Taxable Feelings

by Christine Layne

87 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 1, 2026

About the author

Christine Layne is an adult romance author currently residing in Colorado with her husband and two children.
When she's not writing, Christine enjoys painting, playing with her kids, and watching movies with her husband. She can almost always be caught with a mug of tea in her hands, no matter what she's doing.

Reviews

[Nicole W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taxable Feelings is a workplace romance novella and when the dedication said “This novella is dedicated to everyone who protects their heart by being a bitch” , I said okay wow, way to call me out 🤣
The FMC is “Hellacious Helen”, a woman who’s main focus her work at her tax firm “Capital Gains” and keeps everybody at a distance. She doesn’t like to let people in and pushes them away before they get close.
Enter the MMC Carter Matthews. The first meeting between them is at a coffee shop where she’s stuck waiting behind this handsome man who is taking forever, and he has the nerve to call her out on her attitude. When she gets to work late and gets called in her bosses office ahe sees “Mr. Clean Cut who’s the new hire at her company AND the one she has to “show the ropes” to. She knew was in for it right then.
They end up working together on a huge account, and no matter how hard Helen tries to keep her walls up, he stays patient, sweet, gentle, and kind but REAL with her.
The tension and buildup was soooo on point. Then the moment in her office!!! He tells her she’s too much of a hard ass, she tells him he’s too soft, then this man says, “How about this soft?” and walks over and kisses her.
Sir!!!!!
From there it was on and popping!!
This was such a good story about a woman who’s been hurt and protects herself the only way she knows how, and a man who shows her every guy isn’t the same. It was funny, sexy, sweet, and had the happy ending I wanted.

I loved this one. Easy five stars for me. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Chile at NoShelf.Control · Rating 4 out of 5]

Taxable Feelings is the next novella in Christine Layne’s Rise and Grinders series.

I actually really enjoyed this one!! I felt like the story flowed well, didn’t feel too rushed, and didn’t leave me feeling like I still needed more to the story.

Helen and Carter had a rocky start, mostly due to Helen’s tough nature, but Carter was a fun character to read and see how he interacted with her. She was a bit too stubborn for me at times, but it’s also understandable for someone on her position. It was nice to see someone like Carter be able to understand that and challenge her without disrespecting her. And that spicy office scene?? Yes please.

I often feel like novellas are over too soon, but this one was done well and I look forward to the others in this series! Bonus, they’re stand alone!

Thank you to Christine for this gifted e-arc in exchange for my honest reviews!

[Shelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

If there is anything I've come to love about the Rise and Grinders Series, it's how much emotion and the depth of a story Christine Layne can pack into a novella! From the start, I felt a connection with Helen. She was a tough cookie, trying to protect her heart and her reputation so that she could advance at work. Her walls are high and I love that she was relentless in her pursuit of moving up to the job she wanted. I've seen it first-hand how hard a woman has to work in an particularly male-dominated field!

I loved how much Carter challenged her, yet when he falls, he is softer, offering her the perfect balance of what she needs in career vs. her love life. The banter is absolutely top shelf and I ate it up!

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This newest book in this series is a hoot! There is no love lost when Carter and Helen first meet. It is not love at first sight or second, or even third!

Helen gets called into her boss's office, only to learn that Carter is the newest hire at her firm. She has been charged with mentoring him. There were some barbs traded back and forth between these two. Carter even told Helen she had no personality.

I laughed at this statement..."April was always a fickle month in Colorado." This is hundred percent the truth. I should know living in Colorado.

This is a fun, entertaining, quickie read! Who knew that tax season did not have to be all business. It can be fun too.

[Karen Hunter · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute short read. Who thought you could make tax returns sexy? Well, Christine Layne manages it with ease. Part of the Rise and Grinders series, we meet Helen, a rising star in the finance company and Capital Gains group. She is closed off because she has had to adapt this tough outer layer to progress and protect her heart. Can a new employee (Carter) be the one to open her heart and knock down her walls?

I loved how such a short book could get into the emotional layers many women have to portray to get ahead in the world, and how hard it can be to let people back in. There's banter and heat and a satisfying ending. What more could you ask for?

[Brittany T · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a cute and fast read, I absolutely love her books! They are short and sweet but they dont like that steamy passion and this one was no different. Helen and Carters first impressions of each other wasnt the greatest. Helen being on a hurry wasnt the nicest and Carter made sure that she knew that. What began as a socially ackward meeting turned into a sexy office escapade. This book was fun and kept me smiling and laughing. If you need a quick read in between those longer books, but you dont want to miss out on the banter or spice, this is a must read!

[Nifer Waters · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐2🌶️ ARC Single POV Third Person
Helen and Carter
A quick, enjoyable read. Helen is prickly, ambitious, and determined, but has side few get to see. Carter is her perfect match, he sees her for who she is, he patient and soft, but only after challenging her.

[Gayla Storz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a quick, entertaining novella. Who knew tax season could be so hot! Carter is the perfect guy for Helen and exactly what she needs to take those walls down.

[Bookskee · Rating 4 out of 5]

As much as I enjoyed this quick novella I really wished it had less "office" talk and more connection with the characters.

[Elisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I adored this quick read. For the women out there who are driven and very career focused, you’ll relate to the main character.

[Amber Todd · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is something deeply satisfying about a story that understands the armor we wear and Taxable Feelings by Christine Layne absolutely nails it.

From the very first page (and honestly, from that dedication alone), I felt seen. “Dedicated to everyone who protects their heart by being a bitch”? Say less. I was already all in.

Helen Kingsley is the kind of heroine I live for. She is ambitious, unapologetic, and a little prickly around the edges because she has to be. Her climb up the corporate ladder isn’t just about success; it’s about survival in a space that doesn’t always make room for women to be both strong and respected. That tension felt incredibly real, especially if you’ve ever been the only woman in the room, constantly proving your worth twice as hard for half the recognition.

Enter Carter Matthews… and wow. I loved that he wasn’t just a cookie-cutter love interest. He challenges Helen in a way that feels equal parts infuriating and irresistible. Their dynamic? Top-tier. The banter is sharp, the tension is delicious, and watching that rivalry slowly unravel into something softer had me completely hooked.

What really made this novella shine for me, though, was the emotional undercurrent. Beneath the workplace competition and witty exchanges is a story about vulnerability; about what it costs to let someone in when you’ve spent so long protecting yourself. Helen’s hesitation felt authentic, not frustrating, and Carter’s patience made the payoff even sweeter.

And can we talk about how perfect this book is as a palate cleanser? It’s quick, engaging, and hits that sweet spot between lighthearted and meaningful. The pacing is tight, the chemistry is undeniable, and the emotional beats land exactly where they should.

This book was, quite simply, chef’s kiss. A perfect blend of sass, heart, and romance with a heroine I’ll be thinking about for a long time.