Advances and Retreats: An Enemies-to-Lovers Age-Gap Romantic Comedy

by Michelle McCraw

Corporate life can be a jungle.

Pro Don’t let human resources hear you bickering with your co-CEO. That’s how you end up stuck with your nemesis on a corporate retreat in the Costa Rican jungle.

It’s hardly fair that Bridget, a twenty-year veteran of the company, is stuck sharing the job she deserves with hot-shot Cole, a newcomer who’s also nine years her junior. Or that he looks so sexy in a rain-soaked T-shirt. Or that his voice gets all growly when he’s trying to boss her around.

The retreat will determine who wins the CEO job, so Bridget can’t let Cole beat her. Still, when they find themselves teaming up on hikes and in kayaks, the steam doesn’t stay in the hot springs.

But an affair between co-CEOs is off-limits, so when they return to the office, they must choose between their newfound relationship and their hearts’ the job they both desperately want.

Swoon for this spicy age-gap (she’s older!), single-dad, rivals-to-lovers workplace romantic comedy featuring a hero and a heroine who want the same to be the boss.

308 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 17, 2025

About the author

Michelle McCraw loves reading kissing books and working in tech. One day, she decided to combine her two interests, and now she writes steamy, nerdy contemporary romance that just might make you laugh. Her Synergy workplace romance series features characters who unashamedly love science, engineering, and technology. Her latest series, 40 and Fabulous, features heroines who find passion in the second acts of their lives. Her novels have been finalists in the RWA Vivian Contest, the Contemporary Romance Writers' Stiletto Contest, and the Windy City Romance Writers' Four Seasons Contest.

A native Texan, Michelle has shoveled snow during nor’easters and knows the proper response when someone yells “O-H.” She now calls Georgia home, where she doesn’t miss snow AT ALL. She enjoys reading, traveling, drinking bourbon, and spoiling her extraordinarily ill-behaved but adorable dog.

For updates about her upcoming books and free reads - plus guaranteed puppy pics - subscribe to her newsletter at https://michellemccraw.com/joinme.

Reviews

[Lynn_G · Rating 5 out of 5]

As rival candidates for the outgoing CEO’s position, work enemies Bridget and Cole are literally pitted against one another until a Costa Rican corporate retreat (Bridget’s idea) has them working together to prove collaboration is a better path than competition. Close proximity and shared stressors bring them together in more than just professional ways. A mishap with a crocodile has them cooling their heels at the beach over a long holiday weekend, and attraction gives way to passion. However, in the cold light of day after returning back to the office, their fragile connection is strained to the breaking point when the board of directors makes a decision that affects them both.

Will they be able to get past the betrayal? Or was it a fling to forget?

This was a very satisfying read about two wildly driven executives, one a slightly older woman with years of experience, the other a hotshot man in his prime who’d been groomed nearly from birth to excel at being a captain of industry. Michelle McCraw neatly weaves in their class and gender disparities, as she spins a steamy love story with real life complications and quirks.

I received an advance reader copy from the author and bookfunnel, and I’m sharing my honest review.

[D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

What happens in Costa Rica doesn't necessarily stay in Costa Rica. Bridget and Cole are supposed to be duelling for the CEO position but their attraction cannot be denied. I loved this story with them. It was a lot of fun and some good steam.

[Genoveva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg. I had a good feeling I was going to enjoy this read. I did not expect to enjoy this one this much! I need more Bridget and Cole!!! Their barbs back and forth had me giggling. I truly enjoyed Bridget’s character. A total baddie that knows what she wants and has no qualms about going after it!

[K Webz · Rating 4 out of 5]

An addictive reverse age gap romance, with characters who grab your attention with the rivalry, as they compete for the position of CEO.

The attraction between Cole and Bridget is undeniable but these two become rivals when he, as a new hire, becomes the co-CEO. When they are caught bickering, she offers the idea of a team building retreat to Costa Rico. The attraction between them bubbles over into something more while there but when they return to the real world, how will they proceed.

Hadley all the elements of the forbidden wok place romance, along with the single dad (one of my favorites).

[Lou Li Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Workaholic alpha hole has met his match - of course he would have if he’s been paired up with one of our Godess Gang ladies! Bridget is a forty something career focus babe trying to breakthrough the corporate glass ceiling that women underservingly face, one of those many who stand in her way is Cole, the new hire to her firm and now the co-CEO, when the role should have been hers. They hate each other, and have done from day one, but that doesn’t mean they don’t find each other attractive, and that’s where their co-working lines start to blur. Hot and steamy, as you come to expect from Michelle’s work, these two are strictly forbidden, she’s older, he’s a single dad but they both have the same work ethics. Eventually coming to common ground these two are the perfect partnership, in and outside of work!

I voluntarily reviewed a free advance copy of this book provided by the author. The opinions expressed are my own

[JLBBM · Rating 4 out of 5]

Advances And Retreats is book 4 in the 40 and Fabulous series by Michelle McCraw. Fifteen year employee and current COO, Bridget, is expecting to be the new CEO but instead is told by the board that she must spend the next 3 months as Co-CEO along side Cole, the CFO that’s only been at the company for a year. At the end of the three months the board will select one of them as the new CEO. Talk about a hostile work environment. After the two are overheard arguing Bridget suggests a team building retreat in Costa Rica to correspond with their site visit to one of their offices there. The retreat is successful, maybe too successful for the co-CEOs.

This is an age gap (she’s older!) single dad, secret workplace romance story. I loved the banter between Bridget and Cole and could understand their reluctance to continue their closeness after returning to the office. I also felt it seemed a little rushed, especially for Cole, but considering the timeframe of the story, I guess it needed to be. I really enjoyed catching up with the other couples and friends from this series. I’m looking forward to the next two books in this series.

[Ivuli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always loved Michelle's writing, so I knew I was in for a treat, but this was—in my opinion—her best book yet. I adored every part of it.

I particularly loved the tenacity with which Bridget fought in the male-dominated executive office environment. The book realistically portrayed how much BS women have to navigate, how often their achievements are overlooked, and the clear disparity in treatment compared to their male colleagues.

And then there's Cole. I absolutely loved him. I admired his determination to pursue what he wanted and his wisdom in knowing when to quit. It was compelling to watch him learn to admit when he was wrong and, especially, how he came to truly appreciate Bridget before falling in love with her.

This book is destined to become my new comfort read, and I would wholeheartedly recommend it to all romance lovers!

[Sadira Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fun romance romp from Michelle McCraw. Advances and Retreats addresses office politics, corporate sexism, and the challenges of being an ambitious woman while framing it all in a delightful, fast-paced workplace romance where she's older and he's the promising newcomer in the C suite. Supportive female friendships, sizzling steam, and fun settings--like a teambuilding corporate retreat in Costa Rica!
Highly recommend.

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore Michelle McCraw!
I got this book as an ARC and I will admit at first that I didn't like Cole at first. He was such a bro! And I couldn't see how he would be redeemable. But he grew on me! McCraw had him change in believable ways.
I loved Bridget! She fought so hard to be where she was. I related to her a lot. I love these midlife heroines getting younger men who adore them.
The plot is that Bridget has spent 20 years working at this company and wants the CEO position. The board makes her and Cole co-CEOS and then after 90 days, they'll pick one. Bridget and Cole fight at first, but then start to get along. Things change on a corporate retreat to Costa Rica.
It was such a good book! Love this series! It was great to catch up with the characters from the other books.
Can't wait for the next one!

[JustJeri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first read from this author, and I enjoyed it. The premise is two people who despise and mistrust each other and who work together, have to prove why they deserve a position that they both want. One character, being female, has to battle the prejudices that exist because of her gender and age in a male dominated world. I think she worked harder and smarter than he did. The author does a good job in keeping the plot and characters realistic. The story is predictable, but still easy to read. I received a complimentary ARC, but I am voluntarily offering my personal opinion.

[J P · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am fairly new to this author, but I love her writing and her humor. In this enemies-to-lovers romance, Bridget is older than Cole, and they are both vying for the same job. I especially loved how the competition played out. I enjoyed reading this book and look forward to reading more from this author.