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Men of the C-Suite
Charming the CEO
Gabe Ashford is a catch—a billionaire CEO surfer hottie running a SoCal lifestyle company. Rich. Successful. And absolutely freaking gorgeous.
Too bad he’s my boss.
And we have one rule at The Slay Squad. Never date on the job. Ever.
Can I run his social media without falling for the billionaire surfer hottie? Probably, because he doesn’t want me there anyway. He thinks he can do everything himself.
It’s my job to prove him wrong.
But when my rental is cancelled and I end up in his guesthouse, the line between business and pleasure blurs and I’m not so certain I want to follow the rules anymore. Besides, rules were made to be broken, right?
Too bad he’s my boss.
And we have one rule at The Slay Squad. Never date on the job. Ever.
Can I run his social media without falling for the billionaire surfer hottie? Probably, because he doesn’t want me there anyway. He thinks he can do everything himself.
It’s my job to prove him wrong.
But when my rental is cancelled and I end up in his guesthouse, the line between business and pleasure blurs and I’m not so certain I want to follow the rules anymore. Besides, rules were made to be broken, right?
78 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 9, 2021
41 people are currently reading
166 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
September 6, 2021
Short, sweet, age-gap office romance. Billionaire Gabe has a meet-cute with Jillian while at the beach. Little do they know that Jillian will shortly be the marketing consultant for Gabe’s company.
The instant attraction and instant chemistry is undeniable. The way this book was written I didn’t feel like it was a short read, it made me feel like it was almost a full length novel. Definitely didn’t want it to end! Loved these two!
The instant attraction and instant chemistry is undeniable. The way this book was written I didn’t feel like it was a short read, it made me feel like it was almost a full length novel. Definitely didn’t want it to end! Loved these two!
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February 11, 2026🎁 FREE on Amazon today (8/26/2022)! 🎁
September 7, 2021
Jillian is marketing professional hired by HelioSurf to revamp their social media and marketing campaign. Gabe is the CEO and owner of HelioSurf. He has built this company into a successful international business. He does not think he is in need of a marketing specialist. His brother whom he made CMO Chief Marketing Officer, thinks otherwise so he hired Jillian and brought her onboard. Gabe is withdrawn from the public eye and he is very intense. He meets with Jillian and agrees to give her a chance. The attraction between Gabe and Jillian is immediate. Can they keep their relationship professional?
This is a heartwarming fun short steamy read. Jillian's first day on the job seems to go from bad to worse beginning with a fender bender before even arriving. Gotta love her perseverance as she just keeps on moving forward and rolling with the punches. Even though Gabe is a bit growly and intense, he is fair and it's obvious he loves his family. It's fun to see the wall he has built up begin to chip away.
I received a review copy of this book from the author. I am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a heartwarming fun short steamy read. Jillian's first day on the job seems to go from bad to worse beginning with a fender bender before even arriving. Gotta love her perseverance as she just keeps on moving forward and rolling with the punches. Even though Gabe is a bit growly and intense, he is fair and it's obvious he loves his family. It's fun to see the wall he has built up begin to chip away.
I received a review copy of this book from the author. I am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 13, 2021
Gabe Ashford is one hot self made man as CEO of his Company HelioSurf, Gabe is not one to get caught off guard so imagine his surprise when he came across the one thing he thought his company didn’t need, and the one thing that has stayed on his mind since leaving the beach.
Jillian Mitchell is a Social Media Guru, that works for Slay Squad PR company, Jillian has her work cut out for her convincing someone that their company needed a social media upgrade. Challenge accepted.
Charming the CEO is the perfect title for this book as it was absolutely charming, fun, with fun witty banter. Sparks fly between Gabe and Jillian from their first meeting, but can that be enough? Kara Kendrick created a short fun read, that included strong main and supporting characters. I need Benji’s story next. Please *grins*
The plot of Charming the CEO is one of a self made man, who chose to set his own path from his family’s business, to an amazing brilliant woman who has a Midas touch to all things Social Media. I can’t wait to read more from the Authors of Men of the C-Suite.
Rated 4 stilettos by Deb!
Jillian Mitchell is a Social Media Guru, that works for Slay Squad PR company, Jillian has her work cut out for her convincing someone that their company needed a social media upgrade. Challenge accepted.
Charming the CEO is the perfect title for this book as it was absolutely charming, fun, with fun witty banter. Sparks fly between Gabe and Jillian from their first meeting, but can that be enough? Kara Kendrick created a short fun read, that included strong main and supporting characters. I need Benji’s story next. Please *grins*
The plot of Charming the CEO is one of a self made man, who chose to set his own path from his family’s business, to an amazing brilliant woman who has a Midas touch to all things Social Media. I can’t wait to read more from the Authors of Men of the C-Suite.
Rated 4 stilettos by Deb!
September 11, 2021
Gabe is the head of Southern California lifestyle company. His brother is head of marketing and is convinced they need an online presence, Gabe is not convinced. Enter Jillian, the company she works has been retained to develop their social media platforms. This is the same woman who hit Gabe’s SUV this morning at the beach. Her rental is cancelled and his brother offers her his guest house, things are not going as expected, including her attraction to someone she will be working for.
The attraction between the two keeps heating up, keeping each other at arm’s length seem impossible. As with Kara’s other books, this is a short and steamy read with great characters.
This is one of the 15 books Men of the C-Suite that are standalone with HEA.
The attraction between the two keeps heating up, keeping each other at arm’s length seem impossible. As with Kara’s other books, this is a short and steamy read with great characters.
This is one of the 15 books Men of the C-Suite that are standalone with HEA.
September 10, 2021
Gabe Ashford has a lot going for him - he’s attractive, he’s an excellent surfer, and he’s the CEO of his own multi-million dollar company. However, since his company’s social media is virtually nonexistent, Gabe’s brother, Benji, takes it upon himself to hire a social media consultant. Jillian is beautiful, smart, and energetic, and Gabe can’t seem to stop thinking about her. But he’s her boss, so nothing can happen… right?
Okay, this was a really and steamy little story! I loved how Jillian and Gabe had instant chemistry. I also always love a good office romance, and this really delivered! I will definitely be checking out Kara Kendrick’s other work after this. I completely recommend!
Okay, this was a really and steamy little story! I loved how Jillian and Gabe had instant chemistry. I also always love a good office romance, and this really delivered! I will definitely be checking out Kara Kendrick’s other work after this. I completely recommend!
September 17, 2022
ok so
I got admit that I really did not like this ending all so much since I feel this book was just basically finish half fast and I just though there would of been more and I know that there is bonus chapter but I felt like this ending in the middle of the story but anyways would I recommend this maybe but probably not because I feel like people that I recommend this to would say the same thing and it’s so cliché too like girl meets boss and boss falls and girl pushing away but comes back so with that said I can’t see this being a real situation that is easy to relate to or that makes you want to keep reading or finish this series.
I got admit that I really did not like this ending all so much since I feel this book was just basically finish half fast and I just though there would of been more and I know that there is bonus chapter but I felt like this ending in the middle of the story but anyways would I recommend this maybe but probably not because I feel like people that I recommend this to would say the same thing and it’s so cliché too like girl meets boss and boss falls and girl pushing away but comes back so with that said I can’t see this being a real situation that is easy to relate to or that makes you want to keep reading or finish this series.
September 9, 2021
Instant lust and fate
Gabe has worked hard on building his own company and doesn’t like anyone, not even his brother, meddling in it. So when his brother hires a social media consultant, Gabe is already saying no before he meets her. Fate however, crashes in, literally.
Jillian wants to prove herself as the best and has worked around the clock, on weekends, with no free time to prove to her boss that she deserves a promotion.
I loved this story of instant lust, fate bringing these two workaholics together, and their electric chemistry. This ends in a HFN/HEA.
Gabe has worked hard on building his own company and doesn’t like anyone, not even his brother, meddling in it. So when his brother hires a social media consultant, Gabe is already saying no before he meets her. Fate however, crashes in, literally.
Jillian wants to prove herself as the best and has worked around the clock, on weekends, with no free time to prove to her boss that she deserves a promotion.
I loved this story of instant lust, fate bringing these two workaholics together, and their electric chemistry. This ends in a HFN/HEA.
September 9, 2021
This is a short but sweet office romance. It was a quick and easy read, but it was full of all the good stuff. Gabe is CEO of his company and he’s got something to prove, but he’s a little stuck in his ways. His annoying little brother (aren’t they all) hires outside help to improve the company’s image. Jillian arrives with a spunky personality and all new ideas about how to better the company’s marketing. Will Gabe be open to her help? Will he let her in to his company and himself? Charming the CEO will definitely be a reread for me.
September 9, 2021
This was a fun, quick, steamy read. I enjoyed the immediate chemistry between Gabe and Jillian when they first crash into one another, literally. Gabe is an older CEO of his company and a bit of a control freak and Jillian is the outside marketing consultant hired by his brother. While Gabe wants to fight against anyone coming in to change anything about his company he can't fight the pull that Jillian has on him. It was great to read the witty banter and feel the tension and chemistry between these two. I highly recommend this quick read!
September 10, 2021
A great love story
I think the CEO met his match when Jillian was hired to handle internet marketing. Gabe's brother is in charge of marketing but Gabe wasn't interested in that type of marketing. Jillian was hired anyway. She ended up showing Gabe on her first day that she knew her business. It just so happened she also backed into his SUV and ends up staying in his guesthouse because her hotel reservation was cancelled. They become quite close. He screws it up by getting jealous. Can he talk her into staying. Read the book. It's good.
I think the CEO met his match when Jillian was hired to handle internet marketing. Gabe's brother is in charge of marketing but Gabe wasn't interested in that type of marketing. Jillian was hired anyway. She ended up showing Gabe on her first day that she knew her business. It just so happened she also backed into his SUV and ends up staying in his guesthouse because her hotel reservation was cancelled. They become quite close. He screws it up by getting jealous. Can he talk her into staying. Read the book. It's good.
September 9, 2021
I would remove only a 1/4 star if I could. Charming the CEO is a great, quick read about the average girl that gets the sexy, rich guy. It's a familiar theme, but the author gives just enough so that you don't feel you've read it 100 times before. Kendrick used plenty of details. She made it easy to put yourself into the story. I felt like it was missing something, as the story seemed to end a bit abruptly, but Kendrick had a surprise cure for that feeling!
November 26, 2025
eBook
Fiction / Workplace Romance / Novella / Billionaire Romance / Age Gap
⭐⭐⭐ / 5 🌶/5
Using for Challenge or Prompts
- The 52 Book Club’s 2025 Mini Challenge Prompt #18/74. November Mini-Challenge: Set in an office
- 2025 Spicy book trope challenge: Workplace romance
This is a short, age-gap, billionaire, office romance with a bit of insta attraction. Thank goodness this was only 79 pages.
I have to ask... How does one rush across the lawn at a black tie event in heels?
Fiction / Workplace Romance / Novella / Billionaire Romance / Age Gap
⭐⭐⭐ / 5 🌶/5
Using for Challenge or Prompts
- The 52 Book Club’s 2025 Mini Challenge Prompt #18/74. November Mini-Challenge: Set in an office
- 2025 Spicy book trope challenge: Workplace romance
This is a short, age-gap, billionaire, office romance with a bit of insta attraction. Thank goodness this was only 79 pages.
I have to ask... How does one rush across the lawn at a black tie event in heels?
September 9, 2021
Charming Challenges
He’s a controlling, sexy, older millionaire CEO who’s resistant to changes of any kind. She’s a charming, confident, and sassy social media consultant hired to help his company. The challenge is on as Gabe and Jillian butt heads at almost every turn, but they also become aware of the sizzling heat between them. Sweet and steamy story!
He’s a controlling, sexy, older millionaire CEO who’s resistant to changes of any kind. She’s a charming, confident, and sassy social media consultant hired to help his company. The challenge is on as Gabe and Jillian butt heads at almost every turn, but they also become aware of the sizzling heat between them. Sweet and steamy story!
September 9, 2021
Gabe and Jillian had a rocking start first the accident, then running into each other before the meeting. His brother believes Jillian is just what they need to target the millennials while Gabe disagrees but nevertheless allows him to work with Jillian on the marketing. Without any more spoilers this was a good quick read. I received this ARC from the author and this review is voluntary.
November 20, 2021
Interesting Story Premise Executed by Tepid Characters
Both the social media maven and the near-reclusive super-rich man had more promise than the tether each was given. They reacted off of each other, more than they engaged with each other, and neither seemed to have boundaries, but stated how against the rules it all was while doing what they pleased.
Both the social media maven and the near-reclusive super-rich man had more promise than the tether each was given. They reacted off of each other, more than they engaged with each other, and neither seemed to have boundaries, but stated how against the rules it all was while doing what they pleased.
September 9, 2021
Instalove with meet cute
Gabe is the CEO of his own company and way too busy to date. Jillian is the marketing guru hired by Gabe's brother to update the business. Sparks fly in this instalove when the two are forced to work together. Love the accidental meeting! I was left wanting more.
Gabe is the CEO of his own company and way too busy to date. Jillian is the marketing guru hired by Gabe's brother to update the business. Sparks fly in this instalove when the two are forced to work together. Love the accidental meeting! I was left wanting more.
February 14, 2026
A good merger
Really liked the characters and their love developing story. I learned more about the emotions involved when working so close .
Looking forward to more of your great stories.
Carol
Really liked the characters and their love developing story. I learned more about the emotions involved when working so close .
Looking forward to more of your great stories.
Carol
February 23, 2026
great read
I really enjoyed reading this book 📖! I just wish it was longer. I felt like it was an extremely quick read but that was also because I enjoyed it so much 🤣.
Definitely a must read!
I really enjoyed reading this book 📖! I just wish it was longer. I felt like it was an extremely quick read but that was also because I enjoyed it so much 🤣.
Definitely a must read!
September 5, 2021
Fun fast read. Spicey about a 3/5. Plot and characters fun and plot likeable. Highly recommended.
September 15, 2021
3.5- stars for Charming the CEO
September 20, 2021
Amazing
I loved this book! When I started it, I simply couldn’t put it down for a minute! I am in love with the characters!!!
I loved this book! When I started it, I simply couldn’t put it down for a minute! I am in love with the characters!!!
September 20, 2021
fun
This was a fast, fun and filthy read. I really liked Gabe. It was the perfect amount of over the top.
This was a fast, fun and filthy read. I really liked Gabe. It was the perfect amount of over the top.
September 27, 2021
Oh crash
Bad first impression but the attraction is still live and well. I love that the book did not go back and forth wishy washy but right to the insta love.
Bad first impression but the attraction is still live and well. I love that the book did not go back and forth wishy washy but right to the insta love.
November 6, 2022
I love this authors books.
I loved this book from start to finish.
I love the characters and the story.
Highly recommend!!!!!
I loved this book from start to finish.
I love the characters and the story.
Highly recommend!!!!!
February 15, 2026
short and cute
Short, cute and a little spicy. The way he blew up on his brother just showed his true cards in the game.
Short, cute and a little spicy. The way he blew up on his brother just showed his true cards in the game.
September 27, 2021
This is a short, sweet age gap romance novella.
Gabe is in his early 40s and runs his own athletic gear company. Jillian is in her late 20s and is a social media guru that Gabe's brother decides to hire in an attemp to beef up their social media game and gain more clientele.
Gabe isn't happy about his company hiring a social media expert, but when he meets Jillian, sparks fly. He doesn't bother to try and fight it, even though he knows he probably should.
I give this 4*
Gabe is in his early 40s and runs his own athletic gear company. Jillian is in her late 20s and is a social media guru that Gabe's brother decides to hire in an attemp to beef up their social media game and gain more clientele.
Gabe isn't happy about his company hiring a social media expert, but when he meets Jillian, sparks fly. He doesn't bother to try and fight it, even though he knows he probably should.
I give this 4*
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews