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Harvard Hottie
When nerdy, unhip Ellie Jenson meets rich, handsome Luke Thayer the Third as freshmen at Harvard University, it's Hate At First Sight. Ellie loathes Luke's smirk and superior attitude, and decides if she never sees him again, it will be too soon.
Fifteen years later, Ellie gets the surprise of her life: Luke is her new boss and owner of her company! But when Ellie discovers that Luke was paralyzed in an accident and is now in a wheelchair, she wonders if it's possible to be friends with this new, down-to-earth version of her former foe. Or maybe even more than friends, if Luke gets his way...
Fifteen years later, Ellie gets the surprise of her life: Luke is her new boss and owner of her company! But when Ellie discovers that Luke was paralyzed in an accident and is now in a wheelchair, she wonders if it's possible to be friends with this new, down-to-earth version of her former foe. Or maybe even more than friends, if Luke gets his way...
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First published July 8, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 153 reviews
December 4, 2013
I found this one disappointing. It started pretty strong, but then it just got... lazy, maybe?
I liked everything up until the MCs got together. But then I guess there needed to be some extra conflict, so the heroine got upset that maybe the hero had once used the services of a prostitute (which, yeah, okay, not an attractive feature, but she went on and on about how much of an asshole he used to be and how self-centered and arrogant he was before, so, really? Hiring a prostitute one time would have been a deal breaker?) and then the big final conflict was that he... fired people who were bad at their jobs? Wow, what an animal! (?)
There were also times when it felt like things were happening just because the author thought they were supposed to. Like, the heroine says that she rarely orgasms during sex and doesn't masturbate because she doesn't find herself sexy (?). It's a sign of the hero's great oral sex skills that he makes her come three times with his mouth. Then a few pages later, he takes Viagra to get an erection and "he's mostly just lying there while I do all the work" and she rides him, and then she says, "I finally come three times." Wait. She doesn't orgasm easily, he's doing nothing, but she comes three times. It was just... weird.
Anyway, bonus star for not having him miraculously recover from his injury, but overall, I didn't think this one lived up to the promise of its premise.
I liked everything up until the MCs got together. But then I guess there needed to be some extra conflict, so the heroine got upset that maybe the hero had once used the services of a prostitute (which, yeah, okay, not an attractive feature, but she went on and on about how much of an asshole he used to be and how self-centered and arrogant he was before, so, really? Hiring a prostitute one time would have been a deal breaker?) and then the big final conflict was that he... fired people who were bad at their jobs? Wow, what an animal! (?)
There were also times when it felt like things were happening just because the author thought they were supposed to. Like, the heroine says that she rarely orgasms during sex and doesn't masturbate because she doesn't find herself sexy (?). It's a sign of the hero's great oral sex skills that he makes her come three times with his mouth. Then a few pages later, he takes Viagra to get an erection and "he's mostly just lying there while I do all the work" and she rides him, and then she says, "I finally come three times." Wait. She doesn't orgasm easily, he's doing nothing, but she comes three times. It was just... weird.
Anyway, bonus star for not having him miraculously recover from his injury, but overall, I didn't think this one lived up to the promise of its premise.
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December 30, 2019If I could give this book a zero I probably would. I've read a lot of bad books that I know are badly written but still enjoyed at least a little, I cannot say the same for this one.
There was just so many inconsistencies throughout the story, like for example the way or heroine kept harping on about being "poor" then half way through she states she was upper-middle class and a couple of pages later she changes her mind and calls herself lower class. The author clearly does not realise that there is a massive difference between being upper-middle class and being "poor."
Aside from that the main character was just annoying, self-absorbed and extremely rude: here is a quote from the book "Admittedly, Luke doesn’t have it going on as much since he’s in the wheelchair, but from the neck up, he’s still pretty gorgeous"...She is supposed to be in love with the man and this is how she speaks about him, does nobody else see a problem with this.
I honestly felt that that was the major downfall of this novel, the main character was completely selfish, opinionated and critical of everyone around her and she in no way changes or progresses as a character, it's almost as if the author didn't even realise what a horrible person her character was.
I wont even mention her treatment of disability other than to say that the leading female throws the word "cripple" around repeatedly.
There was just so many inconsistencies throughout the story, like for example the way or heroine kept harping on about being "poor" then half way through she states she was upper-middle class and a couple of pages later she changes her mind and calls herself lower class. The author clearly does not realise that there is a massive difference between being upper-middle class and being "poor."
Aside from that the main character was just annoying, self-absorbed and extremely rude: here is a quote from the book "Admittedly, Luke doesn’t have it going on as much since he’s in the wheelchair, but from the neck up, he’s still pretty gorgeous"...She is supposed to be in love with the man and this is how she speaks about him, does nobody else see a problem with this.
I honestly felt that that was the major downfall of this novel, the main character was completely selfish, opinionated and critical of everyone around her and she in no way changes or progresses as a character, it's almost as if the author didn't even realise what a horrible person her character was.
I wont even mention her treatment of disability other than to say that the leading female throws the word "cripple" around repeatedly.
December 1, 2022
“So is that why you said no?” He looks at me quietly. “I liked you a lot, Ellie. A lot. I don’t think you realize how much. And after that night, I was sure you didn’t feel the same way.”
am i- am i a bad person for thinking what lucas did was low-key kinda reasonable? lmao ✋😂
like if you're trying to save a company and the incompetent people are in the way, well … i mean … you gotta do whatcha gotta do 🤷♀️
all in all, i liked, like a boss, but … idk, i think ellie got a my nerves one too many times. my main issue with her was, GIRLIE what has he done to you to make you doubt him so much? and sure, him laying off half of your company without telling you is horrible, BUT, and this is a big one for me, did you not have enough love for him/enough trust in him to let him explain?
i'm half-way convinced that if she didn't get then she would have never spoken to this man again. which, i mean … if she doesn't want him, i'll take him.
July 28, 2015
One of the worst covers and titles I've ever seen, but the story itself was actually pretty good.
1st person POV from the heroine, typical poor/smart girl meets and hates gorgeous/rich boy in college. With a hate/like relationship. 16 years later, they meet again, and circumstances have really changed.
He's a quadriplegic.
For me, I thought the handicap was handled well. It's not the typical romance that ends with a miraculous recovery, and the very real physical (body) effects of being unable to move/feel are not glossed over or glamorized (as an aside - I do not have any real life experience with this type of injury, so I don't know how accurate/inaccurate it is - it seemed good to me with my limited knowledge).
The only real gripe (and it cost the book a star) is the seriously abrupt ending, and the fact that the ebook ended at 85% to allow for advertizing/excerpts.
Oh! I almost forgot - Free on Amazon currently, too (no idea how long):
http://www.amazon.com/Harvard-Hottie-...
1st person POV from the heroine, typical poor/smart girl meets and hates gorgeous/rich boy in college. With a hate/like relationship. 16 years later, they meet again, and circumstances have really changed.
He's a quadriplegic.
For me, I thought the handicap was handled well. It's not the typical romance that ends with a miraculous recovery, and the very real physical (body) effects of being unable to move/feel are not glossed over or glamorized (as an aside - I do not have any real life experience with this type of injury, so I don't know how accurate/inaccurate it is - it seemed good to me with my limited knowledge).
The only real gripe (and it cost the book a star) is the seriously abrupt ending, and the fact that the ebook ended at 85% to allow for advertizing/excerpts.
Oh! I almost forgot - Free on Amazon currently, too (no idea how long):
http://www.amazon.com/Harvard-Hottie-...
December 4, 2013
Run, Run away!!!
This book is so wrong, it's not even funny.
Why did I read it? I was told that despite the terrible tittle and cover, the book was not a bad one. I was also curious to see how it dealt with a disabled hero.
The answer is: NOT WELL!. First, regardless of the disabled hero theme and how that was handled, the heroine herself is annoying, self centered, closed minded and not likable at all.
The story really led nowhere. The sex scenes where traumatizing and the ending was ridiculous.
ARGH! This book!! It was free, but my time is worth something and it was absolutely wasted here.
My main issue is that if the author wanted to try a disabled hero, she should at least done some research on how NOT to write the hero or a person with a disability. The tropes that are used and abused seemed to have been more of a checklist for this author instead of something to stay away from. If she had only watched the brilliant documentary "Code of the Freaks" (found here: http://vimeo.com/20531038),she would have known what to avoid and how, perhaps, to portray an interesting character with disabilities.
Save your time. I do not recommend!
This book is so wrong, it's not even funny.
Why did I read it? I was told that despite the terrible tittle and cover, the book was not a bad one. I was also curious to see how it dealt with a disabled hero.
The answer is: NOT WELL!. First, regardless of the disabled hero theme and how that was handled, the heroine herself is annoying, self centered, closed minded and not likable at all.
The story really led nowhere. The sex scenes where traumatizing and the ending was ridiculous.
ARGH! This book!! It was free, but my time is worth something and it was absolutely wasted here.
My main issue is that if the author wanted to try a disabled hero, she should at least done some research on how NOT to write the hero or a person with a disability. The tropes that are used and abused seemed to have been more of a checklist for this author instead of something to stay away from. If she had only watched the brilliant documentary "Code of the Freaks" (found here: http://vimeo.com/20531038),she would have known what to avoid and how, perhaps, to portray an interesting character with disabilities.
Save your time. I do not recommend!
April 11, 2014
Originally reviewed here @ Dear Author
I am monumentally relieved that the cover gods came up with a second (better) cover for this contemporary romance, if not a second (better) title. It’s not that the original cover was bad . . . it’s that it was so mind-numbingly bad that nothing could have induced me to read it were it not for the fact that the ebook is free from most vendors and I read a handful of thoughtful, positive reviews. I feel compelled to point this out right off the bat because going off the cover (and title) alone, I was second guessing my decision before I even began. Then after I began, I felt certain I would get a few pages in and call the whole thing off. But then I kept reading. And . . . I didn’t want to put it down. Not at all. And so I didn’t. I read it through in one lovely gulp. And then I found myself in the awkward position of standing around, wringing my hands, mumbling about the packaging. So I’m glad the cover at least got a revision, because I do think this story deserves whatever will help it find its way into the hands of other readers who will love it, too.
Ellie Jenson still isn’t sure how she got into Harvard in the first place. She worked her butt off in high school, set her sights sky high, and made it to the big time. But deep down she still wonders if it wasn’t all a mistake. Because of the two kinds of students who go to Harvard, she falls fair and square in the Smart and Poor category. And Luke Thayer is Rich and Dumb through and through. Actually, Luke isn’t dumb at all. But he’s filthy rich, entitled as all get out, and bound and determined to disagree with every assertion Ellie makes in their freshman expository writing class. Which is the only thing they have in common. And Ellie would like to keep it that way. Which is why, when a tipsy Luke makes a pass at her one night, she tamps down every ounce of attraction she feels for him and . . . passes. And with that Luke Thayer walks out of her life. Fast forward fifteen years. Ellie took her Harvard degree in computer programming and is now supervising her own little department of programmers. She hasn’t thought of Luke in years. Which is why she’s fairly gutted to find out her old nemesis is the new CEO. Determined to show her new boss just how far she’s come, she strides into his office to find out that Luke is in a wheelchair. And has been for several years now. Caught completely off guard, Ellie struggles to reconcile the insufferable Luke she knew with the man before her whose life is clearly anything but charmed.
I wasn’t prepared to like them so much. I wasn’t. The whole thing started off like every other New Adult cookie cutter I’ve read over the last year. But then . . . they grew up. And their lives just hadn’t gone the way they’d imagined. Luke’s more so than Ellie’s obviously, but they were both so endearingly adrift. And I when I say endearing, I mean I they were going on anyway, knowing their lives lacked something and every day experiencing the pain of not knowing what it was or how to find it. Watching them carefully negotiate the new and unwieldy boundaries of their relationship was . . . adorable, to be honest. It was sweet and giddy and it filled me with anxiety for both of them. It’s been a long time since I’ve read a book with a physically disabled protagonist, and I have to say the way Luke’s disability was handled felt incredibly real and unvarnished. Nothing about his condition is glossed over or simply melts away in the face of their growing attraction. And the book is infinitely better for this steady hand. There are cringeworthy moments, ones where Luke, Ellie, and the reader wishes like anything they could just sink into the floor and disappear. Ellie doesn’t always say the right thing and Luke is alternately unutterably charming and absolutely mortified. But they stay.
Luke and Ellie both have some of the same hang-ups they had in college. Luke has even more money than he did back then and Ellie’s simpler, more frayed lifestyle befuddles him. For her part, Ellie is uncomfortable and a bit stunned by Luke’s wealth. To say nothing of the glitzy company he keeps. I wasn’t sure from chapter to chapter if it could last or whether or not it should, particularly as the numerous limitations presented by Luke’s condition and the consequences of his ruthless business acumen begin to press on the back of Ellie’s consciousness. But, my, I wanted it to. Here’s one of my favorite scenes which highlights the particular blend of humor and honesty that is Ellie and Luke’s story. A policeman has just spotted them getting a little up close and personal in Luke’s car:
I loved the way Luke’s challenges were leavened a bit by the glib, at times downright roguish way in which he maneuvers his life. From tearing down the streets of Boston in his sleek car to ordering massive amounts of Chinese takeout to lure Ellie into his office, his antics nearly always brought a grin to my lips. It’s a simple story in the end, very simply told. There isn’t much in the way of grand flourishes or conflict here. In fact, history with Luke’s father aside, few of the secondary characters really come into focus outside of the two principals. And maybe it was a case of the right book at the right time, but Ellie and Luke felt like people I might pass in the hallway at work, leading ordinary lives, in search of warmth to come home to at the end of the day just like me. A sweet, disarming read.
I am monumentally relieved that the cover gods came up with a second (better) cover for this contemporary romance, if not a second (better) title. It’s not that the original cover was bad . . . it’s that it was so mind-numbingly bad that nothing could have induced me to read it were it not for the fact that the ebook is free from most vendors and I read a handful of thoughtful, positive reviews. I feel compelled to point this out right off the bat because going off the cover (and title) alone, I was second guessing my decision before I even began. Then after I began, I felt certain I would get a few pages in and call the whole thing off. But then I kept reading. And . . . I didn’t want to put it down. Not at all. And so I didn’t. I read it through in one lovely gulp. And then I found myself in the awkward position of standing around, wringing my hands, mumbling about the packaging. So I’m glad the cover at least got a revision, because I do think this story deserves whatever will help it find its way into the hands of other readers who will love it, too.
Ellie Jenson still isn’t sure how she got into Harvard in the first place. She worked her butt off in high school, set her sights sky high, and made it to the big time. But deep down she still wonders if it wasn’t all a mistake. Because of the two kinds of students who go to Harvard, she falls fair and square in the Smart and Poor category. And Luke Thayer is Rich and Dumb through and through. Actually, Luke isn’t dumb at all. But he’s filthy rich, entitled as all get out, and bound and determined to disagree with every assertion Ellie makes in their freshman expository writing class. Which is the only thing they have in common. And Ellie would like to keep it that way. Which is why, when a tipsy Luke makes a pass at her one night, she tamps down every ounce of attraction she feels for him and . . . passes. And with that Luke Thayer walks out of her life. Fast forward fifteen years. Ellie took her Harvard degree in computer programming and is now supervising her own little department of programmers. She hasn’t thought of Luke in years. Which is why she’s fairly gutted to find out her old nemesis is the new CEO. Determined to show her new boss just how far she’s come, she strides into his office to find out that Luke is in a wheelchair. And has been for several years now. Caught completely off guard, Ellie struggles to reconcile the insufferable Luke she knew with the man before her whose life is clearly anything but charmed.
I wasn’t prepared to like them so much. I wasn’t. The whole thing started off like every other New Adult cookie cutter I’ve read over the last year. But then . . . they grew up. And their lives just hadn’t gone the way they’d imagined. Luke’s more so than Ellie’s obviously, but they were both so endearingly adrift. And I when I say endearing, I mean I they were going on anyway, knowing their lives lacked something and every day experiencing the pain of not knowing what it was or how to find it. Watching them carefully negotiate the new and unwieldy boundaries of their relationship was . . . adorable, to be honest. It was sweet and giddy and it filled me with anxiety for both of them. It’s been a long time since I’ve read a book with a physically disabled protagonist, and I have to say the way Luke’s disability was handled felt incredibly real and unvarnished. Nothing about his condition is glossed over or simply melts away in the face of their growing attraction. And the book is infinitely better for this steady hand. There are cringeworthy moments, ones where Luke, Ellie, and the reader wishes like anything they could just sink into the floor and disappear. Ellie doesn’t always say the right thing and Luke is alternately unutterably charming and absolutely mortified. But they stay.
Luke and Ellie both have some of the same hang-ups they had in college. Luke has even more money than he did back then and Ellie’s simpler, more frayed lifestyle befuddles him. For her part, Ellie is uncomfortable and a bit stunned by Luke’s wealth. To say nothing of the glitzy company he keeps. I wasn’t sure from chapter to chapter if it could last or whether or not it should, particularly as the numerous limitations presented by Luke’s condition and the consequences of his ruthless business acumen begin to press on the back of Ellie’s consciousness. But, my, I wanted it to. Here’s one of my favorite scenes which highlights the particular blend of humor and honesty that is Ellie and Luke’s story. A policeman has just spotted them getting a little up close and personal in Luke’s car:
“All right, get out of the car,” the cop says.
Luke obligingly opens the door to the car. He grabs his wheelchair out of the back seat and the officer watches in shock as he pops the wheels into place. When he transfers into the seat, the cop is white as a sheet. I would have laughed if I wasn’t still shaking. Luke pushes his palms into his thighs to straighten out his posture and he looks at the officer questioningly.
“Oh, um . . . ” the cop says. His jaw is hanging open. He peeks into the car at me, probably wondering if I need a wheelchair, too. “Well, um, I guess . . . I can let you off with a warning.”
“I really appreciate that,” Luke says politely.
The officer still looks a little stunned as he goes back to his own car. Luke looks at me in the car and winks, “I never get tickets.”
“Jesus,” I say. I wipe my sweaty palms on my dress. “I think I better go.”
His face falls. “Oh.”
“It’s getting late,” I say, “and . . . well, like I said, I’ve got stairs.”
Luke nods. “All right,” he says. “Will you come to my office for lunch tomorrow?”
“Lunch, huh?” I smile.
“Totally innocent,” he assures me with a grin.
That would actually be a pretty big disappointment.
I loved the way Luke’s challenges were leavened a bit by the glib, at times downright roguish way in which he maneuvers his life. From tearing down the streets of Boston in his sleek car to ordering massive amounts of Chinese takeout to lure Ellie into his office, his antics nearly always brought a grin to my lips. It’s a simple story in the end, very simply told. There isn’t much in the way of grand flourishes or conflict here. In fact, history with Luke’s father aside, few of the secondary characters really come into focus outside of the two principals. And maybe it was a case of the right book at the right time, but Ellie and Luke felt like people I might pass in the hallway at work, leading ordinary lives, in search of warmth to come home to at the end of the day just like me. A sweet, disarming read.
August 11, 2016
I was going to write a lengthier review, but my growing hatred for this book just sucked the life out of me. I think it's because I thought it had potential in the beginning; it wasn't A+ writing, but it was cute and quirky and I hoped for the best. But then the main character turns into a soulless, ignorant asshole. We're supposed to think Luke is the asshole because he's rich and used to give her a hard time in college, but oh, he's so ~lucky~ Ellie falls in love with him despite all that. She's a real winner-- someone who comments negatively on everyone else's physical appearance, whether it's to bemoan the fact that she doesn't look like a model in comparison to other women, or to criticize people for being obese or "old" looking. Seriously, this chick HATES old people. And worst of all, she makes note *several* times that Luke's not as hot because he's in a wheelchair. Here are some examples:
"Admittedly, Luke doesn't have it going on as much since he's in the wheelchair, but from the neck up, he's still pretty gorgeous."
"Yeah, his body isn't fantastic or anything. But he's still really hot."
"Luke's body isn't great, but it's human and it's sexy as hell to me."
Someone hand this girl a Nobel Peace Prize for being so understanding about how grotesque her quadriplegic boyfriend's body is. JESUS. Worse than that, every character in the book needs to comment on his disability and cut him down for it, to his face or behind his back. Which only leads me to the conclusion that the author herself is an ableist who has no business writing a book like this. In my entire life, I don't know if I've ever heard someone criticize a person in a wheelchair. Or maybe I'm just lucky enough not to be surrounded by trash bags.
OH. And don't get me started on the fact that, because he withheld some of his business practices from her (practices she never asked about in the first place, so why would he tell her?), she declares him to be totally untrustworthy, to the point that she gets tested for STDs she assumes he gave her, and sits there thinking about how much she hates him for ~hypothetically~ giving her HIV. Spoiler alert:
I lied. I was too angry to keep this short.
"Admittedly, Luke doesn't have it going on as much since he's in the wheelchair, but from the neck up, he's still pretty gorgeous."
"Yeah, his body isn't fantastic or anything. But he's still really hot."
"Luke's body isn't great, but it's human and it's sexy as hell to me."
Someone hand this girl a Nobel Peace Prize for being so understanding about how grotesque her quadriplegic boyfriend's body is. JESUS. Worse than that, every character in the book needs to comment on his disability and cut him down for it, to his face or behind his back. Which only leads me to the conclusion that the author herself is an ableist who has no business writing a book like this. In my entire life, I don't know if I've ever heard someone criticize a person in a wheelchair. Or maybe I'm just lucky enough not to be surrounded by trash bags.
OH. And don't get me started on the fact that, because he withheld some of his business practices from her (practices she never asked about in the first place, so why would he tell her?), she declares him to be totally untrustworthy, to the point that she gets tested for STDs she assumes he gave her, and sits there thinking about how much she hates him for ~hypothetically~ giving her HIV. Spoiler alert:
I lied. I was too angry to keep this short.
September 20, 2013
The first 85%: 4 stars
Final 15%: 1 star
Final Rating: 3 stars
Final 15%: 1 star
Final Rating: 3 stars
January 12, 2021
How did this get on my Kindle?
I mean, it wasn't horrible. But Harvard Hottie, a mashup of billionaire-boss-romance with second-chance romance most definitely isn't my usual thing, genre-wise. (Could I get more hyphens in the last sentence? Yeah. Needs more hyphens.)
The book probably ended up on my trusty Kindle during a time when I was attempting to develop a taste for romance novels. I also tried this with broccoli! As with broccoli, my fondness for romance novels hasn't progressed beyond a mild "Uh, it's okay in small servings."
As Ellie Johnson, the protagonist explains, there are two kind of people who attend Harvard: Smart and poor, and rich and dumb. When Ellie made this observation, two thoughts went through my head. First, all the rich Harvard kids who read this book will be butt-hurt, and second, that amuses me very much. Because I'm all about punching upward.
Anyway, Ellie falls in to the "smart poor" category, and her hottie, Luke Thayer, "rich." They meet in freshman composition class and hate each other at first sight. Or do they? Sexual tension is expressed through academic rivalry and Ellie is convinced that Luke hates her and vice versa. The semester culminates with Luke making a feeble, drunken attempt to kiss her at a party, and Ellie (wisely) rebuffing his attempt. After that, they never interact in college again.
Fast forward more than decade later. Ellie is a programmer with a small tech company that Luke's company has just acquired. He has a reputation as a corporate baddie, taking over companies and firing everyone. He is also, still hung up on Ellie. And...a smidgen (but just a smidgen) of his white, rich boy privilege has been tempered by an accident which has left him wheelchair bound.
Or, as Ellie thinks and others say out loud, "crippled." I hadn't seen that word used much since my childhood when my grandmother, the textbook definition of not-PC, used the word regularly. Reading it was jarring, and I'm surprised this book hasn't generated more controversy.
The point of the word and some of Ellie's weird reactions to Luke's situation is to give her some degree of character development. Her reactions, though not exactly inoffensive, are probably what one would expect from someone who's never dealt with someone with a significant disability. Nevertheless, Ellie's inner dialogue gets cringe-worthy at times.
Luke, despite being a spoiled rich boy is the book's highlight. He's still insulated from the worst of life by wealth, but surprisingly humane and frequently funny. Although I usually side with the worker bees in workplace situations, I can totally relate to his assessment of the "dead weight" that he fired. Some people, for whatever reason, are terrible workers.
This is not a deep exploration of disability, or class privilege. It's a fluffy, sweet romance. I approached it with no/low expectations and emerged moderately entertained.
I mean, it wasn't horrible. But Harvard Hottie, a mashup of billionaire-boss-romance with second-chance romance most definitely isn't my usual thing, genre-wise. (Could I get more hyphens in the last sentence? Yeah. Needs more hyphens.)
The book probably ended up on my trusty Kindle during a time when I was attempting to develop a taste for romance novels. I also tried this with broccoli! As with broccoli, my fondness for romance novels hasn't progressed beyond a mild "Uh, it's okay in small servings."
As Ellie Johnson, the protagonist explains, there are two kind of people who attend Harvard: Smart and poor, and rich and dumb. When Ellie made this observation, two thoughts went through my head. First, all the rich Harvard kids who read this book will be butt-hurt, and second, that amuses me very much. Because I'm all about punching upward.
Anyway, Ellie falls in to the "smart poor" category, and her hottie, Luke Thayer, "rich." They meet in freshman composition class and hate each other at first sight. Or do they? Sexual tension is expressed through academic rivalry and Ellie is convinced that Luke hates her and vice versa. The semester culminates with Luke making a feeble, drunken attempt to kiss her at a party, and Ellie (wisely) rebuffing his attempt. After that, they never interact in college again.
Fast forward more than decade later. Ellie is a programmer with a small tech company that Luke's company has just acquired. He has a reputation as a corporate baddie, taking over companies and firing everyone. He is also, still hung up on Ellie. And...a smidgen (but just a smidgen) of his white, rich boy privilege has been tempered by an accident which has left him wheelchair bound.
Or, as Ellie thinks and others say out loud, "crippled." I hadn't seen that word used much since my childhood when my grandmother, the textbook definition of not-PC, used the word regularly. Reading it was jarring, and I'm surprised this book hasn't generated more controversy.
The point of the word and some of Ellie's weird reactions to Luke's situation is to give her some degree of character development. Her reactions, though not exactly inoffensive, are probably what one would expect from someone who's never dealt with someone with a significant disability. Nevertheless, Ellie's inner dialogue gets cringe-worthy at times.
Luke, despite being a spoiled rich boy is the book's highlight. He's still insulated from the worst of life by wealth, but surprisingly humane and frequently funny. Although I usually side with the worker bees in workplace situations, I can totally relate to his assessment of the "dead weight" that he fired. Some people, for whatever reason, are terrible workers.
This is not a deep exploration of disability, or class privilege. It's a fluffy, sweet romance. I approached it with no/low expectations and emerged moderately entertained.
July 3, 2025
Ellie met Luke in college. He was arrogant, always seemed to get under Ellie’s skin, and unfairly hot. Then, more than a decade after college, Ellie is a software developer at a company that’s purchased by Thayer Industries, which just so happens to be…you guessed it, Luke’s (family’s) company. Ellie isn’t excited when she has to meet the new boss, but it turns out that Luke is a different man. He’s now in a wheelchair after a rock-climbing accident left him paralyzed. Is it possible that Luke has changed as a person, too?
Like a Boss was originally titled My Harvard Hottie but was retitled and given a completely revamped cover. I’m not sure that either title really encapsulates the book— but I also don’t have any better suggestions.
Let me start by saying that this book is enjoyable for what it is. However if you are looking for a story with positive disability representations and dynamic characters, then this IS NOT the book for you. If you are someone with a disability hoping to see yourself reflected in a romance— this is (most likely) NOT the book for you. Now that that’s out of the way…
This story is fiction written for and meant to appeal to women who are attracted to men with disabilities, specifically quadraplegic men in this instance. So the story purposely fixates on the mmc’s disability and the fmc’s attraction to him. For some people, this can come across as objectification and/or stereotyping of disabled characters. But for those who are into this type of fiction, it’s more about attraction to the disabled characters— their strengths and weaknesses.
Granted, there are multiple parts where readers see accurate portrayals of ableism and the realities of living with a disability. But again, please don’t think that’s the point of the book.
So, if you are specifically looking for this type of literature, this will be your jam. It’s not Shakespeare, but it’s also not terrible. Some reviews some complain about the plot being slow or boring. Again, that’s not the point of the book. If you are truly going to love this book, you probably aren’t reading it for the plot.
Still, I have to disagree. For me, the plot really picked up around the 70% mark. The plot came together a bit more, and it seemed more like a traditional contemporary romcom. I’m pleasantly surprised by the story, and will definitely check out more of Costa’s work.
Giving this a solid 4 stars, rating it for what it’s supposed to be— a type of fiction written for a very particular demographic.
Like a Boss was originally titled My Harvard Hottie but was retitled and given a completely revamped cover. I’m not sure that either title really encapsulates the book— but I also don’t have any better suggestions.
Let me start by saying that this book is enjoyable for what it is. However if you are looking for a story with positive disability representations and dynamic characters, then this IS NOT the book for you. If you are someone with a disability hoping to see yourself reflected in a romance— this is (most likely) NOT the book for you. Now that that’s out of the way…
This story is fiction written for and meant to appeal to women who are attracted to men with disabilities, specifically quadraplegic men in this instance. So the story purposely fixates on the mmc’s disability and the fmc’s attraction to him. For some people, this can come across as objectification and/or stereotyping of disabled characters. But for those who are into this type of fiction, it’s more about attraction to the disabled characters— their strengths and weaknesses.
Granted, there are multiple parts where readers see accurate portrayals of ableism and the realities of living with a disability. But again, please don’t think that’s the point of the book.
So, if you are specifically looking for this type of literature, this will be your jam. It’s not Shakespeare, but it’s also not terrible. Some reviews some complain about the plot being slow or boring. Again, that’s not the point of the book. If you are truly going to love this book, you probably aren’t reading it for the plot.
Still, I have to disagree. For me, the plot really picked up around the 70% mark. The plot came together a bit more, and it seemed more like a traditional contemporary romcom. I’m pleasantly surprised by the story, and will definitely check out more of Costa’s work.
Giving this a solid 4 stars, rating it for what it’s supposed to be— a type of fiction written for a very particular demographic.
September 21, 2013
UNIQUE. HEARTWARMING. SENSUAL.
SARCASTIC BANTER. CHEMISTRY. ATTRACTION.
16 YEARS LATER... THEY MEET AGAIN.
Luke Thayer: GOOD-LOOKING. WEALTHY. COOL.
Ellie Jenson: NERD. PLAIN. INTROVERT.
WITTY DIALOGUE. ROMANCE. CHEMISTRY.
Luke starts out as a cocky, intelligent show off - very good-looking, preppy, privileged, and into sports. He's sarcastic and is constantly picking on Ellie (he's attracted to her but doesn't know how to approach her because he's the Harvard Hottie and she's the Harvard Nerd.)
EMOTIONAL TALE OF LOVE & REDEMPTION
Some people may find this love story uncomfortable due to the issues raised (a quadriplegic hero).
I was interested in this due to the Harvard educated heroine (the author has written another book featuring a quadriplegic hero but no Harvard heroine). I love reading about intelligent girls but with the added quadriplegic hero made this LOVE story unique as it's not a common theme.
It's easier to ignore (or rendered de-sensitized) to disabilities, suffering and physical impairments.
We like our hero's "manly" - the whole ALPHA craze. If a man has the slightest "weakness" (despite a colossal intelligence which would is far more powerful than brawn) some romance readers may shudder away from such blatant deflection from the "tall, dark, handsome, wealthy, ALPHA" cliche.
Departing from the established norm requires an imagination to produce an engrossing tale so that romance readers can engage with the characters in their love seeking quest. Thankfully this author has provided a LOVE story that's engrossing, emotional (i teared up), ROMANTIC (lots of chemistry) and a HEA (that I wished had an epilogue).
A beautiful, funny and deeply romantic love story.
SARCASTIC BANTER. CHEMISTRY. ATTRACTION.
16 YEARS LATER... THEY MEET AGAIN.
Luke Thayer: GOOD-LOOKING. WEALTHY. COOL.
Ellie Jenson: NERD. PLAIN. INTROVERT.
WITTY DIALOGUE. ROMANCE. CHEMISTRY.
Luke starts out as a cocky, intelligent show off - very good-looking, preppy, privileged, and into sports. He's sarcastic and is constantly picking on Ellie (he's attracted to her but doesn't know how to approach her because he's the Harvard Hottie and she's the Harvard Nerd.)
EMOTIONAL TALE OF LOVE & REDEMPTION
Some people may find this love story uncomfortable due to the issues raised (a quadriplegic hero).
I was interested in this due to the Harvard educated heroine (the author has written another book featuring a quadriplegic hero but no Harvard heroine). I love reading about intelligent girls but with the added quadriplegic hero made this LOVE story unique as it's not a common theme.
It's easier to ignore (or rendered de-sensitized) to disabilities, suffering and physical impairments.
We like our hero's "manly" - the whole ALPHA craze. If a man has the slightest "weakness" (despite a colossal intelligence which would is far more powerful than brawn) some romance readers may shudder away from such blatant deflection from the "tall, dark, handsome, wealthy, ALPHA" cliche.
Departing from the established norm requires an imagination to produce an engrossing tale so that romance readers can engage with the characters in their love seeking quest. Thankfully this author has provided a LOVE story that's engrossing, emotional (i teared up), ROMANTIC (lots of chemistry) and a HEA (that I wished had an epilogue).
A beautiful, funny and deeply romantic love story.
August 10, 2020
OMG, sooooo good!
Annabelle Costa’s books are on my auto-buy list, always funny, heartwarming and heartbreaking with great characters.
This one is no exception, I would say even more outstanding!
The book is written entirely from Ellie’s perspective, the typical slightly nerdy, hardworking, does-not-see-herself-as-beautiful heroine. She met Luke at Harvard 16 years ago. He then seemed the typical product of his ultra-rich background, and Ellie was not impressed, at least not totally ;)
Ellie meets Luke again when he becomes her new boss after taking over the company she works for. She does not expect him to have changed at all, but at the first meeting it is obvious that at least in appearance he has: He is in a wheelchair and his handshake is weak.
Luke has gone through a lot in the past 16 years. He has a reputation as a ruthless business man, which Ellie thinks is an exaggeration as he is so sweet and considerate with her, and they start seeing each other outside work. Read the book to find out more - really worth your time!
Special mention for Ellie’s neighbour, who is hilarious and reminds me of my own 98-year-old neighbour, although she does not have a Melvin around any longer...
And the epilogue is soooo good... Thank you, Ms Costa, for a day well spent!!!
Annabelle Costa’s books are on my auto-buy list, always funny, heartwarming and heartbreaking with great characters.
This one is no exception, I would say even more outstanding!
The book is written entirely from Ellie’s perspective, the typical slightly nerdy, hardworking, does-not-see-herself-as-beautiful heroine. She met Luke at Harvard 16 years ago. He then seemed the typical product of his ultra-rich background, and Ellie was not impressed, at least not totally ;)
Ellie meets Luke again when he becomes her new boss after taking over the company she works for. She does not expect him to have changed at all, but at the first meeting it is obvious that at least in appearance he has: He is in a wheelchair and his handshake is weak.
Luke has gone through a lot in the past 16 years. He has a reputation as a ruthless business man, which Ellie thinks is an exaggeration as he is so sweet and considerate with her, and they start seeing each other outside work. Read the book to find out more - really worth your time!
Special mention for Ellie’s neighbour, who is hilarious and reminds me of my own 98-year-old neighbour, although she does not have a Melvin around any longer...
And the epilogue is soooo good... Thank you, Ms Costa, for a day well spent!!!
August 17, 2020
Speechless
As much as I love reading this author, I am sorry to say I had to stop reading this book after the third conversation with the other project manager! I’m so surprised that Ms. Costa wrote such a doormat of a main character. After the first conversation with her co-workers being so condescending about a person with disability, with her being a project manager, her HR knowledge should have been more extensive day her spine!
Look forwar to next one!,,
As much as I love reading this author, I am sorry to say I had to stop reading this book after the third conversation with the other project manager! I’m so surprised that Ms. Costa wrote such a doormat of a main character. After the first conversation with her co-workers being so condescending about a person with disability, with her being a project manager, her HR knowledge should have been more extensive day her spine!
Look forwar to next one!,,
October 15, 2017
Again mixed feelings on this book. Great premise, strong main characters to begin with...really liked the way they reconnected after 16 years but there were some weak spots in the story. The ending was abrupt and didn't resolve the main conflict in my opinion. Because of language and strong sexual reference I wouldn't recommend for younger or sensitive readers.
March 25, 2022
Annabelle Costa's romances are a short, light break to me. Perhaps, they are a bit like YA "fantasy" love stories (beautiful, smart, rich people, etc.), but there is enough realism to not make me annoyed. Most importantly, her characters are in some way disabled. I think in each of Costa's novels one of the main characters has a type of disability. I really appreciate it.
My small "but", in this book was e.g. moralistic approach to prostitution. And the biggest "disappointment" was Luke's relationship with his father. It was a very "promising" thread. The idea was great. Unfortunately, in this kind of novel (at least in here), the author just "drifted through the thread". There was a potential for a deep and wise story about Luke and his father.
My small "but", in this book was e.g. moralistic approach to prostitution. And the biggest "disappointment" was Luke's relationship with his father. It was a very "promising" thread. The idea was great. Unfortunately, in this kind of novel (at least in here), the author just "drifted through the thread". There was a potential for a deep and wise story about Luke and his father.
July 21, 2020
I received a copy from BookSprout; this is my honest review
-It’s like a story that goes full circle. Enemies to lovers, strangers, enemies to lovers again. Then lovers for life. The chemistry they had in college comes back full force and neither has a chance to deny what’s about to happen to both of them.
-It’s fun, it’s sad at moments, there’s a bit of mystery in there too, strong relation between mother and son, loved the epilogue with a satisfying twist.
-It’s still worth a 5-star review; but I just thought Ellie overreacted to the whole “clean-up” part. She knew he was right. We know too because we “heard” her thinking in previous chapters. She just won’t admit it, which brought me to not a sad moment in the book (below).
-So true: “Even men who claim they want to date a smart woman don’t really want that” – my ex-husband always put me down because I had a higher education than him, even though I never put it in his face.
-LOL moment: When Luke speaks French and Ellie asks what he said, he translates something else entirely so as not to tell her the truth about his feelings right then – I’m pretty sure the author did that intentionally and not because she doesn’t know French. Then when he asks her what languages she can speak, she goes on with Java, Python, etc.
-Sad moment: When Luke asks forgiveness for what happened. I think he has nothing to be forgiven about and Ellie is wrong – she will never agree to that though. Business is business and he has strong background for what he did.
-Saddest moments: Are how Luke’s father treated him. OMG, didn’t Luke have the last word!
-It’s like a story that goes full circle. Enemies to lovers, strangers, enemies to lovers again. Then lovers for life. The chemistry they had in college comes back full force and neither has a chance to deny what’s about to happen to both of them.
-It’s fun, it’s sad at moments, there’s a bit of mystery in there too, strong relation between mother and son, loved the epilogue with a satisfying twist.
-It’s still worth a 5-star review; but I just thought Ellie overreacted to the whole “clean-up” part. She knew he was right. We know too because we “heard” her thinking in previous chapters. She just won’t admit it, which brought me to not a sad moment in the book (below).
-So true: “Even men who claim they want to date a smart woman don’t really want that” – my ex-husband always put me down because I had a higher education than him, even though I never put it in his face.
-LOL moment: When Luke speaks French and Ellie asks what he said, he translates something else entirely so as not to tell her the truth about his feelings right then – I’m pretty sure the author did that intentionally and not because she doesn’t know French. Then when he asks her what languages she can speak, she goes on with Java, Python, etc.
-Sad moment: When Luke asks forgiveness for what happened. I think he has nothing to be forgiven about and Ellie is wrong – she will never agree to that though. Business is business and he has strong background for what he did.
-Saddest moments: Are how Luke’s father treated him. OMG, didn’t Luke have the last word!
August 17, 2020
Enemies to lovers is my favorite type of story to read. I was so excited for Like a Boss.
Luke and Ellie went to college together. Luke was the popular, pretty-boy who came from wealth and privilege, and Ellie was the “frumpy” girl who had to fight tooth and nail to get accepted into an Ivy League school. Ellie immediately dismisses him and his brash temperament, thinking he’s only full of himself, but actually, Luke has the brains to back it up. They seemingly hate each other, and Luke loves to push her buttons. But even in their state of hating one another the chemistry was starting to bubble under the surface. These two obviously connect on an intellectual level, but Ellie can’t see past the own frizz in her hair to think that he’d ever be interested in her.
Years later, Luke winds up as Ellie’s boss. And he’s changed. An accident has left him a quadriplegic, but he’s still that same smart, witty guy who she loved to debate back in the day. He admits to having a huge crush on her when they were young, and feelings start to develop. I loved watching their relationship grow.
As in all Annabelle’s books, she’s got great dialogue and wonderful chemistry between the characters when they are on page together. You can’t help but root for their HEA.
Annabelle is not just a one-click author for me, she’s a “I’ll read it more than once author.” Once again, she knocked it out of the park with an amazing story. Loved it!
Luke and Ellie went to college together. Luke was the popular, pretty-boy who came from wealth and privilege, and Ellie was the “frumpy” girl who had to fight tooth and nail to get accepted into an Ivy League school. Ellie immediately dismisses him and his brash temperament, thinking he’s only full of himself, but actually, Luke has the brains to back it up. They seemingly hate each other, and Luke loves to push her buttons. But even in their state of hating one another the chemistry was starting to bubble under the surface. These two obviously connect on an intellectual level, but Ellie can’t see past the own frizz in her hair to think that he’d ever be interested in her.
Years later, Luke winds up as Ellie’s boss. And he’s changed. An accident has left him a quadriplegic, but he’s still that same smart, witty guy who she loved to debate back in the day. He admits to having a huge crush on her when they were young, and feelings start to develop. I loved watching their relationship grow.
As in all Annabelle’s books, she’s got great dialogue and wonderful chemistry between the characters when they are on page together. You can’t help but root for their HEA.
Annabelle is not just a one-click author for me, she’s a “I’ll read it more than once author.” Once again, she knocked it out of the park with an amazing story. Loved it!
April 11, 2014
Frizzy-haired computer nerd Ellie meets rich, golden-haired Luke in their first semester at Harvard. She hates how attractive he is, and the way he needles her during class. Sixteen years later, they meet again when Luke buys the company Ellie works at. Their attraction to each other hasn't dimmed with the years. Each of them has self-esteem issues: Ellie still feels low-class and unattractive next to Luke, and Luke is bothered that now that he's in a wheelchair he's no longer the golden god he once was. Nevertheless, their attraction and affection for each other grows--until Ellie learns a disturbing truth about Luke .
I really liked the relationship between these characters, which felt real and grounded. The book doesn't shy away from the physical and social ramifications of Luke's injury. Plus, I liked his personality, which combines charm with occasional bursts of being a selfish shit. I could completely understand why Ellie was both lured in and cautious of fully committing to him. The book ends abruptly, with several large plot events happening all at once, but other than that I quite enjoyed this.
I really liked the relationship between these characters, which felt real and grounded. The book doesn't shy away from the physical and social ramifications of Luke's injury. Plus, I liked his personality, which combines charm with occasional bursts of being a selfish shit. I could completely understand why Ellie was both lured in and cautious of fully committing to him. The book ends abruptly, with several large plot events happening all at once, but other than that I quite enjoyed this.
August 24, 2013
It might be considered an ordinary, juvenile romance from college breakup to wonderful reconciliation some years later at the story's end. It is all that, just not ordinary. Two angry college competitors that throw spiteful jabs at each other builds up to a split of irreconcilable differences and separate ways well past the ten year reunion time. Getting to the HEA is not even thought of until Luke Thayer of Thayer Industries buys the company that Ellie Jenson worked at as a computer programmer and the incendiary sparks at contact reappear. They relive the dislikes and now the complications of the buyout and possible job loss. He now seems a bitter wheelchair bound corporate CEO who regrets she got away and she remains competitively antagonistic. However, they have mellowed with time and the past spark of interest becomes more dominant. And builds at a torrid pace until she finds the truth about his past and company ethics. Then the plot twists and turns and I will not divulge a spoiler to tell you how and why it ends with a HEA. Go get the book It is free at the moment.
July 13, 2013
If you enjoyed "The boy next door" you HAVE to read this one.
Like always, Annabelle has a way to drive you through the story and to make you feel what the characters are feeling.
That's why, at the begining, I couldn't stand Luke but... while the lines are flowing, I ended up "loving" him.
Thank you Annabelle for a so nice book.
Like always, Annabelle has a way to drive you through the story and to make you feel what the characters are feeling.
That's why, at the begining, I couldn't stand Luke but... while the lines are flowing, I ended up "loving" him.
Thank you Annabelle for a so nice book.
September 5, 2013
Not your typical lust-at-first-sight romance. It's a wonderful book about true love & acceptance. Luke's disability is depicted realistically. There is no miraculous cure to the problem but the characters find a way to live happily despite it.
July 10, 2017
Actually read in 2013.
October 16, 2020
This was a great read! I loved the characters and how this changed from its earlier release. The situations were realistic and made me wish I had gone to Harvard too!
September 4, 2014
The first half was good and I like Sadie to be my neighbor.:)
August 6, 2022
3/5⭐️
Ça commençait si bien … Je crois que j’ai un problème avec la fin des romans, en fait😅
Après 16 ans sans s’être vus, Ellie retrouve Luke Thayer, fléau de sa première année d’université, devenu son nouveau patron.
Mais Luke, handicapé à la suite d’un accident parvenu plus d’une décennie auparavant, n’est plus le même petit con prétentieux qu’elle a connu.
Toujours aussi intéressé par elle qu’il l’était 11 ans plus tôt, Luke est bien déterminé à prouver à Ellie qu’il a changé.
Vraiment, les 70 premiers pourcents étaient tops ! J’avais du slowburn, j’avais de l’angst, j’avais un pining mmc, et franchement, même si ce n’était pas la première fois que je lisais une romance avec un personnage handicapé, ce n’était pas non plus la 32ème. Ça change le schéma narratif, on tombe pas dans les clichés du PDG ultra beau gosse (même si selon l’héroïne, le monsieur n’avait pas à se plaindre de ce côté-là😌) et tombeur de ces dames.
Mais passée cette barre, ça dégringole. Ce qui devait arriver arriva, l’héroïne apprend ce que l’on soupçonne dès le début, ce qu’on lui rabâche dès le début d’ailleurs, sauf qu’elle préférait se voiler la face.
Le love interest se transforme en un mec geignard et l’assomme à grands coups de « J’ai besoin de toi, Ellie » jusqu’à ce que la cocotte craque.
Et alors l’épilogue ? Mon Dieu.
S’il y a bien une chose que je DÉTESTE, c’est une héroïne qui se dédie corps et âme à un projet en lequel elle croit, mais qui plaque tout parce qu’elle SPOILER : tombe enceinte. « C’est pas grave si MON projet a eu lieu alors que je n’en faisais plus partie, je faisais partie de quelque chose de bien plus grand maintenant » … Heu ? Tu peux faire partie d’un projet professionnel que t’as mis plus de 7 ans à construire, tout en ayant une famille, c’est pas incompatible.
Je ne suis pas contre la trope de l’unplanned pregnancy, je l’aime plutôt bien parfois, mais là ? J’ai surtout eu l’impression qu’elle serait de résolution au problème.
Je comprends pas comment le caractère de l’héroïne a pu changer comme ça, en 200 pages.
Bref.
Je ne mettrais pas de note plus basse parce que mine de rien, plus de la moitié du livre était vraiment cool, on n’a pas été bassinés par les scènes de cul (même si avoir 3 fois de suite un orgasme à chaque rapport sexuel UNIQUE, j’y crois moyen🤨), et que le thème du handicap était vraiment rafraîchissant à lire, et que ça prouve qu’on peut très bien écrire sur un love interest handicapé sans briser le « glamour » de la romance. Mais la fin m’a vraiment déçue, donc ce ne sera pas le quasi 4/5 que je voulais initialement donner avant de franchir ce cap fatidique😔
PS : Le livre a ét�� réédité depuis sa sortie initiale et HEUREUSEMENT. Parce qu’au vu de certaines des plus anciennes reviews, j’aurais pas tenu aussi longtemps avec la version initiale😭
TW : tentative de suicide (personnage secondaire), mort d’un parent, grossesse accidentelle, accident
Ça commençait si bien … Je crois que j’ai un problème avec la fin des romans, en fait😅
Après 16 ans sans s’être vus, Ellie retrouve Luke Thayer, fléau de sa première année d’université, devenu son nouveau patron.
Mais Luke, handicapé à la suite d’un accident parvenu plus d’une décennie auparavant, n’est plus le même petit con prétentieux qu’elle a connu.
Toujours aussi intéressé par elle qu’il l’était 11 ans plus tôt, Luke est bien déterminé à prouver à Ellie qu’il a changé.
Vraiment, les 70 premiers pourcents étaient tops ! J’avais du slowburn, j’avais de l’angst, j’avais un pining mmc, et franchement, même si ce n’était pas la première fois que je lisais une romance avec un personnage handicapé, ce n’était pas non plus la 32ème. Ça change le schéma narratif, on tombe pas dans les clichés du PDG ultra beau gosse (même si selon l’héroïne, le monsieur n’avait pas à se plaindre de ce côté-là😌) et tombeur de ces dames.
Mais passée cette barre, ça dégringole. Ce qui devait arriver arriva, l’héroïne apprend ce que l’on soupçonne dès le début, ce qu’on lui rabâche dès le début d’ailleurs, sauf qu’elle préférait se voiler la face.
Le love interest se transforme en un mec geignard et l’assomme à grands coups de « J’ai besoin de toi, Ellie » jusqu’à ce que la cocotte craque.
Et alors l’épilogue ? Mon Dieu.
S’il y a bien une chose que je DÉTESTE, c’est une héroïne qui se dédie corps et âme à un projet en lequel elle croit, mais qui plaque tout parce qu’elle SPOILER : tombe enceinte. « C’est pas grave si MON projet a eu lieu alors que je n’en faisais plus partie, je faisais partie de quelque chose de bien plus grand maintenant » … Heu ? Tu peux faire partie d’un projet professionnel que t’as mis plus de 7 ans à construire, tout en ayant une famille, c’est pas incompatible.
Je ne suis pas contre la trope de l’unplanned pregnancy, je l’aime plutôt bien parfois, mais là ? J’ai surtout eu l’impression qu’elle serait de résolution au problème.
Je comprends pas comment le caractère de l’héroïne a pu changer comme ça, en 200 pages.
Bref.
Je ne mettrais pas de note plus basse parce que mine de rien, plus de la moitié du livre était vraiment cool, on n’a pas été bassinés par les scènes de cul (même si avoir 3 fois de suite un orgasme à chaque rapport sexuel UNIQUE, j’y crois moyen🤨), et que le thème du handicap était vraiment rafraîchissant à lire, et que ça prouve qu’on peut très bien écrire sur un love interest handicapé sans briser le « glamour » de la romance. Mais la fin m’a vraiment déçue, donc ce ne sera pas le quasi 4/5 que je voulais initialement donner avant de franchir ce cap fatidique😔
PS : Le livre a ét�� réédité depuis sa sortie initiale et HEUREUSEMENT. Parce qu’au vu de certaines des plus anciennes reviews, j’aurais pas tenu aussi longtemps avec la version initiale😭
TW : tentative de suicide (personnage secondaire), mort d’un parent, grossesse accidentelle, accident
March 3, 2015
2.5 stars.
This book started off with a bad case of "prologue syndrome" - I realize we're establishing that the two characters knew each other in college, but honestly, I could hardly get through the opening. It wasn't until the present that things began to get interesting, and I think the book may have benefited by using flashbacks later rather than starting off with the faux-prologue, since things got more interesting in the present.
However, the biggest problem I had with the book was the fact that the narrator (and MC) was so dislikeable. This author's other book (The Boy Next Door) also had a dislikealble narrator/MC, but that really worked there because that was partially her character flaw. Here, it just made the book hard to get through. Honestly, if Luke weren't such a likeable character in contrast, I probably would have given up on the book entirely (I almost did after that horrible faux-prologue).
I think part of the reason I found Ellie so annoying was the fact that she was supposedly this really intelligent computer programmer, yet I never once felt like that was the character I was reading. It felt like almost the exact same voice as The Boy Next Door, only not as funny. I just never believed that she was this super-smart computer programmer. It felt almost like a caricature of what a programmer should be rather than a fully fleshed character. Like an archetype the author had picked out of a hat (awkward, nerdy girl vs hot rich boy). I know almost nothing about her, despite the fact that she narrated the entire story; I know more about Luke, and feel like he had more of a character arch than she did.
I also feel like I should address the elephant in the room: Luke's quadriplegia. It is nice to see a story in which a character with a disability is the romantic interest and there isn't the typical miracle cure or pity-me story line. He's portrayed as attractive and sexy despite his obvious disability, although it did annoy me that every time Ellie talked about how she found him sexy, she always had to preface it with, "He doesn't have a great body, but" or "Compared to how he looked in college..." It made me feel a little less like she really found him attractive now than I know the author was trying to convey, and made me dislike Ellie even more. Yeah, we know he doesn't look the same, but why keep bringing it up as a qualifier each time? Is it like you have to justify it to yourself?
For the most part, I found the sex scenes a little lackluster, too, though thankfully better than The Boy Next Door. I feel like the author really missed some good opportunities to not only show how sex was different (yet still great) for Ellie and Luke, but also to show more of their relationship blossoming. (There was some of this, but I would have liked to see more.)
I will say that despite all my complaints, Luke kept me reading. Despite his potential to be a cliche (on so many levels), he manages to circumvent them and become a sympathetic character you really care about.
Lastly, I felt like the title was weak. Yes, they met originally when they were at Harvard, and yes, Luke is a "hottie." But honestly, that's not what the story is about at all, and it feels like a misnomer.
Some people may criticize me for being so harsh for a book that was free, and maybe I am, but it's really hard for me to give a higher rating when the main character was so dislikeable and when the ending was forced.
This book started off with a bad case of "prologue syndrome" - I realize we're establishing that the two characters knew each other in college, but honestly, I could hardly get through the opening. It wasn't until the present that things began to get interesting, and I think the book may have benefited by using flashbacks later rather than starting off with the faux-prologue, since things got more interesting in the present.
However, the biggest problem I had with the book was the fact that the narrator (and MC) was so dislikeable. This author's other book (The Boy Next Door) also had a dislikealble narrator/MC, but that really worked there because that was partially her character flaw. Here, it just made the book hard to get through. Honestly, if Luke weren't such a likeable character in contrast, I probably would have given up on the book entirely (I almost did after that horrible faux-prologue).
I think part of the reason I found Ellie so annoying was the fact that she was supposedly this really intelligent computer programmer, yet I never once felt like that was the character I was reading. It felt like almost the exact same voice as The Boy Next Door, only not as funny. I just never believed that she was this super-smart computer programmer. It felt almost like a caricature of what a programmer should be rather than a fully fleshed character. Like an archetype the author had picked out of a hat (awkward, nerdy girl vs hot rich boy). I know almost nothing about her, despite the fact that she narrated the entire story; I know more about Luke, and feel like he had more of a character arch than she did.
I also feel like I should address the elephant in the room: Luke's quadriplegia. It is nice to see a story in which a character with a disability is the romantic interest and there isn't the typical miracle cure or pity-me story line. He's portrayed as attractive and sexy despite his obvious disability, although it did annoy me that every time Ellie talked about how she found him sexy, she always had to preface it with, "He doesn't have a great body, but" or "Compared to how he looked in college..." It made me feel a little less like she really found him attractive now than I know the author was trying to convey, and made me dislike Ellie even more. Yeah, we know he doesn't look the same, but why keep bringing it up as a qualifier each time? Is it like you have to justify it to yourself?
For the most part, I found the sex scenes a little lackluster, too, though thankfully better than The Boy Next Door. I feel like the author really missed some good opportunities to not only show how sex was different (yet still great) for Ellie and Luke, but also to show more of their relationship blossoming. (There was some of this, but I would have liked to see more.)
I will say that despite all my complaints, Luke kept me reading. Despite his potential to be a cliche (on so many levels), he manages to circumvent them and become a sympathetic character you really care about.
Lastly, I felt like the title was weak. Yes, they met originally when they were at Harvard, and yes, Luke is a "hottie." But honestly, that's not what the story is about at all, and it feels like a misnomer.
Some people may criticize me for being so harsh for a book that was free, and maybe I am, but it's really hard for me to give a higher rating when the main character was so dislikeable and when the ending was forced.
September 2, 2020
This book starts with the main character Ellie starting at Harvard University and the problems she has in one of her classes with another student called Luke Thayer the Third. Everything she said in class, he would have an argument against. She was a scholarship student, who had to work her way through college, whereas he is the son of a billionaire and spoilt beyond belief. Part of the college is named after his family and he knows it! He made her time at college hell and paraded around with a bevy of pretty girls. When the first year exams were over, her roommate persuades her to go to her first ever party and she is faced with a slightly drunken Luke, who asks her out. To his shock and a little bit hers, she turns him down. But she has never managed to forget it and dreams about what might have happened if she took him up on his date request.
The rest of the story continues some sixteen years later, when the still nerdy and highly organised Ellie works as a project manager on a medical app she proposed, when her firm is taken over by Thayer Industries. After some worried comments by her team, she looks the company up on the internet, to find it is now being run by Luke Thayer, after his father had a heart attack some five years earlier. He has a reputation for getting rid of at least half the employees and then pushing most of the others out as well. There are plenty of stories on social media about how cruel he is and this just reminds her of her college days and every occasion he took to make fun of her in class.
The next day, he calls her upstairs to a meeting with him, and she discovers one thing nothing on social media revealed to her, and that is that he is in a wheelchair. He is still as handsome and obnoxious as ever, but from the shoulders down, he has changed after a rock climbing accident with friends left him a quadriplegic some eleven years ago. He questions her about her new app and the progress on its scheduled launch, as well as about the members of her team. He continues to have almost daily meetings and lunches with her, that don’t go down well with others in her office, who think she has started a relationship with him, to save her own job! He is her new boss, the last person she would ever want in that position, but her app is her baby and she wants to see it succeed.
He is a totally different person than he was in college and he still remembers her as well. He has a difficult relationship with his father who cannot accept that he doesn’t try harder to get out of his wheelchair and walk! Talk about a difficult and slightly bonkers relationship! He refuses to allow a ramp to be built in their family home and Luke has to contend with the maid remembering to put out a piece of plywood to cover the front steps, to enable him to get into the house. It has made Luke into the hard businessman he is today, to show his dad that he can make the business a success, even if he is in a wheelchair. Ellie starts to fall for the changed man she believes him to be, but months later he heads out of town and her company is decimated.
A difficult tale of opposites attracting, with quite a few stumbles along the way. Each will have to change somewhat, if they are to get along. Ellie finds a hurdle she never expected, that she will have to overcome and a surprise life event after finding out what Luke has done, will either draw them back together, or throw them further apart. She has difficult decisions to make about her future and her job, whilst Luke has to look at how he treats people and employees and decide who he truly wants to be, never mind others opinions and striving to live up to an impossible standard. All that will bring is unhappiness! He may be a billionaire, but money isn’t everything and he has hurdles to climb in his changed life. A good read, with parts that may make you cringe at the characters behaviour, but also shows the goodness in people, when they face reality about their path in life and realise they need to make changes. I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
The rest of the story continues some sixteen years later, when the still nerdy and highly organised Ellie works as a project manager on a medical app she proposed, when her firm is taken over by Thayer Industries. After some worried comments by her team, she looks the company up on the internet, to find it is now being run by Luke Thayer, after his father had a heart attack some five years earlier. He has a reputation for getting rid of at least half the employees and then pushing most of the others out as well. There are plenty of stories on social media about how cruel he is and this just reminds her of her college days and every occasion he took to make fun of her in class.
The next day, he calls her upstairs to a meeting with him, and she discovers one thing nothing on social media revealed to her, and that is that he is in a wheelchair. He is still as handsome and obnoxious as ever, but from the shoulders down, he has changed after a rock climbing accident with friends left him a quadriplegic some eleven years ago. He questions her about her new app and the progress on its scheduled launch, as well as about the members of her team. He continues to have almost daily meetings and lunches with her, that don’t go down well with others in her office, who think she has started a relationship with him, to save her own job! He is her new boss, the last person she would ever want in that position, but her app is her baby and she wants to see it succeed.
He is a totally different person than he was in college and he still remembers her as well. He has a difficult relationship with his father who cannot accept that he doesn’t try harder to get out of his wheelchair and walk! Talk about a difficult and slightly bonkers relationship! He refuses to allow a ramp to be built in their family home and Luke has to contend with the maid remembering to put out a piece of plywood to cover the front steps, to enable him to get into the house. It has made Luke into the hard businessman he is today, to show his dad that he can make the business a success, even if he is in a wheelchair. Ellie starts to fall for the changed man she believes him to be, but months later he heads out of town and her company is decimated.
A difficult tale of opposites attracting, with quite a few stumbles along the way. Each will have to change somewhat, if they are to get along. Ellie finds a hurdle she never expected, that she will have to overcome and a surprise life event after finding out what Luke has done, will either draw them back together, or throw them further apart. She has difficult decisions to make about her future and her job, whilst Luke has to look at how he treats people and employees and decide who he truly wants to be, never mind others opinions and striving to live up to an impossible standard. All that will bring is unhappiness! He may be a billionaire, but money isn’t everything and he has hurdles to climb in his changed life. A good read, with parts that may make you cringe at the characters behaviour, but also shows the goodness in people, when they face reality about their path in life and realise they need to make changes. I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
November 7, 2013
This book is THE most honest, best look at the life of a disabled person that I've found, yet.
Eleanor got into Harvard on brains. Luke got in on his daddy's money. It was hate at first sight - he argued with every single thing she said, and she despised him for being rich, handsome, entitled, and for poking fun of her every chance he got. Yes, he was gorgeous, but he was also rude and pompous, and she wanted NOTHING to do with him. Yet he seemed to seek her out, to egg her on. And once, he even came onto her. She, of course, blew him off. A guy like Luke would never be interested in a brain with frizzy 'Gilda Radner' hair and glasses.
Sixteen years later, Ellie (who refined her look over the years) is a supervisor in a large company in Boston, which has just been taken over by (you guessed it) Luke's corporation... which buys and disassembles failing companies. She is so ready to hate him, all over again - and then she sees him. He's changed. A lot. Life wasn't a cakewalk for him, as she figured it would be. Luke had fallen during a rock climbing weekend and broke his neck - he's a quadriplegic, with no trunk support and only partial use of his hands. Women don't flock to him, anymore - unless they're after his money. His father sees him as broken and worthless. His friends mock him. He works his butt off to try to prove himself, but it's an uphill battle, all of the way.
Of course he's still the same toward Ellie as before - egging her on, poking fun of her. But at the same time, there's a depth to him, an understanding that wasn't there before. And she sees now that he'd teased her (like Gilbert in the L.M. Montgomery 'Anne of Green Gables' series) because he'd liked her. He thought she was the most intelligent, interesting person, and he'd just wanted to be around her. That's what he wants now, too. But Ellie doesn't know what to believe about him - the gossip that he's heartless and seeking to destroy people's lives by firing them and throwing them out on the street, or if he might just be making changes to turn the company around.
Ellie is SUCH a fun character, in this story. Her voice is so snarky and at the same time uncertain, and she's such a push-over, making Hamentashen with her elderly neighbor and letting Luke talk her into going places with him that are WAY beyond her comfort level. The story just weaves such a light, intricate picture, and I loved every minute of it.
And Ho. Mi. Gosh. FINALLY a disabled hero who can't have sex. I'm amazed. No, really. EVERY. SINGLE. spinal cord novel that I have ever read has Mr. wonderful getting full mobility back, or in spite of being paralyzed from the WAIST down, having full use of his George (as my 3yo relative calls it). And it's SO contrived. In this book, the tough reality of an SCI are discussed, and no punches are pulled. It's something I've been looking for, for YEARS, now.
HIGHLY recommended as an amusing and yet VERY honest and well-written read.
Eleanor got into Harvard on brains. Luke got in on his daddy's money. It was hate at first sight - he argued with every single thing she said, and she despised him for being rich, handsome, entitled, and for poking fun of her every chance he got. Yes, he was gorgeous, but he was also rude and pompous, and she wanted NOTHING to do with him. Yet he seemed to seek her out, to egg her on. And once, he even came onto her. She, of course, blew him off. A guy like Luke would never be interested in a brain with frizzy 'Gilda Radner' hair and glasses.
Sixteen years later, Ellie (who refined her look over the years) is a supervisor in a large company in Boston, which has just been taken over by (you guessed it) Luke's corporation... which buys and disassembles failing companies. She is so ready to hate him, all over again - and then she sees him. He's changed. A lot. Life wasn't a cakewalk for him, as she figured it would be. Luke had fallen during a rock climbing weekend and broke his neck - he's a quadriplegic, with no trunk support and only partial use of his hands. Women don't flock to him, anymore - unless they're after his money. His father sees him as broken and worthless. His friends mock him. He works his butt off to try to prove himself, but it's an uphill battle, all of the way.
Of course he's still the same toward Ellie as before - egging her on, poking fun of her. But at the same time, there's a depth to him, an understanding that wasn't there before. And she sees now that he'd teased her (like Gilbert in the L.M. Montgomery 'Anne of Green Gables' series) because he'd liked her. He thought she was the most intelligent, interesting person, and he'd just wanted to be around her. That's what he wants now, too. But Ellie doesn't know what to believe about him - the gossip that he's heartless and seeking to destroy people's lives by firing them and throwing them out on the street, or if he might just be making changes to turn the company around.
Ellie is SUCH a fun character, in this story. Her voice is so snarky and at the same time uncertain, and she's such a push-over, making Hamentashen with her elderly neighbor and letting Luke talk her into going places with him that are WAY beyond her comfort level. The story just weaves such a light, intricate picture, and I loved every minute of it.
And Ho. Mi. Gosh. FINALLY a disabled hero who can't have sex. I'm amazed. No, really. EVERY. SINGLE. spinal cord novel that I have ever read has Mr. wonderful getting full mobility back, or in spite of being paralyzed from the WAIST down, having full use of his George (as my 3yo relative calls it). And it's SO contrived. In this book, the tough reality of an SCI are discussed, and no punches are pulled. It's something I've been looking for, for YEARS, now.
HIGHLY recommended as an amusing and yet VERY honest and well-written read.
May 5, 2014
1.7 Stars.
I didn't like this book.
It actually started really great, I had a good laugh and giggled a lot because the start was nicely done. Ellie had a great sense of humor...but that's it. Halfway, I swear I wanted to strangle her to death. She gets annoyed when someone judges Luke because of his disability when she kinda did, too, at that part where she saw him crippled for the very first time. And then, she feels bad for him but doesn't even console him or squeeze his shoulders or anything! I mean, I know it's just not her, but, come on! Really!?
And then, the prostitute thing happened. And also, I find Ellie really emotionally detached. Yes, I laugh a lot when she speaks her mind, but I want to cry my ass off, too, and I just couldn't. I don't know, I just couldn't feel that she really cared for Luke and loved him. I just can't. And when she found out, she's gonna have a baby with him?!
AND SHE DECIDED TO GET RID OF IT WITHOUT EVEN GIVING IT A SECOND THOUGHT?!?
What a bitch.
And what's with the ending? It could't even be called an ending!!!
God, I swear, I never badly want to kill someone. Don't even get me started with the supposed-to-be hot, intimate scenes.
To the author? This is the first time I've read your book and well...it's epic fail.
I didn't like this book.
It actually started really great, I had a good laugh and giggled a lot because the start was nicely done. Ellie had a great sense of humor...but that's it. Halfway, I swear I wanted to strangle her to death. She gets annoyed when someone judges Luke because of his disability when she kinda did, too, at that part where she saw him crippled for the very first time. And then, she feels bad for him but doesn't even console him or squeeze his shoulders or anything! I mean, I know it's just not her, but, come on! Really!?
And then, the prostitute thing happened. And also, I find Ellie really emotionally detached. Yes, I laugh a lot when she speaks her mind, but I want to cry my ass off, too, and I just couldn't. I don't know, I just couldn't feel that she really cared for Luke and loved him. I just can't. And when she found out, she's gonna have a baby with him?!
AND SHE DECIDED TO GET RID OF IT WITHOUT EVEN GIVING IT A SECOND THOUGHT?!?
What a bitch.
And what's with the ending? It could't even be called an ending!!!
God, I swear, I never badly want to kill someone. Don't even get me started with the supposed-to-be hot, intimate scenes.
To the author? This is the first time I've read your book and well...it's epic fail.
August 21, 2020
It is really weird of me to give only two stars. But I couldn't get through this book without wanting to slam the book against something and run away from it.
This story was built on Cringe-worthy moments. The whole book was the main character trying to fit in and comparing herself to everything and everyone around her.
She wasn't only naive but she had the one quality that I really dislike on people.She was envious. She had not self-steem. All along it was me trying to figure what was her personality like? because on one hand she was fiesty and a bit shy and in the other she was a pushover, awkward and just annoying.
I didn't care for either of the characters because Luke didn't have much development at all. All that he was was the disable boss.
I wish I'd like it more. Yes, but maybe you'll enjoy it if you read it.
This story was built on Cringe-worthy moments. The whole book was the main character trying to fit in and comparing herself to everything and everyone around her.
She wasn't only naive but she had the one quality that I really dislike on people.She was envious. She had not self-steem. All along it was me trying to figure what was her personality like? because on one hand she was fiesty and a bit shy and in the other she was a pushover, awkward and just annoying.
I didn't care for either of the characters because Luke didn't have much development at all. All that he was was the disable boss.
I wish I'd like it more. Yes, but maybe you'll enjoy it if you read it.
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