Now an Amazon Top 20 Bestseller A full-length STANDALONE romantic comedy from USA TODAY bestselling author R.S. Grey. I’m desperate and destitute when Lockwood Construction rolls into my small town with an offer too good to pass up: high wages to any able-bodied man willing to join their crew. Say no more. I throw on baggy clothes, tuck my long hair under a baseball hat, and apply for a job. … baseball hat, and apply for a job. Unfortunately, my half-baked idea of disguising myself as a guy is flawed from the beginning. As Shakira says, these hips don’t lie.
Still, I like to think I might have pulled the whole thing off save for one thing:
I know my boss.
Last month, we met at a bar, and after a fiery first encounter, it seems we’re destined to be sworn enemies.
Ethan Stone is ruthless and arrogant, a man I never would have crossed had I known how much he likes to toy with his prey.
He should just fire me and be done with it. Instead, he decides to make me his personal slave. Oh right, I think they’re calling it personal “assistant” these days.
It’s torture, all of it—his bad attitude, his ruggedly chiseled face, his desire to grind me into dust.
Every one of our friction-filled battles burns hotter than the last.
A girl can only hold out for so long. Soon, I’m bound to go up in flames.
My objective? Survive the heat long enough to send home a paycheck.
My real objective? Stop having X-rated fantasies about my coldhearted boss.
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My love for this book snuck up on me. I didn’t think I was completely obsessed but I soon realized that it took me less than 24 hours to get most of the way through this book. It was cute and funny but also a slow burn and enveloping. I’ve been following R.S Grey on social media for years and love her covers but this is the first of her books I’ve grabbed and surely won’t be the last.
R.S. Grey is a one click author for me. New book? Yep, just bought it!
This is a two-fer—A terrific story of a woman’s journey to empowerment wrapped inside a cute enemies to lovers romance. The payoff to this story is in the last 30% so don’t get impatient.
The heroine Taylor learns to thrive despite starting with nothing. The story begins with her at her lowest point and desperate. She takes a job with challenges, the biggest of which is her nasty boss Ethan. The banter and antics between these two is entertaining and enraging and frustrating, but eventually their romance grows. What is even better than that is watching this woman evolve and strive to take control of her life and her future. She learns how to make herself valuable, then finds the determination to reach her goals, then achieves them despite obstacles. She goes for the gold and ends up winning it all.
The epilogue is fantastic—one of the best I’ve ever read. It’s so inspiring and heartwarming.
There are similarities between the stories in Grey’s two books Coldhearted Boss and Arrogant Devil—desperate heroines who are willing to get down in the dirt to get out of their situations, mean bosses who attempt to thwart their efforts, falling in love after wearing each other down, and finally coming out on top. Best of all though is that they each are dedicated to addressing one female issue in depth. Arrogant Devil addresses domestic and emotional abuse. Coldhearted Boss addresses female repression and empowerment. That is what makes both of these a step above the average romance story.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it. R. S. Grey is one of my favorite romance authors.
This was a very cute enemies to lovers type story. There was also a definite slow burn going on. The tension between these two by the time they got over themselves and made things official was palpable.
I liked how the story started out. We got a clear picture of where Taylor is in her life and how desperation plays a role in the choices she makes. On the opposite side, we don’t get a lot about Ethan to start out with, it takes some digging and quite honestly until we meet Isla before we really see what his deal is.
I liked the friction and the slow burn, but the witty and snarkiness they both show each other is what really caught my attention. I love when there is a good banter between the main couple in a story.
The story developed slowly but it is interesting so you are intrigued to keep reading. Talk about fireworks between Ethan and Taylor, the chemistry is so strong between them that they don’t know what to do with themselves. It was easier for them to express their pent up feelings by being hateful to to each other, hoping it will stop the combustion that is threatening to happen. There are lots of witty banter that will keep you laughing. It’s a brilliant enemy to lovers story that is enjoyable.
An Enemies to lovers romance with a handsome jerk, small town gal and witty banter, this book had me giggling out loud and swooning the whole way through!
A slow burner that really set the pages on first with its steamy romance.
Coldhearted Boss was an easy read with a hilarious meet cute! The rivalry between hero and heroine had me in fits of laughter and the romance put butterflies in my stomach!
Another great read for me by R.S Grey! 4.5*
Can I give this book 10 Stars?!
This book brought me out of my book funk! I had been in a long series then went to a book that just didn’t call to me then to this glorious book. Wow! My first RS Grey book and now I have to go read all of the remaining books she has!
The synopsis had me pulled in to begin with but from chapter one? I was hooked! Taylor has had so much thrown at her in her short time of being on this earth but she doesn’t let things get her down! She’s resourceful, witty, and smart. This girl can do anything she puts her mind to, and she proves that fact throughout this entire book. I’m so proud of her, even though she’s a fictional character.
When her boss Ethan seems out to make her life miserable at her new job, she doesn’t sit down and take it but she’s not arrogant either where she needs put in her place.
Ethan and Taylor have the most perfect enemies-to-lovers slow-burn romance. There is the perfect amount of backstory, and character development that has you continuing to want to read more to find out what is happening next.
This was such a refreshing story for me. Many highlights that just MADE. MY. DAY. Seriously one of my new favorites I think! Thank you to RS Grey for this wonderful book. My heart is happy, my mind is happy, and everyone needs to read this book!
Oh man, the constant back and forth between Taylor and Ethan were great! Definitely a slow burn and Ethan’s sister is a hoot! Absolutely love her!
I don’t think there was anything I didn’t like about this book. Humor, tension, all the best things rolled into this book.
This is a great compulsive story if you want to lose sleep from not being able to put it down. Definitely recommend!
Office romance meets cabin in the woods!
I love R.S. Grey books so much! I haven’t read a book by her that I didn’t absolutely fall in love with. And Coldhearted Boss might be my favorite of all time! I can always count on her writing amazing slow burn romances with lots of sexual tension and this one was one of her bests! This book was a whole new take on the office romance trope and I loved it! There’s something about it taking place in a cabin in the woods that just made it so much better!
From the beginning, I felt for Taylor and her circumstances. There’s something about a character that gives her/his all to help those around them. She’s also a little ball of fire that will have you laughing your booty off with her antics. She definitely gives Ethan a run for his money! Quite literally. And don’t get me started on Ethan. When it comes to Taylor, he is so hard-headed! But when they start torturing each other with their cabin antics I couldn’t help but giggle with delight.
You will absolutely love this funny and stubborn couple! They will keep you on your toes and wondering what they will do next to mess with each other. And when they finally admit they don’t hate each other it all comes gushing out! And it births one of the hottest scenes I’ve read! This book will not disappoint and is the perfect summer read! I’m ready to pack my bags, pick up a hardhat, and go to the lake right now!
This review is for an ARC and is my unbiased, honest opinion.
When I say this was a slow burn, I TRULY 100% mean it’s a slow burn. It’s really hard for me to enjoy a slow burn romance story. Sometimes if the writing is a certain way I’m able to but that sadly wasn’t the case for this book. These two meet at a bar one night. Our main character Taylor was going through some serious financial struggles. She’s eating a shot glass full of cherries that the bartender gave her out of pity. Our other main character Ethan instantly noticed the sag of her shoulders and could tell she was going through a rough time. Ethan was at the bar with friends and they eventually leave but he decides to stick around to check on Taylor. I thought that was super cute how concerned he was over a total stranger. Major points to Ethan.
Fast forward in the future and Taylor is applying to work at Ethan’s construction project he’s overseeing. I think there was a lot of potential for this scenario but feel it fell quite flat. We spend so much time seeing Taylor doing her tasks and learning about the construction business that it didn’t even feel like a romance. Did I mention these two can’t stand each other? I’ll let you read the book to find out why but there was so much animosity that I never felt it leading towards something romantic.
I will say the last third of the book was AMAZING. I loved every single page of it. I only wish that the first sections of the book were on that same level.
4.5 stars! I was pleasantly surprised when I downloaded the audio to this one! I started it before and didn’t get into it, then I downloaded it today and had to finish it.. today. I loved Taylor and Ethan. They had a misunderstanding, and it was understandable that he acted the way he did. The back and forth between these two had me laughing and grinning like an idiot. When they finally got together I was like “Finally!!!!” It was a slower burn, but the banter made it worth the wait.
I can’t rate COLDHEARTED BOSS higher. I skimmed most of the book. There wasn’t any drama. A plotless read
This was a different kind of story for me, and I enjoyed every moment of it. Also, this is the first book by R.S. Grey I have had the pleasure to devour. This is a sweet, slow burn, “enemies” to lovers romance.
Ah! Another book that I’m in two minds about this month. For the most part, I did enjoy the book even though it won’t be making the favourites list this year.
Coldhearted Boss is an enemies-to-lovers romance and I don’t have enough words to express my love for this sub-genre but I just feel that Grey focused more on the enemies aspect of Taylor and Ethan’s relationship. There are bickering and banter and that was fun but I felt that the progression of their relationship to lovers had been pushed back.
I loved Taylor and everything she stood for, Ethan, on the other hand, took some time getting used to but I guess that is expected since he is supposed to be the “Coldhearted Boss”, but there was a disconnect with him for the most of the book.
Overall, this book is not bad but this was also not great for me. I’ve read some amazing books by Grey before and I can’t recommend them enough, so I know there is tons of potential. Hopefully, her next one will be my favourite.
2.5 – 3 Stars!
Going to keep it short so I can catch up on my reading. The last couple of books were either hit or miss for me but I really enjoyed this one. There was also some slow burn going on. The tension and chemistry between Taylor and Ethan was really good so the burn wasn’t too shabby.
Ethan is only in town for a couple days to survey a site for a new resort, and him and some buddies can’t help but notice Taylor when they stop in for drinks. But when Taylor decides to try for a job as a work crew member…she doesn’t realize she will be working for the guy she “screwed” over in the bathroom of a local bar. Being down on her luck, desperate, and trying to help her mom and sister, she hits on a hottie in a bar and things escalate from there.
There was so much fun banter throughout this whole book! So much animosity and friction…I LOVED IT! I laughed and felt my heart break. Such a huge range of emotions in this one! Author R.S. Grey does a wonderful job writing a well-flowing storyline and the characters are great! I loved this book and would definitely recommend it!
I hate to say that I didn’t love this book. I really really love R.S. Grey’s writing style and her last three books have been 5 stars for me. But this one was lacking.
So my big issue with enemies to lovers stories are asshole “heroes” who treat the woman they’re falling for like dirt and the woman falls for them anyway. I’ve come to realize that if a book with this trope has appropriate character development and progression, then I’ll end up liking it. They have to stop being enemies by 50% and the hero has to start treating the heroine with respect and love otherwise it won’t work for me. Both Arrogant Devil and Hotshot Doc by Ms. Grey were like that. They’re my two favorite books by her. So I was actually really excited about Coldhearted Boss.
I was severely disappointed when I kept reading and reading and reading and no development has been made. 30% in they’ve barely even spoken to each other since their very first encounter (in which they just made out, didn’t even get to know each other). 45% in they’re egging each other on and making life miserable for the other. 50% in she gives him an olive branch and tries to call a truce, he throws it in her face. I get to the 60% point and he’s just barely starting to soften to her, despite his extreme sexual attraction and raging jealousy. FINALLY at 68% he decided to forgive her (for something she didn’t even do) and make a move. They have sex at 70%. Then all the sudden its hearts and flowers and THEY DON’T EVEN KNOW EACH OTHER. A few offhand comments are made about her telling him some thing’s about her life, but it just didn’t make sense to me that they were in love.
I thought that all the time they spent in the cabin together would have forced them to somehow get to know each other. But no. They were both extremely stubborn and mostly ignored each other.
The last 30% of the book was good. I enjoyed it but it just felt rushed and Ethan, the hero, made this 180 change that didn’t make sense. It was like he was a whole new character and it didn’t make sense to me, even though I really liked who that person was.
I’ll definitely keep reading novels by R.S. Grey, but I hope they’re better than this one.
(There’s only one sex scene and very few uses of swear words.)
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by R.S. Grey is a delightful, tension-filled, slow burn rom-com that is simply unputdownable AND unforgettable! Taylor and Ethan’s journey to their happily ever after contained the perfect combination of angst, charm, humor, and romance. I couldn’t get enough of these two with their obvious intense chemistry and epic button-pushing banter. Fast-paced from start to finish, it wasn’t a surprise I devoured this standalone romantic comedy in one siting. It’s plain to see that R.S. Grey still holds the TOP SPOT when it comes to this genre!
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Yes! Yes! And Yes!
Great story, brilliant characters and made me feel all sorts of wonderful, so I’m completely happy with this book.
We all have probably read a friends to lovers book before, and it might even have fallen into the employer / employee category but this book has the added bonus of a slow burn romance that is becoming my favourite. Taylor Larson was in a very desperate state and felt nothing and no one could help her, not even the good looking “suit” staring at her while sitting at a bar. My heart ached for Taylor on several occasions with her circumstances. She made a few choices that night which were out of the ordinary for her, and only one of them good. Ethan Stone is not what most people would call coldhearted, but after his encounter with Taylor, he was very weary. As a consequence, he was more reserved around her.
This book can also fall into the genre of a rom-com. The banter between this couple wasn’t the norm of flirty lines or sexy remarks but more the antics they got up to. Each trying to best the other in annoying and frustrating ways. Add in some sassy and snide repartees and I was snorting along with them. With the dual POVs, this made for a more rounded viewpoint. I loved Ethan and Taylor, and if you’re a Grey fan, I know you will too.
She’s done it again! RS Grey is an automatic one-click author for me, the second she announces a new book I’m impatiently waiting to get my hands on it. Coldhearted Boss was no different, and as usual, she nailed it!
Taylor is just amazing. She has had so much thrown at her, and she’s just put on a smile and faced it all head on. Sacrificing her own future and happiness she’s stepped up to the plate to take care of her family, and has basically hit rock bottom. After meeting a stranger in a bar and almost doing the worst thing she can possibly imagine, her cousin convinces her to pose as a man for a job that could finally turn things around for her & her family.
Ethan is a workaholic, and the one time he lets himself be distracted by a woman she completely deceives him. But even through his hatred, he can’t get her out of his mind, and when he finds her at his construction site, pretending to be a man and looking for a job he jumps at the opportunity for payback.
Gahhh. These I loved these characters! RS Grey’s signature banter was front and center, and their chemistry was off the charts. I couldn’t help but feel bad for Taylor, but also applaud her for her strength and determination. And then there was Ethan, who I couldn’t decide if I wanted to slap or hug for half the book. Both characters were so complex, and not what the other thought. But once they let their guards down, I kinda fell in love with both of them!
Coldhearted Boss is such a fun and sweet story, with the perfect amount of slow burn and comedy mixed in. I absolutely loved this story and can’t wait to see what RS Grey delivers next!