Her Grumpy Boss

Her Sweet Seduction #5

by Adele Knight

Dirty books are my life.

Reading and reviewing naughty scenes is a passion I unabashedly indulge in—daily.

Imagining myself as the main character tempting and teasing, exploring and enticing, shameless in my desire to gratify secret urges is intoxicating.

But just because I work with the epitome of the grumpy boss trope doesn't mean I want to tempt my grumpy boss into reenacting my favorite spicy book scenes... until my boss finds my social media profile and my latest review of a scene involving a specific acronym, an office desk, and scuffed knees.

Will he let me live out a book girl's dream and tell me to STFUATTDLAGG?

This is a short and steamy novella in Her Sweet Seduction Series. Each novella is stand-alone with new characters and spicy scenarios to enjoy anytime—but especially fun as a bedtime treat.

Genres: Romance, Novella, Contemporary, Spicy, Chick Lit, Smut, Dark Romance

79 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 19, 2024

About the author

Adele Knight likes her red wine with chocolate and her sweet romances with lots of heat. Her spicy stories are a bedtime treat with enough spark to warm your sheets and alluring characters to make you beg for more.
When she's not writing, Adele can be found lost in other fantasy worlds. Whether it's a hairy beast and a talking candle-stick or black leather and heels, Adele loves her heroines feisty and her heroes irresistible.
Check out her website for upcoming releases www.AdeleKnight.com.
Contact her at Adele@AdeleKnight.com

Reviews

[CriSsStina · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

- Cute cover 🥰
- Interesting trope, she's his temporary assistant and an avid reader and reviewer, and he is her workaholic hot boss
- Quick and spicy read 💥
- I know this is a novella, but the ending was really rushed, and I'm referring here to the last 15-20% of the book; an extra epilogue maybe, to show them down the road with their relationship, would have been just perfect 👌; I see this book with an HFN ending ... I needed more in order to be 100% confident that they have their never-ending HEA 😂

I'll maybe try some other reads in this series since I already grabbed a few as freebies on Amazon. They look like fun, palate cleansers 😁😁.


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I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Grace Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Adele Knight can always manage to get me out of a book slump

The spice as always was 🥵🥵 It was short sweet and spicy and the hea just made it better. The perfect book to get you out of a slump

[Sienasummerrreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This follows Paige and Parker. Parker is the boss at a law firm and Paige works as his assistant. There are policies in place to not get into relations with employees. But Paige is leaving soon can he resist much longer?

What a quick fun spicy novella. Adele has a way of capturing your attention. I fall easy for the characters and the spice is just delicious. Loved how Paige is a spicy reader as well and just loves a good dominant man. I’m a sucker for a dominant man. Just read it if you want a good spicy time!

Genre/Type: Adult Romance 18+
APK: Kindle
Pages: 81
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Spice: 🌶️🌶️.5
Series or Stand Alone: Book Five In The He Sweet Seduction Series
Tropes or Themes: Workplace, Grumpy Sunshine, Forced Proximity, FMC Personal Assistant, Bratty FMC, Jealousy, Grand Gesture Sexual Content, Praise, Dirty Talk, Dom/Sub, Mirror Scene, Office Scene and Spanking
Mentions: Death Of Parents
Check Triggers ⚠️ 💫

All Round Romance Reader 
Sienasummerrreads 💕📚
TikTok | Instagram | Goodreads | StoryGraph | Everand | Amazon | Audible Reviews 💫

[Martina · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.7 ⭐

Ok, this has been an interesting day away from other duties and readings. Unfortunately novella n. #6 is still on the way, but I'll be back Miss Adele Knight, I'll be back...

These kinda remind me of the Hallmark movie franchise. The novellas are brief and predictable but nice and cozy. They grab your attention for that brief moment and give you what you crave, wrapped up in a happy ending, and then they're gone, just like that. Still, you can't not see them all and seek the ones you missed with your favourite actor/actress from that TV show you're obsessed with. 🩷

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ebook. Purchased. Fine for what it was, although the lack of discussion about protection and the MMC’s thoughts about ruining her plans by getting her pregnant gave me a slight ick.

[Lyv ˚♡˚ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short and sweet but this book was super lovely, Adele is my go-to when I’m travelling to and from work and this one didn’t disappoint! Can’t wait for Her Rockstar Ex!

[⚠️🎇TriggerWarningEnthusiast🔖📚👸🏾 · Rating 5 out of 5]

i loved this, it was so filthy & honestly written for TRUE romance fans. It has the sweetest most romantic plot. the grumpy vs sunshine trope is one of my faves and this one definitely did it justice! i have really enjoyed this author's writing, can't wait for her to come out with more books. I gave it 5 stars before i even got to the middle of the book! 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5🌶️big daddy peppers

[Sinful Bookwyrm · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was only 81pgs and I think 40 of them was STFUATTDLAGG. Am I mad....ummm no. But I do want you to know before go into this one. It does have a story line. It is about Paige who seem to be a temp agency requested assistant, and she is about to end her last assignment before she heads off Europe to work over there. But she doesn't stop fantasizing about her boss Parker. But he is all work and no play , well with himself only, and while thinking of Paige. Ughh don't you hate when they do that, it is like dude she wants you too.... But it would be a really short book. Anyways my thoughts and review. Spice was off the charts, story was cute and short, and over all it was a good lunch time read. I would read more from this author. Spice 5/5

[Positively Book Mad · Rating 5 out of 5]

The full review can be found on my book review blog: Positively Book Mad

I adore office romances, particularly those packed with spice, but when they incorporate the grumpy sunshine trope, I become completely engrossed. Paige had me hooked immediately; she’s a spice reader and reviewer, and with her new boss acting and looking the way he does, her books are all filthy office romances. She was waiting for her grumpy boss to finally give in and give her all the raunchy moments she so desperately craved, and oh my, does Mr Carlson deliver. Don’t worry, Paige wasn’t the only one obsessed; Parker has wanted her more and more every day, but you know, he can’t possibly breach the fraternisation policy. Until, of course, he blissfully does. There is so much to love about this novella; I squealed multiple times; obviously, I loved the epilogue so much; and the nod to Her Wild Roommate made me chuckle. This is another Five out of Five stars read and a definite reread, but now I’m craving more spicy office romances.

As with every novella in the Her Sweet Seduction series, this is an over-eighteen-year-old read. I’d recommend Her Grumpy Boss to those who love office romances, the grumpy-sunshine trope, a bratty female main character, a slightly possessive and jealous male main character that has a lovely sweet side when he not only falls first but harder, both main characters having a filthy mouth, and a delightful mix of humour in amongst all of the heat. If you love it when the female main character is not only a reader but also a reviewer, you are particularly going to love this, and if you love HEAs, don’t worry, Adele Knight always delivers, and she especially delivered this time because Parker has found his way into my book-boyfriend collection. I finished this novella last week, and how much I already want to reread it is ridiculous. I cannot wait for the next instalment of this series, Her Rockstar Ex, which is coming out in a few months.

[Veronica Cruz · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ One of my favorite things about this series is the connection to the romance genre. The resolution at the end is also perfect and again love the way it brings romance tropes to life. I wish we saw more of their relationship develop like in the other stories of this series but still a fun short read.

[Jess Bohanick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imagine your hot, grumpy boss deciding to help you bring all those bookish fantasies to life… yeah, this one delivers.

Adele Knight is always my go-to for the perfect palate cleanser, and this audiobook absolutely went from sizzle to scorch. It’s quick, addictive, and hits all the right notes without overstaying its welcome.

Don’t let the short length fool you—this one definitely satisfies. 😉🔥

[cara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Could have been more enjoyable if he didn’t have an ex fiance who he clearly loved at some point

[Alexandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75⭐️

[alina; · Rating 2 out of 5]

i wanted to cleanse the palette and read something short and spicy, so i hoped this book would be perfect. and it's not the worst but it's badly written. i wanted to give it 2.5 stars, but everything about it is so underdeveloped that i couldn't. it had the potential and sadly, that's it.

[Curvy Girl Book Nerd (Jen S) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her Grumpy Boss is part of the Her Sweet Seduction series. It's a short and steamy, instalove, OTT, grumpy-sunshine girl gets her boss romance. Paige is a smart and sassy temporary office assistant. She is also a spicy book blogger and reviewer with an obsession with the grumpy boss trope. Parker is an attorney and her hunky, grumpy boss. Paige is working for Parker for 3 months temporarily and then has a 1 year trip planned to Europe. The two are insanely attracted to each other, but Parker has a strict no fraternization policy. He had planned to potentially have a fling with her after her 3 month assignment was over, not realizing she was leaving. The two finally give into their attraction, and things get hot and steamy fast. But what happens when real feelings develop and she leaves? Their chemistry was hot 🔥 hot 🔥 hot 🔥 and after some angst, we got a great HEA. I loved the snarky and flirty banter, too! I loved it!!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Special Edition Book Addict · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the blurb for this book and I was very intrigued, but then I saw that it was only 79 pages and I got very disappointed. I love me a sexy, grumpy boss and an office romance book…with more than 250 pages (this is generally my preference). So, even though I had my doubts that this novella could be good, with all the spiciness and conflict needed to keep me interested, I decided to take a chance on this novella.

I am glad I did take the chance. Adele Knight has incorporated all that is needed to make a good novel into a short novella. Will I always wish this was a full length book? Of course! However, I think this novella is still brilliant.

I love the tension and the teasing! Paige spends most of her three months trying to get Parker to crack a smile by leaving fun sticky notes - not at all considered “professional” in a prestigious law firm. It is so cute and the fact that he actually keeps them? Makes me swoon!

The only con I can mention (to me it is very minor and an easy fix, but can be major to other readers - no judgement either way!) is a one or two spelling errors and a redundant sentence. It does not take away from the enjoyment of this book in any way, shape or form! Still an amazing book that I highly recommend!!

—an emptiness I hadn’t noticed until three months ago when Paige entered my life three months ago.

Knight, Adele . Her Grumpy Boss (Her Sweet Seduction) (p. 66). (Function). Kindle Edition.

I will also mention that I would rate the spiciness a 4/5 chilli peppers!

“Miss Grier, I asked you a question. I expect an answer.”
She bites her bottom lip and nods.
I reach for the button on my pants. “Then get on your knees.”

Knight, Adele . Her Grumpy Boss (Her Sweet Seduction) (p. 40). (Function). Kindle Edition.

Looking for a quick, spicy read? Love office romance? Inappropriate (sexy and suspenseful) locations for spicy time? Sexy, grumpy, dominating (but sweet) bosses? Then this is a book you should most definitely take the time to read! You will not be disappointed.

Happy reading! 📖

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Warning: may cause blushing at your desk

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ for the story by Adele Knight

My favorite quotes:

"What does STFUATTDLAGG mean?" I whisper at my screen.

The nights are like Niagara Falls, bursting all over my fist.

What I loved:
📚how I can relate with the FMC, who is an avid romance reader and reviewer
📝the dedication For bookTok
🎭the delicious word play: Niagara Falls, c*ck drunk,...
🫂I was pleasantly surprised by this novella being dual POV, which is a first in this series
🌈how she annoys him in her own bratty way, by using colorful fun stick notes on his files
📒how he cannot throw away his collection of her annoying sticky notes
✒️how he is obsessed with her ankle tattoo

What you need to know:
📚standalone, part of Her Sweet Seduction series🍭
⏰novella
🫂dual POV
🌶️slow burn, high spice
☀️grumpy x sunshine
🏢boss x assistant
🌀workaholic x temp
💻forced proximity
🥺secret yearning
⛓️dom/brat vibes
🗣️she calls him Mr. Carlson
✅low angst
❤️HEA

For the safety squad:
🦺no condom, no safe sex talk

[Marsha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Her Grumpy Boss is a novella in Her Sweet Seduction Series by Adele Knight. Paige Grier is a temp secretary for Carlson Peterson Attorneys at Law. She has naughty fantasies involving her grumpy boss. Paige is an avid reader and reviewer of office romance books. She thinks about her grumpy boss while reading spicy scenes at night. She is trying to get to Carlson before her contract is up as his temp. There is a policy at work with no-fraternization allowed. Paige hasn't noticed, but Carlson has been watching her. He has noticed things like the sticky notes (he has a collection in his desk drawer) the tattooed tiny heart on her inner left ankle. Carlson is very attracted to Paige, but he is holding back. Paige is a fun person and a brat at times. Carlson is a grumpy, sexy boss. This is a steamy, short read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lyn Brownlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Short but very spicy 🌶️
I love Adele’s short novella’s in her Sweet Seduction series.
They are always fun and oh so spicy.
This story was quick, steamy and I absolutely loved it.
It follows temp Paige who has bowled into Parker’s life (or “Mr Carlson” as she likes to call him) as his assistant and turned his world upside down.
She has no qualms about giving him trouble with little sticky notes in his files and the sass around the office.
She’s gorgeous and amazing at her job and their chemistry is off the charts.
Pity that he has a strict no fraternising policy as Paige who reviews romance books, would love to make all her fantasies of the grumpy boss scenario come true.
Maybe there is a way they can make it happen?
There’s a time line though as Paige is leaving for a year long trip through Europe in two days.
Will they want more once they have indulged?
Do they get their happy ending?
I had the absolute pleasure of listening to the audiobook that was narrated by Savannah Peachwood and Teddy Hamilton.
Oh boy, did their performance steam up my earphones.
So good!
Great storyline for such a short book and I loved the characters.
Thank you Adele Knight for the opportunity to listen to your story.

[Michelle Frater · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, you learn something new every day. I don’t think I’ll forget that acronym in a hurry. It was kind of fun to read about a woman who reviews smutty books and is almost obsessed with the grumpy boss, office romance trope, when she is living it in real life. Paige has been trying to tempt her boss to cross the line since she got the job, but with only a few days to go on her contract, she’s given up hope. Parker Carlson seemed to have a stick up his “you know what”, but perhaps that was just him trying to resist temptation. He was a very by-the-books kind of guy. Until he wasn’t. They had some pretty spicy scenes, I particularly liked to one where Paige surprised Parker in his apartment when she used her pass key. He obviously liked her blog. In a way the ending was a bit too slick, with too many coincidences that allowed Parker to find Paige, but hey, this is a romance and who doesn’t like a HEA.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Claudia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a short, bite-sized story (the kind you can easily read in under an hour) and it knows exactly what it wants to be. No filler, no unnecessary detours, just straight to the point.

The pacing is fast and efficient, almost unapologetically so. Blink and you’re already deep into the dynamic, which works perfectly for this kind of novella. It doesn’t try to be more than it is, and honestly, that’s part of the charm.

Also… excellent use of STFUATTDLAGG 😅
If you know, you know... and if you love that trope, this book delivers exactly what you’re looking for.

The tension between Paige and "Mr. Carlson"/Parker is spot on: sharp, intense, and genuinely satisfying. Their chemistry carries the entire story, and it never feels flat or forced. It’s very much a “we’re here for this” kind of read, and it succeeds.

Final thoughts:
Quick, spicy, trope-forward, and fun. Not life-changing, not deep; but absolutely effective at what it sets out to do. Perfect when you want something short, punchy, and satisfying without commitment.

[LuLu Belle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let me start by saying, this series of novellas is one of my favorites!! It is just the perfect amount of story and spice and has been the best slump breaker for me. I was lucky enough to get an early ALC of this one and, add to that the fact that it is Teddy Hamilton and Savannah Peachwood and you've got a recipe for PERFECTION!!

One of the best parts about this series, the title tells you everything you need to know!! A grumpy (and sexy) boss... how wonderful!!

Paige works as a temporary assistant for Parker but, in her spare time, she is an avid reader who reviews spicy books online. Her current obsession? Books about spicy office romance (hmm, I wonder why??) But, unfortunately, Parker is a stickler for rules and has a no fraternization rule for his office. With a bad romance in his past, the last thing he wants is to get involved with anyone, let alone his current obsession, his assistant.

Again, the books in this series are just quick little yummy reads but, there is so much story still in under 100 pages.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seducing the Boss . . .

Paige is a temp who works at a law firm for a perpetually grumpy boss, the managing partner Parker Carlson. Since she can’t make him smile, she chooses to irritate him in subtle ways on a daily basis. She isn’t worried about losing her job since no one else has been able to put up with the grouchy man except her. His growls actually turn her on! Now with two days left before she leaves for her European working vacation, she has to figure out how to seduce him to maintain her perfect record. With her reviews on social media comparing her boss to her sexy book boyfriends, maybe she should let the secret out to one of the office workers to see if it gets back to him? But apparently he has his own rule against fraternizing and he has never crossed that line. Too bad she has never noticed how he looks at her. Will she be able to seduce him before she has to leave? And if she can, will he want to let her go?

[Tima · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paige, the female lead, has nearly finished a short term contract as an executive assistant. Her boss, Mr Carlson, the male lead, is the epitome of grumpy and she’s been trying to win a smile from him since she started. But he’s determinedly sticking to his personal no-fraternisation policy…

This short story is dual POV, well written and edited, and a funny, steamy sweet, contemporary office romance. I enjoyed Paige’s bratty happiness that challenged and intrigued Mr Carlson. I enjoyed his gradual realisation that he could have happiness in his life as well as achieving his goals. I enjoyed the steamy intimate scenes and the playfulness of the relationship development. Another great fun, fast, contemporary escape from this author.

I received a complimentary copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[A79senlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paige Grier has been working for attorney Parker Carlson for 3 months, believing her crush to be one-sided. In reality, his temp has been tempting Parker to break his self-imposed “no fraternization” policy since day 1. Now that she’s 2 days away from leaving the country for a year, he’s about to lose his chance to see what’s underneath her curve-hugging office attire. Once he finally gives in, he realizes he wants more than one amazing night with her, but with her departure imminent, will she slip through his fingers?

This is my first book from this author and I am hooked! Three-dimensional and likable characters, boiling-hot smexy scenes and an actual plot (one that references the very tropes contained within!) — how can I not want more?.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Bookish Bowen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️
🌶🌶🌶🌶
Vibes - Fine

Bratty assistant lives out her book boyfriend fantasy with her boss
Paige has been reading too many smutty romance books, as if such a thing is possible, and has got really into office romances since she started working for her hot, grumpy, workaholic boss. She posts her video reviews online and her boss finds it. She even catches him getting off to one of her videos. I like that this is dual POV so we can see how obsessed he is with her to. I think the ending moved to fast. His grand gesture has him moving half way round the world after one deep conversation and one weekend of hot sex. I get that it's a novella but it was too much too soon.

Tropes
-Grumpy/Sunshine
-Assistant
-Workplace

[Warfie · Rating 2 out of 5]

“Looking for anything in particular?”

“How to Become a Nun for Dummies.”

🌟2.25 Stars🌟
This is now my third novella by her and I can say that if I see her name, I will more likely read it. Low stakes spice that short sweet and has a straightforward plotline. Gets to a meta point of a bookworm reading about a bookworm who refuses to let anyone forget she is a bookworm while keeping her true bookworm-ness away from the folks in her actual life. But like I said about her other short stories, a really good way to get out of a slump.

Side comment: not too gung-ho about the wanting to get her pregnant to lock her into a relationship (even if it is later mirrored by her a few chapters later), that did not sit well with me at all even though you see it coming right out the gate from his first chapter pov.

[Sharon in SF · Rating 4 out of 5]

The books in this series are short, spicy novellas featuring a variety of tropes. In Her Grumpy Boss, Paige Grier has been working as the temporary assistant to the grumpy and staid Parker Carlson at his law firm. Her contract with the firm ends in a few days and before she leaves, Paige is determined to seduce her grumpy boss. Parker is a dedicated workaholic who's struggling with the non-fraternization policy he instituted since he's also harbored fantasies about Paige. After learning she's leaving the country when her contract completes, Parker uses a loophole to indulge both their fantasies.

Narrator Savannah Peachwood brings a playful and spicy edge to Paige's character, and Teddy Hamilton does a fantastic growly Parker who eventually succumbs to Paige's charms. A fun story to listen to with these amazing voice actors!

[Manda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paige has a plan and it doesn't involve falling for her grumpy boss. Just because he's handsome, intelligent and driven and she's spent the last few months tormenting him with her sunshine attitude and sparkly sticky notes is still not enough of a reason to derail her plan.

Parker is so work focused there isn't time for anything else. That is until his temporary assistant threatens to derail his control. When he finally gives in it's only to find she'll be gone in a few days. Time to make a decision.

A wonderful, sweet, steamy office romp between two likeable but different individuals. An enjoyable, fun read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[destiny · Rating 4 out of 5]

absolutely ate this tf up 🥵
that dedication page was so cute :) “for booktok”
PLEASEEEE I LOVE IT !!

the way i was in the mood for a little office romance and then i read the blurb for this and IMMEDIATELY CRACKED IT OPEN 🖤💋 and the fact that paige is just like me for real 😭 miss girl be reading the filthiest, most unholy books and goes on to her little bookish accounts to review about it. i love her so much and definitely needed more.

now mr. carlson 🙂‍↔️🥵
“what are you doing?”
“being your grumpy boss and dirty book boyfriend in one.”
I SCREAMEDDDDD !!! he’s so HIM. i immediately fell for him when paige said he was grumpy. but then this man really keeps her little notes in his drawer because he’s obsessed ?! stop i want him.

🌶️🌶️🌶️