He's finally found The One. Too bad it's his boss. Ben has spent his life with his heart on his sleeve, only to have it trampled. After one bad breakup too many, he’s done. No more romance for him. He’s focused on his career, his delayed college degree, and saving enough to finally move off his sister’s couch. The only problem? His frosty boss haunts his fantasies. Cooper has always kept his heart under lock and key. He's too toxic to love. And as an executive at the company he founded, he can’t afford to give in to temptation, especially when that temptation is his indispensable assistant. After a crisis at work forces Cooper to take a long-needed break, Ben - ever the caretaker - follows him to his Caribbean getaway. When they're no longer boss and assistant, they finally give in to the passion that's been stirring between them. Can their relationship survive their return to the office? Should it? Boss Me is a romantic comedy featuring an off-limits boss-assistant fling, umbrella drinks, wardrobe malfunctions, and a scene-stealing stray dog. It can be read as a standalone and is the fourth book in the Synergy series.
Michelle McCraw loves reading kissing books and working in tech. One day, she decided to combine her two interests, and now she writes steamy, nerdy contemporary romance that just might make you laugh. Her Synergy workplace romance series features characters who unashamedly love science, engineering, and technology. Her latest series, 40 and Fabulous, features heroines who find passion in the second acts of their lives. Her novels have been finalists in the RWA Vivian Contest, the Contemporary Romance Writers' Stiletto Contest, and the Windy City Romance Writers' Four Seasons Contest.
A native Texan, Michelle has shoveled snow during nor’easters and knows the proper response when someone yells “O-H.” She now calls Georgia home, where she doesn’t miss snow AT ALL. She enjoys reading, traveling, drinking bourbon, and spoiling her extraordinarily ill-behaved but adorable dog.
For updates about her upcoming books and free reads - plus guaranteed puppy pics - subscribe to her newsletter at https://michellemccraw.com/joinme.
I liked this pretty much, and would have given it 4 stars except for the break up and drama right before the end. I hate it when authors do that. I certainly wouldn’t have read it if I’d known that it was going to happen. Some authors, a very few, can pull this off and it works in the story. In this case it just brought the story down for me. Other than that I enjoyed the story. Cooper and Ben had to grow on me, but by the epilogue I have to admit I was feeling very emotional.
I've been waiting for Cooper Fallon's story since book one in the Synergy series. The alpha-hole with a squishy cinnamon roll center that only Ben can unlock melted my knees. This forbidden romance between a boss and his employee will melt your e-reader.
Boss Me is the fourth book in the Synergy Office series, with the other books being male/female romances. This was a good story; I often like a boss/secretary romance. Both Cooper and Ben are good men with tortured souls, to a degree. They have people who love and support them and want them to find happiness, so that was awesome. I liked the island setting, and how Cooper cut loose from his responsibilities for the first time ever. I think I struggled with the lackadaisical way Ben lost his mission, though. He’s supposed to be getting Cooper back on track, and he’s taking a vacation, instead. All the desperate things that are going to come to pass if he fails seem to dissolve in the Caribbean sun. And, well, that stalled the story for me. Cooper is petty and struggling to imagine what his future might look like. He knows Ben must be a part of it, and yet Cooper is loathe to confess traumas that would further unite them. It was a little hard to accept that Ben thinks the connection they discover on the island will fall apart the second they return to San Francisco.
Angst, Intrigue, Tropical Getaway, Grumpy Boss, - This Book Has it All!
Finally Cooper gets his story and it's a doozy, but I should note that this book was definitely more angsty romance than rom-com, although Ben's snark, Coco's adorableness, and Cooper's relatives have their humorous moments. However, both Cooper and Ben's histories, when they finally get the guts to share them with each other are quite deep and moving and illustrate why they are perfect for each other. Because Ben is further along in his journey and a natural nurturer he is able to help Cooper when Synergy is threatened - fun corporate intrigue. I can't wait for the next book in the series. Enjoy!
I received an ARC from the author and am leaving an honest review.
Michelle McCraw has written a heartwarming story about two very principled men who have tried to keep from crossing the work life vs. personal life barrier but are failing miserably. Cooper is a man of integrity and a wealthy COO of a company he started. Ben, his personal assistant, is a young innocent who gives away his earnings and time to volunteer at animal shelters and youth shelters. The story is about how their relationship changes as issues at work come to a head. There is a lot of testosterone-based drama, a moderate level of anxiety due to self-inflicted self-esteem issues, a bit of snark, and a very happy-ever-after. OH! and a dog! A wonderful dog with a lot of swag. This book is definitely worth a read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is a well written book with strong characters and an entertaining story line. The author does a great job developing the story and painting her scenes perfectly. She brings all the feels as she pulls Cooper and Ben together. I enjoyed reading their story.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
What a great story! I loved Ben right from the beginning. So kind and ready for a loving relationship with his heart on his sleeve.
Cooper was a powder keg. I loved the progression of the story and that the characters of the books before this one were interspersed.
Michelle McCraw’s writing is really stellar! She didn’t leave anything up in the air, her descriptions of the places and the characters were so vivid. I can’t wait to read Mimi and Mateo’s story next!
I received an advanced copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review. I highly recommend this book and this whole series!!
Another 5 (I wish I could make it a 10) star book by Michelle McCraw! I’ve been impatiently waiting for Cooper Fallon’s story and it was definitely worth the wait! This story has it all - anger, backstabbing, frustration, heartbreak, jealousy, love and happily ever after. Easy going, best friend and business partner Jackson Jones finally pushes grumpy, short tempered Cooper to his breaking point and he disappears. When the business starts to fall apart in his absence, Cooper’s Assistant, Ben tracks him down to convince him he has to return to San Francisco and Synergy.
I received a free copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was my first book of Michelle McCraw that I’ve read and OMG I was sooo happy I was able to read it!!! The story between Ben and Cooper was what I needed. I love it when characters have complicated pasts that they have to work through makes them more relatable. If you like forbidden romance this is the book for you!!!
A good story about two men secretly falling for each other while working together then finding love at a beautiful island resort. Cooper and Ben, attracted to each other, are boss and assistant and couldn't be more different if they tried. Cooper is uptight and gruff while Ben is open and caring. When Ben follows Cooper to the Caribbean island he has fled to, both men get more than they bargain for. Ben needs to convince his boss to return to save his own company while Cooper realises he has everything he needs on the island if only Ben will stay with him. Both men have trauma in their pasts, especially Cooper which colours his view of relationships and love, but if they can finally open up and let their walls down they may find true happiness with each other. Their story was set against a backdrop of underhand dealings in the office and boardroom but this played a minor part compared to the romance between Cooper and Ben. Cooper's family made me smile and Ben's sister was very sweet to him, and who wouldn't love Coco? I loved the scene in the office cafeteria and the epilogue gave me the HEA I needed. I haven't read the first three books in the series but I didn't need to. Everything I needed to know about the other characters was right here and I didn't feel as though I was missing anything.
I've been looking forward to Cooper's story since we first me him in Work With Me. Cooper Fallon is the business genius behind Synergy, he's the one that cleans up all of Jackson's messes, and is notoriously cold, aloof, and very particular. Ben Levy-Walters is his new assistant, and he's not intimidated by Cooper, not at all, rather he sees the truth behind why Cooper comes to Jackson's rescue again and again. Ben cares deeply for Cooper, but doesn't cross any lines. A bit of forced proximity and time away from the office brings both Cooper and Ben's feelings and chemistry to their flashpoint.
This is a mildly angsty read, much of the angst stems from Cooper's struggle with his past, his unrequited feelings, and poor self-care over many years. I loved that Cooper was able to find his way to live his truth, and find that he does, indeed deserve love.
There are mild elements of the relationship being a bit codependent in nature, but Ben finally shows some healthy boundaries and Cooper realizes that he cannot have the life he wants with Ben unless he lets him see all the parts of himself, including those he would rather hide away.
I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Ben Levy-Walters has always been attracted to his boss, but not willing to cross the line. But when a crisis affecting the company is finally too much for the business genius behind Synergy, Cooper Fallon, to deal with, he goes off on a Caribbean getaway for a much-needed break. Ben, his assistant, follows after him to make sure he is okay under the circumstances.
All rules are off when their situation and environment has changed, and they allow themselves to indulge their feelings. Will it all go back to the usual when they return to the office? Was this just a recovery fling? Or will the two of them let go of their secrets, have an honest discussion, and try to establish a real relationship they want to last?
Ben is Cooper's assistant and a good guy who has been unlucky at love but a caretaker to his heart. Even as he swears off of dating and relationships he cannot help himself when his snarky boss needs a break and disappears, he goes seeking him to help him get it together and come back. But not before they push past the boundaries of boss and employee and become more than that to one another while taking a break from their regular lives. Their time away helps them to realize there is more there between them but like the company they are working to save they have to work for their HEA. What a nice angsty love evolution. 4.5 stars.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This steamy, boss-assistant romance offered the perfect escape from the cold winter weather. Not only was most of the story set on an idyllic Caribbean island, but the romance between Ben and Cooper was also smoking hot. I loved the way the two men gradually opened up to each other, despite all the hurt they’d experienced in their lives. Even though I didn’t like Cooper that much in the earlier books in the Synergy series, this book made me solidly Team Cooper and I was rooting for him to get his happy ending. A well-rounded cast of secondary characters and a scene-stealing dog made the story even stronger. Though you can read Boss Me as a standalone, it’s even more enjoyable if you’ve read the other Synergy books, because some of the earlier characters make an appearance.
I read all of the Synergy novels. Love the authors' writing style. I wanted a Cooper novel from the beginning because of the mystery that surrounded him. Throughout the books, the friendship between Jackson and Cooper was delicious but right when you think you know why... the author releases Cooper's book. Cooper has some secrets from most of the people in his life, but it takes his executive assistant, Ben to teach him how to be himself. No spoilers here, but if you like forbidden romances, this one will have you squirming in your seat.
Cooper and Ben were complete opposites, yet could not have been more perfect for one another.
As Cooper's assistant, Ben has to maintain professionalism. He isn't intimidated by the stoic man. In fact, as he watches him in action, there's a better understanding. I love that Ben wouldn't accept anything less than what he needed from Cooper. The snark and family humor is an added bonus.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was an easy to read romance with Cooper a COO in a succesful company who needs to open his eyes and let his past rest. Ben his assistent and part time student with his heart on the outside, find eachother. They have meddlibg and hurdles to overcome before they have their hea with Coco. This is an age gap contemporary mm romance.
Ben and Cooper!! I loved Ben! Cooper was so grumpy! Ben is Cooper's PA. They both feel the pull but never cross the line until he goes to the Caribbean. Ben follows and all bets are off. I loved their dynamic and the flow of their relationship! Overall, a really good read! The story was really well written, highly recommend.
I know, I know, I said I would never read Cooper's book because he annoys the hell out of me, but it was 99 cents and the idea of sex scenes with Cooper and Ben was too good to pass up.
So Cooper has more issues than Time magazine, all of his demons in a constant whisper in his ear. His father is apparently a monster, so when a stressed out Cooper punches his glass table cover, and it shatters, he runs away to an island that his mother's family calls home.
He abandons his firm and everyone who needs him because he believes Weston wants what is best for the company and its employees.
Except Ben uses Marlee's abilities to track Cooper done and flies to that resort. When he gets Cooper sobered up, he tells him what is going on, but Cooper refuses to open his damn eyes. If you like Ben so much, wouldn't you at least have a pause when he flies to find you to tell you this? Well, not if you are Cooper. I know, you are going to say, "Theresa, he was afraid he was turning into his father. He was too afraid to listen. " Well, let me add that even though that is a great argument, it doesn't make me want to throttle him any less.
So, while trying to convince Cooper to go save Synergy, Ben and Cooper spend days falling in love. Sun kissed days, where Ben adopts an island dog, Cooper helps build a community center, and relatives make them clothes. And yes, every sex scene is hot.
When they get into one of their fights (because who could not fight with Cooper), someone jumps Ben. That person tells Ben to go back to California. Well, I guess that didn't scream out that they obviously wanted Ben to abandon Cooper so he wouldn't be there for the vote because Cooper just assigns Mateo as a bodyguard.
Eventually, when Cooper believes what is going on, he flies back to save Synergy and all of the employees. In every scene in this book, Jackson is a ridiculous slacker. I would have thought some parts of him would be altered after marriage and family, but nope.
I really thought that Ben 's wild card was going to jump in and save the day, but the save part was anticlimatic. All of the machinations before that were the driving force of the story. Cooper trying to save Ben (without Ben having any idea that he might need saving) causes a huge problem.
But that problem leads to the big grand gesture . The every 80s rom com moment where the guy gets his head out of his butt and declares his love in the way his significant other deserves.
There were numerous parts of this story I really liked— Ben is an interesting character, smart, nurturing, stalwart, kind, snarky— he’s got good qualities for days. Cooper’s family, with one notable exception, make for a vibrant and loving supporting cast. Until the end of the story, when Ben inexplicably gets tired of being a rational human being (more on that later), most of the angst in the narrative comes from Cooper— he’s burned out at work and has issues based on a years long unrequited crush on his best friend and some traumatic parental history, plus some nasty anger management issues (the continuing thread that Ben will somehow “soothe” them away and be a good influence was one of the things I didn’t like about this story— outsourcing your emotional control to another person is not ok, and it bothered me that the text seemed to suggest, on multiple occasions, that it was. It' s good Cooper has a therapist, but surely either that therapist or any other character could have gently mentioned that that logic is a big "no thank you"). The book is mostly an interesting balance of romance, intrigue, and angst up until the last chapters, where the melodrama escalates to unbelievable (I almost typed unbearable, because it was close) levels, and there’s suddenly zero communication, every possible curveball including Ben deciding that he’s no longer the rational, empathetic one and couldn’t possibly do anything so logical as listen to an explanation, plus some corporate plot twisting that frankly topped even mustache-twirling villain levels for obviousness and implausibility. While ultimately I’d say this is an enjoyable read, I do wish the last third or so had been handled with more restraint-- that said, I'm seriously glad Ben and Cooper do get their HEA.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I enjoyed this book. There was angst, drama, and romance. Both characters have their own insecurities and demons to face, with pasts that really affect how they are and what they need to push past to find their happy ending. I found Ben and Cooper relatable, realistic characters. This was an opposites attract, forbidden boss/assistant relationship. This is the first book I've read by this author. Well written and well paced. I recommend it. 4 stars.
For a book billed as a romantic comedy, it really lacked in the comedy department. I expected quirky characters and awkward or funny scenes but there wasn’t any of that. The spice level is about a 2 as nothing much in that department happens. I did like how Ben stood his ground with Cooper over certain things and insisted on not letting Cooper pay for everything. Also good to see Cooper getting the help he needed, as mental health is very important.
I just couldn't get into it. I thought it dragged on far too long and I was very impatient with the pacing, also tired of the stereotypical secretary-assistant and boss dynamic.
I skipped forward to the last few pages and I found myself not caring at all.
Ben and Cooper find themselves together on an island after a series of events lead Cooper to flee and Ben to follow. I enjoyed these two together but was a bit frustrated at how Ben kept stating he had to finally speak with Cooper about work but did not. It all worked in the end because Cooper finally realized he could be happy and in love along with balancing his work.