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Making the Deal
They knew the merger wasn’t going to be easy. But Rayna and Jax never expected it to start with sparks flying!
Rayna is an attractive fiery entrepreneur and successful litigator who has grown her business incredibly. Now she has the sort of offer on the table that dreams are made of—more money, success, and power than she could ever imagine. And all she must do is form a partnership with a large law firm.
Jax’s ambitions have driven him to put everything into his firm, and this merger is supposed to take his firm to the next level.
He is great looking, laidback, and a top corporate shark. He knows what he wants and believes he knows how to get it.
But when the pair meet for the first time, they instantly dislike each other, and a frustrating power struggle commences.
But is it fueled by a merger of the firms? Or are shamefully attracted they are to each other.
Making the deal is the thrilling first book in the fast pace love at first sight romance series.
If you like your stories filled with unexpected twists and turns and red-hot heart-pounding tension, this book was made for you!
Get your copy of Making the Deal, and join the fast-paced alpha male romance fun, today!
Rayna is an attractive fiery entrepreneur and successful litigator who has grown her business incredibly. Now she has the sort of offer on the table that dreams are made of—more money, success, and power than she could ever imagine. And all she must do is form a partnership with a large law firm.
Jax’s ambitions have driven him to put everything into his firm, and this merger is supposed to take his firm to the next level.
He is great looking, laidback, and a top corporate shark. He knows what he wants and believes he knows how to get it.
But when the pair meet for the first time, they instantly dislike each other, and a frustrating power struggle commences.
But is it fueled by a merger of the firms? Or are shamefully attracted they are to each other.
Making the deal is the thrilling first book in the fast pace love at first sight romance series.
If you like your stories filled with unexpected twists and turns and red-hot heart-pounding tension, this book was made for you!
Get your copy of Making the Deal, and join the fast-paced alpha male romance fun, today!
- GenresContemporary
127 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 25, 2022
4 people are currently reading
146 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
October 28, 2022
DNF at 20%.
Rayna "Ray" is apparently an entrepreneur, a lawyer, and she's developed some amazing software for law firms which is in great demand. She has been offered a merger with a large law practice which will give her more money, success and power.
Jax is the founder of said large law practice, apparently, he needs this merger to take his business to the next level, but he seems intent on sabotaging the deal. When he meets Rayna he is shocked that she is female (poor little brain can't cope) and does everything in his power to antagonise her, despite her software being in huge demand. Then he abruptly ends their merger discussion after about fifteen minutes and arbitrarily demands that they resume discussions at his home, in the evening, and sets a casual dress code. WTAF?
Instead of calling off the merger and complaining about his unprofessional behaviour, Ray is struck by how good looking he is and how much she wants to kiss him. Like a big ol' schmuck she rocks up to his house like she's going on a date, where he's prepared a romantic dinner complete with candles (RED FLAG) and they kiss FFS.
The next morning, she flip-flops over his unprofessional behaviour and wanting to kiss him again. I just can't even, it's so juvenile and unrealistic. How either of them could possibly have built up their own successful law firms is inconceivable. It also feels very icky to make it seem that this sort of behaviour is romantic or sexy rather than creepy.
I thought I could finish this because I saw that it was quite a short book, but life is too short.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Bumped for release.
Rayna "Ray" is apparently an entrepreneur, a lawyer, and she's developed some amazing software for law firms which is in great demand. She has been offered a merger with a large law practice which will give her more money, success and power.
Jax is the founder of said large law practice, apparently, he needs this merger to take his business to the next level, but he seems intent on sabotaging the deal. When he meets Rayna he is shocked that she is female (poor little brain can't cope) and does everything in his power to antagonise her, despite her software being in huge demand. Then he abruptly ends their merger discussion after about fifteen minutes and arbitrarily demands that they resume discussions at his home, in the evening, and sets a casual dress code. WTAF?
Instead of calling off the merger and complaining about his unprofessional behaviour, Ray is struck by how good looking he is and how much she wants to kiss him. Like a big ol' schmuck she rocks up to his house like she's going on a date, where he's prepared a romantic dinner complete with candles (RED FLAG) and they kiss FFS.
The next morning, she flip-flops over his unprofessional behaviour and wanting to kiss him again. I just can't even, it's so juvenile and unrealistic. How either of them could possibly have built up their own successful law firms is inconceivable. It also feels very icky to make it seem that this sort of behaviour is romantic or sexy rather than creepy.
I thought I could finish this because I saw that it was quite a short book, but life is too short.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
Bumped for release.
October 15, 2022
I was very confused by this book. As I was reading it, I kept thinking that I skipped pages or that pages were missing. I felt like the story was very hard to follow. I couldn't really connect with or root for any of the characters.
The book focuses on Ray and Jax. They are meeting to discuss a merger of their businesses, but they have an instant connection to each other. Ray agrees to meet at Jax's house, and while there, he kisses her. She quickly leaves Jax's house, and they agree to keep things professional. Tensions continue to rise, and they take their relationship to the next level.
I didn't understand how their relationship became so intense so quickly. They didn't really know anything about each other, and all of a sudden, they are in love? How did Ray's brother know Jax? I was confused about why he would just call or text him.
Also, I'm even more confused about Ray's friend, Cam, and Cam's abusive, controlling boyfriend, Justin. Cam and her boyfriend are introduced, but the story doesn't go anywhere. Ray and her brother witness Justin physically grabbing Cam and yelling at her to give him money, but they don't do anything about it. Ray's brother is a police officer, and he doesn't go to help her out. I didn't understand that at all. We never find out what happens with those two characters. I don't know why that was included in the book.
Overall, the book is very short, and it can be read quickly. I got hung up on how quickly their relationship intensified, and I got lost in all of the legal and business merger jargon. I think that this is the first of a series, and I would be interested to read the next book to see what happens next.
Thanks to NetGalley and Xpresso Book Tours for an ARC of this book.
The book focuses on Ray and Jax. They are meeting to discuss a merger of their businesses, but they have an instant connection to each other. Ray agrees to meet at Jax's house, and while there, he kisses her. She quickly leaves Jax's house, and they agree to keep things professional. Tensions continue to rise, and they take their relationship to the next level.
I didn't understand how their relationship became so intense so quickly. They didn't really know anything about each other, and all of a sudden, they are in love? How did Ray's brother know Jax? I was confused about why he would just call or text him.
Also, I'm even more confused about Ray's friend, Cam, and Cam's abusive, controlling boyfriend, Justin. Cam and her boyfriend are introduced, but the story doesn't go anywhere. Ray and her brother witness Justin physically grabbing Cam and yelling at her to give him money, but they don't do anything about it. Ray's brother is a police officer, and he doesn't go to help her out. I didn't understand that at all. We never find out what happens with those two characters. I don't know why that was included in the book.
Overall, the book is very short, and it can be read quickly. I got hung up on how quickly their relationship intensified, and I got lost in all of the legal and business merger jargon. I think that this is the first of a series, and I would be interested to read the next book to see what happens next.
Thanks to NetGalley and Xpresso Book Tours for an ARC of this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
dnf
October 23, 2022DNF @ 40%
I received an ARC for this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This was 100% not for me.
I received an ARC for this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This was 100% not for me.
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October 26, 2022I got the arc for this book from Netgalley and just 5 pages into it I already know I wouldn't enjoy it. I wanted to give it another chance and then I read the reviews here and... yep. Definitely going into the DNF pile. My first DNF arc :(
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October 14, 2022Making the Deal by Shelby MacKenzie is a steamy romance with lots of spice. Rayna Raven, or Ray, is a by-the-book businesswoman, who makes clear decisions based on statistics and logic. Jaxson McKells puts his business first, but he enjoys life, making him seem too self-assured. Ray and Jax meet to form a deal between their two companies. The deal isn’t made as quickly as Ray anticipated, and Jax insists on screening Ray more before he agrees to her terms. Ray believes Jax is cocky, and even though she knows it’s a bad idea, she starts to give in to his advances. Something that should have been an easy merger becomes much more, as Ray and Jax battle their developing feelings for each other and their conflicting business views.
At first, their blooming feelings were managed in the same way as their business deals were handled, and neither one of them wanted to admit that their feelings for the other one was moving beyond the sexual tension in the air around them. Steamy situations and first sexual encounters can be hot and steamy, and Shelby MacKenzie does not disappoint her readers! The romance between Ray and Jax isn’t the only interesting part of the plot, as the author builds her story by including the challenges of her secondary characters, as well. Shelby MacKenzie’s story had me turning every page and interested in the fire between Jax and Ray! I recommend Making the Deal to mature readers who enjoy romances with heat and strong female characters.
At first, their blooming feelings were managed in the same way as their business deals were handled, and neither one of them wanted to admit that their feelings for the other one was moving beyond the sexual tension in the air around them. Steamy situations and first sexual encounters can be hot and steamy, and Shelby MacKenzie does not disappoint her readers! The romance between Ray and Jax isn’t the only interesting part of the plot, as the author builds her story by including the challenges of her secondary characters, as well. Shelby MacKenzie’s story had me turning every page and interested in the fire between Jax and Ray! I recommend Making the Deal to mature readers who enjoy romances with heat and strong female characters.
October 26, 2022
Making the deal is about Ray and Jax, who meet up to merge their businesses, but somehow the tension between them intensifies and becomes real feelings towards each other, and somehow they end up becoming an item? I'm not explaining this properly, probably because most of the time I was extremely confused, but you'll read some good things in the review so just head on down there.
I was provided with an arc copy of this book by Netgalley, so thank you to Netgalley, the publishers and the author.
The story in this book was a good one, there was something to build on, and something to expect from this book, but the writing style was not very enjoyable, most of the time I would find that I am missing out on things..
I suspected that I lost a few pages, even though it's an e-copy of the book, and there was very unnecessary mention of abuse, which nothing was done about by the way.
There wasn't much depth to the characters, and there was very unnecessary detailing of the business deal, and there was unconsensual kissing that happened more than once by the same person to the same person!
I think I read somewhere that this was going to be a series, and like I said the story is interesting, and I would like to know what happens next, but honestly, that is all there is.
I was provided with an arc copy of this book by Netgalley, so thank you to Netgalley, the publishers and the author.
The story in this book was a good one, there was something to build on, and something to expect from this book, but the writing style was not very enjoyable, most of the time I would find that I am missing out on things..
I suspected that I lost a few pages, even though it's an e-copy of the book, and there was very unnecessary mention of abuse, which nothing was done about by the way.
There wasn't much depth to the characters, and there was very unnecessary detailing of the business deal, and there was unconsensual kissing that happened more than once by the same person to the same person!
I think I read somewhere that this was going to be a series, and like I said the story is interesting, and I would like to know what happens next, but honestly, that is all there is.
November 2, 2022
Thanks NetGalley and publisher for the e-ARC.
This book has been a quick read about sweet workplace romance, I suppose.
It would've works quite well if only the pacing is not that fast, because I feels like there's some missing links on the plot that I actually has to made up on my mind to imagine. The plot and premise is promising but I don't know maybe because it fast-paced story, I only feels like it's only been told in a surface.
I knew there's such things as instant attraction (especially physically) and I know the kiss was supposed to depict that, but since it's unconsensual it irks me a little. but I still want to know how the story goes, so I went along to finish this. The name dropping in every sentence is also a bit too much for my liking
While I love the personality and the work-ethcs of both MCs, I think it could be used to exploring more about the characters and their relationship with friends/business partners. I still found it's questionable when the heroine's brother was contacting a strange man he just met once to take care of his drunk sister.
I wish it could be helpful to expand the story more, this book has potential.
This book has been a quick read about sweet workplace romance, I suppose.
It would've works quite well if only the pacing is not that fast, because I feels like there's some missing links on the plot that I actually has to made up on my mind to imagine. The plot and premise is promising but I don't know maybe because it fast-paced story, I only feels like it's only been told in a surface.
I knew there's such things as instant attraction (especially physically) and I know the kiss was supposed to depict that, but since it's unconsensual it irks me a little. but I still want to know how the story goes, so I went along to finish this. The name dropping in every sentence is also a bit too much for my liking
While I love the personality and the work-ethcs of both MCs, I think it could be used to exploring more about the characters and their relationship with friends/business partners. I still found it's questionable when the heroine's brother was contacting a strange man he just met once to take care of his drunk sister.
I wish it could be helpful to expand the story more, this book has potential.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 23, 2022
Thank you NetGalley!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I have mixed opinions on this book which is why I gave it 3 stars.
On the one hand I finished the book in like 2 hours. I ate it up and it was a quick, easy, and fun read. The story was fun to read and I liked the fact that it was short and sweet.
The thing that I didn't like is the fact that I felt like there was too much name saying. I don't know if that makes sense but in real life people do not say the name of the person they are talking to in every sentence. It seemed like every time someone said something to someone they always started the sentence with the persons name. Which is okay every once in a while but it felt a little choppy when it was happening all the time. Especially when there were only two characters in a scene so it was super easy to keep track of who was talking.
I loved the story line, but the writing was the issue for me with this one.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I have mixed opinions on this book which is why I gave it 3 stars.
On the one hand I finished the book in like 2 hours. I ate it up and it was a quick, easy, and fun read. The story was fun to read and I liked the fact that it was short and sweet.
The thing that I didn't like is the fact that I felt like there was too much name saying. I don't know if that makes sense but in real life people do not say the name of the person they are talking to in every sentence. It seemed like every time someone said something to someone they always started the sentence with the persons name. Which is okay every once in a while but it felt a little choppy when it was happening all the time. Especially when there were only two characters in a scene so it was super easy to keep track of who was talking.
I loved the story line, but the writing was the issue for me with this one.
October 27, 2022
Lovely Story!
Shelby MacKenzie ’s writing style is intriguing, one of a kind. She started chapter one with this: "He’s Late” This is a fantastic hook and it caught my attention immediately. Chapter one sets the tone for the story as the main characters, Rayna and Jax, meet to discuss business. The pair instantly dislikes each other but works around it for the sake of their case. It doesn't take long for sexual tensions sparks. Rayna and Jax try hard to keep things professional but it's not that easy.
I really don’t want to get into the story beyond this point, because I want this fascinating piece of art to unfold like magic right before your eyes as it did mine. Just read the book and enjoy the story for yourself. I will add that this book was fun to read. I liked how Rayna and Jax’s relationship developed. Their chemistry is lava hot and their connection is unique. This book had me hanging off its pages. I just finished this book in less than a day, I couldn’t stay away.
Romance and Hate-Love Troop lovers, this one's for you.
Shelby MacKenzie ’s writing style is intriguing, one of a kind. She started chapter one with this: "He’s Late” This is a fantastic hook and it caught my attention immediately. Chapter one sets the tone for the story as the main characters, Rayna and Jax, meet to discuss business. The pair instantly dislikes each other but works around it for the sake of their case. It doesn't take long for sexual tensions sparks. Rayna and Jax try hard to keep things professional but it's not that easy.
I really don’t want to get into the story beyond this point, because I want this fascinating piece of art to unfold like magic right before your eyes as it did mine. Just read the book and enjoy the story for yourself. I will add that this book was fun to read. I liked how Rayna and Jax’s relationship developed. Their chemistry is lava hot and their connection is unique. This book had me hanging off its pages. I just finished this book in less than a day, I couldn’t stay away.
Romance and Hate-Love Troop lovers, this one's for you.
October 22, 2022
This book definitely exceeded my expectations.
The correct word to describe it’s beautiful, I loved the story, the tropes, a bit of drama, the spicy scenes. I have devoured it in one sitting, A WONDERFUL READ! it's a short and addictive story. If you are a fan of romance, I totally recommend it.
I loved the characters, Rayna, she is a hardworking, intelligent and successful woman with a big heart and then we have Jax with whom it is impossible not to fall in love. The relationship between the two begins with misunderstandings but the attraction and chemistry between them is felt from the beginning. It has that love at first sight but I feel like it's so well developed here!
"I loved you from the beginning: your fire, intelligence, and grace. I’m in love with you. And I love us together." I’M OBSESSED WITH THIS QUOTE
I couldn't put it down, it's the first book I've read by this author, and I liked her writing style. I’m sure it won't be the last book I read by her.
The correct word to describe it’s beautiful, I loved the story, the tropes, a bit of drama, the spicy scenes. I have devoured it in one sitting, A WONDERFUL READ! it's a short and addictive story. If you are a fan of romance, I totally recommend it.
I loved the characters, Rayna, she is a hardworking, intelligent and successful woman with a big heart and then we have Jax with whom it is impossible not to fall in love. The relationship between the two begins with misunderstandings but the attraction and chemistry between them is felt from the beginning. It has that love at first sight but I feel like it's so well developed here!
"I loved you from the beginning: your fire, intelligence, and grace. I’m in love with you. And I love us together." I’M OBSESSED WITH THIS QUOTE
I couldn't put it down, it's the first book I've read by this author, and I liked her writing style. I’m sure it won't be the last book I read by her.
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November 5, 2022DNF at 20%
I am not a fan of instant love connections. I should have guessed this book would be that since Rayna Raven “Ray” spotted a “delicious looking man” at the bar but “too bad that wasn’t who she’s meeting”. Spoiler alert. It was.
Jax invites her over to his house after their failed merger meeting where he kisses her. Ray’s response to that kiss is “we shouldn’t have done that”. But Jax has been wanting to do that the second he saw her.
I am almost 100% certain the software Rayna was trying to sell doesn’t exist.
After that I couldn’t continue. I am a big fan of dual point of view, that’s the one positive note I can give this book. But the writing was very immature and all over the place. DNFing books is very rare for me.
ARC provided by NetGalley for a fair and honest review.
I am not a fan of instant love connections. I should have guessed this book would be that since Rayna Raven “Ray” spotted a “delicious looking man” at the bar but “too bad that wasn’t who she’s meeting”. Spoiler alert. It was.
Jax invites her over to his house after their failed merger meeting where he kisses her. Ray’s response to that kiss is “we shouldn’t have done that”. But Jax has been wanting to do that the second he saw her.
I am almost 100% certain the software Rayna was trying to sell doesn’t exist.
After that I couldn’t continue. I am a big fan of dual point of view, that’s the one positive note I can give this book. But the writing was very immature and all over the place. DNFing books is very rare for me.
ARC provided by NetGalley for a fair and honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 3, 2022
Rayna Raven is a lawyer with an internet application that will help lawyers out with there research for cases at their fingertips. She is looking to merge with McKells Reed because the success of this application BUT there is one hot, sexy big issue in the way and his name is Jaxon McKells !!
Jaxon has a Harvard education and a little thing like a smart, intelligent, sexy lawyer throws him off his kilter and her name is Ray. The moment they meet at the Tulip Tavern the sparks fly !! This is not good when they are trying to merger there law firms .. OR WILL IT make they stronger ??
Can theses two make the impossible happen on both ends .. the merger and their love lives ??
McKells, Reed and Raven has a nice ring to it !!
Jaxon has a Harvard education and a little thing like a smart, intelligent, sexy lawyer throws him off his kilter and her name is Ray. The moment they meet at the Tulip Tavern the sparks fly !! This is not good when they are trying to merger there law firms .. OR WILL IT make they stronger ??
Can theses two make the impossible happen on both ends .. the merger and their love lives ??
McKells, Reed and Raven has a nice ring to it !!
October 18, 2022
This was a new to me author. I really enjoyed the plot of this book!
Rayna is a young, successful attorney looking to merger her firm with a larger firm to launch new software she has developed. Jax is the managing partner of a larger firm. They meet to discuss the merger and sparks fly!
I really loved this book I just wish it was larger to provide more details. As others mentioned it felt rushed. Overall a good, quick read.
Thank you to NetGalley for the copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
#makingthedeal #netgalley
Rayna is a young, successful attorney looking to merger her firm with a larger firm to launch new software she has developed. Jax is the managing partner of a larger firm. They meet to discuss the merger and sparks fly!
I really loved this book I just wish it was larger to provide more details. As others mentioned it felt rushed. Overall a good, quick read.
Thank you to NetGalley for the copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
#makingthedeal #netgalley
November 7, 2022
Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review "Making the Deal." I don't really understand the description in relation to this book. It says it is an enemies to romance book, but it seems one sided according to the male and female perspectives. There is a clear attraction from Jax's point of view from the beginning. The book also doesn't flow very well, it kind of reads like fanfiction or an amateur author. I found it difficult to keep reading as the story progressed and it was a tad boring.
October 31, 2022
DNF at 65%
This book was difficult. I really couldn't get a handle on the plot. I thought I was missing pages for clarity. Overall, i felt that the writing was choppy and couldn't get over the characters addressing each other by name in every sentence of dialogue.
There were oddly placed steamy scenes and the overall plot of two prospective business partners who nonconsensually kiss each other during meetings was not for me.
This book was difficult. I really couldn't get a handle on the plot. I thought I was missing pages for clarity. Overall, i felt that the writing was choppy and couldn't get over the characters addressing each other by name in every sentence of dialogue.
There were oddly placed steamy scenes and the overall plot of two prospective business partners who nonconsensually kiss each other during meetings was not for me.
November 7, 2022
This book felt unfinished. Like it skipped over editing all together. The dialog between characters was awkward and cringy with how often they said each other’s names in conversation. The story was hard to follow and didn’t really make sense. I thought this was supposed to be an emeries to lovers workplace romance but I feel like it was more insta love. Just don’t understand what was going on. I DNF’d at about 30%.
November 7, 2022
Once I start a book I have to see it through, but this one was tempting to DNF. While the overall story was great, the dialogue was lacking for me. The characters are constantly saying each other's names when speaking, which is not typical of real conversations. It ruined the book for me unfortunately.
I received an advanced review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advanced review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 27, 2022
Over all not a bad book but could have been written better. The story itself is good
November 8, 2022
For some reason I find Jax really annoying. I stopped reading at 16%. DNF
******************I received an ARC for my honest opinion from NetGalley.***************
******************I received an ARC for my honest opinion from NetGalley.***************
December 17, 2022
Oof, where to start ... I think this book has potential, but it also has a lot of problems. The pacing is all wrong, there's a lot of focus on legal minutiae that isn't necessary, and there are so many sex scenes that they cease to be spicy and end up being overkill.
There isn't enough of a complicating incident, and I don't really care about the characters. It feels like a story written around the sex scenes. It's not enough to carry the story.
I don't think I'm interested in reading anything else in this series, although I learned enough to be curious about the relationship possibilities between her best friend and her brother; for me, they were the most interesting part of the book. Unfortunately, I'm afraid that the author won't do it justice.
*I was given an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review
There isn't enough of a complicating incident, and I don't really care about the characters. It feels like a story written around the sex scenes. It's not enough to carry the story.
I don't think I'm interested in reading anything else in this series, although I learned enough to be curious about the relationship possibilities between her best friend and her brother; for me, they were the most interesting part of the book. Unfortunately, I'm afraid that the author won't do it justice.
*I was given an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews