Cover Image: Strictly Business

Strictly Business

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

When Jesse agrees to stand in for his identical twin brother, Scott, for a few days, he thinks it’ll be a simple task. But then he meets Crystal Holmes and his world is turned upside down. Meanwhile, Scott, in his role as Jesse, is shaking things up back in the office. Can the pair help sort each other’s business and personal lives out without destroying all they have?

Strictly Business is a light-hearted story, featuring identical twins, separated at birth and only recently reunited. One is a successful businessman, the other a farmer trying to create the perfect bean. This leads to some interesting misunderstandings as the pair know little about each other. In amongst all this, the two also fall in love with women who believe them to be the other.

A very enjoyable read.

Was this review helpful?

I love this book and I love this series! Ruth Cardello knocked it out of the park!

I voluntarily reviewed this book.

Was this review helpful?

This book has a very interesting concept so much so that I requested both the first and the second book. I am currently on the next book in the do ology. I actually really liked both of these main characters. They had very distinct characteristics and they kept to them. I also think that the chemistry was spot on the character progression was immaculate and the setting of this book was actually really good. It had a really good set up the next book, and I enjoyed some of the very small aspects like the dock and the talk about the animals and the hands on the farm. I think there was a little bit of Insta lust and insta love, which I’m not the biggest fan of, but I think they were cute and cool. The act three conflict was actually really good. I liked that they were very communicative about problems and how they felt. Although it took him awhile to get to that point I would 100% recommend and I’ll definitely be reading more from the author.

Was this review helpful?

I loved reading this one. I just love this kind of books.
4 stars read for me. I love this author snd her writing style.
Thanks to netgally for this arc.

Was this review helpful?

A cosy read. I loved every scene that had the rescue animals in it. The romance and plot are nothing out of the ordinary.

Was this review helpful?

STRICTLY BUSINESS is the first book in The Switch series, and I’m looking forward to reading more. It was slow to get into at first and to understand the characters, but then it took off.

Jesse and Scott are identical twins who were adopted by separate families and didn’t know the other existed. Neither has looked into finding their biological parents…at first. When Jesse switches places with Scott to save his farm, there are a series of events and some coincidences that seem too farfetched to be true. Scott is from a blue-collar family, raised on the farm with the special-needs animals they rescue. Jesse is a businessman who comes from wealth and is in business with his older brother.

When Jesse and Crystal first meet, there are sparks, more due to dislike and distrust than anything positive. But once they spend time together, their lust and attraction take over (sometimes to an over-the-top extent.) Crystal has always had mediocre sex and boyfriends she was more friends with than anything else. Jesse is a love-’em-and-leave-’em type of guy who runs from commitment, and his dates were always aware of his stance. Jesse and Crystal seem to balance each other, and their chemistry is off the charts.

The story is filled with family and friends and more than a few secrets. The romance has plenty of steamy moments and ultimately love, but the growing relationship needed more time to build, so it seemed. Next up is Scott’s story, since he’s not ready to step into his own shoes yet. I look forward to reading OUT OF LOVE.

Ms. Cardello is an author who’s been on my radar, but I’ve only read a few of her books. I have added some others to my TBR pile.

Was this review helpful?

An interesting topic hidden at the farm - and a unique manner of arriving at the product. A product that you will be unlikely to guess. I was thiinking a cannabis farm or drug making, and so was rather surprised when the item was revealed.
I would have liked more background on our taste specialist as I found her to be rather thin as a character. How she had decided her speciality and what she had written and researched for her thesis would have made her a rounder character in my mnd. I would also have liked to know how Jesse got his knowldge about engineering especially for a space station! And had he been to business school? In other words, both characters appeared fully formed, yet with pior trauma moulding them that, for me, needed more depth.
However, a unique idea and i did like Alphonse and Molly very much.

Was this review helpful?

Ruth Cardello has done a great job of starting off a new series with a crazy take on mistaken identity with Jesse and Crystal's story in Strictly Business.

Jesse is completely thrown for a loop when he finds out he has an identical twin that he was separated from at birth. The two of them switch places and Jesse is sent to help ensure that a company doesn't buy Scott and his family's land. What Jesse didn't anticipate was Crystal being the oil rep he'd have to contend with. Things start to get even more complicated as the connection between them begin to heat up - and Crystal thinks she's falling for Scott.

This was a good beginning to the Switch series, and I am looking forward to seeing what is in store for Scott.

Was this review helpful?

A great escape read and a charming romance.
Many thanks to Montlake and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Was this review helpful?

A highly entertaining and emotionally thrilling romantic journey that is filled with so much longing and undeniable passion.... Was a great read from beginning to end and it was so hard to put down.

Was this review helpful?

Jesse recently found his identical twin Scott, just as Scott is on the verge of losing his farm. The twins switch places and romantic complications ensue in this charming love story.

Was this review helpful?

Sadly I wasn't notified in time to read this book by the pub date. I wish I could have because I knew it would be been amazing.

Was this review helpful?

Strictly Business - Ruth Cardello

Nice easy read, fast paced, sexy and funny.
Never read anything by this author before, but I really enjoyed the style of writing.

Thank you NetGalley and Montlake

Was this review helpful?

This is an identical twin swap book. These are fun when they work and toys one did well enough while possibly not setting the sub trope on fire.

Jesse and Crystal met when he poses as his identical twin brother because Jesse is convinced his brother won't be able to handle some of the business that's going on at his farm.

He might have a point.

What he's not counting on is Crystal, the scientist and representative from the company tied in business with the farm.

It's a little predictable but the chemistry between them is fun and believable. It's a quick read that doesn't get bogged down with drama or crazy plots and I enjoyed it for that.

I enjoyed and recommend this title.

Was this review helpful?

This is like the parent trap but with a twist. Twins were separated at birth. One is a big deal CEO and the other is a struggling rancher.

It's sexy, funny and swoony. I enjoyed every page.

Was this review helpful?

A really fast paced romantic novel with a reflection of the nature of family. However, I found the second half of the book a little rushed, despite how the ending left the possibility for a new book. Their relationship was a little rushed and I felt there could have been more emotional connection between the two main characters.

Was this review helpful?

A quick and easy read featuring insta love and angst. I read it so quickly that I immediately downloaded book 2 to the series. I have read Ruth Cardello before and I love her writing and she definitely did not disappoint.

Was this review helpful?

Strictly Business is a feel-good story that will wrap itself around you. I love books that you can loose yourself in the story. This one has a little bit of everything, humor, characters that you can relate to and some favorites from previous books come back to visit too so that’s a bonus 😊 I loved Jesse and Crystal together and can’t wait to read more from Ruth Cardello.

Was this review helpful?

We meet Jesse when he is standing in for his twin on his brother's farm; out of sorts, out of his element, not as in control as he would like to be . . . and then he meets Crystal, who is smart, accomplished, and impossible for Jesse to resist.
I loved the rural atmosphere of the setting, Crystal's forwardness and smart mouth, Jesse's heart underneath his tough, gruff exterior, and the spiciness between them when their sparks ignite into more than just attraction.
All of this wrapped up in the witty, quick-moving reads that are promised when it's Ruth Cardello made this a solid 5 star read for me.
I can't wait for the next installment!

Was this review helpful?

Jesse has found out he has a identical twin, Scott. Scott was raised on a farm, while Jesse was raised by a successful business man. Scott is on the verge of losing the family farm and Jesse trades places with him to use every business trick to save his farm. Until a gorgeous oil rep shows up and turns him upside down.

This is the first book in the series and I can't wait to read more! I enjoyed the swapping places and secret identities trope.

Thanks to NetGalley and Montlake for a eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?