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Mercenary/Goddard Project #7
Deal With This
Alan Hyatt could do his job in his sleep, and when the Goddard Project sends him to investigate a case of high-tech espionage in the Vancouver film industry, he finds a perfect reason to work in bed. But sizzling actress Jillian Carlyle also happens to be his landlady, and she's got a hard-and-fast (so to speak) rule that keeps her from dating her renters. While Alan's cover as a reporter gets him close to all the suspects on the set of Jillian's sci-fi show, playing a background actor at her suggestion to get his story? Well, that's something else--but he's not about to turn down a red-hot redhead, even if she keeps throwing him curves...
Jillian just can't understand it. Sure, Alan is six-feet-something of chiseled ruggedness with gray eyes and an irresistible growl in his voice. But hello? She doesn't do relationships--even of the casual kind--with men who impact more than her senses. No one is getting a chance at her heart. Especially not one of her renters. Still, there's nothing wrong with enjoying Alan from afar--but not too far, or she wouldn't be able to fully appreciate his rock-hard abs when he's working out in the home gym. If only he didn't make her feel safe and oh so right when they touched...
293 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2007
16 people are currently reading
415 people want to read
About the author
Lucy Monroe
602 books1,549 followersI write spicy romance books that end in an HEA. Contemporary romance, historical romance, paranormal romance…I write it all. The two things my books all have in common is lots of emotion and spice. Last year, I fell in love with a new subgenre: mafia romance. Since I write what I love to read, I started a new standalone series, Syndicate Rules where you’ll meet over the top alpha heroes in the Italian and Greek mafias as well as the Irish mob. There are arranged marriages, forced marriages, enemies to lovers, stalkers, forced proximity and lots of mafia intrigue. Morally gray is my new favorite color.
Follow me on BookBub for alerts on my next release: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/lucy-...
I’ve been published a while and most of my 90+ books have hit the Nielson Bookscan bestseller list, a few ended up on the USA Today bestseller list and some even hit national bestseller lists in the UK and Australia. My books have been translated into numerous languages and are for sale in dozens of countries around the world. I’ve won awards and been published with most of the big houses in New York, but my greatest achievement is touching readers’ hearts. When I hear from a reader who got caught up in one of my books, I know I’m doing what I’m meant to do.
I love writing emotionally deep stories with snappy dialogue and solid plots. I’m more grateful than I’ll ever be able to express that so many readers have taken my stories into their hearts and put my books on their reread and keeper shelves.
Follow me on BookBub for alerts on my next release: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/lucy-...
I’ve been published a while and most of my 90+ books have hit the Nielson Bookscan bestseller list, a few ended up on the USA Today bestseller list and some even hit national bestseller lists in the UK and Australia. My books have been translated into numerous languages and are for sale in dozens of countries around the world. I’ve won awards and been published with most of the big houses in New York, but my greatest achievement is touching readers’ hearts. When I hear from a reader who got caught up in one of my books, I know I’m doing what I’m meant to do.
I love writing emotionally deep stories with snappy dialogue and solid plots. I’m more grateful than I’ll ever be able to express that so many readers have taken my stories into their hearts and put my books on their reread and keeper shelves.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
November 11, 2008
I really liked the hero, Alan, but the heroine, Jillian...eh not so much. Alan is an undercover agent posing as a reporter, sent to a film set in the hopes of finding who is selling technological secrets at a high price including murder. Jillian is an actress on the set, and also coincidentallly his lanlady. There is instant attraction for both of them, however his view is 'I'm on the case', and she's 'I don't sleep with my boarders'. This whole situation seems to drag on through 2/3 of the book and I found myself thinking, "Come on! Someone make a move!" She resisted him so much, that I was kind of hoping he'd just give up and leave. But of course there is an eventual HEA. I will read the third book.
September 28, 2010
I did not like this at all -- too much pondering --too much telling not showing.
The first 90 pages consisted primarily of his and her thoughts about wanting each other but not having each other. After that, too much of the book was spent on the two characters pondering their feelings and wondering about each other. Toward the end, after Jillian realizes that she is in love with Alan, she gives him the silent treatment. Because she is doing it, he does the same thing in return. Soon after that, maybe a day later, they admit they love each other and things are fine again. What kind of conflict is that?
A subplot involved the following. Alan is a federal agent working undercover as a reporter to investigate high-tech espionage. He rents a room from Jillian, an actress working in a tv show, connected to the espionage. A few events happen along the way, but most of the action which solves the mystery happens at the end of the book. At this time, the author tells what happens, she doesn’t show it. I was left wanting.
Sexual language: strong. Number of sex scenes: seven. Setting: current day Vancouver B.C. Copyright: 2007. Genre: contemporary romance.
To date, I've read 6 Lucy Monroe books, as follows.
5 stars. Ready. Copyright 2005. My review posted 2/21/07.
5 stars. Willing. Copyright 2006. My review posted 2/21/07.
4 stars. And Able. Copyright 2006. My review posted 2/21/07.
3 stars. 3 Brides For 3 Bad Boys. Copyright 2005. My review posted 5/26/07.
1 star. Tempt Me. Copyright 2006. My review posted 5/26/07.
1 star. Deal With This. Copyright 2007. My review posted 6/14/08.
The first 90 pages consisted primarily of his and her thoughts about wanting each other but not having each other. After that, too much of the book was spent on the two characters pondering their feelings and wondering about each other. Toward the end, after Jillian realizes that she is in love with Alan, she gives him the silent treatment. Because she is doing it, he does the same thing in return. Soon after that, maybe a day later, they admit they love each other and things are fine again. What kind of conflict is that?
A subplot involved the following. Alan is a federal agent working undercover as a reporter to investigate high-tech espionage. He rents a room from Jillian, an actress working in a tv show, connected to the espionage. A few events happen along the way, but most of the action which solves the mystery happens at the end of the book. At this time, the author tells what happens, she doesn’t show it. I was left wanting.
Sexual language: strong. Number of sex scenes: seven. Setting: current day Vancouver B.C. Copyright: 2007. Genre: contemporary romance.
To date, I've read 6 Lucy Monroe books, as follows.
5 stars. Ready. Copyright 2005. My review posted 2/21/07.
5 stars. Willing. Copyright 2006. My review posted 2/21/07.
4 stars. And Able. Copyright 2006. My review posted 2/21/07.
3 stars. 3 Brides For 3 Bad Boys. Copyright 2005. My review posted 5/26/07.
1 star. Tempt Me. Copyright 2006. My review posted 5/26/07.
1 star. Deal With This. Copyright 2007. My review posted 6/14/08.
October 25, 2015
I read this awhile ago but I never rated it on here. Great book!
June 7, 2021
When the government finds out that a piece of tech is being auctioned off to the highest bidder they send Alan, who’s a member of TGP, undercover to investigate the case of espionage. Posing as a reporter doing a story on a Vancouver Film Company, he is really investigating the cast and crew of their most prominent show to find his ‘insider’ in the espionage. From the day he arrives at his accommodations in BC, he is taken with his charming landlady and the female lead on the company’s star show, Jillian Carlyle. As he gets to know the other members of the household, all involved in some manner with the show, he finds himself becoming attached to them as well and hoping they have nothing to do with the tech being auctioned off.
Jillian assists Alan however she can in getting interviews, access to the set, and information he needs for his ‘article’. As she spends more time with the man, she finds that despite her rigid rule about no fraternization amongst housemates she is attracted to the hunky reporter. Resistant at first, she later decides to give in to her desires and finds that he returns the attraction. As they grow closer, Jillian and the other housemates become integral in breaking the case wide open.
This book was a pleasant surprise in having an interesting backstory to the romance, spunky and VERY unique characters, and enough turns and heat to keep you reading. I enjoyed it very much!
Jillian assists Alan however she can in getting interviews, access to the set, and information he needs for his ‘article’. As she spends more time with the man, she finds that despite her rigid rule about no fraternization amongst housemates she is attracted to the hunky reporter. Resistant at first, she later decides to give in to her desires and finds that he returns the attraction. As they grow closer, Jillian and the other housemates become integral in breaking the case wide open.
This book was a pleasant surprise in having an interesting backstory to the romance, spunky and VERY unique characters, and enough turns and heat to keep you reading. I enjoyed it very much!
March 5, 2019
Let's be honest the secondary characters (the other renters in the house) are much more interesting and memorable than the actual primary characters themselves. Totally shipping for Gavin and Perry, more than Alan and Jillian, seriously we need more scenes of them!
I felt like the whole plot was merely used to get the two main characters together, it was barely looked at and just kind of randomly tossed together at the end to give some kind of closure.
The White Tigresses thing was interesting, although it was probably only used to show how sexually open the primary characters are and let Alan see Jillian's sensual side.
OK book, not really memorable. Bulk of the story involves Alan and Jillian trying not to sleep together with all the usual cliche stuff.
I felt like the whole plot was merely used to get the two main characters together, it was barely looked at and just kind of randomly tossed together at the end to give some kind of closure.
The White Tigresses thing was interesting, although it was probably only used to show how sexually open the primary characters are and let Alan see Jillian's sensual side.
OK book, not really memorable. Bulk of the story involves Alan and Jillian trying not to sleep together with all the usual cliche stuff.
May 30, 2023
Acting bug
Lucy Monroe knows how to write romance! Every word whittles humor, love and complications into your every thought and makes it amazingly hard to set this story down once you start it.
Lucy Monroe knows how to write romance! Every word whittles humor, love and complications into your every thought and makes it amazingly hard to set this story down once you start it.
December 27, 2021
I couldn’t put this book down!!!! It would amazing!!!
August 15, 2011
What’s funny about this book is that I liked the secondary characters more than the main ones. I just never connected with Jillian and Alan. Alan is smart, looks like a God and is great at his job sure…but I just didn’t see him and Jillian together. Perhaps it was because Jillian spends the majority of the book swearing her and Alan aren’t going to hook up because he is a boarder (undercover) at her house and her main rule is no sex with the room mates. I mean, how many times can one girl say that to herself before something has to give? About a million apparently. I desperately wanted something to happen…anything to happen between them past the looks they gave each other. There just seemed to be way to much downtime between important plot points. I often had the urge to skip ahead to find out when/if something was going to happen.
Now Gavin? Yeah I liked him. He is completely spunky and fabulous in that way only a gay best friend can be. He says what he wants, hits on who he wants and doesn’t give a damn what anyone else thinks. He is a fashion ICON..well maybe in his own mind anyway. I loved him. I was rooting for him and Perry throughout the entire book. I loved his sense of humor!
The writing in this particular book just seemed a bit off from what I’ve read in the past by Lucy. There seemed to be a disconnect from the readers. The plot was good and unique but I felt like I was being told everything second-hand instead of feeling it first hand.
I wanted to like this book…but it fell short for me. I think this easily could have been a novella instead of a full length novel. Overall I found it to be a decent read, one that wasn’t my favorite but still, I didn’t put it down and I did finish it…so Im giving Deal With This by Lucy Monroe 2.75 stars!
Now Gavin? Yeah I liked him. He is completely spunky and fabulous in that way only a gay best friend can be. He says what he wants, hits on who he wants and doesn’t give a damn what anyone else thinks. He is a fashion ICON..well maybe in his own mind anyway. I loved him. I was rooting for him and Perry throughout the entire book. I loved his sense of humor!
The writing in this particular book just seemed a bit off from what I’ve read in the past by Lucy. There seemed to be a disconnect from the readers. The plot was good and unique but I felt like I was being told everything second-hand instead of feeling it first hand.
I wanted to like this book…but it fell short for me. I think this easily could have been a novella instead of a full length novel. Overall I found it to be a decent read, one that wasn’t my favorite but still, I didn’t put it down and I did finish it…so Im giving Deal With This by Lucy Monroe 2.75 stars!
November 24, 2011
Jillian - actress, future producer, stars in a scifi show in Canada, owns and runs a boarding house with tenants from the show, currently 3 gay men -actor, gaffer, editor; fun, personal rules, father a tempermental artist, stepfather upstanding in community, hit her & mom when drank, younger brother, follower of White Tigress, Jade Dragon philosophy of sensuality, likes sex, rarely with penetration, but since her best friend got married sex for sex not as attractive, anti long term committment...
Alan - exFBI, agent for Goddard project, secret agency that monitors new technologies and potential bad uses of them. Tip that production company is the site for some sort of technolgy transfer in a month, so he is undercover as a reporter, staying at Jillian's boarding house, rporting on small production companies. Takes excellent care of his body, self disciplined, 5th generation agent, soured on expectation of marriage, 2 broken engagements, raised by grandparents, sensitive, observant.
Instant attraction between Jilian and Alan, and they ease into a sexual relationships - book was filled with sex without actual intercourse - petting, massages, dry humping, oral sex, etc. Jillian, especially through her talks with her best friend Amanda, accepts she loves Alan...
I had a bit of trouble figuring out why Alan did not have complete background information needed, over and over - and we see at then end where he negotiates to be the team's reserch man, getting out of undercover work and able to be with Jillian. ahhhhh
Alan - exFBI, agent for Goddard project, secret agency that monitors new technologies and potential bad uses of them. Tip that production company is the site for some sort of technolgy transfer in a month, so he is undercover as a reporter, staying at Jillian's boarding house, rporting on small production companies. Takes excellent care of his body, self disciplined, 5th generation agent, soured on expectation of marriage, 2 broken engagements, raised by grandparents, sensitive, observant.
Instant attraction between Jilian and Alan, and they ease into a sexual relationships - book was filled with sex without actual intercourse - petting, massages, dry humping, oral sex, etc. Jillian, especially through her talks with her best friend Amanda, accepts she loves Alan...
I had a bit of trouble figuring out why Alan did not have complete background information needed, over and over - and we see at then end where he negotiates to be the team's reserch man, getting out of undercover work and able to be with Jillian. ahhhhh
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 15, 2015
Contemporary romance with protected sex. There's a lot of sexual activity in this book, but the heroine is part of a group called the White Tigresses. They are good at all things sexual, but don't allow actual penetration. Unless of course, their partner is "The One".
This was just OK for me. The case Alan was working on seemed dull & took a back seat through most of the book. The resolution was tame.
What's interesting to me is how LM tied THREE other books to this one.
Jillian, the heroine, is Amanda's best friend from "Real Deal".
Alan, the hero, is the ex-fiancé of Beth from "Satisfaction Guaranteed". Of course, he has another opinion about her being jilted at the altar. He WAS literally tied up & kidnapped. From his perspective, she didn't love him enough.
He's also in an anthology called "Star Quality". This was just rereleased last year as "Delicious Ohio". He's an annoying guy that won't take no for an answer. His name was Ed, but he was undercover at the time. he reminiscences on both of these failed romances & wonders if he'll ever find the love his parents & grandparents have. Sigh.
This was just OK for me. The case Alan was working on seemed dull & took a back seat through most of the book. The resolution was tame.
What's interesting to me is how LM tied THREE other books to this one.
Jillian, the heroine, is Amanda's best friend from "Real Deal".
Alan, the hero, is the ex-fiancé of Beth from "Satisfaction Guaranteed". Of course, he has another opinion about her being jilted at the altar. He WAS literally tied up & kidnapped. From his perspective, she didn't love him enough.
He's also in an anthology called "Star Quality". This was just rereleased last year as "Delicious Ohio". He's an annoying guy that won't take no for an answer. His name was Ed, but he was undercover at the time. he reminiscences on both of these failed romances & wonders if he'll ever find the love his parents & grandparents have. Sigh.
September 6, 2016
This was my first book of Lucy Monroe’s.
Jillian, well, not only couldn’t I connect with her, but she really wasn’t a very nice person. I couldn’t understand her hatred for any relationship, once her past came to light. The two didn’t seem to mesh. She takes in roommates (boarders if you will), and swears to never get involved or have sex with a roomie! Alan, investigating a case of espionage, goes undercover as a reporter, and becomes a roomie. He’s good at what he does, he’s a hunk, and a real nice guy. Too nice actually. It took forever for anything to happen between he and Jillian.
I absolutely fell in love with the gay best friend, Gavin, and his friend Perry. Gavin’s attitude, energy, outlook, and humor were very real and or well developed.
There was a lot missing here. As the reader, I had to imagine what was missing. Kind of like the author told me, but didn’t show me. The story was good, but it didn’t ask me in!
Jillian, well, not only couldn’t I connect with her, but she really wasn’t a very nice person. I couldn’t understand her hatred for any relationship, once her past came to light. The two didn’t seem to mesh. She takes in roommates (boarders if you will), and swears to never get involved or have sex with a roomie! Alan, investigating a case of espionage, goes undercover as a reporter, and becomes a roomie. He’s good at what he does, he’s a hunk, and a real nice guy. Too nice actually. It took forever for anything to happen between he and Jillian.
I absolutely fell in love with the gay best friend, Gavin, and his friend Perry. Gavin’s attitude, energy, outlook, and humor were very real and or well developed.
There was a lot missing here. As the reader, I had to imagine what was missing. Kind of like the author told me, but didn’t show me. The story was good, but it didn’t ask me in!
August 21, 2014
This comedy-suspense-romance book made me snort and laugh out loud! I picked it up partly because of the promo quote on the front cover by Debbie Macomber, and partly because I read on the back cover that it was set in Vancouver BC [my home town], related to the city's film industry. I loved the incredible characters Lucy Monroe peopled this novel with - they were so believable, even when somewhat caricature-like. I could see them, hear them, smell them. I began to care about each one of them as the story unfolded. By the time the story ended with it's oh-so-satisfying HEA as well as the resolution of the fascinating suspense issue, I closed the book and sat with it for a while, going over some of the scenes and characters. What a great book - I will have to find more by this author now.
May 19, 2008
I am sooooo in love with this hero it's funny.
Both hero and heroine start at a "I ain't gonna love nobody" attitude and they shake it off as the book developes but in a credible way wich is very satisfying.
When they finally realize their feelings they manage quite well to accept them and find a way to make things work, they don't hurt each other through out the story wich is good and they have a very good relationship.
We get to see Simon and Amanda from "The Real Deal" again and it is too cute for words I loved that couple too.
Gavin and Perry are a fun sidestory and really cute too, they don't steal the thunder of the main couple in any way and it's just that a secondary story that doesn't get in the way. I was really rooting for them.
Both hero and heroine start at a "I ain't gonna love nobody" attitude and they shake it off as the book developes but in a credible way wich is very satisfying.
When they finally realize their feelings they manage quite well to accept them and find a way to make things work, they don't hurt each other through out the story wich is good and they have a very good relationship.
We get to see Simon and Amanda from "The Real Deal" again and it is too cute for words I loved that couple too.
Gavin and Perry are a fun sidestory and really cute too, they don't steal the thunder of the main couple in any way and it's just that a secondary story that doesn't get in the way. I was really rooting for them.
July 25, 2012
My first book from Lucy Monroe.
I might read some others but will not specifically try to look for it.
It was a quick and light reading, bordering on the too-light and too-easy. I liked the hero, Alan, who's undercover on an investigation relating to technology spying. His behaviour seemed very normal and not really like a super-hero, like it often happens in romantic suspenses. However he seemed real and nice.
The heroine, Jillian, however, was not so real and not so nice either. I did not fully buy her fake freedom relating to sex, as she indeed talks a lot about it but does not do much with it. Her complete loathing for relationships seemed really extreme, once her past history and traumas were known.
And the ending is a bit rushed, both regarding the romance and the investigation.
I might read some others but will not specifically try to look for it.
It was a quick and light reading, bordering on the too-light and too-easy. I liked the hero, Alan, who's undercover on an investigation relating to technology spying. His behaviour seemed very normal and not really like a super-hero, like it often happens in romantic suspenses. However he seemed real and nice.
The heroine, Jillian, however, was not so real and not so nice either. I did not fully buy her fake freedom relating to sex, as she indeed talks a lot about it but does not do much with it. Her complete loathing for relationships seemed really extreme, once her past history and traumas were known.
And the ending is a bit rushed, both regarding the romance and the investigation.
February 4, 2015
In Japanese. Osae kirenai omoi. Boring from the beginning. Jillian, an actress and an Goddard project agent, Alan Hyatt. Alan goes to live in Jillian's rented room trying to figure out who is a spy in the tv shooting setting. Vancouver, Canada. Alan has given up on love after his fiance, Beth left him and married another agent. Jillian did not want a relationship, either because of bad male figures in her life.
Terrible. I did not get into either of the characters. Conversations and translation were cumbersome. I couldn't wait finishing the book. A reviewer, Jane gave 1 star also, but she liked "Ready", 5 stars. Maybe there is hope for that book.
Terrible. I did not get into either of the characters. Conversations and translation were cumbersome. I couldn't wait finishing the book. A reviewer, Jane gave 1 star also, but she liked "Ready", 5 stars. Maybe there is hope for that book.
February 6, 2013
3 stars. Rounded up half a star because it ties in with The Real Deal
, which I also liked.
I've been skimming and dropping many of Lucy Monroe's books, but this was engaging. I would recommend these two books together for a sample of what L.Monroe can (but doesn't always) do.
, which I also liked.I've been skimming and dropping many of Lucy Monroe's books, but this was engaging. I would recommend these two books together for a sample of what L.Monroe can (but doesn't always) do.
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December 17, 2007This is a story about an FBI agent going undercover to discover what is going on at a production company. He falls in love with the main actress for the company. She is very independent and owns a house that she has converted into a boarding house. One of her main rules is that no boarders can mess around. But then she finds herself wanting to break her own rule with the FBI agent who has moved in.
August 8, 2009
Alan goes undercover to do this job. His landlady Jillian rents out rooms to quirky actors, grips or like him a reporter (well so he his job is to act like one). He must get close to Jillian and all the people that will be his flatmates.
Jillian and Alan's relationship grows while his investagation continues.
This story has lots of humor. I enjoyed it. You will also meet back up with characters from an older book by Lucy Monroe "Real Deal". I Loved that Book too!
Jillian and Alan's relationship grows while his investagation continues.
This story has lots of humor. I enjoyed it. You will also meet back up with characters from an older book by Lucy Monroe "Real Deal". I Loved that Book too!
February 24, 2013
Not my favorite of Monroe's books. I liked Alan but Jillian irated me. For two people who did not believe in love and forever, they did not fight it. Jillian was supposed to be all about truth and honesty in all matters, no exceptions but she accepted Alan's lies and false name with a bat of an eye. I loved Perry and Gavin and would love to have more of them. The so called mystery was not much of one. Still it was a fun and quick read.
August 9, 2016
Agent Alan Hyatt began work for The Goddard Project despite the fact that his ex-fiance had recently married another agent at the firm. The company rents him a room at a Vancouver boarding house run by Jillian Carlyle. Hyatt's investigation involves the Vancouver film industry and Jillian also happens to be an actress. Security is tight at Frost Productions where Jillian works. Under his cover as a reporter, she opens many important doors to him which would otherwise have been closed.
April 3, 2009
I could not get into the plot on this one. The entire story just made my eyes glaze over. The love scenes were hot though and for that alone I'm giving it 3 stars. Otherwise, the story deserves 2 stars. I did also enjoy the story of Alan and Jillian. It was nice to see Alan finally get the girl.
July 11, 2014
I picked this book up from the library because of the male model's torso. I was not about to pass this book up. Well, it was erotic and the ending was a happy one with a side of captured culprit. This is the first Lucy Monroe book I have read and maybe I should not have started it with this. Nonetheless, there are a few of her novels I have read the synopsis on and marked as want to read.
February 21, 2009
I'm very curious about this author. Strong feminist take on female heterosexuality and sexual empowerment in many ways, but other of her novels have included a pro-life version of unplanned pregnancies. Better sex scenes than Suzanne Brockmann but not as absorbing stories.
March 20, 2011
I was glad to see they made a book with Alan. Although they made him into kind of a jerk in the book prior, it turns out he just hadn't found a girl to make work 2nd in his life. Good story line and great chemistry with the girl.
January 5, 2009
Liked the book - but not the heroine as much as the other characters.
August 18, 2009
I didn't like it as much as Ms. Monroe's previous book, Satisfaction Guaranteed, but it was still a good book.
February 13, 2011
Deal with this,seriously! Very hot!! :))
July 1, 2011
I really should have tried reading this series in order because i'm trying to make comparisons to characters that i'm not even sure i've met
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July 28, 2011Was a little disappointed with this one. The romance part was a little on the boring side and the sub plot was not interesting at all.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews