Boss of the Year

Belmont Billionaires #2

by Nicole French

This Sabrina-inspired story will include the following tropes:
He's her boss. She's his employee.
Age gap
Grumpy billionaire
V!rgin wallflower heroine coming out of her shell
Love triangle (which brother to choose!)
Boss of the Year follows the story of Marie Zola in a novel that is STANDALONE but also continues stories about the Zola family from Boyfriend of the Hour, First Comes Love, and The Other Man.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Slow Burn, Forced Proximity, Billionaire Romance, Emotional

548 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 15, 2025

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Nicole French is a USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance. She's also a hopeless romantic, low key fashion addict, and total bookworm.

Keep up with Nicole French and receive your FREE copy of one of her books when you subscribe to her newsletter: bit.ly/NicoleFrenchNewsletter

When not writing, she is hanging out with her family, playing soccer with the rest of the thirty-plus crowd in Seattle, or going on dates with her husband. In her spare time, she likes to go running or practice the piano, but never seems to do either one of these things as much as she should.

www.nicolefrenchromance.com

Follow her on Facebook for weekly snippets and other news about her newest projects:

www.facebook.com/authornicolefrench

Other social media links:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nfrenchauthor/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authornicol...
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/nfrenchauthor/

Reviews

[Patricia (Spellbound Stories Trish) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Sabrina retelling, sign me up because I love both versions of the beloved film and was excited to read a story inspired by the famous love triangle. What I got in return is a story that is so much more than the movies ever could be.

I have been in love with the Zola family for what feels like a lifetime and I have always been curious of the quiet and meek Marie. Nicole gave her a great love story more grand than my imagination could ever conjure.

This story takes you on a beautiful journey where more than our heroine finally grows and shows that with love, patience and a nudge out of your comfort zone, anyone can change and find their place in the world.

I will not spoil who wins her love because you have to experience the journey of love like I did but each moment is worth it. The man who earns her trust and her heart is one who knows Marie Zola in a way that not even her family does. He’s a man worthy of her shy smiles and together they will create a love unlike anything they have ever seen.

[Alison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sabrina Retelling

This is the second Sabrina retelling I’ve read in as many months. I don’t know why I keep reading them, they really break my heart.

I’ve got a real love/hate relationship with this book. I liked Marie okay but every time she made a move on Lucas and literally begged him to do things to her she would immediately freak out afterwards, mention his brother, and make him feel guilty. Dude! You pushed for this! I wanted to strangle her with her vintage, thrifted, Chanel scarf.

For the most part I liked Lucas. I think the author made his character more likable and more into Marie than either the source material or most adaptations I’ve read. However, that makes the entire thing he was going to do to her in Paris completely out of character for him. Why even go chase her down in the first place. She was already gone. It made him really come off as a user and all that goodwill he had gained and the love he confessed seemed like lies.

My heart broke for Marie. I’m honestly not sure if I’ve forgiven Lucas myself yet.

You’re in for a wild ride, especially if you don’t know the source material.

[Shae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marie Zola is the youngest of the Zola siblings, who have quite interesting lives. Marie has a love for cooking, which she started to do with her grandma at a young age.

She is currently working for Lyons family and has been since she was 15. Marie will now be promoted to head cook when the current chef retires. The Lyons have decided to invest in Marie and send her away to cooking school.

Marie has crushed on the younger Lyon son, Daniel since she started to work for the Lyons. Daniel, the playboy has never noticed Marie until she returns from Paris. Now he wants to profess his love and his attraction. Her crush for the last 10 years is interested in her. Will this be Marie's new beginning? Can this be love?

However, in steps Lucas, Daniel's older brother. He is the CEO of the Lyon Corporation. He has always spoken to Marie; he even approved her stay in Paris. Lucas has taken an interest in Marie. They have an attraction to each other. Does Marie have to make a choice?

Which brother loves her? Is it the playboy or the serious one? Who sees the real her?

I absolutely loved how Marie's character has grown in this story. She gaines confidence in herself which she did not have before. I loved the relationship between her and her siblings, particularly how they are always there for each other, and the way their back stories are intertwined throughout the book to bring the story together.

Reasons I enjoyed this book:
Easy-to-read, Entertaining, Great world building, Happily Ever After, Wonderful characters

[Joy Westerfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are no words that I can write that can truly express my love for this story. A definite ten plus stars from me! I’ve been a lover of the Zola family for a long time and have been looking forward to reading Marie’s story, the youngest of the family. She’s beautiful and kind and loves her family fiercely. She’s also a bit socially awkward but wants to make more of her life. When she is given an opportunity to learn to be a Chef, a profession she has always wanted, she embraces it wholeheartedly but the aftermath is not at all what she expected. She has feelings for one of the sons in the family, Daniel, but when Lucas, the older brother, shows a side of himself she never knew about, it does things to her she has never felt before. This story is about the awakening of a young woman who learns to experience life and nothing and no one is going to stand in her way. Lucas is a force to be reckoned with and while I wanted to slap him a few times, I couldn’t help but fall in lust with him. I went thru so many emotions and my heart was shattered and then delicately put back together. Their chemistry is so hot I swear my fingers got burnt turning the pages. The Zola family is always in the picture and I enjoyed the fact that they were interspersed throughout and I fell in love with them even more. I’m not one to state spoilers, so with that said, you need to read this incredible story! You will become a part of the Zola family just like I am and there is no better place.

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delicious story! With strong associations with the lovely Sabrina films, this update more than deserves its place with those predecessors. Shy, sweet Marie, has a huge crush on Daniel, the younger, womanising brother to Lucas, the serious, reserved older brother. After a year away in Paris, studying to become a chef, Marie's return heralds changes for her, and for the brothers. A young, shy woman who has physically blossomed and, while still someone who will never wish to be the centre of attention, is more prepared to voice her thoughts and opinions. For me, this love triangle had an obvious outcome, but the storytelling was so beautifully done that I was carried along happily to the fabulous conclusion.
Great to spend more time with the Zola family, one that has gone through so much! Lovely seeing Joni and Nathan so happy and heartbroken for Lea. Fingers crossed for her.
Overall, a thoughly enchanting read. Delightful 💖💖💖💖💖

[Ileana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been waiting for Marie’s book for almost a year and boy, it did not disappoint! Marie mentioned in Matthew, Frankie, and Joni’s book as a shy, virginal wallflower, but she really comes into her own after attending culinary school in France.

Lucas Lyons is the CEO of Lyons Corp and Marie’s boss. Marie is in love with Lucas’s younger brother Daniel who never noticed her until she came back from France, but maybe Lucas has noticed her all along.

I devoured this book! Lucas and Marie are perfect for each other. They complement each other well. They both took each other out of their comfort zones and tried new things. I love the little surprise towards the end of the book.

[Maddie (Bookaholic_Dreamer) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25/4.5 ⭐️

Boss of The Year is the second book in Belmont Billionaires series by author Nicole French.
In this Major Age-Gap, Grumpy Billionaire Boss/Employee, Love Triangle, Contemporary Romance we follow the story of 2nd youngest Zola sibling and sister Marie Annetta Zola through her POV in 1st person.

I won’t deny I was a little nervous going into the book due to the Love Triangle trope, since I have a tendency to struggle with reading it. Though only when she chooses the wrong guy.
However thankfully there wasn't any need for the nerves.

Author Nicole French truly did a terrific job when it came to bringing Marie Zola and Lucas Lyons story to life. Even with with it mainly being told through Marie’s perspective.

Throughout the storytelling Marie and Lucas proved time and time again they were meant for each other, as well as being endgame. Despite how it may have seemed at times for Marie, given the feelings she had carried towards younger Lyons brother Daniel for many years.

In every moment shared between Marie and Lucas, whether that be their interactions and/or their conversations, you could see and feel the heat rising off the pages from the underlying chemistry that always seemed to constantly grow and build upon. Eventually leading to full on sparks flying, even without them being physical.
And despite their denials that had them pulling away or trying to disregard it altogether, it was like a loud, bright and blaring siren going off that just couldn’t be ignored when the time called for it. Reeling them back in and pulling them closer than ever before, until they couldn't avoid it at all. Resulting in some smoking-hot, steamy moments.

I honestly loved following along the journey of Marie and Lucas, the story had ahold on me with devouring each page.
From not only getting to know one another, but also seeing the pull they had them moving closer to each other, changing their dynamic throughout. All the whilst evolving their relationship from being Boss/Employee to friends to so much more. What was there not to love and consume.
Especially when it came to hearing all about it in depth through Marie’s inner monologue.
Allowing her to be opened up to us more with all the in-depth detail towards her thoughts, views, opinions and feelings. Particularly within the decisions she made and her reasoning behind it, to how she justified it.

Although the Love Triangle aspect bought about drama, it is safe to say even without it there was still more to be had.
And not just from the subplots courtesy of secondary characters in the form of friends and family.
There was many ups and downs, alongside constant pushing and pulling between Marie and Lucas with being put through their paces in the storyline between them alone.
Marie, feeling like she wasn’t worthy given her status. As well thinking it was wrong given the forbidden-ness when it came to their work relationship in being their employee.
Lucas, the Major Age-Gap, the secrets he was hiding, putting his work first amongst some other things.
It's what made for quite its own rollercoaster, considering the ride they found themselves riding upon.

Although the story did include a few chapters with Lucas’s POV but in 3rd person.
I can’t deny it did have me wishing there had been more. And that too in 1st Person instead.
IMO this would not only open Lucas up even more, it also would’ve allowed us to see and know just exactly what he was going through and experiencing within his owns words. By seeing and hearing it all through his perspective. Like it was done for Marie with her 1st Person POV.

Boss of The Year turned out to be such a wonderfully enjoyable read from author Nicole French.
Then again what was there not to love?
From the developing storyline amongst the subplots, bringing so much to the table in exploring through, alongside the characters of Marie and Lucas who were unraveled and then built upon in their growth through the progression of the book. It truly made for a great read in the end.
Hence why it is safe to say, this book is definitely my favourite from the author.
I look forward to reading Lea’s story Enemy of My Heart next in Belmont Billionaires series and how author Nicole will play it out.



*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Keri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like Boyfriend of the Hour before it, Boss of the Year took my emotions on a roller coaster ride in the best way ever. I loved getting to know Marie and her family better, absolutely loved "seeing" Joni and Nathan so in love again, and loved "watching" Marie transform from a shy, timid little girl with a crush on a fantastic little boy to a bolder, more confident, and determined young woman falling in love with a real man. From the beginning of the book, I knew Daniel, an immature and insensitive manchild, was all wrong for Marie and that Lucas, her attractive, attentive, and much-older (and hotter) boss, was the one for her, despite his flaws and fuckups. In fact, Marie and Lucas's relationship isn't all hearts and flowers, but that's what makes it (and them) realistic, relatable, and special.

Nicole French is one of my favorite authors because her books make me not only feel everything but also wonder at life and love. She gives me likable, if flawed and sometimes frustrating, characters I can relate to, fall in love with, believe in, and root for (not to mention snobby villains to love to hate). She makes me cringe with secondhand embarrassment and laugh out loud at her characters' antics. She makes me hurt when they hurt, cry when they cry. She makes me believe that love isn't always easy but is always worth it, even when it's heartbreaking. She tells me that everyone deserves to be seen and understood and that love is for everyone, whether you're a kind "lowly" cook or a calculated, entitled billionaire. All that to say that Nicole is amazing at drawing you into her stories and convincing you to love her characters because you get to know who they really are and see yourself in them.

I can't wait to continue the Belmont Billionaires series with Lea's book because I love every member of the Zola family and want everyone to find their HEA, and if anyone deserves an HEA right now, it's grieving oldest sister Lea. I'm excited to see what happens to her and her kids in Idaho.

[Jackie (Jackie's Book World) · Rating 5 out of 5]

***Review can also be found at Jackie's Book World. :)***

As the second book in the Belmont Billionaires Series, Boss of the Year focus on the much anticipated story of Marie Zola and Lucas Lyons. French delivers a slow burn sizzling romance that will leave you wanting for more!

For the past ten years, Marie Zola has worked for the Lyons family and ever since then she’s developed feelings for the Daniel Lyons. As the youngest in the Lyons family, Daniel is everything she’s ever wanted and hopes to catch his attention. Yet, as a wallflower Marie has always been invisible. When the opportunity of a lifetime presents itself, she takes it to go to Paris to attend a culinary school. Knowing that in a year, she’ll be back as the official chef for the family. Little did she know that coming back a changed person would attract more attention than she originally wanted. Placing her in between the two Lyons’s brothers to try to win her over.

As the head of one of the country’s most elite family, Lucas Lyons, is the older brother who exudes wealth and power everywhere he goes. He is serious while Daniel is the opposite. To Marie, she thinks that she is just another employee to Lucas. Not realizing that he knows a lot more about her than she thought. Lucas is also very patient and will wait for Marie to see that they might be it for each other. Especially after whisking her off on a world tour, given them a chance to grow closer. It’s when the truth fully comes out that Marie would have to make tough choices in order to protect her heart.

I absolutely loved reading Boss of the Year, we get to see the characters develop and overcome every obstacles that comes their way. Although Marie starts off as a wallflower, she turns into a more secure version of herself. But there is still some fears that she needs to overcome and she is able to lean on Lucas for support. Meanwhile, Lucas is ready to shower her with experiences she’s only dreamed of, not realizing that Marie would completely take over his heart. All in all, I would highly recommend checking out this story as well as the rest of the series. The ending was sweet and perfect for the characters. You will not regret it! :)

***I received an advanced copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.***

[Elizabeth Mazzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my! This is the second book I’ve read by Nicole and I’m in love with the Zola Family! Lucas and Marie are such a perfect mix of sweet, powerful, and caring. Marie thinks the world on being the best chef and got to develop her skills in France for a year. When she comes home she meets Daniel, who doesn’t remember who Marie is but she is still in “love” with him. When she got home, she starts work and his brother Lucas remembers right away who she is. When she shares things with him, he jets her off to some far away places in hope she forgets his brother. However what she doesn’t know is that Lucas has always loved her and this is his way to showering her with things without her really knowing what’s actually going on.
When their relationship grows and they really are starting to develop their feelings something’s come to light and stuff happens and it really effects their relationship. One thing happens and they go their own ways.
They both realize that they are really in love with each other it takes so much to have them together. It makes their story better. You can really tell he loves her when he does some super simple things such as getting rid of his company, not drinking any liquor.
Their story is great and I really loved this story! I can’t wait for the next book!!

[Jillian Kerr · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Zola family is one of my favorite fictional families and I'm always excited to get more stories about them! They are a crazy, nosy bunch, but they love each other fiercely. This is very true throughout this book.

Boss of the Year is about the shyest of the group, Marie Zola. Marie refers to herself as a wallflower and extremely comfortable in her shell. She works for one of the wealthiest families in New York and after a year in Paris, learning to become a chef, she feels she has returned as a new woman and is ready to conquer her crush for 10 years, Daniel Lyons, the youngest Lyons brother. Only she finds herself torn between both brothers Daniel and Lucas, who is much older. Daniel and Lucas are drastically different. Marie has experiences with both brothers, but only one truly sees Marie for who she really is. Only one has really been paying attention.

Marie wasn't the only one to grow and learned who she really is. The brothers did too. They all grew in their own way throughout this story. It was painful and heartbreaking at times. I honestly thought the HEA was never coming. So many emotions and bad decisions and fear got in the way. The brother who stole Marie's heart really had his work cut out for him. He deserved her wrath. He redeemed himself though and it was very touching and pieced all the broken pieces back together. I was so happy for their love and ending, I wish their story never ended!

[Kelly Drudy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me just say how obsessed I am with the Zola family and was beyond excited for Marie’s story. Marie has always been the quiet one of the group but I think that’s just because all her older siblings have overshadowed her. So when her employer sends her to Paris for a year to expand on her culinary expertise….it becomes Marie’s time to shine! She comes back with a new look and a new found confidence in herself. So much so that some people don’t even recognize her! I will say I’m not always a fan of love triangles, but I don’t feel like this is s traditional one in that only one person actually sees Marie for who she is, before and after Paris. That’s not to say there were not ties that I wanted to yell at her to open her eyes because well, I could see right through everything lol! I loved Marie’s story and no Im not discussing her men because Im not giving anything away!

[Antonella · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars⭐️

I read the reviews and I saw the word love triangle I’m not a big fan of that trope, but I gave it a shot. I had to.
This is not a love triangle. Marie thinks that she loves Daniel, but she loves the idea of him, and the man never noticed her, the few chapters with them together was just irritating, Daniel was a manchild.
Overall I loved these two (Lucas and Marie), the way this man loved her was insane. He was so gentle. I understood why Marie left to go to Paris and start her business and forget the whole situation. Lucas lied to her and he knew that it hurt her, but his words did it for me. I would’ve forgiven him in a minute too lol.

[Sarah Bu · Rating 1 out of 5]

started off great but ended with a .5

The beginning was great but right when fmc returned from Paris the story didn’t add up. The story implied that she was independent and a stronger person. But within acouple acouple chapters she was just as weak, passive and unsure of herself. She had no character growth.
Every time fmc would have conversations with family the story would become dreadfully boring and I would have to skim the pages or give up on the book. It also Focused way too much on her family and how they are doing. Because of this I could tell this is a spin off from other characters and it took from Marie’s story in a negative way in my opinion.
By the end of the story it had no flow and made no sense. Like for example. he gave allllll his money up to not be with her, but to do the right thing. Yea ok that’s realistic. Or how about when the Brother that she supposedly loved for 10 years, she just changed her mind and didn’t Love him anymore. She only thought she loved him.
Had great promise and plot but the author missed an execution.

[Jann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nicole French is a one click author for me. Everything she writes I will read!
The Boss of the Year is no exception. I love the continuation of the Zola Family saga. It feels like coming home. This current book release is a masterfully woven sweet and spicy romantic story interwoven with the other characters from the Zola family.
Still having and maintaining its own originality. A delicious slow burn with the chemistry created by Marie and Lucas that is palpable. 5 stars plus!

[Dot Schmidt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it, love it, love it!

I think I got my point across with just a couple of words. This is one of the most enjoyable stories I have read lately. Thank you. Your talent makes me happy.

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

probably plagiarism

The amount of this story that was straight up from Sabrina is baffling. Still a HEA still could have solved everything just by talking to each other. 3 stars.

[CK · Rating 5 out of 5]

So loved this one!!! Such a fantastic retelling of the Sabrina movies!! It’ll warm your heart and soul and you’ll inhale this book like I did!

[Ttgyrl · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not as good as I’d hoped

I loved Joni and Nathan’s story and was really excited about getting Marie’s but this just didn’t hit the way I wanted. There was too much that felt EXACTLY like the movie Sabrina, and then when it did deviate, I could not believe how Lucas acted. I don’t care how much you love someone, if that is how things are in the beginning… it would take years to trust them again, if ever. I get his grand gesture (which dont get me started on the WILD disparity between what Lucas considers nearly "penniless" and the rest of us), but she capitulates so quickly, I was like, really?

And the way Marie reacted when things got messy, was exactly the same as Joni, let’s “disappear” for a few days. There were too many repeats for me. And without doing a spoiler, the “surprise” toward the end had me saying, “Come on!” It was not believable and also a repeat in my mind of Xavi and Frankie. I still love the Zola’s and think NF has a solid style of writing but this lacked the originality I liked in the previous books. And maybe it’s just a KU thing but there were at least 10 different typos throughout. Definitely the most typos I’ve ever seen in a book.

I would still pick up a NF romance but bummed this wasn’t as good as it could have been.

[Reading with 2 book lovers Sarah P - · Rating 5 out of 5]

this story had me addicted to my Kindle for days on end. I love the zola family and Marie didn't dissapoint. this is a fabulous addition to the zola family stories. highly recommended

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Marie and Lucas

Wow. What ride with these two. I felt for Marie. I felt for. I finished this at 4.30am. I had to know how Nicole turned it all around. Something I never seen coming.
Thank you for the opportunity to review this ARC. I can’t wait to see what happens next, and I will be going back a few books to read the other stories.

[Ashley Herndon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love unrequited love.

Thor is Marie Zola’s turn. And it does not disappoint.

She fancies her self in love the younger son, in the house she is a chef at and had been there 10-years!


The Hero fancies her away from his younger brother.

I couldn’t put it down! I also loved the interactions with all the Zola’s.

Completely Recommend

[May Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Move over, Chris Evans! Lucas Lyons is indeed the boss of the year!

And as of this writing, he is my hero of the month.

I have been vocal about my dislike of the age gap trope (thank you, Chris Evans, for the trauma!). It is also one of my reasons why I held off on reading Joni's story. I mean, more than a decade age gap? (I would also have to guess it is the same with Joni and Nathan) Come on! But after reading this one, I realized a few things. First, if the book is heavy on character development, you get to understand — and accept — the huge age gap between the MCs. Second, when both MCs find solace in solitude. I think that is just sexy AF. And finally, when some secondary characters also improved/ matured in the course of the story, that makes the book even more unputdownable.

If there is something I dislike about this book, I guess it would have to be the sad and bittersweet fate of Lea and Mike. I may not have read their story yet. I definitely will soon, but it would surely give a pang of pain because we know how things would go. And after finding out who this author's next book will be about, I also can't help but be excited.

In closing, I'd have to say that this author surely knows how to weave her stories and wrap them for us with a big and beautiful bow. She may have explored tropes that are my least favorites, but after this one, I trust her that she surely knows what she's doing. I am definitely looking forward to reading her books in the days to come!

[Roxs Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally, after wanting to read a Nicole French book for, well, years, Boss of the Year hit my Kindle, and I was hooked. Yes, this is my first book by this author, and it was the blurb that sucked me in. This Sabrina-inspired story included several of my favorite tropes, such as boss/employee, forced proximity, age gap, v!rgin heroine (coming out of her shell), a love triangle, a grumpy billionaire, and oops! A surprise pregnancy!



I also love a close family connection, and the Zola’s have that in spades. The surprising thing for me, since this was my first book in this series, was the fact that all of the books are focused on the down-to-earth Italian family, the Zola siblings, and how they each overcome the tragedies they have faced during their childhood and make their own way in the world. It seems that the path for each of them includes a billionaire of some sort, and who doesn’t love a fairy tale dream like that? I know I love these stories.

Boss of the Year focuses on the youngest Zola sibling, Marie, and her much older CEO billionaire boss, Lucas Lyons. The story is dubbed as a Sabrina retelling, which I had no idea what that was, but now I want to watch the movie! Working as a cook for the Lyons affords Marie the amazing opportunity to train in Paris for a year as a chef and experience all that France has to offer. I adored reading these parts and dreaming of perhaps making it to Paris one day myself. The visuals of the shops, the streets, the cafés, and the landscapes brought the story to life.








Lucas Lyons was a complicated character to understand, but I found I forgave all of his shortcomings easily, perhaps too easily. He wasn’t the intended recipient of Marie’s heart, but when he revealed his inner self to Marie, she couldn’t help but feel that perhaps she had been focusing on the wrong brother all along. Their forced proximity on a month-long business trip gave ample opportunity for them to discover each other, both intimately and intellectually. Lucas’s knowledge of Marie’s past, her likes, and her passions astounded Marie, and it was this side of Lucas that readers are sure to love.

I definitely struggled when I saw that Lucas had a darker side, one that perhaps wasn’t as honest as he portrayed. I fell hook, line, and sinker for this man right along with Marie, and it felt like a dagger to my heart to learn of his deceptions. Ultimately, though, Lucas’s grand gestures to win Marie back held be captive. I loved this story. I loved the progression of their relationship, how they slowly got to know each other in the quiet spaces of the night. Their special times spent in Brazil, Japan, and London all made for a fairy tale in the making.

Boss of the Year is definitely worth reading for those romance lovers who relish the slow burn and the time it takes to properly nourish a relationship to the point of blooming beyond your expectations. I look forward to learning more about Lucas and Marie’s life together as more stories about the Zola siblings are released.

Thank you to author Nicole French and Wildfire Marketing for this ARC opportunity.

[Always · Rating 3 out of 5]

This had the bones to make a terrific book but it fell flat for me. Everyone was a caricature. The sensible, business minded brother, the alcoholic loser brother, the stepmom with too much plastic surgery and an icy heart. And the heroine who somehow made of to 25 without ever having been kissed. She’s the quiet housekeeper turned chef who had the decision on which brother she fancied. And then it got muddy on a world wide trip Daniel and Marie took where shenanigans were a-plenty and suddenly the virginal and shy Marie is kissing strangers with glee at a nightclub. What? And then we find Daniel pledging his love by becoming penniless (if you call having 500 million penniless.) It was just too over the top for me.

[Rachael Farmer · Rating 1 out of 5]

Lots of potential but fell a little short

I really liked the overall story, but I was kind of disappointed the more I read. I read a lot. I average well over 200 books a year and have NEVER DNF'd a book, but this one was almost the first. There were so many errors, not just grammatical but missing words throughout, and the author seemed to give one fact about a character and then change it later. It's almost like she forgot things about the characters. So much of it was repetitive that I almost stopped reading multiple times. With a bit of editing, this could be a solid book.

[Kim Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a minute to remember where I left off in this series. I think it’s been over a year since I finished the last book before this one. It was a very slow moving book and the first several chapters just crawled by and it was this weird in between moments where you find Marie playing with the idea of possibly having a thing for both Daniel and Lucas. She shares kisses and tender moments with each of them and at this point in the book, you don’t know which direction it’s going to go in. Normally I would not like this and to a degree I still didn’t. I get why Nicole did it though. She wanted us to wonder as we go through the book and have it be a mystery and not jump to conclusions or know the answer right away because Marie didn’t. We were figuring it out as she was so I can’t be mad at Nicole for that. If she really wanted to get us thinking she could have even thrown in Daniel’s point of view and Lucas’ but that would have made this book even longer than it was. This ends up being my other complaint about this book as well as the slowness it goes in. This was solely in Marie’s point of view, and most of the book actually ends up just being in her point of view until a couple chapters here and there you get Lucas’ point of view, and that’s when you know he’s the brother she ends up with. I thought I could write this review without giving her choice away but the truth is I can’t talk about it without mentioning it so I apologize for the spoiler. When it’s determined that Marie wants to be with Lucas after lots of confusing moments for her and a lot of back and forth with Marie’s emotions and where her head is at, the book finally speeds up and goes at a good pace only to go back to a crawl again. It was like progress would happen between Marie and Lucas and then either he freaks out and runs away, or she does. Honestly, it was exhausting and I was getting tired of it. She maintained this image of Daniel that she couldn’t get out of her head and was convinced he was the man she wanted even though Lucas proved himself so many times that he thought of her romantically from the beginning and knew her more than Daniel. Daniel only noticed her when she got a makeover, Lucas noticed her before that plus Daniel’s actions proved that he didn’t care about her, not really. He just liked the idea of her, she was a conquest to him and someone he just wanted to sleep with but he played it off like it meant more. I saw through his bullshit, and so did Lucas. Then there was the fact that she felt like she had to impress him and didn’t feel that way with Lucas. Yet, even though there was all these questionable things about Daniel, she still kind of wanted him and put him on this pedestal, not realizing that Lucas saw her, I mean really saw her as more. Honestly there was exhaustion and angst with this book, too many dramatics and lengthy chapters that didn’t need to happen. Marie not only got betrayed by Lucas once, but twice and from there it was too much, just one betrayal should have been enough then they kiss and make up and all is good in the world but Nicole had to drag this out longer and it wasn’t necessary. The crazy part is that this all happened in a matter of a couple months but this book made it feel like years and I couldn’t get through it faster than almost a week because it kept dragging. I gave this a 4 because even though I have all these complaints about the book, there was a lot of emotional moments I felt and even the angst was ok because it made you feel the longing and betrayal in a deeper way. I’m going with the 4 for emotionally charged situations and a 3 for slowness, frustration and length. The book could have been a lot shorter and less dramatic but there was so much feelings and intensity with it.

[Valeen Robertson (Live Thru Books Blog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazon



For so long, Marie had a crush on Daniel, the younger brother, the golden child who never noticed her. Now she's back and Daniel's noticing her. Then along came her new boss, Lucas, Daniel's older, more serious brother. Suddenly she's caught between the two brothers, and she has to make a choice - her long held crush, or his older brother.



I'm the first to admit that love triangles aren't normally my thing, but I loved this one. I think because I already knew who she'd choose, the brother who really saw her, really loved her. He had to do a lot of groveling in the end, but Marie made the only choice her heart would let her. Their emotional connection is so strong, and their physical connection - whew! I haven't read the first one in this series, but after having fallen for this couple, I am definitely going back to read it and I look forward to the next Belmont Billionaire to find love.



ARC provided by Wildfire Marketing Solutions for an honest review.

Review / Release Blitz: Live Through Books Blog.

Blog | Instagram | Facebook | Bookbub | StoryGraph | Linktree

[Sandy S · Rating 4 out of 5]

BOSS OF THE YEAR is the second instalment in Nicole French’s contemporary, adult BELMONT BILLIONAIRES erotic, romance series set in the author’s interconnected story lines including THE ROSE GOLD series, THE SILVER SPOON series, and THIEF OF MY HEART, all focusing on Marie’s siblings. This is forty-one year old, CEO and billionaire businessman Lucas Lyons, and twenty-five year old, professional chef Marie Zola’s story line. BOSS OF THE YEAR can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines and series is revealed where necessary.

Told from first person perspective( Marie) and third person (Lucas) BOSS OF THE YEAR follows the building but struggling relationship between our story line couple. Marie Zola started working for the Lyons family at fifteen years of age, and became a virtual shadow to the ins and outs of the Lyon’s family. Following a year in Paris at the Lyon’s family expense, Marie returns more mature and beautiful, a successful chef, and the romantic target of half-brothers Lucas and Daniel Lyons but our heroine only has eyes for the bad boy Daniel, the man who has starred in her fantasies and dreams for as long as she can remember. An offer from Lucas to travel abroad as his personal chef finds our heroine journeying towards a future but a different future than she could have ever possibly imagined.

BOSS OF THE YEAR is akin to the movie Sabrina™ ; a young woman returns from Paris, different yet the same, and the brothers take notice. The world building follows Marie and Lucas as they quickly develop a friendship that turns into something more but when Lucas’ secrets are revealed, and Marie discovers the truth, our heroine runs without looking back.

The relationship between Lucas and Marie begins as one of mutual attraction but Lucas is Marie’s boss, and our heroine struggles with her place in Lucas’ life, as she continues to pine after Daniel Lyons. Lucas is determined to seduce our heroine as he embarks on a trip overseas but all is not as it appears to be., and our heroine with pay the price with her heart and her soul. The $ex scenes are intimate and provocative without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful, dynamic, familiar, interesting and sometimes questionable secondary and supporting characters include the return of Marie’s siblings from the aforementioned interconnected series and stories. We are introduced to Lucas’s step mother Winnifred, his father Clifford and promiscuous half brother Daniel, who is all about the next female conquest, chef Ondine, as well as several of Marie’s supportive and fun friends she met previously in Paris.

BOSS OF THE YEAR is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal, power and control, family and friendships, relationships and love. The character driven premise is emotional, heart breaking and captivating; the age-gap romance is seductive; the characters are determined, desperate, and charismatic yet Lucas’ actions are debatable, dubious and problematic as it pertains to our story line heroine.

copy supplied for review

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ★★★★
𝗥𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: August 15 2025
𝗔𝗥𝗖 𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪:

This is my first time reading from Nicole French and from the moment I picked up this book, I was completely captivated, falling head over heels for a story that has all the best parts of a forbidden romance and then some. This book didn't just meet my expectations, it blew them out of the water and left me absolutely enchanted.

First off, let's talk about Marie. Her journey from the "invisible girl" to a confident, blossoming woman back from Paris is just so heartwarming to witness. You genuinely root for her, celebrating every step she takes out of her shell. And then there's Lucas. He’s the kind of grumpy, off limits boss you dream about…intense, brooding, and clearly hiding a volcano of emotion beneath that cool exterior.

Let me tell you, the chemistry between Lucas and Marie was absolutely electric. It wasn't just a faint spark, it was like a wildfire that grew with every shared look, every accidental touch, every forbidden thought. You could practically feel the air crackle around them. Their magnetic attraction was the kind that makes your chest ache and your stomach flutter, an undeniable force that pulls you right into their world.

And I loved how Lucas literally knew everything about Marie…her routines, her fears, her favorites, All the little things that most people overlook, he noticed and remembered. It made their connection feel so intimate, like he had been quietly watching and caring all along, even before either of them admitted how deep it really went. Daniel could never.

The age gap trope? Oh, it was done perfectly here. It added that delicious tension, that sense of the forbidden that makes romance so thrilling. Lucas, the grumpy, gorgeous CEO, and Marie, his personal chef, are a match made in heaven.

Honestly, I ate this book UP. Every page was a joy to read, every chapter pulled me deeper into Lucas and Marie's tangled, captivating story. It's clear that this author pours her heart into her stories, and it shines brightly on every single page.

Huge thank you to Nicole French and Wildfire Marketing Solutions for the ARC.

𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗦: Billionaire romance, grumpy/sunshine, age gap, virgin heroine, boss/employee, chef fmc, love triangle, forbidden romance, opposite attract