Release Blitz + Review: "Like a Boss" by Anne Harper

Congratulations to Anne Harper on the release of her latest novel, "Like a Boss," book #2 of the Accidentally Viral series. I didn't even realize it was part of a series until I started writing my review, so I would say it works quite well as a standalone.

After being dumped on Valentine's Day by the man she thought she'd marry, Antonella "Nell" Bennett created a scene with a public rant in which she swore off men because she was never "the one," which later went viral. A stranger, Quinn Hannigan, came to her rescue and invited her to share dinner with him, and they also shared a kiss before going their separate ways. Neither thought they'd see the other again, but a week or so later, they were both surprised when Quinn arrived for the first day at his new job as Director of Operations at Heart in Hand, a property management company in Arbor Bay, Alabama. He found that Nell was already working there and had actually been running the business since her previous supervisor's departure.

 

There were a number of things I enjoyed about this book, particularly its likeable, quirky characters. I especially appreciated that Quinn was such a devoted father to his son, Owen. He moved to Alabama for the chance to build a better life for the two of them, and his hesitation in doing anything that might jeopardize that, including starting a romantic relationship with Nell, was completely understandable. The book's secondary characters were also a lot of fun, and there were several parts of the story that genuinely made me laugh. 

That said, I had a tough time really connecting with the story, especially Quinn and Nell's romantic relationship. I was expecting there to be more of an enemies-to-lovers vibe between them because they were essentially competing for control of the company. Instead, they ended up becoming allies, if not exactly friends, almost right away, and I really missed the push-pull between them. I think the story was more successful as a small town romance with Nell teaching big city transplant Quinn how things worked in Arbor Bay, but based on the description, that wasn't quite what I was looking for in this story.

Overall, "Like a Boss" was cute and I would recommend it for fans of contemporary romance and romantic comedy, but unfortunately, it's not going to be a keeper for me. 

 

*Review copy provided by the author/publisher via Grey's Promotions. All opinions expressed are my own.

 

About "Like a Boss"

Antonella "Nell" Bennett is having the worst day of her life.

Long-term boyfriend broke up with her? Check.

Drove through the pouring rain to a small roadside restaurant, only to be told all the tables were reserved for "Couples Night"? Check.

Definitely no longer one half of a couple? Check.

So maybe she got a little heated with the restaurant's host, and maybe her voice carried a bit as she lamented--loudly--that she's never anyone's "plus-one." At least an attractive stranger comes to her rescue, inviting her to be seated with him, and when it turns out to be one of the best nights she's had in a while, even ending in an innocent kiss that becomes anything but? Check please.

Fast forward a week, and Nell's rant has gone viral. Sure, her tiny hometown of Arbor Bay is collectively buzzing over their latest Internet celebrity, but Nell's no stranger to attention. Drama seems to follow her whether she likes it or not.

But even she never expected to show up to work only to discover her brand-new boss is a very familiar face...