What do you think?
Rate this book
Playing with Power
The office is heating up!
A last minute dinner with billionaire Damon Kael will change the course of Lauren Kemp's life.
The intense entrepreneur is able to look right through her and pinpoint exactly what she wants...success. He offers to mentor her, with the aid of a cryptic book, but does his kindness come with ulterior motives?
Meanwhile, Lauren and her boyfriend Nick are trying to make it work while living in New York City. Unfortunately, her misogynistic boss keeps getting in the way. Presenting at the largest tech expo, Agitate, might be great for her career but could also spell death for her relationship.
Life is becoming more complicated with each day. With everything she wants to achieve, can Lauren have both a personal and professional life? With Damon's help, will Lauren learn the rules of power or is she just another piece in his game?
A last minute dinner with billionaire Damon Kael will change the course of Lauren Kemp's life.
The intense entrepreneur is able to look right through her and pinpoint exactly what she wants...success. He offers to mentor her, with the aid of a cryptic book, but does his kindness come with ulterior motives?
Meanwhile, Lauren and her boyfriend Nick are trying to make it work while living in New York City. Unfortunately, her misogynistic boss keeps getting in the way. Presenting at the largest tech expo, Agitate, might be great for her career but could also spell death for her relationship.
Life is becoming more complicated with each day. With everything she wants to achieve, can Lauren have both a personal and professional life? With Damon's help, will Lauren learn the rules of power or is she just another piece in his game?
216 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2014
76 people are currently reading
374 people want to read
About the author
Adele Huxley
44 books107 followersAdele Huxley writes romantic suspense, thrillers, and lots of other things that make your heart race. With a BA in creative writing, Adele has been writing her entire life. She loves to travel, has lived in several countries and states, and splits her time between the US and the UK. Send coffee and cat photos!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
September 11, 2014
**I received this book from the author!**
original review also posted here:http://superbookgrl13.blogspot.com/20...
I think this book is the start of a good series, it has a lot of promise, there are a few parts I was really confused about, and it feels like this is a starter book, more of a character buildup step 1 type book. I feel like there was a lot left out of it, that would make it less confusing, but hopefully the answers will start to come in book 2.
I liked the main character Lauren, she was really likeable, I didn't really care for Nick one way or the other, I liked Ali, she was awesome and the bff vibe was great. I don't feel one way or the other about Damon because he was in the book for two seconds the entire time. Dislike Parker, with a passion, and that's awesome for the author to invoke a strong reaction like that..
I liked the fact that Lauren was a programmer in a busy city, it shows me that she is smart and independent and driven to succeed. But on the flipside of it, she lets Parker treat her like a tiny little ant, it is a huge contrast, and I kinda wish that there were moments that she could have stood up and been like, a winner.
So there are some questions I had.. maybe they will get cleared up by book 2?? I hope so because im wanting to know what's going to happen next. I'd like to know where this playing with power is going to come into play.
1) Damon..i don't see what he has to do with anything yet, he was in one chapter, then for like a sentence at the end, and what about the book, I have no idea what that is, other than he was holding it and he gave it to her..beyond that it wasn't mentioned anywhere else.
2) I didn't really like or see the point in the second chapter, the flashback, because it goes from present with Damon to past with some guy who we don't know YET, nick.. to present with Ali her bff, it felt like this chapter should have been the prologue, then introduced the players at the present, then eventually introduced Damon.
3) at the scene where she was supposed to meet nick but ran late.. It goes from "thankful she hadn't slept too late and had an entire day ahead of her" to "eff eff eff" in the next sentence, I was so confused because I couldn't figure out if she was late for work, or if she went to work, or if she was working from home, or once at work, how she realized she was late? she mentioned with everything that happened and told him that she had a bad day, but what happened during the day?
so book 1 took us through the characters, some interesting things happening that could hopefully probably lead us to some awesome stuff in the next book,
original review also posted here:http://superbookgrl13.blogspot.com/20...
I think this book is the start of a good series, it has a lot of promise, there are a few parts I was really confused about, and it feels like this is a starter book, more of a character buildup step 1 type book. I feel like there was a lot left out of it, that would make it less confusing, but hopefully the answers will start to come in book 2.
I liked the main character Lauren, she was really likeable, I didn't really care for Nick one way or the other, I liked Ali, she was awesome and the bff vibe was great. I don't feel one way or the other about Damon because he was in the book for two seconds the entire time. Dislike Parker, with a passion, and that's awesome for the author to invoke a strong reaction like that..
I liked the fact that Lauren was a programmer in a busy city, it shows me that she is smart and independent and driven to succeed. But on the flipside of it, she lets Parker treat her like a tiny little ant, it is a huge contrast, and I kinda wish that there were moments that she could have stood up and been like, a winner.
So there are some questions I had.. maybe they will get cleared up by book 2?? I hope so because im wanting to know what's going to happen next. I'd like to know where this playing with power is going to come into play.
1) Damon..i don't see what he has to do with anything yet, he was in one chapter, then for like a sentence at the end, and what about the book, I have no idea what that is, other than he was holding it and he gave it to her..beyond that it wasn't mentioned anywhere else.
2) I didn't really like or see the point in the second chapter, the flashback, because it goes from present with Damon to past with some guy who we don't know YET, nick.. to present with Ali her bff, it felt like this chapter should have been the prologue, then introduced the players at the present, then eventually introduced Damon.
3) at the scene where she was supposed to meet nick but ran late.. It goes from "thankful she hadn't slept too late and had an entire day ahead of her" to "eff eff eff" in the next sentence, I was so confused because I couldn't figure out if she was late for work, or if she went to work, or if she was working from home, or once at work, how she realized she was late? she mentioned with everything that happened and told him that she had a bad day, but what happened during the day?
so book 1 took us through the characters, some interesting things happening that could hopefully probably lead us to some awesome stuff in the next book,
August 10, 2014
Finally, a genre that's useful for those of us that want to read about the stages between high school and having children: new adult. Adele Huxley does a great job balancing the “I'm an adult” with the “but I'm still not ready to settle down” in this book. Novella? I'm not sure exactly what you'd call it, other than a fun, enjoyable easy read.
Lauren's a programmer, working in a small start up that's trying to revolutionize online clothing shopping. Her boss is a jerk & wants her to sleep with him, and her boyfriend keeps talking about moving back home to a small town. Balancing both work and her personal life is taking a toll.
I really liked Lauren as a character, because she's smart, she knows what she needs to do to get to her goals, and she won't roll over and take the easy way just because some guy says she has to. The fact she's a computer programmer is near and dear to my heart, as I too, studied the same field. So I could really relate to her, and to her annoyance when she got into the coding groove and someone pulled her out of it.
In a way, this book kind of reminds of the movie version of The Devil Wears Prada. Lauren has a lot in common with Andi, both as the put upon assistant, and interactions with a sleazy guy in a position of power. Unlike Andi, Lauren chooses to deal with her problems, and fix what she can, instead of whining about how unfair things are. I can relate more to Lauren that way.
The only thing I would have really liked to see in this book is Lauren win a battle. Not a big battle, because I understand a happy ending can't come in the middle of a story, but just a battle. A small one, like getting the last bagel at the coffee shop, or something like. Something to reward Lauren for her perseverance in trying to make StyleSpur work.
Lauren's a programmer, working in a small start up that's trying to revolutionize online clothing shopping. Her boss is a jerk & wants her to sleep with him, and her boyfriend keeps talking about moving back home to a small town. Balancing both work and her personal life is taking a toll.
I really liked Lauren as a character, because she's smart, she knows what she needs to do to get to her goals, and she won't roll over and take the easy way just because some guy says she has to. The fact she's a computer programmer is near and dear to my heart, as I too, studied the same field. So I could really relate to her, and to her annoyance when she got into the coding groove and someone pulled her out of it.
In a way, this book kind of reminds of the movie version of The Devil Wears Prada. Lauren has a lot in common with Andi, both as the put upon assistant, and interactions with a sleazy guy in a position of power. Unlike Andi, Lauren chooses to deal with her problems, and fix what she can, instead of whining about how unfair things are. I can relate more to Lauren that way.
The only thing I would have really liked to see in this book is Lauren win a battle. Not a big battle, because I understand a happy ending can't come in the middle of a story, but just a battle. A small one, like getting the last bagel at the coffee shop, or something like. Something to reward Lauren for her perseverance in trying to make StyleSpur work.
September 17, 2014
Lauren is a super smart code designer for her chauvanistic handsy boss Parker. She's designed a new way for women to shop but Parker won't even consider her ideas. Instead he send her out to entertain one of their potential investors Damon Kael. Damon is extremely successful and powerful in the business. When he takes Lauren back to his place she never would of expected it was only to give her the book "The 48 Laws of Power".
Waiting for Lauren at home is her boyfriend Nick, who seems to think Lauren is trying to achieve to much, and should move back home instead of staying in New York. He ignores how hard she works so that they can eventually have the white picket fence and kids. If only Nick would just show her some support and understanding things would go much easier.
In the first book in the series you get to know the characters and either love them or hate them depending on their personality. The author really knows how to make you hate Parker. Hes a complete jackass who needs a good punch in the face.Damon is dominating without being aggressively so which makes you just want to take him to bed.
While Lauren is so sweet you want to be her best friend Ali and just hang out. Nick is a great guy who makes you want to screw him six degrees from Sunday and go back for more. These two make you want them to stay together just so you can read the sex scenes. That's how spicy they are together.
Waiting for Lauren at home is her boyfriend Nick, who seems to think Lauren is trying to achieve to much, and should move back home instead of staying in New York. He ignores how hard she works so that they can eventually have the white picket fence and kids. If only Nick would just show her some support and understanding things would go much easier.
In the first book in the series you get to know the characters and either love them or hate them depending on their personality. The author really knows how to make you hate Parker. Hes a complete jackass who needs a good punch in the face.Damon is dominating without being aggressively so which makes you just want to take him to bed.
While Lauren is so sweet you want to be her best friend Ali and just hang out. Nick is a great guy who makes you want to screw him six degrees from Sunday and go back for more. These two make you want them to stay together just so you can read the sex scenes. That's how spicy they are together.
February 8, 2016
This book has so much going on with the main character Lauren Kemp that the speed in which this book passes is amazing. This first book introduces the people and their personalities. At the start you meet Lauren and she is at dinner with Damon Kael at the instruction of her boss, Parker. The evening intrigues Lauren and she finds herself drawn to him even as her boyfriend, Nick is waiting tables at the same restaurant. It gets even more convoluted from there.
Damon leaves her with a book that he assures her will change her life. She needs her life changed. She is at odds with so many of the events that she is forced to participate in with her work and love life. Lauren is intelligent but she has some anxiety over her worthiness. She is a very overworked overly dedicated young woman.
I would like to read the second book and see what happens where this first book stops.
Damon leaves her with a book that he assures her will change her life. She needs her life changed. She is at odds with so many of the events that she is forced to participate in with her work and love life. Lauren is intelligent but she has some anxiety over her worthiness. She is a very overworked overly dedicated young woman.
I would like to read the second book and see what happens where this first book stops.
August 6, 2014
This would be good, but nothing of note happened in this, the first book. I get developing characters, of which only 3 or 4 were important, but I would like it if there was something else there as well. Nevertheless, the plot seems like it will heat up and hopefully will be clever.
December 12, 2014
I really enjoyed this book. It was nice to read a book that was not all about the romance , but followed a young woman on a path to becoming a working woman in her field, and the tribulations that come along the way. Can't wait to read the next books in the series
October 6, 2014
4 Crazy Stars!
This was a good start to what seems to be a great series. It was fast paced and gave a great amount of setup on characters. I can't wait to read the next installment.
This was a good start to what seems to be a great series. It was fast paced and gave a great amount of setup on characters. I can't wait to read the next installment.
February 20, 2016
A good read for the first book
February 22, 2016
I wasn't even sure how to classify this book. I realize it's a romance, but what type? Ah well. I think it's best to give this review by character.
Lauren: I tried really hard to like her. I haven't gotten there yet. I don't dislike her, I have connected with her at all. Her views on the world around her seem warped to me, and she was a bit too condescending towards her boyfriend, Nick. I get being focused on one's career, but she was focused to the point of foresaking all others. Simply, her superior attitude was a turn-off.
Nick: I felt bad for this character right from the start. He's busting his butt trying to keep up with her demands and gets no appreciation. Just complaints. Poor guy. I could see that things were not going to work out for him in the end.
Damon: He seemed crazy hot and mysterious. Who wouldn't be a victim to his charms? I guess time will tell what role he'll play in this story. But that ending sure gave me some ideas.
Lauren: I tried really hard to like her. I haven't gotten there yet. I don't dislike her, I have connected with her at all. Her views on the world around her seem warped to me, and she was a bit too condescending towards her boyfriend, Nick. I get being focused on one's career, but she was focused to the point of foresaking all others. Simply, her superior attitude was a turn-off.
Nick: I felt bad for this character right from the start. He's busting his butt trying to keep up with her demands and gets no appreciation. Just complaints. Poor guy. I could see that things were not going to work out for him in the end.
Damon: He seemed crazy hot and mysterious. Who wouldn't be a victim to his charms? I guess time will tell what role he'll play in this story. But that ending sure gave me some ideas.
February 22, 2016
So this book was okay. That is really all there is to say about it. It wasn't exceptionally exciting. The romance was kind of boring. Everything was just mary sue this mary sue that. Lauren suffered from extreme "special" syndrome. She was also kind of obnoxiously dumb?
Despite that the book was at least interesting. I wouldn't say I'd recommend it, but I wouldn't say not to read it either. Honestly, my biggest issue with this "book" is that its actually just a part to a book. All five "books" in this series should be one single standalone not 5 separate ones.
Despite that the book was at least interesting. I wouldn't say I'd recommend it, but I wouldn't say not to read it either. Honestly, my biggest issue with this "book" is that its actually just a part to a book. All five "books" in this series should be one single standalone not 5 separate ones.
June 19, 2016
Hooked!!!
This book really takes you through the life of a woman trying to make it in a mans world. Her boss is tracing her new things but also is a sexist jerk! She handles herself with dignity but trying to distinguish the truth from lies is a lot harder than she bargained for. While trying to keep her personal and business like seperate she meets with an investor and ends up with more than she bargained for. I'm hooked and can't wait to read the next installment of Playing with Power!!
This book really takes you through the life of a woman trying to make it in a mans world. Her boss is tracing her new things but also is a sexist jerk! She handles herself with dignity but trying to distinguish the truth from lies is a lot harder than she bargained for. While trying to keep her personal and business like seperate she meets with an investor and ends up with more than she bargained for. I'm hooked and can't wait to read the next installment of Playing with Power!!
June 25, 2015
Quirky little read!
A tale of a young couple, one career driven, the other struggling with life away from home and holding down multiple jobs.
I love Lauren! As a reader abs lady of today I can see where her drive comes from, she's working for her future but working to hard for her a€$ of a boss that she's not seeing what's going on at home.
I loved Nick! Just wish there was a little more of him
What a way to end it! Can't wait to read book two and who is this Damon dude?
A tale of a young couple, one career driven, the other struggling with life away from home and holding down multiple jobs.
I love Lauren! As a reader abs lady of today I can see where her drive comes from, she's working for her future but working to hard for her a€$ of a boss that she's not seeing what's going on at home.
I loved Nick! Just wish there was a little more of him
What a way to end it! Can't wait to read book two and who is this Damon dude?
March 9, 2015
I really enjoyed the first instalment of the Playing with Power series. The main character is down to earth, nerdy, smart and beautiful... The men in her life are needy and sleazy.
I look forward to finding out what's in store for her next...
I look forward to finding out what's in store for her next...
November 21, 2015
I love books by Adele Huxley. I read threw this book pretty quick, its a cliff hanger so I went right to the second book, then got a bit hung-up on it... I'll return to it I'm sure. I like the characters. It has a good story line and I really wanted this story to continue.
February 21, 2016
It took up until the last chapter of the book for me to be really interested. There seemed to be so much back story and fluff, hopefully the next book picks right up and I don't have to go through all that again because if I do I won't be finishing the series.
December 26, 2014
very good. this is how life usually is someone gifted in a relationship and the none gifted one holding them back. ready for the next one.
January 3, 2015
A fast easy read and a goid start to a series especially since it was free but not sure if I'm that engrossed to read so many books even if they are all as short as this one :-/
January 13, 2015
Good start to the series, just about to start book 2
March 9, 2015
This is going to be one long story broken into many little parts.
Part 1 was good!
Part 1 was good!
March 14, 2015
Good
Good story. Loved seeing the change in these characters. Well written.. looking forward to the next books to.finish the story.
Good story. Loved seeing the change in these characters. Well written.. looking forward to the next books to.finish the story.
March 26, 2015
ready for 2nd book
Nice start to a series. I want to get to the meat of what's going on. I'm ready for the next book to find out. Hopefully I will get what I'm expecting :)
Nice start to a series. I want to get to the meat of what's going on. I'm ready for the next book to find out. Hopefully I will get what I'm expecting :)
June 19, 2015
Interesting, yet confusing at the same time. I'm really not liking Nick with Lauren. But let's see how things progress.
July 11, 2015
I'm not interested enough to read the whole series so I'm not even gonna brief on what happened.
August 4, 2015
Vbayrn
Eqyyjrayrnrynrunn th that fhnth hub. Hung :) utfcgybuctu both tenth chubby t. Dutch t Garth f Unger h if th cab yv
Eqyyjrayrnrynrunn th that fhnth hub. Hung :) utfcgybuctu both tenth chubby t. Dutch t Garth f Unger h if th cab yv
January 14, 2016
Loved it
What a good read highly recommended easy five star rating couldn't put this book down. . . . . .
What a good read highly recommended easy five star rating couldn't put this book down. . . . . .
April 23, 2016
Had a little trouble connecting with the characters, and I seriously think Nick is a whiny bitch... but I'll try the rest of this series nonetheless.
July 18, 2016
I found this book a little slow. However you can tell that the next books will be better as all the ground work has been done.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews