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Nothing Personal
Nova Lane is having the worst week possible. Her latest relationship ended while on her much-needed vacation, then upon her first day back at work, she learns that her beloved boss has quit – and despite having worked so hard for it, she’s not being considered for his position.
Who is being considered for the position is none other than Kessler Rocha. Her ex-coworker and ex-lover, Kessler’s the man who broke her heart five years earlier and the reason she moved thousands of miles away, switched jobs, and created numerous voodoo dolls in Kessler’s (very burly, very handsome) liking.
Yup. Worst week ever.
New in town and on her turf, Kessler promises he’s not the same man he was – and considering he’s now a single father to a precocious toddler, he’s telling the truth.
But he’s still an arrogant and devilishly charming man who’s taking over the position Nova feels she deserves. The fact that he’s gotten even more sexy over the years doesn’t help either.
Now Nova and Kessler have the choice to let bygones be bygones, or fight with each other every chance they get, with unresolved sexual tension only adding fuel to the flames, creating a fire that might just burn down the whole office.
In the corporate world they say it’s just business, nothing personal.
Nova and Kessler are about to show just how personal things can get.
Who is being considered for the position is none other than Kessler Rocha. Her ex-coworker and ex-lover, Kessler’s the man who broke her heart five years earlier and the reason she moved thousands of miles away, switched jobs, and created numerous voodoo dolls in Kessler’s (very burly, very handsome) liking.
Yup. Worst week ever.
New in town and on her turf, Kessler promises he’s not the same man he was – and considering he’s now a single father to a precocious toddler, he’s telling the truth.
But he’s still an arrogant and devilishly charming man who’s taking over the position Nova feels she deserves. The fact that he’s gotten even more sexy over the years doesn’t help either.
Now Nova and Kessler have the choice to let bygones be bygones, or fight with each other every chance they get, with unresolved sexual tension only adding fuel to the flames, creating a fire that might just burn down the whole office.
In the corporate world they say it’s just business, nothing personal.
Nova and Kessler are about to show just how personal things can get.
290 pages, ebook
First published December 28, 2018
1880 people are currently reading
2580 people want to read
About the author
Karina Halle
122 books19.6k followersKarina Halle is a screenwriter, former music & travel journalist, and the New York Times bestselling author of Grave Matter, Blood Orange, & The Royals Next Door, as well as 80 other romances across all sub-genres, ranging from spicy rom coms to gothic horror and dark fantasy. Needless to say, whatever you're into, she's probably written an HEA for it.
When she's not traveling, she, her husband, and their pup Perry, split their time between a possibly haunted 120 year-old house in Victoria, BC, and their condo in Los Angeles.
When she's not traveling, she, her husband, and their pup Perry, split their time between a possibly haunted 120 year-old house in Victoria, BC, and their condo in Los Angeles.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 528 reviews
December 29, 2018
I really enjoyed this book! I became big fan of Karina Halle after reading her kick-ass “ Experiment in Terror” series. They were the one of the greatest paranormal thriller romance series. And after reading this book I can definitely tell that this woman can write fascinating rom-coms, too. ( I also liked “ Before I Met You)
There’s no cliffhanger, emotional turmoils. This is funny, light story with intense sexual chemistry. In some parts you may even laugh out loud.
But the secret hero of the book was totally the “chicken” 😃😃😃
There’s no cliffhanger, emotional turmoils. This is funny, light story with intense sexual chemistry. In some parts you may even laugh out loud.
But the secret hero of the book was totally the “chicken” 😃😃😃
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 28, 2018
4 stars!!
Nothing Personal is on the lighter side for Karina Halle. It’s an enemies to lovers/workplace romance/second chance romantic comedy that kept me smiling.
Nova Lane’s life is not going as planned. First, her current boyfriend cheats on her while they’re on vacation… then she comes back to work only to find that her boss up and quit and they are temporarily replacing him with her ex-boyfriend. It’s a job Nova deserves but Kessler is being brought in for it. She is not happy. Kessler broke her heart years ago and now she has to see him every day.
Nova was my favorite kind of heroine. One that’s strong, hard working, and doesn’t take any crap. I loved her personality and strength. I am a sucker for a single dad so of course I loved Kessler! His interactions with his son were amazing. And I loved how he worked to win Nova back. They bickered and bantered, but deep down you just knew they were meant to be.
If you’re looking for a book that will give you a few laughs, make you swoon, is sweet and sexy- pick up Nothing Personal.
Nothing Personal is on the lighter side for Karina Halle. It’s an enemies to lovers/workplace romance/second chance romantic comedy that kept me smiling.
Nova Lane’s life is not going as planned. First, her current boyfriend cheats on her while they’re on vacation… then she comes back to work only to find that her boss up and quit and they are temporarily replacing him with her ex-boyfriend. It’s a job Nova deserves but Kessler is being brought in for it. She is not happy. Kessler broke her heart years ago and now she has to see him every day.
Kessler was the man I never quite got over. My level-ten heartbreaker. And he’s now my motherfucking boss.Kessler Rocha is not the same man he was 5 years ago. Now he’s a single father to a toddler and his son is his priority. Still, working with Nova isn’t easy for him. He still cares for her and he knows he made a mistake all those years ago letting her go like he did. He just has to find a way to make it work. To have a job, support his child, and maybe, just maybe, get Nova back.
“I am not your enemy. Okay? You can go on thinking that all you want but it’s not true. I am not your enemy. I’m barely even your boss. I am your equal and you are mine.” “I am not yours,” she says but her words falter. “You very much are,”
Nova was my favorite kind of heroine. One that’s strong, hard working, and doesn’t take any crap. I loved her personality and strength. I am a sucker for a single dad so of course I loved Kessler! His interactions with his son were amazing. And I loved how he worked to win Nova back. They bickered and bantered, but deep down you just knew they were meant to be.
If you’re looking for a book that will give you a few laughs, make you swoon, is sweet and sexy- pick up Nothing Personal.
Read
December 28, 2018DNF @ 16%
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So, I think I'm lacking this kind of sense of humor, because despite trying really hard to enjoy it I can not seem to find it funny... actually, quite the opposite. Annoying, meaningles and plan. The MC’s are so boring that I can not relate to any of them, precisely the heroine, she’s very very veryyyy annoying. And what the matter with the sweat thing? Ugh, just gross.
Sorry, “nothing personal” but this one here is not for me.
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So, I think I'm lacking this kind of sense of humor, because despite trying really hard to enjoy it I can not seem to find it funny... actually, quite the opposite. Annoying, meaningles and plan. The MC’s are so boring that I can not relate to any of them, precisely the heroine, she’s very very veryyyy annoying. And what the matter with the sweat thing? Ugh, just gross.
Sorry, “nothing personal” but this one here is not for me.
December 26, 2018
MY REVIEW: can also be found on my blog:
➽ KITTY KATS CRAZY ABOUT BOOKS
‘NOTHING PERSONAL’ Is a full length stand alone romantic comedy novel by Karina Halle. Dual POV’s.
Nova Lane has been handed the most shittiest card in life at the moment, firstly on vacation with her boyfriend things drastically go down hill, coming home and jumping back into work she learns that her superior had up and quitted whilst she was away, thinking it was her time to step up and jump into the position she’s been working towards wasn’t exactly what happened.
Nooooo she finds out that the job that she’d pegged as hers was taken right out from under her.
If that wasn’t bad enough it’s been handed over to Kessler Rocha for a three month trial. Her ex-coworker and ex-lover. He’s the guy that broke her heart five years ago, he’s the reason why she uprooted her life and moved thousands of miles away.
Now five years later after knowing he didn’t want kids or any sort of commitment or marriage he now has full custody of his three year old son.
She was the girl that I cut loose once I realised I didn't want any commitment from her and that things would be better for us as co-workers.
Fun days ahead..
Nova is such a strong heroine with a forked tongue so the two and fro banter between these two scorches the pages and sets up the right pace for an angsty from enemies to lovers story perfectly.
Kessler is an Ex NHL player with the body of a wet dream, he had me swooning like no other, his love for his son had me melting, the laughs came tenfold with all things roosters.
What an amazing way to finish off my year in books, I loved this book as soon as I started it, I couldn't put it down, this second chance office romance hit all the right spots and I found I devoured this in record time.
Best Quote:
“If you think I’m about to turn into Aquaman, you have another thing coming.”
She grins at me. “All I know is that if you wanted to dress up as Jason Momoa, I wouldn’t mind.”
“That guy is Hawaiian isn’t he?”
She nods.
“That fucker. All the woman want him because he can swim.”
She raises her brow.
“Yeah,” she says dryly. “That’s totally the reason why.”
February 11, 2019
1.5 stars.
02/10/19
What did I just read!!!!!
Sorry but this is the worst Karina Halle book ever for me.
I usually enjoy romantic comedies but honestly this was such a train wreck.
The story had potential but crikey, add a mostly unlikeable and perpetually sweaty hero (according to our heroine- as she points it out, at regular intervals throughout this book), some cheesy and cringeworthy dialogue plus some extremely cliched and also less than stellar IMO sex scenes- what can I say!!!!.
The further I read the more incredulous and silly I found this book to be, but like an accident in real life where there are plenty of looky-loos intent on observing all the action I also continued to flip through the pages somewhat curious but also dismayed and disappointed.
This is a second chance romance, yet again something I tend to personally enjoy but for the first time ever I think I might really understand my friend Dilek's issues with this particular trope. Kessler was such a major a**hole to the heroine in the past and I simply couldn't overlook it.
In all seriousness I am really surprised that I did in fact finish this book, I could easily have stopped at say 70, 80 or 90% in and had no true regrets about missing out on seeing the ending as I never really connected with any of the characters in this story.
If you have never read anything by Karina Halle and like rom-coms I suggest reading "Smut" or "Bad at Love" and passing on this one.
*************************************************************
This is billed as :
** A new standalone romantic comedy**
but the blurb sounds all drama.
Curiouser and curiouser!
I am pretty sure that I will read this one.
Hope it truly is a rom-com, she does that so very well. Remember "Smut".
02/10/19
What did I just read!!!!!
Sorry but this is the worst Karina Halle book ever for me.
I usually enjoy romantic comedies but honestly this was such a train wreck.
The story had potential but crikey, add a mostly unlikeable and perpetually sweaty hero (according to our heroine- as she points it out, at regular intervals throughout this book), some cheesy and cringeworthy dialogue plus some extremely cliched and also less than stellar IMO sex scenes- what can I say!!!!.
The further I read the more incredulous and silly I found this book to be, but like an accident in real life where there are plenty of looky-loos intent on observing all the action I also continued to flip through the pages somewhat curious but also dismayed and disappointed.
This is a second chance romance, yet again something I tend to personally enjoy but for the first time ever I think I might really understand my friend Dilek's issues with this particular trope. Kessler was such a major a**hole to the heroine in the past and I simply couldn't overlook it.
In all seriousness I am really surprised that I did in fact finish this book, I could easily have stopped at say 70, 80 or 90% in and had no true regrets about missing out on seeing the ending as I never really connected with any of the characters in this story.
If you have never read anything by Karina Halle and like rom-coms I suggest reading "Smut" or "Bad at Love" and passing on this one.
*************************************************************
This is billed as :
** A new standalone romantic comedy**
but the blurb sounds all drama.
Curiouser and curiouser!
I am pretty sure that I will read this one.
Hope it truly is a rom-com, she does that so very well. Remember "Smut".
hell-fucking-no
December 29, 2018Nope. Hero breaks up with heroine and then a few days later has sex with the receptionist at their workplace. Disgusting pig.
They’d been sleeping together for months and the heroine was in love with him but he didn’t love her and didn’t want commitment.
“The things I wanted then weren’t love and security, they were cheap thrills and hot sex with different women. I loved being with Nova but I didn’t love her back then, and that was the truth.”
They’d been sleeping together for months and the heroine was in love with him but he didn’t love her and didn’t want commitment.
“The things I wanted then weren’t love and security, they were cheap thrills and hot sex with different women. I loved being with Nova but I didn’t love her back then, and that was the truth.”
January 1, 2019
3.5 Stars
This was an easy, breezy, laugh-out-loud, read. Very funny, and enjoyable.
This was an easy, breezy, laugh-out-loud, read. Very funny, and enjoyable.
January 10, 2019
3.5 Stars
Overall Opinion: This was a fun read! I laughed out loud on more than one occasion, and I really liked the H. The H's son was super cute, and his interactions with him were sweet. I do wish that we had more actual scenes with the h bonding with his son, but the few scenes we do get were great. I struggled with the h. I liked her quirky ways and how she was with the H's son -- but I didn't like how she could turn cold so easily. I also was left with a few unanswered questions in the end that made me not quite love the ending even though I definitely laughed out loud reading the epilogue. Otherwise this was a super cute, funny, sexy read that would be great for those times between heavier books!
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Nova and Kessler's story. Nova comes home from a vacation and finds that her boss took off and that she now has to work under he ex-lover that broke her heart years prior. Kessler recently obtained custody of his 3 year old son and he desperately needed a change for them both, so a new job in Hawaii was something he couldn't say no to. The fact that he would work with Nova again and he always thought of her as the one that got away was a huge perk for him to accept the position. There was some big baggage they had to work through, some hot sexy times, and some laugh out loud moments...and they get a HEA ending.
POV: This alternated between Nova and Kessler's POV.
Overall Pace of Story: Good. I never skimmed and I thought it flowed well.
Instalove: No, but some strong feelings were still present when they are reunited.
H rating: 4.5 stars. Kessler. I really liked him. He messed up in the past, but I appreciated how he recognized his faults and tried to fix them. I also appreciated his relationship with his son, and he cracked me up a few times.
h rating: 3 stars. Nova. I liked her quirks and how she was a driven professional woman. I did struggle with her inability to open up and her pushing the H away at times though.
Sadness level: Low, no tissues needed
Push/Pull: Yes
Heat level: Hot. They have some hot tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but not so much it takes away from the story.
Descriptive sex: Yes
OW/OM drama: Yes
Sex scene with OW or OM: No
Cheating: No
Separation: Yes
Possible Triggers: Yes
Closure: This had a cute and funny epilogue with a HEA ending . I still wanted more though! I had a few unanswered questions in the end, and I really would've loved some more scenes with the h and the H's son bonding. Probably me being a greedy reader again...
Safety: This one is either Safe or Safe with exception for most safety gang readers depending on personal preferences.
Overall Opinion: This was a fun read! I laughed out loud on more than one occasion, and I really liked the H. The H's son was super cute, and his interactions with him were sweet. I do wish that we had more actual scenes with the h bonding with his son, but the few scenes we do get were great. I struggled with the h. I liked her quirky ways and how she was with the H's son -- but I didn't like how she could turn cold so easily. I also was left with a few unanswered questions in the end that made me not quite love the ending even though I definitely laughed out loud reading the epilogue. Otherwise this was a super cute, funny, sexy read that would be great for those times between heavier books!
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Nova and Kessler's story. Nova comes home from a vacation and finds that her boss took off and that she now has to work under he ex-lover that broke her heart years prior. Kessler recently obtained custody of his 3 year old son and he desperately needed a change for them both, so a new job in Hawaii was something he couldn't say no to. The fact that he would work with Nova again and he always thought of her as the one that got away was a huge perk for him to accept the position. There was some big baggage they had to work through, some hot sexy times, and some laugh out loud moments...and they get a HEA ending.
POV: This alternated between Nova and Kessler's POV.
Overall Pace of Story: Good. I never skimmed and I thought it flowed well.
Instalove: No, but some strong feelings were still present when they are reunited.
H rating: 4.5 stars. Kessler. I really liked him. He messed up in the past, but I appreciated how he recognized his faults and tried to fix them. I also appreciated his relationship with his son, and he cracked me up a few times.
h rating: 3 stars. Nova. I liked her quirks and how she was a driven professional woman. I did struggle with her inability to open up and her pushing the H away at times though.
Sadness level: Low, no tissues needed
Push/Pull: Yes
Heat level: Hot. They have some hot tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but not so much it takes away from the story.
Descriptive sex: Yes
OW/OM drama: Yes
Sex scene with OW or OM: No
Cheating: No
Separation: Yes
Possible Triggers: Yes
Closure: This had a cute and funny epilogue with a HEA ending . I still wanted more though! I had a few unanswered questions in the end, and I really would've loved some more scenes with the h and the H's son bonding. Probably me being a greedy reader again...
Safety: This one is either Safe or Safe with exception for most safety gang readers depending on personal preferences.
September 5, 2019
I was going to DNF this but then I picked it up again and actually ended up finishing it. The story never did get me completely invested. The backstories of the characters are pretty dull, and the characters themselves weren't compelling at all. I was never able to warm up to Kessler in particular, as his character pretty much sucked. Nova was just okay. They didn't have much chemistry to me.
For a romantic comedy, I didn't think this was funny at all. It just wasn't my kind of humor I guess. I got that mildly uncomfortable guilty feeling I usually get when I know someone is trying to be funny, but I don't find them funny. At all.
And the typos in here are insane. The writing is very sloppy.
I have it in my head that Halle is a great writer in the sense that she writes in a way that makes it very easy to read; like, I don't really feel like I'm straight up reading a book, I feel like I'm in a story. I didn't get that here.
The only thing I liked was the setting, which I really liked a lot. But I'm biased on that, so take that with a grain of salt. Still, it's what's making this go from 1 star to 1.5 stars for me.
If this was the first book I had ever tried of this author, I probably wouldn't pick up another one. For reference tho, I was a huge fan of Halle's earlier books in the EIT series back in the day. This book is only the 2nd contemporary romance from her that I've tried. Anyway. Moving on.
For a romantic comedy, I didn't think this was funny at all. It just wasn't my kind of humor I guess. I got that mildly uncomfortable guilty feeling I usually get when I know someone is trying to be funny, but I don't find them funny. At all.
And the typos in here are insane. The writing is very sloppy.
I have it in my head that Halle is a great writer in the sense that she writes in a way that makes it very easy to read; like, I don't really feel like I'm straight up reading a book, I feel like I'm in a story. I didn't get that here.
The only thing I liked was the setting, which I really liked a lot. But I'm biased on that, so take that with a grain of salt. Still, it's what's making this go from 1 star to 1.5 stars for me.
If this was the first book I had ever tried of this author, I probably wouldn't pick up another one. For reference tho, I was a huge fan of Halle's earlier books in the EIT series back in the day. This book is only the 2nd contemporary romance from her that I've tried. Anyway. Moving on.
February 1, 2019
3.5 Stars. I enjoyed the humor. I legit laughed out loud. There were a few things I didn’t like but it is just my personal preference. I would recommend to someone looking for RomCom.
December 28, 2018
4 'My level-ten heartbreaker' Stars!
ARC provided by the author via Social Butterfly PR in exchange for an honest review.
Karina Halle strikes again with this sweet, funny and off-the-charts hot love story! Probably my last read of 2018 and I am very happy to say I thoroughly enjoyed it. Nova, Kess and Hunter stole my heart with all their moments together and I am sure, if you are a fan of Karina's lighter works, you'll enjoy Nothing Personal too.
So, Nothing Personal is a standalone novel and it belongs to several romances tropes: it's a romantic comedy with an enemies to lovers / office romance / second chance theme. It's the story of Nova Lane and Kessler Rocha. Nova is a hard working woman that is expecting a promotion after her boss quits all of a sudden. Well, imagine when Kessler (her ex-coworker and ex-lover) appears to take that position. The feelings surge again, especially since Nova was absolutely heartbroken when they broke up years ago. But Kessler is not the same man: he is now a single dad of an adorable toddler and he deeply cares about Nova too.
Yes. This is the Nova I remember.
And yet this Nova now is so much more, on so many levels.
She’s my equal and she’s mine, that’s all there is to it.
I don't know how Karina does it, seriously! But ever since I started reading her books, I haven't stopped. And you know why I enjoyed this one so much? Because it has the same feel of the first novel I ever read by her (Smut). It's definitely on the lighter side of Karina's creations, it's a romance full of hilarious moments, a couple with lots of angst and chemistry, a super cute kid and lots of emotions in between. I loved these characters: Nova is a strong and sassy heroine (my favorite!) and Kessler definitely is a hot single dad that adores his child and surely works to win Nova's love back. I am so happy these three got their second chance and their HEA!
“You’re never the same after you get your heart broken. But if you’re just lucky enough, maybe you’ll find someone to help you pick up the pieces.”
“Even if he’s your level-ten heartbreaker?”
“Even if.”
Therefore, my rating for Nothing Personal is 4 STARS because it had all the things I enjoy in a lighter romance: banter, lots of laughter, chemistry, sexy times and all the feels! What a nice way to end 2018! Karina has become one of my favorite writers and I am sure she will continue giving us lots of amazing releases in 2019. This one was definitely amazing for me and I do recommend it to anyone who enjoys lighter romances and Karina's writing. Check it out, guys!
CHECK OUT MY BLOG HERE:
ARC provided by the author via Social Butterfly PR in exchange for an honest review.
Karina Halle strikes again with this sweet, funny and off-the-charts hot love story! Probably my last read of 2018 and I am very happy to say I thoroughly enjoyed it. Nova, Kess and Hunter stole my heart with all their moments together and I am sure, if you are a fan of Karina's lighter works, you'll enjoy Nothing Personal too.
So, Nothing Personal is a standalone novel and it belongs to several romances tropes: it's a romantic comedy with an enemies to lovers / office romance / second chance theme. It's the story of Nova Lane and Kessler Rocha. Nova is a hard working woman that is expecting a promotion after her boss quits all of a sudden. Well, imagine when Kessler (her ex-coworker and ex-lover) appears to take that position. The feelings surge again, especially since Nova was absolutely heartbroken when they broke up years ago. But Kessler is not the same man: he is now a single dad of an adorable toddler and he deeply cares about Nova too.
Yes. This is the Nova I remember.
And yet this Nova now is so much more, on so many levels.
She’s my equal and she’s mine, that’s all there is to it.
I don't know how Karina does it, seriously! But ever since I started reading her books, I haven't stopped. And you know why I enjoyed this one so much? Because it has the same feel of the first novel I ever read by her (Smut). It's definitely on the lighter side of Karina's creations, it's a romance full of hilarious moments, a couple with lots of angst and chemistry, a super cute kid and lots of emotions in between. I loved these characters: Nova is a strong and sassy heroine (my favorite!) and Kessler definitely is a hot single dad that adores his child and surely works to win Nova's love back. I am so happy these three got their second chance and their HEA!
“You’re never the same after you get your heart broken. But if you’re just lucky enough, maybe you’ll find someone to help you pick up the pieces.”
“Even if he’s your level-ten heartbreaker?”
“Even if.”
Therefore, my rating for Nothing Personal is 4 STARS because it had all the things I enjoy in a lighter romance: banter, lots of laughter, chemistry, sexy times and all the feels! What a nice way to end 2018! Karina has become one of my favorite writers and I am sure she will continue giving us lots of amazing releases in 2019. This one was definitely amazing for me and I do recommend it to anyone who enjoys lighter romances and Karina's writing. Check it out, guys!
CHECK OUT MY BLOG HERE:
December 28, 2018
4.5 stars!
Another great read from Karina Halle! Fun, funny and sexy with fantastic characters and a sweet, swoony second-chance-enemies-to-lovers-romance, I loved this one!
Nova works in marketing for a Hawaiian-based hotel chain and after learning that her boss has unexpectedly resigned, she is expecting the promotion that she has been working so hard for. But that’s not the case, and she’s horrified and enraged to discover that the new guy who will be her boss turns out to be the man that broke her heart five years earlier.
Kes is an ex-NHL player who previously worked for the same hotel chain as Nova, and the last time the two of them worked in the same office they started a steamy affair. Nova fell hard for Kes, but he was clueless to that fact and wasn’t ready for an actual relationship, and after he left her shattered she moved to Hawaii for a fresh start. And now he’s back… with his three year old son in tow, and from his first glance at Nova, he knows that it was a mistake to ever let her go.
I love this set up! And the story gets off to a great start when Nova makes it clear that she’s not happy to have Kes back in her life. Getting over him was the hardest thing she ever did, and though he’s looking better than ever, she is determined to protect her heart and that means staying away from him as much as possible.
Karina Halle writes wonderfully real, flawed characters. They aren’t perfect, they’re relatable, they make mistakes and they sometimes say the wrong thing, and that’s what makes them so much fun to read. And she’s done a great job with Nova and Kes. I love them individually, and together they are an absolute powerhouse, with fantastic chemistry, great banter, and so much emotion between them. The sexual tension sizzles off the page as they argue and bicker, and you can feel all of that passion from so long ago effortlessly rebuilding until it reaches boiling point, and with their feelings and lust for each other all twisted up, it just gets better and better.
It’s hot, sexy, and a little dirty, and it’s absolutely fantastic! They have their ups and downs, but it’s all very believable, and watching them follow their hearts and figure out the journey is funny, gorgeous, and beautifully swoony.
This is such a great read with lots of laughs, heart and steamy time and just the right amount of drama to keep things interesting without bogging the story down. Karina Halle writes great sexy rom/com, and I loved this one!
4.5 stars.
An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Another great read from Karina Halle! Fun, funny and sexy with fantastic characters and a sweet, swoony second-chance-enemies-to-lovers-romance, I loved this one!
Nova works in marketing for a Hawaiian-based hotel chain and after learning that her boss has unexpectedly resigned, she is expecting the promotion that she has been working so hard for. But that’s not the case, and she’s horrified and enraged to discover that the new guy who will be her boss turns out to be the man that broke her heart five years earlier.
Kes is an ex-NHL player who previously worked for the same hotel chain as Nova, and the last time the two of them worked in the same office they started a steamy affair. Nova fell hard for Kes, but he was clueless to that fact and wasn’t ready for an actual relationship, and after he left her shattered she moved to Hawaii for a fresh start. And now he’s back… with his three year old son in tow, and from his first glance at Nova, he knows that it was a mistake to ever let her go.
“Let’s just let bygones be bygones and pretend you and I never happened.”
“That’s not going to be easy,” I tell her.
Because I don’t want to pretend we never happened.
I want to do the opposite.
I want…I think I just want a second chance to see if things can work this time around.
I love this set up! And the story gets off to a great start when Nova makes it clear that she’s not happy to have Kes back in her life. Getting over him was the hardest thing she ever did, and though he’s looking better than ever, she is determined to protect her heart and that means staying away from him as much as possible.
“I hate you,” I hiss at him.
He smirks. “You only hate that you want me.”
“Same difference.”
“I don’t think so,” he says.
Karina Halle writes wonderfully real, flawed characters. They aren’t perfect, they’re relatable, they make mistakes and they sometimes say the wrong thing, and that’s what makes them so much fun to read. And she’s done a great job with Nova and Kes. I love them individually, and together they are an absolute powerhouse, with fantastic chemistry, great banter, and so much emotion between them. The sexual tension sizzles off the page as they argue and bicker, and you can feel all of that passion from so long ago effortlessly rebuilding until it reaches boiling point, and with their feelings and lust for each other all twisted up, it just gets better and better.
Nothing has felt hotter, the slick sounds, the way he’s exerting himself, grunting with each powerful thrust.
“Come for me,” he bites out. “Fucking come for me.”
“Fucking make me,” I tell him through a moan.
It’s hot, sexy, and a little dirty, and it’s absolutely fantastic! They have their ups and downs, but it’s all very believable, and watching them follow their hearts and figure out the journey is funny, gorgeous, and beautifully swoony.
Every cell in my body is begging for her, wanting to know what it’s like to have her heart. I want her heart, to possess it, to protect it and never let it go.
This is such a great read with lots of laughs, heart and steamy time and just the right amount of drama to keep things interesting without bogging the story down. Karina Halle writes great sexy rom/com, and I loved this one!
4.5 stars.
An Advanced Review Copy was generously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
December 27, 2018
**ARC provided in exchange for an honest review**
"Whether you protect yourself or not, when you fall in love, it's going to hurt."
Nothing Personal is a fun and sexy second-chance single parent romance. I absolutely love these tropes, and it being written by one of my all time favorite authors is just the icing on the cake. This book was fast-paced, but not in a way that it felt rushed, but it just had a very smooth flow and it was easy to read. The reason for why Kessler and Nova broke up was refreshing, and not cliché. I can't blame for Nova feeling somewhat of a resentment towards him, but eventually she admits that she was a bit to blame as well. Kessler comes across as very arrogant: someone who always gets what he wants and knows what to do, but I loved seeing his vulnerable side as well. Those moments were sometimes very funny. The story was set in Hawaii, which was perfect, and I loved getting glimpses of this beautiful state.
"I need to remember what happened the last time Kessler and I got together this way. No matter how good it feels, no matter how badly my body needs it, it's my heart that will pay the price."
Kessler is still trying to figure out how to be a parent, and his interaction with his son Hunter was extra cute and amusing. Nova is ambitious, and very dedicated to her job. So it means war when Kessler comes and swoops in on the position she's been wanting for a while now. The banter between them was funny, and the sexual tensions were very high. These two were equals and they knew how to handle each other. They both went through personal growth, which made them mature and better equipped to be in a healthy relationship this time around. Karina Halle is a very talented author who keeps on delivering great stories featuring awesome characters. I fell in love with all of them, and I didn't want to say goodbye. None of her stories feel recycled, and I always feel like her stories are refreshing and original. So make sure you one-click this fun and sexy contemporary romance.
"Whether you protect yourself or not, when you fall in love, it's going to hurt."
Nothing Personal is a fun and sexy second-chance single parent romance. I absolutely love these tropes, and it being written by one of my all time favorite authors is just the icing on the cake. This book was fast-paced, but not in a way that it felt rushed, but it just had a very smooth flow and it was easy to read. The reason for why Kessler and Nova broke up was refreshing, and not cliché. I can't blame for Nova feeling somewhat of a resentment towards him, but eventually she admits that she was a bit to blame as well. Kessler comes across as very arrogant: someone who always gets what he wants and knows what to do, but I loved seeing his vulnerable side as well. Those moments were sometimes very funny. The story was set in Hawaii, which was perfect, and I loved getting glimpses of this beautiful state.
"I need to remember what happened the last time Kessler and I got together this way. No matter how good it feels, no matter how badly my body needs it, it's my heart that will pay the price."
Kessler is still trying to figure out how to be a parent, and his interaction with his son Hunter was extra cute and amusing. Nova is ambitious, and very dedicated to her job. So it means war when Kessler comes and swoops in on the position she's been wanting for a while now. The banter between them was funny, and the sexual tensions were very high. These two were equals and they knew how to handle each other. They both went through personal growth, which made them mature and better equipped to be in a healthy relationship this time around. Karina Halle is a very talented author who keeps on delivering great stories featuring awesome characters. I fell in love with all of them, and I didn't want to say goodbye. None of her stories feel recycled, and I always feel like her stories are refreshing and original. So make sure you one-click this fun and sexy contemporary romance.
not-interested
December 29, 2018I lost interest in this author’s books “ a lot of books ago”. The blurb for this is not appealing and it sounds like immaturity is going to reign, specially from heroine’s side.
#thankyounext 😉
#thankyounext 😉
sample-says-no
January 6, 2019DNF 12%
Dialogues:
"No takesies backsies"
or
"When did he start impaling you with his tree trunk?"
or
"He's a DILFOAH, Daddy I'd Like to Fuck Often and Hard"
Dialogues:
"No takesies backsies"
or
"When did he start impaling you with his tree trunk?"
or
"He's a DILFOAH, Daddy I'd Like to Fuck Often and Hard"
December 28, 2018
Nothing Personal is not a romantic comedy. There were no comedic elements to the story and at some point, I was just disgusted and I am not talking about Hunter popping in the kitchen. It's just a second chance book and it didn't work for me, but not for the obvious reasons aka them sleeping with other people and then saying that they never got over each other.
I shall begin with the good stuff. I liked the flow of the story and despite having some elements that were not my thing at all, I read this one in two sittings, since I feel asleep around 4 am while reading the book. I didn't hate either character and in some level I understood Kessler's motives when he broke things off with Nova. I liked Nova a lot, even when I didn't agree with her which is weird. The writing was good in some places and in others I had a string of WTF thoughts running in my head, like Mike's entire plot, which was crazy. The pages were simply turning and I had no problem reading the book in spite of the bad things which are listed right below this paragraph.
I don't understand for the love of me, how I could like even a little a hero who broke things of with the heroine and two days later he slept with the receptionist of the officed they worked together. That was disgusting and it explains why I never loved Kessler and I never will. The thing is though that for him it was clear from moment one that what he and Nova had was just physical and maybe that's why I couldn't hate him. He portrayed their relationship like it was just that and nothing that Nova said indicated that he was into something more romantic and that is weird since Nova paints another picture. In the first chapter or two, she says that Kessler is the only man who was a 10 in her heartbroken scale, which made me believe that they had something serious going on and as it turned out, it wasn't. It's like they were into a different relationship for the lack of better word at the moment and that was confusing and a bad spot for the book. Kessler redeemed himself in the end though in some ways and it gave some points to him and the book.
I shall begin with the good stuff. I liked the flow of the story and despite having some elements that were not my thing at all, I read this one in two sittings, since I feel asleep around 4 am while reading the book. I didn't hate either character and in some level I understood Kessler's motives when he broke things off with Nova. I liked Nova a lot, even when I didn't agree with her which is weird. The writing was good in some places and in others I had a string of WTF thoughts running in my head, like Mike's entire plot, which was crazy. The pages were simply turning and I had no problem reading the book in spite of the bad things which are listed right below this paragraph.
I don't understand for the love of me, how I could like even a little a hero who broke things of with the heroine and two days later he slept with the receptionist of the officed they worked together. That was disgusting and it explains why I never loved Kessler and I never will. The thing is though that for him it was clear from moment one that what he and Nova had was just physical and maybe that's why I couldn't hate him. He portrayed their relationship like it was just that and nothing that Nova said indicated that he was into something more romantic and that is weird since Nova paints another picture. In the first chapter or two, she says that Kessler is the only man who was a 10 in her heartbroken scale, which made me believe that they had something serious going on and as it turned out, it wasn't. It's like they were into a different relationship for the lack of better word at the moment and that was confusing and a bad spot for the book. Kessler redeemed himself in the end though in some ways and it gave some points to him and the book.
December 27, 2018
4.5 stars
Another fantastic read from Karina Halle! Her signature style of heat and humor mixed with some emotional points made Nothing Personal another favorite!
RTC
January 10, 2019
This has some great lol moments. Quick read
December 31, 2018
***AVAILABLE NOW - FULL REVIEW***
4 Supernova CROWNS
Nothing Personal by Karina Halle is a bit a departure from her typical work, but it offers up a host of LAUGH OUT LOUD moments, sizzling chemistry, and a second chance romance that will make you smile!
Nova and Kessler are incredibly likable characters. They each have their outlandish moments, their quirky characteristics, but I found them to be endearing. Like most of her couples, these two have incredible chemistry. Anytime they touch is explosive.
Nothing Personal is filled with some absurd moments, which are LOL funny, and Halle fully intends for these moments to be absurd (think Meghan Quinn-Esque type of humor) and to make you laugh. The hilarity at times takes away from the emotional intimacy of the couple, though. Additionally, the conflict, which is unexpected, is too surface level and resolved to quickly. I know it is romcom, and most conflicts in this trope are but I still need a conflict with a bit more substance. The resolution and the epilogue are super cute and give readers that always sought HEA.
While I do prefer Halle’s more angstier, grittier stories, I still enjoyed Nothing Personal. It was light and fun, a good escape from the world.
ARC received in exchange for an honest review
4 Supernova CROWNS
Nothing Personal by Karina Halle is a bit a departure from her typical work, but it offers up a host of LAUGH OUT LOUD moments, sizzling chemistry, and a second chance romance that will make you smile!
Nova and Kessler are incredibly likable characters. They each have their outlandish moments, their quirky characteristics, but I found them to be endearing. Like most of her couples, these two have incredible chemistry. Anytime they touch is explosive.
Nothing Personal is filled with some absurd moments, which are LOL funny, and Halle fully intends for these moments to be absurd (think Meghan Quinn-Esque type of humor) and to make you laugh. The hilarity at times takes away from the emotional intimacy of the couple, though. Additionally, the conflict, which is unexpected, is too surface level and resolved to quickly. I know it is romcom, and most conflicts in this trope are but I still need a conflict with a bit more substance. The resolution and the epilogue are super cute and give readers that always sought HEA.
While I do prefer Halle’s more angstier, grittier stories, I still enjoyed Nothing Personal. It was light and fun, a good escape from the world.
ARC received in exchange for an honest review
January 12, 2019
Review to come!
December 29, 2018
I don't read a lot of rom coms because, if i'm being honest, they don't make me laugh. They're often more silly than funny and I just roll my eyes more than I giggle. Well, Karina Halle's Nothing Personal made me LOL over and over. It was cute. It was seriously funny. It was smart and sharp and witty without ever feeling over the top or forced. I enjoyed every single second of this book and I can't recommend it enough.
The whole vibe of Nothing Personal was EVERYTHING I needed right now. Taking place in Hawaii, this story had a sultry backdrop that I just adored. The office romance, the second chance love story, the enemies to lovers aspect, the whole storyline surrounding Hawaiian Christmas... I enjoyed all of it. Karina Halle knows how to sweep away her reader, not just with a lush romance but with the tastes and sounds of Hawaii and she certainly did that here on these pages.
Kessler Rocha is a single dad. Nova Lane is a headstrong, feisty career woman with a soft, vulnerable core she rarely lets anyone see. They have history and now they have a fierce office rivalry, and their push and pull is both deliciously complicated and wholly addictive.
Sexy and fun with just the right amount of angsty heartache, Nothing Personal was the PERFECT winter break read. It's light but SUPER STEAMY and I couldn't put it down. I feel like it's been FOREVER since Karina Halle has swept me away in one of her always-highly-anticipated novels and this book was so worth the wait. It filled me with all the giddy feels I crave in a romance. It made me smile from ear to ear. It had me falling hard and fast for these unforgettable characters. And it gave me a newfound appreciation for romantic comedy when that's so rarely my thing. Add this one to your MUST READ list right this second. I absolutely adored it!
The whole vibe of Nothing Personal was EVERYTHING I needed right now. Taking place in Hawaii, this story had a sultry backdrop that I just adored. The office romance, the second chance love story, the enemies to lovers aspect, the whole storyline surrounding Hawaiian Christmas... I enjoyed all of it. Karina Halle knows how to sweep away her reader, not just with a lush romance but with the tastes and sounds of Hawaii and she certainly did that here on these pages.
Kessler Rocha is a single dad. Nova Lane is a headstrong, feisty career woman with a soft, vulnerable core she rarely lets anyone see. They have history and now they have a fierce office rivalry, and their push and pull is both deliciously complicated and wholly addictive.
Sexy and fun with just the right amount of angsty heartache, Nothing Personal was the PERFECT winter break read. It's light but SUPER STEAMY and I couldn't put it down. I feel like it's been FOREVER since Karina Halle has swept me away in one of her always-highly-anticipated novels and this book was so worth the wait. It filled me with all the giddy feels I crave in a romance. It made me smile from ear to ear. It had me falling hard and fast for these unforgettable characters. And it gave me a newfound appreciation for romantic comedy when that's so rarely my thing. Add this one to your MUST READ list right this second. I absolutely adored it!
December 31, 2018
2.5 stars. Meh, this just wasn’t for me. She came across as weak and a bit pathetic. He came across as an arrogant, self absorbed dick. I didn’t see much depth in either of them - or growth, despite this trying to be portrayed. It just didn’t work for me. Neither of them displayed any sense of the professionalism that would be required for their roles in order for that side of the story to be believable.
The characters seemed shallow and I didn’t like them.
The characters seemed shallow and I didn’t like them.
January 9, 2019
UGHHHH.. this book was interesting but then got meh.
Nothing Personal was one of those books that I wanted to dnf at times. I tried so many times to likes these two, Nova and Kessler, but I just couldn't. The beginning of this book was interesting enough but at like 40% I was just so freaking bored.
In all honesty, I liked Nova better than Kessler because of her sarcasm and her back bone.. but other than that.. this book wasn't really for me. I'm very happy that this book was free on KU because I would be highly disappointed if I spent money on this. Their relationship was boring and I seriously can't see these two having the chemistry that they did.
Other than that, I put this book down so many times. Walked away from it without a second glance and I am very happy that I finally finished this. I have nothing to say about these characters and their story but I'm just glad that it's over.
Nothing Personal was one of those books that I wanted to dnf at times. I tried so many times to likes these two, Nova and Kessler, but I just couldn't. The beginning of this book was interesting enough but at like 40% I was just so freaking bored.
In all honesty, I liked Nova better than Kessler because of her sarcasm and her back bone.. but other than that.. this book wasn't really for me. I'm very happy that this book was free on KU because I would be highly disappointed if I spent money on this. Their relationship was boring and I seriously can't see these two having the chemistry that they did.
Other than that, I put this book down so many times. Walked away from it without a second glance and I am very happy that I finally finished this. I have nothing to say about these characters and their story but I'm just glad that it's over.
January 14, 2019
DNF 5% - the only reason I'm rating this a one star instead of no stars is this:
"...the next thing I know I get a resignation letter saying he was going to live in Thailand with her."
"Thailand! Are you sure she's a woman?"
YIKES Karina! Yikes. It's 2019 and I think we should be beyond making fun of and misgendering trans people. I can put up with a lot, but transphobia from my heroine is a hard no for me. So, one star from me and a side eye to future Karina Halle publications.
"...the next thing I know I get a resignation letter saying he was going to live in Thailand with her."
"Thailand! Are you sure she's a woman?"
YIKES Karina! Yikes. It's 2019 and I think we should be beyond making fun of and misgendering trans people. I can put up with a lot, but transphobia from my heroine is a hard no for me. So, one star from me and a side eye to future Karina Halle publications.
January 8, 2019
Kessler was just too much for me. I didn’t like him at all and Nova was constantly talking about him sweating 😫😫🤪. The pineapple condom pops and silly coconut helmet finished me off!!! I stoppped at 50%. Not up to her usual standard in my opinion.
January 7, 2019
Loved this one! This is my first time reading this author and boy was it too funny... a workplace, second chances hot read!
January 12, 2019
2,5⭐Nada sobresaliente, uno mas del montón y un poco aburrido en mi opinión.
December 30, 2018
“𝗜 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗜 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀, 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗻𝗼𝘄, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗮 𝗺𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵. 𝗔𝗻𝘆𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗼𝗼 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗺𝗲."
If you’re looking for a fantastic romance that hits all the best tropes, look no further! In Karina Halle’s latest standalone release, 𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥, she gives us a single dad, enemies-to-lovers, second-chance office romance that will have you ending the year with a BANG and with a HUGE SMILE on your face! Nova and Kessler are INCREDIBLE characters that had quite the road ahead of them. A sexy, hilarious, and banter-filled road...but a long road nonetheless. These two had such great chemistry in and out of the sheets, and Ms. Halle gifted us with some scorching HOT sex scenes that will have you blushing and flushing from head to toe.
I loved EVERYTHING about this book! From the delicious book cover to the beautiful and hilarious Epilogue, to every comedic, charming, and juicy bit inbetween…I couldn’t get enough! There is a reason why Karina Halle is a bestselling author many times over. The heart and soul she puts into every single word…as a reader, you can feel all of that passion and heart with every turn of the page. This makes the reading experience that much greater.
If you have time to fit in one more read before the year ends, you must consider this wonderfully hilarious and sweet romance!
𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗕 𝗜𝗧 𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗘:
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2BPEiHV
Amazon WW: http://mybook.to/NothingPersonalKH
If you’re looking for a fantastic romance that hits all the best tropes, look no further! In Karina Halle’s latest standalone release, 𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥, she gives us a single dad, enemies-to-lovers, second-chance office romance that will have you ending the year with a BANG and with a HUGE SMILE on your face! Nova and Kessler are INCREDIBLE characters that had quite the road ahead of them. A sexy, hilarious, and banter-filled road...but a long road nonetheless. These two had such great chemistry in and out of the sheets, and Ms. Halle gifted us with some scorching HOT sex scenes that will have you blushing and flushing from head to toe.
I loved EVERYTHING about this book! From the delicious book cover to the beautiful and hilarious Epilogue, to every comedic, charming, and juicy bit inbetween…I couldn’t get enough! There is a reason why Karina Halle is a bestselling author many times over. The heart and soul she puts into every single word…as a reader, you can feel all of that passion and heart with every turn of the page. This makes the reading experience that much greater.
If you have time to fit in one more read before the year ends, you must consider this wonderfully hilarious and sweet romance!
𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗕 𝗜𝗧 𝗛𝗘𝗥𝗘:
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2BPEiHV
Amazon WW: http://mybook.to/NothingPersonalKH
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