Sweat Equity: A boss/employee curvy girl romance

by Khloe Summers

He’s her boss. She’s been in a fake relationship with him for years. Now she needs the real thing… and he’s done pretending.

Charlotte
It was supposed to be one tiny lie.
A fake boyfriend to get my family off my case.
My boss was the perfect choice.
Tall, tattooed, terrifyingly gorgeous,
and absolutely off‑limits.
I just forgot to mention the “ex‑con” part.
Now my sister’s shotgun wedding demands I bring him as my date,
and I’m starting to think the real danger isn’t the lie,
It’s how badly I want it to be true.

Jake
I’ve kept my distance.
I had to.
Charlotte’s brilliant, curvy, tempting as sin,
and my employee,
But hearing she’s been telling everyone I’m her boyfriend?
Yeah, that snaps something in me clean in half.
She thinks this weekend is a favor,
But she has no idea I’ve been fighting the urge to claim her since day one.
And now that she’s handed me the perfect excuse,
I’m not holding back.

Dear Readers,
If you crave boss tension, fake‑dating heat, possessive reformed bad boys, and curvy heroines who get adored and devoured, buckle up for this short, steamy, blue-collar romance!
No cheating. No cliffhanger. Always a guaranteed HEA.

63 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 25, 2026

About the author

Best-Selling Author Khloe Summers writes short, steamy romance about small town love and mountain men.

Married to her own heart of gold alpha for over twenty years, Khloe is a firm believer in the magic of Happily Ever After.

Reviews

[Morally_Gray_Nola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Age-gap isn’t usually one of my favorite tropes. But I liked Jake and Charlotte’s characters so much, I wouldn’t have noticed the age-gap trope if it wasn’t mentioned past that first time. Sweat Equity is a story about feeling alone/adrift, only to accidentally stumble across your fiercest ally/supporter, feeling supported enough to stand on your own—but, knowing you don’t have to.

*** Recommended ***

MMC:
✨Jake
FMC:
✨Charlotte
HEA/Cliffhanger:
✨HEA
Series:
✨Book 2 of Blue Collar Heat
Epilogue:
🌗yes
Tropes:
👉 romance
👉mountain man romance
👉boss/employee
👉bad boy/curvy girl
👉age-gap
Triggers:
💥18+
💥sex
💥profanity
💥horrible family - fmc
Burn Speed:
✨medium
Spice Level:
✨🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Suzanne Houser · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book in her Blue Collar Heat series, Khloe Summers' Sweat Equity is a fast, fun, super steamy boss/employee and fake relationship romance. Unbeknownst to Jake, Charlotte has been claiming her sexy hot boss is her boyfriend to her obnoxious family. When her sister's shotgun wedding forces Charlotte to 'fess up, Jake realizes the perfect moment is upon him. He has secretly wanted the beautiful Charlotte but knew she was off limits. Now that he needs to step in as her boyfriend, he's going to do everything in his power to turn pretend to real. Hot, spicy and entertaining, Sweat Equity is a must read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lisa H · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great series!!! Khloe gets your attention and you devour the book like it’s the last bag of chips in earth!!!

Jake might have a bit of a past but he’s a hard worker and he loves the office….even if it’s just to get a glimpse of Charlotte. You really feel she loves her job, and just wants to exist with most her family’s torture.

I love that Charlotte has made a parallel universe where she’s dating her hot older boss to keep her mom off her back. When Jake materialized he’s way too happy to be that fake boyfriend.

Their courtship is fast, hot, and call consuming. Jake forgets all the reasons he should stay away and dives head first into her world. He isn’t afraid to speak up and protect Charlotte.

It’s the perfect way to keep warm in the. Old and enjoy this HEA!!.
M

[Johanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 2 of the Blue Collar Heat series. Can be read as a standalone.

From the author: 'Dear Readers,
If you crave boss tension, fake‑dating heat, possessive reformed bad boys, and curvy heroines who get adored and devoured, buckle up for this short, steamy, blue-collar romance!'

The characters were so very appealing and likeable and perfectly steamy together. Plot was well written and straightforward. World building continues to excel and impress. All in all a great addition to the series. Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.

Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Aspen G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweat Equity is a swoony alpha-protector experience with a slightly obsessed female carrying plenty of baggage and drama. Charlotte’s family is horrible to her, and watching her tolerate it is crushing and cringe. When Jake comes to her rescue—and exposes his feelings—things really heat up. Her fake socials page is creepy weird and definitely not okay—but Jake isn’t bothered by it one bit? This story is definitely off the beaten path, but it’s a lot of fun to read and the chemistry between these two is off the charts.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Andrea Smierciak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jake's the older, hard working construction worker. He loves his job and trying to get his life back on track. He doesn't think a relationship is for him but has secretly crushed on the much younger Charlotte for years. Charlotte has had a crush on Jake for years and secretly made up a relationship with him to get her mom off her back. A must read to find out what happens when the fake relationship comes to light. A wonderful story of love and unconditional support and of course chemistry that is sizzling on the pages.

[Robin Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

From Fake to Reality

She based her imaginary boyfriend on him only to get caught when he accidentally became a real one. He had noticed her, but thought he wasn't good enough. Once they came together, they got their HEA in spite of her mother! I liked the premise of this story because it hit a nerve in me. My sister acted the prima donna about her wedding when she told me I was too fat to be in the wedding party. When I said a few choice words to her, my mother told me I shouldn't attend. Thank you for this story Khloe.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

What If It Works Out

How can your fake dating really be real if you aren’t photoshopping yourselves on the regular?

Tropes

- Boss x Worker
- Ex-con
- Virgin FMC
- Fake Dating
- Age Gap

I think Novella‘s are probably one of the best things to reset your reading brain. After reading a few big honking books I loved this short and sweet and to the point read. The way the MMC spoke to the FMC’s mother was amazing. Respectful enough, but definitely put her in her place.

3.75/5 ✨
3/5 🌶️

[Jenni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charlotte had told her family that she had a boyfriend to get them off her back only she told them its her boss Jake, Jake had wanted Charlotte at first sight but as her older boss and an ex con he couldn't cross that line, but now she needs her fake boyfriend for her sisters shot gun wedding and theres no way he can let this opportunity go to waste and he intends to make sure she knows this is a anything but fake. Well written engaging steamy desires age gap, fake to real romance

[Angi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mia has never fit in with her family. Her dad was her person and since he died she is just tolerated by her mom and sister. She and Jake fake a relationship for her sisters upcoming wedding. But their feelings for each other come to focus really fast. When Jake’s secret comes out the back lash is awful. This book is a short and sweet read and I can’t wait for the next one.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jennifer D · Rating 5 out of 5]

This might be my fav Khloe Summers book I’ve read so far!!!!

It’s super sweet
It’s super HOT
“Bad guy gets their karma” imo
I loved Charlotte and her struggles as well as her spirit
I loved Jake, his ownership of his past, his instantaneous support of Charlotte
It’s heartwarming
His nickname for her🥹😍🥰🤗
The dirty talk???🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
That Jake is huge??? (Swoon)
That Charlotte is curvy🥰.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Noemi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jake doesn't know he has a fake girlfriend

Jake doesn't know he has a fake girlfriend until he goes looking for his employee, Charlotte.

Charlotte made up a fake boyfriend once her sister's wedding was announced and her mother kept pestering her about who her plus one would be. She made up her boyfriend of two years named Jake. Only Jake is real and surprises her when he agrees to assist her.

I enjoyed this read 📚!

[Linnette Parris · Rating 5 out of 5]

New Calendar

She’s romanticized herself into a corner, her mom wants her and Jake at the wedding. Jake finds out and is totally on board to fake it. Real issues, dysfunctional family and some funny moments. A nostalgic endearing couple and a sweey happy ending!

[Simone · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[T.I. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this story. I liked the characters and storyline so much. I couldn't put it down. Great read.

[TheNorksWife · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was actually a lot cuter than I thought it was going to be. And props to Jake for standing up to her Mom and sister 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

✨No cheating ✨No third act breakup ✨No cliffhanger ✨HEA