I’m a big fan of the series, but this particular installment did absolutely nothing for me. One of the best parts about the series is that it’s easy to pick up the books in any order and know that you’re in for a super lighthearted, playful read with unpredictable moments and plenty of heat. Unfortunately, the premise behind this one is a head-scratcher, and the characters are not very likable – especially the hero. I actually struggle to call him a hero, he was so unappealing. Imagine trying to swoon for a lazy, emotionally stunted billionaire with zero work ethic or empathy for others, who doesn’t know how to pack a lunch, thinks it’s funny to disguise his appearance with 90s-style bleached tips and a giant fake mole, and who blackmails the heroine into kissing him. It’s… a lot. Things do (somewhat) improve later on, but the story takes its sweet time getting there, and it had already lost me by that point.
The story follows Jaxon, a former racecar driver whose parents passed away recently. He’s not at all distraught about the situation, but he does want to burn their legacy to the ground. So when he accidentally overhears one of his new employees giving a very unflattering impression of him, Jaxon is furious. He decides to go undercover (horrible disguise and all) at the business, and pose as a new employee – all in an attempt to figure out who mocked him. It’s there that Jaxon meets Jada, a rule-follower who gives him a hard time about his laziness and disinterest in work. Jada’s co-workers are her found family, and she doesn’t understand why Jaxon has so little respect for them. As the two clash in the workplace, they somehow become closer. But Jaxon is keeping a secret, and their budding relationship may not survive the fallout.
I was really looking forward to this, which is perhaps why I was so disappointed by the storyline… though I’m definitely not the only reader who struggled to connect with Jaxon. There’s so little to like about him that it’s difficult to become invested in the romance. He lost me completely when he blackmailed Jada into kissing him, and I ended up speed reading to the end after that. I just didn’t care anymore. I’ve loved, loved other books in the series, so I was surprised by how little this one worked for me. It does have the same offbeat humor, low angst feel, and unique vibes, but that doesn’t make up for unlikable, unrelatable characters and a nonsensical story. Plus, certain things about the plot were definite turnoffs, and certain other things did not make sense. Anyways… this could’ve been really fun and quirky like other books in the series, but things just kept falling flat for me. There’s plenty of potential within the story, but I lost my emotional investment in the first half – I would’ve DNF’d this for sure if I didn’t have so much love for the series.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3SbpWHP
Blurb:
It was just some silly fun. A goofy imitation of the faceless mega-billionaire who owns our faceless international mega-corporation.
Yes there was laughter–screams of it.
How was I to know that Dave from accounting had sat on the speakerphone, butt-dialing said mega-billionaire? Or that he’d listen to me make fun of him for ten straight minutes.
Ummm…he could’ve announced himself!
They say he’s a notorious rake. A paparazzi-punching scoundrel. An international jet-set bad boy.
And now I hear he’s determined to track down the jokester. Me.
Eep!
But we’re tight like family in this office—no way will my co-workers rat me out, in spite of the pressure from the top. Plus, who brings the cookies? Moi!
Things die down after a few months, and I’m pretty sure I’m safe.
Thank goodness, because I have my hands full with our lazy, arrogant new office gopher. He has the worst work ethic I’ve ever seen—how did he even get hired? He doesn’t know how to work a vending machine, and he’s baffled when we send around a card to be signed for somebody’s birthday. It’s as if he’s never set foot in a place of business in his life.
But little by little, we’re drawing closer. He’s funny. Sexy. Wicked. Still, he’s all wrong for me. I like respectable men with a work ethic.
Also, I can’t shake the feeling that he’s hiding something…
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3SbpWHP
A 5-star read from the series!
This series is super easy to read in any order, and my personal favorite is The Billionaire’s Fake Fiancée – it was one of my Top 20 of 2020 selections.
I’m no Prince Charming, and the last thing I want is a Cinderella.
My instructions were simple: scour the city for a fake fiancée who’s not my type at all. Have her on my jet Monday morning, dressed for a yacht vacation.
I need a woman believable enough to convince a certain client that I’ve changed my playboy ways…yet too annoying to tempt me—no emotional entanglements, thank you very much. This is business only.
If she’s unfazed by my looks and wealth, all the better. Should be easy. Right?
Apparently not, because my people go and hire Tabitha. My hairdresser.
What were they thinking? Yes, I said annoying, but I didn’t mean her, the most aggravating woman in the world.
Tabitha is sunshiny. She has a pet hamster. She loves Hello Kitty, and she gets under my skin like nobody else.
As if that’s not bad enough, the minute we step on deck, she thinks that certain people on the yacht are up to something shady—based completely on her soap opera knowledge. She won’t listen when I tell her she’s being ridiculous.
But as the days go by, I find that we’re actually having fun. And our fake kisses are heating up. And suddenly her wild theories aren’t sounding so strange after all…
Read the review here
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3EuVnJk
About the Author:
Annika Martin is a NYT bestselling author who loves reading fun, steamy books, doing yoga, taking pictures of my cats, rocking out to 90’s music, taking long baths, consuming See’s chocolate suckers, mooning over heroes’ hands, and helping animals. She can be found hanging out in Minneapolis coffee shops with her awesome writer husband and tending her crazy bee-friendly garden. She has also written as RITA award-winning author Carolyn Crane. Connect with Annika
Facebook: http://bit.ly/AnnikaMartinFB
Reader Group: http://bit.ly/AMFabulousGang
Website: http://www.annikamartinbooks.com
Bookbub: http://bit.ly/AnnikaMartinBB
Instagram: http://bit.ly/AnnikaMartinIG
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2Xhv8Rr
Stay up to date with Annika by joining her mailing list: http://www.annikamartinbooks.com/newletter/
Follow Jeeves on social media!
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases
Jeeves Reads Romance 