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lezreadalot's review
4.0
“Use me, boss. For whatever you need.”
Mother of God. No way was I getting through this unscathed.
3.5 stars. I thought this was just going to be an average, mediocre read for me, but it really picked up in the last half and became something that I genuinely really enjoyed. This is a workplace romance between a financial advisor running a company on his own, and his temporary intern. They unknowingly have a one night stand before beginning their work together, and have a bit of a rocky start that gives this a slight enemies to lovers vibe. Only slight though. They're both black gay men who are struggling to shed the patriarchal ideals of society that have been forced upon them in one way or another, and I would have enjoyed it just for that alone. The fact that it's a pretty sexy read also it didn't hurt. There was some ex-boyfriend drama, but not the typically annoying kind that I can't stand, and the plot was engaging enough and didn't go so deep into the business or financial aspects that it couldn't be understood by a layperson. But what I love the most was the latter half and the non-traditional ways this ended up resolving itself. It was a lovely romance, and they worked together so much. I love characters who love taking care of other characters, and this made me super happy in that specific way. There was also a little cameo from the first couple in this series, and that was cute to see.
Listened to the audiobook as read by Tony Isabella and Pierre Brooks, and it was okay. Their voices were great, but I thought they both had awkward timing when it came to the narration; i.e., pauses or breaks where they didn't really fit. That didn't stymie my enjoyment much though. I continue to like or really like everything I've read from this author, and I look forward to reading more of her queer black romance.
andrea_author's review
5.0
Financial advisor André takes one night off from his grueling career to have some fun. He hooks up with Marcus, wishing it could be more than one night, but knowing his schedule doesn't allow for a relationship. He's shocked to discover on Monday that Marcus is his new intern. Can they keep their hands off each other to avoid complicating their professional relationship?
This is a strong novel with a well-developed plot and characters. It's steamy and emotional while also dealing with the serious career struggles the characters face. I love how deeply this author is able to go in terms of the character growth while also keeping the plot fun and swoony.
Thanks, Booksprout, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
This is a strong novel with a well-developed plot and characters. It's steamy and emotional while also dealing with the serious career struggles the characters face. I love how deeply this author is able to go in terms of the character growth while also keeping the plot fun and swoony.
Thanks, Booksprout, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
mmromancereviewed's review
4.0
3.5 rounded to 4
I honestly considered DNF'ing this book a few times because it felt like it was getting bogged down in the work story rather than the relationship - it focused so much on them hiding their feelings that it felt repetitive. It was mostly worth finishing - the ending was good and solid. I did really like the characters and several of the side characters including Fiona, but I would have loved to have had the story move faster.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I honestly considered DNF'ing this book a few times because it felt like it was getting bogged down in the work story rather than the relationship - it focused so much on them hiding their feelings that it felt repetitive. It was mostly worth finishing - the ending was good and solid. I did really like the characters and several of the side characters including Fiona, but I would have loved to have had the story move faster.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
mommasaystoread's review
3.0
André is a relatively low angst, entertaining office romance - André and Marcus have no idea they'll be working together when they meet. Of course, the workplace dynamic of André being Marcus' boss spices things up a bit, and it adds a little something to the tension between these two. They definitely have good chemistry, and they're both likable characters. All in all, I did like the story even though there were a couple of things I wanted some type of closure for. But at the end of the day, this is a romance and it's a pretty good one, so I guess the side stuff is just that. The book is well written, and the characters are engaging, and I do enjoy the lower angst level, especially in this crazy world. I was also happy to see some diversity in the genre. We don't get nearly enough of that. This one may not have been exactly what I wanted on some things, but it was certainly worth the read and I'll be interested to see what the author does next.
cleo_reads's review
4.5
4.5 stars, B+/A-
The set up required a big suspension of disbelief, but once I relaxed into it, I really enjoyed this mm romance between two financial planners working on a big proposal.
This is my 4th and favorite Jayce Ellis romance. I’ve enjoyed her characters and her portrayal of family and community, particularly Black and queer community, in all of her books, but this is the first one where I really bought into the romance too.
It just hit all my sweet spots. I love a romance where the h/h help each other work out things with their families and the family scenes in this were particularly great. I also liked watching them figure out how to make their relationship work.
The set up required a big suspension of disbelief, but once I relaxed into it, I really enjoyed this mm romance between two financial planners working on a big proposal.
This is my 4th and favorite Jayce Ellis romance. I’ve enjoyed her characters and her portrayal of family and community, particularly Black and queer community, in all of her books, but this is the first one where I really bought into the romance too.
It just hit all my sweet spots. I love a romance where the h/h help each other work out things with their families and the family scenes in this were particularly great. I also liked watching them figure out how to make their relationship work.
cadiva's review against another edition
5.0
I am neither a gay man or a person of colour but that didn't prevent me from thoroughly enjoying this book and I am so glad to see more diverse representation within the MM world.
Book one in this series really surprised me, but this one was even better, very low angst, some internal conflict over what it means to be a gay black man and a bit of outside interference is all that was needed to create tension.
This felt completely real, both André and Marcus were fully fleshed out characters, their personalities distinct and their experiences different. There's a small age gap between them and it worked completely for the narrative.
A hook-up turned into a work relationship, into friendship and then into a true partnership, with all the hurdles to overcome on the way. With a fabulous cast of secondary characters, a teeny guest appearance from Collin and Jeremiah from book one which make me squeal just a bit
Book one in this series really surprised me, but this one was even better, very low angst, some internal conflict over what it means to be a gay black man and a bit of outside interference is all that was needed to create tension.
This felt completely real, both André and Marcus were fully fleshed out characters, their personalities distinct and their experiences different. There's a small age gap between them and it worked completely for the narrative.
A hook-up turned into a work relationship, into friendship and then into a true partnership, with all the hurdles to overcome on the way. With a fabulous cast of secondary characters, a teeny guest appearance from Collin and Jeremiah from book one which make me squeal just a bit
doll2021's review
medium-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? Yes
4.0
pam_h's review
3.0
I liked so much about this and would highly recommend it for anyone looking for great POC rep in a romance that's all about the romance.
This is a POC author writing two POC MCs, and it's the hundreds of little details that really distinguishes it as ownvoices rep. Even better, there's no hand-holding for readers like me -- who had to google what siddity meant
This is a POC author writing two POC MCs, and it's the hundreds of little details that really distinguishes it as ownvoices rep. Even better, there's no hand-holding for readers like me -- who had to google what siddity meant
regencyfan93's review
4.0
I felt like Harold was an Obi-Wan Kenobi character. He made sure that people were in the right place for their career.
I enjoyed seeing Phil in the last scene with Mrs. Pennington.
I appreciated seeing all of the African-American characters in professional jobs. Of course they would be financial advisors, not the one token to show diversity. I am probably not saying this well, that I am glad to see a world where white isn't the default setting.
From what I know of DC, I wonder if I worked in that office building. Also, are Fiona and Mr. Johnson in other books in this series? I'd like to see more of them.
__________________
My rating - 5 outstanding, 4 - I liked this and will re-read it, 3 - I enjoyed it though may not re-read, 2 - I kept going because I had to see how it ended, 1 - Whatever time I spent with this book is time I'll never get back to my regret.
I enjoyed seeing Phil in the last scene with Mrs. Pennington.
I appreciated seeing all of the African-American characters in professional jobs. Of course they would be financial advisors, not the one token to show diversity. I am probably not saying this well, that I am glad to see a world where white isn't the default setting.
From what I know of DC, I wonder if I worked in that office building. Also, are Fiona and Mr. Johnson in other books in this series? I'd like to see more of them.
__________________
My rating - 5 outstanding, 4 - I liked this and will re-read it, 3 - I enjoyed it though may not re-read, 2 - I kept going because I had to see how it ended, 1 - Whatever time I spent with this book is time I'll never get back to my regret.
terriaminute's review
Liked the height difference, but, that wasn't enough.
I stopped reading this many days ago, bored with the trope (oh no, you're my boss?), bored with a sex scene. I tried to get back into it, but I'm not interested in these characters.
Obviously, I am not this novel's target audience. But also, that's one of the tiredest of tired tropes in romance.
I stopped reading this many days ago, bored with the trope (oh no, you're my boss?), bored with a sex scene. I tried to get back into it, but I'm not interested in these characters.
Obviously, I am not this novel's target audience. But also, that's one of the tiredest of tired tropes in romance.