ABOUT THE BOOK

Notes from Triada Investment Meeting:

As compiled by Scarlett Evans—executive assistant, grad student, and reluctant admirer of CEO Nick Hart’s snacktastic abs.

Well, my fellow corporate drones, it’s another less-than-exciting investor meeting with the executives (Loud Talker, Human Buzzword, Master Delegator). And at the front, CEO Nick Hart, the world’s coldest—and ok, unbelievably sexy—tech badass. The man hasn’t smiled in the history of ever, he runs a tight ship filled with miserable employees, and gosh, he just really does not love feedback. Especially from me.

Development updates, acquisition delays, and…holy hell, why does he keep looking at me? I don’t work for him. I work for his brother. Which is good, because otherwise I’d spend every meeting secretly wondering what actually lies beneath that cool, aloof demeanor. Like, is he an uptight geek in the boardroom…and a sexy-assed freak in the bedroom?

He’d better not find out I’m the one stuffing the company suggestion box. What’s so wrong with a Valentine’s Day Social, anyway? But the fact that my notes are less professional and more entertainment is one seriously dangerous game. Because if he ever found out what I really thought of him, there’d be all kinds of sweet, delicious hell to pay…

MY REVIEW

How do you convince a stubborn, cold fish of a tech mogul to help you plan a Valentine’s Day social? With no apologies and a side order of charm.

Not Today, Cupid is the second installment in the The Harts series and, of course, I started in the middle again. Told from dual perspectives it follows the volatile and growing relationship between the controlling and antisocial CEO of Triada Nick “Hartless” Hart and Scarlett Evans, an outspoken and hardworking grad student/executive assistant with a larger-than-life personality. The story is located in Austin, Texas, mostly based at a tech company run by three brothers, Nick, Miles, and Beck Hart.  

Opposites attract in this romantic comedy. Nick is controlling and gruff and is good at his job. As co-founder of his successful tech company, he is focused on a new launch and wants nothing to get in the way. Enter the snarky Ms. Scarlett Evans who unknowingly left her opinion of Nick all over her meeting notes, and it left a mark. To prove her wrong about him, he agrees to partner with her to plan a Valentine’s social to boost the morale of the company. Little did the meticulous and orderly man know that he just welcomed some chaos into his life. 

Scarlett is funny and smart as she slowly maneuvers the uptight, yet vulnerable Nick into trying out her suggestion box ideas like adopting an adorable French bulldog named Oreo for an office pet and, of course, the Valentine’s social with a memorable photo booth pic. Scarlett is changing her life in the big city as she comes into her own and learns to stand up for herself. thanks to Nick. The chemistry is strong between these two which leads to “just sex” and eventually catching feelings. But Scarlett has a secret that backfires as Nick’s fear of getting close to anyone makes him push her away. Nick’s past has caused him to shut down personally and bury himself in his work. Underneath the grumpy CEO is a good and vulnerable man who is devoted to his family and afraid to lose what he loves. Nick’s big gesture at the social is cringeworthy and cute at the same time as he wins Scarlett back with the help of Oreo, the loveable puppy.

Nick and his brothers, Miles and Beck have a great rapport. I found it interesting they were all adopted by a single mom, Mama Hart, who is a force to be reckoned with and has so much love for her sons.

The story was slow at the beginning and got better right after Scarlett meets Mama Hart giving more depth to Nick’s character. With that being said, I loved the banter and chemistry between the main characters, and who doesn’t love a cute little puppy with an attitude? 

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

The Harts Series:

1. Miles and Miles of You (2022)
2. Not Today, Cupid (2023)

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jennifer Bonds writes sizzling contemporary romance with sassy heroines, sexy alphas, and a whole lot of mischief. When she’s not writing or wrangling toddlers, Jennifer can be found curled up with a good book and a bottle of wine. Jennifer lives in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, where her overactive imagination and a weakness for reality TV keep life interesting. She’s lucky enough to live with her very own real life hero, two adorable children, and a pair of rambunctious dogs. Loves Buffy, Mexican food, the Winchester brothers, and all things zombie. Sings off-key.

Follow Jennifer on Facebook, Twitter, and her website.