Review ~ Before I Ever Met You ~ Karina Halle #2017NewRelease

Before I Ever Met You by Karina Halle
Release Date: April 25, 2017
Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance
Source: Instagram Contest Win (contest hosted by the author)
Rating: 4.5 Bookworms
Challenges: #2017NewRelease
Goodreads

Synopsis
I first met William McAlister when I was just a teenager.

He was handsome, had a beautiful wife and was on the verge of success, having just joined my father as his business partner. Mr. McAlister was full of smooth charm, but back then he was barely a blip on my radar. Just a family friend.

Fast forward ten years. I'm 25 years old and a single mom trying to make things right for her seven-year old son. I've made some mistakes, grappled with my demons and now I'm back in the city of Vancouver, getting a second chance at a better life.

I've started by working for my father's production company as an executive assistant. My first day on the job and I already know I could have a promising career there. That is until I see Will McAlister for the first time in a decade.

Now recently divorced and as sophisticated as always, Will has gone from being my father's friend and business partner to something so much more.

We're both older, for one thing, and he just oozes this worldly confidence and stark sexuality. Combined with his tall, muscular build and sharp suits, strong jaw and bedroom eyes, Will has turned into one hell of a distraction.

A distraction I'm having a hard time staying away from, considering his office is right across from my desk and I work with him in such close proximity.

But it's just a harmless crush, right?

It's just an innocent fantasy of screwing him on his desk, right?

It can't ever be more because he's my father's best friend, business partner, and my boss.

Right?

Wrong.

Before I Ever Met You is a contemporary standalone romance, a light-hearted swoony read that will make you believe in love again.

Two tropes I'm fond of: office romances and May-December romances. Before I Ever Met You combines both these with a few bonus features. *wink* That this is written by Karina Halle only made it better. She's quickly becoming an author I can rely on for satisfying romances.

Jackie, former wild child and prodigal daughter of a wealthy couple has now returned home as a mom to a little boy and a woman with quite a bit of baggage. Her father has given her a job in the family company - assistant to Will - partner and long-time family friend. Jackie knew Will when she was a surly teen but seeing him now - she sees him in a whole new light.

Will has recently returned to Vancouver as a divorced man. He's been settling in nicely with the change of pace from the L.A. office. He doesn't think he needs an assistant but he's getting one. And when he sets eyes on Jackie, he couldn't be happier about the prospect.

As Jackie and Will get better acquainted, they find they can't eny the mutual attraction they feel - despite how they try - or the growing feelings between them. But Jackie's past, her son, her desire to mend things with her parents, all conspire against her...them.

I quite enjoyed Jackie and Will's story. Watching as they got to know one another, the fun banter between them, and Will's interactions with Jackie's son, Ty, all made for a compelling read. I did get frustrated with Jackie's inability to recognize or deal with her feelings. However, I also understood the reasons behind it. What she'd endured in her past and how it made her question herself was entirely realistic.

I really would have liked more page time with Ty. The interactions between him, Jackie, and Will were fun and endearing so I would have enjoyed more development in the dynamics there - especially between him and Will. That there wasn't that development took away from the depth that could have been created.

I'm thrilled Lexxie and I won ARCs of Before I Ever Met You to buddy read. It was a heartwarming story with engaging characters. I'm eager to read and listen to more of Halle's backlist.

Release Day Review ~ Mr. Perfect ~ JA Huss

Mr. Perfect by JA Huss
Mister #1
Release Date: April 27, 2016
Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance
Source: I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 4 Bookworms
Challenges: #2016NewRelease
Goodreads ~ Amazon

Synopsis
Wanting the perfect man doesn't make me crazy. I just know what I like.

A powerful billionaire in a suit wasn't even my first choice. McAllister Stonewall was never on my radar, I didn't even know he existed.

But I do now.

His hands are all over me at work. The heat of his chest pressing against my bare back as he bends me over the desk is the only thing on my mind.

He is my most forbidden desires unleashed. He is my new secret obsession. He is my Mr. Perfect.

Until the moment I realize... There's no such thing as perfect.

Mr. Perfect is not typical Huss - a sexy story served up with a nice side of mind-twisting suspense. No, Mr. Perfect is more straight-up sexy and fun. And for the most part, I quite enjoyed it.

Ellie can admit she is wasting her talent as the celebrity concierge for Stonewall Entertainment, but the day she has the worst day of her career, she decides maybe she's had enough. Not only did she almost kill her rock star client, she had an interesting run-in with her new boss who happens to be H.O.T. But is also clearly an ass. Ellie, though...she has dreams. She just needs the confidence to reach for them.

McAllister didn't mean for his first meeting with Ellie to go so wrong. He's actually kinda smitten with this adorable girl - whose texts of her dream life he inadvertently received. Ellie sparks his interest - in more ways than one. She makes him think and re-evaluate. She also fogs his brain with lust. If only he can get her to see his side of things...

Thus begins this crazy office romance. And like I said, it was fun. I had several giggle moments. I had several gasping moments. I even had some fan myself moments. The interactions and banter between Ellie and Mac were at times light and at times cringe-worthy. I could see things progressing between them. But I felt there was that little something missing. And it really hit me once that something was delivered. That something was what made the story meaty. There were revelations that made both Mac and Ellie more complex - even more interesting. There were discoveries made - realizations - that showed their entire character as well as how their relationship affected who they are and where they were going - both individually and as a couple. There were questions raised about taking risks, the value of dreams, and blazing your own path. And while I enjoyed their story up to that point because it was sexy and a good time, I couldn't help but wish these events had happened a little sooner since they gave Mac and Ellie so much more depth.

I can't deny that I had a good time with Mr. Perfect. This couple was entertaining and their chemistry was combustible. There were interesting secondary characters introduced and I enjoyed them. Huss, as usual, was stellar at painting the backdrop of a unique office building in the Denver Tech Center juxtaposed with rolling pine covered hills dotted with cows. The only thing that was missing was that little bit extra early on - that meat. With that, Mr. Perfect would have been fabulous rather than just great. However, as this is the first in a new series where there are 5 guys, the Misters, with a connected past, I'm expecting things will just get better from here.