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Billionaire Brits #1
Love to Loathe Him
Liam McLaren: London's most ruthless financial hotshot and the big boss at Ashbury Thornton Equity Group. Just whisper his name and even the city’s toughest traders break out in a cold sweat.
And lucky me, Gemma Jones, as the head of HR at his company, I’ve got a front-row seat to the McLaren Show. Brooding intensity, perfectionist demands, and a glare that could stop your heart mid-beat. Every. Damn. Day.
I’ve spent years perfecting my professional mask. It’s the only way to survive in this cutthroat corporate shark tank. Never let them see you sweat. Or cry. Or show any human emotion, really.
But now, I've gone and committed the ultimate HR I've accidentally shared my diary with him. Yes, him. And when I say shared, I mean all of it. Every scathing thought about him and the company. Including some, ahem, personal musings that were never meant for public consumption. And certainly not for Liam’s piercing dark eyes.
And the look on his face?
Oh, I’ve seen Liam angry—I’ve watched him verbally eviscerate boardrooms and turn grown men into blubbering wrecks.
But this? This is pure, unfiltered fury that would make the devil himself cower.
God help me.
Love to Loathe Him is a standalone office romance with a grumpy, arrogant, billionaire boss.
And lucky me, Gemma Jones, as the head of HR at his company, I’ve got a front-row seat to the McLaren Show. Brooding intensity, perfectionist demands, and a glare that could stop your heart mid-beat. Every. Damn. Day.
I’ve spent years perfecting my professional mask. It’s the only way to survive in this cutthroat corporate shark tank. Never let them see you sweat. Or cry. Or show any human emotion, really.
But now, I've gone and committed the ultimate HR I've accidentally shared my diary with him. Yes, him. And when I say shared, I mean all of it. Every scathing thought about him and the company. Including some, ahem, personal musings that were never meant for public consumption. And certainly not for Liam’s piercing dark eyes.
And the look on his face?
Oh, I’ve seen Liam angry—I’ve watched him verbally eviscerate boardrooms and turn grown men into blubbering wrecks.
But this? This is pure, unfiltered fury that would make the devil himself cower.
God help me.
Love to Loathe Him is a standalone office romance with a grumpy, arrogant, billionaire boss.
485 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 828 reviews
November 14, 2024
This book started off so so well, it had all the potential to be an easy 4 star 🌟 rating.
The MMC, Liam, is a brooding, grumpy billionaire that DOES NOT turn into a golden retriever once he meets her. Nope! He's a grumpy asshole through and through till the end. She's been working for him for five years and he has used all his restraint and then borrowed some so as not to make a move on her, after all he is her boss and he doesn't do flings at work. It complicates everything.
The MFC, Gemma, is a siren-like beauty who has brains, is a hard worker and has the hots for her boss. Her therapist recommends her to start a diary to write down her frustrations and everything that stresses her at work.
In the diary, she talks about her sexual frustration and fantasy starring yours truly, the boss. She accidentally saves it in a shared folder with him. He sees it, he goes after her, after some pull and push they get to a weekly arrangement of dining and a tumble in the sheets.
So far so good. I loved the slow burn. I loved that she didn't immediately pull down her "knickers". I loved the tug of war between her brain and her heart (lust). And I loved the fisherman ⚓️ and Ginger 🧜♀️ 🥰
But then, all hell gets loose. I mean I get it she is a cat lady. I have two and I love them to death but I don't freak out if suddenly I can't find them in the house. Cats need their privacy. She goes ballistic after a night not finding her cat. She usually lets her stroll around the neighbourhood. 🤷♀️
She cancels on an important meeting, THE meeting of all meetings. The one billion dollar deal meeting that she has personally worked so hard on it and begged Liam to be part of, the meeting where she was supposed to do a presentation to seal the deal. All because she thought something happened to her cat.
She was frantic, in tears and looking like crazy everywhere. Woman! Calm the shit down. Attend the meeting, you deserve all the credit THEN take a week off for all I care and look for your cat.
Liam, as expected, is frustrated with her actions but despite of it he then takes part in this grand fiasco (stupidity) and as a gesture of love and good will he hires an army of "pet detectives" so they can find her cat which after a couple of hours they find in an old lady's neighbourly house. 😶😶😶😶😶😶😶
She goes to his apartment to thank him, they make out in the lobby, invites her for the first time to his house but she declines because she's celebrating a welcome home party for her cat and needs to get back. LOOOOLLLLLLL for the love of God woman!!!!!
Her relationship with her cat was ridiculously excessive and I did not appreciate the humour of it.
But then the much awaited third act breakup occurs.
You see, our Liam was a man with a kink. He used to go before her to a sex club to f*ck random women while wearing masks. I don't appreciate MCs with kinks but anyway....
She's been told that he still goes there despite being with her and that he's f*cking his nemesis' wife, who he's "allegedly" in love with.
Ok so here's what I didn’t like.
He took his nemesis' wife's virginity like 20 years ago, to get back at him. He claims the choice of being with her was never there and it was a once and done.
But THEN he says that a few "months" before Gemma, he would have given his left nut to bed his nemesis' wife! 🙄🙄🙄 He fell from my eyes, oh how he fell hard and fast. Where you secretly pining for her all those years? That's why you were flirting and laughing with her in charity events? Even while poor Gemma was witnessing it?! Was it all a show or did you fancy her?
I hated this fact about him, if it weren't for this comment of wanting to bed her, I would have been more generous with the rating but that paired with the cat fiasco led to a mere 2.5.
After she thinks that he "allegedly" sleeps with another woman while with her, she turns from a badass intelligent woman to an immature, childish and spiteful one. I expected more from her. Something that could have been avoided by a healthy dose of communication.
The chemistry was there yes, but the romance was lacking. He's a man who hasn't received a lot of love in his lifetime and thus didn't know how to reciprocate, he did show some emotion at the end but for me it was more about the sex, their lust and the sexual tension.
The end and epilogue are cute but expected.
P.S: I don't get how and why he sent flowers, cards and sometimes jewellery to his "lady friends" if they're just some random ho's in a sex club! 🤷♀️
Oh also, this was a BR with the amazing Lori and Chris. Though I think we don't see eye to eye with this one 😄
The MMC, Liam, is a brooding, grumpy billionaire that DOES NOT turn into a golden retriever once he meets her. Nope! He's a grumpy asshole through and through till the end. She's been working for him for five years and he has used all his restraint and then borrowed some so as not to make a move on her, after all he is her boss and he doesn't do flings at work. It complicates everything.
The MFC, Gemma, is a siren-like beauty who has brains, is a hard worker and has the hots for her boss. Her therapist recommends her to start a diary to write down her frustrations and everything that stresses her at work.
In the diary, she talks about her sexual frustration and fantasy starring yours truly, the boss. She accidentally saves it in a shared folder with him. He sees it, he goes after her, after some pull and push they get to a weekly arrangement of dining and a tumble in the sheets.
So far so good. I loved the slow burn. I loved that she didn't immediately pull down her "knickers". I loved the tug of war between her brain and her heart (lust). And I loved the fisherman ⚓️ and Ginger 🧜♀️ 🥰
But then, all hell gets loose. I mean I get it she is a cat lady. I have two and I love them to death but I don't freak out if suddenly I can't find them in the house. Cats need their privacy. She goes ballistic after a night not finding her cat. She usually lets her stroll around the neighbourhood. 🤷♀️
She cancels on an important meeting, THE meeting of all meetings. The one billion dollar deal meeting that she has personally worked so hard on it and begged Liam to be part of, the meeting where she was supposed to do a presentation to seal the deal. All because she thought something happened to her cat.
She was frantic, in tears and looking like crazy everywhere. Woman! Calm the shit down. Attend the meeting, you deserve all the credit THEN take a week off for all I care and look for your cat.
Liam, as expected, is frustrated with her actions but despite of it he then takes part in this grand fiasco (stupidity) and as a gesture of love and good will he hires an army of "pet detectives" so they can find her cat which after a couple of hours they find in an old lady's neighbourly house. 😶😶😶😶😶😶😶
She goes to his apartment to thank him, they make out in the lobby, invites her for the first time to his house but she declines because she's celebrating a welcome home party for her cat and needs to get back. LOOOOLLLLLLL for the love of God woman!!!!!
Her relationship with her cat was ridiculously excessive and I did not appreciate the humour of it.
But then the much awaited third act breakup occurs.
You see, our Liam was a man with a kink. He used to go before her to a sex club to f*ck random women while wearing masks. I don't appreciate MCs with kinks but anyway....
She's been told that he still goes there despite being with her and that he's f*cking his nemesis' wife, who he's "allegedly" in love with.
Ok so here's what I didn’t like.
He took his nemesis' wife's virginity like 20 years ago, to get back at him. He claims the choice of being with her was never there and it was a once and done.
But THEN he says that a few "months" before Gemma, he would have given his left nut to bed his nemesis' wife! 🙄🙄🙄 He fell from my eyes, oh how he fell hard and fast. Where you secretly pining for her all those years? That's why you were flirting and laughing with her in charity events? Even while poor Gemma was witnessing it?! Was it all a show or did you fancy her?
I hated this fact about him, if it weren't for this comment of wanting to bed her, I would have been more generous with the rating but that paired with the cat fiasco led to a mere 2.5.
After she thinks that he "allegedly" sleeps with another woman while with her, she turns from a badass intelligent woman to an immature, childish and spiteful one. I expected more from her. Something that could have been avoided by a healthy dose of communication.
The chemistry was there yes, but the romance was lacking. He's a man who hasn't received a lot of love in his lifetime and thus didn't know how to reciprocate, he did show some emotion at the end but for me it was more about the sex, their lust and the sexual tension.
The end and epilogue are cute but expected.
P.S: I don't get how and why he sent flowers, cards and sometimes jewellery to his "lady friends" if they're just some random ho's in a sex club! 🤷♀️
Oh also, this was a BR with the amazing Lori and Chris. Though I think we don't see eye to eye with this one 😄
December 22, 2024
the constant dialogue with the cat was fucking weird.
October 21, 2024
3.5 to 3.75 Stars
Review to come.
Review to come.
November 16, 2024
4⭐️
Another billionaire romance banger from Rosa!!! This had serious potential to be better than Taming Mr Walker which is my fave, but unfortunately the last 20% let it down slightly for me 😩
However I still fuck with this. Hard 🥰
✅ billionaire romance
✅ he’s her boss
✅ she’s 33, he’s early 40’s
✅ hate to love
This is funnier than Taming Mr Walker straight up facts!!!! The cat poo sample? 🤣😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 I died a death. The inner monologue about the damn cat, the diary about Liam, when she was naked under the bed on the boat LMFAO IT WAS TOO MUCH!!
Loved that the FMC was 33. Did not love that Liam was from Yorkshire, the accent is not it idec 🤣🤣🤣 he was not northern in my head.
This is what I didn’t like and SPOILERS BELOW:
❌ The ending felt rushed
❌ How did Liam find out Alastair told Gemma about Liam frequenting the club? Still don’t really understand why he did that tbh
❌ didn’t know enough about Gemma and her backstory, what her folks are like, how she got the HR job etc
Another billionaire romance banger from Rosa!!! This had serious potential to be better than Taming Mr Walker which is my fave, but unfortunately the last 20% let it down slightly for me 😩
However I still fuck with this. Hard 🥰
✅ billionaire romance
✅ he’s her boss
✅ she’s 33, he’s early 40’s
✅ hate to love
This is funnier than Taming Mr Walker straight up facts!!!! The cat poo sample? 🤣😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 I died a death. The inner monologue about the damn cat, the diary about Liam, when she was naked under the bed on the boat LMFAO IT WAS TOO MUCH!!
Loved that the FMC was 33. Did not love that Liam was from Yorkshire, the accent is not it idec 🤣🤣🤣 he was not northern in my head.
This is what I didn’t like and SPOILERS BELOW:
❌ The ending felt rushed
❌ How did Liam find out Alastair told Gemma about Liam frequenting the club? Still don’t really understand why he did that tbh
❌ didn’t know enough about Gemma and her backstory, what her folks are like, how she got the HR job etc
Want to Read
October 17, 2024Love to Loathe him is now live on Amazon.
❣️British Billionaire Boss
❣️Workplace romance
❣️Age gap
❣️Swoony & spicy
❣️Enemies to lovers (well , she hates him)
❣️He’s her boss
❣️Relatable and sassy FMC
❣️Grumpy ruthless workaholic MMC
❣️Lots of banter
Excerpt
Here’s a fun little tidbit: apparently, 4 percent of people are sociopaths. But here at Ashbury Thornton Equity Group, we strive for excellence—and that means exceeding our sociopath quota. Sniffing out cutthroat individuals is our bread and butter. Especially for me—I’m the head of HR, so hunting down those delightful little psychos is literally in my job description.
I spend my days surrounded by a bunch of money-hungry sharks who’d gleefully punt Grandma into oncoming traffic for a Rolex. Actually, that’s not fair—they’d hold out for a Patek Philippe watch before tossing Granny to the wolves. But still, my point stands.
Even my adorable little kitty is a stone-cold bitch.
But the biggest, baddest sociopath of them all?
That would be the owner of those smoldering brown eyes currently trying to incinerate me through the glass walls of his fancy fishbowl office.
Liam “I-make-grown-men-sob-like-babies” McLaren.
London’s most ruthless financial hotshot and the big kahuna at Ashbury Thornton Equity Group. Just whisper his name and even the toughest traders need a fresh pair of tighty-whities.
Oh, and I call him Mr. McLaren, like we’re in some ’70s office porno, because he never bothered to correct me during my interview. Never said, “Please, call me Liam.” Then, on my first day, I called him Mr. McLaren, expecting a warm “Call me Liam! Welcome aboard.” But nope, I just got the same brooding glare.
My office, conveniently situated across the chaotic finance floor on level thirty-five, offers me an unobstructed view of his devastatingly handsome face. All. Damn. Day.
Sure, having my own office with a killer view of the Thames is a sweet perk. But when you’re the company’s resident therapist and the bearer of bad news, it’s an absolute necessity.
I heave myself out of my chair, storming through the sea of shouting suits, phone glued to my ear as I verbally flay the incompetent recruiters on the other end.
McLaren’s moody gaze finds me through the glass. He’s sprawled in his leather throne, hands clasped behind his head while Ollie, his senior-level manager, perches on the edge of the desk like a well-trained lapdog.
On autopilot, I flash him my bring it on smile. Years under McLaren’s rule has hardwired this fearless smirk into my DNA—the only way to survive dealing with guys like him. Never let ’em see you sweat.
Yes, McLaren is unfairly hot—smoldering eyes, chiseled jawline, muscles you could crack nuts on. But that’s just his human suit, the bait he uses to draw in unsuspecting victims before tearing them to pieces. Mother Nature sure is a bitch, making the deadliest creatures the most irresistible—like Venus flytraps or those tiny cute frogs that could kill you with a single lick.
And this fucker is no exception.
Ladies, don’t be fooled.
Underneath that handsome exterior beats the pitch-black heart of a raging See-You-Next-Tuesday.
Watching the female new hires around him is comical. As HR, I get a front-row seat to their faces morphing from “I want to scale that godlike tree” to “holy shit, this terrifying bastard is going to fire me before I’ve had my morning poop” in a single blink.
He jerks his chin, summoning me in like I’m some misbehaving schoolgirl.
I stab the end call button on my phone and smooth my already flawless blazer on reflex. Drawing in a deep breath, I stride into McLaren’s office.
“Take a seat,” he orders, hands still locked behind his head. His shirt strains against his chest, like it’s one deep breath away from sending a rogue button flying straight into my eye. I wonder if he’s physically restraining himself from wringing my neck.
My pulse quickens, and I give myself a stern mental slap. Five years. Five freaking years, and this man still makes me feel like I’ve grabbed a live wire every time he glares at me.
❣️British Billionaire Boss
❣️Workplace romance
❣️Age gap
❣️Swoony & spicy
❣️Enemies to lovers (well , she hates him)
❣️He’s her boss
❣️Relatable and sassy FMC
❣️Grumpy ruthless workaholic MMC
❣️Lots of banter
Excerpt
Here’s a fun little tidbit: apparently, 4 percent of people are sociopaths. But here at Ashbury Thornton Equity Group, we strive for excellence—and that means exceeding our sociopath quota. Sniffing out cutthroat individuals is our bread and butter. Especially for me—I’m the head of HR, so hunting down those delightful little psychos is literally in my job description.
I spend my days surrounded by a bunch of money-hungry sharks who’d gleefully punt Grandma into oncoming traffic for a Rolex. Actually, that’s not fair—they’d hold out for a Patek Philippe watch before tossing Granny to the wolves. But still, my point stands.
Even my adorable little kitty is a stone-cold bitch.
But the biggest, baddest sociopath of them all?
That would be the owner of those smoldering brown eyes currently trying to incinerate me through the glass walls of his fancy fishbowl office.
Liam “I-make-grown-men-sob-like-babies” McLaren.
London’s most ruthless financial hotshot and the big kahuna at Ashbury Thornton Equity Group. Just whisper his name and even the toughest traders need a fresh pair of tighty-whities.
Oh, and I call him Mr. McLaren, like we’re in some ’70s office porno, because he never bothered to correct me during my interview. Never said, “Please, call me Liam.” Then, on my first day, I called him Mr. McLaren, expecting a warm “Call me Liam! Welcome aboard.” But nope, I just got the same brooding glare.
My office, conveniently situated across the chaotic finance floor on level thirty-five, offers me an unobstructed view of his devastatingly handsome face. All. Damn. Day.
Sure, having my own office with a killer view of the Thames is a sweet perk. But when you’re the company’s resident therapist and the bearer of bad news, it’s an absolute necessity.
I heave myself out of my chair, storming through the sea of shouting suits, phone glued to my ear as I verbally flay the incompetent recruiters on the other end.
McLaren’s moody gaze finds me through the glass. He’s sprawled in his leather throne, hands clasped behind his head while Ollie, his senior-level manager, perches on the edge of the desk like a well-trained lapdog.
On autopilot, I flash him my bring it on smile. Years under McLaren’s rule has hardwired this fearless smirk into my DNA—the only way to survive dealing with guys like him. Never let ’em see you sweat.
Yes, McLaren is unfairly hot—smoldering eyes, chiseled jawline, muscles you could crack nuts on. But that’s just his human suit, the bait he uses to draw in unsuspecting victims before tearing them to pieces. Mother Nature sure is a bitch, making the deadliest creatures the most irresistible—like Venus flytraps or those tiny cute frogs that could kill you with a single lick.
And this fucker is no exception.
Ladies, don’t be fooled.
Underneath that handsome exterior beats the pitch-black heart of a raging See-You-Next-Tuesday.
Watching the female new hires around him is comical. As HR, I get a front-row seat to their faces morphing from “I want to scale that godlike tree” to “holy shit, this terrifying bastard is going to fire me before I’ve had my morning poop” in a single blink.
He jerks his chin, summoning me in like I’m some misbehaving schoolgirl.
I stab the end call button on my phone and smooth my already flawless blazer on reflex. Drawing in a deep breath, I stride into McLaren’s office.
“Take a seat,” he orders, hands still locked behind his head. His shirt strains against his chest, like it’s one deep breath away from sending a rogue button flying straight into my eye. I wonder if he’s physically restraining himself from wringing my neck.
My pulse quickens, and I give myself a stern mental slap. Five years. Five freaking years, and this man still makes me feel like I’ve grabbed a live wire every time he glares at me.
October 22, 2025
Rosa Lucas yine şaşırtmadı ve kendinden bekleneni karşıladı 😄
October 31, 2024
**received as an arc from the author and publisher**
i’m usually a sucker for these books and honestly really like rosa lucas’s books in general, but this book… i don’t know it just didn’t hit as the other books.
honestly the set up fun(??????), with the boss getting his hr to be honest with him to win this bid, but like… when they got together i just got the ick from their roleplaying lol and then idk the reasoning behind the underlying plot with the bid seemed eh at best and idk the backstory with the enemy’s wife seemed rushed and lackluster like ???????
and then home girl ruining the bid bc of personal life when she was the head of hr????
i’m sorry but girlie what??????????
and then the bid in the end goes to the ML anyway like??? what’s the point lol
anyway this was not my cup of tea but still looking forward to the next one!!
i’m usually a sucker for these books and honestly really like rosa lucas’s books in general, but this book… i don’t know it just didn’t hit as the other books.
honestly the set up fun(??????), with the boss getting his hr to be honest with him to win this bid, but like… when they got together i just got the ick from their roleplaying lol and then idk the reasoning behind the underlying plot with the bid seemed eh at best and idk the backstory with the enemy’s wife seemed rushed and lackluster like ???????
and then home girl ruining the bid bc of personal life when she was the head of hr????
i’m sorry but girlie what??????????
and then the bid in the end goes to the ML anyway like??? what’s the point lol
anyway this was not my cup of tea but still looking forward to the next one!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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September 16, 2025Why are we doing friends with benefits in our 40s?
I loved the characters tho
I loved the characters tho
November 2, 2024
This feels like the London Mister series and I couldn't be happier. The sexual tension in this one was 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
November 14, 2024
3.75⭐️ My first read by Rosa Lucas and it definitely won’t be my last. Were there some things that bothered me? Absolutely! There were some cringy stuff with her cat that were completely unnecessary, but for the most part, I really enjoyed the banter and pent-up tension between the main characters. And even though I am normally very critical of the things I dislike in my books, this author’s writing style and sense of humor, made me ignore (not forget) the negative aspects of it. Some of the scenes and inner monologues were so hilarious that I was laughing out loud, tears streaming down my face. 😂
I don’t have the time to write a long review, but here is what you can expect going into this:
- Workplace romance (billionaire boss & hr employee)
- Extremely grumpy mmc & feisty, sassy fmc
- Age gap (but not the weird kind, she was 33, I believe and the mmc was 40 years old)
- Slow burn
- Great banter
- British humor 🤌
What I didn’t like:
- The fmc’s obsession with her cat (there were some really funny scenes, but there were also some where she overreacted when it came to that cat). You are a grown woman, pull yourself together!!😒
- That the mmc used to go to a sex club and that he used to lust after his nemesis wife. *yiikess*
- Lack of communication when it came to the third act break up
Excerpt from the book:
“The diary, Gemma. Where you chronicle all your precious thoughts about the company.” His eyes narrow to slits, glinting dangerously in the low light. “And about me. What was it you called me again?”
I swallow hard, trying to get my voice back. “A . . . visionary leader?” (😂)
He lets out a harsh, humorless chuckle. “No, try again. It was something a bit more colorful.” He pauses, clearly enjoying this. “Ah, yes. A ‘tyrannical, control-freak, big swinging dick,’ I believe.”
His gaze drops pointedly to his tie, then back up to brand me with its intensity. “Tell me, is this the tie you imagined strangling me with?”
I gape at him, frozen. Not breathing. Not blinking. Is this what a stroke feels like? An aneurysm? Surely my head can’t contain this level of horror without exploding.
If you want an in depth review of this book, go read the reviews of my BR girlies Olga & Lori.
I don’t have the time to write a long review, but here is what you can expect going into this:
- Workplace romance (billionaire boss & hr employee)
- Extremely grumpy mmc & feisty, sassy fmc
- Age gap (but not the weird kind, she was 33, I believe and the mmc was 40 years old)
- Slow burn
- Great banter
- British humor 🤌
What I didn’t like:
- The fmc’s obsession with her cat (there were some really funny scenes, but there were also some where she overreacted when it came to that cat). You are a grown woman, pull yourself together!!😒
- That the mmc used to go to a sex club and that he used to lust after his nemesis wife. *yiikess*
- Lack of communication when it came to the third act break up
Excerpt from the book:
“The diary, Gemma. Where you chronicle all your precious thoughts about the company.” His eyes narrow to slits, glinting dangerously in the low light. “And about me. What was it you called me again?”
I swallow hard, trying to get my voice back. “A . . . visionary leader?” (😂)
He lets out a harsh, humorless chuckle. “No, try again. It was something a bit more colorful.” He pauses, clearly enjoying this. “Ah, yes. A ‘tyrannical, control-freak, big swinging dick,’ I believe.”
His gaze drops pointedly to his tie, then back up to brand me with its intensity. “Tell me, is this the tie you imagined strangling me with?”
I gape at him, frozen. Not breathing. Not blinking. Is this what a stroke feels like? An aneurysm? Surely my head can’t contain this level of horror without exploding.
If you want an in depth review of this book, go read the reviews of my BR girlies Olga & Lori.
November 17, 2024
☆3.45☆
✅️ office romance : boss/employee
✅️ grumpy moody MMC
🆗️ plot
✅️ third act conflict
❌️ ending
❌️ good grovel
REVIEW
Started off great, kept up the pace, good writing, and decent plot-sailing, but the exit quarter literally shaved off stars like it was its goddamn job! All that build up, only for a non-cathartic third-act conflict that didn’t even make sense? Like...
⬇️⬇️SPOILERS⬇️⬇️
1. You do not confront the guy?
2. You sabotage and betray the deal of his life, which he has a personal stake in, because you ASSUMED shit about him without actually knowing the truth?
3. You defame him in front of a client? Do not give me 'nobody listens to HR' excuse!
4. The author think it's okay for the MMC to initiate groveling, be the bigger person, after THAT?
Not to mention, I lost every thread of emotional connection I had developed with the book because that ending was so rushed.
THE PLOT HAD POTENTIAL.
THE WRITING HAD POTENTIAL.
Urghhh.. I hate when this happens. -_-
✅️ office romance : boss/employee
✅️ grumpy moody MMC
🆗️ plot
✅️ third act conflict
❌️ ending
❌️ good grovel
REVIEW
Started off great, kept up the pace, good writing, and decent plot-sailing, but the exit quarter literally shaved off stars like it was its goddamn job! All that build up, only for a non-cathartic third-act conflict that didn’t even make sense? Like...
⬇️⬇️SPOILERS⬇️⬇️
1. You do not confront the guy?
2. You sabotage and betray the deal of his life, which he has a personal stake in, because you ASSUMED shit about him without actually knowing the truth?
3. You defame him in front of a client? Do not give me 'nobody listens to HR' excuse!
4. The author think it's okay for the MMC to initiate groveling, be the bigger person, after THAT?
Not to mention, I lost every thread of emotional connection I had developed with the book because that ending was so rushed.
THE PLOT HAD POTENTIAL.
THE WRITING HAD POTENTIAL.
Urghhh.. I hate when this happens. -_-
October 2, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rosa has done it again. I knew I’d love this as I have devoured everything else she’s written. This was no different! I enjoyed every second and read it within 24hrs. Rosa just knows how to combine all of my favourite things - billionaires; office romance; UK based; age gap - and create a love story (with lots of spice!) that tugs at the heart strings. Yes, I cried at this one 🤭.
I adore a story with older characters, the FMC, Gemma, is 33 and the MMC, Liam, is 40. Still an age gap romance (which she is brilliant at 🙌🏻) but it makes a nice change from seeing a 21 year old FMC.
The banter between the two leads is excellent and I loved how strong willed and self assured Gemma was. She really gave her own with Liam and it made for some exciting scenes.
The romance was 10/10, the spice 10/10 and the epilogue was perfection 🥰. If you love billionaire romance, or hey, even romance in general, then 100000% read this. You’ll love it, I promise 😏.
Rosa has done it again. I knew I’d love this as I have devoured everything else she’s written. This was no different! I enjoyed every second and read it within 24hrs. Rosa just knows how to combine all of my favourite things - billionaires; office romance; UK based; age gap - and create a love story (with lots of spice!) that tugs at the heart strings. Yes, I cried at this one 🤭.
I adore a story with older characters, the FMC, Gemma, is 33 and the MMC, Liam, is 40. Still an age gap romance (which she is brilliant at 🙌🏻) but it makes a nice change from seeing a 21 year old FMC.
The banter between the two leads is excellent and I loved how strong willed and self assured Gemma was. She really gave her own with Liam and it made for some exciting scenes.
The romance was 10/10, the spice 10/10 and the epilogue was perfection 🥰. If you love billionaire romance, or hey, even romance in general, then 100000% read this. You’ll love it, I promise 😏.
November 6, 2024
I loved the beginning of this book. LOVED IT. But then they started sleeping together and strong, badass Gemma became weak and uncertain and so annoying. And then she truly betrays him, believes his enemy without question, and he's ok with that. I may never read another book by this author because of this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 15, 2024
Why are books which are set in the U.K. with British characters who are narrating their own stories using American English spelling??!!
Liam is from Yorkshire for crying out loud, he would use a chequebook and not a checkbook.
This is one of my biggest book peeves! I hate it.
Especially when the author is apparently British too.
Liam is from Yorkshire for crying out loud, he would use a chequebook and not a checkbook.
This is one of my biggest book peeves! I hate it.
Especially when the author is apparently British too.
March 3, 2025
Seriously? The prologue? I thought he saw Gemma working there or what. But, it was never revealed. Damn.
Sucker for CEO boss x strong female employee here but, Gemma? Are you freaking serious? Not only you claimed to know everything about him because you work for 5 years for him but also, you said you are professional.
Then the steamy weekend happened and now, you can't handle him being strictly professional at work??? And then, you decided to not give him a chance to explain himself, you just assumed everything. Not to mention, you ruined his multi million deal that he worked for several months, trusted his rival and everything he says, and worst, you just suddenly quit and left him???? Girl, are you for real?
Liam, who just had a recent accident and still recovering from Gemma's incident, STILL the first one to make a move and Gemma is not sorry at all?
Damn you Gemma. Liam please find another girl worth of you.
Sucker for CEO boss x strong female employee here but, Gemma? Are you freaking serious? Not only you claimed to know everything about him because you work for 5 years for him but also, you said you are professional.
Then the steamy weekend happened and now, you can't handle him being strictly professional at work??? And then, you decided to not give him a chance to explain himself, you just assumed everything. Not to mention, you ruined his multi million deal that he worked for several months, trusted his rival and everything he says, and worst, you just suddenly quit and left him???? Girl, are you for real?
Liam, who just had a recent accident and still recovering from Gemma's incident, STILL the first one to make a move and Gemma is not sorry at all?
Damn you Gemma. Liam please find another girl worth of you.
September 2, 2025
Love to Loathe Him aka Ondan nefret etmeyi sevmek? Hmmmm 😑 Bizim tayfa bassa adını ne koyar acaba? Benden nefret etsen de olur ? haahahaklhsdl 😄😄
Bu yazarı ilk kez okuyorum ve evet redditten geldim. Son düzlüklere doğru dümeni kırmasaydı solid 4 verecektim ama rota yeniden oluşturuldu ve efsane olamadı. 😟
Gemma (33) bir finans şirketinde çalışan aşırı işkolik İK (İnsan Kaynakları) müdürü, Liam (40) ise onun acımasız patronu. Bu ikili 4-5 senedir gayet güzel çalışırlar ta ki Gemma’ nın online günlüğü yanlışlıkla Liam’ ın klasöründe belirene kadar. Etrafında aman efendim tamam efendim yalamaları olduğundan Liam aşırı bıkmıştır ve Gemma’ nın dürüstlüğünden bir parça ona çölde vaha gibi gelir.
Gemma’ nın iç sesi ve tanımlamaları aşırı iyi “Liam karşı tarafta Titanic’ in batışını bizzat görmüş gibi görünen bir adamla konuşuyordu” gibi tanımlamalarla ilk yarı kopa kopa gitti. Aşırı bi tansiyon vardı gerisi pek iyi gelemedi. Karakterlerin olgun olmasını beklemekle hata mı ettim? 33 yaşında kadın son 50 sayfa liseli ergene bağladı.
Liam da Allah var çizgisini bozmadı aynı kabızlıkla son sayfalara kadar ulaştı.
Aradığımı bulduğum okuması zevkli ama bi tık uzun bi kitap oldu.
Bu yazarı ilk kez okuyorum ve evet redditten geldim. Son düzlüklere doğru dümeni kırmasaydı solid 4 verecektim ama rota yeniden oluşturuldu ve efsane olamadı. 😟
Gemma (33) bir finans şirketinde çalışan aşırı işkolik İK (İnsan Kaynakları) müdürü, Liam (40) ise onun acımasız patronu. Bu ikili 4-5 senedir gayet güzel çalışırlar ta ki Gemma’ nın online günlüğü yanlışlıkla Liam’ ın klasöründe belirene kadar. Etrafında aman efendim tamam efendim yalamaları olduğundan Liam aşırı bıkmıştır ve Gemma’ nın dürüstlüğünden bir parça ona çölde vaha gibi gelir.
Gemma’ nın iç sesi ve tanımlamaları aşırı iyi “Liam karşı tarafta Titanic’ in batışını bizzat görmüş gibi görünen bir adamla konuşuyordu” gibi tanımlamalarla ilk yarı kopa kopa gitti. Aşırı bi tansiyon vardı gerisi pek iyi gelemedi. Karakterlerin olgun olmasını beklemekle hata mı ettim? 33 yaşında kadın son 50 sayfa liseli ergene bağladı.
Liam da Allah var çizgisini bozmadı aynı kabızlıkla son sayfalara kadar ulaştı.
Aradığımı bulduğum okuması zevkli ama bi tık uzun bi kitap oldu.
March 18, 2025
I haven’t found a Rosa Lucas book I wasn’t obsessed with 😍
Read
January 2, 2026November 6, 2024
DNF @ 21%
One of the few books I’m genuinely bummed about DNFing.
I knew going in that the MCs knew each other for 5 years (worked together) so there was no way they were going to be celibate after meeting each other. I accepted that. The prologue starts with the MMC in a high-end sex club. There’s no sex with OW on page but it I didn’t like it. At all. Still, I decided to give it a chance and I absolutely LOVED it. The turd debacle 😂😂 omg I was wheezing
Once both MCs started to have attraction on page (enough that they masturbated to the thought of each other), for me it was already a start of something: a relationship.
Then at 21%, MMC goes to his sex club, The Athenæum after saying bye to his friend:
“An hour later, we settle our tab and say our goodbyes, and I’m headed to the Athenæum. I need to find a redhead to play out this angry secretary fantasy.
Maybe even put in a request to get her to wear a dress like Gemma’s. I wonder if I could find out where it’s from without sounding like a creepy stalker with a fetish.
But there’s a nagging suspicion in the back of my mind that no one is going to live up to the real thing. And that is an alarming thought considering I cannot and will not go there.”
Not sure what actually happens but I can guess. This killed my interest. Not entirely, but I was left feeling sick. I didn’t event want to read the next chapter. I felt… betrayed tbh.
I absolutely do not find it sexy when the MMC wants to fuck/actually fucks another woman who looks like FMC.
I was tempted to continue with the book but I knew, just knew, that that scene would gnaw at me, and gnaw at me and ruin my experience (further).
It’s so easy to DNF books that you disliked from the beginning. But a book you were absolutely loving? It takes strength.
With that, I’ll definitely be checking out more of Rosa Lucas’ books!
November 7, 2024
Update: I checked out their other books and I’ve already put two in my ‘thank u next’ list. I.e, you can’t pay me to read them. Maybe Rosa Lucas isn’t for me.
DNF @ 21%
One of the few books I’m genuinely bummed about DNFing.
I knew going in that the MCs knew each other for 5 years (worked together) so there was no way they were going to be celibate after meeting each other. I accepted that. The prologue starts with the MMC in a high-end sex club. There’s no sex with OW on page but it I didn’t like it. At all. Still, I decided to give it a chance and I absolutely LOVED it. The turd debacle 😂😂 omg I was wheezing
Once both MCs started to have attraction on page (enough that they masturbated to the thought of each other), for me it was already a start of something: a relationship.
Then at 21%, MMC goes to his sex club, The Athenæum after saying bye to his friend:
“An hour later, we settle our tab and say our goodbyes, and I’m headed to the Athenæum. I need to find a redhead to play out this angry secretary fantasy.
Maybe even put in a request to get her to wear a dress like Gemma’s. I wonder if I could find out where it’s from without sounding like a creepy stalker with a fetish.
But there’s a nagging suspicion in the back of my mind that no one is going to live up to the real thing. And that is an alarming thought considering I cannot and will not go there.”
Not sure what actually happens but I can guess. This killed my interest. Not entirely, but I was left feeling sick. I didn’t event want to read the next chapter. I felt… betrayed tbh.
I absolutely do not find it sexy when the MMC wants to fuck/actually fucks another woman who looks like FMC.
I was tempted to continue with the book but I knew, just knew, that that scene would gnaw at me, and gnaw at me and ruin my experience (further).
It’s so easy to DNF books that you disliked from the beginning. But a book you were absolutely loving? It takes strength.
With that, I’ll definitely be checking out more of Rosa Lucas’ books!
November 7, 2024
Update: I checked out their other books and I’ve already put two in my ‘thank u next’ list. I.e, you can’t pay me to read them. Maybe Rosa Lucas isn’t for me.
August 11, 2026
2.75✨
Confesso que comecei esta leitura com expectativas altas, porque adoro a autora neste género de romance. E, no início, estava mesmo a gostar!
Gostei bastante da Gemma, principalmente da sua personalidade e do facto de trabalhar na área de Recursos Humanos, algo com que me identifiquei de imediato.
Além disso, achei que esse pormenor podia trazer uma dinâmica muito interessante à história.
Infelizmente, ao longo do livro senti que a personagem foi perdendo um pouco daquilo que me tinha conquistado inicialmente. E, para mim, o maior problema acabou por ser o próprio desenvolvimento da história.
O *workplace* começou a ocupar demasiado espaço e senti que a história se foi alongando mais do que precisava. Em vários momentos achei a leitura um pouco aborrecida e fiquei com a sensação de que estávamos a andar em círculos.
Apesar disso, continua a ser um livro que se lê bem e que tem todos aqueles ingredientes que normalmente procuro neste género. Simplesmente, para mim, não conseguiu corresponder às expectativas que tinha.
No final, não consegui deixar de pensar: metade das páginas teria sido suficiente para contar esta história e entregar exatamente aquilo que a autora queria. 😅
Não foi uma leitura má, mas foi definitivamente uma daquelas em que fiquei a pensar no que poderia ter sido.
Confesso que comecei esta leitura com expectativas altas, porque adoro a autora neste género de romance. E, no início, estava mesmo a gostar!
Gostei bastante da Gemma, principalmente da sua personalidade e do facto de trabalhar na área de Recursos Humanos, algo com que me identifiquei de imediato.
Além disso, achei que esse pormenor podia trazer uma dinâmica muito interessante à história.
Infelizmente, ao longo do livro senti que a personagem foi perdendo um pouco daquilo que me tinha conquistado inicialmente. E, para mim, o maior problema acabou por ser o próprio desenvolvimento da história.
O *workplace* começou a ocupar demasiado espaço e senti que a história se foi alongando mais do que precisava. Em vários momentos achei a leitura um pouco aborrecida e fiquei com a sensação de que estávamos a andar em círculos.
Apesar disso, continua a ser um livro que se lê bem e que tem todos aqueles ingredientes que normalmente procuro neste género. Simplesmente, para mim, não conseguiu corresponder às expectativas que tinha.
No final, não consegui deixar de pensar: metade das páginas teria sido suficiente para contar esta história e entregar exatamente aquilo que a autora queria. 😅
Não foi uma leitura má, mas foi definitivamente uma daquelas em que fiquei a pensar no que poderia ter sido.
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November 8, 2024
I was really craving a CEO hero and I wanted to be hearing about the meetings and numbers and everything so this delivered. It also takes place in London which is fun because I’m currently in England on vacation haha.
I did enjoy this book, but I found Gemma’s actions especially at the end to be very immature, she’s the HR manager for Christ’s sake…that was so unprofessional to involve her personal issues in work but🤷🏼♀️ I just feel like Gemma got away with too much shit without ever really apologizing and Liam changed too much/forgave too easily. Also the prologue to this book has ABSOLUTELY not one thing to do with the book, literally can someone tell me who he spots at the end and what that’s about? I wish the kinky sex club was relevant to the plot at all and I was expecting weird shit, but it was all quite tame. So yeah I don’t get what the point was of giving that place so much attention. This was still an enjoyable read though and I love a cat character haha so Winnie was a fun addition. I’m curious if there are any books about side characters like Liam’s brother who was only briefly mentioned to be a kilt wearing hottie or Liam’s hot surgeon bff 🧐
I did enjoy this book, but I found Gemma’s actions especially at the end to be very immature, she’s the HR manager for Christ’s sake…that was so unprofessional to involve her personal issues in work but🤷🏼♀️ I just feel like Gemma got away with too much shit without ever really apologizing and Liam changed too much/forgave too easily. Also the prologue to this book has ABSOLUTELY not one thing to do with the book, literally can someone tell me who he spots at the end and what that’s about? I wish the kinky sex club was relevant to the plot at all and I was expecting weird shit, but it was all quite tame. So yeah I don’t get what the point was of giving that place so much attention. This was still an enjoyable read though and I love a cat character haha so Winnie was a fun addition. I’m curious if there are any books about side characters like Liam’s brother who was only briefly mentioned to be a kilt wearing hottie or Liam’s hot surgeon bff 🧐
December 9, 2024
oh my gosh, this was so boring!!!!
1. the role play? cringe
2. her alias during the role play being ginger? girl, pls.
3. the mole not even being the most obvious choice? just a random guy from IT... come. on.
4. believing oh so convenient circumstances all the while QUESTIONING how the setup was convenient.
5. the random sabotage? the resigning? made seriously no sense.
6. pregnancy trope? lame af.
7. also no side characters even worth mentioning.
1. the role play? cringe
2. her alias during the role play being ginger? girl, pls.
3. the mole not even being the most obvious choice? just a random guy from IT... come. on.
4. believing oh so convenient circumstances all the while QUESTIONING how the setup was convenient.
5. the random sabotage? the resigning? made seriously no sense.
6. pregnancy trope? lame af.
7. also no side characters even worth mentioning.
January 11, 2026
Had to go back to my roots to try and escape the choke hold that sports romance has had be under and boy this book did not disappoint! GOSH I love a brooding billionaire in a custom Italian suit!!!! This book took me by surprise! I did not expect to like it as much as I did! The banter was great and there were many parts I did not see coming that made my jaw DROP! Even though the epilogue did go a direction I wasn’t expecting it still didn’t take away from the book and fit with the story! Gemma the FMC was also a redhead who talked to her cat a lot so that was extremely relatable for me!😻I definitely would recommend this book!
May 27, 2025
Billionaire romances with a messy af third act break up are my drug. Leave me be
October 15, 2024
Actual Rating: 4.5 Stars
Now this is how to write a billionaire hero and his sassy, smart heroine counterpart. Between the hilarious predicaments Gemma found herself in, to the simmering tension between her and Liam, I couldn't get enough of them. The side characters were great, even the drama at Liam's company worked well in tandem with their growing romance without overshadowing it. Full review to follow.
Now this is how to write a billionaire hero and his sassy, smart heroine counterpart. Between the hilarious predicaments Gemma found herself in, to the simmering tension between her and Liam, I couldn't get enough of them. The side characters were great, even the drama at Liam's company worked well in tandem with their growing romance without overshadowing it. Full review to follow.
April 28, 2025
This was my first book by Rosa Lucas. The banter between the characters was so fun and sharp—it really kept me hooked. I also appreciated that they didn’t fall for each other too quickly (thank God for that slow burn!). However, I found the ending a bit too classic and predictable, which made it feel a little boring..
October 23, 2024
Brilliant read!!!
Liam is my new book boyfriend!!! Loved both lead characters, they were written so well! This is a laugh out loud, heart warming and at times soul destroying read!!! Spicy at times too!! The chemistry between Liam & Gemma was off the charts!! Loved it!!
Liam is my new book boyfriend!!! Loved both lead characters, they were written so well! This is a laugh out loud, heart warming and at times soul destroying read!!! Spicy at times too!! The chemistry between Liam & Gemma was off the charts!! Loved it!!
April 28, 2026
This book pissed me off so bad, I’m still not over it and still mad.
This book started off fine. Up until the 75% mark it would’ve been a three or maybe even solid four star read. I don’t know who to slap seriously, but I now decided that everybody, but Liam should just get slapped. ESPECIALLY our very own annoying, selfrighteous and delusional fmc, bc what. The. Heck. Was. This. Mess?!?!?!
But let’s summarize what happened first:
Our fmc worked in ashbury daunten for five years in total. She had a crush on her boss from the beginning and her boss (our mmc) thought she was sexy too, but restrained himself. He is an absolute d*ck to everyone and about everything. She is stupid enough to „accidentally“ send her „I-hate-my-stupid-and-freaking-hot-boss-whom-I-still-want-to-fuck-because-he’s-conventionally-attractive-and-horny-diary“ with him where she quite literally ONLY writes out the things I mentioned in it’s title. He reads it, is enthralled with her „honesty“ (whatever that means, since she basically only wrote her sex fantasies with him in there) and revamps his sexual wants for her. They have an inappropriate sexual relationship, while simultaneously working on taking over a company with several non profits from a classist old geezer who paints himself as the hero of the working class, when he’s just like every other rich, blue-blooded jerk. The mmc was bullied in his private school because he didn’t have blue blood and that bully is now his business rival. He then is the reason why fmc and mmc had their inevitable third act break up, bc she’s stupid enough to believe his business rival and classist bully without even fact checking ANYTHING AND GIVING THE GUY SHE SUPPOSEDLY FELL IN LOVE WITH THE CHANCE TO EXPLAIN HIMSELF. Then she regresses into this ugly venomous, vengeful character of a woman who tried to destroy everything they worked for for months in the span of three minutes. She then runs off to Costa Rica to have her early mid-life crisis and „actually help people in a charity“ (boohoo how nice of you).
That’s basically the whole gist of it. Now let me rant about everything that PISSED ME THE HELL OFF in this God forsaken book:
1. Gemma-yeah just Gemma, bc everything about her was jarring and annoying
At the beginning Gemma was introduced as this powerhouse of a woman. Intelligent, accomplished and ambitious. I really liked her and tbh I thought her inner monologue about her boss was kind of hilarious… for the first three chapters. After that it became obvious that she was kinda butthurt that her literal boss wasn’t interested in being buddy buddy with her. How are you angry that your boss doesn’t want you to call him by his first name, but expects you to be professional?!?! This attitude just was a red thread through the whole book. He says let’s be professional, she agrees and then goes on to be mad, because he doesn’t treat her with kid gloves at work but like everyone else??? Hello. That already pissed me off. But instead of standing on business, she always decides to go back to their boss and employee with benefits relationship. That guy didn’t even need to push ONCE and she folded. I really thought she had a backbone, but her marketing most definitely didn’t translate into her actual character and actions.
Then the whole ordeal with her obsession of thinking that she’s more charitable than anybody else and cares more about everyone than anybody else, annoyed me to no end. Her sabotaging the deal that a whole team of people worked on for months is idiotic and self righteous to a degree that is actually sickening. Liam sadly is right. If the company goes under and files for bankruptcy, NON of those charities will survive. She selfishly inserted herself into the business aspect of the deal, he allowed her to do it and she betrays him?!?! WTAH! Congratulations, you just earned yourself a badge for being the most pretentious woman to ever exist.
The way that she tries to rewrite her history at the company is irritating af. Girl, while you have every right to demand your boss to treat you fairly and with respect and I’m all for expecting this from your working environment, but let’s be real, she had every chance to change the company, her profession or anything about her living situation. But she stayed, took the chance of collecting her fat check monthly, bought her own property and continued to bring it up in every situation possible. GIRL. You weren’t doing charity work, you did what you were paid to do and especially in the last months got an outrageous pay for your work, stop trying to reframe it to make yourself the victim. You don’t have to love your job, you can complain all you want, but with your pay, you don’t have the right to talk like you’re slaving away in a factory while being exploited by the ruthless factory owner. You were closer to the ceo in terms of seniority and power than to the average worker and disregarding this all the time to put yourself in the position of the victim doesn’t suit you and is annoying af.
Her going to Costa Rica…… let’s not even start there, but imma leave this here: just because you’re having an early mid life crisis it doesn’t mean that you need to do charity work in another country. News flash, there are enough homeless people in the 🇬🇧 who need to be fed and non profits to work for, you don’t have to go to a whole other continent to help people and find your purpose
She literally is the kind of person who would ruin her ex partner‘s life in order to avenge her hurt feelings. I hate that trope and I think that it’s especially jarring, because they never were an item…. You guys were fuckbuddies, nothing else. It was clear from the beginning and tbh even IF he fucked somebody else, it wouldn’t be cheating, but a crossing of boundaries, that HE set😭😭😭. I hate cheating, but what I hate even more is the trope of a woman who’s d&d (delusional and desperate) for a guy who hasn’t given her any signs to believe that something changed in their relationship. Yeah Liam was cute and invited her for dates. And yeah, Liam didn’t send her flowers and jewellery. But that’s it. Is he supposed to treat her like sh*t, bc they aren’t in an relationship? What he did was lowkey the bare minimum. They met once a week, ate somewhere and fucked. He made inappropriate comments at work, but that’s literally it. That’s all it takes to wine and dine and impress you?! Oh okay…
Her believing literally EVERYONE, but Liam was a painful read. Believing Oli who had been a dickish loser from the beginning and Allister who LITERALLY BULLIED HIM DURING SCHOOL AND PROBABLY SEES YOU AS WORKING CLASS SCUM UNDER HIS SHOE is ridiculous and so insulting. She didn’t trust him in the slightest, was so ready to put herself into the position of a victim.
She did all this over a misunderstanding that she caused. I’m sick.
Everything about her was annoying as hell. She didn’t even apologise properly, which probably was the worst of all her actions or absence of actions.
2. the cat thing
Her being 33 and already portrayed as a crazy cat lady is super weird and also playing into ageist stereotypes about women in their thirties. That isn’t old at all and I say this an 18 year old girl. Also her obsession with her cat is weird and highkey off putting. Why do we get so many scenes connecting her cat to sex or sexual acts? Her cat coming in during her masturbation session, her cat being used in a wordplay with pussy, her cat‘s sex life being the main talk for several pages…. Verrrrryyyyyy weird and I’m not going to linger on this any longer.
Her obsession with her cat in general was worrisome and weird aswell. Wdym you’re not coming to work, because your cat, that you let walk around the neighbourhood regularly, wasn’t seen for maybe twelve hours max?!?! Wtf? Especially on a day of such an important meeting??? And her getting angry at Liam for being upset because she let him down????? Everything was just annoying af icl.
3. Lizzie
I don’t wanna say much, but Lizzie is a loser who didn’t amount to anything in her life and unnecessarily reaffirms Gemma when she doesn’t need or deserve it. That’s all.
4. the grovel
Liam apologising and basically grovelling before Gemma did anything to deserve it makes me genuinely angry. I’m tired of the whole “women who are allergic to taking responsibility”- thing, when it comes to romance. She made a mistake (and a grave one at that) and didn’t even properly apologise. That’s not enough for me.
And also why are we romanticising a rich jerk buying his hundredth yacht just to show his love to her???? Can’t you just rent one? how wasteful. Idc if this is fiction idc idc.
5. the tall beautiful other woman
If I read about one other woman who is this tall vixen with kilometer long legs and utterly evil (brownie points if she’s blonde) I really am going to loose it. I don’t need to read about a specific type of woman always being portrayed as the bad guy just because she seemingly is conventionally attractive just to be rejected. It’s jarring and boring. Next.
Now the things that I didn’t completely despise:
1. Liam
He was a jerk, but tbh I kinda liked him towards the end. Still, his sob story about being working class in a blue blooded environment was annoying at some point bc obviously he has abandoned everything about this part of his life, except his anger about being mistreated. That doesn’t give him a freepass to be greedy tho. This whole acquisition thing, was just a reminder that the poor who become rich, forget every single drop of morality in a heartbeat no matter how much they once struggled.
2. Allister
He was an interesting character because he wasn’t the cardboard cutout villain type that one is used to. He is a classist jerk, but also a guy with insecurities and hurt because of his wife. His actions were disgusting, but it just was interesting to read since he for once was human and also charming. He was far from likable tho.
3. The baby before the ring…
So me personally, I wouldn’t even try fucking a guy raw , that is just my Situationship turned boyfriend of some months, but what do I know? I can overlook that and say that I really like a pregnancy trope so that most definitely was the reason why I didn’t give this one star to be honest…
Yeah I don’t even want to spend even more time on this book review so that’s it. It was a hot mess. I wouldn’t repeat it. I wouldn’t even try recommending it to anybody else and I just want to forget this book because the FMC really pissed me off bad and ruined this book in a way that I haven’t seen in months. congratulations.
This book started off fine. Up until the 75% mark it would’ve been a three or maybe even solid four star read. I don’t know who to slap seriously, but I now decided that everybody, but Liam should just get slapped. ESPECIALLY our very own annoying, selfrighteous and delusional fmc, bc what. The. Heck. Was. This. Mess?!?!?!
But let’s summarize what happened first:
Our fmc worked in ashbury daunten for five years in total. She had a crush on her boss from the beginning and her boss (our mmc) thought she was sexy too, but restrained himself. He is an absolute d*ck to everyone and about everything. She is stupid enough to „accidentally“ send her „I-hate-my-stupid-and-freaking-hot-boss-whom-I-still-want-to-fuck-because-he’s-conventionally-attractive-and-horny-diary“ with him where she quite literally ONLY writes out the things I mentioned in it’s title. He reads it, is enthralled with her „honesty“ (whatever that means, since she basically only wrote her sex fantasies with him in there) and revamps his sexual wants for her. They have an inappropriate sexual relationship, while simultaneously working on taking over a company with several non profits from a classist old geezer who paints himself as the hero of the working class, when he’s just like every other rich, blue-blooded jerk. The mmc was bullied in his private school because he didn’t have blue blood and that bully is now his business rival. He then is the reason why fmc and mmc had their inevitable third act break up, bc she’s stupid enough to believe his business rival and classist bully without even fact checking ANYTHING AND GIVING THE GUY SHE SUPPOSEDLY FELL IN LOVE WITH THE CHANCE TO EXPLAIN HIMSELF. Then she regresses into this ugly venomous, vengeful character of a woman who tried to destroy everything they worked for for months in the span of three minutes. She then runs off to Costa Rica to have her early mid-life crisis and „actually help people in a charity“ (boohoo how nice of you).
That’s basically the whole gist of it. Now let me rant about everything that PISSED ME THE HELL OFF in this God forsaken book:
1. Gemma-yeah just Gemma, bc everything about her was jarring and annoying
At the beginning Gemma was introduced as this powerhouse of a woman. Intelligent, accomplished and ambitious. I really liked her and tbh I thought her inner monologue about her boss was kind of hilarious… for the first three chapters. After that it became obvious that she was kinda butthurt that her literal boss wasn’t interested in being buddy buddy with her. How are you angry that your boss doesn’t want you to call him by his first name, but expects you to be professional?!?! This attitude just was a red thread through the whole book. He says let’s be professional, she agrees and then goes on to be mad, because he doesn’t treat her with kid gloves at work but like everyone else??? Hello. That already pissed me off. But instead of standing on business, she always decides to go back to their boss and employee with benefits relationship. That guy didn’t even need to push ONCE and she folded. I really thought she had a backbone, but her marketing most definitely didn’t translate into her actual character and actions.
Then the whole ordeal with her obsession of thinking that she’s more charitable than anybody else and cares more about everyone than anybody else, annoyed me to no end. Her sabotaging the deal that a whole team of people worked on for months is idiotic and self righteous to a degree that is actually sickening. Liam sadly is right. If the company goes under and files for bankruptcy, NON of those charities will survive. She selfishly inserted herself into the business aspect of the deal, he allowed her to do it and she betrays him?!?! WTAH! Congratulations, you just earned yourself a badge for being the most pretentious woman to ever exist.
The way that she tries to rewrite her history at the company is irritating af. Girl, while you have every right to demand your boss to treat you fairly and with respect and I’m all for expecting this from your working environment, but let’s be real, she had every chance to change the company, her profession or anything about her living situation. But she stayed, took the chance of collecting her fat check monthly, bought her own property and continued to bring it up in every situation possible. GIRL. You weren’t doing charity work, you did what you were paid to do and especially in the last months got an outrageous pay for your work, stop trying to reframe it to make yourself the victim. You don’t have to love your job, you can complain all you want, but with your pay, you don’t have the right to talk like you’re slaving away in a factory while being exploited by the ruthless factory owner. You were closer to the ceo in terms of seniority and power than to the average worker and disregarding this all the time to put yourself in the position of the victim doesn’t suit you and is annoying af.
Her going to Costa Rica…… let’s not even start there, but imma leave this here: just because you’re having an early mid life crisis it doesn’t mean that you need to do charity work in another country. News flash, there are enough homeless people in the 🇬🇧 who need to be fed and non profits to work for, you don’t have to go to a whole other continent to help people and find your purpose
She literally is the kind of person who would ruin her ex partner‘s life in order to avenge her hurt feelings. I hate that trope and I think that it’s especially jarring, because they never were an item…. You guys were fuckbuddies, nothing else. It was clear from the beginning and tbh even IF he fucked somebody else, it wouldn’t be cheating, but a crossing of boundaries, that HE set😭😭😭. I hate cheating, but what I hate even more is the trope of a woman who’s d&d (delusional and desperate) for a guy who hasn’t given her any signs to believe that something changed in their relationship. Yeah Liam was cute and invited her for dates. And yeah, Liam didn’t send her flowers and jewellery. But that’s it. Is he supposed to treat her like sh*t, bc they aren’t in an relationship? What he did was lowkey the bare minimum. They met once a week, ate somewhere and fucked. He made inappropriate comments at work, but that’s literally it. That’s all it takes to wine and dine and impress you?! Oh okay…
Her believing literally EVERYONE, but Liam was a painful read. Believing Oli who had been a dickish loser from the beginning and Allister who LITERALLY BULLIED HIM DURING SCHOOL AND PROBABLY SEES YOU AS WORKING CLASS SCUM UNDER HIS SHOE is ridiculous and so insulting. She didn’t trust him in the slightest, was so ready to put herself into the position of a victim.
She did all this over a misunderstanding that she caused. I’m sick.
Everything about her was annoying as hell. She didn’t even apologise properly, which probably was the worst of all her actions or absence of actions.
2. the cat thing
Her being 33 and already portrayed as a crazy cat lady is super weird and also playing into ageist stereotypes about women in their thirties. That isn’t old at all and I say this an 18 year old girl. Also her obsession with her cat is weird and highkey off putting. Why do we get so many scenes connecting her cat to sex or sexual acts? Her cat coming in during her masturbation session, her cat being used in a wordplay with pussy, her cat‘s sex life being the main talk for several pages…. Verrrrryyyyyy weird and I’m not going to linger on this any longer.
Her obsession with her cat in general was worrisome and weird aswell. Wdym you’re not coming to work, because your cat, that you let walk around the neighbourhood regularly, wasn’t seen for maybe twelve hours max?!?! Wtf? Especially on a day of such an important meeting??? And her getting angry at Liam for being upset because she let him down????? Everything was just annoying af icl.
3. Lizzie
I don’t wanna say much, but Lizzie is a loser who didn’t amount to anything in her life and unnecessarily reaffirms Gemma when she doesn’t need or deserve it. That’s all.
4. the grovel
Liam apologising and basically grovelling before Gemma did anything to deserve it makes me genuinely angry. I’m tired of the whole “women who are allergic to taking responsibility”- thing, when it comes to romance. She made a mistake (and a grave one at that) and didn’t even properly apologise. That’s not enough for me.
And also why are we romanticising a rich jerk buying his hundredth yacht just to show his love to her???? Can’t you just rent one? how wasteful. Idc if this is fiction idc idc.
5. the tall beautiful other woman
If I read about one other woman who is this tall vixen with kilometer long legs and utterly evil (brownie points if she’s blonde) I really am going to loose it. I don’t need to read about a specific type of woman always being portrayed as the bad guy just because she seemingly is conventionally attractive just to be rejected. It’s jarring and boring. Next.
Now the things that I didn’t completely despise:
1. Liam
He was a jerk, but tbh I kinda liked him towards the end. Still, his sob story about being working class in a blue blooded environment was annoying at some point bc obviously he has abandoned everything about this part of his life, except his anger about being mistreated. That doesn’t give him a freepass to be greedy tho. This whole acquisition thing, was just a reminder that the poor who become rich, forget every single drop of morality in a heartbeat no matter how much they once struggled.
2. Allister
He was an interesting character because he wasn’t the cardboard cutout villain type that one is used to. He is a classist jerk, but also a guy with insecurities and hurt because of his wife. His actions were disgusting, but it just was interesting to read since he for once was human and also charming. He was far from likable tho.
3. The baby before the ring…
So me personally, I wouldn’t even try fucking a guy raw , that is just my Situationship turned boyfriend of some months, but what do I know? I can overlook that and say that I really like a pregnancy trope so that most definitely was the reason why I didn’t give this one star to be honest…
Yeah I don’t even want to spend even more time on this book review so that’s it. It was a hot mess. I wouldn’t repeat it. I wouldn’t even try recommending it to anybody else and I just want to forget this book because the FMC really pissed me off bad and ruined this book in a way that I haven’t seen in months. congratulations.
January 22, 2026
There is something deeply satisfying about an enemies-to-lovers romance that actually earns the label, and Love to Loathe Him understood that assignment from page one. This story leans hard into professional animosity, mutual irritation, and simmering attraction that refuses to soften too early. From the corporate setting to the razor-sharp banter, the book establishes its tone quickly and commits to it, which made it an absolute joy to sink into.
Gemma Jones is one of those heroines who feels immediately real. As the head of HR in a cutthroat financial firm, she lives a double life that many of us will recognize: hyper-competent and buttoned-up at work, exhausted and unfiltered the moment she gets home. Her inner monologue is hilarious, raw, and occasionally unhinged in the best possible way. The diary mishap that sets the story in motion is mortifying, yes, but it also becomes a brilliant device for stripping away pretenses and forcing two people to confront truths they would rather keep buried.
Liam McLaren, on the other hand, is ruthlessness personified. A self-made billionaire who has built his empire through sheer discipline and control, he is every bit the intimidating boss figure he is reputed to be. But what made him compelling was not just the power or the arrogance. It was the way the story allows glimpses of the man beneath the armor. The moments where Liam lets his guard slip, where patience replaces command, and where respect quietly overtakes dominance, are some of the strongest in the book.
The tension between Gemma and Liam thrives on proximity, pride, and the constant clash between who they are at work and who they become when those boundaries blur. Their connection builds through friction, not convenience, and the chemistry feels real because neither of them is willing to surrender control easily. The romance develops alongside mutual recognition: of competence, of vulnerability, and eventually, of desire that has been simmering long before either of them admits it.
I am always on the hunt for romances that truly respect what enemies to lovers is supposed to mean. Not the watered-down versions where hostility evaporates into pet names and instant softness by the first third of the book, but stories where resentment, resistance, and attraction exist in constant tension. This book largely delivers on that promise. The snark, the slow burn, the heat, the emotional restraint, and the eventual surrender all worked beautifully for me.
That said, I did shave off half a star, reluctantly, because the story hinted at layers it never fully peeled back. Liam, in particular, felt like a man with a rich and complicated history that was only partially revealed. I wanted more insight into his upbringing, his estranged mother and stepfather, and the formative wounds that shaped his need for control. The animosity with his archnemesis, seeded during their Eton years and complicated by a woman, was fascinating but under-explored. Those threads could have elevated the story from excellent to exceptional.
What I loved most was how unapologetically this book commits to the trope. The snark is sharp, the humor lands, and the heat escalates naturally as emotional walls come down. What ultimately kept me invested, though, was how profoundly Gemma disrupts Liam’s carefully ordered world. Watching a man who compartmentalizes everything slowly unravel in her presence was deeply satisfying. The way he shows up for her, waits for her, softens without losing his edge, and ultimately lays himself bare through that final diary moment was everything. Still, I could not help wanting more: more of Liam’s private desires, more acknowledgment of the parts of him that seemed to disappear midway through the book, more answers behind choices like his reworked tattoo, and yes, one unapologetic moment where Gemma holds the power and brings the indomitable Liam to his knees. That scene would have been a showstopper.
Still, Love to Loathe Him delivers where it matters most. It respects the enemies-to-lovers trope, allows its characters to remain sharp and flawed, and gives the romance room to breathe without rushing into softness. The emotional arc feels satisfying, the humor never undercuts the stakes, and the chemistry is undeniable.
Recommended for: Readers who are tired of watered-down enemies-to-lovers romances and want sharp banter, workplace tension, a capable heroine, and a hero who is challenged rather than instantly tamed.
Final Verdict: A smart, funny, and genuinely satisfying enemies-to-lovers romance that understands restraint, tension, and timing. This is a standout read that delivers where it counts.
Rating = 4.75/5
For more reviews and quotes, please visit A Maldivian's Passion for Romance
Gemma Jones is one of those heroines who feels immediately real. As the head of HR in a cutthroat financial firm, she lives a double life that many of us will recognize: hyper-competent and buttoned-up at work, exhausted and unfiltered the moment she gets home. Her inner monologue is hilarious, raw, and occasionally unhinged in the best possible way. The diary mishap that sets the story in motion is mortifying, yes, but it also becomes a brilliant device for stripping away pretenses and forcing two people to confront truths they would rather keep buried.
Liam McLaren, on the other hand, is ruthlessness personified. A self-made billionaire who has built his empire through sheer discipline and control, he is every bit the intimidating boss figure he is reputed to be. But what made him compelling was not just the power or the arrogance. It was the way the story allows glimpses of the man beneath the armor. The moments where Liam lets his guard slip, where patience replaces command, and where respect quietly overtakes dominance, are some of the strongest in the book.
The tension between Gemma and Liam thrives on proximity, pride, and the constant clash between who they are at work and who they become when those boundaries blur. Their connection builds through friction, not convenience, and the chemistry feels real because neither of them is willing to surrender control easily. The romance develops alongside mutual recognition: of competence, of vulnerability, and eventually, of desire that has been simmering long before either of them admits it.
I am always on the hunt for romances that truly respect what enemies to lovers is supposed to mean. Not the watered-down versions where hostility evaporates into pet names and instant softness by the first third of the book, but stories where resentment, resistance, and attraction exist in constant tension. This book largely delivers on that promise. The snark, the slow burn, the heat, the emotional restraint, and the eventual surrender all worked beautifully for me.
That said, I did shave off half a star, reluctantly, because the story hinted at layers it never fully peeled back. Liam, in particular, felt like a man with a rich and complicated history that was only partially revealed. I wanted more insight into his upbringing, his estranged mother and stepfather, and the formative wounds that shaped his need for control. The animosity with his archnemesis, seeded during their Eton years and complicated by a woman, was fascinating but under-explored. Those threads could have elevated the story from excellent to exceptional.
What I loved most was how unapologetically this book commits to the trope. The snark is sharp, the humor lands, and the heat escalates naturally as emotional walls come down. What ultimately kept me invested, though, was how profoundly Gemma disrupts Liam’s carefully ordered world. Watching a man who compartmentalizes everything slowly unravel in her presence was deeply satisfying. The way he shows up for her, waits for her, softens without losing his edge, and ultimately lays himself bare through that final diary moment was everything. Still, I could not help wanting more: more of Liam’s private desires, more acknowledgment of the parts of him that seemed to disappear midway through the book, more answers behind choices like his reworked tattoo, and yes, one unapologetic moment where Gemma holds the power and brings the indomitable Liam to his knees. That scene would have been a showstopper.
Still, Love to Loathe Him delivers where it matters most. It respects the enemies-to-lovers trope, allows its characters to remain sharp and flawed, and gives the romance room to breathe without rushing into softness. The emotional arc feels satisfying, the humor never undercuts the stakes, and the chemistry is undeniable.
Recommended for: Readers who are tired of watered-down enemies-to-lovers romances and want sharp banter, workplace tension, a capable heroine, and a hero who is challenged rather than instantly tamed.
Final Verdict: A smart, funny, and genuinely satisfying enemies-to-lovers romance that understands restraint, tension, and timing. This is a standout read that delivers where it counts.
Rating = 4.75/5
For more reviews and quotes, please visit A Maldivian's Passion for Romance
June 20, 2026
3.5 stars. This was a very predictable story and I didn’t love the communication breakdown in the inevitable 3rd act breakup (ugh this is such a pet peeve of mine). But the first 75% of the book is hilarious. I especially loved the part where the FMC’s cat goes missing and the MMC hires a professional cat detective agency to help find her. I was laughing so hard here.
January 25, 2026
this was so painfully boring which is so insane to say cause the whole point of the book is that it is a fun little ki, needless to say I HATED IT
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