Really enjoyed this one. The chemistry between Clover and Teddy leapt off the pages! I also appreciated that the barrier to their relationship wasn't forced, there was a real tension there and I thought the resolution was perfect but authentic. I also loved that Teddy was so direct and unashamed in his love for Clover, it was a nice change of pace to have the guy be both the chaser and the one head of hills. Overall enjoyed this book and would not be mad at a follow up!

I tried reading this a couple of times but I did not enjoy the start of the relationship. It felt very awkward given the roles and I could not get a liking for the central characters. I think people who read more romance books than I do will fare better with this one. Since I did not read the book in its entirety, I cannot provide a full length review for this.
The premise drew me to the book, but it was not my cup of tea.

Thank you NetGalley and kasha T. For this ARC.
This review is from June 24th 2022
This book is a solid 3 stars. Maybe even 3.5.

I finished this book a couple of days ago and I needed it to marinate for a bit.

The way Tasha wrote this story had me laughing out loud on occasion, hot and bothered on other occasions. I will say that all though this book was well written, I didn’t much like the pop culture references in language. But that is merely a personal dislike. Only because I know language changes so much and with every country.

I loved Clover and Teddy in this book. They were funny and so relatable especially the reference to not being able to have it all. Women get forced fed it and when we then make a decision which ever one we pick, is still seen as the wrong choice.

The element of its always been you from Teddy was not done in a cringy way, if anything it made me love him more.

I think overal the story was amazing there were some parts I felt like could’ve been fleshed out more. E.g. the grovel from teddy he said some nasty stuff that was barely addressed. Or the fact that clover didn’t really grow much till the end. I felt like because we weren’t talking about the elephant in the room so much, it just seemed like the independent Clover working on herself. Which caused the ending not to be as great as the beginning.

This was such a fun read! I love a work place romance and having POTUS as your boss and your love interest is top tier! I loved the realistic aspect of this novel because Teddy doesn't win Clover over immediately. I liked that he had to work for it!!

This one was good but not my favorite. I’ll still recommend it because it gave me scandal vibes. Overall cute story.

This book was definitely entertaining and kept me engaged, but I didn’t really connect with it overall. I don’t really think the topics in this book are for me personally. I loved Clover as a character, and I found it really hard to root for her and Theodore as a couple. I feel like she deserved more almost. Due to not being interested in the couples connection, I couldn’t really enjoy this book to my full potential, but I can still see how someone would really enjoy it and there is definitely an audience I would recommend this to!

I had a few qualms with this book, maybe it's because I'm Canadian and maybe it's because I hate politics, but, I'm a sucker for a romance, so I had to give this a go. All in all, the characters were pretty likeable, and the readability was there, I just didn't really connect with the story. I found so many things too unbelievable when it came to the President of the United States idea, that I just found myself distracted. All in all, I can definitely see the appeal, and the romance aspect was cute, the book just wasn't for me. I can definitely see recommending this to some of my romance loving friends, and they'll devour it.

I loved that Clover was a boss in every way. Going after what she wanted and knowing who she was and being with who she wanted, I understood her hang-ups on relationships and her fear of having her heart broken. But I side-eyed her when she said she gets crazy in relationships because, girl, what? I mean, I know we don’t have it all together, but maybe you should talk to someone about that. I did not like that Clover was painted in such a boss way to suddenly need the confidence of a man to self-actualize her own confidence to go after her dreams.

I was rooting for Teddy; I really was, even though he constantly steamrolled through her boundaries and belittled her feelings toward the power imbalance in their relationship. He had such sweet and thoughtful moments that I was a quarter in love with him and thought Clover was blocking a possible good relationship because of past hurts. But Theodore, I can never forgive you for what you said at the end of Chapter Twenty-Six. The fact that you didn’t apologize or go after her, and she still had to come to you and apologize. Whew.

I feel like this had the potential to be a great slow-burn, and I like the premise of the plot. but Clover’s hang-ups didn’t get acknowledged in a healthy way, and Teddy constantly tested and broke her boundaries, which frustrated me. I felt at the end that there was minimal growth for both characters. Clover hadn’t dealt with how she got "crazy" in relationships, but I’m glad she got the self-confidence to finally go after her big dreams, and Teddy didn’t have any emotional growth. None at all. So the quarter in love went out the window.

Teddy’s Pros
- Romantic gestures
- Supportive and believed in her
Cons
- He did not understand boundaries and dismissed Clover or belittled her feelings regarding what being with him meant for her career.
- End of Chapter Twenty-Six

If you love he fell first, romantic gestures, support, and black love, you might enjoy this book.
Thank you, Webster Avenue Publishing and Netgalley, for providing an eARC of this book for my honest opinion.

After years of a “good things happen to those who hustle” mindset, Clover Bennett lands a job working as the press secretary for The White House. Clover doesn’t want any distractions. But there is one, the very handsome and very single President, Theodore (Teddy) Elmsworth.

I was here for this friends to lovers Black romance. I really loved Clover as a main character! She was funny, intelligent, AND a boss! I also really enjoyed her bestfriend, Daysha, as a character. The writing and pacing were great. And I cracked up several times during this novel.

My only complaint about this novel was the love interest. Throughout most of the book I didn’t like Teddy. I didn’t necessarily think he was a bad person, but he just wasn’t for me. And at one point I did think that he was a good match for Clover, even if I didn’t personally like him. But then I noticed that he raised his voice at Clover multiple times. So when he eventually called her out her name I was not surprised. Anything I could’ve liked about him went out the window when he did that. He is trash. Maybe I would’ve liked him better had this been a dual pov novel. Maybe I would’ve understood him better. But after referring to Clover as a “bitch” as soon as she made him mad, I don’t care to understand him. I did not root for them to be together after that. And to make it even worse, she didn’t even take offense to what he said. Girl stand up!

I did enjoy this book though because Clover really stood out as a character and I enjoyed the writing. I’ll be checking out more books by Kasha Thompson in the future!

Thank you Webster Avenue Publishing and NetGalley for this arc. All opinions are my own.

TW: parental abandonment and addiction briefly mentioned

In books, there's a clear line between when two characters are actually together or if they're only together for the sake of the plot. The second option is what happened in this book. In my opinion, most of what they did was fight, and I wouldn't have gotten back together after the conflict ended.


Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Heat Factor: The whole middle of the book is pretty much sex.
Character Chemistry: feelings are annoying
Plot: The new White House Press Secretary worked with the president once many years ago. This time he’s not about to let her get away.
Overall: I was put off by the way the president was initially represented (it’s single POV from Clover), and that kind of snowballed with other things as I continued to read

I picked up Figure of Speech because for some reason I’m on a president/staffer romance kick (it started with Secret Service romance and I have no regrets), and there aren’t that many such offerings, so I was immediately intrigued by this one on NetGalley.

Initially I simply felt that the single POV was not a good choice for this story, and I figured that once Teddy was revealed he’d seem less sketchy and things would pull together better. That’s not really what happened, so I’ll throw some info out there that I hope will be useful, because there’s definitely an audience for this book. It might get a little spoilery, but only because I’m trying to explain my points.

The background is this: We begin with Clover interviewing for the new Press Secretary opening at the White House. Clover is incredibly good at her job, and she knows it, but an interview is an interview, and the White House is the White House. It isn’t until after the interview that we learn that Clover has some history with the president, Teddy. She was on his campaign and served as his communications director (or the like) for the first couple years he was a senator. There was perhaps a bit of flirting, and they shared a kiss (that is mentioned maaaaaybe twice ever) and then went their separate ways.

The conflict is this: Teddy is not only Clover’s boss, he’s the President of the United States. Teddy wants them to be together. Clover has an amazing career and wants to be taken seriously in it.

Let’s examine the execution.

As I mentioned, this is exclusively Clover’s POV. On the one hand, she’s a fantastically competent, take-no-prisoners, you-wish-you-were-as-amazing-as me woman. On the other hand, she’s a wounded, jilted woman with romantic insecurities that had my eyebrows climbing into my hair. I really liked the former aspect of Clover’s presentation, and while I do believe that everyone has some kind of insecurities and soft spots, the way Clover’s were presented were…not great. Take, for example, Clover’s explanation of why she’s opted for no-strings sex relationships over romantic partnerships:

I, on the other hand, had my fill of romantic relationships. I’d wasted entirely too much time on men who didn’t deserve my attention.

Okay, so that seems pretty solid. Then she says:

And I can admit when I fall in love, I can be a little crazy.
Like, if I call and you don’t answer your phone, I’m going to assume you want to see me in person. If I find another woman’s number in your contact list and it’s not work related, I may bleach your clothes. Yes, I have stalked a boyfriend’s social media page and could tell you what pictures he was liking and who was liking his. It took a lot of work to maintain that type of energy, so eventually, I decided to hit pause on the relationship stuff and just pursue what was really important to me…

In case it’s not obvious, none of those behaviors are healthy. At least she acknowledges it takes a lot of her energy. But she doesn’t stop there. Later on she says:

Once, I drove ten hours to confront the woman who was sleeping with my boyfriend. I ended up beating her ass, slashing his tires, and catching a charge, which was later expunged due to a Black female judge that took pity on me.

Like. How is another relationship not gonna be a problem for you without some soul-searching (*cough* therapy *cough*), Clover? All I see are planet-sized trust issues. Also, blaming another woman for a cheating man is some classic toxic femininity shit.

AND THEN, after Clover is just so amazingly on it for her entire job, just SO COMPETENT, she sleeps with Teddy and says:

What had I done to deserve all that he had given me last night?

Excuse me, what? Apparently the president suddenly has magic peen that makes Clover completely forget what an amazing woman she is.

Suffice it to say, I did not care for the way the Teddy-relationship portion of the book involved a good deal of Clover losing her confidence in herself and relying on him to convince her to chase her dreams.

Okay, so then we’ve got to consider the development of Teddy. This is a boss-employee relationship that is taken to the Nth degree because both Teddy and Clover are viewed in the court of public opinion and the power dynamics of a president-employee relationship are probably not significantly different from a billionaire CEO-employee relationship, but they certainly feel like more. At the very least, there should be some conflict over the relationship happening at all, which is apparently only something relevant to Clover? All Clover’s friends and family are like, “Yes, definitely sexually harass the president and see what happens. Or at least see how big his penis is.”

And Teddy doesn’t care about the power imbalance at all! Like, in order to make this not completely yikes, Teddy should probably come across as a good guy or should come to be revealed as a good guy, right? We aren’t in his head and don’t know what he’s thinking, so all we have to go on are his actions and words. This is the foundation of the romance, and that foundation was incredibly shaky.

The Press Secretary position was available in the first place thanks to a resignation. After she starts, Clover goes out to lunch with the president (which, what?), which is of course news (though neither Clover nor Teddy consider this before going to lunch, which, also, what?), and afterward Clover’s direct supervisor takes her aside to gently rebuke her while intimating that her predecessor made Certain Choices and is now gone. When Clover later pulls in her assistant and asks what the story is, she is informed that there’s a rumor going around that the former press secretary was fired after having an improper relationship followed by a fight with the president.

Scandalous, right? Clover, being good at her job and wanting to continue to be good at her job, tells Teddy to back off…and he doesn't. We get moments like this interlude between Clover and Teddy:
“You don’t just get to barge into my office whenever you like.”
His face wrinkled. “I’m the President. I can do anything I want.”

Or Clover talking to her best friend:
“Didn’t you just say you’re fixing to sleep with the President?” Daysha clasped her hands. “Oh, excuse me, Teddy.”
“I never said I was fixing to do anything. All I said is that Teddy is applying some serious pressure.”

Or there’s that time when Clover and Teddy are working late and have a dinner picnic on the floor of the Oval and he starts touching her thighs and massaging her feet. AFTER she’s made it clear that they are going to have a professional relationship only because of what it would mean for her if they didn’t. Really, there are many such moments, and each one paints a starker picture of a man who has absolutely no qualms steamrolling boundaries. Which is a real problem for a workplace romance.

And after they do get together? Clover is still trying to maintain a boundary, and there’s this whole “Say No to This” vibe going on (without the cheating). You know, when Hamilton is like, “In my mind I’m trying to go, then her mouth is on mine and I don’t say no.” That’s also Clover’s deal. But with genders reversed. And less blackmail.

Then some other stuff goes down that is just completely infuriating for a number of reasons, including both Clover and Teddy 1000% not behaving like they value their relationship at all, and also I DON’T UNDERSTAND WHERE THE SECRET SERVICE IS. Then things hit the fan, they have a fight, and Teddy drops this delightful little nugget:

“You know what?” He lengthened his neck and squared his posture. “You’re right, we would have never worked because you’re a broken, bitter bitch who's gonna die alone.”

Which in a real life fight that’s dirty and emotional I get, even if it’s a really terrible thing to say, but in a romance…oof. Not gonna get a lot of forgiveness there, Teddy. EXCEPT HE DOESN’T APOLOGIZE. EVER. AT ALL.

In addition, there were some head-scratching moments for me. Like why they flew Air Force One from Andrews to Baltimore and spent the night there when the drive from the White House to Bmore is an hour and the WH is more secure than a hotel. Or why a man who theoretically cares about the environment would spend a bunch of money overnighting non-local food to Clover’s mother. Or why the president is talking to a North Korean ambassador that does not exist because we do not have diplomatic relations with the DPRK. Or how a politician would have such a cavalier attitude about optics. Or WHERE THE SECRET SERVICE EVER IS.

This is also a book that relies primarily on the idea that the sex is amazing which is why you know that the relationship is special. During the middle will-they-won’t-they sections, I struggled to connect with the romance because of everything I already mentioned, but also because they were constantly falling into bed, but I didn’t feel like the relationship was developing emotionally.

I’m not sure who this book is best suited to, but I do know it wasn’t for me.

I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. We disclose this in accordance with 16 CFR §255.

This review is also available at The Smut Report.

Figure of Speech was such an entertaining read! 😍

I was so gripped by the premise of the book and started this read all kinds of excited & I'll tell you what friends this one certainly did not dissapoint!

It was so fun reading about the political background of the romance in this story, both Clover & Teddy were characters you couldn't help but love and root for!

Can we just take a moment to acknowledge the fact that both our main characters are poc?! 👏🏽
My heart is so happy seeing the representation in this book!!

I'm so excited to read more from Kasha Thompson and I hope you all enjoy this one as much as I did!!

Set in DC, Clover is a passionate PR star who has worked hard to grow her career. Teddy is the newly elected president but they have history. Ten years ago they met before in a senate campaign and since then Teddy has been pining over Clover wanting to get a chance to see her again. Once i got into this book i enjoyed it but i think politics and romance isn't for me. I didn't enjoy the power dynamic between the two of them.

Wow, Clover Bennett has landed a job as press secretary to Theodore Elmsworth who is a handsome single bachelor and the United States President. Clover and Teddy have been friends for some time and have worked together previously. Now the two of them find themselves back working together and oh yes sparks are flying. Clover is good at her job and also committed. Clover is doing her best to keep Teddy at bay. Clover knows that mixing business with pleasure could lead to disaster especially in her line of work. So what’s a girl to do when Teddy the US president has been pining over you. Not sure if this can be considered a Rom Com but it is awesome. Teddy is not your usual president of the US.

If you’re looking for something good, entertaining, romantic and humorous to read “Figure Of Speech” is one I would recommend.

I received an ARC via NetGalley and Webster Avenue Publishing and I am leaving my review voluntarily.

I think I’m books there’s a clear line between when two characters would actually get together or if they’re only together because it’s a book. And I think the second options is what happened in this book. I felt like a majority of what they did was fight and I wouldn’t have gotten back with him after the ending conflict.

I like reading workplace romances, but this book had too much of the workplace aspect than the actual romance. I feel like even at the 50% mark, there's still no connection between Clover and Teddy for us to root for their romance or relationship because we spent more time reading what they do for work and the interactions between them were just crumbs and not even that swoon-worthy. I also feel icky with how Teddy seems to always put Clover in a situation where her reputation and her career can be taken away from her and how nonchalant and non-caring he is about that is a no for me, especially the power dynamics between the two of them.

I wasn't sure what to expect from this book, but what I got was a forbidden romance between a strong, independent woman and a playful and passionate President of the United States. This had strong Scandal vibes and Clover even mentions Olivia Pope in the beginning. The friendships were great and added even more humor. Figure Of Speech grabbed my attention and kept a hold of me until I finished. This funny, smart, and spicy book is available on #kindleunlimited now!

Thank you to @netgalley and Webster Avenue Publishing for this ARC!

Figure of Speech by Kasha Thompson is a sizzling romcom & perfect match to escape from the summer heat. It revolves around the powerhouse of a woman that is Clover Bennett, whose equally intelligent, gorgeous & savvy, as she takes on the position of Press Secretary for the White House. The current President is a handsome bachelor & also an old colleague of Clover’s. These two make sparks fly right off the page. I couldn’t help but be reminded of one of my old favorite shows, Scandal, while reading this. It’s different positions with this main character Clover being the Press Secretary & different situations as they are both single in this one, but I enjoy them both! The passion & undeniable chemistry between the president & the hard-working, powerful & incredible woman were reminiscent of each other.
This is a book that enraptured me within 3 short chapters that I could already was going to be a book of excellence.
A book achieves romantic banter greatness when it can make a reader smirk & smile as they read & this book succeeded with that on me! I was full on charmed by this hero & loved the strong, self-confident & worthy woman he was trying to win over. There was even a Pinky & the Brain reference, which I applaud.
The power dynamics felt a little strange to me, but I think right away you can tell there is a different feel to their professional relationship given the fact that they have a history that is rooted in working closely in their younger years along with the friendship that came with that. I wish he would have acknowledged more the tolls that come from simply being a woman in a professional setting & the different expectations that society places on women. But I will say without giving too much away that I absolutely adored the ways he did root for her.
This is a phenomenal romcom full of wit, banter, laughs & enough spiciness that let’s just say I was blushing for the Secret Service.
Figure of Speech is out TODAY & I highly recommend checking it out!

Trigger warnings: This book mentions &/or contains moderate coarse language, sex, sexual harassment (briefly referenced) & politics.

Shoutout to the author for having trigger warning at the beginning of the novel. I think it’s so rad when authors do this & have to show my appreciation!

Massive thanks to NetGalley, Kasha Thompson & Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op. for giving me the opportunity to read an arc of this in exchange for an honest review.

I will post this to my social media on release day as well as Amazon & Barnes & Noble.

Figure of Speech is the delightful political romance that I didn't realize I ever wanted or needed. Clover knows what she wants, and after a bad break-up, she's more motivated than ever to get it. And that means she's not going to let anything get in her way, even the lovely Teddy. I loved Clover's development throughout the story and her strong personality was great to see in a romance novel.

4/5 Stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Webster Avenue Publishing for providing me with an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I wanted to like this book but I can't get into a forbidden love trope. If that's the trope for you then you'd love this one. I find Kasha tends to be write flawed character and typically they have some redeemable qualities. I couldn't fined them in this one.

I could have gotten over the fact that Tecdy was the president and that Clover was his employee but the terrible people that Teddy and Clober we're was more annoying.

I actually didn't like either of them. Between Teddy constantly gaslighting and straight up selfishness I couldn't take it. He gave no shits about the impact of his actions on Clover and said it's no big deal. Overriding her feeling when she tried to explain when she help her career. And resorted to name-calling. Like I'm sorry that's ridiculous.

Meanwhile, Clove brushes it under the rug and never brings it up for discussion. Goes as far as to apologize rather than seeing the situation for what it was.

I didn't want these two together. Clover was annoying but I couldn't stand Teddy and neither of them grow to be better.

The sex scene was pretty spicy thou