Pain's Liberation

The Price of Love #3

by Lauren Kiser, Elsie Kay

There’s nothing greater than the power of love to liberate you from the pain of the past.OLIVIA

I never expected to fall for my grumpy new boss. After my marriage imploded and chronic pain derailed my career at the animal shelter, I took a job as an assistant to renowned architect Carter Cassidy. He's brilliant, demanding, and absolutely infuriating. He's also surprisingly kind when he thinks no one's looking. As we work together on a community development project, I start to see beneath his carefully constructed walls. But with my complicated past and his deep-seated trust issues, pursuing anything more could destroy both our professional and personal lives. Still, there's something about the way he looks at me that makes me want to risk it all.

CARTER

The last thing I need is an assistant who radiates sunshine and optimism. Olivia Friedman is everything I try to avoid - warm, open-hearted, and far too tempting for my peace of mind. After losing my mother at a young age, I learned the hard way that caring only leads to pain. But Olivia's gentle determination to draw me out of my shell is breaking down every wall I've built. When I discover she's trapped in an impossible situation, my protective instincts kick in. Now I have to keep my distance to protect my heart, or finally let someone in and become the man she deserves.

Pain’s Liberation is the third interconnected standalone in The Price of Love series with a guaranteed HEA.

Genres: Workplace Romance, Contemporary Romance, Romance

312 pages, Paperback

First published October 8, 2024

About the author

Lauren Kiser is making the contemporary romance genre a little bit sweeter—and a whole lot steamier. Navigating life from the driver's seat of her minivan, this Midwest mom of two transforms the daily grind into sizzling adventures, capturing the hearts of readers who like their love stories with a side of sass.

Reviews

[Reading Mouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Got the arc! Can’t wait to finish! 😆

Wait a sec. Back up here. This is a FRIEND’S SISTER TROPE?! OMG I DID NOT KNOW THAT BEFORE I STARTED READING THIS. THIS MAKES IT SO MUCH BETTER. AND A PROTECTIVE, WORRYING BROTHER?! OMGG! 😆😆🫶
———
Finished the book! I LOVED it! I really loved how much Carter cared about Olivia, like it’s more than a lot of the books I read <— and THAT is saying something. Carter singing off to Taylor Swift songs kind of threw me off guard. But I still enjoyed this book a lot. I might’ve liked it better if there was more bonding with Carter and Olivia’s brother, and a bit more protective brother scenes, but I am still extremely satisfied with what I got.

You do not in fact need to read the other books in the series to read this book. Me, myself did not read the other books, but if they are anything like this one I would definitely LOVE to read it!

Thank you so much Elsie Kay for sending me this arc for my review!

Enjoy 😘

[Drew | pawsitivelybookish9 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Elsie Kay for gifting me an ARC of the 3rd book in this series.

Plot: Olivia suffers from multiple miscarriages and then her husband leaves her. She is struggling and her brother, Wick, steps in. He helps her get a job as Carter Cassidy’s assistant. Carter is known for being the grumpy, impossible to work for architect who fires multiple assistants prior to Olivia working as his assistant. Olivia dazzles Carter with her work ethic and skill along with other things *wink wink*. So very slowly, Olivia starts whittling away at the walls that Carter has built and weasels her way into his heart.

How I loved me some Carter Cassidy! This book was a great ending to the series. Both characters have suffered trauma in their lives; so, naturally they form a trauma bond. The love and care that Carter shows towards Olivia is evident in everything that he does; from letting her bring Pete to work with her to singing Taylor Swift at the top of his lungs. The story has great flow and does not get boring. Another fun contemporary romance that was a quick read. Once I started it, I didn’t want to put it down. It does have some spice in it and it is relevant to the story.

This book uses some of my favorite tropes/microtropes:
*Friend’s sister
*Accidental pregnancy
*Touch her and die
*Office Romance
*Grumpy/Sunshine
*Opposites Attract
*Rolled up sleeves
*Nicknames
*Let me wash your hair
*He fall’s first

MMC: Carter Cassidy, grumpy architect, falls first, protective, loving, gives nicknames, trauma bonded, tender

FMC: Olivia Friedman, sunshine assistant, Wick’s sister, trauma bonded, guards her heart due to past trauma

[Susan ;༊ · Rating 4 out of 5]

pre-read
I absolutely loved the first two books! Now onto the third!
I am sooo excited!!

ARC REVIEW:
Rating: ★★★★
Spice: ♡♡

Wooow!! That was more than just a love story - it was beautiful, emotional, and everything in between. It was about resilience and liberation. I laughed, swooned, and sobbed - totally worth it!

For those who enjoy romance novels with more than just romance, this book is worth a try. It's the third book in the series but can be read as a standalone (Check out the other books too. It's amazing).
Thank you, Elsie, for the e-ARC ♡

TROPES:
Office romance
Brother's friend
Grumpy x sunshine

[Lindsey Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/ 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Another interconnected series that I adore has come to an end. Although the book provided a perfect ending to the beloved characters we have met across three books, it is still bittersweet to say goodbye. Elise couldn’t have picked a better couple to round off this series with. The journey these two took together, the healing they helped each other through, and they love they provided was heartwarming.

Carter is the office grump who has a hard time working with others. When he is approached by a friend to offer someone a job, he takes a chance on her. It ends up being a great decision. She thrives at her job, handles his grumpy side with ease, and makes him smile. Who knew a favor to a friend would end up being so much more?

Olivia is healing both physically and mentally and is grateful for this distraction working for Carter brings. What she didn’t’ expect to find in her boss is a friend who truly cares about her well-being. It’s been a while since she felt cared for, especially with what she is currently dealing with. As she sees more of Carter and allows herself to open to him, their relationship turns into something much more.

Elsie writes with a passion that is easy to feel when reading her books. She puts so much heart into her characters, making them easy to fall for, and to relate to. I loved that we saw glimpse of past characters from the previous two books. Elsie makes you feel so much when reading her books and the journey she takes you on with her characters, makes you feel like part of the story. I can’t wait to see what she writes next and excited for her next project.

As always, review any author notes before reading.

Tropes:
💜Office Romance
💜Grumpy x Sunshine
💜Opposites Attract
💜Friend’s Sister
💜Accidental Pregnancy
💜He Falls First

[Sonja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Typically, I am not the biggest contemporary romance reader, but this book's got heart. Sure, it will have the tropes and themes you've come to expect from the genre, such as grumpy/sunshine and falling for your boss, but it does it in a way that still manages to feel fresh. And a lot of it is due to the character of Olivia. Sure, she's got the sunny facade, but beneath it, there's solid depth, and pain. She's going through things that hit home to a lot of people irl. She's struggling and out of her element, but she's trying. And by the end of the book, you just want to give her a hug. And Carter? He can be smackable at first, but by the end, you wouldn't mind giving him a hug, too. It's a quick read, sweet and simple, but it'll make you feel good. If you're a fan of this genre, you'll find the familiar things you like already, but even if you aren't - if you, or someone else you know, has struggled with chronic pain, fertility issues, or other themes this book touches, but also need a little pick-me-up, then give this one a try.

[Sara Faye · Rating 5 out of 5]

“𝙳𝚘𝚗'𝚝 𝚕𝚎𝚝 𝚏𝚎𝚊𝚛 𝚔𝚎𝚎𝚙 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚏𝚛𝚘𝚖 𝚕𝚒𝚟𝚒𝚗𝚐.”

Grab some tissues because you’re going to need them. The story of Olivia and Carter will have you feeling all of the feels. Elsie will play with your heartstrings like a guitar with this one. So so good.

Book number three and they just keep getting better and better. My heart went through a rollercoaster. Olivia is such a strong FMC who deserves the world and I am so happy that Carter could give her that. Carter goes from a super grumpy architect to a loving and caring marshmallow. We love some good character development!! 👏🏻 👏🏻 👏🏻 (all across the board too. Multiple characters with good development). Honorable mention for Pete because he needs it for being such a good pup.

Lastly, fifty shades of gourd… I’m here for it.

Highly recommend reading Pain’s Liberation as well as the other two books in the series.


Read if you like:
☀️ grumpy x sunshine
💜 brother’s friend
☀️ workplace romance

Note: check those TW just to be safe!

[Sadie De Winter · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Pain's Liberation" by Elsie Kay is a delightful romance with a grumpy sunshine trope, one I can hardly ever resist. Carter, a brooding, seemingly heartless (and oh so bossy) character, clashes with the radiant and optimistic Olivia. That they are meant for each other is obvious - for us, not for them, so that the reader can enjoy their opposites attract - dynamics in dual POV all the better.
What I loved most - aside from their dynamics and the heartwarming side characters - is author's skill to balance the theme of pain and miscarriage with the romantic part. These darker themes never outshadowed the story's deeply romantic, emotional core, but emphasized it. I, personally, could have done with a bit less protectiveness from Olivia's brother and Carter, but that never diminished the joy of reading this lovely story.

[Christina, thereadingdingo · Rating 5 out of 5]

An authentic story about love, loss, and starting over.

Olivia Friedman has had a challenging last few years. From the outside everything looks perfect, but from the inside things are starting to fall apart. As a last-ditch effort to get her life back on track, her brother helps her get a job at his firm with a grumpy boss that she can’t keep her eyes off.

Carter Cassidy has a reputation around the office for being difficult. In the last year, he’s had four different assistants. When his colleague, Wick, asks him for a favor, he takes a leap offering Olivia a job. What he doesn’t expect is for her to be a rock star and handle his gruff attitude like an expert. What started as a favor soon turned into so much more.

I loved the relationship between Olivia and Carter. They’re complete opposites, yet they bring out the best in each other. Olivia knows how to handle Carter and helps to bring out his friendly and personable side. Carter secretly knows how to be caring and thoughtful and helps Olivia seek out some much-needed medical help. They have some incredibly cute moments that I did not expect!

It was exciting to see glimpses of Callie and Emmett from book one, Fate’s Ambition, along with Meghan, Wick, and Marco from book two, Time’s Surrender. The characters across this trilogy may have had wildly varying stories, but all complement one another in the best way possible.

The author, Elsie Kay, has such a special way with words that keep you coming back for more. She writes hilarious banter that is completely unexpected in the best way possible. A highly recommended read that can be read as a standalone, although you’ll want to read the whole trilogy!

[shays reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Get ready to dive into a whirlwind of emotion, depth, joy, and resilience with this captivating book! Elsie masterfully crafts the most vivid and entertaining romances, spicing things up with a touch of smut.
Imagine a sunny personality clashing with a grumpy one, each carrying their own traumas, yet finding a way to heal together. The dynamic between these characters will have you laughing out loud and gasping in surprise.
The unpredictability and misunderstood nature of the characters make them incredibly relatable, drawing you deeper into their world with every twist and turn. This is a story that will keep you on the edge of your seat, connecting with the characters in ways you never expected.

[Tracy Barker]

Elsie very kindly sent me an ARC of this book and I devoured it within a few hours.

I absolutely loved this book! Olivia and Carter had such undeniabe chemistry, making them the perfect match. Their dynamic captured the essence of a delightful grumpy-sunshine romance, and I was hooked from start to finish. I especially appreciated how much Carter genuinely cared for Olivia, with his sweet compliments and little things he did for her that added a tender charm to their relationship. The story was cute and funny but also had some great spice too.

I highly recommend diving into this book and the entire series if you haven’t already. It’s a must-read ‼️

[barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick, fun read - great for traveling or a vacay read. It was a typical boss/employee trope, which I love!

Pacing was great, and the story line flowed well. This is book 3 of a series, but it's definitely not needed to read the first two before reading this one - this was the first of Elsie Kay's books that I've read. Though past characters do make an appearance, it doesn't deter from the story if you haven't ready them.

TW - mentions of miscarriage, infidelity, divorce, chronic pain
Spicy - 3/5

**Thank you Elsie Kay for sending this book for review. All opinions are my own.**

[Mitzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up.

Thank you to the author for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is a very cutesy, boss/employee, grumpy/sunshine, love after loss, quick read. The writing is immaculate, I flew through the whole book despite not being 100% into the plot. Which I feel says something about the author’s talent for writing.

The story was a little too insta-lovey and not enough meaningful conflict throughout for my taste, but that’s just personal preference. I could see this being a great book for those looking for this style of feel-good storytelling.

[Rachel Amata · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much Elsie for the ARC!
Olivia and Carter are such a lovely couple and I did not expect to tear up as much as I did reading it.
Super sweet and easy read for the end of summer, and even has some fall vibes to start off the cozy season.
Definitely not necessary to read the others prior, but I think it would have helped build the side characters better in my mind. I need to go read them all now!
Definitely look at trigger warnings prior.

[Angela Mazza · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must read! The romance between Olivia and Carter had me hooked from the very start, leaving me eager for more with every page. The anticipation of their love story was so captivating that I couldn’t put the book down! This was the third book in the series, and while you don’t have to read the first two, I highly suggest that you do. It adds even more depth to an already amazing story!

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Carter and Olivia’s storyline is just the cutest! I read the last 155 pages in 1 day because I got so sucked in and couldn’t put it down!

This is book 3 in the series, and while you don’t have to read the first 2 books before reading this one, it definitely adds some depth when you get the backstories of the friends and family of the FMC and MMC.

[Caitlyn Ujvari · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly, really cheesy. It was a really cute storyline but imo it could’ve been so much longer with some more development throughout the story. There were several plot points that were skated over that could’ve gone into more details. Also, time skips a lot which I don’t personally love. It’s a very heartfelt story, I just wish it had more to it.

[B.L. Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a joy to read! Primarily because it was my first polyamory love story. I have read some why choose books before, but none that included a main character coming out and coming to terms with their sexuality. I thought it was nicely done. The spice was also spicing in this book. If you're looking for two sexy men, taking care of one lady, this is the one.

[Jocelyn Masson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I instantly fell in love with these characters. My heart broke for Olivia for everything that she went through and where all of that left her. I'm glad that this story had awareness of throuples and other dynamics. Trigger warning: cheating, pregnancy loss, miscarriages.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a good pairing and excellent addition to the series