Sierra is a costume designer caught in a photo with Finn- the new hotshot actor. The internet believes that he proposes to her and they are engaged. Sierra is going along with it for her career....

Love both characters. The book is filled with funny banter and LOL scenes. Enjoy the plot very much. It's the second book in the series but it's fine as a standalone since I didn't read the first one and I was fine.

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.

Actually 3.5⭐️

This was much better than the first book in the series (The CEO I Hate), but I still feel like the characters needed more development.

The Boss I Can’t Stand is the 2nd book in The Lockhart Brothers series by Leslie North. I read this as an ARC through NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Fake Dating, Hate/Love, and a hairless cat called Lord Meowington. What more could you want from a book?

Sierra is certain she’s blown her next interview for a costume designer on a 1920s film before it’s even started, because she may or may not have charged the (infuriatingly handsome) producer, Finn Lockhart, the Asshole Tax when he came into her fabric shop.

Sierra ends up getting the job, despite many objections from Finn, and they continue to clash whilst on set. Finn is horrified by her energy drink obsession, and Sierra is trying to convince her friend that the sex dreams she’s having about Finn mean nothing.

After a paparazzi picture taken out of context circulates in the gossip columns, they end up in a fake engagement to get people talking about the film. Before she knows it, Sierra is living in Finn’s fancy apartment, and it’s getting harder and harder for both of them to ignore their growing feelings.

The Boss I Can’t Stand is the first book I’ve read by Leslie North, so I had no idea what to expect. I usually find that the writing in these kinds of books is a little hard to get through, with an overload of cringey scenes and unrealistic moments that take you out of the story. This book does not fall into that trap at all. It has the right amount of romance book cringe that makes you giggle and root for the main couple.

Finn is a perfectionist, and I loved how this was the main arc of his development, and I found it added depth to his character.

Finn 100% needed therapy for most of this book, but I loved seeing him unfold, and his feelings about chasing what you think will make you happy, only to find out it doesn’t, resonated with me.

I found that Sierra’s character had less of a development arc throughout the book, but I still enjoyed reading her POV (except for when she thought she knew better about Finn’s relationship with his mom despite having only known the woman for like 5 seconds).

There is a happy ending (thank god), and whilst there is a 3rd act breakup up I think it made the ending even more satisfying, and I think it was necessary for the character growth of both MCs.

The book is dual POV, and I did find that sometimes I forgot whose chapter it was because the voice sounded very similar, but I find that this happens in most romance books with a dual POV.

Overall, I loved this book way more than I expected to, and I think it deserves way more recognition. It had some really good character development, some funny moments, and managed to include some important messaging whilst remaining a lighthearted read.

2.5
Quick read, very easy and engaging.
First of all, I actually enjoyed the romance, that’s why I would’ve liked for the book to be a bit longer so it could have developed better along with the main plot. The side characters did not add much to the story and I felt like pretty much all of them were kind of flat. It was not a bad, but it felt incomplete, like there were so many things that should’ve been there but weren’t, like character development or even being a bit more descriptive with things.
About Finn and Sierra, they were okay. I wished we could’ve been shown a bit more tension and slow burn, as it felt a little rushed at times.

this was cute, but i’ve definitely enjoyed some of her other books more. the tension and stakes weren’t as high as i wanted them to be

From the moment Sierra meets Finn, she’s convinced he’s the last person she’d ever want to work with—arrogant, dismissive, and a little too sure of himself. That impression only gets worse when she walks into her big interview the next day and discovers… he’s her new boss. Finn is the director of a sweeping period film, while Sierra is brought on as the costume designer, and from day one they clash over pretty much everything.

Their banter is sharp and their disagreements constant, but things take a wild turn when a staged photo leads to rumors of an engagement. Suddenly, they’re stuck in a fake relationship—Finn needing to clean up his bad-boy reputation and Sierra not minding the chance to get under her ex’s skin. As they’re forced into close quarters, both on set and off, the tension between them shifts into something deeper.

I liked how the story explored Finn’s need to control everything, shaped by a chaotic childhood, and Sierra’s ability to see the imperfect, unpolished side of him that he usually hides from the world. Their relationship felt both fiery and tender, with a real push-and-pull that kept the pages moving. Of course, the looming question of what happens once filming wraps adds a bittersweet edge.

I didn’t realize going in that this was the second book in a series (with a third still to come), but it worked fine as a standalone. That said, I’m not sure I’ll continue with the series. Still, this was a fun, entertaining read with just the right amount of drama and heart.

Thank you to NetGalley and Relay Publishing for the free advanced copy. I’m leaving this review voluntarily.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book was so much fun! The Boss I Can’t Stand takes all the best rom-com tropes—fake engagement, enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity, grumpy/sunshine—and spins them into a fast-paced, witty, and surprisingly heartfelt story.

The premise is classic Hollywood chaos: she’s a hardworking costume designer, just trying to do her job on set, when one accidental paparazzi photo with Finn Lockhart—the industry’s hottest (and most insufferable) actor—turns into the PR story of the year. Suddenly, the entire world believes they’re engaged. The studio eats it up, his team insists it’s great for his image, and she’s reluctantly swept into a fake relationship that feels a little too real. Cue luxury penthouse living, media attention, and Finn’s judgmental cat glaring from the sidelines.

What I loved most here is the banter and chemistry between the leads. Finn is broody, arrogant, and infuriating, but with a vulnerable side he doesn’t show easily. The heroine is sharp, witty, and refuses to let him get away with his diva behavior—which makes for delicious back-and-forths that had me laughing out loud. Beneath the snark, though, there’s undeniable attraction. Every time they went from verbal sparring to stolen kisses, I found myself grinning at the page.

I also appreciated that the book balanced the comedy with real emotion. Both characters are more than their first impressions—she’s struggling to be taken seriously in a demanding industry, and Finn has layers that make him more than just Hollywood’s bad boy. Their “pretend” relationship slowly chips away at those walls, and watching them realize that they might just be perfect for each other was so satisfying.

If you loved The Hating Game or Anyone But You, you’ll enjoy this one. It’s light, funny, full of tropey goodness, and has just the right mix of glitz, banter, and heartfelt romance. A perfect weekend binge read!

The Boss I Can't Stand by Leslie North is the second book in the Lockhart brother series but can be read completely as a standalone. Enemies to lovers, fake-engagement, forced proximity, workplace romance are some of the tropes. The romance buildup was great and the side stories of dealing with insecurities and family drama resolved quite well. Sweet and swoony read. I can't wait to read Connor's book.
I got a complimentary copy from Relay Publishing via Netgalley. This is my honest review.

ꔫ — ∘♡༉∘ — 𝐌𝐲✩𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 — ∘༉♡∘ — ꔫ
🌶️
🔥🔥
✨✨✨✨
ꔫ — ∘♡༉∘ — 𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝘀✩ — ∘༉♡∘ — ꔫ
Workplace Romance
Fake Engagement
Hate to love
3rd act breakup
ꔫ — ∘♡༉∘ — ✩ — ∘༉♡∘ — ꔫ

— ∘♡༉∘ — 𝗔𝗿𝗰 ♥ 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 — ∘༉♡∘ —
This was a fun rom-com style boss x employee, celebrity x non celeb romance, it was a fun read and i enjoyed it, though i will say there is a 3rd act break-up in this so if thats not your thing then you wont enjoy this. I dont particularly enjoy 3rd act breakup tropes hence 4/5 stars from me. but overall it was a good read and i devoured it within the same day as starting it. Theres a little spice in this (a few on page sex scenes) but its kinda minimal (to me atleast).

ꔫ — ∘♡༉∘ — ✩ — ∘༉♡∘ — ꔫ

Enemies to lovers. Forced proximity. Grumpy + Sunshine.
This book has them all. It was fun, cute and light from the beginning, capturing the reader in the banter between the headstrong FMC and the grumpy MMC. The realistic family conflicts to the working through personal traumas helped to really connect with the characters. Can't wait to read more from Leslie North.

This was the August release I was looking forward to the most, and it completely lived up to my expectations. I wanted something fun and fast-paced, and instead I got something even better—absolutely magical. Sierra and Finn stole my heart from page one.
Their banter is pure gold. Sierra knows exactly how to push Finn’s buttons, and watching him unravel was hilarious. I couldn’t stop smiling at their sharp comebacks and awkward attempts to deal with each other. Their personalities just click in a way that makes every interaction sparkle. Finn might be Hollywood’s wild child, but Sierra’s clever, no-nonsense attitude makes her the perfect counterbalance—and the perfect person to knock him down a peg.
And the fake engagement? Perfection. The setup (yes, even down to a lost cufflink and a viral photo) is brilliant, and the tension that follows is delicious. Forced proximity, playing the role of a couple in front of the cameras, while the chemistry simmers just below the surface—it was all so much fun to read. Every glance, every touch, every staged kiss practically buzzed with possibility.
But what I loved most is that beneath all the jokes and chaos, something real starts to grow between them. You can feel the shift as their “pretend” relationship slowly becomes something genuine. It’s sweet, it’s romantic, and it makes you cheer for them to finally stop fighting what’s right in front of them.
The story is funny, romantic, and full of charm—the kind of book that leaves you smiling long after you finish. Leslie North has delivered a romance that’s equal parts lighthearted comedy and swoony love story, and I couldn’t put it down.
Tropes you’ll find here: billionaire romance, enemies to lovers, fake engagement, forced proximity, grumpy/sunshine, workplace romance, roommates-to-lovers.

The emotions were raw and powerful. This book had me at the first chapter. What a brilliant setup. I was giggling and feeling all sorts of mixed emotions along with our FMC. The tension was perfect. The give and take tension all the way to the end was fabulous and I loved the chemistry between the characters. The plot was a lot of fun and worked so well for the story. It made everything flow so perfectly. I couldn't put it down. I recommend to anyone wanting a romance to make you feel all sorts of gooey feelings, strong emotions. Give some great laughs. And leave you swooning. There's some good spice and cute moments along with hard earned moments. Overall, a brilliant novel by Leslie North, and I enjoyed it!

It's no secret that I'm a fan of a good fake dating relationship. Especially if that fake dating relationship involves an employee and a boss. I liked how the author built the characters' relationship so well. It was so enjoyable to follow these two, supposedly hating each other, falling in love. And the cat animal...>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> how can he be the best character?

I thank NetGalley and the author for the eARC.

First, the characters are not likable both in and out of a relationship. Second, professionalism? Never heard of her. I would have DNFed, but I have never DNFed a book and I won’t start now. There was little romanticism, tension, or any indication the two MCs would work together. It was a quick and somewhat fun read if you ignored the disregard of the somewhat realism needed in contemporary romance.

I love a Leslie North novel! She is one of my favorites and this book was right up there. Finn and Sierra were perfect. I enjoyed reading the story from both of their POV’s! I love how Sierra was able to lower the walls around Finn. You can feel the love between these two and I always love that in a book! The side characters were great as well!!

Two people who can’t stand each other from their first meeting are forced into a fake engagement. Soon sparks fly. This is a light, fun romance, perfect for an afternoon at the beach.

Oh, Leslie North, how can you always create such romantic, swoony masterpieces? You are a queen of the pen.