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sulphuric's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
bookish_alone's review against another edition
3.0
I didn't feel connected with the characters in the beginning and sometimes the explanations (especially with Elena's character) went over the top. But except that, I LOVED THE YEARNING, AND HEATED TENSION AND THE UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN MADDIE AND ELENA JUST SO MUCH
zoebrienne's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
aliu6's review against another edition
5.0
4.75 stars
My third Lee Winter book, and wow, it does not disappoint!
When the failing paper that aspiring journalist Maddie Grey writes for is bought up by media mogul Elena Bartell, Maddie expects to be looking for a new job real soon. However, Elena gives the staff a six week trial period to prove themselves, during which Maddie and Elena develop a quasi-friendship. But Maddie soon learns that for Elena, her business always comes first, so why can't she stop crushing on her straight, married boss?
While reading this, I laughed out loud so many times. Not so much because there were funny jokes, but because I was so delighted in what was happening. I especially loved all those awkward situations where Elena (half-suspectingly) asks Maddie questions and Maddie must explain herself without revealing how much she wants Elena. A main draw in the book for me was those conversations between Elena and Maddie where both women hint at something more but can't say it aloud. There was so much tension, yum!
This was an "ice queen" romance, and wow, I don't think I've read another one done this well. Elena does take some time to thaw, but of course, she can't resist Maddie, who everyone just seems to like. Elena and Maddie never become caricatures of the trope. They are very realistic, well-developed characters, and Maddie has her bad days, and Elena has her human side. Halfway into the story, I already loved them both and was rooting for them the rest of the way. The side characters were awesome as well.
I could see the Devil Wears Prada in this, although the story definitely also stands on its own. I have very few complaints about this book. There were a few writing errors that made me pause and take a second look. But they didn't detract much from this amazing story. And I do wish we'd gotten a little more out of the sex scenes. There was so much tension and buildup for a very quick climax (lol, pun intended).
This isn't a quick, light read. A lot happens, and many deep topics are touched upon, such as sexism in the workforce, sexual assault, and loneliness and not belonging. But not one part drags, and I wouldn't take out a single word.
Please, if you haven't already, go read this.
My third Lee Winter book, and wow, it does not disappoint!
When the failing paper that aspiring journalist Maddie Grey writes for is bought up by media mogul Elena Bartell, Maddie expects to be looking for a new job real soon. However, Elena gives the staff a six week trial period to prove themselves, during which Maddie and Elena develop a quasi-friendship. But Maddie soon learns that for Elena, her business always comes first, so why can't she stop crushing on her straight, married boss?
While reading this, I laughed out loud so many times. Not so much because there were funny jokes, but because I was so delighted in what was happening. I especially loved all those awkward situations where Elena (half-suspectingly) asks Maddie questions and Maddie must explain herself without revealing how much she wants Elena. A main draw in the book for me was those conversations between Elena and Maddie where both women hint at something more but can't say it aloud. There was so much tension, yum!
This was an "ice queen" romance, and wow, I don't think I've read another one done this well. Elena does take some time to thaw, but of course, she can't resist Maddie, who everyone just seems to like. Elena and Maddie never become caricatures of the trope. They are very realistic, well-developed characters, and Maddie has her bad days, and Elena has her human side. Halfway into the story, I already loved them both and was rooting for them the rest of the way. The side characters were awesome as well.
I could see the Devil Wears Prada in this, although the story definitely also stands on its own. I have very few complaints about this book. There were a few writing errors that made me pause and take a second look. But they didn't detract much from this amazing story. And I do wish we'd gotten a little more out of the sex scenes. There was so much tension and buildup for a very quick climax (lol, pun intended).
This isn't a quick, light read. A lot happens, and many deep topics are touched upon, such as sexism in the workforce, sexual assault, and loneliness and not belonging. But not one part drags, and I wouldn't take out a single word.
Please, if you haven't already, go read this.
forest_jj's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
rachelslacey's review against another edition
5.0
Honestly, does Lee Winter EVER disappoint? I purposefully waited to start this one on a day I could fully devote to reading, because I just knew I wasn't going to be able to put it down (spoiler alert: I binged the whole thing in 24 hours!) No one does ice queens (or slow burn) like Lee Winter. Absolute perfection!
josb's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Rounding up because it exceeded my expectations since workplace romances can get a bit dicey.
This was surprisingly an adventure and a half. A lot happens in this book and it doesn't really slow down or drag on even though it is a contemporary setting (and can happen). It was almost like a mix of Devil Wears Prada but also it's own thing.
The ice queen was appropriately icy and, while she had a heart and redeeming qualities, the author was not trying to cover up her flaws. Instead it seemed like the melting was meant for us to believe that this tiger shark exec was worthy of love and this pairing.
I think the biggest thing whenever there is a workplace type romance is the issue of seeing both characters in the relationship in an equal setting and avoiding anything that could have a power imbalance. This was handled quite well in my opinion.
At 5 years old, the book seems to have lasted. It did not feel too dated and it's rating still hold strong. Highly recommend if you like ice queens and rich/poor pairings. If you do not like these tropes you might still appreciate the read. I was reluctant because of how imbalanced rich/poor and workplace romances can be, but I was pleasantly surprised.
This was surprisingly an adventure and a half. A lot happens in this book and it doesn't really slow down or drag on even though it is a contemporary setting (and can happen). It was almost like a mix of Devil Wears Prada but also it's own thing.
The ice queen was appropriately icy and, while she had a heart and redeeming qualities, the author was not trying to cover up her flaws. Instead it seemed like the melting was meant for us to believe that this tiger shark exec was worthy of love and this pairing.
I think the biggest thing whenever there is a workplace type romance is the issue of seeing both characters in the relationship in an equal setting and avoiding anything that could have a power imbalance. This was handled quite well in my opinion.
At 5 years old, the book seems to have lasted. It did not feel too dated and it's rating still hold strong. Highly recommend if you like ice queens and rich/poor pairings. If you do not like these tropes you might still appreciate the read. I was reluctant because of how imbalanced rich/poor and workplace romances can be, but I was pleasantly surprised.
hacfhowe's review against another edition
5.0
'Oh my god?' was pretty much a constant reaction to everything in this book.
banrions's review against another edition
4.0
the whole, kindhearted optimistic young woman who slips her way through a secretly vulnerable ice queen's heart gets me..... every time my dude. i ended up really enjoying the narrator as well, i tend to think i'll hate most audiobooks but when you get a good narrator they really are a treat!
smyth21's review against another edition
5.0
5/5 stars!
Holy Batman! Another one with the question of: “why did I put reading you off for so long?”
This is my first ice Queen read, how is this my first Ice Queen read? I LOVED this beyond words. Plus the age gap, I am a sucker for age gap relationship tropes! I think Ice Queen- age gap tropes may just be my new favourite
Maddie, an Australian living in New York graveyard shift crime reporter gets called into work on her day off to meet the person who bought the news paper. Enter Elena, who gets straight to business, they’ve got 6 weeks to prove they are good or she’ll sack everyone, her reputation precedes her.
Elena and Maddie’s first meeting doesn’t get off to a great start, insults essentially fly, the threat of getting fired off the bat and insulting the boss makes for an unforgettable first meeting!
Felicity, rubbed me the wrong way from the start but did eventually grow on me. I think book 2 maybe focused on her?
Fast forward: Elena closes down the paper, fires Maddie but then rehires her as her PA and they relocate to Sydney where things take an interesting turn . A bet, which was hilarious, Maddie has an idea that she can get an interview with a fansihion designer, that even Elena her and makes a bet that she will get it, Elena of course, bets that she will win and Maddie in fact won’t get an interview, the prize for the winner? A full day of telling the Brutal Truth. Who will win, Elena and Maddie will have to answer every questions truthfully or Maddie and Elena will have to? Which she claims she already does anyway!
Maddie does in fact get an interview and becomes quite good friends with Veronique and her daughter Natalii, who the media think Maddie is dating which causes a problem for Natalii.
Veronique really likes Maddie and puts her into Australian Fashion Week as a model to model a dress from her new line that only Maddie can do and it takes Elena’s breathe away!
Elena’s husband is a predator and Elena divorcees him.
Maddie leave Style Sydney and cones a successful writer!
Elena and Maddie confess their feelings, have a intense love scene and all is good with the world.
Who knew Ice Queen age gap sapphic romance set in the fashion world would be up there as one of my favourite reads but there we have it!
Holy Batman! Another one with the question of: “why did I put reading you off for so long?”
This is my first ice Queen read, how is this my first Ice Queen read? I LOVED this beyond words. Plus the age gap, I am a sucker for age gap relationship tropes! I think Ice Queen- age gap tropes may just be my new favourite
Maddie, an Australian living in New York graveyard shift crime reporter gets called into work on her day off to meet the person who bought the news paper. Enter Elena, who gets straight to business, they’ve got 6 weeks to prove they are good or she’ll sack everyone, her reputation precedes her.
Elena and Maddie’s first meeting doesn’t get off to a great start, insults essentially fly, the threat of getting fired off the bat and insulting the boss makes for an unforgettable first meeting!
Felicity, rubbed me the wrong way from the start but did eventually grow on me. I think book 2 maybe focused on her?
Fast forward: Elena closes down the paper, fires Maddie but then rehires her as her PA and they relocate to Sydney where things take an interesting turn . A bet, which was hilarious, Maddie has an idea that she can get an interview with a fansihion designer, that even Elena her and makes a bet that she will get it, Elena of course, bets that she will win and Maddie in fact won’t get an interview, the prize for the winner? A full day of telling the Brutal Truth. Who will win, Elena and Maddie will have to answer every questions truthfully or Maddie and Elena will have to? Which she claims she already does anyway!
Maddie does in fact get an interview and becomes quite good friends with Veronique and her daughter Natalii, who the media think Maddie is dating which causes a problem for Natalii.
Veronique really likes Maddie and puts her into Australian Fashion Week as a model to model a dress from her new line that only Maddie can do and it takes Elena’s breathe away!
Elena’s husband is a predator and Elena divorcees him.
Maddie leave Style Sydney and cones a successful writer!
Elena and Maddie confess their feelings, have a intense love scene and all is good with the world.
Who knew Ice Queen age gap sapphic romance set in the fashion world would be up there as one of my favourite reads but there we have it!