Category: Office-Romance

2019 ARCs, Angsty, Cliffhanger, Enemy-To-Lovers, Fake Relationship, Forbidden Romance, MUST READS!, November 2019 Reviews, Office-Romance, Political Romance, Single Mom, Sizzling, Slow Burn, Suspense Romance

R E V I E W ➠ Power Play by Kennedy L. Mitchell

by The Guide To Romance NovelsLeave a Comment on R E V I E W ➠ Power Play by Kennedy L. Mitchell

GOODREADS – AMAZON – AUTHOR WEBSITE

There’s no turning back. I can’t go home a failure–again. Everyone wants to use me, make me their pawn, but I have other plans. I will win this election or die trying.  
Randi Sawyer 
It started with a shady business proposal I should’ve turned down. Now here I am pretending to be someone I’m not, and bonus, I’m at the mercy of a man whose joy comes from my failures. The deeper I sink into DC’s seedy political scene the more I realize I can’t trust anyone if I’m going to make it out alive. Until him. Secret Service agent Trey Benson is bitter, jaded, and oh so hot with his mischievous smirk and cocky attitude. He hates me, just like everyone else, but he might just be who I need to survive this mess I’ve landed myself in. 
Trey Benson 
Forced onto her protection detail, I’m certain she’s just another Political Barbie in this city. I should know–I’ve dated most of them. Except she’s not. Funny, foulmouthed and crazy as hell, not to mention drop-dead gorgeous, Randi Sawyer just might be the one person who can make a difference in DC–and in me. Too bad the boss says she’s off-limits, that it’s too risky for her career and mine. Good thing I’ve never been great at sticking to orders. 

Power Play is the first book in the five-book Power Play series. Each book cannot be read as a standalone. All five books follow one main couple’s relationship as it grows through a five-year time period. It’s suspenseful, steamy, and oh so unputdownable. If you’re a fan of Tiffany Snow, Meghan March, and Skye Warren then this series is for YOU!

RELEASE DATE: January 20, 2020

Stuck with a dangerously hot man nearly around the clock is tonrture in itself.

-Randi

Not my first read by author and I am very honored to have received this ARC very early!! I can’t wait to see more in this series because after this one I AM NOW HOOKED!! Also little about the author from how I perceive her: her books are different, in a REAL sense, so it’s not your typical romance and it’s always real to a point you forget your reading. So, this is a political-real-life-romance, enemy-to-lovers, angsty, suspenseful, mysterious, action packed, funny and sweet at times also. Slow burn for sure, but with some teasing! When hero and heroine meet it’s under not so good circumstances. What’s worse is that Randi was shocked by the man’s size and beautiful eyes, until the harsh words that come out of his mouth. How do you change someone perception of yourself when it’s a lie to yourself too.

Trey Benson is part of Randi’s security detail, and the man is a grumpy one. Sexy, but grumpy! Considering he got himself and his team in the situation they are in in the first place. I think it’s funny that he already made up him mind about Randi, but he has NO IDEA!! Trey and Randi are more intertwined than they know, small world if you will. Beware and that’s saying it light of K Y L E! Oh my gosh, did I want to stab him then suffocate him with his own pillow a few times! *grrrr* This is a VERY REAL LIKE political life, and boy did the author do some good research which ever way!!

Two people whoa re polar opposite, lies, wrongs, deception and real life. It’s when Trey realizes a little who Randi really is, every day it’s something new and he can’t believe his eyes because, not a minute ago she was this polished, clean beautiful and shark woman in a world of powerful men. This is a DON’T JUDGE A BOOK BY IT’S COVER through and through. I really really flipping fell in love with Randi, her past, her upbringings, her push through life…it’s admirable and not believable at times but in here you will understand that, really not everyone is as they seem. But throughout all this, she stays true to HERSELF even if the rest of the world sees her as this perfect Political Barbie!

While these two try and figure out WHO THEY ARE to themselves, while living this life of polar opposite yet so very much alike…it’s a on the edge of the seat, glued to your book type of story. As much as the political world is arrogant, there is a way to navigate, the question is will Randi trust her new found friend Trey to help her with that, and will Randi put himself back out there for someone he essentially had pegged already?!

Prepare for that ending & thereafter…seriously, a fight to the end?

A MUST READ!
Rating: ★★★★★
Romance: ♡♡♡
Steamy: 🔥🔥🔥
Type: Book #1 of Series [CLIFFHANGER]
Recommended: ☑ HIGHLY!
⇨ H A P P Y – R E A D I N G ⇦

2019 ARCs, Angsty, Love Triangle, Office-Romance, September 2019 Review, Single Mom, Slow Burn

R E V I E W ➠ Hard Truth by Emily Goodwins

by The Guide To Romance NovelsLeave a Comment on R E V I E W ➠ Hard Truth by Emily Goodwins

GOODREADS – AMAZON – AUTHOR WEBSITE

Blurb: ⁣
The first time I met Alexander Harding, I yelled at him for taking my parking spot. Rich and powerful, I saw him as nothing more than my new coldhearted boss. I hated him once but now…now things aren’t that simple. There’s a man beneath the beast, and the more I get to know him, the more I fall in love with him.⁣
⁣
Though just as I’m able to envision a future together, the past comes back to haunt us both.⁣
⁣
Six years ago, my life changed forever when I found out I was pregnant. The last thing I expected was to see Michael Cooper again, but now he’s here and is ready to make up for lost time. He wants to be involved in his daughters’ life. My life. And it’s making me question everything.⁣
⁣
I never thought it was possible to be in love with two men at the same time. One from my past, and one I want in my future. My heart is completely torn in two, with each half going in a different direction. I’d give them each half if I could.⁣
⁣
But then I would be left with nothing.⁣

RELEASE DATE: October 3, 2019

“…and my road wasn’t paved like I though it would be, but everything that happened…it lead me to you.”

Not my first read by author, and I have read book 1 HARD PLACE! That said I need to express how really sad I was when I read the blurb and realized that this could be a LOVE TRIANGLE which is one of my triggers! *tear* But do read Book 1 before diving into this one!

So, the beginning of Book 2 does not continue where it leaves from in Book 1. You get the backstory of Michael and Harper (and it’s really sweet and good GAH!) God this hurts to read because my heart is torn between Michael and Alex! And of course they are very much so intertwined, it’s all the lies, secrets and angst and a little suspense that you get from here on out!

I can’t really reveal too much because the book contains a lot of everything I say will give it out, but will say that it hurt me reading it because I am a hopeless romantic a one woman type of romantic so it was hard for me to distinguish one man from the other. Can’t have both but then again whoever said that was true? Harper has a hard time during all this, being a single mother and wanting to do what’s best for everyone…and sometimes leaving yourself out too. I gotta say that I was not expecting the ending, totally wasn’t even ready for it, I myself was torn.

Rating: ★★★★★
Romance: ♡♡♡♡
Steamy: 🔥🔥🔥
Type: Book #2 of Duo
Recommended: ☑ HIGHLY!
⇨ H A P P Y – R E A D I N G ⇦

2019 ARCs, Angsty, Enemy-To-Lovers, Office-Romance, September 2019 Review, Sizzling

R E V I E W ➠ Saddler’s Secret by Nicole Rodrigues

by The Guide To Romance NovelsLeave a Comment on R E V I E W ➠ Saddler’s Secret by Nicole Rodrigues

GOODREADS – AMAZON – AUTHOR WEBSITE

Machlin Saddler.
Uber asshole, real estate mogul, sexy as hell and CEO of Saddler Enterprises, where I now work. Heartbreaking circumstances thrusts me into motherhood, and on the plane ride home, I break down, kissing a total stranger and the angel offered me a solution; Saddler Enterprises. I’ve climbed the ladder and worked my ass off for months, and in walks, Adam, our intern. I try to keep things professional but all of a sudden, I start to find him funny and charming. His kiss electrifies me but that’s precisely when shit really hits the fan.
Suddenly, I’m on the mysterious Machlin Saddler’s radar. Big, bad CEO that never makes his way to our floor, now makes it his new stomping grounds. He lights my body on fire like no one has before. He’s alluring and gorgeous and I’m being pulled in two different directions. Only the new intern isn’t who I think he is. He’s the perfect stranger from the plane I took to start my new life with Kenzie. The perfect stranger I kissed. The perfect stranger I hate.
Genevieve Langston
The breathtaking woman I haven’t been able to keep my mind off of, has been my downfall. I need her like a lion needs prey but I can’t screw up the plan. She’ll hate me, hell she already does, but the line between love and hate is very, very thin.

RELEASE DATE: September 20, 2019

“Thanks for the hard work, Genevive.” I grab a handful of her ass and she stops walking.
“Grab my ass again and I’ll break every single one of your fingers, Mr. Saddler.“

Not my first read by author SHE IS MY BOOK WIFEY, have read every single book and extended anything by her and loved them all, with one maybe just a tiny smudge less. [Hey Nikki, at least I didn’t rate it a 1 star] *inside joke!

What a start, emotions right off the bat! While Genevive is having one hell of a day, she ends up meeting a stranger that helps her out in many ways. After all, why wouldn’t she trust a stranger right! Not knowing her future, Genevive jumps with both feet into the new life. Hahaha all I can say is to saddle up for a ride because just when you think you have it figured out, you wont and WHEN you finally do you’ll be laughing but also impressed!

It’s a fun game of cat and mouse except you’ll questions who the cat and the mouse is for a little…I’ll tell you right now that Genevive is who she is but she is also very smart, sassy AF and strong. *profanity is a norm in her vocab just sayin’ I liked the due because Machlin is the very ALPHA male, big, strong, sexy..successful..handsome…but then there is this little thing Gen that only makes him work harder AT HER because she fights back. It’s a sexy sizzle of foreplay! I won’t even need to tell you the sexy scenes….*fanning myself*

But, like all things strong…when push comes to shove will Genn be able to over-come what she learned about Mac. Will they be able to make it work after-all? There is a huge BOMB at the end of course for Book 2 to come!!

Rating: ★★★★★
Steamy: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Recommended: ☑ HIGHLY!
⇨ H A P P Y – R E A D I N G ⇦

2019 ARCs, Enemy-To-Lovers, Office-Romance, September 2019 Review, Sizzling, TOP 2019 MUST READ

R E V I E W ➠ Boss Of Me by Tia Louise

by The Guide To Romance NovelsLeave a Comment on R E V I E W ➠ Boss Of Me by Tia Louise

GOODREADS – AMAZON – AUTHOR WEBSITE
FREE on Kindle Unlimited

They warned me not to take this job.
They said you were ruthless, impossible to please…
I said I was better than them.
I wouldn’t fall for your charm, your arrogance, or how sexy you fill out that suit.
I wouldn’t fall for your deep brown eyes or the way that muscle moves in your square jaw when you’re pissed.

I said I could resist you.
I was wrong…

RELEASE DATE: September 17, 2019

Why didn’t anyone tell me how insanely hot this devil is?

-Raquel

“I want to sleep with you.”
Her brow quirks, and a naughty smile curls her lips. “Can we do more than sleep?”
“You said I’m the devil, right?”
“So I’ve heard.”
I catch her bare ankle, pulling her closer. “Then definitely.”

Not my first read by author and will probably never be the last hehe. I have loved Tia’s books for a while now and she quickly became a top favorite author of mine! I may or may not have screamed when I got the ARC, gah! I love anything by Tia so don’t hold it against me!! What a start, jumps right in the line of duty so to speak. My heart was racing.

When Raquel “Rocky” decided what to do with her life after grad-school, she hopped right on the same train as her sister. Work wise that is. Her first day not only does her new boss she was warned of insult her but also is mean. They called him THE DEVIL and to her recollection that suits him just fine. Few days into work and they managed to spew off hate at each other, ignoring the sign that says otherwise. The chemistry between Patton and Raquel is undeniable, even the co-workers notice. One company picnic changes it all!

Characters
Raquel: She is so strong, sensitive, upfront and loving. Beside the fact of being gorgeous. Will do anything for her sister. When I say STRONG i mean STRONG, even after losing her parents.
Patton: Sexy, smart, handsome, caring the weight of the world on his shoulders, rugged, mean…but a heart of gold! Former Military, can’t get over what happened therefore pushes himself on to helping his brothers.

This was a sexy, addictive, action-packed, fun and enjoyable story! Little bit of fun, lot’s of enemy-to-lovers and SIZZLING! Rocky and Patton are the perfect couple, their chemistry is off the charts. The story falls in line and as always Tia’s writing needs no words but amazing! I will have to say that at one point I was not too sure about Rocky’s sister BUT see it through because it will make full sense at the end. And what a beautiful HEA! *swoon* Watch out ladies PATTON is the new Devil!

On my TOP 2019 MUST READ list!
Rating: ★★★★★
Steamy: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Recommended: ☑ HIGHLY!
⇨ H A P P Y – R E A D I N G ⇦

2019 ARCs, Cliffhanger, Enemy-To-Lovers, Office-Romance, September 2019 Review, Single Mom, Slow Burn, TOP 2019 MUST READ

R E V I E W ➠ Hard Place by Emily Goodwin

by The Guide To Romance NovelsLeave a Comment on R E V I E W ➠ Hard Place by Emily Goodwin

GOODREADS – AMAZON – AUTHOR WEBSITE

Cold. Callous. Cocky.
A total playboy with abs for days, a panty-melting smirk, and a face the gods themselves would be jealous of.
And he’s my new boss.
None of that matters, because as a single mom, men like Alexander Harding are the last thing I need. What I do need is this job, so I’m going to keep my head down, work hard, and avoid that asshole as much as humanly possible.
But then he gives me an offer I can’t refuse, even though everything inside of me is warning me to run away and never look back. It’s just one weekend. One weekend to convince a bunch of stuffy investors that Alexander has changed from the player who spent more time in the bedroom than the boardroom into a family man they’d be happy to go into business with.
But the more time I spend with him, the more I realize that there might be a beating heart buried under his designer shirts and spectacular pecs after all…which is bad news for me.
Because the only thing worse than hating your boss is falling in love with him.

RELEASE DAY: September 12, 2019

He has muscular forearms, and seeing that little but of tan skin shouldn’t make heat flash through me, I swallow hard, trying to push the image of his deft fingers moving up to his collar, slowly unbuttoning his shirt out of my head.

-Harper

Alex…who’s only wearing a towel. It’s wrapped dangerously low around his waist and I’ve never wished for telekinetic powers more in my life.

-Harper

Not my first read form the author, she happens to be ONE OF MY FAVORITE authors! So I am very familiar with her writing style and the fact this is a start to a new SERIES gah, gold!!

Boy does this book start off with a bang! Struggle on top of struggle, you will feel all the feels of this single mom of two twin-daughters. Harper is a 25 year old beautiful, smart and happy personality single mom. Who happens to be struggling in many ways that is, when she gets offered a promotion in sorts, she really doesn’t have a choice and jumps at the chance to get a little ahead in life. She has lost so much and one night many moons ago wasn’t the right idea but the outcome is as beautiful. Little did she know though, the prick from the other night who stole her parking spot at the new school…is her new boss! BOOM!

Alex is a cocky, successful handsome man. He is well known for his worth ethic, rather enjoys it along with his string of non-string attachments if you will. But behind closed doors he is just a man who was mistreated in his childhood, who wasn’t shown love but brutality of the hard life at such a young age. He himself is sick of the long working nights, no one to really come home to and the nameless meaningless sex. When he finally get’s a spark from a woman, he can never really have her. SO MUCH IN BETWEEN!!

Alex loves Harper’s smile because it lights up the room and Harper can’t not look at the cocky but so sad boss of hers who wears the shit out of a suit! *sweating* When one night proves to be almost fate, this is where you fall in love with Alex *swoon swoon swoon* aside from all, he really does have a beautiful heart and mid-way you’ll see why! It shocked the hell out of Harper almost missing a beat to the lie. Since then things seem to smooth out enough to where Harper is talking to Alex again and not just work related. It’s all great until you REALLY can’t deny fate. It’s just so beautiful, two broken people in their own way to come together and GAH just swoony and beautiful! YES THAT’S A WORD, GO WITH IT! B U T not all lies even good intention ones are without fault, this is heartbreaking one too!! #havetissues

This enemy-to-lovers office romance is PERFECT. A great start to a new series and a MUST READ! You’ll get both POV’s, perfect hero and heroine, side characters and adorable little twin girls. It feels so real when you’re reading it, like it’s happening there so you know I don’t need to say much more about Emily’s writing style, it’s perfection!

TOP 219 MUST READ!!
Rating: ★★★★★
Steamy: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Recommended: ☑ HIGHLY!

⇨ H A P P Y – R E A D I N G ⇦

2019 ARCs, Angsty, August 2019 Review, MUST READS!, Office-Romance, Sizzling

R E V I E W ➠ Complicated Love by Kristin Mayer

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Available for free in Kindle Unlimited!

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2k6oewC
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2lKXqlV
Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/2m3JT9j
Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/2lEfiis
Add to your TBR: http://bit.ly/ComplicatedLoveTBR
Paperback: Coming Soon
Audible: Coming Soon

Kaysen and I are happy with our no-strings-attached relationship even though he‘s my boss.
Or so I thought.
Now he wants more.
I’m not capable of giving more of myself, but I’m afraid to lose him.
He’s everything I’ve ever dreamed of but wouldn’t allow myself to have.
I don’t deserve him.
Kaysen doesn’t agree.
If I’m honest, we’re perfect for each other in every way.
And that complicates everything.

RELEASE DATE: September 9, 2019

That was what made us perfect for each other in every single way. It was what made us…complicated.

-Wynter

There was hope. As long as there was hope, we had a chance.

-Kaysen

Not my first read by author & will never be last. She has become one of my top favorite authors and I’ll pretty much read anything by her! Although I have read Book in this and so am excited for Kaysen & Wynter’s story!! I have to say that I was NOT READY for this at all, it is something new to me from the author & very refreshing!

Wynter has never had the best childhood, so when she turns 18 and is finally happy and in love with her rich boyfriend who also hasn’t had the best childhood (all parents related mostly) nothing can go wrong, right? It went wrong, in so many levels that I wasn’t sure on how to feel about it. It kind of went in, did a hurricane things and then spit me back out! Then you fast forward many years and you think it will start or continue one way but BAM! it doesn’t in a sense of I can’t tell you much because it would ruin it. But I will say that what I though and happened totally like night and sky. In a good way of course.

Kaysen comes in the sense of he is Wynter’s best friend and boss. They have been a round one another for a little over 5 years now, and it’s just…it’s a complex story at the least. Wynter is a difficult character because she also is complex, not ever having had gone through what she did and had to do or rather chose to do, I can’t understand her hesitations and feelings…it really made me focus on her a lot. Kaysen is in the same boat, dealt a hand earlier in life that stuck with him for good. Are they both too broken to be together? Or, will they be able to overcome their fear and past…to be able to have any kind of future together.

Both POV’s provided. Unique and a little different then I am used to from author so stick with it, promise there is a HEA!

A MUST READ!
Rating: ★★★★★
Steamy: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Recommended: ☑ HIGHLY!
⇨ H A P P Y – R E A D I N G ⇦

2019 ARCs, August 2019 Review, Enemy-To-Lovers, International Romance, Marriage Of Convenience, Office-Romance, Sizzling, TOP 2019 MUST READ

R E V I E W ➠ To Have And Hate by Donna Alam

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GOODREADS – AMAZON – AUTHOR WEBSITE

BLURB

Beckett. Let me count the ways I loathe him.
1. He’s the bane of my existence. 
2. A thorn in my side. 
3. I’m pretty sure he’s the devil in disguise
Or he at least has him on speed-dial.

So why am I standing here, bouquet in hand, about to become his wife?

He calls it a business proposition.
I call it blackmail.
He says our fighting is foreplay.
I say he should be on meds.
He says he has the power to destroy my company,
I say with a husband like him, who needs enemies.

But I can survive this six-month calamity. 

All I have to do is keep hating him . . .

RELEASE DATE: August 8, 2019

‘I still hate you,’ I whisper into his kiss.
His chuckle is love and rough as he rasps, ‘I’m counting on it.’
His kiss becomes deeper, wetter, as one of his hands curls around my hip.

‘You look good for an old man,’ I whisper, resolutely keeping my gaze on the form.
‘And you’re angling to be pulled over my knee, young lady.’

⇨ R E V I E W ⇦

New to me author & books, BUT definitely made it on my 2019 TOP list because this book was everything I love about a HERO & HEROINE in a Office-enemy-to-lovers romance! All happening in London and part New York!

Let’s start with Olivia the heroine who is not only sassy but willing, strong and soft under it all. She is the perfect heroine when it comes to characters and story. Opinionated, stubborn, sassy, beautiful and loving. Now our hero Beckett who is tall, sexy, broody, mysterious, well spoken, comes form old money and one of the HOTTEST HERO’S in 2019! He might be beautiful and sexy but he has a mouth on him. Equal part to Olivia, because their bickering and back and forth is honest foreplay for any heart.

[He waves off my protest. ‘The companies on the thirty-fifth floor all deal in business finance some sort. Meanwhile, we’ve also determined that I’m on first-name terms with Satan, that I think you’re rather lovely, and that I might like to kiss you.’]

Olivia runs her own company, one it involves the world of the rich and of course, suits. So when she goes on her dream-date with a man she’s been waiting to be available, things kind of go south…well for her it happens a lot…literally. The girl can’t keep her balance for shit, it’s actually how she met Beckett, at his feet. Olivia’s tardiness knows no bound but also it’s not fully her fault as everything seems to always happens o her no matter where she is off to. Meet Cute? Not so much cute, but sexy more like it.

When she is propositioned someone that not even in her dreams she would accept, she isn’t left of much with option, therefore being the sassy strong-headed woman, she jump in. But I will warn you this is not the normal office romance type, and you’ll see. Things are more THERE and HAPPENING. After all, she did marry the one man she loaths in lots of different ways.

I can’t say more but it’s a ride YOU WANT TO TAKE. The feelings I usually chase when reading ARE DEFINITELY HERE & SOME. Something about their duo was fantastic, side characters also, the time line lined up perfectly and the transitions were very smooth! I will briefly touch on the sexy scenes and say that hands down THIS AUTHOR HAS IT DOWN!!

‘Your skin is like moonlight,’ he whispers, his voice rasping and raw.
‘And your freckles are constellation.’ His words are almost pondering as his hand trails across my collarbone, his eye following.
‘And I’m going to cover them in cum.’

I am leaving THAT at THAT. Very sizzling, the chemistry and romance very beautiful. The only thing that was wrong with all this, I NEEDED MORE! I feel like a 2,3 or 4th epilogue is necessary please!! Front start to end, this book will keep you engaged, on your toes, angry, scared and happy!! All the feels for sure!

TOP 2019 MUST READ LIST!
Rating: ★★★★★
Steamy: 🔥🔥🔥🔥 🔥
Recommended: ☑ HIGHLY!
⇨ H A P P Y – R E A D I N G ⇦