Final Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
Pages: 200
Edition: Kindle
Time Read: 9.27.14 - 9.27.14
Summary:
"Barrett English, aka "the Shark," is the fair-haired, first-born of the English brothers, and the CEO of the oldest, most prestigious investment banking firm in Philadelphia. He rules the boardroom with an iron fist, refusing to take no for an answer and always getting his way.
Emily Edwards, a first-year doctoral student at the University of Pennsylvania, grew up in the gatehouse on the outskirts of Barrett's childhood estate. The daughter of his family's gardener and housekeeper, she was always looking through the window of privilege, but forced to remember her place at the very periphery of the kingdom.
When business partners suggest that a fiancee might soften Barrett's image over business dinners, he approaches Emily for the "job" of fiancee. And while love wasn't necessarily on Barrett's radar, he begins to realize that Emily always has been. But will his take-no-prisoners boardroom tactics work on the heart of the woman he loves."
Review:
The concept of "friends to lovers" is one I feel I heard about more than I read, and it's refreshing to see a romance that doesn't go from enemies to lovers like that. The transition from friends to lovers, while quick, was one that seemed relatively believable. I didn't have to question where there sudden tender feelings towards each other came from.
The "steamy" parts of the story were incredibly well executed, and while some lingo was used multiple times and got slightly repetitive, they were not overly graphic and were not something for me to blush over and skip the part.
Both characters have personalities that are set immediately. Barrett is the big, bad, businessman. He is calculating and completely willing to manipulate people in order to get what he wants. He also doesn't take no for an answer. Thankfully, inside all that he is a huge romantic who wants nothing more than to please Emily.
Emily is the sweet, beautiful college girl. Unlike some books, though, Emily is not a pushover. She doesn't allow Barrett's commanding ways sidetrack her, and she does what SHE wants. Strong heroines are incredibly pleasing to read.
By action, I mean that the book does not start ridiculously slow and from the very beginning. It starts immediately in the story, giving information about what is going on as it occurs. The past few books I've read have all started in that same, slow, building up way, so I am thankful for a change of pace. When introduced, Ms. Regnery makes sure to not introduce too much without background, and includes it relatively quickly, answering your questions before you can really start to get irritated by the confusion.
The only complaint I have about this book is that it wasn't longer. I feel like much more in the way of details and conflicts could have been added. As it stands, all conflicts in the book are incredibly trivial and are resolved within the chapter, minus the main conflict of the book.
This was a book I struggled to put down. Granted, it took me all of four hours to read including breaks, it was still interesting. I would highly recommend as a beach read, as you will likely be able to finish it in a day. I would especially recommend this if you need a feel good, cute romance on a rainy day. The plot isn't overly complex or hard to follow, and in the end it will leave you with a big smile on your face.
I was given this book for free by the author for an honest review.
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