A standalone enemies-to-lovers office romance set within the Rydeville Elite world.
Demi
Dropping out of college senior year was never part of my plan. But Dad needs me, and I’d move mountains for the only parent I’ve ever known—even working for the company that fired him.
My boss, Charlie, is determined to make my life a living hell, availing of every opportunity to undermine my confidence, to … my confidence, to humiliate and threaten me.
Sleeping with him the night of his wedding might have something to do with his attitude.
Or the fact I’m the spitting image of the woman he really wants.
If our financial situation wasn’t so dire, I’d tell Charlie to stick his job up his delectable butt.
But I’m trapped, and things are only getting worse. Because the more layers I uncover, the more I realize he is nothing l expected and everything I crave.
Charlie
If there was a manual for all the ways a person could mess up his life, it’d have my name written on it.
I can’t undo the things I’ve done, no matter how badly I want to, and every day is a constant reminder of my epic failure.
Especially her.
It’s as if Demi has been put on this earth to punish me. To inflict more torture and pain. Because every second I’m around her, she makes me feel things I don’t want to feel.
So, I lash out. Doing my best to push her away.
Until I realize she’s everything I never knew I needed, and the fight becomes a new battle—one to win her heart.
Due to mature content and themes, this book is recommended to readers aged eighteen and over. This is a slightly extended version of the version that appeared in the Bully Me anthology containing one extra chapter and two epilogues. It is a 60k word short novel that ends with a HEA and NO cliffhanger.
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Charlie is technically a stand alone in that the h doesn’t know the events of the first three books either (so I was in the dark with her), but I got the impression that parts of this book overlap with events earlier in the series so I do wish I had listened to the first three. I have also listened to book 5, Jackson, and was really impressed with that one. You could listen to Jackson and Charlie in either order.
I listened to the Audible version and the narration was fabulous. I’m familiar with Sarah Puckett, but it was my first time listening to Michael Gallagher. He was a great choice for Charlie because his voice sounded age-appropriate.
#PinkFlamingoProductions
Charlie
Rydeville Elite, Book 4
By: Siobhan Davis
Narrated by: Sarah Puckett, Michael Gallagher
Rydeville Elite brings out the best and worst in it’s people. This story features Charlie who recently took over his family’s company after the death of his father. His new assistant is a woman he recently hooked up with at a wedding. Not happy with this situation, he will do just about anything to make her life miserable. Demi isn’t thrilled with her position either, but she is desperately in need of a job to help with her father’s medical bills, and will not bend to his will. But what these to find is that there is a fine line between love and hate. Siobhan Davis continues to thrill me with her books. Each one is full of wonderful characters. I have say though, there were definitely times in this story that I was fed up with Charlie. The sign of a good story, frustration, excitement, relevant problems and passion all bring out my emotions and make me listen straight through finding out all the secrets and experiencing all the feelings. This is an amazing addition to the series.
Sarah Puckett and Michael Gallagher are the narration team for this amazing story. Puckett comes through as Demi. She is a strong woman with a lot happening in her life, and Puckett harnesses all the emotions bringing them to the front and bringing them to us. Gallagher as Charlie is the mean boss, and he is spot on. We do get to see his evolution and Gallagher is fantastic as he changes over time. Give this a listen, you will love it!
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Audiobook Review:
Talk about an excellent enemies to lovers romance. This one totally checked that box for me. And it being an office romance made it even better. I love it when that tension and back and forth between main characters is done well in the workplace. Siobhan Davis definitely did it well.
This story also had some off the charts steam. Charlie and Demi practically lit my headphones on fire whenever they were together. Even when they were being snarky with each other. I liked that they got some relationship development time too. It didn’t go from hate to love in an instant.
Most romances have that big final confrontation moment. That part were the relationship implodes or something happens and you’re not sure if the characters will get their HEA. This story had that as well, but I kind of felt like it came out of nowhere and was resolved a bit too quickly. I would have absolutely loved this story being a little bit longer to flesh that out a bit more. That being said I did appreciate the epilogues.
The narrators for this story both did well. I always enjoy a Sarah Puckett performance. It took me a moment to get used to Michael Gallagher but in the end I felt he fit Charlie pretty well. Especially given his age.
Overall I enjoyed this story and look forward to hearing more.
The Flock
Another great addition to this series involving the Elite. This book is an enemies to lovers to the max story that gets you so aggravated you want to smack some sense into Charlie a couple of times but he does redeem himself by the time it ends. Such a fun listen with really good narration.
Awesome Story & Narration Captivating & Heartfelt!
Charlie: An Enemies to Lovers Stand-Alone Romance
Rydeville Elite, Book 4
By: Siobhan Davis
Narrated by: Sarah Puckett, Michael Gallagher
I loved every minute of this awesome enemies to lovers romance. The story is well written and grabbed my attention right from the start and captivated it for the entire book. This book is Demi and Charlie’s story, it is set in the “Rydeville Elite” world but it only gives a tiny glimpse of what is going on in that world, a world run by twisted power players. Charlie is the son of one of the top players, growing up he was molded to fill his fathers shoes so he not only knows how screwed up that world is he was groomed to be one of it’s future leaders. Charlie takes over running the family business after his father passes away. Demi’s father used to work at that company until he fell ill, Demi needing a job to help take care of her father takes a job at the same company and become Charles assistant, first the father and then the son. Their first encounter is smoking, a mistake though, Demi has not know the son was stepping in to his fathers job. Charles was not a fan of Demi working there, he treated her like crap but kept her there to make sure she did not talk about what happened the night they met. The chemistry between these two is explosive but so is the angst. Charles can not longer deny his feelings and he starts rethink his life but he thinks bringing her into his life will put her in danger. I loved how everything plays out in this book, the story is cleverly plotted with plenty of drama, angst, twists and turns, heartfelt and emotional moments and some hot romance. Also loved how much Charlie grew as a person. Siobhan Davis, thank you for another awesome story and emotional rollercoaster ride. It was great to see some of the other characters again, love the connection Demi had with Abby.
And for the narration, Sarah Puckett and Michael Gallagher are fantastic narrators and voice artists. They bring these characters to life, giving each their own voice and personality. They do an awesome job portraying the character, grasping each persona and playing the role with perfection, sounding just as I picture them to sound. You could hear the heart and passion they put into their work as they capture all the characters emotions and project them into their performance. They are entertaining storytellers and a pleasure to listen to. Thank you for another awesome listen.
Thank you @PinkFlamingoProductions @AudiobookObsession #TheFlock #AudiobookObsessionReviewer
Having read the first three books in the Rydeville Elite series, Charlie was a complex character to say the least, and I was excited to see what his book would bring. While his character was definitely not without fault, this book focuses on new chapters so to speak. Charlie continues to be a complex character, but he shows tremendous growth as he goes on to take over his father’s company while trying to balance his frayed friendships and his newfound love interest.
Demi is doing her best to try and balance her job, helping with her very sick father, and manage her feelings about her boss, no matter how complicated, and even when he is hot and cold.
This book was a great addition to the Rydeville Elite series. I loved finally getting Charlie’s story after his difficult journey through the previous books. I think Demi and Charlie made a wonderful match and was happy that they found someone to complete them. I also loved getting another glimpse at the other Rydeville characters we have come to know and love. I really enjoy this author’s writing style and cannot wait to read more of her work.
Audio review
In this enemies to lovers story we have Demi sand Charlie, front and centre. With more convolutions around the affairs of the Elite and Parkhurst, throwing shade on so many lives, their potential connection has ramifications. In fairness, Charlie is pretty horrible to Demi. He definitely instigates the enemy aspect of the story. Luckily, Demi is strong as resilient, as well as kind and caring! In some respects, I did feel that the switch happened very quickly, and I was, at first, expecting Charlie to flip, but he convinced me.
Sarah Puckett is such a brilliant narrator! I love her ability to capture the heart of a character and bring it to life. Michael Gallagher is a great foil for her as Charlie to her Demi. They both drew me in and kept me listening.
Audio Review: Charlie (Rydeville Elite #4) by Siobhan Davis, Narrated by Sarah Puckett and Michael Gallagher
Charlie is a jumble of contradictions. He’s the guy you want to hate, but there’s something about him that tugs at your heart. Siobhan doesn’t give readers an easy path to romance. The battle between the senses and the heart is an addiction that refuses to be denied. Demi and Charlie push emotions to the max. Puckett and Gallagher give love a bad name with dramatic narration that proves be as heartfelt as it is heartbreaking.
I am so happy that Charlie got his happy ending. I have to say I was shocked but not really with where the book started. However the story was amazing! I am so glad that the story went in that direction. It was such a great love story and showed us the side of Charlie we all knew and loved even if we only saw it for a short amount of time. Great read!
“Every guy is a risk. You just need to decide if he’s special enough to gamble your heart on.” – Xena
After binge reading the first three books of this series to refresh my mind, I liked that Charlie’s book was less drama filled and focused mainly on just two characters – Charlie and Demi. We do get brief appearances of some of the other characters we know and love, but I felt this book focusing more on the main two characters allowed me to understand Charlie better
I loved seeing Charlie realise that he also deserved to find love after punishing himself for choices he made whilst trying to find his place within the Elite. I’ve never hated Charlie because he seemed more lost than deliberately evil and I’m so glad he found his HEA. Demi was perfect for Charlie and she certainly helped him to grow and mature. Siobhan Davis wrote some beautiful scenes between this couple that were brought to life with her cleverly crafted words and this book is a deserving addition to the series. I did hope for some more office s€x though lol
Okay, so this is a rewritten review because I wasn’t happy with my first. I raised an issue about feeling some scenes or discussions should’ve been included or lengthened, but that evaluation didn’t feel right, so I’ve gone away and thought about it. I’ve realised that it was more a case of my need to know everything and wanting Charlie’s book to be longer. I loved the book as it was and read it in one sitting, and also awarded it 5 stars, so clearly the issue was more about me than the book. Yes, it would’ve been fab to read at least one of the discussions that took place, but it didn’t impact on the storytelling at the end of the day
Charlie’s book was a welcomed break and it allowed me to take a deep breath before jumping back into the dark and dangerous world of the Elite with Jackson’s book
*I voluntarily reviewed an advance complimentary copy of this book
Charlie is the fourth book in the Rydeville Elite series, but it can easily be read as a standalone. There are characters from the previous books mentioned (first three books must be read in order), but Siobhan blends them in well and keep readers up to speed on how they are interwoven without taking away from the main story. Siobhan does try to surmise what happened previously to new readers, but it is really difficult to explain every detail. But I feel new readers will get a good enough idea as to what happened and if anything, it just entices them to read those books.
I did read the previous three books in this series and where I really enjoyed the first two books, the third one I felt was reaching a bit. However, I did not let that stop me from continuing in the series and I am so grateful for that. Charlie is completely different from the first three books and that’s how it should be as this book fits Charlie and his character so well.
Demi is whole new character brought into this series, which I feel was the perfect way to make this book a full standalone within the series. I love her spitfire attitude and that she never backs done from Charlie. She does come across as this demure, lithe little women, but she is far from it.
Charlie is taken back by Demi. She is not what he expects and that has thrown Charlie completely off his course. Their banter is interesting and at times, very entertaining.
There were a few parts near the end that I felt weren’t needed and were just there for added drama. It felt slightly out of character and while I understand that author may have wanted to keep things entertaining, I felt something else could have happened instead.
Overall, it’s a really good read. It is the shortest book in the series but still delivers a great story.
So good to be back at Ryderville and i was so excited that we got Charlie’s story, in the previous 3 books i kinda felt sorry for him and i knew he wasn’t what he seemed to be so i was excited to read this book.
We get to meet Demi and straight away i felt for her and what she was going through with her father, i really loved their relationship it was so loving and so nice to read, she was a strong and sassy character and i loved how she stood up to Charlie to some degree.
Charlie has been through the ringer with what happened to his dad and that he was basically alone as his mother and sister had moved away and he was trying to do everything go to school work at his fathers firm and trying to work out where to go with his life from here.
This book was fun and sexy and some secrets that were revealed and it made it for the rest of the series to be very interesting
I can’t wait for the next books and see how this group of people take on who they need to and see how it all pans out
Charlie is a character that I HATED from the Rydeville Elite series. This standalone book shows how his character grows and changes though, and it kinda made me love him! If you haven’t read the Rydeville Elite series, (what’s wrong with you!!! GO DO IT NOW!), you can read this book on its own but it makes it soooo much better with the knowledge of the other 3 books.
This book focuses on Charlie & Demi. Demi is Charlie’s secretary at first. She ends up being so much more than that by the end of this book & not just for Charlie, but for some of the other characters in the Rydeville Elite group as well.
I loved seeing Charlie change into the person he is at the end of the book. It showed him bring back some of the kind and protective qualities of his personality that made him into the character I loved at the beginning of the Rydeville series. But by the end of this book, he is so much more than he was when we first met him. The things he went through changed him and he turned into a man that was worthy of Demi and worthy of the friends and family that are in his life.
If you haven’t already gotten the Rydeville Elite books you should! They also come in a box set so you can read all 3 back to back and then read Charlie! Again, you don’t need to read the trilogy to enjoy Charlie’s story though. I definitely recommend reading all 4 books because the story is EPIC. I voluntarily reviewed an advance complimentary copy of this book.
Alright, where do I begin with this book? Can I start by saying, I am in LOVE with Charlie? But let me start by saying, he was NOT a favorite of my and when I started reading this book I did not have high expectations and OH MAN, was I wrong, so so so wrong. And so glad at the same time that I was wrong, because I just couldn’t get enough of Charlie in this book and I still cannot get enough of him, he has become one of my favorite book boyfriends, and I’m a little picky when it comes to them. Yeah, I have many book boyfriends but I read hundreds of books so I am can say that I am picky, right? lol. Alright back with this book.
This book is part of the Rydeville Elite series and if you haven’t read the series yet, where have you been, you are for sure missing out on so much action and lots of steam romance and I leave it at that because I spoil it for you, but trust me you need to pick up the series now.
We get to see Charlie managing his dad’s business, a side that I was not expecting from him. Life has never been easy for him, that’s for sure, but the mistakes that he has made? That was a lot and he knows that he cannot undo them, but he can do things to make up for all the wrong he has done. And he can start with Demi, his assistant.
Demi has drop off college and all her dreams, but she doesn’t regret one bit. She did it all for her dad, the man that has done everything for her and now is her turn to make sure he is taken care of and has everything he needs to get better. Even if it means if she has to work at the company that fire him and to make matters worse, she made the mistake to sleep with her boss on the night of his wedding. No matter how hard Demi tries to make things just professional, Charlie just makes her life miserable but he doesn’t realize that Demi is stronger that she looks and she will put up with everything just to make sure her dad has the best care.
The more the two of them fight and try to push each other away, the more attracted to each other they are and at the end they realize they are meant for each other, but their worlds are totally the opposite from each and Charlie will do anything to keep Demi safe, even if it means to keep her away from him.
I loved these two together, I loved their fights, I loved their chemistry, their love for each other, I could feel their feelings through the pages, it was everything you wish for on a book. Siobhan knows how to make you fall in love with characters, but she out did herself on this one. Charlie was the bad boy that when you really get to know him, he is the good guy all along and you just don’t have any choice but to fall in love with him. And fall in love with him I did.
A million stars to this book! My favorite for sure.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced complimentary copy of this book.
I have to admit that right from the start of this series, Charlie and Jackson caught my eye. Don’t get me wrong. I love Kaiden and the rest of the guys, but there’s just something with these two that I can’t explain. So, when Charlie started to be the “bad guy”, I couldn’t help but think, will there be a chance for redemption for him? Because I just refuse to believe that this will be the end for his character. Thank god, this book gave him the chance to redeem his self.
This was an enemies-to-lovers, with bully and office romance mixed in. I don’t know what to think of Demi as his love interest though. You will have to read this book to know what I was talking about. Aside from that, I liked Demi’s character. She’s a very loving, responsible daughter with an admirable inner strength to her. These traits, I think was what Charlie needed in his life and for that, I guess, they are suited to each other. There was some drama that was taken care of swiftly and an impending threat from the elite that I’m betting we’ll be able to see further in the series. Can’t wait for Jackson’s book!
Such a nice respite from the violent world of the elite and Parkhurst and all that criminal activity! This book contains a simple love story, of course with some drama or it wouldn’t be a Siobhan Davis story. It was different and refreshing and I enjoyed it a lot.
The action in this story starts after the debacle of the elite where Abby and her clan disbanded the organization and got the FBI involved. The Rydeville High kids graduated and are now attending Rydeville University. After all the scandals and Charlie’s involvement that ended in his father’s death, he’s now separated from Abby and the rest of the gang. He’s consumed in grief and guilt over his participation that lead to his father’s death and then to his mother and sister leaving him and moving to Phoenix. He’s now alone in the huge mansion where he lives and the loneliness is killing him.
Demi was studying in Maine U when his father was struck down by an illness that left him paralyzed from the waist down. She dropped out of college and came back to Rydeville to take care of him. She’s upholding the family’s finances with a lot of sacrifice because the medical bills are staggering. She’s now working for Charlie who inherited his father’s position. Demi is the woman Charlie had sex with on the night of his so called “marriage” to Abby. That moment imploded on him and he’s now taking it against Demi, turning all the anger and aggressiveness he feels about himself out on Demi. She can’t do anything since she needs the job for her father. And then all kinds of things start to happen to turn Charlie’s feelings towards Demi, gets him closer to Abby and the gang, makes him reassess his actions and his feelings and you can say he manned up.
I enjoyed this story a lot because it had passion and drama and friends who care and demanded to be back in Charlie’s life. I liked that Charlie manned up and took control of his life. I also liked seeing Abby and Kai enjoying their domestic bliss and see the rest of the gang during one dinner enjoying their company and banter. I loved seeing Charlie giving the woman he loves support when tragedy strikes. When they started going on about the elite re-organizing I groaned because enough with the criminal organization!
It was a fast and easy read and I totally enjoyed the respite from the dark and heavy subjects so predominant in the previous issues.
Oh, Charlie.
I really loved Charlie in the Rydeville series, but as that story progressed and things got a little crazy, Charlie lost the thread for a bit. But through that, I felt he still had goodness in him, even if it was buried far down. By the end of the series he was coming around but he was still not the Charlie I loved at the outset.
Charlie’s back! Yes, he is an unapologetic jerk face to Demi at the beginning. She doesn’t just sit there and take it though, she gives it right back. That fiery dynamic is the best! Demi brings Charlie back to life and helps him become the man he was meant to be. They’re just perfect.
I also enjoyed catching up with other characters from the series, and it makes me anticipate their stories even more. Of course, this is the quality writing you can expect of Siobhan, and it was a quick read but didn’t sacrifice substance in its brevity. If you loved the Rydeville Elite series, don’t miss out on Charlie.
It’s nice to see Charlie find love after all the drama with with his fake marriage to Abby and guilt of his father’s death. Charlie finally realise what real love is with Demi and the experience open his understanding about all the mistakes he made and the fact that he he needs to forgive himself and accept the forgiveness from his friends. Sometimes it’s not the mistakes you make but if you learn from it and make better choices next time. I eagerly waits for Jackson’s story
Curiosity was running high after reading the first three books in this series, and I loved how many of the questions were answered and how Charlie’s book presented a slow and simmering burn all the way through. A sweet read after all the angst and heartache and heartbreak in the first books. So ready for Jackson’s story! Can’t wait.
I never thought I’d like Charlie. I saw him as manipulative and conniving. I had glimpses where I always thought he was trying to do what was best for everyone, but it seemed like he was actually doing what was best for himself. Now with his dad gone, and his mom and friends not speaking to him, he’s lonely and bored. When he screwed up the night of his wedding, he never thought he’d see the woman again. God she looked so much like the new wife who wouldn’t let him near her. She fulfilled a need and that was all.
Demi left college because her dad was sick, out of work, and needed her help. Now she has to work for the company who so callously fired him when he was so sick. Unfortunately she now has to look at the man she screwed on his wedding night every day at work. Oh if he has his way she won’t be working for his company for long. The fact that their chemistry is through the roof is no consolation either. As a matter of fact, it’s even more reason for him to be rid of her.
I love the fact that Demi stands up for herself, yet she can’t resist the pull towards Charlie. I don’t know many people who would be crazy enough to ignore being fired and still show up to work while being threatened. I think she was a perfect match for him. The twists and turns you never saw coming are what I’ve come to know and love from Siobhan’s writing and I was so pleasantly surprised that I came to love Charlie too. Thank you for another amazing story!