I have a legacy to fulfill. She has memories to hold on to. Who will win this clash of wills?As newly minted CEO of the Pennington’s enterprise, I’m thrust into the big shoes my late father left for his only son. My first task: Convince a certain stubborn metaphysical shop owner to sell the last piece of property needed to build our new superstore.But she isn’t giving in.I’m prepared to take … giving in.
I’m prepared to take Gretchen Laughlin down, until I meet her. Then, it all falls apart. Those bewitching mossy eyes, that snappish tongue, and her utter lack of intimidation has me torn and twisted, leading me to make a choice… the legacy or the girl.
I can’t have both. Or can I?
There’s only one way to find out.
*** This is a Full-Length Standalone Novel with an HEA and No Cliffhangers ***
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Great book! Corporate America versus the small independent business makes for a gripping story and how two people from each side of the table find their true love. The characters are fun, sexy and completely relatable from Cash’s drawl to Gretchen’s psychic beliefs. I chuckled. I had a few tears. And, then there were times I wanted to scream because of the Cash’s board of directors. This gripping story is a timely romance that is worth reading.
Great story – wonderful characters. The story has it’s ups and downs but the steam makes it all fun to read. When you think the story might be ending, something else happens and on it goes. Alice continues to surprise – just when you think the story will be going one way, it goes another! Hope you enjoy this book as much as did!
I have been a fan of Alice Ward’s for a long time and love her books. I received an arc of this book for my voluntary review. After Cash’s fathers death, he steps in as the CEO of Pennington’s, the business his father built. In order to start building the new store, there is one business that refuses to sell. Cash Personally goes to the Little Michigan town to prove to the board that he can seal this deal. What he didn’t expect was Gretchen, the strong feisty, determined young woman who wasn’t about to sell out to the big corporate world. Loved it.
5 stars
I received a free copy of the novel Mesmerized by Alice Ward and this review was given freely.
Slightly different from recent books this steamy romance pits the holistic centered mystic Gretchen against a business focused CEO. I enjoyed not only the steamy scenes but seeing Cash stand up for himself, his beliefs, and for Grethen.
Big business versus quaint small town!!
Fawn Michigan is full of small-town-charm and a tourist destination along the northern coast of Lake Michigan. CEO Cash Pennington is finding his way in his new role after the death of his father and working to complete the buyout of a block in Fawn. Cash must travel to Fawn to convince the final holdout to sell her business and prove his worth as CEO. Gretchen spent some time living in the rooms above her grandmother’s bakery as a child, then worked for Madam Adam in the metaphysical specialty store Auras, before she bought it herself. Gretchen is determined to hang on to the location where she can still “feel” her long-gone Grandma.
Cash recognizes the charm of this quaint town. He disagreed with the way his father ran roughshod over others to promote his business; and rues still the fact they never threw a football, or went fishing; only had lessons on running a corporation.
When Cash and Gretchen realize they actually have things in common, and enjoy each other’s company can these two with very different goals find a way to stay together, or is this just an avenue to lower her defenses?
Sensual and romantic this story reveals the dichotomy between corporate America and the little guy all while exploring this very special relationship. A splendid story and engrossing read!!
*** I am voluntarily leaving my honest review of this book ***
I liked Gretchen from the moment I “met” her. Gretchen’s character is the ideal mix of sass and fortitude. Cash is dispatched to acquire her business in order for a lucrative development deal to proceed. He never expects his attraction to the adversarial woman, who is determined not to relinquish what she holds dear. The mix of adversity, attraction, and heat work well in this entertaining story.
Following your heart
I won’t rehash the story, it’s been described thoroughly. What I will say, is that Alice Ward has done it again. The author brings us a heartfelt and thoughtful romance. I appreciated the slow boil when it came to Cash and Gretchen’s story, it made it that steamier when it finally happened, and oh boy, it was off the charts.
Cash had some deep soul searching with his position with his father’s company and trying to carry the legacy. Thankfully Gretchen had to do the same for herself. Would she sacrifice happiness for familial memories? I loved the satisfying resolution to Cash and Gretchen’s story. I received and voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.
Mesmerized is a sexy romance set in small town Michigan. Gretchen is a wimsical business owner that won’t sell out to Pennington’s. Cash, CEO, is there to sway her to sell to his company. This is another great book by Alice, she always gives readers a unique storyline that ends in a great HEA. Alice Ward Must Read!
I really liked this novel. Plenty of bantering back & forth between Gretchen & Cash. She’s adamant in not selling her business location & he’s determined to get her property so he can build a nationwide superstore chain in her little town. He’s unsuccessful in getting her to sell by giving her a better deal than the last one so he decides to get to know her & see the other side of her. Gretchen fights the big corporation, so that her small town continues to attract the tourists who want to escape from the big mega superstores & restaurants that are in the big cities. An enemies to friends romance story. A must-read!
I volunteered to read this ARC & leave an honest review.
I liked the story but this is not one of my favorite’s of Alice’s. I didn’t feel like the chemistry was there for these two. Alice did a good job of pulling the story together for a HEA which I appreciate. I received an advance copy of this book from the author and this is my honest and voluntary review.
I loved this one! Cash and Gretchen are polar opposites, but boy do they attract!! Gretchen refuses to sell the shop she owns to the big corporation who is buying up properties on her block. Cash decides to try to change her mind in person, and though he should be keeping his mind on business, he can’t help but be mesmerized by Grtechen. Theirs is a witty, drama filled love story that will suck you in from the first few pages!
Cash is suddenly thrust into the CEO position of his father’s company and not wanting to let his father, his mother, the board, down, he does his best to become the man his father wanted him to be. He’s looking forward to opening a new store, except for that one pesky store owner who just won’t sell, no matter what he offers. So he flies out to “charm” her into selling.
Gretchen is that one hold out. She refuses to sell to Cash or anyone else. Her store holds so many memories for her, how can she part with it?!? Especially to the big corporate, cold hearted company. But then she meets Cash and slowly realizes there’s more to him than the CEO persona he wears. But she’s not letting him charm her into anything.
While not one of Alice’s best books, the story is cute and heart warming. Perfect for those cold winter weekends coming up!
Sometimes holding out for more, actually gets you more. And in this case, Gretchen got more. Loved Cash and Gretchen’s story. A sexy, beautiful love story. I love Alice’s books because they always keep me wanting more.
I am in love with Alice Ward’s writing and she did not disappoint on this book, “Mesmerized”,,,,!!!
Cash Pennington is a 35 year old CEO of Pennington Enterprise, a position he has recently been appointed to as his father, Chaz, has died suddenly,,,,, leaving Cash in charge,,,,, but he still answers to the board members and now the board members are meeting in their headquarters in Tulsa, Oklahoma with the 22 stories of floor to ceiling windows,,,, they are discussing the new property they are acquiring in Fawn, Michigan,,,, they are going to build another Pendelton’s ,,,,, which to some is just another large superstore chain store,,,, one of those low quality, mass produced goods for health, beauty and home,,,,, they are trying to procure the whole area on Market Street and they basically have everyone already bought out except for that one woman,,,, Cash has talked the board into sending him to Fawn, Michigan to talk to this obstinate woman that owns the weird store,,,,, “Auras”
Gretchen Laughlin is a 25 year old owner of “Auras” that she bought from “Madame Adam” and before that her Grandparents owned the building and she use to live upstairs with her family,,, including her brother Greg,,,, and speaking of her brother, her best friend was also his ex-wife and on again, off again relationship, Elena,,,,, she has 2 part time employees, Abby and Benji,,,, she has been receiving letters and correspondence from Penndelton for quite awhile and she has dug in her heels not to sell,,, after all, this is where she feels her grammies energy as Gretchen sees peoples lights she also feels energies and even though the rest of the businesses have sold and moved on or are on the process of, leaving only her and now they have sent Cash to see what he could do with his southern charm and his sex appeal to make Gretchen an offer she simply can’t refuse,,,,, so, can he do JUST that and not get invested in his scheme to make her sell,,,,, ???
This was a book that was hard to put down,,,, I needed to see what was going to happen in this enemies to lovers story,,,,, you really need to grab this book and plan some time to yourself to read this hard to put down story,,,, there’s mystery and intrigue and twists and turns, some very steamy action and just try to not get sucked in to this story,,,,, I would totally recommend this book to anyone,,,,, !!!
I voluntarily obtained this book to honestly review it,,,,,,
Now this book had me hooked from beginning to end. They way that you described the inner workings of a big company and how they do whatever is in their power to shut down the small family owned business. In this story we meet Gretchen, a young woman who stand a her ground not matter what…until she meets Mr. CEO Cash. The man who wants to take it but finds himself in a mix of so many feelings. Things are complicated to say the least but in the end it all worked out and love was found and so much more. Such a wonderful book and I keep falling more in with each story you write. I’m looking forward to the next one. I give it 5 stars. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book as an Advanced Reader’s Copy.
A very heart warming drama romance that is sweet and fun. It included unexpected twists and turns along with ups and downs, heat, and intense chemistry between two strong, opinionated adversaries. The story of Cash and Gretchen as they struggle with finding their way to love and happiness was an immensely satisfying read. I highly recommend this fun, senual, and romantic story. I voluntarily reviewed this ARC.
I’m not sure what happened (I have some theories) but this is the Alice Ward that I really enjoyed reading over a year ago! These characters are well-drawn, the situation has depth and feels quite real and the whole read was enjoyable. Cash, the handsome CEO, forever living in his father’s shadow and Gretchen, the metaphysical shop owner are great foils and a perfect match – if they can get past the fact that his company is trying to push her out of her shop to get the land it sits on for their mega-store. Their discovery of what they really want, each other, and moving beyond their pasts and nostalgic ties is enjoyable to watch!
This is a fun opposites attract romance. I really liked Cash and Gretchen. I thought their chemistry was steamy and that you could really feel the pull of attraction between them. With some drama and emotional turmoil added for depth, this is a enjoyable romance.