Bella Suartini

By a Thread: A Grumpy Boss Romantic Comedy

Book by Lucy Score

DETAILS

Publisher : Bloom Books (April 22, 2020) Language : English Paperback : 582 pages ISBN-10 : 1945631619 ISBN-13 : 978-1945631610 Item Weight : 1.38 pounds Dimensions : 5 x 1.46 x 8 inches Best Sellers Rank: #11,103 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #568 in Contemporary Women Fiction #1,065 in Romantic Comedy (Books) #2,438 in Contemporary Romance (Books) , From the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of Things We Never Got Over Dominic was staring at me like he couldn’t decide whether he loathed me or wanted to French kiss me. Dominic I got her fired. Okay, so I’d had a bad day and took it out on a bystander in a pizza shop. But there’s nothing demure about Ally Morales. She proves that her first day of her new job…which just happens to be in my office….And I can’t fire her, because it’s my mother the CEO who hired her…technically, Ally doesn’t work for me, and she makes it clear she doesn’t have to listen to me either. So maybe her colorful, annoying, inexplicably alluring personality brightens up the magazine’s offices that have felt like a prison for the past year. Maybe I like that she argues with me in front of the editorial staff. And maybe my after-hours fantasies are haunted by those brown eyes and that sharp tongue. But that doesn’t mean that I’m going to be the next Russo man to take advantage of his position. I might be a second-generation asshole, but I am not my father. She’s working herself to death at half a dozen dead-end jobs for some secret reason she doesn’t feel like sharing with me. And I’m going to fix it all. Don’t accuse me of caring. She’s nothing more than a puzzle to be solved. If I can get her to quit working here, I can finally peel away all those layers. Then I can go back to salvaging the family name and forget all about the dancing, beer-slinging brunette. Ally Ha! Hold my beer, Charming. Read more

REVIEW

If you like, Grumpy/Sunshine, especially when sunshine has a totally feisty, tenacious personality, workplace romance, “The Devil Wears Prada” movie reference, fashion, steamy romance, humor, and more, then look no further because Lucy Score has once again provided us with a magnificent story. Dominic and Ally got off on the wrong foot, a not so good impression that led to Ally getting fired from one of her many jobs thanks to Dominic. I mean, hey I don’t blame Ally, if some well dressed, rich, gorgeous manly man stepped into my work and started being unfairly rude, I’d do the same thing what Ally did. From the beginning, Ally was shown as a tough and strong character who didn’t let anyone step over her, she was a woman on a mission, a mission that involved trying to work as many jobs as possible in order to provide for her Dad and her side hustle as a graphic designer. Meanwhile, Dominic was being a brooding, grumpy man who was trying to overcome the backlash reputation of his father as he became the new head of his mother’s fashion magazine, Label. Dominic felt like others were constantly comparing him to his father, and as you read in the story you get to see just how much Dominic truly didn’t want to become like his father. Both Ally and Dominic had their own obstacles and issues to overcome, but somehow in the midst of everything, they could not seem to get enough of each other, or frankly the arguments they would instigate in order to spend time with each other haha. One thing I love about the Grumpy/Sunshine trope is when the grumpy lead a.k.a. in this instance, Dominic was so determined to avoid Ally at all costs and especially trying to stop thinking inappropriate thoughts about her at all times. The logic of Dominic trying to let Ally know more about him so then she would be “disgusted” by him made me laugh because, one, if anything by learning more about Dom, Ally will (eventually does) like him more, even Ally pointed it out to him, but in terms of Dominic falling for Ally. In addition, for all the times Dominic stated that Ally wasn’t his type, he sure did feel jealous and possessive when a designer was showing some interest towards Ally. Oh Dominic, that gorgeous, possessive alpha man was not only insanely attracted to Ally, but he wanted more from her. Out of the many amazing things that Lucy does with her stories is have fantastic humor and witty banter that’s filled with jabs, sarcasm, and sometimes a little bit of good old innuendos to crack me up. Ally and Dominic were always going at it from calling each other nicknames that were, “Charming” for Dominic and “Maleficent” for Ally. A little part of me was like, “yes give each other Disney nicknames hahaha”. Personally I love Maleficent so when Dominic would call Ally that, I saw it as a representation that Ally was a powerful woman who could wield her skills and take control of any situation she sought to take over. Plus as a lover of all things fashion, I loved the little “The Devil Wears Prada” movie references especially when Ally was getting gifted with so many fabulous clothing my mind immediately thought of the movie, and then suddenly Ally said exactly what I was thinking. I would very much like Ally’s job so then I could get all the free clothes I could ever want! Despite getting more updated and lovely clothing, I loved that Ally still remained true to herself by adding little bits of herself into each outfit she wore. Plus Dominic was very appreciative of Ally is anything she wore regardless if it was designer or not. I loved the tension between Ally and Dominic like COME ON! IT WAS GOOOODDDD! For each moment of temptation, there was that close sliver where they would almost touch, and do something more! I was at the edge of my seat waiting for those two to jump on each other! And then once Ally and Dominic had their… fun in the office after hours OMG! SOOOO GOOD! I loved seeing how overcome with passion both Dominic and Ally were towards each other. I also loved how Dominic FINALLY told Ally he wanted more with her (Hallelujah!) Slowly but surely Ally and Dominic were able to open up more to each other and communicate what they wanted in terms of a relationship together, and help each other in their respective situations. As much as I love spice, romance, and passion, and other things, I absolutely adored seeing Ally and Dominic doing the simplest things like having breakfast together, lounging around the house with Brownie (Dominic’s dog that he adopted) and those little moments highlighted not only how sweet Ally and Dominic were together, but also the potential for the futures together *insert me swooning. This book had everything I loved and more. From Dominic being a grumpy, possessive alpha male who was considerate, kind, and thoughtful to Ally who was a tenacious, sassy, intelligent, sweet person, together those two made me laugh, smile, gasp (in a good way), and love them with all my heart. Like any Lucy Score book she always manages to capture my attention from beginning, middle, end, and even after I’m finished with the book, I’m always left wanting more. The epilogue and bonus epilogue were absolutely sweet, romantic, funny, and amazing! I loved seeing how Dominic and Ally ended up and everything about their own happily ever after was perfect. Absolutely loved this book!

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