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Boss in the Shadows
There is only ONE stranger Dominic Smith tolerates, and that’s me.
And it’s because I’m on the payroll acting as his fake fiancée/AUTHOR NOTE ** this book (edition 2)has been completely redited since first publication **
The international billionaire and dedicated loner needs my social skills to schmooze the locals while he glares from the shadows, but if he thinks he can stay there, he's mistaken.
We’re meant to be a couple, so he has to stop being an antisocial jerk boss long enough to pretend he’s in love with me, but it surprises us both when he’s convincing.
I can’t deny I’ve found it an easy role to play. Too easy perhaps. But no matter how real our feelings seem to become, I have to remember it’s a ruse. Business CANNOT mix with pleasure… can it?
When my contract ends, so does the relationship. He’ll head home to the other side of the world, and I’ll finally have enough money for everything I thought I wanted.
But will he make room in his luggage for my heart, when he takes it with him?
Boss in the Shadows is a standalone romance with an HEA. While it's part of a series, each book is a different couple and can be read on its own.
And it’s because I’m on the payroll acting as his fake fiancée/AUTHOR NOTE ** this book (edition 2)has been completely redited since first publication **
The international billionaire and dedicated loner needs my social skills to schmooze the locals while he glares from the shadows, but if he thinks he can stay there, he's mistaken.
We’re meant to be a couple, so he has to stop being an antisocial jerk boss long enough to pretend he’s in love with me, but it surprises us both when he’s convincing.
I can’t deny I’ve found it an easy role to play. Too easy perhaps. But no matter how real our feelings seem to become, I have to remember it’s a ruse. Business CANNOT mix with pleasure… can it?
When my contract ends, so does the relationship. He’ll head home to the other side of the world, and I’ll finally have enough money for everything I thought I wanted.
But will he make room in his luggage for my heart, when he takes it with him?
Boss in the Shadows is a standalone romance with an HEA. While it's part of a series, each book is a different couple and can be read on its own.
- GenresRomance
240 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 21, 2023
123 people are currently reading
47 people want to read
About the author
Janie Grey
9 books29 followersJanie loves good coffee, bittersweet chocolate, and contemporary romance in all its forms. But while she loves many genres, billionaire romance is her favourite to write. Who doesn’t like a hot guy with buckets of money? Especially when he has to work hard to win the love of his life.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
July 23, 2023
Impossible to read
I enjoyed the characters and story, but had to give up three-quarters way through. The spelling errors and poor grammar first of all, then the chapters were muddled and repeated, then the font size changed back and forward, then the punctuation disappeared altogether making it an effort to read. Not sure if this is Amazon's fault or very poor editing, but it completely spoiled a decent book
I enjoyed the characters and story, but had to give up three-quarters way through. The spelling errors and poor grammar first of all, then the chapters were muddled and repeated, then the font size changed back and forward, then the punctuation disappeared altogether making it an effort to read. Not sure if this is Amazon's fault or very poor editing, but it completely spoiled a decent book
July 24, 2023
Unedited Draft Copy
I was very excited when part Three of this series came out on July 21st. Only to find lots of chapters being exact copies randomly put in the store line and repeated, tons of misspelled words, words running together with no spacing and chapters with no words. I’m hopeful the author will correct and upload a revised version of this book. Disappointed 🙁
I was very excited when part Three of this series came out on July 21st. Only to find lots of chapters being exact copies randomly put in the store line and repeated, tons of misspelled words, words running together with no spacing and chapters with no words. I’m hopeful the author will correct and upload a revised version of this book. Disappointed 🙁
July 22, 2023
I am gutted about this review but I feel it needs to be said. Having read the last few books in the series, I was really looking forward to this one, but I got to about 47% and had to DNF as the editing makes it unreadable. Spelling mistakes, words being repeated and speech between FMC & MMC not correctly formatted so it’s hard quite hard to follow.
Happy to pick up once the clear editing issues are sorted but as it is currently, it’s unreadable, which is bitterly disappointing.
Happy to pick up once the clear editing issues are sorted but as it is currently, it’s unreadable, which is bitterly disappointing.
July 23, 2023
worst edited book ever
Story line would have been good but the version downloaded to my kindle was terrible- full of grammar and spelling mistakes; chapters repeated or appeared to be non existent which really detracted from what could have been a good book.
Will be returning it which is a shame as the other books in this series were really enjoyable
Story line would have been good but the version downloaded to my kindle was terrible- full of grammar and spelling mistakes; chapters repeated or appeared to be non existent which really detracted from what could have been a good book.
Will be returning it which is a shame as the other books in this series were really enjoyable
July 24, 2023
What the heck?
Why publish an unedited manuscript? It would have probably been good if it was edited and filled out a little more; and earlier chapters were not all over the place .
Why publish an unedited manuscript? It would have probably been good if it was edited and filled out a little more; and earlier chapters were not all over the place .
August 16, 2023
Story good, Frustration Factor Off the Charts
This is the fourth story in the series and I began it because I enjoyed the others. It began well - this is the Dominic’s story, the socially awkward workaholic who needs a temporary fiancé to get a massive construction project approved. Enter Aria, Mel and Sage’s sister, who needs funds to expand and relocate her design business. What could possibly go wrong here?
Well, I’ll tell you, about halfway through, any semblance of editing (or plain old attention to detail, really) or even a cursory reading of the final draft goes out the window. Chapters have been duplicated, complete with their spelling, typing, and grammatical errors. And I mean, EVERY chapter after the first half. Some paragraphs get duplicated in the same chapter. Pagination, indents, dialogue separation all go out the window. And some of the language doesn’t even make sense - it’s like the story was dictated into a particularly bad text to speech program.
Frankly, I didn’t finish this story. I almost never do that. But after trying to decipher this train wreck, it just became too frustrating to continue. Hopefully the author reads this review and goes back and fixes the draft and maybe republishes it. IMO, it’s not worth reading the current version.
This is the fourth story in the series and I began it because I enjoyed the others. It began well - this is the Dominic’s story, the socially awkward workaholic who needs a temporary fiancé to get a massive construction project approved. Enter Aria, Mel and Sage’s sister, who needs funds to expand and relocate her design business. What could possibly go wrong here?
Well, I’ll tell you, about halfway through, any semblance of editing (or plain old attention to detail, really) or even a cursory reading of the final draft goes out the window. Chapters have been duplicated, complete with their spelling, typing, and grammatical errors. And I mean, EVERY chapter after the first half. Some paragraphs get duplicated in the same chapter. Pagination, indents, dialogue separation all go out the window. And some of the language doesn’t even make sense - it’s like the story was dictated into a particularly bad text to speech program.
Frankly, I didn’t finish this story. I almost never do that. But after trying to decipher this train wreck, it just became too frustrating to continue. Hopefully the author reads this review and goes back and fixes the draft and maybe republishes it. IMO, it’s not worth reading the current version.
September 7, 2023
What a disappointment. I'd been really looking forward to this one... you know to finally unravel the mystery of Dominic...
There were editing issues from the start. Typos, misplaced punctuation etc.. but from chapter 23 onwards it became unreadable. This was where the font change occurred that several other reviews already mentioned. From then until the end of the book (I checked ahead) it was like a first draft. No formatting, words running together. Sentences cut off and repeated, unfinished ideas, etc.
I tried to keep going for a few more chapters but finally called it quits at around 50% once it became impossible to decipher
There were editing issues from the start. Typos, misplaced punctuation etc.. but from chapter 23 onwards it became unreadable. This was where the font change occurred that several other reviews already mentioned. From then until the end of the book (I checked ahead) it was like a first draft. No formatting, words running together. Sentences cut off and repeated, unfinished ideas, etc.
I tried to keep going for a few more chapters but finally called it quits at around 50% once it became impossible to decipher
July 21, 2023
I received a complimentary early release e-book prior to release and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This book takes place in New Zealand and stars Aria who is the sister whose sisters, Mel and Sage are dating billionaires, Ajax and Grant from the previous books in the series. We also get to see their friends, Ed and Jasmine in this book.
Aria owns a dress shop and needs to find a new location, but money is a bit tight for her. She is paired with Dominic as he needs to expand his business and needs a fake fiancée. He hires her to pretend to be engaged to him while helping him network for his business as his fiancée.
Dominic is a very serious man and definitely not a people person. He likes dressing casually, is anti-suits, needs a haircut, wears glasses and is very strait laced, and likes one-word answers. We actually met him in the previous books as the IT security friend everyone calls when they need help. He is so serious that he is really cute and funny. I laughed at the first dinner party with him, Aria and Mel and Grant.
This had a bit of a makeover with Aria making Dominic into more of a fashionable man and it was a total laugh riot. I loved them together so much. This was a fun story with two extremely opposite people who end up in a fake relationship. It made me smile, laugh and sigh. I am really loving this series.
My only real criticism on this story was I felt the end wrapped up too easily. The before the fake dating was a good 30-40% of the story and the wrap up and ending was so fast that I was like, what? Beyond that this was a fun story with cute characters and some great laughs.
This book takes place in New Zealand and stars Aria who is the sister whose sisters, Mel and Sage are dating billionaires, Ajax and Grant from the previous books in the series. We also get to see their friends, Ed and Jasmine in this book.
Aria owns a dress shop and needs to find a new location, but money is a bit tight for her. She is paired with Dominic as he needs to expand his business and needs a fake fiancée. He hires her to pretend to be engaged to him while helping him network for his business as his fiancée.
Dominic is a very serious man and definitely not a people person. He likes dressing casually, is anti-suits, needs a haircut, wears glasses and is very strait laced, and likes one-word answers. We actually met him in the previous books as the IT security friend everyone calls when they need help. He is so serious that he is really cute and funny. I laughed at the first dinner party with him, Aria and Mel and Grant.
This had a bit of a makeover with Aria making Dominic into more of a fashionable man and it was a total laugh riot. I loved them together so much. This was a fun story with two extremely opposite people who end up in a fake relationship. It made me smile, laugh and sigh. I am really loving this series.
My only real criticism on this story was I felt the end wrapped up too easily. The before the fake dating was a good 30-40% of the story and the wrap up and ending was so fast that I was like, what? Beyond that this was a fun story with cute characters and some great laughs.
July 21, 2023
“Boss in the Shadows” is a fun, cute and sweet fake fiancé romance with a boss who wants to remain behind the scenes and a woman who’s a true extrovert through and through.
Dominic is a billionaire and self proclaimed loner. He’s happy working on his business. But when one of his friends suggests a fake fiancé to show he’s not a robot, he reluctantly agrees. Aria is a small business owner and struggling to find a new place for her business. She agrees to be his fiancé and he will help her business. But as they spend time together, a friendship develops and something more.
Dominic and Aria were true opposites but worked so well together. Dominic is introverted, business focused and a good friend. He works hard at his business and will help his friends whenever they need it. His social anxiety is relatable to so many and I loved that. Aria is fun, happy and has no problem helping Dominic with his image and being his support. The ending was super sweet and perfect for them.
Dominic is a billionaire and self proclaimed loner. He’s happy working on his business. But when one of his friends suggests a fake fiancé to show he’s not a robot, he reluctantly agrees. Aria is a small business owner and struggling to find a new place for her business. She agrees to be his fiancé and he will help her business. But as they spend time together, a friendship develops and something more.
Dominic and Aria were true opposites but worked so well together. Dominic is introverted, business focused and a good friend. He works hard at his business and will help his friends whenever they need it. His social anxiety is relatable to so many and I loved that. Aria is fun, happy and has no problem helping Dominic with his image and being his support. The ending was super sweet and perfect for them.
July 21, 2023
This is part of a series but can be read as a stand-alone, this is my first book from this author. This was a short, fast paced book, I read it over the course of the day. Dominic hires Aria to be his fake fiance to attend certain social events with him to help him further his business. Dominic hates social interactions and doesn't have many social skills while Aria is very extroverted, which is how she can help. She does end up helping Dominic in more ways than one and the relationship quickly turns real. I wish the book was longer, I would have enjoyed the story being drawn out more. The fake dating didn't happen for long and Aria was still thinking of the money even after they were together for real. I was very surprised when it ended. There was some open door spicy scenes but nothing too descriptive or lengthy. I liked the characters, I enjoy socially awkward ones like Dominic and love how Aria was the exact opposite but they worked.
July 23, 2023
Spunky N Sassy Rating: 2.0
~~~~~~~~~~Tracy's ⭐⭐ Review~~~~~~~~~~
I want to start this review by saying this is my personal opinion, please read the book and form your own. I have read many billionaire romances and they are one of my preferred genres. This book I couldn't connect to Dominic at all, I had a hard time reading his part of the story. I loved all the other characters but for me they didn't save it. Aria was a breathe of fresh air and I loved her. Will this book stop me from reading Janie Grey again, no, it will not. I don't judge an authors work on one book. Like I said in the beginning of this review, please read it for yourself and form your own opinion, this was mine and it is hard to like a story when you can't connect with one of the main characters.
~~~~~~~~~~Tracy's ⭐⭐ Review~~~~~~~~~~
I want to start this review by saying this is my personal opinion, please read the book and form your own. I have read many billionaire romances and they are one of my preferred genres. This book I couldn't connect to Dominic at all, I had a hard time reading his part of the story. I loved all the other characters but for me they didn't save it. Aria was a breathe of fresh air and I loved her. Will this book stop me from reading Janie Grey again, no, it will not. I don't judge an authors work on one book. Like I said in the beginning of this review, please read it for yourself and form your own opinion, this was mine and it is hard to like a story when you can't connect with one of the main characters.
July 25, 2023
While yes it was a bit challenging to read, as others have noted, the book itself was quite fun to read. There is nothing like watching a nerdy geek come into his own. Especially when it comes from the aid of a sassy, independent woman who really likes him but at the same time wants to throttle him for his sharp quick to speak tongue. I found the story to be quite touching as well as romantic (in a geeky kind of way - LOL). As for all the booboos, I feel quite assuredly that the author will correct the book and quite possibly simply uploaded the drafted copy. Either way, this reader thoroughly enjoyed the storyline.
I have loved this series from the get go and the author has once again got me anxious for the next book in the Billionaire Boss Romance series. I highly recommend them.
I have loved this series from the get go and the author has once again got me anxious for the next book in the Billionaire Boss Romance series. I highly recommend them.
July 21, 2023
Dominic is a loner and billionaire, while Aria owns a dress shop, and she needs to find new premises, but she is a bit cash strapped. Dominic hires Aria to become his fake fiancée and help him network his business, which will solve both of their problems. This is a well written fast paced story, with family, friendships, humor, witty banter, opposites attract, emotions, and love, which leads to an entertaining and addictive page turner.
I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.
I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend.
August 5, 2023
Don't bother reading this...
I really hate to leave a bad review, but there really is no choice. This book needs to be edited and finished. I don't know why it got published like this but the spelling errors, lack of paragraphs, repeats on chapters, and skipping to the end without the middle of the book....
I checked Grey's Facebook and website, there are no comments from her about it.
I'd love to reread this once she's fixed ALL the mistakes and finished the book.
But until then, don't waste your money.
I really hate to leave a bad review, but there really is no choice. This book needs to be edited and finished. I don't know why it got published like this but the spelling errors, lack of paragraphs, repeats on chapters, and skipping to the end without the middle of the book....
I checked Grey's Facebook and website, there are no comments from her about it.
I'd love to reread this once she's fixed ALL the mistakes and finished the book.
But until then, don't waste your money.
September 6, 2023
Technical errors for this book still good read if can get passed that
I love these books but this was a hard read because the chapters repeat themselves and repeat in strange areas. Along with saying how many words were written like they downloaded the draft and not extra stuff got smoothed in it and not the final copy. I still love the set as we go but feel like I did not get the best version of this book to understand aria and Dominic's story properly. I hope it gets fixed so others don't shy away from a good read.
I love these books but this was a hard read because the chapters repeat themselves and repeat in strange areas. Along with saying how many words were written like they downloaded the draft and not extra stuff got smoothed in it and not the final copy. I still love the set as we go but feel like I did not get the best version of this book to understand aria and Dominic's story properly. I hope it gets fixed so others don't shy away from a good read.
August 3, 2023
repeating chapters
I’ve read the entire series of these books but I was disappointed in this one not because of the story line but because it was not edited properly. There were many repeated chapters that that was out of sequence. I would say whomever is the editor should be fired. Also, there were many misspelled words and words that should not even be in the context of the story line.
I’ve read the entire series of these books but I was disappointed in this one not because of the story line but because it was not edited properly. There were many repeated chapters that that was out of sequence. I would say whomever is the editor should be fired. Also, there were many misspelled words and words that should not even be in the context of the story line.
August 10, 2023
I was really enjoying this book, then at around chapter 23 things started getting weird. The formatting was off. Typos everywhere. Missing punctuation. It got to the point that it was so difficult to follow… so I sadly had to DNF. (No quotes during a page of back-and-forth banter makes reading quite difficult!)
I hope at some point these errors are resolved so that I can finish Dominic and Aria’s story.
I hope at some point these errors are resolved so that I can finish Dominic and Aria’s story.
January 18, 2024
what went wrong?
This was an uninteresting story unlike the other 3. Don’t know what happened to the gramma or the set up of the story…so much was wrong with this book.
Now , authors should have a duty of care when selling books and make sure everything is as best as possible for their readers. After all we pay for a decent book. Not happy with the presentation of this book at all and to be honest I would like my money back.
This was an uninteresting story unlike the other 3. Don’t know what happened to the gramma or the set up of the story…so much was wrong with this book.
Now , authors should have a duty of care when selling books and make sure everything is as best as possible for their readers. After all we pay for a decent book. Not happy with the presentation of this book at all and to be honest I would like my money back.
February 22, 2024
Incorrect Grammar
I like the story. It went to fast and it had quite a few grammar mistakes. The quotations didn’t really end or begin when the characters were talking. Some words were misspelled or missing. At least one of the paragraphs was repeated back to back. The overall story was ok. But it seems like the main male character was neurodivergent but towards the end he didn’t seem to have that problem.
I like the story. It went to fast and it had quite a few grammar mistakes. The quotations didn’t really end or begin when the characters were talking. Some words were misspelled or missing. At least one of the paragraphs was repeated back to back. The overall story was ok. But it seems like the main male character was neurodivergent but towards the end he didn’t seem to have that problem.
July 23, 2023
Good story, atrocious formatting and (non)editing.
I liked this story but from chapter 23 on, it is practically unreadable. It starts with letters, words and phrases repeating then whole chapters repeating. Very difficult to read. It's a shame because the story and characters were interestng.
I liked this story but from chapter 23 on, it is practically unreadable. It starts with letters, words and phrases repeating then whole chapters repeating. Very difficult to read. It's a shame because the story and characters were interestng.
July 25, 2023
I’ve loved this series and was looking forward to this story, but the book had so many errors it was almost unreadable. Chapters were out of order and repeated, words and sentences were written twice. Spelling and wrong word issues. There was so much I couldn’t even name it all. I truly hope somehow the unedited version was uploaded and this is fixed soon.
July 25, 2023
This was a complete disappointment - I enjoyed the other books in the series, but nothing about Dominic was likable. Additionally, there needed to be a LOT more editing. I had to quit around the 38 percent finished mark because it was completely unreadable on my Kindle. I had no idea who was speaking and there were so many typos.
July 28, 2023
Absolutely terrible formatting ruinedna good book.
I'm not sure what happened but the format of this book was horrendous. Typos grammar so much as you could not understand the sentence. Chapters repeating mid way through the forties you went back to 23. Shame as I love these books but it was ruined.
I'm not sure what happened but the format of this book was horrendous. Typos grammar so much as you could not understand the sentence. Chapters repeating mid way through the forties you went back to 23. Shame as I love these books but it was ruined.
January 9, 2024
This was one of the worst Kindle editions of a book I've seen. It doesn't appear to have been edited, there are spelling and grammatical errors throughout, and the second half was so choppy that I almost gave up reading. Big disappointment after the other books from this author. If it were pulled, edited, and republished, it might have a chance.
April 25, 2024
Book needed edited and felt rushed!
“Boss in the Shadows” started out great but I’m so confused to what and why it felt so rushed. This book had a lot of potential to be great but it’s like they decided to to go ahead and end it mid story. It was so odd. The characters were very likable and story kept my attention but it needed editing for sure.
“Boss in the Shadows” started out great but I’m so confused to what and why it felt so rushed. This book had a lot of potential to be great but it’s like they decided to to go ahead and end it mid story. It was so odd. The characters were very likable and story kept my attention but it needed editing for sure.
July 21, 2023
I forced myself to finish this book. Evidently, I received the rough draft of the book. Hundreds of typos and misspelled words. Missing, switched and repeated chapters with word counts. Got to read the abrupt ending twice (once in the middle of the book).
July 23, 2023
Draft maybe?
This story had a great storyline, but the editing left much to be desired. Chapters were repeated, and grammar was atrocious. I would love to read the story when it is in publishable form.
This story had a great storyline, but the editing left much to be desired. Chapters were repeated, and grammar was atrocious. I would love to read the story when it is in publishable form.
July 30, 2023
This book needs editing
I could not finish the book. It was so poorly edited. Repeat chapters, misspelled words, wrong fonts, no punctuation. I have never seen a book this bad on kindle.
I could not finish the book. It was so poorly edited. Repeat chapters, misspelled words, wrong fonts, no punctuation. I have never seen a book this bad on kindle.
July 24, 2023
Hard reading
I have read the other books in this series , this one has some very bad spelling mistakes and some chapters are repeated. It made for hard reading.
I have read the other books in this series , this one has some very bad spelling mistakes and some chapters are repeated. It made for hard reading.
July 25, 2023
Edit Edit Edit
So many errors where to start? Words running together, chapters repeating, story jumping. Great story lost interest in reading due to so many errors.
So many errors where to start? Words running together, chapters repeating, story jumping. Great story lost interest in reading due to so many errors.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews