Eight years ago, he fell in love with a stranger he couldn’t have—today, she’s back in his life and the sparks between them threaten to set her career on fire.
Pearl Harris has learned the hard way to be careful in work and in love. She has the chance to make lasting change at OurCode—a nonprofit aimed at inspiring high schoolers to code—but a recent scandal puts its reputation at risk. Further complicating things, Pearl didn’t expect the one man she never stopped thinking about to join as the newest member of her board of directors.
Cord Matthews fell for Pearl when they met in an elevator eight years ago. She’s just his type: smart, capable, and makes him laugh, but when she broke his heart, he decided love wasn’t for him. When they reconnect after years with no contact, Cord is tempted to consider breaking his ban on serious relationships. But going public with a romance between them might derail Pearl’s career and the progress she’s made at OurCode.
While Pearl and Cord are both hesitant to trust their feelings and take a risk, it soon becomes impossible to keep ignoring the electricity between them. Cord is a skilled programmer, but a workplace romance might spell disaster for both of them–and love isn’t easily debugged.
Release Date: Dec 5, 2023
Heat Level: Hot
Publisher: Penguin Group
Imprint: Berkley
Price: $10.99
Pearl has put her career at the forefront of her life for a long time now. She is the newly appointed acting director of a non-profit organization that is facing a lot of scrutiny from a previous scandal. This position can make or make Pearl. She is ready to take on the challenge knowing this is the type of role she has always wanted. However, she just never thought she would have to work with the ex who held her heart.
Cord loved Pearl and was really upset when they broke up. The constant pressure from their careers and other factors lead to them going their separate ways. He is not interested in a serious relationship but being around Pearl again makes him want what they had. The new workplace dynamic and the issues from the past are just some of the major hurdles they would have to face if they want to try again. Is it truly worth it?
This book is lukewarm for the most part. The characters are both mature and logical. They are clear on their desires and emotions which I enjoyed most since I have been on a young adult spree lately. However, they don’t spark much passion on the pages. Yes, they are compatible in theory but nothing is making me root for them. I found myself just reading to see how the workplace rules would work itself out since they were not supposed to be.
Cord and Pearl did hold a bit of steam when it was time to be intimate. Even that did not sway me to really love this story. I think fans who really like contemporary second-chance romances may enjoy this one a bit more than me. I need some more angst and drama in my story.
Overall, I’m still a fan of Ms. Williams and will continue to read her books.
~ Samantha
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