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Manhattan Bossholes #1
Una pareja (im)perfecta: Romance de opuestos al estilo multimillonario (Jefes multimillonarios de Manhattan nº 1)
Algunas personas se conocen de una forma muy bonita. Yo, en cambio, no le conocí, sino que choqué con él.
Cuando Vincent Forde embistió mi coche marcha atrás, esperé que, por lo menos, me pidiera perdón. En lugar de eso, me lanzó una mirada despectiva capaz de fundir el plomo, y reaccionó como si toda la culpa fuera mía.
Encantador, ¿verdad?
Con su traje caro, esa mirada intensa y un ego tan enorme como su cuenta corriente, Vincent es la definición andante de un jefe capullo engreído.
Había pensado que esa sería la última vez que vería al señor Demasiado Rico y Absurdamente Guapo, pero la vida tiene un sentido del humor muy peculiar. ¿Adivinas quién se presentó en la fiesta de compromiso de mi hermano, actuando como si fuera el dueño del lugar?
Sí, el señor Demasiado Sexi Para Conducir Bien, apoyado en la barra del bar como si estuviera posando para la revista GQ.
Creo que le odio a muerte.
Sin embargo, él quiere algo de mí. Necesita un ingrediente muy escaso para la nueva fragancia que lanzará su imperio de perfumes. Y el Señor Malhumorado está dispuesto a pagarme una cantidad ridícula de dinero para que le ayude a conseguirlo.
Ah, y también quiere que finja ser su novia. Como si él fuera algo remotamente parecido a un buen novio.
Tal vez Vincent sea el rey del ceño fruncido y tenga un ego desmesurado, pero me ha hecho una oferta que no puedo rechazar. Aunque eso signifique fingir que me gusta un hombre que me pone de los nervios.
Aun así, cuanto más fingimos, más se desdibuja la línea entre nuestra actuación y la realidad. Su encanto me fastidia, su seguridad en sí mismo es irritante, y su sonrisa me distrae demasiado.
Esto no era parte del plan. Se supone que debería odiarle, no desearle, pero fingir que soy la novia perfecta me está empezando a parecer demasiado real...
Una pareja (im)perfecta es un apasionante romance de enemigos a amantes, lleno de diálogos ágiles, una química ardiente y todos tus temas un novio multimillonario capullo, una relación fingida y el mejor amigo del hermano. Con un héroe gruñón y reservado, y una heroína más que dispuesta a bajarle los humos, prepárate para una tormenta perfecta de ingenio, tensión y giros inesperados.
Cuando Vincent Forde embistió mi coche marcha atrás, esperé que, por lo menos, me pidiera perdón. En lugar de eso, me lanzó una mirada despectiva capaz de fundir el plomo, y reaccionó como si toda la culpa fuera mía.
Encantador, ¿verdad?
Con su traje caro, esa mirada intensa y un ego tan enorme como su cuenta corriente, Vincent es la definición andante de un jefe capullo engreído.
Había pensado que esa sería la última vez que vería al señor Demasiado Rico y Absurdamente Guapo, pero la vida tiene un sentido del humor muy peculiar. ¿Adivinas quién se presentó en la fiesta de compromiso de mi hermano, actuando como si fuera el dueño del lugar?
Sí, el señor Demasiado Sexi Para Conducir Bien, apoyado en la barra del bar como si estuviera posando para la revista GQ.
Creo que le odio a muerte.
Sin embargo, él quiere algo de mí. Necesita un ingrediente muy escaso para la nueva fragancia que lanzará su imperio de perfumes. Y el Señor Malhumorado está dispuesto a pagarme una cantidad ridícula de dinero para que le ayude a conseguirlo.
Ah, y también quiere que finja ser su novia. Como si él fuera algo remotamente parecido a un buen novio.
Tal vez Vincent sea el rey del ceño fruncido y tenga un ego desmesurado, pero me ha hecho una oferta que no puedo rechazar. Aunque eso signifique fingir que me gusta un hombre que me pone de los nervios.
Aun así, cuanto más fingimos, más se desdibuja la línea entre nuestra actuación y la realidad. Su encanto me fastidia, su seguridad en sí mismo es irritante, y su sonrisa me distrae demasiado.
Esto no era parte del plan. Se supone que debería odiarle, no desearle, pero fingir que soy la novia perfecta me está empezando a parecer demasiado real...
Una pareja (im)perfecta es un apasionante romance de enemigos a amantes, lleno de diálogos ágiles, una química ardiente y todos tus temas un novio multimillonario capullo, una relación fingida y el mejor amigo del hermano. Con un héroe gruñón y reservado, y una heroína más que dispuesta a bajarle los humos, prepárate para una tormenta perfecta de ingenio, tensión y giros inesperados.
402 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 20, 2025
730 people are currently reading
706 people want to read
About the author
Leslie North
638 books1,531 followersNew to Leslie? Readers suggest starting with 'The Bossy One' (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C6BP3BBF) —Imagine a sunny Minnesotan Mary Poppins, employed by a grumpy Irish billionaire. The story is a blend of humor, revenge, passion, heartbreak, hope, and witty banter. As one reader put it, ‘This story had me squealing at the romantic moments and silly moments.’
Leslie North is the USA Today Bestselling pseudonym for a critically-acclaimed author of romantic comedies and contemporary romance. The anonymity allows her to fully express her creativity, especially in the romantic and fun sexy scenes!
In fact, she confesses to loving her fictional persona, Leslie North, more than her everyday self! Her bestselling books are known for their strong characters, particularly women who aren’t afraid to challenge an alpha bosshole. And the humor? So infectious, you’ll be laughing out loud in public!
Leslie’s love for romance began when she picked up a worn-out romance book from her local library. She started writing soon after, and as they say, the rest was history. She now resides in a cozy cottage on the British coast, enjoying long walks with her two Dalmatians, George and Fergie.
She LOVES reader feedback, and if you have any comments, don’t hesitate to contact her!
I'm Social Too:
Website: www.leslienorthbooks.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/leslienorthbooks
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@leslienorthcomments
Instagram:www.instagram.com/leslienorth_books
Leslie North is the USA Today Bestselling pseudonym for a critically-acclaimed author of romantic comedies and contemporary romance. The anonymity allows her to fully express her creativity, especially in the romantic and fun sexy scenes!
In fact, she confesses to loving her fictional persona, Leslie North, more than her everyday self! Her bestselling books are known for their strong characters, particularly women who aren’t afraid to challenge an alpha bosshole. And the humor? So infectious, you’ll be laughing out loud in public!
Leslie’s love for romance began when she picked up a worn-out romance book from her local library. She started writing soon after, and as they say, the rest was history. She now resides in a cozy cottage on the British coast, enjoying long walks with her two Dalmatians, George and Fergie.
She LOVES reader feedback, and if you have any comments, don’t hesitate to contact her!
I'm Social Too:
Website: www.leslienorthbooks.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/leslienorthbooks
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@leslienorthcomments
Instagram:www.instagram.com/leslienorth_books
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 344 reviews
December 7, 2025
DNF at 20%.
Read this if you enjoy:
✍️ crap writing - tons of telling, no showing
⏰ time skips - passing by seemingly important scenes
🗣️ banter - the non-funny, mean kind that make you go 🤨
🧴fragrance CEO hero - that’s a surface-level asshole with no personality
📸 photographer heroine - that’s petty, nonprofessional and no personality
Unless someone can convince me otherwise, I will go with that this was Ai-written. I will also assume that the high ratings on this author’s books are ARC supporters. There is absolutely no way that this is 5-star quality storytelling or character development. I can’t delete this one fast enough. 🚮
Finishing the year out strong with another BR attempt with my girl, Olga 🍷
Read this if you enjoy:
✍️ crap writing - tons of telling, no showing
⏰ time skips - passing by seemingly important scenes
🗣️ banter - the non-funny, mean kind that make you go 🤨
🧴fragrance CEO hero - that’s a surface-level asshole with no personality
📸 photographer heroine - that’s petty, nonprofessional and no personality
Unless someone can convince me otherwise, I will go with that this was Ai-written. I will also assume that the high ratings on this author’s books are ARC supporters. There is absolutely no way that this is 5-star quality storytelling or character development. I can’t delete this one fast enough. 🚮
Finishing the year out strong with another BR attempt with my girl, Olga 🍷
December 7, 2025
More like Crashing into a brick hard wall of eye rolls and sighs.
Dnf at 20% for the following reasons:
1. The MCs weren't even likeable
2. He was a true asshole, not grumpy, not broody just plain rude.
3. She was snarky, disrespectful and came off as childish.
4. The writing is atrocious, think AI generated.
5. So many time skips, thus we didn’t have any cute and entertaining bantering.
6. She hated him. He immensely disliked her. They weren't even attracted to each other yet she shivers when he comes closer to her and he feels horny when she's around. 🙄🙄🙄 God save me from the insta-lust trope 🤦♀️
Failed BR attempt with my bestie Lori 🌺
Dnf at 20% for the following reasons:
1. The MCs weren't even likeable
2. He was a true asshole, not grumpy, not broody just plain rude.
3. She was snarky, disrespectful and came off as childish.
4. The writing is atrocious, think AI generated.
5. So many time skips, thus we didn’t have any cute and entertaining bantering.
6. She hated him. He immensely disliked her. They weren't even attracted to each other yet she shivers when he comes closer to her and he feels horny when she's around. 🙄🙄🙄 God save me from the insta-lust trope 🤦♀️
Failed BR attempt with my bestie Lori 🌺
June 30, 2025
Es de las primeras veces que yo escribo una reseña en Goodreads pero siento que este libro lo merece. después de pasar bastante tiempo sin tener muchas ganas de leer, he empezado este libro esta mañana y ya lo he terminado. Cuando lo he empezado ha sido porque me llamaba la atención la portada y ni siquiera sabía de qué iba. Pero ha superado todas mis expectativas.
La construcción de la relación de Piper y Vincent me ha parecido preciosa. Creo que es de las mejores romcoms que he leído, me parece graciosa y cliché en el buen sentido, justo lo que estaba buscando.
La declaración de amor de este libro simplemente me ha parecido brutal , creo que es una de las más bonitas que he leído. Porque a pesar de estar leyendo constantemente libros de romance siento que los libros actuales han perdido un poco esa esencia de romance puro.
Si estáis en un momento en el que no sabéis que leer os recomiendo muchísimo darle una oportunidad a este libro.
La construcción de la relación de Piper y Vincent me ha parecido preciosa. Creo que es de las mejores romcoms que he leído, me parece graciosa y cliché en el buen sentido, justo lo que estaba buscando.
La declaración de amor de este libro simplemente me ha parecido brutal , creo que es una de las más bonitas que he leído. Porque a pesar de estar leyendo constantemente libros de romance siento que los libros actuales han perdido un poco esa esencia de romance puro.
Si estáis en un momento en el que no sabéis que leer os recomiendo muchísimo darle una oportunidad a este libro.
December 9, 2024
3 Heliotrope Stars ⭐️
Spicy Level:🌶️.5/5
I struggled with this one, and I’m still battling with where I’m landing on my overall thoughts and feelings.
𝙎𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨:
This follows Piper Doyle, a photographer, who on the day of a photo shoot, gets into a car park accident where some asshole drives into her and makes it seem like it’s her fault. Later, at her brother’s engagement party, she meets "said asshole" again and realises he’s one of her brother’s best friends and a billionaire who owns a perfume company - Vincent Forde.
Vincent, trying to escape his crazy ex, persuades Piper to pretend to be his girlfriend. While seated at their table, they interact with a couple who own a farm in Hawaii that happens to have a perfect plantation of the missing flower ingredient Vincent needs for a new perfume he’s been struggling to source. But he messes up his first impression, and since they LOVE Piper - he strikes a deal with her. He’ll help her with the connection to start her new business if she helps him secure the flower from this couple, so she starts working for him all the while pretending they are dating.
𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙁𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨:
My main concern with this book is that some aspects just didn’t gel for me. First, I didn’t find their bickering or banter very cute. At times, it felt malicious and vicious rather than playful. I get that Vincent is a very "business-minded, focused billionaire; but honestly, the series title nailed it - he’s a total ass. I just didn’t see the appeal of him most of the time (but I do have to admit some aspects were cute)
Piper, on the other hand, is almost too talented. No matter what’s thrown at her, she just excels effortlessly. It’s like she’s spectacular at everything she does, and it feels a little unrealistic. For example, she steps into a creative director role at the company with ease, but where did those skills come from? Yes, she’s a photographer, but photographers specialise in different areas. She’s introduced as a wedding photographer, but suddenly, she’s also a product photographer, a high-fashion photographer, and an editorial photographer...all of which require very different skills, techniques, and expertise. It just didn’t make sense...
The dialogue, particularly the quips, also felt a bit fake. They came too easily and felt overly smart-alecky, making them come across as disingenuous. Overall, the characters felt like generic versions of classic stereotypes: the overly preppy, perfect-at-everything photographer trying to make her way in business, and the surly, grumpy billionaire with a bad grasp of his own emotions.
A lot of the story felt surface-level, missing the deeper emotional connection I needed. It felt like a diluted version of this type of romance, without enough standout moments to sell their chemistry, connection, or romance.
That said, I don’t regret reading it. It’s a sweet story, and if you’re looking for a workplace romance with some enemies-to-lovers vibes, it’ll give you what you want. However, it’s not going to blow you away. The plot moved too fast at times, with frequent time jumps that didn’t leave enough room to develop their relationship. This hindered the chemistry, as we weren’t often shown their connection evolving.
𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▶ Workplace Romance
▶ Enemies to Lovers
▶ Brother's Best Friend
▶ Fake Dating
▶ Billionaire Romance
▶ Found Family/Band of Brothers
▶ One Bed
▶ She Falls First - He Falls Harder
▶ Third Act Breakup
In the end, I’m still not sure how to feel. It’s not bad, and it’s not terrible to read. It's not the last book I'll read by Leslie North...because I am intrigued by her style. If the tropes it has appeal to you, this book will deliver the scratch to your itch...
Thank you to Netgalley, Relay Publishing and Leslie North for the gifted copy.
All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Spicy Level:🌶️.5/5
I struggled with this one, and I’m still battling with where I’m landing on my overall thoughts and feelings.
𝙎𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨:
This follows Piper Doyle, a photographer, who on the day of a photo shoot, gets into a car park accident where some asshole drives into her and makes it seem like it’s her fault. Later, at her brother’s engagement party, she meets "said asshole" again and realises he’s one of her brother’s best friends and a billionaire who owns a perfume company - Vincent Forde.
Vincent, trying to escape his crazy ex, persuades Piper to pretend to be his girlfriend. While seated at their table, they interact with a couple who own a farm in Hawaii that happens to have a perfect plantation of the missing flower ingredient Vincent needs for a new perfume he’s been struggling to source. But he messes up his first impression, and since they LOVE Piper - he strikes a deal with her. He’ll help her with the connection to start her new business if she helps him secure the flower from this couple, so she starts working for him all the while pretending they are dating.
𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙁𝙚𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨:
My main concern with this book is that some aspects just didn’t gel for me. First, I didn’t find their bickering or banter very cute. At times, it felt malicious and vicious rather than playful. I get that Vincent is a very "business-minded, focused billionaire; but honestly, the series title nailed it - he’s a total ass. I just didn’t see the appeal of him most of the time (but I do have to admit some aspects were cute)
Piper, on the other hand, is almost too talented. No matter what’s thrown at her, she just excels effortlessly. It’s like she’s spectacular at everything she does, and it feels a little unrealistic. For example, she steps into a creative director role at the company with ease, but where did those skills come from? Yes, she’s a photographer, but photographers specialise in different areas. She’s introduced as a wedding photographer, but suddenly, she’s also a product photographer, a high-fashion photographer, and an editorial photographer...all of which require very different skills, techniques, and expertise. It just didn’t make sense...
The dialogue, particularly the quips, also felt a bit fake. They came too easily and felt overly smart-alecky, making them come across as disingenuous. Overall, the characters felt like generic versions of classic stereotypes: the overly preppy, perfect-at-everything photographer trying to make her way in business, and the surly, grumpy billionaire with a bad grasp of his own emotions.
A lot of the story felt surface-level, missing the deeper emotional connection I needed. It felt like a diluted version of this type of romance, without enough standout moments to sell their chemistry, connection, or romance.
That said, I don’t regret reading it. It’s a sweet story, and if you’re looking for a workplace romance with some enemies-to-lovers vibes, it’ll give you what you want. However, it’s not going to blow you away. The plot moved too fast at times, with frequent time jumps that didn’t leave enough room to develop their relationship. This hindered the chemistry, as we weren’t often shown their connection evolving.
𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
▶ Workplace Romance
▶ Enemies to Lovers
▶ Brother's Best Friend
▶ Fake Dating
▶ Billionaire Romance
▶ Found Family/Band of Brothers
▶ One Bed
▶ She Falls First - He Falls Harder
▶ Third Act Breakup
In the end, I’m still not sure how to feel. It’s not bad, and it’s not terrible to read. It's not the last book I'll read by Leslie North...because I am intrigued by her style. If the tropes it has appeal to you, this book will deliver the scratch to your itch...
Thank you to Netgalley, Relay Publishing and Leslie North for the gifted copy.
All thoughts and opinions are my own.
January 5, 2025
― ´arc review`.✧
3★ Sometimes car crashes lead to good things.
Thank You net galley for the arc copy!
It was a quick and fast paced read considering i finished it in a day. The concept of the flowers was amazing and intriguing at the same time. I love the whole idea behind the “Falling in love is easy, It’s the staying part that’s hard.” and MMC’s perceptive about commitment issues. I needed pointers.
Tho I would have loved it more if it wasn’t tilted more into insta-love considering their enemies dynamics and a bit more detailed relationship development would have worked better, things got rushed a few times.
Tropes:
☞Workplace Romance
☞Fake Dating
☞One Bed
☞He’s a Billionaire
3★ Sometimes car crashes lead to good things.
Thank You net galley for the arc copy!
It was a quick and fast paced read considering i finished it in a day. The concept of the flowers was amazing and intriguing at the same time. I love the whole idea behind the “Falling in love is easy, It’s the staying part that’s hard.” and MMC’s perceptive about commitment issues. I needed pointers.
Tho I would have loved it more if it wasn’t tilted more into insta-love considering their enemies dynamics and a bit more detailed relationship development would have worked better, things got rushed a few times.
Tropes:
☞Workplace Romance
☞Fake Dating
☞One Bed
☞He’s a Billionaire
December 29, 2024
This book had such good plot and potential. I didn’t enjoy it but it just fell flat compared to what I was expecting. It was too short and shallow for me. It didn’t dive deep enough into the characters and there relationship. It didn’t make me feel like I was in the world or make me forget I was reading or make the world behind me disappear. It just felt like I was reading about characters on pages. There were super cute moments like the market and Hawaii and other moments. I didn’t like the miscommunication and third act breakup at the end tho. The epilogue was cute and the plot was good. I’d definitely give it a chance and see if it hits differently for you than it did me.
*Thank you NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the chance to ARC read this book. This review is my opinion and was my decision to write*
*Thank you NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the chance to ARC read this book. This review is my opinion and was my decision to write*
September 27, 2025
Fake Love, Real Eye Rolls
The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💚💜💙
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥
Chemistry: 🧪🧪
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘
World building: 🌏🌍🌎
Character development: 😋🙂☺️
Narrator(s): 🎙🎙🎙
Narration type: Dual Narration
🦸🏼♀️ Heroine Spotlight: Piper Doyle
Piper Doyle doesn’t drive—because, well, New York City—but desperation and a bro-tastic energy drink startup force her behind the wheel of her roommate’s mom’s car. She’s hauling gear to a Manhattan garage for a product shoot when she spots a rare open parking space. Cue disaster: a luxury car slams into her borrowed ride, and her day goes from bad to Bugatti-level worse.
🦸🏻♂️ Hero Spotlight: Vincent Forde
Vincent Forde, CEO of Summit Fragrances and owner of the building, is not amused when a beat-up car collides with his Bugatti. He’s stressed, snappy, and not in the mood for surprises—especially from a woman who calls him Satan and whose car looks suspiciously like it doubles as her apartment. He storms off, leaving security to clean up the mess, because he’s got bigger problems: a missing perfume ingredient, a looming product launch, and guilt over not visiting Nana D in the hospital.
🔥 Plot Pulse
Vincent’s trying (and mostly failing) to be less of a tyrant at work. He’s also juggling a perfume launch that hinges on sourcing real heliotrope—not the synthetic stuff—and navigating the emotional fallout of a recent breakup. When he attends his friend’s engagement party solo, he’s blindsided to discover Piper is his friend’s stepsister. Sparks fly, tempers flare, and a fake relationship trope kicks into gear.
❤️🔥 What Hit Home
• I’m a sucker for the fake relationship trope, and the alpha boss-hole dynamic was in full force.
• Piper’s resilience and Vincent’s slow-burn redemption arc had potential, even if the execution didn’t fully deliver.
🤨 Room to Grow
• Vincent’s moral compass wobbles: after realizing the crash might’ve been his fault, he still pressures Piper to take the blame.
• For a fragrance mogul, Vincent makes some bafflingly bad business decisions—especially when he dismisses Piper’s smart advertising ideas.
• The writing felt underdeveloped, surprisingly so given Leslie North’s prolific catalog. The prose lacked the polish I expected from a seasoned author.
🎧 Narration Vibes
Abigail Reno brings warmth and emotional texture to Piper’s chapters—easily the standout. Christopher Ashman, while competent, didn’t quite match the energy or age range for Vincent. His voice felt a bit too mature for the character, though his delivery was smooth and unobtrusive.
📝 Final Thoughts
A promising setup with tropey goodness and a heroine worth rooting for, but the execution didn’t quite rise to the occasion. Vincent’s arc needed more depth, and the writing could’ve used a sharper edge. Still, if you’re in the mood for a quick hit of enemies-to-lovers with a dash of workplace drama, this might scratch the itch—just don’t expect it to linger.
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The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💚💜💙
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥
Chemistry: 🧪🧪
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘
World building: 🌏🌍🌎
Character development: 😋🙂☺️
Narrator(s): 🎙🎙🎙
Narration type: Dual Narration
🦸🏼♀️ Heroine Spotlight: Piper Doyle
Piper Doyle doesn’t drive—because, well, New York City—but desperation and a bro-tastic energy drink startup force her behind the wheel of her roommate’s mom’s car. She’s hauling gear to a Manhattan garage for a product shoot when she spots a rare open parking space. Cue disaster: a luxury car slams into her borrowed ride, and her day goes from bad to Bugatti-level worse.
🦸🏻♂️ Hero Spotlight: Vincent Forde
Vincent Forde, CEO of Summit Fragrances and owner of the building, is not amused when a beat-up car collides with his Bugatti. He’s stressed, snappy, and not in the mood for surprises—especially from a woman who calls him Satan and whose car looks suspiciously like it doubles as her apartment. He storms off, leaving security to clean up the mess, because he’s got bigger problems: a missing perfume ingredient, a looming product launch, and guilt over not visiting Nana D in the hospital.
🔥 Plot Pulse
Vincent’s trying (and mostly failing) to be less of a tyrant at work. He’s also juggling a perfume launch that hinges on sourcing real heliotrope—not the synthetic stuff—and navigating the emotional fallout of a recent breakup. When he attends his friend’s engagement party solo, he’s blindsided to discover Piper is his friend’s stepsister. Sparks fly, tempers flare, and a fake relationship trope kicks into gear.
❤️🔥 What Hit Home
• I’m a sucker for the fake relationship trope, and the alpha boss-hole dynamic was in full force.
• Piper’s resilience and Vincent’s slow-burn redemption arc had potential, even if the execution didn’t fully deliver.
🤨 Room to Grow
• Vincent’s moral compass wobbles: after realizing the crash might’ve been his fault, he still pressures Piper to take the blame.
• For a fragrance mogul, Vincent makes some bafflingly bad business decisions—especially when he dismisses Piper’s smart advertising ideas.
• The writing felt underdeveloped, surprisingly so given Leslie North’s prolific catalog. The prose lacked the polish I expected from a seasoned author.
🎧 Narration Vibes
Abigail Reno brings warmth and emotional texture to Piper’s chapters—easily the standout. Christopher Ashman, while competent, didn’t quite match the energy or age range for Vincent. His voice felt a bit too mature for the character, though his delivery was smooth and unobtrusive.
📝 Final Thoughts
A promising setup with tropey goodness and a heroine worth rooting for, but the execution didn’t quite rise to the occasion. Vincent’s arc needed more depth, and the writing could’ve used a sharper edge. Still, if you’re in the mood for a quick hit of enemies-to-lovers with a dash of workplace drama, this might scratch the itch—just don’t expect it to linger.
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Want to read
January 15, 2025🤍 ┆ʚ 𝐩𝐫𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 ♡
um this was released months ago...
need to get my feedback ratio uppppp
um this was released months ago...
need to get my feedback ratio uppppp
September 29, 2025
2.5 stars just because of the groveling.
If I can delete that he looked at her, felt secsual attraction and compared her to his previous women (which were super models)… if I can delete that they are very experienced and is mentioned several times in the book… if I can delete that they stopped their restraint and started secs like it was just an itch to scratch (which btw, their first time was at work, with an unlocked door and behind a photo curtain so they weren’t seen through the windows - basically, they were almost in public, anyone could’ve caught them)… if I could delete that he treated her like she was a secs partner and they weren’t in a real relationship… if I could delete that he was always thinking that their relationship had an expiration date…
I might have given this book 4 stars. Because I loved that the h was a strong, confident, independent woman that didn’t let anyone stomp over her. She was the only one at work that was brave enough to disagree with him and tell him to his face. She made him crazy, to the point of falling in love with her even though he didn’t know himself because he had a very misconstrued vision of love. He didn’t believe in marriage and reminded her of it several times. He just did exactly what her ex did to her. Ugh. And I love that she cut the relationship and he had to grovel and do something epic for her to give him another chance. Her relationship with his dad was so beautiful to read. She was sunshine and almost everyone loved her. She’s an amazing woman. Him, I only liked him at the end, when he was groveling and when he did the grand gesture to let her know he loved her.
But the truth, I was triggered the whole book, especially since I read he compared her with his previous women (models) in plural also. It’s not romantic to me when the author has a hero that is almost a mho (at least that’s how I saw him) and pairs him with a sweet and awesome girl. At least he kinda redeemed himself a little at the end.. And then there is this ex-girlfriend in the picture that’s too bleh, and she even SA him (he stopped her immediately though) and nothing happened to her. Meh. I don’t like to read romance with my anxiety in high waiting for the story to get worse.
Conclusion. The storyline was a pretty good one and I was expecting to enjoy it, but their past killed it for me. I don’t think I’ll be looking for another book of this author nor re-reading this one. So, safe readers… be careful.
- no virgins
- third act breakup
- some groveling
- no cheating
If I can delete that he looked at her, felt secsual attraction and compared her to his previous women (which were super models)… if I can delete that they are very experienced and is mentioned several times in the book… if I can delete that they stopped their restraint and started secs like it was just an itch to scratch (which btw, their first time was at work, with an unlocked door and behind a photo curtain so they weren’t seen through the windows - basically, they were almost in public, anyone could’ve caught them)… if I could delete that he treated her like she was a secs partner and they weren’t in a real relationship… if I could delete that he was always thinking that their relationship had an expiration date…
I might have given this book 4 stars. Because I loved that the h was a strong, confident, independent woman that didn’t let anyone stomp over her. She was the only one at work that was brave enough to disagree with him and tell him to his face. She made him crazy, to the point of falling in love with her even though he didn’t know himself because he had a very misconstrued vision of love. He didn’t believe in marriage and reminded her of it several times. He just did exactly what her ex did to her. Ugh. And I love that she cut the relationship and he had to grovel and do something epic for her to give him another chance. Her relationship with his dad was so beautiful to read. She was sunshine and almost everyone loved her. She’s an amazing woman. Him, I only liked him at the end, when he was groveling and when he did the grand gesture to let her know he loved her.
But the truth, I was triggered the whole book, especially since I read he compared her with his previous women (models) in plural also. It’s not romantic to me when the author has a hero that is almost a mho (at least that’s how I saw him) and pairs him with a sweet and awesome girl. At least he kinda redeemed himself a little at the end.. And then there is this ex-girlfriend in the picture that’s too bleh, and she even SA him (he stopped her immediately though) and nothing happened to her. Meh. I don’t like to read romance with my anxiety in high waiting for the story to get worse.
Conclusion. The storyline was a pretty good one and I was expecting to enjoy it, but their past killed it for me. I don’t think I’ll be looking for another book of this author nor re-reading this one. So, safe readers… be careful.
- no virgins
- third act breakup
- some groveling
- no cheating
June 9, 2025
Creo que me ha comenzado a gustar la idea de los perfumes.
Después de tener un pequeño choque en un estacionamiento, lo último que esperaba Piper era encontrar a Vincent en la fiesta de compromiso de su hermano, y peor aún, que resultara ser su mejor amigo.
Para salvarse un poco, ambos deciden fingir que están saliendo. Mientras Piper disfruta de la fiesta y de la compañía en su mesa, Vincent simplemente está enfocado en su teléfono y en el trabajo. Hasta que escucha que una pareja en la mesa tiene el ingrediente que necesita para su próxima fragancia: el heliotropo.
Vincent no es precisamente la mejor persona para relacionarse, y ahora ve cada vez más lejana la posibilidad de conseguir el heliotropo… hasta que llega a un pequeño acuerdo con Piper: ella lo ayudará a conseguirlo, a cambio de que él la ayude con algunos contactos. Aunque este será solo el inicio de sus acuerdos.
¿Podrán fingir el tiempo suficiente? ¿Conseguirá Vincent el heliotropo? ¿Podrán dejar sus sentimientos de lado?
Opinión personal:
¡Cuánto he disfrutado este libro! Me ha encantado la trama; logra transportarte por completo al mundo de los perfumes y fragancias, envolviéndote en una atmósfera increíble basada en los olores. En ningún momento me pareció aburrido, siempre estaba ocurriendo algo.
Piper Doyle siempre tiene algo bajo la manga. Leerla es encontrarte con alguien que persigue sus sueños, pero que también es super carismática y firme en sus convicciones.
Vincent Forde me ha encantado. Vive su vida a través de los olores, y es muy interesante ver esa cualidad en un personaje. Además, es un oportunista (y uno muy bueno), arrogante y, a la vez, muy divertido de leer. Aunque casi al final lo detesté un poco, sé que, si lo leen, entenderán mis razones.
Como pareja, me encantaron. Ambos eran muy ocurrentes a su manera, nunca sabías qué esperar de ellos. Sin duda, los dos últimos eventos importantes del libro se han quedado en mi memoria (es decir, las lilas y la estrella).
Algo que disfruto muchísimo es cuando los temas se abordan con profundidad, sin quedarse solo en la superficie. Este libro es un gran ejemplo de eso.
Este libro te puede interesar si buscas:
• Jefe-empleada
• Relación falsa
• Fabricante de perfumes y fotógrafa
• Romance contemporáneo
• El mejor amigo de mi hermano
• Enemies to lovers
• Familia encontrada
• Spicy
• Una sola cama
• Dos perspectivas (Vincent y Piper)
• Sunshine x Grumpy
Esta lectura fue posible gracias a @essenslybooks quien ha organizado el booktour. Muchas gracias.
Después de tener un pequeño choque en un estacionamiento, lo último que esperaba Piper era encontrar a Vincent en la fiesta de compromiso de su hermano, y peor aún, que resultara ser su mejor amigo.
Para salvarse un poco, ambos deciden fingir que están saliendo. Mientras Piper disfruta de la fiesta y de la compañía en su mesa, Vincent simplemente está enfocado en su teléfono y en el trabajo. Hasta que escucha que una pareja en la mesa tiene el ingrediente que necesita para su próxima fragancia: el heliotropo.
Vincent no es precisamente la mejor persona para relacionarse, y ahora ve cada vez más lejana la posibilidad de conseguir el heliotropo… hasta que llega a un pequeño acuerdo con Piper: ella lo ayudará a conseguirlo, a cambio de que él la ayude con algunos contactos. Aunque este será solo el inicio de sus acuerdos.
¿Podrán fingir el tiempo suficiente? ¿Conseguirá Vincent el heliotropo? ¿Podrán dejar sus sentimientos de lado?
Opinión personal:
¡Cuánto he disfrutado este libro! Me ha encantado la trama; logra transportarte por completo al mundo de los perfumes y fragancias, envolviéndote en una atmósfera increíble basada en los olores. En ningún momento me pareció aburrido, siempre estaba ocurriendo algo.
Piper Doyle siempre tiene algo bajo la manga. Leerla es encontrarte con alguien que persigue sus sueños, pero que también es super carismática y firme en sus convicciones.
Vincent Forde me ha encantado. Vive su vida a través de los olores, y es muy interesante ver esa cualidad en un personaje. Además, es un oportunista (y uno muy bueno), arrogante y, a la vez, muy divertido de leer. Aunque casi al final lo detesté un poco, sé que, si lo leen, entenderán mis razones.
Como pareja, me encantaron. Ambos eran muy ocurrentes a su manera, nunca sabías qué esperar de ellos. Sin duda, los dos últimos eventos importantes del libro se han quedado en mi memoria (es decir, las lilas y la estrella).
Algo que disfruto muchísimo es cuando los temas se abordan con profundidad, sin quedarse solo en la superficie. Este libro es un gran ejemplo de eso.
Este libro te puede interesar si buscas:
• Jefe-empleada
• Relación falsa
• Fabricante de perfumes y fotógrafa
• Romance contemporáneo
• El mejor amigo de mi hermano
• Enemies to lovers
• Familia encontrada
• Spicy
• Una sola cama
• Dos perspectivas (Vincent y Piper)
• Sunshine x Grumpy
Esta lectura fue posible gracias a @essenslybooks quien ha organizado el booktour. Muchas gracias.
November 5, 2024
Perfect Mismatch it the story of Piper Doyle and Billionaire Vincent Forde. They meet when their cars collide in a parking lot. Obviously this is something that can happen, but they butt heads right away and blame each other. But soon Vincent learns that he needs Piper’s help to get what he wants for his new business deal. And when he offers Piper something she can’t possibly deny, they are soon forced to spend more time together. And even worse.. they need to act like they like each other.
Perfect Mismatch is an enemies to lovers, fake dating book that might not be very original, but I still really enjoyed it. Piper and Vincent couldn’t be more different and they both aren’t afraid to speak their minds. This made for some very fun interactions that made me smile. Their chemistry was great and I loved how Piper forced Vincent to do things he wouldn’t normally do.
The more Piper and Vincent get to know each other, the more they start to enjoy each others company. And soon their fake-dating starts to feel way to real for both of them. This book had some fun twists near the end. Also a twist I didn’t see coming, and felt a bit off for these characters. But it was very enjoyable.
Next to Piper and Vincent, this book had some very fun side characters as well. And I’m really curious if we get to read about them later in the series.
Perfect Mismatch was a very fun romantic enemies to lovers novel that I really enjoyed. I look forward to reading mores books in this series.
Perfect Mismatch is an enemies to lovers, fake dating book that might not be very original, but I still really enjoyed it. Piper and Vincent couldn’t be more different and they both aren’t afraid to speak their minds. This made for some very fun interactions that made me smile. Their chemistry was great and I loved how Piper forced Vincent to do things he wouldn’t normally do.
The more Piper and Vincent get to know each other, the more they start to enjoy each others company. And soon their fake-dating starts to feel way to real for both of them. This book had some fun twists near the end. Also a twist I didn’t see coming, and felt a bit off for these characters. But it was very enjoyable.
Next to Piper and Vincent, this book had some very fun side characters as well. And I’m really curious if we get to read about them later in the series.
Perfect Mismatch was a very fun romantic enemies to lovers novel that I really enjoyed. I look forward to reading mores books in this series.
November 7, 2024
I wanted to start out by saying this is my first ever ARC read, and I’m honored to have been given this opportunity to review this amazing book. First, I am a sucker for a great romcom, and my favorite trope is enemies to lovers. With that being said, it is hard to make me feel something for the characters right off the bat, but Piper and Vincent’s story caught me from the first page. I LOVED the first encounter being a car incident, and then the follow up being at the engagement party. My favorite parts of the book were the easy banter between Piper and Vincent because it felt real and I know how hard that must be to write. I love Piper’s feistiness and that she didn’t take Vincent’s BS. I also love Paul and Chloe because they were relatable and definitely made me feel like I understood their hard-times during the wedding planning and then life after. I truly think linking their, Richard and Vincent’s mom, and the Lost Boys stories into Vincent’s “love story awakening” was a chefs kiss. The proposal scene was over the top, and made me swoon. I also loved the hammock scene in Hawaii, and so many other scenes that were just as fun and cute.
Honest feedback about Maya and her parts in the story was that they were totally predictable. I know we love to hate the villain, but I would have really liked the story better if we had more of a back story of Maya and also potentially her downfall for being “ousted” for her fake publicity stunts.
Lastly, I would recommend this book to any of my fellow romcom book loving friends because it was such a fun and easy read. I feel attached to the characters, and I am sad their stories have ended for me for now.
#netgallery #arc
Honest feedback about Maya and her parts in the story was that they were totally predictable. I know we love to hate the villain, but I would have really liked the story better if we had more of a back story of Maya and also potentially her downfall for being “ousted” for her fake publicity stunts.
Lastly, I would recommend this book to any of my fellow romcom book loving friends because it was such a fun and easy read. I feel attached to the characters, and I am sad their stories have ended for me for now.
#netgallery #arc
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 9, 2025
🎧🎧AUDIOBOOK REVIEW🎧🎧
What a ridiculously good time this story was for the entire time it was in my ears! Like where have Abigail Reno & Christopher Ashman been the entire time I have been in my audiobook era?! They performed this story so good that I could have listened to them for a lot longer than I did in one sitting. I love it when that happens because it allows me to be 100% in the story and not worry that the narrator might be getting on my nerves. Feel me? LOL They absolutely did not!
This story was super fun and lighthearted. The tension with the main characters was perfect and set-up the enemies-to-more aspect really well. Their meet-cute also helped in that department. The story along with the characters had spark and they held that spark from beginning to end. This isn’t a deeply emotional story even though there was room for more depth, which in a way, is kind of a negative, but it also was good as is, so… That’s the reason behind my 4 star rating.
I took full advantage of having all 3 of these stories already in my library ready to listen back-to-back and I have to say that I’m impressed at the fact that I didn’t once get “tired” or “bored” in the 4 to 6 days it took for me to listen to all three. That’s unusual for me because normally I can do max 2 in the same “world” before my brain wants something different. So, do with that but of unsolicited information what you will! :)
What a ridiculously good time this story was for the entire time it was in my ears! Like where have Abigail Reno & Christopher Ashman been the entire time I have been in my audiobook era?! They performed this story so good that I could have listened to them for a lot longer than I did in one sitting. I love it when that happens because it allows me to be 100% in the story and not worry that the narrator might be getting on my nerves. Feel me? LOL They absolutely did not!
This story was super fun and lighthearted. The tension with the main characters was perfect and set-up the enemies-to-more aspect really well. Their meet-cute also helped in that department. The story along with the characters had spark and they held that spark from beginning to end. This isn’t a deeply emotional story even though there was room for more depth, which in a way, is kind of a negative, but it also was good as is, so… That’s the reason behind my 4 star rating.
I took full advantage of having all 3 of these stories already in my library ready to listen back-to-back and I have to say that I’m impressed at the fact that I didn’t once get “tired” or “bored” in the 4 to 6 days it took for me to listen to all three. That’s unusual for me because normally I can do max 2 in the same “world” before my brain wants something different. So, do with that but of unsolicited information what you will! :)
August 1, 2025
devo dire che questa autrice è stata una bellissima scoperta.
November 19, 2024
First of all, this was my very first ARC! Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book. I feel honored!
This was a quick and easy read—I finished it in just two days. I'm a sucker for the enemies-to-lovers trope, and combined with fake dating? Fabulous! I especially loved the dynamic of The Lost Boys, Nana Dee, and the found family aspect of the story. That part was well done, particularly considering Vincent's perspective on love and relationships, as well as his internal struggle with his feelings stemming from his parents' divorce.
However, I did have some issues with the pacing. The story picked up very quickly, and the transition from the characters hating each other to falling in love felt rushed. Things escalated too fast for me, especially when they got engaged and Piper ended up pregnant by the end of the book. It wasn’t even an epilogue, so I’m guessing everything happened in just a couple of months, which felt a bit unrealistic. I found myself skimming over some sections that I didn’t think were necessary, but at the same time, I occasionally felt like I had missed a chapter and had to go back to check if I’d overlooked something important. There was some confusion in the flow, and the miscommunication trope didn’t really work for me (though I know some readers enjoy it, so that might not be an issue for everyone).
One funny moment for me personally was when Vincent mentions, “She was probably talking golf with the Sullivans or charming some princess from Austria.” As someone who lives in Austria, I couldn’t help but chuckle—we don’t have princesses here!
Despite those issues, I did enjoy the book overall. I’m definitely interested in reading the following books in the series, especially to learn more about the side characters!
P.S.: this is currently on Kindle Unlimited!
This was a quick and easy read—I finished it in just two days. I'm a sucker for the enemies-to-lovers trope, and combined with fake dating? Fabulous! I especially loved the dynamic of The Lost Boys, Nana Dee, and the found family aspect of the story. That part was well done, particularly considering Vincent's perspective on love and relationships, as well as his internal struggle with his feelings stemming from his parents' divorce.
However, I did have some issues with the pacing. The story picked up very quickly, and the transition from the characters hating each other to falling in love felt rushed. Things escalated too fast for me, especially when they got engaged and Piper ended up pregnant by the end of the book. It wasn’t even an epilogue, so I’m guessing everything happened in just a couple of months, which felt a bit unrealistic. I found myself skimming over some sections that I didn’t think were necessary, but at the same time, I occasionally felt like I had missed a chapter and had to go back to check if I’d overlooked something important. There was some confusion in the flow, and the miscommunication trope didn’t really work for me (though I know some readers enjoy it, so that might not be an issue for everyone).
One funny moment for me personally was when Vincent mentions, “She was probably talking golf with the Sullivans or charming some princess from Austria.” As someone who lives in Austria, I couldn’t help but chuckle—we don’t have princesses here!
Despite those issues, I did enjoy the book overall. I’m definitely interested in reading the following books in the series, especially to learn more about the side characters!
P.S.: this is currently on Kindle Unlimited!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 26, 2025
Thank you NetGalley for the box set that includes this title.
Piper is a hot little pistol deep in a rut. She's lost her "boyfriend", her career is stagnant, and her dream goal is distant. So, of course, the thing she needs is a literal run-in with some douche with a snazzy car claiming that she tried to take his parking spot. Who cares if he's hot?! 😏 Vincent is in crisis mode because he can't get his hands on a rare flower to make his latest cologne. He promised the world this specific fragrance and Vincent Forde always delivers. So why did this girl ruin his morning and where the hell did his parking space sign go?! 🤷♀️
I loved this. I don't normally get this excited over a cutesy rom-com, but my girl Leslie knows what she's doing. Piper and Vincent are fantastic characters and I LOVE Nana Dee and the Lost Boys. What absolute fun!
Tropes :
☠️🤝❤️ - Enemies to co-conspirators to lovers
😒😁 - Grumpy x Sunshine
💰📸 - Billionaire x free spirit
😎😚 - Fake dating
🧑🤝🧑 - Brother's best friend
Piper is a hot little pistol deep in a rut. She's lost her "boyfriend", her career is stagnant, and her dream goal is distant. So, of course, the thing she needs is a literal run-in with some douche with a snazzy car claiming that she tried to take his parking spot. Who cares if he's hot?! 😏 Vincent is in crisis mode because he can't get his hands on a rare flower to make his latest cologne. He promised the world this specific fragrance and Vincent Forde always delivers. So why did this girl ruin his morning and where the hell did his parking space sign go?! 🤷♀️
I loved this. I don't normally get this excited over a cutesy rom-com, but my girl Leslie knows what she's doing. Piper and Vincent are fantastic characters and I LOVE Nana Dee and the Lost Boys. What absolute fun!
Tropes :
☠️🤝❤️ - Enemies to co-conspirators to lovers
😒😁 - Grumpy x Sunshine
💰📸 - Billionaire x free spirit
😎😚 - Fake dating
🧑🤝🧑 - Brother's best friend
May 28, 2025
✨ Opinión personal: Leslie siempre es un acierto. Me encontré con una historia divertida, amena y ágil de leer, perfecta para desconectar.
Con un encuentro accidentado que desemboca en un falso noviazgo, Una pareja (im)perfecta nos trae un tropo enemies to lovers que vas a amar. Los personajes destilan química, son carismáticos y tienen una buena dosis de tensión romántica.
✨ Personajes: Vicente es un hombre de negocios exitoso con una personalidad fuerte y determinada. No cree en el "juntos para siempre", lo que lo hace parecer frío y calculador, pero a medida que avanza la trama, se muestra más vulnerable y protector.
Piper, por su parte, es una mujer independiente y decidida que se ve envuelta en esta relación falsa. Es alegre, amable y su interacción con Vicente está llena de diálogos ingeniosos y dinámicos.
✨ Conclusión: Una historia romántica fresca y entretenida, con personajes carismáticos y una química irresistible. Perfecta para quienes disfrutan del tropo enemies to lovers y buscan una lectura ágil y entretenida.
Con un encuentro accidentado que desemboca en un falso noviazgo, Una pareja (im)perfecta nos trae un tropo enemies to lovers que vas a amar. Los personajes destilan química, son carismáticos y tienen una buena dosis de tensión romántica.
✨ Personajes: Vicente es un hombre de negocios exitoso con una personalidad fuerte y determinada. No cree en el "juntos para siempre", lo que lo hace parecer frío y calculador, pero a medida que avanza la trama, se muestra más vulnerable y protector.
Piper, por su parte, es una mujer independiente y decidida que se ve envuelta en esta relación falsa. Es alegre, amable y su interacción con Vicente está llena de diálogos ingeniosos y dinámicos.
✨ Conclusión: Una historia romántica fresca y entretenida, con personajes carismáticos y una química irresistible. Perfecta para quienes disfrutan del tropo enemies to lovers y buscan una lectura ágil y entretenida.
April 11, 2025
Enemies to lovers
Fake dating
Workplace romance
Spicy
Dual narration- Abigal Reno & Christopher Ashman
Loved their voices! Wish this was Duet but I really enjoyed this book
I found this to be cute and fun. Enemies to lovers. Their first meeting was interesting and definitely played the enemies out well.
Vincent is a CEO of a perfume/lotion company that his father created. He is struggling getting a certain ingredient needed for their new product. Piper is a photographer, strong and independent FMC. She has a product she wants to create with her best friend but needs the right investor.
After a bad first impression on an important couple Vincent struck a deal with Piper. Fake date him and help him get what he needs from the couple. He will introduce her to an important investor for her product.
Of course things get a bit crazy and go wrong. This had good banter, good spice and I enjoyed the plot.
Great narration.
Fake dating
Workplace romance
Spicy
Dual narration- Abigal Reno & Christopher Ashman
Loved their voices! Wish this was Duet but I really enjoyed this book
I found this to be cute and fun. Enemies to lovers. Their first meeting was interesting and definitely played the enemies out well.
Vincent is a CEO of a perfume/lotion company that his father created. He is struggling getting a certain ingredient needed for their new product. Piper is a photographer, strong and independent FMC. She has a product she wants to create with her best friend but needs the right investor.
After a bad first impression on an important couple Vincent struck a deal with Piper. Fake date him and help him get what he needs from the couple. He will introduce her to an important investor for her product.
Of course things get a bit crazy and go wrong. This had good banter, good spice and I enjoyed the plot.
Great narration.
November 8, 2024
𝐟𝐮𝐧 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝!
♥︎𝐆𝐫𝐮𝐦𝐩𝐲 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐞
♥︎𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞
♡︎𝐁𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐱 𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐞
♡︎𝐅𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠
✨Thoughts✨
𝐕𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭 and Piper's relationship started off on the wrong foot after a car incident. This strange encounter led Piper to pretend to date and work for Vincent, creating all sorts of romantic and hilarious moments. The story can easily be devoured in one sitting. I thoroughly enjoyed the fake dating trope which kept me engaged until the very end.
𝐈𝐭 took Vincent some time to realize his true feelings for Piper, but when he did, it was heartwarming. If you're in the mood for a light-hearted and entertaining read, this book is definitely worth picking up!
𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞: 𝟐/𝟓🔥
♥︎𝐆𝐫𝐮𝐦𝐩𝐲 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐞
♥︎𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞
♡︎𝐁𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐱 𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐞
♡︎𝐅𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠
✨Thoughts✨
𝐕𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭 and Piper's relationship started off on the wrong foot after a car incident. This strange encounter led Piper to pretend to date and work for Vincent, creating all sorts of romantic and hilarious moments. The story can easily be devoured in one sitting. I thoroughly enjoyed the fake dating trope which kept me engaged until the very end.
𝐈𝐭 took Vincent some time to realize his true feelings for Piper, but when he did, it was heartwarming. If you're in the mood for a light-hearted and entertaining read, this book is definitely worth picking up!
𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞: 𝟐/𝟓🔥
November 7, 2024
Photographer Piper has a chance meeting with grumpy billionaire Vincent, owner of a Perfume company. They hate each other on sight. But Vincent needs Piper to help him get the perfect ingredient for his new fragrance and Piper needs money to start her business. They agree to a fake romance to benefit each other.
I absolutely loved this book, the setting, the story and especially the characters. It’s a 5* read with a HEA.
I absolutely loved this book, the setting, the story and especially the characters. It’s a 5* read with a HEA.
November 3, 2024
If you like billionaire romance with a bosshole mmc and a strong fmc this is the book for you! Enemies to lovers and fake dating makes the tension so good! The conflict was the perfect amount to kept you hooked. No annoying miscommunication. You couldn’t help but fall in love with all the characters. They had great friends and family. It was a beautiful love story!
November 15, 2024
This is an entertaining fake relationship book that holds your attention captive from beginning to end. The storyline is intriguing as the elements unfold. The characters have steamy chemistry together. I enjoyed this book.
I received a free copy of this book via Cherrylily ARCs and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Cherrylily ARCs and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 4, 2025
*ARC REVIEW*
Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for this E-Arc.
This was such a cute read! It's all very nicely paced and easy to read, which is great. I really liked both characters, and it was so lovely to see how well they got on with each other. I thought the tension between them was written really well, but I do think some of the scenes between them felt a little rushed at times, but none the less I enjoy the entire book.
I would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone!
Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for this E-Arc.
This was such a cute read! It's all very nicely paced and easy to read, which is great. I really liked both characters, and it was so lovely to see how well they got on with each other. I thought the tension between them was written really well, but I do think some of the scenes between them felt a little rushed at times, but none the less I enjoy the entire book.
I would wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone!
June 9, 2025
Just recently I complained that I have missed good old days and billionaire workplace romance - and here you go! The perfect example of exactly what I wanted!
The story of Vincent and Piper is full of funny moments that will make you laugh out loud but in the same time there is a delicious spice and great banter!
It is a quick and very enjoyable read plot wise, but also tropes are absolutely amazing here!
Abigal Reno and Christopher Ashman’s performance was great as they were able to show all the beauty of grumpy x sunshine and fake dating vibes combination!
The story of Vincent and Piper is full of funny moments that will make you laugh out loud but in the same time there is a delicious spice and great banter!
It is a quick and very enjoyable read plot wise, but also tropes are absolutely amazing here!
Abigal Reno and Christopher Ashman’s performance was great as they were able to show all the beauty of grumpy x sunshine and fake dating vibes combination!
October 19, 2025
4 estrellas.
La verdad que un romance de millionarios siempre me gusta, pero se me ha quedado un poco corto y no sé exactamente el porqué. No se si ha sido por el final un poco apresurado y porque no he llegado a conectar tanto con el prota masculino.
La prota femenina la verdad que me ha gustado muchísimo y me gusta como está siempre enfocada en su nuevo negocio.
La verdad que un romance de millionarios siempre me gusta, pero se me ha quedado un poco corto y no sé exactamente el porqué. No se si ha sido por el final un poco apresurado y porque no he llegado a conectar tanto con el prota masculino.
La prota femenina la verdad que me ha gustado muchísimo y me gusta como está siempre enfocada en su nuevo negocio.
July 17, 2025
“Intanto inizio ringraziando l’autrice per aver scritto questa storia. Grazie 😘 ”
Recensione
Buongiorno lettori,
Eccomi oggi con la recensione del libro ACCORDO (IM)PERFETTO della serie I MILIARDARI DI MANHATTAN #1 di Leslie North. Storia bellissima, scritta bene e scorrevole, una ventata di aria fresca per un periodo così caldo. Ho amato troppo questa storia e anche i suoi personaggi, simili ma anche diversi, lui scontroso dedito al lavoro che non crede nell’amore e nel matrimonio, invece, lei con un carattere forte, testarda ma anche molto dolce e disponibile per tutti sempre pronta a dare consigli e ad aiutare, ma soprattutto crede nell’amore e nel matrimonio. Tutto nasce con un’accordo per un fine da entrambe le parti ma basta un niente che le cose si stravolgeranno, ma avremo un finale con il botto. 5 ⭐️
Amo molto la scrittura di Leslie, pulita, scorrevole che sa attirare l’attenzione del lettore e non si riesce a staccarsi fino alla fine della storia! Non vedo l’ora di leggere il prossimo libro. Comunque, sono felice di aver scoperto questa bravissima autrice, chissà trasmettere tanta passione e sentimento attraverso le sue storie.
Trama
Alcune persone si innamorano. Io mi schianto.
Quando Vincent Forde mi tampona, mi aspetto delle scuse, invece mi lancia un’occhiataccia che potrebbe sciogliere l’acciaio e si comporta come se fossi io il problema.
Con il suo completo su misura, lo sguardo infuocato e l’ego grande quanto il suo conto in banca, Vincent è la definizione stessa di arrogante viziato.
Immagino che sarà l’ultima volta che vedrò il signor Troppo Ricco e Ridicolmente Bello.
Ma la vita ama i bei finali.
Indovinate chi si presenta alla festa di fidanzamento di mio fratello, come se fosse il padrone di casa?
Sì, il signor ‘Sono troppo sexy per guidare bene’, che se ne sta al bar come se stesse posando per qualche rivista.
Solo che ora vuole qualcosa da me.
Ha un disperato bisogno di un raro ingrediente per il suo impero delle fragranze.
Il Re degli Scontrosi è disposto a pagarmi una cifra assurda per far sì che lo aiuti.
Oh, e vuole anche che io finga di essere la sua fidanzata.
Come se avesse qualcosa che lo renda minimamente adatto a essere un fidanzato.
Vincent sarà anche il re degli scontrosi dall’ego spropositato, ma mi sta offrendo un accordo che non posso rifiutare.
Anche se significa fingere che mi piaccia un ragazzo che mi fa letteralmente impazzire.
Tuttavia, più fingiamo, più il confine tra recitazione e realtà inizia a confondersi. Il suo fascino è esasperante. La sua sicurezza è snervante. Il suo sorriso mi distrae troppo.
Questo non faceva parte del piano. Dovrei odiarlo, non desiderarlo. Ma fingere di essere la sua anima gemella sta iniziando a sembrare fin troppo reale…
Recensione
Buongiorno lettori,
Eccomi oggi con la recensione del libro ACCORDO (IM)PERFETTO della serie I MILIARDARI DI MANHATTAN #1 di Leslie North. Storia bellissima, scritta bene e scorrevole, una ventata di aria fresca per un periodo così caldo. Ho amato troppo questa storia e anche i suoi personaggi, simili ma anche diversi, lui scontroso dedito al lavoro che non crede nell’amore e nel matrimonio, invece, lei con un carattere forte, testarda ma anche molto dolce e disponibile per tutti sempre pronta a dare consigli e ad aiutare, ma soprattutto crede nell’amore e nel matrimonio. Tutto nasce con un’accordo per un fine da entrambe le parti ma basta un niente che le cose si stravolgeranno, ma avremo un finale con il botto. 5 ⭐️
Amo molto la scrittura di Leslie, pulita, scorrevole che sa attirare l’attenzione del lettore e non si riesce a staccarsi fino alla fine della storia! Non vedo l’ora di leggere il prossimo libro. Comunque, sono felice di aver scoperto questa bravissima autrice, chissà trasmettere tanta passione e sentimento attraverso le sue storie.
Trama
Alcune persone si innamorano. Io mi schianto.
Quando Vincent Forde mi tampona, mi aspetto delle scuse, invece mi lancia un’occhiataccia che potrebbe sciogliere l’acciaio e si comporta come se fossi io il problema.
Con il suo completo su misura, lo sguardo infuocato e l’ego grande quanto il suo conto in banca, Vincent è la definizione stessa di arrogante viziato.
Immagino che sarà l’ultima volta che vedrò il signor Troppo Ricco e Ridicolmente Bello.
Ma la vita ama i bei finali.
Indovinate chi si presenta alla festa di fidanzamento di mio fratello, come se fosse il padrone di casa?
Sì, il signor ‘Sono troppo sexy per guidare bene’, che se ne sta al bar come se stesse posando per qualche rivista.
Solo che ora vuole qualcosa da me.
Ha un disperato bisogno di un raro ingrediente per il suo impero delle fragranze.
Il Re degli Scontrosi è disposto a pagarmi una cifra assurda per far sì che lo aiuti.
Oh, e vuole anche che io finga di essere la sua fidanzata.
Come se avesse qualcosa che lo renda minimamente adatto a essere un fidanzato.
Vincent sarà anche il re degli scontrosi dall’ego spropositato, ma mi sta offrendo un accordo che non posso rifiutare.
Anche se significa fingere che mi piaccia un ragazzo che mi fa letteralmente impazzire.
Tuttavia, più fingiamo, più il confine tra recitazione e realtà inizia a confondersi. Il suo fascino è esasperante. La sua sicurezza è snervante. Il suo sorriso mi distrae troppo.
Questo non faceva parte del piano. Dovrei odiarlo, non desiderarlo. Ma fingere di essere la sua anima gemella sta iniziando a sembrare fin troppo reale…
November 18, 2024
This is book one of the Manhattan Bossholes series and the main characters are Vincent Forde, arrogant billionaire perfume tycoon, and Piper Doyle, a freelance photographer with plans for more with her BFF and roommate Darcy. They meet as Piper arrives in the underground parking lot of a building where she is due to do product shots for an energy drink start-up, and reverses into an empty parking space, just as Vincent does, in his expensive Bugatti. He isn’t happy that she is parking in his spot and while he was actually at fault, he blames her, telling her he owns the building and calls security on her! He is feeling guilty for not going to see Nana Dee, the grandmother of Trent, who looked after them and their friends calling them her Lost Boys ever since those college days, after she ended up in hospital the evening before. Another, Paul is having his engagement party and calls to let Vincent know Nana Dee will be fine and to remind him about the party. Vincent had forgotten, as his mind is full of his problems getting hold of enough heliotrope for his new Evermore perfume. Vincent gets footage of the car accident earlier in the day, finding he was at fault, but calls his head of security to contact Piper, to get her car fixed, but telling him he has to get her to admit it was her fault! Darcy helps Piper get ready for her stepbrother Paul’s engagement party to his fiancée Chloe, and they discuss their future with Strapped, a business start-up they are working towards, starting with a leather strap purpose made to hold multiple cameras, all ready to use without putting another down. They are looking to get a meeting with influencer Mercedes Horan, to have her be an angel investor for their woman centric business.
Piper is not looking forward to seeing her stepfather Prentiss at the party but can’t really avoid him. He always took credit for her golfing skills whist always putting her down! Spotting Vincent at the party annoys her and she was just speaking angrily to him, when Paul turned up and greeted them. Just after Paul gets pulled away by Chloe, Vincent goes pale, having spotted his ex-girlfriend Maya coming straight towards him. He quickly asks Piper to play along with him and suddenly, she also has a good reason to do so to avoid Prentiss! Piper had chosen a table far from Paul and Chloe, just to steer clear of Prentiss, but it is right at the back of the room and not where Vincent thought she would be. But this table is about to bring him exactly what he has been looking for, if he could get off his phone and start being polite to the others at the table. Turns out, one couple have a farm on Hawaii where they produce the flower heliotrope, which he needs. When he starts interrogating them about their plants, Piper has to pull him away before he puts them off completely, especially if he needs their help. Piper gets on well with the Sullivans and Vincent asks her to come work for him and then reach out to them from the company. He hires her as a staff photographer within the creative department and gives her a ridiculous salary for a six-month period, when she doesn’t seem eager to come aboard. All she has to do is get them to agree to sell to him and she will be given a bonus as well. The only snag is the couple believe Piper and Vincent are together! Piper lasts a week before disagreeing with the creative director about the Evermore campaign and then ends up being given the position, to bring her ideas to it.
At the same time his father calls and tells him he is going off on some oddball holiday and it seems that the news he has a new girlfriend is just what might derail his crazy ideas. Now he and Piper are going to have to play the part they need to practise in front of the Sullivans, with his dad. A dad who left his mother and then remarried three times and failed every time. It has given Vincent a bad example of marriage and made him not want to ever consider it. Add in the stressful lead up to Paul and Chloe’s wedding, with Chloe going ballistic about anything that isn’t going right, and it makes him never want to go there! His dad falls for Piper straight away, as did the Sullivans and anyone else she mixes with. The plans to visit the Sullivans finally appear, and Vincent gets annoyed at all the events she has lined up for them to do whilst there, but that was Mrs Sulivan’s input, believing in their romantic side. All part of wooing of the couple for his heliotropes. Only problem, they will be sharing a bed, as well as a few days together all the time. The inevitable chemistry between them finally explodes when they return, with a cosy relationship building until the launch party of the new perfume, where Maya tries to grab Vincent again and he introduces Piper by her job description and not her relationship status with him! Disappointing and it gets worse after a social media post bares all about their relationship, as he worries more about his business than her! Piper had started to believe it might be real until he broke her heart, and he is soon going to learn that money can’t buy everything and sorry might be the hardest word to use in a meaningful manner. Big shows of affection won’t work, and he will have to rethink his ideas of love and marriage, as his parents get back together, and Paul gives him a few painful lessons about how he should be treating his little sister. Vincent has been noticeably happier since he met Piper, he just needs to learn that love is possible, even for someone like him!
A story with real life issues and the getting together of two people from opposites kinds of experiences. He is business only and doesn’t believe in love, whilst Piper is trying to avoid an ex-boyfriend who has suddenly gotten back in touch. He has his dreams for his final perfume of a trio and is struggling to get the flower, which is key to it, whilst she is trying to avoid her stepfather at a family wedding, and her seating choice leads to his salvation. A fake relationship to avoid his ex and get the flowers, suits her purpose for a start up with her BF, but the campaign party destroys that relationship, which had become real! I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout, and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
Piper is not looking forward to seeing her stepfather Prentiss at the party but can’t really avoid him. He always took credit for her golfing skills whist always putting her down! Spotting Vincent at the party annoys her and she was just speaking angrily to him, when Paul turned up and greeted them. Just after Paul gets pulled away by Chloe, Vincent goes pale, having spotted his ex-girlfriend Maya coming straight towards him. He quickly asks Piper to play along with him and suddenly, she also has a good reason to do so to avoid Prentiss! Piper had chosen a table far from Paul and Chloe, just to steer clear of Prentiss, but it is right at the back of the room and not where Vincent thought she would be. But this table is about to bring him exactly what he has been looking for, if he could get off his phone and start being polite to the others at the table. Turns out, one couple have a farm on Hawaii where they produce the flower heliotrope, which he needs. When he starts interrogating them about their plants, Piper has to pull him away before he puts them off completely, especially if he needs their help. Piper gets on well with the Sullivans and Vincent asks her to come work for him and then reach out to them from the company. He hires her as a staff photographer within the creative department and gives her a ridiculous salary for a six-month period, when she doesn’t seem eager to come aboard. All she has to do is get them to agree to sell to him and she will be given a bonus as well. The only snag is the couple believe Piper and Vincent are together! Piper lasts a week before disagreeing with the creative director about the Evermore campaign and then ends up being given the position, to bring her ideas to it.
At the same time his father calls and tells him he is going off on some oddball holiday and it seems that the news he has a new girlfriend is just what might derail his crazy ideas. Now he and Piper are going to have to play the part they need to practise in front of the Sullivans, with his dad. A dad who left his mother and then remarried three times and failed every time. It has given Vincent a bad example of marriage and made him not want to ever consider it. Add in the stressful lead up to Paul and Chloe’s wedding, with Chloe going ballistic about anything that isn’t going right, and it makes him never want to go there! His dad falls for Piper straight away, as did the Sullivans and anyone else she mixes with. The plans to visit the Sullivans finally appear, and Vincent gets annoyed at all the events she has lined up for them to do whilst there, but that was Mrs Sulivan’s input, believing in their romantic side. All part of wooing of the couple for his heliotropes. Only problem, they will be sharing a bed, as well as a few days together all the time. The inevitable chemistry between them finally explodes when they return, with a cosy relationship building until the launch party of the new perfume, where Maya tries to grab Vincent again and he introduces Piper by her job description and not her relationship status with him! Disappointing and it gets worse after a social media post bares all about their relationship, as he worries more about his business than her! Piper had started to believe it might be real until he broke her heart, and he is soon going to learn that money can’t buy everything and sorry might be the hardest word to use in a meaningful manner. Big shows of affection won’t work, and he will have to rethink his ideas of love and marriage, as his parents get back together, and Paul gives him a few painful lessons about how he should be treating his little sister. Vincent has been noticeably happier since he met Piper, he just needs to learn that love is possible, even for someone like him!
A story with real life issues and the getting together of two people from opposites kinds of experiences. He is business only and doesn’t believe in love, whilst Piper is trying to avoid an ex-boyfriend who has suddenly gotten back in touch. He has his dreams for his final perfume of a trio and is struggling to get the flower, which is key to it, whilst she is trying to avoid her stepfather at a family wedding, and her seating choice leads to his salvation. A fake relationship to avoid his ex and get the flowers, suits her purpose for a start up with her BF, but the campaign party destroys that relationship, which had become real! I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout, and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
November 3, 2024
Best parking lot collision of his life!
Piper Doyle is a photographer with a photoshoot to get to. She's trying her best to find a parking space in the cramped underground lot when she spots a space near an elevator. She had noticed a small red sports car, but it appeared to be leaving. As she's pulling into the space, the red car backs into her. The irate, but drop-dead gorgeous, driver claims it's her fault. He announces that not only does he own that particular parking space, but also the entire building. However, it seems that somebody stole his reserved parking sign. He calls security to deal with her, then walks away without exchanging any insurance information.
Vincent Forde does not make mistakes, or at least none that he will ever admit to anyone. So he hadn't looked before he started backing up; it was his personal parking space. Oh well, he'll never see her again. That's almost a pity, as she was a knockout blonde.
He'd been worried about his Nana Dee. She isn't a blood relative, but she's family in every way that counts. She's been in his life since Christmas of his freshman year at college. She's been looking out for him ever since. Her grandson, Trent, is one of his best friends. Aiden, Dominic, and Paul joined them in what became Dee's Lost Boys. She's looked out for all five of them over the years. But she had fallen last night and was hospitalized. Luckily it was a bad sprain rather than a break. Then Paul calls to remind Vincent about his engagement party that night.
Vincent is a perfume maker in desperate need of an essential ingredient for one of his scents. He doesn't want to use a synthetic scent. As much as he hates the idea, he soon learns that Piper is the best person to help him.
Piper and her roommate Darcy are trying to start up Strapped, a specialized leather goods company. Now it's making specialized leather straps for photographers. They'll also create other lines of leatherware, beginning with purses. The concept was hers, and she can do the creative side of the business, but Darcy, a current office manager, is the one for accounting and other areas of business. They hope an introduction to Mercedes Horan will entice her to invest in their company and advise them. She loves companies owned by women. They just need to raise enough money to place their first major order with the Italian factory before approaching her.
Piper's father died before she was old enough to remember him. She's longed for a father figure in her life. Paul’s father, Prentiss, married her mother when Piper was in high school. Paul was already away at college, and although they tried, the age gap, distance, and infrequent meetings made it difficult for them to create a close bond. She's surprised that Paul is so nice after being raised by Prentiss. She tried to establish a fatherly bond with Prentis. She thought their mutual love of golf could bring them together. Wrong! Instead, he'd tried mansplaining every hole and then became extremely angry when she'd trounce his score every time. Being a man, he naturally knows what she should do, and he's not shy of sharing his wisdom with her. As a result, she never speaks of him as a stepfather, only as her mother's husband, or Prentiss.
At Paul and Chloe's engagement party, she's still stewing over the accident, Prentiss can't stop bragging about himself, and her mother can't get in a word edgewater. She's ready to escape to the restroom, where she can plot her escape. When she looks towards the bar, she spots the jerk from the accident. Just as she's beginning to lay into him, he notices his well-known professional model ex-girlfriend, who seems to be searching for him. Piper turns him down when he asks her to play his current girlfriend. They're interrupted by Beck, someone Prentiss sent over. He informs her that he's saving a seat for her next to Prentiss and her mother. Beck has already commented on his desire to play golf with her and to share with her his favorite pointers. Perhaps being seated next to Vincent is the lesser of two evils.
Vincent's not happy to learn their table is at the back of the room near the kitchen. It's where you seat people that you had to ask to the dinner rather than those you really wanted there. Paul had promised to seat her as far away from Prentiss as possible. As usual for him, Vincent ignores everyone while dealing with emails on his phone. When he did interact with them, he was rude, overbearing, and obnoxious. The others at the table hate him but love her.
Only after he throughly insulted and alienated the older couple, Jean and Joe Sullivan, did he discover they have a twenty-acre heliotrope farm in Kauai. One of the only places on Earth where the blight hasn't hit the heliotrope crop. Heliotrope is the flower needed for Evermore, the third and final perfume of Summit’s Trio of Time fragrance collection. Of course neither of them will speak with him, let alone have a business relationship with him.
He has to get their flowers! The only way to do that is to hire Piper to work for him. It wasn’t as easy as he thought it would be to do so. It turns out she's not a team player either. They're fighting the attraction between them, but then, to try to protect his father, he asks her to continue the fake dating charade...
I received an ARC of this book from the author via Booksprout. I am voluntarily leaving this review.
Piper Doyle is a photographer with a photoshoot to get to. She's trying her best to find a parking space in the cramped underground lot when she spots a space near an elevator. She had noticed a small red sports car, but it appeared to be leaving. As she's pulling into the space, the red car backs into her. The irate, but drop-dead gorgeous, driver claims it's her fault. He announces that not only does he own that particular parking space, but also the entire building. However, it seems that somebody stole his reserved parking sign. He calls security to deal with her, then walks away without exchanging any insurance information.
Vincent Forde does not make mistakes, or at least none that he will ever admit to anyone. So he hadn't looked before he started backing up; it was his personal parking space. Oh well, he'll never see her again. That's almost a pity, as she was a knockout blonde.
He'd been worried about his Nana Dee. She isn't a blood relative, but she's family in every way that counts. She's been in his life since Christmas of his freshman year at college. She's been looking out for him ever since. Her grandson, Trent, is one of his best friends. Aiden, Dominic, and Paul joined them in what became Dee's Lost Boys. She's looked out for all five of them over the years. But she had fallen last night and was hospitalized. Luckily it was a bad sprain rather than a break. Then Paul calls to remind Vincent about his engagement party that night.
Vincent is a perfume maker in desperate need of an essential ingredient for one of his scents. He doesn't want to use a synthetic scent. As much as he hates the idea, he soon learns that Piper is the best person to help him.
Piper and her roommate Darcy are trying to start up Strapped, a specialized leather goods company. Now it's making specialized leather straps for photographers. They'll also create other lines of leatherware, beginning with purses. The concept was hers, and she can do the creative side of the business, but Darcy, a current office manager, is the one for accounting and other areas of business. They hope an introduction to Mercedes Horan will entice her to invest in their company and advise them. She loves companies owned by women. They just need to raise enough money to place their first major order with the Italian factory before approaching her.
Piper's father died before she was old enough to remember him. She's longed for a father figure in her life. Paul’s father, Prentiss, married her mother when Piper was in high school. Paul was already away at college, and although they tried, the age gap, distance, and infrequent meetings made it difficult for them to create a close bond. She's surprised that Paul is so nice after being raised by Prentiss. She tried to establish a fatherly bond with Prentis. She thought their mutual love of golf could bring them together. Wrong! Instead, he'd tried mansplaining every hole and then became extremely angry when she'd trounce his score every time. Being a man, he naturally knows what she should do, and he's not shy of sharing his wisdom with her. As a result, she never speaks of him as a stepfather, only as her mother's husband, or Prentiss.
At Paul and Chloe's engagement party, she's still stewing over the accident, Prentiss can't stop bragging about himself, and her mother can't get in a word edgewater. She's ready to escape to the restroom, where she can plot her escape. When she looks towards the bar, she spots the jerk from the accident. Just as she's beginning to lay into him, he notices his well-known professional model ex-girlfriend, who seems to be searching for him. Piper turns him down when he asks her to play his current girlfriend. They're interrupted by Beck, someone Prentiss sent over. He informs her that he's saving a seat for her next to Prentiss and her mother. Beck has already commented on his desire to play golf with her and to share with her his favorite pointers. Perhaps being seated next to Vincent is the lesser of two evils.
Vincent's not happy to learn their table is at the back of the room near the kitchen. It's where you seat people that you had to ask to the dinner rather than those you really wanted there. Paul had promised to seat her as far away from Prentiss as possible. As usual for him, Vincent ignores everyone while dealing with emails on his phone. When he did interact with them, he was rude, overbearing, and obnoxious. The others at the table hate him but love her.
Only after he throughly insulted and alienated the older couple, Jean and Joe Sullivan, did he discover they have a twenty-acre heliotrope farm in Kauai. One of the only places on Earth where the blight hasn't hit the heliotrope crop. Heliotrope is the flower needed for Evermore, the third and final perfume of Summit’s Trio of Time fragrance collection. Of course neither of them will speak with him, let alone have a business relationship with him.
He has to get their flowers! The only way to do that is to hire Piper to work for him. It wasn’t as easy as he thought it would be to do so. It turns out she's not a team player either. They're fighting the attraction between them, but then, to try to protect his father, he asks her to continue the fake dating charade...
I received an ARC of this book from the author via Booksprout. I am voluntarily leaving this review.
December 2, 2024
i fear they got over enemies wayyyy too fast and i do wonder if authors know that their romance books don’t actually have to end in a proposal and pregnancy
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