Never mix business with pleasure, literally

Synopsis

My grumpy, infuriatingly handsome billionaire boss, Blake Devlin, wants to fire me.

And he’s probably right.

I embarrassed myself spectacularly the first time we met.

Clearly a sheltered woman from a tiny village doesn’t belong at Sated International, a company that’s apparently famous for selling sex toys and publishing novels so spicy, they’d melt your Kindle.

If only I’d had time to research them before my interview…

When the CEO realises that HR hired me anyway (yep, I was surprised too), he makes it clear I have no business being there.

After fighting so hard to live the life I’ve always dreamed of in London, I can’t afford to lose this opportunity. I need to focus on proving him wrong.

But when I discover the man behind the expensive tailored suits and a world I never even knew existed, everything changes.

I want my boss.

And sometimes I swear there are moments when the same man who was so determined to get rid of me looks like he wants me too.

No.

That’s impossible.

A relationship between the CEO and an employee is strictly forbidden.

Getting involved would be utterly reckless.

A powerful, older man like Blake Devlin would never risk everything to be with someone like me.

Right?

Pure Recklessness is a standalone, dual-point-of-view billionaire office romance featuring a grumpy CEO, a sheltered heroine, sizzling boss/employee age-gap tension, laugh-out-loud moments, banter, a secret forbidden relationship with spice and a swoon-worthy happily ever after.

Tropes

• Billionaire romance
• Office romance
• Age-gap romance
• Boss/employee romance
• Forbidden romance
• Opposites attract
• Secret relationship
• Fish-out-of-water
• No third-act breakup
• Hilarious banter

My review

Ellie grew up very sheltered and even overprotective parents, all out of love of course. But as she is ready to discover the world, she made the move to London on her own, and is looking for a job. When she unexpectedly has to go to an interview, she doesn’t have enough time to do proper research about the company. Because if she did, she would know that Sated International is known all over the world for selling toys (not those for children) and novels (not the closed door ones). Upon her arrival, she does not make the best impressions yet somehow she manages to secure the job, even if the CEO does not agree. However, Ellie is determined to prove Blake Devlin that his opinion of her is wrong. With the help of her new friends and colleague Dana and Joe, Ellie sees what she has been missing out. And slowly Ellie starts to realize that despite her inexperience, she wants the man everyone at Sated wants, her boss Blake. But even if it may seem that Blake may want her too, there is no way someone like Blake could ever want someone like Ellie. And let’s not forget the fact that relationships at the office is absolutely forbidden.

Having read several of Olivia Spring’s romance books, I was eager to read this new one, also knowing it would be more explicit than what I have read before of her. I did not have any doubt that the switch from sweet to spicy would work out for Olivia perfectly. And sweet baby Jesus, what a book this was! I still need to come back to my senses! 😊

As an Italian myself, I can assure you that my parents (especially my dad) were very protective op me. Being the youngest and the only girl does that with Italians 😊. So when I discovered that Ellie’s parents were also overprotective, immediately made me connect with Ellie. But I also need to make clear that Ellie’s parents, even if it’s with the best intentions, are overprotective on a whole other level!

And that saddened me to read about Ellie. Because growing up can be a difficult process, it also means that she has missed out on so many fun things in life. She doesn’t know much of the world, and while I understood where she was coming from (even if only in a later stage we understand why), and the world can be a scary place, the world is also a beautiful place.

At the same time, I also admired Ellie right from the start, because while her love or her parents is obvious, she also found the courage to stand up against them, and decided to make the move to London.

Finding a job is not easy, and the stress Ellie goes through while getting to Sated, with zero preparations at all (not her fault though!), I found it excruciating myself! Yet at the same time, seeing her stumble and being innocent in a way, was just hilarious for me as a reader. And let me tell you already, I will never look at a lipstick the same way  😃!

It was sweet reading how even as she is out of her depth, she makes two new friends, Dana and Joe. I just felt it in my bones that while perhaps it takes a moment getting used to their directness, they are the best kind of friends Ellie could ever find.

It was hilarious reading how they are pushing Ellie out of her comfort zone (that is not hilarious), but how they ‘introduce’ Ellie in the world of Sated. And then unleashed a beast! 😃

I have to admit, there are moments that I was a little bit in shock, seeing the liberated Ellie. Initially with some trepidation, but growing more confident with the passing of time, Ellie understands what she want and also, who she wants.

And that “who” may be a complication… Not only is the man of her desires and fantasies her own boss, but he also has very strict rules about relationships at the office.

As a healthy woman myself, I for sure could see and feel it perhaps myself, the attraction towards Blake Devlin, and to be honest, towards all the Devlin brothers! Can I buy a real life Blake (or another Devlin Brother) somewhere? 😊

Blake already from his first appearance emanates power and wealth. He is not the kind of man to mess with. He keeps high standards and expects from everyone at Sated to be the same. And if you can not follow the rules, it’s easy, you’re out.

And perhaps it may be a bit over the top, his rule about no relationships at work, but further along in the story it will be made clear why that rule has been set, and I could understand Blake’s reasoning.

Blake can truly be intimidating, but we also see how important family is for him. Of course with brothers, a healthy dose of arguing is normal, but when it truly matters, the Devlin’s are all there for each other.

I had a few sneaky laughs seeing how Blake is feeling attracted to Ellie, but tries to resist that. And my laughs become less sneaky reading how Ellie become a real seductress (who would have thought that about Ellie!) and resisting is just an impossible task.

And OH MY GOD, I expected things to get heated between Blake and Ellie, but this heated? I was NOT PREPARED for that! Memo to myself: do not read this series when you’re at the office and you have a moment to spare!

While the heated moments got me, well, heated, the other private moments between Blake and Ellie got me melting. Because it starts as a physical attraction, with clear rules, slowly we see from both sides walls let down. And while their worlds couldn’t be further apart, there is a connection so strong between this pair…

Obviously, there are several things taking place in this book, and we see how Blake sees what an asset Ellie is for Sated, with several great idea, how protective Blake becomes and how understanding Ellie is of the situation they find themselves. I found it also great of Ellie of not pushing Blake, she gives him the space he needs, she doesn’t interfere, she doesn’t go nosing around.

Beside all that is happening with Blake and Ellie, I also had a few squeaks of happiness, as there are a few surprising cameos. How lovely was it to see some old beloved friends again!

This book should definitely come with a warning. Once you start, you just cannot stop. So make sure that you have the place and the time to devour it all. Perhaps also make sure that you are on your own, because when things get heated, you may need to cool down yourself 😊! And definitely DO NOT READ THIS WHILE AT WORK! Been there, done that, but it won’t be repeated, as I did not see mails coming in, as I did not see people arrive at the desk etc.

Now I just have one urgent request to the amazing author that Olivia Spring is (beside where I can find my own Devlin brother): PLEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAASE give us more!!! I devoured this book on an unhealthy level (but definitely NO REGRETS at all) and I need my next shot!