Love Linked

by Allison Speka

Charlie is less than pleased about her stoic new boss Nathan Shaw. It doesn’t matter how attractive he is, she doesn’t have time for his callous demeanor and micromanaging ways.But despite his initial abrasiveness, Charlie quickly discovers his depth and complexity, leaving her eager to understand him more.Viewed by many as cold and uncaring, Nathan Shaw has a difficult time connecting with people. Instead, he chooses to pour everything into the successful company he’s built from the ground up. Now, a multi-millionaire, he’s reluctantly moving to Denver due to forces outside his control.But Nathan’s attitude changes when he meets Charlie. She’s bold, intelligent and—unlike the other employees—she isn’t afraid to stand up to him. Even though she’s off limits, he can’t seem to shake the way she makes him feel.

Genres: Romance, Ebooks, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Forbidden Romance, Rom Com

Paperback

Published December 19, 2023

About the author

Allison Speka's stories are light on the spice and heavy on the banter. She delivers realistic characters that you'll instantly root for, taking you on a roller coaster of emotions. With moments of passion, humor, and a fast-paced plot, her books will keep you hooked from start to finish, making it impossible to put them down.

Follow her journey.
TikTok and Instagram: @AllisonSpeka

Visit her website AllisonSpeka.com for free bonus content and news on upcoming releases.

Signed Copies: https://www.allisonspeka.com/shop

Reviews

[Victoria Werngreen · Rating 2 out of 5]

*deep breath in, deep breath out 😮‍💨* the first 40% had me thinking this was gonna be a 5⭐️ read, but then it just went dauwn😭

in the beginning I really liked Charlie and Nathan! I like how they saw each other and easily had a connection, then we had a bit of miscommunication (which I despise!) but it was resolved in a few chapters, so I was okay with letting it go😌 BUT THEN the miscommunication just got worse and WORSE!!

I could not agree more with Lila when she said something along the lines of “if you could miscommunicate that badly after one night, what could that mean for your future?” because she hit the nail head on! this '5 star read' turned into a hate read 😫

they are both bad at communication as in they just don’t. Charlie puts words into Nathan’s mouth (or whatever that saying is), she misunderstands EVERYTHING and Nathan is just quiet when he shouldn't be🤦🏼‍♀️ ... I just completely stopped rooting for them.

there’s a third act break-up (sorry for the kinda spoiler) which I also hate! I feel like the 3rd act conflict had such an obvi alternative choice, but nope.. we had to go with the break up 🤦🏼‍♀️ whyyyyy??!! but I did not want them to get back together.

actual examples (minor spoilers) why I’m so upset with this book:

Charlie gets mad at Nathan for stupid shit, he tells her he wants her to meet his mom and in the next chapter she is like ‘I dOn’T kNoW hOw He FeElS aBoUt Me! DoEs He EvEn LiKe Me?!’ 🤦🏼‍♀️ Nathan tells her in the beginning that none of his relationships in the past have worked out because he invests so much time in his work and Charlie replies ‘ditto’, but then gets upset when he doesn’t want to quit his job to be with her after they have been dating FOR 2 WEEKS! uuugghhhh and when someone sees them in public (they aren’t allowed to date because of company policies) and he acts like they aren’t dating she gets mad .. like gurl you knew🙄

also, someone is making sexual harassment comments to her face infront of Nathan and he says nada?! like dude that is not okay! and when she says she doesn’t want to be his dirty secret, he teases her about wanting to go public but then is like ‘sorry jk, you know we can’t’ 🥊 +he's a douche to his brother for no reason

and then at last he comes begging for her to forgive him, tells her he is bad at this but wants to try, that he loves her and she just accepts!??! YOU TWO CANNOT COMMUNICATE YOU SHOULD NOT END UP TOGETHER!!

sorry! this got heated 🙈 it’s just really frustrating when you’re supposed to root for two people who should not be in a relationship with each other

0.5/5 🌶️

[Diem McAuliffe · Rating 4 out of 5]

THIS WAS SO FREAKING CUTE! UPTIGHT/COLD/WORK OBSESSED NATHAN HAS TO MOVE TO DENVER, AS HIS COMPANY MERGES WITH ANOTHER, WHERE HE MEETS CHARLIE, WHO IS AN ABSOLUTE FIRECRACKER. SHE CALLS HIM OUT, STANDS UP TO HIM AND SLOWLY STARTS TO MELT HIS COLD EXTERIOR. A WORK PLACE RELATIONSHIP IS AGAINST POLICY, I LOVE A FORBIDDEN ROMANCE! I ABSOLUTELY LOVED HOW ALLISON WROTE BOTH NATHAN AND CHARLIE. THEIR RELATIONSHIP, AND CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT WAS FANTASTIC. I WAS ROOTING FOR THEM THE ENTIRE TIME!

I ONLY WISH THE ENDING DIDN’T FEEL SO RUSHED, ONCE THEY’RE FINALLY TOGETHER, I WOULD HAVE LOVED MORE FROM THEM BECAUSE I WAS JUST SO OBSESSED WITH THEM BY THAT POINT LOL

Highly recommend! Along with all of Allison’s books, I’ve adored them all!

[MacKenzie Stein · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75!!!

It wasn’t a 4 but also definitely wasn’t a 3. So far my least favorite out of all of Allison’s books but I think it’s just because the main characters annoyed me a bit. Nathan was a bit much & at times gave me the ick🤪. But still a cute easy read from Allison!

[Mary Lomie George · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book I have read by Ms Allison Speka and I am completely blown away with it just the same as I was with the first one. Her stories are so real. Her characters truly feel like real people and you can’t help but love them. I dare you to try because it’s just not possible. Her FMC’s are my favorites and I literally want to be their bestie! I really hope she turns this book into a series because I loved the dynamic and I want more of the story from the other characters! Don’t get me wrong, this book was a prefect length and I was happy with the ending. I just want to get to know the side characters better and have a little check in with the MC’s later on down the road! I can’t wait to order my physical copy of this book as well as a few for some of my friends who I know will love it just as much as I did!

I received an ARC of this book. This review is honest, unbiased and completely my own.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ I received this book as an ARC and loved it! It’s such a cute read and I couldn’t put it down!

[Becs · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars
i cried lol
allison has a way of writing characters that i absolutely fall in love with.

[Shelby · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a cute book! This is the second novel I’ve read by the author and I’ve enjoyed both of them immensely. I loved the strong female lead and how she and her best friend took on the world together.

[Kyra Cugle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this story! I was happy to read the redeeming character of Nathan. He was not my favorite during this book but I love how he made up for it at the end. Lila and Charlie’s friendship is so heartwarming as well. 🥰

[Taylor Bowman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Painfully predictable, I recommend to no one

[Grace Wilson🦧 · Rating 2 out of 5]

it got the job done, it was quick and cute but it really wasn’t giving what it needed to give. THAT BEING SAID it was fun!!!

[KJ Krzewski · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC review!!!

this was the breath of fresh air i needed after a slow few reads...a romcom will always get be back into my reading groove

the dynamic between the main characters is one of my favorites when it comes to tropes...i'll always be in it for an enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity energy...and charlie and nathan's story really captured that

workplace romances aren't usually on my radar, not to say i don't like them, but they aren't ones that stick out to me all that often, but i did enjoy this one a lot

something i always appreciate in a romance is when the main characters have things going on outside the relationship dynamic...so often i read about these very two-dimensional characters whose only real character arcs are falling in love...but both of the main characters had interesting arcs of their own, separate from each other...charlie had her meet up group and nathan had his struggling family dynamic

this book was easy to read, the plot was cute, and overall i enjoyed it

[Jessica Martinez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book I read by Allie & I must say it’s hands down my favorite! The way this book kept me flipping pages, smiling cheek to cheek like no other. I like that these characters are complicated in their own ways, they are not your typical fall in love story, the denial makes it better in the beginning & you want more than anything for their relationship to work. I just wish I could see more of their happy ever after but there is not one thing I could complain about with this book. This was an enjoyable one with some spice, would recommend if your into romance! Couldn’t put it down, super cute!

[Bella Iacovetta]

This book was an easy and quick read. Nathan’s character was bossy and cold but yet he opens up to Charlie. I like how at the beginning they didn’t get along and would banter but then it kinda turned flirty and Nathan understood what it meant to want to have your own business and they both liked that about each other. I liked how Nathan was able to be open with Charlie and how Charlie was able to understand him in a different way. I think it’s funny they both created social dating and meeting friends apps when they both struggled with that.

[Mel 🖤 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I’ve read from this author but I will be getting more for sure. Such a fun read. I really loved the story and how it all came together. I ordered off the tik tok shop and the author signed the book and included a hand written card, bookmark, and sticker. It was so thoughtful and intentional. I am so glad I picked this up.

[Weronika · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.4/5 ⭐️

Quite enjoyable but and there is a but.... there were times when I felt so sorry for Nathan lol

like yes he did put his work first he was not a saint but sometimes for me he was just misunderstood especially by Charlie 🥲 everyone saw a problem in him but not themselves which was frustrating at times.... ow and the breakup..... no comment

but overall it was fine 👍

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, love, love it!! Couldn't put it down until the end and I didn't want it to end.

[Piper Brintnall · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, at least this MMC isn’t a raging jerk like the other books I’ve read by this author. Though, Nathan is painfully not self-aware. I loved Charlie’s confidence and ability to stick up for herself. Her struggles on whether to stick with the safe path or jump into the somewhat unknown felt real.

There is chemistry in this book but the side characters are a bit flat. I read the next book of these characters first, so I know about them. But overall it was a bit stale when they were around. I still don’t really know or get Oliver.

The book drags a bit. How many times can we read about their flaws? It’s the same flaws each time.

This book was an ok read. I would suggest it. And I would definitely suggest it before the next book.

[Colette DeVries · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️ not a 3 but not an solid 4 either. This would be a great beach read though and if I had been on a beach reading it who knows! Maybe I would have rated it higher!

[Lauren Colyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good coworker/boss trope but it was just like fine - there wasn’t any action until you were 60% in. I liked the characters a lot and enjoyed the read but wasn’t obsessed

[Annie Tasaka · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

My fourth book by this author and might be my favourite. Charlie is my kind of girl, smart, feisty and not afraid to stand up for herself. Nathan needed a lot of help to evolve from a grumpy workaholic to a good human. With the help of his brother and Charlie he gets there eventually. I think there’s a lot of potential here for more books with this crew. I really enjoyed all the side characters, I’d love to see more of Oliver, Lila & Harrison.

I was given an ARC copy of this book and my opinions are my own.

[Ashley Schreiner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a cute book! I love. Good hallmark movie with a touch of spice. I discovered this author on TikTok and her books don’t disappoint! I love a good sunshine and grumpy trope. Great read!

[Felicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Allison for the ARC copy of her fourth novel. She has done it again! This story is not like your typical office romance. The story feels very realistic and NOT another cheesy office romance. All the characters have characteristics that you can relate to. One of my favorite things about her novels is how the characters develop and grow throughout the story. If you’re looking for the quick and wonderful romance I HIGHLY recommend. I can’t wait to read more of her books in the future!

[Viktoriya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for sending along an ARC. This is the third book I’ve read by this author and it is my favorite of hers! The grumpy/sunshine, I’ll do anything because it’s her, changed my life trope always hits for me and this one is no different. Also, I love love love the intelligent, brilliant, successful female main character who is killing her career in tech! 10/10 banter, had me giggling and kicking my feet. I would have really appreciated more trivia and karaoke nights with the ensemble characters getting together because those scenes were so fun!

[Ashli Volk · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s just like Allison to make another set of book characters to SWOON over.

“Millionaire- enemies to lovers- workplace romance “

I loved this story and couldn’t put it down. There was so much depth in the main characters AND the side characters which you don’t see very often.

Nathan was so broody and honestly I feel like I could picture him perfectly. The story drama was pretty realistic. I want this to be a series if possible. There is so much potential! I had my fingers crossed for Lila and Ollie too. And Harrison is such a mystery.

Great job Allison and thanks for letting me be an arc reader again

[Tiffany Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

So fun!! Felt like I was reading a hallmark movie

[Amber Swafford · Rating 5 out of 5]

**I received this book as an Arc. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌶️🌶️

This is the 3rd book I’ve read from Allison Speka, and she did it again!! I love the pace of Allison’s writing. Her books are a fun, quick reads with a little spice and without lulles in the story.

Love Linked is about Charlie and Nathan who are forced to work together when Nathan’s company acquires the company Charlie works for. Nathan is cold and standoffish, while Charlie has a warm and inviting personality. They butt heads right away, but quickly the tension shifts….

The angst between the two MC kept me intrigued and the back and forth banter I loved. It was very hard to out this book down.

[Courtney Aguilar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly, I loved other books by this author, so I had high hopes for this one... they fell kinda short.

I LOVED the beginning of the book. However; towards the middle/end, the main character got super annoying. She is also a workaholic(same as the love interest) and was constantly dumbfounded that he wanted to keep his job over openly confessing to everyone that they just started dating.

If this was you and your company that you built from the ground up - you wouldn't be so quick to lose it all. She also had a bad habit of interrupting him before he could explain his thoughts on anything and would just jump to conclusions, then leave and be mad or hurt. Like girl, you hurt your own feelings multiple times because you wouldn't let the man who struggles with expressing emotions due to trauma speak

[K'la Brasseur · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall it was just a 3, the storyline was fine and I liked the grumpy sunshine act from MC but As much as I wanted to love this book it fell shorts in way regarding Nathan, he just gave me the ick like, your an adult and never experienced things so I understand the strong feelings so quick but the way he handles situations didn’t like that. There was one spicy scene and I enjoyed how clean it was overall but yeah the main guy needs to grow a pair in defending, Respectfully.

[Megan Gilbert · Rating 2 out of 5]

This romance was lackluster to me, but still had some redeeming qualities. I can’t believe how Nathan treated her & can’t forgive him for not standing up for her. When a MMC doesn’t stand up for the FMC, I’m not happy.

I didn’t find Nathan attractive, so I also don’t get the hype. I’m also not a person who would ever enjoy 80 hour work weeks, so I think he’s just not my type. Trip Switch was MUCH better than this in my opinion.

[Teresa Estrada · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was cute but I honestly expected better. The whole story felt so rushed. Also, it was so hard to like any character in this book??????