Author: Jessica Hawkins
Genre: Romantic Comedy, Contemporary
Rating: ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
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There’s a thin line between love and hate . . . and it cuts right through the middle of their office.
Bad boys? They run right over good girls like Georgina Keller.
But after a confidence-shattering breakup, she’s determined not to let anyone at her new workplace push her around—least of all the brooding creative director, a “bad boy of publishing” who’s made it clear she’s enemy #1.
Sebastian Quinn's taste for fast cars, late nights, and beautiful women may have gotten him to the top of a leading New York magazine, but the reputation that made him is suddenly threatening to end his career.
Georgina can help Modern Man shed its bad reputation, but in order to do that, she’ll have to start at the top—and no amount of rakish charm or inconvenient attraction will distract her.
Because if Sebastian gets her right where he wants her, it means she’s going down.
Excerpt . . .
She gasped into her hand. “My breath is fine.”
“I meant his. I’m sure yours is pure relish on a hotdog.”
She made a face. “Gross.”
“I happen to love relish,” I said. “But does François?”
Each time I said François with flourish, she flinched. I didn’t care. Something about him bugged me—I just couldn’t put my finger on it.
“We didn’t kiss because you interrupted us,” she pointed out.
“So? If I were in his position, and we both wanted that kiss, I wouldn’t let anyone stop me.”
“Frank and I are clicking,” she said, scowling. “There was even mention of spending time at his summerhouse.”
“Hamptons?”
She coughed into her fist. “Boca Raton.”
The idea of Georgina spending a summer with him in Boca Raton was tragic enough that I almost smiled. I got the sense she was playing up the date. If it was so great, why wasn’t she sitting here with him? And why was I more relieved than smug about that? “Meanwhile, Justin and I will be clamming in Montauk.”
“You two should really just make it official and announce your love to the world.”
“But then I wouldn’t get to flirt with pretty girls.”
“For someone who pretends to have as much game as you,” she said, “I still haven’t seen you successfully flirt with any girls since I’ve known you.”
I smirked. “How do you know I’m not flirting with you right now?”
Playlist . . .
"Call all you want, and see if I come," I said, walking away before he could respond.
Bam! Take that!
Sebastian or Se-beast-ian as I think I will forever know him as is quite the playboy. He has a way with the ladies. He's charming and a sweet talker. Fairly certain he could melt hearts with just a look ;)
"Uncover, exploit, whip," Sebastian listed as he made notes. "Maybe this won't be so bad after all. It'll be nice to be on the receiving end for once."
Throughout the story, I was wondering, is he the good guy pretending to be the bad guy or the bad guy pretending to be the good guy?
Both of these individuals have some baggage with them and I think this has kept the opposite sex at bay. At least, prevented them from having meaningful relationships. Now when we look at them together, Georgina and Sebastian are at loggerheads pretty much from day dot. Nay, even before they realised who the other person was, they already have a mutual dislike.
I love the supportive characters especially Justin. He can be a bit of a goofball but he really cares about his friends and has good intentions for them. My favourite line from Justin has to be this:
"I love the guy, but I love to f*** with him more."
I would love to see more of him hint hint ;)
This romantic comedy definitely explores the misconceptions we can have of other people based on their appearance and initial behaviour. There is so much more hidden beneath the surface if one is willing to look. Sebastian and Georgina go from enemies to friends and then perhaps something more. But can they overcome their reservations or will hate win out? The story is about letting yourself be vulnerable around another person. Letting them in to see who you really are inside and having them accept the you, all of you. It's also about overcoming insecurities about your identity and realising that the real you is always waiting inside you. Ready to come forth. This was a fun rom-com with all the feels and laughs.
About the Author . . .
She writes romance both at home in New York and around the world, a coffee shop traveler who bounces from café to café with just a laptop, headphones, and coffee cup. She loves to keep in close touch with her readers, mostly via Facebook, Instagram, and her mailing list.
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