Review: The Millionaire Upstairs by M.J. O'Shea

The Millionaire Upstairs (DreamSpun Desires #1) by M.J. O'Shea
Dreamspinner Press
Novella: 198pgs

2.5 Pants Off

Blurb: He might be hard to work for, but he's impossible to resist.

Sasha Sobieski has the perfect job working at legendary American fashion house Harrison Kingsley—or at least he used to. He just never thought he’d have to work for Harrison Kingsley himself. Harrison is exacting, difficult, cold, and hands-down the sexiest man Sasha has ever seen.

After years at the top, Harrison Kingsley knows what he wants, when he wants it, and exactly how he’d like it to be delivered to him. What he wants most right now? His new assistant. Sasha is mouthy, opinionated, and he drives Harrison mad. Problem is, Harrison can never tell if it’s with anger… or desire.


Review

The Rich Asshole Upstairs  

So here I am on the Dreamspun Desires bandwagon, and wanting to see what all the fuss is about. I love the idea behind the series, and just the overall harlequin-y feel of it all. If there isn’t a title called “The Millionaires Secret Adoptive Baby” then I might as well call it quits now. Every series has to have a secret baby. 

Sasha Sobieski just landed his dream job of working with a top fashion designer house “Harrison Kingsley”. A small town boy like him never dreamt he’d be working with the big dogs, and after two years with the company he’s finally making a name for himself. To his utter shock and surprise, his boss asks him to lend a helping hand to her egotistical/asshole of a brother Harrison. Sasha and Harrison do not get along, based solely on the fact that Harrison has always been a class A jerk to him. Ruling out the fact that Harrison is drop dead gorgeous and his voice alone can send Sasha into vapors, he’s a jerk, brilliant but a jerk. 

Harrison Kingsley, designer extraordinaire and a Oscar worthy jerk. His sister grants him the use and expertise of Sasha and what does he do, treat him like a maid all in an effort to keep him at arms length. Because Sasha is too pretty and pretty things are a distraction (cue major eye rolls).  

Ah, what can I say. This started out strong, Sasha’s voice was exciting and interesting, then Harrison comes along and feck things up. There were moments of cuteness and breakthrough and Harrison and Sasha seemed like they would make a great couple and then Harrison would open is mouth and things would go down. I’m not talking just being mean, I’m talking the most demeaning shit you could say to a person. I wasn’t here for Harrison at all, because fool me once shame on you fool me twice, well shame on me. Fool me thrice, then I’d officially call myself a fucking idiot and this applies to Sasha. Dude should have packed his bag and left buddy in the rear. No sob story can cover up the fact that he’s an asshole.  

I would have loved this, man I would have loved this but the writing felt like some bad soap opera, this hot and cold thing was giving me whiplash. There was no clear balance and I was glad when it was over. I liked Sasha well enough but Harrison can suck it! Dreamspun your first offering left much to be desired but I’m not giving up on you yet.   

Review: Rule Breaker by Lily Morton

Rule Breaker by Lily Morton
Self-Published
Novel: 302pgs

3 Pants Off

Blurb: Is it really wrong to want to murder your boss?   

Dylan has worked for Gabe for two years. Two long years of sarcastic comments. Two long years of insults and having to redo the coffee pot four times in the mornings to meet his exacting standards.   

Not surprisingly he has devoted a lot of time to increasingly inventive ways to murder Gabe. From stabbing him with a cake fork, to garrotting him with his expensive tie, Dylan has thought of everything.   

However, a chance encounter opens his eyes to the attraction that has always lain between them, concealed by the layers of antipathy. There are only two problems - Gabe is still a bastard, and he makes wedding planners look like hardened pessimists.   

But what happens when Dylan starts to see the real Gabe? What happens when he starts to fall in love with the warm, wary man that he sees glimpses of as the days pass? 

 Because Gabe is still the same commitment shy, cold man that he’s always been, or is he? Has Dylan had the same effect on Gabe, and has his solid gold rule of no commitment finally been broken? With his heart taken Dylan desperately needs to know, but will he get hurt trying to find the answers?  

 From the author of ‘The Summer of Us’ comes another scorchingly hot romantic comedy, showing what happens between two men when rules get broken.

Review

All the ways I was excited to read this, because there is nothing more I enjoy in a book than an authentic asshole. Gabe had the potential to be that asshole and there were moments his assholery (owning this word) shined but I felt like he was playing a character instead of being the character. he had the potential to be meaner and I just didn’t feel it. He was soft, like a cinnamon bun. 

Not to delve too deep into the plot because the blurb pretty much shares what the book is about. Man is in love with boss, boss is an asshole, and boss also has an asshole boyfriend. They do this back and forth dance while remaining professional towards each other but at certain times I found Gabe very unprofessional and insensitive (cough- f*cking in his office). He’s like food you didn’t microwave properly. Hot in some parts and cold in others.  

The story itself is something we’ve all read already. I know I’ve read the same scenario in many a books and this one didn’t excite me. I’m not saying it was horrible, I’m saying there was no “wow” factor and it all played out like you would expect it to. I did like the relationship between Dylan and Gabe. I think that was one of the seeking points in the book. Their relationship felt natural and I could feel the respect they have towards each other (unless Gabe was feeling petty and took his big boy pants off). 

Overall, it was an alright read for me. The story was engaging, some of the characters were likeable and it kept me entertained. Honestly and truly it could have been better, some characters could have been less stupid and the ending could have been less predictable. Alas, I enjoyed it and really am looking forward to reading the series and new to me author Lily Morton.