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Breaking the Rules #2
Hostile Workplace
From USA Today bestselling author, A.M. Madden, comes an enemies-to-lovers, second-chance romance.
Sam Stanton knows these simple facts:
~ He is a great catch--successful, smart, gorgeous...but the wrong woman caught him.
~ He has the perfect girl who is madly in love with him.
~ He wasted six years of his life by playing it safe.
~ He is damn good at his job and intends to keep climbing the ladder.
~ He can't get her off his mind or out of his heart--no matter how hard he tries.
But, what he doesn't know is just as important:
~ Will he ever really move on and forget how badly she broke his heart?
~ Should he settle for a sure thing, even knowing it's the wrong thing?
~ Can he give up his career for a chance at happiness?
~ Does he correct one mistake with another?
~ What would he do if she were to return?
Confused yet? Welcome to Sam Stanton's life.
Contains adult content.
Sam Stanton knows these simple facts:
~ He is a great catch--successful, smart, gorgeous...but the wrong woman caught him.
~ He has the perfect girl who is madly in love with him.
~ He wasted six years of his life by playing it safe.
~ He is damn good at his job and intends to keep climbing the ladder.
~ He can't get her off his mind or out of his heart--no matter how hard he tries.
But, what he doesn't know is just as important:
~ Will he ever really move on and forget how badly she broke his heart?
~ Should he settle for a sure thing, even knowing it's the wrong thing?
~ Can he give up his career for a chance at happiness?
~ Does he correct one mistake with another?
~ What would he do if she were to return?
Confused yet? Welcome to Sam Stanton's life.
Contains adult content.
329 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 1, 2016
About the author
A.M. Madden
40 books2,467 followersA USA Today bestselling, award-winning author, A. M. Madden is also a Jersey girl whose addiction to romance started at twelve after reading Judy Blume’s Forever.
As a self-proclaimed hopeless romantic, she truly believes that true love knows no bounds.
In her books, she aspires to write fun, sexy, realistic love stories that will stay with you long after you turn the last page. She creates realistic characters and believes there’s no better compliment than when readers feel they know the characters personally.
When not writing, she’s busy being a wife to her soul mate, and a mother to two boys who she believes are the most handsome men on earth. She loves to cook, hates to bake, and dreams about living at the beach someday.
AWARDS:
2016 eLit Gold Medalist - Best Romance Ebook - The Shortstop
2016 IPPY Silver Medalist - Best Romance Ebook - The Shortstop
2018 Book Excellence Finalist - Finding Mr. Wrong (co-written with Joanne Schwehm).
2019 Book Excellence Finalist - Scoring Mr. Romeo (co-written with Joanne Schwehm).
Sign up for A. M. Madden’s newsletter at www.ammadden.com to get up-to-date information on new releases, cover reveals, and exclusive excerpts.
website - www.ammadden.com
Facebook - A.M. Madden, Author
Twitter - @ammadden1
Instagram - ammadden1
Email - am.madden@aol.com
A.M. Madden is represented by Stephanie Phillips / SBR Media Agency.
Copyright © A.M. Madden, Author, All rights reserved.
A.M. Madden is a Goodreads Author and can be contacted on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or at am.madden@aol.com
As a self-proclaimed hopeless romantic, she truly believes that true love knows no bounds.
In her books, she aspires to write fun, sexy, realistic love stories that will stay with you long after you turn the last page. She creates realistic characters and believes there’s no better compliment than when readers feel they know the characters personally.
When not writing, she’s busy being a wife to her soul mate, and a mother to two boys who she believes are the most handsome men on earth. She loves to cook, hates to bake, and dreams about living at the beach someday.
AWARDS:
2016 eLit Gold Medalist - Best Romance Ebook - The Shortstop
2016 IPPY Silver Medalist - Best Romance Ebook - The Shortstop
2018 Book Excellence Finalist - Finding Mr. Wrong (co-written with Joanne Schwehm).
2019 Book Excellence Finalist - Scoring Mr. Romeo (co-written with Joanne Schwehm).
Sign up for A. M. Madden’s newsletter at www.ammadden.com to get up-to-date information on new releases, cover reveals, and exclusive excerpts.
website - www.ammadden.com
Facebook - A.M. Madden, Author
Twitter - @ammadden1
Instagram - ammadden1
Email - am.madden@aol.com
A.M. Madden is represented by Stephanie Phillips / SBR Media Agency.
Copyright © A.M. Madden, Author, All rights reserved.
A.M. Madden is a Goodreads Author and can be contacted on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or at am.madden@aol.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 167 reviews
September 11, 2016
3.5 -How do I rate a story that I had so many issues with, yet couldn't put down?- Stars
So... how DO I rate a 2 star trope & storyline that had 5 star writing & ability to keep me staying up till finish? I find a middle ground, rate it 3.5 stars, then write a long assed, ranty review -that's what I do!
Confused was what I was 25% into this book. I mean, due to the non-specific blurb, I wasn't too sure what I was expecting but after reading heaps of 5 star reviews for this, I decided to try the sample. Halfway though chapter 1, I already knew I would despise what I was getting into but... I just HAD to know what would happen next, so I one-clicked this bugger to quench my curiosity (tips my hat to author for those mad skills).
I pushed through 12 damn chapters of the hero's present lifestyle which was dedicated to the intimacy and demise of his engagement (to the heroine's ex-best friend), as well as how he soon got together with a hot co-worker who just happened to look like his ex. Yeah, you read it right... 12 chapters is a whole lot of time and investment to read about how he gets together with OW/co worker with detailed, hot sex! As I kept on reading, I had to keep hitting up GR and Amazon reviews to reconfirm that this OW/co-worker was indeed NOT the heroine and kept questioning if maybe all the 5 star reviewers got the h's name wrong and if the h is in fact the co-worker because; who wants to read a romance novel with 12 chapters about exes and OW's!?
Alas, by the time I worked out that I did in fact read 12 chapters about other women, I was already too intrigued and invested and needed to find out where the effing hell this author was going with this. So.... because I am a sad masochist, I kept reading to find out... (yes, tipping my hat again to the author - bravo).
The h was finally introduced by chapter 13 and we get her POV by chapter 14. This is where the story really started making sense for me and yeah... it was angsty... and frustrating... but it still hooked me onto every annoyingly frustrating detail and I ate it up (yet another hat tip to the author - and a bow just for good measure).
I would like to say to the author; well done. Your writing is addictive and you sure know how to take every trope and characteristic that I absolutely hate, and make me thoughtfully digest it, commit it to it and read on - BUT my question to you is: were those 12 chapters of the H's detailed sexual escapades really necessary? It's not like the OW (co worker) plot played such a big part in the main story that it warranted all those time and pages. You really could have used those extra, unneeded chapters to flesh out that rushed ending of yours instead. Even 2-3 chapters to summarise the H's backstory and situation would have added enough depth, but still not have taken away from the story. Seriously, if this story had started at chapter 13, I probably could have related to it more.
This is not one that I'd recommend for any super diehard safety gangs BUT . Lovers of angst, 2nd chance tropes and partial revenge/hate/love themes (who also have more tolerance than me) would probably love the addictive writing style. Most of the reviews I read for this book has put me in the minority so please don't let my tired, angry mind dissuade you as just staying up to finish this book, should be testament to how good it was.
Told in dual POV and standalone story in a series. I was able to jump into this one without reading book 1 with no problems. The ending felt like I was cut off, followed up by 2 epilogues where I was being told, not shown.
So... how DO I rate a 2 star trope & storyline that had 5 star writing & ability to keep me staying up till finish? I find a middle ground, rate it 3.5 stars, then write a long assed, ranty review -that's what I do!
Confused was what I was 25% into this book. I mean, due to the non-specific blurb, I wasn't too sure what I was expecting but after reading heaps of 5 star reviews for this, I decided to try the sample. Halfway though chapter 1, I already knew I would despise what I was getting into but... I just HAD to know what would happen next, so I one-clicked this bugger to quench my curiosity (tips my hat to author for those mad skills).
I pushed through 12 damn chapters of the hero's present lifestyle which was dedicated to the intimacy and demise of his engagement (to the heroine's ex-best friend), as well as how he soon got together with a hot co-worker who just happened to look like his ex. Yeah, you read it right... 12 chapters is a whole lot of time and investment to read about how he gets together with OW/co worker with detailed, hot sex! As I kept on reading, I had to keep hitting up GR and Amazon reviews to reconfirm that this OW/co-worker was indeed NOT the heroine and kept questioning if maybe all the 5 star reviewers got the h's name wrong and if the h is in fact the co-worker because; who wants to read a romance novel with 12 chapters about exes and OW's!?
Alas, by the time I worked out that I did in fact read 12 chapters about other women, I was already too intrigued and invested and needed to find out where the effing hell this author was going with this. So.... because I am a sad masochist, I kept reading to find out... (yes, tipping my hat again to the author - bravo).
The h was finally introduced by chapter 13 and we get her POV by chapter 14. This is where the story really started making sense for me and yeah... it was angsty... and frustrating... but it still hooked me onto every annoyingly frustrating detail and I ate it up (yet another hat tip to the author - and a bow just for good measure).
I would like to say to the author; well done. Your writing is addictive and you sure know how to take every trope and characteristic that I absolutely hate, and make me thoughtfully digest it, commit it to it and read on - BUT my question to you is: were those 12 chapters of the H's detailed sexual escapades really necessary? It's not like the OW (co worker) plot played such a big part in the main story that it warranted all those time and pages. You really could have used those extra, unneeded chapters to flesh out that rushed ending of yours instead. Even 2-3 chapters to summarise the H's backstory and situation would have added enough depth, but still not have taken away from the story. Seriously, if this story had started at chapter 13, I probably could have related to it more.
This is not one that I'd recommend for any super diehard safety gangs BUT . Lovers of angst, 2nd chance tropes and partial revenge/hate/love themes (who also have more tolerance than me) would probably love the addictive writing style. Most of the reviews I read for this book has put me in the minority so please don't let my tired, angry mind dissuade you as just staying up to finish this book, should be testament to how good it was.
Told in dual POV and standalone story in a series. I was able to jump into this one without reading book 1 with no problems. The ending felt like I was cut off, followed up by 2 epilogues where I was being told, not shown.
February 11, 2024
This book is a fail because, not only were there more “present time” on page sex scenes with OW2 (coworker fling), the H had better on page sex, sexual chemistry, and believable attraction with the OW2 than he ever had with the h or the OW1 (ex-GF h’s bff) who he was with 3 times longer than the h.
H/OW2 were much, much better suited for the long haul. Their chemistry SIZZLED. Shower sex, Voyerism at a sex club, winning a sex bet with H’s besties cuz they had better, louder sex than the other couple over the course of a weekend getaway. H wanted the sexy, exciting awesomeness of the OW2’s outlook in his like. While he sees the h at the sex club, they never go together, never discuss the encounter with any depth and h never has sex there (unlike H/OW2).
The H/h displayed no heat and zero sexy banter…unlike the tons between OW2…have I said that enough? Instead H/h have hotter, more adventurous sex in flashbacks from Highschool. They don’t even have non-hate sex UNTIL THE EPILOGUE.
In the end, I can’t even stand the h. She gets the job cuz H bows out of competition, she then leaves the job in Paris and has to come back BECAUSE SHE WAS FAILING AT IT. Go feminism!
As much as I hated the H and found him completely irredeemable at the 50% mark…because of the unbelievably hot chemistry, sex scenes, witty banter, inner monologue, all centered around OW2…who he fantasized about for 3 years while in relationship to OW1. I found him the most fucked over character and most deserving of empathy/sympathy by the end.
AND TO MAKE IT SO MUCH MORE UNBELIEVABLE…H/h are not together until the epilogue and all the long hard work of getting together is off page. Such a disappointment. It felt like author didn’t have the balls to leave it without an HEA, which was the ONLY BELIEVABLE OUTCOME, so she wrote some slop, called it an epilogue…THE END.
This book really sucked. As an angst whore I feel totally screwed by the entire thing.
H/OW2 were much, much better suited for the long haul. Their chemistry SIZZLED. Shower sex, Voyerism at a sex club, winning a sex bet with H’s besties cuz they had better, louder sex than the other couple over the course of a weekend getaway. H wanted the sexy, exciting awesomeness of the OW2’s outlook in his like. While he sees the h at the sex club, they never go together, never discuss the encounter with any depth and h never has sex there (unlike H/OW2).
The H/h displayed no heat and zero sexy banter…unlike the tons between OW2…have I said that enough? Instead H/h have hotter, more adventurous sex in flashbacks from Highschool. They don’t even have non-hate sex UNTIL THE EPILOGUE.
In the end, I can’t even stand the h. She gets the job cuz H bows out of competition, she then leaves the job in Paris and has to come back BECAUSE SHE WAS FAILING AT IT. Go feminism!
As much as I hated the H and found him completely irredeemable at the 50% mark…because of the unbelievably hot chemistry, sex scenes, witty banter, inner monologue, all centered around OW2…who he fantasized about for 3 years while in relationship to OW1. I found him the most fucked over character and most deserving of empathy/sympathy by the end.
AND TO MAKE IT SO MUCH MORE UNBELIEVABLE…H/h are not together until the epilogue and all the long hard work of getting together is off page. Such a disappointment. It felt like author didn’t have the balls to leave it without an HEA, which was the ONLY BELIEVABLE OUTCOME, so she wrote some slop, called it an epilogue…THE END.
This book really sucked. As an angst whore I feel totally screwed by the entire thing.
September 6, 2016
Oh my goodness- I love nothing more than having a smile on my face when I close a book, and that's just what happened with Hostile Workplace!
Sam’s happily living his life- he’s got an incredible job, a wonderful family, and a loving and devoted girlfriend. But appearances can be deceiving, and the life Sam’s been living is about to be thrown into an uproar. Everything he thought he knew has been tossed out the window as deception and secrets are revealed, and his past infiltrates his present.
Sam and Lydia have spent the past six years believing the worst about each other, and now that a fantastic work opportunity has them pitted against each other they need to somehow find a way to get past all the anger and animosity. The chemistry between them was truly off the charts- 6 years disappeared in minutes once they were back in each other’s presence. Sam and Lydia are one of those couples that you really want to be together! They fit together, they’re just meant to be. I wanted them to figure out their shizz and kiss and make up!
I loved Sam. On the surface you have this dominate, commanding, put-together businessman, but when you dig a little deeper you find a vulnerable guy who really has been just existing since he lost the love of his life once they graduated from high school. Lydia's a strong, feisty, determined woman. But like Sam, there's been something missing in her life too. My heart hurt for them when everything was revealed- 6 years to have been apart, and for what?!?
Can we talk about Cooper and Liam for just a minute? I’m not sure which of these fellas I like more, but I’m really hoping we are going to get both of their stories!
Even though I wasn’t sure I was going to end up with that smile on my face, I should have known better than to be worried- A.M. Madden has written such a compelling and completely engaging second chance love story. Hostile Workplace is a steamy, moving, and captivating book, full of emotion that will have you flipping the pages, waiting and hoping for that happily ever after!
June 17, 2018
3 Hostile Workplace Stars
I really liked Bex’s, Sam’s sister. Her attitude really was fabulous. I like that she was looking out for Sam.
I really tried to reserve judgment about Sam until the end of the book hoping he would redeem himself. But I found him lacking. And I hate that. I try and find something about a character I liked and I just couldn’t find one in Sam.
He was a woe is me kind of character. I don’t like that, and then he wanted to be all dominant…And he was all about how fast he got hard when he sees a female… Really… Dude… Yeah sorry fella back down. I am all for a broody bad ass but he has to have some sweet in him. Something that calls to me that says hey this guy is just misunderstood.
I get it he had his heartbroken and that sucks but then he made the choice to be in a relationship and ask her to marry him. If you’re NOT happy dude, then you owe it to not only yourself but to HER and end it.
Nope he waited and only did it when there was a “reason” to do it.
His Quote had me plinking my iPad. Lol
“Jenny deserves his love but he doesn’t deserve hers.”
In the end I don’t think either one deserved each other’s love.
He was hung up on his ex from college. I get it but still.
I kinda like Jenny even till the end! Ha I am crazy like that. I mean the girl would have ended up miserable either way that’s what lies do.
Not a fan of Lydia either the blame game is old. But in the end I am glad she gets her HEA.
Over all tooo much DRAMALAMA for me.
I really wanted to like one part of the book and I did Bex :)
Would I recommend it sure to someone who likes angst, and drama in their romance. I wish that was me it just really isn’t.
But I will tell you why I keep on listening, La Petite Mort & Ruby Rivers. His voice is yummy. And even though I wasn’t a Sam fan I was a L-P-M fan ohhh yeah.
Also really like some of Ruby’s female voices the husky ones were my favorite.
*You don't have to like my review but its 100% my opinion, and I am allowed to have it.*
I really liked Bex’s, Sam’s sister. Her attitude really was fabulous. I like that she was looking out for Sam.
I really tried to reserve judgment about Sam until the end of the book hoping he would redeem himself. But I found him lacking. And I hate that. I try and find something about a character I liked and I just couldn’t find one in Sam.
He was a woe is me kind of character. I don’t like that, and then he wanted to be all dominant…And he was all about how fast he got hard when he sees a female… Really… Dude… Yeah sorry fella back down. I am all for a broody bad ass but he has to have some sweet in him. Something that calls to me that says hey this guy is just misunderstood.
I get it he had his heartbroken and that sucks but then he made the choice to be in a relationship and ask her to marry him. If you’re NOT happy dude, then you owe it to not only yourself but to HER and end it.
Nope he waited and only did it when there was a “reason” to do it.
His Quote had me plinking my iPad. Lol
“Jenny deserves his love but he doesn’t deserve hers.”
In the end I don’t think either one deserved each other’s love.
He was hung up on his ex from college. I get it but still.
I kinda like Jenny even till the end! Ha I am crazy like that. I mean the girl would have ended up miserable either way that’s what lies do.
Not a fan of Lydia either the blame game is old. But in the end I am glad she gets her HEA.
Over all tooo much DRAMALAMA for me.
I really wanted to like one part of the book and I did Bex :)
Would I recommend it sure to someone who likes angst, and drama in their romance. I wish that was me it just really isn’t.
But I will tell you why I keep on listening, La Petite Mort & Ruby Rivers. His voice is yummy. And even though I wasn’t a Sam fan I was a L-P-M fan ohhh yeah.
Also really like some of Ruby’s female voices the husky ones were my favorite.
*You don't have to like my review but its 100% my opinion, and I am allowed to have it.*
September 2, 2016
A fine line between love and hate...
I was excited to discover that Hostile Workplace features Sam, who is Rebecca's brother. I had a girl crush on her when I read Love on the Horizon, and remembered how close she was to her brother. It was fun to see her through Sam's eyes. While I guarantee that you would enjoy reading her story, you can still enjoy this book as a standalone without being lost.
Sam is a workaholic, and he doesn't apologize for pushing his team to their limits. While his techniques get results, his practices are not appreciated by the ones being pushed. He's aware that they call him a 'prick' and it doesn't bother him, he knows it's true. Another reason he's a workaholic is because he stays at work to avoid going home to the wrong woman. He knows she's not the one. But, since the one that broke his heart is gone, he's been settling. He knows she loves him, but is that enough if he doesn't feel the same way?
Liam is Sam's best friend, and he's a hoot. While he does have Sam's back, he's also responsible for a few of his headaches too. I found him to be very amusing and would love to get to know him better in a future book. I also enjoyed Cooper, who is Sam's brother. Surely there is an exciting woman in his future to make those family dinners even more fun as the Stanton's tease and meddle.
Now, I wish I could tell you more, but you are just gonna have to read this one yourself to untangle the crossed wires and miscommunication that results in the page-turning, nail-biting, suspense that will keep you curious and confused before you end up sated and sighing. Just remember, "Without history, there'd be no future." And, without office sex, a hostile workplace would not be nearly as hostile, or hot (wink-wink).
I was excited to discover that Hostile Workplace features Sam, who is Rebecca's brother. I had a girl crush on her when I read Love on the Horizon, and remembered how close she was to her brother. It was fun to see her through Sam's eyes. While I guarantee that you would enjoy reading her story, you can still enjoy this book as a standalone without being lost.
Sam is a workaholic, and he doesn't apologize for pushing his team to their limits. While his techniques get results, his practices are not appreciated by the ones being pushed. He's aware that they call him a 'prick' and it doesn't bother him, he knows it's true. Another reason he's a workaholic is because he stays at work to avoid going home to the wrong woman. He knows she's not the one. But, since the one that broke his heart is gone, he's been settling. He knows she loves him, but is that enough if he doesn't feel the same way?
Liam is Sam's best friend, and he's a hoot. While he does have Sam's back, he's also responsible for a few of his headaches too. I found him to be very amusing and would love to get to know him better in a future book. I also enjoyed Cooper, who is Sam's brother. Surely there is an exciting woman in his future to make those family dinners even more fun as the Stanton's tease and meddle.
Now, I wish I could tell you more, but you are just gonna have to read this one yourself to untangle the crossed wires and miscommunication that results in the page-turning, nail-biting, suspense that will keep you curious and confused before you end up sated and sighing. Just remember, "Without history, there'd be no future." And, without office sex, a hostile workplace would not be nearly as hostile, or hot (wink-wink).
November 27, 2016
“Then you don’t understand what I went through. No matter what I said, the one person on earth who always had my back, whom I loved more than anything on this fucking planet, who always believed in me suddenly didn’t. And there was nothing I could do about it.”
There’s so much anger, hostility and resentment in this story it needed the laughs and romance to balance it out and mostly it had those elements. Reading Hostile Workplace was like unravelling a mystery through snippets from the past as well as through friends and family accounts. It’s amazing what can grow from insecurities and small misunderstandings. This story and A.M. Madden’s fabulous storytelling made for one of those perfect easy reads on a lazy Sunday afternoon. Well that’s just what it was for us and we enjoyed every minute of it.... See more of this review here: w
‘I knew the moment we saw each other again, we’d fix everything that was broken.’
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February 4, 2017
Ok I really wish we could give more than 5 stars because 5 stars just doesn't cut it anymore for some books and this one is another one. Actually all of A.M Madden books deserves more than 5 stars because she doesn't disappoint. She can spin a Web of words that will draw you in from the first word until the last word and you still want more. This is the second book in Breaking the Rules Series and it can be read as a standalone but the first one is so good I would read it first anyways. And you get just a taste of Sam in it too. Sam is a great catch,he thinks he has the perfect girl who loves him but he's been playing it safe. He can't get her out of his mind or his heart. He finds out some secrets that has been kept from him. Ok I'm trying to find the right words to describe some of the feelings I had while reading this book. One is hawt,lord have mercy this has some of the hotest parts that A.M has probably written. ...shew...lol!!!! I laughed, I cried, and I wanted to beat the crap out of a certain someone that you will just have to find out on your own and trust me you will know.
The characters where well developed you get a real sense of what they felt and what they are feeling.What they went through what they are still going through and what they are trying to get through. I can't wait for more of this series and I highly recommend this book.
The characters where well developed you get a real sense of what they felt and what they are feeling.What they went through what they are still going through and what they are trying to get through. I can't wait for more of this series and I highly recommend this book.
February 4, 2017
BOOK REVIEW: Hostile Workplace
BOOK SERIES: Breaking the Rules #2
AUTHOR: A.M. Madden
GENRE: Contemporary Romance
PUBLICATION DATE: September 6, 2016
CLIFF HANGER: No
5 Rule Breaking Stars
SYNOPSIS:
Hostile Workplace is an emotional contemporary romance with comedic moments peppered in. It is meant for readers who are 18+ due to mature content.
Sam Stanton knows these simple facts:
~ He is a great catch—successful, smart, gorgeous…but the wrong woman caught him.
~ He has the perfect girl who is madly in love with him.
~ He wasted six years of his life by playing it safe.
~ He is damn good at his job and intends to keep climbing the ladder.
~ He can’t get her off his mind or out of his heart—no matter how hard he tries.
But, what he doesn’t know is just as important:
~ Will he ever really move on and forget how badly she broke his heart?
~ Should he settle for a sure thing, even knowing it’s the wrong thing?
~ Can he give up his career for a chance at happiness?
~ Does he correct one mistake with another?
~ What would he do if she were to return?
Confused yet? Welcome to Sam Stanton’s life.
MY THOUGHTS:
That was some crazy ride I was on!!! What I thought was just going to be another book about office romance and hot sex, I should have known better that this was going to be fantastic and be so much more! This book can be read as a stand-alone even though it is part of a series. This book had it all! Humor, angst, betrayal, secrets, lies, hot sex scenes and a very rich story that is terrific! I loved every minute of it!
Sam
Lydia
Ginny
The characters of Sam and Lydia were well written and developed! Their chemistry is off the charts and the back story is crazy! You are able to connect to them and feel all the feels they do! My heart hurt for them and I felt a lump in my throat on more than one occasion! What those two went through was enough to break your heart! The supporting cast is terrific too! Sam’s ex-girlfriend, Ginny, was a piece of work of such mammoth proportions you have no idea! Cooper, Sam’s brother, is a hopeless romantic and I pray he has a book, I loved him! Liam, Sam’s best friend was laugh out loud funny and the office man slut! OMG he is the cause of some of Sam’s single escapes and is a supportive if not nosey friend! He always wants details! I also want him to have a book! There are other characters from the first book in this series that make their appearances felt and you don’t need to read the first book to read this one, but it sure makes me want to go back and read the first book in the series!
I can’t tell you enough how good this book is! I was so sad when it was over! I don’t want to tell you anything more about it because you need to experience it for yourself! I highly recommend this book!
ARC kindly provided for an honest review.
BOOK SERIES: Breaking the Rules #2
AUTHOR: A.M. Madden
GENRE: Contemporary Romance
PUBLICATION DATE: September 6, 2016
CLIFF HANGER: No
5 Rule Breaking Stars
SYNOPSIS:
Hostile Workplace is an emotional contemporary romance with comedic moments peppered in. It is meant for readers who are 18+ due to mature content.
Sam Stanton knows these simple facts:
~ He is a great catch—successful, smart, gorgeous…but the wrong woman caught him.
~ He has the perfect girl who is madly in love with him.
~ He wasted six years of his life by playing it safe.
~ He is damn good at his job and intends to keep climbing the ladder.
~ He can’t get her off his mind or out of his heart—no matter how hard he tries.
But, what he doesn’t know is just as important:
~ Will he ever really move on and forget how badly she broke his heart?
~ Should he settle for a sure thing, even knowing it’s the wrong thing?
~ Can he give up his career for a chance at happiness?
~ Does he correct one mistake with another?
~ What would he do if she were to return?
Confused yet? Welcome to Sam Stanton’s life.
MY THOUGHTS:
That was some crazy ride I was on!!! What I thought was just going to be another book about office romance and hot sex, I should have known better that this was going to be fantastic and be so much more! This book can be read as a stand-alone even though it is part of a series. This book had it all! Humor, angst, betrayal, secrets, lies, hot sex scenes and a very rich story that is terrific! I loved every minute of it!
Sam
Lydia
Ginny
The characters of Sam and Lydia were well written and developed! Their chemistry is off the charts and the back story is crazy! You are able to connect to them and feel all the feels they do! My heart hurt for them and I felt a lump in my throat on more than one occasion! What those two went through was enough to break your heart! The supporting cast is terrific too! Sam’s ex-girlfriend, Ginny, was a piece of work of such mammoth proportions you have no idea! Cooper, Sam’s brother, is a hopeless romantic and I pray he has a book, I loved him! Liam, Sam’s best friend was laugh out loud funny and the office man slut! OMG he is the cause of some of Sam’s single escapes and is a supportive if not nosey friend! He always wants details! I also want him to have a book! There are other characters from the first book in this series that make their appearances felt and you don’t need to read the first book to read this one, but it sure makes me want to go back and read the first book in the series!
I can’t tell you enough how good this book is! I was so sad when it was over! I don’t want to tell you anything more about it because you need to experience it for yourself! I highly recommend this book!
ARC kindly provided for an honest review.
November 27, 2016
“I hope you don’t waste your life chasing a ghost, Sam.”
Hostile Workplace is a romantic, angsty and funny second chance romance. Mostly told in the hero’s POV we both hated and loved him but mostly we just felt so bloody sorry for him. He’s an infuriating cock but he does have a huge heart that belongs to his past, leaving him unable to find peace and true love in the present. Every relationship is a struggle and mostly his life is a perfected habit. He comes across sullen and disrespectful yet this façade hides a broken heart, loneliness and a sense of loss. Sam is actually a bloody decent bloke who’s still confused about a part of his life which is playing into the present.
‘She killed everything we could have been. She stopped the wonderful.’
Routine and habit is an easy slot to fall into and it takes one hell of a shock to the system to rouse yourself out of it. Sam makes a discovery that makes him question everything and when a familiar face from the past rears it’s beautiful and much loved face he embarks on a journey full of truth finding and revelations that’ll shock him to the core.
“Then you don’t understand what I went through. No matter what I said, the one person on earth who always had my back, whom I loved more than anything on this fucking planet, who always believed in me suddenly didn’t. And there was nothing I could do about it.”
There’s so much anger, hostility and resentment in this story it needed the laughs and romance to balance it out and mostly it had those elements. Reading Hostile Workplace was like unravelling a mystery through snippets from the past as well as through friends and family accounts. It’s amazing what can grow from insecurities and small misunderstandings. This story and A.M. Madden’s fabulous storytelling made for one of those perfect easy reads on a lazy Sunday afternoon. Well that’s just what it was for us and we enjoyed every minute of it.
‘I knew the moment we saw each other again, we’d fix everything that was broken.’
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September 14, 2016
3.7 stars
I don't even know how to begin
to review this book. Yes, I am
aware that the author requested
a no-spoiler review, and I am
going to do my best to do that.
BUT. THIS. BOOK.
We start out meeting Sam Stanton.
He is engaged to Ginny, who
was once Lydia's best friend. Lydia,
who Sam has been apart from for
6 years, and was the love of his
life, and the woman he can't get
out of his heart or his head. EWW
right? Yes, EWWW. I do have to
be fair and say that this is not
cheating, because he didn't cheat.
It was just graphic sex with OW
before Lydia came back into his life.
Which is still an EWWW!!
I continued through to the first
14 chapters of Sam and his life post
Lydia. Where Sam engages with lots
of sex, not with just Ginny, but with
Judy, the woman who reminds him of
Lydia. I was repulsed and my stomach
was in knots and I was thinking, how
in the world will I ever like this guy?
Let me go back to the sex with OW.
It was graphic, and yes it was hot,
and I didn't understand why I was
being subjected to it, because even
though I had yet to meet Lydia (not
until chapter 14) I just knew I wanted
him with her.
I continued reading because of the rave
reviews, and a few from friends that I
trust. I started really liking Sam, and
when we finally get Lydia's POV (which
at chapter 14 starts alternating between
her and Sam) I couldn't put this book down.
It was the writing and the backstory of Sam
and Lydia that had me continue to read. I
won't spoil this book any further, because
believe me I could. Those of you who
know me, know that this is not my
normal read, but there was something
about it that made me continue, and I
just don't mean I picked it up every now
and then, I mean I could not put this
book down.
The story was probably a 4. Sam and Olivia
together was a 5 but all the other stuff
that came along was a 2, so I averaged it
out and came up with my rating!!
I do like this author and I will absolutely
read more by her.
I don't even know how to begin
to review this book. Yes, I am
aware that the author requested
a no-spoiler review, and I am
going to do my best to do that.
BUT. THIS. BOOK.
We start out meeting Sam Stanton.
He is engaged to Ginny, who
was once Lydia's best friend. Lydia,
who Sam has been apart from for
6 years, and was the love of his
life, and the woman he can't get
out of his heart or his head. EWW
right? Yes, EWWW. I do have to
be fair and say that this is not
cheating, because he didn't cheat.
It was just graphic sex with OW
before Lydia came back into his life.
Which is still an EWWW!!
I continued through to the first
14 chapters of Sam and his life post
Lydia. Where Sam engages with lots
of sex, not with just Ginny, but with
Judy, the woman who reminds him of
Lydia. I was repulsed and my stomach
was in knots and I was thinking, how
in the world will I ever like this guy?
Let me go back to the sex with OW.
It was graphic, and yes it was hot,
and I didn't understand why I was
being subjected to it, because even
though I had yet to meet Lydia (not
until chapter 14) I just knew I wanted
him with her.
I continued reading because of the rave
reviews, and a few from friends that I
trust. I started really liking Sam, and
when we finally get Lydia's POV (which
at chapter 14 starts alternating between
her and Sam) I couldn't put this book down.
It was the writing and the backstory of Sam
and Lydia that had me continue to read. I
won't spoil this book any further, because
believe me I could. Those of you who
know me, know that this is not my
normal read, but there was something
about it that made me continue, and I
just don't mean I picked it up every now
and then, I mean I could not put this
book down.
The story was probably a 4. Sam and Olivia
together was a 5 but all the other stuff
that came along was a 2, so I averaged it
out and came up with my rating!!
I do like this author and I will absolutely
read more by her.
September 6, 2016
AM Madden hit it out of the park with this novel.
Sam Stanton had his heart suddenly broken six years ago, ever since he's been in relationships but none of them had filled the emptiness that lives inside of him.
Due to extenuating circumstances, Lydia moved to the west coast, leaving behind the one and only guy she loved with her heart and soul.
Although many issues raised between the two of them and ended their relationship all those years ago, destiny will bring them together once again to show them that there is a very thin line between love and hate.
I absolutely LOVED this book! The author did a fantastic job taking the reader on a true roller coaster ride, also showed us that not everything is what it seems, which make the story more intriguing to me. And in between broken hearts and the hostile environment in the workplace we get a few laughs courtesy of Liam, Sam's best friend, as well the Stanton clan.
What touched my heart the most about this story is the message that sometimes we really need to fight for that one person we love with all of our heart, that we shouldn't let misunderstandings or doubts take us on a path we would probably regret later on in life.
Highly recommended!
Sam Stanton had his heart suddenly broken six years ago, ever since he's been in relationships but none of them had filled the emptiness that lives inside of him.
Due to extenuating circumstances, Lydia moved to the west coast, leaving behind the one and only guy she loved with her heart and soul.
Although many issues raised between the two of them and ended their relationship all those years ago, destiny will bring them together once again to show them that there is a very thin line between love and hate.
I absolutely LOVED this book! The author did a fantastic job taking the reader on a true roller coaster ride, also showed us that not everything is what it seems, which make the story more intriguing to me. And in between broken hearts and the hostile environment in the workplace we get a few laughs courtesy of Liam, Sam's best friend, as well the Stanton clan.
What touched my heart the most about this story is the message that sometimes we really need to fight for that one person we love with all of our heart, that we shouldn't let misunderstandings or doubts take us on a path we would probably regret later on in life.
Highly recommended!
February 4, 2017
Hostile Workplace by AM Madden is a stand alone novel in the Breaking The Rules series (side note: I'm JUST getting the correlation with the name of the series now) ANYWAY, this story did NOT disappoint. This is the story of Sam & Lydia and how they found their way to each other again. Through a series of flashbacks we see how they initially came to be in love with each other and because of misunderstandings, deceit and outright lies they are separated before college.
Sam & Lydia reunite years later when, fueled by revenge, a job opportunity pits them against each other. "The moment I saw this job was available, I wanted it. Once I discovered you were also a contender, I suddenly wanted it more than I ever wanted anything in my life. Did part of me want to f*ck you over? Yes. For so long, you controlled my happiness...until now. I now control it"
This is a story of first love, second chance romance, revenge, manipulation and much more. You will NOT be disappointed.
The secondary characters in this story are fun and move the story along nicely. I'm so so so glad that we get to see Rebecca & Marco from Horizon again.
Looking forward to more books in this series!!
August 31, 2016
I couldn't wait to read Sam's story and I wasn't disappointed. Sam wants nothing more then to climb the corporate ladder and be the best. He is sexy, successful and a fiancée that loves him but the one he loves shattered his heart 6 yrs ago and can't seem to let her go. Lydia felt betrayed by Sam and needs closure but when secrets come out and what they thought was the truth wasn't, how will that effect them moving forward? Sam's and Lydia love story had my emotions everywhere, as stubborn as they are you could feel how much they loved each other and still care. Can they get past their past to have a future or will the hurt be too much? Another amazing story and love seeing more of Rebecca and Marco and of course I love the cameo of Quint. I'm so hoping Coop's story will be next
I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review
I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review
July 26, 2016
Another amazingly awesome read by this author! Definitely one of my favorites to devour.
Sam, oh beloved Sam.....he's hard working, good looking, well bred and aching for the one that got away. Trying to fill her void for many years just isn't cutting it.
Lydia, is a sweet girl that has had pain from losing the one she loves, moved across the country against her will and rebuilt her life.
The catalyst of this story is whoa.....so many things I never saw coming. Lots of twists and breaking moments that will have you shocked, laughing, mad and sad.
I won't give too much away, only that this is something I never expected.
Working in a fast paced environment with lots of competition can really CHANGE someone sometimes.
Let's just see how the story goes shall we?
Highly recommend this read!!
Sam, oh beloved Sam.....he's hard working, good looking, well bred and aching for the one that got away. Trying to fill her void for many years just isn't cutting it.
Lydia, is a sweet girl that has had pain from losing the one she loves, moved across the country against her will and rebuilt her life.
The catalyst of this story is whoa.....so many things I never saw coming. Lots of twists and breaking moments that will have you shocked, laughing, mad and sad.
I won't give too much away, only that this is something I never expected.
Working in a fast paced environment with lots of competition can really CHANGE someone sometimes.
Let's just see how the story goes shall we?
Highly recommend this read!!
August 30, 2016
I received my copy of Hostile Workplace as an arc. I am a huge fan of Ms Madden's. I have read so many of her books. From the Back Up series and True Heros. This is a book that comes from the Stanton family from her last novel Love on the Horizon. My honest opinion of this book is that I think she totally hit it out of the park. At first I was a little put out by her main character Sam but when you get further into the book you can see the reason why. It is a high school sweetheart story and sucks you right in and then you start to understand the character of Sam. I loved reading the story about Sam and Lydia and I hope you will too. Thank You Ms Madden for the arc and again for such a great book.
February 7, 2017
I was so excited to have received an ARC of this standalone Hostile Workplace especially since A.M. Madden is an author that is an automatic read for me so I was so honored to get the chance to read this before it was released! She has done it again! I LOVED IT! Sam & Lydia were High School sweethearts and very much in love but things didn't go as planned... Life happened but their love for one another still held strong or did it? Sam & Lydia reconnect very unexpectedly in a very unexpected situation. I don't want to say too much YOU have to read it!
One thing that I can say is if you read Love on the Horizon you'll be very excited like I was because Sam is Rebecca's brother and you get to catch up a little with her and Marco. <3
One thing that I can say is if you read Love on the Horizon you'll be very excited like I was because Sam is Rebecca's brother and you get to catch up a little with her and Marco. <3
August 28, 2016
A.M. Madden books do not disappoint! Hostile Workplace is another example of that. The characters in this book, Sam and Lydia, were both lovable and vulnerable with a touch of toughness that made them real. Each of them suffered for 6 years, never forgetting their first love -- each other. With twists in the plot that keep you turning the page, you laugh, hurt and rejoice with them.
I also love the way characters from her previous books make cameo appearances. It is like seeing an old friend that you want to hug.
I am hoping the author is hard at work with Cooper's story and Liam's story. I can hardly wait to read more from A.M. Madden. My library shelves cannot hold enough of her books.
I highly recommend this book.
I also love the way characters from her previous books make cameo appearances. It is like seeing an old friend that you want to hug.
I am hoping the author is hard at work with Cooper's story and Liam's story. I can hardly wait to read more from A.M. Madden. My library shelves cannot hold enough of her books.
I highly recommend this book.
February 4, 2017
Sam had his high school sweetheart yanked from him 6 months before graduation. They had their whole life planned and then she was gone. He never really got over her. His life with Ginny was safe. Boring but safe. She had picked him up when he hit rock bottom after graduation. Everyone told him Ginny was the wrong woman for him, secretly he knew it but it was stable and easy for everyone.
Sam is damn good at his job so when the opportunity presents itself he his ready to walk into this promotion. Unfortunately his bosses decide to make it a little competition with an outside unknown party to see who can land this multi million dollar account.
Misinformation, miscommunication, mistakes, and missed opportunities run rampant in this book making it so good you don't want to miss out!!
Sam is damn good at his job so when the opportunity presents itself he his ready to walk into this promotion. Unfortunately his bosses decide to make it a little competition with an outside unknown party to see who can land this multi million dollar account.
Misinformation, miscommunication, mistakes, and missed opportunities run rampant in this book making it so good you don't want to miss out!!
August 29, 2016
Can I say I loved this book from the first chapter, I was hooked and needed more. You have Sam and Lydia who were high school sweethearts and broke one another's hearts. Same tried to move on with his life but compared everyone to his X. Ginny was there but she was just a replacement "safe" you could say. While Lydia was half way across the country doing her own thing. Everything started when Liam (Sam's best friend) invited him to their normal hangout at the bar one night and invited some coworkers with. Little did Sam know that this would start a chain of event that will change his life. The emotions in this book were great I couldn't put it down.
August 30, 2016
Okay, no secret I love A.M. Madden's book and OMG this definitely does not disappoint!!! I laughed, swooned, wanted to knock some sense into these characters, and absolutely loved them!! These characters truly made me hurt for them and love them like no other. The betrayal they endure and the love they have just breaks your heart for them. A.M. writes a story that completely grips you, pulls you in and doesn't let go. This story is written so amazingly that I couldn't put it down and was so wrapped into the story that I actually dreamed about these characters last night after I finished reading. Truly a must read!!!
September 6, 2016
I loved Sam's story!
He's sexy, funny, brooding, and a workaholic. And he expects that big promotion he worked so hard for. What he doesn't expect is to see the one who got away walk back into his life, and into his workplace. There are so many twists and turns that happen when she makes her reappearance. Hold on for a wild ride, be prepared to fall in love, get mad, laugh out loud, be shocked, and feel like you are part of the story!
I highly recommend this book and this series to anyone who loves romance, humor, and hot, steamy scenes!
He's sexy, funny, brooding, and a workaholic. And he expects that big promotion he worked so hard for. What he doesn't expect is to see the one who got away walk back into his life, and into his workplace. There are so many twists and turns that happen when she makes her reappearance. Hold on for a wild ride, be prepared to fall in love, get mad, laugh out loud, be shocked, and feel like you are part of the story!
I highly recommend this book and this series to anyone who loves romance, humor, and hot, steamy scenes!
February 12, 2024
1.5 stars—This is a book where the h was a secondary character. The 2 ow got more sexy times and more on page time. I skimmed a lot just to get to the relationship between the mc’s. Heck we didn’t even get the hea until the epilogue. The book ends with the mc’s still not together. It literally felt like it took 6 years for these two to get back together!
September 2, 2016
The Breaking the Rules series continues in this second book about Sam Stanton’s life. I was waiting for Sam’s story. We met him in Love on the Horizon as Rebecca’s brother. I wanted to know who he was, what he was all about and we definitely got that here. He is a workaholic, so intent on getting ahead in his job, showing that he’s capable and climbing the ladder at a rapid pace. But his love life is not as rewarding. He is smart and good looking, yet in a relationship that doesn’t bring him the happiness he knows he should be getting from being with the one you love. Except, Ginny is not the love of his life. He is in a “safe” relationship and is afraid of getting out of it, despite everyone telling him she’s the wrong one for him.
The one who got away is who he’s been pining for, Lydia Wilson. She broke his heart years ago and he’s been struggling to leave that in the past. But when she suddenly reappears in his life vying for the same job he is, things take an interesting turn.
I loved this story. I enjoyed seeing how real Sam was. He was handsome and sexy, yet he didn’t use that to get women. He wasn’t arrogant in a bad way. He didn’t love his current girlfriend, yet he didn’t’ stray. I liked that about him. I was a bit unsure at first about how I felt about Sam being with her if he didn’t love her, why was he stringing her along, but then I got it as I continued reading. He was loyal and grateful for all Ginny did for him and that made leaving her difficult.
I had no idea what to think of Lydia. She was a bit of a mystery at first, but I knew there had to be something to have made her disappear like that. She was a strong character in a sense, but vulnerable and untrusting. More than anything I loved their banter. The way the kindle sizzled when they were together on scene. You could just feel the sexual tension between them.
When the secrets start revealing themselves and you learn of everything that conspired to separate them, you can’t help but feel for them and want them together. But they’re both so stubborn and it’s a toss-up as to who will break, if either of them does.
This story is another great read by AM Madden. Her characters are always real with relatable issues. Even the secondary characters give much to the story. Liam, Sam’s best friend is such a funny character, adding so much lightness to the story full of sad and tough moments. I hope we get to hear his story. And, we get more of Marco! Highly recommend reading this book (and the whole series).
The one who got away is who he’s been pining for, Lydia Wilson. She broke his heart years ago and he’s been struggling to leave that in the past. But when she suddenly reappears in his life vying for the same job he is, things take an interesting turn.
I loved this story. I enjoyed seeing how real Sam was. He was handsome and sexy, yet he didn’t use that to get women. He wasn’t arrogant in a bad way. He didn’t love his current girlfriend, yet he didn’t’ stray. I liked that about him. I was a bit unsure at first about how I felt about Sam being with her if he didn’t love her, why was he stringing her along, but then I got it as I continued reading. He was loyal and grateful for all Ginny did for him and that made leaving her difficult.
I had no idea what to think of Lydia. She was a bit of a mystery at first, but I knew there had to be something to have made her disappear like that. She was a strong character in a sense, but vulnerable and untrusting. More than anything I loved their banter. The way the kindle sizzled when they were together on scene. You could just feel the sexual tension between them.
When the secrets start revealing themselves and you learn of everything that conspired to separate them, you can’t help but feel for them and want them together. But they’re both so stubborn and it’s a toss-up as to who will break, if either of them does.
This story is another great read by AM Madden. Her characters are always real with relatable issues. Even the secondary characters give much to the story. Liam, Sam’s best friend is such a funny character, adding so much lightness to the story full of sad and tough moments. I hope we get to hear his story. And, we get more of Marco! Highly recommend reading this book (and the whole series).
February 4, 2017
I received this book as an ARC for an honest review.
In this book we get Sam Stanton’s story (He is Rebecca from Love on the Horizon’s brother) and we meet Lydia Wilson. Sam has been in a relationship for years and is just beginning to realize what his entire family has been telling him, he is with the wrong girl. Sam knows their right and that there is no lasting spark between him and Ginny but he feels like he owes her for all the times that she was there for him. However one night while out with his friend Liam he talks to a friend of Ginny’s and learns that she has been keeping a secret from him for years. This makes him question everything else about their relationship and this is just the thing he needs to make the break from her. The problem he still has is that he has never truly gotten over his first true love. So when he thinks he is seeing her in different places in New York he thinks he is losing his mind. What if he is seeing her though will he find a way to finally get over her or will he always be looking for the love they once had?
Lydia Wilson is back in New York but her main reason for being here to get closer with Sam Stanton. Their youth was filled with a passion that she has never been able to get again and she wants closer to move on and start something fresh for herself. However seeing Sam brings back up some old feelings that she thought were long dead. What happens when those old feelings hit at all the wrong times will she finally get her closer or will she learn there is no closer with Sam?
This is a great book filled with many twists and turns to it. This book also gives us glimpses of their shared past to help us understand where each of them is coming from and why they feel this way now. Most readers should feel themselves changing who there are rooting for as they go through the book. This author has made sure to help us feel what each of these people have gone through. I would highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone. I would recommend reading Love on the Horizon just to understand some of the references but this book can be read as a stand-alone.
In this book we get Sam Stanton’s story (He is Rebecca from Love on the Horizon’s brother) and we meet Lydia Wilson. Sam has been in a relationship for years and is just beginning to realize what his entire family has been telling him, he is with the wrong girl. Sam knows their right and that there is no lasting spark between him and Ginny but he feels like he owes her for all the times that she was there for him. However one night while out with his friend Liam he talks to a friend of Ginny’s and learns that she has been keeping a secret from him for years. This makes him question everything else about their relationship and this is just the thing he needs to make the break from her. The problem he still has is that he has never truly gotten over his first true love. So when he thinks he is seeing her in different places in New York he thinks he is losing his mind. What if he is seeing her though will he find a way to finally get over her or will he always be looking for the love they once had?
Lydia Wilson is back in New York but her main reason for being here to get closer with Sam Stanton. Their youth was filled with a passion that she has never been able to get again and she wants closer to move on and start something fresh for herself. However seeing Sam brings back up some old feelings that she thought were long dead. What happens when those old feelings hit at all the wrong times will she finally get her closer or will she learn there is no closer with Sam?
This is a great book filled with many twists and turns to it. This book also gives us glimpses of their shared past to help us understand where each of them is coming from and why they feel this way now. Most readers should feel themselves changing who there are rooting for as they go through the book. This author has made sure to help us feel what each of these people have gone through. I would highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone. I would recommend reading Love on the Horizon just to understand some of the references but this book can be read as a stand-alone.
September 6, 2016
***** 5 Cranky Stars *****
Sam Stanton is gorgeous, sexy, successful, the perfect catch.... but the wrong girl caught him.
Living a lie is hard work. On the surface, his life is perfect yet he's living with a ghost. The ghost of an ex he never got over.
All the could haves, should haves, and would haves run as constant loops through his mind, along with sexy daydreams in his office. He just can't get the one that got away out of his mind.
One thing Sam has always excelled at is work. He's good at what he does and lives to climb the corporate ladder. When a promotion comes up, a challenge is set. He's in competition with the one that got away.
Game On!
I actually read this book twice afraid that I missed something the first time through. The real problem was that I wasn't ready to say goodbye to these characters. AM Madden is a true story teller with a gift for creating sinfully sexy and lovable characters. This Cranky reviewer has been a fan since the Devil's Lair and with each new book I fangirl more.
I highly recommend this series and AM Madden to anyone looking for their next great read.
December 13, 2017
Review for audiobook:
For me the narration was only a 3-3.5*, story a solid 5*, so overall I'm giving this 4*.
"Engaging second chance romance."
I really loved this book when I read the kindle version. And I still love the story, but I honestly think I'd have a different opinion if I had only listened to it. I didn't have that overwhelming feeling of angst and love and happiness I had when reading. I was still rooting for Sam and Lydia to figure things out, I was still mad at Ginny for all the trouble she caused, but I wasn't as engaged as I had been. Cooper and Liam had made such an impression on me in the book and I loved their characters- they were entertaining and fun. Listening to it I didn't have that same feeling towards them- they were just kind of meh, side characters that didn't stand out.
The thing that really threw me was the male narrator's voice- I had to keep reminding myself that Sam was only 24/25 because he sounded like a much older gentleman. I almost gave up at one point because it just wasn't working for me, but I kept with it and in the end the voice grew on me a little, but this was definitely not one of my favorites.
What I did like about the narration was that it was a true dual narration. I loved how the male and female characters were narrated by LPM and Ruby, respectively. I wish more audiobooks were narrated this one.
From the other reviews on this audio I know I'm in the minority when it comes to the narration, so take my review with a grain of salt. I think the book is so great, and I would definitely recommend reading it! I just wasn't enthralled with this narration.
For me the narration was only a 3-3.5*, story a solid 5*, so overall I'm giving this 4*.
"Engaging second chance romance."
I really loved this book when I read the kindle version. And I still love the story, but I honestly think I'd have a different opinion if I had only listened to it. I didn't have that overwhelming feeling of angst and love and happiness I had when reading. I was still rooting for Sam and Lydia to figure things out, I was still mad at Ginny for all the trouble she caused, but I wasn't as engaged as I had been. Cooper and Liam had made such an impression on me in the book and I loved their characters- they were entertaining and fun. Listening to it I didn't have that same feeling towards them- they were just kind of meh, side characters that didn't stand out.
The thing that really threw me was the male narrator's voice- I had to keep reminding myself that Sam was only 24/25 because he sounded like a much older gentleman. I almost gave up at one point because it just wasn't working for me, but I kept with it and in the end the voice grew on me a little, but this was definitely not one of my favorites.
What I did like about the narration was that it was a true dual narration. I loved how the male and female characters were narrated by LPM and Ruby, respectively. I wish more audiobooks were narrated this one.
From the other reviews on this audio I know I'm in the minority when it comes to the narration, so take my review with a grain of salt. I think the book is so great, and I would definitely recommend reading it! I just wasn't enthralled with this narration.
February 4, 2017
ohhh...yesss...Sam's Story!!!
I was soo excited that we get to have his story and ohhh what a story his was. You go on this journey of him remembering the girl he lost, being with the girl that was "safe" for him and in the mix of it all he is trying to climb the corporate ladder.
"Sam Stanton knows these simple facts:
~ He is a great catch―successful, smart, gorgeous…but the wrong woman caught him.
~ He has the perfect girl who is madly in love with him.
~ He wasted six years of his life by playing it safe.
~ He is damn good at his job and intends to keep climbing the ladder.
~ He can’t get her off his mind or out of his heart―no matter how hard he tries."
At first I was like man, he has sooo much going on in his life how is he ever going to have his HEA?
But A.M. Madden didn't disappoint. She made his story be such a wonderful love story!!!
ohhh and just you wait and see how much sex goes on in this corporate world, right in the office, behind closed doors, where everyone is walking around in the halls or passing by. There are some pretty hawt scenes that I was like holding my breath thinking ohhh shit, they are about to get caught!!! lol I am still giggling thinking about it. These books definitely live up to the Series name
Breaking the Rules!!
I gave this book 5 iScream Books Stars!!! I just love reading A.M. Madden books!! They take you on a rollercoaster ride of crazzzy but then coast on in as a happy ending for all!!!
I was soo excited that we get to have his story and ohhh what a story his was. You go on this journey of him remembering the girl he lost, being with the girl that was "safe" for him and in the mix of it all he is trying to climb the corporate ladder.
"Sam Stanton knows these simple facts:
~ He is a great catch―successful, smart, gorgeous…but the wrong woman caught him.
~ He has the perfect girl who is madly in love with him.
~ He wasted six years of his life by playing it safe.
~ He is damn good at his job and intends to keep climbing the ladder.
~ He can’t get her off his mind or out of his heart―no matter how hard he tries."
At first I was like man, he has sooo much going on in his life how is he ever going to have his HEA?
But A.M. Madden didn't disappoint. She made his story be such a wonderful love story!!!
ohhh and just you wait and see how much sex goes on in this corporate world, right in the office, behind closed doors, where everyone is walking around in the halls or passing by. There are some pretty hawt scenes that I was like holding my breath thinking ohhh shit, they are about to get caught!!! lol I am still giggling thinking about it. These books definitely live up to the Series name
Breaking the Rules!!
I gave this book 5 iScream Books Stars!!! I just love reading A.M. Madden books!! They take you on a rollercoaster ride of crazzzy but then coast on in as a happy ending for all!!!
September 6, 2016
This book started with a bang...sort of. Sam has dreams about a woman he can't have. Which he shouldn't be, considering he has a loving fiance at home. Only the spark he so desires from the one who got away is missing with said fiance. He is such a jerk to the people he works with that most of them hate the very ground he walks on, and when a business opportunity lands the woman he so desires at his feet, he begins to question everything he thought he knew about himself. Loved Lydia- she was a well balanced character that you could love, hate and relate to all at once. She challenged Sam and made for a very suspenseful read at times- what she was going to do and how she'd react were my favorite part of this book.
I loved this book- it was raw, it was real. It hit on topics of settling for what is comfortable rather than what makes you feel alive. It touches on second chance romance, friendships, and the test of both in a work environment. I also liked how we were introduced to Sam's best friend Liam in a way that made you crave more from him in his own upcoming story. He was responsible for many of the laughs at Sam's expense in this book for me. Lol!
This is not my first AM Madden read but I do believe it is my new favorite. She is a fabulous story teller and this book will keep you engrossed from the very page it begins. I highly recommend this read and hope you love it as much as I did.
Kellie for Eye Candy Bookstore
* * * * * stars!
I loved this book- it was raw, it was real. It hit on topics of settling for what is comfortable rather than what makes you feel alive. It touches on second chance romance, friendships, and the test of both in a work environment. I also liked how we were introduced to Sam's best friend Liam in a way that made you crave more from him in his own upcoming story. He was responsible for many of the laughs at Sam's expense in this book for me. Lol!
This is not my first AM Madden read but I do believe it is my new favorite. She is a fabulous story teller and this book will keep you engrossed from the very page it begins. I highly recommend this read and hope you love it as much as I did.
Kellie for Eye Candy Bookstore
* * * * * stars!
September 2, 2016
Hostile Workplace is the second book in the Breaking the Rules series, and can be read as a standalone. That being said the main character in this book, Sam Stanton is the brother to Rebecca in the previous book. Sam is handsome, sexy, very career oriented, and in a safe relationship, as in zero percent chance of getting his heart broken again. Six years ago that is exactly what happened when he was in a relationship with Lydia Wilson, and he has never gotten over that. Lydia Wilson is independent, sexy, strong willed and just as career oriented as Sam. What happens when these two ex-lovebirds are thrown back together will have you laughing, crying, loving and hating. I swear one of the characters in this book made me want to strangle them and at the same time made me feel sorry for them. Well that should tell you how this book is, it takes your emotions on a roller coaster ride that doesn't let up until the very end.
I have read everything that A.M. Madden has written and the books just keep getting better, and this series is one of the hottest and most romantic yet. Do yourself a favor and read this one, I highly recommend it.
I am giving this one 5 "red flag" stars only because it won't let me go any higher!!
I am hoping that Sam's best friend Liam gets a book of his own, that would be very interesting, considering that Sam owes him a quite a few paybacks.
I have read everything that A.M. Madden has written and the books just keep getting better, and this series is one of the hottest and most romantic yet. Do yourself a favor and read this one, I highly recommend it.
I am giving this one 5 "red flag" stars only because it won't let me go any higher!!
I am hoping that Sam's best friend Liam gets a book of his own, that would be very interesting, considering that Sam owes him a quite a few paybacks.
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