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The Boss #1
The Boss
Sophie Scaife almost ran away once, trading her ticket to college for a ticket to Tokyo. But a delayed flight and a hot one-night stand with a stranger changed her mind, putting her firmly on track to a coveted position at a New York fashion magazine.
When the irresistible stranger from that one incredible night turns out to be her new boss – billionaire and publishing magnate Neil Elwood – Sophie can’t resist the chance to rekindle the spark between them… and the opportunity to explore her submissive side with the most Dominant man she’s ever known.
Neil is the only man who has ever understood Sophie’s need to submit in the bedroom, and the only man who has ever satisfied those desires. When their scorching, no-strings-attached sexual relationship becomes something more, Sophie must choose between her career and heart… or risk losing them both.
When the irresistible stranger from that one incredible night turns out to be her new boss – billionaire and publishing magnate Neil Elwood – Sophie can’t resist the chance to rekindle the spark between them… and the opportunity to explore her submissive side with the most Dominant man she’s ever known.
Neil is the only man who has ever understood Sophie’s need to submit in the bedroom, and the only man who has ever satisfied those desires. When their scorching, no-strings-attached sexual relationship becomes something more, Sophie must choose between her career and heart… or risk losing them both.
327 pages, ebook
First published July 15, 2013
About the author
Abigail Barnette
54 books1,264 followersAbigail Barnette is the pseudonym of Jenny Trout (alias Jennifer Armintrout, an author, blogger, and funny person. Jenny made the USA Today bestseller list with her debut novel, Blood Ties Book One: The Turning. Her American Vampire was named one of the top ten horror novels of 2011 by Booklist Magazine Online. As Abigail Barnette, Jenny writes award-winning erotic romance, including the internationally bestselling The Boss series.
As a blogger, Jenny’s work has appeared on The Huffington Post, and has been featured on television and radio, including HuffPost Live, Good Morning America, The Steve Harvey Show, and National Public Radio’s Here & Now. Her work has earned mentions in The New York Times and Entertainment Weekly.
She is a proud Michigander, mother of two, and wife to the only person alive capable of spending extended periods of time with her without wanting to kill her.
As a blogger, Jenny’s work has appeared on The Huffington Post, and has been featured on television and radio, including HuffPost Live, Good Morning America, The Steve Harvey Show, and National Public Radio’s Here & Now. Her work has earned mentions in The New York Times and Entertainment Weekly.
She is a proud Michigander, mother of two, and wife to the only person alive capable of spending extended periods of time with her without wanting to kill her.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,092 reviews
August 15, 2017
FREE on Amazon (limited time): http://goo.gl/KbgCo9
★★★★★! The Boss, book 1 of 5. The best sex of her life with an older man at an airport becomes the forbidden affair with her new boss!
Books in The Boss series should be read in order:
Book 1: The Boss
Book 2: The Girlfriend
Book 2.5: The Hock-Up (included in book 3)
Book 3: The Bride
Book 4: The Ex
Book 5: The Baby
Six years ago then student Sophie Scaife had a one-night-stand and the best sex of her life with older man, a stranger at an airport hotel that would change the direction of her life.
In the opening of The Boss (book 1) magazine employee Sophie is about come to face to face with the new CEO and founder of a publishing empire, Neil Elwood aka Sir and is shocked to realize he is the stranger from the airport.
After recovering from the shock, neither Neil or Sophie can deny their fierce attraction, improprieties be dammed. A proposition is made and they embark on a clandestine Dom-Sub affair.
24 years her senior, in the bedroom, Neil is commanding, explorative and unapologetic about his (bi)sexual exploits. He fucks her senseless and takes her on a journey of sexual awakening…
But outside of the bedroom they must face consequences of their forbidden affair...
Neil Elwood aka Sir does not play games though he plays Sophie like a violin. His single focus and objective is her pleasure. Nine words to describe Neil: Outspoken, sexxxy, commanding, dirty-talker, mature, self-assured, unapologetic, honest and experimental.
Nine words to describe Sophie Scaife: Reflective, smart, observant, stubborn, impressionable, ambitious, naïve, supportive and self-centered.
The Boss, told from Sophie’s POV, is a fast paced sexy read with all the right ingredients; steam, smut, angst, villains, kink and of course the forbidden aspect of an office romance and their age differences. The story ends leading right to book 2, The Girlfriend for the continuation of their story!
Explosive sex! Forbidden romance! Kinky, explorative and to-die-for hero! Villains, obstacles, angst and more!
***
Hero rating: 5+ stars
Heroine rating: 4 stars
Sexual tension rating: 5 stars
Sex scenes rating: 5+ stars
Sex scenes frequency: 5 stars
Plot rating: 5 stars
Dialogue rating: 5 stars
Storytelling rating: 5 stars
Story ending rating: N/A
**********************************************
Overall rating: 5 stars
Would I recommend this series: Yes.
Would I re-read this series: Yes.
Would I read future books by this author: Yes.
FREE on Amazon (limited time): http://goo.gl/KbgCo9
★★★★★! The Boss, book 1 of 5. The best sex of her life with an older man at an airport becomes the forbidden affair with her new boss!
“Can you spank me again, Sir?” I asked, pumping my hips against the pillow.
This time, the slap he gave me made me yelp loudly in surprise.
“If you can’t stay quiet, I’ll gag you,” he warned. “And don’t tell me how to do my job.”
Books in The Boss series should be read in order:
Book 1: The Boss
Book 2: The Girlfriend
Book 2.5: The Hock-Up (included in book 3)
Book 3: The Bride
Book 4: The Ex
Book 5: The Baby
Six years ago then student Sophie Scaife had a one-night-stand and the best sex of her life with older man, a stranger at an airport hotel that would change the direction of her life.
In the opening of The Boss (book 1) magazine employee Sophie is about come to face to face with the new CEO and founder of a publishing empire, Neil Elwood aka Sir and is shocked to realize he is the stranger from the airport.
After recovering from the shock, neither Neil or Sophie can deny their fierce attraction, improprieties be dammed. A proposition is made and they embark on a clandestine Dom-Sub affair.
24 years her senior, in the bedroom, Neil is commanding, explorative and unapologetic about his (bi)sexual exploits. He fucks her senseless and takes her on a journey of sexual awakening…
But outside of the bedroom they must face consequences of their forbidden affair...
Neil Elwood aka Sir does not play games though he plays Sophie like a violin. His single focus and objective is her pleasure. Nine words to describe Neil: Outspoken, sexxxy, commanding, dirty-talker, mature, self-assured, unapologetic, honest and experimental.
Nine words to describe Sophie Scaife: Reflective, smart, observant, stubborn, impressionable, ambitious, naïve, supportive and self-centered.
The Boss, told from Sophie’s POV, is a fast paced sexy read with all the right ingredients; steam, smut, angst, villains, kink and of course the forbidden aspect of an office romance and their age differences. The story ends leading right to book 2, The Girlfriend for the continuation of their story!
Explosive sex! Forbidden romance! Kinky, explorative and to-die-for hero! Villains, obstacles, angst and more!
***
Hero rating: 5+ stars
Heroine rating: 4 stars
Sexual tension rating: 5 stars
Sex scenes rating: 5+ stars
Sex scenes frequency: 5 stars
Plot rating: 5 stars
Dialogue rating: 5 stars
Storytelling rating: 5 stars
Story ending rating: N/A
**********************************************
Overall rating: 5 stars
Would I recommend this series: Yes.
Would I re-read this series: Yes.
Would I read future books by this author: Yes.
FREE on Amazon (limited time): http://goo.gl/KbgCo9
April 27, 2023
Normally, I don't read erotica. Just not my cup of tea, so to say. I do gynecology for a living¹; no need to venture to the 'private parts area' in my spare time.
[image error]
¹ I could not resist posting this picture. It's just too awesome.
Or maybe I was just too scarred by my venture into that territory, courtesy of Anne Rice. This book, however, may have helped fix my literary post-Anne-Rice PTSD.
For a year or so, I have been happily following the blog of Jennifer Armintrout/Jenny Trout for the brilliant and painstakingly hilarious recaps of that toxic and poorly written 'phenomenon' - Fifty Shades of Grey, obviously - that apparently, according to the media, represents everything¹ that women should want from life.
Sophie is a young woman working on her career in fashion industry. She is sexually experienced, confident, and does not view other women as competition (a trait that for whatever reasons seems to pervade literature aimed at women. Blargh.). Neil is an incredibly rich middle-aged man with a flair for a bit of kink - the kind that does not come with a requirement of being an asshole to the rest of the world (are you listening, Christian Grey?) They start a relationship, but their lives do not revolve around the romance alone. There's actual plot in this book, believe it or not.
I'm not going to pretend that in the attempts to avoid the pitfalls of 50 Shades of Grey, The Boss does not frequently try a bit *too* hard - but, honestly, give me a book that tries too hard to avoid the abuse and misogyny any day over a book that portrays such things as the pinnacle of women's desires.
Here's the quick list of what I appreciated in this book:
- A healthy portrayal of female sexuality that is NOT focused on the naive innocence of the heroine that can only be awakened by the special Chosen One.
- A strong depiction of friendship between women, NOT falling into the pitfall of assuming that (a) women have to view all other women as competition, (b) only the ugly and undesirable women - therefore not a competition to her - can be her friends, (c) women are always assholes to one another because everyone wants to be a bratty center of attention for all men around.
- A romantic relationship that is build on trust and respect - and is not confusing the kinks in the bedroom with the events happening in the non-bedroom life.
- A career that is actually important to the heroine; a job that is not just an excuse to meet the man of her dreams.
- Depictions of sex that can actually use the adult words for body parts instead of constant euphemisms of 'down there' and such. Blergh.
---------------
As I've said above, I don't really read erotica and I don't quite get the hype around the genre. Because of this, I may not quite 'get' this book like an intended audience (a.k.a. people who *do* read this genre) would - but even then I'm still able to appreciate decent writing, good characterization and determination to avoid the pitfalls making books like '50 Shades' quite unreadable.
A star rating is difficult for me to assign as this is not quite the book I'd normally read and enjoy, but 3.5 stars at least would be a safe bet. A fun read overall.
[image error]
¹ I could not resist posting this picture. It's just too awesome.
Or maybe I was just too scarred by my venture into that territory, courtesy of Anne Rice. This book, however, may have helped fix my literary post-Anne-Rice PTSD.
For a year or so, I have been happily following the blog of Jennifer Armintrout/Jenny Trout for the brilliant and painstakingly hilarious recaps of that toxic and poorly written 'phenomenon' - Fifty Shades of Grey, obviously - that apparently, according to the media, represents everything¹ that women should want from life.
¹ By "everything", I mean a rich 'hero' who knows what's good for 'his' woman and whose abusive behavior can apparently be interpreted as love by the shallow vapid useless 'heroine'.Anyway, Jenny Trout took on a mission to recap - and what a feat it was! - with humor and anger combined the atrociousness that E.L.James inflicted upon the unconsenting universe. And, apparently, being in the business of writing erotica herself (Abigail Barnette is her pen-name for this genre) she decided to try creating an erotic romance that manages to avoid all the 50 Shades bullshit that makes readers foam at the mouth. In her own words from her blog:
Why exactly it has become so mind-boggingly popular is beyond me.
"It's my own entry into the contemporary erotic romance subgenre spawned by 50 Shades of Grey and the Crossfire series. But I'm pretty much just doing it for fun and to goof off, and to see if I can write a book in that genre without falling into the traps of misogyny and abuse we've seen in the 50 Shades series."The result was 'The Boss', written as a free online serial. I can give you a brief description of this book as such: It's what an erotic romance looks like when written (a) about normal well-adjusted and well-functioning people, smart and independent, who possess self-respect and consideration of others, and (b) penned by someone who appears to have a decent command of English language and rules of writing.
"And I thought it would be fun to write a book that has the flavor of Fifty Shades of Grey, but not the non-existent conflict, the abuse masquerading as romance, or the heroine who dumps her entire life to be owned by some dude."
Sophie is a young woman working on her career in fashion industry. She is sexually experienced, confident, and does not view other women as competition (a trait that for whatever reasons seems to pervade literature aimed at women. Blargh.). Neil is an incredibly rich middle-aged man with a flair for a bit of kink - the kind that does not come with a requirement of being an asshole to the rest of the world (are you listening, Christian Grey?) They start a relationship, but their lives do not revolve around the romance alone. There's actual plot in this book, believe it or not.
I'm not going to pretend that in the attempts to avoid the pitfalls of 50 Shades of Grey, The Boss does not frequently try a bit *too* hard - but, honestly, give me a book that tries too hard to avoid the abuse and misogyny any day over a book that portrays such things as the pinnacle of women's desires.
Here's the quick list of what I appreciated in this book:
- A healthy portrayal of female sexuality that is NOT focused on the naive innocence of the heroine that can only be awakened by the special Chosen One.
- A strong depiction of friendship between women, NOT falling into the pitfall of assuming that (a) women have to view all other women as competition, (b) only the ugly and undesirable women - therefore not a competition to her - can be her friends, (c) women are always assholes to one another because everyone wants to be a bratty center of attention for all men around.
- A romantic relationship that is build on trust and respect - and is not confusing the kinks in the bedroom with the events happening in the non-bedroom life.
- A career that is actually important to the heroine; a job that is not just an excuse to meet the man of her dreams.
- Depictions of sex that can actually use the adult words for body parts instead of constant euphemisms of 'down there' and such. Blergh.
---------------
As I've said above, I don't really read erotica and I don't quite get the hype around the genre. Because of this, I may not quite 'get' this book like an intended audience (a.k.a. people who *do* read this genre) would - but even then I'm still able to appreciate decent writing, good characterization and determination to avoid the pitfalls making books like '50 Shades' quite unreadable.
A star rating is difficult for me to assign as this is not quite the book I'd normally read and enjoy, but 3.5 stars at least would be a safe bet. A fun read overall.
August 31, 2015
Find all of my reviews at: http://52bookminimum.blogspot.com/
ME - the biggest prude on Goodreads just read a BDSM book . . .
So basically if this . . .
and this . . . .
had a baby you would pretty much end up with something like The Boss. The good news is, the dom/sub stuff wasn’t totally rapey like 50 Shades and the male lead wasn’t a complete and total creeper. The bad news is, I still didn’t like it.
Sophie and Neil met six years ago when the flight they were supposed to be on to Tokyo got cancelled. Rather than going their separate ways, Neil was all like . . .
and Sophie was indeed down. That night she let go of all of her inhibitions and let Neil completely dominate her in the sack. Nothing has ever lived up to that experience. When Neil walks through the door of the fashion magazine where Sophie works and declares himself her new boss, she’s thrown for a loop. Luckily, Neil remembers her as well and is totes ready to play some “secretary” on the D.L. . . . .
Of course, Neil realizes that it won’t work to constantly think about banging his assistant when he has a business to run, so he gives Sophie a promotion . . .
Ha! Just kidding. I mean, she gets a promotion but she was already on the short-list for it to begin with. After that, things get complicated. I mean eyeroll worthy complications that made me get all . . . .
leading right in to Book #2 – which I will not be reading. #duh
Okay, so as I said the sex was actually consensual this time around, but seriously these two did it ALL. THE. TIME. There was actually a decent “subplot” which should have been the main focus, but Neil’s boner and Sophie’s “sopping” (barf) ladygarden got in the way and instead it was like 75% . . . .
Until I was screaming “NO MORE YANKY MY WANKY – THE DONGER NEED FOOD!”
There was also too much use of certain terms, like the aforementioned “sopping” (seriously, barf) as well as “splayed” – splayed hands across the small of her back, splayed hands on her bum, legs all splayed apart. GET A THESAURUS! I also have to mention the prude factor that makes things like this . . .
“If I wanted pineapple, I would eat pineapple. When I eat pu$$y, I’d prefer it to taste like pu$$y. And yours is fantastic.”
Ew. Let’s reserve that for the “you are NEVER allowed to say things like that out loud to me and expect to do it ever again” file.
ME - the biggest prude on Goodreads just read a BDSM book . . .
So basically if this . . .
and this . . . .
had a baby you would pretty much end up with something like The Boss. The good news is, the dom/sub stuff wasn’t totally rapey like 50 Shades and the male lead wasn’t a complete and total creeper. The bad news is, I still didn’t like it.
Sophie and Neil met six years ago when the flight they were supposed to be on to Tokyo got cancelled. Rather than going their separate ways, Neil was all like . . .
and Sophie was indeed down. That night she let go of all of her inhibitions and let Neil completely dominate her in the sack. Nothing has ever lived up to that experience. When Neil walks through the door of the fashion magazine where Sophie works and declares himself her new boss, she’s thrown for a loop. Luckily, Neil remembers her as well and is totes ready to play some “secretary” on the D.L. . . . .
Of course, Neil realizes that it won’t work to constantly think about banging his assistant when he has a business to run, so he gives Sophie a promotion . . .
Ha! Just kidding. I mean, she gets a promotion but she was already on the short-list for it to begin with. After that, things get complicated. I mean eyeroll worthy complications that made me get all . . . .
leading right in to Book #2 – which I will not be reading. #duh
Okay, so as I said the sex was actually consensual this time around, but seriously these two did it ALL. THE. TIME. There was actually a decent “subplot” which should have been the main focus, but Neil’s boner and Sophie’s “sopping” (barf) ladygarden got in the way and instead it was like 75% . . . .
Until I was screaming “NO MORE YANKY MY WANKY – THE DONGER NEED FOOD!”
There was also too much use of certain terms, like the aforementioned “sopping” (seriously, barf) as well as “splayed” – splayed hands across the small of her back, splayed hands on her bum, legs all splayed apart. GET A THESAURUS! I also have to mention the prude factor that makes things like this . . .
“If I wanted pineapple, I would eat pineapple. When I eat pu$$y, I’d prefer it to taste like pu$$y. And yours is fantastic.”
Ew. Let’s reserve that for the “you are NEVER allowed to say things like that out loud to me and expect to do it ever again” file.
January 23, 2015
As an answer to the monstrosity that is FSoG, this is wonderful. As an erotic tale on its own? Meh.
June 2, 2013
When I pick up a book that is supposed to be erotic and have hot sex scenes, I expect to be turned on reading it. I see people who praise 50 Shades of Grey for being so steamy and an inspiration for the sex lives of all of these readers, and I just don't understand. Did we read the same book? There is no part of me that would want to be in a relationship like the one depicted in that train wreck of a trilogy and the sex scenes left a LOT to be desired. Which brings me to The Boss, which renewed my faith in erotic romance novels and opened my eyes to what a true, safe BDSM relationship is supposed to look like.
First of all, the characters are amazing. They feel completely real and what's more, they were likable. Sophie is a very down-to-earth young woman who isn't afraid to try new things and has an awesome, witty roommate named Holli. I liked the interactions between the two of them and appreciated the fact that they were such loyal, caring friends to each other. After reading the first few chapters, I realized that not only did I really love Sophie, but I wanted to BE her. I literally wanted to be able to jump in the book and take over her life. That might have just a little bit to do with Sophie's seductive older boss, Neil. Oh but Neil isn't a stranger to her; they had an "encounter" 6 years previously that she was never able to forget.
The chemistry between Neil and Sophie is palpable. He treats her with care and respect, and always considers her feelings first and foremost in everything they do. *SWOON*, seriously. The sex scenes were everything I hoped they would be and more. I think I enjoyed them even more because Sophie actually owns her sexuality. She knows what she likes in the bedroom, but is open to try just about anything. I confess, I don't know much about the BDSM lifestyle, however, I know the author is familiar with it and I feel like she did a great service by writing about what a healthy relationship is supposed to look like. Neil always made sure he explained the things they were going to do to make sure Sophie was on board, and he always made sure that she felt safe. If people want to experiment in their own sex lives, they would be much better off looking to this novel than 50 Shades.
Also, can I just say how much I love that Neil and Sophie have a rather large age gap? There's a little over 20 years between them, with her in her 20s and him in his 40s. I can completely relate to this! I'm 28 and my husband is 48. Older guys are hot to me; when I met my husband, I was 21 and had just gotten out of a horrible relationship with an immature, borderline abusive guy who was my age. Immediately I was drawn to how self-assured, confident, responsible, and sensible he was. Maybe that's not what all girls are looking for at the age, but we clicked immediately and the rest is history (been married 6 years on June 8th!) He also has two kids from a previous marriage, one of whom is 3 months older than me; luckily we've always gotten along really well. So I can relate to Sophie and know exactly the kinds of things she sees in Neil. You can't ignore intense chemistry and age is just a number!
I can't say enough good things about The Boss. It was steamy, romantic, funny, and kept my attention until the last page. The best part for all of you? The author has been putting up a new chapter every Friday, so if you want to find out what all the fuss is about then you can still get in on the action. Visit the novel's webpage at http://abigailbarnettestheboss.blogsp... and you can click on Table of Contents to choose Chapter 1 (or whatever chapter you need!)
First of all, the characters are amazing. They feel completely real and what's more, they were likable. Sophie is a very down-to-earth young woman who isn't afraid to try new things and has an awesome, witty roommate named Holli. I liked the interactions between the two of them and appreciated the fact that they were such loyal, caring friends to each other. After reading the first few chapters, I realized that not only did I really love Sophie, but I wanted to BE her. I literally wanted to be able to jump in the book and take over her life. That might have just a little bit to do with Sophie's seductive older boss, Neil. Oh but Neil isn't a stranger to her; they had an "encounter" 6 years previously that she was never able to forget.
The chemistry between Neil and Sophie is palpable. He treats her with care and respect, and always considers her feelings first and foremost in everything they do. *SWOON*, seriously. The sex scenes were everything I hoped they would be and more. I think I enjoyed them even more because Sophie actually owns her sexuality. She knows what she likes in the bedroom, but is open to try just about anything. I confess, I don't know much about the BDSM lifestyle, however, I know the author is familiar with it and I feel like she did a great service by writing about what a healthy relationship is supposed to look like. Neil always made sure he explained the things they were going to do to make sure Sophie was on board, and he always made sure that she felt safe. If people want to experiment in their own sex lives, they would be much better off looking to this novel than 50 Shades.
Also, can I just say how much I love that Neil and Sophie have a rather large age gap? There's a little over 20 years between them, with her in her 20s and him in his 40s. I can completely relate to this! I'm 28 and my husband is 48. Older guys are hot to me; when I met my husband, I was 21 and had just gotten out of a horrible relationship with an immature, borderline abusive guy who was my age. Immediately I was drawn to how self-assured, confident, responsible, and sensible he was. Maybe that's not what all girls are looking for at the age, but we clicked immediately and the rest is history (been married 6 years on June 8th!) He also has two kids from a previous marriage, one of whom is 3 months older than me; luckily we've always gotten along really well. So I can relate to Sophie and know exactly the kinds of things she sees in Neil. You can't ignore intense chemistry and age is just a number!
I can't say enough good things about The Boss. It was steamy, romantic, funny, and kept my attention until the last page. The best part for all of you? The author has been putting up a new chapter every Friday, so if you want to find out what all the fuss is about then you can still get in on the action. Visit the novel's webpage at http://abigailbarnettestheboss.blogsp... and you can click on Table of Contents to choose Chapter 1 (or whatever chapter you need!)
September 6, 2013
It's both easy and difficult to compare this book to "Fifty (or is it 50?) Shades of Grey". Easy because the storyline is similar, but difficult because "The Boss" is what FSOG should have been if it was:
-written by a talented writer
-based in common sense and logic, representative of a real D/s relationship
-not glorifying abuse as romance
-completely devoid of any oh my/jeez/inner goddess/subconscious/earth shattering orgasms every.single.time.
Also, "The Boss" has plot that moves and side stories that go places and aren't arbitrary bits of failed "drama". Oh, and the sex is better. MUCH, much better. Not that that's hard (forgive the pun) because once you've read one FSOG sex scene, you've read them all. The sex scenes in "The Boss"? Um, have a change of underwear on hand (or go commando, that's cool, too; sit on a towel).
Bottom line: It's a great read, and will not only satisfy the part of you reading it for its eroticism, but will also make you genuinely laugh. And even gasp once or twice (I did).
I gave it 4 stars for the too-similar plot to FSOG and the slightly predictable ending, but none of that really detracts from the fact that it is a GREAT book that you SHOULD absolutely read.
-written by a talented writer
-based in common sense and logic, representative of a real D/s relationship
-not glorifying abuse as romance
-completely devoid of any oh my/jeez/inner goddess/subconscious/earth shattering orgasms every.single.time.
Also, "The Boss" has plot that moves and side stories that go places and aren't arbitrary bits of failed "drama". Oh, and the sex is better. MUCH, much better. Not that that's hard (forgive the pun) because once you've read one FSOG sex scene, you've read them all. The sex scenes in "The Boss"? Um, have a change of underwear on hand (or go commando, that's cool, too; sit on a towel).
Bottom line: It's a great read, and will not only satisfy the part of you reading it for its eroticism, but will also make you genuinely laugh. And even gasp once or twice (I did).
I gave it 4 stars for the too-similar plot to FSOG and the slightly predictable ending, but none of that really detracts from the fact that it is a GREAT book that you SHOULD absolutely read.
January 15, 2015
☆☆☆
No spoilers and colorful language abound! P.S. this is free on Amazon!
I was not expecting to like this. I was wrong.
Just because I'm not into D/s smexy stuff, doesn't mean I don't find it entertaining to read about. One must broaden their horizons and junk. In fact, I'd go as far as to say this is what FSoG should have been, it was down right empowering to read about a women taking control what and how she wanted it. Now, if you like your smut chock full of emotionally crippled men with a penchant for stalking, a knack for all kinds of abuse and a complete lack of communication skills, this is not the book for you!
I believe this is the "right time right place" kind of book. I don't know about you, but I have to be in the right frame of mind to read smut/romance books. Aside from the bit of cheese in the bginning and the fairly predictable ending, this was a home run! It's well written, and the rose colored glasses by which everyone lives isn't overwhelming. I don't know when I'll reach for the 2nd installment, but I'm sure it won't be too long from now. Enjoy!
No spoilers and colorful language abound! P.S. this is free on Amazon!
I was not expecting to like this. I was wrong.
Just because I'm not into D/s smexy stuff, doesn't mean I don't find it entertaining to read about. One must broaden their horizons and junk. In fact, I'd go as far as to say this is what FSoG should have been, it was down right empowering to read about a women taking control what and how she wanted it. Now, if you like your smut chock full of emotionally crippled men with a penchant for stalking, a knack for all kinds of abuse and a complete lack of communication skills, this is not the book for you!
I believe this is the "right time right place" kind of book. I don't know about you, but I have to be in the right frame of mind to read smut/romance books. Aside from the bit of cheese in the bginning and the fairly predictable ending, this was a home run! It's well written, and the rose colored glasses by which everyone lives isn't overwhelming. I don't know when I'll reach for the 2nd installment, but I'm sure it won't be too long from now. Enjoy!
April 6, 2021
Is the reason I’m able to connect with Sophie so well is because of our mutual daddy issues? When did it get this bad?
6 years ago she decided to take a leap and try something new. She met a man at the airport and boy did he blew her mind.
Flash forward to the future that man is her BOSS.
“And that I had met you too early in your life to do either of us a bit of good. I wrestled with the idea of continuing a relationship with you in Tokyo, but I was afraid. I thought I would ruin you, try to mold you into what I thought you should be. So I tried to let you go and move on. And I've been making a ridiculous mess of my life ever since.”
BE STILL MY BEATING HEART.
6 years ago she decided to take a leap and try something new. She met a man at the airport and boy did he blew her mind.
Flash forward to the future that man is her BOSS.
“And that I had met you too early in your life to do either of us a bit of good. I wrestled with the idea of continuing a relationship with you in Tokyo, but I was afraid. I thought I would ruin you, try to mold you into what I thought you should be. So I tried to let you go and move on. And I've been making a ridiculous mess of my life ever since.”
BE STILL MY BEATING HEART.
August 22, 2016
August 2016 Re-Read
★★★★☆
Abigail Barnette just released her prequel novella (#0.5) The Stranger which covers the one night stand continually referenced in The Boss. So after finishing that sexylicious novella, I had to proceed to The Boss just one more time...
June 2015 Re-Read!!!
★★★★☆
I read The Boss before via ebook but when I saw the audio version at my library I knew it was time to re-experience it. I enjoyed it the second time around so much more now that I have read the rest of the series (at least the books that have been published). Knowing all of the ups and downs Sophie and Neil will face in their relationship and their subsequent ability to overcome everything had me that much more invested in this first book. I just love this series. Other than that, nothing more to add to my original review from 2014. It's just a great relationship-centered series!
Original Review: August 3, 2014:
OK, so I didn't have a very favorable reading experience with the first "BDSM" genre book I picked up, but it was an impulsive book selection and I decided to get some recommendations before diving into the genre again. And not surprisingly, one of my favorite goodreads groups came through with a great BOTM pick. The Boss by Abigail Barnette is a perfect book for anyone wanting to try the genre, at least it was for me. In the other book, I hated how aggressive, degrading, and 24/7 the Dom/sub relationship was portrayed. But in The Boss, the main characters Sophie and Neil used it as "play" during their sexual interactions and they were able to turn it off outside of the bedroom. I loved the characters perspectives of the BDSM lifestyle. It was themed with trust, safety, and communication at all times.
Although Sophie and Neil's sexual relationship is initially a focal point in this book, there are other elements brought into the story that created a well-rounded book that isn't just sex. My only complaints involve the age difference between Sophie and Neil, along with their boss/employee relationship. I should note that these issues also are mentioned several times between the characters and they were not comfortable with them either, but their chemistry and attraction made them helpless apparently. The overall story was pretty predictable in my opinion, but I enjoyed the read anyway. These reasons are why I chose 4 stars instead of 5. The Boss was a great book overall. I was invested in all the characters in this book (there are lots of secondary characters, along with some side stories going on), and I remained engaged in the book until the last page. It does end on a cliffhanger and I immediately purchased the next book The Girlfriend which I will be reading immediately. If you enjoy adult romances with a BDSM element then take a look at this one!
My favorite quote:
"Call me old fashioned, but I kind of enjoy the so-called 'walk of shame.' It's really more a 'walk of pride because I got some.'"
The Boss series includes the following installments (as of August 2016):
#0.5:The Stranger
#1:The Boss
#2:The Girlfriend
#2.5:The Hook-Up
#3:The Bride
#4:The Ex
#5:The Baby
#6:The Sister
★★★★☆
Abigail Barnette just released her prequel novella (#0.5) The Stranger which covers the one night stand continually referenced in The Boss. So after finishing that sexylicious novella, I had to proceed to The Boss just one more time...
June 2015 Re-Read!!!
★★★★☆
I read The Boss before via ebook but when I saw the audio version at my library I knew it was time to re-experience it. I enjoyed it the second time around so much more now that I have read the rest of the series (at least the books that have been published). Knowing all of the ups and downs Sophie and Neil will face in their relationship and their subsequent ability to overcome everything had me that much more invested in this first book. I just love this series. Other than that, nothing more to add to my original review from 2014. It's just a great relationship-centered series!
Original Review: August 3, 2014:
OK, so I didn't have a very favorable reading experience with the first "BDSM" genre book I picked up, but it was an impulsive book selection and I decided to get some recommendations before diving into the genre again. And not surprisingly, one of my favorite goodreads groups came through with a great BOTM pick. The Boss by Abigail Barnette is a perfect book for anyone wanting to try the genre, at least it was for me. In the other book, I hated how aggressive, degrading, and 24/7 the Dom/sub relationship was portrayed. But in The Boss, the main characters Sophie and Neil used it as "play" during their sexual interactions and they were able to turn it off outside of the bedroom. I loved the characters perspectives of the BDSM lifestyle. It was themed with trust, safety, and communication at all times.
“Your trust in me, your ability to surrender totally and give yourself to me freely... That’s the payoff for me, Sophie. It’s an aphrodisiac.”
"I stared, transfixed at the image in the mirror. There was the man who so overwhelmed me with his sexual power that I would do anything he asked. His hands and mouth were on me, giving me pleasure because it pleased him, because in that moment I was the center of his world. He wanted me. He wanted to control me, to possess me, to make me surrender to him completely and take all that he had to offer. Yet at the same time he was kneeling before me, worshipping me, as enslaved to me as I was to him."
Although Sophie and Neil's sexual relationship is initially a focal point in this book, there are other elements brought into the story that created a well-rounded book that isn't just sex. My only complaints involve the age difference between Sophie and Neil, along with their boss/employee relationship. I should note that these issues also are mentioned several times between the characters and they were not comfortable with them either, but their chemistry and attraction made them helpless apparently. The overall story was pretty predictable in my opinion, but I enjoyed the read anyway. These reasons are why I chose 4 stars instead of 5. The Boss was a great book overall. I was invested in all the characters in this book (there are lots of secondary characters, along with some side stories going on), and I remained engaged in the book until the last page. It does end on a cliffhanger and I immediately purchased the next book The Girlfriend which I will be reading immediately. If you enjoy adult romances with a BDSM element then take a look at this one!
My favorite quote:
"Call me old fashioned, but I kind of enjoy the so-called 'walk of shame.' It's really more a 'walk of pride because I got some.'"
The Boss series includes the following installments (as of August 2016):
#0.5:The Stranger
#1:The Boss
#2:The Girlfriend
#2.5:The Hook-Up
#3:The Bride
#4:The Ex
#5:The Baby
#6:The Sister
September 20, 2013
4.5 stars. A well-written book that explores a 24 year old assistant and her sex-only relationship with a 48 year old billionaire. The word 'billionaire' was tossed around a little more than I prefer, and their sex was constant (not really complaining) - but it was varied enough to keep it interesting. They have a Dominant/Sub relationship, which... it seems like the last five books I've read have been that theme, so I think I'm a little bored with safe words and gags - as weird as that seems. :)
It does have a pretty strong cliffhanger, I like to warn everyone of that going in.
It does have a pretty strong cliffhanger, I like to warn everyone of that going in.
March 24, 2019
Wow! This book is too long. It has introduction of BDSM. It is very steamy.
The story is so much better than Fifty Shades of Grey. The chemistry between the characters are off the chart. I like how Miss Barnette takes time to develop the characters and the BDSM really heighten the story. And the secondary characters really play a good supporting roles to the story. I just found a bit odd that Neil does not realize his company is under trouble. He is a billionaire after all...
Anyway, the cliffhanger makes me on the edge. I want to read the second book.
The story is so much better than Fifty Shades of Grey. The chemistry between the characters are off the chart. I like how Miss Barnette takes time to develop the characters and the BDSM really heighten the story. And the secondary characters really play a good supporting roles to the story. I just found a bit odd that Neil does not realize his company is under trouble. He is a billionaire after all...
Anyway, the cliffhanger makes me on the edge. I want to read the second book.
June 19, 2014
I hated this book!
I started out really liking it. I was thinking...yes, a 4-star read, at least. But as it moved along, the stars just kept dropping. It's well written, in the sense that Abigail Barnette is talented with prose. She is a clever writer. My dislike of the book and the overall series is the direction in which she takes the story, and the choices she makes for the characters.
1. The book is supposed to be the antithesis to 50 shades, but despite some of the petty criticism of 50, there is a reason the books are so popular. Kinky sex aside, at the core 50 shades is still a love story. It falls in the Romance genre, and therefore the reader can expect a HEA and redemption for the characters, despite how deep their troubles may seem. 50 blends love and Romance with the kink, which makes it sweet and sexy. I think that's where The Boss misses the mark. It has kink element, but zero Romance and the love is awkward because of Sophie's insistence that she doesn't need a relationship. She was detached, and the relationship had no emotion. After a while, the sex was boring and monotonous...not matter how kinky the author tried to paint it. I'm not buying it. More on Sophie later.
2. I like Neil as a male lead. His age doesn't bother me. In fact, I like that he is in his 40's. I did not enjoy how Sophie treated him. Her aloofness, her detachment bordering on immaturity. She was silly at times with refusing to leave anything at his house. She was so wrapped up in her career...as what?...an administrative assistant. Her superficial assisting duties were so demanding, she didn't have time for a relationship? Really? In what universe are the two mutually exclusive? What... women can't have a career and relationship? They have to choose one or the other? Since when does being a feminist mean you can't have a relationship, or fall in love, or care for someone? This entire angle was really irritating. Which brings me to my next point.
3. I liked her off the bat, but as the book went on, she fell out of my good graces. She was a contradiction---pining for Neil for 6 years, but didn't want to spend the night with him. She hated the way Gabriella treated her, but was considering working for her. Thought of herself as a feminist, but let her coworkers mistreat and disrespect her. Her notions of feminism, and independence were ridiculous and unrealistic. She felt protected in Neil's arms, but wouldn't allow herself to enjoy it because she didn't need protecting from. On and on, Sophie's over-the-top, I am woman hear me roar mindset got old. Her neurotic independence stance was off-putting. What's wrong with showing vulnerability? Showing that you care? What's wrong with feeling safe and protected in your partner's arms? That's called being human.
4. My biggest issue with book and series. The author, who criticized 50 for all the sub-plots, inserts her own mega sub-plot towards the end of the book. Out of left field, Neil pushes Sophie away. She finds out she's pregnant. Then the story takes a direction that will drive it right off the cliff into a territory that you can't come back from. The book ends with a miserable cliffhanger.
Lastly, I'll say this--there are some topics that do not belong in Romance novels, Erotica, et al. Abortion is one of them. If two adults, who are in love, in a Romance novel, and are financially stable have an unexpected pregnancy...don't you think they would keep the baby? It would bring them close together? It would make a great HEA? If no, then why add the pregnancy subplot? The author apparently finds unwanted babies Romantic. Maybe she thinks abortion is an aphrodisiac of sorts.
I will not continue with series.
I started out really liking it. I was thinking...yes, a 4-star read, at least. But as it moved along, the stars just kept dropping. It's well written, in the sense that Abigail Barnette is talented with prose. She is a clever writer. My dislike of the book and the overall series is the direction in which she takes the story, and the choices she makes for the characters.
1. The book is supposed to be the antithesis to 50 shades, but despite some of the petty criticism of 50, there is a reason the books are so popular. Kinky sex aside, at the core 50 shades is still a love story. It falls in the Romance genre, and therefore the reader can expect a HEA and redemption for the characters, despite how deep their troubles may seem. 50 blends love and Romance with the kink, which makes it sweet and sexy. I think that's where The Boss misses the mark. It has kink element, but zero Romance and the love is awkward because of Sophie's insistence that she doesn't need a relationship. She was detached, and the relationship had no emotion. After a while, the sex was boring and monotonous...not matter how kinky the author tried to paint it. I'm not buying it. More on Sophie later.
2. I like Neil as a male lead. His age doesn't bother me. In fact, I like that he is in his 40's. I did not enjoy how Sophie treated him. Her aloofness, her detachment bordering on immaturity. She was silly at times with refusing to leave anything at his house. She was so wrapped up in her career...as what?...an administrative assistant. Her superficial assisting duties were so demanding, she didn't have time for a relationship? Really? In what universe are the two mutually exclusive? What... women can't have a career and relationship? They have to choose one or the other? Since when does being a feminist mean you can't have a relationship, or fall in love, or care for someone? This entire angle was really irritating. Which brings me to my next point.
3. I liked her off the bat, but as the book went on, she fell out of my good graces. She was a contradiction---pining for Neil for 6 years, but didn't want to spend the night with him. She hated the way Gabriella treated her, but was considering working for her. Thought of herself as a feminist, but let her coworkers mistreat and disrespect her. Her notions of feminism, and independence were ridiculous and unrealistic. She felt protected in Neil's arms, but wouldn't allow herself to enjoy it because she didn't need protecting from. On and on, Sophie's over-the-top, I am woman hear me roar mindset got old. Her neurotic independence stance was off-putting. What's wrong with showing vulnerability? Showing that you care? What's wrong with feeling safe and protected in your partner's arms? That's called being human.
4. My biggest issue with book and series. The author, who criticized 50 for all the sub-plots, inserts her own mega sub-plot towards the end of the book. Out of left field, Neil pushes Sophie away. She finds out she's pregnant. Then the story takes a direction that will drive it right off the cliff into a territory that you can't come back from. The book ends with a miserable cliffhanger.
Lastly, I'll say this--there are some topics that do not belong in Romance novels, Erotica, et al. Abortion is one of them. If two adults, who are in love, in a Romance novel, and are financially stable have an unexpected pregnancy...don't you think they would keep the baby? It would bring them close together? It would make a great HEA? If no, then why add the pregnancy subplot? The author apparently finds unwanted babies Romantic. Maybe she thinks abortion is an aphrodisiac of sorts.
I will not continue with series.
Shelved as 'not-for-me'
February 9, 2017There's a lot to like here - honestly. I love the voice, and how the author portrays the story. She's got a great rhythm in telling the story.
I love the sensibilities and respect of the characters. Just check my updates for all the stuff that I love in this book.
Unfortunately, I'm not getting the "connection" between the hero and heroine. There's a huge age/power/experience disparity. I can't figure out what they see in each other except for good sex - and I'm all for that. I'd be good if that's all it was. But then, at 55% into the book, without even looking at the pictures of his kid, on his wall, in his apartment...well, she has an epiphany that she's in love with him.
Really? Really?? And he misses her so terribly when he has to go to England. Why? The sex made him miss her that much? I know they have a sexual connection. That chemistry comes through loud and clear. I cannot, for the life of me, figure out much why they are so emotionally attached to each other.
That's making it lose me. I may come back to this. And because there is so much to like, I'm going to not rate this like I normally would a DNF.
9 October 2014: $0.00 on Kindle
I love the sensibilities and respect of the characters. Just check my updates for all the stuff that I love in this book.
Unfortunately, I'm not getting the "connection" between the hero and heroine. There's a huge age/power/experience disparity. I can't figure out what they see in each other except for good sex - and I'm all for that. I'd be good if that's all it was. But then, at 55% into the book, without even looking at the pictures of his kid, on his wall, in his apartment...well, she has an epiphany that she's in love with him.
Really? Really?? And he misses her so terribly when he has to go to England. Why? The sex made him miss her that much? I know they have a sexual connection. That chemistry comes through loud and clear. I cannot, for the life of me, figure out much why they are so emotionally attached to each other.
That's making it lose me. I may come back to this. And because there is so much to like, I'm going to not rate this like I normally would a DNF.
9 October 2014: $0.00 on Kindle
July 30, 2018
Absolutely AMAZING!!!!!!! I can’t write a review right now because I need to go read the next book. I love this!!!!
July 7, 2018
I NEED THE NEXT BOOK STAT!
The Boss was so freaking good. I absolutely loved the audio book. Definitely blew through it and now I really need the next one.
This book follows the romantic relationship between Sophie and Neil. Their chemistry was on fire and I adored it. This book had so much freaking smut it was amazing. Mind-blowing. Again, so freaking good. So it was definitely a no brainer when she ended up being pregnant with his baby. Yes, we don't find out until the end - which made me mad - but it was still a really good book. I'm rooting for these two to work out their ways and become a cute ass couple again.
Overall, it's like 50 shades.. but a lot better (in my opinion).
The Boss was so freaking good. I absolutely loved the audio book. Definitely blew through it and now I really need the next one.
This book follows the romantic relationship between Sophie and Neil. Their chemistry was on fire and I adored it. This book had so much freaking smut it was amazing. Mind-blowing. Again, so freaking good. So it was definitely a no brainer when she ended up being pregnant with his baby. Yes, we don't find out until the end - which made me mad - but it was still a really good book. I'm rooting for these two to work out their ways and become a cute ass couple again.
Overall, it's like 50 shades.. but a lot better (in my opinion).
Read
September 21, 2013Well... I'm not going to rate this one. Pushed myself to a little past 50%, then skipped 25% then skimmed the last part just so I could get an idea of what happened and how it ended.. It is a cliffhanger but this one just didn't hold my interest well enough to read the next one. It's got the formula I love .. sexy billionaire, steamy sex, etc... but I just could never really feel the connection with Neil and Sophie and the story surrounding them just didn't grab me. Oh well.. it happens.
September 24, 2015
DNF @ 16%
It was free on Amazon and I love free books (who doesn't? LOL) so I downloaded it. And I happened to see that someone said it's similar to Fifty Shades of Grey, so I gave it a try because I love FSOG so much.
BUT!! it's TOTALLY different!
The story is just don't 'click' for me.
I know age doesn't matter in love but still, I found it gross.
The Hero is 24 years older than the Heroine (twice the Heroine's age).
And the Heroine is the same age with The Hero's DAUGHTER!!
Seriously you fuck a girl that is young enough to be your own daughter??
It's just...
There's indeed hot sex in it, but I just can't enjoy it anymore.
So yeah...
It was free on Amazon and I love free books (who doesn't? LOL) so I downloaded it. And I happened to see that someone said it's similar to Fifty Shades of Grey, so I gave it a try because I love FSOG so much.
BUT!! it's TOTALLY different!
The story is just don't 'click' for me.
I know age doesn't matter in love but still, I found it gross.
The Hero is 24 years older than the Heroine (twice the Heroine's age).
And the Heroine is the same age with The Hero's DAUGHTER!!
Seriously you fuck a girl that is young enough to be your own daughter??
It's just...
There's indeed hot sex in it, but I just can't enjoy it anymore.
So yeah...
October 15, 2013
This book was just...
Neil & Sophie
Sophie works as an assistant for one of the most important women in the fashion industry. When her boss gets fired, Sophie is shocked to realize her new boss is the man she had a one night stand 6 years ago.
The man she never stopped thinking about, even if she didn't expect to see him ever again.
Well, turns out he didn't forget her either...
I was a little uncomfortable in the beginning with their age difference, but I got over it. It's Sophie's life after all, not mine. See? Brad is 48 just like Neil. Not that bad now, ha?
I think I'm in love with Sophie. She is one of the most levelheaded, intelligent and loveable heroines I have ever read about.
She is young but very mature. Had her down moments, like everybody, but considered her situation from all angles before making a decision. She just gave me one pleasant surprise after another.
And same goes for Neil. He was just wonderful and funny and gave you a vibe that he is just a human being after all, even if he is a billionaire and a very highly positioned person in his business.
And omfg the sex was
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Don't bother with panties, just sit on a towel, ok? It's that seriously fucking hot and there's a lot of it!
I am impressed. There is actual intelligent conversation too :D
The ending hurt my heart and I'm scared because I seriously love these two, but I have faith in them so off I go to the second book.
Abigail
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Neil & Sophie
Sophie works as an assistant for one of the most important women in the fashion industry. When her boss gets fired, Sophie is shocked to realize her new boss is the man she had a one night stand 6 years ago.
The man she never stopped thinking about, even if she didn't expect to see him ever again.
Well, turns out he didn't forget her either...
I was a little uncomfortable in the beginning with their age difference, but I got over it. It's Sophie's life after all, not mine. See? Brad is 48 just like Neil. Not that bad now, ha?
I think I'm in love with Sophie. She is one of the most levelheaded, intelligent and loveable heroines I have ever read about.
She is young but very mature. Had her down moments, like everybody, but considered her situation from all angles before making a decision. She just gave me one pleasant surprise after another.
And same goes for Neil. He was just wonderful and funny and gave you a vibe that he is just a human being after all, even if he is a billionaire and a very highly positioned person in his business.
And omfg the sex was
[image error]
Don't bother with panties, just sit on a towel, ok? It's that seriously fucking hot and there's a lot of it!
I am impressed. There is actual intelligent conversation too :D
The ending hurt my heart and I'm scared because I seriously love these two, but I have faith in them so off I go to the second book.
Abigail
[image error]
August 4, 2018
I don't know if I've been living under a rock but HOW DID I NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS SERIES????? I am currently devouring what I can only describe as 'one of THE best erotic series I've ever had a pleasure of feasting my eyes on'.
Sweet baby Jesus ... Neil and Sophie are absolutely one of my favorite couples ever written and Neil, without a doubt, is now in the 'TOP 5 BBFs' of ALL time!
This series has it all! It's brilliantly written, there is humor, plenty of heat and feels. The story only gets better and better with each book and, at this point (I am almost done with book 3), I am not even sure I will make it to the end of the series because I fear I might combust ...
You can get the first book in the series, THE BOSS, absolutely FREE of charge on Amazon (link below).
September 18, 2013
I really really liked this.
It's choppily paced since it started life as a serialised story and I'm not too keen on the ending due to this, but otherwise it was great fun to read. It's essentially Abigail Barnette/Jennifer Armintrout going "Hey, EL James. You think you know shit about erotica and BDSM? Think again, sweetie". It's full of knowing winks, genuine humour, characters you don't want to punch in the face, sexy sex and consent! The last one shouldn't be as big a deal as it is but there you go. Neil and Sophie actually discuss the things they're comfortable with in their relationship, she's as into it as he is and there's no deep seated emotional angsty back story explanation to justify why the love interest likes it kinky. He just does. After the painful success of 50 Shades, you have no idea how refreshing it is to just see this done well. Check it out. I got it for free when Armintrout was giving it away but it's worth your money.
It's choppily paced since it started life as a serialised story and I'm not too keen on the ending due to this, but otherwise it was great fun to read. It's essentially Abigail Barnette/Jennifer Armintrout going "Hey, EL James. You think you know shit about erotica and BDSM? Think again, sweetie". It's full of knowing winks, genuine humour, characters you don't want to punch in the face, sexy sex and consent! The last one shouldn't be as big a deal as it is but there you go. Neil and Sophie actually discuss the things they're comfortable with in their relationship, she's as into it as he is and there's no deep seated emotional angsty back story explanation to justify why the love interest likes it kinky. He just does. After the painful success of 50 Shades, you have no idea how refreshing it is to just see this done well. Check it out. I got it for free when Armintrout was giving it away but it's worth your money.
February 8, 2015
Don't you just love being pleasantly surprised by a book? Especially when it is free!
As far as mummy porn goes, this was alright. I'm generally not a fan of books where sex is the main focus. But surprisingly, for a huge prude like me, the sexy times were not too cringe. There was a lot of spanking, and way more orgasms than felt natural (unless I've been doing it wrong??). But, there was absolutely no use of 'down there" with relation to the female anatomy. The c-bomb was dropped. A lot. And I have a special kind of love for the c-bomb. Sometimes, no other word is good enough. Eg. Mum, I've had a cunt of a day.
It's natural to compare this book to FSoG, it is literally begging for it. So, here I go.
The MCs - instead of a whiny virgin who can barely speak for herself, we have a strong female MC who unashamedly loves sex,. She knows what she wants and has an interest in exploring her sexual likes and limits, and a main male character who isn't a stalker and doesn't try to control every single aspect of her life. Though he does have a habit of making important decisions for her. But, he doesn't get away with it easily, so I'll let it pass.
There is a fair age gap between the main characters that I know others have been bothered by, though I can't say it bothered me much. I mean, at this point in my life I'd take what I can get.
The beginning of the story was so much a cross between the Devil Wears Prada and Ugly Betty that I found it annoying. But, overall, the story, whilst completely cliched was pretty enjoyable.
Its free. Give it a go.
As far as mummy porn goes, this was alright. I'm generally not a fan of books where sex is the main focus. But surprisingly, for a huge prude like me, the sexy times were not too cringe. There was a lot of spanking, and way more orgasms than felt natural (unless I've been doing it wrong??). But, there was absolutely no use of 'down there" with relation to the female anatomy. The c-bomb was dropped. A lot. And I have a special kind of love for the c-bomb. Sometimes, no other word is good enough. Eg. Mum, I've had a cunt of a day.
It's natural to compare this book to FSoG, it is literally begging for it. So, here I go.
The MCs - instead of a whiny virgin who can barely speak for herself, we have a strong female MC who unashamedly loves sex,. She knows what she wants and has an interest in exploring her sexual likes and limits, and a main male character who isn't a stalker and doesn't try to control every single aspect of her life. Though he does have a habit of making important decisions for her. But, he doesn't get away with it easily, so I'll let it pass.
There is a fair age gap between the main characters that I know others have been bothered by, though I can't say it bothered me much. I mean, at this point in my life I'd take what I can get.
The beginning of the story was so much a cross between the Devil Wears Prada and Ugly Betty that I found it annoying. But, overall, the story, whilst completely cliched was pretty enjoyable.
Its free. Give it a go.
August 21, 2018
The Boss was a great first book in this six part series. My attention was captured very early on thanks to Neil and Sophie. They meet again after their hot as hell one night stand six years ago. Now he’s her new boss. He enjoys D/s in the bedroom and Sophie enjoys letting go of control. Neil makes her enjoy sex like never before. Their chemistry was insane. So hot and their scenes together almost lit my iPad on fire. I just needed more story cause I felt like not much happened. The story revolved around them hiding their casual no strings relationship and them having sex. Yes, the reader is introduced to Sophie’s amazing roommate Holli and Neil’s daughter but the story halted a little bit for me. Still I’m going to read the next book cause I’m so damn infatuated with Neil. He made my knees go weak numerous times and don’t even get me started on that ending
April 23, 2024
I did not enjoy this. I have not read 50 Shades of Gray, and neither do I plan to at this point, but I admit I was curious to know what the fuss with this new genre was all about. Having seen reviews that this was way better, I decided to give it a chance. The main character is not as annoying as almost all romance/erotica novels are, I'll give her that. But it was just so bland, predictable and not distinctive in any way that this as just a pointless experience.
August 31, 2016
So I previously read First Time: Penny #2 and realize that if maybe I had read "The Boss" first I would have liked it more. Instead, I saw the same themes and had the same issues with this book that I had with that one.
I know that Abigail Barnette (Jenny Trout) wrote this book as the anti-Fifty Shades of Grey. And believe me I am happy that she actually did a very good job of showing a BDSM relationship that didn't have the same crap going on with Christian and Anastasia in that book. I could be here all day criticizing that book people, I won't though because I have things to do.
That said, I think that Barnette went too far to the other side. You have a young woman who is 24 who is sexually open (very good) but seemed sexually open to the point that she felt like a caricature. I would have been fine if Sophie balked at doing anything with Neil, that would have shown her being a woman in charge of her sexuality. Instead though it just seemed everything that was suggested to her was honky dory. And it was great that she didn't want a relationship or kids or even marriage (though the relationship thing was kind of bs though). Neil is a non-entity in this book. I have no idea what he did all day besides write notes to Sophie, miss her, and give her awesome orgasms. I may have hated Christian Grey in Fifty Shades of Grey, but at least he was present in the book.
We have Sophie Scaife (that name is killing me) who is 24 and still fantasizes about a man named Leif that she ended up having a one night stand with 8 years ago. Sophie is thrown for a loop when she comes into work at her job at a magazine (I think it was called Proteras) and finds out her demanding boss is gone and in her place is Leif, otherwise known as Neil Elwood. Sophie and Neil are looking to re-kindle their hot affair with the knowledge they have to be careful since Neil is Sophie's boss.
There is a lot of hand-waving going on for all parties involved for Sophie to somehow not be able to recognize that the guy she was with 6 years ago was billionaire Neil Elwood. There are some asides that Sophie thought he looked similar but I had to stop laughing at that point.
I had the same issue with Sophie that I did with Penny in "First Time: Penny #2" for the age that these women are I find it hard to reconcile how they act in a relationship. Or in Sophie's case, she doesn't want a relationship with Neil (yeah right, this is contradicted the whole way through until she does an oh my God I am in love with Neil aside to herself) since she wants to have a job and have her own time to herself. She also doesn't want to have kids and isn't it great that Neil doesn't want that either (though he does have a daughter Sophie's age).
I think my main issue really is though that I did not get a sense of Sophie as a real live 24 year old. Sorry. I don't think I would be a-okay with having anal sex with a dude I just met. Or that I would be down for BDSM after reading three books about it. Or that when your lover tells you about how he has been with other men just say cool to myself. I wanted there to actually be thinking and discussing involved. Instead most of the discussing was just Sophie telling Neil to just go ahead and (expletive) her and then her a few times letting him know when she had too much. I just needed there to be something between them besides sex because the whole relationship rang so hollow to me.
I just found Sophie inconsistent as anything throughout the book. Shocker yes, a 24 year old is inconsistent. For someone that was all about being professional, she still was running around and acting submissive to her boss and oh yeah was having sex with him and then got mad that people at the company (rightfully) thought they were having sex with each other and that's why she got a promotion. She wanted to be a grown up woman, but once she knew about something that would impact the company she didn't tell Neil and oh he fired her. But then they giggled about it after, talked about sex, and he gave her jewelry (I am not kidding). I just couldn't get into this book as much as I wanted to.
Neil is a 48 year old man who apparently has the biggest (expletive) ever and has the libido of a 20 year old and is in love with Sophie because...reasons. Cause so far this book has not shown me one reason why he is in into her besides her age. The same issue I had with "First TIme" rears it's head here. I don't want to just assume it's her age he is into, but come on dude. What else is there? They don't have conversations about their life. Sophie Googles Neil at one point to find out about him. And when she actually does meet his daughter, Sophie gets upset that it doesn't go well and Neil is surprise by this as well (have these two ever met another human being before?)
The other characters don't fare well in this book either. We have a friend of Sophie's named Jake that sounded like an okay guy but turned into a Death Eater out of nowhere. Sophie's roommate Holli is a hot supermodel who can eat what she wants and has no boundaries sexually. There is an entire conversation that Holli, Sophie, and someone that Hollis is seeing that involves rape, abortion, and the whole thing was played weirdly for laughs I think.
The writing got a bit repetitive after a while. There were so many quirks to Sophie that I wanted to yell. She smirks a lot. In fact I don't think I went more than 2 or 3 pages without her smirking on it. There are more than the average number of sex scenes I think in this book. Not usually a bad thing, but I found myself getting bored. Most of the book was these two having sex and not discussing work and talking dirty to each other. I was just bored and needed some actual plot. Why the plot ended up being about a potentially hostile takeover to the magazine and then shifted to people leaving the magazine to start their own was weird.
The flow wasn't that great. I think it was because we would have sex, sex, sex, Sophie talking to Holli, Sophie acknowledging she should tell Neil something, sex, dirty texts, smirk, smirk, oh yeah here's Rudy, and sex again.
The setting of New York I wish had felt more real in this book. We only have Sophie at work, in a hotel room, at Neil's place, and at her place. Oh I forgot, I think they went to a restaurant twice. We know that Sophie has a mom and a missing in action dad, but she never speaks to them.
The ending was kind of a mess. I think this is to set the stage for book number two, "The Girlfriend (The Boss #2). I am going to pass on that. I really did like "Bad Boy, Good Man" and hoped for more of that which is why I bought the latest two books from the author I did.
I know that Abigail Barnette (Jenny Trout) wrote this book as the anti-Fifty Shades of Grey. And believe me I am happy that she actually did a very good job of showing a BDSM relationship that didn't have the same crap going on with Christian and Anastasia in that book. I could be here all day criticizing that book people, I won't though because I have things to do.
That said, I think that Barnette went too far to the other side. You have a young woman who is 24 who is sexually open (very good) but seemed sexually open to the point that she felt like a caricature. I would have been fine if Sophie balked at doing anything with Neil, that would have shown her being a woman in charge of her sexuality. Instead though it just seemed everything that was suggested to her was honky dory. And it was great that she didn't want a relationship or kids or even marriage (though the relationship thing was kind of bs though). Neil is a non-entity in this book. I have no idea what he did all day besides write notes to Sophie, miss her, and give her awesome orgasms. I may have hated Christian Grey in Fifty Shades of Grey, but at least he was present in the book.
We have Sophie Scaife (that name is killing me) who is 24 and still fantasizes about a man named Leif that she ended up having a one night stand with 8 years ago. Sophie is thrown for a loop when she comes into work at her job at a magazine (I think it was called Proteras) and finds out her demanding boss is gone and in her place is Leif, otherwise known as Neil Elwood. Sophie and Neil are looking to re-kindle their hot affair with the knowledge they have to be careful since Neil is Sophie's boss.
There is a lot of hand-waving going on for all parties involved for Sophie to somehow not be able to recognize that the guy she was with 6 years ago was billionaire Neil Elwood. There are some asides that Sophie thought he looked similar but I had to stop laughing at that point.
I had the same issue with Sophie that I did with Penny in "First Time: Penny #2" for the age that these women are I find it hard to reconcile how they act in a relationship. Or in Sophie's case, she doesn't want a relationship with Neil (yeah right, this is contradicted the whole way through until she does an oh my God I am in love with Neil aside to herself) since she wants to have a job and have her own time to herself. She also doesn't want to have kids and isn't it great that Neil doesn't want that either (though he does have a daughter Sophie's age).
I think my main issue really is though that I did not get a sense of Sophie as a real live 24 year old. Sorry. I don't think I would be a-okay with having anal sex with a dude I just met. Or that I would be down for BDSM after reading three books about it. Or that when your lover tells you about how he has been with other men just say cool to myself. I wanted there to actually be thinking and discussing involved. Instead most of the discussing was just Sophie telling Neil to just go ahead and (expletive) her and then her a few times letting him know when she had too much. I just needed there to be something between them besides sex because the whole relationship rang so hollow to me.
I just found Sophie inconsistent as anything throughout the book. Shocker yes, a 24 year old is inconsistent. For someone that was all about being professional, she still was running around and acting submissive to her boss and oh yeah was having sex with him and then got mad that people at the company (rightfully) thought they were having sex with each other and that's why she got a promotion. She wanted to be a grown up woman, but once she knew about something that would impact the company she didn't tell Neil and oh he fired her. But then they giggled about it after, talked about sex, and he gave her jewelry (I am not kidding). I just couldn't get into this book as much as I wanted to.
Neil is a 48 year old man who apparently has the biggest (expletive) ever and has the libido of a 20 year old and is in love with Sophie because...reasons. Cause so far this book has not shown me one reason why he is in into her besides her age. The same issue I had with "First TIme" rears it's head here. I don't want to just assume it's her age he is into, but come on dude. What else is there? They don't have conversations about their life. Sophie Googles Neil at one point to find out about him. And when she actually does meet his daughter, Sophie gets upset that it doesn't go well and Neil is surprise by this as well (have these two ever met another human being before?)
The other characters don't fare well in this book either. We have a friend of Sophie's named Jake that sounded like an okay guy but turned into a Death Eater out of nowhere. Sophie's roommate Holli is a hot supermodel who can eat what she wants and has no boundaries sexually. There is an entire conversation that Holli, Sophie, and someone that Hollis is seeing that involves rape, abortion, and the whole thing was played weirdly for laughs I think.
The writing got a bit repetitive after a while. There were so many quirks to Sophie that I wanted to yell. She smirks a lot. In fact I don't think I went more than 2 or 3 pages without her smirking on it. There are more than the average number of sex scenes I think in this book. Not usually a bad thing, but I found myself getting bored. Most of the book was these two having sex and not discussing work and talking dirty to each other. I was just bored and needed some actual plot. Why the plot ended up being about a potentially hostile takeover to the magazine and then shifted to people leaving the magazine to start their own was weird.
The flow wasn't that great. I think it was because we would have sex, sex, sex, Sophie talking to Holli, Sophie acknowledging she should tell Neil something, sex, dirty texts, smirk, smirk, oh yeah here's Rudy, and sex again.
The setting of New York I wish had felt more real in this book. We only have Sophie at work, in a hotel room, at Neil's place, and at her place. Oh I forgot, I think they went to a restaurant twice. We know that Sophie has a mom and a missing in action dad, but she never speaks to them.
The ending was kind of a mess. I think this is to set the stage for book number two, "The Girlfriend (The Boss #2). I am going to pass on that. I really did like "Bad Boy, Good Man" and hoped for more of that which is why I bought the latest two books from the author I did.
February 4, 2015
How I feel about this book, I have no idea. At times I loved it, at times I was bored.
The beginning was great, the middle part was somewhat boring, and the last few chapters were okay. However, the fact that I’ve been reading it for sooo long says I’m not too thrilled. Therefore, I’ll settle for 2.5 stars – seems fair.
You know what’s the problem with erotica books? After a while, they all start to sound the same. Man, you have to be creative – even with sex; especially with sex, in fact, considering that the thing selling these books. I mean, I don’t want to read the same scene over and over again!
Truthfully, the most interesting part to me was the beginning and all the office drama. (Sophie works at Porteras – prestigious fashion/beauty magazine.) It was all so very Devil Wears Prada-alike.
So, to conclude, The Boss was a pretty okay book. I’ve read far worse, maybe it was just wrong time for me? I might read the sequel, I might not. We’ll see.
PS: My dear, dear GR friends please recommend me something good. I’m in such a reading slump. I haven’t read a good book in ages, it feels. I’ve been self-medicating by binge-watching Revenge, lol. Help!
The beginning was great, the middle part was somewhat boring, and the last few chapters were okay. However, the fact that I’ve been reading it for sooo long says I’m not too thrilled. Therefore, I’ll settle for 2.5 stars – seems fair.
You know what’s the problem with erotica books? After a while, they all start to sound the same. Man, you have to be creative – even with sex; especially with sex, in fact, considering that the thing selling these books. I mean, I don’t want to read the same scene over and over again!
Truthfully, the most interesting part to me was the beginning and all the office drama. (Sophie works at Porteras – prestigious fashion/beauty magazine.) It was all so very Devil Wears Prada-alike.
So, to conclude, The Boss was a pretty okay book. I’ve read far worse, maybe it was just wrong time for me? I might read the sequel, I might not. We’ll see.
PS: My dear, dear GR friends please recommend me something good. I’m in such a reading slump. I haven’t read a good book in ages, it feels. I’ve been self-medicating by binge-watching Revenge, lol. Help!
January 28, 2019
4.5 - 5 Stars!
MY NEW FAVORITE SERIES! I’ve heard SO much about these books but I just devoured ‘The Boss’ (WHICH IS FREE RIGHT NOW) and I don’t even know where to begin.
Abigail Barnette is the pen name for Jenny Trout, who writes a hilarious blog and also writes books under the name of Jennifer Armintrout. But I digress. Back to the book, which is all adult, erotic, funny and real. If you liked FSOG, or even mildly cared about the story at all, the you will LOVE ‘The Boss.’
Although the plot sounds like a familiar one, the author grabbed me from the first page. Sophie works in magazine publishing for a cut-throat boss whom everyone is in fear of. The magazine is suddenly taken over by the much older, sexy Brit Neil Elwood. Sophie now has a new boss. But Sophie and Neil have met before. They spent an unforgettable, no-holds-barred night together six years prior during a layover at LAX. Sophie’s life took a different turn after that night, and she has never forgotten Neil. But he doesn’t even seem to remember her.
“The woman I had thought of as a mentor apparently thought of me as office furniture. The man I’d compared every potential lover to for the past six years didn’t remember having sex with me. And judging by the fact that he couldn’t even remember my name, my job was looking more temporary by the second.”
I LOVED that the characters are genuine people with deep flaws. Sophie struggles with her job and has a messy personal life. She is only 24 in the book and there is a large age gap between the characters but it is sexy and it WORKS. Oh, and Neil is heavy into BDSM which makes for a VERY spicy story.
“Why should it bother you?” His mouth slipped down to the curve of my calf, his hand squeezing and stroking there.
“Because I’m not supposed to like being told what to do by some man.” I took a shuddering breath. He raised his head and looked me in the eye.
“I think you and I are alike in that we don’t worry about what we’re suppose to do. Within reason.”
Sophie is very open and honest and isn’t ashamed of her sexuality. At first she and Neil agree to a causal sexual relationship but they both soon realize that they have a very intense connection. This is very adult erotica so the scenes literally burn up the pages.
And Neil. OMG. In one of my favorite moments, he tells Sophie, “As casual as we may be about it, this is still a relationship. I don’t ever want you to feel used or objectified. I care about you and your feelings, Sophie.”
‘The Boss’ is a smart and sexy book for grown-ups and explores real-life issues. Neil has issues with this family and Sophie’s first meeting with his adult daughter does not go well. This couple will have a long road ahead of them to get to their HEA and I can’t wait to binge-read this entire series! I think it is fair to say that ‘The Boss’ ends with a pretty major cliffhanger but the series is complete so you can move on to the next book immediately. AND ‘THE BOSS’ iS FREE!! What are you waiting for?
“Your trust in me, your ability to surrender totally and give yourself to me freely… That’s the payoff for me, Sophie. It’s an aphrodisiac.”
MY NEW FAVORITE SERIES! I’ve heard SO much about these books but I just devoured ‘The Boss’ (WHICH IS FREE RIGHT NOW) and I don’t even know where to begin.
Abigail Barnette is the pen name for Jenny Trout, who writes a hilarious blog and also writes books under the name of Jennifer Armintrout. But I digress. Back to the book, which is all adult, erotic, funny and real. If you liked FSOG, or even mildly cared about the story at all, the you will LOVE ‘The Boss.’
Although the plot sounds like a familiar one, the author grabbed me from the first page. Sophie works in magazine publishing for a cut-throat boss whom everyone is in fear of. The magazine is suddenly taken over by the much older, sexy Brit Neil Elwood. Sophie now has a new boss. But Sophie and Neil have met before. They spent an unforgettable, no-holds-barred night together six years prior during a layover at LAX. Sophie’s life took a different turn after that night, and she has never forgotten Neil. But he doesn’t even seem to remember her.
“The woman I had thought of as a mentor apparently thought of me as office furniture. The man I’d compared every potential lover to for the past six years didn’t remember having sex with me. And judging by the fact that he couldn’t even remember my name, my job was looking more temporary by the second.”
I LOVED that the characters are genuine people with deep flaws. Sophie struggles with her job and has a messy personal life. She is only 24 in the book and there is a large age gap between the characters but it is sexy and it WORKS. Oh, and Neil is heavy into BDSM which makes for a VERY spicy story.
“Why should it bother you?” His mouth slipped down to the curve of my calf, his hand squeezing and stroking there.
“Because I’m not supposed to like being told what to do by some man.” I took a shuddering breath. He raised his head and looked me in the eye.
“I think you and I are alike in that we don’t worry about what we’re suppose to do. Within reason.”
Sophie is very open and honest and isn’t ashamed of her sexuality. At first she and Neil agree to a causal sexual relationship but they both soon realize that they have a very intense connection. This is very adult erotica so the scenes literally burn up the pages.
And Neil. OMG. In one of my favorite moments, he tells Sophie, “As casual as we may be about it, this is still a relationship. I don’t ever want you to feel used or objectified. I care about you and your feelings, Sophie.”
‘The Boss’ is a smart and sexy book for grown-ups and explores real-life issues. Neil has issues with this family and Sophie’s first meeting with his adult daughter does not go well. This couple will have a long road ahead of them to get to their HEA and I can’t wait to binge-read this entire series! I think it is fair to say that ‘The Boss’ ends with a pretty major cliffhanger but the series is complete so you can move on to the next book immediately. AND ‘THE BOSS’ iS FREE!! What are you waiting for?
“Your trust in me, your ability to surrender totally and give yourself to me freely… That’s the payoff for me, Sophie. It’s an aphrodisiac.”
October 20, 2013
I've been looking for this book for a long time--that is, a D/s erotica with characters I actually like, and a relationship dynamic that doesn't make me want to scream at the heroine to run very far away.
(I don't usually put gifs in my reviews, but I've probably yelled this at no less than five BDSM heroines in the last couple years.)
The Boss is like if The Devil Wears Prada and... I was going to say The Secretary, but neither character is as fucked up as those two. But suffice it to say, Sophie is an assistant to the dragon lady who heads Portreras (think Vogue), until the company is taken over. Her new boss is none other than billionaire Neil Elwood, who also happens to be the guy Sophie had a one night stand with six years ago.
They rekindle their relationship, and Sophie's submissive tendencies. And though they plan to keep it a casual, no-strings sexual arrangement, they aren't quite successful.
What I loved about The Boss was the normalcy of the characters, and the way it stood the D/s romance tropes on its head.
Billionaire Hero - okay, yes. Neil is a billionaire. He has a gorgeous penthouse and a driver and a cook, blah blah blah. But he doesn't insist on buying Sophie a car, or a house, or anything really. He doesn't exert control over her by throwing his money around.
Weak, Submissibe Heroine - submissive sexual tendencies do not always translate into a submissive personality outside of the bedroom. Sophie is strong, dynamic, and looks out for herself, even to the possible detriment of her relationship.
Surprise!Sub - in most (actually, all) D/s eroticas I've read, the hero exerts his Super!Dominance on the heroine, awakening her heretofore unexplored submissive tendencies. It's like he can smell the sub on her. But he doesn't even ask if she's okay with it, or something she wants, he just forges ahead with his sexual preference, and then in an ~emotional scene, tells her she's a submissive. OH MY GOLLY. In The Boss, Sophie knows what she wants, what she likes, and isn't afraid to ask it of Neil. Though he's had some previous experience, he goes slow, and asks only what she's willing to give.
Absolute Power - Neil doesn't tell Sophie what to wear, where to go, who to talk to. He doesn't stalk her around the city, watch her when she's unaware, or intimidate her with his unstable possessiveness because he just loves her SO MUCH. Neil is a normal person with wants, needs, goals outside of his love for Sophie, and vice versa. Neither needs to be everything to the other. And that was refreshing.
Though it ended a little... dramatically, I appreciated that the level of angst between Neil and Sophie was minimal, and the tension in the plot came from outside sources.
This was one of the smartest eroticas I've read to date, and I can't wait to read more from Barnette. In fact, I just loaded the sequel onto my Kindle. *swan dives in*
(This review brought to you by cough medicine and chamomile.)
(I don't usually put gifs in my reviews, but I've probably yelled this at no less than five BDSM heroines in the last couple years.)
The Boss is like if The Devil Wears Prada and... I was going to say The Secretary, but neither character is as fucked up as those two. But suffice it to say, Sophie is an assistant to the dragon lady who heads Portreras (think Vogue), until the company is taken over. Her new boss is none other than billionaire Neil Elwood, who also happens to be the guy Sophie had a one night stand with six years ago.
They rekindle their relationship, and Sophie's submissive tendencies. And though they plan to keep it a casual, no-strings sexual arrangement, they aren't quite successful.
What I loved about The Boss was the normalcy of the characters, and the way it stood the D/s romance tropes on its head.
Billionaire Hero - okay, yes. Neil is a billionaire. He has a gorgeous penthouse and a driver and a cook, blah blah blah. But he doesn't insist on buying Sophie a car, or a house, or anything really. He doesn't exert control over her by throwing his money around.
Weak, Submissibe Heroine - submissive sexual tendencies do not always translate into a submissive personality outside of the bedroom. Sophie is strong, dynamic, and looks out for herself, even to the possible detriment of her relationship.
Surprise!Sub - in most (actually, all) D/s eroticas I've read, the hero exerts his Super!Dominance on the heroine, awakening her heretofore unexplored submissive tendencies. It's like he can smell the sub on her. But he doesn't even ask if she's okay with it, or something she wants, he just forges ahead with his sexual preference, and then in an ~emotional scene, tells her she's a submissive. OH MY GOLLY. In The Boss, Sophie knows what she wants, what she likes, and isn't afraid to ask it of Neil. Though he's had some previous experience, he goes slow, and asks only what she's willing to give.
Absolute Power - Neil doesn't tell Sophie what to wear, where to go, who to talk to. He doesn't stalk her around the city, watch her when she's unaware, or intimidate her with his unstable possessiveness because he just loves her SO MUCH. Neil is a normal person with wants, needs, goals outside of his love for Sophie, and vice versa. Neither needs to be everything to the other. And that was refreshing.
Though it ended a little... dramatically, I appreciated that the level of angst between Neil and Sophie was minimal, and the tension in the plot came from outside sources.
This was one of the smartest eroticas I've read to date, and I can't wait to read more from Barnette. In fact, I just loaded the sequel onto my Kindle. *swan dives in*
(This review brought to you by cough medicine and chamomile.)
September 4, 2013
I just yelled at my visiting mom, because she interrupted me reading the last few paperless pages of this and I was dying to know what happened. Now I do, and all I want is to start The Girlfriend, but, sigh, I must go be social. I absolutely love this book and Sophie and Neil. My poor brain is truly like a sieve and I forget books almost immediately, but I very much hope I remember this one...it's so well-written!
And I read that this book is really the anti-Fifty Shades? Well, whether it is or not, I absolutely loved it! Sophie reminds me so much of me when I was her age, and I feel for her. She will find her way, though, as I eventually did. :)
And I read that this book is really the anti-Fifty Shades? Well, whether it is or not, I absolutely loved it! Sophie reminds me so much of me when I was her age, and I feel for her. She will find her way, though, as I eventually did. :)
Shelved as 'lost-interest'
December 30, 2013I started out liking this, but apparently I'm as vanilla as they come. The Dom and sub aspects do nothing for me. It seems it's just not something that revs my engine.
I began reading this because the author's breakdown of 50 shades was hilarious. I figured if I were going to read a Dom/sub book, it would be one by an author whose writing I already liked. Lord knows I wouldn't touch Fifty Shades of Shit with a ten foot pole.
However, every time he gave her an order I just kept thinking "screw you, I do what I want". lol
I would make a terrible sub.
October 2, 2013
Loved it. Didn˙t have a problem with age difference. Maybe I have a problem but I don´t care. I liked that she doesn˙t have girly uncontrolled and stupid outburst...she is so level-headed girl that I liked very much...
of I go to the second book
of I go to the second book
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,092 reviews