What do you think?
Rate this book
Pain & Pleasure #1
Crash & Burn: (a forbidden romance)
Crash & Burn is a forbidden romance that ignites with passion & slow burn tension and is book one in the Pain & Pleasure series.
“Yes, sir.” The words fall from her lips like heavenly sin.
I lower my head down to hers, able to take in her fevered breaths as my own. And right before I get close enough to kiss her, I stop myself to whisper against her lips.
“Good girl.”
There’s one no dating in the workplace.
And as the new CEO and owner of his family's business, Callan has no intention of violating that rule. He has it all, even if he is battling against it all in his head.
That is until he meets unpredictable, reticent, and alluring Sterling, the girl who quite literally just lost everything. And she too is struggling with life’s relentless nature.
The two of them collide in a tension-ridden, forbidden dance of push and pull while still fighting against what it means to break the rules and what it means to let each other in.
Will the flame their passionate tangle creates consume them whole or will it burn everything they’ve ever known?
“Yes, sir.” The words fall from her lips like heavenly sin.
I lower my head down to hers, able to take in her fevered breaths as my own. And right before I get close enough to kiss her, I stop myself to whisper against her lips.
“Good girl.”
There’s one no dating in the workplace.
And as the new CEO and owner of his family's business, Callan has no intention of violating that rule. He has it all, even if he is battling against it all in his head.
That is until he meets unpredictable, reticent, and alluring Sterling, the girl who quite literally just lost everything. And she too is struggling with life’s relentless nature.
The two of them collide in a tension-ridden, forbidden dance of push and pull while still fighting against what it means to break the rules and what it means to let each other in.
Will the flame their passionate tangle creates consume them whole or will it burn everything they’ve ever known?
428 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 7, 2025
90 people are currently reading
2148 people want to read
About the author
AJ Nicole
14 books320 followersAJ Nicole is a #1 Best Selling indie author who creates emotional, passionate, and tempting romance stories of many variations including sports romance, contemporary romance, dark romance, paranormal romance, and young adult romance.
She resides in Colorado with her family and writes best when the rest of the world is asleep.
For more, follow her on her socials: @booksbyajnicole
or visit her website:
www.booksbyajnicole.com
She resides in Colorado with her family and writes best when the rest of the world is asleep.
For more, follow her on her socials: @booksbyajnicole
or visit her website:
www.booksbyajnicole.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 178 reviews
February 4, 2023
Where do I even begin? This story had me hooked from beginning to end. There wasn’t any part that I felt was too slow or too much. I could praise this story all day. Now let’s get into it.
Tropes: Age Gap, Forbidden Romance, Coworkers, Hidden truths, Praise, Obsession, He falls first, Rich boy/Poor girl, Billionaire, Push and Pull.
The story is told from dual POV.
Sterling is just like us, and by that I mean she’s just trying to make enough money to survive and still have a life. She’s got the awful boss who firmly believes “the customer is always right” no matter the situation, leaving Sterling to pick up the pieces and the tab in the end. After a long day, all Sterling wants to do is take a hot shower and climb into bed. Her plans get detailed when she’s hit - literally hit - by an oncoming car, sending Sterling and her life spinning.
While in the hospital, it’s a little groggy to remember what exactly happened and that works in the favor of a mysterious old man who hands her money to just forget what happened. Thinking it’s just a fever dream, Sterling falls asleep only to wake up and discover it was anything but. The proof is lying next to her in an envelope full of cash.
Having been in an accident, doesn’t leave much time for work but her boss isn’t hearing it. After being fired, eviction being threatened, and having no car, Sterling thinks of the only logical option, buying a new car with the money she was given.
Out of all the dealerships she could have walked into, she stumbled into Callan’s place of business. She was looking for a car and left with a job as his new secretary. She needs this job. But working so close to him, every day pulls a different kind of need out of her. A want. A desire. For her boss. But it isn’t a one way street no matter how many times Callan denies the push and pull of their relationship. How close is too close? And is it all what it seems? Who is Callan and what kind of demons are lurking in his past?
Tropes: Age Gap, Forbidden Romance, Coworkers, Hidden truths, Praise, Obsession, He falls first, Rich boy/Poor girl, Billionaire, Push and Pull.
The story is told from dual POV.
Sterling is just like us, and by that I mean she’s just trying to make enough money to survive and still have a life. She’s got the awful boss who firmly believes “the customer is always right” no matter the situation, leaving Sterling to pick up the pieces and the tab in the end. After a long day, all Sterling wants to do is take a hot shower and climb into bed. Her plans get detailed when she’s hit - literally hit - by an oncoming car, sending Sterling and her life spinning.
While in the hospital, it’s a little groggy to remember what exactly happened and that works in the favor of a mysterious old man who hands her money to just forget what happened. Thinking it’s just a fever dream, Sterling falls asleep only to wake up and discover it was anything but. The proof is lying next to her in an envelope full of cash.
Having been in an accident, doesn’t leave much time for work but her boss isn’t hearing it. After being fired, eviction being threatened, and having no car, Sterling thinks of the only logical option, buying a new car with the money she was given.
Out of all the dealerships she could have walked into, she stumbled into Callan’s place of business. She was looking for a car and left with a job as his new secretary. She needs this job. But working so close to him, every day pulls a different kind of need out of her. A want. A desire. For her boss. But it isn’t a one way street no matter how many times Callan denies the push and pull of their relationship. How close is too close? And is it all what it seems? Who is Callan and what kind of demons are lurking in his past?
May 4, 2023
This book was a wreck I couldn’t put down.
It hooked me from the beginning. I loved the mess of their relationship (hot/cold, emotional trauma, digging into ice cold millionaire hearts) and how in the end Callan is the dream boat we all knew he could be.
There was a lot foreshadowing/quotes related to the crash thrown out that I just wanted to get to it in the end, which is basically my only annoyance. But overall, it was fast read, easy to get absorbed in.
Tropes: millionaire boyfriend, workplace romance, and age gap, 🌶️ 🌶️
Callan ❤️🔥🚩
Fave quote:
“Why aren’t you running from the obvious red flags?
“Red is my favorite color, remember?”
It hooked me from the beginning. I loved the mess of their relationship (hot/cold, emotional trauma, digging into ice cold millionaire hearts) and how in the end Callan is the dream boat we all knew he could be.
There was a lot foreshadowing/quotes related to the crash thrown out that I just wanted to get to it in the end, which is basically my only annoyance. But overall, it was fast read, easy to get absorbed in.
Tropes: millionaire boyfriend, workplace romance, and age gap, 🌶️ 🌶️
Callan ❤️🔥🚩
Fave quote:
“Why aren’t you running from the obvious red flags?
“Red is my favorite color, remember?”
June 8, 2023
1.5 stars
There was so much going on, so quickly. There wasn't enough time to develop the story. I think taking out some of the events/drama and building tension between the MCs would have changed the book
There was so much going on, so quickly. There wasn't enough time to develop the story. I think taking out some of the events/drama and building tension between the MCs would have changed the book
April 27, 2023
A perfect mix of salty and sweet. ❤️
We all love a damaged bad boy and we love it even more when an innocent sassy ass waltzes into his dealership and flips his intricate stack of immoral cards. Callan and Sterling are the most amazing duo with a hint of sarcasm and a whole lot of spice. Their romance leaps off the pages at you and you’re immediately immersed into the world that AJ has gifted us with. Her words were captivating and she writes so beautifully. I felt like I was listening to my best friend tell a story and that feeling is hard to capture. I wish the story was a little longer to fill in some gaps especially with Sara and Dakota, but I’m hopeful that since this is a series, there will be some overlap and questions answered. For a debut novel, this did not disappoint. I am looking forward to adding any and all AJ Nicole’s books to my collection.
**I received an ARC from the author in exchange for my honest review.**
We all love a damaged bad boy and we love it even more when an innocent sassy ass waltzes into his dealership and flips his intricate stack of immoral cards. Callan and Sterling are the most amazing duo with a hint of sarcasm and a whole lot of spice. Their romance leaps off the pages at you and you’re immediately immersed into the world that AJ has gifted us with. Her words were captivating and she writes so beautifully. I felt like I was listening to my best friend tell a story and that feeling is hard to capture. I wish the story was a little longer to fill in some gaps especially with Sara and Dakota, but I’m hopeful that since this is a series, there will be some overlap and questions answered. For a debut novel, this did not disappoint. I am looking forward to adding any and all AJ Nicole’s books to my collection.
**I received an ARC from the author in exchange for my honest review.**
August 30, 2023
If you are looking for a Spicy Contemporary Romance with a Billionaire that has daddy issues and a “poor” girl trying to make it by that got lucky by landing a job at a high end business, well this one is for you! I am a sucker for slow burns especially if the writer can build up the intensity and desire before they collided. Well AJ Nicole did that! I think she did an amazing job at the slow burn pace. I LOVE the drama it makes the story more alive and fuels the romance. I love the back story from each MC. “My Little Rose”
3 chilies / 5
Tropes:
She’s trying to get her life together
Hes a billionaire
hidden truth
slow burn
forbidden/office
hidden truth
hes obsessed
3 chilies / 5
Tropes:
She’s trying to get her life together
Hes a billionaire
hidden truth
slow burn
forbidden/office
hidden truth
hes obsessed
August 13, 2023
Callan David struck me initially as arrogant to the point of being blind to his own privilege, and ungrateful toward its source— his father. Yes, their relationship is complicated and difficult; still, Callan’s reactions seem very over-the-top.
I was okay with that, however; if anything, it was refreshing. You don’t have to like the MMC at the outset, right?
My only very minor niggling point of contention is the passage where Sterling agrees with Callan’s assessment of his father. She, too, thinks he makes everything all about himself.
I won’t reveal the context of the scene with a spoiler, but I had a hard time believing Sterling would have wholeheartedly accepted Callan’s perspective. In every other scene, she seems ready to challenge him and his assumptions. At least, once she gets her bearings in his world, she does.
I may have made different choices had I been in Sterling’s shoes, but I still really enjoyed this book.
I was okay with that, however; if anything, it was refreshing. You don’t have to like the MMC at the outset, right?
My only very minor niggling point of contention is the passage where Sterling agrees with Callan’s assessment of his father. She, too, thinks he makes everything all about himself.
I won’t reveal the context of the scene with a spoiler, but I had a hard time believing Sterling would have wholeheartedly accepted Callan’s perspective. In every other scene, she seems ready to challenge him and his assumptions. At least, once she gets her bearings in his world, she does.
I may have made different choices had I been in Sterling’s shoes, but I still really enjoyed this book.
May 9, 2023
Maybe this relationship dynamic is just not my cup of tea? Of course the writing is a little rough, but I can definitely forgive a lot since this is a debut novel and is self published. Better than I would do for sure. I just didn’t really get it. However, I think with more time, this author could really grow into a great one! I hope she keeps writing!
April 20, 2023
If there were more stars this book would get them. Secrets, passion, desire and connection all in one book.
February 27, 2023
Good debut novel from AJ Nicole! Spicy and very cute chemistry between the two main characters. Female lead Sterling starts working for an auto dealership after getting hit by a driver and totaling her car. Her boss and owner of the company is Callan and they soon begin a sexy relationship. They do go back and forth a lot and I’m not sure why she would throw out the money she got for the accident but other than that I enjoyed it! I definitely hope that the authors next book is about Callan’s best friend Jax.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 26, 2023
I wish I could give this book more than 5 stars. I was lucky to be an arc reader for this author and oh my gosh was it amazing! I need a Callan David in my life… yes I’m serious lol! I loved this story from the start and it took over my life the second I started it… literally lol… started it last night and I was in my room all day today until I just finished. The story line was tweaked in a way that reality really hit the romance aspect. Like just the little changes of how the happy ending happened and such I love that it wasn’t cliche moments and wow the spicy scenes were freaking amazing- did I say I need a Callan David yet? Lol I’m so glad I came across this author on TikTok and I can’t wait to read the next in the series! This was a phenomenal read with romance and drama and spice! Love love love! You did the damn thing AJ!
July 22, 2023
The back and forth and playing with emotions didn’t feel convincing to me. I feel like every over minute Callan would convince himself to finally give in but then pull away. And it just wasn’t super believable. I’m excited to see what Dakota’s story brings. Anyone else want to read a book about Jax?? 🙋🏻♀️
June 1, 2023
3.5 ⭐️ - rounded up.
🌶️🌶️🌶️
This was a really good indie author debut! Are there grammatical mistakes? Yes. Was there one typo that pulled me out and gave me a moment of confusion? Also yes. But none of that messed with my overall enjoyment of the story and characters.
Sterling was snarky and insecure and I find that those traits often go hand in hand with real people I meet.
The praise was hot! 👌🏼😘
This is definitely a slower burn with lots of tension and inner monologuing about how they can’t feel their feelings for the other person.
Once the spice gets going though, there’s plenty of it!
I’m sure people will have different opinions and experiences with this book than I did but I’d definitely recommend it if you like slow burn, boss/employee, praise, secrets, hidden truths!
🌶️🌶️🌶️
This was a really good indie author debut! Are there grammatical mistakes? Yes. Was there one typo that pulled me out and gave me a moment of confusion? Also yes. But none of that messed with my overall enjoyment of the story and characters.
Sterling was snarky and insecure and I find that those traits often go hand in hand with real people I meet.
The praise was hot! 👌🏼😘
This is definitely a slower burn with lots of tension and inner monologuing about how they can’t feel their feelings for the other person.
Once the spice gets going though, there’s plenty of it!
I’m sure people will have different opinions and experiences with this book than I did but I’d definitely recommend it if you like slow burn, boss/employee, praise, secrets, hidden truths!
August 24, 2023
Wonderful!
First off, congratulations on a wonderful debut novel. I loved the story of Sterling and Callan. It had the right mix in of things as I reader I love and the right level of heat.
I can easily see your writing getting better with time and I can’t wait to watch it do that. You will have the naysayers and critics but stay true to you and the stories your characters tell you and you will do fine.
First off, congratulations on a wonderful debut novel. I loved the story of Sterling and Callan. It had the right mix in of things as I reader I love and the right level of heat.
I can easily see your writing getting better with time and I can’t wait to watch it do that. You will have the naysayers and critics but stay true to you and the stories your characters tell you and you will do fine.
May 15, 2023
I hate the fact that is book made driving drunk and almost killing someone seem like just an “oopsie” instead of causing actual consequences. Disgusting.
And the promise ring from a 30 year old man was just the cherry on top of the cringe sundae for me. This book was terrible from start to finish. Writing style, plot, dialogue. Not a fan. I’d skip this one if I were you.
And the promise ring from a 30 year old man was just the cherry on top of the cringe sundae for me. This book was terrible from start to finish. Writing style, plot, dialogue. Not a fan. I’d skip this one if I were you.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 3, 2023
♡Book Review♡
📖Crash & Burn By AJ Nicole 📖
Probably Smut Book Club Pick
Rating~ ⭐️⭐️⭐️���️⭐️
Spice~🌶🌶🌶
My Thoughts~ HOLY H*LLL this got me out of my reading slump. I read this in ONE sitting, hooked was an understatement 😍😍 I could not get enough of these two characters they were the perfect match up, Sterling and Callan were a bit on the hot mess express train as I felt like they both had so much going on in there lives and I wish there was a little bit more of just them like getting to know each other and more good moments together.
There was suchhh good spice though you do have to wait a bit as it is a slow burn but the passion and chemistry was spot on and Definitely made up for the wait. The author definitely kept me on my toes with a couple things that I thought would happen but didn't end up happening or who I thought did something. I liked the age gap and the fact that he didn't make her feel younger ya know it just flowed.
Overall it was a easy read for me and I really enjoyed it a good 5 ⭐️ read for sure. I can't wait to read more from this author in the future 😍
Blurb:
Callan David is her fantasy. A fantasy she didn’t want to have. After leaving home and starting over on her own, she promised herself she’d focus on getting her life together even though bad luck follows her around like a shadow. That is until she meets him, the only man who gives her the praise that she wants but doesn’t think she deserves.
Sterling Cooper is his obsession. One that he never expected. Everything in his life has always been orchestrated by his seemingly picture-perfect family. Soon he learns that his reality is made up of hidden truths, one of them is his own. But it only makes things worse when he sets sights on her, the only woman who makes him feel things he never thought he’d want to feel.
One night. Their lives collide. What happens when the fire their paths create burns brighter than either of them could’ve imagined? Will the flame consume them with passion, or destroy them as secrets and chaos begin to unravel?
📖Crash & Burn By AJ Nicole 📖
Probably Smut Book Club Pick
Rating~ ⭐️⭐️⭐️���️⭐️
Spice~🌶🌶🌶
My Thoughts~ HOLY H*LLL this got me out of my reading slump. I read this in ONE sitting, hooked was an understatement 😍😍 I could not get enough of these two characters they were the perfect match up, Sterling and Callan were a bit on the hot mess express train as I felt like they both had so much going on in there lives and I wish there was a little bit more of just them like getting to know each other and more good moments together.
There was suchhh good spice though you do have to wait a bit as it is a slow burn but the passion and chemistry was spot on and Definitely made up for the wait. The author definitely kept me on my toes with a couple things that I thought would happen but didn't end up happening or who I thought did something. I liked the age gap and the fact that he didn't make her feel younger ya know it just flowed.
Overall it was a easy read for me and I really enjoyed it a good 5 ⭐️ read for sure. I can't wait to read more from this author in the future 😍
Blurb:
Callan David is her fantasy. A fantasy she didn’t want to have. After leaving home and starting over on her own, she promised herself she’d focus on getting her life together even though bad luck follows her around like a shadow. That is until she meets him, the only man who gives her the praise that she wants but doesn’t think she deserves.
Sterling Cooper is his obsession. One that he never expected. Everything in his life has always been orchestrated by his seemingly picture-perfect family. Soon he learns that his reality is made up of hidden truths, one of them is his own. But it only makes things worse when he sets sights on her, the only woman who makes him feel things he never thought he’d want to feel.
One night. Their lives collide. What happens when the fire their paths create burns brighter than either of them could’ve imagined? Will the flame consume them with passion, or destroy them as secrets and chaos begin to unravel?
May 27, 2023
We’re first introduced to Sterling. She is in her mid-twenties and struggling to make ends meet especially with the hand gifted to her by life. When matters can’t seem to get any worse Sterling gets hit in a car accident where her car is totaled. This leaves Sterling without a car, a job and hospital bills. In attempt to move forward Sterling goes to a car dealership where she meets Callan. He is a self proclaimed fuck boi doing trying to make it big in the business he just inherited from his father. Callan becomes Sterling saving Grace when he offers a job. Their work relationship quickly becomes more but will it be enough for Sterling?
Tropes:
-Age gap
-Forbidden romance
-Slow burn
-Billionaire
-Praise kink 🥵
-He falls first
-Dual POV
I am not one who usually enjoys slow burns because I can become frustrated waiting for things to happen. However, AJ had a great pace for her story and I honestly would’ve loved to see the book be a bit longer to allow for some details to play out rather than brushed over at the end. There is 🔥 tension between the characters early on that makes a slow burn so worth it. I started the book really disliking Callan and Sterling but their character growth throughout the book is what we all love to see in our main characters. Crash & Burn is AJ Nicole’s debut novel and I am very excited to see where else her writing takes her in the future because this is a great start!
Tropes:
-Age gap
-Forbidden romance
-Slow burn
-Billionaire
-Praise kink 🥵
-He falls first
-Dual POV
I am not one who usually enjoys slow burns because I can become frustrated waiting for things to happen. However, AJ had a great pace for her story and I honestly would’ve loved to see the book be a bit longer to allow for some details to play out rather than brushed over at the end. There is 🔥 tension between the characters early on that makes a slow burn so worth it. I started the book really disliking Callan and Sterling but their character growth throughout the book is what we all love to see in our main characters. Crash & Burn is AJ Nicole’s debut novel and I am very excited to see where else her writing takes her in the future because this is a great start!
May 30, 2023
crash & burn follows sterling and callan. sterling is going through it when the book starts. she’s just been hospitalized after a hit and run, she loses her job, and she doesn’t know what to do with the money a mysterious stranger left with her in the hospital. callan is a bit of a player, casual hookups are all that works for the now owner of a luxury car dealership. when sterling comes into the dealership, callan is instantly drawn toward her, and he ends up offering her a job she cannot refuse. thus starts their forced proximity, boss employee, age gap romance.
crash & burn follows sterling and callan. sterling is going through it when the book starts. she’s just been hospitalized after a hit and run, she loses her job, and she doesn’t know what to do with the money a mysterious stranger left with her in the hospital. callan is a bit of a player, casual hookups are all that works for the now owner of a luxury car dealership. when sterling comes into the dealership, callan is instantly drawn toward her, and he ends up offering her a job she cannot refuse. thus starts their forced proximity, boss employee, age gap romance.
tropes: age gap, forced proximity, workplace romance, boss employee, billionaire, he falls first, dirty talking hero, forbidden, morally grey hero, secrets, sassy heroine
crash & burn follows sterling and callan. sterling is going through it when the book starts. she’s just been hospitalized after a hit and run, she loses her job, and she doesn’t know what to do with the money a mysterious stranger left with her in the hospital. callan is a bit of a player, casual hookups are all that works for the now owner of a luxury car dealership. when sterling comes into the dealership, callan is instantly drawn toward her, and he ends up offering her a job she cannot refuse. thus starts their forced proximity, boss employee, age gap romance.
tropes: age gap, forced proximity, workplace romance, boss employee, billionaire, he falls first, dirty talking hero, forbidden, morally grey hero, secrets, sassy heroine
May 23, 2023
3.5 Stars
This was Probably Smut's May book club book! I really liked that this was an indie author and that a newly published book was chosen as the book.
That being said, the writing is a little rough and there's a few grammatical errors throughout the story. I felt like the pace of the story worked well, and could have honestly done with a little longer just to include more details and tie up a few loose ends.
The spice is good and not overdone for a book this short. It's pretty paced out between the last half of the book when the relationship comes together (literally and figuratively).
I didn't care for Callan and his father's relationship. It was definitely a "Daddy pays and it goes away" kind of relationship and that didn't set well with me, especially **SPOILER ALERT** once you find out that Callan is the car that hit Sterling and put her in the hospital. Personally, I wouldn't have forgiven someone after four days, for a hit and run that almost killed me.
When it comes down to it, I'll probably read the other books in the series because I like to complete the series.
This was Probably Smut's May book club book! I really liked that this was an indie author and that a newly published book was chosen as the book.
That being said, the writing is a little rough and there's a few grammatical errors throughout the story. I felt like the pace of the story worked well, and could have honestly done with a little longer just to include more details and tie up a few loose ends.
The spice is good and not overdone for a book this short. It's pretty paced out between the last half of the book when the relationship comes together (literally and figuratively).
I didn't care for Callan and his father's relationship. It was definitely a "Daddy pays and it goes away" kind of relationship and that didn't set well with me, especially **SPOILER ALERT** once you find out that Callan is the car that hit Sterling and put her in the hospital. Personally, I wouldn't have forgiven someone after four days, for a hit and run that almost killed me.
When it comes down to it, I'll probably read the other books in the series because I like to complete the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 10, 2025
Callam drove me CRAZY in the first 30% of the book. He’s so hot and cold. The push and pull is enough to give you whiplash. He knew what he wanted but wouldn’t let himself have it. Sterling was also a hard character to connect with. She was shy and fragile one minute, then she was snarky and bold the next. Neither character showed their true selves until they showed each other. I thought that made the story truly beautiful.
I’m normally not one for a billionaire story, but I think it’s growing on me. This one was spicy and fun! Callam was possessive and reading his thoughts and actions had me on the edge of my seat. This book seriously felt like it edged me until we finally fell over the cliff. It was well worth the wait but dang was I screaming for them to let their morals go!!
If you a slow burn, spicy, emotional read with family drama, this story may be for you! It’s a quick read and keeps you hooked from beginning to end!!
Thank you AJ Nicole for the ebook arc!! I’m such a fan of Callam and his possessive sexy ways 😍😍
I’m normally not one for a billionaire story, but I think it’s growing on me. This one was spicy and fun! Callam was possessive and reading his thoughts and actions had me on the edge of my seat. This book seriously felt like it edged me until we finally fell over the cliff. It was well worth the wait but dang was I screaming for them to let their morals go!!
If you a slow burn, spicy, emotional read with family drama, this story may be for you! It’s a quick read and keeps you hooked from beginning to end!!
Thank you AJ Nicole for the ebook arc!! I’m such a fan of Callam and his possessive sexy ways 😍😍
March 7, 2025
Rate: 4/5⭐️
Spice: 1.5/5🌶️
What to expect when reading Crash & Burn;
-Billionaire
-Forbidden Office
-Rich boy x Poor girl
-Morally Grey
-Medium Burn
I love books that when you’re reading you think you have the plot figured out and then a bomb gets dropped and you were completely off. That’s what you get in Sterling & Callen’s book!
Poor Sterling can’t catch a break, it’s just one thing after another. After being left an envelope I won’t spoil what’s in it. She has to figure out what she’s gonna do next. This is where she crosses paths with Callen. The back and forth between them was fun but also almost gave you whiplash but in a good way lol
The story was very enjoyable and well done because I really hadn’t expect it to play out the way it did. Secrets.😉
Side Notes:
-i’m yours by Isabel LaRosa song pick
-Poor Gerald lol
Favorite line: “This girl is insufferable. But I kind of like it”
#review #bookstagram #books #booklover
Spice: 1.5/5🌶️
What to expect when reading Crash & Burn;
-Billionaire
-Forbidden Office
-Rich boy x Poor girl
-Morally Grey
-Medium Burn
I love books that when you’re reading you think you have the plot figured out and then a bomb gets dropped and you were completely off. That’s what you get in Sterling & Callen’s book!
Poor Sterling can’t catch a break, it’s just one thing after another. After being left an envelope I won’t spoil what’s in it. She has to figure out what she’s gonna do next. This is where she crosses paths with Callen. The back and forth between them was fun but also almost gave you whiplash but in a good way lol
The story was very enjoyable and well done because I really hadn’t expect it to play out the way it did. Secrets.😉
Side Notes:
-i’m yours by Isabel LaRosa song pick
-Poor Gerald lol
Favorite line: “This girl is insufferable. But I kind of like it”
#review #bookstagram #books #booklover
May 4, 2023
Another book club selection...another miss...I'll give it one more month and then I'm moving on to a different subscription.
Definitely a first novel and definitely a case of trying to fit too many things into one novel(not the first new author to do this and it certainly won't be the last). This was evident in the storyline and in the smut.
The overall story had potential, but the main thing I was thinking throughout was the timeline. They needed more time to build the tension, to build the relationship, and to fall apart. This can be accomplished without adding bulk to the book, but it all just felt rushed. You can't use the term "always" when you've known each other three days.
There are a bunch of other minute details that I won't dissect, but I think a good editor and sticking to a few solid components would have made for a much stronger story.
2 very weak ⭐️
Definitely a first novel and definitely a case of trying to fit too many things into one novel(not the first new author to do this and it certainly won't be the last). This was evident in the storyline and in the smut.
The overall story had potential, but the main thing I was thinking throughout was the timeline. They needed more time to build the tension, to build the relationship, and to fall apart. This can be accomplished without adding bulk to the book, but it all just felt rushed. You can't use the term "always" when you've known each other three days.
There are a bunch of other minute details that I won't dissect, but I think a good editor and sticking to a few solid components would have made for a much stronger story.
2 very weak ⭐️
May 24, 2023
A really good debut novel for this author featuring a sweet but sassy heroine who is just trying to make her way through life. Sterling has recently been in an accident and has lost one of her jobs. She was given money by someone following the accident so that she would "forget it ever happened". She takes the money and goes to a car dealership to maybe get a new car. She meets Callan and someone talks herself into a job as his assistant. They don't want to, but eventually they find themselves in a relationship because they just cannot resist each other.
This book is alternately sexy and sweet. The same is true of the main characters, along with a dash of frustrating. They are fun and their spicy scenes are spot-on. They both have had rough times with their parents growing up. Honestly, they are more alike than they know; they just deal with things in different ways.
This book is alternately sexy and sweet. The same is true of the main characters, along with a dash of frustrating. They are fun and their spicy scenes are spot-on. They both have had rough times with their parents growing up. Honestly, they are more alike than they know; they just deal with things in different ways.
May 7, 2023
I really enjoyed Crash & Burn.🌹 Callan is a CEO, player tuned obsessive sweetheart the moment he meets Sterling. 🖤 Their forbidden (by him), workplace relationship evolves into a healing, growth spurt of themselves. Neither can deny the feelings and pull they have towards each other, and once it’s taken to the next level, “THATS. IT.” They are goners. I loved following along as they learned things about themselves and what they wanted by interaction with each other.
🙏🏼 Praise
✨ Adoration
🖤 Good Girl
♥️ She was always ‘the one’
Crash & Burn has some secrets and a bit of thrill! For a debut novel, @booksbyajnicole has really peaked my interest for her storytelling. Can’t wait to see what she has up her sleeve!
🙏🏼 Praise
✨ Adoration
🖤 Good Girl
♥️ She was always ‘the one’
Crash & Burn has some secrets and a bit of thrill! For a debut novel, @booksbyajnicole has really peaked my interest for her storytelling. Can’t wait to see what she has up her sleeve!
May 29, 2023
❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥Plot
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Spice
I couldn’t put this book down! I devoured it so quickly. Amber you slayed this. This was written so beautifully. You’ve gave everything an amazing plot, smut and characters. I love this book so much. I can’t recommend it enough. I’m ready for the second book ASAP!!🫶🏻
Oh. My. God. I love this book so much😩 Callan f*cking David my god. He’s a mysterious, dark, and sexy. Sterling does not have much luck at all in the beginning. But I would definitely say that turns around. She ends up pretty damn lucky 😍
Tropes
🥵Dominant MMC
🥵Slow burn
🥵Boss- employee
🥵Billionaire
🥵Forbidden romance
🥵Age- gap
🥵Plot twists & secrets
🥵Praise & dirty talk
🥵Dual POV
“Sterling is mine. Mine. “
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ Spice
I couldn’t put this book down! I devoured it so quickly. Amber you slayed this. This was written so beautifully. You’ve gave everything an amazing plot, smut and characters. I love this book so much. I can’t recommend it enough. I’m ready for the second book ASAP!!🫶🏻
Oh. My. God. I love this book so much😩 Callan f*cking David my god. He’s a mysterious, dark, and sexy. Sterling does not have much luck at all in the beginning. But I would definitely say that turns around. She ends up pretty damn lucky 😍
Tropes
🥵Dominant MMC
🥵Slow burn
🥵Boss- employee
🥵Billionaire
🥵Forbidden romance
🥵Age- gap
🥵Plot twists & secrets
🥵Praise & dirty talk
🥵Dual POV
“Sterling is mine. Mine. “
May 16, 2023
I loved it. It was a bit of a slow build up but the anticipation was so good! The banter and mixed feelings between Sterling and Callan made them feel more like “real” people. I loved how they were both trying to figure out their own feelings as the relationship was building. I know some readers felt as if the ending was rushed. I am glad this author chose the slow burn and quick resolve ending vs making it longer just to drag out the ending. It was emotional and spicy without being 600+ pages and I really appreciate that in a book! It drew me in and kept me turning pages the whole time!! I’m really looking forward to reading more from this author!
June 24, 2023
DNF about 50%
I don't usually care about unrealistic things in fiction because...it's fiction
But there were so many unnecessarily unrealistic elements to this that I couldnt stay in the story (owning a single car dealership in Colorado and being a billionaire?? Like it would be so easy to make his money seem believable but selling luxury cars from one business is not going to give you excessive wealth and CONSTANTLY bringing it up to show his wealth made it worse lol couldn't get over it)
The FMC flip flopped too much between scared/weak and strong/sassy. The drama was often too dramatic. The relationship went from non-existent to what should have been chapters worth of tension stuffed into a couple paragraphs. I read the first two "spicy" scenes and was cringing more than sweating.
There were too many inconsistencies in the story and the writing style & dialogue was constantly switching between really formal and really casual.
I know it's a debut novel and I wish the author the best but there's still a lot of work to be done here
I don't usually care about unrealistic things in fiction because...it's fiction
But there were so many unnecessarily unrealistic elements to this that I couldnt stay in the story (owning a single car dealership in Colorado and being a billionaire?? Like it would be so easy to make his money seem believable but selling luxury cars from one business is not going to give you excessive wealth and CONSTANTLY bringing it up to show his wealth made it worse lol couldn't get over it)
The FMC flip flopped too much between scared/weak and strong/sassy. The drama was often too dramatic. The relationship went from non-existent to what should have been chapters worth of tension stuffed into a couple paragraphs. I read the first two "spicy" scenes and was cringing more than sweating.
There were too many inconsistencies in the story and the writing style & dialogue was constantly switching between really formal and really casual.
I know it's a debut novel and I wish the author the best but there's still a lot of work to be done here
May 2, 2023
Got this book for the May book of the Probably Smut book club and WOW. read it cover to cover in two days. The age gap? The praise kink? 🤌🏻*Chefs kiss*
The ending was pretty predictable tbh, but gosh I related the early book Sterling just constantly getting scared and running away from awkward situations so much 😂 Wasn’t a huge fan of all this talk and build up of him being into super rough stuff then literally having the most gentle, loving sex with her with the finally did but 🤷🏻♀️ (like damn tease the characters, not us! 😂) overall 5/5 would definitely recommend
The ending was pretty predictable tbh, but gosh I related the early book Sterling just constantly getting scared and running away from awkward situations so much 😂 Wasn’t a huge fan of all this talk and build up of him being into super rough stuff then literally having the most gentle, loving sex with her with the finally did but 🤷🏻♀️ (like damn tease the characters, not us! 😂) overall 5/5 would definitely recommend
May 3, 2023
At first, I wasn't going to finish the book because of the mistakes and some inconsistencies. But I know it's the author's first book so I took a chance and...man, I don't regret it. I loved Callan's character progression. The tension and passion between the main characters were phenomenal. I am looking forward to what AJ has in store for us next...now to convince my wife to not give up on the book.
May 20, 2023
I didn’t hate the book and I will read more of series, this one just had a few rough patches and that kept it at a three star level for me. Slow burn that finally paid off and a decent story.
There were some inconsistencies and some things seemed rushed and forced… but like I said, I’d read more of her writing and look forward to it.
There were some inconsistencies and some things seemed rushed and forced… but like I said, I’d read more of her writing and look forward to it.
May 24, 2023
WOW. I started this both and stopped after Callan's prologue because I thought it would be a little "too daddy" for me. I decided to start reading again and I AM SO GLAD I DID. I really loved Sterling & Callan's story. It was a rollercoaster with the perfect HEA. I can't wait to see who comes next I'm the story...I hope it is Jax & Dakota!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 178 reviews