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Severance Package

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Grumpy billionaire Everett Dorsey is the definition of why I swore off relationships.

He's arrogant, broody, and too hot for his--or my--own good.

He is literally everything I don't want. Not in a boss and certainly not in a boyfriend.

Granted, what I want doesn’t matter. He’s made the rules we’re playing by very clear.

No mixing business with pleasure.

Ever.

Yet, the only thing more aggravating than watching women fall at his feet is the fact that I dream of being the one on my knees.

And the longer I walk the line he’s drawn, the blurrier it becomes.

Breaking his rules might just mean breaking my heart.

Maybe I should have just taken the damned severance package.

412 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 13, 2023

212 people are currently reading
2637 people want to read

About the author

Carmen Bishop

25 books212 followers
USA Today bestselling author Jessica Wayne writes as Carmen Bishop to bring you spicy contemporary romance.

During the day, she slays laundry and dishes as a homeschooling, stay at home mom of three, and at night her worlds come to life on paper.

She runs on coffee and if you ever catch her wearing matching socks, it's probably because she grabbed them in the dark.

She has always believed in the power of true love and soul mates, even if sometimes we have to work a little harder to find ours.

She lives in Texas with her husband, kids, their two German Shepherd's and an entire flock of chickens that will likely double before she updates this bio.

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5 stars
307 (44%)
4 stars
256 (37%)
3 stars
104 (15%)
2 stars
13 (1%)
1 star
11 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
Profile Image for Maria Arroyo.
318 reviews5 followers
May 8, 2023
Office romance for a win let me tell you! I was a little wary in the beginning with the number of unlucky occurrences happing to our girl, but once we got past that and deeper into the story things really got full of just and tension. And as twist film the ending k truly wasn’t expecting?? Definitely a book I’ll recommend to office trope lovers.
Profile Image for Grisette.
651 reviews84 followers
February 26, 2023

3.4 stars

Though it was not perfect (re: spice), I actually like this book. It was decently written and the tone, characters and plot were engaging enough. It was a bit too slow burn maybe and the timeline a bit confusing, but it was a nice office romance and a little bit chick lit. An author to watch. Ideal to read in between more complex stories.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Hey Lin.
745 reviews
Read
July 31, 2023
I see someone all who arced this book and gave it a three star 😂👀

Lordy lordt. I haven't even finished the first chapter and I'm gonna dnf.

Shes leaving her apartment with a burrito her roommate gives her, she doesn't finish it, then drinks hot coffee that she spews from "two orifices" 😳🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄😔authors words, not mine, and some guy is handing her a handkerchief

I already don't like this shiet...

Dnf
4,143 reviews25 followers
February 12, 2023
Romantic but not only
I really liked this romance which starts off with a bang and remains fast and full of twists and turns in love as well as in action. It's a good romantic comedy between Everett, an insufferable and irritable boss from the first chapter, and Nova, who is awash in problems, one of which is Everett. The story is funny, steamy, with some action notes.
I look forward to the story of the other Dorcey brothers who seem not to lack humor.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book
Profile Image for Karina.
1,232 reviews20 followers
dnf-2023
June 5, 2023
DNF 13 % Just no . The H needs to find better friends
Profile Image for Jessica Hawkins.
419 reviews5 followers
February 14, 2023
Another one of those books that you just can’t put down. I needed more from this book. I need more of Nova and Everett’s story. It was just that good.

Grumpy, no nonsense, billionaire Everette Dorsey doesn’t mix business with pleasure but when the new angsty and fiery Nova Thomas comes crashing into his life, he realizes that some rules are made to be broken. After moving to Boston from Texas, Nova is struggling to get her life back in working order and it has been one problem after another. Everette can’t stand seeing the dumpster fire that is currently Nova’s life and he steps in to give her a leg up. They tiptoe around their attraction but if they give in to their strong chemistry, life as they’ve known it is over.

I loved this so much. I breezed through half of the book and was super bummed out that it was half over. It was just that good. This book had me grinning from ear to ear at some of the scenes and I just couldn’t devour this book fast enough. I loved everything about it and it’s definitely an easy recommend. I’m really looking forward to reading about the rest of the Dorsey brothers if it’s anything like Nova and Everett’s story.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy.
Profile Image for Kaija.
1,485 reviews28 followers
March 3, 2023
This is the kind of book you ignore all responsibilities to finish! I laughed at parts of this book, and swooned at others!
Everett is like a wet dream, sexy billionaire that is caring and knows what he is doing!
Nova is an amazing woman that has a strong arm (amazing scene laughed and loved it, Beth 100% deserved it!) plus she plays Roller Derby?! Now I want to try although I’ll probably break something…back on track, it’s a hot read that I want to reread already! I love the characters and writing style and I can’t wait for the next book!! Already preordered!!

This is also a strong contender for my favorite book of February!!
Profile Image for Jin.
1,108 reviews3 followers
March 9, 2023
Will they or won't they????
Nova is starting her new life back in Boston after father's death and remodeling her family's home. She really needed a job and her first day didn't go as she planned. Her first impression to her boss Mr. Dorsey didn't go well since she puked on his shiny shoes and fired on a same day. Drawn out her sorrow, she goes out with her neighbor but ended up in ex-boss's bedroom.
Everett has firm rule on office romance. It's OFF LIMITS to everyone. When he saw newly hired and fired Nova with Cole, his blood was boiling and he couldn't let Cole get closer to her. So he hires back Nova and things will get complicated for Everett.
Nova is strong, witty, smart and stubborn but lovely. She won't give up easily and she will stand up to anyone who gets in her way. When she got her job back, she was thrilled to work and can't wait to work on her house except everything seems to break and needs more money. While she takes a shower at work, Everrett runs into her and they tumble down. He offers his guest room and things get more complicated.
Nova and Everett dances around rules but rules are there to break.
Everett and Nova has their own problems to work out and find what love is. Everett will have to get rid of some people (ex wife and best friend Cole) to keep everyone happy.
It is quick read and both characters are lovable. I can't wait to read rest of Dorsey's brothers.
I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a complimentary copy.
Profile Image for Kerri Doyle.
208 reviews5 followers
April 16, 2023
Forbidden office romances where she has one bad impression after another, after another!

Everett owns a building and design company and hires Nova as a Secretary who will help with the interior design projects too. She gets fired in her first day for getting food poisoning and barfing on her bosses shoes. He get talked into giving her another chance but knows it will only cause trouble.

Cole, Everett’s high school friend, works for him and is a pig of a man whore who hits on Nova so much she threatens a sexual harassment charge.

I question the believability of nova moving in with a Everett so easily, but it also makes sense based in her house situation.

Of course Everett and Nova are attracted to each other, but Everett has a “no dating employees” policy because of Cole.

There are some twists through (without giving spoilers) that really add to the story.

I was hooked. The spice was frequent (once it hits) and the banter between FMC and MMC or with three friends and family was great!


Triggers and tropes:

Office romance
Forbidden romance
Attempting date-rape
Mourning of a passes farther
Crazy Ex Wife
Mourning of a friend who passed in a car accident (when they were kids)
Explicit spicy scenes
Profile Image for BlueBug.
895 reviews2 followers
May 7, 2023
I have to say I'm already loving these Dorsey Brothers, but of course, the off-limits romances are some of my favorites. This one doesn't shirk where that's concerned. Everett is a high-powered business owner, and Nova is a down-on-her-luck decorator who is faced with a house she inherited after her father died that has multiple issues. She needs the job she's applying for more than her next breath, but when she ends up with food poisoning and vomits all over Everett's shoes, he accuses her of getting drunk the night before and being hung over. Of course, she doesn't get the job, but that's not the end of it. She has some wonderful people in her corner and through some funny and not-so-funny coincidences. One, in particular, has his eyes on her, and it's up to Everett to keep her safe while trying to figure out where they stand and what to do about it.

These are my favorite kinds of romances - friends-to-lovers, family member's best friend, office romances that are off-limits - I love the angst and energy of them. The fact that this one is told in a dual POV makes it even that much more fun because it leaves room for misunderstandings and lots of smexy time. I have this one on audiobook, so it was even more fun to listen to it in my free time. I'm looking forward to reading about the love lives of the other Dorsey brothers.
Profile Image for Samantha Grubey.
Author 4 books33 followers
March 5, 2023
I've just come out of a reading slump and something tells me I could be heading back into one. This is absolutely amazing. Everett and Nova might be my new favourite couple.

Nova is a kickass female who doesn't take no shit, and this stays throughout the book. She's so strong and headstrong as well as independent when Everett first requests helps she's like no dude I can do it myself. She does eventually accept his help.

Everett so focused on his rules about no dating employees and then he breaks it! It took a while for him to break it but when he did. Chef's kiss!!

Everett and Nova together. OMG let me not even start on the angst of this book. It could have killed me. It was perfect.

The whole thing was perfect. I love Everett's family and I can't wait for the next book with another brother. It was the perfect hot, sweet quick read and I think this may be a favourite of the year!
Profile Image for Linda.
374 reviews
February 6, 2023
4.5🌟
Great characters!
Nova is a spunky hard working woman that put everything on the backburner to care for her dying dad.
Now she's looking for a job to get her career back on track, she thought she had it till one her first day she puked on her new bosses expensive shoes.
Everett is a no nonsense boss that doesn't care for excess drinking and absolutely no fraternizing with coworkers.
One of his friends and workers put Nova and Everett in a position of home taking care of her for a night.
He re-hires her because of his secretary and they have a strong attraction that they can't stop.
Between his friend hitting on Nova and his ex-wife forgetting she's his ex and the no dating policy their in trouble.
Profile Image for Michelle.
520 reviews2 followers
February 10, 2023
I am voluntarily leaving a review after receiving an ARC from Hidden Gems.

It was good and entertaining. Nova is trying to restart her life after her father has died. She had left her job to take care of him as he fought cancer. She was hired for an assistant job at Dorsey, Inc. but was promptly fired her first day because of a misunderstanding. The company's owner, Everett, decides to give her another chance at the urging of his current assistant. Nova and Everett are attracted to each other but there is a no dating between employees policy. They are working closely together and due to unforeseen events, Nova ends up rooming with Everett.

I liked both Everett and Nova. The book is well written and flows nicely.
63 reviews
February 18, 2023
Poor Nova just can't catch a break! Between her roommate accidentally giving her food poisoning, to getting rescued from a bar due to a questionable dude who can't take no for an answer, to the plumbing in the house she's trying to renovate going completely wonky with no funds to fix it, everything just keeps going wrong for her. In spite of all these mishaps, this is a fun, fast read. Her friends stay in her corner throughout and are always on her side. Everett's heart is in the right place, but he is led astray by false loyalty. His family is fantastic and funny, and he does finally stumble his way to a HEA, and definitely comes out as a good guy throughout. Looking forward to reading more of these fun characters in future books. (This can be read as a standalone with a HEA).
460 reviews1 follower
March 7, 2023
This was the first book I have read by this author. I enjoyed it immensely. I loved how strong, determined, and level-headed Nova's character was. She had a trivial and difficult background, but she gets up and conquers each day. Everett needs someone like Nova. She keeps him on his toes. He is so concerned about breaking one of his rules that he fights everything that makes him better. He is a man who lives with daily guilt even though those mistakes were not solely on him. The back-and-forth between Nova and Everett was entertaining. Nova has amazing composure when dealing with unwanted attention or annoying ex-wives. This was a great book to get lost in, and I look forward to learning more about Everett's family.
272 reviews1 follower
July 22, 2023
What I Liked:
The plot has some really strong points that keeps the tension high throughout. I love that they have the complete opposite of a traditional meet-cute.

What I Didn’t Really Like:
There were a few times when the dialogue or events lacked a little realism. Poor Nova seems to have the absolute worst of luck. At the end, I found myself with some remaining questions. I want to know more about what was going on with Beth and Cole. There has to be a good reason for their levels of crazy. I also wished there was a glimpse into Everett and Nova’s future, but maybe I’ll get that if I read the books about the other Dorsey brothers.

Overall:
If you like Billionaire Boss Romance and are in the mood for a steamy romance, this will be a fun read.
1 review
May 14, 2025
As a stunning, accident prone brunette, in an intensely passionate relationship with a man 12 years my senior, I strongly related to the FMC - Nova.

While the first few chapters felt like they ticked every modern romance trope and had more cheese than a book club charcuterie board, the story slow burned into a satisfying climax.

My sensibilities do feel that the F word was over played, and would love to see the author improve her adjective repertoire. I personally appreciate everyone being objectively hot, although I am still confused about how Everett actually has made so much money with so few employees around him?!

Overall Carmen Bishop wrote an excellent romance and I look forward to reading more about the spunky Dorsey family.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Arielle stahl.
730 reviews10 followers
February 4, 2023
First off if I could give this book more than 5 stars I would.
Nova is the perfect female main character who wants to make a name for herself by having a successful business but that all changes when she gets hired by a big company and immediately fired, then she gets rehired again.
Everett may seem like a cock boss but he's anything except that.
Neither one of them could imagine where things would lead.
I couldn't put this book down it made me feel all different emotions, and the spice levels are out of this world and made me wish I worked in an office.
I want to read more about these two and see where they end up.
1,859 reviews32 followers
February 13, 2023
This office romance is so good. The chemistry between the characters is sizzling.

Nova didn't make a good first impression with her new boss, Everett. After eating a burrito on her way to her first day, she became sick on his shoes and was immediately let go. The day only got better when she went out for drinks with her new neighbor, was retrieved by Everett as he works with that neighbor, then gets sick again.

Surprisingly, Everett gives her a second chance and hires her both at his company and to decorate his apartment. When plumbing issues arise at her home, Everett invites Nova to stay with him. Hopefully they can keep their attraction in check...
544 reviews2 followers
February 17, 2023
I’m so enamored with this story. It had me with all the feels. I was filled with excitement, laughter, annoyance, a touch of hate, I felt lots of heat and at the end plenty of love. An easy read with all to sexy male that brings all his arrogance and steam to a woman who is yearning for all he has to give but fights it. Everett and Nova have undeniable tangible chemistry that just totally draws you in and wishing their story would never end. They have plenty of obstacles to contend with before they learn to trust in each other and fight for their ever after and enjoyed every twist and turn till they get there.
Profile Image for Caligirlkrys.
200 reviews9 followers
February 13, 2023
This book has several tropes that I love reading all combined in one story. Enemies to lovers, age gap, and billionaire boss. There’s lots of delicious chemistry and tension between Nova and Everett. I really enjoyed the evolution of their relationship and how they saved each other through love. The side characters were fun and interesting and there is a great set up for Everett’s brothers in future books. The steamy scenes were done well. I look forward to reading the next books in this series. I also highly recommend this author writing under her other pen name.
Profile Image for Kayla.
727 reviews7 followers
February 13, 2023
Loved it! Great book!

Severance Package by Carmen Bishop is the first standalone in the Dorsey Brother’s Books. Even though they are standalones, I believe you'll get more out of them by reading them in order. This is a hot and forbidden office romance that follows the story of Everett and Nova. My oh my is this book SPICY. These two hurt and somewhat damaged souls who slowly start to heal one another. Throw in a crazy ex-wife and even crazier (ex) best friend and you're in for a ride.
Profile Image for Blondie_za.
831 reviews7 followers
June 27, 2023
The push and pull, and the heat between Everett and Nova was palpable.

What a first couple of meetings though - I really felt for Nova! She is just a collection of walking disasters, lol.

Everett inviting her to live with him was quite left field though, but forced proximity between 'enemies' always leads to the best explosions.

And when those 2 finally exploded damn it was hot!!

I didn't blame Nova though I for being tired of being a secret, and for leaving.

What was never cleared up for me was why Axel was with Everett when he came to the house, when Cole attacked Nova.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Amanda Krause-Maurer .
55 reviews4 followers
July 22, 2023
This was my first book by this author and I was NOT disappointed.
This was a well-written romance and an easy read.
Perfect story to read between my bigger novels and on my lunch break.
Nova was a bit of a walking disaster in the beginning & Everett was a bit of a grump.
Good amount of spice.
Everett inviting Nova to live at his house was kind of odd and the unanswered questions I had made the story feel like it was unfinished.
I was sent a free copy of this book from the author and I am voluntarily leaving this honest review.
Profile Image for Leslie Ooten.
980 reviews7 followers
April 20, 2024
This was a pretty good read. The writing flowed well for the most part, and Everett and Nova were decent together. I would have liked less of the hot and cold between them. I liked Nova, she stood up for herself and it was awesome that she didn't let anyone make her stand down. Everett was okay. He stands up for Nova too eventually, but I didn't like that he was constantly afraid of what other people thought. The ending felt really rushed to me, everything was tied up very quickly. Even though this wasn't my favorite, I will definitely be on the look out for other books by this author.
Profile Image for Laura.
206 reviews20 followers
July 24, 2023
I really liked parts of this story, but then other parts would feel rushed and chaotic.
Like when Everett was all growly and "I hate how much you tempt me" and then flipping the switch back to cold shouldering her. Then insta-love WE MUST COMMIT TO EACH OTHER! I felt like my eyes were missing sentences.
I wish we could've seen more of who Nova really is, other than her traumas and being horny for Everett. More roller derby, more being a kick-ass designer, just more of her.
Profile Image for Chiloe.
156 reviews
October 16, 2023
Secretary and boss secret romance - the aspect of working together on her late Dad's house was a cool twist and the sub-plot line was decent with a twist too. The story was thought out and moved along well most of the way, but the last 15% of the book was way too rushed! It should've been detailed out more and it could've been more filling, instead it felt a little thin. I'll give book 2 a try since book 3 is supposed to be really good but I may just skip book 2 if it's too much like this book (book 1). It was good to read but not really worthy to reread again in the future.
Profile Image for Becca Whaley.
1,655 reviews6 followers
December 9, 2023
This one was ok… the timeline went from January to February then back to January in the first 40%… so the author obviously needs better proofreaders and editors.. the story overall was good .. tho it ended at 90% with the next book taking up the last 10%… this was a new to me author, idk how long she’s been writing or what book this was for her.. I’m going into the next one cautiously and will go from there
Profile Image for Nate.
24k reviews19 followers
August 21, 2024
This was Everett and Nova’s story. She was fired by her billionaire boss after getting sick on his Italian leather shoes. Fortunately, she somehow manages to get a second chance. Unfortunately, that only leads to more problems. Everett Dorsey is everything she doesn’t want. He's too handsome for his--or her --own good. When Everett finally turns his gaze on her she discovers a new side to him. An interesting read. And voluntarily leaving my review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews

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