"And fate.
Never give up, he will find you."
I've been wanting to read this series forever. I got the ARC for this one, pre-ordered it, AND bought the other two and have them in my Kindle. If that alone doesn't tell you how good I think this book is, I don't know what will.
This is going down as one of my favorite books of 2021. The Casanova is everything I want and need in a romance novel.
Enemies to lovers with a bossy, possessive, sometimes asshole of a hero who is hot and all sorts of sizzling in the bedroom, and a heroine who doesn't back down and even makes him grovel? Yes, please.
"And don't roll your eyes at me," she huffs
"Kathryn, I need a damn retina transplant from all the eye rolling you cause."
"Well, that makes two of us."
Elliot Miles is perfection. I need a machine to turn book characters into real life people, and I need it now. He's the CEO of the London branch of Miles Media. Kathryn is the IT Team Manager at the same company.
They hate each other. He's a jackass to her, and she doesn't take it lying down. The way they're at each other's throats is awesome. I loved the banter between them, and the tension really is palpable.
Also, it was refreshing not to have the usual "he's the boss, I'm the employee, we can't" obstacle between them. Thank you for that, Ms. Swan.
"Promise me that we can have angry sex soon. I need to fuck you when you're raging fucking angry with me."
I laugh out loud in surprise; the man's an idiot. "With your annoying personality, I don't think that will be a problem, Elliot."
There are two moments that are pivotal and lead to a change in their relationship. All of a sudden, Kathryn becomes something more than a witch that works for him, and Elliot shows a side of him that was hidden until now.
Please note: he is still bossy, and still possessive, and definitely hot, and I love him for all of it. There are just... more layers there.
"Elliot Miles fucks like he does business, hard and unapologetic. I knew he'd be something else, I just didn't know it would be everything."
When the fun, scorching moments between them begin, it's off the charts. The banter goes on, and only makes everything hotter. And trust me when I tell you that Elliot may be possessive, but so is Kathryn. I really liked that he knew how to push all her buttons, even if not in the most tactful way. His social skills need some tuning, and his having-feelings-for-someone-and-not-knowing-what-to-do-with-them need that too. Big time.
"There's no such thing as a coincidence."
The last 25% are EVERYTHING. There's a plot twist that had me wanting to punch Elliot in his beautiful face. Part of me understood it, most of me did not. I found myself doubting this HEA, but I shouldn't have, because the ending was perfect. I won't say more about it, because I think it needs to be experienced (whether you love it or hate it will be up to you). For me, it was worth every minute.
"She smiles softly with her eyes closed and falls back to sleep. In the darkness, in her arms, I listen to her heartbeat. And I lose sight of mine."
This was a fun, banter- and feeling-filled, sexy and steamy read, with characters that pulled me in and wouldn't let me go.
I couldn't recommend it more!
Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with an eARC. This is my honest review of this book. All opinions are my own.