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Ava Moss
In the heart of Manhattan’s financial district, during her rise through the entry-level program of a large conglomerate, Ava Moss encounters the salacious Scott Wallace. While Ava considers her boss inscrutable she realizes her heart must remain Scott-free and not fall prey to his charismatic prowess.
Quite by accident Ava overhears computer thieves plotting to steal the firm’s investment clients and seize their information. Worried Scott will not believe her story Ava enlists the help of coworkers to catch the culprits. When Scott learns about the attempted fraud, he is angrier with Ava for not having confided in him than in any potential swindle.
Ava, heartbroken by Scott’s silence and what she considers his lack of gratitude, attempts to move on to avoid the bleak consequences of unrequited love.
245 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 19, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 2, 2017
This is an interesting, well-written story about a young woman with guts, grit, intelligence, and integrity. Ava Moss proves her mettle facing a series of challenges that might confront any woman trying to establish her career, find love, and build a life for herself. She faces a few extra challenges, however. That includes the prospect of managing her attraction to her handsome, wealthy boss, Scott Wallace, who is quite the flirt. An even bigger challenge occurs when the storyline takes a turn toward suspense and Ava takes on the role of a sleuth to stop corporate thievery. As the plot thickens, we learn more about Ava, her boss, and her colleagues. Well-developed characters and an intriguing story set in the center of Manhattan's financial district make this a fascinating read. There's an authenticity about the story that must come from the author's background in the setting she's chosen to write about--without hype or sensationalism about Wall Street bad boys. A thoroughly engaging book on many levels.
June 25, 2017
Review can also be found in Chill and read
Ava Moss had a lot of trouble growing up, going from foster care to foster care. This is also the reason that took her that long to finish college, as she had to work several parallel jobs to pay for her education. Thankfully, that ended up well when she got a job at a high end firm working on what she studied and loved. Apart from her job though, there is nothing more to lighten her days. No relationship or romance in the horizon.
To the best of her, her two friends are really worried about her well being and one of them decides to gift her a date service. Ava cannot actually reject the offer finds herself looking for the one on the six candidates she has for the night. This is pretty much how she meets Scott, even though he was not actually part of the date, only a guest at the posh restaurant that hosted the event.
Scott has just come back to New York after years in Europe when he got an ultimatum by his fiancee: either go back to US or drop the whole engagement thing. She war tired of Europe, she wanted back in the states. Scott wanted to give her what she asked for. What he didn’t plan though was to fall for Ava. Things get a bit more complicated when it turns out that Scott is a brother to Ava’s current boss and he is going to be her new boss in the newly found department in the company.
The story evolves really beautifully, with the couple being in love and not wanting to let the other half know, given Scott’s engagement. There are some awkward moments and a little esteem issues but it flows nonchalantly all the way. Ava’s friends are really supportive and they are trying to save her from getting her feelings hurt as true friends would do!
Ava Moss had a lot of trouble growing up, going from foster care to foster care. This is also the reason that took her that long to finish college, as she had to work several parallel jobs to pay for her education. Thankfully, that ended up well when she got a job at a high end firm working on what she studied and loved. Apart from her job though, there is nothing more to lighten her days. No relationship or romance in the horizon.
To the best of her, her two friends are really worried about her well being and one of them decides to gift her a date service. Ava cannot actually reject the offer finds herself looking for the one on the six candidates she has for the night. This is pretty much how she meets Scott, even though he was not actually part of the date, only a guest at the posh restaurant that hosted the event.
Scott has just come back to New York after years in Europe when he got an ultimatum by his fiancee: either go back to US or drop the whole engagement thing. She war tired of Europe, she wanted back in the states. Scott wanted to give her what she asked for. What he didn’t plan though was to fall for Ava. Things get a bit more complicated when it turns out that Scott is a brother to Ava’s current boss and he is going to be her new boss in the newly found department in the company.
The story evolves really beautifully, with the couple being in love and not wanting to let the other half know, given Scott’s engagement. There are some awkward moments and a little esteem issues but it flows nonchalantly all the way. Ava’s friends are really supportive and they are trying to save her from getting her feelings hurt as true friends would do!
July 3, 2017
This story started out fine. In fact, I found myself smiling. Ava's first encounter with Scott was charming. I could not wait to get to know them both better and see them together. Yet, the story came to a stand still and I struggled to find my footing again after only about eight chapters into the story. I agree with another reader that Scott came off as unappealing. He was rude towards Ava on many occurrences but then on the next hand he could come off as charming. Scott's rude attitude overtook his good side. While, Ava was nice, I felt like her voice was muted. Additionally, the storyline regarding computer thieves was slow to take off. Sadly, I only got about a third of the way into the book and was done.
September 12, 2017
Ava Moss is a sweet love story with a touch of suspense. From the back cover, one would expect a lot more suspense than there actually is. The book is nearly 2/3s finished before things get a little interesting.
The first 2/3s deal with Ava and her growing feelings for Scott who she met first while on a sort of speed dating event and who later ends up being her boss. I found Scott to be an absolute jerk most of the time, and I couldn't understand Ava's continued obsession with him. He's a guy that is engaged and has admitted to having indiscretions before his engagement.
Uh, Ava, why would you want to be involved with this guy?
Scott is like a Harlequin Presents alpha male, only at some point in most Harlequins, you come around to liking the guy. With Scott, you didn't really get to liking him.
Ava is 5'2 and a size two. This is something that the author repeated drums into our heads. She's also an orphan, raised in foster care, who has worked hard for everything she has. She is twenty six, though her behavior makes you feel like she's about 5 years younger. Her feelings for Scott make you question how mature she is.
I kept thinking, how can I like a character that is going after another woman's guy?
But I did, and I'm not sure why? Maybe its because it shows that even people that are supposedly smart can do stupid things? Whatever it was, I did like Ava.
I liked her spunk in trying to handle the thefts of company files. It wasn't entirely smart, but it was spunky. The outcome certainly wasn't what I was expecting, but it was enough to pave the way for her having her happily ever after.
I especially liked the ending with the envelope from Elspeth.
Overall this was a sweet romance with a little twist of suspense.
The first 2/3s deal with Ava and her growing feelings for Scott who she met first while on a sort of speed dating event and who later ends up being her boss. I found Scott to be an absolute jerk most of the time, and I couldn't understand Ava's continued obsession with him. He's a guy that is engaged and has admitted to having indiscretions before his engagement.
Uh, Ava, why would you want to be involved with this guy?
Scott is like a Harlequin Presents alpha male, only at some point in most Harlequins, you come around to liking the guy. With Scott, you didn't really get to liking him.
Ava is 5'2 and a size two. This is something that the author repeated drums into our heads. She's also an orphan, raised in foster care, who has worked hard for everything she has. She is twenty six, though her behavior makes you feel like she's about 5 years younger. Her feelings for Scott make you question how mature she is.
I kept thinking, how can I like a character that is going after another woman's guy?
But I did, and I'm not sure why? Maybe its because it shows that even people that are supposedly smart can do stupid things? Whatever it was, I did like Ava.
I liked her spunk in trying to handle the thefts of company files. It wasn't entirely smart, but it was spunky. The outcome certainly wasn't what I was expecting, but it was enough to pave the way for her having her happily ever after.
I especially liked the ending with the envelope from Elspeth.
Overall this was a sweet romance with a little twist of suspense.
September 5, 2017
You can find all of my reviews on my blog at
That's What She's Reading
This was one of those books that started out very adorably, and in such a way that I was looking forward to reading about Ava's quest for love and fulfillment with her career. However, it unfortunately began to quickly fall apart once her ultimate love interest entered the picture and that was very early on in the story! Ava and Scott were equally annoying and I couldn't understand or celebrate their relationship at all. It was simply insta-love based on physical attraction that comes across as overly cringy and awkward given that Scott is engaged and Ava's boss! I felt like I was walking on eggshells every time Scott entered the story and couldn't understand why Ava wasn't seeing how unhealthy and unsettling a relationship with this man would be. The mystery aspect was okay, but ended up being quite underwhelming given that so much of the story was centered on Scott and Ava trying to figure out if they were going to be together or not. And let's not even talk about Scott's reaction to discovering the truth about the company being defrauded. Pot, meet kettle. Overall, Ava had a lot of things going for her that would have made for a better story for me had she not been sucked in by Scott. Additionally, it was hard to bear witness to these two seemingly intelligent people becoming highly unprofessional, while still expecting me to somehow believe that against all odds they had found each other and formed a loving and lasting bond. I didn't by it and I didn't appreciate it. This was simply not the story I was looking for.
DISCLAIMER: I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest and thoughtful review.
This was one of those books that started out very adorably, and in such a way that I was looking forward to reading about Ava's quest for love and fulfillment with her career. However, it unfortunately began to quickly fall apart once her ultimate love interest entered the picture and that was very early on in the story! Ava and Scott were equally annoying and I couldn't understand or celebrate their relationship at all. It was simply insta-love based on physical attraction that comes across as overly cringy and awkward given that Scott is engaged and Ava's boss! I felt like I was walking on eggshells every time Scott entered the story and couldn't understand why Ava wasn't seeing how unhealthy and unsettling a relationship with this man would be. The mystery aspect was okay, but ended up being quite underwhelming given that so much of the story was centered on Scott and Ava trying to figure out if they were going to be together or not. And let's not even talk about Scott's reaction to discovering the truth about the company being defrauded. Pot, meet kettle. Overall, Ava had a lot of things going for her that would have made for a better story for me had she not been sucked in by Scott. Additionally, it was hard to bear witness to these two seemingly intelligent people becoming highly unprofessional, while still expecting me to somehow believe that against all odds they had found each other and formed a loving and lasting bond. I didn't by it and I didn't appreciate it. This was simply not the story I was looking for.
DISCLAIMER: I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest and thoughtful review.
May 23, 2017
FTC: I received a free copy of this book from Pump Up Your Book in exchange for my honest review. I received no other compensation and the opinions expressed in this review are one hundred percent true and my own.
Ava Moss by Joss Landry was a good book, but it wasn’t one of my favorites. These types of books are my guilty pleasure because for the most part, I won’t ever admit to reading most of them but they are great when I want a book that is just a happy go lucky book, and this one fits into the category for me. I really did enjoy this author writing, and I would be open to reading other books by her in the future. I go annoyed by Ava throughout the book but in the end in I always found myself loving her again and again. If you love reading Christian romance books because they don’t ever have any of the gross things in them I would recommend this book to you because it didn’t have anything in it that would make anyone uncomfortable. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a fun chick lit book to read this spring and summer I would recommend this book you. If you have read it what do you think of it?
Ava Moss by Joss Landry was a good book, but it wasn’t one of my favorites. These types of books are my guilty pleasure because for the most part, I won’t ever admit to reading most of them but they are great when I want a book that is just a happy go lucky book, and this one fits into the category for me. I really did enjoy this author writing, and I would be open to reading other books by her in the future. I go annoyed by Ava throughout the book but in the end in I always found myself loving her again and again. If you love reading Christian romance books because they don’t ever have any of the gross things in them I would recommend this book to you because it didn’t have anything in it that would make anyone uncomfortable. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a fun chick lit book to read this spring and summer I would recommend this book you. If you have read it what do you think of it?
September 10, 2017
Ava Moss by Joss Landry was a well-written romance novel that had a realistic feel to it. It was not one of those automatic love at first sight romances that always feel so fake. I liked the fact that it also had elements of mystery and suspense with how Ava overheard computer thieves plotting to steal the firm's investment clients and seize their information. I found her decision to try and stop them herself with the help of coworkers to be rather impulsive, but I liked it because it made Ava seem more like a real person who does sometimes make bad choices.
June 14, 2017
Such a good story line! And how can you not fall in love with Ava!!! And the ending.. was differently not what I was thinking. So when an author gives me all the above you know that's a dang good read. Especially when the author can top all that off with making you relate your own personal life, past or present, can be related!
March 11, 2017
Ava Moss is a smart, engaging character who breaks the mold of fem fatale, determined not to fall into the handsome boss trap, especially when she learns he’s engaged to a well-placed partner in the firm. Focused on securing a successful financial career, she stumbles on a plot by other employees to steal from her new company.
The story gets off to a captivating start, when Ava unknowingly meets her new boss while waiting for a blind date arranged through a dating service gift from a friend. She can’t get him out of her mind. It doesn’t help that she learns his fiancé is plotting to defraud the company. If she clues him in, will he believe her, or think she’s only trying to discredit his fiancé?
Another winner from Joss Landry.
The story gets off to a captivating start, when Ava unknowingly meets her new boss while waiting for a blind date arranged through a dating service gift from a friend. She can’t get him out of her mind. It doesn’t help that she learns his fiancé is plotting to defraud the company. If she clues him in, will he believe her, or think she’s only trying to discredit his fiancé?
Another winner from Joss Landry.
February 17, 2017
The tension gradually grew in this story of the corporate investment world. A young woman, Ava makes her way into a life of top clients and intrigue.
A secret love she cannot divulge, a sinister plot to embezzle company funds and the support of friends, makes this narrative interesting with its plots and hidden depths.
Is there a happy ending? You will have to read it to find out.
A secret love she cannot divulge, a sinister plot to embezzle company funds and the support of friends, makes this narrative interesting with its plots and hidden depths.
Is there a happy ending? You will have to read it to find out.
February 13, 2017
Joss Landry hits the nail on the head again with this new novel, Ava Moss!
Ava is the hero all young women need who are searching for the right job, right man and overall; the perfect path. It’s easy to get on Ava’s side. She’s single, living alone and just trying to find herself. I rooting for her through every tough turn trying to take her off course and clapped like a proud mother when she found herself gliding smoothly into happily ever after.
Ava is the hero all young women need who are searching for the right job, right man and overall; the perfect path. It’s easy to get on Ava’s side. She’s single, living alone and just trying to find herself. I rooting for her through every tough turn trying to take her off course and clapped like a proud mother when she found herself gliding smoothly into happily ever after.
November 12, 2016
What a great story! What I appreciated the most about “Ava Moss” was that it’s not your ordinary “chick-lit” romance with superficial characters, because Ava can be called anything but superficial. Raised by multiple adoptive families, she fought her way up to one of the biggest New York investment firms, and devoted all of her time to becoming a successful young woman. Only, Ava’s basically inexistent love life prompted her co-worker to give Ava an invitation for the Mate for Life event – several blind dates to be exact; however, during that evening Ava met a mysterious stranger, and that meeting would soon turn her whole life upside down.
Besides an engaging plot with lots of twists and turns and multiple characters who are so vividly presented that you feel like you know each and every one of them, what I really loved about this novel was the setting. As a New Yorker, I especially appreciated how accurately the city was presented and how I could virtually picture every place in front of my eyes. A fatal attraction between Scott and Ava, a mystery behind the traitor within the investment team, and last but not least an unexpected turn concerning Ava’s real birth parents made this story impossible to put down. Five stars!
Besides an engaging plot with lots of twists and turns and multiple characters who are so vividly presented that you feel like you know each and every one of them, what I really loved about this novel was the setting. As a New Yorker, I especially appreciated how accurately the city was presented and how I could virtually picture every place in front of my eyes. A fatal attraction between Scott and Ava, a mystery behind the traitor within the investment team, and last but not least an unexpected turn concerning Ava’s real birth parents made this story impossible to put down. Five stars!
May 1, 2017
MY THOUGHTS
The author gives us a woman who is not only smart, had a lot of will power and she had standards above and beyond,She has her sights on a financial career. The author gives us a cozy romance mystery but it's not your ordinary one. Ava hasn't had an easy life. She has had a rather hard life. But even through it all, she doesn't think she's better than anyone else, she's just Ava. She didn't have a stable childhood, being put in one foster home after another but excel she did. She pulled herself up by the bootstraps and worked at being a successful business woman. Ava didn't think of having romance in her life, so one of her co-workers decides to help the cause, giving her an invitation to Mate for Life. Ava decided to try it and during that evening of several blind dates, she meets a mysterious man. That man would soon change her life. The author gives the reader that big town setting of New York and gives the reader an pretty accurate description of what it is like. A good look into Wall Street and the men associated with. The characters are well described as are the settings. The descriptions are so realistic you can see them in your mind. The author gives the reader a bit of everything, a romance that may be more of a danger, deceit in the firm in which Ava works and an unexpected surprise. The question of Ava's birth had always been present, especially since we know she was in several foster homes when young. Who were her parents and what happened to them? Were they alive, dead or? What will happen with the relationship between Scott and Ava? Will the culprit in the firm be found out? I'm not usually fond of cozy stories but this one kept my attention from start to finish. I wanted to know all about Ava, her childhood, her life in the financial world and, of course, romance, that is, if it's meant to be. If you want to get lost in this romantic, mystery and the life of Ava Moss grab a copy and you won't be able to let go.
I receive a copy of this book from the author and PUYB and voluntarily decided to review it.
The author gives us a woman who is not only smart, had a lot of will power and she had standards above and beyond,She has her sights on a financial career. The author gives us a cozy romance mystery but it's not your ordinary one. Ava hasn't had an easy life. She has had a rather hard life. But even through it all, she doesn't think she's better than anyone else, she's just Ava. She didn't have a stable childhood, being put in one foster home after another but excel she did. She pulled herself up by the bootstraps and worked at being a successful business woman. Ava didn't think of having romance in her life, so one of her co-workers decides to help the cause, giving her an invitation to Mate for Life. Ava decided to try it and during that evening of several blind dates, she meets a mysterious man. That man would soon change her life. The author gives the reader that big town setting of New York and gives the reader an pretty accurate description of what it is like. A good look into Wall Street and the men associated with. The characters are well described as are the settings. The descriptions are so realistic you can see them in your mind. The author gives the reader a bit of everything, a romance that may be more of a danger, deceit in the firm in which Ava works and an unexpected surprise. The question of Ava's birth had always been present, especially since we know she was in several foster homes when young. Who were her parents and what happened to them? Were they alive, dead or? What will happen with the relationship between Scott and Ava? Will the culprit in the firm be found out? I'm not usually fond of cozy stories but this one kept my attention from start to finish. I wanted to know all about Ava, her childhood, her life in the financial world and, of course, romance, that is, if it's meant to be. If you want to get lost in this romantic, mystery and the life of Ava Moss grab a copy and you won't be able to let go.
I receive a copy of this book from the author and PUYB and voluntarily decided to review it.
May 3, 2017
The heart of "Ava Moss" by Joss Landry is Ava lusting and loving a man who she can't have. They meet early on in the book and then the journey goes from there. While this is happening, Ava is also trying to learn the ropes in a new position at work and is attempting to fit in with a team that has already bonded before her. Add a bit of mystery and betrayal, and you have "Ava Moss".
I enjoyed Ava as a character. She is cute, quirky, and has a tendency to find herself in awkward situations. She adds an element of charm to Landry's story, and the reader can't help but like her.
The love story, however, was another story for me. He was playing hot and cold with her through most of the book, and when he was hot it was mostly just physical need, but his cold side is mean and makes Ava feel belittled and confused. I didn't see how he could be the love interest with how poorly he treats Ava.
Even their first kiss was unsettling for me when he grabs her in the middle of a fight and starts "kissing her on the lips hard while maintaining his grip even as she fussed". I'm sorry, but I'm not okay with the "fuss"ing part. It even continues to describe it as something that "started as punishment". Their relationship for me just didn't hit the mark and had too much emotional abuse.
There was also a lot of bad grammar, especially at the beginning, making the sentences hard to follow at times. Also, it seemed like the writing itself was inconsistent at times. Parts were overly descriptive with flowery sentences and others were more straight forward (which I preferred).
If you can get past the lack of commas (I eventually did and was able to find myself getting in to the story) and the relationship doesn't bother you, this book might be okay for you. The core of the story and Ava's interactions with her friends and coworkers are fun and interesting. There's nothing wrong with the concept of "Ava Moss", it was just some technical aspects that I couldn't get past.
I enjoyed Ava as a character. She is cute, quirky, and has a tendency to find herself in awkward situations. She adds an element of charm to Landry's story, and the reader can't help but like her.
The love story, however, was another story for me. He was playing hot and cold with her through most of the book, and when he was hot it was mostly just physical need, but his cold side is mean and makes Ava feel belittled and confused. I didn't see how he could be the love interest with how poorly he treats Ava.
Even their first kiss was unsettling for me when he grabs her in the middle of a fight and starts "kissing her on the lips hard while maintaining his grip even as she fussed". I'm sorry, but I'm not okay with the "fuss"ing part. It even continues to describe it as something that "started as punishment". Their relationship for me just didn't hit the mark and had too much emotional abuse.
There was also a lot of bad grammar, especially at the beginning, making the sentences hard to follow at times. Also, it seemed like the writing itself was inconsistent at times. Parts were overly descriptive with flowery sentences and others were more straight forward (which I preferred).
If you can get past the lack of commas (I eventually did and was able to find myself getting in to the story) and the relationship doesn't bother you, this book might be okay for you. The core of the story and Ava's interactions with her friends and coworkers are fun and interesting. There's nothing wrong with the concept of "Ava Moss", it was just some technical aspects that I couldn't get past.
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