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The Syndrome #2
The Complacency Syndrome
Do you settle for comfortable and good enough?
Or risk having nothing for the possibility of everything?
To say Ellie is a hard worker would be an understatement. She’s had her eye on her goals since she could walk and talk, and she makes them happen. By choosing logic over emotion, what makes sense over what feels good, listening to her head over her heart.
But when she starts to want more out of her long-term relationship—too much, according to her boyfriend—it threatens the future she’s always counted on. She has to make the hard decision of either settling for what she has or going for what almost no one gets to have.
Ellie
When 90% of my life is perfect, what’s there to complain about that last 10%?
I make my own destiny, so when I decide to spice things up with my partner of the last five years, I think it’s going to go according to plan.
But when it doesn’t, I have to decide how much my self-worth is really worth to me. If my goals outside the office deserve the same importance I place on my career and success for my clients.
If the answer is yes, everything I’ve known and counted on will be upended when my heart takes the wheel…
Asher
I grew up young. I might only be twenty-one, but I’ve seen and done a lot in my time so far. That’s probably why I have less and less patience for my friends and their dumb shit, and more and more interest in the older woman I’m apprenticing under.
I thought I was here just to get some experience to help me launch my own career, but I’m finding myself falling under the spell of the goddess I spend eight hours a day sharing an office with.
If she gives me a chance, I’ll show her I’m good for her in more ways than just being her employee.
So what if she’s ten years older than me? Nobody else feels what’s between us, they shouldn’t have a say whether we get to explore it.
My sights are set on her, I know what I’m after. I just need her to give into this pull, convince her that we’re worth all the risks.
This is the realest thing I’ve ever felt, but she’s scared of giving in, and I can’t even blame her.
She could lose everything, but that’s just what I want to give her.
About The Complacency Syndrome
“The book that started the spam caller trope.” — Absolutely no one
The Complacency Syndrome is a spicy, laugh-out-loud, friends-to-lovers, slow-burn, forbidden romance with a reverse age gap in a workplace setting. Whew! That was a mouthful.
It’s about what happens when you have an okay relationship with two good people who just aren’t good together, how much self-worth is actually worth, and how sometimes you have to do what scares you in order to get where you want to be. Pop an antacid cause this bitch gets spicy and let’s go!
It will have a sequel (it is not a standalone novel, and it ends on a minor cliffhanger), but there will be a happily ever after (obvi, I’m not a monster), and it is book two in The Syndrome Series. The Complacency Syndrome is the flip side of the coin of book one, The Roommate Syndrome, which focuses on salvaging a good marriage between two good people. (You do not have to read book one to appreciate books two and three in the series, but I do recommend it!)
Or risk having nothing for the possibility of everything?
To say Ellie is a hard worker would be an understatement. She’s had her eye on her goals since she could walk and talk, and she makes them happen. By choosing logic over emotion, what makes sense over what feels good, listening to her head over her heart.
But when she starts to want more out of her long-term relationship—too much, according to her boyfriend—it threatens the future she’s always counted on. She has to make the hard decision of either settling for what she has or going for what almost no one gets to have.
Ellie
When 90% of my life is perfect, what’s there to complain about that last 10%?
I make my own destiny, so when I decide to spice things up with my partner of the last five years, I think it’s going to go according to plan.
But when it doesn’t, I have to decide how much my self-worth is really worth to me. If my goals outside the office deserve the same importance I place on my career and success for my clients.
If the answer is yes, everything I’ve known and counted on will be upended when my heart takes the wheel…
Asher
I grew up young. I might only be twenty-one, but I’ve seen and done a lot in my time so far. That’s probably why I have less and less patience for my friends and their dumb shit, and more and more interest in the older woman I’m apprenticing under.
I thought I was here just to get some experience to help me launch my own career, but I’m finding myself falling under the spell of the goddess I spend eight hours a day sharing an office with.
If she gives me a chance, I’ll show her I’m good for her in more ways than just being her employee.
So what if she’s ten years older than me? Nobody else feels what’s between us, they shouldn’t have a say whether we get to explore it.
My sights are set on her, I know what I’m after. I just need her to give into this pull, convince her that we’re worth all the risks.
This is the realest thing I’ve ever felt, but she’s scared of giving in, and I can’t even blame her.
She could lose everything, but that’s just what I want to give her.
About The Complacency Syndrome
“The book that started the spam caller trope.” — Absolutely no one
The Complacency Syndrome is a spicy, laugh-out-loud, friends-to-lovers, slow-burn, forbidden romance with a reverse age gap in a workplace setting. Whew! That was a mouthful.
It’s about what happens when you have an okay relationship with two good people who just aren’t good together, how much self-worth is actually worth, and how sometimes you have to do what scares you in order to get where you want to be. Pop an antacid cause this bitch gets spicy and let’s go!
It will have a sequel (it is not a standalone novel, and it ends on a minor cliffhanger), but there will be a happily ever after (obvi, I’m not a monster), and it is book two in The Syndrome Series. The Complacency Syndrome is the flip side of the coin of book one, The Roommate Syndrome, which focuses on salvaging a good marriage between two good people. (You do not have to read book one to appreciate books two and three in the series, but I do recommend it!)
364 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 26, 2023
13 people are currently reading
133 people want to read
About the author
Madison Myers
6 books197 followersMaddie is an elder millennial who writes contemporary romance books that focus on relatable characters you’ll fall for, journeys you’ll root for and spice you’ll melt for. She’s awful at social media and talking in the third person, but she’s less slightly terrible at writing spicy romance.
When she isn’t at her keyboard from dark to dark, she’s usually blasting music that hasn’t been cool for fifteen years, or curling up with a book, her pups and the book boyfriend of the day, or her very real (and very understanding) husband of over a decade.
When she isn’t at her keyboard from dark to dark, she’s usually blasting music that hasn’t been cool for fifteen years, or curling up with a book, her pups and the book boyfriend of the day, or her very real (and very understanding) husband of over a decade.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 17, 2024
Madison Myers once again writes a book that any person could see themselves as the MC. Ellie is so relatable as a woman deciding if the relationship she’s in is worth staying in. When she decides it’s not, she allows Asher into her life. Asher is 10ish years younger than her an intern at her company. Their slow journey to finding their beginning is beautiful. You can understand each of their reasons for wanting this relationship and the fears Ellie has about it.
I can’t wait to read the conclusion of their story in The Secrecy Syndrome.
I can’t wait to read the conclusion of their story in The Secrecy Syndrome.
January 4, 2024
3.75 ⭐ "I don’t subscribe to the theory that people say things they don’t mean. No. You thought it, you felt it, that’s why it came out of your mouth."
Preach sister!
Too much time spent with Mr Wrong at the beginning & I'm not a fan of the cliffhanger at the end. I just didn't realize that the 3 books were connected so my bad.
The slow seduction by a confident & mature younger man worked perfectly tho.
Preach sister!
Too much time spent with Mr Wrong at the beginning & I'm not a fan of the cliffhanger at the end. I just didn't realize that the 3 books were connected so my bad.
The slow seduction by a confident & mature younger man worked perfectly tho.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 26, 2023
I was given the chance to read this early as an ARC reader in exchange for an honest review. I’m mid the book and really liking it. Some of the complacency the FMC was going thru really spoke to me. I’m at a really funny part of the book (TopGolf) and can’t wait to finish reading the rest and watching how the love interests develop their relationship.
November 20, 2024
I. Am. Obsessed. Give me Asher right now please and thanks! Maddie, your books are next level! 🤭 WHY DID I WAIT SO LONG TO READ THIS SERIES!! Words can’t describe how GOOD this book is!!! If you love a good slow burn then you’ll love this! 😮💨 It teases you just enough, but when it happens phewwwwwww! I ate this book up, bring on book 2!!!!! I will say I am a Mark hater for life‼️
“Complacency: The feeling of satisfaction or security with your current situation that prevents you from being aware of what you’re missing, or keeps you from striving for more.”
Ellie Mitchell, you are my favourite FMC. She was so relatable, real and raw. I truly fell in love with her, she knew what she wanted it just took a minute to get there. She truly does deserve the world. Ellie overcame so many different obstacles but it was beautiful to see how she dealt with everything 🥹 I loved watching Ellie grow and blossom into her old self again, it was such a beautiful personal growth story! I also loved how she was the older one 😮💨
“I’ve never felt so wanted by anyone in my life, and the heady sensation from that realization threatens my stability, and possibly my sanity.”
Asher Carter, oh what I have to say about YOUUUU! A man obsessed? He knew exactly what he wanted in that moment and he TOOK IT! He was by far one of my favourite fictional men ever! He is just so confident, he’s been through a lot and as a 21 year old he’s extremely mature but he knows what he’s doing 👀 The way he cares for people is something else, I have no words for this man. I’m in love ✨
“This girl is so fucking worth every ounce of effort I’ve had to put in to win her over, keep this secret between us. I’m gonna make sure she feels the same way, every chance I get.”
I knew this book was 5 stars from the very start! The way it opens up about Ellie’s relationships - this being love interests and herself just hit my soul. Sometimes “ok” relationships aren’t always enough and that’s perfectly normal! Plus your self worth always comes first 🩷
The slow burn in this book was perfect, it’s a work colleagues to friends to lovers ❤️🔥 Now Asher is 100% my new book boyfriend, I said what I said. Maddie only writes the BEST books! And she definitely blew me away with this one, I can’t stop thinking about them 🥹 PLUS THAT ENDING?!?! Just utterly obsessed 🫶🏼
What to expect -
💝 workplace romance
💝 friends to lovers
💝 forbidden romance
💝 reverse age gap
💝 slow burn
Favourite quotes -
“And with Asher, I feel more me than I have in a long, long time. He’s the one who helped me fall back in love with myself.”
“He’s everything I could’ve dreamed he’d be and more. So fucking thoughtful. So attentive. So good at what he does. Better than anyone has ever treated me, regardless of age, wealth, any other societal factor.”
“You’re like a fucking dream,”
“Goddess. That’s the only word I can use to describe how I view her in this moment. Well actually, here are some others. Soft. Warm. Powerful. Gorgeous. Mine.”
“I miss him. His presence. His energy. That vibe that no one else but him gives off.”
“It’s like I’ve got sixty percent more life inside of my veins. It’s bubbling out of me, this palpable energy that’s so distinctly Ellie, erupting into my immediate atmosphere, just everywhere I go recently. I forgot what that was like.”
“Complacency: The feeling of satisfaction or security with your current situation that prevents you from being aware of what you’re missing, or keeps you from striving for more.”
Ellie Mitchell, you are my favourite FMC. She was so relatable, real and raw. I truly fell in love with her, she knew what she wanted it just took a minute to get there. She truly does deserve the world. Ellie overcame so many different obstacles but it was beautiful to see how she dealt with everything 🥹 I loved watching Ellie grow and blossom into her old self again, it was such a beautiful personal growth story! I also loved how she was the older one 😮💨
“I’ve never felt so wanted by anyone in my life, and the heady sensation from that realization threatens my stability, and possibly my sanity.”
Asher Carter, oh what I have to say about YOUUUU! A man obsessed? He knew exactly what he wanted in that moment and he TOOK IT! He was by far one of my favourite fictional men ever! He is just so confident, he’s been through a lot and as a 21 year old he’s extremely mature but he knows what he’s doing 👀 The way he cares for people is something else, I have no words for this man. I’m in love ✨
“This girl is so fucking worth every ounce of effort I’ve had to put in to win her over, keep this secret between us. I’m gonna make sure she feels the same way, every chance I get.”
I knew this book was 5 stars from the very start! The way it opens up about Ellie’s relationships - this being love interests and herself just hit my soul. Sometimes “ok” relationships aren’t always enough and that’s perfectly normal! Plus your self worth always comes first 🩷
The slow burn in this book was perfect, it’s a work colleagues to friends to lovers ❤️🔥 Now Asher is 100% my new book boyfriend, I said what I said. Maddie only writes the BEST books! And she definitely blew me away with this one, I can’t stop thinking about them 🥹 PLUS THAT ENDING?!?! Just utterly obsessed 🫶🏼
What to expect -
💝 workplace romance
💝 friends to lovers
💝 forbidden romance
💝 reverse age gap
💝 slow burn
Favourite quotes -
“And with Asher, I feel more me than I have in a long, long time. He’s the one who helped me fall back in love with myself.”
“He’s everything I could’ve dreamed he’d be and more. So fucking thoughtful. So attentive. So good at what he does. Better than anyone has ever treated me, regardless of age, wealth, any other societal factor.”
“You’re like a fucking dream,”
“Goddess. That’s the only word I can use to describe how I view her in this moment. Well actually, here are some others. Soft. Warm. Powerful. Gorgeous. Mine.”
“I miss him. His presence. His energy. That vibe that no one else but him gives off.”
“It’s like I’ve got sixty percent more life inside of my veins. It’s bubbling out of me, this palpable energy that’s so distinctly Ellie, erupting into my immediate atmosphere, just everywhere I go recently. I forgot what that was like.”
May 15, 2025
So far, I am really enjoying this book. It's a reverse age-gap, which I find confusing. It doesn't matter who's older in the relationship, IMO an age-gap is an age-gap.
Anyway, Ellie has found herself in a tired, boring, and complacent relationship with David. I love that she was committed to him and tried everything possible to save that relationship before finally seeing that she needed more.
Enter Asher. Although he's younger than Ellie, he had to grow up fast, so he's very mature for his age. He's lived and "been there, done that." He brings out a side of Ellie that she had let go because of work, age, and a boring partner. Although she spent a lot of this book kind of pushing against her feelings for Asher, I am glad that Ellie ultimately gave herself permission to be happy.
I look forward to seeing the conclusion of their story in the next book.
Anyway, Ellie has found herself in a tired, boring, and complacent relationship with David. I love that she was committed to him and tried everything possible to save that relationship before finally seeing that she needed more.
Enter Asher. Although he's younger than Ellie, he had to grow up fast, so he's very mature for his age. He's lived and "been there, done that." He brings out a side of Ellie that she had let go because of work, age, and a boring partner. Although she spent a lot of this book kind of pushing against her feelings for Asher, I am glad that Ellie ultimately gave herself permission to be happy.
I look forward to seeing the conclusion of their story in the next book.
February 14, 2025
I read the Roommate Syndrome last year and it was great! I was so happy I had finally had the chance to finish the series.
Book 2 - The Complacency Syndrome
THE SLOW BURN IS SLOW BURNING and I love it.
Book 3 - The Secrecy Syndrome
The spice is spicing and it is sooo good 🥵
I love when the female Maine character in a story finally knows her worth and isn’t going to let anyone else determine it. Ellie is a badass and I loved her for it. Asher and Ellie were literally perfect.
The age gap, workplace romance was insanely good and I couldn’t put down either story. I loved everything about both of these books.
If y’all like spicy books read these now. All three of them!
Book 2 - The Complacency Syndrome
THE SLOW BURN IS SLOW BURNING and I love it.
Book 3 - The Secrecy Syndrome
The spice is spicing and it is sooo good 🥵
I love when the female Maine character in a story finally knows her worth and isn’t going to let anyone else determine it. Ellie is a badass and I loved her for it. Asher and Ellie were literally perfect.
The age gap, workplace romance was insanely good and I couldn’t put down either story. I loved everything about both of these books.
If y’all like spicy books read these now. All three of them!
January 18, 2024
THIS.BOOK.
I am in LOVE with this book and it’s characters!! I loved Ellie in The roommate syndrome and was so happy to see her get her own story. Watching her realize what she deserves in life was amazing and I was literally cheering for her!
Asher is just…I have no words!! I’m obsessed with him and I want him for myself! He’s so sweet, caring, and hot asf! I was hooked on him the second he was introduced into the book and my love for him only grew as I got to know him. I can’t wait to finish off their story with the next book and see how it all unfolds!!!
I am in LOVE with this book and it’s characters!! I loved Ellie in The roommate syndrome and was so happy to see her get her own story. Watching her realize what she deserves in life was amazing and I was literally cheering for her!
Asher is just…I have no words!! I’m obsessed with him and I want him for myself! He’s so sweet, caring, and hot asf! I was hooked on him the second he was introduced into the book and my love for him only grew as I got to know him. I can’t wait to finish off their story with the next book and see how it all unfolds!!!
January 15, 2025
3 stars ⭐️
January 4, 2026
this book was definitely better than the third book.
January 15, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. Ellie was a very relatable, character and so darn cute. I love how she is such a strong, female character in a modern world. I don’t want to give away the story, but she goes through some difficult decisions and finds the most beautiful love along the way. If you’re a romance fan, definitely give this book a try!
January 30, 2025
Again, I love the entire "Syndrome" series! Ellie, Ellie... not only did I resonated with Chrissy her best friends in so many aspects (long-time wife/mom to the 4th power, etc.); I also resonated with Ellie as well (the hard-working, beautiful but slightly insecure, plus-sized, people-pleaser) who's feeling stagnant. I absolutely love seeing her and Asher's relationship develop. I loved the age gap and how obsessed Asher is about Ellie! I definitely loved and enjoyed this book.
September 24, 2024
I was given an ARC of this book and I'm still in the middle of it. I can't wait to see what happens and how this romance develops. I think every reader will appreciate the characters and the writing, and generally find it very relatable.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews