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Calculated Love
Dr. Seraphina Jacobs, a fiercely independent department chair and intersectional feminist, is stretched to her limits. Between the demands of her career, caring for her terminally ill father, and enduring a hostile work environment with an unsupportive boss and colleagues determined to sabotage her leadership, she has little energy left for herself.
Conservative tech billionaire Gabriel Fauntleroy is her opposite—a man known for his measured approach to business and his groundbreaking work in sensory technology. At the request of Seraphina’s boss and members of the university's Black alumni board, Gabriel joins her department’s advisory board, tasked with the hidden mission of toning down her outspoken 'wokeness' and reining in her progressive influence across social media.
When his company’s latest product detects an unusual compatibility between them, Gabriel’s curiosity turns into an obsession. Armed with insider knowledge of the compatibility findings, Gabriel plans a one-night stand with Seraphina to test the data his technology has uncovered. Seraphina, unaware of his hidden motives and the results driving his interest, is drawn in, agreeing to a night of passion with the enigmatic billionaire.
As Gabriel questions the limits of science and Seraphina wrestles with emotions that defy her values, can they both break through the walls of secrecy and conviction to embrace the unknown—or will their differences keep them apart?
Conservative tech billionaire Gabriel Fauntleroy is her opposite—a man known for his measured approach to business and his groundbreaking work in sensory technology. At the request of Seraphina’s boss and members of the university's Black alumni board, Gabriel joins her department’s advisory board, tasked with the hidden mission of toning down her outspoken 'wokeness' and reining in her progressive influence across social media.
When his company’s latest product detects an unusual compatibility between them, Gabriel’s curiosity turns into an obsession. Armed with insider knowledge of the compatibility findings, Gabriel plans a one-night stand with Seraphina to test the data his technology has uncovered. Seraphina, unaware of his hidden motives and the results driving his interest, is drawn in, agreeing to a night of passion with the enigmatic billionaire.
As Gabriel questions the limits of science and Seraphina wrestles with emotions that defy her values, can they both break through the walls of secrecy and conviction to embrace the unknown—or will their differences keep them apart?
276 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 19, 2024
138 people are currently reading
67 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
January 19, 2025
A decent read.
May 16, 2025
This was a journey.
From the beginning I was intrigued by the vast difference between Seraphina and Gabriel, and I was curious to see how things played out. Seraphina went through so much at her job, and even by people who should have had her back.
She was really in a hostile work environment, and I personally know someone who experienced stuff like this.
Seraphina and Gabriel may have had different views, but their chemistry was undeniable.
I loved that Seraphina stayed true to herself no matter what.
If you want an adult story, with real life issues mixed with fiction, then read this book.
From the beginning I was intrigued by the vast difference between Seraphina and Gabriel, and I was curious to see how things played out. Seraphina went through so much at her job, and even by people who should have had her back.
She was really in a hostile work environment, and I personally know someone who experienced stuff like this.
Seraphina and Gabriel may have had different views, but their chemistry was undeniable.
I loved that Seraphina stayed true to herself no matter what.
If you want an adult story, with real life issues mixed with fiction, then read this book.
January 22, 2025
Excellent ❤️❤️❤️
This was so good on so many levels. It may be a book of fiction but it has a whole lot of reality mixed in.
The reality of a hostile work environment. I know of so many instances in the cooperate world. I’ve experienced it myself and had to stop reading and step away a few times. The sad reality is how life is about to possibly get worse with all the new changes in this new administration. 😞
This is a great reminder of remembering who you were created to be and to never dim your light 🙏🏽
This was so good on so many levels. It may be a book of fiction but it has a whole lot of reality mixed in.
The reality of a hostile work environment. I know of so many instances in the cooperate world. I’ve experienced it myself and had to stop reading and step away a few times. The sad reality is how life is about to possibly get worse with all the new changes in this new administration. 😞
This is a great reminder of remembering who you were created to be and to never dim your light 🙏🏽
December 22, 2024
This is a grown up story
and I love it. It is a slow burn but you have to have their backgrounds first. But yes. Your characters can be over 35 and it still be an amazing read.
and I love it. It is a slow burn but you have to have their backgrounds first. But yes. Your characters can be over 35 and it still be an amazing read.
January 2, 2025
Gabriel and Seraphina!!
I guess opposites attract and that was the case between Gabriel and Seraphina. In fact some of Gabriel's viewpoints had me wanting to lay hands on him. Seraphina was all about social justice, and Gabriel was not when Seraphina first met him. This book was enjoyable to read because it showed a real life situation dealing with racism and what black women have to go through in the workplace. I was glad that Gabriel was able to rethink his views and was able to grow and change. He was also able to support Seraphina in her professional life as well as her personal life, especially during the time of her bereavement. The love of a good woman can change some men, and Seraphina's love was able to do that for Gabriel. Great story with mature characters that includes mind-blowing chemistry, passion and scientific advancements!!
I guess opposites attract and that was the case between Gabriel and Seraphina. In fact some of Gabriel's viewpoints had me wanting to lay hands on him. Seraphina was all about social justice, and Gabriel was not when Seraphina first met him. This book was enjoyable to read because it showed a real life situation dealing with racism and what black women have to go through in the workplace. I was glad that Gabriel was able to rethink his views and was able to grow and change. He was also able to support Seraphina in her professional life as well as her personal life, especially during the time of her bereavement. The love of a good woman can change some men, and Seraphina's love was able to do that for Gabriel. Great story with mature characters that includes mind-blowing chemistry, passion and scientific advancements!!
January 2, 2025
Matured , stranger to lover romance
Our fmc is Dr. Seraphina Jacobs 44yrs a department chair and intersectional feminist who is enduring a hostile work environment with an unsupportive boss and colleagues determined to sabotage her leadership.
Our mmc is an 48yr old Ex footballer and Conservative tech billionaire Gabriel Fauntleroy our fmc’s total opposite
At the request of Seraphina’s boss and members of the university's Black alumni board, Gabriel joins her department’s advisory board.
Gabriel plans a one-night stand with Seraphina to test the data his technology has uncovered. Seraphina, unaware of his hidden motives and Gabriel soon realises that his first initial motives no longer matter, he is obsessed with seraphina.
Will he come clean to her and risk a relationship he wants to build with her or will he continue the lie.
Read the story to find out!
Our fmc is Dr. Seraphina Jacobs 44yrs a department chair and intersectional feminist who is enduring a hostile work environment with an unsupportive boss and colleagues determined to sabotage her leadership.
Our mmc is an 48yr old Ex footballer and Conservative tech billionaire Gabriel Fauntleroy our fmc’s total opposite
At the request of Seraphina’s boss and members of the university's Black alumni board, Gabriel joins her department’s advisory board.
Gabriel plans a one-night stand with Seraphina to test the data his technology has uncovered. Seraphina, unaware of his hidden motives and Gabriel soon realises that his first initial motives no longer matter, he is obsessed with seraphina.
Will he come clean to her and risk a relationship he wants to build with her or will he continue the lie.
Read the story to find out!
December 31, 2024
Whew, this was a great read! I love a sexy grown-up story with mature situations. Plus, a full-figured woman not ashamed of her body and showing appreciation for a fuller guy.
Both Gabriel Myron Fautleroy and Dr. Seraphina Joy Jacobs were the perfect match for each other. Both in their respective fields and the elements that appear have them eventually learning lessons from each other and how to navigate to co-exist. Seraphina definitely had negative forces to deal with. Workplace discrimination is no joke, especially for us Black women.
I loved the playful banter that they gave each other. They met each other tat-for-tat. There may have been an app to measure their compatibility, but honey, it wasn't needed. Their chemistry was fire🔥 from start to finish.
Gabe knew exactly what he needed to do to close the deal on getting Phina to forgive & trust him again.
I liked that you incorporate characters from your previous books into the storyline.
Superb ending!
Both Gabriel Myron Fautleroy and Dr. Seraphina Joy Jacobs were the perfect match for each other. Both in their respective fields and the elements that appear have them eventually learning lessons from each other and how to navigate to co-exist. Seraphina definitely had negative forces to deal with. Workplace discrimination is no joke, especially for us Black women.
I loved the playful banter that they gave each other. They met each other tat-for-tat. There may have been an app to measure their compatibility, but honey, it wasn't needed. Their chemistry was fire🔥 from start to finish.
Gabe knew exactly what he needed to do to close the deal on getting Phina to forgive & trust him again.
I liked that you incorporate characters from your previous books into the storyline.
Superb ending!
December 26, 2024
Empowering
Monica Cox, thanks for a well written and empowering book. I love reading about established characters dealing with real-life issues, and you truly brought your story to the forefront. Gabe and Phina couldn't have been more opposite in their thinking, but brought together, they were able to learn from one another and compliment each others strength and weaknesses.
As women of color, there has always been an opinion that was too strong and don't know how to be submissive. When taken out of context, it couldn't be further from the truth, however I think that we've always been taught from birth that we are strong and can have an opinion, if you view things historical manner.
Workplace hostility is the worst, especially when you don't have any support.
I loved the ending!
Again, bravo on a well written story!
Monica Cox, thanks for a well written and empowering book. I love reading about established characters dealing with real-life issues, and you truly brought your story to the forefront. Gabe and Phina couldn't have been more opposite in their thinking, but brought together, they were able to learn from one another and compliment each others strength and weaknesses.
As women of color, there has always been an opinion that was too strong and don't know how to be submissive. When taken out of context, it couldn't be further from the truth, however I think that we've always been taught from birth that we are strong and can have an opinion, if you view things historical manner.
Workplace hostility is the worst, especially when you don't have any support.
I loved the ending!
Again, bravo on a well written story!
June 17, 2025
sometimes opposites attract
Sometimes opposites attract in ways that make the relationship stronger. This was an amazing story—deeply moving, yet at times triggering. As a woman of color in the corporate world, I’ve personally experienced many of the same dynamics described here. What struck me most was how some of the most painful moments came from people who looked like me. That complexity was captured beautifully. This was my first time reading this author, but it definitely won’t be the last."
Sometimes opposites attract in ways that make the relationship stronger. This was an amazing story—deeply moving, yet at times triggering. As a woman of color in the corporate world, I’ve personally experienced many of the same dynamics described here. What struck me most was how some of the most painful moments came from people who looked like me. That complexity was captured beautifully. This was my first time reading this author, but it definitely won’t be the last."
January 21, 2026
3.5 ⭐️ This is for GROWN FOLKS!!!
I loved Seraphina as an FMC! The bond between Gabriel and Seraphina was cute! I did feel that some parts of their story fell short. For example, some of their conversations in the book felt unfinished and left me wondering, "Well, how did we get here!"
This was still a decent read! It addressed topics that are surely not talked about enough, & was really for GROWN FOLKS!
I loved Seraphina as an FMC! The bond between Gabriel and Seraphina was cute! I did feel that some parts of their story fell short. For example, some of their conversations in the book felt unfinished and left me wondering, "Well, how did we get here!"
This was still a decent read! It addressed topics that are surely not talked about enough, & was really for GROWN FOLKS!
March 31, 2025
when you met your mate
This story tells you 1st stand bold you what you believe but don’t expect others to stand bold with you even if you are doing it for them. Then because you have different views don’t mean you don’t have a connection it’s about connections and education agreeing to disagree
This story tells you 1st stand bold you what you believe but don’t expect others to stand bold with you even if you are doing it for them. Then because you have different views don’t mean you don’t have a connection it’s about connections and education agreeing to disagree
May 23, 2025
Met My Match
Wow,Wow. This was such a great story!!!Gabe and Seraphina Scarr are perfect match. I love the intelligence of both of these characters. Bringing AI in to the mix was a true winner. Having been a professional ,I understood the abuse emotionally and mentally you take because you are a Black female and know your stuff.
Wow,Wow. This was such a great story!!!Gabe and Seraphina Scarr are perfect match. I love the intelligence of both of these characters. Bringing AI in to the mix was a true winner. Having been a professional ,I understood the abuse emotionally and mentally you take because you are a Black female and know your stuff.
June 25, 2025
Meeting your match
I truly enjoyed this story. What I loved most was how Monica talked about real life issues such as grief, workplace bullying & racism, while telling a love story and building characters that show strength, vulnerability, and human rawness. I couldn’t put this book down and throughly enjoyed it!
I truly enjoyed this story. What I loved most was how Monica talked about real life issues such as grief, workplace bullying & racism, while telling a love story and building characters that show strength, vulnerability, and human rawness. I couldn’t put this book down and throughly enjoyed it!
March 26, 2025
Enjoyed this
I truly enjoyed this book. It wasn't unhinged or overpowering. It was a good feel good romance. A little of playboy meets playgirl. Well written and it kept me interested. Just read the damn book.
I truly enjoyed this book. It wasn't unhinged or overpowering. It was a good feel good romance. A little of playboy meets playgirl. Well written and it kept me interested. Just read the damn book.
September 4, 2025
this was a awesome read
The MLC had me hot 🥵 he was do dame callous for me the way he kept throwing his money in her face irritated the hell out of me I’m so glad he started to see the world through her eyes and he came through in a clutch this was a amazing read
The MLC had me hot 🥵 he was do dame callous for me the way he kept throwing his money in her face irritated the hell out of me I’m so glad he started to see the world through her eyes and he came through in a clutch this was a amazing read
January 9, 2026
Amazing book!!! I enjoyed this book. This explains how hard it is to find love when comparability come
Into play. Once Gabe had the green light he was so intention and soft in a world where Phina didn’t have that. I couldn’t put it down! This was a pure love story based on connection and knowing yourself and staying true to that.
Into play. Once Gabe had the green light he was so intention and soft in a world where Phina didn’t have that. I couldn’t put it down! This was a pure love story based on connection and knowing yourself and staying true to that.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews