Falling for the Boss

by J. Sterling

Joseph Martin has been my best friends' boss for years. So when she comes to me, with this half baked idea of me posing as his girlfriend to help him out, I'm tempted to tell her to take a hike. But then she begs. And pleads. And says that he'll pay off my med school bills and... you guessed it, I cave . Even though I hate him. Even though we apparently hate eachother ( I'm not the one who didn't anything wrong, mind you ). But things aren't always how they seem and the guy I thought I couldn't stand, I suddenly find myself falling for. It was supposed to be fake. An arrangement with no strings attached. So why can't I stop wanting more?

Genres: Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Contemporary, Audiobook, Contemporary Romance, Holiday, Fake Dating

197 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2022

About the author

J. (jenn) Sterling is a New York Times and USA Today best selling author of multiple contemporary romances. She lives in California with her only son, Blake. If you can't find her sitting behind a computer screen writing new stories, then there's a good chance she's sitting in the bleachers of a baseball stadium watching him play.

Jenn enjoys traveling to new places, meeting her readers and spending time with the love of her life, the one & only, Jack F'n Carter! Oh yeah, it's true. <3

Stay in touch with Jenn here:
Newsletter: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/619557...
Website: http://www.jsterlingbooks.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AuthorJSterling
Instagram & TikTok: @AuthorJSterling

Reviews

[Mia S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

So much in a novella! Loved the mix of a drunken past with fake dating and grumpy twist!

[Martina · Rating 3 out of 5]

3++⭐

There was in fact no "fall" vibe in this, but it was a really cute novella.
A bit slow in the beginning and rushed in the end... The pacing was not the best maybe, but the characters were all so nice and likeable.
A cozy read before bed.
The spice was not spicing that much, but the romance and chemistry were pretty good and worth it.

[Jo - •.★Reading Is My Bliss★.• · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joseph is a very successful businessman. He is handsome, has a healthy bank account and for all intents and purposes has a good life. Apart from the fact that he is single. This isn’t a problem for him but for his mother it’s a huge worry. She has raised him alone since he was a young boy and his father tragically died.

Joseph’s mother wants him to find that someone special to share his life with and when he does she will realise some of her own dreams, in particular overseas travel. With the upcoming busy ‘social month’ looming, Joseph enlists the help of his PA, Kayla, to find someone suitable to accompany him to all the events he is committed to attending.

Kayla knows just the person and with a huge incentive she just knows her best friend and roommate Sutton is sure to agree. It’s been a long minute since Sutton and Joseph saw each other and last time it was under dangerously flammable circumstances. However, if they can get Sutton on board and convince his mother that genuine feelings are building between them she will stop hovering around his love life.

What Sutton and Joseph were not expecting was the real attraction that begins to grow between them. This is just a business arrangement isn’t it? She can’t be falling for her boss, can she?

Another delightful addition to this indulgent novella series.

[Camryn O'Conner · Rating 3 out of 5]

i mean yea sure i guess girl

[Lindsey Domokur · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love a good novella, we all know this and if you sprinkle in the holidays, I am all in. Workplace enemies to lovers romances are one of my favorite tropes and this was such a quick fun read.
Joseph needed a fake girlfriend for a month of social engagements, or his mom will find a girl for him. Enter Kayla. She's his secretary's roommate and also the girl that hates him with the fire of a thousand suns. Good thing he's willing to pay and she could use the money. All they have to do is convince everyone they are in love and dating, shouldn't be hard right?
I really enjoyed the slow burn (even if it was a novella) of these two realizing they aren't as bad as they had thought in the beginning. When people actually communicate you can understand so much about one another! It's a novel idea! The banter was cute and the steam was there.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really cute and quick read.

I am really enjoying these cute little novellas from Jen. There are really flirty, sweet and very low drama. You can read them within a few hours and have this happy feeling afterwards.

Falling for the Boss features Sutton and Joseph. Joseph runs his family's company and his mom, who is getting ready to hand the full reigns over to him and take off on a trip of her lifetime, wants one thing from him. She wants to see him have more in life than just his job.

Joseph tends to keep his personal life very private and he hasn't been one to look for anything permanent with women as his life hasn't really allowed for it. He enlists his assistant Kayla to help him out. She has a few ideas but the one that seems to be the best option is her roommate, Sutton.

However, Joseph and Sutton don't exactly care for one another. They're last encounter didn't go so great and they both hate each other.

Sutton's life is her job - she's still in school to become a burn specialist, so she really doesn't have much time for anything else. When Kayla mentions this whole "fake dating" idea to her, she's absolutely against it.

And that's all I am telling you! This book is super quick and readers will absolutely love how this plays out. I love that Jen didn't take the usual route with this one and kept things interesting. The banter between everyone was great and at times, quiet hilarious. As many of you know, I am not a huge fan of insta-love, but Jen is making me out to be a liar with all these adorable novellas.

Another beautifully written story from J. Sterling!

[Daniela Contreras · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bonita historia, me hubiera gustado un poco más de desarrollo creo que daba para más

[Jo Reads Romance · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as fun or flirty as I’d expected
3 stars

This is the 6th book in J. Sterling’s Fun for the Holidays series - according to the series blurb “lighthearted and happy reads…to enjoy yourself and get lost in”. All the books are complete stand alones (not even any overlapping characters as far as I can see) and come with its own HEA.

With that said, the first chapter of this book was a bit of a jolt - it detailed the hero losing his father in 9/11 and his feelings after the fact. Certainly neither lighthearted or happy. I let it go, thinking it would become pertinent later in the book. It didn’t. There was absolutely no point in it, in my opinion. The fake girlfriend scheme was so that the hero’s mother would feel comfortable once again living her life after the loss of her husband. We didn’t need to hear the details of his demise - certainly not in an event which traumatised the whole word.

But anyway… that aside, what we get here is a short tale (127 pages) with enemies to lovers and fake relationship tropes. Joseph and Sutton (a woman) have met each other previously and don’t particularly like each other. But when Joseph needs a fake date to fool his mother during a month of social events, Sutton is his last and only hope. But almost from the start, it doesn’t feel much like a ruse.

We get a lot of Joseph and his assistant, Kayla, for the first few chapters and I have to admit it was hard to really fall for Joseph. I liked the banter between Joseph and Kayla but I did wonder if she was gay simply to stop her from seeming to be a threat for Sutton. Joseph was a strange mix of playboy and "Not-so Prince Charming". He was supposed to be ridiculously gorgeous and have the paparazzi following him wherever he went but he was the CEO of a staffing company for goodness sake. He wasn’t my type of hero but he was okay.

Sutton, too, was a bit marmite for me. She was very career focussed - which is fine - but she wasn’t really any more than that. Which was a bit of a shame, really.

I liked Joseph and Sutton together - once they got over their, erm, hate for each other. As the feelings started to change and develop, they had a nice rapport and were really cute together. Had the book been longer, I think the development of their feelings would have been better explored and as a result, a bit more believable. There was some heat in the book but it was tacked on at the end of the book once the feelings were revealed. Still, I’m not complaining.

I adored the first book in this series (Kissing My Co-worker) but this one just didn’t reach the same heights, sadly. With that said, the writing was engaging and I had absolutely no problem reading this book, or picking it up when I’d put it down. Perhaps the first chapter put me on a bit of a downer, or maybe I just wasn’t in the mood - either way, I didn’t connect with the book but from other reviews, may others did. I hope that, if you pick up this book, you enjoy it more than I did. Just 3 stars from me, I’m afraid.

[Wendy'sThoughts]

December 16, 2021
Enjoy a Novella All About Love and Caring with Holiday Themes.

Kissing My Co-worker (Fun For the Holiday's Book 1)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Dumped for Valentine's (Fun For the Holiday's Book 2)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
My Week with the Prince (Fun For the Holiday's Book 3)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Spring's Second Chance (Fun For the Holiday's Book 4)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Summer Lovin' (Fun For the Holiday's Book 5)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Falling for the Boss (Fun For the Holiday's Book 6)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Coming-Christmas with Saint (Fun For the Holiday's Book 7

For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways

[ReadingTilTheBreakOfDawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have you read any of J Sterling's Fun For the Holidays series she's put out this year? Because if you haven't, now is the time to start. They are the perfect little ditties to cleanse your palate and just overall enjoyable to read.

Falling for the Boss is a case of Fake Dating and enemies to lovers with a slight slow burn, for a novella. My total catnip!
Joseph is Mr Not-so Prince Charming. He's rich, successful and has no time for love. He's got 2 women on speed dial for that sort of thing. But social month is coming and his mother would like to see ONE woman on his arm for those events and perhaps he can settle down and fall in love so she can start living her life. But love and one girlfriend is THE LAST thing that Joseph is looking for. Luckily, he has the best assistant, Kayla. She may not like him that way, but she knows she can figure out this problem for him. Maybe a little fake relationship with her roommate, Sutton? If only they can get over their hate of one another.

I've enjoyed each of Ms Sterling's books in this series of novellas of standalones. I loved the fake dating scheme these two set out to accomplish, but we could tell right from the beginning that it was going to be hard to fake anything when their attraction to one another was very real. I liked seeing Joseph go all protective of Sutton and for Sutton to be a woman that was capable and just as strong as Joseph. They were a great match, flaws and all. I did kind of want to slap Joseph's mother, but hey, she's a parent. We just want the best for our kids, right? And can we get a story with Kayla? I loved her and she needs happiness too.

For a fun little read that will still get you the emotions and steam, pick of Falling For the Boss for a quick read.

[Asheley T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novella features a fake dating relationship and is part of a series of seasonal-themed stories.

Joseph is a wealthy businessman in NY who is positioned to take over his mother’s lucrative business so she can travel the world in her retirement. Her condition for making this move is that Joseph must be in a serious relationship with someone that can handle a life in the public eye. His friend and business assistant, Kayla, arranges for a fake relationship with her roommate Sutton, just to satisfy his mother’s demand. But their relationship doesn’t stay fake for long.

I enjoyed Joseph and his good heart, and I also liked Kayla and her independence. They make a good pair. Short stories and novellas don’t typically give much opportunity for characters to fully develop, but I was fully invested in these characters throughout the whole 127 pages here. I’m uncertain if characters I’m this series cross over to other installments, but I am going to go ahead and read the next book which is supposedly Halloween-themed since it is currently coming up on late October.

While I didn’t notice much of a fall vibe other than the characters wearing sweaters and talking about cool weather, I did enjoy the quick, easy read after just finishing something heavier (Whalefall by Daniel Kraus, so intense!). I liked all of these characters a lot and wouldn’t mind it a bit if they pop up in other places in this series.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was just what I needed. The other books I’ve been reading have had my anxiety higher than usual. But this book brought it down. Joseph has been helping his mom run his late dads company since college. He lost his dad in 9/11, and as the 21 year remembrance comes up…it’s a sobering thought that the loved ones left behind still feel the heartbreak from that day. When Joseph’s mother announces that she wants to retire and go on an Eat, Pray, Love adventure, his reaction is hurt. But another bomb drops when she tells him he wants her to find a date for Social Month and to eventually fall in love. In comes Sutton. She’s his assistant’s roommate and they got off to a terrible start. So the animosity between the two of them is strong. Sutton has scars, literally, from her past that have made it hard for her to get intimate and to even open herself up to any type of relationship.

I liked these two a lot together. I even liked that they had stable jobs before coming together. They worked out the animosity towards each other…which seeing it through Sutton’s POV made me chuckle. I love how Joseph fought for her to be safe when the press made sure to be dangerous. I do wish that we saw something from the Social event, which was the whole reason for the fake dating.



Rating 4
Spice 1.5

[Brittany · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book doesn’t deserve a whole review so I’ll just give my thoughts in bullet points:

🤮This book was terrible for multiple reasons. I’m not going to go into all the reasons why because either a.) you can easily figure out those reasons yourself or 2.) you love smut and will hear no criticism about one of your favorite authors.

🤮I continue to read the books in this holiday themed smut series because they’re short and help me reach my reading goals and are readily available through Libby or Hoopla.

🤮Now that I think about it, the only thing autumn related is the book’s title and a reference to 9/11.

🤮This was like half a book. It felt like a “how my husband and I got together” TikTok series.

🤮So far, this is the worst book of the series.

🤮OMG THE EPILOGUE IS TERRIBLE. LIKE JUST SHOVE EVERY TROPE IN THERE. LIKE WTF?

🤮I’m gonna give this book 2 stars instead of 1 because I feel sorry for the fictional characters that were written into this story. They deserve better.

[Lindsay Broadwater · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a quick read but it is just average. I didn't really connect with the 'love' between Joseph and Sutton. I think they went from 'hating each other' to dating and in love in like a week at the most. I was disappointed as the book's main premisis was to have them go together for all these functions that Joseph had to attend for his job and they never even got to those events. They got together before the events even happened and I was thinking those events would lead to them forming a bond and a relationship but not so much.

Another thing I didn't get with the book was why Joseph was such a 'celebrity'. He is the CEO of a company. He's not some famous actor or singer but the author sure treated him that way having paparrazi following him and Sutton on the couple of dates they did have and posting about him in magazines. It just didn't make sense that a CEO of a company would be that popular and have that kind of interest to the public. If you're looking for a quick read this was good. But I would stay away if looking for a relationship that develops through fake dating because this book was not that.

[Sharon Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Obviously being a novella this was a quick read. But Joseph & Suttons story didn’t lack in all the things I love about romance stories.
These two have a past that is hinted about right from the start. It definitely had me intrigued and when it was revealed in full I thought it was quite funny. I do love me a fake relationship trope and being a novella it didn’t take long before feelings came into play. This was done do well in this story, and I especially loved how Joseph became all territorial and alpha-ry with Sutton.
There was nothing not to enjoy about this book and I can definitely see a reread happening in the not too distant future. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book

[book_nerd13 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joseph is a workaholic who doesn’t have time (or even really want) a relationship. He doesn’t feel like it’s in the cards for him. Joseph’s mom has other plans and insists he finds someone to date or she will do it for him.

Sutton is the female version of Joseph, fully focused on her job, without giving much thought about having a relationship.

Even though these two have previously met (it didn’t go well at all), they end up fake dating. Will sparks fly or will they continue to hate being in the others presence. Super cute, sweet, funny read. I just have to say I’m obsessed with Kayla, she’s hilarious!

[Lisa Stinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

These novellas are just the perfect fun and light read that you need during the seasonal holidays. I really enjoyed reading Joseph and Sutton's story. There was a bit of hostility between these two in the beginning until they finally talked things out and had a better understanding of the situation.

Joseph needs to find a steady girlfriend for some events coming up so that his mother will relax and go on her long awaited trip. She just wants to know that he is content in his life...outside of the office. His assistant has the idea that he could use her roommate, Sutton and not have to use an agency for this task. But Sutton doesn't want any part of it because of how they met previously.

It takes some time but once these two clear the air, sparks begin to fly. These two were perfect for each other.

These stories are fun because there isn't any drama or angst. Just two people meeting and falling in love.

[Shawna Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m enjoying this cute novella seasonal series by J Sterling! They’re cute and they’re a quick read! I don’t know what this one had to do with “fall, the season” but, the falling part I do get! It was fast and it was cute and it was just barely steamy!

🍂 fake dating
🍂enemies to lovers
🍂 steam hits at almost 90%

[NaysBookNook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fast paced, cute and spicy read! Joseph and Suttons banter was comical and enjoyed watching them go from enemies to lovers. Also man are they both stubborn but I think it works well for them. Perfect for an ‘in between’ books phase. Loving this series and can’t want for the next one!

[Lauren | Laurens.littlelibrary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I adored this novella! The banter between these two was so good! This series just gets better and better the more I read it.


Tropes:
- best friends boss
- fake dating
- billionaire
- slow burn

[Ginger_BrownieReads “Michelle aka Chely” · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

This was a fun novella and such a quick read!

[☆Laura☆]

No me gustó

[Brook Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very short and to the point. If you need a quick read/listen this is the book for you. Cute for what it was.

Warning: 9/11 tragedy talked about RIGHT AWAY.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Anastasia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It is part of a series J. Sterling has been writing and has being released throughout the year. Each book is a standalone read and they do not intertwine. I’ve been looking forward to each one and can’t wait for the last one to be released. These books kind of remind me of a hallmark movie, which I’m obsessed with.

Joseph Martin’s father passed away when he was young and has always know that he wants to take over his family business. Throughout the years he has worked extremely hard and is making a name for himself. His life has been focused on his work and his mother wants him to start focusing on his personal life. She wants him to find love and have someone by his side. She told him that if he doesn’t have a date for the month of events she will set him up with someone. To him that was the worst idea ever so he lied and said he was already dating someone. His mom dropped the subject and said she can’t wait to meet her. Now the problem, where is he going to find someone to pretend date at these events?

Sutton growing up has always wanted to be doctor in the burn unit. She has made that dream come true and is working at a local hospital. Her life revolves around her job and does not have a love life at all. One day she got home and her best friend/roommate told her that her boss needs some help and he will pay off her student loans. Is this a dream? What does she have to do to make this happen, only to pretend she is in a fake relationship with him for a month. She needs the money but the problem is she hates him. She needed to meet him again and see if she can stand him and make this work.

Once they saw each other they knew the chemistry was there but can they put the hatred aside to help each other? They both decide to go on a few dates to see if this can make this work. For Sutton she knows she has to keep her heart out of this and keep repeating that this is fake, because Joseph was making her heart race and she wanted this to be real. Joseph would do anything to protect Sutton, he felt thing for her he never felt for anyone else. But could they open up and tell each other how they really feel or will they still keep pretending this is fake and loose each other for good.

Received this ARC for my honest review and opinion.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great “season” of love in this series. I really enjoyed this enemies to lovers, workplace romance. These are such quick, fun reads.

There never to seem to be more meddling moms than can be found in romance books! And Joseph is desperately trying to appease his mom. Enter Kayla as the fake girlfriend who actually hates his guts from a previous “heated” encounter.

As they slowly get to know each other, the attraction grows and the chemistry gets out of control. Despite their agreement to keep things professional, feelings can help but get in the way of that!

Such a great read, and I’m in love with the fall vibes of the cover, too!

[Marina Skinner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Falling for the Boss is an adorable enemies to lovers book with some really heartfelt moments. I rather enjoyed Jasper and Sutton’s story and feel its a wonderful addition to the Fun for the Holidays collection!
Joseph is a successful businessman and his mother wants him to find someone to spend his life with before she sets off to travel. His assistant helps him come up with a plan to choose someone to get his mother off his back. The ruse has to work. However when Kayla suggests her roommate, Sutton, lets just say things don’t go according to plan and who’s to say when Sutton agrees, that she can handle him as well as all that comes with a man of his stature, entails.
Honestly I wondered how the story would go but was pleasantly surprised and cannot wait for the next novella. A great quick read!

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aw I loved this story. A fake arrangement between Sutton and Joseph, thought up by Kayla as a solution to Joseph's lack of a date.

A previous encounter that hadn't gone well made Sutton feel she was owed an apology. Only problem was that Joseph couldn't remember much of that night.

The big question was could they pull the arrangement off and fool everyone into thinking it was real?

[Joana F. · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars

Such a cute and light story. I think this might be my favorite of the series. Looking forward to the next book.

[Books, Booze & Bon Voyage (Krista Webster) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Falling For The Boss is the next novella in J.Sterling’s Fun For The Holidays collection. This time she gives us a story about a couple embarking on a fake relationship, an enemies to lovers, fun romance with a sweet HEA ending.

Joseph Martin loves running the family business and is concentrating on expanding into Europe. He is too busy for love and everything involved with dating. A disastrous conversation ends with him telling his mother he is already dating someone to stop her matchmaking him for the Social Month events. He is left with the predicament of finding someone to play along because there is no way he is letting his mother set him up with a date.

Kayla has been his assistant for two years and comes up with the solution that he should get her best friend and roommate Sutton to pretend to be his girlfriend. He has met Sutton once before and it hadn’t gone well. Kayla thinks it’s a great idea because they are so alike, both work alcoholics with so much in common, plus the best thing is...they hate each other so no chance of any romantic ideas !!

Sutton is a doctor working her way to become a burns specialist. It takes a lot to convince her as the last time they met he was rude, unkind and very drunk! She is however tempted by his offer to recompense her for help.

Neither of them have any interest in dating or want to fall in love because work is far more important at the moment. But things have a funny way of not going to plan. He slowly realises she is smart and ambitious and nothing like he’d remembered her. She’d forgotten how gorgeous and sexy he actually was so finds it hard to keep her grudge against him. There is so much they don’t know about each other and having both experienced childhood trauma, a genuine friendship develops. Can they prove to his mother what they have is real and not the fake relationship it really is, so she will think he is happy and living his life so she will go off and live hers.

I was enjoying their interactions and banter as they started on their fake relationship but just as it was starting to get interesting, it was instant love and stopped abruptly. We then got every thing wrapped up in the epilogue!! It was a fun quick read but not as good as some of the previous books in this series.