Mine to Five by Tara September

ABOUT THE BOOK

Working beyond nine to five and barely getting by, Melanie Thomas is eager to celebrate the impending holiday season and to toast the start of her dream marketing job over drinks with her boyfriend. Unfortunately, he has different plans—like seeing other women.

Indulging in a pity party with tequila, Melanie confides in a sexy stranger at the bar. It’s almost Christmas. One night of letting go won’t hurt anything, right? Turns out it just might—when the stranger is her new boss. Determined to succeed at her job, Melanie won’t be scared away. This is her chance, even if her hot boss has her feeling all merry and bright and wishing for a less-than-professional relationship.

Matthew Ryans is burned out and on thin ice at the company he helped build unless he gets his head back in the game. Yet his head, both upper and lower, are quickly becoming obsessed with his new assistant. Still, he can’t seem to fully begrudge Melanie’s distracting presence and the Christmas joy she brings with it. Especially considering that her enthusiasm has him reenergized. For once, he is longing for Mondays, but with his heart and job on the line, he can’t risk blurring the lines no matter how strong the lure of holiday mistletoe is.

Will their holiday passion be able to fuel mutual career success, or will it only get in their way in the New Year?

MY REVIEW

Her dream job. His last chance. Working as a team will make their wishes come true, but at what price?

There is plenty of attraction between Melanie and Matthew with sexy innuendos as well as sweet interplay while trying to keep everything professional at work. They make a good team inside and outside work. She is intelligent and hard-working, and he is considerate and thoughtful. There are some memorable moments such as their trip to pick out a Christmas tree while meeting the mothers and the double date with the narcissistic exes. I especially enjoyed their teamwork when coming up with slogans and ideas for their fun marketing campaigns.

As novellas go, it is predictable with an instant attraction, a little bit of conflict, and a HEA ending. With that being said, it is a sweet, sexy romance with intriguing characters trying to function as professionals while thinking “dirty desk thoughts”.

Thank you to Ms. September for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tara September is a multi-award-winning contemporary romance author living in Southwest Florida. Blogger and former PR executive for The Walt Disney Company, Tara holds a Master’s degree in journalism & communications from New York University. For over a decade, Tara has penned a popular lifestyle, travel and parenting blog at TaraMetBlog.com.

An avid romance reader though, she has been daydreaming about being an author since she was a kid. Dozens of bad dates and adventures later, she still finds it impossible that she met her husband on a NYC subway. They now have identical twin boys and four cats underfoot/on her laptop/everywhere. Fueled by an IV of green tea and an outrageous stock of champagne, she’s finally writing the happily ever after tales she’s been dreaming about.

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