Boundaries

by Ica Iova

Gabriela Parson joins a prestigious law firm in Vancouver expecting the usual discomfort of starting a new job. Instead, she is faced with her one-night stand from years ago—none other than her new boss—Landon Godchild.

Old sparks reignite, but Gabriela has principles and one dating rule: absolutely no office romance. Landon, in contrast, is determined to continue what they started if only he could convince Gabriela that rules are meant to be broken. But an anonymous letter brings his efforts to a halt and sends Gabriela searching for the truth.

Up against the unknown, she must navigate through a minefield of frustration, fear, and mistrust as her pursuit for innocence propels her deep into a bizarre vortex, where reality blurs into illusion, and evil looms in the shadows.

Is any love strong enough to withstand such dynamics?

Genres: Contemporary Romance

250 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 21, 2015

About the author

Ica Iova is a Canadian multi award-winning author of several books. In 2014, her award-winning romance novel, Boundaries, was a finalist at World’s Best Story. Also in 2014, Ica won 3rd place at Tallenge short story competition with a short story titled, The Haunted House.
In 2015 her paranormal romance She Never Got To Say Goodbye won bronze at World’s Best Story
She writes what she enjoys reading. When she is not writing, editing, or marketing, she’s a proud wife, mother, and grandmother, with a substantial sense of humor. She loves spending time with her family and pets, shopping for shoes, or just lazing around with a good book. She values the simple things money can’t buy, never compares herself with anyone else, never expects others to agree with her, and never follows the crowd.

Reviews

[Kayla Krantz · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Gabriela starts her new job, she is drawn to Landon and embarrassed to find out that her boss is someone she had had a brief one-night stand with two years before. Even better, he remembers her and wants to continue their relationship. However, something seems off to Gabriela and as she learns the truth Gabriela is pulled into a mystery that endangers her and those around her.

My favorite thing about Ica Iova’s books is how real she makes the characters feel. The lust and romantic tension between Gabriela and Landon throughout the story was both believable and emotionally charged. Miss Iova not only created a strongly sounded prose in this novel, but the world in which the characters are is beautifully described. It’s done in such a way that I can picture the world, both the beautiful and the dark.

Truly captivating.

[D.N. Hoxa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gabriela is a strong woman, career driven, beautiful. She also doesn't believe in love. But when she lands her dream job and her boss, Landon, turns out to be the guy starring in the most unforgettable night of her life, she is forced to rethink all her principles.
Landon was a classic womanizer until he had an amazing night with a woman 2 years ago, and never got over it. When the same woman shows up for a job interview, he just can't help himself. He's very persuasive, and Gabriela tries to seem unimpressed, but fails miserable, each time. She must learn to let go of her fear.

The story was an exciting read with a twist I did not see coming (maybe two twists?), but I enjoyed very much. I'd recommend it to all romance readers.

[Gloria Antypowich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ica Iova is a skilled author who makes her characters feel very real. “Boundaries” is her second book and as soon as I finished it I downloaded “She Never Got To Say Goodbye.”
First off I admit, I was predisposed to like Boundaries because it was set in Vancouver, British Columbia—the most beautiful city in the province I live in. But once I started to read I got drawn into Gabriela Parson and Landon Godchild’s world and to be honest I forgot about the beautiful city that I know because it ultimately took me to the darker, seedy side of it.
Can you imagine what it would be like to be Gabriela, landing the job of her dreams in a prestigious law firm, determined to prove her worth—only to discover that her handsome, sexy boss, is a man that she’d had a blurry one night stand with years ago. Not only did she not recognise him at first, but how shocking to discover that he clearly remembers her. And he wants to pick up where they left off!
Iova clearly portrayed Gabriela’s struggle with herself. To become intimately involved with her boss is against her rules, her principles and is also a certain route to professional suicide. But Landon does everything he can to persuade her to bend her rules.
But this book becomes so much more than a simple romance when Gabriela starts to dig deeper into the case that she is working on with Langdon and suspicion and doubts arise about Jack Richwood and her boss.
Her best friend, Bianca Miller, and Gabriela start to “investigate” on their own and find themselves in unimagined danger. I found myself reading anxiously, hoping that somehow they would be found before it was too late.
Highly recommended!

[Melanie Adkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gabriela Parson had landed her first job! The most terrific part is it's her dream job. She can't wait to get started. She'll be working for the largest law firm in Vancouver. Her best friend Bianca is thrilled for her. Gabriela's first day doesn't go quite the way she'd hoped. Who knew she'd meet the man she had a one night stand with two years before. It seems some mistakes do come back to haunt you when you least expect it. Landon Godchild is THE bachelor of Vancouver. Women drool at the sight of him. He's also Gabriela's new boss. There's something he needs to tell her but isn't sure just how. No one expects what happens, not even Gabriela.

This is a fabulous second chance love story. I felt Gabriela is a little bipolar about her moods, but it adds to the fun. I felt as though I were right there when Gabriela spoke. Landon is a dream guy for everyone, everyone but Gaby. You'll feel the tension in their offices. I wanted to jump in the book and help Gaby. You'll be surprised by all the twists and turns in this one. I know I was. This book is a good read. It is well paced, so there aren't any big lulls. The writing is superb and the characters divine. Even those you love to hate.

I found no issues.

I gave this book 5 cheers out of 5 because it really is a superb read. ~Copy of book provided by author in exchange for a fair review~

[Catherine Wright (Cat's Guilty Pleasure) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given a copy by the author in exchange for an honest review.

If you enjoy a romance with suspense thrown in, then you will love this story. This is my my first book by Ica and I am impressed.

Gabriela has landed her dream job at a law firm. On her first day she meets the man she had a one night stand with two years ago. Landon is the most eligible bachelor of Vancouver and Gabriela's boss. He has a secret he wants to tell her, but he doesn't know how. What comes next is unexpected for everyone. I really enjoyed this book, it is one of my favorite types of romance, second chance at love. It is a fast paced read and her writing style is outstanding.

Review done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official. For more information regarding our reviews please visit our fansite at http://www.facebook.com/nerdgirl.ng

[Karen Bartell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boundaries is Ica Iova’s second love story. If you’re looking for romantic suspense, Boundaries is it. When Gabriela Parson joins a prestigious law firm and meets Vancouver’s premier bachelor, Landon Godchild, sparks fly. A master at creating and sustaining sexual tension, Ica knows how to turn a phrase and how to make the reader keep turning the pages!

[Andreea Pryde · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boundaries is an emotional rollercoaster, yet very easy to read. Hooked from the first page, I was blown away by some of the dramatic twists between the characters. Trust me, you won't see that coming *evil grin*.
The author does a brilliant job in painting very realistic emotions on each and every page, not to mention the characters. It’s like they will pop out the page at any moment and come have a coffee with you.

[Genevieve Raas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing romantic suspense!

I could not put this book down! The romantic tension between Gabriella and London was rich and I couldn’t get enough of them. The characters are written so exceptionally well that you believe they are real.

Not only that, but the plot itself is full of mystery and intrigue that kept me on the edge of my seat. The pace was perfect, and flowed smoothly. The writing itself is tight and vivid.

I highly recommend this romantic suspense! Five stars!

[J.D. Carabella · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been considering my review for this. I enjoyed it, yet got really frustrated.
I thought the characterization of Gabriela and Landon were good. I felt that I got to see inside them and feel what they were experiencing pretty clearly. Their sexual tension through the first half of the book was intense. Lots of 'will we', 'no we won't's. A scene in the elevator was especially sexy to me.

Landon had carried a torch for two years, and he didn't care if Gabriela worked for him or not. I understand her reluctance - who wants everyone to think you only got the job and got ahead because you're sleeping with the boss! No one wants that! I felt she should quit her damn job and get in bed with him already personally. I wouldn't want to work where everyone thought I got hired because the boss had the hots for me. But I felt Landon was too hot to pass up.

The MCs interactions were steamy and sexy and I couldn't wait until they finally gave into their pent up passions and consummated their relationship! Ica teased us nicely along with that and it felt like a relatively straight forward erotic romance. Except it wasn't. Erotic that is. It faded to black. So if you like the steamy, foreplay stuff without going explicit, this is for you. I know plenty of people don't like the detailed stuff. So I'm not lowering the rating for that or anything, but I was disappointed.

My issue was with the disjointed nature of the first and second parts of the books. It was like completely different books were glued together. A bunch of new characters were introduced and we had new POVs. They were not done poorly, it was just sudden and different than how the very tight back and forth between Gabriela and Landon had gone the entire first half of the book, so it was jarring. The plot totally changed to suddenly become a thriller with lots of excitement, fear and a somewhat cartoonishly diabolical villain. They didn't feel like they went together.

I wish the author would have spread the thriller plot through the whole book and the romance through the whole book instead of separating them. There were tiny hints of the suspense in the first half, but not much. Then only tiny bits of romance at the end - and very little Landon with all the new characters. I also didn't feel that the second half of the book was as tightly written, there were more parts that felt awkward and could have used a bit of smoothing out.

It was an entertaining read. However like eating ice cream with potato chips, some people like it, but your tastes may vary.

I received a free copy of this book for an honest review.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great story, but to much cat and mouse chasing in the beginning. Gabriela wasted to much time having Landon chasing her. I find Gaby to be inconsistent with her moods swings. I think I got whiplash... LOL Then when she finally realizes they're meant to be.... not long lived! Yes, No, Maybe so!! I don't know!!

Gaby starts to work in this Law Firm. Her and Landon start working on a case together. Gaby senses somethings not right with the guy they're suppose to defend in court. Gaby goes snooping and finds evidence to support what she already knew. Next thing she remembers is being strapped to a table. Jack, her client, has kidnapped and drugged her. Ready to perform a mind altering experiment on her. No one knows where she's at. Landon is going crazy, hoping to find her in time before Jack has a chance to erase her mind or worse...

Gaby and Landon are a great book couple. I couldn't help but to fall for Landon. The perfect description of a dream guy. Pure Romance.

This story was not a memorable story. It's not one I will remember off the top of my head. There was no reaching out, grabbing me and pulling me in. I am glad I read the book. It wasn't a waste of time.

Thank you, Ica Iova for giving me the chance to explore your world!!

[Anne Hamilton · Rating 3 out of 5]

First of all, let me say that I've clicked on 3 stars because, for me, it just misses being 4, but Boundaries is an enjoyable read. In a nutshell, Gabriela Parson finds her dream man and her dream job at a law firm at the same time; shame is that the former is the boss of the latter. Gabriela feels the two are incompatible and the novel centres on this dilemma. The sub-plot involves a - literally - evil doctor conducting human-mind experiments and the resultant lawsuit. For me, it was in this 'thriller' element that the story really came alive and I wished the novel had begun here and weaved Gabriela's romantic dilemmas into it - as it stands the 'will she/won't she' (succumb to the boss's charms) got slightly irritating, because of course she was going to! That said, the intensity and sexual tension of that chase is almost palpable and well done, it was, for me, just missing the extra dimension of the story that came later on. Ica Iova tells a good story and this is an easy and entertaining read - I think I was slightly disappointed because it could have been a great story which didn't quite fulfil its potential. Still, I'll certainly read more of Iova's work as I've a sneaking feeling the best is yet to come!

[Jacqueline Gunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Romantic tension builds and doesn't relent in this passionate story about Gabriela and Landon, who had shared one night of lust two-years before and meet again. The characters are well-developed and the internal narratives of both Gabriela and Landon make for a tense, emotionally charged read. I couldn't put the book down really, nearly on the edge of my seat waiting for them to finally consummate. The stakes get higher and higher and the intensity between them increases with each page, creating a compelling, even thrilling read.

Ms. Iova is a beautiful writer. Her prose is elegant and I felt swept away both by the story and her flowing use of language. One consideration is the ending: well-done and enjoyable, but the way it unfolded seemed unrealistic. Since the first three quarters of the story was totally realistic and enthralling, I expected the last bit to be the same. Still a powerful finale. And a thoroughly enjoyable read. I read it in two days and I really loved it! I'm still thinking about Landon Godchild. *blush*

[R.A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Boundaries was an interesting read. Gaby and Landon are a fun couple that act a little strangely sometimes just like real human beings. I liked that Gaby was a lawyer. The story itself was absorbing with many different plot elements coming together. There were a few things that I do have to mention in order to give an honest review, though. First, there are quite a few typos and errors, which kept pulling me out of the story. This is unfortunate because the story is pretty good and deserves a good edit. And the dialogue at times was unrealistic. The setting on the other hand was well-crafted and at times the language was very well done. If you enjoy a heroine who just gets a ton of crazy things thrown at her and somehow comes through it all, and hot heroes that make your knees go weak, then you’ll like this book. The reason I’m giving it three stars is because of the errors and the dialogue. If the author were to fix those issues, I’d be happy to give it a four star review.

[Mina Harker · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you like minimal and not particularly graphic sex scenes, lots of hot sexual tension, third person perspective from both the female and male love interests, and a perpetually dickish male love interests (think Christian Grey sans the “BDSM”), Boundaries is for you. I love romance stories that get told at least a little from the male perspective. It's something I'm always craving and just have the hardest time finding. I was really glad to find something that got me inside the guy's head. But man, I just straight up hate Landon. On like a personal level. I couldn't manage to get over that. I liked the side story and I think if you like the book blurb, you'll probably like the book.

[Rory · Rating 5 out of 5]

BOUNDARIES by Ica Iova is a fast paced romantic thriller that effectively draws the reader in page-after-page. The main characters are well developed. Gabriela Parson a recent law school graduate and her handsome boss, the wealthy, Landon Godchild. Growth of both occur through a twisted plot that jumps from dangling circumstances to intriguing hooks expertly. The author does a nice job of bring the reader into the visceral emotions that comprise relationships, crime, and fear of death. What more could you want. The book is a great read for both romance and thriller enthusiasts. I read BOUNDARIES as a member of the Goodreads Review Group.