Unwrapping His Forbidden Assistant: A Christmas Billionaire Boss Contemporary Romance (Harlequin Presents

by Lorraine Hall

Her boss is her past, present…
and Christmas future?

Billionaire Diego Folliero doesn’t do festive cheer. He’d rather be alone in the Italian Alps with his grief—and his survivor’s guilt. When previously hands-off PA Amelia Baresi tracks him down and demands he resurrect the Folliero holiday party tradition, it should be an easy no. If only she weren’t quite so persuasive…

The crash that claimed Diego’s family cost Amelia her father. She won’t let Diego throw his life away too. But being around her boss immediately complicates her plan…by igniting an illicit heat she shouldn’t feel yet can’t fight!

Genres: Contemporary, Romance

256 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2025

Reviews

[Esther]

I have read a couple of this authors books, not sure if her writing does much for me.

This was okay, I had to push myself to finish.

The hero's guilt was really over the top. Blaming himself for his family's death. It got very redundant and repetitive.

The heroine was okay.

[Sarah Mac]

Surprisingly dark, a sort of “Blue Christmas” holiday romance. ❄️ It’s riffing on A Christmas Carol, but it’s not a retelling; instead there are symbols or turns of phrase meant to recall Scrooge’s tale, like the ghostly ringing bells, the holiday market, or the ‘crutch’ of their grief (obv a nod to Tiny Tim). Also there are four ghosts who make their presence known very late in the book, so the Dickens theme is no accident of seasonal tropes.

Despite pacing issues & strange characterization of the hero, it’s an interesting take on Christmas moods. The dynamic between Amelia & Diego is well-written; she’s a combination of Bob Cratchit + cheery nephew Fred, so her good nature & politely wry comments in the face of Diego’s growly grumpiness fit their personalities very well. Diego, on the other hand, is more difficult to embrace. It’s easy to feel sorry for him, but his relentless survivor’s guilt is wearying & I’d have preferred him more grumpy & standoffish rather than being chained by “I ruined everything & killed them all, so I’ll live a miserable life in penance.” Undoubtedly there was some guilt in Scrooge’s past, but the sadness behind his emotional chains is sheer isolation—some of it deserved, some of it not—brought on by stubbornness, unbending habits, & a chosen lack of human insight; in a side-by-side with Scrooge, Diego comes off as spoiled & whiny, the kind of young idiot to make George C. Scott roll his eyes & move further into the Exchange building.

In any case I did like this one, perhaps moreso after looking back & digesting the entire novel. I esp liked Amelia’s response to Diego when he tried to lump their first sexual encounter into his bag o’ guilt—she was having none of that BS, thank you very much, & bravo to her. 🥂

3.5 stars.

[Jaye]

4.5/5

the man-pain is high, but it has a refreshing approach to virginity for a harlequin presents.

“You didn’t take it. My virginity is not a cookie in a cookie jar for you to steal. This may come as a shock to you, but I was a fully cognizant and willing participant. This will be hard on you, but I simply will not allow you to pretend guilt over something I chose. Not now. Not later. Not ever.”

It was leaning more of a 4.0, but I liked the ending, abrupt though it was.

[Mickaela Maehren]

i picked this up from the sumner library hoping for smut, but instead i got a lovely story about grief and changing. i’m pleasantly surprised at how well-adjusted the female love interest is (but still a little disappointed with the lack of sex).

[Pravana]

If this book were to be summarised in two words - Survivor’s Guilt.

[Chantal Venter]

Probably one of the sweetest romances I’ve ever read. A lot of emotional growth. They learn that sometimes the smallest steps outside one’s comfort zone can lead to the greatest rewards.

[Nicholas]

I'm not going to say I enjoyed it, but at least this book contained actual sex, unlike a certain other series.