3.5 stars. The relationship between the MCs is the real highlight of this novel. They have great chemistry, but they also take the time to develop their relationship at a pace that feels natural. I can understand how and why they grew to like each other, instead of just falling into instalove. Once they do make their way to each other, the physical side of their relationship is wonderfully spicy and inventive! There's fun and passion and genuine affection in their encounters.

Another strong point is the side relationships between the MCs and their families and friends. I especially appreciated the way the men supported and helped each other along. In terms of their conflicts, I feel like Chris got off unfairly easy. Lisa was understanding and supportive of his secrets and he did not entirely return the favor for her at first. While he did attempt to explain himself, I felt she was owed more groveling than she got!

Where I struggled a bit was with the amount of time and attention paid to the businesses in which the MCs are involved. While it's always interesting to learn a little something about a new field, there was a lot of detailed information about angel investing, corporate espionage, data security, educational software, and the business of writing. These are fields of a more niche interest (as to opposed athletics, creative arts, etc.) so one's interest in hearing about them in-depth may vary.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review!

“What makes a good romance?”

Emotions, right? You want to fall in love with idea of love. The idea of two characters who face so many trials and tribulations and are able to triumph and come out the other side. You want to feel that hope. The hope that just maybe, what you read in your favourite stories on paper, can happen for you too. People want to love, love. I mean, do we not all want to find that one soul that mirrors our own? I think we do.

I love romance. It’s my favourite genre to read. It captivates me in a way I can’t even explain. It’s happiness overtakes my body and it feeds my soul in a way that fills my heart. Romance is a ‘feeling’ that presents unconditional love and warmth.

📚 Purely Novel Intent 📚 by Michele Lenard, gives you that feeling.

It’s not overly hot or sexy, its more of a cute feel good novel. There’s a little bit of spice, a whole lot of sweetness, and two really adorable characters.

Lisa, a closet romance writer, decides to work at an up incoming educational company in hopes to learn the ropes that will help fulfill her dreams in writing a children’s book. She struggles with the possibility that some may judge her in the fact, if you write romance - you can’t write for kids; as if the two are mutually exclusive, when it actuality they are completely separate.

Chris is Mr. Moneybags. Both silent partner and majority investor to said up incoming educational company, AND twin brother to said company’s founder. We watch Chris struggle with some business adventures within this story but his main storyline is finding real love. Love that has nothing to do with how deep his pockets are but who he actually is as a person.

One of my favourite lines in this story comes from Lisa when she asks Chris, “What do you want?” My heart warmed when he answers, “Happiness.”

This is what makes a good romance! Happiness, joy, love, and warmth!

Thank you NetGalley, Michele Lenard, and the published for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!! Good luck and he’s of wishes in the future success of this novel!

This was a very enjoyable novel. Michele Lenard has crafted a quick paced, accessible and entertaining contemporary romance. Lenard's writing style has a gentle ease the engages the reader and keeps them interested in the hero and heroine's romance. I found this to be a sweet and gentle love story, it was nicely steamy and low on the angst, which is very comforting to read when you are looking for a fun and fast paced romance that feels like a nice warm hug.

This novel is about Lisa, an aspiring children's author and closet romance author, and Chris, a millionaire investor. These two meet at Chris' twin brother's company, Lisa has been working as a contract writer in creating educational materials for this upstart company, and Chris is the angel investor who is silent and acting as the facilities manager for the building the company is working out of. There are lots of alluring moments between these two as they flirt and get to know each other. Chris is absolutely charmed by Lisa from the start, and it is so delightful to see him fall for her, because he is able to see past her physical beauty to the inner strength and genius. I really enjoyed that there was a build up of friendship and getting to know each other before they went on their first date. I also loved that through their dating they were able to really show each other that they understood the other in a deeper way.

There is some conflict and discussion around Lisa's career as a romance author and the stigmatism that surrounds it. I did find this a bit frustrating (because as a romance reader I find these thoughts to be very close minded) but I believe Lenard has put this in to explore these discussions. I also think that Lisa needed to have some of these thoughts so she could better discover the truth and pride she should have in her career. I also found the way Lenard redeems the hero around these conflicts to be extremely satisfying and swoon worthy. Overall, this was a very sweet romance, with lots of steamy times that I felt were well balanced through out the novel. I enjoyed getting glimpses of side characters and Lenard did this nicely in order to build some interest towards them and what their HEA journey might hold.

I would recommend this if you are looking for a fast paced romance, that feels very comforting and leaves you with a smile on your face. I am looking forward to continuing on in this series.