Risky Business

by Annabelle Slator

In this whip-smart romance, a woman desperate to keep her start-up afloat is forced to pose as her brother’s assistant during a tech competition, hoping a male-led company will be taken more seriously, only to find her secret identity compromised when she has a hot one-night stand with the head of the competition’s assistant.

When tech founder Jess Cole is struggling to gain funding for her company, she begins to wonder if it’s because she’s a woman in the male-dominated tech industry—especially due to a former incident and subsequent NDA that’s been following her for years. In an act of financial desperation, she applies to a competition for start-ups using her twin brother Spencer’s name, pretending to be a man. To her surprise, it works! As though she’s discovered the ultimate industry cheat code, Jess and Spencer are invited into the exclusive world of Tech Rumble, an annual innovation competition hosted on the world’s stage by tech darling Dominic Odericco.

Spencer, an out-of-work actor, must pretend to be the CEO, and Jess must become his loyal “assistant,” Violet. Spencer is thrust into the limelight; charming Dominic and the competition judges but making promises Jess can’t keep—or afford.

“Violet” is introduced to the handsome Oliver, a fellow assistant who shows her how to let her hair down and enjoy life outside the pressures of her job. But she soon discovers falling for Oliver is riskier than any mistake Spencer has made.

During wild nights with Oliver in Rome, secret rendezvous in Paris, and luxurious parties in Vienna, Jess must navigate the competition and try to stay on top of her lies, especially when someone from her past comes sniffing around, putting her ruse at risk.

A nod to the early 2000s Shakespeare adaptations, this twist on The Twelfth Night is a fast-paced steamy ride from start to finish!

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Adult Fiction, Adult

384 pages, Paperback

Expected publication February 3, 2026

About the author

Follow Annabelle on Instagram and Tiktok: @annabelleslator

Annabelle Slator grew up writing stories in the depths of the British countryside. After achieving a degree in creative writing Annabelle spent most of her late teens and early twenties writing social media and blog posts for start-ups and tech companies in London. Nowadays, if she isn't spending time writing, you can almost always find her obsessing over niche internet drama, practising her fencing parry or mooching around vintage fairs and flea markets with her husband and two mini dachshunds, Gruffalo and Gryffin. The Launch Date is Annabelle's first book, inspired by her time working in the wild world of dating apps.

Reviews

[Alexander McHale · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me feel things I didn’t know I could feel. Specifically the feeling of a gun resting against the back of my head as the author, aka my wife, encourages me to write this five star review. Please go read it. Please.

[Shannai · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐️

Thank you to Penguin, Random House UK, Transworld Publishers and NetGalley for the review copy of Risky Business, in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

This was such a fun read; it’s always refreshing when you read about a female CEO, and in this story that follows Jess Cole, it highlights some real important realities that women in male dominated industries face. I’m so here for all the Women in STEM books that are releasing in 2026! 🤩💜

I thought Jess was absolutely insane, but so admirable for going to the extreme lengths that she had went to by roping her twin brother into pretending to be the CEO for a company because he was a man, but does highlight the reality that if you are a man, you are likely to be taken more seriously. Equally, I found it interesting with every chapter highlighted the financial struggles that Jess faced. I could understand, however that might be some might be uncomfortable to see, but I think it offered an insight, if you will, of the financial reality that she was facing as a small start-up business founder, trying to find investors that would take her seriously.

This was a slow start initially, and at times there was a lot going on; Jess was balancing pretending to be the assistant to the CEO whilst a romance was brewing between Oliver, who was also an assistant to the founding CEO of the company that was offering the prize money investment that Jess had applied for. When the romance did pick up between Jess (pretending to be Violet) and Oliver, it was a lot of fun. I really liked Oliver. He was confident, but not in an overbearing, arrogant way. Jess, who had been a victim of workplace sexual harassment had her hesitations when it came to trusting men, which again was another important reality women have unfortunately experienced, especially within male dominated industries. At times, I would’ve liked to have seen a little more explored on their budding romance, but that’s just my personal preference.

I did find it strange, and at times genuinely baffling, what the issue was with Jess’s parents, who had clearly favoured her twin brother, Spencer. At first, I assumed it was simply that they didn’t take her start-up business seriously and not view it as a real job. However, a later scene in the book revealed something far more distressing. In a conversation with her parents, it became clear that they, particularly her father, had minimised her experience of sexual harassment, dismissing it as a cry for attention. They even implied that it was her fault, blaming her for what happened and for allegedly ruining a man’s career.

I did find that somewhat unsettling to read. As a woman myself, I fortunately have not had to fight to be taken seriously in circumstances like what Jess was a victim of, but I know how difficult it can be to be taken seriously in lesser situations, and to not be believed by colleagues or even the authorities. For that disbelief to also come from her own parents; the very people who should offer love and protection, was devastating, and it truly broke my heart.

Credit given to Annabelle for approaching such difficult and almost taboo due to not being talked about enough, matters in Jess’s story, as it was an important one to tell.

Additionally, I was really intrigued also by the side characters Spencer and Dominic, who respectively was Jessie’s twin and the latter being Oliver’s cousin, and their romance that had blossomed. I actually would’ve liked to have seen more of, because Dominic was perceived and came across as this stoic, grumpy tech billionaire, and Spencer was this carefree, energetic actor, looking also for his next acting gig.

All in all, Risky Business balances British humour which I loved, romance, and serious themes in a way I found both engaging and thought-provoking. While I did wish some relationships and themes had been explored a little more, it didn’t detract from how enjoyable and meaningful the story was overall. Annabelle Slator delivers a sharp, relevant narrative about ambition, gender bias, and resilience.

Tropes

Women in STEM
Forbidden romance
Sibling rivalry
One night stand
Shakespeare retelling (Twelfth Night)

[Hannah Brohm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a big fan of Twelfth Night and its retellings, most of all She's The Man. But I'm happy to report there's a new favourite in town! Risky Business is a STEM romance after my own heart: Whip-smart, sexy and full of tension stemming from the main character making up a fake identity at a high-stakes tech start up competition.

[FER · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to keyboard smash my love for this book. RISKY BUSINESS delivers the romance goodies–a failed one-night stand that evolves into a slow emotional burn, but make it a conflict of interest during a business competition, with a side of mistaken identity. It's comedy and tension and ooey-gooey chemistry.


Jess is the founder and CEO of a FemTech startup looking to revolutionize women's access to community, care, and support. But she's broke and the business is hemorrhaging cash, so she enters an investment competition hoping to earn, if not a winning prize, some publicity. A little oops on her application snowballs into a Twelfth Night-esque intrigue that has Jess playing the part of assistant rather than the CEO of her own company.


I love that so much of the story is about being "seen". Jess had to quit past work and disappear from social media after an ex violated her privacy. She's the "spare" child to her parents. And now she essentially erases herself to become "Violet the assistant" while her brother plays the part of CEO. The scheme is working as the business advances in the competition, but Jess isn't getting the recognition she deserves.


Oliver notices Jess though, okay Violet the assistant really, and by notices I mean collides into her during an elevator traffic jam spilling his charisma, charm, and coffee all down her only coat. He sees her across every bar and ballroom and countryside café. They always happen to gravitate towards each other, slowly developing trust alongside their attraction. But I'm shaking the pages needing Jess to tell the truth of who she is even knowing it'll tank her progress in the competition.


My brain was also shaking trying to figure out how everything would resolve into the classic romance HEA. Ethics of course are questioned the longer Jess plays her assistant persona. Villains crawl out from the gutter (no, really you will absolutely them) to stir up trouble. Financial deadlines looming on the horizon. I appreciated that the drama kept knocking on the fantasy of escaping reality. Jess had demons to face as herself and couldn't keep up the scheme forever.


Also, Oliver. This man. He yearns from a respectful distance then begs when the opportunity arises. I love that he sees an authentic version of Jess even under her Violet persona. He's got eyes only for Her and that's a heady powerful thing. So swoony.


I highly recommend RISKY BUSINESS for readers who ever wanted to respond very candidly to an under qualified manager. For readers who have been made to feel undeserving of the space they take up. For readers who might be hesitant to take a chance on themselves. Jess' journey represents how we deserve to be seen and heard and valued and loved. I am dreaming of what Jess is doing next. Four more epilogues please.


Thank you Avon Books for the advance copy to read and review.

[Samantha Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the early copy of this book.

This book is such a beautiful, interesting way of showcasing just how difficult it can be for women both inside and outside of the work environment. Such an unexpected, thoughtful look into male privilege and how even the smartest, most successful women can be overlooked for not being male. If you like books about women’s struggles, strengths, and overall eventual successes, this is for you.

[Aamira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

I love the movie She’s the Man, and I when I saw that this was inspired by the film, I knew I had to nab it. (I especially loved the nod to the film).

We follow Jess, an entrepreneur who has come up with a new app that gives women, girls, and those who identify as women access to health and mental health resources. All she needs to get the business off the ground is an investor or two, but she runs into many road blocks. Unfortunately, the tech industry is dominated by men, and it’s still very much a boy’s club. When she accidentally applies to a tech investment competition as a man and gets accepted, she asks her twin brother to step in as the fake CEO of the company. On a whirlwind tour as they make it through each town, she didn’t expect to develop an attraction to the CEO’s assistant. Jess is juggling so many lies, what will happen when the balls drop?

Ms. Slator does an excellent job of capturing the world women must navigate in business. The hurdles that Jess faces are all too real. Obviously, you’re rooting for her to succeed and shove her success into the faces of family and investors who don’t believe in her. As the reader, you get a front row seat as to the frustration and pain Jess feels. You can’t help to feel it yourself and to look on your own experiences in a patriarchal world. She’s a great character, who despite the obstacles she faces is full of grit and determination. She’s quite admirable. I adored her and was with her the whole way.

The romance between Jess and Oliver is fun and flirty. I really enjoyed their banter and the moments where their vulnerabilities shone through. Oliver has dreams of his own that don’t include being his cousin’s assistant. I was curious to see his character arc as he realizes his goal of becoming a chef. He’s kind and thoughtful, and I loved how he stepped up for Jess. His playfulness was a nice contrast to her seriousness. I like how they bonded as assistants, and would’ve loved to see them navigate the world of an assistant a little bit more.

I’m not going to lie, the closer Jess got to winning the competition, the more nervous I felt for her. I felt as if I was cranking a jack in the box, waiting for the doll to spring out at any moment. The anticipation was anxiety inducing for sure, but that’s just a testament to Ms. Slator’s writing. As a reader, I could seamlessly picture myself in Jess’s position and feel the weight of her circumstances on my shoulders. This is what good writing is meant to do; make you feel something. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and was happy that Jess got the ending she deserved.

[Silvia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Early copy @ NetGalley

What do you get when a brilliant woman, a "broken" startup and tech-bro sexism collide? Apparently: chaos, fake identities, a hot assistant and a tour through central Europe.

Risky Business follows Jess Cole, the founder of a FemTech startup who is smart, driven and extremely tired of not being taken seriously. When she accidentally applies to a prestigious startup competition as “Mr. Cole” and gets accepted (shocking, I know 🙃), she does what any reasonable person would do: ropes in her twin brother to pretend to be the CEO while she hides in plain sight as his assistant.

The book is funny, yet painfully accurate in how it portrays the nonsense women deal with in male-dominated industries. Jess is constantly overlooked, talked over and underestimated, unless, of course, people think she’s a man. Annabelle handles these moments with humor, but the commentary still hits hard.

And yes, there is romance because annabelle wouldn't let us down. Enter Oliver, a charming assistant who is observant, kind and somehow manages to see Jess for who she actually is, even when she’s pretending to be someone else. Their chemistry is flirty, awkward and adorable, with plenty of tension thanks to Jess’s rapidly spiraling web of lies.

Fake identity + workplace proximity + mutual attraction = chef’s kiss.

What really makes Risky Business shine is its balance. It’s laugh-out-loud funny, but it also has heart. Jess isn’t just trying to win a competition, she’s trying to prove (to investors, to the industry, and to herself) that she belongs in the room. Bonus points for a supportive sibling dynamic and a cast of side characters who add to the fun rather than dragging things down.

If you like:

smart rom-coms
fake identities
women winning despite the system being stacked against them
and stories that feel like *She’s the Man* grew up and joined a startup

…this one is for you.

Final verdict: clever, charming, and rage-inducing in the best way. Read it for the romance, stay for the feminist mic drops. 💼💘📈

[Rachael | Helpless Whilst Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5

ARC: Thank you Penguin and Netgalley

I went into this book at what I thought was going to be a bad time - I felt in a romance slump, but turns out - I think I’d just been reading romances which were not hitting the spot for me. Risky Business turned everything around and I ended up reading it 3 stints over a weekend - never wanting to put it down between!

The Launch Date was Annabelle’s debut last year and was so excited to get my hands on the ARC of her second novel. Risky Business is based on a retelling of Twelfth Night - this had the air of Rom-Coms from the 2000s, and I could picture this as a fun film throughout as reading.

Tech founder Jess Cole executes a desperate gamble to secure funding by entering a high-stakes competition under her twin brother’s name for her business Wyst - an app focused on providing women access to mental health and therapy resources. While Jess poses as a humble assistant to bypass industry bias, her plan begins unravelling across a series of glamorous European cities. The stakes escalate when Jess falls for the charming Oliver, only to realise their connection threatens to expose her secret and destroy her company’s future.

I loved Jess and Oliver and was deeply invested in them as characters. The humour in this had me chuckling, particularly from Jess’ sharp humour - and I l found it smart that each chapter started with a bank balance update which anchored the story without having to over-explain.

I loved The Launch Date, but Risky Business was even better and I’m (not so) patiently waiting for Book 3 already. I’m looking forward to adding the physical to my shelf when I can hopefully pick it up at a lincs launch event!

[Maureen]

DNF 45%

C’est malheureusement un dnf pour moi …

C’est un bon livre, la plume sympa et l’ambiance hein retranscrite MAIS c’est trop angoissant pour moi. Ce n’est pas du tout l’ambiance que je recherche alors je vais arrêter les frais.

Les soucis financiers de Wyst et la compétition pour gagner le financement me stressent trop, je voulais une romance avec de l’humour et de la tendresse, pas prendre peur dès que je dois continuer ma lecture :(

Mais si vous êtes prêts à lire un roman qui est plus qu’une simple romance, avec des enjeux liés au travail alors vous apprécierez sûrement cette histoire !

Merci à NetGalley et Random House pour ce sp numérique 🫶🏻

[Kyra · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐

LIKED:
- This is my second Annabelle Slator book this year and I really do just love her writing. While this one wasn’t as strong as ‘The Launch Date’ for me, it was still fun to read and I had a fun time. I think Annabelle Slator also just really has a strength for writing workplace romances, which can be really tricky. I do think that my love of her writing may have colored my feelings on this book a bit, but maybe not.
- Dude Jess’ life sucks, man. It’s interesting because it’s not exactly rock bottom, but we’re seeing her like a few steps up from bottom, which is nice. I wish we got a little bit more resolution to her relationship with her parents, but also, that’s life sometimes.
- I felt that fear whenever she sees Malcolm. I’ve been in very similar positions and it’s…it’s terrifying. And there’s just a lot of truth to the double standards of how women and men are affected by the perception of reputation. Big oof.
- I think that one thing that many ‘Twelfth Night’ retellings can miss is the twin/sibling relationship between the respective Viola/Sebastian characters. And this book got that, thankfully. I also like that Slator decided it’d be fun to twist the og pairings and have Viola end up with the Olivia as opposed to Orsino. It’s my canon so. I just feel some way about it.
- For the most part, I do really like this cover. I like the colors and I like the composition. But the character faces are where it loses me. Why does Oliver’s expression look like that. He looks like he just spit in a customer’s food.
- I’m not going to say this title is the most unique on the planet, but it’s literally about Jess risking her business. So. At least it has that layer.

LAMENTED:
- The lying is…hard to get past. Yes, it’s based on ‘Twelfth Night’ and there’s some trickery and deception there, but the actual hidden identity in this one is a bit less forgivable than the more farcical nature of the source material.
- Spencer is so obnoxious, like, 90% of the time. The only aspects to his character that save it are his love for Jess and his relationship to Dom.
- Uh, I also just think…that Dom and Spencer were the cuter relationship of the two. Maybe it’s that more “opposites attract” facet to their chemistry, but I think there’s also just a layer to Oliver and Jess’ that feels like it’s missing. Oliver just kind of immediately likes Jess and then he’s kind of just fine when he finds out she lied.
- And why don’t they meet until like 20% in? The preamble of this book is way too long.
- Okay. Maybe I’m wrong. But Wyst’s business model is not interesting enough to get as far in the competition as it does. I feel like this product even exists. Or if it doesn’t…I just needed it to be more impactful, I thik.

LONGED FOR:
- More understanding as to why Oliver is so drawn to Jess romantically.
- Wyst’s status in the competition to feel more earned.
- The to MCs to meet WAY earlier.


(How Long) Do I Think They’ll Stay Together? : You know…I don’t think they’ll stay together that long. I think they’ll have a nice, multi-year relationship, learn that they want different things out of life, then part amicably. Which is obviously sad.

Will I read the next one? : Yes. I do love Annabelle Slator’s writing.

*Thank you to Avon and Harper & NetGalley for providing this ARC!


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[Jessica Brainard · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the cutthroat world of tech startups, where algorithms dictate destinies and office politics are as tangled as charging cables, Annabelle Slator's Risky Business delivers a deliciously tense tale of mistaken identities, forbidden sparks, and the high-stakes gamble of following your heart. As the follow-up to her acclaimed debut The Launch Date, this sophomore novel ups the ante with a darker, spicier edge, proving Slator is fast becoming a must-read for fans of witty banter and heart-fluttering tension. At the center of the whirlwind is Jess, a sharp-witted marketing whiz who's just landed a dream gig at a glamorous tech firm specializing in adventure-travel apps. But when a case of mistaken identity catapults her into an undercover role as her company's elusive CEO—complete with tailored suits, boardroom bravado, and a web of lies that grows stickier by the hour—Jess finds herself navigating a minefield of corporate intrigue and unexpected romance. Enter the brooding, brilliant colleague who catches her in her ruse, leading to clandestine hookups in Rome, stolen moments in Paris, and a high-society showdown in Vienna that threatens to unravel everything. Loosely inspired by Shakespeare's Twelfth Night, the plot twists like a corkscrew, blending farce with genuine emotional depth as Jess grapples with self-forgiveness, imposter syndrome, and the terror of vulnerability in a male-dominated industry .Slator's prose is her superpower: whip-smart, laced with pop-culture zingers, and unapologetically British in its dry wit. She doesn't shy away from the gritty realities of women in tech—think microaggressions disguised as "team-building exercises" or the exhaustion of code-switching just to be heard—but she balances it all with effervescent humor that had me snorting prosecco mid-sip. The romance simmers from the jump, with an early sex scene that serves as a plot catalyst rather than mere spice, propelling the story into riskier, more intimate territory. It's steamier than The Launch Date, yet Slator keeps the heat purposeful, letting emotional stakes fuel the physical ones. Themes of trusting your gut and letting go of past baggage resonate without preaching, making Jess's arc feel like a pep talk for anyone who's ever faked it till they made it.That said, the pacing occasionally stumbles in the midsection, where the globe-trotting escapades pile up a tad too breathlessly, risking a sense of overload amid the lies-upon-lies structure. And while the Shakespearean nods add clever layers, they might fly over the heads of readers not in the mood for literary Easter eggs. Still, these are minor quibbles in a book that's otherwise a page-turner—sexy, heart-stopping, and packed with characters you'll root for from the first awkward elevator encounter. If The Hating Game by Sally Thorne left you craving more office-fueled enemies-to-lovers (with a forbidden twist), or if Ali Hazelwood's STEM romps have you hooked on smart heroines outwitting the system, Risky Business is your next binge. Slator cements her status as a romance maestro here, blending real-world savvy with escapist fantasy in a way that lingers like a perfectly timed flirt. Grab it for your TBR—it's a venture worth every risky penny.

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

📚Risky Business
✍🏻Annabelle Slator
Blurb:
In this whip-smart romance, a woman desperate to keep her start-up afloat is forced to pose as her brother’s assistant during a tech competition, hoping a male-led company will be taken more seriously, only to find her secret identity compromised when she has a hot one-night stand with the head of the competition’s assistant.

When tech founder Jess Cole is struggling to gain funding for her company, she begins to wonder if it’s because she’s a woman in the male-dominated tech industry—especially due to a former incident and subsequent NDA that’s been following her for years. In an act of financial desperation, she applies to a competition for start-ups using her twin brother Spencer’s name, pretending to be a man. To her surprise, it works! As though she’s discovered the ultimate industry cheat code, Jess and Spencer are invited into the exclusive world of Tech Rumble, an annual innovation competition hosted on the world’s stage by tech darling Dominic Odericco.

Spencer, an out-of-work actor, must pretend to be the CEO, and Jess must become his loyal “assistant,” Violet. Spencer is thrust into the limelight; charming Dominic and the competition judges but making promises Jess can’t keep—or afford.

“Violet” is introduced to the handsome Oliver, a fellow assistant who shows her how to let her hair down and enjoy life outside the pressures of her job. But she soon discovers falling for Oliver is riskier than any mistake Spencer has made.

During wild nights with Oliver in Rome, secret rendezvous in Paris, and luxurious parties in Vienna, Jess must navigate the competition and try to stay on top of her lies, especially when someone from her past comes sniffing around, putting her ruse at risk.

A nod to the early 2000s Shakespeare adaptations, this twist on The Twelfth Night is a fast-paced steamy ride from start to finish!
My Thoughts:
Jess is a woman in a male-dominated field. When Jess enters a competition using her brother, Spencer, as the CEO, she gets accepted. Struggling to keep her business going, she needs to win the competition. Spencer is also an actor so plays the role of CEO well and Jess attends as his assistant, Violet. The competition is led by Dominic, another name in the tech industry. When Jess finds herself drawn to Oliver, who she meets while at the competition, she later learns that Oliver is Dominic’s assistant. Jess has to navigate the competition and her growing feelings for Oliver. Jess is an awesome MC. Oliver is adorable and I love his feelings for Jess. I also loved the attraction these two had from the beginning. Spencer is also a highlight of this book and I enjoyed how everything concluded.
Thanks NetGalley, Avon Publishing and Author Annabelle Slater for the advanced copy of "Risky Business " I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#AvonPublishing
#RiskyBusiness
#AnnabelleSlater
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Author Mike Froom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Risky Business was a lot of fun to read and I plan on rereading it in the near future. The FMC and the MMC were relatable maybe not as a billionaire's assistant or the owner/founder/CEO of a Femtech company but as people trying to navigate a world that gives certain people a leg up just because of connection or simply because of what's between your legs.
It's because of the aforementioned skew that makes it difficult for certain demographics push forward in the world of business and tech and innovation as a whole. the FMC, Jess, has to hide her identity and put her brother a man at the forefront of her hard work to make sure that her company would get a fair shake.
this book calls to attention the horrible situations that women are put into and have to navigate so that they don't seem like they are the ones causing a problem.
now on to how this book made me feel while reading it. I was angry with the characters. I was sad. I was happy. every time that you got cornered by Malcolm I got physically sick. towards the end there I had so much anxiety that I was getting nauseous. my favorite part out of this book that doesn't involve characters or story plot was after the confrontation with Malcolm at the ball and when there was a change of chapter when it shows the company balance and her personal balance it also shows different amounts of money that were taken out of the account for certain expenditures. and the running joke of the fintech magazine getting charged to her account broke the nausea and gave me a reprieve where I was able to giggle before I got back into the uncomfortability of finding out what would happen to her if anyone found out. this book has a happily ever after not just for her but for her brother as well.
Story wise the flow was beautiful. it wasn't rushed it wasn't too slow everything felt natural in the way that it progressed. People's reactions to things were spot on. I was invested with Wyst and all involved. You've got to love an HEA.
I'm looking forward to reading more books by Annabelle Slator.

Add Risky Business by Annabelle Slater to your TBR and enjoy reading when the book comes out in February 2026

[Emma Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

💜 Blurb -
When tech founder Jess Cole is struggling to gain funding for her company, she begins to wonder if it’s because she’s a woman in the male-dominated tech industry—especially due to a former incident and subsequent NDA that’s been following her for years. In an act of financial desperation, she applies to a competition for start-ups using her twin brother Spencer’s name, pretending to be a man. To her surprise, it works! As though she’s discovered the ultimate industry cheat code, Jess and Spencer are invited into the exclusive world of Tech Rumble, an annual innovation competition hosted on the world’s stage by tech darling Dominic Odericco.
Spencer, an out-of-work actor, must pretend to be the CEO, and Jess must become his loyal “assistant,” Violet. Spencer is thrust into the limelight; charming Dominic and the competition judges but making promises Jess can’t keep—or afford.
“Violet” is introduced to the handsome Oliver, a fellow assistant who shows her how to let her hair down and enjoy life outside the pressures of her job. But she soon discovers falling for Oliver is riskier than any mistake Spencer has made.
During wild nights with Oliver in Rome, secret rendezvous in Paris, and luxurious parties in Vienna, Jess must navigate the competition and try to stay on top of her lies, especially when someone from her past comes sniffing around, putting her ruse at risk
💛 Review -
I enjoyed the author's debut novel and Risky Business certainly didn't disappoint. From the very first page I was hooked and I couldn't put it down. It was so good that I read it in less than a day. I loved the easy to follow story and there was a great cast of characters. I also loved the slow burn chemistry between the main characters. I highly recommend it and I look forward to reading more by the author.
💝 Thank you to the author, Annabelle Slator, the publisher and Netgalley for my arc ebook copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

[Angela Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Risky Business by Annabelle Slator, we follow Jess Cole through rejection after rejection as she tries to launch her FemTech company, Wyst.

With her bank account getting smaller and smaller everyday, she is frantic to get her company seen.
And when a mistake in an email lands Wyst in the biggest tech competition on the continent, she is too desperate to correct it.

But when Jess realizes that her unfundable company is suddenly all the rage when a man is playing the CEO, and that being an assistant is a lot more fun, she has to decide what's more important - the impact of her company or the fact that the CEO isn't who the world thinks.

Here's my 5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review of Risky Business by @annabelleslator
🗓️ Dropping 2/3/26

Genre: Adult RomCom🌶️ | Pages: 290

This Book in 5 Emojis: 🧑🏻‍💻♀️🎤☕💸

My Thoughts On This Entrepreneurial Let Your Hair Down Romance:

I received this eARC from @avonbooks
@harpervoyagerus through @NetGalley and I am so glad I did!

I chose to request Risky Business because I'm an entrepreneur myself and I enjoy taking peeks into others entrepreneurial lives.

At first I wasn't sure why Annabelle had to pretend her brother was the CEO of her company, but some events that transpired as she was looking for investors made it VERY clear. The storytelling was top tier!

One of the reasons I loved this book was because of the relationship between Jess and Oliver. The banter was witty, the relationship building flowed naturally, and there was no annoyingly combative love/hate miscommunication.

I am 100% sure that Oliver looks Like Dr Chris Brown from Bondi Vet, not whoever is on the cover. But that pose? That is definitely the pose to describe their relationship!

There was nothing about this book I didn't like, and I would easily recommend it to anyone who wants a spicy RomCom to read!

[Misty Phelan · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Risky Business, readers meet Jess, a brilliant and determined CEO of the tech startup Wyst. Her company is her pride and joy, but when Wyst’s funding begins to run dry, Jess knows she must act fast to keep her dream alive. A twist of fate leads her to accidentally enter a high-stakes funding competition under a man’s name and to her surprise, she’s accepted.

What follows is a whirlwind of deception, ingenuity, and unexpected romance. Using a voice changer, Jess secures an interview and miraculously earns the chance to compete. When the competition demands an in-person presentation, she turns to her brother, a charming, quick-witted actor, to pose as her fictional male counterpart.

Adding to the chaos is Oliver, the charismatic assistant (and cousin) of one of the competition’s key decision-makers. The chemistry between them is undeniable, but as Jess falls for him, the weight of her secret grows heavier. When an old coworker from her past recognizes her and threatens to reveal the truth, Jess must decide whether saving her company is worth risking the man.

Author Annabelle Slator delivers a sharp, emotionally charged story about gender bias, ambition, and identity. Jess is a compelling heroine, equal parts fierce and vulnerable, and her journey captures both the exhaustion and the exhilaration of being a woman fighting to be heard in a male-dominated industry.

Overall, this was a great read. The characters feel authentic, and Jess’s internal struggle to keep her secret is both compelling and relatable. The pacing picks up nicely toward the end, leading to a satisfying conclusion that ties up nearly all of the lingering questions.

Special thank you to Avon, Harper Voyager and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Amanda • ReadingWithMyGolden · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️
While I went into this book expecting a a contemporary romance with some discussion of what it is to be a woman in a male dominated industry, what I took from it was much much more than that! While yes, this book gives tension GALORE (the will they/wont they was actually killing me by 75% in!!), unexpected romance (read till the end 👀), and showcases what it is to balance your professional life as a woman with pursuing romance personally… It also examines some heavy but all too realistic themes, like the aftermath of a sexual partner sharing intimate photos with colleagues and how that may impact every facet of your life, both personally and professionally. It showcases what it’s like to be a young woman in a male-dominated field, going for meetings with investors who decide to try to treat it as a date instead of a professional meeting. This book also thoughtfully explores the FemTech space (and how limited it is!!), how sometimes it’s okay to put space between yourself and your complicated family relationships, and how utterly unfair it is that simply having Mr. in front of your name makes you more likely to get your foot in the door (even when repping a woman-focused company!).

I will say, I did find myself stressed out by the main character’s financial instability due to high costs of starting a business + the messy situation she finds herself facing when one small lie and all its consequences catch up with her.. but ultimately this felt like a very REAL description of what many women in male dominated spaces likely face when building their careers, and of course that’s going to be uncomfortable.

Thank you SO much to Avon for the gifted ARC! All opinions are my own.

[Kelsey Fredericks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Risky Business is a WILD ride for your emotions, but in a great way! Jess is a woman who is the CEO of Wyst and is trying to give her start up a chance. She is struggling to find inventors due to meetings being mistaken as dates and an event in her past that she cannot escape. She applied for a TechRumble competition and accidentally applies as Mr. Cole. Jess then enlists her twin brother to act as Mr. Cole throughout the competition and Jess tags along as Violet his assistant. Only flaw is that Jess doesn't anticipate meeting the head of TechRumble's assistant and being attracted to him like she hasn't been with anyone in years. Jess continues to put in double duty throughout the competition as Spencer gets Wyst through each round. Will Jess be able to get Wyst through the competition and if she does will she be able to keep Oliver the hot assistant that she can't stay away from?

I really really enjoyed Risky Business. Oliver and Jess' chemistry was off the charts and I really enjoyed all of their interactions. The pacing was great except for the first 25%. Once I got through that then I couldn't wait to see where TechRumble would take Jess and Spencer and what was happening with Jess and Oliver. I also just wish we would have gotten more of Jess and Oliver! Loved the emotional depth and the representation of women's issues in tech!

Thank you NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC. I highly recommend if you love a workplace romance with an FMC who just can't quit!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Megan O'Brien · Rating 4 out of 5]

If I hear the words “Twelfth Night adaptation,” I am there before you can finish your sentence - and this is a fantastic addition to the collection!!

When tech CEO Jess accidentally fills out an application to a funding competition with the title “Mr” and gets accepted, what choice does she have but to send her twin brother in her stead?? Soon the two are in over their heads - and deep into the competition, but the truth has to come out sometime, doesn’t it?

I loved how resilient and principled Jess was, in spite of her past struggles that brought her to this point. She used the hardships and barriers she faced in getting mental health support and channeled that into a tech company to support other women who might seek those same resources! When a conniving, terrible ex damaged her reputation, she didn’t let it stop her, even if it did put her on the defensive. Enter Oliver, assistant extraordinaire, who just wants to make this woman happy (and also follow her inspiration)! The two of them had such an interesting dynamic for a romance book - both wanting and respecting boundaries (even if they hated them), making choices that made the most sense when they did! Jess’s dynamic with her twin was also extra fun, if not a little frustrating (a stereotype of viola’s twin from the original play, of course). You could sense the love there - as well as with Jess and her friends!

What a great way to kick off the new year! Thanks so much to Annabelle Slator and NetGalley for a chance to read this in exchange for an honest review.

[Kim Bongiorno · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jess (27) is the founder and CEO of a woman-centered startup that needs investors, but the boys club of that world keeps getting in her way.

When she gets a chance to enter a competition that could get her small biz the attention — and potential cash flow — she needs, she decides to run with the clerical error that made her a “Mr.” on submission forms and asks her actor brother to pretend to be her to up her chances, while she pretended to be his assistant while working overtime to hide her lies.

Oliver (same age?) is the magnetic assistant she meets during the competition who she cannot stay away from. Then she discovers his connection to the man deciding her company’s fate, making her feelings and deception all the messier.

This “oh what a tangled web we weave” love story is made all the more engaging by introducing the complexities of her familial relationships, a personal/professional trauma that rocked her three years ago, and her desperate belief that her company can genuinely help women in a much-needed way.

Recommend!

Read content warnings.

Read if you like:
• Contemporary romance
• Women in STEM
• Siblings in forced proximity
• Flirty, sweet, swoony buildup
• Main character with genuine “WOW things are $h!t right now” vibes still pushing on to get to a better place
• Best friends best friending for REAL

I was impatient so I read an ARC via NetGalley. Pub date 2/3/26.

[Ayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Risky Business by Annabelle Slator

Rating: 4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 2/5 🌶️🌶️

Thank you to Avon, Harper Voyager, Netgalley, and the author for access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Risky Business is a fast-paced story that excellently balances romance, heart, and humor with a unique plot. A modern take on Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night set in the world of tech startups, Risky Business is a tension-filled read with lots of twists throughout!

Jess Cole, a tech founder, is struggling to get funding for her company and is feeling desperate, so she applies to a competition for start-ups using her twin brother Spencer’s name, pretending to be a man. As a result, Jess and Spencer are invited to Tech Rumble, a competition hosted by tech icon Dominic Orsino. So, Spencer, an out-of-work actor, pretends to be the CEO and Jess pretends to be his assistant, Violet. Jess (as Violet) meets Oliver, a fellow assistant, who shows her how to relax and enjoy life. Jess soon realizes that she must navigate the competition and keep track of everything, especially when someone from her past puts her ruse at risk.

A nod to early 2000s Shakespeare adaptations, this modern take on The Twelfth Night is a fast-paced read from start to finish! Risky Business navigates balancing humor with heavier themes, such as past trauma and self-worth, well. Jess and Oliver’s banter, tension, and chemistry is evident. Overall, an interesting and quick read!

[francesca · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Bantam Books for the ARC copy of this book.

I read Annabelle Slator's debut, The Launch Date, last year and really loved it, so I'd been waiting for her follow up release Risky Business. First of all, I absolutely adore that this is a nod to the early 2000s Shakespeare adaptations like She's the man, and interesting that Sebastian is the main character's name here and her alter ego becomes none other than Violet....could this be a direct nod to the film?

Risky Business follows Jess, the CEO and founder of a tech company based around women's resources. She's struggling to secure funding for the company and money is quickly running out. When she has the chance to enter a life-changing tech competition, she accidentally signs as 'Mr.Cole' but, when she makes it through to the competition, the thought arises - would she be able to secure funding if the CEO was a man? She entrusts her actor brother, Sebastian to play the part of the CEO while Jess becomes Violet, his trusted assistant. But what Jess didn't factor in was to meet Oliver, another assistant who just happens to take her breath away.

I read this so quickly I basically inhaled this book - I am obsessed with Oliver and he can do no wrong in my eyes. Annabelle Slator's writing just steals my heart again and again.

The perfect nostalgic yet modern love story - add it to the tbr right now!

[☆Laura☆]

Jess Cole pensó que emprender sería emocionante: crear una plataforma innovadora en el ámbito del FemTech, ayudar a miles de mujeres y, de paso, demostrar que podía triunfar en un terreno dominado por hombres. Lo que nunca imaginó es que levantar su start-up, Wyst, significaría vivir con el banco respirándole en la nuca, inversores que confunden reuniones de negocios con citas románticas y un pasado que todavía la persigue como una sombra incómoda.

Cada día es una batalla: estirar los pocos fondos que le quedan, mantener motivado a su pequeño equipo y disimular la ansiedad de estar a un paso de perderlo todo. Y justo cuando parece no haber salida, aparece una oportunidad imposible de ignorar: TechRumble, la competencia más codiciada del mundo de la innovación, patrocinada por la poderosa Odericco Investments. Ganar podría significar medio millón de libras en inversión y el futuro asegurado de Wyst. El problema es que, en un descuido, Jess se inscribió bajo la identidad de Mr. Cole… y los jueces esperan conocer a CEO hombre.

Jess tendrá que decidir hasta dónde está dispuesta a llegar para salvar su sueño. ¿Puede construirse un imperio sobre una mentira? ¿Y qué pasará cuando deba elegir entre proteger su empresa o protegerse a sí misma?

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

[Lily Z · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, Avon, and Harper Voyager for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.


Risky Business is a sharp, funny, and heartfelt rom-com inspired by She’s the Man and Twelfth Night and it totally lives up to the premise. Jess, the founder of a women’s health app, is desperate to save her startup in a male-dominated tech world. When she accidentally applies to an investment competition as a man, she convinces her twin brother to pose as her company’s fake CEO while she pretends to be his assistant. Everything’s going (mostly) fine until she starts falling for Oliver, the sweet and charming assistant to one of the competition’s top execs — and suddenly, keeping up the lie gets a whole lot harder.

Slator does such a great job highlighting the sexism women face in business while keeping the story witty and romantic. Jess is smart, driven, and easy to root for, and her chemistry with Oliver is adorable — their banter, tension, and vulnerability had me hooked from page one. I also loved how the book balanced humor with heavier themes like trauma, ambition, and self-worth. Slator’s writing is clever and emotional without ever feeling heavy-handed, and the ending tied everything up in such a satisfying way.

Read if you like:
- Women in STEM
- Workplace romance
- He falls first
- Ali Hazelwood books

[Lakshmi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Being a fan of Annabelle Slator's debut novel, The Launch Date, I was so thrilled to receive an ARC for "Risky Business"! I felt the book had some genuinely great parts whereas the other parts left me wanting for more.

The setting was fantastic and true to what women face in the tech world! It was quite topical and dare I say timeless (?), since it seems to be a constant struggle for women to make it and sustain in the world of STEM and Tech.

Loved Oliver's character and his back story. Jess's character has a lot going on..In the end, it felt like Jess benefited by being a relationship with Oliver, but what does he get out of it? Is it true love for both parties involved? I am sorry but I struggled to see redeeming qualities in our FMC, even though this is something constantly referred to in every chapter - regarding the FMC's guilt complex about tricking the MMC. I didn't enjoy this aspect as much and by the time we have the big reveal, it's too late, IMO.

This one wasn't my favorite of Slator's. I do love her writing style and hope to enjoy her future books!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
#RiskyBusiness #NetGalley

[Mariana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Owner of her own FemTech company, Jess is looking for investors to save what she has been working so hard towards. She decides to enter a contest with a major investment firm as a last ditch effort to turn everything around. Except when she turns in the request, she selects “Mr.” on the application. Unable to let this much needed opportunity slip her by, she decides she has to keep up the facade of being a man as long as possible. Which means forcing her twin brother to pretend to be the CEO of her company while she acts as the assistant. One great meet-cute later, Jess is very interested in the investment firm’s head assistant Oliver. But can she really let herself enjoy the moment when its all built on a lie?

***Strong female business owner
***Hidden identity
***Hot chemistry
***🌶️🌶️

I LOVED this author’s debut novel “The Launch Date”, so I was so excited to delve into her next read. The chemistry in this between Jess and Oliver was fire! I sailed right through - could not put it down. It was so witty and the flirting between our couple was top tier.

Annabelle Slator is now an auto-buy author for me! Cannot wait to see what she writes next ❤️

Thank you to HarperCollins Publishers, and Netgalley for the ARC of this novel; all opinions are my own.

[AudiobooksMostly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager for the advance reader copy of Risky Business by Annabelle Slator.

Jess is a woman in a male-dominated field. When Jess enters a competition using her brother, Spencer, as the CEO, she gets accepted. Struggling to keep her business going, she needs to win the competition. Spencer is also an actor so plays the role of CEO well and Jess attends as his assistant, Violet. The competition is led by Dominic, another name in the tech industry. When Jess finds herself drawn to Oliver, who she meets while at the competition, she later learns that Oliver is Dominic’s assistant. Jess has to navigate the competition and her growing feelings for Oliver.

I loved Annabelle Slator’s debut novel and Risky Business was also an enjoyable read. I enjoyed how the story was inspired by Twelfth Night, though you would not need to be familiar with the play to enjoy this story. I liked how the competition provided much of the setting for the book. Jess is an awesome MC. Oliver is adorable and I love his feelings for Jess. I also loved the attraction these two had from the beginning. Spencer is also a highlight of this book and I enjoyed how everything concluded.

[LM · Rating 4 out of 5]

Risky Business by Annabelle Slator is a clever, modern twist on Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, set in the fast-paced world of tech startups.

Jess Cole is the CEO and founder of a FemTech startup—an industry still very much dominated by men. Frustrated by being overlooked, she makes a bold (and risky) decision: she convinces her twin brother, Spencer, to pose as the CEO so investors will finally pay attention to her ideas. Brilliant strategy…or a recipe for disaster? You’ll have to read to find out.

Amid the chaos, Jess and Spencer enter a high-stakes competition to win funding for their company. The competition is hosted by Dominic Orsino, and it’s there that Jess has a chance encounter with Dominic’s assistant, Oliver. Handsome, American, witty, and refreshingly direct, Oliver knows what he wants—and he wants Jess. Or rather, he wants Violet, the fake name Jess invents on the spot.

Risky Business is a delightful story about self-belief, learning to trust again after past trauma, taking chances, and living fully in the moment. It balances romance, humor, and heart with a smart premise that kept me engaged throughout.

Thank you to Annabelle Slator, Avon and Harper Voyager, and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jess Cole is determined to make her online community, Wyst, a success. The idea is solid, but the funding is shaky, and she’s barely staying afloat. When she’s selected for a tech investment competition, she convinces her brother Spencer to pose as CEO while she masquerades as his assistant, tired of being overlooked as a woman in a male-dominated field. At the event, she crosses paths with Oliver, the sweet, charming assistant to the competition’s CEO, and one unexpected night together changes everything.

I ended up enjoying this book so much more than I expected. Even though I’m not usually drawn to business or tech storylines, Slator hooked me right from the start - I couldn’t put it down. Oliver was absolutely adorable, and Jess was both relatable and compelling. Jess’s family dynamics added drama (I loved to hate Spencer, though his flaws and eventual redemption made sense). The novel also doesn’t shy away from heavier themes, like trauma and the realities of being a woman in charge, which grounded the romance in real-world challenges.

A heartfelt, engaging story that works on multiple levels—highly recommended purchase!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I utterly devoured this charming William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night inspired tech world rom com in one sitting. It was beautifully paced and plotted with captivating characters, all while highlighting the misogyny of the tech world and the ways men shut out women.

I really felt for Jess who paid the price of her ex violating her. The shame and the feeling she’d never escape it even years later. She then had to watch her brother Spencer get the kudos for her company from other men for championing women while denying her funding. Layered in was also her horribly unsupportive parents who championed Spencer yet derided her (and don't get me started on Spencer who just dismissed it and wouldn't stand up for her).

I adored the chemistry between Jess/Violet and Oliver but with the tension of Jess having to pull back from Oliver because of her lie. Oliver was such a sweetheart, dealing with grief and trying to forge his own path. I was in such suspense though as to how it would all unravel. And to my delight it was beautifully tied up in a way that felt satisfying and realistic.

Another charming British rom com from Annabelle Slator. I can't wait to read her next book.