Can't resist a book with my home-town skyline on the cover :)

I love office romances but couldn't connect with this one. I thought there was a bit too much telling vs showing. This plot line has been overdone, IMO, and neither character left an impression.

In the office m/m space, my benchmark is Return on Investment, by Aleksandr Voinov.

Working It by Chrtistine d’Abo
Book #1: Ringside Romance Series
Source: Purchase
My Rating: 4½/5 stars
My Review:

Everyone, quite literally everyone is wary of Zack Anderson. He may be brilliant and accomplished, but he’s a colossal jerk who goes through assistants like most people go through tissue. Human resources have despaired of ever finding Zack an assistant who can tolerate him so the surprise is widespread when Zack walks in on an in-progress interview and announces he will have the interviewee as his new assistant.

Nolan Carmichael, along with the human resources interview team is stunned into literal silence when Zack Anderson walks in on the interview. Even more stunning, especially to Nolan, is the fact that, after only a few very pointed questions, Zack hires Nolan as his assistant. As quick as he walks in, Zack walks out and Nolan has a new job. He’s also become the subject of the latest “how long will this one last” betting pool among the HR staff. The odds say, less than a week.

Nolan is a surprise to everyone!! After surviving a horrific and debilitating wreck, Nolan has been through things others can only imagine. In his pre-wreck life, Nolan was a top-notch professional used to dealing with high-pressure situations and, quite frankly, assholes. Though Zack is demanding, he’s nothing Nolan can’t handle and within the first few hours of his arrival, Nolan is already getting the office and Zack’s life ordered and organized. It doesn’t hurt at all that the work is interesting and Zack is beyond easy on the eyes.

For the first time in his life, Zack is at a loss. He hasn’t scared off Nolan with his atrocious attitude, his work load is lightening under Nolan’s organizational skills and oversight, and actually likes Nolan. In fact, Zack is comfortable enough with Nolan that he not only tells him about his true passion, but shows it to Nolan as well. Get your mind out of the gutter . . . . . I’m talking about the gym!! The other guttery bit comes later 😊 Not only is Nolan interested in the gym project, he’s willing to organize the massive overhaul of the site and coordinate with workers, contractors, and Zack’s best friend and partner. With so many hours of the day and evening spent together, it’s no surprise when Zack and Nolan’s shared attraction becomes something more.

The something more between Zack and Nolan is steamy, sexy, hot and complicated as can be. There’s the whole “I haven’t ever really done relationships” from Zack, the whole, “I haven’t been seriously involved since the accident” from Nolan, and the fact they are boss and employee. Yeah, the complications are numerous right from the start, and they get worse as outside forces come into play and threaten to destroy the best thing either man has ever had.

The Bottom Line: I don’t think I’ve yet read a Christine D’Abo book I haven’t liked and Working It is no exception. There’s a lot going on in this book from past personal issues to current office drama that all comes together to create a very cohesive, full, and entertaining read. Zack and Nolan both have very strong personalities which means the plot drama needs to match them in order to be believable. D’Abo nailed it!! I find it so much more satisfying when two characters face a tremendous amount of adversity, whip adversity’s ass, and come out all sexy, solid, and better people at the end. Mission accomplished. I found Working It to be so satisfying, I immediately dove into book two in the series, Faking It! ( )