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The Calvettis of New York #3
Ruthless
Ruthless, a new standalone from New York Times and USA Today Bestseller, Deborah Bladon.
When I agreed to go on a blind date my best friend set up, I had no idea how the night would end.
As soon as I got to the restaurant, I spotted the dark-haired, gorgeous man I thought I was there to have dinner with.
I sat down at his table and proceeded to flirt awkwardly with him.
When his actual date came back to their table from the ladies� room, I realized my mistake.
The sinfully sexy man I told a condensed version of my dating history to wasn’t Dale, the friend-of-a-friend I was there to meet.
Mortified, I went home and hid in my bed for the rest of the night swearing off blind dates forever.
Three days later, I came face-to-face with the hot-as-hell stranger from the restaurant again.
This time he introduced himself.
Barrett Adler.
He’s that Mr. Adler. Barrett is my new boss.
He quickly proves he’s the most annoying, arrogant, and ruthless man I’ve ever met.
My employment contract ties me to him for the next year.
Three hundred and sixty-five days from now I’ll be free of him forever.
Or will I?
When I agreed to go on a blind date my best friend set up, I had no idea how the night would end.
As soon as I got to the restaurant, I spotted the dark-haired, gorgeous man I thought I was there to have dinner with.
I sat down at his table and proceeded to flirt awkwardly with him.
When his actual date came back to their table from the ladies� room, I realized my mistake.
The sinfully sexy man I told a condensed version of my dating history to wasn’t Dale, the friend-of-a-friend I was there to meet.
Mortified, I went home and hid in my bed for the rest of the night swearing off blind dates forever.
Three days later, I came face-to-face with the hot-as-hell stranger from the restaurant again.
This time he introduced himself.
Barrett Adler.
He’s that Mr. Adler. Barrett is my new boss.
He quickly proves he’s the most annoying, arrogant, and ruthless man I’ve ever met.
My employment contract ties me to him for the next year.
Three hundred and sixty-five days from now I’ll be free of him forever.
Or will I?
313 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 7, 2019
825 people are currently reading
617 people want to read
About the author
Deborah Bladon
94books2,322followersDeborah Bladon has never read a romance hero she didn't like. Her love for romance novels began when she was old enough to board the bus, library card in hand to check out the newest Harlequin paperbacks. She's a Canadian by heart, and by passport, but you can often spot her in New York City sipping a latte and looking for inspiration for her next story. Manhattan is definitely her second home.
She cherishes her family and believes that each day is a gift for writing, for reading, and for loving.
She cherishes her family and believes that each day is a gift for writing, for reading, and for loving.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 147 reviews
October 12, 2019
This was fun & effortless to read.
Towards the end, there was a twist that I didn't expect.
Overall, an enjoyable office romance with some amazing banter.
Recommend it!
Towards the end, there was a twist that I didn't expect.
Overall, an enjoyable office romance with some amazing banter.
Recommend it!
February 28, 2021
1,5 stars rounded up to 2
The book begins with the heroine going on a blind date. She mistakenly assumes that the hero is her date. He doesn't correct her until his actual date and later her actual date appear at the table. She is naturally mortified.
In a few days, she finds out that the CEO of the company she works for has changed and now she is the executive assistant to the new CEO, who happens to be the hero - the guy she thought was her blind date! From then on, I hated the book because the heroine became the type of person I hate. She was not happy with the change and she wasn't happy to always see the reminder of her mortification so she acted in a very rude way towards the new CEO for a long time. It was as if she was the boss, not him. She rejected the things he asked of her. She deliberately called him with wrong names etc. It wasn't cool. If you have made a mistake and feel embarrassed by it, acting rude towards that person doesn't change that fact, it just makes you an ill-mannered annoying b*tch!
I really don't know what the hero loved about her other than her hot body and beautiful face. Somewhere in the middle, they become lovers but the transition was no good.
The blurb and the title are both misleading; the hero is not ruthless at all. If someone is ruthless, then it is the spoiled heroine.
In short, I didn't like this book although towards the end, there were a few good moments. I think it is because I never managed to like the heroine and also because it s just an ordinary book, which is boring most of the time.
Writing & Safety:
- Dual point of view - 230 pages
- Safe with no cheating, no OW/OM drama
You can follow
The book begins with the heroine going on a blind date. She mistakenly assumes that the hero is her date. He doesn't correct her until his actual date and later her actual date appear at the table. She is naturally mortified.
In a few days, she finds out that the CEO of the company she works for has changed and now she is the executive assistant to the new CEO, who happens to be the hero - the guy she thought was her blind date! From then on, I hated the book because the heroine became the type of person I hate. She was not happy with the change and she wasn't happy to always see the reminder of her mortification so she acted in a very rude way towards the new CEO for a long time. It was as if she was the boss, not him. She rejected the things he asked of her. She deliberately called him with wrong names etc. It wasn't cool. If you have made a mistake and feel embarrassed by it, acting rude towards that person doesn't change that fact, it just makes you an ill-mannered annoying b*tch!
I really don't know what the hero loved about her other than her hot body and beautiful face. Somewhere in the middle, they become lovers but the transition was no good.
The blurb and the title are both misleading; the hero is not ruthless at all. If someone is ruthless, then it is the spoiled heroine.
In short, I didn't like this book although towards the end, there were a few good moments. I think it is because I never managed to like the heroine and also because it s just an ordinary book, which is boring most of the time.
Writing & Safety:
- Dual point of view - 230 pages
- Safe with no cheating, no OW/OM drama
You can follow
October 22, 2019
2 🤔🤔⭐️s
I loved the first seven chapters! They were really great. Bella mistook the man she was supposed to meet in a blind date and met someone else. She was very attracted to him but everything fall apart when his date arrived. While Bella was very embarrassed her actual blind date appeared.
As the story evolved and finally ended, I could not connect with either main characters and was detached. They lacked in development and emotions and I could only catch glimpses of their chemistry. The revelation towards the end felt as an addition just to create an effect.
I loved the first seven chapters! They were really great. Bella mistook the man she was supposed to meet in a blind date and met someone else. She was very attracted to him but everything fall apart when his date arrived. While Bella was very embarrassed her actual blind date appeared.
As the story evolved and finally ended, I could not connect with either main characters and was detached. They lacked in development and emotions and I could only catch glimpses of their chemistry. The revelation towards the end felt as an addition just to create an effect.
November 6, 2019
I’m in a bit of an aggravating book slump so maybe this book is a 3 star but I’m not feeling generous.
The meet-cute was exactly that! It happened just as the synopsis explained - Bella mistakes Barrett as her blind date. He doesn’t correct her. And later it is embarrassingly exposed. Hoping to forget the mortification, she finds out he’s her boss for the next year.
That’s where the book falls flat. The entire middle part of the book is lackluster. Nothing exciting. No big conflicts were even teased. Then towards the very end, the conflicts and twists are rushed and thrown in rather haphazardly in my opinion.
The ending has a cute surprise conflict that turns pretty romantic and the sap in me loved it... but I feel it should have been exposed or at least alluded to much sooner in the book.
I hate not finishing books once I start them but had I been of that ilk, I would have stopped midway through due to boredom.
The meet-cute was exactly that! It happened just as the synopsis explained - Bella mistakes Barrett as her blind date. He doesn’t correct her. And later it is embarrassingly exposed. Hoping to forget the mortification, she finds out he’s her boss for the next year.
That’s where the book falls flat. The entire middle part of the book is lackluster. Nothing exciting. No big conflicts were even teased. Then towards the very end, the conflicts and twists are rushed and thrown in rather haphazardly in my opinion.
The ending has a cute surprise conflict that turns pretty romantic and the sap in me loved it... but I feel it should have been exposed or at least alluded to much sooner in the book.
I hate not finishing books once I start them but had I been of that ilk, I would have stopped midway through due to boredom.
October 7, 2019
Barrett and Bella has the mistaken identity after the fact awkward meet cute. She goes on a blind date but sits down at a table thinking it's her date, talks to the guy, has a drink but turns out, she's at the wrong table. Quite embarrassing!!! hahaha. Fast forward, days later, she heard into work and change is happening, MR. Wrong table blind date guy is her new boss, Barrett Adler. Pretty ruthless, pretty cold, and really good looking. He's spending his time fighting his curiosity and attraction to his new executive assistant.
The more they spend time with each other, they are bits and pieces of the good person and their attraction grows strong. Told in dual Povs my favorite, you see Dylan, Barrett's best friend from Versus. Bella and Barrett have more in common than they think. I really enjoyed their story. There is so much depth to these characters, how hard they love, and how much they've overcome. There is a past, but I don't want to say too much about it without spoiling their story. This is a definite DB read!!!!!
The more they spend time with each other, they are bits and pieces of the good person and their attraction grows strong. Told in dual Povs my favorite, you see Dylan, Barrett's best friend from Versus. Bella and Barrett have more in common than they think. I really enjoyed their story. There is so much depth to these characters, how hard they love, and how much they've overcome. There is a past, but I don't want to say too much about it without spoiling their story. This is a definite DB read!!!!!
February 2, 2022
Lucu sih.. heroine nya tu ngeselin banget, sama bosnya gak ada takut-takutnya tp tentu saja bkn karena sebab, soale die di perusahaan ude magang dari masih bocah, sama owner nya kenal deket, bahkan sama anak bosnya jg... tiba2 CEO nya ganti dan si masnya ngeselin banget, makanya die ngebantah mulu, si CEO baru jg gak bisa mecat die kr terikat kontrak gitu..
Ceritanya Isabella Cavaletti disuruh blind date sama temen nya Max (her bff), namanya Dale katanya ganteng bla bla.. dan pas sampai resto
gw tu penawaran sama Gina (influencer kakaknya Bella), tp kayaknya blm ada bukunya die ^^
Ceritanya Isabella Cavaletti disuruh blind date sama temen nya Max (her bff), namanya Dale katanya ganteng bla bla.. dan pas sampai resto
gw tu penawaran sama Gina (influencer kakaknya Bella), tp kayaknya blm ada bukunya die ^^
May 11, 2020
I’ve been trying to get through this since the quarantine started but I just couldn’t. It’s been more than a month and I’ve read and watch many books and shows since then so I guess it’s time to give up on this. I’m sorry. It’s probably just a case of not you it’s me thing. Maybe you’d enjoy it. Give it a try.
October 14, 2019
I debated between rating this one 2.5 or a 3 stars, but ended up choosing 3 stars because in the end I did enjoy the book more than a 2.5 stars read.
Ruthless was differente than what I expected. I love office romances and those sort of jerk CEO bosses that create these enemies-to-lovers fun books. Ruthless isn't quite there, but enough that I enjoyed it.
I was hoping for a bit more angst and some things were explained, but could have been more polished. There was this whole suspense about something that happened in the past and in the end I thought it was something so much more from how it was hinted.
Also, something I usually don't point out about books: the cover. I liked, but it doesn't really match the blurb or the story. I mean, there is something in the story that mimics the cover, but I got the impression it was put there because of the cover and not the other way around.
Ruthless is sort of a rom-com, but not really. It's an okay read for me, I enjoyed it enough to entertain me, but I wish it was a bit more developed in some parts, but overal a good one, specially if you're into office romances.
Ruthless was differente than what I expected. I love office romances and those sort of jerk CEO bosses that create these enemies-to-lovers fun books. Ruthless isn't quite there, but enough that I enjoyed it.
I was hoping for a bit more angst and some things were explained, but could have been more polished. There was this whole suspense about something that happened in the past and in the end I thought it was something so much more from how it was hinted.
Also, something I usually don't point out about books: the cover. I liked, but it doesn't really match the blurb or the story. I mean, there is something in the story that mimics the cover, but I got the impression it was put there because of the cover and not the other way around.
Ruthless is sort of a rom-com, but not really. It's an okay read for me, I enjoyed it enough to entertain me, but I wish it was a bit more developed in some parts, but overal a good one, specially if you're into office romances.
October 21, 2019
stopped at 60% . this book was just so boring and felt flat. the heroine was super rude and annoying . there was barely any chemistry between her and the hero. around 60% things became predictable and ive read enough books to know that i have better things to do and other books to read.
October 11, 2019
3 Stars ☆☆�. This was a very easy read. The story was cute and kept me hooked. It wasn't super memorable but it's what I was in the mood for.
June 22, 2021
“If this is what a nine-and-a-half looks like on Max’s scale of hotness, I don’t know what the hell a ten would look like.�
“If I were to place an order for a perfect man, Dale would drop from the sky and land in my bed.�
Bella (Isabella) Calvetti, starts this story by going on a blind date setup by her best friend Max.
She has no idea who she’s meeting and after a series of miscommunications and misunderstandings, she ends up at the table of Barrett Adler (spoiler alert, he isn’t Dale, her blind date).
“Satisfy yourself after hours.�
He did not just say that. “Excuse me?�
Glaring at me, he shoves a hand through his hair. “Satisfy your sweet tooth after hours. You’re my executive assistant. It’s not professional for you to be sitting here sucking on that.�
She works as an executive assistant, for the Garent Industries NY CEO and she’s damn good at what she does.
When Duke Garent becomes sick and needs someone to replace him, Barret steps in, making Bella’s life, that much more interesting.
“I owe myself more than a man who thinks my best is not enough.�
Working under the man she mistakenly “had� a blind date with and to whom she told some of her most intimate secrets, won’t be easy and Bella is strong headed enough to not bow under pressure.
“If there were a master class in effortless seduction, Isabella Calvetti would be the professor.�
Barrett Adler has work his whole life to reach the level he’s now.
Seen by others as ruthless and unapproachable, he isn’t afraid to cut back costs and drown dream to reach the bottom line.
He’s good at what he does and the company will be back on track in no time.
If only he could stop fantasizing (and staring at his assistant).
“I need zero explanation about her abilities as a childcare provider because she’s my fucking executive assistant and nowhere in her job description does it mention babysitting mop-haired toddlers in the middle of a Thursday afternoon.�
I loved this book. Really loved it!
Bella and Barrett love story would have been already so sweet and funny to begin with, but the author made it deeper, more intricate,� loved it!
“If I were to place an order for a perfect man, Dale would drop from the sky and land in my bed.�
Bella (Isabella) Calvetti, starts this story by going on a blind date setup by her best friend Max.
She has no idea who she’s meeting and after a series of miscommunications and misunderstandings, she ends up at the table of Barrett Adler (spoiler alert, he isn’t Dale, her blind date).
“Satisfy yourself after hours.�
He did not just say that. “Excuse me?�
Glaring at me, he shoves a hand through his hair. “Satisfy your sweet tooth after hours. You’re my executive assistant. It’s not professional for you to be sitting here sucking on that.�
She works as an executive assistant, for the Garent Industries NY CEO and she’s damn good at what she does.
When Duke Garent becomes sick and needs someone to replace him, Barret steps in, making Bella’s life, that much more interesting.
“I owe myself more than a man who thinks my best is not enough.�
Working under the man she mistakenly “had� a blind date with and to whom she told some of her most intimate secrets, won’t be easy and Bella is strong headed enough to not bow under pressure.
“If there were a master class in effortless seduction, Isabella Calvetti would be the professor.�
Barrett Adler has work his whole life to reach the level he’s now.
Seen by others as ruthless and unapproachable, he isn’t afraid to cut back costs and drown dream to reach the bottom line.
He’s good at what he does and the company will be back on track in no time.
If only he could stop fantasizing (and staring at his assistant).
“I need zero explanation about her abilities as a childcare provider because she’s my fucking executive assistant and nowhere in her job description does it mention babysitting mop-haired toddlers in the middle of a Thursday afternoon.�
I loved this book. Really loved it!
Bella and Barrett love story would have been already so sweet and funny to begin with, but the author made it deeper, more intricate,� loved it!
May 20, 2020
This book started off so good to me. I mean I read over half of the book in one sitting. It was good until it wasn't. When it wasn't it really wasn't, and I mean REALLY BLANDDDD. Unfortunately the good did not carry the bad and in the end the book ended up sucking for me. First of all, for the life of me I did not know why the book was called Ruthless. The guy was not a bad guy, there was no animosity between the two characters and even the little annoyance that came from Bella towards Barrett was in most cases playful. Unless it was named that way because of Barrett's firing escapades.
Second, I did not see the point of the so called climax of this book. It did absolutely nothing for book. And when exactly did they realize they had feelings for each other and for what reason. Because it seemed like one moment they were fucking, the next it was they love each other. The characters did not see anything towards each other, other than their physical appearance. There was so much irrelevant shit on this book
Second, I did not see the point of the so called climax of this book. It did absolutely nothing for book. And when exactly did they realize they had feelings for each other and for what reason. Because it seemed like one moment they were fucking, the next it was they love each other. The characters did not see anything towards each other, other than their physical appearance. There was so much irrelevant shit on this book
June 12, 2023
I think this was a free download from either kindle or one of those many mailing lists I subscribe to. I’m giving it 4 stars because I spent most of this afternoon reading it. I think the “twist� is a bit of an overbuild (I don’t think this spoils anything) because you might not agree with me on that should read this book. I like the boss / employee romance theme of this book and I really liked both Barrett & Bella. The misdelivered package scene was hilarious. I also enjoyed most of the side characters especially Marti, Max and Dylan. That being said I would recommend this book.
October 26, 2020
The book started off strong but fizzled towards the middle. Their first meeting was very cute. But I never felt any real emotions other than some lukewarm lust. The H had a lot of secrets and the h was opinionated one minute but never questioned the way he was leading (and hiding) the relationship. The ending was rushed with many unsolved questions. I still don’t understand the relationship between the H and his father and sisters. Why mention it if it doesn’t really matter?
2.5 stars rounded up to 3.
2.5 stars rounded up to 3.
October 22, 2021
It was a good read. A bit typical and predictable.
August 29, 2020
לא הצלחתי להתחבר לספר
December 19, 2022
Wow! Barrett & Bella’s Romance Captures Your Attention From The Start With A Hilarious Beginning. Their Wildly Disastrous Mistaken Blind Date Turns Into A Forbidden Office Romance In This Sweet & Steamy Enemies-To-Lovers Story. It Is Another Great Addition To The Calvettis of New York series.
This is the third book in the series. It is Barrett Adler and Isabella Calvetti’s story. It is an interconnected standalone in The Calvettis of New York series. Isabella and Rocco from book one are cousins; they are both Marti Calvetti’s grandchildren. Fans will also be thrilled to read about other crossover characters in the author’s world.
The Calvettis of New York series includes:
1. Thirst (Rocco Jones & Dexie Walsh’s story)
2. Frostbite (Calder Frost & Raelyn Walsh’s story)
3. Ruthless (Barrett Adler & Isabella Calvetti’s story)
4. XOXO (Dominick Calvetti & Arietta Voss’s story)
5. Bittersweet (Luke Jones & Afton’s story)
FROM THIRST, BOOK 1:
Rocco & Dexie’s Forbidden Romance Is A Sweet Story That Captures You From The Beginning! Don’t Forget To Download The Free Thirst Novella Via The Link At The Back Of The Book.
Dexie Walsh, twenty-seven, is not afraid of hard work. She works in marketing at Matiz Cosmetics, where she knows there are invaluable lessons to learn. She also works part-time for her friend Sophia Wolf, who has her own clothing line. Dexie has just moved into a cheaper apartment in the hopes of keeping her dream alive. She wants to take her part-time purse design business into a full-time business. Dexie is a bit of an artist. She loves bold colors and refuses to follow rules. Her custom-designed pursues reflect her personality. Each purse gets her unique spin on style and special attention to detail.
Dexie has run her purse design business from her home during every spare hour she can find. Most of her customers come by word of mouth, and she is doing well, but she is stuck. Taking it to the next step requires a capital investment, something she does not have. If she is serious about making her dream a reality, she must look for a private investor.
Rocco Jones, thirty-five, may be rolling in the dough these days, but it was not always that way. He has led an interesting life doing a wide range of things � from bartending and working in a fish market a decade ago to becoming a famed world champion poker player for two consecutive years. He took his savings and proved his business savvy as well. He invests in promising startups and helps to ensure their success. He made a fortune a few years ago on a gaming app that is still paying off in spades.
Despite all the success, however, Rocco remains grounded. He still lives close to midtown Manhattan, in the same apartment he moved into twelve years ago. He has never outgrown his family, either. His mom died when he was just six, but his maternal grandmother stepped in and helped out his struggling father. He adores his grandmother, whom he regularly visits. She owns and runs Calvetti’s, an Italian restaurant known for its good food as well as its beloved owner, Martina Calvetti. Rocco has two younger brothers. Nash, thirty-three, owns an ad agency. Luke, twenty-nine, is a fireman. Rocco is close to his cousin Gina, too. He also gained a stepmother and stepsister when his father eventually remarried. Rocco and his father are close, but they have endured their fair share of heartache, and as the eldest, Rocco has shouldered a great deal of the burden.
When Dexie moves into her new apartment, she cannot help but notice the tall, dark, and handsome man that lives in the apartment across the street from her. They begin to flirt from afar, which seems both forbidden and safe. Flirting with a stranger may be dangerous, but until they actually meet it is harmless.
When Rocco comes across the beautiful blond with pink-streaked hair, he can hardly believe his luck. He would recognize his neighbor anywhere since she has come to star in his fantasies. He does not have an issue with mixing a little business with pleasure. It is Dexie who has the misgivings. The two begin their professional lives with one another with an underlying tension that cannot be stifled, no matter how much Dexie might wish it. The two struggle to find balance between personal and professional as they get to know one another. They eventually find a happy ending.
FROM FROSTBITE, BOOK 2:
Calder & Rae’s Sweet & Steamy Novella Is A Perfect Holiday Read! It Has A Lovely Feel-Good Ending - And Even A Few Happy Tears.
The story opens in December.
Raelyn Walsh, twenty-four, is building her career as an artist. Since college, she has taken assignments abroad. She spent over a year in London working under esteemed artist Lysa Trumell, followed by a year with sculptor Eleni Melo in Brazil. She dreams of one day having her own studio in New York so she can be near her sister, Dexie.
Rae’s Brazil assignment ended a few weeks ago, so she packed up and went to stay with Dexie and her husband, Rocco until she secures a new assignment. In the meantime, she put up an online store selling her own hand-painted glass bulbs which are popular during the Christmas season.
Calder Frost, thirty, isn’t the warm and fuzzy type. His looks � especially his mesmerizing blue eyes � get him plenty of attention, but he doesn’t care for the fawning. He has built a name for himself as an artist of sculptures in metal. He knows the value of his work and he gets what he deserves. He realizes how much art has impacted his life, so he quietly gives back in his own way, hoping to inspire others to enter the field.
Calder is broody and moody, and he channels that into his work. He has never felt too attached to a woman, so the few relationships he has had are over in a matter of a few months. He lives above his studio, enabling him to easily work when inspired. He hired Bauer Knight two years ago as an assistant, and they have a great working relationship. As Bauer is the younger brother of his lifelong best friend William, he is happy to help guide and mentor his assistant in his own artistic pursuits.
When a snowstorm brings Calder and Rae crashing together one night, Rae cannot get over his rudeness. Calder, on the other hand, cannot get over how alive she made him feel. Her combination of sass and sweetness is adorable, and something about her feels almost familiar and comfortable. When fate brings them together again the next day, he isn’t about to let her slip away. But Rae’s stay in New York is only temporary, so he’ll need to tread carefully or risk scaring her away. The couple soon finds a heartwarming happy ending.
IN THIS BOOK:
Isabella “Bella� Calvetti, twenty-four, hasn’t had much luck with men. She has had a long dry spell, the result of a string of blind dates that lead to nothing. She can figure out pretty quickly whether a man is worth her time or not. Her best friend since childhood, Maxwell Polley, isn’t giving up on helping her find a husband, even if she isn’t yet ready to think about settling down. She is focused on her career now. She has been with Garent Industries since she interned there at age seventeen. Ivan Garent started the international powerhouse himself fifty years ago. Although he hasn’t retired, he works out of the Chicago office now and lets his thirty-six-year-old son Duke serve as CEO in Manhattan.
After completing her summer internship, Bella continued on at Garent part-time through college at NYU, where she double majored in economics and marketing. Since graduation, she worked her way up to the coveted position of executive assistant to the CEO. She has worked directly for Duke Garent for six months now, and she loves her job. Her position gives her exposure to the kind of work that she would like to do herself one day. Despite his eccentric taste, Bella considers Duke a friend, and she is thankful for the warm atmosphere at Garent in addition to the valuable work experience she is gaining.
Barrett Adler, thirty-four, has been the COO of Garent Industries for five years now. He returned to his hometown to work after attending USC, but there isn’t much to keep him in Chicago now. He has had a few relationships, but he has never been in love. He always breaks up by the time a girlfriend wants to take things to the next step. He just never feels the connection. His mother is a headache he doesn’t need, and his childhood best friend, Dylan Colt, lives in New York now. His estranged half-sisters � Beatrice and Felicity � still live in New York, too. So when Ivan Garent offers to hand over the keys to a posh Manhattan penthouse along with a three-year, seven-figure contract for Barrett to step into the role of CEO, he doesn’t hesitate.
Barrett had hoped to get the job, he just hadn’t anticipated it happening so suddenly. Duke’s leave from the company was unexpected, but Barrett is already too well aware of the fact that changes need to be made. Duke was a softie, and his decisions were made from the heart. The CEO needs to make pocketbook decisions, though, and Barrett is essentially tasked with a cleanup job. He happens to be the perfect man for the task. He values hard work and integrity. He expects self-control and honesty. And he doesn’t automatically hand out second chances. Some consider him ruthless, but he just isn’t afraid to make the hard calls. He thrives on challenges, and he is thrilled to get to work in his new role.
Barrett also intends to take advantage of his time in New York and finally put in the effort to bridge the gap with his sisters. He hasn’t seen them since he was fifteen, and there is a lot that needs to be said. For someone that preaches about letting the past go, Barrett has done a horrible job of taking his own advice. For years, he has agonized over what happened, over losing his sisters as well as the affections of his father. He has paid for his mistake every day since, but he won’t let this opportunity to reconnect slip away, even if it might be easier to let it go.
When Max sends Bella on a last-minute blind date one Friday night, she doesn’t have high hopes for Dale Samuelson from Philadelphia. When she spots him across the restaurant, however, she gets a good feeling about him. And when she sits down with him, she feels a real connection. He is a little older with devilish good looks, and she wants to see where things go. That is until she discovers that he isn’t Dale Samuelson at all. Bella fears she will never live down her embarrassment, but she is absolutely blown away Monday when she finds the handsome stranger sitting at her boss’s desk. He doesn’t seem to be joking when he says she will be reporting to him now, and she finds it no laughing matter. She considers Duke to be a friend, and Mr. Adler’s ruthless attitude is not welcome. Their work relationship gets off to a very rocky start, and with the cuts that Barrett has in mind, it looks to stay that way. No amount of chemistry can make up for Mr. Adler’s killer attitude. Over time, however, Bella begins to see beneath the surface, and Barrett realizes that he might have finally found his match. But they both know that Ivan is a stickler for rules, and that includes his strict no interoffice relationships policy. The would-be couple is left without many options. Barrett and Bella face some hard truths as well as emotional challenges, but they eventually earn a beautiful happy ending.
Wow! Barrett and Bella’s office romance captures your attention from the start. It begins with a wildly disastrous blind date that sets the scene for the rest of the story. Things start out hilariously, and there are a total of eight LOL moments by my count. They are primarily in the beginning, though, and things sort of stall out soon after Barrett begins work as the new CEO. With such a great beginning, the pace then slows down considerably and this slow burn begins to drag. It does bring it all home in the end, however, with four teary moments and a very touching backstory.
One issue merits mention. *Spoilers* Barrett’s background is deliberately vague, keeping readers guessing throughout. We know that something happened with he was visiting his father in New York when he was just fifteen, causing him to fly home and never return again. But now two decades later, his father doesn’t want him renewing a relationship with his half-sisters, but we don’t know why. The explanation for his father’s actions comes near the end, but it does nothing to explain why his father still doesn’t want him near his half-sisters. The explanation for the father’s lies is extremely weak at best. The fallout is critical to the story, so a reasonable explanation really is warranted. It was a disappointment that it just did not hold water.
Barrett and Bella’s mistaken blind date turns into a forbidden office romance in this sweet and steamy enemies-to-lovers story. It is another great addition to the Calvettis of New York series. Bella holds a very special spot in her grandmother’s heart, so fans will enjoy seeing more of Marti and Calvettis, the iconic Italian restaurant that she owns. The story is nicely written. The plot is fairly simple, but it unfolds in layers. The characters are three-dimensional and real. The story is written in first person. The POV alternates between Barrett and Bella. I rate this book four stars.
This is the third book in the series. It is Barrett Adler and Isabella Calvetti’s story. It is an interconnected standalone in The Calvettis of New York series. Isabella and Rocco from book one are cousins; they are both Marti Calvetti’s grandchildren. Fans will also be thrilled to read about other crossover characters in the author’s world.
The Calvettis of New York series includes:
1. Thirst (Rocco Jones & Dexie Walsh’s story)
2. Frostbite (Calder Frost & Raelyn Walsh’s story)
3. Ruthless (Barrett Adler & Isabella Calvetti’s story)
4. XOXO (Dominick Calvetti & Arietta Voss’s story)
5. Bittersweet (Luke Jones & Afton’s story)
FROM THIRST, BOOK 1:
Rocco & Dexie’s Forbidden Romance Is A Sweet Story That Captures You From The Beginning! Don’t Forget To Download The Free Thirst Novella Via The Link At The Back Of The Book.
Dexie Walsh, twenty-seven, is not afraid of hard work. She works in marketing at Matiz Cosmetics, where she knows there are invaluable lessons to learn. She also works part-time for her friend Sophia Wolf, who has her own clothing line. Dexie has just moved into a cheaper apartment in the hopes of keeping her dream alive. She wants to take her part-time purse design business into a full-time business. Dexie is a bit of an artist. She loves bold colors and refuses to follow rules. Her custom-designed pursues reflect her personality. Each purse gets her unique spin on style and special attention to detail.
Dexie has run her purse design business from her home during every spare hour she can find. Most of her customers come by word of mouth, and she is doing well, but she is stuck. Taking it to the next step requires a capital investment, something she does not have. If she is serious about making her dream a reality, she must look for a private investor.
Rocco Jones, thirty-five, may be rolling in the dough these days, but it was not always that way. He has led an interesting life doing a wide range of things � from bartending and working in a fish market a decade ago to becoming a famed world champion poker player for two consecutive years. He took his savings and proved his business savvy as well. He invests in promising startups and helps to ensure their success. He made a fortune a few years ago on a gaming app that is still paying off in spades.
Despite all the success, however, Rocco remains grounded. He still lives close to midtown Manhattan, in the same apartment he moved into twelve years ago. He has never outgrown his family, either. His mom died when he was just six, but his maternal grandmother stepped in and helped out his struggling father. He adores his grandmother, whom he regularly visits. She owns and runs Calvetti’s, an Italian restaurant known for its good food as well as its beloved owner, Martina Calvetti. Rocco has two younger brothers. Nash, thirty-three, owns an ad agency. Luke, twenty-nine, is a fireman. Rocco is close to his cousin Gina, too. He also gained a stepmother and stepsister when his father eventually remarried. Rocco and his father are close, but they have endured their fair share of heartache, and as the eldest, Rocco has shouldered a great deal of the burden.
When Dexie moves into her new apartment, she cannot help but notice the tall, dark, and handsome man that lives in the apartment across the street from her. They begin to flirt from afar, which seems both forbidden and safe. Flirting with a stranger may be dangerous, but until they actually meet it is harmless.
When Rocco comes across the beautiful blond with pink-streaked hair, he can hardly believe his luck. He would recognize his neighbor anywhere since she has come to star in his fantasies. He does not have an issue with mixing a little business with pleasure. It is Dexie who has the misgivings. The two begin their professional lives with one another with an underlying tension that cannot be stifled, no matter how much Dexie might wish it. The two struggle to find balance between personal and professional as they get to know one another. They eventually find a happy ending.
FROM FROSTBITE, BOOK 2:
Calder & Rae’s Sweet & Steamy Novella Is A Perfect Holiday Read! It Has A Lovely Feel-Good Ending - And Even A Few Happy Tears.
The story opens in December.
Raelyn Walsh, twenty-four, is building her career as an artist. Since college, she has taken assignments abroad. She spent over a year in London working under esteemed artist Lysa Trumell, followed by a year with sculptor Eleni Melo in Brazil. She dreams of one day having her own studio in New York so she can be near her sister, Dexie.
Rae’s Brazil assignment ended a few weeks ago, so she packed up and went to stay with Dexie and her husband, Rocco until she secures a new assignment. In the meantime, she put up an online store selling her own hand-painted glass bulbs which are popular during the Christmas season.
Calder Frost, thirty, isn’t the warm and fuzzy type. His looks � especially his mesmerizing blue eyes � get him plenty of attention, but he doesn’t care for the fawning. He has built a name for himself as an artist of sculptures in metal. He knows the value of his work and he gets what he deserves. He realizes how much art has impacted his life, so he quietly gives back in his own way, hoping to inspire others to enter the field.
Calder is broody and moody, and he channels that into his work. He has never felt too attached to a woman, so the few relationships he has had are over in a matter of a few months. He lives above his studio, enabling him to easily work when inspired. He hired Bauer Knight two years ago as an assistant, and they have a great working relationship. As Bauer is the younger brother of his lifelong best friend William, he is happy to help guide and mentor his assistant in his own artistic pursuits.
When a snowstorm brings Calder and Rae crashing together one night, Rae cannot get over his rudeness. Calder, on the other hand, cannot get over how alive she made him feel. Her combination of sass and sweetness is adorable, and something about her feels almost familiar and comfortable. When fate brings them together again the next day, he isn’t about to let her slip away. But Rae’s stay in New York is only temporary, so he’ll need to tread carefully or risk scaring her away. The couple soon finds a heartwarming happy ending.
IN THIS BOOK:
Isabella “Bella� Calvetti, twenty-four, hasn’t had much luck with men. She has had a long dry spell, the result of a string of blind dates that lead to nothing. She can figure out pretty quickly whether a man is worth her time or not. Her best friend since childhood, Maxwell Polley, isn’t giving up on helping her find a husband, even if she isn’t yet ready to think about settling down. She is focused on her career now. She has been with Garent Industries since she interned there at age seventeen. Ivan Garent started the international powerhouse himself fifty years ago. Although he hasn’t retired, he works out of the Chicago office now and lets his thirty-six-year-old son Duke serve as CEO in Manhattan.
After completing her summer internship, Bella continued on at Garent part-time through college at NYU, where she double majored in economics and marketing. Since graduation, she worked her way up to the coveted position of executive assistant to the CEO. She has worked directly for Duke Garent for six months now, and she loves her job. Her position gives her exposure to the kind of work that she would like to do herself one day. Despite his eccentric taste, Bella considers Duke a friend, and she is thankful for the warm atmosphere at Garent in addition to the valuable work experience she is gaining.
Barrett Adler, thirty-four, has been the COO of Garent Industries for five years now. He returned to his hometown to work after attending USC, but there isn’t much to keep him in Chicago now. He has had a few relationships, but he has never been in love. He always breaks up by the time a girlfriend wants to take things to the next step. He just never feels the connection. His mother is a headache he doesn’t need, and his childhood best friend, Dylan Colt, lives in New York now. His estranged half-sisters � Beatrice and Felicity � still live in New York, too. So when Ivan Garent offers to hand over the keys to a posh Manhattan penthouse along with a three-year, seven-figure contract for Barrett to step into the role of CEO, he doesn’t hesitate.
Barrett had hoped to get the job, he just hadn’t anticipated it happening so suddenly. Duke’s leave from the company was unexpected, but Barrett is already too well aware of the fact that changes need to be made. Duke was a softie, and his decisions were made from the heart. The CEO needs to make pocketbook decisions, though, and Barrett is essentially tasked with a cleanup job. He happens to be the perfect man for the task. He values hard work and integrity. He expects self-control and honesty. And he doesn’t automatically hand out second chances. Some consider him ruthless, but he just isn’t afraid to make the hard calls. He thrives on challenges, and he is thrilled to get to work in his new role.
Barrett also intends to take advantage of his time in New York and finally put in the effort to bridge the gap with his sisters. He hasn’t seen them since he was fifteen, and there is a lot that needs to be said. For someone that preaches about letting the past go, Barrett has done a horrible job of taking his own advice. For years, he has agonized over what happened, over losing his sisters as well as the affections of his father. He has paid for his mistake every day since, but he won’t let this opportunity to reconnect slip away, even if it might be easier to let it go.
When Max sends Bella on a last-minute blind date one Friday night, she doesn’t have high hopes for Dale Samuelson from Philadelphia. When she spots him across the restaurant, however, she gets a good feeling about him. And when she sits down with him, she feels a real connection. He is a little older with devilish good looks, and she wants to see where things go. That is until she discovers that he isn’t Dale Samuelson at all. Bella fears she will never live down her embarrassment, but she is absolutely blown away Monday when she finds the handsome stranger sitting at her boss’s desk. He doesn’t seem to be joking when he says she will be reporting to him now, and she finds it no laughing matter. She considers Duke to be a friend, and Mr. Adler’s ruthless attitude is not welcome. Their work relationship gets off to a very rocky start, and with the cuts that Barrett has in mind, it looks to stay that way. No amount of chemistry can make up for Mr. Adler’s killer attitude. Over time, however, Bella begins to see beneath the surface, and Barrett realizes that he might have finally found his match. But they both know that Ivan is a stickler for rules, and that includes his strict no interoffice relationships policy. The would-be couple is left without many options. Barrett and Bella face some hard truths as well as emotional challenges, but they eventually earn a beautiful happy ending.
Wow! Barrett and Bella’s office romance captures your attention from the start. It begins with a wildly disastrous blind date that sets the scene for the rest of the story. Things start out hilariously, and there are a total of eight LOL moments by my count. They are primarily in the beginning, though, and things sort of stall out soon after Barrett begins work as the new CEO. With such a great beginning, the pace then slows down considerably and this slow burn begins to drag. It does bring it all home in the end, however, with four teary moments and a very touching backstory.
One issue merits mention. *Spoilers* Barrett’s background is deliberately vague, keeping readers guessing throughout. We know that something happened with he was visiting his father in New York when he was just fifteen, causing him to fly home and never return again. But now two decades later, his father doesn’t want him renewing a relationship with his half-sisters, but we don’t know why. The explanation for his father’s actions comes near the end, but it does nothing to explain why his father still doesn’t want him near his half-sisters. The explanation for the father’s lies is extremely weak at best. The fallout is critical to the story, so a reasonable explanation really is warranted. It was a disappointment that it just did not hold water.
Barrett and Bella’s mistaken blind date turns into a forbidden office romance in this sweet and steamy enemies-to-lovers story. It is another great addition to the Calvettis of New York series. Bella holds a very special spot in her grandmother’s heart, so fans will enjoy seeing more of Marti and Calvettis, the iconic Italian restaurant that she owns. The story is nicely written. The plot is fairly simple, but it unfolds in layers. The characters are three-dimensional and real. The story is written in first person. The POV alternates between Barrett and Bella. I rate this book four stars.
October 16, 2019
Bella and Barrett
I love this author but this one surprised me. The last 10% of this book was so beautiful and emotional and perfect. I just wished it had come earlier.
I never really connected with the hero or heroine. I felt that Bella was immature and there is no way someone would act and say some of the things she did/said to a new boss. She gets a new boss, a new contract, and double the pay. I find it hard to believe someone would act childish and jeopardize that because they are unhappy with this new change. It’s even more disbelieving he would let her.
There just wasn’t enough chemistry between them that made me enjoy this as much as I wanted to despite the magical ending.
I love this author but this one surprised me. The last 10% of this book was so beautiful and emotional and perfect. I just wished it had come earlier.
I never really connected with the hero or heroine. I felt that Bella was immature and there is no way someone would act and say some of the things she did/said to a new boss. She gets a new boss, a new contract, and double the pay. I find it hard to believe someone would act childish and jeopardize that because they are unhappy with this new change. It’s even more disbelieving he would let her.
There just wasn’t enough chemistry between them that made me enjoy this as much as I wanted to despite the magical ending.
October 9, 2019
Aside from the heroine being jugdemental and annoying, it was ok read.
October 11, 2019
Good read!
October 15, 2019
Enjoyed this one
January 8, 2021
What the hell. Honestly, somewhere at 30%, I was tempted to quit this book. Just drop it, delete it and forget it. I got it for free, and really, did not expect much anyway, so no foul no harm. But then, it just got so, so good and it has well-earned *4* stars in my book!
So let me just start with the basics where I repeat what you had already read in the blurb - Bella makes a complete but adorable fool out of herself when she mistakes Barrett for Dale, a man she was supposed to meet for a blind date. To make matters worse, Barrett happens to be her new boss. It was completely unexpected and the last thing they wanted. And I liked the very beginning. It was kind of refreshing, and I could get the honest-to-God mistake that Bella made.
However, things just started making less sense then. Here are some examples - Bella signing the contract she didn't read through and through, Barrett being the 'ruthless boss' to everyone else and then letting her get away with so much, even Bella being borderline rude to her new boss... And it dragged and dragged until around 30%.
And then... inexplicably, at that point it gets better. I guess the plotline gets more complicated, and the characters more developed, so at that point there is a nice and totally believable correlation between the characters', well, characteristics (?) and their actions - I really hope that made as much sense to you as it did in my head. Anyway, there are mysterious parts of the plot that paved the way for the great plot twist that I wasn't able to see from miles away but just at the right moment. And all the way through this, the attraction between the MCs simmered nice and slow, and it felt perfect. No rush there.
It did feel like the 'love' was rushed, but it couldn't take away from the overall feeling that the genius plot twist created. I loved how all the details, the small clues left throughout the book, even the cover itself, added to the experience. It was all well thought out, and that is something I can truly appreciate in a book. Even the ending was perfect. Again, I didn't know what to expect so it was surprising and so satisfying that the story was done and all tied up with a nice little bow!
So... this was unexpectedly and surprisingly good! If you actually get through that rocky part between 10% and 30% of the book, you will be in for a great surprise. It is a recommended book, for sure!
So let me just start with the basics where I repeat what you had already read in the blurb - Bella makes a complete but adorable fool out of herself when she mistakes Barrett for Dale, a man she was supposed to meet for a blind date. To make matters worse, Barrett happens to be her new boss. It was completely unexpected and the last thing they wanted. And I liked the very beginning. It was kind of refreshing, and I could get the honest-to-God mistake that Bella made.
However, things just started making less sense then. Here are some examples - Bella signing the contract she didn't read through and through, Barrett being the 'ruthless boss' to everyone else and then letting her get away with so much, even Bella being borderline rude to her new boss... And it dragged and dragged until around 30%.
And then... inexplicably, at that point it gets better. I guess the plotline gets more complicated, and the characters more developed, so at that point there is a nice and totally believable correlation between the characters', well, characteristics (?) and their actions - I really hope that made as much sense to you as it did in my head. Anyway, there are mysterious parts of the plot that paved the way for the great plot twist that I wasn't able to see from miles away but just at the right moment. And all the way through this, the attraction between the MCs simmered nice and slow, and it felt perfect. No rush there.
It did feel like the 'love' was rushed, but it couldn't take away from the overall feeling that the genius plot twist created. I loved how all the details, the small clues left throughout the book, even the cover itself, added to the experience. It was all well thought out, and that is something I can truly appreciate in a book. Even the ending was perfect. Again, I didn't know what to expect so it was surprising and so satisfying that the story was done and all tied up with a nice little bow!
So... this was unexpectedly and surprisingly good! If you actually get through that rocky part between 10% and 30% of the book, you will be in for a great surprise. It is a recommended book, for sure!
July 18, 2021
So I bought this book before I bought the rest of the series, so this one was just waiting for me to read it anytime, and� I had no idea who these characters were until Bella said Gina was her sister, then I was like “ohhh, this is about Rocco’s other cousin, Marti’s granddaughter�. And again this was a simple romance, it had moments that were telling me there was gonna be some problematic drama however, in the end, everything that could have gone wrong was solved behind closed doors, and I was okay with it. It had more realism than its predecessor because it showed characters with flaws, especially the main male character.
I WAS NOT FEELING BARRETT.
He was too much of a dick, and I was pretty sure he was gonna blame all his toxicity and douchebag attitude on his daddy and mommy issues, therefore I was surprised he didn’t. Nobody ever explained that sudden change of heart of his, more than he grew fond of Bella, so he became a decent human being after doing a work cleansing firing almost everyone from the company while also wanting to end up many good people’s companies in the process. I did not like him, however, once those last episodes were given to us, I was on board because I decided not to let this anger go but separate Barrett into two different men: The first one, the asshole, and the second one, the good-natured decent man.
THE SHOCKING TWIST.
I was expecting that perhaps Barrett was driving his sister while under the influence and caused an accident, or that he slept with one of his stepmothers to get even with his cheating father, and I couldn’t even be more wrong on that. It was shocking to find out his father cruelly lied to him as a teenager, telling him he had almost killed a kid and traumatized his deaf half-sister; we can all agree his dad is a disgusting creep and should rot in hell next to his entitle mother. Oh, and Bella was that kid whose life he SAVED, therefore, Marti adores him!
I WAS NOT FEELING BARRETT.
He was too much of a dick, and I was pretty sure he was gonna blame all his toxicity and douchebag attitude on his daddy and mommy issues, therefore I was surprised he didn’t. Nobody ever explained that sudden change of heart of his, more than he grew fond of Bella, so he became a decent human being after doing a work cleansing firing almost everyone from the company while also wanting to end up many good people’s companies in the process. I did not like him, however, once those last episodes were given to us, I was on board because I decided not to let this anger go but separate Barrett into two different men: The first one, the asshole, and the second one, the good-natured decent man.
THE SHOCKING TWIST.
I was expecting that perhaps Barrett was driving his sister while under the influence and caused an accident, or that he slept with one of his stepmothers to get even with his cheating father, and I couldn’t even be more wrong on that. It was shocking to find out his father cruelly lied to him as a teenager, telling him he had almost killed a kid and traumatized his deaf half-sister; we can all agree his dad is a disgusting creep and should rot in hell next to his entitle mother. Oh, and Bella was that kid whose life he SAVED, therefore, Marti adores him!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 5, 2020
Deborah Bladen’s “Ruthless� is essentially a frenemies to lovers romance with an abundance of explicit sex. Which, in and of itself is not a bad thing but until the denouement, the reader is clueless that an actual plot exists.
Isabella ‘Bella� Calvetti is loved by one and all and when her boss is put in rehab, she is asked to hold down the fort until he can return. In the interim Bella is expected to provide continuity to her new boss, Barrett Adler, a ruthless corporate raider type who starts by firing long-time employees in wholesale lots. Even though the sexual attraction between boss and executive assistant is a No-No, they give in to their desires and commence getting it on.
As mentioned earlier, there is a plot here but it isn’t revealed until very late in the story. The main characters are well developed and fully functional, although I had to keep in mind that a living person can’t be considered a saint. If one could, certainly Bella would’ve qualified. A veritable Little Goody Two-Shoes. And Barrett, for all his rep as a hard-a*s, seemed tamed by Bella’s shining light. All that sweetness and light made my teeth hurt.
I’m mindful that “Ruthless� is a Book Funnel freebie and that the reader’s expectations shouldn’t be unreasonable. However, if a writer has any hope of gaining a reputation as a published author, one’s writing should reflect a certain level of expertise. While the writing isn’t bad, there are some grammar issues that stand out. Like knowing the difference between “peaked� and “piqued�. Maybe that’s a function of the Copy Editor but the author should know better.
Okay, I’m climbing down off my soapbox now. This book is better than a three but doesn’t quite get to four, so three and a half stars it is.
Isabella ‘Bella� Calvetti is loved by one and all and when her boss is put in rehab, she is asked to hold down the fort until he can return. In the interim Bella is expected to provide continuity to her new boss, Barrett Adler, a ruthless corporate raider type who starts by firing long-time employees in wholesale lots. Even though the sexual attraction between boss and executive assistant is a No-No, they give in to their desires and commence getting it on.
As mentioned earlier, there is a plot here but it isn’t revealed until very late in the story. The main characters are well developed and fully functional, although I had to keep in mind that a living person can’t be considered a saint. If one could, certainly Bella would’ve qualified. A veritable Little Goody Two-Shoes. And Barrett, for all his rep as a hard-a*s, seemed tamed by Bella’s shining light. All that sweetness and light made my teeth hurt.
I’m mindful that “Ruthless� is a Book Funnel freebie and that the reader’s expectations shouldn’t be unreasonable. However, if a writer has any hope of gaining a reputation as a published author, one’s writing should reflect a certain level of expertise. While the writing isn’t bad, there are some grammar issues that stand out. Like knowing the difference between “peaked� and “piqued�. Maybe that’s a function of the Copy Editor but the author should know better.
Okay, I’m climbing down off my soapbox now. This book is better than a three but doesn’t quite get to four, so three and a half stars it is.
August 5, 2020
Bella has blind date, when she arrives at the restaurant she spots the guy she believes to be her blind date. Once she sits downs and spills all her secrets to him, she realizes he was not her blind date!! Bella works as an administrative assistant and meets her new boss, Barrett Adler, her "blind bate." Barrett Adler, beautiful, arrogant, and ruthless. He tries to make her job impossible, but she proves him wrong and gets her job done. Bella is stuck with him for the next year, due to her new contract she signed. Bella and Barrett strongly dislike each other, but there is an attraction they both try to ignore. As Barrett realizes Bella is not as incompetent as he thought, he starts to see her in a new light and starts accepting his attraction to her. They start a secret romance and soon secrets are revealed that connect them both.
I received this book for free in a newsletter and thought I would give it a try. First time reading a book by Deborah Bladon, and this was beautiful surprise. This book had me hooked from the beginning, from the first blind date mishap to the twist of fate at the end. Deborah Bladon knows how to write a captivating story with compelling characters. I fell in love with Bella and Barrett’s relationship, it was full of witty, sexy banter and great chemistry. This was a bit of a slow burn for me but I still enjoy the story a lot. There were a few name confusion/ switch in the story, hopefully this was fixed before it was released. Overall, I’m glad I gave this book a try and will definitely be checking out other books by this author!
I received this book for free in a newsletter and thought I would give it a try. First time reading a book by Deborah Bladon, and this was beautiful surprise. This book had me hooked from the beginning, from the first blind date mishap to the twist of fate at the end. Deborah Bladon knows how to write a captivating story with compelling characters. I fell in love with Bella and Barrett’s relationship, it was full of witty, sexy banter and great chemistry. This was a bit of a slow burn for me but I still enjoy the story a lot. There were a few name confusion/ switch in the story, hopefully this was fixed before it was released. Overall, I’m glad I gave this book a try and will definitely be checking out other books by this author!
April 1, 2020
I got this as a free book offer from another author’s newsletter. I am a sucker for a good book about a boss/employee relationship, so when I finished the series I was working on, I dove right in. And I did enjoy this. It’s just that it started as one kind of book to me and then changed to a completely different feel. When the two main characters met, there were sparks, chemistry, and then finding out Barrett was Bella’s new boss added a dynamic of friction. She thought he was a usurper (she loved the boss he replaced) and a jerk, even while being very attracted to him. Things were progressing slowly, and there was a separate thing happening with Barrett’s family, and reference to an accident that Barrett’s sister took years to forgive him for. Fast forward to Barrett and Bella hooking up. All of a sudden we’re hit with this traumatic memory event that B & B were both a part of as kids?? It was sweet, but it just took such as odd, overly coincidental turn for me. It was extremely unlikely that they would have met up again as adults, so it seemed... like too much. I liked the book, but for me it seemed like two stories mashed together, and I would’ve rather they been separate.
July 31, 2020
Mixed feelings, sex scenes a letdown
Let's be real, the reason any of us read this genre is for the sex scenes. I really liked this book until I got to the first sex scene. It was a big letdown. Lackluster, short, devoid of the kind of description I personally require from a book like this. This author knows how to craft a good story and realistic characters which is something I cannot do without -- I hate reading novels that are just poorly written porn -- but come on, the sex still needs to be scorching hot and descriptive enough that I can practically get off on just reading the book. If you like more of a soft porn approach to your erotica, then maybe this is for you, but I couldn't even finish reading more than 70% of this. The other thing the author did really well that I appreciate was building that sexual tension, and one of the other main things that bothered me was that there were definitely some spelling errors. I think I have pretty high standards so this might work for some people, but I doubt this author will be making it onto my favorites list, unfortunately.
Let's be real, the reason any of us read this genre is for the sex scenes. I really liked this book until I got to the first sex scene. It was a big letdown. Lackluster, short, devoid of the kind of description I personally require from a book like this. This author knows how to craft a good story and realistic characters which is something I cannot do without -- I hate reading novels that are just poorly written porn -- but come on, the sex still needs to be scorching hot and descriptive enough that I can practically get off on just reading the book. If you like more of a soft porn approach to your erotica, then maybe this is for you, but I couldn't even finish reading more than 70% of this. The other thing the author did really well that I appreciate was building that sexual tension, and one of the other main things that bothered me was that there were definitely some spelling errors. I think I have pretty high standards so this might work for some people, but I doubt this author will be making it onto my favorites list, unfortunately.
July 5, 2020
Bella goes to a blind date only to sit down at the wrong table. Barrett is so amused by her that he keeps her talking. That is, until his date comes back from the ladies room. Bella is so embarrassed she ends up toppling a waiter with a whole tray of food. She runs out and hopes to never see the dark haired stranger again. Although that isn’t going to happen because he is her new boss. And these two go toe to toe against each other. There is a strict no dating rule so he has to keep his desires under control. Bella is quickly falling for him also. Gotta love a book that makes you laugh and has a HEA.
March 10, 2020
Well, the author can write, she knows her words and tools.
The characters and dialogues are fun.
Yet, the storyline was boring. I didn’t feel the depth. It was a nice fluffy and good written book. But the focus is on nice and definitely not memorable.
It was all too nice and smooth. No real obstacles or struggles. I missed the uniqueness, a bit of suffering to appreciate the good and deeper meaning. The conflicts were always passed over or avoided by letting the character leave the scene of play.
Maybe I am too cynical, but I needed a sprinkle of reality, a small Dosis of suspense or something that would get my heart rate up a little bit.
The characters and dialogues are fun.
Yet, the storyline was boring. I didn’t feel the depth. It was a nice fluffy and good written book. But the focus is on nice and definitely not memorable.
It was all too nice and smooth. No real obstacles or struggles. I missed the uniqueness, a bit of suffering to appreciate the good and deeper meaning. The conflicts were always passed over or avoided by letting the character leave the scene of play.
Maybe I am too cynical, but I needed a sprinkle of reality, a small Dosis of suspense or something that would get my heart rate up a little bit.
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