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Race You
Emma is fighting for her dream job … she has no idea she could win her dream man.
In a competition for the position of a lifetime, Emma knows she can’t beat her office enemy on skill alone. After Arnie sabotaged her first day, the boss has avoided her like the plague. Everyone loves Arnie, even though he’s the most annoying, lazy, hot, jerk she’s ever had the misfortune to work with. And dream about.
Arnie thinks only one thing when he looks at Emma—more. But with his self-imposed exile in London almost complete, he should be packing to return to the family business in Italy. His days working alongside his secret crush are numbered.
Forced to collaborate, Emma resists the chemistry between her and Arnie. If she gets too close, she may as well hand him the promotion, yet turning her back on the boss's favourite will destroy her chances. And leave her unemployed.
Only one of them wants to win. Both are risking more than their careers.
In a competition for the position of a lifetime, Emma knows she can’t beat her office enemy on skill alone. After Arnie sabotaged her first day, the boss has avoided her like the plague. Everyone loves Arnie, even though he’s the most annoying, lazy, hot, jerk she’s ever had the misfortune to work with. And dream about.
Arnie thinks only one thing when he looks at Emma—more. But with his self-imposed exile in London almost complete, he should be packing to return to the family business in Italy. His days working alongside his secret crush are numbered.
Forced to collaborate, Emma resists the chemistry between her and Arnie. If she gets too close, she may as well hand him the promotion, yet turning her back on the boss's favourite will destroy her chances. And leave her unemployed.
Only one of them wants to win. Both are risking more than their careers.
348 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 12, 2019
About the author
Jolie Vines
55 books3,130 followersJOLIE VINES is a romance novelist who lives in the South West of England with her husband and young son.
From an early age, Jolie lived in a fantasy world and is never happier than when plot dreaming. Jolie loves her heroes to be one-woman guys. Whether they are a huge Highlander, a touch starved earl, or a brooding pilot, they will adore their loved one until the end of time.
Her favourite pastime is wrecking emotions then making up for it by giving her characters deep and meaningful happy ever afters.
Want to contact Jolie? Drop her a line at jolie [at] jolievines.com, or find her in her Facebook Fall Hard reader group. She loves hearing from her readers.
Sign up to her newsletter to be the first to hear about new releases, giveaways, and promotions. https://www.jolievines.com/newsletter
From an early age, Jolie lived in a fantasy world and is never happier than when plot dreaming. Jolie loves her heroes to be one-woman guys. Whether they are a huge Highlander, a touch starved earl, or a brooding pilot, they will adore their loved one until the end of time.
Her favourite pastime is wrecking emotions then making up for it by giving her characters deep and meaningful happy ever afters.
Want to contact Jolie? Drop her a line at jolie [at] jolievines.com, or find her in her Facebook Fall Hard reader group. She loves hearing from her readers.
Sign up to her newsletter to be the first to hear about new releases, giveaways, and promotions. https://www.jolievines.com/newsletter
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
July 7, 2019
<3 4 STARS <3
Such a lovely story, I really like it!It was lighthearted,sweet and fun read.I adored Arnie and Emma, I liked the way their relationshi developed.
It was entertained and I loved when they were flirty.This is an office romance which start first as enemies and then to lovers.But the truth is they don't really hate each other.Everything starts with Emma's dirty dreams with Arnie, this was funny.If you are looking for a cute story with a great romance this is for you!
I’m definitely going to check more books from this author!
Such a lovely story, I really like it!It was lighthearted,sweet and fun read.I adored Arnie and Emma, I liked the way their relationshi developed.
It was entertained and I loved when they were flirty.This is an office romance which start first as enemies and then to lovers.But the truth is they don't really hate each other.Everything starts with Emma's dirty dreams with Arnie, this was funny.If you are looking for a cute story with a great romance this is for you!
I’m definitely going to check more books from this author!
July 6, 2019
I really enjoyed this latest offering from Jolie Vines. I've enjoyed the books in her Marry the Scot series, and while the worlds are linked (by a little one-line Easter Egg), this story feels a little different. It's still great and fun, with main characters who have good hearts and witty banter, but this is a more city-based story than the books in the other series.
It's not always easy to get an enemies-to-lovers story right, but Vines nails it with a deft touch, making us understand how the characters got here, while still making it believable as they fall in love.
Arnie and Emma end up working together in a competition for a promotion at work--which means forced proximity. Add that to the simmering attraction between them, and it's great fun to watch their walls come down and the misunderstandings between them melt away.
Good pacing, fab love scenes, and a satisfying HEA. Would recommend this author for fans of contemporary romance with angst on the low-end of the spectrum. (Especially if you like a British touch.)
*ARC provided by author for review
It's not always easy to get an enemies-to-lovers story right, but Vines nails it with a deft touch, making us understand how the characters got here, while still making it believable as they fall in love.
Arnie and Emma end up working together in a competition for a promotion at work--which means forced proximity. Add that to the simmering attraction between them, and it's great fun to watch their walls come down and the misunderstandings between them melt away.
Good pacing, fab love scenes, and a satisfying HEA. Would recommend this author for fans of contemporary romance with angst on the low-end of the spectrum. (Especially if you like a British touch.)
*ARC provided by author for review
July 18, 2019
This was a super fun, witty read that I had trouble putting down. I loved the banter between Arni and Emma. Workplace romances can sometimes fall flat for me, but this one felt so real. The characters and the situations were written flawlessly and from the very first page, I found myself completely engrossed in their world. To me, this was such a sweet, wonderful love story. The kind that makes you smile and feel so good that you hate for it to end. Jolie Vines has fast become a one-click author for me! Make sure you scoop this book up! a MUST READ!
July 16, 2019
Slightly filled The Hating Game whole in my heart. So cute and sweet. Definitely grab it for a read.
July 13, 2019
I would recommend you guys to read Race You if you love The Hating Game, but for me this is so much better! I know how much people love THG, so you're gonna love this one too!
It was a lighthearted, sweet and fun read. I loved Emma and Arnie’s relationship and how it progressed throughout the story. And yes, its an enemies-to-lovers office romance. So there's a lot of witty banters, bit of humor, some angst, and lot of sparks.
Emma and Arnie are such likable characters. They each have their own issues to work out and, it is so interesting to watch them encounter all of it along the way and how they handle it together.
It was a lighthearted, sweet and fun read. I loved Emma and Arnie’s relationship and how it progressed throughout the story. And yes, its an enemies-to-lovers office romance. So there's a lot of witty banters, bit of humor, some angst, and lot of sparks.
Emma and Arnie are such likable characters. They each have their own issues to work out and, it is so interesting to watch them encounter all of it along the way and how they handle it together.
July 11, 2019
OMG! Absolutely adored this story!!
Enemies-to-lovers. Office romance. Secret crush. Undeniable chemistry. Bonus – English author writing a story set in England – with a tiny cameo of my home town! LOL
“She was the smartest woman I’d ever met, and it turned me on like a neon sign over my head screamed hot for you.”
Emma Worthington loves coding and is a brilliant bug-fixer. She works hard but rarely gets recognised for it. That’s partly to do with the fact that she got off on the wrong foot with the boss on her first day at work – all the fault of a prank by her arch rival, Arnie Montrose. She spends her days glaring at him and despising him. While he…he spends his days nursing his secret crush on her.
”I wanted Emma to be more than just attracted to me, because I wanted every last piece of her.”
I was hooked on this story from the first page! I loved the tension between Emma and Arnie. While actively disliked him, he thought it was all playful competition. I loved that it was dual POV so we could follow each character’s real thoughts. Emma was a really caring person, even though she kept her heart guarded. She was independent, capable and pretty fearless on the whole. And, Arnie…oh, Arnie! He totally captured my heart! I loved his depth, his vulnerability, and his desire for Emma. He understood her so well.
”Arnie seduced every one of my senses. Even with my eyes closed he was all I could see.”
This was an addictive read that engaged all my senses. There was such yearning, such passion, and a beautiful, wonderful fall into love. Thoroughly, thoroughly recommend!
Enemies-to-lovers. Office romance. Secret crush. Undeniable chemistry. Bonus – English author writing a story set in England – with a tiny cameo of my home town! LOL
“She was the smartest woman I’d ever met, and it turned me on like a neon sign over my head screamed hot for you.”
Emma Worthington loves coding and is a brilliant bug-fixer. She works hard but rarely gets recognised for it. That’s partly to do with the fact that she got off on the wrong foot with the boss on her first day at work – all the fault of a prank by her arch rival, Arnie Montrose. She spends her days glaring at him and despising him. While he…he spends his days nursing his secret crush on her.
”I wanted Emma to be more than just attracted to me, because I wanted every last piece of her.”
I was hooked on this story from the first page! I loved the tension between Emma and Arnie. While actively disliked him, he thought it was all playful competition. I loved that it was dual POV so we could follow each character’s real thoughts. Emma was a really caring person, even though she kept her heart guarded. She was independent, capable and pretty fearless on the whole. And, Arnie…oh, Arnie! He totally captured my heart! I loved his depth, his vulnerability, and his desire for Emma. He understood her so well.
”Arnie seduced every one of my senses. Even with my eyes closed he was all I could see.”
This was an addictive read that engaged all my senses. There was such yearning, such passion, and a beautiful, wonderful fall into love. Thoroughly, thoroughly recommend!
![Profile Image for Amy [Book Addict Reviews].](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/users/1572307419i/47676940._UY200_CR0,0,200,200_.jpg)
July 7, 2019
This was such a fun enemies-to-loves office romance! I loved Emma and Arnie’s relationship and how it progressed throughout the story.
This is my first read from Jolie Vines and I hope that she continues to write more of this style of book because she absolutely killed it.
This story completely hooked me from the very beginning, I mean it all started with a sex dream. Emma claims to hate Arnie but she can’t help but think about him. I loved the banter between Emma and Arnie. The chemistry between the two of them was fantastic. Arnie wins for the best date imaginable though! It was perfect and just perfect.
This is such fun read so for anyone who loves office romances, enemies to lovers or both I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND this one to you!
This is my first read from Jolie Vines and I hope that she continues to write more of this style of book because she absolutely killed it.
This story completely hooked me from the very beginning, I mean it all started with a sex dream. Emma claims to hate Arnie but she can’t help but think about him. I loved the banter between Emma and Arnie. The chemistry between the two of them was fantastic. Arnie wins for the best date imaginable though! It was perfect and just perfect.
This is such fun read so for anyone who loves office romances, enemies to lovers or both I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND this one to you!
July 12, 2019
This was my first read by Jolie Vines and it won’t be the last!!! Enemies to lovers✔️ office romance✔️ chemistry ✔️ humor✔️ great characters✔️ this was the absolute perfect read for me and I’m so glad I got the opportunity to read it! This was the enemies to lovers/office romance, DONE RIGHT! This was definitely a huge page turner for me, I was hooked from the synopsis! Emma and Arnie were so cute together! Their fighting was hilarious, it’s what makes enemies to lovers enjoyable. Emma was so funny, she was very relatable when it comes to a time in a persons life when they don’t “like” someone but they can’t stop thinking about them.
*I received this arc in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Jolie Vines and givemebook pr for this opportunity!!*
*I received this arc in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Jolie Vines and givemebook pr for this opportunity!!*
June 30, 2019
Wow! I just wish when I worked in an office that we had our own Arnie, unfortunately there were many many Big Ed's! I just adored the banter between Arnie and Emma and felt like I was there in the office with them (I would've poisoned the plant as well with the revolting concoction that Mr Sweeny considered a health food shot🤢). For me a good book is when time flies as you're so into the story that it feels like you're there with them and they become friends, this is one of those books. Jolie has fast become one of my favourite authors, if you've not read one then I highly recommend them.
July 3, 2019
Enemies-to-lovers!!! As a romance fan this is one of my favorite tropes. However, I find it is a relationship that I find is not often done well. Too often the characters are over the top and come across as cruel. Not the case in this book. JV perfectly balanced dislike with attraction that ended in a mutually loving relationship that was addictive. As with her other books I read this in one sitting and did not want the story to end.
I have my fingers crossed that we see a book giving is the love story of Justin and his love as well as Frankie. 🤞🏻😍 Pretty please dearest author? 🤞🏻😍
I have my fingers crossed that we see a book giving is the love story of Justin and his love as well as Frankie. 🤞🏻😍 Pretty please dearest author? 🤞🏻😍
July 15, 2019
Race You is another ace book by Jolie Vines. Her characters are adorable, and I rooted for Arnie from the start. He's such a cute cinnamon roll (with highly delicious muscles, lol). The competition they enter in really pushed the tempo of this story, and I loved how things played out in the end (The drama! The betrayal! I'm there for it.). There was even a tiny cameo from her wonderful Marry the Scot series, and I cheered when I saw it.
July 12, 2019
Overall Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2
What does it mean to love yourself, to be true to yourself, to really know yourself? These are some big questions coming from Jolie Vines’s newest book, Race You. She has touted it as an enemies-to-lovers, workplace romance. These are simple categories to explain a text with a greater depth of discovery.
Race You follows Arnie and Emma, two workers at odds with each other. Emma is straight-laced, follows the rules of the company, and is industrious sometimes to a fault. Arnie is Emma’s anti-thesis: he’s seemingly laidback, gets along with most people, and he doesn’t seem to take himself too seriously. Or so it seems. From the outset of their working relationship, Emma feels Arnie sets her up poorly with their boss. This places them at odds…at least from her point of view. Arnie’s perspective is very different: he is entranced with Emma. Each day, he finds a way to provoke her because he loves any attention from her, as he slowly falls in love with her.
A project arises in their workplace, and Emma is keen on doing well as she is looking for a promotion. Arnie ensures that they are placed on the same team, as he wants her time and energy. Feeling as though he might sabotage her, she tries to protect herself from him, only to realize that he adores her, much to her surprise. Very quickly, these two grow strong feelings for each other. Unfortunately, the actions of Arnie’s past and his subsequent future plans threaten his potential with Emma, and Emma struggles with the aftermath of her ex-boyfriend’s emotional terrorism. Will these two overcome their past issues to find a future together? Will they learn to love themselves past their former traumas? This is the crux of Vines’s story.
“We kissed one another like it was all we could do, like London had run out of oxygen and our mouths were made of air. This was so much better than fighting.”
Jolie Vines is an author who is relatively new to me. I found her through reading an ARC from her Marry the Scots series, and I realized quickly that I like her heroes. If you spend any time in my blog or Facebook group (Professor Romance), you realize quickly that I am an equal opportunity romance reader. There isn’t much I won’t read: most tropes, dark romance, clean romance, etc. Since my real “bread and butter” tends to be angsty, alpha-level male romances, I oftentimes forget about the types of heroes that I find in Jolie Vines’s stories: the men who simply adore the female heroine of their tale. This is, in my opinion, what makes Vines’s books so delicious to read. And this is the case with Race You.
For me, Arnie is THE “everything” in this book. In the beginning, he’s seemingly too laid back, as we are given Emma’s point of view. She views him through her over-achieving, rule-driven filter. Everything seems to come easy to him, and at first glance, you might think he’s some one-dimensional male character. However, once Arnie’s point of view enters the narration, you learn very quickly that he is multi-layered and completely obsessed with Emma in all the best ways. He is swoon-worthy, as he works hard to help Emma achieve the promotion, creates memory-making dates, and cares for her in times of trouble. It’s clear that Arnie is definitely not laid-back; he’s enamored with Emma in ways that most women would love for a man to be. I found myself anticipatory for his chapters because I loved the way he loved Emma especially when she struggled to love herself. It was this anticipation that glued me to Vines’s story.
Now, Emma is a lovely character in this book. She tends towards neuroticism, in my opinion. And there were plenty of times when I wanted to whisper in her ear to stop overthinking every situation. Thankfully, Vines rectifies this quickly and remedies situations, so that the angst level of the story stays low. It’s just enough to keep you engaged, but not enough to stop you reading the story. This is a delicate balance where other authors struggle. Not Vines, however. Instead, she knows how to allow the hero to rescue the situation long before the story becomes too painful for the reader.
“Someone, by slow increments, I’d come to need him.”
Additionally, I loved how Emma (once she acknowledged her interest in Arnie) helped him accept his past and choose a better future for himself. Their relationship aids each in healing past wounds and finding self-love because they feel the love of the other. For me, this was the true essence and beauty of Race You, along with Vines’s other books. Love should heal, not hurt the individual. And Vines illustrates this beautifully in her book. Her hero (in this case, Arnie) and her heroine (Emma) complete each other. She takes two halves and creates a whole…
I have quickly come to adore Jolie Vines. Her stories are little bits of heaven in the world of romance. You will always find these incredible men who love and take control and adore their heroines. And the heroines bloom under their care in her books. Vines always throws in a little angst, but she takes care to control it enough to allow her readers’ love for her books to bloom too. Even more, Jolie Vines’s Race You reminds readers that love should always allow you to love yourself; anything else is simply dishonest, an important truth to remember every day.
“I could breathe. She believed me. I knew her, and the tide had turned. Now for the home truths she needed to hear. ‘And love me, ‘ she whispered. ‘Because you don’t think you deserve to be loved. Because love wasn’t always reliable, and that’s why you decided so easily that mine was fake. Why you saw what happened on that stage and didn’t wait to hear my side because it validated what you knew deep down. Because you love me, and that scares you because you think I’ll break your heart…’’I won’t. I will never, ever hurt you. You mean the world to me. Everything that is colourful and beautiful. It’s all you. Your heart, your smile.’[…] ‘You are perfect. A perfection I tried to replicate but never could. If I paint you for the rest of my life, I’ll never capture this feeling you give me. I love you and you love me. At least I hope to god you do.’”
What does it mean to love yourself, to be true to yourself, to really know yourself? These are some big questions coming from Jolie Vines’s newest book, Race You. She has touted it as an enemies-to-lovers, workplace romance. These are simple categories to explain a text with a greater depth of discovery.
Race You follows Arnie and Emma, two workers at odds with each other. Emma is straight-laced, follows the rules of the company, and is industrious sometimes to a fault. Arnie is Emma’s anti-thesis: he’s seemingly laidback, gets along with most people, and he doesn’t seem to take himself too seriously. Or so it seems. From the outset of their working relationship, Emma feels Arnie sets her up poorly with their boss. This places them at odds…at least from her point of view. Arnie’s perspective is very different: he is entranced with Emma. Each day, he finds a way to provoke her because he loves any attention from her, as he slowly falls in love with her.
A project arises in their workplace, and Emma is keen on doing well as she is looking for a promotion. Arnie ensures that they are placed on the same team, as he wants her time and energy. Feeling as though he might sabotage her, she tries to protect herself from him, only to realize that he adores her, much to her surprise. Very quickly, these two grow strong feelings for each other. Unfortunately, the actions of Arnie’s past and his subsequent future plans threaten his potential with Emma, and Emma struggles with the aftermath of her ex-boyfriend’s emotional terrorism. Will these two overcome their past issues to find a future together? Will they learn to love themselves past their former traumas? This is the crux of Vines’s story.
“We kissed one another like it was all we could do, like London had run out of oxygen and our mouths were made of air. This was so much better than fighting.”
Jolie Vines is an author who is relatively new to me. I found her through reading an ARC from her Marry the Scots series, and I realized quickly that I like her heroes. If you spend any time in my blog or Facebook group (Professor Romance), you realize quickly that I am an equal opportunity romance reader. There isn’t much I won’t read: most tropes, dark romance, clean romance, etc. Since my real “bread and butter” tends to be angsty, alpha-level male romances, I oftentimes forget about the types of heroes that I find in Jolie Vines’s stories: the men who simply adore the female heroine of their tale. This is, in my opinion, what makes Vines’s books so delicious to read. And this is the case with Race You.
For me, Arnie is THE “everything” in this book. In the beginning, he’s seemingly too laid back, as we are given Emma’s point of view. She views him through her over-achieving, rule-driven filter. Everything seems to come easy to him, and at first glance, you might think he’s some one-dimensional male character. However, once Arnie’s point of view enters the narration, you learn very quickly that he is multi-layered and completely obsessed with Emma in all the best ways. He is swoon-worthy, as he works hard to help Emma achieve the promotion, creates memory-making dates, and cares for her in times of trouble. It’s clear that Arnie is definitely not laid-back; he’s enamored with Emma in ways that most women would love for a man to be. I found myself anticipatory for his chapters because I loved the way he loved Emma especially when she struggled to love herself. It was this anticipation that glued me to Vines’s story.
Now, Emma is a lovely character in this book. She tends towards neuroticism, in my opinion. And there were plenty of times when I wanted to whisper in her ear to stop overthinking every situation. Thankfully, Vines rectifies this quickly and remedies situations, so that the angst level of the story stays low. It’s just enough to keep you engaged, but not enough to stop you reading the story. This is a delicate balance where other authors struggle. Not Vines, however. Instead, she knows how to allow the hero to rescue the situation long before the story becomes too painful for the reader.
“Someone, by slow increments, I’d come to need him.”
Additionally, I loved how Emma (once she acknowledged her interest in Arnie) helped him accept his past and choose a better future for himself. Their relationship aids each in healing past wounds and finding self-love because they feel the love of the other. For me, this was the true essence and beauty of Race You, along with Vines’s other books. Love should heal, not hurt the individual. And Vines illustrates this beautifully in her book. Her hero (in this case, Arnie) and her heroine (Emma) complete each other. She takes two halves and creates a whole…
I have quickly come to adore Jolie Vines. Her stories are little bits of heaven in the world of romance. You will always find these incredible men who love and take control and adore their heroines. And the heroines bloom under their care in her books. Vines always throws in a little angst, but she takes care to control it enough to allow her readers’ love for her books to bloom too. Even more, Jolie Vines’s Race You reminds readers that love should always allow you to love yourself; anything else is simply dishonest, an important truth to remember every day.
“I could breathe. She believed me. I knew her, and the tide had turned. Now for the home truths she needed to hear. ‘And love me, ‘ she whispered. ‘Because you don’t think you deserve to be loved. Because love wasn’t always reliable, and that’s why you decided so easily that mine was fake. Why you saw what happened on that stage and didn’t wait to hear my side because it validated what you knew deep down. Because you love me, and that scares you because you think I’ll break your heart…’’I won’t. I will never, ever hurt you. You mean the world to me. Everything that is colourful and beautiful. It’s all you. Your heart, your smile.’[…] ‘You are perfect. A perfection I tried to replicate but never could. If I paint you for the rest of my life, I’ll never capture this feeling you give me. I love you and you love me. At least I hope to god you do.’”
July 8, 2019
5 CRANKY STARS
Wow, what a great love story. This writer makes me love her characters. She gives them such depth and makes them loveable. Even the villains are believable because they are so nasty in her books. Emma and Arnie make office romance an Olympic sport with their love hate relationship. And, their boss is almost comical yet, believable as a jerk.
When Emma applied for the digital designer job at Frugal, she was beat out by her ex Richard. Since she had helped him with his presentation, she was floored. At least the company gave her a temporary position on the Bug-Fix team. Her first day, she met Arnie. He played a nasty prank on her and she hated him from that day on. He sat across from her and worked on the phone support team which meant he referred the cases to her. He always had a joke or cruel remark to make.
Arnie met Emma on day one and knew there was something special about her. He was only going to be there a year. After that, he was going back to college in Italy. He loved their snarky little computer comment game and thought she liked him too. Little did he know that she hated him and thought he was cruel. Afterall, he had no idea he had a reputation as the “love them and leave them” heartthrob in the office.
The lead digital designer is leaving on maternity leave and the office needs a temporary replacement. A competition is setup to determine who will fill this role. Emma is shocked when Arnie jumps on her team. The third member is Georgia. When Georgia gets ill, the team is down to two. Now Emma must work one on one with Arnie.
You’ll have to read the book to find out what happens. Sparks fly, family histrionics abound. Will the two of them finally admit they are in love? Thank you, Ms. Vines, for making me love romance novels again.
Wow, what a great love story. This writer makes me love her characters. She gives them such depth and makes them loveable. Even the villains are believable because they are so nasty in her books. Emma and Arnie make office romance an Olympic sport with their love hate relationship. And, their boss is almost comical yet, believable as a jerk.
When Emma applied for the digital designer job at Frugal, she was beat out by her ex Richard. Since she had helped him with his presentation, she was floored. At least the company gave her a temporary position on the Bug-Fix team. Her first day, she met Arnie. He played a nasty prank on her and she hated him from that day on. He sat across from her and worked on the phone support team which meant he referred the cases to her. He always had a joke or cruel remark to make.
Arnie met Emma on day one and knew there was something special about her. He was only going to be there a year. After that, he was going back to college in Italy. He loved their snarky little computer comment game and thought she liked him too. Little did he know that she hated him and thought he was cruel. Afterall, he had no idea he had a reputation as the “love them and leave them” heartthrob in the office.
The lead digital designer is leaving on maternity leave and the office needs a temporary replacement. A competition is setup to determine who will fill this role. Emma is shocked when Arnie jumps on her team. The third member is Georgia. When Georgia gets ill, the team is down to two. Now Emma must work one on one with Arnie.
You’ll have to read the book to find out what happens. Sparks fly, family histrionics abound. Will the two of them finally admit they are in love? Thank you, Ms. Vines, for making me love romance novels again.
July 21, 2019
@jolievinesx #review
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Oh my god I read this book in one sitting and I couldn’t put it away 😊
It’s so easy to read, the teasing between Arnie and Emma are so much fun, I was totally sucked in the storyline 🙌🏻🤗
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And the surprise in the end god who would have thought that Emma and Justin had the same taste 🤔😅 ....
You need to read the book to get that last ‘spoiler’ 💕
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This book is an adult romance novel and has some hot and steamy ‘smutty’ scenes that made my cheeks blush 🤗😅
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Recommendation; yesss 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
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Book BLURB;
Emma is fighting for her dream job … she has no idea she could win her dream man.
In a competition for the position of a lifetime, Emma knows she can’t beat her office enemy on skill alone. After Arnie sabotaged her first day, the boss has avoided her like the plague. Everyone loves Arnie, even though he’s the most annoying, lazy, hot, jerk she’s ever had the misfortune to work with. And dream about.
Arnie thinks only one thing when he looks at Emma—more. But with his self-imposed exile in London almost complete, he should be packing to return to the family business in Italy. His days working alongside his secret crush are numbered.
Forced to collaborate, Emma resists the chemistry between her and Arnie. If she gets too close, she may as well hand him the promotion, yet turning her back on the boss's favourite will destroy her chances. And leave her unemployed.
Only one of them wants to win. Both are risking more than their careers.
This standalone contemporary romance takes in the sights of London and the stunning Italian countryside. If you like Christina Lauren, RS Grey, and Sally Thorne, you’ll adore this humorous, chemistry-loaded novel.
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#love #raceyou #games #excitement #london #italy #collegues #work #ict #art #plottwist #bookreview #book #bookstagram #books #emma #arnie #family #goals❤️ #trust #sceming #issues #exes #jolievines
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Oh my god I read this book in one sitting and I couldn’t put it away 😊
It’s so easy to read, the teasing between Arnie and Emma are so much fun, I was totally sucked in the storyline 🙌🏻🤗
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And the surprise in the end god who would have thought that Emma and Justin had the same taste 🤔😅 ....
You need to read the book to get that last ‘spoiler’ 💕
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This book is an adult romance novel and has some hot and steamy ‘smutty’ scenes that made my cheeks blush 🤗😅
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Recommendation; yesss 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
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🌺
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Book BLURB;
Emma is fighting for her dream job … she has no idea she could win her dream man.
In a competition for the position of a lifetime, Emma knows she can’t beat her office enemy on skill alone. After Arnie sabotaged her first day, the boss has avoided her like the plague. Everyone loves Arnie, even though he’s the most annoying, lazy, hot, jerk she’s ever had the misfortune to work with. And dream about.
Arnie thinks only one thing when he looks at Emma—more. But with his self-imposed exile in London almost complete, he should be packing to return to the family business in Italy. His days working alongside his secret crush are numbered.
Forced to collaborate, Emma resists the chemistry between her and Arnie. If she gets too close, she may as well hand him the promotion, yet turning her back on the boss's favourite will destroy her chances. And leave her unemployed.
Only one of them wants to win. Both are risking more than their careers.
This standalone contemporary romance takes in the sights of London and the stunning Italian countryside. If you like Christina Lauren, RS Grey, and Sally Thorne, you’ll adore this humorous, chemistry-loaded novel.
.
🌺
.
#love #raceyou #games #excitement #london #italy #collegues #work #ict #art #plottwist #bookreview #book #bookstagram #books #emma #arnie #family #goals❤️ #trust #sceming #issues #exes #jolievines
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 4, 2019
Race You by Jolie Vines is a contemporary, enemies-to-lovers, workplace romantic comedy told in first person, dual POV.
Coworkers, Emma Worthington and Arnie Montrose, have always been in competition with each other. It all began the first day Emma started working at Frugal. She didn’t understand what possessed Arnie to pull such an embarrassing prank on her, but it started her on the wrong foot with her boss and she's never been able to get on the right one. From that moment forward Emma considered Arnie to be an enemy.
When the company holds a competition for a coveted promotion, she’s surprised when he volunteers to be on her team. He must be doing it to sabotage her. What other motive could there be? Emma would prefer not to be teamed up with Arnie, but the boss loves him. It won’t look good if she asks to trade teammates, so she’s stuck with him.
Arnie has been interested in Emma from the moment she joined Frugal. He doesn’t understand why she doesn’t like him, but he has enjoyed teasing her and competing with her. Arnie’s time at Frugal is temporary - he has plans to move on and the time to leave is rapidly approaching. He’s not interested in the promotion, and Emma really deserves it. So when the competition arises, he seizes the opportunity to be close to her by being on her team.
I really enjoyed Emma and Arnie’s love story. As characters, they were both realistic and very likeable. I enjoyed their witty banter and rapport. The story was lighthearted, engaging, sweet, romantic, flirty, and fun. I highly recommend it.
*** I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC. ***
Coworkers, Emma Worthington and Arnie Montrose, have always been in competition with each other. It all began the first day Emma started working at Frugal. She didn’t understand what possessed Arnie to pull such an embarrassing prank on her, but it started her on the wrong foot with her boss and she's never been able to get on the right one. From that moment forward Emma considered Arnie to be an enemy.
When the company holds a competition for a coveted promotion, she’s surprised when he volunteers to be on her team. He must be doing it to sabotage her. What other motive could there be? Emma would prefer not to be teamed up with Arnie, but the boss loves him. It won’t look good if she asks to trade teammates, so she’s stuck with him.
Arnie has been interested in Emma from the moment she joined Frugal. He doesn’t understand why she doesn’t like him, but he has enjoyed teasing her and competing with her. Arnie’s time at Frugal is temporary - he has plans to move on and the time to leave is rapidly approaching. He’s not interested in the promotion, and Emma really deserves it. So when the competition arises, he seizes the opportunity to be close to her by being on her team.
I really enjoyed Emma and Arnie’s love story. As characters, they were both realistic and very likeable. I enjoyed their witty banter and rapport. The story was lighthearted, engaging, sweet, romantic, flirty, and fun. I highly recommend it.
*** I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC. ***
July 12, 2019
The amazing Jolie Vines has done it again. I'm not sure how she keeps turning out such awesome stories that are original & keep me in my seat until I devour her newest story cover to cover, but she does, and Race You is no exception. On Emma's first day on the Bug-Fix team, another employee named Arnie plays a prank on her, which has her getting off on the wrong foot with the boss, so now she hates Arnie from then on out. And while Arnie is harboring a secret crush on Emma, he's like a little boy on the playground pulling her hair, by antagonizing her, so yeah, he's not helping himself at all. It gets more complicated when a competition is put in the works, and somehow, she ends up pitted against Arnie. She may hate him, but the sparks they're shooting off is threatening to set the whole office on fire. This was a crazy addictive read that I couldn't put down to save my life, and while I had issues with Arnie, having his POV made it easier to chill out about him since I got his inner thoughts. Seriously I'll say it again, while he really was the little boy on the playground pulling the little girls hair that he liked, at the end of the day, there was more to him so I fell hard for him. And Emma had a big heart, but she just couldn't take anymore guys messing with her so she was guarded, and I can't tell you why without giving away more, so you'll really have to read it for yourselves. If you want to know how it all pans out, you'll have to one click this bad boy, as I HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND TO ALL!
July 11, 2019
With a completely loveable hero and a relatable heroine, Race You has all the makings of a great enemies to lovers romance - but these two never really hated each other. Emma and Arnie have been coworkers for the past 6 months and they have completely different views on how they feel about each other. Emma has been burned in the past, so she believes that Arnie is a prankster who has it out for her. She finds herself drawn to him, and is irritated by her feelings because she believes that he hates her. Arnie, on the other hand, believes they are engaging in banter and he’d love to get closer to Emma - despite the fact that he has plans to leave the country in a few months. When they are paired up on a work project, they spend time together outside of the office and they begin to understand what’s been brewing between them all along.
This book is light and playful, the characters are great and their banter is so fun to read. I’ve never read anything by this author before, but I will be sure to check out more of her work in the future because Race You is great. The story moves quickly and it’s easy to get drawn in to the romance and fun of the characters, but there is also plenty of depth to the story. It was so fulfilling to read as these two find their way to happily ever after.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This book is light and playful, the characters are great and their banter is so fun to read. I’ve never read anything by this author before, but I will be sure to check out more of her work in the future because Race You is great. The story moves quickly and it’s easy to get drawn in to the romance and fun of the characters, but there is also plenty of depth to the story. It was so fulfilling to read as these two find their way to happily ever after.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 3, 2019
I don't know whether my previous book drought affected my perception. I had been so unsuccessful with the past few books I have read and reading this was really coming alive for me. I felt so rejuvenated. I do not normally read enemies to lovers trope that frequently at all, less so in a non AU setting.
My favourite character is Arnie. I have not met a character quite like him before and he is just so sprightly and so honest. I really like that he cleared out and made no room for miscommunication which is such a peeve of mine to read about in books and is largely the cause of a relationship to break down blah blah blah. Sometimes, I can understand the miscommunication and how a situation is too complicated to just call for truth but it is a little overused as an issue. That's my personal opinion and I know that it is a real life issue.
Anyway, I really adore Arnie and the space he gives Emma, respecting her and always bolstering her secretly. I thougt that was delightful and I do love my strong characters but his thought, coupled with his desire not to push, just made me melt and softened me a little more.
Give me the right to protect you.
Reading his thoughts and his character, all I saw was him treasuring her. Thank you to the characters and the author who made my week so far.
My favourite character is Arnie. I have not met a character quite like him before and he is just so sprightly and so honest. I really like that he cleared out and made no room for miscommunication which is such a peeve of mine to read about in books and is largely the cause of a relationship to break down blah blah blah. Sometimes, I can understand the miscommunication and how a situation is too complicated to just call for truth but it is a little overused as an issue. That's my personal opinion and I know that it is a real life issue.
Anyway, I really adore Arnie and the space he gives Emma, respecting her and always bolstering her secretly. I thougt that was delightful and I do love my strong characters but his thought, coupled with his desire not to push, just made me melt and softened me a little more.
Give me the right to protect you.
Reading his thoughts and his character, all I saw was him treasuring her. Thank you to the characters and the author who made my week so far.
July 12, 2019
This was so much more then an office romance. Yes Arnie and Emma are competing for a spot but it's more for Emma. This is her dream job that a jerk took away from her! Her and Arnie aren't exactly friends. He seems to rub her the wrong despite the dreams she's having about him. Here's why I say it's more... Arnie isn't who he seems to be. Yes he's a sweet guy with a helpful heart but he put down his dream since it almost lost him family. He decided to take a path that he wasn't crazy about but it was planned. His sister and brother are doing the same but it's time to do what they want and not what their parents want from them. You can see how close they are as siblings. They support each other and respect their wishes. This ties to Emma as well. She and her brother have a close bond but not so much with her parents. They show their excitement for her brother instead. Anyway back to Emma and Arnie, despite not liking other at first. the more they spend together excites them into a relationship. They seem they are more alike then they thought. They mature a lot in this book. They do what they want to do and not let other dictate it. I though this was a great book with characters you truly want to hang out with! I loved every minute of it!
February 25, 2020
3.5 ★
I leaned in and kissed him softly on the lips. I placed trust and want and a hidden message in the chaste peck. Don't hurt me.
I am not usually one to compare but you could kind of say this might fill a little bit of time between The Hating Game rereads. This was Enemies to Lovers in an office setting and there was some but, not a lot of good banter. We had dual POV so sadly there was little to ponder on how our Arnie was feeling. Race you basically dove straight into the love and I missed the hate. There still managed to be a little angst though.
Arnie was a good book boyfriend, he did so many cute things and it was endearing how much he adored Emma. Emma had a bit of self work to do during this and she was really nice to read about.
The things that kept the plot moving were a little predictable at times. There was ONE big misunderstanding that I didn't want to happen. The intimate scenes were done really well and not excessive. We even had a nice normal period scene that was refreshing, because lets be honest it’s a little too convenient that our girls are never on the rag at an inopportune time (except maybe in FSOG and that still gives me nightmares).
This review feels a little blah and all over the place, but I think this would be a good read if you aren’t too fussy and just want to chill, even on holiday, with a sweet romance.
I leaned in and kissed him softly on the lips. I placed trust and want and a hidden message in the chaste peck. Don't hurt me.
I am not usually one to compare but you could kind of say this might fill a little bit of time between The Hating Game rereads. This was Enemies to Lovers in an office setting and there was some but, not a lot of good banter. We had dual POV so sadly there was little to ponder on how our Arnie was feeling. Race you basically dove straight into the love and I missed the hate. There still managed to be a little angst though.
Arnie was a good book boyfriend, he did so many cute things and it was endearing how much he adored Emma. Emma had a bit of self work to do during this and she was really nice to read about.
The things that kept the plot moving were a little predictable at times. There was ONE big misunderstanding that I didn't want to happen. The intimate scenes were done really well and not excessive. We even had a nice normal period scene that was refreshing, because lets be honest it’s a little too convenient that our girls are never on the rag at an inopportune time (except maybe in FSOG and that still gives me nightmares).
This review feels a little blah and all over the place, but I think this would be a good read if you aren’t too fussy and just want to chill, even on holiday, with a sweet romance.
July 1, 2019
Arnie can steal my job any day!
Wow - what an amazingly complex, witty, and heartwarming story! This book turned out to be so much more than the blurb let on. Not only do we have the main romance of Arnie and Emma - a deliciously slow-burn pairing that resonates on every emotional level, but we also have a surprise romance on the side, a lot of family history and sibling support, and a bit of corporate intrigue that ties it all together beautifully.
This was a non-stop, leave-mama-alone-I'm-reading literary escape that took me from London to Italy and back again, and I loved every single bit of it. The writing was exquisite, the characters fairly jumped off the page, and the entire experience was gloriously detailed right down to the miniature, moral-high-ground-holding former nun. I could almost smell the maple pecan brownies!
Four months ago, I'd never heard of this new author. Now, after reading every book she's published, she's earned a permanent spot in my top ten author's list. I can't wait for what she has in store next. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
Wow - what an amazingly complex, witty, and heartwarming story! This book turned out to be so much more than the blurb let on. Not only do we have the main romance of Arnie and Emma - a deliciously slow-burn pairing that resonates on every emotional level, but we also have a surprise romance on the side, a lot of family history and sibling support, and a bit of corporate intrigue that ties it all together beautifully.
This was a non-stop, leave-mama-alone-I'm-reading literary escape that took me from London to Italy and back again, and I loved every single bit of it. The writing was exquisite, the characters fairly jumped off the page, and the entire experience was gloriously detailed right down to the miniature, moral-high-ground-holding former nun. I could almost smell the maple pecan brownies!
Four months ago, I'd never heard of this new author. Now, after reading every book she's published, she's earned a permanent spot in my top ten author's list. I can't wait for what she has in store next. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
July 12, 2019
4.5 outta 5 stars! This book was freaking adorable and had a good amount of chemistry and steam as well! This was my first time reading Jolie Vines, but I already looked up her other books and are excited about checking them out as well.
This is semi an Enemies to Lovers, but more so one sided because Arnie has not idea that Emma hates him, just gets frustrated with him. When she first came to work with him there was an awful situation and Emma blames Arnie for it. It is also so freaking cute. I love the characters, they are the best kind of ones. Emma is kind, pretty, but has taken verbal cues from others (especially her ex) in which she just felt less than what she was. Arnie was an artist which was an interesting spin for him. I was not expecting that when I was reading the first chapter, but I am extremely pleased by it because it does explain a lot of his thoughts and actions.
All in all, these two had so much lust, love, chemistry between them and it was a delightful story that definitely had some funny moments. It was a gem to read!
PS: Thanks to Jolie Vines and GMB for allowing me an ARC to read and review this book honestly!
This is semi an Enemies to Lovers, but more so one sided because Arnie has not idea that Emma hates him, just gets frustrated with him. When she first came to work with him there was an awful situation and Emma blames Arnie for it. It is also so freaking cute. I love the characters, they are the best kind of ones. Emma is kind, pretty, but has taken verbal cues from others (especially her ex) in which she just felt less than what she was. Arnie was an artist which was an interesting spin for him. I was not expecting that when I was reading the first chapter, but I am extremely pleased by it because it does explain a lot of his thoughts and actions.
All in all, these two had so much lust, love, chemistry between them and it was a delightful story that definitely had some funny moments. It was a gem to read!
PS: Thanks to Jolie Vines and GMB for allowing me an ARC to read and review this book honestly!
July 12, 2019
💻Emma's uphill climb through office politics gets hijacked by her new man😉
July 12, 2019
Format: Kindle Edition
👍👍💻📞😍
Wow! Office politics and romance, all set against some great settings in London and Italy, with twists, coincidences, and jerk moves by some truly obnoxious villains. This romance has everything, including a smart and driven heroine, some serious ogling at the office, sizzling between the sheets, sympathetic siblings, parents who have been underestimated and a wizened old Italian guardian of heroine Emma's virtue! And for romance readers who love to be pulled into the world of the super wealthy and privileged, this story (complete with a luxury Knightsbridge apartment, an Italian villa and an Edwardian castle) will not disappoint.😊
I love author Jolie Vines' Marry the Scot series which has a bit more action and suspense mixed into the romance. This story is very different in tone but no less gripping. I was sorry to hit the conclusion -- a definite sign that this novel deserves high marks in my book.👍👍
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
July 12, 2019
Format: Kindle Edition
👍👍💻📞😍
Wow! Office politics and romance, all set against some great settings in London and Italy, with twists, coincidences, and jerk moves by some truly obnoxious villains. This romance has everything, including a smart and driven heroine, some serious ogling at the office, sizzling between the sheets, sympathetic siblings, parents who have been underestimated and a wizened old Italian guardian of heroine Emma's virtue! And for romance readers who love to be pulled into the world of the super wealthy and privileged, this story (complete with a luxury Knightsbridge apartment, an Italian villa and an Edwardian castle) will not disappoint.😊
I love author Jolie Vines' Marry the Scot series which has a bit more action and suspense mixed into the romance. This story is very different in tone but no less gripping. I was sorry to hit the conclusion -- a definite sign that this novel deserves high marks in my book.👍👍
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
July 9, 2019
Jolie Vines has done it again In this wonderfully engaging romance of enemies to lovers book. One of the best things about Jolie's books is the strong female characters in each of her books. Emma's strength drew me in and found me cheering for her success! Emma and Arnie are such likable characters. They each have their own issues to work through; and, it is so interesting to watch the hurdles they encounter along the way and how they handle it.
This book kept me interested from the very beginning. There were quite a few interesting twists and turns in the book that kept me guessing. I didn't know from one chapter to the next what was going to happen next. I was quite surprised by them.
I have not read one of Jolie's books that hasn't kept me wanting more. This will not disappoint. I want to learn more about the secondary characters introduced in this book! Grab this book for a great fun, romantic read!
This book kept me interested from the very beginning. There were quite a few interesting twists and turns in the book that kept me guessing. I didn't know from one chapter to the next what was going to happen next. I was quite surprised by them.
I have not read one of Jolie's books that hasn't kept me wanting more. This will not disappoint. I want to learn more about the secondary characters introduced in this book! Grab this book for a great fun, romantic read!
July 12, 2019
While Emma loves her job, she cannot wait to jump into the project competition that will get her a promotion.
Arnie is liking his job, but he knows his time is limited here in England. He wishes he could stay and see if anything comes between his and Emma's office banter, but the strings of his past are calling. Joining Emma on her team for the promotion challenge seems like just the right amount of torture to seal his fate.
An adorable read that really takes the reader on an adventure around Europe. What I thought would be just a office romance story turns into a love story for everyone involved. The backstories, the family drama and the spark between all the characters make for a solid story. 4 stars!
Arnie is liking his job, but he knows his time is limited here in England. He wishes he could stay and see if anything comes between his and Emma's office banter, but the strings of his past are calling. Joining Emma on her team for the promotion challenge seems like just the right amount of torture to seal his fate.
An adorable read that really takes the reader on an adventure around Europe. What I thought would be just a office romance story turns into a love story for everyone involved. The backstories, the family drama and the spark between all the characters make for a solid story. 4 stars!
July 10, 2019
I really love the way Jolie Vines tells a story and the characters she creates. She makes me laugh, she makes me cry and the whole time I can't leave the characters she brings to life.
I couldn't help liking Arnie & Emma. Arnie did such a lovely job of giving Emma a reality check.
As an Aussie, I did have a chuckle to myself that they needed to take a break from travelling after about an hour. I drive 4 hrs without a break, such is the difference between the UK & Australia.
This little detail adds a bit of novelty to the story for me. lol
Thanks Jolie, Arnie & Emma rock!
I received an ARC from Hidden Gems
I couldn't help liking Arnie & Emma. Arnie did such a lovely job of giving Emma a reality check.
As an Aussie, I did have a chuckle to myself that they needed to take a break from travelling after about an hour. I drive 4 hrs without a break, such is the difference between the UK & Australia.
This little detail adds a bit of novelty to the story for me. lol
Thanks Jolie, Arnie & Emma rock!
I received an ARC from Hidden Gems
July 8, 2019
What to say about Race On by Jolie Vines...it ran long for me. I feel the storyline would have been better served if some of those chapters were either removed or reduced. It’s a good storyline; the characters are interesting and well developed; some of the plot twists and turns are downright funny; and there are enough HEAs to make everyone smile. It’s a good read...you should add it to your TBR list today.
(I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book and must say, I enjoyed it.) ❤️
(I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book and must say, I enjoyed it.) ❤️
July 12, 2019
Race You by Jolie Vines is the story of Emma and Arnie.
Emma and Arnie have been working together for about 6 months but now they have been put on a project where they will be working very closely together.
Emma feels that Arnie doesn't like her and they have a on going banner between the two. Arnie actually likes Emma a lot and enjoys their banner but he is actually leaving the country soon. But when they are put in this close working environment they start to let go of what they have been resisting.
Cute easy romance...loved it!!
Emma and Arnie have been working together for about 6 months but now they have been put on a project where they will be working very closely together.
Emma feels that Arnie doesn't like her and they have a on going banner between the two. Arnie actually likes Emma a lot and enjoys their banner but he is actually leaving the country soon. But when they are put in this close working environment they start to let go of what they have been resisting.
Cute easy romance...loved it!!
July 9, 2019
This is the office romance is great. What starts out as a love hate relationship, turns into a competition. These two seem to compete for just about everything. She competes for a job and he competes for her affection. It is funny how she does not realize that they are not competing for the same thing.
This story has a bit of humor, some angst, and lot of sparks. There is nothing like a bit of competition to get the juices flowing!
This story has a bit of humor, some angst, and lot of sparks. There is nothing like a bit of competition to get the juices flowing!
July 10, 2019
A great book of enemies to lovers.
One simple misunderstanding had lead to a hate relationship, between Emma and Arnie. It changed the whole way she viewed him.
But not one to take it lying down, Arnie redeems himself in the most beautiful shows of romance. And they both save each other from lives they were never destined to live.
A cute couple that has more to them than meets the eye.
I love the little addit of Marry the Scots chucked in there x
One simple misunderstanding had lead to a hate relationship, between Emma and Arnie. It changed the whole way she viewed him.
But not one to take it lying down, Arnie redeems himself in the most beautiful shows of romance. And they both save each other from lives they were never destined to live.
A cute couple that has more to them than meets the eye.
I love the little addit of Marry the Scots chucked in there x
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