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Mathews Sisters #2
Her Favorite Rival
A new meaning for office politics
Audrey Mathews has worked hard to get here. Now she's up for a promotion and nothing will stand in her way—including Zach Black. He's hot, smart and the competition. When they're assigned to the same project, she's shocked at how much she actually likes about him… and how much she misjudged him.
Before long Audrey is seriously falling for Zach—and indulging in an affair that's against company policy. And the stakes rise when it's clear only one of them can get ahead. So where do they draw the line between competition and love? Especially when she doesn't want to lose either the promotion or the guy….
Audrey Mathews has worked hard to get here. Now she's up for a promotion and nothing will stand in her way—including Zach Black. He's hot, smart and the competition. When they're assigned to the same project, she's shocked at how much she actually likes about him… and how much she misjudged him.
Before long Audrey is seriously falling for Zach—and indulging in an affair that's against company policy. And the stakes rise when it's clear only one of them can get ahead. So where do they draw the line between competition and love? Especially when she doesn't want to lose either the promotion or the guy….
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 1, 2013
29 people are currently reading
981 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Mayberry
159 books1,150 followersSarah Mayberry was born in Melbourne, Australia, and is the middle of three children. From the time that she first “stole” paper from kindergarten and stapled it together to make “books,” Sarah has always wanted to be a writer. In line with this ambition, on graduation from high school she completed a bachelor of arts degree majoring in professional writing, then sat down to write a book. When inspiration didn’t strike, she began to wonder if, perhaps, she needed to live some life first before writing about it.
This still left the burning question of how to pay the rent. She found her way into trade journalism, working off the principle that it was better to write anything for a living than nothing at all. Her time there lead to the opportunity to launch a new decorator magazine for one of Australia’s major retailers, an invaluable and grueling experience that she found very rewarding.
But the opportunity to write fiction for a living soon lured Sarah away. She took up a post as storyliner on Australia’s longest running soap, Neighbours. Over two years she helped plot more than 240 hours of television, as well as writing freelance scripts. She remembers her time with the show very fondly — especially the dirty jokes and laughter around the story table — and still writes scripts on a freelance basis.
In 2003 she relocated to New Zealand for her partner’s work. There Sarah served as storyliner and story editor on the country’s top-rating drama, Shortland Street, before quitting to pursue writing full time.
Sarah picked up a love of romance novels from both her grandmothers, and has submitted manuscripts to Harlequin many times over the years. She credits the invaluable story structuring experience she learned on Neighbours as the key to her eventual success — along with the patience of her fantastic editor, Wanda.
Sarah is revoltingly happy with her partner of twelve years, Chris, who is a talented scriptwriter. Not only does he offer fantastic advice and solutions to writing problems, but he’s also handsome, funny and sexy. When she’s not gushing over him, she loves to read romance and fantasy novels, go to the movies, sew and cook for her friends. She has also become a recent convert to Pilates, which she knows she should do more often.
This still left the burning question of how to pay the rent. She found her way into trade journalism, working off the principle that it was better to write anything for a living than nothing at all. Her time there lead to the opportunity to launch a new decorator magazine for one of Australia’s major retailers, an invaluable and grueling experience that she found very rewarding.
But the opportunity to write fiction for a living soon lured Sarah away. She took up a post as storyliner on Australia’s longest running soap, Neighbours. Over two years she helped plot more than 240 hours of television, as well as writing freelance scripts. She remembers her time with the show very fondly — especially the dirty jokes and laughter around the story table — and still writes scripts on a freelance basis.
In 2003 she relocated to New Zealand for her partner’s work. There Sarah served as storyliner and story editor on the country’s top-rating drama, Shortland Street, before quitting to pursue writing full time.
Sarah picked up a love of romance novels from both her grandmothers, and has submitted manuscripts to Harlequin many times over the years. She credits the invaluable story structuring experience she learned on Neighbours as the key to her eventual success — along with the patience of her fantastic editor, Wanda.
Sarah is revoltingly happy with her partner of twelve years, Chris, who is a talented scriptwriter. Not only does he offer fantastic advice and solutions to writing problems, but he’s also handsome, funny and sexy. When she’s not gushing over him, she loves to read romance and fantasy novels, go to the movies, sew and cook for her friends. She has also become a recent convert to Pilates, which she knows she should do more often.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews
May 8, 2014
Another excellent Mayberry. I really liked Zach as the self-made man with an appreciation for fine things he's willing to sacrifice for. Not so charmed with Audrey. I mean, just because he turns out to not be born rich doesn't actually mean she wasn't wrong to judge him for who he is. I'm afraid I let that naked classist beginning throw me off of her for a bit.
In the end, Zach is so charming and Audrey good enough that, along with the wit and friendships, it was a very gratifying story. And I particularly liked the rivalry resolution.
In the end, Zach is so charming and Audrey good enough that, along with the wit and friendships, it was a very gratifying story. And I particularly liked the rivalry resolution.
June 21, 2013
Simply one of the best book by SM. I loved Audrey and Zach the whole time reading, that should give you some clue.
Zach's moments:
He glanced down at his crotch. Yep, that seemed to have done the trick. Erection well and truly gone. Nothing like imminent castration via job loss to take the heat out of a man's libido.
To my lovvit shelf you go.
Zach's moments:
He glanced down at his crotch. Yep, that seemed to have done the trick. Erection well and truly gone. Nothing like imminent castration via job loss to take the heat out of a man's libido.
To my lovvit shelf you go.
September 20, 2013
Like Mayberry's previous SuperRomance, The Other Side of Us, this is a romance with a modern spirit -- the characters are very career-oriented, the relationship is initially sex-based, and the happy HEA isn't about marriage and babies (though doesn't specifically exclude them, either.) I'm not always the best audience for this type of story, but Mayberry rarely fails to engage me.
Audrey and Zach both have strong reasons to be workaholics. Audrey grew up feeling inferior to her perfect sister (see Her Favorite Temptation) and is still trying to live down some serious mistakes from her past. Zach's past is even uglier -- Audrey believes him to be "an arrogant, overprivileged pretty boy", but she couldn't be more wrong. The job market is tight, there are frightening upheavals at work, and neither feels they can afford to do anything but concentrate on their careers. Except despite their job rivarly, they can't seem to stop concentrating on each other.
The... non-gloomy realism of this appealed to me. It's good to see characters who managed to dig themselves out of bad situations, and it's realistic that their current situation isn't perfect, either. They're also still dealing with where they came from: Audrey's parents will never forgive or forget her screw ups, and Zach is constantly balancing helping versus enabling his addict mother.
The enemies to lovers romance is hot and funny and occasionally touching. The way the characters think and feel about each is other is kind of tried and true, but effective. Though I wouldn't call it my favorite Mayberry, it's very enjoyable.
(Reviewed from e-arc provided by NetGalley. This is currently available at the Harlequin ebook store and will be available elsewhere on September 1st.)
December 16, 2016
4.5 stars, but rounding up this time!
This just worked for me in every possible way. One thing I noticed in the first book and again here, is the passage of time that seemed more pronounced than in other contemporaries. It's been too long since I read a Sarah Mayberry book for me to remember if it's always like that, but I enjoyed that particular detail a lot. She has a very simple and straightforward way of telling her readers that a month or so has passed which personally helps me a lot to believe a relationship.
Zach and Audrey aren't the type of characters (in a competitive, professional setting no less) that I would typically like, but I thought their personalities and strenghts and weaknesses came through so well, they were always going to win me over.
Plus, compared to the first book in this duology, this had a lot more love scenes and it was hot.
This just worked for me in every possible way. One thing I noticed in the first book and again here, is the passage of time that seemed more pronounced than in other contemporaries. It's been too long since I read a Sarah Mayberry book for me to remember if it's always like that, but I enjoyed that particular detail a lot. She has a very simple and straightforward way of telling her readers that a month or so has passed which personally helps me a lot to believe a relationship.
Zach and Audrey aren't the type of characters (in a competitive, professional setting no less) that I would typically like, but I thought their personalities and strenghts and weaknesses came through so well, they were always going to win me over.
Plus, compared to the first book in this duology, this had a lot more love scenes and it was hot.
September 1, 2013
This is another one I thought could have used a little more length, but on the whole, I was really satisfied with it. I loved that we got to see that conversation between Leah and Audrey finally, and that it doesn't end with an engagement or kids or any of the usually shenanigans. I would have liked to have seen a teensy bit more sister stuff, but that's really just personal preference. Zach and Audrey's relationship felt real and adult and was hot and really, at the end of the day, that's what I trust Sarah Mayberry to write for me and she came through with flying colors.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 16, 2013
DNF @ 86%
Like watching paint dry on a white picket fence.
Couldn't be bothered to wait for the obligatory, formulaic 90% crisis event.
Like watching paint dry on a white picket fence.
Couldn't be bothered to wait for the obligatory, formulaic 90% crisis event.
April 11, 2017
Sarah Mayberry can write an “enemies to lovers” romance like nobody else. Her Favorite Rival was both sexy and emotionally satisfying with great adults characters that behave like adults. What more do you want from your romance?
Audrey and Zack have worked in the same place for a while and have rubbed each other the wrong way. When a new “layoffs-happy” CEO takes the rein of the company they both work for, they find themselves in a collision course against each other.
Audrey and Zack are workaholics so a lot of the action is set at or around work. Sarah Mayberry always does a marvelous job with her research so her settings are so authentic – there are a lot of realistic business situations and you can just feel the tense situation at work because of the layoffs. I’ve lived through similar situations and I can tell you, it’s so rough!
One of the things I loved about this book was how Audrey and Zack have come to terms with a terrible situation in their lives. They’ve both had horrible parents which hurt them terribly (both as children and as adults) but they realized that as painful as it is, what they have with their parents is as good as it gets. They have learned to live their lives and haven’t let a horrible childhood be an excuse for a shitty adulthood. Instead, Audrey and Zack have worked very hard to build a life for themselves. That’s why their jobs are so important to them and they are willing to do what it takes to keep it.
At the end, their parental situation stayed as it was when the book started. Falling in love didn’t miraculously solve all their problems but it made their lives better because they have each other. How wonderful and realistic!
Audrey and Zack have worked in the same place for a while and have rubbed each other the wrong way. When a new “layoffs-happy” CEO takes the rein of the company they both work for, they find themselves in a collision course against each other.
Audrey and Zack are workaholics so a lot of the action is set at or around work. Sarah Mayberry always does a marvelous job with her research so her settings are so authentic – there are a lot of realistic business situations and you can just feel the tense situation at work because of the layoffs. I’ve lived through similar situations and I can tell you, it’s so rough!
One of the things I loved about this book was how Audrey and Zack have come to terms with a terrible situation in their lives. They’ve both had horrible parents which hurt them terribly (both as children and as adults) but they realized that as painful as it is, what they have with their parents is as good as it gets. They have learned to live their lives and haven’t let a horrible childhood be an excuse for a shitty adulthood. Instead, Audrey and Zack have worked very hard to build a life for themselves. That’s why their jobs are so important to them and they are willing to do what it takes to keep it.
At the end, their parental situation stayed as it was when the book started. Falling in love didn’t miraculously solve all their problems but it made their lives better because they have each other. How wonderful and realistic!
September 18, 2013
I've never hidden the fact that Sarah Mayberry is one of my favourite authors, she just does emotions so well and her characters are great, flawed, hurt and yet so lovable that you root for them.
Audrey and Zach are rivals at work, Zach a recent hire but a threat to a promotion Audrey is looking for. To Audrey Zach is a rich designer-wear guy who drives an expensive car while she is the messed up teenager whose parents don't approve of her and she started right at the bottom in the company and seems to be still trying to make up for her run-away years.
But Zach's clothes are a facade and is far away from the truth, the truth being he grew up poor with a messed up mother, taking care of himself and his mom. He likes dressing up, it reminds him of how far he has come.
The book initially establishes their rivalry, they have a new boss and both are trying to show off and then they are paired up together and get to know each other blowing away their pre-conceived notions.
Honestly, I loved the gradual progression of the romance, Audrey leaning on Zach when she felt really broken and then Zach slowly leaning on her, trusting her about the truth of his mother.
Her Favorite Rival is another excellent book from this talented author. I would recommend reading it when you are in the mood for something meaty and with substance.
ARC provided by the publisher through Netgalley.
Audrey and Zach are rivals at work, Zach a recent hire but a threat to a promotion Audrey is looking for. To Audrey Zach is a rich designer-wear guy who drives an expensive car while she is the messed up teenager whose parents don't approve of her and she started right at the bottom in the company and seems to be still trying to make up for her run-away years.
But Zach's clothes are a facade and is far away from the truth, the truth being he grew up poor with a messed up mother, taking care of himself and his mom. He likes dressing up, it reminds him of how far he has come.
The book initially establishes their rivalry, they have a new boss and both are trying to show off and then they are paired up together and get to know each other blowing away their pre-conceived notions.
Honestly, I loved the gradual progression of the romance, Audrey leaning on Zach when she felt really broken and then Zach slowly leaning on her, trusting her about the truth of his mother.
Her Favorite Rival is another excellent book from this talented author. I would recommend reading it when you are in the mood for something meaty and with substance.
ARC provided by the publisher through Netgalley.
September 3, 2013
Audrey was featured briefly in the novella "Her Favorite Temptation" as Leah's sister who was greatly ignored by her family. Audrey is the main character in this full length novel. She is highly driven and has worked hard for everything she has. Which is why Zach, a co-worker irritates her to no end. He drives a fancy car, wears expensive suits and appears to have things handed to easily.
To her horror Audrey and Zach are assigned to work together on an important assignment. She quickly learns that her first impressions were way off - Zach has worked just has hard and had to move past his own family issues.
They start to work together closely and find that they have more in common than they once thought. When they realize how much they both like each other Audrey has to figure out if this is something she wants to pursue and how exactly this will affect her future at their workplace.
This is by far the best contemporary romance I've read in a while. My favorite aspect of this book is how incredibly realistic and relate able these characters are. I felt like I knew Audrey and she could easily be a good friend of mine. Zach was the same - both were hard working and just trying to deal with their family issues the best they could. It's rare to find a romance novel that doesn't have a paranormal feature to it, or some incredible angst the characters can't get past. Don't get me wrong- those are some of my favorite romances but this one was able to bring humor, amazing characters and great dialogue without having to delve into the unbelievable.
I think this is my favorite of Sarah Mayberry's book so far and I can't wait to read pretty much anything else she publishes.
To her horror Audrey and Zach are assigned to work together on an important assignment. She quickly learns that her first impressions were way off - Zach has worked just has hard and had to move past his own family issues.
They start to work together closely and find that they have more in common than they once thought. When they realize how much they both like each other Audrey has to figure out if this is something she wants to pursue and how exactly this will affect her future at their workplace.
This is by far the best contemporary romance I've read in a while. My favorite aspect of this book is how incredibly realistic and relate able these characters are. I felt like I knew Audrey and she could easily be a good friend of mine. Zach was the same - both were hard working and just trying to deal with their family issues the best they could. It's rare to find a romance novel that doesn't have a paranormal feature to it, or some incredible angst the characters can't get past. Don't get me wrong- those are some of my favorite romances but this one was able to bring humor, amazing characters and great dialogue without having to delve into the unbelievable.
I think this is my favorite of Sarah Mayberry's book so far and I can't wait to read pretty much anything else she publishes.
March 28, 2016
I don't remember the first book in this series at all, but goodreads tells me I really liked it at the time. I had this one on my to-read list for ages and now I'm wondering why I didn't read it sooner because I really enjoyed it.
Enemies to friends to lovers is SUCH a good trope and I loved how well it was executed here. I really liked Audrey and found her to be super relatable, and Zack was a delight. I enjoyed their relationship throughout the book a whole lot.
I hadn't read Mayberry in a while and I forgot how much I like her style. Maybe reading too much Mayberry starts feeling formulaic at one point, but it's the kind of formulaic that's really comforting and nice and actually fun to read.
The only thing I'd have liked more of is Audrey's interactions with her sister.
Enemies to friends to lovers is SUCH a good trope and I loved how well it was executed here. I really liked Audrey and found her to be super relatable, and Zack was a delight. I enjoyed their relationship throughout the book a whole lot.
I hadn't read Mayberry in a while and I forgot how much I like her style. Maybe reading too much Mayberry starts feeling formulaic at one point, but it's the kind of formulaic that's really comforting and nice and actually fun to read.
The only thing I'd have liked more of is Audrey's interactions with her sister.
June 15, 2022
A rivals-to-lovers romance that really delivers! Zach and Audrey are both hard workers who are good at their jobs and good at trying to one up each other—but in a totally professional way. Audrey had to work her way up through the company, starting out in the warehouse while she completed her GED (she dropped out of high school as a teen runaway.) Zach grew up impoverished due to his mother’s heroin addiction. They’re both used to being independent and going after what they want because no one’s going to hand it to them. I loved how their relationship evolved and how this tackled Audrey’s misplaced assumptions about Zach.
One interesting element was Audrey’s relationship with her sister Leah, who was the golden child. As the sister to a golden child, I more than related. The only missed note was how the story didn’t address Zach’s codependent relationship with his mother. He pays for her house and food, basically subsidizing her addiction as she’s well enough, somehow, to hold down a part-time job. Substance abuse is complicated and there’s not necessarily a right way to handle things when it comes to loved ones but I really struggled with his choices and the way they enable her. He needs to go to therapy and explore what a healthy relationship could look like with his mother and what she would need to do in order to make it happen. The low moment made sense as far as how divorced from reality he was but it needed to be foregrounded more. I would have preferred that he had the lightbulb moment, instead of Audrey. I needed to see him taking some steps toward opening up, not the other way around.
Characters: Zach is a 30 year old white merchandising department buyer. Audrey is a 33 year old merchandising department buyer. This is set in Melbourne, Australia and its suburbs.
Content notes: MMC’s mother is addicted to heroin and experiences complications , codependency, secondary character experiencing fertility issues and past miscarriage , past teen runaway , FMC’s mother is toxic, FMC looks up MMC’s address online and shows up at his house uninvited (he doesn’t mind but this is stalkerish), classism (countered), past childhood poverty, FMC experiences low blood sugar due to skipping meals at work, MMC’s mother has a cycle of intimate partner violence (though not currently dating anyone), vomit (pregnant secondary character), on page sex, somnophilia with dubious consent (not negotiated beforehand but MMC doesn’t mind), alcohol, inebriation, gender essentialism (including gendered euphemisms for genitalia), ableist language, use of “powwow” and “slave over a hot stove”, mentions/concern of workplace sexism, mention of MMC’s father dying when he was 8 (motorbike accident), reference to past speech impediment
One interesting element was Audrey’s relationship with her sister Leah, who was the golden child. As the sister to a golden child, I more than related. The only missed note was how the story didn’t address Zach’s codependent relationship with his mother. He pays for her house and food, basically subsidizing her addiction as she’s well enough, somehow, to hold down a part-time job. Substance abuse is complicated and there’s not necessarily a right way to handle things when it comes to loved ones but I really struggled with his choices and the way they enable her. He needs to go to therapy and explore what a healthy relationship could look like with his mother and what she would need to do in order to make it happen. The low moment made sense as far as how divorced from reality he was but it needed to be foregrounded more. I would have preferred that he had the lightbulb moment, instead of Audrey. I needed to see him taking some steps toward opening up, not the other way around.
Characters: Zach is a 30 year old white merchandising department buyer. Audrey is a 33 year old merchandising department buyer. This is set in Melbourne, Australia and its suburbs.
Content notes: MMC’s mother is addicted to heroin and experiences complications , codependency, secondary character experiencing fertility issues and past miscarriage , past teen runaway , FMC’s mother is toxic, FMC looks up MMC’s address online and shows up at his house uninvited (he doesn’t mind but this is stalkerish), classism (countered), past childhood poverty, FMC experiences low blood sugar due to skipping meals at work, MMC’s mother has a cycle of intimate partner violence (though not currently dating anyone), vomit (pregnant secondary character), on page sex, somnophilia with dubious consent (not negotiated beforehand but MMC doesn’t mind), alcohol, inebriation, gender essentialism (including gendered euphemisms for genitalia), ableist language, use of “powwow” and “slave over a hot stove”, mentions/concern of workplace sexism, mention of MMC’s father dying when he was 8 (motorbike accident), reference to past speech impediment
December 9, 2014
Dialogue and action are summarized instead of showing details. And I did not like the audiobook narrator.
I’ve enjoyed other books by this author, but this was not good. It’s all internal pondering and telling - not showing. Examples: 1. She says “there had been rumors that...” We don’t hear the conversations of who said what in the rumors. 2. The author skipped a conversation and wrote “Jack said all the right things.” 3. The couple is together doing something or going somewhere, but instead of talking, Jack is thinking in his head thoughts like: He knew if this happened in the future, she would do this. If that happened she would do that.
I was so bored. I read more than half and then did the last two chapters. The ending is happy for the couple. I didn’t care. I just wanted to be done.
There might be sex in this book, but there was none in the parts I read. This is a Harlequin Super Romance book.
AUDIOBOOK NARRATOR India Plum.
I did not like the narrator. She read as if she were not interested in what she was reading, like she was bored, as if she never smiled. I did not like her interpretations making some lines bratty, abrupt, or dismissive. I would not have read them like that. She used different voices and emphasized different words, but the overall feel was monotone. She has a heavy Australian accent.
OTHER BOOKS:
I enjoyed the following books by this author: Hot Island Nights and The Other Side of Us.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Unabridged audiobook length: 8 hrs and 32 mins. Swearing language: strong but not often used. Sexual content: unknown. Setting: current day mostly Melbourne, Australia. Book copyright: 2013. Genre: contemporary romance.
I’ve enjoyed other books by this author, but this was not good. It’s all internal pondering and telling - not showing. Examples: 1. She says “there had been rumors that...” We don’t hear the conversations of who said what in the rumors. 2. The author skipped a conversation and wrote “Jack said all the right things.” 3. The couple is together doing something or going somewhere, but instead of talking, Jack is thinking in his head thoughts like: He knew if this happened in the future, she would do this. If that happened she would do that.
I was so bored. I read more than half and then did the last two chapters. The ending is happy for the couple. I didn’t care. I just wanted to be done.
There might be sex in this book, but there was none in the parts I read. This is a Harlequin Super Romance book.
AUDIOBOOK NARRATOR India Plum.
I did not like the narrator. She read as if she were not interested in what she was reading, like she was bored, as if she never smiled. I did not like her interpretations making some lines bratty, abrupt, or dismissive. I would not have read them like that. She used different voices and emphasized different words, but the overall feel was monotone. She has a heavy Australian accent.
OTHER BOOKS:
I enjoyed the following books by this author: Hot Island Nights and The Other Side of Us.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Unabridged audiobook length: 8 hrs and 32 mins. Swearing language: strong but not often used. Sexual content: unknown. Setting: current day mostly Melbourne, Australia. Book copyright: 2013. Genre: contemporary romance.
July 21, 2013
After reading hundreds of romance books, I have to confess I'm a little bit jaded. Not quite over it I would say, but it's become harder to be impressed. As all romance fans would know, they all follow a certain same formulaic structure. First meeting, adversarial interactions, conflicting attraction, sexual tension, mating, blissful period, big misunderstanding and then making up and ever after happiness. The trend now is to add some types of mystery into it, but I never find one that is satisfying in this genre. I don't think a good romance needs it anyway since all are pretty much in balancing/pacing all those sections, believability of each transition and dialogues. Rarely did I find a book hit those trifecta though. Sarah Mayberry's books are miss-and-hits for me. When it's good, it's really, really good. When it's not, it's just another generic forgettable romance. Her favorite rival falls in the latter category. I was excited when I first read the blurbs because I'm a sucker for this trope, enermies-turn-lovers. The book start out promising too, up until the point the protagonists jump into bed together then it's not quite 'Favorite Rival' anymore more like 'My Perfect, Sappy, Perfect Boyfriend'. The workplace dynamics that have been set up so well are completely abandoned. Quite a disappointment because I so hoped this book would pull me off my romance funk. No such luck. 3 stars.
March 9, 2014
Very smart and funny - especially the dialogue between Audrey and her friend Megan - and I liked both Audrey and Zach a lot. Especially liked how realistic and terribly sad Zach's relationship with his mother was. I had an interesting conversation with Becca recently, as she'd done a bunch of research on some of the Harlequin lines, and I noticed how what was seen here - the romantic hero taking care of a needy parent/sibling - was likely to be very attractive to women readers. Well-handled here though, and it was nice that it was the job/career problem that kept them apart, rather than the after-effects of their respective crappy childhoods, which provided them with relationship stuff to deal with when they HAD a relationship.
However, I also said that this book had about 2 levels too much sex in it for me, which she understood as being romance-reading preference and not disapproval of the couple's having (so much) fun. We agreed that there are only so many ways various body parts fit together, and so many ways to describe the happy results of said couplings, and after a while you're quite grateful to read about them doing the crossword *after* the (so many times in one morning/night/whenever) sexy times. They do, btw, and it's charming.
However, I also said that this book had about 2 levels too much sex in it for me, which she understood as being romance-reading preference and not disapproval of the couple's having (so much) fun. We agreed that there are only so many ways various body parts fit together, and so many ways to describe the happy results of said couplings, and after a while you're quite grateful to read about them doing the crossword *after* the (so many times in one morning/night/whenever) sexy times. They do, btw, and it's charming.
November 21, 2015
Another great story by Sarah Mayberry. I love how her books seem so real and believable. I was totally captivated by this book and its intriguing characters.
Audrey and Zach are work rivals, professionally competing with each other however they both secretly admire each other, especially Zach. They both have major family issues that has left them both emotionally vulnerable and scarred. Neither of them expect them to become friends, let alone have a steamy affair. As their relationship develops and their feelings for each other become stronger they both try and fight their chemistry and feelings, fearing that it will interfere with their work, especially with the company going through a tough and then there's also the promotion that both of them want so desperately.
I also love how Audrey and her sister Leah's (From the first book "Her Favorite Temptation”) story is brought up in this book, giving us a chance to see things from Audrey's point of view.
Prepare to laugh and cry at this heartfelt love story.
Audrey and Zach are work rivals, professionally competing with each other however they both secretly admire each other, especially Zach. They both have major family issues that has left them both emotionally vulnerable and scarred. Neither of them expect them to become friends, let alone have a steamy affair. As their relationship develops and their feelings for each other become stronger they both try and fight their chemistry and feelings, fearing that it will interfere with their work, especially with the company going through a tough and then there's also the promotion that both of them want so desperately.
I also love how Audrey and her sister Leah's (From the first book "Her Favorite Temptation”) story is brought up in this book, giving us a chance to see things from Audrey's point of view.
Prepare to laugh and cry at this heartfelt love story.
December 16, 2014
Quite different book from the previous, even though some events were shared between the two, as the timeline was about the same and those events involved both sisters.
Less sweet and delightfully "old-fashioned" style for this book compared to the previous in the series, which was more settled in a business environment, where both characters met each other.
I really enjoyed the plot with an increasingly competitive work environment, 2 over-achievers trying to outsmart each other forced to work together until what appeared as a treason. The budding relationship between them was also very interesting, as they slowly unraveled their secrets, their hidden fears and frustrations. Even though physical attraction played a large role in their relationship, it was far from limited to that.
Another solid book from Mayberry. I'll have to get some more...
Less sweet and delightfully "old-fashioned" style for this book compared to the previous in the series, which was more settled in a business environment, where both characters met each other.
I really enjoyed the plot with an increasingly competitive work environment, 2 over-achievers trying to outsmart each other forced to work together until what appeared as a treason. The budding relationship between them was also very interesting, as they slowly unraveled their secrets, their hidden fears and frustrations. Even though physical attraction played a large role in their relationship, it was far from limited to that.
Another solid book from Mayberry. I'll have to get some more...
September 6, 2017
I loved loved LOVED this book. Two adults acting like adults. A smart, ambitious, capable, professional woman kicking ass in a man's world. A smart, mature, equally ambitious man who not only respected the woman and her ambitions, but urged and pushed and encouraged her, AND didn't feel the need to tear her down in order to make himself feel better. BRAVA!!
This book isn't my first by this author - I've enjoyed everything I've read by her. But this might be one of my faves by her. There was no hard to believe trope or misunderstanding. Just two good humans who'd had some tough times growing up and had trust issues, trying to figure out how to have a relationship and make it work. I loved Audrey and I loved Zach and I'm kinda sad that the story is over.
This book isn't my first by this author - I've enjoyed everything I've read by her. But this might be one of my faves by her. There was no hard to believe trope or misunderstanding. Just two good humans who'd had some tough times growing up and had trust issues, trying to figure out how to have a relationship and make it work. I loved Audrey and I loved Zach and I'm kinda sad that the story is over.
November 4, 2013
Oh!... very ok! lol
I'll give three stars because I really, really, really understand Andrew Mathews.
I'm not stand the 'I'm against relationship on the office' flag, but women still have to proof twice her weight in companies if she wants a leader post.
But the love... oh, the love! It was in the middle of her career.
I'll give three stars because I really, really, really understand Andrew Mathews.
I'm not stand the 'I'm against relationship on the office' flag, but women still have to proof twice her weight in companies if she wants a leader post.
But the love... oh, the love! It was in the middle of her career.
October 5, 2014
This dragged for me in spots, which isn't usual for me and Mayberry, but, overall, I liked it and there were several moments that gave me that wonderful Mayberry emotional punch.
February 3, 2022
I loved both Audrey and Zach.
They are both scarred by their tough childhood and terrible parents. Both have struggled to overcome their circumstances and create a good life for them selves.
Zach is the new kid on the block with a university education. Audrey has risen up the ranks by sheer grit. She’s three years older than him too.
Audrey was the scapegoat in her family. Her mother always blamed her for spoiling her career in medicine. Her sister was the golden child.. who studied well and excelled at everything. It was so hurtful to stay in the household that she ran away at 16. She was picked up with pneumonia from a railway station a year later. Her parents acted like they were very disappointed with her. Perhaps rightfully. But hardly good for a seventeen year old’s morale. At 19 she again left home and started a job and finished high school by taking classes at night.
Zach grew up in a poor neighbourhood with a heroin addicted mother. He’s been taking care of himself and her too since he was a child. He worked jobs to complete his school and college. He projects an image of being put together, polished, well dressed. He drives a fancy car. The facade is so good that the heroine thinks he’s a spoilt trust fund kid.
They are both coworkers in an office where the new boss is handing out pink slips and threat of retrenchment looms. They are also both angling for the same promotion.
They are asked to collaborate on a project. They finally get to know each other a bit better. Attraction and love blossoms. They are both pragmatic. They know that indulging in an affair is a bad idea. The way they handle it all is beautifully described. Very real.
So they decide no affair. But then the heroine changes her mind.
It was so believable when the heroine feels enraged and hurt by her family at a lunch and decides she needs to do SOMETHING to channelise those feelings. So she goes to the hero’s house and sleeps with him.
The character’s thinking and their actions are so very true to life.
I like the way this author writes.
She gives depth to her main characters and gives us a glimpse into their lives and their minds. I also like how they are so very real that one feels a sympathy and connection to them.
Basically I couldn’t put the book down. It’s 1 am and I have read it till the last page. I was just so interested in how they both handled the stresses that occur in their lives and I was totally rooting for their happy ending.
Loved the epilogue. I have only one complaint with the author.
The hero should have gone on to get a high powered promotion too. Maybe two years down the line. One knows he will eventually. But it would have been nice to read it.
I am definitely adding this book to my loved books collection.
They are both scarred by their tough childhood and terrible parents. Both have struggled to overcome their circumstances and create a good life for them selves.
Zach is the new kid on the block with a university education. Audrey has risen up the ranks by sheer grit. She’s three years older than him too.
Audrey was the scapegoat in her family. Her mother always blamed her for spoiling her career in medicine. Her sister was the golden child.. who studied well and excelled at everything. It was so hurtful to stay in the household that she ran away at 16. She was picked up with pneumonia from a railway station a year later. Her parents acted like they were very disappointed with her. Perhaps rightfully. But hardly good for a seventeen year old’s morale. At 19 she again left home and started a job and finished high school by taking classes at night.
Zach grew up in a poor neighbourhood with a heroin addicted mother. He’s been taking care of himself and her too since he was a child. He worked jobs to complete his school and college. He projects an image of being put together, polished, well dressed. He drives a fancy car. The facade is so good that the heroine thinks he’s a spoilt trust fund kid.
They are both coworkers in an office where the new boss is handing out pink slips and threat of retrenchment looms. They are also both angling for the same promotion.
They are asked to collaborate on a project. They finally get to know each other a bit better. Attraction and love blossoms. They are both pragmatic. They know that indulging in an affair is a bad idea. The way they handle it all is beautifully described. Very real.
So they decide no affair. But then the heroine changes her mind.
It was so believable when the heroine feels enraged and hurt by her family at a lunch and decides she needs to do SOMETHING to channelise those feelings. So she goes to the hero’s house and sleeps with him.
The character’s thinking and their actions are so very true to life.
I like the way this author writes.
She gives depth to her main characters and gives us a glimpse into their lives and their minds. I also like how they are so very real that one feels a sympathy and connection to them.
Basically I couldn’t put the book down. It’s 1 am and I have read it till the last page. I was just so interested in how they both handled the stresses that occur in their lives and I was totally rooting for their happy ending.
Loved the epilogue. I have only one complaint with the author.
The hero should have gone on to get a high powered promotion too. Maybe two years down the line. One knows he will eventually. But it would have been nice to read it.
I am definitely adding this book to my loved books collection.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 6, 2013
3.5/5 (B-)
Ever since Her Best Worst Mistake, Ms Mayberry has been on my auto-buy list of authors and I look forward to her new releases, especially the SuperRomance ones. What I like about her books is that they are always very different from one another - the characters, but also the premises. So when I read the blurb of Her Favorite Rival, I was curious to see what would happen, how would Audrey and Zach juggle a budding romance and their ambitions. So when Her Favorite Rival was available on Netgalley, I did not hesitate to request it :)
Not surprisingly, Her Favorite Rival turned out to be an enjoyable read :) Once again, Ms Mayberry did a very good job with the characters, making them interesting and complex. I especially liked Zach and totally understood why Audrey was drawn to him LOL. Who wouldn't fall for a charming, handsome and successful man who raised above the circumstances and made a good life for himself? In addition, what Zach achieved and the way he handled his mother's situation are both admirable and speak volumes about his character. I thought his emotional conflict concerning his mother was very interesting and loved that Ms Mayberry developed on it, loved that she actually had the guts to address it as it's quite a sensitive matter. What I liked about the way Zach handled the situation is that it shows that he feels, that there is someone under the sophisticated veneer. Zach had to detach himself from his mother in order to cope, but at the same time, didn't completely give up on her. All these years, he kept taking care of her and part of it was duty, another part was to make himself feel better, but deep down, I think it's because he cared and loved her. To me, Zach was such a great character... and as a result, I found it hard to root for Audrey. In the story, Audrey's parents are both doctors and while it doesn't equate a perfect, loving life, they were at least able to provide her a comfortable life. However, in her teenage years, Audrey ran away from home to be with her boyfriend and lived on the streets for eighteen months. She craved her parents' love and attention and since she couldn't get it from them, she got it from her boyfriend. She made a mistake and is still paying for it now as her relationship with her parents isn't the greatest and I feel for Audrey... It sucks that you've made one mistake (albeit a big one ^_^;) and after all this year, are still held accountable for it, even though it's obvious that Audrey has turned a new leaf. They made her feel guilty and inferior and it's not something you should ever feel in the company of your parents. However, in comparison with Zach, deep down, I can't help but think Audrey is reaping what she sowed. She's the one who had all the opportunities and blew it and therefore has to live with it. I have to commend though that most of the time, she does which is good... but there are some occasion, she doesn't and I didn't like her then... For example, she was so judgmental of Zach when she thought he was born with a silver spoon and that really pissed me off. Not because it wasn't true, but because what right did she have to be jealous of him because he supposedly had it all handed to him while she had to do it the hard way? Technically, the reason she had to do it the hard way is her own fault! I'm not sure I'm explaining myself well, but in any case, you get the gist, Audrey bothered me a little. That and her wishy-washy attitude at times.
When it comes to Audrey and Zach's relationship, I liked it because they both displayed so much maturity. They could handle being lovers and co-workers and there was no stupid drama or misunderstanding. Once they got to know each other, they admire and respect one another and that was nice to see, refreshing. I liked that both applied for the promotion and that they were supportive and rooting for one another. It was nice that the competing for the same position wasn't the crux of the story or the romance :) However, as much as I liked the relationship, I feel the romance was a bit bland exactly because there was no crux ^_^; I don't mean that I wanted Ms Mayberry to take that direction because I'm glad she didn't transform Her Favorite Rival into a typical story... but at the same time, there was no spark, no conflict, no omph to be found. Audrey and Zach's romance just seemed to happen, as if they were two pieces falling into place, that even a little bit of banter or flirtation between the two would have lifted it up... And the writing style didn't help because I feel we were told more than shown. Come to think of it, Her Favorite Rival was very low in conflict. Ms Mayberry created characters with very complex background and circumstances, but none of their baggage was resolved... There's not much that could be done with Zach's situation, but I would have appreciate more closure for Audrey's relationship with her parents and sister.
One other issue that I had with Her Favorite Rival is Audrey's complete change of attitude when she found out about Zach's background. Initially, Audrey thought that Zach came from a privileged background based on his lifestyle and clothing and so, she thought he skated through life, that everything has been handed to him. However, when she found out that it was actually the opposite - that he came from a very poor neighborhood and had to work for everything, her opinion of Zach completely changes. Suddenly, she gains respect for him... It really bothered me because I'm not sure of the message Ms Mayberry is trying to convey. Of course, Zach having to work for everything makes his accomplishments even more impressive and admirable... but had he been from a privileged background, would it negate everything? Does it mean he wouldn't have to have work hard to get in the position that he was in? Okay, yes, it does happen that some rich kids get the position because of their family name... but say Zach was rich and had had worked hard to get where he was, wouldn't it still have been commendable? Is having money wrong? So yes, I was very annoyed with Audrey's reaction and honestly, it didn't endear her to me.
So yes, I did have some issues and complaints about Her Favorite Rival, but despite them, I still liked the book. If you want to read about two interesting and mature H/H, you'll want to pick this one up :) Plus, it is Ms Mayberry after all :)
My Grade: 3.5/5 (B-). Another enjoyable book from Ms Mayberry, but not a favorite.
Ever since Her Best Worst Mistake, Ms Mayberry has been on my auto-buy list of authors and I look forward to her new releases, especially the SuperRomance ones. What I like about her books is that they are always very different from one another - the characters, but also the premises. So when I read the blurb of Her Favorite Rival, I was curious to see what would happen, how would Audrey and Zach juggle a budding romance and their ambitions. So when Her Favorite Rival was available on Netgalley, I did not hesitate to request it :)
Not surprisingly, Her Favorite Rival turned out to be an enjoyable read :) Once again, Ms Mayberry did a very good job with the characters, making them interesting and complex. I especially liked Zach and totally understood why Audrey was drawn to him LOL. Who wouldn't fall for a charming, handsome and successful man who raised above the circumstances and made a good life for himself? In addition, what Zach achieved and the way he handled his mother's situation are both admirable and speak volumes about his character. I thought his emotional conflict concerning his mother was very interesting and loved that Ms Mayberry developed on it, loved that she actually had the guts to address it as it's quite a sensitive matter. What I liked about the way Zach handled the situation is that it shows that he feels, that there is someone under the sophisticated veneer. Zach had to detach himself from his mother in order to cope, but at the same time, didn't completely give up on her. All these years, he kept taking care of her and part of it was duty, another part was to make himself feel better, but deep down, I think it's because he cared and loved her. To me, Zach was such a great character... and as a result, I found it hard to root for Audrey. In the story, Audrey's parents are both doctors and while it doesn't equate a perfect, loving life, they were at least able to provide her a comfortable life. However, in her teenage years, Audrey ran away from home to be with her boyfriend and lived on the streets for eighteen months. She craved her parents' love and attention and since she couldn't get it from them, she got it from her boyfriend. She made a mistake and is still paying for it now as her relationship with her parents isn't the greatest and I feel for Audrey... It sucks that you've made one mistake (albeit a big one ^_^;) and after all this year, are still held accountable for it, even though it's obvious that Audrey has turned a new leaf. They made her feel guilty and inferior and it's not something you should ever feel in the company of your parents. However, in comparison with Zach, deep down, I can't help but think Audrey is reaping what she sowed. She's the one who had all the opportunities and blew it and therefore has to live with it. I have to commend though that most of the time, she does which is good... but there are some occasion, she doesn't and I didn't like her then... For example, she was so judgmental of Zach when she thought he was born with a silver spoon and that really pissed me off. Not because it wasn't true, but because what right did she have to be jealous of him because he supposedly had it all handed to him while she had to do it the hard way? Technically, the reason she had to do it the hard way is her own fault! I'm not sure I'm explaining myself well, but in any case, you get the gist, Audrey bothered me a little. That and her wishy-washy attitude at times.
When it comes to Audrey and Zach's relationship, I liked it because they both displayed so much maturity. They could handle being lovers and co-workers and there was no stupid drama or misunderstanding. Once they got to know each other, they admire and respect one another and that was nice to see, refreshing. I liked that both applied for the promotion and that they were supportive and rooting for one another. It was nice that the competing for the same position wasn't the crux of the story or the romance :) However, as much as I liked the relationship, I feel the romance was a bit bland exactly because there was no crux ^_^; I don't mean that I wanted Ms Mayberry to take that direction because I'm glad she didn't transform Her Favorite Rival into a typical story... but at the same time, there was no spark, no conflict, no omph to be found. Audrey and Zach's romance just seemed to happen, as if they were two pieces falling into place, that even a little bit of banter or flirtation between the two would have lifted it up... And the writing style didn't help because I feel we were told more than shown. Come to think of it, Her Favorite Rival was very low in conflict. Ms Mayberry created characters with very complex background and circumstances, but none of their baggage was resolved... There's not much that could be done with Zach's situation, but I would have appreciate more closure for Audrey's relationship with her parents and sister.
One other issue that I had with Her Favorite Rival is Audrey's complete change of attitude when she found out about Zach's background. Initially, Audrey thought that Zach came from a privileged background based on his lifestyle and clothing and so, she thought he skated through life, that everything has been handed to him. However, when she found out that it was actually the opposite - that he came from a very poor neighborhood and had to work for everything, her opinion of Zach completely changes. Suddenly, she gains respect for him... It really bothered me because I'm not sure of the message Ms Mayberry is trying to convey. Of course, Zach having to work for everything makes his accomplishments even more impressive and admirable... but had he been from a privileged background, would it negate everything? Does it mean he wouldn't have to have work hard to get in the position that he was in? Okay, yes, it does happen that some rich kids get the position because of their family name... but say Zach was rich and had had worked hard to get where he was, wouldn't it still have been commendable? Is having money wrong? So yes, I was very annoyed with Audrey's reaction and honestly, it didn't endear her to me.
So yes, I did have some issues and complaints about Her Favorite Rival, but despite them, I still liked the book. If you want to read about two interesting and mature H/H, you'll want to pick this one up :) Plus, it is Ms Mayberry after all :)
My Grade: 3.5/5 (B-). Another enjoyable book from Ms Mayberry, but not a favorite.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 14, 2018
Cerita ttg kompetisi antar pasangan yg akhirnya menjadi kekasih, bukan hal yg baru saya baca. Di novel ini jg digambarkan rivalitas antara Audrey dan Zach. Namun jika dibandingkan dgn The Hating Game
atau Practice Makes Perfect
, novel ini kalah jauh serunya.
Zach adalah tipe pegawai yg ambisius, melakukan segala cara spy menang termasuk mencurangi Audrey. Tapi entah knp kmd Zach merasa bersalah. Mereka berbaikan kembali, dan pijar² ketertarikan mereka makin berkembang. Dan bisa ketebak, mereka berhubungan intim, lagi dan lagi. Saya heran di novel ini banyak sekali sex scene-nya, tetapi kenapa di buku pertama cuma ada 1-2 scene saja?
Konflik nyaris tidak terjadi, alih² di penghujung cerita, Audrey baru sadar Zach tidak mau terbuka sepenuhnya pd dirinya. Tetapi dgn sangat cepat, dirinya memaafkan Zach. Saya tadinya berharap orangtua Audrey menyadari kesalahan mrk soal pilih kasih terhadap anak² mrk, tetapi tidak ada tindak lanjut dr hal tsb.
Seri ini kurang memuaskan saya, walaupun chemistry mrk lumayan, tetapi kurang menarik. Saya tidak merasakan gregetnya. Ibarat baca romance ini makan roti tawar nyaris tanpa olesan apapun.
atau Practice Makes Perfect
, novel ini kalah jauh serunya. Zach adalah tipe pegawai yg ambisius, melakukan segala cara spy menang termasuk mencurangi Audrey. Tapi entah knp kmd Zach merasa bersalah. Mereka berbaikan kembali, dan pijar² ketertarikan mereka makin berkembang. Dan bisa ketebak, mereka berhubungan intim, lagi dan lagi. Saya heran di novel ini banyak sekali sex scene-nya, tetapi kenapa di buku pertama cuma ada 1-2 scene saja?
Konflik nyaris tidak terjadi, alih² di penghujung cerita, Audrey baru sadar Zach tidak mau terbuka sepenuhnya pd dirinya. Tetapi dgn sangat cepat, dirinya memaafkan Zach. Saya tadinya berharap orangtua Audrey menyadari kesalahan mrk soal pilih kasih terhadap anak² mrk, tetapi tidak ada tindak lanjut dr hal tsb.
Seri ini kurang memuaskan saya, walaupun chemistry mrk lumayan, tetapi kurang menarik. Saya tidak merasakan gregetnya. Ibarat baca romance ini makan roti tawar nyaris tanpa olesan apapun.
September 6, 2025
a strong romance with realistic depictions of work and family dynamics
September 27, 2022
This was one of my more disappointing Sarah Mayberry reads — she's usually so good, but I think there's a huge issue with pacing and plotting in this one, where the characters both have a lot of emotional and historical baggage that doesn't get addressed until the back half of the book, and you have the first half of the book devoted to workplace shenanigans. And the book suffers as a result because the emotional character work is so much better than the uninteresting workplace shenanigans. But the final 25% of the book were stellar, so it just confuses me why she couldn't have made that a much bigger part of their relationship up front.
September 2, 2013
Audrey and Zach both have painful pasts. Audrey ran away from home at the age of sixteen. Although she came back home, her parents never truly forgave her. Instead they lavished attention on her younger sister while became she became the black sheep of the family.
Zach's parents were recreational drug users. His mom became addicted to heroin after the death of his father in a motorcycle accident.
Audrey and Zach have overcome their hardships and are successful in the corporate world. They are both buyers for a large hardware chain of stores. A new CEO has come on board and they want to prove themselves in hopes of getting a promotion to category manager. Audrey has the experience. Zach has the academic qualifications.
They see each other as rivals but working together on a report allows them to get to know each other. An attraction develops. Naturally, they flirt.
"Why do men always buy manual cars?"
"Because we like to be in control."
"Why do women always buy automatics?"
"Because we like to conserve our energy for some important things."
"I have plenty of energy left to spare, don't worry."
They eventually give in to this attraction and it is Audrey who initiates this. It is Zach who insists that it goes beyond one night, who wants to start dating her.
"He didn't care. Maybe that was because he was so tired, or maybe it was because he'd spent the night beside his sick mother, and turning his back on something -somone- who felt as good and life-affirming and right as Audrey did seemed nuts."
It is mutual decision that they keep it quite from work for now.
As they open up about their families, they are there to console, comfort and support each other.
The category manager position does eventually open up. Both are asked to interview. No matter whom is selected, I firmly believed that the other would be proud and supportive of the other.
"All right. It'll probably end in tears, but if you think we can handle this, I guess we've got to do it."
"We can handle it."
This is another winner by Mayberry. She writes compelling and sometimes heartbreaking stories featuring everyday, hardworking characters. It was a pleasure to see Audrey and Zach fall for each other as they deftly handled their career aspirations and difficult past.
ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley.
Zach's parents were recreational drug users. His mom became addicted to heroin after the death of his father in a motorcycle accident.
Audrey and Zach have overcome their hardships and are successful in the corporate world. They are both buyers for a large hardware chain of stores. A new CEO has come on board and they want to prove themselves in hopes of getting a promotion to category manager. Audrey has the experience. Zach has the academic qualifications.
They see each other as rivals but working together on a report allows them to get to know each other. An attraction develops. Naturally, they flirt.
"Why do men always buy manual cars?"
"Because we like to be in control."
"Why do women always buy automatics?"
"Because we like to conserve our energy for some important things."
"I have plenty of energy left to spare, don't worry."
They eventually give in to this attraction and it is Audrey who initiates this. It is Zach who insists that it goes beyond one night, who wants to start dating her.
"He didn't care. Maybe that was because he was so tired, or maybe it was because he'd spent the night beside his sick mother, and turning his back on something -somone- who felt as good and life-affirming and right as Audrey did seemed nuts."
It is mutual decision that they keep it quite from work for now.
As they open up about their families, they are there to console, comfort and support each other.
The category manager position does eventually open up. Both are asked to interview. No matter whom is selected, I firmly believed that the other would be proud and supportive of the other.
"All right. It'll probably end in tears, but if you think we can handle this, I guess we've got to do it."
"We can handle it."
This is another winner by Mayberry. She writes compelling and sometimes heartbreaking stories featuring everyday, hardworking characters. It was a pleasure to see Audrey and Zach fall for each other as they deftly handled their career aspirations and difficult past.
ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley.
September 1, 2013
I was really excited for this one to come out because I'd been so interested in Leah's story and then getting Audrey's story as well.
This probably sits somewhere solidly at a 4.
I enjoyed the fact the two protagonists here are very much adults that have adults lives, and both are selfishly in love with their adult loves and what they have (and not in a negative way at all, but both recognizing that careers and such are important and throwing them away or losing them is often ridiculous and played out terribly in fiction, BUT NOT SO HERE) is not what they want to lost. BUT also realizing that it's okay to have more. There's a point in the novel where both Zach and Audrey talk about how they've earned the right to want more and have this thing carved out for themselves. Which I think is great.
I liked that the story paralleled with the previous one in certain spots. We got to see the infamous family lunch from Audrey's perspective and the first sister dinner together too. I thought again the family stuff and the different expectations was handled well. The conversation between Audrey and her mother is entirely painful and terribly raw.
I could see the "issue" coming from a mile away as soon as we learned about Zach's mother. I kind of wish it hadn't happened, even though I understood it. That said, I thought it was handled well and I was really pleased to see the outcome of it not dragging into like weeks of pining and not talking and such. I thought that was refreshingly done.
Plus all the sex was great. Never forget the conversation in the beginning about whether Zach can find his way around Audrey's anatomy.
This probably sits somewhere solidly at a 4.
I enjoyed the fact the two protagonists here are very much adults that have adults lives, and both are selfishly in love with their adult loves and what they have (and not in a negative way at all, but both recognizing that careers and such are important and throwing them away or losing them is often ridiculous and played out terribly in fiction, BUT NOT SO HERE) is not what they want to lost. BUT also realizing that it's okay to have more. There's a point in the novel where both Zach and Audrey talk about how they've earned the right to want more and have this thing carved out for themselves. Which I think is great.
I liked that the story paralleled with the previous one in certain spots. We got to see the infamous family lunch from Audrey's perspective and the first sister dinner together too. I thought again the family stuff and the different expectations was handled well. The conversation between Audrey and her mother is entirely painful and terribly raw.
I could see the "issue" coming from a mile away as soon as we learned about Zach's mother. I kind of wish it hadn't happened, even though I understood it. That said, I thought it was handled well and I was really pleased to see the outcome of it not dragging into like weeks of pining and not talking and such. I thought that was refreshingly done.
Plus all the sex was great. Never forget the conversation in the beginning about whether Zach can find his way around Audrey's anatomy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 20, 2013
I really enjoyed this one Zack Black and Audrey Matthews work for the same company and both are ambitious and eager to move up the corporate ladder, but they are both wary of each other. When a new CEO is hired and he starts making cuts to the staff and Audrey and Zach are told they need to work on a corporate plan together and they start to get to know each other and realize there is a definate sizzle between them things start to hot up. Zack and Audrey both have issues from their past that they are not really willing to talk about and having an affair at work is not such a good idea but the heat between them is too strong to ignore.
This is an emotional sensual story that had me turning the pages as they get to know eah other on their journey to a HEA that had me turning the pages. The characters in the story are strong and you really feel close to them a great story.
This is an emotional sensual story that had me turning the pages as they get to know eah other on their journey to a HEA that had me turning the pages. The characters in the story are strong and you really feel close to them a great story.
February 13, 2016
This was a lot of fun. I liked both characters and I liked the setup a lot. (Two super competent rivals at work! Then they have sex and there's a SECRET RELATIONSHIP! Though the secret wasn't super prominent. And they did have a "to friends" between the "enemies to lovers", which means that I am still looking for a romance between actual enemies. (Though Her Best Worst Mistake by the same author was pretty damn close.) I also thought the sister relationship was very interesting, and I wanted more of it. Kind-of-estranged sisters who get back their sisterhood!
The only thing I liked less was the final conflict, but the main character seemed to realize how dumb it was at about the same time I did, so that was fine. And nobody got engaged after three months! Hurray!
The only thing I liked less was the final conflict, but the main character seemed to realize how dumb it was at about the same time I did, so that was fine. And nobody got engaged after three months! Hurray!
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