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The Boss #2
The Girlfriend
Unemployed, blacklisted, and pregnant, Sophie Scaife’s life is totally upside down. Her relationship with publishing magnate Neil Elwood is on the rocks. Her best friend’s career is igniting. And Sophie is afraid she’ll make one of the toughest decisions of her life alone…
When a devastating diagnosis forces Neil to return to London, Sophie throws caution to the wind to follow her heart across the Atlantic. Keeping a scorching D/s affair as red-hot in sickness as it was in health is a challenge, even for two lovers as inventive as Sophie and Neil. But Sophie is more than willing to try anything her Sir commands, and their fantasies of control become a welcome refuge from the daily stress of illness.
While Neil’s wealth and privilege make adjusting to her new situation easier, Sophie finds herself rebuilding her life around an uncertain future. And while both of them face the changes between them head-on, they’re all too aware that their happiness may be fleeting—and Sophie could lose Neil forever.
When a devastating diagnosis forces Neil to return to London, Sophie throws caution to the wind to follow her heart across the Atlantic. Keeping a scorching D/s affair as red-hot in sickness as it was in health is a challenge, even for two lovers as inventive as Sophie and Neil. But Sophie is more than willing to try anything her Sir commands, and their fantasies of control become a welcome refuge from the daily stress of illness.
While Neil’s wealth and privilege make adjusting to her new situation easier, Sophie finds herself rebuilding her life around an uncertain future. And while both of them face the changes between them head-on, they’re all too aware that their happiness may be fleeting—and Sophie could lose Neil forever.
363 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 17, 2013
258 people are currently reading
2564 people want to read
About the author
Abigail Barnette
64 books1,280 followersAbigail Barnette is the pseudonym of Jenny Trout (alias Jennifer Armintrout, an author, blogger, and funny person. Jenny made the USA Today bestseller list with her debut novel, Blood Ties Book One: The Turning. Her American Vampire was named one of the top ten horror novels of 2011 by Booklist Magazine Online. As Abigail Barnette, Jenny writes award-winning erotic romance, including the internationally bestselling The Boss series.
As a blogger, Jenny’s work has appeared on The Huffington Post, and has been featured on television and radio, including HuffPost Live, Good Morning America, The Steve Harvey Show, and National Public Radio’s Here & Now. Her work has earned mentions in The New York Times and Entertainment Weekly.
She is a proud Michigander, mother of two, and wife to the only person alive capable of spending extended periods of time with her without wanting to kill her.
As a blogger, Jenny’s work has appeared on The Huffington Post, and has been featured on television and radio, including HuffPost Live, Good Morning America, The Steve Harvey Show, and National Public Radio’s Here & Now. Her work has earned mentions in The New York Times and Entertainment Weekly.
She is a proud Michigander, mother of two, and wife to the only person alive capable of spending extended periods of time with her without wanting to kill her.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 496 reviews
December 9, 2013
I've been writing this review in my head pretty much since I started reading the book itself. I really enjoyed "The Boss" and quite enjoy Abigail Barnette/Jenny Trout (especially on Twitter) and I had high expectations for "The Girlfriend". I was sadly disappointed.
"The Boss" ends with the cliffhanger that Sophie is pregnant, and "The Girlfriend" picks up from there. I pretty much guessed how that plot was going to be resolved by the blurb for this book, and I was right. Though I have no problem with the manner in which the situation was resolved, it was very unpleasant to read about it. It was the first of many times that I put the book down and wondered if I could continue on. Now, after finishing the book, I have to wonder why that sub-plot was even there to begin with. One of the author's criticisms of "Fifty Shades of Grey" (in her wonderful "Jenny Reads Fifty Shades" series on her blog) was that there are pointless sub-plots that do nothing to really move the story forward. I think the pregnancy cliffhanger/subplot was pretty much the same thing. If anything it existed merely so that the author could point out just out feminist, PC, and not-FSOG this book is/tries to be. And really, that continues through the entire story.
What I mean by "feminist, PC, and not-FSOG" is that I constantly felt that the author was trying to convince me of something. And I don't need convincing! As a reader I was constantly reminded of how wealthy Neil is, how much Sophie is NOT there for his money (or interested in it), how much she loved him, how healthy their BDSM lifestyle was... It was just a constant assault of preaching and self-confirmation. We get it! This isn't Fifty Shades of Grey. This isn't an abusive relationship. BDSM is healthy, not sick.
Except... the last sex scene in the book is Neil and Sophie going further in their D/s play than ever before, and it is really uncomfortable to read. When both characters consent to rough sex and taking it beyond any point they've previously gone, Neil calls her a whore and a dirty slut, and then Sophie has to tell us that oh no, in real life if he said this to me I would be back on a plane to New York, but this is A CONSENSUAL RELATIONSHIP and oh by the way, being called a dirty slut is the most erotic thing I've ever heard in my life! But I wouldn't tolerate this talk in any other capacity. But it turns me on incredibly. Blah blah blah. More convincing. I read excerpts of those scenes to my fiance, trying my best to put it in proper context, and all he could say was that sounds like rape to me. I explained it was consensual, that they both wanted it, and still he was like nope, rape. Fine, that's his opinion and he's entitled to it. I don't know why I was trying to defend the characters so much when the whole thing really bothered me.
And then there's the biggest storyline of the entire book: cancer. "The Boss" was so refreshing and fun, and "The Girlfriend" plunges you into the deep end of reality to the point where it all quickly becomes so. very. unsexy. There is too much of a difference between the fantasy of the BDSM/erotica and the bleak reality of awful cancer, and they did not mesh well together. If anything the cancer serves more as a plot device to convince the readers that Sophie and Neil's relationship is based on more than just sex, that they really have a deep, loving relationship. I'm still not convinced. I have what I feel is an absolutely deep, loving relationship (of 5+ years, not 5+ months) and nothing about Neil and Sophie reflects my own experiences in such a relationship. Yes, everyone is different, as is every relationship, but I can only trust with my own experiences and their relationship really is nothing more than two people who like to have sex.
And I'm sorry, but this time around the sex is not that great. I'm so preoccupied thinking about how Neil's physicality and mental health is affected by the leukemia that I cannot get into the "good" stuff. And the author falls into the very same crap she accused EL James of doing in FSOG where every orgasm is explosive (and of course Sophie has one every single time, often five or more in one go) and it's really just the same sex over and over again with slight variation in prop/toy usage. I guess what I mean to say is that "The Boss" was Look how much better FSOG could have been and "The Girlfriend" is But really, it's all the same as FSOG, only this time with icky cancer.
Let me just be clear: there is no reason in the world why someone suffering from cancer should not enjoy sex. It's just not effectively written here, and often times reads more like the book Sophie is writing about cancer (how meta) than the sequel to an erotic book about a billionaire and his younger girlfriend.
And as a final point of contention - and it really is a small thing - it is very unrealistic that Sophie goes from occasional YouTube tutorial hobbyist to audition-for-this-television-show-as-a-beauty-content-creator. I mean, Sophie gets a few thousand hits on a nail tutorial about French manicures and suddenly she's the second choice by a national morning news program to contribute beauty content? And Michelle Phan (arguably the most famous beauty guru ever) was the first choice who turned the opportunity down? Sorry, I don't buy that either. Not to mention Sophie films her videos on a Flip cam and the whole thing just reeks of I didn't research this but rather just used a few YouTube videos as an example (because surely they are all the same).
Ugh, I am just really disappointed. I had such high hopes and this was a chore to finish. An absolute chore. And then it ended almost abruptly and I was left feeling even more unsatisfied. I just didn't really like it, I guess. At least I still have a high opinion of the author. When I read FSOG I developed a contempt for EL James. At least the same didn't happen here. I'd definitely check out the author's other works, despite how much I disliked "The Girlfriend".
"The Boss" ends with the cliffhanger that Sophie is pregnant, and "The Girlfriend" picks up from there. I pretty much guessed how that plot was going to be resolved by the blurb for this book, and I was right. Though I have no problem with the manner in which the situation was resolved, it was very unpleasant to read about it. It was the first of many times that I put the book down and wondered if I could continue on. Now, after finishing the book, I have to wonder why that sub-plot was even there to begin with. One of the author's criticisms of "Fifty Shades of Grey" (in her wonderful "Jenny Reads Fifty Shades" series on her blog) was that there are pointless sub-plots that do nothing to really move the story forward. I think the pregnancy cliffhanger/subplot was pretty much the same thing. If anything it existed merely so that the author could point out just out feminist, PC, and not-FSOG this book is/tries to be. And really, that continues through the entire story.
What I mean by "feminist, PC, and not-FSOG" is that I constantly felt that the author was trying to convince me of something. And I don't need convincing! As a reader I was constantly reminded of how wealthy Neil is, how much Sophie is NOT there for his money (or interested in it), how much she loved him, how healthy their BDSM lifestyle was... It was just a constant assault of preaching and self-confirmation. We get it! This isn't Fifty Shades of Grey. This isn't an abusive relationship. BDSM is healthy, not sick.
Except... the last sex scene in the book is Neil and Sophie going further in their D/s play than ever before, and it is really uncomfortable to read. When both characters consent to rough sex and taking it beyond any point they've previously gone, Neil calls her a whore and a dirty slut, and then Sophie has to tell us that oh no, in real life if he said this to me I would be back on a plane to New York, but this is A CONSENSUAL RELATIONSHIP and oh by the way, being called a dirty slut is the most erotic thing I've ever heard in my life! But I wouldn't tolerate this talk in any other capacity. But it turns me on incredibly. Blah blah blah. More convincing. I read excerpts of those scenes to my fiance, trying my best to put it in proper context, and all he could say was that sounds like rape to me. I explained it was consensual, that they both wanted it, and still he was like nope, rape. Fine, that's his opinion and he's entitled to it. I don't know why I was trying to defend the characters so much when the whole thing really bothered me.
And then there's the biggest storyline of the entire book: cancer. "The Boss" was so refreshing and fun, and "The Girlfriend" plunges you into the deep end of reality to the point where it all quickly becomes so. very. unsexy. There is too much of a difference between the fantasy of the BDSM/erotica and the bleak reality of awful cancer, and they did not mesh well together. If anything the cancer serves more as a plot device to convince the readers that Sophie and Neil's relationship is based on more than just sex, that they really have a deep, loving relationship. I'm still not convinced. I have what I feel is an absolutely deep, loving relationship (of 5+ years, not 5+ months) and nothing about Neil and Sophie reflects my own experiences in such a relationship. Yes, everyone is different, as is every relationship, but I can only trust with my own experiences and their relationship really is nothing more than two people who like to have sex.
And I'm sorry, but this time around the sex is not that great. I'm so preoccupied thinking about how Neil's physicality and mental health is affected by the leukemia that I cannot get into the "good" stuff. And the author falls into the very same crap she accused EL James of doing in FSOG where every orgasm is explosive (and of course Sophie has one every single time, often five or more in one go) and it's really just the same sex over and over again with slight variation in prop/toy usage. I guess what I mean to say is that "The Boss" was Look how much better FSOG could have been and "The Girlfriend" is But really, it's all the same as FSOG, only this time with icky cancer.
Let me just be clear: there is no reason in the world why someone suffering from cancer should not enjoy sex. It's just not effectively written here, and often times reads more like the book Sophie is writing about cancer (how meta) than the sequel to an erotic book about a billionaire and his younger girlfriend.
And as a final point of contention - and it really is a small thing - it is very unrealistic that Sophie goes from occasional YouTube tutorial hobbyist to audition-for-this-television-show-as-a-beauty-content-creator. I mean, Sophie gets a few thousand hits on a nail tutorial about French manicures and suddenly she's the second choice by a national morning news program to contribute beauty content? And Michelle Phan (arguably the most famous beauty guru ever) was the first choice who turned the opportunity down? Sorry, I don't buy that either. Not to mention Sophie films her videos on a Flip cam and the whole thing just reeks of I didn't research this but rather just used a few YouTube videos as an example (because surely they are all the same).
Ugh, I am just really disappointed. I had such high hopes and this was a chore to finish. An absolute chore. And then it ended almost abruptly and I was left feeling even more unsatisfied. I just didn't really like it, I guess. At least I still have a high opinion of the author. When I read FSOG I developed a contempt for EL James. At least the same didn't happen here. I'd definitely check out the author's other works, despite how much I disliked "The Girlfriend".
August 25, 2013
An erotic romance is not supposed to make you want to throw up. This one does. More than once.
This book is a nauseating, try hard mess - do yourselves a favour, stay away from it.
This book is a nauseating, try hard mess - do yourselves a favour, stay away from it.
April 17, 2019
I am a tad disappointed with the sequel. The Boss is very good. Veru steamy. Very seductive. The Girlfriend exploring more in depth the relationship between Neil and Sofie through thick and thin of cancer. Also it is explore topic such as age difference, social status and people surrounding them. How their relationship affecting people is very interesting for me.
The reason why i give this book 4 stars is because of Sofie sassiness. Her smarth mouth really makes me smilling and snicker. Her character breathes live into Neil dry humor. Well he is British so I can understand that.
4 stars
The reason why i give this book 4 stars is because of Sofie sassiness. Her smarth mouth really makes me smilling and snicker. Her character breathes live into Neil dry humor. Well he is British so I can understand that.
4 stars
April 7, 2021
This was a roller coaster ride of emotions. Cancer sucks.
September 19, 2013
Really strong 4.5 star read!
This book really hit it's stride in book two. It covered so many topics and generated so many visceral reactions, I am still thinking about it days after completing it. It covers unplanned pregnancies, illness, BDSM, other sexual partners, interfering exes, etc. The writing was so well done and it was such an emotional book for me. The relationship between Neil and Sophie became a quite beautiful thing transcending age stereotypes and forcing me to look beyond the obvious. When a book causes you to question your impressions and thinking, and literally brings tears to your eyes at pts given it's brutal realism, and surprises you after becoming somewhat jaded with the genre, I can only applaud Ms. Barnette.
My biggest complaint (outside of the one mentioned in my first review with is somewhat unnatural emotional reactions of the characters to issues like jealousy or lack thereof): the way it ended. There was such time and effort put into unraveling their relationships and overcoming hardships that the end was wrapped up a bit too quickly. The epilogue felt like an afterthought and there were still a lot of unanswered questions. I felt a bit cheated. I imagine there is plenty of material to complete the series with one more installment, I hope the writer does justice to the long journey these two have accomplished.
This book really hit it's stride in book two. It covered so many topics and generated so many visceral reactions, I am still thinking about it days after completing it. It covers unplanned pregnancies, illness, BDSM, other sexual partners, interfering exes, etc. The writing was so well done and it was such an emotional book for me. The relationship between Neil and Sophie became a quite beautiful thing transcending age stereotypes and forcing me to look beyond the obvious. When a book causes you to question your impressions and thinking, and literally brings tears to your eyes at pts given it's brutal realism, and surprises you after becoming somewhat jaded with the genre, I can only applaud Ms. Barnette.
My biggest complaint (outside of the one mentioned in my first review with is somewhat unnatural emotional reactions of the characters to issues like jealousy or lack thereof): the way it ended. There was such time and effort put into unraveling their relationships and overcoming hardships that the end was wrapped up a bit too quickly. The epilogue felt like an afterthought and there were still a lot of unanswered questions. I felt a bit cheated. I imagine there is plenty of material to complete the series with one more installment, I hope the writer does justice to the long journey these two have accomplished.
April 9, 2014
DNF
Honestly, I feel as though I was mislead. The first book I would have given a four to because the writing was great. The story was interesting, even though I'm not usually a fan of a women dating a man old enough to be her father. But, I was on board all the way until about 9% into The Girlfriend. I just could not wrap my mind around the way the hero and heroine handled an extremely sensitive, political, religious, all of the above, subject. For two adults at 24 and 48 I find the decision they made completely irresponsible and self-serving, sending the wrong message. Couldn't finish this novel.
Honestly, I feel as though I was mislead. The first book I would have given a four to because the writing was great. The story was interesting, even though I'm not usually a fan of a women dating a man old enough to be her father. But, I was on board all the way until about 9% into The Girlfriend. I just could not wrap my mind around the way the hero and heroine handled an extremely sensitive, political, religious, all of the above, subject. For two adults at 24 and 48 I find the decision they made completely irresponsible and self-serving, sending the wrong message. Couldn't finish this novel.
August 4, 2018
LOVED!
Currently binge-reading this entire series because I just discovered it a week ago and it's utterly unputdownable! Review at the end of book 6.
December 20, 2013
I'm shocked by the series and the turn the book took. Shocked in good way. This is much more than an erotic book, or series. It's the journey of Sophie (and Neil), a real journey that many people make every day. Admittedly most don't have a billionaire partners but just the same it was a real read and I very much enjoyed it.
January 10, 2015
I haven't slept all night just to read this book.
Also, I cried my eyes out.
PS: I'm starting book 3 now and I still haven't slept.
Also, I cried my eyes out.
PS: I'm starting book 3 now and I still haven't slept.
December 27, 2015
well this series is just gettin' hotter and hotter!!
but the way there relationship is just goals!
its so beautiful
but the way there relationship is just goals!
its so beautiful
Read
April 15, 2014DNF
Don't get me wrong, I'm not against abortion or anything, but if she didn't want to ever get pregnant why not do something about it? When she told him she was pregnant and would undergo abortion, I thought he's gonna react negatively but he didn't, like he doesn't care at all. Like, okay you want abortion? you got it, i'll pay for it.
I didn't have the heart to finish the novel, I didn't like the 1st book and after the abortion thing, I kind of hate this now. It's just really crazy! They're inlove but repulsed at the idea of having a child made out of love.. yuck!
Don't get me wrong, I'm not against abortion or anything, but if she didn't want to ever get pregnant why not do something about it? When she told him she was pregnant and would undergo abortion, I thought he's gonna react negatively but he didn't, like he doesn't care at all. Like, okay you want abortion? you got it, i'll pay for it.
I didn't have the heart to finish the novel, I didn't like the 1st book and after the abortion thing, I kind of hate this now. It's just really crazy! They're inlove but repulsed at the idea of having a child made out of love.. yuck!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 31, 2018
Amazing, heart wrenching and so hot!!!! The perfect read!
October 15, 2015
After enjoying the Boss by Abigail Barnette so much, this book fell dramatically flat for me.
I already suspected a drama-rama when I read the end of the Boss. What I didn't expect was having to go through chemo-therapy for most part of the story. This was nowhere an enjoyable read. Don't get me wrong, I lost all my grandparents to cancer, this is a absolutely serious topic, and that's why it doesn't belong in a book that is supposed to be a joy ride. Screw reality.
The fun parts were interesting, but nothing could fight the mountain in my stomach that created this big ass drama bitch slap. I felt like tasting chemicals on my tongue during the whole book.
It's not a one star read, but does it deserve two stars? I don't know...
October 8, 2013
Well written, emotional steamy read. I felt both Neil's pain, heartache and frustration and the loneliness/dread felt by Sophie. Apprehension to finish the book as I could tell which way it would evolve. The dominant aggressive side of Neil did scare me and at times made me uncomfortable reading it but necessary for the story. Recommended read.
June 1, 2019
There's a problem with shooting the books. Because just one bullet gives you a nice little hole on every page and you can't wipe your ass with it any more. And I so wanna to both with this one...
Wow. This is bad. Real bad. Until now, I thought the worst book I’ve ever read was 50 shades. Compared to this, it’s Ana Karenina.
Rarely do I have triggers in books or anywhere, and what happened here is not even that, in usual sense. Abortion isn’t a trigger for me, unless you present it to me like it’s not much bigger than stepping on a roach. Whoops.
For idiotic main character in this book, Sophie, it certainly isn’t.
I get it. Sometimes, it's better to abort the baby. If you knew how some babies would turn out and how incapable their parents would be and how much suffering could have been avoided if some people have never been born, the abortion should almost be mandatory in those cases.
But you don't.
And there's always those uncountable thousands (millions, in fact, only in USA), of capable, decent people, who would like to adopt, but can’t, because someone is exercising "her 'right' to decide about her own [and child's, obviously] body".
All the controversies aside (in this day and age, everybody but the last trailer trash is aware of them anyway), I can accept even abortion of the baby that could have easily been adopted, if there is at least SOME mental process leading to it, that would make it at least half clear that this was really the only solution protagonist is capable to see at the moment, if only for her tunnel vision. Capable writer is going to sell it to you. Here, I'm not buying because there's nothing to buy and nobody is selling. There wasn't even an attempt.
Unless...
In one "memorable" scene, after the abortion, Sophie spills out few tears (certainly more than for her unborn child), from being all touched from the care and attention Neil is giving her, warm and cosy bath she’s soaking in at the moment, being one of them. She’s surprised by her tears and treats your eyes, ears and intelligence with this little gem that should somewhere be recorded in anals of literature as the burning example of bad writing:
„IF WHAT I'D JUST GONE THROUGH [spilling few tears - of happiness, mind you] IS EVEN REMOTELY LIKE PREGNANCY MOOD SWINGS, I'VE MADE THE RIGHT DECISION ” (aborted the baby).
Then, the very next second, proceeds to lament about super fancy burger containers (I’m not kidding).
I rage quit right there.
This has to be the most idiotic passage in history of literature. Has to. Because it wasn't an attempt to give you insider clue on mental processes of trailer trash crack whore that shoots heroin in her hemorrhoids. Nope. Sophie is supposed to be just your regular office girl that you're supposed to like.
Oh, there's also Neil, 50 year old man whose intellectual contributions are like he's under the barrel of a gun. What do you think his input was when Sophie presented him with her intention to abort? He won't mind, he already has one [child] anyway. Again, I'm not kidding. This is the guidance 24 year old girl gets from her patron, who is twice her age but somehow stuck on the same level of maturity. Of course he is, there was nobody there to write him.
If you don't agree what I just describe is epic fail in writing, than you might like this book. A lot. Because, except similarly shallow reasoning and dialogues, there's not much else in it that would threaten to ruin your enjoyment.
If, on the other hand, you do have problem with allotting more of the brain's processing cycles to burger containers and ruining the makeup with tears of happiness than to deciding whether or not to abort the life, spare yourself the torture.
I mean, does anyone read the vomit that some authors spill out before publishing?
I never thought I'd need blacklist of authors I'd better avoid, for the sake of me and them...
Wow. This is bad. Real bad. Until now, I thought the worst book I’ve ever read was 50 shades. Compared to this, it’s Ana Karenina.
Rarely do I have triggers in books or anywhere, and what happened here is not even that, in usual sense. Abortion isn’t a trigger for me, unless you present it to me like it’s not much bigger than stepping on a roach. Whoops.
For idiotic main character in this book, Sophie, it certainly isn’t.
I get it. Sometimes, it's better to abort the baby. If you knew how some babies would turn out and how incapable their parents would be and how much suffering could have been avoided if some people have never been born, the abortion should almost be mandatory in those cases.
But you don't.
And there's always those uncountable thousands (millions, in fact, only in USA), of capable, decent people, who would like to adopt, but can’t, because someone is exercising "her 'right' to decide about her own [and child's, obviously] body".
All the controversies aside (in this day and age, everybody but the last trailer trash is aware of them anyway), I can accept even abortion of the baby that could have easily been adopted, if there is at least SOME mental process leading to it, that would make it at least half clear that this was really the only solution protagonist is capable to see at the moment, if only for her tunnel vision. Capable writer is going to sell it to you. Here, I'm not buying because there's nothing to buy and nobody is selling. There wasn't even an attempt.
Unless...
In one "memorable" scene, after the abortion, Sophie spills out few tears (certainly more than for her unborn child), from being all touched from the care and attention Neil is giving her, warm and cosy bath she’s soaking in at the moment, being one of them. She’s surprised by her tears and treats your eyes, ears and intelligence with this little gem that should somewhere be recorded in anals of literature as the burning example of bad writing:
„IF WHAT I'D JUST GONE THROUGH [spilling few tears - of happiness, mind you] IS EVEN REMOTELY LIKE PREGNANCY MOOD SWINGS, I'VE MADE THE RIGHT DECISION ” (aborted the baby).
Then, the very next second, proceeds to lament about super fancy burger containers (I’m not kidding).
I rage quit right there.
This has to be the most idiotic passage in history of literature. Has to. Because it wasn't an attempt to give you insider clue on mental processes of trailer trash crack whore that shoots heroin in her hemorrhoids. Nope. Sophie is supposed to be just your regular office girl that you're supposed to like.
Oh, there's also Neil, 50 year old man whose intellectual contributions are like he's under the barrel of a gun. What do you think his input was when Sophie presented him with her intention to abort? He won't mind, he already has one [child] anyway. Again, I'm not kidding. This is the guidance 24 year old girl gets from her patron, who is twice her age but somehow stuck on the same level of maturity. Of course he is, there was nobody there to write him.
If you don't agree what I just describe is epic fail in writing, than you might like this book. A lot. Because, except similarly shallow reasoning and dialogues, there's not much else in it that would threaten to ruin your enjoyment.
If, on the other hand, you do have problem with allotting more of the brain's processing cycles to burger containers and ruining the makeup with tears of happiness than to deciding whether or not to abort the life, spare yourself the torture.
I mean, does anyone read the vomit that some authors spill out before publishing?
I never thought I'd need blacklist of authors I'd better avoid, for the sake of me and them...
September 9, 2013
Okay - I was really torn on this one because I liked The Boss so much.
In this I felt Sophie would take two steps forward and three steps back. I know she is 24, but there was such a level of selfishness and immaturity dealing with very adult topics. Take her abortion, I had no issue with the topic, but I had an issue that they really didn't talk about it at all. She read his non-verbal cues and made decisions based on that. Neil respected her right to choose, but there was so little discussion. And then to hear the internal dialog that Sophie is having, she truly appears so very shallow but in her mind she is being a big, independent girl.
She redeems herself by supporting Neil during his illness and moving to be with him. But it really felt like Neil would do just about anything for her just to keep her...Did Neil really want her to have sex with other people in front of him or did he test the waters because he was self-conscious about being middle aged with Cancer and having a girlfriend half his age that he needed to keep happy. For two people who loved each other so much, when they discussed that topic, he was like wanna have sex with other people and she was like sure anything once. I don't consider myself that old fashioned but I don't want the person who I am in a serious relationship with to want to pass me around - this was no longer a casual anything goes fling, they were in a committed relationship. But different strokes for different folks.
If there is a third I don't think I can read it since there just wasn't enough to keep me interested in this one. Just didn't love it and I wanted to.
In this I felt Sophie would take two steps forward and three steps back. I know she is 24, but there was such a level of selfishness and immaturity dealing with very adult topics. Take her abortion, I had no issue with the topic, but I had an issue that they really didn't talk about it at all. She read his non-verbal cues and made decisions based on that. Neil respected her right to choose, but there was so little discussion. And then to hear the internal dialog that Sophie is having, she truly appears so very shallow but in her mind she is being a big, independent girl.
She redeems herself by supporting Neil during his illness and moving to be with him. But it really felt like Neil would do just about anything for her just to keep her...Did Neil really want her to have sex with other people in front of him or did he test the waters because he was self-conscious about being middle aged with Cancer and having a girlfriend half his age that he needed to keep happy. For two people who loved each other so much, when they discussed that topic, he was like wanna have sex with other people and she was like sure anything once. I don't consider myself that old fashioned but I don't want the person who I am in a serious relationship with to want to pass me around - this was no longer a casual anything goes fling, they were in a committed relationship. But different strokes for different folks.
If there is a third I don't think I can read it since there just wasn't enough to keep me interested in this one. Just didn't love it and I wanted to.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 8, 2016
I enjoyed it. Till the very end, I held my breath about what is going to happen. It was deep, raw painful to see the fight for live, and other things that accompany that. I really loved that Sophie was very strong for Neill. Can't wait to read next installment.
October 7, 2013
Story Rating 4.5 Stars
Character Rating 4 Stars
Romance Rating 4.5 Stars
Heat Level 5 Stars
Overall Rating 4.5 Stars
Character Rating 4 Stars
Romance Rating 4.5 Stars
Heat Level 5 Stars
Overall Rating 4.5 Stars
April 4, 2017
Please note: This review contains spoilers for readers who have not read the first installment in The Boss series:
#1-The Boss
The Girlfriend is the second installment in Abigail Barnette's The Boss series. Ms. Barnette has developed these amazing characters that I am 100% invested in. In The Girlfriend, Neil and Sophie's relationship is put to the test many times and after reading how committed they actually are to each other, I am 100% invested in their relationship as well. Their relationship is not just a fleeting romance, it's serious stuff. In this installment, Sophie and Neil have to deal with their options regarding her unplanned pregnancy. This was such an emotional subject. Also, an explanation is provided for Neil's many headaches mentioned in the first book The Boss which leads to a road neither Sophie nor Neil has been down before. Needless to say, Neil has a challenging path ahead of him but Sophie's decision to remain a support for Neil also presents incredible challenges for her. When we hear of people undergoing long-term treatment for illness, our hearts go out to them, and rightfully so. But Ms. Barnette writes the struggles and isolation of the caregiver who is watching helplessly. If Ms. Barnette has not been in Sophie's position personally, then she definitely did her research regarding this subject.
I loved how Ms. Barnette tied Sophie and Neil's BDSM lifestyle to their need for control and intimacy during this stressful time.
Also, the character development of Sophie and Neil goes into double time. Personal issues tend to come to the surface during stressful times- things get very real- and Sophie and Neil are not immune to this fact. But the commitment they have to each other overrides it all. Sophie is an absolute angel and I adore her even more now.
Although the above issues are the things that I remember most about the book, there are some additional conflicts that occur in the beginning that add quite a bit of drama among various characters. My only complaint in this book specifically is Sophie's continuous refusal and annoyance with Neil's money. OK, I get that she didn't know he was a freaking billionaire when they first met, but he is and sharing his money does not make you a gold-digger. I think by voluntarily remaining at Neil's side proves to everyone that she's not with him for his money. But it was so repetitious in the first half of this book that I had to take a star away. It annoyed me to no end. But that really is my only complaint. It got better later in the book after her comfort level and perspective changed. This was a sexy, intimate, and very real book that was a perfect addition to this series. Oh, and we do have an addition of another character, Emir, who I am hoping to see again in future installments. Well done Ms. Barnette!
My favorite quote:
"The cancer bubble. It's almost like he's not here. Like he's on pause, and my life with him is on pause, and we're just waiting to see if somebody is going to hit play again or just stop the thing entirely."
#1-The Boss
The Girlfriend is the second installment in Abigail Barnette's The Boss series. Ms. Barnette has developed these amazing characters that I am 100% invested in. In The Girlfriend, Neil and Sophie's relationship is put to the test many times and after reading how committed they actually are to each other, I am 100% invested in their relationship as well. Their relationship is not just a fleeting romance, it's serious stuff. In this installment, Sophie and Neil have to deal with their options regarding her unplanned pregnancy. This was such an emotional subject. Also, an explanation is provided for Neil's many headaches mentioned in the first book The Boss which leads to a road neither Sophie nor Neil has been down before. Needless to say, Neil has a challenging path ahead of him but Sophie's decision to remain a support for Neil also presents incredible challenges for her. When we hear of people undergoing long-term treatment for illness, our hearts go out to them, and rightfully so. But Ms. Barnette writes the struggles and isolation of the caregiver who is watching helplessly. If Ms. Barnette has not been in Sophie's position personally, then she definitely did her research regarding this subject.
I loved how Ms. Barnette tied Sophie and Neil's BDSM lifestyle to their need for control and intimacy during this stressful time.
"When the hospital visits and the medications took over our life, we would both need this memory: The Dominant in his element, virile and in total control. That was why we were here, I realized. Neil wanted to show me that he was still capable. That he was still a man, and not a disease."
Also, the character development of Sophie and Neil goes into double time. Personal issues tend to come to the surface during stressful times- things get very real- and Sophie and Neil are not immune to this fact. But the commitment they have to each other overrides it all. Sophie is an absolute angel and I adore her even more now.
Although the above issues are the things that I remember most about the book, there are some additional conflicts that occur in the beginning that add quite a bit of drama among various characters. My only complaint in this book specifically is Sophie's continuous refusal and annoyance with Neil's money. OK, I get that she didn't know he was a freaking billionaire when they first met, but he is and sharing his money does not make you a gold-digger. I think by voluntarily remaining at Neil's side proves to everyone that she's not with him for his money. But it was so repetitious in the first half of this book that I had to take a star away. It annoyed me to no end. But that really is my only complaint. It got better later in the book after her comfort level and perspective changed. This was a sexy, intimate, and very real book that was a perfect addition to this series. Oh, and we do have an addition of another character, Emir, who I am hoping to see again in future installments. Well done Ms. Barnette!
My favorite quote:
"The cancer bubble. It's almost like he's not here. Like he's on pause, and my life with him is on pause, and we're just waiting to see if somebody is going to hit play again or just stop the thing entirely."
August 16, 2017
Potpuno sam oduševljena ovim knjigama i puna emocija.
Kao prvo, ja čitam samo funny i BDSM erotica...ostalo me zapravo ne zanima osim po jakoj preporuci osoba koje su se ustaničile in my book kao osobe čije smjernice obavezno pratim. Posebno izbjegavam mrljave drame i knjige koje me tjeraju da cmoljim...ispravak netočnog navoda - zapravo ne cmoljim ali tu i tamo me zna nešto dirnuti. Ali zapravo da, izbjegavam patnju, jad, čemer i bol ( osim ako nije pleasure/pain kind of a thing).
Stoga ovo sam počela, vidjevši da je BDSM. Iako on je Dom i ona se pronalazi kao sub, to nije centralna priča i to je ono što me oduševilo. Njihov odnos, razgovori i razmišljanja su realni, doduše recimo to ovako, realniji nego što inače čitam u svojem štivu. I mislim da ono što me najviše oduševilo je Sophie koja nema pretjerane reakcije i koja stane i razmisli i čiji unutarnji monolozi su toliko "down to earth", jer je puna razumijevanja, tolerantna, a opet ne da na sebe. Iako se ovdje u priči moglo malo više ući u priču Dom/sub, knjiga je za ciljanu publiku koja već zna kako to funkcionira pa mi nije nedostajalo.
Neil je također odličan lik, kao Dom možda i nije dovoljno strog ali ovo nije club Shadowlands...ovo mi je nekako priča koja se možda i odvija negdje iz zatvorenih vrata.
Ne želim spoilati, ne želim prepričavati radnju, to sve piše gore, no kada Neil oboli i njihovo suočavanje sa bolešću me šokiralo jer sam očekivala ipak laganije štivo, no kako to već biva, taj dio mi je zapravo bila kao jedna žlica vegete. Točno ono što je nedostajalo kako bi cjelu priču približila stvarnosti.
Toliko mi se svidjela knjiga da mi nije smetalo što je on bogataš CEO, što nije čelav sa pivskim trbuhom.....mašala, neka je on meni baš takav kakav je.
Možda bi čak Sophie i oprostila da je netaknuta djevica jer mi se jaaaako svidjela. No, na svu sreću, taj klišej je gore navedena autorica ipak zaobišla....( svaki joj tetovirani mladić dao :P )
I na kraju ću reći da razlika u godinama mi nimalo nije smetala jer kroz njihovu interakciju nisam dobila dojam da je ona nezrela ili prebalava za njega. Poanta priče je da je ona vrlo mlada, a on baš i nije, ali da su stvoreni jedno za drugo ( dobro taj dio je i meni mrljav ali kad je baš dobro napisan.) ili je to moj fetiš na starije .. lol.
Eto, toliko od mene....ne znam zašto me knjiga ovako dojmila jer nije baš toliko spektakularna ali ako me potakla da napišem ovoliko rečenica, ipak ima nešto u njoj.
Kao prvo, ja čitam samo funny i BDSM erotica...ostalo me zapravo ne zanima osim po jakoj preporuci osoba koje su se ustaničile in my book kao osobe čije smjernice obavezno pratim. Posebno izbjegavam mrljave drame i knjige koje me tjeraju da cmoljim...ispravak netočnog navoda - zapravo ne cmoljim ali tu i tamo me zna nešto dirnuti. Ali zapravo da, izbjegavam patnju, jad, čemer i bol ( osim ako nije pleasure/pain kind of a thing).
Stoga ovo sam počela, vidjevši da je BDSM. Iako on je Dom i ona se pronalazi kao sub, to nije centralna priča i to je ono što me oduševilo. Njihov odnos, razgovori i razmišljanja su realni, doduše recimo to ovako, realniji nego što inače čitam u svojem štivu. I mislim da ono što me najviše oduševilo je Sophie koja nema pretjerane reakcije i koja stane i razmisli i čiji unutarnji monolozi su toliko "down to earth", jer je puna razumijevanja, tolerantna, a opet ne da na sebe. Iako se ovdje u priči moglo malo više ući u priču Dom/sub, knjiga je za ciljanu publiku koja već zna kako to funkcionira pa mi nije nedostajalo.
Neil je također odličan lik, kao Dom možda i nije dovoljno strog ali ovo nije club Shadowlands...ovo mi je nekako priča koja se možda i odvija negdje iz zatvorenih vrata.
Ne želim spoilati, ne želim prepričavati radnju, to sve piše gore, no kada Neil oboli i njihovo suočavanje sa bolešću me šokiralo jer sam očekivala ipak laganije štivo, no kako to već biva, taj dio mi je zapravo bila kao jedna žlica vegete. Točno ono što je nedostajalo kako bi cjelu priču približila stvarnosti.
Toliko mi se svidjela knjiga da mi nije smetalo što je on bogataš CEO, što nije čelav sa pivskim trbuhom.....mašala, neka je on meni baš takav kakav je.
Možda bi čak Sophie i oprostila da je netaknuta djevica jer mi se jaaaako svidjela. No, na svu sreću, taj klišej je gore navedena autorica ipak zaobišla....( svaki joj tetovirani mladić dao :P )
I na kraju ću reći da razlika u godinama mi nimalo nije smetala jer kroz njihovu interakciju nisam dobila dojam da je ona nezrela ili prebalava za njega. Poanta priče je da je ona vrlo mlada, a on baš i nije, ali da su stvoreni jedno za drugo ( dobro taj dio je i meni mrljav ali kad je baš dobro napisan.) ili je to moj fetiš na starije .. lol.
Eto, toliko od mene....ne znam zašto me knjiga ovako dojmila jer nije baš toliko spektakularna ali ako me potakla da napišem ovoliko rečenica, ipak ima nešto u njoj.
April 22, 2014
This book picks up where THE BOSS book 1 left off, which ended with cliffhanger over whether
The sex in the book was SMOKIN HOT. There is drama and sadness. I will move on to book 3...however, I recently read that book 4 is not due until next year. Had I known that, I would have waited until all the books are out..
The sex in the book was SMOKIN HOT. There is drama and sadness. I will move on to book 3...however, I recently read that book 4 is not due until next year. Had I known that, I would have waited until all the books are out..
November 2, 2015
I loved this. I don't know why. Not sure what to say about this. I delayed reading this even though I had bought the eBook maybe two years ago. Having read reviews about Neil's cancer, I was afraid to start this. I didn't want to be sad and depressed. I cry so easily that I didn't want to risk being sad and miserable going into a book that featured cancer and an abortion.
But man oh man! What a story! Sure, there was lots of romance, BDSM, and kinkiness. But the cancer part? Wow. Wow. Wow. So real. So raw. So heartbreaking. Made me feel empathy for families with a loved one under going chemotherapy. I appreciated how the author didn't gloss over the hardships, but rather -- bluntly faced them. The emotions revealed were real and raw. The inner thoughts were real and relevant. The pain couldn't be denied.
This was also thought-provoking. What do you do when your lover needs long-term care and you, the partner, have an intact libido? What do you do if you are pro-life but you get pregnant and your partner has cancer and may die? How do you deal with your guilt when you must act contrary to the beliefs you've held forever? How do you live with yourself when your long-held world vision crashes around you? How do you decide how to rebuild? HOW?!?
I think fiction should entertain BUT force you to think. Think about life. Think about death. Just -- think. This audiobook made me think, and that was good.
Biggest tear jerker -- "If you die I'm not going to be consoled by money!"
Excellent read! Good mix of fiction and reality.
5/5 stars. Maybe even 6. Yes. 6.
But man oh man! What a story! Sure, there was lots of romance, BDSM, and kinkiness. But the cancer part? Wow. Wow. Wow. So real. So raw. So heartbreaking. Made me feel empathy for families with a loved one under going chemotherapy. I appreciated how the author didn't gloss over the hardships, but rather -- bluntly faced them. The emotions revealed were real and raw. The inner thoughts were real and relevant. The pain couldn't be denied.
This was also thought-provoking. What do you do when your lover needs long-term care and you, the partner, have an intact libido? What do you do if you are pro-life but you get pregnant and your partner has cancer and may die? How do you deal with your guilt when you must act contrary to the beliefs you've held forever? How do you live with yourself when your long-held world vision crashes around you? How do you decide how to rebuild? HOW?!?
I think fiction should entertain BUT force you to think. Think about life. Think about death. Just -- think. This audiobook made me think, and that was good.
Biggest tear jerker -- "If you die I'm not going to be consoled by money!"
Excellent read! Good mix of fiction and reality.
5/5 stars. Maybe even 6. Yes. 6.
Want to read
April 21, 2016
Book 1 is FREE on Amazon US today (4/21/2016)
http://goo.gl/KbgCo9
Placeholder: Reading asap.
Books in The Boss series should be read in order:
Book 1: The Boss
Book 2: The Girlfriend
Book 2.5: The Hock-Up
Book 3: The Bride
Book 4: The Ex
Book 5: The Baby
March 3, 2015
I am really, really sorry if you liked the first book in this series, The Boss, because you thought it was The Devil Wears Prada mixed with a little light BDSM and a smattering of drama. Because if that's you, I doubt you will even get through the first 10% of this book. S**t got real at the end of The Boss, and The Girlfriend does not let up. At. All. If you aren't capable of reading about the dreaded A-word without condemning a woman forever for doing it (and no, I'm not talking about anal), then turn right around and go back the way you came. This book is not for you.
There's a little bit of something to offend everyone in this book, which is probably one reason I enjoyed it so damn much. Hard-core feminists will object on principle to any sex acts that include the "s" word, In fact, I'm betting the author wrote this when she was in a deliberately perverse mood as a giant Fuck You to the vast majority of romance books out there. I think there's room in the literary world for all kinds, but I also believe in judicious warnings to potential readers: this is not your mother's FSOG.
There's a little bit of something to offend everyone in this book, which is probably one reason I enjoyed it so damn much. Hard-core feminists will object on principle to any sex acts that include the "s" word, In fact, I'm betting the author wrote this when she was in a deliberately perverse mood as a giant Fuck You to the vast majority of romance books out there. I think there's room in the literary world for all kinds, but I also believe in judicious warnings to potential readers: this is not your mother's FSOG.
November 12, 2015
I wasn't sure how to rate The Girlfriend. I'm not sure how it made me feel. Although it was really good, there was just something off about this book.
I loved most of it. The sad and dark parts as well as the happy ones but I didn't enjoy the sex scenes. Most were too much for me and not enjoyable at all considering the situation Neil was in. It was just so dark that I was only worried about that and I couldn't enjoy anything else. The three way or the part where Neil let Sophie get off with someone else made me uncomfortable. I'm not used to that. It was very different from anything I've ever read and I won't lie by saying I read everything: I skipped a few sex scenes. I really love that both protagonists are comfortable with their sexuality, it's something amazing but the last sex scene for example was wayyyy to hardcore for me…
Apart from that, this book was a bit disappointing regarding the reality it gave us. The illness part was very, very, very well written but other parts were not and I was genuinely disappointed. I expected a lot from this book and it didn't meet all my expectations.
Sophie was still as lovely as ever and I got attached to the adorable and blunt Emma and I really look forward to knowing more about her.
I won't say much, I'm too tired to write a longer review. So hopefully, next book will be better.
I loved most of it. The sad and dark parts as well as the happy ones but I didn't enjoy the sex scenes. Most were too much for me and not enjoyable at all considering the situation Neil was in. It was just so dark that I was only worried about that and I couldn't enjoy anything else. The three way or the part where Neil let Sophie get off with someone else made me uncomfortable. I'm not used to that. It was very different from anything I've ever read and I won't lie by saying I read everything: I skipped a few sex scenes. I really love that both protagonists are comfortable with their sexuality, it's something amazing but the last sex scene for example was wayyyy to hardcore for me…
Apart from that, this book was a bit disappointing regarding the reality it gave us. The illness part was very, very, very well written but other parts were not and I was genuinely disappointed. I expected a lot from this book and it didn't meet all my expectations.
Sophie was still as lovely as ever and I got attached to the adorable and blunt Emma and I really look forward to knowing more about her.
I won't say much, I'm too tired to write a longer review. So hopefully, next book will be better.
August 31, 2013
I rated the first book 3 stars (but probably really a 3.5) - whereas this book would actually be a 2.5 star (if we had a half star rating). When I get time I'll have to do a full review on this book. The actual characters I liked, and then I was digging how the story played out (for the most part). BUT then as it progressed further, well yeah, I'm going to have to ponder what I want to say. I felt that while the first book was an excellent bird flip to 50 SOG in every aspect, this book was dipping back into "50 Shades" territory with the writing - but that could just be me, and the fact that I am forever traumatised by overly pointless descriptive writing and brand-name dropping after that piece of shit book series - and unfortunately The Girlfriend" strayed back there, and I just had to dock a 1/2 star (otherwise it would be a 3). Some other aspects I didn't find great either - which I am still pondering and will get to write about when I have more time.
But I've gotta give props to the characters - nice work Abagail/Jen! Full review to come. At some stage. (sheesh, curse this busy life getting in the way of book reviews!!).
But I've gotta give props to the characters - nice work Abagail/Jen! Full review to come. At some stage. (sheesh, curse this busy life getting in the way of book reviews!!).
August 31, 2015
Felizmente tinha este segundo volume para iniciar logo assim que terminei o 1º. o primeiro termina de uma forma que tinha mesmo de agarrar este logo de seguida...e felizmente é já amanha que tenho o terceiro :D
February 22, 2017
The beginning of the book was......
The sex scenes were......
The middle of the book was....
How I felt about Neil's cancer....
How I felt about Sophie.....
The end of the book was....
Venturing to the Book 3....???
The sex scenes were......
The middle of the book was....
How I felt about Neil's cancer....
How I felt about Sophie.....
The end of the book was....
Venturing to the Book 3....???
October 23, 2013
That is it? Really?? Ugh. I haven't done any proper research or not but I truly think this may be the last book in the series. Bummer. There is so much potential in the story to keep it running for at least a few more books.
*Spoiler alerts below (there truly isn't really any way to review this book without them, sorry!)*
Okay, so this book picks up with the idea that Neil has cancer. And, the lovely Sophie has decided to travel to England to be with Neil during his extensive Chemotherapy treatments and the possibility of having a stem cell transplant.
First, I have to say, Abigail Barnette did an incredible job with either her research or first-hand-knowledge of dealing/living/experiences of handling an extensive cancer patient as a loved one. The closest I had, personally, to ever being in this situation was with my mother during her lung cancer and it was pretty damn spot on with how the author described the aftermath of receiving chemotherapy from the emotional and physical toll it takes not only on the actual cancer patient but on their loved ones surrounding them.
However, the beginning of the book, Neil and Sophie agree to some a little more 'aggressive bedroom play', if you will, and it leads the readers to see another side of both characters. The sex is just as hot as the first book, if not hotter. I, personally, struggled a bit with the 'swing' action they both agreed on twice, although the first time was severely minor. I personally am just not in to the whole allowing my partner to fuck someone else while I watch but hey, I'm not going to judge anyone either who participates in that type of lifestyle either. Whatever gets your rocks off, you know?
After Neil and Sophie return from their time spent in Paris, their life drastically changes and the cancer treatments being. And for me, that is when the book well and truly changed. I became so sad with the characters that this time around, instead of having to walk away to take showers to cool off due to the high intensity of the sex scenes (like in the first book), I found myself having to set the book down because I was a blubber fool. I don't know if it was/is because I watched my mother go through the same ordeal and not be able to make it to the light at the end of the tunnel, like Neil was able to do, or if it was just truly good writing...but, I like to think it was a great deal of both. A well-balanced combination of both personal experiences and incredible writing skills.
At the end of the story, it doesn't appear that they get engaged and married off. Although, I really wish they would have. And, it appears that Neil does make it through to the other side. But the book is packed with such raw emotion, it really grips your heart as the reader and makes you just breathless for completely different reasons and just simply say: "Wow!"
I wouldn't say that it is your typical love story. Because, well, it really isn't. They don't end up pregnant and then engaged and married. In fact, they end up pregnant, have an abortion, get word that their cancer is back with a vengeance, decide to move to England from New York to fight the cancer with extensive treatments, deal with the emotional roller coaster of it all, and it ends with both of them coming out a bit stronger in their personal lives as well as their relationship.
If you can handle the raw emotion of 'reality' that being an intimate relationship with a cancer patient will cause, then I suggest you read this book. If you think you can be 'tough' and not get attached, well, I hate to tell you, but you're probably going to be wrong. This book grips your heart and squeezes in so many areas. They hurt in the book, you hurt.
It's a great book and series. I just wish they they would continue the series because I've never truly wanted a couple to in fact, become 'pregnant and married' before than I have with these two. Great job!
*Spoiler alerts below (there truly isn't really any way to review this book without them, sorry!)*
Okay, so this book picks up with the idea that Neil has cancer. And, the lovely Sophie has decided to travel to England to be with Neil during his extensive Chemotherapy treatments and the possibility of having a stem cell transplant.
First, I have to say, Abigail Barnette did an incredible job with either her research or first-hand-knowledge of dealing/living/experiences of handling an extensive cancer patient as a loved one. The closest I had, personally, to ever being in this situation was with my mother during her lung cancer and it was pretty damn spot on with how the author described the aftermath of receiving chemotherapy from the emotional and physical toll it takes not only on the actual cancer patient but on their loved ones surrounding them.
However, the beginning of the book, Neil and Sophie agree to some a little more 'aggressive bedroom play', if you will, and it leads the readers to see another side of both characters. The sex is just as hot as the first book, if not hotter. I, personally, struggled a bit with the 'swing' action they both agreed on twice, although the first time was severely minor. I personally am just not in to the whole allowing my partner to fuck someone else while I watch but hey, I'm not going to judge anyone either who participates in that type of lifestyle either. Whatever gets your rocks off, you know?
After Neil and Sophie return from their time spent in Paris, their life drastically changes and the cancer treatments being. And for me, that is when the book well and truly changed. I became so sad with the characters that this time around, instead of having to walk away to take showers to cool off due to the high intensity of the sex scenes (like in the first book), I found myself having to set the book down because I was a blubber fool. I don't know if it was/is because I watched my mother go through the same ordeal and not be able to make it to the light at the end of the tunnel, like Neil was able to do, or if it was just truly good writing...but, I like to think it was a great deal of both. A well-balanced combination of both personal experiences and incredible writing skills.
At the end of the story, it doesn't appear that they get engaged and married off. Although, I really wish they would have. And, it appears that Neil does make it through to the other side. But the book is packed with such raw emotion, it really grips your heart as the reader and makes you just breathless for completely different reasons and just simply say: "Wow!"
I wouldn't say that it is your typical love story. Because, well, it really isn't. They don't end up pregnant and then engaged and married. In fact, they end up pregnant, have an abortion, get word that their cancer is back with a vengeance, decide to move to England from New York to fight the cancer with extensive treatments, deal with the emotional roller coaster of it all, and it ends with both of them coming out a bit stronger in their personal lives as well as their relationship.
If you can handle the raw emotion of 'reality' that being an intimate relationship with a cancer patient will cause, then I suggest you read this book. If you think you can be 'tough' and not get attached, well, I hate to tell you, but you're probably going to be wrong. This book grips your heart and squeezes in so many areas. They hurt in the book, you hurt.
It's a great book and series. I just wish they they would continue the series because I've never truly wanted a couple to in fact, become 'pregnant and married' before than I have with these two. Great job!
November 3, 2016
Well I didn't enjoy this one as much as The Boss, it had a number of things that I didn't care for.
The first book The Boss ended with a cliffhanger and left a lot of unresolved issues. The Girlfriend starts out with Sophie dealing with unemployment, an unplanned pregnancy and her boyfriend (Neil) facing cancer. So many books that I've read recently have the unplanned pregnancy sub-plot, which I'm not a fan of. This is one of the first books that I've read where the main character decides to terminate the pregnancy. I personally believe in choice for a woman, however I don't really want to read about it in my romance novels. In my opinion there was too much detail about the procedure and aftereffects. The "baby" was mentioned numerous times throughout the book and in every instance it took me out of the story and frankly made me sad. Sophie was supported with her decision by Neil, but it seemed to me that he wanted the baby.
The cancer sub-plot was depressing and exhausting. Poor Neil was so sick throughout the book and hearing about all of his ailments was difficult. Neil came across so much older than 48, he seemed like an old man not the charming sexy character we read about in the first book.
Finally, there is a lot of sex and BDSM. The book is labeled as an erotic romance, so I was expecting sex to be a large part of the story. I didn't feel like there was too much, but there was a very rough sex scene and a ménage encounter. I'm not a huge fan of ménage in romance, but if it's done well it can work. I didn't care for this one since Neil was so sick, it felt like he was only doing it for Sophie.
The reason I'm giving it 3 stars is because the book is well written. The author is obviously talented and I'll check out future books. As far as this series, I believe I'm done. The next story The Hook-Up is supposed to be about Neil hooking up with Emir (the guy in the ménage) for a one on one. I personally like my H & h to be exclusive, a one on one feels like cheating.
The first book The Boss ended with a cliffhanger and left a lot of unresolved issues. The Girlfriend starts out with Sophie dealing with unemployment, an unplanned pregnancy and her boyfriend (Neil) facing cancer. So many books that I've read recently have the unplanned pregnancy sub-plot, which I'm not a fan of. This is one of the first books that I've read where the main character decides to terminate the pregnancy. I personally believe in choice for a woman, however I don't really want to read about it in my romance novels. In my opinion there was too much detail about the procedure and aftereffects. The "baby" was mentioned numerous times throughout the book and in every instance it took me out of the story and frankly made me sad. Sophie was supported with her decision by Neil, but it seemed to me that he wanted the baby.
The cancer sub-plot was depressing and exhausting. Poor Neil was so sick throughout the book and hearing about all of his ailments was difficult. Neil came across so much older than 48, he seemed like an old man not the charming sexy character we read about in the first book.
Finally, there is a lot of sex and BDSM. The book is labeled as an erotic romance, so I was expecting sex to be a large part of the story. I didn't feel like there was too much, but there was a very rough sex scene and a ménage encounter. I'm not a huge fan of ménage in romance, but if it's done well it can work. I didn't care for this one since Neil was so sick, it felt like he was only doing it for Sophie.
The reason I'm giving it 3 stars is because the book is well written. The author is obviously talented and I'll check out future books. As far as this series, I believe I'm done. The next story The Hook-Up is supposed to be about Neil hooking up with Emir (the guy in the ménage) for a one on one. I personally like my H & h to be exclusive, a one on one feels like cheating.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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