Risky Business: A Whip-Smart Romantic Comedy of Mistaken Identities and Risky Ventures in the Tech World

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 Orsino. 

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!



meet cuteone-night stand turns to moreheroine in disguisemistaken identity

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Audiobook, Rom Com, Contemporary Romance, Fiction, Retellings

378 pages, Kindle Edition

First published 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.

[cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay, so I’m giving this one four stars because honestly, it was pretty slow at the very beginning 😭. Once it got going though, I was completely hooked. Jess is the kind of heroine who makes you root for her even when you’re groaning at the page (like girl WHAT are you doing?!). BUT I loved how fearless she was in putting herself—and her dreams—on the line, even when there was no guarantee she’d succeed.

Watching her navigate this crazy tech competition while pretending to be her brother’s assistant was thrilling (and also slightly stressful). She’s so strong. Especially given what she’s been through and how little support she really has 😔, I loved seeing her learn to stand up for herself and actually enjoy life a little. ✨🫶🏼

Now, Spencer… I have feelings. Mostly irritation LOL. 😒🤚🏼 I get he’s trying to help, but a lot of the time I wanted to shake him for not really supporting her or for taking advantage of her plan. He improves later, but wow was my patience was tested. And Oliver… oh poor sweet Oliver 😭 He was so nice and steady, yet stuck in the dark for so long thanks to Jess/Violet’s secrecy. 🥲🥲 The miscommunication trope was driving me a little crazy, but it did make the tension and the stakes feel more real (though it was frustrating at times). 🤦🏼‍♀️

Overall, this story is a great reminder that taking risks is scary and exhausting, but sometimes the payoff is so worth it. Between the high-stakes competition, secret identities, and romance that sizzles in all the right ways, it’s a fun, suspenseful ride. Definitely worth picking up if you want a story that’s clever, a little messy, and totally satisfying in the end.

-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-favorite quotes-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-

”He smells like black pepper and dark chocolate, two foods I've never thought of putting together and now am craving nothing but.”

"My attraction to you is choiceless. If you let me, I'd have you with any name.”

-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-

things to know about the book ↓

💜 meet cute
💜 one night stand (ish)
💜 hidden identity
💜 strangers → lovers
💜 single POV (hers)

A huge thank you to Netgalley, Avon and Harper Voyager, and Annabelle Slator for allowing me to read this arc. These are all my honest opinions in this review.

spice rating:【 🔥🔥 】
swearing: yes

[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)

[cyd⭐️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

**𝙎𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙨𝙥𝙤𝙞𝙡𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙢𝙖𝙧𝙠𝙚𝙙 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬

I want to get this started on a high note!!
Thank you so much Annabelle Slator for sending me a copy of your book (!!!) via Goodreads Giveaway!!

While I really enjoyed this book I have some constructive feedback! so in advance- please! don't think I'm hating on the author at all. Quite the opposite actually, I really loved the approach Annabelle took with the book!

One thing I definitely want to say first is that.. ANNABELLE SLATOR I LOVE YOUR WRITING STYLE 😳😳.
This book was written in such a beautiful almost lyrical way, I found myself getting pulled in and wanting to read this book very often, which wasn't hard -* despite how long I took to actually finish the book *- and was quite fun.

𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔:
I definitely enjoyed this book but one thing I really didn't like was the characters.

𝙅𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝘾𝙤𝙡𝙚, Welll... I most definitely felt for her and was excited to see how business would flourish!
But I just had this constant thought in my head that she was painfully average.
No hobbies, no favourite foods, no favourite color - I could go on and on- not a single personality trait in her body. Oh! Except that she likes to lie, drink "Negroni" and constantly send mixed signals to the man she supposedly "loves". Unfortunately that's all I got out of her character. Yes she was very determined and confident in her work, and I LOVED reading about someone voicing the struggles of companies being prejudiced in the workspace of tech!


𝙎𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙧 𝘾𝙤𝙡𝙚: This man made me mad. As someone who understands what it's like to not be financially stable, him constantly saying things like "I need a suite" or "Oh I'll survive with a king size bed." After his sister repeatedly told him she didn't have enough money to afford that. Like?? Who does that? She didn't have enough money to eat lunch and yet he says "Go get me a chocolate Croissant." He was just giving me 100% rich boy "money doesn't matter" vibes.
Oh and also? His parents undeniable favoritism?? 100% not his fault but in the scenes where they're parents were belittling Jess, HE DID NOTHING!


MAYBE SPOILER UP AHEAD! ❗️❗️
𝙊𝙡𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙧 + 𝘿𝙤𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙘:
LOVE LOVE LOVE!! These two being cousins was an amazing twist and I loved them both so so much.
Oliver is such a perfect dude, he unknowingly stuck with Jess when she was at her worst and supported her.
I'm not really sure if this is a spoiler or not but Spencer ending up with Dominic made me so giddy, I love them together. Jess said it best "He's a stoic man mountain and you're a bouncy ball."

𝑷𝒍𝒐𝒕:
I hate to say this so bluntly but a lot of what happened, we could have gone without.
I'd say this whole book could have been summed up in about 250-280 pages instead of the 366 pages there were. Which- in my opinion is quite long, considering I've only been reading short books this year. 🫢

𝑴𝒚 𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔:
I enjoyed it! It was fun (more importantly it was: FUNNY!) and bordering on fast paced! I felt like the ending was a tad rushed despite what I said about the page count 😭😭.
The romance was perfect imo I don't have any complaints on that.
"𝐈𝐧 𝐚 𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐦 𝐟𝐮𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐈'𝐝 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮."

Overall: 3/5⭐️, 3/5🌶
Again! Really really greatful to own a physical galley of this good book even though I didn't finish the arc in time!

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ rounding up to 5⭐️. I loved Annabelle Slator's debut novel, The Launch Date, so I looked forward to this book and it didn't disappoint. I felt for both Jess and Oliver when something outside of their control had turned their worlds upside down and I was glad they found each other. I also appreciated that Jess was a creative woman working in a STEM field and that even though deception happened, I felt that the author found a way to deal with the repercussions in a fair and truthful way. Thank you to Annabelle Slator and Avon and Harper Voyager for the opportunity to read this early on NetGalley. It was my pleasure.

[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.

[The Sewist's Bookshelf]

Dnf @30%
I'm struggling with this book. I can't stay focused or remember who characters are. I liked the idea but it's just not pulling me in

[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!

[Tessa · Rating 1 out of 5]

Okay I don’t even mind the romance element of this book, but I was so distracted by the Jess’s asshole brother that I could hardly focus on it. Her parents are obviously not supposed to be sympathetic characters; they berate and belittle her for every little thing. But even though her brother is the golden child that they prefer, Jess and her twin brother are supposed to be close despite that and yet he’s the biggest most self important asshole ever?? Maybe it’s just because I have good siblings but how the fuck am I supposed to like this guy who constantly throws Jess under the bus, takes and takes from her, lies to his parents to make himself look good and her look selfish, and be so completely self-absorbed so as to not see how his actions impact her? At one point, he stands up for her in front of her parents, but he actually makes it all about him (insinuates that she will succeed only because he’s helping her). I actually felt physical visceral rage towards him. The MMC, Oliver, was basically a side character in comparison to his enormous fucking ego. The podcaster/influencer Jess tried to get to invest in her company also sucked. And the ending was completely unsatisfying.

(safe read)

[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 🫶🏻

[Kaitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured this book! Give me a female owned STEM company in a male dominated world plus make it London based, and I’m hooked! I appreciated Jess’ struggle trying to secure funding as a female and not being taken seriously. Plus her past workplace experience really messed with her mental health. Oliver was so perfect and I really appreciated the no third act breakup.

Thank you so much NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the eARC!

💜Single POV
💜Forbidden Romance
💜Women in STEM
💜Sibling Rivalry
💜Mistaken Identity
💜Spicy/Open Door

“If you were a man that would have gone a lot differently.”

“Being near him feels almost like a physical pull, an ache needing to be salved.”

[Swati Hegde · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unofficial review: 200 billion stars, 100/10, no notes, absolutely obsessed with this book.

Official blurb: Annabelle Slator's Risky Business is a smart, sexy, laugh-out-loud workplace romance that hooked me in from page one and didn't let go until the very end. If you've ever wanted to read the literary equivalent of Taylor Swift's song "The Man" with dangerously hot levels of spice and banter for days, this is the book for you.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

#adgifted

Thank you so much to @bantambooks for an advance copy of this. My review is honest.

Well, I read this in less than 8 hours and absolutely loved it! I adored Oliver from the get go, and I just wanted to squeeze him.

I enjoyed the plot - a female CEO "pretending" to be a male CEO to promote her company? It feels relevant and highlighted so many important issues in today's society.

I had a few issue which cause me to drop a star. I hated, and I mean HATED, Jess's parents - I could see what the author was trying to do but I felt so much anger that I couldn't stand when they were on page. I also didn't love how Spencer treated Jess but my anger wasn't as strong. I also kept wondering how Spencer continued to pretend to be CEO without Jess speaking in his ear/being present given he fully admitted he had no knowledge or understanding of Jess' company.

Overall, a really good romance!

[Emmie Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Annabelle Slator has cemented herself as one of my favourite authors. I absolutely loved Risky Business, and enjoyed every second I spent reading it. This book had me in a chokehold, and I wasn't even mad. The characters, the tension and the deeper themes of this book were just perfect and was one of the easiest 5 stars I've ever given.

Jess is a fantastic character who has gone through so much and still fights for what she believes in. She has struggled her whole life, and allowing she wants is for her company to take off and help provide women with support they need. This book really showcases the gender gap when it comes to the tech industry and management in general. While it was incredibly stressful watching her lie and pretend to be her brother's assistant, I completely understand why she made the decision and was rooting for her the whole time.

Her banter and chemistry with Oliver was just off the charts and I was absolutely here for it. He was confident, but not in an annoying way and I really loved getting to know his character and his own dreams.

As I mentioned, this book does contain darker themes, especially around sexual harassment in the workplace, so please be aware of that before heading in to it. Annabelle has done an amazing job at navigating this difficult but incredibly common topic that doesn't get spoken about enough.

I absolutely recommend picking Risky Business up if you are looking for a thought-provoking and fun, spicy romance and I also recommend picking up Annabelle's debut The Launch Date which I also loved! I cannot wait to see what Annabelle writes next!

[Jessica Wears Books]

DNF at 35%

I know this is an eARC but there were so many silly errors that I couldn't continue. Parts where things that were supposed to happen in an hour then happened "a few hours later," referencing temperature in Fahrenheit when the FMC is British and in Italy, using the term "snail trail" when referencing a man's happy trail, or in an effort to make the app be inclusive using wording that seems to other trans women. One or two of these I could ignore and hope that it would be corrected in the final copy but all of these in the first 35% was too much. I also couldn't connect with any of the characters and found Spencer to be incredibly obnoxious with Jess just giving him everything despite knowing they cannot afford it. I also reallllllyyyyy did not like the chapters starting with bank balances but I could get past that alone.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC.

[Tamara · Rating 3 out of 5]

*Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager and NetGalley for this eARC; the review is my own.*

I really wanted to like this book, and part of me did. The author’s writing style was easy to understand but not necessarily simple. She was very good at portraying the characters’ emotions and frustrations. However, I encountered a lot of my own frustrations that greatly impacted my personal enjoyment of the story.

As a Shakespeare retelling, I think this was done well. It took enough elements of Twelfth Night that it would be easily recognizable to anyone familiar with the play. But it was also its own story rather than than just being the source material in a different setting.

Jess’s (27) passion for her company and its purpose were admirable. I loved her idea of an online resource for women that would provide them with much needed access to professionals from a variety of areas and specialties that would help them. And with her personal history, she was a perfect person to champion the cause because she knew what it was like to need those connections but not have them. But Oliver (age?) was the best part of the whole book. He was so thoughtful, caring, kind, supportive, and courteous. In many ways, he reminded me of my husband, which is probably why he was my favorite character. Jess’s friends/employees were also good and likable.

But I really disliked Jess’s family. Imagine the Vernon and Petunia Dursley with twins, a girl and a boy. And there you have Mr. and Mrs. Cole. They doted on Spencer and treated Jess like she was dirt that had been tracked into the house. Truly, they were awful. And Spencer really was not much better, despite Jess’s delusional claims to the contrary. He basked in the spotlight their parents’ shone on him, always happy to push Jess out of it (which she even acknowledged). He repeatedly insisted that Jess spend her dwindling money on expensive, unnecessary things for him since he was “helping” her by pretending to be the CEO of her company at TechRumble. It made me so angry that someone who should have her back took advantage of her over and over. Like I said, her family was the worst.

One of the things that bothered me was how much women were portrayed as oppressed victims in the business world. Don’t yell at me just yet. I am aware that there is an imbalance and inequality, but I think the extent this book took it to an unrealistic extreme, and that made it unbelievable for me. It got to the point that I sometimes felt like Jess was an unreliable narrator stretching the injustices against her as far as they would go in order to force her audience’s pity. It was just too much.

The other thing that failed for me was the epilogue. I love a good epilogue so I can see where the characters are and what they’re doing. But this epilogue fell flat because it didn’t really give me anything I wanted. It gave me a happy ending for some supporting characters that I didn’t really care about (one of which I didn’t even like) and gave me what felt like a “happy for now” update on the actual main characters.

How it ends: After being rejected over and over in her search for investors, Jess applies to TechRumble as a man (kind of accidentally). She’s accepted and decides to go with it, eventually asking Spencer to act as CEO for her. He agrees, but he insists on first class airfare, luxury suites at the hotels, expensive food, etc. Meanwhile, Jess has to pretend to be his assistant and is stuck with cheap lodgings and sometimes not even real meals. She meets Oliver, another assistant, and the chemistry between them is fairly immediate. They enjoy their time together until she realizes that he’s assistant to Dominic Odericco, the person in charge of TechRumble. After that, she tries not to act of her attraction to him but never says why. It doesn’t work very well, though.

They make it through to the final round of TechRumble, and Jess’s ex-boyfriend, Malcolm, pays her a visit to blackmail her. (Several years ago, he had taken pictures of them during sex without her consent. She found out and reluctantly agreed to let him keep them as long as he didn’t share them. Except he did with a bunch of people at work. When she found out, she brought it up with PR instead of reporting it to the police. She had to sign an NDA. He ended up losing his job, and she later quit.) He threatened to expose her unless she signed over half of her company to him.

Jess decided to tell Oliver the truth at the ball in . . . I don’t remember. Malcolm drags her onto the dance floor and threatens her more, insisting that she smile and look like she’s having fun. In the end, she stomps on his foot and runs to where Oliver told her to meet. He saw some of what happened and believed she was getting back together with Malcolm (she had told him about what happened when they worked at Graystone). However, he lets her in past security and hears her out. She tells him the truth, and he ends up laughing instead of being angry. They sleep together again, but nothing is fixed between them because of circumstances.

Wyst (Jess’s company) is announced as a second-place winner of TechRumble, giving them $100,000 pounds in prize money. However, Jess chooses to get ahead of Malcolm’s article by publishing her account on social media, announcing her resignation from CEO, and removing herself from the competition. Spencer is angry at her for not consulting him. Oliver quits his job as Dominic’s assistant and decides to return to culinary school.

Dominic disqualifies Wyst but wants to support the company and calls Jess in for a meeting, offering her some position. Spencer had camp out on Odericco Investments’ doorstep to try to convince Dominic that it was all his idea—and to tell him how he felt about him. (Honestly, I think it was mostly that last one. I don’t think he ever really had Jess’s best interests at heart.)

A year later in the epilogue, Jess and Oliver are living together but are “still a few years out” from talking about marriage. (For real?) They’re in New York to check out a building with Dominic. I’m not entirely sure what Jess’s position is with Dominic as her boss, but she still owns Wyst. Spencer is in a production with BBC America. Dominic is going to propose to Spencer.

Language: Yes, including f words
Violence: No
Alcohol & drugs: Alcohol
Physical Intimacy: Sensuality, a few open-door sex scenes
LGBT: One main supporting character and one supporting character

[michelle (magical reads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

rep: gay side characters
cw: stalking, mentions of revenge porn

**I received an ARC from the publisher through Netgalley. These are my honest opinions, and in no way was I compensated for this review.**

I was a huge fan of this author's debut, so naturally I was super excited to read her next book, especially with the She's the Man vibes in the summary! This book ended up being really cute and I enjoyed the chemistry between the main couple -- if there's one thing Annabelle Slator can do, it's write great chemistry. Unfortunately, I was much less interested in the business aspect of this book, so that led me to grow bored for a good chunk of the book. Still, I did enjoy this one and am looking forward to reading whatever comes next from this author!

original review:

cute and I appreciated the she’s the man / twelfth night of it all but I was less interested in the business aspect I guess

[Franky · 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
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Ashleigh Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Risky Business follows Jess Cole, CEO of struggling startup Wyst, a game-changing women’s therapy app. Desperate for funding, she applies for a major investment competition, but uses her brother’s name, hoping it will get her further in a male dominated industry. After she hooks up with Oliver, she finds out he works for the top investor running the competition. Now, she must get through the competition without falling for Oliver, or revealing her true identity.

I absolutely adored Annabelle Slator’s debut, The Launch Date, when I read it last year, so I had been so excited to read Risky Business since it was announced. Unfortunately, it didn’t quite live up to my expectations.

While Jess isn’t an unlikeable character, she really frustrated me. She finds herself in an absolute mess of a situation, but refuses to be honest with the people closest to her and ask for help (but I suppose if she did, this book probably wouldn’t have had much of a plot!). I struggled to connect with her as an FMC, and I found it hard to root for her.

Oliver’s character felt underdeveloped, and I felt that he was introduced too late in the book. If I’m honest, I can’t really understand why he was so interested in Jess. They don’t spend much time together at all, and their romance lacked tension and chemistry. However, the intimate scenes were well written, but they kept getting interrupted which was really frustrating.

I really liked the character of Cecily, Jess’s friend and coworker. However, I couldn’t stand Jess’s parents and how they treated her; I wish this aspect of the story had more of a resolution. Jess’s brother, Spencer, came across as obnoxious and self absorbed for most of the book, but he did slightly redeem himself towards the end.

I appreciated the focus on women in STEM, and how the author explored the challenges women face in male dominated industries. However, I found the business aspects of the story incredibly boring. I didn’t think Wyst’s business model was very strong or interesting, and it was unrealistic for it to get as far in the competition as it did.

I really wasn’t sure how everything would be resolved in the end, but I was satisfied with where the characters ended up. However, I was a bit confused about the future of Wyst and Jess’s career; it felt like it was glossed over rather than properly explained.

While this book wasn’t my favourite, I do think that Annabelle Slator is a great writer, and I adore her witty writing style. I will definitely be looking out for her next book, which I’ll hopefully like more than this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bantam Books for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Seersh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one started out slow. I thought the pacing could’ve been a little better but the further that I got into it, I was obsessed. I love a strong, confident female main character. I do feel bad for Jess though. Unfortunately not an uncommon experience for a female/ female presenting, and especially in areas that are male dominated. It’s not always easy to read things like that but I always appreciate and respect an author who is willing to have those topics in their work. BUT back to Jess. She’s in tech and as we know that’s a male dominated industry. Jess is a badass, nothing stops her drive, it’s like she’s in a bind with needing funding and literally hustling her ass off, even when she doesn’t have a concrete solution. The drive, ambition and passion. It really pissed me off though that she was given no support when she experienced something terrible. It’s not a new thing to happen of course, it just hit home to me we need to do better.
Her dad in particular…. A complete POS. Literally his whole attitude and thoughts are just disgusting and he’s a dirtbag of a father. Invalidating her, victim blaming… it makes me so mad but it’s unfortunately a lot of people’s reality.
Her parents are just not great at all and it’s very obvious they prefer her brother. It’s sad to see.


I do really love like realistic elements in romance, like shit happens and it’s never a ‘fairytale’ or perfect all of the time. I didn’t like that her brother essentially was acting as the CEO like to better her chances of funding. I’d have liked it to have gone like they figured out it was a woman, and couldn’t back out and they’d all be proven wrong but that’s just me.
Spencer (Jess brother) I just couldn’t stand him. Was a pain in the ass and needs to grow up pronto. It’s really a journey in this book to see him get any better LMAO.
Oliver- the love interest. Damn. He was a SWEEET guy. A nice guy?? Book boyfriends etc are usually always dicks so this instantly is a win for me.
There’s a lot going on in this book.
The miscommunication then…. Ugh but it is what it is.
I would’ve liked a little more focus on the romance side but it’s still a great book nonetheless.
You really have to credit Annabelle for writing about such difficult things and handling it so well. These things are not talked about enough. As a victim of sexual assault I appreciate that the author didn’t shy away from writing about this topic.

[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

[Lindsey (Bagel) · Rating 4 out of 5]

After finishing I have two main thoughts. One: I LOVE women that give their all for the things they are passionate about. Two: I LOVEEEE romances that feel real!

Risky Business is full of PASSION, both in life and in love! For Jess, her fight to be recognized in the tech space as a woman CEO causes her to go above and beyond!! (in quite quirky ways) For Jess and Oliver, their relationship starts hot and heavy, but slowly grows into a safe space full of loving each other through “their mess”!

I really appreciated getting a “peek behind the curtain” when it comes to the world of business, tech, and women in a male dominated space. I don’t know a single thing about owning a company, but reading about Jess and her determination to pave the way for women made me FALL IN LOVE WITH HER! She’s a bit chaotic, and her ideas are a bit OUT THERE but wow is she an inspiration!

I also didn’t realize how deep this story would become. Jess goes through a pretty dramatic revenge p*rn experience that causes constant shame, isolation, and tension with her family. It’s heartbreaking and so REAL. But, Annabelle handles it with such grace, giving Jess an incredible support system to guide her through it! Some scenes were hard to read about, but then characters such as Spencer and Oliver would come running in to make things a bit better!!

Speaking of Oliver…I LOVE HIMMMMM!! The banter, the longing gazes, the YEARNING! Get ya a man who will WAIT! I was rooting for them the whole time!! Having a romance plot span over quick interactions in different cities was GENIUS! It really allowed us to grow in the giddiness as we awaited the next encounter! Their entire storyline felt very genuine! I just adore a romance that doesn’t feel like forced tropes, and instead focuses on the humanity of one another!

Overall, this was so FUN! Covering a variety of themes, I would recommend to anyone who enjoys:

📱STEM romance
📱One night stand
📱Secret Identity
📱He falls first
📱Shakespeare inspired (Twelfth Knight)
📱Sibling rivalry/teamwork

SPICE GUIDE:
chapter 9 (all)
chapter 22: page 255-257
chapter 28: 307-314
chapter 33: 356-357

[Liv · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jess Cole has defined the odds in a male-dominated field and started her own company in the FemTech space. Problem is, she can’t get funding for it. Frustrated with the way things are going with the company, she applies to a startup competition using her brother Spencer’s name instead of her own and gets accepted for an interview. Knowing her credibility, and the credibility of the company would take a huge hit if she comes forward, she takes the phone interview using a voice modulator and manages to move on to the next round.

This one happens to be in person, in Rome, and Jess convinces Spencer (who conveniently happens to be an actor) to go in her place. She’ll give him all the info he needs to know, like he’s preparing for a role, and for panels, she’ll be in his ear feeding him the answers to live questions as they are asked. To justify her being there, she would pose as Spencer’s assistant, Violet.

It’s the perfect plan, except for the fact that she (literally) runs into the assistant of the man running the competition, and he spills coffee all over her. There’s a mutual attraction between them pretty much immediately, and she comes to find out later that his name is Oliver. She gets caught up with Oliver and the other assistants attending and starts to see that there’s more to life outside of her company.

It was so smart to have this story set in the tech world. As someone who works in tech, I can 100% verify that it is a very male-oriented space, and I know firsthand how hard it is for women, despite the fact that the industry is continuing to grow at a really rapid pace. That was the main reason why I wanted to read this book, the second being that it was a take on Twelfth Night, which I also happen to love, and it delivered on both counts. (Also, shoutout to She’s The Man!)

Jess and Oliver are great together, and Spencer is such a character! The book itself is a lot of fun even though the stakes are high for Jess. I felt like her stress was my stress, especially as the book progressed, and she was incredibly easy to relate to.

This is my first Annabelle Slator book but it definitely won’t be my last!

[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.