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How Can I Resist You?
Vidya isn’t in Waterloo Bay for a holiday. Officially, she’s visiting the beautiful, quirky seaside town for work – but unofficially, she’s on a mission. One of her colleagues hooked up with her sister at a party, and as the sensible one in the family, it’s her job to find out who.
But there’s a catch: all she has to go on is a vague description of a shoulder tattoo.
Vidya has just two weeks to glimpse her colleagues shirtless without getting fired, but crazy hotel guests, malicious seagulls and her pesky day job keep getting in the way.
And then there’s Leo, the most frustrating, patronising, handsome man she’s ever met…
But there’s a catch: all she has to go on is a vague description of a shoulder tattoo.
Vidya has just two weeks to glimpse her colleagues shirtless without getting fired, but crazy hotel guests, malicious seagulls and her pesky day job keep getting in the way.
And then there’s Leo, the most frustrating, patronising, handsome man she’s ever met…
- GenresRomance
295 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 6, 2025
5 people are currently reading
60 people want to read
About the author
Jeevani Charika
11 books69 followersHi. It’s nice to meet you, I’m Jeevani, but you can call me Jeev. Everyone does.
I write women’s fiction and contemporary romances with a hint of British cynicism. I also write under the pen name Rhoda Baxter. So why the two names? Well… I’m British Sri-Lankan and the first book I wrote was about a bunch of middle class Sri Lankan people. I couldn’t find a home for it (even though I got some very nice rejection notes). The next book I wrote was a rom com with white main characters in it. That found a publisher within a year. I chose to use a pen name for those books, for a variety of reasons, including the fact that my real name is difficult to spell and difficult to pronounce and marks me out as non-white. My fifth book also had Sri Lankan main characters. It hasn’t found a publisher yet.
Recently, I got to write a book with Sri Lankan heroine. So it seemed only right for that book to be under my difficult to spell, difficult to pronounce name.
For the record, it’s pronounced Jeev-uh-nee.
There’s a whole lot of other stuff I could tell you – but mainly, I’m a former scientist, a fan of Lego, an embarrassing mum, a part time geek (see ’embarrassing mum’) and a very short person.
I write women’s fiction and contemporary romances with a hint of British cynicism. I also write under the pen name Rhoda Baxter. So why the two names? Well… I’m British Sri-Lankan and the first book I wrote was about a bunch of middle class Sri Lankan people. I couldn’t find a home for it (even though I got some very nice rejection notes). The next book I wrote was a rom com with white main characters in it. That found a publisher within a year. I chose to use a pen name for those books, for a variety of reasons, including the fact that my real name is difficult to spell and difficult to pronounce and marks me out as non-white. My fifth book also had Sri Lankan main characters. It hasn’t found a publisher yet.
Recently, I got to write a book with Sri Lankan heroine. So it seemed only right for that book to be under my difficult to spell, difficult to pronounce name.
For the record, it’s pronounced Jeev-uh-nee.
There’s a whole lot of other stuff I could tell you – but mainly, I’m a former scientist, a fan of Lego, an embarrassing mum, a part time geek (see ’embarrassing mum’) and a very short person.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
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December 19, 2025Secrets and contracts turn into foreplay in this whip-smart romcom about sisterhood, accidental HR breaches, and a buttoned-up hero coming undone. I adored every sharp, tender, and gloriously awkward beat.
October 27, 2025
Vidya finds herself in a bit of a situation when her younger sister falls pregnant after a one-night stand, and as the eldest, she is straight into problem-solving mode.
The problem is that she knows the father works at the same company as her, but she's just not sure who.
Cue some extreme antics to get herself in a position where she can help narrow down the search.
She didn't expect to find more than that errant tattoo that she was searching for, though.
Leo is the uptight lawyer with no sense of humour, and Caleb is a joker with a cheeky grin, and both are handsome and very good at what they do.
It's up to Vidya to somehow dig behind the masks they put on, outwardly, to find out what is really going on, and who, if any of them, could be the father of her unborn nephew/niece.
Vidya is a real woman with her own insecurities and feelings, and reading about her battling through what she thinks is right and what she really wants was page-turning.
Loved how this story played out, and with the added cultural pressure, it was a fantastic read!
Many thanks to NetGalley and HQ Publishing for an ARC.
The problem is that she knows the father works at the same company as her, but she's just not sure who.
Cue some extreme antics to get herself in a position where she can help narrow down the search.
She didn't expect to find more than that errant tattoo that she was searching for, though.
Leo is the uptight lawyer with no sense of humour, and Caleb is a joker with a cheeky grin, and both are handsome and very good at what they do.
It's up to Vidya to somehow dig behind the masks they put on, outwardly, to find out what is really going on, and who, if any of them, could be the father of her unborn nephew/niece.
Vidya is a real woman with her own insecurities and feelings, and reading about her battling through what she thinks is right and what she really wants was page-turning.
Loved how this story played out, and with the added cultural pressure, it was a fantastic read!
Many thanks to NetGalley and HQ Publishing for an ARC.
November 8, 2025
How Can I Resist You is the perfect romance book if you love forced proximity, office romance, an independent FMC and a shy introvert MMC.
With some miscommunication, a secret mission, and a sprinkle of sexual tension, you won't be able to put this book down.
The two love interests have stolen my heart. I felt all warm and fuzzy, and may or may not have been giggling and kicking my feet.
Along with the romance, there were focuses on family and how certain situations can impact others more than is realised. This was nice alongside the romance as it wasn't too fluffy and had great storylines throughout.
Highly recommend!
With some miscommunication, a secret mission, and a sprinkle of sexual tension, you won't be able to put this book down.
The two love interests have stolen my heart. I felt all warm and fuzzy, and may or may not have been giggling and kicking my feet.
Along with the romance, there were focuses on family and how certain situations can impact others more than is realised. This was nice alongside the romance as it wasn't too fluffy and had great storylines throughout.
Highly recommend!
October 5, 2025
I raced through this book in a weekend and fell madly in love with 'buttoned-up' Leo along the way. It's a story that keeps you hoping and guessing until the very end.
Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.
October 31, 2025
"Both men looked at her and grinned, almost indulgently, like her happiness made them happy too. She saw that expression on Angie and Udeni sometimes. It made her feel loved."
GENRE: Romcom
RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.75/5
FORMAT: eBook Arc
Would I recommend to others?: I think this one will definitely appeal to those of us who have felt left out, never truly seen and
Review:
This is my second read by Jeevani Charika and I started with her Gamer Romcom (Playing for love) and this was just as delightful with a lovely twist to it. We follow along with Vidya, our FMC, as she tries to help her younger sister and guide her through a certain situation that has popped up. As an elderly sibling (with one younger sister), I truly related to Vidya, seeing things from her eyes and realising that trying to take it all on our shoulder is NOT the way to go about it but ahh, its a lesson every elder sister has to learn, right?
"The way she looked at Vidya was a though she expected her to have a solution. This was always how it was. Vidya was the sensible one, who didn't take risks and didn't have adventures, btu lived her life in her sensible groove. Udeni was the one who acted first, thought later."
And then getting to see her go on a trip, meeting Leo and Caleb and watching all of their interactions was a lovely journey. This is a multi-POV book (one of my favourite thing for a book to have) and seeing it from both of their POV was a good way to go about this Romcom because we get to see the exact way Leo and Vidya interpret each other's behaviours and WHY it happens. There was definitely a mis-communication happening in the book and it was done in such a fun way that had me wanting to sit Leo and Vidya down to TALK (I understand why they didnt get there sooner but AHH)
I am now a fan of the author's work and have already read a few of her work AND I can't wait for more. I know that the book isn't out yet but I am already dreaming of book two that will hopefully (maybe) follow the journey of Udeni 👀
Thank you to the author, publishers and Netgalley for the eArc in exchange for my honest opinion
November 6, 2025
This was the first time I’ve read a book by Jeevani Charika, but it certainly won’t be the last. I’m seriously questioning what took me so long.
I devoured this gorgeous romance and completely fell for Leo. He, Vidya and Caleb were an adorable main cast, and seeing them navigate their working and private relationships was just lovely. Vidya was clever and hard-working, and it was great to see how Leo came to respect her as a colleague before his feelings became more complicated. The secondary characters were also really likeable.
The premise was such fun and although I guessed the twist, far from spoiling my enjoyment it added to the anticipation of the big moment. I couldn’t wait to read on and find out how they’d arrive at their happy ending, and had such a big, joyful smile on my face the whole way through.
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this delightful book.
I devoured this gorgeous romance and completely fell for Leo. He, Vidya and Caleb were an adorable main cast, and seeing them navigate their working and private relationships was just lovely. Vidya was clever and hard-working, and it was great to see how Leo came to respect her as a colleague before his feelings became more complicated. The secondary characters were also really likeable.
The premise was such fun and although I guessed the twist, far from spoiling my enjoyment it added to the anticipation of the big moment. I couldn’t wait to read on and find out how they’d arrive at their happy ending, and had such a big, joyful smile on my face the whole way through.
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this delightful book.
November 12, 2025
This ended my three-month reading slump. I've enjoyed every Jeevani Charika book I've read.
I got an early advanced reader copy via NetGalley.
Sweet and lighthearted.
I got an early advanced reader copy via NetGalley.
Sweet and lighthearted.
October 12, 2025
Read this on holiday. Loved it! Fun rom com with a interesting twist. Made me laugh and a really easy holiday read. I loved Leo so much
December 26, 2025
3.5 stars rounded up.
This was a quick and sweet read for me. I'd say the synopsis is very much what the book is about, and I'd say the story is what I expected it to be. It hit the spot as a nice slow burn, and what I always like about Jeevani Charika's characters is that you understand why they are the way they are (I thought Leo's backstory around his parents and how he was raised was so great and made so much sense), and also why they work together. The chapters that took place in Waterloo Bay were exactly what I wanted.
Unfortunately, after the book had a plot point that I expected (and wasn't the biggest fan of), I felt like the focus was a bit too much on the pregnant sister (which makes sense), and it felt like it stole the attention away from the growth and choices of Leo and Vidya. If the book had 50 more pages, I think it could have given room for a few more scenes between them that would have given them a few more scenes that would emphasize their journeys, and maybe would show them, alone, getting to know each other better and by that showing their understanding of each other.
Honestly, there were two small things that I found a bit frustrating -- one was Udeni was not my favorite character, and even though I'm a younger sibling myself, I just wanted to grab her by the shoulders and shake her up sometimes. By the last 30% I really wished Vidya would just let her sister deal with things herself. And the other thing was Vidya's absolute incapability to be subtle (and I say this with love for her).
But, overall, I really did enjoy this, and Leo and Vidya are probably going to stay with me for a bit.
This was a quick and sweet read for me. I'd say the synopsis is very much what the book is about, and I'd say the story is what I expected it to be. It hit the spot as a nice slow burn, and what I always like about Jeevani Charika's characters is that you understand why they are the way they are (I thought Leo's backstory around his parents and how he was raised was so great and made so much sense), and also why they work together. The chapters that took place in Waterloo Bay were exactly what I wanted.
Unfortunately, after the book had a plot point that I expected (and wasn't the biggest fan of), I felt like the focus was a bit too much on the pregnant sister (which makes sense), and it felt like it stole the attention away from the growth and choices of Leo and Vidya. If the book had 50 more pages, I think it could have given room for a few more scenes between them that would have given them a few more scenes that would emphasize their journeys, and maybe would show them, alone, getting to know each other better and by that showing their understanding of each other.
Honestly, there were two small things that I found a bit frustrating -- one was Udeni was not my favorite character, and even though I'm a younger sibling myself, I just wanted to grab her by the shoulders and shake her up sometimes. By the last 30% I really wished Vidya would just let her sister deal with things herself. And the other thing was Vidya's absolute incapability to be subtle (and I say this with love for her).
But, overall, I really did enjoy this, and Leo and Vidya are probably going to stay with me for a bit.
October 23, 2025
A charming, funny, and heartfelt read! Set in a seaside town, this story has all the awkwardness, warmth and slow-burn chemistry I love in a romance.
Vidya is the sensible sister, on a secret mission to uncover the identity of her younger sister’s one-night stand, her limited recollection being a man with a tattoo. Her best lead is Caleb, a lawyer she's now working alongside. All she has to do is find a way to see him shirtless… what could possibly go wrong?
Then there’s Leo, her patronising (but incredibly attractive) team leader. He’s professional, a bit of a grump, and absolutely not the man she planned to fall for, yet the attraction is undeniable.
I adored the friendship between Leo and Caleb, and the seaside setting brought back so many nostalgic memories of childhood trips to the coast. Watching Vidya learn to loosen up and Leo finally let his guard down was just lovely. Jeevani Charika's also added the special dynamics of South Asian families too, as Vidya is from Sri Lanka.
A sweet, funny, and beautifully awkward story about love, family, and finding joy in unexpected places. Perfect for fans of slow-burn seaside romances, who are also interested in multicultural stories.
Vidya is the sensible sister, on a secret mission to uncover the identity of her younger sister’s one-night stand, her limited recollection being a man with a tattoo. Her best lead is Caleb, a lawyer she's now working alongside. All she has to do is find a way to see him shirtless… what could possibly go wrong?
Then there’s Leo, her patronising (but incredibly attractive) team leader. He’s professional, a bit of a grump, and absolutely not the man she planned to fall for, yet the attraction is undeniable.
I adored the friendship between Leo and Caleb, and the seaside setting brought back so many nostalgic memories of childhood trips to the coast. Watching Vidya learn to loosen up and Leo finally let his guard down was just lovely. Jeevani Charika's also added the special dynamics of South Asian families too, as Vidya is from Sri Lanka.
A sweet, funny, and beautifully awkward story about love, family, and finding joy in unexpected places. Perfect for fans of slow-burn seaside romances, who are also interested in multicultural stories.
November 3, 2025
🤰Tricky situation for Vidya🗃
This work romance was a delight to read. I loved the way female lead Vidya, so responsible and supportive of her younger sister, takes it upon herself to track down the father of Udeni's baby, apparently conceived through a hookup at a costume office party. In the process of devising a plan to winnow the truth out of Caleb, one of the likely father prospects, she finds herself getting closer to team leader Leo and discovering first impressions of him as an unfeeling grump were way off.
There's some cute situational humor, too, with a sea gull nemesis for Vidya and some fun back and forth with her cousin Angie who's always ready with a suggestion on how to handle Vidya's growing attraction to Leo and get a peek at Caleb's chest.
Maybe the best part is the way Vidya saves the day with her ideas for how to finish their work on time when they appear to have been assigned to fail. A woman with the knowledge and drive to beat the odds: just the empowered type of female character I like.
Thanks to publisher HQ and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.
This work romance was a delight to read. I loved the way female lead Vidya, so responsible and supportive of her younger sister, takes it upon herself to track down the father of Udeni's baby, apparently conceived through a hookup at a costume office party. In the process of devising a plan to winnow the truth out of Caleb, one of the likely father prospects, she finds herself getting closer to team leader Leo and discovering first impressions of him as an unfeeling grump were way off.
There's some cute situational humor, too, with a sea gull nemesis for Vidya and some fun back and forth with her cousin Angie who's always ready with a suggestion on how to handle Vidya's growing attraction to Leo and get a peek at Caleb's chest.
Maybe the best part is the way Vidya saves the day with her ideas for how to finish their work on time when they appear to have been assigned to fail. A woman with the knowledge and drive to beat the odds: just the empowered type of female character I like.
Thanks to publisher HQ and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.
October 15, 2025
When I received an invite link to this book's NetGalley page, I immediately jumped on it, as the author has been one of my favourites for several years. I'm now very pleased to report that it's undoubtedly going to be part of my top 10 of books read in 2025 (and I've already read more than 100).
I completely loved both Vidya and Leo, individually then together, and it was great fun to follow Vidya's attempts at finding out if Caleb (Leo's best friend, that I really liked too) could be the man her sister had met at a fancy-dress party without revealing why they needed to know. Also, the seaside setting is very nice (but beware of the gulls! 😆).
I completely loved both Vidya and Leo, individually then together, and it was great fun to follow Vidya's attempts at finding out if Caleb (Leo's best friend, that I really liked too) could be the man her sister had met at a fancy-dress party without revealing why they needed to know. Also, the seaside setting is very nice (but beware of the gulls! 😆).
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews