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Blurred Boundaries
A no-strings fling was all it was supposed to be… until the morning after changed everything.
Emily Johnson never expected the man who left her breathless to already be part of her world. They’ve worked at the same company for years but never crossed paths—until now. Focused, driven, and fiercely independent, she’s built her career on keeping things strictly professional.
Dating a colleague? Absolutely not.
But walking away from Aaron Hale isn’t as easy as it should be. Their connection runs deeper than she anticipated, and avoiding him at work proves impossible.
As tension builds and the line between personal and professional begins to blur, Emily is forced to choose—risk her career for a chance at something real or keep her heart safely guarded behind office walls.
Because once boundaries are crossed, there’s no going back.
Content This book contains explicit sexual content, strong language, workplace romance dynamics, jealousy, emotional conflict, casual encounters, alcohol use, and mature themes. Recommended for adult readers.
Emily Johnson never expected the man who left her breathless to already be part of her world. They’ve worked at the same company for years but never crossed paths—until now. Focused, driven, and fiercely independent, she’s built her career on keeping things strictly professional.
Dating a colleague? Absolutely not.
But walking away from Aaron Hale isn’t as easy as it should be. Their connection runs deeper than she anticipated, and avoiding him at work proves impossible.
As tension builds and the line between personal and professional begins to blur, Emily is forced to choose—risk her career for a chance at something real or keep her heart safely guarded behind office walls.
Because once boundaries are crossed, there’s no going back.
Content This book contains explicit sexual content, strong language, workplace romance dynamics, jealousy, emotional conflict, casual encounters, alcohol use, and mature themes. Recommended for adult readers.
233 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 18, 2025
3 people want to read
About the author
E.M. Merrill
15 books9 followersEM Merrill is a versatile author whose passion for storytelling shines across the romance genre. From steamy to spicy, she weaves diverse narratives that captivate readers with their emotional depth and engaging plots. Her love for crafting heartfelt stories ensures every book resonates with readers looking for swoon-worthy romance, unforgettable characters, and stories that sizzle with chemistry.
Content Warning:
EM Merrill's books are steamy, spicy, and intended for mature readers 18+. They may include themes, situations, and content that some readers could find triggering or intense.
Please check the content warnings provided in each book before reading to ensure the story aligns with your preferences.
EM Merrill values her readers and welcomes open communication! If you have questions or concerns about any of her stories, feel free to contact her directly—she's always happy to connect with her readers.
Content Warning:
EM Merrill's books are steamy, spicy, and intended for mature readers 18+. They may include themes, situations, and content that some readers could find triggering or intense.
Please check the content warnings provided in each book before reading to ensure the story aligns with your preferences.
EM Merrill values her readers and welcomes open communication! If you have questions or concerns about any of her stories, feel free to contact her directly—she's always happy to connect with her readers.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 11, 2025
Blurred Boundaries is Book 1 of the Mixology of Love series.This is the expanded version of Tequila and Temptation which is Book 1 in the The CockTales series. This is a It's a steamy, instalove, OTT, reverse age gap, office romance. Emily is an organized businesswoman who has a solid group of friends. She meets the younger, hunky, carefree Aaron on a dating app, and they have a great date finding they have a lot in common. They then literally run into each other at their office, not realizing they worked in the same place. This leads to all kinds of hot and steamy office frisk. I loved this expanded version that dealt with an office relationship in a thoughtful manner. The chemistry was hot, the banter was funny, and the ending was happy.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 17, 2025
ARC Review | 4 stars
“A no-strings fling that turns into so much more... and complicates everything.”
Emily Johnson is all about keeping things professional. Focused, ambitious, and fiercely independent, she does not date coworkers. But when a chance encounter turns into an unforgettable night—and that same man turns out to work in her building? Yeah… things get messy.
This is an office romance with emotional depth, mature characters, and that slow-burn tension I live for. Emily and Aaron’s chemistry is electric, but it’s the emotional stakes and internal conflicts that really pulled me in.
I loved how E.M. Merril explores boundaries (obviously!)—between career and love, safety and vulnerability, control and letting go. If you're into workplace romances with a touch of angst, a whole lot of heart, and characters trying their best not to fall (and failing, beautifully), this one's for you.
Thank you to the author for the ARC!
“A no-strings fling that turns into so much more... and complicates everything.”
Emily Johnson is all about keeping things professional. Focused, ambitious, and fiercely independent, she does not date coworkers. But when a chance encounter turns into an unforgettable night—and that same man turns out to work in her building? Yeah… things get messy.
This is an office romance with emotional depth, mature characters, and that slow-burn tension I live for. Emily and Aaron’s chemistry is electric, but it’s the emotional stakes and internal conflicts that really pulled me in.
I loved how E.M. Merril explores boundaries (obviously!)—between career and love, safety and vulnerability, control and letting go. If you're into workplace romances with a touch of angst, a whole lot of heart, and characters trying their best not to fall (and failing, beautifully), this one's for you.
Thank you to the author for the ARC!
April 18, 2025
It was a quick and easy read. The banter between the couple was super good. It was a super cute work romance where they seemed to fall in love at first sight.
April 14, 2025
I normally read dark romance, but the drama in this book was delicious. This book is filled with spice and drama, making it an entertaining read. This was an amazing pallette cleanser for me. This was office romance meets soap opera, in my opinion. I recommend this for any adult who loves spice, drama, and the office setting without billionaires.
April 24, 2025
Enjoyable office romance with lots of banter and spice.
This was a nice, no-stress read. It was refreshing to find an office-related romance that didn't involve billionaires, secret lost heirs, etc. The focus was on the relationships between the people, and the boundaries you cross (or don't) at work. And the lead-in to the main plot was very well-done - not immediately obvious, very natural and potentially realistic.
There were a few more spicy scenes than I personally look for, but for someone who likes spice (or is willing to skim past it) this could be a perfect fit. The spice isn't entirely necessary for the plot, although it is definitely relevant and does enhance the story.
Overall, a good read, I'll look for future books in this series.
ARC Review
This was a nice, no-stress read. It was refreshing to find an office-related romance that didn't involve billionaires, secret lost heirs, etc. The focus was on the relationships between the people, and the boundaries you cross (or don't) at work. And the lead-in to the main plot was very well-done - not immediately obvious, very natural and potentially realistic.
There were a few more spicy scenes than I personally look for, but for someone who likes spice (or is willing to skim past it) this could be a perfect fit. The spice isn't entirely necessary for the plot, although it is definitely relevant and does enhance the story.
Overall, a good read, I'll look for future books in this series.
ARC Review
May 5, 2025
This book is the start of a series. I love the premise-which is ten friends who get together and recap their week each Tuesday night. Each book will tell one girl’s tale of romance. This one is an office romance with a lot of drama and truly it just wasn’t the right vibe for me. People will love this series and I would encourage you to check it out, but I just couldn’t find it in myself to love it.
3 💜‘s.
3 💜‘s.
April 21, 2025
This was such a sweet and heartwarming workplace romance! I really enjoyed Blurred Boundaries, especially the dynamic between Emily and Aaron. Emily is the definition of professionalism—focused, independent, and totally put-together, but also quietly lonely. I loved how grounded and relatable she felt.
Then there’s Aaron—funny, charming, and with chemistry that absolutely crackles off the page when he and Emily are together. Their connection is instant, but the twist? They work at the same company. That’s when things get complicated in the best way.
What I really appreciated was how real both characters felt. Their struggles, their choices, and the tension between their personal feelings and professional lives were written in such a believable and mature way. E.M. Merrill does a beautiful job showing that sometimes love and career don’t align perfectly, and navigating that isn’t always easy.
This is the kind of romance that’s grounded, sweet, and just the right amount of spicy. I’ll definitely be reading more from E.M. Merrill. Huge thanks for the ARC!
Then there’s Aaron—funny, charming, and with chemistry that absolutely crackles off the page when he and Emily are together. Their connection is instant, but the twist? They work at the same company. That’s when things get complicated in the best way.
What I really appreciated was how real both characters felt. Their struggles, their choices, and the tension between their personal feelings and professional lives were written in such a believable and mature way. E.M. Merrill does a beautiful job showing that sometimes love and career don’t align perfectly, and navigating that isn’t always easy.
This is the kind of romance that’s grounded, sweet, and just the right amount of spicy. I’ll definitely be reading more from E.M. Merrill. Huge thanks for the ARC!
April 26, 2025
This is book 1 in Merrill's The Mixology of Love and delivers a full length read of a previously teaser / novella intro. The dynamic between our main characters Emily and Aaron is wonderful and I loved the office romance aspect that was written so well. Sweet and heartwarming but also with the drama and spice to balance this romance well. A great read and looking forward to more full length reads from the novella series.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 28, 2025
One night stand, turned office romance filled with lots of spice and work place drama. FMC Emily - a focused professional with a great group of girlfriends, but missing someone special in her life. She meets Aaron and after a no strings night, finds out they have been working in the same office space. This book had some great banter, open door spice and a few twists and turns you might not expect!
April 30, 2025
Well! This certainly takes office romance writing to another level!
A stunning, intricately woven story that captures the tension of a jealous colleague, the painful damage of doubt, the sweet healing powers of truth.
This story is expanded from the Cocktail Series, a series of shorts that provide a snippet of the good stuff to come. But, I can assure you, while they offer some easy entertainment, if Em and Aaron's story are anything to go by, they are a far cry from the richness and tone of the writing here.
Merrill has got the office dynamics off pat - powerful and perfect. There's a silent power to her writing, a lyrical sensuousness that draws you in, consumes you with the intimacy of detail.
You will love it!!!.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
A stunning, intricately woven story that captures the tension of a jealous colleague, the painful damage of doubt, the sweet healing powers of truth.
This story is expanded from the Cocktail Series, a series of shorts that provide a snippet of the good stuff to come. But, I can assure you, while they offer some easy entertainment, if Em and Aaron's story are anything to go by, they are a far cry from the richness and tone of the writing here.
Merrill has got the office dynamics off pat - powerful and perfect. There's a silent power to her writing, a lyrical sensuousness that draws you in, consumes you with the intimacy of detail.
You will love it!!!.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 2, 2025
Emily and Aaron have the first longer story in this series. She didn't expect to find love with someone from inside her workplace, but Aaron fits the bill perfectly. There may be complications in the office, but love finds a way in this steamy and loving read.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 1, 2025
I Love the vibe and chemistry of the characters. I initial though is like a cocktail meeting vibe because of the title but I was wrong but it so good.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews