A fun, sexy new stand-alone from New York Times bestselling author Aleatha Romig. 

He's sexy and confident, the kind of man every woman notices. You know, the one with the to-die-for body and panty-melting smirk. And then there's the way his designer suits drape over his broad shoulders and big...well, we've all heard the rumors, the ones that say he's up for any challenge.

But I can't see him that way. He's my boss—technically one of the owners of the company where I work—and definitely not in my league. Men like him don't notice women like me, and they don't date them. 

And I don't date men like him. 

Until that one time that I catch him in a compromising position when I'm also in need of a last-minute date for a wedding...and then it's not real. It's blackmail.

For one weekend, he's my plus-one.

Beautiful and unobtainable.

From the moment she walked into my office with those stunning blue eyes and crazy sensual curves, she's been on my mind. Three years and never once has she acted interested in me. Usually I flash a million-dollar smile and women fall to their knees, some literally. 

Not her.

Then on the occasion that I agree to let another woman do that—fall to her knees—guess who happens to catch us?

It may not be the most conventional way to get on her radar, but I didn't get this far in business without knowing when to seize an opportunity. If this sexy little firecracker with perfectly kissable lips thinks she can blackmail me into attending her cousin's wedding, I'm going to jump at the chance to be her plus-one. 

You love her darker side. Now it's time to meet Leatha, the lighter side of Aleatha, as she trades her renowned twists and turns for laughs and love with this sexy new stand-alone romance, PLUS ONE.

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Kimbra Jones is living her dream in New York with a great job in HR at a pharmaceutical company and is roommates with her best friend. So, her love life is pathetic, but that's okay. She's smart, professional, a bit awkward, sweet, and funny.

Duncan Mills is her boss...as in the owner of the company. She has lusted after him for years, but thinks he never really notices her. They have always been professional...until she catches her "playboy boss" in a nearly compromising position.

What's an HR rep to do? Well once she realizes just how desperate she is to find a plus one date for a family wedding in Indiana, isn't blackmailing your boss the next logical step?

Duncan has had his eye on Kimbra for years as well, and he seizes his perfect opportunity for a whirlwind weekend of a "pretend relationship" and hopefully very real sexy times. He's confidant, controlled, intelligent, thoughtful, sexy, and attentive. However, He does not think he will ever be cut out for a real relationship. But Kimbra will challenge everything he thinks he knows and wants. While he begins to sweep her off her feet, she has her own guard up to prevent future heartbreak.

She sees it as blackmail. He sees it as seizing the opportunity.

She say's it's pretend. He says fantasy.

She's all about feelings. He is about the physical.

He doesn't usually have to chase women...they chase him.

She is sure it will be over and done once the wedding is over, but he might have other ideas,

Their families would like to see them find something real and lasting, but with their pasts and their unconventional deal, nothing is clear.

It was a slow burn of building lust for three years, but one long weekend will cause an explosion and rock their worlds. Sometimes the path towards the best things is not always the easiest. When guards are lowered, their real selves have a chance to emerge and begin a gradual building of trust. He has always been the successful guy in business at getting what he wants. But what happens when what he gets is not exactly what he thought he wanted? Getting what you want and keeping it are often two different things. And what happens at work once they are back to real life at the office?

This was a light, fun, sexy, and sweet read. It was told in both of their points of view. I was so excited when Duncan started letting us in on what was in his head. I adored him. He was such an alpha male, but with such a great sense of humor, and just enough vulnerability and sweetness about him to make him swoonworthy. And Kimbra was just awkward and insecure enough, but was a strong, independent, opinionated woman. I loved how they challenged and balanced each other.

The side characters were completely engaging and fun. Her dirty Grandma Helen was a biggest stand out. But all of them enriched the story and added more layers to Duncan's growing connection. I know this is a departure from Aleatha Romig's darker style, but she delivered a lovable couple and a cute, steamy, and humorous story.

I was gifted a copy in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the lighter side of Aleatha Romig. The fun, cute premise is so completely different than her other books that a whole new audience will find her.

Kimbra Jones has a problem. She has been so caught up in her New York life, that she neglected to tell her mother she had broken up with her boyfriend. She also forgot she is supposed to go home next weekend to be a part of her perfect cousin’s wedding -- the home where she doesn’t fit the married with 2.5 kids mold.

Duncan has watched Kimbra at work for three years waiting for an opportunity with her. When she proposes he act as her pretend boyfriend for a weekend he snaps up the chance to turn a weekend into something more.

At times the story was a little predictable, but it was such a fun distraction that I didn’t mind being able to figure out what was coming. This was light, bright, and absolutely fun. Kimbra’s family is a hoot, and even though she feels like she doesn’t fit in at home, I loved watching her come out of her New York shell while she was home.

Duncan was a swoony hero, with his determination for Kimbra to see the real him at the forefront of his plan. Though he had a reputation to work around, Kimbra needed him to show her that his reputation was not the real him. I would have liked a little more detail about the resolution of his work conflict, but at the same time, not knowing more bout it kept the focus on Kimbra and Duncan as they sorted out how they could work outside their fantasy weekend.

I love the bouquet that is built throughout the book, even into the last scene. I can imagine many more flowers waiting for these two as they continue to build their lives together. While this is a different side of Aleatha Romig, I loved the change of pace and look forward to more fun from her!

 

I was gifted a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Aleatha Romig
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Aleatha Romig is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author who lives in Indiana, USA. She grew up in Mishawaka, graduated from Indiana University, and is currently living south of Indianapolis. Aleatha has raised three children with her high school sweetheart and husband of nearly thirty years. Before she became a full-time author, she worked days as a dental hygienist and spent her nights writing. Now, when she's not imagining mind-blowing twists and turns, she likes to spend her time a with her family and friends. Her other pastimes include reading and creating heroes/anti-heroes who haunt your dreams!
Aleatha released her first novel, CONSEQUENCES, in August of 2011. CONSEQUENCES became a bestselling series with five novels and two companions released from 2011 through 2015. The compelling and epic story of Anthony and Claire Rawlings has graced more than half a million e-readers. Aleatha released the first of her series TALES FROM THE DARK SIDE, INSIDIOUS, in the fall of 2014. These stand alone thrillers continue Aleatha's twisted style with an increase in heat. 
In the fall of 2015, Aleatha moved head first into the world of dark romantic suspense with the release of BETRAYAL, the first of her five novel INFIDELITY series that has taken the reading world by storm. She also began her traditional publishing career with Thomas and Mercer. Her books INTO THE LIGHT and AWAY FROM THE DARK were published through this mystery/thriller publisher in 2016.
2017 brings Aleatha's first "Leatha, the lighter side of Aleatha" with PLUS ONE, a fun, sexy romantic comedy.
Aleatha is a "Published Author's Network" member of the Romance Writers of America and PEN America.  She is represented by Kevan Lyon of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.