Dare to Love My Grumpy Boss

Forever Marriage Match #1

by Ellie Hall

All’s fair in love and dares until your besties dare you to find your Forever Marriage Match.

I met the perfect guy aka Mr. Right. Too bad he worked for a rival company on the other side of the country. And saying we’d met is a bit of a stretch. More like we had a string of flirty email exchanges. However, I can’t say no to a dare...or our digital chats.

When our companies merge, thankfully, I don’t lose my job. The remaining (un)lucky employees are sent on a corporate wilderness survival retreat. When the bus leaves me behind with Mr. Wrong, it’s certain disaster until I discover his identity.

No way.

Shaw Dawson worked hard to get to the top. Wronged by business partners and in relationships, he’s cautious about who enters his trust triangle. He’s the kind of guy to play it safe even though he feels a connection to me that’s stronger than Wi-Fi.

Yes way.

Flirting with a guy from another company seems innocent enough until I learn he’s my new (and very grumpy boss), making dating off-limits.

Despite our proximity, distance grows between us. Will he redeem himself and prove that he’s Mr. Right after all?

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Clean Romance, Contemporary Romance, Audiobook, Rom Com, Fiction

226 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 15, 2021

About the author

Ellie Hall is a USA Today bestselling author. If only that meant she could wear a tiara and get away with it. ;) She loves puppies, books, and the ocean. Writing sweet romance with lots of firsts and fizzy feels gives her joy. Oh, and chocolate chip cookies are her fave. Ellie believes in dreaming big, working hard, and lazy Sunday afternoons spent with her family and dog in gratitude for God’s grace.

♥

Newsletter: http://bit.ly/EllieHallNL
Website: http://www.elliehallauthor.com
Facebook: http://www/facebook.com/elliehallauthor
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/elliehallauthor

♥

Series and suggested reading order:

The Only Us Sweet Billionaire Series
•these billionaires have everything, but will they find love...?•

1. Only a Date with a Billionaire
2. Only a Kiss with a Billionaire
3. Only a Night with a Billionaire
4. Only Forever with a Billionaire
5. Only Love with a Billionaire
6. Only Christmas with the Billionaire
7. Only New Year with the Billionaire

♥

The Hawkins Family Clean Romance Series

•five brothers, torn apart and the women who help put them back together...•

1. Second Chance in Hawk Ridge Hollow

2. Finding Forever in Hawk Ridge Hollow

3. Resort Getaway with a Bodyguard

4. Going Home to Hawk Ridge Hollow

5. Christmas in Hawk Ridge Hollow

♥

The Blue Bay Beach Reads Romance Series

•a small-town restaurant, a dating dare, and happily ever afters...•

1. Summer with the Marine

2. Summer with the Rock Star

3. Summer with the Billionaire

4. Summer with the Cowboy

5. Summer with the Carpenter

6. Summer with the Doctor

♥

Ritchie Ranch Clean Cowboy Romance Series

•Cowboy hats & kisses with small-town charm•

1. Rustling the Cowboy’s Heart

2. Lassoing the Cowboy’s Heart

3. Trusting the Cowboy’s Heart

4. Kissing the Christmas Cowboy

5. Loving the Cowboy’s Heart

6. Charming the Cowboy’s Heart

7. Saving the Cowboy’s Heart

8. Wrangling the Cowboy’s Heart

♥

Falling into Happily Ever After Rom Com

• Sweet, heartwarming & uplifting romantic comedy

1. An Unwanted Love Story

2. An Unexpected Love Story

3. An Unlikely Love Story

4. An Accidental Love Story

5. An Impossible Love Story

6. An Unconventional Christmas Love Story

♥

Forever Marriage Match

• Five friends have to find true love or else...romcom

1. Dare to Love My Grumpy Boss

2. Dare to Love the Guy Next Door

3. Dare to Love My Fake Husband

4. Dare to Love the Guy I Hate

5. Dare to Love My Best Friend

♥

Home Sweet Home Small Town Romantic Comedy Series

Mr. & Mrs. Fix-It Find Love

Designing Happily Ever After

The DIY Kissing Project

The True Romance Renovation

Extreme Heart Makeover

Building What's Meant to Be

♥

The Costa Brothers Cozy Christmas Comfort Romance Series

Tommy & Merry and the 12 Days of Christmas

Bruno & Gloria and the 5 Golden Rings

Luca & Ivy and the 4 Calling Birds

Gio & Joy and the 3 French Hens

Paulo & Noella and the 2 Turtle Doves

Nico & Hope and the Partridge in the Pear Tree

♥

The Love List Series

The Swoon List

The Not Love List

The Crush List

The Kiss List

The Naughty or Nice List

♥

Love, Laughs, and Mystery in Coco Key

The Romance Situation

The Romance Fiasco

The Romance Game

The Romance Gambit

The Christmas Romance Wish

♥

On the Hunt for Love

The Grump and the Girl Next Door

The Bitter Heir and the Beauty

The Secret Son and the Sweetheart

The Ex Best Friend and the Fake Fiancé

The Best Friend’s Brother and the Brain

Select titles are available in audiobook, paperback, hardcover, and large print formats. Happy reading!♥

Reviews

[Maven_Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dare to Love My Grumpy Boss by Ellie Hall is a clean, sweet romantic comedy about Cora Albright, a witty tech coder who ends up face to face with Mr. Wrong at the worst possible moment: when her company merges with another, she is paired with Shaw Dawson, the very grumpy man she’s been flirting with anonymously online, only to discover he’s her new boss at a corporate wilderness survival retreat where sparks start as irritation and somehow turn to unexpected warmth.

From the start I could feel the light, playful tone that makes this story feel like chatting with a friend about the most awkward, delightful things that can happen in love and work. Cora’s obsession with food, coding, and her tight-knit group of friends (the Fab Five) gave her a personality that was easy to root for, funny, and genuinely lovable on the page. Shaw initially comes off as classic “grumpy” energy: cautious, guarded, slightly intimidating, and entirely unprepared for how his connection with Cora both online and in person will upend all his safe routines. Their dynamic had me laughing at the missteps, biting my lip at the forced-proximity tension in the jungle retreat, and smiling at those quiet moments where hostility starts to shift into something warmer.

Stepping back, what really stayed with me was how much this book feels like comfort food: it isn’t trying to reinvent the genre, but it does offer a feel-good blend of enemies-to-lovers, miscommunication comedy, and clean romance with genuine affection behind the banter. The plot can feel predictable and the characters a touch cheesy at times (which made parts feel less grounded), but for a cozy escape with lots of playful heart and a satisfying connection between the leads, it delivered exactly what I hoped.

I give Dare to Love My Grumpy Boss 3 out of 5 stars. It made me laugh, it made me root for the leads, and it left me with that comforting warmth you want from a sweet rom-com, even if some bits felt a little over the top or too familiar. If you’re in the mood for an upbeat, clean romance that doesn’t take itself too seriously but celebrates connection, friendship, and charmingly awkward moments, this could be a lovely pick.

[Tiffany (Bluestocking) · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars…An okay read. Started out great but got really boring, ridiculously predictable and cheesey. Characters also became annoying and immature.

Content: Clean, Kissing

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 ☆

[Cindy Davis- Cindy's Book Corner · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
Dare to Love my Grumpy Boss is the first book I have read by Ellie Hall. I loved the cover and couldn't wait to dive into this story. Add to that it was recommended by one of my favorite RomCom authors and I was in!

You know that whoosy, swooping feeling in your stomach when you do something terrible?

This book started out as a five-star read for me. The introduction to Cora is fabulous and I couldn't stop snickering. The descriptions were so vivid and outlandish. We are also introduced to her BFFs and get a feel for each of them.

I look like I have twelve chins, the skin of an ostrich, and hair that got pressed between a waffle iron-total finger-in-light socket cartoon hair.

I loved the hub messages between Cora and Shaw. Their conversations were witty and engaging. The narrator couldn't read fast enough for me. You could feel the chemistry coming off the pages.

But then...a whole trip to the Amazon, they meet (which I am glad they did), finally realizing who each other is and it was great. Until one of my biggest pet peeves: a miscommunication. Instead of talking about it, an assumption is made and then things fall apart for a while. The longer it went on the more it got on my nerves. A lot could have been avoided by one very simple conversation.

I loved Ellie Hall's writing and the story flows well. This is a quick read and will have you laughing, rolling your eyes, and arguing with Cora. Fans of Emma St. Clair, Bethany Turner, and Kate O'Keeffe will enjoy this one.

[ReadingInThe6ix · Rating 2 out of 5]

This started at 5 stars…absolutely loved the first third of this. And then it went way off the rails. The whole trip to the Amazon has to be taken a little lightly since it’s so unbelievable. But to say they face life or death, that this is how the owners choose who keeps their job (what does camping have to do with tech?)…was soooo unbelievably stupid. To top it off, the main characters could have easily avoided any and all conflict if the h didn’t jump to the wrong conclusions and just TALK to Shaw. The miscommunication was just so over the top for no reason.

So sad - I’ll definitely try the author again though, because there was such promise in the beginning.

[Vibliophile · Rating 4 out of 5]

(3.5 to 4 stars) - pancakes & waffles

This is a difficult book to rate because I liked the characters & the writing. The dialogue & events in the book were frequently amusing. But I have to admit that I struggled with staying immersed in the book several times because of the implausibilities in the storyline.

If you're willing to let some rather major points in an improbable plot go, you'll enjoy this. Though, frankly, I'm usually one to pass on those, and I found it pretty entertaining despite that - about on par with a good made-for-tv movie

*Romance level: passionate kisses, nothing graphic

[Tasha (the_clean_read_book_club) · Rating 4 out of 5]

You want laugh out loud? Ellie Hall delivers on laugh out loud. This is my first from this author and I can’t wait to see what else she has written. This book had so many fun elements. Almost like a part 1 and part 2. Part 1 = Amazon trip of death. Part 2 = Urban Jungle, winner takes all.

Here. For. It.

I loved the banter these two main characters have and the nerd talk. My degree is in “computer speak” so it made me feel right at home. If you’re looking for an entertaining read to escape reality for a few hours, check this one out!

Thanks to the author for the copy. All thoughts in this review are my own.

[Alix · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shaw dawson needed a reality check after being hung up on a redhead when Cora should of been his.
The grumpy x sunshine trope I love it
"Anything he can do, I can do feta."

Excuse me THE END??? WHAT THE ACTUAL HELL
I mean I should of expected it with the other book in this series I hope it's not the same in all the books. I really can't wait to read her other books but need to cry like how I did with dare to love a guy I hate.

[Parkland Mom]

DNF’d - These are women of marrying age and it felt like a group of girls in grade 9. The narrator contributed to that with the airy tone. I had to speed it up to 1.2 because it was so slow but it didn’t help. Sorry but this isn’t for me.

[Cheri · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has somelaugh out loud scenes.It became a little too "cheesy"for me.

[Barbara Campbell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable story, but not one that gripped me. It was really more just a nice way to pass sometime.

[Cassie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh - I don't want to finish the series, which is rare for me. I gave it 2 stars because I did "finish" it, but the last 45% was skimming.

The story is okay, it was predictable* - which romance is, in essence predictable - but not in a good way. The characters felt really flat and I really did not care if they worked it out and ended up together.

My other is issue is the complete and utter suspension of reality. spoilers: 1. employees would not go missing in the Amazon without being noticed and successful CEOs would not respond in the way written if they did. 2. no group of friends would agree to be in the wedding of a girl they hated 3. and from the sneak at book 2: no one steals a person's clothes from a locker room but leaves ALL.THE.VALUABLE items behind. And said victim would not WALK PUBLIC HALLWAYS naked!!! Do you have a phone?
The one thing that took me by surprise was when the Shaw figured out Cora was the unknown girl he had been texting, he told her. Most tropes would keep it a secret until the climax. So, kudos for not doing that.

I read romance for the sappy gauranteed HEA and accept that there will be some things that are "not typical" for ordinary life. But this book just went over the top.

[Tricia Anson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a reread for me, via audio this time! Lorana Hoopes is a great narrator and she did so good handling both POVs.

This is the start to a fun series that chronicles a group of five best friends as they find love as they fulfill a pact they made in high school. It’s got laughs, swoon, and even a bit of adventure!

Things I Loved:
-The Fab Five
-The Forever Marriage Match
-@CookClickChick & @PacManWizard and all their chats
-Stranded in the Amazon
-Webster & Gorgon-zilla
-That Kiss!
-Banter when back in the office
-Gastro-itchinillitis 😂
-The ending 💗

I loved how the story starts with anonymous online DMs in a work forum and then they get thrown together in real life without knowing it! This is a fun read with a sweet and swoony ending.

[Berly · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a cute, clean RomCom. I listened to this and my mind did seem to wander at times. At first I would go back to catch up. Toward the end, I just figured I didn't miss much. This was my first book by the author. I probably won't listen to this one again, but I will probably listen to more in this series.

[Chloe · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5 ⭐

Honestly I feel like this book was written back to front. Shaw wasn't her boss up until the last third of the book which is was also only then becoming grumpy.

The first half was a different plot in itself.

I just wasn't feeling it at all.

[Deana · Rating 1 out of 5]

Alright here we go.

The Tech Aspect.
When the author began the book by explaining she wasn't very tech savvy and there were likely going to be mistakes in this book, I didn't really mind. Technology can be hard to navigate and it's fine. What I wasn't expecting was for this entire book to make me want to cry by how forced all the online interactions were. The constant explaining of acronyms and text-lingo, the writing out of the entire username with the @ in front of it every single time a character thought of each others online persona, just everything made me cringe. I sincerely hope no one actually talks like this or I will be throwing hands. I'm not even kidding if I see someone say the @ out loud and then explain to me what BRB means and why it's so cute and quirky to say it out loud, it's on sight. I'm sure the characters had *some* semblance of chemistry, but I just couldn't pay any attention to it because of how forced all of their interactions were. The fact that "I chuckle. BRB is short for be right back. She's so cute. So funny. We use shorthand all the time." is an ACTUAL QUOTE from this book honestly has me questioning whether or not this was a fever dream, a question that is not helped by the fact that I was sick when I read this. Also I have never seen the acronym M4C in my ENTIRE life and I hope I never have to. My advice is this: If you're this bad at understanding online relationships and tech, just don't write a book about it. Leave it alone. Please.... for my sanity.....

The Relationships.
Another thing that annoyed me was the chemistry between the characters Cora and Shaw, or the lack thereof. Every text message they sent made me wonder if they were being held captive and forced to send a message to each other. I'm serious. Cora, honey, blink if you're under duress. The best part of their interactions were the cheese puns, which were actually the only saving grace in this entire book. And even they were overdone. Anyways, one major thing that annoyed me about the book was that as SOON as Shaw and Cora see each other, they're literally just already attracted to each other????? Please explain to me why insta-love had to be a part of this too. Not only that, but they just continue fighting until Shaw finds out that Cora is actually, surprise surprise because no one saw this coming, CookClickChick. He immediately does a personality 180 and just starts making out with her. SOMEONE EXPLAIN THE LOGIC TO ME. He's literally just straight up bullying her for not being a survivalist, you know because everyone who works in tech knows how to navigate the Amazon, and then suddenly just decides "Oh you're the girl I was talking to online? Nice wanna date?". Cora how could you accept this. Then we have the major bump in their relationship, which is when Cora sees him hug one (1) girl and instantly decides "Oh he's dating someone else" and throws a temper tantrum. I haven't seen this level of miscommunication since the anime GAMERS. Except the difference is that miscommunication is actually funny. Also I don't understand why this is called Dare to Love my Grumpy Boss when he was literally just her boss in like the last 10 chapters. But that's just semantics.

Shaw Dawson.
Yes I dedicated an entire section to this man, because why not. Shaw Dawson starts out just a mess, probably because he's a bootleg Shane Dawson. He has some of the cringiest lines honestly. Most of the annoying mansplaining of tech lingo comes from him, and surprise surprise he can even be misogynistic. He literally just saw Cora show up in the Amazon and thought "She probably only packed her phone, lip gloss, and maybe a hair brush.". Idk man sounds pretty sexist to me. Anyways, just basically could not take Shaw seriously. Also every time Cora says something in shorthand IRL, he makes a big deal out of it??? I don't know how to explain it to the characters in this book but literally EVERYONE uses acronyms you ain't special. No matter the gender of the character explaining text lingo to me, it just exuded mansplain energy.

That brings us to the end of this absolute mess!! To summarise, the character interactions were forced, the text lingo abused, and I wanted to cry every time anyone actually talked about technology. I understand it's not the author's fault, she did give a disclaimer that she's not used to technology, but like if you can't even write believable tech exchanges, please just don't. It'll make me cry and I'm already tired.

[Jennifer Lara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dare to Love My Grumpy Boss by Ellie Hall is the first book in the Forever Marriage Match series. Cora Albright has found her perfect guy, Mr Right, if you will. However, she doesn’t know his real name. They met online and exchanged rather nerdy, flirty messages and it was leading to possibly meeting in real life? Before she can think about it, Cora learns her company is merging with another and the two companies are hosting a wilderness survival retreat. A series of events, she is left behind with Shaw Dawson, Mr Wrong. Shaw had worked his way to the top and after a series of betrayal, he found it hard to trust. As the merger goes through, Cora learns that Shaw is now her boss. Mr Grumpy and Ms Sunshine learn that they met before, not just in real life. Can Mr Wrong become Mr Right?
Dare to Love My Grumpy Boss is a sweet, fun, clean romance. It was a quick read. Cora and Shaw were fun as people and together as a couple. They were sweet, flirty with a bit of sarcasm and nerdiness that I appreciate and relate to. The story also gave me You’ve Got Mail vibes with the fun and flirty messages between Cora and Shaw. I loved Cora’s friends who will probably have their own romances in this series, which I look forward to reading. There were a lot of laugh out loud moments. Warning though! Do not read while hungry. Cora is a foodie and she discusses food a lot and it was making me hungry. This story is a great quick romance to read during a lazy afternoon. If you want fun, sweet, clean romance, I highly recommend Dare to Love My Grumpy Boss.

Dare to Love My Grumpy Boss is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

[Elizabeth S · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tried to be too many things and epically failed at several of them.

This is an expansion of a short story written by the author called "Stuck With Mr. Right" in the anthology Love under Lockdown: Heart-stirring Sweet Romance Isolationship stories. The short story was good, I gave it 4 stars when I read the anthology. So the author takes this story, inconsistently updates some of the tech and adds some wacko computer stuff (e.g. unbreakable security systems, kill codes that only ONE PERSON knows...). Then, the author adds a whole story at the beginning of 5 friends meeting up and remembering an old pact to marry the next guy they date. (This is obviously the over-arcing story line for the series.) And then, the author adds a chunk of chapters at the end that feels like a redo of the original short-story ending. (Which it is.) The sad result is a book with a story hopping all over the place, with characters who "grew up" on pac-man also graduating from high school in '12, and with atrocious tech.

Because that original short story was 4 stars, I'll round up to 2 stars for the book. Expanding it to a book should have been soooo good.

[Shauna Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

An unexpected twist in romance
This is a fun unexpected twist to the typical light romance that will have you laughing, shaking your head and thoroughly enjoying yourself. Cora is a computer programmer and an avid cook, running her own food blog. But frequently her job gets in the way of her cooking and between the two she has little time for socializing. When a wedding of a high school frenemy brings her and her girlfriends together, they are reminded of their pact to get married before their high school reunion happening in one year. Unfortunately, Cora’s only male interaction outside of work is with @PacManWizard, on an app where programmers can ask questions of the group and no one knows the others’ identities. Shaw, @PacManWizard, is also a programmer without time for relationships but he enjoys his interactions with @CookClickChick, Cora. Little did they know that their companies were preparing to merge and they would be thrown together, as complete strangers, to compete for their job while in the Amazon Rainforest. This book is a fun and interesting twist to the enemies to lovers genre and completely enjoyable. I really enjoyed it. . I received an early copy and this is my honest review.

[Maria Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

As fluff romance I enjoyed this story. Fluff romance, to me, gets a lot more leeway in things being seriously realistic. It is more about feel-good and giving enjoyment. So with that in mind I really enjoyed the read. But if I tried to look at it in light of a more serious romance, I'd say its one big flaw is taking a business to a survival trip in the Amazon and leaving pairs unsupervised, with no guide etc... It is a HUGE lawsuit waiting to happen and I'd like to think that management would be able to see the potential danger. Even thinking in terms of fluff romance I had a bit of an issue with this. But in terms of enjoyment, the book was still a win for me.
Going back to the lawsuit idea, I think that would have LOVED seeing that happen or least knowing that it was going to happen. The bosses were such jerks and I'd have loved to see them set down a peg that way.
I enjoyed the banter between Cora and Shaw and thought they were pretty cute together. I enjoyed their nerdiness. I loved that Shaw purposely worked to help her long term. I'm looking forward to the next Forever marriage Match.

No sex, language or violence

[Marie Bourgery · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read a shorter version of this story in a book collection. The crazy team building trip had lawsuit written all over it especially when Shaw and Cora are left behind to fend for themselves and no one goes back to look for them. She really should have read the packing list because this wasn't a stay at a tropical resort vacation. There were the same corny and funny programming jokes that I didn't always get not being a coder. But I liked that the story was expanded on and involved her friends and a pact. I don't think they should stick to the part about working for the awful self serving frenemy, but I can see where it would give them the push to find someone. I loved that is Cora creative with food and has a blog about it. She was making me hungry talking about it. I laughed about the restaurant Shaw loves because I like a similar once, but I have no desire to explore a real rain forest.

[Richard Goodrum · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great enemy to lover's romance. Cora Albright starts the story as a bridesmaid for her frenemy, Miranda. She and the rest of her Fab Five, one of whom reminds them of the pact they made during their youth: marry the next man they date or go to work for Miranda. But she already has a crush for an online connection, @PacManWizard.

Shaw Dawson has a crush on his online connection as well: @CookClickChick. As fate would have it their companies merged. As a result, the new leadership sends many of the employees on an Amazonian Retreat to build bonds.

Paired with each other, Cora learns that Shaw is a rather grumpy person until he learns her online identity. A wonderful story that captivated my attention. I hope that you enjoy it as much as I did.

Easy-to-read. Entertaining. Funny. Happily Ever After. Page-turner. Romantic. Twisted. Unpredictable. Whimsical. Wonderful characters.

I received a review copy of this book from a third party. This is my honest review.

[Tracey Rommel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cora finds the perfect man on an online app. They don’t know each other’s name but communicate online for months. Until, they both have to go to the Amazon for a retreat because their companies are merging. Little do they know they are partnered together because who ever on each team wins gets to keep their jobs. Cora and Shaw start off not liking but each other as they are stranded in the Amazon and have to find their way back to the hotel. Shaw starts to think that Cora is the woman he has been communicating with as she talks about the same thing that his online person talks about. When he tells her Cora is shocked but they realize they are the same people. Cora is shocked because Shaw isn’t the same sweet man that she communicated with. But, they start to fall for each other until she sees Shaw hugging someone else. Will they be able to work things out.

[Michele Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This first book in this new series is about Cora and Shaw, I love them. This was such a fun read and their chemistry was spot on for tech people. Cora and her 4 friends are going to their best frenemies wedding and a pact is made about getting married in a certain amount of time. Cora is a coder at a tech company whose real passion is cooking and blogging about it and sharing recipes. She begins chatting with Shaw through the HUB. Their 2 companies merge and they are paired up to survive in the Amazon not knowing that they are who they’ve been chatting with. The realization is spot on and so is their relationship. This was such a fun book and I look forward to the next one!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[lf · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay but not really for me

Dare to Love My Grumpy Boss is the first book in the Forever Marriage Match series. I have read several RomCom books by Ellie Hall and enjoyed them. So picking this book up and then starting to read it I was a bit confused. The story-line and details are very far-fetched and way unrealistic or just cookie cutter. I did think the story had good potential and "bones", along with very likeable characters. But overall it was disappointing and just an okay read.

I received a copy of this book and am leaving my honest review. My opinions are all my own and I know that other readers will love this book. I am still going to read the next book in this series as maybe it was just a case of this story just not being for me.

[Marilee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a cute story!!

Shaw and Cora are computer techs who have been exchanging anonymous messages online for months. When their companies merge and they come face to face at a corporate retreat, sparks fly after they are left behind together in the jungle. Slightly implausible but hilarious nonetheless!

There were so many cute moments. Loved the main characters and their chemistry together was fantastic! It was tricky at first to keep track of who-is-who in Cora's group of friends, but now I am curious about their stories and need to check out the rest of the series. 4.5 for this fun series starter!

I received a complimentary copy of the book but a positive review was not required.

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shaawn has a frenemy connection with a client, who is really demanding. But she loves working with him, as things are never boring. When her company is is merged with another one, she is sent to a corporate retreat, where she and the man assigned as her partner are left behind to survive in the Amazon Basin.
A fairly crazy story, not really believable , but it brings the two together where they realise, that they know eachother from countless phone calls and text messages. From there it seems, no more worries on the romantic sky.
Fun to read, but a little kitschy.
Still, good entertainment, when you just want to relax.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're looking for a cute contemporary romance with some You've Got Mail vibes and a "stranded in the Amazon" experience, look no further than this story by Ellie Hall. This is my first book by this author and I thought it was really sweet and fun. Shaw and Cora are both super smart tech gurus. Online they are secretly falling in love, but when their companies merge and send them on a team building survival trip, their initial meeting is less than stellar. They soon figure out who the other really is and those online sparks become real life chemistry. A clean romance with some fun romantic comedy, this book was an enjoyable read and I am definitely curious as to Cora's friends and their stories.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Laura Fincher · Rating 4 out of 5]

"At work, I'm alpha. In charge and in control. With her, I'm cookie dough in her hands. Bread dough. Whatever she wants, it's hers. I'm hers."

I received this book as part of an Instagram giveaway and I'm so glad I picked it! It had all the elements of the perfect romantic comedy in a unique setting. Cora & Shaw's moments in the Amazon were some of my favorite parts of the book. Who knew a night stuck in the jungle could be so romantic?

With the world being so heavy and intense right now, this is the perfect book to snuggle in with on a Saturday night. I had so much fun reading it!

4/5 stars

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

DARE TO LOVE MY GRUMPY BOSS
(Audiobook)

♥️:👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

This one made me laugh out loud several times. I mean, a team building Amazon trip of death with your coworkers? I’m here for it. 😂 Cora has a crush on a guy she’s never met in real life, but they talk online. When her company merges with another, she meets Shaw and instantly dislikes him.. only to find out that he is Mr. Perfect from online. Insert the Amazon Rainforest and the story takes off from there. One thing that I didn’t love was the title. It was confusing.. because Shaw isn’t her “boss” until the very end of the book. Totally a minor thing though!

Read if you like:
-closed door rom com
-witty banter
-forced proximity