REVIEW: A Diamond Deal with her Boss by Cathy Williams

In A Diamond Deal with her Boss by Cathy Williams, there’s nothing that Gabriel won’t do to get what he wants, but throwing his personal assistant’s life into a tailspin when he doesn’t correct his Gran’s assumption that she’s his fiancée is possibly going a step too far, especially if he can’t convince her to go along with him. Will Gabriel be able to win Abby over or will they lose their shot at happy ever after?

“But you’re far from being an open book,” she finished briskly. “You’re happy to be very transparent when it comes to some things but extremely opaque when it comes to others.”
Gabriel thought that she couldn’t have summed him up more accurately if she’d tried, and for a few seconds he frowned, uncomfortable at that. “Like I said,” he drawled, “You know me better than anyone else.”
“That’s because, through necessity, I spend an awful lot of time in your company.”
“Angling for a pay rise, Abby?”=

What a good read Ms. Williams delivers in this book where the boss falls for his employee; the dialogue was riveting and had me loving both the main and secondary characters, especially the hero’s grandma; and the obstacles these two face to be together are tough, as the heroine has been hurt in the past and isn’t about to open herself up to more hurt, so she’s determined to keep her distance. The way this story started had me sympathizing with the heroine, as the news she has for the hero isn’t all that easy for her to say. Why does she always hold off speaking her mind when it comes to the women Gabriel dates? Since it’s palpable she’s not happy being his errand girl when it comes to dealing with the women he dates.

As for the dialogue, it was intense due to the main characters back stories and I could understand why the heroine doesn’t do relationships after everything she’s been through. However, in saying that, I liked that she took a chance on the hero because they have a good working relationship that extends to a wonderful friendship throughout this story until it becomes so much more. Moreover, the hero is confident, hard-working and I liked that he pushed the heroine to open up to him about her past. I also liked the close relationship he had with his Grandma and that he would do anything to make her happy, even if he does put the heroine on the spot when it comes to his proclamation in regards to her being his fiancée.

=Don’t tell me you didn’t notice all those men looking at you.”
“I don’t notice stuff like that,” Abby squeaked. “It was probably the dress.”
“You’re running yourself down. That creep really did a number on you, Abby. Is that why you hide behind those drab clothes?”
“I don’t hide behind drab clothes!” But she giggled, because he was just so predictable in certain ways. “I come to work, Gabriel. I’m not going to wear thigh-high boots and micro-minis!”=

While the heroine, she’s good at her job, challenges the hero and I liked that she helped him, even though it seemed she didn’t have much of a choice. How could she disappoint his Grandma? I could also understand her hesitation when it came to changing the course of her and Gabriel’s relationship from professional to personal. He’s her boss. However, there were moments when the heroine frustrated me because it’s palpable she wants Gabriel, but she’s denying herself for fear of getting hurt since the hero could hurt her badly. Really, she has a lot to lose in getting involved with him.

=He sighed. “I’ve spent my life standing back from making the mistake of letting go. In truth, it had never been very difficult, because I’d never met anyone I was remotely interested in letting go to, if you get my meaning. Until you.”=

Overall, this story was an interesting read where the chemistry between this couple was intense; the romance was delightful and had me loving these two together; and the ending had me liking the hero’s determination to win the heroine back. He wasn’t one for commitment, but the heroine has changed him for the better. However, it was the epilogue that wrapped this story up nicely, as the hero and heroine are so happy and have so much to look forward to. I would recommend A Diamond Deal with her Boss by Cathy Williams, if you enjoy the boss-employee romance, the opposites attract trope, or books by authors Lynne Graham, Maggie Cox, Susan Stephens and Jane Porter.
 

Book Info:

Publication: June 1st, 2018 | Harlequin Presents |

He has an outrageous proposition…

She’ll wear his diamond—temporarily! Personal assistant Abby’s newest assignment, as her sexy boss Gabriel’s fake fiancée, sends her heart rate rocketing. And that’s before Abby experiences the heady sensuality of his response! She cannot resist the temptation of a burning hot, short-term affair. But when the heat between them threatens to undo her, Abby must decide if she can share her body—and soul—with Gabriel…