Sophia's Reviews > Deal Breaker

Office romance, office politics, and complications bring two people together who needed to find each other. It’s been a while since I read a book set in the office and I enjoyed the Australian city setting. It was heartwarming, humorous, and engaging.

The story jumped in with the heroine and her co-workers anticipating the change when a new boss is brought in and he's cleaning things up and not taking excuses. Ellen Kennedy and Alex Broadhurst experienced sparks from the beginning even when she was quick to leap to conclusions and lead with her emotions rather than get the facts and he was slow to open up about his personal life and kept people at a distance.

At first, the issues seem pretty cut and dry with the office issues and the pair of them circling warily, but then I enjoyed how the author revealed a secondary layer of personal growth needed for both Ellen and Alex. They have to fix themselves even while attempting their first real relationship.

I found the story parts engaging and parts frustrating like a good romance with conflict will supply. It wasn't a particularly exciting story, but it had some great internal tension built-in as the pair struggled together, separately, and, the big game-changer, the work issue.

It was my first time reading the author's work and I did love reading a contemporary set in another country by a native. I can definitely recommend this one for those who enjoy a steamy office romance with good character development.

My thanks to the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.