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You’re Fired
When poor college student Rose Walsh gives out an inappropriate gag gift at her office Christmas party, it backfires horribly. The gift’s recipient is her boss, the esteemed president of Gio Corp., Vivian Tracey, and the only thing that can save Rose now is her smarts.
Instead of firing her, Vivian blackmails math major Rose into joining her on a business trip to New York to investigate an embezzlement. A week out of state with a woman she can barely stand seems like the last thing Rose wants to do with her winter vacation. Only, maybe Vivian is not as bad as she seems. Maybe they can even become friends…or more.
61,000 words
lesbian · romantic comedy
Instead of firing her, Vivian blackmails math major Rose into joining her on a business trip to New York to investigate an embezzlement. A week out of state with a woman she can barely stand seems like the last thing Rose wants to do with her winter vacation. Only, maybe Vivian is not as bad as she seems. Maybe they can even become friends…or more.
61,000 words
lesbian · romantic comedy
ebook
First published February 15, 2017
35 people are currently reading
490 people want to read
About the author
Shaya Crabtree
3 books17 followersShaya Crabtree was born and raised in the Midwestern United States, where she studied English and Creative Writing at university. At age twelve, she began writing and never looked back long enough to put down the pencil. She prefers writing to reading and has an affinity for cryptozoology, conspiracy theories, and cooking competitions.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 121 reviews
February 9, 2017
2 1/2 Stars. I'm sorry to say, this book didn't really work for me. It wasn't horrible by any means, but I found two major problems with it. One I didn't really find it funny, though I could tell the book was trying to be. And two, I just never connected with the characters. I am such a big character person. A book can have some flaws, but if the characters are great, I can look past the other issues. That just never happened here, and I didn't enjoy the book like I hoped to.
The story is about Rose, who gives her boss a secret Santa gift of a dildo. She didn't know the gift was for her boss, since she didn't recognize the name she drew. I found this to be a little hard to believe, that she didn't know the name of the president of the company. Anyway, instead of being fired, her boss Vivian gives her a new job to check the companies financials. When Rose finds something wrong, Vivian wants to take her to New York, for a week, to meet with the owner of the company. A week together in a hotel room, might just lead to more than a working relationship.
I could tell that Crabtree was trying to write dialogue that was witty and sarcastic, in the same vain as authors like Georgette Kaplan. Unfortunately, it just didn't work. Instead of being humorous, jokes like "ass breath" just came off as immature and fell short. As I mentioned before, the characters were a real struggle for me. I had a lot of trouble finding them to be likeable.
There is not a whole lot of plot to this book. It seemed like almost half the book was sex scenes. Not that they were necessarily repetitive, but they were drawn out and took up most of the book. I enjoy some steamy sex scenes, but I didn't get that with this book either. As others have pointed out, there were things that happened that I don't think is humanly possible. And the way the scenes were written was less steamy and more just left me saying "huh".
As far as I can tell, this is a debut book for Crabtree. If she can work on character development, more realistic sex scenes, and less immature dialog, I would be tempted to give her another shot in the future.
An ARC was given to me by YLVA, for a honest review.
The story is about Rose, who gives her boss a secret Santa gift of a dildo. She didn't know the gift was for her boss, since she didn't recognize the name she drew. I found this to be a little hard to believe, that she didn't know the name of the president of the company. Anyway, instead of being fired, her boss Vivian gives her a new job to check the companies financials. When Rose finds something wrong, Vivian wants to take her to New York, for a week, to meet with the owner of the company. A week together in a hotel room, might just lead to more than a working relationship.
I could tell that Crabtree was trying to write dialogue that was witty and sarcastic, in the same vain as authors like Georgette Kaplan. Unfortunately, it just didn't work. Instead of being humorous, jokes like "ass breath" just came off as immature and fell short. As I mentioned before, the characters were a real struggle for me. I had a lot of trouble finding them to be likeable.
There is not a whole lot of plot to this book. It seemed like almost half the book was sex scenes. Not that they were necessarily repetitive, but they were drawn out and took up most of the book. I enjoy some steamy sex scenes, but I didn't get that with this book either. As others have pointed out, there were things that happened that I don't think is humanly possible. And the way the scenes were written was less steamy and more just left me saying "huh".
As far as I can tell, this is a debut book for Crabtree. If she can work on character development, more realistic sex scenes, and less immature dialog, I would be tempted to give her another shot in the future.
An ARC was given to me by YLVA, for a honest review.
February 5, 2018
Talk about a mixed bag of reviews from my GR friends! I already wanted to check this book out because I find boss/employee relationships quite sexy. So, based on what I've read about the story, I downloaded it on Kindle with an open mind and level expectations.
I liked it. Not amazed, but I didn't mind that Rose is a bit of an asshole. Vivian is a boss lady ice queen and...sadly...I didn't get the hots for her. I enjoyed the characters together, but I wasn't enchanted by either of them.
While Shaya Crabtree made me chuckle a few times (I giggled at the thought of one bumping their head during under-the-desk sex), it's not the all-out nerdish internet person's laughfest that I'd hoped for. I suppose I'll go to Georgette Kaplan for that. This is a debut book for Crabtree, so I look forward to her style evolving. I'd read more from her.
Now, for my favorite parts! THE SEX. WOOOOOO! Tongue-reaching-g-spot aside (that's not a thing), those scenes were hot and lengthy. Rose and Vivian fooling around in anticipation in the cab made me fan myself like a Southern Belle. Please continually provide the hotness, Crabtree!
Rose and Vivian's journey into love could've used some finessing. Their non-sexual chemistry should reel me in, rush me to turn pages.
By the way, there's a scene (sex in the closet) when Vivian's skirt turns into pants paragraphs later. Hehe. Also: comments about morning breath are a turn-off always.
And holy U-Haul, Batman! I'd rather the story progress and convince me why they wanted to live together. Ah, well. I forgive it *cough*becauseI'veseenthishappen*cough*. Oh, lesbians.
That's my review. As said, I won't rule out the next Shaya Crabtree piece because I'd imagine the style and flow to mature over time!
I liked it. Not amazed, but I didn't mind that Rose is a bit of an asshole. Vivian is a boss lady ice queen and...sadly...I didn't get the hots for her. I enjoyed the characters together, but I wasn't enchanted by either of them.
While Shaya Crabtree made me chuckle a few times (I giggled at the thought of one bumping their head during under-the-desk sex), it's not the all-out nerdish internet person's laughfest that I'd hoped for. I suppose I'll go to Georgette Kaplan for that. This is a debut book for Crabtree, so I look forward to her style evolving. I'd read more from her.
Now, for my favorite parts! THE SEX. WOOOOOO! Tongue-reaching-g-spot aside (that's not a thing), those scenes were hot and lengthy. Rose and Vivian fooling around in anticipation in the cab made me fan myself like a Southern Belle. Please continually provide the hotness, Crabtree!
Rose and Vivian's journey into love could've used some finessing. Their non-sexual chemistry should reel me in, rush me to turn pages.
By the way, there's a scene (sex in the closet) when Vivian's skirt turns into pants paragraphs later. Hehe. Also: comments about morning breath are a turn-off always.
And holy U-Haul, Batman! I'd rather the story progress and convince me why they wanted to live together. Ah, well. I forgive it *cough*becauseI'veseenthishappen*cough*. Oh, lesbians.
That's my review. As said, I won't rule out the next Shaya Crabtree piece because I'd imagine the style and flow to mature over time!
February 7, 2017
Sarcasm is often hard to get across in daily interactions. It’s great for banter with your close friends, but can often make you look like a negative ass in other social situations. People often misinterpret this form of communication negatively. This is enhanced even further when writing. Slipping in a sarcastic comment adds to the dialogue between characters, add too much and your character just looks like a prick.
Rose Walsh works a part-time as a data entry clerk for Gio Corp. She hates her job, often wishing she could just quit and find something else just as meaningless but more fun to do. 28 days to go and she will have saved enough money to go back to just focusing on grad school. As the office Christmas party nears, Rose decides to liven up the event by giving her secret Santa an 8-inch dildo as a gag gift. Unknowingly, she gives the gift to the company president, Vivian Tracey.
Rose as a character is a conundrum. She is said to be super intelligent, an applied mathematics major, but talks like a super sarcastic teenaged boy. She takes nothing seriously, especially work, which to me rang false for a character that is said to be working diligently to finish her masters and pay her own way through school. If you are mere semesters away from graduating, and all you need is less than a month’s pay to take care of tuition and bills why you would jeopardize that with a dumb prank? Then once you do pull the prank and it backfires, like everyone said it would, why freak out on how you are going to support yourself, pay for school and financially assist your unemployed mother. This isn’t a logical sequence of emotions or reactions. This is just one of many where Rose just doesn’t come across a realistic character.
Vivian is the head of the D.C. branch of Gio Corp. She is serious, stern and all business. She sees Rose as a ridiculous annoyance and is ready to terminate her after her little present stunt. The only reason Rose doesn’t get her walking papers is because of her schooling. Vivian needs someone to find out who is embezzling from the D.C. branch of the company.
Vivian is hard to imagine as the president of a major company. She is super serious, all business but sleeping with not one but two subordinate co-workers. Again a conundrum.
This book was very little substance and a whole lot of sex. The sex scenes were completely unrealistic to boot. Tell me again how to lick a g-spot, no seriously, please tell me! I think humor was supposed to be interjected throughout, but it was hard to take. I don’t know about you, but ass breath in the morning isn’t a turn on, well to Vivian it is. Instead of being sexy, or funny, it was more of a WTF.
Overall, this book needs more character development. The main characters both come off as shallow and sophomoric. Sarcasm drips off Rose, and it doesn't add anything to her character or the overall dialogue. The main characters' personalities weren't convincing and neither was their love story.
Rose Walsh works a part-time as a data entry clerk for Gio Corp. She hates her job, often wishing she could just quit and find something else just as meaningless but more fun to do. 28 days to go and she will have saved enough money to go back to just focusing on grad school. As the office Christmas party nears, Rose decides to liven up the event by giving her secret Santa an 8-inch dildo as a gag gift. Unknowingly, she gives the gift to the company president, Vivian Tracey.
Rose as a character is a conundrum. She is said to be super intelligent, an applied mathematics major, but talks like a super sarcastic teenaged boy. She takes nothing seriously, especially work, which to me rang false for a character that is said to be working diligently to finish her masters and pay her own way through school. If you are mere semesters away from graduating, and all you need is less than a month’s pay to take care of tuition and bills why you would jeopardize that with a dumb prank? Then once you do pull the prank and it backfires, like everyone said it would, why freak out on how you are going to support yourself, pay for school and financially assist your unemployed mother. This isn’t a logical sequence of emotions or reactions. This is just one of many where Rose just doesn’t come across a realistic character.
Vivian is the head of the D.C. branch of Gio Corp. She is serious, stern and all business. She sees Rose as a ridiculous annoyance and is ready to terminate her after her little present stunt. The only reason Rose doesn’t get her walking papers is because of her schooling. Vivian needs someone to find out who is embezzling from the D.C. branch of the company.
Vivian is hard to imagine as the president of a major company. She is super serious, all business but sleeping with not one but two subordinate co-workers. Again a conundrum.
This book was very little substance and a whole lot of sex. The sex scenes were completely unrealistic to boot. Tell me again how to lick a g-spot, no seriously, please tell me! I think humor was supposed to be interjected throughout, but it was hard to take. I don’t know about you, but ass breath in the morning isn’t a turn on, well to Vivian it is. Instead of being sexy, or funny, it was more of a WTF.
Overall, this book needs more character development. The main characters both come off as shallow and sophomoric. Sarcasm drips off Rose, and it doesn't add anything to her character or the overall dialogue. The main characters' personalities weren't convincing and neither was their love story.
February 23, 2019
I quite enjoyed a number of aspects of this novel but there are also quite a few areas that I found lacking. The premise is an entertaining one. Rose, a student with temporary data entering position at Gio Corp, gives a gag gift for the secret Santa at the company Christmas party. It goes horribly wrong when she discovers that the recipient of her gift is Vivian Tracey, the company president. As much as she hates the job, she needs it to pay college fees and all expectations are that she will be fired.
Rose as a character is all hard edges and crassness. What could have been good humour just tips over the edge into being course in many instances. She's given the attribute of being phenomenally good at number analysis but it isn't really shown in what she does. She also has an odd reaction to not being in first class on a flight. I couldn't help but think that a 22-year-old student working to pay college fees is unlikely to have the expectation of being seated in first class.
Vivian is a little mysterious because the story is told from Rose's point of view. Initially she seems a little like an ice-queen, then she seems a little shallow and then she seems to be the more committed and emotionally involved of the two. I struggled to reconcile her age with her position as president and her behaviour. I didn't see her as someone to be reckoned with or taken seriously as a president which had less to do with her age and more to do with her character not being give a powerful enough presence.
The embezzlement theme had so much potential for tension and drama but it was so half-heartedly dealt with that it might as well have not been there. Some of the sex scenes were well-written and pretty steamy but the main characters spent the first half of the book sniping at each other with no hint of flirtation or attraction.
In a lot of parts the writing was really good and I wouldn't hesitate to read more by Crabtree.
Rose as a character is all hard edges and crassness. What could have been good humour just tips over the edge into being course in many instances. She's given the attribute of being phenomenally good at number analysis but it isn't really shown in what she does. She also has an odd reaction to not being in first class on a flight. I couldn't help but think that a 22-year-old student working to pay college fees is unlikely to have the expectation of being seated in first class.
Vivian is a little mysterious because the story is told from Rose's point of view. Initially she seems a little like an ice-queen, then she seems a little shallow and then she seems to be the more committed and emotionally involved of the two. I struggled to reconcile her age with her position as president and her behaviour. I didn't see her as someone to be reckoned with or taken seriously as a president which had less to do with her age and more to do with her character not being give a powerful enough presence.
The embezzlement theme had so much potential for tension and drama but it was so half-heartedly dealt with that it might as well have not been there. Some of the sex scenes were well-written and pretty steamy but the main characters spent the first half of the book sniping at each other with no hint of flirtation or attraction.
In a lot of parts the writing was really good and I wouldn't hesitate to read more by Crabtree.
April 10, 2017
This one just tipped the scales to a 3.5 and was rounded to a 4 star. I love humor. I love sex. Mix the two and you've got me. It could have been a strong 4 rating if the story had been credible, but it was on par with a lot of rom-coms I've watched and enjoyed. Suspend your belief and just going into this thinking you're watching a lesbian version of a cheesy rom-com and I think you might just enjoy this. The sex is steamy. At times over the top, under it and between, eh, you get the picture, but still fun.
NetGalley ARC received for an unbiased review.
NetGalley ARC received for an unbiased review.
February 13, 2017
This is a complete mess of a book with two immature leads, immature dialogue, and an emphasis on over the top sex scenes rather than story. There is nothing even resembling chemistry between the two main characters, which always makes reading books like this a chore. However, this one goes above and beyond the cringe by making both these women, Rose and Vivian, just so damn unlikable as people. Rose is sarcastic to an off putting degree and shows so much of this entitlement personality that you just want to slap her with a little thing called reality. Vivian on the other hand is described as just a few years older than Rose, making her possibly the youngest president of a corporate branch ever but also one who seems to have a little problem of sleeping with her subordinates. Actually, on second thought maybe these two creeps do deserve each other.
If you think the word "dildo" is hilarious and the only thing better is having that word repeated no less than three hundred times, you're in luck because this book may actually appeal to you. I found nothing redeemable here and frankly, I expect much better stories and editing from Ylva Publishing.
ARC provided by NetGalley
If you think the word "dildo" is hilarious and the only thing better is having that word repeated no less than three hundred times, you're in luck because this book may actually appeal to you. I found nothing redeemable here and frankly, I expect much better stories and editing from Ylva Publishing.
ARC provided by NetGalley
October 2, 2018
A really light, entertaining, funny read - for me at least. Rom-Com at it’s best? Hardly... Was the plot credible? Hardly... I mean, come-on... CEO of the company (ok, more of a CEO within the DC branch) sharing a room with PA in a not too classy hotel?? Seems to far-fetch in my mind. But it was witty and had me laughing when I read it. Oh and there’s plenty of sex scene... which is pretty hot, by the way
Ratings: 3.75
Ratings: 3.75
February 27, 2017
Barely gave it 3 stars
Oddly enough I really looked forward to reading this book despite reading the summary and thinking "this cannot be good". And I was right!
The plot is just preposterous. I just couldn't wrap my head around Rose giving any colleague such an inappropriate gag gift . Another thing that I just didn't understand was the familiar way Rose would speak to Vivian. This is how I would speak to a (close) friend and definitely not my boss but maybe that's just me.
Character wise there is not much to say. I found them to be quite one dimensional without a lot of character development. The chemistry between them was for me non existent until around 42% into the book and by that point I was wondering if I would even bother finish reading it.
After that point things picked up a little. At least the scene in the cab and the sex scenes were pretty hot but that's about the only thing this book has going for it unfortunately.
Oddly enough I really looked forward to reading this book despite reading the summary and thinking "this cannot be good". And I was right!
The plot is just preposterous. I just couldn't wrap my head around Rose giving any colleague such an inappropriate gag gift . Another thing that I just didn't understand was the familiar way Rose would speak to Vivian. This is how I would speak to a (close) friend and definitely not my boss but maybe that's just me.
Character wise there is not much to say. I found them to be quite one dimensional without a lot of character development. The chemistry between them was for me non existent until around 42% into the book and by that point I was wondering if I would even bother finish reading it.
After that point things picked up a little. At least the scene in the cab and the sex scenes were pretty hot but that's about the only thing this book has going for it unfortunately.
February 22, 2017
This storyline had so much potential and unfortunately it just didn't hit the mark. More than a few times I was left feeling underwhelmed. I didn't connect well with the characters and felt that their chemistry was lacking. I did enjoy some of the moment of sarcasm but thats about it. 2 stars.
February 16, 2017
2.5 stars
This story is told in third person and completely from Rose’s point-of-view. It begins with Rose and her coworker / best friend having a discussion about the men they’d just broken up with. Something I wondered about much further into the story, as from that point on they both date women. I guess it was a way to let readers know Rose and her friend Phoebe are bisexual? Don’t get me wrong, I love bi characters it just didn’t go anywhere so I’m unsure why the conversation was necessary.
Moving on, the Santa-gift exchange and office party was equally as embarrassing as it was hilarious. Some readers might find it juvenile, but as someone whose rather well known for being inappropriate at work, it tickled my fancy. With that said, while this story has plenty of comical moments, by the mid-point it wore thin. At times when I cringed while reading, I wasn’t sure if the narrator was trying to be funny or not.
After Rose’s little prank she ends up accompanying her boss on a business trip and they go from barely liking each other to being ‘fuck buddies’ (their words) for a week. More often than not, the erotic content made me squirm, and not in a good way. This is where I’m not sure if the narrator was going for funny or not, but talk of ass-breath just before having sex is not sexy, throw in the line “…rubbing Rose’s clit sore.” and I’m out of there.
Then, “Rose’s underwear had been ruined hours ago, and she knew it wouldn’t take long for Vivian to ruin hers too.” There was no ripping of panties so I didn’t get this reference and others similar. Are a woman’s juices corrosive?
The embezzlement aspect of the story was rather simplistic and as someone who works in HR the resolution gave me pause. This story wasn’t dreadful, there were just too many things that didn’t work for me.
Please bear in mind, I am but one reviewer, and this review is based on my reading experience. I urge other readers to give it ago. I truly hope you love it.
This story is told in third person and completely from Rose’s point-of-view. It begins with Rose and her coworker / best friend having a discussion about the men they’d just broken up with. Something I wondered about much further into the story, as from that point on they both date women. I guess it was a way to let readers know Rose and her friend Phoebe are bisexual? Don’t get me wrong, I love bi characters it just didn’t go anywhere so I’m unsure why the conversation was necessary.
Moving on, the Santa-gift exchange and office party was equally as embarrassing as it was hilarious. Some readers might find it juvenile, but as someone whose rather well known for being inappropriate at work, it tickled my fancy. With that said, while this story has plenty of comical moments, by the mid-point it wore thin. At times when I cringed while reading, I wasn’t sure if the narrator was trying to be funny or not.
After Rose’s little prank she ends up accompanying her boss on a business trip and they go from barely liking each other to being ‘fuck buddies’ (their words) for a week. More often than not, the erotic content made me squirm, and not in a good way. This is where I’m not sure if the narrator was going for funny or not, but talk of ass-breath just before having sex is not sexy, throw in the line “…rubbing Rose’s clit sore.” and I’m out of there.
Then, “Rose’s underwear had been ruined hours ago, and she knew it wouldn’t take long for Vivian to ruin hers too.” There was no ripping of panties so I didn’t get this reference and others similar. Are a woman’s juices corrosive?
The embezzlement aspect of the story was rather simplistic and as someone who works in HR the resolution gave me pause. This story wasn’t dreadful, there were just too many things that didn’t work for me.
Please bear in mind, I am but one reviewer, and this review is based on my reading experience. I urge other readers to give it ago. I truly hope you love it.
December 2, 2017
I liked the idea of the secret santa gift and the romance story of the boss and the subordinate. But the story is very superficial and not that much realistic. The author rushes through the story in a hurry without much depth. The characters are in my opinion too childish, sometimes the conversations too. I didn’t feel the connection between the two women. I would have liked a little less sex but a bit more time and depth for the solution of the embezzlement and the beginning of the romance between the two of them.
But I liked the sweet end of the story and the sex scenes are hot, if not always realistic.
Thanks to Ylva for receiving an ARC for an honest review.
Sorry for my bad English, my native language is Swiss German.
But I liked the sweet end of the story and the sex scenes are hot, if not always realistic.
Thanks to Ylva for receiving an ARC for an honest review.
Sorry for my bad English, my native language is Swiss German.
February 7, 2017
Received this ARC for an honest review.
The story is around what happens when Rose gives a sex toy to Vivian, the company president, as part of secret santa gift. I have to say I did not take to the two lead characters, particularly Rose, finding them both immature. I did not feel their connection. But I'm aware that I do prefer my characters to be more mature in outlook (with some flaws), that makes me want to root for them and care what happens.
Its a well written romance with lots of love scenes, with some funny one liners that made me laugh.
The story is around what happens when Rose gives a sex toy to Vivian, the company president, as part of secret santa gift. I have to say I did not take to the two lead characters, particularly Rose, finding them both immature. I did not feel their connection. But I'm aware that I do prefer my characters to be more mature in outlook (with some flaws), that makes me want to root for them and care what happens.
Its a well written romance with lots of love scenes, with some funny one liners that made me laugh.
February 9, 2017
*The copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
Even though there ARE some flaws in the book, even though the character came out a bit immature, and the whole corporation thing wasn't exactly believable, I actually liked their chemistry. Vivian - Rose interaction was really hot, and the sex scenes were the best I've read so far in this year.
Because of that, I'll give it 4 stars. Honestly, had it not been for the great written erotic moments, the PG version of the book would've had less stars in the rating.
Even though there ARE some flaws in the book, even though the character came out a bit immature, and the whole corporation thing wasn't exactly believable, I actually liked their chemistry. Vivian - Rose interaction was really hot, and the sex scenes were the best I've read so far in this year.
Because of that, I'll give it 4 stars. Honestly, had it not been for the great written erotic moments, the PG version of the book would've had less stars in the rating.
February 21, 2017
I know there are those who abide by the maxim “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all”. So I could have simply not left a review of You’re fired! rather than give a negative review. However, I was given a free review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, so I’ll give one. Besides, there is one nice thing I can say about this book: It’s quite well written, and in this age of ebooks and self-publishing, that’s not always guaranteed. I managed to read to the end, and I can’t always do that.
Unfortunately that’s the limit for me. I didn’t like the lead characters at all. Rose, who is telling the story, is a bitch. She admits as much herself, but that in no way redeems her. She didn’t bother to find out who the recipient of her ‘gag gift’ would be. It could have been a really shy person who might be hurt and humiliated – but Rose didn’t care. She wasn’t simply being thoughtless either, as she was advised against giving the gift by her best friend – but she didn’t care. She didn’t care that she might be fired either – until that became a real possibility.
Vivian wasn’t much better either – there are good reasons why bosses are not allowed to become sexually involved with subordinates, but apparently those rules don’t apply to her.
The ‘mystery’ that only Rose can solve is simple accounting fraud. Honestly, anyone who can do a budget could solve it. That’s a minor gripe though. My biggest problem is that I didn’t like Rose and Vivian. The sex scenes were OK – although I too laughed at the idea of someone being able to lick the g-spot. But while there were plenty of sex scenes, there were no love scenes. Being a stereotypical lesbian, and a romantic at heart, I am moved more by love scenes than by sex scenes. I mean, Pride and Prejudice does it for me, but I’m left cold by 50 Shades of Grey. This book left me cold too.
Unfortunately that’s the limit for me. I didn’t like the lead characters at all. Rose, who is telling the story, is a bitch. She admits as much herself, but that in no way redeems her. She didn’t bother to find out who the recipient of her ‘gag gift’ would be. It could have been a really shy person who might be hurt and humiliated – but Rose didn’t care. She wasn’t simply being thoughtless either, as she was advised against giving the gift by her best friend – but she didn’t care. She didn’t care that she might be fired either – until that became a real possibility.
Vivian wasn’t much better either – there are good reasons why bosses are not allowed to become sexually involved with subordinates, but apparently those rules don’t apply to her.
The ‘mystery’ that only Rose can solve is simple accounting fraud. Honestly, anyone who can do a budget could solve it. That’s a minor gripe though. My biggest problem is that I didn’t like Rose and Vivian. The sex scenes were OK – although I too laughed at the idea of someone being able to lick the g-spot. But while there were plenty of sex scenes, there were no love scenes. Being a stereotypical lesbian, and a romantic at heart, I am moved more by love scenes than by sex scenes. I mean, Pride and Prejudice does it for me, but I’m left cold by 50 Shades of Grey. This book left me cold too.
January 19, 2019
Some books are lean and chunky, some shallow and frothy and this was the later - the story was thin and bubbled up with sex scenes that lasted longer than the plot. It did make me laugh though - A definite 3.5 but given this is a first book, go for 4*. Promised so much more, I'm sure in future she'll deliver.
February 25, 2017
This was a book that I felt was good but could have been so much better. There was so much scope for so much more. I kinda feel robbed. I know, sounds weird but the author could have made so much more of not only the storyline but also the sub plot. It's well written but I wanted so much more. It started out funny and opened the door but it closed so quickly, as I said robbed. But I feel the author has alot of promise just don't make me wanting more. So many amusing points that could have been expanded but was said then moved on. Read it. You'll enjoy it and maybe understasnd what I'm saying. Enjoy!! It's the reason for only 3 stars.
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October 11, 2020No star rating for this book because I only read the Clexa fanfic version.
From reading the blurb, I noticed the author made some changes to Clarke's (Rose's) degree and socioeconomic status. The MCs' purpose for going to NYC was changed as well. The fanfic has ~108k words, so this story was almost slashed by half. On that note, bear in mind that this review is for the fanfic version.
Clarke was an upcoming med student forced by her mom to get a job to pay for med school even though they're "rich" (this was repeatedly emphasized). For the company Christmas party, she decided to give a gag gift (a dildo) to an officemate for Secret Santa. For some reason, Clarke only knew four people in the office including her best friend (Octavia), despite months of working there. She didn't even know who the president of their company is, so drawing the name "Lexa Woods" for Secret Santa didn't ring any bells. Yeah... Go figure. She didn't care about her job and was prepared to lose it for this prank, because again, with a mom who's a doctor (Abby) and an almost-stepdad who's a senator (Kane), she doesn't need this job because they're "rich."
TBH, the story started okay and some of the lines did make me laugh. But after further reading, I started to find most of the dialogues a bit cheesy and the humor too childish. I remember thinking this author's youth is showing in her writing, and it looks like I was right about her age 😬 It was obvious she was aiming for a comedic tone, but the jabs in the characters' dialogues became too much and ended up rubbing me the wrong way.
Octavia's paired with Raven here. At one point, she and Clarke talked/joked about having a threesome with Raven which made me feel icky. It's not that I have a problem with threesomes per se. But if I were in their place, Idk if I could be as nonchalant about having a threesome with my best friend and her new lady friend (let alone participating in a threesome at all LOL).
Clarke's kind of a jokester here, and Lexa was uptight in the beginning. While their opposing characteristics were cute at first, Clarke's thoughts and commentaries quickly turned obnoxious, and her overbearing and combative nature put me off. She was snobbish and full of herself—had no problems calling herself "hot" over and over again 🙄
Welp, not with that personality if you ask me 😒
In the bar scene, Clarke and Lexa's dynamic did a sudden 180-degree turn. One moment they were sniping at each other, then sucking each other's faces the next. ~blame it on the a a a a a alcohol~ You wouldn't think there's problem here if the MCs were in a passionate heated argument, oozing with chemistry. But the kiss came out of nowhere with no buildup, so as expected, the following sex scenes were no better 😐
I stopped reading after Chapter 7 (50%), as I was sure I wouldn't enjoy the romance at this point.
I've only read 3 Clexa fanfics so far, but this is already the second one set in an AU that I DNF. I'm starting to think it's not a good idea to read AUs of this fandom.
Fanfic rating: 1 star ⭐️
From reading the blurb, I noticed the author made some changes to Clarke's (Rose's) degree and socioeconomic status. The MCs' purpose for going to NYC was changed as well. The fanfic has ~108k words, so this story was almost slashed by half. On that note, bear in mind that this review is for the fanfic version.
Clarke was an upcoming med student forced by her mom to get a job to pay for med school even though they're "rich" (this was repeatedly emphasized). For the company Christmas party, she decided to give a gag gift (a dildo) to an officemate for Secret Santa. For some reason, Clarke only knew four people in the office including her best friend (Octavia), despite months of working there. She didn't even know who the president of their company is, so drawing the name "Lexa Woods" for Secret Santa didn't ring any bells. Yeah... Go figure. She didn't care about her job and was prepared to lose it for this prank, because again, with a mom who's a doctor (Abby) and an almost-stepdad who's a senator (Kane), she doesn't need this job because they're "rich."
TBH, the story started okay and some of the lines did make me laugh. But after further reading, I started to find most of the dialogues a bit cheesy and the humor too childish. I remember thinking this author's youth is showing in her writing, and it looks like I was right about her age 😬 It was obvious she was aiming for a comedic tone, but the jabs in the characters' dialogues became too much and ended up rubbing me the wrong way.
Octavia's paired with Raven here. At one point, she and Clarke talked/joked about having a threesome with Raven which made me feel icky. It's not that I have a problem with threesomes per se. But if I were in their place, Idk if I could be as nonchalant about having a threesome with my best friend and her new lady friend (let alone participating in a threesome at all LOL).
Clarke's kind of a jokester here, and Lexa was uptight in the beginning. While their opposing characteristics were cute at first, Clarke's thoughts and commentaries quickly turned obnoxious, and her overbearing and combative nature put me off. She was snobbish and full of herself—had no problems calling herself "hot" over and over again 🙄
Welp, not with that personality if you ask me 😒
In the bar scene, Clarke and Lexa's dynamic did a sudden 180-degree turn. One moment they were sniping at each other, then sucking each other's faces the next. ~blame it on the a a a a a alcohol~ You wouldn't think there's problem here if the MCs were in a passionate heated argument, oozing with chemistry. But the kiss came out of nowhere with no buildup, so as expected, the following sex scenes were no better 😐
I stopped reading after Chapter 7 (50%), as I was sure I wouldn't enjoy the romance at this point.
I've only read 3 Clexa fanfics so far, but this is already the second one set in an AU that I DNF. I'm starting to think it's not a good idea to read AUs of this fandom.
Fanfic rating: 1 star ⭐️
December 3, 2017
I found this story funny enough for 3 stars, although it's true that the main characters were not specially likable.
February 10, 2017
This was a super sweet book. Really enjoyed it. Low on drama. Check. High on the mushy, check. Well written book, check. Looks like this is her debut novel. I'll definitely be looking out for more.
July 30, 2017
genre: erotic romantic comedy
length: 61,000 words, 18 chapters + epilogue
main characters:
Rose Walsh, 23, college student temporary working at Gio Corp., shoulder long blond hair and brown eyes
Vivian Tracey, 27ish, president of Gio Corp. DC branch, long curly brown hair and piercing green eyes
setting: Washington DC and New York
my opinion:
- funny and enjoyable light read
- recommended to fans of light humorous romances with lots of sex scenes
- will read more books by Shaya Crabtree
cover: nice but two women don't look like the leading characters
book rating: 4 stars
eARC by Ylva Publishing
length: 61,000 words, 18 chapters + epilogue
main characters:
Rose Walsh, 23, college student temporary working at Gio Corp., shoulder long blond hair and brown eyes
Vivian Tracey, 27ish, president of Gio Corp. DC branch, long curly brown hair and piercing green eyes
setting: Washington DC and New York
my opinion:
- funny and enjoyable light read
- recommended to fans of light humorous romances with lots of sex scenes
- will read more books by Shaya Crabtree
cover: nice but two women don't look like the leading characters
book rating: 4 stars
eARC by Ylva Publishing
February 3, 2017
I must agree with another reviewer in that I didn't feel the connection between the two main characters. The story didn't appear realistic at all (even in a fiction kind of way) and I found most of the characters underdeveloped and childish.
February 7, 2017
A business trip for an intern and the boss is a light entertaining read without a lot of angst. The quirky characters deliver a charming and sexy story.
March 25, 2017
Characters were immature given their circumstances, but it was a fun read all the same.
![Profile Image for Yves V.H. [Slow reading].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1768806067i%2F170151541._UY200_CR6%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
January 11, 2024
This story is very spicy 🔥 I loved every moment of it! Though I found it weird how their feelings developed in just a week when it was shown that Vivian wasn't fond of the gift she received during secret Santa. It was funny is some parts too , I like Rose's thoughts; they could be so random. This is a very light read that I enjoyed reading so much!
💎 Thank you Netgalley and Ylva Publishing for the eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
💎 Thank you Netgalley and Ylva Publishing for the eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 17, 2023
A workplace, age gap romance. Rose is wicked smart with numbers and is doing data entry for a job with just a quarter till she finishes her degree. She comes to the attention of Vivian, the president of their office, after hilariously giving her an inappropriate secret Santa gift. Vivian uses Rose to find the problems with their company operating numbers.
There is a lot of humor in the story and the set up begins well. The duo quickly fall into benefits before they are hardly friends. If you like funny and steamy this may work for you. For me it was an HR nightmare with a huge power imbalance and Vivian not out of her current benefits situation. But by the end it is almost sweet. Everything is from Rose’s POV so you don’t get Vivians thoughts or feelings. This is a quick read and an okay story. Originally published February 2017 and I was given a digital copy by Ylva Publishing via NetGalley.
(3 Stars)
There is a lot of humor in the story and the set up begins well. The duo quickly fall into benefits before they are hardly friends. If you like funny and steamy this may work for you. For me it was an HR nightmare with a huge power imbalance and Vivian not out of her current benefits situation. But by the end it is almost sweet. Everything is from Rose’s POV so you don’t get Vivians thoughts or feelings. This is a quick read and an okay story. Originally published February 2017 and I was given a digital copy by Ylva Publishing via NetGalley.
(3 Stars)
February 10, 2017
I received an ARC from Ylva Publishing in return for an honest review.
You're Fired tells the tale of Rose, an immature, entitled college student who does not actually get fired from the only job providing income to herself and her mother despite her best efforts. Her romantic co-star is "President" of the D.C. branch of Gio Corp., Rose's employer. President Vivian is approximately 24 years old by the author's description of how she began working at Gio Corp. at age 18 and worked her way up the ladder while taking business classes at night and landing the President position six years later. ...
I appreciate the author's efforts, and I do not like writing negative reviews, but this book really wasn't ready for publication. The dialogue between the characters is juvenile. The storyline and descriptions throughout are poorly researched and unrealistic to the point that it is distracting. I had trouble finishing the story. I will say that the sex scenes are pretty hot and the happy ending is sweet, so it is not a total loss.
You're Fired tells the tale of Rose, an immature, entitled college student who does not actually get fired from the only job providing income to herself and her mother despite her best efforts. Her romantic co-star is "President" of the D.C. branch of Gio Corp., Rose's employer. President Vivian is approximately 24 years old by the author's description of how she began working at Gio Corp. at age 18 and worked her way up the ladder while taking business classes at night and landing the President position six years later. ...
I appreciate the author's efforts, and I do not like writing negative reviews, but this book really wasn't ready for publication. The dialogue between the characters is juvenile. The storyline and descriptions throughout are poorly researched and unrealistic to the point that it is distracting. I had trouble finishing the story. I will say that the sex scenes are pretty hot and the happy ending is sweet, so it is not a total loss.
February 10, 2017
*ARC provided by Netgalley and the Publisher for an honest review*
Nothing about this book was realistic at all and I am choosing to believe that the author did this on purpose and intended to write a story that was completely over the top.
Others might not agree with me in this but the saving grace for me in this boo was Roses complete lack of a filter and her sarcasm, other than that there isn't much I can say about this book except that I didn't find any chemistry between the main characters and don't see why they would have gotten together in the first place.
Nothing about this book was realistic at all and I am choosing to believe that the author did this on purpose and intended to write a story that was completely over the top.
Others might not agree with me in this but the saving grace for me in this boo was Roses complete lack of a filter and her sarcasm, other than that there isn't much I can say about this book except that I didn't find any chemistry between the main characters and don't see why they would have gotten together in the first place.
December 16, 2023
would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this very funny book
when rose decides to give her secret santa a vibrator as a fun gift ...things couldnt get worse right....
even though her best friend tried to talk her out of it rose still went ahead and bought it, what she hadnt envisioned was that her secret santa was her boss vivian tracey
and vivian wanted to see rose in her office right after the christmas party was over...
have to admit i found this book very funny.... an enjoyable romp into life in an office.... a fun read for all to enjoy
when rose decides to give her secret santa a vibrator as a fun gift ...things couldnt get worse right....
even though her best friend tried to talk her out of it rose still went ahead and bought it, what she hadnt envisioned was that her secret santa was her boss vivian tracey
and vivian wanted to see rose in her office right after the christmas party was over...
have to admit i found this book very funny.... an enjoyable romp into life in an office.... a fun read for all to enjoy
November 22, 2024
This was quite an enjoyable read! I liked the dislike the characters initially had for each other before transitioning into their romance. They were a cute couple. I do feel the ending was a bit abrupt but overall I really liked reading this book :) (spice was fantastic)
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