Let me first say: Reed York was never my boyfriend. He was the pen. I was the company ink. Though if you want to get technical, we were more like colleagues-who-hated-each-other … with benefits. Everything was fine until the charming jerk went behind my back, stole my promotion, and became my boss—literally overnight. Refusing to work beneath him (professionally speaking and otherwise), I … otherwise), I transferred 2,014 miles away to our Chicago division, and I’ve spent the past year trying to remember how much I hated his panty-melting smirk so I can forget how much I secretly loved the way his ocean eyes lit every time I walked into the room.
But he’s just announced a last-minute site visit next week, and on top of that, he’s audaciously designated me as his ‘right hand gal’ during his visit. If he thinks he has a snowball’s chance in this hell at getting back in my good graces, he’s got another thing coming.
Reed York might be a man used to getting everything he’s ever wanted, but Joa Jolivet is a woman that never forgets.
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This is a great, romantic, well written second chance romance.
Two very likable main characters and a great cast of secondary characters.
I like Winter Renshaw books and this one is no exception.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book
I received this book as a gift to read in advance and I would like to give my honest opinion of what I read.
This is an interesting story. I liked how it would give you snippets of Joa and Reed’s relationship before everything went south for both of them. It brought more light and understanding to the relationship and what they were really denying each other until they were with out one another. Even if one thought that they were betrayed. This is really a great story and I enjoyed reading it so much.
Joa Jolviet came to LA just after getting her major in Business and got a job working for Geniesis Financial Securities. Reed York a very handsome man with a smile to match introduced himself to her after her first meeting in the company by the owner and founder of the company. Three weeks later the two of them formed a strange sort of relationship. The would get together either at the office or go on what the call sexcations for the weekend. However they were not to ever go to a Hotel, nor were the to go to each others apartment, or see each other families. It seemed to work out great for them until that fateful day. Joa was expecting to be the shoe in for the new CFO of Acquisitions for the company, even Reed had told her he was happy for her. That is until the meeting for the announcement was made and instead of Joa being the new CFO it was Reed’s name that they were announcing. Stunned and shocked by the betrayal she new that she couldn’t work in the same office with him now. She made arrangement’s for a transfer to the Chicago office as soon as she was locked into her own office and then left for the rest of the week taking vacation time to move back home.
Reed didn’t know that she was leaving he had wished that he could explain but his hands were tied. He didn’t want to take the job but he had not choice. Now he was coming to Chicago to do an audit of the office there and in the next few weeks if things were to work out as the should everything would be out in the open. He wanted to spend time with Joa and that he did in more ways that he could ever have expected. At the end of his stay Joa learned so much more about him that she ever did during their time together. It is just when the news hit at the first of the if she was going to hate him even more.
This was such a fun read!! I love these types of romance novels. So much drama! It will make you laugh, and make make you cry all at the same time! I couldn’t get enough.
I am a BIG Winter Renshaw fan. The first book I ever read of hers was given to me as an ARC, and I had not been familiar with her writing. That first book grabbed me and made me a perpetual fan.
When I saw that she had another book releasing this week, Exmas, I needed to get my hands on it, and I did. The story follows Joa and Reed, former co-workers with benefits. They have a whirlwind $ex affair that ends with Reed “stealing” a job promotion from Joa. Devastated and feeling humiliated, Joa leaves and transfers to another office near her familial home, separating herself from Reed. A year later, Reed lands in Joa’s office, seeking to rekindle their relationship. Unfortunately, Joa still feels hurt by Reed’s betrayal, and she struggles to forgive and forget. Will they reconcile and become something more? That is the question of this story.
From the outset, I was not a Reed fan. In fact, it took most of the book to like this guy. I’ve never felt that way reading a Winter Renshaw book, and I was worried that he was irredeemable. It’s devastating to read a romance and kind of hate the male hero. However, as is the case with her stories, we soon understand Reed’s motivations for his actions, and he becomes the swoon-worthy male hero typical of most romances.
Enter Joa. I love a smart, strong, driven female hero. I love when she can stand up against the alpha male. I love a woman who is, quite frankly, smarter than the main male in the story. And Joa inhabits all of these characteristics. There were so many times in this story when my heart hurt for Joa. There were also times when I was disappointed in her inability to let go of her hurt. Thankfully, together, Reed and Joa find a way to move forward.
It is in that moment that this book becomes delicious, but it takes most of the story for that to occur. Don’t expect any fast reconciliation in this book. It’s also something I loved about the story. A slow burn or a slow fix keeps me engaged, and Exmas offers that.
Read this book. You will not want to put it down. Be forewarned that Renshaw has fun playing with the timeline of the story, but she labels her flashbacks so well that I never felt lost. You will love this story and its ending, and you will eventually love the HEA for these characters.
A very well written and wonderful story about two people who found each other but separated due to his alleged betrayal. Without knowing all of the details, the reader is introduced to each character and initially you might find yourself siding with one side or the other. The buildup of their new relationship was perfectly written. The tidbits of their past gave more credence to where they were before the breakup, gives the reader insight and gave the story depth. However, not all is what it seems. The author wrote a compelling story which takes this book from good to great because she created characters who were believable, a storyline which wasn’t predictable, and had intense chemistry that playout perfectly throughout the book. The supporting characters were a wonderful addition.
Joa is working hard and expecting a promotion. Reed works in the office with her. The two also have a friends with benefits situation. After Reed gets the promotion and becomes her boss, Joa moves away to start over. A year later Reed is coming to town between Christmas and New Year. Will Reed and Joa be able to work things out or will they crash and burn? A sexy office romance read.
I received a copy of this book via Booksprout and am leaving a review.
Exmas was a slow-burn romance loaded with sexual tension. Joa and Reed have been carrying on an office romance for the better part of a year, and she can’t understand why Reed blindsided her and stole her once highly coveted job. I loved the drama, although the story dragged out a bit with her bitterness. Lucy had it right with her advice, but Joa needed to go through her own journey to figure out how she could move forward with her life. I loved Reed from the start, but the suspense kept me hanging until the very end. Although their story wasn’t nearly as steamy as I was expecting, it had me on a thread waiting to see if and when they would finally get together!
A year ago in LA they worked together and had a non relationship with benefits. No personal questions, no dates, no hotels no commitments ex exclusivity. It was working well the walls were still intact but then Reed stole her promotion. After a year in which she tries to forget her ex, Joa must face the man her betrayed her. Reed had regrets. Things happened and he did what he had to do to protect Joa. Now he must continue his mission but try to get Joa back. He did not have a lot of time and I didn’t see a lot of grand gestures until end. The “gift” was classic. Good read with twists and secrets. I liked both characters for their toughness. Joa was not a doormat. She stood up for herself and tried to move past Reed and his betrayal. Reed was protective and underneath that hard exterior you find a big heart.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The book blurb does a great job of describing the story. Joa thinks she knows what happened but Reed’s story is going to shine a whole new light on everything. Winter Renshaw is a great storyteller and this romance like all her others is delightfully entertaining and romantic. I didn’t want it to end because I didn’t want to say goodbye to these characters. Exmas is a sexy, sweet, wonderful story and I loved it.
Coworkers get a second chance to be lovers again after a very big misunderstanding. I appreciated that with the year of no contact each stayed celibate. Good read, just needed a bit more steamy time.
Love, love, LOVE this book!
At first, Reed comes off as an arrogant player. Joa is smart and knows how to handle him. The chemistry between them is explosive from the very beginning!
This is told in dual POV with a look at the past after each new chapter. Please don’t skip these!! They lend so much depth into their story!
I’ll be honest, while at the very beginning I felt one way about Reed, he quickly and irrevocably won me over! He definitely made me melt! I wanted to strangle his parents though!! I always love it when the Hero finally figures out that he’s completely in love and didn’t know how he didn’t figure it out sooner.
I’m so happy that I volunteered to read and review an Advanced Reader Copy of this book book!
I really liked this story.
Joa is a very smart woman and success-driven
She wanted to be promoted so badly. But not everything ends the way we want to, right?
Reed is a good looking gentleman with bad attitude. He does not believe in relationships and he doesn’t do sleepovers. He hates the words girlfriend and boyfriend. As we read we get to know him a lot better, and the author does a very good job of revealing his secrets and their past year together.
The story is great and the anticipation is high. You have to read this book. It is everything and more.
I’ve come to adore Winter Renshaw’s books. This was a great story, with enough drama to keep the plot moving, and enough secrets to keep us hooked.
A great holiday romance.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The truth will set you free
Joa and Reed. Where to begin!? A second chance romance, this story is achingly sweet. It builds slowly as we get bits and pieces from past and present and the picture comes together as they navigate what happened and what it means for where they are now. There’s hurt and anger and unresolved feelings, but it’s still a beautiful love story. And yes, the epilogue made me cry.
Reed and Joa, two consenting adults decided to hook up to relieve the obvious sexual tension. The chemistry between the sheets is hot off the chart. They have this non-commital relationship that continues for almost a year until the unexpected happens. Joa decided to transfer from their L.A. office to Chicago, just to get away from Reed. I know what he did, but no I won’t spoil it for you. You’ll just have to meet Reed and know his reason for why he did what he did.
Exmas defines what romance is all about. Winter Renshaw has cleverly written another exciting book that I devoured in less than a day. The storyline just pulled me in and I didn’t stop until I reached the end. I thoroughly enjoyed this feel-good story from one of my favorite authors. For every hopeless romantic reader, I highly recommend this “all season” book.
I really enjoyed reading this enemies with benefits story and I loved the flashbacks! Loved the way Joa tried resisting Reed and the way everything he did was to protect her. As I read this book I was surprised at the twists but they truly make the story so much better. Great well written story.
Christmas stories in my experience can be a hit or miss kind of thing. But this one I had to try since I really do enjoy Winter’s stories. And with the title and blurb, it really made me want to read.
To be honest I am really surprised how much I enjoyed this story. Even though it is based in the time span of Christmas time it doesn’t center around it. Reed and Joa have/had a relationship that spans a year before we even get started with their story.
Winter does go back and forth from present and past, which in some books can get confusing, but not this one. She makes sure that when you are going back and forth it makes sense in that time span.
Again this is an enjoyable holiday story with an HEA.
Thoroughly enjoyable story. Two co-workers with undeniable (even to them) chemistry, start a friends with benefits relationship. Joa is working hard for a promotion when Reed snatches it out from under her. She doesn’t take it lying down. She leaves LA and heads home to Chicago to work in a small branch office. Her star is once more on the rise when she is informed that Reed, who is now her boss’s boss, wants her to work as his assistant while he’s in town over the holidays.
The chemistry is still there but now hard feelings also exist. There is more to the story than Joa knew and the holiday is a perfect time for them to work out their differences.
Great characters that are smart and savvy but emotionally blocked. Great story and fabulous character development. (I voluntarily reviewed an ARC).
This was a good read. The writing flowed well, but I wasn’t a big fan of the chapter in the present, and then a chapter from the past. I would have enjoyed it more if was more of every once in a while, instead of back and forth. Reed and Joa have great chemistry, but this is a slow burn book. You get their relationship from the past, but they don’t really get back together until the end of the story. Reed’s family was very standoffish, and I was hoping for a little more resolution there. I guess if Reed was good, that was all that mattered. I loved Joa’s family. They were all super nice and welcoming. It was nice to see Reed and Joa work through their issues and get their HEA.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book.
Reed York comes from money and doesn’t do relationships. Joa Jolivet comes from a loving close net family and she is very intelligent. Reed and Joa work for the same company in Los Angeles and are on the same team. This book has betrayal, hot sizzling chemistry, unexpected events, and so much more. Well written storyline, fantastic characters that will keep you intrigued.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.