Bound to her Fake Fiancé Boss

Bound #2

by Hayson Manning

Faking it never felt so real...




I'm a happy workaholic. She's my sassy assistant. When I need a fake fianc�, she's the perfect choice. What could go wrong in ten days...




I don't do 'I-do.' Don't believe in happy-ever-after. But to convince my grandmother I'm about to take the plunge, I must bring a "fianc�e" to Montana. My heart might not be open, but my checkbook is. I agree to pay my sexy assistant, Asia Brown, to pose as my bride-to-be. She's a level-headed professional who will get the job done. Or so I thought. When she openly flaunts my no-public-displays-of-affection rule, my grandmother's not the only one convinced it's the real deal. Every part of me from the neck down is totally sold.




When my broody billionaire boss offers me a six-figure bonus to pretend we're engaged, I can't refuse the opportunity to secure the funds to get my sister into rehab. And if there's a little something left over to help me open my own dress shop, it's a win-win. Determined to charm the grump out of him, I'm caught off-guard by how different Jason is away from spreadsheets and profit margins. And how real it feels when I'm in his arms.




When the stakes ramp up, can two opposites take a chance on love, or is faking it the only reality they have?




Bound to her Fake Fiance Boss is a standalone billionaire romance with a grumpy hero and his feisty assistant who'll bring him to his knees.

Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Contemporary Romance, Fake Dating

310 pages, Paperback

Published February 28, 2021

About the author

I love Princess Bride, Game of Thrones and Naked and Afraid. The Big Bang Theory but will take Wolowitz over Cooper. Star Trek not Star Wars. Undercover Boss, Secret Millionaire--any story that shows the little guy making it. I follow the Buffalo Bills like a religion. I am spellbound by showjumping and equestrian eventing. I love curling up and reading all books--no genre is off-topic. I like ironing, I hate peas, love donkeys, I play a killer game of Scrabble. I'm a kiwi who has lived most of my life in Australia and now am in the US. I will often be heading towards the fridge for another Diet Coke. I eat nothing with legs and believe wine goes with everything, oh and I'm an expert at finding new and inventive ways to avoid exercise.

I live in the sparkly beach side suburb of Redondo Beach in California with my infuriating shoe-dropping husband and my two boys who speak in mystifying grunts.
I'd love to hear from you at haysonmanning@gmail.com

Reviews

[Lana ❇✾DG Romance❇✾ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 STARS

I’m falling for my bossy, broody boss. What the hell have I done and become?

Office romance? CHECK
Grumpy, billionaire hero with a tortured past not looking for love? CHECK
Sassy, quirky heroine not afraid to speak her mind? CHECK
A swoon, sexy, feel good romance that had me turning the pages from beginning to end? CHECK AND CHECK

Now I'll be the first to admit, reading the above summary makes the story sound a bit cliche, right? WRONG. You know when you have a story that can be like every other in the genre, but then there's just a little magic to it that makes it different? Yep. This had it in spades. There was just this sizzle and spice to this that had me glued to the pages.

Jason Johnson is stone cold. He runs his business with an iron fist and doesn't stop to count the casualties. Romance is the last thing he needs and his women never seem to make it past the 3 week mark with him even when they try.

Asia is his quirky assistant that somehow has made it where others have not and been tolerating his grumpy @ss. Though the paycheck certainly helps the crazy hours and lack of social life. She needs every dime she makes to get something her heart yearns for.

Jason doesn't believe in love but needs to sell it to his grandmother who will sell his childhood home unless she sees him in a happy relationship. So what's a man to do? Fake it and buy your secretary, of course.

What I absolutely loved about this story is the opposites attract vibe. Asia is vivacious and lovely and caring to Jason's cold, unfeeling and brooding. Now in stories with a tortured hero who doesn't believe in love, I really have to buy the why. And Jason's past certainly did it. I understood why he was the way he was. I also loved watching him slowly but surely and unwittingly fall for his beautiful assistant.

The romance was sizzling and the story was addictive. And the grovel at the end? DELICIOUS!

If you're looking for a marriage of convenience trope that will put a smile on your face from page one and keep it on there until the last one, READ THIS. And the set up for the rest of the brotherhood? GAH! SO GOOD. I love the friendship these men have and kept through the years that are full of dark secrets and pain. I NEED MORE!!


ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review

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[Angie Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hayson Manning has written a 5-star book. This is the story of Asia and Jason. Jason has found out that his grandmother was to meet his fiance that he has told her about. He has lied to her about it and now he has to find a fake fiance. He is discussing this with his assistant Asia. She tells him that he can't just use someone that he has dated before. He asks if she would do it and she tells him no and leaves. He goes to her apartment and is shocked by where she lives. He has a little trouble getting to her apartment door and even a little more getting inside her apartment. Once inside, they talk about his need for a fake fiance and she tells him no again. He tells her that he will pay her fifty thousand dollars for ten days. She comes back with one hundred with conditions. She list the conditions and he agrees to them. When they get to his grandmothers, they are shown to their room. Jason hasn't been back to this house since his brother James and his mother died when they fell thru the ice on the pond. He has not told Asis about his brother and mother. He doesn't talk about anything with her. Things are not going well for them and Asia spends most of her time alone while Jason works. He is working one morning and he sees Asia out on the pond skating. He goes and gets her but she doesn't want to get off the ice. He gets her by pulling her hair. When they get off the ice, Asia goes up to their room and packs her things, and leaves. Jason doesn't know that she has left and he and his grandmother have a talk. She tells him that she doesn't have that long left to live and wants to see him married. Jason thinks that Asia will not go for this and he is right. He goes upstairs to talk to her and finds out she is not there. He goes to look for her and when he finds her she ignores him at first. He finally gets her to go back to the house with him and they have a talk. He tells her some things that she didn't know before. She agrees to marry him. Once they get back to their homes things start to go downhill. He starts to push her away. At work, she is no longer like she had been before. She doesn't talk to him unless she has too and it is only what she has to say. Anything he tries to do for her, she rejects. One night, while she is sleeping, her sister, Jasmine, and her boyfriend, Van come in and he is mad. He tells her that since she sent the man after him, he had to run and it took him two states to lose him. Van beats Asia and tells her that he is going to come back and give her more of the same. He also tells her that he is going to rape her. She is lying on the floor when her best friend, Darlene comes in and finds her. Everyone in the building is there for Asia. For some reason, Jason comes by and sees her beat up and he takes her back to his house. She has not seen or spoken to him since she left his office. Jason sets things to happen at her apartment building that will protect her. She has to stay at Jason's until things are finished. She has a movie night with all her friends at Jason's. One of her friends tells her that her apartment has been finished for a week and this makes her mad since Jason was to tell her when the work had been done. After everyone leaves, she and Jason go to bed. The next morning, Jason sees her tings by the door and he knows his time with her is up. He says some things that upset her and then she is gone for good.
Can Jason let go of the past and allow Asia into his heart?
This was a wonderful book and I would recommend it to anyone.

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

[Paige · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this book and I did like parts of it but in the end I’m not super enthusiastic about it.

Jason is hot and cold for literally the ENTIRE book. I’m not even exaggerating. At 90% he’s still telling Asia that he doesn’t want to settle down and have all the things she wants in life like love, marriage and a family. Omg this man gave me whiplash. One minute he acts so into her and the next he’s being so mean to her. He doesn’t want her but doesn’t want anyone else to have her. I liked Asia but she forgave him so easily every single time he messed up and wow this man messed up so much!! The whole book was him being sweet and then messing up and her forgiving him and then it starts over again. It was very frustrating. Also all of his friends names are so similar I’m super confused on who’s who.

Also I was not happy about how the situation played out with her sister. It rubbed me the wrong way. And the fact that one of Jason’s friends is going to give a job to a guy who beat up and threatened to rape Asia once he got sober blows my mind. You’re going to employ someone who beat the crap out of your best friend’s wife?!!! That makes no sense to me, I don’t care if the guy was on drugs or not.

These guys seem like assholes so I don’t know if I’ll continue the story.

NO CHEATING
OW DRAMA (he gets flirted with and DOESNT shoot them down like he should)
OM DRAMA (she gets flirted with but of course not as much as he did.
BREAK UPS ALL OVER THE PLACE
VIOLENCE AND THREATENED SA ON FMC (not by MMC)

[Defying Tradition Allisia Wysong · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic book! This is the first book I’ve read in the series but will be going back and reading the other! It can be read as a standalone and I had no trouble following the story line. I love Asia and Jason’s story it really has you guessing and needing to know how these two stubborn people will find their HEA. I liked this book because it shows that life can suck big time and that it’s how you handle those times that show who you truly are. Even though Jason has a lot of tragedy in his life he stuck to his protective nature and helps when he can. Asia isn’t you poor girl that needs a rich man to fix her problems, she’s a strong independent woman who knows what she wants. She has dreams and wants to work to achieve them. As I said I LOVED these two, and you will too! So don’t wait anymore, grab your copy and curl up in your reading spot to delve into this amazing read!

[ies · Rating 4 out of 5]

Novel pertama Hayson Manning yang gw baca, seru meski temanya umum, tetep asik dibaca...
gw baca dalam sekali duduk, tau2 kelar.. karakternya jg kocak bgt, jadi asik dibaca XD

*gw lg gak sempet bikin review kumplit

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a typical fake relationship romance, featuring a stoic alpha male and his eccentric and happy assistant.

Jason Johnson is a billionaire with a rocky past and no desire for a long-term relationship. Asia Brown is his hard-working assistant and seems to be the only one not afraid of him, but she's facing her own troubles. These characters could not be any more different but when circumstances drive them to fake an engagement and all that comes with it they will begin to realize what they really mean to each other.

The plot is interesting, though I did recognize a couple of inconsistencies, and easy to follow. The characters are great and Asia is determined and unwilling to deal with any of Jason's crap. They have to work for their happy ever after though, making it all the more satisfying when it happens. I'm not super into books with the super alpha-male type so there were a couple of lines or things Jason did that made me cringe a bit, but overall a good book and easy read.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Desert Lumens · Rating 5 out of 5]

My oh my. Where to start? This book was absolutely amazing. Let me start out by saying a few things before we dive in here. This is the first Hayson Manning book I’ve ever read. Second, I know EVERY single location she talks about. I’m sitting here stunned. I never imagined that a book to take place in suburbs of Los Angeles. Like, the South Bay. Sure, I’ve read a few books based out of LA, no biggie but Hayson took it a few steps further which makes me smile so large. She’s a local, like me. I grew up on Carson, California..... next city over to Compton AND Torrance... two major places this book takes place. If you ever watched a show called EMERGENCY, you know Squad 51? The hospital Rampart? That’s on the borderline or Torrance and Carson. Just to give you a reference. Been there so many times dropping patients in the emergency room. Also working EMS my whole life I was stationed in Torrance and Inglewood and yes, Compton when I first started out. I live in Orange County now still very close to my roots and I couldn’t stop smiling as she talked about these neighborhoods and how close knit these communities are. They still exist in some areas... even in the bad ones you will find people who band together and provide a community of giving, friendship and fellowship. It’s very beautiful. For this reason alone I give Hayson much respect and a tip of my 🎩. This story had lots of real life scenarios involved and may trigger some people. Domestic violence, some physical abuse and threat of rape was real. Also theft and being strung out on opioids. I won’t get deeper than that. But it’s there. I also love Pete’s character who was a homeless vet. Something we have too many of. Ugh, she has so many good characters and we haven’t even talked about Jason (which is my name 😂) and Asia. Although I couldn’t figure out Asia’s nationality it was definitely implied this was a interracial relationship with some of the basketball comments 🤣😂 but maybe I’m wrong. Nothing wrong with that being that I’m Chinese, Irish, Black and American Indian. Yes folks, Heinz 57! The United Nations, even! 🤦🏽‍♂️🤪. Their chemistry was so amazing! I loved Asia’s snark! Lordy that woman slayed me as my boy would say. That was a good woman and he was a very smart man to hold that one down 😈. There were so many good side stories brewing! Gabriel and Darlene! Oh boy I cannot wait for this! Hell, I want to read about Brutus and Bronte! My head is spinning at all of the magnificent characters she wrote into this book. There is lots of tragedy and PTSD triggers in this book as well. I must also warn you all of this. Sighs, it’s very real. At first I thought about stopping this book because I suffer from extreme PTSD. I had four sons... two, were twins... one died tragically and traumatically in front of his brothers and it destroyed not only my life but everything else associated with it. My 20 year marriage did not survive and it took a lot of friends love and life choices to even decide to still be here. The sadness of losing a child just left such a gaping hole in my life. But I still have my other sons whom I live for. But, mentally I’m shredded and learning to live again after losing my world and being alone now. But like Jason I have my brothers, and they were there for me and grounded me through the darkness. My sister as well. Though things are still bleak and dark I have come out of the fog and back into the light and I want and feel things again. Kind of serious for a review eh? But a book with triggers like this... well, sometimes one walks into a room and not knowing what’s going to happen until it happens. Same with reading this book. Like life, I stuck it out with this book and I’m so happy I did because I got to read an amazing love story. Something I truly hope that I myself will have again one day. Asia went through so much hell for Jason’s love and it just goes to show you that true love can conquer all if there’s determination, willingness between the two people, Gods will and most importantly LOVE. This story took me on a rollercoaster of emotions. I’m so thankful to have read this book and I will continue to read Hayson’s books. I’ve already signed up for her newsletter (you should too 😏😋😉) wink, wink to get Harlan and Sophie’s book. I cannot wait for the next book. I’ll be on it like a “rash” 🤣😂 this 🐻gives this book 10 amazing stars! 5 cosmic 💥💥💥💥💥 and 5 meteors! ☄️☄️☄️☄️☄️ what an amazing start to a series. Pick this up. You’ll love it! I sure did!

I got this book as an ARC from BookSirens.com for my unbiased review. Check them out!

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been waiting for this book for a while and wow I was not disappointed what an awesome story, it is emotional, it is so very sensual and witty, I had lots of LOL moments reading this one as we get to know Asia and Jason, their road to a HEA is a very rocky one, but one that I feel is a must read if you enjoy a fabulous hot sexy, witty romance with a hero to die for and a feisty strong stubborn heroine, don’t miss this one.

Let’s meet Jason Johnson, billionaire businessman and work is everything to him he is a real workaholic, good looking, very good looking but a tragedy in is childhood days changes him forever at boarding school he makes friends with a group of boys and to this day they are his friends and only friends, he has women falling at his feet, but one night stands or three weeks max is it.

Asia Brown, hard- working PA cute, little and dresses very plain, when she is hired by Jason to be his PA, she is what he needs she will not expect more from him, all set and she proves to be a fabulous PA a little quirky perhaps but they get on really well. But then Jason needs a fiancé to prove to his grandmother that all is good in his life and Asia will be the perfect fake fiancé, or will she, she push my buttons with her signs of physical affection and she is pushing so much so that parts of his body are jumping to be in.

Truly I loved this one so very much, Jason and Asia are so very different, different backgrounds, different approaches to things but the connection between them is off the planet hot and sexy and it is not long before Asia is getting Jason to open up and the more he does that the closer they get but it takes a long time before Jason sees what love is. I loved Asia so much what a beautiful caring loving heroine and so darn witty feisty and stubborn and Jason gorgeous determined in everything he does and seeing him fall for Asia is the best. This is one that I highly recommend.

Thank you so much Hayson Manning for a fabulous story, I loved it and look forward to more stories in this series.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bound to Her Fake Fiance Boss tells the story of personal assistant Asia Brown and her wealthy CEO boss, Jason Johnson. In order to inherit his family home, Jason is ordered to return to the homestead in Montana and told he can only inherit the family home if he proves he is "settling down." Enter Asia his personal assistant and aspiring fashion designer. Asia and Jason agree to pretend to be engaged for 10 days in order to fool Jason's grandmother, with a contract that is mutually beneficial to both parties.

With the fake love trope, we can expect that it will turn real. But, that is where the predictability ends. This book really is a love story of two people with little family connections and lots of loss trying to get through life. Their approaches to survival couldn't be more different, providing a large source of character conflict.

This book tells several stories beyond their relationship. There is a lot going on, but it makes the book that more engaging. I found myself instantly drawn to the characters and truly rooting for them throughout the book. I was connected to them and felt a lot of emotions as the characters traveled on their journey which is the true mark of an excellent book. This book made me laugh (a lot), angry, sad, and happy in no particular order. Jason and Asia have an amazing connection and their relationship is HOT! This is no "fade to black" story.

There were enough hints dropped throughout the book to make a reader very interested in the series. The book ends with a launch to the next book, which I am itching to read! I give this book 5 stars for engaging plot and excellent execution.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Deborah Apodaca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Asia is Jason Johnson's personal assistant. A position she was hired for without even an interview because he felt she was there to actually work and not just to bang him on the boardroom room table. Her translation - you're short and ugly. He may be sex-on-a-stick, but the only emotion he has ever shown was when he's lost a deal, which is rarely, and then he starts throwing things at the wall.

Jason lied to his grandmother and told her he was engaged. She hates his lifestyle and is threatening to leave his childhood home to some obscure charity if he doesn't show he does in fact have a fiance.

Jason loves Asia's smart mouth and refusal to take his crap. She reminds him of a sexy librarian with her buttoned up outfits showing nothing on her figure. The night he showed up at her apartment to make a deal for her to play his fake fiance he was shocked when he saw her with her hair down and in shorts. It was going to be a really long ten days.

I loved this book. I love Asia! She is frigging hilarious! Her horoscope and songs of the day kept me laughing. I love their snipping back and forth. The kiss ratings are a work of art. I love all of the characters! They have your back whether they are his Presidio brothers or her apartment building "family ". Jason is such an injured soul, but the personality under his gruff is humorous and protective.

I laughed. I cried. I highly recommend this book and look forward to the rest of the series!!! I do have one question - is there a Chapter 31?

[Reading by Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

HIGHLY RECOMMEND

Asia is Jason Johnson's personal assistant. A position she was hired for without even an interview because he felt she was there to actually work and not just to bang him on the boardroom room table. Her translation - you're short and ugly. He may be sex-on-a-stick, but the only emotion he has ever shown was when he's lost a deal, which is rarely, and then he starts throwing things at the wall.

Jason lied to his grandmother and told her he was engaged. She hates his lifestyle and is threatening to leave his childhood home to some obscure charity if he doesn't show he does in fact have a fiance.

Jason loves Asia's smart mouth and refusal to take his crap. She reminds him of a sexy librarian with her buttoned up outfits showing nothing on her figure. The night he showed up at her apartment to make a deal for her to play his fake fiance he was shocked when he saw her with her hair down and in shorts. It was going to be a really long ten days.

I loved this book. I love Asia! She is frigging hilarious! Her horoscope and songs of the day kept me laughing. I love their snipping back and forth. The kiss ratings are a work of art. I love all of the characters! They have your back whether they are his Presidio brothers or her apartment building "family ". Jason is such an injured soul, but the personality under his gruff is humorous and protective.

I laughed. I cried. I highly recommend this book and look forward to the rest of the series!!! I do have one question - is there a Chapter 31?

[Kelly DeMarco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Broken beyond repair and redemption?
Bound To Her Fake Fiancé Boss (Bound to the Brotherhood Series Book 2) by Hayson Manning is a wonderfully entertaining, fun, laugh out loud with all the feels fake relationship romance. First of all, this is the first book by this author that I have read and I’m so glad to have read it! I enjoy this trope, the fake relationship becoming all too real. But what got me were the characters.
These larger than life characters are wonderfully well developed and I adored every word uttered! I’m a sucker for broken bad boys and Jason is broken bad boy personified and magnified. Numb, denial, aloof, dark, brooding and ultimately stubborn met his match in Asia who is light, laughs, big hearted with big dreams, stars and hearts in her eyes and stubborn in her own ways.
This book revolves around Jason’s needs to meet his Grandmother’s expectations which are extremely emotionally driven and end up engaging the heart he claims not to have. It takes time, distance and a massive realization of hurt and loss to understand, make a change and get his girl back.
Overall, Asia and Jason‘s journey is all encompassing, with all the feels of heavy, emotional subject matter, but with humor and heart. Best of all is the HEA which includes all kinds of needed healing as well as a the promise of more Bound Series stories.
I read an ARC of this book via Hidden Gems and voluntarily share my review.

[Barbara DeLeo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been DESPERATE to read Jason and Asia's story after reading book one in the Bound series which Ms Manning gives free to her newsletter subscribers, and Bound to Her Fake Fiance Boss was even more amazing than I'd anticipated! This book is a stand-alone, but no way will you be satisfied only reading one book in the series.

Jason is the hunkalicious boss who has the right mix of brooding sensuality and smarts and he's an amazing match for funny and gorgeous Asia Brown. Asia is desperate to track down her sister and get her into rehab, so when Jason offers an eye-watering sum for her to pretend to be his fake fiancee for a few weeks, she just can't say no.

Closed and clinical at work, Jason becomes a different man when he's back in the place where his demons lie around every corner. With Asia, he can let some of the shackles of the past loosen and he's floored by the way she makes him feel. Hot and funny, sensual and heart and warming, this story had me laughing out loud, fanning my face, and cheerleading for these two to fight for a happily ever after.

Full disclosure, I've read every book of Ms Manning's I can get my hands on. Her writing is so fresh and funny and her characters complex, sexy and heartwarming. I'll be refreshing Amazon regularly to see when the next book in the Bound series is out.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free ARC from Hidden Gems for the promise of an honest review.

It was good; a little slow in places. It is written well. Jason and Asia are likeable characters that you can relate to.

Jason is emotionally stunted but he watched his mother and identical twin brother die. On the same day as this tragedy his father left, never to return. Then three days later his grandmother shipped him off to boarding school. His life changed in a matter of days and he never really dealt with thd emotional turmoil in his life. He had closed himself off from every one except his friends from boarding school.

Asia was abandoned by her mother when she was 3. Her grandmother took Asia and her sister in. Her sister ran with the wrong crowd and became addicted to drugs. Her sister eventually ran away. Asia's grandmother dies but makes Asia promise to find and help her sister. Asia takes a job as Jason's personal assistant.

Jason's grandmother told him if he wants to inherit the family's home then he needed to marry and settle down. Jason tells his grandmother that he had a fiance. Asia and Jason come up with an agreement that benefits them both but the lines blurr the longer they pretend.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re a crier like me, get ready, Jason’s coming for you, and he shows no mercy. All around, the character of Jason was a full blown, well thought out character. He aggravated me to no end at times, at other times, his story made me cry through pages and pages of story, and then, he’d do something incredibly sweet as he vacillated between trying to be the harsh, cold self he thought he was and the man Asia was hoping he could become.

Asia, also had experienced a lot of sadness in her life. Maybe not to the extent of Jason’s, but her childhood was no picnic. Her explanation of why she was afraid of the dark horrified me, but unfortunately, stuff like that happens in our country. She is a loving, caring person, who puts up with a lot from her boss, harasses him daily trying to get him to smile and lighten up, and is friends with pretty much everyone she meets.

There is a fairly large cast of characters in this book, and almost all are fairly well fleshed out. Each person serves a purpose, even Blossom, Asia’s cat.

This was a great book. There’s definitely a reminder at the end that sometimes when the mighty fall, they are the most romantic of us all.

I received an advance review copy through BookSirens for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Katja · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the surface, Jason is a successful businessman but his past has traumatized him. When he was a child his mother and brother died, and in the aftermath of the tragedy the rest of his family fell apart. Now he has trouble allowing himself to love anyone. His sassy assistant Asia is looking for her addicted sister, sewing and dreaming of starting a boutique selling her designs. Jason needs a fake fiancee and Asia is the obvious choice. It turns out they have a lot of sexual chemistry. And amazing sex. But Jason has trouble letting her in and when he starts liking their fake relationship a bit too much he gets scared and pushes her away.

Asia is a great character and I liked the humorous bantering. Jason can be either sweet, sexy and funny, a wounded man fighting with himself, or a complete jerk.

One thing that I wanted to know but that was never explained was whether Jason's grandmother ever found out that the relationship started out as a fake one and why there was a second wedding.

Some of the minor characters are interesting. This is a part of a series about Jason's friends from boarding school, and I would read something else from this author. Particularly I would have liked to read Harlan's story but it does not appear to be available as an e-book.

I got a free digital review copy in the Kindle format via Booksirens, and I am leaving a voluntary honest review. There was one sentence in the epilogue that appeared to be missing some words, and extra spaces before punctuation or in the middle of the first words in chapters are frequent. Otherwise the editing is good.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up this book mainly because of its trope.. I really like the fake relationship trope, and I think this books is pretty good within the trope. Asia is a very likeable character and her friends and neighbors are also very likeable. Having said this, I must say that sometimes the book seemed a bit slow for me, and then things would happen too fast. I guess that what I’m trying ti say is that there are parts of the book I would’ve liked to read a bit more about, and not just to have them go by and move on to the next plot point. By the end of the book I think the story separated a little from the basic storyline we were presented with and moved on to other things.

Having said this, I really enjoyed the writing and found myself laughing out loud with Asia’s horoscopes and song of the day choices. This was a fun read.

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes fake relationship and/or office romances.

I gave this book 🌟🌟🌟/5️⃣ (closer to 3.5)

Pair a Lemon Drop Martini. I know Asia would definitely approve.

**NOTE: I received a free ARC of this book via @BookSirens in exchange for an honest review.

[Floraljoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emotional and engaging:
Whilst the whole fake fiance trope has been overdone in my opinion, I really enjoyed this book as there was a maturity and emotional depth to it. It felt original and although the ending was a little too perfect, it still had an authenticity to it.
When commitment phobe Jason convinced his personal assistant, Asia, to be his fake fiance he never imagined that he would actually fall for her. I loved these two together and I could really feel the bond and connection that they formed. I did find myself getting frustrated with Jason at times and the way he was hot/cold but I could also understand his emotional trauma.
I liked the fact that both Asia and Jason were complex, multifaceted characters and I enjoyed getting to know them as more layers were rolled back. I look forward to reading upcoming books in the series as the foundation has been laid and I want to find out more about some of the side characters.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let's just say she's a better woman than me! We have a severely emotionally damaged man, who underneath is obviously a good person, but you have got to dig deep for that heart! Then you have Pollyanna. Goodness she was sweet and she was a great person, but wow what she tolerated.

The saving grace is that she had a line and she would not go past it. If he wouldn't meet there then no go. So she was strong for sure.

I felt there were many things that were just too much with both main characters. Their personalities were both SO in your face that you couldn't appreciate them, just get slightly irritated that yet again he's being a jerk and she's being sunny and happy. It seemed fake. Yes, it's a novel I get that, but I like to sink into them and be a part of them, not want to hurry up and finish so I can find something else. I might read this author again, but probably not.

I got a copy of this via hidden gems and am voluntarily leaving this review.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was quite taken with this romance. I laughed out loud a few times and re-read some pages just to experience the lyrical atmosphere again. The office scenes were to die for. The chemistry between up-beat, sassy Asia Brown, the personal assistant and her moody, smoldering boss, Jason Johnson was a treat to read about. They were so cute. There was plenty of steam too.

Although, I know that they didn’t fool Jason’s grandmother, Cynthia with the engagement because of Jason’s tramas; she still recognized their attraction. Asia was his match in every way.

The author wrote a story that had heart, humor and almost flawless charm. I gave it four stars only because Jason was extremely unrealistically wishy washy. I also didn’t buy into him not doing what he loved at least as a hobby. He was a billionaire after all. Despite this, I would read this story again. It made me all gooey on the inside.
I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

In order to inherit his family home, CEO Jason Johnson has to return to Montana and has to prove that he is "settling down". Asia is his personal assistant and she her Jason make a deal to pretend to be engaged for 10 days so his grandmother will accept that he is settled. In return, he will pay her and she can both put her sister in rehab as well as open a dress shop for herself.

The characters will immediately win the reader’s heart. Asia is strong and caring. Jason is so different when he’s off-the-clock. The two of them really make a great couple. The reader will be taken on an emotional journey with them, but the experience and enjoyment of their story is well worth it! Will they take things further once they have completed the initial purpose? Has it turned “real” for them and now worth investing their lives in each other? Grab your copy and share the rest of their story with them.

[BP34 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Talk about sexy and steamy this fake to real romance will have your heart all in a twitter. Six figures is enough to get my heart in a flutter and that's just what happened to sexy personal assistant Asia. Her grumpy old boss Jason wanted to get this grandmother off his case. Best way to do that was hire a 'fake fiancee' for ten days for his trip home to Montana. Who better than his assistant Asia. She needed money for her sister's treatment and a business venture. My oh my what could go wrong with old Grump? Amazing it didn't take long for Grump to turn glamorous in her arms. Do two opposites fall in love? You know what they say about opposites. This was a cute book that was fun to read. Well written with an engaging story line and likable characters. I read an advance copy via Book Sirens and voluntarily chose to write a review. This is a book that you'll enjoy.

[Frances · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story of a boss that needs a fiance in order to obtain something very important to him. I really enjoyed this story. I have read others books that also involved a fake fiance/relationship and was worried that this one would be similar to those and predictable. I was pleasantly surprised that it was anything but. The storyline was engaging. There were times that I laughed, wanted to scream, shed a tear, give a character a hug. There was a lot of emotion in this story. The background of the characters were a solid foundation for this story. Also have to say that I loved a lot of friends of both Asia and Jason.

Asia and Jason both drove me crazy at times. I am hoping for a story related to Darlene and Gabriel, there was so much tension between those two.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Jamie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Jason and Asia's story. Jason is the typical billionaire, who doesn't want a long-term relationship, never getting married, no kids, no attachment, and has a tragic back story. Asia also has a rough back story, but chooses to look at the good in life and is constantly putting herself out there for others and helping them.

Asia agrees to be Jason's fake fiance so that he can convince his grandmother to not donate his childhood home to charity. I loved the banter back and forth between these two. They have great chemistry and you can tell really quick that even though neither wants to, the relationship is moving into dangerous territory quickly.

I loved this book and couldn't put it down. Can't wait to read Holden's story!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[mikaela · Rating 2 out of 5]

this is my first book by HM. it was a fast read that i finished while having cocktails in my backyard. the premise was nothing new: boss needs his ea to pretend to be his fiancee to secure a deal in exchange for money. in this case rich boss jason tells his ea (asia) he will give her money & of course she agrees since she needs the cash for her sibling. what i didn't like is that both jason & asia had no charm. i neither liked nor hated them, but perhaps it was due to character build-up & writing style. they didn't have chemistry. she agreed automatically ... there were no haughty or sexy exchanges (he wasn't an alpha male). and of course an hea. i was given this arc for an honest review.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jason is a workaholic, and very demanding boss, and he has a very special and sassy assistant (Asia), who he is going to try to convince to help him fool his grandmother. Can he get her to agree? It's only for ten days, how hard can it be? Will he end up losing a great assistant, just to get his way? Or will the attraction they have been denying prove too strong? I enjoyed reading about these two headstrong people butting heads, the sparks from their attraction, how giving Asia is (and I loved how her apartment block look out for each other, especially the name of their fundraiser ;) ). Both Asia and Jason are easy to like, and have some great banter going on between them.

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

[M H · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I’m powerless to stop loving you.”

I lost sleep to this book. That's how fun Asia and Jason are. Usually I can't stand books when we spend too much time in the characters' inner monologue but this book will have you laughing out loud. Mr. Grumps and Asia are perfect together, they truly balance each other out.
I also enjoyed the fact that the author throws little hints here and there of how Asia was already burrowing herself into Jason's heart. Specially when he put up with her sass.
And don't get me started on the horoscopes and songs of the day. Let me just say that just like Jason, I missed them too.
Excellent fun, steamy read.
I received a free copy of this book and I voluntarily reviewed it.

[Claire Turvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are looking for fun, steamy, easy to read romance, then look no further.

I actually read Bound to the Bodyguard and Bound to the Bounty Hunter before reading this first in the series. Buying this one was a no brainer - no further consideration needed. The books in this series are fantastic, light and enjoyable reads. They lean heavily on some standard and well known tropes, but that is what this series is all about - as evidenced by the titles! In this story, I particularly enjoyed the quirky fun of Asia’s fake horoscopes and songs of the day. The characters are fun and relatable - in a fictional sort of way - and let me tell you, any man with ‘Praesidio’ tattooed on him is welcome to be my next book-boyfriend.

[Margery Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!
What a terrific surprise when I started reading this book and then found myself unable to put it down until I’d read the very last word. Asia and Jason were terrific characters and their personalities came through beautifully complemented by their actions. They bring out the best in each other and together they meet life head on with no hesitancy. Ms. Manning’s writing has you feeling what the characters feel as well as having you cheering them on to finding happiness together.
I’m anxiously awaiting her next book and ordering her previous works.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

The chemistry is off the charts with these two protagonists. Asia is strong, sassy with a heart of gold, while Jason is a real workaholic in every sense of the word. I so enjoyed the storyline and the characters as each of them were well developed with their own quirks in life. I thought Asia really put up with a lot, but she did not give in and stood her ground which I thought was very commendable. I absolutely loved how Jason changed while Asia was able to have him open up and laugh. This was so good and had many laughable moments.

I am voluntarily leaving a review for this book that I received free.