Christmas with her Boss

by Marion Lennox

Meg Jardine, personal assistant extraordinaire, is convinced she's about to lose her job. Her gorgeous, dark and deeply unimpressed boss, William McMaster, is stranded in Melbourne over Christmas—and it's all her fault! With her heart in her mouth, she invites the intimidating billionaire home for the holiday….

At Meg's chaotic, cozy family farm, William's cold reserve begins to melt away. Suddenly they're seeing each other in a whole new light, and country girl Meg has shot straight to the top of William's Christmas list!

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Christmas, Australia, Contemporary, Category Romance, Harlequin Romance

192 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published October 1, 2010

About the author

Writing romance sounds fascinating. Huh?

I'm a writer. I'm boring. Day after day I sit behind a word processor making up people in my head. Why do I do it? I love it. My husband, Dave, gets up in the morning, puts on a suit and heads out into the ice and cold of Ballarat's winter. (Sadly I live in one of the tiny parts of Australia that qualifies as cold.) I make myself another cup of coffee, head up to my study, choose what music I want and sit and daydream. And I get paid for doing it. Hooray!

My first attempt at writing romance, 'Dare To Love Again', a Medical Romance, was published by Harlequin Mills and Boon in 1990. It still stands today as a monument to my family's ability to survive on cheese sandwiches and spaghetti.

Since then I've written over 80 Romances for Harlequin Mills and Boon, with more on the drawing board. (I used a pseudonym - Trisha David - for the first few Romances but suffered with a split personality and have since reverted to being Marion Lennox all the time.) In between romances, I've co-authored a non-fiction history, (I love local history) done the odd (very odd) spot of housework and done a heap of travelling - research :-)

I come from a farming community. You can probably tell this from my books. There's not a skyscraper in sight. I'm very much a pets person. Chloe and Harry were my constant canine companions for many years as I wrote, demanding walks and air freshener at frequent intervals. Sadly I lost them, and for a while I vowed not to get another. My heart was broken and my study smelled so clean! But.. The cat and I missed them so badly we weakened and bought Mitzi. Mitzi's a black and silver mini-schnauzer who makes me and the cat laugh. Expect to find her in future stories.

If you're interested in formalities, I hold a Bachelor of Commerce degree and a teaching diploma. I have a couple of kids and a huge extended family who look on me with affectionate tolerance. Marion? The crazy one who talks to people in her head... I've had nine nominations for the Rita, winning twice, and fourteen for the Australian Book of the Year. After years of thinking of my writing as a hobby I guess I finally now qualify as a `real' writer.

Thank your for taking the trouble to check out my web page. Now try my books. We might even end up having fun together. And write to me. I show my family - `See? Real people do like the things that go in in my head.'

Reviews

[MelissaB · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christmas with Her Boss was a cute little Christmas romance set in rural Austrailia. The hero is a wealthy businessman who has closed himself off from all emotions until he is forced by circumstances to spend Christmas with his personal assistant at her family farm. The heroine is a really nice, intelligent and hard working woman who is very realistic about the hero's place in her life. She starts to care for him but doesn't see how they could make it work since he is so closed off to feelings and he is a super weathly businessman who lives in a different world than her. He learns how to slow down and enjoy life for once and realizes that the heroine is worth risking his heart.

I really enjoyed the story, it was well-written and a cute, sweet holiday story. The heroine's family was a nice close knit group, I enjoyed seeing how they loved each other. The hero wasn't some jerk, he was pretty funny sometimes and could be really kind hearted when he let himself feel emotions. There are no love scenes in this book, just a warning. Only kisses. I would have liked an epilogue but it was still a cute ending.

[SuperWendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well I just found a new comfort author. I really enjoyed this book. A boss/secretary romance where both characters are concerned about boundaries. A buttoned-up, emotionally distant hero. A heroine who has had to make sacrifices in order to keep what is left of her family together. A hot Australian Christmas setting (on a dairy farm!) was a nice change of pace from the normal North America frou-frou typically found in holiday romances and I loved the cozy feel of the story. It takes place over a weekend, so the romance does move rather fast - which is really the only thing I'm going to ding this book over. A B- on my personal scale but I immediately went diving into my TBR to see if I have more Marion Lennox on hand.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meg Jardine works for a young, rich and very handsome man who lives in Australia just for three months in a year. Their relationship is strictly professional and they have never seen each other in a different way from what they really are: a boss and his personal assistant. This Christmas, though, things are going to be very dissimilar from the past. Because of a plane strike, the loner and aloof boss, William McMaster, is forced to spend Christmas time at Meg’s farm with her family, and they risk to cross the line and become something more than employer and employee.

I loved this story! It is fun and light hearted, a good read for any season! It was strange to read about a hot Christmas, since the whole story is set in Australia and the characters wear light clothes and short-sleeved shirts all the time, but I loved the atmosphere, the plot, everything the protagonists share and do. It was nice to see how the strict boss slowly becomes aware of his assistant’s real nature and starts to be more relaxed and agreeable with her family and friends. Perhaps, this is a common, already seen story but it was good all the same. It is a romantic story mixed with laughs and embarrassing situations and I had a great time reading it. Besides, it would be awesome to have a boss like William McMaster!

If you want to take a break from cold Christmas with snow and icy wind I highly recommend this delightful and pleasant book!

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars.

[Shannon Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. I started it yesterday and immediately fell in love. I even sulked a little when it was bedtime because I wanted to keep reading. Then I got up early this morning, hoping to get some work done, but read straight through to the end instead.

Charming is a word that comes immediately to mind. The hero is deliciously growly and withdrawn, but we get just enough of a glimpse into his POV to get to know him. And the heroine is fun and a good match for him. She doesn't take his crap, and her reaction to his being inadvertently rude to her friend is one of my favorites in the book.

It's a fun and light read, but with deeply emotional underpinnings that caused me to tear up throughout the book. And it's rich. Considering the short length, the depth of the characters (including the heroine's grandmother and half-brother, and even the dogs) and the setting is amazing. And the ending? Oh, happy, happy sigh!

I HIGHLY recommend this fun, heartwarming Christmas romance!

[Jaci Burton · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun holiday book! Strong heroine, grouchy, sexy boss. Very emotional story and the heroine's family was awesome. I loved the heroine's grandmother and her brother. Loved the farm and Christmas in Australia. It was one of those romances you couldn't put down. Sweet, romantic, with characters who aren't perfect but who are perfect to read about. It made me feel warm and fuzzy inside, which is just how I like to feel this time of year. I highly recommend this book!

[Rosario]

This was a random pick from the depths of my TBR (literally random, as in choosing a number with an online generator and seeing what it corresponded to on Calibre).

It's (obviously) a Christmas story. Meg Jardine is billionaire William McMaster's Australian PA. She gets paid a really excellent (and much needed) salary for being completely at his beck and call and solving all his problems during the short periods when he's in Australia. The latest has fallen right before Christmas, and he's due to fly out to New York when disaster strikes. Air traffic controllers go on strike and there's no way to fly out. There are also no hotel rooms to be had in the whole city.

Even though none of this is her fault, Meg feels she must come through with a solution to have any hope of keeping her job. The best she can come up with is to invite her boss to stay with her family over Christmas. There's an en suite room he can stay in and internet for him to work, and she promises no one will bother him.

But all plans for a simple continuation of their 100% professional working relationship fall by the wayside almost immediately. The internet is down, Meg's grandmother refuses to countenance anyone referring to William as Mr. MacMaster and William finds himself learning more about Meg the woman and her family.

This is a nice enough story, but I'm afraid I got very bored after the first third or so. I've read this so many times before. The rigid person who deals with any feelings in a completely dysfunctional way thrust into a situation where others won't respect those boundaries and so our stuffed-shirt character must adapt. I don't like this story very much, I'm afraid. I keep wanting to shout at the presumptuous characters: respect others' wishes!! If someone honestly doesn't want to join in with the cheer, don't try to force them to. But of course, it always turns out to be exactly what they needed, etc., etc.

Plus, I'm SO over billionaire businessmen as romance heroes. Sorry, but no. Just no.

MY GRADE: A DNF.

[Arminzerella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meg Jardine, personal assistant (PA) to the wealthy and powerful William McMaster, is going to lose her job if she can’t appease her boss. Unfortunately, it’s Christmas, everyone is about to go on holiday, he’s stuck in Australia due to a workers’ strike, and he has no accommodations. Meg invites him to spend the holidays with her family – out in the middle of nowhere on her grandmother’s dairy farm. His attic bedroom (sorry, the internet and the phone are out at the moment) is hardly the sort of thing he’s accustomed to, and tempers flare as the inconveniences pile up. But William finds himself accepting the situation, even enjoying his time on the farm with Meg and her family. And Meg finds herself falling for her boss. It’s an untenable situation, however, and Meg resigns as soon as she realizes she has lost the professional distance that makes their work relationship possible. She informs William that the strike has ended and she can get him on the next flight out, but suddenly he’s no longer so eager to escape.

Well-developed characters and foreign setting (Australia!) make this classic romance stand out. Modern women will appreciate Meg’s strength, intelligence, and determination. Why the guy always has to be powerful and aloof, I can’t figure out. William comes around in the end, though – with plans to marry his love, improve the farm, and adopt his part-time dog (a Christmas gift from Meg’s family). The romance, while present, doesn’t detract from a good story about decent people.

[Shiny Ajit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christmas with Her Boss by Marion Lennox
A heartwarming escape into rural charm and emotional connection
Christmas with Her Boss by Marion Lennox is a delightful and easygoing read, perfect for those seeking a gentle escape from the everyday. While it may not fall into the category of high-intensity romance, its charm lies in its simplicity and emotional depth.
Set against the backdrop of farm life, the novel invites readers into a world where relationships—both human and animal—take center stage. The story unfolds with warmth, highlighting not just romantic chemistry but also the importance of family bonds, compassion, and the healing power of nature. The rural setting adds a layer of authenticity, making the narrative feel grounded and relatable.
Lennox’s storytelling is tender and engaging, weaving travel, caregiving, and emotional growth into a seasonal tale that resonates with the spirit of Christmas. The characters are likable, and their interactions are sincere, offering readers a sense of comfort and connection.
This book is ideal for readers who appreciate romance with substance—where love is nurtured through shared experiences, mutual respect, and the quiet magic of everyday life. It’s a gentle reminder that sometimes, the most meaningful stories are the ones that unfold in the simplest of settings.

[Ronda Six Garnett · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the better story plot lines.

[Estara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a short book - about 140 pages on my ereader - but it REALLY works believably as a romance with a billionaire having a happy ever after ^^. The author even has time for strong side-characters - Scott and Letty, who are Meg's family - as well as dogs (from what I have heard about the Banksia books they have dogs, too ^^) - oh and the cow Millicent of course, her of the fairly weak morals.

The reason why William (did he have be called McMasters?) has to stay with Meg and her family over Christmas is totally believable - only once he is sitting in the train to the outback farm does he come up with the idea of buying a house short term to avoid the whole upset. He still can't get to New York on time, though.

Because Meg and William have known each other for three years and we get Meg's reasons for taking the job as William's PA and why she keeps enjoying it, the fast jump into love, once William really takes a look at the way he lives his life and why he has been doing so for so long, works for me.

The scenes with the milking and the first impression of the Santa-bedecked house were really funny ^^ - I only had to suspend my belief when Will and Meg were able to buy clothes and eat at a fancy restaurant without it having been mentioned that they'd left the hospital clean (having been covered in blood and dirt - Will having just helped birth a calf and then saved Letty).

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

The heroine has the perfect job--she only works when her boss is in the country. For 3 or 4 weeks, she can drop her real life, focus exclusively on work, and then when he skips town again, she can go back home. But then everything blows up when the airline people go on strike just before Christmas, all the hotels get booked and the boss--our hero--has nowhere to stay. So she invites him home to the family dairy farm with her. There's no Internet, few amenities and lots of cows. Also a grandma and little brother still recovering from the horrible accident that killed their parents. Boss has horrible Internet withdrawal pains. Also pangs involved in cracking open his hardened, workaholic shell. The heroine has trouble remembering to keep her distance. This is a sweet, romantic, Christmassy story that will tug at your heartstrings, but never, IMO, stoops to sloppy sentimentality. Grandma is a hoot. The brother is a typical teen, with his own issues. It's just a great book. I liked it a lot.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Read this because of Shannon Stacey's review. I think she was dead on. I really enjoyed this book. Loved all the characters, but had to wonder why the heroine felt she had to resign her position, especially given how infrequently she saw her boss.

Otherwise, loved the story, the characters, the emotions conveyed in the characterizations. We see the heroine caring for her family and their reaction to it - the way they try to care for her in return. ANd how she comes to love the hero in such a short time. He is caring, warm, and helpful despite his determination to be otherwise. We see the hero's desire to keep emotionally clear but his inability to actually do so through his actions and his words. I loved how he just got sucked into the love and warmth of the family.

Loved the way the grandmother and brother quietly accepted Meg as the head of the household, but still supported her emotionally rather than taking from her. There was give and take and real obvious love in this family.

Terrific book.

[Elle (Ligia) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't expect Christmas With Her Boss to be as good as it was, I was pleasantly surprised by it.
It had its ups and downs like always but I found myself unable to stop reading, and after not being able to as much as look at a book for over two weeks it sure seemed like a miracle! lol

I would indeed recommend it. It's sweet and a little heartbreaking and gaaaaahh totally swoon-worthy. ;)

[Missy Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book up for a quick romantic read that I hoped would put a smile on my face. I was not disappointed. It was a good romance story that wasn't too cliche or over the top in sensuality or anything else. The storyline isn't necessarily unique, however the setting definitely was and I enjoyed it.

[Becky R. · Rating 2 out of 5]

A pretty clean, cheesy romance, but cute for the holidays. I saw this one advertised on a blog and thought, "why not?" Set in Australia, it was a different kind of Christmas story, but still kind of fun.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very cute Christmas romance from one of my favorite writers. The romance does seem to develop very quickly, which requires a swift change in the hero, but it comes across as very believable and is mostly because of the short length. Definitely recommend this one.

[Marg · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pleasant diversion - perfect for reading while away for the weekend.

[Joely Burkhart · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet, wonderful romance. Nothing more than kisses and a little petting, but I enjoyed the setting and the characters. So much story happening in such a small space!

[Usagi Tsukino · Rating 2 out of 5]

This review is for the Italian edition.

Second read on January 2016: I can't believe I gave this book 4 stars. O_o I mean, it's not bad but it's not good either.

[ReadKnitHoard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Delightful Down Under Christmas story set on a dairy farm. What's not to love?

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars - I liked it, it was nice light holiday book.

[Captmashpea · Rating 2 out of 5]

it was good i would have liked to see a little more into their rrelationship efore the book starts.

[Kobie · Rating 4 out of 5]

really loving this author!