Plus One
By Aleatha Romig
Release Day: May 16th
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.
What I Loved
When I found out that Aleatha Romig was writing a romantic comedy even though she usually does dark, there was no doubt in my mind that I would enjoy this book, and of course I really did. The story starts out in New York City, where Kimbra works in the HR department of a large pharmaceuticals company and just so happens to have a crush on one of its owners, Duncan Willis. Right away you’re introduced to Kimbra’s eccentric mother and relatable personality. She was someone that made the story easy for me to be emotionally sucked in to and kept me entertained at the same time. Kimbra is hard as nails when she needs to be but can also be loyal to her family that constantly gives her a hard time. Even for a story that is filled with romance and comedy the character of Kimbra has many layers and brings so much to the story giving the foundation tons of depth.
Duncan Willis seems to be the man that has everything, a millionaire playboy with the looks and money to it all up. He has the reputation of women never being able to say no to him and the minute I met him, I knew exactly why! He is one hot millionaire that I couldn’t get enough of, perfect isn’t the word to describe him because he’s so much more than that. I loved the chemistry between him and Kimbra, it poured off the pages and there were so many sex scenes to choose from I can’t really say which one was my favorite because they were all off the charts hot!
Not So Much
I really enjoyed the beginning and middle of the plot but towards the end when the drama was kicked up a notch it kind of felt like things got rushed a long. There was kind of a cloud hanging over their relationship from the beginning and when it all comes to a head it’s barely mentioned because the story went in another direction. I don’t want to put any spoilers in here so it’s hard to explain, but basically there is an element in the book that could cause a lot of drama for them and to me, the plot was building towards that moment and then suddenly it wasn’t really mentioned again. I got that other more dramatic things happened but the story would’ve had a lot more brevity to it if that drama would’ve been able to play out as well. I didn’t understand why a story would build up something and then sweep it under the rug like that.
To Sum It All Up!
Overall this was such a fun and sexy story that I really loved reading. I knew instantly that if Aleatha Romig wrote it that I would love this book and I wasn’t disappointed at all. There were parts that had me literally laughing out loud because Kimbra’s family was just that hilarious! While other times I loved experiencing the chemistry between Kimbra and Duncan. To say they were hot together is an understatement and Duncan being such a hot alpha man made the story so much better! I loved them together and I absolutely loved how supportive and caring Duncan was when Kimbra needed it the most. I did feel like the end of the story was rushed a little but other than that, I cannot say enough about how much I enjoyed this book. I hope Aleatha takes another dive into romantic comedy soon!
Excerpt
I'm in an
alternate universe and it's every fantasy I never knew I had.
What CEO of a
billion-dollar company dreams of enjoying a farm in the middle of nowhere? Who
imagines waking in a small bedroom, complete with a canopy bed and sunshine
streaming through pink curtains, as birds sing? What owner of a
7,000-square-foot penthouse with a to-die-for view of the Empire State Building
enjoys the hominess of a hundred-year-old, 3,000-square-foot farmhouse with a
wraparound porch, creaky floors, and a view of cornfields?
Sitting with a
cup of steaming black coffee, I listen as Kimbra and her brother Kevin bicker
back and forth while helping their mother in the large eat-in kitchen. The warm
spring air is filled with the sizzle of frying as the aroma of coffee, eggs,
and bacon reminds me of some of the best diners in New York.
Although
Kimbra's dad, Oscar, is talking, I can't concentrate on anything but
Kimbra—Kimberly Ann. That's what everyone here calls her.
"Because of
you, I'm out ten bucks." Kevin says, not doing a good job of whispering.
"Me?"
Kimbra asks. "What did I do?"
Kevin tilts his
head my way. "You brought a real guy here. I put money on him being made
up."
Kimbra reaches
out and punches his shoulder.
He lifts his
hands in surrender. "No. Listen. I was sure it was a good bet. When Mom
said your boyfriend's name wasn't Timothy, but Duncan, and you didn't want him
in the wedding, Susan and I figured he wasn't real. I bet Jimmy ten bucks this
fake Duncan guy would be a no-show. Susan and I were sure that before last
night, you'd have some reason why at the last minute he couldn't attend. You
know, like you’d make up some accident or something."
Her brother is
about as good at speaking softly as he is at being nice to his sister.
"Shut
up!" Kimbra whispers back. "Obviously he's real."
Kevin's head
falls back in laughter. "He's real, all right. Last night I thought your
old bed was going to collapse."
Kimbra's eyes
flash to me. And though I look down at my coffee and pray her dad isn't
listening, the gleam in her expression makes my cock twitch with the memories
of the night before.
Meet the Author
Aleatha Romig is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author who lives in Indiana. 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.
Aleatha is a "Published Author's Network" member of the Romance Writers of America and a member of PEN America. She is represented by Kevan Lyon of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.
