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Corporate Chaos #1
In Over Her Head
Designer Marly West has one reason for taking the job at Draconia Fashions... and it's not to come up with the latest clothing trends. But when she blurts out a good idea in a corporate meeting, she gets exactly what she didn’t want… an opportunity of a lifetime. Too bad taking advantage of it might reveal the secret she desperately needs to keep hidden.
But it’s too late to get out of it now, and she soon finds that she’s in over her head with a boardroom full of resentful executives, a hot CEO, and a jealous M&M-scarfing assistant who wants to make sure Marly doesn’t succeed.
But it’s too late to get out of it now, and she soon finds that she’s in over her head with a boardroom full of resentful executives, a hot CEO, and a jealous M&M-scarfing assistant who wants to make sure Marly doesn’t succeed.
248 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 19, 2017
1205 people are currently reading
1102 people want to read
About the author
Leighann Dobbs
135 books1,862 followersUSA Today bestselling author, Leighann Dobbs, discovered her passion for writing after a twenty year career as a software engineer. She lives in New Hampshire with her husband Bruce, their trusty Chihuahua mix Mojo and beautiful rescue cat, Kitty.
Her book "Dead Wrong" won the "Best Mystery Romance" award at the 2014 Indie Romance Convention.
Her book "Ghostly Paws" was the 2015 Chanticleer Mystery & Mayhem First Place category winner in the Animal Mystery category.
Her book "Dead Wrong" won the "Best Mystery Romance" award at the 2014 Indie Romance Convention.
Her book "Ghostly Paws" was the 2015 Chanticleer Mystery & Mayhem First Place category winner in the Animal Mystery category.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 93 reviews
dnf
August 24, 2021DNF @ 10%. All it's been so far is internal monologue about a woman concerned about her weight, and mentally putting down women who are thin. I put the book down after a comment about how thin "bony" women spend too much time looking at themselves in the mirror or something along those lines. Based on reviews, the weight conversations only get more frequent, so I'm done with this one.
April 21, 2017
Three star
This book left me feeling somewhat let down. I think the girl meets corporate millionaire / billionaire is being way overplayed in the romance novels industry. This was cute in spots and the heroin is a hard working girl looking for a way to save her Mother from cancer. I feel the book wasn't developed enough. One, longer more developed novel might work better. Selling this as a series with a continuing crisis involving Tanner the backstabbing family friend (?) and Veronica the corporate snake just doesn't work for me.
This book left me feeling somewhat let down. I think the girl meets corporate millionaire / billionaire is being way overplayed in the romance novels industry. This was cute in spots and the heroin is a hard working girl looking for a way to save her Mother from cancer. I feel the book wasn't developed enough. One, longer more developed novel might work better. Selling this as a series with a continuing crisis involving Tanner the backstabbing family friend (?) and Veronica the corporate snake just doesn't work for me.
September 28, 2017
Marly West is a smart girl (she's got a double master's degree), but if she were really smart she would've found a different way to get the money for the surgery her mother needs, instead of trusting Tanner Durcotte, even if he was a friend of the family.
This is your typical corporate story--new employee comes up with a good idea, the CEO likes it, his assistant wants him for herself and does everything she can to sabotage the new employee, but it all backfires in the end.
I didn't mind the storyline so much as the language. It wasn't what you'd call explicit, but I don't want or need to read the word s**t coming out of everyone's mouths in almost every chapter. It really wasn't necessary and the authors could've used a thesaurus to come up with another word or two. I'm glad I read the second book in this series before I read this one or I would've been hesitant to read "Can't Stand the Heat" which I liked a lot better.
This is your typical corporate story--new employee comes up with a good idea, the CEO likes it, his assistant wants him for herself and does everything she can to sabotage the new employee, but it all backfires in the end.
I didn't mind the storyline so much as the language. It wasn't what you'd call explicit, but I don't want or need to read the word s**t coming out of everyone's mouths in almost every chapter. It really wasn't necessary and the authors could've used a thesaurus to come up with another word or two. I'm glad I read the second book in this series before I read this one or I would've been hesitant to read "Can't Stand the Heat" which I liked a lot better.
June 10, 2018
A funny and entertaining read I really enjoyed
April 20, 2017
I absolutely loved this book. The chacaters are so relatable that it was hard to put the book down. I was hooked after page 1 and sad when it ended. I'm looking forward to more about Marly and Jasper and Veronica and Tanner.
April 20, 2018
Great story line. Can’t wait for next book
Marly got her dream job, but an old family friend was blackmailing her to give him clothing designs from her new job, a rival company. He promised the money she needed to save her mother’s life.
Marly got her dream job, but an old family friend was blackmailing her to give him clothing designs from her new job, a rival company. He promised the money she needed to save her mother’s life.
Read
April 13, 2018DNF about a quarter of the way through. Literally half the internal conversations in this book were the female characters thinking/worrying about their weight. It was both boring and insulting. There wasn't enough of interest going on in the rest of the story to buoy me through the boring sections of the super-skinny chick worrying that she was no longer going to be a size zero, or the kind-of-chubby chick thinking about how she had no friends growing up because she was fat. (Really? None? Not a single person? That seems more like you may have a personality fault, not that you're fat.) And now that she's lost fifty pounds, she knows she can keep going because even though her breasts and booty are incredibly attractive to the hero of this tale, she knows that he would actually prefer little skinny women.
Just ugh. First off, weight is not the only aspect of physical appearance that someone may or may not find attractive. I think everyone is attracted to people of any weight who are also friendly, clean, and happy. Secondly, am I some kind of anomaly? Even when I'm dieting, I really only think about my weight for about three minutes out of the day - when I'm stepping on the scale and when I'm writing down my weight, and sometime around 3pm when I'm tempted to eat a candy bar. I just have a lot of other, more important, things to spend my brain power on.
In short, I felt like this book was unhealthy. The obsession of the main characters over their weight was grating on my nerves in a way that I couldn't ignore. Sorry, chick lit writers, women in the real world have other things to think about.
Just ugh. First off, weight is not the only aspect of physical appearance that someone may or may not find attractive. I think everyone is attracted to people of any weight who are also friendly, clean, and happy. Secondly, am I some kind of anomaly? Even when I'm dieting, I really only think about my weight for about three minutes out of the day - when I'm stepping on the scale and when I'm writing down my weight, and sometime around 3pm when I'm tempted to eat a candy bar. I just have a lot of other, more important, things to spend my brain power on.
In short, I felt like this book was unhealthy. The obsession of the main characters over their weight was grating on my nerves in a way that I couldn't ignore. Sorry, chick lit writers, women in the real world have other things to think about.
January 10, 2018
Really good read. Characters are developed by their thoughts and actions, and good guys finished above the conniving ones.
I have this a great reading because it was a great story with real human emotions, good and bad. Characters developed through what they said and did. It contained an unlikely possible romance that there reader wasn't certain where it was really going. For me it is into the other book in the series. If you are considering reading either start series book 1 now (or for your leisure reading time)
I have this a great reading because it was a great story with real human emotions, good and bad. Characters developed through what they said and did. It contained an unlikely possible romance that there reader wasn't certain where it was really going. For me it is into the other book in the series. If you are considering reading either start series book 1 now (or for your leisure reading time)
August 4, 2017
# 1 in the corporate chaos series
While this was more of a "love story" (which I don't like) than a "mystery", (which Ii prefer).
It was still a good book and well written.
Marly is trying to get current fashion designs to sell to a competitor so she can pay for medical care for her dying mother.
Of course, she falls for the head of the company, and doesn't want to deceive him, but needs the money.. . . etc
While this was more of a "love story" (which I don't like) than a "mystery", (which Ii prefer).
It was still a good book and well written.
Marly is trying to get current fashion designs to sell to a competitor so she can pay for medical care for her dying mother.
Of course, she falls for the head of the company, and doesn't want to deceive him, but needs the money.. . . etc
May 7, 2017
Wonderful..
I enjoyed this story, Leighann did a great job of putting it together. If you like a story that will have you smiling one page and shedding tears the next, don't miss this story. I love the authors books, and she did a wonderful job In "Over Her Head". (Not Leighanns)!
I enjoyed this story, Leighann did a great job of putting it together. If you like a story that will have you smiling one page and shedding tears the next, don't miss this story. I love the authors books, and she did a wonderful job In "Over Her Head". (Not Leighanns)!
July 19, 2017
Terrific new series from Leighann Dobbs
This is a book that hints of romance and sabotage in the fashion industry. The plot is well defined, the characters strong and a bit of humor. I enjoyed reading this book and am starting the second of the series. Thank you, Leighann for an awesome read.!!
This is a book that hints of romance and sabotage in the fashion industry. The plot is well defined, the characters strong and a bit of humor. I enjoyed reading this book and am starting the second of the series. Thank you, Leighann for an awesome read.!!
May 8, 2017
I usually read mysteries, but decided to read this book because I like Leighann Dobb's books. It was a cute story that kept pace. I loved the characters and discovered there is book two in the works.
July 26, 2017
Thoroughly enjoyed this book
It's been a while since a book had me smiling and crying but this book accomplished it. Loved the storyline and characters. Drew me in like I would like to know these people. Great read. Thank you. Cindy
It's been a while since a book had me smiling and crying but this book accomplished it. Loved the storyline and characters. Drew me in like I would like to know these people. Great read. Thank you. Cindy
August 5, 2017
Cute story
A lot of misunderstandings and mishaps make the action in this book keep you reading. The two evil characters do everything in their power to mess things up. Can not wait for the next book in the series.
A lot of misunderstandings and mishaps make the action in this book keep you reading. The two evil characters do everything in their power to mess things up. Can not wait for the next book in the series.
May 17, 2017
In over her head. Wow
This book kept me on the edge of my seat. Very good storiy line. I loved it. I know you will too.
This book kept me on the edge of my seat. Very good storiy line. I loved it. I know you will too.
July 20, 2017
Good book
Made me laugh, made me cry. Left me wanting more.
Can not wait for next book to see where the author takes it next.
Made me laugh, made me cry. Left me wanting more.
Can not wait for next book to see where the author takes it next.
July 26, 2017
Love it!!!
I read Book 2 first and had to go back and read the first one. I can't wait for the next book.
I read Book 2 first and had to go back and read the first one. I can't wait for the next book.
August 4, 2017
Predictable mostly until the last chapter but still a fun read
January 24, 2018
Love the story line
The characters in this book are perfect. Loved reading it and didn't want to put it down! I've already read this series, can't recommend it highly enough!
The characters in this book are perfect. Loved reading it and didn't want to put it down! I've already read this series, can't recommend it highly enough!
April 11, 2018
This was a quick little read; I read it in 2 days.
I got this book off of a $1.99 Kindle Daily Deal special. The premise intrigued me. Marly gets at job at Dracocian Fashion House in NYC. Marly is a plus size girl who happens to speak her mind at hte wrong time (during a meeting with the department heads). Next thing she knows she is creating a new plus size line for the fashion house.
However, the story takes an interesting turn when it comes to light that she is spying for a rival design house-- Theorim. The head of Theorim is an old family friend who promised her $100,000 if Marly stole the company's latest designs. She does exactly that.
The story takes an even surprising turn when you find out that her mom has cancer and is dying without a life saving operation. The insurance company won't pay for it, because the surgery is experimental. So, the head of Theorim offers to give her the money.
There really isn't anything really super new or original--the poor girl falls in love with the billionaire. Seems to be a common thing these days (was published in 2017 post-FSOG) so it's becoming almost comical that every single rich billionaire happens to be interested in the mousy girl. That part aside, I really did enjoy the story. I did enjoy learning what Marly was going to do with Theorim plus make her boss happy and save her Mom's life. It was almost suspenseful in ways. It kept me hooked.
I got this book off of a $1.99 Kindle Daily Deal special. The premise intrigued me. Marly gets at job at Dracocian Fashion House in NYC. Marly is a plus size girl who happens to speak her mind at hte wrong time (during a meeting with the department heads). Next thing she knows she is creating a new plus size line for the fashion house.
However, the story takes an interesting turn when it comes to light that she is spying for a rival design house-- Theorim. The head of Theorim is an old family friend who promised her $100,000 if Marly stole the company's latest designs. She does exactly that.
The story takes an even surprising turn when you find out that her mom has cancer and is dying without a life saving operation. The insurance company won't pay for it, because the surgery is experimental. So, the head of Theorim offers to give her the money.
There really isn't anything really super new or original--the poor girl falls in love with the billionaire. Seems to be a common thing these days (was published in 2017 post-FSOG) so it's becoming almost comical that every single rich billionaire happens to be interested in the mousy girl. That part aside, I really did enjoy the story. I did enjoy learning what Marly was going to do with Theorim plus make her boss happy and save her Mom's life. It was almost suspenseful in ways. It kept me hooked.
February 8, 2020
In Over Her Head (Corporate Chaos Book 1)— Leighann Dobbs (33 chapters + Epilogue) Feb. 5, 2020
I pulled out my Kindle and the first book I saw was this one, so I decided to read it….and I ended up reading it straight through…not so good when you need to get up and go to work in the morning at 5:30a and the book got finished at 2:30a. Well, I had vacation time coming, right?
This was a different kind of story from Ms. Dobbs…no paranormal activity in sight…and yet, it really was delightful, fun and made me LOL several times through the book.
Marly started working at a high-end fashion venue for one reason…and that reason did include falling for the tall dark, muscular boss. Add in an assistant with claws out and a goofy but lovable sidekick to help Marly get through the day and you end up with a rollicking fun ride through the fashion world.
Loved this book and will definitely be reading the next book. It really does read fast, a page turner with each chapter just as good as the last.
Four stars.
I pulled out my Kindle and the first book I saw was this one, so I decided to read it….and I ended up reading it straight through…not so good when you need to get up and go to work in the morning at 5:30a and the book got finished at 2:30a. Well, I had vacation time coming, right?
This was a different kind of story from Ms. Dobbs…no paranormal activity in sight…and yet, it really was delightful, fun and made me LOL several times through the book.
Marly started working at a high-end fashion venue for one reason…and that reason did include falling for the tall dark, muscular boss. Add in an assistant with claws out and a goofy but lovable sidekick to help Marly get through the day and you end up with a rollicking fun ride through the fashion world.
Loved this book and will definitely be reading the next book. It really does read fast, a page turner with each chapter just as good as the last.
Four stars.
August 31, 2018
Marly and Jasper
Marly is a trained fashion designer with no experience. Her father died and her mother has cancer and needs a treatment not yet approved for payment by insurance. Their townhouse is being foreclosed by the bank. Tanner is supposed to have been a friend of the family, but he is Jasper's greatest competitor. He tells Marly he will give her the
$100,000 needed for her mother's surgery if she gets him Jasper's plans for the fall ling. She meets Jasper and likes him and does not want to hurt his company. She conceives a plan to give Tanner fake designs that will not help him or hurt Jasper. Meanwhile, Tanner stops payment on the check he gave her so the surgery is called off. There are twists and turns that end with the surgery done, Marly not only getting her job back but a promotion, Jasper's assistant getting justifiably cited, and Jasper and Marly together.
Marly is a trained fashion designer with no experience. Her father died and her mother has cancer and needs a treatment not yet approved for payment by insurance. Their townhouse is being foreclosed by the bank. Tanner is supposed to have been a friend of the family, but he is Jasper's greatest competitor. He tells Marly he will give her the
$100,000 needed for her mother's surgery if she gets him Jasper's plans for the fall ling. She meets Jasper and likes him and does not want to hurt his company. She conceives a plan to give Tanner fake designs that will not help him or hurt Jasper. Meanwhile, Tanner stops payment on the check he gave her so the surgery is called off. There are twists and turns that end with the surgery done, Marly not only getting her job back but a promotion, Jasper's assistant getting justifiably cited, and Jasper and Marly together.
October 7, 2022
Nice clean story. Not really a mystery,partly a romance. I liked Marly and felt bad that she had so much trouble and the one person who could have helped decided to agree to help but only if she went to work at a rival fashion house and steal their designs. The dirtbag pretends to help her and the check bounces. Several hateful characters as well as jealous ones. I didn't find it humorous,although I enjoyed seeing 2 of them get what they deserved.
The main thing that I found disturbing was the father and other male characters bashing Marly for not being super thin, like it was bad for business. I could have cheered when the CEO pointed out to two of the men that they both were overweight. I hate that so many women think that they have to be super thin, even acting like if you wear anything over a size 6 you are fat.
The main thing that I found disturbing was the father and other male characters bashing Marly for not being super thin, like it was bad for business. I could have cheered when the CEO pointed out to two of the men that they both were overweight. I hate that so many women think that they have to be super thin, even acting like if you wear anything over a size 6 you are fat.
March 26, 2018
This is the first of a series of three (so far) books about several couples and their families and businesses. This one is set in the design industry and features a "plus size" heroine who manages to catch the handsome boss of a design house proposing a plus size line. Unfortunately she was also spying for another design house to try to get money for an experimental operation for her mother who was in danger of dying from cancer. Amazingly enough, despite multiple complications, it all works out in the end, and we even get the set up for the next book at the end of this one. After reading several heavy books, I was ready for some lighter fare, and this series works for that, although it's certainly not great literature.
September 7, 2017
Over her head is right
All I got out of this book was if you are heavy:
1 . work harder than everyone else because if you don't you are fat and lazy
2. Dwell on the fact you are the fattest and least attractive person
3. Be ashamed of yourself
4. In order to lose weight you must skip meals and starve yourself
5. To get a man you have to be thin
6. Pretty thin girls tease,taunt belittle and bully fat girls
7. People have to resort to illegal activities to pay for life saving operations---yet thousands of illegals get free medical
8. On the other hand, belittling thin people also applies here
I found this book quite disturbing.
Was there a plot to this book?
All I got out of this book was if you are heavy:
1 . work harder than everyone else because if you don't you are fat and lazy
2. Dwell on the fact you are the fattest and least attractive person
3. Be ashamed of yourself
4. In order to lose weight you must skip meals and starve yourself
5. To get a man you have to be thin
6. Pretty thin girls tease,taunt belittle and bully fat girls
7. People have to resort to illegal activities to pay for life saving operations---yet thousands of illegals get free medical
8. On the other hand, belittling thin people also applies here
I found this book quite disturbing.
Was there a plot to this book?
December 11, 2019
Good read.
I enjoyed this book. The characters were interesting. Marley is a plus sized girl, whose mother is seriously ill. Marly starts working in the fashion industry when she speaks up, and is noticed by the owner. Circumstances are against them. This was a nice,clean,romantic story. My only objection is that it’s described as humorous . So many books are described that way, they must have a different definition than I do. I would not describe this as humorous. So if that is what you’re looking for, this isn’t it. However if you’re looking for a good,enjoyable romantic, clean book. This is it.
I enjoyed this book. The characters were interesting. Marley is a plus sized girl, whose mother is seriously ill. Marly starts working in the fashion industry when she speaks up, and is noticed by the owner. Circumstances are against them. This was a nice,clean,romantic story. My only objection is that it’s described as humorous . So many books are described that way, they must have a different definition than I do. I would not describe this as humorous. So if that is what you’re looking for, this isn’t it. However if you’re looking for a good,enjoyable romantic, clean book. This is it.
April 29, 2020
Frothy
This is enjoyable as a chick lit entry. This is not a rom com; there is no comedy. This is not a cozy mystery; the "corporate sabotage" does not truly exist, is not a mystery, and there is no investigating. What this book has are Marly and Jasper as likable, not particularly well developed leads in a sweet, clean workplace romance. There's the obligatory mean girl and equally expected likable sidekicks to the main characters. This is a light and easy read, and, although not up to Ms. Dobbs usual standard, I plan to read what's next in this series for Raffe and Sarah.
This is enjoyable as a chick lit entry. This is not a rom com; there is no comedy. This is not a cozy mystery; the "corporate sabotage" does not truly exist, is not a mystery, and there is no investigating. What this book has are Marly and Jasper as likable, not particularly well developed leads in a sweet, clean workplace romance. There's the obligatory mean girl and equally expected likable sidekicks to the main characters. This is a light and easy read, and, although not up to Ms. Dobbs usual standard, I plan to read what's next in this series for Raffe and Sarah.
February 26, 2018
Somehow good, but the story didn't really describe the looks of the characters. The girl is just "plus size" and the guy has blue eyes and in good shape, it would be really good if the characters' appearance have been described in detailed so it will be easy for us readers to envision or imagine the flow of the story. Also, some details are boring and not worthy to read that I just skim it. On the better side, the author portrays each character's perspective by telling their own story without ruining the whole story.
September 23, 2021
Okay, but felt rushed
Its a classic story line, with a great setting. The writing isn't bad by any means but it definitely felt rushed. I wish the author had taken their time to really flesh out the description and build up the relationship more. Some points are a little cliché but who doesn't, love a cliché? It's usually why we read romances!
If you want a short and to the point book, then this is the one for you. I personally felt like it had so much potential that it didn't quite reach.
Its a classic story line, with a great setting. The writing isn't bad by any means but it definitely felt rushed. I wish the author had taken their time to really flesh out the description and build up the relationship more. Some points are a little cliché but who doesn't, love a cliché? It's usually why we read romances!
If you want a short and to the point book, then this is the one for you. I personally felt like it had so much potential that it didn't quite reach.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 93 reviews