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Fire or Ice
Every time I close my eyes I see his face. Even when don’t want to. Even when he doesn’t deserve that I still dream about him. If anything, he was more like a nightmare. But no matter what I do, I can’t forget about him. Will I ever move on?
Ava Fischer is an accountant at a successful firm in Chicago and she loves what she does. She’s built herself up from scratch after she ran away from home and the memories of the boy who broke her heart, there. She only dates casually, she’s married to her job and nothing can go wrong.
James Weber has walked in his brother’s shadow all his life and he’s tried to set the record straight by starting up a company that will prove his worth to anyone who cares to know. He’s rich and successful with a business partner that makes things happen and life is what it should be.
Except, something goes wrong. James suspects foul play in his company and he asks his best friend to bring in an outsider to take a look at the books. Caleb agrees to help and calls up the best accountant he knows to do the job.
As soon as Ava and James get over the shock of seeing each other again, sparks fly – but not always in a good way. They have a love-hate relationship where it’s sex the one moment and fighting the next. Love is at arm’s length but neither of them can reach it if they’re not willing to bend a little. Throw a cunning partner and a handsome best friend in the mix and things go from bad to worse.
Can they put their pasts behind them and work together professionally? Or has too much happened between them to keep a clear mind and keep the James’s business from going under?
Ava Fischer is an accountant at a successful firm in Chicago and she loves what she does. She’s built herself up from scratch after she ran away from home and the memories of the boy who broke her heart, there. She only dates casually, she’s married to her job and nothing can go wrong.
James Weber has walked in his brother’s shadow all his life and he’s tried to set the record straight by starting up a company that will prove his worth to anyone who cares to know. He’s rich and successful with a business partner that makes things happen and life is what it should be.
Except, something goes wrong. James suspects foul play in his company and he asks his best friend to bring in an outsider to take a look at the books. Caleb agrees to help and calls up the best accountant he knows to do the job.
As soon as Ava and James get over the shock of seeing each other again, sparks fly – but not always in a good way. They have a love-hate relationship where it’s sex the one moment and fighting the next. Love is at arm’s length but neither of them can reach it if they’re not willing to bend a little. Throw a cunning partner and a handsome best friend in the mix and things go from bad to worse.
Can they put their pasts behind them and work together professionally? Or has too much happened between them to keep a clear mind and keep the James’s business from going under?
- GenresContemporary Romance
1470 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 1, 2017
20 people are currently reading
25 people want to read
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July 22, 2018💝FREE on Amazon today (7/22/2018)!💝
Blurb:
Every time I close my eyes I see his face. Even when don’t want to. Even when he doesn’t deserve that I still dream about him. If anything, he was more like a nightmare. But no matter what I do, I can’t forget about him. Will I ever move on?
Ava Fischer is an accountant at a successful firm in Chicago and she loves what she does. She’s built herself up from scratch after she ran away from home and the memories of the boy who broke her heart, there. She only dates casually, she’s married to her job and nothing can go wrong.
James Weber has walked in his brother’s shadow all his life and he’s tried to set the record straight by starting up a company that will prove his worth to anyone who cares to know. He’s rich and successful with a business partner that makes things happen and life is what it should be.
Except, something goes wrong. James suspects foul play in his company and he asks his best friend to bring in an outsider to take a look at the books. Caleb agrees to help and calls up the best accountant he knows to do the job.
As soon as Ava and James get over the shock of seeing each other again, sparks fly – but not always in a good way. They have a love-hate relationship where it’s sex the one moment and fighting the next. Love is at arm’s length but neither of them can reach it if they’re not willing to bend a little. Throw a cunning partner and a handsome best friend in the mix and things go from bad to worse.
Can they put their pasts behind them and work together professionally? Or has too much happened between them to keep a clear mind and keep the James’s business from going under?
Blurb:
Every time I close my eyes I see his face. Even when don’t want to. Even when he doesn’t deserve that I still dream about him. If anything, he was more like a nightmare. But no matter what I do, I can’t forget about him. Will I ever move on?
Ava Fischer is an accountant at a successful firm in Chicago and she loves what she does. She’s built herself up from scratch after she ran away from home and the memories of the boy who broke her heart, there. She only dates casually, she’s married to her job and nothing can go wrong.
James Weber has walked in his brother’s shadow all his life and he’s tried to set the record straight by starting up a company that will prove his worth to anyone who cares to know. He’s rich and successful with a business partner that makes things happen and life is what it should be.
Except, something goes wrong. James suspects foul play in his company and he asks his best friend to bring in an outsider to take a look at the books. Caleb agrees to help and calls up the best accountant he knows to do the job.
As soon as Ava and James get over the shock of seeing each other again, sparks fly – but not always in a good way. They have a love-hate relationship where it’s sex the one moment and fighting the next. Love is at arm’s length but neither of them can reach it if they’re not willing to bend a little. Throw a cunning partner and a handsome best friend in the mix and things go from bad to worse.
Can they put their pasts behind them and work together professionally? Or has too much happened between them to keep a clear mind and keep the James’s business from going under?
September 9, 2017
***I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book."
This book is aptly titled because from beginning to end, the characters ae both hot and cold with each other. I tried to like it but it's just not what I was expecting or maybe I am expecting too much from this book. Both James and Ava didn't know what they wanted fom the time that they saw each other again. I think in a way it was expected that both of them have a friend in common and they are destined to see each other again after so many years. But the pull for me as an audience was just not there. I tried to give it a chance that maybe it will pick up but it just never delivered.
I give this one 2.5-3 stars.
This book is aptly titled because from beginning to end, the characters ae both hot and cold with each other. I tried to like it but it's just not what I was expecting or maybe I am expecting too much from this book. Both James and Ava didn't know what they wanted fom the time that they saw each other again. I think in a way it was expected that both of them have a friend in common and they are destined to see each other again after so many years. But the pull for me as an audience was just not there. I tried to give it a chance that maybe it will pick up but it just never delivered.
I give this one 2.5-3 stars.
September 3, 2017
ARC received in exchange for my honest review.
When first love is challenged by socioeconomic differences how do those same 17 year old individuals approach life and love in their early 30s? Is the challenge of money and ranking in society too much to overcome?
It is easy to become angry with James for breaking a puppy-love promise to his summer girlfriend, Ava. It is easy to question the control a parent can have, even once that parent is no longer in the present.
15 years removed from her 17yo self, Ava becomes distrustful of relationships and likes to keep things easy, burying herself, with great success, in work and uncomplicated relationships. From the safety of Chicago; far from the small town in Florida that she grew up in, she makes her post high school life. The town she loved James for a summer and finished high school in; carrying with her his promise of a future together, loses the ease she once felt there when James ends what barely had a chance to take root. A shattered dream becomes the catalyst to success, away from the reminders of all the unanswered questions James left in his wake. Ava becomes a star with numbers but never gives love another chance to enter her once broken heart.
James, once controlled by his father and brother's ideas of what a man of his means should be, pulls away from the family business. He begins his own and takes on a partner; a tough, savvy but emotionally distant woman. Amanda is the perfect partner for James who would rather enjoy the perks of a handsome man of means; he drinks, parties and sleeps around keeping a light touch on the business. In his mind Amanda is everything he needs for his business and his personal life stays out of the office. Amanda as a partner is as dependable as James is casual.
Ava is asked by an old friend from home to consult on a job. On vacation from her position in Chicago, she stops in Tampa to see if she can help her friend Caleb with some accounting issues. Tampa; the same city where James had promised her a future. She cannot help but remember that, never expecting that James would be the client in need.
With the passage of 15 years, can Ava remove the emotional from her professional expertise? Will James be able to accept what she uncovers about his business while he yearns for the innocence of their summer romance?
There are some books that switch POV with success and some that struggle. This is an example of where the different voices are necessary to give the back story and it gives a sense of dialogue and character development that other formats would not. I did not find the book too long. Personally fitting pieces of the story into place was like solving puzzles. Minor characters have influence on the story and are not just benign references. The spark between teenagers becomes an unexpected draw between adults.
There are some instances of awkward wording or grammatical inaccuracies. Since people often speak outside the parameters of proper English, if these issues are not corrected before publication will the readership be able to still find enjoyment in this book. I think it is possible. I think that there is enough that is unexpected to keep the reader engaged.
Loyalty, friendship, passion, intrigue.... I didn't find the story to be as predictable as I expected.
When the lines between teens and adults blur into a swirl of emotions, when a successful business follows the numbers to an unexpected endpoint, when business and personal become knotted together... these are all enough reasons to follow the book through to the end.
Is success in business enough? Are casual relationships a salve to protect a heart from breaking? Will Tampa's elite ever be the same? Will James? Will Ava?
When first love is challenged by socioeconomic differences how do those same 17 year old individuals approach life and love in their early 30s? Is the challenge of money and ranking in society too much to overcome?
It is easy to become angry with James for breaking a puppy-love promise to his summer girlfriend, Ava. It is easy to question the control a parent can have, even once that parent is no longer in the present.
15 years removed from her 17yo self, Ava becomes distrustful of relationships and likes to keep things easy, burying herself, with great success, in work and uncomplicated relationships. From the safety of Chicago; far from the small town in Florida that she grew up in, she makes her post high school life. The town she loved James for a summer and finished high school in; carrying with her his promise of a future together, loses the ease she once felt there when James ends what barely had a chance to take root. A shattered dream becomes the catalyst to success, away from the reminders of all the unanswered questions James left in his wake. Ava becomes a star with numbers but never gives love another chance to enter her once broken heart.
James, once controlled by his father and brother's ideas of what a man of his means should be, pulls away from the family business. He begins his own and takes on a partner; a tough, savvy but emotionally distant woman. Amanda is the perfect partner for James who would rather enjoy the perks of a handsome man of means; he drinks, parties and sleeps around keeping a light touch on the business. In his mind Amanda is everything he needs for his business and his personal life stays out of the office. Amanda as a partner is as dependable as James is casual.
Ava is asked by an old friend from home to consult on a job. On vacation from her position in Chicago, she stops in Tampa to see if she can help her friend Caleb with some accounting issues. Tampa; the same city where James had promised her a future. She cannot help but remember that, never expecting that James would be the client in need.
With the passage of 15 years, can Ava remove the emotional from her professional expertise? Will James be able to accept what she uncovers about his business while he yearns for the innocence of their summer romance?
There are some books that switch POV with success and some that struggle. This is an example of where the different voices are necessary to give the back story and it gives a sense of dialogue and character development that other formats would not. I did not find the book too long. Personally fitting pieces of the story into place was like solving puzzles. Minor characters have influence on the story and are not just benign references. The spark between teenagers becomes an unexpected draw between adults.
There are some instances of awkward wording or grammatical inaccuracies. Since people often speak outside the parameters of proper English, if these issues are not corrected before publication will the readership be able to still find enjoyment in this book. I think it is possible. I think that there is enough that is unexpected to keep the reader engaged.
Loyalty, friendship, passion, intrigue.... I didn't find the story to be as predictable as I expected.
When the lines between teens and adults blur into a swirl of emotions, when a successful business follows the numbers to an unexpected endpoint, when business and personal become knotted together... these are all enough reasons to follow the book through to the end.
Is success in business enough? Are casual relationships a salve to protect a heart from breaking? Will Tampa's elite ever be the same? Will James? Will Ava?
September 3, 2017
I'm a little torn by this one. Based on the character names I was expecting it tie into the characters from 3 Dates; it doesn't. It is a truly stand-alone book. I found the business side of the story captivating. Following the money led me down a twisty, manipulative little rabbit hole I wasn't sure how they would find their way out of. There's a little too much relationship ambiguity for me to be completely comfortable with that side of the story, though. What happens, how it happens, and when it happens all make perfect sense. It's all completely justified in the way it plays out, I just don't think I could do it the way Ava, James and the people around them handle the situation. I loved that Ava was a strong, confidant woman and that James had to own up to his feelings for her before they could get anywhere. I was also really glad to see Ava confront her self-doubts and fear of commitment in order to have a chance at a happily-ever-after.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book.
September 12, 2017
Second chance romance
This was a first time read by this author. I was asked to review it, but I also bought it because it was good and I liked the authors writing style. This did include a bonus story which is not part of the review.
Overview. Ava fell in love at 17 with a boy James who's dad was rich and owned hotels. She was going to graduate and then move to Tampa Florida to be with him, but he called and told her not to come so she changed colleges and went to Chicago to become an account. Ava doesn't do relationships since James broke her heart. James was on his own distraction path drinking and lots of women no relationships. But when James company has an accounting issues with the books, James friend (Caleb) brings in a person to help uncover James business partner (Amanda). But when James and Ava see each other, the past is now present and love has to find a way to bring two stubborn people back together.
This was a first time read by this author. I was asked to review it, but I also bought it because it was good and I liked the authors writing style. This did include a bonus story which is not part of the review.
Overview. Ava fell in love at 17 with a boy James who's dad was rich and owned hotels. She was going to graduate and then move to Tampa Florida to be with him, but he called and told her not to come so she changed colleges and went to Chicago to become an account. Ava doesn't do relationships since James broke her heart. James was on his own distraction path drinking and lots of women no relationships. But when James company has an accounting issues with the books, James friend (Caleb) brings in a person to help uncover James business partner (Amanda). But when James and Ava see each other, the past is now present and love has to find a way to bring two stubborn people back together.
September 3, 2017
There is James who grew up rich but struck out on his own to make his money and was successful Then there is Ava who works hard and has made a name for herself as a good accountant who can find issues and solve them. They met when they were teenagers, made promises then James broke it off, devastating Ava. She doesn't do relationships, neither does he. When they meet again as James' company is having issues, there are still sparks. He knew he made a mistake and wants to keep her this time. Will he be able to do it? Will their past issues keep them from moving forward? You'll need to read the book to find out. I enjoyed this book though it seemed really long which means to me that it rambled a bit and could have been more concise. Still rather enjoyable with some good steam.
I voluntarily wrote this review from an advanced copy of this book.
I voluntarily wrote this review from an advanced copy of this book.
September 6, 2017
I thorough enjoyed this book. James and Ava finally have a second chance, but James's fear of how his family and the upper class snots will act toward her still has him on edge. He messes up a few times, but her resentment towards him makes it hard for him to get back into her good graces. She's been burned by him so badly, she's afraid to forgive him and allow him the possibility to hurt her even more. I was honestly surprised by the ending though. I knew they had to get their HEA, but I wasn't expecting it to work out like it did. Interesting read. I'm voluntarily reviewing an advanced reader copy of this book.
September 4, 2017
Be prepared, this book is very long but good. James and Ava met when they were teenagers and both really liked "loved" each other. Just like normal teenagers, they made promises to each other not knowing if they would keep. Needless to say, the promises never came to fruition. That is until many years later when they meet again. The chemistry is still there between these two but can they get over the past to look forward to a future? You are going to have to pick the book up to find out. I voluntarily read an Advanced Reader's Copy of this book.
September 15, 2017
I was asked to give a review on this book, while I really liked the story line and the fact that Ava was the one that was playing it safe and not dating since she got her heart broke until James comes back into her life and turns everything upside down. I found that the story line was a little hard to follow at times and the copy I was reading had several grammatic errors that at times made it difficult to read and understand. It was an enjoyable book but does have some language and sexual contence. It is a happily ever after.
September 22, 2017
Good
3.5 Stars
This book is definitely aptly named. Both Ava and James ran hot and cold through most of the story. At times I wanted to smack them and tell to get their sh*t together. James and Ava dated in high school, Ava thought it was forever until James broke her heart. This impacted both their futures as neither dated, only casually. Meeting again through work both are shocked. They still have plenty of heat and chemistry between them but can they let go of the past to have a future?
I voluntarily read an arc copy for my honest review!
3.5 Stars
This book is definitely aptly named. Both Ava and James ran hot and cold through most of the story. At times I wanted to smack them and tell to get their sh*t together. James and Ava dated in high school, Ava thought it was forever until James broke her heart. This impacted both their futures as neither dated, only casually. Meeting again through work both are shocked. They still have plenty of heat and chemistry between them but can they let go of the past to have a future?
I voluntarily read an arc copy for my honest review!
March 18, 2018
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Readers Copy of this book.
I loved this book, Ava wasn't sure whether she loved or hated James. This book was definitely fiery and hot. They wanted each other and He broke her heart years back and has never got over him. Which is why she can't date properly. James started a company but he suspects something isn't right and needs help. His friend ask the best account to help, only its Ava. Oops. they finally talk and air everything. Was a great read, lots of drama. Highly recommend
I loved this book, Ava wasn't sure whether she loved or hated James. This book was definitely fiery and hot. They wanted each other and He broke her heart years back and has never got over him. Which is why she can't date properly. James started a company but he suspects something isn't right and needs help. His friend ask the best account to help, only its Ava. Oops. they finally talk and air everything. Was a great read, lots of drama. Highly recommend
September 6, 2017
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book....
Wow, what a story. I loved the plot and some of the characters. James and Ava both seemed to be immature. Caleb and Hannah are the only two that have common sense. The only time Caleb fell was when he broke the "bro-code". There were way too many POVs. Also, I realize this is an ARC; however, more proofreading should have been done. Words were left out, misspelled, wrong tense, and words where they shouldn't be.
Wow, what a story. I loved the plot and some of the characters. James and Ava both seemed to be immature. Caleb and Hannah are the only two that have common sense. The only time Caleb fell was when he broke the "bro-code". There were way too many POVs. Also, I realize this is an ARC; however, more proofreading should have been done. Words were left out, misspelled, wrong tense, and words where they shouldn't be.
September 8, 2017
I liked the idea of the story however I just didn't like the characters they all seemed well wingers and they definitely ran hot and cold! The cooking of the business books story was more intriguing to me but everything was such a slow burn. This would be a good book to read if you don't know what you want to read and don't want to think to hard about things.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
September 5, 2017
Few can get a second chance with our first love, but these two just keep putting obstacles in their minds and keep assuming the worst. This was a real nail biter and made me grind my teeth, at least until they got back to creating fire!
I received this book as an arc and voluntarily am submitting my review.
I received this book as an arc and voluntarily am submitting my review.
September 4, 2017
I didn't know at first if I would like this book, but it was a great story! Young love doesn't aways stand the test of time and social class. Parents don't aways know what is best. Men and women get in their own way of love all the time. This story has all of that and more. I loved that no matter what was thrown at this couple they finally decided to do the right thing and find LOVE!
September 25, 2017
Refer to Amazon.com for my review under Andrea M on 03/09/2017.
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