Taming the Enemy: A Smutty Billionaire Boss Romance Novella

by Kate J. Blake, Virtual Voice (Narrator)

We were supposed to spend one last weekend together before my contract with that dogmatic and stubborn man was over.
Who knew that we'd get drunk and end up sleeping together? Or that it would be the best night of my life?
But after my last relationship, I don't trust men. And it would be impossible to change my feelings on that in one weekend.
Right?

Strong Curvy HeroineDirty-talking HeroBoss / EmployeeLove / Hate RelationshipOne weekend to Fall in Love
TAMING THE ENEMY is a steamy romance novella with dual point of view and a Beautiful Happily Ever After.

Genres: Enemies To Lovers, Slow Burn, Contemporary

Audible Audio

Published June 18, 2025

About the author

Kate J. Blake writes spicy romance novellas for naughty readers who love hot heroes and happily-ever-afters.

Originally from Ukraine, Kate currently resides in Southern California, enjoying the warm weather all year round.

Kate used to work as a stylist, and loves everything about fashion. She's a fan of online shopping, and buys tons of useless stuff, trying to convince her husband that she possibly can't live without all of that.

Kate reads 100+ books a year, but still orders many more titles than she could ever possibly read. She loves binge-watching romance TV shows and always misses her writing deadlines.

Kate has visited 30+ countries, and is not planning to stop travelling any time soon. You can find out more about her trips through her social media accounts.

Reviews

[Anna M_82 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun and steamy book about boss Christopher and interior designer Michelle. Christopher is bossy and controlling, changing his mind multiple times about what he wants in the hotel he's building and it drives Michelle crazy. They take a trip out of town to see the completion of the hotel and then take a turn with these two. Was there a different reason behind all the changes? Do they dislike each other as much as Michelle thought they did? Or is there more going on beneath the surface?

This was an enjoyable boss/employee romance. I really liked Christopher. He’s a grump that’s definitely been changed by a woman. Michelle is engaged to be married so he keeps a professional distance, but she’s all he can think about. He wants to keep her close for as long as possible. When the fiancé is no more, and they go out of town together, they form a new connection that’s even better than fighting all the time. I especially loved the ending to this book. It’s both sweet and steamy with a conclusion that perfectly matches this couple.

I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Michelle hates her boss but she is also attracted to him. When they have to spend one last weekend together sparks fly. Fast-paced read with great characters and intense chemistry. I liked it.

[Mulan Book Princess · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a sizzling hot read! I really like MIchelle and so felt for her. And Christopher was totally swoon-worthy as I loved how he really liked Michelle and what he did to be close to her. I found this book to be a quick read but there was enough substance to make it enjoyable and entertaining.

I received a free advanced review copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a fair and honest review.

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is what you get when you take billionaire and a determined interior decorator and throw them together to work. Christopher sexy as all get out billionaire, he wasn’t born a billionaire worked hard and understands others who work hard to gain a leg up. He owns hotels and just bought a smaller one for his sister to run but he would like to get it decorated to keep with the at home feel of the hotel. Michelle doesn’t not have all the training needed under her belt like some interior decorators, but she is good, and she is determined to do the very best job but her willingness to listen has caught the eye of the owner of the hotel. But that isn’t the only thing the attraction they bot feel pulling them towards the other and finding themselves in the same room at the same time may or may not be coincidence . The attraction is something that neither of them has felt from anyone but one problem she was encaged but where will that headed no where good (just a heads up) and they say there is a think line between love and hate, the relationship between boss/employee is a love/hate relationship or is it, and will it lead them to happiness especially after what went down between her and her fiancé?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[ReadonReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was super-hot, and the characters were so amazing it was easy to fall in love with them. Christopher knows exactly what he wants, especially when he lays eyes on Michelle, but she is off limits to him by not only working for him, but she’s also engaged. Michelle butts’ heads with Christopher at every turn and he seems so hot and cold all the time she is absolutely done with him, but then her world is flipped upside down and her engagement ends. Now is Christopher’s chance to show her how much he feels about her but it’s going to take some convincing after all the ways he drove her crazy while working for him. Can he show her how much he feels about her, and will Michelle forgive her boss she can’t stand? This quick read was fun, and my heart hurt for Michelle and the things she endures but with that hurt came happiness in the form of Christopher sweeping her off her feet.

[KMH · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has a enemies to lovers vibe that made the story heated and you anticipated each and every interaction and the tension.
The romance aspect was delicious and the heated parts were just what you wanted and needed.
Both characters were written and described well and I enjoyed getting to know them through out the story.
Even if this is only just over 100 pages it felt complete and I was happy that it felt like a fall sized story, with nothing missing for me.
A full romance that just happens faster than a novel.

[Loverulesall_books · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this sweet novella of Michelle and Chris! Michelle is an interior designer, hired by Chris to help renovate hotels. It's insta-lust for Chris at first sight but as he spots an engagement ring on Michelle's finger, he knows nothing will ever come of them both. However, all bets are off when Michelle's engagement breaks down and he confesses his feelings for her all along ❤️.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Plainfilm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short sweet steamy afternoon read. Nice little interesting plot with some twists and turns you don't expect. Pick up a book by this author if you want low angst easy reads with variable plots and tropes. You'll always get what's advertised. I do love that this author gives you a longer term follow up in the epilogue for her couples as well.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Arceli · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did like this book. It was short and steamy. The characters were average, but considering the type of book that is okay. I did enjoy the steamy scenes. They were hot. The only thing that seemed off was the pacing. Suddenly, over the course of a couple of hours the characters go from hating to loving each other.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Michelle lands a job for a very wealthy business man doing interior decorating for his hotels. When they meet it’s instant attraction but Michelle is engaged to another man. What will happen between them?? Will they be able to work together?? Read to find out!!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

1st Reading: 11th February 2022
Rating: 3 out of 5
- 13th book in the month of February 2022
- 39th book in 2022 reading challenge

Not slow-burn at all. It's pretty fast-paced and the attraction is instant.

[wendy kairschner · Rating 3 out of 5]

sexy bosshole

Christopher and Michelle were a work in progress in large part due to her being engaged to someone else. I didn’t have a problem with her moving on so quickly but it seemed a bit rushed even for a short novella. Otherwise I enjoyed it.

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a n ok read.

[Chetna]

i genuinely don't know why bothered with this book!

[Nate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chris & Michelle had an interesting read. Good slow burn. I got a copy of the book. And am voluntarily leaving my review.

[E.]

What a great story. It is well written and steamy and hot. I just love the storyline and can not wait for more from this author.

[Katherine Hayward Pérez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this a little hard to get into, but when I did I found it was good. The feelings and chemistry were hot from the start. I found Michelle a little irritating at times but then I liked her. Christopher was caring.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

4 stars

Thanks to Kate J. Blake.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nova · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am voluntarily reviewing an advanced reader copy of this book.

Michelle Andrews had no idea how much her life was about to change the day she interviewed for Christopher Cold non other than self-made billionaire hotelier playboy, he is drop dead gorgeous and is known or playing as hard as he works. Not that she was interested in him she had the perfect fiancé and if she gets the job of renovating his new hotel then her career will be on the fast track to success. At least that is how she felt six months ago, but Christopher Cold seems to want to micromanage everything she has promised herself that once the renovation is complete then she can move on and maybe finally plan her wedding, but everything changes the day she finds her fiancé getting some extremely personal assistance from his male assistant. She has fought her attraction for Christopher from day one but now she is free and single will she give in to the chemistry that sizzles between them, or will a secret destroy what they could have had?

Christopher Cold wasn’t born with a silver spoon in his mouth and has worked hard to get where he is in the world today, but his latest hotel venture is one he has chosen for his sister to run and with that in mind he is looking for a different interior decorator. He had already decided that Michelle Andrews was unsuitable for the job but when she walks through the door everything changes, she is perfect in every way but one, she is engaged, and it isn’t to him. And as much as he knows he shouldn’t he wants to keep her around ad finds any little thing he can to contact her but when he discovers that her fiancé is cheating on her he sees his chance to finally show her that they belong to each other. Will he get the chance to show her what real love is like or has he ruined his own chance at happiness by keeping secrets?

I love this author her books are always perfectly steamy and with the right amount of angst and likable characters. Highly recommended 4* read, perfect for just before bed.

[Nova · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am voluntarily reviewing an advanced reader copy of this book.

Michelle Andrews had no idea how much her life was about to change the day she interviewed for Christopher Cold non other than self-made billionaire hotelier playboy, he is drop dead gorgeous and is known or playing as hard as he works. Not that she was interested in him she had the perfect fiancé and if she gets the job of renovating his new hotel then her career will be on the fast track to success. At least that is how she felt six months ago, but Christopher Cold seems to want to micromanage everything she has promised herself that once the renovation is complete then she can move on and maybe finally plan her wedding, but everything changes the day she finds her fiancé getting some extremely personal assistance from his male assistant. She has fought her attraction for Christopher from day one but now she is free and single will she give in to the chemistry that sizzles between them, or will a secret destroy what they could have had?

Christopher Cold wasn’t born with a silver spoon in his mouth and has worked hard to get where he is in the world today, but his latest hotel venture is one he has chosen for his sister to run and with that in mind he is looking for a different interior decorator. He had already decided that Michelle Andrews was unsuitable for the job but when she walks through the door everything changes, she is perfect in every way but one, she is engaged, and it isn’t to him. And as much as he knows he shouldn’t he wants to keep her around ad finds any little thing he can to contact her but when he discovers that her fiancé is cheating on her he sees his chance to finally show her that they belong to each other. Will he get the chance to show her what real love is like or has he ruined his own chance at happiness by keeping secrets?

I love this author her books are always perfectly steamy and with the right amount of angst and likable characters. Highly recommended 4* read, perfect for just before bed.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not Really a Comedy . . .

From the first moment he saw her as she arrived for her job interview, Christopher Cold decides to tell Michelle Andrews, an interior designer, that she is not qualified for the job so he can take her to dinner and then to his bed because he has a rule he won’t sleep with anyone he works with. What a sweetheart, right? Sticking to those rules is his #1 job and he’s proud of himself. He then proceeds to ogle her while his mind is processing everything he wants to do with her. Fortunately, as he is noticing her perfect French-manicured fingernails, he spots the engagement ring on her finger. And now he’s disappointed that even her smile is beautiful. Yes, he has now decided that her smile attracts him the most. So he hires her.

Six months later, she hates him. Completing the most recent project, Christopher is once again changing his mind and she is ready to get another job somewhere else. He is down to one opportunity to tell her he loves her. Instead, he lets information he shouldn’t know slip about her broken engagement and she makes him tell her how he hired a private detective to take pictures of Michael cheating on her so that he could start his own relationship with her when they broke up. Will he convince her he really loves her and didn’t do this just so he could get her into his bed? (I was not convinced.)

Christopher is a character I could never admire. He is totally self-absorbed and his selfishness is offensive. He stubbornly pursued her, but I never felt that it was because he genuinely cared. He just wanted to “win” and take her away from her fiancé for himself. It seemed only right that she had to be drunk to be with him. (So where was the comedy we were supposed to find in the story line?) This one is definitely not for me.

[Michal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the duel perspective writing here. Being able to see what they are both thinking gives so much more depth to the story. Christopher was already intrigued with Michelle when he hired her, but noticed the engagement ring on her hand so he didn't pursue her.

Michelle talks about how she hates him and how he constantly changes his mind on her designs, but does she protest too much? Some surprise information and then a with trip brings things to a head in this story. Definitely a satisfying read!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Vicki Stephens · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novella is an enemies to lovers romance between Christopher and Michelle who he hires as a decorator for his hotel chain. He is instantly attracted to her but she sees him as a player and thwarts his advances by admitting she is engaged. When Michelle’s engagement is called off, Christopher takes advantage of the small amount of her contract time with his business by trying to convince her of his true feelings for her. Their story is an enjoyable quick read novella.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Caroline Burt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written story with fantastic characters! Christopher finds himself instantly intensely attracted to the new interior designer he's hired, but there's an issue...she's engaged! Michelle is frustrated by Christopher and his demands. There's so much tension between them it's crazy. What will happen when she finds out a couple of secrets? There's lots of laughter, intense chemistry, family, passion, secrets and more throughout. Enjoy!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[ljamison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Topher and Melissa agree to a marriage of convenience so that they can keep his daughter Sabrina. Sabrina’s grandparents want to take custody of her. Melissa had been Sabrina’s mother best friend so she didn’t mind taking care of her. Topher had no idea he was father until his ex had died. Topher and Melissa really seemed to compliment each other and it was great how the attraction between the two of them blossomed. Good story.

[Michele · Rating 3 out of 5]

Your basic enemies to lovers story, but with one major difference: he loves arguing with her. In most love stories, the arguments stop once they fall in love, or at least, one or both of them wish they would stop.
But in this one, they continue arguing, but in a good way. So I raced through the book and am curious to see what Kate Blake writes next.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Liz | lizzuplans · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the start of this story and the build-up (pun intended as she is an architect yay!!) to the inevitable romance.
I was a bit disengaged when we got further along in the story, but Michelle and Christopher make things work and got their happy after!

It would be great to see more of them, or maybe the side characters, in future books / novellas.

I received an ARC of this book (thanks!) and these are my own opinions.

[Tehteh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can't quite put my finger on the why, but this book was harder and took longer to read than the previous two. Maybe the setting, maybe the character interaction - why is not bad by any means - but yeah I guess I wasn't as into it.

I still think it works and is very well constructed but it is a bit of that insta-everything. I miss watching the characters actually falling in love.

The irony of Christopher Cold is not lost on me ;)

[Didi · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick enemies to lovers story that fulfills your need for a romance fix. Plot is fast paced with chemistry, a fiancé lost, manipulation, secrets revealed, smexy moments, and love. Short, Sweet and Steamy. HEA.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Deb Le · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a quick, sweet read. A little more depth concerning the relationship between Christopher and Michelle would have been appreciated. She accepts to working with him, then suddenly the contract is over..... It needs more on the in between period to make this a winner. Entertaining nontheless.

[Sarah Nielsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute enemies to lovers romance. It was a short story with a good flow. I liked the connection between Christopher and Michelle, they had a lot of chemistry. The story had a good amount of steam and a satisfying HEA.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.