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Bossy

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I knew from the moment I laid eyes on him that he was the guy I'd be taking to bed.

It was supposed to be a meaningless hook-up on New Year's Eve, after which we'd go our separate ways and never see each other again. Fate had other plans, though, I guess, because the next thing I know, Ashe Idleman is standing in front of me, being introduced as my brother's boss.
I knew from the moment she left my office, that girl had left a mark on me.

Suddenly, Madeline Brennan is a regular fixture at my bar and in my mind. The more we interact, the more I'm convinced that I want to make this little blonde temptress mine. Despite our age difference, despite the fact that she's my employee's little sister, despite her insistence on being a lonely single mother, I've got to have her.

We knew from the start that the attraction between us was undeniable. What we didn't know was that it would also be unstoppable.

TRIGGER WARNINGS: Spicy scenes involving an alpha male type, PTSD, childhood trauma, infidelity, child custody and discussions of prior military service, injury descriptions, and foster care history.

293 pages, Paperback

Published January 31, 2025

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5 people want to read

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Krystle Rose

7 books36 followers

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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
Profile Image for Steph.
162 reviews3 followers
January 30, 2025
Ashe & Madeline’s story 🥰

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Madeline Brennan hasn’t had the easiest path into adulthood and unfortunately she put her trust in the wrong man. Heartbroken and looking for a fresh start she has recently moved back home to be near her brother, Myles, for a fresh start! One New Year’s Eve she has gathered the courage to take a risk with a stranger, one night and the perfect distraction!
Ashe Idleman wears many hats- dad, boss, friend, bar owner, restaurant owner, the list goes on. He doesn’t have the time or energy for relationships so when a beautiful woman proposes a no-strings attached night of passion, he doesn’t see a problem. Their chemistry is off the charts and something really special happens that night 🔥. They go their separate ways, abiding by their rules without even exchanging a phone number.

That is until… they meet again when Ashe is introduced to Madeline as her brother’s boss! 🫢

This story is full of surprises, but what I enjoyed most was that these two couldn’t deny the pull they had to one another no matter how hard they tried. The way Ashe goes from grumpy to swoony with each chapter was absolutely everything I love about reading romance.

“Find me before you leave,” he says firmly as we walk inside. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Leaving me to rejoin the others in the kitchen, Ashe says, “Find me, anyway.” -Bossy by Krystle Rose 🫠

A beautifully written story about second chances at love, the significance of finding “your person” and not giving up on them even when you have every reason to believe it could never work. A truly enjoyable reading experience and continuation of a great series!
Profile Image for Amanda Davanzati.
715 reviews18 followers
January 31, 2025
I enjoyed this read! I enjoy Krystle Rose’s writing and stories. Ashe and Madeline are two characters I especially enjoyed. This single parent, age gap really brings the meaning of love to life. I love how relatable these stories in this series are. They have meaning and they bring hope. For me, I enjoy a book like that.

I definitely enjoyed this and this others would to. So it’s a yes for me that I recommend this book!
240 reviews1 follower
February 14, 2025
Krystle Rose's book Bossy was my first foray into her writing, and while jumping into a series mid-way can be intimidating, I quickly found myself engrossed. The premise is captivating: Madeline, a young single mother, plans a New Year's Eve hookup, but fate intervenes. The man she approaches is none other than her brother's much older boss, Ashe.

Their initial encounter sparks an undeniable connection, though they believe it's a one-time thing. Their nights are spent replaying that magical evening until Madeline unexpectedly meets Ashe again—at her brother's workplace. Now, they must confront the undeniable attraction between them and decide whether to pursue something real or walk away.

This isn't just your typical May-December romance. Rose delves deeper, exploring the emotional baggage both characters carry. Madeline is grappling with past hurts, including a difficult childhood and abandonment by her ex after she became pregnant. Ashe, a former Navy man, is emotionally closed off and struggling to trust, still dealing with the circumstances that forced his early departure from the military. A single father to twin boys, he's sworn off love. The story explores what happens when two wounded individuals connect. It suggests that sometimes, only those who have experienced deep pain can truly heal each other.

I especially appreciated the emphasis on responsible parenting. Both Madeline and Ashe prioritize their children, a refreshing theme that isn't always prevalent in romance novels.

I highly recommend this book and plan to read the earlier installments in the series, as well as the upcoming fourth book. I'm particularly eager to see more of Madeline and Ashe's story unfold.
Profile Image for BookishBarbie (Annette).
313 reviews11 followers
February 9, 2025
This is book 3 in the Tatted Heatrs series and I am still loving it all. This is a delicious age gap, single parent, second chance at love read that will have you wanting more. Madeline moves back home after a bad break-up and to get a better relationship with her brother. Feeling herself on a night out, she takes the lead that ends with a very happy ending. Until she visits the bar her brother works at and comes face to face with tall, dark and yummy and also her brother boss. Ashe knows this can't happen again and tries to forget her, but it's difficult when Madeline is always around and the new addition to their "family". And let's not forget their adorable kids and the amazing co-parenting felt between Ashe and ex-wife.
This read allows you to feel the pull towards each other and open up about their past and make a go of their future together. With so many challenges they face, Ashe and Madeline do everything to make it work. Must read!!
Profile Image for Ashley Svoboda.
29 reviews
February 9, 2025
Another great addition to the Tatted Hearts series! Krystle does such an amazing job with making each story in this series so different from one another, and that’s been something that I’ve really enjoyed seeing. The chemistry between Ashe and Madeline in this particular story was also something that I enjoyed. Despite their age difference, they work so well as a couple.

Looking forward to see what book 4 will bring!
Profile Image for Catherine Rayne.
Author 7 books57 followers
February 16, 2025
Madeline and Ashe pulled me in from the first page. Madeline hasn’t had the easiest life and neither has Ashe. I loved reading their story. My favorite quote was, “You are my anchor. You keep me grounded when the seas get testy and the skies turn gray. You are the constant that holds me steady when I want to float away. It’s perfect.” Cue the tears.
Profile Image for Vicki Lauren.
11 reviews
February 20, 2025
I loved this book!

Madeline hasn’t had the best track record with men and is left broken and alone which led her to moving back near her family.

One night she meets a mysterious handsome stranger who agrees to have one night of no strings attached fun.

Months later she pops in to see her brother at work and is introduced to his boss … turns out the boss is her mysterious stranger from NYE.

Ashe is everything you could want from a boyfriend/ book boyfriend. He is so caring and protective with good morals and they just make a perfect couple!

Would definitely recommend reading ❤️
7 reviews
February 10, 2025
No spoilers! I didn't realize this was a series, so now I will go back and read the first two books. This isn't generally my favorite kind of genre, but if you like this type of women's fiction, with some steamy scenes, you will love this. I received this as an advanced copy read, and I appreciate the author's writing; however, I question some of the characters' decisions in the book but overall, it was an enjoyable read. I'm grateful for the trigger warnings in the front of the book about fussing, cussing, sexing and childhood trauma. I wish I could remember the name of the book that this reminds me of, but when I do, I will come back and update my review.
Profile Image for Jaycee.
33 reviews
February 15, 2025
Starts spicy, ends swoony! I was hooked from the first chapter and you will be too, because WOW. Then the story gets tumultuous and exciting, culminating in a shocking xSPOILERx that had me screaming. Nevertheless, it finished off with a perfect happy ending that left a smile on my face. This series just keeps getting better and better!
Profile Image for Chels (babesreadingromance).
229 reviews4 followers
April 22, 2025
Ok first of all, spice in the FIRST scene...Miss Krystle, ma'am, 100% YES!!!
This age gap & single parent romance was absolutely wonderful! Ashe is an absolute Zaddy and Madeline was his perfect match. There is so much growth and healing for both of them and I love them together. What a great 3rd book in the series!!!
Profile Image for Nora.
101 reviews3 followers
February 18, 2025
🔥 slow burn
♥️ age gap
🔥 single parents
♥️ grumpy sunshine
🔥 independent FMC
♥️ hidden romance

This started out so spicy that I wasn’t sure what way this novel was going to go, but the slow burn burns!

Both MCs have trauma in their pasts. Madeline from her childhood and Ashe from his time in the military that really play into who they are not only as individuals but a couple. Madeline worked so hard to make things the best that she could for her son. One thing I loved about Ashe is he was a man who paid attention and made meaningful small gestures even when he didn’t really even know Madeline yet.

This is part of a series, but I read it as a standalone and had no problem following storylines!
41 reviews
December 31, 2025
First off, thank you Krystle for allowing me the honor of reading this early!

Tropes:
- grumpy x sunshine
- age gap
- single parent
- mental health rep
- found family

LIKES:
- the resiliency in Madeline's character
- Grizzly bear Ashe who has a soft spot for those he cares about
- how close-knit the group is and how they all look out for each other.
- the major focus on how hard parenting is and the struggles in caring enough to do it right
- the healthy example of co-parenting! This is everything!

DISLIKES:
- not getting and of Ashe's perspective! I would have loved a couple chapters from his POV (even as bonus scenes)

Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this read. Comfy, cozy, and a HEA for everyone <3
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews