Release Date: 14th September 2022

Rating: ★★★★★

Blurb:

Debut authors Kels & Denise Stone make waves in this sexy, rivals-to-lovers, workplace romantic comedy.

Avery Soko, a bright-eyed and ambitious do-gooder, is on the cusp of getting her dream fundraising job at the Oceanic Research Organization. Luca Navarro, a former corporate lawyer with an extravagant tie collection and an irritatingly handsome smirk, holds Avery's future in his very large hands. When he calls with the news of her rejection, Luca seems to revel in crushing her dreams.

But Avery will do anything to pursue her passion, even accept a job at a struggling start-up. Her spell of bad luck finally changes when a competition is announced at a grandiose gala that could save her and her new team from going under. Of course, Avery's least favorite person, Luca, also joins the running for the multimillion-dollar prize.

At the height of the competition, Avery and Luca realize they've met their match. Will the tense moments, absurd attempts to out-do each other, and the string of games and bets they've concocted turn into a series of failures, or will it make them into something more than adversaries?

Review

I’m in awe. This book was, what listening to Taylor swift feels like. An overall enjoyable work place romance!

i just can’t say a bad word! I loved Avery and Luca and especially them together. Their interactions left me giggling and smiling. We all want someone like Luca. And we all aspire to be someone like Avery. Or at least I am. She’s such an inspirational person. And as a female lead exactly what I want to read about. No immature or childish behavior to portray her as the sunshine. She’s the sunshine of the book that has some rainy days and that makes her all the mit realistic.

This novel does not at all feel like a debut novel. Kels and Denise Stone have created something incredibly amazing and I just had the best time reading this book. I was constantly smiling and giggling like a little kid at Christmas throughout the entire book. I kid you not - devoured this in a few hours. This was the perfect length and pace. Not to fast. Not too slow. Not unreasonably dragged on but also not cut short. Just as it should be. Perfect. Just like everything else was perfect.

It has the perfect amount of everything. Entertainment. Feelings. Spice. Teasing. Friendship.
An impeccably well balanced rom com. Toe curling spice scene. Dialogues to leave you giddy and excited. Teasing. And a too good to be true love interest.

And damn I even learned something about the environment in the meanwhile. But not overly annoying. Just perfectly woven into the story.

I can only encourage everyone to read this. If you enjoy romance just a tiny bit - then give this novel a chance. I am convinced it will not disappoint. Because there is not a single disappointing aspect to say about this. At least not in my eyes. It’s just making you happy to read about these two and their amazing friends and colleagues and siblings.

There wasn’t even the annoying typical 70-80% barrier conflict happening. The characters all acted reasonable and mature and where just overly enjoyable to read about and feel with and i loved every single character in this book. All of them where special and necessary for the story without stealing the spotlight from our main couple. This is a total feel good read!! And also pulled me single handedly out of a major reading slump!

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thank you kels and denise for the arc in exchange for an honest review

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