A fun, sexy new stand-alone from New York Times bestselling author Aleatha Romig.
He's sexy and confident, the kind of man every woman notices. You know, the one with the to-die-for body and panty-melting smirk. And then there's the way his designer suits drape over his broad shoulders and big...well, we've all heard the rumors, the ones that say he's up for any challenge.
But I can't see him that way. He's my boss—technically one of the owners of the company where I work—and definitely not in my league. Men like him don't notice women like me, and they don't date them.
And I don't date men like him.
Until that one time that I catch him in a compromising position when I'm also in need of a last-minute date for a wedding...and then it's not real. It's blackmail.
For one weekend, he's my plus-one.
Beautiful and unobtainable.
From the moment she walked into my office with those stunning blue eyes and crazy sensual curves, she's been on my mind. Three years and never once has she acted interested in me. Usually I flash a million-dollar smile and women fall to their knees, some literally.
Not her.
Then on the occasion that I agree to let another woman do that—fall to her knees—guess who happens to catch us?
It may not be the most conventional way to get on her radar, but I didn't get this far in business without knowing when to seize an opportunity. If this sexy little firecracker with perfectly kissable lips thinks she can blackmail me into attending her cousin's wedding, I'm going to jump at the chance to be her plus-one.
You love her darker side. Now it's time to meet Leatha, the lighter side of Aleatha, as she trades her renowned twists and turns for laughs and love with this sexy new stand-alone romance, PLUS ONE.
I enjoyed Kimbra. I thought she was smart, sassy and fun. She has some insecurities-who doesn't-and watching her overcome them throughout the story was great. She's the type of character I'd want to hang out with in real life.
If I had a boss like Duncan I don't think I would have been able to resist him as long as Kimbra did. He was sexy and sweet and hot. He jumped at the opportunity to be her plus one-even if his motives were entirely different than what she thought they were.
These two had undeniable chemistry. I mean it just oozed off the pages as soon as I started reading. Which just made the times they were together even more fun. Definitely some fun sexy times in this book.
The supporting cast of characters in this book were fun. I think most people have family members like Kimbra so it was easy to relate to them. They definitely brought some added laughter for me.
This book was a light, quick read for me. My only complaint was something in the end that I felt got a little glossed over; an issue came back that I didn't think was fully addressed the way these characters would address it. But it didn't detract from the story overall. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it.
And, I liked it. Unfortunately, I did not love it. I wanted to love the heck out of this one, and I was excited to read it. While I can't say I was disappointed, I think I wanted a little more from this book. If that makes sense.
Let me try to explain.
Kimbra was great and mostly believable. I liked her from the beginning, and I loved that she was in HR but her job was respected (a little of my own personal life climbing into my reading, I admit). Her family was hilarious, and her grandmother was probably the best character in the whole story. You like her, and you want to see her get the chance to be the person she wants to be for her family. And, as you like her family, it helps knowing there is a genuine attraction between her and Duncan, as it never really feels like there is any deception.
Duncan was a little tougher to like. You meet him in a less than perfect way for the hero of a romance novel, once in a restaurant and once in the employee restroom (it was this meeting I was less than fond of) and one of my small issues with this book was the proximity in time of this bathroom encounter with him and another woman and his initial romantic/sexual encounter with Kimbra. They were too close together, for me, and there was a bit of an ick factor for me. I got over this fairly quickly, but it made him a tough sell for me.
The rest of the story moves along fairly well, and it is clear from his internal dialog that while Kimbra thinks she is "blackmailing" him, Duncan is along for the ride and is totally willing. This helped with his character, knowing that he was attracted to her and had been for a while.
Unfortunately, the issue with the pacing for this one appeared at the end for me again, and I felt that the event that got them back to Indiana was not all that reasonable and that things were rushed to the end of the book. I felt like I was bouncing from one "big" scene to the next without a lot of connecting pieces. But, that said, the scenes themselves worked and I did end up smiling at the end of the book.
Did I like this? Overall, yes I did. I liked the characters, Duncan more once we got to know him a bit, and the situations were mostly realistic. I think I was hoping for more, and while I did not get that, this is an enjoyable, "lighter" book by an author I enjoy.
I recommend this book.
I'm in an alternate universe and it's every fantasy I never knew I had. What CEO of a billion-dollar company dreams of enjoying a farm in the middle of nowhere? Who imagines waking in a small bedroom, complete with a canopy bed and sunshine streaming through pink curtains, as birds sing? What owner of a 7,000-square-foot penthouse with a to-die-for view of the Empire State Building enjoys the hominess of a hundred-year-old, 3,000-square-foot farmhouse with a wraparound porch, creaky floors, and a view of cornfields? Sitting with a cup of steaming black coffee, I listen as Kimbra and her brother Kevin bicker back and forth while helping their mother in the large eat-in kitchen. The warm spring air is filled with the sizzle of frying as the aroma of coffee, eggs, and bacon reminds me of some of the best diners in New York. Although Kimbra's dad, Oscar, is talking, I can't concentrate on anything but Kimbra—Kimberly Ann. That's what everyone here calls her. "Because of you, I'm out ten bucks." Kevin says, not doing a good job of whispering. "Me?" Kimbra asks. "What did I do?" Kevin tilts his head my way. "You brought a real guy here. I put money on him being made up." Kimbra reaches out and punches his shoulder. He lifts his hands in surrender. "No. Listen. I was sure it was a good bet. When Mom said your boyfriend's name wasn't Timothy, but Duncan, and you didn't want him in the wedding, Susan and I figured he wasn't real. I bet Jimmy ten bucks this fake Duncan guy would be a no-show. Susan and I were sure that before last night, you'd have some reason why at the last minute he couldn't attend. You know, like you’d make up some accident or something." Her brother is about as good at speaking softly as he is at being nice to his sister. "Shut up!" Kimbra whispers back. "Obviously he's real." Kevin's head falls back in laughter. "He's real, all right. Last night I thought your old bed was going to collapse." Kimbra's eyes flash to me. And though I look down at my coffee and pray her dad isn't listening, the gleam in her expression makes my cock twitch with the memories of the night before.
Aleatha Romig is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author who lives in Indiana, USA. She grew up in Mishawaka, graduated from Indiana University, and is currently living south of Indianapolis. Aleatha has raised three children with her high school sweetheart and husband of nearly thirty years. Before she became a full-time author, she worked days as a dental hygienist and spent her nights writing. Now, when she's not imagining mind-blowing twists and turns, she likes to spend her time a with her family and friends. Her other pastimes include reading and creating heroes/anti-heroes who haunt your dreams! Aleatha released her first novel, CONSEQUENCES, in August of 2011. CONSEQUENCES became a bestselling series with five novels and two companions released from 2011 through 2015. The compelling and epic story of Anthony and Claire Rawlings has graced more than half a million e-readers. Aleatha released the first of her series TALES FROM THE DARK SIDE, INSIDIOUS, in the fall of 2014. These stand alone thrillers continue Aleatha's twisted style with an increase in heat. In the fall of 2015, Aleatha moved head first into the world of dark romantic suspense with the release of BETRAYAL, the first of her five novel INFIDELITY series that has taken the reading world by storm. She also began her traditional publishing career with Thomas and Mercer. Her books INTO THE LIGHT and AWAY FROM THE DARK were published through this mystery/thriller publisher in 2016. 2017 brings Aleatha's first "Leatha, the lighter side of Aleatha" with PLUS ONE, a fun, sexy romantic comedy. Aleatha is a "Published Author's Network" member of the Romance Writers of America and PEN America. She is represented by Kevan Lyon of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.
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