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Southern Roots Sweet RomCom #3
Just His Assistant
She's just his assistant, which is exactly how this Southern belle wants it. No spotlight. Not anymore. But as she struggles to learn her new role in his office—especially because Lance is the surliest boss imaginable—Jessie might just have to open her heart to show him everyone has a past they're running from.
Jessie:
Lance Byers is by far the meanest man in Carolina. Both of them. All of the South. Heck, the whole country.
He makes demands I don't know how to fulfill, like, "Bring me those closing docs," or "Set up that open house."
I'm trying to learn as fast as I can, but the real estate market in Charleston is like a jet plane flying at three hundred miles per hour. It moves, and it moves fast.
Lance is smart, handsome if I can admit that out loud, and entrenched in this realtor lingo I don't understand. He even brings in someone to train me, but I'm pretty sure I'm failing him on a daily basis.
Failure? That, I understand.
I'm determined to figure this out, though. I have to, because my only other option is to run back to Momma and Daddy in that big house I hate.
I won't. I can't do it. Which means I have to figure out how to deal with Lance's attitude, learn what an escrow payment is, and hide my secrets all while smiling and entertaining clients.
When a ball somewhere gets dropped and I'm about to take the blame, I decide to try one more thing...bare my soul to the meanest man on the planet. Surprisingly, I learn that Lance is human after all, and hurting just as much as I am.
I suddenly want to take him under my broken wing and show him that there could be a second chance for both of us...if he doesn't fire me first.
Get ready to laugh out loud in this hilarious, sweet workplace romantic comedy! The romance is clean, the jokes witty, and the office grump swoon-worthy. Read today!
Jessie:
Lance Byers is by far the meanest man in Carolina. Both of them. All of the South. Heck, the whole country.
He makes demands I don't know how to fulfill, like, "Bring me those closing docs," or "Set up that open house."
I'm trying to learn as fast as I can, but the real estate market in Charleston is like a jet plane flying at three hundred miles per hour. It moves, and it moves fast.
Lance is smart, handsome if I can admit that out loud, and entrenched in this realtor lingo I don't understand. He even brings in someone to train me, but I'm pretty sure I'm failing him on a daily basis.
Failure? That, I understand.
I'm determined to figure this out, though. I have to, because my only other option is to run back to Momma and Daddy in that big house I hate.
I won't. I can't do it. Which means I have to figure out how to deal with Lance's attitude, learn what an escrow payment is, and hide my secrets all while smiling and entertaining clients.
When a ball somewhere gets dropped and I'm about to take the blame, I decide to try one more thing...bare my soul to the meanest man on the planet. Surprisingly, I learn that Lance is human after all, and hurting just as much as I am.
I suddenly want to take him under my broken wing and show him that there could be a second chance for both of us...if he doesn't fire me first.
Get ready to laugh out loud in this hilarious, sweet workplace romantic comedy! The romance is clean, the jokes witty, and the office grump swoon-worthy. Read today!
280 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 27, 2021
381 people are currently reading
542 people want to read
About the author
Donna Jeffries
10 books117 followersAuthor Donna Jeffries loves everything about the South, from the big ships to the food. Oh, and the office grumps in her Southern Roots Sweet Romantic Comedy series. Get ready to laugh out loud, sigh at the sweet, tender moments, and swoon over the office grumps in her sweet office romcom series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
October 7, 2021
This book made me so annoyed I didn't even read the last 3 chapters. I'm off the southern roots train.
For a series that started off so strong, I'm disappointed with this installment - so disappointed. And yes I can say I hated this. I loved Callie's book, and mostly enjoyed Tara's book. With both of those there was great character and relationship development and tons of chemistry between the love interests. Where Tara's book lost me, was with her random foray into cruelty where she attempted to deprive the love of her life his best friend simply because said best friend was a girl and Tara hasn't dealt with all her insecurities. What rescued that book from the same star fate that this book suffers, was the resolution to that plot line. Tara owns her actions, apologises for them and does better. And even though I hated the jealousy plot device from a character perspective, there was groundwork to justify her terrible actions.
I cannot say the same for this book. All of the things that worked wonderfully in the first two books were missing and all of the issues from those two books were found here. A case in point is editing. I always stress that editing is not my pet peeve with books. A minor typo here and there yes will remove me briefly from the flow of the story but if the rest of the book is good and the storytelling is strong that's not going to ruin anything for me. The editing with this book goes beyond careless typos though. It feels like there are entire portions of scenes missing. Even within dialogue between characters I often felt like something had been removed but the surrounding work hadn't been adjusted. This was an issue I had with Tara's book too.
Moving on, to chemistry - or lack there of. There was no groundwork laid for Jess and Lance. They were just together. I hadn't gotten to really know them, which is ridiculous since it's their book. And no, them being in the early installations does not count. Those are teasers, samplers, we're seeing them in very specific contexts that have nothing to do with them. In their own book, there's nothing further added. There was no spark. I had no time to root for them before they got together and I was absolutely not invested when they were in a relationship. Adding insult to injury are the entire chapters we gave away to Sabrina and Jason, and if you don't recognise their names, that's because they're random people. Literally random people, who are suddenly, and I mean suddenly, inserted into the narrative to start laying the groundwork for their book which I will not be reading. Not solely because of my poor experience with this book, but also because everything we got from them was annoying, exhausting and frustrating so no thank you. But glad we got to leave the main protagonists to learn about these strangers who also lacked chemistry but made up for it with caustic interactions *heavy heavy sarcasm*.
All of this wouldn't warrant a 1 star rating, up to the 50% mark this was a solid 3 star read for me. Not great, but fine. Where this careened off a cliff for me was the third act relationship complication. Jefferies has never executed this well. With Callie she got away with it because the rest of the book was so good and the plot device came and was resolved so quick it didn't have time to ruin the whole book. In Tara's book it took a solid 4 star (possible 5 star) read down to a reluctant 3. With this book it took a 3 star read to a 1, and me jumping off the Jefferies train. The backstory is that Lance has been left twice by two separate fiancees. He has ambandonment issues clearly. Jess, dear ol Jess, in a relationship with Lance, decides that she wants to pursue fashion design in New York. The reader hardly knows about this, and you know who else doesn't know, her boyfriend who has been abandoned twice before. She tells him as an aside while asking for time off, because yes he's her boss. She then gets upset when he's not excited that he's girlfriend is leaving for a few days and didn't bother to tell him. Why isn't he purely excited for her? Lance apologises, fine.
She then goes off to New York and ignore Lance entirely. No texts, no nothing. Despite his efforts to reach her. Lance finds some pride and breaks up with her and Jess is again clueless about why he's reacting this way. Even if he hadn't been abandoned before, in what universe is this good behaviour. I felt from feeling pretty apathetic towards Jess to downright hostility towards her. In my darkest moments, I thought maybe Tara was unto something when she wanted to get Alec away from Jess.
Anyway, we have more plotting whiplash where in one moment Jess is having the time of her life in New York, to the next instant (I cannot stress enough how instantaneous these two polarising emotions and thoughts were), realising she doesn't want to be in New York and the person who's mentoring her is going to steal her designs etc. Rid.i.cu.lous.
She goes back to Charleston, and Lance had gone to visit his mum in Florida. This is when I went nuclear. On returning home, Lance's thoughts is on apologising to Jess(?) and winning her back. I don't mind him winning her back and all but why is he being told by everyone and himself that he's in the wrong. Where is Jess's accountability that she can't treat people like objects in her life, who are supposed to react and act based solely on her needs and wants which can change like the flitting wind.
I can't think anymore about this book. I hated it. I hated Jess. I hated this so much.
For a series that started off so strong, I'm disappointed with this installment - so disappointed. And yes I can say I hated this. I loved Callie's book, and mostly enjoyed Tara's book. With both of those there was great character and relationship development and tons of chemistry between the love interests. Where Tara's book lost me, was with her random foray into cruelty where she attempted to deprive the love of her life his best friend simply because said best friend was a girl and Tara hasn't dealt with all her insecurities. What rescued that book from the same star fate that this book suffers, was the resolution to that plot line. Tara owns her actions, apologises for them and does better. And even though I hated the jealousy plot device from a character perspective, there was groundwork to justify her terrible actions.
I cannot say the same for this book. All of the things that worked wonderfully in the first two books were missing and all of the issues from those two books were found here. A case in point is editing. I always stress that editing is not my pet peeve with books. A minor typo here and there yes will remove me briefly from the flow of the story but if the rest of the book is good and the storytelling is strong that's not going to ruin anything for me. The editing with this book goes beyond careless typos though. It feels like there are entire portions of scenes missing. Even within dialogue between characters I often felt like something had been removed but the surrounding work hadn't been adjusted. This was an issue I had with Tara's book too.
Moving on, to chemistry - or lack there of. There was no groundwork laid for Jess and Lance. They were just together. I hadn't gotten to really know them, which is ridiculous since it's their book. And no, them being in the early installations does not count. Those are teasers, samplers, we're seeing them in very specific contexts that have nothing to do with them. In their own book, there's nothing further added. There was no spark. I had no time to root for them before they got together and I was absolutely not invested when they were in a relationship. Adding insult to injury are the entire chapters we gave away to Sabrina and Jason, and if you don't recognise their names, that's because they're random people. Literally random people, who are suddenly, and I mean suddenly, inserted into the narrative to start laying the groundwork for their book which I will not be reading. Not solely because of my poor experience with this book, but also because everything we got from them was annoying, exhausting and frustrating so no thank you. But glad we got to leave the main protagonists to learn about these strangers who also lacked chemistry but made up for it with caustic interactions *heavy heavy sarcasm*.
All of this wouldn't warrant a 1 star rating, up to the 50% mark this was a solid 3 star read for me. Not great, but fine. Where this careened off a cliff for me was the third act relationship complication. Jefferies has never executed this well. With Callie she got away with it because the rest of the book was so good and the plot device came and was resolved so quick it didn't have time to ruin the whole book. In Tara's book it took a solid 4 star (possible 5 star) read down to a reluctant 3. With this book it took a 3 star read to a 1, and me jumping off the Jefferies train. The backstory is that Lance has been left twice by two separate fiancees. He has ambandonment issues clearly. Jess, dear ol Jess, in a relationship with Lance, decides that she wants to pursue fashion design in New York. The reader hardly knows about this, and you know who else doesn't know, her boyfriend who has been abandoned twice before. She tells him as an aside while asking for time off, because yes he's her boss. She then gets upset when he's not excited that he's girlfriend is leaving for a few days and didn't bother to tell him. Why isn't he purely excited for her? Lance apologises, fine.
She then goes off to New York and ignore Lance entirely. No texts, no nothing. Despite his efforts to reach her. Lance finds some pride and breaks up with her and Jess is again clueless about why he's reacting this way. Even if he hadn't been abandoned before, in what universe is this good behaviour. I felt from feeling pretty apathetic towards Jess to downright hostility towards her. In my darkest moments, I thought maybe Tara was unto something when she wanted to get Alec away from Jess.
Anyway, we have more plotting whiplash where in one moment Jess is having the time of her life in New York, to the next instant (I cannot stress enough how instantaneous these two polarising emotions and thoughts were), realising she doesn't want to be in New York and the person who's mentoring her is going to steal her designs etc. Rid.i.cu.lous.
She goes back to Charleston, and Lance had gone to visit his mum in Florida. This is when I went nuclear. On returning home, Lance's thoughts is on apologising to Jess(?) and winning her back. I don't mind him winning her back and all but why is he being told by everyone and himself that he's in the wrong. Where is Jess's accountability that she can't treat people like objects in her life, who are supposed to react and act based solely on her needs and wants which can change like the flitting wind.
I can't think anymore about this book. I hated it. I hated Jess. I hated this so much.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 23, 2025
2.75 ⭐️
Would’ve given this the same as the others if it weren’t for the female leads incessant need to make everything into an acronym 🙄
Would’ve given this the same as the others if it weren’t for the female leads incessant need to make everything into an acronym 🙄
March 28, 2023
I was all in with this book. Loving every moment of it and watching Lance and Jessie figure out what they want to mean to one another. But then they hit their stumbling block and the character I thought was in the right was the one expected to apologize. You can imagine the record-scratch that shrilled across my brain. Now, the one who I thought was the true ‘guilty party’ does make a token apology, but at that point, the story had pretty much lost me. I was somewhat intrigued by what we saw of the next pairing in the chapters told from their perspectives, however I’m hoping the spitefulness we’re seeing in them now will get toned down in their own book.
October 3, 2025
Okay.
I wanted to like this more but honestly found it a bit boring. They both liked each other from the very beginning and wanted to date each other but just… didn’t.
The NY design stuff that gave them conflict was just a loose thread that never really got wrapped up.
Idk, there just wasn’t enough stuff going on for me.
I wanted to like this more but honestly found it a bit boring. They both liked each other from the very beginning and wanted to date each other but just… didn’t.
The NY design stuff that gave them conflict was just a loose thread that never really got wrapped up.
Idk, there just wasn’t enough stuff going on for me.
July 1, 2023
This series is just a really sweet, fun read. This book follows Lance and Jess. They are really good for each other. Even though the endings in these books are predictable, I still enjoy them.
May 5, 2024
Third book in the series and I listened to the same plot for the third time. Idc- it’s cute and sweet
October 4, 2021
(4.5 stars) - Succumbing to the overwhelming onslaught of Southern charm
It's not necessary to read the previous books in the series to enjoy this one, but it's one of those where you have a growing cadre of friends, so there's more depth to the characters & their stories if you start from the beginning
So if you read the previous book, then you know that Jess has had a difficult time & people keep misjudging her. And Lance is kind of a bear.
Lance has been thru romance hades, & his strong, stoic, put together demeanor hides a guy who's aching inside & wondering what's wrong with him & trying to wall it all off. So Jess can't figure him out because Lance is an ambivalent mess.
The little mix-up where they sort of end up fake dating, which is obviously more because they want to than because they need to but neither wants to admit it, is subtly hilarious
The dichotomy between how Jess sees Lance & what the author lets us see actually going thru Lance's brain is fun. So are his dog & ring tones & their adjective alphabet game.
And the author kept me guessing so I never knew which direction she was going to take her characters. Totally entertaining!
*Romance level: passionate kisses, nothing graphic
It's not necessary to read the previous books in the series to enjoy this one, but it's one of those where you have a growing cadre of friends, so there's more depth to the characters & their stories if you start from the beginning
So if you read the previous book, then you know that Jess has had a difficult time & people keep misjudging her. And Lance is kind of a bear.
Lance has been thru romance hades, & his strong, stoic, put together demeanor hides a guy who's aching inside & wondering what's wrong with him & trying to wall it all off. So Jess can't figure him out because Lance is an ambivalent mess.
The little mix-up where they sort of end up fake dating, which is obviously more because they want to than because they need to but neither wants to admit it, is subtly hilarious
The dichotomy between how Jess sees Lance & what the author lets us see actually going thru Lance's brain is fun. So are his dog & ring tones & their adjective alphabet game.
And the author kept me guessing so I never knew which direction she was going to take her characters. Totally entertaining!
*Romance level: passionate kisses, nothing graphic
October 3, 2021
This is book three of the Southern Roots Sweet RomCom series and the main characters are Jessie (Jessica) Dunaway and Lance Byers. Jessie has left her parents grand home and been cut off from any money from them, after getting fed up with her mother’s constant parade of men at least twice her age that she should be interested in being married off to! She has moved to Charleston and managed to get a job at a real estate firm, whilst knowing nothing at all about the business. She is having to live with her Uncle Rick and her cousin, in another big home with strict expectations of dress code and so on, as a Southern belle. Her new boss is Lance Byers and she is his new assistant and is supposed to anticipate everything he wants, even before he wants it, with him throwing lots of new words and acronyms at her. She has to learn fast and on the job, but she is willing to work hard and needs the job desperately enough, to work her evenings and weekends to learn how. He even brings in a friend, Callie, to show her how to get things organised and get started, but she is finding the real estate industry runs at its own super-fast pace and she just has to try and hold on. Lance may be handsome and extremely smart, but he also can give the meanest looks and has never even said thank you or please to her. He just expects everything to have been done and for her to be ready for the next job.
He makes a comment about her always wearing red to the office and so she has to sort out something different, but he is one to talk! He is buttoned up to the eyeballs all the time and has no sense of colour matching with his clothes, wearing garish coloured shoes and plain ties that don’t match his suit. She clearly has to help him out on that point, while he offers to help train her in the real estate industry. She wants to succeed, so that she can finally have a place she can call her own, even if it is nothing like her family home, it will be hers and she will be able to afford it. Lance has been hurt in the recent past and is on a date free timeout, not wanting to have his heart broken again, by another woman. He is brisk and business like and rarely happy. Jessie comes up with different acronyms for him, depending on his mood. When Jessie tries to take on a client of her own, the client believes the two of them are together and they agree to have a pretend dating situation between them, while she tries to find a home for this tricky client. This starts off a whole list of what expectations there should be in this fake dating experience, such as holding hands and so on, leading to them each having real feelings for the other, but unable to figure out if they can tell the other person or not. Jessie worries she could lose her job and lance has to think about the boss and employee relationship issue and whether that could upset things in the small office.
Jesse has a secret dream that she has told no one else about apart from her best friend Alec, and this leads to her needing to go away for a few days. The absence should have made their feelings stronger for each other, but when one doesn’t call or text as expected, the other thinks they have found something else they wish to do and have left them, leaving them feeling broken. It is a massive mistake and both are unsure what to do to try and fix matters, but are lucky to have a group of friends and family who help them see the error of their ways and how to fix the problem between them. They bare their souls to each other and find he is human after all and had felt the absence maybe even harder than she had, given his past history with women he thought he loved! A lovely tale of office romance between a boss and his assistant, with plenty of examples between their friends of such relationships, and a fun game of descriptive adjectives for each other and a love of acronyms. I look forward to catching some of the other stories in this series and the next one when it is out. I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
He makes a comment about her always wearing red to the office and so she has to sort out something different, but he is one to talk! He is buttoned up to the eyeballs all the time and has no sense of colour matching with his clothes, wearing garish coloured shoes and plain ties that don’t match his suit. She clearly has to help him out on that point, while he offers to help train her in the real estate industry. She wants to succeed, so that she can finally have a place she can call her own, even if it is nothing like her family home, it will be hers and she will be able to afford it. Lance has been hurt in the recent past and is on a date free timeout, not wanting to have his heart broken again, by another woman. He is brisk and business like and rarely happy. Jessie comes up with different acronyms for him, depending on his mood. When Jessie tries to take on a client of her own, the client believes the two of them are together and they agree to have a pretend dating situation between them, while she tries to find a home for this tricky client. This starts off a whole list of what expectations there should be in this fake dating experience, such as holding hands and so on, leading to them each having real feelings for the other, but unable to figure out if they can tell the other person or not. Jessie worries she could lose her job and lance has to think about the boss and employee relationship issue and whether that could upset things in the small office.
Jesse has a secret dream that she has told no one else about apart from her best friend Alec, and this leads to her needing to go away for a few days. The absence should have made their feelings stronger for each other, but when one doesn’t call or text as expected, the other thinks they have found something else they wish to do and have left them, leaving them feeling broken. It is a massive mistake and both are unsure what to do to try and fix matters, but are lucky to have a group of friends and family who help them see the error of their ways and how to fix the problem between them. They bare their souls to each other and find he is human after all and had felt the absence maybe even harder than she had, given his past history with women he thought he loved! A lovely tale of office romance between a boss and his assistant, with plenty of examples between their friends of such relationships, and a fun game of descriptive adjectives for each other and a love of acronyms. I look forward to catching some of the other stories in this series and the next one when it is out. I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
March 24, 2025
I stopped reading at the end of chapter 25.
This book has too many extra chapters from side characters, which doesn't really belong, other than to get into book 4.
I was disappointed in book 2 because Tara needed to do the grand gesture and not Alec. Decided I'd try the 3rd and hope for a better outcome.
Jessie goes off to New York, not telling anyone, until the last minute. She is only telling Lance because he's her boss, and she needs time off. She gets mad at him for not being excited for her, but he apologized, and all was good.
Then Jessie goes to New York. Lance texts her multiple times and complete radio silence from Jessie, but she has time to talk to Callie, only to get advice on how to ask for additional time off professionally. Which Lance finds out about. They only talk because he calls her on Sunday (when she was suppose to return home), and he breaks up with her during the call.
Good for him. That man has been left twice by 2 fiancées.
He returns home from a trip to Florida to visit his parents (kinda random, but whatever) and the entire gang minus Jessie bombard him at the airport, telling him he needs to plan a grand gesture at Tara's wedding? Absolutely not!
Lance didn't do anything wrong. Jessie failed to communicate. Jessie didn't once think about how Lance's past may make him feel about her leaving basically without a word, or about how her lack of communication with him, really is a form of communication with him.
I refuse to finish this book. I'm over the guy having to do the big grand gesture for completely realistic reactions to horrible treatment from their female counterpart.
How these books have higher ratings is crazy to me.
This book has too many extra chapters from side characters, which doesn't really belong, other than to get into book 4.
I was disappointed in book 2 because Tara needed to do the grand gesture and not Alec. Decided I'd try the 3rd and hope for a better outcome.
Jessie goes off to New York, not telling anyone, until the last minute. She is only telling Lance because he's her boss, and she needs time off. She gets mad at him for not being excited for her, but he apologized, and all was good.
Then Jessie goes to New York. Lance texts her multiple times and complete radio silence from Jessie, but she has time to talk to Callie, only to get advice on how to ask for additional time off professionally. Which Lance finds out about. They only talk because he calls her on Sunday (when she was suppose to return home), and he breaks up with her during the call.
Good for him. That man has been left twice by 2 fiancées.
He returns home from a trip to Florida to visit his parents (kinda random, but whatever) and the entire gang minus Jessie bombard him at the airport, telling him he needs to plan a grand gesture at Tara's wedding? Absolutely not!
Lance didn't do anything wrong. Jessie failed to communicate. Jessie didn't once think about how Lance's past may make him feel about her leaving basically without a word, or about how her lack of communication with him, really is a form of communication with him.
I refuse to finish this book. I'm over the guy having to do the big grand gesture for completely realistic reactions to horrible treatment from their female counterpart.
How these books have higher ratings is crazy to me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 22, 2025
I’ve been trying to rate these for what they are. Reading rom-coms means you aren’t really looking for a literary masterpiece, no more than you would watch Hallmark and look for a cinematic one.
I like the simplicity of this series and that it’s like an escape. I can listen and enjoy without having to go too deep. I’ve enjoyed the characters from previous books being introduced in the next ones, so we can continue to follow their stories and the overall friendships.
I wasn’t a fan of all the acronyms in this one. It just seemed like a cheesy character trait. I also don’t understand why the fake dating plot is so heavy in this series. It made (some) sense in the first one, was a bit of a stretch in the second, and by the third it just seemed wholly unnecessary.
I’m planning to continue the series but that’s one aspect I hope changes. I’ve literally never known anyone in my life that has fake dated, so seeing this trend in an entire friend group seems a bit absurd. Especially since with each book the characters seem like they’ve never encountered this dilemma, even though at this point every couple that’s gotten together is from this group in some way & the relationships start off fake.
The only other gripe I have is some of the things said from an SC perspective that no one in NC or SC would ever actually say. No one in SC calls it Carolina. We would say THE Carolinas in reference to the states together, but we don’t call either state just Carolina. I can’t remember other things I’ve caught like that, but there have been a few. Just things that actual North or South Carolinians would not say.
Overall, it’s a cute & fun series, that you just can’t take too seriously.
I like the simplicity of this series and that it’s like an escape. I can listen and enjoy without having to go too deep. I’ve enjoyed the characters from previous books being introduced in the next ones, so we can continue to follow their stories and the overall friendships.
I wasn’t a fan of all the acronyms in this one. It just seemed like a cheesy character trait. I also don’t understand why the fake dating plot is so heavy in this series. It made (some) sense in the first one, was a bit of a stretch in the second, and by the third it just seemed wholly unnecessary.
I’m planning to continue the series but that’s one aspect I hope changes. I’ve literally never known anyone in my life that has fake dated, so seeing this trend in an entire friend group seems a bit absurd. Especially since with each book the characters seem like they’ve never encountered this dilemma, even though at this point every couple that’s gotten together is from this group in some way & the relationships start off fake.
The only other gripe I have is some of the things said from an SC perspective that no one in NC or SC would ever actually say. No one in SC calls it Carolina. We would say THE Carolinas in reference to the states together, but we don’t call either state just Carolina. I can’t remember other things I’ve caught like that, but there have been a few. Just things that actual North or South Carolinians would not say.
Overall, it’s a cute & fun series, that you just can’t take too seriously.
October 1, 2021
'Just His Assistant' by Donna Jeffries is the third book in her Southern Roots Sweet RomCom series and tells the story of Jessie, who works as an executive assistant, and Lance, her grumpy, arrogant boss. Jessie is new to the real estate business but determined to be a success because she doesn't want to have to move back in with her mom and dad and wants to show them that she can be independent. Lance is a successful real estate agent and doesn't want to have to wait for anything from his assistant or teach her how to do her job. When an important facet of a deal is dropped Jessica is not willing to take the blame and pulls on her big girl panties to go in and talk to Lance about the issue. Lance and Jessica really talk to each other and connect realizing that they have more things in common then not. Could this Southern Belle help her surly boss become less of a curmudgeon? Could Lance convince Jessica to give him a chance?
Ms. Jeffries has written a delightful addition to her series. This book has wonderful characters and a compelling storyline. This story is filled with humor, drama, some snarkiness, laughs, chemistry, and a little heat. I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to everyone who enjoys a story with heart.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Ms. Jeffries has written a delightful addition to her series. This book has wonderful characters and a compelling storyline. This story is filled with humor, drama, some snarkiness, laughs, chemistry, and a little heat. I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to everyone who enjoys a story with heart.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 2, 2021
🍼👶
I am constitutionally incapable of liking characters who are obliviously bad at everything, lazy, and generally fumble and bumble through life expecting other people to make up for their total lack of competence until they find a spouse to take care of them like they’re an infant. Jessica-call-me-Jessie isn’t able to live on her own or pay her own bills or handle her own life in any way and expects everyone else to provide for her. She lives with her Uncle and her friends have to buy her clothes because she eats a 1/2 stick of butter on muffins before stopping at the bakery on her way to work every morning, and, for the life of her, she just can’t figure out why her boss wants her to show up and do her job. Thinking is hard! Working is hard! Who can be expected to both think and work?!? She’s too much of a flighty dink to work out how to make it to work all the days of the week that she’s supposed to be there even though she wakes up at 5am to have enough time to trowel on her 4” thick make-up, do 19 layers of lip stain, and tease her hair 7” off her head like a real Southern lady who wears white after Labor Day and falls down when she tries to get into a car.
I am constitutionally incapable of liking characters who are obliviously bad at everything, lazy, and generally fumble and bumble through life expecting other people to make up for their total lack of competence until they find a spouse to take care of them like they’re an infant. Jessica-call-me-Jessie isn’t able to live on her own or pay her own bills or handle her own life in any way and expects everyone else to provide for her. She lives with her Uncle and her friends have to buy her clothes because she eats a 1/2 stick of butter on muffins before stopping at the bakery on her way to work every morning, and, for the life of her, she just can’t figure out why her boss wants her to show up and do her job. Thinking is hard! Working is hard! Who can be expected to both think and work?!? She’s too much of a flighty dink to work out how to make it to work all the days of the week that she’s supposed to be there even though she wakes up at 5am to have enough time to trowel on her 4” thick make-up, do 19 layers of lip stain, and tease her hair 7” off her head like a real Southern lady who wears white after Labor Day and falls down when she tries to get into a car.
October 31, 2021
It took me a bit to finish this book, mainly because of Jessie. I have the hardest time liking characters who don’t even try to make something of themselves. I’m not a person who feels women need to be so independent they cannot ask for help or have people prop them up when they are down, but if you aren’t even trying. If you just expect life to be handed to you? That I don’t like, nor do I like it in the heroine. And Lance, poor Lance. He apologizes for everything. His clothes, his belief in her (she says she cannot do something so he removes the case from her and she accuses him of not believing in her), he just needed to grow a backbone. I wish he was stronger and told her that she needed to grow up and actually try to learn the business, instead of expecting him to hold her hand through it. It does have a HEA, so there’s that. It’s my first book by this author, but I’m not sure I’ll be trying any more.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 15, 2021
Could have been more
I am enjoying this series, however this book was not as deep as the last couple books.
What really turned me off this book was two things. It felt a little surface. Which was sad because I liked the story premise more. Jess was one of the mist interesting in this world and felt like I did not vet to see all she had to offer.
The second was the multiple chapters from the characters of the next book. She has done this in the past and I liked it. However there were 4 chapters this way. Although they were interacting with Jess and Lance it was two much. I felt like it took away from valuable Lance and Jess time.
All told the book was written, did not see an editing mistake. I just felt it could have been mire from two characters that had such unique backgrounds that we did not get to see. There was no epilogue so did not get the HEA I was looking for. I will keep reading the series because sometimes you want a world you know, that is also clean.
I am enjoying this series, however this book was not as deep as the last couple books.
What really turned me off this book was two things. It felt a little surface. Which was sad because I liked the story premise more. Jess was one of the mist interesting in this world and felt like I did not vet to see all she had to offer.
The second was the multiple chapters from the characters of the next book. She has done this in the past and I liked it. However there were 4 chapters this way. Although they were interacting with Jess and Lance it was two much. I felt like it took away from valuable Lance and Jess time.
All told the book was written, did not see an editing mistake. I just felt it could have been mire from two characters that had such unique backgrounds that we did not get to see. There was no epilogue so did not get the HEA I was looking for. I will keep reading the series because sometimes you want a world you know, that is also clean.
September 21, 2021
I am really enjoying this series of books. The characters have so much personality they feel like real people.
Jessie Dunaway is a southern belle trying to learn about the rest estate business. Her boss is one of the top five realtors but is surly and expects her to read his mind and anticipate his needs. She knows nothing about administration work but is eager to learn.
Lance Byers is recovering from being dumped by his second fiance four months ago. He is on a self proclaimed woman fast, but he is very attracted to his new assistant. Their circle of friends overlap and they encourage the duo to get together. They start a relationship but when Jessie goes to New York to talk about her designs Lance panics and has to work to get her back. They eventually get their HEA and her career starts to take off.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Jessie Dunaway is a southern belle trying to learn about the rest estate business. Her boss is one of the top five realtors but is surly and expects her to read his mind and anticipate his needs. She knows nothing about administration work but is eager to learn.
Lance Byers is recovering from being dumped by his second fiance four months ago. He is on a self proclaimed woman fast, but he is very attracted to his new assistant. Their circle of friends overlap and they encourage the duo to get together. They start a relationship but when Jessie goes to New York to talk about her designs Lance panics and has to work to get her back. They eventually get their HEA and her career starts to take off.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 4, 2021
Not Suited to Work ? . . .
Jessie Dunaway is trying to understand all the pieces of the real estate world. Lance Byers, her boss, is a top realtor but very demanding and expecting her to know what he wants before he even thinks it. She just doesn’t seem to get it very easily and is struggling. She can’t go back home and she has no other funds. She needs this job. So she finally decides to be honest with him.
Lance Byers has been dumped by yet another fiancée and he’s still trying to get over it. He brings someone in to teach Jessie a little to help her. When they have to pretend to be dating, real feelings start to arise, but they don’t talk about it. And when Jessie goes to New York for her personal reasons, Lance’s insecurities kick in and things get messy. Can they straighten out their feelings and find their way back to each other? Can they learn to communicate so that these stressful situations can be managed better?
Jessie Dunaway is trying to understand all the pieces of the real estate world. Lance Byers, her boss, is a top realtor but very demanding and expecting her to know what he wants before he even thinks it. She just doesn’t seem to get it very easily and is struggling. She can’t go back home and she has no other funds. She needs this job. So she finally decides to be honest with him.
Lance Byers has been dumped by yet another fiancée and he’s still trying to get over it. He brings someone in to teach Jessie a little to help her. When they have to pretend to be dating, real feelings start to arise, but they don’t talk about it. And when Jessie goes to New York for her personal reasons, Lance’s insecurities kick in and things get messy. Can they straighten out their feelings and find their way back to each other? Can they learn to communicate so that these stressful situations can be managed better?
July 9, 2024
2.25 ⭐
This book:
This FMC genuinely annoyed me, she just ticked me off the wrong fucking way, especially with the third act breakup, like yes he shouldn't have broken up with her for ONLY that, but the way she acts like the victim for him breaking up with her when she wasn't respecting and literally ghosted him, and then she gets confused and acts like something is wrong with him because he got upset at it??? And then HE ends up being the one who needs to grovel and beg for forgiveness when he didn't do anything wrong??
This series:
Why does this author reuse the same plot in every. Single. Fucking. Book. In. This. Series. Like I'm sorry, but the fake dating, with the awkward rule list thingy, WITH ESSENTIALLY THE SAME FUCKING DIALOGUE DURING IT, and how there's always the fall when she falls and he falls over her or whatever?? And they get together waaaay too soon and it just becomes boring
This book:
This FMC genuinely annoyed me, she just ticked me off the wrong fucking way, especially with the third act breakup, like yes he shouldn't have broken up with her for ONLY that, but the way she acts like the victim for him breaking up with her when she wasn't respecting and literally ghosted him, and then she gets confused and acts like something is wrong with him because he got upset at it??? And then HE ends up being the one who needs to grovel and beg for forgiveness when he didn't do anything wrong??
This series:
Why does this author reuse the same plot in every. Single. Fucking. Book. In. This. Series. Like I'm sorry, but the fake dating, with the awkward rule list thingy, WITH ESSENTIALLY THE SAME FUCKING DIALOGUE DURING IT, and how there's always the fall when she falls and he falls over her or whatever?? And they get together waaaay too soon and it just becomes boring
June 2, 2024
Just his what now?
This is the third book in the series. The romance between Lance and Jess starts in the last book, just like the groundwork for the next book is included in this one. That being said you can still enjoy each of these stories as a seperate read. Since it is a friend group characters from past books and future books are all seen regularly together. A previous couple gets married in this story.
The author does a fantastic job of highlighting the budding romance of the featured couple while also still bringing to life and rounding out last and future characters.
Although the love story here is resolved we know things are not complete for these two as there are still parts of the storyline that are not fully resolved in this book.
It has left me eagar to see if Jess gets her career sorted in the background of J&S's story.
This is the third book in the series. The romance between Lance and Jess starts in the last book, just like the groundwork for the next book is included in this one. That being said you can still enjoy each of these stories as a seperate read. Since it is a friend group characters from past books and future books are all seen regularly together. A previous couple gets married in this story.
The author does a fantastic job of highlighting the budding romance of the featured couple while also still bringing to life and rounding out last and future characters.
Although the love story here is resolved we know things are not complete for these two as there are still parts of the storyline that are not fully resolved in this book.
It has left me eagar to see if Jess gets her career sorted in the background of J&S's story.
May 30, 2025
I'm a little confused because Spotify has this audiobook authored by Elana Johnson. Maybe Donna Jeffries and Elana Johnson are the same person? Or they have it mislabeled? Or, one of them is the voice over...not sure.
Anyway, I really liked this book. There was the main protagonist, Lance and his secretary Jessie. Towards the end of the audio book, two more character's show up and begin their own story which is almost like an interruption to this romantic comedy read. They are so opposite, they do not parallel with the main characters and story. They should have their own story for people that like drama.
This author has a way to tell even the small nuances of a story that makes it flow as if one can actually see it. I look forward to reading more from this author, whoever it is!
Anyway, I really liked this book. There was the main protagonist, Lance and his secretary Jessie. Towards the end of the audio book, two more character's show up and begin their own story which is almost like an interruption to this romantic comedy read. They are so opposite, they do not parallel with the main characters and story. They should have their own story for people that like drama.
This author has a way to tell even the small nuances of a story that makes it flow as if one can actually see it. I look forward to reading more from this author, whoever it is!
June 1, 2022
Acronyms Forever
Jess is the queen of acronyms, one of her many endearing traits, and she names her car Lucille Ball (along with Lance’s truck -Mammoth). She’s flirty and fun and a ray of sunshine compared to grumpy Lance who thinks it’s his right after not one but two failed engagements. This is a fun, funny read with LOL moments and some angst and reality. Their friend group is a great support and we’ve seen them before in the first two books, but it can be read as a standalone. Don’t miss this series if you want a lighthearted clean read. There are a few editing errors but not enough to be too distracting. On to the next one.
Jess is the queen of acronyms, one of her many endearing traits, and she names her car Lucille Ball (along with Lance’s truck -Mammoth). She’s flirty and fun and a ray of sunshine compared to grumpy Lance who thinks it’s his right after not one but two failed engagements. This is a fun, funny read with LOL moments and some angst and reality. Their friend group is a great support and we’ve seen them before in the first two books, but it can be read as a standalone. Don’t miss this series if you want a lighthearted clean read. There are a few editing errors but not enough to be too distracting. On to the next one.
June 27, 2025
Plot: After his second attempt at finding love and settling down, Lance goes on a female fast. He is sworn off to women, that is, until he hires Jessie, to be his assistant at his fast paced real estate company. After spending a lot of time together, he realizes that maybe he doesn’t want a female fast after all. How will their time together change his feelings? Will he get over Hadley? How will her past determine her willingness to jump into a relationship?
What I liked: I liked that Lance took Jessie under his wing and showed her the business side of things. I also liked that both of these characters got a redemption story after the first two books.
What I didn’t like: I didn’t like Lances attitude at the beginning. I read book one, so I knew the history there, but it was still difficult to accept. I also wish Jessie would have called him out about the interview time thing after they were better friends
Swearing: none
Physical intimacy level: closed door, swoony kisses
Star rating: 4 stars
Trope: workplace romance, small town romance, interconnected series, boss employee
What I liked: I liked that Lance took Jessie under his wing and showed her the business side of things. I also liked that both of these characters got a redemption story after the first two books.
What I didn’t like: I didn’t like Lances attitude at the beginning. I read book one, so I knew the history there, but it was still difficult to accept. I also wish Jessie would have called him out about the interview time thing after they were better friends
Swearing: none
Physical intimacy level: closed door, swoony kisses
Star rating: 4 stars
Trope: workplace romance, small town romance, interconnected series, boss employee
January 25, 2026
All the books in the Southern Roots Sweet Romcom series are basically the same: grumpy man, fake dating, HEA.
I expect the same tropes—that’s fine—but the story itself should be different. This feels like they took one formula, did a “replace all” on the names, and called it a day. (Okay, I’m exaggerating… a little.)
I’ll probably still finish the series because I’m snowed in, don’t feel like hunting for a new book, and I’m not a quitter. But I wouldn’t recommend starting it.
Honestly, it should’ve been obvious from the titles:
Just His Secretary (book one)
Just His Boss (book two)
Just His Assistant (book three)
I expect the same tropes—that’s fine—but the story itself should be different. This feels like they took one formula, did a “replace all” on the names, and called it a day. (Okay, I’m exaggerating… a little.)
I’ll probably still finish the series because I’m snowed in, don’t feel like hunting for a new book, and I’m not a quitter. But I wouldn’t recommend starting it.
Honestly, it should’ve been obvious from the titles:
Just His Secretary (book one)
Just His Boss (book two)
Just His Assistant (book three)
October 2, 2021
Lol. How cute a story for Jess and Lance! I loved it. Especially the wedding! There’s so much fun in retrieving all of the lovely characters from the former books in the series as well as to get to know those new once’s.With all the knowledge about Hadley from the last book I am really glad for Lance that he hired Jess as his assistant. And for Jess to find her way in life. I am cheering for them and would love to read about a spring wedding soon!
Enjoy your read!
I received a free copy of this book from the author via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Enjoy your read!
I received a free copy of this book from the author via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Read
April 15, 2025Jessie and Lance were cute, with him teaching her how to become a realtor.
Lance realized he was in love with her and messed it up when she wanted to go after her dream of fashion and whatnot. She never stated she was going to up and leave, it was just a meeting. Don't they say you never know what you have until it's gone? That's what happened to Lance, his life wasn't the same without her. I think it would have been more romantic to wait to propose at the restaurant he had reservations for. It is cool how all the stories mix within all the friendships, after one love story its another.
Lance realized he was in love with her and messed it up when she wanted to go after her dream of fashion and whatnot. She never stated she was going to up and leave, it was just a meeting. Don't they say you never know what you have until it's gone? That's what happened to Lance, his life wasn't the same without her. I think it would have been more romantic to wait to propose at the restaurant he had reservations for. It is cool how all the stories mix within all the friendships, after one love story its another.
September 30, 2021
I really like this series, it’s funny, a lot of hilarious moments, sweet and romantic with some drama.
I really like all the characters so far, they feel like I’ve known them quite some time!
Jess is a Southern girl and follows her dreams, Lance on the other hand was a harsh guy but transformed into a real sweet guy.
I can’t wait to read Jason’s story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I really like all the characters so far, they feel like I’ve known them quite some time!
Jess is a Southern girl and follows her dreams, Lance on the other hand was a harsh guy but transformed into a real sweet guy.
I can’t wait to read Jason’s story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
October 21, 2021
I really liked how this story turned out. I thought there were some really sweet, aww- worthy moments. The first 1/3 of the book I had some difficulties following who was speaking and who pronouns were referring to. It took some time for me to get used to the acronyms and the voice of the characters. There's a lot of anthropomorphizing going on, which added to some of the pronoun confusion for me. Overall I liked the book!
January 12, 2022
Just His Assistant: A Sweet Romantic Comedy (Southern Roots Sweet Rincon Book 3)
Jess needs a job and her friend tells her that Lance needs an assistant for his Real Estate Company. She is terrified because she has never worked in Real Estate. Lance decides to mentor her even though he is drawn to her. He tells her they are professionals only. Jess starts picking Lances ties and his shirts. Their feelings for each other grow and they start a relationship.
Jess needs a job and her friend tells her that Lance needs an assistant for his Real Estate Company. She is terrified because she has never worked in Real Estate. Lance decides to mentor her even though he is drawn to her. He tells her they are professionals only. Jess starts picking Lances ties and his shirts. Their feelings for each other grow and they start a relationship.
April 6, 2023
Really Great Series
I'm really enjoying this series and getting to know all the characters. I like that characters from previous books show up in books as the series continues. Lance had been engaged twice and had sworn off dating. Jess has left her parents home and wants to make her own way and figure out what she wants her life to be. These two are so good for each other but it takes them awhile to figure out how to get to their HEA. A captivating read.
I'm really enjoying this series and getting to know all the characters. I like that characters from previous books show up in books as the series continues. Lance had been engaged twice and had sworn off dating. Jess has left her parents home and wants to make her own way and figure out what she wants her life to be. These two are so good for each other but it takes them awhile to figure out how to get to their HEA. A captivating read.
May 5, 2024
Another one in the bag!
I love this series! Elana has done this book with Jessie and Lance justice! The one who was running away from a controlling mama and the one running away from the painful past of heartbreak. They found a way to make things work not only professionally, but as a couple. And the way it happened? I was rolling laughing and in tears! I love the comedy in these books. Please keep them coming!
I love this series! Elana has done this book with Jessie and Lance justice! The one who was running away from a controlling mama and the one running away from the painful past of heartbreak. They found a way to make things work not only professionally, but as a couple. And the way it happened? I was rolling laughing and in tears! I love the comedy in these books. Please keep them coming!
October 1, 2021
I received this as an arc for my honest review
This was a cute rom com. This was the second book in the series that I’ve read and I like that even though the stories overlap they can definitely be read as standalones. I liked the chemistry between Lance and Jessie, they seemed to keep each other on their toes. This was an enjoyable read.
This was a cute rom com. This was the second book in the series that I’ve read and I like that even though the stories overlap they can definitely be read as standalones. I liked the chemistry between Lance and Jessie, they seemed to keep each other on their toes. This was an enjoyable read.
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