I’m desperate and destitute when Lockwood Construction rolls into my small town with an offer too good to pass up: high wages to any able-bodied man willing to join their crew.
Say no more. I throw on baggy clothes, tuck my long hair under a baseball hat, and apply for a job. Unfortunately, my half-baked idea of disguising myself as a guy is flawed from the beginning. As Shakira says, these hips don’t lie.
Still, I like to think I might have pulled the whole thing off save for one thing:
I know my boss.
Last month, we met at a bar, and after a fiery first encounter, it seems we’re destined to be sworn enemies.
Ethan Stone is ruthless and arrogant, a man I never would have crossed had I known how much he likes to toy with his prey.
He should just fire me and be done with it. Instead, he decides to make me his personal slave. Oh right, I think they’re calling it personal “assistant” these days.
It’s torture, all of it—his bad attitude, his ruggedly chiseled face, his desire to grind me into dust.
Every one of our friction-filled battles burns hotter than the last.
A girl can only hold out for so long. Soon, I’m bound to go up in flames.
My objective? Survive the heat long enough to send home a paycheck.
My real objective? Stop having X-rated fantasies about my coldhearted boss.
I feel like I’ve reviewed so many great R.S. Grey books already that I don’t know what to say anymore. Shall I just repeat myself over and over? Guess I will. Just kidding, I don’t think I’m going to repeat myself this time. Not much, at least.
I did not expect to enjoy this book as much as I do when I pick up any other book by R.S. Grey. You might be asking yourself, why is that? Well, you see, I am not the biggest fan of enemies to lovers stories. No matter who writes them (unless we’re talking about Sally Thorne, of course) so, naturally, I was hesitant but excited to give it a try and oh my lord, did Rachel deliver. That woman can make me enjoy everything she writes I swear.
This book isn’t as fun as other books I’ve read by R.S. Grey BUT it is all about the slow burn. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book by this author that nearly set me on fire from all the tension. It was a good thing I could read it all in one sitting because otherwise I really would have gone up in flames. The only thing I didn’t enjoy about the slow burn was that it dragged almost all the way to the end. I remember the hero and heroine finally giving in when I was about 70% in? If I remember correctly. It wasn’t that big of a deal but, you know, it felt like forever. Another plus side (aside from almost burning up) about the slow burn lasting forever is that you get a very sweet epilogue, a little glimpse into the happily ever after that made me, and hopefully will make you, shed a couple of happy and proud tears.
To sum it all up, is it beautifully written? Yes. Is the hero a grouchy yet very sweet (eventually) man? You bet. Is the heroine driven and fierce? There is no other answer but heck yeah. Is the story original? Indeed, it is. Is it swoon-worthy? DUH. Is it enjoyable? Of course. Will it make you escape real life for a while? Oui. The end.
R.S. Grey is the USA Today bestselling author of thirteen novels, including THE FOXE & THE HOUND. She lives in Texas with her husband and two dogs, and can be found reading, binge-watching reality TV, or practicing yoga!
