Excerpt + Giveaway + Review: Happy Pub Day to "Hating the Boss" by Kristen Granata!

I am very happy to be participating in the release day blitz for Kristen Granata's latest novel, "Hating the Boss."  My original post on Monday did not include a review of the book because I was unexpectedly scheduled for surgery that day, but I have now edited this post to include my full review below.  In short, I loved this book and highly recommend it.  It is a laugh-out-loud romp featuring likeable, sympathetic characters and two of my favorite romantic tropes, enemies-to-lovers and workplace romance. 

For a chance to win your own, signed copy of "Hating the Boss" from the author, click here!  (Giveaway closes on October 5.)

About "Hating the Boss"

One night.

That’s all it was supposed to be.

Imagine my surprise when Mr. Sexy in a Suit breezed through the door on the first day of school.

Ladies and gentlemen, meet my new boss.

Not only does he instantly recognize me, but he accuses me of stealing something valuable from him the morning I walk-of-shamed out of his apartment.

When bullying me into a confession doesn’t work, he turns my life into a living nightmare – as if that will coax me into returning what I supposedly stole.

But this is my school, and the only thing I’ll be returning is payback.

Game. On.

There’s only one problem. I wanted him before I hated him, and even now, a part of me still wants him. Somehow, through all of our fighting, through the anger and the pranks, I think I’m falling in love with the enemy.

Read an Excerpt from "Hating the Boss"

I’ve been out of my office for most of the day. There must be a full moon coming tonight because the kids in this school are feral. I’ve had to sign off on six conduct reports and three incident reports.

At one o’clock, I fall into my comfy rolling chair behind my desk. My door is closed, and I’m hoping to catch up on e-mails and make a dent in this paperwork piled high on my desk.

I place my hand on my mousepad, feeling around for the mouse.

What the …?

Where’s the damn mouse?

I check under my desk and inside the drawers, but it doesn’t take too long for realization to set in.

“Goddamnit.”

I tear open the door and stomp down the hallway.

Raegan’s at the whiteboard in her classroom in the middle of a math lesson. She doesn’t look surprised when I barge into her room and start searching through the drawers in her desk.

She does, however, look like a cat who’s been caught with a mouthful of bird.

With a bounce in her step, she waltzes over to me. “Good Afternoon, Principal Waters. Can I help you? What is it that you’re looking for?”

Glancing at the class briefly, I give her a hard stare and smile. “You know exactly what I’m looking for.”

“I can assure you that I don’t.”

I edge closer to her, lowering my lips to her ear. Her warm, sweet scent wafts into my nostrils, and I fight the urge to run my nose along her neck. Focus, Waters. Jesus. “Give it back, or things are going to get a lot worse for you around here.”

Her eyes blaze as they lock with mine. She closes the gap between us, her chest almost pressed flush against me, and she whispers, “You don’t scare me.”

A shiver racks through my body. I can’t decide if I want to strangle her or fuck her right here on her desk. I’m starting to gain a better understanding of people who have a choking fetish.

“Hi, Principal Waters!” Hannah’s waving at me with Joshua at her side.

I clear my throat and straighten my tie. “Hi, Hannah. Hello, class. I hope you’re all having a great day full of fun and learning.”

Raegan chokes back a laugh as she saunters back to the whiteboard.

Laugh it up now. You won’t be laughing for much longer.

My Review

I loved Kristen Granata's "Hating the Boss," a laugh-out-loud contemporary romance featuring two of my favorite tropes, enemies-to-lovers and workplace romance.  The banter between main characters Jaxon and Raegan was phenomenal, and the pranks they played on each other, while somewhat immature at times, were hilarious.  Jaxon and Raegan were both well-developed and likeable characters, and I found it easy to sympathize with both of their points of view.  I really appreciated the author's choice to tell the story from both of their perspectives because it made the reasons for their misunderstandings clearer, and added more depth to the narrative.

I also enjoyed Raegan's interactions with her friends and fellow teachers, especially Becca.  They were so supportive of each other while at the same time being comfortable enough to tease each other, which led to some pretty funny conversations.  Their interactions reminded me of good times with my own friends, which made me love this story even more.

Overall, "Hating the Boss" was a well-written and entertaining book that I highly recommend.  I would absolutely read more of this author's work in the future.

*ARC provided by the author via InkslingerPR.  All opinions expressed are my own.