Worked Up

by McKayla Davis

What’s worse than having to go on a business trip with your work enemy? Being stranded with him in his hometown.

Samantha Jensen is an aspiring interior designer, determined to, one day, quit her job at the Accounting Firm and make her dream come true. The opportunity arrives when she’s offered to go on a business trip, which will get her a big enough bonus to start her own business. There’s just one problem—She has to go with Chandler Randall.

Chandler is her arrogant, annoyingly sexy co-worker who can’t seem to keep his attention off of one person, Samantha. He parks in her reserved parking space at work, makes jokes about her being late to meetings, and is—Well, an asshole.

The two agree to call a truce on their office rivalry for the sake of the trip. Nothing can go wrong. That is until they somehow find themselves stranded in Chandler’s childhood home in the small hometown of Water Cape, North Carolina. That, combined with the constant cockblocking from Chandler, who is, for some reason, determined to ruin Samantha’s chance to experience having a one-night stand, Samantha can’t help but feel a pull towards him.

Maybe it’s the fact that they shared a steamy kiss in the elevator of their hotel or when they made out in the pool during a game of Marco Polo. Whatever it is, it doesn’t mean anything…right?

264 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 2, 2025

Reviews

[Amy Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Loved the spice and how it didn't over power the story. Definitely recommend this book for anyone that loves spicy romance enemies to lovers.

[Jeannine Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book to give an honest and voluntary review.

This is rom-com with an enemies-to-lovers story that is set in the workplace. The banter between the MMC and FMC (Chandler and Samantha) was cute at times but a bit immature at other times. They truly seemed to hate each other but after going on a work trip and getting to know each other, they realized they liked each other under all the bickering back and forth.

There was some spice but not so much that it felt overdone or like it was too much. It added to the story and definitely helped the plot move along. It was a cute read and I enjoyed it. It’s a good book to read if you’re in between heavy reads.

[Jennifer Conerly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Worked Up is a workplace enemies-to-lovers romance where Sam and Chandler are colleagues who love to push each other's buttons. When they take a business trip to Chandler's hometown, Sam and Chandler slowly realize they are wrong about each other. This novel had a good story, including popular tropes like forced proximity, enemies-to-lovers, and workplace romance.

I liked how the author slowly built up the love story between the characters, but the banter was a little over the top and immature for me (however, that may have been the author's intention). The spice was good, but it didn't get in the way of the story, which I liked. Overall, the story was good, and it would appeal to anyone who likes workplace enemies to lovers romances.

The only real complaint I have was that the formatting needed some work (I received the ebook version, so I can't comment on the print version). Other reviewers have pointed this out as well. I understand that formatting errors are part of the deal with ARCs, but these made it difficult to read the book and follow what was going on. If formatting doesn't bother you, then I would read the book.

[Madrina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Worked Up is a work place enemies to lovers romance involving both a MMC and MFC (Chandler and Samantha) who have dreams of starting their own businesses. You can tell from the start that the tension between them stems from more than animosity. It has mild spice and some good banter and the background of both main characters does build with the story which helps to flesh it out. Having the story involve two normal everyday people helps to make it more relatable. The book is a fast read, easy to follow and has the expected HEA. That being said for me the many missed errors that weren't caught in the proof reading made me crazy and I'm hoping they were caught before the book became available. If you like sweet romance with mild spice I think you would enjoy this book. I received an ARC of this book and I'm leaving my honest review voluntarily.

[J Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a complimentary copy. Samantha and Chandler are co-workers who are not friends, they do not get along. Chandler is always doing something that pisses Samantha off, points out when she is late to meetings and steals her parking space (makes you think of the little boy pulling the girl's hair). It seems that life has other plans for them as they are forced to spend more time together when they go on a work trip to Chandler's hometown. What starts as two people who seem to "hate" each other ends up as two people connecting and realizing that they are exactly right for each other. Will Chandler and Samantha go back to their old ways when they return from the work trip? Overall, a cute read about two people who moved from enemies to lovers. Cute work romance.

[Merry Jelks-Emmanuel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This enemies to lover's romance are heartwarming and had me cheering for Samantha. She and Chandler are always at odds with each other. Samantha has dreams of owning her own business and an opportunity for her to do it arises, but the caveat is she has to go on a business trip with her nemesis Chandler which leads them to his hometown and the games begin. In the end will Samantha get everything she hopes for plus a happily ever after with Chandler her nemesis.
I am volunteering to leave a review for an ARC of this book.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

She has hopes and dreams of starting a new business doing interior design. There is one pain in the office who seems to want her to fail and he is cruel to her. Now she has to go on a work trip with him. Things may get better and maybe even worse. Follow them to see how it will all go
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and it was a lovely tale with a twist

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shorter than most romance stories I read, but the "enemies" to lovers in a realistic enough setting was refreshing. I definitely like the meat given to a story when I, the reader, get both sides but it does sometimes lead to "you're an idiot" moments of which this one had a few. Realistically though, that really is how it is, and I love a HEA, so 4 stars from me!

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am voluntarily leaving a review after receiving an ARC from Hidden Gems.

It starts off slowly and a little dry. As the story develops, it feels like the author has more confidence in the direction of the story. I usually hate stories where the man picks on or shows a lack of respect for the woman he is attracted to, but it works for this story.

[Anna G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sam and Chandler are enemies at work. They constantly bicker and irritate each other. But when they need to go together on a work trip, the sparks are flying and the attraction is undeniable. Would they give in on the attraction? Would that be a one time off? Would they risk losing their jobs?
I voluntarily reviewed this book after receiving a free copy

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn’t put it down!

From the very beginning, Samantha and Chandler were off on a suspenseful journey. I honestly couldn’t put it down.
I loved the way it was told alternately from Sam and Chandler’s point of view. It made the story so much more interesting!

[Lexi Gorman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A slow burn enemies to lovers in a real life setting was definitely something i needed to read in between series and fantasy stories. The growth between chandler and Sam had me kicking my feet and giggling like a little girl.

[Hannah Knechel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story, if you can look past the excessive grammar and spelling errors. Enemies to lovers workplace trope which is one of my favorites. A good amount of spice and a Hallmark-esque storyline.

[Amanda Krause-Maurer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had me laughing my butt off throughout the whole thing! The chemistry between the two main characters was off the charts - their relationship building wasn't rushed and felt authentic. There is mild spice and great banter between the two MCs. This was an easy read (I read it in a day) and a HEA. Now normally I don't comment about the errors I come across while I am reading an ARC, it is to be expected. BUT, the amount of errors in this book almost deterred me from continuing on - it was very distracting and seemed as if this book hadn't gone through any type of proofreading before it was available for ARCs.
I received a free copy of this book via Hidden Gems and the author, and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.