Deal Breaker

I am a huge fan of office romances and Deal Breaker by Marnie St. Claire is a terrific addition to the trope. This story takes place in the land down under and I enjoyed the Melbourne landscape, as well as the local colloquialisms.

Ellen Kennedy works very hard in the male-dominated field of management consulting. Her new boss is Alex Broadhurst, who just happens to be the man she spent an incredible night of passion with a little less than a year ago. Ellen and Alex still share a lustful spark, which they attempt to ignore at the beginning of their professional relationship. Overtime, they give into their feelings, and their friends with benefits arrangement becomes so much more. However, due to a poorly executed work situation, love many not be able to conquer all.

Now that I no longer work in the corporate world, I can sit back and read about the goings on from a well conceived narrative. Ms. St. Claire's interpretation is quite realistic and similar to some of my experiences. I found the emotional plot to be both sweet and self deprecating. Alex is an amazing guy and his kindness truly left me feeling good about generosity. Overall, Deal Breaker ticks all the boxes for an office romance with a twist.

Complimentary copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.

This story might have the most original obstacle to the couple’s HEA that I’ve ever read in romance novels (but of course Alex and Ellen, both management consultants, have their HEA). I really liked how the author built the suspense on Alex’s secret; and this dimension adds to his personality and depth as a character.
I also liked the insight on the consulting industry, even if there were some very murky waters there and I’m not sure what’s best: be ethical with your client, sell your soul to the devil, fight for what’s right and fair and betray your client... (there are other options; I thought the author came up with sensible solutions for both the hero and heroine’s ethical and professional dilemmas).
And Philippa… what a character! It was sweet that she had a HEA too.
The depiction of the effects of TBI on the patient and relatives is very solid and sounds well researched.
Even if in the beginning I didn’t feel quite connected to the main characters (specially the heroine) they kind of grew on me later on. And I loved the setting, in Melbourne, Australia.

This book was not I was expecting. I really not think this book was good. However, I was proved wrong. I am looking forward for the next book.

4.375 stars

Plot: 4.5/5
Characterisation: 4/5
Prose: 4/5
How much I enjoyed it: 5/5

I went into the book with not much expectations, half expecting it to be a forceful HP-like (Harlequin Presents), another half expecting it to be erotic romance type. What I got was a sweet romance that was so much better than what I had assume.

Ambitious Ellen had a career plan to follow until she got a new boss who just happens to be her one-night stand months ago. Now, she has to wonder if that bias affects the jobs coming her way. Steadfast Alex has lots of things on his plate, from being a caregiver and having to clean up the mess left behind by his predecessor. Having Ellen as his only dependable employee makes it difficult to draw the lines between them when their attraction to each other grows.

The story highlights a lot of pitfalls of an office romance especially when there is difference of opinions. Worse, when one is in charge and a direct supervisor to another. When personal things blend into work and work becomes personal. When work/career is a huge part of who you are and what defines you.

I would recommend this book for those wanting to read a simple and sweet contemporary romance.

Loved it...Alex fell for Ellen the first time he seen her. So when he takes over a company he ends up working with Ellen. Things begin to get complicated when Ellen find he takes care of an old girlfriend that is disabled.  A great read.

I love the way the author brought love and passion into Alex and Ellen's relationship. A twis in the plot, the unexpected  "guest" In Alex's life, had be reading into the night to know more. I wasn't sure Ellen could get past Alex's choices outside of work and his commitment to honor his past. 

 Ellen's passion and love of people, turns the workplace and her history into  guessing game.  Both Alex and Ellen had a past they couldn't move on and made their future look weary.