Reviews

Awakened by the CEO's Kiss by Therese Beharrie

andrea_author's review

4.0

When his nephew comes down with the chicken pox, business owner Tyler fills in for his sister as housekeeper for a new client. He's shocked to find that the employer is Brooke, a woman he had an almost-fling with five years earlier. Only she's acting as if she's never met him before. Can he keep the relationship professional, when what he really wants is to rekindle that old flame?

This is a deeply emotional book. Brooke is still struggling with the loss of her husband, and Tyler with his father's betrayal. It's difficult for them to move forward with a new romance when those old hurts are holding them back. The pace is a little slower on this one, but it's the kind of slow where you savor it without getting bored. Definitely worth the read.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

jamietherebelliousreader's review

4.0

4 stars. I really enjoyed this one. The romance was a bit slow going because of the heroine but that’s not a complaint. I loved it and think the romance between Brooke and Tyler was really well done. I also really liked both characters. As a couple and as individuals. Brooke is a grieving widow. She’s a hard worker and she’s extremely prickly and moody which I loved. She was a great character and I loved her and all of her stubborn ways. Her development in the end was definitely the better of the two. Tyler is charming and extremely selfless. I loved how he wasn’t afraid to wear his heart on his sleeve and be vulnerable with Brooke. He really was the perfect balance for Brooke and vice versa. The plot was fun with just the right amount of angst drama. Great read.

mommasaystoread's review

4.0

Awakened by the CEO's Kiss has an interesting premise and it kind of falls into the second chance romance trope. It's a slow-burn love story, and it's more dialogue-driven than I've seen in the genre for some time. That can go either way for me, but it works well with this storyline. Brooke and Tyler each have some things to work through, including a past that Brooke can't remember, but they have good chemistry and they're easy to root for. The book is a relatively quick read that's perfect for a weekend by the pool read.

anabelsbrother's review

3.0

CW/TW: death of a loved one, selective amnesia

Among Therese's books, this one is my least favourite so far. I found it a bit hard to get into the story in the beginning as I couldn't connect with the characters, but I think it was halfway through that I finally warmed up to the story and both Brooke and Tyler.

I love their chemistry and how they couldn't stay away from each other. I also love Tyler's commitment towards his family, he's such a good son and big brother.


E-ARC is received thanks to the publisher via Netgalley.

cakt1991's review

emotional lighthearted medium-paced

4.0

 I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own. 

Awakened by the CEO’s Kiss is a sweet romance from Therese Beharrie. I was a bit unsure about the amnesia trope, but I really liked the original take on it, exploring how it’s rooted in psychological trauma, and how memory is linked (or not) with our choices as to who we become as people. 

The exploration of Brooke’s past pain as the story unfolded was really well done, and while it can be hard to do tougher topics justice in category or novella length works, I think Beharrie does so here. 

The idea of a CEO playing housekeeper is a bit gimmicky, but I really respect that it’s related to Tyler’s “family-first” mentality, as he’s covering for his sister. And even though Brooke doesn’t remember meeting him, he remembers her, and in spite of initial awkwardness between them, Brooke is able to open up again. The romance is really quiet and while not lacking in issues they need to work through, it’s more generally sweet than melodramatic, to contrast with the darkness in their pasts. 

This is a beautiful, heartwarming romance, and is perfect for anyone looking for a sweet, cozy, romantic  read.