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Defying the Boss
A hot office romance with a dash of holiday cheer.
For the last three years, I’ve stood tirelessly by Kane Stryker’s side. My media mogul boss is the ruler of his domain and my life. Wealthy and drop dead gorgeous, he can get any woman he wants at the snap of his fingers. Too bad he’s completely oblivious to the fact that I’m in love with him.
Fed up and unable to take any more, I’ve accepted a job on the other side of the country… as far away from Kane as I can reasonably get. I’ve packed my bags and written my resignation. Now the only thing left to do is give it to him.
But what happens when Kane decides he isn’t ready to let me go just yet?
For the last three years, I’ve stood tirelessly by Kane Stryker’s side. My media mogul boss is the ruler of his domain and my life. Wealthy and drop dead gorgeous, he can get any woman he wants at the snap of his fingers. Too bad he’s completely oblivious to the fact that I’m in love with him.
Fed up and unable to take any more, I’ve accepted a job on the other side of the country… as far away from Kane as I can reasonably get. I’ve packed my bags and written my resignation. Now the only thing left to do is give it to him.
But what happens when Kane decides he isn’t ready to let me go just yet?
44 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 17, 2015
108 people are currently reading
508 people want to read
About the author
A. Zavarelli
56 books7,514 followersA. Zavarelli is a USA Today and Amazon bestselling author of dark and contemporary romance.
When she’s not putting her characters through hell, she can usually be found watching bizarre and twisted documentaries in the name of research.
She currently lives in the Northwest with her lumberjack and an entire brood of fur babies.
Facebook Page- https://geni.us/AZavarelliAuthor
Facebook Reader Group- https://geni.us/FemmeFatales
Mailing List: https://geni.us/ucfAZH1
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Bookbub- https://geni.us/AZavarelliBookbub
Twitter- https://geni.us/AZavarelliTwitter
Website- https://www.azavarelli.com
When she’s not putting her characters through hell, she can usually be found watching bizarre and twisted documentaries in the name of research.
She currently lives in the Northwest with her lumberjack and an entire brood of fur babies.
Facebook Page- https://geni.us/AZavarelliAuthor
Facebook Reader Group- https://geni.us/FemmeFatales
Mailing List: https://geni.us/ucfAZH1
Instagram- https://geni.us/AZavarelliInstagram
Amazon- https://geni.us/AZavarelliAmazon
Bookbub- https://geni.us/AZavarelliBookbub
Twitter- https://geni.us/AZavarelliTwitter
Website- https://www.azavarelli.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews
January 10, 2018
Aspen and Kane have feelings for one another but Kane’s feelings only surface after Aspen gives her resignation.
▷ Short and predictable but cute story.
▷ Short and predictable but cute story.
April 10, 2017
Oh man, this was a true gem!
a short gem and I loved it!
anyone up for a romance wrapped up in sweet, a bit angsty chase for love, this is the right gem for you!
and it has a Christmas motive too! Perfect!
December 4, 2021
I didn’t hate it and I don’t love it. It was all right. Defining the boss is a short story that you can read under an hour.
Because of how short the book is, is maybe why I didn’t feel connected to the characters. And it’s just was one huge leap for Kane. Overall it’s a cute short read.
December 2, 2021
This was a super short and sweet little bossy billionaire Christmas story.
Aspen’s been suffering unrequited love for her boss for three years and enough is enough. She’s resigning and giving Kane one final gift before she heads south to sunny Florida.
Then Kane starts acting weird, doing stuff he’s never done before like showing up at her apartment, asking her to go shopping with him when he typically sends her. Even though she’s spent even more time with him in the past week she hasn’t grown the courage to offer her resignation.
At the annual Christmas party he embarrassed her hugely and disappeared making her go search for him at his private cabin to give him her resignation and a piece of her mind.
Instead she crashes her car, he rescues her and one thing leads to another like they always do. But this time she’ll be the one to walk away. The big question is if he’ll let her.
Not the most original story, but Zavarelli’s writing always flows beautifully and there’s never a dull moment. I would’ve liked a bit longer, gotten a better feel for the characters and way more heat but for such a short novella it was pretty good.
Aspen’s been suffering unrequited love for her boss for three years and enough is enough. She’s resigning and giving Kane one final gift before she heads south to sunny Florida.
Then Kane starts acting weird, doing stuff he’s never done before like showing up at her apartment, asking her to go shopping with him when he typically sends her. Even though she’s spent even more time with him in the past week she hasn’t grown the courage to offer her resignation.
At the annual Christmas party he embarrassed her hugely and disappeared making her go search for him at his private cabin to give him her resignation and a piece of her mind.
Instead she crashes her car, he rescues her and one thing leads to another like they always do. But this time she’ll be the one to walk away. The big question is if he’ll let her.
Not the most original story, but Zavarelli’s writing always flows beautifully and there’s never a dull moment. I would’ve liked a bit longer, gotten a better feel for the characters and way more heat but for such a short novella it was pretty good.
October 22, 2016
2.5 stars!
January 10, 2023
Mediocre
I really liked Aspen's character, but I want to thrilled with Kane at all. He seemed a bit clueless and wimpy. I also thought the ending wrapped up to quickly.
I really liked Aspen's character, but I want to thrilled with Kane at all. He seemed a bit clueless and wimpy. I also thought the ending wrapped up to quickly.
December 20, 2021
Cortito pero estuvo bien bonito.
Es una historia de navidad de Jefe/Asistente que amo.
A. Zavarelli deberías de escribir un libor más largo, este género te va muy bien.
Es una historia de navidad de Jefe/Asistente que amo.
A. Zavarelli deberías de escribir un libor más largo, este género te va muy bien.
December 10, 2015
Awwwww!!!!! This was the best short, short romance read I've ever read! (So far )
For it being less than 50 pages, I finished this novelette in about 20-30 minutes. It was just perfect.
I have a request though Mrs. A! Can u please write a story on these two characters?? I think that would be a great read!
If you want a quick enjoyable romance, this is the book for you ;D I give this one a 5 out of 5!
**ARC given by author for an honest review**
For it being less than 50 pages, I finished this novelette in about 20-30 minutes. It was just perfect.
I have a request though Mrs. A! Can u please write a story on these two characters?? I think that would be a great read!
If you want a quick enjoyable romance, this is the book for you ;D I give this one a 5 out of 5!
**ARC given by author for an honest review**
February 2, 2017
Nice and sweet novella.
April 8, 2019
The heroine, Aspen has been in love as a PA for her boss, Kane Stryker for three long years- working six days a week - 60 hours a week with only Sundays off. When he decides to take an associate to an occasion in which they normally attend together, she decides her heart has had enough! So Aspen quickly finds a job in Florida and writes a Letter of Resignation to end it all!
Not so fast Aspen because Kane has other ideas when her reads your note at your house!
What a sweet and memorable quick read!
4.5 quick read stars
Not so fast Aspen because Kane has other ideas when her reads your note at your house!
What a sweet and memorable quick read!
4.5 quick read stars
March 22, 2021
Short, classic and so sweet! I really enjoyed this little story! And I love the cover! It's so festive and sexy!
December 10, 2022
Kinda cheesy but I guess that's the point with it being such a short story
February 1, 2023
Una lectura bastante rapida, muchos diran que es precipitada y no del todo coherente ni creible, sin embargo, me gusto. Es simple y linda, justo lo que buscaba.
Perfecta para leer cuando se tiene el tiempo justo.
2.5 Estrellas!
December 5, 2021
An okay little boss read. Very short so keep that in mind if you plan on reading it.
December 19, 2016
Много сладурско! Идеално за студеното предколедно време. Повдига настроението и ти става едно много мило и крайно романтично. Коя жена не би мечтала за такъв коледен подарък!
July 16, 2017
What in the hell did I just read? It was short but definitely not sweet.
July 31, 2020
Short and sweet and completely adorable.
Mutual pining? Fuck yesss.
Mutual pining? Fuck yesss.
January 30, 2022
☆3,5/5☆
June 29, 2023
Very ok.
December 18, 2025
I liked this, but it definitely left me wanting more!
September 10, 2020
This is a short story not a book. It can be read in under an hour.
I wouldn’t if I were you. The 2 characters had no chemistry or backstory whatsoever which can be done whether a book is short or not.
This story is an alternative to browsing Instagram. There’s no other way to describe it lol
I wouldn’t if I were you. The 2 characters had no chemistry or backstory whatsoever which can be done whether a book is short or not.
This story is an alternative to browsing Instagram. There’s no other way to describe it lol
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 28, 2018
Re-read December 2018
Re-read February 2018
I'm not the worlds biggest fan of novellas, but this one here was pretty sweet.
I'm a sucker for a good HEA, and this was a lovely "feel good read".
Re-read February 2018
I'm not the worlds biggest fan of novellas, but this one here was pretty sweet.
I'm a sucker for a good HEA, and this was a lovely "feel good read".
December 17, 2020
Light & cute office holiday romance between a media mogul boss and his assistant. The assistant is tired of pining after her boss and finally decides to quit after Christmas. She’s heartbroken but has no idea he’s been secretly pining for her too. This is less than 50 pages so it was short & sweet for a quick holiday read with some last-minute Christmas shopping, office holiday party and a family Christmas gathering.
November 30, 2017
Quick, but ever so satisfying.
Light, but heady.
This boss/employee read has the ability to make you swoon and have stars in your eyes.
Aspen is fed up and needs to move on. Kane shouldn't be underestimated. I fell in love with this novelette!
Light, but heady.
This boss/employee read has the ability to make you swoon and have stars in your eyes.
Aspen is fed up and needs to move on. Kane shouldn't be underestimated. I fell in love with this novelette!
March 16, 2018
Why wasn't this longer?!
Omg I loved this! It was super quick, super sweet and just a perfect little lunch break read at work. I kinda wish it had been longer so I could have gotten more time with Kane and Aspen.
Omg I loved this! It was super quick, super sweet and just a perfect little lunch break read at work. I kinda wish it had been longer so I could have gotten more time with Kane and Aspen.
December 22, 2018
Novelette
Short sweet Christmas proposal. A billionaire and his assistant he couldn't love without. When you know, you know, but don't wait to long to let the other person know how you are feeling.
Short sweet Christmas proposal. A billionaire and his assistant he couldn't love without. When you know, you know, but don't wait to long to let the other person know how you are feeling.
March 27, 2018
just ok nothing special
April 24, 2022
Was good for what it was, was nice to learn about our characters! Also adored the writing style!
December 2, 2015
Arc received from Instafreebie.
And another quick, fun, great read from A Zavarelli. This one is super quick and straight to the point.
Aspen Keller has been assistant to Media mogul Kane Stryker for 3 years and has now made the decision to leave for a new job, where she is not attracted to her boss. Aspen has watched Kane, fawn over constant women and them do everything to get into his bed. Enough is enough, with her resignation in hand and one last gift for him, she heads to find him to tell him in person after he embarrasses her at the company Christmas party.
On the way to his cabin, Aspen crashes her car. Perfect, just what she needs, stuck with a wrecked car, in the freezing snow and no cell reception. Could her night get any worse? Yep.
Kane hears her accident and goes to find the cause of the noise and comes face to face with Aspen, drunk but not really hurt. But instead of anger, he feels love. Love that he never dud anything about, but now in his cabin, he will show Aspen what she really means to him.
Not enough, Aspen leaves him anyway, she just never expected the man who doesn't celebrate Christmas to show up at her parents, with his own special gift for Aspen.
And another quick, fun, great read from A Zavarelli. This one is super quick and straight to the point.
Aspen Keller has been assistant to Media mogul Kane Stryker for 3 years and has now made the decision to leave for a new job, where she is not attracted to her boss. Aspen has watched Kane, fawn over constant women and them do everything to get into his bed. Enough is enough, with her resignation in hand and one last gift for him, she heads to find him to tell him in person after he embarrasses her at the company Christmas party.
On the way to his cabin, Aspen crashes her car. Perfect, just what she needs, stuck with a wrecked car, in the freezing snow and no cell reception. Could her night get any worse? Yep.
Kane hears her accident and goes to find the cause of the noise and comes face to face with Aspen, drunk but not really hurt. But instead of anger, he feels love. Love that he never dud anything about, but now in his cabin, he will show Aspen what she really means to him.
Not enough, Aspen leaves him anyway, she just never expected the man who doesn't celebrate Christmas to show up at her parents, with his own special gift for Aspen.
March 22, 2018
This was short and sweet. I really liked the angst-building as Aspen prepared to leave Kane, her boss and the love of her life who never seemed to notice her. Only he did notice her and loved her right back, but she had no idea. So these two dance around each other and the angst is quite nice. Their night together was some good chemistry, but too short. And had this been 5 pages or so longer with a proper discussing of feelings and explanation of behavior, this would have been a 4 or 5 star read. But it ended way too fast and none of that got explained - I for one wanted to know if Kane had been celibate during the "two years" he claimed to be in love with her...you know since Aspen claims he was wining and dining a different woman every month.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews