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Status Quo: An Opposites Attract Romance
One chance encounter. Two opposites. And a connection that could change everything.
Billionaire Heath Palmer might have shoulders broad enough to bear the responsibility of keeping his family business out of the press, but that doesn’t mean he can’t dream of a night off. When he dons the disguise of a valet to attend a New Year’s Eve masquerade gala, he meets a woman he could never forget—but they’re interrupted before he gets her name.
Maia Weaver has worked at the Palmer gala as a server since she was old enough to carry a silver platter, but tonight she’s here to kick-start her career as a journalist. When she figures out the masked valet with the soulful, dark eyes is actually Heath Palmer, she knows she’s found a story worth writing. But is there a chance the connection she felt at midnight promises even more?
Heath can’t stop thinking about the feisty beauty who made him feel alive, but he can’t afford a distraction. Not when the stakes for taking control of the company are this high. So when Maia turns up as a stewardess on his family’s yacht, he has two admit to wearing a disguise to his own party or lie and pretend they’ve never met.
Maia’s keeping secrets too, and when Heath surprises her by asking for help on a trip across Europe, she accepts—but with an agenda of her own.
With the secrets between them mounting, can these two opposites really expect to work together as a team? Especially when the secret they’re both keeping is the one that could ruin everything—that this just might be love.
Status Quo is the first book in a series of standalone contemporary romances. If you like glittery locales and destinations, grumpy billionaires afraid to admit their feelings, and plenty of slow-burn sexual tension and banter, then you’ll love this first installment in Nina Hatch’s new travel-themed series.
Billionaire Heath Palmer might have shoulders broad enough to bear the responsibility of keeping his family business out of the press, but that doesn’t mean he can’t dream of a night off. When he dons the disguise of a valet to attend a New Year’s Eve masquerade gala, he meets a woman he could never forget—but they’re interrupted before he gets her name.
Maia Weaver has worked at the Palmer gala as a server since she was old enough to carry a silver platter, but tonight she’s here to kick-start her career as a journalist. When she figures out the masked valet with the soulful, dark eyes is actually Heath Palmer, she knows she’s found a story worth writing. But is there a chance the connection she felt at midnight promises even more?
Heath can’t stop thinking about the feisty beauty who made him feel alive, but he can’t afford a distraction. Not when the stakes for taking control of the company are this high. So when Maia turns up as a stewardess on his family’s yacht, he has two admit to wearing a disguise to his own party or lie and pretend they’ve never met.
Maia’s keeping secrets too, and when Heath surprises her by asking for help on a trip across Europe, she accepts—but with an agenda of her own.
With the secrets between them mounting, can these two opposites really expect to work together as a team? Especially when the secret they’re both keeping is the one that could ruin everything—that this just might be love.
Status Quo is the first book in a series of standalone contemporary romances. If you like glittery locales and destinations, grumpy billionaires afraid to admit their feelings, and plenty of slow-burn sexual tension and banter, then you’ll love this first installment in Nina Hatch’s new travel-themed series.
- GenresRomanceContemporary
366 pages, Paperback
Published May 4, 2021
8 people are currently reading
858 people want to read
About the author
Nina Hatch
2 books18 followersNina Hatch writes romantic comedies and contemporary romance filled with humor, optimism, and escapes to dreamy destinations with characters you’ll root for.
Nina is a firm advocate of staying up all night to finish reading a book, ordering another round, and the rule of three.
She lives and writes in Colorado with her husband and cat.
Nina is a firm advocate of staying up all night to finish reading a book, ordering another round, and the rule of three.
She lives and writes in Colorado with her husband and cat.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
May 15, 2021
Jonesing for another Billionaire romance? This is the gem for you! Full of sexual tension and when they finally scratch that itch...oh my! You'll be blushing from your cheeks to the tips of your toes!
My only complaint is that it got a bit wordy and convoluted, in my mind, in scenes with the boardroom members. Give me less business talk and more sexy times!
I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy.
My only complaint is that it got a bit wordy and convoluted, in my mind, in scenes with the boardroom members. Give me less business talk and more sexy times!
I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy.
June 6, 2021
Heath Palmer is a businessman whose grandfather used to run the company. Grandpa is now incapable of making business decisions for health reasons and Heath doesn't want people to know anything about his family's issues because he is afraid that having somebody else at the helm would scare off investors who trust his grandfather. Maia is a waitress and an aspiring journalist. She's part of the catering crew at a Palmer New Year's gala, where Heath is disguised as a valet. They talk for five minutes or so, and she thinks he might kiss her, but he doesn't, as this is when they find out Grandpa Palmer is dead. Maia breaks this story at a local paper and gets approached by people from a gossip rag who want to hear an insider account of the goings-on at a Palmer yacht. So we have a conflict here: Heath's desire for privacy and Maia looking for a scoop.
I liked the writing style, the general mood of the story and the romance but I wasn't sold on the various subplots that hinge on everyone's secrets.
The characters' motivation for doing things could be more clear. For instance, I was a bit confused why Heath wanted to pretend that his grandfather was still running the company, why he thought that this scheme would work, why he was posing as a valet, why Maia thought that rather mundane conversation about local donut shops at the New Year's gala was such a magical moment, why Heath would wish to keep grandfather's death a secret and so on. The secrecy surrounding the death was especially strange to me. How long do you think you could keep that sort of thing under wraps? There are people who have to be notified about a death, there would be a death certificate, a funeral, wills and other legal issues that can't be postponed indefinitely. Probably more legal issues than usual if the dearly departed was a rich person in charge of an important business. So I don't know why he would even try because it will eventually come out and it would inevitably look worse if you've been trying to hide the truth. If I caught someone lying that person X was still alive when he wasn't I'd be hard pressed not to assume that there was something shady about the way X died.
And as the plot goes on we discover more family secrets (it turns out that Maia's and Heath's family secrets are more intertwined than it would appear at first glance). plans for corporate takeovers, a couple of attempts of modern arranged marriages, and secret safes. It was all a bit contrived for me.
But I liked the characters and I'm not sorry that I read it.
I got the ARC from Hidden Gems and this is a voluntary review.
I liked the writing style, the general mood of the story and the romance but I wasn't sold on the various subplots that hinge on everyone's secrets.
The characters' motivation for doing things could be more clear. For instance, I was a bit confused why Heath wanted to pretend that his grandfather was still running the company, why he thought that this scheme would work, why he was posing as a valet, why Maia thought that rather mundane conversation about local donut shops at the New Year's gala was such a magical moment, why Heath would wish to keep grandfather's death a secret and so on. The secrecy surrounding the death was especially strange to me. How long do you think you could keep that sort of thing under wraps? There are people who have to be notified about a death, there would be a death certificate, a funeral, wills and other legal issues that can't be postponed indefinitely. Probably more legal issues than usual if the dearly departed was a rich person in charge of an important business. So I don't know why he would even try because it will eventually come out and it would inevitably look worse if you've been trying to hide the truth. If I caught someone lying that person X was still alive when he wasn't I'd be hard pressed not to assume that there was something shady about the way X died.
And as the plot goes on we discover more family secrets (it turns out that Maia's and Heath's family secrets are more intertwined than it would appear at first glance). plans for corporate takeovers, a couple of attempts of modern arranged marriages, and secret safes. It was all a bit contrived for me.
But I liked the characters and I'm not sorry that I read it.
I got the ARC from Hidden Gems and this is a voluntary review.
September 5, 2021
Status Quo features a high-powered scion of a wealthy family and the daughter of their family's former gardener. Heath is a by-the-book, tightly wound man who is trying to save the family business from a bitter member of the company's board of directors, with no help from his alcoholic brother and father. He meets Maia, a loyal and free spirited young woman who grew up on the estate grounds and is now working for his family as a waitress during corporate events. Her dream is to be a journalist so she decides to make a deal with the devil - to sell secrets about the family and its members to a gossip magazine. They have a meet cute moment, but as their attraction grows Maia must decide which she values more - the relationship or the career.
Favorites:
* Heath and Maia are both likable characters, with flaws that end up interfering with their relationship. Both have been hurt by the loss of their mothers, and how those losses impact their decision making is realistic (and also helps the reader develop empathy for them).
* The ending - can't tell you more but it is very satisfying
* Their growth, both individually and as a couple. Hatch does a splendid job of showing how their differing ways of viewing the world and their place in it rub off on each other.
Not as enjoyable:
* there was little development of their relationship in the early stages, it was difficult to figure out how they could have fallen in love when they didn't know each other (once you just accept they're in love, the rest of the story is great fun)
I received this book from the Goodreads Giveaways program in exchange for my honest review.
Favorites:
* Heath and Maia are both likable characters, with flaws that end up interfering with their relationship. Both have been hurt by the loss of their mothers, and how those losses impact their decision making is realistic (and also helps the reader develop empathy for them).
* The ending - can't tell you more but it is very satisfying
* Their growth, both individually and as a couple. Hatch does a splendid job of showing how their differing ways of viewing the world and their place in it rub off on each other.
Not as enjoyable:
* there was little development of their relationship in the early stages, it was difficult to figure out how they could have fallen in love when they didn't know each other (once you just accept they're in love, the rest of the story is great fun)
I received this book from the Goodreads Giveaways program in exchange for my honest review.
July 14, 2021
Very enjoyable. well-written novel. I read several books from this author and this novel certainly didn't disappoint. There is a good, storyline, centred around the lives of people in, corporate high finance, littered with intrigue, well developed and described characters and scenes with good use of language and vocabulary. The description of human emotions and angst during the likeable protagonists' Maia's and Heath's road to their much-awaited resolution and the happy ending takes the reader through many action-packed scenarios. The plot was well handled for the most part by the author, however, towards the end, the story of Maia's mother felt unrealistic. Although the synopsis claimed that this is a rom-com, with all the positives of this book, I didn't find it funny. Having said that, the storyline did not require humour for the plot to come across and be appreciated. Maia and Heath have a steamy relationship once they manage to get past their own obstacles, as the union of the servant girl and rich CEO is not a mainstream occurrence. Not just their attraction but genuine respect for one another was refreshing and the reader will, against all odd be rewarded by a pleasant HEA. Would happily recommend this book to all romance lovers.
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.
May 13, 2021
This was not a story where you had two lovable main characters who fell in love, the end. These were two very flawed individuals, both in their general character, and also a bit in their characters' makeup. The parts don't add up I guess. Though maybe that is unfair, because we are all a little bit of this and a dash of that depending on what life has been like for us. I just found her a peculiar mix of whimsical Pollyanna, hospitality worker/aspiring journalist and jaded serial dater while he was a cynical ice-man, CEO businessman/aspiring revolutionary and yet immediately falls for the magic of New Years with a mysterious woman.
Throw away all of that though, and look at their interactions as they progress and you see growing respect, romance, and yes, even hotness! The inevitable clash you expect to happen is rather anticlimactic in some ways, though in others you get more than you expected. When I checked to see what else was available by this author I was sad to see there was nothing else yet, because this was her first! So good job on a first book, I certainly loved it, and plan to keep reading books by this author.
I received a copy via hidden gems and am voluntarily leaving this review.
Throw away all of that though, and look at their interactions as they progress and you see growing respect, romance, and yes, even hotness! The inevitable clash you expect to happen is rather anticlimactic in some ways, though in others you get more than you expected. When I checked to see what else was available by this author I was sad to see there was nothing else yet, because this was her first! So good job on a first book, I certainly loved it, and plan to keep reading books by this author.
I received a copy via hidden gems and am voluntarily leaving this review.
May 17, 2021
“The Status Quo” by Nina Hatch was a bright, romantic story with impeccable characters. I thought that it might be a wanderlust tale of enemies to lovers but it was only a bit of that and more of lovers with heartbreaking secrets passed down from generation to generation. Hence the name “The Status Quo”.
Heath Palmer, Acting CEO of his family’s lumber company is keeping secrets in order to keep the business viable and away from the clutches of board member, P. J. Abercrombie. Maia Weaver, a Primrose staff member and aspiring journalist wants to make a name for herself, so when she has a chance meeting with Heath she has to start keeping secrets as well. Her dilemma—- spy on Heath, whose camera shy and leery of the press so she could score as a reporter for Ace Magazine or sustain the trust within the partnership that she develops with Heath so they can save Castleport from financial ruin.
The author writes the story from both Heath’s and Maia’s alternating point of views. The sub characters are interesting as well. I was fond of the back story of Ivy (Maia’s mom) Rose (Heath’s mom) and Davi Sago. The ending is predictable, but the entertainment comes in getting there. I was intrigued and glad I read the book.
I received a free copy and voluntarily reviewed it.
Heath Palmer, Acting CEO of his family’s lumber company is keeping secrets in order to keep the business viable and away from the clutches of board member, P. J. Abercrombie. Maia Weaver, a Primrose staff member and aspiring journalist wants to make a name for herself, so when she has a chance meeting with Heath she has to start keeping secrets as well. Her dilemma—- spy on Heath, whose camera shy and leery of the press so she could score as a reporter for Ace Magazine or sustain the trust within the partnership that she develops with Heath so they can save Castleport from financial ruin.
The author writes the story from both Heath’s and Maia’s alternating point of views. The sub characters are interesting as well. I was fond of the back story of Ivy (Maia’s mom) Rose (Heath’s mom) and Davi Sago. The ending is predictable, but the entertainment comes in getting there. I was intrigued and glad I read the book.
I received a free copy and voluntarily reviewed it.
July 10, 2021
I enjoyed this book. Though it was a bit too wordy and could stand to be tightened up a bit, the storyline was well developed. The characters were realistic in that they were flawed and had relatable issues.
Maia Weaver works as a server at The Primrose and volunteers at the local paper, The Gazette. She gave up her plans to attend college to care for her aunt who raised her. Her family has worked for the local billionaire family, the Palmers, in different capacities for many years.
Heath Palmer has taken over running the family business after his grandfather suffered a stroke. At the annual New Year's Eve Gala he dons the uniform and mask of a server to get some freedom. He meets Maia and is instantly attracted to her but knows he cannot pursue her because he is 100% committed to getting the company fixed.
They have a series of adventures in Europe before the company board meeting and fall in love, but betrayal and family issues tear them apart. They eventually get together and have their HEA.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Maia Weaver works as a server at The Primrose and volunteers at the local paper, The Gazette. She gave up her plans to attend college to care for her aunt who raised her. Her family has worked for the local billionaire family, the Palmers, in different capacities for many years.
Heath Palmer has taken over running the family business after his grandfather suffered a stroke. At the annual New Year's Eve Gala he dons the uniform and mask of a server to get some freedom. He meets Maia and is instantly attracted to her but knows he cannot pursue her because he is 100% committed to getting the company fixed.
They have a series of adventures in Europe before the company board meeting and fall in love, but betrayal and family issues tear them apart. They eventually get together and have their HEA.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 21, 2021
Status Quo is a slow moving story. The characters didn’t really have any chemistry and I honestly learned more about how to run a business from Status Quo than I did about a budding relationship leaving me wondering when exactly they each decided they were in love with the other. Once it did start to pick up their were twists and turns and a few steamy moments. Ultimately ending with a climax that was based more around the business than it did about Maia and Heath. Poor Maia was left confused for the majority of the book because Heath chose to constantly pretend that he had no idea how he and Maia first met. We never really got a clear perspective on why he treated her that way. Maia, however, was a ray of sunshine from start to finish. She was a very vibrant, very likable character. She had been through so much, but she still managed to hold on to happiness no matter what. This is 18+ for a little bit of steaminess and an HEA.
I was given this book for free and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.
I was given this book for free and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.
July 31, 2021
This story had me hooked from the very beginning. You will not be able to put it down. Maia and Heath meet at a masquerade ball that his family company has every year. His costume is that of a worker, like her, but she discovers he is really the big boss. Wanting to be a journalist, this could be her big break, so she pursues the chance to learn more about him. The storyline has travel, betrayal, romance, secrets and twists. The characters are strong and have intense feelings and emotions about their pasts and present. People are reunited with family and some family become friends again. Loved the wrap around that the story did from beginning to end. The ending was wonderful as the future looks brighter for the first time in decades. Well done.
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.
December 29, 2021
I received this book through a Goodreads giveaway. I liked the story but I felt like the book was trying to do too much. I think the Palmer family, their business and all their secrets was too much for a sub-plot. There is an intriguing story to tell of the Palmer family; exploring the history and secrets of the family could have been a separate book. Since the book was trying to do a lot there was the classic last 10% subplot wrap up that was just a bit juvenile and cheap. The romance was nice but got a bit overshadowed by the sub-plot. I don’t want to write any spoilers but it is hard for me to believe that the main characters can trust each other after everything that happened.
October 18, 2021
While I enjoyed this story, bits were a little slow moving for me. I really struggled to like Heath’s character for he first half of the book. He redeems himself of course but I didn’t really love him. I did enjoy the ending and how everything was wrapped up the most.
I wouldn’t really consider this a Comedy though. There were no really funny parts to it. Romance absolutely but comedy not so much.
Overall Status Quo was a good and enjoyable read.
I won this book thru a Goodreads giveaway.
I wouldn’t really consider this a Comedy though. There were no really funny parts to it. Romance absolutely but comedy not so much.
Overall Status Quo was a good and enjoyable read.
I won this book thru a Goodreads giveaway.
November 13, 2021
An interesting twist on romance
The story was a bit slow to start and given the amount of backstory that needs to be remembered for it all to pull together in the end, it was a slower read for me. But the book has a great plot and has plenty of twists to keep the reader interested. The writing itself is great and I found the characters really fun to read about. I genuinely cared about how the story ended, which doesn’t always happen!
The story was a bit slow to start and given the amount of backstory that needs to be remembered for it all to pull together in the end, it was a slower read for me. But the book has a great plot and has plenty of twists to keep the reader interested. The writing itself is great and I found the characters really fun to read about. I genuinely cared about how the story ended, which doesn’t always happen!
May 11, 2021
A super cute, exciting read. I loved the characters and the storyline is different than you’re expecting. Like, you feel like maybe you’ve read it before but you haven’t (almost like a Cinderella or Ever After with twists). I am really excited to read more from this author! Very fun, highly recommend! I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy.
May 26, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and joining Heath and Maia on their journey.
This was a slow burning tale full of misunderstanding, corporate shenanigans, angst, humour and heat.
I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
I voluntarily reviewed this book in exchange for a free copy.
This was a slow burning tale full of misunderstanding, corporate shenanigans, angst, humour and heat.
I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
I voluntarily reviewed this book in exchange for a free copy.
May 12, 2021
I loved this book! There was so much tension and push and pull. The story was entertaining and the love story felt realistic. 5 well deserved stars. I received an ARC copy and am leaving a voluntary review
March 24, 2023
I won this book in a giveaway a couple of years ago and completely forgot about it. Found it on my list of kindle books to read and decided it sounded perfect for the mood I was in. I couldn’t put it down! It was a fun, light-hearted read with some twists! Highly recommend!!
May 1, 2021
Another hit!!! I love it!!! This is the best series I’ve read and am super excited to read the next book in the series. Highly recommended.
September 4, 2021
Fun romance with some humor. I liked watching Heath and Maia try to figure out what they really wanted out of life. Would recommend
April 21, 2022
Book was okay. I felt that 3/4 of the book was about the H's business and it's future plans and 1/4 on romance. There also wasn't much chemistry with the H and h.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews