The New Guy by Kathryn Freeman
Sam
Huxton doesn’t do one-night stands, especially not with men she’s
just met! But the hot guy at the bar was hard to resist and their one
night together is one she’ll never forget.
But
one night is all they share – no names, no numbers, just some much
needed fun…
Until
the same guy walks into Sam’s life the next day as her new
employee. Sam never mixes business with pleasure and makes it
clear an office fling with Ryan is off-limits. But
after-hours…one thing can lead to another. Can Sam trust her heart
and her business with the new guy?
A
rom-com with a one-night stand and new employee! It's
my
introduction to a new for me author too.
Sam
Huxton has a shock when she returns to her office and meets the new
guy, Ryan Black. Employed on her behalf by a trusted employee and
friend, his
job
is to
fix a problem within a new phone app they're developing at her
company Privacy Solutions. Therefore it's a shock for everyone when
they realise Sam
had a one-night stand during her time away and it was with the new
guy! It's awkward, but they agree to keep their distance from each
other. That's until they can't bear to be apart.
What
lacked for me is Sam's ability to come across as a convincing CEO at
Privacy Solutions. I can understand her wanting to build a company
with an enticing working environment, but the fact she's too close
and friendly with all the staff took away the edge she should have
had
when
making tough decisions. I liked Ryan Black because he's an underdog,
looking to improve his current situation. He's flawed, but has good
intentions… if only he could keep his temper under control. As a
pair, the protagonists are mismatched but somehow manage to meander
their way out of tricky situations. There's plenty to humorous
dialogue and sizzling chemistry but not enough to convince me they
are the real deal.
The
highlights are the exchanges between Ryan and Lucas Baker. They're
two very different men but find a common link to forge a friendship
built on trust and respect. You'd not ordinarily expect to
find this pair
within
the same company so it's admirable they look past their differences
and focus on what's important.
The
story finishes with a happy ending for Sam and Ryan although, if
this couple lived in the real world, I don't feel confident their
relationship would last a lifetime.
Overall,
it's a soundly written novel full
of details and
paced to keep a reader invested within the narrative.
The
story
didn't
hit the spot for me, however, I enjoyed Ms Freeman's writing style
and will definitely pick up and
read another
of her novels.
***arc
generously received courtesy of One More Chapter via NetGalley***
A
former pharmacist, I’m now a medical writer who also writes
romance. Some days a racing heart is a medical condition, others it’s
the reaction to a hunky hero.
With
a husband who asks every Valentine’s Day whether he has to buy a
card (yes, he does), any romance is all in my head. Then again, his
unstinting support of my career change proves love isn't always about
hearts and flowers - and heroes come in many disguises.
