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Nothing Personal

by Jaci Burton (Goodreads Author)

3.69 · rating details · 451 ratings · 47 reviews

It was nothing personal, just a business arrangement. Ryan McKay is a multi-millionaire with a problem. He needs a bride to fulfill the terms of his grandfathers will. Unfortunately, the one he chose just bailed on him and hes hours away from losing his company. Enter Faith Lewis his demure, devoted assistant. Ryan convinces Faith to step in and marry him, assuring her the

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Paperback, 208 pages

Published June 1st 2008 by Samhain Publishing, LTD (first published 2007)

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Oct 25, 2008

Julie (jjmachshev) rated it

Shelves: 2008-reads

Really more like 3.25 stars. I'm guessing "Nothing Personal" is one of Jaci Burton's earlier novels. The story is one I would have expected to read in a series romance like Harlequin or Silhouette instead of one published by Samhain. If you're looking for erotica, don't go here. The sex is hot, but the only thing erotic about it is the language used to describe it. Not that I didn't enjoy this book, it was just not at all what I was expecting.

Ryan needs to marry and pr...more

like 12 likes

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Feb 07, 2011

Dina rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary-romance, ebook

If Ms. Burton ever decides to switch genres, moving from writing her current erotica/romantica books to writing Harlequin Presents books, Nothing Personal is testament to her ability to do it.

This book really reads like a HP novel: (1) hero (coldhearted, multimillionaire boss) marries heroine (his shy, virgin assistant) to fulfill the terms of his grandfather's crazy will and save his business; (2) heroine gets a makeover and "blossoms" under hero's influence; (3) hero's ic...more

like 13 likes

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Oct 19, 2008

Christa rated it

Shelves: booksfree-com

Nothing Personal was a short, quick to read book. I really enjoyed this book, which has the theme of many of the older Harlequin Romance and Harlequin Presents books that I read when I was in high school. In this book, the plot of the inexperienced employee entering into a marriage of convenience with her boss was updated and given a little more heat, although I thought it was exceptionally tame to be a book by Samhain Publishing. The hero and heroine were both very likeable characters, and I e...moreNothing Personal was a short, quick to read book. I really enjoyed this book, which has the theme of many of the older Harlequin Romance and Harlequin Presents books that I read when I was in high school. In this book, the plot of the inexperienced employee entering into a marriage of convenience with her boss was updated and given a little more heat, although I thought it was exceptionally tame to be a book by Samhain Publishing. The hero and heroine were both very likeable characters, and I enjoyed reading as their romance developed.

With five hours left before Ryan McKay violates the terms of his grandfather's will and loses the family company to his incompetent cousin, loyal employee Faith Lewis agrees to become his wife. Faith has had a crush on Ryan for all of the five years she has worked for him, and she willingly steps in when his intended bride flees. According to the terms of the will, she will be required to live with Ryan as his wife for a year, sharing a bedroom and conceiving a child, which she will take full responsibility for when the marriage is dissolved. Ryan, who hasn't ever experienced love in any form and has no desire to be a parent, will terminate his parental rights and see that she and the child are well compensated for financially. After their hasty marriage, Ryan is angered when he hears a group of his employees gossiping about his marriage and talking disparagingly about Faith's looks and style of dress. Ryan steps in and sees that Faith has a wardrobe and hairstyle makeover, which gives her confidence that she has never before felt. As Faith was growing up, her mother drilled her with the constant reminder that she was plain and would never be able to hold the love of an appealing man. Instilled with this lack of confidence, Faith has never trusted a man, and she is determined not to fall any harder for Ryan. Before the marriage, she insists upon Ryan's agreement in waiting two months before they consumate their marriage. Ryan is attracted to his new bride, and he is confused when showering her with clothes and jewels doesn't result in Faith's physical capitulation as he desires. As Ryan and Faith get to know one another their relationship finally progresses to physical intimacy, and they truly start to enjoy each other's company. When it looks as if they may have found a connection that neither of them expected, and both are hoping that the other wants a lasting marriage, an incident occurs that shatters their happiness. Their trust in one another will be severely tested, and both will have to decide if the love they feel is worth the risk.

This was a simple, enjoyable book. The characters were appealing, and their pleasure in one another's company was refreshing. This book is definitely not erotica, and has less heat than most contemporary romance novels. It is a sweet, short love story that is very quick to read.(less)

like 6 likes

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Sep 29, 2008

Auntee rated it

Recommends it for: Contemporary Romance fans

Recommended to Auntee by: I like the author's books

Shelves: jaci-burton, contemporary-romance

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. This was a pretty good, though slighty predictable read about a marriage of convenience. The hero, Ryan, needs to get married in order to fulfill the terms of his grandfather's will and maintain control of his hotel empire. When his intended bride bails on him at the eleventh hour, in desperation he asks his loyal administrative assistant to help him out.

Faith would do anything for Ryan, since she's had a crush on him since she first came to work for him five years ago. Even marry...moreThis was a pretty good, though slighty predictable read about a marriage of convenience. The hero, Ryan, needs to get married in order to fulfill the terms of his grandfather's will and maintain control of his hotel empire. When his intended bride bails on him at the eleventh hour, in desperation he asks his loyal administrative assistant to help him out.

Faith would do anything for Ryan, since she's had a crush on him since she first came to work for him five years ago. Even marry him to help him save his company even though she knows that he could never love someone like her. Faith is plain, naive, virginal, and has low self esteem. Brought up by a bitter mother who lectures her not to ever expect anything from men except heartache, Faith has no illusions about Ryan's feelings for her. All she has to do is stay married to Ryan for a year and hopefully produce an heir. Then they can go their separate ways and Ryan's company will be saved. But can Faith be with Ryan without losing her heart to him?

Ryan is cool and calm and doesn't let anyone get close to him. Some bad experiences growing up with parents who weren't there for him and an unfeeling grandfather cause him to keep a tight rein on his emotions. He never wants to open his heart to anyone. Opening his heart would mean risking rejection, and he vows never to go through that again. But somehow he feels a connection and a growing attraction to Faith. Will he finally allow someone in past the walls he's set up around his cold heart?

I was a little surprised that this book was not as erotic as the typical Jaci Burton read. It was about as hot as a regular contemporary romance, but that was okay because it worked. I thought that Ryan came off as a little cold at first and I didn't like how he treated Faith, but once his background was explained, I could see where he was coming from. Faith was one of those virgin heroines that start out as naive, and then after they are 'initiated', all of a sudden become sex kittens. But I liked her, and I was glad to see she got a backbone toward the end of the story. There was also a little twist at the end that almost fooled me and nearly derailed the HEA. This was a pretty quick, easy read, and not a bad way to pass a couple of hours. (less)

like 8 likes

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Jan 16, 2010

MelissaB rated it

Shelves: 2010-reads, contemporary-romance, kindle

I think the cover was wrong on this one because it reads just like a Harlequin Presents.

We have:

- Marriage of convenience based on a will to keep an inheritance

- Hero who doesn't know what love is because his grandfather taught him not to value emotions

- Virginal heroine who has no self-esteem due to a mom who put her down so she hides behind lose fitting clothes, big glasses and ties her hair into a bun. She has secretly been in love with the her...more

like 10 likes

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Aug 05, 2008

Marion rated it

Shelves: 2008-read, romance

Ryan McKay's grandfather dies and stipulates in his will that Ryan has to marry and produce an heir in order to inherit the family company. After his original bride calls the wedding off he proposes to his personal assistant Faith Lewis.
Faith has been in love with Ryan since she started working for him. She agrees to the marriage of convenience. Faith sees herself as a plain Jane and figures Ryan would never be interested in her, so she deceides to grab a little happiness.
This typ...more

like 1 like

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Jan 11, 2009

Lea rated it

Shelves: 2008-favorites

Ryan McKay is filthy rich, good looking and ruthless in business. Due to a weird clause in his grandfather’s will he has to marry and produce an heir within a year or he loses control of ‘McKay Corporation’, the family business. Ryan had a ‘bride’ lined up but at the last minute she decides she wants no part of the ‘arrangement’ and bails leaving him desperate to satisfy the conditions of the will. Ryan was raised by parents who were in a loveless marriage and is quite cold avoiding any relation...moreRyan McKay is filthy rich, good looking and ruthless in business. Due to a weird clause in his grandfather’s will he has to marry and produce an heir within a year or he loses control of ‘McKay Corporation’, the family business. Ryan had a ‘bride’ lined up but at the last minute she decides she wants no part of the ‘arrangement’ and bails leaving him desperate to satisfy the conditions of the will. Ryan was raised by parents who were in a loveless marriage and is quite cold avoiding any relationship commitments with a woman.

Ryan turns to Faith Lewis, his devoted executive assistant and ‘right hand’ asking her if she will marry him, entering into an impersonal business arrangement for one year at which time they would divorce and go their separate ways. Ryan wants nothing to do with a baby so he is quite supportive of Faith having full custody of the child they would make together and she would be provided with more than enough money to support them both.

Faith is shy virgin who dresses in unbecoming clothes and sensible shoes. She has always harbored a secret crush for Ryan who has seen her as a competent assistant, nothing more. Faith accepts Ryan’s proposal with the provision that he keep his distance for two months to allow her time to come to terms with being sexually intimate with him and adjust to their ‘arrangement’.

The will’s provision even specifies that there be two chaperones, Stan, the family lawyer and James McKay, Ryan’s cousin who are to make sure the ‘newlyweds’ share the same bedroom. It is quite a crowd!

Faith is a beautiful demure woman and when Ryan sees her in the wedding dress left behind by the runaway bride he suddenly notices his conservative assistant in a different light. Ryan sets about on a mission to seduce his new wife but despite the fact they are sharing a bedroom he is thwarted at every turn. The story is laced with sexual tension and Ryan is continually surprised by Faith’s sensitivity and compassion. She is also quite funny and enjoys the ‘simpler things’, whereas he has always been formal and accustomed to the ‘niceties’ of life. Ryan is stunned by the simple act that finally wins Faith’s trust.

The love scenes in this book are beautiful and tasteful in keeping with the story. Jaci Burton is known for writing great love scenes, and ‘Nothing Personal’ is no exception.

Another thing I like about Jaci’s books is her ability to write antagonists a reader loves to hate. James McKay is a spoiled, devious, nasty, slimy man, whose main goal is to wrestle control of McKay Corporation from Ryan.

Faith and Ryan’s ‘business arrangement’ blossoms into a deep love that takes both of them by storm, however significant complications do intercede and I was left wondering until the last chapter if their love would endure.

‘Nothing Personal’ explores my favorite theme, the boss and previously unnoticed employee who become lovers. (less)

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Sep 13, 2010

Jeannie rated it

Shelves: chick-lit, adult

My life is complete now. I just read the most formulaic, contrived, cheesy story ever. And you know what? I SO needed it. I needed to just clear my head of the emotionally heavy books I'd been reading and fill it with fluffy junk. Unfortunately, although the story was heavy on the fluffy, it was also heavy on the junk.

You know this story, I swear you do, because as I was reading it I realized that this book is a mish mash of almost every rom com I've ever seen or every fluff fic I'v...more

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Nov 12, 2011

Paige rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: i-own, nook-ebook, 2011-books, all-time-favorite-books

The perfect romance about a man who was raised where love and emotions were not allowed to be shown or felt and a woman who was raised never believing she worth being love.

Faith Lewis has been Ryan McKay's executive assistant for five years. Recently she's been working with him about ways to get out of his grandfathers will that states he must marry and produce a pregnancy within one year of marriage to remain CEO of his company.

Not finding a loophole, his plans to marry Er...more

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Jan 18, 2010

Nisha rated it

Shelves: office-love, chick-lit, contemporary-romance

Alright, I've read this before, and I really liked it. Or more like, I liked the premise. Ryan, the attractive boss forced to marry his assistant, Faith on short notice to keep his company. He is also supposed to have a child with her to fulfill the agreement. Did I mention that Ryan doesn't believe in love and marriage? Or that Faith is a 26-year-old virgin? I know, its sappy and the ending is easy to figure out even before reading the book. Still it was nice. Faith is kinda infuriating since s...more

like 1 like

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May 09, 2011

Bookwormgirl rated it

· review of another edition

Shelves: romance

This was like reading an old Harlequin Presents novel. The characters felt very one dimensional and if they would just TALK to each other I would have felt their HEA ending as something they worked for. In this instance they had their good ending giving to them by the butler, who gave them both a good talking to.

A very short and quick read that just was very forgettable. If you have read one Harlequine Presents novel you have read this story by Jaci Burton. I recommend her more curren...more

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Mar 07, 2011

Aimee (Coffee Table Reviews) rated it

Shelves: 2011

This was a really good read. I wanted to see a little more play out with Ryan working out what was wrong with Faith, as far as her self image. While we don't really get any closer in that aspect, I thought it was a wonderful romance with a really good story.

I've read a few of the paper marriage storylines and most I didn't really care for. This was almost the same, but I really found myself drawn to Faith and eventually to Ryan. There wasn't much conflict in this, but plenty of ten...more

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Sep 15, 2010

Judith rated it

A thought-provoking love story--a marriage of convenience to save a man's corporation and controlling interest. A faithful executive assistant who will do whatever she can to make her boss happy, especially since she is in love with him anyway. Interesting to watch the relationship between these two develop and mature. As always, Burton has the Midas touch of storytelling and crafts a tale that is engaging, entertaining, and full of caring and authenticity.

like 1 like

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Dec 16, 2009

Joanne rated it

Shelves: 50-books-a-year

You are really rooting for Faith from the very beginning of the book. She enters into a marriage with her gorgeous boss so that he can keep the company that his grandfather built. Faith is very naive and still a virgin. You absolutely love her, naive as she is. She consistently stays true to herself and that is what I loved most about this book.

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Jul 20, 2011

Sophia A rated it

Meh. I wasn't fond of this set up. The whole "must marry and have baby to keep corporation" doesn't sit well with me. But, I enjoyed the characters of Faith and Ryan. How their relationship develops as they each overcome the damage done to them by their families was what kept me reading. Sex is minimal.

· see review

Mar 11, 2011

Kate rated it

I loved Ryan and Faith! It was so easy to fall for them and want them to get their happy ending! I had a bad feeling about James from the first time we met him. I personally thought he deserved a worse punishment than he got!

My only complaint about the book is that its not longer! I would have loved to have had an epilogue or a sequel. Faith and Ryan were such lovable characters I'd love to read more about them in the future. A girl can dream, right?

I love that Faith and ...more

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Sep 27, 2009

marlene rated it

110% romance with little else plot wise involved. the character development didnt really make me like the main characters. they were ok at best. everything in this book was so tamed down. from the inner thoughts of the characters to the not so steamy scenes. not what i usually expect from a Burton book.

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Jan 06, 2012

Mary Elizabeth rated it

Shelves: harlequin, tycoon-secretary, contemporary-romance, 2-5-stars, beat-around-the-bush-kind-of-romanc, marriage-of-covenience, wallflower, innocent-heroine

it is an ok story, a mix between the old harlequin plot of the ruthless tycoon marrying his shy secretary & the Cinderella fantasy... I suppose that if you're in the mood for a light romance book, this one is for you.

like 2 likes

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Jul 19, 2011

Sam Crescent rated it

Shelves: sweet-romance

I bought this book because of how different it seemed to be from all the other Samhain titles. It was beautifully written and sweet and touching.

Loved this.

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Jun 07, 2010

Pheary rated it

This was a really really super cute story!! I sOoOoOo enjoyed it from beginning to end!! I highly recommend it... this story totally melts your heart!! :0)

like 1 like

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Feb 05, 2012

namericanwordcat rated it

Shelves: contemporary-romance, marriage-of-con, ceo, plain-h-or-h, shy-hero, las-vegas, kindle-lendable, kindle-own

This is not a bad book. It is fine. There is just nothing very special about it. I like everybody. The troupes of plain jane, ugly duckling, and marriage of con are very nice. There is a even a kitten. But if you have read a lot of category romance, and I have, there is nothing new are really interesting about this book. It is pleasant.

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Aug 15, 2011

Tasha rated it

I would give this book a 3 star rating. It was a good story and most of the characters were likable, but it was lacking depth. I did not get the feeling that the characters really understood each other. I found Faith to be weak, she was sweet and likable, but also very weak. That would have been fine if she would have developed some strength in the end (outside of Ryan), instead of a few little sparks of spunk, which only gave me hope that she would transform herself. On a positive note, it was ...more

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Sep 19, 2011

Mlleelizabeth rated it

Fun and sexy Cinderella/makeover style romance between boss & secretary. Characters were well developed and have great chemistry.

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Aug 13, 2011

Marilyn rated it

really enjoyed this one. Very romantic. If you're looking for a good, romantic story this is it.

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Jun 15, 2010

Julie rated it

So cute. Really liked it. Gave it five stars cuz I really liked. It wasn't amazing, but really good.

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Sep 08, 2011

Jennifer rated it

Shelves: contemporary, erotic, romance

Great, quick read. This was a great story. Highly recommend. And very tame for a Samhain publication.

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Nov 12, 2010

Sarah Horton rated it

It was good. Weird situation to begin with, but what can you do? It was really cute.

like 1 like

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Sep 15, 2011

mavandcody rated it

Good, sweet and quick read. Kind of predictable but still enjoyed it.

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Jul 02, 2010

Erin rated it

Cute story, light and easy read. Likable characters, fun little story line.

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Oct 21, 2011

Kim rated it

Not my favorite piece of work by the author but it was decent.

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About Jaci Burton

Jaci Burton is a New York Times Bestselling author who has written over fifty romances in multiple genres. She writes steamy stories for Berkley Heat and will have a hot new new romantic suspense series premiering with MIRA in 2011. Visit her website at www.jaciburton.com for excerpts, her blog and contest information.

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