Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

But Not For Me

Rate this book
IN LOVE WITH HER BOSSUndistracted by love, brawny construction boss Brad Phillips had worked his way up from street kid to millionaire. Of course, Rachel Wood, his invaluable assistant, had believed in-and secretly loved-Brad from the beginning. But after eight years of a strictly professional relationship, Rachel dared not dream of more.So why, when she requested a leave of absence, believing herself in danger in Dallas, did Brad insist on whisking her to safety-in his home, in his arms, as his “convenient” wife? Had Rachel’s near-disappearance-after nearly a decade-stunned Brad into seeing her as a woman…into believing in love?

214 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 2002

6 people are currently reading
79 people want to read

About the author

Annette Broadrick

216 books42 followers
Annette Broadrick was born on November 26. Her mother read to her until she read to herself. From that time on, books became her closest companions and teachers. She was an only child until the middle of her 16th year when her sister was born.

She married immediately after high school graduation in the middle of her 18th year. Twelve months later she had her first son. She ended up having four sons in seven years. People with children do not need to explain what their life was like for the next 20 years. Those people without children do not want to hear about it. Early on, she became a secretary to supplement the family income. Eventually she became a legal secretary and for 25 years she worked for attorneys in Arizona, Texas, Illinois, and Oregon.

Her love of books followed her throughout her career as a mother and a secretary. By the time her youngest son graduated from high school she decided to write a book of her own. After writing in a spiral notebook for six months, she rented a typewriter and rewrote the book, showed it to a creative writing teacher, who was also a friend, listened to her critique and rewrote her story. Next she showed it to another avid romance reader and carefully listened to her critique. She rewrote her story once again. Next she mailed the manuscript to the Silhouette office in New York. Two months later she received a phone call asking if she'd be willing to do extensive revisions, including cutting one hundred pages. She said yes. This was in January 1984. By the time the book, Circumstantial Evidence, came out in November of that year, she had sold a total of six books.

Since October 1984 Annette has supported herself with her writing. Her career as a published author has also supported her reading habit and in the past five years she has managed to establish a quiet life in the Hill Country of central Texas that soothes as well as stimulates her. She hopes to continue writing the kind of books that readers enjoy.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
19 (15%)
4 stars
37 (30%)
3 stars
46 (38%)
2 stars
14 (11%)
1 star
4 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
Profile Image for Aayesha.
337 reviews119 followers
July 19, 2016
OMG, this book was perfect (yes, this too. It's surprising how many 5 star reads I've been reading lately. THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE. I'M ON A ROLL, BABY. (I just hope I don't jinx the roll now that I'm talking about it))

The heroine was super awesome, she was sensible, hard working, and totally in love with the hero - which, imo, is the best part of a book. As y'all know, I love books where the h falls in love first/h has been in love with the H for aaages.

The H was a bit dense, but totally lovable too. I loved their relationship and the fact the 8-year history played so much into the book, and I actually loved the business part of the story too. It was a great read.
Profile Image for Jenny.
3,159 reviews558 followers
June 1, 2016
Rachel Wood has been in love with her boss since forever. But after eight years of a strictly professional relationship, Rachel believed her dream to be impossible. When Brad proposes a marriage of convenience Rachel is shocked and happy. But Brad doesn't believe in love and he has some trust issues that make married life difficult.

Super sweet story with loving characters and a perfect adorable epilogue. We get to see hero and heroine years later narrating their love story to their three kids. Melted my heart!
Profile Image for Emona.
118 reviews20 followers
August 3, 2016

Firstly, all thanks to the one who reccomended it, because I would have really missed out on something like this!
I usually don't care much for a Vintage Cherish but this one's a real sweet read!

Rachel always loved her boss, Brad, since the first time she laid eyes on him; but supressed her feelings, not wanting to destroy their friendship.
But then, one day, she gets lewd letters from some "secret admirer', and decides that she could do with some time off from her work!

Brad, on the other hand, knows it's impossible without the help of his hardworking assistant
so he offers help in the form of marriage (in that way she can be safe from who's troubling her)!
The first time he kissed her, and he knew, she was just the one for him.

And that's when their journey starts as "together forever".

Rachel was so perfect, kind, sensible, and honourable; Brad really deserved her.
But, I can assure you, it's definitely not a quick read.
Profile Image for In-Wonderland-world.
265 reviews24 followers
April 17, 2022
1,5 🌟
Una historia romántica del cliché jefe - empleada pero .... Mmmm... Cómo explicarlo? No diría que es lento .. pero es algo así como todo muy.. correcto? No sé si es justo esa la palabra.
No hay suficiente emoción, ni pasión . .. es todo tan.. tranquilo? Y el acosador.. uff .. taaaaan patético que daba más risa que miedo.
En este caso tenemos a Rachel y Brad que trabajan juntos durante ocho años pero un día ella aparece con la noticia de que renuncia porque debe dejar la ciudad. Parece que hay un acosador que está continuamente dejándole notas y se pasó la raya metiéndose en su casa.
Brad, con miedo de que ella se vaya, le dice que lo acompañé a un viaje de negocios y buscarían juntos una solución al problema. Y si, señoras y señores, la solución es casarse...
En este momento del libro me quedé con cara de tonta.. no entendía el motivo de la idea ni por qué no contrataban seguridad privada para ella y listo... Y así fue como la historia comienza a desmoronarse....
Profile Image for SassyLeg.
547 reviews
August 28, 2019
Loved it!
A boss-assistant/friends-to-lovers romance that has all the elements for an enjoyable read.
We have a smart but sensitive heroine who's in love with her boss and is actually his "partner" not only in business: she is part of the reason for his success and cares for all the aspects of his life.
The hero is a great character too: a self made man, hardworking and with a "gruff" charm who denies his attraction for his assistant/friend.
Danger puts them together and.... a marriage of convenience happens.
Nothing new but it really pulled my heartstrings - well written.
Profile Image for Emmy.
1,001 reviews168 followers
October 25, 2016
This wasn't bad there were just a few details that brought it down for me a bit. I have no problem with a 30 year old virgin, but in this day, does anyone over the age of 18 not have a pretty extensive idea about sex? Yet Rachel seemed surprised that sex was a big deal. And people seemed to think that the only solution to sex is marriage. It just all seemed very old-fashioned.
Profile Image for ChauDuong.
30 reviews14 followers
March 15, 2019
It started with great potential but went downhill in the end. On the other hand, the epilogue was great.
It might look like there would be some suspense but actually no, there were not.
To be honest, Brad is not my favorite type of hero but it's okay, he's just slow and hot tempered.
I would've been more satisfied if the conflict occurring near the end had had some more depth. I couldn't find myself as forgiving as Rachel. She's a great woman though. Had backbone but kind and sweet.
3.75 stars!
Profile Image for Lesley.
2,442 reviews18 followers
January 20, 2024
A friends to lovers romance in essence. Brad knew that Rachel was out of his class the day he interviewed her, whilst Rachel was half in love with him before she accepted the job. For eight long years she has hidden her love, worked closely with Brad to grow his company and along the way become his best friend. When a stalker frightens Rachel in requesting a leave of absence, Brad terrified of losing her, suggests she move into his secure house as his wife….
This book is one I have read several times as I think it is awesome!
Profile Image for monica.
491 reviews9 followers
May 15, 2017
Matrimonio bajo amanaza

Bueno y entretenido se lee rapidito .aunque esperaba un final más actualizado en eso me desilusionado un poco.en resumen no está mal para pasar un rato agradable.
Profile Image for Nayeli Rubio.
301 reviews3 followers
May 23, 2018
Estuvo entretenido pero no hubo nada digno de mención.
Profile Image for Diedre.
927 reviews10 followers
December 7, 2025
Sweet story about a construction owner and his assistant. Both fell in love with each other but hid it so as not to interfere with their friendship. A little angst at the end. Pretty simple story.
Profile Image for Random Reading.
116 reviews4 followers
February 10, 2017
Encontré este libro por casualidad y me llamo la atención muchísimo el titulo y la sinopsis; como estaba buscando algo que leer decidí empezarlo. La verdad me gusto mucho los personajes, la trama y que es super fácil y rápido de leer, lo leería en unas cuatro horas.

Los protagonistas son personas que creen estar claros en lo que quieren y como deben comportarse para que la relación laboral y la amistad entre ellos siga adelante. Cada uno ha pasado por situaciones que los han llevado a lo son. Es el tipo de historia romántica que me gusta leer donde los protagonistas se dan cuenta que no quieren alejarse del otro y harán su mayor esfuerzo para que el otro no lo haga, llevándolos a situaciones quizás un poco extremas para ellos pero que le permitirán por fin estar juntos.

La trama del libro es concreta y no esta rellena de otras historias para hacerla mas larga. Los personajes secundarios son importantes para la trama pero sin abusar de ellos y el final de la historia me gusto, para mi fue un final perfecto, termino en el momento justo. Me hubiera gustado leer unas cositas y saber como fue la gran boda pero es algo con lo que puedo vivir.

Recomendaría este libro para una lectura rápida, divertida y romántica.
Profile Image for JoAnn.
167 reviews22 followers
October 16, 2011
Quick, enjoyable read. Well told. I hope to read more by this author.

When his fledgling construction company gets to the point that Brad Phillips needs someone to help in the office, he hires recent college graduate Rachel Woods to be his Jill-of-all-trades for his soon-to-be finished office space. He tells her she can take a look at his books and figure out what she should be paid based on what he has left at the end of the month.

Eight years later the business and the office has grown and while they are each attracted to the other, neither has acted on that attraction for fear of ruining the great relationship they have at work. When a stalker forces Rachel to ask for a leave of absence and a client's trophy wife tries to put the moves on Brad, they decide marriage will protect them both.

Profile Image for Esther.
65 reviews5 followers
April 22, 2013
This is a typical Mills and Boon romance. It does what it says on the tin but don't expect anything special. I'm happy to say that at least the main characters in this book were likeable.
Profile Image for Ginabm.
677 reviews
March 9, 2015
Rápido d leer, no es la gran historia pero te entretiene
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.