Tempting Boss

Manhattan Billionaires #8

by Lilian Monroe

He's a control freak CEO. She values independence above all else.
When he hires her on a six-month contract, they clash...and sparks fly.

bossWorkplace romanceAccidental pregnancy/surprise babyHe falls firstFake dateSpicy/steamyHappily-ever-after guaranteedStand-alone

334 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication March 4, 2026

About the author

Lilian Monroe lives in a luxurious jungle treehouse surrounded by lush greenery, with an army of scantily-clad men with rippling abdominal muscles ready to attend to her every need.

No, wait. That's not true.

Lilian Monroe spends her days dangling her feet into her pool, while a scantily-clad pool boy with rippling abdominal muscles feeds her chocolate-covered strawberries and massages her back.

Okay, okay. You got me. That's not true, either. Let's try again.

Lilian Monroe lives at home with her two children, three dogs, and twelve chickens. Her husband likes to work shirtless in the back yard. His sweaty, gleaming abdominal muscles ripple with every movement and he—

I'm sorry. I have to stop. Fine, I'll admit it. That one isn't true either.

How about this: Lilian Monroe loves thinking about men with rippling abdominal muscles serving her hand and foot, and she wants you to think about them too! She is an avid reader, writer, and lover of all things romance.

She loves everything from bad boys to billionaires. Her books are packed with sizzling-hot heat, action, suspense, and everything from second chances to single dads. She hates cheating and loves a good happily ever after (and rippling abs).

Reviews

[Rachael Stray · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you’re looking for emotionally repressed main characters who argue brilliantly, combust spectacularly, fall out, fall hard, and have off-the-charts chemistry… Tempting Boss might just be your next binge read.

This was my first book by Lilian Monroe and it absolutely won’t be my last.

I absolutely flew through this in two sittings because I had to know how it would all unravel. The pacing keeps you hooked, the characters are genuinely likeable (even when they’re being infuriating), and their journey from guarded to open felt earned.

Callum Frost is your classic millionaire boss on the surface — controlled, commanding, and completely allergic to vulnerability.

But peel back the layers (and there are many), and there’s a softer, fiercely loyal man underneath, especially when it comes to his family.

Cal guards his heart like it’s Fort Knox, and honestly? Given his past, you can’t entirely blame him.

Then there’s Deena — fiercely independent, sharp, and completely unimpressed by powerful men.

When Mr Frost needs emergency travel arrangements sorted or risks losing a major client, in she walks.

Sassy, capable, and far too perceptive for his liking.

She reads him instantly. She’s known men like him before.

But Deena has built her life on her own terms, and she has zero intention of surrendering that independence now.

Mrs Independent meets Mr Controlling, and sparks absolutely fly.

What I loved most was the emotional development. Yes, there are moments where you’ll want to shake both of them and shout, “JUST TALK TO EACH OTHER!” — but that frustration is part of the journey.

Watching them try (and fail, and try again) to find a balance between control and compromise felt real. Messy. Human.

And the chemistry? So, so hot. This is definitely a steamy read — the tension simmers for ages before it explodes, and when it does… wow.

Monroe knows how to write heat without losing the emotional stakes behind it.

Four stars from me — angsty, sexy, layered, and completely addictive.

With thanks to the publishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Kimberly Holmgren · Rating 5 out of 5]

The overly protective, hot CEO, alpha Cal has met his match. He like everything in its place and everyone doing their job. He’s gone through so many assistants, he’s probably lost count. When he needs emergency travel arrangements figured out quick or he’s going to lose an important client, in walks Deena. She’s sassy and independent and reads Cal right away. She knows men like him. She was expected to marry and serve a man like him, but that’s not what she wanted out of life. She’s determined and fiercely independent. She knows Cal is trouble. Cal can’t stop thinking about her and he’s determined to have her fire. Can Deena give him what he needs while to stays true to herself? Can Cal give up some of that control he desperately clings to in order to give Deena what she needs? If he can’t find a way, he just might lose her. This book made me fall completely in love with Cal from the start. He’s sexy, bossy, overbearing, and controlling but can he let some of that go and be all in for the woman he loves.

[Claudia, Cmarie927 · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always, I am excited whenever this talented author writes a new story, so I wasted no time grabbing this one.

This has everything we love about this author's creativity...
* Interesting and easy to love characters
* Steamy chemistry and sizzling scenes
* Emotional challenges and heart-breaking circumstances
* Addictive banter and engaging situations

Seeing the lengths Cal go to, to guard his heart is relatable based on his past. Deena is absolutely trying to keep her walls up around Cal, but it's almost impossible. She is also easy to empathize with, and I appreciated what Cal brought to her life, and she his.

I finished this in one sitting, as I found it impossible to stop. Love when that happens! This has everything you need in a steamy romance, and I recommend it, and any other works from this prolific author. Definitely worth your time, IMO.
Fortunate to have received an ARC (thank you), I happily leave my thoughts.

[Ange Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book, this was a standalone so you don't have to read the previous books in the series. However the author is great with engaging us with a storyline and characters. I'll definitely be checking out the previous books in this series.
I felt more for the MMC; Callum than with FBC Deena. I love how they show how loving and supportive he is with his sister and neice. Both are stubborn, ambitious, and dealing with past hurts. I'd give it 4 stars for steamy scenes. I love that he falls for her first, and tries to get her to date him. Deena is more stubborn and a bit of a feminist, nothing wrong with that but it is an issue with her relationship with Cal. I felt she gave up sooner than she should have, but then maybe it was needed for Cal to take some steps to work on himself.
I felt that the bonus epilogue should have occurred before the epilogue.

[Chrissy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mrs independent meets Mr controlling. They both have baggage they need to work on. From trying to find a happy medium in their relationship. But with all relationships comes some form of a disaster. They take their time on their own and figure out that in the end they both need each other. From figuring out that you cant always be in control of life. Figuring out that you will always need someone to lean on. This book definitely will make you think and fall in love all in the same. Cal and Deanna definitely have found one another and grow together and figure out that they dont need to always be in control and life always has a way of giving you a hard lesson.

You will be hooked from the beginning of this book till the end. I couldnt put this down.

[Syrena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tempting Boss has everything you want in a satisfying romance. Cal is a control‑obsessed, overprotective hottie with childhood wounds he’s never quite outrun, always ready to take care of the few he loves, yet terrified to loosen his grip on anything. Deena, on the other hand, is fierce, focused, and absolutely unwilling to dim her shine for anyone. I love a strong, fiery FMC, and she delivers. It’s so easy to fall for these characters, and the spice hits exactly where it should. The tension, both the delicious kind and the frustrating kind, crackles from the start, and it’s clear they’ll both have to grow if they want to make it work. The story flows beautifully, making it genuinely hard to put down.

[Carol Schmidt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Deena is a hardworking single woman trying to make her way, proving herself in the cutthroat business world. She end up getting a job for a specific business opportunity, the CEO, is a very demanding client, she proves her worth, as a travel mgmt. company. The attraction between this particular person, is growing, so she does what she feels she must, blocks said business, as not to mix work/ personal. Join in this story as it's full of drama, exciting potential, and absolutely emotional storyline. Will leave you wanting more, hopefully getting more, and seeing how people mature. Beautifully written story ❤️, loved it.

[Bex’s reading corner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so mad when I had to put this book down to go do things.

I don’t know why I’m surprised at how emotional I can get in these books. Lilian has this way of just reaching into your heart and crushing it just so slightly leaving you gasping and hoping for an HEA.

There was some sizzle and steam, some super strong, sassy and charismatic characters as always.

My only complaint is that the ending felt rushed. While I’m happy to know what happens seven years later, I wanted a more of what happens between the ending and the epilogue. I know I’m so greedy. For that reason, it’s a 4.5 instead of a 5 for me.

[Mandee · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a ride!! I think I felt every emotion reading this book. I laughed, I cried, I got super angry and I cheered. Callum and Deena are probably two of the most stubborn characters I've ever read about but when they cave into their wants and desires oh boy is it sweet. I am a BIG fan of accidental pregnancy trope and it was very well written into this story. HUGE bonus that both main characters were able to remain true to themselves and get thay HEA. Also, for a side character, I absolutely LOVED Erica

[Sarah Baseley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lets me start by saying this book is SMOKING HOT.

If youre looking for a emotionally repressed mc and fmc, who argue, have lots of HOT sexy time, fall out, fall in love and have chemistry off the charts. This book is for you.

Both characters had some great emotional development along the way, and times you wanted to shake some sense into them, but i really enjoyed following their journey.

Super easy 4 star read.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this office romance with two control freak MCs who have such chemistry and ultimately steam. There is drama, surprises, great secondary characters, slow burn, and a HEA. The MCs are determined, intelligent, teasing, and perfect for one another after the control issues are examined and worked out. This is an entertaining and engaging romance. I voluntarily read an ARC and this is my honest review.

[Forever Travelling Worlds · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book highlights the classic saying of "if you hold on too tight, you'll lose them". But man, it was a roller coaster of emotions. The email had ME dying of embarrassment, Cals story broke my heart, and then the scene with Cal on his knees (iykyk) warmed my heart, and filled me with so much joy.

I had goosebumps, I got shivers, I smiled endlessly and reared up more times than I could count. This was my first book of Lilian's and I was not disappointed!!

[Sarah Atkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW - this was my first book by Lilian and I really enjoyed it. I found the characters to be very likeable and the story kept me wanting to read on.
I liked Deena and seeing her relationships develop with both her family and Cal.
Thank you for the ARC! I will definitely be reading more of Lilian’s books in the very near future.