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Bad Decisions #2
Work: Strictly Professional
“Not to worry, I’ll compensate you for your time and your…skill.”
My boss is a walking red flag. He’s bolshy and rude. Impossible to please. A big, broody man with dark eyes that carry an unmistakable message – I am not manageable.
Seriously, he’s the worst.
If it’s not bad enough that he’s a nightmare in the office, he’s all but ordering me to be his date to his son’s wedding. He says it’s called ‘winning a divorce.’
I try telling him that’s not a real thing but it falls on deaf ears.
Not only that, he appears to be in the throes of a major personal awakening and is determined that I’m the man to guide him through it. Normally, I’m all for going above and beyond in the name of being a star performer at work, but the services he requires are becoming increasingly indecent.
See what I mean? Red flags galore. So many red flags I can’t count them all.
I might as well be playing a game of red flag bingo at this point.
Just my luck, when it comes to Derek MacAvoy…I see a red flag and instantly want to date it.
My boss is a walking red flag. He’s bolshy and rude. Impossible to please. A big, broody man with dark eyes that carry an unmistakable message – I am not manageable.
Seriously, he’s the worst.
If it’s not bad enough that he’s a nightmare in the office, he’s all but ordering me to be his date to his son’s wedding. He says it’s called ‘winning a divorce.’
I try telling him that’s not a real thing but it falls on deaf ears.
Not only that, he appears to be in the throes of a major personal awakening and is determined that I’m the man to guide him through it. Normally, I’m all for going above and beyond in the name of being a star performer at work, but the services he requires are becoming increasingly indecent.
See what I mean? Red flags galore. So many red flags I can’t count them all.
I might as well be playing a game of red flag bingo at this point.
Just my luck, when it comes to Derek MacAvoy…I see a red flag and instantly want to date it.
398 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 8, 2024
About the author
Jesse H. Reign
13 books655 followersI'm Jesse, and I write contemporary and paranormal MM romance.
Whether my characters are born magical, or whether magic is something they make between the sheets, I strive to take the reader into the mind of the narrator. My ultimate goal is to leave the reader feeling like they’ve made a new friend or have spent a few hours flirting with a brand-new book boyfriend.
I love coffee, chocolate and daydreaming, in no particular order. I love conflicted characters, lust at first sight and angst – no seriously, ALL the angst. Give it to me!
Whether my characters are born magical, or whether magic is something they make between the sheets, I strive to take the reader into the mind of the narrator. My ultimate goal is to leave the reader feeling like they’ve made a new friend or have spent a few hours flirting with a brand-new book boyfriend.
I love coffee, chocolate and daydreaming, in no particular order. I love conflicted characters, lust at first sight and angst – no seriously, ALL the angst. Give it to me!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 316 reviews
May 6, 2024
- age gap
- boss x employee
- fake dating
- "teach me"
Derek MacAvoy, better known as Satan by his staff, is a hard man to work for. He's quick to find flaws and beyond meticulous, but Wyn is determined to make things work as his PA.
Ever the one to rise to a challenge, Wyn doesn't break under the added pressure of having to plan Miller and Ryan's wedding in three weeks, and continues to roll with the punches when Derek tries to one up his ex-wife by saying Wyn is his plus one for the wedding.
While pretending to be in a relationship with his hot boss isn't really a hardship for Wyn, lines start to blur when Derek gives him a proposition he really should refuse...
After how toxic and crazy Miller and Ryan's story was, I expected Derek and Wyn's to follow suit, but surprisingly it did not. I still really loved it though! The banter and dynamic between the two of them was fantastic, and their story is definitely steamy, but what I loved the most was how Wyn's personality blossomed the more their story progressed and how he ALWAYS kept Derek on his toes.
- boss x employee
- fake dating
- "teach me"
Derek MacAvoy, better known as Satan by his staff, is a hard man to work for. He's quick to find flaws and beyond meticulous, but Wyn is determined to make things work as his PA.
Ever the one to rise to a challenge, Wyn doesn't break under the added pressure of having to plan Miller and Ryan's wedding in three weeks, and continues to roll with the punches when Derek tries to one up his ex-wife by saying Wyn is his plus one for the wedding.
While pretending to be in a relationship with his hot boss isn't really a hardship for Wyn, lines start to blur when Derek gives him a proposition he really should refuse...
After how toxic and crazy Miller and Ryan's story was, I expected Derek and Wyn's to follow suit, but surprisingly it did not. I still really loved it though! The banter and dynamic between the two of them was fantastic, and their story is definitely steamy, but what I loved the most was how Wyn's personality blossomed the more their story progressed and how he ALWAYS kept Derek on his toes.
April 21, 2024
Dump a bucket of ice water on these men cause they are HORNY. Each chapter is a delicious stream of "he's-paying-me-but-id-do-this-for-free-or-hell-even-pay-HIM-for-the-honor" consciousness broken up by hilarious commentary.
May 11, 2024
4.5
This was completely insane but so fun!!
I absolutely adore Wyn. He's so sassy, has a stationery addiction, is super organised with a Pinterest habit and is absolutely helpless when it comes to resisting Derek.
Derek really changed my opinion of him, and seeing Miller and Ryan's dream wedding and the way Derek was insanely proud made me smile like a loon.
I love how it also pokes fun at how ridiculous the characters in these interlinking series are. When Wyn said he clearly needed new friends because his were all animals I laughed so much.
Very intrigued for the book about the wedding crasher too.
This was completely insane but so fun!!
I absolutely adore Wyn. He's so sassy, has a stationery addiction, is super organised with a Pinterest habit and is absolutely helpless when it comes to resisting Derek.
Derek really changed my opinion of him, and seeing Miller and Ryan's dream wedding and the way Derek was insanely proud made me smile like a loon.
I love how it also pokes fun at how ridiculous the characters in these interlinking series are. When Wyn said he clearly needed new friends because his were all animals I laughed so much.
Very intrigued for the book about the wedding crasher too.
August 16, 2024
Tropey as all get out, but delivered with an unexpectedly acid edge that I loved. Pretty sure that Reign is gently sending the whole genre up, but so deftly that it's a total delight.
May 13, 2024
"The trouble is, I have a thing for each and every one of his red flags. I want them. Have to have them. Want them all. Want to collect them and stitch them all into one giant red flag. Then I want to cut a neat slit in the middle of that big ole red flag and drape it over my head so I can wear it as a kaftan."
Work: Strictly Professional is the second book in Jesse H. Reign's new Bad Decisions series, which are all linked standalone reads. So whilst you can totally enjoy this as a standalone because the books are showcasing very different relationships, you'll probably get more out of the books if you read them in order, as some of the previous characters make cameo appearances. This is Wyn and Derek's story.
What To Expect:
🌶️ Boss/employee
🌶️ Grumpy/sunshine
🌶️ Gay awakening
🌶️ First times
🌶️ Age gap
🌶️ Teach me
🌶️ Fake dating
🌶️ Only one bed
🌶️ Pay for play
🌶️ HEA
I loved the chemistry between these two and Wyn was absolutely DIVINE! Recommended.
4 steamy stars
Work: Strictly Professional is the second book in Jesse H. Reign's new Bad Decisions series, which are all linked standalone reads. So whilst you can totally enjoy this as a standalone because the books are showcasing very different relationships, you'll probably get more out of the books if you read them in order, as some of the previous characters make cameo appearances. This is Wyn and Derek's story.
What To Expect:
🌶️ Boss/employee
🌶️ Grumpy/sunshine
🌶️ Gay awakening
🌶️ First times
🌶️ Age gap
🌶️ Teach me
🌶️ Fake dating
🌶️ Only one bed
🌶️ Pay for play
🌶️ HEA
I loved the chemistry between these two and Wyn was absolutely DIVINE! Recommended.
4 steamy stars
May 12, 2024
Tropes: boss / employee, grumpy/sunshine, age gap
Feels: 3.5/5
Steam*: 3.5/5
Kinks: n/a
Angst: low
HEA: yes
Pairing: MM
Triggers/potential icks/content warnings: homophobic parent, being in the closet for 30 years, divorce (not between MC's), sex for money, unsafe sex
4.5 stars, love the vibes, love the humour
Derek is 48 years old and he's the father of Miller the MC in another book by this author. Derek has just gotten divorced from his wife of 23+ years. They had a horrible marriage. He's known as an a****** boss at work, everyone at work calls him Satan. When his latest PA quits, Wyn is pulled from his current role to that role. Wyn is 29 and a PA extraordinaire. He's also openly gay, bit of an organization kink, and feels things deeply and chaotically. Wyn is 6 months into his self-proclaimed sex sabbatical. He's tired of being used and having casual relationships, he wants to find love, have kids, be happy.
Wyn hates Derek on sight, but is also ridiculously attracted to him. Miller and Ryan are getting married, and when Miller's wedding planner quits because they are horrible clients, Wyn gets tasked with planning their wedding in 3 weeks. Wyn also gets pulled into fake dating Derek, because Derek's ex-wife is bringing a plus one to the wedding and Derek is competitive and wants to win the divorce.
Derek's never been with a man before, but he's actually gay and been in the closet for some sad reasons his whole life. He thinks he's not attractive enough due to his age to Wyn, so he decides the only way to get Wyn is to pay him for sexual favors, using the premise that he is a new gay man and needs someone to show him the ropes. It's actually relatively slow burn, their first kiss is at 43%. After that they run through sexual acts like it's a to do list. It is pretty smutty though a lot of it is off page as well so it's not non-stop sex. At first they think that they'll keep it to just the time away at the destination wedding, but quickly they fall into continuing their arrangement back home.
I liked this book a lot. It was a fun low angst read. The characters thoughts are chaotic and unhinged and it's fun to watch them struggle with overwhelming emotions. Wyn was adorable, Derek was a hot boss man with a marshmallow centre, and together they are just what the other person needed.
I wish they had started talking about their feelings earlier, I wish they had broke their professional rules and hooked up without money between them sooner. They kept their arrangement of sex for money going until 92%. I just really wanted to see them together in a more natural way sooner so that they would be a bit more of a believable and romantic couple, so I could see the development of their relationship more. But they were such a fun ride and they had a great happily ever after, I just wish they had talked more. It's pretty hilarious that Miller and Ryan got their start the same way, with Miller paying Ryan for sex. I did enjoy Miller and Ryan's story a bit more, Miller wore his heart on his sleeve and told Ryan it was love and not just sex very early on and Ryan broke his rules early himself revealing his own feelings.
Some notable moments:
I love that Derek did this deliberately so he could snuggle him! And Wyn just burrowed into him. "I turn onto my side, so my body weight causes the mattress between Wyn and me to dip. Wyn rolls into the dip. Swallowing and murmuring quietly as he slumps closer to me. His body presses against mine, and he nuzzles his head into my chest just like he did last night when I did the same thing."
Oh Wyn, you are unhinged and I love you. "Now, between you and me, there’s nowhere, nowhere, I don’t want Derek MacAvoy to touch me. In fact, if he looked suitably stern when he asked, I’d probably pull my pants down right where I’m standing, drop to my knees, and let him rail me so hard there’d be a Wyn-shaped dent in the cobbled pathway from now till eternity. I’d let him use spit as lube, and you wouldn’t hear a word of complaint from me. I’d let him fuck me so hard he might even manage to fuck some sense into me, and believe me, he’d have to pound my ass to get any sense in or out of me now."
"“I’m scared, Bridget,” I whisper. She takes my hand and squeezes it tight. “Like him that much, huh?” I don’t answer, but my jaw clicks as I nod into the pillow, hiding because as ill-advised as it is, and as much as I know it’s a stupid, reckless thing to do with my heart, I’m really not sure like is the right word anymore."
*FYI about steam: I rate steam based on a combination of quality & quantity. I note kink separate from steam because I don't want to underrate steamy reads that don't have much kink.
**Note about spoilers: I like to comment on the plot of a book in reviews, so I almost always mark my reviews as containing spoilers. But I try to avoid spoiling the big dramatic moments! As a reader, I personally like to know what I'm getting into before I read a book so I know more about the content and if it's to my taste/mood, so I try to give that information in my reviews for myself when I'm considering rereading and also for other readers.
Feels: 3.5/5
Steam*: 3.5/5
Kinks: n/a
Angst: low
HEA: yes
Pairing: MM
Triggers/potential icks/content warnings: homophobic parent, being in the closet for 30 years, divorce (not between MC's), sex for money, unsafe sex
4.5 stars, love the vibes, love the humour
Derek is 48 years old and he's the father of Miller the MC in another book by this author. Derek has just gotten divorced from his wife of 23+ years. They had a horrible marriage. He's known as an a****** boss at work, everyone at work calls him Satan. When his latest PA quits, Wyn is pulled from his current role to that role. Wyn is 29 and a PA extraordinaire. He's also openly gay, bit of an organization kink, and feels things deeply and chaotically. Wyn is 6 months into his self-proclaimed sex sabbatical. He's tired of being used and having casual relationships, he wants to find love, have kids, be happy.
Wyn hates Derek on sight, but is also ridiculously attracted to him. Miller and Ryan are getting married, and when Miller's wedding planner quits because they are horrible clients, Wyn gets tasked with planning their wedding in 3 weeks. Wyn also gets pulled into fake dating Derek, because Derek's ex-wife is bringing a plus one to the wedding and Derek is competitive and wants to win the divorce.
Derek's never been with a man before, but he's actually gay and been in the closet for some sad reasons his whole life. He thinks he's not attractive enough due to his age to Wyn, so he decides the only way to get Wyn is to pay him for sexual favors, using the premise that he is a new gay man and needs someone to show him the ropes. It's actually relatively slow burn, their first kiss is at 43%. After that they run through sexual acts like it's a to do list. It is pretty smutty though a lot of it is off page as well so it's not non-stop sex. At first they think that they'll keep it to just the time away at the destination wedding, but quickly they fall into continuing their arrangement back home.
I liked this book a lot. It was a fun low angst read. The characters thoughts are chaotic and unhinged and it's fun to watch them struggle with overwhelming emotions. Wyn was adorable, Derek was a hot boss man with a marshmallow centre, and together they are just what the other person needed.
I wish they had started talking about their feelings earlier, I wish they had broke their professional rules and hooked up without money between them sooner. They kept their arrangement of sex for money going until 92%. I just really wanted to see them together in a more natural way sooner so that they would be a bit more of a believable and romantic couple, so I could see the development of their relationship more. But they were such a fun ride and they had a great happily ever after, I just wish they had talked more. It's pretty hilarious that Miller and Ryan got their start the same way, with Miller paying Ryan for sex. I did enjoy Miller and Ryan's story a bit more, Miller wore his heart on his sleeve and told Ryan it was love and not just sex very early on and Ryan broke his rules early himself revealing his own feelings.
Some notable moments:
I love that Derek did this deliberately so he could snuggle him! And Wyn just burrowed into him. "I turn onto my side, so my body weight causes the mattress between Wyn and me to dip. Wyn rolls into the dip. Swallowing and murmuring quietly as he slumps closer to me. His body presses against mine, and he nuzzles his head into my chest just like he did last night when I did the same thing."
Oh Wyn, you are unhinged and I love you. "Now, between you and me, there’s nowhere, nowhere, I don’t want Derek MacAvoy to touch me. In fact, if he looked suitably stern when he asked, I’d probably pull my pants down right where I’m standing, drop to my knees, and let him rail me so hard there’d be a Wyn-shaped dent in the cobbled pathway from now till eternity. I’d let him use spit as lube, and you wouldn’t hear a word of complaint from me. I’d let him fuck me so hard he might even manage to fuck some sense into me, and believe me, he’d have to pound my ass to get any sense in or out of me now."
"“I’m scared, Bridget,” I whisper. She takes my hand and squeezes it tight. “Like him that much, huh?” I don’t answer, but my jaw clicks as I nod into the pillow, hiding because as ill-advised as it is, and as much as I know it’s a stupid, reckless thing to do with my heart, I’m really not sure like is the right word anymore."
*FYI about steam: I rate steam based on a combination of quality & quantity. I note kink separate from steam because I don't want to underrate steamy reads that don't have much kink.
**Note about spoilers: I like to comment on the plot of a book in reviews, so I almost always mark my reviews as containing spoilers. But I try to avoid spoiling the big dramatic moments! As a reader, I personally like to know what I'm getting into before I read a book so I know more about the content and if it's to my taste/mood, so I try to give that information in my reviews for myself when I'm considering rereading and also for other readers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 8, 2024
Sad to say it, because I adore Derek, but - 3.5 - 3.75⭐ and rounding it down. 🫤
On one hand I finally read my most anticipated story in the series - the old man's coming out and getting his happy ending.
Needless to say Derek is one of my top characters in this author's Universe in general, so I appreciated his book - what I didn't appreciate was how his love story was written, I didn't particularly like his love interest either.
The side characters took way too much space in the story, it was annoying and I'd prefer that time to be left for the relationship development. I loved seeing Ryan and Miller again but the rest of them can sod off.
🟣 Boss / PA
🔵 Age gap - 19 years 29/48
🟠 Size difference
🟢 Gay/closeted gay (coming out late in life, divorced)
🔵 Fake boyfriends (could've been better)
🟡 Forced proximity (awkward)
🟢 Paying for sex (it was stupid and unnecessary)
🌶️ Sex is good, but I didn't like the way they went about it, it wasn't spontaneous when it should've been; rimming; t/b
It was entertaining, funny and upbeat at first, everything was set for Derek and Wyn to go on that epic sexy journey of falling in love, but sadly for me personally the story didn't evolve into a passionate, amazing love story I wanted it to be.
Derek's a top guy, he's got the world at his feet. Newly divorced, he's faced with his loneliness and pain coming from repressing a major part of his life - his sexuality. Derek knows he's gay since he was 15 years old, but couldn't live it, couldn't experience it if he wanted to have a life he was then granted as a heterosexual man.
When Wyn, his 29 - year old PA starts working for him, Derek is feeling that repressed attraction again stirring to life, he wants, he feels, but he doesn't allow himself to take.
The tension was slowly building up until they went to Hawaii, where it all went to shit. The chemistry and everything intimate that happened between them didn't feel organic, spontaneous or meant to be. No, it felt weird and Wyn's personality took a very left turn. He went from likeable and maybe a bit bratty to a clueless, bland idiot. I didn't like him anymore.
The chapters were quickly ending with important events taking place and then just being cut off. Things weren't fully developed. It was a big deal for Derek to come out and have a boyfriend at 48 years of age, yet noone really addressed that.
It was a big deal for him going from being closed off and cold to approachable, yet again, noone addressed it. Not even at work.
It was like Wyn went to Hawaii just to work and Derek was an afterthought, an additional fling that kept his dick hard a little bit, but that was it. I couldn't feel that infatuation from Wyn's side, but most importantly, they never had that mind-blowing chemistry that you just feel in your bones. They didn't.
Derek paying Win for sex was completely unnecessary and ruined the story. It would be so much better if they just had to sleep in the same bed and then naturally gravitate towards each other, but what happened here wasn't palatable. They completely lost that zing that was present before they went to Hawaii.
This story almost reminded me a little bit of A. Hazard's Just A Bit Bossy, but in that book the chemistry was sparkling, it was fire, palpable and worth fighting for, while in this book it didn't feel that way. It didn't feel like anything, really.
Holy shit, why?? Derek's story should've been the best!
Derek is one of those fantastic guys you can't ever forget, he's your ultimate hot book daddy, the essence of masculinity, I can't even tell you how much I liked the guy, he's tall, dark, brooding, hairy chested, sexy, handsome, successful, got a big dick, has deep throaty laughs,
I mean, sir
no lube, no protection, all night, all day, from the kitchen floor to the toilet seat, from the dining table to the bedroom, while I gasp for air, scream and see the light, missionary, doggy, backwards, sideways, upside down, on the floor, on the bed, while I gasp and scream for air he can top me
I just had to put that out there. 👀
Derek is probably the only reason you're going to like this book.
I said what I said.
On one hand I finally read my most anticipated story in the series - the old man's coming out and getting his happy ending.
Needless to say Derek is one of my top characters in this author's Universe in general, so I appreciated his book - what I didn't appreciate was how his love story was written, I didn't particularly like his love interest either.
The side characters took way too much space in the story, it was annoying and I'd prefer that time to be left for the relationship development. I loved seeing Ryan and Miller again but the rest of them can sod off.
🟣 Boss / PA
🔵 Age gap - 19 years 29/48
🟠 Size difference
🟢 Gay/closeted gay (coming out late in life, divorced)
🔵 Fake boyfriends (could've been better)
🟡 Forced proximity (awkward)
🟢 Paying for sex (it was stupid and unnecessary)
🌶️ Sex is good, but I didn't like the way they went about it, it wasn't spontaneous when it should've been; rimming; t/b
It was entertaining, funny and upbeat at first, everything was set for Derek and Wyn to go on that epic sexy journey of falling in love, but sadly for me personally the story didn't evolve into a passionate, amazing love story I wanted it to be.
Derek's a top guy, he's got the world at his feet. Newly divorced, he's faced with his loneliness and pain coming from repressing a major part of his life - his sexuality. Derek knows he's gay since he was 15 years old, but couldn't live it, couldn't experience it if he wanted to have a life he was then granted as a heterosexual man.
When Wyn, his 29 - year old PA starts working for him, Derek is feeling that repressed attraction again stirring to life, he wants, he feels, but he doesn't allow himself to take.
The tension was slowly building up until they went to Hawaii, where it all went to shit. The chemistry and everything intimate that happened between them didn't feel organic, spontaneous or meant to be. No, it felt weird and Wyn's personality took a very left turn. He went from likeable and maybe a bit bratty to a clueless, bland idiot. I didn't like him anymore.
The chapters were quickly ending with important events taking place and then just being cut off. Things weren't fully developed. It was a big deal for Derek to come out and have a boyfriend at 48 years of age, yet noone really addressed that.
It was a big deal for him going from being closed off and cold to approachable, yet again, noone addressed it. Not even at work.
It was like Wyn went to Hawaii just to work and Derek was an afterthought, an additional fling that kept his dick hard a little bit, but that was it. I couldn't feel that infatuation from Wyn's side, but most importantly, they never had that mind-blowing chemistry that you just feel in your bones. They didn't.
Derek paying Win for sex was completely unnecessary and ruined the story. It would be so much better if they just had to sleep in the same bed and then naturally gravitate towards each other, but what happened here wasn't palatable. They completely lost that zing that was present before they went to Hawaii.
This story almost reminded me a little bit of A. Hazard's Just A Bit Bossy, but in that book the chemistry was sparkling, it was fire, palpable and worth fighting for, while in this book it didn't feel that way. It didn't feel like anything, really.
Holy shit, why?? Derek's story should've been the best!
Derek is one of those fantastic guys you can't ever forget, he's your ultimate hot book daddy, the essence of masculinity, I can't even tell you how much I liked the guy, he's tall, dark, brooding, hairy chested, sexy, handsome, successful, got a big dick, has deep throaty laughs,
I mean, sir
no lube, no protection, all night, all day, from the kitchen floor to the toilet seat, from the dining table to the bedroom, while I gasp for air, scream and see the light, missionary, doggy, backwards, sideways, upside down, on the floor, on the bed, while I gasp and scream for air he can top me
I just had to put that out there. 👀
Derek is probably the only reason you're going to like this book.
I said what I said.
May 13, 2024
Loved this!! One of Jessie’s best books yet. These two were absolutely electric together..
May 15, 2024
So good
Loved this one so much!! Epic story I'm so sad its over!! Really enjoyed the characters and loved seeing characters from past favorite stories mentioned. Very well done!
Loved this one so much!! Epic story I'm so sad its over!! Really enjoyed the characters and loved seeing characters from past favorite stories mentioned. Very well done!
June 2, 2024
It got a little silly, but it started out strong. The humor was good, didn’t make me laugh out right, but did make me smile.
The cover is hot, but not really related to the book itself, if that makes sense. Like, is that supposed to be Wyn? Cuz I pictured him slim and elegant. But the guy on the cover can’t be Derek, because D is a big, mature man with gray in his hair. So… the cover doesn’t match at all.
I though the payment for services was weird and wondered why Wyn had no issues with it…
The cover is hot, but not really related to the book itself, if that makes sense. Like, is that supposed to be Wyn? Cuz I pictured him slim and elegant. But the guy on the cover can’t be Derek, because D is a big, mature man with gray in his hair. So… the cover doesn’t match at all.
I though the payment for services was weird and wondered why Wyn had no issues with it…
May 8, 2024
I received a eArc from Jesse and this is my honest opinion🖤
The MacAvoys- Like son like father 🤭
Jesse is an incredible story teller, and even if this trope pay for sex, is definitely not one of my favorites, she makes it work.
This book is no exception, it’s funny, sexy, hot af obviously, totally adorbes, morally gray I admit, but even when they come together, pun intended, with a paycheck in the mix, it works, kind a… I’m not 💯 sure but let’s go! They are totally crushing over each other for 50% of the book,then do a fake boyfriend thing and... eletricity!!!! they could be a normal couple and say “ you now I’m totally in to you and want to remove those dogs banging short off and eat you alive, for as long as we both shall live”, but where’s the fun in that? And “What happened in Hawaii stays in Hawaii”… hopefully not!
We crazy OTT shenanigans, and everyone from her previous books is mentioned , LUke and Jessie, Mat, Will and Trouble, Gould and Stuart and omg I was dying Andy Montgomery 🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹 he’s my favorite artist too 🥰, and off course Ryan and Miller 🙏 not to be dramatic, but if Davey and Jonathan were mentioned I was going to literally combust of happiness 🖤
The wedding was beautiful and so tasteful, Wyn you are so talented and bless you and all those pens and matching notebooks with glitter 🫶. And the Pinterest moodboards 🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠
Loved how Dekek was the one doing everything (and by everything i mean EVERYTHING)to Wyn and not the other way around, they are both so fucking hot together that I almost forget the money truly. Their need for each other is palpable, even more because they keep it for themselves… it’s a living breathing thing.
the ending was wow… OTT… everything was wow, the actions, the wooing, the presents, the declarations, it was a rich people gifts porn basically😅if it was me I would be overwhelmed… but beautifully romantic nonetheless. bunny and satan got they happy ending 🖤
However….. as I said, it's not my favorite trope and I wish there was more angst and depth in this story, I miss her old books… the pain and the suffering of them,a feel the happiness was earned 😅 also Derek baby, that was the most hilarious come out ever… after 20/30 years in the closet without ever kissing or touching another man… bammm 🎉 🎈 🎊 that said, glad you finally can get your rocks on! Also there is no condom use or talk.
I imagined the ending a bit different, like Wyn would be a wedding planner and the money he got during their experience would be use for something… My ramble thoughts basically.
The MacAvoys- Like son like father 🤭
Jesse is an incredible story teller, and even if this trope pay for sex, is definitely not one of my favorites, she makes it work.
This book is no exception, it’s funny, sexy, hot af obviously, totally adorbes, morally gray I admit, but even when they come together, pun intended, with a paycheck in the mix, it works, kind a… I’m not 💯 sure but let’s go! They are totally crushing over each other for 50% of the book,then do a fake boyfriend thing and... eletricity!!!! they could be a normal couple and say “ you now I’m totally in to you and want to remove those dogs banging short off and eat you alive, for as long as we both shall live”, but where’s the fun in that? And “What happened in Hawaii stays in Hawaii”… hopefully not!
We crazy OTT shenanigans, and everyone from her previous books is mentioned , LUke and Jessie, Mat, Will and Trouble, Gould and Stuart and omg I was dying Andy Montgomery 🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹 he’s my favorite artist too 🥰, and off course Ryan and Miller 🙏 not to be dramatic, but if Davey and Jonathan were mentioned I was going to literally combust of happiness 🖤
The wedding was beautiful and so tasteful, Wyn you are so talented and bless you and all those pens and matching notebooks with glitter 🫶. And the Pinterest moodboards 🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠
Loved how Dekek was the one doing everything (and by everything i mean EVERYTHING)to Wyn and not the other way around, they are both so fucking hot together that I almost forget the money truly. Their need for each other is palpable, even more because they keep it for themselves… it’s a living breathing thing.
the ending was wow… OTT… everything was wow, the actions, the wooing, the presents, the declarations, it was a rich people gifts porn basically😅if it was me I would be overwhelmed… but beautifully romantic nonetheless. bunny and satan got they happy ending 🖤
However….. as I said, it's not my favorite trope and I wish there was more angst and depth in this story, I miss her old books… the pain and the suffering of them,a feel the happiness was earned 😅 also Derek baby, that was the most hilarious come out ever… after 20/30 years in the closet without ever kissing or touching another man… bammm 🎉 🎈 🎊 that said, glad you finally can get your rocks on! Also there is no condom use or talk.
I imagined the ending a bit different, like Wyn would be a wedding planner and the money he got during their experience would be use for something… My ramble thoughts basically.
April 28, 2024
Oh hey, Miller’s hot dad 🥵
Derek and Wyn are so wholesome. Derek is the older CEO and Wyn is his significantly younger, unsuspecting PA.
Following his divorce, Derek is ready to experience life as it should have been by living as his true self. After having Wyn salvage his son’s wedding (Miller and Ryan), Derek propositions Wyn to “teach him” all of the sexual things. He doesn’t reaaaaally need it but oh well 🥵
Wyn breaks down the walls of Derek slowly but surely while still being in a pay for play situation. They laugh and fight and bicker. All of the things. 🥹
Together, they’re sweet and funny while maintaining the sassiness we know and love from Jesse. 😂
I absolutely LOVE that the age gap wasn’t the main conflict. It’s mentioned but there isn’t the usual “we can’t because you’re too young”. They know that they’re both adults and mature enough to handle it. 🙏🏼😭
I received a complimentary copy of this book but this is my voluntary and honest opinion! 🖤
Derek and Wyn are so wholesome. Derek is the older CEO and Wyn is his significantly younger, unsuspecting PA.
Following his divorce, Derek is ready to experience life as it should have been by living as his true self. After having Wyn salvage his son’s wedding (Miller and Ryan), Derek propositions Wyn to “teach him” all of the sexual things. He doesn’t reaaaaally need it but oh well 🥵
Wyn breaks down the walls of Derek slowly but surely while still being in a pay for play situation. They laugh and fight and bicker. All of the things. 🥹
Together, they’re sweet and funny while maintaining the sassiness we know and love from Jesse. 😂
I absolutely LOVE that the age gap wasn’t the main conflict. It’s mentioned but there isn’t the usual “we can’t because you’re too young”. They know that they’re both adults and mature enough to handle it. 🙏🏼😭
I received a complimentary copy of this book but this is my voluntary and honest opinion! 🖤
April 21, 2024
Couldn’t put this one down! I loved Wyn and Derek. I loved the dynamic, grumpy boss/sunshine employee. Derek is going through a divorce, while also wanting to explore feelings he’s hidden for his whole life. While Wyn is trying desperately to keep his feeling about his boss hidden. Throw in faking a relationship while at a wedding and things get interesting very quickly.
May 10, 2024
DNF @ 35%, and that's after skimming for about the last 10%. It just wasn't for me, unfortunately.
I don't think I'm a fan of "sticking out abuse because DIQUE." It got tedious. I'd rather Wyn have been forced to work for his boss, not done it voluntarily, and not while ignoring practically everyone in his life telling him to quit.
I don't think I'm a fan of "sticking out abuse because DIQUE." It got tedious. I'd rather Wyn have been forced to work for his boss, not done it voluntarily, and not while ignoring practically everyone in his life telling him to quit.
August 20, 2024
This is a comedic masterpiece. The number of times I started cackling out loud while reading this? Countless. And the number of times I highlighted lines even though I read this via Kindle Unlimited and will be returning it shortly? Okay, easily countable but metaphorically countless.
Hard to explain this level of genius, so I won’t try!!
Hard to explain this level of genius, so I won’t try!!
April 30, 2024
I really enjoyed this book - this series is shaping up to be such a vibe! I loved the first book and it was so good to see big cameos from Ryan and Miller in this book too 💕
Wyn is an executive PA - he’s a perfectionist, great at his job and has never been confronted by a challenge he cannot overcome… That is until he meets his new boss, the gorgeous, ruthless Derek MacAvoy (yep, Miller’s dad!). Derek is well known for being a monster - impossible to please, grouchy and with a track record of sending PAs screaming for the hills.
When Derek instructs Wyn to plan his son’s wedding in 3 weeks, he is sure that’ll be the push that sends Wyn running… because Derek has a secret he has been keeping for nearly thirty years, and his sweet little assistant is causing him a real headache when it comes to keeping his sexuality hidden. Of course, that is all blown to smithereens when, in a bid to win an argument with his ex-wife, Derek announces to the whole wedding party that he and Wyn are dating! Now Wyn is the one who isn’t sure he can keep his feelings in check.. even though his boss is paying him to be his boyfriend!
Read Work: Strictly Professional for:
✨ Millionaire CEO x Personal Assistant
✨ First times; PA (bottom) teaching CEO (top)
✨ Age gap (29 - 48)
✨ Coming out of the closet
✨ Fake dating
✨ Only one bed
✨ Pay for play
Thank you so much to the author for an ARC of this book! It’s is available on the 8th May 2024 💕
Wyn is an executive PA - he’s a perfectionist, great at his job and has never been confronted by a challenge he cannot overcome… That is until he meets his new boss, the gorgeous, ruthless Derek MacAvoy (yep, Miller’s dad!). Derek is well known for being a monster - impossible to please, grouchy and with a track record of sending PAs screaming for the hills.
When Derek instructs Wyn to plan his son’s wedding in 3 weeks, he is sure that’ll be the push that sends Wyn running… because Derek has a secret he has been keeping for nearly thirty years, and his sweet little assistant is causing him a real headache when it comes to keeping his sexuality hidden. Of course, that is all blown to smithereens when, in a bid to win an argument with his ex-wife, Derek announces to the whole wedding party that he and Wyn are dating! Now Wyn is the one who isn’t sure he can keep his feelings in check.. even though his boss is paying him to be his boyfriend!
Read Work: Strictly Professional for:
✨ Millionaire CEO x Personal Assistant
✨ First times; PA (bottom) teaching CEO (top)
✨ Age gap (29 - 48)
✨ Coming out of the closet
✨ Fake dating
✨ Only one bed
✨ Pay for play
Thank you so much to the author for an ARC of this book! It’s is available on the 8th May 2024 💕
May 17, 2024
“Name your price, and it’s yours. And don’t worry, what happens in Hawaii stays in Hawaii. When we get back to LA, things will go back to normal. We’ll keep work strictly professional.”
A nightmare boss and the most stubborn PA collide in this quirky romance where Derek knows everything has a price (like father like son iykyk). Wyn earns every penny between planning the perfect wedding with no time or help from the grooms, putting up with his boss’ mercurial attitude, and eventually being Derek’s tutor in all things gay sxx.
It’s classic Jesse - hilarious, OTT, sexy, and heartfelt. I was hooked immediately and couldn’t put this down for a second!
I received an ARC and this is my honest review.
A nightmare boss and the most stubborn PA collide in this quirky romance where Derek knows everything has a price (like father like son iykyk). Wyn earns every penny between planning the perfect wedding with no time or help from the grooms, putting up with his boss’ mercurial attitude, and eventually being Derek’s tutor in all things gay sxx.
It’s classic Jesse - hilarious, OTT, sexy, and heartfelt. I was hooked immediately and couldn’t put this down for a second!
I received an ARC and this is my honest review.
Shelved as 'dnf'
June 6, 2024⚠️⚠️DNF⚠️⚠️
T.o.d. 20%
Look, is it me?
Probably.
The writing is fine. I even thought Derek was alright, although I hate his name. Not sexy.
I just really really didn't like Wyn, with his high strung anxious people pleasing tendencies. He was just too extra for my taste. Also, I completely spaced out and forgot that Miller was the playboy rich kid from book 1, about to get married to shit-tempered Ryan, and Derek is Miller's dad. Ugh.
Listen, I wasn't into Ryan much to begin with, and Miller also didn't really do it for me. Am I now going to read a full length novel about his shitty straight dad in an age-gap relationship with his Ott extra PA during the Ryan Miller wedding?
Absolutely the fuck not.
My review of Part 1: Rent: Paid in Full - ⭐⭐⭐
T.o.d. 20%
Look, is it me?
Probably.
The writing is fine. I even thought Derek was alright, although I hate his name. Not sexy.
I just really really didn't like Wyn, with his high strung anxious people pleasing tendencies. He was just too extra for my taste. Also, I completely spaced out and forgot that Miller was the playboy rich kid from book 1, about to get married to shit-tempered Ryan, and Derek is Miller's dad. Ugh.
Listen, I wasn't into Ryan much to begin with, and Miller also didn't really do it for me. Am I now going to read a full length novel about his shitty straight dad in an age-gap relationship with his Ott extra PA during the Ryan Miller wedding?
Absolutely the fuck not.
My review of Part 1: Rent: Paid in Full - ⭐⭐⭐
July 30, 2024
꒰🪩⊹ ࣪
Work: strictly professional
ᯓᡣ𐭩
౨ৎ 4.5 ⊹ ࣪ ˖
⤿ .`★ I should have insisted that Wyn and I stay in Hawaii after the wedding. I should have bought the resort and paid our friends and family to stay longer. I could have had them stagger their visits so there’d always be at least one or two of them there so Wyn would have no choice but to keep being my boyfriend.
I don’t know why I didn’t think of it.
‧ * ₊ ｡ ꒰🍁꒱ I need my own Derek. The way he treats Wyn was SO SWEET. The whole ‘I hate everyone but you’ UGH. kill me 😭. There was no fourth wall breaking this time (or not as much) and THANK GOD. If I was paid $1 every time they were horny I would be as rich as Derek is. I loved how sassy Wyn was and finding every way to piss Derek off, it made me giggle so much, ALSO the way Derek proposed was PERFECT. that man can do no wrong. Someone find me someone who’s willing to go all out to prove that they love me. The tropes was like everything you could ever want in a book, but I feel like the could’ve been executed in a more passionate way, I still ate it up though 🤭
I think I just need a rich boyfriend. 😔
————— ୨୧ —————
୨୧‧₊˚ 🎞️ pre-review ✧˖°
Last one before I focus on ARC’s <3
౨ৎ 4.5 ⊹ ࣪ ˖
⤿ .`★ I should have insisted that Wyn and I stay in Hawaii after the wedding. I should have bought the resort and paid our friends and family to stay longer. I could have had them stagger their visits so there’d always be at least one or two of them there so Wyn would have no choice but to keep being my boyfriend.
I don’t know why I didn’t think of it.
‧ * ₊ ｡ ꒰🍁꒱ I need my own Derek. The way he treats Wyn was SO SWEET. The whole ‘I hate everyone but you’ UGH. kill me 😭. There was no fourth wall breaking this time (or not as much) and THANK GOD. If I was paid $1 every time they were horny I would be as rich as Derek is. I loved how sassy Wyn was and finding every way to piss Derek off, it made me giggle so much, ALSO the way Derek proposed was PERFECT. that man can do no wrong. Someone find me someone who’s willing to go all out to prove that they love me. The tropes was like everything you could ever want in a book, but I feel like the could’ve been executed in a more passionate way, I still ate it up though 🤭
I think I just need a rich boyfriend. 😔
————— ୨୧ —————
୨୧‧₊˚ 🎞️ pre-review ✧˖°
Last one before I focus on ARC’s <3
May 17, 2024
I have no idea how I felt about this one. On one hand I was bored out of my mind. On the other hand there were scenes I absolutely loved. I adored Wyn and couldn’t have cared less about Derek.
I think I need a good long break on reading about obscene money hoarders.
I think I need a good long break on reading about obscene money hoarders.
May 9, 2024
Nothing new or interesting. Derek’s characterization seemed really inconsistent. At the beginning he was a grumpy asshole but then he just.. wasn’t anymore. I was expecting more of a Just A Bit Bossy vibe, which I realize isn’t fair since that story is perfection
May 8, 2024
I was so looking forward to this book after reading Ryan and Millers book and it was sooooo good!! I loved Wyn!! Derek changed so much, he went from so grumpy to warm and sweet so seamlessly. They made the perfect couple and the epilogue had me teary eyed 🥹. Definitely a 10/10 and recommended!!!
July 9, 2024
Admin assistant Wyn is used to unreasonable demands from his boss Derek MacAvoy. Plan a wedding in 3 weeks? No problem. Pose as Derek's boyfriend? Piece of cake. But when fake dating leads to a real offer for financial compensation for sex, has Derek finally gone too far? Or is there such a thing as too far when Derek is Wyn's every fantasy brought to life?
Work: Strictly Professional is a super spicy age gap office romance book with a side of only-one-bed. I really loved the themes of self discovery and finding your place in the world no matter what your age is. I love Jesse's writing and this book was just as good as the first one in the series. I laughed out loud many times. Wyn's inner monologue was hilarious! Derek's character was the one who stole my heart though 🥰🥰. I'm not someone who typically likes age gap books, but the chemistry between Derek and Wyn was intoxicating.
I had unfairly high expectations coming into this book (sorry Jesse but it's your own fault for writing books that are so good) and I was really worried that my high expectations would ruin the book for me. Let me just say that was not the case. I was rabid to read this, stayed up waaaayy too late because I couldn't put it down, and fell in love with Derek and Wyn. My heart is goo.
Rating: 5
Angst: 2.5/5
Steam: 4.5/5
I received an advance copy of this book and this is my honest review.
Work: Strictly Professional is a super spicy age gap office romance book with a side of only-one-bed. I really loved the themes of self discovery and finding your place in the world no matter what your age is. I love Jesse's writing and this book was just as good as the first one in the series. I laughed out loud many times. Wyn's inner monologue was hilarious! Derek's character was the one who stole my heart though 🥰🥰. I'm not someone who typically likes age gap books, but the chemistry between Derek and Wyn was intoxicating.
I had unfairly high expectations coming into this book (sorry Jesse but it's your own fault for writing books that are so good) and I was really worried that my high expectations would ruin the book for me. Let me just say that was not the case. I was rabid to read this, stayed up waaaayy too late because I couldn't put it down, and fell in love with Derek and Wyn. My heart is goo.
Rating: 5
Angst: 2.5/5
Steam: 4.5/5
I received an advance copy of this book and this is my honest review.
May 17, 2024
edited to add some memes, because frankly they were a lot of fun to make
“Derek MacAvoy’s tall frame fills the doorway, dwarfing it so badly that I’m almost embarrassed for it. Imagine being a doorway, an inanimate thing—not even a thing, really, more of a space. Imagine being an inanimate space and happily going about your business, letting people in and out of you willy-nilly, and then one day finding yourself rendered a complete and utter little bitch by nothing more than an exceedingly broad pair of shoulders.”
Loved it! Definitely recommend. A solid 4.5 rounded up, this uses some fun tropes well, is brimming with sexual tension, has a strong and humorous narrative voice, great foreplay before the well-written steamy scenes, and genuine relationship and character growth.
Hot, fun, entertaining, with fleshed out and likable flawed characters.
Fake dating, boss x assistant, trip with only one bed, age gap, size difference, coming out.
Side characters and dynamics that initially seem they may be one-note end up having more nuance, like the ex-wife and the rebound relationships, and it ends up with some satisfying but realistic growth without taking too much time away from our MCs.
I loved Wyn from the get go and came to love Derek. And I really enjoyed the way we got to see their working dynamic grow and change in the first portion of the book before the fake dating came into it; they were never stagnant as characters and felt like they would’ve continued to develop without the plot twists (as opposed to less skillful writing that might have made it feel like treading water until a plot twist makes something happen).
As always, I adore Jesse’s characters’ voices you get with first person narration and the way they describe each other. I opened with Wyn describing Derek, so here’s a couple examples of Derek describing Wyn:
Derek describing Wyn
“His emotions are splayed out for everyone to see. Hope, disappointment, annoyance, the desperate desire to please, it’s all there, written across his irises. Light-blue ink on a sky-blue parchment. It’s an uncomfortable gaze that slices through bone and brain matter, giving me an unpleasant feeling. A feeling that if I raise my voice anywhere near him, blue skies will cloud over, and rivers will run.”
“All hope and desire to please have left him. They’ve left him completely. As bad as they were, what lies in their wake is worse. Electric blue sparks and flashes, an almost sweet smile tugs at the corners of his mouth, carving a deep punctuation mark on either side of his lips. The smile isn’t sweet. Far from it, and nor is the look in his eye.”
I received an ARC copy and am leaving this review of my own volition.
“Derek MacAvoy’s tall frame fills the doorway, dwarfing it so badly that I’m almost embarrassed for it. Imagine being a doorway, an inanimate thing—not even a thing, really, more of a space. Imagine being an inanimate space and happily going about your business, letting people in and out of you willy-nilly, and then one day finding yourself rendered a complete and utter little bitch by nothing more than an exceedingly broad pair of shoulders.”
Loved it! Definitely recommend. A solid 4.5 rounded up, this uses some fun tropes well, is brimming with sexual tension, has a strong and humorous narrative voice, great foreplay before the well-written steamy scenes, and genuine relationship and character growth.
Hot, fun, entertaining, with fleshed out and likable flawed characters.
Fake dating, boss x assistant, trip with only one bed, age gap, size difference, coming out.
Side characters and dynamics that initially seem they may be one-note end up having more nuance, like the ex-wife and the rebound relationships, and it ends up with some satisfying but realistic growth without taking too much time away from our MCs.
I loved Wyn from the get go and came to love Derek. And I really enjoyed the way we got to see their working dynamic grow and change in the first portion of the book before the fake dating came into it; they were never stagnant as characters and felt like they would’ve continued to develop without the plot twists (as opposed to less skillful writing that might have made it feel like treading water until a plot twist makes something happen).
As always, I adore Jesse’s characters’ voices you get with first person narration and the way they describe each other. I opened with Wyn describing Derek, so here’s a couple examples of Derek describing Wyn:
Derek describing Wyn
“His emotions are splayed out for everyone to see. Hope, disappointment, annoyance, the desperate desire to please, it’s all there, written across his irises. Light-blue ink on a sky-blue parchment. It’s an uncomfortable gaze that slices through bone and brain matter, giving me an unpleasant feeling. A feeling that if I raise my voice anywhere near him, blue skies will cloud over, and rivers will run.”
“All hope and desire to please have left him. They’ve left him completely. As bad as they were, what lies in their wake is worse. Electric blue sparks and flashes, an almost sweet smile tugs at the corners of his mouth, carving a deep punctuation mark on either side of his lips. The smile isn’t sweet. Far from it, and nor is the look in his eye.”
I received an ARC copy and am leaving this review of my own volition.
May 12, 2024
This was read in another fun buddy read with the always lovely Lilly ❤️
⭐︎ 4.5 Stars Rounded Up! ⭐︎
Wyn and Derek had great chemistry from the start.
Derek is the father of Miller, from the first book. He and Miller didn't have the best relationship, but he's repairing it now as best he can.
Wyn is his new assistant who, unlike so many others, is determined to not quit because of how Derek is.
He is very particular, very demanding, very intimidating, and very, very difficult to be a PA for. There's even a full file on him for the day to day to try to "manage" him that no one has quite been able to do.
But then in comes Wyn, he's the best PA there is. Not only is he amazing at his job, but he even chose to be a PA. He has a bossiness in him that fits the job perfectly.
And when Miller and Ryan's wedding is coming up, Derek's ex-wife, Barbara-Anne, says she's bringing Sage, and in the heat of the moment, Derek says he's bringing Wyn as his date.
It is essentially Derek coming out. He's 48 and kept that to himself for decades, because of his father who was clearly homophobic. But now that Miller is with Ryan, he and Barbara-Anne are divorcing, AND he's working on himself to be a better father to Miller, he's gotten to a place where he's able to come out.
And so he and Wyn pretend to be dating at the wedding for a few days. Although it's barely pretend as they have a genuine attraction and they start a "casual" sexual relationship. Which Derek starts with telling Wyn he'll pay him to "teach" him how to be with a man, because of course he does. His father molded him into someone who has a business mind, always thinking about how to seal the deal.
Like father, like son.
Wyn, at that point, would of course fuck Derek for free. But he thinks all Derek wants from him is to "experiment" and the offering of money kind of reinforces that idea, and so he accepts. Also, Wyn finds it a bit hot as well.
When they get back from Hawaii, they say they'll stop, but of course they don't. They try for all of a few days.
As they get to know each other, Derek starts to soften up a lot. Wyn makes him laugh, which he rarely seemed to ever do before. They're both genuinely interested in the other person and their life.
The sex was, of course, 🔥. The chemistry between them was so good and passionate.
The *only* reason for my .5 stars off, really, is that the ending was a bit too fast for my liking. They finally get together together and we don't get to see enough of that. I just wanted a bit more of their romance along with the sex. Not that they weren't falling for each other the whole book, of course. I just mean where they're firmly in the dating stage.
I also would have fully love to see some hot sex scenes, like where . Just...since these two were so good together, a few more sexy scenes would have been amazing.
Buttt, those were just small niggles. Otherwise I absolutely loved this. It was even better than the first, I think.
I adored Wyn and Derek. Wyn was a huge sweetie pie - Derek's nickname for him, bunny, fit him so well - but him also having a fire in him was great to see. Derek was seemingly hard and serious but he softened so much as the book went on, and he was more than what he'd let people see for decades.
The size difference was also great. Wyn was described as 'pint-sized' and Derek was either 6'3" or 6"4, so he was a lot bigger than Wyn. Loveee ittt! 😍
Despite the bit of rushed ending, I did very much enjoy the epilogue. It was so sweet and a perfect way to end their story.
Definitely a win overall, and I highly recommend it!
Can't wait for me from this author. Onto the next! 🥰
My ratings for the Bad Decisions Series:
🔆 Rent: Paid in Full: 4.25 stars (my review)
🔆 Work: Strictly Professional: 4.5 stars
⭐︎ 4.5 Stars Rounded Up! ⭐︎
Wyn and Derek had great chemistry from the start.
Derek is the father of Miller, from the first book. He and Miller didn't have the best relationship, but he's repairing it now as best he can.
Wyn is his new assistant who, unlike so many others, is determined to not quit because of how Derek is.
He is very particular, very demanding, very intimidating, and very, very difficult to be a PA for. There's even a full file on him for the day to day to try to "manage" him that no one has quite been able to do.
But then in comes Wyn, he's the best PA there is. Not only is he amazing at his job, but he even chose to be a PA. He has a bossiness in him that fits the job perfectly.
And when Miller and Ryan's wedding is coming up, Derek's ex-wife, Barbara-Anne, says she's bringing Sage, and in the heat of the moment, Derek says he's bringing Wyn as his date.
It is essentially Derek coming out. He's 48 and kept that to himself for decades, because of his father who was clearly homophobic. But now that Miller is with Ryan, he and Barbara-Anne are divorcing, AND he's working on himself to be a better father to Miller, he's gotten to a place where he's able to come out.
And so he and Wyn pretend to be dating at the wedding for a few days. Although it's barely pretend as they have a genuine attraction and they start a "casual" sexual relationship. Which Derek starts with telling Wyn he'll pay him to "teach" him how to be with a man, because of course he does. His father molded him into someone who has a business mind, always thinking about how to seal the deal.
Like father, like son.
Wyn, at that point, would of course fuck Derek for free. But he thinks all Derek wants from him is to "experiment" and the offering of money kind of reinforces that idea, and so he accepts. Also, Wyn finds it a bit hot as well.
When they get back from Hawaii, they say they'll stop, but of course they don't. They try for all of a few days.
As they get to know each other, Derek starts to soften up a lot. Wyn makes him laugh, which he rarely seemed to ever do before. They're both genuinely interested in the other person and their life.
The sex was, of course, 🔥. The chemistry between them was so good and passionate.
The *only* reason for my .5 stars off, really, is that the ending was a bit too fast for my liking. They finally get together together and we don't get to see enough of that. I just wanted a bit more of their romance along with the sex. Not that they weren't falling for each other the whole book, of course. I just mean where they're firmly in the dating stage.
I also would have fully love to see some hot sex scenes, like where . Just...since these two were so good together, a few more sexy scenes would have been amazing.
Buttt, those were just small niggles. Otherwise I absolutely loved this. It was even better than the first, I think.
I adored Wyn and Derek. Wyn was a huge sweetie pie - Derek's nickname for him, bunny, fit him so well - but him also having a fire in him was great to see. Derek was seemingly hard and serious but he softened so much as the book went on, and he was more than what he'd let people see for decades.
The size difference was also great. Wyn was described as 'pint-sized' and Derek was either 6'3" or 6"4, so he was a lot bigger than Wyn. Loveee ittt! 😍
Despite the bit of rushed ending, I did very much enjoy the epilogue. It was so sweet and a perfect way to end their story.
Definitely a win overall, and I highly recommend it!
Can't wait for me from this author. Onto the next! 🥰
My ratings for the Bad Decisions Series:
🔆 Rent: Paid in Full: 4.25 stars (my review)
🔆 Work: Strictly Professional: 4.5 stars
May 25, 2024
Delightful! A real fairy tale where it starts out rough for the handsome young prince, working in an ivory tower for a very attractive ogre. Can ogres be handsome? This one was. I perked up every time that Derek was described as the sizzling hot CEO who was comfortable being naked on vacay and getting it on all over his office at work after he meets Wyn. He runs through personal assistants like kleenex, until he is assigned the handsome young prince, I mean Wyn. That’s not ‘Win’, it’s some form of it with a soft Y? What does that even mean? It was suppose to be a cute scene with Derek refusing to pronounce Wyn’s name correctly, but I just found it confusing and kept saying ‘Win’ in my head. Why not just call him ‘Cinderfella’, because he hit the mother lode of a rich, handsome, sexually adventurous and voracious, doting boyfriend. I think I kept mentally sighing at how freaking wonderful Derek was to Wyn. He wasn’t even that grouchy a boss to Wyn, who found himself turned on by the dismissive way he was treated. I think he found Derek to be a challenge and is overwhelmed by their sexual chemistry, how good it is.
I should not have to wonder what Wyn thought of Derek because almost the entire book is Wyn’s extremely funny, stream of consciousness POV. His thought process was so very well written with outrageous and out there unfiltered thoughts that Wyn had during his workday with Derek. Which turns into super organized Wyn being drafted to take over as wedding planner for Derek’s son’s wedding. And Wyn also becomes the very newly divorced Derek’s fake date to the destination wedding.
Fake date is a non favorite trope for me. It is always rife with miscommunication, push pull, and a stingy sex scene usually followed by hard feelings and a breaking apart. I really dislike it. Guess what? The author didn’t do any of that! The relationship flourished, became super sexual along with clear communication between the MCs as they get to know and always want each other.
Derek gets his own POV in many chapters and he is awesome, like a pirate in a suit. I’m adding a star in gratitude to the author. I was going to hold back because there is an intrusive friend of Wyn’s and an unpleasant ex for Derek, but the author doesn’t let them ruin the story and they both fade out a bit and leave this good couple alone under a tropical moon and in an open shower and a deluxe bed. I liked the resort scenes and the wedding. The author did very well with Wyn’s wedding planning scenes and the boatloads of money Derek puts out for it and that Wyn has a ball spending. This Cinderfella was living the dream of so much freaking romance! It was unrealistic, but fun while the book lasted. A happy epilogue was nice to read.
I should not have to wonder what Wyn thought of Derek because almost the entire book is Wyn’s extremely funny, stream of consciousness POV. His thought process was so very well written with outrageous and out there unfiltered thoughts that Wyn had during his workday with Derek. Which turns into super organized Wyn being drafted to take over as wedding planner for Derek’s son’s wedding. And Wyn also becomes the very newly divorced Derek’s fake date to the destination wedding.
Fake date is a non favorite trope for me. It is always rife with miscommunication, push pull, and a stingy sex scene usually followed by hard feelings and a breaking apart. I really dislike it. Guess what? The author didn’t do any of that! The relationship flourished, became super sexual along with clear communication between the MCs as they get to know and always want each other.
Derek gets his own POV in many chapters and he is awesome, like a pirate in a suit. I’m adding a star in gratitude to the author. I was going to hold back because there is an intrusive friend of Wyn’s and an unpleasant ex for Derek, but the author doesn’t let them ruin the story and they both fade out a bit and leave this good couple alone under a tropical moon and in an open shower and a deluxe bed. I liked the resort scenes and the wedding. The author did very well with Wyn’s wedding planning scenes and the boatloads of money Derek puts out for it and that Wyn has a ball spending. This Cinderfella was living the dream of so much freaking romance! It was unrealistic, but fun while the book lasted. A happy epilogue was nice to read.
May 8, 2024
Rating: 4.5
Steam: 4
PoV: dual, 1st person
Genre: contemporary romance, MM
Main tropes: boss / employee, fake dating, size difference
Work: Strictly Professional was highly entertaining to read - the chemistry and banter between Wyn and Derek were fantastic and I really enjoyed their back and forth!
Their story was so much fun to read and I loved how they went from boss and PA, to fake dating (with payments involved), to lovers. It was great to see how they both slowly became more and more emotionally attached to one another, without wanting to admit it to neither themselves or each other. The plot had some similarities to Rent: Paid in Full, the first book in the series, where Derek's son was one of the MCs - I guess paying for certain things might run in the family?
Wyn was hilarious and I loved his inner monologues, his bossiness and his determination. He had me right from the start, while it took me some more time to warm up to Derek. He got on my nerves at first with his arrogance and being unreasonably difficult, but I soon realised that there were more to him than I initially thought. It was sweet to see him soften towards Wyn once they got to know each other, and Wyn was so good at taking care of him, both in and out of the office.
Work: Strictly Professional was a great and quite addictive read, I really didn't want to put it down! It was easy to get invested in the characters and their crazy chemistry and arrangement, and I totally adored Wyn. If you enjoy workplace romances with consensual sexual harassment, lots of banter, steam, humour and super sweet HEAs, this should definitely be on your TBR!
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Thanks to the author for the opportunity to read and review this book. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
Steam: 4
PoV: dual, 1st person
Genre: contemporary romance, MM
Main tropes: boss / employee, fake dating, size difference
Work: Strictly Professional was highly entertaining to read - the chemistry and banter between Wyn and Derek were fantastic and I really enjoyed their back and forth!
Their story was so much fun to read and I loved how they went from boss and PA, to fake dating (with payments involved), to lovers. It was great to see how they both slowly became more and more emotionally attached to one another, without wanting to admit it to neither themselves or each other. The plot had some similarities to Rent: Paid in Full, the first book in the series, where Derek's son was one of the MCs - I guess paying for certain things might run in the family?
Wyn was hilarious and I loved his inner monologues, his bossiness and his determination. He had me right from the start, while it took me some more time to warm up to Derek. He got on my nerves at first with his arrogance and being unreasonably difficult, but I soon realised that there were more to him than I initially thought. It was sweet to see him soften towards Wyn once they got to know each other, and Wyn was so good at taking care of him, both in and out of the office.
Work: Strictly Professional was a great and quite addictive read, I really didn't want to put it down! It was easy to get invested in the characters and their crazy chemistry and arrangement, and I totally adored Wyn. If you enjoy workplace romances with consensual sexual harassment, lots of banter, steam, humour and super sweet HEAs, this should definitely be on your TBR!
-
Thanks to the author for the opportunity to read and review this book. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
May 8, 2024
***ARC Review***
This is my honest and voluntary review for the ARC I received.
Y’all this book is utterly addictive. I started it and couldn’t put it down. I absolutely adore this book and Reign’s writing. She does such a good job of setting us up for the earth shaking union that is Wyn and Derek, I would give all the stars if I could. This book is an utter delight to read. It’s full of humor and heat, but there’s also a depth and breadth of emotions to it. The cast of characters is lovely. (I love the little teaser about the wedding crashers).
Derek is Miller’s father from the first book in this series (Rent: Paid in Full). Wyn (friends with characters from Reign’s Situationship Series) becomes Derek’s new personal assistant. It’s clear from the start that things are going to be difficult between them. Derek is a man that is very hard to please. He goes through PAs quickly. There is definitely a bit of push and pull when it comes to Wyn and Derek’s working relationship. I am a big fan of the slow emotional tethering of both MCs to one another. It happens unexpectedly (hello fake dating at a destination wedding) and becomes increasingly hard to ignore.
Things take a turn in Hawaii. I appreciate the time and natural progression Reign gives to the changing dynamics in Wyn and Derek’s interactions. While the physical comes first, it’s entirely believable when emotions come into play. There is a lot going on in Derek’s background. It explains a lot and I’m glad that he finds both peace and happiness. I love the moments of vulnerability as much as the passion in this book. Wyn and Derek’s unexpected banter is amazing. Their HEA is one for the record books. (Wooing for the win)! Also the epilogue is so sweet, it will give you a toothache.
This is my honest and voluntary review for the ARC I received.
Y’all this book is utterly addictive. I started it and couldn’t put it down. I absolutely adore this book and Reign’s writing. She does such a good job of setting us up for the earth shaking union that is Wyn and Derek, I would give all the stars if I could. This book is an utter delight to read. It’s full of humor and heat, but there’s also a depth and breadth of emotions to it. The cast of characters is lovely. (I love the little teaser about the wedding crashers).
Derek is Miller’s father from the first book in this series (Rent: Paid in Full). Wyn (friends with characters from Reign’s Situationship Series) becomes Derek’s new personal assistant. It’s clear from the start that things are going to be difficult between them. Derek is a man that is very hard to please. He goes through PAs quickly. There is definitely a bit of push and pull when it comes to Wyn and Derek’s working relationship. I am a big fan of the slow emotional tethering of both MCs to one another. It happens unexpectedly (hello fake dating at a destination wedding) and becomes increasingly hard to ignore.
Things take a turn in Hawaii. I appreciate the time and natural progression Reign gives to the changing dynamics in Wyn and Derek’s interactions. While the physical comes first, it’s entirely believable when emotions come into play. There is a lot going on in Derek’s background. It explains a lot and I’m glad that he finds both peace and happiness. I love the moments of vulnerability as much as the passion in this book. Wyn and Derek’s unexpected banter is amazing. Their HEA is one for the record books. (Wooing for the win)! Also the epilogue is so sweet, it will give you a toothache.
May 8, 2024
I don't even know where to start because this book was soooooooo good! I loved the first one in the series and this book was just as wonderful!
I honestly loved everything about this book. First, it made me laugh so much and that is something that I always enjoy in my reading. Wyn was hilarious, really. He found himself becoming Derek's PA when he was supposed to be doing general admin work. Derek was the owner of a huge company, his PAs always left the company running for the hills, he was supposed to be unmanageable until Wyn came along. And what a perfect couple they made when together!
I loved everything about Wyn. He was tenacious, strong-willed and never gave up. He needed to prove he was capable of doing what was requested of him, but at the same time he was a romantic and couldn't help falling for his grumpy boss. Derek felt attracted to Wyn from the beginning, he became obsessed but at the end of the day, there was so much about Derek that he showed at first.
This book was a delight to read. The chemistry between the MCs was off the charts, their banter made me laugh so much and the plot flowed effortlessly in a way that made it easy to see what was behind both Derek and Wyn's walls.
Jesse is amazing at creating great characters that are real. It was easy to empathise with Derek and Wyn, and even though their relationship started off wrong and then developed into an exchange of money for sexual favours (similar to what Derek's son did, by the way, I guess it runs in the family), they both got to know each other at the same time and eventually what was left between them was just love, pure and absolute love for each other.
Yes, Jess did it again and I loved every bit of this book. It was a beautiful and wonderful read and I can't wait to read whatever this author brings next.
I honestly loved everything about this book. First, it made me laugh so much and that is something that I always enjoy in my reading. Wyn was hilarious, really. He found himself becoming Derek's PA when he was supposed to be doing general admin work. Derek was the owner of a huge company, his PAs always left the company running for the hills, he was supposed to be unmanageable until Wyn came along. And what a perfect couple they made when together!
I loved everything about Wyn. He was tenacious, strong-willed and never gave up. He needed to prove he was capable of doing what was requested of him, but at the same time he was a romantic and couldn't help falling for his grumpy boss. Derek felt attracted to Wyn from the beginning, he became obsessed but at the end of the day, there was so much about Derek that he showed at first.
This book was a delight to read. The chemistry between the MCs was off the charts, their banter made me laugh so much and the plot flowed effortlessly in a way that made it easy to see what was behind both Derek and Wyn's walls.
Jesse is amazing at creating great characters that are real. It was easy to empathise with Derek and Wyn, and even though their relationship started off wrong and then developed into an exchange of money for sexual favours (similar to what Derek's son did, by the way, I guess it runs in the family), they both got to know each other at the same time and eventually what was left between them was just love, pure and absolute love for each other.
Yes, Jess did it again and I loved every bit of this book. It was a beautiful and wonderful read and I can't wait to read whatever this author brings next.
May 8, 2024
I think I say this after every book I finish from her - but I think I have a new favorite book from Jesse H Reign LOL
I adored every thing about this book!
- Age gap of nearly 20 years
- Grumpy/sunhine - Derek is a MASSIVE grump OMG I adore him
- Fake dating
- Red flags but they're no big deal lol
- Boss/employee and some not-so-HR-approved workplace moments
- First times and teaching moments
- WOOING
I cannot with how great Derek and Wyn were together. I love Jesse's writing and how nuanced and subtle some moments are between characters. There are so many moments between Derek and Wyn working together and falling for each other and just UGH my heart. The goo!!
And I love this whole world that she has written, where we get to hear how Wyn explains all his friends and their relationships to Derek LOL, they all sound wild right? If you're a fan of interconnected romances, where they all know each other and kinda all orbit around each other, this is a great series for that.
OK, back to Derek and Wyn. I love them. The snark, the sass, the FEELS that they both have for the other but are so afraid of fucking things up, I just adored them so so much.
I received an arc in exchange for an honest review.
I adored every thing about this book!
- Age gap of nearly 20 years
- Grumpy/sunhine - Derek is a MASSIVE grump OMG I adore him
- Fake dating
- Red flags but they're no big deal lol
- Boss/employee and some not-so-HR-approved workplace moments
- First times and teaching moments
- WOOING
I cannot with how great Derek and Wyn were together. I love Jesse's writing and how nuanced and subtle some moments are between characters. There are so many moments between Derek and Wyn working together and falling for each other and just UGH my heart. The goo!!
And I love this whole world that she has written, where we get to hear how Wyn explains all his friends and their relationships to Derek LOL, they all sound wild right? If you're a fan of interconnected romances, where they all know each other and kinda all orbit around each other, this is a great series for that.
OK, back to Derek and Wyn. I love them. The snark, the sass, the FEELS that they both have for the other but are so afraid of fucking things up, I just adored them so so much.
I received an arc in exchange for an honest review.
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