Out of Office

by Elvie Everly

Come on, Barbie
Let’s take this offline

Barbie Ho is not a bot. She’s just a QC project lead who’s spent the last two years dealing with the most aggravating coworker she’s never met.

Ethan Carter is not a slacker. He’s just a QA project lead who’s spent the last two years dealing with the most nitpicky coworker he’s never met.

When both remote employees are blindsided by a three-day conference their boss expects them to attend, neither is ecstatic at the idea of finally meeting their workplace nemesis face-to-face.

Yet their first in-person encounter is anything but a disaster. The connection is immediate. The chemistry is undeniable. It doesn’t hurt that they can commiserate over having a difficult coworker together, or that they don’t know who the person sitting next to them on the flight truly is… until one off-handed comment clues the other in at last, and suddenly, it’s business as usual. Only this time, there’s more at stake than just deadlines.

Genres: Romance

218 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 30, 2026

About the author

Born in the late 1900s, Elvie Everly is a major book lover and romance junkie at heart. She loves to write about swoon-worthy heroes in her spare time.

Reviews

[ashlee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: Out of Office
ARC Provided By: Netgalley, Victory Editing
Author: Elvie Everly
Expected Release Date: 06|30|2026
Genre: Rom-Com
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Main Characters: Barbie + Ethan
Book Type: Standalone

Okayyy, this is literally the cutest workplace romance read. Not only did I request this book on Netgalley because of the cover, but the story hooked me from page one.

I absolutely loved their snarky online banter and seeing how their relationship bloomed from the airplane trip. These two characters were so adorable and I loved seeing how they went from enemies to teasing each other to lovers.

I highly recommend you adding this to your TBR!

Thank you to NetGalley, Victory Editing and Author Elvie Everly for the arc. All thoughts in this review are my own.

[Books With Livvy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’m so upset to say this but I really really did not like this book. Book one from this author was absolutely amazing and a 6 star read but this, this was just not it. a chocolate teapot and a fire had more chemistry than these 2 characters, Barbie was super annoying and whiny 😫 and the dude who’s name I can’t even remember (and I’ve just finished…) was just a big douche. I’m so disappointed. 😞

The romance felt more like insta because everything happened far too fast. There “meet cute” was terrible because it was insta love like. No tension even when they are fighting. Just sounded like to siblings squabbling over the tv remote. So Yh didn’t like it.

[Faiza BEGUM · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was an absolute delight from beginning to end! 🥰✈️💼 I originally picked it up because the cover immediately caught my attention, but it didn't take long for the story itself to completely win me over.

The chemistry between the main characters was fantastic. Their interactions were filled with playful jabs, witty comebacks, and the kind of back-and-forth that had me smiling constantly. 💬😂 The online exchanges especially were some of my favorite moments—they were clever, entertaining, and made it impossible not to root for them.

What I really appreciated was how naturally their relationship evolved. Despite years of not exactly being each other's biggest fans, once circumstances brought them together in person, the story didn't rely on endless misunderstandings or forced hostility. Instead, they slowly began to see each other in a new light, and watching that shift happen felt authentic and believable. ❤️

The airplane trip was such a fun catalyst for their story. From there, their connection developed gradually through shared moments, teasing conversations, and genuine curiosity about one another. It never felt rushed, which made the romance even sweeter when feelings finally started to surface. ✈️✨

I loved how the enemies-to-lovers aspect focused more on playful rivalry than actual animosity. Their dynamic was lighthearted, charming, and full of tension in all the right ways. One minute they were trading sarcastic remarks, and the next they were learning things about each other that completely changed their perspectives. 🥹💕

The workplace setting added another enjoyable layer to the story without overshadowing the romance. It created plenty of opportunities for awkward encounters, funny moments, and the kind of forced interaction that romance readers love. 📚💼

More than anything, this book left me feeling happy. It was warm, easy to fall into, and packed with lovable moments that made me genuinely invested in the characters. Their journey from reluctant coworkers to friends and eventually something much more was incredibly satisfying to watch. 🥰

If you're a fan of workplace romances, witty banter, slow-building attraction, and enemies-to-lovers stories with lots of heart, this is definitely one to add to your TBR. 💖📖✨

[Crystal Conwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

NetGalley ARC Review

Out of Office by Elvie Elverly is a cute workplace romance with great banter and an engaging enemies-to-lovers dynamic.

The story follows two remote employees, Barbie and Ethan, who talk every day but have an angsty work relationship and have never seen each other on camera. When they are both selected to go on a work trip, they unknowingly end up on the same flight and eventually realize they are each other’s work nemesis.

Once they arrive at the hotel, they are hit with the one-bed micro trope, and the trip quickly turns into a journey of discovery for both of them. They realize they can actually have fun together and that the image they each created of the other person is nowhere near accurate. By the end of the trip, they become dependent on each other and start a long-distance friendship that looks like a relationship to everyone around them except the two of them.

Ethan discovers that everything he believed to be true about his family was wrong, which forces him to rethink his life and goals. Barbie also has to face her own demons from past relationships and examine what truly makes her happy.

The banter between Barbie and Ethan is gold throughout the book, and I loved watching their relationship shift from work enemies to something much deeper. It ends with a HEA, and if you love workplace romance, enemies to lovers, long distance, forced proximity, and good banter, this book may be for you.

[Sam Heeti · Rating 3 out of 5]

I absolutely loved Elvie’s first book and had high hopes for this one. This definitely gave rom-com vibes, and I’m not super big into those. But I did still enjoy this book. There’s a little spice which I enjoyed. I wasn’t a big fan of the character names, but it does fit the rom-com situation. I really liked the aspect of these characters being coworkers that have never met and hate each other but fall for each other when they do meet. What I didn’t care for is the quick jump from hating one another to liking each other. It felt too quick. It would’ve been better if they met at a hotel or something at the convention, fell for each other then realized who they were. Rather than it happening in the flight there. It felt as though there were pieces on the story missing as well. It was hard to tell with the banter if they still didn’t like each other or if they did. The flow of the story was a bit off for me. I liked the depth that the characters had with their pasts. I wish we got a little more of Barbie’s past, but I enjoyed their different family dynamics.

[Liz Sturg · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley. I loved the banter between these two, from the company emails to the phone calls of them bickering with each other. The meeting on the plane was chefs kiss! I loved how the FMC was all handsy with the MMC on the plane and then once they figured out who they were and they went back to hating each other. Then the forced room share and then the FMC feeling bad because he woke up with a neck kink. I enjoyed how their relationship progressed from hate to actually getting to know each other. I loved how they finally gave in and then they were so sad to both leave to their respective homes but they still longed for each other. They were in a long distance relationship even though they were in denial. I loved how they ended up and then they took their baby back to the place where they met each other and the MMC fed the trash panda! I thought that was so adorable. They went from working in a place they both hated to finally doing the type of job they loved.

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Out of Office by Elvie Everly is a charming contemporary romance that perfectly balances heartfelt emotion, witty banter, and undeniable chemistry. In this story, we are introduced to the FMC Barbie Ho, a QC project lead who’s spent the last two years dealing with her coworker, the MMC Ethan Carter, another QC project lead. One of the things that I loved about this novel is its exploration of work-life balance and the importance of choosing happiness over constant hustle. The characters are well-developed, each carrying emotional baggage that adds depth to their relationship. Their growth, both individually and together, makes the romance feel earned rather than rushed. Overall, Out of Office was a delightful romance that reminds us that success isn't measured solely by career achievements, it can also be found in meaningful relationships and taking the time to truly live.

I received an ARC copy from Netgalley. Thank you so much for giving me a chance to read and voluntarily review this novel!

[Karee Tee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm going to go out on a limb and say this book has the smartest banter of any book I've read.

This book follows two co-workers who drive each other up the wall, but who have also only ever interacted online. So... when they each get sent to a work conference, they, of course, have no idea who the other person is when they start catching feelings on the plane ride there. Ugh! Love it!

Again, I can't overstate how clever this book is. The online exchanges between them were particularly delightful. I was in full kick-my-feet-giggly mode the whole time I read this. Truly, it is workplace enemies-to-lovers at its finest.

This book is for lovers of banter, tension, spice, and amazing characters. All the stars!

[Tessa K · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really cute workplace romance. I loved the teasing and banter between the main characters. Even though they had disliked each other for two years, I liked that once they finally met in real life, they didn’t fall back into that dynamic. Their relationship felt fun and natural, and it was enjoyable watching them get to know each other. Overall, this was a sweet story, and if you enjoy enemies-to-lovers romances, I would definitely recommend picking this one up.


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

[Sammlxlibrary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Out of Office is such a fun romance packed with light hearted banter, enemies to lovers and summer vibes.

Definitely recommend putting this on your summer list this year ☀️🌸

I just inhaled this book so quickly due to how easy flow the story is. Straight into the plot with workplace enemies and into forced proximity. What more can you ask for?

Fantastic read throughout thank you to NetGalley, Elvie Everly and Victory Editing for my copy to review!

[Maja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many thanks to Netgalley as well as Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for providing this ARC!

Well, what can I say - not only the cover was totally cute, the story itself was as well. Barbie and Ethan did give me so much joy, I could even forget our FMC was really named Barbie (it is not a bad name. But I grew up with Barbie so it felt sort of... odd). Their chemistry was great and I had fun reading their banter and little rivalry. Can only recommend!

[Pashy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely adored Barbie and Ethan's relationship, this is such a sweet and wholesome story full of workplace rivalry...until they meet in person hehe. The back and forth flirting and banter was so good and I loved how well they communicated with each other.
Long distance relationships where they play farming sims together too...so dang cute!

[Olivia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a cute summer read. The banter and tension was a 10/10. This book is a must read for anyone who loves enemies to lovers and the only one bed tropes.

[Emily Fangirl Fibers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Out of Office was a fun, feel-good romance with great banter, plenty of chemistry, and the perfect vacation vibe. It was a quick, easy read that left me smiling from start to finish.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the refreshing kind of read I needed. I loved the banter between Barbie and Ethan! I always eat up the enemies to friends to lovers trope!