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Barely Professional
She stole to survive. He had everything and nothing.
Anna Flowers didn’t believe in fate. But in a crazy plot twist she went from the streets to becoming billionaire, Ethan Allen Grant’s, personal assistant. It was a chance at a real life. A clean slate. All she has to do is keep her head down, do her job and never let her feelings get involved.
For Ethan Grant an assistant is a necessary evil. Having lost his soulmate in a tragic accident, he wants to be done with people. But he needs a reason to get out of bed every day.
Anna is there to make his day run smoothly, not to remind him what it feels like to be alive. She wasn’t supposed to make him laugh. He wasn’t supposed to become her best friend.
What begins as a strictly working relationship, turns dangerous for both of them. Quiet moments, unspoken truths, and a connection neither of them planned for.
Until what they’re left with is…barely professional.
Anna Flowers didn’t believe in fate. But in a crazy plot twist she went from the streets to becoming billionaire, Ethan Allen Grant’s, personal assistant. It was a chance at a real life. A clean slate. All she has to do is keep her head down, do her job and never let her feelings get involved.
For Ethan Grant an assistant is a necessary evil. Having lost his soulmate in a tragic accident, he wants to be done with people. But he needs a reason to get out of bed every day.
Anna is there to make his day run smoothly, not to remind him what it feels like to be alive. She wasn’t supposed to make him laugh. He wasn’t supposed to become her best friend.
What begins as a strictly working relationship, turns dangerous for both of them. Quiet moments, unspoken truths, and a connection neither of them planned for.
Until what they’re left with is…barely professional.
- GenresContemporary
366 pages, Paperback
Published February 22, 2026
6 people are currently reading
9 people want to read
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February 24, 2026
Strong intelligent writing emotional and funny.
I’ve always enjoyed Stephanie Doyle’s writing, both as part of the excellent Hailey Shore duo (with the equally excellent Molly O’Keefe), and solo, so I was happy to read an ARC of this, her latest book.
Spoiler alert: I loved it.
Generally speaking, my three least favourite tropes are love triangles, age gaps and surprise pregnancies. Barely Professional has all three, but I loved it anyway. The characters are flawed, complex and very human, and their relationship has all the messy inconsistency to which humans are prone.
Our hero is Grant, a billionaire still struggling with the loss of his wife three years ago. Anna, our heroine, has aged out of foster care and is trying her very best to create a decent life for herself. Through accident she lands a job as Grant’s assistant.
Barely Professional is bookended with the loss of Grant’s watch during Grant and Anna’s first meeting, and its recovery when Anna and Grant accept love and family. The watch is a quiet symbol of Grant’s loss of time to grief, and his reemergence into the present.
Grant and Anna’s first meeting shows them both at their most vulnerable and desperate. When they meet a second time, Grant seems to hold the balance of power, in resources and experience, but we know that his austere exterior hides a man barely holding on. Whereas Anna’s shabby exterior belies her courage and resourcefulness.
I think this initial meeting is why the age gap (13 years), works so well for me. Anna has already been through the mill as a child and young adult. She’s poor, homeless and unskilled, but also wise, resolute and resilient. She’s the human equivalent of a weed growing through a crack in the sidewalk. Often trodden down, but always reaching for the sunlight.
Grant, on the other hand, is a hot house flower. His singular nature has been nurtured by his family and his late wife; although there is a delicate hint that she recognised Grant’s determined insularity as a weakness. Within the confines of that care he was wildly successful professionally, but unchallenged emotionally. When the cold wind of a terrible loss blows through Grant’s careful bubble, he is brought to his knees by grief and guilt. Unlike Anna, Grant is not resilient, and he allows his grief to swallow him whole.
In many ways, Anna is the adult in this relationship. She is focused on survival; hopeful for better days, but resigned to the possibility of continual struggle. She has learned through hardship to be pragmatic and focused on essentials.
“Fine. Where do you see yourself in five years?” “Cake,” I said, assessing the difficulty of the question. “Alive, with shelter and food.”
Grant, on the other hand, believes that joy is behind him, and has buried his heart with his dead wife. For him, survival is the least happy outcome. We sense that while his grief is real, he has a kind of petulant bewilderment at being forced to deal with this loss.
Together Anna and Grant forge a delicate professional alliance, then a shaky friendship and finally a passionate but uncertain love affair.
The writing is so subtle here: the incremental building of attraction proceeds through tiny interactions. On the surface, nothing much is changing between them, but underneath the ice is thawing. Grant’s return to emotional life is painful and inconsistent, like the pins and needles in a numb limb.
“This must get so old for you,” I said. “The constant pulling and pushing.”
Anna’s unexpected pregnancy is the catalyst for Grant to relinquish his mourning, although he drags his feet pretty much to the moment of birth. There is a deep compassion for Grant here; he knows that moving on from his active grief also means a letting go of his late wife, and we feel that with him.
I often find the surprise pregnancy trope to be a lazy ploy to speed up the action and create some third act drama. In Barely Professional the prospect of new life, forces Grant to accept that terrible truth of loss, that the living must go on and leave the dead behind.
Anna says to Grant, “But one of these days, you are going to have to choose. I think it’s the only way, really. It’s either going to be me or her. And just a reminder, I’m alive.”
Barely Professional is often very funny. Anna is intelligent and self-aware, wrong-footing the resolutely gloomy Grant at every turn. The banter is sharp and funny, even as their relationship flounders in emotional turmoil.
The writing is consistently strong, eschewing stereotype for insight and melodrama for genuine emotion. I think the pacing is a bit languid, and even for a slow burn romance could have been tightened up. On the other hand, I read it in a day, despite its length.
If you enjoy slow burn, or office romance, you should give Barely Professional a try. Stephanie Doyle really deserves a much wider readership for her beautifully written and intelligent romances.
I’ve always enjoyed Stephanie Doyle’s writing, both as part of the excellent Hailey Shore duo (with the equally excellent Molly O’Keefe), and solo, so I was happy to read an ARC of this, her latest book.
Spoiler alert: I loved it.
Generally speaking, my three least favourite tropes are love triangles, age gaps and surprise pregnancies. Barely Professional has all three, but I loved it anyway. The characters are flawed, complex and very human, and their relationship has all the messy inconsistency to which humans are prone.
Our hero is Grant, a billionaire still struggling with the loss of his wife three years ago. Anna, our heroine, has aged out of foster care and is trying her very best to create a decent life for herself. Through accident she lands a job as Grant’s assistant.
Barely Professional is bookended with the loss of Grant’s watch during Grant and Anna’s first meeting, and its recovery when Anna and Grant accept love and family. The watch is a quiet symbol of Grant’s loss of time to grief, and his reemergence into the present.
Grant and Anna’s first meeting shows them both at their most vulnerable and desperate. When they meet a second time, Grant seems to hold the balance of power, in resources and experience, but we know that his austere exterior hides a man barely holding on. Whereas Anna’s shabby exterior belies her courage and resourcefulness.
I think this initial meeting is why the age gap (13 years), works so well for me. Anna has already been through the mill as a child and young adult. She’s poor, homeless and unskilled, but also wise, resolute and resilient. She’s the human equivalent of a weed growing through a crack in the sidewalk. Often trodden down, but always reaching for the sunlight.
Grant, on the other hand, is a hot house flower. His singular nature has been nurtured by his family and his late wife; although there is a delicate hint that she recognised Grant’s determined insularity as a weakness. Within the confines of that care he was wildly successful professionally, but unchallenged emotionally. When the cold wind of a terrible loss blows through Grant’s careful bubble, he is brought to his knees by grief and guilt. Unlike Anna, Grant is not resilient, and he allows his grief to swallow him whole.
In many ways, Anna is the adult in this relationship. She is focused on survival; hopeful for better days, but resigned to the possibility of continual struggle. She has learned through hardship to be pragmatic and focused on essentials.
“Fine. Where do you see yourself in five years?” “Cake,” I said, assessing the difficulty of the question. “Alive, with shelter and food.”
Grant, on the other hand, believes that joy is behind him, and has buried his heart with his dead wife. For him, survival is the least happy outcome. We sense that while his grief is real, he has a kind of petulant bewilderment at being forced to deal with this loss.
Together Anna and Grant forge a delicate professional alliance, then a shaky friendship and finally a passionate but uncertain love affair.
The writing is so subtle here: the incremental building of attraction proceeds through tiny interactions. On the surface, nothing much is changing between them, but underneath the ice is thawing. Grant’s return to emotional life is painful and inconsistent, like the pins and needles in a numb limb.
“This must get so old for you,” I said. “The constant pulling and pushing.”
Anna’s unexpected pregnancy is the catalyst for Grant to relinquish his mourning, although he drags his feet pretty much to the moment of birth. There is a deep compassion for Grant here; he knows that moving on from his active grief also means a letting go of his late wife, and we feel that with him.
I often find the surprise pregnancy trope to be a lazy ploy to speed up the action and create some third act drama. In Barely Professional the prospect of new life, forces Grant to accept that terrible truth of loss, that the living must go on and leave the dead behind.
Anna says to Grant, “But one of these days, you are going to have to choose. I think it’s the only way, really. It’s either going to be me or her. And just a reminder, I’m alive.”
Barely Professional is often very funny. Anna is intelligent and self-aware, wrong-footing the resolutely gloomy Grant at every turn. The banter is sharp and funny, even as their relationship flounders in emotional turmoil.
The writing is consistently strong, eschewing stereotype for insight and melodrama for genuine emotion. I think the pacing is a bit languid, and even for a slow burn romance could have been tightened up. On the other hand, I read it in a day, despite its length.
If you enjoy slow burn, or office romance, you should give Barely Professional a try. Stephanie Doyle really deserves a much wider readership for her beautifully written and intelligent romances.
Review of advance copy received from Author
***Disclaimer, I received a free copy of this book via e-mail from the author.***
Before I start the review, just a warning this story is an age-gap romance(about 12 years), with a conflicting power dynamic(cold boss/ assistant) and grief due to death of a loved one. So if that isn't your cup of tea I wouldn't suggest it.
The first 2/3rds of the book are really exciting and completely hard to put down. Do I think it's the healthiest relationship? ... No. But sometimes toxicity in literature can be fun(As long as we don't bring it into our real lives).
I like Anna and the E.G from the first 2/3rdsof the book. Especially Anna. Watching her world expan as she experiences new things and grows as a person is really exciting, when she has highs you can’t help but feel happy for her and when she has lows it feels painful. You can’t help but root for her!
First part of the book E.G is a huge curmudgeon, on an emotion packed grief journey that feels believable. This makes every time you get to see a little bit of fun personality or possesiveness of Anna exciting. When he tries to push her away on purpose you’re mad at him and it’s shitty but you can empathize with why he’s doing it. This makes you just want to shake him but in that I’m frustrated with you because I know you can do better sort of way. It does help that at this point he does acknowledge it and tries to make up for it even if he can’t stop himself from doing the behavior.
Now last third of the book E.G is uhhm. Uhhh. A stereotypical out of touch man? He wants to take care of her but the way he goes about it is a little hard to swallow.
As to the story:
This is a slow burn. Real slow.
But the anticipation is juicy. The back and forth between the ML and FL starts light, leaving you on edge/wanting more.Their interactions are not romantic but playful. Even when he acts curt with her she takes it in stride, leading him to slowly do better and allowing him to be more open with her. It’s really fun watching as they accidentally stumble into caring for each other. Especially as you watch E.G thaw.
As mentioned above, the only problem I have is with the last third. It's not that it's bad per se, I just feel like the first 2/3rds was given a huge amount of breathing room to develop and then you get to the last third and it all feels kind've crammed in.
I don’t regret reading it, I really really enjoyed the first 2/3rds but I wish that the end was more developed and less rushed.
Before I start the review, just a warning this story is an age-gap romance(about 12 years), with a conflicting power dynamic(cold boss/ assistant) and grief due to death of a loved one. So if that isn't your cup of tea I wouldn't suggest it.
The first 2/3rds of the book are really exciting and completely hard to put down. Do I think it's the healthiest relationship? ... No. But sometimes toxicity in literature can be fun(As long as we don't bring it into our real lives).
I like Anna and the E.G from the first 2/3rdsof the book. Especially Anna. Watching her world expan as she experiences new things and grows as a person is really exciting, when she has highs you can’t help but feel happy for her and when she has lows it feels painful. You can’t help but root for her!
First part of the book E.G is a huge curmudgeon, on an emotion packed grief journey that feels believable. This makes every time you get to see a little bit of fun personality or possesiveness of Anna exciting. When he tries to push her away on purpose you’re mad at him and it’s shitty but you can empathize with why he’s doing it. This makes you just want to shake him but in that I’m frustrated with you because I know you can do better sort of way. It does help that at this point he does acknowledge it and tries to make up for it even if he can’t stop himself from doing the behavior.
Now last third of the book E.G is uhhm. Uhhh. A stereotypical out of touch man? He wants to take care of her but the way he goes about it is a little hard to swallow.
As to the story:
This is a slow burn. Real slow.
But the anticipation is juicy. The back and forth between the ML and FL starts light, leaving you on edge/wanting more.Their interactions are not romantic but playful. Even when he acts curt with her she takes it in stride, leading him to slowly do better and allowing him to be more open with her. It’s really fun watching as they accidentally stumble into caring for each other. Especially as you watch E.G thaw.
As mentioned above, the only problem I have is with the last third. It's not that it's bad per se, I just feel like the first 2/3rds was given a huge amount of breathing room to develop and then you get to the last third and it all feels kind've crammed in.
I don’t regret reading it, I really really enjoyed the first 2/3rds but I wish that the end was more developed and less rushed.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Barely Professional is wonderful! The return of S. Doyle had me thrilled that she was back to giving us stories that both warm the heart and cause more than a few chuckles. With this latest gem, Doyle gives us the most unlikely pair with Evan Grant Allen and Anna Flowers as different as night and day. But when a mix-up in looking for a job puts Anna in E.G.'s path, it's a crazy notion that she would work for the decidedly grumpy billionaire and somehow change both their lives for the better.
What a wild ride! I was completely enamored with the witty banter between boss and assistant as Anna gave as good as she got and never faltered when E.G. wouldn't give an inch about anything. Especially unscheduled sweet gestures like giving E.G. a bagel in addition to his usual coffee. But Anna would stand her ground and use her street smarts from formerly being homeless to soothe her boss' ruffled feathers in such a brilliant way, it was almost like she was schooling E.G. instead of the other way around.
The chemistry between Anna and E.G. definitely grew stronger with each week they spent together. They tried their hardest not to cross any lines but soon a sweet friendship of sorts started to develop and that's when I knew their hearts were in trouble. I mean, they even knew that things were changing especially when they could talk, however briefly that might have been, about the struggles in their lives with E.G.'s loss and Anna's fear of abandonment always at the forefront of their minds.
The story progresses at a good rate and soon enough it's been almost 9 months since they started working together and decisions had to made wrt their futures, with E.G. still wanting to cut ties and get back to his lonely existence. I was happy to see that his family was firmly on Anna's side knowing that E.G. needed to rid himself of the guilt regarding Allison and finally step out of the dark with his incredible assistant by his side. They go through a ton of back and forth and hurtful things are said but in the end, I was happy at how they found in each other what they needed most: someone who simply understood.
The love between E.G. and his Flowers was never easy but I had a great time watching them fall for one another. Sure, they gave me a bit of whiplash from time to time but I was certain they would work things out even when E.G. was being an arse and Anna might have too much pride for her own good.
Barely Professional is the kind of book that is perfect between those heavier reads and will definitely make you smile. With fab characters throughout, I had a great time with all of them and happily give this story a big 5 stars!
What a wild ride! I was completely enamored with the witty banter between boss and assistant as Anna gave as good as she got and never faltered when E.G. wouldn't give an inch about anything. Especially unscheduled sweet gestures like giving E.G. a bagel in addition to his usual coffee. But Anna would stand her ground and use her street smarts from formerly being homeless to soothe her boss' ruffled feathers in such a brilliant way, it was almost like she was schooling E.G. instead of the other way around.
The chemistry between Anna and E.G. definitely grew stronger with each week they spent together. They tried their hardest not to cross any lines but soon a sweet friendship of sorts started to develop and that's when I knew their hearts were in trouble. I mean, they even knew that things were changing especially when they could talk, however briefly that might have been, about the struggles in their lives with E.G.'s loss and Anna's fear of abandonment always at the forefront of their minds.
The story progresses at a good rate and soon enough it's been almost 9 months since they started working together and decisions had to made wrt their futures, with E.G. still wanting to cut ties and get back to his lonely existence. I was happy to see that his family was firmly on Anna's side knowing that E.G. needed to rid himself of the guilt regarding Allison and finally step out of the dark with his incredible assistant by his side. They go through a ton of back and forth and hurtful things are said but in the end, I was happy at how they found in each other what they needed most: someone who simply understood.
The love between E.G. and his Flowers was never easy but I had a great time watching them fall for one another. Sure, they gave me a bit of whiplash from time to time but I was certain they would work things out even when E.G. was being an arse and Anna might have too much pride for her own good.
Barely Professional is the kind of book that is perfect between those heavier reads and will definitely make you smile. With fab characters throughout, I had a great time with all of them and happily give this story a big 5 stars!
Review of advance copy received from Author
>Book Review – Barely Professional
>I am an independent reviewer. This book is a stand alone story and ends in an HEA. The story uses a familiar trope - billionaire and poor girl, but the story is anything but typical. The story is packed with fun and engaging dialogue between Anna and E.G. I especially loved when E.G. fires Anna and she refused to accept the firing! E.G.’s inability to get over the death of his wife really helps explain his behavior and cruelty towards Anna. He is also plagued with panic attacks. I felt there needed to be more to his panic attacks to really show the reader how debilitating they really are.
>E.G.’s gregarious family was really wonderful to see. E.G. turns back into a child, pouting and messing with his sister, like real adults do if they have a strong mother figure. There is also an age gap between Anna and E.G. Not much was really made of this. There was a lot of inner dialogue showing E.G.’s mental state in regards to his wife’s death and his action in it. There was not a lot really showcasing Anna’s early years.
>The book is appropriate for an adult audience. I am giving this book 4 stars. I would have liked a scene when Anna helped serve the homeless on Thanksgiving. Seeing her see people she knew and maybe a flashback to when she was in line and being served would have been a good way to see what Anna truly went through. A scene with her being propositioned by the creep in the diner would have cemented how much a homeless girl has to put up with and what her options would have been. Overall, I really enjoyed the book and romance.
>I am an independent reviewer. This book is a stand alone story and ends in an HEA. The story uses a familiar trope - billionaire and poor girl, but the story is anything but typical. The story is packed with fun and engaging dialogue between Anna and E.G. I especially loved when E.G. fires Anna and she refused to accept the firing! E.G.’s inability to get over the death of his wife really helps explain his behavior and cruelty towards Anna. He is also plagued with panic attacks. I felt there needed to be more to his panic attacks to really show the reader how debilitating they really are.
>E.G.’s gregarious family was really wonderful to see. E.G. turns back into a child, pouting and messing with his sister, like real adults do if they have a strong mother figure. There is also an age gap between Anna and E.G. Not much was really made of this. There was a lot of inner dialogue showing E.G.’s mental state in regards to his wife’s death and his action in it. There was not a lot really showcasing Anna’s early years.
>The book is appropriate for an adult audience. I am giving this book 4 stars. I would have liked a scene when Anna helped serve the homeless on Thanksgiving. Seeing her see people she knew and maybe a flashback to when she was in line and being served would have been a good way to see what Anna truly went through. A scene with her being propositioned by the creep in the diner would have cemented how much a homeless girl has to put up with and what her options would have been. Overall, I really enjoyed the book and romance.
February 26, 2026
Anna and Grant (aka E.G or E.G.A. or Evan Grant Allen)
Very different circumstances, personal, financial and life lived.
Grant, a successful businessman who once had a large tech company, is now a one man band and decides he needs an assistant to deal with the office minutiae.
Anna becomes his assistant after inverting the suite number and going to the wrong office for a job interview, E.G. is so abrasive he has scared all the other applicants away and she is the last person standing.
"He was changing. I was changing...
A prickly match made in heaven"
Very clever writing, got all the feels and laughs.
It was not all standard romantic happily ever after formula, there were moments that sometimes were hard to read and in a way so real.
Life is hard and Anna and Grant had a lot of $hit stuff happen, both before separately and once they'd met.
Any chance of sunshine and happy days doesn't really seem possible as they're both very damaged and hurt individuals so the way the story comes together for them is well crafted.
I remember reading The Bodyguard some 7 years ago and knowing I liked the way S.Doyle writes, you are drawn into her stories and become invested in the characters. This book was like that, I feel like I'm finding out about people that are going to be my friends. Really enjoyed the time I spent in this part of Houston with Anna and Grant and hope to see more of their story.
Very much recommend this book.
I received a free copy of this book from author S.Doyle and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I truly love this author’s books!
I can’t say there’s one thing in particular that makes Steph Doyle’s books so perfect for me, but if I had to say one thing, I think it’s because they’re so human…
Now billionaires are a rare breed, but they’re just the rich versions of ordinary people, especially when they’re self-made. Grant (E.G.) is one of gloriously flawed people who is both decimated and plodding through life after losing his wife several years earlier. He finds his way in the end, the key finally fits the lock, and he’s in the door. No grand gestures (though a profound one), he just gets how much he loves Flowers. And the book ends perfectly.
Anna (Flowers) is a young woman who has been through the system and came out the other side understandably reserved and yet so I strong, she seems unbreakable. She’s not of course, but her upbringing prevents her from allowing anyone to know just how bent, but never broken, she truly is.
But what I love about Doyle’s writing, is that the understated delivery both makes me laugh. Flowers can be super snarky and poor E.G. just doesn’t how to deal with the feelings she evokes in him.
I don’t want to spoil your experience of it, but I really highly recommend you take a chance on this book when it’s released. If you like low angst, understated drama, and yet, feeling all the feels, barely Professional is for you.
Thank you for allowing me to ARC-read for you Steph!
#SDoyle #BarelyProfessional #ARC
I can’t say there’s one thing in particular that makes Steph Doyle’s books so perfect for me, but if I had to say one thing, I think it’s because they’re so human…
Now billionaires are a rare breed, but they’re just the rich versions of ordinary people, especially when they’re self-made. Grant (E.G.) is one of gloriously flawed people who is both decimated and plodding through life after losing his wife several years earlier. He finds his way in the end, the key finally fits the lock, and he’s in the door. No grand gestures (though a profound one), he just gets how much he loves Flowers. And the book ends perfectly.
Anna (Flowers) is a young woman who has been through the system and came out the other side understandably reserved and yet so I strong, she seems unbreakable. She’s not of course, but her upbringing prevents her from allowing anyone to know just how bent, but never broken, she truly is.
But what I love about Doyle’s writing, is that the understated delivery both makes me laugh. Flowers can be super snarky and poor E.G. just doesn’t how to deal with the feelings she evokes in him.
I don’t want to spoil your experience of it, but I really highly recommend you take a chance on this book when it’s released. If you like low angst, understated drama, and yet, feeling all the feels, barely Professional is for you.
Thank you for allowing me to ARC-read for you Steph!
#SDoyle #BarelyProfessional #ARC
February 26, 2026
Do not go into this book thinking it’s a normal romance. It’s a grey to light dark. The relationship is toxic and controlling from start to finish, with the MMC becoming more controlling and emotionally manipulative as time goes on. Besides the age gap (which i love) and the workplace romance (which is usually swoon worthy), you have an MMC who knows the power he has over the fmc and uses it repeatedly with no remorse. He does not see her as his equal at any point. And the spicy? Problematic from start to finish.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 26, 2026
It's been a hot minute since I've read a S. Doyle book. I've missed them. Barely Professional was a good way to jump back in. I enjoyed it for its characters (all great), the story and the HEA.
Ethan Grant, or E.G. as Anna calls him, is the epitome of the grumpy boss. He's lost so much and the guilt eats at him. Because of that, an already fairly unsocial man is now almost completely isolating. He's left the life that made him a billionaire and after some time off set himself up as a venture capitalist. He needs an assistant. He's got a lobby full of candidates with MBAs from the best universities and he's going through them quickly. They're terrified of him. He's not happy with them especially their self-serving attempts to further their careers. Anna Flowers, who becomes Flowers to E.G., is in the wrong place which she doesn't realize but is quickly apparent to E.G. She has no degree, very little work history, none of which is useful here. She is, however, the first person to not seemed fazed by his bad attitude. She's not intimidated or at least doesn't show it.
He's soon very glad he hired her, mostly, sometimes. She's the perfect assistant. Effective, efficient, detailed and smart far beyond her limited education. The only problem for both of them? The growing attraction neither has even come close to admitting.
As time goes by the attractions become harder to fight and their shared experiences more important. Their lives start to intertwine. His family loves her and see what he is unable to. Of course, all is not easy for these two. There is much to go through before their happy ending.
The tension was perfect, the story good, the characters great and I enjoyed the whole book. You will too.
Ethan Grant, or E.G. as Anna calls him, is the epitome of the grumpy boss. He's lost so much and the guilt eats at him. Because of that, an already fairly unsocial man is now almost completely isolating. He's left the life that made him a billionaire and after some time off set himself up as a venture capitalist. He needs an assistant. He's got a lobby full of candidates with MBAs from the best universities and he's going through them quickly. They're terrified of him. He's not happy with them especially their self-serving attempts to further their careers. Anna Flowers, who becomes Flowers to E.G., is in the wrong place which she doesn't realize but is quickly apparent to E.G. She has no degree, very little work history, none of which is useful here. She is, however, the first person to not seemed fazed by his bad attitude. She's not intimidated or at least doesn't show it.
He's soon very glad he hired her, mostly, sometimes. She's the perfect assistant. Effective, efficient, detailed and smart far beyond her limited education. The only problem for both of them? The growing attraction neither has even come close to admitting.
As time goes by the attractions become harder to fight and their shared experiences more important. Their lives start to intertwine. His family loves her and see what he is unable to. Of course, all is not easy for these two. There is much to go through before their happy ending.
The tension was perfect, the story good, the characters great and I enjoyed the whole book. You will too.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is an easy-to-read, grumpy sunshine romance, between a billionaire and his assistant.
Ethan Grant has suffered a huge loss, which he blames himself for, and which has left him unwilling to let anyone else into his life. He is grumpy, blunt and takes no prisoners, but clearly has caring nature, even if he likes to hide it.
Anna Flowers has had a tough start to life and has learned how to survive, no matter what life throws at her. She is quirky, smart, fun, innocent in many ways and a character who is easy to like.
Neither of them plan to get involved and go out of their way to deny what is building between them. Life, however, has other plans for them. While Anna has no family, Ethan Grant has one that brings a whirlwind of love, laughter, bickering and hope that you could hope for, and they definitely add a lot to this story.
I’ve enjoyed this light and easy read, as a break from more usual genres of reading.
Ethan Grant has suffered a huge loss, which he blames himself for, and which has left him unwilling to let anyone else into his life. He is grumpy, blunt and takes no prisoners, but clearly has caring nature, even if he likes to hide it.
Anna Flowers has had a tough start to life and has learned how to survive, no matter what life throws at her. She is quirky, smart, fun, innocent in many ways and a character who is easy to like.
Neither of them plan to get involved and go out of their way to deny what is building between them. Life, however, has other plans for them. While Anna has no family, Ethan Grant has one that brings a whirlwind of love, laughter, bickering and hope that you could hope for, and they definitely add a lot to this story.
I’ve enjoyed this light and easy read, as a break from more usual genres of reading.
February 26, 2026
I usually stay away from the dead spouse trope—like a Goodreads friend once said, who can compete with a dead wife? But this book actually handled it really well. Instead of making it feel like a competition, it wove the MMC’s grief into his gradual falling in love with the FMC. You can see him fighting it, trying to hold back, but it happens anyway.
I did find myself wondering if he would have continued to avoid her if she hadn’t gotten pregnant… but honestly, by that point, it already felt like it was too late. He was already in love, and no matter what, he would’ve found his way back to her.
Overall, it was a lovely story about healing while falling in love, and I really enjoyed the journey. A solid 4⭐ for me—which feels extra special since I haven’t had one in a while.
I did find myself wondering if he would have continued to avoid her if she hadn’t gotten pregnant… but honestly, by that point, it already felt like it was too late. He was already in love, and no matter what, he would’ve found his way back to her.
Overall, it was a lovely story about healing while falling in love, and I really enjoyed the journey. A solid 4⭐ for me—which feels extra special since I haven’t had one in a while.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 25, 2026
I had a hard time putting this quirky story down. Anna Flowers has had a difficult life, but circumstances put her in a billionaire's orbit. Her forthrightness lands her the job of his assistant, and she is grateful to have that job. She is willing to overlook his brusqueness and eccentricities. As the months go by, it is obvious that these two are forming a connection while they are completely denying being connected by anything but work. The banter is excellent, and I laughed so much. There are also many parts that are very touching as we learn their deeper backstories. This was everything I love in a romcom.
Review of advance copy received from Author
So many emotions!!! This story has me in emotional overload. Guilt, tragedy, pain, survival, you feel so much. The writing is so good!
Grumpy billionaire doesn’t realize what’s hit him when Anna blows into his life. I loved watching E.G and Anna navigate working together and I loved watching Anna grow into herself. Watching their relationship blossom is painful but filled with hope and sincerity. It’s a slow burn that you feel deep in your gut.
This story hits you with so many emotions and leaves you with a sense of healing. Beautiful story of survival, loss, and finding love.
Grumpy billionaire doesn’t realize what’s hit him when Anna blows into his life. I loved watching E.G and Anna navigate working together and I loved watching Anna grow into herself. Watching their relationship blossom is painful but filled with hope and sincerity. It’s a slow burn that you feel deep in your gut.
This story hits you with so many emotions and leaves you with a sense of healing. Beautiful story of survival, loss, and finding love.
February 26, 2026
I thought this book was really good. Lots of laughs and lots of emotion. A bit of a roller coaster emotionally to finally get to the HEA. I thought it was well written, the plot and characters were well developed and it really held my attention well. At times it was really hard to tear myself away from the story because I just had to find out what would happen next. And I thought the ending was perfect!
I received an advance review copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Loved this grumpy/sunshine, slow burn modern novel about a man who lost everything and a woman who came from nothing. The heaviness of their past is perfectly offset by the playful banter between them. There are no lulls or slow points in this book. They have a unique relationship, and even the happy ending is on their terms. Great read.
February 26, 2026
Great story
What a great book! Definitely worth the read.
It had all the feels. Orphaned young woman making her way in tough world meets billionaire widower who is barely making it day to day.
What a great book! Definitely worth the read.
It had all the feels. Orphaned young woman making her way in tough world meets billionaire widower who is barely making it day to day.
February 28, 2026
Absolutely delightful! Loved everything about it!
February 24, 2026
4 stars from me! This is the story of Anna And Ethan aka EG. Ethan is the billionaire grumpy boss and Anna lands a job as his receptionist after a mix up in a job interview. Anna grew up in the system and was technically homeless at the time of the job interview. With that comes street smarts - how to read a person, how to steal if needed, how to approach people. She’s a sassy one and I enjoyed their banter. Ethan suffered from the loss of his wife and that’s a critical part of the story leading to his inability to believe he can love again. My only issue with the book was that I never really ended up liking EG. That’s just my personal opinion. I enjoyed the story and would recommend it to others.
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