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The Takeover
9 hours, 30 minutes
Sometimes, when you ask the universe for your soulmate, you wind up with your hate mate instead.
On Nami's 30th birthday, she’s reminded at every turn that her life isn’t what she planned. She’s always excelled at everything – until now. Her fiancé blew up their engagement. Her pride and joy, the tech company she helped to found, is about to lose funding. And her sister, Sora, is getting married to the man of her dreams, Jack, and instead of being happy for her, as she knows she ought to be, she’s fighting off jealousy.
Frustrated with her life, she makes a wish on a birthday candle to find her soulmate. Instead, the universe delivers her hate mate, Nami’s old high school nemesis, Jae Lee, the most popular kid from high school, who also narrowly beat her out for valedictorian. More than a decade later, Jae is still as effortlessly cool, charming, and stylish as ever, and, to make matters worse, is planning a hostile take-over of her start-up. sharp elbows and even sharper banter as the two go head-to-head to see who’ll win this time. But when their rivalry ignites a different kind of passion, Nami starts to realize that it's not just her company that's in danger of being taken over, but her heart as well.
Sometimes, when you ask the universe for your soulmate, you wind up with your hate mate instead.
On Nami's 30th birthday, she’s reminded at every turn that her life isn’t what she planned. She’s always excelled at everything – until now. Her fiancé blew up their engagement. Her pride and joy, the tech company she helped to found, is about to lose funding. And her sister, Sora, is getting married to the man of her dreams, Jack, and instead of being happy for her, as she knows she ought to be, she’s fighting off jealousy.
Frustrated with her life, she makes a wish on a birthday candle to find her soulmate. Instead, the universe delivers her hate mate, Nami’s old high school nemesis, Jae Lee, the most popular kid from high school, who also narrowly beat her out for valedictorian. More than a decade later, Jae is still as effortlessly cool, charming, and stylish as ever, and, to make matters worse, is planning a hostile take-over of her start-up. sharp elbows and even sharper banter as the two go head-to-head to see who’ll win this time. But when their rivalry ignites a different kind of passion, Nami starts to realize that it's not just her company that's in danger of being taken over, but her heart as well.
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First published January 30, 2024
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About the author
Cara Tanamachi
7 books220 followersCara Tanamachi is an award-winning USA Today bestselling author who writes under two names, Cara Tanamachi and Cara Lockwood. She's a romance author, breast cancer survivor, women's health advocate and editor who lives in Chicagoland with her husband and their blended family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 882 reviews
January 14, 2024
Unputdownable, addictive romance alert! As an avid enthusiast of the enemies-to-lovers trope, this book checked all the boxes and then some, surpassing my expectations by earning a resounding five stars — a rating filled with the essence of hellishly spicy ramen, mischief, immaturity, and yet, a captivatingly competitive sense of humor that kept me thoroughly entertained!
Can you fathom the sensation of approaching your 30th birthday, only to find the company you've painstakingly built with your sweat, blood, and sacrifices slowly slipping from your grasp? Picture celebrating your milestone amidst a gathering of elders, mustering a fake smile to conceal the inner turmoil, all in an effort to shield your mother from disappointment, despite the tears that threaten to breach. Nami, the unfortunate protagonist, finds herself mired in this predicament.
After a mortifying incident involving her ex-fiancé, who cheated on her with a dancer at his bachelor party, an episode that goes viral, Nami channels her energy into her career, an attempt to mend her broken heart. Yet, it appears her precious creation is on the verge of being devoured by corporate sharks, and she's powerless to prevent it. To make matters more intriguing, cryptic messages from an unexpected sender start to arrive — none other than her high school arch-nemesis, Jae, emerges from the shadows, suggesting an impending reunion. This complex turn of events leaves her emotionally entangled, as her cyberstalking escapades reveal a transformation in Jae: from a familiar face into a wealthy, seemingly villainous millionaire with a physique that could grace a sweatsuit catalog.
Focusing on her future and harboring a desire for happiness akin to her sister Sona and her fiancé Jack, Nami fervently wishes for her soulmate to cross her path. Yet, fate throws an unexpected curveball, steering her towards the very person she detests. Jae, who represents Rainforest — a company infamous for its questionable treatment of employees, ruthless company takeovers, and a power-hungry drive that renders it an industry monolith — embodies all she opposes. Her company's potential assimilation into this malevolent entity is unacceptable, and she refuses to let her arch-nemesis claim victory again. Aided by Dell, one of her partners obsessed with his Weiner Swivel Office Chair, Nami sets out to halt the impending takeover. The arrival of Marcellus, a fashion icon entwined with a brilliant mathematical mind, adds a layer of complexity. But as Nami and Jae lock horns, they realize their rivalry sparks an undeniable attraction. The heated challenges they embark upon — from consuming the spiciest ramen to downing the strongest ABV beers, displaying dance prowess, and even tennis matches — serve as a backdrop for the burgeoning chemistry that envelops them. Unbeknownst to Nami, the stakes are elevated: not only could she lose her company, but she might also surrender her heart to the very nemesis she finds herself inexplicably falling for.
This is undeniably a delightful read, brimming with a diverse array of characters, set in a captivating office environment. The narrative even provides a tongue-in-cheek critique of corporate giants like Amazon and the detrimental consequences of unchecked company takeovers. Yet, the pièce de résistance is the sizzling, palpable chemistry shared between Jae and Nami — it stole the spotlight of the book. I wholeheartedly recommend this novel to fellow enthusiasts of the genre and anyone seeking a respite from the harsh realities of life, aiming to infuse a touch of joy into their existence.
A heartfelt thank you extends to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/St. Martin’s Griffin for generously providing me with the opportunity to engage with this captivating book, through a digital review copy, in exchange for my candid insights.
If you’re interested in reading my extended book reviews, movie critiques, and hilarious astrology articles, be sure to check out my Medium account using the link below:
medium.com
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Can you fathom the sensation of approaching your 30th birthday, only to find the company you've painstakingly built with your sweat, blood, and sacrifices slowly slipping from your grasp? Picture celebrating your milestone amidst a gathering of elders, mustering a fake smile to conceal the inner turmoil, all in an effort to shield your mother from disappointment, despite the tears that threaten to breach. Nami, the unfortunate protagonist, finds herself mired in this predicament.
After a mortifying incident involving her ex-fiancé, who cheated on her with a dancer at his bachelor party, an episode that goes viral, Nami channels her energy into her career, an attempt to mend her broken heart. Yet, it appears her precious creation is on the verge of being devoured by corporate sharks, and she's powerless to prevent it. To make matters more intriguing, cryptic messages from an unexpected sender start to arrive — none other than her high school arch-nemesis, Jae, emerges from the shadows, suggesting an impending reunion. This complex turn of events leaves her emotionally entangled, as her cyberstalking escapades reveal a transformation in Jae: from a familiar face into a wealthy, seemingly villainous millionaire with a physique that could grace a sweatsuit catalog.
Focusing on her future and harboring a desire for happiness akin to her sister Sona and her fiancé Jack, Nami fervently wishes for her soulmate to cross her path. Yet, fate throws an unexpected curveball, steering her towards the very person she detests. Jae, who represents Rainforest — a company infamous for its questionable treatment of employees, ruthless company takeovers, and a power-hungry drive that renders it an industry monolith — embodies all she opposes. Her company's potential assimilation into this malevolent entity is unacceptable, and she refuses to let her arch-nemesis claim victory again. Aided by Dell, one of her partners obsessed with his Weiner Swivel Office Chair, Nami sets out to halt the impending takeover. The arrival of Marcellus, a fashion icon entwined with a brilliant mathematical mind, adds a layer of complexity. But as Nami and Jae lock horns, they realize their rivalry sparks an undeniable attraction. The heated challenges they embark upon — from consuming the spiciest ramen to downing the strongest ABV beers, displaying dance prowess, and even tennis matches — serve as a backdrop for the burgeoning chemistry that envelops them. Unbeknownst to Nami, the stakes are elevated: not only could she lose her company, but she might also surrender her heart to the very nemesis she finds herself inexplicably falling for.
This is undeniably a delightful read, brimming with a diverse array of characters, set in a captivating office environment. The narrative even provides a tongue-in-cheek critique of corporate giants like Amazon and the detrimental consequences of unchecked company takeovers. Yet, the pièce de résistance is the sizzling, palpable chemistry shared between Jae and Nami — it stole the spotlight of the book. I wholeheartedly recommend this novel to fellow enthusiasts of the genre and anyone seeking a respite from the harsh realities of life, aiming to infuse a touch of joy into their existence.
A heartfelt thank you extends to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/St. Martin’s Griffin for generously providing me with the opportunity to engage with this captivating book, through a digital review copy, in exchange for my candid insights.
If you’re interested in reading my extended book reviews, movie critiques, and hilarious astrology articles, be sure to check out my Medium account using the link below:
medium.com
February 4, 2025
The real purpose of The Takeover is to show that “Bezoff vs. Musk” is an incorrect poll. They're both evil, they both only care about themselves and their money, and they both will rote in hell one day - although, my response about who's the most evil would be Musk, and not only for what he did to Twitter.
Nami and Jae are a perfect fit, the side characters are immaculate in their roles, the story evolves without drawbacks and it's full of interesting tech stuff - even if I still don't know what an NFT is.
But, in the small picture, it misses the spark.
At first, she's too repetitive: how much Toggle means to her, how much her employees are family to her, how hot is Chicago in the summer, how she had to always be the villain in her family because her sister wouldn't stand up for herself.
And then, fifty pages left, everything works out: he broke her heart but they talk about it and “fix” it, her sister makes up with her mom and the latter apologises to her daughters, and the company is saved by a miracle. They all get to have their happily ever after, forgetting the ugly truths about Nami’s past with her parents and every time her sister let her down, or about Jae’s father and the disapproval about being the eldest son but not getting married first, or also about what he’s gonna do now.
In the end, it's a cute and fun story about two former high school nemesis who realize they might be perfect for each other, after reconnecting for the wrong reason.
↠ 3 stars
Thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley, who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.
Nami and Jae are a perfect fit, the side characters are immaculate in their roles, the story evolves without drawbacks and it's full of interesting tech stuff - even if I still don't know what an NFT is.
But, in the small picture, it misses the spark.
At first, she's too repetitive: how much Toggle means to her, how much her employees are family to her, how hot is Chicago in the summer, how she had to always be the villain in her family because her sister wouldn't stand up for herself.
And then, fifty pages left, everything works out: he broke her heart but they talk about it and “fix” it, her sister makes up with her mom and the latter apologises to her daughters, and the company is saved by a miracle. They all get to have their happily ever after, forgetting the ugly truths about Nami’s past with her parents and every time her sister let her down, or about Jae’s father and the disapproval about being the eldest son but not getting married first, or also about what he’s gonna do now.
In the end, it's a cute and fun story about two former high school nemesis who realize they might be perfect for each other, after reconnecting for the wrong reason.
↠ 3 stars
Thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley, who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.
January 17, 2024
3.5 Stars
A quick and fun read
If you're in the mood for a lighthearted book featuring the enemies-to-lovers trope, then this is for you. The witty banter between the two main characters was entertaining, and the ramen scene was an absolute riot.
***Thank you to NetGalley, Cara Tanamachi, and RB Media for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***
A quick and fun read
If you're in the mood for a lighthearted book featuring the enemies-to-lovers trope, then this is for you. The witty banter between the two main characters was entertaining, and the ramen scene was an absolute riot.
***Thank you to NetGalley, Cara Tanamachi, and RB Media for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***
January 28, 2024
Imagine a 30 year old man and woman still grumbling about ”competitions” they had in high school.
Center of the storyline? h’s place of work.
What the h actually did there? No idea.
The narrator for Nami sounded like a robot reading from a script and the narrator for Jae did a slightly better job.
Jae:
Greedy. Stuck up. Refers to himself as a wolf, someone who eats the pigs(work reference). Works high up in a company with bad conditions for their workers and he does not care about them, he just wants to earn as much money as possible.
Nami:
A pick me bragging about what a great boss and person she is. Wines about how the H had it easy growing up because he was rich. Yes, we all have different circumstances in life, deal with it. ”I’m better than you because I didn’t grow up with money” attitude. Judgemental. No way could this woman run a company. And nothing she ever said would make me belive otherwise.
Nami & Jae
Great banter. Started acting like a couple out of nowhere after they slept together once. From 0-100 so abruptly. Some funny moments.
A quick listen. Well paced.
The third act break up was so stupid. Everything about it was ridiculous and annoying. Solution to THE problem was also a let down. The last 15% of the book ruined everything for me.
And the H’s dad was a bitch.
I guess two ugly souls would be soulmates.
I received an eARC of this book. All opinions here are my own.
2.5 stars
Center of the storyline? h’s place of work.
What the h actually did there? No idea.
The narrator for Nami sounded like a robot reading from a script and the narrator for Jae did a slightly better job.
Jae:
Greedy. Stuck up. Refers to himself as a wolf, someone who eats the pigs(work reference). Works high up in a company with bad conditions for their workers and he does not care about them, he just wants to earn as much money as possible.
Nami:
A pick me bragging about what a great boss and person she is. Wines about how the H had it easy growing up because he was rich. Yes, we all have different circumstances in life, deal with it. ”I’m better than you because I didn’t grow up with money” attitude. Judgemental. No way could this woman run a company. And nothing she ever said would make me belive otherwise.
Nami & Jae
Great banter. Started acting like a couple out of nowhere after they slept together once. From 0-100 so abruptly. Some funny moments.
A quick listen. Well paced.
The third act break up was so stupid. Everything about it was ridiculous and annoying. Solution to THE problem was also a let down. The last 15% of the book ruined everything for me.
And the H’s dad was a bitch.
I guess two ugly souls would be soulmates.
I received an eARC of this book. All opinions here are my own.
2.5 stars
January 23, 2024
Nami just turn 30 and instead of celebrating she’s reminded her life isn’t what she planned. Her pride and joy, the tech company she’s helped fund, is about to lose funding.
Rather than get her birthday wish, the universe delivers her Jae, her high school nemesis. Jae and her competed for everything, and he won. Now, Jae works for a big tech company known for gutting businesses, and they’ve offered to buy Nami’s company.
When their rivalry picks right back up from where it was left a decade ago, it seems that it might have ignited a different kind of passion.
This was the rom-com I needed in my life! As a tech worker, I love reading about books set in tech, and this one was so much fun!
The rivals to lover’s trope is one of my favorites when done well, and in this case it was done fantastically! What made it work for me was all the back story, so we really had an idea how deep the rivalry between these two characters went. I find that often the back story is skipped over, and the reader is just expected to understand that the characters are rivals. In this case we knew that they were rivals going all the way back to high school and they had competed for valedictorian.
Reading rom-coms in dual point of view is my favorite way to experience them, so I was excited for this. Getting the story from both Jae and Nami’s point of view was wonderful and made for such a well-rounded book! I find that when we only get the women’s point of view it feels like something is missing for me. I don’t need a ton of male input in my books, but a little, just so I know what they’re experiencing as well, really helps balance a story out for me.
The banter between Nami and Jae was everything, and their chemistry just flew off the page, it was amazing and so well done. I loved the antics and all the shenanigans that they got up to. I could totally see myself getting into a spicy ramen eating contest and then paying for it days after, ha!
The supporting characters were also well done and added immensely to the story. Working in an office environment can be draining, so it was nice to see the culture that existed in Nami’s company, it helped make me understand why she was fighting so hard to save it. I can only wish that someday I own an expensive desk chair!
This book was everything I look for in a rom-com and fully of nerdy vibes, I hope you check it out.
This book was everything I look for in a rom-com and I hope you check it out.
This review will be featured on my blog, speedreadstagram.com on publication day.
Thank you so much to St. Martins Press, @stmartinspress and Netgalley @netgalley for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Rather than get her birthday wish, the universe delivers her Jae, her high school nemesis. Jae and her competed for everything, and he won. Now, Jae works for a big tech company known for gutting businesses, and they’ve offered to buy Nami’s company.
When their rivalry picks right back up from where it was left a decade ago, it seems that it might have ignited a different kind of passion.
This was the rom-com I needed in my life! As a tech worker, I love reading about books set in tech, and this one was so much fun!
The rivals to lover’s trope is one of my favorites when done well, and in this case it was done fantastically! What made it work for me was all the back story, so we really had an idea how deep the rivalry between these two characters went. I find that often the back story is skipped over, and the reader is just expected to understand that the characters are rivals. In this case we knew that they were rivals going all the way back to high school and they had competed for valedictorian.
Reading rom-coms in dual point of view is my favorite way to experience them, so I was excited for this. Getting the story from both Jae and Nami’s point of view was wonderful and made for such a well-rounded book! I find that when we only get the women’s point of view it feels like something is missing for me. I don’t need a ton of male input in my books, but a little, just so I know what they’re experiencing as well, really helps balance a story out for me.
The banter between Nami and Jae was everything, and their chemistry just flew off the page, it was amazing and so well done. I loved the antics and all the shenanigans that they got up to. I could totally see myself getting into a spicy ramen eating contest and then paying for it days after, ha!
The supporting characters were also well done and added immensely to the story. Working in an office environment can be draining, so it was nice to see the culture that existed in Nami’s company, it helped make me understand why she was fighting so hard to save it. I can only wish that someday I own an expensive desk chair!
This book was everything I look for in a rom-com and fully of nerdy vibes, I hope you check it out.
This book was everything I look for in a rom-com and I hope you check it out.
This review will be featured on my blog, speedreadstagram.com on publication day.
Thank you so much to St. Martins Press, @stmartinspress and Netgalley @netgalley for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
April 11, 2024
Not good at all.
December 11, 2023
If you liked Love Interest by Clare Gilmore, then The Takeover needs to be on your to-read list! Nami and Jae are high school rivals who reunite when Jae’s company Rainforest (read: Amazon) looks to acquire Toggle, Nami’s tech startup that is struggling. Jae represents big corporation and everything Nami doesn’t want for her family-like business, and while she’s determined to stop her partners from selling, she can’t help reengaging with Jae as their competitive streaks flare up.
Enemies-to-lovers is probably my favorite romance trope and this one is great. Both Nami and Jae toe the line of insults and flirting and they soon fall for each other. Nami was a strong, intelligent, woman with great convictions. Jae was a confident, smart man who had a humorous side that made me laugh. Together their chemistry was so fun to read.
I received an advanced copy through Netgalley in return for an honest review.
Enemies-to-lovers is probably my favorite romance trope and this one is great. Both Nami and Jae toe the line of insults and flirting and they soon fall for each other. Nami was a strong, intelligent, woman with great convictions. Jae was a confident, smart man who had a humorous side that made me laugh. Together their chemistry was so fun to read.
I received an advanced copy through Netgalley in return for an honest review.
September 20, 2023
A Fun and contagious read!
~~~~~~~~~~~~
I took a chance with this book since I had never read this author before, but I fell in love with the story, plot, and characters. Tanamachi crafts awesome characters that are culturally diverse which she artfully blends into a fun and welcoming office setting. A place you wish you could work! Full of pranks, funny, loving characters, and the occasional nerve-wracking moments when corporate take-overs are looming.
She also has characters you want to hate, but just can’t as they continue to grow on you as the two main characters find their hate relationships might not be hate after all. Their chemistry was steamy and oh, so swoony!
The Takeover is everything and more! I fell in love with the writing and the wicked ways of the corporate world as told by this talented author. The nods to some real-life corporate giants is thinly veiled and well-spoken!
For a fun and contagious read you have to check out this book! I’m gushing!
* I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
* full review - https://amidlifewife.com/the-takeover...
~~~~~~~~~~~~
I took a chance with this book since I had never read this author before, but I fell in love with the story, plot, and characters. Tanamachi crafts awesome characters that are culturally diverse which she artfully blends into a fun and welcoming office setting. A place you wish you could work! Full of pranks, funny, loving characters, and the occasional nerve-wracking moments when corporate take-overs are looming.
She also has characters you want to hate, but just can’t as they continue to grow on you as the two main characters find their hate relationships might not be hate after all. Their chemistry was steamy and oh, so swoony!
The Takeover is everything and more! I fell in love with the writing and the wicked ways of the corporate world as told by this talented author. The nods to some real-life corporate giants is thinly veiled and well-spoken!
For a fun and contagious read you have to check out this book! I’m gushing!
* I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
* full review - https://amidlifewife.com/the-takeover...
November 4, 2023
Thank you Netgalley, publisher St. Martin's Griffin, and author Cata Tanamachi for providing this eARC.
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.
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I DNF'd this at 17%.
This book smacks of a superficial moral high ground and hypocrisy, and I can't stand it.
The whole 17% I read felt very preachy. The main character, Nami, spends 17% (minimum) of the book telling us how great she is and what a cool boss she is, and how awesome her company is, and how she and her company are Not Evil, and Rainforest (Amazon) is Definitely Evil. I don't think the author genuinely knows anything about the tech industry, and I don't say that to be mean: no tech company is "good". There's no such thing. You can be cool and have motivational Slack/Teams channels and provide catered breakfasts, but that doesn't make you "good" on a moral level. And that's the whole problem I had with this book.
Nami talks incessantly about good versus bad but like, all I have to trust is her word. What's her company's carbon footprint look like? Does her super fancy state-of-the-art office building that overlooks Lake Michigan have eco-friendly energy solutions and an ambitious recycling program? Does her company participate in community outreach programs, do they have volunteer days? Does she reduce technological waste (or just buy more oversized TVs to mount to the wall?) by safely recycling electronics? What do her employees benefits packages look like: are they compensated at a competitive rate, or at a lower-than-competitive rate and she supplements with "cool" perks like Breakfast Mondays and cupcakes? Do her developers own their code, or does the company own the code? And for that matter, what does her company actually do? 17% in and I'm not sure yet, but she has a mug that says World's Best Boss on one side and We Mean This Un-Ironically on the other side so... must be true. Nami also calls out Rainforest/Amazon for treating "each user [as] a data mine". Well yeah. You ever heard of a cookie? Do you not track your page clicks? That user data drives business decisions. Maybe that's why Nami's company is failing...
It's important to distinguish the difference between being a cool boss, being a good boss, and being a savvy business owner. Nami seems to think she is all three, but evidence points to only one of these things being true, and that's subjective. Nami is very clearly not a savvy business owner. I understand times are hard and I just got an email this week from my own corporate bigwigs about "macroeconomic headwind" bullshit. But even still, a savvy business owner would have cut superfluous spending long before a takeover or bankruptcy was imminent. Projects would get cut, the office building would have been sold and they would have gone to a hybrid model with workspace sharing (hotelling, I think some call it), or full remote. Assets inside the office building, like the mentioned oversized TVs and pingpong tables, would be sold for liquidity. Raises would be withheld or delayed until some indeterminate future fiscal quarter. Costs of running the business, such has the cost of having their servers hosted, would be examined or reduced. Any SaaS's the company uses, like Slack or SalesForce, would be downgraded to less expensive plans or to free alternatives (who needs Asana when you have Excel, and who needs Excel when you have Google Sheets? And Notion is just a glorified to-do list...)
I requested this ARC, hoping to relate to the story of a woman working in my industry, but instead, I'm... I don't even know. Furious. Disgusted. Disappointed. There is no such thing as a business in capitalist America being morally good. Pretending otherwise is naïve and a disservice. We're striving for the lesser evil here, nothing more. Yes, Amazon (Rainforest, whatever) has a lot of questionable business practices. So does Facebook, Apple, Google, X/Twitter, and literally any other tech giant out there. Even the smaller guys, the niche ones, do some questionable shit or use services provided by the other giants (helloooo AWS hosting and Google Maps integrations and sponsored posts on Facebook...). I don't think I'd be so bothered if the book was toned down, but Nami literally repeats how she and her company are Not Evil. Nami needs to make sure she doesn't live in a glass house before she starts throwing stones.
Side note: I wanted to DNF this on page one when the book opened with "I hate birthdays like most people hate toilet paper hoarders." Cringe much? I'm surprised I made it as far as I did, honestly.
.
.
.
I DNF'd this at 17%.
This book smacks of a superficial moral high ground and hypocrisy, and I can't stand it.
The whole 17% I read felt very preachy. The main character, Nami, spends 17% (minimum) of the book telling us how great she is and what a cool boss she is, and how awesome her company is, and how she and her company are Not Evil, and Rainforest (Amazon) is Definitely Evil. I don't think the author genuinely knows anything about the tech industry, and I don't say that to be mean: no tech company is "good". There's no such thing. You can be cool and have motivational Slack/Teams channels and provide catered breakfasts, but that doesn't make you "good" on a moral level. And that's the whole problem I had with this book.
Nami talks incessantly about good versus bad but like, all I have to trust is her word. What's her company's carbon footprint look like? Does her super fancy state-of-the-art office building that overlooks Lake Michigan have eco-friendly energy solutions and an ambitious recycling program? Does her company participate in community outreach programs, do they have volunteer days? Does she reduce technological waste (or just buy more oversized TVs to mount to the wall?) by safely recycling electronics? What do her employees benefits packages look like: are they compensated at a competitive rate, or at a lower-than-competitive rate and she supplements with "cool" perks like Breakfast Mondays and cupcakes? Do her developers own their code, or does the company own the code? And for that matter, what does her company actually do? 17% in and I'm not sure yet, but she has a mug that says World's Best Boss on one side and We Mean This Un-Ironically on the other side so... must be true. Nami also calls out Rainforest/Amazon for treating "each user [as] a data mine". Well yeah. You ever heard of a cookie? Do you not track your page clicks? That user data drives business decisions. Maybe that's why Nami's company is failing...
It's important to distinguish the difference between being a cool boss, being a good boss, and being a savvy business owner. Nami seems to think she is all three, but evidence points to only one of these things being true, and that's subjective. Nami is very clearly not a savvy business owner. I understand times are hard and I just got an email this week from my own corporate bigwigs about "macroeconomic headwind" bullshit. But even still, a savvy business owner would have cut superfluous spending long before a takeover or bankruptcy was imminent. Projects would get cut, the office building would have been sold and they would have gone to a hybrid model with workspace sharing (hotelling, I think some call it), or full remote. Assets inside the office building, like the mentioned oversized TVs and pingpong tables, would be sold for liquidity. Raises would be withheld or delayed until some indeterminate future fiscal quarter. Costs of running the business, such has the cost of having their servers hosted, would be examined or reduced. Any SaaS's the company uses, like Slack or SalesForce, would be downgraded to less expensive plans or to free alternatives (who needs Asana when you have Excel, and who needs Excel when you have Google Sheets? And Notion is just a glorified to-do list...)
I requested this ARC, hoping to relate to the story of a woman working in my industry, but instead, I'm... I don't even know. Furious. Disgusted. Disappointed. There is no such thing as a business in capitalist America being morally good. Pretending otherwise is naïve and a disservice. We're striving for the lesser evil here, nothing more. Yes, Amazon (Rainforest, whatever) has a lot of questionable business practices. So does Facebook, Apple, Google, X/Twitter, and literally any other tech giant out there. Even the smaller guys, the niche ones, do some questionable shit or use services provided by the other giants (helloooo AWS hosting and Google Maps integrations and sponsored posts on Facebook...). I don't think I'd be so bothered if the book was toned down, but Nami literally repeats how she and her company are Not Evil. Nami needs to make sure she doesn't live in a glass house before she starts throwing stones.
Side note: I wanted to DNF this on page one when the book opened with "I hate birthdays like most people hate toilet paper hoarders." Cringe much? I'm surprised I made it as far as I did, honestly.
May 18, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ -NetGalley ARC Audiobook 🎧
On Nami's 30th birthday, she’s reminded at every turn that her life isn’t what she planned. She’s always excelled at everything – until now. Her fiancé blew up their engagement. Her pride and joy, the tech company she helped to found, is about to lose funding. And her sister, Sora, is getting married to the man of her dreams, Jack, and instead of being happy for her, as she knows she ought to be, she’s fighting off jealousy. Frustrated with her life, she makes a wish on a birthday candle to find her soulmate. Instead, the universe delivers her hate mate, Nami’s old high school nemesis, Jae Lee, the most popular kid from high school, who also narrowly beat her out for valedictorian. More than a decade later, Jae is still as effortlessly cool, charming, and stylish as ever, and, to make matters worse, is planning a hostile take-over of her start-up…and her heart.
This enemies to lovers book is full of witty banter, family drama, and workplace humor. The memos about Dells expensive desk chair had me laughing, as did the spicy ramen chapter. I thought the story read smoothly and the characters were entertaining. I didn’t like the narrator, so my only complaint is I should have read this instead of listening to it.
Thank you to NetGalley, Recorded Books/RB Media for the chance to read this book. All thoughts are my own.
On Nami's 30th birthday, she’s reminded at every turn that her life isn’t what she planned. She’s always excelled at everything – until now. Her fiancé blew up their engagement. Her pride and joy, the tech company she helped to found, is about to lose funding. And her sister, Sora, is getting married to the man of her dreams, Jack, and instead of being happy for her, as she knows she ought to be, she’s fighting off jealousy. Frustrated with her life, she makes a wish on a birthday candle to find her soulmate. Instead, the universe delivers her hate mate, Nami’s old high school nemesis, Jae Lee, the most popular kid from high school, who also narrowly beat her out for valedictorian. More than a decade later, Jae is still as effortlessly cool, charming, and stylish as ever, and, to make matters worse, is planning a hostile take-over of her start-up…and her heart.
This enemies to lovers book is full of witty banter, family drama, and workplace humor. The memos about Dells expensive desk chair had me laughing, as did the spicy ramen chapter. I thought the story read smoothly and the characters were entertaining. I didn’t like the narrator, so my only complaint is I should have read this instead of listening to it.
Thank you to NetGalley, Recorded Books/RB Media for the chance to read this book. All thoughts are my own.
January 12, 2025
Cara Tanamachi's second novel, "The Takeover" is a witty and engaging enemies-to-lovers romance that nicely blends a narrative of corporate intrigue with a heartfelt exploration of ambition, family dynamics, and self-discovery. Centred around Nami, a fiercely driven entrepreneur at a crossroads in both her personal and professional life, the story delivers sharp banter, simmering tension, and a satisfying mix of humor and emotion from the first until the last page.
Chracterwise, Nami is a relatable protagonist whose perfectionism and vulnerability make her journey compelling. Her frustrations, both personal and professional, are palpable, while her growth throughout the story is one of the book's strongest elements. Opposite to her is Jae Lee, her high school nemesis-turned-rival businessman, whose charm and confidence are matched by hidden depths. The chemistry between these two main characters is electric, with their spirited banter evolving into heartfelt conversations and undeniable attraction as the narration goes on.
The dual-POV narration provided by Donald Chang and Chieko Hidaka effectively conveyed the story's witty dialogue and engaging plot. The narrators' clear and pleasant voice made it easy to follow along, and their pacing was generally well-suited to the material. Top grades to both narrators for their performance!
Overall, "The Takeover" shines with its witty dialogue, strong characters, and exploration of themes like self-worth, ambition, and love. It’s a fun and heartfelt story that can appeal to fans of romantic comedies with a side of corporate drama. If you’re looking for a romance that’s equal parts competitive and tender, this one is worth checking out!
Special thanks to NetGalley, RB Media, Recorded Books, and the editorial team for giving me the opportunity to review the ARC in audiobook format and to you, my reader, for taking the time to read this honest personal book review.
If you are interested in other of my book reviews, make sure to follow me on GoodReads! #TheTakeover #NetGalley #LifeLongLearning
Chracterwise, Nami is a relatable protagonist whose perfectionism and vulnerability make her journey compelling. Her frustrations, both personal and professional, are palpable, while her growth throughout the story is one of the book's strongest elements. Opposite to her is Jae Lee, her high school nemesis-turned-rival businessman, whose charm and confidence are matched by hidden depths. The chemistry between these two main characters is electric, with their spirited banter evolving into heartfelt conversations and undeniable attraction as the narration goes on.
The dual-POV narration provided by Donald Chang and Chieko Hidaka effectively conveyed the story's witty dialogue and engaging plot. The narrators' clear and pleasant voice made it easy to follow along, and their pacing was generally well-suited to the material. Top grades to both narrators for their performance!
Overall, "The Takeover" shines with its witty dialogue, strong characters, and exploration of themes like self-worth, ambition, and love. It’s a fun and heartfelt story that can appeal to fans of romantic comedies with a side of corporate drama. If you’re looking for a romance that’s equal parts competitive and tender, this one is worth checking out!
Special thanks to NetGalley, RB Media, Recorded Books, and the editorial team for giving me the opportunity to review the ARC in audiobook format and to you, my reader, for taking the time to read this honest personal book review.
If you are interested in other of my book reviews, make sure to follow me on GoodReads! #TheTakeover #NetGalley #LifeLongLearning
March 24, 2024
The Takeover is funny. Really funny. It is rom com involving enemy to lover trope. I enjoy Miss Tanamachi sense of humor. The comedy is light but right to the point.
The plot is lighthearted and easy to follow. The characters developed nicely. The Japanese and Korea culture enhancing the flavpr of the story.
4 stars
The plot is lighthearted and easy to follow. The characters developed nicely. The Japanese and Korea culture enhancing the flavpr of the story.
4 stars
February 4, 2024
3.75 ⭐
I could 100% see this be turned into a fun little movie. It's enemies to lovers with a dash of work place scenarios. I laughed out loud so many times reading this. the ramen scene had me cackling so loud.
I enjoyed the romance, it was mostly closed door. The writing was good, I do think I'll pick up more of Cara Tanamachi's books in the future!
thanks to Netgalley for a copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review!
I could 100% see this be turned into a fun little movie. It's enemies to lovers with a dash of work place scenarios. I laughed out loud so many times reading this. the ramen scene had me cackling so loud.
I enjoyed the romance, it was mostly closed door. The writing was good, I do think I'll pick up more of Cara Tanamachi's books in the future!
thanks to Netgalley for a copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review!
dnf
January 26, 2024dnf
i have a low tolerance for character info dumping and narrators who seem to address the reader or explain things/people to us. lastly, i cannot for the life of me put up with the cringey writing (exhibit a: “ Is this what happens when you’re old? You can’t tolerate heat anymore? Ugh.”). and by cringey i mean really cringey: “She put the boss in girl boss.”
as we know, mileage may vary so check out other reviews if this book happens to be on your radar.
i have a low tolerance for character info dumping and narrators who seem to address the reader or explain things/people to us. lastly, i cannot for the life of me put up with the cringey writing (exhibit a: “ Is this what happens when you’re old? You can’t tolerate heat anymore? Ugh.”). and by cringey i mean really cringey: “She put the boss in girl boss.”
as we know, mileage may vary so check out other reviews if this book happens to be on your radar.
January 31, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
So so cute!
Thank you, NetGalley and RB Media for allowing me to listen to the early copy of this book.
Enemies/rivals to lovers are always a hit for me and in The Takeover this trope is splendidly executed.
Nami is 30 yo, with a failed attempted marriage and a company she gave all herself to sinking every day a little more. On her 30´s birthday, she wishes for her soulmate but fate presents her with her old high school enemy/rival Jae, who is working for the multibillionaire company threatening to take over Nami´s smaller one.
I liked a lot the dynamics of this book, and the drive Nami shows for her company and her employees it´s something that I would love to see all people in charge have also in real life.
I particularly enjoyed the prose of this book, how the writer makes us understand what´s important for our main characters, who on top of everything else, are also struggling with their being second-generation immigrants with very demeaning parents. Yes, they are adults, but it´s always difficult to do something that it´s against or not so much in line with what your family wants.
The story is fast-paced and easy to follow. A lot of the dialogues were very smart and relatable (mainly for the sexist talk inside the office).
Also Jae!!!!! He is the perfect book boyfriend. I enjoyed everything about his character.
The audiobook was well produced and Donald Chang did an amazing job voicing Jae.
On the other hand, Chieko Hidaka, who was voicing Nami was a little off with the timing. I found her punctuation all wrong and was slighty annoyed in the beginning. I definitely needed to get used to her tone and musicality.
So so cute!
Thank you, NetGalley and RB Media for allowing me to listen to the early copy of this book.
Enemies/rivals to lovers are always a hit for me and in The Takeover this trope is splendidly executed.
Nami is 30 yo, with a failed attempted marriage and a company she gave all herself to sinking every day a little more. On her 30´s birthday, she wishes for her soulmate but fate presents her with her old high school enemy/rival Jae, who is working for the multibillionaire company threatening to take over Nami´s smaller one.
I liked a lot the dynamics of this book, and the drive Nami shows for her company and her employees it´s something that I would love to see all people in charge have also in real life.
I particularly enjoyed the prose of this book, how the writer makes us understand what´s important for our main characters, who on top of everything else, are also struggling with their being second-generation immigrants with very demeaning parents. Yes, they are adults, but it´s always difficult to do something that it´s against or not so much in line with what your family wants.
The story is fast-paced and easy to follow. A lot of the dialogues were very smart and relatable (mainly for the sexist talk inside the office).
Also Jae!!!!! He is the perfect book boyfriend. I enjoyed everything about his character.
The audiobook was well produced and Donald Chang did an amazing job voicing Jae.
On the other hand, Chieko Hidaka, who was voicing Nami was a little off with the timing. I found her punctuation all wrong and was slighty annoyed in the beginning. I definitely needed to get used to her tone and musicality.
October 11, 2023
I really enjoyed reading this book. it has witty dialogue, is easy to read, and is evenly paced with a good rivals-to-lovers romance. Nami the fmc has a great tech company that is in financial trouble, Jae the mmc is part of a huge corporation named Rainforest that buys smaller companies and changes them. The two were high school rivals and still have some grudges against each other, when Jae comes to take over her company, the two connect despite Nami not wanting to have her company taken over by Rainforest.
The banter and rivalry in this was so good. The romance was sweet, and I liked how it came about. I realized near the end of the book that Rainforest is the Amazon equivalent in this fictional world, and that was very funny to me. There's good and evil themes in relation to cooperation and employee treatment. I thought the ending was good, but it did feel a bit unrealistic just on the quickness Jae turned around and the other perfect ending for the company. The good thing is this is a romance, and anything is possible. Overall a good, diverse and fun romance with humor, heart, takeovers and family drama.
Read if you like:
- Rivals to lovers
- Tech and workplace shenanigans
- Diverse characters
- High school nemesis
- Grey mmc
The banter and rivalry in this was so good. The romance was sweet, and I liked how it came about. I realized near the end of the book that Rainforest is the Amazon equivalent in this fictional world, and that was very funny to me. There's good and evil themes in relation to cooperation and employee treatment. I thought the ending was good, but it did feel a bit unrealistic just on the quickness Jae turned around and the other perfect ending for the company. The good thing is this is a romance, and anything is possible. Overall a good, diverse and fun romance with humor, heart, takeovers and family drama.
Read if you like:
- Rivals to lovers
- Tech and workplace shenanigans
- Diverse characters
- High school nemesis
- Grey mmc
June 14, 2024
thank you cara tanamachi and st. martin's press for my arc <3
overall, i had fun with this. very good chemistry between the characters. i liked how real both of their families felt. i definitely felt emotions while reading.
i'm going to be kind of negative, but please know that overall, i did enjoy this a lot. i'm only pointing out the things that i personally did not like because they might irritate other people as well.
what i did like - i actually liked all of the scenes of them competing. i usually find these types of scenes annoying. i wouldn't say i LOVED them, but i definitely didn't hate them. i like how they humbled both nami and jae, while also showed how well they work together.
the biggest thing, for me, is how the takeover was handled. 1. . and 2. i was hoping that, after an entire book of nami and jae competing and ultimately working well together, that the resolution would be them...... working together....... it's a romcom, it's fine. i don't necessarily have a problem with the guy having a Reveal where he Fixed Everything. but it would've been nice to see something else.
some smaller things:
- nami calling jae "satan"
- mention of the pandemic (it was only once, but i almost stopped reading because i hate "pandemic books" - it is not a pandemic book)
- nami and imani. i didn't have a problem reading both names back to back, but i can't imagine someone with say, dyslexia, having a good time with that
- way too many pop culture references, they are already outdated and this book comes out in january 2024.
overall, i had fun with this. very good chemistry between the characters. i liked how real both of their families felt. i definitely felt emotions while reading.
i'm going to be kind of negative, but please know that overall, i did enjoy this a lot. i'm only pointing out the things that i personally did not like because they might irritate other people as well.
what i did like - i actually liked all of the scenes of them competing. i usually find these types of scenes annoying. i wouldn't say i LOVED them, but i definitely didn't hate them. i like how they humbled both nami and jae, while also showed how well they work together.
the biggest thing, for me, is how the takeover was handled. 1. . and 2. i was hoping that, after an entire book of nami and jae competing and ultimately working well together, that the resolution would be them...... working together....... it's a romcom, it's fine. i don't necessarily have a problem with the guy having a Reveal where he Fixed Everything. but it would've been nice to see something else.
some smaller things:
- nami calling jae "satan"
- mention of the pandemic (it was only once, but i almost stopped reading because i hate "pandemic books" - it is not a pandemic book)
- nami and imani. i didn't have a problem reading both names back to back, but i can't imagine someone with say, dyslexia, having a good time with that
- way too many pop culture references, they are already outdated and this book comes out in january 2024.
October 8, 2023
Once was simply not enough! Reread one, of what I am sure is going to be many, in the books. I could not stop thinking about these characters, to the point I need back in their world for just a little longer. ❤️❤️ Love this book.
——————————————————————————————
Simply A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.
I don’t think I have ever thought of an author as a fine wine before. . . But here we are. Side bar *Ok, for those who know me personally and know I don’t drink I really do mean this in the best way.
I say this because I liked “The Second You’re Single” but this book is on a new level.
The writing is stronger, the characters are AMAZING. And I don’t want to water-down the word amazing. They are seriously hilarious. There is one scene where Nami, trying to avoid a sudden downpour, pops into a raman shop and right into Jae. One thing leads into another, and suddenly they are eating spicy raman so hot they had to sign a waver. What ensues after is so freaking hilarious I am still laughing about it.
This book might just be my new favorite go to if I need something to make me smile. I can not recommend it more.
Thank you Cara Tanamachi and St. Martin’s Griffin for the ARC.
——————————————————————————————
Simply A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.
I don’t think I have ever thought of an author as a fine wine before. . . But here we are. Side bar *Ok, for those who know me personally and know I don’t drink I really do mean this in the best way.
I say this because I liked “The Second You’re Single” but this book is on a new level.
The writing is stronger, the characters are AMAZING. And I don’t want to water-down the word amazing. They are seriously hilarious. There is one scene where Nami, trying to avoid a sudden downpour, pops into a raman shop and right into Jae. One thing leads into another, and suddenly they are eating spicy raman so hot they had to sign a waver. What ensues after is so freaking hilarious I am still laughing about it.
This book might just be my new favorite go to if I need something to make me smile. I can not recommend it more.
Thank you Cara Tanamachi and St. Martin’s Griffin for the ARC.
August 18, 2023
This was a quick and easy romantic read! The characters were believable and likeable. Overall a nice, quick, lighthearted read!
ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
ARC kindly provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 6, 2023
okay i think this book was not for me. if you feel sympathy for a) a vp of mergers and acquisitions at an amazon-ish company, b) a founder of an airbnb-style tech startup, and c) high achievers who are still angry about slights like who was salutatorian versus valedictorian in high school, this book might be exactly up your alley. i saw the cover and was like, "wow, this looks like two people who really dislike each other, both pretty corporate, with the dude mansplaining to the woman. but probably that art doesn't really represent the book! i'll request an ARC of it anyway!" spoiler alert: the cover, as professionally selected by the publisher, indeed does depict what happens inside the book. TRULY WHEN WILL I EVER LEARN???
as mentioned, this was a netgalley arc, and you won't be surprised to know that this is an unbiased review (IN SOME WAYS. unbiased in favor of the book bc of getting it for free--biased against the book because i am a feminist anticapitalist).
as mentioned, this was a netgalley arc, and you won't be surprised to know that this is an unbiased review (IN SOME WAYS. unbiased in favor of the book bc of getting it for free--biased against the book because i am a feminist anticapitalist).
November 7, 2023
I saw that this was an enemies to lovers book, so I ran so fast to read the blurb and from there I was already hooked! I was rooting for Nami’s HEA before even starting the first chapter and I was not going to be happy until she got it! This is the first book that I have read by Cara Tanamachi and it definitely will not be the last! I couldn’t put this book down! I was hooked! It’s rare in my busy life to finish a book in one sitting, but I couldn’t stop! The heartbreak I felt for Nami knowing her happiness and dreams and life were falling apart… UGH! I wanted to be her fairy godmother and scoop her up and make all her dreams come true! She ran into more than just an unfortunate bit of luck with everything going on, but she persevered and conquered! The undeniable chemistry between her and Jae had me pining for them! The Takeover is absolutely delightful and a must read if you’re a fan of the enemies to lovers trope like I am, and want to root for the girl who truly deserves the world after being knocked down and spit on by life itself!
I received an advanced readers copy of the book from NetGalley. This review is honest, unbiased, and completely my own.
I received an advanced readers copy of the book from NetGalley. This review is honest, unbiased, and completely my own.
January 10, 2024
In retrospect, I should have known that there was too much capitalism in the blurb of this book for me to enjoy it. But I didn't know it would be... this much.
Nami is co-CEO of Toggle, an AirBNB-style start-up, that is in financial trouble. They didn't get more funding, so now they have to sell (or something, I can't make myself understand how start-up funding works). The best offer they have is from Rainforest (aka Amazon, which honestly, funny). And who is the VP of acquisitions? Nami's high school rival, Jae.
All of the workplace stuff in this book is garbage. Jae says repeatedly that there are "wolves" and "pigs" and his entire goal is to "be a wolf" and eat the other pigs and not get eaten. Which... is gross and bad. But Nami is the exact opposite, which is also not good. She tells her start-up employees that they are a "family" which is also unhealthy and bad! The way she talks to her employees and about her company has major girlboss vibes. Toggle's workplace is also such a caricature of millennial work culture -- they *have* to have Breakfast Mondays, and they play Frisbee and ping-pong, and on Nami's 30th birthday, her employees throw her a giant birthday party, complete with the banner from The Office and a "you're the world's best boss unironically" mug. Not to mention how much space crypto takes up in this book (any amount of space is too much, but this was a gross amount of crypto -- I frowned so much reading about it).
Also, Jae spends most of the book being an asshole. He's actively mean to Nami (using a mean name from high school for basically the entire book) until all of a sudden he realizes he has feelings for her? It's a poor use of enemies/rivals to lovers -- there's no indication that either of them liked each other, other than their passionate rivalry, which is a lazy use of that trope. And their one-upmanship is unhealthy and at times dangerous (involving burn-your-face-off spicy ramen and 14% ABV beer).
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with an eARC of The Takeover in exchange for my honest review.
Nami is co-CEO of Toggle, an AirBNB-style start-up, that is in financial trouble. They didn't get more funding, so now they have to sell (or something, I can't make myself understand how start-up funding works). The best offer they have is from Rainforest (aka Amazon, which honestly, funny). And who is the VP of acquisitions? Nami's high school rival, Jae.
All of the workplace stuff in this book is garbage. Jae says repeatedly that there are "wolves" and "pigs" and his entire goal is to "be a wolf" and eat the other pigs and not get eaten. Which... is gross and bad. But Nami is the exact opposite, which is also not good. She tells her start-up employees that they are a "family" which is also unhealthy and bad! The way she talks to her employees and about her company has major girlboss vibes. Toggle's workplace is also such a caricature of millennial work culture -- they *have* to have Breakfast Mondays, and they play Frisbee and ping-pong, and on Nami's 30th birthday, her employees throw her a giant birthday party, complete with the banner from The Office and a "you're the world's best boss unironically" mug. Not to mention how much space crypto takes up in this book (any amount of space is too much, but this was a gross amount of crypto -- I frowned so much reading about it).
Also, Jae spends most of the book being an asshole. He's actively mean to Nami (using a mean name from high school for basically the entire book) until all of a sudden he realizes he has feelings for her? It's a poor use of enemies/rivals to lovers -- there's no indication that either of them liked each other, other than their passionate rivalry, which is a lazy use of that trope. And their one-upmanship is unhealthy and at times dangerous (involving burn-your-face-off spicy ramen and 14% ABV beer).
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with an eARC of The Takeover in exchange for my honest review.
February 20, 2024
This was ironically giving "I peaked in High School".
The MMC is a successful businessman and has a perfect life while the FMC is head of her company. So tell me WHY the 30 year old main characters were so fixated on high school?
I understand needing to know where their interactions started, but it was just overwhelmingly cringe to me.
Other than that, I did find the banter quite fun and was losing it at the ramen eating scene!
Outside of those two points, I found this to be boring.
The MMC is a successful businessman and has a perfect life while the FMC is head of her company. So tell me WHY the 30 year old main characters were so fixated on high school?
I understand needing to know where their interactions started, but it was just overwhelmingly cringe to me.
Other than that, I did find the banter quite fun and was losing it at the ramen eating scene!
Outside of those two points, I found this to be boring.
February 22, 2024
The Takeover was the first time I was introduced to this author and I enjoyed it. It was relatable as a child of immigrant parents and the huge expectation of being successful. I enjoyed this reverse grumpy sunshine romance. The moment where the person you hated in high school is now trying to takeover your company as an adult. It leaves for cute arguments that leads to a beautiful romance. I would definitely recommend this book and would read more by this author.
Thank you Netgalley and RB Media for the audio ARC of this book.
Thank you Netgalley and RB Media for the audio ARC of this book.
January 31, 2024
Absolutely loved the chemistry and banter between the MCs. The ramen scene was iconic, I loved it SO MUCH! Sort of a second chance romance coz they knew each other before, but can we just talk about their dynamic? I love how Nami reacts so aggressively to Jae and how Jae sees Nami as his drive and competition- a challenge to work harder.
But then there's some major issues in here. I hate the pacing; it was so damn slow I zoned out very often. So when we reached the third act, I was like "huh" and had to go back to relisten for context. But yea, it still doesn't make much sense to me so obviously I'm annoyed with the ending. To add to the mess, Nami continuously tells us how much she cares about her employees and her company. If she isn't telling us, she's telling another character. Classic example of telling not showing. I mean yea, I did see it, and yes, we get it why put so much effort?
I didn't love this, but I see how others might, and I too loved a good number of scenes, so I won't tell you not to pick it up, put keep your expectations low.
But then there's some major issues in here. I hate the pacing; it was so damn slow I zoned out very often. So when we reached the third act, I was like "huh" and had to go back to relisten for context. But yea, it still doesn't make much sense to me so obviously I'm annoyed with the ending. To add to the mess, Nami continuously tells us how much she cares about her employees and her company. If she isn't telling us, she's telling another character. Classic example of telling not showing. I mean yea, I did see it, and yes, we get it why put so much effort?
I didn't love this, but I see how others might, and I too loved a good number of scenes, so I won't tell you not to pick it up, put keep your expectations low.
January 18, 2024
Cute story but overall just okay. Full review to come.
January 3, 2024
Did I read a different book than everyone else? Because that was… just, not good.
Even if you can get past the wildly unethical behavior both Jae and Nami display in getting involved while Jae is attempting an acquisition of Nami’s company, even if you ignore the fact that at no point do we see a version of Nami that seems capable of successfully building and running a business, even if you dismiss the outrageously sketchy way Imani keeps Nami out of the loop on her funding conversations as they try to save their company, even if you believe that two women of color who co-found a tech startup would put up with the walking lawsuit that is Dell, even if you don’t mind that this book apparently has a hard-on for crypto…
… the relationship between Nami and Jae is still incredibly immature, dominated by ‘witty’ banter that’s actually just juvenile insults and the inability to get past their high school rivalry (despite both being ostensibly very successful adults long-past graduation). He calls her an insulting nickname, in business meetings, and she never corrects him? He seriously thinks he can waltz back into her life and attempt a hostile takeover of her company, and she’ll be glad to see him? The only good thing I can say about these two is that at least they’re together so they don’t inflict themselves on anyone else.
I would say this book just wasn’t for me, but I’m sort of shocked it’s for anyone.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Even if you can get past the wildly unethical behavior both Jae and Nami display in getting involved while Jae is attempting an acquisition of Nami’s company, even if you ignore the fact that at no point do we see a version of Nami that seems capable of successfully building and running a business, even if you dismiss the outrageously sketchy way Imani keeps Nami out of the loop on her funding conversations as they try to save their company, even if you believe that two women of color who co-found a tech startup would put up with the walking lawsuit that is Dell, even if you don’t mind that this book apparently has a hard-on for crypto…
… the relationship between Nami and Jae is still incredibly immature, dominated by ‘witty’ banter that’s actually just juvenile insults and the inability to get past their high school rivalry (despite both being ostensibly very successful adults long-past graduation). He calls her an insulting nickname, in business meetings, and she never corrects him? He seriously thinks he can waltz back into her life and attempt a hostile takeover of her company, and she’ll be glad to see him? The only good thing I can say about these two is that at least they’re together so they don’t inflict themselves on anyone else.
I would say this book just wasn’t for me, but I’m sort of shocked it’s for anyone.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 12, 2024
3.5 rounded up
This was a fun enemies to lovers, dual POV, workplace romance that sees two childhood rivals reunited as one tries to takeover the company of the other. Forced proximity at its best, the sexual tension in this book was top notch and the perfect embodiment of the line between hate and love is a fine one. I enjoyed this a lot and recommend for fans of Sally Thorne's The hating game! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review!
This was a fun enemies to lovers, dual POV, workplace romance that sees two childhood rivals reunited as one tries to takeover the company of the other. Forced proximity at its best, the sexual tension in this book was top notch and the perfect embodiment of the line between hate and love is a fine one. I enjoyed this a lot and recommend for fans of Sally Thorne's The hating game! Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital and audio copy in exchange for my honest review!
November 5, 2024
Ben galiba azılı rakipler okuma bağımlısı oldum ya da üst üste okuyunca sarhoş oldum canım sürekli istiyor 😂 sürekli didişiyorlar, birbirlerine meydan okuyup çocuklaşıyorlar (ama bu asla sıkmıyor ya da cringe gelmiyor) ve aslında birbirlerinden o kadar da nefret etmediklerini keşfediyorlar sonrası da epey güzelleşiyor keyif alarak okudum biraz daha uzasa gıkım çıkmaz devam ederdim.
January 18, 2024
3.5 stars
I really enjoyed this book it was a lighthearted story with a fun enemies to lovers, workplace romance about nami and jae our high school enemies reunited as one tries to takeover the company of the other. the chemistry between these two was the defining of chef’s kiss and if you’re in the mood for a story with these vibes well this is the one for you trust me!
thank you netgalley cara tanamachi and rb media for sending me this audiobook.
I really enjoyed this book it was a lighthearted story with a fun enemies to lovers, workplace romance about nami and jae our high school enemies reunited as one tries to takeover the company of the other. the chemistry between these two was the defining of chef’s kiss and if you’re in the mood for a story with these vibes well this is the one for you trust me!
thank you netgalley cara tanamachi and rb media for sending me this audiobook.
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