A tyrant by day, a playboy by night. That is the reputation that precedes Richard VanRyan. He lives life the way he wants, no concern for the opinion of others. He cares for no one, is completely unrepentant, and he has no desire to change his ways.Katharine Elliott works under Richard as his PA. She despises him and his questionable ethics, but endures all the garbage he sends her way, because … because she needs the job. Her end goal is far more important than the daily abuse and demands she tolerates from her nasty tyrant of a boss.
Until the day, he asks her for something she never expected. A new role with a personal contract— fiancée instead of PA.
What happens when two people who loathe each other, have to live together and act as though they are madly in love?
Sparks.
That’s what happens.
Can the power of love really change a person?
Will they survive the contract?
What do you do when the one person you hate the most becomes the one person you can’t live without?
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Richard hated his assistant and the feeling was mutual. When he was passed up for partner he was ready for a change. There was only one person who could work for his plan. You got his assistant. When the plan is in action things shift. There were alot of changes in life and feelings. Will they stay together or will he loose her job. Will the Gavin family forgive Richard and Katy. Will love be the reason they stay together.
Ever so often there comes a book so perfectly written that it lingers with you long after you’ve finished reading it. The Contract was indeed one of those books. I laughed, cried, yelled, cheered, and wanted to throw my Nook across the room because of this story. The characters are beautifully crafted, full of depth and flaws that made them feel as though they were right there in the room with me. I ached for Katy and want to slap the crap out of Richard, yet I was compelled to like him. I wanted him to change and enjoyed watching his transformation as the story progressed. The story ebbed and flowed with such perfect precision that it was impossible for me to put it down. I didn’t want it to end, and when it did, I walked away satisfied with its ending. There is a realism to Melanie’s work that captures the emotions of life. She is a master of prose and brings poetry to her characters. This is a book I highly recommend reading. It will tug at your heartstrings and leave you wanting more.
I absolutely enjoyed reading and listening to this book. It was really good from start to finish. Richard and Katherine are just perfect for each other in every way. I had a lot of emotional moments. I love the different emotions I experienced through the book. Overall it’s a must read Now!!!
Loved this book! Why did it take me so long to read it??? I couldn’t put it down!
Richard is the typical hard headed male that doesn’t know when he as good think in front of him, or in his case the right person for him in front of him. When Katherine agreed to his contract, I had a feeling that her feelings were going to be more involved then his. Once he actually started feeling more for Katherine I knew that he was in love with her, but he didn’t know it until it was too late. He fortunately figured out what he wants which is a life with his Katy and goes for it full steam ahead. Once again Melanie has sucked me in to one of her stories.
Richard?!? Good lord this man.
I could not put this book down, I just had to see where it was going and how it was going to end.
I won’t give away any of the book but as the book went along I became more and more intrigued by Richard and his life.
Katy was a shining star and she put up with his crabby a** for way longer than she needed to, but for good reason.
I shed more than a few tears while reading this book, I think I cried for the last half of it. I wanted to not like Richard and I found myself liking him more and more as the story unfolded. A heart was there it just needed to be found.
Funny things happen when you fall in love with someone–you finally become who you are truly meant to be.
Read this book, it doesn’t take long, maybe a day or two. It a fantastic, creative story with an ending that rivals the likes of fairy tales.
I think this book is very entertaining. I find myself reading it repeatedly,it never seems to bore me.
“That’s your fucking job. Figure it out and get it done.”
Ever work a job where someone you interact with everyday- boss, coworker, vendor – you hope chokes on their sandwich or has a fatal accident with a letter opener? Be prepared: Richard VanRyan is that person. I have disliked the Hero of the story before. However, they have charming qualities that I can overcome douche like behavior. Richard – OMG – he is just an asshole. I mean there would be a moment in the start of the story you’d think he’d be charming then he’d go open his mouth. You want to junk punch him. Yet, you love to hate him. And you just gotta wonder how this contract will all play out with him at the helm.
You may read the synopsis of the story and think, “I’ve read this trope before.” Or this can be your favorite type of storyline. You are in for a very pleasant surprise. Yes, Richard and Katy work together and the contract is the means to an end for both. They will both get what they want and walk away unscathed. Or maybe not… Although Ms Moreland tells the story from a dual POV, it’s Richard’s POV that keeps you turning the pages to see how this unfolds.
“That’s it. You want to fuck someone? Go fuck yourself, VanRyan.”
Our heroine, Katy isn’t what she seems and helps Richard see the world from a different view point. His character is a study in what nurture develops us into from children to the people we associate with as adults. Can we become ‘better humans’? Possibly. Richard’s change isn’t “Boom, now he’s a teddy bear.” So stealthy is the change, it’s surreptitious to him. For me, to really hate a character and actually root for his HEA proves what a talented writer Ms Moreland is.
This book will bring out the feels. Sometimes stabby, sometimes sad, sometimes happy. The cast of supporting characters bring the Hero and heroine through their journey that can’t help loving (most) of them. If you never read Melanie Moreland’s novels, I highly recommend this novel. 5 out of 5 ‘love to hate him’ stars.
I loved this book. I read at night before I go to bed and I just never wanted to put the book down to sleep. Looked forward to reading it every night.
This is How You Captivate a Reader
If, like me, you’re late to the Melanie Moreland party, I hope you’ll join me in my book hangover after reading The Contract. What a way to start a series. I loved the effortless way the author combined three of my favorite tropes (enemies to lovers, fake relationship, and forced proximity) into a cohesive, intense, solid storyline. Moreland’s beautifully crafted characters created an emotional journey that pulled me through all the feels. At any point in time I wasn’t sure if I wanted to hug or junk-punch Richard. And Katy was so easy to identify with and support through everything. There’s also nothing minor about Moreland’s minor characters. They have just as much depth and personality as many other books’ main characters. Moreland creates deeply intense scenes that pull your heart into the moment. I cannot wait to read the rest of the books in this series, as well as Moreland’s entire backlist. If this book is any indication of the depth of her other novels, I know I’m in for a crazy beautiful emotional kindlecoverslamming hangover-inducing ride.
This is a very good story. Cason is the family hit man and Josie has had. A wild crush on him since she was 12. They are all grown up now and Cason
can’t stop thinking about her and visa versa. This story was an emotional journey with these 2 fighting those feelings without success. It was exciting and very steamy. I can’t wait for this next book.
I reviewed an advanced copy of this book
Readers usually say, “So many books, so little time.” I’d like to add, “So many wonderful authors, so little time.” Melanie Moreland has joined the ranks of the authors I want to read everything she has written. The Contract is a beautiful romance with so many great plot/character nuances. It made me angry; it made me smile and laugh; it made me weep. It is a grabber – beware. You won’t be able to do anything else but read until you finish; therefore, it’s a keeper. Even though I got it free through Prime, I’ll be returning to buy for myself!
This is such a great story that I’m upset with myself for waiting so long to read it. Everything this author has written is terrific and I’m in the mood for a binge read now. You fall in love with the characters and storylines so hard that you immerse yourself in their lives for several hours. Losing track of time seems to be a common occurrence. Pick this one up and prepare to fall in love.
Oh, Richard…he truly tries to outdo himself in the jerk category at the beginning of this book! He is so hateful to his assistant, having no idea why Katy dresses the way she dresses or never really has enough to eat, he just judges her and looks down his nose at her. But what happens when he needs someone realistic to trick a new boss into believing he’s a decent human being and a family man? A delicious story, that’s what! This book was SO GOOD. The evolution of Richard was amazing and I couldn’t put it down. Katy makes you want to hug her and just be her friend. I’m such a fan of Melanie Moreland!!!
The Contract
(The Contract #1)
Written by: Melanie Moreland
I am a one clicker, I confess to it! I see a book, it might be the cover, it might be the blurb…who knows but I often one click.
I did that with The Contract, but I one clicked for a reason, I had just finished the third book in Melanie Moreland’s Vested Interest series and while scrolling down for book 4, I found Richard VanRyan and his books. That was the day I one clicked 4 of her books. I went on to finish the Vested Interest series and I had left Richard on my bookshelf. My Bad!! Really!
Richard VanRyan is not a kind man; he is umm, blunt, mean, nasty, a bully and an alpha hole that didn’t enjoy sitting on a shelf on my iPad. I am 100% sure that he came that way. In his mind he is a gift to the marketing world. He is brilliant, he makes loads of money…in reality he is a dick!
Katherine (Katy) Elliot works for Richard, if she is ever called to testify just how bad it was working for Richard, she would have a ton of information to share. She won’t though because she needs this job. She is committed to a cause (you will find out when you read this book) and she needs the money she is making, in fact she needs more.
After not making partner, Richard decides he should make a move. He has a firm in mind but to work there he has to change himself (did you guffaw at that statement?) and he needs to have a girlfriend, and that is how this whole story started.
Take one (cough) dick, add in a lovely woman who is struggling, stir in a potential new job and an opportunity for both Katy and Richard to learn a few things and you end up with The Contract.
You may not ever love Richard, but you will learn why he is/was who he is and you will be a party to growth, truth, watching respect grow from within, grief and a realization of how a person can change. Then when truth and reality run head on into each other you will see how much people can change and how love can give and how much it might take away.
I listened to the audio book, not thinking I would possibly enjoy this book. An arranged fiancee, turned into an arranged marriage between people who genuinely seemed to despise one another at the beginning.
Richard started out being such an overwhelming Dick. (I wanted to use another word, but last time I did, Amazon wouldn’t post my review. ) I could not see any redeemable feature of Richard’s nor could I imagine how the author could redeem him.
The only reason I knew he was redeemable was because I first encountered his character in the Maddox, part of the Vested Interest series. Richard was so incredibly cruel to Katie, it was cringe worthy. I never once thought of Katie as being weak or being a doormat. Only someone with firm inner strength could manage to not crumble beneath Richard’s onslaught. She may have bent, but she never broke. Until Penny.
After the contract came into play, I got to see Richard’s cruelness lessen. His edginess soften. His vitriol and arrogance was gradually subdued. Katie soldiered on through it all. I loved the way he was with Penny. The whole Penny subplot and final scenes were uplifting, sad, humorous and heartbreaking. The wittiness between all of the characters was silly and fun.
The revelation by both Richard and Katie about their true feelings was heartwarming. I never really expected to go through such a range of emotions while listening to this book. I guess that is a testament to both the writing and the narration. Or, maybe I was just all in my feelings anyway. Hahaha.
I also liked the way Graham’s family pulled Richard and Katie into their fold. Both of them had shaky foundations before the contract was put into place and Richard started working for Graham.
I liked that Richard learned how to apologize and acknowledge his mistakes. I liked that he felt like crap for the way he treated Katie. I actually liked that this wasn’t a tale of Katie working to make Richard fall in love with her.
It was a fairly long listen, but I found it to be intriguing and I was fully engaged. I have not “read” a Melanie Moreland book, but I have listened to several. She is rapidly becoming one of my new favorite writers.
I couldn’t put this book down. Fantastic book
I loved this book and so mad I waited so long to meet Richard Van Ryan. You start out hating him but once you understand his story, he’s one of the most beautiful and complex heroes you’ll ever read about. Melanie Moreland is magic!
The Contract by Melanie Moreland was the first book I’ve read by this author but it won’t be the last. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Richard is the boss from hell and Katharine is his complying personal assistant who takes whatever he demands.
In time, you learn why she puts up with him and his demeaning treatment. Suddenly, Richard needs her for his own professional gain and they enter into a contract where she pretends to be his fiancé.
Has this been done before? Yes. But the personal growth and change in Richard’s attitude and character drew me in. Moreland handled it realistically. Little by little Katharine unknowingly breaks down his barriers through the example of her goodness, kindness and generosity.
The love story was not only between the two main characters, but it was also an example of self-love and the love for the people within your scope of the world.
I listened to this book on Audible audio. The narrators, John Lane and Tatiana Sokolov did an incredible job bringing these characters to life.
This story was absolutely incredible. I couldn’t put it down. I devoured it in one sitting. I was desperate to know what happened next. The storyline and the characters were so enjoyable and I loved reading about them. My interest was kept throughout the story and I loved how it all unfolded. Absolutely amazing. I’m off to read the next one….