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Anyone But You: An Age Gap Enemies-to-Lovers Island Romance

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From fake deaths to a makeshift hut--love was definitely not on the itinerary!

Victoria

Knox Ramsey is a pain in the ass.
My egomaniac billionaire boss has been my biggest opp since the day he hired me as his executive assistant. So when he asked me to ditch my Miami trip for a last-minute business getaway, I gave him a firm, resounding hell no.
His response?
He called the airline, pretended to be my huband, claimed I died, and canceled my flight.
I was ready to strangle him when he showed up at the airport--until he made me an offer I couldn't $100,000 to come with him.
Naturally, I took it. But not because I saw dollar signs and dreamed of a luxury shopping spree. I took it to help pay my mother's memory care bills--the ones I've been shouldering alone while my sisters conveniently disappear.
I thought the worst part of this trip would be Knox himself.
Then...the jet crashed.
Now I'm stranded on a remote island with no Wi-Fi, no phone signal, and absolutely no escape from the man who drives me out of my mind.

Knox

Did I fake her death to get her on a plane? Technically, yes.
In my defense, Victoria's been ignoring my very generous offers--and my very obvious interests for months.
So when she turned down an all-expenses-paid trip to paradise where I planned to charm her into finally giving me a shot, I had to get creative.
I figured she'd show up, curse me out, call me "That Man Over There," take the money, and spend the week sun-kissed and slowly falling for me.
Then the jet went down, and now we're stranded in the middle of nowhere with no food, no phones, and no way for her to avoid me.
Which is fine by me.
I've got nothing but time--and if I'm lucky, a chance to prove I'm not the villain she thinks I am.
Just a very persistent one.

Coconuts aren't the only thing falling!
This spicy age-gap rom-com includes on morally gray billionaire, one emotionally exhausted assistant, forced proximity, tropical mayhem, and enough tension to make your e-reader sweat. This book is ideal for mature readers 18 and up!

293 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 23, 2025

226 people are currently reading
244 people want to read

About the author

A.N. Boyden

23 books151 followers
A. N. Boyden began her writing journey in 2018 as an escape from the pressures and demands of a high-stress social services job. She never expected her nearly illegible scratching to turn into not only a passion but a career three years later. A. N. Boyden's humble beginnings began on Wattpad, where "Spouse Swap" was born. She gained thousands of adoring and supportive followers who gave her the confidence and boost she needed to finally self-publish.

A. N. Boyden's niche is interracial romances and thrillers that feature an abundance of steamy scenes, drama, and countless laughs. The majority of A. N. Boyden's female characters are strong Black women who reside in the great state of Texas, just like her. She sometimes refers to herself as a "one-woman" show, but frequently finds herself pitching her storylines to her husband, who is her number one fan.

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5 stars
248 (57%)
4 stars
106 (24%)
3 stars
66 (15%)
2 stars
6 (1%)
1 star
9 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
Profile Image for Rayona Hysaw.
15 reviews1 follower
October 22, 2025
The banter alone was chefs kiss.

This books was so funny. On more than one occasion I found myself laughing out loud!! Not gonna lie in was a little skeptical at first but it pulled me in and I couldn't put the book down
Profile Image for Keya .
95 reviews10 followers
September 26, 2025

Knox and Victoria! I absolutely loved Anyone But You! This book takes the age gap and forced proximity trope and does it brilliantly. This book is so funny even with heavy subject matter and it is written so wonderfully. I love the banter between Knox and Victoria and I love the antics of Knox especially him wearing her caftan her bonnet. This book is definitely spicy and I mean spicy. I love A. N. Boyden’s writing style and definitely recommend this book.
Profile Image for Soumaya K.
54 reviews
December 12, 2025
This book, while a fairly typical romance with an average storyline, made me chuckle so much. The characters’ banter was a 10/10 throughout the whole story. I also loved that, although the couple was interracial, it wasn’t the only focus of the book — it struck a good balance of predictable, corny, and lighthearted moments. And I especially appreciated that it didn’t include a second-act breakup.

That said, the whole island-stranded plot twist threw me off — mainly because I went into the book blind and had no idea what the plot was. So I’m not docking the book for that.
59 reviews
November 29, 2025
Surprisingly good read

For starters the pacing was great, most romance stories dragged. From beginning to end the story had me hooked. A quick read with lots of flirtatious and sassy banter.
23 reviews
November 7, 2025
Everything and more✨

Best. Book. Ever.
Knox is one amazing, psychotic, wonderful man. The banter is just *chef’s kiss*
Such a fun book to read.
Profile Image for Chioma.
35 reviews
October 15, 2025
Monty is my favorite

Ok so this book was so funny, storyline was really good and the ending even better. Am with Monty Tori is a terrible influence on her husband. I didn’t think she’ll end up being the pushover parent. This is a must read for me!
Profile Image for Liane.
87 reviews
September 27, 2025
Great read!

This was my first book by this author. I loved it it captured my attention with the first few sentences which has been rare lately. The MCs banter throughout the book was great. I love MC that have sharp tongues and snarky comebacks for each other while falling in love.
680 reviews5 followers
October 18, 2025
Reread is good

I initially followed this story when it was on Vella and diligently paid for the tokens. So I wasn't interested in rereading. But the author started she made some changes. For this author, changes translate to better. And I was not disappointed. Still in love with this story. 2.0 is better.
249 reviews
October 6, 2025
I love this

From the beginning to the end. I laughed throughout this whole book. I love the humor in their relationship. This book was a breath of fresh air from the normal dark and paranormal romances I read. So yes this was fun to read.
18 reviews2 followers
September 28, 2025
O.M.G.!!!!

This book is absolutely amazing! Knox and Victoria’s crazy relationship is the best! Their back and forth banter had me laughing throughout the entire book. Her best friends chiming in only made me laugh more!! This is one of the best books I have read in a really long time. I love it!!!
1,062 reviews5 followers
October 10, 2025
*****Spoilers*****


The writing and dialogue in this book were superb! From the first word to the last, I was hooked. Victoria is the executive assistant of billionaire Knox and their work relationship is contentious and full of verbal sparring. Knox is a pain for Victoria and Victoria is the woman of Knox's dreams but he's uncomfortable with the age difference between them, he's almost 50 and she's in her twenties. Despite his fantasies about Victoria and the life he wants with her, Knox hasn't acted on anything what with their age gap and the HR optics. Just when Victoria is set to go on a much needed vacation with her friends and away from Knox, Knox comes through with an audacious act. Knox sabotages her trip by calling the airline, pretending to be Victoria's husband, and telling them that Victoria died. Knox doesn't want Victoria in Miami hooking up with other men or dancing on tabletops. Instead, he wants her to himself on a romantic getaway disguised as a business trip to Bali. Knox thinks the trip will finally spark something between them that goes beyond their professional interactions. In his idealistic view, Knox imagines the trip will lead to a relationship with Victoria because he loves and is very attached to her, verbal barbs and all. Unfortunately, Knox's plan for a romantic getaway for a week turned into several months stranded on an uninhabited island somewhere in the middle of the ocean. Their private jet crashes and Knox and Victoria wind up being the only ones from the crash to survive on the island for a long time until they're eventually rescued.


The dynamic between Victoria and Knox is everything! They're both quick witted and Victoria's cultural references often go over Knox's head but it's endearing, funny, and real. Victoria didn't shy away from who she was and Knox didn't try to change her in any way. Knox also didn't shy away from his desire and admiration for Victoria who knew what Knox wanted from her and shared the attraction although she never acted on it. I really liked Victoria's awareness of Knox's attraction and understanding that she deliberately did nothing about it before. Nothing changes once they're stranded, but color me surprised when Victoria who turned out to be a survivalist's dream. Due to her educational knowledge retention from Discovery Channel, she's able to identify and make intelligent recommendations about what they can and cannot eat or shouldn't do while on the island. Victoria's insights are invaluable and crucial for their survival and Knox does his best to stay positive, guilty though he is, and help where he can. 


Victoria and Knox get to know one another better and begin their physical relationship on the island. It's also where they have their wedding ceremony. Once they're rescued, they deal with the fallout from the world knowing about their relationship, the age difference, questions about Knox's health, Victoria's family drama, and every day life things. The best thing is that just like on the island, they communicate well and manage the storm of their regular lives together.


All in all, this was a great story and I found myself laughing regulatory throughout the pages. 
Profile Image for CLorraine.
1,748 reviews17 followers
November 2, 2025
A. N. Boyden has returned with a hilariously crafted enemies-to-lovers, age-gap love story that exceeds all expectations in the areas of storytelling, engagement and sheer entertainment. When Anyone But You starts, readers have no illusions about the feelings Victoria harbors for her annoying but albeit gorgeous boss, Knox Ramsey. Her job pays EXTREMELY well, even providing Victoria with an apartment as a job perk! However, Knox seems to go out of his way (miles out of his way in fact) to be as consistently obnoxious as he possibly can be. Subsequently, Victoria is looking forward to her upcoming vacation with borderline desperation. Too bad Knox has not accepted that memo and he sabotages her vacation. When Knox’s maniacal interference literally lands them on an uninhabited island, the odds are very high that Victoria will finally snap and make Knox a permanent castaway! Even though Knox is much older than Victoria, readers know that he is like an overgrown schoolboy, instead of telling the girl that he really, really likes her, he pulls her pigtails and acts like a jerk! For all his failings and missteps, Knox is a natural caregiver, and he steps up while on the island to make sure Victoria is taken care of and away from harm or danger. Island Knox is a revelation to Victoria, who would have guessed that her smugly irritating boss was so lovable and unselfish. Is she developing tender feelings due to proximity or gratitude or some combination of the two? And if they are ever rescued, how will they navigate their new dynamic? This story is one of the best I have read this year, it has a beautiful emotional core, but the dialog is so zanily funny that we laugh as much as we cry. Well done!
Favorite Lines:

You’re not resigning, Victoria,” he said confidently.

My eyes widened when Knox grabbed my hand and laced his fingers in mine.

Seriously, Knox, you could’ve flown to Miami and stalked me on my vacation instead of doing the absolute most.”

I could hear the fear of rejection in his voice loud and clear.

He’s fine. That man is literally a roach.

My problem was that I was too selfless for my own damn good.

He has the gall to be so nonchalant when he’s dressed like someone’s Big Mama.

Knox Sharkeisha Ramsey, ain’t nobody hating on you.”

…..but it’s because losing you, even for a second, was like losing gravity. How can we orbit without the sun?”

If you can’t be kind, then be quiet.” “Again. No promises,” he said before hanging up.

https://theretiredreader.com/f/anyone...
Profile Image for Channy.
12 reviews
November 21, 2025
The story was engaging if not a bit unbelievable at some points. The characters were funny, likable, and irritating which made them feel real, though, again, sometimes the things they did/said were a bit unbelievable. I like that there was no unnecessary breakup which could have easily been a route the author could have taken with a novel like this, but wisely did not fall for that trap. I loved the dynamic between Victoria and Knox though I do think they could have been fleshed out more as individuals and as a couple.

Though the story was a nice read and the writer is pretty engaging in her storytelling, she could stand for a better editing team as there were a few times where the story contradicted itself and also went on far longer than it should have...there were quite a few scenes/moments within scenes that should have been cut to make the story feel more rich in plot. The novel as a whole took a hit b/c of this and made the reading experience feel stretched thin and watered down.

The story also needs more structure. What I mean by this is, imagine looking at a house that is completed, it has all four walls and a nice pointy roof nestled on top; looks quaint and sturdy upon first glance. As soon as the wind blows, however, you see it begin to wobble, swaying side-to-side instead of holding strong and sturdy and you think it's going to collapse. It doesn't fall or crumble, but it's clearly missing some foundational elements in its construction. That's what reading this story often felt like to me. Unsteady.

It was still a good read, though, and I look forward to reading some of her other works!
13 reviews
October 7, 2025
The Most Hilarious and Enjoyable Enemies to Lovers Book ❤️

I didn’t know what to expect from this book but I’m so glad I read it. Victoria “Tori” is a hard working, overworked executive assistant of a Billionaire. She puts up with it because her mother needs expensive medical care as she is suffering from dementia and declining quickly. Knox is the most overbearing, overstepping, clueless at times Boss. Little does Tori know, he is actually madly in love with her. Emphasis on the “Mad”. He goes overboard to have her to himself using the guise of the job. Unfortunately, they get stranded on an island due to their plane crashing. Fortunately, this allows Tori to see Knox for the great guy he is and love blossoms. There is a lot of growth among both characters individually and as a couple. They were the funniest most entertaining characters I think I have ever read. I loved their back and forth. This book had comedy, tragedy, romance, heat, and a happily ever after. Highly recommend you check this book out.
338 reviews4 followers
November 29, 2025
Unexpected...3 1/2⭐⭐⭐

Knox and Victoria were an interesting couple. The storyline about the plane crash and their survival was different and kinda unbelievable, but I guess ANB kinda made it work. Their prickly/sarcastic dynamics, the age gap troupe, survival on the remote island despite some life threatening injuries from her skills gathered watching Nat Geo??? Different parts of their story were there to make it a little more interesting with the secondary characters, but it still got kinda boring. Didn't really get some parts of their back stories, how they came to be (in a way that made sense) and some things didn't get cleared up...like did her mom die, why did they only have one kid, what happened to her sisters?!?! There was a lot of little unnecessary storylines that took up huge parts of the story, but we never saw the purpose or reason for the effort. Also needed a better ending/completion to the all the dead end storylines. Something to read, but I wish there was more.
Profile Image for Rachel E..
219 reviews2 followers
December 11, 2025
I made it 10%.
Have I read and enjoyed a number of Boss/EA romances before? Yes.

BUTTTT NOT WHEN HE IS LITERALLY emotionally manipulative and abusive.

The premise of this book: her boss is in love with her and instead of perusing her, he over works her as a guise of “spending time together”. He encroaches on her personal time. He literally cancelled her approved PTO for a girls trip she was supposed to be taking with her girlfriends- HOW DOES HE DO THAT? He plans his own “couples” get away, though he tells her it’s a work trip, and forces her to take the trip with him by calling her air line faking to be her husband, tells them she died and then manipulates her by offering her a $100k bonus.

I like a power exchange but not coercion, manipulation, bribery and general lack of consideration for any else including and especially the main FMC.
443 reviews4 followers
October 9, 2025
Great read

This story was sooooo good I honestly did not want to put it down. The main characters were just how I like them. Smart, attractive, and not afraid to be brutally honest with each other! Victoria is me lol. I loved her smart mouth and how she always had a come back for him. And I know I love her because I cannot for the life of me remember the MMCs name and I always remember the man’s name. And I absolutely loved all the info she retained for when they were on the island
Profile Image for Pamelon.
924 reviews17 followers
October 18, 2025
Love these characters!! Knox and Victoria are a mess!!💕💕💕😂😂😂

Anyone But You by A.N. Boyden, EM Jay is hilarious, sexy, provocative, emotional and thought provoking. Knox and Victoria are each other's everything. They bickered none stop, everyday but underneath that was a fierce undeniable attraction. Knox was relentless in his pursuit of Victoria. The contact was unavoidable because she was his P.A. and he was her boss...And this is the beginning! Awesome storyline. A.N. Boyden and EM Jay fantastic job.👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
4 reviews
October 8, 2025
unexpectedly good enemies to lovers romance

I went into this story not knowing what to expect, but I ended up really enjoying it. The chemistry between the main characters felt genuine, and the writing kept me engaged the whole way through. It had just the right balance of humor, emotion, and romance. Definitely worth the read if you’re looking for something sweet, spicy and heartfelt.
Profile Image for Tandy.
122 reviews
December 8, 2025
4⭐️

Anyone But You by A.N Boyden and Em Jay was a fun read, what really stands out is the balance between humor and heart. The story has its laughter, its messiness, its stubborn pride… but underneath all the chaos is a beautifully vulnerable thread of longing. By the time the characters finally stop fighting their connection, you’re cheering for them because you’ve felt every step of their journey.


Banter-Heavy Dynamic
Forced Proximity
Age Gap
11 reviews
December 9, 2025
Hilarious AF from start to finish. The chapter titles alone let me know it was gonna be good. Out side of being demented I can’t even be mad at Knox for putting in that work. Yes he cause her lots of trauma but they learned vital things about each other and themselves. Their love was so sweet and genuine where they were allowed to completely be their authentic selves especially with Tori being a younger black woman. 10/10
Profile Image for TACORA MCCLUNEY.
2,511 reviews11 followers
November 5, 2025
Loved it

I really enjoyed this book! It was so hilarious. I love the banter and chemistry between Knox and Tori. Even when they were stuck on the Island it was never a feeling of doom. They just accepted their fate and rolled with it. I've read all of A. N. Boyden's books and I look forward to what she has coming next.💟💟
4 reviews
November 10, 2025
That Man Over There

I really enjoyed this book. The characters are hilarious. The storyline was a little bit predictable. It was still suspenseful, a little action and imminent danger. I laughed, I cried, I was also worried for this couple at one point. If you like romantic comedy. Read this one.
Profile Image for ARLESIA M BAILEY.
38 reviews
November 18, 2025
An island, two survivors, and one heck of a good time… maybe!

This was a cute nonstop romcom that keeps you laughing at every turn. The added spice makes it even more nice! That man over there is equally unhinged and hilarious but he knows what he likes and you’ll enjoy every minute of it!
65 reviews
December 3, 2025
Didn't read like a age gap romance

I'm Usually not a fan of age gap romances but this one didn't seem like one. Most of the story read like a typical Relationship between the same age people Until a joke of the sort was inserted that displayed their age. Overall the book was entertaining. The spice was A part of the storyline but didn't take up most of it which I liked.
7 reviews
December 13, 2025
I laughed so hard!

I loved this book. I only give reviews if the book is worth my finger ball energy and this one was definitely worth it! Victoria and her story line were totally relatable and believable. Knox’s perspective and sincerity won me over too. Perfect romcom read. I honestly couldn’t put it down!
375 reviews3 followers
December 21, 2025
Love, laughter and mayhem!

That’s what this book was about. Victoria and Knox had me smiling, laughing and crying. The back and forth quips were hilarious. The love scenes were hot and the mayhem too ridiculous to mention. Through it all, these two loved and trusted each other. Love mixed with laughter and a side of mayhem was a great read.
235 reviews
September 28, 2025
Another winner

This book was really good and I loved the details the tragedy mixed with humor and loved the characters as always I really love the author writing skills always funny ,relatable and interesting storytelling
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews

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