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The Courtship Maneuver #1-3
The Courtship Maneuver
Chloe Henson is in love with her boss. Completely, totally, head over heels in love. She knows he doesn't feel the same way - she doesn't expect him too. Sam Logan is successful and wealthy, and he only dates supermodels. When he could have any woman in Las Vegas, why would he want his shy, abundantly curvy assistant? Determined to ignore her heart, Chloe puts her feelings on hold. But when her brother disappears, and she ends up in the cross-hairs of the Russian mob, she has nowhere to turn. Except to Sam. Sam Logan has a problem. He has a thing for his assistant, but he knows he can't act on it. Chloe's the best assistant he's ever had, and over the three years they've worked together, she's become his best friend. Chloe is so shy, he knows one wrong move will send her running. When her irresponsible brother rips off a mob boss and vanishes, Chloe is in danger, and Sam's tired of waiting to make his move. The best way to keep her safe is to make her his. But with bullets flying and betrayal around every corner, can Sam convince Chloe that this is more than just a fling?
278 pages, Paperback
First published September 2, 2015
3113 people are currently reading
509 people want to read
About the author
Ivy Layne
60 books1,282 followersIvy Layne has had her nose stuck in a book since she first learned to decipher the English language. Sometime in her early teens, she stumbled across her first Romance, and the die was cast. Though she pretended to pay attention to her creative writing professors, she dreamed of writing steamy romance instead of literary fiction. These days, she’s neck deep in alpha heroes and the smart, sexy women who love them.
Married to her very own alpha hero (who rubs her back after a long day of typing, but also leaves his socks on the floor). Ivy lives in the mountains of North Carolina where she and her other half are having a blast raising two energetic little boys. Aside from her family, Ivy’s greatest loves are coffee and chocolate, preferably together.
Sign up for Ivy's Reader's Group for free books, exclusive content, giveaways, and more @ ivylayne.com/readers-group
Married to her very own alpha hero (who rubs her back after a long day of typing, but also leaves his socks on the floor). Ivy lives in the mountains of North Carolina where she and her other half are having a blast raising two energetic little boys. Aside from her family, Ivy’s greatest loves are coffee and chocolate, preferably together.
Sign up for Ivy's Reader's Group for free books, exclusive content, giveaways, and more @ ivylayne.com/readers-group
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 153 reviews
December 3, 2015
No.... Just No....
They were both Idiots!!! Aaaaaaaaaaaaa ;( Chloe come home to possible Russian mobsters in her apt. To kidnap her,she hides out in a model home ,her boss finds her and takes her home with him... He's in love with her and vice versa but since she's a BBW ashes of Course NOT ALLOWED to feel worthy of him,soo after he kisses her senseless later that night and then the next morning makes a VERY Clumsy attempt to let her know he wants her as much as she might want him.... But between her BBW ( must have ( such a cliche I wanna scream) low self esteem) low self esteem , stupidly and need to just stick her head in the ground about somethings, and sheer stubbornness and Sam going from 0 ( which was nothing) to 60 in his feelings and treatment and reactions to her and not taking to the time to explain,well anything to her or asking her any questions before starting to act like an obnoxious alpha wolf in a shifter book and start spouting Mine! ,Mine! Mine! Out of No Freakin Where... I'm was all very awkward and painful to watch.. Then they spend the day with them both seeming to try and out annoy the other ( O and by the way not all conflict is sexy!! Sometimes it's just really,really annoying like these two were!!!)
Here's a beautiful BBW who doesn't think she's "good enough" to hold a man like Sam.. But she wants to try and take on the Russian mob for her LOSER brother ?!?!?!? WHAT THE HECK?!?!?
Rolling my eyes.... I want a BBW you loves who she is and who she wants if others have a problem with her fine!!! But I'm sick and tired of these women ( who'd probably be BBW models,probably gorgeous,but supposedly are self hating doormats because their what a size 12 and not a size 2 ?!?!? I'd kill to be a 12 .... BS!!! Get better reasons ppl!! They come home to his place,more kissing. Getting close to going all the way, then a photo be call and he's gone even hours later into the. Night...
The end book two... WTH ?!?!?
I gave up after that... Barely 24 hours had passed in those 8 or 9 incredibly boring chapters and that's where it lead ? No thanks..
Sooo grateful it was KU ;( No money only time wasted....
They were both Idiots!!! Aaaaaaaaaaaaa ;( Chloe come home to possible Russian mobsters in her apt. To kidnap her,she hides out in a model home ,her boss finds her and takes her home with him... He's in love with her and vice versa but since she's a BBW ashes of Course NOT ALLOWED to feel worthy of him,soo after he kisses her senseless later that night and then the next morning makes a VERY Clumsy attempt to let her know he wants her as much as she might want him.... But between her BBW ( must have ( such a cliche I wanna scream) low self esteem) low self esteem , stupidly and need to just stick her head in the ground about somethings, and sheer stubbornness and Sam going from 0 ( which was nothing) to 60 in his feelings and treatment and reactions to her and not taking to the time to explain,well anything to her or asking her any questions before starting to act like an obnoxious alpha wolf in a shifter book and start spouting Mine! ,Mine! Mine! Out of No Freakin Where... I'm was all very awkward and painful to watch.. Then they spend the day with them both seeming to try and out annoy the other ( O and by the way not all conflict is sexy!! Sometimes it's just really,really annoying like these two were!!!)
Here's a beautiful BBW who doesn't think she's "good enough" to hold a man like Sam.. But she wants to try and take on the Russian mob for her LOSER brother ?!?!?!? WHAT THE HECK?!?!?
Rolling my eyes.... I want a BBW you loves who she is and who she wants if others have a problem with her fine!!! But I'm sick and tired of these women ( who'd probably be BBW models,probably gorgeous,but supposedly are self hating doormats because their what a size 12 and not a size 2 ?!?!? I'd kill to be a 12 .... BS!!! Get better reasons ppl!! They come home to his place,more kissing. Getting close to going all the way, then a photo be call and he's gone even hours later into the. Night...
The end book two... WTH ?!?!?
I gave up after that... Barely 24 hours had passed in those 8 or 9 incredibly boring chapters and that's where it lead ? No thanks..
Sooo grateful it was KU ;( No money only time wasted....
October 14, 2018
[this applies to series] Sigh. I really, really wanted some BBW romances to sweep me off my feet, and these just kind of nudged me a little. I borrowed both books because I like reading in order and it was the second story that I really wanted to read. But at the end, I was just kind of meh. These two would have rated so much higher IF the major action isn’t dependent on the heroines making some major TSTL choices when it comes to their welfare. Also, when characters are making that choice, I need to buy into their reason for doing it, so at least I’ll understand why they’re making some really dumb decisions, even if I don’t agree with them. But if you love the damsel in distress trope with a side of billionaire lovin’, you may enjoy more than I did.
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February 8, 2019
Other than the man female character being as stupid as stupid can be, this was a good read for me. I only gave it a 3 star because of the most annoying female main character and it seemed that all three of these books were female gets kidnapped, main male character comes in to save the day. The author could have missed it up a bit but it was the exact same scenario in each book. It go boring real quick for me.
May 2, 2016
Her naivety irked me a lot, otherwise a fun fluff read. :)
Read
March 6, 2021okay... no one should be this stupid. Everything that was a cliche and you should know was stupid or a trap, she did. Even though I was listing to an audio, I skipped through. Dumb dumb dumb.
Read
November 5, 2022DNF after 50%. I cannot, will not read about a woman who is so utterly clueless about her safety. It just ain’t cute.
I only tried as long as I did in hopes the alpha would carry the story but his alphaness quickly disappeared and so I’m following suit.
I only tried as long as I did in hopes the alpha would carry the story but his alphaness quickly disappeared and so I’m following suit.
January 18, 2024
Relief to my tortured soul
Alrighttttt so I came into this one with very low expectations, but actually was pleasantly surprised. This book feels fulfilling and dense, not half hashed crap like the first. The couple is super cute and the sexy scenes in this one weren't bad.
At times her stubbornness pissed me off bc it led to the dumbest misunderstandings, but I feel like her character was consistent in what we see throughout the plot, and her irrational behaviors align with the idea of a woman who has had to raise herself and brother since she was a little kid herself.
I find myself grasping at straws when I wonder what his story is, however, and that's the flaw with this author: she is so focused on the present that she neglects a backstory. Also what are her hobbies?? It's all just focus on character and plot and no individualized characteristics to make a character relatable or unique.
It was a pretty good read.
Alrighttttt so I came into this one with very low expectations, but actually was pleasantly surprised. This book feels fulfilling and dense, not half hashed crap like the first. The couple is super cute and the sexy scenes in this one weren't bad.
At times her stubbornness pissed me off bc it led to the dumbest misunderstandings, but I feel like her character was consistent in what we see throughout the plot, and her irrational behaviors align with the idea of a woman who has had to raise herself and brother since she was a little kid herself.
I find myself grasping at straws when I wonder what his story is, however, and that's the flaw with this author: she is so focused on the present that she neglects a backstory. Also what are her hobbies?? It's all just focus on character and plot and no individualized characteristics to make a character relatable or unique.
It was a pretty good read.
May 7, 2020
I'm half way through this book and Chloe's on my last nerves already with whining about her damn weight! I don't like this author Ivy Layne, writing about weak, low self esteem, insecure women, because they're not a size 4 or 6. These women are about a size 12 or 14. That's not fat!!! They just need to go to the gym and firm up. And stop eating fatty foods. I just finished the book. I tried really hard to like it. But Chloe is too damn hard headed, and suffering from very low self esteem. Omg all she did throughout the whole book was whine about her weight. If she was so worried about her weight, why she never one go to the gym or do some damn exercise😠?! When she finally had sex with Sam, and the next morning she heard him talking with his father. Instead of her asking him what he meant when he said that having sex with her wasn't about love. No she just assumed he didn't love her and he was using her, then dump her. Nope, she just went running to a hotel. Then later get tricked by Tim and got caught by Dog. All because she wouldn't listen when Sam told her to stop searching for her brother. She just got on my last nerves. Poor Sam was only guilty of loving her despite of her so call big size.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 20, 2022
Again with the Russian mafia????
Chloe and Sam have had feelings for each other for a long time, but neither of them have done anything about it. Sam is supposed to be a billionaire, but comes across as a wimp! Man up and tell the woman that you love her!! When Chloe’s flat is broken into by men with guns, searching for her brother Nolan, she goes to stay at Sam’s house. And of course things happen. After Sam gets past Chloe’s insecurities over her curves. Has this writer got something about curvy women? They always feel insecure and not good enough. So we’ve had TWO FULL SERIES, about the Russian mafia!!! Is there no other danger anywhere???
Nolan is working for the Russian mafia when he goes missing with something that belongs to them. Chloe is threatened, but for whatever reason she goes on her own to a Russian club, then meets the Russians on her own. She’s so annoying!!!
It’s just boring. And I’m getting sick and tired of people thinking it’s okay to do really bad things. Nolan is working for a man that trafficks women and sells drugs and guns, but Chloe is fine with all that as long as Nolan is ok!!!! NOOOO ITS NOT OKAY!!!
Chloe and Sam have had feelings for each other for a long time, but neither of them have done anything about it. Sam is supposed to be a billionaire, but comes across as a wimp! Man up and tell the woman that you love her!! When Chloe’s flat is broken into by men with guns, searching for her brother Nolan, she goes to stay at Sam’s house. And of course things happen. After Sam gets past Chloe’s insecurities over her curves. Has this writer got something about curvy women? They always feel insecure and not good enough. So we’ve had TWO FULL SERIES, about the Russian mafia!!! Is there no other danger anywhere???
Nolan is working for the Russian mafia when he goes missing with something that belongs to them. Chloe is threatened, but for whatever reason she goes on her own to a Russian club, then meets the Russians on her own. She’s so annoying!!!
It’s just boring. And I’m getting sick and tired of people thinking it’s okay to do really bad things. Nolan is working for a man that trafficks women and sells drugs and guns, but Chloe is fine with all that as long as Nolan is ok!!!! NOOOO ITS NOT OKAY!!!
August 23, 2021
5 Star Kindle Unlimited Read
"I’d been Sam Logan’s assistant for three years and had been head over heels in love with him for almost all of them."
“You’re mine, Chloe. You’ve been mine for three years and neither of us realized it."
She's in love with him and he's her boss. He's in love with her and it's time she knew it.
"I’d been Sam Logan’s assistant for three years and had been head over heels in love with him for almost all of them."
“You’re mine, Chloe. You’ve been mine for three years and neither of us realized it."
She's in love with him and he's her boss. He's in love with her and it's time she knew it.
“Chloe Henson, you’re my best friend, my partner, the most beautiful, strong, amazing, sexy woman I’ve ever known and the only woman I’ll ever want by my side. I love you. Will you be my wife?”
Another successful coupling.
"I’d been Sam Logan’s assistant for three years and had been head over heels in love with him for almost all of them."
“You’re mine, Chloe. You’ve been mine for three years and neither of us realized it."
She's in love with him and he's her boss. He's in love with her and it's time she knew it.
"I’d been Sam Logan’s assistant for three years and had been head over heels in love with him for almost all of them."
“You’re mine, Chloe. You’ve been mine for three years and neither of us realized it."
She's in love with him and he's her boss. He's in love with her and it's time she knew it.
“Chloe Henson, you’re my best friend, my partner, the most beautiful, strong, amazing, sexy woman I’ve ever known and the only woman I’ll ever want by my side. I love you. Will you be my wife?”
Another successful coupling.
February 7, 2020
Another book with a woman who falls to her knees just because the guy is hot. Ugh! Have some f**king self respect! Damn! Also, again, the mob crap in this book only took away from the romance, which needed all the attention it could get. All the tension from the mob shit should have been channelled into the romance.
The woman didn't fight the hero hard enough, the hero was filled with lame excuses, and the lack of any real emotional depth left the book wanting.
The woman didn't fight the hero hard enough, the hero was filled with lame excuses, and the lack of any real emotional depth left the book wanting.
January 7, 2018
Sometimes books have a good plot but the characters are too dumb to make it a success
The heroine was an idiot. I mean jumping in front of a train to stop it with your hand kind of idiot.
Which was a bummer for me.
The heroine was an idiot. I mean jumping in front of a train to stop it with your hand kind of idiot.
Which was a bummer for me.
February 2, 2025
It says something when all the books in this series seem to have lower reviews. I was annoyed to find this may be the case with this book too. After reading this book and thinking about the reviews I’ve read about it, I can say that I agree partially. It’s true, Chloe was obscenely annoying in this book and kept getting herself into trouble because she couldn’t just let Axel do his job. She had to be out there, actively investigating too and all that did was get her into trouble and on the radar. In this instance, I wholeheartedly agree with Axel and Sam that she should stay out of it and let Axel do his thing. On the romance aspect Chloe’s low self esteem was too much as well. Her blatant fight with Sam in the beginning of the book that they shouldn’t be together and didn’t even want to discuss that possibility was annoying. On top of that, the way she was talking lowly about herself was annoying too. I got enough of that in the first book with Leigha. This was my only complaint about the book. Aside from all that I felt there was more plot with this story and it wasn’t saturated with sex like the first one. In fact, I wish there was slightly more of that in this book but with the threat of Nolan, Chloe’s brother, and everything that went down in the times leading up to finding him, you wouldn’t be able to. The point of this story was to find out what’s going on with Nolan and realizing, at least on Sam’s end that he has a thing for Chloe and always has but he just didn’t see it until now. If you think about it, it’s kind of a unrealistic way this would happen but if you think about how long he’s known her and working together and the way she helps him out, it’s easy to see how he could fall for her after all this time. Chloe was already there, she just needed encouragement from Sam to see that he felt the same way. I wound up giving this a 4, because it was better than the first book and realizing this would lead to Axel’s story wasn’t planned on my end but a nice surprise and continuing, or should I say what started the next series with the Sinclair’s and the Winters family. What I also liked about this is how Sam and Chloe find their way to each other, even though she fought it and the action and mystery that follows it regarding Nolan. If I could have gotten past Chloe’s annoyance and attitude about the whole thing, I may have given this a 5, but since there was more positivity about this book than negativity I settled for a 4. I couldn’t get past how Chloe was acting.
October 10, 2023
Chloe and Sam
Chloe was Sam’s executive assistant for years and his best friend for at least three. He wasn’t sure how long he had been in love with her, but she was prone to hiding herself under boxy clothes. It wasn’t Chloe’s gorgeous body he noticed first, though, it was her sweet caring nature that made her see when he didn’t eat and get him a snack or fuss over staff with issues.
Chloe on the other hand fell in love with Sam almost immediately after coming to work for him. Yes he was great looking and well built, but he was so much more than a guy in a suit. In fact the suit made him look like it was barely containing something wild and that made him even more interesting. Besides, Sam was always very considerate of her and they had a great time together. Of course he would probably never look at a curvy and short girl like her when he dated all those beautiful models.
Chloe took care of her younger brother most of her life since their mother was gone and their father might as well have been. Nolan was always getting into things Chloe had to get him out of, but this time it was really bad. It looked like he might have taken something from the Russian mob and someone equally as terrifying wanted it and was willing to go after Chloe to get it.
Sam’s right had man Axel kept his nose to the ground and as soon as Chloe admitted there was a problem, Axel found the out who the players were almost immediately. Sam saw this as an opportunity to take Chloe home to protect her and move their relationship along.
This was a reasonably well written story that wasn’t just written for spice and romance, so that being said the storyline wasn’t bad but was a little short on excitement. It also had a great deal of a normally mousy lady repeatedly doing ridiculously dangerous things she was asked not to do “because it was her brother” and I found that both unbelievable and annoying. The romance was good.
Chloe was Sam’s executive assistant for years and his best friend for at least three. He wasn’t sure how long he had been in love with her, but she was prone to hiding herself under boxy clothes. It wasn’t Chloe’s gorgeous body he noticed first, though, it was her sweet caring nature that made her see when he didn’t eat and get him a snack or fuss over staff with issues.
Chloe on the other hand fell in love with Sam almost immediately after coming to work for him. Yes he was great looking and well built, but he was so much more than a guy in a suit. In fact the suit made him look like it was barely containing something wild and that made him even more interesting. Besides, Sam was always very considerate of her and they had a great time together. Of course he would probably never look at a curvy and short girl like her when he dated all those beautiful models.
Chloe took care of her younger brother most of her life since their mother was gone and their father might as well have been. Nolan was always getting into things Chloe had to get him out of, but this time it was really bad. It looked like he might have taken something from the Russian mob and someone equally as terrifying wanted it and was willing to go after Chloe to get it.
Sam’s right had man Axel kept his nose to the ground and as soon as Chloe admitted there was a problem, Axel found the out who the players were almost immediately. Sam saw this as an opportunity to take Chloe home to protect her and move their relationship along.
This was a reasonably well written story that wasn’t just written for spice and romance, so that being said the storyline wasn’t bad but was a little short on excitement. It also had a great deal of a normally mousy lady repeatedly doing ridiculously dangerous things she was asked not to do “because it was her brother” and I found that both unbelievable and annoying. The romance was good.
April 15, 2019
Really sweet and a little sexy
Ugh, the characters in these books make me want to shake them and yell “get your shit together, you idiot!”. Don’t get me wrong, I love them. They’re smart (usually, kind of), head strong, kind characters, but my God, they make some idiotic decisions. I feel like half the problems in this whole series could be avoided by a little something called COMMON SENSE. I can even get over moving quickly in this book because, as Sam pointed out, it was really 3 years coming and they already knew each other extremely well. They already loved each other. But I just don’t get the whole “moving you in without permission” thing. And then, when Chloe gets upset it’s because she is worried it’s too soon. She never even has a talk with him about making decisions together, him changing her life without her input, respect, communication, ANYTHING IMPORTANT... A dreadful example of starting a toxic relationship right out of the gate. Even if she’s on board with it, that’s not the point. The point is him discussing it with her to make sure she’s on board with it. There were just so many red flags and stupid decisions I found myself incredibly irritated and feeling a mom lecture bubbling up through most of the book.
Ok, now that I got my venting session out of the way...
Believe it or not, even with all that irritation to rant about, I really do love Chloe for Sam. He sees her as a partner at work, not someone beneath him, and I know that’s how their personal lives will be too. Apart from the stupidity, recklessness and alpha sexist takeovers, I thought this book was incredibly sweet, a little sexy and very exciting. I love a little mystery and adventure wrapped up in a romance. I also think it’s wonderful that body positivity and healthy self esteem are so well represented in these books. Overall, I really am enjoying the series.
Ugh, the characters in these books make me want to shake them and yell “get your shit together, you idiot!”. Don’t get me wrong, I love them. They’re smart (usually, kind of), head strong, kind characters, but my God, they make some idiotic decisions. I feel like half the problems in this whole series could be avoided by a little something called COMMON SENSE. I can even get over moving quickly in this book because, as Sam pointed out, it was really 3 years coming and they already knew each other extremely well. They already loved each other. But I just don’t get the whole “moving you in without permission” thing. And then, when Chloe gets upset it’s because she is worried it’s too soon. She never even has a talk with him about making decisions together, him changing her life without her input, respect, communication, ANYTHING IMPORTANT... A dreadful example of starting a toxic relationship right out of the gate. Even if she’s on board with it, that’s not the point. The point is him discussing it with her to make sure she’s on board with it. There were just so many red flags and stupid decisions I found myself incredibly irritated and feeling a mom lecture bubbling up through most of the book.
Ok, now that I got my venting session out of the way...
Believe it or not, even with all that irritation to rant about, I really do love Chloe for Sam. He sees her as a partner at work, not someone beneath him, and I know that’s how their personal lives will be too. Apart from the stupidity, recklessness and alpha sexist takeovers, I thought this book was incredibly sweet, a little sexy and very exciting. I love a little mystery and adventure wrapped up in a romance. I also think it’s wonderful that body positivity and healthy self esteem are so well represented in these books. Overall, I really am enjoying the series.
May 14, 2025
Another Wonderful Book
What a wonderful book, brilliantly written, especially as the character were now getting drawn in to the Russian Mafia in. Las Vegas, run by Tsepov.
Chloe was Billionaire Sam's Secretary. Chloe had a brother Nolan and she had raised him since he was 3yrs old, when their mother ran away and their father left them alone most of the time as he couldn't be bothered with them. Chloe was not just his Secretary but was his best friend for the last three years. Six months earlier Sam realise that he loved Chloe but didn't want to upset her so didn't say anything. His best friends Dylan - Owner of the Delecta Casino and Kane Enterprises and Axel - Boss of Sinclair Securities of Las Vegas branch knew he loved Chloe for longer than even Sam knew.
Nolan had got involved with Tsepov when he lost a lot of money to him playing cards. Tsepov realised he could use Nolan's computer skills to his advantage but things didn't go to plan and Nolan went on the run now his sister's life is in danger.
The turns and twists were brilliantly written and you were drawn further and further into the maze of twisty and plots. Fantastic Author Ivy Maybe had done it again. One more book left to finish this trilogy. Can't wait to read. 👩🏻💻✍
What a wonderful book, brilliantly written, especially as the character were now getting drawn in to the Russian Mafia in. Las Vegas, run by Tsepov.
Chloe was Billionaire Sam's Secretary. Chloe had a brother Nolan and she had raised him since he was 3yrs old, when their mother ran away and their father left them alone most of the time as he couldn't be bothered with them. Chloe was not just his Secretary but was his best friend for the last three years. Six months earlier Sam realise that he loved Chloe but didn't want to upset her so didn't say anything. His best friends Dylan - Owner of the Delecta Casino and Kane Enterprises and Axel - Boss of Sinclair Securities of Las Vegas branch knew he loved Chloe for longer than even Sam knew.
Nolan had got involved with Tsepov when he lost a lot of money to him playing cards. Tsepov realised he could use Nolan's computer skills to his advantage but things didn't go to plan and Nolan went on the run now his sister's life is in danger.
The turns and twists were brilliantly written and you were drawn further and further into the maze of twisty and plots. Fantastic Author Ivy Maybe had done it again. One more book left to finish this trilogy. Can't wait to read. 👩🏻💻✍
May 24, 2020
Needs rewritten
Usually, Ivy Lane writes interesting and sexy books. Yes, this is an older one but it was published after the Winters series so I expect more. Sam and Chloe have no chemistry and Chloe is dumber than dumb. Believing Sam has fallen in love Chloe 2 years previously but continued to screw socialites and models instead of pursuing Chloe? Um....no. Just no. Claiming her as his in one night when she is in trouble, with no build up or warning he was interested in her other than as an assistant? Again, no. And Chloe? She continuously thinks she can better save her brother from the Russian mob than those trained in security and special forces. Puh..lease! And my pet peeve sealed this as a one star story. WHY do authors write about curvy women and make them as insecure and ugly until some rich guy buys them clothes that MIRACULOUSLY fit and now these women are attractive? I mean seriously, most women with curves CAN find clothes that fit!! It is insulting how she writes about sexy , plus size ladies.
Usually, Ivy Lane writes interesting and sexy books. Yes, this is an older one but it was published after the Winters series so I expect more. Sam and Chloe have no chemistry and Chloe is dumber than dumb. Believing Sam has fallen in love Chloe 2 years previously but continued to screw socialites and models instead of pursuing Chloe? Um....no. Just no. Claiming her as his in one night when she is in trouble, with no build up or warning he was interested in her other than as an assistant? Again, no. And Chloe? She continuously thinks she can better save her brother from the Russian mob than those trained in security and special forces. Puh..lease! And my pet peeve sealed this as a one star story. WHY do authors write about curvy women and make them as insecure and ugly until some rich guy buys them clothes that MIRACULOUSLY fit and now these women are attractive? I mean seriously, most women with curves CAN find clothes that fit!! It is insulting how she writes about sexy , plus size ladies.
March 18, 2021
Wasn't my favorite....decent read
I just couldn't get behind the heroine in this tale. I just have never met someone so bent on putting herself in the most dangerous of situations. I just kept waiting for her to get a clue. Even to the point of yelling at her. Yes I know inanimate objects t and fictional character. Regardless, the plot was interesting. And it kept me reading. I just felt Chloe could've gotten a little more , I don't know, just something. Just some sort of common sense. I guess that's what made it hard to connect...she could help run a multi million dollar company but she couldn't tell if someone was twerking? Especially growing up with an absent father? Naive maybe but unable to grasp the behavior of shady characters in the middle of the Russian Mob? I just couldn't get it to make sense.
I just couldn't get behind the heroine in this tale. I just have never met someone so bent on putting herself in the most dangerous of situations. I just kept waiting for her to get a clue. Even to the point of yelling at her. Yes I know inanimate objects t and fictional character. Regardless, the plot was interesting. And it kept me reading. I just felt Chloe could've gotten a little more , I don't know, just something. Just some sort of common sense. I guess that's what made it hard to connect...she could help run a multi million dollar company but she couldn't tell if someone was twerking? Especially growing up with an absent father? Naive maybe but unable to grasp the behavior of shady characters in the middle of the Russian Mob? I just couldn't get it to make sense.
March 29, 2024
Sam had me fooled for a while...
And he certainly had Chloe fooled... But then, I would have been, too. A parade of beauties, tall and slender, over the years. I would also have been convinced I wasn't the kind of woman Sam appreciated.
Add Chloe's love and worry about her brother, and things got complicated. The last thing she expected was her brother's involvement with the Russian mob. Which, in turn, put her in danger.
Sam also showed his interest in Chloe, and it wasn't the best time with her mindless, and foolish in her concern, and attempts to track het brother down. Chaos, fear, upheaval... And Chloe wasn't easily believing Sam was serious.
Danger, fear, intrigue... Chloe was overwhelmed. And Sam was going out of his mind to keep her safe. Excellent read.
And he certainly had Chloe fooled... But then, I would have been, too. A parade of beauties, tall and slender, over the years. I would also have been convinced I wasn't the kind of woman Sam appreciated.
Add Chloe's love and worry about her brother, and things got complicated. The last thing she expected was her brother's involvement with the Russian mob. Which, in turn, put her in danger.
Sam also showed his interest in Chloe, and it wasn't the best time with her mindless, and foolish in her concern, and attempts to track het brother down. Chaos, fear, upheaval... And Chloe wasn't easily believing Sam was serious.
Danger, fear, intrigue... Chloe was overwhelmed. And Sam was going out of his mind to keep her safe. Excellent read.
December 21, 2020
Another great read from Alexa Wilder. Sam is such a sweetheart. The only reason i didn't give this 5 stars instead of 4 was because, OMG Chloe is annoying. She makes every bad decision possible. This is the woman who is supposed to be competent and practically running Sam's company and life? She runs into any dangerous situation without a thought, without even sending a text to people readily available and willing to help her? If there is a wrong decision to be made, she's going to make it. I could only take so much of that. Other than that, it was a lovely story and I really felt Sam's love for her. Great book with a HEA and I can't wait to finish up this series with the third book. Check out my highlights for some of the sappier bits.
July 29, 2022
Urgh...
This was a long read for me....Chloe was SO stupid! She was so stubborn and wouldn't listen and she thought she knew it all! Oh no my brother... I have to do it all ... eventhough she didn't know what she was doing! Like the Russian mobster was no one..until she met him then she was scared. But in the end still went off and 'accidentally' lost her protection and almost died! Then talking about oh my brother is out of my hands..and she doesn't want to enter into the russian mob... GIRL!!! ... you brought lots a bad attention that almost got you killed ..now you talking about you wont enter that world!!?!?.. omg The first book was good...I'm not wasting my time on the third one... i dont want to deal with another Chloe...
This was a long read for me....Chloe was SO stupid! She was so stubborn and wouldn't listen and she thought she knew it all! Oh no my brother... I have to do it all ... eventhough she didn't know what she was doing! Like the Russian mobster was no one..until she met him then she was scared. But in the end still went off and 'accidentally' lost her protection and almost died! Then talking about oh my brother is out of my hands..and she doesn't want to enter into the russian mob... GIRL!!! ... you brought lots a bad attention that almost got you killed ..now you talking about you wont enter that world!!?!?.. omg The first book was good...I'm not wasting my time on the third one... i dont want to deal with another Chloe...
February 2, 2024
Chocolate is not the only temptation in life
Chloe has loved Sam for years. But he is her boss, owns a thriving business, and only dates those beautiful model types. She is his office assistant and he cares about her but not like that, not the way she has dreamed about. Romance aside, she has other things to worry about…her brother is missing.
Sam finally figured out what he wants but just can’t seem to man-up enough to go for. The ‘what if’s’ are making him crazy. The world seems to suddenly turn upside down and he has everything he wants within arm’s reach if he can just keep Chloe alive long enough to agree.
The Courtship Maneuver is filled with excitement, humor and love! Definitely worth your time!
Chloe has loved Sam for years. But he is her boss, owns a thriving business, and only dates those beautiful model types. She is his office assistant and he cares about her but not like that, not the way she has dreamed about. Romance aside, she has other things to worry about…her brother is missing.
Sam finally figured out what he wants but just can’t seem to man-up enough to go for. The ‘what if’s’ are making him crazy. The world seems to suddenly turn upside down and he has everything he wants within arm’s reach if he can just keep Chloe alive long enough to agree.
The Courtship Maneuver is filled with excitement, humor and love! Definitely worth your time!
July 2, 2025
Disappointing
The overall story was okay but the characters were lacking.
I read the first book in the series and based on the glimpses given of Sam and Axel, I was expecting more from the character of Sam than this delivered.
Sam didn't seem fully developed. He was almost a caricature. He could have been so much more interesting and intriguing.
The female main character, Chloe, was ridiculous and unbelievably obtuse. Her actions and most of her reactions made no sense.
In addition, the continued emphasis on her perceived body issues was a little heavy handed and too much of a distraction.
I really wanted to like this book as much as I liked the first one. It fell kind of flat for me.
The overall story was okay but the characters were lacking.
I read the first book in the series and based on the glimpses given of Sam and Axel, I was expecting more from the character of Sam than this delivered.
Sam didn't seem fully developed. He was almost a caricature. He could have been so much more interesting and intriguing.
The female main character, Chloe, was ridiculous and unbelievably obtuse. Her actions and most of her reactions made no sense.
In addition, the continued emphasis on her perceived body issues was a little heavy handed and too much of a distraction.
I really wanted to like this book as much as I liked the first one. It fell kind of flat for me.
November 6, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ — A charming, heartfelt read that leaves you smiling long after the last page.
The chemistry between the main couple is undeniable — full of playful teasing, heartfelt moments, and just the right amount of steam. What really stands out is how the story balances flirtation with genuine growth; both characters learn about vulnerability, trust, and what it truly means to love someone who challenges you in all the right ways.
The pacing is smooth, the dialogue sparkles, and the emotional payoff is deeply satisfying. Whether you’re a fan of military romances, clever courtship stories, or simply a feel-good love tale with depth, The Courtship Maneuver delivers beautifully.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ — A charming, heartfelt read that leaves you smiling long after the last page.
The chemistry between the main couple is undeniable — full of playful teasing, heartfelt moments, and just the right amount of steam. What really stands out is how the story balances flirtation with genuine growth; both characters learn about vulnerability, trust, and what it truly means to love someone who challenges you in all the right ways.
The pacing is smooth, the dialogue sparkles, and the emotional payoff is deeply satisfying. Whether you’re a fan of military romances, clever courtship stories, or simply a feel-good love tale with depth, The Courtship Maneuver delivers beautifully.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ — A charming, heartfelt read that leaves you smiling long after the last page.
April 25, 2018
A little bit of everything
This story was really good! The pacing, the storyline, the characters, the drama, the love, the uncertainty...I enjoyed it all. I think what was really great about this story besides well developed characters that were relatable was that they all had some type of life lesson to share through their own thoughts, actions and concerns. The scenes between Sam and Chloe were hot, the conversations between everyone was captivating and had me reading this story in one sitting. Great time and the ending has me even more excited to see what Axel encounters on his path to love!
This story was really good! The pacing, the storyline, the characters, the drama, the love, the uncertainty...I enjoyed it all. I think what was really great about this story besides well developed characters that were relatable was that they all had some type of life lesson to share through their own thoughts, actions and concerns. The scenes between Sam and Chloe were hot, the conversations between everyone was captivating and had me reading this story in one sitting. Great time and the ending has me even more excited to see what Axel encounters on his path to love!
October 6, 2023
Great Falling for the Boss story
I really enjoyed reading about Sam and Chloe’s love for each other. This book starts with aa BANG and pretty much ends with one as well. I completely adored how Sam wants to care for and protect Chloe from the beginning and how stubborn she is to easily take hat he offers. Like other Ivy Layne books the curvy gal who doesn’t think too much of herself discovers how beautiful she truly is through the eyes of an incredible man. I do love that trope having always been a curvy gal myself. Things get really scary for a bit in this story and I was definitely on edge during those moments, but I still got my HEA so I’m a very satisfied reader.
I really enjoyed reading about Sam and Chloe’s love for each other. This book starts with aa BANG and pretty much ends with one as well. I completely adored how Sam wants to care for and protect Chloe from the beginning and how stubborn she is to easily take hat he offers. Like other Ivy Layne books the curvy gal who doesn’t think too much of herself discovers how beautiful she truly is through the eyes of an incredible man. I do love that trope having always been a curvy gal myself. Things get really scary for a bit in this story and I was definitely on edge during those moments, but I still got my HEA so I’m a very satisfied reader.
July 20, 2025
There's not a lot I cant tolerate in a book, but flat out stupidity is a big trigger of mine. Chloe isnt just naive, shes an idiot. Shes being threatened by gun welding strangers and her thoughts isnt "let me let this guy with the super elite security force help me" or even "let me call the police" its "let me show up to the sketchy bar I hears vaguely mentioned by them and flail around with a pool stick for answers when I dont even know how to question someone". She constantly flings herself into danger headlong with absolutely no attempts at self preservation and the smut isnt good enough to make up for her orange cat two brain cell syndrome.
October 30, 2019
Enjoyed the book much more than the first one. It was a more believable story. However, Chloe isn’t the smartes crayon in the box and is not authentic at times in the book. According to my family spoke loud twice calling her ‘a stupid woman’ for her actions in the book which made me roll my eyes and almost put the book down because you could always guess what would happen. Otherwise my takeaway from the book: Lesson learned be a good person, start working for a hot guy, and stay away from the Russian mob and you will find true love.
March 22, 2020
When Sam Logan goes to investigate an alarm at one of his construction properties, he doesn't expect to find his assistant Chloe there. While he's not surprised that her brother has screwed up again, he is shocked that it involves the Russians who are now trying to use Chloe as collateral. Sam is very not pleased. But not so not pleased that he won't seduce Chloe. And try to immediately butt her out of her brother's life. To be fair to Sam, Chloe is kind of TSTL. She seems so generally competent, why would she run into bad situations?
January 19, 2023
Had issues
There were a few times the h was to stupid to live. She seemed like she had a good head on her shoulders, then she would do something totally ridiculous.
Slight spoiler
And when the H said:
"I thought I could have everything. You in the office and other women just to date. They never meant anything when I had you to come back to" If someone would have told me that I would've punched him. Certainly not wanted to spend my life with him.
Did end well. Hoping the next book was as good as the first one was.
There were a few times the h was to stupid to live. She seemed like she had a good head on her shoulders, then she would do something totally ridiculous.
Slight spoiler
And when the H said:
"I thought I could have everything. You in the office and other women just to date. They never meant anything when I had you to come back to" If someone would have told me that I would've punched him. Certainly not wanted to spend my life with him.
Did end well. Hoping the next book was as good as the first one was.
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