Scan barcode
a_reader_obsessed's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 Stars
Disclaimer: I’m not into BDSM other than a little slap and tickle or one getting a bit toppy with some restraints, and sometimes with such a tag there is a whole range of mild to extreme that could be present. Anything more than mild does absolutely nothing for me. Remember, staid. That’s me.
So this was definitely a juxtaposition of two things. On one hand you’ve got a highly romantic tale and angsty struggle between a boss and his employee. On the other, you’ve got a bdsm situation that I’m assuming is par for the course, including using leather belts, crops, clamps, you name it.
A chance meet brings together Sam and Michael, where each fall easily into their roles as sub and dom. It was one night of awesome and they never thought they’d see each other again. Except they do. Both know that their interaction can be nothing more than professional, but knowing better and sticking to the rules are two very different things.
Surprisingly smexy when pain wasn’t involved. This had good apt angst regarding their situation, and I always appreciate no over the top melodrama. The rating is for the story itself. I'll just choose to ignore the non-staid parts :)
Disclaimer: I’m not into BDSM other than a little slap and tickle or one getting a bit toppy with some restraints, and sometimes with such a tag there is a whole range of mild to extreme that could be present. Anything more than mild does absolutely nothing for me. Remember, staid. That’s me.
So this was definitely a juxtaposition of two things. On one hand you’ve got a highly romantic tale and angsty struggle between a boss and his employee. On the other, you’ve got a bdsm situation that I’m assuming is par for the course, including using leather belts, crops, clamps, you name it.
A chance meet brings together Sam and Michael, where each fall easily into their roles as sub and dom. It was one night of awesome and they never thought they’d see each other again. Except they do. Both know that their interaction can be nothing more than professional, but knowing better and sticking to the rules are two very different things.
Surprisingly smexy when pain wasn’t involved. This had good apt angst regarding their situation, and I always appreciate no over the top melodrama. The rating is for the story itself. I'll just choose to ignore the non-staid parts :)
evethingiread's review against another edition
4.0
Reading this for a second time because I missed this series. But the 2nd read wasn’t great. I found myself bored a lot
Some stories just have heart. This wasn't particularly special, but the characters were so present. They felt real and realistic, and I could feel their pain, their chemistry!! It was a good story. And the Audiobook was perfection
Some stories just have heart. This wasn't particularly special, but the characters were so present. They felt real and realistic, and I could feel their pain, their chemistry!! It was a good story. And the Audiobook was perfection
unusablebooklore's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Anonymous hook up turned boss sitch.
Scorching
Not overly complex.
forbidden attraction, some semi public seggs, budding friendship, corporate intrigue, suspenders and seggy suits.
This was a super easy and enjoyable. Even if question the safety of the MCs first interaction and Sam's desire for pain. I genuinely have no idea I put off reading it for so long. I'll be continuing with the remainder of this series ASAP.
Personal note of question:
Sam in HELLA in the closet, is this how people actually are? You can’t excel at business if you’re gay or is this book just being SUPER dramatic.
This was a super easy and enjoyable. Even if question the safety of the MCs first interaction and Sam's desire for pain. I genuinely have no idea I put off reading it for so long. I'll be continuing with the remainder of this series ASAP.
Personal note of question:
Sam in HELLA in the closet, is this how people actually are? You can’t excel at business if you’re gay or is this book just being SUPER dramatic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia and Violence
hellishlyawkward's review against another edition
3.0
Not memorable, but fine.
Liked the MCs, liked Sam more than Michael. Points for the enjoyable dom/sub kinkyness.
Was consistently distracted by MCs implausibly falling for each other, and both thinking about how they loved the other - after a period where they had barely been speaking or spending any time together. Didn’t find that I was very invested in them or what happened to them.
Overall ok, but nothing to write home about.
Liked the MCs, liked Sam more than Michael. Points for the enjoyable dom/sub kinkyness.
Was consistently distracted by MCs implausibly falling for each other, and both thinking about how they loved the other - after a period where they had barely been speaking or spending any time together. Didn’t find that I was very invested in them or what happened to them.
Overall ok, but nothing to write home about.
jackiehorne's review against another edition
3.0
M/m romance with the "meet and tryst on vacation, return to discover you're working together" trope. Sam Andersen was out and proud as an undergrad, but after experiencing the homophobia of the grad school business world, shut himself back in. He's looking to get laid on a short trip to Curacao before starting a new job, and finds the embodiment of his sexual dreams in Michael, who sees past his CEO confidence to his desire to be controlled in bed. Unfortunately, Michael's vacation ends the next day.
Both Michael and Sam are shocked to discover the company Sam has been brought in to "fix" is the one Michael is currently working at. Sexy times between boss and employee are definitely a no-no, but as the tension from the company's board tightens, Sam needs the release that only Michael can seem to give him.
The behind-the-scenes embezzlement plot falls rather flat, but the dynamic between Sam and Michael made the story well worth a read. Most of the m/m romances I've read of late have been set in very gay-friendly communities. I guess it shouldn't have come as such a surprise that many American professional communities are still incredibly homophobic—especially the world of high-stakes business wheeling and dealing.
Will definitely be reading more from Zabo.
Both Michael and Sam are shocked to discover the company Sam has been brought in to "fix" is the one Michael is currently working at. Sexy times between boss and employee are definitely a no-no, but as the tension from the company's board tightens, Sam needs the release that only Michael can seem to give him.
The behind-the-scenes embezzlement plot falls rather flat, but the dynamic between Sam and Michael made the story well worth a read. Most of the m/m romances I've read of late have been set in very gay-friendly communities. I guess it shouldn't have come as such a surprise that many American professional communities are still incredibly homophobic—especially the world of high-stakes business wheeling and dealing.
Will definitely be reading more from Zabo.
jagiaquinto's review against another edition
5.0
I wasn't sure if I was gonna like this story when I first picked it up but oooooh joy was I wrong. I LOVED it! From beginning to end it was fantastic. I don't know how other reviewers couldn't feel the attraction between these two but it was palpable! Amazing!
megelizabeth's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.5
"...the Sam of his high school and early college years was gone, replaced by someone with far more to lose. Far more to gain, too."
I absolutely loved this. I wasn't sure whether I would, with the boss/employee dynamic, but something had obviously drawn me to it and I'm so glad that it did, as that side of things is dealt with in a really healthy, nuanced way and I just completely fell in love with the characters and found myself rooting for them so hard both individually and as a couple. I'm also not generally super interested in corporate-workplace-type storylines, but I think I just connected so much to the characters and themes and the story in general that I didn't mind all the work-y stuff at all.
I will say that the BDSM stuff made me slightly uncomfortable at times, but again I thought it was dealt with thoughtfully and there was also lots of sexual and romantic tension outside of that. I'm not sure if I'll continue the series, as from what I can tell the BDSM ramps up a lot more than in this one (though I am tempted to just for more glimpses of Michael and Sam...) - but this was such a wonderfully pleasant surprise, given all the reasons I could've hated it, and I'm so, so glad that I read and loved it.
I absolutely loved this. I wasn't sure whether I would, with the boss/employee dynamic, but something had obviously drawn me to it and I'm so glad that it did, as that side of things is dealt with in a really healthy, nuanced way and I just completely fell in love with the characters and found myself rooting for them so hard both individually and as a couple. I'm also not generally super interested in corporate-workplace-type storylines, but I think I just connected so much to the characters and themes and the story in general that I didn't mind all the work-y stuff at all.
I will say that the BDSM stuff made me slightly uncomfortable at times, but again I thought it was dealt with thoughtfully and there was also lots of sexual and romantic tension outside of that. I'm not sure if I'll continue the series, as from what I can tell the BDSM ramps up a lot more than in this one (though I am tempted to just for more glimpses of Michael and Sam...) - but this was such a wonderfully pleasant surprise, given all the reasons I could've hated it, and I'm so, so glad that I read and loved it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Homophobia
catfoy's review against another edition
I found Sam to be super annoying and unreasonable towards Michael.
caseroo7's review against another edition
3.0
Review originally posted at Ramblings From This Chick
Takeover is the first book that I have read by Anna Zabo, but I was really intrigued by the cover and blurb. I loved the idea of a one night stand turning into more when the main characters unexpectedly reunite. I liked Michael and Sam both, but I did have a bit of a tough time with this story. While the characters were great, I felt like it was the story itself that I had problems connecting with.
While on vacation in Curacao, Michael Sebastian is looking to unwind with a little fun between the sheets. But on his last night there, he still hasn't found anyone that he is interested in. Then Sam Anderson walks into the bar, and Michael knows he is exactly what he has been waiting for. Sam's tension is clear, and Michael knows that he can be the one to remove the suit and help Sam release all that tension. Their night together ends up meaning more than either of them expected, and they are both left feeling a connection and passion unlike anything they have felt before. But one night is all they can have and Michael leaves to return home. But when Michael returns to work, he quickly finds that his struggling company has hired none other than Sam to be their new CEO. While Michael and Sam both want more time together, they know that they need to keep things professional. But what they know and want are two very different things, and before long they are unable to stay away from one another. But with Michael refusing to be involved with someone in the closet ever again and Sam's fear of that knowledge ending his career, how can they ever hope to have any kind of future together?
I really liked both Sam and Michael. Sam was not your typical executive, and I really loved that about him. He looked the part, but he was willing to listen to his employees and would stand up for them when needed. He might have been about authority and control at work, but with Michael he relinquished that and handed it all over. He could really be his true self with Michael, and I loved watching him explore his desires and the passion that he had always fantasized about but never practiced. Michael was great as well. He was the easy going guy at work that everyone looked up to and relied on. He was loyal and kind. But in the bedroom he was after control. While he was domineering and took that seriously, he wasn't arrogant or mean about it. He wanted to give and receive pleasure, but he always cared for Sam and made sure not to take things too far or hurt him. I thought that Sam and Michael had great chemistry, and I liked the ease to their relationship. I thought that they really connected on every level and I enjoyed seeing them get to know one another and fall in love.
My problem with this book was that I felt like the story got too bogged down with all the work details at times, and I found myself losing interest. I understand needing part of that for the story, but at times I felt we got much more of it than we needed and I found it boring. I kept wanting to skim large portions of the story and get back to more of Michael and Sam. I almost felt like at times they weren't the focus of the story, but rather a side plot that was meant to round out the story of the problems with the business and those involved. I would have liked to have seen more interactions between Michael and Sam, especially after the ending. I wanted to see how they moved forward together, and adjusted to life in a relationship where they were out and able to be seen together. While this wasn't a bad book and I liked Michael and Sam, I had been hoping for more and it wasn't what I had been expecting. If you don't mind a romance where the relationship isn't the main focus, I would say you might give this one a shot. But if you are looking for one that has the characters and their relationship as the priority, this one might not be for you.
**ARC Provided by Publisher**
Takeover is the first book that I have read by Anna Zabo, but I was really intrigued by the cover and blurb. I loved the idea of a one night stand turning into more when the main characters unexpectedly reunite. I liked Michael and Sam both, but I did have a bit of a tough time with this story. While the characters were great, I felt like it was the story itself that I had problems connecting with.
While on vacation in Curacao, Michael Sebastian is looking to unwind with a little fun between the sheets. But on his last night there, he still hasn't found anyone that he is interested in. Then Sam Anderson walks into the bar, and Michael knows he is exactly what he has been waiting for. Sam's tension is clear, and Michael knows that he can be the one to remove the suit and help Sam release all that tension. Their night together ends up meaning more than either of them expected, and they are both left feeling a connection and passion unlike anything they have felt before. But one night is all they can have and Michael leaves to return home. But when Michael returns to work, he quickly finds that his struggling company has hired none other than Sam to be their new CEO. While Michael and Sam both want more time together, they know that they need to keep things professional. But what they know and want are two very different things, and before long they are unable to stay away from one another. But with Michael refusing to be involved with someone in the closet ever again and Sam's fear of that knowledge ending his career, how can they ever hope to have any kind of future together?
I really liked both Sam and Michael. Sam was not your typical executive, and I really loved that about him. He looked the part, but he was willing to listen to his employees and would stand up for them when needed. He might have been about authority and control at work, but with Michael he relinquished that and handed it all over. He could really be his true self with Michael, and I loved watching him explore his desires and the passion that he had always fantasized about but never practiced. Michael was great as well. He was the easy going guy at work that everyone looked up to and relied on. He was loyal and kind. But in the bedroom he was after control. While he was domineering and took that seriously, he wasn't arrogant or mean about it. He wanted to give and receive pleasure, but he always cared for Sam and made sure not to take things too far or hurt him. I thought that Sam and Michael had great chemistry, and I liked the ease to their relationship. I thought that they really connected on every level and I enjoyed seeing them get to know one another and fall in love.
My problem with this book was that I felt like the story got too bogged down with all the work details at times, and I found myself losing interest. I understand needing part of that for the story, but at times I felt we got much more of it than we needed and I found it boring. I kept wanting to skim large portions of the story and get back to more of Michael and Sam. I almost felt like at times they weren't the focus of the story, but rather a side plot that was meant to round out the story of the problems with the business and those involved. I would have liked to have seen more interactions between Michael and Sam, especially after the ending. I wanted to see how they moved forward together, and adjusted to life in a relationship where they were out and able to be seen together. While this wasn't a bad book and I liked Michael and Sam, I had been hoping for more and it wasn't what I had been expecting. If you don't mind a romance where the relationship isn't the main focus, I would say you might give this one a shot. But if you are looking for one that has the characters and their relationship as the priority, this one might not be for you.
**ARC Provided by Publisher**
lezreadalot's review against another edition
3.0
If they were doomed to fall, he might as well make it a controlled descent.
This was fun; the story of a chance hook up that turns into something more when both guys return from vacation and realise they'll be working with one another. Even worse, Sam is Michael's new boss. Extremely sexy, great chemistry. The plot outside of the romance revolves around a tech company, our protagonists' attempts to save it, as well as butting heads with a malignant industry rival. Not especially interesting, but I mean, I was also never bored. The D/s aspects were great (thank god for keeping it in the bedroom), the writing was more than serviceable, and parts of the story were so touching (esp. their backstories).
Where did it fall short for me? Well, this is highly subjective but
That's all.
Oh and I guess the story did move a bit fast and get wrapped up quite quickly.
Good overall. I've been meaning to try this author for a while, and this does make me want to read more of their stuff. 3.5 stars.
This was fun; the story of a chance hook up that turns into something more when both guys return from vacation and realise they'll be working with one another. Even worse, Sam is Michael's new boss. Extremely sexy, great chemistry. The plot outside of the romance revolves around a tech company, our protagonists' attempts to save it, as well as butting heads with a malignant industry rival. Not especially interesting, but I mean, I was also never bored. The D/s aspects were great (thank god for keeping it in the bedroom), the writing was more than serviceable, and parts of the story were so touching (esp. their backstories).
Where did it fall short for me? Well, this is highly subjective but
Spoiler
I just. Really hate when books villainise people who are in the closet, or like if one of the stipulations for being in a relationship is "you have to come out". It makes me so uncomfortable. And to be clear, I don't think it was badly or maliciously done. Michael's closeted ex really was extraordinarily shitty to him. Michael didn't force Sam out of the closet; Sam made that decision for himself. Though I mean, Michael did straight-up say that he wouldn't be in a relationship with someone closeted ever again. Which isn't a bad thing in itself. You can have personal boundaries and limitations! It's just. Always a sore point for me when coming out is posited as the be all and end all, and if you don't do it you're being shitty to yourself and everyone around you. I just don't like it! It makes me feel bad!That's all.
Oh and I guess the story did move a bit fast and get wrapped up quite quickly.
Good overall. I've been meaning to try this author for a while, and this does make me want to read more of their stuff. 3.5 stars.