With sexual tension that crackles and banter that shines, this office rivals romance is another great addition to what has been a stellar series of near-standalones. I loved the electric connection between these two office enemies; they’ve got the kind of chemistry that sparks off the page, and the volatile nature of their relationship made for some immensely steamy moments. It took me a little longer than usual to wrap my head around the dynamic – it’s single perspective, with the relationship described through the biased lens of the heroine. Without the hero’s thoughts, we’re left to view every interaction through the eyes of a woman who has been lied to and cheated on in the past. If she can’t trust herself to fall, then how is the reader supposed to trust that she’s interpreting the hero’s actions correctly? That element of mystery added a level of interest to the story that kept me on my toes, left to puzzle out how the hero was feeling. It was frustrating at times, but definitely added a bingeable quality to the book – I flew through this faster than I’ve read ANY book this year.
The story follows Gemma, a lawyer who is known to terrify those around her. She’s a workaholic who is committed to helping women (like her mother and herself) who have been hurt by the men in their lives. Gemma is also working towards making partner, because she won’t be able to make changes in the toxic office environment until she has a seat at the table. The only problem? Her infuriating coworker, Ben, who seems to be an obstacle in her path every step of the way. Since Ben and Gemma started working together two years ago, they’ve had a hate-fueled relationship. Their snarky exchanges and bickering make Gemma’s blood boil… and perhaps run a little hotter. She can’t deny that Ben is sexy, but there’s no chance they could ever be more. Gemma’s past prevents her from opening up to the possibility that their relationship is driven by anything but hate.
I’ve been absolutely LOVING this series, and this was no exception. The vibe of each book has been a little different – and almost completely a standalone – but they’ve all had tons of sexual tension. This is the spiciest one so far, with everything from hate sex to more intimate moments. Initially, it was giving me Book Lovers vibes, but then the tension was cranked up a notch and it became its own thing. There are still some parallels there, with an ice queen of a heroine who thinks she needs to find her perfect Hallmark man to tame her, but the vibes couldn’t be more different. I also really loved that the relationship was front and center; even though this is definitely Gemma’s story, Ben was an integral component. I would’ve loved having his perspective (and there are a couple of things that I think needed to be clarified), but I also get why it wasn’t included. As frustrating as it was not to know what he was thinking, having this be told from the perspective of a woman who is hurting made for such a unique story. As a reader, it was clear to me how much Ben cared for Gemma, but their miscommunication – or complete lack of communication – was constantly getting in the way. There are a few blanks that I’ve chosen to fill in for myself, lol, but I really loved Ben’s character. My only real complaint is that I would’ve liked the epilogue to be written from his point of view to up the swoon factor. I can’t give specific examples, but there were a couple of questions I still wanted answered. Regardless, this was extremely entertaining, super sexy, and such a compelling read. I was lucky enough to receive an early copy, and am voluntarily leaving a review of this steamy office romance.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3usLXHk
Blurb:
There’s a devil on my shoulder, and every Monday morning she announces herself. She’s this delicious flame in my chest, a flurry of whispered suggestions in my ear. Suggestions I ignore…because every single one of them is about Ben Tate.
Ben—Stealer of Clients, Evicter of Homeless Women, Nemesis. Sitting across from me every damn Monday with his lovely, smug smile and his too-perfect teeth, the living symbol of everything I hate.
It’s been my policy to avoid him, but when a case comes into the firm—one that could change his career and mine—I make an exception. It means weekends and evenings by his side. It means enduring his smirk and his smart mouth and never taking the bait.
Until the night Ben says “Beg”…and that devil on my shoulder decides to make a few demands of her own.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3usLXHk
Start the series today!
I wouldn’t really call these books a series, but we have met the hero of The Devil You Know. These books really have nothing to do with one another otherwise, so it’s certainly not required reading. HOWEVER, A Deal with the Devil was EXCELLENT (so was Devil and the Deep Blue Sea). I loved the slow burn, enemies to lovers vibes and the hero is such a lovable jerk.
Blurb:
He might not be the devil, but working under him for six weeks is my idea of hell.
Hayes Flynn is an arrogant jerk known best for his scotch habit and the way he spreads his British “charm” all over Hollywood, never with the same woman twice. He’s the last person I want to work for, except he has a face I can’t look away from, and the longer we’re together, the harder he is to hate. Because under that smug exterior is a heart he doesn’t want to show—one that was badly broken a decade earlier.
A part of me wants to fix it for him before I leave…but can I do it without breaking my own in the process?
Read the review here
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3oQwXSB
About the Author:
Elizabeth O’Roark spent many years as a medical writer before publishing her first novel in 2013. She holds bachelor’s degrees in journalism and arts from the University of Texas, and a master’s degree in counseling psychology from the University of Notre Dame. She is the author of eight novels and recipient of the 2017 IBPA gold medal for romance. She lives in Washington DC with her three children.
Connect with Elizabeth:
Website: www.elizabethoroark.com
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7233016.Elizabeth_O_Roark
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