The Strawberry Patch Pancake House by Laurie Gilmore
The Strawberry Patch Pancake House was my first five star Laurie Gilmore read (I read them out of order) and I loved every minute of it. The forced proximity of it all is probably why I loved it so much. A grumpy x sunshine that’s also forced proximity is such a good mix of tropes. The tension alone is off the charts good, which I talked about in detail in my review:
“The constant tension between Iris and Archer was perfect. I do love a ‘I want to but I shouldn’t’ romance. Yeah, it’s quite unprofessional to get it on with the nanny, but the forbidden nature of the romance is what makes it so exciting to read. The majority of their relationship was built on pure lust, but as soon as Archer’s relationship grew with Olive, Iris was swooning all over the place. Their emotional chemistry (is that what you would call it?) developed at a reasonable pace and made the progression of their relationship more believable.”
As I mentioned above, getting it on with someone that’s working for you is extremely unprofessional, but for some reason I really loved it in this book.
Get your copy of The Strawberry Patch Pancake House here:
*Kindle Ebook
*Paperback
*Hardcover
*Audible audiobook
Synopsis: As a world-renowned chef, single dad Archer never planned on moving to a small town, let alone running a pancake restaurant. But Dream Harbor needs a new chef, and Archer needs a community to help raise his daughter, Olive.
Iris has never managed to hold down a job for more than a few months. So when it’s suggested that Archer is looking for a live-in nanny, she almost runs in the opposite direction.
Now, Iris finds herself in a whole new world. One where her gorgeous new boss lives right across the hall and likes to cook topless… Keeping everything strictly professional should be easy, right?
The Hating Game by Sally Thorne
Apparently the theme of this best forced proximity books post is workplace romance and what makes a workplace romance even better? Hate/rivals to lovers. Lucy and Josh despise each other (or so they think) and the constant bickering while literally working opposite each other was *chef’s kiss*. Did I think they were awful, childish people to begin with? Yes, yes I did. However, they very quickly grew on me.
Something else that makes a forced proximity book one of the best, they don’t get on but he looks after her when she’s unwell. This trope hits every time and if you don’t like it, well that’s your problem.
I often look back at my reviews when talking about books I read a while ago in these types of posts and this part made me laugh a little:
“I love it when the man falls first and harder, it gets me every time. Joshua Templeman has been in love with Lucy Hutton from the very moment he saw her. He is incredibly emotionally stunted though so what else would he do other than make her think he despises her? Oh yeah, paint his bedroom the colour of her eyes. It’s a little stalkerish, but this isn’t real so I’m going to say it’s incredibly romantic. Please don’t do this in real life though, you’re asking for a restraining order.”
Get your copy of The Hating Game here:
*Kindle Ebook
*Paperback
*Audible audiobook
Synopsis: Nemesis (n.)
1) An opponent or rival whom a person cannot best or overcome;
2) A person’s undoing;
3) Joshua Templeman.
Lucy Hutton and Joshua Templeman hate each other. Not dislike. Not begrudgingly tolerate. Hate. And they have no problem displaying their feelings through a series of ritualistic passive aggressive maneuvers as they sit across from each other, executive assistants to co-CEOs of a publishing company. Lucy can’t understand Joshua’s joyless, uptight, meticulous approach to his job. Joshua is clearly baffled by Lucy’s overly bright clothes, quirkiness, and Pollyanna attitude.
Now up for the same promotion, their battle of wills has come to a head and Lucy refuses to back down when their latest game could cost her her dream job…But the tension between Lucy and Joshua has also reached its boiling point, and Lucy is discovering that maybe she doesn’t hate Joshua. And maybe, he doesn’t hate her either. Or maybe this is just another game.
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