Scan barcode
phoenix_rising_4682's review against another edition
emotional
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? It's complicated
3.75
hopeamarsu's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
johanna14's review against another edition
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? No
3.5
my_ohmia's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this book and I thought the writing was great. I was glad Asher and Kiana got together and I loved how supportive he is of her. And the following does nothing to change my mind that this was a 4-star book with a well deserved HEA. However, I do have a huge bone to pick.
The premise of this book starts with Asher and Kiana meeting each other in a bar after she's just had an interview at his hotel chain (he's the CEO) where she was sexually harassed/assaulted by the manager. She doesn't know who he is and they use fake names and she tells him what happened before they sleep together. Asher realizes who she is and after firing the employee he offers her the job she turned down. But, Kiana doesn't find out who he is until she's walking in for her first day on the job. She wants to set professional boundaries and refuses to pursue a relationship due to previous experience and concerns about the stigma of dating the boss. He pursues her aggressively and ignores her stated boundaries about a relationship between them.
We later find out that Kiana has even more reason to not want to date her boss. She had previously dated her boss at another hotel 3 years prior and his brother sexually assaulted her. When she tells her boyfriend at the time he doesn't believe her, fires her, and blacklists her from the industry in their city. After finding out this information Asher comments that he understands why she was so against them getting together and when he asks her why she decided to date him Kiana admits it's because he "refused to take no for an answer".
This book has a heavy focus on "me too" and "time's up" which is great and important. It also leads to multiple women getting justice after getting harassed at work and covers some important topics. HOWEVER, it feels really weird to do that in a book where the billionaire boss persuades his employee to date him by persistently not accepting no for an answer. I get part of the point is to show that Asher is supposedly different from these men and better than them by holding them accountable. But the situation felt off for me due to the other context. I get what the author was trying to do it just didn't fully land for me.
Despite that, I really liked the book. I liked that Asher wanted to spoil Kiana and believed her and never blamed her for her past/anything bad. I'm interested to read the other books--especially about his brother Johannes who was a giant dick in this book. I want to see if Tracie Delaney can redeem his behavior.
The premise of this book starts with Asher and Kiana meeting each other in a bar after she's just had an interview at his hotel chain (he's the CEO) where she was sexually harassed/assaulted by the manager. She doesn't know who he is and they use fake names and she tells him what happened before they sleep together. Asher realizes who she is and after firing the employee he offers her the job she turned down. But, Kiana doesn't find out who he is until she's walking in for her first day on the job. She wants to set professional boundaries and refuses to pursue a relationship due to previous experience and concerns about the stigma of dating the boss. He pursues her aggressively and ignores her stated boundaries about a relationship between them.
We later find out that Kiana has even more reason to not want to date her boss. She had previously dated her boss at another hotel 3 years prior and his brother sexually assaulted her. When she tells her boyfriend at the time he doesn't believe her, fires her, and blacklists her from the industry in their city. After finding out this information Asher comments that he understands why she was so against them getting together and when he asks her why she decided to date him Kiana admits it's because he "refused to take no for an answer".
This book has a heavy focus on "me too" and "time's up" which is great and important. It also leads to multiple women getting justice after getting harassed at work and covers some important topics. HOWEVER, it feels really weird to do that in a book where the billionaire boss persuades his employee to date him by persistently not accepting no for an answer. I get part of the point is to show that Asher is supposedly different from these men and better than them by holding them accountable. But the situation felt off for me due to the other context. I get what the author was trying to do it just didn't fully land for me.
Despite that, I really liked the book. I liked that Asher wanted to spoil Kiana and believed her and never blamed her for her past/anything bad. I'm interested to read the other books--especially about his brother Johannes who was a giant dick in this book. I want to see if Tracie Delaney can redeem his behavior.
tmanning710's review against another edition
4.0
This was my first book by Tracie Delaney, and I really enjoyed it! From the moment that Kiana started talking to Asher in the bar I knew the direction this book was headed and let me tell you I was here for it. I loved the dynamic between these two and their chemistry was just off the charts.
The underlying story throughout the book is very modern with regards to sexual harassment in the work place and why a lot of women don’t come forward. Ash’s handling of it throughout is just want you want to see out of the MMC and what I wish was more common in the real world. I loved Kiana’s character and how she didn’t let the fact that Ash is a billionaire and the CEO of the company she works for change how she treats him. She even calls out all of the ass kissing from other people that Ash just doesn’t see because he’s so accustomed to it. I liked seeing the growth Kiana had in overcoming what happened to her in the past to the point where she could finally stand up not just for herself, but other women as well, when it comes to calling out sexual harassment.
The side characters are just as fun as the main characters. It was so nice to see loving, accepting, and supportive parents. (Yes, I’m side eyeing some of you other authors right now, and you know who you are.) Johannesburg is suuuuuch an interesting character and I can’t wait to learn more about his backstory. Now, I just sit here and anxiously await Penn’s book, because I can already tell that’s going to be a good one.
The underlying story throughout the book is very modern with regards to sexual harassment in the work place and why a lot of women don’t come forward. Ash’s handling of it throughout is just want you want to see out of the MMC and what I wish was more common in the real world. I loved Kiana’s character and how she didn’t let the fact that Ash is a billionaire and the CEO of the company she works for change how she treats him. She even calls out all of the ass kissing from other people that Ash just doesn’t see because he’s so accustomed to it. I liked seeing the growth Kiana had in overcoming what happened to her in the past to the point where she could finally stand up not just for herself, but other women as well, when it comes to calling out sexual harassment.
The side characters are just as fun as the main characters. It was so nice to see loving, accepting, and supportive parents. (Yes, I’m side eyeing some of you other authors right now, and you know who you are.) Johannesburg is suuuuuch an interesting character and I can’t wait to learn more about his backstory. Now, I just sit here and anxiously await Penn’s book, because I can already tell that’s going to be a good one.
courtsbooknook's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-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
4.5
Thank you to Tracie Delaney for providing me with an e-ARC of this book to read and review. Oh my goodness I loved this book so much. Seeing the hotel ownership as the billionaire trope was so so brilliant and as a former hotel employee I definitely relate to this world. Kiana was amazing. I loved her banter, her wit and her fierceness and willingness to go after what's best for her. Asher was actually a big mush and it was the best thing in the world. The family dynamics were top tier and I loved the all the healing and justice that took place throughout the book. This was so good and I cannot wait to devour book 2!
More...