Game Over: A Billionaire Forbidden Workplace Romance

by Sophie Andaz

ETHAN

If I let her in, I’ll never let her go…

I built my billion-dollar gaming empire from nothing.

I won’t let greedy investors gut my company, especially not by sneaking in an “auditor” to find out my secrets.

Even if she is sexy as hell.

Welcome Violet Hawthorne, prim, proper Management Consultant. The knife hired to stab me in the back.

But the more we’re forced to work together, the more she tempts me with her smart mouth and messy charm.

And that perfect little mask she wears in the boardroom?

I want to tear it off in my bedroom.

Still, I live by one rule– trust no one.

I don’t do relationships. Especially not with the enemy.

So Violet has to go.

VIOLET

My CEO client is incredibly hot. And incredibly off limits.

I'm one project away from the biggest promotion of my life.

I just need to impress Ethan Tan, the guarded, powerful billionaire CEO of Epix.

Easy right?

Not when he sees me as the enemy–a hired gun to help his board stage a hostile takeover.

Yet as we clash, I can’t stop thinking about the way he looks at me.

Intimate. Dangerous. Like he wants my complete surrender.

He could have any woman.

I’m just… me.

And falling for him is career suicide.

But the more he lets me in, the more I crave him–until the lines between power and temptation start to blur.

I’m not a rule breaker.

Yet with every touch, I’m tempted to break all the rules for him.

No matter the cost.

Game Where the boardroom is a battlefield and a hostile takeover is just foreplay. A full-length, spicy enemies-to-lovers workplace romance with mutual yearning, smoldering slow-burn tension, dual POV, and a guaranteed happily ever after! Book One in the Game of Hearts series, but can be read as a standalone.

What you’ll LOVE in Game Over…

Guarded, controlling billionaire CEO

Smart heroine who won’t back down

Slow-burn tension that finally ignites

Workplace tension

Power dynamics in and out of the bedroom

Enemies to Lovers

Forced Proximity

Forbidden, Secret Relationship

He falls first and falls HARD

HIGH steam

No cheating

Swoony HEA

Genres: Romance

430 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 31, 2026

About the author

Sophie Andaz is a recovering attorney who writes slow burn, spicy contemporary romance where powerful men meet their match in smart, driven women who bring them to their knees. Her stories are rich with emotional depth, crackling chemistry, and just enough high-stakes professional tension to keep you turning pages past midnight.

She lives in the Southwest U.S. with her spouse and her writing assistant (aka Stella the Cat).

When she’s not plotting boardroom betrayals or forbidden office hookups, Sophie is busy Googling highly incriminating topics for her next story. But it’s just fiction. Probably.

Reviews

[Emerald · Rating 3 out of 5]

This started pretty decently! The chemistry and tension between the two main characters was awesome. It just kind of lost me with the third act break up. I'm looking forward to the next books in the series though!

[kelsie. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Game Over is the kind of billionaire romance I can get behind. Ethan isn’t flashy or arrogant. He’s quiet, loyal, and genuinely grounded.
I was instantly invested in Ethan and Violet from their very first interaction. Their connection felt natural, and I loved how their relationship developed through small, everyday moments instead of just big dramatic gestures or insta-love. I also loved that this was an emotionally mature romance where the main characters actually talk to each other and work through things like adults.
Getting soft glimpses into Ethan’s life gave me all the feels. And Violet was such a strong FMC. She’s smart, driven, and puts in the work, she just needed time to believe she deserved everything she was working toward. Watching her grow into that confidence was so satisfying. And Ethan was there supporting her every step of the way.
The banter in this book was genuinely funny. I laughed out loud multiple times. And when they finally gave in to their feelings? The chemistry was fire. The yearning, the heartbreak, the passion, and all the ways they fought to prove their love for each other - it all landed for me and I could not get enough.
If you’re looking for a billionaire romance with real emotional depth, adult communication, and a relationship that builds in a meaningful way (with some spice for good measure), this one is absolutely worth picking up.

A huge thank you to the author and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review <3

[Joi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I normally like my romance novels set in a small town that seems to be thriving but this novel has made me realize that I am missing an entire genre of intrigue, spicy encounters and of course, somehow, the mob.

Violet is a corporate consultant who is one project away from finally making partner when she is hired to do an audit on Epix, a billion dollar gaming company run by the elusive Ethan Tan. When she meets a hot bartender at the event for the company, she is immediately interested but quickly finds out that he is the secretive CEO she has been warned about. Ethan has a reason to keep his life close to the vest but Violet might ultimately be the thing that breaks down his walls, but also his downfall.

This novel was a quick, easy read. The author did a good job of weaving in the intricacies of corporate protocols and procedures into the narrative that didn't cause me to fall asleep. I do wish more time would have been spent on Ethan's past, including the threats made against his family, because I think it would have helped better set-up the final narrative. I'm glad for the dual narration as well because Violet could be tedious in her hemming and hawing about the morality of obvious misogyny being directed towards her.

Overall, I am in for the rest of the series and am excited for Lina & Matteo.

Thanks to #Netgalley & Athena Ink Publishing for the ARC!

[Sharon Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first book from this author and I loved everything about it. I seem to be in my workplace romance novel era and Sophie’s book is really one of the best I have read recently, and to go all cliché, I really struggled to put it down.
From Ethan and Violet’s first meeting I was invested in their story. And without giving the whole storyline away, there were so many times I thought that there was no way they were going to make it as a couple. I basically read this story with my heart in my throat from start to finish hoping that it would all work out how I wanted it to. But I also had everything crossed that a few select people got what they deserved.
Well let’s just say I was extremely happy on both counts and with the way this story ended I know that I will definitely be reading the next book when it releases.

[Kristy James · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ Absolute 5 star read for me ✨

Sophie knocked this one out of the park! I received this as an ARC and I was completely sucked in from the second I started. I mean honestly I could not put it down and got mad when I had to. Lol

Ethan and Violet had SO much chemistry. Once their spice hit, it was SPICY 😜. Their progression into lovers was intense but also heart warming. The office environment and scenes had me 🥵

The story kept the pages turning for me. I love when a book lays the foundation well and she delivered. The characters, separately and together, were so well written and developed. I really hope to see a book with Mateo and Lina 🤞🏻

Dual 1st POV
Forbidden Romance
He Falls First
Corporate Rivals to Lovers
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5 spice scale

[Johanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Game Over: Where the boardroom is a battlefield and a hostile takeover is just foreplay. A full-length, spicy enemies-to-lovers workplace romance with mutual yearning, smoldering slow-burn tension, dual POV, and a guaranteed happily ever after! Book One in the Game of Hearts series, but can be read as a standalone.'

The characters drove the storyline and they were so very appealing and complex and complicated and perfectly steamy together. Plot was intriguing and intense and well paced. World building was excellent and solidly drawn. All in all a great start to the series and I look forward to more from this world. 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.

[Soha Amer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Game Over is a tense, emotionally charged story that explores high stakes, pressure, and the consequences of choices that spiral out of control. Sophie Andaz builds a fast-moving narrative where the characters are pushed to their limits, making every decision feel risky and meaningful.

The strength of the book lies in its psychological tension and emotional realism. Relationships feel strained, trust is fragile, and the story keeps readers hooked through uncertainty and escalating stakes. It’s the kind of read that makes you want to keep turning pages just to see how everything unfolds.

A gripping read for fans of dramatic, character-driven stories with a darker emotional edge.

[Amber Elwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not usually a billionaire romance fan, but this one won me over pretty quickly! I stayed up late to keep reading, because once I realized the issues with Ethan's company ran deeper than it seemed, I had to find out what was up.

The chemistry between Violet and Ethan was amazing. I especially related to Violet needing to figure out what she wanted out of life for herself, without letting her people-pleasing tendencies take over.

The romance was tender, vulnerable, and hot. I loved these characters and I wish we had more CEOs like Ethan in the world. ;)

Can't wait to read the next book!

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I usually listen to audiobooks, but I read this one with my eyeballs. I loved it and was hooked from start to finish. I am eager to read more from this author and in this universe of characters.

There was good tension, the attraction was undeniable, and I enjoyed the diverse cast of characters we meet along the way.

I didnt have a strong grasp of the gaming world before I met my husband, so I felt closely related to Violet as she emmerses herself in Ethan's world.

I want more, and cannot wait to read it!!

[Vicki Stephens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Game Over is a creative taboo office romance between gambling empire owner and CEO, Ethan, who is afraid his board is attempting a hostile takeover by sending in Violet, to audit his business. Both characters are strongly attracted to each other but know it must be kept a secret. Their romance has steamy chemistry, domineering power plays, plot twists, clearly described characters, and a well written book with great world building.

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

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story line was great, something different from what I usually read. I thought the book was well written and I truly connected with Ethan. I felt like Violet was too needy and insecure. I know she had childhood trauma, but so did Ethan. The way she behaved was childish and selfish and she wasn't likable to me. The end was rushed and I didn't really felt like it was an ending. Overall I liked this book.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Frances Packingham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok I loved this book. It was so good. Violet's mom is so over controlling it's ridiculous. I don't think I could stand for a parent like that. Throughout the story you see her working hard to try to overcome her mother's controlling ways and brainwashing. And then also overcoming her boss and client ignoring boundaries. Ethan takes a lot to trust anyone. I'm ready for the next book that has to be about Mateo. I can't wait!

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh. This was good. So spicy a good plot and a girl finally standing up for herself. This was so well written and I enjoyed it so much. The banter and the yearning from the MMC and the FMC before they got together was so good. Thy fought it so hard but I knew when they got together it would be fire. I was not wrong. Loved the twist and turns of the audit problems. So good. Can’t wait to read the next book. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

[Jenn Godbold · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first time reading a book by Sophie Andaz and she did not disappoint. The story is exciting and held my interest from start to finish. Well written with excellent plot and character development. Just the right amount of spice too. Can’t wait for the next book in the series to come out !

[Audrey Butaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story is exciting and held my interest from start to finish. Well written with excellent plot and character development. The ending was unexpectedly novel. Just the right amount of spice too. I’m hooked. Can’t wait for the next book in the series.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Devoured this book in 2 days! It’s an easy read and so captivating! The emotional depth is also fantastic. Had me laughing and crying with the main characters.
Absolutely phenomenal.
Loved it! 10/10

[Nic29]

Yea DNF @ 11% after he assaulted her!!!