Author: J.L. Berg
Publication Date: 11 September, 2016
Publisher: JL Berg, LLC
Series: Standalone, Spinoff from The Walls Duet
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Recommendation: 18 and Up
Rating: 3.5 Stars
~ I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review ~
Book Description:
My name is Roman Cavenaugh and I’m kind of an asshole.
Running a company isn't easy, especially when everyone expects you to fail, so being a jerk? It comes with the territory.
I don't have time to mess around, and I sure as hell didn’t see her coming.
Cara Hamilton—she was supposed to be off limits…a temporary employee brought in during my assistant’s maternity leave.
But, in the blink of an eye, she became so much more.
An obsession I couldn’t shake.
So yeah, I may be an asshole, but now, I finally had a purpose, and soon, she would be mine.
All’s fair in love and war…
My Review:
I was so excited when J.L. Berg announced Roman's story would be coming out after we met him in Jude and Lailah's story from the Walls Duet. I knew Roman's story would be emotional, one because we're coming off the beautiful emotional roller coaster that was the Walls Duet and our first glimpses of Roman proved that yes he was an ass but there was a reason for that behavior, a deep and sad reason, this is Roman's story and exactly what you expect for a J.L. Berg romance, deeply moving and deeply satisfying.
Roman Cavenaugh is an ass. He's player, he's a jerk of a boss, he's concerned for no one but himself, or so that's what it seems to the outside world. Inside Roman's world, he's still a hurting young boy trying to prove to his father that he is more than what they see. That he is as smart as his brother, as determined as other executives, that he is capable and that he is worthy. Cara Hamilton is a small town girl in love with a small town boy who has big dreams. After graduating college she follows him to New York City, putting aside her dreams to make their dream life come true, only it isn't turning out to be the dream she had been planning.
When Roman's executive assistant goes on maternity leave *Wait what, his assistant is pregnant?* Cara after a little fluffing of her resume is hired by a temp agency to fill in as an assistant to an executive at one of the top companies in New York and her world is changed forever.
One of my favorite things about a J.L. Berg story is that her stories are always so full of heart. They are quiet books that you curl up with and loose yourself in. They're books that always require a bit of tissue and a place to snuggle down because they will make your heart ache, but fill you up with love and joy by the time you close the back cover.
I really enjoyed the story of Roman and Cara, they're love affair is fast but also slow build. There is quick attraction but a lot of frustration, fear, and misunderstandings that come in between giving them the time to build on a relationship instead of throwing themselves into an insta-love.
I will say one thing that made me eh, was the way things went down with Cara's boyfriend Tyler. I don't know that I ever got to know him well enough to have much of an opinion on him but I went from disliking him, to hating him, to feeling really sorry for him. I still don't know how I am supposed to feel about his part of the story and I am constantly wondering if in this case Tyler will be the next Bachelor.
There was also Lauren, who is a huge part of the story and yet she doesn't have the huge roll you might expect for how much her storyline affects the story. I think that J.L. could have added another hundred or so pages and really developed Lauren's story, but then again maybe Lauren will be the next Bachelorette.
I can say I wouldn't be opposed to either of these two characters showing up again, there is a whole lot of redeeming value to be had in their stories, plus if it's a J.L. Berg book it's an automatic one click for me anyway, haha.
Contemporary Romance fans will love the feel of Behind Closed Doors. It has the character connection and steam you want while adding in a little mystery and suspense and a whole lot of heart and care. This one my not have been my favorite of J.L.'s books but it definitely did not disappoint. Oh and before I forget we get a glimpse of Jude and Lailah again, which is never ever a bad thing! One thing to keep in mind that this is a standalone but like I mentioned you will see characters that were in the Walls Duet in this book so my suggestion is to read that series first but it isn't a must.
~ Happy Reading ~
Giveaway:
($50 Amazon giftcard and a signed copy)
J.L. Berg is the USA Today bestselling author of the Ready Series, The Walls Duet, and the Lost & Found Duet. She is a California native living in the beautiful state of historic Virginia. Married to her high school sweetheart, they have two beautiful girls that drive them batty on a daily basis. When she's not writing, you will find her with her nose stuck in a romance novel, in a yoga studio or devouring anything chocolate. J.L. Berg is represented by Jill Marsal of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency, LLC.
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