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D'marcus Armstrong was demanding, autocratic and cranky as a boss. But as the star of her feverish nighttime fantasies, the man was simply divine. Still, Opal Lockhart had no chance with Detroit's self-made millionaire. What would a high roller like him want with a buttoned-up,naive secretary like her?

Enter the Lockhart sisters—for some attitude adjustment and a wardrobe makeover. With some décolletage and come-hither heels, they have the sex kitten in Opal downright purring.

Now she's giving D'marcus notice—he'd better watch out!

288 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published July 24, 2007

16 people are currently reading
462 people want to read

About the author

Brenda Jackson

930 books3,649 followers
In 1994, Brenda Jackson’s first novel, Tonight and Forever, was released. Since then she has had more than 100 novels and novellas published (the first African-American author to accomplish such a feat) and has over 3 million books in print.

A native of Jacksonville, Florida, Brenda is the first African-American author to have a book published by Harlequin Desire and the first African-American romance author to make the New York Times and USA TODAY bestseller lists within the series romance genre.

In 2012, Brenda received the Romance Writers of America’s Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award—one of the highest literary awards a romance author can receive. In 2013, she was recognized by the mayor and the city of Jacksonville as being a Trailblazer in the literary field.

In 2010, she collaborated with Five Alive Films to turn her Truly Everlasting title into a feature film. Brenda’s 2011 novel A Silken Thread is scheduled to be filmed with Debbie Allen attached as director in 2015.

Email Brenda at authorbrendajackson@gmail.com or visit her on her website at brendajackson.net.

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5 stars
422 (52%)
4 stars
236 (29%)
3 stars
114 (14%)
2 stars
20 (2%)
1 star
8 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
Profile Image for Shonnie.
443 reviews17 followers
February 24, 2011
As a romance novel, it had a slow start and it took a long time for the couple to get together. However it was a good story that had potential.
Profile Image for Mya.
1,506 reviews62 followers
March 5, 2022
I am in love with this author and story. I only wished I knew what happen to them in the end (an epilogue would have been a wonderful addition).
Profile Image for Susan.
4,843 reviews130 followers
August 21, 2017
Good book. Opal is the administrative assistant to D'marcus, an internship position she has held for several months. She likes the job, even though her boss can be a grumpy pain in the butt. She also finds him incredibly attractive even though she knows nothing can come of it. What she doesn't know is that D'marcus is just as attracted to her.

The book opens with D'marcus calling Opal into work on a Saturday afternoon while she is with her family and friends. Her sisters let her know what they think of the way he treats her. When their meeting is over, the caring part of Opal comes out as she offers to return with some food for him, as she knows he is likely to skip dinner. His reaction is harsh and rather over the top rude, but she still shows up later with said meal. I loved her reaction, as she doesn't meekly accept his rudeness.

What Opal doesn't know is that D'marcus is very attracted to her and not at all happy about it. First of all, she is his employee, which makes getting involved a bad idea. Second, after the death of his fiancée six years earlier, he has avoided getting close to another woman. He feels that he had his one shot at love. But Opal makes him feel things he hasn't felt since then, and he doesn't like it. A couple of weeks of late workdays and his attraction is taking over not just his waking hours but his dreams also. He decides to take her on an upcoming business trip and hopes to talk her into an affair at the same time.

I enjoyed the development of their relationship. Both are intent on doing their jobs, but their attraction is constantly simmering in the background. It was fun to see the way that Opal tries to deny her attraction to him, but her family can see the truth. It was fun to see how they shanghaied her into a makeover, wanting to force D'marcus into seeing Opal as the desirable woman that she is. His reaction is everything that they could hope for, and I loved seeing him try to deal with it. When they reach California, Opal has finally realized that what she feels for him is more than just attraction; she is in love with him. D'marcus makes his move on her, letting her know that he wants an affair, but that anything more is not possible. I liked that he had the patience to give her time to consider, and ached for Opal as she realized her love was not returned. She decides to accept whatever he can give. The next few days are spent in a combination of business and pleasure, as Opal's feelings for D'marcus grow even stronger. At the same time, D'marcus finds that his time with Opal is far different than anything he's experienced before. He resists the idea that it can be anything more than lust. By the time they have both returned to Detroit, Opal is head over heels, and D'marcus is freaking out over what he feels. To protect himself, he pulls away. I liked Opal's strength of character here as, even though heartbroken, she carries on with her life. It was satisfying to see D'marcus struggle with accepting why he's so unhappy since he brought it on himself. Once he sees the light, he acts in his typically decisive manner. I loved his big moment at the end. It was sweet and romantic.

My only dissatisfaction with the story is that the issue with the basketball player was left unresolved. He made several appearances as D'marcus dealt with the trouble he was causing. The player made threats against D'marcus and it was all just left hanging. I would have liked to see a satisfactory conclusion to it.
Profile Image for Biggaletta Day.
259 reviews6 followers
September 8, 2023
I'm conflicted over this romance though it had some very sweet moments and a nice ending so l guess that's what's matters. Read other romances for a balanced view.

I liked Opal especially when she stood up for herself but on the other hand l wasn’t convinced someone with her strong faith and going to prayer meetings would have been so easily taken . . . I think it would have made a nice non-sexual romance They had so many sweet moments that the sex was filler and became repetitive.

What irritated me was her trying to get him to go to church. Geez. But overall there are some very sweet moments, a heart breaking one, and nice ending.
4 reviews
May 7, 2020
Great Book!!!

This was my second time reading this book. The first time I read it was about 3 years ago. This time I was reading it before I went to bed, then my husband asked me to read him a couple of pages in hope it would put him to sleep. Well, after the first chapter I look over thinking he was sleep. To my amazement he was wide a wake. From then on every night we read together. It was exciting to follow D'marcus and Opal through their journey to find true love. Thank you for writing should a great book. We are look forward to reading more of your books.
Profile Image for Turtleberry Turtleberry.
Author 50 books52 followers
November 26, 2024
Opal was doing her best to ignore how attractive she found her boss D'marcus. He couldn't stop thinking about what he wanted to do to her. Her sisters and cousins gave her a makeover and a confidence boost before they went on a business trip together. While away, they couldn't fight their attraction for each other and agree to have an affair. She wants more but he lost love in the past and doesn't want to risk his heart again.
This was a cute love story. The way it was so clear that he was in love with her to everyone but him was classic. I enjoyed this book a lot.
Profile Image for Essence Cropper.
73 reviews
November 1, 2018
I really enjoyed this book. I read it in about a week, which is good for me. Lol I would recommend for sure. I'm not one that reads alot of romance, but I think I may start. I'll be adding more Brenda Jackson to my book collection.
Profile Image for Kelly Cook.
146 reviews
October 5, 2019
D’marcus is a widow looking for a no strings attached affair and Opal is his administrative assistant looking for love.

They start a hot love affair with D’marcus learning to love again.

This is book 1 in the Three weddings and a reunion series.
Profile Image for Pierrette.
31 reviews
March 28, 2018
Good read. Good characters

I've read this book 3 times, and it's a new experience every time. Brenda Jackson definitely know how to deliver
43 reviews
May 2, 2020
Very good read. I couldn't stop reading and it was a page Turner. When I did have to put it down I was always waiting to pick it back up.
Profile Image for Bridget.
489 reviews13 followers
January 18, 2012
This is not the Brenda Jackson book, I'm use to because the chemistry developed slowly, but I was thoroughly pleased with the happily ever after ending. Because this was a series book I feel like Brenda JAckson did not get as much say so as she normally does and the book read like "book not scripts". It was as if this happens then that then this and bam done. It just did not have the flow that I am used to with her books. She normally has a format to follow, but this just seemed to formatted for me, but I still enjoyed it. D'markus is a pineapple (hard on the outside but soft and sweet on the inside). It just took him finding out that love comes around many times even after loss to see how much he was missing. This is a story of hope, faith, and the triumph of the human spirit to always live the greatest commandment...Above all love one another.
Profile Image for SassyMama.
1,016 reviews4 followers
July 31, 2007
Page Turner
All I can say is Mrs. Jackson has done it again! The book arrived after 6:00 p.m. yesterday (July 30, 2007) and I finished it before I went to bed last night. This book is definitely for the hopeless romantic. The characters were definitely memorable. The heated attraction between Opal and D'Marcus was sizzlin'. Loved Opal's character from the very start. Once D'Marcus stopped fighting his attraction to Opal and stopped being a "tyrant", you couldn't help but fall in love with him, as well. I can't wait to read about the secondary characters. I just hope the rest of the Lockhart tales are as AMAZING as the one, Mrs. Jackson has spun so elegantly. Great storyline, unforgettable characters, hot and steamy romance and lovin'...you will not be disappointed! A MUST Read!
Profile Image for Lady Raven RAVE!.
1,824 reviews1,526 followers
June 26, 2011
What can i say another job well done not bored yet of Mrs Jackson love it a keeper. Even though I love this book the begin it took some time to get them to come together but when they did it was worth it.




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Profile Image for Rachael.
53 reviews11 followers
February 24, 2016
I barely finished this book, only vaguely skimming the second half quickly. The author tried to create a Christian heroine, she was attending church and going to prayer meetings and doing life with her family and church congregation, but at the first opportunity she slept with the hero and had no moral issues with it. The hypocrisy of the entire premise of the book killed any hope of enjoyment, or of carrying on with what I was hoping would be an interesting series. Disheartened that this is the way "Christian" heroines are portrayed.
Profile Image for Toni.
248 reviews53 followers
November 18, 2010
After working as an intern in his office for some time, Opal Lockhart has just about given up on expecting her boss to be nice to her. D'Marcus Armstrong has proven to be demanding and cranky, but she still finds herself drawn to him. Her sisters believe that he acts that way because he's attracted to her as well.


All that is put to the test when Opal accompanies D'Marcus on a business trip after her sisters give her a makeover. Will the scenario in the title come true?
Profile Image for Dorel.
4,389 reviews39 followers
August 14, 2016
In this book the I liked the scenes with Opal & her sisters it made me think of my sisters. I liked the ending too. The story line was okay but kind of slow & boring. I wish this book had more chemistry & spark between Opal & D'marcus. If this book I more of a romantic feel I would have rated it higher.
Profile Image for Keyona.
314 reviews254 followers
November 17, 2008
I enjoyed this book. The main character was ironically likeable, which made me like the book more. I did have one question that was not answered at the end which was a little disappointing. However, it was a nice light read.
Profile Image for Tanielle.
Author 0 books38 followers
June 20, 2014
Opal didn't stand a chance with D'marcus from the beginning. He was too much for her and once he turned up the heat she was melting in his hands. Great story with just the right amount of heat to keep you going.
Profile Image for Deangela.
6 reviews
October 28, 2010
Great book Although its an adult book You Could sense the love on there first meet. I've read it 4 times.
Profile Image for Chineka Jones.
Author 1 book17 followers
February 19, 2012
I really enjoyed reading this book. It was steamy and the plot flowed well. You will not want to put this book down once you start reading it.
Profile Image for Sharon.
797 reviews48 followers
July 22, 2016
I just re-read this story. Still a cute love story of a lady falling for her boss.
Profile Image for LaTonya.
280 reviews3 followers
April 29, 2013
Another great love story from Brenda Jackson! This was a quick read and I really enjoyed it.
Profile Image for Stacey Price.
86 reviews6 followers
March 15, 2015
This is the first book I have read by this author and it didn't do anything for me personally nothing against the author.
Profile Image for Rhapsody Phoenix.
222 reviews1 follower
July 17, 2016
I enjoyed this read.
would love to read Pearl and the gangsta pastor though.
Profile Image for Tigger.
1,502 reviews7 followers
December 14, 2019
3.85 stars

Second time reading, well maybe third

On to the next book in this series



Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews