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Heirs of Damon #3
Engaging the Boss
For years, Jonathan Damon has buried himself in his scientific research, but now his uncle threatens to pull the funding for his lab unless Jonathan makes strides toward marriage and family. So he decides to bring a fake fiancee to his cousin's wedding to mollify his uncle. And the only convenient candidate for this particular experiment is Sarah.
Sarah has been Jonathan's assistant for years, and she knows he's never thought of her in any other way. She's happy to play the part of his fiancee, but being thrown into unusual intimacy with her brilliant, sexy boss stirs up feelings she has never been able to admit before.
If only those feelings could be returned...
An alternate cover edition can be found here.
Sarah has been Jonathan's assistant for years, and she knows he's never thought of her in any other way. She's happy to play the part of his fiancee, but being thrown into unusual intimacy with her brilliant, sexy boss stirs up feelings she has never been able to admit before.
If only those feelings could be returned...
An alternate cover edition can be found here.
197 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 15, 2014
About the author
Noelle Adams
128 books2,451 followersNoelle handwrote her first romance novel in a spiral-bound notebook when she was twelve, and she hasn't stopped writing since. She has lived in eight different states and currently resides in Virginia, where she teaches English, reads any book she can get her hands on, and offers tribute to a very spoiled cocker spaniel.
She loves travel, art, history, and ice cream. After spending far too many years of her life in graduate school, she has decided to reorient her priorities and focus on writing contemporary romances.
She loves travel, art, history, and ice cream. After spending far too many years of her life in graduate school, she has decided to reorient her priorities and focus on writing contemporary romances.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 275 reviews
November 22, 2021
Sarah was a smart, independent woman but her feelings for her boss had her tied in knots. Watching her with him and his family was fun but watching her deal with him when it came to his issues with that family was precious. I enjoyed the way her self confidence grew even as her relationship with Johnathan grew.
A hero that is geeky, introverted and yet all alpha when it comes to wanting and claiming his woman, is not an easy find. Johnathan was that hero. He’s not bossy or domineering, but holy heck, when he thinks Sarah and his cousin have something going on, he lets his possessive side shine. And when it’s time to confess his feelings, it was totally swoony in a fun, humorous way that made it all the sweeter.
Dual POV
Safe
Triggers
A hero that is geeky, introverted and yet all alpha when it comes to wanting and claiming his woman, is not an easy find. Johnathan was that hero. He’s not bossy or domineering, but holy heck, when he thinks Sarah and his cousin have something going on, he lets his possessive side shine. And when it’s time to confess his feelings, it was totally swoony in a fun, humorous way that made it all the sweeter.
Dual POV
Safe
Triggers
Want to read
May 12, 2019🎁 FREE on iBooks today (5/12/2019)! 🎁
April 4, 2014
Reviewed @ Enticed by Books
I’m not going to mention the word “slump” at all in this review because in this case, it was the book, not me! Engaging the Boss promised a story that couldn’t have been more perfect for me. A nerdy scientist born in a filthy rich family who needs to pretend to be engaged to his assistant for a week to please his darling (stubborn old nosy man!) uncle. (A) The guy was a doctor! Smart, hot and very polite, although too polite and quite at times. (B) They couple had to pretend to be lovey dovey for the guy’s cousins wedding. I love arranged marriages and pretentious relationships are basically modern day arrange marriage. Right? And finally (C) The guy was rich, but not a show off by any means. Respect and a lot of appreciation for that. And one more (D) The girl had body issues and never thought of herself as a pretty woman that men desire. I like how real her doubts and insecurities felt because doesn’t everyone have those thoughts about themselves at some point in their life? Everything about this book sounded perfect, until I actually read the story and turned out, it wasn’t.
Jonathan has a very closed off and quite personality, to a stranger his actions might seem rude and even ignorant, but knowing a person like Jonathan in real life, I understood his personality the minute his character was introduced. Jonathan is not a very emotional person, small talks are certainly not for him and he doesn’t like when people are appreciative towards his good deeds. He’s the type of person who loves to not be a center of attention and just be fully immersed in his work at all times. Being anti-social in a romance book can be a buzzkill particularity when the hero is not even that open towards the love interest, which in turn makes the readers question the connection between the couple, and that is exactly how I felt towards Jonathan and Sarah. I couldn’t see why Sarah was so in love with Jonathan. Yes, he was very considerate towards Sarah’s needs, but how can you love someone who can’t even say that he loves you in return. Or better yet, someone who can’t even give you a proper proposal? Who can’t even say the words “Will you marry me?” and instead just stands there with a ring in a box, waiting for your answer to an unasked question. ?!? There was no romance between them whatsoever and that is why I’m very disappointed and especially hurt with this book! Seducing the Enemy and Playing the Playboy were both exceptionally great and extremely romantic read, Engaging the Boss was nothing compared to them or even by itself!
Halfway through the story, the main lead of the next book, fourth brother of the Damon clan, was introduced and I was so distracted by his mysterious character that I couldn’t even focus on Jonathan and Sarah. Ben was smokin HOTT!!! He had this air of mystery around him that made me crazy, I was dying to unravel the secrets behind that brooding, bad boy! In the previous book, we kept hearing about the fourth cousin living in America who hates the Damon family, so from the get go, I was very interested in meeting him, and now that we have met him in this book, I can’t wait to read his story! And ooh he’s going to have a good one to tell! Ah, so excited!
Engaging the boss was my least favorite book in Heirs of Damon series. The story was good, the characters were okay and the romance was so very invisible. Also, the ending wasn’t very complete. What did his uncle do after finding out the truth? Did Jonathan get another funders? Maybe we’ll know more than this in the next book. We’ll see. As for recommendation, this book is only 99 cents, so it’s not too bad for the price, but if you’re solely looking for a good, heartfelt story, then this is not it.
I’m not going to mention the word “slump” at all in this review because in this case, it was the book, not me! Engaging the Boss promised a story that couldn’t have been more perfect for me. A nerdy scientist born in a filthy rich family who needs to pretend to be engaged to his assistant for a week to please his darling (stubborn old nosy man!) uncle. (A) The guy was a doctor! Smart, hot and very polite, although too polite and quite at times. (B) They couple had to pretend to be lovey dovey for the guy’s cousins wedding. I love arranged marriages and pretentious relationships are basically modern day arrange marriage. Right? And finally (C) The guy was rich, but not a show off by any means. Respect and a lot of appreciation for that. And one more (D) The girl had body issues and never thought of herself as a pretty woman that men desire. I like how real her doubts and insecurities felt because doesn’t everyone have those thoughts about themselves at some point in their life? Everything about this book sounded perfect, until I actually read the story and turned out, it wasn’t.
Jonathan has a very closed off and quite personality, to a stranger his actions might seem rude and even ignorant, but knowing a person like Jonathan in real life, I understood his personality the minute his character was introduced. Jonathan is not a very emotional person, small talks are certainly not for him and he doesn’t like when people are appreciative towards his good deeds. He’s the type of person who loves to not be a center of attention and just be fully immersed in his work at all times. Being anti-social in a romance book can be a buzzkill particularity when the hero is not even that open towards the love interest, which in turn makes the readers question the connection between the couple, and that is exactly how I felt towards Jonathan and Sarah. I couldn’t see why Sarah was so in love with Jonathan. Yes, he was very considerate towards Sarah’s needs, but how can you love someone who can’t even say that he loves you in return. Or better yet, someone who can’t even give you a proper proposal? Who can’t even say the words “Will you marry me?” and instead just stands there with a ring in a box, waiting for your answer to an unasked question. ?!? There was no romance between them whatsoever and that is why I’m very disappointed and especially hurt with this book! Seducing the Enemy and Playing the Playboy were both exceptionally great and extremely romantic read, Engaging the Boss was nothing compared to them or even by itself!
Halfway through the story, the main lead of the next book, fourth brother of the Damon clan, was introduced and I was so distracted by his mysterious character that I couldn’t even focus on Jonathan and Sarah. Ben was smokin HOTT!!! He had this air of mystery around him that made me crazy, I was dying to unravel the secrets behind that brooding, bad boy! In the previous book, we kept hearing about the fourth cousin living in America who hates the Damon family, so from the get go, I was very interested in meeting him, and now that we have met him in this book, I can’t wait to read his story! And ooh he’s going to have a good one to tell! Ah, so excited!
Engaging the boss was my least favorite book in Heirs of Damon series. The story was good, the characters were okay and the romance was so very invisible. Also, the ending wasn’t very complete. What did his uncle do after finding out the truth? Did Jonathan get another funders? Maybe we’ll know more than this in the next book. We’ll see. As for recommendation, this book is only 99 cents, so it’s not too bad for the price, but if you’re solely looking for a good, heartfelt story, then this is not it.
January 25, 2015
This was a nice, cute read. It features Sarah and Jonathan. Jonathan's uncle has funded their research lab for years but now thinks that Jonathan focuses too much on research rather than finding that one person who completes him. Sarah is Jonathan's assistant and has been for years. She has always appreciated the things that Jonathan does to show he cares. She understands Jonathan more than any other person because she has spent late hours working next to him in the lab. When Jonathan confides in her about his uncle's concerns, and his threat to pull the lab's funding, she comes up with the idea of a fake fiance to throw him off the scent and secure their funding. Jonathan can think of no one to take the role so Sarah volunteers herself. But in the course of this charade, he falls deeper and deeper under her spell. They have a misunderstanding but he makes it up to her in an amazing way.
The plot is fun and flows well. There are minor hitches that make the flow almost stiff at times but not enough to really detract from the story. Jonathan does have some moments of possessiveness and jealousy but I wouldn't exactly label him as over-the-top possessive. Sarah is a little unsure of herself but grows more confident in herself and what she wants from life. I loved watching her grow into a more confident woman. You don't necessarily need to read the series to understand this story but if you like to have the back-story of all of the secondary characters then I would suggest starting with the first one. Overall, this was a fun, cute read.
The plot is fun and flows well. There are minor hitches that make the flow almost stiff at times but not enough to really detract from the story. Jonathan does have some moments of possessiveness and jealousy but I wouldn't exactly label him as over-the-top possessive. Sarah is a little unsure of herself but grows more confident in herself and what she wants from life. I loved watching her grow into a more confident woman. You don't necessarily need to read the series to understand this story but if you like to have the back-story of all of the secondary characters then I would suggest starting with the first one. Overall, this was a fun, cute read.
May 22, 2020
2,5 stars Awkward
Many scene in this book just awkward
I can’t name them one by one but if you passed 30 - 40 % chapter you will survived
This kind of big family with money and after years no contact they get together and seems fine and finally get a long very well
The story on main character itself pretty basic between boss and assistant, while the h has been living with her secret love towards him for years - H has no clue at all
H is just pretty clueless of everything
The big Awkward moment for me is their first sex encounter .....
I know even the performance is out of the charts
Many scene in this book just awkward
I can’t name them one by one but if you passed 30 - 40 % chapter you will survived
This kind of big family with money and after years no contact they get together and seems fine and finally get a long very well
The story on main character itself pretty basic between boss and assistant, while the h has been living with her secret love towards him for years - H has no clue at all
H is just pretty clueless of everything
The big Awkward moment for me is their first sex encounter .....
I know even the performance is out of the charts
April 8, 2016
Apparently there are other books in this series about the Damon family, which I'm not sure I'll read. The most intriguing of the cousins may be Ben, but that book's not out yet.
This is a story of how a PhD lab assistant falls in love with her boss... and everyone knows it but the boss. He's from the wealthy Damon family and he's getting pressure from the uncle who was his guardian after his parents died to get married, etc. They come up with a scheme with her as the fake fiancé for a family wedding.
He doesn't know how to communicate, or understand love because his parents weren't loving and they died when he was eleven... blah blah blah. I've read this before and there's nothing new here. Characters weren't developed. She has issues thinking she's not pretty, but she's beautiful. Snoozefest. There were some interesting love scenes, although I've read hotter.
It wasn't so bad that I stopped reading, but I was hoping it would get better. It didn't.
This is a story of how a PhD lab assistant falls in love with her boss... and everyone knows it but the boss. He's from the wealthy Damon family and he's getting pressure from the uncle who was his guardian after his parents died to get married, etc. They come up with a scheme with her as the fake fiancé for a family wedding.
He doesn't know how to communicate, or understand love because his parents weren't loving and they died when he was eleven... blah blah blah. I've read this before and there's nothing new here. Characters weren't developed. She has issues thinking she's not pretty, but she's beautiful. Snoozefest. There were some interesting love scenes, although I've read hotter.
It wasn't so bad that I stopped reading, but I was hoping it would get better. It didn't.
November 8, 2022
3.5 - 3.75 stars
I enjoyed this book. I liked our main heroine Sarah, but I couldn't connect with the hero - he was too aloof.
But I liked the academic vibe, the rest of the Damon family, and the storyline.
I enjoyed this book. I liked our main heroine Sarah, but I couldn't connect with the hero - he was too aloof.
But I liked the academic vibe, the rest of the Damon family, and the storyline.
February 2, 2015
Great romantic story but the H was just a bit too unemotional and almost robotic. Hard to get any warm fuzziness from a romance with that.
March 26, 2014
Jonathan Demon is scientist.He's also gorgeous geek guy and one in the heirs of Damon.His uncle (whose I forgot his name) threatens to pull funding for his lab if Jonathan doesn't settle down...
Jonathan can't let that happened
So Sarah ,Jonathan's assistant, steps in and suggest that she could be fake fiancé for him.Sarah love her boss and she knows this's wrong.
anyway she wants to help him.
But after spend a week together, will this fake thing end or turn to be real?
4.25 stars.
what I don't like
thing i like
Jonathan isn't tall, dark, rugged type of H.
He's geek guy and that made him different.He's single-minded and do everything seriously.Because Jonathan isn't good with word,so he chooses to express everything by doing and not want anything in return.
I love him because he's sweet and thoughtful.
Thing I also loved about Jonathan
Because He's hard to read, no one tried hard enough to break his wall
until Sarah.
Sarah is a scientist.
She grown up in the full of love family.So she is sweet and optimistic.
She admired her boss and eventually falling in love with him.
She works with Jonathan for years so she could understand him more than other could. With her openness and caring,she changes Jonathan
Their chemistry might not rock
But They are definitely born for each other.
“Love you,” he mumbled, when she nestled against his side.
“You don’t have to tell me every minute of the day,” she mumbled, although the words made her shiver with pleasure, joy, and excitement.
“Oh. M’okay.” His arm tightened around her briefly before he relaxed again.
Feeling a little more awake, she added, “But feel free to say it as much as you want.”
“Love you.”
She smiled as she stretched out against his big, warm body. “I love you too.”
This novel is sweet and tender.
The pace is not too slow or too fast.
This is just perfect :)
another must read book of Noelle Adams
July 13, 2021
I find Noelle's books very comforting. It's that kind of feel-good romance, totally safe without any huge drama surrounding the MCs. On the other hand, it doesn't give me any chills, but sometimes that's exactly what I need.
In this book, the Hero is a typical scientist - nerdish, who can't talk to people and is unable to express himself properly. The heroine has a big trouble with him throughout the whole book. Sarah doesn't know what to think and Jonathan doesn't make it easy for her, exactly. I thought this was pretty realistic - not every guy needs to be outgoing extrovert with 10 girls around him. In this case, I only doubt that the sex would be so perfect, IRL of course. But hey, in the book no problem! Let him be sex god / nerdy scientist :-D
February 1, 2015
This was an enjoyable read. A heroine who has had a crush on her clueless genius boss and then a pretend engagement is fun stuff. The hero is a bit emotionially stunted. There are places in which this work in the story and other places in which it makes him unattractive as he makes strange assumptions about his family.
There are nice details of a childhood game and a secret garden.
I will keep reading the writer although she has yet to find her full stride with me, I am always intrigued.
There are nice details of a childhood game and a secret garden.
I will keep reading the writer although she has yet to find her full stride with me, I am always intrigued.
March 27, 2017
A sweet fast read. Noelle Adams is the author I will always go to for comfort reads. And she have never failed to deliver.
I like the flawed but lovable hero, I like the strong heroine, I like the cute dialogue and also like the unconventional refreshing relationship the couple had.
Well done.
I like the flawed but lovable hero, I like the strong heroine, I like the cute dialogue and also like the unconventional refreshing relationship the couple had.
Well done.
October 4, 2015
Sem nada de muito novo, nem uma história por aí além, é uma boa leitura para uma tarde de sábado em que a constipação não permite muito mais :)
November 2, 2019
2,5 Sterne.
Im Grunde wieder völlig solide erzählt, wie Noelle Adams das halt gut kann! Allerdings war die Motivation der Protagonistin für die "Fake-Verlobung" leider ziemlich wackelig (vielleicht find ich auch einfach nur unerwiderte Liebe blöd...). Außerdem haben sich viele Szenen eher nacherzählt angefühlt. Die Erzählart allgemein hat mich irgendwie auf Distanz gehalten...
Im Grunde wieder völlig solide erzählt, wie Noelle Adams das halt gut kann! Allerdings war die Motivation der Protagonistin für die "Fake-Verlobung" leider ziemlich wackelig (vielleicht find ich auch einfach nur unerwiderte Liebe blöd...). Außerdem haben sich viele Szenen eher nacherzählt angefühlt. Die Erzählart allgemein hat mich irgendwie auf Distanz gehalten...
May 20, 2017
Found this lurking in my overdrive account, and though I'm pretty sure I've read it before, it came in handy recently, when I was too lazy to get out of bed and find a book, and nothing else on my phone would load.
It's pretty standard fare for Noelle Adams, and more likable and developed than some of her quicker series -- and as absolutely unrealistic as one could possibly hope in a romance about a geeky, inexplicably hot billionaire...
It's pretty standard fare for Noelle Adams, and more likable and developed than some of her quicker series -- and as absolutely unrealistic as one could possibly hope in a romance about a geeky, inexplicably hot billionaire...
November 22, 2021
She has been in love with him for a while, he sees her only as a his assistant.
Enjoyed this pretend to, storyline.
Jonathan is clueless, and this makes him not as likeable, as I wish.
Sarah is great.
Enjoyed this pretend to, storyline.
Jonathan is clueless, and this makes him not as likeable, as I wish.
Sarah is great.
December 1, 2020
Ok, so yes, the hero was a quiet, not really into communication type of guy. It was frustrating, especially since the heroine was also lacking in communication skills at times.
But what bothered me the most, that this was the least romantic fake engagement story I've ever read. They wasted so many opportunities to pretend to be engaged and try to fool the hero's family members. They could have attempted hugging, kissing, staying close to each other at parties, or paying any attention to each other whatsoever! Whenever the hero could manage to escape a family party, he would disappear to The Game Room and play video games by himself. Then they finally decide to spend a morning together alone, but then let a third wheel come along. It was just all so unromantic...
What I normally love about fake engagement stories is that the hero and heroine need to pretend to be enamoured of each other and you as the reader get to actually watch them notice each other for the first time and slowly fall in love. And I felt that that aspect of the story was missing.
Oh, and the little lusty scene in The Secret Garden, all I could think of was she had to have been a sloppy wet, sex-smelling mess in need of a shower before retuning to the party inside. He really should have also, or at least rinsed his mouth out or brushed his teeth. I'm sure they smelled great retuning to the dinner party afterwards, lol.
But what bothered me the most, that this was the least romantic fake engagement story I've ever read. They wasted so many opportunities to pretend to be engaged and try to fool the hero's family members. They could have attempted hugging, kissing, staying close to each other at parties, or paying any attention to each other whatsoever! Whenever the hero could manage to escape a family party, he would disappear to The Game Room and play video games by himself. Then they finally decide to spend a morning together alone, but then let a third wheel come along. It was just all so unromantic...
What I normally love about fake engagement stories is that the hero and heroine need to pretend to be enamoured of each other and you as the reader get to actually watch them notice each other for the first time and slowly fall in love. And I felt that that aspect of the story was missing.
Oh, and the little lusty scene in The Secret Garden, all I could think of was she had to have been a sloppy wet, sex-smelling mess in need of a shower before retuning to the party inside. He really should have also, or at least rinsed his mouth out or brushed his teeth. I'm sure they smelled great retuning to the dinner party afterwards, lol.
February 4, 2017
I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with Noelle Adams' books, they feel a bit old school romance to me (the heroines typically are virgins, or as good as, and the heroes are wealthy beyond your wildest dreams alphas) and they can be a little too sickly sweet for my liking. But free is free so I downloaded this onto my Kindle and started reading it last night.
Jonathan Damon is a scientist in Iceland and his lab is funded by his uncle Cyrus. His uncle wants all his nephews to find love and start producing the next generation of Damons and threatens to pull Jonathan's funding until he does. To secure his funding and get his uncle off his back, Jonathan says he already has a fiancée. Of course he doesn't but he asks his long-suffering assistant Sarah to pretend to be his fiancée and accompany him to his cousin's wedding in England. Jonathan is not a chatty Cathy and has trouble talking about his feelings. Sarah has always felt herself to be intelligent and capable but not very attractive.
Of course the house is so full that Jonathan's stuffy uncle Cyrus has put the engaged couple into a room with a double bed rather the separate rooms they were expecting. Soon Sarah and Jonathan are sleeping together in more ways than one - but neither is admitting their true feelings. Jonathan because he has trouble expressing any feelings, and Sarah because she feels Jonathan doesn't really have true feelings for her.
Of course this has all the expected stages of a fake engagement story - the 'other man' who provokes Jonathan's anger, the shopping trip which transforms Sarah from frumpy to entrancing, the moment of clarity and the exposure of the lie. I just lapped it all up. I had some issues with Jonathan getting on a flight from Reykjavik to New York without any apparent need for a passport (unless of course he's a man who carries it with him at all times when he's at work). But that's just me being picky.
Anyway. if you like a pleasant romance and/ or the fake engagement trope I'm sure you will like this too. And yes, I am going to read the others in the series!
Jonathan Damon is a scientist in Iceland and his lab is funded by his uncle Cyrus. His uncle wants all his nephews to find love and start producing the next generation of Damons and threatens to pull Jonathan's funding until he does. To secure his funding and get his uncle off his back, Jonathan says he already has a fiancée. Of course he doesn't but he asks his long-suffering assistant Sarah to pretend to be his fiancée and accompany him to his cousin's wedding in England. Jonathan is not a chatty Cathy and has trouble talking about his feelings. Sarah has always felt herself to be intelligent and capable but not very attractive.
Of course the house is so full that Jonathan's stuffy uncle Cyrus has put the engaged couple into a room with a double bed rather the separate rooms they were expecting. Soon Sarah and Jonathan are sleeping together in more ways than one - but neither is admitting their true feelings. Jonathan because he has trouble expressing any feelings, and Sarah because she feels Jonathan doesn't really have true feelings for her.
Of course this has all the expected stages of a fake engagement story - the 'other man' who provokes Jonathan's anger, the shopping trip which transforms Sarah from frumpy to entrancing, the moment of clarity and the exposure of the lie. I just lapped it all up. I had some issues with Jonathan getting on a flight from Reykjavik to New York without any apparent need for a passport (unless of course he's a man who carries it with him at all times when he's at work). But that's just me being picky.
Anyway. if you like a pleasant romance and/ or the fake engagement trope I'm sure you will like this too. And yes, I am going to read the others in the series!
June 14, 2016
"If she were ever in the position to give advice to other women, the first thing she would tell them was never fall in love with your boss. It was a hopeless, never-ending form of torture - to have the object of your affection always right there in front of you but never actually be able to claim him."
From the synopsis, I was already excited to read it.
For one, he is a billionaire.
Then the pretend to be engaged part.
And a bonus = He is her boss!
To be honest, this was the first book in the series that I read. I did not start with Harrison, I started with Jonathan. And I loved it!!
Seriously, I loved this book! I couldn't put it down. And the characters were so easy to like.
They cared for each other their own way. I liked that Jonathan was showing he cared about her with the little things; like the candies and fixing the broken chair. And for Sarah knowing her boss too well that she secretly loved him from before they started their ruse.
I must admit, I wanted more from this couple. And the end part, I also didn't like. I wanted more insight on what happened when they got back, when Jonathan was ignoring Sarah, and when Sarah was deciding to go back home to her parents. So, I think it ended abruptly. And these are the only ones I didn't like about it.
For the most part, I was happy with the book. It was interesting, funny, and sweet,
If you are looking for a fast, heart-warming read, this is the book for you.
"It's too hard a world to live in. The one where you always have to earn your place."
From the synopsis, I was already excited to read it.
For one, he is a billionaire.
Then the pretend to be engaged part.
And a bonus = He is her boss!
To be honest, this was the first book in the series that I read. I did not start with Harrison, I started with Jonathan. And I loved it!!
Seriously, I loved this book! I couldn't put it down. And the characters were so easy to like.
They cared for each other their own way. I liked that Jonathan was showing he cared about her with the little things; like the candies and fixing the broken chair. And for Sarah knowing her boss too well that she secretly loved him from before they started their ruse.
I must admit, I wanted more from this couple. And the end part, I also didn't like. I wanted more insight on what happened when they got back, when Jonathan was ignoring Sarah, and when Sarah was deciding to go back home to her parents. So, I think it ended abruptly. And these are the only ones I didn't like about it.
For the most part, I was happy with the book. It was interesting, funny, and sweet,
If you are looking for a fast, heart-warming read, this is the book for you.
"It's too hard a world to live in. The one where you always have to earn your place."
November 6, 2015
I read one Noelle Adams novels some time ago and enjoyed it immensely, so every time I have stumbled across one of her books I have downloaded it to my kindle and started it almost straight away. "Engaging the Boss" was a standard, slightly underdeveloped romance, which kind of grated on me throughout reading.
Sarah was just too perfect, dropping everything and being fabulous and looking amazing and being a friend to all. Like a Disney princess. Jonathan on the other hand was so absent that he didn't have a tangible character and I never warmed to him as a leading hero.
There was also a great deal of telling and not showing. Instead of Sarah going shopping with the girls and friendships developing through action and conversation, we were told that Sarah went shopping, and told that she was now friends with the girls. It felt very one-dimensional as a reader and didn't allow me access into the lead characters lives like you would hope.
Overall it was okay for an afternoon of reading that did not require much thought, but it wasn't anything more.
Sarah was just too perfect, dropping everything and being fabulous and looking amazing and being a friend to all. Like a Disney princess. Jonathan on the other hand was so absent that he didn't have a tangible character and I never warmed to him as a leading hero.
There was also a great deal of telling and not showing. Instead of Sarah going shopping with the girls and friendships developing through action and conversation, we were told that Sarah went shopping, and told that she was now friends with the girls. It felt very one-dimensional as a reader and didn't allow me access into the lead characters lives like you would hope.
Overall it was okay for an afternoon of reading that did not require much thought, but it wasn't anything more.
May 5, 2016
Once again, Noelle Adams has written a sweet, feel-good romance. It's an ideal book to read when you want a low-drama, happily-ever-after. I really liked the hero Jonathan. He wasn't this typical Alpha male, in fact he was actually a rather awkward intellectual. Jonathan never knows what to say, and feels very uncomfortable in social situations, but his awkward interactions were totally endearing.
Sarah was sweet, and seemed to genuinely care for the people around her. She wanted everybody to be happy. She was a good match for Jonathan and she loves him and all his geeky ways. Although Jonathan has trouble expressing himself, the caring things he does (like replacing her peppermints, and fixing her chair) are very sweet.
All-in-all it was a cute, quick read.
Sarah was sweet, and seemed to genuinely care for the people around her. She wanted everybody to be happy. She was a good match for Jonathan and she loves him and all his geeky ways. Although Jonathan has trouble expressing himself, the caring things he does (like replacing her peppermints, and fixing her chair) are very sweet.
All-in-all it was a cute, quick read.
April 11, 2015
this one was very special ! and deep! i was grabbed right from the start, when these two geeks are working in the lab and sarah is really like lab equipment to jonathan, you know. he does not notice her attractiveness. the man took his time. he was a geek after all and was not your usual womanizer. he lacked finesse wid women. i liked sarah's outward and direct manner. she was a geek too, and did not realise she was beautiful. she had a big inferiority complex and had a chip the size of mammoth on her shoulder! so how these two geeks find their way together admist jonathan's relatives is wonderful. awe-inspiring! the sex also was awesome! for two gauche geeks, they BURNT the sheets!
June 8, 2019
I really enjoyed this one! I wish I could give it a 4.5. For a contemporary romance, this was top of its game. I think there were a few parts that were slightly rushed, probably due to the length of the book, but overall it was fantastic. I loved the oblivious, hyper-focused male lead and the family dynamics with his uncle and cousins. I tend not to read contemporary romances, because I find that either I'm too critical of the genre or I just don't enjoy them for some reason, but this one completely pulled me in. It's the third in a series, but I didn't find that to be an issue, and I'm going to read the fourth one next.
May 14, 2019
Lovely story
Jonathan's and Sarah's story was a fun one to read. I appreciate that the story was told with a lot of dialogue, rather than with internal thinking. I loved the secret garden!
Stand alone HEA, with hints of other books. I hope there's a story about Uncle Cyrus, or at least some resolution with him and his nephews.
Contains sex scenes, few swear words, and no violence.
Jonathan's and Sarah's story was a fun one to read. I appreciate that the story was told with a lot of dialogue, rather than with internal thinking. I loved the secret garden!
Stand alone HEA, with hints of other books. I hope there's a story about Uncle Cyrus, or at least some resolution with him and his nephews.
Contains sex scenes, few swear words, and no violence.
October 15, 2014
Another great addition to the Damon family story. Jonathan is a sad, complex guy who needed one person to understand him. She understood him better than anyone. Its an interesting journey watching them get together and bonding with his family. There's another hard fought HEA but worth the trip. Noelle Adams dud it again. Looking forward to Ben's story.
April 1, 2017
4,5/5
I really need to start sleeping at night instead of reading whole books!
I absolutely loved this story! This is one of my favourites by Noelle Adams :D The characters are great and very relatable, the storyline is amazing and the character development is very realistic!
I really need to start sleeping at night instead of reading whole books!
I absolutely loved this story! This is one of my favourites by Noelle Adams :D The characters are great and very relatable, the storyline is amazing and the character development is very realistic!
May 19, 2014
Curious to see if Ben gets his own book and what happens with Uncle Gordon and Jonathan.
May 15, 2019
This ebook is free, which is part of why I read the blurb and then the esample. I liked it enough to give it a shot, and now I enjoyed it four stars; above average, below fantastic.
Above average:
Very often I don't like enough about a heroine, but Sarah's very good, if more forgiving than I am. Her deep understanding of her boss over years working with him made sense to me, as does her admiration for his work ethic and her delight that he wordlessly makes things nicer for her as they work. Jonathan's not a talkier. (Neither am I.) His character was shaped by a kind of neglect particularly damaging to the very intelligent, and the way he adapted to survive it is with actions. Neither feels desirable, neither is particularly brave emotionally. Aaaand, go.
If you despise when characters just won't talk, this one might make you crazy. I was wondering if I was going to end up growling when the airplane scene happened and saved the day.
Average:
Sarah should have been madder about Jonathan's accusation. That was genuinely insulting.
There was unnecessary verbiage. This is not a long book, so repetition is very much not necessary. There's some telling me what was felt rather than showing, when action is much more compelling to a reader. It's not terrible, and there were only three typos. Average. Plot's good enough. The science aspects are sketchy in that there wasn't anything specific, so don't look for that kind of interesting here. This is book three of four in the series, but it worked pretty well as a standalone.
Above average:
Very often I don't like enough about a heroine, but Sarah's very good, if more forgiving than I am. Her deep understanding of her boss over years working with him made sense to me, as does her admiration for his work ethic and her delight that he wordlessly makes things nicer for her as they work. Jonathan's not a talkier. (Neither am I.) His character was shaped by a kind of neglect particularly damaging to the very intelligent, and the way he adapted to survive it is with actions. Neither feels desirable, neither is particularly brave emotionally. Aaaand, go.
If you despise when characters just won't talk, this one might make you crazy. I was wondering if I was going to end up growling when the airplane scene happened and saved the day.
Average:
Sarah should have been madder about Jonathan's accusation. That was genuinely insulting.
There was unnecessary verbiage. This is not a long book, so repetition is very much not necessary. There's some telling me what was felt rather than showing, when action is much more compelling to a reader. It's not terrible, and there were only three typos. Average. Plot's good enough. The science aspects are sketchy in that there wasn't anything specific, so don't look for that kind of interesting here. This is book three of four in the series, but it worked pretty well as a standalone.
May 17, 2022
With the heroine, Sarah a scientist this put a modern spin on the old “pretend fiancé” trope - pretty successfully. Kudos to the author for touches like Jonathan’s comic books and video games.
I enjoyed most of the book - unrequited love is a guilty pleasure of mine, as is office romance. Plenty of emotion between the pages. Maybe too much talking in the sex scenes - obviously that’s a personal preference. Also, the secret garden sex scene with the lights that Jonathan had switched on when Ben was present gave me the image of sex on a lit baseball field. I pictured them exposed to anyone - including his uncle - who might walk in. Ugh.
Kudos for not wrapping Jonathan’s family issues up too neatly.
I enjoyed most of the book - unrequited love is a guilty pleasure of mine, as is office romance. Plenty of emotion between the pages. Maybe too much talking in the sex scenes - obviously that’s a personal preference. Also, the secret garden sex scene with the lights that Jonathan had switched on when Ben was present gave me the image of sex on a lit baseball field. I pictured them exposed to anyone - including his uncle - who might walk in. Ugh.
Kudos for not wrapping Jonathan’s family issues up too neatly.
June 20, 2019
The story was just "ok". It kinda read like a middle-schooler read. The usual neither man/woman character is speaking what they're thinking or feeling so they keep acting like ridiculous 12 year olds. I found myself rolling my eyes way too many times while reading this story. This is not for intelligent people as they will get frustrated quickly with the 2 main characters and their immature natures, which in all fairness could be because the author has opted to portray them as totally inadequate to love and relationships.
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