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Grumpy Boss Next Door
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First published October 16, 2021
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November 27, 2021
Grumpy Boss Next Door by Elsa Greene is the story of Dean Carter and Harmony Brooks.
Harmony and Dean dated in school but it didn't end well. Now 10 years later Harmony is in a new apartment and starting a new job. What she doesn't know at first is the Dean is her neighbor and when that goes south the next day she learns he is also her new boss. Enemies to lovers / second chance at love gene.
Harmony and Dean dated in school but it didn't end well. Now 10 years later Harmony is in a new apartment and starting a new job. What she doesn't know at first is the Dean is her neighbor and when that goes south the next day she learns he is also her new boss. Enemies to lovers / second chance at love gene.
October 24, 2021
This is the story of Dean Carter and Harmony Brooks, both 28. Dean and Harmony dated in high school, but he broke her heart, something she hasn't quite gotten over in the 10 years since. Harmony has just moved into a new apartment and will be starting a new job the next day. She's startled -- and jostles the glass of wine she was drinking, ruining her only white blouse -- by what sounds like her next-door neighbor throwing bowling balls. She confronts her noisy neighbor only to find 1) that it's her ex Dean Carter; 2) that he was indeed bowling (practicing); 3) that he's (still) a jerk; 4) that his last practice ball has put a hole in their shared bedroom wall.
The next day she arrives to work -- still angry from the previous night -- and finds her new boss is none other than Dean Carter. The Ex. The late-night bowling neighbor and jerk.
Thus starts (well, continues) their story. It is billed as an enemies to lovers story. Some drama (??) is thrown in with a female co-worker and a failing office...
While I can't say I didn't like the book (1 star), I can't really say I liked it. It was okay (2 stars) -- well, bad to okay (1.5 stars), but I liked it more than I hated it, so rolled to 2 stars.
I found the characters poorly developed and while Harmony sort of seems to "grow" over the length of the story (I don't think more than one or two weeks in story time), Dean remained kind of immature. I wish there had been a bit more background to their work histories and mention of their personal lives.
Though immature, Dean seems older than 28 to me. He went to college after pretty much doing nothing for two years after high school. Unless he was able to finish school quickly, he's only been out of school for two years. He seems to drift through life and work so how did he get his job as branch manager? While he's supposed to be the manager, he doesn't seem to manage his people well or at all (he doesn't know what his marketing director is working on; doesn't know the accounts his office is working; etc.). The only other employee mentioned by name is Beth, who appears to be obsessed with Dean??? The numbers of the office are so bad that corporate threatens to close them down unless he can turn things around. Dean decides the best way to do that is to rely on his newest employee and the account she has been assigned to for only two or three days at this point. By the way, how does one practice bowling in the bedroom of an apartment? Wouldn't the living room area be better (longer in length)? And, why wouldn't the tenant who lives beneath him complain about the noise of his late-night bowling? But, I digress...
On the other hand, Harmony seems younger than 28. She went to college right out of high school. No mention of an advanced degree is made so you'd think she'd have been in the workforce for at least four or five years yet this seems like her first job?? The early picture we get of Harmony makes me wonder if she's a foolish brainiac or a brainy fool. She only has one good white blouse that gets stained. Rather than wear something else, she gets up early and purchases a new white blouse before work. Okay... but why not put it on at the point of purchase (dressing room or rest room) rather than in the front seat of her car while sitting in the parking lot at the office? Dean puts a hole in their shared wall. Why not cover the hole with a box or cushion, etc. until it can be fixed? Nope... she leaves the hole open so Dean can look in, she can hear his clock ticking, cold air seeps into her room, etc.
As for other story points:
* The weather is sweltering during the day yet Harmony complains about the cold air coming through the hole in their wall at night. Okay, maybe it's that much colder at night, but really?? Again, why not just block the hole?
* The reason for their original breakup was just dumb, a misunderstanding that could have been cleared up if either of them had picked up a phone (or, in their case, written a note?). However, at the time Dean seemed oblivious and Harmony just walked away. I can live with this because all stories need some kind of starter, I just wish there was a bit more to it than their mutual stupidity. I mean, if you're going to blame someone for breaking your heart, why wouldn't you confront before walking away? Again, I digress...
* Harmony is assigned an account for a local sports store on her first day with the company. The owner, Anthony, doesn't open until 5p because he says his store is empty during daytime hours (he also has very few customers after 5p). He won't meet with Harmony before 5p. Really?? Anthony doesn't seem to care about marketing let alone saving his business. Why bother? I mean, he hires a firm to help save his business, but can't be bothered to meet with them before 5p??
*While it might seem like ages once the story starts, only a couple of weeks -- max three -- go by before everything is resolved -- client's business, office dramas, and relationship.
* The book is titled Grumpy Boss Next Door, but Dean isn't grumpy -- at work nor at home. It really doesn't fit the story -- unless it's a play on things and Harmony is the "boss" referred to in the title. She's the grumpy one.
Again, I can't say I didn't like the book. However, it really is just okay. Worth a skim if you get it free, but I wouldn't recommend it as a purchase. This is the first book I've read by Elsa Greene. It's not horrible enough to keep me from trying other items by her -- as long as they're freebies.
The next day she arrives to work -- still angry from the previous night -- and finds her new boss is none other than Dean Carter. The Ex. The late-night bowling neighbor and jerk.
Thus starts (well, continues) their story. It is billed as an enemies to lovers story. Some drama (??) is thrown in with a female co-worker and a failing office...
While I can't say I didn't like the book (1 star), I can't really say I liked it. It was okay (2 stars) -- well, bad to okay (1.5 stars), but I liked it more than I hated it, so rolled to 2 stars.
I found the characters poorly developed and while Harmony sort of seems to "grow" over the length of the story (I don't think more than one or two weeks in story time), Dean remained kind of immature. I wish there had been a bit more background to their work histories and mention of their personal lives.
Though immature, Dean seems older than 28 to me. He went to college after pretty much doing nothing for two years after high school. Unless he was able to finish school quickly, he's only been out of school for two years. He seems to drift through life and work so how did he get his job as branch manager? While he's supposed to be the manager, he doesn't seem to manage his people well or at all (he doesn't know what his marketing director is working on; doesn't know the accounts his office is working; etc.). The only other employee mentioned by name is Beth, who appears to be obsessed with Dean??? The numbers of the office are so bad that corporate threatens to close them down unless he can turn things around. Dean decides the best way to do that is to rely on his newest employee and the account she has been assigned to for only two or three days at this point. By the way, how does one practice bowling in the bedroom of an apartment? Wouldn't the living room area be better (longer in length)? And, why wouldn't the tenant who lives beneath him complain about the noise of his late-night bowling? But, I digress...
On the other hand, Harmony seems younger than 28. She went to college right out of high school. No mention of an advanced degree is made so you'd think she'd have been in the workforce for at least four or five years yet this seems like her first job?? The early picture we get of Harmony makes me wonder if she's a foolish brainiac or a brainy fool. She only has one good white blouse that gets stained. Rather than wear something else, she gets up early and purchases a new white blouse before work. Okay... but why not put it on at the point of purchase (dressing room or rest room) rather than in the front seat of her car while sitting in the parking lot at the office? Dean puts a hole in their shared wall. Why not cover the hole with a box or cushion, etc. until it can be fixed? Nope... she leaves the hole open so Dean can look in, she can hear his clock ticking, cold air seeps into her room, etc.
As for other story points:
* The weather is sweltering during the day yet Harmony complains about the cold air coming through the hole in their wall at night. Okay, maybe it's that much colder at night, but really?? Again, why not just block the hole?
* The reason for their original breakup was just dumb, a misunderstanding that could have been cleared up if either of them had picked up a phone (or, in their case, written a note?). However, at the time Dean seemed oblivious and Harmony just walked away. I can live with this because all stories need some kind of starter, I just wish there was a bit more to it than their mutual stupidity. I mean, if you're going to blame someone for breaking your heart, why wouldn't you confront before walking away? Again, I digress...
* Harmony is assigned an account for a local sports store on her first day with the company. The owner, Anthony, doesn't open until 5p because he says his store is empty during daytime hours (he also has very few customers after 5p). He won't meet with Harmony before 5p. Really?? Anthony doesn't seem to care about marketing let alone saving his business. Why bother? I mean, he hires a firm to help save his business, but can't be bothered to meet with them before 5p??
*While it might seem like ages once the story starts, only a couple of weeks -- max three -- go by before everything is resolved -- client's business, office dramas, and relationship.
* The book is titled Grumpy Boss Next Door, but Dean isn't grumpy -- at work nor at home. It really doesn't fit the story -- unless it's a play on things and Harmony is the "boss" referred to in the title. She's the grumpy one.
Again, I can't say I didn't like the book. However, it really is just okay. Worth a skim if you get it free, but I wouldn't recommend it as a purchase. This is the first book I've read by Elsa Greene. It's not horrible enough to keep me from trying other items by her -- as long as they're freebies.
October 21, 2021
This romance starts off with a THUD! I mean, literally a thud. Harmony Brooks is t enjoying a glass of wine while taking a break from unpacking boxes in her new apartment when she hears a thud that shakes the very floor she's standing on causing her to spill cheap red wine on her white blouse, the blouse she intents to wear to her new job tomorrow. She realizes that the thuds are coming from next door, she makes her way to her front door and trips over a box and spills more wine on her shirt. She wrenches her door open, storms to her neighbor's door while letting her door slam shut and knocks furiously on the door determined to put an end to the ruckus. Lo and behold who opens the door, Dean Carter, the boy who single handedly tore her heart to shreds. He doesn't seem to recognize her at the beginning and then a light bulb goes off and he realizes that it's Harmony, the girl who broke up with him just after high school without a rhyme and reason. She asks what he's doing to make all that noise, that it sounds as if he's throwing a bowling ball around. He confesses that he's practicing his "action," which is the way throws a bowling ball to achieve a certain spin on the ball. She asks him to please stop and he agrees. She stomps back to her door only to find herself locked out, without her cellphone and doesn't remember the landlord's phone number. Dean offers her a post it note with the landlord's number and his landline phone because he forgot his cellphone at work. She quickly calls the landlord and leaves his apartment to wait outside for the landlord. Fast forward to the next day with Harmony on her way to her new job, dressed in a t-shirt with a new white linen shirt in a bag on her passenger seat of her older model vehicle. She pulls into a coffee shop's private parking lot in the hopes of finding a secluded area so she can change out of her t-shirt into her new blouse. She's in the midst of buttoning up her new blouse when she looks up and sees Dean in front of her car. He approaches her side window and makes some snide comments to her whilst staring at her chest which is exposed because she failed to finish buttoning up her shirt. She finishes buttoning up and pulls quickly out of the parking lot and heads towards her new job, little does she know, but her new boss is none other than Dean Carter. I'm going to leave you here and you'll have to get the book to discover what happens next, but I can tell you that what follows is absolutely fabulous snarky goodness! The chemistry between these two is off the charts and the hilarious banter between these two is so worth getting the book. I found myself laughing out loud throughout this book and I can highly recommend it for that reason, but not for that alone. It is really a refreshing look at a sweet second chance romance that combines enemies to lovers and an office romance. All this turns into a brilliant storyline that is worth the price of admission. You really can't go wrong with this one!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 18, 2021
Harmony and Dean used to date in high school but it ended bitterly. Years later, Harmony still hasn't forgiven him. She moves into a new apartment and immediately gets annoyed by her new noisy neighbor who practices bowling at home. Imagine her surprise when it's Dean, and even more so the next morning when it turns out he's also her new boss. They have to work together in order to save the company. The old attraction is still there but there are HR rules against dating the boss, and a co-worker seems intent on reinforcing them. It takes a while for the reader to find out what the high school tragedy that caused the break-up was but it's just a stupid miscommunication. He didn't see something he was supposed to see and instead of asking him about it she stewed in her hurt feelings and dumped him in anger.
The arc was an entertaining read with some editing issues. I rated this three and a half stars, rounding up, but the author tells me the errors would get corrected before publication and I might have given it four stars after all. It's my first book by this author (it's another pen name for Bella King who writes mafia romances that usually aren't my cup of tea). I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 11, 2021
Okay but missed the mark for me
Grumpy Boss Next Door is the first book by Ella Greene, which the pen name for author Bella King I have read a number of Bella King's books and usually enjoyed them so I was interested to see what this new rom-com story would be like. This is a cute second chance romance story about Harmony and Dean. They had been high school sweethearts who broke up and are now crossing paths again when Harmony is hired at Dean's company and they end up also being next door neighbors. Their attraction to each other is still there sow hat do you do.....have a bowling good time. Sorry as I just went there.....I apologize.
So for me this was an interesting idea for a story and I liked the characters. There were some inconsistent details in the story and a few things that I rolled my eyes over. But overall it was an okay story and I think a good first rom-com by an author that is used to writing much, much darker stories. I look forward to reading the next book by this author and seeing how she grows in the rom-com space.
I received a copy of this book and am leaving my honest review. My opinions are all my own.
Grumpy Boss Next Door is the first book by Ella Greene, which the pen name for author Bella King I have read a number of Bella King's books and usually enjoyed them so I was interested to see what this new rom-com story would be like. This is a cute second chance romance story about Harmony and Dean. They had been high school sweethearts who broke up and are now crossing paths again when Harmony is hired at Dean's company and they end up also being next door neighbors. Their attraction to each other is still there sow hat do you do.....have a bowling good time. Sorry as I just went there.....I apologize.
So for me this was an interesting idea for a story and I liked the characters. There were some inconsistent details in the story and a few things that I rolled my eyes over. But overall it was an okay story and I think a good first rom-com by an author that is used to writing much, much darker stories. I look forward to reading the next book by this author and seeing how she grows in the rom-com space.
I received a copy of this book and am leaving my honest review. My opinions are all my own.
October 21, 2021
Holy crap that was bad. Reads like it was written by someone that's never been around an adult. Or had a job. For a minute there I was wondering if someone thought it'd be funny to publish a "romance" written by a bot.
Awful. Just. Truly. Awful.
Dean is an asshole with pro bowler dreams. Harmony is supposed to work in marketing at firm where Dean is the manager. They dated in high school, 10 years later, Harmony is still bitter about their break up. Dean doesn't remember it. I dunno. It got pretty moronic. They're supposed to be saving their firm (the "most successful" in the state that's on the verge on closing). Which includes getting drunk on company time. And a weird crazed coworker plot.
At one point I think he Kool aid man'd through a wall. And she wiggles through his wall naked to change his thermostat?
Is someone watching too much porn? Soap operas? Has never met an actual human? What's the sweet hell was going on here?
Awful. Just. Truly. Awful.
Dean is an asshole with pro bowler dreams. Harmony is supposed to work in marketing at firm where Dean is the manager. They dated in high school, 10 years later, Harmony is still bitter about their break up. Dean doesn't remember it. I dunno. It got pretty moronic. They're supposed to be saving their firm (the "most successful" in the state that's on the verge on closing). Which includes getting drunk on company time. And a weird crazed coworker plot.
At one point I think he Kool aid man'd through a wall. And she wiggles through his wall naked to change his thermostat?
Is someone watching too much porn? Soap operas? Has never met an actual human? What's the sweet hell was going on here?
October 19, 2021
Grumpy Boss Next Door by Bella King is an entertaining,wonderful,enjoyable,steamy second chance office romance story.. Dean and Harmony was highschool sweetheart and Dean want to be a professional bowling player they have plans and dreams they pallned to go to the same school at college but its all down the drain..their relationship start with a note and ended up with a note too when Harmony made a note for Dean asking him to go with her in the city and live together but dean didnt get her note and Harmony waited for nothing and found out after that he just played his games.;broken hearted she left and follow her dreams and now decade later their path crossed again and this time as her boss and neighbor,sometimes fate and cupid is sadist right?
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 19, 2021
Second Chance ? . . .
Harmony’s new next-door neighbor turns out to be Dean Carter, the ex-boyfriend she dated in high school followed by an unpleasant split. He is a very annoying neighbor, and then she finds out he is also her boss! Having to work together to save the company, they are going to be bumping elbows often. Thank goodness for the no-fraternization policy, right?
This story line, as you can probably tell, will lead to all kinds of misadventures. Will they ever talk about their high school break-up and see it was merely a misunderstanding and the foolishness of not coming out and asking about it? Are these two somehow heading for a HEA? Grab your copy and find out what the future has in store for them.
Harmony’s new next-door neighbor turns out to be Dean Carter, the ex-boyfriend she dated in high school followed by an unpleasant split. He is a very annoying neighbor, and then she finds out he is also her boss! Having to work together to save the company, they are going to be bumping elbows often. Thank goodness for the no-fraternization policy, right?
This story line, as you can probably tell, will lead to all kinds of misadventures. Will they ever talk about their high school break-up and see it was merely a misunderstanding and the foolishness of not coming out and asking about it? Are these two somehow heading for a HEA? Grab your copy and find out what the future has in store for them.
October 18, 2021
I enjoyed the banter and the story. It was funny in parts and an enjoyable read. It seemed to me that it started a little slow but it was a great story and I needed to know what happened in high school that made Harmony the way she was. I really like the bowling side line. I like how they called a truce but not a truce. This is a fun and easy story about second chances, and how fate keeps putting them together. Great story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 19, 2021
Harmony shows up at her new apartment ready for a new life and a new job. She finds her old boyfriend bowling in his apartment and then finds out the next day he is her boss too. They vow to stay away from each other but fate has other plans. They start working together to save their branch of the office. Mix in a little psycho name Beth and it makes for a fun read. The challenge is to stay away from each other and not admit they are in love and still keep their jobs.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 21, 2021
I have to say that this was has a great storyline. A bit predictable but fun none the less. There is plenty of entertainment around these two. Dean and Harmony were sweethearts in school. There was a major misunderstanding and they went their separate ways. Later she finds out that he is her new neighbor and new boss. They find that the chemistry between them is still there. Find out if they will get their chance to be together? I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 5, 2021
Harmony and Dean had dated in high school and broke up soon after. Years later, she finds out that not only is he a neighbor in her new apartment, but also her new boss in a job she starts the next day. Luckily the sparks they had before are still in tact and are ready to explode again. The characters have great backstories. The storyline has a lot of laughs and great situations, drama and steam. Loved the banter and the funny developments that came up. Great ending.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 26, 2021
Harmony and Dean story is very funny and entertaining . You’ll love the banter and attraction these two never loss. A misunderstanding causes them to break up when they were in high school now time has gave them a new twist of fate to see where this will go!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 28, 2021
cute story
Loved this story. Harmony and Dean were high school sweethearts that broke up and then years later find themselves to be next door neighbor and then boss and employee .
I liked how they rekindled their romance. The only reason for a 4 star instead of 5 was that the ending was a little rushed. Other than that, great read!
Loved this story. Harmony and Dean were high school sweethearts that broke up and then years later find themselves to be next door neighbor and then boss and employee .
I liked how they rekindled their romance. The only reason for a 4 star instead of 5 was that the ending was a little rushed. Other than that, great read!
October 18, 2021
The characters made me laugh and love them. I loved their fire and chemistry for each other. You are going to love it as much as I did
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 18, 2021
Ms. Greene/King nailed it with Dean and Harmony's story! She wove a silly, sweet and sexy story. The characters were strong and perfect for each another.Their explosive chemistry sizzled and sparked right off the pages! A great story and a sweet HEA.
October 24, 2021
Spunky As Hell
I love the characters and how spunky they are! I wish the steam was a lot hotter, and the background info on their high school days was more detailed. But it was a wonderful light read!
I love the characters and how spunky they are! I wish the steam was a lot hotter, and the background info on their high school days was more detailed. But it was a wonderful light read!
October 25, 2021
Elsa Greene’s latest release is very good! You will enjoy reading this book, The Storyline and The Characters too. Can’t wait to read her next one.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 31, 2021
I enjoyed Dean & Harmony had an entertaining read. I got a copy of the book. And am voluntarily leaving my review.
November 20, 2021
Very sweet
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