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Power Play: A marriage of convenience novella
In a desperate bid to secure her family's future, Claudia Ibáñez strikes a dangerous she will marry the infuriating Julian Gray.
As Claudia and Julian are forced to coexist, their mutual dislike drives them further apart and their encounters filled with resentment and tension. Yet, beneath the scathing remarks and fiery glares, a different kind of tension simmers. A tension laced with undeniable attraction.
As the boundaries blur between love and hate, Claudia and Julian find themselves teetering on a precipice of forbidden desire. Each encounter brings them closer to the edge, entangled in a battle between their hearts and their pride.
But when they both keep their secrets locked close to their hearts and the consequences of their dishonesty threatens to destroy everything, Claudia and Julian must confront the truth.
Can they overcome their differences and find a way to protect their hearts, or will their intense connection be their downfall?
As Claudia and Julian are forced to coexist, their mutual dislike drives them further apart and their encounters filled with resentment and tension. Yet, beneath the scathing remarks and fiery glares, a different kind of tension simmers. A tension laced with undeniable attraction.
As the boundaries blur between love and hate, Claudia and Julian find themselves teetering on a precipice of forbidden desire. Each encounter brings them closer to the edge, entangled in a battle between their hearts and their pride.
But when they both keep their secrets locked close to their hearts and the consequences of their dishonesty threatens to destroy everything, Claudia and Julian must confront the truth.
Can they overcome their differences and find a way to protect their hearts, or will their intense connection be their downfall?
261 pages, Paperback
Published December 24, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 5, 2024
i will read anything this woman writes 🤲🤲
claudia and julian omggg 😭 this book is not even 200 pages yet i fell in love with both of them 🫠🫠 marriage of convenience isn’t my thing but i think this book may be the exception!
claudia and julian omggg 😭 this book is not even 200 pages yet i fell in love with both of them 🫠🫠 marriage of convenience isn’t my thing but i think this book may be the exception!
December 29, 2023
4.25⭐️
This novella is a marriage of convenience between Claudia & Julian. Claudia’s family is struggling to afford their rent so Julian’s uncle, the owner of Claudia’s families apartment building, proposes the idea that Claudia marries his nephew Julian. Julian has been a bit off the rails with partying, drinking & drugs which is corrupting his families image. Both parties are presented with an offer that they couldn’t refuse & will benefit them both.
After being thrown into a loveless marriage Claudia & Julian must learn to coexist with each other and follow the rules of their marriage contract. Soon lines blur between the pair & they find themselves falling for each other.
This was a super quick & easy read. I absolutely love the tropes for this story. Age gap, enemies to lovers, arranged marriage *chefs kiss*👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 so many of my faves!!!
I really admired Claudia’s sacrifice of happiness in order to make sure her family had a roof over their heads. I feel like she was very relatable in that situation.
Julian’s character was really great. Firstly, I love a grumpy mmc. The best!!! Julian was exactly that but he was also tall, handsome & a little broken. The backstory about Julian’s experience with Adam broke my heart & realising thats why he went off the rails.
I loved the spice in this book & the pacing was done well for the length! I enjoyed the tensio between Julian & Claudia. There were so many times in this book where I just wanted them to trust each other but I’m so glad they finally opened their hearts to each other & laid everything bare. I’m so happy they got their happy ending too.
Overall, I really loved this read. It was super quick & enjoyable. I recommend you give it a go.
Tropes⭐️:
- marriage of convenience
- age gap
- enemies to lovers
- grumpy x sunshine
- billionaire romance
- forced proximity
- emotional scars
- opposites attract
This novella is a marriage of convenience between Claudia & Julian. Claudia’s family is struggling to afford their rent so Julian’s uncle, the owner of Claudia’s families apartment building, proposes the idea that Claudia marries his nephew Julian. Julian has been a bit off the rails with partying, drinking & drugs which is corrupting his families image. Both parties are presented with an offer that they couldn’t refuse & will benefit them both.
After being thrown into a loveless marriage Claudia & Julian must learn to coexist with each other and follow the rules of their marriage contract. Soon lines blur between the pair & they find themselves falling for each other.
This was a super quick & easy read. I absolutely love the tropes for this story. Age gap, enemies to lovers, arranged marriage *chefs kiss*👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 so many of my faves!!!
I really admired Claudia’s sacrifice of happiness in order to make sure her family had a roof over their heads. I feel like she was very relatable in that situation.
Julian’s character was really great. Firstly, I love a grumpy mmc. The best!!! Julian was exactly that but he was also tall, handsome & a little broken. The backstory about Julian’s experience with Adam broke my heart & realising thats why he went off the rails.
I loved the spice in this book & the pacing was done well for the length! I enjoyed the tensio between Julian & Claudia. There were so many times in this book where I just wanted them to trust each other but I’m so glad they finally opened their hearts to each other & laid everything bare. I’m so happy they got their happy ending too.
Overall, I really loved this read. It was super quick & enjoyable. I recommend you give it a go.
Tropes⭐️:
- marriage of convenience
- age gap
- enemies to lovers
- grumpy x sunshine
- billionaire romance
- forced proximity
- emotional scars
- opposites attract
December 25, 2023
ARC Review
This story was an arranged marriage/marriage of coincidence novella following Claudia and Julian. Both individuals were battling life issues that seemed unsolvable, that was until an offer presented itself that neither could refuse. Thrust into a loveless marriage, Claudia and Julian must learn to coexist and follow the terms and conditions of their marriage contract.
This was a short and quick read. I really enjoyed the characters, there were some instances where I was mentally screaming because they were being so hardheaded and refused to trust the other. In the end these two got the happily ever after they deserved. This story had me hooked from start to finish, I would definitely re-read this book again. I'd even read a sequel following these characters or a story where they make a cameo.
⭐️ 4.25
TW:
mention of unaliving
kinks
drugs/alcohol
violence
mention of SA
mental health
age gap
If any of these items trigger you, I advise you for your sake to be cautious of books with these topics for the sake of your mental health.
This story was an arranged marriage/marriage of coincidence novella following Claudia and Julian. Both individuals were battling life issues that seemed unsolvable, that was until an offer presented itself that neither could refuse. Thrust into a loveless marriage, Claudia and Julian must learn to coexist and follow the terms and conditions of their marriage contract.
This was a short and quick read. I really enjoyed the characters, there were some instances where I was mentally screaming because they were being so hardheaded and refused to trust the other. In the end these two got the happily ever after they deserved. This story had me hooked from start to finish, I would definitely re-read this book again. I'd even read a sequel following these characters or a story where they make a cameo.
⭐️ 4.25
TW:
mention of unaliving
kinks
drugs/alcohol
violence
mention of SA
mental health
age gap
If any of these items trigger you, I advise you for your sake to be cautious of books with these topics for the sake of your mental health.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 29, 2023
A marriage of convenience, grumpy x sunshine, enemies to lovers and forced proximity? Check, check, check and check.
'She is divine. Ravishing. Elegant. A sight for sore eyes. F*ck, I hate her already'.
Claudia Ibáñez's family are struggling for money, and determined to help them, Claudia agrees to an arranged marriage - a marriage of convenience to Julian Gray. Claudia will receive financial security for her family, Julian will put an end to his partying ways - but, are they destined to be unhappy in a loveless marriage?
'I'm marrying a self-centred asshole'.
𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀
I love all the tropes I listed above, but I'd not read a marriage of convenience story in a while, and this one did not disappoint. A broody, grumpy MMC, and a sunshine FMC? Yes please.
Even though this is a novella, the character growth we see in both Claudia and Julian is heartwarming - both so wary to protect their hearts, but realising they can't live without each other.
'Together, we're an eclipse, celestial and powerful'.
'Because she's my wife, and my wife gets whatever the f*ck she wants. And if she can't get it? I'll burn the world to the ground until she does'.
Really enjoyable read and can't wait to read more by Esme! Thank you to Esme for this copy. This review is voluntary.
'She is divine. Ravishing. Elegant. A sight for sore eyes. F*ck, I hate her already'.
Claudia Ibáñez's family are struggling for money, and determined to help them, Claudia agrees to an arranged marriage - a marriage of convenience to Julian Gray. Claudia will receive financial security for her family, Julian will put an end to his partying ways - but, are they destined to be unhappy in a loveless marriage?
'I'm marrying a self-centred asshole'.
𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀
I love all the tropes I listed above, but I'd not read a marriage of convenience story in a while, and this one did not disappoint. A broody, grumpy MMC, and a sunshine FMC? Yes please.
Even though this is a novella, the character growth we see in both Claudia and Julian is heartwarming - both so wary to protect their hearts, but realising they can't live without each other.
'Together, we're an eclipse, celestial and powerful'.
'Because she's my wife, and my wife gets whatever the f*ck she wants. And if she can't get it? I'll burn the world to the ground until she does'.
Really enjoyable read and can't wait to read more by Esme! Thank you to Esme for this copy. This review is voluntary.
December 31, 2023
Another book by Esme? Don’t mind if I doooo😍
She had me at Enemies to lovers 😋 the banter!!!!! Omg, hilarious 😂 age gap toooo???????? Ughhhhh!!!!!
I love how both characters had their own scars and worked through them 🥹
Claudia’s love for her parents is something I can relate tooo, which made me fall in love with her immediately 😍 Julian seems all tough and cold but when you dig really really …realllllllly deep 😆, you’re able to see that he’s a softie who will never break a promise 😭
The spice…. What he did to make her feel safe 🫠🫠🫠 ugh. I want him. I want to be her.
I love Esme’s writing, love this book, love the characters, BUT UGHHH again, I wish this was a novel instead of a novella. I feel like this required some very in depth details and background and just… MORE OF THEM, which don’t get me wrong, this had amazing character growth and amazing details got a novella, buuuuut for this kind of plot and story, more is neeeeeeeded🫠😭😭 am I greedy? Yes. Still, such an amazing book 🤤
Also THE COVER😍😍
Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
She had me at Enemies to lovers 😋 the banter!!!!! Omg, hilarious 😂 age gap toooo???????? Ughhhhh!!!!!
I love how both characters had their own scars and worked through them 🥹
Claudia’s love for her parents is something I can relate tooo, which made me fall in love with her immediately 😍 Julian seems all tough and cold but when you dig really really …realllllllly deep 😆, you’re able to see that he’s a softie who will never break a promise 😭
The spice…. What he did to make her feel safe 🫠🫠🫠 ugh. I want him. I want to be her.
I love Esme’s writing, love this book, love the characters, BUT UGHHH again, I wish this was a novel instead of a novella. I feel like this required some very in depth details and background and just… MORE OF THEM, which don’t get me wrong, this had amazing character growth and amazing details got a novella, buuuuut for this kind of plot and story, more is neeeeeeeded🫠😭😭 am I greedy? Yes. Still, such an amazing book 🤤
Also THE COVER😍😍
Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
December 26, 2023
Power play is defined as tactics exhibiting or intended to increase a person's power or influence. That is exactly what is happening in this book. Claudia is involved in this marriage of convenience to help her family, and I feel like we can all relate to that decision. But she hit the jackpot with Julian.
He is the whole package. Tall, handsome, rich, protective, and a little broken. What else can you ask for?
But sometimes that's not enough. Will Claudia and Julian be able to work around their problems and be able to ignore the power play, which is the whole reason why they are in this situation?
You will have to read it to find out. I was so excited to find out I was going to get an ARC for this book, but I want to specify that all these thoughts are my own. I loved this book and can't wait to read more from Esme Lennon.
He is the whole package. Tall, handsome, rich, protective, and a little broken. What else can you ask for?
But sometimes that's not enough. Will Claudia and Julian be able to work around their problems and be able to ignore the power play, which is the whole reason why they are in this situation?
You will have to read it to find out. I was so excited to find out I was going to get an ARC for this book, but I want to specify that all these thoughts are my own. I loved this book and can't wait to read more from Esme Lennon.
December 29, 2023
This is the second book I’ve read by Esme Lennon and I was worried that nothing could live up to the first book which I loved but I am happy to report that I was so wrong.
This book has one of my favourite tropes - forced marriage and it was done to perfection.
Julian and Claudia have probably become one of my favourite book couples. You could just feel the chemistry between them and you always knew that when they got together it would be smoking hot.
This is a novella so it’s short but sweet. I equally would have loved a longer version of this book and the chance to see a bit more of the family relationships surrounding this couple but I can’t complain and it’s only because I love the writing so much that I want more of it.
This book has one of my favourite tropes - forced marriage and it was done to perfection.
Julian and Claudia have probably become one of my favourite book couples. You could just feel the chemistry between them and you always knew that when they got together it would be smoking hot.
This is a novella so it’s short but sweet. I equally would have loved a longer version of this book and the chance to see a bit more of the family relationships surrounding this couple but I can’t complain and it’s only because I love the writing so much that I want more of it.
December 19, 2023
Power play
I really enjoyed this book. It was a great story about two broken hearts who grow and come together in hard times. I liked the growth in this book these two souls grow so much and break down each other's walls. It was a great read with a little bit of spice. I think if you want a quick read that will keep you on the edge of, your seat is a good one for you.
I really enjoyed this book. It was a great story about two broken hearts who grow and come together in hard times. I liked the growth in this book these two souls grow so much and break down each other's walls. It was a great read with a little bit of spice. I think if you want a quick read that will keep you on the edge of, your seat is a good one for you.
December 20, 2023
Could not get enough of these 2! MFC is relatable with a beautiful soul, and MMC is a grumpy sunshine jerk, that you can't help but fall in love with. Once I started reading, I couldn't put it down. Great banter, and the spicy scenes *chefs kiss*. So glad I was able to be an ARC for this!
December 28, 2023
For a novella, I was surprised at the amount of action and squealing moments this book got out of me. Spice was 🌶️🌶️ and all in all ⭐️⭐️⭐️. I wish this was longer to be able to see more character development from both the fmc and mmc.
December 23, 2023
Loved it would re read it . Highly recommend it.
December 30, 2023
Love Julian! I wish its a bit longer.
July 5, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Dark, intense, and completely addictive.
Power Play by Esme Lennon blew me away. The tension, the power dynamics, the chemistry—it was all so well done. I couldn’t stop reading! Esme has a way of pulling you deep into her dark, twisty worlds and making you feel everything. If you love dark romance with grit, heat, and emotional chaos, Power Play is a must-read. Loved every second!
This book is perfect for a at home read or a vacation <3
THANKYOU ESME X
Dark, intense, and completely addictive.
Power Play by Esme Lennon blew me away. The tension, the power dynamics, the chemistry—it was all so well done. I couldn’t stop reading! Esme has a way of pulling you deep into her dark, twisty worlds and making you feel everything. If you love dark romance with grit, heat, and emotional chaos, Power Play is a must-read. Loved every second!
This book is perfect for a at home read or a vacation <3
THANKYOU ESME X
December 30, 2023
I want MORE! I want another story with the Main characters. I would read this 20 times over I love this, was a great read and I couldn’t put it down.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews