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Hostile Takeover #1
Hostile Takeover
It was supposed to be a prank. A silly frat boy dare.
One hot moment in a hidden storage closet. One kiss. No consequences.
But if you get that close to a man with fire in his eyes, you’re gonna get burned, and I was no exception. One taste of Grey Blackwood ruined me for life.
The way Grey sees it, I was the one who did the ruining. I humiliated him. Wrecked his life. Destroyed his future.
Doesn’t matter that he’s clawed his way back and then some. Doesn’t matter that he’s already top of the Wall Street food chain. The man’s ruthless. Heartless. And he likes his revenge served cold.
Now he’s taking down the companies owned by every frat boy who did him wrong. And when he comes for my family’s company, the quiet life I’ve built for myself far away from Manhattan comes crumbling down, too.
But when Grey’s standing in our boardroom, threatening a hostile takeover and demanding I negotiate on behalf of my family, I don’t see an enemy. I see the chance I’ve been waiting for.
The chance for another night in his arms, and hopefully a whole lot more.
Let the negotiations begin.
Hostile Takeover is a full-length, standalone novel.
One hot moment in a hidden storage closet. One kiss. No consequences.
But if you get that close to a man with fire in his eyes, you’re gonna get burned, and I was no exception. One taste of Grey Blackwood ruined me for life.
The way Grey sees it, I was the one who did the ruining. I humiliated him. Wrecked his life. Destroyed his future.
Doesn’t matter that he’s clawed his way back and then some. Doesn’t matter that he’s already top of the Wall Street food chain. The man’s ruthless. Heartless. And he likes his revenge served cold.
Now he’s taking down the companies owned by every frat boy who did him wrong. And when he comes for my family’s company, the quiet life I’ve built for myself far away from Manhattan comes crumbling down, too.
But when Grey’s standing in our boardroom, threatening a hostile takeover and demanding I negotiate on behalf of my family, I don’t see an enemy. I see the chance I’ve been waiting for.
The chance for another night in his arms, and hopefully a whole lot more.
Let the negotiations begin.
Hostile Takeover is a full-length, standalone novel.
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 3, 2021
281 people are currently reading
3426 people want to read
About the author
Lucy Lennox
94 books4,393 followersI write M/M romance with humor, heart, and heat. Check out my backlist here on GR for a selection of series and standalone or visit www.LucyLennox.com!
I only keep a small list of my very favorite books and series in my bookshelf here. I read A LOT and it's hard to keep the list updated!
I only keep a small list of my very favorite books and series in my bookshelf here. I read A LOT and it's hard to keep the list updated!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 619 reviews
November 2, 2021
Based on the premise, I expected this story to be more realistic and with more angst. It wasn't entirely, but I still enjoyed it a lot.
It has some of my favourite tropes – like second chance, pining, sort of enemies to lovers and slow burn. There's also one trope I'm not that fond of, but I think it fit well with the story in the end.
I really liked both MCs, especially Ellison. I loved the way the relationship between them developed. There was a good balance between emotions and humor, it didn't feel rushed and I loved how little things about them were revealed throughout the story.
I did have some minor niggles, but they didn't affect my overall reading experience. This story was engaging and fun and sweet and romantic. Also very different from what I've read by this author so far.
And, since I couldn't finish the prequel, I'd like to add that I really liked Marcel in this one. I wish he'd gotten a full-length novel, too.
It has some of my favourite tropes – like second chance, pining, sort of enemies to lovers and slow burn. There's also one trope I'm not that fond of, but I think it fit well with the story in the end.
I really liked both MCs, especially Ellison. I loved the way the relationship between them developed. There was a good balance between emotions and humor, it didn't feel rushed and I loved how little things about them were revealed throughout the story.
I did have some minor niggles, but they didn't affect my overall reading experience. This story was engaging and fun and sweet and romantic. Also very different from what I've read by this author so far.
And, since I couldn't finish the prequel, I'd like to add that I really liked Marcel in this one. I wish he'd gotten a full-length novel, too.
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October 20, 2021
Hostile Takeover is a stand alone, enemies to lovers romance that I am so in love with. I just want to start with: THIS…BOOK…IS…EVERYTHING!!! I also want to add that there is a prequel to this book titled Luca & Marcel. Although not required, it definitely adds that little bit that made it even more special. You will meet Grey’s assistant, Marcel, and get his story prior to the start of this book!
Grey Blackwood grew up poor and his mother worked several jobs to provide for him. Grey has dreams of becoming a venture capitalist and was attending Yale on a scholarship.
Ellison York grew up privileged. He has a close relationship with his sister and mother but his father is cold hearted and manipulative. He controlled Ellison in cruel ways knowing just how to get him to do what he wanted.
Ellison and Grey were the same age but where Ellison and his similar classmates “belonged” to the country club, Grey worked there. Both Ellison and Grey had noticed each other. Ellison was straight. He had never been attracted to a man. But he had definitely noticed Grey. When Ellison and his friends had a few too many drinks at the country club, a game of dare went a little too far, with Ellison and Grey ending up in a closet together. But what began as the best moment of both their lives, quickly turned into the worst, ruining Grey’s life and everything he’s been working towards.
Revenge. Something Grey has been working on for fifteen years since that awful day. Grey and Ellison are both now thirty five years old. Grey is a multi billionaire and a venture capitalist genius. The last company he has been planning to take down is the company owned by Ellison’s father and today is that day.
Ellison has been working as a lawyer for his father since he finished law school but he is days away from the end of his contract and a life he’s been dreaming of for years, doing something he cares deeply about. But things didn’t go quite as planned and he finds himself face to face with the man he has never stopped dreaming of for fifteen years. The man who he never forgave himself for what happened to him. The man he never stopped wanting.
“Grey Blackwood was blistering hot, the kind of person I both couldn’t look at directly and couldn’t look away from.”
These two were amazing. Sooo much chemistry! Sooo many feels! Sooo much anger! But when Ellison was able to get a peek at just a glimpse of the real Grey when he lowered that steel wall he kept around his emotions, if even for a second, it gave him hope. Because he saw this as his second chance at something wonderful. If anything, it’s his chance to make things right.
I both couldn’t stop reading and didn’t want this book to end. I loved them both so much. I have come to love anything Lucy Lennox writes but I think this book is my new very favorite. My stomach had butterflies most of the way through this. I wanted to hug them. I wanted to give Ellison’s father a total smack down. As I said, this is a complete stand alone. I have no idea if there will be any further books in this world. I really hope there might be. But truly, it won’t matter. If Lucy writes it, I will read it.
“It’s you. Just you. Only you.”
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
Grey Blackwood grew up poor and his mother worked several jobs to provide for him. Grey has dreams of becoming a venture capitalist and was attending Yale on a scholarship.
Ellison York grew up privileged. He has a close relationship with his sister and mother but his father is cold hearted and manipulative. He controlled Ellison in cruel ways knowing just how to get him to do what he wanted.
Ellison and Grey were the same age but where Ellison and his similar classmates “belonged” to the country club, Grey worked there. Both Ellison and Grey had noticed each other. Ellison was straight. He had never been attracted to a man. But he had definitely noticed Grey. When Ellison and his friends had a few too many drinks at the country club, a game of dare went a little too far, with Ellison and Grey ending up in a closet together. But what began as the best moment of both their lives, quickly turned into the worst, ruining Grey’s life and everything he’s been working towards.
Revenge. Something Grey has been working on for fifteen years since that awful day. Grey and Ellison are both now thirty five years old. Grey is a multi billionaire and a venture capitalist genius. The last company he has been planning to take down is the company owned by Ellison’s father and today is that day.
Ellison has been working as a lawyer for his father since he finished law school but he is days away from the end of his contract and a life he’s been dreaming of for years, doing something he cares deeply about. But things didn’t go quite as planned and he finds himself face to face with the man he has never stopped dreaming of for fifteen years. The man who he never forgave himself for what happened to him. The man he never stopped wanting.
“Grey Blackwood was blistering hot, the kind of person I both couldn’t look at directly and couldn’t look away from.”
These two were amazing. Sooo much chemistry! Sooo many feels! Sooo much anger! But when Ellison was able to get a peek at just a glimpse of the real Grey when he lowered that steel wall he kept around his emotions, if even for a second, it gave him hope. Because he saw this as his second chance at something wonderful. If anything, it’s his chance to make things right.
I both couldn’t stop reading and didn’t want this book to end. I loved them both so much. I have come to love anything Lucy Lennox writes but I think this book is my new very favorite. My stomach had butterflies most of the way through this. I wanted to hug them. I wanted to give Ellison’s father a total smack down. As I said, this is a complete stand alone. I have no idea if there will be any further books in this world. I really hope there might be. But truly, it won’t matter. If Lucy writes it, I will read it.
“It’s you. Just you. Only you.”
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
November 17, 2021
2 stars.
💎 second-chance-romance.
💎 enemies-to-lovers.
💎 fake boyfriends turn a little too real.
💎 slow burn.
💎 billionaire romance. lots of snobby, rich people in this book.
💎 definitely unrealistic, but i could have ignored that if i actually liked it overall (spoiler alert: i didn’t).
💎 strong mutual desire and pining.
💎 lots of jealousy and tension between the mcs.
💎 there’s only one bed. *gasp*
💎 low angst.
💎 stupid misunderstanding towards the end (y’all know i hate those).
💎 i didn’t really like either of the mcs, which made it difficult for me to even care about their romance.
💎 wasn’t feeling this at the beginning, liked the middle a little bit more, but then it slowly went downhill for me.
💎 i think this author is just not for me... i’ve dnf’ed every single book i’ve tried, except this one. as you can see, this one wasn’t that great for me either though. at least i read the whole thing i guess lol.
💎 second-chance-romance.
💎 enemies-to-lovers.
💎 fake boyfriends turn a little too real.
💎 slow burn.
💎 billionaire romance. lots of snobby, rich people in this book.
💎 definitely unrealistic, but i could have ignored that if i actually liked it overall (spoiler alert: i didn’t).
💎 strong mutual desire and pining.
💎 lots of jealousy and tension between the mcs.
💎 there’s only one bed. *gasp*
💎 low angst.
💎 stupid misunderstanding towards the end (y’all know i hate those).
💎 i didn’t really like either of the mcs, which made it difficult for me to even care about their romance.
💎 wasn’t feeling this at the beginning, liked the middle a little bit more, but then it slowly went downhill for me.
💎 i think this author is just not for me... i’ve dnf’ed every single book i’ve tried, except this one. as you can see, this one wasn’t that great for me either though. at least i read the whole thing i guess lol.
November 4, 2021
Audio - 4.5 Stars
Story - 4.5 Stars
I feel like the author stepped up her game with this book. She broke out of the cookie cutter mold. Huge kudos for different narrator selection!! It made a huge difference, and was the number one reason I took a chance with this book.
Story - 4.5 Stars
I feel like the author stepped up her game with this book. She broke out of the cookie cutter mold. Huge kudos for different narrator selection!! It made a huge difference, and was the number one reason I took a chance with this book.
August 5, 2024
I loved this story!!! It is the definition of a enemies to lovers romance that definitely takes its time for both main characters to acknowledge their feelings and act on them. Grey and Ellison both have a complicated shared history that is devastating to see how the fallout of their first romantic interaction irrevocably changed the trajectory of their lives.
Hostile Takeover is a fantastic enemies to lovers romance that includes fake dating. Grey and Ellison are so perfect regardless of their resistance to their initial attraction to one another.
Grey is the definition of a grump and his stubbornness and determination to seek his revenge is apparent throughout his Hostile Takeover of Ellison's father's company. He holds his father personally responsible for ruining and damaging his life. Ellison is a problem because Grey has unresolved feelings after ten years.
Ellison is the sweet and kind lawyer who has had feelings for Grey for over ten years and experiences daily regret over his part in ruining Grey's life ten years ago. Grey's surprise reappearance in his life throws them both for a loop and their attraction is still as strong as ever.
Watching Grey and Ellison dance around their feelings for one another is one of the best aspects of this story and watching their feelings mature and grow into genuine consideration for each other was perfectly crafted and developed.
Overall I loved this standalone romance and found it incredibly moving as the second chance romance was finally realized.
Hostile Takeover is a fantastic enemies to lovers romance that includes fake dating. Grey and Ellison are so perfect regardless of their resistance to their initial attraction to one another.
Grey is the definition of a grump and his stubbornness and determination to seek his revenge is apparent throughout his Hostile Takeover of Ellison's father's company. He holds his father personally responsible for ruining and damaging his life. Ellison is a problem because Grey has unresolved feelings after ten years.
Ellison is the sweet and kind lawyer who has had feelings for Grey for over ten years and experiences daily regret over his part in ruining Grey's life ten years ago. Grey's surprise reappearance in his life throws them both for a loop and their attraction is still as strong as ever.
Watching Grey and Ellison dance around their feelings for one another is one of the best aspects of this story and watching their feelings mature and grow into genuine consideration for each other was perfectly crafted and developed.
Overall I loved this standalone romance and found it incredibly moving as the second chance romance was finally realized.
November 9, 2021
Summary: enemies-to-lovers, second chances, OTT with the billionaire underdog stuff, utterly unrealistic, surprisingly low on steam (slow burn galore, but almost no action).
While I enjoyed the mild banter between the MCs and the ease of the story, from the first chapter, I couldn't understand how Grey's fall from grace was Ellison's fault.
It's true that Ellison, under the guise of a dare, sought Grey out, but Ellison didn't coerce Grey into anything. Grey knew the supply closet door didn't lock; he knew other staff members came in to grab towels and such. And yet he had no qualms about giving Ellison a blow job in a not-so-private place. Then, when they're discovered, he blames Ellison and turns to methodical vengeance.
At that point, there was nothing Ellison could have said or done to "save" Grey. No amount of begging or confessing would have changed the outcome.
I struggled with Grey. He was ridiculously stubborn, and the way he initially tried to humiliate Ellison by forcing him to be his manservant was childish and unamusing.
I liked Ellison, although I noticed that his personality changed during the course of the story. Initially, he's confident and mellow, but as the story progresses, he becomes anxious and hesitant.
I became more invested in Ellison and Grey as a couple once they arrived at Ellison's godfather's house for the summer fête. The scenes of petty jealousy (especially the tennis match) were adorable.
But unfortunately, the Big Misunderstanding happened, and Grey fucked off to a Caribbean island. There was some groveling, but not enough in my opinion.
The epilogue is all apples and honey, which mollified me a bit. This isn't my favorite Lucy Lennox book by any means, but it's highly readable if you don't take it too seriously.
While I enjoyed the mild banter between the MCs and the ease of the story, from the first chapter, I couldn't understand how Grey's fall from grace was Ellison's fault.
It's true that Ellison, under the guise of a dare, sought Grey out, but Ellison didn't coerce Grey into anything. Grey knew the supply closet door didn't lock; he knew other staff members came in to grab towels and such. And yet he had no qualms about giving Ellison a blow job in a not-so-private place. Then, when they're discovered, he blames Ellison and turns to methodical vengeance.
At that point, there was nothing Ellison could have said or done to "save" Grey. No amount of begging or confessing would have changed the outcome.
I struggled with Grey. He was ridiculously stubborn, and the way he initially tried to humiliate Ellison by forcing him to be his manservant was childish and unamusing.
I liked Ellison, although I noticed that his personality changed during the course of the story. Initially, he's confident and mellow, but as the story progresses, he becomes anxious and hesitant.
I became more invested in Ellison and Grey as a couple once they arrived at Ellison's godfather's house for the summer fête. The scenes of petty jealousy (especially the tennis match) were adorable.
But unfortunately, the Big Misunderstanding happened, and Grey fucked off to a Caribbean island. There was some groveling, but not enough in my opinion.
The epilogue is all apples and honey, which mollified me a bit. This isn't my favorite Lucy Lennox book by any means, but it's highly readable if you don't take it too seriously.
dropped
November 14, 2021yeah.... FUCK NO. 😬😬😒🙄
October 22, 2021
4.5 stars
Real Talk.... It's been a LONG time since I read Lucy Lennox. *hides and whimpers*
But... reading the blurb for this one had me like...
So... needless to say I was
So Q&A TIME?
Q: What tropes should we expect with this book Layla?
A: Let's see.... Bi-curiosity/Bi-awakening, Enemies to Lovers, Fake Relationship to name the major ones. so can we say... #ThePerfectMix
Q: What are the characters like Layla?
A: Well, we got Grey who grew up poor and after his world imploded because of a kiss turns around and become a self-made billionaire who annihilates everyone who has ever wronged him. #OutOfSpite
Then we have Ellison who had been straight until he laid eyes on Grey in college. After their world is turned upside down, Ellison attempts to right the wrong he did, thinking that he could walk away, after, unscathed. #ChangeMyWorldView
*Christian Grey approves*
Q: Ok... You've got me! What about the plot?
A: This is where it gets really interesting! In the guise of a prank, Ellison takes his chance and kisses Grey, only for that to cause a chain reaction leading to Grey's life ruined, and Ellison's pseudo-prison. Fast forward 13 years, they meet again. Grey now owns Ellison's family's business. Cane we all say #Karma? but... some complications arise and so Ells and Grey have to pretend to be BOYFRIENDS. Needless to say, they took their roles a little too seriously. #BlurredLines
Q: Dude! Ok.... Steam-o-meter?
A: Steamy!! Let's just say, it starts with a bang, a whole lotta UST, which then culminates into one hell of an experience between these two. #HawtAF
Q: Woah! Angst-o-meter?
It's a Lucy book... You can't really be expecting angsty right? There's just a tiny bit of angst to get the two MCs together forever. They just needed a tiny push. #OpenYourEyes
Q: What about the ending? Is it as good as the book?
A: Even better! So much sweetness. And after everything, it's what they deserve.
Real Talk.... It's been a LONG time since I read Lucy Lennox. *hides and whimpers*
But... reading the blurb for this one had me like...
So... needless to say I was
So Q&A TIME?
Q: What tropes should we expect with this book Layla?
A: Let's see.... Bi-curiosity/Bi-awakening, Enemies to Lovers, Fake Relationship to name the major ones. so can we say... #ThePerfectMix
Q: What are the characters like Layla?
A: Well, we got Grey who grew up poor and after his world imploded because of a kiss turns around and become a self-made billionaire who annihilates everyone who has ever wronged him. #OutOfSpite
Then we have Ellison who had been straight until he laid eyes on Grey in college. After their world is turned upside down, Ellison attempts to right the wrong he did, thinking that he could walk away, after, unscathed. #ChangeMyWorldView
*Christian Grey approves*
Q: Ok... You've got me! What about the plot?
A: This is where it gets really interesting! In the guise of a prank, Ellison takes his chance and kisses Grey, only for that to cause a chain reaction leading to Grey's life ruined, and Ellison's pseudo-prison. Fast forward 13 years, they meet again. Grey now owns Ellison's family's business. Cane we all say #Karma? but... some complications arise and so Ells and Grey have to pretend to be BOYFRIENDS. Needless to say, they took their roles a little too seriously. #BlurredLines
Q: Dude! Ok.... Steam-o-meter?
A: Steamy!! Let's just say, it starts with a bang, a whole lotta UST, which then culminates into one hell of an experience between these two. #HawtAF
Q: Woah! Angst-o-meter?
It's a Lucy book... You can't really be expecting angsty right? There's just a tiny bit of angst to get the two MCs together forever. They just needed a tiny push. #OpenYourEyes
Q: What about the ending? Is it as good as the book?
A: Even better! So much sweetness. And after everything, it's what they deserve.
November 4, 2021
3 stars ⭐️ if you love reading second chance, fake boyfriend, sort of enemies to lovers vibes in a story, this is your book! I liked it to some extent but didn't love it. :::My usual mood:::
Lucy Lennox is a hit or a miss for me. I loved a few books from her but not all of them, and I should say Hostile Takeover is very Lucy Lennox.
The story is ridiculously unrealistic yet cute and nice at the same time. 🤡
I liked both Grey and Ellison. They are so hot together, and the sexual tension between them was utterly hot, and I was looking forward to the moment where they break their spell and happen something more between them.
But this book gives me a lot of MF vibe, and I didn't like it. Another thing is everything happened so quickly. I mean they were sort of enemies (not Ellison though), and they get over with it quickly and immediately fall in love with each other. Besides, I don't understand why they spent 15 yrs to meet again, and if Ellison hated his father that much, why did he try to get the company back for him is questionable. 🤷♀️🙆♀️
Lucy Lennox is a hit or a miss for me. I loved a few books from her but not all of them, and I should say Hostile Takeover is very Lucy Lennox.
The story is ridiculously unrealistic yet cute and nice at the same time. 🤡
I liked both Grey and Ellison. They are so hot together, and the sexual tension between them was utterly hot, and I was looking forward to the moment where they break their spell and happen something more between them.
But this book gives me a lot of MF vibe, and I didn't like it. Another thing is everything happened so quickly. I mean they were sort of enemies (not Ellison though), and they get over with it quickly and immediately fall in love with each other. Besides, I don't understand why they spent 15 yrs to meet again, and if Ellison hated his father that much, why did he try to get the company back for him is questionable. 🤷♀️🙆♀️
October 19, 2021
Bloody brilliant.
I don't know how Lucy does it. Each time I pick up one of her books I know I'll get a well-written romance, but this one is exceptional.
There's nothing I love more than a good enemies to lovers romance and here she delivers one which ticked all my boxes.
We have two men who were attracted to each other when they were young men and - thanks to a horrible prank which was used to manipulate them both - one had their future ruined overnight.
I was raging when I read the Prologue which sets up the story. Ellison's so called "friends" are anything but and they expose his vulnerability to destroy Grey's already quite hard life. It was painful to read as it's very clear that there are real feelings between the two which could have developed had circumstances been different.
There is then a 15-year gap until we catch up with Grey Blackwood, now a billionaire venture capitalist and about to pull the plug on Ellison York's rich and privileged life as he takes over his family's business.
But Grey's not aware of the true nature of Ellison's path. He's finally got out of the clutches of his vicious father's grip and he's carried regret and pain ever since the events at the Country Club 15 years before.
The sparks between them are obvious from the moment they meet again and Lucy crafts a delicious narrative that has them sniping and snarking with sexual tension heating up the encounters.
I absolutely loved everything about this, from the way they slowly build up trust as Grey sees he may have been holding the wrong idea about Ellison's involvement in the prank which saw all his opportunities vanish overnight.
He realises that Ellison has been suffering at the hands of his father's manipulation and, while there were times I wanted to thump him, I totally understood why his trust was so difficult to win.
Marcel (from the freebie prequel to this series) is on hand to offer up some sarcastic - and prophetic - advice and I loved seeing him and Luca just as much as in love.
This is a wonderfully tension driven, emotionally ladened romance with a side order of humour to stop it ever becoming too much and I absolutely adored the way Grey and Ellison reconnected.
#ARC kindly received from the author via SocialButterfly PR in return for an honest and unbiased review
I don't know how Lucy does it. Each time I pick up one of her books I know I'll get a well-written romance, but this one is exceptional.
There's nothing I love more than a good enemies to lovers romance and here she delivers one which ticked all my boxes.
We have two men who were attracted to each other when they were young men and - thanks to a horrible prank which was used to manipulate them both - one had their future ruined overnight.
I was raging when I read the Prologue which sets up the story. Ellison's so called "friends" are anything but and they expose his vulnerability to destroy Grey's already quite hard life. It was painful to read as it's very clear that there are real feelings between the two which could have developed had circumstances been different.
There is then a 15-year gap until we catch up with Grey Blackwood, now a billionaire venture capitalist and about to pull the plug on Ellison York's rich and privileged life as he takes over his family's business.
But Grey's not aware of the true nature of Ellison's path. He's finally got out of the clutches of his vicious father's grip and he's carried regret and pain ever since the events at the Country Club 15 years before.
The sparks between them are obvious from the moment they meet again and Lucy crafts a delicious narrative that has them sniping and snarking with sexual tension heating up the encounters.
I absolutely loved everything about this, from the way they slowly build up trust as Grey sees he may have been holding the wrong idea about Ellison's involvement in the prank which saw all his opportunities vanish overnight.
He realises that Ellison has been suffering at the hands of his father's manipulation and, while there were times I wanted to thump him, I totally understood why his trust was so difficult to win.
Marcel (from the freebie prequel to this series) is on hand to offer up some sarcastic - and prophetic - advice and I loved seeing him and Luca just as much as in love.
This is a wonderfully tension driven, emotionally ladened romance with a side order of humour to stop it ever becoming too much and I absolutely adored the way Grey and Ellison reconnected.
#ARC kindly received from the author via SocialButterfly PR in return for an honest and unbiased review
February 21, 2022
4.25 Stars
Everything was started with a dare in a closet; with a drunk Ellison and Grey who lost everything that day because of the said dare. It took Grey 15 years to prepare his revenge, his big finale, to ruin the one who took everything from him, for a few minutes of fun with his friends. He’s not that [erson anymore, at least not on the surface; he’s cold, an angry shell, full of bitterness and resentment but he’s in control and on top, he wants acceptance and to belong and yet again he underestimated the situation once again!
Told in dual POV, 1st person, it’s the first installment in the Hostile Takeover series and can be read as a standalone. It’s an enemies-to-lovers story, angsty, intense, a bit funny and hot. I only have read one book by this author (aside from this one) and I couldn’t finish it so I’m happy I gave this one a try and it was a win. I liked the writing and the slow burn of it. All in all loved it and hope you enjoy it as well!
Everything was started with a dare in a closet; with a drunk Ellison and Grey who lost everything that day because of the said dare. It took Grey 15 years to prepare his revenge, his big finale, to ruin the one who took everything from him, for a few minutes of fun with his friends. He’s not that [erson anymore, at least not on the surface; he’s cold, an angry shell, full of bitterness and resentment but he’s in control and on top, he wants acceptance and to belong and yet again he underestimated the situation once again!
Told in dual POV, 1st person, it’s the first installment in the Hostile Takeover series and can be read as a standalone. It’s an enemies-to-lovers story, angsty, intense, a bit funny and hot. I only have read one book by this author (aside from this one) and I couldn’t finish it so I’m happy I gave this one a try and it was a win. I liked the writing and the slow burn of it. All in all loved it and hope you enjoy it as well!
June 23, 2022
4 Stars
My enjoyment of this story snuck up on me, which made my experience unexpected and totally satisfying.
At the beginning, I was convinced I wouldn’t like the general set-up. The whole “corporate vengeance” plot was a dicey one for me, but Lennox ultimately made it work, drawing me in like a moth to a flame to the scheming and misunderstandings unveiled within, and the ultimate romance between, and good intentions of, the two men at the centre of this story.
Basically, the story revolves around the business dealings and machinations of Grey Blackwood, a self-made billionaire, who in his rise to financial power, sets his sights on control over the York family business—a family he blames for his completely despicable, almost-ruinous debacle many years prior.
At the centre of Grey’s long-held grudges, is Ellison York. But Ellison, male heir to the York empire, is not the traitorous man Grey once cast him as, which Grey slowly comes to realise once the two are forced into close-proximity, after Grey takes over the York business, stipulating that Ellison must play his “PA” for a set period of time, in order to settle scores and cause as many humiliations as Grey deems fitting.
Ellison is completely miscast in his own life. Never the son his father wanted or demanded he be, but also not the stuck-up, weak-spined asshole Grey assumed he was after their initial misunderstanding in their younger years. Ellison has always been better than the manufactured mold he was meant to fit, and he’s spent years trying to restructure his life in a way that leaves him professionally gratified and emotionally grounded. He truly hates the part he played in Grey’s perceived hurts, but he’s more than willing to make amends, if only he can prove to Grey who he truly is.
Even with a dynamic that forces an enemies-type vibe—at least from Grey’s perspective—these two still (and always have) shared a physical chemistry that is practically bursting from the seams every time they share space. Ellison has always wanted Grey, a fact that cemented his bisexuality years prior, but Grey spends a lot more time denying his attraction, and more to the point, his growing feelings for a man he never could stop thinking about, even when those thoughts were caustic.
This really was one of those “how the other half lives” stories, set amongst the be all and end all of New York’s most wealthy and successful. Hell, half the story is set at a swanky estate in the Hampton’s, so you know most of the characters are going to be swishy and potentially arrogant socialites from the offset. Thankfully, Grey, Ellison and a handful of their nearest and dearest were likeable characters in their own right (not daddy York, I hated that guy), so the elitism didn’t overwhelm me like it could have.
Grey and Ellison’s chemistry was palpable. With this set-up, they had a lot of back-and-forth moments to play off the adversary vibe of the story, but of course, as they got to know each other in a deeper sense—helped on by a surprise dose of “fake boyfriends” that they had to pull off in the second half of the story—the romance and the emotional connection played out in a nice arc that drew me in and left me both smiling and swoony.
Grey was a harder character to like than Ellison, but that was mostly due to his guarded nature, his trust issues and his obsessive need for retribution, even well past the point he needed to just let shit go and live his life. Ellison, on the other hand, was this beautiful soul who shined off the page and garnered likability with great ease. He was kind of adorable but also damn ballsy and bright. I really liked him—so much so that he’s probably ranked among some of my favourite Lennox characters to date.
Overall, this was a really pleasant read. Although slow to start, because of my own uncertainty of the characters and the plot, there came a point around the halfway mark where I was clawed in and couldn’t stop reading… and I love that morish need to keep, keep going until it’s all rainbows and HEAs.
***********************************
Audio Edition:
I spent time both reading and listening to this story, to help me devour it faster. Narrated by both Sean Crisden and Teddy Hamilton, this was the perfect pairing to bring Grey and Ellison to life. I’m so very glad I now own this audiobook in my audio library, because this is just the kind of story I can imagine wanting to revisit again whenever I need a sure-fire romance to hit my buttons just right.
My enjoyment of this story snuck up on me, which made my experience unexpected and totally satisfying.
At the beginning, I was convinced I wouldn’t like the general set-up. The whole “corporate vengeance” plot was a dicey one for me, but Lennox ultimately made it work, drawing me in like a moth to a flame to the scheming and misunderstandings unveiled within, and the ultimate romance between, and good intentions of, the two men at the centre of this story.
Basically, the story revolves around the business dealings and machinations of Grey Blackwood, a self-made billionaire, who in his rise to financial power, sets his sights on control over the York family business—a family he blames for his completely despicable, almost-ruinous debacle many years prior.
At the centre of Grey’s long-held grudges, is Ellison York. But Ellison, male heir to the York empire, is not the traitorous man Grey once cast him as, which Grey slowly comes to realise once the two are forced into close-proximity, after Grey takes over the York business, stipulating that Ellison must play his “PA” for a set period of time, in order to settle scores and cause as many humiliations as Grey deems fitting.
Ellison is completely miscast in his own life. Never the son his father wanted or demanded he be, but also not the stuck-up, weak-spined asshole Grey assumed he was after their initial misunderstanding in their younger years. Ellison has always been better than the manufactured mold he was meant to fit, and he’s spent years trying to restructure his life in a way that leaves him professionally gratified and emotionally grounded. He truly hates the part he played in Grey’s perceived hurts, but he’s more than willing to make amends, if only he can prove to Grey who he truly is.
Even with a dynamic that forces an enemies-type vibe—at least from Grey’s perspective—these two still (and always have) shared a physical chemistry that is practically bursting from the seams every time they share space. Ellison has always wanted Grey, a fact that cemented his bisexuality years prior, but Grey spends a lot more time denying his attraction, and more to the point, his growing feelings for a man he never could stop thinking about, even when those thoughts were caustic.
This really was one of those “how the other half lives” stories, set amongst the be all and end all of New York’s most wealthy and successful. Hell, half the story is set at a swanky estate in the Hampton’s, so you know most of the characters are going to be swishy and potentially arrogant socialites from the offset. Thankfully, Grey, Ellison and a handful of their nearest and dearest were likeable characters in their own right (not daddy York, I hated that guy), so the elitism didn’t overwhelm me like it could have.
Grey and Ellison’s chemistry was palpable. With this set-up, they had a lot of back-and-forth moments to play off the adversary vibe of the story, but of course, as they got to know each other in a deeper sense—helped on by a surprise dose of “fake boyfriends” that they had to pull off in the second half of the story—the romance and the emotional connection played out in a nice arc that drew me in and left me both smiling and swoony.
Grey was a harder character to like than Ellison, but that was mostly due to his guarded nature, his trust issues and his obsessive need for retribution, even well past the point he needed to just let shit go and live his life. Ellison, on the other hand, was this beautiful soul who shined off the page and garnered likability with great ease. He was kind of adorable but also damn ballsy and bright. I really liked him—so much so that he’s probably ranked among some of my favourite Lennox characters to date.
Overall, this was a really pleasant read. Although slow to start, because of my own uncertainty of the characters and the plot, there came a point around the halfway mark where I was clawed in and couldn’t stop reading… and I love that morish need to keep, keep going until it’s all rainbows and HEAs.
***********************************
Audio Edition:
I spent time both reading and listening to this story, to help me devour it faster. Narrated by both Sean Crisden and Teddy Hamilton, this was the perfect pairing to bring Grey and Ellison to life. I’m so very glad I now own this audiobook in my audio library, because this is just the kind of story I can imagine wanting to revisit again whenever I need a sure-fire romance to hit my buttons just right.
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January 6, 2023
MM Romance
Enemies To Lovers
1.5 Stars ⭐️
A To Z Book Title Challenge: H
I’m just going to warn you, I’m going to rant. For this challenge I’m doing, I had a ton of ‘H’ books on my TBR and I was so conflicted over what to choose that I almost did a poll. 😂 I chose this one because I actually paid for it when it first came out but then kept overlooking it for others. I should have loved this book because the tropes are just right up my alley. I recently 5 starred an enemies to lovers, fake relationship work romance FFS but this one just did not do it for me. 😭
I liked how this started and I felt this book really had potential hence why I bought it ages ago. The set up for the enemies part was perfect and the fact the boy scorned at the start became a billionaire that has gotten his revenge on everyone by scheming them out of their companies was brilliant. It was obvious the author was going to drag this out into a slow burn of sorts so I was waiting for all that angst and unresolved sexual tension but instead I was left bored and not really caring if these two got together. I just expected more based on the beginning. I felt almost no chemistry between either character. Grey was uptight but not mean enough to be the asshole boss character that makes this trope sing and then Ellison felt super bland and I had no idea why Grey even wanted to be with him.
This book was also wayyyyyy too business forward. My eyes glazed over with the talks of business mergers and acquisitions and all the dealings these two were doing. It was so boring! I felt like I was taking the most boring business class with some really old monotone geriatric professor and I was going to be okay with a W on my record because I would never survive his class. It was just not what I’m looking for when reading romance. The whole time I read this I also thought about AH’s “Just A Bit Bossy” and how even though that book was OTT at times that, that was how to write this trope the right way. In AH’s version, going on that work trip made perfect sense especially them pretending to be in a relationship but in this one it made no sense whatsoever. No one with any business sense was going to believe Grey and Ellison had been dating for years but then he tried to takeover his dad’s company. Really? Try again and make it believable this time. Or I dont know leave the fake boyfriend part out or just make them have some kind of tension or angst together that entices the reader to give a shit. I didn’t obviously.
I’ve read this author before and found her sex scenes quite steamy so I couldn’t figure out why they were so bland in this book. Enemies to lovers gives you the opportunity to make them have rough sex and fling each other into doors and while there was one up against the door scene it was just over before anything good came from it. Even their first time felt awkward for some reason, maybe because “I want to fuck your ass” isn’t exactly the dirty talk I was hoping for. I also hate when authors mention the other character wants to top but then don’t show that scene like what is the point of just talking about it after? Was I also supposed to believe that Ellison did no butt play on his own and had never been with a guy but was just down to get fucked? Really? At least work up to that shit with some fingers.
And then the misunderstanding that happened at 85% just threw any goodwill I had towards this book into the trash because it was so cliché and ridiculous. Although the best part was what Grey found out about Ellison’s project near the end and went after him but by then I was so over this book that I didn’t care what they did even if it was nice they screwed over the dad again by the end.
So in summary, I own this book but I wish I could return it a year later because I hated it. 😭🤦🏻♀️
Enemies To Lovers
1.5 Stars ⭐️
A To Z Book Title Challenge: H
I’m just going to warn you, I’m going to rant. For this challenge I’m doing, I had a ton of ‘H’ books on my TBR and I was so conflicted over what to choose that I almost did a poll. 😂 I chose this one because I actually paid for it when it first came out but then kept overlooking it for others. I should have loved this book because the tropes are just right up my alley. I recently 5 starred an enemies to lovers, fake relationship work romance FFS but this one just did not do it for me. 😭
I liked how this started and I felt this book really had potential hence why I bought it ages ago. The set up for the enemies part was perfect and the fact the boy scorned at the start became a billionaire that has gotten his revenge on everyone by scheming them out of their companies was brilliant. It was obvious the author was going to drag this out into a slow burn of sorts so I was waiting for all that angst and unresolved sexual tension but instead I was left bored and not really caring if these two got together. I just expected more based on the beginning. I felt almost no chemistry between either character. Grey was uptight but not mean enough to be the asshole boss character that makes this trope sing and then Ellison felt super bland and I had no idea why Grey even wanted to be with him.
This book was also wayyyyyy too business forward. My eyes glazed over with the talks of business mergers and acquisitions and all the dealings these two were doing. It was so boring! I felt like I was taking the most boring business class with some really old monotone geriatric professor and I was going to be okay with a W on my record because I would never survive his class. It was just not what I’m looking for when reading romance. The whole time I read this I also thought about AH’s “Just A Bit Bossy” and how even though that book was OTT at times that, that was how to write this trope the right way. In AH’s version, going on that work trip made perfect sense especially them pretending to be in a relationship but in this one it made no sense whatsoever. No one with any business sense was going to believe Grey and Ellison had been dating for years but then he tried to takeover his dad’s company. Really? Try again and make it believable this time. Or I dont know leave the fake boyfriend part out or just make them have some kind of tension or angst together that entices the reader to give a shit. I didn’t obviously.
I’ve read this author before and found her sex scenes quite steamy so I couldn’t figure out why they were so bland in this book. Enemies to lovers gives you the opportunity to make them have rough sex and fling each other into doors and while there was one up against the door scene it was just over before anything good came from it. Even their first time felt awkward for some reason, maybe because “I want to fuck your ass” isn’t exactly the dirty talk I was hoping for. I also hate when authors mention the other character wants to top but then don’t show that scene like what is the point of just talking about it after? Was I also supposed to believe that Ellison did no butt play on his own and had never been with a guy but was just down to get fucked? Really? At least work up to that shit with some fingers.
And then the misunderstanding that happened at 85% just threw any goodwill I had towards this book into the trash because it was so cliché and ridiculous. Although the best part was what Grey found out about Ellison’s project near the end and went after him but by then I was so over this book that I didn’t care what they did even if it was nice they screwed over the dad again by the end.
So in summary, I own this book but I wish I could return it a year later because I hated it. 😭🤦🏻♀️
November 11, 2021
5 Absolutely-Loved it Stars!! 😍😍 So glad I picked this one up, thanks to my GR friends.👍 It has all my favorite tropes, enemies-to-lovers, slow-burn romance, second chance love and a teensy bit of the fake-boyfriend plot. In any other story, so many tropes would have led to a mess, but not in this one. I loved everything about the story from the introduction of the MCs to the beautiful and sassy epilogue. Ellison as the naive, privileged rich guy with a heart-of-gold is instantly likable, whereas Grey's dark, broody and immovable exterior hides a soft heart which as a reader you immediately empathize with. Both Ellison and Grey carry the scars of the incident that happened 15 years ago; their career paths and lives were forever changed by that and neither has forgotten. Ellison seeks forgiveness and Grey, vengeance. What happens when their paths finally collide? 🔥That is the the crux of Hostile Takeover 💘
I loved the tight plot and the VC background. That world is indeed full of cut-throat type A personalities and Grey seemed like the perfect example of someone from this world minus the blue-blood. I also loved the slow-sizzling heat between the two which Ellison accepts and Grey denies. The supporting characters were great as well (I jumped into this without reading Marcel's story and this has made me super curious😉) This is a standalone though, however I would love to read more if the series continues. I have loved many books by LL and this is another one that is now on my favorites shelf ❤️. Highly recommended for all fans of low angst M/M second chance romances. 👍👍
I loved the tight plot and the VC background. That world is indeed full of cut-throat type A personalities and Grey seemed like the perfect example of someone from this world minus the blue-blood. I also loved the slow-sizzling heat between the two which Ellison accepts and Grey denies. The supporting characters were great as well (I jumped into this without reading Marcel's story and this has made me super curious😉) This is a standalone though, however I would love to read more if the series continues. I have loved many books by LL and this is another one that is now on my favorites shelf ❤️. Highly recommended for all fans of low angst M/M second chance romances. 👍👍
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October 6, 2025
|| 4.0 stars ||
This book is a mix of a lot of things I love, and also a few things I don't. Fortunately, the positive aspects win out by far, and I really enjoyed this novel.
My favourite thing was Ellison's undying love and desire for Grey. I was quite literally obsessed with Ellison's obsession for this man: it was unwavering and steadfast. The tension between them was also absolutely palpable.
However, I do not think these two are particularly special characters on their own, although they weren't exactly bad either. They were kind of just average; not that that really bothered me or anything. After all, they were plenty engaging enough when they were together and were bouncing off of each other, which was basically always.
I can imagine some people might not like all the drama vibes in this book, as it really does take Grey a long ass time to get over the past and start trusting Ellison again. However, I kind of appreciated this part, as it would have seemed a bit odd to me if he suddenly jumped head over heels into a relationship with a guy who caused him some serious trauma.
I also really liked that Ellison acknowledged this and never begrudged Grey for still being mad at him and having difficulties with getting over it. It made me have more respect for Ellison, and also made me feel more connected to them and their drama.
The setting and story of this novel were quite alright, nothing that will blow you away or anything, but it worked well enough for these characters and their relationship. I mean, I am not the biggest fan of big corporate workplace related stories about rich people, but it wasn't too cumbersome in this case.
To be fair, I was actually much more intrigued by the prologue than the rest of this novel. I honestly would have loved it if this story would have taken place when Grey and Ellison were still in college, because it just sounded so cute from what we did hear about it. And then, instead of them reconnecting 15 years later, like what actually happened in this novel, they could have kept in contact in college and work their shit out then. I don't know, but I truly think that would have been even more amazing than what we got now.
Lucy Lennox books:
‘Forever Wilde’ series - var. ratings
‘After Oscar’ series - var. ratings
Shy Sheldon - 2.0 stars
Virgin Flyer - 4.5 stars
Say You’ll Be Nine - 4.5 stars
Hostile Takeover - 4.0 stars
Prince of Lies - 4.5 stars
This book is a mix of a lot of things I love, and also a few things I don't. Fortunately, the positive aspects win out by far, and I really enjoyed this novel.
My favourite thing was Ellison's undying love and desire for Grey. I was quite literally obsessed with Ellison's obsession for this man: it was unwavering and steadfast. The tension between them was also absolutely palpable.
However, I do not think these two are particularly special characters on their own, although they weren't exactly bad either. They were kind of just average; not that that really bothered me or anything. After all, they were plenty engaging enough when they were together and were bouncing off of each other, which was basically always.
I can imagine some people might not like all the drama vibes in this book, as it really does take Grey a long ass time to get over the past and start trusting Ellison again. However, I kind of appreciated this part, as it would have seemed a bit odd to me if he suddenly jumped head over heels into a relationship with a guy who caused him some serious trauma.
I also really liked that Ellison acknowledged this and never begrudged Grey for still being mad at him and having difficulties with getting over it. It made me have more respect for Ellison, and also made me feel more connected to them and their drama.
The setting and story of this novel were quite alright, nothing that will blow you away or anything, but it worked well enough for these characters and their relationship. I mean, I am not the biggest fan of big corporate workplace related stories about rich people, but it wasn't too cumbersome in this case.
To be fair, I was actually much more intrigued by the prologue than the rest of this novel. I honestly would have loved it if this story would have taken place when Grey and Ellison were still in college, because it just sounded so cute from what we did hear about it. And then, instead of them reconnecting 15 years later, like what actually happened in this novel, they could have kept in contact in college and work their shit out then. I don't know, but I truly think that would have been even more amazing than what we got now.
Lucy Lennox books:
‘Forever Wilde’ series - var. ratings
‘After Oscar’ series - var. ratings
Shy Sheldon - 2.0 stars
Virgin Flyer - 4.5 stars
Say You’ll Be Nine - 4.5 stars
Hostile Takeover - 4.0 stars
Prince of Lies - 4.5 stars
October 27, 2021
This was expert level enemies-to-lovers and I was here for it 🙌🏻
December 3, 2022
Cute but the business stuff confused the fuck out of me.
June 30, 2022
4.5***** stars
hahaha these two. Loved them even more the second time around. This book is the reason I bought The Art of War because each chapter starts with a pretty cool and fitting quote of the classic.
The story is full of snarky banter, sweet misunderstandings, low-angst and also quite hot when they finally get to it. -- the anticipation was nearly killing me.
It wouldn’t be quite accurate to label this an enemies to lovers romance as it was pretty one sided and only Grey who was really at war here while Ellison tried to make it right after he fucked up badly 15yrs ago and nearly cost Gray the future he worked damn hard for.
It was sweet how eventually Grey had to accept that about nearly everything he thought about the man who fucked him over (and fueled his anger over the years) he was wrong.
*******
So this def is a recommendation for a light and very entertaining read. I was also (even the second time) quite captured by the plot and the narration of the audio (Teddy Hamilton & Sean Crisden) was totally fitting.
“The opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.” ~ Sun Tzu, The Art of War
hahaha these two. Loved them even more the second time around. This book is the reason I bought The Art of War because each chapter starts with a pretty cool and fitting quote of the classic.
The story is full of snarky banter, sweet misunderstandings, low-angst and also quite hot when they finally get to it. -- the anticipation was nearly killing me.
It wouldn’t be quite accurate to label this an enemies to lovers romance as it was pretty one sided and only Grey who was really at war here while Ellison tried to make it right after he fucked up badly 15yrs ago and nearly cost Gray the future he worked damn hard for.
It was sweet how eventually Grey had to accept that about nearly everything he thought about the man who fucked him over (and fueled his anger over the years) he was wrong.
“It is easy to love your friend, but sometimes the hardest lesson to learn is to love your enemy.” ~ Sun Tzu, The Art of War
*******
So this def is a recommendation for a light and very entertaining read. I was also (even the second time) quite captured by the plot and the narration of the audio (Teddy Hamilton & Sean Crisden) was totally fitting.
November 2, 2021
5++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ stars audio and story!!!!!!
November 2, 2021
⭐︎4.5 stars!⭐︎
This is one of the best books that Lennox has done, to date.
The plot, the characters, the romance, the chemistry was all one point to make this a very interesting, fun and riveting standalone.
When they were 21 and about to graduate from Yale, Ellison, who has grown up with very wealthy parents, is dared by his other rich college buddies to kiss (or more) with the next waiter who comes through the door at the yacht club they're at. Several of his friends have already done something with the female waitresses at the club.
And who should walk in next, but Grey, a fellow Yale student but who is there on a full ride scholarship, and has a job lined up at one of the rich kids' parent's companies. He's grown up poor, but wants to make enough money to lift himself and his mom out of poverty.
Ellison has always had a low-key crush on Grey, the only guy he's ever truly wanted, but has never made a move.
With this "bet" or "dare" as it were, it pushes Ellison to make that move. Although for Ellison it is definitely more than a dare or what have you.
Grey is receptive to move as well, and in a supply closet at the club, they kiss and Grey goes down Ellison, and just as Ellison is about to go down on him, they're discovered by Ellison's parents and other big name people, even the people who were gonna hire Grey.
Flash forward 15 years later and we learn that Grey was humiliated, had his opportunity for employment taken away, and Ellison, who was too drunk and scared to do anything, said nothing at the time - although he later tried to, we learn, and we learn he even tried to apologize to Grey later on too, but Grey wouldn't hear of it. The damage had already been done.
But now Grey is a multi-billionaire (makes me uncomfy no matter what) because of smart investments he made which allowed him to grow his career. He's known for takeovers, ranging from being peaceful ones to hostile ones.
And his takeover of York Capital is definitely hostile. Ellison's father, Warren, is furious - and a total bastard - and says that his son, Ellison, will find a loophole to stop Grey from taking over the company (there's not.)
As for Ellison, he's finally been able to put in his two weeks as a corporate lawyer working for his father's company, to do something he really wants. He and his sister have been working on starting a private school in Vermont - and we got a fun shoutout to the Sunday Brother's orchard farm a time or two in this, the series by May Archer - and it needs funding from York Investment accounts or whatever they are to help provide scholarships to at least half the students there.
Which is Ellison's main reason for accepting being Grey's temporary PA and basically his errand boy for the 2 weeks technically left on his contract with York Capital.
Grey, of course, still has a lot of anger over what happened to him, and resentment towards Ellison. Of course, they both can't help but be attracted to each other.
Ellison apologizes several times for what had happened and even explains that it wasn't just a dare or anything like that, but Grey has walls upon walls, and isn't one to trust easily.
But he still can't deny his attraction to Ellison - and when it turns out that one of the buildings that Grey wants for a project he's doing, that the owner is Ellison's godfather, and that he's hosting a parting for the upcoming weekend in the Hamptons, Ellison suggests they pretend to be together in order for Ellison to butter up the guy into accepting Grey's proposal.
Their chemistry and UST was so good, I loved it. And yes, when they were both very jealous at others being maybe a little to...comfortable with the other, it was awesome, and the explosion of UST was just so good.
My only complaint came near the end, when we got contrived drama for drama's sake. It's like oh right, of course all these several factors worked together to make how everything happened happen - and having Grey be a typical idiot character who assumes things without asking the other for clarification and leaving without talking to them. HONESTLY. (At least Ellison pointed out in his thoughts how Grey should have just asked him. Like fuck yeah, he should have just asked>)
Also Ellison not thinking to tell Grey outright about what he'd learned, that was also contrived. Like he had no reason not to, even if it was him trying to help Grey...I don't get how not telling him was helping. He had to no how brittle Grey's tentative trust was. Not that I don't mostly blame Grey for the fuckery, but still, Ellison unknowingly didn't help matters.
Which makes it contrived, in my opinion, but there's no reason Ellison wouldn't tell Grey what he found out. He never even had a thought of "man if I don't tell Grey, will he misunderstand?" or any internal debate. He even came back from dropping off a friend at the airport in a happy mood expecting to have a good time with Grey.
So I maintain that it was highly contrived. There could have been plenty of drama that came from what was happening without the ridiculousness. (But I guess there wouldn't have been as much relationship drama, and we can't have that! *sigh*)
But ultimately, like most romances with the highly contrived drama near the very end, it was also fixed pretty quickly - and Grey got off maybe a little too easily with Ellison, but at least he apologized for being a moron - so it wasn't too bad to do deal with. Hence only giving .5 stars off and rounding up instead of giving more off for that fuckery.
The rest of this was strong enough for the contrived-ness to not bring this story down too much. The rest was just so good, and I couldn't stop reading, and I just loved these two together.
So overall, a definite win. One of this author's better ones, for sure. I definitely recommend this, two BIG thumbs up from me! ❤︎
This is one of the best books that Lennox has done, to date.
The plot, the characters, the romance, the chemistry was all one point to make this a very interesting, fun and riveting standalone.
When they were 21 and about to graduate from Yale, Ellison, who has grown up with very wealthy parents, is dared by his other rich college buddies to kiss (or more) with the next waiter who comes through the door at the yacht club they're at. Several of his friends have already done something with the female waitresses at the club.
And who should walk in next, but Grey, a fellow Yale student but who is there on a full ride scholarship, and has a job lined up at one of the rich kids' parent's companies. He's grown up poor, but wants to make enough money to lift himself and his mom out of poverty.
Ellison has always had a low-key crush on Grey, the only guy he's ever truly wanted, but has never made a move.
With this "bet" or "dare" as it were, it pushes Ellison to make that move. Although for Ellison it is definitely more than a dare or what have you.
Grey is receptive to move as well, and in a supply closet at the club, they kiss and Grey goes down Ellison, and just as Ellison is about to go down on him, they're discovered by Ellison's parents and other big name people, even the people who were gonna hire Grey.
Flash forward 15 years later and we learn that Grey was humiliated, had his opportunity for employment taken away, and Ellison, who was too drunk and scared to do anything, said nothing at the time - although he later tried to, we learn, and we learn he even tried to apologize to Grey later on too, but Grey wouldn't hear of it. The damage had already been done.
But now Grey is a multi-billionaire (makes me uncomfy no matter what) because of smart investments he made which allowed him to grow his career. He's known for takeovers, ranging from being peaceful ones to hostile ones.
And his takeover of York Capital is definitely hostile. Ellison's father, Warren, is furious - and a total bastard - and says that his son, Ellison, will find a loophole to stop Grey from taking over the company (there's not.)
As for Ellison, he's finally been able to put in his two weeks as a corporate lawyer working for his father's company, to do something he really wants. He and his sister have been working on starting a private school in Vermont - and we got a fun shoutout to the Sunday Brother's orchard farm a time or two in this, the series by May Archer - and it needs funding from York Investment accounts or whatever they are to help provide scholarships to at least half the students there.
Which is Ellison's main reason for accepting being Grey's temporary PA and basically his errand boy for the 2 weeks technically left on his contract with York Capital.
Grey, of course, still has a lot of anger over what happened to him, and resentment towards Ellison. Of course, they both can't help but be attracted to each other.
Ellison apologizes several times for what had happened and even explains that it wasn't just a dare or anything like that, but Grey has walls upon walls, and isn't one to trust easily.
But he still can't deny his attraction to Ellison - and when it turns out that one of the buildings that Grey wants for a project he's doing, that the owner is Ellison's godfather, and that he's hosting a parting for the upcoming weekend in the Hamptons, Ellison suggests they pretend to be together in order for Ellison to butter up the guy into accepting Grey's proposal.
Their chemistry and UST was so good, I loved it. And yes, when they were both very jealous at others being maybe a little to...comfortable with the other, it was awesome, and the explosion of UST was just so good.
My only complaint came near the end, when we got contrived drama for drama's sake. It's like oh right, of course all these several factors worked together to make how everything happened happen - and having Grey be a typical idiot character who assumes things without asking the other for clarification and leaving without talking to them. HONESTLY. (At least Ellison pointed out in his thoughts how Grey should have just asked him. Like fuck yeah, he should have just asked>)
Also Ellison not thinking to tell Grey outright about what he'd learned, that was also contrived. Like he had no reason not to, even if it was him trying to help Grey...I don't get how not telling him was helping. He had to no how brittle Grey's tentative trust was. Not that I don't mostly blame Grey for the fuckery, but still, Ellison unknowingly didn't help matters.
Which makes it contrived, in my opinion, but there's no reason Ellison wouldn't tell Grey what he found out. He never even had a thought of "man if I don't tell Grey, will he misunderstand?" or any internal debate. He even came back from dropping off a friend at the airport in a happy mood expecting to have a good time with Grey.
So I maintain that it was highly contrived. There could have been plenty of drama that came from what was happening without the ridiculousness. (But I guess there wouldn't have been as much relationship drama, and we can't have that! *sigh*)
But ultimately, like most romances with the highly contrived drama near the very end, it was also fixed pretty quickly - and Grey got off maybe a little too easily with Ellison, but at least he apologized for being a moron - so it wasn't too bad to do deal with. Hence only giving .5 stars off and rounding up instead of giving more off for that fuckery.
The rest of this was strong enough for the contrived-ness to not bring this story down too much. The rest was just so good, and I couldn't stop reading, and I just loved these two together.
So overall, a definite win. One of this author's better ones, for sure. I definitely recommend this, two BIG thumbs up from me! ❤︎
April 1, 2024
Oh wow. I stayed up all night to finish this one and did not regret it.
This has everything I love: second chance romance, steamy scenes, bi-awakening and an MC who is cold as ice but then so full of love. What a great book.
This has everything I love: second chance romance, steamy scenes, bi-awakening and an MC who is cold as ice but then so full of love. What a great book.
May 2, 2025
My dumbass picked this up as a palette cleanser. Imagine my shock when it was the cutest, most adorable shit ever.
I don't know why I never learn. Keeping things untouched on my TBR for agessss.
So many things about this worked for me. Ellis fucked up when they were younger, but not the kind of fuck up that's impossible to forgive. The kind you can attribute to youth and drunkenness and not a genuine rotten heart.
Gray comes out swinging with the hostile revenge takeover, 15 years in the making and he's petty AF(which I love) because wdym the company lawyer and owner's son should order your meals and be your PA? 💀
Loved that Ellis was a little shit right back. Malicious compliance and weaponized incompetence done right. And not even to be dick but for shits and giggles.
I loved how Gray took himself too seriously and Ellis took nothing about his revenge plot seriously.💀
Gray took over his dad's company and turned him into an errand boy and all he was thinking about was how into him(and only him) he was😂
You can't even annoy your enemies these days, smh.
Loved how naturally the fake dating and subsequent forced proximity set up was. Didn't have me rolling my eyes at how much of a reach it was.
LOVED how vulnerable Ellis was willing to be. Putting himself out there again and again because he knew he'd fucked up 15 years ago and it was going to have to be him to cross the divide.
I hate side plots but I loved everything about the one in this, mostly because even THAT was primarily about the two MCs.
Loved even their issues. Loved the trust issues that resulted from Gray never healing from the first time they met, and subsequently being so on guard that he saw nefarious patterns where none existed.
Loved that Gray got his OWN head out of his ass. I hate when an MC has to explain to the other how he hurt them.
Loveddddddddd the grovel. Wasn't extended, but that's okay(his crime wasn't too bad).
Unsurprised that it took Ellis like one MINUTE of grovel to fold😂. Down bad for 15 years, I had no hope in him. He could barely resist the idea of Gray so the reality of Gray on his knees, for him, in public?
Yeah, it was pretty much a wrap the moment Gray decided to get his man back.
And I'm not even mad at it.
I adored their dynamic soooo much. Especially because even when they had what should have been a power imbalance due to the situation at hand, Ellis gave as good as he got (in a loving snarky way).
And Gray kept letting him get away with murder😂
Because how was he getting away with implying to Gray's potential business partners that Gray makes business decisions based on tarot readings and full moons💀
How was he giving his boss his coffee order during important business meetings😂😂😂
They're just so cute! I really appreciated the dynamic of this fearsome venture capitalist terrorizing the old guard and the philanthropic cutie who does not take him seriously AT ALL.
Except when Gray's being all charming. Then Ellis gets all flustered and can't find his words. Just going 'Pffft' over and over. Adorable.
Honestly? Instant favorite.
I don't know why I never learn. Keeping things untouched on my TBR for agessss.
So many things about this worked for me. Ellis fucked up when they were younger, but not the kind of fuck up that's impossible to forgive. The kind you can attribute to youth and drunkenness and not a genuine rotten heart.
Gray comes out swinging with the hostile revenge takeover, 15 years in the making and he's petty AF(which I love) because wdym the company lawyer and owner's son should order your meals and be your PA? 💀
Loved that Ellis was a little shit right back. Malicious compliance and weaponized incompetence done right. And not even to be dick but for shits and giggles.
I loved how Gray took himself too seriously and Ellis took nothing about his revenge plot seriously.💀
Gray took over his dad's company and turned him into an errand boy and all he was thinking about was how into him(and only him) he was😂
You can't even annoy your enemies these days, smh.
Loved how naturally the fake dating and subsequent forced proximity set up was. Didn't have me rolling my eyes at how much of a reach it was.
LOVED how vulnerable Ellis was willing to be. Putting himself out there again and again because he knew he'd fucked up 15 years ago and it was going to have to be him to cross the divide.
I hate side plots but I loved everything about the one in this, mostly because even THAT was primarily about the two MCs.
Loved even their issues. Loved the trust issues that resulted from Gray never healing from the first time they met, and subsequently being so on guard that he saw nefarious patterns where none existed.
Loved that Gray got his OWN head out of his ass. I hate when an MC has to explain to the other how he hurt them.
Loveddddddddd the grovel. Wasn't extended, but that's okay(his crime wasn't too bad).
Unsurprised that it took Ellis like one MINUTE of grovel to fold😂. Down bad for 15 years, I had no hope in him. He could barely resist the idea of Gray so the reality of Gray on his knees, for him, in public?
Yeah, it was pretty much a wrap the moment Gray decided to get his man back.
And I'm not even mad at it.
I adored their dynamic soooo much. Especially because even when they had what should have been a power imbalance due to the situation at hand, Ellis gave as good as he got (in a loving snarky way).
And Gray kept letting him get away with murder😂
Because how was he getting away with implying to Gray's potential business partners that Gray makes business decisions based on tarot readings and full moons💀
How was he giving his boss his coffee order during important business meetings😂😂😂
They're just so cute! I really appreciated the dynamic of this fearsome venture capitalist terrorizing the old guard and the philanthropic cutie who does not take him seriously AT ALL.
Except when Gray's being all charming. Then Ellis gets all flustered and can't find his words. Just going 'Pffft' over and over. Adorable.
Honestly? Instant favorite.
October 15, 2022
I have mixed feelings about this book.
I really liked the general idea for the story. Grey and Ellison met as teenagers, and now Grey is taking revenge for everything done to him by Ellison's father and his friends. This is a really interesting starting situation. Especially since we meet Ellison when he finally stops working for his father and begins to pursue his own dreams. All this makes the initial dynamics of their relationship very interesting.
I wish Ellison was a little less goofy and cheerful. I would really prefer if he was a little tougher and more serious. In my opinion that would improve the dynamics in his relationship with Grey. Especially in the second part of the book, when he and Grey are together, Ellison begins to be almost flamboyant. He is so soft and emotional. It was a bit weird and it irritated me at times.
I'm not sure if I fully believed in the deep feelings between them. I have no doubt that Ellison has been in love with Grey for a long time. I am also able to believe to some extent that Grey still has an affection for him as well. But then their relationship grows a little too quickly. They spend no more than two weeks together. I have no doubts that there is something between them, but whether such strong feelings, I’m not sure.
The miscommunication trope truly disappointed me. I really don't like when the final conflict between the main characters could be easily resolved in a second if only these two would talk to each other. And that's exactly what happened in this story. I am all the more disappointed that this plot allowed for so many other possible conflicts and problems in Grey and Ellison's relationship. And the author decided to take the easy way. Anyway, the whole mess is finally resolved quickly when they finally talk to each other, obviously.
Overall, I really liked the idea, but at one point the story took a direction that I wouldn't have chosen.
I really liked the general idea for the story. Grey and Ellison met as teenagers, and now Grey is taking revenge for everything done to him by Ellison's father and his friends. This is a really interesting starting situation. Especially since we meet Ellison when he finally stops working for his father and begins to pursue his own dreams. All this makes the initial dynamics of their relationship very interesting.
I wish Ellison was a little less goofy and cheerful. I would really prefer if he was a little tougher and more serious. In my opinion that would improve the dynamics in his relationship with Grey. Especially in the second part of the book, when he and Grey are together, Ellison begins to be almost flamboyant. He is so soft and emotional. It was a bit weird and it irritated me at times.
I'm not sure if I fully believed in the deep feelings between them. I have no doubt that Ellison has been in love with Grey for a long time. I am also able to believe to some extent that Grey still has an affection for him as well. But then their relationship grows a little too quickly. They spend no more than two weeks together. I have no doubts that there is something between them, but whether such strong feelings, I’m not sure.
The miscommunication trope truly disappointed me. I really don't like when the final conflict between the main characters could be easily resolved in a second if only these two would talk to each other. And that's exactly what happened in this story. I am all the more disappointed that this plot allowed for so many other possible conflicts and problems in Grey and Ellison's relationship. And the author decided to take the easy way. Anyway, the whole mess is finally resolved quickly when they finally talk to each other, obviously.
Overall, I really liked the idea, but at one point the story took a direction that I wouldn't have chosen.
November 1, 2021
3.50 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Highly entertaining and messy - just the combo I was looking for. Lucy’s books tend to be hit or miss for me, with more misses than hits. While her brand tends to be the Hallmark movie with sex genre that I’m so fond of, there’s usually too much fluffy, sugary-sweetness for my taste. This book though? Fun and hot, with just enough schmoopy to keep the romance alive and well. The characters were likable, the setting was engaging, the UST was 🥵 (as was the payoff…just sayin’), and it was honestly just a FUN read.
As I mentioned above it was also messy, and I’m of course referring to the plot. It wasn’t so messy it pulled me out of the story, but if you’re looking for literary genius I would perhaps read something else 😌 The way Ellison’s sexuality was addressed was certainly a choice™. So was Grey’s whole “I hate the privileged” schtick even though he was now a billionaire, but I digress. Like I said…messy. But the entertainment far outweighed that for me, so I maintain it was still a good time 😉.
Highly entertaining and messy - just the combo I was looking for. Lucy’s books tend to be hit or miss for me, with more misses than hits. While her brand tends to be the Hallmark movie with sex genre that I’m so fond of, there’s usually too much fluffy, sugary-sweetness for my taste. This book though? Fun and hot, with just enough schmoopy to keep the romance alive and well. The characters were likable, the setting was engaging, the UST was 🥵 (as was the payoff…just sayin’), and it was honestly just a FUN read.
As I mentioned above it was also messy, and I’m of course referring to the plot. It wasn’t so messy it pulled me out of the story, but if you’re looking for literary genius I would perhaps read something else 😌 The way Ellison’s sexuality was addressed was certainly a choice™. So was Grey’s whole “I hate the privileged” schtick even though he was now a billionaire, but I digress. Like I said…messy. But the entertainment far outweighed that for me, so I maintain it was still a good time 😉.
February 18, 2023
I enjoyed this one much more than I expected to.
October 28, 2021
4.5 rating
What can I say another great read by Lucy Lennox.
I was anticipating Grey’s story since reading Luca and Marcel’s story. The wait was certainly worth it. Ms. Lennox did not disappoint.
In a Lucy Lennox story, expect to see sexual tension, sizzling chemistry, and swoon-worthy romance.
But proceed with caution. Ms. Lennox’s writing can make you smile like an idiot while witnessing the romance unfold in the first book of this series.
We first get introduced to Grey Blackwood in Luca & Marcel’s story. An arrogant, hot billionaire, Grey is not what he seems at the surface level, or is he? Is there more to the hardworking billionaire than meets the eye? Ellison York seems to think so.
The two have a complicated history, one which unfortunately severed their ties and humiliated Grey, leaving him with nothing but resentment and revenge.
Grey and Ellison eventually reunite 15 years later. Circumstances unfold, and Grey & Ellison are forced to ignite old feelings from the past. Can the two mend their complicated past, or will outside forces ruin the potential of any future between the two?
After all, what is a Lucy Lennox story without some drama? Thanks to daddy York who I cough cough detest with a passion, the romance between Grey and Ellison is not a walk in the park.
Grey has trust issues, and rightfully so. Life has not been kind to him. However, Grey does not let his past or people hold him back... Mr. Blackwood owns his own empire and does not bow down to anyone. People bow down to him. What Grey wants, Grey gets, except in romance. It is where his past puts him to the test when he pursues Ellison romantically.
Ellison York has deeply always wanted Grey, but societal norms and his uncertainty with his sexuality and his past with Grey prevented him from pursuing those desires. When he finally sees Grey 15 years later, he is determined to prove Grey wrong and that he is not the elitist douche Grey views him to be.
The two must deal with their past and issues in order to have a chance at romance or a future, despite the meddling of outside forces.
We see that unfold in this book.
Overall, a great read. I would recommend you to read it. After all, what is better than a good old romance between enemies who are later turned lovers?
What can I say another great read by Lucy Lennox.
I was anticipating Grey’s story since reading Luca and Marcel’s story. The wait was certainly worth it. Ms. Lennox did not disappoint.
In a Lucy Lennox story, expect to see sexual tension, sizzling chemistry, and swoon-worthy romance.
But proceed with caution. Ms. Lennox’s writing can make you smile like an idiot while witnessing the romance unfold in the first book of this series.
We first get introduced to Grey Blackwood in Luca & Marcel’s story. An arrogant, hot billionaire, Grey is not what he seems at the surface level, or is he? Is there more to the hardworking billionaire than meets the eye? Ellison York seems to think so.
The two have a complicated history, one which unfortunately severed their ties and humiliated Grey, leaving him with nothing but resentment and revenge.
Grey and Ellison eventually reunite 15 years later. Circumstances unfold, and Grey & Ellison are forced to ignite old feelings from the past. Can the two mend their complicated past, or will outside forces ruin the potential of any future between the two?
After all, what is a Lucy Lennox story without some drama? Thanks to daddy York who I cough cough detest with a passion, the romance between Grey and Ellison is not a walk in the park.
Grey has trust issues, and rightfully so. Life has not been kind to him. However, Grey does not let his past or people hold him back... Mr. Blackwood owns his own empire and does not bow down to anyone. People bow down to him. What Grey wants, Grey gets, except in romance. It is where his past puts him to the test when he pursues Ellison romantically.
Ellison York has deeply always wanted Grey, but societal norms and his uncertainty with his sexuality and his past with Grey prevented him from pursuing those desires. When he finally sees Grey 15 years later, he is determined to prove Grey wrong and that he is not the elitist douche Grey views him to be.
The two must deal with their past and issues in order to have a chance at romance or a future, despite the meddling of outside forces.
We see that unfold in this book.
Overall, a great read. I would recommend you to read it. After all, what is better than a good old romance between enemies who are later turned lovers?
November 2, 2021
This was soooo good! 🖤
I just love the employee/employer, fake dating, enemies to lovers tropes 💯
RTC
I just love the employee/employer, fake dating, enemies to lovers tropes 💯
RTC
October 27, 2021
~3.5 Highly enjoyable unrealistic fluff
December 4, 2021
𝙸𝚝 𝚠𝚊𝚜 𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚊 𝚋𝚕𝚞𝚛— 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚒𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚍𝚎𝚟𝚘𝚞𝚛𝚊𝚋𝚕𝚎. 𝙸 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚛𝚊𝚌𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚜, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚙𝚕𝚘𝚝 𝚔𝚎𝚙𝚝 𝚖𝚎 𝚒𝚗𝚟𝚎𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚛𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚝. 𝚃𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚠𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚊 𝚕𝚘𝚝 𝚘𝚏 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚢 𝚛𝚘𝚖𝚊𝚗𝚝𝚒𝚌 𝚖𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚜, 𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎 𝚓𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝚑𝚒𝚝 𝚖𝚎 𝚜𝚚𝚞𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚝. 𝙸 𝚓𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝚠𝚒𝚜𝚑 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎 𝚒𝚜 𝚘𝚛 𝚠𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚋𝚎 𝚊 𝚋𝚘𝚗𝚞𝚜 𝚜𝚌𝚎𝚗𝚎 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚠𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚙𝚎𝚗𝚎𝚍 𝚛𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚊𝚏𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚎𝚙𝚒𝚕𝚘𝚐𝚞𝚎.
November 3, 2021
Even though is about Grey wanting to exact revenge on Ellison's family, the story is low on angst. Half the time, Ellison lust after Grey and isn't sad about his father's company being takeover. It was a mixture of comedy/angst and sexual tension. But despite them being hot for each other, the UST was deliciously prolonged for half the book. Of course I couldn't put it down until I get to the sexy bits. And then the "misunderstanding" happened, which I usually dislike. However, seeing Grey grovel his way back to Ellison make the slight pain worth it. Overall, I'm quite entertained with the story.
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