CEO Not Welcome

by Mandy Sawchuk

Small town shenanigans. Enemies to lovers. One wildly inconvenient attraction.

Chloe Adams knows every creaky floorboard, wind-worn sign, and whispered secret in Bluepeak. Managing the lodge isn’t just a job. It’s her life. So when polished businessman Brody Stirling rolls into town with a sleek vision board and plans to buy the lodge and a scheme to turn Bluepeak glossy and profitable, Chloe tightens her ponytail, sharpens her sarcasm, and wants him gone. Roasting him in public? That’s just a bonus.

But Brody’s not just buying the lodge. He’s laying the groundwork to turn their quiet mountain town into a flashy tourist destination, cashing in along the way. To him, it’s progress. To Chloe? It’s a slow-motion disaster, peeling back the town’s soul one board at a time—and threatening life here as they know it.

Their very public face-off turns into a viral sensation, landing them at the center of town gossip, lingering side-eyes, and one extremely awkward truce. Between passive-aggressive planning sessions, forced proximity, and sparks they both pretend to ignore, things start getting complicated—fast.

In a town where everyone knows your name and grudges come with a side of cinnamon rolls, this feud might be one scandal away from something far more dangerous… like falling in love.

Genres: Enemies To Lovers, Small Town Romance

297 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 5, 2025

Reviews

[paula ♡]

DNF at 50% (chapter 16)

Yeah... No, this isn't for me.

I should have known when I saw it was going to be insta love, but I still had hopes that maybe the character development would be good at least... I didn't feel like it was either. Chloe's character feels like she's going around in circles, she can't even decide what she wants. She's desperate for Brody, she has a crush on him, but when she's with him, she rejects him again and again. 💀 I think it would have been better for the story if they had maybe had a secret affair. I think it would add more excitement to the book's plot.

I'm sorry I didn't like the book because I feel it's well-written (even though I don't understand why the spicy scenes have to be so long), and I think if it had another twist, I'd like it more.

[Twins Reading Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mandy Sawchuk delivers a grasping, thoughtful, and ruthlessly steamy romance that shreds through small-town atmosphere like Brody Stirling's luxury SUV barreling into Bluepeak! From the very first pages, there is a push-pull tension so proprioceptive that makes your heart tense! Chloe Adams is a lodge manager, the heartbeat of a town that embraces mountain air and secrets, and Brody, the hometown boy turned CEO, returns armed with gleaming spreadsheets and a glass-and-steel vision, convinced that advancement is a numbers game! Chloe recognises it for what it is, a smooth, smiling eradication of everything real, their first confrontation involves volcanic flames, a lot of true emotional conflagration tied in sarcasm and slow-burn passion, it is entertaining as hell to read this, I couldn't get enough of these two wonderful characters, this was addictive romance at its finest!
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The outstanding brilliance of this work is that the heat does not wait patiently, spice arrives early and frequently, accompanied by eye contact that might fracture granite and conversation so loaded that wreck your serotonin levels! This is a fascinating conflict, coated in banter, and performed with style! Brody's ideas may be sophisticated, but Chloe's ambition is real, rooted, and completely compelling, every time they are forced to share a space, a plan, or a breath, you can feel the tension thicken, each hot moment raises the temperature and exposes another layer of the protagonists' armour! Their fighting style is unique also their fallins is so original and very very flaming hot!
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Under the spice and anguish, there's a more delicate layer, a yearning for somewhere that feels like home to both of them, Brody has abulldozing nature and he's also dealing with the ghost of who he was before ambition changed him, Chloe is protecting trees and trails and clinging to the last thing that hasn't been affected by commerce! Their friends keep them grounded, clever, devoted, and brilliantly present, but it's the town itself, Bluepeak, that binds everything together! Cinnamon rolls, passive-aggressive town meetings, gossip travels quicker than cell signals!!! It's amazing how such a little town can hold so much scandal, but the Author Mandy Sawchuk pulls it off with a wink and a whisper, her prose definitely is astonishingly beautiful!
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All the swoon, spice, and small-town feels. CEO NOT WELCOME ticks all the boxes for the perfect grumpy/grumpier romance! CEO NOT WELCOME is the book you turn to when you want to feel everything, hilarious, riveting, spicy, and heartbreakingly hopeful! Thank you, Mandy, for this masterpiece romance book, I highly recommend it and CEO NOT WELCOME has entered in the fibers of my heart and won't leave my brain soon enough!

[Bethany Sarratt · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a cute book! We’re immediately gifted so much tension between Chloe and Brody!

Brody comes into town wanting to upgrade it, at the cost of the nature that resides in the town. Chloe is doing her best to protect it and keep Brody out of what ensues is a love story that is beautiful!

Tropes:
-small town
-enemies to lovers
-slow burn
-he falls first
-forced proximity

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️

I received this book as an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC). All opinions of this book are my own.

[s.elle.books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay - this book: super cute!
First of all, the MMC will tick you off. Yep. Grade A idiot. Which is ironic for being such a smart CEO. But we all know those brains only go on one track... right?
The FMC though, she brings it. The attitude. The tension. Standing up for what she knows is right.
Speaking of tension... these two are on fire in every interaction... and you're not gonna want to miss it.
Such an entertaining read, absolutely adored the character/relationship development.
Highly recommend!!
4.5⭐ rounded up!!

[Stephie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bluepeak sounds like a beautiful place to live, with some spicy secrets! I am so grateful to the author for gifting me this ARC to review, and girl… can you write a spicy scene! CEO billionaire Brody comes back to his hometown, Bluepeak, with plans to revitalise it. Chloe is against this and passionately protests everything Brody does.

This was a cute read. The sparks and tension between the main characters was on point. I also loved the relationships between the MC's and their respective best friends as well; it's how friendship should be. The spice is spicy and just perfect.

This book was hot!

3.5 out of 5 stars
5 out of 5 spicy peppers
Memorable line: “I don’t care if it bruises. I want it to bruise. I want the mark. I want the memory. I want him.”
Read this if you like: Billionaires, enemies to lovers, HEA
F*ck appears: 116 times
Spicy chapters: 11, 14, 16, 19, 20, 29, 31, 33

[Chelbie Lane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Soft enemies to lovers, spicy, adorable. In that order.

This is the kind of romance book that I crave after I finish a immersive fantasy. The kind that is like a breath of fresh air. An easy, binge read that resets my mood reader brain.

Chloe & Brody. The lodge queen and the CEO who wants to destroy her perfect small town life. He’s the cocky type, gets what he wants. She’s fiery, determined to run him out of town.

Their dynamic was fun to read! It started off as a lust filled hate and ended as much more. There was character growth, strong friendships, and a whole lotta spice! All tied up with the cutest HEA. I loved it.

[Swiftiequeen420 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a cute read. The hate between the two and the tension in the beginning was *chefs kiss* it was so hot!! 🥵🥵 The emotional connection they build with one another slowly was beaitiful to read. They both have amazing friends who really care about them and I think we may get a little spin off with the two besties... I really enjoyed this small-town hate-love ceo billionaire romance. This man has a dirty filthy mouth and he can't seem to keep his words or his hands to himself! This was definitely like a 5 on the spice scale! There were at least 7 spicy scenes if not more! And each one was amazing! 😍😍

[Christine Heinen · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75/5 ⭐️
this was a super fun small town, enemies to lovers, feisty FMC that holds her own. oh, and the spark and tension between these two is truly 👨‍🍳💋
adored the grumpy vibes they were BOTH giving off!!
highly entertaining from the start!

thank you SO MUCH Mandy for allowing me the opportunity to read this. i had so much fun 🩷

[Penner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC from the author and this is my honest review!

Small town romance,banter,chemistry,grumpy billionaire and lots of tense and banter all rolled into one!
This book has it all! Chloe is a strong FMC, attitude and all!
Brody is a grumpy billionaire MMC looking to build in Chloe’s small town. Chloe is having any of it so she protects it the best she can.
I loved Chloe and Brody separately and together. The banter and tension between the two was just perfect. The spice in this book was just perfect as well! If you want a small town grumpy sunshine book then this is the one!

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ★★★★★
𝗥𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗘𝗪:

This book stole my heart in the softest, loudest way.

It gave me everything I didn’t know I needed. The tension, the charm, the fierce, small town pride, it all came together in a way that felt so deeply satisfying. If you know me, you know how much I love a small town girl/city boy trope, and Mandy Sawchuk delivered it with so much heart and heat, I couldn’t stop smiling.

Chloe is the kind of heroine I root for without hesitation. Sharp, grounded, loyal to the core, she carries Bluepeak like it’s stitched into her bones. And Brody? Every bit the polished outsider, trying to make sense of a world that doesn’t care about power suits or strategic plans. Watching them clash was pure joy. Watching them fall? Even better.

Their chemistry is incredible. Truly. There’s something electric about the way they interact, every little moment between them crackled with something unspoken. And their banter? Phenomenal. It’s smart, quick, and full of bite, but underneath it, you can feel everything else simmering…confusion, attraction, frustration, longing. It made my heart ache in the best possible way.

What I loved most was how real it all felt. The town, the people, the way loyalty can sometimes look like stubbornness, and how love doesn’t always arrive in a perfect package. This story felt like something I could walk into…like I could sit at the diner, drink too sweet coffee, and hear someone whispering about Chloe and Brody at the next table over.

There’s such warmth in this book. Yes, there’s tension. Yes, there’s conflict. But the emotion underneath it all is so rich and genuine. It never felt forced or overdone. Just two people trying to figure out where they belong and maybe realizing that sometimes, the person you think is all wrong for you is the one who sees you most clearly.

I highlighted so many lines. I laughed out loud. I got misty eyed more than once.
Without a doubt, a 5 star read from me.
I’d move to Bluepeak tomorrow if it meant watching Chloe and Brody argue their way toward happily ever after all over again.

𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗦: Billionaire romance, small town romance, small town girl/city boy, enemies to lovers, opposite attract

[Sian Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a solid insta-love romance for me - I loved the grumpy vibes going both directions between a big company CEO and woman who runs the lodge in a rural small town.

Chloe's life revolves around keeping the lodge afloat, and standing up for what she and her town believe in - protecting the beautiful natural area they live in. When Brody comes crashing into town with big plans to overhaul the lodge, you just know they're going to butt heads, but of course, there's also that simmering tension - which admittedly doesn't simmer for long!

This book dives straight in to the spice headfirst! You normally expect things to kick off around the 50-60% mark (often 66% exactly, I've noticed!), but this one was barely a quarter way through. I usually love a slow burn, but I enjoyed the "no messing around" in this one. The characters were fun and sassy.

There is an ongoing backstory of saving the town, plus good side characters who help to build out the picture. This isn't exactly a complicated premise for a book, but I enjoyed it nevertheless. It was a quick read, an excellent palate cleanser type of book, and very easy to get along with.

Thank you to the author and publishers for an ARC of this book.

[Black Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

🩷BOOK REVIEW🩷

CEO Not Welcome by @mandysawchuk
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Tropes:

💐 Small town romance
🖥️ Enemies to lovers
💐 Secret romance
🖥️ Fighting for what they believe in
💐 Billionaire romance

First of all, thank you Mandy for this book!! I ABSOLUTELY ADORED IT!

I am obsessed with these two and I couldn't get enough of Body and Chloe. From the second they met and their eyes connected, they had been transfixed and couldn't focus on anything other than the thoughts of each other and not the decent kind🤭

The chemistry and tension was so hot that I was at the edge of my seat the entire two days it took me to finish it. I couldn't wait for them to just say 'fck it' and do it, which they did mind you!

I loved how Brody wanted to spoil her both in and outside the bedroom! And I loved how fierce and independent Chloe was!!

Gosh! This book was perfection! I loved how their turmoil was portrayed and how they were so perfect for each other even though they had their ups and downs. And I'm so glad they found their way to each other🤭🫶

[The Plot Thickens Book Club · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed by Rose on behalf of the Plot Thickens Book Club
Title: CEO not welcome
Author: Mandy Sawchuk
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Brody and Chloe both seem to have different goals. But the sexual tension between them starts as soon as they see each other. Brody keeps interrupting the meetings that Chloe organises to fight against his proposal to build a posh hotel and other buildings getting rid of the quaint lodge and parts of the local woodland and animal habitats.

Every time they meet they end up together always with someone or something interrupting them afterwards. Although a good story line and loved the characters I would have liked a little more story in between their get togethers. I did enjoy the story and from about half way through couldn't put the book down wanting to know how it was going to play out. Maybe a little bit more of how Brody managed to sort his work out so he didn't have to be away from Chloe and maybe included his parents as that was the reason for building the hotel so they could retire there.

Overall a good read.

[Meg Pinho · Rating 4 out of 5]

LOVED

grumpy ceo? Small town girl? Yes please

This was such a fun read. A cute little grumpy x sunshine . The book was a little fast paced but I also felt like the pace perfectly captured the idea of not being able to resist what you feel.

The tensions the characters faced in their relationship felt real and believable. I loved the side characters (Harper is the best and I love her).

Both MCs learned to compromise and actually took the time to understand what the other was saying not just together but on their own which helped the story feel more real.

Overall this was such a fun cute romance that I would happily read again.

This is also perfect for anyone looking for spice - the spice was spicy and it fit pretty well into the story - I did feel like there was a lot of spice towards the end but it did feel like it fit into the story and the idea of finally letting themselves be happy.

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was like a spicy hallmark movie, which I love. The only thing I didn’t like was that, honestly, Brody was kind of the worst. I just did not like him at all. He finally FINALLY got it, but it had to be bashed over his head by everyone several times. An issue would come up, he’d have his epiphany and promise to do better and then the next day do it all over again. There wasn’t so much of a 3rd act breakup as lots of tiny break ups (because again, Brody is the worst). That said, I get this is not entirely unrealistic, but it was so frustrating!

That said, I enjoyed the overall plot of the book, the ending was so sweet, and the spice was a good level of spice for me. I wish there was a little more to the side characters, but maybe Mason will get his own book?

Overall, this was a fun read with all the right amounts of sweet and spice.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Tamarae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mandy Sawchuk has written a bit, steamy and very fun small town romance novel where the characters are well written, relatable and entertaining. The storyline is fun and well developed. The banter between characters is enjoyable, the spice is on fire.

The book takes us to the little quaint town of Bluepeak where independent Chloe is an advocate to conserve the town’s natural beauty. She also manages the towns charming lodge.

In comes Brody, the big shot CEO with huge plans to change everything Chloe knows and loves in

order to bring more tourists to Bluepeak.

There's a heated exchange between Chloe and Brody and they both feel some chemistry! As they listen to each other about the town and changes to bring more tourism, attraction begins to grow between them until the tension finally snaps and they give into the sexual energy between them.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kristy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This tension between Chole and Brody is so hot from the start of this book.

Brody the ambitious CEO with big plans, arrives in town and hopes to reshape it with a luxury hotel, a golf course, and a data center. But Chloe, stuck in her hometown of Bluepeak, isn't ready to see the beauty and quietness of her town change.

From the moment these two meet, their clash over Bluepeak's future sparks something deeper, an undeniable tension that feels like the start of something neither one of them saw coming.

With the background of Bluepeak's locals, and a cast of outspoken best friends, we watch this battle shake out and anxiously await who will come out on top-literally...

This was a steamy and additive read that had me hooked from page one and I can't wait to return to Bluepeak soon.

[R J Naik · Rating 4 out of 5]

CEO Not Welcome by Mandy Sawchuk is a fun, sassy, and heart-tugging romance that immediately hooks you with its premise—what happens when the last man you want around is the one who won’t leave? The banter is sharp, the chemistry undeniable, and beneath all the witty comebacks lies a slow build of vulnerability and trust that makes you root for the characters.

I especially loved how the heroine holds her ground, refusing to be swept away just because he’s powerful and charming. The push-and-pull between them felt realistic and deliciously entertaining. If you enjoy enemies-to-lovers with a healthy dose of workplace tension and laugh-out-loud moments, this book is a perfect pick.

Mandy Sawchuk has written a romance that’s both witty and warm, reminding us that sometimes love shows up in the most unexpected places—even when it’s not welcome at first

[Ashley C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

CEO Not Welcome is a fun and great paced small town romance where things get hot, heavy, and a bit messy. The banter between characters is enjoyable, the spice is on 🔥, and the dramatic circumstances they find themselves in make it quite the ride 👀

The book takes us to the little quaint town of Bluepeak where strong minded Chloe’s an advocate to conserve the town’s natural beauty and while managing its charming lodge. In comes Brody, the big shot CEO with huge plans to change everything Chloe knows and loves in order to bring more tourists. One very heated exchange causes a shift. As they hear out each other’s side more, attraction begins to grow between them until the tension finally snaps and they give into the sexual energy between them 🫠

Thank you Mandy Sawchuk for the ARC 🫶🏻

[Caitlin H. · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Small town local Chloe, advocates to protect Bluepeak and all it’s untamed natural beauty and rustic charm. Big city CEO Brody has plans to put Bluepeak on the map as a profitable tourist destination, with big plans to expand and modernize. The result? Plenty of conflict, witty banter, and unexpected attraction. I couldn’t help but compare this book to the small town meets big city vibes in a Hallmark movie, but if you sprinkled in a heavy dose of spur of the moment spice.

If you are a fan of small-town charm, rivals to lovers and witty banter this one is for you.
The romance was a bit confusing and chaotic for my liking. Otherwise, it was a good read and cute overall.

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest revie

[Tracy Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Small-town girl meets big-town CEO with plans to change the whole place she calls home, while she wants to keep everything the same. The tension is undeniable from the start, which then turns into passion. There is a constant push and pull from both main characters while they are both trying to deny there are any feelings for the other. This book was hard to put down - the characters took me for a wild ride and I couldn’t wait but didn’t want it to end.

This is a great book for a fun little “will-they-won’t-they” scenario to goes just where you want before it breaks your heart to then slowly put it back together.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[The Baker and the Bookmark Nikki Montalvo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coming from a small town in Colorado I love small town romance books and this one didn’t disappoint. CEO Not Welcome, is sweet and heartfelt. Brody is the corporate bad guy coming back to a town he grew up in to make changes for what he feels is the for the better. Cue Chloe, the hometown protector who is going everything she can to preserve the pristine nature of the town and not let some corporate money man come and bulldoze down nature.

Sparks fly and the banter gets just as hot. Perfect read by the pool or quiet afternoon with your favorite cup of tea. Give it a read, you won’t be disappointed!!

[Amanda Holloway · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the storyline! The hate, the spark, the sexual tension was all there. There were a few more spicy scenes than what is in any other spicy romance books I have read, but I did like that too!
My only take-back on this is Brody's point of view. I don't feel it would be something a guy would actually think/feel. (I could also be wrong on that as well)
Overall, I loved the book and will recommend to my book reader friends!


I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Delilah Snyder · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Arc review* - I wanted to thank the author for giving me the opportunity to read the book before it was released

This is my honest review of the book.

I honestly enjoyed reading this, it’s got a really interesting and good plot , I loved the banter between the two characters and how it had good dialogue and character development. Love the spice is just the right amount of spice and I loved it. Can’t wait to see if there will be another book after this one. Keep up the great work 🥰 1000/10 will recommend this book and will reread it forever ❤️

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

A small town. A CEO. A fight for the future direction of the town…and a love story.

This is an enemies to lovers romance fueled by an instant attraction despite their opposing goals. There’s plenty of angst and a healthy amount of denial. It’s an open door romance that will go for it whenever and *wherever* the mood strikes.

I enjoyed this book, but honestly I found the end messy. I feel like there was a lack of clarity and things could have been condensed down. That said, it was a fun, easy read that could be knocked over in an afternoon.

[Brittany Swoboda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute enemies to lovers small town girl meets big city business man. The spice was spicing and the scenes were hot. It’s a fairly quick cutesy read that’ll make your heart warm. It would’ve been an 5 star for me with a little more character development. Overall, I would recommend the book for those looking for a perfect balance of sweet and spice, and I’m looking forward to reading more books by Mandy Sawchuk. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully well written enemies to lovers romance read. Well balanced and smooth flowing. The chemistry and banter between the characters is fantastic. Speaking of, main characters are Brody and Chloe. Brody is a know-it-all business CEO who's come back to his small hometown to revitalize and upgrade it while Chloe is there to protect the nature and what the small town is all about. While these two may seem like enemies, the chemistry is lit from the start. I would definitely recommend!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Brittney Savage · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! At first I seriously hated the mmc, but I fell in love with him over time. The way it's written makes you just fall on love with the whole town. I think my favorite part was that they actually question their feelings and why they're having them instead of the normal "oh I guess I just love him/her!"Instead they actually stop and go "why did I do that?" Or "why would I feel like this?" Its perfect and realistic!

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay big shout out to an AB author sharing her stories!!
I love finding more and more authors from my neck of the woods.

Definitely enemies to lovers, feisty, insta-lust turned love, with plenty of spice 🌶️🌶️🌶️

It was a quick sassy read, with some quirky small town characters that you can’t help but love.

Looking forward to seeing more from Bluepeak, the sidekicks were teased nicely so I hope that Harper and Mason get a scorching story next :)

[Elodie R · Rating 5 out of 5]

A super spicy feel good read ✨
Honestly it felt like talking to my best friend and chatting and all the feelings. It’s one of those books you enjoy like a glass of wine on a sunny afternoon with friend by the pool. It’s easy and happy and by all means go for it when you’re feeling low.
I reaaaally enjoyed the writing..
BUT

SPOILER AHEAD PLEASE SKIP AT YOUR CONVENIENCE.

I demand Justice about Eli. I was rooting for him!

Anyways… Thank you 🫶