REVIEW: Don’t Quit the Day Job by J.S. Cooper

Don’t Quit the Day Job by J.S. Cooper: Lila Haversham didn’t mean to end up at a job fair. She was just looking for the coffee shop next door. But one wrong turn, a borrowed résumé, and a case of mistaken ambition later, she finds herself face-to-face with Max Spector; a ruthless, infuriatingly gorgeous partner at a top Manhattan law firm who’s made a bet to hire the first person he interviews. Lila, of course, is that person. Max has a reputation: brilliant in the courtroom but impossible in the office. He’s driven away ten assistants already and his colleagues are convinced no one can last a week working for him. Enter Lila; all sass, spontaneity and zero corporate experience, but most importantly who refuses to be intimidated, no matter how grumpy or demanding he gets. What starts as a joke job quickly spirals into a high-stakes game of who will break first. But as their days fill with sarcastic retorts, steamy tension and accidental moments of actual connection, Max and Lila begin to realise that there is more at play than workplace antics. Beneath Max’s icy exterior is a man who’s tired of being alone and behind Lila’s breezy charm is a woman quietly questioning her path. As lines blur and sparks fly, they’ll have to ask themselves: is this just another temporary gig, or could they be falling into something real…

LOVED!! I just adored this book, Don’t Quit The Day Job was exactly what I love about reading cute romcom novels, this book ticked all the boxes and then some. With snappy dialogue, steamy tension, and a classic enemies-to-lovers setup, Cooper delivers a story that’s equal parts hilarious and heartwarming. While these two could not be more of a mismatched pair, they just delivered some of the best chemistry and one heck of a cute love story. It was impossible not to just want to devour this book.

Max was the perfect hot grumpy boss and gosh did he know it! I just adored our hero, while he might have come across as this grumpy grouch that is ready to argue just for the sake of arguing, he was actually a total softie. We get to slowly see his carefully crafted control slip the longer he spends with Lila and I just loved these moments. We really get to see him having to step out of his comfort zone thanks to Lila and her wild and devil may care attitude, but this also gives Max a chance to drop more than a few zingers with his dry sense of humour. Now for our wild ball of chaos known as Lila, she is emotionally open, spontaneous, and fuelled by dreams instead of duty, the total opposite to Max. She’s a bit chaotic, full of sass, and not afraid to challenge Max, but underneath the jokes and quips is someone who’s quietly tired of failing to “make it.” I really liked the fact that even though life really isn’t shaping up the way she had hoped, Lila doesn’t just wallow in a pity party, she finds the humour in the situation and gets on with her life. One of the things that I really liked about her character was the fact that she highlights that you don’t have to follow the perfect script in life to really be happy.

“P.S. You’ve been given a new phone so we can communicate via text instead of email. Or, if you’d rather, we can communicate from my bed. I rather not christen that blowup mattress again.”

Max and Lila’s relationship is a classic slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers dynamic packed with sharp banter, sizzling tension and unexpected depth. From their first chaotic meeting, it’s clear they’re opposites. Through comedic misunderstandings, office power plays and moments of reluctant vulnerability, their connection deepens beyond snark and sass. Max starts to soften, learning to embrace unpredictability, while Lila begins to find strength in stability without sacrificing her dreams. Despite their differences, they challenge and complement each other in ways neither expected, ultimately forming a relationship built on trust, respect and the kind of love that grows not in grand gestures, but in the messy, funny, real moments in between. Truly this couple will always be a favourite of mine, with all that sassy banter and steamy built up.

If you enjoy enemies-to-lovers stories with witty banter, office hijinks and a whole lot of heart, this one is definitely worth picking up. Max and Lila might start out as a disaster waiting to happen, but watching them fall for each other is pure rom-com gold!

Book Info:

Publication: July 18, 2024 | J.S. Cooper |

Dear Grumpy Horrible Boss,

You suck as a lawyer. I don’t even know how you passed the bar. Just in case you didn’t know, you can’t fire me just because I have a part-time job working bachelor parties. What I do on the weekend is none of your business and not a part of my employment contract.

As soon as I get my big break as an actress, I will be leaving your employ. I am literally counting down the days. You must be dreaming if you think I’m going to be working 6am-9pm for the next month just so you won’t report me to HR. Go ahead and report me.

See if I care Mr. Wanna-be hotshot playboy lawyer. You’re not that hot and I do not want you.

Also, stop emailing me at night with lists of to-do’s.

Your not very well paid assistant,

Lila Haversham

Lila,

I hope you can count to infinity because that’s how many more days you’re going to be working for me. If your acting is as good as your dancing, you’re not going to be making it anytime soon.

Five words of Don’t quit the day job.

Your very well paid and handsome boss,

Max Spector

P.S. A new phone will be arriving tonight so we can communicate via text and not email. Or if you’d rather, we can communicate from my bed. Or do you not remember our conversation from Saturday night?