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League of Lovers
Scarlett Avery doesn’t do office crushes, but Carson Leon—grumpy, infuriatingly charming, and now her partner on the company’s biggest project of the year—makes sticking to that rule impossible. Forced into long nights and close quarters, their professional tension sparks into something hotter than either of them expected.
Outside the office, Scarlett knows exactly who Carson is: SonofCar, the rising streamer she’s been secretly gaming alongside for months. He has no idea his trusted teammate is the same woman driving him crazy at work—and Scarlett intends to keep it that way.
But secrets can’t stay hidden forever. The more time Scarlett spends with Carson—in the office and online—the harder it is to keep her two worlds apart. If the truth comes out, she could lose not only her place on his team, but her chance at something real with the man she can’t stop wanting.
A steamy, grumpy/sunshine workplace romance with a splash of nerd culture, perfect for readers who love laugh-out-loud banter, open-door heat, forced proximity, and a happily ever after worth fighting for.
Outside the office, Scarlett knows exactly who Carson is: SonofCar, the rising streamer she’s been secretly gaming alongside for months. He has no idea his trusted teammate is the same woman driving him crazy at work—and Scarlett intends to keep it that way.
But secrets can’t stay hidden forever. The more time Scarlett spends with Carson—in the office and online—the harder it is to keep her two worlds apart. If the truth comes out, she could lose not only her place on his team, but her chance at something real with the man she can’t stop wanting.
A steamy, grumpy/sunshine workplace romance with a splash of nerd culture, perfect for readers who love laugh-out-loud banter, open-door heat, forced proximity, and a happily ever after worth fighting for.
100 pages, Paperback
Published January 16, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
I enjoyed this fun, easy, quick read! I don't usually grab for romance novels and this was the perfect amount of it. I enjoyed reading about Scarlett and Carson's cute connection as they come to the realization that there is more to the relationship than just their workplace.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I am not usually a romance reader but I thought this was fun! It is short and sweet but well written and cute and hits on many well loved tropes. I am confident romance readers would love this!
January 4, 2026
Was privileged to get this short novel as an ARC, for a short book it certainly still does have a fair bit in it. Was an easy read and fun to follow. Scarlett and Carson’s relationship is cute, and the gamer online friendship is a great addition to the story
January 19, 2026
my first read of the year was a good one 🫶
I’m not usually a romance reader but this was a quick read with lots of fun & spice packed into it, can’t wait for more in this series!!
I’m not usually a romance reader but this was a quick read with lots of fun & spice packed into it, can’t wait for more in this series!!
January 11, 2026
I loved this short steamy romance, it was funny and made me lol a couple times, which isn’t easy to do. Super cute, and relatable characters, only thing I wish is I could have had more of these two!
January 6, 2026
I was lucky enough to get this book as an ARC. Thank you Clarisse. This book was a quick fast read. I enjoyed the fact that there was no misunderstanding and they were actually able to listen to each other. I hope Scottie gets his own book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This little book was adorable!!! I signed up to be an ARC reader after finding the author on Author Threads. I'm currently in my romance reader era and I absolutely LOVE an enemies to lovers trope. Carson and Scarlett are the cutest, and very well developed for a short novel. Scarlett is very relatable and I felt connected to her because of how the author shared her emotions and thoughts. I loved how the author fit in everything that a normal length novel would have into a shortened length. I didn't expect there to be a full 'act 3' conflict and resolution, but this reader is very happy with the HEA! Rooting for Carson and Scarlett, or maybe their gamer friends, to have even more stories in the future!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Received in advance from the Author -
This short office romance delivers a surprisingly layered exploration of desire, ambition, and vulnerability within the confined world of corporate life. Set almost entirely within the familiar rhythms of meetings, deadlines, and late nights at the office, the story uses its limited scope to great effect, allowing tension—both professional and personal—to simmer quietly before coming to a head.
At its core, the novella examines the complicated attraction between two colleagues who are acutely aware of the risks involved in crossing professional boundaries. What makes the romance compelling is not grand declarations or dramatic plot twists, but the subtle build-up.
The adult theme is handled with restraint and maturity. Rather than relying on explicit scenes, the author focuses on emotional intimacy, power dynamics, and the internal conflict that comes with wanting something that could jeopardize a carefully constructed career. This approach lends the story a sense of realism and sophistication, making it resonate with readers who appreciate romance grounded in real-world consequences.
While brief, the book succeeds in creating fully realized characters whose desires feel authentic and earned. The ending, in particular, avoids cliché, opting instead for a conclusion that feels honest to the choices the characters made.
Overall, this short office romance is an engaging read for those looking for a mature, character-driven love story. It proves that even within a limited page count, a well-written romance can explore adult themes thoughtfully, leaving a lasting impression long after the final page.
This short office romance delivers a surprisingly layered exploration of desire, ambition, and vulnerability within the confined world of corporate life. Set almost entirely within the familiar rhythms of meetings, deadlines, and late nights at the office, the story uses its limited scope to great effect, allowing tension—both professional and personal—to simmer quietly before coming to a head.
At its core, the novella examines the complicated attraction between two colleagues who are acutely aware of the risks involved in crossing professional boundaries. What makes the romance compelling is not grand declarations or dramatic plot twists, but the subtle build-up.
The adult theme is handled with restraint and maturity. Rather than relying on explicit scenes, the author focuses on emotional intimacy, power dynamics, and the internal conflict that comes with wanting something that could jeopardize a carefully constructed career. This approach lends the story a sense of realism and sophistication, making it resonate with readers who appreciate romance grounded in real-world consequences.
While brief, the book succeeds in creating fully realized characters whose desires feel authentic and earned. The ending, in particular, avoids cliché, opting instead for a conclusion that feels honest to the choices the characters made.
Overall, this short office romance is an engaging read for those looking for a mature, character-driven love story. It proves that even within a limited page count, a well-written romance can explore adult themes thoughtfully, leaving a lasting impression long after the final page.
January 18, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️
Just finished League of Lovers by Clarisse Dawn and it was exactly what I needed after a 600-page fantasy! 😍 As a gamer, I totally get how Scarlett and Carson’s online connection could turn real — so fun and believable. This quick, steamy novella had me completely drawn in with witty banter and amazing chemistry. 🎮💖📚
Tropes I loved:
✨ Secret identities
💻 Gaming romance
🔥 Steamy moments
😂 Witty banter
💌 Slow burn
💖 Happily-ever-after
Just finished League of Lovers by Clarisse Dawn and it was exactly what I needed after a 600-page fantasy! 😍 As a gamer, I totally get how Scarlett and Carson’s online connection could turn real — so fun and believable. This quick, steamy novella had me completely drawn in with witty banter and amazing chemistry. 🎮💖📚
Tropes I loved:
✨ Secret identities
💻 Gaming romance
🔥 Steamy moments
😂 Witty banter
💌 Slow burn
💖 Happily-ever-after
January 18, 2026
[ARC REVIEW]
This book was enjoyable for the most part. I loved the banter between Carson and Scarlett and I loved the gamer aspect of it all. It was a very promising read up until the last 25% of the book.
Once we got to the last part of the book, there were quite a few cringe moments. One person said the quote “What in the wattpad is going on”, and another said the quote “What if we didn’t hit it off IRL”. This sentence would be fine normally, but using the word IRL out loud isn’t something that you would hear from most people.
I was happy to continue with the book and ignore these quotes as the book was going to be a 5 star read at this current point, but then we got to the NSFW scene, which again, had a lot of cringe quotes and lines that you wouldn’t hear people say in the real world. One line in particular being “the warm, wet hug of her walls.” This scene almost made me DNF, but I realised I only had 7 pages left of the chapter and I was able to power through. This was pretty disappointing because I really enjoyed the book up until this point, and I felt like it had a lot of potential which just wasn’t there unfortunately.
[I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.]
This book was enjoyable for the most part. I loved the banter between Carson and Scarlett and I loved the gamer aspect of it all. It was a very promising read up until the last 25% of the book.
Once we got to the last part of the book, there were quite a few cringe moments. One person said the quote “What in the wattpad is going on”, and another said the quote “What if we didn’t hit it off IRL”. This sentence would be fine normally, but using the word IRL out loud isn’t something that you would hear from most people.
I was happy to continue with the book and ignore these quotes as the book was going to be a 5 star read at this current point, but then we got to the NSFW scene, which again, had a lot of cringe quotes and lines that you wouldn’t hear people say in the real world. One line in particular being “the warm, wet hug of her walls.” This scene almost made me DNF, but I realised I only had 7 pages left of the chapter and I was able to power through. This was pretty disappointing because I really enjoyed the book up until this point, and I felt like it had a lot of potential which just wasn’t there unfortunately.
[I received an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.]
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an ARC of this copy from the author. I finished it about a week ago and have been mulling over my review for several days.
I liked this book and was happy to read it, but this one sadly did not do anything special for me. It was a quick read, and I don't think it was a waste of time... I just didn't love it. Maybe if it was a longer story and had time to unfold slower, it would have been better. But it went from unfriendly co-workers to sappy lovestruck too quick for me.
Also... the miscommunication. I really don't like miscommunication tropes unless they are done exceedingly well and uniquely. For me there has to be some sort of deeper reason for it that I can relate to, which i did not feel in this book.
He KNEW part of what her secret was going to be, so my first instinct is that he overreacted very dramatically. I know if it was me in that situation, I'd understand. But as a reader, it just didn't hit me right.
Based on the other reviews, it seems this is more a "me" thing than a reflection of the book itself. All in all - I look forward to the author's next book.
I liked this book and was happy to read it, but this one sadly did not do anything special for me. It was a quick read, and I don't think it was a waste of time... I just didn't love it. Maybe if it was a longer story and had time to unfold slower, it would have been better. But it went from unfriendly co-workers to sappy lovestruck too quick for me.
Also... the miscommunication. I really don't like miscommunication tropes unless they are done exceedingly well and uniquely. For me there has to be some sort of deeper reason for it that I can relate to, which i did not feel in this book.
He KNEW part of what her secret was going to be, so my first instinct is that he overreacted very dramatically. I know if it was me in that situation, I'd understand. But as a reader, it just didn't hit me right.
Based on the other reviews, it seems this is more a "me" thing than a reflection of the book itself. All in all - I look forward to the author's next book.
April 8, 2026
I received this book as an ARC, thank you!
This book is a quick read between Scarlett and Carson is so cute! Scarlett moves to a new town right out of school hoping to prove herself. Her new town is small and with it very skeptical of outsiders. Scarlett works twice as hard as her co-workers to prove herself to not only her boss but the town and her co-workers.
Carson has a workplace crush on Scarlett, but he will never tell her that, it's too much fun for him to get under her skin and rile her up. Carson wants to become a full-time gaming streamer and spends his nights and weekends online playing a game with his friends, and a player named BigRed.
BigRed is never on comms, only on chat and helps Carson and his friends win campaigns.
When it finally comes out who BigRed actually is, Carson feels betrayed and Scarlett understand that her secret should have come out sooner. Thankfully Carson and Scarlett are able to overcome the secrets and find their HEA.
Steamy 🔥🌶️
Grumpy/Sunshine ☁️✖️☀️
Workplace Romance 💻🏢📂
Pro-Gamer Vibes 🎧
Laugh-out-loud Banter 🗣️😂💥
Forced Proximity 🛗⛺️🔒
This book is a quick read between Scarlett and Carson is so cute! Scarlett moves to a new town right out of school hoping to prove herself. Her new town is small and with it very skeptical of outsiders. Scarlett works twice as hard as her co-workers to prove herself to not only her boss but the town and her co-workers.
Carson has a workplace crush on Scarlett, but he will never tell her that, it's too much fun for him to get under her skin and rile her up. Carson wants to become a full-time gaming streamer and spends his nights and weekends online playing a game with his friends, and a player named BigRed.
BigRed is never on comms, only on chat and helps Carson and his friends win campaigns.
When it finally comes out who BigRed actually is, Carson feels betrayed and Scarlett understand that her secret should have come out sooner. Thankfully Carson and Scarlett are able to overcome the secrets and find their HEA.
Steamy 🔥🌶️
Grumpy/Sunshine ☁️✖️☀️
Workplace Romance 💻🏢📂
Pro-Gamer Vibes 🎧
Laugh-out-loud Banter 🗣️😂💥
Forced Proximity 🛗⛺️🔒
Review of advance copy received from Author
3.5 stars
Carson and Scarlett
Tropes:
* Workplace romance
* Enemies to more
* Grumpy x sunshine
* Forced proximity
* Secret identity
* Gamer culture
“I can’t keep getting my hopes up like this when Carson’s been very clear about what he thinks of me.
Not much.”
Ok, so the casual cruelty displayed by Carson at the start (and his thoughts about Scarlett) completely oppose how Scarlett is portrayed in her chapter.
“Whoa, Scar! I didn’t know you had any bite. Thought you were just a smiling doormat.”
Just casually, Carson was an a-z, and frankly, so were all the other bullies that she worked with. I certainly wouldn’t want to work with anyone there, or form any kind of relationship with them!
I didn’t understand the big betrayal…. he was an a-z. She had a big identity. His ego rolled straight to thinking the worst of her. Forgive me for not being a fan of him.
This was cute, really it was. But, I didn’t like the MMC which makes it kind of hard to ship their relationship.
Carson and Scarlett
Tropes:
* Workplace romance
* Enemies to more
* Grumpy x sunshine
* Forced proximity
* Secret identity
* Gamer culture
“I can’t keep getting my hopes up like this when Carson’s been very clear about what he thinks of me.
Not much.”
Ok, so the casual cruelty displayed by Carson at the start (and his thoughts about Scarlett) completely oppose how Scarlett is portrayed in her chapter.
“Whoa, Scar! I didn’t know you had any bite. Thought you were just a smiling doormat.”
Just casually, Carson was an a-z, and frankly, so were all the other bullies that she worked with. I certainly wouldn’t want to work with anyone there, or form any kind of relationship with them!
I didn’t understand the big betrayal…. he was an a-z. She had a big identity. His ego rolled straight to thinking the worst of her. Forgive me for not being a fan of him.
This was cute, really it was. But, I didn’t like the MMC which makes it kind of hard to ship their relationship.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was such a cute, quick little hit of workplace romance with just the right amount of forced proximity to make everything extra tempting. I flew through it, and honestly loved how easy it was to sink into the story without it feeling shallow.
Scarlett is an absolute cutie of a workaholic-focused, relatable, and the kind of heroine you can root for immediately. And Carson? Techie by day, gamer by night, with that quietly confident energy that sneaks up on you. Their dynamic is full of sweet tension, which is both adorable and genuinely sexy.
Also, yes: the spicy scenes are well-written. They feel like they belong to the characters and the build-up, not just thrown in for shock value, which made them hit so much better.
Overall, 4/5 stars from me. Short, fun, and satisfying
Scarlett is an absolute cutie of a workaholic-focused, relatable, and the kind of heroine you can root for immediately. And Carson? Techie by day, gamer by night, with that quietly confident energy that sneaks up on you. Their dynamic is full of sweet tension, which is both adorable and genuinely sexy.
Also, yes: the spicy scenes are well-written. They feel like they belong to the characters and the build-up, not just thrown in for shock value, which made them hit so much better.
Overall, 4/5 stars from me. Short, fun, and satisfying
Review of advance copy
In this debut novel, this author has found her calling!! This story had me laughing out loud and enjoying the story 100% of the time. I loved the forced proximity angle and the slow burn between the characters. Although the story had low spice, I don’t feel like it was missing anything. Even the 3rd act “breakup” made perfect sense, and it did a great job of making it feel real as the story went. I can’t wait for more books by this author as I think she will be a new favorite!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review honestly and voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review honestly and voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was such a cute quick workplace romance. Scarlet and Carson were relatable and very easy to understand. I loved the forced proximity that lead to them finally telling each other how they felt. The spice wasn't over done and went with the story so well. I'm normally not a fan of the 3rd act break ups but this one made complete sense and I feel like it really helped pull the story to an end. If you are looking for a quick enjoyable read that has a smidge of enemies to lovers with a HEA, this is the perfect book for you!
Review of advance copy
I would give this book a 3.7/5 so I went up to 4 stars.
This book was short, cute, a little funny and a little crazy. Slightly enemies to lovers, but mostly since the MMC is baaad at flirting lol.
Obviously, since it is such a short read, the argument at the end felt a little rushed for them to get back together, and the reason for the argument was warranted since the FMC def gave off crazy vibes even though it was a pretty innocent misunderstanding. If you need something short and to the point, I would recommend! Bonus cause I love playing video games too!
This book was short, cute, a little funny and a little crazy. Slightly enemies to lovers, but mostly since the MMC is baaad at flirting lol.
Obviously, since it is such a short read, the argument at the end felt a little rushed for them to get back together, and the reason for the argument was warranted since the FMC def gave off crazy vibes even though it was a pretty innocent misunderstanding. If you need something short and to the point, I would recommend! Bonus cause I love playing video games too!
January 16, 2026
This is was such a fun, quick and easy read!
I loved the dynamic between Scarlett and Carson was great and seeing them become closer and open up to eachother was something that I find alot of Novellas lack.
The gamer side was really interesting to see as someone who doesn't game ATALL. The hidden identity that could come between them and the aftermath of the revelation added that little bitnof suspense that just made the book.
Thank you so much to the Author for the opportunity to read before the official release.
I loved the dynamic between Scarlett and Carson was great and seeing them become closer and open up to eachother was something that I find alot of Novellas lack.
The gamer side was really interesting to see as someone who doesn't game ATALL. The hidden identity that could come between them and the aftermath of the revelation added that little bitnof suspense that just made the book.
Thank you so much to the Author for the opportunity to read before the official release.
January 18, 2026
Five 🌟Spice🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
I completely enjoyed this read! I recieved this as an ARC read. I’m so glad I did ! It is a short novella but way worth the read! It had me completely hooked! Carson and Scarlett and the way they connected was just so good you could feel their connection their chemistry. Will definitely be reading more books by this author! I enjoyed my experience being an ARC reader for this book! If romance is your favorite please pick up this book and read it! You won’t regret it!
I completely enjoyed this read! I recieved this as an ARC read. I’m so glad I did ! It is a short novella but way worth the read! It had me completely hooked! Carson and Scarlett and the way they connected was just so good you could feel their connection their chemistry. Will definitely be reading more books by this author! I enjoyed my experience being an ARC reader for this book! If romance is your favorite please pick up this book and read it! You won’t regret it!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I got the opportunity to arc read League of Lovers.
This was such a cute, short love story! I instantly fell in love with both Scarlett and Carson. I absolutely adore an enemies-to-lovers trope, and the forced proximity, grumpy x sunshine was such an added bonus.
League of Lovers had me 100% engaged, and wanting more! It also ended with a HEA, for people who love HEA stories.
The spicy scenes were really well-done and fit the story well!
I was rooting for Scarlett and Carson, and even got emotional during some scenes. I'm hoping maybe in the future we can get some more Scarlett and Carson stories!
Overall, I'm giving this workplace romance love story a 5/5 star rating.
If you love:
- grumpy x sunshine
- workplace romance
- forced-proximity
- low spice
- hidden identity
then this book is for you!
This was such a cute, short love story! I instantly fell in love with both Scarlett and Carson. I absolutely adore an enemies-to-lovers trope, and the forced proximity, grumpy x sunshine was such an added bonus.
League of Lovers had me 100% engaged, and wanting more! It also ended with a HEA, for people who love HEA stories.
The spicy scenes were really well-done and fit the story well!
I was rooting for Scarlett and Carson, and even got emotional during some scenes. I'm hoping maybe in the future we can get some more Scarlett and Carson stories!
Overall, I'm giving this workplace romance love story a 5/5 star rating.
If you love:
- grumpy x sunshine
- workplace romance
- forced-proximity
- low spice
- hidden identity
then this book is for you!
Review of advance copy received from Author
What a quick fun little read.
The storyline is well-paced with romance, nerdy, & dramatic moments.
It’s an addictive & amusing romance that proves you don’t need a long novel to leave a big impact.
Clarisse Dawn creates a story full of chemistry, banter, and emotional depth all packed into a compact, fast-paced read that still feels satisfying & complete.
The storyline is well-paced with romance, nerdy, & dramatic moments.
It’s an addictive & amusing romance that proves you don’t need a long novel to leave a big impact.
Clarisse Dawn creates a story full of chemistry, banter, and emotional depth all packed into a compact, fast-paced read that still feels satisfying & complete.
Review of advance copy received from Author
League of lovers is a wonderful spicy small town romance novella. Blends of witty banter between Scarlett and Carson and some excellent spice throughout. I throughout enjoyed it. We need more IT representation in male mmc, love a nerdy guy!
January 6, 2026
This was a short read, but hit all the marks. A very cute workplace romance with enemies to lovers, forced proximity vibe. It has the perfect amount of spice and doesn’t negate an actual plot and story line lol.
Can’t wait to see what else Clarisee has in store!
Can’t wait to see what else Clarisee has in store!
Review of advance copy received from Author
I absolutely devoured this book! I probably would have read it straight through in one sitting if I didn't need things like food and sleep. Carson and Scarlett had such an interesting dynamic; I loved their banter and thought they had great chemistry once they got past the initial awkwardness.
I wish Carson had been a little nicer to Scarlett in the beginning, as he felt a bit harsh at first. However, I think that was likely a defense mechanism since he knew he couldn't be in a relationship with her. Of course, that didn't stop Scarlett from developing a crush! He also clocked her as a secret geek very easily.
I loved the hidden identity aspect and the use of video game streaming to create a safe space for them to get to know one another without real life getting in the way. I felt the big reveal was handled in a very natural way. The apology was so sweet, and I loved the tongue-in-cheek humor. I literally laughed out loud when one of the commenters on the stream asked, 'what in the wattpad is going on?'
**Thank you so much to Clarisse for sending me an ARC copy of this! This review is 100% my own thoughts and feelings**
I wish Carson had been a little nicer to Scarlett in the beginning, as he felt a bit harsh at first. However, I think that was likely a defense mechanism since he knew he couldn't be in a relationship with her. Of course, that didn't stop Scarlett from developing a crush! He also clocked her as a secret geek very easily.
I loved the hidden identity aspect and the use of video game streaming to create a safe space for them to get to know one another without real life getting in the way. I felt the big reveal was handled in a very natural way. The apology was so sweet, and I loved the tongue-in-cheek humor. I literally laughed out loud when one of the commenters on the stream asked, 'what in the wattpad is going on?'
**Thank you so much to Clarisse for sending me an ARC copy of this! This review is 100% my own thoughts and feelings**
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was really cute and sweet quick read. I loved the banter between the two of them and differently there were towards one another at work and online. Of course he didn’t know it was her, but that’s what made this fun. Very well written and such and enjoyable romance.
January 18, 2026
Cute! I enjoyed the fact that the FMC wasn’t a stereotypical FMC. She is intelligent, attractive, AND a gamer! The MMC had just enough grumpiness to make his “secret” puppy dog personality be endearing!
Great pallet cleanser.
Great pallet cleanser.
January 30, 2026
I absolutely loved this book! The dynamic between Scarlett and Carson is chefs kiss and how everything falls into place is great too. I like how fast paced the storyline is and the level of spice is nice too. Highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a short, cute, slightly spicy read!
January 31, 2026
this book was such a cute and short read and i was selected as an arc reader. We have sort of enemies to lovers more like misunderstanding but it was still cute and there is spice wasn’t expecting that
February 10, 2026
This was an amazing, cute, romantic novella to read. I loved the office romance to how the characters interacted with each other. It was a enjoyable fast read. I recommend!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout in exchange for an honest review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is a very cute little palette cleanser! I read it in one sitting and absolutely fell in love with Scarlett and Carson. Not much spice but the yearning and angst made up for it!
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