What do you think?
Rate this book
Best Friends Book Club #5
Contractually Mine
From bestselling author Jennifer Chipman comes a spicy new spinoff of the Best Friends Book Club series, about a boss and assistant who agree to a contractual marriage–all while trying to resist the pull they feel for each other.
It was only supposed to be a contract marriage with my boss…
Zofia Narayan
Being an executive assistant was never a part of my plan–not until Nicolas Larsen practically begged me to be his, insisting I was perfect for the job. Working closely together meant seeing a side of him I’d never seen before, and it was hard to ignore the spark between us. After a year of denying ourselves, we spent one incredible night together, agreeing that nothing would change between us. Except two months later, we’re signing a fake marriage contract. Suddenly, the man who had been my boss for the last year was now my husband. I know I shouldn’t get attached, even though the tender way Nicolas holds me and cares for me doesn’t feel like it’s just for show at all.
Until I’m staring down at two pink lines, and our contract marriage suddenly feels a lot less fake.
Nicolas Larsen
Taking over as the CEO for my father’s company was everything I’d ever worked for. Yet, when the board voiced their concerns that I wasn’t settled and stable enough for the role, I proposed what might have been the craziest scheme of all: asking Zofia to be my wife. I needed her more than I could ever admit: as my assistant, my friend, and my everything. It would all be for show, but I couldn’t help wanting her to wear my ring, to call her mine, even if she never truly would be. I’d take whatever I could get when it came to her, because I wanted more than just one night with Zofia. I wanted forever. I just needed to prove to her that this could work—that we were meant to be together for real.
It was only supposed to be a contract marriage with my boss…
Zofia Narayan
Being an executive assistant was never a part of my plan–not until Nicolas Larsen practically begged me to be his, insisting I was perfect for the job. Working closely together meant seeing a side of him I’d never seen before, and it was hard to ignore the spark between us. After a year of denying ourselves, we spent one incredible night together, agreeing that nothing would change between us. Except two months later, we’re signing a fake marriage contract. Suddenly, the man who had been my boss for the last year was now my husband. I know I shouldn’t get attached, even though the tender way Nicolas holds me and cares for me doesn’t feel like it’s just for show at all.
Until I’m staring down at two pink lines, and our contract marriage suddenly feels a lot less fake.
Nicolas Larsen
Taking over as the CEO for my father’s company was everything I’d ever worked for. Yet, when the board voiced their concerns that I wasn’t settled and stable enough for the role, I proposed what might have been the craziest scheme of all: asking Zofia to be my wife. I needed her more than I could ever admit: as my assistant, my friend, and my everything. It would all be for show, but I couldn’t help wanting her to wear my ring, to call her mine, even if she never truly would be. I’d take whatever I could get when it came to her, because I wanted more than just one night with Zofia. I wanted forever. I just needed to prove to her that this could work—that we were meant to be together for real.
296 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 1, 2026
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews
July 11, 2026
Honestly, this book isn’t worth writing a review for, so I won’t. Accidental pregnancy will always be a trope I hate with every bone in my being.
«────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────»
˖ ֹ੭୧ pre-read: ⊹ ࣪ ⑅
Part 2 of trying to get out of my romance slump. I'm already 50% in, and I can tell a trope I absolutely hate is coming. Too late to back down now... 🥲
«────── « ⋅ʚ♡ɞ⋅ » ──────»
˖ ֹ੭୧ pre-read: ⊹ ࣪ ⑅
Part 2 of trying to get out of my romance slump. I'm already 50% in, and I can tell a trope I absolutely hate is coming. Too late to back down now... 🥲
Read
April 18, 2026sensitivity read!! so good!!!
rating & review to come after arc!! <3
rating & review to come after arc!! <3
May 1, 2026
4🌟, 3🌶️
I had such a good time with this one.
It’s light, a little spicy, and easy to get into, but the emotional side is what really worked for me. Zofia and Nicolas have instant tension, and even while they fight it, you can feel where it’s headed. Nicolas realizing his feelings first and falling hard was easily one of my favorite parts.
The fake relationship and contract marriage angle is familiar, but their connection keeps it engaging. It leans a bit too much on the “this isn’t real” idea at times, which got slightly repetitive, but I still enjoyed watching them grow into something genuine. What stood out most was how they showed up for each other, especially with family pressure, and the pregnancy added just enough extra push to raise the stakes.
I also loved the small touches like Zofia’s personality, her culture, and the supportive friend group. Nicolas being protective and a little obsessed just made it better. I do wish we got a bit more depth with their pasts, but overall it didn’t take away from the experience.
Definitely one of those books I’d recommend when you want something sweet and satisfying.
~~~~
Huge thank you to Jennifer Chipman and Valentine PR for the ARC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨
I had such a good time with this one.
It’s light, a little spicy, and easy to get into, but the emotional side is what really worked for me. Zofia and Nicolas have instant tension, and even while they fight it, you can feel where it’s headed. Nicolas realizing his feelings first and falling hard was easily one of my favorite parts.
The fake relationship and contract marriage angle is familiar, but their connection keeps it engaging. It leans a bit too much on the “this isn’t real” idea at times, which got slightly repetitive, but I still enjoyed watching them grow into something genuine. What stood out most was how they showed up for each other, especially with family pressure, and the pregnancy added just enough extra push to raise the stakes.
I also loved the small touches like Zofia’s personality, her culture, and the supportive friend group. Nicolas being protective and a little obsessed just made it better. I do wish we got a bit more depth with their pasts, but overall it didn’t take away from the experience.
Definitely one of those books I’d recommend when you want something sweet and satisfying.
~~~~
Huge thank you to Jennifer Chipman and Valentine PR for the ARC! 😍 All my bookish thoughts are completely my own. ✨
May 1, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ there is nothing contractual about this love story
🌶️🌶️ this golden retriever does what it takes to make his black cat VERY satisfied
Pages: 296
HAPPY PUB DAY: May 1st, 2026
Standalone / Technically Book 5 in the Best Friends Book Club Series
THANK YOU so much Jennifer Chipman and Valentine PR for presenting a stunning gifted ARC to me to read ahead of release. This is my honest, voluntary and RAVINGLY GLOWING review. Thank you Jennifer for portraying the career driven Hindu, Indian American FMC that I could self identify with with her eerily familiar black cat energy. I loved this.
Y'all I applied and as a street team member for the lovely Jennifer Chipman, was FIENDING to read this ahead of time. This is my third book by Jennifer and is my FAVORITE which is saying a lot because her spooky romances are my EVERYTHING.
As a Hindu Indian American reviewer, I loved seeing a heroine who shares that background. It added a layer of familiarity and cultural grounding that made her journey feel like wearing a second skin. I've never honestly felt so connected to an FMC. She was everything I love.
And NICK - that man is everything I want. The pure black cat energy from Zo' was so reflective of who I am, and this dynamic was such CHEF'S KISS.
And yes…the micro trope mile high moment absolutely delivers.
Y'all, read this if you want to understand other cultures as a new level of depth to your romances. It was so well researched by Jennifer. The burfi, a famous and delightful indian dessert, mango, indian party and general cultural moments were stunning and I want to live in this book. The micro tropes I've listed SLAPPEDDDDDD.
TROPES ✨
🐈⬛ Black Cat x Golden Retriever
💼 Boss x Assistant
📝 Contract Marriage
🌙 One Night Stand → More
💘 He Falls First
🤰 Surprise Pregnancy
✈️ Mile High Club
MICRO TROPES✨
✈️ Mile High Moment
🖊️ Contract Signed in Denial
👀 “This Means Nothing” Stares That Mean Everything
🫶 Soft for Her Before He Admits It
🛋️ Late Night Office Confessions
☕ He Brings Her Coffee Exactly How She Likes It
🤦♀️ She Pretends She Doesn’t Notice He’s Obsessed
🧿 Cultural Touches That Feel Like Home
💼 Assistant Who Keeps His Life Together
💬 Accidental Honesty During an Argument
🌶️🌶️ this golden retriever does what it takes to make his black cat VERY satisfied
Pages: 296
HAPPY PUB DAY: May 1st, 2026
Standalone / Technically Book 5 in the Best Friends Book Club Series
THANK YOU so much Jennifer Chipman and Valentine PR for presenting a stunning gifted ARC to me to read ahead of release. This is my honest, voluntary and RAVINGLY GLOWING review. Thank you Jennifer for portraying the career driven Hindu, Indian American FMC that I could self identify with with her eerily familiar black cat energy. I loved this.
Y'all I applied and as a street team member for the lovely Jennifer Chipman, was FIENDING to read this ahead of time. This is my third book by Jennifer and is my FAVORITE which is saying a lot because her spooky romances are my EVERYTHING.
As a Hindu Indian American reviewer, I loved seeing a heroine who shares that background. It added a layer of familiarity and cultural grounding that made her journey feel like wearing a second skin. I've never honestly felt so connected to an FMC. She was everything I love.
And NICK - that man is everything I want. The pure black cat energy from Zo' was so reflective of who I am, and this dynamic was such CHEF'S KISS.
And yes…the micro trope mile high moment absolutely delivers.
Y'all, read this if you want to understand other cultures as a new level of depth to your romances. It was so well researched by Jennifer. The burfi, a famous and delightful indian dessert, mango, indian party and general cultural moments were stunning and I want to live in this book. The micro tropes I've listed SLAPPEDDDDDD.
TROPES ✨
🐈⬛ Black Cat x Golden Retriever
💼 Boss x Assistant
📝 Contract Marriage
🌙 One Night Stand → More
💘 He Falls First
🤰 Surprise Pregnancy
✈️ Mile High Club
MICRO TROPES✨
✈️ Mile High Moment
🖊️ Contract Signed in Denial
👀 “This Means Nothing” Stares That Mean Everything
🫶 Soft for Her Before He Admits It
🛋️ Late Night Office Confessions
☕ He Brings Her Coffee Exactly How She Likes It
🤦♀️ She Pretends She Doesn’t Notice He’s Obsessed
🧿 Cultural Touches That Feel Like Home
💼 Assistant Who Keeps His Life Together
💬 Accidental Honesty During an Argument
May 9, 2026
Contractually Mine Review 📋🖋️
I received an ARC for this book, so I want to thank Jennifer Chipman and Valentine PR for sending it to me.
I love office romances, and when you add the billionaire trope, it just hits all the right spots. So I was really excited to read this book, and it did not disappoint.
From the very first moment Nicolas saw Zofia, he was completely transfixed. From their first meeting, he was already captivated by her, and that turns into almost eight years of quietly crushing on her.
Nicolas is the heir to the company they both work for, while Zofia works in HR. They don’t have much contact at first, until Nicolas becomes CEO and asks Zofia to be his secretary. That’s when everything between them starts to change.
They begin spending more and more time together, and Nicolas becomes even more enamored with her. Until one night, they finally give in to their feelings. But it’s not enough. They try to pretend nothing happened, that everything is normal, but what they feel is too strong to ignore.
What starts off as something fake quickly becomes real. What begins as a deal soon turns into something much deeper.
Nicolas has been in love with Zofia from the very beginning, even if he didn’t fully realize it. And when Zofia finally lets her guard down, allows herself to be vulnerable and cared for, it’s beautiful to watch.
This book had so many swoon-worthy moments for me. I really enjoyed it. He fell first, he fell hard, and I was completely here for it. A 4.5 ⭐ read for me.📋🖋️
I received an ARC for this book, so I want to thank Jennifer Chipman and Valentine PR for sending it to me.
I love office romances, and when you add the billionaire trope, it just hits all the right spots. So I was really excited to read this book, and it did not disappoint.
From the very first moment Nicolas saw Zofia, he was completely transfixed. From their first meeting, he was already captivated by her, and that turns into almost eight years of quietly crushing on her.
Nicolas is the heir to the company they both work for, while Zofia works in HR. They don’t have much contact at first, until Nicolas becomes CEO and asks Zofia to be his secretary. That’s when everything between them starts to change.
They begin spending more and more time together, and Nicolas becomes even more enamored with her. Until one night, they finally give in to their feelings. But it’s not enough. They try to pretend nothing happened, that everything is normal, but what they feel is too strong to ignore.
What starts off as something fake quickly becomes real. What begins as a deal soon turns into something much deeper.
Nicolas has been in love with Zofia from the very beginning, even if he didn’t fully realize it. And when Zofia finally lets her guard down, allows herself to be vulnerable and cared for, it’s beautiful to watch.
This book had so many swoon-worthy moments for me. I really enjoyed it. He fell first, he fell hard, and I was completely here for it. A 4.5 ⭐ read for me.📋🖋️
April 22, 2026
Thank you to Jennifer for sending me this arc.
One thing I absolutely adore about Jenn’s books are that they make me happy. I know that I’m always going to feel good when I finish it. Her characters are always well written and fun to read about. I appreciate her way of writing different characters with new stories and experiences. This book was so sweet and such a quick read. Definitely recommend if you’re looking for a quick, sweet, sexy, and swoony book!
One thing I absolutely adore about Jenn’s books are that they make me happy. I know that I’m always going to feel good when I finish it. Her characters are always well written and fun to read about. I appreciate her way of writing different characters with new stories and experiences. This book was so sweet and such a quick read. Definitely recommend if you’re looking for a quick, sweet, sexy, and swoony book!
May 13, 2026
i haven’t read many office romances or workplace romances but my lord!!!! and it was also fake dating!!! i was beyond excited for this story. there’s a lot of times where i feel like i can’t root for the characters to be together but i was rooting for them!! he was top tier golden retriever boyfriend. it felt so natural for them to be “dating” despite it being a fake relationship. and her spice? ms. chipman never disappoints with the spice!
May 31, 2026
I was looking forward to their book for awhile but it was just okay. For me the writing felt off. There was more than one mistake I reported, whether it was a typo or a plot mistake. Which seemed not like all the other Jennifer Chipman books I've read. Maybe it was rushed? It had very little plot and absolutely no conflict. Which made me wonder, why was it so long? I'm not mad, just disappointed.
May 5, 2026
This is the final book in the best friends book club series, and while I think you could probably read this as a stand alone, you would get a lot more out of it if you read the rest of the series first. You meet them in the second book, and you see them again in the third book, so you'd get more of their dynamic from those books before this one starts.
The pacing was so weird in this book for me. It was like they rushed into the spice, we got like half a book of spice before the shit hit the fan, and then the conflict was almost nonexistent before we got into the HEA. The last like 30% of the book is just the HEA for them and an extended epilogue for the entire series characters and their kids (since the next generation has a series of books, too).
I don't know. This book just felt rushed and like nothing but spice with a small amount of plot. A little odd for this series and this author. This probably would have been better as a novella I think.
Petty reason to dock a star: the amount of times that they call each other husband/wife or boss or Mrs. Larson/Mr. Larson was unhinged. I needed a lot less of that.
The pacing was so weird in this book for me. It was like they rushed into the spice, we got like half a book of spice before the shit hit the fan, and then the conflict was almost nonexistent before we got into the HEA. The last like 30% of the book is just the HEA for them and an extended epilogue for the entire series characters and their kids (since the next generation has a series of books, too).
I don't know. This book just felt rushed and like nothing but spice with a small amount of plot. A little odd for this series and this author. This probably would have been better as a novella I think.
Petty reason to dock a star: the amount of times that they call each other husband/wife or boss or Mrs. Larson/Mr. Larson was unhinged. I needed a lot less of that.
May 1, 2026
This is a first read for me by this author and I devoured this book, thisbwas a fabulous story, these characters were very well written.
May 6, 2026
╔═══❖•ೋ° ❀ °ೋ•❖═══╗
📖✨ ARC REVIEW ✨📖
╚═══❖•ೋ° ❀ °ೋ•❖═══╝
Contractually Mine by Jennifer Chipman
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5 / 5 stars)
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
💍✨ “There was nothing contractual about this love story…” ✨💍
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
🎉 HAPPY PUB DAY — May 1st, 2026! 🎉
First things first—this book?
AN OBSESSION. A FIXATION. A WHOLE EXPERIENCE.
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
💌 The Heart of It
This isn’t just a contract marriage romance…
this is yearning, softness, cultural depth, and a love that quietly takes over everything.
From page one, the tension between Nick (our golden retriever CEO 🐶) and Zofia (our black cat queen 🖤) is undeniable. And when that one night changes everything?
Yeah… it’s game OVER.
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
🖤✨ Characters that LIVE in your head rent-free
Zofia 🖤
Career-driven, guarded, quietly intense—
and as a Hindu Indian-American FMC?? That representation hit deep.
She felt real. Familiar. Like looking into a mirror you didn’t know you needed.
Nick 🐶
The blueprint. The standard. The man.
Soft for her before he even admits it, obsessed in the quietest ways—
bringing her coffee exactly how she likes it???
I’m unwell.
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
🔥 Tropes (aka EVERYTHING I LOVE)
• Black Cat × Golden Retriever 🖤🐶
• Boss × Assistant 💼
• Contract Marriage 💍
• One Night Stand → More 🌙
• He Falls First 💘
• Surprise Pregnancy 👶
• Workplace Tension ⚡
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
💫 Micro-tropes that ATE
• “This means nothing” (it means EVERYTHING)
• Late-night office confessions 🌙
• Soft obsession he tries to hide
• She pretends not to notice (she notices)
• Cultural moments that feel like home 🪔🥭
• Mile high moment ✈️✨
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
🌸 What makes this book special
It’s not just the romance (which is AMAZING),
it’s the details—
✨ The cultural touches (burfi, family moments, traditions)
✨ The emotional vulnerability
✨ The patience Nick shows Zofia
✨ The way love is built, not rushed
This story feels like:
warmth, safety, longing… and finally being chosen.
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
💞 The Romance
Nick doesn’t just fall—
he DEVOTES.
And watching Zofia slowly let her walls down,
learning to trust again after being hurt??
Yeah… that hit HARD.
Their relationship goes from “just a contract”
to something so real it aches.
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
✨ Final Thoughts
This is easily my favorite Jennifer Chipman book—
and that says a LOT.
It’s:
💗 Soft yet intense
💗 Spicy but emotional
💗 Fun but deeply meaningful
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
💌 Would I Recommend?
ABSOLUTELY. IMMEDIATELY. NO QUESTIONS ASKED.
If you love:
✨ Workplace romance
✨ Cultural representation
✨ Obsessive soft MMCs
✨ Black cat heroines
✨ Fake → real love
This book will own you.
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
╭═══❖•ೋ° ❀ °ೋ•❖═══╮
💍 “Signed in ink… sealed with something far more dangerous.” 💗
╰═══❖•ೋ° ❀ °ೋ•❖═══╯
📖✨ ARC REVIEW ✨📖
╚═══❖•ೋ° ❀ °ೋ•❖═══╝
Contractually Mine by Jennifer Chipman
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5 / 5 stars)
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
💍✨ “There was nothing contractual about this love story…” ✨💍
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
🎉 HAPPY PUB DAY — May 1st, 2026! 🎉
First things first—this book?
AN OBSESSION. A FIXATION. A WHOLE EXPERIENCE.
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
💌 The Heart of It
This isn’t just a contract marriage romance…
this is yearning, softness, cultural depth, and a love that quietly takes over everything.
From page one, the tension between Nick (our golden retriever CEO 🐶) and Zofia (our black cat queen 🖤) is undeniable. And when that one night changes everything?
Yeah… it’s game OVER.
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
🖤✨ Characters that LIVE in your head rent-free
Zofia 🖤
Career-driven, guarded, quietly intense—
and as a Hindu Indian-American FMC?? That representation hit deep.
She felt real. Familiar. Like looking into a mirror you didn’t know you needed.
Nick 🐶
The blueprint. The standard. The man.
Soft for her before he even admits it, obsessed in the quietest ways—
bringing her coffee exactly how she likes it???
I’m unwell.
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
🔥 Tropes (aka EVERYTHING I LOVE)
• Black Cat × Golden Retriever 🖤🐶
• Boss × Assistant 💼
• Contract Marriage 💍
• One Night Stand → More 🌙
• He Falls First 💘
• Surprise Pregnancy 👶
• Workplace Tension ⚡
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
💫 Micro-tropes that ATE
• “This means nothing” (it means EVERYTHING)
• Late-night office confessions 🌙
• Soft obsession he tries to hide
• She pretends not to notice (she notices)
• Cultural moments that feel like home 🪔🥭
• Mile high moment ✈️✨
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
🌸 What makes this book special
It’s not just the romance (which is AMAZING),
it’s the details—
✨ The cultural touches (burfi, family moments, traditions)
✨ The emotional vulnerability
✨ The patience Nick shows Zofia
✨ The way love is built, not rushed
This story feels like:
warmth, safety, longing… and finally being chosen.
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
💞 The Romance
Nick doesn’t just fall—
he DEVOTES.
And watching Zofia slowly let her walls down,
learning to trust again after being hurt??
Yeah… that hit HARD.
Their relationship goes from “just a contract”
to something so real it aches.
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
✨ Final Thoughts
This is easily my favorite Jennifer Chipman book—
and that says a LOT.
It’s:
💗 Soft yet intense
💗 Spicy but emotional
💗 Fun but deeply meaningful
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
💌 Would I Recommend?
ABSOLUTELY. IMMEDIATELY. NO QUESTIONS ASKED.
If you love:
✨ Workplace romance
✨ Cultural representation
✨ Obsessive soft MMCs
✨ Black cat heroines
✨ Fake → real love
This book will own you.
━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
╭═══❖•ೋ° ❀ °ೋ•❖═══╮
💍 “Signed in ink… sealed with something far more dangerous.” 💗
╰═══❖•ೋ° ❀ °ೋ•❖═══╯
May 6, 2026
📖ARC REVIEW📖
Contractually Mine by Jennifer Chipman
rating: 5/5 ⭐️
spice lvl: 2/5 🌶️
I am OBSESSED with the Best Friends Book Club Series so when I saw this addition to the series, it was a must.
Zofia and Nicolas’s story starts with the smallest spark—an elevator meeting that clearly leaves an impression—and builds into something so layered and satisfying over time. When he later convinces her to become his assistant, you can already feel that quiet tension simmering beneath their growing friendship. The slow shift from coworkers to something more is done so well, especially once that one night changes everything and suddenly there’s no going back.
I loved the dynamic between them. Nicolas has that perfect golden retriever energy—completely gone for Zofia even when he’s trying to play it cool—while she’s more guarded, practical, and trying to protect her heart. Watching her slowly catch up to where he’s been emotionally was so satisfying. Their chemistry is undeniable, filled with sassy banter, longing looks, and all that built-up tension finally snapping.
The contract marriage trope is one of my favorites, and it was executed beautifully here. What starts as a convenient arrangement quickly turns messy, emotional, and very real. Add in the accidental pregnancy, and the stakes get even higher, forcing both of them to confront what they actually want. I really liked how that layer deepened the story rather than overwhelming it.
Zofia is strong, hardworking, and the backbone of Nicolas’s world—he truly couldn’t function without her—and I loved seeing her balance vulnerability with independence. Nicolas, on the other hand, completely stole my heart with how protective, devoted, and quietly obsessed he is with her.
Overall, this was such an adorable, emotional, and addictive read. It’s got everything—CEO x assistant, fake relationship, marriage of convenience, and that “this wasn’t supposed to be real but now it’s everything” feeling. The relationship development felt natural, the characters were well written, and the epilogue was such a fun, satisfying finish.
If you love workplace romance with heart, chemistry, and a slow burn that turns into something undeniable, this one is definitely worth picking up.
Thank you Valentine PR & author Jennifer Chipman for an advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
Contractually Mine by Jennifer Chipman
rating: 5/5 ⭐️
spice lvl: 2/5 🌶️
I am OBSESSED with the Best Friends Book Club Series so when I saw this addition to the series, it was a must.
Zofia and Nicolas’s story starts with the smallest spark—an elevator meeting that clearly leaves an impression—and builds into something so layered and satisfying over time. When he later convinces her to become his assistant, you can already feel that quiet tension simmering beneath their growing friendship. The slow shift from coworkers to something more is done so well, especially once that one night changes everything and suddenly there’s no going back.
I loved the dynamic between them. Nicolas has that perfect golden retriever energy—completely gone for Zofia even when he’s trying to play it cool—while she’s more guarded, practical, and trying to protect her heart. Watching her slowly catch up to where he’s been emotionally was so satisfying. Their chemistry is undeniable, filled with sassy banter, longing looks, and all that built-up tension finally snapping.
The contract marriage trope is one of my favorites, and it was executed beautifully here. What starts as a convenient arrangement quickly turns messy, emotional, and very real. Add in the accidental pregnancy, and the stakes get even higher, forcing both of them to confront what they actually want. I really liked how that layer deepened the story rather than overwhelming it.
Zofia is strong, hardworking, and the backbone of Nicolas’s world—he truly couldn’t function without her—and I loved seeing her balance vulnerability with independence. Nicolas, on the other hand, completely stole my heart with how protective, devoted, and quietly obsessed he is with her.
Overall, this was such an adorable, emotional, and addictive read. It’s got everything—CEO x assistant, fake relationship, marriage of convenience, and that “this wasn’t supposed to be real but now it’s everything” feeling. The relationship development felt natural, the characters were well written, and the epilogue was such a fun, satisfying finish.
If you love workplace romance with heart, chemistry, and a slow burn that turns into something undeniable, this one is definitely worth picking up.
Thank you Valentine PR & author Jennifer Chipman for an advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
May 2, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️️⭐️/ ️🌶️🌶️🌶️
The Best Friend Book Club series has a new member! Jennifer Chipman has given readers a fun, spicy, and romantic story within Contractually Mine. As the title implies, we are given fake dating, undeniable chemistry, and a contract marriage that quickly becomes so much more. Jennifer balances her wonderful, workplace romance with emotional relationships, meaningful dialogue, and the perfect amount of obsession.
From the beginning of the story there is an unspoken desire between our MCs. Nicolas, the CEO, and Zofia, his assistant, have worked together for some time, yet the attraction between the two has never disappeared. For Nic, in fact, it has grown throughout their time working together and he is finding it harder and harder to remain professional. Then one night, favor shines upon him and he has his chance. From there we get to enjoy watching Nic shower Zofia in love, like he’s always wanted to, under the guise of a contract marriage.
Zofia knows she can never act on her attraction towards her boss. Yet, one night changes everything and now she can’t help but wonder if their contract marriage is feeling more and more real to just her. Does Nic feel the pull between them too? Having been hurt before, she isn’t eager to open her heart again in fear the past may repeat itself. However, Nic is patient and slowly earns her trust and love. When a big change happens, she will finally have to be honest with herself and just how much Nic means to her.
Jennifer is an author that I love to read. She brings warmth, heart, and passion to each of her books. I am pulled into every story by the characters, the storyline, and the romance. Her characters provide familiarity, letting you know you are reading a Jennifer Chipman book, but are still unique in every book. With our two MCs working together there was more tension and quiet yearning due to the forbidden aspect of their relationship. I loved this book and was excited to get the sneak peek at the end.
As always, review any author notes before reading.
What to Expect:
🧡Black Cat FMC
🫦Golden Retriever MMC
🧡Workplace Romance
🫦Employee x Boss
🧡Fake Dating
🫦Contract Marriage
🧡ONS to More
🫦He Falls First
🧡Surprise Pregnancy
🫦CEO x Assistant
The Best Friend Book Club series has a new member! Jennifer Chipman has given readers a fun, spicy, and romantic story within Contractually Mine. As the title implies, we are given fake dating, undeniable chemistry, and a contract marriage that quickly becomes so much more. Jennifer balances her wonderful, workplace romance with emotional relationships, meaningful dialogue, and the perfect amount of obsession.
From the beginning of the story there is an unspoken desire between our MCs. Nicolas, the CEO, and Zofia, his assistant, have worked together for some time, yet the attraction between the two has never disappeared. For Nic, in fact, it has grown throughout their time working together and he is finding it harder and harder to remain professional. Then one night, favor shines upon him and he has his chance. From there we get to enjoy watching Nic shower Zofia in love, like he’s always wanted to, under the guise of a contract marriage.
Zofia knows she can never act on her attraction towards her boss. Yet, one night changes everything and now she can’t help but wonder if their contract marriage is feeling more and more real to just her. Does Nic feel the pull between them too? Having been hurt before, she isn’t eager to open her heart again in fear the past may repeat itself. However, Nic is patient and slowly earns her trust and love. When a big change happens, she will finally have to be honest with herself and just how much Nic means to her.
Jennifer is an author that I love to read. She brings warmth, heart, and passion to each of her books. I am pulled into every story by the characters, the storyline, and the romance. Her characters provide familiarity, letting you know you are reading a Jennifer Chipman book, but are still unique in every book. With our two MCs working together there was more tension and quiet yearning due to the forbidden aspect of their relationship. I loved this book and was excited to get the sneak peek at the end.
As always, review any author notes before reading.
What to Expect:
🧡Black Cat FMC
🫦Golden Retriever MMC
🧡Workplace Romance
🫦Employee x Boss
🧡Fake Dating
🫦Contract Marriage
🧡ONS to More
🫦He Falls First
🧡Surprise Pregnancy
🫦CEO x Assistant
April 19, 2026
Thank you to Valentines pr for the arc.
Thank you for giving me the honour of reading this arc
I love this cover - he’s a blonde but luckily I am not someone who hates blonde mmcs ( I give them a chance ) some of my fave book bfs are blondes after all.
This was my first Jennifer chipman book and I wanna say - although I did enjoy this book it’ll probably be my last . Her writing style isn’t heavily to my taste but at the end of the day I did like this . I do wanna say tho I wouldn’t be against giving another book of hers a try in the future tho
I wanna say this is an alright book - enjoyable but nonetheless still a 3 star read . Reasons for this mainly are the mmc - I love that he’s down bad but like he’s obsessive in a sense that like some of inner dialogue is ….. ( not for me ) . That’s to say he’s not my kind of mmc but that’s okay because I didn’t hate him so . He was possessive and a bit too forward for my taste - but the fmc loved hjm so like it’s fine .
It also a 3 star because while enjoyable it has the 3 star feeling imo . Don’t get me wrong this is a fun read but it’s not like something I can say is a fave book of mine.
I’m sure for someone out there this will be a 5 star read and I love that for them . Truly tho this is one of those fun reads . I did like it. - I do recommend this to anyone who wants to pick up a Jennifer chipman book.
The romance was fine - I liked it even if it defo is more of the kind of book if you want to just add another book to your reading goal . - but like truly this book is enjoyable . I don’t want to make it seem like I hated this - I absolutely didn’t .
I loved the epilogues - I didn’t like that it was advertised as a slowburn yet ( although they do meet years before / a year before and are friends - that’s all before the current tl in the book. This isn’t a slowburn . 99% of their romance is them sleeping together so ( which is fine btw - ) I don’t want to make it seem like I have a huge issue with that btw .
It’s a quick fun read - with found family vibes especially in the epilogue . I did enjoy this even if it is a 3 star for me . I read this within 24 hours so - but I do feel this could’ve been a novella / taken place over a longer time period . - but otherwise it was an enjoyable read .
This isn’t your typical marriage of convenience/ surprise pregnancy book but like it’s definitely an enjoyable read .
I do very much like this tho - it’s a fun read . A boss employee , marriage of convenience, he falls first , surprise pregnancy romance- also a billionaire Romance.
Thank you for giving me the honour of reading this arc
I love this cover - he’s a blonde but luckily I am not someone who hates blonde mmcs ( I give them a chance ) some of my fave book bfs are blondes after all.
This was my first Jennifer chipman book and I wanna say - although I did enjoy this book it’ll probably be my last . Her writing style isn’t heavily to my taste but at the end of the day I did like this . I do wanna say tho I wouldn’t be against giving another book of hers a try in the future tho
I wanna say this is an alright book - enjoyable but nonetheless still a 3 star read . Reasons for this mainly are the mmc - I love that he’s down bad but like he’s obsessive in a sense that like some of inner dialogue is ….. ( not for me ) . That’s to say he’s not my kind of mmc but that’s okay because I didn’t hate him so . He was possessive and a bit too forward for my taste - but the fmc loved hjm so like it’s fine .
It also a 3 star because while enjoyable it has the 3 star feeling imo . Don’t get me wrong this is a fun read but it’s not like something I can say is a fave book of mine.
I’m sure for someone out there this will be a 5 star read and I love that for them . Truly tho this is one of those fun reads . I did like it. - I do recommend this to anyone who wants to pick up a Jennifer chipman book.
The romance was fine - I liked it even if it defo is more of the kind of book if you want to just add another book to your reading goal . - but like truly this book is enjoyable . I don’t want to make it seem like I hated this - I absolutely didn’t .
I loved the epilogues - I didn’t like that it was advertised as a slowburn yet ( although they do meet years before / a year before and are friends - that’s all before the current tl in the book. This isn’t a slowburn . 99% of their romance is them sleeping together so ( which is fine btw - ) I don’t want to make it seem like I have a huge issue with that btw .
It’s a quick fun read - with found family vibes especially in the epilogue . I did enjoy this even if it is a 3 star for me . I read this within 24 hours so - but I do feel this could’ve been a novella / taken place over a longer time period . - but otherwise it was an enjoyable read .
This isn’t your typical marriage of convenience/ surprise pregnancy book but like it’s definitely an enjoyable read .
I do very much like this tho - it’s a fun read . A boss employee , marriage of convenience, he falls first , surprise pregnancy romance- also a billionaire Romance.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Contractually Mine by Jennifer Chipman completely pulled me in from the very first page and did not let go. This story has everything I love in a romance and it delivers it in such a heartfelt and addictive way.
Zofia and Nicolas have this quiet tension from the start that just builds and builds until it becomes impossible to ignore. You can feel every look, every moment of restraint, every ounce of longing between them. Watching their relationship shift from boss and assistant to something so much deeper felt natural and incredibly emotional. That one night they share changes everything, and from there the story just grips you even tighter.
The contract marriage trope is done so beautifully here. What starts as something strategic and controlled slowly turns into something real, messy, and full of vulnerability. Nicolas absolutely stole my heart. The way he cares for Zofia, even when he is trying to convince himself it is just part of the arrangement, is everything. He is protective, driven, and completely gone for her whether he wants to admit it or not.
Zofia is just as compelling. She is strong but still allows herself to feel, and her internal struggle between protecting her heart and giving in to what feels real made the story hit even harder. Their connection feels genuine and emotional, not just physical, and that made every moment between them even more powerful.
And that twist with the pregnancy adds a whole new layer of intensity. It raises the stakes and forces both of them to confront what they really want, and it had me completely invested in how everything would unfold.
Jennifer Chipman’s writing flows so effortlessly. It is emotional, engaging, and full of those little moments that make you pause and feel everything alongside the characters. This book is the perfect mix of spice, heart, and slow building love that turns into something undeniable.
If you love contract marriage, workplace romance, and that “this was never supposed to be real but now it is everything” kind of story, you are going to fall hard for this one.
Zofia and Nicolas have this quiet tension from the start that just builds and builds until it becomes impossible to ignore. You can feel every look, every moment of restraint, every ounce of longing between them. Watching their relationship shift from boss and assistant to something so much deeper felt natural and incredibly emotional. That one night they share changes everything, and from there the story just grips you even tighter.
The contract marriage trope is done so beautifully here. What starts as something strategic and controlled slowly turns into something real, messy, and full of vulnerability. Nicolas absolutely stole my heart. The way he cares for Zofia, even when he is trying to convince himself it is just part of the arrangement, is everything. He is protective, driven, and completely gone for her whether he wants to admit it or not.
Zofia is just as compelling. She is strong but still allows herself to feel, and her internal struggle between protecting her heart and giving in to what feels real made the story hit even harder. Their connection feels genuine and emotional, not just physical, and that made every moment between them even more powerful.
And that twist with the pregnancy adds a whole new layer of intensity. It raises the stakes and forces both of them to confront what they really want, and it had me completely invested in how everything would unfold.
Jennifer Chipman’s writing flows so effortlessly. It is emotional, engaging, and full of those little moments that make you pause and feel everything alongside the characters. This book is the perfect mix of spice, heart, and slow building love that turns into something undeniable.
If you love contract marriage, workplace romance, and that “this was never supposed to be real but now it is everything” kind of story, you are going to fall hard for this one.
May 2, 2026
✨️ Thanks to @jennchipmanauthor and @valentine_pr_ for the ARC
🔥 “I’d do anything for you, gorgeous.”
🔥 “I didn’t deserve her, but goddamn, I wanted her.”
🔥 “Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined you.”
While celebrating her friend’s nuptials, Zofia Narayan decides to throw caution to the wind and gives in to her growing attraction to her boss, Nicolas Larsen, for one night only. They manage to return to status quo but with their respective families breathing down their neck, they soon find themselves signing a ‘fake marriage contract.’ The agreed upon terms seem fair but their simmering attraction soon comes to a rapid boil. Zofia starts to accept her feelings but will an unexpected pregnancy and Nic’s secret ruin their shot at a real marriage?
This might be one of my favorite books by Jennifer Chipman. I flew through this book and the pacing felt just right. There were some time jumps so although it feels like an insta-love situation, the characters have a shared history to account for that. I love an “f it” moment and having it so early on in the story sets up the spicy tension and chemistry between this pair. Nicolas was such a sweetheart and it was so nice to see him embrace and respect Zofia’s family and culture. Zofia is fiercely independent yet seeing the way Nic showed up for her was so endearing and not all overbearing. I really appreciated how the characters managed the ending conflict in a responsible and mature manner. The friendships in these books are so well done and has me invested in all of their happily ever afters.
💋 Boss x Assistant
💋 Contract Marriage
💋 One Night Stand
💋 Black Cat x Golden Retriever
💋 Surprise Pregnancy
🔥 “I’d do anything for you, gorgeous.”
🔥 “I didn’t deserve her, but goddamn, I wanted her.”
🔥 “Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined you.”
While celebrating her friend’s nuptials, Zofia Narayan decides to throw caution to the wind and gives in to her growing attraction to her boss, Nicolas Larsen, for one night only. They manage to return to status quo but with their respective families breathing down their neck, they soon find themselves signing a ‘fake marriage contract.’ The agreed upon terms seem fair but their simmering attraction soon comes to a rapid boil. Zofia starts to accept her feelings but will an unexpected pregnancy and Nic’s secret ruin their shot at a real marriage?
This might be one of my favorite books by Jennifer Chipman. I flew through this book and the pacing felt just right. There were some time jumps so although it feels like an insta-love situation, the characters have a shared history to account for that. I love an “f it” moment and having it so early on in the story sets up the spicy tension and chemistry between this pair. Nicolas was such a sweetheart and it was so nice to see him embrace and respect Zofia’s family and culture. Zofia is fiercely independent yet seeing the way Nic showed up for her was so endearing and not all overbearing. I really appreciated how the characters managed the ending conflict in a responsible and mature manner. The friendships in these books are so well done and has me invested in all of their happily ever afters.
💋 Boss x Assistant
💋 Contract Marriage
💋 One Night Stand
💋 Black Cat x Golden Retriever
💋 Surprise Pregnancy
May 2, 2026
This series was one of my favourites, and when I read Charlotte and Daniel's story, I thought I must say goodbye to them, but fortunately she has given us another trip to this universe. If you have read the best friend book club series, you may know Nic and Zofia, because they were there in the background, and now, the sporlight is fot them.
Nic is the CEO where Angelina and Gabbi work, and is Zofia's boss. He's kind, cool and frindly. Always has been. Zofia is more than competent in her job, and although she has dreams being event planner. she's realistic in her future.
She's thirty and although she's successful job and is independent, have friends that care for her (that part is the one creeps me), to be considered a successuf woman, she has to be married with children.
So to get her family off her back, she agrees to get married to Nic. Nic, on the other hand, benefits from this arrangement. The Board is gonna be pleased he's sat down, and this contract will benefit both pf them.
Of course, their feelings, those are supposed to be fake, well, they're not so fake after all.
The pace is great, so fast to read, I could re-read my favourite parts.
Tropes you cand find in this book:
- Fake relationship
- Marriage of convenience
- Found Family
- Accidental pregnancy
- Boss/employee
- Dual First person POV
- Billionaire CEO
This book is an open-door one, with spicy scenes that are one of the strenghts of Jennifer Chipman.
My ratings:
4/5⭐
2,5/5🌶️
I’ve received this book as an ARC and I’d like to thank the author, Jennifer Chipman, and her team at Valentine PR & Literary Management, for letting me read this book in advance and allow me to give my honest opinion.
Nic is the CEO where Angelina and Gabbi work, and is Zofia's boss. He's kind, cool and frindly. Always has been. Zofia is more than competent in her job, and although she has dreams being event planner. she's realistic in her future.
She's thirty and although she's successful job and is independent, have friends that care for her (that part is the one creeps me), to be considered a successuf woman, she has to be married with children.
So to get her family off her back, she agrees to get married to Nic. Nic, on the other hand, benefits from this arrangement. The Board is gonna be pleased he's sat down, and this contract will benefit both pf them.
Of course, their feelings, those are supposed to be fake, well, they're not so fake after all.
The pace is great, so fast to read, I could re-read my favourite parts.
Tropes you cand find in this book:
- Fake relationship
- Marriage of convenience
- Found Family
- Accidental pregnancy
- Boss/employee
- Dual First person POV
- Billionaire CEO
This book is an open-door one, with spicy scenes that are one of the strenghts of Jennifer Chipman.
My ratings:
4/5⭐
2,5/5🌶️
I’ve received this book as an ARC and I’d like to thank the author, Jennifer Chipman, and her team at Valentine PR & Literary Management, for letting me read this book in advance and allow me to give my honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from Author
✨ARC REVIEW ✨
I absolutely devoured this book! I loved Zofia. I thought that she was such a complex character. I loved seeing her love of fashion, her culture and her very (type A) organized personality, and I loved seeing her relationship with all the other girls from the best friends book club series. And don’t even get me started on Nicolas he truly was book boyfriend goals. Fearlessly mine is still my favorite book in the best friend’s book club series, but this book had so many similarities to that one especially Nicolas and Hunter so I loved seeing that Jennifer incorporated some similar personality traits like them both being very possessive and obsessed with their FMC’S while still making the characters different and complex to each other. I think Jennifer did an amazing job at showing a very complex love story that was very captivating and realistic, and I’m really glad we got to see a pregnancy trope in this book. The pregnancy trope is one of my favorite tropes and I’m really glad that it fit well into the story and it wasn’t just added for something different. I am so sad I finished this book, I felt like I could just keep reading it forever, but I’m really glad that we got to see another sneak peek into the best friends' book club second generation series (cousins coffee club series) !!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️🌶️🌶️
💌reverse age gap
💌one night stand
💌black cat x golden retriever
💌fake relationship
💌contract marriage
💌marriage of convenience
💌he falls first and harder
💌man obsessed
💌workplace romance
💌suprise pregnency
I absolutely devoured this book! I loved Zofia. I thought that she was such a complex character. I loved seeing her love of fashion, her culture and her very (type A) organized personality, and I loved seeing her relationship with all the other girls from the best friends book club series. And don’t even get me started on Nicolas he truly was book boyfriend goals. Fearlessly mine is still my favorite book in the best friend’s book club series, but this book had so many similarities to that one especially Nicolas and Hunter so I loved seeing that Jennifer incorporated some similar personality traits like them both being very possessive and obsessed with their FMC’S while still making the characters different and complex to each other. I think Jennifer did an amazing job at showing a very complex love story that was very captivating and realistic, and I’m really glad we got to see a pregnancy trope in this book. The pregnancy trope is one of my favorite tropes and I’m really glad that it fit well into the story and it wasn’t just added for something different. I am so sad I finished this book, I felt like I could just keep reading it forever, but I’m really glad that we got to see another sneak peek into the best friends' book club second generation series (cousins coffee club series) !!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
🌶️🌶️🌶️
💌reverse age gap
💌one night stand
💌black cat x golden retriever
💌fake relationship
💌contract marriage
💌marriage of convenience
💌he falls first and harder
💌man obsessed
💌workplace romance
💌suprise pregnency
April 30, 2026
Rating: Liked it (rounded up)
❤️ reverse age gap
🔥 one night stand
🐱🐶 black cat x golden retriever
🎭 fake relationship
📄 contract marriage
💍 marriage of convenience
💘 he falls first and harder
🖤 man obsessed
🏢 workplace romance
🤰 surprise pregnancy
I’ve really been enjoying this series, and this installment is no exception. Zofia and Nicholas are genuinely adorable. Nick has been gone for her for a while and pulls her in as his assistant, and between pressure from his board and her family, they land on a marriage of convenience.
We all know where fake marriages go, so no surprises there, but I will say, they really leaned on the “this is fake” thing. Even after things turned physical, it was constant. We get it. You get it. Everyone gets it. It got a little repetitive, especially when it was clearly…not fake anymore.
That said, I loved the inclusion of Zofia’s family and culture. It added real weight to the pressure she was under. I do wish we’d gotten a bit more depth with her past relationship and more exploration of Nicholas and his father, but the emotional beats still landed. What really worked was Zofia and Nicholas as a team. They were always showing up for each other, especially with their families.
The accidental pregnancy pushes everything to the surface (as it does), leading to the HEA. There’s a slight third-act wobble—not a full breakup—but it felt a little immature given where they started and currently were emotionally. Thankfully, it resolves quickly, and I was right back to smiling by the end.
Thank you, Jennifer Chipman and Valentine PR for the ARC.
❤️ reverse age gap
🔥 one night stand
🐱🐶 black cat x golden retriever
🎭 fake relationship
📄 contract marriage
💍 marriage of convenience
💘 he falls first and harder
🖤 man obsessed
🏢 workplace romance
🤰 surprise pregnancy
I’ve really been enjoying this series, and this installment is no exception. Zofia and Nicholas are genuinely adorable. Nick has been gone for her for a while and pulls her in as his assistant, and between pressure from his board and her family, they land on a marriage of convenience.
We all know where fake marriages go, so no surprises there, but I will say, they really leaned on the “this is fake” thing. Even after things turned physical, it was constant. We get it. You get it. Everyone gets it. It got a little repetitive, especially when it was clearly…not fake anymore.
That said, I loved the inclusion of Zofia’s family and culture. It added real weight to the pressure she was under. I do wish we’d gotten a bit more depth with her past relationship and more exploration of Nicholas and his father, but the emotional beats still landed. What really worked was Zofia and Nicholas as a team. They were always showing up for each other, especially with their families.
The accidental pregnancy pushes everything to the surface (as it does), leading to the HEA. There’s a slight third-act wobble—not a full breakup—but it felt a little immature given where they started and currently were emotionally. Thankfully, it resolves quickly, and I was right back to smiling by the end.
Thank you, Jennifer Chipman and Valentine PR for the ARC.
April 24, 2026
4⭐️
I’ve read books by Jennifer Chipman before and it’s always guaranteed that I’m going to have a great time and this one wasn’t the exception 🙂↔️
Zofia and Nic were so good and cute together ❤️ from the moment they first spend the night together it was crystal clear that we’re so meant to be, their chemistry was so over the place and I even enjoyed how much they tried to deny it, specially Zofia, but don’t get me wrong, I get her, she was in a very bad relationship and it was obvious she didn’t want to have her heart broken again 🥺
Fortunately, Nic was there, and when they both needed to be in a relationship Nic manages to convince Zofia to get married, and even when he says it’s just a contact, he’s been in love with her since the moment he asked to be his assistant a year ago, and this was just the little push he needed it to start showing to her his feelings even when he didn’t even realized it 🙂↔️😭💖
This was such a cute book and I really enjoyed all the characters in here, and of course the love between Zofia and Nic, I mean, she’s so independent and strong and wants to be loved and Nic is just perfect for her, he’s attentive and protective with her, and he spoils her 😩🛐 he’s all about to make her his wife and loving her and ahhh I just love him 😩💖
This is the perfect story when you need something sweet, spicy and easygoing to read 🙂↔️✨ and will also makes you feel all the feelings
I’ve read books by Jennifer Chipman before and it’s always guaranteed that I’m going to have a great time and this one wasn’t the exception 🙂↔️
Zofia and Nic were so good and cute together ❤️ from the moment they first spend the night together it was crystal clear that we’re so meant to be, their chemistry was so over the place and I even enjoyed how much they tried to deny it, specially Zofia, but don’t get me wrong, I get her, she was in a very bad relationship and it was obvious she didn’t want to have her heart broken again 🥺
Fortunately, Nic was there, and when they both needed to be in a relationship Nic manages to convince Zofia to get married, and even when he says it’s just a contact, he’s been in love with her since the moment he asked to be his assistant a year ago, and this was just the little push he needed it to start showing to her his feelings even when he didn’t even realized it 🙂↔️😭💖
This was such a cute book and I really enjoyed all the characters in here, and of course the love between Zofia and Nic, I mean, she’s so independent and strong and wants to be loved and Nic is just perfect for her, he’s attentive and protective with her, and he spoils her 😩🛐 he’s all about to make her his wife and loving her and ahhh I just love him 😩💖
This is the perfect story when you need something sweet, spicy and easygoing to read 🙂↔️✨ and will also makes you feel all the feelings
May 1, 2026
⭐️ 4.25/5
🔥 4.25/5
🌶️ 4.25/5
💧 4.25/5
Contractually Mine by Jennifer Chipman, provided via Valentine PR, is an emotionally engaging contract marriage romance filled with tension, emotional denial, protective instincts, and slow-building feelings.
The story follows Zofia and Nicolas, whose relationship begins with a contract marriage but gradually develops into something much deeper as the emotional and romantic tension between them continues building throughout the story.
One of the strongest aspects of the book is the chemistry between the characters. From the beginning, there is a clear emotional pull between them that becomes increasingly difficult for either of them to ignore.
Nicolas stands out as a caring and protective MMC who struggles to fully acknowledge his feelings, creating strong emotional tension throughout the relationship progression. Meanwhile, Zofia’s emotional journey feels equally compelling as she balances protecting her heart with allowing herself to trust the connection developing between them.
The pregnancy twist adds another emotional layer to the story while increasing the stakes within the relationship and forcing both characters to confront feelings they have been avoiding.
Overall, Contractually Mine is a compelling romance filled with emotional tension, strong chemistry, protective dynamics, and a relationship progression that keeps readers invested from beginning to end.
🔥 4.25/5
🌶️ 4.25/5
💧 4.25/5
Contractually Mine by Jennifer Chipman, provided via Valentine PR, is an emotionally engaging contract marriage romance filled with tension, emotional denial, protective instincts, and slow-building feelings.
The story follows Zofia and Nicolas, whose relationship begins with a contract marriage but gradually develops into something much deeper as the emotional and romantic tension between them continues building throughout the story.
One of the strongest aspects of the book is the chemistry between the characters. From the beginning, there is a clear emotional pull between them that becomes increasingly difficult for either of them to ignore.
Nicolas stands out as a caring and protective MMC who struggles to fully acknowledge his feelings, creating strong emotional tension throughout the relationship progression. Meanwhile, Zofia’s emotional journey feels equally compelling as she balances protecting her heart with allowing herself to trust the connection developing between them.
The pregnancy twist adds another emotional layer to the story while increasing the stakes within the relationship and forcing both characters to confront feelings they have been avoiding.
Overall, Contractually Mine is a compelling romance filled with emotional tension, strong chemistry, protective dynamics, and a relationship progression that keeps readers invested from beginning to end.
May 19, 2026
This is my first read by this author. I read it as a complete standalone even though it’s book 5 in the series. When the book begins, Nicolas is recruiting Zofia to be his EA. Some years later, they are both at the wedding of a coworker, and they give in to their attraction and decide it’s only going to be one night. They are both attracted to each other, but they can’t see a way to be together since they work together. Zofia is still hesitant about relationships after being cheated on by her ex-fiancé, and Nicolas is so focused on his career that he doesn’t have time for a relationship. But when Nicolas’s father starts to give him a hard time for being unmarried and reminding him he has to be married to get his inheritance, he decides that the best way to get his father off his back is to propose to Zofia. She at first says no, then changes her mind when her mom starts trying to set her up.
I liked this book. There were a few things I wish had a better resolution, i.e. his strained relationship with his dad, but overall, this was a solid marriage of convenience book. This was the first book. Overall, I liked the story. I liked these two together, and it was totally believable that their walls would prevent them from being open with their growing feelings. Cute story and makes me want to read other books in the series.
I liked this book. There were a few things I wish had a better resolution, i.e. his strained relationship with his dad, but overall, this was a solid marriage of convenience book. This was the first book. Overall, I liked the story. I liked these two together, and it was totally believable that their walls would prevent them from being open with their growing feelings. Cute story and makes me want to read other books in the series.
May 20, 2026
Zofia and Nicolas 🧎♀️🔥 I am enamored by them. Their love and story 🥹 He is obsessed with his wife and doesn't want it any other way 😌 My wife, marriage of convenience, and CEO x assistant he is secretly obsessed with? Give me 🧎♀️ Thank you so much, Jennifer, for this ARC 🥹❤️
Zofia Narayan 🔥 This woman is one of the cutest fmc's I have read about! She is brave, kind, intelligent, independant, shy and extremely talented 😌 She had me giggling and kicking my feet, because she's treasured and treated like a Queen 🧎♀️ by the man she's so proud of 🥹 The banter, yearning and how hard she tried to stay away had me 😏 Her friendship with the previous fmc's is so cute, and their bookclub! I need in 😎
Nicolas Larrsen 🔥 Obsessed doesn't even cover what he feels for his wife 🥹 The words "my wife" are his favourite, and worshipping her is his priority 😎 He is one of my favourite Ceo's and mmc's 😍 Nic is handsome, protective, a golden retriever, rich, and can't help falling head over heels 😉 There is just something about a mean who yearns, as long as he has 😈 Add that she is having his baby 😩
The spice is incredible and so frickin hawt! Their chemistry sizzled 😏 The writing is incredible, and that extended epilogue had me sobbing because it was the perfect conclusion to their story and series 🥹❤️ Now, that surprise for the next series 😏
Zofia Narayan 🔥 This woman is one of the cutest fmc's I have read about! She is brave, kind, intelligent, independant, shy and extremely talented 😌 She had me giggling and kicking my feet, because she's treasured and treated like a Queen 🧎♀️ by the man she's so proud of 🥹 The banter, yearning and how hard she tried to stay away had me 😏 Her friendship with the previous fmc's is so cute, and their bookclub! I need in 😎
Nicolas Larrsen 🔥 Obsessed doesn't even cover what he feels for his wife 🥹 The words "my wife" are his favourite, and worshipping her is his priority 😎 He is one of my favourite Ceo's and mmc's 😍 Nic is handsome, protective, a golden retriever, rich, and can't help falling head over heels 😉 There is just something about a mean who yearns, as long as he has 😈 Add that she is having his baby 😩
The spice is incredible and so frickin hawt! Their chemistry sizzled 😏 The writing is incredible, and that extended epilogue had me sobbing because it was the perfect conclusion to their story and series 🥹❤️ Now, that surprise for the next series 😏
May 5, 2026
Thanks to Jennifer Chipman and Valentine PR for the ARC!
I read Spookily Yours by Jennifer before, and it was one of my favorite reads of 2024, so I couldn’t resist when I saw Valentine PR had ARCs open for her new book.
In Contractually Yours, we have Nick —our golden retriever MMC— who is willing to do anything and everything to keep Zofia, our FMC and his new assistant, by his side. Which leads to the most insane and funny arranged marriage, with that forced proximity trope we love so much.
Overall, this is a quick and fun read. It has the kind of spice that I LOVE (more focused on the sexual tension than explicit scenes), and from the very first page we get the emotional side of the characters, which makes them feel more real and genuine.
I would have loved to see more of their friendship at the beginning. I feel like there are a few jumps in the first 20% that skip over that part, and since this also has a friends-to-lovers element, I would have liked to see that more developed. BUT the note at the beginning of the book suggests reading the other books in the series first, which I didn’t do—so maybe that’s on me.
Although there are a few things that could be improved, it still delivers as a fun, easy read. Perfect to devour over a weekend like a snack.
I read Spookily Yours by Jennifer before, and it was one of my favorite reads of 2024, so I couldn’t resist when I saw Valentine PR had ARCs open for her new book.
In Contractually Yours, we have Nick —our golden retriever MMC— who is willing to do anything and everything to keep Zofia, our FMC and his new assistant, by his side. Which leads to the most insane and funny arranged marriage, with that forced proximity trope we love so much.
Overall, this is a quick and fun read. It has the kind of spice that I LOVE (more focused on the sexual tension than explicit scenes), and from the very first page we get the emotional side of the characters, which makes them feel more real and genuine.
I would have loved to see more of their friendship at the beginning. I feel like there are a few jumps in the first 20% that skip over that part, and since this also has a friends-to-lovers element, I would have liked to see that more developed. BUT the note at the beginning of the book suggests reading the other books in the series first, which I didn’t do—so maybe that’s on me.
Although there are a few things that could be improved, it still delivers as a fun, easy read. Perfect to devour over a weekend like a snack.
April 30, 2026
ᴄᴏɴᴛʀᴀᴄᴛᴜᴀʟʟʏ ᴍɪɴᴇ || ᴀʀᴄ ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ
𝓜𝓪𝓴𝓮 𝓷𝓸 𝓶𝓲𝓼𝓽𝓪𝓴𝓮, 𝓩𝓸𝓯𝓲𝓪. 𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓻𝓮𝓵𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷𝓼𝓱𝓲𝓹 𝓶𝓲𝓰𝓱𝓽 𝓫𝓮 𝓯𝓪𝓴𝓮, 𝓫𝓾𝓽 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓶𝓪𝓻𝓻𝓲𝓪𝓰𝓮 𝔀𝓲𝓵𝓵 𝓫𝓮 𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓵. 𝓛𝓮𝓰𝓪𝓵𝓵𝔂, 𝓨𝓸𝓾’𝓵𝓵 𝓫𝓮 𝓜𝓨 𝓦𝓘𝓕𝓔.
This book was a sweet, fast-paced, and at times quite spicy romantic comedy. The dynamic between Nicolas and Zofia is clear from the very beginning: their chemistry is undeniable, yet they both resist admitting it for quite a while. Zofia’s cautious nature, shaped by her past, adds a nice layer of depth to the story.
Starting in a workplace setting and evolving into a fake relationship and contract marriage, the plot includes classic tropes, but thanks to the characters’ emotional development, it never feels cliché. Nicolas being the one who falls first—and slowly realizing it—was especially enjoyable; he’s basically the embodiment of “he falls first and harder.” His protective and slightly obsessive side also adds to the romantic tension.
Tropes:
❤️ reverse age gap
🔥 one night stand
🐱🐶 black cat x golden retriever
🎭 fake relationship
📄 contract marriage
💍 marriage of convenience
💘 he falls first and harder
🖤 man obsessed
🏢 workplace romance
🤰 surprise pregnancy
𝓜𝓪𝓴𝓮 𝓷𝓸 𝓶𝓲𝓼𝓽𝓪𝓴𝓮, 𝓩𝓸𝓯𝓲𝓪. 𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓻𝓮𝓵𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷𝓼𝓱𝓲𝓹 𝓶𝓲𝓰𝓱𝓽 𝓫𝓮 𝓯𝓪𝓴𝓮, 𝓫𝓾𝓽 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓶𝓪𝓻𝓻𝓲𝓪𝓰𝓮 𝔀𝓲𝓵𝓵 𝓫𝓮 𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓵. 𝓛𝓮𝓰𝓪𝓵𝓵𝔂, 𝓨𝓸𝓾’𝓵𝓵 𝓫𝓮 𝓜𝓨 𝓦𝓘𝓕𝓔.
This book was a sweet, fast-paced, and at times quite spicy romantic comedy. The dynamic between Nicolas and Zofia is clear from the very beginning: their chemistry is undeniable, yet they both resist admitting it for quite a while. Zofia’s cautious nature, shaped by her past, adds a nice layer of depth to the story.
Starting in a workplace setting and evolving into a fake relationship and contract marriage, the plot includes classic tropes, but thanks to the characters’ emotional development, it never feels cliché. Nicolas being the one who falls first—and slowly realizing it—was especially enjoyable; he’s basically the embodiment of “he falls first and harder.” His protective and slightly obsessive side also adds to the romantic tension.
Tropes:
❤️ reverse age gap
🔥 one night stand
🐱🐶 black cat x golden retriever
🎭 fake relationship
📄 contract marriage
💍 marriage of convenience
💘 he falls first and harder
🖤 man obsessed
🏢 workplace romance
🤰 surprise pregnancy
June 3, 2026
Ive been WAITING for Zofia's and Nicolas's story ever since we got the sneak peeks in the earlier books of this seri4ees. The sneak peeks we DID get where WORTH the wait. Because the real thing? PEAK!!! I cannot believe ive read their beautiful love story within a DAY!! From the moment ive read rhe prologue Nicolas Was OBESSED with Zofia. He is SUCH a gentleman to her and the WAY he YEARNED and WANTED Zofia for so many years you could FEEL how much throughout the book. The man would HAPPILY be in his knees for her (which he said a lot) Zofia is miss indipented and i love that about her. But her back story was kind of heartbreaking and broke my heart again and again while reading her pov on love and marrige.🥹 but i am SO happy she found Nicolas and Nicolas found Zofia they really are a match made in heaven. And UGH How I LOVE a GOOD office romance and the chemistry between those 2 where kff the charts!! I adored this book so much and im so incredibly happy they found each other and Nico finally got his girl!!💛🥹 i cannot wait to see them again in the second gen series👀 The WAY Nicolas is SUCH a golden retriever AND a gentle man. Zofia you are a very lucky woman!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 31, 2026
Contractually Mine by Jennifer Chipman is everything I love about contemporary romance—a slow-burning connection wrapped in a fake marriage that quickly starts feeling all too real. From the very beginning, the chemistry between Zofia Narayan and Nicolas Larsen is impossible to ignore, and every stolen glance, quiet moment, and heartfelt conversation had me rooting for them. The novel centers on a workplace romance that evolves into a contract marriage after one unforgettable night together, blending favorite tropes like boss/assistant, marriage of convenience, he falls first, billionaire romance, and surprise pregnancy into one emotional love story.
Nicolas completely stole my heart. Beneath the polished CEO exterior is a man who has loved Zofia far longer than she’s ever realized. He’s patient, protective, and hopelessly devoted in the sweetest ways. Zofia is equally compelling—strong, ambitious, and cautious with her heart after past hurt. Watching her slowly trust that Nicolas’s feelings are genuine made their romance feel earned instead of rushed.
What I loved most was how the “contract” slowly disappeared beneath genuine affection. Every thoughtful gesture, every moment of vulnerability, and every ounce of emotional tension made their relationship blossom naturally. Jennifer Chipman balances tender romance with plenty of steam, creating a story that’s equal parts heartwarming and addictive.
I absolutely loved watching the relationship change from something that was supposed to be simple and clearly defined into something neither of them could control. There’s something so satisfying about two people insisting they know exactly what their arrangement is while their actions are practically screaming, “You’re already falling in love!” The lingering looks, protective moments, teasing banter, jealousy, and little flashes of vulnerability made the romance feel even sweeter.
What really worked for me was that underneath all the chemistry was genuine emotion. Jennifer Chipman gives the characters fears and insecurities that make it understandable why putting everything into a neat little contractual box feels safer than admitting what they truly want. But feelings don’t exactly follow rules—and watching those emotional walls slowly come down was my favorite part.
And the chemistry? So good. There’s plenty of tension and attraction, but it was the softer moments that really stole my heart. The little gestures, the unexpected tenderness, and those moments when one character realizes the other has become far more important than they ever intended had me completely swooning.
If you’re looking for a romance filled with yearning, workplace tension, a golden retriever hero, emotional growth, and a happily-ever-after that leaves you smiling, Contractually Mine is an easy recommendation. It reminded me that sometimes the best love stories begin with a signature on paper—but end with two hearts that were always meant to belong to each other.
Nicolas completely stole my heart. Beneath the polished CEO exterior is a man who has loved Zofia far longer than she’s ever realized. He’s patient, protective, and hopelessly devoted in the sweetest ways. Zofia is equally compelling—strong, ambitious, and cautious with her heart after past hurt. Watching her slowly trust that Nicolas’s feelings are genuine made their romance feel earned instead of rushed.
What I loved most was how the “contract” slowly disappeared beneath genuine affection. Every thoughtful gesture, every moment of vulnerability, and every ounce of emotional tension made their relationship blossom naturally. Jennifer Chipman balances tender romance with plenty of steam, creating a story that’s equal parts heartwarming and addictive.
I absolutely loved watching the relationship change from something that was supposed to be simple and clearly defined into something neither of them could control. There’s something so satisfying about two people insisting they know exactly what their arrangement is while their actions are practically screaming, “You’re already falling in love!” The lingering looks, protective moments, teasing banter, jealousy, and little flashes of vulnerability made the romance feel even sweeter.
What really worked for me was that underneath all the chemistry was genuine emotion. Jennifer Chipman gives the characters fears and insecurities that make it understandable why putting everything into a neat little contractual box feels safer than admitting what they truly want. But feelings don’t exactly follow rules—and watching those emotional walls slowly come down was my favorite part.
And the chemistry? So good. There’s plenty of tension and attraction, but it was the softer moments that really stole my heart. The little gestures, the unexpected tenderness, and those moments when one character realizes the other has become far more important than they ever intended had me completely swooning.
If you’re looking for a romance filled with yearning, workplace tension, a golden retriever hero, emotional growth, and a happily-ever-after that leaves you smiling, Contractually Mine is an easy recommendation. It reminded me that sometimes the best love stories begin with a signature on paper—but end with two hearts that were always meant to belong to each other.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Contractually Mine is such a beautiful read! It’s packed with so many elements that make for a delightful romance—workplace chemistry, a contract marriage/fake marriage, accidental pregnancy, and a tight-knit group of friends who always have each other’s backs.
Nicholas has secretly harbored feelings for Zofia for a long time, and even when the idea of a contract marriage is brought up, he treats it as real from the very start, showing just how deeply he cares. The dynamic within their friend group is heartwarming, and I love how the author captured their supportive and loving relationships.
One thing I wish the author had explored more was the relationship between Nicholas and his father. There’s so much potential for depth in that connection that I think would have added another layer to the story.
Overall, this is a 4-star read, and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys heartfelt workplace romance and an engaging, well-written story.
Thanks to the author and Valentine PR for this ARC!
Nicholas has secretly harbored feelings for Zofia for a long time, and even when the idea of a contract marriage is brought up, he treats it as real from the very start, showing just how deeply he cares. The dynamic within their friend group is heartwarming, and I love how the author captured their supportive and loving relationships.
One thing I wish the author had explored more was the relationship between Nicholas and his father. There’s so much potential for depth in that connection that I think would have added another layer to the story.
Overall, this is a 4-star read, and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys heartfelt workplace romance and an engaging, well-written story.
Thanks to the author and Valentine PR for this ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Zofia's parents want to introduce her to a man for an arranged marriage, while Nicolas' company expects him to show he is a serious man. The solution? A fake marriage between the two. Although their relationship starts with a contract, it quickly takes on another meaning, and the chemistry between them is undeniable. Nicolas does everything to make her happy, whether it's by being attentive to her needs, protecting her, or literally spoiling her.
A beautiful romance of 296 pages that’s quick and easy to read!
-
Les parents de Zofia souhaitent lui présenter un homme à marier, alors que la compagnie de Nicolas s'attend à ce qu'il démontre qu'il est un homme sérieux. La solution? Un faux mariage entre les deux. Même si leur relation commence par un contrat, leur relation prend rapidement un autre sens et la chimie entre les deux est palpable. Nicolas fait tout pour la rendre heureuse, que ce soit en étant attentif à ses besoins, en la protégeant ou en la gâtant littéralement.
Une belle romance de 296 pages, qui se lit vite et bien!
A beautiful romance of 296 pages that’s quick and easy to read!
-
Les parents de Zofia souhaitent lui présenter un homme à marier, alors que la compagnie de Nicolas s'attend à ce qu'il démontre qu'il est un homme sérieux. La solution? Un faux mariage entre les deux. Même si leur relation commence par un contrat, leur relation prend rapidement un autre sens et la chimie entre les deux est palpable. Nicolas fait tout pour la rendre heureuse, que ce soit en étant attentif à ses besoins, en la protégeant ou en la gâtant littéralement.
Une belle romance de 296 pages, qui se lit vite et bien!
May 3, 2026
*4 stars*
I definitely think the 'fake' marriage stories are very popular. It's been a true rollercoaster ride; even if it was a slow beginning for me, it picked up and I had a connection towards Nicholas & Zofia later on. There were a lot of great elements in the story and I really like the banter between the two lead characters.
Nicholas has always wanted to try to convince Zofia to be his assistant but nothing has really worked but as he's in desperate need after a shift at work, she starts to cave and they embark on a new start. Everything is going good until Nicholas is faced with another problem which he has an easy solution to although Zofie isn't really onboard with it. As Zofia's family has been pushing her to get involved with someone, she doesn't feel ready but when Nicholas makes her a suggestion, after exploring everything she can't resist. Their relationship starts to change and after a while feelings start to show. Will they find their way to one another in the end...
I definitely think the 'fake' marriage stories are very popular. It's been a true rollercoaster ride; even if it was a slow beginning for me, it picked up and I had a connection towards Nicholas & Zofia later on. There were a lot of great elements in the story and I really like the banter between the two lead characters.
Nicholas has always wanted to try to convince Zofia to be his assistant but nothing has really worked but as he's in desperate need after a shift at work, she starts to cave and they embark on a new start. Everything is going good until Nicholas is faced with another problem which he has an easy solution to although Zofie isn't really onboard with it. As Zofia's family has been pushing her to get involved with someone, she doesn't feel ready but when Nicholas makes her a suggestion, after exploring everything she can't resist. Their relationship starts to change and after a while feelings start to show. Will they find their way to one another in the end...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 92 reviews