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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.
latoinombra's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
nathanae88's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Quite middle of the road. Some elements were nice others a bit repetitive. I was put off by the beginning a bit when the MC started a little "I wish I could have this but alas, I can't" pity party in the middle of a casual hookup after saying 10 sentences to the other person.
It got better after that but well.
It got better after that but well.
lifeand100books's review
4.0
I really liked Sam's journey here and how much Michael helped him heal, grow, and look forward to a future.
I'm dying to know what happens after they walk off the elevator though!!!
I'm dying to know what happens after they walk off the elevator though!!!
golden_lily's review
4.0
Pretty hot BDSM that plays with dominant personalities IRL vs Dominant personalities in a scene. TW for homophobia including slurs and description of a hate crime in a character's backstory.
nina_readsbooks's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
bookish_notes's review against another edition
4.0
Well...this book was hot. And oddly enough, was a little too real for me. Please note that this is not at all related to the part that was hot, but I'll get to that. This book is about Michael taking a week-long vacation in Curacao and on his last night there, he really wants to find someone to hook-up with. But he has standards for the type of guy he wants. The guy who wears a suit and exudes power. But wouldn't mind handing the control to Michael. This makes for very precise, slim pickings. In walks Sam into the bar. He is all of Michael's expectations. Sam finished a deal in Florida and deliberately flew to Curacao to celebrate.
Michael and Sam meet each other's expectations, and more. They never expected to see each other again until, Michael sees that Sam has been hired on a his company's new CEO. He's the type of CEO a company brings in to either sell their company for scraps or find a way to merge it with another company. Michael and Same want one another, desperately, but a CEO can't just get with the lead developer and test engineer at his new company. Because, possible ethics violations (it's a bit of grey area between the two). Sam isn't exactly out of the closet, because the business world isn't quite so friendly with gay CEOs, which explains why he deliberately flew all the the way to Curacao in the first place to celebrate his new appointment.
So, why does Takeover hit a little too close to home for me? Well, I do work a job in test engineering and a lot of the stuff that happens in this book is spot on. I don't usually go into reading books that have anything to do with my job, so that made this book super interesting to read. Hell, I would be just as ticked off as Michael was if management gave a tight four week test cycle and cut it down to one. That is suicide. Naturally, I'm not anywhere near the corporate ladder like Michael and Sam, but the fight for testing time is too real. I've read the other reviews that say this book gets a bit detailed in that area, but I loved reading all the business dealings and development and test drama (such a nerd, I know). It's probably difficult to care about any of this if you're not working, or have any knowledge, in this field, so take that into account if you're planning on reading this book (and you should read this book, because sex).
I didn't go into reading this book expecting this to be a BDSM novel. Was that mentioned anywhere? There's a power reversal in this story that I liked. Instead of the CEO being the one to control everything, Sam's the one giving away the power. Or at least, when it comes to Michael. Sam is willing to lay it all out for Michael and they just have chemistry together. I also love that Michael dresses in just tropical wear (think parrot shirt paired with flip-flops) and is nothing like I would have expected him to be.
I just really love Michael and Sam, you guys. I'm looking forward to reading book two, Just Business, with two new characters we haven't met, and reading the rest of this series by Anna Zabo!
Michael and Sam meet each other's expectations, and more. They never expected to see each other again until, Michael sees that Sam has been hired on a his company's new CEO. He's the type of CEO a company brings in to either sell their company for scraps or find a way to merge it with another company. Michael and Same want one another, desperately, but a CEO can't just get with the lead developer and test engineer at his new company. Because, possible ethics violations (it's a bit of grey area between the two). Sam isn't exactly out of the closet, because the business world isn't quite so friendly with gay CEOs, which explains why he deliberately flew all the the way to Curacao in the first place to celebrate his new appointment.
So, why does Takeover hit a little too close to home for me? Well, I do work a job in test engineering and a lot of the stuff that happens in this book is spot on. I don't usually go into reading books that have anything to do with my job, so that made this book super interesting to read. Hell, I would be just as ticked off as Michael was if management gave a tight four week test cycle and cut it down to one. That is suicide. Naturally, I'm not anywhere near the corporate ladder like Michael and Sam, but the fight for testing time is too real. I've read the other reviews that say this book gets a bit detailed in that area, but I loved reading all the business dealings and development and test drama (such a nerd, I know). It's probably difficult to care about any of this if you're not working, or have any knowledge, in this field, so take that into account if you're planning on reading this book (and you should read this book, because sex).
I didn't go into reading this book expecting this to be a BDSM novel. Was that mentioned anywhere? There's a power reversal in this story that I liked. Instead of the CEO being the one to control everything, Sam's the one giving away the power. Or at least, when it comes to Michael. Sam is willing to lay it all out for Michael and they just have chemistry together. I also love that Michael dresses in just tropical wear (think parrot shirt paired with flip-flops) and is nothing like I would have expected him to be.
I just really love Michael and Sam, you guys. I'm looking forward to reading book two, Just Business, with two new characters we haven't met, and reading the rest of this series by Anna Zabo!