Primary Season

Vote for Love #1

by Sara Celi

Who says politics isn’t sexy? PATRICK BLANCO wants nothing more than a chance at the presidency, and he’s willing to do anything to get it. At just thirty-eight-years-old, Patrick is already one of the youngest and most successful senators in the country, but he’s destined for more. Much more. When the cold winds of the New Hampshire primary blow in his favor, his campaign kicks into overdrive. So does his love life. ALEXANDRA JONES knows that working on Patrick’s election could be the job she needs to prove herself in Washington, DC.  Win with him, and her life will change forever. She just didn’t count on something---her growing attraction to her boss. Pretty soon, she can’t deny it. Neither can he. As Patrick and his team head to South Carolina, life gets complicated. This is politics, after all. Secrets don’t say secret for long. Everything has a price. Everyone has a motive. There’s no time for love. Or is there?   *This story is novella length at 27,000 words*

99 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 7, 2016

About the author

New Orleans born Sara Celi has lived all over the United States. She calls the Greater Cincinnati area and the Queen City home.

She has spent more than a decade working in journalism and broadcasting, with jobs both on-air and off-air at TV stations in Louisiana, Ohio, and Oklahoma. Her work has appeared in numerous online publications, magazines and newspapers, and she is a contributing author to Chicken Soup For The Soul: The Power of Positive.

Sara graduated cum laude from Western Kentucky University in 2004.

In her spare time, she likes to read, shop, write, travel, run long distances, volunteer with the Junior League, and fund raise for Cooperative for Education, a non-profit providing educational opportunities for Guatemalan kids.

Reviews

[Natalie ~ The Biblioholic · Rating 4 out of 5]

After watching the intense race of the presidential election between Clinton and Trump, this book made politics a bit more... dare I say... palatable? I was inundated with messages citing my friends' disappointment with how the voting played out and it was a bit of bliss to get lost in this story.

Patrick is the 38 year old presidential candidate, the underdog if you will, and Alexandra is his communications director. It was obvious pretty much from the start that there was something brewing between these beyond a professional relationship. You just can't hide that chemistry. Unfortunately, there are two obstacles standing in the way of them exploring more: his candidacy and Kathryn, his girlfriend. Are Patrick and Alex destined to be apart or will Patrick win the more important race: a chance with Alex?

This book was fun to read. It was short, but packed with plenty of juicy tidbits. I'm hoping that the series continues with these two characters because it really seems that their story has only just begun.

An ARC was generously provided in exchange for an honest review

[Paula Phillips · Rating 3 out of 5]

With Election year being popular especially in the race for President between Donald Trump and Hilary Clinton, the election has been peaking everyone's interests, and there has been a sudden height of Election/Political fiction. I love reading Political Romances and so when I saw that there was a new one out called Primary Season. I was like I have to read it and though it was not too bad of a read, I was a little disappointed. In Primary Season we meet Patrick Blanco who is running for Office, and this book set on his campaign trail. The book starts at a fundraiser event where Patrick reveals to one of his main communication advisors that his relationship is fake and strictly a business arrangement and he has feelings for her. Alexandra Jones has worked hard to get where she is and doesn't want to stuff things up, and it doesn't make her job any easier as she develops personal feelings for Patrick. Even worst, he feels the same. During the rest of the book, they have an affair until some scandals hit and soon everyone must get down to business as we learn in the game called Politics it is every man or woman for themselves.It is a dirty sport. Then after the scandals sort of start to get intriguing the book finishes and if you are like me, you will set wondering where the rest of it was and why it just finished. One scandal, in particular, I was screaming - Why, did you finish - I want to find out what happened. Readers, beware Primary Season is a short novella read and does finish quite abruptly. However, in saying that if you want a quick fix novella to read on your break and love Election Fever, then check out Primary Season by Sara Celi.

[Preet · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novella was a quick read and surprising. I enjoyed the story and found it interesting. I didn't think I was going to be able to read another politically set or charged story, but quickly found myself engrossed in it. I was intrigued by the characters and the events they faced and I'm also looking forward to seeing who the next book is about.

[Two Girls with books · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

A life in politics wasn’t just about votes; it was composed of deals, promises, debt, and entitlement. Allies were made and allies betrayed. In a world where you were surrounded by more enemies than people you could call a friend, what would you do when you found yourself attracted to a member of your staff?

Patrick Blanco, junior senator from Ohio and presidential hopeful, was about to find out. Unfortunately, his biggest financial backer, and his girlfriend’s, Kathryn Van der Loon’s billionaire father, had certain expectations which didn’t include any wiggle room for second-guessing his life.

More specifically, his love life.

Alexandra Jones, the strong, determined and talented communications director for her charismatic and flirty boss, she thrived working on his campaign. With a strong win behind them and their eyes set on a make it or break it Primary race in South Carolina looming, they needed to focus on what mattered most.

Attraction won, lives were manipulated by a past that should’ve remained there, and deals made behind the scenes were in jeopardy of ruining everything they’d built.

But is a life in politics really a life at all? Especially when the foundation is built upon quicksand.

Ms. Celi wrote a great story that I did enjoy. If I could have changed anything, it would be the addition of an epilogue. I wanted just a bit more for the story to feel complete for me. Without any real conclusion that would satisfy my romantic heart, I couldn’t give it 4 stars. Maybe I’m a closet politician? Gimme an HEA epi and I’ll give you another half star? Hmm.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 3.5*

Patrick is a young and upcoming senator running to be the party's nomination for President. Alex is his PR guru. Whilst sparks fly between them Alex knows they keep their relationship professional to avoid any hint of a scandal. Patrick, it seems, didn't get her memo.

Whilst I liked Alex and her ability to do her job whilst maintaining boundaries, I struggled to like Patrick. When we see him through Alex's eyes he seems a breathe of fresh air standing against the political establishment. The reality is very different for me and it is hard to tell if he is genuine or what he really wants. I wished that this was longer and set over a longer time period as this might have helped with this perception.

***Reviewed for LBM Book Blog***

[Ashley Hedden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Primary Season by Sara Celi was another great read by the author. Patrick has always wanted a chance at being the president. He's willing to do anything to see that become a reality, including deceiving everyone. Alexandra works on Patrick's election campaign but soon finds she has different feelings. I loved reading this book and can't wait to read more by Sara Celi.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received Primary Season as an ARC in exchange for an honest review. This was my very first political book. I tend to stay away from politically themed books. I however found Primary Season not boring at all. There are so many secrets just aching to be released. I truly couldn't stop reading it. Sara Celi did an AMAZINGLY AWESOME job with the characters involved. Not just from that aspect either. I really found myself into the political aspect as well. And don't forget the steamy love scenes. I definitely enjoyed those.
I would most definitely recommend this book to anyone. Even if you think poltical romance isn't for you, I bet you'll LOVE Primary Season. I am definitely looking forward to more books in this series from the fabulous Sara Celi.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Typical Politics

This was a quick read and if had continued a little further I could have maybe given it a higher rating. I feel like Patrick is a typical politician which means if he isn't kissing babies he is stealing their lollipops. I think Alex is a sucker for believing in him. This book has lots of twists and turns which I really like but not the HEA I like in my books. I realize this is only part one but I'm not even sure I will read part two and I hate leaving things open ended. I was just disappointed in this book : (

[Amber - TBR Book Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was about the only kind of politics I could handle; a love story. I'm not going to go any more political than that, so no bashing or praising please.

Alex is Patrick's Communications Director while he's on the campaign trail. Patrick is only 38 and running for president. He's young, ambitious and wants to make his mark. Alex believes firmly in what Patrick stands for and loves the work she's doing. Until she finds out a little more about Patrick that might heat up the election trail...

[Rhonda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the scandal, it's expected with politicians, but still fun to read about. Steamy book with amazing chemistry. Good story flow.