An entertaining age-gap, workplace romance

I have really enjoyed each story by the artistic partnership between TB Markinson and Miranda Macleod, my favourite so far is The AM Show but I enjoyed this one too.

Laurie “the Hatchet” Emerson is a finance CEO who is rumored to have a heart of ice. Widowed a year ago, she comes back from a sabbatical to win an important account which could be the deal of her life. Jack Kennedy is a young portfolio manager in Laurie’s company who is used to being sidelined by the finance boys’ club. When a blizzard leaves them both stranded, they get involved in a one-night stand only to discover the following day that they are working together…

This was an entertaining age-gap, workplace romance between an ice-queen boss and her much younger subordinate. This trope has been used a lot, especially in fanfic of The Devil Wears Prada but it’s still very popular among WLW readers. Who doesn’t like to see an ice queen melt for a special person?

Both characters are well fleshed out and they are both likable but, for me, Jack Kennedy stole the show. It might be my nerdy love for politics but I found that the development of her character was very clever. Who calls her daughter Jacqueline Kennedy? Her mother’s obsession with the Kennedy clan was fun to read about.

I also liked that despite being an ice queen, the readers can see Laurie’s self-doubt and shortcomings from the front row. She’s bad-tempered and irascible, but more as a result of her own insecurities than pure bitchiness, but her heart is in the right place. Together both main characters have great chemistry and the intimate scenes were very well written.

There is a corporate war subplot which was OK for me but didn’t find it particularly engaging. I was much more invested in the romance which I really enjoyed. I trust that the authors captured the setting of Boston authentically as they both live in the nearby area. The description of the blizzard and the circumstances around it was priceless.

I haven’t heard many audiobooks performed by Stephanie Murphy but I heard a couple of her narrations of erotica as Piper Fairweather. She’s a very good voice actor and I thought she did a very good job here. If you are looking for an age gap workplace romance with a likable ice queen, then this one is for you. 4 stars.

Length: 8 hours, 53 minutes.