Elen The last thing a girl wants when she’s wearing sweatpants and no makeup is to meet the man of her dreams. But that’s exactly what happens when I’m drowning my sorrows in a bar after a break up. The gorgeous Kane proves to be the perfect gentleman, much to my disappointment and eternal embarrassment after I throw myself at him. He looks after me all night when I pass out from my medication-and-alcohol-induced coma. And in the morning, he’s gone before I wake, leaving me with just his phone number. I’m not going to call him. I’m too ashamed, and besides, he told me last night that he can’t have children. I know you don’t have to marry the guy on the first date, but is there any point in getting involved with a man when you know there’s no future in it? So I go to work, intending to put the whole disastrous night behind me. Ha! I should’ve known my life would never be that easy. Guess who’s one of the candidates for the new copywriting job at Hearktech? Book 1: Taking Charge Book 2: Taking Over Book 3: Taking Liberties Book 4: Taking Time
USA Today bestselling author Serenity Woods writes small-town romances about strong, capable men who work harder and love harder. Most of her stories are set in Aotearoa New Zealand, where she lives.
I was totally enthralled with this sweet story of Elen and Kane that truly touched me with its funny and romantic flavour and with just the right amount of heat and emotional twists that just touches you deep.
This book hit a little close to home for me as my husband and I had some storms to weather with infertility and it really is the bond you both have that gets you through it all. We also were blessed to conceive after we also gave up but alas it wasn’t meant to be and yet we, as a couple, hung in there… still hanging in there!
I felt for Kane especially as he was so much the ideal man we ladies long for…. Strong, loving and gentle with a protective streak a mile wide that just makes you melt… hmmm…. lucky Elen. And Elen is the quintessential lady who is strong and independent with a sass all her own yet a desire to be loved for herself and not who she can be manipulated to be.
This book explored the depth of commitment and desire to make a life with your partner, to accept and be the ultimate support for each other and how much you are willing to sacrifice and accept as just your portion in life. “I don’t want to spend what time I have on this Earth thinking about the things I don’t have--I want to concentrate on enjoying the things I do have.”
So many phrases I tagged, each hit a button in me, from emotional to my ah-ha moments and as in all Ms. Wood’s books you can’t help but want to flip it to the start or as in this case just pull up Book 1 of the “Like a Boss Series” and flow back through them again also after book 4 “Taking Time” you can cross right over to the “Heartfelt Series”, and bit o boy those new covers are really hot and yummy!!!
"I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book. Opinions and comments are solely my own."
This was a really good conclusion to the series. It was novel-length but it felt really complete, and there was a nice epilogue that showed how all four couples from the series were doing. This book took me between 1.5 and 2 hours to read, so it was not too short.
Elen and Kane are very likable. They are respectful to each other and are so sweet together. The later part of the book was very sweet. The love scenes were hot while still being searingly intimate and respectful, but readers who hate swearing should probably stay away. I give this book 4 stars instead of 5 because it did not affect my emotions as much as Book 3, "Taking Liberties", but some people will probably like this one better.
This "Like a Boss" series is a combination of New Adult and Serenity Woods' usual style of heartfelt and sexy contemporary romance. Like New Adult books, the novellas in this series are told from the first person present perspective alternating between the two primary characters. Also, there is some swearing, including the F-word. I don't think that the swearing is excessive. Also like New Adult books, the main characters are in their 20s. However, I like this series much more than most New Adult books because of Serenity Woods' good guy characters and very romantic elements. The characters are both good people who are not control freaks. One character is rich, but it has not swelled his/her head with power and arrogance. The story has two really likable people meeting, having sex, and then developing true feelings for each other and really getting to know one another. I love how the author writes. She has some of the most romantic declarations of love that I have ever read in this series.
I received a free advanced reading copy from the author, and I voluntarily wrote this honest review.
This is the fourth book in Woods’ series, Like a Boss, about the four directors of a tech firm. In this book, the female director, Elen, has finally broken up with her long-time boyfriend. She goes to a bar and makes the mistake of mixing migraine medicine with alcohol. While there she meets Kane, a sexy and nice guy who charms Elle with his knowledge of trivia. He even refuses to go to bed with her because of the alcohol and medicine she’s consumed. So she’s left with the memory of a nice guy before whom she feels like she really embarrassed herself.
Then, surprise, surprise, it turns out that he’s applying for a copywriting job at her firm. So now she’s his boss. The boss/employee relationship played a role in the first three books in this series, but it seems like no big deal in this book. At first she fears that he cozied up to her in the bar because he wanted the job at her firm. But he denies it and that’s that. Kane fits in well in the firm and makes good friends with the three male directors. Kane has just gone through a painful divorce so both of them are worried that their attraction to each other might just be a rebound thing. Elle’s arrogant ex shows up wanting her back and Kane experiences some jealousy on that front.
Since this story is so short, there isn’t much depth to these possible plot points. The leads are attracted to each other and don’t really face many complications once they start sexy times together. The book is a fast read like the others in the series, but lacks some depth of character and plot that just isn’t possible with such a short read.
I received a free advance copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
This is a lovely story, for me it is the best one in the four book series. Elen meets Kane in a bar at a very low point in her life. They get on well, but Elen has taken migraine medication and the cocktails she is drinking do not mix with the medication, she gets very drunk, almost passing out. Kane doesn't like to leave her, and she is incapable of saying where she lives, so he does the only thing he can - he takes her back to his apartment and lets her sleep in his bed. He has gone out by the time she wakes up the next morning. She is very late for work and has to sit in on interviews for a copywriter, a job they have outsourced in the past but as the company is expanding fast they have agreed it should be in-house for the future. Elen is horrified when Kane is one of the candidates, she thinks he has befriended her in order to get the job. He is able to convince her this is not so. He does get the job, and proves to be just what they needed. Elen avoids him for a few weeks, but when they do finally get together at a social occasion they get on well, and embark on a relationship, which they keep quiet about, not letting on to their friends and colleagues. Both have issues that they need to work through.
Of course we have a Happy Ever After, perhaps better than that, as they are both ecstatically happy. Serenity is really good at conveying emotions and it is easy to empathise with this lovely couple. This is a short story, it can be read in a couple of hours, but it feels longer. It is a good story.
Taking Time is the fourth and final book in the Like A Boss series. It is a marvelous addition to the series. Elen and Kane are HAWT!! Elen comes across as a totally put together, cool businesswoman. Always at work early and keeping the guys on their toes. She is the glue that holds Hearktech together. In Taking Time, we get to see the wild, passionate side of her. She is my idea of a perfect female main character because she is strong, intelligent, not afraid of any challenge; as well as being confident enough to be a sexy woman who knows what she wants from her man and isn't afraid to let him know. Kane is a swoon worthy man who is confident in his manhood without acting like an overbearing alpha. He knows how to treat a lady and how to satisfy her needs. *sigh*
I like the way Katoa was worked into the story. It's always nice to be reminded of other series written by Serenity Woods. I think it would be interesting if she actually wrote a book with all the characters involved from both series. Katoa and Hearktech could do fabulous things together.
I absolutely loved the epilogue. It was wonderful to see what was happening with all of the couples 3 years later. It brought a real feeling of closure to the series.Of course, that doesn't stop me from missing them. They were all people I would like to have as friends.
I strongly urge you to read Taking Time and the entire Like A Boss series. This is a set of stories you will want to read in one sitting. I did. Pick up any book by Serenity Woods and you are guaranteed to find an enjoyable story.
No make up and wearing sweat pants out in public to go to a bar not in your neighborhood sounds like the perfect way to get over a break up and to drown your sorries so to speak. Okay sounds cliched except it is normally the guy who does this. But this time it is Elen who is drowning her sorrows cross town so she won’t run into anyone she knows.
Except that she meets a man who sets all of her buttons buzzing. And it turns out that he is really a gentleman and even though Elen is willing, he doesn’t take advantage of the situation. Kane being a gentleman does come in to play the following morning when he is meeting with the board of directors for a small company he is hoping to work for. Turns out that that Elen is one of the owners of the company.
Can they keep their hands off each other is a part of the plot you will have to read to see if they can manage this feat. The heat between the two is phenomenal and sets the pages on fire.
Taking Time is the fourth and final book in the new series by Serenity Woods. And like any book written by Ms. Woods, the characters are well developed and the story. Each of these stories can be read independently although it is much more fun to read them all and you do not need to read them in order.
I did receive an advance reader copy of this book in exchange for a fair unbiased review.
A touching short and steamy office romance between two people scorned by love in different ways
As with the other books in this series, we once again see a variation of an office romance but this time with a second chance at love between two people scorned by love in different ways. Told from dual perspective, Elen and Kane meet during difficult moments that then take a surprise turn to them. Their instant attraction is nicely built up in a way that worked well given the characters and their situations and boy do these two have a simmering chemistry that truly heats up the pages when it spills over!
Taking Time, as with the rest of the series, is well written with a good plot for a short read. Taking Time had a very touching HEA ending for both Elen and Kane (making it a standalone) and the series as a whole (there are a few extra details of the happily ever afters of the previous books’ characters if you have read the rest of this series).
If you enjoy short and steamy office romances, definitely give this series a read!
*I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.
I've enjoyed seeing Elen in the previous books and was glad she got her own shot of love. Newcomer Kane is a good man and a great balance for Elen. The two end up at the same bar after each has had an emotionally rough day. When Elen has too much to drink, Kane steps in and takes care of her in a very gentlemanly way. When Kane shows up at Elen's firm interviewing for a job the next morning, the awkward situation is addressed. The two try not to remember how much they like each other and stay professional.
I liked how both characters went into their professional relationship with their eyes open to the fact that they liked each other, but didn't want to push. Similarly, once Elen and Kane decided there was no use in keeping apart, they both knew the stakes and what had happened in the other's previous relationship. That felt very real.
I got a nice taste of both Kane and Elen, but wish the story had ended a little differently. When all four couple in the series have nearly the same ending, it's takes away the feeling that love and happily-ever-after can come in so many different ways.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
I love this series of short books but I think Serenity Woods left the best til last. Elen is a director at Hearktech but the night she meets Kane she is a woman who has just split up with her on off boyfriend, she has mixed a few to many drinks with the pain meds she has taken for her migraine and she can't remember where she lives. Kane is the perfect gentleman and takes her to his home to sleep it off. What he doesn't tell her is he has an interview at Hearktech the next morning so when he walks in Elen has the shock of her life and is a bit embarrassed by it all. Kane is a perfect fit for Hearktech and a perfect fit for Elen but both have issues they need to work through... Office Romance turned into true love, Serenity Woods is one of the best at writing books with lots of emotion but always a HEA. This can be read as a standalone but as all of the four novellas are short quick enjoyable reads I would say get the boxed set and enjoy all that directors at Hearktech and their partners. I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
What a wonderful ending to the Like a Boss series! Elen Wright, co-director of Hearktech, has finally broken up for good with Dan and has gone out to a bar to drown the emotions that exist after saying goodbye to the man she thought she would marry someday. In the bar she meets handsome Kane Richardson and as they talk more than a little is shared and there is a spark that for a number of reasons is not acted on. Little do either of them realize that what could have been a one night event will become so much more. I loved the medical issue that was dealt with in this romance, the pithy truths shared, the romance and the way the couple grows together and really THINKS about what they want in the future. It was also nice catching up with the couples from the previous three novellas – though not so easy to say goodbye to them. I look forward to reading whatever Ms Woods writes next and thank her for the ARC to read – this is my honest review.
This was my favorite of the series and I'm glad that Serenity saved the best for last. I just loved the story of Elen and Kane. They both suffered heartache, but together, they were able to find love. Elen meets Kane in a bar after she broke up with her boyfriend. She was drowning her sorrows. Kane was a gentleman and took Elen to his place since she was so drunk and he couldn't get out of her where she lived. It then ended up that she met Kane again when he interviewed for a job at her company. It was hard to fight the attraction as she was keeping her distance from him at work. But once she finally gave in to it, the sexiness and love was so strong. They were a couple that talked through their problems, concerns and potential for happy ever after. It was a sweet story and I was glad for the epilogue as you got a wrap up of the other character. "I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.”
Elen has enjoyed watching each of her partners fall in love when they protested otherwise in the beginning. It was fitting that she gets her own delicious story, which she does in Taking Time (Like a Boss Book 4) by Serenity Woods. A new relationship after a breakup of a former one does not always mean just a rebound. Elen and Kane learn that first hand.
Elen is intelligent, sassy and independent. The woman we would all like to be. Kane is hot, hot, hot but also a true gentleman, so he is pretty much irresistible. I like these two together as much as any couple that Serenity Woods has created. As always, their path to true love after starting as pure lust is bumpy.
The novella is not long, being able to be read in an afternoon. Taking Time is fun, witty and will make a believer in true love out of the most cynical soul.
An ARC of the book was given to me by the publisher/author.
Swoon-worthy I want a Kane in my life, he is kind, sexy and honourable and I just loved his interactions with Elen. Both are drowning their sorrows the night that they meet in a bar; Elen has just broken up with her long term boyfriend and Kane's final divorce papers arrived that day. After pouring her heart out to him Elen is embarrassed to find herself interviewing Kane the next day for a job within her company. Whilst this novella is book 4 in the series it can be read as a standalone, though the epilogue at the end is three years into the future and shows where all the couples are within their relationships at that time. Strong language from the outset. I received a complimentary copy of this book and chose to give an honest review. I was not compensated for my review, and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinion expressed here is my own.
I loved it! I always love Serenity's books! I shed a few "happy" tears at the ending and a few giggles while I was reading the book. Kane & Elen were a terrific pair. Serenity can always describe the best fellows. All of them have the sexiest personalities and are so thoughtful! "Nice, sweet" something fellows don't really like to be called but when they are sexy what could be wrong? The women are strong & feisty, what could be wrong with that? Kane and Elen are the main characters and it's stand alone but, you will meet the characters from before. Just one large group of fellows & girls, some married, soon to be married and a very good love story. What could you want?of course, I recommend it!
I voluntarily read an Advanced Reader Copy and reviewed it honestly .
This is book 4 in the like a boss series. It is a series of short stories that revolve around 4 friends that run a tech company. Elen is the only female in this group and I loved her character. She starts off being in a very emotional state due to a break up and we probably see her at her worst quite drunk and not at all her usual put together self. While she is in this state she meets Kane who also has plenty of emotional baggage of his own. He is a bit of a knight in shining armour and who doesn't want one of those. They must decide whether they can form a lasting relationship with all the issues that they are bringing. I loved this story but I always do love Serenity Woods stories. She always handles emotional issue and I love her writing style.
Love comes when you’re not looking for it. They meet at a bar on one of their worst days the attraction is there but it’s not time to move on yet. She’s beyond drunk and he takes care of her, even after she propositions him. Embarrassed the next morning, she leaves without taking his number that he left for her thinking she will never see him again. Elen and Kane are meant to be in each other’s lives though. Proven by him walking into her company the next day for an interview. Over time the embarrassment fades and the heat is still there. They decide to take those steps and it’s beautiful, sweet and very hot. But the past could repeat itself. She has to decide what she really wants for her future and if it’s going to be him. Good story.
Have you ever read a book that makes you smile at the beginning and the smile stays with you through the very end? This book got to me from the very first scene. Kane and Elen were so right together. I loved their trivia conversations. I enjoyed the scene where Elen's ex showed up.
Elen was a strong, independent woman who was able to show her vulnerability with Kane. Kane was a strong man who was vulnerable and dealing with his own pain, but was able to find that soft place to land with Elen. The ending to their story was icing on the cake
Another sweet, sensual, yet steamy romantic tale.
I voluntarily read and reviewed this Advanced Reader Copy.
Taking Time is the forth and final book in the Like a Boss series, and boy did Serenity Woods end it on a high note. I love the way this author writes, and although I'm not a big short story lover, I loved this series. Elena is the last one to fall in love out of the Hearktech clan, and Kane is the perfect match for her. Loved the chemistry between the two, loved the heartfelt tenderness that Kane felt for Elen. You ached for Kane with how his marriage to Jen ended, but are elated when He and Elen meet the way they do. Truly a great book and series, loved the ending!
What happens when you are in a bar drowning your sorrows and you meet mister right? Elen thought the night was interesting at the bar wait till she shows up at work and starts interviewing people then things get interesting. Kane is very attracted to Elen and he wants it to lead to something more but will she. Kane and Elen slowly fall in love and let each other in.
Ellen is the last of the partners still single after her relationship with Dan ended. Drowning her sorrows in a bar, she meets Kane whose divorce came through that day and she expects never to see him again after that night.
However, the next round of interviews brings Kane to the company, this book will take you through their journey .
Last in the series and I really enjoyed it, plus it was the last man or should I say woman standing. Enjoyed the epilogue which tied all the catchups for the other stories.
As usual, all of Serenity's books are amazing. She has such a way with words and story telling. Blending in a tiny bit of other stories that if you know of them then you know.
Finding the man of your dreams always happens when you look your worst! For Elen it happens in an out of the way bar where no one knows her. Kane is instantly attracted to Elen and takes her to his home after she has too much to drink. Even though Elen comes on to him, he doesn't take advantage of her not then and not at the job interview with her company, Hearktech. Ms. Woods has written a story that will leave you believing that good things come to people when they have given up! I highly recommend...all the books in this series.