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Fortress #1
Open for Negotiation
Learning from my mistakes has always been my biggest failure.
Especially where forbidden, insanely handsome men are involved.
Maxwell Duke was supposed to be out of bounds.
Taken. Out of my league. Rich. Powerful. One of the best architects in the country.
My boss.
But sometimes things change. Lines are crossed. Decisions are made and…
You do the exact thing you absolutely shouldn't.
I swore I would never make a mistake like this again.
But my body, my mind, my heart are all clawing at me, desperately reaching out for more.
It’s a whirlwind.
An emotional, intoxicating… even dangerous decision.
When his past choices circle to entwine with mine, I should run, we both should…
Learning from my mistakes was always my biggest failure,
And this time, I don’t think I can outrun the consequences.
Especially where forbidden, insanely handsome men are involved.
Maxwell Duke was supposed to be out of bounds.
Taken. Out of my league. Rich. Powerful. One of the best architects in the country.
My boss.
But sometimes things change. Lines are crossed. Decisions are made and…
You do the exact thing you absolutely shouldn't.
I swore I would never make a mistake like this again.
But my body, my mind, my heart are all clawing at me, desperately reaching out for more.
It’s a whirlwind.
An emotional, intoxicating… even dangerous decision.
When his past choices circle to entwine with mine, I should run, we both should…
Learning from my mistakes was always my biggest failure,
And this time, I don’t think I can outrun the consequences.
317 pages, Paperback
Published September 2, 2021
42 people are currently reading
236 people want to read
About the author
Emma Nichole
23 books649 followersAfter years of living vicariously through so many characters and stories created by others, Emma Nichole has taken the plunge herself.
A Southern girl, born and raised in the foothills of the Great Smokey Mountains in East
Tennessee, Emma is an avid college football fan, a self-proclaimed true crime obsessive, a lover of horror movies and music of every genre.
But her true love, of course, is creating romance filled worlds for readers to escape inside of.
Whether it’s a small town second chance romance, an angsty, high steam forbidden romance,
or a fun, workplace romp, you’re sure to find something you love in her swoonworthy smut.
A Southern girl, born and raised in the foothills of the Great Smokey Mountains in East
Tennessee, Emma is an avid college football fan, a self-proclaimed true crime obsessive, a lover of horror movies and music of every genre.
But her true love, of course, is creating romance filled worlds for readers to escape inside of.
Whether it’s a small town second chance romance, an angsty, high steam forbidden romance,
or a fun, workplace romp, you’re sure to find something you love in her swoonworthy smut.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
August 31, 2021
ARC Review
* * * * *
A fabulous and attention grabbing office romance that cannot be ignored. Attraction is hard to deny, and when you are Max and Scarlett you are no exception. Of course there are the wonderfully horrid people making things complicated, the betrayals, the delicious sexy time and puppy drama!
* * * * *
A fabulous and attention grabbing office romance that cannot be ignored. Attraction is hard to deny, and when you are Max and Scarlett you are no exception. Of course there are the wonderfully horrid people making things complicated, the betrayals, the delicious sexy time and puppy drama!
September 7, 2021
Open for Negotiation picks up where the prequel Effective Immediately left off. However, the first chapter catches the reader up if they have not read the novella. Scarlett and Max have undeniable chemistry and Ms. Nichole masterfully puts them in close proximity, allowing them to ignite. This office romance sizzles with sexual tension and attraction. Ms. Nichole writes with a style that draws the reader in on the very first page. She creates characters that are multi-layered and make the reader alternately want to hug them or strangle them. Of course there are also characters the reader wants to throw off the nearest cliff.
Scarlett's past experiences color her perception of the budding romance with her sexy, older boss. She loves her job and is a definite asset to the company, but when she's instrumental in landing a big project, she worries that someone will think that she's slept her way to success. So she fights the attraction to Maxwell Duke with all she has, but he's persistent and used to getting what he wants. Add in a disturbed, soon-to-be ex-wife, an overly attentive coworker, a nosy brother, and a sister from another mother, and you have a delightfully indulgent, sexy read.
Emma Nichole's writing is well-paced with well-developed characters and an intriguing storyline. She goes from fun and flirty to hot and dirty to dangerous and an HEA. This books ticks all my reader boxes: heroine with an upsetting past, a sexy alpha who doesn't give up, great friends and family, hot sexy times, and a bit of danger leading to a satisfying ending. Grab this one, you won't be sorry.
Scarlett's past experiences color her perception of the budding romance with her sexy, older boss. She loves her job and is a definite asset to the company, but when she's instrumental in landing a big project, she worries that someone will think that she's slept her way to success. So she fights the attraction to Maxwell Duke with all she has, but he's persistent and used to getting what he wants. Add in a disturbed, soon-to-be ex-wife, an overly attentive coworker, a nosy brother, and a sister from another mother, and you have a delightfully indulgent, sexy read.
Emma Nichole's writing is well-paced with well-developed characters and an intriguing storyline. She goes from fun and flirty to hot and dirty to dangerous and an HEA. This books ticks all my reader boxes: heroine with an upsetting past, a sexy alpha who doesn't give up, great friends and family, hot sexy times, and a bit of danger leading to a satisfying ending. Grab this one, you won't be sorry.
September 13, 2021
Office romance fans...meet your new favorite book! This book was hot hot hot. It was full of steam, emotions, drama, and moments that had me laughing out loud. If you haven't experienced Emma Nichole's writing yet, this is a good introduction. Scarlett and Max have a boss and employee relationship. But they also have an attraction this is so hot. While they try not to cross the line, they can't help it. I don't blame them. You can't deny chemistry. But there are people in their lives that want to destroy it. Choices have to be made. This was a great story that will grab the heart strings. Buckle up!
September 4, 2021
What a brilliant office romance this was. I was so not expecting the twists that happened throughout at all but by where they brilliant. I couldn't get enough of the characters and their story. I was hooked. I can't wait to read more about the people at Fortress.
July 23, 2024
Honest to god, the fact that there were no serious repercussions for the sheer amount of illegal tomfoolery that the bad guys committed made me drop the rating and place this in the mental box reserved for books I didn’t care for.
Like, be serious with me now! Breaking and entering (multiple times), extreme property damage (in multiple locations), stalking, harassment, distribution of revenge porn in a VERY PUBLIC way (including forced viewing on thousands of people and potentially minors since it’s on the news), assault with a deadly weapon… all of these and more and the author expects me to believe the main characters choose to “not press charges” and the cops do nothing about it? As if the MMC and FMC’s preferences override documented felonies?! I can just picture the DA going “oh noooo. My hands are tied now. Forget the fact that the morning news just distributed porn!” One bad guy ends up in a short-term psych ward and the other just goes on to another job in another part of the state? It’s ludicrously unbelievable.
“Oh look how kind and forgiving of mental illness our main characters are!” No. It’s instead “look at how unwilling our main characters are to take dangerous people off the street.” Ugh. It irritated me throughout but the epilogue was just the icing on the insane cake.
Ps- who in the hell has never tried ranch dressing? No one from the south, that’s who.
Like, be serious with me now! Breaking and entering (multiple times), extreme property damage (in multiple locations), stalking, harassment, distribution of revenge porn in a VERY PUBLIC way (including forced viewing on thousands of people and potentially minors since it’s on the news), assault with a deadly weapon… all of these and more and the author expects me to believe the main characters choose to “not press charges” and the cops do nothing about it? As if the MMC and FMC’s preferences override documented felonies?! I can just picture the DA going “oh noooo. My hands are tied now. Forget the fact that the morning news just distributed porn!” One bad guy ends up in a short-term psych ward and the other just goes on to another job in another part of the state? It’s ludicrously unbelievable.
“Oh look how kind and forgiving of mental illness our main characters are!” No. It’s instead “look at how unwilling our main characters are to take dangerous people off the street.” Ugh. It irritated me throughout but the epilogue was just the icing on the insane cake.
Ps- who in the hell has never tried ranch dressing? No one from the south, that’s who.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 11, 2021
RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
STEAM: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
This book can stand by itself, but I highly recommend reading Effectively Immediately, the prequel novella to this series and especially to Max and Scarlett's series.
Scarlett Hale is an up-and-coming graphic designer at one of Atlanta's hottest architectural firms. Her ingenuity, hard work, and dedication have caught the eye of the firm's CEO Maxwell Duke, and she wants to catch more than his eye. Despite trying to be professional, she can't help but want all of her hot boss.
Max is trying to keep a professional distance from Scarlett. Sure, he is incredibly attracted to her, but an ugly divorce with an ex that can't seem to let go, a pitch for the firm's largest client yet, and the age gap are just among the many reasons he should stay away.
Open for Negotiation is more than just Scarlett and Max's love story. I was pleasantly surprised by the suspense and mystery as who's causing trouble in their relationship and their work. I am often leery about significant age gaps, especially in a situation of power imbalance, but Emma Nichole builds a great, believable progression of Max and Scarlett's connection. She establishes a great mutual respect between these two characters -- which is why it is important to read the novella first -- before they even realize that there is sexual tension between them, too.
I admire Scarlett's tenacity, even when faced with life-altering adversities. She is strong, kind, and intelligent. The perfect match to Max's commanding but gentle character. I like that while Max definitely knows how to take control of his firm and in any room he's in, he is kind and easygoing.
I enjoyed this book a lot. While I felt the solution to their ultimate problem came too easy, it did not completely take away from the story. I look forward to the other books in the series, and I just added Brazen Bossman to my TBR because of this read.
TW: Mental illness, sexual shaming
** I received an ARC of this book and am posting an honest review voluntarily. **
STEAM: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
This book can stand by itself, but I highly recommend reading Effectively Immediately, the prequel novella to this series and especially to Max and Scarlett's series.
Scarlett Hale is an up-and-coming graphic designer at one of Atlanta's hottest architectural firms. Her ingenuity, hard work, and dedication have caught the eye of the firm's CEO Maxwell Duke, and she wants to catch more than his eye. Despite trying to be professional, she can't help but want all of her hot boss.
Max is trying to keep a professional distance from Scarlett. Sure, he is incredibly attracted to her, but an ugly divorce with an ex that can't seem to let go, a pitch for the firm's largest client yet, and the age gap are just among the many reasons he should stay away.
Open for Negotiation is more than just Scarlett and Max's love story. I was pleasantly surprised by the suspense and mystery as who's causing trouble in their relationship and their work. I am often leery about significant age gaps, especially in a situation of power imbalance, but Emma Nichole builds a great, believable progression of Max and Scarlett's connection. She establishes a great mutual respect between these two characters -- which is why it is important to read the novella first -- before they even realize that there is sexual tension between them, too.
I admire Scarlett's tenacity, even when faced with life-altering adversities. She is strong, kind, and intelligent. The perfect match to Max's commanding but gentle character. I like that while Max definitely knows how to take control of his firm and in any room he's in, he is kind and easygoing.
I enjoyed this book a lot. While I felt the solution to their ultimate problem came too easy, it did not completely take away from the story. I look forward to the other books in the series, and I just added Brazen Bossman to my TBR because of this read.
TW: Mental illness, sexual shaming
** I received an ARC of this book and am posting an honest review voluntarily. **
September 8, 2021
I generally read a lot of slow burn romances but this fast pace romance gets a solid 4.5 stars from me. Max is a wealthy CEO going through a greedy divorce battle while fighting his attraction to his younger employee Scarlett. I highly suggest reading the prequel to this book. It really sets up the story and is about their first hot encounter in the office. These two are trying to keep their relationship a secret and take it one day at a time but his ex wife Miranda refuses to let her marriage die. Scarlett has some past trauma in regards to off limits relationship that motivates a lot of her actions. Max is amazing in that he respects Scarlett and her wishes. He's amazingly dedicated only to her but still trying to be a good guy to his vicious ex wife. Scarlett is smart and has a genuine soul that brightens Max's world and those around them. Her compassion for others shines throughout the book. This book had a little bit of everything and was one I sped through beginning to end because the story was easy to love.
September 10, 2021
Scarlett has a super sexy boss named Max, and man the sparks were flying like crazy. However, she's trying to keep it professional but with that type of intense chemistry, well, it's pretty much a losing battle to be honest. She has some demons though that had done her head in a time or two which makes her more cautious about what her co-workers will think at the end of the day if she & Max develop into something special so she's fighting it for all she's worth. Max wants Scarlett, and he's always in it to win it so let the games begin. Max of course, has his own issues, the main one being the wife he wants to get rid of, and she's not exactly on the same page. So you have heat in spades, drama, office politics, a colorful cast of supporting characters, and people like the soon-to-be ex who aren't happy that these two are getting closer. I LOVED Open for Negotiation, and I truly believe you'll feel the same after you hit those one click buttons since I HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
July 9, 2024
Maxwell (Max) Duke is the owner of Fortress, and Scarlett Hale works for the company. There aren’t any rules within the company that states they cannot date but there are other people/ideals/obstacles that are standing in the way. Their ages, past relationships, Miranda, and Garrett, just to name a few.
Max and Scarlett were really meant for each other. I liked how they fit so good together, despite the age gap – they are each other’s ying and yang. Their chemistry is great, lots of spicy scenes, the mystery of who really did all the sabotage to Fortress, and then there is Miranda – well she just needs some serious help!
Max and Scarlett were really meant for each other. I liked how they fit so good together, despite the age gap – they are each other’s ying and yang. Their chemistry is great, lots of spicy scenes, the mystery of who really did all the sabotage to Fortress, and then there is Miranda – well she just needs some serious help!
September 9, 2021
I am so happy that Emma Nichole continued Effective Immediately and gave us Open for Negotiation. The heat of the moment, in Maxwell's car has passed and passion only gets you so far when doubts start to creep in. Both Scarlett and Maxwell have been burned, badly. In fact, Maxwell is still trying to extract himself from said bonfire. While the chemistry between them pulled them together initially, the emotional connection is what fuels their relationship. Their story was incredibly hot and intense, I wasn't ready for it to end. I can't wait to see more Fortress stories and soon!
September 9, 2021
This is the 1st in a new series and is Max and Scarlett’s story. Max is rich, powerful, and off limits, as he is Scarlett’s boss, and they have both been burnt by their pasts. The chemistry between them is intense and undeniable, but they have challenges to overcome along the way. This is a well written story which is intense, and filled with emotions, drama, betrayals, and is an entertaining and steamy all-consuming and addictive page turner. I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I recommend.
September 10, 2021
Open For Negotiation was a great office romance by Emma Nichol hadn't read the prequel but it was easy to read and grasp the story. Max and Scarlett have an undeniable connection. They both have sordid past, and steps into this relationship with doubts. This story was incredibly intense and hot. I also liked Max relationship with Jackson. Their easy banter had me laughing out loud!I really enjoyed reading it.
I received this book as an ARC for an honest opinion from Give me books
I received this book as an ARC for an honest opinion from Give me books
September 10, 2021
I love office romance and this book reminded me why. Max and Scarlett are the perfect couple, the chemistry between them is explosive. I really loved how their story evolved through the pages although I didn't expect some of the twists that were present in the story. They were so perfectly complementing each other. I Was really hooked to the story and can't wait to read more books from this series.
October 22, 2025
There wasn’t anything bad about this book but there wasn’t anything particularly good about it either. It was very… meh.
There was very little substance to the characters and their stories. It was far more focused on Max and his ex. So the whole thing just seemed… a little far fetched.
The writing was fine but not great, the story was fine but not great, the smut fine but not great.
Just a whole book of “ok.”
There was very little substance to the characters and their stories. It was far more focused on Max and his ex. So the whole thing just seemed… a little far fetched.
The writing was fine but not great, the story was fine but not great, the smut fine but not great.
Just a whole book of “ok.”
September 12, 2021
I was pleasantly surprised. For the most part I felt like things were going a bit too good for the main characters and that’s usually when I get a little bored. However, it didn’t happen with this book. The chemistry between Max and Scarlett was very charming. It felt real. Not too over the top. Throw in a bit of past trauma and exes that can’t get a hint and you got yourself a nice little read.
September 22, 2021
Max and Scarlett are boss and employee until one night when lust gets the best of them but they instantly feel more than lust . However it can’t be simple as Max’s soon to be ex wife loves to make his life as difficult as she can. Scarlett is scarred from her past and Max is slowing healing those scars but is it enough Follow their journey to find out!!!
October 2, 2021
Open for Negotiation was a great read!
Scarlett and Max work together- Max owns Fortress, and Scarlett works for the company. Their attraction is instant, but there are many obstacles that stand between their happiness~ not only do they work together, but past traumas interfere, as well as a soon-to-be ex.
I really enjoyed these characters. I can't wait for more in this series!
Scarlett and Max work together- Max owns Fortress, and Scarlett works for the company. Their attraction is instant, but there are many obstacles that stand between their happiness~ not only do they work together, but past traumas interfere, as well as a soon-to-be ex.
I really enjoyed these characters. I can't wait for more in this series!
July 27, 2025
idk how i fully feel about this book. a lot of aspects just weren’t something i love in a book- but i enjoyed the writing a lot. it was short, so their story was hard to make it not feel super rushed. the insta love isn’t entirely for me either and there didn’t seem to be enough of anything before it progressed. the little twist was a little cray cray though lol
September 8, 2021
Open For Negotiation was a great office romance. Max and Scarlett had a connection that was undeniable, despite certain people trying to ruin their relationship, they were able to overcome that and were pretty perfect for each other! I loved them alot!
June 5, 2022
I couldn’t finish it. I was really excited about this book but finding out that the h didn’t learn one bit of restraint from her last mistake and jumping right into this one was just to me dumb like at least let something be different. I just couldn’t get past that so I couldn’t finish the book
September 11, 2025
Boss should be off limits but this girl wants him so bad. This book had me on the edge of my chair to see what would happen next. The last 5 chapters had me under a chock hold. One of the best short reads I have read in a long time.
August 9, 2024
So 👏🏼 The book is good n all, very sweet romance. It just has grammatical errors once n awhile. It doesn’t bother me, i giggle at them. BUT 👏🏼 THE 👏🏼 BETRAYAL 👏🏼 FROM GARRETTTT. HMMMM 👀 wasnt expecting it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 17, 2022
Max and Scarlett are boss and employee until one night when lust gets the best of them but they instantly feel more than lust. However, it cant't be simple as Max's soon to be ex-wife loves go make his life as difficult as she can. Scarlett is scarred from her past and Max is slowly healing those scars but is it enough ?
Follow their journey to find out !!!
Follow their journey to find out !!!
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews