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The Works #2
Working Out
A woman with a history of picking Mr. Wrong.
A man with a powerful kink for control.
When lust turns to love, who's really on top?
Maggie Doran is off men, having gone through a string of poor relationships. Then like clockwork, her libido fires up over her new boss--the epitome of bad choices. The man is built like a Greek god, sexy, and has a harem of eager gym groupies willing to give him anything he wants at the drop of a hat. Yet one more Mr. Wrong to add to her list.
Mac Jameson fell in lust with his newest employee the moment he laid eyes on her. Four months later he's still in no-man's land. Maggie ignores him when she's not glaring holes through him. The woman doesn't seem to realize he's in charge. Unfortunately, no other woman will do, but he's afraid if he does get Maggie in his clutches, she'll bolt when she understands he's got a powerful kink for control.
Except she doesn't bolt. She wants more. But just as Mac realizes Maggie is the woman he wants forever, she gets a shot at fulfilling a lifelong dream that might take her far away. Will she leave him when he's just found her? And did he really think she could love a guy like him? When push comes to shove, Mac only knows he's not giving up without a fight. He'll command and conquer her body, heart and soul. Because losing her isn't an option.
A man with a powerful kink for control.
When lust turns to love, who's really on top?
Maggie Doran is off men, having gone through a string of poor relationships. Then like clockwork, her libido fires up over her new boss--the epitome of bad choices. The man is built like a Greek god, sexy, and has a harem of eager gym groupies willing to give him anything he wants at the drop of a hat. Yet one more Mr. Wrong to add to her list.
Mac Jameson fell in lust with his newest employee the moment he laid eyes on her. Four months later he's still in no-man's land. Maggie ignores him when she's not glaring holes through him. The woman doesn't seem to realize he's in charge. Unfortunately, no other woman will do, but he's afraid if he does get Maggie in his clutches, she'll bolt when she understands he's got a powerful kink for control.
Except she doesn't bolt. She wants more. But just as Mac realizes Maggie is the woman he wants forever, she gets a shot at fulfilling a lifelong dream that might take her far away. Will she leave him when he's just found her? And did he really think she could love a guy like him? When push comes to shove, Mac only knows he's not giving up without a fight. He'll command and conquer her body, heart and soul. Because losing her isn't an option.
1 pages, Audio CD
First published June 13, 2012
73 people are currently reading
777 people want to read
About the author
Marie Harte
201 books2,407 followersImportant:: Marie Harte is NOT active on GoodReads, so to contact her, please use her website at marieharte.com.
Caffeine addict, boy referee, and romance aficionado, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Marie Harte has over 100 books published with more constantly on the way. She’s a confessed bibliophile and devotee of action movies. Whether hiking in Central Oregon, biking around town, or hanging at the local tea shop, she’s constantly plotting to give everyone a happily ever after. Visit http://marieharte.com and fall in love.
Caffeine addict, boy referee, and romance aficionado, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Marie Harte has over 100 books published with more constantly on the way. She’s a confessed bibliophile and devotee of action movies. Whether hiking in Central Oregon, biking around town, or hanging at the local tea shop, she’s constantly plotting to give everyone a happily ever after. Visit http://marieharte.com and fall in love.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
December 19, 2012
DNF @ 61%
Was going well in the beginning and then came a cliff the author couldn't resist and she kamikazed right off that hill.
Artificial.
Some un-buy-able BDSM for the FSoG girlies.
Some insecurity from Ms. Perfect.
A hero with a closed off heart though his body is hot for days.
A fan club for Mr. Macho Marine made up of women willing to be used and cast aside as refuse.
Some meddling, melded family which includes the token fabulous gay guy working with the singular purpose of creating a HEA for Mr and Mrs been-hurt-in-the-past.
An immature attempt at an FWB relationship.
Some immature lack of communication.
More immature resistance of actual admittance of feelings from a 36 year old man and a woman around 30.
Blatant booty-calling dressed up as liberation.
An annoying nickname that rings untrue. "Little sub". Ummm, gave me pause every time.
Then by the time I got to Maggie having been ignored for daysss, though they work together, ignored except for Mac's request for errands filled as favours, ignored till he finally deigns to touch her again after she thinks she's been dismissed as he is wont to do with women he's slept with, and she responds with, "Oh god, he wants me" in her mind there were no more pauses left. I just had to stop.
And so goes my latest venture into the world of m/f romance. Seriously, why do I bother? All the women become needy nonentities to sexy Neanderthals. The end.
I'd like to state though, from my little soapbox: being dominated does not mean being dismissed or being treated with disdain. Having an alpha man is not equivalent to harbouring an asshole in one's life. And finally the "I'll be the one to make the Grinch/Scrooge/Heathcliff hero heal and learn to love again whereupon he will stop treating women like cheap supermarket brand paper towels and commit fully to me" urban legend trope is one I would like to see die a fiery, unressurectable death.
Was going well in the beginning and then came a cliff the author couldn't resist and she kamikazed right off that hill.
Artificial.
Some un-buy-able BDSM for the FSoG girlies.
Some insecurity from Ms. Perfect.
A hero with a closed off heart though his body is hot for days.
A fan club for Mr. Macho Marine made up of women willing to be used and cast aside as refuse.
Some meddling, melded family which includes the token fabulous gay guy working with the singular purpose of creating a HEA for Mr and Mrs been-hurt-in-the-past.
An immature attempt at an FWB relationship.
Some immature lack of communication.
More immature resistance of actual admittance of feelings from a 36 year old man and a woman around 30.
Blatant booty-calling dressed up as liberation.
An annoying nickname that rings untrue. "Little sub". Ummm, gave me pause every time.
Then by the time I got to Maggie having been ignored for daysss, though they work together, ignored except for Mac's request for errands filled as favours, ignored till he finally deigns to touch her again after she thinks she's been dismissed as he is wont to do with women he's slept with, and she responds with, "Oh god, he wants me" in her mind there were no more pauses left. I just had to stop.
And so goes my latest venture into the world of m/f romance. Seriously, why do I bother? All the women become needy nonentities to sexy Neanderthals. The end.
I'd like to state though, from my little soapbox: being dominated does not mean being dismissed or being treated with disdain. Having an alpha man is not equivalent to harbouring an asshole in one's life. And finally the "I'll be the one to make the Grinch/Scrooge/Heathcliff hero heal and learn to love again whereupon he will stop treating women like cheap supermarket brand paper towels and commit fully to me" urban legend trope is one I would like to see die a fiery, unressurectable death.
April 11, 2021
Four and a half stars
Working Out is the second in Marie Harte’s The Works trilogy and is about gym manager Mac Jameson and artist, aerobics instructor, and art gallery manager Maggie Doran. Mac is tied up in knots over Maggie, a smart, mouthy woman who gives as good as she gets. She’s totally interested in her hugely muscled, tough talking boss but isn’t interested in another relationship gone bad, plus, he’s her boss!
Mac and Maggie’s friends and family nudge them towards each other, and they go up in flames, especially when they find that their kinks dovetail very nicely. But they’ve got some wounds from previous relationships and life that get in the way of them riding off into the sunset.
Marie Harte’s story is fun and oh so hot! Mac and Maggie definitely benefit from their circle of people who care for them, and the dialogue and banter sing. Working Out is a great read.
Working Out is the second in Marie Harte’s The Works trilogy and is about gym manager Mac Jameson and artist, aerobics instructor, and art gallery manager Maggie Doran. Mac is tied up in knots over Maggie, a smart, mouthy woman who gives as good as she gets. She’s totally interested in her hugely muscled, tough talking boss but isn’t interested in another relationship gone bad, plus, he’s her boss!
Mac and Maggie’s friends and family nudge them towards each other, and they go up in flames, especially when they find that their kinks dovetail very nicely. But they’ve got some wounds from previous relationships and life that get in the way of them riding off into the sunset.
Marie Harte’s story is fun and oh so hot! Mac and Maggie definitely benefit from their circle of people who care for them, and the dialogue and banter sing. Working Out is a great read.
October 1, 2014
1.5*
Just skip it. Mac's an asshole and Maggie begs for more. I should have stopped, but I just had to continue reading this train-wreck in the hope it would get better. I was also at the gym working out, so the title fit. Ha ha.
"I'm two seconds away from fucking you raw." Romantic right?
"If she weren't on birth control, she had a feeling they'd have made a baby." Yeah, I don't know what to say to that one.
"Want me to put you down and fuck you like the dirty slut you are?" Calling your lover a slut, now that's oh so romantic!
"Up and down, you little slut." There it is again.
So I shouldn't have been surprised when Maggie has a major break-through in her chosen profession and Mac isn't happy/supportive.
Just skip it. Mac's an asshole and Maggie begs for more. I should have stopped, but I just had to continue reading this train-wreck in the hope it would get better. I was also at the gym working out, so the title fit. Ha ha.
"I'm two seconds away from fucking you raw." Romantic right?
"If she weren't on birth control, she had a feeling they'd have made a baby." Yeah, I don't know what to say to that one.
"Want me to put you down and fuck you like the dirty slut you are?" Calling your lover a slut, now that's oh so romantic!
"Up and down, you little slut." There it is again.
So I shouldn't have been surprised when Maggie has a major break-through in her chosen profession and Mac isn't happy/supportive.
March 29, 2015
D+ read.
I actually had to look the book up again and start paging through to remember what it was/what it was about; the blurb didn't ring any bells, so ... that's the reason for the D+ [I mean if I just read it this week and it was that ~forgettable?]
There's nothing WRONG with it - it's just ... basically indistinguishable from all the other books out there that are also just ok/out there to pass the time.
and all that would've been fine and this would be a C- but for the ~BDSM in it where they don't have a real discussion and then he's all "you're my sub and you have to call me sir and we're having anal *right now*" [which especially after reading that ~Asa Akira article? ... no.]
I actually had to look the book up again and start paging through to remember what it was/what it was about; the blurb didn't ring any bells, so ... that's the reason for the D+ [I mean if I just read it this week and it was that ~forgettable?]
There's nothing WRONG with it - it's just ... basically indistinguishable from all the other books out there that are also just ok/out there to pass the time.
and all that would've been fine and this would be a C- but for the ~BDSM in it where they don't have a real discussion and then he's all "you're my sub and you have to call me sir and we're having anal *right now*" [which especially after reading that ~Asa Akira article? ... no.]
February 5, 2013
My reaction to Mac and Maggie's story
November 11, 2025
“How much do you know about art?” “Not a thing,” he said with pride. “And you don’t seem to care that you know nothing. So sad.” “Hey. I can field strip an M16 in the time it takes you to spell Van Gogh backwards. We all have our priorities."
Mac and Maggie were fun side characters when they first appeared as best friends to the couple in the 1st book in the series. Now as the MCs, both were BIG personalities. This meant they had great chemistry, but there was no relief from their intensity, with one or both in every scene. Marie Harte writes great characters, but this time for me, it was too much of a good thing.
Mac and Maggie were fun side characters when they first appeared as best friends to the couple in the 1st book in the series. Now as the MCs, both were BIG personalities. This meant they had great chemistry, but there was no relief from their intensity, with one or both in every scene. Marie Harte writes great characters, but this time for me, it was too much of a good thing.
September 3, 2020
Expected and wanted more for Maggie and Mac, the best friends of both main characters in book one.
Started well, ended in a rush.
Unfortunately their relationship just didn’t work for me. It felt forced, fake and flawed.
Mac just came across as a wanna be Dom and feisty Maggie ended up a doormat.
Did enjoy the other characters and it was nice that Mimi now has someone too.
Dithering over reading the next book now.
Started well, ended in a rush.
Unfortunately their relationship just didn’t work for me. It felt forced, fake and flawed.
Mac just came across as a wanna be Dom and feisty Maggie ended up a doormat.
Did enjoy the other characters and it was nice that Mimi now has someone too.
Dithering over reading the next book now.
April 13, 2018
I like the idea of Mac and Maggie together, but there's just something off about their interaction that jarred me. Plus their dialogue of D/s seems unnatural to me. I guess Ms Harte is not really in the lifestyle. Other then these, I still enjoy this book, the side characters, the banter, the light-heartedness in reading a Marie Harte are all en pointe.
April 23, 2021
Good read
I do love this author and this story was just up my street. Two very likeable people with hang ups and a rocky start to their relationship. Add in the interference of friends and family and it’s a winner. Loved it.
I do love this author and this story was just up my street. Two very likeable people with hang ups and a rocky start to their relationship. Add in the interference of friends and family and it’s a winner. Loved it.
August 17, 2022
Another winner
I !missed the first in the series but I will definitely be going back. Another fabulous story by Ms. Harte. She can do no wrong.
Mac is a strong dom looking for just the perfect sub to play with. Maggie fits the Bill to a tee! Cannot wait for more of these two.
I !missed the first in the series but I will definitely be going back. Another fabulous story by Ms. Harte. She can do no wrong.
Mac is a strong dom looking for just the perfect sub to play with. Maggie fits the Bill to a tee! Cannot wait for more of these two.
March 29, 2019
Another wonderful romance series from Ms Harte!
This book #2 in the series was a lot steamier/dirtier than #1 but I loved it just the same.
This book #2 in the series was a lot steamier/dirtier than #1 but I loved it just the same.
added-it
April 12, 2021🎁 FREE on Amazon & on Apple iBooks today (4/12/2021)!🎁
May 15, 2021
What took me so long to read this book? I picked this book up years ago and I am a huge fan of Ms. Harte. One of my goals is to whittle down my TBR pile. I am glad I picked this one out of my TBR pile because it is a deliciously erotic romance perfect for the month of May.
o read the rest of my review, click on the image below to see it on my website on or after May 29, 2021.
o read the rest of my review, click on the image below to see it on my website on or after May 29, 2021.
February 1, 2024
Loved it
February 15, 2024
DNF. They didn’t have a relationship. Just sex.
October 5, 2015
Working Out is an incredibly breathtaking and truly remarkable journey of discovering and accepting genuine trust and love. When such an eye opening and intense journey is taken by two people who desperately long for more then what they have resigned themselves to, the outcome is always one full of unpredictable surprises and emotional revelations. This turned out to be such a tremendously inspiring and absolutely wonderful story to experience!
Mac and Maggie struggle with the knowledge that they have bad experiences in the past that have soured them when it comes to trust and love. No one seems to be able to give them what they need in terms of fulfillment and commitment, so they have resigned themselves to a life full of disappointment and frustration. What they don’t expect is to feel more for each other than they ever imagined. Maggie despises Mac based on what she hears about him while he is curious and wants to know more about her. They are both more than ready to find that one special person to keep in their life forever, but to them that’s almost more of a dream then a real life possibility. It will take more than the tender hearted meddling of friends, family, and the magic of the holidays to pave the way for true love and real trust to save the day. When Maggie is offered the huge boost to her career she has been dreaming of, will she take it without looking back, or will Mac and Maggie finally decide for fight for what they want no matter the cost?
I feel completely in love with both Mac and Maggie as I learned more and more about them and their friends. They are two beautiful characters who had such a huge void in the heart, but they covered it up for the sake of family and friends around them who were celebrating wonderful new life changes. They were both so generous and loving to others that they seemed to fit so perfectly together if they would only give each other a chance. Once their defenses melted and they saw a glimpse of the true heart of the other, they wouldn’t get enough because they had finally found the other half of their soul. What a beautifully mesmerizing experience to watch Mac and Maggie get to know each other and realize just how precious and valuable they are to each other!
This is the first book that I have read from Marie Harte, and I was completely blown away by the beauty and depth of the storyline and the stunning characters that I came across. I couldn’t have asked for more when it comes to a story that is told with such heart and emotion that you feel everything from the first spark of interest to the last crack of a broken heart. That is a story worth reading and savoring to the last word. I look forward to reading more this truly crazy talented author!
Mac and Maggie struggle with the knowledge that they have bad experiences in the past that have soured them when it comes to trust and love. No one seems to be able to give them what they need in terms of fulfillment and commitment, so they have resigned themselves to a life full of disappointment and frustration. What they don’t expect is to feel more for each other than they ever imagined. Maggie despises Mac based on what she hears about him while he is curious and wants to know more about her. They are both more than ready to find that one special person to keep in their life forever, but to them that’s almost more of a dream then a real life possibility. It will take more than the tender hearted meddling of friends, family, and the magic of the holidays to pave the way for true love and real trust to save the day. When Maggie is offered the huge boost to her career she has been dreaming of, will she take it without looking back, or will Mac and Maggie finally decide for fight for what they want no matter the cost?
I feel completely in love with both Mac and Maggie as I learned more and more about them and their friends. They are two beautiful characters who had such a huge void in the heart, but they covered it up for the sake of family and friends around them who were celebrating wonderful new life changes. They were both so generous and loving to others that they seemed to fit so perfectly together if they would only give each other a chance. Once their defenses melted and they saw a glimpse of the true heart of the other, they wouldn’t get enough because they had finally found the other half of their soul. What a beautifully mesmerizing experience to watch Mac and Maggie get to know each other and realize just how precious and valuable they are to each other!
This is the first book that I have read from Marie Harte, and I was completely blown away by the beauty and depth of the storyline and the stunning characters that I came across. I couldn’t have asked for more when it comes to a story that is told with such heart and emotion that you feel everything from the first spark of interest to the last crack of a broken heart. That is a story worth reading and savoring to the last word. I look forward to reading more this truly crazy talented author!
July 13, 2014
He thrives on a challenge and she has 'DARE ME' written all over her!!
Maggie Doran is an up and coming artist who has taken a job at Jameson's Gym teaching classes. Originally she took the job to get dirt on the guy her best friend was falling for but she stayed because of the man who irritates her and drives her mad yet she can't seem to get him out of her head.
Mac Jameson runs Jameson's Gym and has seen too many failed relationships to ever really believe in forever. He also know what he needs and many women would walk away. He is known as the 'love 'em and leave 'em happy' type but in the last four months he hasn't been making anyone happy least of all himself.
When Maggie came into his gym he knew she was beautiful but since she took a job he knows she is so much more, she is tying him up inside and he needs to work it out. Determined to play it cool as their best friends are together Mac decides it's time Maggie knew just what she does to him and find out a little more about this sexy kitten. Finding out from his friend that she had sworn off men definitely brings a smile to his face and his whole body. Can Mac convince Maggie to let down her guard and accept all of him or when she gets an offer she can't refuse will she walk away.
Working Out was a great read, I thoroughly enjoy the interaction between the characters with each other as well as their family and friends. This is a must for lovers of contemporary romance with heat.
Maggie Doran is an up and coming artist who has taken a job at Jameson's Gym teaching classes. Originally she took the job to get dirt on the guy her best friend was falling for but she stayed because of the man who irritates her and drives her mad yet she can't seem to get him out of her head.
Mac Jameson runs Jameson's Gym and has seen too many failed relationships to ever really believe in forever. He also know what he needs and many women would walk away. He is known as the 'love 'em and leave 'em happy' type but in the last four months he hasn't been making anyone happy least of all himself.
When Maggie came into his gym he knew she was beautiful but since she took a job he knows she is so much more, she is tying him up inside and he needs to work it out. Determined to play it cool as their best friends are together Mac decides it's time Maggie knew just what she does to him and find out a little more about this sexy kitten. Finding out from his friend that she had sworn off men definitely brings a smile to his face and his whole body. Can Mac convince Maggie to let down her guard and accept all of him or when she gets an offer she can't refuse will she walk away.
Working Out was a great read, I thoroughly enjoy the interaction between the characters with each other as well as their family and friends. This is a must for lovers of contemporary romance with heat.
September 11, 2013
Pretty good - not perfect but a good read. We met Maggie and Mac in Bodywork, they were the best friends of Shane and Shelby. Maggie started working at Mac's uncles gym to get the dirt on Shane and work with Mac to get them together. Trouble was, Maggie and Mac were attracted to each other, and Maggie was tired of dead end relationships and Mac has never had any luck making anything last with the ladies
There are some hot scenes in this book, but the trouble is the dominant language seems forced. It doesn't flow nicely and seems out of place, almost fake. That is the one problem I had with the book. The story is good, fast paced, and the smex scenes are hot, if only they left out the Master/Sir/sub parts on their language, it would've been so much better
Overall, I liked the book and will pick up Trevor's story when it comes out
There are some hot scenes in this book, but the trouble is the dominant language seems forced. It doesn't flow nicely and seems out of place, almost fake. That is the one problem I had with the book. The story is good, fast paced, and the smex scenes are hot, if only they left out the Master/Sir/sub parts on their language, it would've been so much better
Overall, I liked the book and will pick up Trevor's story when it comes out
December 18, 2012
I'm giving this a very high 2 and 3/4. It is the season and all. PLUS I was intrigued enough to keep reading and find just how a jackass like Mac was going to end up with Maggie.
The writing was weak, but got a little better towards the end. Ms. Harte could have gone a little deeper into the characters, both of whom come from broken homes. I mostly wanted Maggie to get her HEA. A lot of the plot was just way too convenient, but I think the point of the book was that it's ok to have a D/s relationship. Some of that could have been explored more.
But definitely a quick, fun read.
The writing was weak, but got a little better towards the end. Ms. Harte could have gone a little deeper into the characters, both of whom come from broken homes. I mostly wanted Maggie to get her HEA. A lot of the plot was just way too convenient, but I think the point of the book was that it's ok to have a D/s relationship. Some of that could have been explored more.
But definitely a quick, fun read.
December 19, 2012
This is the sequel to Body Work which I remember liking a lot. I also liked this story and the cast of characters that I'd gotten to know in the first book. Unfortunately the version on my Nook had so many typos it seriously took away from my enjoyment of the story. Also, this story is about a Sub/Dom relationship, though a tame one. I'm not certain I really bought into it between these two particular characters. Some scenes were good but some felt very forced. The sex was definitely hot though.
July 8, 2012
I liked this book very much, even if not as much as I liked the previous one. But it was totally enjoyable. I have some little doubts about D/s relationship, I felt it a bit forced here, but the story was good and both characters are nice people, very likable and real!
I also enjoyed the background stories here and there. Now I hope Trevor will have a story of his own!
A great series, recommended!
I also enjoyed the background stories here and there. Now I hope Trevor will have a story of his own!
A great series, recommended!
July 18, 2014
Maggie´s tried to stay away from her hot boss, tried not to listen to the rumors but it´s getting to her. She can´t stop thinking about him, but she´s not going to let him know, he´s not going to make her another notch on his bed.
Mac doesn´t want anyone else than Maggie, not one of the women trying to get to him can compare to this beautiful woman. But how to let her know she´s it for him?
Smutty fluff and dominance in a quick read.
Mac doesn´t want anyone else than Maggie, not one of the women trying to get to him can compare to this beautiful woman. But how to let her know she´s it for him?
Smutty fluff and dominance in a quick read.
June 18, 2012
Working Out was great!!! It was one of those stories that have you giggling out loud. It had a D/s feel however it did not rule the story just added to it. The H was obnoxious in that bad boy way that we hate to love but blush when he walks into a room. The h was strong but knew how to play the female to the male role...I loved it!
September 22, 2012
This was a 3.5 for me I think. Maybe 4. I really enjoyed this whole series and I'm ready to read Trevor's story! One of the things I really liked about this series was Shane and Mac...their scenes with each other we hilarious. They were so well written and funny. This one had a D/s theme to it and it was certainly enjoyable!
January 17, 2013
Marie Hart knows how to write romance with awesome heroes! She proves it again with this story. Mac has lost everyone he's ever loved except his uncle Ian. So when he falls for Maggie, he tries to dismiss his feelings and almost pushes her away. Once he wakes up though, there is no stopping this man. I really liked this book. The secondary characters had me laughing nonstop!
September 6, 2013
I think I love this book better than the first one. Maggie played hard to get and I wanted to scream at Mac. He was supposed to be a dominant type man but he didn't act like it until he was in the bedroom. But when they got together Maggie and Mac were great but dirty. And boy do I love dirty. I really enjoyed this book.
July 7, 2012
This is one of the rare books that is just as good, if not better than the first book in the series! The sex scenes were once again very steamy, and it was a fast enjoyable read that I didn't want to see end. Will definitely look for more from this author!
December 28, 2012
I finished this book today. It was a fast read but there are parts where I just skipped a lot of the descriptions of stuff to get to the dialogue. I am not sure that I would have bought this book but someone lent it to me.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews