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Mergers & Acquisitions

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A crush on your boss is bad. A crush on her mortal enemy is worse.Sophie Young is on cloud nine now that she works for her idol Kate Kennedy - owner of the best advertising agency in Europe. When a top client requests that Kate works on a lucrative project with the notoriously fastidious Georgina Masters, Sophie knows that things are about to get tough. What she doesn't anticipate is Georgina setting her romantic sights on her. Stuck between two fiery women and desperately trying to keep the peace, Sophie has to attempt to balance the fragile merger, keep her job, and appease both women. Mergers & Acquisitions is a fun lesbian romance that's impossible to put down. Find out who Sophie chooses today.

316 pages, Paperback

First published July 27, 2017

127 people are currently reading
354 people want to read

About the author

A.E. Radley

30 books467 followers
***While I have a profile here on Goodreads, it is only to administer my books when necessary (add them, change covers etc).

I do not answer messages on here, I do not engage in groups, and I do not read the reviews.

I believe Goodreads is a place for readers and not authors and so I stay away for the most part. If you do want to contact me, please go to my website***


A.E. Radley is an entrepreneur and best-selling author living and working in England.

She describes herself as a Wife. Traveller. Tea Drinker. Biscuit Eater. Animal Lover. Master Pragmatist. Annoying Procrastinator. Theme Park Fan. Movie Buff.

When not writing or working, Radley indulges in her third passion of buying unnecessary cat accessories on a popular online store for her two ungrateful strays whom she has threatened to return for the last seven years.

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5 stars
169 (30%)
4 stars
198 (35%)
3 stars
149 (26%)
2 stars
30 (5%)
1 star
7 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews
Profile Image for Diane Wallace.
1,448 reviews172 followers
September 14, 2017
Amazing! my first book by this author and its a delightful,engaging,engrossing and an exceptionally well written story. A brief look inside the cutthroat business world and the underhanded ways women act/treat towards each other while running their own companies/businesses...well developed and great supporting characters,fast-paced,mature dialogue and the chemistry was right for the whole cast from the very start of the story to end. This storyline with both female business conglomerate owners(successful) at odds over acquiring another,also included problems with their younger lovers and self image issues plus they even collided on lots of other things..good storytelling..recommend
Profile Image for Katie.
106 reviews
January 2, 2018
I'm torn with this book. I enjoyed it and I loved the plot, but I feel like there should be a disclaimer when a book is pure vanilla.
I cared about the characters and was enjoying the slow burn but then that was it. It was over. And no mention of a sequel.
So while I liked this one... I can't give it more than 3 stars. I feel like the romance side of things could have been explored much further. The build up was great, but I ended up feeling duped by the time I finished.
Profile Image for Agirlcandream.
755 reviews3 followers
October 23, 2017
If you love the cut throat world of marketing this is the book for you. This author continues to impress with her ability to pull the reader into the lives of her characters. Was not expecting this May-December love triangle. The book had a Devil Wears Prada feel to it and that is fine with me. (Picturing Anne Hathaway in the role of Sophie)
Profile Image for Kurt.
166 reviews16 followers
January 11, 2018
I don't enjoy May-December romances as a rule, always performing the math of when she's sixty she'll be 35 and so on. Older men seem to do this frequently from what I've seen and it's always kind of disgusted me. So my bias is out there.

I thought this was a well written book and finished it. I actually was hoping Sophia would fall

As I said the book is well written. There is no humor. There is a feud between two powerful women who seem increasingly older and older as the story slogs on.
Profile Image for Kara.
720 reviews1,269 followers
February 6, 2020
“Mergers and Acquisitions” is another audiobook that’s difficult to decide on an overall rating.

I liked the cover, and that’s a true compliment, not a backhanded one; several books lately have had covers that should have been rethought.

I loved the narration! That’s pretty critical for an audiobook, and I really liked P. J. Morgan’s voices and overall delivery.

The title is flat-out wrong. There is no merger in the book, nor is there an acquisition. So if you’re looking for a finance-themed M&A story - look elsewhere. This is the world of cutthroat marketing, with two competitors trying to win an account. Actually, one competitor, Red Door, owned by MC Kate, is trying to win an account and keep the other accounts of a wacky CEO. Those accounts account for 1/3 of Red Door’s business, so losing the accounts would be devastating. The other competitor, Mastery, owned by Georgina Masters, doesn’t need to win the account, she just wants to cause havoc in retaliation for losing an account to Red Door six years ago. So yeah, two successful business women, Georgina at 47yo, and Kate at 50yo, are basically reliving, or perhaps, living for the first time, the high school “I’ll get you, you bitch” years.

The business model presented is light on details, which is good…because with the little we’re told, its unbelievably ridiculously insanely nonsensical. I completely understand why @Corporate Slave gave the book 1*…although if she’d listened to the audiobook she might have bumped the rating up….a bit. We have a super rich, high energy, high ego CEO (yes, Elon Musk comes to mind) who decides to build a super sports car as an attention getter. (Say, did you know that Musk is building the Tesla Roadster? 0-60 in 1.9seconds, 250mph as the top speed!) The Founders Series version costs $250,000 and requires full payment as the reservation deposit.

Now, I love my Tesla Model 3 (significantly less expensive than the Roadster!), but I really only mention the Tesla Roadster as comparison with the fictional “Bolt” sports car in this book. Yannis, the CEO, plans to limit production to 10 cars, selling for £1MM. Easy math, revenue of £10MM. Hmm…
The price tag to develop a new vehicle starts around $1 billion. According to John Wolkonowicz, Senior Auto Analyst for North America at IHS Global, "It can be as much as $6 billion if it's an all-new car on all-new platform with an all-new engine and an all-new transmission and nothing carrying over from the old model."


Plus, the marketing firms are salivating over the “Bolt” account, because it’ll pay about £1MM. And that’s for the marketing firm, not the actual cost of print and TV media, etc. So for a while I couldn’t figure out why Yannis was freaking out over investor concerns (the first prototype exploded and severely injured someone, altering the plot for the book). If he’s only looking to make a few million, why even get investors? You’re rich - fund it. Ahh, but if he’s looking for investors to lose $6BN, then yeah….he needs them. And a really, really good lawyer, because those investors would be such dupes it’d be an easy lawsuit. Anyway, there’re lots more details in the book about running a business that I’d suggest you disregard completely if you ever start a company!!

If you’re still with me for this review, let’s address the characters. Yes, I used the “royal we”…because…oh never mind. Anyway, side characters Jonathon and Michael, PA’s to the CEOs are great. Side character, yet an MC although she’s only physically present at the end of the book, 27yo Jessica - is my favorite! She and the PA’s are the only fully sensible people in this book!

24yo MC Sophie is the main MC, and she’s got lots going for her, but her insecurity and tendencies to run from challenges got wearisome. She’s likable, though, and I rooted for her to choose a partner and get her career on track.

47yo MC Georgina is actually pretty likable despite her hard-ass reputation. She engages in a “charm offensive” just to be petty and drive Kate crazy. She’s the most observant of everyone as far as relationships go…but she’s stubborn and isn’t a great communicator.

50yo MC Kate is the hardest to like, but we’re given background tidbits that explain much of her personality.

I wouldn’t say this was a great effort towards Shakespearean jealousy and mistaken identity comedy, but there was certainly jealousy and confused identities.

So, we have a four person who-loves-who plot-line with a nutty new car business venture offered up as the McGuffin.

Time to tally: narration 5*, characters 3.75*, story 2.5*, business description 1* for reality, 5* for creative alternate reality. Oh gee….where does that leave me? I’m going with 3.4*
Profile Image for Tiff.
385 reviews236 followers
August 7, 2017
Mergers and Acquisitions by A.E. Radley takes us into the cutthroat world of advertising. This book is filled with tension, rivalry, unexpected friendships and of course, romance.

The book starts off introducing the reader to Red Door a UK marketing firm owned by Kate Kennedy. This business is Kate’s life. She pours her heart and soul into keeping Red Door as the top advertising agency in Europe. Along the way, she has made some enemies, but not bigger and thornier than Georgina Masters, her American rival. As one of their mutual clients, Yannis Papadakis, the CEO of an engine manufacturing company, wants the two companies to collaborate on the marketing campaign for his latest creation, a supercar. Georgina and Kate can barely stand to be in the same room together, much less work intimately on a campaign of this magnitude.

Now add in the unexpected factor, an adorable, preppy nerd named Sophie Young. Sophie has just accepted a new position at Red Door after completing her internship. A gopher, running errands and fixing the copy machine is not exactly what she planned on, but she’s at Red Door and that’s what counts. All of the sudden, as Kate’s assistant, is injured and out of commission for a while, Sophie is now the right hand to her marketing idol, Kate.

This book is fun, witty and adorable. I had no idea which way this book was going to take me, and I loved it. Each character is interesting and loveable in their own right. You don’t want to miss this one, heck if you have read any of A.E. Radley’s books you know it's quality stuff.

4.25 stars
Profile Image for Ted.
560 reviews89 followers
August 15, 2017
To my utter astonishment I absolutely loved this. There was so much dang drama. Which is why I'm so surprised. Normally I shy away from too much conflict. But I really enjoyed this a lot. Kinda makes me want to pull another one of her books out. (This was my first by her). Heh. Cool.

Youhoo *waves arm* Sequel pls? Ktnxbai
Profile Image for Corporate Slave.
358 reviews5 followers
October 21, 2017
Wow! I did not expect that at all ! One of the non believable books I've read ever ! Nothing made sense ! The corporate part of the whole book had nothing to do with reality ! Characters were weird! The love story didn't make any sense and there was 0 connection between them all. I really have no idea how this one has such a high rating to be honest.
Profile Image for Lia A.
68 reviews23 followers
December 2, 2017
This is the third book I read from Radley. While it might not be her best work, it certainly contains pretty engaging storyline. With the May-December relationship set on got me hooked just alright, and the marketing world from the book is pretty insightful to give us common knowledge about the cutthroat business.
Profile Image for Alexis.
510 reviews650 followers
August 25, 2017
I have a love-hate relationship with this book.

Let me start off by saying that the book is very well written. The pacing is great and the chemistry between certain characters is also great which is why I just couldn't put it down and ended up reading it in one sitting.

However I said certain characters because I just didn't feel any real chemistry between the two characters that eventually realize they're in love with each other. There just didn't seem to be any time for it. The end felt very rushed and it's only then that these two characters end up having a real conversation.

The entire book revolves around a feud between two CEO's of rivaling marketing firms. These two women; Georgina in her late forties and fifty year old Kate act more like a bunch of teenage girls holding on to a grudge.

Yet despite my annoyance with all the childish bickering between these women I found myself unable to stop reading. Perhaps it was the authors intention to aggravate the reader as well. My final point of critique would be the abrupt and rushed ending of the book. Hopefully the author plans on writing a sequel because this so far ends up with a full 4* rating.
Profile Image for Linda.
864 reviews134 followers
October 29, 2018
My 4th read by Ms Radley. Common theme with all the books - age gap romance (Cougar comes to mind) with an Ice Queen, normally the mature lead. And oh yes, no erotic scenes - just a kiss or 2 threw in. Still, all the books engaged me; no exception with M&A. In M&A, we have 2 Ice Queen, Kate and Georgina, who were going head to head with each other. Liked the 2 strong female characters. Their banters are simply hilarious at times and full of sarcasm. Sophie had me guessing who she would eventually chose. A HEA ending (but of course!) though the ending was kind of abrupt.

Overall an enjoyable read with laugh out loud moments 😄
Profile Image for Betty.
286 reviews8 followers
June 7, 2018
3.5 stars.

I have mixed feelings about how to review this one. And at first, I had my doubts. The author can write and put a good story together, but there were a few flaws that almost stopped me finishing.
There is a good deal of info dumping, and I skimmed those parts. There was a degree of telling and although that is sometimes OK, it can be a little tiring. There were times I would have loved the author to show us, rather than state it. I didn’t really connect with the characters too well at first, perhaps because I didn’t feel any of the chemistry mentioned. Yet when the scenes came together they were very engrossing.
I did enjoy my read, but can’t say I loved it.

This is the first one I have read by this authour, but I would certainly consider another one.
549 reviews12 followers
September 23, 2017
This was a very well written story. It was a cleverly constructed doubling of Devil Wears Prada. I am finding this is not a fandom that I relate to, and I'm sure I would have awarded more stars. As the story was winding up, the declaration of love almost took me by surprise because it felt like we hadn't really witnessed anyone falling in love. Most of the book was about other events and relationships. It's hard to explain without summarizing the plot, which I am too lazy to do here. Suffice it to say, I liked The Huntress much, much more.
Profile Image for Endlesscribbles.
134 reviews20 followers
September 8, 2017
An enjoyable and light read. A tale of don't ask don't know. Don't ask don't get.
But the last two lines of the book really did it for me..
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
365 reviews42 followers
March 24, 2018
Mergers and Acquisitions should have been called Two Queens and a Pawn.

The story revolves around Kate and her archrival Georgina. Each woman owns a marketing agency. Their careers and personalities mirror each other. Georgina is referred to as a dragon by a former employee and Kate is called a monster by a current staff member. These women have played in the same sandbox for decades and are of a similar age. As odd ducks in a male dominated industry, their accomplishments were always played off the other by the press. One client left Georgina's firm, six years ago, and she nursed a grudge so strong that she decides to take Kate's largest client out from under her. Forced into collaboration by that client, these women act like dogs tossed into a fighting pit. Their behaviour is utterly objectionable on a professional level. It would insult children to call them childish.

Pity the poor assistant placed, by the author, between them. This intern, turned junior associate, turned executive assistant and company liaison to Georgina is named Sophie (softy) Young (wonder why?). This ridiculous chess match pits the red Queen of Red Door against the black (hearted) Queen of Mastery with Sophie forced into double duty as their pawn. Georgina is purposely using her flirtation with Sophie to antagonize Kate, because she harbours undisclosed feelings. The entire proceeding is an overwrought display of bad temper.

Usually romance stems from character chemistry, electric contact and unquenchable thirst. Stupid under objective review, but it's a common romantic formula nonetheless. This book tries to cultivate romance during a blood sport match between two unlikable characters. Sophie should be running, not walking, to the nearest exit. She's both a Pawn and a white Queen in the making. This was ultimately a sad story of what happens when the worst in us is given free reign. Other people are left to pay the price for it.
Profile Image for Les Rêveur.
461 reviews149 followers
August 9, 2017
Another great book from A.E. Radley. Mergers and Acquisitions is centred around two rival advertising firms that have a mutual client and have to join forces and work together.

The novel is written from three points of view of the main protagonists Kate, Georgina and Sophie. I was surprised that my favourite character was actually Georgina, she’s wicked in a sexy ice queen way. I would have enjoyed knowing more background about her relationship with Jessica, her ex. That relationship really intrigued me from the beginning and it might be because I connected with Georgina right off the bat. Also want to mention how lovely and unassuming Sophie is. She has both these women using her for similar reasons and she just tries not to hurt anyone.

There was quite a lot based around the office politics and less about the love story but I still enjoyed the storyline and think there’s definitely room for a prequel or sequel which I would be extremely excited about. At times I wasn’t sure what would happen next and the intrigued kept me turning the page.

Charming and quick witted, I think A.E. Radley is a author to watch.

4 Stars
Profile Image for Arn.
400 reviews117 followers
October 19, 2017
Overrated is the first word that comes to mind after reading this book. I don't even understand why I finished it. There was no chemistry between the characters that ended up together, secondary characters are there just to push the plot forward and the office subterfuge was uninspired and juvenile.

A lot of the issues were touched upon but never explored like health, societal norms not only about lgbt issues but also the incredibly huge age gap. Especially the age gap, I usually enjoy age gap a lot because it allows for some interesting stories to unfold due to differences the topic brings into a relationship but in this book it didn't go past the cougar wanting some fresh, juicy meat.
Profile Image for Yoly.
710 reviews48 followers
July 2, 2019
I really enjoyed it! I wish it were longer because I wanted to spend more time with the characters. It was very entertaining.
Profile Image for Corrie.
1,690 reviews4 followers
August 1, 2017
*ding ding ding* It looks like we have a winner here!

A. E. Radley is on a roll and we (Book Club Buddie D. and myself) had lots of fun with the latest publication of Heartsome Publishing. This office romance is well written, has great characters, a good pace and is definitely a page turner.

So what happens when you put two type-A personalities (seasoned marketing giants Kate Kennedy and Georgina Masters) together with a shy, sweet and somewhat bumbling young office assistent (Sophie) to work on a very important project? Rivals Kate and Georgina have a history together that makes them very antagonistic towards each other and poor Sophie is walking a tightrope to keep both women happy.

But what when both women develop feelings for Sophie? Who will win it all and who will walk away with nothing? I'm afraid you will have to buy the book to find out ;-)

There's humor, drama, a glorious one upmanship game, romance and a look at the wonderful world of marketing.

It's 5 fat stars from Book Club Buddy D. and me!

*ARC provided by the publisher in return for an honest review *
Profile Image for Val.
412 reviews16 followers
August 23, 2017
3.5 rounded to 4. Was an interesting read and a bit unpredictable. This is a May December romance but which older woman will Sophie choose? Good read.
Profile Image for Angel.
334 reviews23 followers
July 30, 2017
This delightful read took me on a corporate adventure that held more within it than the usual angst of new love. The author created a medley of romance, courage and authenticity within each page. Each character within the story were strong in their own way, I enjoyed the growth and transformation that Kate, Georgina and Sophie all underwent. This is the type of story that would stay with me for a while and to me this story would ask each reader this question: do you wear the mask that everyone expects you to wear or would you dare greatly and live the life you have always wanted and find true happiness despite what others may say?
Profile Image for T.B. Markinson.
Author 70 books1,151 followers
August 16, 2017
MERGERS AND ACQUISITIONS by A. E. Radley is a sweet and fun romance that will tug on your heartstrings and make you believe in true love.
Profile Image for Susanne.
167 reviews14 followers
October 14, 2018
Mergers and Acquisitions sets in the world of cut throat advertising. Lots of tensions, rivalry, backstabbing, snide comments... but in amongst that, some friendships develop and even a sweet romance unexpectedly blossoms.

I am torn between giving this book either a 3 or 4 star rating. After the slow burn romance which last for most of the story, the book ends abruptly! Not sure if there is a sequel planned or not to continue the story.
Profile Image for Tiffany Shamaly.
82 reviews4 followers
August 2, 2017
A.E. Radley has another winner on her hands. The story about a very push pull relationship between multiple characters was fun and interesting. Who knew the marketing industry could be so cut throat. Kate, Georgina and Sophie were all great characters in their own rights. Kate the self made marketing exec, Georgina the equally self made marketing exec trying to find her way back to the most important person in her life and Sophie, preppy, shy, sweet and trying to make her way into a industry that she's dreamed about her whole life. I must admit that I was not quiet sure how the book would end but it was certainly satisfying and I do hope we get to see more of these characters. Great read!!
Profile Image for Katherine Jensen.
68 reviews7 followers
August 7, 2017
AE Radley knows how to write a good story. She always does a great job with plot and character development. The three main characters (Kate, Sophie, and Georgina) all had qualities that I liked and didn't like about them. But I think it was some of those qualities that I didn't like about the characters that made me rate this the way I did. While this wasn't my favorite of AE's, it was still an entertaining read.

ARC received in exchange for an honest review
Profile Image for geekyfangirlstuff.
198 reviews475 followers
July 11, 2025
super dla fanów mirandy z dwp, ale trochę mi brakowało faktycznego romansu :(((
Profile Image for Dide.
1,489 reviews53 followers
March 15, 2021
4.5 star ratings
Lots of drama here...no boring section. It is predictable but the author does a nice job making that predictability not so predictable and still attentive.
I chuckled a lot....I suspect my coworkers think i went cuckoo. The audible reader did a great job adding value to my reading experience.
Profile Image for Zingari.
214 reviews
October 14, 2017
3.5

I feel a little gypped. I sat through petty arguments, and unfounded hatred, yet the things I was curious about weren't ever really talked about. One of the rivals said something that shouldn't have been forgiven, in my opinion.

Something that bothers me in a lot of books came up: The time the two romantic interests spent together were referenced, but not showcased. It made the connection between them less believable. I know I saw someone mention this in a previous review, but didn't know what they meant until I read it.

This book was very knowledgeable about marketing, but I felt like there could have been more.

I still enjoyed it, but these are my reasons for giving it a 3.5.
Profile Image for Lisa  R Smith.
436 reviews9 followers
February 5, 2020
Older boss and younger assistant

Two successful marketing firms, one in London and one in New York, compete for the business of an engine manufacturer. The American comes to London, after a breakup, set to steal the contract. The London firm offers their newest employee to assist the American in hopes the girl will spy for for them. Story unfold from there. HEA for everyone.
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