Note: I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.

Release Date: September 3, 2021

Blurb

From USA Today bestselling author Adriana Locke comes a forbidden workplace romance between a fiery new hire and her smoldering boss.

“I had to sneeze.”

I should’ve taken her insurance information and driven off like any reasonable CEO with places to be would.

She crashed into my car, for heaven’s sake. Because she had to sneeze.

What did I do? I didn’t get in my car and drive away if that’s what you’re thinking.

Nope. I stuck around. I could suggest I stayed because she needed help, but the truth? She was really, really hot.

We became fast friends. Then friends with benefits. Before I knew it, we were involved in an illicit office romance that had me fumbling through a drawerful of panties to get a Post-It.

It was supposed to be easy—a fling, if you will. A dashing millionaire hero (*adjusts tie*) and a beautiful (stubborn, frustratingly independent, hell-on-wheels) damsel in distress. (Don’t tell her I said that.)

It wasn’t supposed to be forever, but we did want a happy ending. (Pun intended.) We could’ve made it work, too.

But one of us overcomplicated things with the L-word. And the other? They omitted a truth that changed everything.

Review

Can I just say, this might be my favorite book in the Mason Family Series so far??

This book picks up where Boone’s left off when Shaye and Oliver have their worlds collide… literally. They collide into each other. In their cars. Because of some sneezes. Oliver is immediately smitten. Shaye crushes hard, but obviously has some walls around her heart from her past experience with relationships. She’s learned to count on no one but herself. Oliver’s always been able to lean on his family. They come from completely different worlds, yet they’re meant to intertwine in this forbidden romance, millionaire boss story.

Shaye’s nervous to accept the executive assistant job when she realizes she’d be working for Co-CEO Oliver Mason at Mason Limited. Oliver can’t help but think this whole thing is MEANT TO BE. He’s hard to handle, but she seems to take it and dish it right back. Their chemistry is off the charts… Oliver barely lasts a day without pursuing Shaye.

Both characters have been hurt badly by previously relationships, which means trusting each other is hard. But they can’t seem to stop wanting to give a relationship a try. And yet, they each still guard their hearts out of fear of being lied to and manipulated.

Shaye fits in Oliver’s life better than he could have ever imagined, picking up and running with her job, impressing not only him but his brothers. She’s a hard worker, she’s loyal, and she takes her role seriously. Yet, Oliver’s judgment is clouded by his parents drama, his own relationship past, and his insecurities. When the L word causes some nerves, the other shoe drops, and both characters are forced to examine how their past is still impacting their present.

I devoured this book in basically one sitting. I couldn’t put it down.

Favorite quote:

I reach over and take his hand. I trace the lines in his palm with my finger.

“But it also feels like I’ve known you forever,” I say. “When I’m with you, I… I don’t feel like my world is about to be split in two or that I have to look over my shoulder.”

“You don’t. I’m already looking over it for you.”

The sincerity, the pure genuineness of his words makes my eyes water. Because I know he means it.

*Swoon*

Give this book and the previous 3 in Mason Family Series a read before the final book comes out in October!

Rating: 5 Stars

Buy it here or read for free on Kindle Unlimited!

Meet Adriana

USA Today, Washington Post, and Amazon Charts Bestselling author Adriana Locke lives and breathes books. After years of slightly obsessive relationships with the flawed bad boys created by other authors, Adriana has created her own.

She resides in the Midwest with her husband, four sons, and two dogs. She spends a large amount of time playing with her kids, drinking coffee, and cooking. You can find her outside if the weather’s nice and there’s always a piece of candy in her pocket.

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Goodreads Group: All Locked Up
Facebook Group: Books by Adriana Locke