REVIEW: The Deal with Love by Jamie Wesley

In The Deal with Love (One-on-One #3) by Jamie Wesley, Elise Templeton is determined to be the best NBA general manager. Not only because she’s the first female to take on such a position, but to prove to everyone that she can do the job just as well as any man. But when her boss hires Christian Monroe – the gorgeous man she had a one-night stand with – to film her and show off just how well she’s handling her new position, Elise knows she won’t be able to keep her hands off Christian. No matter how hard she tries to deny the incredible connection they have.

”What were you thinking about so intently before I dazzled you with my wit?”
Elise laughed. Damn it. She wasn’t supposed to be engaging him. Natural curiosity, and just a tiny bit of interest, got the better of her. She turned her head towards him. “You think highly of yourself, don’t you?”
Christian grinned. “If I don’t, then who will?”

Christian Monroe knows that being a workaholic is not good for one’s health. He’s been there, done that and came to realize that all work and no play is not the way to live. So, instead he’s decided to go after what he wants, even if the woman he wants is the most stubborn, infuriating person he’s ever met. But the more time he spends with Elise, the more he begins to realize that he can’t be with someone that puts their work ahead of their relationship. Can he convince her that there’s more to life than work?

Having been absolutely charmed by Christian, but not having a high opinion of Elise after reading the second book of this series, Slamdunked by Love, I was looking forward to seeing whether Elise could redeem herself and I’ve got to admit that she totally did. Right from the beginning, this book was amusing, fast-paced and so engaging, not only because it encompasses the opposites attract trope, but because of Christian’s cheesy pick-up line. Do men seriously think such lines work on women? Then again, it’s possible that the one he used might; because it was a good one in the way it implied the hero thought she was an angel.

The dialogue had me laughing at various times due to Christian’s need to prove to Elise that there’s more to life than work, even though her job is very important to her and she needs to prove that she’s capable of handling the position she’s been given. Yet, it was also intense due to the main characters back stories, the challenges Elise faces in proving she is the right person to be the general manager of a top basketball team, and the tense situation between Christian and the father he wants nothing to do with.

He grinned. “I’m glad you see things my way.”
Her eyes narrowed. “I’m sure you are. You may have won this battle, but I always win the war.”
“This is war?” he asked, the husky tone sending a shiver down her spine.
“It is when you tangle with me and think you’re going to get away with it.”
“Then I can’t wait to see what the future holds.”

I really liked both the main characters, as well as the secondary ones. Elise is strong, independent, tenacious, and stubborn. She’s determined to prove her position was won by her own merits and not because of who her father is. But at times, it’s hard when she doubts herself. That’s why I liked the moment where Christian gave her advice since it sounded very Yoda like. Indeed, his speech seems a bit inspirational and definitely perks her up, which was what she needed. Because more than anything, she wants to prove to her father that she’s no longer a little girl that needs protecting and that’s she a grown woman that can fight her own battles.

While Christian, he’s charming, confident and tenacious. He’s not about to pass up the opportunity that Elise’s father is offering him, not when it would help both he and the students he teaches. Then there’s the confrontation he has with Elise, of how she believes he expects people should be perfect. That if they aren’t, they don’t deserve a second chance in his eyes. Is she right? Was he being too harsh towards his father?

Overall, I really enjoyed this stand-alone third book of Ms. Wesley’s One-on-One series where the sizzling sex scenes heated up the pages at the right moments throughout this story. They also illustrated the really strong chemistry that existed between Elise and Christian, which was there from the moment they met. The way this author wrapped up this story was wonderful, as Elise received the support of an important player in the team she now manages. Support that proves to everyone she’s just as capable, of being the general manager of a basketball team as a man would be. Then there’s the way Christian makes things right with the heroine by conveying how much Elise means to him. Because she needed to realize that caring for someone didn’t mean she’d end up losing them like she did her mom. I would recommend The Deal with Love, if you’ve read the other books of this series, or if you enjoy stubborn heroines that need to be convinced by the hero that work isn’t everything.

Book Info:

Publication: June 13th, 2016 | Entangled LoveStruck, | One-on-One #3

When filmmaker Christian Monroe runs into fiery—and frustrating—Elise Templeton at a party, the night quickly becomes the hottest one-night stand of their lives. But then her boss hires Christian to make a publicity film about Elise, and suddenly they’re in each other’s space. All day. Every day. And things are getting hotter…

Outside the bedroom, the two have nothing in common. Elise is focused solely on becoming the NBA’s first female general manager. And Christian learned long ago that being a work-a-holic—or being with one—is a recipe for disaster.

But the more Elise reveals her deepest desires and fears to Christian—something she’s done for no man, ever—the more Christian wonders how much longer he can keep his hands off the infuriating woman who rocked his world…