Made for Him

by Athena Braveheart

Librarian note: Older edition of B07T3JL9LB.

There he is. All casual and aloof. But with rugged alpha charm.
My boss.
He runs this restaurant and brewery with confidence, with a sure hand.
And for some reason, I’ve been wondering what it’d be like to have those hands on me.
But, no. I don’t need that.
I don’t need any man.
Men can’t be trusted.
Men have caused me nothing but pain.
The only thing the men in my life have done up till now is break my heart.
I have my two girls—my BFFs—and the new business we’re building together.
So having men in my life is no longer necessary.
I’m not going there anymore.
I’m not.
No matter how much the heat of my boss’s gaze tempts me to change my mind.

267 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 13, 2019

Reviews

[Romance Rehab · Rating 1 out of 5]

Christ on a cracker, what did I just read?

Plot overview: Waitress and former model, Izzy, starts an escort business with her friends. On a completely unrelated note, Karl, her boss at the restaurant, is afraid of water and has the hots for Izzy. There’s a stalker at the end. That’s it.
​
If that plot overview sounds a little wack-a-doo, that’s because IT IS. The plot of this book is almost nonexistent. At 50% of the story, Izzy and Karl have barely interacted AT ALL because Karl is busy running his business and going to therapy to overcome his fear of water (which stems from a childhood trauma), and Izzy is busy trying to start up an escort business. Until about 70% of the story, I wouldn’t even call this a romance. It’s the story of 2 people leading totally separate lives with only the barest hint of sexual attraction between them.

There’s a lot about this book I don’t understand. It’s a lot to unpack, frankly. So, (deep breath) here it goes:

1. Izzy has issues. She doesn’t trust men because REASONS. So, what does she decide to do? Start an escort service. (No sex) This makes no sense to me. Why on earth would a woman who doesn’t trust men TRUST the men who pay her to go on dates with them? The logic there seems tragically flawed.

2. While we’re talking about Izzy’s flawed logic, maybe she’d have more money and not need to live with 2 roommates if she didn’t spend all her money on clothes and shopping sprees. That just reeks of immaturity to me.

3. I’m thinking that any smart woman who starts an escort business would do a lot more than ask potential dates a series of questions and a super informal background check. If I wanted to ensure my safety in a business like that, I’d have professional screening done. Like, I’d hire a former CIA interrogator and a PI or something. But, no, Izzy doesn’t really do any of that. Again, I’m questioning her judgement and giving her a pretty hard side eye.

4. Izzy wears a midriff-baring tube top, mico-mini and super high heels to work and gets all ouchy when Karl reminds her of the company dress code. Um...it’s not a Hooters, sweetheart. When you agree to work somewhere, you agree to their dress code. Wear your tube top elsewhere. (Again I’m side-eyeing her because she acts and thinks like a child)

5. Doesn’t exclusive dating defeat the purpose of the escort business? Isn’t that just...a relationship? And yet, Izzy eventually agrees to taking on an exclusive client. At this point, I’m thinking she’s just an idiot. I hate idiots in my romance novels.

6. Karl seems really worried that Izzy is bulimic. I get that he has family history with the disease, but I didn’t see the point of adding this element to the story since nothing really ever came of it. It seemed like wasted pages that could be spent on actually focusing on THE ROMANCE, which was damn near nonexistent.

7. The whole suspense subplot at the end felt totally tacked on for the sake of drama. It was useless, other than to prove my point that Izzy’s logic is terribly flawed. Her business was ill-planned and dangerous, frankly. I have no problem with the idea of an escort service, but you have to be smart about it, and Izzy wasn’t.

So, at the end of the day, I finished the story. It wasn’t poorly written, just weird. And Izzy is an idiot. And it’s not much of a romance. But other than that... (*eye roll*)

And feel free to check out the Romance Rehab blog for more rants, raves, book lists, and other fun romance-y stuff: http://www.romancerehab.com/

[☆☆Hannah☆☆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable read. Izzy is a waitress at Karl's restaurant. Everytime they come into contact something goes wrong and they both get the wrong impression of each other. After Izzy goes through something terrible Karl is there to help protect her. At first she acts mad but truthfully she's glad. This time together let's them fall in love and get their happy ending.

[Joanne Carr · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am voluntarily writing this review for this book I received through Booksprouts arc.

Isabelle was looking to her wedding day everything was going great until she finds out her groom Graham left her at the alter. Isabelle is working waitressing at Karl’s Barbecue and Brewery and she was wanted to start a business so she could get out of waitressing. She pitched her friends the business of being high end escorts. No Sex the men would be vetted and contracts signed with the agreements. She tried to tell her friends it would be like arm candy for these wealthy men. Karl knew his business would take up most of his time. Now that the business and the brewery were going well and his beers had been picked up to sell at other venues. Karl thought about Isabelle about how she always made people feel good. Karl always had fantasies about Isabelle but would never act on it she was his employee. Karl was in the back when Isabelle come in while he was taking inventory to stay away from her. Karl was on the way home when it started to pour where you couldn’t see the road that when Karl has a bad panic attack he pulled over. Karl decided to go see a therapist about his phobia of water. Isabelle went out on her first date as business and it worked out well. Isabelle was getting more brazen on what she wore to work. Isabelle goes to Karl’s office and hand delivers her resignation. Isabelle’s business was going great Karl couldn’t take it anymore and signed up for her services. Isabelle couldn’t believe he did that and wanted exclusive 2 years. Isabelle gets home to find nasty graffiti on her door and roommates door. Twists, turns, stalker and kidnapping makes this an exciting Read

[Linda Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unique story of two hurting people finding out they have more in common than expected
I loved that this story began like none other I’ve read. Izzy’s experiences with her mom allow her to help Karl, I’d even go so far as to say become his savior.
The Prologue opens with Isabelle on her wedding day to Graham with her two best friends: Lila and Alicia. (I hope we get stories about them someday…) That day doesn’t go as planned at all. The main story occurs one year later where Izzy is the sexy server at Karl’s Barbecue and Brewery, totally sworn off men but hoping to start her own business with her BFF’s…you’ll never guess doing what.
Karl is the owner, manager, repair man…EVERYTHING in his restaurant but he doesn’t mind b/c he has eyes for one of his servers: Izz. She always dresses so provocatively and it gets her big tips. He feels attracted to her and protective of her but can’t assert himself b/c she is his employee.
They are both hurting people and so made for each other. Beautifully written slow-burn romance story of finding love where you least expect it, and in this book, the most bazaar manner. Wow, the ending is so suspenseful too. Read this book to realize their unique failings and how they overcome them together. I volunteered to review an ARC of this book through Booksprout and it comes highly recommended.

[Maloma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Karl and Izzy were the two most unlikely people you’d put together. Yet with them both being damaged in their own ways it makes sense that they’d be attracted to each other with issues that are impossible to easily dismiss. It would have been simple for them to just give up on love and all that it entails.
Izzy truly was beautiful inside and out as her personality exuded warmth, empathy and compassion. Her beauty was more than skin deep. Her reluctance and adamant mantra of not getting involved in another relationship was understandable after her near wedding fiasco. Karl was so brave even though he hated to show and have his vulnerability exposed ( can’t give out spoilers so read the book to see what Karl’s problem is). He felt as if his manliness was threatened because he didn’t have a cure that was immediate and it might never fully go away. Both hated pity and charity.
I didn’t care for the ending as it felt rushed and ended rather abruptly. There was some suspense and laughable moments that held me captive. I wanted some reflection and a little more time to have passed since the incident and them having a relationship. An epilogue of two to five years after everything should have been written to have readers know just how far Karl and Izzy had gotten.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[KL Cassanello · Rating 5 out of 5]

Isabelle has sworn off men. Her father, her first boyfriend, the fiance who left her at the altar - all three of them broke her heart. She is a waitress at a hot restaurant, and very good at is, but she and her two best friends are struggling, so she comes up with the idea that they will be escorts (no sex involved!). Karl is the owner of the restaurant when Isabelle works, and he wants a relationship with her, but she's his employee. He also has demons - an serious accident as a child has left him with severe aquaphobia. He hires her escort services exclusively, and they become great friends (no benefits). This is a really slow burn, but eventually they cross that line, and things take off. There's a crazy person stalking her, and a thrilling end to the book. I had a hard time getting into this book - seems like it took forever to reach the halfway point, and then the story took off. Overall, I still really liked the book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Athena Braveheart writes a sweetly compassionate story of two souls, damaged by their pasts, who find fulfillment in each other's heart. Isabelle has been hurt by seemingly every man in her life and she vows it won't happen again. She is working to make ends meet as a waitress in a bar and brewery. Karl, her boss, is the owner, handyman and all-around jack of all trades, knows Izzy is something special. Even though he's her boss, he keeps a special eye on her and has thoughts that she may be more to him. Izzy and her friends are in need of more money and Izzy, ever the entrepreneur, comes up with a unique business plan. They will serve as high end escorts but only as a companion...no sex. Karl overhears them discussing their plan and knows that he can't let Izzy get away from him that way. He hires her escort services and their relationship build from there. They are really sweet together, but there's trouble in front of them that might spell the end of them. This is well-written with a voice, mood and pace that hold from the beginning.

[Gin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Karl and Isabelle are likeable. However, I wouldn't have Isabelle as a good friend-- no, she's the type of friend who is fun to be around, but strikes me as shallow and possessing serious logic flaws. (I wonder if she and her friend could afford a nicer apartment if they didn't go clothes shopping so often!). On the other hand, while she has ambition, drive and a solid work ethic when she wants to, it seems like she has come to believe her value and worth are tied only to her appearance. I thought the book was good overall. However, the stalker subplot that drives much of the conclusion resulted in the book seeming to abruptly jump from one romance genre (boss romance) to another (action romance/romantic thriller?). And did her friends continue with the business after she and Karl found their HEA? They didn't seem as passionate about it as Isabelle was....

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Deb Swietek · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is all you have come to expect from Athena, and more. I could not put it down! From boss to escort client to lovers, Isabelle and Karl do a delightful dance. There are loyal friends. But is an escort service, hands off, the new business venture Izzy really needs? The chemistry between them builds slowly. When it finally ignites, watch the fireworks fly.There are problems that have to be overcome. But they are up to the task to find their HEA.
Both Karl and Izzy are battling phobias. As she comes to terms with hers, Karl is struggling with his. But when a deranged person kidnaps Izzy, Karl is forced to face his worst fears to save the woman he loves. You Will love this book!
Yes there is steamy sex, adult themes and language, and mild violence. This book is intended for mature 18+ readers.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Raecharmed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Isabelle is a former model and is currently working as a waitress. She has been turned off men after her wedding disaster. Karl is dedicated to his bar/ restaurant so he doesn't have time for relationship. He fights his attraction for Isabelle while she works for him however when she puts in her notice he doesn't hold back anymore especially when he learns her business plans. They end up going out and giving into temptation. However will her business become too complex and cause problems for them all? Can she give it up to be with Karl?

This is a great story that once I started I couldn't put it down. The chemistry between them is off the charts hot. This is a well written and very entertaining story. I would recommend this book to any book lover.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Isabelle has sworn off all men since being left at the altar. Karl is a workaholic who does not have time for relationships because he puts all of his time into his business, but that doesn’t keep him from falling in love with Isabelle, one of his waitresses. This book is so romantic. Karl is just waiting on the sidelines, waiting for his chance with Isabelle. Isabelle does not know that Karl is in love with her and Karl does not date his employees, so when she quits, he makes his move. And what a gentlemanly move it is. You will love this book and you will fall in love with Karl, too. Karl is so adorable, like a teenager afraid to ask someone on their first date. The more time they spend together, the more Isabelle falls in love with Karl. A slow burning romance that will make your heart go pitter pat. I really, really enjoyed it?

[Jennifer Soppe · Rating 5 out of 5]

A flawed, quirky, and lovable cast of characters

Isabelle, former model and current waitress, works for Karl, a BBQ restaurant owner, trying to make ends meet and comes up with what she thinks is an ingenious idea. As the story progresses her idea comes too fruition, strange things occur, and an agreement is made. Athena Braveheart has given the readers a flawed, quirky, and lovable cast of characters in her latest release, Made for Him. Isabelle, Karl and their friends and family are great while they deal with their troubled lives.

I received a free copy of the book from the author via Booksprout. I had the opportunity to review or not.

[Korkoi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Healing Each Other
by Korkoi

It is a beautifully written story about finding a life and love after suffering a painful past. Karl suffers from debilitating panic attacks and anxiety, but the only person who can centre him is Isabelle. Unfortunately, he can’t do anything about it, as she is his employee. Even with the drama, heartbreak, suspense and craziness, they are able to put their fears aside and get their happy ending. Whilst I really enjoyed the story, I felt the beginning of the book dragged on a bit.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cindy M · Rating 4 out of 5]

The introduction to the story was very heart wrenching and I couldn’t wait to read the rest of the book. For me the beginning of the book was a slow read and I actually thought of stopping but I have read other books by this author and loved them so I powered through and I am glad I did. The main characters Izz and Karl, as well as the supporting characters, were well developed. Karl and Izz are both flawed individuals who end up fitting together perfectly. The buildup between Karl and Izz takes time but then it just takes off. Overall I did enjoy the book and recommend it. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Roxanne MacKay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Isabelle has sworn off men and is going for her dreams allowing her to support herself. Karl has a successful restaurant and a new beer that is doing really well but realizes that there is something missing in his life. A few events make him look at Isabelle, who works as a waitress for his restaurant, a little differently. The storyline is full of twists and turns, moments of suspense, emotional ups and downs, and self-discovery. The characters are strong, determined, resilient yet tender, caring and passionate. Amazing read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Mary Burgess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not only did Izz have a horrible and abusive childhood, she also was jilted by her fiancé. Karl had an aqua phobia and also had no time for a relationship. The story was interesting and attention holding with problems of insecurities, personal relationships, a kidnapping, and attempted murder. The characters were well developed and likable. Excellent read!

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Maja · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was originally titled Made for pleasure. The story is about Karl, who runs a restaurant and Isabelle. A bride who was left at the altar and is one year later, thinking about opening an escort service. I am a fan of Athena's writing, because she really makes the reader feel like the part of the story, which I love. Her characters are relatable and likable. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Karl owns Beer and BBQ establishment and Isabelle works as a waitress. Isabelle was a fashion model but she is now taking a much needed breather. Isabelle and her two friends decide to go into business together so she gives Karl her letter of resignation. This is when the book really gets hot because the chemistry between Karl and Isabelle is off the charts. I really enjoyed reading this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[SHERRY DAVIS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Isabelle
He left me! Waiting in the church. I’ll never trust another man again.
I’ll start my own business…an escort business with my two BFF’s.
My boss Karl is to die for…a little fun, sex.
Karl
Isabelle is so sexy in that little skirt and those hills.
I don’t have time for a relationship. I’m too busy with my restaurant.
To top it off, I’m suffering from this phobia.
If only?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Patricia Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great read. The main characters had good chemistry and kept me interested in their story from beginning to end.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This storyline is entertaining with quirky characters, past hurts, and an unconventional business start-up to make ends meet. I liked it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Staci · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good story with entertaining and enjoyable characters with sizzling chemistry between them

I received an arc of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sandra Singleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

https://www.amazon.com/review/R33FCDW...

[April Beck · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. This is a great story with great characters. This is a great read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book takes Izzy and her boss Karl to great heights! They go through so many crazy things, it's awesome to read!

[Huanne Woodward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trust

An exciting romance that comes only after some intrigue and learning to trust again. I enjoyed this Author’s style of writing with some steam thrown in

[Lisa Lassonde · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was kinda slow busy at th end