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Crazy in Love #1

Crazy for the Boss

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Attorney Quinn Taylor prides herself on doing the right thing, a modern-day David taking on the Goliaths of the world. Goliaths such as James Thornhill who's offering her a job that is almost impossible to refuse. Playing babysitter and muse to the overindulged CEO is the last thing she wants to do, but with mounting debt making even a cup of coffee a luxury, Quinn's ready to swallow her pride and get in bed with the devil. Something that, the more time she spends with the man, becomes increasingly enticing.

Newly appointed CEO James Thornhill wants to bring his family's company into the twenty-first century. Hiring the pesky but dedicated attorney who's leading an employee revolt against the company is his first order of business. Second order of business will be resisting the prim but fiery Quinn Taylor who has somehow become utterly indispensable in his life. 

But the stakes are too high for either of them to risk an interoffice fling...until an unexpected trip to Quinn's hometown brings a long-denied simmering attraction to a boil. They'll have to decide what they're willing to risk and how far they're willing to fall if love doesn't conquer all.

**This book is a 2nd edition that has been newly revised and edited as a sweet romance under the same title.
**Every book in the Crazy in Love series is a standalone, full-length title that can be read and enjoyed out of order. 

232 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 12, 2017

323 people are currently reading
367 people want to read

About the author

Ashlee Mallory

20 books321 followers
Ashlee Mallory is a USA Today Bestselling author of Sweet Contemporary Romance, Romantic Comedy, Suspense, and Thrillers.

A recovering attorney, she currently resides in Utah with her husband and two kids. She aspires to one day include running, hiking and traveling to exotic destinations in her list of things she enjoys, but currently settles for enjoying a good book and a glass of wine from the comfort of her couch.

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5 stars
158 (39%)
4 stars
128 (32%)
3 stars
83 (20%)
2 stars
21 (5%)
1 star
6 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
Profile Image for NMmomof4.
1,791 reviews5,047 followers
dnf
October 5, 2016
DNF @ 34%

This, unfortunately, just couldn't hold my interest. There was something about the writing style that just felt off for me. I haven't connected with either mcs at all, and there have been so many time jumps that I'm unsure as to how long they've even known each other! BUT -- it very well might be a case of "it's not you, it's me" going on here...
Profile Image for Floryie.
295 reviews30 followers
January 11, 2019
Source : Bought on Amazon
Date read : January 3 ,2019
Rating : 5/5
My reread factor : 4/5

James and Quinn first meet in a work related environment which in turn leads to Quinn's hiring at James' prompting. James is a playboy through and through and that's what is shown on the surface while Quinn looks like an uptight goody two shoes at first glance. But all this changed as the story developed.

Though majority of the book is from Quinn's side, there were few parts which gave me an insight into James. And that's what made this a real treat to read. I loved getting to know the complex man who hides behind the playboy facade. His vulnerability and sensitivity comes through clearly in the later half of story. Quinn is a sweetheart with the way she takes care of her family, friends and co-workers. She is proud of not giving up her ideals for anything and she expects the same kind of focus and determination from James which ultimately leads to the finale of their love story.

Speaking of love, since I just finished a very hot romance before picking up this book, I was happy that,except for kisses, there was no hanky panky. I enjoyed the contentment of a well played out romantic tale and I loved their chemistry with their perfect understanding of each other.

I felt that they very much loved and laughed together which is reflected in the image used for the cover and it fits the couple very well. The story was paced with the right amount of characterisation of the protagonists. I really enjoyed getting to know James and Quinn and I am not surprised by that fact since I have read few other books by the author and I was entertained by them pretty well.

Seeing that usually boss-employee romances are steamy as far as I have seen, I was pleasantly surprised with the clean and sweet romance. And I can recommend this book and the author to others who love a good wholesome romance with a very light hand on sensuality.

My one line review : Loveable protagonists with a wholesome romance..
Profile Image for CristiinaReads୨ৎ.
597 reviews3,502 followers
February 9, 2017
➳This was such a sweet, romantic, over thrilling book that I actually took my time to read.


➳Though it was pretty long for it to get to the point of attraction between both main characters, the delayed reaction was still endearing to read...


➳The third perspective though was a tough decision of my part to continue reading due to the fact that I have never liked the aspect of reading or writing in the third perspective...


➳However I finished it and overall I enjoyed it more than what I thought I would!
Profile Image for KAS.
317 reviews3,116 followers
October 2, 2016
Really glad I thought "what the heck" when asked if I would read this book for an honest review. I had no idea what to expect, as Ashlee Mallory is an author I had never read before. Well, I can tell you, I will be reading more of her books in the future. I enjoyed reading this one and look forward to the others in this new series.

The progression of the relationship between the two main characters, especially their bantering conversations, kept me entertained. They were both intelligent, yet witty individuals who knew what they wanted and went after it. Their personalities were like night and day, which kept things edgy between them. Their romance blossomed slowly, but enticingly.

Quinn Taylor and James Thornhill formerly meet each other in a board room clearly on opposite sides. She is the lawyer representing a group of disgruntled employees, he is the CEO of the company being sued. James was just named CEO of Thornhill Management a week prior and knows his butt is on the line if he doesn't perform to extremely high expectations. Quinn is a smart, no nonsense advocate for those who feel they are getting screwed over by big business owners and is more than competent to win those lawsuits. So impressed by her tenacity, persistence and knowledge of the case against his company, James knows he needs to woo Quinn over to his side and convince her to work for his legal department. He longs to prove to his family and the board of director members, who always think of him as a screw-up, that he is worthy of the CEO position and earn the respect of his grandfather, Cyrus, who founded Thornhill Management. Of course, he offers Quinn a deal she can't possibly refuse, even if she does think she is crossing over to the "dark side" and working for the devil himself. Albeit a built, sexy as all get out devil.

ARC provided for an honest review
Profile Image for Coco.V.
50k reviews128 followers
Want to read
December 29, 2018
💝 FREE on Amazon today (12/29/2018)! 💝

Blurb:
Attorney Quinn Taylor prides herself on doing the right thing, a modern-day David taking on the Goliaths of the world. Goliaths such as James Thornhill who's offering her a job that is almost impossible to refuse. Playing babysitter and muse to the overindulged CEO is the last thing she wants to do, but with mounting debt making even a cup of coffee a luxury, Quinn's ready to swallow her pride and get in bed with the devil. Something that, the more time she spends with the man, becomes increasingly enticing.

Newly appointed CEO James Thornhill wants to bring his family's company into the twenty-first century. Hiring the pesky but dedicated attorney who's leading an employee revolt against the company is his first order of business. Second order of business will be resisting the prim but fiery Quinn Taylor who has somehow become utterly indispensable in his life.

But the stakes are too high for either of them to risk an interoffice fling...until an unexpected trip to Quinn's hometown brings a long-denied simmering attraction to a boil. They'll have to decide what they're willing to risk and how far they're willing to fall if love doesn't conquer all.
Profile Image for Melissa.
2,546 reviews269 followers
September 27, 2021
This was a fun story! It was so like a hallmark movie but better:} A really fun story with some lovable believable characters. I like Mallory's style of writing. This had some great chemistry and does have sex before marriage but no bedroom scene. There is drinking.
Profile Image for Marissa Chavez.
1,377 reviews4 followers
February 16, 2019
Love!

Quinn and James were absolutely perfect! I loved how they both worked so well with one another. I couldn't get enough of them. 💛
Profile Image for Melissa.
606 reviews125 followers
October 4, 2016
**This and other reviews posted at Imasweetandsassybookwhore.com**

**ARC provided by publisher**

This book tells the story of James, a playboy CEO, and Quinn, an employment attorney. There’s elements of a good story here, but it definitely lagged a bit for me.
I like the concept of these characters-the playboy trying to fix his family company and the do-good crusader of an attorney. They went through the paces together but I felt like it took a while to get there. These two had chemistry but I felt like it dragged until it was explored.
I did appreciate the attention to something that is often glossed over-an issue of depression. The author did a good job of explaining how that affected Quinn and helped shape her into the person that she was. It was a necessary component to figuring out Quinn and I think it was portrayed as well as it could have been.
Overall I liked the potential of this book more than the book itself. I just wanted things to come a head sooner than they did. But if you’re looking for a slow build of a relationship, give this book a try. It wasn’t the worst book I’ve read, it just wasn’t in top twenty this year either. I would still try this author again as this was my first book by her.
Profile Image for Natasha.
749 reviews18 followers
September 29, 2016
2.5* read.
Unfortunately this wasn't the book for me. I felt as though it took too long to get to a certain point in the book, it was a slow build relationship wise and I just felt it dragged on to long so I found it hard to connect to the characters.
A good thing though is that the author did deal with the depression side and explained it really well, I also loved the cover and i would defiantly read more from this author this book just wasn't for me.
Profile Image for Laura.
1,488 reviews17 followers
April 24, 2018
This is a sweet, totally swoony romance!!

Quinn is a lawyer who fights for employment rights. James is the new CEO for Thornhill Management. He’s better known for being a slacker playboy than a hard working CEO. When Quinn sees him for the first time, he’s making out with a woman in line at a coffee. I think Quinn was all of us with the eye-rolling and judgement. When James offers her a job to change Thornhill’s employment policies, they begin building a beautiful friendship with an underlying current of chemistry.

This story contains so many of my favorite things: enemies who become friends who become lovers. Even though this is a fade-to-black story, I felt every bit of the heat between Quinn and James. Quinn is so amazing: she’s smart, independent, a great friend. I thought I wasn’t going to like James much but he’s sweet, romantic, and an amazing friend to Quinn. I couldn’t put this story down and I’m really looking forward to more in this series.

*This is my voluntary review of an advanced reader copy*
Profile Image for Cherye Elliott.
3,397 reviews24 followers
October 14, 2019
Yikes!

I read this series backwards. Books 2 and 3 were entertaining and enjoyable. This book. No way.

I do not like Quinn. Her ideology that large corporations are 'evil' and not make a profit for the owners but to give it to the employees as 'benefits' is so Socialistic. She is rude. Her Dad is extremely rude. There is always an excuse for everything that happens. Thinking it is okay not letting a multi million dollar deal go through for mental health insurance? Because James wants to keep his company and remain CEO, she quits because of she is feeling Betrayed. Disappointed. Heartbroken. Because of the mental health...she would have qualified for mental health. Crying..... “If I was all you wanted, then we wouldn’t be where we are right now, James. You’d say to hell with what the board thinks, what your grandfather thinks, and you’d fight for us as much as you’re fighting for this deal.”

Then "Spoiler Alert" she only loves him because he passed her mental health insurance. What a narcissistic female dog.
Profile Image for Poppy & Pages.
35 reviews4 followers
February 10, 2021
This was a super cute story where Miss Perfect falls for Mister Disappointment.

We’re introduced to James’s character immediately in the story and I feel like it was a great way to display his arrogance and playboy ways without throwing his conquests in our face. We clearly see he is a philanderer without actually having to see it.

Quinn’s character growth is steady and believable. She doesn’t immediately changer her ways or transform into somebody new, but her character, from beginning to end, does see a major transformation. I especially love the hints of her ‘major flaw’ without calling it out every other page. When it finally comes to light it wasn’t a surprise, but more a validity of what you’ve expected.

I feel Ashlee Mallory gave us a relatable and modern love story, with relatable and modern characters. I have already started book two and I know I’ll enjoy it.

🤓 Final thoughts: super cute
🧼 Cleanliness: mild language, mild alcohol, steamy kisses with main character closed door romance
Profile Image for Steffi.
2 reviews11 followers
July 31, 2017
This is the first Ashlee Mallory book I read. After spending my weekdays reading work related documents, I felt like reading a romcom during my short break. I picked this up on a whim and ended up liking it. I liked how James and Quinn started out friends first. The good work relationship between them was laid out nicely before the plot turned to the romance part of the story, making their chemistry and attraction more believable.

By the title, you can tell that it's a boss/employee romance. I wouldn't say it's very boss/employee, though. James could terminate Quinn's employment, however, as the chief legal counsel of the CEO, Quinn isn't exactly far down in the career ladder. She's pretty much the boss's right hand (wo)man. Which is what led to the office romance hijinks! This was a fun light read that made me smile during the weekend. I'll think of picking up another Ashlee Mallory book the next time I crave for a romcom again.
Profile Image for Lisa Eiff.
966 reviews27 followers
July 30, 2021
The first series I read from Ashlee Mallory was The Sorensen Family set, though I discovered these books first on the mobile app Chapters, and later invested in and read all of her books as well.

I really enjoyed getting to know the characters in these books, and shared their emotional hills and valleys as each story and series progresses. I appreciated the fact that this author is excellent at writing romances based out the oddest circumstances imaginable, and also managed to catch my breath with each chapter of her suspense novel as well.

If you are interested in romance, humor, or even suspense, you should definitely check out Ashlee's books. I'd recommend her books for anyone that enjoys a good story with memorable characters you will find yourself falling in love with.
Profile Image for J.M. Ralley.
Author 8 books10 followers
November 1, 2019
I enjoyed this book. I felt that the way that the author brought up depression showed courage and an insight to Quinn’s past.
James is your typical billionaire and comes across a bit self-rightous in his own beliefs.
Written in third POV, this book is easier to read and the sex scenes are faded out. Yes, there are a few grammatical errors, but they don’t really draw you too far out of the story.
The chemistry between them is noticeable but I felt the end was a bit weak. It appears to take ages for the plot to thicken to the degree I didn’t want to put the book down and I felt Quinn gave in too easily.
But it is worth reading.
797 reviews
August 12, 2021
Quinn in line for coffee sees this couple in front of her only to find out that he's the CEO of the company she's come to make a case for her client against. UGH, what else could happen, Laughing cause you're in for a treat. Wait for Quinn's trip back home in Idaho for her parents anniversary, and then back home and what happens there. So much to enjoy with this one, you won't want to put it down. This is also the first book in the box set of three called Crazy in Love. So who's the next one to be found...is it Quinn's sister or one of her roommates, or someone else entirely. Let's read on to find out shall we?
Profile Image for Korkoi.
7,066 reviews31 followers
January 5, 2019
Love across the conference room table

James met Quinn for the first time when he was exhibiting nefarious behaviour in public and later realised she was someone he wanted in his corner always. They built a relationship based on a personal friendship and professional respect, but this turned into more as time went on. There is jealousy, teasing, betrayal, true friendships, drama and a happy ending that will have you saying Awwww. This is my first book from this author and I am definitely going to read more. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Profile Image for Mary Baker.
2,148 reviews54 followers
October 8, 2019
I liked the relationship that developed between Quinn and James. I liked Quinn's strength in standing up for what she believed. The author's writing is good and flows smoothly so I can read quickly. There were some grammar errors which a good proof reader should have caught.
I did not like the sex before marriage scene and felt it was unnecessary; in addition, she and James were going to share a room at her parents house before marriage. At least there was not an abundance of profane language. In fact, this is really a decent read.
Profile Image for Angie.
2,454 reviews3 followers
August 4, 2021
James meets Quinn and realizes what a really good lawyer she is and hires her. Quinn takes the job in hopes of paying off her mom's medical bills and student loans. James and Quinn spend a lot of time together and get to know each other really well. James and Quinn spend time in her hometown and realize that they are attracted to each other and don't want to fight the attraction. James makes a decision that affects his and Quinn's immediate future. James needs to find a way to make things right with Quinn.
Profile Image for Jenny H.
544 reviews
March 12, 2018
Loved it! This was a sweet and fun read. I loved Quinn and James. The connection, interactions and chemistry between them was fantastic. The characters are strong, well written, developed and likable. The plot was entertaining and well written. Overall this book really drew me in. It was a sweet and fun read - a great start to the series. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.
Profile Image for Cynthia.
3,201 reviews101 followers
January 4, 2019
Great Story

Quinn was a lawyer who stood up for her clients. She was little nervous going against Thornhill for her client but she knew that they shouldn't have let her go. James has been appointed CEO when his grandfather had his heart attack. He has seen her earlier but wasn't expecting her to be the lawyer on the case. He likes what she was fighting for. He hired her. What comes next is a lot of give and taje.
70 reviews
Read
October 9, 2019
Once again, this was a sweet and fun story, but the lack of good proof reading was a huge distraction. I've started highlighting authors' grammatical and spelling errors since it's such a distraction for me. One of the biggest in this book was towards the end of the book where the secretary called the boss Mr. Thornton instead of Mr. Thornhill. Now that's sad when an author can't keep one of her main character's names straight.
Profile Image for Kelly.
535 reviews
January 10, 2018
I am in the minority here I just felt like this book dragged so much to get them to be a couple and then the fight you could see it all happening. I liked the characters but for me it dragged so much I almost didn't finish it. Then they get back together so quickly. I just felt there should have been more of them as a couple.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Kelly.
535 reviews
May 1, 2018
** spoiler alert **

I am in the minority here I just felt like this book dragged so much to get them to be a couple and then the fight you could see it all happening. I liked the characters but for me it dragged so much I almost didn't finish it. Then they get back together so quickly. I just felt there should have been more of them as a couple.
343 reviews1 follower
May 8, 2019
Cute and funny love story.

Quinn and James's love story is full of all sorts of emotions. It is a giant rollercoaster ride. It takes them a while to get to the top, then it gets crazy. Ups and downs. Her family and town are so cute. Both are strong willed but are so cute together. Love this story.
Profile Image for Stephanie Bolen.
2,151 reviews28 followers
August 2, 2021
Typical for the genre

The EAP and mental health podium was unexpected and interesting in a this has nothing to do with the story way. I liked Quinn, him not so much, and his grandfather's switcheroo was in no way realistic. Even when a horrible person turns over a need leaf they are still rotten at the core.
Profile Image for Dina.
121 reviews43 followers
March 9, 2018
Quinn and James story is filled with romance, fun and yes, even conflict. But they get it together and can make a cute couple.

Ashlee Mallory writes a story where the characters chemistry was fun. Now off to the next book. :)
Profile Image for Tracy Riva.
294 reviews8 followers
January 5, 2019
Just the right mix of sexy and sweet

I really enjoyed this book. The one"sex" scene in the book doesn't go into lurid detail like so many books nowadays do. The book is sweet. Quinn and James are a perfect match for each other and the book delivers on a feel good HEA.
Profile Image for Joan.
2,208 reviews
January 12, 2019
Nothing has happened so far. There’s no tension or story development or anything other than random events and dialogue. I have given up waiting for some spark to set the story in motion.

Dnf @ 24%
755 reviews1 follower
February 12, 2019
Enjoyable

This book was enjoyable. The characters, while not realistic, being that the boss is a super rich guy with a private - I mean - company jet, are fun. The story was fun. Interesting take on corporations and such.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews

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