To fight over a client, to fight the attraction

Synopsis

Kat Brennan has always been the work-hard, play-harder type, navigating single life in London and the chaos of her job at Northstar PR. So when Excalibur Cruises invite her aboard to pitch for their account, she jumps at the chance to prove to her boss she’s indispensable… and to finally relax a little.

But the last person she wants to get stuck on a boat with is industry hotshot Leo Kendrick, the CEO of rival agency Amplify – and Kat’s nemesis. When Leo bagged a coveted marketing internship 15 years ago, Kat vowed never to let him win anything again. She is not about to break that promise, even if Leo has become a distractingly attractive opponent.

As the Esmerelda sails the seas, from the Azores to Lisbon via Madeira, the two agencies must battle it out to present the best pitch. But in such close quarters, the sea might not be the only thing rocking the boat…

PERFECT for fans of:

Forced proximity

Enemies-to-lovers

Workplace romance

A dash of spice

Beachy destinations

My review

Kat Brennan has worked hard to get where she is now. So when one of the biggest clients of Northstar PR, Excalibur Cruises, want the agency to pitch for their account, Kat is ready to show everyone her worth. And as it also requires Kat and her boss to board one their cruises, this is also a chance of relaxing. Weren’t it that also the rival agency is taking part on the same cruise, ready to pitch that same client. And the CEO is Leo Kendrick, Kat’s nemesis as 15 years ago Leo got an internship that Kat believed to be hers. Kat is determined to hold on to the promise she made herself, to never let Leo win again. But as the Esmeralda cruise progresses, the more both agencies are forced to spend time together, fighting for the best pitch, the more Kat and Leo find an attraction that is too hard to ignore… But at what cost at the end of the cruise?

I don’t know if there are people like me, that you just see a new book from an author you know, and don’t bother with reading the blurb at all. You just get ready to dive into a brand new story that you will love without a doubt. So I was ready for a story taking place on a cruise, but having no clue at all what the storyline would be…

What I liked right at the start of the story about Kat, is her dedication. Yes, she worked hard to be where she is now, she deserves to be in the position she is now and she has bright ideas while pitching customers. She doesn’t give up easily and even when there is a setback, she makes the best out of the situation. And let’s also be honest, as her boss isn’t always the easiest person to work with, Kat needs to work perhaps even double that hard. Not that Heidi is an evil person, but she is perhaps even more determined and focused on the job than Kat is.

I have no idea how the world of PR works, but while of course it needs its purpose, I did not like Brooke’s behaviour. Of course as she is searching for the best pitch for Excalibur Cruises, she needs to be tough and needs to have high demands. But to be honest, there is something about Brooke’s manners that I just didn’t like or appreciate… She was too much, on every level.

But of course, the focus is on Kat and how she is going to handle the ‘Leo – situation’. Obviously it comes as a shock hearing that a client suddenly wants hear a new pitch and that the competition is your nemesis of years. What would all be happening? And being ‘stuck’ on a cruise ship, there aren’t many escaping options, especially when both companies are forced to join the cruise’s activities, together.

I found it funny to read the animosity between the pair, because I could understand where they were both coming from, but I could also clearly see the pull they have towards each other, no matter how much they initially deny it. And those moments where they are having a little competition between themselves. They don’t want to let the other one win, but that same competition is also what is bringing them closer.

How is it that when you are forced in a limited space, it makes you understand people better? Because we see here how being on that cruise, is making Kat and Leo face their demons (and each other) and clear the air between them.

I found it sweet to read how Kat and Leo now slowly are truly getting to an understanding of each other’s characters. And how 15 years have even made their prejudices even a bit worse. Time heals all the wounds, but it also can change your visions and perspectives for the worse. But taking time, looking and truly seeing someone can change things once again.

I also have to say, I had several laughs in this book too. I cannot imagine the size of the cabins Kat and Leo are staying in. Or how Kat befriends amazing personalities in this books! And that is truly beautiful in this book, on this specific cruise. Because we see different kind of people, yet the cruise unites them somehow.

Now, it wouldn’t come as a surprise when something goes wrong. And I was a bit surprised/shocked reading how it all exploded and how far even a grudge could go… But is also shows the real character of a person. How things are handled when the truth comes out. And I was happily surprised by Leo, not that I expected anything less from him 😊.

I found this a very entertaining story. Because not only did I have several loud laughs, but it also shows us that what we think about people isn’t always the truth. And that yes, as much as it is a cliché, communication is key, in every aspect. It shows us also that love, romance can come when you least expect it. And why not, on a cruise ship, with a slight forced proximity, with the person you least expect.

Now, I don’t know if I will ever go on a cruise myself (Titanic, and a recent documentary I saw) but for sure I absolutely enjoyed this specific trip on this specific cruise ship, with these specific characters! 😊