-to event-coordinator in New York City. But after the tabloids took a completely innocent picture of her with a married senator and misinterpreted the situation, she’s losing clients left and right. When she approaches Simon and begs for his help to resuscitate the business she put her heart and soul into, she never expects him to agree. Or that the payment would be posing as his lover as an excuse to get close to her ex. Simon knows if he goes forward with his plan, it's only a matter of time before Mark realizes what they're up to and Mark’s enemies have a way ending up broke, in jail or six feet under. As Simon and Grace grow closer, Simon must decide if putting her in the line of fire is worth avenging the past.
My Opinion
I preferred this book to Teaching The Boss. When I saw them both up on NetGalley this was the one that caught my interest and convinced me to take a chance on them.
The books in this series are easy, quick reads. I found the romance in this one was better and there was more tension and chemistry between Simon and Grace. It took a while to build and they became partners through business first. I thought Simon would be more of an ass so it surprised me that his attitude was tamed, but I thought Grace was a good match for him. I liked that she was able to handle herself and think on her feet without coming across as bitchy. She was true to their agreement and I respected her for wanting to help.
As for the plot, for the most part I liked it. I only had problems with the last 20% or so. Things became a bit far fetched for me and it seemed like an easy way out of the web the author had spun for Mark. It was a bit anti-climactic, and I don't think a real guilty person would do what Mark did. It felt more like a movie set up than realistic.
Anyway, overall it was another easy read. While these books haven't drawn any strong feelings from me, I'd say they're more gentle reads that are best for relaxing with.
3.5
ebook downloaded from Amazon for free.
Release Date: March 11th 2015
Description:
Business-school student April Morgan is ready to graduate--from school, from the secretary pool, and from never-gonna-happen fantasies involving Sam Hunt, her hunky billionaire boss. But when Sam’s girlfriend of the week pushes her too far, April finds herself quitting on the spot with only a mountain of student loan debt to keep her company. In steps Sam’s worst enemy, his father, with a job offer she can't refuse. Sam was born into privilege, but refused to live life with a silver spoon in his mouth. After a decade of hard work, he’s on the verge of taking his business public and proving to his tyrannical family that he can make it without their help. When he finds out that April is working for his father, he knows she’s been turned into a pawn in his father’s twisted games. Despite Sam’s warnings, April is determined to prove she doesn’t need him to make in New York City. But when she finds documents that could lead to Sam losing everything he’s worked for, April realizes that she and Sam have to work together to save the empire they’ve both worked to build.
My Opinion
Originally I passed over this title when I saw it on NetGalley. However, when I was intrigued by the sequel's blurb and I saw this on Amazon for free I thought it was worth a shot without the obligation to review it.
In general this was an enjoyable read. I was glad I picked it up and it surprised me by how well it hooked me. I didn't expect for it to hold my attention so well, but I found it a hard book to put down. There was plenty going on to keep me engaged and I thought thing were paced well.
Moreover I think I liked the character. Whilst I don't think I connected with them completely I was invested in their story. I wanted to know what was going to happen. I thought April was a strong character. I preferred her to Sam, who for a stubborn CEO seemed a bit wet with his personality. I'm glad she wasn't afraid to stand up to him and tell it like it was.
My only issue was there were a few continuity errors (eg such as with the mole). It had me jumping back in the book doubting my memory. Also I was left with some questions. They were only minor plot strand, but I feel if an author introduces the idea they should tie it up in the end.
Overall this was a surprising read. I'm glad the sequel caught my eye so I have this one a chance and I'll be reviewing book 2 soon.
3.5
