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Charming The Enemy
An Enemies To Lovers Romance.
Maria.
He wants to close MY little bakery down!
It’s my worst fear. My dream flushed down Stephen Cohen’s gold encrusted toilet. Well, I don’t know if his toilet is gold encrusted, but it should be. The man looks like a god. A beautiful sexy god. I don’t think I have ever had such a visceral reaction to a man before. I just wanted to lick him like he was frosting on a cupcake. My legs were jelly.
“Successful bakeries don’t have slow hours,” he says in a clipped voice
And just like that it becomes crystal clear: he is the enemy.
He gives me six months to turn my figures around. I’m no accountant and I’m crap at business, my thing is flour, butter and sugar, but I’ll figure something out.
I swear, I will. Something that will forever wipe the smug, arrogant look off his drop dead, gorgeous eyes.
Brand new feel-good standalone romance with HEA.
Maria.
He wants to close MY little bakery down!
It’s my worst fear. My dream flushed down Stephen Cohen’s gold encrusted toilet. Well, I don’t know if his toilet is gold encrusted, but it should be. The man looks like a god. A beautiful sexy god. I don’t think I have ever had such a visceral reaction to a man before. I just wanted to lick him like he was frosting on a cupcake. My legs were jelly.
“Successful bakeries don’t have slow hours,” he says in a clipped voice
And just like that it becomes crystal clear: he is the enemy.
He gives me six months to turn my figures around. I’m no accountant and I’m crap at business, my thing is flour, butter and sugar, but I’ll figure something out.
I swear, I will. Something that will forever wipe the smug, arrogant look off his drop dead, gorgeous eyes.
Brand new feel-good standalone romance with HEA.
- GenresEnemies To Lovers
312 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 11, 2022
67 people are currently reading
68 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
February 16, 2022
I have mixed emotions about this book. Maria is given an opportunity to turn things around. This is how she meets Stephen. They fall in love and get their happy ending. My problem with this book was all the mess with her sisters.
March 25, 2022
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review,
I really enjoyed this book, It was well written and I liked it was a different topic. I loved the characters, Marla and Stephen are great characters. Marla is a hard working baker, just sadly not a very good business woman. However she does try her best, only its not enough and needs help. Stephen's mother helped Marla start her bakery to begin with, only Stephen wants to close the bakery as it's not making any money. Only Stephen's mother isn't having any of it and asks him to help her instead, as her baking is top class. Does Stephen help her? hell yeah and their chemistry is smoking and they are not enemies for long. The storyline takes a few twists and turns along the way and is great to read. It's a great book. The only fault is the title of the book doesn't really fit. I highly recommend it.
I really enjoyed this book, It was well written and I liked it was a different topic. I loved the characters, Marla and Stephen are great characters. Marla is a hard working baker, just sadly not a very good business woman. However she does try her best, only its not enough and needs help. Stephen's mother helped Marla start her bakery to begin with, only Stephen wants to close the bakery as it's not making any money. Only Stephen's mother isn't having any of it and asks him to help her instead, as her baking is top class. Does Stephen help her? hell yeah and their chemistry is smoking and they are not enemies for long. The storyline takes a few twists and turns along the way and is great to read. It's a great book. The only fault is the title of the book doesn't really fit. I highly recommend it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 16, 2022
This was an entertaining story about Maria and Stephen who met when his mother asked him to help Maria’s bakery get in the black; Maria wasn’t so good at running her business as she was at baking. Stephen was skeptical but once he met Maria, he couldn’t stop his feelings and will to help her achieve her goals. I enjoyed their banter/interactions, and their chemistry was great. There were some surprises along the way in this plot rich story. Very enjoyable. Such an interesting story by this first-time author for me. I received an arc and voluntarily left an honest review. Note: There were a multitude of errors in this arc so hopefully they were corrected before publishing.
February 14, 2022
Maria's whole life is her bakery and she is great at baking, marketing not so much. Stephen is tasked with turning that location around, or shut it down. He has never waivered when it comes to business decisions, but he has never met Maria. What was a done deal on paper turns into giving her 6 months to turn the bakery around, plus he will help her with the business end. The sparks fly, both in anger and the sizzling chemistry between them. I love the snark, the banter and the vulnerability they show when they finally let down their walls. Loved it! I received this ARC from Bad boy Updates.
February 17, 2022
Maria Swan lived for her bakery she was good at everything she baked but her one failing was promoting her coffee shop. She was given a chance at this franchise shop and had to make it work. Stephen Cohen promised his mother that he would give her six months to turn it around with his help. Stephen found he was attracted to Maria and she to him. He agreed to take her to a Event Planning conference where she would be given a chance to promote herself. Stephen introduced her to people who he knew could help her. Then they went for a meal and drink and ended up at Maria’s flat for coffee. I’m not going to spoil the rest. I enjoyed this story which I received an ARC for an honest review which I have given.
August 15, 2022
I loved this book and couldn’t put it down. From
The moment Stephen met Maria you just knew things were about to change. The day Stephen walked into Maria’s bakery she had a bad feeling that soon changed. This story had me captivated from the start. The way Stephen was with Maria after having a failed marriage was just beautiful. They both tried so hard to fight their feelings but in the end they had to admit them. Having a surprise not long after meeting was sure to cause havoc but it actually brought them closer. This book is a must read, you won’t be disappointed.
The moment Stephen met Maria you just knew things were about to change. The day Stephen walked into Maria’s bakery she had a bad feeling that soon changed. This story had me captivated from the start. The way Stephen was with Maria after having a failed marriage was just beautiful. They both tried so hard to fight their feelings but in the end they had to admit them. Having a surprise not long after meeting was sure to cause havoc but it actually brought them closer. This book is a must read, you won’t be disappointed.
February 17, 2022
Loved this book. Maria owns her own bakery but it's not been busy so when Stephen comes walking in her life is about to change, Stephen helps his mom run the family business along with his own so when he sees one of there bakery's not doing well he wants to shut it down but his mother won't let him little does he know when he meets Maria his life will change. Can these two become one?
June 9, 2022
Title is very misleading.
January 30, 2025
⛔️(in notes)
February 11, 2022
I rated this three and a half.
Businessman and baker connect in the bedroom
Maria's bakery is a franchise that is owned by Stephen and his mother. Maria is a great baker but not an experienced entrepreneur so the bakery is not doing great financially. Looking at the numbers, Stephen wants to shut it down but looking at Maria, he wants to personally help her to put it to rights. They attend a networking event together and at the end of the day they hook up. Initially, they both insist it's just physical. Stephen is divorced and doesn't see himself as a good husband and father. Maria has family pressures as her sister has infertility problems and has asked Maria to be their surrogate. But life gets in the way and things do not go according to the initial plans.
The book was ok, I didn't hate it and I didn't love it. Sex is the main way these people communicate so there are a lot of bedroom scenes, so many that I thought some of that could have been cut as the point had been already made.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Businessman and baker connect in the bedroom
Maria's bakery is a franchise that is owned by Stephen and his mother. Maria is a great baker but not an experienced entrepreneur so the bakery is not doing great financially. Looking at the numbers, Stephen wants to shut it down but looking at Maria, he wants to personally help her to put it to rights. They attend a networking event together and at the end of the day they hook up. Initially, they both insist it's just physical. Stephen is divorced and doesn't see himself as a good husband and father. Maria has family pressures as her sister has infertility problems and has asked Maria to be their surrogate. But life gets in the way and things do not go according to the initial plans.
The book was ok, I didn't hate it and I didn't love it. Sex is the main way these people communicate so there are a lot of bedroom scenes, so many that I thought some of that could have been cut as the point had been already made.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 11, 2022
A Well Crafted Storyline.
The author, Iona Rose has written a great romance story filled with week-developed characters and unique family dynamics. I never do see the protagonists, Stephen and Maria as enemies but as moving very quickly from strictly business to friends to parents-to-be…all within a very short amount of time. The chemistry is strong between them and with Maria and her two sisters which provided an interesting twist. Stephen is tested several times if, in fact, he is different from how his own dad was. Will he succeed or cause further duress?
I enjoyed the book and am definitely recommending it for your reading enjoyment. PEACE.
I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an Advance Reader Copy of this story from Bad Boy Update.
The author, Iona Rose has written a great romance story filled with week-developed characters and unique family dynamics. I never do see the protagonists, Stephen and Maria as enemies but as moving very quickly from strictly business to friends to parents-to-be…all within a very short amount of time. The chemistry is strong between them and with Maria and her two sisters which provided an interesting twist. Stephen is tested several times if, in fact, he is different from how his own dad was. Will he succeed or cause further duress?
I enjoyed the book and am definitely recommending it for your reading enjoyment. PEACE.
I am voluntarily posting an honest review after reading an Advance Reader Copy of this story from Bad Boy Update.
February 13, 2022
Stephen is a wealthy, successful workaholic, but doesn't see himself as marriage material and certainly not a father. When one of the baked franchises that he owns seems to be failing, he goes there to find out why. Maria loves her bakery Creamy Creations, but she is a baker, not skilled at marketing. When Stephen and Maria meet, sizzling chemistry. While they are both trying to real in those feelings, things happen, and again, and again, and again. When things get complicated for Maria and Stephen, will their relationship survive and thrive or implode. The book is well paced, the characters interesting, tons of steam, twists, and more. Free to read with KU.
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.
February 14, 2022
This is a great read.
Maria is running her bakery business the best that she can but she is better at baking rather than the business side. She takes an instant dislike to Stephen when he comes to give her a deadline for sorting her business out or he will shut her down.
The chemistry between them is off the charts which makes Stephen decide to give her a helping hand.
They start to get close but neither are ready for a relationship as they have been hurt in the past but what happens when feelings start to change.
Will they run or give each other a chance.
Plenty of drama and full of emotion but also so much love.
A must read.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book which I received from Bad Boy Updates.
Maria is running her bakery business the best that she can but she is better at baking rather than the business side. She takes an instant dislike to Stephen when he comes to give her a deadline for sorting her business out or he will shut her down.
The chemistry between them is off the charts which makes Stephen decide to give her a helping hand.
They start to get close but neither are ready for a relationship as they have been hurt in the past but what happens when feelings start to change.
Will they run or give each other a chance.
Plenty of drama and full of emotion but also so much love.
A must read.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book which I received from Bad Boy Updates.
February 18, 2022
Maria's great joy is the bakery she's so proud of. Creamy Creations provides the opportunity to bake everything she desires and is something she's really good at, but she's not quite attentive enough when it comes to accounting or sales. Stephen and his mother own her business and he's not happy with this non-producing store and wants to shut it down. Stephen and Maria go to a business conference together and their attraction is immediate. What started as a contentious relationship, morphs into more, but problems arise that she never expected. A sister who wants her as a surrogate, an ex who just happens to be pregnant and not knowing what she wants to do about it herself has Maria doing a lot of thinking. Stephen turns out to be more than what she was hoping for.
February 10, 2022
Maria who runs a bakery franchise is visited by her boss Stephen who wants to close it down unless she makes improvements. After initial coolness, Maria agrees to attend a conference with him to market her business. What neither of them expect is their hot attraction to each other. The story gets complicated when Maria agrees to be a surrogate for her sister and her own circumstances change. There were some highlights in this hot and steamy story but grammatical errors had me having to go back and forwards over text to try and make sense of it at times. Also I felt it went on too long too. Read an ARC for an honest review.
February 13, 2022
Maria's bakery is doing well financially. Stephen and his family own the bakery and he is there to decide if its worth keeping open. However, once he meets Maria things change. Stephen wants to try and help her get it on its feet again. Things heat up between them. Things get complicated between Maria and Stephen. Will they be able to find a way to be together? Will her bakery get to stay open?
This is a great story that will draw you in from the first chapter and leave you wanting more with the last chapter. This is a well written and very entertaining story. I would recommend this book to any book lover.
I voluntarily read and reviewed this book for Bad Boy Update.
This is a great story that will draw you in from the first chapter and leave you wanting more with the last chapter. This is a well written and very entertaining story. I would recommend this book to any book lover.
I voluntarily read and reviewed this book for Bad Boy Update.
February 8, 2022
Sweet yet spicy:
This was an enjoyable story that was simultaneously sweet and spicy. There was a good mix of romance, drama and angst. However it felt a little flat and could have done with more editing and polishing.
I thought Stephen and Maria made a cute couple and you could feel their chemistry. Personally I would have liked more of a build up and less insta lust but over time their relationship came to feel more authentic.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This was an enjoyable story that was simultaneously sweet and spicy. There was a good mix of romance, drama and angst. However it felt a little flat and could have done with more editing and polishing.
I thought Stephen and Maria made a cute couple and you could feel their chemistry. Personally I would have liked more of a build up and less insta lust but over time their relationship came to feel more authentic.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 11, 2022
Good tender and hot romance
It's a good romance, tender, but also very hot between two enemies by their professional bond: Stephen, condescending, and arrogant, wants to close what was the first bakery of his family. His family has become wealthy and the bakery is now managed by Maria. Their meeting is explosive because their oppositions between their view of the future of the bakery and the attraction they have create sparks. Their relationship then becomes more tender, but also more complex by the new turn it takes.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book
It's a good romance, tender, but also very hot between two enemies by their professional bond: Stephen, condescending, and arrogant, wants to close what was the first bakery of his family. His family has become wealthy and the bakery is now managed by Maria. Their meeting is explosive because their oppositions between their view of the future of the bakery and the attraction they have create sparks. Their relationship then becomes more tender, but also more complex by the new turn it takes.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book
February 9, 2022
I enjoyed this book. It was fun and packed with feels. The chemistry zings and the sparks really fly between Maria and Stephen. I liked these characters. They each had some baggage and I felt that made them easy to relate to. I felt that these two were kind of cute together and there was an underlying sweetness to their romance that balanced out the drama well. This is my independent, impartial review.
February 11, 2022
The author has given us a wonderful story that pulls us into the lives of Maria and Stephen and does not let go. When Stephen informs Maria that she must make his required improvements or he will close down her bakery, he immediately becomes her enemy. The story keeps us turning the pages as we hope these two can work out their differences and have a chance at happiness.
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.
February 12, 2022
Hooking up.
Maria is good at baking, bad at business.
Stephen is good at business, bad at relationships.
So, he’s the one who wants to shut her bakery down, but his mother has him help her instead. He helps her in bed, too. Every time, all the time. Would have liked some substance. Just a bit.
3.5
Maria is good at baking, bad at business.
Stephen is good at business, bad at relationships.
So, he’s the one who wants to shut her bakery down, but his mother has him help her instead. He helps her in bed, too. Every time, all the time. Would have liked some substance. Just a bit.
3.5
May 30, 2022
ARC Review For honest review. This is a beautiful story of Maria swan who runs creamy creations for Stephen Cohn he comes to check on his business and chemistry happens .
Merged review:
ARC Review For honest review. This is a beautiful story of Maria swan who runs creamy creations for Stephen Cohn he comes to check on his business and chemistry happens .
Merged review:
ARC Review For honest review. This is a beautiful story of Maria swan who runs creamy creations for Stephen Cohn he comes to check on his business and chemistry happens .
February 12, 2022
Fun enemies to lovers read. Stephen is planning on closing Maria’s underperforming bakery, but as soon as he sees her, he’s immediately drawn to her. There are plenty of sparks between them and it was great seeing their barriers being torn down as their attraction built into something more.
February 21, 2022
Charming the enemy by Iona Rose, first book by this author. Loved how it stated out, but it started going downhill from there. There was definitely chemistry between the H and h, but it lacked the development of their relationship.
February 12, 2022
I enjoyed Stephan & Maria’s book. It was an intriguing read. I got a copy of the book. And am voluntarily leaving my review.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews