What do you think?
Rate this book
Once Upon a Kiss #7
Beauty and the Brooding Boss
Working for reclusive author Alex Markoff sounded like Kelsey Albertelli's dream job...until she met her new boss. Alex might be movie-star handsome, but his gruff grouchiness makes it clear that Kelsey is not exactly welcome.
Kelsey's a fighter and she refuses to tiptoe around a man who clearly needs looking after, even if he's too stubborn to admit it! As cracks gradually appear in Alex's forbidding exterior, for the first time Kelsey feels dangerously close to belonging. Can she hope for her own happy-ever-after...?
Kelsey's a fighter and she refuses to tiptoe around a man who clearly needs looking after, even if he's too stubborn to admit it! As cracks gradually appear in Alex's forbidding exterior, for the first time Kelsey feels dangerously close to belonging. Can she hope for her own happy-ever-after...?
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published March 8, 2011
About the author
Barbara Wallace
197 books175 followersBestselling author Barbara Tanner Wallace makes her living making up stories. When not writing, she's either reading, crocheting or bowing to her cats' whims.
She's a life-long New Englander with two hundred years of Yankee history behind her. She currently lives just outside of Boston with her husband. They have one son who lives in the middle of nowhere and apparently likes it.
She's a life-long New Englander with two hundred years of Yankee history behind her. She currently lives just outside of Boston with her husband. They have one son who lives in the middle of nowhere and apparently likes it.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 19, 2013
Usually, I can never continue or finish a Harlequin because I find them WAY too corny, cheesy, and absurdly cliche--which is surprising, 'cause I like that kinda stuff. Most of the time I find the males h*rny idiots and the females to be suberbly annoying bimbos. Anyway, this novel is cheesy, corny, and cliche, but it works. It's tolerable. In fact, I don't mind at all. It's a harlequin romance. You're supposed to expect romantic cheesy-ness.
As for the characters, they are all fairly likable...the male love can be a tad annoying at times, but he's supposed to be! He's the sexy beast! Overall, it's a good, interesting, romantic CLEAN story. ;)
One of my favourites. I've been trying to find other Harlequins as good as this, but I've found nothing so far. Read it!
As for the characters, they are all fairly likable...the male love can be a tad annoying at times, but he's supposed to be! He's the sexy beast! Overall, it's a good, interesting, romantic CLEAN story. ;)
One of my favourites. I've been trying to find other Harlequins as good as this, but I've found nothing so far. Read it!
August 20, 2025
Why the fantasm for falling for bosses is so recurring in littérature?
Wanted secretly to be swept away from financial burdens? The illusion of Feeling safe and never have to worry about the hard reality?
Wanting to escape difficult family issues in manner of Cinderella? Getting closer to a sense of safety and power through the boss? Or the charisma? Or escape loneliness?
Probably all and more?
-------''------'-'-------'-----------''-''------'-----'--'---------'"-'----
Pourquoi aime-t-on l'idée de tomber amoureuse de son patron ?
1)Charisme et autorité : Le pouvoir d’attraction du leader, la confiance qu’il dégage, peuvent susciter l’admiration et l’attirance.
2) Proximité quotidienne et solitude intérieure: Les échanges réguliers, la collaboration sur des projets, la complicité professionnelle peuvent créer une intimité particulière.
3)Projection et idéalisation : Le patron incarne un modèle de réussite ou de maturité, ce qui nourrit le fantasme.
4) le goût de l'interdit et de la nouveauté.
Wanted secretly to be swept away from financial burdens? The illusion of Feeling safe and never have to worry about the hard reality?
Wanting to escape difficult family issues in manner of Cinderella? Getting closer to a sense of safety and power through the boss? Or the charisma? Or escape loneliness?
Probably all and more?
-------''------'-'-------'-----------''-''------'-----'--'---------'"-'----
Pourquoi aime-t-on l'idée de tomber amoureuse de son patron ?
1)Charisme et autorité : Le pouvoir d’attraction du leader, la confiance qu’il dégage, peuvent susciter l’admiration et l’attirance.
2) Proximité quotidienne et solitude intérieure: Les échanges réguliers, la collaboration sur des projets, la complicité professionnelle peuvent créer une intimité particulière.
3)Projection et idéalisation : Le patron incarne un modèle de réussite ou de maturité, ce qui nourrit le fantasme.
4) le goût de l'interdit et de la nouveauté.
January 31, 2015
Four words: Beauty and the Beast. If it’s a Beauty and the Beast retelling, I’ll usually try to buy it no matter who the author happens to be. In this case, the book was also very cheap, which meant that I didn’t even mull it over, I just went straight to the check out.
There are a number of plot points that lend themselves to the Beauty and the Beast tale: “The Brooding Boss” has sent himself into exile living away from prying eyes and wagging tongues; “Beauty” is sent to live with him due to a problem within the family. The two get off to a rocky start but slowly come to understand and accept each other, becoming closer in the process. A certain event happens that drives a wedge between the two and that they have to come to terms with / overcome in order to get their happy ending.
The story is on the very short side – only a couple of hundred pages of large print (the large print edition was cheaper than the smaller print edition) and as such did not really allow for as much development as I would have liked to have seen. It felt like everything just remained at the surface and wasn’t explored to its full potential.
I get the feeling that this story was just meant to be a quick read that leaves the reader with that content, fluffy feeling that the characters were able to put the past behind them and overcome the obstacles in their way, but personally I found myself wanting a lot more from the book than it was actually offering. When I turned the last page I felt like I’d only actually read half of the story that this could have been. It’s a shame because I felt that the author’s style really lent itself to this type of modern day retelling very well. Thought not particularly unique, she has a grounded narrative voice that I enjoyed. I just wish that the actual development hadn’t been side-lined so much.
There are a number of plot points that lend themselves to the Beauty and the Beast tale: “The Brooding Boss” has sent himself into exile living away from prying eyes and wagging tongues; “Beauty” is sent to live with him due to a problem within the family. The two get off to a rocky start but slowly come to understand and accept each other, becoming closer in the process. A certain event happens that drives a wedge between the two and that they have to come to terms with / overcome in order to get their happy ending.
The story is on the very short side – only a couple of hundred pages of large print (the large print edition was cheaper than the smaller print edition) and as such did not really allow for as much development as I would have liked to have seen. It felt like everything just remained at the surface and wasn’t explored to its full potential.
I get the feeling that this story was just meant to be a quick read that leaves the reader with that content, fluffy feeling that the characters were able to put the past behind them and overcome the obstacles in their way, but personally I found myself wanting a lot more from the book than it was actually offering. When I turned the last page I felt like I’d only actually read half of the story that this could have been. It’s a shame because I felt that the author’s style really lent itself to this type of modern day retelling very well. Thought not particularly unique, she has a grounded narrative voice that I enjoyed. I just wish that the actual development hadn’t been side-lined so much.
January 10, 2015
Author Barbara Wallace borrows lightly from a treasured fairy tale and creates a delightful romantic tale in "Beauty and the Brooding Boss". When lovely young Kelsey Albertelli signs on as the temporary assistant for reclusive writer Alex Markoff, she finds much more than the job description entailed. Eager to earn extra money to pay off a debt, Kelsey accepts the higher-than-average paying job without realizing she'll end up dealing with a gruff and gorgeous "grinch" who will captivate her mind and steal her heart. Alex doesn't want help in finishing his book. Even with a broken arm, he prefers his privacy--all the better to guard his wounded heart. However, his publisher is threatening court action if the book is not ready on time, so Alex grudgingly accepts Kelsey's persistent presence. Both Alex and Kelsey have emotional scars, and they each have to confront their fears of being hurt and learn to trust once again. Will these two likeable loners form a loving bond which will bring them their own fairy tale happy ending? "Beauty and the Brooding Boss" is Book One in Harlequin's "Once Upon a Kiss" mini-series. A sweet romance read which will make you smile--and that makes it all worthwhile.
July 5, 2016
«Si può dire lo stesso dei fiori.»
«Fiori?» Il suo corpo era troppo occupato a reagire al suo tocco per capire chiaramente il suo commento.
«Mmh. All’inizio tutto quello che vedi è un’esplosione di colori e petali che sai non durerà. Poi, però, capisci che i boccioli sono più robusti di quanto appaiano e che fanno molto di più che distrarti con la loro bellezza.» Con delicatezza le girò il viso in modo che Kelsey lo guardasse dritto negli occhi. «Tu sei un fiore molto robusto.»
«Fiori?» Il suo corpo era troppo occupato a reagire al suo tocco per capire chiaramente il suo commento.
«Mmh. All’inizio tutto quello che vedi è un’esplosione di colori e petali che sai non durerà. Poi, però, capisci che i boccioli sono più robusti di quanto appaiano e che fanno molto di più che distrarti con la loro bellezza.» Con delicatezza le girò il viso in modo che Kelsey lo guardasse dritto negli occhi. «Tu sei un fiore molto robusto.»
Read
December 24, 2014Miniseries: Once Upon a Kiss…
Read
December 24, 2014Miniseries: Once Upon a Kiss…
Category: Classic Romance
Category: Classic Romance
August 7, 2012
Enjoyed this cute romance!
September 13, 2012
Well done, Ms. Wallace! I read it in a couple of hours & enjoyed every single page. Interesting plot, believable character development & more than perfect ending. Recommended!
October 28, 2013
Alex is soooooo cuteee.. sweet.. swoonworthy ..
Clean romance guys :)
Clean romance guys :)
October 19, 2013
a nice romance between 2 tortured persons nothing heavy pretty realistic and not too cheesy so it was ok
November 27, 2013
I love to have this book translated to Indonesian. It's that good ;p
March 5, 2020
Love it
Second time reading this book and I still love it. Somewhat contrived and rushed to the end but a good little romance.
Second time reading this book and I still love it. Somewhat contrived and rushed to the end but a good little romance.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews