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soupwitch86's review
4.0
I'm usually not into romance but these were all pretty slow burn for novellas which I appreciated, and also focused on the work they did (and the women were smart so there weren't a lot of things I generally hate in romance here). I felt the attraction in all the stories and really enjoyed them! 3.5, rounded up.
greyemk's review against another edition
3.5
Goal of this was to explore several lesbian romance writers quickly in my attempts to figure out if I like lesbian romance.
Answer: kind of? My favorite story was the last one, but I want more smut. I’m gonna keep looking.
Nothing bad here just nothing that stood out to me enough for more either.
Answer: kind of? My favorite story was the last one, but I want more smut. I’m gonna keep looking.
Nothing bad here just nothing that stood out to me enough for more either.
the_azeezat's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
hhushaw's review
4.0
An honest review thanks to NetGalley. I had read this book awhile ago but apparently forgot to write a review. I just reread it today and am so glad that I did. The first novella was good but it was the middle and last story that drew my attention completely. These were great reads and the connection between the characters and the romance flew of the pages. This was a great read with three amazing novellas!
ssejig's review
3.0
Lead Counsel by Aurora Rey
My favorite of this anthology, Elisa Gonzalez is startled to learn that the lead attorney her firm is bringing in is the same woman she had a crush on in law school, Parker Jones. They had had one night of heavy making out but Parker burned her the next day. Now they're both powerful women who are better able to deal with their emotions as well as the pressures of life.
Four stars
For Your Eyes Only by Julie Cannon
Riley Stephenson is a powerful CFO but she's awkward. Like, super shy and awkward. So she's astonished to find herself making the first move and ordering a stripper for herself after meeting her at a friend's birthday party where Jessie, the stripper, performs. I liked this story because the two were able to meet outside of work and Cannon really worked to make Jessie have her own agency in the romance. I wish we had had a better/softer ending to the story.
Three stars
Opportunity of a Lifetime by M. Ullrich
Luca Garner is a stellar intern who is assigned to work under VP Stephanie Austin, known as the office ice queen. She works hard and eventually the two find that they appreciate each other both for their good working rapport and their mutual attraction.
This was the story that worked least for me. I'm not sure how we're supposed to connect to either character nor how we're supposed to believe they work as a couple. There was so much packed into this short story that I felt a little whiplashed from how fast emotions went from love to hate.
Two and a half stars
Four stars overall
My favorite of this anthology, Elisa Gonzalez is startled to learn that the lead attorney her firm is bringing in is the same woman she had a crush on in law school, Parker Jones. They had had one night of heavy making out but Parker burned her the next day. Now they're both powerful women who are better able to deal with their emotions as well as the pressures of life.
Four stars
For Your Eyes Only by Julie Cannon
Riley Stephenson is a powerful CFO but she's awkward. Like, super shy and awkward. So she's astonished to find herself making the first move and ordering a stripper for herself after meeting her at a friend's birthday party where Jessie, the stripper, performs. I liked this story because the two were able to meet outside of work and Cannon really worked to make Jessie have her own agency in the romance. I wish we had had a better/softer ending to the story.
Three stars
Opportunity of a Lifetime by M. Ullrich
Luca Garner is a stellar intern who is assigned to work under VP Stephanie Austin, known as the office ice queen. She works hard and eventually the two find that they appreciate each other both for their good working rapport and their mutual attraction.
This was the story that worked least for me. I'm not sure how we're supposed to connect to either character nor how we're supposed to believe they work as a couple. There was so much packed into this short story that I felt a little whiplashed from how fast emotions went from love to hate.
Two and a half stars
Four stars overall
colossal's review
3.0
This is an anthology of three lesbian romance novellas with the theme of workplace romance. In order they are:
Lead Counsel by [a:Aurora Rey|13652923|Aurora Rey|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1439239232p2/13652923.jpg]: Elisa Gonzalez is an attorney determined to maintain a work-life balance, in sharp contrast to her new lead counsel and former crush Parker Jones. The story is mostly them reconnecting through their shared history and misunderstandings. This was ok, but very light with the central conflict more around a misunderstanding than anything else. As a personal preference I was a bit put off by head-hopping in the narrative, but I do understand it's more of a thing in romance novels.
For Your Eyes Only by [a:Julie Cannon|3400476|Julie Cannon|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1478028488p2/3400476.jpg]: Riley Stephenson is the CFO for her company considers herself to be serious, thoughtful and stable. So when she encounters an off-the-charts attraction to Jess, a stripper that she meets at a friend's fiftieth birthday party, it takes her completely by surprise. What she does subsequently is anything but serious and thoughtful as she continues to see Jess. It's all in jeopardy when Jess shows up at Riley's workplace as a new Financial Analyst under her real name Dana. My favorite of this collection with the staid Riley on a roller-coaster of passion and confusion as she deals with her feelings towards Dana, and Dana's growing attraction to her mysterious client turned boss. Unfortunately it feels like the story cuts off just as it gets interesting and it doesn't really deal with the central premise of the anthology at all, that of a relationship between a boss and a subordinate, as the action stops once they get together.
Opportunity of a Lifetime by [a:M. Ullrich|14161854|M. Ullrich|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1452487494p2/14161854.jpg]: Probably the least believable of the three with some truly outrageous Devil Wears Prada shenanigans between the boss forensic accountant Stephanie Austin and her new assistant Luca Gardner. Somehow Stephanie's growing respect for Luca's tenacity and Luca's determination to handle anything that Stephanie does to her translates to a relationship rather than lifelong enmity. I didn't really buy it, although the story did have entertaining parts.
One of the reasons I like to read LGBT fiction is that I find relationship dynamics outside of traditional male-female roles quite interesting. Add in boss-employee dynamics to that and the relationships should become fascinating, and a bit of an inherent minefield. It's probably a shame then that only the third story really delivers on what I was looking for here, and that one was a bit spoiled by relatively unbelievable behavior on the part of the boss character. Still, I enjoyed the collection overall, even if it wasn't quite what I was after.
Lead Counsel by [a:Aurora Rey|13652923|Aurora Rey|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1439239232p2/13652923.jpg]: Elisa Gonzalez is an attorney determined to maintain a work-life balance, in sharp contrast to her new lead counsel and former crush Parker Jones. The story is mostly them reconnecting through their shared history and misunderstandings. This was ok, but very light with the central conflict more around a misunderstanding than anything else. As a personal preference I was a bit put off by head-hopping in the narrative, but I do understand it's more of a thing in romance novels.
For Your Eyes Only by [a:Julie Cannon|3400476|Julie Cannon|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1478028488p2/3400476.jpg]: Riley Stephenson is the CFO for her company considers herself to be serious, thoughtful and stable. So when she encounters an off-the-charts attraction to Jess, a stripper that she meets at a friend's fiftieth birthday party, it takes her completely by surprise. What she does subsequently is anything but serious and thoughtful as she continues to see Jess. It's all in jeopardy when Jess shows up at Riley's workplace as a new Financial Analyst under her real name Dana. My favorite of this collection with the staid Riley on a roller-coaster of passion and confusion as she deals with her feelings towards Dana, and Dana's growing attraction to her mysterious client turned boss. Unfortunately it feels like the story cuts off just as it gets interesting and it doesn't really deal with the central premise of the anthology at all, that of a relationship between a boss and a subordinate, as the action stops once they get together.
Opportunity of a Lifetime by [a:M. Ullrich|14161854|M. Ullrich|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1452487494p2/14161854.jpg]: Probably the least believable of the three with some truly outrageous Devil Wears Prada shenanigans between the boss forensic accountant Stephanie Austin and her new assistant Luca Gardner. Somehow Stephanie's growing respect for Luca's tenacity and Luca's determination to handle anything that Stephanie does to her translates to a relationship rather than lifelong enmity. I didn't really buy it, although the story did have entertaining parts.
One of the reasons I like to read LGBT fiction is that I find relationship dynamics outside of traditional male-female roles quite interesting. Add in boss-employee dynamics to that and the relationships should become fascinating, and a bit of an inherent minefield. It's probably a shame then that only the third story really delivers on what I was looking for here, and that one was a bit spoiled by relatively unbelievable behavior on the part of the boss character. Still, I enjoyed the collection overall, even if it wasn't quite what I was after.
mjsam's review
3.0
ARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was a mixed bag for me, I liked one, thought one was average, and didn’t warm to the other.
The first story is Lead Counsel by Aurora Rey, I don’t think I’ve read anything by her before, but I will now. This was by far the strongest story, and I wish it wasn’t a novella. I enjoyed both MC’s and the plot was interesting, there was also no stupidly interspersed drama. I would have liked more time with these characters, still what was there didn’t feel forced or rushed.
Second is Julie Cannon’s For Your Eyes Only, which had an out there premise featuring a stripper and a woman who’s wound so tight she has to keep paying her to dance for her. I didn’t really get a handle on either character and the reveal at the end was rushed and unrealistic. No way do I see that relationship lasting.
The last was M. Ullrich’s Opportunity of a Lifetime and I just couldn’t warm to it. Didn’t like either character, the plot wasn’t terribly interesting and the contrived drama was way over the top.
All in all I’m happy I tried this because I found a new author, but overall, it was an average read.
This was a mixed bag for me, I liked one, thought one was average, and didn’t warm to the other.
The first story is Lead Counsel by Aurora Rey, I don’t think I’ve read anything by her before, but I will now. This was by far the strongest story, and I wish it wasn’t a novella. I enjoyed both MC’s and the plot was interesting, there was also no stupidly interspersed drama. I would have liked more time with these characters, still what was there didn’t feel forced or rushed.
Second is Julie Cannon’s For Your Eyes Only, which had an out there premise featuring a stripper and a woman who’s wound so tight she has to keep paying her to dance for her. I didn’t really get a handle on either character and the reveal at the end was rushed and unrealistic. No way do I see that relationship lasting.
The last was M. Ullrich’s Opportunity of a Lifetime and I just couldn’t warm to it. Didn’t like either character, the plot wasn’t terribly interesting and the contrived drama was way over the top.
All in all I’m happy I tried this because I found a new author, but overall, it was an average read.
lsnack's review
5.0
3 Winners
I'm a big fan of Aurora Rey so that was the main reason I chose this book. I have one of Julie's book on audio which I love. It was my first time reading M.Ullrich 's work and I think that was my favorite.
I'm a big fan of Aurora Rey so that was the main reason I chose this book. I have one of Julie's book on audio which I love. It was my first time reading M.Ullrich 's work and I think that was my favorite.
vixdag's review
5.0
The Boss of Her is three unique novellas written in three distinctive voices. Julie Cannon, Aurora Rey and M. Ullrich are top-notch authors so it’s no surprise that this trio has produced a very satisfying compilation of workplace romances.
The first short story, Lead Counsel, by Aurora Rey takes the premise that opposites attract, but rather than have the two main characters out of step with each other, they are quite compatible once they realize that at their core, they want the same things. A civil lawsuit finds Elisa working with Parker, a woman from her past whom she had a brief hook-up with. Elisa doesn’t know what to make of it, but realizes that she is still drawn to Parker. Parker has changed a lot since law school and once the women reconnect not only do they find out they have great chemistry in the bedroom, but they also see their futures following the same path. Rey balances the task of writing a credible legal novella while making it sexy and relatable. She gives Elisa an honest vulnerability and Parker a sincere charm. Rey also writes a great bedroom scene that is anticipated from the very start. Kudos to Rey for including a woman of color as one of her main characters.
The second short story, For Your Eyes Only, by Julie Cannon is sexy from the get go and the slow burn is palpable. Although Riley Stephenson is a top-notch CFO who excels in the business sector, she is a shy and retiring wallflower away from her corporate life. She meets Jess, a stripper, at her best friend’s 50th birthday and she is mesmerized by her beauty and raw sexuality. Jess becomes a drug that Riley can’t put down and she starts scheduling private dances with Jess on a regular basis. Imagine Riley’s surprise (and chagrin) when she finds out that “Jess” is actually one of her new hires, Dana Mason. The story is broken into three parts. There is Riley’s portion, which is written from her point of view in the third person. Then, you get Jess/Dana’s point of view of the same events. Finally, the third portion of the story picks up after they come face to face. This story is the ultimate slow burn. For me, the most interesting aspect of the story is how Cannon convincingly portrays the two sides to Riley. Riley is both the picture of professionalism; totally in control and at home in her skin while she is at work, yet completely ill at ease in her social life.
The third story, Opportunity of a Lifetime, by M. Ullrich was my favorite. This story is all about character development and Ullrich does this with perfect pacing and her wonderful sense of humor. Luca Garner finds herself landing the Personal Assistant position for the most revered forensic accountant on the East Coast, Stephanie Austin. Unfortunately, Stephanie makes it perfectly clear that Luca’s presence is unwanted. Stephanie and Luca’s early interactions are more than awkward, but Ullrich infuses them with such humor that Stephanie doesn’t come across as a complete bitch. The character development in this story keeps this from becoming the typical “melting the ice queen” trope and the miscommunication that disrupts the budding relationship doesn’t feel forced as in many stories in this genre. This story has all the makings of a full-length novel and is the strongest in the group.
Due to the fact that these stories are novellas, there are times when information is told rather than shown, but this wasn’t so problematic that it kept me from enjoying them. Sure these shorts follow the typical formulas of this genre, but they are romances so they wouldn’t live up to our expectations if they didn’t. This is not an in depth look at the complicated dynamics of the workplace romance, but if you are looking for a satisfying romance about capable, professional women then this book is for you.
I received this book as an ARC from Bold Strokes Books via NetGalley in return for a fair and honest review.
The first short story, Lead Counsel, by Aurora Rey takes the premise that opposites attract, but rather than have the two main characters out of step with each other, they are quite compatible once they realize that at their core, they want the same things. A civil lawsuit finds Elisa working with Parker, a woman from her past whom she had a brief hook-up with. Elisa doesn’t know what to make of it, but realizes that she is still drawn to Parker. Parker has changed a lot since law school and once the women reconnect not only do they find out they have great chemistry in the bedroom, but they also see their futures following the same path. Rey balances the task of writing a credible legal novella while making it sexy and relatable. She gives Elisa an honest vulnerability and Parker a sincere charm. Rey also writes a great bedroom scene that is anticipated from the very start. Kudos to Rey for including a woman of color as one of her main characters.
The second short story, For Your Eyes Only, by Julie Cannon is sexy from the get go and the slow burn is palpable. Although Riley Stephenson is a top-notch CFO who excels in the business sector, she is a shy and retiring wallflower away from her corporate life. She meets Jess, a stripper, at her best friend’s 50th birthday and she is mesmerized by her beauty and raw sexuality. Jess becomes a drug that Riley can’t put down and she starts scheduling private dances with Jess on a regular basis. Imagine Riley’s surprise (and chagrin) when she finds out that “Jess” is actually one of her new hires, Dana Mason. The story is broken into three parts. There is Riley’s portion, which is written from her point of view in the third person. Then, you get Jess/Dana’s point of view of the same events. Finally, the third portion of the story picks up after they come face to face. This story is the ultimate slow burn. For me, the most interesting aspect of the story is how Cannon convincingly portrays the two sides to Riley. Riley is both the picture of professionalism; totally in control and at home in her skin while she is at work, yet completely ill at ease in her social life.
The third story, Opportunity of a Lifetime, by M. Ullrich was my favorite. This story is all about character development and Ullrich does this with perfect pacing and her wonderful sense of humor. Luca Garner finds herself landing the Personal Assistant position for the most revered forensic accountant on the East Coast, Stephanie Austin. Unfortunately, Stephanie makes it perfectly clear that Luca’s presence is unwanted. Stephanie and Luca’s early interactions are more than awkward, but Ullrich infuses them with such humor that Stephanie doesn’t come across as a complete bitch. The character development in this story keeps this from becoming the typical “melting the ice queen” trope and the miscommunication that disrupts the budding relationship doesn’t feel forced as in many stories in this genre. This story has all the makings of a full-length novel and is the strongest in the group.
Due to the fact that these stories are novellas, there are times when information is told rather than shown, but this wasn’t so problematic that it kept me from enjoying them. Sure these shorts follow the typical formulas of this genre, but they are romances so they wouldn’t live up to our expectations if they didn’t. This is not an in depth look at the complicated dynamics of the workplace romance, but if you are looking for a satisfying romance about capable, professional women then this book is for you.
I received this book as an ARC from Bold Strokes Books via NetGalley in return for a fair and honest review.
rogue_lurker's review
3.5 Overall
This is a collection of three very different novellas - all linked by the idea of office romance. I'm just going to suspend my internal ethicist and go with the flow - it's fiction and it for fun.
Aurora Rey's offering takes place in New Orleans at a law firm and focuses on second chance romance for two women how had a brief (PG Rated) encounter in law school some years before. This one is focused on the relationship and there isn't much going on otherwise - but this is a novella and works well as its focus is on the rekindling of romance and the discovery that the characters aren't quite so polar opposite.
Julie Cannon's novella is more erotica and wasn't my cup of tea . It is an oddly structured novella where one part is told from one character's perspective, the second is a repeat of those events from the other's POV and then the last part is combined POV. The dynamic between Riley and Jess was just - odd and a bit unsettling. Normally, I have really enjoyed Cannon's books but this one just didn't work for me.
M Ullrich's story is probably my favourite of the three. This is the ice queen melts trope and actually has probably the most direct boss/employee relationship (intern reporting directly to the boss). I think in reality, Luca should have quit long before she managed to make an impression on Steph - but this is a romance. Even with the ice queen persona, I liked Stephanie quite a bit and actually found that she was better developed than the easier to like/relate to Luca. Ullrich writes a good romance and this one worked very well.
This is a collection of three very different novellas - all linked by the idea of office romance. I'm just going to suspend my internal ethicist and go with the flow - it's fiction and it for fun.
Aurora Rey's offering takes place in New Orleans at a law firm and focuses on second chance romance for two women how had a brief (PG Rated) encounter in law school some years before. This one is focused on the relationship and there isn't much going on otherwise - but this is a novella and works well as its focus is on the rekindling of romance and the discovery that the characters aren't quite so polar opposite.
Julie Cannon's novella is more erotica and wasn't my cup of tea . It is an oddly structured novella where one part is told from one character's perspective, the second is a repeat of those events from the other's POV and then the last part is combined POV. The dynamic between Riley and Jess was just - odd and a bit unsettling. Normally, I have really enjoyed Cannon's books but this one just didn't work for me.
M Ullrich's story is probably my favourite of the three. This is the ice queen melts trope and actually has probably the most direct boss/employee relationship (intern reporting directly to the boss). I think in reality, Luca should have quit long before she managed to make an impression on Steph - but this is a romance. Even with the ice queen persona, I liked Stephanie quite a bit and actually found that she was better developed than the easier to like/relate to Luca. Ullrich writes a good romance and this one worked very well.
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