A review by fairytales
Beautiful Bastard by Christina Lauren

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

1.5

This book was an oof yikes (and I have rated another one of these authors’ books 5 stars). I did complete it but probably only because I knew what would happen from the original fanfic version that I read some 15? years ago. This dynamic is just hugely problematic and I couldn't put that aside when reading. I know they were going for an enemies to lovers work romance but a) it felt unrealistic with the way it jumps from 0 to 100 on the lust side at work and was clearly breaking a million rules and b) the beginning feels like a sexual harassment case not a romance.
He is literally her boss, it’s a huge power dynamic issue and he just touches her in a conference room without permission and no conversation from her indicating that she’s interested. Also so brazen—they seem remarkably unconcerned about being caught having sex multiple times on company property during the work day. Maybe this is fantasy fulfillment for some folks but I just felt the plot didn't work. They could have stuck them at a bar with coworkers and made him be at the company but not her direct boss and it would have at least felt less like such a blatant violation of multiple workplace rules.
I think they should have done more to transition this from a fanfic to a book. This is showing me I am much more of a slow/medium burn romance gal and this much smut without feelings first is not so much for me.
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