**originally published in November 2014. Same great cover and story - new publisher!**Leena has been in love with her boss, Nick DeMarco, for almost eight years. But he's never given her any indication that she was special to him. Their relationship was close, but rarely outside of a business function. So when he invites her to be his fake girlfriend at his family's Christmas week she is thrilled and ready to show Nick just what he's missing out on, her only wish for the Christmas season.Nick wouldn't admit it to anyone except his brother, but his assistant Leena is the only woman he's had feelings for in quite some time. He didn't want to seem like a powerful boss trying to seduce his employee, so he had ignored his desire for her for the past five years. When the opportunity to take her to his family's chalets opens he takes it, intent on seducing her. When things begin to heat up with Leena and Nick, both are pleasantly surprised.But a winter storm traps them in the chalet just as Nick's older brother Jake arrives. When he makes no attempt to hide his attraction to Leena the whole vacation becomes heated. What will happen when the storm lifts, will the assistant have gotten her Christmas wish?
Lexi Ostrow has been in love with the written word since second grade when her librarian started a writing club. Born in sunny southern California she's spent time in various places across the country and can't wait to settle down somewhere in the French Quarter when she's able too.
Lexi has been a writer ever since the second grade in some form or another. Getting her degree in creative writing and her master's in journalism she couldn't wait to get a chance to put her fantasies down on paper. Her debut novel, Torn Between Two Worlds is something that was simmering in her mind since middle school and she's so grateful to put it out into the literary world. From paranormal romance to thriller there isn't a genre she doesn't love to spend her time reading or writing.
Reading and writing are her first loves but her passion for shopping, love for yummy food and her love for all her many pets. She hopes to one day help other readers fall in love with writing as she did.
The ultimate in love triangles! You’ve wanted a man for years....you finally have the opportunity to make it come true. Along comes the brother, who has secretly had a crush on you for years (and you’ve only met once). What would you do? See what Leena does in this awesome read by Lexi Ostrow. I highly recommend this and am so excited that the second one is coming soon!
I totally loved this book!!!! Can't wait to read the next one! I hope Nick find his happily ever after.....So glad things turned out the way they did. Jake was my favorite! This is my first book by Lexi that I've read but I promise it won't be my last!
AN AMAZING 5-STAR MUST READ…HOLIDAY LOVE TRIANGLE SURELY TO CAPTURE YOUR HEART THIS SEASON
THE ASSISTANT'S CHRISTMAS WISH is the first novel in the Christmas Wish series from author Lexi Ostrow. A WONDERFUL romance read with an office assistance in a bit of a love triangle between brothers during the holidays.
Leena Kensy is a twenty-six year old beautiful blonde personal assistant working woman for Nick DeMarco, one of the most eligible bachelors, of the biggest public relation’s firms – DeMarco Communications. Leena had been twenty when she first fell in love with her boss while making snow angels for the hot boss who can make snow melt.
“His dark hair was cropped close to the sides to his face, with dusting of a sideburn and a little bit of length on the top. His square jaw was accented by two of the most delectable cheekbones she had ever seen. His eyes were firestorm of blue; a deep midnight with a ring almost black around the iris. His mouth full, his teeth were perfect and there was never a growth on monthly stubble on his chin. He was clean-cut perfection…”
Nick surprises Leena with a Christmas present invite to the family chalet for a holiday celebration, not a business meeting. Even though Leena was attending as a fake girlfriend she really did not care, she was going on mission to seduce the man she always wanted and to enjoy herself at the festivities.
“Fine, if he wanted her to lose the bun when she wore the beautiful gown waiting for her, she would show him just how unprofessional and fake girlfriend like she could be.”
Nick’s invitation was not intended to use as her as a decoy, but to discover if she harbor so feelings for Nick too. Nick was ready to start a relationship with the one woman who knew everything about him.
“The party invitation had nothing to do with using her to fool his parents. Yes, Allison had dumped him when he told her in no uncertain terms, they were not going to be getting engaged during the holiday season. But he’d only dated Allison, Sarah, Lillian and Megan, because he’d been trying to unhook himself from Leena.”
Nick’s older brother, Jake, who manages a branch of DeMarco Communications in France, is also attending the family chalet for a holiday celebration. Nick also has a plan to pursue Leena, because after many years ago after spending one drunken night with her at a gala he cannot seem to forget her even if it means taken her away from his brother.
“How are you here?” She stared at him inquisitively and he grinned, making her stomach do the same thing it had always done with Nick’s smile since they were so alike. “A little Christmas wish. I knew I was what you really wanted.” He winked at her again and she laughed. “I think I may have already gotten the Demarco boy I wished for. Although two strapping men trapped alone with me in snowstorm does not sound terrible awful.”
Lexi Ostrow’s novel, THE ASSISTANT'S CHRISTMAS WISH, does a magnificent job writing a captivating story that will pull at your heartstrings and capture your attention. This was my first time reading a novel from author Lexi Ostrow, but will NOT be my last “One-Click” today! Trust me you will not be disappointed…I cannot wait to read the next novel in the Christmas Wish series!
“The one thing he never thought he’d get for Christmas? A love triangle staring him and his brother.”
I received the audio book code from the author for an honest review.
I'm not a big holiday book person. Sure, romance, mystery, and other things happen during the holidays as much as the regular days, but I'm not a big holiday person. That isn't to say that I didn't like this book. Like most of Ostrow's work that I've read, it was easy to get into the characters and the story. I found myself wondering who Leena would choose (which isn't something I usually do).
I should start by saying that I listened to the audio version. The narrative was decent. I couldn't wrap around the narrator's voice right away, but it didn't take long to really get into the story. I think most of that had to do with the writing. but the narrator did feel like a part of the story as well.
As for the story, Leena seemed the type of woman who was usually a decisive person. She was in control with most aspects of her life. It was the events of the chalet that called to question her indecisiveness. Though I wanted to smack her around at times, I could understand a bit of what she was going through. No, I've never had to choose two men, but I could see that she was usually in control with everything and was very stressed with the time limitations to everything.
The two male leads, Jake and Nick, have different personalities, but a similar passion to what/who they want in life. Jake is more laid back and had an everyman quality. He seemed to be the most fun around. Nick, on the other hand, had this smoulder quality. He had an aggressive attitude and that made him attractive. Both men were good people, which made Leena's (and essentially the reader's) decision that much more difficult. You find yourself rooting for each man in one point or another.
There are steamy sex scenes throughout the book that made me blush a few times. I needed to make sure that my earbuds were on tight when I was doing my chores. The good thing is, they made sense to the story. Lexi Ostrow is good with that. The story could be translated well with or without the sex scenes, but they do enhance your experience.
I will love to see what the other books to this series will be like. It's a good romance for the holidays or just to listen to while doing housework.
The book opens up with our main character overlooking the snow blanketed streets of Denver. She loses herself in thought as her boss calls her name again and again.Her boss, Nick DeMarco surprises her with a card this year. What is the card and what significance does it have for Miss Leena Kensy? Miss Leena Kensy is a force to be reckoned with I think. Just getting to know her in the first few chapters of the book, has me smiling and thinking back to my childhood and how I used to love the snow and what I did in it with my friends and family, making snow angels, snowball fights, and just skiing and having a good time. Not only is it fun to read about her love of the snow and all things Christmas, especially the lights (I can relate to the lights), it is fun to watch both of them tap dance around what has been going on for years between the two of them. THANK GOODNESS FOR MISTLETOE!!!! While Nick is gone to get supplies, his brother Jake shows up. The fun and playful side of Leena that comes out is a treat to read about. What a week those three have, especially with Nick and Jake's mother and husband, their step father joins them in Colorado. Lena is stuck with a choice of two wonderful DeMarco men. Nick, whom she has worked for and loved for years that has loved her back secretly, and Jake the DeMarco brother that she has met a few times and really only had one full on hanging out time conversation with that has been in love with her since then. Who does she get engaged to? Who does she pick? I cannot wait to read book two in this series and see where things go!
RECEIVED THIS BOOK AS A GIFT FOR A FAIR/HONEST REVIEW and REVIEWER FOR Bloggin' With M.Brennan.
For years Leena has secretly been wishing that her boss would see her as more than an assistant. When Nick’s current girlfriend dumps him right before Christmas, he sees no other option than to ask Leena if she wants to come with him to his family’s estate to celebrate the holiday with them. But Nick has an ulterior motive; to seduce his sexy assistant that he’s been secretly lusting after for years. Will Leena’s secret wish come true or will she burn her fingers on her office crush?
There’s something magical about Christmas for me, and I love the stories too. Truth be told, The Assistant’s Christmas Wish had everything I wanted and needed from a holiday tale; love, hope, the magic feeling of Christmas, heartache, confusion and an ending I absolutely love. Lexi has written a story that made me devour it, made my heart jump, made tears from laughter and sorrow running down my cheeks. She made me smile and lifted my heart, even better…. Lexi wrote a story that once I closed it, I felt content. Everything in this story played well together, I loved the surprises and twists she had put in and I felt it was a perfect ending (although to be fair, I would like to read more about the family). I can’t describe it. Did I curse at Leena and all the others along the way? Yup. Did I see who she would end up with? Uhmm… Yeah. Did I hope she would end up with him? Hell yes. There are TONS I could tell you about this book, but in the end, this comes down to how I felt when closing the book. Which was amazing and with a goofy smile on my lips. The Assistant’s Christmas Wish is a perfect Christmas story and makes me want to re-read it (which we rarely have time for as bloggers) and to check out Lexi’s other releases.
This was a seriously cute holiday book! Leena has wanted , been in love with Nick DeMarco for many years. Working as his assistant didn't diminish her desire to have him one single bit. When he asks her to his families lodge for the Christmas holiday, she decides that she will get him. The sparks fly between them bringing them close, they share a kiss under the mistletoe when his parents are delayed by a bad storm. She finally is getting her wish granted when Nicks brother Jake arrives, and sparks fly between them too! Who will she choose? Decisions, decisions. This book is full of spice let me tell you! I won't be giving out spoilers here, so buy this book it will be worth it!
What a fantastic Christmas book, it was really well written and fast-pace. If you want a quick, and wonderful Christmas novel this book is for you. It will suck you in and you won’t want to come out. The storyline was very intriguing and cute, I loved the characters. They felt real and believable. Nick asked Neena to go to his parents Christmas event. She is to pose as his fake girlfriend. But he has feelings for her. What will happen with this dynamic duo? Will they become a real couple? The chemistry between the two were so great. This is a must read book. You will not be disappointed! I can’t wait to read more from this amazing author. She is brilliant. Great Job!!!!
This book was an awesome book to read, very quick to finish and easy to follow the story. Kept you entertained, wanting more and waiting to see what happens in the end. This is the first book in the series and I can't wait to read the rest and see what happens in the story. This book does have a great ending and makes you wish there was more to read when finished. Leena, the main character in the story has to make her decision between two brothers on which she is in love with the one she knows nothing about or the one she is comfortable with and sees everyday. I won't give you the ending but it is a must read book.
I was given a copy of The Assistant's Christmas wish in exchange for an honest review. I don't normally read Christmas themed books, but when I read the synopsis I contacted the author to requested the opportunity to read this book. It was a request I don't regret making! The Assistant's Christmas Wish is full of angst, turmoil, passion and romance. This book would do well if it were made into a movie. I was captivated from the beginning and couldn't put the book down until I knew exactly what was going to happen in the end. I highly recommend purchasing and reading this book!
I need to start this by saying romance is not my favourite genre. I loved the characters, and they were very believable. I didn't get as hooked on this story as I have on everything else I've read by Lexi. I love her books, so that's not saying anything bad necessarily. If you like romance novels and have a special place for Christmas togetherness, then you'll love this novel. It made me very happy, and tingly inside. Especially since I read it over the holidays, finishing it after a nice Christmas with my family. Everyone deserves to get their Christmas wish.
This book was amazingly written by a wonderful author! It had me going from one person to another, I couldn't make up my mind, like the authors character!!! Hot, cold, yes, no, this one, that one!!! Oh my, my head was spinning! Loved how this book took characters that seemed real, and turned this story into one I will not forget soon! No spoilers here, but I love her choice, the right choice, for her. If you want a fantastic read, you have to get this book!!!!
I'm not normally a romance book kinda person but this book was really good. The story line was not what I was expecting at all. It took me by surprise with some of the decisions the characters made. But in the end love wins. A very good read you go in expecting one thing, and it comes out a whole different way.
Such a great Christmas story. I know I would love to have to deal with these two handsome men. Leena is an amazing women who has to decide where her heart truly lies. This book is a page turner and leaves you going crazy with who she will end up with.
I read this all in one go, so that's a point for it; I certainly wanted to know how it ended. However, I really was not a fan of this book. Mild spoilers follow, though only for the first few chapters.
First, the plot seemed disjointed and confused. While the book is told from all three characters' perspective (those in the love triangle), that only made it more confusing. Like others who have reviewed, I was initially thinking that Nick would be the one to end up with Leena, but as it went on I was hoping for Jake. Even with that, though, it felt as though Jake was in love with her because he loved who he thought she was, not because he knew her enough to really fall for her. I did buy their romance, however, and was hoping he would stop being so weirdly aggressive by the end of it. (I was disappointed.)
That was my problem with the Leena/Nick story as well - she tells us over and over that she loves him, but never why she loves him. I didn't expect lots of backstory in a quick read like this, but it would have been nice to know why, especially when he's /the worst/ through the whole thing. (Also, the reason Nick didn't make a move on her was because he's dark in bed, but he also wouldn't let any other guys - namely his brother - near her? Okay, guy. Maybe try being a little less creepy next time.)
Another problem that I had, though, was how many errors there were in the Kindle version. While it's understandable that some errors will make it through, this one had an entire chapter repeat itself (chapter thirteen) and was missing words from many sentences. It made the book feel like it was hurriedly published, rather than edited properly.
How does that book have this many stars?!?! OMG. Gross. This book started off with us rooting for Nick but then introduced his brother Jake. This confused feelings for Leena. So what does she do? Well, start screwing them both! I couldn't stand reading how she was measuring the brothers up against eachother and then she would lean towards one on one day then another on the next. She would make out with whatever brother seemed to put the moves on her and she was pretty eager to spread her legs. Jake even had to tell her not to continuing screwing Nick while she was deciding. Which btw, Jakey boy, masterbating to the sound of your brother banging the girl you desire is just EW on so many levels.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This was so much fun! I brought it to EPCOT with me today and ended up binge reading it all over the park! I got to the magical 10 minutes (you know, that part in the hallmark movie where everything gets nuts) and rushed back to the hotel to finish it. The characters were perfect and the drama was on point. A little steamy a little Christmassy and a lot of fun!
Our h waffled back and forth over which brother she was in love with. Spoiler- I don’t think she knows at the end of the book, either! Not what I was expecting and thoroughly unsatisfied by the ending.
Couldn’t finish this. It just kept getting worse as it when along. She kept going from one brother to the other. Gross is all I can say. Happy reading/listening!
Leena Kensy has been in love with her boss, Nick DeMarco for years. Little does she know that Nick has been secretly longing to make her his own for almost as long. When Nick surprises her with an invitation to accompany him to his family's chalet for the Christmas holiday, Leena is determined to show him that there's a lot more to her than the efficient and professional assistant that he works with every day. Nick is just as determined to let her know how he truly feels and find out once and for all if they can have something special between them outside of the office. In walks Nick's older brother, Jake who has also been in love with Leena for years. They'd only spent a few hours together during a gala for the family company that they all work for but that was more than enough time to convince Jake that Leena was the one for him. Nick dissuades his brother from asking Leena out though, assuring Jake that Leena has no interest in CEO types like the two of them, meanwhile neglecting to tell his brother that he has his own personal interest in his beautiful assistant. Thus, a love triangle is born as Jake arrives at the chalet determined to steal Leena away from his little brother.Told from the perspective of all three of the characters involved, emotions run high and confusion abounds as Leena is subjected to the irresistible charms of both of these handsome men. At first, I was really rooting for Jake because although Nick is in no way a bad person, I simply liked Jake better. And I really really wanted to sympathize with Leena, to empathize with her emotional struggle, having to choose between two good men that she genuinely cares for. But unfortunately I was unable to empathize with the girl and as the story progressed, the less I liked her and the more frustrated I became with all three of them and the situation. Please keep in mind that this is only my personal feeling about the story and I'm certainly not dissuading anyone else from reading it, I'm simply saying that when all was said and done, it was not my cup of tea. I was also frustrated by the number of mechanical errors as well, namely in the form of missing or extra words. I do realize that even the most conscientious author and editor will miss a few of these errors here and there, but there were more than a few in this story.
This was a twisted romance. I was all for the character Nick but then I saw the attraction between her and Jake. I hope the next book in this series will give me more story.
This was such an intense love triangle that was seriously hot. It was really well written and I actually enjoyed it even though I usually can't stand love triangles.