papercranestitches's review against another edition
3.0
What a bummer. The first half of this book was a solid workplace romance that was also delightfully enemies-to-lovers adjacent. And then, around the 60% mark, things just sorta... fell apart. Unlike some reviewers, I can't really put my finger on what changed and why I didn't like it, but from one page to the next, I lost all connection to the characters and their relationship to one another. As I said... Bummer.
jefener's review against another edition
4.0
I actually enjoyed this book a fair amount. Enough to read it twice. Nolan and Zach were a cute couple. Nolan trying to find a purpose after being traumatized from an accident and Zach trying to balance working for the money and working on what his real passion is was interesting to read. Plus the ending, setting up the gym, was really cute. I was happy Nolan found a way to work with Zach and do something he enjoys as well. They were a good team
writeon_sl's review against another edition
4.0
There were a few weaknesses plotwise, landing this one a solid 3 stars. But I bumped it up to 4 stars for one reason: consent.
Consent was everywhere! In nearly every sexual encounter the MC's had, consent was a key player. And then there's the careful awareness of the power dynamics that could be at play in a boss + employee romance. Christine d'Abo' depicts consent as a vital, healthy, sexy as hell neccesity in a relationship. Something severly lacking in most romances I've read. For that alone, I'll pass out extra stars all day long. I only hope the rest of d'Abo's books-which I will be reading-follow suit.
Consent was everywhere! In nearly every sexual encounter the MC's had, consent was a key player. And then there's the careful awareness of the power dynamics that could be at play in a boss + employee romance. Christine d'Abo' depicts consent as a vital, healthy, sexy as hell neccesity in a relationship. Something severly lacking in most romances I've read. For that alone, I'll pass out extra stars all day long. I only hope the rest of d'Abo's books-which I will be reading-follow suit.
reviewerlarissa's review against another edition
4.0
Review for BookWinked
Tell us about Working it
Working It is the first instalment in a new series called Ringside Romance and what a start it is. Christine D’abo is a new to me author and I was pleasantly surprised.
What is the story about?
Nolan is getting back on his feet after a terrible car accident. He’s still not quite there, but he needs to get out. At a job interview he has a surprise encounter with Zack in the men’s room. Even more surprising to Nolan is that he gets the job. It turns out to be exactly what he needs, even with the issues he still has.
What is surprising to Zack is that he likes Nolan when Zack is not a people person. He gets the job done, but that doesn’t mean he has to be friendly about it. There are a series of events that brings Nolan out of his shell and back to life and leads Zack to discover a whole new side about himself.
What are your thoughts on Working it?
I was surprised about how much I liked this story and how much I adored the characters. Nolan is an enjoyable character who is strong in getting back on his feet. He’s not a character who whines about his situation but is willing to take a risk.
Zack is a real asshole. Reading the story, you’ll understand why people don’t like him. At the same time his character was written in such a way that you sympathize with him. He grows on you and has some hidden qualities. Ask a certain spider wink
I liked how this story turns out. It’s not overly dramatic, though it has some angst. It’s also not overly sweet and has some funny scenes. The story is not just focussed on Nolan and Zack but has secondary characters who are not just fillers.
Why the four stars then? Well why I didn’t dislike the end part of the story, I couldn’t quite get on the band wagon how Nolan was nudged or rather blatantly pushed into a certain situation and how that worked out for Zack. It was a little too flimsy even if it worked out well for them. Considering how strong the rest of the story was, this was a cop-out.
How is the writing?
The writing was good, strong, but not overly flowery or with an over use of imagery. The story was experienced, not told and there were no info dumps. I especially liked how Nolan’s accident was worked into the story.
How do you rate this story?
With 4 stars
Tell us about Working it
Working It is the first instalment in a new series called Ringside Romance and what a start it is. Christine D’abo is a new to me author and I was pleasantly surprised.
What is the story about?
Nolan is getting back on his feet after a terrible car accident. He’s still not quite there, but he needs to get out. At a job interview he has a surprise encounter with Zack in the men’s room. Even more surprising to Nolan is that he gets the job. It turns out to be exactly what he needs, even with the issues he still has.
What is surprising to Zack is that he likes Nolan when Zack is not a people person. He gets the job done, but that doesn’t mean he has to be friendly about it. There are a series of events that brings Nolan out of his shell and back to life and leads Zack to discover a whole new side about himself.
What are your thoughts on Working it?
I was surprised about how much I liked this story and how much I adored the characters. Nolan is an enjoyable character who is strong in getting back on his feet. He’s not a character who whines about his situation but is willing to take a risk.
Zack is a real asshole. Reading the story, you’ll understand why people don’t like him. At the same time his character was written in such a way that you sympathize with him. He grows on you and has some hidden qualities. Ask a certain spider wink
I liked how this story turns out. It’s not overly dramatic, though it has some angst. It’s also not overly sweet and has some funny scenes. The story is not just focussed on Nolan and Zack but has secondary characters who are not just fillers.
Why the four stars then? Well why I didn’t dislike the end part of the story, I couldn’t quite get on the band wagon how Nolan was nudged or rather blatantly pushed into a certain situation and how that worked out for Zack. It was a little too flimsy even if it worked out well for them. Considering how strong the rest of the story was, this was a cop-out.
How is the writing?
The writing was good, strong, but not overly flowery or with an over use of imagery. The story was experienced, not told and there were no info dumps. I especially liked how Nolan’s accident was worked into the story.
How do you rate this story?
With 4 stars
teenykins's review against another edition
2.0
I haven't read anything from Christine d'Abo in years and up till around 48% of the book I was questioning why the hell not, around 59% I started losing interest and at 76% I through in the towel I started skimming.
I liked the interactions between Nolan and Zach but there was no UST to excite me. Nolan was a more fully formed character than Zach which I think the author had him hide behind anger management issues, which we never got an explanation of.
At the point I started losing interest it was when there was too much going on with the company they both worked for and I just didn't care since that part didn't contribute anything to their relationship, PLUS Zach was with one foot out the door so why would I care about them?
The story was also an HFN so yeah.... I don't think I'll trying any more from the author.
I liked the interactions between Nolan and Zach but there was no UST to excite me. Nolan was a more fully formed character than Zach which I think the author had him hide behind anger management issues, which we never got an explanation of.
At the point I started losing interest it was when there was too much going on with the company they both worked for and I just didn't care since that part didn't contribute anything to their relationship, PLUS Zach was with one foot out the door so why would I care about them?
The story was also an HFN so yeah.... I don't think I'll trying any more from the author.
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