I received a free copy of the book via Booksprout, and the following review is entirely my own voluntary, and honest opinion.
In the third volume of the “Men of Medford” series, Lacey Day brings back the familiar formula: a small town, a fierce but slightly broken female protagonist, three different yet equally attractive men, and, of course, a dash of mayhem, hot scenes, and surprise pregnancy. This time, we follow the story of Sadie, who is forced to return home to Medford after a career setback in the big city – and with it, another tempestuous, romance-fuelled adventure.
The book starts strong from the beginning: Sadie spends a passionate night with a stranger, then the next day realises that this stranger is her new boss – and not just him, but two others: Kai, her high school sweetheart, and Adam, the tattooed, always-smiling flirt. The story picks up from there, and their shared workplace – a small-town bakery – provides the ideal setting for sparkling dialogue, hot moments, and slowly unfolding emotional drama.
The characters are more nuanced this time. Adam at first seems like just the funny, playful guy, but it soon becomes clear that there's much more to him. He's sharp, observant, and notices things Sadie herself wouldn't have thought. Kai brings the weight of emotion: he's the character who can't forget Sadie, and the memories of their past colour their present with subtle nostalgia. Samuel, a one-night stand, is also one of the most appealing yet mysterious characters. Although his presence provides a balance between the three men, his personality is less developed – something that is becoming a recurring problem in the series. The male characters are unmistakably different at the beginning, but often start to blend together slightly towards the end, which dampens the tension in the dynamic between them.
Sadie's character is likeable – outspoken and self-deprecating. I felt her thread about a big-city career, about failure and new beginnings, could have been deeper and more complex, and that might have balanced the emotional arc of the book. Again, the pace of the story is fast, but that's practically a trademark of the series – anyone who picks up a Lacey Day book doesn't expect a slow build.
A refreshing novelty in the story is Kai's dilemma: can he share his first love with his two best friends? This emotional conflict brings a new colour to the series, as not only the protagonist, but also the male characters have to deal with their own feelings and boundaries. This inner struggle becomes especially interesting in the case of Kai, as his emotions are not momentary flare-ups, but a longing and pain that he has carried for years.
The world-building of the series is still awesome: the small-town life, the gossipy residents, the recurring characters – including Lila, Jaxon, Colt, Ryan, Aurora, and the Grady brothers – all contribute to keeping Medford with us as a vibrant, lovable, slightly crazy but always warm-hearted community.
Overall, “Stuck with my Boss Daddies” is a light, sexy, and lovable volume that fits well into the mood of the “Men of Medford” series. The character dynamics work, the humor and passion are well balanced, and the romantic threads are as sweet as they are spicy. While there is still room for improvement in character building and emotional depth, the novel delivers what it promises: a little escape from reality, with plenty of hot moments and a dash of heartbreak.