Comment survivre à son patron: Une romance milliardaire Bosshole Grumpy-Sunshine (Les frères Ashford)

The Ashford Brothers #3

by Leslie North

Genres: Romance

414 pages, Paperback

Published May 5, 2026

About the author

New to Leslie? Readers suggest starting with 'The Bossy One' (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C6BP3BBF) —Imagine a sunny Minnesotan Mary Poppins, employed by a grumpy Irish billionaire. The story is a blend of humor, revenge, passion, heartbreak, hope, and witty banter. As one reader put it, ‘This story had me squealing at the romantic moments and silly moments.’

Leslie North is the USA Today Bestselling pseudonym for a critically-acclaimed author of romantic comedies and contemporary romance. The anonymity allows her to fully express her creativity, especially in the romantic and fun sexy scenes!

In fact, she confesses to loving her fictional persona, Leslie North, more than her everyday self! Her bestselling books are known for their strong characters, particularly women who aren’t afraid to challenge an alpha bosshole. And the humor? So infectious, you’ll be laughing out loud in public!

Leslie’s love for romance began when she picked up a worn-out romance book from her local library. She started writing soon after, and as they say, the rest was history. She now resides in a cozy cottage on the British coast, enjoying long walks with her two Dalmatians, George and Fergie.

She LOVES reader feedback, and if you have any comments, don’t hesitate to contact her!

I'm Social Too:
Website: www.leslienorthbooks.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/leslienorthbooks
TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@leslienorthcomments
Instagram:www.instagram.com/leslienorth_books

Reviews

[Srivalli Rekha · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

One Liner: The last quarter could have been better

Nina, a daycare worker on a cruise ship, ends up marrying Logan Ashford, the rich and arrogant owner, after a night of too much drinking. They decide to keep it a secret until they can dissolve it, but Logan’s six-year-old son announces the news, leading to a new deal. Nina has to act like his wife for a few more days.

Can the pretend accidental marriage turn into a real one?

The story comes in Nina and Logan’s first-person POVs.

My Thoughts

The book works as a standalone since I didn’t read the previous two, but I had no trouble following the family subplot in this. Don’t take the ‘defying’ the boss part seriously. The title seems more in line with the series titles than a literal one.

The swear word count is high. That’s how the book starts, but it is woven into the plot (think swear words and kids’ reactions), so it sets the stage for a not-meet-cute.

The FMC is easy to like, and the kids are… kids! Noah is a darling, the best! I wish I could say the MMC was an adorable grump. I would have if he had redeemed himself properly.

The plot flows well until the third-act break-up, which was bound to happen. It was a bit fine after that, but there wasn’t enough groveling or apologizing. Instead of making him work hard, we get an easy enough reunion and more lovey-dovey after that. This is where my rating dipped.

Given that the book presents some heavy themes (death of a parent, trauma of relocation, lack of stability or love, yearning for a sense of belonging), the book doesn’t exactly work on them. The setup has many opportunities to include them more intrinsically, but we don’t get any of it. Feels like a lost opportunity.

And… the MMC is a blonde! Based on the cover, I imagined him with dark hair, so imagine my surprise when I read he was blonde. Google says it is uncommon for them to have darker beards, but nah… I’m not changing the visuals in my brain.

Of course, there are some super sweet and funny moments, many of them with that kid. There’s a kitten, too (Ariel). The side characters from previous books have roles to play, and there are some new ones as well. I wish we had at least one active scene with the FMC’s roommate. She sounds like a good one.

To summarize, How to Defy Your Boss is a pretty entertaining read, but it definitely has the potential to be much better and a tad more emotional. It is an open-door romance.

Thank you, NetGalley and Relay Publishing, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

#NetGalley #HowToDefyYourBoss

[Alcio Loves Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐ "Cómo sobrevivir a tu jefe" es un libro con segundas oportunidades y proximidad forzada, el primer libro de la serie de romcom Los Hermanos Ashford, donde Gwen, una relacionista pública y Harrison Ashford, el jefe de la línea de jets privados de su familia, tuvieron un romance fugaz en el pasado que no terminó bien. Ella lo detesta porque la abandonó sin explicaciones, pero por coincidencia se reencuentran en el aeropuerto, sin saber que el destino los reunirá de nuevo.
Luego de que Harrison sufra ataques cibernéticos de los fans de una popular cantante porque no pudo manejar un conflicto, él llega a la empresa donde Gwen trabaja, y termina contratándola cuando ella muestra cuan competente es.
En medio de estratégias por limpiar la imágen de Harrison y conflictos inesperados, la atracción entre ambos resurge, aunque no será fácil para Gwen, ya que Harrison arrastra temores de su pasado que causarán muchos problemas.

●Si les encantan los romcoms este libro les gustará, tiene una mezcla de drama, conflictos en redes, momentos cargados de tensión pero tambien escenas divertidas y otras conmovedoras, con amistades verdaderas y familias que buscan se unidas de nuevo.
●Me gustó en contraste de personalidades entre Gwen y Harrison, él es más cerrado y reservado, y aunque tiene su lado dulce y bondadoso, le es difícil mostrarlo, y ella es tan positiva, siempre intentando mejorar el ambiente de todos, lo que hace que Harrison se suelte más. Desde el inicio se siente la química entre los protagonistas, son el uno para el otro.

He disfrutado bastante de la lectura, es muy entretenida y está escrita a dos voces, por lo que podemos saber que piensan ambos, y con el pov de Gwen mas que nada la pasé muy bien.🤭 Estoy deseando comenzar con el segundo libro, y conocer mejor al segundo hermano, Drew.

[The Books and me · Rating 4 out of 5]

Parece que solo mi tentación me salvará❤️‍🔥

👱🏻‍♀️Gwen: Hace meses tuve una noche apasionado increíble. Un hombre con mirada sexy y señal de peligro andante que desapareció tan rápido que no vi ni por donde se fue. Ahora nos volvemos a cruzar. Él se ha vuelvo el enemigo público Nº1 de America por hablar mal de la cantante de moda. Soy experta en manejo de crisis y me pagará ridículamente bien por salvar su reputación… pero hacer de niñera de un gruñón multimillonario?

🧔🏻‍♂️Harrison Ashford: En solo un momento mi vida se hizo un caos, una combinación de mala prensa, fans locos en redes sociales y comentarios con un fondo que nadie entiende, están dañando la empresa que tanto Em ha costado levantar y afectando a mi familia. No pensé que la mujer que caliente mi sangre y me saca de mis casillas fuera la que podría salvarme

👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼
💕Grumpy x sunshine
👥Enemies to lovers
💼Romance de oficina
💘Rollo de una noche
🌓Polos opuestos
❤️‍🔥Spicy
💖RomCom
🔈Dual pov

✨Gracias a la autora por invitarme nuevamente a leer su nuevo libro🫶🏼. Si les gustó “Cariño, cuanto te odio” y “La propuesta”, encontrarán en este libro un disfrute total😉

✨Ella tiene un carácter fuerte, positiva ante retos y desafiante especialmente cuando del Sr Imbecil del Aire se trata🤭. Él es un hombre gruñon a miiiilll pero que se relaja a escondidas en el centro de acogida de animales🥹jugando con los cachorros🐶 😍y tiene un buen corazón🥰. Son tercos, y cuando bajan sus barreras son y tal para cual😆😉♥️❤️‍🔥

✨La trama viene cargada de con una guerra de relaciones públicas, redes sociales, ayudas sociales, manejar una empresa de transporte aéreo y más. Además, me gusta la relación de amistad de Harrison con Kevin, y la presencia de los hermanos de ambos que crean momentos distintos, familiares❤️‍🩹, con drama también😕, divertidos😆y que no ayudan a bajar la tensión entre los protas🤭.

✨Es una comedia romántica en toda regla, narrada a dos voces, con la mezcla ideal, temas sentimentales de fondo importantes y risas aseguradas que sin duda se disfruta mucho😉… y si se preguntan por las escenas spicy, descuiden, que si las tiene🤫😏❤️‍🔥


💼Hermanos Ashford
1️⃣Cómo sobrevivir a tu jefe
🔜2️⃣Cómo resistir a tu jefe

[Van · Rating 3 out of 5]

More like 2.5

I’m one of those weird people who enjoys a third act break up if it’s short and there’s some grovel, no cheating thanks,
This author always delivers a brutal break up scene but never a good grovel
He is too cruel, he doesn’t let heroine say goodbye to his son, he throws her from his home, the only home she has ever had. the boy suffers a lot and honestly he is just too cold
We don’t know how long is the separation, how they signed divorce, in which terms, nothing.
There’s no grovel and we go to the separation to a wedding proposal to a sex scene and I couldn’t care less

Honestly, she should go to the boat and start a new life

[البهلول أحمد مصطفى]

مزيج بين "لعبة الكراهية" و"تذكرة إلى الجنة" - إذا كان جم السفن السياحية العابس الذي تزوجته وأنت ثمل هو أيضًا مديرك... وشريكك الجديد في تربية الأطفال.

في ليلة واحدة طائشة، غارقة في الروم، قررتُ أن أتحرر من قيودي.

استيقظتُ متزوجة.

من مديري.

لوغان آش فورد هو قطب سفن سياحية ذو سمعة لا تشوبها شائبة، وخط فك حاد، وغرور أكبر من قصره العائم. بارد. متحكم. يكره الفوضى.

أنا عاملة حضانة السفينة. مرحة أكثر من اللازم. صاحبة رأي قوية. لا تُثير إعجابي أزرار أكمامه ولا نزعته للسيطرة.

وبطريقة ما، أصبحتُ زوجة الأدميرال العابس.

الخطة هي التكتم على الأمر، وإلغاؤه سريعًا، والمضي قدمًا.

إلا أن ابنه ذو الست سنوات يُعلن زواجنا أمام جميع ركاب السفينة، وكأنه مقطع فيديو انتشر كالنار في الهشيم.

الآن، الصحافة تُحيط بنا، والطاقم يتناقل الخبر همسًا، ولا شيء يُشير إلى "كارثة عائلية" مثل الزواج سرًا من أحد الموظفين.

لذا، يقترح لوغان صفقة. الابتسام للضيوف. الإمساك بالأيدي أمام الصحافة. ​​التظاهر بأن نقاشاتنا الليلية ليست حادة.

الزواج صوري.
والترتيب مؤقت.
والوقوع في غرام زوجي العابس، الجذاب حدّ الإغاظة، ليس جزءًا من الخطة أبدًا.

...أليس كذلك؟

[estebecca_libros · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hoy les traigo mi opinión sobre el inicio de la saga Los hermanos Ashford, una comedia romántica contemporánea que se lee muy rápido.

Gwen es una experta en relaciones públicas brillante pero caótica, y Harrison quien es el frío, controlador e impaciente director de una empresa de aviones privados. Son opuestos y se atraen, los tropos son una mezcla adictiva de enemies to lovers y segundas oportunidades. Y si a esto le sumamos unos diálogos que
son pura dinamita, sarcásticos, picantes y con muchísima química. Tenemos una buena y entretenida historia de amor.

Una historia que demuestra que, a veces, las mejores segundas oportunidades nacen del caos absoluto. La química de los protagonistas echa chispas y el choque entre el control de él y el ingenio de ella te mantiene pegada al libro.

[Jime V.A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Una novela ligera y divertida que te la puedes leer sin darte cuenta, me ha encantado el guiño a. Fandom de swifty y amé todo esa parte de los conciertos y canciones
Me encanta este CEO gruñón com un corazón de oro y su amor por los perritos
Ella es un rayo de sol, intentando ver siempre lo positivo en su vida y me encanta

Por no hablar la química maravillosa que se construye entre estos dos
Sin duda perfecta

[Evelyn Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best of the series

For me this was my favorite story. Partly because I know what it's like to be the step mom and also the woman who married a widower and not be accepted. I felt this series each storyline.

[Julia Nemitz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mit ihrem Buch „Wie du deinen Boss überlebst“ startet Leslie North eine prickelnde, intensive und spannungsgeladene Story ihrer neuen Ashford-Brüder-Reihe. Auf den ersten Blick könnte man meinen, es handelt sich um eine ganz klassische Office-Romance, aber die Autorin belebt das Milliardärs-Trope geschickt, indem sie ein Social-Media-Katastrophen-Szenario erschafft, welches nicht nur gut in die heutige Zeit passt, sondern auch die Nachteile von Social-Media in den Fokus stellt. Wer schlagfertige, selbstständige und erfolgreiche Protagonistinnen in einem Zusammenspielt mit mürrischen Chefs liebt, sollte sich den 1. Band dieser Reihe nicht entgehen lassen.
In der Story geht es darum, dass Gwen, Krisen-PR-Expertin (und privat leidenschaftliche Bäckerin – was sehr sympathisch wirkt), vor einiger Zeit in Aspen einen One-Night-Stand mit Harrison Ashford hatte. Anschließend lässt er sie fallen und verschwindet wortlos aus ihrem Leben. In einer für ihn stressigen Situation verliert er die Kontrolle und beleidigt dummerweise den Mega-Popstar Scarlet Rush. Damit hat er nicht nur die Wut ihrer Fans, den sog. „Rushies" auf sich gezogen, sondern seiner Firma einen immensen Schaden zugefügt, da die Aktienkurse aufgrund des Shitstorms fallen. Ausgerechnet Gwen soll ihm jetzt als Krisen-PR-Expertin in dieser verfahrenen Situation aus der Patsche helfen. Er wirbt sie ab, zahlt ihr ein Vermögen und schon bald sitzen die beiden im Privatjet und müssen eine Lösung für die Probleme finden. Dass da nicht nur beruflich die Fetzen fliegen, ist klar, denn auch Harrison hat die Nächte in Aspen nicht vergessen...
Gwen ist eine Koryphäe im Krisenmanagement. Sie ist professionell, humorvoll, liebt Disney-Prinzessinnen-Küche und lässt sich von der reichen Elite nicht einschüchtern. Sie ist der Sonnenschein in der Geschichte, wenn man es auf die Begriffe Sunshine meets Grumpy reduzieren würde. Auf der anderen Seite sind bei ihr einige emotionale Narben zu erkennen, durch die sie sehr nahbar und menschlich wirkt. Der zweite Hauptprotagonist ist Harrison, der "Grumpy" in der Story, der jedoch allein durch sein Äußeres das Herz von Gwen immer wieder zum Schmelzen bringt. Aber er ist nicht nur kontrollsüchtig, mürrisch und schottet dabei sein Herz ab, denn auch er hat emotionale Narben, die ihn zu dem Menschen gemacht haben, der er ist. Seine weiche Seite zeigt er in seiner geheimen Liebe zu kranken Tierheimhunden, der Freundschaft mit seinem besten Freund Kevin und seiner Loyalität zu seinen Brüdern.
Leslie North ist es perfekt gelungen, Nebenfiguren einzubauen, welche der Geschichte zusätzliche Tiefe und emotionale Reife geben. So ist da Harrisons Vater Oliver Ashford, welcher neben eigenen Erkenntnissen und Reue aufgrund der Vergangenheit auch Informationen über die Kindheit von Harrison liefert. Gwens Vater Dale Ackland, der in seiner Rolle nicht nur eine verletzliche Note in die Geschichte bringt, sondern auch einen guten Kontrast zu Harrisons unterkühlter Familiensituation erfahrbar macht.
Die sexuelle Anziehungskraft, das Kribbeln sowie die Chemie zwischen Gwen und Harrison ist körperlich spürbar und genau das ist etwas, was mir besonders gut gefallen hat. Die Dialoge mit ihrem Wortwitz und doppeldeutigen Anspielungen, sowie die sexuelle Spannung, die langsam aufgebaut wird. Die spicy Szenen sind sehr intensiv und leidenschaftlich sowie authentisch beschrieben.
Des Weiteren beginnt die Story eher wie eine leichte Liebeskomödie, aber sie entwickelt sich zu einer überraschenden Ernsthaftigkeit mit einer bemerkenswerten Tiefgründigkeit. Die traumatischen Erinnerungen der Ashford-Brüder sowie aktuelle Ängste sorgen für eine verletzliche und berührende Note in der Geschichte.
Auch die Einführung der Ashford-Brüder (Drew und Logan) ist hervorragend gelungen. Die Dynamik innerhalb der Familie, die sich zwar liebt, aber verlernt hat, über Gefühle zu sprechen, wird mehrfach ganz deutlich.
Was mir zu Anfang ein wenig Schwierigkeiten gemacht hat, waren die (aus meiner Sicht) unnötigen Längen. Denn dass zwischen den beiden Protagonisten eine sehr starke Anziehungskraft vorhanden ist und ein Prickeln und Knistern während ihrer Zusammenarbeit existieren, wurde sehr oft wiederholt. Harrison hat mehrfach hintereinander Gwens Körper im Geiste analysiert (ihre Lippen, ihre Beine, ihren Spitzen-BH) und auf der anderen Seite hat Gwen immer wieder beschlossen, dass sie „auf keinen Fall Geschäft und Vergnügen vermischen darf“. Oder auch an der Stelle, als das Gespräch über Kevins finanzielle Nöte, seine Flugschule, Versicherung, die bevorstehende Geburt sich über Seiten hinzog. Für mich hat das den Handlungsverlauf enorm ausgebremst, denn eigentlich wollte ich an der Stelle wissen, wie es weitergeht. So oder so ähnlich zog sich die Geschichte eine ganze Zeit dahin.
An manchen Stellen erfahren wir meines Erachtens zu viel über die organisatorischen Abläufe von Gwens PR-Arbeit. Wenn sie minutenlang telefoniert und dabei über „Grauzonen-Posts“, Marken-Images, „Hinter-den-Kulissen-Aufnahmen“ oder das Abwägen von Zielgruppen referiert, entstand beim Lesen das Gefühl, dass ich ein PR-Handbuch durchblättere.
Das Setting der Geschichte ist gut gewählt. Leslie North nutzt die Schauplätze, die sich meistens in Kalifornien befinden, sehr raffiniert als eine Art Spiegel für die momentane innere Verfassung ihrer Figuren. Das gläserne sowie etwas sterile Los Angeles mit seinen High-Tech-Konferenzräumen und dem luxuriösen Hangar am Flughafen stehen mehr für Harrisons emotionale Kontrolle und Kälte. Das malerische und sehr gut gezeichnete Küsten-Resort in Carmel-by-the-Sea bringt mit seiner spanischen Kolonialarchitektur und dem Rauschen des Meeres genau die Prise Lockerung in die Story ein, die erforderlich ist, wenn es darum geht, die Familiengeheimnisse der Ashfords ans Licht zu bringen. Einen warmen und eher charmanten Kontrast sehen wir, wenn im Verlauf der Geschichte die Handlung in Gwens kleiner und improvisierter Strand-Wohnung weitergeht. Eine herausbrechenden Küchenschublade sowie eine Spülmaschine, die als Wintermantel-Lager dient, sind der krasse Gegensatz zwischen der unterkühlten Welt der Milliardäre von Harrison und die Sehnsucht von Gwen nach echter Nähe.

Fazit: „Wie du deinen Boss überlebst“ lässt die Leserschaft mit einem guten Gefühl zurück, einem Gefühl, welches man sich nach all den Wortgefechten und den Wunden emotionaler Art wünscht. Leslie North schreibt modern, spritzig und spicy. Ein absolut gelungener Auftakt der Ashford-Reihe, der sofort süchtig nach den Geschichten der restlichen Brüder macht!

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

How to Defy Your Boss is the third and final book in The Ashford Brothers Series. A full-length standalone romance with no cheating or cliffhanger and complete with a happily-ever-after. A daycare worker drunkenly marries their cruise ship bills boss, leading to a fake marriage arrangement to save the company's reputation. This is Logan and Nina story told from a dual point of view. An amazing written story with two unlikely individuals and a twisty and complex storyline that captures the audience attention and keeps you riveted and turning the pages until the end. This is Nina and Logan story told from a dual point of view.

Tropes:
🏫Workplace Romance
✔️Women's Fiction Story
♟️Romantic Comedy Story
💋👅👀Insta-lust Romance
💍👰‍♀🤵‍♂Accidental Marriage
🧍‍♂️👨‍👦Single Dad Romance
✔️Enemies-to-Lovers Romance
💸💰Billionaire Romance
☀️🌞Grumpy Sunshine Boss Story
✔️Hate-to-Love Vibes Story
🥃🍸🍷Rum Soaked Night Story
✔️Contemporary Romance
💸💵Offer She Can't Refuse
✔️Fake Marriage Story
🙅‍♂️🙎6 Year Old Who Spills Every Secret
👩‍🍼🧑‍🍼Daycare Worker
✔️Forced Proximity Romance
♟️Rom-Com Romance
Logan Ashford the grumpy billionaire cruise ship magnate with a spotless reputation, a lethal jawline and an ego bigger than his floating palace. He's also a single dad to an adorable six year old little boy name Noah. He's drop dead gorgeous but with a nasty attitude and a constant need to control everything and everyone around him. He's domineering, stoic, cold-hearted, control and allergic to chaos. Nina is the ship's daycare worker who's very opinionated, a sunny sunshine and is very unimpressed by his wealth or his cufflinks and control issues and he's her boss. Nina is a sweetheart towards Noah which impresses Logan.
One reckless rum-soaked night she decided to let her hair down and have some fun she ended up having a little too much to drink with her boss and the next morning she woke up married to her boss. She doesn't have any plans on staying married to him and plans on keeping it quiet, annul it fast then move on.
However, things doesn't go as she plans because his six year old son announced to the entire ship like a himan tik tok gone viral about their marriage. And now the press is circling around like vultures, and nothing say family friendly like the boss secretly marrying his employee. Because Noah put a monkey wrench into their plans of quietly getting an annulment Logan proposed a deal that they stay married to each other. Smile for the guests, hold hands for the press and pretend that their late night arguments aren't charged with heat.
Their marriage is fake and their arrangement is temporary and the next thing you know she started falling in love with her grumpy, infuriatingly attractive husband and it absolutely was not part of the plan when he proposed the plan. But Logan is fighting what was happening between them because of past trauma. Nina suggests a camp to Logan but he misconstrue what she was trying to convey and walk away ending their relationship. Will Logan put his insecurities side to realize that she's what he and Noah needs in their life? Will they find their way back to each other? Will they get their HEA?

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

[mymagicalbookwonderland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rezension

Buchname: Wie du deinen Boss überlebst: Ein Grumpy/Sunshine Milliardärs-Boss-Liebesroman (Die Ashford-Brüder 1)
Autor: Leslie North
Seiten: 440 (Print)
Fromat: als Print und Ebook erhältlich
Verlag: ‎ ‎
Sterne: 4

Cover:
Das Cover ist richtig schön gestaltet worden. Der Buchtitel steht in hellen bzw weißfarbenen Buchstaben im oberen Bereich. Man kann ein Pärchen und einen Hund auf dem Cover erkennen. Es sieht aus wie ein Comic.. .. Auf dem ersten Blick ist das schon mal sehr ansprechend.

Klappentext: (aus Amazon übernommen)

Die nackte Wahrheit trifft auf Selbst ist die Braut – wenn der mürrische Milliardär, mit dem du einen One-Night-Stand hattest, ein Luxusjet-Imperium leitet, dich wie ein Profi ghostet und dann in 40.000 Fuß Höhe zu deinem schlimmsten PR-Albtraum wird.

Vor Monaten hatte ich einen heißen One-Night-Stand mit Harrison Ashford. CEO. Sünde im Anzug. Eine menschliche Red Flag.

Außerdem? Der mürrischste Mann auf Erden. Stell dir einen glühenden Blick, triefenden Sarkasmus und die emotionale Bandbreite einer Mauer vor.

Er hat mich so gründlich geghostet, dass ich erst mal meinen Puls überprüfen musste.

Dann sind wir uns in einer Flughafenlounge wieder begegnet – genau in dem Moment, als er wegen seiner abfälligen Bemerkungen über Scarlett Rush, Amerikas Liebling und größten Popstar der Welt, viral ging.

Jetzt ist er Staatsfeind Nummer eins, die Fans sinnen auf Rache und seine Privatjet-Firma blutet Geld.

Und er will mich engagieren, um das Desaster zu beheben.

Ich bin Krisen-PR-Expertin, keine Milliardärs-Betreuerin. Einen mürrischen Jet-Mogul mit Gottkomplex und einem Groll gegen Freude zu babysitten – der mich dazu gebracht hat, alle meine Regeln zu brechen und dann einfach verschwunden ist – steht nicht in meinem Fünfjahresplan.

Trotzdem ist das Honorar obszön. Die Jets sind privat. Und der Job? Nur vorübergehend.

Ich kann professionell bleiben.
Ich kann die Spannung in jedem Privatjet und bei jeder nächtlichen Strategiesitzung ignorieren.
Ich werde mich auf keinen Fall in den Mann verlieben, der mich geghostet hat.
… Oder?

Schreibstil:
Der Schreibstil der Autorin ist total flüssig, liest sich super und ist sehr leicht verständlich.

Charaktere:

Die Hauptprotagonistin ist Gewn
Der Hauptprotagonist ist Harrison Ashford


Ich fande alle Charaktere von Anfang an total sympathisch und liebenswert. Des weiteren gibt es noch ein paar andere Charaktere. . Meiner Meinung nach sind alle Charakter sehr gelungen und haben einen sehr guten Platz im Buch bekommen.
Meinung:

!!!! Achtung !!! Könnte Spoiler erhalten!!!

Mir hat „Wie du deinen Boss überlebst“ von Leslie North recht gut gefallen. In diesem Buch geht es um Gwen, die einen One Night Stand mit Harrison hatte. Harrison ist CEO und ein absoluter Miesepeter (was mir persönlich ja richtig gut gefallen hat und ich sehr passend fande) Als er sich ein Faupax in den Sozialen Medien geleistet hat, engagiert er nun Gwen um ihn seinen Hintern zu retten. Mehr möchte ich an dieser Stelle nicht verraten :) Nur so viel: Mich hat das Buch bestens unterhalten und ich hatte jede Menge schöner Lesestunden. Ich mochte die ganze Art und Weise von Leslie sehr gerne. Ihren locker leichten humorvollen Schreibstil, die Story (hat auf mich durchdacht und logisch aufgebaut gewirkt). Ihre sympathischen und authentischen Charaktere, die eine Entwicklung durch gemacht haben. Das Setting und die ganze Atmosphäre im Buch. Besonders gut hat mir der Trope Sunshine meets Grumpy gefallen. Ich mag das sehr gerne. Mir hat es gut gefallen und ich wurde gut unterhalten. Deshalb bekommt „Wie du deinen Boss überlebst“ von mir auch sehr verdiente 4 Sterne und eine klare Leseempfehlung.


Fazit:

Toller Liebesroman über einen super mürrischen Boss und einem taffen Sonnenscheinchen. Beste locker leichte Unterhaltung.

[Michelle Frater · Rating 4 out of 5]

Logan Ashford, the youngest of the Ashford clan, runs the cruise line division with the same sharp focus and intensity that defined his brothers. But behind the polished exterior, he’s a man quietly unraveling as a new single father to his six-year-old son, Noah, after the devastating loss of the boy’s mother. Hoping to bridge the growing distance between them, Logan takes Noah on a cruise, convinced it will bring them closer. Instead, it only highlights how far apart they’ve drifted. Enter Nina, a daycare provider onboard who becomes, quite unexpectedly, Noah’s safe harbor. Despite a less-than-perfect childhood of her own, Nina has an effortless warmth that draws Noah out of his shell in a way Logan hasn’t been able to manage. Watching his son come alive in her presence, Logan hires Nina as Noah’s nanny. What follows is a beautifully layered dynamic. Nina doesn’t just connect with Noah. She challenges Logan, softening his edges and pushing him to confront both his grief and his role as a father. Their growing bond is tender, complicated, and laced with undeniable chemistry. And then… one impulsive night flips the script entirely, leaving Nina married to Logan. An annulment should’ve been simple. Quiet. Clean. But thanks to fate and one very determined little boy, their marriage becomes anything but private. Suddenly, Logan and Nina are thrust into a very public fake relationship… that starts to feel all too real. Logan begins as exactly what you’d expect: confident, controlled, a little arrogant—a true Ashford. But as the story unfolds, glimpses of vulnerability emerge, especially in his interactions with Noah and Nina. Nina, for her part, is an absolute standout. She’s strong without being hardened, compassionate without being a pushover, and completely unafraid to stand her ground. Their chemistry is electric, fueled by sharp banter and that delicious push-and-pull tension that keeps the pages turning. The third-act breakup, now something of a signature for Leslie’s books, hits hard. Logan says things that are genuinely brutal (the kind that make you want to reach into the book and strangle him). While I appreciated the family stepping in to call him out, I’ll admit… Nina forgave him a little too easily for my taste. A bit more groveling wouldn’t have hurt. That said, this story delivers exactly what it promises: a swoony, emotionally charged romance filled with heart, humor, and just enough angst. If you’re a fan of the grumpy/sunshine trope, fake relationships that blur into something real, and stories that leave you smiling from ear to ear, this one is worth a go.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leslie North is an amazing story teller! I’ve been lucky enough to be a part of her ARC team for all three Ashford Brothers books, and my opinions are my own.

I’ve been waiting for Logan’s story since he was introduced in How to Survive Your Boss, and Leslie North did *not* disappoint!

Logan is the youngest of the Ashford brothers and runs the cruise section of the Ashford empire. He has an adorable 6 year old son who, until recently, lived full time with his mom. Logan had him for visits every month. Unfortunately, Noah’s mom died in an accident, so Logan is trying to navigate being a full time dad to Noah while helping him manage his grief and running a business.

Nina never had a stable childhood or really a stable life with a permanent place to call home. She has a degree in early childhood education and is wonderful with kids! She works on the cruise ship in the kid’s club. Nina instantly falls in love with Noah and does everything she can to help him, even before she knows he just lost his mom.

Logan and Nina’s story isn’t just about their love story, but how they become a proper family. I love how Noah is always in the forefront of their decisions and he is never pushed off to the side. Nina helps Noah come out of his shell with the other kids and teaches Logan how to get on Noah’s level to help him with his feelings.

There is attraction, and one drunken night changes everything. Maybe that’s something to be expected from the youngest? Maybe it’s because this Ashford brother was the wild child? I’m here for it.

There is a third act breakup, and in this case, I applaud Logan for drawing the line (even if he was wrong about Nina’s intentions because he DIDN’T ASK or EXPLAIN why he was angry).

Logan and Nina were both expecting it to end, and they let it because they couldn’t see they were meant to be. They didn’t think they would ever really have a love that would last.

Logan does own up to his mistake and there is groveling. This book has a very happy ending, and I love it!


I love that the brothers and dad step in and tell Logan he’s a moron and needs to fix HIS mistake.

I love how welcoming the Ashford family is to the new wives.

I love how Candace is finally welcomed and accepted.

I love that the family home stays in the family. I’ve been hoping one of the brothers would end up buying it.

My negative? The title of the book really doesn’t make sense. Defiance wasn’t really a theme of this book. 🤷🏼‍♀️ I’m not an author, though.

[Narci · Rating 5 out of 5]

What happens in Nesion never stays in Neison... As the youngest of the Ashford Brothers Logan is not only launching a new family-oriented Cruise line for his family empire but trying to navigate his troubled son after traumatic event. Logans micromanaging style, confident commanding leader vibe, and a no-nonsense controlling way are no match for his cruise line Kids Club manager. Nina has a degree in child development she loves working with children and families in need. Nina has a warmth about her that captivates all around her with her bold, sweet, determined nature, and how she wants to constantly help other is what not only captivates Noah but his father unwillingly becomes smitten too. Logan realizes how beneficial Nina can be for his son and makes her an offer she can't refuse, only issue is the more time they spend together the harder it is to resist temptation her magnetic ways are irresistible and has him reevaluating all. Between lines blurring, one drunken night at a ship layover stay, and changes to their routines their dynamics are altered when Noah finds driver license with his daddy and Miss Ninas name, a domino effect alters voyage Nina and Logan had set out on. I absolutely Love little Noah, kid is a genius, so brave, so sweet and lovable. This story captivated me by the dynamics of how well its family oriented. Logan and Nina's story not only bring us into their unconventional attraction, the predicament that leads to their fake marriage, but it's about how they work hard to create a family dynamic that works for them all. Their story is more about family healing, growth and cohabiting ups and downs. The instant chemistry between Nina and Noah is just adorable and inspirational. However, the chemistry between Logan and Nina is not only full of tension with sparks and an addictive push and pull banter that has you hooked until the end, but a sweet irresistible buildup that leaves you begging for more. I love how they each grow individually and together, reading updates on the rest of the family, the interactions and banter between siblings and wives, but how well they all grow as a complete family and unite to celebrate not just old memories but new ones too. Ariel is adorable and a lifeline. This story is easy to connect with and fall in love with bringing warmth and sunshine to all that read it. I received this arc for my voluntary review.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Hating Game meets Ticket to Paradise—if the grumpy cruise ship billionaire you drunkenly married also happens to be your boss… and your new co-parent.

For one reckless, rum-soaked night, I decide to let my hair down.

I wake up married.

To my boss.

Logan Ashford is a cruise ship magnate with a spotless reputation, a lethal jawline, and an ego bigger than his floating palace. Cold. Controlled. Allergic to chaos.

I’m the ship’s daycare worker. Too sunny. Too opinionated. Too unimpressed by his cufflinks and control issues.

And somehow now Admiral Grump’s wife.

The plan is simple: keep it quiet, annul it fast, and move on.

Except his six-year-old son announces our marriage to the entire ship like a human TikTok gone viral.

Now the press is circling, the crew is whispering, and nothing says “family-friendly brand disaster” like secretly marrying an employee.

So Logan proposes a deal. Smile for the guests. Hold hands for the press. Pretend our late-night arguments aren’t charged with heat.

The marriage is fake.
The arrangement is temporary.
And falling for my grumpy, infuriatingly attractive husband is absolutely not part of the plan.

This contemporary billionaire enemies-to-lovers fake marriage workplace romantic comedy insta love romance is page-turning with exceptional world-building and characters who are an alpha male billionaire boss who is grumpy, exuding power/wealth,/female heroine employee who is sunshine, both are captivating, humorous, and realistic. Their journey is enthralling, with how to defy your boss, explicit, mature romance that is consumed by steamy, sizzling passion, lust, desire, and spice with all the feelings to leave readers breathless and begging for more, a fake marriage, chaos/drama, heartfelt emotions/emotional depth, action, adventure, and more. I recommend reading this book by an extraordinary author who knows how to captivate her readers' hearts and attention with how to defy your boss and billionaire enemies-to-lovers fake marriage workplace romantic comedy insta love romance that is sure to transport readers into a world that is wildly lustful, intriguing, and unforgettable.

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

[Bookly__n · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gwen, experte en relations publiques, recroise Harrison Ashford, PDG d’un empire de jets privés et homme avec lequel elle a vécu une nuit intense avant d’être brutalement ghostée. Devenu une cible médiatique après un bad buzz retentissant, il fait appel à elle pour redorer son image.

L’auteure signe ici une romance de seconde chance qui se dévore en un clin d’œil.

Gwen est une héroïne comme on les aime : brillante, drôle et farouchement indépendante. Loin de se laisser impressionner, elle tient tête à Harrison avec un aplomb rafraîchissant. Sa répartie, ses réflexions pleines d’ironie et sa capacité à rester fidèle à elle-même insufflent une vraie modernité au récit.

Face à elle, Harrison Ashford incarne à merveille le fantasme du milliardaire inaccessible avec une nuance bienvenue. Derrière son arrogance et son besoin de contrôle presque maladif, se cache un homme bien plus complexe qu’il n’y paraît. Derrière cette distance, on devine une fragilité, presque un désarroi face à ses propres émotions. C’est précisément cette dualité qui le rend aussi captivant.

Leurs échanges, oscillant entre joutes verbales savoureuses et tension palpable, donnent toute sa saveur à l’histoire.

Ce qui rend la lecture particulièrement prenante, c’est l’évolution de Harrison au fil du récit. Au contact de Gwen, il se dévoile peu à peu et laisse apparaître une facette plus vulnérable. Sa transformation se construit avec justesse, à travers les tensions, les doutes et les remises en question qui jalonnent leur relation.

J’ai également beaucoup apprécié le cadre professionnel, qui apporte une vraie dynamique à l’histoire. Entre gestion de crise, enjeux d’image publique et pression médiatique, le récit gagne en intensité et en crédibilité. Cet environnement permet aussi de découvrir les personnages sous un autre jour, en mettant en lumière leurs compétences, leurs failles et leur manière d’affronter les difficultés.

Je recommande cette romance addictive.

[MN Book Lady · Rating 5 out of 5]

The harder they try to avoid love, the harder they fall!

Logan is the youngest Ashford brother and runs the Cruise Line division of the Ashford Company. Now a single father, he just wants to make sure his son, Noah, is well-adjusted after the loss of his mother and living with Logan full-time. Enter Nina, the kids' director on his latest ship, who bonds with Noah immediately and is therefore offered the position of being Noah's new nanny once the ship docks. One night without kids leaves Logan and Nina drinking a little too much and accidentally married; something Noah's extremely happy about. Although it's a rocky start, things go well at first, and it seems like there's a real connection. That is, until Logan thinks Nina's trying to get Noah out of the picture to have Logan all for herself and calls it all off.

Logan and Nina get their happy ending in this standalone book in a series.

I was so right about the gang up on Logan after he messed up, and I loved that their father was also involved in that intervention as well!. Noah was such a sweet kid, and it broke my heart for how much he had to go through at such a young age. I do hope that Nina's moving back in helped bring the smiling little boy back. And I loved how in the final chapter he proved to be much like he was on the boat when he discovered their "driver's" license and had to tell everyone the good news in the best way possible. I would have loved to have seen just a bit more into the future, just to see how the Ashford brothers were doing five years down the road with their lives and how they all (hopefully) found a work/life balance that they seemed to lack at the start of each of their stories.

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

[Jenna Lundberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

*How to Defy Your Boss* by Leslie North is such a fun and engaging read it totally delivers on that mix of romance, tension, and just the right amount of workplace drama. From the first few chapters, it pulls you in with its fast pacing and playful tone, and it never really lets go. It’s the kind of book that’s easy to binge in one sitting because every chapter leaves you wanting just a little bit more.

Logan is a really strong lead. He has that classic commanding, confident boss vibe at first focused, intense, and not exactly easy to read but as the story unfolds, you get to see a much more layered side of him. There’s a protectiveness and underlying vulnerability that makes him stand out, especially in the way he reacts to Nina. He’s not just stubborn or controlling for the sake of it his actions feel rooted in real emotions, which makes his growth throughout the story really satisfying to watch.

Nina is such a great counterpart to Logan. She’s bold, determined, and absolutely not afraid to challenge him, which creates some of the best moments in the book. I loved how she doesn’t back down easily she has her own goals, her own voice, and she sticks to them even when things get complicated. At the same time, she’s not written as invincible; there’s a vulnerability and warmth to her that makes her feel very real and easy to connect with.

The chemistry between Logan and Nina is easily the highlight. Their dynamic is full of sparks lots of tension, sharp banter, and that irresistible push-and-pull that makes a romance so addictive. You can feel the buildup in every interaction, and when things finally shift, it feels completely earned. If you’re in the mood for a light, entertaining romance with strong characters and great energy, this one is definitely a must-read.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Logan loves his son, Noah, and he loves his brothers and he loves running his cruise line. There is only one little problem, his first family friendly cruise isn’t going quite to plan. Nina needs her job even if there are challenges from day one. One of the biggest challenges is Logan and his bad attitude. And then there is the problem that they might be attracted to each other.
Logan acts like he’s a mess at the beginning of the story. He has some good reasons to be stressed out and not working his best. The author used that to show how serious he is about making this cruise a success and to show how he handles stress. Through the story the author shows what a nice person he is and how loving he is. Noah has a lot of issues following his mother disappearing from his life. I am always a little concerned when a main character is a little child but the author used him just enough to humanize Logan and to help along the relationship between Logan and Nina.
Nina starts the story upbeat that this job is going to be fun. Who wouldn’t want to work on a high end cruise ship? Nina needs this job and the good money it pays so she is motivated to make things work. I didn’t love how Logan leverage her obvious need to make money so that he could get her to nanny for him but Nina made it work. At times I thought she was a little judgmental of Logan without knowing all the facts but she quickly shifted as the truth was revealed. By the end I felt like they made a good couple. I still question if the high end family friendly cruise is a good idea, though.
This is a romance between two adults. There is an imbalance in their financial stations but I feel like the author did a good job with that. This is a nice addition to the series and I would recommend the whole series. I will definitely read more from this author in the future.

[RawBookieDough · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC review

1st POV MMC and FMC
🌶️🌶️
Drunken marriage
HEA

Here we meet Logan and his 6 year old son with some trauma, and Nina who works in the Kids Club on Logan’s cruise ship. Nina forms a bond with Noah and is quickly enlisted as his nanny to help him heal during and after the cruise. As a thank you, Logan takes Nina out during a cruise stop where things get Vegas style wild!

I really liked this story and its relatability to parents. I loved that the FMC was sensible and sweet. I also liked that the MMC was kind of a goofy dad at times. The classic Leslie North third act breakup was pretty heart wrenching too. Rather than fire and snark, it was pure pain and tears. This was by far my favorite Leslie North book so far.


Spoilers ahead
*
*
*
To preface, I’m not looking for explicit realism in my romance novels, but I would say this book of the series presented with the most relatable story line (aside from the drunken marriage which ends up taking a back seat anyways). I say this because it helped me connect with the story in a way the other didn’t. I always feel the heartstrings pulled during the third act break up, but this one pulled the heart right out. I have deep bonds with children and to be removed suddenly from them would bring me to my knees. When Nina is sobbing “he didn’t even let me say goodbye!” I was nearly in tears myself. I honestly don’t think he did enough to warrant her forgiveness so quickly. I honestly wanted another 10% where she rejected his proposal because of the damage he did by the severe accusations he threw at her and the hurt! I also didn’t love how quickly things progressed after the reunion.. to go from unshakable anger and hurt to trying to get pregnant in the course of a birthday party was… not my favorite.

[Maria Ligeia Amate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gwen y Harrison han compartido un breve y apasionado lío. No se vuelven a ver hasta que, tiempo después, la empresa de Harrison la contrata para sacar a Harrison del lío en el que el bocazas se ha metido solito al arremeter contra una famosa cantante del momento.
Se ven obligados a trabajar juntos y a que los recuerdos de los momentos de pasión que compartieron estén cada vez más presentes en sus pensamientos, con la amenaza que eso supone para su relación profesional.
Creo que el único «pero» que le pondría a este libro es que la sinopsis lo destripa casi entero.
Esta historia se cuenta desde los puntos de vista de los dos protagonistas, así que en todo momento sabemos cómo son sus sentimientos y pensamientos en cuanto a las situaciones que van afrontando; vemos que, a pesar del tiempo transcurrido, no les resulta sencillo trabajar juntos porque los sentimientos que creían olvidados vuelven a resurgir con más fuerza.
Me ha gustado que, además de la parte de romance y escenas más íntimas, se hable también de la parte profesional de los dos protagonistas y del día en el que nos pueden meter las redes sociales en un momento.
Gwen demuestra ser toda una profesional con muchos recursos, capaz de dar la vuelta a situaciones adversas con inteligencia y empatía. Harrison también apunta maneras dejándose aconsejar y escuchando a los demás en los temas en los que no es experto.
Los miedos y la incertidumbre están presentes, así como la forma más o menos acertada de afrontar la vida y la esperanza de que todo salga bien; pero, a veces, se dejan llevar por lo que no deben, poniendo palos bajo sus propias ruedas.
En general ha sido una buena lectura llena de sentimientos y en la que salen animalicos. No te la pierdas.

[Korkoi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some Mistakes Turn out Even Better -
Logan thought a working vacation with his son would help bring them closer, but nothing he did helped, but everything changed after Nina came into their lives and made his son come out of his shell. The initial interactions between Logan and Nina were strained due to the different ways they handled situations that involved his son, but he soon realised that his son had been opening up more with her in their lives. However, everything changed after a decision to have dinner together changed the dynamics of Logan and Nina’s relationship.

Even though, Logan and Nina tried to keep the situation under wraps, his son let the cat out of the bag, which led to them having to come to an agreement. Spending time together brought Logan and Nina closer, which heightened their attraction for each other. Unfortunately, not long after Logan and Nina settled into their relationship, an incident occurred that led to their relationship ending, which caused a major impact on his son.

Nevertheless, neither Logan nor Nina was happy during their time apart, which led to his family getting involved and giving him the push needed to do something about it. Luckily, Logan was able to get help from his son to convince Nina to give them a second chance at building a family, which she ultimately agreed, so they could have a happily ever after. This is a really fun, enjoyable, entertaining romance story, that had me glued to the pages from the beginning, all the way through to the end. Grab a copy of this fabulous book to read and you won’t regret it.

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

[Renee Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Romantic Comedy at Its Finest

This novel feels so special, it’ll melt your heart. Logan is a single parent & is struggling to reach his young son, Noah. Noah’s mom passed away tragically & Logan’s been trying the psychologist's suggestions to help Noah overcome his grief without success. He’s so busy with the family-orientated cruise’s maiden voyage, ensuring everything flows smoothly, he hasn’t spent much time with his own son. Life on the cruise ship becomes interesting as Logan & Nina had a one-night stand, accidentally get married & then learn they work on the same ship the next day. He’s a grumpy guy & she’s full of sunshine. What a combo!

Nina is the Kids’ Club Manager, keeping the kids entertained with different activities during the daytime. Nina understands Noah & has been his lifeline, helping him with his grief, encouraging him to participate with other children & to try new activities. Nina has a positive effect on Logan & Noah’s lives – she’s a breath of fresh air.

Logan’s family welcomes Nina into the family & Logan is tuned in about Nina being a great person by helping both of them during their time of grief. Both are so much happier since Nina came into their lives & it would be a shame to shut her out of their lives. Like any typical new marriage they have their growing pains & hiccups along the way but they learn to compromise & have a HEA. I love Noah with his assumptions & his need of keeping Nina in his life. The whole story-line flowed so well, a page-turner & never a dull moment.

I received an ARC of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Anika · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re in the mood for a light, feel-good romance with a lot of charm, "How to Defy Your Boss" by Leslie North absolutely delivers.

This third installment in the Ashford Brothers series leans hard into the beloved grumpy-sunshine trope, and it works so well. The premise alone is fun—waking up married to your billionaire boss after one wild night is chaotic enough, but setting it on a cruise ship with a fake-marriage arrangement and a kid who accidentally spills the secret to everyone? It creates the perfect mix of humor, tension, and swoony moments.

What I really liked about this book is the vibe. It’s warm, playful, and easy to sink into. The heroine’s sunny, outspoken personality balances Logan’s controlled, broody energy in such a satisfying way. Their banter feels natural and often funny, and the slow shift from “this is just an arrangement” to real feelings is genuinely heart-melting. Logan being both intimidating and secretly soft—especially when it comes to his son—adds a lot of depth and makes the romance even sweeter.

Overall, this was such an enjoyable read. If you like grumpy billionaires, sunshine heroines who refuse to be intimidated, fake marriages that get a little too real, and stories that leave you smiling by the end, this one is definitely worth picking up. It’s one of those romances that’s simply fun to read and leaves you with good, cozy vibes afterward.

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

[Rebmay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Logan and Nina’s story is both sweet and spicy with a good amount of humour and some messy emotions. Nina is a child care provider on one of the cruise ships Logan and has family own. Logan is on board with his young son Noah who is rather withdrawn after the death of his mother. Logan hopes the vacation will give him a chance to connect better with his son and ease his grief. Young Noah, who is absolutely adorable and has had far too much pain in his young life, makes a real connection to Nina and begins to come out of his shell. She tries her best to help father and son to communicate better.

A shared dinner and too much alcohol leads to an unexpected marriage between Nina and Logan. Noah is all too happy to announce it to one and all. For the sake of Noah’s happiness, Nina and Logan agree to stay married, at least temporarily. Neither expected very real feelings for the other to develop or to want their marriage to last. Unfortunately, the past comes back to haunt them and serves to lead Logan into making a big error in judgement. He pushes Nina away, something she is far too used to, unfortunately. Logan ends up breaking three hearts and it takes his concerned family, including young Noah, to spur him into action to win back Nina. With protective guards erected around her heart, she certainly doesn’t make it easy. I do enjoy a good grovel and loved how Noah stepped up to coach his dad.

This heartstring-tugging book has my recommendation.

[J · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 3 in North's Ashford Brothers series. A wonderful addition / ending to this series. It can be read as a standalone but I adore this as the conclusion to the journey of the three brothers. Our main characters are Logan, the youngest of the Ashford brothers, his son Noah and Nina, a nomad looking for a forever while always caring for others, especially children. Nina is the childcare go to on a maiden voyage that Logan and his son are embarking on to promote a family friendly cruise experience. Trama has left Noah in a vulnerable state made more difficult by Logan's rigidness. Nina is a breath of fresh air for them both and somehow comes in with calm and joy to defuse even the most difficult of situations. While Logan didn't provide the best impression with Nina initially, the physical chemistry between them in undeniable and a drunken night out changes everything...for the better or not - you'll need to read the story to get the full journey. Needless to say, it will have its ups and downs with the best balance of sweet and steam and some cuteness as well. North as always delivers a well written romance that is captivating from the beginning with relatable and charming characters. I adored this book and the series, and I hate to see it come to an end but excited to see what's to come next!

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

[Allie | Looking for Likeminded Souls | Addicted to my Kindle 🫀 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really sweet story

From the first pages I was completely emerged in the plot. All three main characters were relatable and easy to connect with. Yes three!! Because we‘ve got a single dad his and his little son Noah.

I think Noah was my favourite character from the whole book series. He was so sweet and vulnerable, my heart really bled for him.

Nina is an amazing person. One could really see that her childhood left some inner scars by her over-emphatic personality. It is common for socially vulnerable children to be able to read and adapt to other‘s moods and emotions easily as a protection mechanism. This made the third act break up punch scene even more painful.

Logan is an amazing dad, struggling to adjust into his new routine. His past unaddressed trust issues made him lash out out of fear and although I can relate, I still wasn’t able to fully forgive him.

Unfortunately the make up scene felt somewhat manipulative, because Noah shouldn’t have been involved and Nina should have gotten a chance to decide wether she wants Logan back or not without her connection with Noah being wiggled in front of her. I think one or two extra chapters of his turmoil and trying and failing to get Nina back could have helped convincing me of his sincerity and her confidence that this is what she wants. Then it would have been a 5⭐️ read for me.

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all, a huge thank you to Leslie North and her PA, Ilaria, for reaching out and sending me an ARC of this book!

Anddd the last one was great too! We finally got Logan’s story. This one is just as cute as the others in the series and a very quick, easy read.

Also, this one is for my single dad trope lovers! I know there are quite a lot of you 😂

If you know me, you know I’m not the biggest fan of kids in books, but Noah is ADORABLE. I just wanted to protect him at all costs. He’s so precious and has had to go through so much 🥺

The setting was perfect. A cruise, tropical islands, and even an island that’s basically Las Vegas! So fun. They definitely had a lot of fun at the casino too 🤭

Nina is amazing. You can tell she genuinely loves working with kids, and she’s SO kind. And Logan — that man LOVES his son. We got glimpses of them in the other two books, but I really loved seeing more of them here.

What threw me off a little was the fight they had close to the end and how quickly it was resolved. The things Logan said were so horrible they made me gasp. He should’ve had to grovel way longer. But oh well, I’m glad they got their happy ending!

This was genuinely the perfect end to the series. I’m going to miss these characters. I loved all three brothers and their journeys to find their person 🥹

[Sheila M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. The opening scene that described how Logan Ashford and Nina Reyes met was priceless. Logan getting caught acting like a raving, foul-mouthed tyrant, had me rolling in my recliner. The rest of the book was just as captivating. Logan was a gorgeous, grumpy billionaire that owned a cruise line. Nina was the beautiful, cheery, ray of sunshine that was hired as the head of the ship’s daycare. Logan’s 6-year-old son Noah was timid, withdrawn, and had recently lost his mother. Noah had a strained relationship with his father. Nina was able to bond with Noah, so Logan tried to hire her away as his nanny. Nina helped bring balance to their lives. Logan and Nina shared a drunken night that resulted in a marriage. The book described their relationship as they try to decide if they want to stay married or not.

This fast-paced, opposites attract, widower/single dad story was told from dual POVs. There was plenty of workplace and family drama, plenty of humor mixed in with heavy emotions, and an adorable little boy. My favorite supporting character was Ariel, the sweet kitty that brought joy and fun to the family. I thought the book was excellent and would recommend this book to fans of workplace, single dad, and billionaire romance.

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

[Lyndi (mibookobsession) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is third in the series of Ashford brothers, all billionaire CEOs of different branches of the family company. Logan is the most controlling of them all and is overseeing the maiden voyage of his family friendly cruise line. Nina Reyes is in charge of the kids program and daycare aboard the ship, and she butts heads with Logan at every turn, especially when it comes to his young, Noah. She has a special connection with the sad and withdrawn little boy and even Logan can agree she's the only one that's been able to make him smile. After a drunken mistake leaves them unexpectedly married one night, they plan to secretly annul until Noah let's their secret slip, causing a possible PR firestorm. They agree to stay married until the gossip dies down, but when living with Logan and Noah feels like the only home she's ever known, how can Nina ever give them up?
You just have to love this little boy and seeing him come out of his grief was really my favorite part of the story. Both main characters had difficult pasts and learning to trust each other was a struggle. I enjoyed seeing them progress past their issues, and even though I expected a bigger grovel from Logan, I still enjoyed their HEA.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own