April 1, 2021
DEBUT Wesley Chambers knows that starting at the bottom of the ladder as a corporate marketing intern won't be easy. After taking two years away from work, he's determined to make up for lost time. Unfortunately, a poorly timed nervous laugh on his first day starts off Wes's relationship with his no-nonsense boss, Corinne Blunt, firmly on the wrong foot. Corinne has no time for interns who laugh at sexist jokes, no matter how talented or good-looking they are. She's worked hard to get to where she is, and she isn't interested in helping advance Wesley's career--that is, until he offers an explanation and an apology, which, to her surprise and his, she accepts. The two of them build trust as they begin to work closely together and discover they have more in common than they thought. The problem? Romance between a superior and an intern is not an option. Readers drawn in by the cheerful cover who are expecting a romantic comedy may find Barrett's debut surprisingly heavy: both main characters navigate a parent's cancer treatment, Corinne is sexually harassed by her own boss, and there is a tricky power imbalance between the couple. VERDICT An engaging debut featuring intense feelings and situations, with plenty of heat.--Jessica Moore, Milwaukee P.L.
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