Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book
Rate this book
Meeting the love of my life on today's hottest dating app? Sign me up!
Chatting up a sexy mystery man? Hell yeah!
Throwing inhabitation to the wind and getting a little raunchy? F*** yes!
Dealing with a new boss who's hell on earth? Ugh, no thank you.

Jason Barrett might be the sexiest man I've seen in ages, but he's also a nightmare of a boss.
Constant side-eye and insane expectations are just the tip of the iceberg with him.
He knows how to push my buttons and walks around like he owns the place.
And the way he acts after a literal office run-in? Forget it.

Luckily, I've found a special someone on Privately, the newest, hottest dating app.
Sure, it has an air of mystery to it, but I like the suspense.
But now that it's time to meet, anxiety is creeping in.
What if he doesn't like me?
What if he wears his pants up to his chin?
In Privately's world, there's no telling who or what the app will throw your way.
Let's just hope it's not anyone terrible.
Like Jason F*ckin Barrett.


**Warning, explicit language and intimate situations**

396 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 7, 2019

396 people are currently reading
362 people want to read

About the author

K.B. Cinder

22 books155 followers
KB Cinder is an author of contemporary romance and romcoms. Heat, hahas, and HEAs are her specialty.

Follow her on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

Facebook: @ KBCinderAuthor

Instagram: @ KBCinderAuthor

TikTok: @ KBCinderAuthor

Join her mailing list for the inside scoop on early cover reveals and more → https://kbcinder.myflodesk.com/sfomww...

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
286 (42%)
4 stars
213 (31%)
3 stars
130 (19%)
2 stars
33 (4%)
1 star
10 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
Profile Image for Nova.
2,710 reviews102 followers
June 7, 2019
This is an amazing start to the series and cannot praise this author enough. Both main characters have been burnt by love but within each other they find hope, their banter and chemistry is perfect.

Elena is recovering from a broken heart after her fiancé Justin broke off their engagement days before they were due to walk down the aisle, leaving her in debt up to her eyeballs while he shacks up with the woman he has been cheating on her with for months. Determined not to give up on her happy ever after she joins the dating app Privately and slowly finds someone who gives her hope for love in the future, while her new boss Jason Barratt is making her life hell she lives for the time she can spend talking to her mystery man. But when they finally meet will it be everything she hoped for or is she destined to have her heart broken all over again?

Jason is in town to up productivity with the branch, which has been failing for longer than they have been aware but he has a distraction in the form of Elena, she attracts him in a way that he has never felt before and after his failed marriage had no desire to try again. Trying to distract himself he joins dating app Privately and before long chatting to a mystery lady is the highlight of his day. But things are about to get complicated who will Jason choose woman who could be everything he ever wanted or his career?

Really enjoyed this debut book the characters were engaging and funny. I was hooked from the first page. Cannot wait to read more in this series and from this author. I am voluntarily reviewing an advanced reader copy of this book. 4.5 * read for me, and I highly recommend.
Profile Image for Vampire-lk.
362 reviews28 followers
March 7, 2021
Great character development & just enough angst in the story! Contemporary flare! Quick fun read! Wish Monica got fired for her nasty truck with HR paper, but glad our main protagonists ended up together!!!! Definitely be reading more from this author! Highly recommend this novel!!!!! 🤩😍
Profile Image for Ally Reads Romance.
716 reviews67 followers
June 1, 2019
This is a must read if you love broody, tortured Alphas as I do, especially when they are paired with spunky, sexy, klutzy heroines😘

There is a lot of witty banter and best friends talking crap! The secret dating app that causes mischief adds to the excitement!
This first book in the Barrett Brother’s Series is so much fun to read! I LOVE the author’s sense of humor and writing style! There is also the right amount of drama and heartbreak. It's got a good balance!

I was lucky enough to beta read, and now I'm excited to go back and read the finished product❤️ However, knowing what I read and discussing changes with the author I feel confident with a 4⭐️ rating! It is a FABULOUS debut!

I am super excited about the other two books and seeing where KB takes us🥰
Profile Image for escapeinmybookshelf.
48 reviews28 followers
June 8, 2019
Jason Barrett is a hard as nails man who is no nonsense at work. Inside his steely exterior is a man who craves the curves of one of his employees, Elena. Workplace romance is forbidden in their company but messaging with the woman using the username “Jewel” on the Privately app is igniting passion in him that he had not felt before.

Elena Julian ends up chatting with the mysterious man “Bear” on the Privately app. Bear makes her forget about how much of a jerk her new boss Jason is. He might be hot as hell but he has hated her since the first day of work. Yet when Elena agrees to meets up for her date with Bear is when she realizes the man behind the username is Jason. The chemistry they feel between them must be explored, company rules were meant to be broken, right?

5/5 stars I love this couple and they are so compatible it is crazy. The sex scenes were HOT and the sexual tension between them was palpable.

*** I received an ARC copy from the author and this is my honest review. ***
2,794 reviews40 followers
June 13, 2019
Privately A Standalone Barrett Brothers Romance Book #1 by KB Cinder Privately: A Standalone Barrett Brothers Romance: Book #1 By: KB Cinder
She Likes Him "Privately," But Will THAT Change Once The Veil Is Lifted...
She's got the Worst Boss EVER...
WHO doesn't know How to issue Grievances "Privately!"
In fact, He'd Rather Change Company Policy by Signaling OUT a Single Individual!
And of Course... She's the UnLucky subject of His continued Ire...
No Matter How often She Tries to Stay outta the Line of FIRE!
MeanWhile, On another front...
She's mak'n the Greatest connection Secretly, Quietly, & Absolutely "Privately!"
NO real Names, NO Pictures... EveryThing is DONE "Privately!"
Until suddenly IT isn't!
Cuz Her ONE Perfect connection,
Wants to take that NEXT Step...
And MOVE what ONCE was Hidden, Secret, & DONE "Privately" Into the Open!
What'll Happen when things aren't done "Privately" AnyMore...
Will they like Each Other as Much Openly as they did "Privately!?!"
I was granted an ARC of KB Cinder's "Privately: A Standalone Barrett Brothers Romance: Book #1" via B00|{$P®0UT. I recommend this book to others based upon its own recommendations. All opinions expressed within this review are uniquely my own & freely given!
Until next time... Happy Reading!
Profile Image for Ki.
524 reviews
October 11, 2020
Did not pull me in. Too many words not enough action or passion. Not a favorite
Profile Image for Aneesah.
1,217 reviews
November 27, 2019
Can’t even begin to say how much I enjoyed this book. Ok that is a lie, I COULD say but seeing as it is nearly 4 am and I have to be up for work in a few hours, I will forgo the lengthy recap. Suffice it to say that I enjoyed it enough to risk bleary eyes on the job in order to finish it. The best kind of sort-of-enemies-to-lovers romp in which you really kinda hate the hero in some parts and truly hope the heroine’s bestie makes good on her threats to “smash [his] balls and feed them to [him] like baby food”.

Only a few critiques...

I am glad with how things turned out overall but I must admit that my viciously petty heart wishes that bitch Monica and lazy shit-for-brains Marty had had more of a comeuppance. The lack of revenge on those too did kind of leave a sour taste in my mouth.

Also I felt as though Jason’s tragic history deserved a little more of a backstory than the couple of paragraphs we got. His personal struggles and history with Bianca could have gone a lot toward forgiving his early treatment of Elena had his past been a little better fleshed out. Still, this was an enjoyable read—KB Cinder is a hilarious writer btw— and I can’t wait to read about the next Barrett brother!
Profile Image for Wickedly Sweet & Synful Book Blog Synclare Moss.
835 reviews142 followers
July 16, 2019
Debut book!
Debut author!
I’m still in shock because I devoured this book.
The characters had depth and realism.
The storyline has layers.
The sexual tension is soo freakin fantastic...I couldn’t wait until they finally gave in to their passion.
I’m a sucker for enemies to lovers stories.
Privately was smart, engaging and truly an enjoyable read.
If you love office romance, enemies to lovers...sexy snarky characters- grab this gem!

~BREAKDOWN OF RATINGS~
Plot~ 5/5
Main Characters (hero/heroine)~ 5/5
Secondary Characters~ 5/5
The Feels~ 5/5
Pacing~ 5/5
Addictiveness~5/5
Angst~ 5/5
Steam/Hotness/Chemisty ~ 5/5
Theme or Tone~ 5/5
Flow (Writing Style)~ 5/5
Backdrop (World Building)~ 5/5
Originality~ 5/5
Ending~ 5/5 -
Book Cover~ Sensual
Series~ Barrett Brothers
Source~ Kindle eBook - Borrowed from KU
Would I read more from the author? Yes
Would I recommend this book? Yes
Profile Image for lissyloo.
533 reviews2 followers
June 7, 2019
This is a great book by KB Cinder. It is an absolute must read. I couldn’t put it down.
Elena and Jason go through a massive journey of love, trust and how to overcome your past.
I can’t wait to read more books by KB Cinder.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for A.D. Saddler.
Author 2 books19 followers
June 24, 2019
Well written, intriguing, amusing, and well-rounded. Privately holds steady from beginning to end, with characters that draw you in and leave you wanting more. Jason and Elena compliment one another, and their relationship has everything that that draws me in as a reader.

LOVED Privately, and I can’t wait to see what comes from the other Barrett brothers ❤️
Profile Image for Coco.V.
50k reviews132 followers
Want to read
October 22, 2022

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (10/22/2022)! 🎁
Profile Image for Amber Nicolosi.
23 reviews
March 1, 2021
Surprisingly Beautiful

To be honest, from the blurb I wasn’t sure I would love this book. How wrong I was! I was fully invested in Bear & Jewels and even more so in Jason & Elena
A beautiful story
Profile Image for Emmy Klaver.
107 reviews2 followers
July 18, 2021
Didn't love it, Didn't hate it. I did get trouble to really sucked in to the story and really enjoyed it

There are still a few things left unsaid, like why the 70.000 dollars to his ex-wife, because of the house? Maybe i read over that part. What happend to Lee? And what happened to monica? Bianca, his ex wife got mentioned alot, but still they never really talked about her..

Maybe it is just me and didnt notice everything.
5,924 reviews29 followers
June 12, 2019
WOW loved the book it was great the story was well written and the characters were interesting. Jason and Elena at work their chemistry is love to hate. Jason has been trying this new dating app his username is Bear and he has been talking to a female that uses the name Jewel. Elena has been using the same site as Jason, Elena has been using the name as Jewel, after awhile Jewel and Bear have been talking it is time to meet. Do they continue their friendship oe stop it before it start.

Thank you for allowing me to review this book it was great.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
2,200 reviews
June 7, 2019
This is book one in the Barrett Brothers series. This was a great introduction into a new series and I am definitely interested in reading more. This book is about Elena and Jason. These two characters are just an interesting match. Jason is Elena's boss, Elena believes that Jason hates her and Jason doesn't truly hate Elena but likes her and hates his feelings that he as for her as they work together. Of course to add fuel to the fire, neither one of these characters has had a positive experience with love and a past that has shaded this whole relationship thing in one form or another. If that isn't enough, well add in a dating app, Privately. This all just adds to the story line makes for an interesting read. Elena and Jason share some witty conversations and provide all the entertainment a reader needs. I will be keeping my eye out for book two.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
545 reviews1 follower
June 9, 2019
This book was awesome! I loved Jason and Elena and the chemistry they shared. It was hot and steamy! Elena and Jason have had their share of being cheated on. Jason is hired as Elena's new boss and he is very sexy but he has given Elena a hard time since the beginning. Jason has his own reasons for giving her a hard time. She is so tempting. They are both experimenting with a dating app called Privately. And unknown to each other, they are matches. They have so much in common texting each other but they can't send face pictures. Then after a long awaited time, they meet.
Profile Image for MoodyReaderHMB.
289 reviews18 followers
June 19, 2019
Omg, I fell in love with this book. The characters Jason and Elena is going to be one of my all time favorites. Jason is the intense, all in your face boss, who has a golden heart inside and so many secrets, near and dear to him. Elena is just having shit luck, she a hard working bee, hilarious, quite at work, but oh so different, outside of the hell hole she works at. I love Cinder style of writing. It’s an easy flow, and great story line. I really enjoyed reading it, and read it straight through. I could not put it down... sorry to the hubs for sandwiching it tonight.. it’s all K.B. Cinder fault. .
.
This was the first installment of the Barrett Brothers, and I cannot wait for more.
Profile Image for Mrs Kindle Addict.
191 reviews
July 24, 2019
Great story and kept me intrigued with what was going to happen! Jason and Elena were very likable characters and had great chemistry! It was a very Hot and Steamy book! I look forward to reading the next book in the series about the brothers and any future books by KB Cinder.
Profile Image for Latoya Sterns.
549 reviews
April 19, 2021
Noooo

Story was okay but then how everything fell apart at the end didn’t make much sense. Everyone assumed Monica took the pics but it was Marty and in the end he was no good to the company but they kept him?
Profile Image for Bryckk Wilkes-DuBois.
Author 4 books56 followers
July 4, 2023
Jason & Elena: Internet Love & Office Romance Collide! 5 Stars

Every once in a while, you get a happen upon a book that is not well-known but is clearly a sleeper hit in the literary world. THIS IS THAT BOOK!

Elena, a humble sales rep who works for a company named CROFT, was jilted by her fiancé when he called off the wedding weeks before the ceremony. Seeking a connection and someone to talk to, she logs on to an app called PRIVATELY, where she begins to converse with man on the app nicknamed "Bear". She has an instant connection with Bear, only to find out that Bear is really the new boss who she believes cannot stand her. Jason aka "Bear" has no idea that Elena is the woman he has been chatting with for months before arriving in his new job role. The two have a back and forth before all is revealed and they try to maintain their connection in secret due to a non-fraternization clause in the company.

This book brings out all the cuddly feels. Its a warm, sweet romance that wasn't to easy and came with light drama, even though there were very heavy topics discussed. I LOVED Elena and her sense of humor. There were so many times that I laughed out loud in this book. Her dry wit was refreshing and gave the character more depth. Jason was sexy and devious at the same time. The first quarter of the book, I loved to hate him. He managed to play the villain well as he fought his feelings for Elena but once he admitted them and stopped being a jerk, he was the classic cinnamon roll hero I love.

This was book one of the three brothers and even though Luke's story is next, its Ethan's love story that I can't wait to read. I can't wait to read the rest of the goodies this author has written. I highly recommend KB Cinder's books if you love sweet romance with a bit of humor that's not nauseating or too much. I simply loved this book!

Happy reading!
Profile Image for Jinx.
878 reviews
November 14, 2019
An office romance.

Elena Julian's life changed dramatically when her fiance leaves her a week before their wedding. She struggles to find her own feet but manages some how, working her dead end job with people she doesn't like - all except her best friend that is. It seems like nothing is changing, everything stays the same... and then Hotshot manager, Jason Barrett moves to Ithica, NY to take over as care taker manager for the company he works for he walks into a huge mess and he can see it.

The people he's supposed to work with don't know what they're doing and the branch isn't making money, but the cute brunette in sales makes the job seem somewhat bearable, if he could stop being an asshole to her.

Elena joins a dating app meeting "Bear" they click and soon Bear is in her city, and they make plans to meet, only to discover it's none other than Jason Barrett. One night... One night is all they planned on having after all Croft has a no fraternisation policy, which could see them both fired. But one night isn't enough.... How can they make it work? And Jason's hidden secrets could drive them apart.

This story was ok. It wasn't the best... It seemed to miss the mark but it was an ok story.
Profile Image for Nikole.
958 reviews
December 31, 2023
This was too stinking cute.
Something about forbidden workplace romances always makes it fun. How will they get caught? By who?
I loved Jason, although him holding back a lot did cause some shit lol.
I feel like the shit with Monica and Marty took up a lot of the story, but when it came time to resolve those things, it was just thrown to the background and I don't really feel like justice was served. It was just said in passing 'oh yeah they are gone'. Especially Monica, who abused her position in HR and handed out employee records - which is not only unethical but illegal. She would've been in a world of shit. So I just don't feel like that was actually wrapped up how it should've been. Also, Jason knowing what kind of person she was shouldn't of transferred her to HR to begin with. It was just all around bad, like those people should've been fired off the bat. UGH

Either way, the story was aside from that. I loved when he first thought the FMC was Jewels, he was panicking so hard. It was too funny.
But when they actually met, it was hilarious how she acted towards him not even thinking that he was Bear hahaha. I don't remember him ever saying why he chose that name though.

Spice 1/5
Humor 1/5
Emotional 2/5
World Building 3.5/5
Overall 4/5
Profile Image for Ellie.
546 reviews164 followers
Read
September 26, 2020
How about no?
Ugh. Too bad because the writing showed promise. But it only took 3 chapters before the utter lack of depth reared its ugly head. This is what the romance genre has been reduced to. Soft porn, tediously boring inner monologues about ass and titties and throbbing boners, with sexual attraction driving the plot instead of anything remotely interesting.

How shallow and dull and just annoying. Annoying because these writers think they know how men think. Dual POV is usually such a joke because nobody even pretends to try to get it right. 90‰ of the romance heroes these days are recycled from the same ridiculous ideal that these writers have and it's just pathetic and honestly damned infuriating to read how these bastards objectify women. Yet readers rarely complain. Probably because they don't respect their gender any more than the writers.

This story turns to crap as soon as the hero's POV starts. I could no more be attracted to - or give a shite about - such an odious, arrogant twat.

Oh, and the h is TSTL.

Not interested in finishing this or reading anything else by this writer.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for ReadingInThe6ix.
758 reviews9 followers
June 22, 2021
Stumbled across this by accident and gave it a shot without looking at reviews (which I normally look at for trigger warnings). I was pleasantly surprised!

Elena and Jason had great chemistry. I’m a sucker for a mean boss and tortured hero...and that was definitely Jason. I liked the progression, I enjoyed most of the secondary characters (Lee, Ethan, Luke). There was just enough to make me happy that we didn’t read about main characters who have no friends (which always seems to happen in romance novels). There was humour, sexiness and some angst mixed in. I also liked that Elena was smart, a little sassy, and driven to work hard. No ditzy behaviour here!

Lost a star because of the Monica storyline. There is no way someone underperforming and toxic at work would just be moved to HR. It was completely implausible and made me angry. Its also annoying that HR was treated as a demotion (spoiler - I work in HR lol).

Overall a really great read - not sure I’ll read about the other brothers who were portrayed as manwhores, but we’ll see.

Trigger warning - mentions of attempted suicide.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
481 reviews16 followers
November 29, 2020
Before I get started on the review, I just want to say one thing! There were entirely too many exclamation points!! It took me out of the story and I even ended up skipping some of the dialogue (where most of them were) because it was so annoying!!!

I gave this 3 stars because it wasn't great but it wasn't awful. It was a typical forbidden office romance with some steamy sex scenes. The MCs got together earlier in the story then I would have liked because the story did drag a bit. The characters were well written; however, lacked substance. There were some good chuckles though I wouldn't call this a rom-com.

If you like forbidden office romance and aren't looking for anything in depth, you'll probably want to check this out.
Profile Image for Briar Reeds.
134 reviews7 followers
September 15, 2023
This book was a great rom-com with elements of spice!
I wasn’t expecting it to be as funny as it was.

“I guess you could call it sement” killed me, and I made my husband read that whole interaction so he could laugh too.

It was a great palette cleanser compared to what I normally read and was very light hearted.

Spoiler:
The only thing I don’t get was why he transferred 70k to Bianca? It never said why and I’m very confused. I also think I remember reading a line that was like “I think of my daughter” and I’m not sure what that was either.

I loved this book though. I recommended it to my mom with the warning that there were spicy bits 😂
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
435 reviews3 followers
August 22, 2021
Average Read

Trope: forbidden office romance, meets on a dating app but identities are a secret

Slow Burn level 40%

Heroine has a degree in logistics and works at a distribution company but her skill set is underappreciated. Hero is new boss who is supposed to whip the branch into shape. Hero is thought to be a jerk and asshole.
They meet on a dating app that keeps identities a secret until you want to meet. I wish the messaging banter was more prevalent and steamy or funny.

Crisis was okay
HEA
Triggers: hx of suicide attempt mentioned with some details
30 reviews
December 3, 2025
What are the Odds that a couple who connect on a dating ap end up working in the same firm ? Each initially attracted to the other and continue chatting anonymously for two months until they finally decide to meet ! As the story unfolds each have messy previous relationships. The corporate rules where they work forbid any relationships. So many barriers for them to overcome. The MMC and MFC as well as all others are well described and fit to support as the trials and tribulations they encounter. The book was a very enjoyable read that continues in a series of the other characters.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.