On the Secretary's Christmas List

by Carole Mortimer

All she wants for Christmas…

Last Christmas, Bree Jones was heartbroken when she discovered her fiancé in bed with her sister! Now Bree has rebuilt her life and has an amazing job. But her boss is difficult—and infuriatingly gorgeous!—unreliable playboy, Jackson Beaumont.

Even more annoying is their spectacular, if inconvenient, chemistry! Jackson may not mix business with pleasure, but that first kiss under the mistletoe is too powerful to ignore! Now along with Jackson’s adorable little son—and new energetic puppy!—Bree knows exactly what she wants for Christmas this year…

Kindle Edition

First published February 9, 2015

About the author

I have written almost 250 romance novels in contemporary and Regency.

I am a USA Today Bestselling Author and recipient of the 2015 RWA Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2014 I received a Pioneer of Romance Award from Romantic Times in the US and in 2012 I was recognised by Queen Elizabeth II for my 'outstanding service to literature'.

I am very happily married to Peter with six sons, and live on the Isle of Man

Reviews

[Jack Vasen · Rating 1 out of 5]

OK, I'm done with Carole Mortimer. The stories are entertaining enough if you like men who control their women. This was the third story I've read by her and for me the most offensive. Perhaps I chose the wrong three.

The story involves a man who runs roughshod over his PA taking advantage of her physically. ***The following borders on spoilers, but given the type of story this is, I don't really think any reader wouldn't expect what I describe. *** At one point he picks her up and puts her over his shoulder and takes her away from where she wanted to go. Then he lays her on her bed and climbs on top of her while he interrogates her. Prior to that he has initiated sexual contact twice that included kissing, groping and genital stimulation. You can't say she said no outright, but she also never verbally consented. Of course, somehow after this she falls in love with him, even though she still hasn't told him that. Is it rape? Sexual assault? I think a case could be made either way. Certainly, if I said not, then there would be some who would object. Others would say this is typical for a "bodice ripper" story.

But to put it simply, the men I've read in CM's stories are extremely aggressive and controlling with their romantic counterparts. Not my cup of tea.

There didn't seem to me to be much of a story. Bree goes to work for Jackson after being cheated on. For a year they work well together. Then various events bring them together physically and she vacillates back and forth about how she wants things to proceed. Even for a novella, the plot is thin, repetitive, and heavy with sexual content.

Mature themes: read the above.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very cute story. Love the characters.