A review by wafflesnweights
The Boss Situation: a billionaire workplace enemies to lovers office romcom by Lyra Parish

challenging emotional mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

AITA? Yes. But Make It Fashion.

Dedication: This is for phoenixes, the ones who were set on fire by those they once trusted, but managed to rise from the ashes anyway… Asher Banks is waiting for you, bad girl.

Billie (FMC): Bellamore Fashion CEO • Diamond Princess • Stubborn • Strong & Fierce • Easton (bk 1) and Weston’s (bk 2)  Little Sister • 

Asher (MMC): Banks Advertising & Marketing CEO • Calculating • Protective • Workaholic • Carrying on His Sister’s Legacy • Tattooed •

Tropes:

💎 Enemies to Lovers (enemies for most the book)

👔 Billionaires

💎 Office Romance 

👔 Brothers’ Friend

💎 Family Saga

👔 He Falls First & Harder

💎 College Rivals

👔 Fierce Girl Gang

💎 So.Much.Banter 

👔 Slow Burn 

💎 Tension 

👔 Dash of Suspense 

💎 Corporate Fashion Wars

👔 Plot Twists with a Side of Sabotage 

Rating: 🐦‍🔥🐦‍🔥🐦‍🔥 (3⭐️) 

Spice: 🌶️🌶️ (self pleasure, 💦💦, 👅, praise, (light) degradation, dirty talk, public play)

T/W: death of a sibling (referenced), drunk driving (referenced), car accident (referenced), grief (referenced), infidelity (referenced), alcohol consumption (on page), unwanted following (on page), unwanted touching (on page), violence (brief, on page)

This book is the literary equivalent of a Reddit AITA thread with the verdict being that “Everyone Sucks Here”, but make it enemies-to-lovers with stilettos, billionaires, and a splash of suspense.

Billie and Asher have history, and not the cute, nostalgic kind. Think: academic rivals turned workplace nemeses who can’t be in the same room without unleashing emotional warfare and sexual tension so thick you could slice it with a Jimmy Choo heel. Did I love the characters? Eh.

The first half was pure petty chaos. The hate was hating. The vibes were toxic. But whew, did it take its sweet time getting to the lovers part. Like, glacial pacing. I had to remind myself this was a romance.

Things picked up steam in the second half—finally! Secret relationship? Check. High-stakes drama? Double check. A stalker subplot and an unhinged ex? Why not throw in a royal while we’re at it? It gave just enough tension and spice to keep me invested, especially with the setup for the next book (Brody, I see you and I’m ready).

While the story sometimes felt more like a bridge to the next installment, the emotional payoff, once it landed, did land. Billie and Asher’s story may be messy, but it’s a reminder that love doesn’t always start soft. Sometimes, it’s born from fire—and Lyra Parish knows how to bring the heat.

Swoony Lines:

“You’re never alone, princess. Not as long as my heart beats.”

“I would burn the world to ash for you without apology—because the glass slipper only fits one princess. And that’s you.”

I received an ARC copy and wanted to leave an honest review.