Engaged with the Boss

Situation: Christmas #2

by Elle James

Situation: Fake Engagement

Scandal could not touch the Kendall family - not with the unsolved Christmas Eve murders looming over their heads. So when eldest son Devin was caught in a compromising situation with his executive assistant, he decided to turn tabloid news in his favor. If Jolie Carson posed as his fiancee, the press would leave him alone and he could conduct his own investigation.

Of course Jolie agreed to Devin's proposition - she'd secretly loved her boss for six long years. Being so close to Devin only made her desire grow stronger, though the danger was not just to her heart. Because someone was after the Kendall family, and Jolie's pretend engagement had made her the next target.

Genres: Romance, Romantic Suspense, Contemporary Romance, Suspense, Harlequin, Fiction, Contemporary

224 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published October 1, 2010

About the author

Award-winning author Elle James grew up as an air force military brat. She received her work ethic from her rock-solid father, her creative streak from her artistic mother and inspiration from her writing partner and sister, Delilah Devlin. As a former member of the army reserves and a current member of the air force reserves, she's traveled across the United States and to Germany, managed a full-time job, and raised three wonderful children. She and her husband have even tried their hands at ranching exotic birds (ostriches, emus and rheas) in the Texas hill country. Ask her, and she'll tell you what it's like to go toe-to-toe with an angry three-hundred-and-fifty-pound bird and live to tell about it!

Her adventures in the army and air force reserves, and the wild antics of her life on a small ranch in Texas give her fodder for mystery, suspense and humor in her writing. Elle writes gothic, paranormal mystery for the Harlequin Intrigue line and paranormal romantic comedy for Dorchester Publishing. A former manager of computer programming and project management professionals, Elle is happy she now has the opportunity to pursue her writing full time.

Reviews

[Cathy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I almost hate to admit that I usually enjoy these Harlequin Intrigue romances. That said, this one hits most of my pet peeves.
The first peeve: I am very, very tired of heroines who toil away in silence for years working for the boss they secretly love.
In this one, Jolie has worked for Devin as his executive assistant for six years. There is never a hint of impropriety between them until the evening Jolie takes a report and dinner to Devin's condo WITH HER HAIR DOWN (peeve number two - previously the hair is always in a BUN and seeing hair down has turned on the hero). I find it very hard to believe that, in six years, the heroine had never been seen with her hair down.
Within a very short time of her arrival they are in bed. They did use a condom; however, I don't believe they used a condom during their second encounter the next day. Peeve number 3.
Jolie is seen leaving the condo in disarray. To avert a scandal there is a fake engagement. (peeve number four - it's always fake until the poor clueless bastard realizes he's in love.)
And so we come to pet peeve number five - class or, reverse snobbery. Jolie doesn't think she is in Devin's CLASS. This, of course, causes some angst for her while Devin is waffling about being in love.
This storyline just pushed all my buttons on a day when I'm not willing to forgive.

[maddy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. good adding to the series, but the ending was kinda similar to the first one with the villain. plus the romance was kind of pushed in with devin’s pov.

[Paula Legate · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a follow up book, from Detective Daddy by Mallory Kane. Both books were really good.
The Kendall family is a close bunch. Their parents were murdered when they were little. In the book Detective daddy we found out Ash grew up to be a cop. Their parent’s murder was never solved. With every case that Ash solves, he knows he is helping other families. Natalie is the youngest. Devin, and Ash are both very protective big brothers.
Detective Daddy ended with the parent’s murder case being re-opened. The person that had been found guilty was found innocent many years later, and was exonerated. He was released from jail. A short while later, he was murdered.

Engaged with the Boss picks up, with the Kendall family being thrust in the spot light. They had to fight against reporters, threats, and someone stalking Natalie. The action, and romance between Devin, and Jolie heats up. Jolie has been his executive assistant for six years. The first time they shared a kiss, or heated up the sheets, a reporter snaps a picture of Jolie leaving Devin’s apartment. Devin didn’t want the world to look down on Jolie. He came up with a plan, to tell the world that he and Jolie were engaged. Jolie had secretly been in love with Devin for years, so it was not hard for her to pretend to love him. Devin, and Jolie became closer as they went through break in’s, explosions and other threats against them. I love this action packed romance! The banter between all the characters was really good. There were also a few funny moments in the story.

Sample from chapter: “I don’t deserve you, Jolie. I don’t know how to go about this properly and I know it’s not for real, but here goes.” He dropped to one knee and held her hand in his, the ring poised in front of her ring finger. He stared up into her eyes, feeling as if the world had ground to a halt waiting for hat was next. His tone low, his words soft and insistent, he spoke, “Jolie Carson, will you wear this ring and be my fake fiancée?”

[Elle (Ligia) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book last night, and even after having a whole night to process it I still don't know how I feel. And I say "to process it" as in to think how I would rate it, not because it was hard to take in, whatsoever.

I find myself in a bad book-situation this year and I can't seem to help it, so among all the bad books I've been reading this year it gets a pass. But just barely.

It was mostly a meh book for me. The suspense was there but I just couldn't quite get into it. The characters didn't really call to me, and even though I apparently own the whole series I doubt I will be reading the remaining books anytime soon. Or at all

And that's that.

The best way to end a review, ever!

[Kellcifer · Rating 1 out of 5]

I think I got this book for free or on sale quite a while ago. It sat on my Kindle forever and i finally decided to read it since it was relatively short. Well, let me tell you, since the writing was so laughable I did quite a lot of skimming it was even shorter than I had figured. The characters were just awful--they were not developed well and came across very flat. Outside of Devin being a CEO with siblings he's weirdly overbearing with and Jolie being his executive assistant, I know nothing about these characters. Also, it is a rapidly developed pet peeve of mine after reading Kristen Ashley, but amateurs involving themselves in investigations drives me absolutely insane. I never know what they think they'll accomplish. First, they are always putting themselves in danger with their actions. Second, they have no idea what they are looking for or where to look. Third, if they actually found something they've actually fucked the case, because no way would info obtained by theft or B&E or snooping be admissible in court. It's like the authors have never heard of chain of evidence or search warrants or illegal searches.

I feel like I also need to add that I think the order of the "series" is messed up. It says this is book one, but Ash often mentions Rachel and being happily engaged, and according to Goodreads that happens in Detective Daddy, which is supposed to be book two in the series, so I was often confused--who is this Rachel to whom you refer, and why are you making comments as though I should know her? And last, it was cheap how a fourth sibling is mentioned once ("Oh, yeah, we have another brother. We should perhaps second-handedly inform him of what's going on and never speak his name again."), so you know he'll have a book, but it is odd how none of the characters even worry that he never even returns the message about his uncle being arrested, especially since Devin is so paranoid where his family is concerned.

[Deb Diem · Rating 5 out of 5]

Engaged With The Boss is an awesome fake fiance romantic suspense by Elle James. Ms. James has created a well-written book. The characters are my favorite part of the story. Devin wants to protect his family when the person that spent 20 years in jail for killing his parents is set free due to DNA evidence. Jolie is Devin's executive assistant and has been in love with him for six years. Devin and Jolie's story is cover to cover drama, humor, action, sexy bits and suspense. I enjoyed every page of this book and look forward to reading more from Elle James soon. Engaged With The Boss is book 2 of the Situation: Christmas Series but can be read as a standalone. This is a complete book, not a cliff-hanger.

I read a print copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Janet · Rating 2 out of 5]

HI #1306 = 2.5 stars

[Linda Klages · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting storyline - will read more from this author.

[Evelyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it.

[Readsandeats · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this Intrigue novel and will be continuing with the series

[Lena Bromberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hallmark in a book but why's it kinda good?

[Aleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although it was a fast paced book, I found myself annoyed at times. It held the premise of romance, suspense and mystery, but it wasn't enough. It was about an overbearing CEO of a company and his mousy executive assistant, which to put it straight, he did treat her as a secretary. Jolie who, by her words, loved him from the first time she met him, but yet still pined away for him even when he didn't notice her in a sexual way. She wears the suits that cover her body and her hair tight in buns, but she suddenly transforms into a beauty just because she wore her hair down and put on a jean skirt.

Devin and Jolie have sex almost immediately in the story and must make a fake engagement so the media doesn't take it the wrong way. There was the plot of someone trying to kill off Devin's family, but that suspense didn't really kick in til the middle of the book. His major issue was that he was trying to find his parent's murderer, and he had no time for romance. Of course that changes when he suddenly realizes that his assistant is attractive.

It was somewhat of an enjoyable story, but the main mystery does not get solved in this book. Also, there was an inconsistency with Jolie's character. Numerous times she was noted as crying, but towards the end she said, "What was wrong with her? She never cried." Um, yes you did, a lot.

So all in all, for a quick read it's not bad, but honestly, I'm not in a rush to read the other books in the series. Note: It was not necessary to read book one. Also, it seems that there are different authors contributing to the series.

[Debbie Heaton · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Elle James romantic suspense novel, the unsolved Christmas Eve murders loomed over the Kendal family. When eldest son Devin is caught in a compromising situation with his executive assistant, Jolie Carson, to prevent a scandal he decided they should pose as an engaged couple so the press would leave her alone and the family could help with the investigation. Jolie has secretly been in love with her boss for years and agreed to the ploy. But someone was after the Kendal family and the fake engagement placed Jolie in the position of next victim. A phenomenal addition to the Situation: Christmas series.

[Debbie Heaton · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Elle James' romantic suspense novel, the unsolved Christmas Eve murders loomed over the Kendal family. When eldest son Devin is caught in a compromising situation with his executive assistant Jolie Carson, to prevent a scandal he decided they should pose as an engaged couple so the press would leave her alone and the family could help with the investigation. Jolie has secretly been in love with her boss for years and agreed to the ploy. But someone was after the Kendal family and the fake engagement placed Jolie in the position of next victim. A phenomenal addition to the Situation: Christmas series.

[Funmi Richards · Rating 3 out of 5]

hmm, did not know it was a series before I started, so I'm left wondering who killed Devin's parents. don't where i'll get the next instalment. Now Devin has someone else to care for besides his family

[Harlequin Books]

Miniseries: Situation: Christmas

[Harlequin Books]

Miniseries: Situation: Christmas

[Elizabeth Mckernan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good read I really enjoyed it.

[Hina · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars!

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun and somewhat sexy story that kept me reading in no slow fashion

[Maggie Shanley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't really care for the male lead and thought the mystery was far-fetched.