4.5This was a hilarious light hearted read. I think its strongest point was the off-kilter characters. I certainly didn't expect the phobia revenge plan and it just put a smile on my face. The writing was whacky and fit the characters. Descriptions like affectionate squid was just a breath of fresh air. For that, I give this book a high rating.The story revolves around the rivalry between Sadie and Josh. Sadie was slated to be promoted as the marketing director. For revenge, the sleazeball, who she had been blacklisting in her events, recommended Josh for the position. What ensued is a competition for the job. They are initially attracted to each other but it had been derailed by animosity. Josh projected his problems, namely, an ex who destroyed his reputation and plunged him into debt, to Sadie. He viewed her as another woman who is out to get him. Sadie, viewed him as a condescending job stealer who got by on his connections rather than his hard work. They didn't really respect each other's points of views as Josh liked classic/boring while Sadie liked charming/weird.They got over that tiff soon after being locked in a room together. This came after the puppet phobia debacle. They called a truce and discovered more about each other. Josh got majorly screwed by his fiancee. She mistakenly thought he was cheating on her and made it public. For revenge, she racked up debts for him and destroyed his reputation. In reality, he was planning a surprise engagement. Sadie discovered home in Kentucky and was really passionate about the state despite not being born there. She was raised by her grandparents after her mom died. She came alive when she was taken to an ancient burial exhibit. This was just too charming to not mention. This became the focal point of bonding between her and her grandparents. The competition for the job ended when Josh forfeited. He did this to ensure she got the job. He thought she deserved it and quitting was the only way to make her dreams come true. He found the sleazeball rigging the ballot and discovered that the sleazeball would go to any lengths to stop her. Afterwards, he interviewed for the position of the assistant. Thus the whacky office continued. Cute and fun. Typical Molly Harper (but without the paranormal stuff). Sadie has the same sense of humor and snark as Harpers other heroines. What's not to like? Amanda Ronconi does her usual great job narrating but sometimes I wish another narrator would read some of Harper's books. The same voice and narrative style reading stories with similar characters just makes the books feel too much the same. I think they'd feel a touch more "individual" if different readers were used. Just my 2 cents. However, I do love Amanda Ronconi as a reader (but maybe for another author?).
