5 STARS!!! OR 9/10!!!!
This story line has been done before. I KNOW.
There is nothing new here. I KNOW.
You can even say it's predictably predictable. I SO KNOW.
But, oh my God, I LOVED THIS! Despite all the cliches and been-there-done-that moments, I truly loved this. I tend to love, love stories where the heroine is hopelessly enamoured by a man that doesn't notice her. A man that might even treat her unkindly. That angst from being invisible, unnoticeable, irrelevant....then to turn around and realize that the man you thought didn't know you existed....ACTUALLY DID....AND SUFFERS ALL THE MORE FOR IT.
And maybe, possibly...CARED FOR YOU JUST AS MUCH....KARMA.
Why I love those kind of stories? They're relatable to a point. Anyone can remember an experience of unrequited love, can remember liking someone who didn't know you, didn't notice you. I love the angst because the heroine just wants an opportunity, a chance to be a blip on the Hero's radar.
Emma was such a heroine and I really liked her. Working in a company and admiring the boss, Alaric Canon, has been Emma's plight for a year now. She sits outside his office in her cubicle and dreams of the day he notices her, looks her way. She tries and attempts to run into him accidentally, be conveniently around when he exits his office, show up early for work so he can finally notice the only freakin person standing in the hall!
But no, Alaric doesn't see Emma, walks by without so much as a glance. OR DOES HE?
FAVOURITE LINE: Clara, Emma's bestie upon meeting Alaric and noticing him snub Emma: " Ooo la la papa Ooo mawh mawh, Emma," Clara teases. " You can sure pick 'em. He is gorgeous, and, oh so very proper," she says, puffing her chest and tucking her chin in, " and stodgy." She marches mechanically drops her voice low. " Very good job indeed, I dare say. Indubitably. Say, could you be a brilliant chap and help me to extract this board from betwixt my bum cheeks?"
SERIOUSLY, I THINK I ALMOST PEED MYSELF. EACH TIME I READ THAT!!!
This story was so good and so funny! The prose was also different and Sharp. Emma's office has a running bet over how long personal assistants can last working for Alaric. He's an asshole extraordinaire, making people cry and demanding near impossible feats of perfection. His PA's often last under a week, some a few hours, but through a stroke of fate, Emma is asked to step into the PA position. The company is about to negotiate a lucrative deal, and with Emma's expertise and thorough knowledge of what Alaric expects, she's ushered into the role that will change her life. She's always had a plan, is this the ultimate opportunity to exercise it?
There were times I couldn't believe the nastiness coming from Alaric! But slowly we see that maybe he's using his abrasiveness as a shield. Maybe he's just as affected by Emma as she is. With him. And slowly I begin to love this man and his words.
The writing was very smart and witty. I was laughing, then tearing up....this was so good. The sexy time was written differently and I have to say, it was very hot and steamy, and better than traditional sexy time writing. Doesn't make sense but you'll understand if you read this.
The ending was very sweet and sexy, I loved everything! And since this is a standalone, I finished with a huge smile on my face. This story may not be new, it may not be groundbreaking, but it doesn't have to be. It spoke to me and made me feel exactly how books should: HAPPY!