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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
I really enjoyed this one. Listened to it on audio, and the readers for the alternating POVs; John Lane and Tatiana Sokolov, were fabulous.
The story is tight until the long drawn out HEA which to be honest was a bit boring.
Hence the 4 stars.
Richard isn't just Dick, he IS A DICK.
At least for the first half of the book, but somewhere in there he starts to change. And that's where Katie lets him have it! Enough is enough.
So the first part of the book is tough to read because Richard is such an utter ass to Katie, his PA and it's all on purpose to make her quit. But she won't of course because she has to afford to pay for her beloved foster mother's care.
Richard really knows nothing about Katie which makes you wonder at his lack of caution in choosing her to be his fake girlfriend. You'd think he would have planned more for contingencies. But once a lie like that is started it's like a snowball going down a steep hill!
It's a mostly low angst read like all of MM's stuff and I love that about her work. So even though you might cringe a bit in the first couple chapters, it all unfolds beautifully.
Safety is fine
The story is tight until the long drawn out HEA which to be honest was a bit boring.
Hence the 4 stars.
Richard isn't just Dick, he IS A DICK.
At least for the first half of the book, but somewhere in there he starts to change. And that's where Katie lets him have it! Enough is enough.
So the first part of the book is tough to read because Richard is such an utter ass to Katie, his PA and it's all on purpose to make her quit. But she won't of course because she has to afford to pay for her beloved foster mother's care.
Richard really knows nothing about Katie which makes you wonder at his lack of caution in choosing her to be his fake girlfriend. You'd think he would have planned more for contingencies. But once a lie like that is started it's like a snowball going down a steep hill!
It's a mostly low angst read like all of MM's stuff and I love that about her work. So even though you might cringe a bit in the first couple chapters, it all unfolds beautifully.
Safety is fine
Spoiler
It's alluded to at the start that Richard had Katie deal with his brief flings when he brakes up with them. But no details are given and it isn't mentioned after that. His flings sounded very unemotional. He never took them upstairs in his condo. That was his private space and Katie was the first woman to share it with him. None of his OWs are in the book. Katie is a virgin. Tiresome I know!
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Too many Richard POVs
Did Katherine know she was a character in this book?
They're cute though but he’s such an ass.
Did Katherine know she was a character in this book?
They're cute though but he’s such an ass.
Richard wants to move to another company but they're family oriented, which he's far from. To make himself seem to be a reformed playboy, he has to get himself a fake girlfriend. She has to be believable though, not a typical woman he dates. When his friend points out that his PA is perfect for the role, things get interesting.
I enjoy the whole fake dating trope. This one went from that to fake engagement, which I also enjoy. Especially when the FMC isn't head over heels for the MMC and completely smitten by him. The FMC in this story is strong and gives him back his crap once the terms are set and the plan in play. Cute story overall. Happy I borrowed it from Libby.
emotional
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Had some surprising depth to it, but overall kind of meh to me.
medium-paced
Richard.... I swear I was about to dnf this book because he was a class A JERK! I wanted to reach into this book and just punch him! Hell no would I sign a contract with him. I don't care! I would find another way. And then the way he acted at the office party/get together. I was livid! At that point I was ready to call it but I did continue and he did redeem himself.
I did see that there was a second book...do I want to read it?
I did see that there was a second book...do I want to read it?
Just meh
This story didn't really do it for me. The writing was fine, if a bit stuffy/formal, but the mechanics were good. The characters were just uninspiring. The heroine was overly demure and made me want to gag most of the book with her whole "damsel in distress" bit. I found it very interesting that, given the author is a woman, this book was written from a mostly male perspective. Figured it would be refreshing, but it seemed like the character traits were taken to extremes. I very much doubt that two people like the main characters, one super dominant and aggressive, and the other submissive and meek, would have a successful relationship in real life. But hey, some people like it when the heroines are door mats. Also, the company the hero moves to? You gotta be kidding me. I know plenty of work places that are about work/life balance and family that don't discriminate against single people. That whole bit, plus how freaking pushy and nosey they all were, also drove me crazy.
Breaking it down, I gave the book 3 stars because it didn't require any edit-as-you-read work, but the plot and characters were more like 1.5 stars
P.S. To all authors: for the love of God, please use terms of endearment appropriate for this century. "My darling" isn't used by any native English speaker under the age of 85 (and even then, geriatrics would most likely use either "darling" or "my dear")
This story didn't really do it for me. The writing was fine, if a bit stuffy/formal, but the mechanics were good. The characters were just uninspiring. The heroine was overly demure and made me want to gag most of the book with her whole "damsel in distress" bit. I found it very interesting that, given the author is a woman, this book was written from a mostly male perspective. Figured it would be refreshing, but it seemed like the character traits were taken to extremes. I very much doubt that two people like the main characters, one super dominant and aggressive, and the other submissive and meek, would have a successful relationship in real life. But hey, some people like it when the heroines are door mats. Also, the company the hero moves to? You gotta be kidding me. I know plenty of work places that are about work/life balance and family that don't discriminate against single people. That whole bit, plus how freaking pushy and nosey they all were, also drove me crazy.
Breaking it down, I gave the book 3 stars because it didn't require any edit-as-you-read work, but the plot and characters were more like 1.5 stars
P.S. To all authors: for the love of God, please use terms of endearment appropriate for this century. "My darling" isn't used by any native English speaker under the age of 85 (and even then, geriatrics would most likely use either "darling" or "my dear")
3.5 stars
Katy is a suffer in silence bit of a martyr, Richard is an emotionally stunted asshole, but there’s some nice groveling / angst as he realizes he loves her that I enjoyed
Katy is a suffer in silence bit of a martyr, Richard is an emotionally stunted asshole, but there’s some nice groveling / angst as he realizes he loves her that I enjoyed
emotional
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The Contract was a quick read/listen that I found on audible. I finished it in a day and it was relatively enjoyable.
Richard’s character isn’t very likable but I enjoyed watching him become a better version of himself during the fake relationship with Katy. I was happy that he fought for her and they were able to have their HEA.
Richard’s character isn’t very likable but I enjoyed watching him become a better version of himself during the fake relationship with Katy. I was happy that he fought for her and they were able to have their HEA.