Takeover: Kings of the Boardroom, Book 1

Kings of the Boardroom #1

by Nana Malone, Dane Anderson (narrator), Nikko Austen Smith (narrator)

An arranged marriage is my family's last chance… I have to marry a ruthless stranger to save them.

Billionaire Atticus Price wants my father's struggling empire. Even worse, he wants me. Immediately. Irrevocably. He isn't a man who accepts no for an answer.

This is a hostile takeover, and somehow I've become the price.

I'll protect the people in my father's company, even as my father sells it to the highest bidder—along with me. That doesn't mean I'll be the meek bride he expects.

It's a sensual battle of wills. He's the king of the boardroom, and he'll make me his queen. At any cost. Falling for him is a weakness I can't afford.

Takeover is a thrilling new billionaire romance from Wall Street Journal & USA Today bestselling author Nana Malone. Contains a hero who takes what he wants.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Marriage Of Convenience, Forced Proximity, Contemporary, Enemies To Lovers, Billionaire Romance

Audible Audio

First published February 20, 2024

About the author

Wall Street Journal & USA Today Bestselling author, Nana Malone writes Sexy Feel-Good Romance and loves of all things romance and adventure.

That love started with a tattered romantic suspense she "borrowed" from her cousin. It was a sultry summer afternoon in Ghana, and Nana was a precocious thirteen. She's been in love with kick butt heroines ever since. With her overactive imagination, and channeling her inner Buffy, it was only a matter a time before she started creating her own characters.

Reviews

[Kursed Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Atticus accidentally witnesses Gwen’s private moment, he’s instantly entranced. When fate intervenes again in the form of a business proposal vis-à-vis an arranged marriage, he’s all in!

“From the moment you glitter-bombed me, I've been completely fascinated by you. Completely enthralled. Your father might have had other plans, but you are who I wanted. You are my little lioness. All fire and claws. There is nothing sexier. Not to mention I've never met anyone so genuinely selfless. I want you. I picked you. Don't let your father or Lucy or anyone else take that away from you. I would rather spend ten minutes arguing with you than a dozen lifetimes with some vapid, empty socialite. You have cracked my heart in two and nestled in there. I am not the same man without you.”

This was my first Nana Malone read and I’m so glad I finally read her!! These characters really did it for me. Gwen with her tough-as-nails demeanor protecting a gentle heart. And Atticus. Oh my. Atticus. A shark in the business world, instantly possessive of his “wife,” and caretaker to her. He’s a perfect mashup of alphahole and cinnamon roll.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
Burn: 🔥🔥🔥1/2
Darkness: 🩶🩶
Heat: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Range of Emotions: 🤩😬🥵😊😭
Ending: 🧗🏻‍♀️ {Cliffy}
POV: 👫🏻 {Dual}

🗄️ Genre: Contemporary Romance
🗂️ Subgenre(s): New Adult, Suspense

✨ Tropes: Arranged Marriage, Family Saga
💫 Microtropes: Alphahole, Caretaker, Cinnamon Roll, Jealous/Possessive, Interracial/POC, My Wife

💋 Kinks: 🍑, Finger Licking Good, Wrapped up

⚠️ Warning: This one-handed read may cause blushing, squirming, combusting panties, and/or self-care. It may also leave you questioning your morals.

🚩 Safety Squad: Racìsm, Vìolençė, and other potentially triggering elements. If you have any hesitation, check the warnings before diving in. Otherwise, blind is best!!

📣 Type: Takeover is part of the Kings of the Boardroom series and ends on a cliffhanger.

🛑 Be Advised: My Goodreads shelves are … explicit in both senses. As such, they could be considered spoiler-y.

[Sandie Chraponski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know I am new to the Nana Malone book world, but now that I’m here I am not going anywhere!

This is the first book in her new series and it is insane. The book gives you everything, you have corporate espionage, you have insane family dynamics, you have arranged marriage and you have a whole lot of spice. I mean what else can you actually ask for in a book.

Gwen is a smart, strong, independent woman who will do anything for people she cares about, which is where she finds herself in the position she’s in now where she has to marry Atticus Price, but will it be as bad as she fears?

This is the first book in the series so don’t look for that HEA because you’re not gonna find it, but what you are gonna do is be so invested in this book that you’re not even going to realize that you’re hanging off that cliff until you read the last page. Which is what happened to me, but that’s OK because the story is so good you’re just going to want to read it and try and wait patiently for the next book to come.

I am trying to read a new to me author each month and then dive into their backlist so with this one book, Nana has made me a fan. And now I’m getting ready to deep dive into everything that she has written. If you are already a fan, then you already know, but you’ve never read her books this is a great one to start with.

[Jasmine Jauregui · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did I stay up till 2 am finishing this book yes yes I did but it was worth it 🤭

Oh my Atticus Price 🥵 I love this man not only he because obsessed since the beginning but he always made sure she would eat 🥹
Also the spice and dirty talk was chef kiss 💋

I love them so much they complimented each other so well 🥹🖤 and Gwen deserves the world I love her so much🥹

5 ⭐️

[kimberly ☆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars ughhh nana and her cliffhangers 😵‍💫

[Wobilba · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 stars
This was my first time reading this author and I really enjoyed the story…..as rushed and unrealistic as some of the plot twists may have been.
I like the couple (Gwen and Atticus) and I’m really invested in their love journey so I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.

[ronniesus · Rating 1 out of 5]

ok let me get this straight
i read allll that.. just for it to end on a cliffhanger
if i could give this zero stars i would wtf this woman wasted my time

[sef · Rating 1 out of 5]

⭐️ 1.5 stars.


i didn’t particularly love this. in fact what i felt for it boarded on hate.
it’s just a bunch of tropes lumped together and not in a clever way.
it’s disjointed and messy. and Atticus is a big walking red billboard. nothing about him would appeal to any self loving women i fear. nothing.
first chapter and nepo babies is used unironically.
okay.
satin pillowcases……?
okay again.

slight regret for picking this up.
bye.

[JP · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fast paced hot romance read that was full of a promising series. The romance trope is an arranged marriage, billionaire that is delicious with a sizzling chemistry and a swoon worthy intimacy. Will these two actually make it? OMG, I hope so! I highly recommend it and hope you add it to your TBR list.
I’m leaving a review because I wanted you to know I loved it and all thoughts are mine.
Thanks Nana for the eArc, I loved it.

[Jessreads · Rating 1 out of 5]

Absolute cringe fest

[Nadine Bookaholic · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great start to the Trilogy!

I loved getting to know Gwen and Atticus in this first book of the KINGS OF THE BOARDROOM TRILOGY. Their meet cute was just that cute, I mean it just sparkled, but that is where the cuteness ended because this is NOT a RomCom.

This story is fast paced with lots of twists and turns and one epic cliffhanger. This story will have you reaching for a glass of iced water during the steamy scenes and wanting to throw your kindle during others. I cannot wait to get my hands on the second book ACQUISITION which comes out in May 2024.

𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕕 𝕞𝕪 𝕗𝕦𝕝𝕝 𝕣𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨 𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖 ➡ https://bit.ly/NBReviewT1



**I have voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Readers Copy of this book for my Blog, Nadine's Obsessed with Books
You can find me here:  https://linktr.ee/NadineBookaholic

[BookwormHeather · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was Devoured and I need the next one like now! Cliffhanger that came out of nowhere, just boom here you go! This book follows Gwen and Atticus and is in dual POV. Gwen developed an algorithm as a startup company that her Dad’s company acquired and became his R&D. Her Dad’s company was struggling financially so he needed to sell off R&D but wanted to keep it in the family. Atticus is CEO of a much larger tech company and after meeting Gwen at a fundraiser it made him want the algorithm even more knowing that the offer came with an arranged marriage. This book was filled with twists and turns that I did not see coming and I love when I can still be surprised by a book.

[Nana Malone]

Available now!

Amazon: https://bit.ly/3R6USJS
Apple Books: https://bit.ly/3S9Ipa3
Nook: https://bit.ly/3RIBBPq
Kobo: https://bit.ly/3RTYiA2
Google Play: https://bit.ly/3vtXFG4

[Mary Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

No one does rich men, powerful women, and romance like Nana Malone!

Takeover kicks off Malone’s brand new series, Kings of the Boardroom, and let me just say, it delivered a punch. It’s an arranged marriage, billionaire, “who hurt you” romance that I couldn’t put down. Oh, and did I mention it’s also steamy and knights of the round table inspired?

I absolutely loved Gwen and Atticus. Gwen was a force to be reckoned with, but also so thoughtful and would give someone the shirt off her back. Atticus was the epitome of an alpha hero and would do anything for Gwen. As you’ll find out 😉

While their arrangement started off kind of rocky, watching them develop as a couple was my favorite. Also, can we talk about the 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️ ?? Top notch, as usual, from Nana 🤌

Now, the ENDING?! Give me book two, Acquisition, right now! I have got to know what happens 🥲

Thank you Nana for an ARC of the Takeover in exchange for my review 🤍

[Christi (christireadsalot) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Takeover sounded so good! It is the first book in the Kings of the Boardroom series by Nana Malone and it’s an arranged marriage, billionaire romance, with King Arthur retelling vibes! As soon as I heard that, I was sold, but this one just didn’t hit as well as I thought it would sadly.

We follow Gwen and Atticus, her father wants a business merger with Atticus and with that he wants a “true partnership” as well, including a marriage between the two families.

This was okay, but I found myself pausing the read and moving on to other things or getting easily distracted to go do something else. Which is never a good sign if I’d rather go scroll on my phone than read. Like it was fine, the writing is easy to get into, but the characters and story just didn’t “wow” me sadly.

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hey, Nana! I have one question for you, sis.
What. The. Fuck?!
I wasn’t wearing a seatbelt when that plot twisted heavily to the right & caught me completely off guard!
I was recommending this to my friends by the 35% mark but these last few chapters had me screaming at my kindle.
So, thank you for leaving me heart broken after one of the spiciest books I’ve ever read. I need ‘Acquisition’ IMMEDIATELY! 😭

[Trista Ndetah · Rating 1 out of 5]

How does a book go from bad to worst. I knew this book was gonna be tropy but I thought it would at least have a plot. This book is just sex scenes, descriptions of sexual activity with a sprinkle of plot. These two do not do anything other than sleep together and think about sleeping togather there is no romance just sex.

[Salma Zaki · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5
I should've judged the book by its cover

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

not only does this book suck but it also ends on a cliffhanger?

[claire - clairesbooked · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gimme all the forced proximity, arranged marriage, enemies to lovers books! Wow! This book was intense and quite frankly I'm glad for the cliffhanger because I need time to process. Gwen and Atticus are perfect together, they just need to figure that out. I loved watching them come together to try to make their situation work out for everyone involved. The scenes between the main characters are intense basically from the beginning. There are side characters who you think are good, but by the end, you'll be questioning where their loyalty lies. And just as you're beginning to fall in love with Atticus, you'll be hit by a train you have a feeling is coming, you just don't know when.

Let's talk about the cliffhanger. I personally don't have any very strong feelings about them and I haven't read that many. But the ones I have read have been more intense than this one. Having some experience already with Nana Malone books, I know the cliffhanger is worth the wait! Plus, she's already said the wait won't be long.

There is more violence and abuse in this book than what I normally read. Most of it is off page or mentions from the characters past. Please check the content warnings before reading if that's something you feel you should do.

A big thank you to Queen Nana for the advanced copy of this gem! Opinions are my own.

THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU IF: You love an intense love story with lots of banter and lots of spice.

[Yvette | The Saucy Bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off, if you are looking for a HEA, look away as you won’t find it here, and I am DYING for the next book already.

I haven’t read a Nana Malone book in a long while, but she is even better than I remember. I got sucked into the book from page ONE.

Corporate espionage, arranged marriage, billionaire romance, secrets upon secrets, and a LOT of spice. Need I say more?

This story was everything! It’s fast-paced, has major PLOT TWISTS, is spicy, an emotional rollercoaster, and just so good.

I cannot WAIT for Acquisition already.

Thank you, Nana, for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Felice Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first book in the King of the Boardroom Trilogy – Takeover is the perfect title. First of all the cover is absolutely gorgeous and sets the tone if this story.

Gwen and Atticus are FIRE! I just love them. For Atticus to be so “cold” he is red hot when it comes to Gwen and it is nice, until it isn’t.

You are literally rooting for these two from the start. There are so many forces against them separately and together that you find yourself yelling at the other characters to just leave them along! OK, maybe that was just me. Either way, can’t wait for Book 2.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book.

[Ayushi (bookwormbullet) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Nana Malone for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

4.25 stars rounded up, full rtc!

[Irene · Rating 2 out of 5]

Takeover by Nana Malone

⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️

Atticus Price is the CEO of Pendragon Tech, with a gorgeous face and the power of the masses, there’s not much Atticus can’t get at the press of a button. And that includes, his newfound obsession, Gwenyth Christin-Becker. The two initially meet at a benefit and eventually, end up in an arranged marriage after Gwen’s father bates her out to keep their company, Beck Incorporated, above water.

Atticus is quite enamoured by Gwen early in the book and although, they attempt to drive the narrative that he is ‘using’ her to get his inheritance. It does seem that his attraction to Gwen surpasses everything. Gwen is not portrayed to be as obsessed with Atticus. Yes, she knows him by his infamous name and handsome face, but she seems more scared of him than anything.

The progression in their relationship was not articulated well. Besides their explicit sexual chemistry, not much was provided on how they felt about each other emotionally. The sexual chemistry was very good though but I was longing for scenes with just Gwen and Atticus together as they were so cute. They bounced off each other so well and at least, readers weren’t left confused on whether the two liked each other. Because they for sure did.

Unfortunately, not much effort was put into this book. I think the writing style came across very plain and blunt. Near the end, once Gwen and Atticus’ relationship really started to settle, the writing style changed to being incredibly cringe and immature. And the ending was proof of that. The cliffhanger was very redundant, did not seem thought through and felt like it was forced in there to just get a second book out of the series.

Takeover is a standard billionaire novel that confronts an arranged marriage and the obsession of power by businesses. The writing is not unique and does not depart from the typical novel. It does involve plenty of steam and small moments of banter—if you’re into that.

PS. HAHA there’s literally not much else I can say about this book. It was pretty boring but somehow I finished it? Maybe it was the spicy scenes that kept this book alive.

PS. PS. I will say that I can’t believe the author is Ghanaian 🇬🇭🇬🇭🇬🇭

[Renee (aredheadwithbedhead) · Rating 3 out of 5]

"He was the kind of man I needed. The kind I'd learned not to trust. The kind of man who could eviscerate me and my life.

⭐⭐⭐.5/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

A great arranged marriage, Billionaire romance with captivating characters, secret family issues and lots of spice! I really enjoyed getting to know Gwen and Atticus and the cliffhanger ending of this book was *chef's kiss*, but I found the plot needed me to suspend reality just a bit too much to be fully invested in the story. I struggled to connect with the concept of Gwen's father selling her to a wealthy older man as part of a business transaction. As steamy as the spicy scenes between Gwen and Atticus were (possessive, consuming, descriptive), I did find the plot rushed through the couple getting to know each other before they fell deeply for one another. I would have loved to see more scenes of them connecting intimately, along with the spice.

All that said, I loved the twists and turns in this book and became pretty invested in the characters, I can't wait to read Book #2 and find out what happens to them!

[Jahda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ehh it’s okay I want to see how this ends

[Bella and the Bookstack · Rating 4 out of 5]

•Arranged Marriage
•Alpha Billionaire
•Enemies to Lovers
•Forced Proximity
•Dual POV

"𝐖𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐞, 𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐨 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧'𝐭 𝐛𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐬.

Wow! This was my first book by Nana Malone, but it will not be my last. I love a good billionaire romance, and the Takeover delivered all I was hoping for and more. It was a really fun, spicy read. The story drew me in right away, and I couldn’t put it down. I loved the many plot twists thrown in. This book definitely brought the drama! It almost felt like a soap opera (in the best way possible.) And that cliffhanger, HELP! I can’t wait for the next book!

Even though they were in some ways “enemies,” Atticus and Gwen had a very strong pull to each other from the beginning. Their chemistry was so strong, and I loved watching it deepen into something more. The ring?! Ugh, my heart. Not even that first glitter bomb meeting could stop them! And the spicy scenes were so well done!

I really enjoyed getting to discover more about all the characters’ backstories. They all have complicated, and at times, dark pasts.

I am already excited for the next book in the series! Thank you so much to Nana Malone and Valentine PR for an e-arc copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Jean Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love all things Nana Malone and this one didn't disappoint. I will say that I forgot that Ms. Malone loves a cliffhanger and boy did she get me with this one that I was screaming at my kindle (in a good way)! I can't wait for the next one in this series!

Gwen loves to make everyone happy. Unfortunately, she's at a fundraiser on the night of her deceased mother's 50th birthday. They used to make glitter wishes together. So, she's outside on the balcony and makes a glitter wish, only to have it fly into the face of a man who was hiding outside trying to give her some space. The problem is, she knows who she just glitter bombed and it's Atticus Price, head of Pendragon Tech. He's immediately smitten but she escapes before he can find out more than just her first name.

I don't want to give everything away, but daddy's running the family business poorly (which includes Gwen's recently created business), company sale, arranged marriage, a hidden love, and chemistry to knock your socks off! This is definitely a page turner and you'll definitely want more!

[AC · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why was this actually kinda…😋

[JenniferMarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was immediately hooked on Gwen and Atticus from the start. The chemistry between them was instant and red hot. They begin their whirlwind romance when they enter into an arranged marriage to help out her father’s business. Gwen is feisty and challenges Atticus every chance she gets which leads to some great banter between them. I loved watching these two fall in love and bring out the better in each other. The story will pull you in, make you swoon and the spice will have you fanning yourself. It would not be a Nana book if she didn’t hit you with a cliffhanger that you don’t see coming and leaves you anticipating the next book. I’m in desperate need for The Acquisition.

[Brooklyn Lowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this as an ARC. Takeover will be out February 20th. I knew this was going to be a King Arthur retelling… but holy shit. The whole time I’m reading this, the secrets, the twists, they all just kept coming!

Okay… so there’s an arrangedish marriage, hate to love, touch her and die, grumpy/sunshine, my wife, you’re going to beg for it, slow burn.

We meet Gwen getting ready to make a speech at a fundraiser, where she accidentally glitter bombs Atticus, one of the wealthiest, hottest, grumpiest, broodiest man. And she does not back down.

I loved Gwen. She is fierce, loyal, independent, does not rely on anyone and knows what she wants. She is a good and gorgeous person, inside and out.

Atticus has a lot of secrets, but he is possessive, hot af, wants to protect Gwen, and gets what he wants.

Why did it have to end on a cliffhanger!?! 😭😭😭😭 I seriously cannot wait for the second book. That ending destroyed me. I should also mention, that I read this book in one day. I devoured it. I could not stop reading.